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CHAPTER XV.

NEWTON.*

This is the extreme southwest township of the county, town three north, and range five. It lies immediately south of Braceville, with Lordstown on the east, Mahoning county south, and Portage county on the west ; and contains fourteen thousand nine hundred and forty-six acres of land. The east branch of the Mahoning river (locally known as East river) extends from south to north across the township west of the central line. Kale creek, a tributary of the East river, flows from the southwest corner. The west branch of the Mahoning, called West river, flows across the northwest corner. Duck creek extends from south to north across the township along the western part. The township being thus well watered, and having much bottom land with rollrng surface between the streams, the

The thanks of the historian are due Dr. J. F. Porter, of Newton Falls, for much of the data contained in this sketch.

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agricultural advantages are superior, and it may be classed above the average township in the county, The usual products are found in abundance here, while great quantities of white oak ship-timber are exported from this locality for ship-building and other manufacturing purposes.

POPULATION.

The township has three distinct settlements-- Deer Creek, the " River," and Newton Falls— which were more marked in early times than at present.

There is but one incorporated town, Newton Falls, in the township, in and around which the population and business interests now center.

According to the census reports of 1860 and 1870 the population decreased during that decade from , fourteen hundred and ninety-six to twelve hundred and eighty, but in 188o it increased again to thirteen hundred and fifty-eight.

ORGANIZATION AND PROPRIETORSHIP.

The township was organized in 1808, but having a larger political jurisdiction than at present, embracing Milton., now of Mahoning county, and Lordstown, in the same voting precinct under the same jurisdiction. This is evident from the fact that in 1814 John Johnson, of Milton, was elected justice of the peace and filed the date of his commission with the clerk of Newton; and as late as 1826 the road funds and job road work of Lordstown were under the control of the Newton trustees. Justin Ely, Elijah White, and Jonathan Brace were the original proprietors who drew this township in the partition made of the Western Reserve. On the l0th of` December, 1800, they associated themselves with Roger Newberry, Enoch Perkins, and Jonathan Brace, who were the proprietors of Braceville, and made the conveyance of the lands of Newton as further described in the history of Braceville township. Why the township was called Newton is not now known, unless it was so called in honor of Sir Isaac Newton, the great philosopher,

At the time of the organization of the township (1808), a book was opened for the purpose of registering "ear-marks of cattle, sheep, and hogs. From this register are gleaned the following names of settlers in the township at that time: E. Hover, Robert Caldwell, Nathaniel Stanley, George L, Davison, Jacob Custard, Leonard Miller, George Sheffelton, John Lane, Benjamin Davison, James Huffstetter, Daniel Dull, Jacob Winans.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

The first justice, Benjamin Davison, was elected in 18018, and the following persons have been elected to that office in the township: Daniel Dull, 1810 ; G. L. Davison, 1813-16; John Johnson, 1814; Bildad Hine, 1814-17, and 1830 ; Dr. Tracy Bronson, 1819 ; Ezekiel, Hover, 1820-23; Stephen Oviatt, 1825-28; Charles Adgate, 1829; Alexander Sutherland, 1832-34; Austin Parker, 1833; Samuel Oviatt, Jr., 1834; William Porter, 1836-39; H. Hinman, 1838; Hiram Austin, 1838; U. D. Kellogg, 1841; J. I. Todd, 1842-45.

In 1826 the election of justice of the peace was contested between Ezekiel Hover and Stephen Oviatt before a jury and Hervey Stow, Esq,, of Braceville, which resulted in favor of Oviatt on account of illegal voting. The second was between the same parties before Milton Rogers, of Milton, and resulted in the same way. The third contest between these parties is supposed to have resulted in favor of Oviatt, as the records do not show that Hover held a commission afterwards.

THE RIVER SETTLEMENT.

Perhaps a short time prior, to the Duck creek settlement, a settlement was made on the Ma. honing river in the present vicinity of Pricetown—now Callender's mills.

Jesse Halliday, Robert Caldwell, William and Nathaniel Stanley, David Carlile, Daniel Dull, Mr. Allen, and Benjamin Davison with their families composed this little colony,

Jesse Halliday paddled a canoe from Warren in about 1805, as far as the south line of Newton township, and finding rapids here, concluded he could build a mill which was in operation in 1807, and stood on the site of the present Callender mills (at Pricetown). This mill, however, being necessarily an imperfect structure, was often incapable of supplying the wants of the settlers, thus subjecting them to great inconvenience, as Garrettsville was the nearest mill, fifteen miles away. This, in the absence of any road except a blazed route, was something of a journey for a boy with his grist on horseback,

The Indians, owing to the trouble with the whites, were at this time fast leaving the country.

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Their place of general rendezvous, salt springs, was readily reached from this settlement by the Indian trail, thus affording an important accommodation to the settlers in the way of procurrng salt, as supplies had to be imported from Cleveland, or New Lisbon, twenty-five miles south.

The first marriage in this locality was Thomas McCoy to Polly Moore, and the first death was a child of Peter Decoursey.

In 1805 Isaac Hutson, from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, settled on Kale creek with a family of five sons and six daughters, and in 1811 John Hutson settled in the Lane neighborhood. Both had a large family of boys and girls. The boys were all good marksmen and "full-hands" at a hunt or shooting-match, and most of their names are found as contestants in a shooting-match on Christmas at Newton Falls, where Bildad Hine took this method of closing out his stock of goods—the first brought to the falls.

CHURCH AT "RIVER" SETTLEMENT.

The first Presbyterian church was organized in 1808 with a membership of seven—William Stanley and wife, John Sutherland and wife, Polly Wilson, Mrs. Davison, and Mrs. Gilmer,

After the death of Rev. Boyd, Rev. Hughes, from Beaver, preached occasionally, and Rev. Joshua Beer followed as next regular pastor. In 1809 the two settlements (Duck Creek and "River") united and built the frame church, which was removed a few years ago over into Milt0n township.

DUCK CREEK SETTLEMENT.

Alex. Sutherland settled at Duck Creek in 1802, and the only meat the family had the first year was deer and bear meat, furnished by the Indians in exchange for bread. The cabin in which he moved was made by setting posts in the ground, covered with bark on the sides and roof, and quilts hung up for doors.

There were five or six Indian camps near this cabin, and at one time an Indian chief named Kiogg came into the Sutherland cabin drunk and made threats of shooting some of them, but Ezekiel Hover broke a chair over his head, and another chief named Nickshaw afterwards settled the difficulty.

Alex, Sutherland and Ezekiel Hover marked the first path from Duck Creek settlement to Youngstown, to reach the nearest mill, a distance of almost twenty miles. Their nearest post-office was Warren—eight miles, Bears and wolves were very plenty, and the settlers were compelled to carry torches and keep their sugar- camp fires burning to keep them away.

Mr. Sutherland was elected county recorder soon after his arrival here. His son James carried the mail from Warren to Canton when there was no house from Duck Creek to Warren, or Quinby hill as it was then called. His son John, while mowing on the farm of E. Hover, cut off the head of a yellow rattlesnake seven and a half feet long. He skinned the reptile and made a cap of part of the hide, and Mr. Hover took a pact for a shot pouch, The colors of the skin were very brilliant, being a light green and pale yellow, and glittered in the sunshine.

