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CHAPTER IX.
VERNON.
In the year 1800 Trumbull county was divided into two election districts, of which Vernon, Youngstown, and Warren constituted what was known as the southern district, and the house of Ephraim Quinby, Esq., at Warren, was made the
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place for holding the elections of the district thus formed. Vernon at this time embraced a large expanse of territory from which several of the adjoining townships were subsequently formed.
The formal organization of Vernon township as now constituted was effected in 1806. Previous to the organization the township was known —locally, at least—as Smithfield, so called in honor of Martin Smith, one of the first settlers of the township, and why it was changed to Vernon is not now known. At the time, however, Mr. Kinsman, of Kinsman township, a zealous friend of Mr. Smith, taking the action as an insult to his friend, tendered him a farm in Kinsman if he would remove from a township where such an indignity had been offered him. Mr. Smith, however, treated the matter lightly, and remained in the township upon whose soil he was one of the first to cast his lot. For the name which it now bears there is no local circumstance to suggest an assignable reason.
PROPRIETORSHIP.
The original proprietors of the lands now embraced in Vernon township were Gideon Granger, who owned the entire north half; Jeremiah Wilcox, the west part, and a Mr. Shepherd, the east part of the south half. From these men the original settlers made their purchases; the earliest settlements being made on the northeast part of the Wilcox tract.
LOCATION AND BOUNDARY.
Vernon is located in the northeast part of the county in town six (east), and range one, and is bounded on the north by Kinsman, east by Pennsylvania, on the south by Hartford, and west by Johnston.
SURFACE FEATURES, SOIL, ETC.
The surface of the township rises gradually into rolling highlands from both sides of Pymatuning creek, and is more or less undulating throughout. On the east side of the creek the highlands roll away in rich table lands of clay loam highly productive of wheat and other cereals common to this section of the State. Throughout the western part the soil consists mostly of clay, but inclined to be more damp and heavy but generally productive. The Pymatuning valley extends along the course of the. creek by the same name, with a variable width of less than one mile, the soil of which is a sandy loam and affords the best farming land of the township.
DRAINAGE AND RAILWAYS.
Pymatuning creek, the most important stream, enters the township from Kinsman at the central part of the north boundary line and winds through the central part and leaves the township at the southeast, emptying finally into Beaver. Sugar creek, a smaller stream, extends across the northwest corner.
The Mahoning coal road extends across the northwest, and the Atlantic & Great Western railroad runs through the southern part with the main station at Burg Hill.
POPULATION.
The original settlers of Vernon were mostly trom the State of Connecticut, and the present inhabitants are largely the lineal descendants of the pioneers, though New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and other eastern States are represented.
The larger farms are mostly jn the north and west part of the township, gradually growing smaller as they approach the north and south centre road. Along this road the former settlements were made, and the present centre of population is distributed ; growing in density, however, from Vernon center toward Burg Hill, which is now the central point of business interests and trade.
The census of 1860 gives Vernon a population of 964, which is reduced in 1870 to 930, but increased again in 1880 to 1,018.
The prospective outlook for Vernon in point of equality in respect to future standing with the other townships of Trumbull county, is to say the least, fair. Her people are quiet and steady in all their ways and for the most part peaceful, industrious and provident. The industries belong mostly to the agricultural department, though there are some branches of manufacture. The manufacture of cheese is the most important ; there are at this time four factories for this purpose in the township,
The one flouring mill and several saw-mills, together with some attention to raising cattle for the dairy, and also sheep, will embrace the industrial operations.
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EARLY SETTLEMENT.
In the spring of 17918 Thomas Giddings and Martin Smith, the first white men to come within the bounds of the township for the purpose of making a settlement, paddled up the languid current of the Pymatuning in a canoe, having rowed all the way from Pittsburg. Their course in the creek was often obstructed by the accumulation of drift and logs, and they frequently were compelled to cut away the obstructions before they could proceed, and becoming entangled in the drifts they were at times obliged to swim or wade ashore. The craft which they thus slowly and tediously propelled toward their destined settlement in the wilds of the Reserve was laden with bacon, flour, and that other necessary article of consumption—a barrel of whiskey. They finally landed at a point south of the present center bridge, on the land now owned by Havilah Smith, where between two trees they built a ire and probably remained one night. Here they stored the provisions as securely as possible and began the exploration of the wilds of the then dense forests of Vernon. They naturally followed the course of a little branch whose clear waters flowing 1nto the Pymatuning led them to suppose that it flowed from a spring of good water, which was then a very necessary adjunct to a new settlement. Following the devious and unknown course of the little brook they found its fountain-head in a spring near the present residence of Thomas Jennings— lot number two of the Wilcox tract. The following day they proceeded to the south line of the township (then marked by blazed trees) at a point near the present residence of Samuel Merry, and cutting a pole for a measuring stick proceeded to lay off toward the north what they supposed to be the land of Mr. Wilcox, of whom they had purchased. This brought them to the spring above mentioned, where they concluded to build a log house for temporary shelter while they cleared a place for more extensive improvements.
They began at once to cut the logs and roll them together without hewing, and thus constructed a rude building. The first tree fell before the axe of Thomas Giddings and was rolled in position as the foundation for the first human habitation in Vernon. The sides of this buildrng were thus made of unhewn logs, while the roof was made of thatched brush and leaves. It now appears that by some means .they had either brought a horse with them, or, perhaps, bought it from a party who had made settlement soulh of them in Vienna or over the line in Pennsylvania, but they had no harness. This necessity, however, was soon supplied by stripping lhe bark from an elm tree, from which they constructed the necessary gearing. Two poles were then procured and lashed together for shafts, which extended long enough to drag on the ground, and thus answer for a rude sled on which the provisions, including whiskey, were dragged from the first landing place on the Pymatuning to the more secure shelter of the new house. While they were engaged in chopping in the clearing the sounds of their axes naturally attracted the attention of the Indians, who would come to them and invariably ask for whiskey. Mr. Giddings would tell them that he had none and would try to appease the appetite of his red neighbors with bread and such other eatables as he might have, but the presence of the barrel of whiskey (on which Mr. Giddings always sat as a guard during these interviews, and on the head of which the Indians would tap and say "heap full ") was a standing witness against him, and in this way gave him much annoyance, so much so that he finally rolled it under a large brush heap and hid it from view.
Soon after the settlement of Giddings and Smith, Aaron Brockway, Colonel Holmes and Mr. Ely came, the former bringing his family, and his wife was the first white woman in the settlement. The first permanent cabin was then erected for Brockway in July, 1798, and was built by Giddings, Smith and Ely, and stood near the present burial grounds at Vernon center. At the raising of this cabin beside some men who came up from the settlement in Vienna, there were six Indians and one white woman. Martin Smith, after sowing a field of wheat returned to Connecticut with Colonel Holmes, for his family, with which he returned the following spring. He was accompanied on his return by Joseph DeWolf and Paul Rice, coming by way of Pittsburg and bringing valuable acquisitions consisting of two horses and an ox team. After leaving Beaver on the return they were compelled to cut their way through the woods and underbrush to Vernon.
