PICTURE OF JOSEPH COX
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CHAPTER IV.
ELLSWORTH.
SURFACE AND SOIL.
Ellsworth, or township one in range four of the Western Reserve, has a varied surface and a fertile soil. The Meander and its branches cut the eastern portion by a number of narrow valleys, quite deep and winding, forming ridges and knolls of varying dimensions. The main branch of the stream enters the eastern side of the township about a mile below the Canfield road, flows westerly about one mile and a half, then turns abruptly to the north, and winding northward and to the east, passes into Jackson township about three-fourths of a mile from the southeastern corner of Jackson. The western part of the township is quite smooth, and contains many wide tracts of level land.
The soil is fine clayey loam, somewhat sandy in places. It is well adapted to wheat, and the farmers generally secure a good crop of this cereal. The township was originally covered,— and much of it is to-day,—with a heavy growth of white oak, sugar maple, beech, basswood, walnut, hickory, etc. The underlying lime r0ck and sandstone crops out in several places, the latter affording a good quality of stone fur building purposes.
SETTLEMENT.
This township was settled mainly by Connecticut and Pennsylvania people. Captain Joseph Coit, whose biography will be found elsewhere, came in 1804 and began making improvements. From the most reliable information we are able to obtain, it appears that the settlement of the township began in that year. The family of James Reed was the first in the township. Mrs. Reed was the first white woman who entered the township, and lived here six months without ever
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seeing the face of a female excepting her daughters.
From Mrs. Polly Bowman, an old lady past the ninetieth year of her age, now residing in Goshen township, is gathered the following information regarding her father's settlement :
James Reed came to Ellsworth from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and remained during the summer. He made a clearing, built a camp, and raised a crop of corn that year. While he was encamped on one side of the Meander, an Indian occupied a camp 0ppovemsite, across the stream. Mr. Reed began operations on what is now called the Harclerode farm. Before he came here to live he had made several trips from his home in Pennsylvania to Canfield, carrying supplies to the settlers on packhorses.
Toward the latter part of February, 1804, Mr. Reed and two of his daughters returned to the camp. They came with a pair of oxen and a cart, following a course of travel marked by blazed trees, and cutting a 1oad for the team when necessary. Mr. Reed then went back for the remainder of his family, leaving his daughters in the care of a man who worked for him. They reached here in April following. The camp was a log structure, with three sides, the fourth being open and used as an entrance. The ground was the floor, and into it was driven forked stakes for bed-posts. Here the family lived until a house could be erected. During the spring of 1804 they made a considerable quantity of maple sugar. .
Mr. Reed brought out some stock, including several hogs. Six of the hogs, being averse to living in a wild country, escaped and made their way back to Pennsylvania, where they were found by Mr. Reed's father one morning sound asleep in their old nest. They had made the whole distance of sixty miles alone, guided only by instinct or memory.
One night a fat hog belonging to Mr. Reed was killed and partially devoured by a bear, very quietly it would seem, as none of the family were awakened by any noise. Indians were frequent visitors at the house, but were never troublesome. Bears were often seen. Polly Reed, then a girl of about eleven years, was after the cows one night when she saw a huge black fellow just across the ravine. He reared upon his hind legs as soon as he saw her, while she, much frightened, ran to the house crying for aid. Peer were numerous, and the children sometimes found the young fawns lying in the bushes near the house.
Mr. Reed lived in Ellsworth a little over a year, then sold his farm to John and Nicholas Leonard, and moved to Canfield township, where he died in 1813.
In 1804 a clearing was made one mile west of the center by two men from Connecticut, one of them named Penuel Cheney. These men did not settle here, but returned to their own State. The land was bought by William and Harvey Ripley in 1806.
Joseph Coit had eight acres cleared at Ellsworth center in the summer of 1804. He also erected a log-house the same year.