Ezekiel Hover built the first saw-mill where George Johnston's mill now stands.

James Gilmer and family settled in this locality April 30, 1807. The cabin home, which occupied the site of the present barn of John R. Johnson on the east bank of Duck creek, had been erected and roofed the previous autumn, and had served as shelter to a squad of Indians during the winter.

The settlement consisted of the following families : Thomas Reed, Peter Decoursey, Alexander Sutherland and his father, John, George Sheffelton, John Mashman and son, Alexander Mashman, Jacob Custard. Ezekiel Hover was then a young man holding the office of county surveyor.

SCHOOLS AT DUCK CREEK,

For several years after the first settlements were made lhe necessity for every man, woman, and child to assist in all kinds of labor, together with the scarcity of money, put the matter of school privileges out of the question. About 1812 or 1813 a log school-house was erected a short distance below where the saw-mill of G. R. Johnson now stands. It was a log cabin with rough stone chimney; a foot or two cut from the logs here and there admitted light through greased paper over the holes. A huge fire-place, puncheon floor, a few benches made of split logs, the flat side up, and a well-developed " birch," constituted all the requirements of the pioneer schoolhouse. The first teacher was a young man by the name of Brooks, who received a

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compensation of $10 per month, payable in wheat, rye, or corn.

The usual methods of training the youthful minds common in early times were employed in these pioneer schools. The attendance of the scholars was necessarily irregular, and the appliances for imparting knowledge were exceedingly meager. Notwithstanding all this, however, it is found that the graduates from the log cabin colleges were good farmers, many of them adepts in mathematics, zealous and able ministers of the gospel, and successful business men.

RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.

The pioneers of Newton were not long without public religious exercises. John Sutherland, Sr., soon called those of his neighbors of like inclination, and organized a weekly prayer-meeting, which met alternately at the different houses. In the summer of 18018 Rev. James Boyd, a Presbyterian minister who was sent as a missionary to the Western Reserve from New England, found his way to the River settlement, preaching the first gospel sermon in the township, in the open air, on the farm now owned by Joseph G. Strock. An effort was then made to secure the services of Rev. Boyd as minister to the River and Duck Creek settlements and Warren, which was successful. He spent his life in ministerial labor with his people, and was laid to rest near the spot where he delivered his first sermon to the pioneers of Newton, in March, 1813. It is related of him that once as he was riding from this place to Warren to fill his appointment that day—it being Sunday—he happened to glance backward and saw a wolf following fast on his track. He put spurs to his horse, and on the way dashed through a swollen stream which otherwise would have been unaffordable, and but for the wolf the congregation at Warren would have been without a preacher that day.

DISTILLERY.

In 1816 Stephen Oviatt moved his distillery from Braceville ridge, and established it in a rock excavation, where water was plenty, near the pres ent site of Eagle mills. In 1818, with Bildad Hine as partner, it was moved to the east of the river to what has been known as the Patterson farm, and about 1823, seeking a central location, a buck distillery was erected on the Joseph Wilson farm, which finally came into the possession of Judge Price.

INCIDENTS.

In 1813 the citizens of Newton and Braceville agreed to co-operate in procuring a supply of salt, and Newton furnished a wagon and one yoke of oxen, which were procured of John Lane. Braceville furnished a second pair, which constituted the joint team. A third pair of oxen were sent by Edmund Oviatt to trade for the salt at Fairport. Bildad Hine was selected as agent and ox driver, and after a week's absence returned alone on foot to the settlement and reported that he had traded the oxen for six barrels of salt, but that in crossing Eagle creek below Garrettsville the wagon-stuck in the mud. The next day the citizens turned out in force and with teams, shovels, hoes, etc., proceeded to Eagle creek and brought home the salt in triumph.

About the year 1818 Robert Price, afterwards judge, bought the Holliday mills and logically claimed Holliday's interest in the Presbyterian church near by ; and finding one Parker, a Helsian preacher whose views were sufficienlly liberal, Price engaged him to preach the share of the time belonging to him as a separate congregation. On one Sunday morning when Father Beer had occupied the pulpit, and during the usual intermission preceding the afternoon services. Price said to Parker: "Now go over and take the stand, and when you are through singing and praying I will come over and hear you preach." Parker went but found that he was too late as the afternoon services had begun, and he took a seat in the audience. Presently Price came in and seeing the Helsian seated as a hearer only, and thinking probably that he had been refused the pulpit, cried out, "What the he does this mean ?" and forthwith mounted the pulpit and brought the minister down, struggling, under his arm. He then said to Parker, "Now my little man go up there and preach." Elder John Craig attempting to interfere was promptly ejected from the house, after which it is inferred that the services were allowed to proceed.

INDIANS.

The early settlers were often annoyed and sometimes not a little in fear of the depredations of bands of Indians that wandered up and down the river. In 1809 the Indian chief Paqua, with

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his squaw and a tribe of ten or twelve Indians and a white boy encamped for some time opposite where Kistler's, saw-mill now stands and spent some days in drying venison into "jerk ;" and in 1816 two Cornplanter Indians, called Abram and Jonathan, spent some time and became familiarly known at Newton Falls. The only monument of this race (of which a more general history will be found elsewhere in this work) in this locality was known as the "Indian grave." It was a structure of stone, evidently erected by human hands and ingenuity; built in the shape of a cone, fifteen feet in diameter and ten feet high. When first discovered this elevation was heavily covered with a growth of hemlocks, and was situated on the rock bank of the west branch of the Mahoning river, a few rods above where Porter's flour mill now stands. This was a favorite place for holiday resort for the children until in quarrying for stone to build the canal the mound was destroyed.

WILD GAME.

Eagle mill-pond afforded a sliding place for the children of early days in their winter sports. On one occasion when Noble Hine and a number of other boys and girls were skating on this pond, a large buck took refuge from the dogs by running to the children on the ice. The dogs were driven away, and the young folks amused themselves by sliding around the deer and pulling his hair. He might have been very indignant at this treatment, but could not help himself on the slippery ice. After tiring of the fun the deer, being too lean fo? table use, was driven to the shore and allowed to escape.

On another occasion Mr. Yale saw a fine deer chased into the river. It sought safety in an open hole in the ice. He shut down his mill, and after driving away the dogs he crept out to the opening in the ice and the deer swam to him. He helped it out of the water, and putting his arm aver its shoulders, went up the bank with the deer at his side. The neighbors soon gathered and were desirous of dispatching the deer, to which Mr, Yale positively objected because it had come to him for safety, He ordered all to stand back, and then stepping backward a few feet he slapped his hands and the deer bounded into the forest.

Jacob Miller had a hand to hand engagement with a large buck which he caught in his arms as it attempted to jump a fence, and held it until Captain John Sheffleton cut its throat, but all that was left of Miller's clothes was "'collar and hames,"

The last deer seen in the township was killed by Judge Porter in 1835, on land now owned by William Green in the east part of the township.