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At harvest time they cut the wheat that Smith had sown, and after threshing a grist took it to the mill at Beaver, which required an absence of nine days, and before they succeeded in obtaining wheat flour the settlers subsisted on wild meat and corn pounded in a hollowed stump with a spring-pole and pestle. In the fall of 1799 Caleb Palmer and his son Warren, with Dr. Wilcox, and the .family of Joseph DeWolf arrived in the settlement. The beginning of the year 1800 found only the families of Smith, Brockway, and DeWolf in the Smithfield settlement, Afterward immigration may be said to have set steadily in, and the township soon showed evident signs of general settlement.
In the spring of 1800 Rev. Obed Crosby came and his family arrived the following year. In June of this year Jeremiah Yemans, a lad of about nineteen years of age, was m company with several other men and boys bathing in the Pymatuning, and being unable to swim he got beyond his depth and sank. He was seen to rise the third time, but there seems to have been no one there with sufficient courage to go to his assistance. The alarm that was given brought Martin Smith to the scene of the accident, and he immediately entered the water to find the body. After making several dives he finally succeeded in bringing the body to the shore and it was carried to the house of his sister, Mrs. Aaron Brockway. It appears that at this time the arrival of the first native born settler of Vernon was seriously expected at the house of Mr. Brockway, and on this account the dead body of the brother was laid in an out-house. That same evening a very heavy thunderstorm arose, and amidst these unfavorable circumstances the little stranger was born. But it was not permitted to live, and the little community was called upon to attend this double funeral and open the first grave in the new settlement. The following morning the selection was made for a cemetery, which was located on the grounds donated by Mr. Brockway on his farm, about a half-mile south of the center on the west side of the center road.
The first person born in the township who lived to maturity was Zachariah Palmer, who was born in the fall of 1800.
In June, 1800, Abner Moses came with his children—Abner, John, and Polly. After them the families of Caleb Palmer and his son War ren, also Thomas Giddings after a brief absence, returned to the settlement with his newly married wife. In 1801 the settlement consisted of lhe above families and their cabins ranged along the present center road.' Thomas Giddings lived nearly opposite the present residence of Havilah Smith, which was then the site of the cabin of his father Martin. Caleb Palmer's cabin stood where William Thompson now resides; Joseph DeWolf where Mr. Fulton's house now stands; Obed Crosby where A. Woldrof lives; Abner Moses near the present residence of Dr, King; and Aaron Brockway where Matthew Davis now lives. These were all log cabins of the rudest kind with no floor but " mother earth." They served as temporary lodgment for the hardy pioneers until the forests that surrounded them were subdued and the cleared fields answered in abundance to their industry, and the old logs were removed and more commodious residences took their places.
In the early times Andrew Burns was the hatter and carried on his trade east of Joseph De- Wolf, with whom John Langley, then a lad of ten years of age, worked at scraping the fur from coon, muskrat, and other skins, of which was constructed .some wonderful head-gear for the gentry of the times, especially for the militia officers, whose high-cocked hats and waving plumes were startling to behold and no doubt struck terror to the hearts of their foes at very long range.
It was not often that a beaver was caught, and then generally by the Indians, and a hat made of this fur brought to the revenue of the pioneer hatter the sum of $10.
Some time prior to 1810 Percy Sheldon came with his wife and one child and settled on the farm on which he lived and died.
Plumb Sutliff about the same time took up the farm south and adjoining Sheldon. Samuel Sutliff also settled on the farm where he lived until his death in 1840. Dr. Amos Wright settled on the land south ot Plumb Sutliff, now owned by Ralsa Clark. In 1803 Luther and Thomas Thompson made the first improvement on the east side of the Pymatuning, on the farm now owned by James Brown.
Morgan Banning was also an early settler on the east side south of Thompson. Ewing Wright settled near the present Baptist church,
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He was a blacksmith, and also manufactured bells,
The first wedding in the township occurred about 1802 under rather singular circumstances. It appears that Josiah Pelton, of Killingsworth, Connecticut, had made purchase of a section of land in Gustavus, and after a visit to the wilderness he proclaimed that he would give one hundred acres of land to the woman who would first make her home there. This offer was quickly accepted by his son Jesse in behalf of Ruhamah DeWolf of Granby, Connecticut. She came with her father to Vernon, where the marriage ceremony was performed by Martin Smith, Esq. She remained in Vernon till a clearing was made and a log cabin erected on her farm in Gustavus. The cabin was raised by the men of Vernon on July 4, 1802. Mrs. Pelton did not move to the cabin until December of that year, and her husband, while at work on the farm, brought all his bread from Vernon. On his visits back and forth he met with many incidents, among which it is related that at one time he came across a panther in a tree on the bank of the Pymatuning. He had no gun with him, but leaving his dog and a " paddy," made of his hat and coat, to guard the animal, he returned a distance of about three miles for his gun. On his return he succeeded in killing the animal, which measured nearly seven feet.
The first saw-mill was built by Joseph DeWolf in 1800, on Mill creek, and was located about one mile northwest of Vernon center.
General Martin Smith was the first justice of the peace, in 1800, and his commission was signed by Arthur St. Clair, and dated at Chillicothe. Titus Brockway was constable this same year. The marriage of the latter to Minerva Palmer was the second wedding in Vernon.
Joseph DeWolf framed the first barn for Martin Smith. It was covered with white oak boards two feet wide, rabitted on the plate. On them was a cleat four inches wide, fastened with spikes made by the blacksmith. John Boswell constructed the first loom for Mrs. Rutledge, sister of Mrs. Aaron Brockway, who lived where Richard Brown now lives. At the completion of this structure the neighbors from far and near, especially the women, gathered to see if the machine would work, as it was something much needed in the settlement, The timbers for the loom were hewn out roughly with a common axe, and were sufficient for the construction of an ordinary house in these days, but it proved to be a good one, and the garments of the early settlers were nearly all produced from this rude loom.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house was built about 1801-2 on lot number four of the Wilcox tract, on the site of Samuel De Wolf's present residence, in which Electa Smith first taught in the summer of 1802, with eight scholars. Amos Wrrght taught the next winter, and his sister Sarah the following summer. Mr. Gilpin taught as early as 1803-4, and after him Ebenezer Chapman at Vernon center. The books used in this school (1812) were the well known text books which comprised the curriculum of the early schools, Lindley Murray's grammar, and Webster' speller. Mr. Chapman had many peculiarities, but was in general a good teacher, He is remembered as being very watchful of his scholars, and even in his devotional exercises, which he conducted regularly every morning, he did not forget the Scriptural injunction "to watch as well as pray," for in the midst of his devotions he would suddenly open his eyes and detect the impious pioneer youngsters in their tricks. When thus detected the punishment that followed was very severe ; so much so that the law was frequently appealed to for the purpose of settling many difficulties thus arising.
