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CHAPTER XXI.

SOUTHINGTON,

Southington (township five of range five) is the western township of the central tier of Trumbull county, and adjoins Nelson township, Portage county, upon the west. It lies between Braceville on the south and Farmington on the north, while Champion adjoins its eastern line.

The surface is slightly undulating, with no particularly striking features, and no prominent elevations. Several small streams or runs diversify the surface of the northern part of the township, tributaries of Dead run, which is itself a stream of but little importance. The east branch of Dead run, from the southeast of the township, unites with the west branch about two and three-fourths miles north of the center, and thence flows northward into Farmington. The west branch is fed by several small runs, most of which have their source in the northwestern quarter of the township.

The soil is mostly clay. Southington is chiefly an agricultural community, and has no other industry of importance. Dairying and stock-raising are carried on profitably.

There are no villages in this township. At the cenler there are two stores, a post-office, a blacksmith shop, two churches, three church buildings, and eight or ten houses. Bowmansville, in the southeast, rs a neighborhood of about the same size, and contains a store, a church, a post-office, etc, The post-office in the latter place was formerly known as Pleasant Hill, but has recently been changed to Delightful.

The only railroad now passing through the township is the Painesville & Youngstown narrow gauge, which cuts across the northeastern corner. At the State road in the western part of Champion is the nearest station.

Southington contains a number of well-improved farms with good substantial farm houses upon them. Its people are mainly thrifty and frugal, of temperate habits, and friends to morality. Four churches are well supported. The, church edifices here are far superior to ordinary rural churches.

A heavy growth of timber, mainly of oak, originally covered the land. Many tracts are swampy, but skillful labor has redeemed them largely from this state.

ORGANIZATION.

Township five, range five, became a separate township and election district in 1817, and received the name which it now bears.

THE FIRST ELECTION.

At an election held June 12, 1817, at the house of John James, the following township officers were elected : Joshua Osborn, Seth Hurd,

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and Roderick Norton, trustees; Lemuel Frisbie, clerk; James Chalker and Elisha Brunson, overseers of poor ; Gilbert Osborn, constable; jay Hurd and Leonard Osborn, appraisers ; Jay Hurd, lister ; Levi Ormsby and Joseph Rice, supervisors; John James and Elisha Walden, fence-viewers; Joseph Rice, treasurer.

ORIGINAL OWNERSHIP.

Cowles, Bolles, and Ely were the proprietors of a large tract of land in the Reserve, in which tract the principal portion of township five, range five was included. Bolles was the largest proprietor of the land in this township, and previous to its organization the township was called Bollestown.

Ely came on after the settlement, and had the center laid out as a village.

Several of the first settlers exchanged their farms in Connecticut for land in this township.

SETTLEMENT.

The first settlers of the present township of Southington were representatives of the bold and progressive "Yankee nalion" to which the Western Reserve is mainly indebted for its growth and prosperity. The first settlers were from Litchfield county, Connecticut, and several families came from one town—Colebrook. The next arrivals were from New York State. A few Vermonters came next, and last but not least, the German Pennsylvanian.

The settlement began in 1805. In June of that year arrived Luke Viels and his wife, David Viets, Luke's father, James Chalker, Roderick Norton, and his brother Horace, who was then but seven years of age. James Nutt came out a year or two later. In 1807 he married and settled in the township. The next settlers were Seth Hurd and his son, Smith Hurd, making the fifth family in the township. The Hurds arrived May 21, 1808. May 29th came Henry White and wife, and May 31st, Joseph Rice and Elisha Brunson. July 30, 1809, Joshua Osborn and Charles May arrived with their families.

FIRST EVENTS.

The first cabin was built by Luke Viets and James Chalker.

The first marriage was that of James Nutt and Polly Viets, and took place in February, 1807.

The first birth was that of Edmund, son of James Chalker, May 30, 1807. He died October 8, 1808. This was the first death in the township. The second birth was that of a

daughter of James Nutt, born March 11, 1808.

The third birth was that of Lovisa Brunson, October 7, 1808.

These facts are copied from memoranda made by Roderick Norton, at or near the time the events occurred, and are doubtless correct.

THE SETTLERS.

Luke Viets was the financial head of the first party of settlers, and continued active in the affairs of the township as long as he lived. He owned one thousand acres of land, and several of the settlers purchased their farms from him. As already stated, his father, David, came here with him. Soon after their settlement Benjamin Viets, Luke's brother, came. Luke Viets was a cripple, yet he always managed to look after his business well. He built a cabin and settled three-fourths of a mile west of the center, where his son now lives. His wife was Hannah Norton. They had only one child—Zopher, who now resides upon the old homestead. Luke Viets died in 1827, aged fifty-nine. Hannah Viets died in 1862, at the age of eighly-three. Zopher Viets was born in 1810. He was married in April, 1830, to Lydia Curtis, who died November 1, 1880, having borne six children— Mary, Russel, Harriet, Rebecca, Orrilla, and Henry. Mrs. Harriet Chalker and Henry only survive. Henry was born in 1843, and was married in 1866 to Lucy F. Joy, daughter of Harvey Joy. Zopher Viets married for his second wife Eunice Heathman, daughter of Horace Norton, August 27, 1881. Benjamin Viets settled in the eastern part of the township, south of the center road. His children were Sally and Maria.

James Chalker settled on a farm adjoining the land of Luke Viets, from whom he purchased. His wife, Mercy Norton, had one child, Orrin, born in Connecticut, in 1803. After reaching Ohio in 1805 she stayed in Warren township a short time, and there gave birth to a son, Joseph, before she came to her new home. James Chalker was a vigorous, robust man, and a true specimen of the hardy pioneer. He was a great hunter, and during his life here killed numerous bears, wolves, and deer. He had wonderful physical strength. It is said that he once carried

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upon his back sixteen bushels of wheat. Getting down upon his hands and knees he allowed the boys to pile the bags of grain upon his back, and when loaded with the sixteen bushels moved the entire weight some distance, going upon "all fours." His life was a pure one. He was strictly temperate, and used neither tobacco nor liquor. He reared a large family. The names of his children were Orrin, Joseph, Edmund first, Edmund second, James, Phebe, Anna, Polly, Daniel, Calvin, Philander, Harrison, Allen, and Mercy. Of these Joseph, the first Edmund, Phebe (Babcock), and Calvin are dead. Excepting the first Edmund, all lived to mature years and had families. Of those living Philander lives in Nelson township, Portage counly, as does also Mrs, Anna Bancroft; Polly (Rice) and Mercy (Chalfant) reside in Indiana ; the others are residents of Southington. Orrin Chalker is the oldest resident of the township. The Chalkers are numerous and respectable. At the death of James Chalker, Sr., he had over one hundred children and grandchildren living.

