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CHAPTER V.
BERLIN.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
Berlin is township one of range five, Connecticut Western Reserve, and was, until the formation of Mahoning county, the southwest corner township of Trumbull county. Berlin has Milton on the north, Ellsworth on the east, Goshen and Smith on the south, and Deerfield, Portage county on the west. In natural beauty it is unsurpassed by any portion of the county. The winding Mahoning washes a portion of the western borders of the township. The surface in its vicinity is more or less broken, and with
PICTURE OF R. K. AND MRS MARTHA A. HUGHES
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woody banks and verdant valleys, the river helps to make a scene of picturesque loveliness. Mill creek waters the southwestern quarter of the township. One of its tributaries has the suggestive name of Turkey Broth. Turkey Broth creek is a small stream rising in the northeastern part of the township, and flowing southwesterly until it reaches Mill creek. Several small runs empty into it.
The land of Berlin is mostly very nearly level, and consists of a succession of broad swells with wide and very slight depressions intervening. The surface is so nearly uniform that an observer, upon almost any of the gentle rises of land, can obtain a view of nearly all parts of the township. The soil is deep and fertile; very little clay or sand, but a good strong loam, well adapted to fruits and cereals. A traveler along almost any of the roads in the township can scarcely fail to note and admire the beautiful fields on every hand.
Berlin center, a straggling settlement of twenty or more houses, is the only village, and is pleasantly situated on a slight elevation a short distance east of the geographical center of the township.
Belvidere, where Schilling's mill is located, advanced far enough toward the dignity of a village to receive a name, and apparently its ambition was satisfied. Shelltown in the northeast is a thickly settled community. At Christy's c0rvemners, in the southwestern part of the township, quite an extensive business has been carried on for a number of years in the manufacture of pottery.
The township was but sparsely settled until about 1824 for the reason that the greater portion of the land was not offered for sale until that time.
ORGANIZATION.
The township, which for several years had been a part of Ellsworth, was erected a separate township and election precinct by the county commissioners in March, 1828.
THE FIRST ELECTION
of township officers took place at the schoolvemhouse near the center April 7, 1828, Matthias . Glass, Salmon Hall, and Joseph Stall being judges of election, and Peter Musser and Joseph H. Coult, clerks, The following officers were elected: Nathan Minard, Thompson Craig, Samuel Kauffman, trustees; Salmon Hall, treasurer; Joseph H. Coult, clerk ; John Stuart, constable ; William Kirkpatrick, Christian Kauffman overseers of the poor; Joseph Davis, Joseph Leonard fence viewers; Edward Fankle, Benjamin Misner, Abraham Craft, supervisors.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
In 1828 the township was divided into four school districts. Four years later the number had increased to nine. The old township records give the following names of the inhabitants of the four school districts 1n 1829. Where the name is illegible in the old book, or where the spelling is of doubtful authenticity, a question mark (?) is placed after the name:
District Number One.—Joshua Minard, John Vosburg, William Kirkpatrick, Edward Fankle, John Crumrine, John Ween (?), Benjamin Leonvemard, Nathan Minard, Adam Morningstar, Henry Morningstar, Adam Morningstar, Jr., John Ludwick, John Kimmel.
District Number Two.—John Smith, Henry Powell, William Bishop, Ephraim Horner, Elisha Fogg, Adna B. Silver, Joseph Huntley, Enoch Sharpe, Isaac Sharpe, Hoffman Brown, James Ramsey, Jacob Strong, John Shatto(?), David Parvem shall, Henry Houck, Joseph Davis, John Thomas, Samuel Leonard, John Leonard, Joseph Leonvemard, Jacob Starling, Isaac Phipps, Andrew Hull, Joseph Poll (?), Peter Helsel, Joseph H. Coult.
District Number Three.—George Ripple, Eli Rush, John Craig, James Packard, John Carter, John Stump (?), William Parker, Eleanor Packard, George Boom (Baum ?), Jacob Welty, William Leonard, George Foster, Abraham Craft, John Foster, Salmon Hall, John Best, Henry Rummell, John Rummell.
District Number Four.—Daniel Myer, John Rummell, John Phillips, Jonathan King, John Cline, Peter Glass, Adam Schilling, David Misner, Samuel Misner, Samuel Phillips, Phillip Wise (?), Jacob Stump, Henry Fulk, Matthias Swartz, Benjamin Misner, George Hartzell, Abraham Hawn, William Glass, Christian Kauffman, Samuel Kauffman, David Mauen (?),
Mell, Jacob Eib, Matthias Glass, Adam Zedaker, Daniel Greenamyer, Peter Musser, Moses Ross, Jacob Greenamyer, James Winans, James Byers, William Stull (?), Emmanuel Hull.
This is doubtless a complete list of the prop-
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erty holders and tax-payers of the township for the year 1829.
JUSTICES.
The first justice of the peace was Peter Musser, appointed in 1828. His immediate successors were Joseph H. Coult, William Hartzell, James B. Boyd (resigned), and 1). A. Fitch.
SETTLEMENT.
Garrett Packard, the first white settler of Berlin, came from the vicinity of Winchester, Virginia, to Austintown in 1803. Two years later he moved to Deerfield, where he resided until March, 1809, at which date he settled on a farm on Mill creek, in the southwestern part of Berlin township, having previously purchased the land of General Perkins. He had sold his place in Deerfield and was contemplating a move to this purchase when he was taken sick, and for some time was unable to do any work. His Deerfield neighbors generally combined their efforts and erected a log cabin upon his land,—rude and primitive to be sure, but it served to shelter the family. The structure was of rough logs, three sides, the fourth side serving as a door over which blankets were hung in cold weather. The spaces between the logs were filled with moss. Like many pioneer dwellings, this had no floor except the earth.
