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EARLY SETTLERS. To Amos Loveland belongs the honor of having inade the first permanent settlement in the township. He was a Revolutionary soldier and served three years. He came to Coitsville in the spring of 1798, joined the surveying party and spent the summer assisting them. In the fall he returned to his home in Chelsea, Orange counly, Vermont, having purchased all the land in Coitsville situated on the south side of the Mahoning—a tract of four hundred and twenty-six acres, mostly level, rich, and fertile. In December, 1798, with his wife and six children, he left Chelsea for his new home. Mr. Loveland started from Vermont wilh two sleighs loaded with bedding, furniture, farming utensils, etc., each sleigh being drawn by two horses They traveled in this way until they reached the Susquehanna, which they crossed on the ice at Whitestown ; the snow disappearing soon after, Mr. Loveland traded his sleighs for a wagon, transferred his goods into it and continued his journey. April 4, 5799, he arrived with his family upon his farm. They began housekeeping in a small log cabin which he had erected the previous year. This cabin was about eighteen feet square ; it had no glass windows, and its door was made of clapboards with two sticks across, two of them being hinges fastened by wooden pins. Not a nail had been used in the conslruction of this dwelling. A puncheon or split log floor covered about half the ground included within the log walls. There was no upper floor, and no chimney except a stone wall built up about five feet to keep the fire from the logs. In this cabin, of course with the addition of some improvements, the famrly lived six years, and then erected a larger and more convenient one. During the first year the family depended largely upon the results of hunting for their food, wilh occasional supplies obtained from the few neighboring settlements. Mr. Loveland cleared up his farm and resided upon it until his death, which occurred at the age of ninety. Mrs. Loveland died when ninety-three. Her maiden name was Jemima Dickerson. The Lovelands were the first family in the township, and to them were born the first male, as well as the first female child born in Coitsville. Cynthia Loveland was born in June, 1799, and died in 1815. Her brother David, born a year or two later, was the second child born in the township. He spent the whole of a long life upon the old homestead, and his heirs still own some three hundred acres of the original farm. Elizabeth Loveland, one of the daughters, became the wife of William McFarlin and the mother of six sons and six daughters. She died June 16, 188r, aged ninety years, ten months and nine days. She enjoyed the distinction of being a resident of the Western Reserve longer than any other person, having resided continuously in the Mahoning valley over eighty-two years. John P. Bissel, the surveyor of 1798, purchased a farm including the center of the township, made a clearing, and built a log-cabin. In 1800 he emigrated from his home in Lebanon, Connecticut, with his family, consisting of three 166 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. sons and six daughters, and settled on his purchase. The family remained in Coitsville until 1805 or 1806 when they removed to Youngstown in order that the children might have better school advantages. Mr. Bissel was the first acting justice of the peace in Coitsville. He died in 1811. His daughter Mrs. Mary Kyle resided upon the old homestead from the time of his father's death until her own. She died in 1880, in the eighty-third year of her age. Asa Mariner, then a single man, was one of the surveying party. In 1798 he purchased a farm a little northwest of the center of the township, upon which he settled in 1800. He married Sally Beggs and reared a numerous and respectable family. This couple lived to a good old age, honored and respected. Mr. Mariner was a member of the Disciple church, his wife of the United Presbyterian. The old farm is still in the possession of two of the sons, Major James Mariner and his brother Ira. Rev. William Wick was a pioneer of Coitsville. He was a native of Long Island, New York, but came to this county from Washington county, Pennsylvania. September 1, 1799, he preached a sermon in Youngstown, said to have been the first sermon preached on the Reserve. About 1801 he purchased a farm on the State line which is now occupied by the Beggs family. Mr. Wick was ordained a preacher of the gospel by the Presbyterian church and installed pastor of the congregations of Youngstown and Hopewell, now Bedford, Pennsylvania. All the Coitsville Presbyterians of the old school attended his church. He continued in his relation as pastor until death called him home in 1813. He was a very popular preacher and was instrumental in persuading persons of moral and religious character to settle in Coitsville. During his pastorate he preached fifteen hundred and twenty- two sermons and solemnized sixty-nine marriages. He was the father of eight sons and five daughters. Of this family eleven lived to mature age. Some of his sons attained some eminence in the Political world. William was Secretary of State in Indiana and James a judge of the court of common pleas in Mercer county, Pennsylvania. The family were noted for being fine singers and proficients in penmanship. Barney Harris, the first blacksmith in Coitsville township, came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled on section eleven previous to 1802. He brought up ten children, three sons and seven daughters. George, the only son now living, resides with his family in Iowa. Three daughters with their families still in this vicinity. Mrs. Harris was a daughter of Andrew Poe, noted for his encounter with an Indian near Georgetown, on the Ohio river. Mr. A. B. Wilson, a grandson of Barney Harris, resides on the old Harris farm. David Wilson came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1803 or 1804.. He had two sons and three daughters. Of this number only one son, David, is now living--a resident of Bedford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wilson was a wheelwright by trade. In early years the little spinning-wheel was an indispensable article in every household, and Mr. Wilson engaged in its manufacture, and for many years gave employment to several men in his shop, where he made wheels, reels, and coffins. The improvements made in spinning machinery as time progressed destroyed one branch of this business, but he continued the undertaking business for many years. Mr. Wilson erected a grist-mill to be run by ox-power, hut after a few years' trial it was pronounced a failure and abandoned. He erected a brick house in 1815, which is still occupied by his descendants. Alexander McGuffey and family moved from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Coitsville in about the year 1800. His father and mother, who were natives of Scotland, also caine with him. The family were zealous Presbyterians. Alexander was a farmer, and settled near Sand Hill. His son, Rev. William McGuffey, became widely known as the author of a series of school books known as McGuffey's Eclectic Readers. William was brought to Coitsville in infancy. His mother—an excellent woman—used to