Thomas Jones settled on the east line of the township in 1804, his family being the second that arrived in this township. He was born in Maryland, and died in Ellsworth in 1852, at the age of ninety-two. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilson, died in 1865, aged about ninety. They were the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom arrived at maturity, seven sons and three daughters. Three sons and two daughters are still living. Their names are: Mary, Margaret, Thomas, James, Joseph, John, Samuel, Rosanna, Elijah, and Matthew. Mary married Ashur Squier, and is still living in Canfield; Margaret married James Bruce, and died in Randolph, Portage county; Thomas married Rachel Webb, and died in Edinburg, Portage county; James married Huldah Tanner, and died in Canfield; Joseph married Ann -, and died in Portage county; John married Nancy Calhoon for his first wife, for his second Desire Phelps, and lives in Ravenna; Samuel married Betsy Calhoon, and lives in North Jackson; Rosanna married Columbia Lancaster, and now lives in Washington Territory; Elijah married Phebe Manchester, and died in St. Clair county, Missouri; Matthew married Eliza Manchester, and he now lives in Missouri.
Philip Arner, a native of Pennsylvania bought land and erected a cabin in 1803, and returned to his home. He came back to Ellsworth in 1804 with his family and settled east of the Meander.
George Broadsword, one of the first settlers, located on the place where Martin Allen now
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lives. He brought up a family of fourteen children, and all but two of them are living. The names of his sons were Peter, Daniel, John, David, Anthony, Matthias, and Levi. The daughters became Mrs. Abigail Allen, Mrs. Rachel Wagoner, Mrs. Mary Winans, Mrs. Charlotte Rhodes, and Mrs. Lucy Parker. The oldest two, Betsey and Eliza, remained single. The sons are all living except David, and all the daughters except Mrs. Wagoner. Anthony, Matthias, and Mrs. Winans reside in this township.
John Huston came in 1804 to buy land, but did not purchase that year. He built a log house in 1807 and remained until about 1813, then sold to John Baker. In 1817 A. W. Allen bought the place of Baker.
Hugh Smith, who had been here previously, came from Maryland in 1806 and settled on the main branch of the Meander. He brought up five sons and three daughters. Two sons and two daughters are now living in the western part of this State. Mr. Smith died quite suddenly in 1821 or 1822. He was going toward the barn one evening in a cheerful mood, singing the hymn commencing with the lines,
Oh, when shall I see Jesus,
And dwell with him above.
A few minutes later he was found dead between the house and barn.
In 1805 William Ripley, Hervey .Ripley, Elisha Palmer, and one or two others, canoe from Scotland, Windham county, Connecticut, and commenced improving land west of the center, which they had previously purchased. In 1806 William Ripley returned to Elsworth with his wife, Susan Bingham, and settled at the center. Hervey Ripley died here in 1813, aged forty years. William as a justice of the peace for many years, a member of the Legislature in 1826 or 1827, and afterwards a State Senator.
Daniel Fitch and wife, from Norwalk, Connecticut, came in 1805, and settled one-half mile north of the center. They had four sons and four daughters, several of whom are dead. None of the survivors reside in this township. Daniel Fitch died in 1826.
In 1806 Thomas Jones and family, from Maryland, settled in the eastern part of the lownship. Mr. Jones had seven sons and three daughters. He lived to be an old man. After his death the family moved away.
The Fitch brothers, Richard, William and Charles, came from Salisbury, Connecticut, in 1806 with their families. Richard settled at the center, and cleared the farm north of there, where his son Richard now lives. William and Charles remained eight or ten years and then moved to Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio. William afterwards returned and settled two miles north of the center, where lie resided several years, thence removing to Ashtabula county, where he died at the age of ninety-four. Charles died in Chicago, aged eighty years.
Philip Borts came from Pennsylvania 1n 1805 with his family and located near Philip Arner.
He had two sons and three daughters. He became one of the wealthiest men in this region, and gave a farm to each of his children. One of his daughters married George Harding, whose son, G. W. Harding, now lives on the old Bons h0mestead, and has the finest house in the township.
John Leonard and family settled near the Meander about the year 1806. Mr. Leonard had several sons and daughters. One of his sons, James, now lives in Portage county. John Leonard died at quite an early date.
Nicholas Leonard settled one mile from the centre. He had a large family, seven sons and five daughters. Abram, the youngest son, resides in Wood county, and a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Swartz, in Ashtabula county.
Andrew Fitch, an early settler, located at the centre. He married Lucy Manning. He lived here until quite old, then returned to Connecticut and died there. He had one daughter, who is now living, the wife of Silas C. Clark, of Washington, District of Columbia.
James Parshall settled on the southwestern corner of section twenty-four at an early day. He had several sons and daughters, none of whom are Dow residing here.