Roderick Norton was born in Suffield, Connecticut, in November, 1783. He was one of the younger sons of a large family. His father, Freegrace Norton, died when Roderick was sixteen, and thenceforth he had to care for himself. He was a member of the first party of settlers who came to Southington in 1805. Upon the arrival of the settlers Norton took his axe and struck the first blow for the improvement of the wilderness. He returned, to Connecticut in the month of November following, and remained two years. He then came back to Ohio and battled with the forest until January, 1810, when he visited his native State for the last time. There he remained during the summer and on the 8th day of October, 1810, was married to Olive Miller, daughter of Job Miller. Their wedding tour began immediately in a journey to the New Connecticut. Their first winter they passed at the house of their brother-in-law, Luke Viets. Their eldest son, Homer Norton, a sketch of whose life will be found in the chapter upon the bar of Trumbull county, was born July 23, 1812, and now resides upon the spot where his father made his first brush-heap in 1805. Roderick Norton was drafted into the service in the summer of 1814, and was first corporal in Lieutenant Hezekiah Hine's company of Ohio militia, in the War of 1812. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged. During her husband's absence Mrs. Norton realized to the fullest extent the disagreeable features of pioneer life. With her little son Homer and an infant she passed the winter alone in a rude cabin, half a mile from the nearest neighbor. She sometimes was obliged to burn gunpowder in a spoon thrust through a crevice in the cabin walls, to keep the wolves away. Roderick Norton died from a cancer at the age of sixty-five, He was a modest, unassuming man, a prominent and enterprising citizen, strict in integrity and honest in his dealings. For many years he was a true and faithful member of the Methodist church. His children were Homer, Albert, Hannah, Roderick, Semantha, Olive, Fanny, Mary and Martha (twins); all are living excepting Albert, Fanny, and Mary. Albert received an academic education, became a Methodist preacher, and labored in his holy calling until near the end of his days, He died in 1879, aged sixty-five. He married, first, Sarah Gray, who bore two daughters and one son. The son and one daughter are living. For his second wife he married Hala Gordon, and for his third, Sally Harmon, Hannah is the wife of Rev, William S. Paul, of the Methodist Episcopal church. She has five children living and one deceased. Roderick is a Methodist preacher of the Upper Iowa conference. He married Caroline N. Pardy for his first wife. She had two children, one of whom is living—William, a professor of Greek and Latin in Grinnell college, Iowa, For his second wife Roderick married Lucretia Snow. Semantha is the wife of Dr. Joseph McFarland, Corsica, Ohio, she has four children; all living. Olive is the wife of Charles F. Weed, Windham, Ohio, and has three sons and three daughters. Fanny married Joseph Tift, and resided in Southington. She died in 1851, leaving two children, Norton and Alice, both of whom are living. Mary married Frederick W. Bond for her first husband, and had one child, a son, who is now living. For her second husband she married Mr. Wintersteen. She died in 1853. She formerly resided in Edinburg, Portage county. Martha is the wife of Charles Wannemaker, Esq., Southington. She has only one chrld, a daughter.

Horace Norton, Roderick's younger brother, married Elizabeth Joy and settled in the west of

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the township, a mile and a half from the center. He afterwards moved to the northwest of the township and died there. His children were Joseph, Eunice, Betsey, and Homer. Joseph lives in Illinois, Eunice is now the wife of Zopher Viets, Betsey (Bowyer) and Homer are dead.

James Nutt settled one-half mile south of lhe center road, about a mile east of the center line. His children were Susan, Chauncey, Cyrus, and Laura, none of whom now remain in the township. Chauncey lived upon the old farm and died quite young. Cyrus graduated from Allegheny college at the age of nineteen, and was immediately engaged as a tutor in that institution. He was professor of Latin, Greek, and mathematics in various colleges, and at length was elected to the presidency of Bloomington college, Indiana, where he died. James Nutt was the first justice of the peace in this township, and held the office twenty-one years. Toward the end of his life he became melancholy and despondent. At length he disappeared from his town, and though vigorous search was made, several months elapsed before any trace of him could be discovered. A hunter in the woods came across a portion of his blackened remains suspended to a tree by a halter, and it was then known that he had met his death by suicide.

Seth and Thankful (Ray) Hurd, from Colebrook, Connecticut, settled in this township in 1808. Both were natives of Massachusetts. Seth Hurd was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Some years after he settled in Litchfield county, Connecticut, where his home was until he came to Ohio. He exchanged his farm in Colebrook with Mr. Bolles for two three hundred and twenty acre lots in the new settlement, and came with his wife and six sons by wagon across the Allegheny mountains, as did the most of the first settlers. There were nine children belonging to this family. The daughters married and remained in Connecticut some time after their parents came to Ohio. The names of the children of Seth and Thankful Hurd were as follows : Smith, Esther, Hannah, Edith, Joy, Comfort, Freedom, Harmon, and Isaac. Smith was married and had one child before coming to Ohio. He settled in the southern part of the township and after wards moved to the center. He died in 1875 in his ninety-fourth year. His son, Milo, and his daughter, Mrs. Diana Viets, reside in Southington. Esther, the second of the above family, married Moses Wright, in Con necticut; laler she removed to Ohio and settled in Austinburg, Ashtabula county. Hannah married Daniel Mills and remained in Connecticut Edith married Lyford Mills, and settled in Geneva, Ashlabula county. Joy married Nancy Hudson, and raised up a family in Southington: he moved to Geneva and died in Cleveland. Comfort Hurd married Sarah Hyde and died in Southington in 1851; he was the father of six children, four of whom are living. Freedom married Hannah Moore, of Parkman; he dred in Portage county; they had eight children, of whom six are now living. Harmon married Hannah Norton and lived in the southeast of the township; to them were born five children, three of whom are living—Amy (Curtis), Martin, and Esther (Long), all in this township; their mother is still living. Isaac Hurd is the only survivor of the original family. He was horn in 1804, and has resided constantly rn Southington since 1808 excepting two years. For his first wife he married Lucretia Viets, who bore eight children, four of whom are now living, viz : Jason, Braceville; Grandison, Michigan; Nancy (Naughton), Michigan; and Franklin, merchant at Southingtown center. For his second wife Mr. Hurd married Lellie Hess.

Henry White settled in the eastern part of the township about a quarter of a mile north of the center road, and about a mile from the township line. He died at the age of ninety-three. His son, Henry K., lived and died in Southington, and became the parent of a large family, which is still well represented in the township.

Joseph Rice settled three-fourths of a mile southeast of the center on the Warren road. His sons were Joseph, Rufus, Milton, Newton, David and Jonathan (twins), Reuben, and Dow. The daughters were Clarissa, Huldah, and Lavina. The latter all moved away after marrying. Rufus and Jonathan passed their lives in this township. The remaining sons are scattered widely.

Elisha Brunson settled in the east of the township, a mile and a half from the center. Birdseye, a son, remained and raised a family here. The daughters were Lovisa (Joy), Belinda (Doty), and Mrs. Cumming, deceased; Mrs. Burns and Mrs. Fishel, living. Birdseye and Sylvester are dead. William is living in Southington,

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Joshua Osborn settled northeast of the center about one mile, He reared eleven children, all of whom lived to have families, Shelden, Gilbert, Leonard, Stephen, and Sterling were the sons, and Chloe, Amanda, Anna, Phebe, Dorcas, and Roxy, the daughters. Gilbert and Sterling lived and died in Southington. Shelden remained in the East. Leonard resides in Bloomfield. Stephen is still living in Bristol. Chloe (White) lived in the East, but afterwards came to Ohio. Amanda (Haughton), now resides in Michigan. Anna (Crowell) resides in Rome, Ohio, and Phebe (Hillman) in Bristol. Dorcas (May) and Roxy (Frisbie) are dead.

Charles May and family remained for a time in the township, then removed.

The foregoing families were all from Connecticut, and for some years constituted nearly all of the inhabitants of "Bollestown,"

The Waldens, Joys, Haughtons, Frisbies, and other families came during the early years of the settlement. The growlh of Southington was very slow.

Henry Haughton. of New York State, made a permanent settlement in 1818. His two sons, Samuel and Aretus, had been here and commenced improvements two years before, Henry and Lucretia Haughton were the parents of four sons, all of whom settled in Southington and reared families, excepting Aretus, who married but had no family. The sons were Samuel, Aretus, Alonzo, and Chauncy B. Alonzo is still living in Michigan. The daughters were Mary Ann (Curtis), Lois (Osborn), and Lovisa (Osborn). One other daughter remained and died in New York. All of the daughters are dead with the exception of Mrs. Curtis, who went west and is living.

Perhaps we have followed the history of the settlement sufficiently far. But we cannot close this arlicle without some allusion to the German families which now form a most important industrial element among the inhabitants of this township. They are superior farmers, and their work has been largely instrumental in developing the eastern half of the township.

The first "Pennsylvania Dutch" families came to Southington about 1834 or 1835. We mention the names of the heads of a few of the earliest : David Palm, Jonas Hoffman, George Flick, Samuel Stroup, Isaac Strock, Jacob Houck. Many others might be added if space allowed.

SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES,

The first term of school in Southington was taught by James Nutt in a log house srtuated about three-fourths of a mile southeast of the center, and perhaps a half mile south of the center road. This was about 1814. Mr. Nutt, afterwards 'Squire Nutt, is mentioned as having been a good, farthful teacher. A few of his pupils are yet alive, but the teacher has long "slept the sleep that knows no waking,"

William Knowlton was another of the early teachers of this township.

