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CHAPTER XIII.


LIBERTY.


In 1806 the people residing in range two (south) and town three, by petition to the proper authorities gained their Liberty, and the land situated south of Vienna, with Hubbard on the east, Mahoning county south, and Weathersfield west was organized as a township, taking the name of Liberty.


The north part of the township is generally level ; the east and southeast rolling and more broken between Church Hill and Girard. In the north the soil is of heavy clay, but toward the east it is more of a gravel or sandy nature, and the south Is generally of clay. The usual farm products are produced here with good average yield with other sections of the county. Coal is the chief production, and this is strictly a mining region, the chief industry being in this line. It was first discovered and the first mine was opened in 1860 on the farm of Alexander McCleery. The land was leased by one Strain, from Mr. McCleery, and operations were commenced. The first drilling was made without success; another start was made and a five foot vein was struck which was worked out, but as it did not prove to be profitable the lease was sold. Governor Tod afterward visited the mine, which was obstructed by "horse-backs." He made some effort to encourage the work by advising the owners to work around the obstructions, but the mine was abandoned.


About 1864-65 the Church Hill Coal company was formed and opened a bank at the village, which has been successfully operated since.


The Briar Hill company afterwards opened the Kline coal bank in 18618, which is also in successful operation.


The Garfield bank, on Wright's farm, the Hancock bank, on the farm of Calvin Denison, and Bank No. 9, have all been opened recently.


The Mahoning river flows across the southwest corner of the township, into which the land in the northwest part is drained by Squaw run. The western part is drained by Crab creek and its tributaries. The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern and the Atlantic & Great Western railroads extend across the southeast corner, and the latter has a branch, which with the Ashtabula, Youngstown & Pittsburg and Painesville & Youngstown railroads extends across the southwest.


POPULATION, ETC.


The mining interest has naturally attracted a large element of the working class who reside in close neighborhoods near the coal banks, and among which the foreign element predominates, in which the Welch is largely represented. Girard and Church Hill are villages of some note, the former being the larger and most important, neither of which have been incorporated,


The discovery of coal, and the manufacturing interests about Girard have been the means of increasing the population from 1,367 in 1860 to 2,40 in 1870, and 3,657 in the year 1880.


In very early times grist-mills were of great importance to the pioneer, and the introduction of a mill capable of grinding the corn for meal was hailed with special pleasure by the early settlers. One Mr. Steen in very early times built a mill near the forks of the road south of Powers' plat, which was propelled by water-power received from a tributary of Crab creek. This mill supplied as best it could, with the limited facilities, the wants of the settlers in this locality.


The first mill built on the Mahoning river at this point was erected by Mr. Wilkinson where the road crosses the river west of Tod's plat.


Another was erected near the present farm residence of E. Mahan, and another on Squaw creek, near Holliday's, in very early times. To these rude appliances for crushing corn and wheat the settlers made their regular visits with their frugal gusts, and when a boy was old enough to go to mill he was then considered an important personage in the settlement, as the lonely j0urney required no little amount of courage, and the success of his journey a very important consideration to those who depended upon the scanty supply of meal for subsistence.


THE PLATS.


The several plats indicated on the map of this


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township were laid out in anticipation of localities forming near the mines, and some of them have been successful in inducing settlements, but the uncertainty of coal mines have made it necessary for miners' families to be often removed, and hence there are many vacated premises. Tod's plat, Kline's plat, and Powers' plat were all designed for communities of workingmen, and are more or less settled.


EARLY SETTLEMENTS.


It is not known with absolute certainty who was the first settler in Liberty. The late Samuel Dennison is authority for the statement that Jacob Swager was the first, and as Mr. Dennison was about sixteen years of age when he came with his father in 1801, his recollections are entitled to great credit. Robert Stewart, now living in Brookfield, who came with his 'father in 1800, and was nine years old, thinks that Henry Swager, a cousin of Jacob's, was the first to commence the subjection of the wilderness of old Liberty.


Valentine Stull came in 1799, and from his grandson, John E. Stull, it is learned that when his grandfather came to Liberty there were but four families here, and that Henry Swager was one of them, and must have been here as early as 1798.


Mr. Swager settled on what was known afterwards as the Henry Ricard farm, immediately west of Church Hill, on the east and west center road, on the northeast corner of lot number eight. He lived here for several years, when he sold to Jacob Boyd and purchased a farm of one hundred acres in the southeast part of the township, where he lived until the age of over ninety- seven, when he died. He was a great hunter, and many were the bears, deer, wild turkeys, and other game that fell victims to the unerring aim of Liberty's pioneer marksman.


James Matthews came in 1798, and settled in lhe southwest part of the township on lot number one, where he continued to reside until 1825, when he removed to Warren township. Mr. Matthews kept the first public house in early days, and also erected and operated the first distillery in the township.


John Stull came in 1798, and settled about one-half mile from Girard toward Church Hill.


Valentine Stull came alone in 1799, and purchased a half section of land, lots eleven and twelve, to which he removed his family from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1800.


Archie Ralston emigrated from Virginia in 1802, and settled on the northwest part of lot nineteen, the same lot on which his grandson, James Nelson, died.


John Ramsey removed from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and settled on lot number nine, south of Mr. Stull, and known afterwards as the George Herring farm. George Campbell, a native of Ireland, but for some years a resident of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, came to Liberty as early as 1800-1, and settled on the north part of lot number seven, where he lived until his death in 1847. He was the father of eight sons and six daughters, all of whom lived until mature age. About this same time James Applegate came and settled on lot number five in the southeast part of the township, on the west side of the road where William Watson now lives, and who for some unknown reason committed suicide by hanging himself.


John Thorn, whose wife was a sister of James Matthews, came soon after his brother-in-law, and bought a lot of forty acres on the north side of the Mahoning river, on which he built a tannery. He was the father of James Thorn, who afterwards became a noted teacher in Liberty and Youngstown. It is related of this teacher that when a child he was twice rescued by his mother from drowning in the vats of his father's tannery, near which their dwelling was located.


William Stewart came from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, when his son Robert was nine years old, and cut his way through the trackless wilds of Liberty from Youngstown and settled where John B. McMurry now lives. They arrived in time of heavy rain and flood and were compelled to live in their wagons for some time.


Some time after their buildings were erected, the forest around them was so dense, the roads unbroken, the places of human habitation so few, and the marks of civilization yet so undefined that when any of the family were out at night but a little way from the cabins they would soon become lost and their cries would be answered by those in the house rapping on the roof for signals.


John and Abram Nelson came from Virginia about 1804 and settled in the northwest part of the township—lot twenty-one—where


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Abram Storms now lrves, and Abram Nelson built his cabin where Samuel Beemer now lives.


William Stewart's father settled near Sodom in very early times.


Samuel Dennison settled north of William Stewart on lot number fifteen, west part.


Neil McMullen settled near the farm residence of the late James Clark, west of Stewart.


The marriage of William McCombs, of Poland, to a sister of John Nelson, was (as is believed) the first wedding in Liberty.


James Nelson, brother of Abram and John, was accidentally killed by the fall of a tree while cutting a road from Painesville to Warren, and on the same day of his death Abram was engaged at work in the valley of Squaw creek, in Liberty, and he has often related that at this time he heard the voice of his brother James calling his name—Abram—three times in succession; when he left his work and went to his house expecting to find his brother James there, and was astonished to find that he had not been there. In a few days the news came of the accident that ended his brother's life, which happened on the day and hour that the voice was heard by Abram in the valley. This incident is sufficiently authenticated by undoubted authority and is here recorded for either an item of history or an illustration of wonderful hallucination.


Andrew Boyd came from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and settled about one-half mile east of Church Hill, and started a tannery on the north side of the road, opposite the present residence of Mr. Leslie, which he operated about nine years.


James Anderson, a native of Ireland, removed with his family from Chester county, Pennsylvania, about 1804, and settled on the farm adjoining Valentine Stull on the north, where he lived until his death, 1n 1848.


William McClellan came with his family from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and settled on land in lots numbers seven and eight, where he lived until 1843, when his decease occurred.


Nehemiah Scott came from Long Island in 1805 and made a settlement west of the present residence of Peter Kline, in a log cabin. He was a hatter by trade and carried on his trade at his shop, about one-fourth mile from the main road.


Robert Walker came in 1807-18 and settled near the present residence of Homer Walker, where he kept store until he moved to the center. His son, Dr. Robert H. Walker, kept the first store at Church Hill in 1832-33.