Soon after the arrival of the family in the township, Mrs. Packard gave birth to a son, who is now a well-known citizen of Champion township, Trumbull county,—Thomas Packard, born March 27, 1809, the first white child born 1n Berlin. Garrett Packard's was the only family in the township for several years. At the time of the War of 1812 he was the only man residing in what is now Berlin. He was drafted and was in the service three months. He died November 20, 1820, aged about forty-five, his death being the first that occurred in the township, Mrs. Packard, whose maiden name was Eleanor Hendrickson, survived until May 13, 1830, and died in Austintown while visiting the home of her son-in-law, John McCollum. She was fifty-four years of age. Below we briefly mention each of the ten children of the family : Betsy became the wife of George Baum, and resided in Berlin township. They had seven children, six of whom arrived at maturity. Five are still living, three sons and two daughters. Mrs. Baum died in Atwater, Portage county, in 1877. Polly bevem came the first wife of John McCollum, and died in Milton in 1867. She was the mother of six children, three sons and three daughters. Two sons and two daughters are still living. James H. was killed in 1829 when about twenty five years old by the fall of a pile of boards which he was drying by means of a fire. It was a rainy day, and he probably lay down by the fire and fell asleep. The board kiln being loosely built, fell over upon him, and when his friends came to look for him they found only his bruised and mangled body beneath the pile of lumber. lane became the wife of Daniel Parshall, and resided in Milton township. She died in 1843. Her family consisted of two sons and three daughters, all of whom are living, excepting one son. Esther married Jesse Rose, son of David Rose, resided in Jackson and afterwards in Champion. She is now a widow and lives in Washington county, Iowa. She has no children. Charlotte was the second wife of Joseph H, Coult. She had one son and one daughter. The son is living. Mrs. Coult died in Ellsworth in 1854. 'Thomas resides in Champion. Ashy went West when a young man, and is now a resident of Johnson county, Iowa. He is the father of two sons and five daughters. One son and four daughters are living. John W. 1esides in Columbus, Ohio. His family of three sons and three daughters are all living excepting one son. Garrett resides in Johnson county, Iowa, He has two sons and three daughters living.
Jacob Weldy was the second settler. He came with his family from east of the mountains, but at what date we are unable to learn. He located in the northwestern corner of the township. His son Jacob lived upon the old place after him. Samuel also lived and died in Berlin. The family was a large one.
George Baum was the next comer. His father emigrated from Germany and settled in Salem. George came to Berlin when a young man. About 1815 he married Betsey Packard. This was the first marriage that occurred among the residents of " Hart and Mather's." They went to Ellsworth and the ceremony was performed by 'Squire William Ripley. Baum settled in the southwestern part of the township on the next farm east of Weldy. None of his children reside in the township.
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Abraham Hawn came to the township about 1820, and located two miles north and a little east of the center. He brought up a family of six children. Two of the sons, Peter and Matthias, died in Berlin; Jacob lives in Akron; Michael D., in Berlin. His daughters were : Christina, who became the wife of Joseph Cline, and died in this township, and Mrs. Susanna Smith, Deerfield.
Joseph H. Coult was the first settler at the center. His family was the fourth or fifth that came to the township. Coult acted as land agent for Amos Sill, the proprietor of the greater part of the township, and sold the land to the settlers. He came about 1823. He made the first clearing at the center and built the first frame house in the township. In 1842 he sold his place to Thomas Hawkins, who still resides upon it. Mr. Coult moved to Ellsworth and thence to Atwater.
Matthias Glass settled in the northwest of the township about 1822. His sons were John, William, Matthias, Peter, Jacob, Solomon. There were also several daughters.
Reuben Gee, Joseph Davis and David Parshall bought land and settled in the township about 1824. Gee remained but a short time. Joseph Davis is 1emembered by some of the old settlers as a very religious man, and an earnest friend of the church and preachers. His son James resided in the township for a while, David Par- shall settled about one mile west of the center on the south side of the road. He sold out and moved.
From 1824 to 1830 the settlers came in rapidly, but of the families who came during that time comparatively few are represented in the township. The early as well as the later settlers were chiefly Pennsylvanians, quiet, unobtrusive, but progressive people. Their characteristic thrift has borne its fruit, and Berlin, the youngest of the Mahoning county townships, will compare very favorably with some sections where improvements were begun much earlier. We have space to mention a few early comers. Jonathan King was born in Pennsylvania in 1864. In 1823 he came to Springfield township, this county, where he worked for some time. In 1825 he married Lydia Keck, and in 1826 settled in Berlin township. They had ten children. Seven arrived at maturity, and five are still living. Mr. King first settled two miles north of the centre and a little east, and there made the first improvements on the farm where his son Joseph now lives. Mr. King has probably been a resident of Berlin longer than any other man now living in the township.
John Cline, a native of Pennsylvania, settled in Boardman township quite early; thence moved to Canfield, and in 1828 settled in the northern part of Berlin. He was the father of seven sons and four daughters. Three sons and one daughter are still living, viz: Jonathan, George, and Conrad, and Mrs. Sarah Hawn, the oldest of the family. All are residents of this township.
George Ripple was an early settler west of the center.
Salmon Hall settled on the west side of the Mahoning.
The Misner family settled in the northern part of the township.
Henry Houck located on the road west of the center.
David and Tobias Hartzell were early settlers.
William Kirkpatrick settled east of the center on the farm now occupied by Jonathan King. He kept tavern at the center a few years. His name was changed to Kirk on his petitioning the Legislature. His sons, William, James, and Isaac were residents of Berlin for a time. James died here.
Emanuel Hull, an early settler in the northeast of the township, lived and died on the farm now owned by his son George, and his daughter Mary. Michael, his son, also resides in the northeastern part of the township.
John Kimmel settled on the east line of Berlin township in 1828. He brought up five sons and four daughters. Four sons and two daughters are yet living. Daniel, one of the sons, lives on a part of the old homestead.
George Best came to Berlin township in 1830 and settled northwest of the center, where he now resides. He has brought up a family of eight children, six of whom are living.
Horace Rowland has been a resident of the township since 1831. He began in the woods in the southeast of Berlin. Later he moved east of the center and bought the farm on which Michael Crumrine had made the first improvement.
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Zimri Engle has resided in Berlin since 1832.
In 1833 John Burkey came from Petersburg and settled in the northeast of the township. He brought up a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living, five sons and four daughters, Peter, Solomon, and Sophia (Hull) being resivemdents of this township.
John Carson came to Berlin in 1832, and in 1834 settled on the farm he now occupies, in the northwestern corner of the township. Adam Zedaker had been living on the place and had made some improvements before Mr. Carson purchased it.
Lawrence Shively came to the northwestern part of Berlin in 1833. His family of ten children are all living. Mr. Shively moved to Milton in 1848, and resided there several years. He is now living in Berlin.
About the year 1800, Peter Hoyle came from Virginia and settled in Ellsworth township, where he lived until 1836. At that date he settled in the eastern part of Berlin. He brought up five sons and two daughters. All are now living excepting one daughter. George and Peter are residents of this township.
BERLIN
was the name given the township at the instance of Matthias Glass. He, being a German, desired to have his adopted home bear a name which would remind him of the Fatherland. Previous t0 the organization, the township was known to the early settlers for miles around as Hart and Mather's, from the names of two men who were originally proprietors of a tract within it. General Perkins owned a thousand acres or more in the southwest corner, and it was of him that Packard and other early comers purchased their land. About two-thirds of the township was owned by Amos Sill, and sold by his agent, Joseph H. Coult, who was the first settler at the center.
TURKEY BROTH CREEK
was so named by Garrett Packard. His journey with his family from Austintown to the place where he settled in Deerfield, a distance of nine-teen miles, occupied three days. The first night he stayed at the house of Philip Borts, in Ellsworth; the second night encamped beside the creek, and while there shot a wild turkey and made broth, using water from the stream, which
has since borne the name he bestowed upon it The third day Packard arrived in Deerfield.
