USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 97
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 97
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John Rutan, William's brother, settled in this township soon after the latter did, but moved to Richland county with his family after residing here a few years.
Asa Lane, a brother of Mrs. William Rutan, came to the township about 1807, and settled on the present Ashtabula & Warren road north of the Rutan farm. After remaining four or five years he and his family removed.
Andrew Donaldson settled on the farm adjoin- ing William Rutan's upon the north and re- mained twenty years or more. He removed to Parkman, where some of his children had gone previously.
William Croninger settled in the same neigh- borhood at about the same date. He remained until after the War of 1812, then moved away.
John Chambers purchased and settled upon the farm where Croninger had made the first improvements. He and his wife Mary were fiom Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Chambers died in 1829 aged forty-nine. Mr. Chambers moved to Mesopotamia in 1836, and died there in 1848, at the age of sixty-eight. Their children were : Hannah, Eliza, Johnson, Thompson, Wiley, Mary, and Clinton. Thomp- son is living in Hudson, Portage county; and Mary (Mrs. Edward Pierce), in Champion. The others are dead. Hannah (Laird) died in Da- kota; Eliza (Pierce), in Champion; Johnson, in Champion; Wiley, in Michigan; and Clinton, in Mesopotamia.
William Woodrow, from Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania, bought land in this township in 1806 or 1807. In 1807 he made a clearing and built a cabin. In May, 1808, he moved to Champion with his family, which then consisted
of his wife and two children. They sent their goods to Pittsburg to be shipped thence to Beaver and remain there until they could be brought to Champion. Mrs. Woodrow rode a horse and carried her son John, then about two and a half years old, in her arms. The horse was loaded also with saddle bags, in which a few household articles were packed. Mr. Woodrow went on foot and drove two cows. Upon his back he carried a knapsack and in it his son Smith, who was then about six months old. The family took up their abode in a log-house, per- haps 15x25 feet on the ground, and twelve feet from the ground to the eaves. A floor above and one below were made of split oak timber. The chimney was built of straw, split sticks, and mortar. Though especial pains were taken to have as much mortar on the inside as was possi- ble, the chimney often caught fire, but was easily repaired. Of the trials which beset this family during the first years of their housekeeping, Mr. Smith Woodrow, who furnished these details to the writer, gives many interesting reminiscences.
When Mrs. Woodrow came here she forgot her scissors and left them in her Pennsylvania home. It soon became necessary to make her husband a pair of pantaloons, but how could she cut them? Her woman's wit suggested a way out of the difficulty. Accordingly she got the cloth and marked it, and going to the chopping block cut them out with an axe. It is not likely that Mr. Woodrow's garment was a stylish fit, but they served the purpose for which they were in- tended and lasted equally as well as they would had they been cut by a fashionable tailor.
Mr. and Mrs. Woodrow were the parents of nine children, whose names were: John, Wil- liam Smith, Martha, James Boyd, Morgan, Mary, Henry, Calvin and Alvin (twins). Two survive, William Smith and Mary. John married Polly Cox, of Bristol, settled upon the State road in Champion and died there. His son Newton now lives upon the place ; W. Smith married Eunice L. Holt, a native of Massachusetts, and settled in Warren, his present residence; Martlia died at the age of fifteen ; James Boyd remained single and died when about twenty-eight; Morgan married Mary Cleveland, of New York State, settled in Warren, moved west, and died in Michigan; Mary married John Ewalt and resides in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania ; Henry lived
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and died upon the old place in Champion. He married for his first wife Lydia Woolcott, of Farmington; for his second, Zeviah Elwell; and for his third, Fannie Esterbrook. Calvin died when abont one year old, and Alvin at the age of twenty-three. William Woodrow and his wife both died in 1848, Mrs. Woodrow about the Ist of May. Her husband's death occurred twenty days later. Mrs. Woodrow, nee Martha Smith, was of Scotch birth. Both became members of the Presbyterian church in 1808, and led pure and useful lives characterized by benevolence and generosity. Isaac N. Woodrow was born in Champion May 17, 1839, and married Miss Mary Smith, of Akron.
Stephen Reeves bought John Rutan's farm, but left it and moved to Warren after a few years.