The cause of education has not been neglected in Vernon. The various districts, six in number, are all supplied with the ordinary requirements of the common schools. In late years a graded school of two departments has been established at Burg Hill.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
Rev. Joseph Badger, the Connecticut missionary to the Reserve, made the first efforls toward the organization of the "Church of Christ in Hartford, Vernon and Kinsman," as early as 1802. In the following year, Friday, September 16, 1803, a meeting was called at the house of Martin Smith, at which Rev. Badger presided, and the following persons formed the first organization, namely, Edward Brockway and Sarah, his wife ; Timothy Crosby, Aaron and Sarah Bates, Titus Brockway, Plumb Sutliff, Susannah
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Palmer, and Sarah Smith. On the following day the above persons, with the exception of Aaron Bates, adopted the commonly received Congregational confession of faith and covenant, and were constituted a Church of Christ. On the Sabbath following, there being no building large enough to accommodate the people, the first communion was held in a grove. Rev. Tait, of Mercer, Pennsylvania, preached the sermon, followed by an address by Rev. Badger, after which the communion was dispensed to about forty persons. The society then adopted the "plan of union," proposed by the general assembly of the Presbyterian church and approved by the general association of Connecticut. The "plan of union" was evidently regarded as a temporary arrangement, but proved a disappointment to both Presbyterians and Congregationalists. It did not make the churches Presbyterian nor Congregational, but rather stood in the way of both, The admixture of these different elements often proved disastrous to the welfare of the organized work of spreading the gospel, by the different religious views being tenaciously held and exercised by sticklers to church polity. Rev. Harvey Coe was pastor of the church thus formed, having been installed April 4, 1814. The following is the first subscription for his support by the people of Vernon: Aaron Bates, $10; Henry Bignal, $5; Wilson Clark, $1.50; Samuel Sutliff, $7.50; Martin Smith, $10; Stephen Linsley, $18; Elam Linsley, $3; Isaac Gibbs, 50 cents; Ezra Hyde, $3; William Hull, $2; Charles Clark, $4.50; Tully Crosby, $2; Luther Thompson, $18; Calvin Smith, $2; Benjamin W. Tanner, $2; Jeremiah Wilcox, $12; William Chapman, $18; S. G. Bushnell, $5; Festus DeWolf, $2; Ira Case, $5; Charles Merry, $1.50; John Moses, $3; James King, $2; H. V. W., 75 cents ; I. C. Wilcox, $4; William Brown, $1.50; Charles Trunkey, 75 cents; Asahel Banning, $3; Thomas Beckwith, $3. The subscriptions of Chauncey H. Wilcox, Horatio DeWolf, and Henry C. Aiken cannot be deciphered. The total amount was $10.50. The church was under the charge of Hartford presbytery up to the time of Rev. Coe's pastorate, of which Revs. Badger, Bar, Leslie, Darrow, Wick, Hughs, Tait, etc., were members.
Rev. Coe continued as pastor for sixteen years, ̊ the first nine of which embraced lhe congregations of Hartford, Vernon, and Kinsman. His pastorate was very successful, especially in the year 1820, in which time one hundred and eleven were added to the several congregations, embracing in their numbers many heads of families and many of the leading members of society. The number of baptisms recorded during his ministry is over four hundred; two hundred and fifty-four were added to the church; one hundred and seven marriages were solemnized. The amount received for his services in solemnizing marriages were, Adam Wright, of Mercer, Pennsylvania, gave $10; seven others $5 each, some $3, the remainder $2 and under, and one in a border State generously promised a peck of potatoes.
A large proportion of the cases of discipline in the church were occasioned by the free use of intoxicating drinks, and more were expelled from the church for this cause than for all other causes combined. Special effort to arrest this evil was made by the church in 1829, and a temperance society was organized.
The large two-story brick church that now stands at Vernon center was built by this organization about 1825, but it is now deserted and fast falling to decay. The members of the old church, many of them, with their pastor, have long since passed away, but their works still live —not in plaster and stone, perhaps, but in the work of moral reform, the basis of true prosperity, for which they labored long years ago.
THE FREE-WILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This society was organized by Elder Ransom Dunn, March 9, 1840, and was called the Hartford and Vernon Free-will Baptist Church of Christ. The original members were Wilcox and Lucinda Aikins, Amos, Herman, William, and Rosella Eastman, Horace and Lucinda Hayes, Loyal and Betsey Thompson, Orin and Electa Nephew, Loring, William, and Lucinda Miller, Edmund Burr, Mary S. Chase, Eunice Burr, Sally Hull, Cynthia Crawford, Ursula Beecher, Eliza Gilbert, Eliza Canfield, Edward Root, Peter Miller.
The first quarterly meeting was held April 11, 1840, at which the following officers were elected: Amos Eastman, deacon; Horace Hayes, clerk; and Wilcox Aiken, secretary.
At this meeting it was resolved to send a representative to the next session of the Ashtabula
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quarterly meeting and request admission to that body; and Amos and William Eastman and Benjamin Perham were elected delegates.
In September, 1840, Rev. Ransom Dunn accepted a call as pastor to the church. In 1841 Wilcox Aiken and Amos Eastman were elected deacons; Horace Hayes, treasurer; W. Aikens, B. Perham, P. Miller, and 0. Nephew, visiting committee,
The following May Edward Root was granted power to hold meetings and improve his gift as God shall direct."
The present church building at Burg Hill was erected in 1871. The first meeting was held in it May 26, 1871, and the house was dedicated May 28th. The dedicatory sermon was preached by A. K. Matton assisted by Elder E. H. Higbee. The church is located near the Hartford line in central part of the township and the membership reside in both Vernon and Hartford. Elders Higbee, A. H. Case, Jeremiah Phillips, the present pastor, have served this congregation.
UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
This society was organized about 1860 by Rev. Silas Casterline, in the house of Weston Smith, about one-half mile west of the present church building. Among the original members were Edmund and Sapronia Burr, John and Sarah Smith, Richard, Minerva, Jesse, Lydia, Calvin, and Mary A. Mizner, Sullivan and Anna Ralph, Weston and Julia Smith, Bissell Spencer, Ransom, David and Hannah Ralph.
The present church building was erected about one year after the organization and is located in the southwest part of the township on the west side of the west road. The trustees were Edmund Burr, John Smith, and Calvin Mizner. The former of these also held the office of class- leader and John Smith was also steward. Among those who have served this congregation as ministers are W. H. Miller, H. F. Day, David Traver, Samuel S. Evans, A. Berzee, D. F. Reynolds, Rev. Riley, J. E. Brown, R. Watson, N. Lewis, D. W. Sprinkle, and B. A. Bonewell. The congregation now belongs to Fowler circuit and numbers about forty Members. The union Sabbath-school held in the church numbers about fifty, with Eva Williams superintendent.
Owing to recent changes in the circuit the society is now without a pastor and the general condition of the organization is not so good as in former years.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (BURG HILL).
In the spring of 1800, Rev. Obed Crosby, a local preacher of this denomination, came to Vernon from Hartland, Hartford county, Connecticut. In the following year he brought his family, and some time during this year he organized a class consisting of himself and wife, Ewing Wright and wife, and Eunice (Brockway) Bushnell. The first quarterly meeting was held in Rev. Crosby's barn, and on this occasion the eccentric presiding elder, Jacob Gruber, preached, and the organization thus completed is said to be the first Methodist organization on the Western Reserve.
The society met for some time at the house of Rev. Crosby, and afterwards in the log barn belonging to Colonel Richard Hayes, which stood on lot number twenty-eight in Hartford. In 1804 a log school-house was built on the same lot, in which services were held until a frame school-house was built on lot twenty-two (Hartford) in 1809. This house was moved across the street in 1822, near a spring a short distance south of the Orangeville road. Services were held in this house until the brick school-house was built in 1827-218, on lot twenty-two (Hartford), where services were held until the Methodist Episcopal church was built at Hartford.
