History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 96

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 96
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 96

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

years, administering the office with fidelity. He is an "old-line" Democrat, and is one of the most genial old gentlemen it has been the good fortune of the writer to meet.

Charles Ohl, an old resident of Lordstown township, was born in Austintown in 1807. His father, Michael Ohl, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1804 or 1805, and settled in Canfield township, Trumbull county, for a short time, and then moved to Austintown, where he lived many years. He then came to Ohltown, Weathersfield township. The town derived its name from Mr. Ohl. He was a farmer by occu- pation, though he was interested in milling con- siderably. The family is of German descent. There were thirteen children in his family, seven boys and six girls. Mr. Charles Ohl came to Lordstown in 1839, and located upon the farm where he now resides. His house was destroyed by fire about a year ago, yet Mr. Ohl in his old age is again building. In 1838 he married Miss Elizabeth Robb, daughter of John Robb, of Lordstown township. Eight children were the fruit of this union. Mrs. Ohl died in August, 1874. She was a member of the United Breth- ren church. In politics Mr. Ohl is a Repub- lican.

Peter Shiveley was born in Pennsylvania in 1810. His father, Frederick, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1812, and settled in Austintown. He died in 1828. Eleven children in his family. Mr. Peter Shive- ley came to Lordstown in September, 1832, and settled in the southeastern part of the township. He cleared up a good farm and resided here till 1871, when, owing to some oil speculations, he lost much of his property. He moved to War- ren and lived there two years, then came back to Lordstown center. He was married in 1828 to Miss Hannah Flick, daughter of George Flick, of Canfield township. They have had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Shiveley are members of the Presbyterian church. Politically he is a sound Democrat.

Granville W. Sears was born in Putnam coun- ty, New York, in 1810. His father, Archibald Sears, was a native of New York. Mr. Gran- ville Sears came to Ohio in 1835, and settled in Austintown for one year, then moved to Lords- town, and has since lived in Trumbull county, with the exception of five years in Ellsworth

69 *

546

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO

township, Mahoning county. Mr. Sears has a splendid farm, made mostly by his own labor. It has recently been set off into Warren town- ship. He married Miss Clarissa Cassidy in 1833, daughter of John Cassidy, of Sussex county, New Jersey. By this marriage there were four children-James and John (twins), Mary E., and Laura F. Mrs. Sears died in 1870. Second marriage in 1873 to Miss Eliza- beth J. Tait, daughter of John Tait, of Lords- town. Politically he is a sound Republican.

Isaac Bailey, who came to Lordstown in 1829, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania ; died on the home farm, December 8, 1877, aged seventy-one years, one month and twenty six days. He left at his death, his wife, who is now living, five sons, three daughters, forty-four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren. He was a carpenter by trade and put up most of the early houses in this locality, and built the locks on the canal from Newton Falls to Youngs- town. He was married, in 1830, to Rebecca Weaver, who was six years younger than her husband. They had a family of the following children : Polly, deceased; Catharine, now Mrs. George Wonders; Rebecca, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; Mariah, now Mrs. William Hahn; La- vina, now Mrs. Crandall Seiple, Isaac, Jacob, Abram D., Samuel, and George A. Mr. Bailey was known as a prominent man in all public affairs of his neighborhood, especially in the Lutheran church, of which he was a devoted member, and its most zealous supporter, liberal almost to a fault in contributing both his time and money to the support of the church and the spread of the gospel. His house was known as the Lutheran hotel of Lordstown, and the ministers of the gospel always had a kind wel- come there. He came to the township a poor man, having only $4.50 in money; contracted for one hundred acres of land, which, by hard work, rigid economy, and frugal living, soon be- came his own. Abram D. Bailey was born April 14, 1839, and was married to Mary J. Wonders in 1860, who was born March 4, 1837. To them were born the following children : Laura (mar- ried), Sarah Josephine, James Ulysses, Harry Tecumseh, Mary Ann, Maria Antoinette, Edith lone, Agnes Lavina, and Carroll Bismarck. He settled on his father's farm immediately after marriage, where he has since lived, and where

all his children were born. He has served two terms as trustee, being the first Republican elected in this strong Democratic locality. He, like his father before him, is a leading member of the Lutheran church, to which he is earnestly devoted; was a member of the building commit- tee of the new church, and has been trustee of the same for many years. In 1864 he served one hundred days as member of the One Hun- dred and Seventy-first Ohio National guard, and with his regiment was taken prisoner at the battle of Cynthiana, Kentucky, by General Morgan. While on their way to Richmond they were over- taken by the Union forces under General Bur- bridge, near Augusta, paroled and sent to John- son's island, where Mr. Bailey did guard duty until the fall of the same year, when he was mustered out.