HARD TIMES.
A majority of the settlers of Berlin came afte1 surrounding townships were considerably settled, and thus had some advantages over the first pioneers upon the Reserve. Stores had been established and mills were in operation, and neighboring settlements were beginning to assume some of the habiliments of civilization. Yet pioneer life everywhere is attended with privations and hardships ; and these the early residents of Berlin did not escape. In the matter of game, however, they were especially fortunate. " Hart and Mather's " was long a favorite huntmg-ground for sportsmen from miles around. The number of deer that have been slaughtered within the limits of the township, if it could be ascertained, would no doubt cause open-eyed astonishment among the youth of today.
But notwithstanding the fact that there was enough meat running about in the forest, the people subsisted largely upon corn bread. In the busy season the farmer could not leave his field to go hunting.
Thomas Packard, in a conversation which the writer had with him, while speaking of his boyhood in Berlin and the difference between now and then, incidentally made allusion to a "hominy block," which formed a part of the household furniture of his father. On being asked an explanation of those mysterious words, Mr. Packard said :
You know there were few mills in this part of the country in those days. and the few small affairs that had been erected were frequently rendered useless in a dry season. Such seasons—and likewise at times when people were s0 much occupied with planting or sowing that there was no opportunity for going to mill—the hominy block was in requisition. I remember ours perfectly well. It was a large, solid block 0f wood, in the end of which a h0ll0w had been cut and smoothly shaved. This cavity would hold nearly half a bushel. By means of this hollow block and a large and heavy stick, smooth and round, corn and wheat were converted by p0unding into substitutes for meat and flour. This hominy was usually c0oked by boiling; it was healthy food, and tasted well, too.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
In early days Indians were probably as numerous along the Mahoning as in any part of this region, and here, too, they continued to remain some years after the white man appeared and made his home in the forest.
PICTURE OF JONATHAN AND MRS. LYDIA KING
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While Garrett Packard was living in Deerfield, both he and his wife were at work in the field one day, when Mr, Packard chanced to get a splinte1 in his finger. His wife came to his assistvemance, stood by his side, and picked it out with a pin. Soon afterwards an Indian emerged from the woods close at hand bearing a gun. Said he, "While you were standing near together, I was there by yonder tree. I could have shot you both, and laid one on the ground there, and the other there," indicating the place by his finger. "But then me think, white man never harm me; why me kill him ? So me no shoot." Both thanked the Indian heartily for his thoughtful consideration and self-restraint—for so good a mark seemed to have much impressed the savage. He was invited to the cabin to dinner, and from that day forward remained a warm and earnest friend of the family.
MILLS.
About the year 1825 Matthias Glass built a saw-mill and grist-mill on the Mahoning, a short distance above Frederick. The first grist-mill was destroyed by fire. Isaac Wilson purchased the mill-site of Glass and put up the flouringvem mill which is still standing. His sons, J. B. and J. S. Wilson, ran it for some years. It was then purchased by its present owner, George Schilling. This is the only grist-mill ever built in Berlin township.
In 1826 David Shoemaker built a saw-mill on Mill creek, in the southwestern part of the town ship. It was sold to Jacob Sheets, who run it several years.
About the same date Joseph H, Coult put up a saw-mill on Turkey Broth a short distance north of the center. Coult sold it to Jonathan King, King to Henry Morningstar, and Morningstar to Joseph Cline.
TANNERY.
A man named McKean carried on tanning and shoemaking at the center, some forty-five years ago. His tannery was on the Turkey Broth, west of the center.
MERCHANTS.
The first store-keeper in Berlin was Joseph Edwards, who commenced business in 1833 on the southeast corner at the center, where Dr. Hughes now lives. He lived in a small log house and kept his goods in a small frame build ing. Garrison & H0over were the next merchants, followed by Daniel A. Fitch. David McCauley came next and moved the store to the northeast corner, where it now stands. John Ward, Warren & Webber, R. H. King, Hughes Brothers, A. G. Ramsdell, and B. T. Stanley have since occupied the store. For a time there were two stores at the center. Richards & Cotton kept one in the building now occupied by J. M. Brown. It then stood on the southwest corvemner lot. William Porter had goods there after Richards & Cotton, and employed a man named Linton to sell them.
In addition to these stores William Kirk kept goods for sale in his tavern. Joel Booth also had a store opposite the blacksmith shop some thirty years ago. Kirk's place of business was the old unoccupied building now standing west of the town-house.
TAVERNS.
Probably Peter Musser, in the northern part of the township, kept the first tavern. William Kirk kept several years in a building now standing just east of the town-house. George Taylor kept public house a number of years where R. H. King now lives.
WILSON'S STORE.
Isaac Wilson put up a store at Belvidere in 1839, soon after he bought the mill privilege there. His sons sold goods there for some years. Jacob W. Glass purchased the store from them. Morgan Reed, Langstaff, and others have carried on merchandising there in later years. For some time the building has not been used as a store.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. James W. Hughes was the first regular physician in the township. He settled in Berlin in 1834, and practiced successfully until his death in 1869. His son, Dr. W. K. Hughes, succeeded to his practice and continues to be the physician of the township. Other doctors have located at the center, but they have mainly been residents only a short time.
POST-OFFICES.
The first post-office in Berlin township was established about 1828, Peter Musser postmaster. Amity was the name of the post-office. Musser kept tavern on the old stage road in the northern part of the township, very near the line,
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He soon moved and the office was discontinued. Frederick postvemoffice, of which mention is made in the history of Milton township, is now kept in Berlin. The Berlin post-office (at the center) was established in 1833. The mail was then received but once a week. Joseph Edwards was the first postmaster, succeeded by Daniel A. Fitch, David Routsawn, Thomas L. Dutton, Cyrus O. Warren, R. H. King, Lizzie Hughes, A. G. Ramsdell, and B. T. Stanley. Daily mails.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
In another portion of this chapter will be found a list of the inhabitants of the original school districts of the township, interesting not only in connection with the school history, but valuable as showing who were the heads of families in the township at the time this record was made.
But schools had been maintained previous to the organization of the township. A little log school-house was erected on the banks of the Turkey Broth, near the center, at a date which was probably not far from 1824. Sarah Gee was one of the first teachers.
Martha McKelvey and afterwards Eliza McKelvey taught school in a deserted logvemcabin in the southwestern part of the township at an early date. In the northern part of the township a school-house was built quite early. English and German were taught alternate weeks or alternate terms. Alexander Hall was one of the first teachers in this school.