In 1826 there were but four families resid- ing in Champion, namely: the Rutan, Wood- row, Donaldson, and Chambers families. Every farmer had a sugar camp and manufactured sugar and syrup enough to supply the family wants.
THE LATER SETTLERS.
The family of Edward Pierce was the fifth one in the township. Mr. Pierce bonght two bun- dred acres in the southeast of the township, where his son Edward now lives, paying $500 for the same, and in 1828 moved from Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and set- tled upon it. Edward Pierce died in 1844, in his sixty-fifth year. His wife Elizabeth died in 1843, at the age of sixty-eight. Their children were Samuel, Elizabeth, Joseph, Edward, and Robert; all are dead except Edward, who is now sixty-nine years old. He has always lived upon the old homestead, and intends to spend the re- maining days of his life upon the place where his father and mother spent the most of their lives. He was married in 1848 to Miss Mary Chambers, daughter of John Chambers, of Mes- opotamia township. She was born in Champion township, and is doubtless the oldest person liv- ing in the township of those who were born in it. They have had four children, three of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce are members of the Presbyterian church. He has held several of the township offices, has been justice of the peace six years, and is a most worthy citizen. Samuel Pierce died in Kentucky. Elizabeth married Samuel Booth, of Champion, for her first husband; for her second she married Wil-
liam Dudley. She died in Ashtabula county.
Joseph Pierce lived in Kentucky and Indiana, and died in the latter State. Robert also lived in Kentucky, but moved to Illinois, and died.
Joseph Pierce, son of the brother of Edward Pierce, Sr., settled on the farm where he now lives, in the east part of the township, in 1835.
The Foulks came to Champion about 1829. George settled in the east of the township, but afterwards moved to Pennsylvania, and died. Daniel Foulk settled in the southeast of the township on the line. Both he and his wife died here, but none of the family now remain.
Benjamin Ross, in 1829, settled on a farm ad- joining Edward Pierce's on the north, and re- mained some fifteen years.
William Durst was one of the earliest of the later settlers. He bought a farm, and settled at the junction of the State road and turnpike. He paid $4.00 per acre for the land. His sons, David and Lewis, are residents of this township.
John Thompson and Joseph Cook were settlers of 1829-30, but sold ont and left.
John Mikesell and John Hull were pioneers who located on the turnpike. Hull sold out and left. Mikesell died in the township. Clinton Mikesell lives on the old place.
Several others made beginnings on the turn- pike from 1829 to 1835, but left after a few years.
Thomas Packard settled on the farm where he now lives in 1835, and began when all about him was in a very wild condition.
Abram Weiss was an early settler at the center. His widow is still living. Two sons, Amos and Freeman, reside in the township.
Ebenezer L. Smith came to this township early. He died in December, 1881, and Mrs. Smith in January, 1882. The family still remain.
James and Samuel Walker were among the early comers, and settled in the eastern part of the township. Both have sons living here.
Horace Harper, one of the earliest of the sec- ond instalment of settlers, made the first improve- ments on the farm where he now resides in the south of the township, west of the turnpike.
John N. McCombs, a settler of 1837, has lived in the township since that date.
Albert Osborn, north of the center, is another of the pioneers who is still living.
Simon Burstler, on the old Donaldson farm,
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is one of the comparatively early settlers. His father came here with him. His mother died not long ago, at a very advanced age.
John Anderson has resided in the township many years.
William McMurray, deceased, was a compara- tively early settler. His family still remain.
On the Fowler road, in the northwest of Champion, were two old settlers, Benjamin Fow- ler and Daniel Hartman. Some of the Hart- man family still remain.
From the beginning of the sale of land until 1840, settlements and improvements were made rapidly.
HUNTING.
Champion was an inviting field to the sports- man for years after the game had been driven from other townships. Besides the bears and wolves, deer and turkeys abounded. Frequently they came in sight of the houses in the day time, and if a family needed a supply of fresh meat a few hours of hunting usually sufficed for obtain- ing it.
Wolves were so destructive to sheep that but few were kept, and those few were closely guarded and put in strongly built log pens every night. Bears seemed to have a greater fondness for pork than for mutton. Many instances might be given of their coming close up to the cabins and attacking hogs in the stys.