The first building erected solely for school purposes was built in 1825 east of the center. It was of logs, and stood where the old brick school-house was built some years later. Both have long since disappeared.

The following ancient papers in reference to the erection of the first schoolhouse in Southington are in the possession of Homer Norton, Esq., who has kindly furnished the writer with a copy. The first is as follows

We, the subscribers, being desirous of having a schoolhouse erected in one of two places—said places are, one at the center of Southington township, the other at the corner of lots east of Asa Walden's—it is hereby agreed that the place which gains the greatest amount of assignment shall be deemed most convenient for the erection of a school-house, and that the several sums annexed to our names be paid to the committee who shall he appointed by said signers as they or a majority of them shall direct.

SOUTHINGTON, November 3, 1824.

This is signed as follows :

Apparently the subscriptions in the first column were deemed insufficient, and the ma-

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jority of the signers were induced to increase, at a later date, the amount of their subscriptions.

The second petition reads thus :

We, the subscribers, do hereby agree to pay unto Elisha Brunson and Roderick Norton, or either of them, the following sums annexed to our names, for the erection of a schoolhouse at the center of Southington township, or as near as a convenient place can be obtained to erect the same; said house to be a frame of sufficient srze to contain any number of scholars that may be taught by one master; said sums or articles to be delivered at the place on the order of said Elisha Brunson and Roderick Norton, who are appointed to act as a committee and see that said house is erected.

Witness our hands, Southington, November 24, 1824.

Signed :

Roderick Norton - $10 00.

Elisha Brunson - $10 00.

James Chalker - 1,500 ft. of siding

Smith Hurd - 5 days' work.

Joseph Rice - $10 00

Caleb Brainard - 5 days' work.

James Nutt - 10 days' work.

Harmon Hurd - 6 days' work.

Orrin Chalker - 4 days' work.

Jesse Rice - 1,000 shingles.

Joy Hurd - 8 days' work.

Horace Norton - 10 days' work.

Luke Viets - 8 days' work.

Newton Rice - 2 days' work.

This subscription failed to bring about the desired object. But on the strength of the first a good, substantial log school-house was built at the corners, one mile east of the center of the township. This was the first school-house in Southington. Schools had previously been taught in one apartment of Joseph Rice's double log-house.

CHURCH HISTORY.

The first meeting-house stood on a spot where the Presbyterian church now stands. In 1817 Mr. Ely came on and gave the township two acres of land a short distance north of the center, and furnished nails and glass for building a union house for public religious exercises. The church was put up and partially finished, and used by the Presbyterians, Baptists and Methodists untrl it was torn away to make room for the Presbyterian house now standing.

The Presbyterians and Baptists no longer keep up organizations. At present the churches of Southington are four in number--the Methodist and the Disciple at the center, the German Reformed and Lutheran east of the center, and the Evangelical at Bowmansville.

METHODIST CHURCH.

A class was formed in about 1820 consisting of a few members. In 1838 the neat and substantial church at the center was built. The first meetings were held at the houses of Luke Viets and Joseph Rice, and later in the old brick school-house. Among the first members were James Chalker, Sr., Orrin Chalker, Joseph Chalker, James Nutt, Joseph Rice, Joy, Comfort, and Isaac Hurd, Luke Viets, Sterling Osborn, and others with their families. Joseph Rice was class leader. The eccentric Lorenzo Dow is mentioned as being among those who preached at Rice's house.

THE BAPTISTS.

Very soon after the settlement of the township a Baptist church was formed, and a log-house erected where the Presbyterian church now stands. Years later a house was built a mile and a half north of the center, which was afterwards moved to the northwestern part of the township. Many of the early Baptists became Methodists, and the few remaining joined the Disciples and other churches. Dennis White was a Baptist deacon and a zealous supporter of the church many years.

THE PRESBYTERIANS.

As this organization is extinct and its members all either dead or out of the township, little of its history is known.

Presbyterian missionaries held meetings here very early, and under their labors a church was formed. Deacon Daniel Maltby and his large family of fourteen children, all of whom resided here, were its mainstay and support. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer and David Hatch and wife were early members. The house at the center was erected about twenty-five years ago, but has not been used for ten years.

THE DISCIPLES' CHURCH.

The writer has made many efforts to obtain the facts concerning the history of this church, but without success. The following from Rev. A. S. Hayden's writings is all the information obtained : This church was formed in 1828 mainly from the old Baptist church, under the labors of Revs. Thomas Campbell, Scott, and Applegate. Samuel Haughton was converted and baptized by Campbell, and was one of the most prominent of the early members. In 1865 the church had a membership of one hundred. A costly church edifice has been erected during

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recent years, and the congregation is prosperous.

THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH.

The church of the Evangelical Association at Bowmansville was the result of the labors of Dr. J. C. Bowman, who, with his wife, was the first member. It was founded in the spring of 1852. About the same time Revs. Leonard and Hampy began preaching here. In 1853 the first protracted meeting was held by Rev. Staley, and at its close the church was fully organized. Jonathan Oswald was admitted to membership by letter, and was chosen class-leader. Dr. J. C. Bowman was appointed exhorter. Dr. Bowman, William West, and Jonathan Oswald were among the most active and influential members for several years. The first meetings were held in an old school-house,

Mr. Staley's protracted meeting was held in a log house south of the corners. The first church edifice was erected in 1854, and Rev, J, Dick held the first protracted meeting in it. The new church was built in 1872. The project of building il was started under Rev. H. B. Summers, then presiding elder, and completed under Rev. J. Garner. The house was dedicated in November, 1872, by Bishop R. Dubs, of Cleveland. Samuel Craig, William West, and David Kiefer were the building committee.

The Sabbath-school has always been a leading fealure in this society. In 1870 quite an impetus was given by the labor of Rev. H. B. Summers, and since that time it has been continued throughout the year. At present Eli Stine is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and also class-leader.

Rev. C. F, Hartung is the present pastor. The church is in quite a flourishing condition, wilh sixty members.

GERMAN REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This church was organized in 1837 with the following members: Andrew Stroup, Lambert Camp, Jacob Houck, Jonas Hoffman, Gideon Moyer, William Salem, Henry Crumb, — Ashbauch, John Mahnensmith, Reuben Fusselman, with their wives and families, and perhaps others.

Distinctions between the Lutherans and the Reformed were not closely drawn, and of some

families a part belonged to one denomination and others to the other. They built a house the

as they organized, but did not finish or paint it. In 1855 or 1856 they erected the present house on the site of the old one.

Peter Mahnensmith was the first pastor of the Reformed congregation and F. C. Becker of the Lutherans. Rev. Mahnensmith was succeeded by Revs. Rauhauser, Ruhl, and Zink. Father Becker labored in this church from the first until about 1870. Since that date Revs. Grether and Otting have been pastors, both belonging to the Reformed church. Rev. Enghurst, the present pastor, is a Lutheran. The church is well supported, and a good interest is manifested.

CEMETERIES.

The oldest graveyard in the township is at the center. Before it was laid out, interments were made, in some cases, on the farms of the settlers. From an old paper we copy the following in reference to the center graveyard:

Agreeable to a vote of the township of Southington, a burying ground has been purchased by the trustees of the said township. It is therefore necessary that money be raised to pay for a burying ground, and it is thought to be less expensive to pay it by subscription than by tax. The sum will amount to about sixty cents for each family. Those that are rich, are requested to sign accordingly, as a tax must be the consequence if this subscrrption fails.

We, the subscribers, promise to pay the several sums annexed to our names six months after date. Witness our hands, Southington, November 23, 182o.