Venison formed a large part of the provision of the early settlers, and the books of Messrs. Hine & Yale show that for many years it was an article of common traffic at from one to three cents per pound; and buckskin was a quasi legal tender.

SETTLEMENT AT NEWTON FALLS,

The proprietor of the lands in the locality of Newton Falls was Judson Canfield, of New Haven, Connecticut, who early contemplated the building of a rural city near the falls on the Mahoning river, in order to utilize the immense water-power which the two branches of the Mahoning river here afforded. For the purpose of inducing settlement the land was surveyed into lots of ten acres each, in the year 1807, and immigration was earnestly invited.

In the autumn of this year John Lane built his log-cabin residence in the new city, on the bank of the West river, on what is now Martin's grocery lot. On the 16th of June Bildad Hine and family arrived and were welcomed with true pioneer hospitality into the mansion of Mr. Lane. For this emergency the house seemed to have been especially planned, as it was one story high, 16x 18 feet in size, and contained ample accommodation for a family of thirteen. The milk-house belonging to this house is now in good condition, except the door, it being a cave in the rock, projecting over the river, at the rear of Stocking's wagon factory.

In the. summer of 1808 a Mr. Canfield, with Mr. Ruggles, built a saw-mill where Allen Hoyle's woolen factory now stands, and, according to the recollection of Barney C. Allen, in February, 1811, started the first grist-mill, and ground the first grist of wheat for Joseph Allen, the flour being afterwards bolted at home through a hair sieve.

The mill-stones were quarried in what was then called " Redding hill," in Hiram township. A part of one of these stones now lies at the door of Porter & Son's flour-mill.

The first mill was burned down in December,

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1817, by a drunken man who had taken lodging in it for the night, who was obliged to wade the frozen river to escape the fire. The mill was not rebuilt, bul, in 1829, Horace and Augustus Stephens erected the old Eagle mills, on the opposite side of the river.

James F. Porter & Sons afterwards erected the present flouring-mill adjoining the old one ; the drawings of which were made by William H. Porter, son of J. F., who sent the drawings to Wilcox, Shinkle & Miller, who from these drawings alone made the works ready to be put in place; sent them on and erected the mill.

From the ledger of Benjamin B. Yale it is shown that he came to Newton in 18018 from Canfield, to the house of Samuel Oviatt, and was engaged as mill-wright at one dollar per day; was at the erection of the first mill, and afterwards was engaged as miller for Canfield & Ruggles, then for Canfield & Gilson in 1812; and in 1813 and 1815 he charges John Lane for work done on the grist- and saw-mill.

In 1814 he worked for Jesse Halliday in his mill, now owned by J. M. Callender, on the south line of the township, and from December, 1816, to July, 1817, operated the Falls mill for one Hopkins. The latter had purchased the mill from Cornelius Duboise, of New York, who had came into possession from a Mr. Fluellen, who had become indebted to him (Duboise) for goods. It seems that Mr. Hopkins was not accustomed to pioneer life or was very economical, for, as it was the custom as well as the necessity, to cut down the trees to furnish browse for the cattle, he could not quietly see the timber wasted, and he had it cut and carried home on the backs of his sons.

In 1813 the first bridge was built over the west branch by subscription, and about ten years after a second was built in the same way at the "narrows," above the Indian grave. In 1832, C. Duboise sent from New York the drawings of a lattice bridge, of which William North and Solon Trescott made a model of laths, and Barney C. Allen took the contract for the stone and timber work and completed the bridge—one hundred and twenty-five feet long—for $440; and $300 of this money was raised by subscription, the balance was paid by the county. This is said to be the first bridge of the kind in the county.

In these times wages as well as prices of all kinds were low, except salt, which, as will be .seen, was very high. Mr. Yale in his ledger charges a customer $5.50 per bushel, and $16 per barrel. As late as 1823 the trustees resolved to allow fifty cents per day for a team of horses or oxen on the road, and the same for a wagon.

In addition to those already named as early settlers were Levi Jacobs, Jacob Storey, Ira Trescott, and Russell Trescott, who lived on the west side of the river. Henry Harsh, William John son, and John Bridges, soon after the above, arrived in the settlement. Of those who took part in the election of October, 1833, only four, William N. Hine, Joseph Nichols, and John Miller, are now living in the township.

NEWTON FALLS VILLAGE

is pleasantly situated between the east and west branches of the Mahoning river, in the northeastern part of the township. The falls in the west branch of the river, from which the village takes its name, were originally about six or seven feet high, and formed of layers of stone, thus affording natural foundations for a mill dam, for which it is now utilized. The village is the only center of trade in the township, and all the branches of merchandise are well represented, and the indications of active business operations are amply evident. The many branches of business cannot be here specially noticed, but special lines of manufacture will be noticed elsewhere. Several attempts have been made in Newton Falls " to supply a long felt want " by the establishment of a newspaper, but without permanent success. The formal incorporation was made after some difficulty and no little strife; the achievement of the object, however, now meets with general approval, and the little city gives ample promise of future prosperity.

Newton Falls village was incorporated March 10, 1872, by T. J. Gilmore, J. N. Ensign, W. L. Hosier, and C. G. Graham, agents for the incorporation.

The first election was held April 1, 1872, which resulted in the election of the following officials : Lyman T. Soule, Henry Taylor, and James F. Porter, trustees; H. S. Robbins, marshall; C. G. Graham, clerk and treasurer.

J. N. Ensign became mayor by virtue of his office as justice of the peace.

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The population of the village at the time of incorporation was. five hundred and five, and in 1880 five hundred and seventy-four.

SURVEY OF VILLAGE.

In 1806 Ezekiel Hover made the first survey and plat for Mr. Canfield, and in 1829 Joshua Henshaw made a second for C. Duboise, and had much difficulty in finding the lines, and lhe number of the lots, and finally failed by many acres, in his estimate of the number of acres conveyed by Canfield and other parties. In 1836 the lines were adjusted by F. E. Stow for Dr. H. A. Duboise. The latter proposed to change the name of the village to Duboiseville, but afterwards put on record the amended map made by Mr. Stow, with the present name.

CHURCHES AT NEWTON FALLS.

The first church building at Newton Falls was erected by the Associate Reform (Seceder) church, under the pastorate of Rev. William Douthett. This society has long since passed away, and the house has since been occupied by the Regular Baptist society, which also has disappeared. Afterwards the Episcopalians remodeled the building, in which they held services, but they also have long since disbanded, and the building is now used as the town hall.

THE PRESBYTERIAN AND CONGREGATIONAL

CHURCH ORGANIZATION.

