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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 189 CHAPTER X. BEAVER. Before 1811 this township was known as township three, range two, but in that year was organized with the name Beaver. Since 1846 it has formed a part of Mahoning county. It is bounded on the east by Springfield, north by Fairfield, and west by Green. The surface is moderately level with a general drainage to the north and east. In parts it is slightly broken by low hills, and along the slreams are some lands too low and level for cultivation, being subject to overflow. There are also a few small swamps. The township was originally covered with a heavy growth of oak, ash, maple, beech, elm, and a limited quantity of pine. Timber still remains in considerable quantity. Mill creek, the principal stream flows, through the township northward west of the center, receiving the waters of a number of small brooks. On account of its low banks but litlle waterpower is afforded. The head of Big Bull creek is in the southeastern part of the township, but its volume here is no greater than a brook. Nearly every section has enough springs to furnish water for domestic use, or it may easily be obtained by digging wells. Building stone and coal abound, and sand may be procured in several localities. The soil is variable, being a light loam or sandy clay, generally free from stones and easily cultivated. The inhabitants are mostly occupied with the ordinary farm pursuits, but lately increasing attention has been given to dairying and the raising of live stock. THE PIONEERS. One of the first settlers was Major Jacob Gilbert, a native of Maryland, who settled on the farm now occupied by Michael Wieland about 1802. The Wielands of lhis townshrp descended from one of his seven children, a daughter, who married Adam Wieland. Major Gilbert took an active part in the War of 1812, and was one of the prominent men of the township in his day. About the same time John Shanefelt, also a soldier of 1812, settled near Gilbert on the homestead afterward occupied by his son John. Adam Little was an early and prominent settler near the center of Beaver. The first settler in the north of the township was an old bachelor named "Billy" Stewart, who lived alone many years in a small log cabin. Still farther west Abraham Miller was the pioneer. On section one, the first settler was Peter Stevens, who had a lease on a small tract of land. He is credited with being the discoverer of the coal in this locality, which he mined, in a small way, for two cents per bushel. Farther south, on section thirteen, settlement was made in 1803 by Christopher Mentzer, and soon after Christian Clinker settled in the neighborhood of North Lima, with his sons, Abner, Josiah, Samuel, and Isaac. Not far from here were, also, as early as 1804, Frederick and Michael Dutterer, and in the southern part of the township, among the pioneers of that period, 190 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. were John Harman, Henry Neidigh, and Frederick Sponseller. John Coblentz, from Frederick, Maryland, settled on the south side of seclion twenty-five in 1804. His family consisted of four sons and a daughter, who married John Elser, who has resided on this section since 1827, Other early and noteworthy settlers were John Crumbacher, George Hoke, Balzer Mowen, John Neidigh, Jacob Crouse, Christian Crebs, David Gerringer, Peter Eib, Isaiah Bachman, George Augustine, Michael Shaefer, George Hively, Christian Fox, Adam Movingstar, Mathias Glass, William Heckman, Henry Myers, George Pontius, Abraham Stouffer, Abraham Boyer, Jacob Whitter, David Coy, Jacob Mellinger, John Metz, John Rukenbrod, Jacob Overhaltzer, Henry Snyder, and Jacob Rupert. Settlements were rapidly made and many changes took place, This can best be seen from a list prepared twenty years later, The freeholders living in the township in 1830 were as follows : On school district number one—Christian Ackerman, John Frankfelter, Andrew Hahn, George Lonefelter, Ebenezer Stahl, William Sullivan, David Sprinkel, Jacob Witter, John Bennett, Jacob Gilbert, John Gilbert, Jacob Paulin, W, Sheckel, John Shanefelt, Jr., Frederick Shanefelt, Adam Wieland. On the second district—John Blosser, Daniel Cohler, Patrick Dilley, Andrew Forney, John Fox, Jacob Linn, Jacob Miller, Abraham Miller, Henry Sponseller, Joseph Sprinkel, Frederick Smith, Jacob Wansettler, John Chub, Aaron C, Cain, John Fellnagle, Jacob Fellnagle, John Heller, Adam Little, George Messerley, William Shepler, Peter Steffey, Michael Shank, Ferdinand Shantz. On district number three lived John Bachman, George Bachman, Jacob Boyer, Abraham Boyer, Benjamin Bechtel, John Coy, Adam Frankfelter, Reuben Grimes, Tobias Heverly, David Hoover, William Kendricks, Michael Kulp, Henry Kulp, John Kulp, Daniel Mack- ley, Frederick Roos, Mathias Topper, Martin Wilderson, John Bright, John Calvin, George Foreman, E. Gardner, John Harmon, Charles Hammer, Philip Houck, Abraham Myers, John Myers, Henry Myers, John Nold, John Shoemaker, Henry Thomas, Peter Yoder, On district number four were John Aultman, John Bieber, Peter Blosser, Solomon Crouse, Jacob Crouse, William Crouse, Frederick Fellnagel, John Glass, John Hahn, Jacob