This paper is signed as follow:

Roderick Norton - .50

Seth Hurd - .50

Leonard Osborn - .25

Gilbert Osborn - .25

Joshua Osborn - .50

Stephen Osborn - .25

Milton Osborn - .25

Stephen Crofford - .50

Horace Norton - .25

Chauncy Taft - .30

Eberander Crofford - .50

Comfort Hurd - .50

Ephraim Joy - .60

James Chalker - .50

Isaac Hurd - .25

Chauncy Curtis - .50

Ira Rose - .25

Daniel Maltbie - .30

Luke Viets - .50

The land, an acre and a half, was purchased of Joseph Rice for the sum of $13.75, and deeded to the trustees of the township, Roderick Norton, James Hatch, and Comfort Hurd. The spot selected is a knoll of slight elevation a few rods east of the center. For a country burying ground, it is very tastefully kept, and is beautified by a number of small evergreens.

The graveyard adjoining the German church was laid out about the time the church was built. There are two other burying places in the township—one in the northwest, near the old Baptist church, and the other in the southeast at Bowmansville.

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MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.

Dr. Porter was the first practicing physician.

James Nutt was the first justice of the peace. He was an upright, honorable man, and led a pure and useful life.

A man named Knapp was the first blacksmith.

Ephraim Joy was the first carpenter.

The first store was kept by Mr. Ackley. Chapman was the next merchant.

James Hatch was probably the first postmaster. Southington had no post-office for fifteen or twenty years after its settlement, but obtained its mail at Warren.

CHEESE-MAKING.

This branch of industry receives considerable attention in Southington. William Chalker has a cheese factory and carries on the business successfully. Mr. A. Kincaid had a cheese factory east of the center in which he did an extensive business for several years. He then sold out. In 1878 the building was burned and has not been rebuilt.

EARLY INDUSTRIES,

Luke Viets built a small tannery on his farm in early times and operated it a number of years.

The first manufactory or mill of any kind was a turning shop erected by Benjamin Viets about 1815 in the eastern part of the township. It stood about one-half mile south of the center road, and was run by the water of a small stream. Here he made trenchers or wooden plates, wooden bowls, mortars, and other articles for the use of the settlers.

On account of a lack of sufficient water power there never was any grist-mill erected in the township. Samuel Haughton had a small sawmill in the north of the township, and Wannemaker & Camp built another three-fourths of a mile east of the center, on Dead branch. The latter mill was afterwards run by Isaac Hurd. These were built many years after the beginning of the settlement.

THE SETTLER'S CABIN.

There being no saw-mills in or near the township in very early times, every part of a cabin was made with timber fashioned by the aid of an axe. The floors, both the lower and upper, were of puncheons. Split shingles of oak, usually from three and a half to four feet in length, were used for roofing. They were held in place by weight poles, as nails could not be procured without great expense. Chimneys were built of sticks and mortar until years later, when the clay of the township was utilized in the manufacture of bricks.

INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE.

Elisha Brunson had traded his farm in Connecticut for a large tract here. But upon reaching it, he found that it was situated in the midst of a then almost impenetrable swamp. He was disheartened at lhis discovery and sat down almost overcome with disappointment and melancholy. But becoming convinced that repining could do no good, he at once entered upon his labors with earnestness. Having no home to return to necessity nerved him to the task before him and vigorous work soon made his land equal to the best in the township.

In early days wolves were very numerous here and very audacious. They sometimes came even to the doors of cabins and ate the casl-out remnants of food which they could pick up. One instance is reported of a wolf approaching near a burning brush heap and snatching a sheep that had fled there for safety.

When Mr. Hurd was on his way hither he stayed over night at the cabin of a man named Bacon, on the Mahoning river. They heard wolves during the night, and running out found that a cow had been attacked by them. .The animal was so much injured that it was necessary to kill her.

Bears were troublesome and often encountered. Soon after the arrival of Joseph Rice he heard a great noise among his hogs one night. Going to the sly he found a bear with a hog down. The beast was shot and proved to be a large one, weighing over four hundred pounds.

Still later, when hunting "coons," people were often driven from the woods by wolves or bears. The dogs would start a coon, the wolves would be attracted by the barking, and by the lime the "coon tree" was reached, the wolves would have the advantage of the hunters and dogs, who, in such cases, were obliged to give up the pursuit.

Dennis White and others had an adventure with a bear which is, perhaps, worth recording. A she-bear and a cub had been molesting stock for some time, and it was at length determined to hunt down and destroy the marauders. Dogs were put upon the trail and followed it for some

PICTURES OF HOMER NORTON

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time without encountering the bears. Sunday came and some of the men did not desire to search longer. But Mr. White knew that if the day was allowed to pass, the old bear would be pretty sure to make her escape ; so, with one or two others, he continued the hunt. The man owning the best bear-dog in the township would not join him, and did not wish his dog to go ; but White called the dog away from his master and set him again upon the trail. At nightfall they came up with the bear, but she at once plunged into the swamp and was lost to view, One of the hunters at length discovered her in the twilight, and discharged his rifle, wounding her in the neck, then the dogs came and attacked her. She soon fell over, and While cut her throat. The cub was searched for, but the approach of night rendered it impossible to find it. Building a fire, the hunters dressed the bear, and after slicing off steak for themselves and the dogs, they cooked and ate their supper. They remained by the spot all night, and in the morning returned to their homes with the bear skin, leaving the carcass in the woods as food for the wolves,

Henry White, while hunting, once treed a bear instead of a coon. He at once commenced calling to obtain assistance, and at the same time keep the bear in the tree. Some fifteen men soon collected. The bear was killed, skinned, quartered, and divided up among those who had assisted in slaying her.

Hunts were often undertaken, In which all the men and boys of several townships joined. Great sport resulted, and often many deer, bears, and wolves were captured. But those days are now gone forever, and the present generation till the fields upon which their fathers and grand fathers hunted. If boyish hearts should yearn for a return to those sports in which their ancestors indulged, let them remember that modern civilization has abolished them and be content.

It is stated that Dennis White traveled from Southington back to Connecticut seventeen times, making several of the trips on foot,

TEMPERANCE RAISINGS.

In early times a raising was an event more talked of and more interesting than almost any other occurrence. It was to the early settlers what the launching of a ship is to the inhabitants of some of our seaboard cities.

It had long been the custom to furnish liquor to those who assisted on these grand occasions. Dennis White, however, determined to make a new departure, and when about to raise his house told his neighbors that no liquor would be furnished. The people of Farmington had promised to help him if his own townsmen refused their assistance. He had no difficulty, however, and the raising passed off quietly without the usual scenes of drunkenness.

Rufus Rice, when about, to build a barn, determined to proceed upon White's plan, but he encountered opposition. One temperance raising was deemed sufficient by some of his neighbors. So when the first side of the building started about one-third of the men present tried to hold it down. But the temperance element was too strong for them, and the disturbers of the work, seeing that they were likely to be raised with the building, joined in and helped the rest.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,

HOMER NORTON.

Homer Norton, the oldest son of Roderick and Olive (Miller) Norton, was born July 23, 1812, in Southington, Trumbull county, Ohio. Roderick Norton was a native of Suffield, Connecticut, born in 1783. He was one of the younger boys of a large family, and was left an orphan to take care of himself. He came to Ohio in June, 1805, in company with his brother- in-law, James Chalker, and Luke Viets, and their wives, David Viets, father of Luke, and Horace Norton, his brother, then seven years of age, These 'were the first settlers in the township of Southington, and Roderick Norton is credited with the honor of having struck the first blow for permanent improvement. He married in Connecticut October 8, 1810, Olive, daughter of Job Miller, and lhey immediately removed to their new home in the western wilderness, spending the first winter with Luke Viets. In the summer of 1814 he was drafted into the army, War of 1812, and served as first corporal in Lieutenant Hezekiah Hines' company, Ohio militia, until the close of the war, being discharged February 23, 1815. The following extract is taken from a sketch previously published :

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It was during the time of his absence that his adventurous young wife realized pretty severely the hardships of early pioneer life. With an infant, a few months old, and her little son Homer, she spent the winter alone in the wilderness, in a rudely constructed log cabin, half a mile through the wood to her nearest neighbor. Her faithful dog, Tiger, frequently warned her of the approach of wild animals, or possibly the more dangerous aborigines; and she occasionally burned gunpowder in a spoon through a crevice in her cabin to scare the wolves away. On receiving his discharge, he crossed the ice on Lake Erie, and again assumed the relations of civil life. He was modest and unassuming; was a prominent citizen of his township, and generally among the foremost in matters of enterprise. He would never accept the office of justice of the piece, though often requested to do so. By his strict integrity and upright dealing he acquired among his neighbors the sobriquet of "Old Honesty." In politics, a Whig. For many years a true and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Had three sons and six daughters, viz: Homer, Albert, Hannah, Roderick, Samantha, Olive, Fanny, and Mary and Martha (twins); all are living except Albert, Fanny, and Mary.