Regular services were not held at Burg Hill until Rev. A. N. Craft organized a class in 1866. The class numbered about sixty and met at the Burg Hill school-house. The first Methodist Episcopal church building was erected in June, 1872, and dedicated September 7, 1876. Rev. Niram Norton preached the dedicatory sermon from Luke VII : 5, and Rev. R. M. Bear dedicated the church. The building is of modern design, located at Burg Hill.
About 1816-20 a class of this denomination was formed at school-house number four, on lot number three (West Shepherd tract), and this was a preaching place for some twenty years. John Waldorf, John Fell, Chauncy Jones, and Anson Coe were prominent members here. The brick church at the center was used by this class until 1867. Among 1he ministers who have preached to this denomination here were the Revs. Joseph Shane, Robert R. Roberts (afterward bishop), Asa Shinn (after-
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ward a prominent leader in the "Mutual Rights " movement, which culminated in the formation of the Methodist Protestant church in 1828). Noah Pidler was the first regular traveling minister who preached at Burg Hill. Andrew Hemphill, David Best, Caleb Reynolds, Job Guest, James Charles, Thorton Fleming (who was presiding elder until 1810), James Ewen, James Watt, James Ewing, Thomas J. Crockwell, John Summerville, Jacob Gruber (presiding elder until 1813). In the meantime many other eminent ministers of the church have preached here. Burg Hill was formerly supplied with preachers from the Baltimore conference until October, 1812, and from the Ohio conference until 1825. The circuit required a six week's journey, and the allowance of an unmarried minister was $180 per year, which was double that amount for a married minister. The present membership numbers about forty-five, belonging to Burg Hill and Orangeville circuit, of which Rev. Dunmire is the pastor. The society has had a long and arduous struggle with many difficulties, but now takes position among the leading religious organizations of this locality, and has " come up through many tribulations " with the pioneers of Vernon,
OTHER CHURCHES.
The Disciples or Campbellites organized a society in 1870-71, which met for a time in Reeder's hall.
The Methodist Protestant organized a class of about ten members in 1879 at the center, of which Rev. George Stillwagon is pastor.
The Universalists secured the use of Reeder's hall in the fall of 1881, and now hold regular services under Rev. A. A. McMaster, pastor.
THE ANTI-SLAVERY MOVEMENT.
The question of human slavery in the United States early agitated the lovers of "freedom and equality before the law for all men," in Vernon. The church organizations early incorporated in their creeds the radical emancipation view of this question. This is especially true of the Free-will Baptist church at Burg Hill, as a reference to its records will prove, and, in fact, most if not all the leading citizens of the locality generally were early champions of the "bond-men." The famous "underground railroad" had a good paying branch through Vernon, and many able and efficient conductors were located at convenient stations along the road.
The great question has been settled at last, and the incipient stages of an unparalleled struggle, together with the actors in them, be long to the past in which they are buried, and the operations of the "railroad" were shared so generally by all, that the naming of special ones might be deemed unjust to forgotten meritorious services of others.
In the rural graveyard immediately south of Burg Hrll stands a plain tombstone with this historic inscription:
Mary P. Sutliff (nee Plumb) died March 7, 1836, aged 23 years. The first secretary of the first Female Anti-slavery society of Vernon.
On earth the friend of the needy; in heaven Jesus is her friend.
FLOUR- AND SAW-MILL.
The only flouring-mill in the township is now operated by Ransom Hull at Burg Hill, and was erected by him in 1874. The building is a two-story frame, 22 x 27, with a basement for machinery. It has two runs of stone propelled by a twenty-horse steam engine, and has a capacity of ten barrels of flour and from three to four tons of chop. The saw-mill was built by 0. Hull & Son, in 1867, and has a capacity of three thousand feet per day.
VILLAGES.
Burg Hill is the most important point of general business in the township, and is located on the Atlantic & Great Western railroad. Old Burg Hill, whose name the new station retained, is located in Hartford, a short distance south, The building of the railroad induced the removal to the present location. Since then the village has gradually increased in importance and now forms a pleasant and well-to-do community. Various departments of trade usually found in small villages and at railway stations are found here. At present the business directory is one general store, one furniture store, two hotels, one saloon, one harness shop, one tin store, one drug store, a union school and two churches.
Vernon center, the former point of trade in the township, still retains a post-office and the town house. Since the abandonment of the Presbyterian church, a society of the Methodist Protestant church has been recently organized.
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INDIANS.
The early settlers in the valley of the Pymatuning were often very much annoyed by visits from the strolling Indians who passed up and down the creek. They never allowed an opportunity pass for drunken revels when by entreaty or barter they could procure whiskey. The romantic idea of the Indian character as the " noble red man " was not apparent in those who were known to the settlers of Vernon.
" Yankee Jim " and " Cadashaway " were two well known Indians who frequently visited the settlement. It is related of them that they once killed three elks in this neighborhood and took nothing but the tongues. The antlers being afterwards found were kept for a long while in the settlement for ornaments.
THE INDIAN FUNERAL.
At one time a tribe of Indians were encamped south of Vernon and two of their party visited Martin Smith to procure some whiskey. The old 'squire, after a great deal of persuasion and fair promises that they would not become intoxicated, at least in the neighborhood, finally acceded to their desires. The Indians started homeward with their much coveted " fire-water," but on their way forgot their promise to the squire and indulged freely, so much so that they both become intoxicated, and, as usual, began quarreling, which resulted finally in a fight in which one stabbed the other to death.
Soon after Asahel Brainard, of Hartford, came upon the body of the dead Indian in the woods and became very much alarmed for his own safety, fearing that the Indians would accuse him of the murder and take summary vengeance. He reported the case to Squire 'Smith, and soon the Indians also received word of the murder and speedily apprehended the criminal. The body was brought in funeral procession by the tribe to Squire 'Smith's cabin, and Joseph DeWolf, at the request of the Indians, made a rude coffin of puncheon slabs, in which the body was placed. It was then taken eastward near the banks of the Pymatuning where the grave was dug. During all this time the author of the crime was present as a prisoner and self-confessed murderer of his comrade, but made the plea that "whiskey did it;" and was compelled, as a punishment, to hold the feet of his dead victim in both his hands during the ceremony of burial. At the grave a general powwow was held, and quite a number of the tribe were present. The squaw of the murdered Indian put into the coffin a pair of moccasins, hunting shirt, his rifle, knives, pipe and tobacco, and finally a lighted coal of fire for the use of the dead Indian in the "happy hunting grounds." After these superstitious rites were performed the tribe took their departure down the Pymatuning, and the settlers who had gathered to witness the strange spectacle returned to their cabin homes.
Time has long since removed all marks of the lone Indian grave, and the memory of it has now almost passed into the realms of legends with many stranger though truthful incidents of the early times in Vernon.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
EDMUND A. REED.
Edmund A. Reed, son of Allen and Silva Reed, was born in Connecticut, September 21, 1821. While yet a child his father died, and his mother in 1830 removed with the family to Trumbull county, and settled in Vernon township. The family consisted of three sons and two daughters —Chester, Edmund A., and Charles reside in Vernon ; the daughters were Mary Ann (Mrs. Allen), and Harriet E. (Mrs. Barnes), who is dead.