On the 4th of September, 1836, agreeably to previous appointment a number of individuals favorably disposed to the cause of Christ, met at the house of Horace Stephens in the village of Newton Falls, for the purpose of consulting in reference to the establishment of a church in that place. Rev. John Treat, of the Presbyterian church, being present, presided over the meeting. Some fifteen or twenty persons were present, and an organization of a church of Jesus Christ was decided upon. It was also decided to invite Rev. Joseph Treat, of Portage presbytery, Rev. Josiah Town, of Trumbull presbytery, and Rev. Chapin, of Cleveland presbytery, to assist in the organization, and also that the church should take the form of worship of the Congregational church, and become attached to the Trumbull presbytery. Accordingly, December 4, 1836, the church was organized, called the Church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Treat and Chapin Clark were the ministers in charge, and effected the organization. The following persons presented themselves for membership, viz: Hiram and Martha Hinman, of Dutch Reform church, Luther Lyman, of Congregational church, John Payne, of Presbyterian church, Amelia and Martha Beebe, of Presbyterian church, Lucy Babbitt, of Presbyterian church, Pamelia Kidder, of Congregational church, Amelia Stevens, of Presbyterian church. Also Horace Stevens, Reuben Babbitt, Henry Hutson, Emily Lyman, Amelia Stevens, and Susan and Margaret Patterson presented themselves for admission on confession of faith. The first public worship was held on December 15th, and the sermon was preached by Rev. Clark from Luke xiv: 218, "For which of you intending to build a tower sitteth not down first and counteth the cost."

The committee was appointed to prepare a Confession of Faith, which was presented, being the same, with some changes, as the one recommended by the presbytery of Portage, and was adopted at this meeting. December 2 4, 1836, a meeting Was held at the house of Horace Stevens, and he was appointed clerk, and Hiram Hinman and Luther Lyman leaders, to conduct religious meetings and prepare rules for the regulation of the church.

RULES PRESENTED.

1. Standing committee not less than two or more than seven to take cognizance of public offenses and manage the prudential concerns.

2. Powers of the members of this committee same as elders in Presbyterian church to those avowing their preference to that church.

3. Committee to examine applicants for admission.

4. Inconsistent to admit members of distant churches to communion who have resided in community less than one year.

5. Prohibiting ardent spirits.

7. Prohibiting hauling hay or grain, making sugar, hauling milk or making cheese, attending any business, visiting friends, except in sickness, on Sunday.

The rules were presented by Hiram Hinman and Luther Lyman, committee. First delegate to presbytery was Luther Lyman, December 16, 1837, and at same meeting E. Lyman, M. Beebe, and H. C. Soule were appointed to secure "a supply of preaching," and Rev. C. R. Clark appears as the first "supply" in December, 1840, and Rev. Bennett Roberts the following year. February 19, 1840, a subscription paper was started to solicit aid in building a house for the use, as stated in the paper, of "the Presbyterian society and church of this village and vicin-

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ity," to be erected on the lot .then owned by Isaac Stanley, where the house now stands, This subscription paper bears this motto 1n capitals—"Privilege to all—Exclusion to none," The church was dedicated March 16, 1842, by Professor Day, of Western Reserve college, preaching from the text—"And the glory of God filled the house:"

Rev. Robert C. Learned was minister in 1842, and Daniel Emmerson in 1843. In the latter year lhe church adopted a rule giving the pulpit in charge of the minister, excluding from the house all shows, models of new inventions, exhibitions for the purpose of speaking dialogues, comedies, orations or the like, "decorations calculated to excite the gaze and call off the attention of the congregation," all political and other meetings, unless permission be given by a vote of three fourths of the congregation at a called meeting, In 1843 Rev. Solomon Stevens was called and his services began July 1st. Among the ministers who have served this society were Dr, Pratt, J. A. Woodruff, W. R. Stevens, Erastus Chester, Benjamin Walker, George Pierce, Augustus Cone, Isaac Hall, S, D. Taylor, Henry Farwell.

In 1868 it was proposed at a meeting called for that purpose to change the organization to a Presbyterian church, to which assent was made by a vote of thirty-three to eleven, and in the following June John Leonard, C. Price, William Herbert, S. A. Austin, and H. C. Soule were elected elders,

In 1879 a meeting was called, presided over by P. Baldwin, in which, by motion of J. W. Little, it was decided to change the organization to be known as the Congregational church, and the rules of the Windham Congregational church were adopted, and the organization now holds worship here under the pastorate of Rev. D. Waugh,

THE DISCIPLES CHURCH, NEWTON FALLS,

The organization from which this church is an offshoot was first effected as early as 1810. In the fall of 1819 Thomas Miller, a Baptist minister, preached at the house of Benoni Johnson in Braceville, where F. L. Mervin now lives, and Marcus Bosworth and wife were baptized. In the following year the church, under the ministry of Rev. Miller, was organized with Marcus Bosworth as deacon, and the following were the original members: Marcus Bosworth and wife, Amos and Lucinda Clark, Henry and Elizabeth Harsh, Malinda Pells, Henry and Olive Hulen, Jane Pells, Deborah and Huldah Bosworth, Asaph and Rachel Stanley, Billius and Olive Newton, Benon1 and Amanda Johnson, Diana Johnson, John and Eunice Conkling, Reuben North, Mindwell Roberts, Ursula Allen. Marcus Bosworth was the deacon and recognized leader in the church, and afterwards became an efficient minister. In 1825 Rev. Jacob Osborn came to this locality and gave a new impetus to scriptural investigation, resulting eventually in the reorganization of the church as "Christians," which was effected March 12, 1828, being the first formal adoption of the divine platform as the only basis, by the church in the Western Reserve ; and Marcus Bosworth was elected overseer. In 1839 the church at Newton Falls was compleled, when the congregation there began to worship, and of which Amos Clark, Joel Bradford, Henry Harsh, and Benoni Johnson served as overseers.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

This church was originally organized in 1837 with seven members, as follow : William Earle and wife, Widow Harris, Mrs. John Hutson, and others whose names cannot now be recalled. The ministers forming the organization, were Arthur M, Brown and E. J. L. Baker. The following winter they held a protracted meeting in the Disciples church and a great number were added to the church, In 1840 Lorenzo Rogers, assisted by John Robertson, conducted a meeting which resulted in eighty additions, and the present church building was erected. From this time until 1875 this society belonged to the same circuit with Braceville, and the same ministers served both churches.

In the above year the church at Newton was separated from Braceville wilh a membership of forty-six. The following ministers have served this congregation since that time: C. V. Wilson, J. H. Starrett, W. A: Clark, E. P. Edmunds, W. L. Davidson, John Tribby, and the present pastor, Rev. J. J, Wallace, The present membership is one hundred and forty-four, and the church is in a good state of prosperity.

THE LUTHERAN AND GERMAN REFORMED CHURCH.

This society was organized by Rev. F. C.

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Becker, the present Lutheran pastor, in 1835. Rev. H. Huet and P. Mahnenschmid had preached here several times previous to the organization by Rev. Becker. The school-house in which the early meetings were held, and in which the organization was effected, was located about one-fourth mile from the present church building, which stands east of the center of the township.