Roderick Norton died on the homestead farm March 15, 1849. Olive (Miller) Norton, his wife, was born December 14, 1787, and died October 25, 1860. Albert, the second son, was a Methodist minister, and died at Berea February 22, 1880. Hannah was married to Rev. William S. Pond, and resides in Carey, Ohio. Roderick, Jr., is a Methodist minister of prominence in Iowa. Samantha was married to Dr. Joseph McFarland and resides in Corsica, Morrow county, Ohio. Olive was married to Charles F. Weed, of Windham, Portage county, Ohio. Fanny was married to Joseph A. Tift. Mary was married to Frederick A. Bond. Martha married Charles Wannamaker and lives in Southington.

Homer Norton enjoyed but meager advantages for the acquirement of an education, receiving his first instruction from his mother. At the age of sixteen he was afflicted with a serious illness which affected one of his legs, unfitting him for heavy farm labor, and making further attendance at school impossible on account of the long walk. He then learned the shoemaker's trade. He finally recovered his strength, and in 1834 he built the second frame school-house in Southington. The lsame fall he went to Wellington and conducted a shoe shop for a man named Case for some five months. Being ambitious to obtain an education he returned home and entered West Farmington seminary. About this time Platt R. Spencer, of Harpersfield, Ashtabula county, was attracting considerable attention as a teacher of penmanship, and in the fall of 1836 Mr. Norton left the seminary and placed himself under Mr. Spencer's instruction. He made rapid progress in penmanship, and soon acquired great proficiency in that art. During the following winter he taught successfully in various townships in Trumbull county, and was one of the first teachers of the Spencerian system of penmanship in the county.

In the spring of 1837 he made a trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana, on horseback, stopping at De fiance, Ohio, on the way, and teaching a writing school for two terms, which netted him about $00, and also formed a class at Fort Wayne. Land speculation was running high in Indiana at this time, and he invested his entire capital, consisting of his earnings as writing teacher and hi, horse, in two eighty-acre lots, one in Lagrange and the other in DeKalb county. This subsequently proved a profitable investment. Tired of adventure he returned to Ohio, making a journey down the Maumee river to Toledo, a distance of over one hundred miles, with six other young men in a canoe made out of a poplar log forty feet in length.

After spending another term at the Farmington academy Mr. Norton until 1851 devoted most of his time in teaching penmanship in Ohio and other States, excepting the summers of 1839 and 1841, when he was a 'student at Allegheny college. He took up his permanent residence in Southington in 1851, and in the fall of the same year was elected justice of the peace, an office to which he was twice re-elected and held until he resigned it in 1861. He held also lhe office of township clerk three years, being first elected in 1854. He was married November 25, 1852, to Emma A., daughter of Jonas Bond, of Edinburg, Ohio, and a sister of ex-Mayor Bond, of Chicago. She was born March 7, 1832. Mr, Norton first began the study of law as early as 1844, but it was not until after his election as justice of the peace that he formed any serious intention of entering upon its practice. He was admitted to the bar in 1859 and soon had a considerable practice in justice's courts in Southington and adjoining townships, and was also frequently connected with cases in the courts of common pleas in Trumbull, Portage, and Geauga counties. He continued in active practice until 1881. In the fall of 1879 he was unanimously chosen a real estate assessor, though not an applicant for the position.

PICTURE OF JAMES CHALKER

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Mrs. Norton died October 8, 1876. She was the mother of eight children, viz: Albert Leslie, born August 22, 1853, married, March 5, 1881, Nora Doolittle, and lives on the homestead; Eugene B., born May 1, 1855, died July 17, 1860; Lilian Josephine, born October 4, 1857, married, March 25, 1880, Dennis E. Miller, and lives in Farmington ; Florence Irene, born August 22, 1860, died October 31, 1864; Alta Eugenia, born August 26, 1862, died November 10, 1864;. Rolla Ulysses, born October 19, 1865; Homer B., born March 2, 1868; Victor Clarence,

born April 20, 1870.

Mr. Norton has accumulated a large property, and is spending the closing years of his life in comparative ease.

THE CHALKER FAMILY.

James Chalker, Sr,, the pioneer farmer, was born in Saybrook, Connecticut, about the year 1773; died in Southington, November 3, 1867 ; was married in Saybrook to Mercy Norton, who died in Southington March 15, 1860.

There is a kind of a tradition among the Chalkers of the present day that at a very early date in the history of this country, probably over two hundred years ago, two or three brothers of the name of Chalker came from England or Scotland to this country and settled in the then colony of Connecticut, from whom have descended all who bear or have borne that name in this country. Reliable information of persons now living goes as far back as to one Samuel Chalker, who was of the third generation before the subject of. this sketch. This Samuel Chalker lived and died in Saybrook, Connecticut, and raised a family of three sons, named Samuel, Gideon, and Alexander.

Samuel (second), settled and lived in the north parl of Saybrook, now called Sayville, to whom was born Daniel, Seldeno and Sarah.

Daniel succeeded to the homestead of his father, married Sarah Ingraham, and to them were born the following children: Samuel, Sally, Daniel, Anna, Patty, James (the subject of this sketch), Phoebe (his twin sister), Joseph, Charles, and Nathaniel.

This Daniel, the father of the subject of this sketch, in or about the year 1805, removed from Connecticut to Pennsylvania, first stopping for a short time at Liberty, Susquehanna county, but finally locating in Chocount township in the same county, his above named children then grown up to manhood and womanhood, either accompanying or soon after following him, and all, except James, located in and about Chocount, some of them subsequently removing to distant places. This journey of two hundred and fifty miles or more was made solely on foot and by the use of ox teams and wagons, Here Daniel, Sr., purchased a small tract of woodland on which he erected a log house, where he and his wife passed the remainder of their days, near to which, in a dilapidated country graveyard, their remains now lie buried side by side.

James stopped but a short time in Chocount, but with his family, consisting of his wife and son, Orrin, who was born to them before leaving Saybrook, and in company with Roderick Norton (his brother-in-law) and wife, and Luke Viets, another brother-in-law, he pushed forward two hundred and fifty or three hundred miles further into the wilderness of the West, stopping on his way, temporarily, at Warren, in this county, where his second son, Joseph, was then born, but located in Southington, about one-half mile west of the center, in 1805. This whole journey from Connecticut, of from five hundred to six hundred miles, was made by him on foot, driving his ox-team, which drew a wagon in which his wife and child and a few rude articles of household furniture were conveyed.

Here in Southington he purchased a piece of thickly and heavily timbered land, surrounded by a dense, and for several miles unbroken forest ; Roderick Norton and Luke Viets purchasing and settling upon other tracts near by. Here he lived and labored, and suffered all the privations of poverty and early pioneer life, relying largely upon deer and other wild game for his subsistence. The quiet of his home was frequently disturbed by bears and wolves, which sometimes molested his domestic animals, a bear on one occasion carrying off a live hog. Here in the course of time, and by dint of energy and perseverance, the large and thickly grown trees disappeared before his axe, and in their place appeared fields of grass and grain, and in the place of the log house and rude stable were reared commodious frame structures for man and beast.