THE FIRST WEDDING
at Berlin center took place at the house of Joseph H. Coult, now the residence of Thomas Hawkins, on a cold and wintry night in December. The parties wedded were William Ripley and Miss Allen. The guests were the nearest neighbors, some from Benton and some from Ellsworth. As there was no wagon road between Ellsworth and Benton, the visitors from the latter place came on horseback, carrying torches in their hands for the purpose of keeping wolves at bay. The next morning it was noticed that the wolves had followed the party some distance and left tracks all around the house and even on the doorsteps.
AN INCIDENT OF SLAVERY DAYS.*
Marius R. Robinson, a Presbyterian minister
* Contributed by E. P. Thorn, Ellsworth.
residing in Salem, Ohio, came to Berlin in June 1837, having been invited to deliver a lecture the slavery question. He was one of the ear Abolitionists, and was about thirty-one years age at the time of his visit to Berlin. Here became the guest of Jesse Garretson, a Quaker. merchant. It being impossible to secure a. public building for a lecture he spoke in Garretson's dwelling on Friday, June 2d:
Another meeting was announced for the following Sunday, when the lecturer proposed to vindicate the Bible from the charge of supporting slavery. The South at that time largely con trolled public opinion in the North and forbade the agitation of the slavery question, therefore the announcement of an "abolition" lecture threw the village into a state of fierce excitement
About ten o'clock Saturday evening Mr. Robinson was sitting in the store with Mr. and Mrs Garretson, when several men rushed in and seized him, saying, "You have got to leave this town to-night ; you have disturbed the peace of our citizens long enough." A struggle ensued, Mr. Garretson and his wife making desperate of to protect him, but they were overpowered; the lecturer was taken out, stripped of his clothing and covered with tar and feathers. While some of the men were holding him, waiting fo1 others to bring the tar and feathers, Mr. Robin. son made several attempts to talk, but was prevented by being struck at each effort. He was bleeding freely from a cut or wound in the arm, near his left shoulder. After the tar and feathers had been applied, his clothes were put on again and he was carried in a wagon a distance of about eleven miles to a point about one mile south of Canfield, and there left in the road. Although a stranger in that locality he found his way to the house of Mr. Wetmore, where he was kindly cared for.
Twelve of the men who committed the outrage were arrested and had a preliminary trial before a justice of the peace at Ellsworth; but while Mr. Robinson's attorneys, Milton Sutliff and Robert Taylor, of Warren, and Joshua R. Giddings, of Ashtabula, were preparing the case for the court of common pleas, a compromise was effected, each of the parties charged paying Mr. Robinson the sum of $40.
The effect of this affair was wide spread. Salem became known throughout the whole
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country as a "hot-bed of abolitionism ;" and it was this incident and Mr. Robinson's subsequent work that made it so, or contributed largely toward that result. Mr. Robinson was an able man and devoted the remaining years of his life to fighting slavery as a lecturer and as editor of the Anti-slavery Bugle, until the institution was swept out of existence by the war.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The history of the churches of Berlin 1s not a record of brilliant successes. Probably the township contains, in proportion to its population, an average number of devout people ; but the mistake has been made of trying to support too many churches, and consequently we have several failures to chronicle.
THE GERMAN CHURCH.
The Germans held meetings at the house of Abraham Hawn for several years. In 1828 those belonging to the Lutheran and German Reformed denominations erected a small house for public worship, north of the center about two miles. The building served both as a church and a school-house. It was built of hewn logs, and was perhaps 22X28 feet. They next erected a frame building in 1836, with gallery, lofty pulpit, etc.—in short, an old-fashioned Dutch church. This house continuedto be used until 1872, when the church now standing was erected. Prominent among the early Lutherans were Abraham Hawn, Jonathan King, John Eckis, John Edits, jr., John March and Henry Houck. Among those who were members of the Reformed church we mention Henry Rummel, Jacob Greenamyer, Peter Kimmel, and Daniel Rump.
The Lutherans and the Reformed have always occupied the church in common. For some years all of the preaching was in German. In 1842 occurred a great revival. The membership of the Reformed church has been growing gradually less until they no longer support a pastor, and the meetings are now conducted wholly by the Lutherans. The first preacher of the Luvemtherans was Rev. Henry Hewett, who supplied the pulpit many years. Revs. John C. Ellinger, Samuel Seachrist, J. W. Sloan, William B. Roller, George Moore, Peter Smith, and I. J, Miller have been his successors. The pastors of the Reformed congregation have been Rev. J. P.
Mahnensmith, first ; Revs. Hess, Bechtley, Sigler, Grether, Mechtley, Otting, and others.
The Germans have the neatest and by far the prettiest church building in the township, and are evidently in a good condition, both financially and morally.
THE METHODISTS.
The Methodists formed a society previous to 1830, and for some years held meetings in school-houses and private dwellings. They commenced with very few members, prominent among whom were Joseph Davis and wife, Samuel Leonard and wife, David Parshall and wife. In about 1839 a house for public worship was erected at the center, through the efforts of the church people, assisted liberally by the leading citizens of various beliefs. Early preachers were Revs. Nicholas Gee, Stubbs, Prosser, Ingraham, Clark, and others.
Until within the past two or three years the society has held regular services each Sabbath. Now services are held once in two weeks. The church has about fifty members at present.
THE UNITED BRETHREN.
This denomination once had two churches in the township, and now has none. Had the two concentrated perhaps the church might have been alive now. The motto, "United we stand, divided we fall," applies to churches, as well as to political parties.
About 1835, the United Brethren organized and held meetings at the houses of Jacob Strong and Joseph Davis, south of the center. A few years later they built a house two miles west df the village. Among those who preached here were Charles Carter and Father Biddle. Pr0minent among the first members were Jacob Strong, Joseph Davis, and Jonathan Davis. About 1851 the United Brethren and Evangelical Association built a union church at Shelltown. Active members: Michael Hull, John Hull, Madison Traill, and Alexander McNutt. The society was small and short-lived. Carter's Zion drew away several members, and the few that remained were not able to pay a preacher.
MOUNT CARMEL EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
This is a small society, and is known from its location as the " Shelltown church." About the year 1850 the church was organized under the preaching of Rev. Barnhart. Among the early
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and prominent members are mentioned Jacob Shellenbarger and wife, Jonathan Cline and wife, Andrew Cline and wife, Mrs. Mock, and Catherine Hull. A year or two after its organization the society joined the United Brethren in their efforts to build a union church. A small house was erected, which these two denominations, and occasionally the Methodists, continued to use until 1873, when the Evangelical Association purchased of Jonas Barringer the house which was built for the use of the Zion church.
As the preachers of this denomination are itinerants, they have been quite numerous. The church comprises perhaps twenty-five members, and has service once in two weeks.
ZION CHURCH.