The first officials were: Leonard Miller (Lutheran) and Jacob Feister (German Reform) as trustees. The original members were Leonard, Jacob, and John Miller, George, Jacob, and David Longenberger (Lutherans), and Jacob Feister and John Loab (German Reformed). The first house of worship was erected in 1837, and the present one in 1850. Father Becker, the present pastor of the Lutheran church, has served this people for now almost fifty years, and is well known throughout the community as an able, zealous, and efficient pastor, and the work of his hands in the moral and religious welfare of his people will live after him.

The ministers who served the German Reformed congregation were : Revs. Mahnenschmid, Rahhauser, Ruhl, Reuter, Fair, Reuter, Fair, Grether, Perkins, and Otting. The two congregations hold services alternately in the present church building, which is locally known as Miller's church.

CEMETERY.

The original burial ground was donated by Bildad Hine and Jonathan Jacobs, each giving one-fourth of an acre. The first interment was that of Captain Reuben Bostwick, brother in-law of Mr. Hine, who died July 16, 1813, aged seventy-eight years. With the later additions made to the grounds, in all about three acres, and many other improvements, they now present a very beautiful country cemetery, and will soon be incorporated under the jurisdiction of the township trustees.

SCHOOLS.

In the summer of 1812 the first school was taught at Newton Falls by Miss Draper, who afterwards became Mrs. Collar, a relative of Dr. Harmon. It is related of her that she forbade her scholars to kill innocent striped snakes and so strengthened her mandate by pleas of mercy and justice that two of her scholars, well-known men in this community, Herbert Hine and Barney C. Allen, have never killed one from that day to this, and Mr. Allen has made it a rule to dismiss from his employ any one guilty of such an offense. In the winter of this same year the school was taught by Jonathan Trescott, and the following winter Hervey Stow, of Braceville, was teacher, Edmond Yale (deceased) used to tell how well he remembered getting a whipping from his teacher for refusing to sit between two little girls as a punishment for, some previous offence.

Hon. Eben Newton, then a beardless boy, gave young America a winter's training in this school-room.

It seems he was more accomplished in literature than in navigation, as the following incident will illustrate. Having spent " an evening out " on the east side of the East river, in attempting to return at an early hour he became lost in a cranberry swamp and was compelled to remain under the shelter of a tree until morning, when, in great haste to get to his school, he came to the river, which had been swollen by the rain during the night and the current was rapid; he entered his boat, seized the only oar and attempted to cross. When about in the center of the stream the oar broke and the boat began drifting rapidly towards the falls. He saw no way of helping himself only to pull at the mooring rope and halloo for help. David Huffstetter was soon on the bank and directed the helpless teacher as follows : " Walk to this end of the boat and then run to the other," which he did, and the motion produced by the feet drifted the boat to the shore.

The house occupied by this first school stood near the site of the present south warehouse. From this beginning the schools began to appear as the township settled and became more numerously populated. The village is now supplied with a large school building in which the union school is now held, of three departments, and in which great pride is manifested by the community. This school has been very successful and has attracted pupils from distant parts of this section to take advantage of superior instruction here.

The following report of the condition of the school was made November 26, 1881,

Principal department - 55

Second department - 25

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Grammar department - 33

High school department - 39

Total - 153

Average daily attendance - 144

Non-residents - 19

Present hoard: W. W. Herbert, president; Max Matles, clerk ; A. L. F. Albertson, treasurer; C. G Graham, N. Spencer, L. A. Robins, members.

JOHN E. MORRIS, Principal.

THE WOOLEN MILLS.

The present woolen mill was built by Augustus Stephens about 1825, and was enlarged and otherwise improved by H. C. Soule in 1843, who operated the mill until 1859, when he sold to Allen Hoyle, who now has the factory in charge manufacturing stocking-yarns and flannels. The mill has a capacity of one hundred pounds of wool per day. The spinning jack has one hundred and forty-four spindles on a forty-inch condenser, and the mill has two broad power-looms propelled by water-power from West river,

NEWTON FALLS FOUNDRY.

This foundry was begun some years ago and has undergone some changes of proprietorship. At present it is operated by lease from J. J. Pearson by Lewis Walters, who took possession in December, 1880. As operated at present two heats are made per week, and all kinds of ordinary work, such as stoves, plow-shares, plates of various kinds are moulded. The capacity of the foundry reaches fifteen hundred pound weight, but is not operated to full capacity. General custom and some shipping work is done, employing two and three hands. The present indications, under the efficient management of Mr. Walters, are promising for future success in this branch of industry.

NEWTON FALLS LODGE, FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS, NO. 462.

This lodge was organized May 13, 1872, with the following charter members : Edward Spear, L. T. Soule, E. F. Shaw, Davis Lowry, W. L. Hosier, J. W. Little, L. C. Merrill, A. Elwell, L. F. Humphrey, I. E. Brown, N. C. Smith, M. Templeton, Mark Ames, John Patterson, E. W. Williams.

The first officials elected were : L. T. Soule, W. M.; L. F. Humphrey, S. W.; J. W. Little, J. W.; L. C. Merrill, secretary.

The first meetings were held over Herbert Bros,' store, and for the last two years the lodge has held its regular meetings in Ames' block, south side of Broad street.

The present number of Master Masons is forty-two, and the present officials are: L. C. Merrill, W. M.; T. H. Gilmer, S. W.; T. E. Griffrich, J. W.; J. W. Little, secretary; B. F. Rice, treasurer. Lodge is in good condition.

NEWTON FALLS LODGE, I. O. O. F., NO. 255.

The above lodge was instituted June 14, 1854, and the first officials were W. Tew, N. G.; Thomas R. Gaskell, V. G.; John Campbell, secretary ; and S. J. Grinnell, treasurer. The charter members were composed of the above officials and J. S. Tompkins. The order held its first meetings over J. & W. Herbert's store, on the corner of Canal and Broad streets, but now meet in their own brick building on the north side of Broad street. One hundred and fifty persons have held membership in this lodge since its organization, and its present membership is thirty-three. It has expended in benefits and charities $1,500, besides attendance, and now owns real and personal property to the amount of $2,500. The present officials are L. C. Merrill, N. G.; R. F. Templeton, V. G.; H. M. Reecer, secretary; and H. Butts, treasurer. The lodge now enjoys a good degree of prosperity.

THE MAHONING VALLEY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION.

This association was organized September 22, 1871, with a capital stock of $3,000, which was divided into six hundred shares. The first election of officers occurred October 9, 1871, and resulted as follows: H. S. Robbins, president; William L. Hosier, first vice-president ; John Snyder, second vice-president ; Charles G. Graham, secretary ; J. B. Stanley and C. W. Parsons, assistant secretaries ; T. I. Gilmer, treasurer. The board of directors was composed of J. F. Porter, George Patterson, Charles Kistler, Elisha Walker, J. P. Baldwin, Azel Delin.