delight in recounting the hardships they endured during the first years of their residence here, and how she used to place William in a sugar- trough while she assisted her husband in clearing up the farm. William received his common school education in Coitsville, the writer of these sketches being one of his school-mates. Our school-house was a cabin built of round logs, situated at the corners of the farms now occupied by Thomas Brownlee, Rev. H. S. Boyd, Al. Wilson, and Ambrose Shields. William McGuffey afterwards taught school in the same place. He TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 167 began the study of the dead languages under John McCready, who taught a select school near Pulaski, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1817; completed his college course and graduated from the college at Oxford, Ohio. He was licensed as a preacher by the presbytery, but was never the settled pastor of any congregation. Instead, he devoted his life to the advancement of education. He died in his seventy-sixth year at the residence of his daughter in Dayton, Ohio. But his inemory will be long perpetuated by his works. William McGuffey was a man of genial temperainent, a pleasant and affable speaker. David and Rebecca (Armstrong) Cooper settled in the township in 1800. Five of their children still reside in Coitsville. He was a native of Maryland; his wife of Pennsylvania. Mr. Cooper was a member of the surveying party of 1798. James Lynn settled early on section eleven. His farm is now the Dalby farm. About the same time with him John Johnson settled on section ten. Sampson :Moore, about 1802, settled on section ten. He lived and died in this township, and brought up his family here. None of his sons became settlers of Coitsville. William, James, John, and David Stewart came here at different dates. All were early settlers. David settled west of the village. William, James, and John took up farms in the northwestern quarter of the township. David Stewart, son of William, lives on his father's old place. Robert Stewart, son of William, lives on section three. John and James settled near William. Mr. Rush owns a part of James' farm, and the Grays a part of John's. Thomas Early was among the first settlers in the western part of the township. The Fitch family, elsewhere mentioned, were among the early settlers on the Mahoning. David Brownlee, his parents, and his sister Margaret, were early settlers near the south line of the township. John Brownlee, who lives near the Pennsylvania line, is a son of David. The family consisted of ten children, of whom three sons and one daughter are still living, John being the oldest. Matthew Robb was an early settler on the William Price farm. He afterwards sold this and built where Mr. McCartney lives. Daniel Augustine, a sober, industrious, honest German, settled in the township in 1802. His family is still well represented in this township. It is related of him that he was once offered $15 for a cow which he had for sale. He refused the price; said that $13 was all that she was worth, and all he was willing to take. William Bell was an early settler in the northeast of the township, lived and died here. Some of his sons remained for a time, then moved away. One, John Mason Bell, lived upon the old place until his death. In the same neighborhood was Ebenezer Corey, whose family are all gone from the township. A man named Thompson was an early settler on Ambrose Shields' farm. He sold to Timothy Swan, who lived and died there. Joseph and Mary (Goe) Beggs, natives of Ireland, settled in Coitsville, west of the village, in 1802. Their son, James Beggs, Esq., born June 17, 1799, is still a resident of the township. Joseph Beggs was a soldier of 1812. John Johnson, from Mercer county, Pennsylvania, settled in the eastern part of the township in 1803. He married Jane Caldwell, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and brought up a family of nine children. Only two are now living, Samuel in Iowa, and John in this township. David Johnson, one of his family, died in April, 1881. James Shields, a native of Ireland, came to Coitsville in 1802 and purchased a farm of two hundred and thirty acres east of the village. The same year he married Margaret Walker. He died in 1854 aged eighty years. He reared three sons and five daughters, all of whom settled in Coitsville and had families, except one daughter who died young. All of the original family are now dead excepting John, the oldest son, and James, the youngest. The latter resides in Loveland, Colorado. James Shields, Sr., built and operated the first distillery in the township. It was erected in 1803. He operated it for a few years, but not finding the business profitable, sold out and thenceforth devoted himself to employments more useful and beneficial. Ammi R. and Prudence (Burrows) Bissel settled a little north of the village in 1806. Their son, Partridge Bissel, born in 1803, is still a resident of the township. Ammi Bissel was a brother of John 168 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. P., and came from Vermont. He was the father of five sons and two daughters. He was the first carpenter in the township, and was energetic and active in his work. He was a good neighbor and an honest man, The Widow McFarlin (nee Margery Anderson) came to this township from Ireland about the year 1804, with a family of four sons and two daughters, all of whom married after coming here. Isabel, the oldest, married James McGill; Mary married Robert McKean, settled in Ellsworth and died there; Alexander settled south of the center of Coitsville. He was accidentally killed by the falling of a tree. He had seven sons and two daughters, most of whom settled in this vicinity. William settled on the top of the hill on the Hazelton road. He reared a large family. Eleven children arrived at years of maturity. But one son is living, Anderson, at Coitsville. Four of his daughters are living, viz: Mrs. Lydia Mahan, Liberty, Trumbull county; Miss Jemima McFarlin, Niles; Mrs, Matilda Price, Coitsville, and Mrs. Lavma Harris, Youngstown. Andrew settled in the southern part of the township, but later moved to Indiana and died. He had a large family. His sons are all dead. Several daughters are living in Indiana. James settled on the road leading west from the village and died there. He had several children, none of whom remain. The first shoemaker, Stephen Allerton, came from New Jersey, and settled south of the center, early in this century. He was honest and a good neighbor, but intemperate in his habits. The first tailor was John Potter, a very early settler. He was a good citizen, and a strict Presbyterian. His farm was on the Hubbard and Lowell road. He had a large family, but not a branch of it remains here at the present day. The oldest man in this township is Alexander Beggs, born in Ireland about the year 1789. He settled in Coitsville in 1822. The first marriage ceremony was performed about 1803, uniting Ebenzer Corey and Polly Thompson in the bonds of wedlock. The first death was that of an infant son of John P. Bissel, and occurred in 1801. HARD TIMES. The year 1811 brought hard times for many of the pioneers of Coitsville. Mr, Bissel died in that year. His financial affairs were found in a bad condition, which