Charles Carter, a dissenter from the United Brethren, among whom he had been an elder and a preacher for several years, began preaching in Ashtabula in the interests of a new denomination of which he was the author and leader, if not the object of worship. Having succeeded in starting a church in Ashtabula he came here and by vigorous efforts secured enough members to form a class, which he styled the Zion church. Meetings were held in the house belonging to the United Brethren until an earnest protest from the members compelled the Zionites to seek new quarters. About 1870 a church was built— principally through the means of Jonas Barringer. But the disciples of Carter soon became weary and the organization died out. The house passed into the possession of the Evangelical denomination as is elsewhere mentioned. We would be glad to tell our readers the tenets and doctrines of the Zion church but we regard them as past finding out, as diligent inquiry failed to give us any light.
THE CHRISTIANS.
In 1867 the Christians, or Bible Christians, of Berlin, organized and formed a church. There were twelve members enrolled February 26, 1867. The number was inceased to twenty- four during that year. Elder Miles Harrod was the organizer and became the first pastor of the church. In 1868 a house for public worship was erected.
The preachers in this church have been: Elders Harrod, Winget, Cameron, Middleton, McCowan, and Dunlap. There are about thirty members at present. They have no regular services now.
CEMETERIES.
There are three small burying grounds in the township. That adjoining the German church is probably the oldest, though the graveyard near the center was probably laid out nearly the same time with it. In the German graveyard the earliest recorded death that is legible is that of Noah Boyer, died December 27, 1831. Doubtless interments were made much earlier, but the all-effacing fingers of time have already blotted out some inscriptions that were placed upon rude headstones of sandstone.
BERLIN BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
The following is believed to be a correct list of all occupations carried on in the township, other than farming:
B. T. Stanley, merchant, center. J. Mock & Son, carriage and blacksmith shop, center. A. Willsdoff, tannery, center. R. H. King, hotel, center. J. M. Brown, saloon, center. John Lally, shoemaker, center. Blacksmiths: George Humphrey, west; B. F. Kirkbride, southeast. Saw-mill and grist-mill: George Schilling & Son, northwest, Steam sawmills: David King & Son, south; E. H. Miller & Son, northeast; Cline Brothers, northeast. Cooper: Samuel Jolly, west. Planing-mill and cabinet shop: Daniel Kimmel, east. Manufacturers of pottery: Stewart Christy's heirs; Andrew Dustman, Christy's corners.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
DR. JAMES W. HUGHES.
No class of men experienced more fully the trials incident to pioneer life than the early physicians of the Reserve. Their work required that they should be men of vigorous body, capable of great endurance, for such was the difficulty of travel that none but hardy natures could bea1 the constant exertions required of them. The roads and forest paths were in a state that forbids description. Houses were few and far apart, and could only be reached by traveling on f0ot or on horseback. Besides, the people were generally poor and some families even destitute. There were no markets where agricultural prod-
William Strong. the father of the subject of this sketch, was b0rn in Durham, Connecticut, and in 1806 removed with his wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Crane, to Atwater township. then Trumbull county, now Portage county, Ohio. There Alonzo was born in 1805 in Connecticut. William Strong. his father, was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was seized with a fatal fever, of which he died in 1814. and he was buried 0n the shore of Lake Erie.
Mr. Strong is the only survivor of the three children. One being a daughter named Eliza. and the other a son, Luzerne. After the arrival of the family in Ohio he was sent back east to attend scho0l, and remained some two years. He then returned to Ohio and was bound out to Joseph Hartzell for eight years. After his term of service with Hartzell expired he learned the trade of cloth dressing but worked at it only about six months. He learned the carpenter’s trade which he followed some six years, but finally engaged in farming on the place where he now lives. In 1828 he married Miss Christina Lazarus, by whom he had six children, as follow: Lovina, who married Elijah Whinnery, and resides salem. Columbiana county; William A., who married Miss Annie Marshall, and resides in Alliance; Levi (dead). Frederick (dead), Julia. unmarried, and a child that died in infancy. Levi was in the war 0f the Rebellion, enlisting in 1862. and in 1863 was 1aken prisoner. He was taken to Richmond, then to Andersonville where he died. Mrs. Christina Strong died in 1842, and in 1845 Mr. Strong was married again, to Elizabeth Whinnery, whose parents were early settlers in Columbiana county, removing from Pennsylvania in 1804. By his second marriage he has had nine children, as follow : Serena. wife of William Heckler. resides in Illinois; Edward and Edwin, twins, Edward is living and
Edwin A deceased; Lovisa, wife 0f Alvin Smith, resides in Illinois; Ashley, wh0 married Miss Annie Malmsbery. and resides in North Benton; Ophelia, unmarried; Leora E.. wife of Henry Koch, lives in Columbiana county; Alonzo C., and Wendell P. Edwin. the only deceased member of the family. was drowned at the age of eighteen months.
Mr. Strong cultivates a large farm of two hundred and fifty acres. and gives particular attention to the raising of sheep. He has served one term as justice 0f the peace.
PICTURE OF ALONZO AND ELIZABETH STRONG
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 121
ucts could be exchanged for money. As a consequence the physician received little hard cash to remunerate him for his hard and fatiguing labor. Their self-sacrificing spirit cannot receive too great a tribute of praise. These men, generally liberally educated and thoroughly skilled, spent their lives amid the humble scenes of pioneer settlements, administering to the sick and afflicted, when, if they had chosen, they could easily have gained a lucrative practice in old settled communities, and at the same time maintained the highest standing in the upper circles of society. But instead, they adopted the life of a pioneer and labored arduously, riding night and day in the service of others.
Dr. James W. Hughes was one of the first settlers of Berlin. He was a native of Montgomery county, Maryland, and a graduate of the medical college of Washington, District of Columbia. In the year 1832 he came to Goshen, where he practiced two years, after which he came to Berlin, which was then but newly settled, and entered upon the practice of his profession, which he continued until his death in 1869. In 1834 he married Miss Paulina S. Bro0ke, who still survives. Their four children are Wallace K., Adaline V., Elizabeth H., and James B., all living except James B., who died July 25, 1881, at the age of thirty-five. Dr. J. W. Hughes died of paralysis. He was long a membe1 of the Methodist Episcopal church, and did much toward supporting it. He was successful as a physician, and was a well known practitioner throughout all surrounding townships. Dr. Hughes was a man of much information, well versed in current literature, a frequent contributor to the religious and secular press and to medical journals. As a speaker he was gifted with more than ordinary ability. He was deeply devoted to his profession, and achieved in it a useful, honorable career.
During the war of the Rebellion Dr. Hughes not only gave liberally of his means, but gave the benefit of his medical skill gratuitously to the families of soldiers of his acquaintance. This is but one example of his many benevolent acts.