Jokis, Michael Huyler, Michael Keek, Christopher Mentzer, Jacob Mentzer, William Miller, Catharine Augustine, Jacob S. Buzard, John Cohler, John Clinker, Isaac Clinker, Michael Dutterer, John Fasnacht, David Gerringer, Jacob Harman, R. P. Justice, G. Hutchin, F. Leitzey, Adam Myrice, David Metzler, Jacob Mowen, John Mowen, Peter Mowen, Balzar Mowen, Daniel Shilling, Michael Wieland, William Eyster, Jacob Reephard, James Simpson, Jacob Shoemaker, In district number five lived George Bush, Frederick Frankfetter, Adam Fisher, Mathias Gilbert, Andrew Little, John Shanefelt, David Shanefelt, Gabriel Erb, George Fox, John B. Fox, Jacob Lenhart, John Simons, Henry Wohford. On the sixth district were Alexander Anderson, John Borlan, Samuel Detweiler, John Fox, Peter Fox, Jacob Haltereth, Gollieb Hedler, Jacob Landis, Mary Mellinger, John Royer, David Stephens, George Bachman, Jacob Bachman, Joseph Frederick, Peter Hendricks, William Heckman, George Haltereth, Jacob Knob, Tobias Miller, Jacob Oberholser, Jacob Oberholser, Jr,, Solomon Sloop. District number seven had the following freeholders: Joseph Borlan, Jacob Baker, David Coy, Samuel Coy, John Esterly, Jacob Hill, Peter Kleckner, Henry Kendig, Augustine Miller, George Bloom, Christian Shiely, John Stiver, Frederick Stiver, Michael Unger, Christian Beringer, Frederick Beringer, E. Crumbacher, Jacob Detweiler, William Hooker, Peter Hibble, Baltas Kutcher, H, B. Myers, Jacob Paetner, Christian Rinkinberger, Abraham Shaeffer, Abraham Stauffer, Frederick Ungelbower. In district number eight lived William Cox, Widow Coblentz, Jacob Cope, Frederick Dutterer, Michael Dutterer, George Dutterer, John Elser, George Glaser, John Glackler, Jacob Glackler, John Harman, Jr., Solomon Harman, Henry Harman, George Candle, Mary Lipply, Catherine Myers, George Rukenbrod, Michael Rukenbrod, John Rapp, Sr., John Rapp, Jr., Frederick Sponseller, George Sponseller, Michael Sponseller, John Schnurrenberger, Conrad Snyder, Amos Worthington, John Zeigler, TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 191 CIVIL LIST. The township was organized for civil purposes in the year 1811, and in the following year Beaver was added to the tax list of the county, the assessment for 1812 being $35.25. The first election was held April 1, 1811, the judges being Christian Clinker, Frederick Sponseller, and Peter Eib. The following were elected: Trustees—John Crumbacher, Christian Clinker, Frederick Sponseller ; clerko George Hoke ; treasurer, John Harman ; lister, Adam Little; house appraiser, John Coblentz; constable, Jacob Gilbert; overseers of the poor, Balzar Mowen, David Geri finger ; fence-viewers, John Neidigh, Sr., Christopher Mentzer; road supervisors, Christian Crebs and Jacob Crouse. Peter Eib and Adam Little were justices: of the peace. MINING AND MANUFACTURING. Coal may be procured in almost every section of the township, and is profitably mined in the cenlral and northeastern parts. One of the most extensive mines is that of Azariah Paulin, in section one, which yields fifteen hundred to two thousand tons yearly. South from him David Sprinkel has a mine in which is a vein of cannel coal five feet in thickness ; and a little southwest are mines operated by Catterhead & McGill, Inser & Shaefer, and others. On section six coal was mined about twenty-five years ago to supply a furnace for the manufacture of coal oil. Near the center of the township there are coal banks on the farms of Daniel Crouse and Abraham Yoder, and farther west, south of East Lewistown, are a number of mines yielding good coal. On Mill creek, section fifteen, the first mill was put in operation about 1805 by Matthias Glass. A small affair, it was displaced by one of greater capacity by Jacob Crouse. In 1849 the present mill was built by Anthony Smith and steam power added. Subsequent owners have been Solomon Elser, John Faulk, Henry Nerr, and since 1877, Hasness, Thoman & Co. It is a three-story frame, and has three run of stones. Abraham Stauffer had grist- and saw-mills further south, on Mill creek, but they were abandoned about 1840. North of the old Glass mill Peter Glass put up a saw-mill, which was operated many years by Soloinon Crouse. On Turkey Broth creek, in section nine, Jacob Detwiler put up a water-power saw-mill, which was changed to sleam by John Fellnagel, and is now in operation. Quite a number of steam mills are now in operation in the township. At the village of North Lima a steam gristmill, erected a few years ago by John Spait, is now in operation. In the early history of the place, Jacob Ester- ley had a tannery near the site of the present hotel. Another tannery was established in 1852 by Solomon Clinker. Here were formerly distilleries carried on by Lewis Ruhlman, John Fasnacht, Anthony Smith, Samuel Summers, and John Fisher. The village has a carriage shop and a number of mechanic- shops. NORTH LIMA is a pleasant village, located chiefly on the south half of section fourteen, and was founded about 1826 by James Simpson. The original plat contained only a few lots along the county road. Additions have been made by John Northrup, Martin Hasness, Samuel Crouse, and J. S. Buzard. The village did not grow fast, and owes its existence wholly to the demand for a local trading