Henry Lane and William Hall, of Warren township, came to Champion many times and engaged in bear hunts. In one of their adven- tures in the Long swamp, Hall came near losing his life. They entered the swamp one day with four dogs, Hall taking the east and Lane the west side. The former was armed with a spear and the latter carried a gun. Before he had proceeded far Hall saw a bear coming directly towards him. As the bear saw him he reared upon his haunches. The hunter rushed forward with his spear and aimed a blow directly at the bear's breast. The spear glanced aside, and the impetus of the intended thrust carried the hun- ter forward into the very clutches of the bear, which at once began rending his back. He shouted; the dogs heard him and rushed to the scene. The bear turned its attention to them until Lane came up and shot it.
Henry L. Rutan, when a young man, was the Nimrod of this township. His success in hunt-
ing was great, and few equaled him in making good shots and securing large quantities of game.
A bear had been causing Mr. Woodrow much trouble, and he determined to capture the of- fender. Accordingly, with the aid of John Cox, a young man who lived with him, he constructed a huge bear trap of logs, making the sides and top strong. One end of the pen was left oper, and a heaving sliding door was fixed above it, and so arranged that when the bait fastened to the wooden spindle was disturbed the door would fall and fasten the bear securely in. The trap was visited several times by young Cox and found undisturbed. But one morning he rushed to the house in great excitement and an- nounced that the trap was sprung, and the bear was in it. Mr. Woodrow went with him to the spot and found the prisoner. Before killing the animal Cox cut a small stick and whipped him through the poles. The bear was greatly in- furiated, and scratched wildly at the poles in frantic but useless efforts to free himself. Cox was much amused at his antics, and thought it but fair to chastise him as he had given so much trouble.
Mr. Smith Woodrow once killed three deer in one day as he was returning from Howland, where he worked, to his home in Champion. This was in 1829.
THE FIRST ROADS.
The first road built through Champion was the old State road, used as a military road dur- in the War of 1812. It passed by the site of the county infirmary, and followed the general direc- tion of the present State road, though with many twistings and turnings to avoid swamps and keep on the high ground. Many low places were cov- ered with corduroys, but they soon sank into the mud to a considerable depth, and traveling over such spots became a difficult matter. The pres- ent State road was built after the old one became impassable. It leads from Warren to Painesville, and runs across this township below the center road in a northwesterly direction.
The next road through this township was the so called Warren and Ashtabula turnpike, built in 1818. This is a clay road, but as it was built as a private enterprise tolls were collected during many years from all that passed over it. It does not run directly through the center of the town-
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ship, but crosses the center road a half-mile east of the actual center.
The roads of Champion are now sufficiently bad in wet weather, but what could they have been in early days, when all the land was much more moist than at present? We leave this question to be answered as the imagination of the reader may dictate.
ORGANIZATION AND FIRST ELECTION.
In December, 1831, this township was organ- ized into an election district, and named Cham- pion, from Henry Champion, its former proprie- tor. The first election was held on the 26th of the same month at the house of William Wood- row, and the following township officers were chosen: John Chambers, Benjamin Ross, and John Woodrow, judges; William Woodrow and Joseph Cook, clerks; George Foulk, William Rutan, and William Woodrow, trustees; Henry L. Rutan, township clerk; Joseph Cook, treas- urer; Samuel Pierce, constable; Frederick Myers and Edward Pierce, poor masters; John Thompson, Samuel Booth, and Taylor Bradfield, fence viewers, and Joseph Pierce, supervisor.
Apparently about every voter in the township got an office; and from the fact that some held two offices, it would seem that there were more than enough offices to "go around."
SIXTY YEARS AGO.
Sixty years ago Champion township was a desolate region, almost uninhabited ; save the improvements made by a few early settlers, not a clearing existed. The deep swamps and the dense woodlands were unbroken, and formed the lurking places of wild animals and birds. Only two roads in the township -- the State road and the old turnpike. On the latter the trees had been slashed down covering a strip several rods wide on each side, and lett as they had fallen. Soon underbrush and saplings grew up between the fallen trunks and formed an almost impenetrable thicket.