Thomas and Robert McKean settled on the diagonal road running northwest from the center. Thomas died quite early. He brought up a family of three sons and one daughter. Robert McKean lived here until his death in 1843. He had four suns and four daughters.
James McGill and family settled on section twelve, where Thomas Young now lives, resided
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there several years, then sold and moved to Poland.
Peter Walts settled on the Meander previous to 1810, and resided there some years, moving thence to Medina county.
Wolf and Painter, Broadsword and Razor, were some of the fierce sounding names belonging to Ellsworth's early citizens.
John and Robert McCreary settled on section nineteen. Robert remained single. John had two daughters, both of whom died quite young. Janet married John Howard and two of her sons reside in the township.
Michael Crumrine settled on the west side of the Meander. He had four sons, one of whom died here. The others remained some time, then moved to Berlin township.
James Byers settled here quite early and raised a large family, He moved into Berlin township and was killed by a falling tree.
William Logan, the first cooper in the township, died during the War of 1812.
The Spauldings, David and Philo, came about 1813. David settled one-fourth of a mile west of the center. Philo settled 1n the southwestern part of the township. He died in 1876, in his ninetieth year. His son Moses is still living in Ellsworth.
John Bingham, from New London county, Connecticut, settled on section eight in 1816. He married a daughter of Richard Fitch, who is still living in the township.
Asa Witter Allen was born in Windham, Connecticut, June 3, 1795. He came to Ellsworth in 1817 with a one-horse buggy, and was seventeen days on the road. He married Sophia Hopkins, who was born in Vermont in 1799. Both are still living. Two sons and three daughters are also living. Mr. Allen lived in Ellsworth township until 1864, and then moved to Perry township, Columbiana county, where he now resides.
FIRST EVENTS.
The first child born in the township was Thomas Jones, Jr. His parents were from Maryland. They settled near the eastern line of the township. Jeannette, daughter of Hugh Smith, was the second child born in the township, and Mary L. Fitch, daughter of Richard Fitch, the third. These births all occurred in 1806.
The first death was an infant child of Mr. Bell, the miller. The parents were here a short time only. The second death is believed to have been that of William Logan. They were both buried in the cemetery near Ellsworth center.
The first marriage in the township took place at the house of Richard Fitch a year or two after he settled here. Lydia Buel, a sister of Mr. Fitch's wife, was married to Hezekiah Chidester of Canfield township.
The first frame dwelling house of any size was erected by General William Ripley, as late as 1820 or 1821. This house is still standing about one-half mile west of the center. Richard Fitch had previously erected a framed addition to his tavern as early as 1810 or 1812.
The first Sabbath-school was organized the second Sabbath in October, 1818, and is said to have been an excellent school in all respects, Daniel W. Lathrop was its instigator.
Mrs. Smith, wife of Hugh Smith, was the first person who offered public prayer in Ellsworth.
Ira F. Powers was the first volunteer for the Rebellion from this township. He enlisted July 4, 1861, in the Eleventh Ohio infantry.
A company of cavalry composed of members from Boardman, Poland, Canfield, and Ellsworth was organized as early as 1810. Richard Fitch was the first captain, succeeded by Joseph Coit.
ORGANIZATION.
The first entry upon the township records of Ellsworth is as follows
It is hereby certified that the b0ard of commissioners at their March meeting, 1810, did apart and se1 off from the townships of Canfield and Newton a new township and election district by the name of Ellsworth, with all the privileges and immunities of a township as by law designated, within the following lines, to wit : Beginning at the southwest corner of the county of Trumbull, thence north on the county line to the northwest c0rner of township number one in the fifth range of townships, thence eas1 on the township line to the northeast corner of number one in the fourth range. thence south to the southeast corner of number one in the fourth range, thence west on the county line to the place of beginning; in fact. comprising townships number 0ne in the fourth and fifth ranges.
ELI BALDWIN,
Clerk pro tem. of C0mmissioners.
WARREN, 22d March, 1810.
A true copy.
JOSEPH COIT, Township Clerk.
Ellsworth, as then organized, included the townships of Ellsworth and Berlin. Berlin was set off from Ellsworth and erected a separate
PICTURE OF MARTIN AND MRS. LUCY M. ALLEN
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township by the county commissioners March 4, 1828.