Dr. Wallace K. Hughes, oldest child of Dr. James W. Hughes, was born 1n Berlin township; now Mahoning county, Ohio, July 18, 1835. He passed his boyhood at home, and attended the
district school until of sufficient age to begin the study of medicine under the tuition of his father. After having pursued his studies for some time, he attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical college, and graduated therefrom in 1859.
After graduating he returned home and began practice. In the fall of 1862 he received his first appointment as assistant surgeon, and started to join the Thirty-eighth regiment, Ohio volunteers, which was then at Nashville, Tennessee. Owing to obstruction of the railroad between Louisville and Nashville, he was unable to report to his regiment, and by order of the surgeon-general he reported to General Wright, commanding forces at Covington, Kentucky. Here he was placed on detached service, and remained about five months, during which time lie organized an hospital, afterwards known as the Greenupstreet hospital, at the corner of Greenup and Front streets. From this place he was transferred to Camp Dennison. After three months' failing health he was compelled to resign, and he returned home in the spring of 1863. The 21st of May the same spring he married Miss Martha F. Smith. In the following fall he received a request from the surgeon-general desiring him, if he felt able and willing, to return to military duty. Having expressed a willingness to return, the doctor was appointed assistant-surgeon of the Twelfth Ohio volunteer cavalry, and entered upon his duties. Aftervemwards the surgeon retired, and Dr. Hughes was promoted to that position, and filled it most acceptably until the close of the war. He was mustered out November 25, 1865. He was with the force that captured Salisbury prison, and was also with the forces under General Stoneman that followed Jefferson Davis in his failing fortunes, from Virginia, through North and South Carolina to Macon, Georgia, where he was captured.
Dr. Hughes is a member of Perry l0dge No. 185, Free and Accepted Masons, Salem, Ohio. As a physician lie is deservedly popular, and enjoys an extensive practice.
Mr. and Mrs. Hughes have never been blessed with children, but they adopted a boy, Oscar, who died April 2, 1879, aged eight years. Upon him they bestowed the deepest affection, and his loss was severely felt.
Mrs. Hughes was born in Berlin township, No-
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vember 22, 1834. She is the fourth child of Dr. and Mrs. Lavina Smith. Her father is one of the first settlers of Berlin township, and located on the farm now owned by David King. Those of the family now living are: Mrs, Esther Porter, residing in Missouri ; Mrs. Elizabeth Beardsley, residing in Ellsworth ; Mrs. Mary King and Mrs. Hughes, Berlin. Her father married for his second wife Abigail Meach. Their three children are all dead.
JONATHAN KING.
Jonathan King was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, January 5, 1804. His father, George King, was a native of the same State and married Sarah Sylvis, by whom he had a family of seven children, viz : Jonathan, the subject of this sketch; Christina (Frankfort), deceased; Elizabeth, deceased ; Mary (McCulloch), deceased ; Henry, a resident of Berlin ; Anna (Wahl), and Phebe (Ramsdell), both of whom are residents of Indiana.
At the age of fifteen Jonathan King was apprenticed to a potter. He served a full apprenticeship but was dismissed without receiving the customary "apprentice suit" of clothes.
During the following winter he went with his uncle, John Wile, on a raft of saw-logs to Pittsburg to trade for flour for his mother. Failing to get flour sufficient in exchange for the saw- logs to last till harvest, and having no money he returned home. But not discouraged he started with several others with a four-horse team for the West, stopping in Springfield township, Mahoning county (then Columbiana county), Ohio, where he engaged to work during the summer for wheat, which was paid in advance, and sent back to his mother with the persons with whom he came. In the fall of the same year he returned to Pennsylvania and removed his mother, brothers, and sisters to Springfield township, Ohio.
In 1825 he was married to Lydia Peck, and in April, 1826, removed to Berlin township, Ma- honing county (then Trumbull), Ohio, where he had purchased a farm the fall previous.
He settled upon his farm and devoted himself with diligence to the work of building up a home. His busy days and years of toil bore fruit, and now in his old age (seventy-nine years) he can review his well spent life with the satisfactory reflection that none of his time has been wasted.
By strict integrity and economy Mr, King acquired considerable property, though he started with nothing but nature's endowments.
Before the days of railroads he was a noted teamster and made frequent trips from Pittsburg to Cleveland, and from Cleveland to the mouth of Huron river, usually driving six horses. At one time he made a trip from Pittsburg to Erie, Pennsylvania, for which he received $75. But such was the condition of the roads at that time that the entire amount except $2.60 was required to pay the necessary expenses of the journey. The life of a teamster in those days was one of hardships, and none but the most vigorous could long endure it..
In 1842 Mr. King was elected a captain of militia and held the office until the company disbanded.
He was the father of ten children, four of whom died in infancy and youth. The remaining six are as follow: David, who married Miss Mary Smith, and resides in Berlin; Catharine, married to George Kail, moved to Michigan, where she died ; Joseph, married to Miss Lu cinda Greenamyer, and resides in Berlin on the farm upon which his father first settled; Susannah, married to J. B. Shively, and 1esides in Berlin ; Sarah, married to R. B. Engle, and resides in Salem, Ohio ; Hannah, married to J. R Hughes (who served two terms as auditor of Mahohing county, and is now deceased), and resides in Youngstown.
Mrs. King was born August 13, 1806, in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and moved with her parents to Springfield township, Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1808. She died February 22, 1875.
In religion, Mr. King was a firm adherent to the Protestant faith, and of deep conviction, zealous in good works and liberal in his contributions to the cause of Christ. He and his wife have both been lifelong members of the Evangelical Lutheran church. Politically he stood with the Democratic party, voting for General Jackson at the time of his second election, until the abolitionist Hale came before the people for their suffrages, when he voted for him. After the organization of the Republican party he
PICTURE OF GEORGE CARSON
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 123
voted with it until 1881, when his strong temperance principles compelled him to cast his ballot for the Prohibition candidate.
Mr. King is one of the most social and agreeable of men. His cheerful disposition and his sterling worth make him a favorite among the
old and young.
The King family possess considerable native ingenuity and skill in the use of tools. Jonathan King is quite proficient in blacksmithing, carpentry, etc. His grandson, W. H. King, son of Joseph King, of this township, is the inventor of the King wind-mill, now so widely used
1 throughout the Western Reserve. The manufacturers of threshing machines are indebted to David King for many suggestions and improvements in grain separators and clover hullers.
David King began threshing when seventeen years old, and still follows the business. Joseph
King has also been the proprietor of a threshing with a steamer. machine for a number of years, running one now with steamer.
David, and his son, Mervin W., are the proprietors of a steam saw-mill, which is doing an extensive business. David also owns a half interest in the planing-mill, in the eastern part of the township, known as the Kimmel & King mill, which is also doing an extensive business
Honesty and sobriety characterize the entire family.
ALONZO STRONG.