These were the early settlers of Liberty, or as many of them of whom anything can now be found. Others there may have been and doubtless were, but the memory of their names with the records of their history have passed into the grave with them, save what they may have left written not with the pen, but m the cleared farms and the early planted germs of civilization now blooming in full fruition in Liberty. Many of their graves are still kept green in the old burial grounds at Church Hill. Some of them in after years bade adieu to the scenes of early conflicts of pioneer life and found homes elsewhere. While time has crept on and changes have come, early footprints have long since been worn away, and the new generations are fast covering them deeper and deeper as the years bring wealth and prosperity. The log cabins have given way to many fine residences and beautiful rural homes, and the lightning express dashes over the blazed route of the pioneer. Mines of wealth that slumbered beneath the feet of the hunters and axmen of 1798 now give forth their hidden treasures to the grant power of steam and the cities of swarthy workmen gathered about the deepening tunnels.


CHURCH HILL


is located near the central part of the township, and derived its name from the eminence on which it stands and the location of the church at this point. The name was first selected for the post- office. Since then the name seems to have been very appropriately chosen, as there are now five churches located here: Old-school Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Welch Methodist, Welch Baptist, and Welch Independent—the three latter are of recent origin. The village now has a union school, one dry goods store, drug store, book store, barber shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, shoemaker shop, ten saloons, and one hotel. Though the saloons outnumber the churches two to one yet the force and influence of the latter are amply strong, and the community of Church Hill, from all appearances, is a quiet and pleasant neighborhood.


The post-office was established in 1833, and


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Matthew Walker was the postmaster. The office was first known as Liberty, but the official department at Washington, District of Columbia, sent back word that there was another office by that name. The Presbyterian church was then in course of erection, and as the location is on something of an elevation Church Hill was suggested and accepted.


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.


The pioneer religious organization of Liberty was effected by the Associate Presbyterian congregation. The, history of this congregation begins with the early records of Liberty township, and indeed is one of the oldest organizations in this part of the Western Reserve. The last pastor, David Goodwillie, D. D., having voluntarily resigned his pastorate of fifty years in the year 1875, is now living in Girard, and kindly furnished the following history of the congregation : About the beginning of the present century a number of families located 1n this neighborhood while as yet it was an unbroken forest. Among these were William, James, Joseph, John, David, and Robert Stewart, from Marsh creek, Adams county, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Associate church. They settled in the northwest part of Coitsville and the southeast part of Hubbard. James Davidson, from Ireland, settled in the east part of Youngstown; James Applegate, from the Forks of the Youghiogheny, Pennsylvania, John Denison, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and Alexander McCleery, from Ireland, in the east part of Liberty, and Samuel Ferguson, from Ireland, William Ralston, from Scotland, John Ramsey, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and William McKinley, from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in the west part.


These men and their families did not leave their religion behind them when they came to this wilderness, but in their log cabins they remembered the Lord God of their fathers, and in 1803-1804 they invited Rev. James Duncan, pastor of the Associate Congregations of Mahoning, Little Beaver, and Brush Run, to preach for them occasionally, which he accordingly did with great encouragement, holding the meetings in the log cabins, and in the woods.


In the year 1804 he organized a congregation . in Poland, and during the same time preached one third of the time in Liberty, where in the winter of the following year, 1805, he organized Liberty congregation. The congregation was then under the jurisdiction of Chartier's presbytery, but the records of the presbytery make no mention of any authority given Rev. Duncan to organize the congregations at Poland or Liberty, and it is supposed that he did this altogether on his own responsibility, and he seems to have regarded them as branches of the Mahoning congregation.


The organization was effected by the election and ordination as elders of William Stewart and James Davidson, the number joining in the organization supposed to be about thirty or forty.


One of the first things to engage their attention was the selection of a lot as the sile for a meeting-house and graveyard. Their attention was first directed to a lot in the woods near the southeast corner of. Liberty, offered by James Applegate, and now owned by his son Calvin. This was an elevated and beautiful site, and so confidently was it expected that it would be accepted that the remains of some persons were buried there, and the graves are yet to be seen. But at a meeting of the congregation at the house of Alexander McCleery, it was resolved to accept a lot offered by him, which is now occupied by the church and graveyard.


The deed for this lot was not made until March 15, 1828, twenty-five years after the purchase was made, and was given by Alexander McCleery to "Matthew Mitchell, James Boys, and Willram Geddes, trustees of the Presbyterian congregation of Liberty, belonging to the Associate Synod of North America."


In 1858, the Associate and Associate Reformed branches of the church having united, the congregation accepted the terms of said union and consequently became the United Presbyterian congregation of Liberty. In 1859 the congregation at Youngstown was formed from Liberty, eighteen or twenty members being disjoined for that purpose. The lot when procured was heavily covered by timber and the first thing done was the erection of a tent for preaching, which was built about where the northeast corner of the present church stands. It fronted to the east and the people were seated before it on temporary seats or on the ground. It was here the first communion of the Lord's supper was dispensed, on a table of rough


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boards, extending from the tent eastward. Here, under the shadow of the ancient trees of the forest, did the forefathers of Liberty assemble together from their cabin homes in the woods to celebrate for the first time in this wilderness the dying love of our great Redeemer; here, under the wide canopy of Heaven did they lift up their song of praise and their voice of prayer.


But it soon became necessary to clear the ground for the purpose of burying the dead, and the tent was moved to a piece of woods on the north side of the road, directly opposite the lot. Some time afterwards the ground was wanted for clearing, and the tent was removed to the woods, a short distance southeast of the cross-roads, and afterward carried back to the church lot, where it finally gave place to the first meeting-house. This house was constructed of round logs with clapboard roof, and stood on the northwest corner of the lot. It was a small building and not much used, as the private houses and the tent were yet used for preaching services. The second house was commenced in 1811 but the war came on the next year and the men were called away, so the house remained unfinished until the close of the war, being used, however, occasionally, in its unfinished state, the people sitting on the sleepers. It was constructed of very large hewed logs, many of them being nearly two feet through.


In 1825 the house was enlarged and otherwise improved, and in 1836 the present house of worship was built, which 1n 1869 was remodeled.


The ruling elders and deacons who from time to time exercised their office in the congregation were William Stewart, James Davidson, John Denison, James Applegate, John Abercrombie, James Stephenson (or "Steen " as he was usually called), Alex. Stewart, William Geddes, Samuel Denison, Joseph Stewart, John Milligan, William Smith, Robert Stewart, James Nelson, James Kennedy (Vienna), William Denison, John R, Kennedy, David Stewart, Armstrong Stewart, D. B. McGeehan, Stewart Denison, Joel K. Applegate.


The first pastor, Rev. James Duncan, preached for many years with acceptance and success, but at length days of difficulty and trouble came. He was charged before the presbytery at Cannonsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May, 1815, for preaching several grievous errors in relation to original sin, Christ's atonement and intercession, and publishing a book in their defense. He acknowledged his errors before the synod and received censure; but on his return to the congregation he denied his acknowledgment of error save in one particular. For public misrepresentations of his case he was suspended by the presbytery from the ministry and communion of the church. In personal appearance he was robust and corpulent; possessed a strong mrnd and great argumentative powers, and in private conversation was agreeable and 1nstructive. He was careless in the management of his worldly affairs, and made poor provision for his family, and grossly addicted to tobacco. It was no uncommon thing for him while preaching to take a bite from his plug of tobacco, twisting it off in his hand. On one occasion, at least, he was known to have stopped in the midst of his discourse, go to one of the elders and b0rrow a chew of tobacco, and, returning to the tent, go on with his sermon. After his suspension little is known of his subsequent life. During the vacancy which occurred the congregation was supplied until 180, when Rev. Robert Douglass was installed, who died in 1823, to whose memory the congregation erected a monument over his grave at Poland center.