Mrs. Reed was poor, and the sons had to rely upon their own efforts both for subsistence and a start in life. Edmund A., the subject of this sketch, attended district school m the winter and worked by the month in summer. After he had advanced far enough he taught school, by which means he increased his annual income. Though without money Mr. Reed had the good fortune of possessing an earnest purpose, and the will to attain the object of his reasonable ambition.
In 1847 Mr. Reed was married to Eliza M. Smith, daughter of Havilah M. Smith, of Vernon township. General Smith, grandfather of Mrs. Reed, was one of the first settlers of Vernon, and her father was the second child born in the town, Soon after his marriage Mr. Reed
PICTURE OF SAMUEL MERRY
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began the management of a farm, and has ever since devoted himself to that employment. Having a well trained mind and natural business capacity he soon became a local leader in politics and public affairs generally. He has served through the whole list of town offices, and for twenty-one successive years filled the position of justice of lhe peace. In 1866 the northeast part of the county presented his name to the Republican county convention for county commissioner, an office to which he was chosen at the subsequent regular election. He filled the position with profit to the county and credit to himself for four years.
In 1877 Mr, Reed was chosen to represent Trumbull county in lhe General Assembly of Ohio. He is spoken of by his associates as an unostentatious and quiet, but diligent and attentive member. During both terms of his service he was a member of the committee on schools and school lands, and on the committee on Federal relations. During his second term he was chairman of the committee on new counties.
Mr. Reed introduced and succeeded in having passed a bill for the re-survey of the State line between the Reserve and Pennsylvania. The location of this line had been a vexed question ever since the first settlement of Ohio. There had been no survey since the establishment of the western boundary of Pennsylvania by Virginia and Pennsylvania surveyors, in 1786. In 1796 the Connecticut Land company surveyors accepted the old Pennsylvania line, which was indefinitely marked by a cleared line through the forest. Difficulties grew chiefly out of questions of jurisdiction in criminal cases, the disputed ground being a sort of refuge where outlaws could evade arrest. Mr. Reed's bill authorized the Governor to appoint three commissioners to represent Ohio and a concurrent bill passed by the Pennsylvania Legislature authorized a similar commission from that State. The Ohio commissioners were H. B. Perkins, James Mackey, of Youngstown, and Mr. Rickey, of Steubenville. The resurveyed line deviated slightly from the formerly acknowledged line, but the chief benefit of this measure was to establish a recognized boundary,
Mr. Reed is a man of clear insight into affairs, an intelligent observer, and a practical student: These are qualities which distinguish him from
Is the class commonly called average farmers, which is unfortunately too large.
Two children are living, Charles E. and Harriet E. Allen died in his twenty-second year,
SAMUEL MERRY.
The Merry family, of which Samuel Merry is the oldest representative in this county, is of English descent. The genealogical record has been traced to Samuel Merry, of Hartford county, Connecticut, who was one generation removed from his English ancestors. He had a family of ten children, with whom, in 17189, he removed to Herkimer county, New York, being one of the earliest pioneers in that valley. He died at Herkimer village, August 19, 1827, aged seventy-seven years. Hannah Merrill Merry, his wife, was born in Hartford, Connecticut, September, 1747, and died at Litchfield, Herkimer county, New York, August 19, 1814. Their children were Samuel, Jr., Enos, Charles, Epaphras, Francis, Lucy, Edmund, Ralph, Harriet, and Hannah.
Charles Merry, the third son of Samuel Merry, was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1774, and was fifteen years old when his father moved to New York. Pioneer life is much the same everywhere—ceaseless toil, privation and discouragement. The decade spent in Herkimer county was just the sort of preparatory drill Mr. Merry needed for life in the new West opened up by the Connecticut company's purchase. In the spring of 1800 he started for the Reserve, going on foot with a pack weighing twenty-four pounds on his back. He did not follow the traveled roads which had been cut out by previous emigrants, but took a straight course through an unbroken wilderness, swimming streams and sleeping in the open air. One night he slept in an Indian hut. This was probably the most uncomfortable night of his journey, for, although there was no occasion for alarm, he thought it prudent to keep one eye on his host. His pocket compass finally guided him to Hartford township, where Timothy Brockway, his father-in-law, had previously settled.
Mr. Merry had married in New York Martha Brockway, whom he left at the old home 1n
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Herkimer county until he could prepare a home for her here. Having selected a piece of land in Hartford township he made a clearing, built a cabin, and planted spring crops. He was well satisfied with his first summer's work, and having planted a fall crop returned to New York for his family, which at that time consisted of a wife and one son. In the following spring he
settled in Hartford, where he remained about five years and then removed to Vernon, where he died.
Charles and Martha Merry had a family of eleven children, seven of whom lived to mature age : Erastus, Harriet, Aber, Samuel, Francis, Matilda, and Charles.
Samuel Merry, the subject of an illustration on another page, was born in Vernon, January 27, 1807. His early life was spent on his father's farm, and odd hours occupied in coopering until he had mastered the trade. During the winter he manufactured large numbers of cider barrels, whiskey barrels, and pork casks. The price of the former at that time was four and the latter five shillings.
Mr. Merry married January 1, 1836, Mary Crossman, of Onondaga county, New York, and began housekeeping on the farm on which he continues to reside, They have had a family of eight children. Judson L. resides in Arizona ; Ellen (Mrs. James T, Weir), in Vernon ; Courtland D., in Vernon ; Delia C (Mrs. John Morrison), in Ashtabula county; Charles T., in Vernon; Theodore T. and Willard P., in Burg Hill, and Mrs. W. P. Crowell.
Mrs, Samuel Merry died December 17, 1881. She had joined the Baptist church in New York and during all her life was a Christian woman. Mr. Merry united with the Methodist Protestant church and remained a member until the church was removed. His father, Charles Merry, was one of the most prominent of the pioneers ; was paymaster of militia from 1811 until 1817, and held various other local trusts,
JOHN I. KING, M. D.
The subject of this sketch was born in Harrison township, near Platteville, Grant county, Wisconsin, November 13, 1848. His father, John, son of James King, Sr., and Eliza Jane
Small, were married May 11, or 13, 1847, near Jamestown, Pennsylvania, each being about twenty years of age. They went to Wisconsin in April, 1848, where young King was born. April, 1849, his father started for California to try his success in the gold mines. He died a short time after reaching Negro bar on the American river, California, the first day of January, 1850, lacking a few days of being twenty-three years of age. He was born in Vernon township, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 13, 1827, and his wife April 18th of the same year in West Salem township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. King married for her second husband Harvey H., son of Chancey Jones, Sr., of Harrison county, Wisconsin, February, 1851, by whom she had two children, Eliza, born December 11, 1851, and Harvey, born December 9, 1853. March 29, 1854, Mr. Jones with his family started by the overland route for Washington Territory. After a trip of varied and thrilling experience they reached their place of destination on the White river, King county, twenty miles from Seattle, an important town on Puget sound, October 24, 1854. Here young King endured the privations and inconveniences incident to a newly and sparsely settled country. He had to walk two miles to attend school, along a blazed path through a dense forest at the risk of being killed by Indians or mangled by panthers.