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From this early home, now occupied by their son Harrison, Mr. and Mrs. Chalker never removed, never returned to their home in Connecticut. Here they raised to manhood and womanhood nine sons and four daughters, named respectively Orrin, Joseph, Edmond, Phoebe, Polly, James, Annie, Daniel, Calvin, Philander, Harrison, Allen, and Mercy, all of whom, except Annie, first settled in Southington, where those surviving yet remain, except Polly and Mercy, who now reside in Indiana and Annie and Philander, who reside in Nelson, Portage county, Ohio. Joseph, Calvin, and Phoebe have died, all leaving families.

James Chalker, Jr., farmer, whose portrait appears on another page, was the fourth son of James Chalker, Sr., a sketch of whose life appears in this connection, and Mercy (Norton) Chalker, and was born in Southington June 15, 1811. His parents during his boyhood being in the most limited circumstances, having no means except such as they carved out of a dense forest, and there being but one school-house in the township in those early days, and that several miles from his home, James, Jr., never had the privilege of attending school but one term, and that a winter term of only three months, but his boyhood and youth were spent upon his father's farm' aiding him in clearing away the dense woods thereon, and in procuring subsistence for his family, yet by private study he became possessed of more than average intelligence for a man of his times and surroundings. At about the age of twenty-one years he purchased fifty acres of heavily timbered land at $3 an acre, located two miles west of the center of Southington, subsequently paying for lhe same from what he produced on the premises. All of this tract of woods he without assistance chopped and cleared up as he did several other pieces, which he subsequently purchased. Many of the rails that he split fifty years ago are still in existence inclosing the fields that he then cleared up, so that now he has one of the most desirable farms of two hundred acres in the township, besides a farm of fifty-seven acres in Nelson township, adjoining Southington, to which he removed about ten years ago to pass the remainder of his life in comparative ease and retirement. Here he still resides, giving his attention to renting and managing his farms. In his younger days he served as captain of militia, and has, filled several township offices. October 27, 1836, he married Eliza Hyde, daughter of Eli and Hannah Hyde, early settlers in Farminglon township, in this county, and settled upon the piece of land he first purchased, which he yet owns. There were born to them four sons: Benson, who died in infancy; Byron, born March 28, 1840, and resides in Southington; Newton, born September 12, 1842, is a lawyer in Akron; Columbus, born April 3, 1849, died May 6, 1876. Mrs. Chalker died December 24, 1849. Mr. Chalker was married again June 5, 1851, this time to Miss Adeline Timmerman, of Manheim, Herkimer county, New York, who was born November 9, 1828, and is still living. Two children were born of this marriage, Mary J., born March 1, 1852, now the wife of Andrew Morris, Southington, and Bertha, born October 5, 1854, now the wife of Thomas McConnell, Southington. His lands, after they were cleared up were better adapted to grazing than to agriculture, so that for the last half of his life Mr. Chalker has been chiefly engaged in dairying and stock-raising. He early joined the Methodist church and has been an active member ever since. In politics, though never taking a very active part, he was a Whig prior to the formation of the Republican party, of which party he has been a member ever since its formation.

Philander Chalker, son of James, Sr., and Mercy Chalker, was born in Southington, May 21, 1823. July 4, 1850, he married Betsey, daughter of James Donaldson, a well-known citizen of Parkman, Geauga county. Mr. and Mrs. Chalker are the parents of two sons and two daughters--Nancy, born May 18, 1854, married and resides in Parkman ; Charles F., born December 27, 1856, at home ; Nettie, born March 9, 1860, and Emery, born March 5, 1862. Mr. Chalker has resided in Southington, Bristol, and Parkman. In the spring of 1876 he setlled where he now lives in Nelson, Portage county, owning land both in Southington and in Nelson. He and his wife have been members of the Methodist Episcopal church for many years. Mr. Chalker has much musical talent ; he has taught singing school, and for a long time was chorister of the Methodist Episcopal church.

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PICTURE OF NEWTON CHALKER

NEWTON CHALKER.

Newton Chalker, attorney at law, Akron, Ohio, was born in Southington, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 12, 1842, the third son of James Chalker, Jr., and Eliza (Hyde) Chalker, who died in December, 1849, daughter of Eli and Hannah Hyde, of Farmington township, in the same county. His grandparents, on both sides, were born and reared in the State of Connecticut. The subject of this sketch remained on his father's farm in the west part of Southington until he became fourteen years of age, when he set out to oblain more than a common school education. As an illustration of his youthful determination to obtain such an education, one or two incidents are mentioned, In August, 1856, having learned that there was a seminary at West Farmington, for the purpose of making arrangements to go to school there he went on horseback alone and of his own accord to that village, where he had never before been, called upon the principal of the seminary, Rev. James Greer, whom he had never before met, and with his assistance renled a small house in which he and his cousin, Ellen Chalker (now Hatch), and Martha Norton (now Wannemaker) were to keep house, and attend the fall term of the seminary. This arrangement, however, failed, and he then sought a situation in some family in the vicinity of the seminary, where he could work for his board and attend the seminary, and failed in this plan until the middle of that fall term of school, when arrangements were made wilh one of the teachers, Prof. H. U. Johnson, for him to board in his family, do chores, and pay fifty cents a week for his board, which he did the last half of that term. In November, 1857, when fifteen years of age, desiring to attend school at the aforesaid seminary the following winter term, and being without money, he made arrangements with a fellow student to board themselves in a room in the west wing of the seminary building, and for fuel he went into his father's woods and chopped three-quarters of a cord of wood, took a yoke of oxen and went a mile to get a wagon, drove to the woods, loaded the wood he had chopped, and early the next morning started for West Farmington, driving his ox team, himself footing it all the way, returning late the same day, making in all a distance of nineteen miles that he drove his ox team in the cold weather and bad roads of November to get a load of wood to his school. To pay his tuition for that term he carried the wood and kindled the fires for the three main school-rooms of the seminary, and to get his books he swept the school-room floors the whole term. He continued to go to school at this seminary two terms a year until near the end of the spring term of 1862, boarding himself, as was the common custom, every term except the first and last.

At the age of sixteen years he began teaching the winter term of country schools, following the old-time custom of boarding around with his pupils, thus teaching for six consecutive winters, in the following townships, respectively, Braceville Southington, Parkman, Champion (two terms), and Litchfield, Michigan. In June, 1862, he in company with his cousin, William Chalker, went to Columbus, Ohio, and enlisted in the Union army, in company B, Eighty-seventh regiment Ohio volunteer infantry, being muslered out rn October of the same year by reason of the expiration of the term of enlistment, having participated in the three days' engagement at Harper's Ferry, Virginia, in September of that year, in which the Union troops were captured and taken prisoners by General "Stonewall" Jackson and hrs army, but were soon released on parole. In the spring of 1863 he entered the freshman class of Allegheny college, at Meadville, Pennsylvania, graduating and receiving the degree of bachelor of arts in the spring of 1866, having received no pecuniary aid except for one term, leaving college $50 in debt. In August, 1866, he went, to the State of Illinois in search of a situation as teacher, and soon secured the position of principal of Dixon seminary, at Dixon, Illinois, a town then of four thousand five hundred inhabitants, at a salary of $720 for the ensuing school year. This institution employed a faculty of five instructors, in which were taught the Greek, Latin, German, and French languages, the higher mathematics, and natural sciences, and had an aver age attendance of about one hundred students a term. In August, 1867, he was employed as principal of the union schools at Darlington, Wisconsin, at a salary of $1,000 a year. At the end of the first year of this engagement he decided to adopt the practice of law for his life avocation, and after making a short visrt to his home in Southington in the summer of 1868,

532 - TRUMBULL MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

he entered the law department of the University of Albany, New York, where he studied law under the instruction of Judge and Senator Ira Harris, Judge A. J. Parker, and Professor I. Edwards until the summer of 1869, when he graduated at that institution, receiving the degree of bachelor of laws, and was admitted by the New York supreme court to practice law in that State, and entered for a few months a law office in New York city. In September of the same year, having decided to make his home in the West, he visited several western towns and finally located in Cameron, Missouri, a town of about two thousand inhabitants, with flattering prospects of soon becoming a city. Here he practiced law until May, 1874, when finding that the town of his choice was destined, for many years at least, to be but little more than a country village. he returned to Ohio to seek a home in his native State, and on the 14th day of August of that year he located in Akron, a thriving city now of twenty thousand inhabitants, where he has practiced his profession ever since.