On the 26th of April, 1826, Rev. David Goodwillie, D. D., was installed pastor of Poland, Liberty, and Deer Creek congregations. In 1833 he resigned the pastorate of Deer Creek, and for twenty-six years served Poland and Liberty. In 1859 he resigned Poland, and from that time until 1875 he was the pastor of Liberty alone. During his pastoral charge he has received into the church seven hundred and twenty-one ; dispensed and assisted in dispensing sacraments three hundred and eighteen times; baptized thirty-six adults; solemnized two hundred and twenty-nine marriages, and preached no less than five thousand sermons. He was born at Barnet, Caledonia county, Vermont, August 28, 1802. His .father was an able minister of the Associate church. He attended school at Cambridge academy, New York, four years, and then entered the sophomore class at Dartmouth, New Hampshire, and graduated there in 1820. He then attended the Eastern Theological seminary of the Associate church in Philadelphia,


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and was licensed to preach in 1823 at Ryegate, Vermont, and after some very extensive missionary work in various places he was called to the pastorate of Liberty, as above mentioned, On April 20, 1826, he was married to Francis Hamill, daughter of John Hamill, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Their eldest son is the Rev. D. H. Goodwillie, of Commerce, Michigan. The youngest son, Thomas, is a merchant of Cleveland, Ohio. The only surviving daughter is now Mrs. Rev. A. F. Ashton, of Monroe, Ohio. Dr. Goodwillie has formally retired from the pastorate, but in compliance with the wishes of his devoted people he has determined to end his days with them in quiet and peace.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHURCH HILL.


The original organization of this society was effected in 1821, under the ministry of Rev. Dillen Prosser. The first class numbered about sixty members, among whom were : Edward Moore and wife, Edward Mahan and wife, Peter Kline, wife and family (including his son Zenas, now one of the leading members), William Trotter and wife, John and Naomi Scott, Caroline Scott, William B. and Eliza Leslie, William Smith and wife, Matthew and Mary Trotter, Alexander Wright and wife, John and Miss Wright, John Hindman, William Henderson and wife, Jerome Monroe and wife, Irvin, William, Thomas, and Eliza Moore, Maria Wannamaker, Salome Henderson, Edward Irvin, John Clark, and William Trotter —the latter was the first class-leader and was succeeded by John Clark. The first building was erected the following summer, and is now used as town hall, and stands a short distance east of the original site. In this building the congregation worshiped until 1873, when the present church edifice was completed and dedicated. Among the ministers who have served this congregation were: Revs. Lane Plant, Ira Norris, William Day, Dr. Reeves, William Folgum, Peter Horton, Foutz, George Mallby, Holmes, Martin, Hurd, John Vance, Thomas Guy, Wesley Hill, Keller, Hubbard, Ezra Wade, William Hayes, Ely, Clark, C. F. Kingsberry, J. H. Starrett, T. Hodson, and Rev. McCleary, present paslor.


When first organized it belonged to Youngstown circuit, now known as Girard and Liberty.


As before stated the present church was dedicated under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Guy, Rev. Ives preaching the sermon.


The building is a frame of modern style of architecture, and cost $13,000; has an audience room with a seating capacity of four hundred, also lecture and Sabbath-school room, all heated by furnace and registers.


Soon after the society was organized the Sabbath-school was instituted by William Trotter and John Clark.


Special revivals were held by Revs. John Vance, Ely, and others ; special accessions under Thomas Guy.


SCHOOLS.


The first school-house was located near Church Hill, at the west side of the cemetery. This house was rudely constructed after the well-known style of early times. The school was first taught' by John Taylor, an elderly man about sixty years of age. Another house was then built about one-half mile east of Church Hill. Where William Sampson's barn now stands the principal school-house of the neighborhood was built in 1818. It was a huge log house covered with clapboards which were held to their places with weight-poles. Elias Grover was the first teacher. He came to the neighborhood as a stranger, announcing himself as being from the District of Maine. His school was very successful, and well attended. Many pupils came from a distance and boarded in the neighborhood for the purpose of attending this school. This teacher first made the advance in educational matters beyond the speller and "single rule of three," which then comprised the highest degree of pioneer education, and introduced grammar, geography, and surveying, which he successfully taught for some years.


A graded school was afterwards held in the house built for that purpose, now occupied by the Welsh Methodist church.


The present union school building was erected in 1871, and is a commodious building of three departments, and located at Church Hill.


The school was organized under the superintendency of William Barrett, and is supported by the union of three districts, which now enumerates from five to six hundred children, of which, however, not more than one-half attend school.


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The township besides supports nine school districts in which there are the usual provisions for ordinary schools.


THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (OLD SCHOOL).


This congregation was originally organized from the congregation at Youngstown, where the original members first attended services. The organization was effected in 1832, in the fall of which year the frame of the present church building was erected. The presbytery of Beaver first sent Rev. James Satterfield, who succeeded in organizing the society. The first elders were John Nelson and James Anderson. The first settled pastor was Rev. John W. Scott, who afterwards became president of Washington college, Pennsylvania. He preached about four years and was followed by Rev. Joseph Kerr, who remained about ten years. He was followed by Rev. N. B. Lyon, who served the congregation three or four years, and was followed by Rev. T. C. Stewart, who preached about six years. The present pastor, Rev. J, H. Wright, resides in Hubbard and preaches at the latter place and Liberty. The membership now numbers about thirty-four.


GIRARD.


The settlement about the present village of Girard was later than the general settlement of the township, and was no doubt first made near the early mills located on the river. Special interests began to center here more extensively on the construction of the old Pennsylvania & Ohio canal, from Girard to Niles, in 1837.


About this time the original Girard plat was made by a company formed at Warren, among whom was Governor David Tod. Since then many additions have been made, principally along the lines of the railroads and bounded on the east by the State road. The Hartzell plat lies immediately north of the old Girard plat; north of this is the Stambaugh and Bush plats. The Osborn plat lies immediately south and Morris plat south of this. Between the latter and the Mahoning river Arms, Morris, and Tod made an additional plat, and across the river is Rayen's plat.


METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (GIRARD).


The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church in Girard was organized by Rev. Dillon Prosser in 1843. It consisted of Peter, Hannah, and Mary Carlton, Mary and Mrs, Hollingsworth, Abigail Osborn, Betsey McLean, and Samuel McMillan—the latter was appointed class-leader. The place of worship was a log school-house built on the ground now occupied by the residence of Obadiah Sheadle. Soon afterward they removed to a room in the store of Mr. Hollingsworth, afterwards the residence of George Spray, where services were held until the completion of the new frame school-house in which the meetings were then held. In 1852, after a great struggle to secure the necessary funds, a small chapel of very plain style was built without steeple, belfry or other mark to distinguish it from the surrounding buildings, except, perhaps, the two doors in front and windows above.


This was their home for twenty-seven years. The following have served this congregation : Dillon Prosser (1843), Ira Norris and Allen Foutz (1844), W. F. Day (1845), A. Norton, and J. L. Holmes (1846), A. Keller and S. Hubbard (1847), A. Keller and H. Kellogg (18418), W. N. Reno (1849), A. Reeves and W. N. Reno (1850), D. C. Wright and J. H. Vance (1851), J. H. Vance (1852), J. W. Weldon (1853), S. K. Paden (1854), N. C. Brown (1855), S. Heard (1856-57), J. W. Hill (1858-59), R. M. Bear (1860), E. Wade (1861-62), F. Vernon (1863), W. Hays (1864-65), J. H. Vance (1866-67, L. W. Ely (1868-69), W. A. Clark (1870), T. Guy (1871-73), C. T. Kingsbury (1874-76), J. H. Staratt, (1877-80), and Thomas McCleary, the present incumbent. The present house was dedicated January 18, 1880, by Rev. C. H. Payne, president of the Ohio Wesleyan university, from II. Chronicles, vi., 18, " But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" This edifice is of Gothic style, with main audience room 40 x 50 feet, with transepts, right, left, and in front, 10 x 28 feet, cut off on the inside by folding doors which throw all the rooms together when required, with a seating capacity of four hundred, and costing about $4,500. The total indebtedness was discharged at the dedication exercises, and the building is certainly a fit temple for the purpose to which it is dedicated.


THE DISCIPLES CHURCH (GIRARD).


The first meetings of this denomination were held in the school hall, and among the ministers who preached during that time were Walter Hay-


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den, Gideon Applegate, Orin Higgins, and others. The organization was effected February 5, 1867, by Orin Gates, who was sent by the missionary society of the church for that purpose. The original officials were Charles C. Fowler, James Shannon, and Ambrose Mason, elders; William Shannon, S. H. Miller, and John Palton, deacons. The original members of the church were Lucy Shannon, Laura Gilbert, Alice Harper, Louisa D. Fowler, Nancy Reel, Elizabeth Reed, Malinda and Minerva Phillips, Elizabeth Stanbaugh, Cynthia Young, Collins Atwood, Elizabeth Gantholtz, and Florence McLain. The present number of members is about sixty, The present church building was erected in 1871 at the time of Rev. N. N. Bartlett's ministry, and was constructed by William and James Shannon and John Reed, building committee, and Charles Fowler, contractor and carpenter. Among the ministers who have served this congregation from time to time were Henry Camp, James Van Horne, E. D. Wakefield, T. S. Hanselman, N. N. Bartlett, and S. S. Bartlett. The society is now in a good, prosperous condition, with a Sabbath-school of about fifty members. The present officials are Tames Shannon, Alanson Miller, and C. H. Stanbaugh, elders; William Wallace, and Frederick Coonly, deacons, and A. Wayne Kennedy, treasurer.