FIRST ELECTION.
The first election was held April 2, 1810. The following officers were chosen : Joseph Colt, clerk; Andrew Fitch, Daniel Fitch, Hugh Smith, trustees; William Ripley, James Parshall, overseers of the poor; John Leonard, Robert McKean, fence viewers; Daniel Fitch, lister; Daniel Fitch, William Fitch, appraisers; Jesse Duel, constable; Peter Watts, George Painter, James McGill, supervisors; Hervey Ripley, treasurer.
At the first election after Berlin was created a separate precinct the following were chosen as the officers of Ellsworth township, April 7, 1828: William Ripley, Jacob Dustman, Robert McKean, trustees; Walter Smith, Asa W. Allen, overseers of the poor; John Bingham, Harvey Allen, fence viewers; John C. Webb, John Miller, constables; Andrew Fitch, treasurer, Also a road supervisor for each of the eleven districts.
OTHER RECORDS.
Richard Fitch qualified as a justice of the peace June 19, 1810; Robert McKean (or McCane, as the name is spelled upon the old records), was commissioned as justice March 13, 1813, resigned June 23, 1815; William Ripley was commissioned August at, 1815, October 17, 1818, Octobe1 29, 1821, December 11, 1824, March 17, 1828; Henry Boyd, June 6, 1826; Thomas Fitch, April 30, 1831; George Matson, May 7, 1832. Later than this date the records are not complete.
The first selection of jurors, or the first of which there is any record, occurred March 2, 1812 William Ripley and Richard Fitch were chosen grand jurors ; William Logan, Andrew Fitch, and Thomas McKean, traverse jurors.
That the people of this township in early days were rigid in their determination to prevent the
spread of pauperism in their midst will appear m the following entry upon the records :
To Jesse Buel, constable of the township of Ellsworth, greeting :
Whereas, it appears from information by us received, that — is likely to become a township charge ; these we therefore to command you to warn the said to depart from this township.
Given under our hands at Ellsworth, this sixth day of June 1811.
CHARLES B. FITCH,
PETER WALTS,
Overseers of the Poor.
JUNE 8, 1811.--Served the within warrant by reading it to the within-named person, at the house of William Fitch, in Ellsworth.
JESSE BUEL, constable.
A true copy.
JOSEPH COLT, township clerk.
Many similar entries appear on the records for years following. The persons warned, however, were not obliged to quit the township ; but if they afterwards become so poor as to require aid, the township officers were relieved from the responsibility of one furnishing it. Often these severe measures doubtless served to " foster home industry." Sometimes the most worthy citizens were " warned," on account of the complaints of those who bore them some ill-will.
For many years the township elections were held at the house of Richard Fitch.
The town hall was built in 1818 by private subscriptions. Thenceforth religious meetings, schools, elections, etc., were held there.
EARLY INCIDENTS.
February 3, 1818, three feet of snow fell in one day. Some who are yet living remember wading through it when it reached higher than their waists.
The most of the families coming from Connecticut in 1806 were not provided with -cabins, so they stopped at Captain Coit's until homes could be built for them. Coit was then a single man, and required little roam ; besides, he was at work the greater part of the time making improvements on his land in the northern part of the township. While thus engaged one day his house took fire and was destroyed, together with his watch, money, hooks, and clothing. Mr. Coit came home toward evening, and gazed unmoved upon the destruction the flames had made. He found the women in tears, and almost in despair. He, however, seemed in excellent spirits ; and, seating himself near the ruins, began singing in a rich, full voice the air, Contentment, the first verse of which is :
" Why should we at our tot repine,
Or grieve at our distress ?
Some think if they should riches gain,
They'd gain true happiness.
Alas ! how vain is all our gain,
Since life must soon decay ;
And since we're here with friends so dear,
Let's drive dull care away !"
In the early part of the summer of 1806, William Ripley had his leg broken by a log
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falling on it, while he was helping to raise the cabin of Daniel Fitch. The fracture was a severe one, and he was unable to work the greater part of that summer. There were then no physicians nearer than Youngstown.