brought disaster to many of those who had purchased their lands from him. Some had paid for their lands, received their deeds, and were, consequently, safe. Others who had not got their lands paid for and received their titles were caught up. No matter how much they had paid, all fared alike and received a small percentage on the money which they had paid. The land had to be re-purchased or abandoned. It was supposed, had he lived to settle up his own affairs, the result would have been different. Another cause of discouragement was a series of very rainy seasons, which flooded the low, flat lands, and caused them to be unproductive. This caused a bad report to be put into circulation concerning the town, and many emigrants to pass us by. Again, the War of 1812 was upon us, and many of the men subject to do military duty were drafted or volunteered, and went into the service. There were few left at home except women and children, old men, cripples, and invalids. Farmers, who had spent years of hard labor upon their lands, were asked to give them up. At many a fireside there was dejection and despondency. Some men abandoned their claims and left. Others exchanged their farms for other property; but a majority withstood their difficulties and trials. Many of those who had lost their lands made new contracts for them, and succeeded, finally, in retaining them. In a few years the dark cloud broke and passed away. The fields yielded good crops, and there was an abundance of food for man and beast. The war terminated, and the Coitsville soldiers came home without the loss of a man, it is believed. If there had been mourning there was now rejoicing. The claims for the re-purchased farms were liquidated, the fee simple titles on record, and soon every farm had its occupant, and vacant lots were no more to be found in the township. HIGHWAYS. The first public highway laid out in this township is the east and west road, known as the Mercer and Youngstown road. It is one-half mile south of and parallel to the east and west center line. It was established and opened in 1802. Soon after that date the road known as the Yellow Creek road, leading from Poland vil- TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 169 lage to Hubbard, was opened through the township. In 1827 the Youngstown and Mercer road became a post-road from New Bedford, Pennsylvania, westward. ENCOUNTER WITH A BEAR. Patrick Thompson, in 1803 or 1804, was returning hoine from Youngstown, and stopped at J. P. Bissel's to transact some business which detained him until near evening, when he proceeded toward home. When he arrived on the farm of Josiah Dalby, near the State line, he discovered a cub bear in his path. Determining to make its acquaintance, and it offering no violent opposition, he took it up in his arms. It, however, soon became dissatisfied with his nursing, and with loud cries notified its mother ; she, being within hearing distance, hastened to ils rescue with mouth open and bristles up. Thompson seeing that a fight was imminent strove to get rid of his new acquaintance. But cub refused to break up friendly relations so abruptly and clung to his arm with a regular bear hug. After some effort he loosed its grip, and to use his own language, he " threw the little devil into its mother's face." The battle now began, and Thompson seeing his danger of defeat attempted to climb a tree near by, but as often as he began to ascend the bear would catch him by the feet and pull hiin back, and with such energy did she make her attacks that she tore the bottoms from his shoes, and so lacerated his feet that he was ever afterward a cripple, although he lived many years after this event. Up to this time victory seemed to be on the side of the bear ; a few more crunches at his feet and she would have had it all her own way. But fortunately, at this juncture, Mr. Thompson obtained a large splinter, and again making the attempt to climb the tree she again made for him. He made a drive at her with the splinter, and luckily sent it deep into one of her nostrils. She then resolved to have a truce until she could get rid of the splinter; she would strike it with one paw, then with the other, until she effected her purpose. By this time friend Thompson was high in the tree, and neither party was disposed to renew the fight. Bruin soon retired with a sore nose. Thompson became faint from loss of blood. It was now in the night. A heavy rain commencing to fall, he squeezed the water from his linen hunting-shirt into his mouth, which revived him somewhat. His hallooing was heard at the house of the Rev. Mr. Wick, and they came to his relief. When they arrived the bear and her family had left. This was the only known encounter with a wild bear in this township. THE STRUTHERS TRAGEDY. In February, 1826, Miss Drucilla Struthers left her father's residence in Coilsville for the purpose of going to the post-office at Poland village, where she expected to get a letter from her affianced lover, then residing in Washington county, Pennsylvania. Her younger sister, Emma, accompanied her down to the Mahoning. river, which was very high at that time, intending to ferry her across, and then return home. The skiff in which they were to cross was fastened nearly opposite the mouth of Yellow creek, and directly opposite to the present village of Struthers. The young ladies were daughters of John Struthers, who settled in Poland township in 1799, held the office of sheriff of Trumbull county, and other responsible offices, and was well known and respected by the pioneers of this county. They were sisters of the Hon. Thomas Struthers, who was the proprietor of the thriving village of Struthers. When the young ladies came to the bank of the river Emma laid off her shawl and bonnet on the shore, and they embarked on their fatal voyage. Emma was good with an oar, and practiced in rowing and managing a skiff. At this point the known history of their lives ends. It is involved in mystery that can not be unraveled. No human eye saw them on their fatal voyage, as they were not spared to relate the events of that awful hour, of what happened or befell them; why they were unable to propel their craft across the stream ; what were their feelings and actions when they discovered their dangerous and helpless situation ; how many plans they devised to regain a landing; how hope and despair alternated each other in quick succession ; how their terrors increased as their disappointments were repeated ; and as they approached the dam over which they were soon to be precipitated how their souls sank within them, when they beheld the foaming waters beneath them and hope gone ; what thoughts agitated their souls as they made the fatal descent, their 170 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. craft overturned, and the dark, waters received them. Alexander Cowden heard their cries, but did not apprehend at the time that they came from persons in distress. David Brownlee reported having crossed the river a short time previous in that skiff, and that one of the oars or rowlocks was defective in some way, which doubtless was the cause of the disaster. When they were missed an active search was commenced. The next day the remains of Drucilia were found fastened to a bush which grew on the river bank, one