THE APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY.


This society was organized in 1878 by Rev. J. Bollinger, who preached until last year, when he was succeeded by Rev. Joseph Bella.


Meetings of this denomination had been held previous to the organization at the residence of William Ludt, in Girard; and the first minister of this denomination was Rev. John Bakody. The original members were: Mr. and Mrs. William Ludt, Charles and Mrs. Schenoenfeld, and Mrs. Mary Fachield. The present beautiful little church at Girard was built in the year above mentioned at a cost of $1,600.


The society now numbers about fifty members, and is in a general state of prosperity, having regular services with the expectation of soon organizing a Sabbath-school. The society is composed of Germans who are wholly orthodox in their belief; and their efforts to mainlain a church of their own people is commendable, and should be successful.


THE LUTHERAN CHURCH (GERMAN).


The building in which this society holds services at present, is situated on the State road about one-half mile north of Girard. The first house built by this society was a log building, and was situated on the site of the present church. The present house was erected in 1833; and among the early members of the church were Henry Barnhisel, Peter Reel, George Hood, Jacob Reel, and others. Among the ministers who have served this society were Rev. Morris Smith, Rev. Hess, Rev. Baker, Rev. Paultzgrow. The membership now numbers about forty, and services are held regularly at the above place, under the present ministry of Rev. Meisner. The cemetery grounds adjoining belong to the church.


THE GIRARD UNION SCHOOL.


The general movement for improvement of the educational facilities at Girard was begun about 1860. On March 12, 1861, the local directors of school district number two, Liberty township, namely, J. C. Allison, Abner Osborn, and Henry Barnheisel, with a committee appointed by the people consisting of William Johnson, Edward Ray, Martin Houston, Abner Rush, and H. P. Gilbert, met together for the consideration of a plan for the erection of a suitable school building. Abner Rush was appointed treasurer and clerk for the purpose of effecting this 0bject. The present commodious brick building was then soon erected and completed at a cost of about $21,000, when Hugh Caldwell, now of Cleveland, Ohio, was first engaged as principal. In September, 1870, the present principal, A. Wayne Kennedy, took charge of the school with three assistants, and has continued in charge since with commendable success, the school increasing until now there are seven apartments with the following assistants: Miss Kit McGlarthery, Lara S. Schaeffer, Lizzie Kennedy, Della V. Reed, Mary E. Walker, and Louise M. Hauser. The whole number in the school is now three hundred and three, During the superintendency of Mr. Kennedy the following persons have been graduated from this school, namely: Charles Allison (engineer), William Lotze (telegraph operator), Evan Jones, and Ella Bowman. Frank E. Blintz was called away from his class just before graduation to enter the naval school at Annapolis, Maryland.


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The curriculum of the school embraces philosophy, geometry, astronomy, and various higher branches of science and mathematics, and the school is now in the zenith of prosperity, and every indication bespeaks success. The building is conveniently and pleasantly located, and both in external appearance and the design for which it was built is a pride and honor to the people of Girard.


COURT LILY OF GIRARD NO. 6625.


This court of the Ancient Order of Foresters was organized January 31, 1880, when the following officials were elected : D. J. Woodford, C. R.; John Bevan, sub- C. R.; Morgan Thomas, F. S.; Morgan L. Jones, R. S.; Benjamin Parry, treasurer; William Moss, senior woodward; John Phillips, junior woodward; John Jinkins, senior beadle; L. D. Jones, junior beadle. The charter members were T. W. D. Jones, D. J. Woodford, and L. D. Jones. The society makes allowance of $5 per week in cases of sickness; also appointing attendants in cases of necessity. At this time it has a membership of twenty- eight, and meets every alternate Saturday night in Odd Fellows hall.


AMALGAMATED ASSOCIATION OF IRON AND STEEL WORKERS,


Shiloh lodge of Ohio No. 16, was organized August 4, 1876, with the following officials: Thomas S. Evans, president; John Bevans, vice- president; Thomas D. Davis, recording secretary; James Richards, guide; John Evans, I. G., Roderick Evans, O. G. The society is organized for mutual aid and protection, and holds its meetings in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall.


GIRARD LODGE NO. 432, INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.


This lodge was instituted July 20, 1869, by Horace Beebe, special deputy G. M. The charter members were : S. J. Lambert, Calvin Eckman, Hugh Gilmore, Horatio M. Prindle, C. D. Goodrich, John P. Miller, L. Beaver, W. F. Adams, Jacob Stambaugh, Emanuel Hartzell, Jr., H. A. McCartney, Evan Morris, and C. S. Miller. The first officials were : Jacob Stambaugh, N. G.; Evan Morris, V. G.; S. J. Lambert, secretary; Hugh Gilmore, treasurer.


The lodge is now in a prosperous condition and holds its regular meetings in its own lodge- rooms on Liberty street, with the present officials : Robert Shaw, N. G.; John Allen, V. G.; Elias Lewis, secretary; C. G. Goodrich, F. S.; and E. Hartzell, Jr., treasurer ; with a present membership of fifty-nine.


FRIENDSHIP LODGE NO. 65, KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS.


The above lodge was organized March 12, 1874, by Adams Emerson, G. C. The first officials were : E. Hartzell, Jr., C. C.; Joseph Hull, V. C.; M. L. Kazertee, K. of R. S.; L. S. Fowler, M. of F.; Edgar Cranton, M. of E.; S. E. Knight, prelate.


The following, including the above officials, were the charter members : James H. Gifford, E. Hartzell, Jr., J. Jones, C. D. Goodrich, John Wilkes, A. J. Jewell, James Jones, Robert Thompson, and Thomas Hughes. The lodge meets regularly in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows hall, and now has a membership of twenty-five, with the. following officials : W. J. Walters, C. C.; A. E. Hartzell, V. C.; C. D. Goodrich, K. of R. and S.; A. J. Jewell, M. of F.; E. Harlzell, M. of E.; S. E. Knight, prelate.


THE GIRARD STOVE WORKS.


The above extensive manufactory is located on the west side of the river at Girard village. It was first established about 1867 by Lambert Crawford and C, B. Vanbroclin, who operated about six months when Crawford sold to George Johnson, and Faulkenstein about the same time became a member of the firm. About this time the works were closed and so remained about one year, when it passed into the hands of Hartzell, Lambert & May, who operated about one year. Hartzell then bought Lambert's interest, which was transferred to his son, Alonzo H. About this time A. J. Cartney and Jacob Stambaugh, were members of the firm, when C. R. Johnson purchased an interest of the latter; also Robert Walker and D. T. Kincaid purchased a one-fifth interest each. The company was then incorporated with Jacob Stambaugh president, C. R. Johnson, secretary, and S. H. Wilson, superintendent, the latter having purchased the interest belonging to Jacob May. The works are now owned by John R. Walker, John Stambaugh, A. J. McCartney, D. T. Kincaid, and S. H. Wilson. The foundry now requires from eight to ten moulders, one machinist, two stove mounters,


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one pattern maker, two blacksmiths and helpers, one engineer, two cupola tenders, and is now producing all kinds of work in this line. The utmost capacity is a five-ton casting. From seven to eight stoves are turned out per day, together with other odd castings to the amount of ten to twenty hundred pounds. A specialty is made of coal-bank cages and coal cars. Three and four of the latter are made per day. The works now have one fifty inch cupola running a daily heat and near full capacity. The engine used is a forty-horse power, and the works are in active and successful operation.


THE GIRARD FLOUR-MILL.


The present flouring-mills located at Girard were built about 1840-41 by Jesse Baldwin and Abner Osborn. The present company, under the name of Morris, Prindle & Co., runs the mill to a capacity of sixty or seventy barrels per day, having four run of buhrs propelled by waterpower derived from the Mahoning river. The company is. doing a general shipping and local custom trade.