The Four-mile wood, as it was called, extended from the northern limit of the settlement into Bristol. It required sturdy labor and a great deal of it to subdue this uninviting region and render it fit for the abode of human beings ; to convert the desolate waste into fertile farms ; to displace the log-cabin by the modern dwelling,
supply churches, school-houses, and other requi- sites of civilization. But " noble men and true," with faithful, prudent wives, came into the wil- derness and conquered it. Many excellent houses, good barns, and well-improved farms bear wit- ness to their toil and economy. Many of the settlers of forty or even thirty years ago who commenced in the woods in a primitive way and felt many times the disagreeable thrusts of pov- erty, now have pleasant homes and an amount of property which sixty years ago would have caused them to be reckoned among the rich. They enjoy an abundance of the good things of life, and understand fully the fact that their pros- perity can be continued by the same means it has been gained, namely, through the all-powerful medium, work.
Pioneers delight in recounting the difficulties and hardships which at first beset them, and what wonder ? Surely their pride in their achievements is pardonable. Their lives have been characterized by the same spirit which ever attends progressive civilization. They have lived not for themselves alone-the results of their labor will long outlast them and be enjoyed by their children and children's children and many generations yet unborn. Their heroism has won for them independence, and deserves a hearty tribute of praise.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first term of school in this township was taught in 1815 by Catharine Church, of Warren. The first school-house, a log one, stood a few rods south of William Woodrow's house, on the opposite side of the road. Several terms were taught in this building, but the school had to be given up as there were too few families to sup- port it. For some years the children attended school just over the line in Warren township.
In 1829 or 1830 a brick school house was erected opposite the Presbyterian church, where the present frame school-house stands. For some years all of the scholars of the township attended school here.
A school was taught in a log building-Wil- liam Woodrow's shop, but formerly his residence -some years previous to the erection of the brick school-house. Sally Wilson, now Mrs. Harper, was the teacher. Mrs. Rutan and Mrs. Shelden also taught in the same place.
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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
After the general assembly of the Presbyterian church had dissolved the plan of union and exscinded the synod of the Western Reserve from ecclesiastical connection with said church, a number of persons, residents of Champion, who had always been attached to the strict doctrine and order of the Presbyterian church according to the provisions the as- sembly had made for such cases, consulted together to apply to the presbytery of Beaver for direction as to the proper course to maintain their connection with the church of their choice. Accordingly in September, 1838, Mr. William Rutan was appointed to attend the meeting of the presbytery at Slippery Rock, to state their case and receive advice.
The presbytery, after hearing Mr. Rutan's statement, ap- pointed the Rev. William O. Stratton to preach at Champion and consult with the people themselves on the subject of the organization of a congregation. Mr. Stratton, in the same month, preached on the Sabbath by appointment, and on Monday met with the people to ascertain their views in refer- ence to the matter. On an interchange of opinions, it was found that there was some diversity of views on the subject of ecclesiastical connection, and it was thought best to defer an organization for the present.
In January, 1839. however, Mr. William Woodrow was appointed a commissioner to attend the meeting of the pres- bytery of New Lisbon (which had been organized by the synod of Pittsburg, and which met at New Lisbon), to present the petition of the people for the organization of a congregation. The presbytery granted the request, and took the congregation of Champion under its care.
In April Mr. Woodrow was again appointed and attended the meeting of the presbytery at Canfield, to obtain stated ministrations of the gospel. By mutual understanding he applied for the labors of Rev. William McCombs for one- fifth of the time.
At the meeting of the presbytery at Bethel in October, Mr. William Rutan was sent to request the organization of a church. Mr. McCombs was directed to organize a church. In accordance with this direction, and by previous appointment, on Monday, November 18, 1839, the congrega- tion of Champion assembled at their usual place of meeting, when, after a sermon by Rev. William McCombs, the follow- ing persons handed in certificates of regular church member- ship and were recognized as constituting the Presbyterian church of Champion, viz : William Rutan, Rebecca Rutan, Mary Rutan, Ebenezer L. Smith, Catharine Smith, Joseph Pierce, Sarah R. Pierce, John N. McCombs, Jane V. Mc- Combs, Sarah Harper, Mary Brown, William Woodrow, Martha Woodrow, Edward Pierce, Sr., and Betsey Pierce.
According to previous notice the church now entered upon the election of two elders. This election being held William Woodrow and Ebenezer L. Smith were duly elected ruling elders of this church.
Attest:
WILLIAM MCCOMBS, Moderator.