and one-half miles below where they embarked. Six weeks elapsed before the body of Emma was discovered. It was found at the head of an island near the Dickson farm. Mr. J. R. Cowden has favored us with the above facts. He was one of the searching party from the first and until the body of Emma was found. RELIGIOUS HISTORY A majority of the early settlers of Coitsville were church-going people, yet there was no church edifice erected in the township until 1838. The inhabitants went to church in two different States, Ohio and Pennsylvania ; in four different counties, Trumbull and Mahoning in Ohio, Lawrence and Mercer in Pennsylvania ; and in eight different townships, Coitsville, Poland, Youngstown, Liberty, and Hubbard in Ohio, and Shenango, Pulaski, and Mahoning in Pennsylvania. Many still continue members of churches in these various plates. The Methodists for some years held meetings in barns, school-houses and dwellings. In 1835 they effected an organization, James McKinley, class- leader. This organization took place after a series of revival meetings held in Tobias Kimball's barn, in which Revs. Green, Preston, and others took part. They had no church building until 1838. Then Isaac Powers, late of Youngstown, presented to the society a lot of land for a church site and cemetery, the lot lying on the old Youngstown and Bedford road, where the Poland road intersects it. John Bissel and James McCartney were very active in securing funds with which to build and complete the meeting-house. James McCartney, Abraham Jacobs, and John Bissel were the first trustees. Upon this land, deeded to the society in 1839, the house was erected ; and a living, working congregation worshiped there in peace and unity. But when the agitation of the slavery question struck this little band, division and bitterness came with it. Troubles increased until in 1847 some Godless incendiary applied a torch to the church, and it was destroyed. The guilty wretch has never been detected. In 1848 a new build' ing was erected upon the same site, superior to the old in style and finish, and there the Methodist Episcopals continue to hold their services, The Presbyterians organized a congregation in 1836. A commodious edifice was erected at the village in 1836 or 1837, and Rev. William Nesbit became pastor. John Jackson and John Lynn were elected ruling elders, and soon after Thomas McGeehan and George Harris were elected, and their names added to the session roll. Mr. McGeehan is the only member of the original session now left, and he is nearly fourscore years of age. Since Mr. Nesbit, who remained several years, a number of clergymen have officiated as stated preachers : Revs. Dickson, McCombs, Dobbins, Kerr, Price, McCready, and Rice. The present incumbent is Rev. Krush ; the present session, Thomas McGeehan, George Gray, and Joseph Hanna. The roll of communicants shows twelve males and twenty- five females. Is it not a question worthy of our consideration whether the above proportion of males and females will hold good in Heaven as well as here ? In 1870 the old house was taken down and rebuilt in better style, and in a more substantial manner. The constitution of this church is dated 1839, and to it are attached the names of William Reed, John and Davis Jackson, T, I. Hirst, George Harris, Samuel Jackson, Andrew McFarlin, Ebenezer Corey, and James Kerney. Of the early settlers the Lynns, Swans, John- sons, Moores, Martins, Bells, Coreys, Monteiths, Murdocks, Jacksons, and Wicks were Presbyterians; the Aliens, Stewarts, Coopers, Houstons Milligans Beggses, Dicksons, McGuffeys, Mc- Brides, Reeds, Thompsons, and others were United Presbyterians; the McCartneys, Bissels, Kirks, Kimmels, Vails, McFarlins, Jacobses, and others were Methodist Episcopal. Various other denominations were also represented by Coitsville people. TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 171 THE FIRST MARRIAGE the township was that of Ebenezer Corey and Polly Thompson, about the year 1803. The wedding festival took place in and about a little log cabin, which was standing until within a few years, on the farm of Ambrose Shields. This couple lived together until three children were born. Then the husband died. The widow afterwards married James Crooks and had a large family. EARLY SCHOOLS. The first school in Coitsville was taught in a log cabin on the farm of Joseph Beggs early in the present century. The cabin was a short distance west of the center. Jeremiah Breaden, the father of Dr. Breaden, was the teacher. Many of the scholars resided at a long distance from the school-house. There were few roads, and many were guided through the woods by blazed trees. Some of the members of that school were afterwards representatives to the Legislature ; David Houston being one of this number. The first school-house proper, was a little log building, damp and uncomfortable. It was siluated in the northeastern part of the township, and was built about 1807 or 1808. The only branches taught were reading, writing, and arithmetic. The Bible was the class book for reading. The more advanced pupils read in the Old Testament and were called the Bible class. The younger readers used the New Testament. The Bible, Webster's Spelling book, and Welsh's arithmetic, were the only text-books. When a scholar had mastered the rule of three his education was considered finished, though some of the boys did not stop when they had accomplished this much, but finished the book. The old log school-house was removed about 1815 and replaced by a comfortable frame house, which was used for school purposes until destroyed by fire, about the time the State Legislature took our schools under its protection. Several other school-houses were built and used in the township, but none were so permanent as the Harris school. In winter male teachers taught and were paid by assessing a certain rate per scholar. Summer schools were usually taught by ladies whose wages were raised by voluntary subscriptions. The township is now divided into seven school districts, and is well supplied with good school-houses. MILLS. The first saw-mill in the township was erected by Asa Mariner, one and one-fourth miles northwest of the center, on Dry run. There was also a corn-cracker run in connection with the sawmill. The next mill was the McFarlm mill in the south of the township. The building of mills continued until there were seven saw-mills in operation on Dry run, all propelled by its waters. But as the lands were cleared the water of the stream diminished, the mills became less useful each year, until all were abandoned. In later years steam saw-mills took the place of the old water mills. There have been ten of these operated in the township at different times and places. Now there are but two. There was a good grist-mill erected by Asa Mariner, but it departed with the old saw-mills. There have been three mills in the township which were run by horse- or ox-power--Wilson's, Buchanan's, and Brownlee's—but they were in operation but a short time. DISTILLERIES. Here, as elsewhere, distilling was considerably carried on in early times. James Shields had the first distillery. Seven others were afterwards built, some of them of little importance; but four of them, namely, Loveland's, Brownlee's, William McFarlin's, and