William A, Strong, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Durham, Connecticut, and in 1804 removed with his wife, whose maiden name was Abigail Crane, to Atwater township, then Trumbull, now Portage county, Ohio. There Alonzo was born the following year, in 1805. William Strong, his father, was a soldier in the Wa1 of 1812, and was seized with a fatal fever, of which he died in 1814, and he was buried on the shore of Lake Erie.
Mr. Strong is the only survivor of three children, the others being daughters, named Eliza and Lucerne. After the arrival of the family in Ohio, he was sent back east to attend school, and remained some three years. He then returned to Ohio, and was bound out to Joseph Hartzell for eight years. After his term of service with Hartzell had expired, he learned the trade of cloth dressing, but worked at it only about six months. He learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed some six years, but finally engaged in farming on the place where he now lives. In 1829 he married Miss Christina Lazarus, by whom he had six children, as follows : Lavinia, who marrred Elijah Whinnery, and resides in Salem, Columbiana county ; Wilvemliam A., who married Miss Annie Marshall, and resides in Alliance ; Levi, dead ; Frederick, dead ; Julia, unmarried, and a child that died in infancy. Levi was in the war of the Rebellion, enlisting in 1862, and in 1863 was taken prisoner. He was taken to Richmond, then to Andersonville, where he died. Mrs. Christina Strong died in 1842, and in 1845 Mr. Strong was married again to Elizabeth Whinney (or Whinnery), whose parents were early settlers in Columbiana county, removing from Pennsylvania in 1804. By his second marriage he has had nine children, as follows : Serena (or Lorena), wife of William Hicker, resides in Illinois ; Edward and Edwin, twins--Edward is living and Edwin is deceased; Lovisa, wife of Alvin Smith, resides in Illinois ; Ashley, who married Miss Annie Malmsby, and resides in North Benton ; Ophelia, unmarried ; Leora E., wife of Henry Koch, resides in Columbiana county; Alonzo C., and Wendell P. Edwin, the only deceased member of the family, was drowned at the age of eighteen months.
Mr. Strong cultivates a large farm of two hundred and fifty acres, and gives particular attention to the raising of sheep. He has served one term as justice of the peace.
GEORGE CARSON.
George Carson was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, August 19, 1812. His parents were John and Catherine (Wentz) Carson, who removed to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1832, and first settled on the farm now owned and occupied by James Weasner, in Berlin township. After residing there a number of years he moved to Milton, where he died at the age of seventy- four years. Mrs. Carson survived her husband a couple of years. They raised a family of seven sons and five daughters, named as follow: Sarah (dead), John, in Berlin; George in Berlin;
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Sophia (Hiser), in Michigan; Jacob, in Portage county; Harriet, dead; William, in the West; Samuel, in Michigan; Robert, in Milton; David, in Michigan; Susan (Vaughn), in Ashtabula county.
George Carson was brought up on the farm. He was married in 1835 to Miss Catharine Gross, daughter of John and Christina Gross, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1818. After his marriage he settled near Schilling's mills, in Berlin, where he resided until his removal to a farm at Berlin center, some eighteen years ago. The same fall he was elected justice of the peace and has held that office continuously since with the exception of only a few months. Mr. Carson, besides his farm at the center of Berlin, still owns a part of the farm on which he originally settled, near Schilling's mills.
Mr. and Mrs. Carson have had eleven children, one dying young. The others are as follow: Catharine married Cornelius Mott and lives in Portage county; Harriet married John Cessna and lives in Weathersfield township; Uriah married Mary Jones and lives in Lords- town; David has been married twice and lives in Deerfield, Portage county; Emily married Lawrence Shively, in Berlin; Minerva married Frank Keiser, both deceased; Ella married Jeremiah Shively, and lives in Berlin; Elmer married Addie Newton, and lives at Berlin center; William F., single, of Deerfield center, Portage county, is fitting himself for the medical profession; Clara married Amos Hoyle, and lives in Berlin. Uriah volunteered at the first call for troops in 1861, going out with the Nineteenth Ohio volunteer infantry and served three years, He was also out in the one hundred days' service as member of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio National guard. David was also out in the same regiment.
Mr. Carson has always been an intelligent and industrious farmer and has prospered in his business. He and his wife are members of the Christian church.
HORACE ROWLAND
was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, February 18, 1805. He is the elder of two sons of David and Anna (Taylor) Rowland, the other son being Orrin. Mr. Rowland came to Berlin township in 1831, and located on the farm now owned by John Cronick, where he resided for twenty-five years. He then removed to the farm where he now is. He married, December 15, 1829, Miss Fidelia Caldwell, who was the youngest child of James and Esther (Pierce) Caldwell, who were born respectively March 20, 1760, and October I I, 1766. Their family consisted of the following children, viz : Betsey, born March 10, I790; James, March 14, 1791 ; Margaret, June 9, 1792; Beulah, September 18, 1793; Samuel W., December 27, 1794 ; Oby, March 1 2, 1796; Milo, April 20, 1802 ; Lovina, November 29, 1804; and Fidelia, October 11, 1807—all now dead except Mrs. Rowland. Mr. Caldwell was a native of Scotland, and he and his wife were members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Rowland has accumulated a goodly share of this world's goods through his industry and economy, and is now living in comfort and independence. Mr. and Mrs. Rowland have no children. They are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church, their connection with the church extending over a period of about thirty years.
Rev. I. J. Miller was born in Springfield township, Mahoning county, February 22, 185a He is the son of George and Elizabeth (Wilhelm) Miller and grandson of Henry Miller, who with his father moved into the woods in the west central part of Springfield when but a boy, about the year 1800. His early days were spent on the farm and in the district school. At the age of eighteen he began school-teaching, teaching during the winter and prosecuting his studies during the spring and fall at Poland Union seminary. Subsequently he took a regular course of theology in the Theological seminary in connection with Wittenberg college, Springfield, Ohio. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the East Ohio synod of the Evangelical Lutheran church at Canton, Ohio, October 18, 1875, and ordained to the gospel ministry by the same synod at Ashland, Ohio, September 1n, 1876. August 1, 1876, he took charge of the Berlin pastorate, consisting of two congregations—one situated in Berlin township, the other in Lordstown, Trumbull county—of which he still continues to be the pastor (January 26, 1882). He has two brothers,
PICTURE OF HORACE AND MRS. FIDELIA ROWLAND
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 125
viz: Eli and A. C., both of whom are graduates of Wittenberg college and seminary, and are regularly ordained ministers of the Lutheran church. Also six sisters, three of whom are married to ministers of the same church, viz: Ji F. Sponseller, Elias Minter, and W. M. Smith. He was married to Miss Louisa Spait, of Beaver township, and has two children, viz : Clarke E. and Cora A., aged respectively eight and six years.