Sunday, October 28, 1855, his mother and step-father were murdered in cold blood by a party of about fourteen Klikitat Indians. After the massacre he carried his little half-brother and led his half-sister about three miles in hopes of finding some of the whites near where he used to attend school, which was done at the risk of their lives, but all had become alarmed and had fled. The houses were deserted and some of them ransacked. The outlook was gloomy indeed. They had been driven from the breakfast table, had no dinner. except a few potatoes they had dug from the ashes of the milk-house where they had been stored. It was getting late in the afternoon of a short October day, the children were becoming tired and hungry and begging for food; the roots he had dug for them to eat did not fully satisfy the cravings of a long-fasting stomach. The youngest, not quite two years of age, was inconsolable, and his sobs and cries added the danger of detection to the al-
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ready harrowing complication of adverse circumstances. He could not be made to comprehend why he was being kept away from his mother, and his piteous pleadings to be taken to her and for something to eat made the heart of young King sick and faint. To add to the dismal prospects he discovered an Indian coming directly towards them, but from his manner he was certain they had not been observed. There was no time to be lost, and hastily securing the children he returned and started to meet the approaching Indian, whom he recognized as a friendly one whom he had often seen before and knew by the name of "Curly." They all were taken to his wigwam, and his squaw set out a great quantity of dried whortleberries and smoked fish, Ample justice was done to her hospitality. Nothing she or young King could do could induce the two younger children to treat her with anything but shyness and looks of fear and suspicion. Tired nature demanded her rights and he soon had the satisfaction of seeing them sound asleep, and never will he forget the mingled feeling of pride, sympathy and sorrow experienced as he looked upon his sleeping charge. Curly took them down the White river in a canoe the next day and delivered them up to the proper authorities. Their uncle John Small was in California, where he heard of the massacre, and immediately came to Seattle and took charge of the children. Some time in June, 1856, they left Seattle on the Government man-of-war Decatur. The vessel came near foundering in a gale off the mouth of the Columbia river. At San Francisco the children received the most generous attention, and a benefit was given them in the American theater. Thence they went to New York by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and from there were taken to Wisconsin. Eliza and Harvey were left with relatives in that State and young King was brought back to Ohio and placed in the care of his uncle, Rev. David King, and his wife, in September, 1856. He joined the Methodist Episcopal church the 9th of November, 1862. He never saw his half-sister and half-brother after he parted wilh them in 1856. Eliza died October 6, 1864, and Harvey October 4, 1864, of diphtheria. They had not seen each other for three weeks, and had lived three miles apart.
Young King's boyhood days were spent as most, and no pains were spared to secure to him the advantages of a common as well as select school education. He attended the Allegheny college, Meadville, Pennsylvania, in the years 1867-68-69-70, and 1871. He began the study of medicine in July, 1867, and entered his name as a student in the office of David Best, M. D. in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in January, 1870. He attended two courses of lectures of six months each in the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in the years 1871 and 1872, and received his degree of doctor of medicine from Bellevue Hospital Medical college, New York city, February 27, 1873. In April of the same year he established himself in Greece City, in Butler county, Pennsylvania oil regions, In November, 1874, he located at his old home at Burg Hill, Vernon township, Ohio, where he is still [1882] engaged in the practice of his chosen profession.
January 31, 1875, he lost his uncle, Rev. David King, aged sixty-five, and September 9, 1878, his aunt, Jane King, wife of David, aged seventy-four. He takes this opportunity of paying grateful tribute to their memory, To their teaching and example he renders the most profound admiration and respect. Truthfully can it be said they tried to live as they thought others should live, and preached nothing they were not willing to practice. Mr. King was united in marriage to Miss Emorinda C. Brown, April 18, 1802.
Chancey Jones, Sr., was born in Barkhamsted, Litchfield county, Connecticut, May 11, 1780. His brothers were Israel, Plmy, and Horace, and his sisters Clarissa, Mima, Rebecca, and Orpha, At eleven years of age he removed to Herkimer county, New York ; came to Vernon about 1802-3, and married Ursula, daughter of Rev. Obed Crosby, August 218, 1804. His house stood on lot six, southeast part. He subsequently lived near number four school-house. His house was the stopping place for the weary itinerant Methodist preacher. He took an active part in church affairs. He moved from Vernon to Illinois in 1838, and near Platteville, Wisconsin, in 1839. He died there in 1859; also his wife in 1876. His children were : Sterling, born in 1804, and died in infancy; Chancey, born in 1807, married Elizabeth Brown in 1830, and died in 1853; Obed Crosby, born in 1810; Clarissa, born in 1813, married Jesse Waldorf in
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1833, and her children were Ursula, Elizabeth, and Laura Etta; Horace, born in 1818, and died in infancy; Jerusha, born in 1822, and died in infancy. Harvey, born in 1825, married Mrs. John King in 1851, and their children were Eliza Olive and Harvey Percival, both dying in 1864. He and his wife, Eliza Jane, were both murdered by the Indians on White river, King county, twenty miles from Seattle, Washington Territory, Sunday morning, October 28, 1855. His body was burned in his house, which the Indians set on fire. Orpha was born in 1828, and died in infancy.
Chancey Jones, Jr , was born in Vernon December 19, 1807, and married Elizabeth, daughter of James and Hannah Brown, when he was twenty-three years of age. He settled on the east side of the Pymatuning creek, near number four school-house in Vernon, where he remained until 1837, when he went to the West, and finally located in the township of Harrison, Grant county, Wisconsin, in 1840, where he died September 19, 1853. His children were Orlando Sterling, born in 1831, married Sarah Elizabeth Munger in 1852. Their children were Alice, who married W. C. King, and Chancey, who married and had two children, a son and daughter, who died in infancy. Obed King, born in 1833, married Harriet Elizabeth Guernsey in 1856. Their children were De Forest and Charlotte Elizabeth; for his second wife he married Susie M. Janney m 1867, and had two daughters and a son. Hannah Orpha was born in 1836, and died in 1846. James Horace was born in 1846, and married Ortha A. McFall in 1864. They had five children. All except James H. were born in Vernon.
Rev, Obed Crosby was born in Hartland, Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1753. He was married to Jerusha Phelps in Hartland in 1782. She was born in Connecticut in 1757. He was in the Revolutionary war under General Washington. He came to Vernon in the spring ot 1800 and erected a log house on lot seven, Wilcox tract, near the site of J. M. Dickerman's, and boarded with Thomas Giddings while building it, and also held meetings and preached occasionally, but where is not definitely known. He returned to Connecticut, and the next spring (1801) brought his wife and three children to Vernon. They came by the way of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in an open wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen. Shortly after leaving that place one of the oxen died and a cow was yoked to take its place. They were six weeks on the trip from Connecticut. He formed the first Methodist Episcopal society ever organized in Vernon (1801). He lived in hrs round log house six months and then moved into his new house on the exact site of A. Waldorf's on lot four, West Shepard tract. This was the first hewn log house in Vernon and a fine structure for its day; had a large room, two bed rooms, and a pantry down stairs and a chamber ; had a board gable. The nails used were hand-wrought in Pittsburg. He died during the prevalence of a malignant type of typhoid fever January 13, 1813. His wife died February 20, 1839. They lie side by side in the burial ground just south of the center of Vernon. His children were Ursula, born August 16, 1785 ; died near Platteville, Wisconsin, August 25, 1876. Polly died in infancy. Ezra died near New Castle, Pennsylvania. No dates of birth or death. Ezra had a son, Obed. Jerusha, born in 1790, died in Vernon, Ohio, February 11, 1839.