GIRARD TANNERY.


The old tannery which stood on the site of the present extensive tannery of Krehl, Hauser & Co., was built and operated for some time by Elmadorus Cranden. The above company came into- possession in 1860, and in 1873 very extensive improvements were made and other improvements have from time to time been made. The present capacity is six hundred sides of leather per week, requiring the assistance of twenty-five and more hands. The company now makes a specialty of harness and belt leather, also the manufacture of bands for driving machinery and fair line and collar leather, The present complete appliances are all new and lhe company is operating with every indication of success and increasing prosperity.


THE GIRARD SAVINGS BANK.


The bank was organized in 1873 under the general banking law of the State. The original officials were: R. H. Walker, president, and 0. Sheadle, cashier. The latter has served in this capacity since, and is the present able and efficient cashier of the bank. The original company was composed of R. H. Walker, William B. Leslie, R. L. Walker, Evan Morris, John Morris, and 0. Sheadle.


The incorporation was made with a capital of $50,000, and the deposits now amount to $100,000 with a surplus fund of $12,500.


The banking of this firm has been managed with commendable efficiency, and no losses have ever been experienced since the organization, and the operations have embraced a general banking business of almost ten years.


The present company is composed of R. L. Walker, William B. Sampson, Zenas Kline, I. R. Hayes, Rebecca and Margaret Leslie, and 0. Sheadle, with the following officials: William D. Sampson, president, and 0. Sheadle, cashier; the company owning its own banking house on Liberty street.


The present condition is in every way indicative of future success, and general confidence is felt in the condition and management of the bank.


THE CORNS IRON COMPANY ROLLING-MILLS.


These large and flourishing works were first established here in 1872-73 by a joint stock company, known as the Girard Rolling-mill company. The present company is operated by the following officials : Henry Wick, president; Myron C. Wick, secretary, treasurer, and general manager, who with John C. Wick compose the present company, the works now being superintended by T. H. Joy. The works now employ one hundred and fifty-three hands, and have fourteen puddling furnaces, three heating furnaces, one eighteen-inch muck-mill, one eight- and one ten-inch finishing-mill, two batteries, one of four and the other of two boilers. Special attention is paid to the manufacture of irons for agricultural implements, guard and finger irons, drag and brace bars, knife back, iron cylinder bar, and tooth iron for threshing machines, also chain, nut, and bolt iron. Present capacity nine to ten hundred tons per month.


THE GIRARD IRON COMPANY FURNACE.


The above furnace was first located here about 1866 by John Tod, J. G. Butler, William Richards, and Joseph Fleming. The present company is composed of A. M. Byers and Joseph Fleming of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, with W. R. Drake, of Warren, as manager. The company has lately made considerable repairs and many improvements. The appliances now consist of the furnace sixty-six feet high with boilers of


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sixteen feet, two Robinson, Ray & Co. blowing engines of eighty-four-inch cylinders, four pumps, eight cylinder boilers forty-four feet long, a cast- iron tower with Crane Brothers' automatic hoist, a fine stock-house two hundred feet long and sixty wide; also two hot blasts. The furnace has a capacity of twenty thousand tons per month, and has convenient connections with the Ashtabula & Painesville, also the Mahoning division of the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroads, Weaver, and C. F. Harting, the present pastor,



SODOM


is a small village in the northwestern part of the township. The settlement here was made more prominent about 1865 when the coal bank was opened. The place derived the name from the following incident : About 1840, when lhe temperance question was strongly agitated, Dr. Fisher gave a lecture on that subject at Church Hill, and those who were interested in the cause prevailed on the doctor to deliver a lecture in the school-house where the above village now stands. The lecturer did not meet with the success he anticipated, and at the next lecture at Church Hill he jocosely remarked that he had not been successful in his effort at the school-house and he feared that the locality was a perfect Sodom; and from that time this name has been retained. The village has some lines of trade represented but operations in mining are the main industrial pursuits.


The Methodist Protestant church is located at the village.


THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION CHURCH.


This organization first held meetings at the house of George Herring, where Rev. Henry Yambert preached as early as 1822. A few years after a church was built on the south side of the road about one and one-fourth miles from Girard, between Church Hill and the former village. This building was afterwards moved to the present location, in the northeast part of the township.


Besides Rev. Yambert, who was the first preacher of this denomination in the township, there were many others who from time to time served this congregation. Among these were— Revs. Crossman, Staley, G. S. Domer, Long, Crowther, Rank, Van Dorsal, Beatty, Wyckle Hollinger, Somers, Brown, Poling, Dunlap, Weaver, and C. F. Harting, the present pastor.


William Herring was one among the first class-leaders, also afterwards Jacob Miller. George Frazier, Simon Goist, and I. Smith served in this capacity. The present class-leader is George Frazier.


The present trustees are Jacob Miller, William Frazier, and Simon Goist, and the society is now under the jurisdiction of the Pittsburg conference.


THE METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH


This society was organized February 22, 1862, by Rev. Henry Palmer. The original members were John and Phoebe Hawkins, Julius Truesdale and wife, Isaac D. Bard and wife, James H. Bard and wife, Abraham Storm and wife, Washington Powers and wife, John Barber and wife, Samuel McKenzie and wife, Wilson and Mary J. Powers, Henrietta and Sylvanus Moser, John S. Bennett and wife, Isaac Sutton, Cornelius Shook, Delilah Shook, Sarah Shook, Ann and Lucinda Storm, Arabella Denison, Harriet Goist, E. E. Goudy, Frank Allbright, Elizabeth and Julietta Miller, John Turner, Belinda Frazier, John Miller, Maria Hickox. John Hawkins was the first class-leader and J. H. Bard, steward. The church building was erected in 1872, dedicated on June 26th the same year. Rev. Thomas H. Colhour preached the dedication sermon. The building committee consisted of Isaac D. Bard, J. S. Denison, Wesley Triplet, Henry H. Jones, and A. S. Stewart. The following ministers have served this congregation : Henry Palmer, J. H. Mason, T. H. Colhour, C. P. Jordon, John Hodgkinson, C. P. Goodrich, McLaughlin, Henry Palmer, C. K. Stillwagon, William H. Gladden, E. A. Brindley. The society belongs to the Pittsburg conference, Trumbull circuit. The Sabbath-school was organized in 1862 with John Hawkins as superintendent. The first meetings of the society were held in the school-house of district number four for many years previous to the organization of the church proper. The revival of 1862, under Rev. Henry Palmer, was a special season of ingathering to the church, since which time there have been many revivals under the various mmisters. The present membership numbers thirty eight, and the society is in good condition.




PICTURES OF PETER KLINE AND ESTHER KLINE


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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES


PETER KLINE.


The subject of this sketch is the most extensive land owner in Liberty township. His father, Abram Kline, removed from Northampton county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio and settled in Youngstown township in the year 1806, on a farm opposite the mouth of Mill creek, on the Mahoning river. He was of German descent and a member of the Lutheran church. He was stern, generous, and enterprising, persevering in business, but always kind and social in his dealings. His death occurred in the year 1816, from a rupture of a blood vessel. He had accumulated a large estate, having farmed extensively and dealt successfully in live stock. The public sale of property after his death lasted three days. He had a love of blooded horses and one named Messenger was purchased by General Wadsworth, of Canfield, at the sum of $1,000. Mr. Kline was at the time of his death about forty-six years old. His family consisted of six children. Jonathan, the oldest son, settled at Canfield, where he died at the age of seventy-five years. He was small of stature, his weight being only one hundred and twenty- five pounds, but his frame was strong and his muscles wiry, being able to stand in a half bushel measure and shoulder three bushels of wheat without assistance. He left each of his four sons, who are all riving, a good farm.


Solomon, the second son of Abram Kline, resides in Cortland, Trumbull county, and is extensively known as a man of large accumulations of money, and sagacious business talent. He has no children.


The three oldest children of Abram Kline were daughters—Polly married Conrad Neff and settled m Portage county, Sally married Daniel Everett and settled in Hubbard, Betsey married John Neff and settled in Canfield ; all three are dead.


Peter Kline, the youngest son and subject of an illustration, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, February 7, 1803. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and later in general farm labor for other people. In 1835 he purchased sixty-six acres of land in Liberty township, on which he settled. Having inherited a strong liking for stock, particularly cattle, and the kind of talent required for stock speculation, he turned his attention in that direction. He has been the most extensive cattle dealer in the southern part of Trumbull county, and his success is shown by the continued increase of his farm, which now embraces over seven hundred acres.