James McFarlin's, pushed their business with energy for some years, consuming about twenty-four bushels of grain daily at least one hundred and fifty days out of the year, thirty-six hundred bushels per annum, and putting upon the market nine thousand gallons, more or less, of ardent spirits. MORALS. Never was a drinking saloon in Coitsville successfully operated. A few attempts were made to start them, all resulting in failure, except in the northwest part of the township in a little mining village. When the coal was dug out the miners left, and the grog-shops failed for want of customers. No one was ever accused of murder here except William 0. Moore, who was tried and found guilty of murdering his sister-in-law, Sarah Stewart, and sentenced to State prison for life. The 172 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. beginning of the trouble was the violation of the seventh commandment. Moore served a number of years in prison, then was sent home to die of consumption. Contrary to expectation, he grew fat and enjoyed his liberty some years, Except Moore only one other person has ever been sent to the penitentiary from this township. He was a tramp and horse thief, named Fair- brother, and had been in Coitsville only a few months. BURIAL PLACES. The cemetery near the Methodist church was located in 1836 or 1837. The first interment was that of a son of John Bissel, a merchant at the village. This burial was made in 1837. The cemetery adjoining the Presbyterian church at the village was gotten up by private enterprise. Samuel Jackson purchased a piece of ground and donated it to the church for burial purposes in 1878. The remains of most of the old settlers of Coitsville are buried in the Deer Creek Church cemetery, New Bedford, Pennsylvania. THE VILLAGE, Coitsville has two stores, two wagon shops, two blacksmith shops and a. tannery. There is at present no hotel. Andrew McFarlin kept the first hotel, the "Temperance house," some years. John Bissel had the first store in the place in in 1831 or 1832. The carriage works of Mr. D. P. Cooper are worthy of special mention. The proprietor is a young man of enterprise, and seems determined to win success. He is already doing a very good business. EARLY JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. John P. Bissel, D. Monteith, William Houston, and James Shields were justices of the peace previous to 1818. POST-OFFICE, The first post road from New Bedford, Pennsylvania, to Youngstown was established in 1827. Mail was received once a week. William Bissel was appointed postmaster at Coitsville; John Shields, Andrew McFarlin, James Milligan, Thomas McGeehan, David Jackson, and Anderson McFarlin were his successors in office, Mrs. Joseph Hanna is the present incumbent. TANNERIES. The first tannery was operated by David Shields. It was a failure and was soon abandoned. In 1832 William Stewart and R. W, Shields commenced the business at the village and the tannery started by them has been successfully operated up to the present time. Mr. Stewart became owner by purchase of Mr. Shields' interest in 1855. In February, 1875, the building was destroyed by fire together with a large amount of stock and the machinery, the loss amounting to about $5,000. A new and much larger building has been erected, 86 x 40 feet and two stories high, and Mr. Stewart is doing a good busrness in company with his son D. C, Stewart. INCIDENTS OF THE 1812 WAR. William Crawford, who had first settled in the northeast of the township, was drafted into General Wadsworth's division of the northwestern army early in the fall of 1812, and marched to Camp Avery on the Huron rrver about six miles from the lake. On Sabbath evening, September 28th, a runner came into camp with a dispatch from Sandusky bay stating that a coinpany of Indians had landed on the peninsula. A call for volunteers to proceed to that point was made instanter, and some sixty or seventy responded, Crawford among the number. They were put in command of Captain Cotton, and started for their destination in the night. They arrived at Cedar Point, on the bay, about daylight Monday morning, crossed over the bay, and reached the peninsula about sunrise, On their way they had been joined by others until they numbered about ninety men. They then marched inland three or four miles, and discovered satisfactory evidence that there was a large number of Indians on the peninsula. For some reason they decided to retrace their way to the four boats in which they had crossed, which boats they had left in charge of eight men. They had not gone far on their returning march when Indians concealed in the high grass began firing upon them. Captain Cotton ordered his men into line of battle. Crawford hastened to the captain and remonstrated, telling him that they would all be shot down if thus exposed. An order was then issued allowing each man to do as he chose—" paddle his own canoe, take care of himself and pick off a redskin at every opportunity." The firing was briskly kept up for a short time, then ceased, ap-
PICTURE OF JAMES MILLIGAN TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 173 parently by mutual consent. In this skirmish three of the soldiers were killed and three wounded. The dead were buried, and the wounded cared for, then the march toward the boats was again begun in good order. They had proceeded but a short distance, however, when the enemy again began to fire upon them. The fire was returned with spirit and with good effect, every soldier taking care of himself as in the previous encounter. The captain ordered a retreat. But Crawford and his friend John Burrell, another Coitsville wan, were too eagerly engaged in the fight to heat the order. While concealed in the grass he noticed a movement near him and creeping a little closer, saw an Indian loading his gun. Crawford fired and the Indian lay stretched in death. Presently another savage was seen some distance away, nearly concealed from the soldier's sight by intervening grass and a tall weed near him. Crawford fired ; the weed doubled down and so did the Indian. Burrell first noticed that the company had retreated and notified Crawford of the fact. They at once made haste to overtake their comrades and soon came to a tangled pile of fallen timber, at each end of which an Indian met them. Mr. Crawford used to say that he never could tell how he got over those fallen trees, but he passed them safely, and so did Burrell. Soon they came up with a soldier carrying his brother, who was mortally wounded. They assisted him in carrying the dying man to a cabin where they lifted up the floor, placed him beneath it and continued their flight. They soon came to a house at which Captain Cotton and about half of his men had halted ; the other half had gone on to the boats, taking with them all of the wounded, eight in number. On arriving at the shore they found that the Indians had sunk two of their boats, while the men left on guard had taken the other two and escaped. They, however, came back, and the soldiers were transferred to Cedar Point. The wounded were then placed in the boats and sent on to the camp which they reached in safety. Tuesday Crawford said to Burrell that he would as lief be shot by the Indians as starved to death, and as he had had no food since the previous