James King was born in the county of Tyrone, Ireland, in 17181. He had brothers Robert, William, John, and a sister Mary. His mother, Mrs. Jane King, married John Brackin, by whom she had three children, Ezekiel, David, and Elizabeth. John Brackin left Londonderry, Ireland, in 1800, with his family, and landed at Wilmington, Delaware, after a four weeks' voyage, and came to Strabane, Washington county, Pennsylvania. Robert King first went to Kinsman, Ohio, and the rest followed in 1804. James worked for Mr. Kinsman in that township and subsequently bought of him a farm in the north part of lot twenty-three, Kinsman, now owned by J. R. Russell. In 1805-6 he married Jerusha, daughter of Rev. Obed Crosby, of Vernon, by whom he had eleven children, three boys and two girls dying in infancy. A short time after his marriage he traded his farm in Kinsman for one in Vernon, with his brother-in-law, Ezra Crosby, and became identified with the interests of this township thereafter. He held various offices of trust; was considered one of the best farmers in the township. The jokes he played were many and of a practical kind and often repaid. One of his neighbors at one time
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in his absence turned a drover's herd into a field of clover nearly ready to be cut. He told him it was all right, as it was to be plowed under, then went to Mr. King and told him some one had taken possession, and he better see about it. Mr. King, as soon as he had a talk with the drover, could trace the joke back to his informer, He watched his opportunity and soon had a chance to play a prank on him. This and many other ones were played and repaid in the best of humor. He was county commissioner in 1837. His wife died in 1839. He was a member of the Seceder church in Kinsman at his death, which occurred May 9, 1842. His Children were Obed, born 1807, married Mary Phelps, 1833, who had one child—died in infancy. He died in 1840. David, born 1810, died 1875. George, born 1819, married Sarah Waldorone; had children, Obed C., died aged ten, and Will C., born 1853.* James, born 1813, an artist of much promise, died 1842. William, born 1822, died in Platteville, Wisconsin, in 1865. John, born 1827, died 1850. See sketch of J. I, King, M. D. The others died in infancy,
Rev. David King was born in Kinsman township, August 22, 1810. When about twenty-four years of age he professed religion in Wayne, Ashtabula county. Attended Allegheny college, Meadville, Pennsylvania, in the years 1834 and 1835. Was licensed to exhort in 1834 and to preach in 1836. Was missionary among the Sioux Indians about Fort Snelling and St. Paul, Minnesota, from 1836 to 1842 inclusive. Was financial agent for Allegheny college m 1850-51 and 1853; was married in 1851 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to Mrs. Jane Settlemires. He died in Vernon, January 31, 1875. He was noted for his zeal and peace-making. He was not great, but good, and died respected, the world being better for his having lived in it.
NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.
General Martin Smith was born in Connecticut in 1762; removed to the Reserve in an early day and was among the first settlers of Vernon township. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He followed merchandising in an early Platteville. day and was also by occupation a surveyor. He was grand master Mason and in early times the Masonic lodge held their meetings in his house. He married Sarah Kellogg, born in 1763, and had a family of eleven children. They were prominent members of the Presbyterian church and their home was the usual stopping place of the pioneer preacher and missionary. He died in Vernon in 1853; his wife July 22, 1834.
Harvilah Smith, son of the subject of the preceding sketch, was born in Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 3, 1801, said to be the second white male child born in that township. His birthplace was on the farm where he still lives near the center of Vernon. His memory 1s still quite good and he retains a vivid recollection of the experiences of pioneer life. He says he can well remember when a small boy of lying awake in bed at night listening to the wolves tearing the bark from the logs of the cabin. Of the four hundred acres comprising the Smith homestead there 1s not a field in which he has not assisted in clearing it of the native forest. He married, in 1824, Hannah Clark, born in Connecticut in 1802, and who removed to Vernon in 1813. They have children as follows : Erastus, Eliza, Julia, Alexander H., Charles H., Lottie, and Hannah.
Luman Hobart, son of Martin and Chloe (Jennings) Hobart, was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, February 7th. His father was a native of Massachusetts, born October 13, 1779, and his mother a native of Vermont, born in 1783. They settled in Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1834, on the land now owned by Isaac Morford. Ten years later they removed to Michigan, and in 1855 removed to New York State, where they died. They had a family of eleven children, their names all beginning with L, viz: Lorin, Lyman, Lester, Luman, Lucy, Lemuel, Lois, Lucius, Leonard, and Lewis; one died in infancy. Martin Hobart was a commissioned officer in the War of 1812. Luman Hobart came to Trumbull county with his parents in the fall of 1834, and has always since resided in Vernon township. He married, July 4, 1837, Rebecca Splitstone, born in Vernon July is, 1818, and has a family of six children: Mary L., born in 1838, now wife of A. Brockway, residing in Mercer county, Pennsylvania; Oscar F., born 1840, married, March 7, 1872, Elvira Mifford, of Oneida
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county, New York, and has two children, Idelma R. and Sylvia J.; Clinton, born 1842, married Manilla Johnston, of Pennsylvania; Thomas C., born 1844, married Lizzie Stonier, of Vernon; Dudley, born 1846, married, October 16, 1872, Lydia Bates, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and has three children, Sadie L, Albert C., and Ella May; Lima O., born 1850, married J. V. Bates, of Pennsylvania. Three of the sons, Oscar, Clinton, and Corwin, were members of company G, One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio National guard, served four months and were discharged with their regiment. In 1852 Mr. Luman Hobart made a trip to California, being one hundred and nine days in reaching San Francisco, owing to sickness and other drawbacks, and followed mining about two years near Grass valley. On his homeward trip in October, 1854, when out about twenty-four hours the vessel struck a rock and sank. There were a large number of passengers aboard and many lives were lost. Mr. Hobart fortunately saved his life, but lost nearly all of his effects.
John Langley.-This venerable gentleman is one of the oldest residents of Trumbull county, as he was one of its earliest pioneers. His residence in the county spans a period of over eighty years. He was born in Baltimore county, Maryland, July 29, 1791. He came to Trumbull county in 1801, and lived with his uncle, Andrew Burns, until he was twenty-one. He was drafted in the army in the War of 1812, and served three months under Captain Fobes, when he was discharged on account of sickness. He then began the improvement of his land, situated east of the center of Vernon. He put up a hewed log house and barn, and in 1814 put in a small piece of wheat. In 1816 he married Mary Waldorf, who came with her parents to Hubbard township in an early day. She died in Vernon December 28, 1871. Mr. Langley is the father of two sons and two daughters, viz: John W., George W., Rhoda, and Lucinda. John W., born October 11, 1817, married Ellen Millikin, and has four children. George W., born April, 1820, married in 1844 Margaret Millikm, born December 29, 1821, in Ireland, and has a family of four children, viz: Jasper, born March 10, 1846, married Movilla Fell and has two daughters; Emery, April 1, 1850, married in 1875 Ellen Biggins, born in England in 1854, and has two children, Flora and Willie; Alfred, March 1, 1855; Lucinda Dott his sister's daughter-born February 3, 1866. Rhoda Langley, the third child of John and Mary Langley, was born July 25, 1824, died July 4, 1861. Lucinda, born December 20, 1831, died March 10, 1866. Mr. Langley, the subject of this sketch, was present at the first quarterly meeting held by the Methodist Epis copal church in Trumbull county. The presiding elder was Jacob Gruber, and the meeting was held in the barn of Obed Crosby.