C. G. Beardsley, one of the well-known resi- dents of Lordstown township, was born in Can- field, January 2, 1817. His father, Philo, was a native of Litchfield county, Kent township, Con- necticut, and came to Ohio in the fall of 1814, and bought a farm in Coitsville township, though he never saw the farm after this. He went back to Connecticut the same way as he came, and re- mained in Connecticut during the winter, then returned to Ohio, and located in Canfield, Trum- bull county. In the fall of 1815 he went back to Connecticut and wintered, and in the mean- time was married to Miss Lois S. Gunn, daugh- ter of Chauncey Gunn, of Washington township, Connecticut. In the spring of 1816 he and his brother Curtis left New Preston, and were twenty- one days in reaching Ohio, driving a yoke of oxen and a pair of horses. Mr. Beardsley lived in Canfield many years, then went to Berlin township, and resided there till his wife died, then returned to Canfield, and resided there till his death, which occurred in February, 1870. There were twelve children in his family, nine of whom were living at the time of his death. Mr. Beardsley was a deacon in the Congregational church. He was a public-spirited man, inter- ested in all good works. Mr. C. G. Beardsley came to Lordstown in March, 1840, on horse- back through the woods with but fifty cents in his pocket. Mr. Beardsley has since lived in the township. He has a very pleasant home. He was married September 2, 1842, to Miss Elizabeth Wetmore, daughter of Hezekiah Wet-

547

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

more, of Canfield, who was one of the earliest settlers of the Western Reserve. Mr. Beardsley is a Granger, has been school director, president of the school board, and is a good citizen.

James Cassidy was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, September 20, 1815. His father, John C., was a native of New Jersey, and lived and died in that State. The family is of Irish descent. James Cassidy came to Ohio in 1837. He was a tanner by trade. He came to Lordstown in 1838 or 1839, and built a tannery at the center and followed his business for eight years, then went upon the farm, where he now lives. He has made dairying his chief occupa- tion. He was married in 1839 to Miss Eliza- beth Struble, daughter of Jacob Struble, of Sus- sex county, New Jersey. They have had four children, Granville, Adelaide, Elby, and John. Granville was killed at Vicksburg while bravely fighting in defense of his country. Mr. Cassidy is a member of the Disciple church. Politically he is a firm Democrat.

James Wilson, Jr., was born in Lordstown April 11, 1842. His father, James Wilson, is still in the township. Mr. Wilson, Jr., has al- ways lived in the township, with the exception of a few years. He was in a drug store in Youngs- town three years, and in the coal business in Carroll county four years. Farming is his occu- pation at the present time. He was married in 1869 to Miss Amanda Woodward, daughter of Leonard Woodward, of Lordstown township. They had two children, Burt and Leonard J. Mrs. Wilson died November 11, 1875. He was married the second time to Miss Almira Wood- ward, sister of his first wife, October 24, 1878. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Disci- ple church. Politically a Republican.

James Wilson, Sr., a well known resident of Trumbull county, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1816. His father, James W., was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he lived several years, then went to Beaver county, where he resided till he came to Ohio, which was in 1832, and settled in Lordstown township, where he lived till his death in 1842. There were seven children in the family. Four of the family are now living. Mr. James Wilson, the subject of this sketch, learned the blacksmith trade at Ohltown, where he served two years' apprenticeship, and then be-

gan business for himself at Lordstown center, working at his trade ten years, then moved upon the farm where he now lives. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. He was mar- ried in 1838 to Miss Mary Hutchinson, daugh- ter of William and Ann Hutchinson, of Hub- bard township. The offspring of this union was five children. Mrs. Wilson died in 1851. Second marriage in 1852 to Miss Rebecca Haz- lett, daughter of William Hazlett, of Lordstown township. There were four children by this union. Mrs. Wilson died in March, 1871. Third marriage in May, 1872, to Miss Jane Weisell, daughter of Matthew Weisell, of Lords- town. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Disciple church. He is a Republican.