At an early day, Captain Coit offered a poor fellow named Alexander Crawford ten acres of land in this township, if he would dig a weal for him and put it in working order. Crawfcrd accepted the job, and toiled alone untie he had excavated a good well, twenty-eight feet deep, throwing the dirt up from one scaffold to another until it reached the top. He then exchanged work with a neighbor, and got assistance in stoning it. He received a deed of the land as pay for his labor. Land soon commenced to rise in value, and a few years later he sold the ten acres and with the proceeds bought an eighty acre lot in Hancock county, this State, which he made into a good farm.
A story is told concerning Mrs. Hugh Smith, which shows that she was a lady possessed of strength of mind and courage which is seldom equalled. She heard a noise in the hog-pen one evening, and, on investigating the cause of it, discovered a large bear attacking a lusty porker. She seized a club and pounded the bear until he was glad to retreat without any pork for supper.
An incident which occurred during the War of 1812 was often laughed about and talked over by the early settlers. Some half-breed Indian hunters who had spent the night hunting coons, returned to the vicinity of the settlement about daylight, and to amuse themselves began firing at a mark. The whole neighborhood was aroused by the reports of their rifles, and much consternation ensued, as it was thought the Indians were attacking the settlers. Houses were fastened up and valuables hidden away. At length two experienced hunters were prevailed upon to go and learn the cause of the alarm. They mounted horses and proceeded to the spot where the firing had been heard, but by the time they arrived there the hunters had gone and no "Indians" were visible. When the whole affair was thoroughly understood there was much hearty laughter over "the great Indian raid."
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The first school was taught in 1811 by Miss Clara Landon, of Canfield. The school-house, or rather the building used as such during that year and several years thereafter, was the small log house east of the center, mentioned in connection with the history of the Presbyterian church • 1 The next teacher was Miss Matilda Sackett, of Tallmadge, succeeded by Jesse Buel, Hiram B. Hubbard, and others. Asa W. Allen taught school here in the winter of 1817 and 1818, and had all the scholars in the township—not over twenty. He states that there' was a bench extending along the side of the house, also one chair in the ro0m, which of course belonged to the teacher. There were three small windows, each one containing as much paper and wood as there was glass, and perhaps more.
For several years the Center district was the only one in the township, and in the rude school-house just mentioned some of Ellsworth's smartest men received their first drill in "readin', 'ritin', and 'rithm'tic."
PRESBYTERIANS.
For many years the most, if not all, the preaching in Ellsworth was by ministers of this denomination. Rev. John Bruce was the first preacher. He was born in New York in 1771, and studied theology with Rev. T. E. Hughes. In 1809 he was licensed, and commenced preaching in Ellsworth, where he remained five years He afterwards preached one year in Newton, and died there in 1816. The first meeting house war situated just north of the center. It- was built of hewn logs and had no floor. This was used as a place of worship for a short time. A similar log structure was erected a few years later on the hill just east of the bridge across the Meander, where Mr. Bruce continued preaching as long as he remained here. Services were frequently held in open air as well as in barns, school-houses, and private dwellings. In 1817 meetings were held in a small log-house, with a huge fire-place in it this was situated near the center, upon a spot just east of where the Methodist church now stands. The building was erected for a dwelling house, but had been used as a schoolhouse for some years before this date. The present Ellsworth church was organized as a union church of the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, March 26, 1818, under Revs. William Hanford and Joseph Treat, missionaries. It started with fourteen members, whose names are given below.. Henry and Margaret Boyd,
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Christian and Elizabeth Bowman, Catherine, wife of John Bowman, Joshua and Mary Bowvem
man, Joseph and Polly Bruce, Daniel and Elizabeth Fitch, Daniel W. Lathrop, Thomas and Nancy Fitch. Sixteen more members were added during the year, and in succeeding years the number increased. The first church officers were Henry Boyd and Daniel W. Lathrop, committee, and Daniel W. Lathrop, clerk. The first preachers were all missionaries, and many different ones labored here. The town hall was used for a place of public worship from the time it was built in 1818 until the present church was erected in 1833. The church has had but four installed pastors, whose names are Rev. William O. Stratton, Rev. William Hoyt, Rev. Warren Taylor, and the present pastor, Rev. William J. Reese, who has been here since 1878. When vacancies have occurred, as has frequently been the case, missionaries or " stated supplies " have carried on the meetings. At present the church has about eighty members, and is in a prosperous condition.