The association owns in fee-simple twenty-two acres of choice land, which lies immediately south of the village of Newton Falls and near the East branch of the Mahoning river. The grounds are substantially fenced and contain besides the necessary buildings a fine half- mile track, said to be one of the best in the State. The grounds and improvements cost over $4,000, and the annual exhibitions of the

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association have done much to foster and encourage agricultural 1ndustries in this locality and to stimulate local pride and energy among all classes. The annual meetings occur on the first Monday of February, and the present officials are L. C. Merrill, president ; Henry Butt, vice- president ; Charles G. Graham, secretary; D. H. Gardner, treasurer ; and John Snyder, David Carlisle, William King, Henry King, C. M. Smith, B. F. Rice, and L. F. Merrill, compose the official board.

THE MAHONING VALLEY GRANGE, NO. 1272.

The organization of this Grange was effected April 18, 1876, by 0. P. Laird, deputy for Trumbull county. The first officials were William King, W. M.; Hary King, overseer; L. D. Miller, lecturer ; J. E. Johnson, steward ; Isaac Hoyle, chaplain ; S. M. McKibben, assistant steward ; Calvin Lybolt, treasurer ; Willram J. Ebert, gatekeeper ; Mrs. Michael Bailey, Ceres ; Mrs. Dallas Kistler, Pomona; Miss Maria King, Flora ; Mrs. Mary A. Johnson, assistant steward. The charter members, including the above officers, were: Reuben Kale, Angeline Kale, Reuben Williams, W. D, Sutton, George Hewit, Hattie Ebert, Martha and James Lybolt, Mr. and Mrs. H, A. Leach, Mr, and Mrs. Charles Kistler, D. Lewis, Sarah Hoyle, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Herner, Mrs. Henry King, Fred and Mary Sim, Mr. and Mrs. Michael Kistler, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel King, Mr. and Mrs. Owen Craver, Mrs. S. M. McKibben, Angeline McCollister, Esther and T. F. King, and Michael Bailey. The grange meets at Newton Falls, Ohio, on Saturday evenings, and at present has a membership of fifty-eight, embracing a very large proportion of the influential farmers of the neighborhood. The greater part of the members take advantage of the financial or business feature of the organization, purchases amounting to several hundred dollars per year,

Socially the grange is now confident of gaining ground in Newton, and if they have thus far failed in making "two blades of grass grow where but one grew before," they hope to do so in the future.

PHYSICIANS.

The first physicians of old Trumbull whose names have been handed down to posterity were General J, W. Seeley, of Howland ; Enoch Leavitt, of Warren center ; Peter Allen, of Kinsman ; Dr. Dulton, of Youngstown ; John B. Harmon, of Warren ; Dr. Kirtland, of Poland ; and Harry Beach, of Fowler. The profession thus ably represented was further strengthened in 1814 by the settlement of Dr, Tracy Bronson in Newton township. He was born in Middlebury, New Haven county, Connecticut, in 1791. After receiving an academic training he entered the medical department of Yale College, from which he graduated in 1813. On coming to Ohio the following year he purchased land near Price's mills, in Newton township, on which he settled, and soon was actively engaged in the practice of his profession, In 1817 Dr. Bronson married Mary Freeman, second daughter of Robert Freeman, of Braceville township. Her death occurred in May, 1833. He married for his second wife Sarah E. Stanwood, in 1834; she died in 1866. Dr. Bronson's family consisted of three sons and one daughter. James, the oldest son, was born in 1817, read medicine with his father, and practiced in Newton from 1845 until his death in 1872—he was a prominent member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows ; Henry W. was born in 18118, settled in Wisconsin in 1845, returned in 1872, and now resides in Newton township ; Mary Freeman, the only daughter, was born in 1821, was married to S. W. Harris, of Warren, and died in Illinois in 1866; William, the youngest son, was born in 1832, and resides on the homestead farm in Newton township. Dr. Bronson continued the practice of his profession until a year previous to his death, which took place October, 1859. During the whole period of his professional career he maintained an honorable standing among his contemporaries and the. full confidence of a large circle of friends. The duties of citizenship were not neglected by him. He served three times in the Ohio Legislature, having been elected first in 1836. In 1840 he was a member of the Whig National convention which nominated William Henry Harrison for President. He was frequently the recipient of local official honors.

SETTLEMENT NOTES.

Harvey Allen, a well known resident of Newton township, was born June 28, 1807, in Berkshire county, Massachusetts. His father, Joseph Al-

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len, was a native of Massachusetts, who came to Ohio and settled in Braceville township, Trumbull county, in 1810. He reared a family of nine children, five of whom are now living, four sons and a daughter. All are now well advanced in years. Mr. Harvey Allen is the youngest son. The names of the children were, Sarah, born December 14, 1791; James, October 31, 1793; Amanda, September 29, 1795; Barney C., September 18, 1797; Amos, February 6, 1800; Barsha, January 3, 1802; Avery, August 21, 1804; Harvey, June 28, 1807; Eunice M., March 22, 1809. Joseph Allen was a shoemaker by trade; he also carried on a tannery several years. He died February 16, 1842. Mrs. Allen died October 12, 1853. Mr. Harvey Allen resided in Braceville township until 1875, then moved to Newton Falls. He has always been engaged in farming principally. He was married July 15, 1834, to Miss Mehitabel Frank. By this marriage he had one child. Mrs. Allen died December 15, 1840. He was again married November 15, 1843, to Miss Emeline Stanley. She died November 7, 18418. They had one child. He was married again November 18, 1849, to Mrs. Jane L. Tilley. She had four children by a former marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Allen belong to the Disciple church.

B. C. Allen, son of Joseph and Mary (Jacobs) Allen, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, September 18, 1797. He came with his parents to Trumbull county in 1810. Joseph Allen left Massachusetts with his family on the 20th day of May, and arrived in Braceville, where they settled, on the 3d day of July. Of the twenty-two persons who came with Mr. Allen only five are now living. He settled in the southwest part of Braceville, where he spent the balance of his life. He died in February, 1842. His wife died in October, 1853. They had a family of nine children. Four sons and one daughter are still living, viz: B. C. Harvey, and Mrs. Eunice Minerva Sherman, at Newton Falls; Amos in Eaton county, Michigan; and Avery in Portage county. B. C. Allen was married first in 1822 to Ursula Newton, of Braceville, who died in February, 1850. He had ten children by that marriage, eight of whom are living. He married his. present wife in 1868, Mrs. Martha M. Sherman, whose first husband, Dr. B. Sherman, died in the army in December, 1862. Mr. Allen resided on the old homestead in Braceville until the spring of 1872, when he removed to Newton Fails, where he now lives nearly eighty- five years of age.

John Henry Hewit, a native of Maryland, moved with his family from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Boardman township, now Mahoning county, in the spring of 1815. He was a minister of the Lutheran church, and the second clergyman of that denomination in this region. His work extended over a large extent of country, and his life was an active one and fruitful of good results. He died in Boardman, where he first settled, in 1854, his wife, Esther (Simon) dying two years after. They had a family of fourteen children. Five are still living—Mrs. Margaret Fiester; Samuel, in Newton; Catharine (Kale), in Milton, Mahoning county; Elizabeth, unmarried, in Newton; Lydia (Moyer), in Michigan. Samuel Hewit was born in Canton township, Washington county, Pennsylvania, December 21, 1800. He came to Trumbull county with his parents in 1815. He married in 1822 Sophia Berger, of Boardman, and in 1824 settled in Ellsworth township, and resided there until 1850, when he moved to Newton, locating where he now lives. His wife died February 19, 1876, in the seventy fifth year of her age. They have had a family of nine children, six of whom are living—John Henry, Hannah (widow of Daniel Bailey), Elias, Esther (Bailey), George, and Lewis, all living in Newton township, and all but one in the same neighborhood.