U. W. Carson was born in Berlin township, Mahoning county, March 5, 1840. His father, George Carson, was a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1833 and settled in Berlin town- ship. Mr. U. W. Carson came to Lordstown in the spring of 1871 and settled upon the farm where we now find him. He married Miss Mary E. Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones of Lordstown. Two children are the fruit of this marriage-Francis A. and George S. Mr. and Mrs. Carson are members of the Disciple church. Politically he is a Republican.

Samuel R. Greiner was born in Salem, Colum- biana county, Ohio, March 7, 1846; oldest son of Cyrus K. and Rebecca (Reed) Greiner. He finished his education in the State normal school at Lebanon. He was engaged as book-keeper in the mercantile business for three years in Phila- delphia and returned to Ohio in 1867, and with a partner under the firm name of Greiner, Steel & Co., carried on a banking business at Alliance, Ohio, until 1876. He then for three years re- sided in Warren conducting the farm in Lords- town where he now lives. In 1876 he married Lina Lane, daughter of Benjamin Lane, a sketch of whose life appears elsewhere. He removed to the farm on which he now lives in Lordstown in the spring of 1880.

Charles Kistler and his wife, Rebecca (Sechler), of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, moved to Lords- town, Trumbull county, about fifty years ago. They settled on and cleared up the place on which they still reside, section twenty two. They raised a family of eight children, of whom seven

548

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

are still living : L. F., Julia (Hoffman), Catharine (Craver), C. E., Hannah (deceased), Rebecca, Samuel, and Daniel.

C. E. Kistler, a well-known citizen of Warren, was born in Lordstown in 1835. In 1859 he married Mary A. Harris, of Lordstown, and re- sided at Newton Falls for ten years, engaged in the manufacture of harnesses. In 1869 he removed to Warren, where he has since been en- gaged in the livery business.

William Salen, Sr., was born in Lynn town- ship, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. He was married there February 14, 1830, to Hettie Moyer, and in 1834 removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, settling in Warren township, where he remained a short time, and then moved to Southington. In 1840 he moved back to Pennsylvania, and settled in Crawford county, where he still lives. He has had a family of eleven children, only two being residents of Trumbull county, viz : J. P. in Warren, and William, Jr., in Lordstown. William, Jr., was born August 1, 1842, in Crawford county, Penn- sylvania, came to Lordstown to reside in Feb- ruary, 1868, and September 10th, the same year, married Mary A., daughter of Michael and Lovina Weaver, of Lordstown. Mrs. Salen was born October 27, 1840, in Lordstown. They are the parents of one child : Carrie M., born May 13, 1877. Mr. Salen located where he now lives in Lordstown in the spring of 1874. Be- sides his occupation as farmer he has been en- gaged, since coming to Trumbull county, in the manufacture and shipment of staves. Mr. Pew is a partner, the firm being Salen & Co.

Orman Dean, son of William Dean, settled in Champion, Trumbull county, in 1835. He was born in Canfield, now Mahoning county, in 1813. His father settled in Canfield in 1811, coming from Connectieut. He resided in Canfield until his death. Orman Dean was by occupation a farmer, though he had studied medieine, but did not enter upon its practice. He married in 1835 in Canfield, Nancy Williams, of that township, and immediately located in Champion, in the woods, the country then being only little im- proved. He resided there three years then re- moved to Lordstown, where he has since lived. He is still living, as is also his wife; have had three children, two of whom are living, W. S. and Mary A. (Shiveley), both in Lordstown; Drucilla

is deceased. W. S., born in 1836, was married in 1870 to Mary J. Preston, born in 1848, and located where he now lives ; has two children, Frederick C. and Ward P.

Sabastian Wonders was born in York country, Pennsylvania, and was married to Mary Darr. He came to Ohio about 1827, and settled in Stark county, but afterward removed to Lordstown in 1852, where he lived until his death, which oc- curred in 1854. George Wonders, his son, was born May 20, 1825, and was married April 24, 1851, to Catharine Bailey, daughter of Isaae Bailey, who was born September 20, 1831. They have a family of the following children : Ben- jamin, born January 22, 1852, now living in Warren; Mary A. M., born April 7, 1853, now Mrs. Alonzo Weaver, of Warren; Isaac Newton, born August 15, 1854, of Cleveland; Sarah E., born October 11, 1856, now Mrs. Pierce Spade; Helen Adelia, born July 22, 1858, living at home; Maria A, born Mareh 27, 1859, deceased; Lillie B., born August 6, 1861, now Mrs. Curtis . Carlisle, of Kent; Frances Marion, born April 8, 1863, now living in Howland; Willian E. Sher- man, born October 10, 1870, living at home. Mr. Wonders is a carpenter by trade, in which occupation he is now engaged, and is also a prominent member of the English Lutheran church, in which society he has held several offices. He is a well known citizen of Lords- town.