The above copy from the church records gives a complete account of the organization of the oldest church in Champion. Of the original members, but four are now living. In 1842 this church built the first house for public worship in Champion. It is still in use, and is a good sized, comfortable church. The house stands on the old turnpike, south of the center of the
township. Rev. J. S. Dickey, the only regularly installed pastor of this congregation, was labor- ing here at the time the house was built.
Among those who have ministered here as stated supplies, we find the names of Revs. Mc- Combs, McDermott, Campbell, Coon, Galbraith, Kerr, Walker, Bingham, and Bailey. The mem- bership is small but active.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Methodist church of Champion was organ- ized previous to 1848. Among its first mem- bers were George Bissel, Alexander Ashbauch, Benjamin Fowler, Samuel Frank, Samuel Fishel, Lazarus McLain, Jacob Snook, and George Ross, with their families. George Ross donated a piece of land for a church site and burying ground, situated on the State road near the west line of the town- ship, and upon it a house was erected in 1848. The church enjoyed a fair degree of prosperity until the war broke out. The older members died or removed, and its numbers became so diminished about 1870 that this church ceased to support preaching. During the greater por- tion of its existence the church belonged 10 Southington circuit. Among the ministers who labored here were the following, though not in the order named : Revs. Wade, Bear, Crane, Pinney, Grove, Brown, Stone, Meek, Moses, and others. There has been no regular Methodist preaching in the house since the church at the center was built, but meetings continue to be held by ministers of other denominations.
In 1870 the appointment in Champion was changed from the State road to the center, and meetings were held in the town house. In 1875 the members of this church combined their ef- forts and erected a very tasty little country church at the center. The house and its fur- nishing cost $2,200. The building committee was William Hunt, William Caldwell, John Veasy, Amos Weiss, and C. Mikesell. The heaviest subscriptions were those of John Veasy, William Caldwell, J. J. Veasy, William Hunt, and Amos Weiss.
Rev. M. Moses was the first minister. The church started with about thirty-five members. The house was dedicated in the fall of 1875,- sermon by Rev. John Graham, presiding elder. The society is out of debt and has a good mem- bership of earnest workers. Since Mr. Moses
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the ministers have been Revs. Wade, Moore, and Copeland. Rev. B. E. Edgell is the present pastor.
THE UNITED BRETHREN.
This denomination formed a church some twenty-five years ago, and held their meetings in the house situated on the Champion and Bazetta line, and at the four corners in the northeast of this township. At the latter place a small edifice was erected and continued to be used until the new one was built. In 1878 a convenient and comfortable church was erected here, and taste- fully furnished. Among those who were most active in furnishing means for building it were Isaac Lechleitner, Jacob Shaffer, and Henry and William Clemens. This church has a fair mem- bership, and is in good condition. Among the earliest members were Jacob Klingensmith (de- ceased), Isaac Lechleitner, Philip and Henry Clemens, Jacob Shaffer, John Shaffer, and others with their families. Many zealous preachers have labored here, and the church has enjoyed a good degree of prosperity.
CEMETERIES.
The graveyards of Champion are three in number, and situated one at the center, one ad- jacent to the Presbyterian church on the turn- pike, and the third near the old Methodist church on the State road. The cemetery at the center is the oldest. It was purchased by the township for public use about 1840. It is quite neat and tastily kept. The oldest gravestone in it bears the date of 1842, and was erected to the memory of Caroline, daughter of A. and P. Rudisill, who died at the age of three years. The graveyards adjacent to the two churches men- tioned are small and but few interments have been made in them.
POST-OFFICE.
The first post-office was established in 1850, John Harper postmaster. He was succeeded by Stephen Kimball. The office was found to be unprofitable,and was discontinued after a short time. There was then no post-office in the town- ship until the Ashtabula & Pittsburg railroad was built. The only post-office at present is Cham- pion, on the above road.
VARIOUS FACTS AND ITEMS.
William Woodrow was the first justice of the peace.
William Rutan built the first frame house in the township.
William Woodrow built the first brick house in 1828, and John Chambers the second in 1829.
The first religious services in the township were conducted by Revs. Jones and Leslie, of the Presbyterian denomination, and held at the houses of Mr. Rutan and Mr. Woodrow.
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