William Bronson, youngest son of Dr. Tracy and Mary (Freeman) Bronson, was born in Newton township, Trumbull county, June 23, 1832, Dr. Tracy Bronson was born in Connecticut in 1791. He was a graduate of Yale college. In 1814 he came to Ohio, and settled in Newton township, where he practiced his profession until 1850. He was the first physician in that township, and had an extensive practice. He married in 1815, Mary, daughter of Robert Freeman, one of the pioneers of Braceville township. He raised a family of four children, two of whom are living, viz: Henry W., a resident of Newton, and the subject of this sketch. Dr. Bronson died in October, 1859, and his wife in 1833. William was brought up on a farm, and during the construction of the Mahoning railroad he was engaged some four years in civil engineering. In

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 469

1854 he married Emeline E. Blair. They have had five children, viz: Mary Eugenia, who was the wife of L. N. Palterson, and who died in 1880, leavrng two children; Hattie R , wife of George Patterson, residing in Titusville, Pennsylvania; Freeman, born November 18, 1865, died in August, 1867; Elizabeth M. and. Tracy James are still at home. William Bronson was justice of the peace some fifteen years, 1877 he was elected county commissioner for Trumbull county, and re-elected in the fall of 1880.

Henry Wilderson, one of the old residents of Newton, was born July 22, 1811, in York county, Pennsylvania, where he lived three years, and then went to Maryland in company with his parents, Charles and Christiana Wilderson. In 1832 Mr. Charles Wilderson came to Ohio, and settled in Beaver township, Columbiana county, now Mahoning county. He was a stone-mason by trade, though he made farming his business after coming to Ohio. He came to Newton in 1835, and located upon the farm where his son Henry now lives, Charles Wilderson died in 1803, surviving his wife several years. There were eleven children in the family. Mr. Henry Wilderson has lived in the township since 1835, upon the farm where we now find him pleasantly situated. He was married September 24, 1846, to Miss Rachel Barnhisel, daughter of Martin Barnhisel, of Weathersfield township. They have had seven children, six of whom are living: Ira N., Mary A., Martha M., Electa E., John H., Emma A., and Ella O. Mr. and Mrs. Wilderson are Methodists. Politically he is a Republican, and is highly esteemed.

David Carlisle, a well known resident of Newton, was born in Newton township upon the place where he now lives. His father, David, was a native of Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1806, and located rn Newton township, and was one of the earliest settlers of the township. Beginning in a small clearing made by the Indians when the country was wild, he built up a nice farm, and lived here till his death, which occurred March 7, 1860. Mrs. Carlisle died in December, 1856. The family consisted of eight children, all of whom are living. Mr. David Carlisle, the subject of this sketch, is the youngest of the family. He has always lived upon the old home place. He was married December 3, 1857, to Miss Martha Linn, daughter of William Linn, of Guernsey county, Ohio, They have had four children, three of whom are living-Frank L,, William A., Charles, and one died in infancy. Mrs. Carlisle is a member of the Congregati0nal church, Mr, Carlisle is a Republican, and is highly respected,

John Lewis, an early pioneer of Trumbull county, was born in 1801, in Washington county, Maryland. His father, Morris Lewis, was born in December, 1777, He was a farmer by occupation and died September 9, 1807, in Poland township, Trumbull county, now known as Ma- honing county, Morris Lewis, Sr., father of Morris Lewis, was drowned in the Susquehanna river, when Morris Lewis was a boy. Mr. John Lewis, the subject of this sketch, had one brother and two sisters: William Lewis, born April 29, 1803, in Allegheny county, Maryland; Rachel, born February 18, 1806, died November 27, 1806; Rachel L. was born October 29, I 18018, in Trumbull county, Ohio; she died April 21, 1880, in Kent county, Michigan. Mr, John Lewis came to Newton in 1843 from Portage county, Ohio, and lived upon the farm where his suns now live and was engaged in general farming until his death. He had a family of seven children, five of whom are living-Morris, William, Mary A., Isaiah, Andrew, Jonathan, and David, Isaiah and William are deceased, Mrs. Lewis died July 29, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were members of the Lutheran church.

Samuel King was born in 1804, November 14th, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. His father, Jacob King, was a native of Pennsylvania, and spent his days in this State. He was a farmer by occupation, and died in 1829, leaving a wife and five children. Mrs. King died in 1837. Mr. Samuel King came to Ohio in 1837, and settled upon the farm where he now resides. He was married in 1824 to Miss Elizabeth Faulk, daughter of Daniel Faulk, of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. They have had ten children, all of whom are living. Mrs. King died in 1850. She was a devoted member of the Lutheran church. Mr. King and family are also members of the same church, and are good citizens.

William King, one of the enterprising men of Newton township, was born July 24, 1827, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his father, Samuel King, in 1837, and has since lived in the county. He learned the shoe-

470 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

making trade when a young man, and served a little over a year as an apprentice. He began work for himself in 1847, and continued in the boot and shoe business for twenty-eight years, employing several hands at home. He had an extensive trade, extending over the southern part of Trumbull county, and was well known as an upright business man. His health failing he went to gardening, and has been engaged in horticulture for the past few years. He was married March 28, 1850, to Miss Esther Stroup, daughter of John Stroup, of Warren, Ohio. By this union there have been six children—Maria E., William H., John F., Harriet L., Clara S.o and George N. Mrs. King is a member of the Lutheran church. Mr. King was formerly a member, though at the present time is very liberal in his views. In politics he is a conservative, voting for men rather than for party, and is one of the esteemed citizens of the township.

John N. Pearce was born in 1821 in Jackson township, Trumbull county, now Mahoning. His father, Joseph, was a native of New Jersey, and came to Ohio when he was about eight years of age. Mr. John N. Pearce has always lived in old Trumbull, living in Jackson until 18518 when he moved to Newton. General farming has been and is his occupation. He was married in 1845 to Miss Mary McConnell, daughter of James McConnell, of Jackson township. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Pearce died in 1870. Mr. Pearce's second marriage occurred in 1872, to Mrs. Abram Ohl, of Jackson township. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce are members of the Disciples church. Politically he is a Republican.

Joseph Nicholls, the oldest living resident of Newton township, was born March , 1794, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. His father, Thomas Nicholls, was a native of Maryland, though lived a long time in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in 1812 and settled in Jefferson county, and was an early settler of this part of the State. He lived and died here. Farming was his chief occupation. He died in 1831, leaving a family of eight children. Mrs. Nicholls died in her ninety-first year. Mr. Joseph Nicholls came to Newton township in 1832, and has since resided in the township. He was married in 1815 to Miss Mercy Dowden, daughter of Michael Dowden, of Maryland. They have had nine children, seven of whom are living. Mrs. Nicholls died in 1845. Politically Mr. Nicholls is a sound Democrat and is highly esteemed by all. He retains his sight remarkably and bids fair to round out the century.