William Pew (deceased) was a native of Ire- land, and born in 1803. He came to America in 1825, and first settled in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, where he remained five years, and then eame to Lordstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, set- tling upon the farm now occupied by his son. In 1830 he married Miss Isabella McRora, and had six children, four of whom died when quite young. He died in 1858 on the farm where he settled, leaving a wife and two children to mourn his loss. His wife died in 1869. They were for many years members of the Presbyterian church of Warren. William H. Pew, the elder of the two sons who survived them, was married in 1857 to Miss Angeline, daughter of Thomas Woodward, of Jackson, Mahoning county. He died in February, 1861. John C. Pew was born on the home farm in Lordstown (where he still lives), September 3, 1837. In June, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pew,

549

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

daughter of Seymour Pew, of Warren. She died in May, 1864. October 11, 1866, he mar- ried Miss Mary Ernest, of Braceville, Trumbull county. Three children were born of this union -Adelbert E., Jennie C., and Blanche M. Mr. and Mrs. Pew are members of the Disciple church in Lordstown.

Alexander Longmore, the third settler in Lordstown township, was born in Ireland in 1767 and emigrated to America in 1823. He came to Ohio the following year and settled in Braceville township for a year or two, then came to Lordstown and located upon the farm where his son George now lives. There were eight children in the family, four boys and four girls. Mr. Longmore was a weaver by trade, though he he carried on farming. He died in 1848. Mrs. Longmore died in 1851. Mr. George Long- more has always lived upon the old home farm. He was married in 1867 to Miss Emily Fishel, daughter of Samuel Fishel of Southington town- ship. They have two children, Martha and Blanche. Mrs. Longmore died February 6, 1881. She was a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. Longmore is also a member.

Leonard Woodward, an early resident of Lordstown township, was born in Pennsylva- nia, May 25, 1804. His father, Jehu, was a na- tive of Pennsylvania. Mr. Leonard Woodward came to Lordstown in 1831 and settled upon the farm where his son now lives. He began in the woods, but by hard work he soon had a fine farm. He was a carpenter by trade. He was married March 20, 1831, to Miss Annie Moher- man, daughter of Frederick and Mary Moher- man, of Austintown. By this union there were nine children, six of whom are living-Mary, Rachel, Elizabeth, Almira, John, Amanda, Orlan- do, Delbert, Charles. Mary, Elizabeth, Amanda, are deceased. Mr. Woodward died September I, 1867. Mrs. Woodward died August 22, 1867. She was a member of the Disciple church and a devoted Christian. Mr. Woodward was justice many years. He was respected by all who knew him.

Jacob Harshman was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1821. His father, Jacob H., was a native of Washington county, Maryland, near Hagerstown. He was born in 1790. The family is of German descent. Mathias Hla: shman, grandfather of Jacob Harsh-

man, the subject of this sketch, reared a family in Maryland. He moved to Pennsylvania in 1800 and settled in Washington county, and lived there till 1807, then came to Ohio, locating in Youngstown township. He was among the early pioneers of the township. Living here seven years he moved to Austintown, where he resided several years, then moved to Weathers- field. In 1831 or 1832 he came to Lordstown, where he lived till his death in the winter of 1837, leaving a family of ten children and a widow to mourn his loss. Mrs. Harshman died in the fall of 1851. Mr. Jacob Harshman, Sr., went back to Pennsylvania in 1813, where he re- mained till 1836, then returned to Ohio and lo- cated in Lordstown. He was married in 1814 to Miss Elizabeth Moninger, daughter of John Moninger, of Pennsylvania. They had nine children, of whom eight are living at the present time-Mathias, John, Mary, Catharine, Jacob, George W., Elizabeth, Levi, Ephraim. Mathias is deceased. Jacob Harshman, the fifth child, has lived in Lordstown since 1836. He was married in 1840 to Miss Catherine Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones of Lordstown. Eleven children have been born to them, ten of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Harshman are members of the Methodist church, also five of the children. Mr. Harshman has been justice of the peace twenty- four years. In politics he is a good Democrat.

CHAPTER XX111. CHAMPION.

LOCATION, SURFACE, AND SOIL.