Mr. Kline was married in 1822 to Esther Brown, daughter of Rodger Brown, who with his family removed from Connecticut and settled in Coitsville township. Mrs. Kline was born in 1804 and died January 20, 1877. Their family consists of four children—Sarah, Zenas, Abram, and Jane. Sarah was born in 1823; she was married to John Lynch, who died at Meadville, Pennsylvania, leaving four children—Lucy, Lois, John, and Charles: Lois was married to John McMullen, and has one child living named Lois, a granddaughter of Peter Kline; Lucy is married to Lyman Lease. Sarah married for her second husband Joseph Wilson, of Weathersfield, where she resides.


Zenas, second child of Peter Kline, was born March 28, 1828; was married to Malinda Hooks and lives in Liberty township..


Abram Kline was born May 5, 1831; was married to Lucy McCartney, of Coitsville, and lives at Church Hill, in Liberty township.


Jane Kline was born August 27, 1836; was married to Rev. Charles W. Reeves, and resides in Warren.


Mr. Kline was married August 1, 1877, to Elizabeth Tayler, widow of George Tayler, of Warren, and daughter of Elliott Woodbridge, of Youngstown, and a great-granddaughter of President Jonathan Edwards, the illustrious New England preacher and philosopher. She was born April 9, 1819, and married to George Tayler, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume. After his death, in 1864, she continued to reside in Warren until her marriage with Mr. Kline.


An excellent bed of coal was found on Mr. Kline's farm at Church Hill, in 1867, and a mine was opened the following year by Tod, Stambaugh & Co., lessees. It has been successfully and extensively operated ever since, bringing to its owner large revenues.


Mr. Kline is healthy, active, and strong.


442 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.


Though eighty years of age he has the promise of several years of life yet. His physical powers have never been impaired by strong drink, as was too frequently the case with men of his business and period of early life. He has made total abstinence a life principle, and has rigidly adhered to that principle. His whole family in this respect have made him their example. He is using his large fortune liberally in the support of charities and for lhe benefit of his family.


NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.


John Denison settled in Liberty in the first settlement of the township. He was a native of county Down, Ireland. He erected a rude pole shanty in the east part of the township, in the place where Stewart Denison now lives; purchasing six hundred and forty acres of land, aril lived there until his death, October 29, 1821. He was seventy-three years of age at the time of his death, His children were Samuel, James, Henry, John, David, and Margaret, all now dead. Samuel, the oldest of the children, married Betsy Stewart, and lived upon the old homestead. They were the parents of twelve children, of whom ten are yet living. Samuel Denison was a leading farmer in his township, and an influential and enterprising citizen. He held the office of justice of the peace for thirty-five years. He died in 1869 at the age of eighty-seven or eighty: eight. The surviving members of the family are Frances, John, Mary (Holland), Stewart, Calvin, Eliza (Applegate), Sarah (McMullen), Amy (Henderson), Esther (Bailey), and Margaret; all reside on a part of the original farm in Liberty except John, who resides in Champion, Mrs. Holland in Mahoning countyo and Mrs. Applegate in Youngstown. John Denison is a farmer of Champion, born June 4, 1818. He has been married twice. Stewart Denison, born in 1822, married in 1845 Rosannah Russel, of Vienna.


Samuel Goist was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1801. His father, George Goist, was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio in 1801 or 1802, in company with two of the family, coming on a flat-boat of their own construction as far as Beaver, then by teams through the wilderness to Liberty township, where they all settled. Mr. Goist began in the woods but soon had a good farm under cultivation, and lived upon this until his death. There were six children in his family, three boys and three girls. All of the girls are living. Mr. Samuel Goist learned the wagonmakers' trade and followed this occupation until within a short time before his death, which accidentally occurred on November 7, 1878, caused by being thrown out of a buggy. Mrs. Samuel Goist, daughter of Isaac Hoffman, was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, August 26, 1806. She is still living with one of her daughters, and is a smarl, energetic lady. There were born to Mr. and Mrs. Goist eight children, five of whom are living. Mr. John M. Goist, one of the sons, of whom this information was obtained, resides in Liberty township. He was married in 1861 to Miss Rebecca Hoffman, daughter of Washington Hoffman, of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania. Three children were the fruits of this union. Mrs. Goist died 1n 1869. Mr. Goist was married in 1871 to Miss Mary A. Kirk, daughter of Josiah Kirk, of Jackson township, Mahoning county. One child by this marriage. He has made farming his chief occupation though has worked some at wagon-making and milling.


Simon Goist was born 1n Liberty township in 1835. His father, Samuel Goist, was one of the early settlers of the township. Mr. Goist has always lived in Liberty. Farming and milling have been his chief occupations. He was mar tied in 1858 to Miss Mary A. Shiveley, daughter of Daniel Shiveley, of Liberty township. They have three children--Alice L., William H., and Iva F. Mr. Goist is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and also of the Grangers.


John C. Wilkin, an old resident of Liberty township, was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, October 16, 1804. His father, John, a native of Ireland, came to America in an early day and located in Allegheny county, where he was engaged in farming for many years. He died in Pittsburg, leaving a family of nine children, three of whom are living. Mr. Wilkin purchased land in Liberty, previous to 1800, though he soon sold it, as he did not care to go into a country where there were more Indians than white men. Mr. John Wilkin came to Ohio in 1834 and settled in Champion township,


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Trumbull county. He here began in the woods, bul soon had a good farm as a reward for his hard labors. He lived here ten years, and then moved to Howland township where he resided seven years, then back to Champion for seven years, then to Liberty, where we now find him. He has a good farm of one hundred acres. He was married in 1826 to Miss Mary Sc0tt, daughler of William Scott, of Pennsylvania. He had nine children by this marriage. Mrs. Wilkin died in 1845. In 1847 Mr. Wilkin was again married—to Miss Rosannah Oaks, daughter of Isaac Oaks, of Pennsylvania. There were five children by this marriage. Mrs. Wilkin died in 1856. For his third wife Mr. Wilkin married in 1857 Miss Matilda Clark, daughter of William Clark, of Liberty township, by whom he had one child. She died in 1866. He was married the fourth time in 1867 to Miss Elizabeth Oaks, a sister of his second wife. Mr. Wilkin is a member of the Presbyterian church; Mrs. Wilkin of the Baptist church. Mr. Wilkin is still an active, energetic man, a good neighbor and citizen.


William Ward, a well-known resident of Trumbull county, was born in England in 1806, January 11th, and came to America in 1818 with his parents, William and Sarah Ward. They at once went to Piltsburg, Pennsylvania, where they lived till their deaths. Mr. Ward, the subject of this sketch, came to Ohio in 1826 and located at New Lisbon, where he was engaged in the iron business two years, then went back to Pittsburg, where he manufactured nails fourteen years. He then moved to Niles, Ohio, where he and his brother, James Ward, and Thomas Russell built the iron mills of James Ward & Co. Mr. Ward resided at Niles thirty-six years. He came to Girard in 1878, and is now engaged in farming. He was married in 1825 to Miss Ann McIntosh, daughter of Duncan McIntosh. Ten children were the fruits of this union, five of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a firm Republican. He has been one of the active business men of the county, and is held in esteem by all.


James B. McClelland, an old resident of Liberty township, was born in Liberty, April 10, 1811. His father, William McClelland, came from Pennsylvania or New Jersey, somewhere near Monmouth, though he was living in Greene county, Pennsylvania, when he came to Ohio, which was in 1805. He located in Liberty township, and was one of the early settlers, and knew well from experience what the trials and hardships were to which the pioneers were subject. He cleared up a good farm and resided upon it till his death, which occurred January 23, 1843. Mr. William McClelland was a member of the Presbyterian church, of which he was an elder for many years, being appointed when he was twenty-four years of age. Three of his children lived to maturity—Robert, Ann, James. Mr, James McClelland has always lived near his old home. He has made farming an occupation, though not exclusively. He has been justice of the peace six years, giving the best of satisfaction in his official position. He is a stanch Republican and a worthy citizen.