morning, he proposed to reconnoiter, and see if some means of relief could not be discovered. Burrell accompanied him. They went down to the bay and discovered an old canoe concealed in the grass. They immediately returned to their companions and told them of their good fortune. Two experienced men were selected to go down the bay in the canoe and give notice at the camp of their situation. This plan succeeded admirably and in due time reinforcements arrived with material aid and all were brought off in safety. RELIGIOUS EXCITEMENT. A strange, mysterious visitation came upon the Presbyterian churches about 1805—o6. The excitement is said to have originated in Kentucky and spread northward through western Pennsylvania and northern Ohio, agitating many Presbyterian congregations. Hopewell, one of Rev. William Wick's charges, where most of the Coitsville people attended church, was touched by its influence. Its subjects were mostly young people and generally females. They first became excited in regard to their future state and their condition here as sinners against Heaven in the sight of God. Sobbings would convulse them; spasmodic jerkings and twitchings then ensued; finally they fell down prostrate and to all appearances unconscious. In this state they would remain for a long time, but when the congregation was dismissed they appeared to waken and gain their usual mind. At the time there was great controversy as to the cause of these remarkable occurrences, some holding that it was the influence of the Holy Spirit, while others held that it was the work of an evil spirit. Some assigned mesmerism as a reason; others fanaticism. But soon all traces of the excitement vanished to return no more. NOTES OF SETTLEMENT, James Milligan was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, March 15, 1806, and came to this country with his parents, John and Margaret, when a lad of twelve years. Three brothers, John, Dixon, and Robert, came also at this trme. The oldest brother, William, remained in Ireland with his grandfather Milligan. He was at length employed by a wealthy shipping company as clerk, and afterwards taken into partnership. He died April 2, 1882, having amassed a fortune of $2,000,000. Dixon settled in the western part of Ohio, where he became a successful physician. He died in February, 1874. Robert died in 1875. At the time of 174 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. his death he was prominently connected with the Kentucky university. He was the author of several works on the Bible, and held a high position as an educator. John lived a quiet and honorable life on the homestead, and died January, 1876. Isabel, Thomas, and Samuel were born after the family came to America, James possessed a great memory, and the recollection of his boyhood days was very vivid. The voyage across the ocean was an intensely interesting event to the keen Irish lad, and many were the anecdotes he could relate in connection with it, The family settled in the northwest part of Coitsville township about two and one-half miles from the present city of Youngstown. In 1826 James married Catharine, sister of William McGuffey, author of school readers bearing his name, and afterwards engaged in the dry goods business in Vienna. He afterward returned to his first place of residence, where he held the office of justice of the peace for three terms. In 1846 he was elected commissioner of Trumbull county. He was a Democrat in politics, and an influential member of the party. He was an aclive member of the Methodist Episcopal church, which he served in many capacities. In 1850 his entire family was prostrated by typhoid fever, at which time his wife and two children, Margaret and Alexander, died. The surviving children were Isabel, John, Sarah, and Mary. He married again Nancy M. Reed, daughter of William Reed. By this marriage there were two sons, Dixon and James. He was a public-spirited and influential man, and his death, which occurred March 30, 1881, was sincerely and widely lamented. John Shields, Coitsville township, was born September 1, 1804. His father, James, a native of Ireland, came to the farm where Mr. Shields now resides in 1802, from Beaver county, Pennsylvania. He was born November 26, 1773, died January 19, 1854. His wife, whom he married in 1802, was Margaret Walker, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, She was born October I, 1783, died February 14, 1852. They brought up a family of eight children, of whom two sons are yet living, John and James. The latter resides in Loveland, Colorado. A daughter, Mrs. Mary Davidson, of Coitsville, died July 6, 1881, aged seventy-eight years. John Shields was married in 1829 to Sarah Davidson, of Youngstown, born May 17, 1809. They have had four children, and the three sons are yet living, each of their farms being near the old homestead. Names of children: James Davidson, born January 24, 1831; Ann Jane, June 5, 1834; John Gailey, June 15, 1843; Ambrose, August 18, 1849. Ann Jane died January 17, 1868. Mr. Shields and all of the family are Republicans, temperance men, and members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Shields has been honored by election to the following offices: county commissioner, coroner, justice of the peace, postmaster, etc. He has been an elder in his church for over forty years. His oldest son, one of our leading farmers, was married December 12, 1865, to Mary Gilchrist, of Coitsville. The other sons are also married. J. D. 'Shields has a splendid farm residence, and the best barn in the township. The Shields family is one of activity and inlegrity. William Stewart was born in Coitsville, May 18, 1808. He is the son of William Stewart, a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, who came to this county previous to 1804, and settled in the western part of Coitsville township, where he lived and died, bringing up five sons and three daughters, Four sons are still living, Elijah, Robert, William, and David. Elijah resides in DeKalb county, Illinois; the others in this township. William Stewart, Sr., was one of six brothers who came to the Western Reserve in early times and settled in Trumbull and Mahoning counties. All brought up families and lived to be old. M. Stewart, when eighteen years of age, learned the business of tanning, in which he is still engaged. He established his tannery at Coitsville in 1832, and is still doing business there. He married Jane Brownlee in 1833. Four of their children are living: Mary E. (deceased), Huldah, Morilla, David C., and Florence; all married except Huldah. Mrs. Stewart died in 1863, aged forty-eight years. She was a devoted member of the United Presbylerian church for several years. Mr. Stewart is well and favorably known as a business man ; has held several township offices. John S. Brownlee was born at Turfoot, Lenwickshire, Scotland, March 6, 1806. He came to America in 1830, and settled in Coitsville township, where he still resides, in 1831. He has a farm of over two hundred acres and a very TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 175 pleasant and comfortable home. Mr. Brownlee was married April 19, I830, to Janet Patterson, who was born in Strathhaven, Scotland, September ii, 1811. They have had eight children, lhree of whom are living,. Margaret