Francis Haynes, son of Asa Haynes, Jr., was born in Connecticut, December 24, 1811, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1817, the family settling in Vernon township, Trumbull county. Colonel Haynes was born in Connecticut March 29, 1791, and married in 1810, Sarah Rice, born in the same State the same year, They had three children: Francis, Eliza J., and Sylvia. Colonel Haynes was an associate judge for several years. He died January 28, 1879, his wife April 218, 1857. Francis Haynes married in 1835, Mary A. Davis, born July 19, 1812, in New York. They have a family of five children, viz: George F., Orlando W., Mary L., Amaret A., and Fayette M. The three sons served in the late war. Asa Haynes, Sr., the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, settled in Vernon in 18118. They raised a family of ten children, all of whom lived to raise families.
William E. Chapman, son of Erastus and Lydia (Leonard) Chapman, was born in Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1827. His grandparents, William and Sylvia (Smith) Chapman, of Connecticut, came to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1805, and settled in Vernon township. They had a family of four children: Erastus, Fanny, Electa, and Sylvia. Erastus, the father of William E., was born in Connecticut in 1794, came to Ohio with his parents, and subsequently married Lydia Leonard, born in Massachusetts in 1799, and had eight children. Erastus Chapman died in Vernon in 1869. William E. Chapman was married in 18418, to Charlotte Clark, born in 1829, and she died in 1857. He was again married in 1859 to Mary A. Sheldon, born in 1838. He had two children by his first marriage: Erastus C. and William R.
Ralsa B. Clark was born in Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1796, and came with his parents
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to Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1814. His father, Eber B. Clark, was born in Connecticut in 1774, and his mother, Wealthy A. Holcomb, in 1775; she died in 1861. They had a family of eleven children. Ralsa Clark was united in marriage in 1823 to Dorothy B. Holcomb, born in 1799 in Connecticut. They have had eight children, four of whom are living. Mr. Clark, now one of the most wealthy farmers of lhe county, started in life a poor man ; his prosperity and success are the result of his industry, foresight, and economy. Laura S., a daughter of Mr. Clark, was born in Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1839, married in 1860 Jasper D, Mattocks, now a resident of Toledo. They had two children, a boy and girl.
Joseph P. Williams was born in Vernon township, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 18, 1818. His parents, Asmond and Mary (Sheldon) Williams, removed to Vernon in 1815. Asmond Williams was born 1n 1790 and his wife in 1789. He died in 1865 and she in 1869. They reared a family of nine children—four are living. Joseph P. married Vienna Proper, who was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. She died in 1865. He is the father of three children: Sarah U., Amanda B., and Joseph P. Mr, Williams is a farmer and dairyman.
Alfred F. Waldorf, son of John and Elizabeth Waldorf, was born in Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 188. His grandfather, John Waldorf, Sr,, was a native of New Jersey, born 1750, and came to Ohio in 1802, and died in Hubbard township, Trumbull county, in 1810. He had a family of six children. His son John, Jr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born in New Jersey in 1786, settled in Vernon township, Trumbull county, in 1809, and died there in 1835, He married Elizabeth Misner, daughter of Nicholas and Rhoda Misner. She was born in New Jersey in 1789, and died in Vernon in 1876. They had a family of thirteen children, of whom four are living. Alfred F. was united in marriage in 1842 to Annis L. Wadsworth, daughter of Henry and Laura Wadsworth, born in New York State in 1823. Mr. and Mrs. Waldorf have a family of six children, as follows: Laura A., John H., Gertrude, Emma, Ada M. and Ida M. (twins). Eugene is dead. Mr. and Mrs. Waldorf are members of the Free-will Baptist church,
George K. Pelton was born in Gustavus, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1818. His maternal grandfather, Joseph DeWolf, was born in Hartland, Connecticut, in 1762, and settled in Vernon township, Trumbull county, one mile south of the center, in the spring of 1800. He came out a short time in advance of his family, who followed with an ox team. On the way one of the oxen died, and the cow, which they were bringing with them, was yoked up in his place and the journey completed in this way. Joseph DeWolf married Sarah Gibbons (born in 1764), and had a family of thirteen children. He was a soldier in the war of independence, serving through the whole struggle. As a pioneer he - battled not only with the forests of Vernon, but frequently with the wild beasts as well. On one occasion he had quite an adventure with a wounded deer. On going up to cut its throat it sprang up and at him, knocking him down. On regaining his feet he ran for a log that lay up some distance from the ground. Whenever the deer would spring at him he would roll down under the log and the deer would land on the other side of the tree, and he would then roll back and climb upon the log. This proceeding was kept up for some time, finally wearing the animal out, but not without himself receiving many bruises. Mr. DeWolf died in Vernon in 1846, and his wife two years later. They were highly esteemed by the entire community in which they resided so long. Their oldest daughter, Ruhamah, was born in Connecticut in 1783 and became the wife of Joseph Pelton, a native of Saybrook, Connecticut, and died in 1872. Mr. Pelton served in the War of 1812. They had eleven children. George K. married in 1848 Mary A. King, daughter of William King, of Kinsman. She was born in 1821 and died in 1874. Two children is the result of this union—Myra and John S,, both at home.
Ira Case, son of Abner and Hannah Case, of Barkhamstead, Connecticut, was born March 15, 1782, came to Ohio about the year 1805 and settled in Vernon, Trumbull county, where he lived until his death which took place May 25, 1837. His wife was Ursula, daughter of Uriah and Mehitabel Hyde, born June 10, 1786, in Lyme, Connecticut, died in October, 1864. They had a family of seven children, namely : Julia, born August 10, 1808, married Norris Hum-
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phrey. and died January 26, 1870; Imri, born March 4, 1810; Uriah N., born August 26, 1811, of Orangeville; Hannah M., born March 6, 1813, wife of George Fell (second), of Vernon; Eveline, born July 12, 1819, died about 1860; Lucy C., born May 7, 1821, died in 1879; George S., born April a, 1826, of Vernon. He married Mary Hoagland, of Brookfield, born October 15, 1836. They have had five children, as follows : Ida L., born July 27, 1856, died in Colorado July 14, 1880; Jesse H., born December 7, 1858; Mary E., born March 26, 1862; Cora D., born December 5, 1865, died September 5, 1866; Minnie D., born August 26, 1869.
James M. Dickerman, son of Isaac and Ann Dickerman, was born in Massachusetts in 1826; came to Ohio in 1854 and settled in Bloomfield township, Trumbull county. Later he moved to Vernon township and at present is proprietor of the hotel at Burg Hill. His wife Harriet was born in Massachusetts in 1828. In 1862 he enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served nine months.