Abner Osborn, a well-known resident of Liberty township, was born in Youngstown township, September 5, 1810. His father, Joseph Osborn, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio in 1804, locating in Youngstown township, Trumbull county (now Mahoning), and was among the early pioneers. Like other old settlers in the wild country of Ohio at the time, he began 1n the woods with a dense wilderness about him in all directions, though he succeeded in making a good farm and lived upon this till his death, which occurred February 17, 1846, aged seventy-two years. There were eight children in his family, four of whom are now living. Mr. Abner Osborn came to Girard in 1841. He helped build the present grist-mill m company with Josiah Robins and Jesse Baldwin. Mr. Osborn has been engaged in various occupations. In c0nneclion with farming he is interested in coal business in Carroll and Columbiana counties. He was married in 1839, to Miss Abigail Allison, of New Lisbon, Columbiana county. Six children have been born to them, five of whom are living. One son was killed in the Rebellion. Mrs. Osborn is a member of the Methodist church. Politically Mr. Osborn is a good Democrat and is one of the enterprising men of the county.


Edward Mahan was born in 1812 in Ireland, and came to America in 1831, landing in Quebec after a perilous voyage of five weeks and four days. His father, Thomas, came to America


444 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.


about eighteen months afterwards, and at once came to Ohio where his son resided in Trumbull county. Here he remained several years, then went to Guernsey county, Ohio, where he died in 1841. There were nine children in his family, five boys and four girls. Six of the children came to this country. Mrs. Mahan died in Bristol some years after the death of Mr. Mahan. Mr. Edward Mahan has always lived in Liberty township since 1831, with the exception of eighteen months in Guernsey county. He learned the brickmakers' trade and followed this for over thirty years, then went upon the farm where we now find him. He was married in 1835 to Miss Lydia McFarland, daughter of William McFarland, of Coitsville, Mahoning county. They have had twelve children, all of whom are living and are the joy of their parents in their old age. Mr. and Mrs. Mahan are members of the Methodist church and are good citizens.


Gideon Carlton, an old resident of Trumbull county, was born in Austintown, June 10, 1812. His father, John C., a native of New Jersey, came to Ohio in a very early day, and was among the pioneers of the section. Mr. Gideon Carlton lived in Austintown till he was eighteen years of age, then went to Lordstown with his parents, and resided there till 1845, when he moved to Champion township, living there five years, then came to Liberty township and made it his home till 1864, then moved to Weathersfield township and remained there till 1879, then moved back to Liberty, where we now find him on the north half of his father's old farm. He was married in 1835 to Miss Mary Brougher, daughter of John Brougher of Youngstown. By this union there were seven children. Mrs. Carlton died in March, 1850. Mr. Carlton was married the second time on October 10, 1850, to Mrs. Sarah McKinley, daughter of Archibald Prince, of Hubbard. He had four children by this marriage, two of whom are living. Mrs. Carlton is a member of the Disciple church. In politics Mr. Carlton is a firm Republican, and is held in high esteem by all


F. T. Adams, an old resident of Trumbull county, was born in Weathersfield township, September 23, 1817. His father, David A. Adams, came from Connecticut in an early day and located in Weathersfield township, and was one of the first settlers. He lived in Weathersfield till his death on October 3, 1855. He was born February 10, 1784. Mrs. Adams was born April 26, 1794. She died December 21, 1864. There were seven children in the family—four boys and three girls. Mr. F. T. Adams has always lived in the county, is engaged in general farming, and has one hundred and fifty-eight acres of land. He was married in 18418 to Miss Elizabeth Nelson, daughter of John Nelson, of Liberty township. This union has been blessed with six children, two of whom are living- Charles F. and Calvin A. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Adams is a Republican and a good citizen.


John B. Tully, a well known resident of Liberty township, w as born September 4, 1817. His father, James Tully, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day. John P. Tully, father of James, came from Ireland before the Revolutionary war. He was a cooper by trade though he did not follow this exclusively, as he was upon the sea several years—made a voyage to the East Indies. During the Revolutionary war he was taken prisoner at Quebec. After the war he settled in Virginia for a short time, when, having trouble with the Indians, he moved to Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and from there to Washington county. He participated in the famous whiskey insurrection at Ginger Hill. In the spring of 1804 he came to Ohio and located in Liberty township upon the farm where Mr. J. B. Tully now lives, having previously purchased il. He cleared up a fine farm and lived upon it until his death, in 1830. There were seven children in the family. Mr. James Tully lived upon the farm until 1861, his death occurring in this year. Mrs. Tully died in 1852. There were four children in this family. Mr. John B. Tully, the subject of this sketch, lives upon the old home farm ; he is engaged in general farming, though he works at his trade some—that of a carpenter, also wagon-making. He was married in 1850 to Miss May J. McGlathery, daughter of Joseph McGlathery, of Liberty township. Three children are the fruits of this marriage: Josephine A., Hagar, Austa. Hagar is deceased. Mrs. Tully and her daughter are members of the Disciple church. Mr. Tully is one of the substantial citizens of the township.


James Tully, brother of John B. Tully, was


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born in Liberty township in 1824, and has always lived upon lhe old home farm. He has one hundred and thirty-two acres of excellent land. He was married in 1850 to Miss Emily, daughter of Samuel Geddis, of Liberty township. They have had five children, three of whom are living. In religion M. Tully is very liberal.


Jonathan Shook was born in 1823 in Columbiana county, Ohio. His father, Jacob Shook, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day and settled in Columbiana county, where he resided several years, then moved to Liberty township, Trumbull county, where he lived until his death, in 1858; Mrs. Shook died in 1836 or 1837. Five children in the family, three of whom are living. Mr. John Shook is engaged in general farming and is one of the successful farmers of the township. He was married in 1845, to Miss Leah Hays, daughter of William Hays, of Liberty township. Seven children have been born to them, five of whom are living. Mrs. Shook died in 1878. Mr. Shook is one of the most enterprising men of the township, and is held in high esteem.


H. P. Gilbert was born in Austintown township in 1818. His father, Henry Gilbert, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in company with his parents and seltled in Austintown township, Trumbull county, now Mahoning. He moved to Liberty township in 1821, where he worked as a carpenter until 1837, when he went to .Bazetta township and cleared up a farm, living there until his death, which occurred in 1855 or 1856. There were ten children in his family, four of whom are living. Mrs. Gilbert died in 1861. Mr. H. P. Gilbert has lived in Trumbull county since 1821, with the exception of a sh0rt time ; was engaged in mercantile business at Austintown twenty-seven years, though is now interested in coal. He was married in 1845, to Miss Laura A. Rush, daughter of Abner Rush, of Liberty township. Five children have been born to them, three of whom are living. Mrs. Gilbert is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Gilbert was in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio infantry, was discharged in 1865 for disability. He is a Republican.


J. C. Bowman, M. D., an old physician of Girard, was born in Elkton township, Colum biana county, Ohio, in 1819. His father, David, was a native of York county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in an early day, settling in Elkton township, where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1819. Dr. Bowman studied medicine with Dr. Hahn, of North Lima, Columbiana county; attended lectures at Ann Arbor, Michigan, and graduated at the Eclectic Medical institute in Philadelphia, in 1855. He practiced several years in Beaver township, Columbiana county, now Mahoning, before graduating. Since 1855 he has practiced in Southington, Beaver, and Girard, coming to Girard in 1862. He has a good practice. He was married in 1840 to Miss Sophia Hahn, daughter of John Hahn, of Beaver township. They have had seven children, three of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are members of the Evangelical Association: In politics Mr. Bowman was formerly a staunch Abolitionist, but is now a oneirm Greenbacker, being strongly opposed to National banks. He is a good physician, and is held in esteem by all.


William Rayen, one of the old residents of Girard, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1821. His father, John Rayen, was a Pennsylvanian and came to Ohio in 1827, and located at Youngstown when it was a very small place, and farmed upon what is now a part of the city. He lived here till 1833, when he moved to Champion township, where he resided till his death, which occurred in 1852, leaving a family of seven children and widow to mourn his loss. Two of the children died before this. Mrs. Rayen is still living. Mr. William Rayen came to Girard in 1853 or 1854, and has been engaged in business at this place ever since; first in the flax business, afterward in mercantile, in which we now find him. He was married in 1849 to Miss Lucy Moser, daughter of John Moser, of Liberty township. They have had three children, two of whom are living. Mr. Rayen is one of the active business men of the township. Politically he has been a Republican, though is inclined toward Greenbackism.