Township five of range four lies immediately north of Warren, east of Southington, west of Bazetta, and south of Bristol. Through it passes two railroads, the Painesville & Youngstown Narrow-gauge, and the Ashtabula & Pittsburg. The former enters Champion in the southeast of the township, near the old Warren and Ashta- bula turnpike, and running northwest passes into Southington south of the center road. On the State road, near the west line of the township, is a station, but no depot. The Ashtabula & Pitts- burg road enters the township near the south-

550

TRUMBULL, AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

eastern corner, and runs entirely across the eastern half, bending gradually westward. This road has two stopping-places in Champion, the first at Pierce's crossing in the southeast of the township, and the second, known as Champion, at the crossing of the center road. These are both flag-stations, and are likewise unprovided with depots.

The land is almost unvaryingly low and level. Numerous springs furnish a good supply of water, and a number of small streams constitute the drainage system. The northwestern part of the township is the most undulating, but even here there are no prominent elevations. The water-shed dividing the waters which go north- ward into Lake Erie from those which seek an outlet into the Ohio river system, extends diag- onally across the township from near the south- western corner toward the northeastern, and, curiously enough, the land constituting it is ap- parently the lowest and levelest in the township. Young's run is a small stream draining the eastern and southeastern portions of Champion. The land adjacent to it differs from the rest of the township in having a more sandy soil. The soil generally is clay. A number of small streams or swales drain the northern portion.

The northern half of the township formerly contained numerous swamps. Much labor has been expended upon them, and the land after being properly drained is found to be superior to the drier soil in productiveness. Long swamp extends a distance of a mile or more along the line of the Ashtabula & Pittsburg railroad, and still invites the labor of the husbandman for its reclamation.

TIMBER.

A heavy growth of valuable timber originally covered the surface of this township ; none better could be found in the county, and if it were now standing it would be worth thousands of dollars, but the greater portion of it was destroyed by girdling and by fire before timber came to be of much value. Beech, hickory, oak, maple, elin, whitewood, walnut, and ash were the principal varieties.

THE RED MEN,

who, doubtless, had been attracted hither by the abundance of game, had a little village of eight or ten huts which they continued to inhabit after

the arrival of the settlers. They were but a short distance from the settlement in the south- ern part of the township. They lived on good terms with their white neighbors, and frequently visited the houses of the latter to grind their tomahawks and beg food, tobacco, and "fire water."

Traces of their work can still be seen and arrow and spear heads are frequently found. In the vicinity of some springs or deer-licks in the southeastern part of the township, the Indians made a number of excavations, sufficiently deep to hide their bodies, and, having concealed them- selves in these places, they watched and waited until an unsuspecting deer approached near enough to be shot. Many a fine buck fell a victim to the unerring aim of the cunning savage.

LATE SETTLEMENT AND ITS CAUSE.

Champion was among the latest settled of the townships of Trumbull county. Excepting a few families who came here in 1806 to 1808 and settled in the southern half of the township, no settlers came for about twenty years. The land of the township was held by Henry Champion, an original member of the Connecticut Land company. After disposing of a few farms to the first settlers it appears that he resolved to hold his land until it had increased in value largely, and for this reason refused to sell, except at prices which no settlers were willing to pay. But while the owner was awaiting this augmentation of the value of his property, death summoned him from earth, and the land came into the pos- session of his heirs, his son, Aristarchus Cham- pion, and his son-in-law, Henry C. Trumbull. The land was then divided, Champion receiving the western half of the township and Trumbull the eastern. About 1826 they sent on Mr. Cole to survey it, and also established an agency for its sale. But after twenty years of waiting, the prices which could be obtained for the land were. little in advance of those paid by the first set- tlers of other townships.

THE FIRST SETTLERS.

The first improvements made in this township were made on land which is now the farm of Silas McMahan, on the State road, by a man named Nichols. He remained in the township but a few years and nobody now living remem- bers him.

551

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

The first permanent settler was William Rutan, who came from Pennsylvania and settled in 1806. He was a man of sterling worth, an oblig- ing neighbor, an upright Christian, esteemed alike by old and young. For many years he was a deacon of the Presbyterian church. Modest and unassuming, his face is remembered by old people as the very picture of honesty and good- ness. He was the father of one son and one daughter. The son, Henry L. Rutan, lived upon the old homestead and died an honored citizen in 1881, at the age of seventy-six. The daughter, Catharine, married Solon Gilson, and died quite young.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 96

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams
Number of Pages: 726