Hezekiah Parshall, farmer, Berlin township, Mahoning county, was born in Springfield township, Columbiana county, now Mahoning, in the year 1812. His father, James Parshall, was a native of Orange county, New York, and came to Ohio in 1812 and settled in Milton township. His wife was Margaret Bacht, who bore him fourteen children. Mr. Parshall was one of the pioneers of that part of the county. He was a man of industry and reared a large family. They both died many years ago and are buried in Milton. Hezekiah Parshall was married, in 1839, to Miss Maria Shaffer, and has had a family of seven children, as follow: Mary, Susanna, Martha, Sophina, Solomon, Lewis, and James, all of whom are living but Sophina, who died at the age of five years. Mr. and Mrs. Parshall are members of the Lutheran church of Berlin.
John Eckis; the first of the family who came to Ohio, was born in Maryland in 1774, and about 1800 settled in Springfield township, then Columbiana county, now Mahoning. He settled in the woods, being among the first of the pioneers, built him a log-cabin, and there lived for upwards of twenty-five years, when he removed to Milton and purchased the place now owned and occupied by his son George. His wife was Catharine Lind, by whom he had the following children: Nicholas, John, Jacob, George, Daniel, Mary, Joseph, Susan, Catharine, Hannah, and Samuel. Joseph, Susan, Catherine, and Hannah are deceased. Mr. Eckis died in 1861, at the advanced age of eighty-seven. George Eckis, the fourth child of John and Catharine, was born in 1806 in Springfield township, now Mahoning county. At the age of twenty-six he was married to Miss Elizabeth Kale, and has had six children, viz : Tobias, Joshua, Eliza, Frederick, Mary, and George, all living but Eliza, who died at the age of thirty- eight. Mr. Eckis is a farmer by occupation, but is able to work but little on account of his age. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church. Tobias Eckis, the eldest son of George and Elizabeth, was born in Milton township, now Mahoning county, in 1833. He lived at home with his parents until he was thirty-four years of age when he married Miss Sarah Forder, by whom he has two children, George and Charles; another died in infancy. Mr. Eckis lived in Milton some three years after his marriage, when he bought the place where he now resides 1n Berlin township. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
Robert Kirkbride was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1800. He married, in the year 1824, Miss Sarah Shaw, and in 1832 removed to Ohio and settled upon the farm now owned and occupied by his widow in Berlin township, Mahoning county. There he resided until his death, and raised his family, consisting of nine children, two of whom are now deceased. Three died in infancy. The names of those who grew up are as follows: Nancy, Ferdinand, Mary, Benjamin F., Watson, James, Joseph, Asher, and Mahlon, all living but Mary and Asher. The latter enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry in 1862, and served until 1864, when he was mortally wounded at the battle of Lookout Mountain, and died in a few hours. The mother is still living, at the age of seventy-six.
Benjamin F. Kirkbride, the fourth child of the subject of the preceding sketch, was born in PennsyIvania in 1831. In 1853 he married Miss Lucinda Hoadley, who died in 1877. By this marriage there were no children. In 1878 Mr. Kirkbride was married to Miss Ellen Dickson, by whom he has had one child—Mabel. He followed farming until he attained his majority, when he went to blacksmithing, at which he still continues. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkbride are members of the Presbyterian church.
Houston Porter was born in 1822, and in 1847 was married to Esther Smith, who was a native of Connecticut, but came to Berlin township at an early date. The parents of Mr. Porter were among the early pioneers. He lived for fourteen years on the old homestead, and then bought the farm now owned and occupied by T. Campbell, where he lived sixteen years, and then removed to Missouri, where he now resides. He
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is the father of fourteen children, namely: Lovina C., Cecil S., Augusta A., Theda E. and Theron W. (twins), Wilbur O., Leroy W., Almedus, Ella S., Birdie F., Ida L., Effie M., George W. B., and Ulysses S. G. Theron W., Ida L., and Almedus are deceased. Lovina C., the eldest child, who was born in Ellsworth in 1848, became the wife, in 1876, of Elias Beckman, of Sweden. Mr. Beckman came to America in 1869, and first went to Illinois, where he remained two years. He then came to Ohio. He is now engaged in the tailoring business at Berlin center. Mr. and Mrs. Beckman have three children, Martha F., Cora L., and Arthur Garfield.
Eli Myers, the youngest child of Daniel and Anna Myers, was born on the farm where he now lives in Berlin township, Mahoning county, in 1837. His father, Daniel Myers, was a native of Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1802, and settled in Springfield township, the county then being a dense wilderness. He afterwards moved to Berlin township, where he also settled in. the woods, on the farm now occupied by his son Eli. He was married at the age of twenty-five to Anna Mary Rummel, and had a family of nine children, as follows : Christina, Susanna, Elizabeth, Margaret, Lucinda, Henry, John, Peter, and Eli. They are all living with the exception of Susanna and Lucinda. Mr. Myers was a hard-working and prosperous farmer, and lived to the good old age of eighty-two years. Mr. Eli Myers was married to Miss Barbara E. Reichards in 1859, and has eight children, as follows: John, Emery J., Henry, Clark, Elina, Serena, Martha J., and Anna Mary, all of whom survive. Mr. Myers has always followed farming, and is now (1881) serving his first term as justice of the peace. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church.
Henry King was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, in 1811. He came to Ohio in 1823 and settled in Springfield township, where he resided some four years, He was then deprived by death of his mother, whose loss was a severe blow to the family. He was then employed for three years by a man by the name of John Cams, and afterward learned the cabinet trade, at which he worked until he was twenty one years of age. He then went to Fremont, Ohio, and worked at the carpenter and joiner trade. An epidemic breaking out there here. turned to Berlin and settled on the farm which he now lives. He was married in 1835 to Miss Julia Ann Shrontz and has had seven children, viz: Royal, Wesley, Emeline, Isaac, Zephaniah, Margaret, and Lucy, all living but Isaac and Zephaniah. At the time of Mr. King's settlement there was only a small clearing on the place. He built him a log cabin and in connection with farming worked at the joiner trade which he followed for about thirty years, when he was compelled by reason of his age to lead a less active life. He lived for three years in Deerfield, and while there, in 1873, his companion departed this life. She was a devoted wife and mother. Mr. King is one of the oldest and best known citizens of this township. He is a member of the Methodist Ediscopal church and a worthy citizen.
Adna B. Silver was born in New Jersey in 1800; married in 1821 to Miss Lydia Allen, and had a family of five children, viz: Sarah, Joseph, Elizabeth, Allen, and Mary, all of whom are living except the son Joseph. Mr. Silver came to Ohio in 1827 and settled in Berlin township, Mahoning county, on the farm now owned and occupied by his daughter Mary Linton, He erected his log cabin in the woods, as the country was yet new. He was the pioneer blacksmith in that region, and made most of the implements which his neighbors used in clearing their farms. His wife died in December, 1868,