W., Ellen F., Jane F., John A., James P., Randal Scroggs, and William W. The second child, a daughter, died in infancy. Jane, Randall S., and William W., are yet living. Mr. and Mrs. Brownlee are members of the Presbyterian church. They are among the most respected citizens of Coitsville. Robert Davidson was born in Youngstown in 1807. His father, James Davidson, a native of Ireland. settled in Youngstown previous to the year 1800. He was married before coming to the county to Margaret Croskery, a native of Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. They brought up eleven children, eight of them still living, Robert Davidson being the fourth child. Mr. Davidson bought the farm on which he now lives in 1831, and moved there the following year. He has been twice married—first in 1832 to Anna Shields, daughter of James Shields, one of the first settlers in Coitsville ; she died in 1835. In 1839 Mr. Davidson married Catharine Lackey of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. They have three children, Anna, Mary, and Frances. Mary is the wife of James Cowden, of Wheeling, West Virginia, and Frances is the wife of D. C. Stewart of Coitsville. Mr. and Mrs. Davrdson have belonged to the United Presbyterian church for many years. Mr. Davidson has been an elder in this church for over forty years. He is a sound Republican and a worthy citizen. John H. Reed, farmer, was born in Coitsville township in 1816, and has always resided here. His parents, William and Martha Reed, were among the early settlers. They brought up a family of five children, three of whom are living, viz: John, William, and Nancy (widow of James Milligan). John H. Reed lives upon the farm settled by his father. The farm contains at presenl one hundred and seventy-two acres. Mr. Reed was first married in 1838 to Jane Kimmel, daughter of Philip Kimmel, of Coitsville. They had seven children, three of whom are living: Lycurgus S., born September 22, 1839, died March 14, 1864; Martha M., August 12, 1841, died August 28, 1859; Philip K., July 4, 1845, lied July 19, 1859; William H., February 24, 1849; Susan W., April 10, 1853; Elizabeth T., Edward F., (twins), June 26, 1856. Elizabeth died November 14, 1871; Mrs. Reed died February 24, 1862. In 1863 Mr. Reed married Mrs. Samantha McFarlin, daughter of William McClelland, by whom he has two children: Althea, born April 23, 1865, and Pluma, June 0, 1866. Mr. Reed is a Republican. He has held the office of township trustee. He does an excellent farming business. John F. Robison was born in Mercer county, (now Lawrence county) Pennsylvania, February 17, 1829. He came to Mahoning county in 1857, locating in Coitsville township. He purchased his present farm in 1863; has one hundred and fifteen acres in Coitsville, with good buildings and improvements, and owns also seventy-six acres with buildings, etc., in Poland township. He raises grain, cattle, sheep, etc. Mr. Robison was married March 25, 1854, to Hannah McWilliams, of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. They have six children, Almina, Ellen, George L., William J., Elmer and Edward Lee (twins), and Audley 0. Mr. and Mrs. Robison are members of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Robison is a sound Democrat. Anderson McFarlin, a descendant of some of the very earliest settlers rn the county, was born in Coitsville April 12, 1828, and has always resided here. He is the owner of a good farm of one hundred and ninety acres situated near the center of the township. Mr. McFarlin was married April 26, 1849, to Sarah Kirk. Mrs. McFarlin is the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth (Baldwin) Kirk. Andrew Kirk came at an early date from Washington county, Pennsylvama; he was originally from New Jersey. Elizabeth Baldwin was the daughter of Caleb Baldwin, one of the first settlers in Youngstown. Mr. McFarlin is one of a family of twelve children, and Mrs. McFarlin the youngest of thirteen. Their children are William E., Alice K., Vina J., Mary E., Bettie B., William K., Frank M., Thomas F., and Charles A. William E., Alice K., and Charles A. are deceased. William K. is now engaged on the new through-line railroad in the capacity of civil engineer. Mr. McFarlin has been a Republican since the party was formed. He was postmaster at Coitsville for seventeen years. The family are well known and highly respected in this county. 176 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO, Robert Lowry, Coitsville township, was born in Poland township August 12, 1818. His parents were William and Mary (Houston) Lowry. William Lowry was a native of the north of Ireland, who settled in Poland township about the year 1806, and brought up three sons and six daughters; two sons and four daughters are now living. His wife, Mary Houston, of Scotch parentage, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvama. Her father, William Houston, came to this county about the year 1800. Robert Lowry was the fifth child of William Lowry. He settled in Coitsville township in 1842. He was married September 22, 1842, to Margaret Stewart, daughter of William Stewart, of Coitsville township. They had four children, all living: Mary Jane, wife of D. C, McBride, Mahoning township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania ; William S., Pulaski township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania; Theoressa J., wife of J. W. McNabb, Pulaski township, Lawrence county, Pennsylvania; Sarah E., wife of W. S, Allen,. Coitsville township. Mrs.. Lowry died July 1, 1873, aged fifty-six years. Mr. Lowry was married a second time May 18, 1876, to Miss Anna Madge, daughter of Robert Madge, of Lackawanna township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Lowry are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Lowry is a sound Republican. He has held several offices: was justice of the peace for twelve consecutive years, commencing in 1856; county commissioner from 1866 to 1872, and has held several township offices. J. M. Jackson was born in New Bedford, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1828. His father, John Jackson, settled in Coitsville township in 1803. J. M. Jackson has followed a variety of occupations. When young he taught school for several years; then was a merchant. He now owns a saw-mill, which does a good business, and is one of our largest farmers. Mr. Jackson settled in Coitsville in 1864. From 1844 to that date he had been in business in Trumbull county. He owns two hundred and twenty acres in this township. Mr. Jackson was married March 9, 1852, to Rebecca L. Roberts, daughter of Thomas N, Roberts, Hubbard, Trumbull county. They have two sons and two daughters—Marietta, Sidney Delamar (a successful attorney in Youngstown), Eliza Jane, and John Calvin. Mr. Jack son has been quite prominent in local affairs, and has held the offices of justice of the peace, county commissioner, township clerk, trustee, etc. He is one of our solid and energetic business men. He served in the army a short time as captain in company C, One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio volunteers, enlisting April 28, 1864, for the one hundred days' service. F. D. Kirk, Coilsville township, was born in that township July 11, 1846. His parents were Andrew and Sylvina Kirk. His