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.

Dr. Ezekiel Moore is the only physician in Southington township, where he has been constantly engaged in the practice of his profession since 1849. He . was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, October 19, 1827. His parents, John and Minerva Moore, were natives of Pennsylvania. He served an apprenticeship to a tailor, taught school, and read medicine with Dr. William Moore, now of New Lisbon. In the session of 1852 he graduated from the Cleveland Medical college. In 1854 he was married to Sarah C., daughter of Samuel C. and Mahala Bronson. They have one child—Frank, born July 6, 1855. Dr. Moore is a member of the Disciple church; also of the Masonic order. His practice is extensive. The doctor was formerly president and is now vice-president of the Trumbull County Medical society.

Joshua Osborne and his family were among the very early settlers of Southington. Gilbert Osborne, his son, was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, January 19, 1794, and came to Southington with his parents in 1808. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. He married Lois

Haughton, and reared a family of three daughters and one son. Porter G. and Mrs. John Schrontz, now a resident of Illinois, are the only survivors. About 1820 Gilbert Osborne settled in Southington upon the farm which his son now owns. He lived to see a mighty change wrought by the early settlers and their descendants and died December 8, 1869. His wife died in 1871.

Henry K. White was born in Connecticut. About 1815 he came to Ohio and settled in Southington. His father, Captain Henry White, was one of the pioneers of this township. Henry K. married Lucy Wilson, and reared a family of three sons and eight daughters, all living at present. He was a school-teacher and a justice of the peace several years. He died in 1871; his widow is still living. Their oldest son, H. J., served three years as a musician in a Wisconsin regiment. He now resides in Hudson, Wisconsin. George W., a member of the Second Ohio volunteer cavalry, served four years. He was seriously wounded at Liltle Rock. He now resides in Dakota. Lewis P. White was born in Southington April 30, 1837, and is now living on a part of the farm where his grandfather settled September 5, 1861, he enlisted in company I), Sixth Ohio volunteer cavalry. He participated in engagements at Aldie, Antietam, Gettysburg, and in other severe battles. At Aldie a horse was shot under him. At New Warrington, Virginia, while on patrol, he was ambushed, wounded and taken prisoner with twenty-five comrades, and was seven weeks in Libby prison. After regaining strength at home lie returned to lhe service and took part in the Petersburg campaign. He served three years, and was discharged in November, 1864. July 20, 1860, he married Juliette Curlis. Their family consists of five children—Mahlon D., Mary E., Ulysses G., Lillian L., and Dora B. Mr. White is a member of the Disciples church. Mrs. While's younger brother, Addison, now a resident of Southington, was a member of company H, Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry, and was wounded in the service. Riley, now of Southington center, was in the same regrment and company and served a year and a half.

Smith and Sybil Hurd were among the early settlers of Southington. They reared a family of ten children, of whom five daughters and two sons survive. Their son, Milo Hurd, an old and

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respected citizen of Southington, was born in this township December 22, 1808. August 0, 1842, he married Selina Lenord, a native of Pennsylvania. Of their six children but two survive, the oldest and the youngest—Artemesia, wife of John Robertson, Southington, and Hiram, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, located at Pittsburg. Mrs. Hurd, the mother, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1848 Mr, Hurd settled in the wilds of this township in a log-house, and made a good farm by hard work. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, after Hull's surrender,

Harvey Joy was born in Vermont in 1807, March 15th. He is a son of Ephraim and Eunice (Freeman) Joy, who were the parents of five sons and four daughters. Five of this family are living. The family settled in the southeast of Southington township in 1817. The father had been a captain during the War of 1812. Besides farming he worked as a carpenter. He was a member of the Disciple church. Captain Joy died about 1855. Harvey Joy passed his boyhood clearing land in the forest and attending school in the pioneer log school-house. October 28, 1829, he married Lovisa Bronson, daughter of Elisha Bronson, an early settler, Mr. and Mrs, Joy have five children—Rhoda L., wife of Robert Rice, was born August 25, 1830, died October r, 1861; Orlin B., born June 23, 1833, now residing in Southington ; Edwin 0., born November 2, 1838, is a resident of Lennox, Ashtabula county ; Almeda H., born June 13, 1842, is the wife of William Trask, Southington ; Lucy F., wife of Henry Viets, of Southington, born October 3, 1847. Mrs. Harvey Joy was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church over forty years. She died January 20, 1881. Mr. Joy settled on his present farm, then unimproved, in 1830. He originally bought two hundred acres, but has given to his sons all but seventy-five. He has held several township offices, and has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church over forty years.

Charles Harshman was born in Jackson, Mahoning county, in April, 1833. He is the youngest son of David and Rosanna (Stuart) Harshman. His father was born in Pennsylvania in 1799. When he came to Ohio, he first settled in Austintown, removed thence to Jackson, and in 1838 to Southington. The house in which he lived, was burlt and kept as a stage house for many years. He reared a family of six children, four of whom survive. Mrs. Rosanna Harshman died February 1, 1872. David Harshman is still living, vigorous in health and strength, He has beena member of the Methodist Episcopal church since 1850. Charles attended the common schools, Hiram college, and the Western Reserve seminary of Farmrngton. He has followed farming. September 5, 1855, he married Eda A., daughter of Deacon and Lydia White, early settlers of this township. Mrs. Harshman was born in Southington, January 16, 1835. The children born of this union are as follow : Ida R., now Mrs. Eli Overly, residing upon the home place ; Leora L., wife of James E. Heathman, Southington; Will H., Clara, Naomi, and Mary E. In the spring of 1856 Mr. Harshman settled on his present home farm. In 1862 he enlisted in company B, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and served as second lieutenant, On a physician's certificate of disability he resigned May 2, 1862. In 1871 Mr. Harshman was elected county commissioner, and was re-elected in 1874. He is a member of the Masons: In company with W. B, McConnell he started the first cheese factory in the township. This establishment was destroyed by fire in 1879. At one time 16,000 pounds of milk per day were used in this factory.

Calvin Haughton, son of Samuel and Amanda (Osborn) Haughton, was born in Southington township, December 14, 1830. His father, a native of New York State, was a soldier in the War of 1812. Calvin was educated at the common schools and at Hiram college, where he was a school-mate of Garfield. January 12, 1856, he married Martha, daughter of Edward Jones, formerly a well known citizen of Southington. Mr. and Mrs. Haughton have two daughters—Emma, wife of Jefferson Moore, Parkman, Geauga county, and Minnie May, at home. After his marriage Mr. Haughton located upon his present farm, an unimproved place. He now owns two hundred acres, and has a fine farm and a good house. Both Mr. and Mrs. Haughton are members of the Disciple church.

Oliver K. Beemen was born in Canfield, Mahoning county, September 3, 1827. He is a son of Ansel and Ann M, (Gilson) Beemen.

534 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

His father was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, February 28, 1788. In 1806 he settled in Canfield. He was married in 1809, and died in 1854. His widow died in September, 1877. She was the daughter of Eleazer Gilson, a Canfield pioneer. The family consisted of six children, five of whom are still living. O. K. Beemen taught school several winters when a young man. February 7, 1856, he marrred Harriet P., daughter of George Misner, an early settler of Berlin township. She was born September 11, 1833. Two of their three children survive. Rosella A. resides at home. She is an artist of much ability, and executes many crayon portraits. Frank E. is now a student in the literary department of Michigan university, Ann Arbor. In 1856 Mr. Beemen settled on the farm where he now lives. He was elected justice of the peace in 1864 and in 1867, and has held several township offices. He is a member of the Masonic lodge in West Farmington.