Andrew J. Carlisle was born in 1827 in Lisbon, Columbiana county, Ohio. His father, Henry, came from New Jersey to Ohio in an early day and located in Columbiana county, where he lived until 1832, when he came to Newton Falls where he kept tavern for nineteen years. He died April 27, 1864. In the family there are four children. Mr. Andrew Carlisle has been engaged in farming chiefly. He was married January 18, 1858, to Miss Caroline De Forrest, daughter of Curtis De Forrest, of Portage county. They have two children, Curtis and Isabel. In politics Mr. Carlisle is a Democrat.

Joseph Strock was born September 25, 1831, in Austintown township, Trumbull county. His father, Samuel Strock, was a native of Pennsylvania, Cumberland county, and came to Ohio in 1814 with his father, Joseph, who first settled in Tuscarawas county for one season, then came to Trumbull county and settled in Austintown, where he lived till his death, which occurred in 1832, leaving a family of twelve children. Mrs. Strock died in a few weeks after the death of her husband. Mr. Samuel Strock came to Newton in 1840 and lived upon the farm where his son Joseph now resides, till 1878, and died in this year. Mrs. Strock died in 1868. Mr, Strock, the subject of this sketch, has always lived in what was old Trumbull. He has an excellent farm of two hundred and one acres. He was married in 1853 to Miss Susan Kistler, daughter of Michael Kistler, of Newton township. There were nine children by this marriage. Mrs. Strock died in 1868. His second marriage was in the fall of 1868 to Miss Almira Powers, daughter of William Powers, of Ohltown, Ohio. There were five children by this marriage. Mrs. Strock died in 1876. Mr. Strock is an enterprising man.

Joseph Wilson was born in 1818 in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, and came to America in 1834, and at once came to Austintown, Mahoning county, where he lived about twelve years, being engaged as a clerk for Caldwell Porter; also drove team and worked upon the faun. He then went to Youngstown where he acted as

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a clerk in the warehouse of Parks & Co. two and one-half years. He then bought the farm in Newton township where he now lives, and has since been engaged in stock-raising and general farming. He was married in 1850 to Miss Catharine Potter, daughter of Edward and Lucy Potter, of Warren. By this union there are four children—William F., Caldwell P., Lucy, and Elma J. Mrs. Wilson is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Wilson is a good Democrat.

Ferdinand Graber was born November 30, 1814, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. His father, Andrew Graber, was a native of Pennsylvania. The family is of German descent. Andrew Graber came to Ohio in 1875, and settled in Canfield township, Trumbull county, now Mahoning county. He was a farmer. He died in 1850, leaving a family oif nine children and a widow. Mrs. Graber died in 1854. Both were members of the German Presbyterian church. Ferdinand Graber came to Newton in 1852, and settled upon the farm where we now find him. He was married in January, 1844, to Miss Sarah Wehr, daughter of Simon Wehr, of Boardman township, Mahoning county. They have had four children, three of whom are living— Ensign, Mary E., Anna M., Lucetta. Ensign is deceased. Mrs. Graber died December 24, 1877. She was a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Graber is also a member of the same church.

Charles P. Wood was born April 20, 1811, in Canandaigua county, New York. His father, Josiah, was a native of New York, and came to Ohio in 1813 or 1814 and settled in Canfield, Trumbull county, now Mahoning county, and was among the early settlers. Mr. Charles P. Wood came to Newton in 1836 and located a year later upon the farm where his boys now live. Mr. Wood died May 29, 1880; Mrs. Wood died June 1, 1873. They had a family of five children—Josiah E., S. A. Wood, A. S., E. E., H. A. Mr. and Mrs. Wood were members of the Disciples' church.

Henry Taylor was born March 18, 1820, in Warren township, Trumbull county, Ohio. His father, Samuel, was a native of Maryland, and came to Ohio in an early day and was one of the pioneers of the Western Reserve. He was a shoemaker by trade, which occupation he f0l lowed many years in Warren township, then went to Bazetta township, Trumbull county, where he pursued farming till his death, which occurred in 1835. There were seven children in the family—four boys and three girls. Mrs. Taylor died in 1829. Mr. Henry Taylor has always lived in Trumbull county. He learned the blacksmith trade when a young man, and has followed it as a vocation. He came to Newton Falls March 7, 1837. He was married in 1845 to Miss Margaret Cole, daughter of Peter Cole, of Newton Falls. They have had four children —William H., Charles, Mary, Addison S. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the Christian church. He is a staunch Democrat, and has held several of the township offices. He is esteemed and respected by all.

William Herbert, a well known merchant of Newton Falls, was born March 17, 1837, in Portage county, Ohio. His father, Thomas Herbert, a native of Wales, came to America in 1823, and settled in Palmyra, Portage county, Ohio, and was one of the pioneers of this section. He was a tailor by trade, though followed farming chiefly as an occupation. He died in 1877, leaving a family of eight children and a widow to mourn his loss. Mrs. Herbert died in 1879. Mr. William Herbert is the oldest dry goods merchant at Newton Falls. He has been in business at this place twenty years, and has an extensive trade. He was married in 1864 to Miss Mary A. Jones, daughter of Richard D. Jones, of Mahoning county. Mrs. Herbert died January 1, 1865. He was again married in 1866, to Miss Marietta Hine, daughter of Noble Hine, of Ravenna, Portage county. They have three children. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert are members of the Congregational church, as is also their oldest son. In politics he is a firm Republican. He was second lieutenant in the One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio infantry.

Alfred L. F. Albertson, M. D., a successful physician of Newton Falls, was born July 7, 1848, in Winslow, New Jersey. His father, Samuel Albertson, was a native of Pennsylvania, and for a long time was engaged in mercantile business. Dr. Albertson was raised in Philadelphia. He commenced to study medicine in 18618 with Dr. Kerr, of Philadelphia, and attended a course of lectures at the Jefferson Medical college; also a course in Cincinnati, and

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graduated in Cleveland in 1875, and has since practiced at Newton Falls, though he practiced here two or three years before going to Cleveland, He gives particular attention to the eye, and has been very successful in his practice thus far, He is a Free Mason, also an Odd Fellow. In politics a Republican.

H. M. Reeser was born in 1848 in Austintown, Mahoning county, His father, Andrew Reeser, was a native of Liberty township, Trumbull county. His grandfather, Daniel, was an early pioneer. Mr. H. M. Reeser lived in Pennsylvania several years,. and came to Milton township in 1865, where he lived till 1873, when he was married to Miss Eunice A. Baldwin, daughter of J. P. Baldwin, of Newton township. They have one child—Lucius E. Mr. Reeser is engaged in teaching in connection with his farming, and is a wide-awake, enterprising man. He is an Odd Fellow.