William Wilson was born in Weathersfield township in 1822. His father, Edward Wilson, was born in Youngstown township; he died in 1836, leaving a family of eight children. Mr. William Wilson, grandfather of Joseph, was born upon the ocean while his parents were on


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their way to America. He came to Ohio about 1800 and was among the pioneers of Ohio. There were two or three houses in Youngstown at that day. He cleared up a good farm, which remains in the family. Mr. Joseph Wilson was well known throughout this part of the Reserve as a great hunter. Mr. William Wilson came to Liberty township in 1847, from Niles, and settled in Girard. About five years ago he moved upon the farm where he now lives. He is a wagonmaker by trade, though he follows farming to some extent. He was married in 1845 to Miss Martha McCartney, daughter of Andrew McCartney, of Liberty township. They have had six children, four of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Methodist church. He is a Republican.


J. B. Hood was born in Liberty township, Trumbull county, in 1830. His father, Amos Hood, came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio in 18018, in company with his father, George Hood, and settled in Liberty township near the center of the town. Mr. George Hood was a pioneer and passed through the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. He began in the wilderness and cleared up a good farm. He died in 1846. There were nine children in his family, six boys and three girls. Mr. Hood was a farmer by occupation. Mrs. Hood died in 1852 or 1853. Mr. Amos Hood spent the most of his life in Liberty. He died in December, 1873. Mrs. Hood, wife of Amos Hood, died in May, 1864. There were five children 1n the family, three of whom are living. Mr. J. B. Hood has ever lived in Liberty township. He is engaged in general farming and is highly esteemed by all. He was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Strock, daughter of John Strock, of Southington. They have two children —Vernetia and Ellis R. Politically Mr. Hood is a firm Democrat.


W. B. Sampson was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in February, 1831. His father, William Sampson, was a native of Pennsylvania and lived and died there. Mr. W. B. Sampson came to Ohio in 1843, and has since lived at Church Hill, Liberty township. He married Miss Amanda Walker, daughter of Dr. R. H. Walker, of Church Hill, in 1855. They have had four children, Hattie J., John W., William H., and Robert H. Mrs. Sampson is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Sampson is quite extensively engaged in stock business, and is one of the energetic, wide-awake farmers of old Trumbull. He is a staunch Republican.


Dr. John McCartney, a well-known physician of Girard, was born in Girard September 26, 1838. His father, James McCartney, a native of of Ohio, is now living at Girard. Dr. McCartney studied medicine with Isaac Barclay, M. D., and attended lectures at Cleveland Medical college, and graduated in 1861. He has since practiced at Girard with the exception of three years at Hubbard. Dr. McCartney has built up a good practice. He was married in 1872 to Mrs. Sarah Packard, daughter of John Crum, of Austintown township. Mrs. McCartney died in 1875. She was a member of the Lutheran church. Dr. McCartney is a Free Mason—politically a good Democrat.


George H. Beaver, a representative of an old family of Liberty township, was born in Liberty October 27, 1843. His father, Samuel Beaver, was a native of Perry county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1822 in company with John Stambaugh, of Youngstown. He came to Liberty township in 1832 and settled upon a farm in the southeastern part of the township. He died in 1880. There were eleven children in the family, five of whom are living. Mrs. Beaver is still living. Mr. George Beaver has always lived in the county, residing in Hubbard twelve years and the remaining time in Liberty township. Farming has been his chief business, though he has been engaged in the stock and sheep business more or less. He was married in October, 1867, to Miss Rebecca D. Miller, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Liberty township. They have three children. Mr. Beaver has been township trustee two years, also school director and member of board of education.


John Walters was born in Germany December 9, 1820. He came to America about 1848, and at once came to Ohio and located in Warren, Trumbull county, residing here one year, then went to Youngstown, living there about twelve months, then to Liberty township, where he was engaged in the coal business for a short time, then came to Girard and went into mercantile business, in which he remained till his death, which was accidentally caused by the explosion


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of kerosene oil, December T0, 1861, leaving a family of nine children and a widow to mourn his loss. He was a member of the Lutheran church and was highly esteemed by his fellow- townsmen. He was married in 1846 to Miss Sophia Bishop, daughter of Jonas Bishop. She was born in 1826.


George Lotze was born in Germany in 1830, and came to America in 1850 landing in New York. He lived in Rochester and vicinity about two years, then moved to Sharon, Pennsylvania, where he resided three years, being employed as an engineer and manager in furnace in the meantime. He then came to Ohio in 1855 and worked one year in Vienna at his trade—blacksmithing. He then moved to Weathersfield township, living here one year, and in 1857 came to Girard and has since resided here. He is now engaged in the jewelry business in connection wilh the drug business, being assisted by his son. He was marrred in 1853 to Miss Catharine Kick, daughter of Henry Kick, of Germany. They have had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. and Mm. Lotze are members of the German Reform church. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Politically, a sound Democrat.


T. F. Hawley, a well known druggist of Girard, was born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1840. His father, Cyrus A. Hawley, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, and came to Painesville in 1834, and was among the first business men of the town. He was engaged in the drug business in Painesville till 1853, and then traveled six years through the South for a firm in Philadelphia. He came to Girard in 1867. Mr. T. F. Hawley has been engaged in the drug business at Girard since 1867. He was married in 1865 to Miss Flora Spencer, daughter of H. N. Spencer, of Geauga county, Ohio. They have two children. Mr. Hawley has been postmaster ten or lwelve years, and is at the present time. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Youngstown. He was in the Nineteenth Ohio infantry three months, and afterwards in the Forty-first Ohio, and served throughout the war, enlisting in 1861 and discharged in 1865. Mr. Hawley may well take pride in his military record. He was wounded six times and carries as many scars to this day.


Frederick Krehl, an enterprising business man of Girard, was born in Germany in 1840, and came to America in 1853. He at once came to Ohio and located in Canfield, Mahoning county, where he resided about four years, and then went to Poland township, remaining two years, when he came to Girard, where we now find him extensively engaged in the tannery business, employing between thirty-five and forty men most of the time. He rebuilt the tannery he now occupies in 1860, though he has made many additions, thus making one of the largest tannery establishments in northeastern Ohio. He was married in 1861 to Miss Sanzenbacher, daughter of Jacob Sanzenbacher, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. By this union there were three children. Mrs. Krehl died in 1870, and Mr. Krehl was married in 1872 to Miss Mary Krehl, daughter of Frederick Krehl, of Indiana. There were three children by this marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Krehl are members of the Lutheran church. Mr. Krehl is an active, wide-awake business man.


C. D. Goodrich was born in Hubbard in 1843. His father, Roswell Goodrich, was a native of Connecticut, and came to Ohio in 1838 or 1839, and settled in Hubbard, where he was engaged in a grist-mill until 1844, when he removed to Liberty township and purchased the Holliday mills. Mr. Goodrich resided here until 1852, then moved to Vienna township where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1853, aged seventy-three years. Mr. C. D. Goodrich, the subject of thrs sketch, came to Girard in March, 1860, and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, serving three years as an apprentice and one year as a journeyman, then began business for himself in 1864 in Hubbard and remained in it six months, then came back to Girard, where he has since been one of the active business men. He was married in 1864 to Miss Mary A. Keefer, daughter of John Keefer, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They have had seven children, six of whom are living. Mr. Goodrich is a Free Mason, Odd Fellow, and Knight of Pythias. He has been justice of the peace for ten years, also township trustee, and member of board of education; politically he is a Republican.


Dr. A. J. Brooks was born in Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 1, 1844. His father, Thomas Brooks, a native of Ohio, is still living in Weathersfield. The family are among the early settlers of the town-


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ship. Dr. Brooks studied medicine with Dr. Casper, of Niles, and graduated at the Cleveland Medical college in 1871, and has since practiced at Niles, Church Hill, and Girard, coming to the latter place in November, 1880. Dr. Brooks has a good practice and is well liked. He was married in 1873 to Miss Sylvia J. VanHorn, daughter of Abram VanHorn, of Carroll county, Ohio. They have two children, Hattie A. and Harvey T. Mr. and Mrs. Brooks are members of the Disciple church. He is a member of the Foresters; politically he is a Republican.


Isaac Hartzell, a well-known merchant of Girard, a member of the firm of Hartzell Bros., was born in Germany in 1851, and came to America in 1867, and at once came to Ohio and located at Girard, where he has been in business. The firm does an extensive business in dry goods, hats, caps, etc. He was married in 1877 to Miss Rachel Lambert, daughter of S. J. Lambert, of Kansas. They have one child, Blanche. In politics he is a Conservative. He is an active business man.