falher is still living. Mrs. Kirk died eight years ago. Mr. F'. D. Kirk is one of our active farmers; hair mnety acres of good land; raises stock, and is tends to go into sheep-raising. In 1880 he received over $150 in premiums at fairs, mostly on pigs. Mr. Kirk was married, in 1869, to Miss Almira J. Bailey, daughter of C. T. Bailey, of Coitsville township. They belong to the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Kirk is a Republican, and a strong temperance man. He was in the army. He enlisted in January, 1864, serving until the close of the war in company G, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania volunteers, under General Thomas. Nicholas Jacobs (deceased) was born near Girard, Mahoning county, January 13, 1810. His parents were Abraham and Elizabeth (Kiinmel) Jacobs, who came here at quite an early date. After his birth they returned to Washington county, Pennsylvania. In 1832 Abraham Jacobs and his son Nicholas returned to Mahoning county, and settled near together in lhe northern part of Cortsville township. Nicholas Jacobs was married January 19, 1832, to Isabella Brown, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, They had two children, Lewis J. and Francis P., both now residents of Youngstown. Mrs. Jacobs died February 18, 1836, aged twenty-two years. Mr. Jacobs was again married September 12, 1837, to Phoebe Kirk, of Coitsville township. Six children : Sheldon, Charles, Louisa, Caroline, Alice and Phoebe. Charles died in the army, at Chattanooga, September 30, 1863, aged twenty-two years. Phoebe died September 9, 1851, aged one year. The others reside in the county. Mrs. Phoebe Jacobs died April 11, 1850, aged thirty-one. His third wife, whom he married October 1, 1850, was Mrs. Juliana Calvin, nee Briggs. She was born in Dighton, Massachusetts, September 25, 1820. She was mar- TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 177 ried in 1842 to Robert Calvin, of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, by whom she had two children, Josephus and Gustavus ; the latter a resident of this township, and Josephus of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. Calvin died February 11, 1845, aged twenty-seven. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs had seven children: Mary, Spencer, Myron, Jessie, Clarinda, William, and Charles G. Jessie died December 2, 1870, aged fourteen; Clarinda September 28, 1861, aged two. The others reside in Coitsville township. Mr. Jacobs died December 14, 1880, nearly seventy-one years of age. He had been an earnest member of the Disciples' church for about forty years of his life. He was well known in this county, and highly respected, Andrew Garner Fitch came to this county from Lebanon, Connecticut, and settled in the western part of Coitsville township, on a farm which had been taken up previously and somewhat improved by a man named Robinson. His wife was Mary Levenwell. They had nine children, none of them now livmg. Samuel Fitch was the fifth child, and the longest survivor of the family. He was twelve years ot age when he came to the county, having been born in 1789. Samuel Fitch and his brother Henry were soldiers in the War of 1812. The wife of Samuel Fitch was Mary T. Simpson, a native of Maysville, Kentucky. They had five children, Mary Jane, Elizabeth B., Julia A., Joseph T., and Caroline S. Only Elizabeth and Julia are now living. They reside at the old homestead. Mrs. Filch, their mother, died in 1848, aged fifty-two years. She was for many years a devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Fitch died in 1875. He lived to a ripe old age, and was always an honored and respected citizen. He was an earnest friend of the Union, and though he had no sons to send to the army, he gave liberally of hrs means to aid in the cause. John Cooper, lumber manufacturer, Coitsville township, was born September 15, 1815. His Parents were David and Rebecca (Armstrong) Cooper, the former a native of Maryland, and the latter of Washington county, Pennsylvania. David Cooper came to Coitsville in 1798 and helped to survey the Western Reserve. He then went back to Maryland, and in 1800 returned to Coitsville, took up four hundred acres, and spent the remainder of his life here. He died in 1855 in the ninety-fifth year of his age. He was a man of strong constitution, active industry, and dbusiness ability. He was married about the year 1806, and was the father of twelve children ; eleven arrived at maturity and five are yet living, viz: John, David, Eliza, William, and Robert, all residents of Coitsville township. Mrs. Cooper died in 1852 aged sixty-six years. John Cooper lives upon a portion of the original farm. He is engaged in the lumber business and has been running a saw-mill since 1849. The Cooper family is one of the oldest in the township, and comprises some of its best citizens. John White, farmer, Coitsville township, Mahoning county, was born in county Monaghn, Ireland, in 1820. He came to America in 1835, and after three or four years settled in Coitsville. Mr. White is a large farmer; he has at present two hundred and seventy-six acres of land in a good state of cultivation. He built a large and convenient house in the spring of 1877. Mr. White is engaged in mixed farming, raises cattle, sheep, and grain. He was married November 24, 1853, to Eliza Dickson, daughter of George Dickson, of Coitsville township. They have five children, born as follows: Hugh J., November II, 1854; George D., November 4, 1856; William B., December 22, 1858; John B., October 24, 1860; Robert F., February 22, 1863. Mr. and Mrs. White are members Of the Presbyterian church. Mr. White is a Democrat. He has been township trustee and judge of elections, and is a most worlhy and respected citizen. William H. Wick, farmer, Coitsville, Mahoning county, was born in this township in 1827. His parents, Daniel and Elizabeth (Armitage) Wick, were old residents, having come to the place where Mr. Wick now resides in 1815. Daniel Wick had previously been a resident of Austintown, having come there from New Jersey about 1796. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He died June 18, 1863, in his seventy-seventh year. His wife, Elizabeth Armitage, whom he married in 1813, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and came to Jackson township, Mahoning county, when a child. She was a daughter of Benjamin Armitage. Her mother's name was Drake, a descendant from Sir Francis Drake. Mrs. Wick died February 178 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO, 5, 1869, aged seventy-six years, She was the mother of six children, all of whom are living, Mr. W. H. Wick being the youngest. William H, Wick was married March 7, 1855, to Sarah A. Williams, daughter of William Williams, of Wayne county, Ohio. They have five children; Mary Ella Pearl, born March 7, 1857, wife of Albert Martin of Lawrence county, Pennsylvania; Louie Evangeline, born May 19, 1860; Lizzie Carrie, born August 31, 1865; Grace Gertrude, born March 3, 1869; Vernon Victor, born May 21, 1876. Mr. Wick has always been a stanch Republican. He has, been township trustee, and has held other local offices. He does an extensive farming business, owns one hundred and eighty acres; and is one of the most active and successful farmers in the township. |