point. The population is about three hundred. There are three fine churches and two handsome school-houses. The one in the west district is of brick, 32x40 feet, and was built in 1868 at a cost of $2,500. The east house is of the same material, 36x48 feet, and cost to build in 1871 $2,700. There is also a village hall, the old Evangelical church having been altered for this purpose in 1876. As early as 1828 a man named Hartzell sold goods in a small way in the village ; other small traders were John Glass and John Northrup. The first regular store was opened by the Niell Brothers in a building where is now Raus' tin- shop. John G. Leslie was their clerk, becoming their partner when the store was moved down street. Others here in trade were Crouse & Northrup, Buzard & Co., J. H. Donalb, Mentz, Hahn, Fell & Co., Miller, Ruhlman, George Buzard, and J. Ernst. In the buildings on the opposite corners have been stores by Truesdell, Baldwin, Kirtland, Felger, Haller, Buzard, Henkle, Shaefer, Heindle, and Witter. The village has also had a few small grocery stores. 192 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO. In 1830 John Glass opened the first public house in a building since used for that purpose. Among the landlords which followed were John B. Fox, John H, Rowell, William McKeown, E. Rahlman, M. E. Dutterer, John Weaver, and Amos Clinker. The post-office was established about 1828, with Jacob Gilbert as postmaster. A man named Stillson carried the mail, going afoot to Liverpool. Owing to the difficulty in getting the mail the office was discontinued about 1831. It was re-established in 1834, and the postmasters since that period have been J. G. Leslie, Samuel Rohrbaugh, J. G. Buzard, John H. Donald, Samuel Rau, George Buzard, and Henry Buzard. It has three mails per day, About 1831 Drs. Manning and Willet came to the place to establish a practice in medicine, but did not remain long. They were followed for a short space of time, by Drs. Correll, Blocksom, Eddy, Campbell, Truesdell, etc. In 1846 Nathan Hahn became the first permanent physician, remaining until his death, in 1874. Contemporary practitioners were Drs. Stewart, Dawson, Davis, Bowman, etc. Dr. S. S. Schiller came in 1870, and Dr. H. H. Hahn in 1876. Two miles west of North Lima is the village of EAST LEWISTOWN. It has a very handsome location on sections sixteen and twenty-seven, and but for the advantage enjoyed by North Lima in being the older village, would have become the more important place. Village lots were laid out about 1830 by Peter Goder, Sr., John Nold, Henry Thoman, Sr., and George Houck; but it was not until 1836 that building commenced, when the place grew rapidly, attaining, in a few years its maximum. It contains about forty buildings, and a schoolhouse of attractive appearance, erected in 1867, at a cost of $3,300. Jesse Motter opened a store in the village in 1839, in the house occupied by H. Thoman as a residence, and was in trade until 1845. Meantime another store was conducted on the southwest corner of the square by Hoover & Rudisill. The village has had as merchants Jacob S. Thoman, Daniel Thoman, T, G. Northrup, Frederick Fellnagle, Franklin Dunn, Smith & Buzard, Abraham Miller, and George Buzard. A man named Morrow kept the first public house about 1843, in a building opposite the Thoman residence. Ten years later Conrad Stigletz opened an inn on the square, which he kept till 1863. He was followed by George Heindle. About the same time a tavern was kept on the north side of the square by Isaac Thoman, which was continued only a short time. The post-office was established about 1851, and had Philip Fetzer as the first postmaster. It then had a semi-weekly mail; at present it is supplied daily from Columbiana. The other postmasters of this office have been Daniel Thoman, Josiah Rohrbaugh, Isaac Thoman, David Wonderlin, and George Buzard. The first to practice the healing art was an herbalist, a Dr. Pappenaugh. Dr. Ethan A. Hoke was the first regular physician. The hamlet of Woodworth, locally called Steamtown, is situated on the Boardman line, there being but a few houses and a steam sawmill on the Beaver side. SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES. The township has taken great interest in education, and given particular attention to supplying an excellent class of school-buildings. It is stated, on the authority of a State official, that Beaver leads all the other townships in this respect. There are eleven districts, and every one of them is provided with a commodious and handsome brick house, with belfry, inside blinds, and modern furniture, costing from $2,700 to $3,500, whose attractive appearance reflects great credit upon the people of the township. A small log meeting-house was built in 1808, by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations, Mount Olivet Reformed congregation was formed in 1810, Paradise church was built on section nine in 1849. The old Overhollzer Mennonite church was erected in 1825 and the present one in 1871. The Dunkers built their present church in 1872. Calvary Evangelical church at North Lima was organized in 1836, and their present edifice erected in 1876. A Methodist church, not now in existence, was organized at North Lima in 1840.