S. H., youngest child of Joseph H. and Elizabeth Norton, was born in Southington township October 2, 1 833. His whole life has been spent on the farm. He was married August 14, 1852, to Miss Betsy Morris, who was born in Portage county, February 7, 1834. Their family consists of three children, two of whom are living -Sarah E., born June 6, 1856, died September 9, 1875; Samuel C. born November 8, 1860, and Charles O., born June 13, 1865. Mr. Norton resided on the home farm until 1861, when he enlisted in Company H, Forty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and served with the regiment at Shiloh and Corinth. In 1862, on account of a wound in the hand he was discharged. He has since lived on the homestead farm, except for a period of three years, during which he lived in Portage county.

Ira Veits, son of David and Lucretia Rice Veits, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, September 5, 1807. His father brought his family to Ohio in 1825 and settled on the farm now occupied by Ira. The family consisted of six children, three of whom survive. Ira Veits married in 1828 Miss Hurd, daughter of S. Hurt, one of the pioneers of Southington township. They have four children, viz: James M., a resident of Michigan ; Jerusha (Walker), residence Portage county; Rosanna S. (Kibler), residence Portage county, and Almira Culp, of Southington. Mrs. Veits died in 1841. In November following, Mr. Veits married for his second wife Miss Dianna Hurd, also a daughter of Smith Hurd. She was born in Southington September 23, 1823. The fruit of this union was one son, Alvin, born March 26, 1846, and died February 14, 1877. Mr. Veits settled on his present.farm in 1829.

Joseph C. Hart, son of Joseph C. and Rosanna (Goff) Hart, was born in Weathersfield, Connecticut, September 22, 1828, and came to Ohio with his parents. He worked on the farm until of age. In 1849 he returned to Connecticut, and worked in an edge tool factory. May 20, 1852, he married Margaret Lane, who was born April 12, 1829, in East Hartford, Connecticut. They are the parents of three children, viz: Algernon D., born May 20, 1853, Central Fall, Rhode Island; Carrie J., born June 18, 1858, wife of Emery P. McCorkle, Farmington ; Burt E., born July 28, 1871. In 1853 Mr. Hart returned to Ohio, and the following year went to California, where he engaged in mining with considerable success until 1857, when he returned and began work upon his farm in Southington. Mrs. Hart is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1871 Mr. Hart began the manufacture of cheese, utilizing the milk of from four hundred to five hundred cows. His partner in the business is M. B. Haughton.

Dennis White was born in Colebrook, Connecticut, June 9, 1801. His father, Ephraim White was a soldier of the Revolution for six years. Dennis White visited Ohio early at various time, removing with his family in the fall of 1831. They came by team and wagon to Albany, thence to Buffalo by canal, and from there to Fairport on a lake vessel. He settled in Southington, Trumbull county, and lived there the balance of his life, dying April 9, 1873. He was quite a hunter and on his first visit to Ohio engaged to some extent in the fur trade. He was a deacon in the Baptist church at the time of his death. He married Lydia Baxter and raised three children. Two are living-Henry C., and Mrs. Charles Harshman, of Southington. Henry C. White was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, October 27, 1830. He was brought up to farming, attended the Western Reserve college at West Farmington two terms, and taught school one term. He married, May 4,

TRUMBULL. AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO - 535

1853, Miss Esther A. Rogers, horn in Bazetta township September 7,1830. Her mother, Lydia Rogers, is still living in Ashtabula county at the advanced age of ninety eight years. Mr. White removed from his farm to Warren in the spring of 1877. He has held the office of township trustee both in Southington and Howland.

W. J. Helsley, oldest son of Henry and Sarah (Diehl) Helsley, was born in Ellsworth, Mahoning county, December 14, 1839. His father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1811, and came to Ellsworth about 1821, with his parents. He was the father of two daughters and four sons, of whom but three sons survive. Finley, the second son, was a member of the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry, and was killed while in the service, at Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862. Henry Helsley came to Southington in 1851, locating on the farm now owned by his widow and his son, Henry G. He was a member of the Disciple church. He died May 24,'1870. W. J. Helsley went to Pike's Peak in 1859, and was absent eight months. September t0, 1861, he married Mary Yancer, a native of Bazetta township, this county, Their children are as follows : Finley S., born December 24, 1866; Ami, died in 1871, aged two years; Mary Ella, born February 9, 1875. In October, 1861, Mr. Helsley enlisted in the Nrneteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, and with that regiment he participated in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Lookout Mountain, Chickamauga, etc. He served four years and was mustered out in November, 1865. In 1874 he settled on the farm which he now occupies. He is a member of the Disciple church and an officer in the Southington grange.

David P. Jones, son of Edward and Mary (Price) Jones, was born in Austintown, Mahoning county, December 26, 1819. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio early in the present century. He was a stone-mason by trade. He settled in Warren, removing thence to Austintown at an early date. He died about 1856. David P., married February 18, 1841, Laura, daughter of Charles and Dorcas (Osborn) May. Her father, Charles May, was one of the first settlers, and located on the farm now owned by David Harshman. He was the father of eight children, three of whom are living. He died in Braceville in 1836. For many years he was class-leader in the Methodist Episcopal church. Mrs. Jones was born in Braceville March 26, 1820. Mr. and Mrs. Jones have had eight children, of whom three survive-Laura Ann, born April 4, 1852, resides with her parents ; Ada J., now the wife of Frederick Joy, born July 23, 1859; and Viola, now Mrs. Frank Dabney, of Warren, born May 31, 1862. Mr. Jones settled on an unimproved farm in Braceville, where he remained until 1865, when he purchased the Edward Jones homestead, upon which he now lives. He and his wife are members of the Disciple church,

William B. Ives, son of Luther and Laura (Johnson) Ives, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, January 2, 1821. His father was horn about 1795, and died January 15, 1871. In 1817 he married Miss Johnson, who was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, October 29, 1799. She rs still living and at her son's home. W. B. Ives, in 1842, purchased the farm on which he now lives-an unimproved place at that time. He erected a log cabin, in which he lived alone until March 28, 1850, when he married Adaline, daughter of Gilbert Osborn, one of the Southington pioneers. Mrs. Ives was born December 25, 1827, Their children are as follows: The first died in infancy; C. F. was born November 7, 1853, and resides at Southington center; Mary Ella, born August 5, 1856, is married and resides in Newbury, Geauga county; Emma, born in 1858, died at the age of eleven; Minnie Belle, born April 17, 1866. Mrs. Ives died November 19, 1867,

Edward Thorp was born in Lower Canada May 26, 1833. He is a son of Edward and Phebe (Jones) Thorp, and came with his parents to Parkman, Geauga county, in 1840. November 17, 1867, he married Augusta C. Jones, daughter of Edward Jones. She was born in Southington March 20, 1845. Mr. and Mrs. Thorp have had seven children, four of whom are living: Nina M., Edward R., Lillian A., and an infant daughter. Mr. Thorp is extensively engaged in farming and stock raising and owns a large farm of excellent land. Mrs. Thorp's father, Edward Jones, born in Austin- town in 1811, came to Southington about 1832, and for several years was a prominent citizen of the township. In 1866 he sold out and went to Wisconsin and thence to Iowa, where he died in

536 - TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

1880. He was twice married, first to Orpha Hill, in 1832. They had five children, four survive, and three reside in Southington : Mrs. Calvin Haughton, Mrs. William Haughton, and Mrs. Thorp. Edward T. resides in Illinois. Angeline was the wife of Alvah G. True; she died in Jackson county in 1866. Mr. Jones was an active member and a deacon of the Disciple church. His second wife was the widow of Cyrus Parmley. Mr. Thorp has resided on his present tarm since 1867.

Daniel Brobst, son of John and Polly Kessler Brobst, was born in Warren township, September 8, 1842. His youth was spent in the common schools and at common labor on the farm by the month. He enlisted in company H, Twentieth Ohio volunteer infantry, in 1861, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment he re-enlisted in the veteran service, and was mustered out in July, 1865, having been on duty four years. After leaving the army, he settled in Michigan. February 13, 1868, he married Augusta, daughter of Jeremiah Miller, an early settler of Southington township. She was born in 1846. They have a family of four children, viz : Adella P., Laura L., Bertine S., and Lillie M. Mr. Brobst purchased his present residence in 1872, owning one of the best farms in the township.