THE METHODISTS.
Rev. Nicholas Gee, a native of New York, moved to Ellsworth township in 1823. He was licensed to preach in 1824, and a society was probably organized about that date, though concerning this no information is attainable. Mr. Gee acted as a local preacher here for some years. The first meetings were held at private residences and at the school-house in district number three, until about 1835, when the church in that district was completed and dedicated. Mr. Gee and C. A. Bunts gave most toward building it. Among the most prominent members of Mr. Gee's church were the Gee family, Nicholas Leonard and family, Mrs. Hugh Smith and family, John Hoyle and family, C. A. Bunts, and others. The church is still standing, but no organization has been maintained since 1856. In 1839 a society was formed at the center. A church was commenced that year and finished in 1840. This building was erected through the efforts of Mr. Gee, Mr. Bunts, Dr. Hughes, John Smith, L. D. Smith, and others, assisted by their brethren in neighboring townships. This church was used until the new one was completed in 1880—dedicated February 17, 1881. It is a neat brick structure, well fitted and furnished in excellent taste. The society numbers about fifty members at present. It is out of debt and in a prosperous condition. Jacob Lower, Miller & Ripley, Jefferson Diehl, Eli Diehl, John Cronick, and others, gave liberally towards building the new church.
CEMETERIES.
Of these there are but two in the township, one at the center aDd the other near the old Methodist church on section twenty-four. The graveyard near the center is the oldest, and for many years was the only burying place in Ellsworth.
The inscription upon the monument of Captain Coit is as follows:
Joseph Coit, born in Norwich, Connecticut, August 8, 1783; died May 31. 1857. He came to Ohio in 1804. and with his location commenced the settlement of Ellsworth.
FIRST TAVERN.
Richard Fitch opened a tavern in a small log cabin built in 1806 on the site of the present hotel. He made a framed addition some years later, and about 1824 put up quite a large house which is still standing. He continued to entertain travelers until 1837, and was then succeeded by Charles and Andrew Fitch. The house was in the hands of many different individuals during the succeeding years. For ten years past it has not been a hotel, until it was opened to the public by Mr. Rose in 1881.
POST-OFFICE AND MAIL.
The first postmaster was Lucius W, Leffingwell, who settled in the township in 1818, and was probably commissioned postmaster the same year. The mail was obtained once a week by a carrier who went after it on horseback. When the stage line through this place began running, the mail was obtained twice each week. As Mr. Leffingwell lived at some distance from the center, he could not conveniently perform the duties of postmaster, so he appointed Joseph Coit as his deputy. Mr. Colt was also the school-teacher, and whenever the mail-carrier signified by tapping on the window of the schoolroom that the presence of the postmaster was required at his office the classes were left until the mail could be disposed of As would naturally be expected, the boys held high carnival during the teacher's absence, but sobered down mysteriously and suddenly as he again approached. The second postmaster was Joseph Coit, who held the position until 1857. His successors were John C.
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Fusselman, Samuel McKean, James Green, Oliver A. Bingham, A. R. Hammond, Andrew McKinney, John McKinney, and W. J. McKin ney, the present incumbent. Ellsworth now has an eastern and a western mail daily.
DISTILLERIES.
The first distiller in the township was a Mr. Stanley, the father of German Stanley. His still was situated just below Hoover's mill. He worked it several years. Charles C. Chapman, a Methodist preacher, also had a still on the same stream, built a few years later. Both of these did quite an extensive business. George Leonard operated a small still on the Meander for a short time.
TANNERY.
Walter Smith came about the year 1816 and began business as a tanner on the stream a short distance north of the centre. He did a good business here for several years, and acquired considerable property. Mr. Smith followed tanning until 1856. He was an active business man, a worthy and prominent member of the Presbyterian church.
MILLS, STORES, ETC.
The first grist-mill in the township was built by General Perkins, of Warren, and Eli Baldwin, of Boardman. It was situated near the site of the present one, and was built of hewed logs. In 1819 or 1820 it was replaced by a frame building and operated for some years. The same parties also owned a saw-mill upon the same stream. Another grist-mill was built at an early date in the northern part of the township. This was known as Hoover's mill, and was built by Ezekiel Hoover, on a branch of the Meander. It was situated just north of where the Methodist church now stands. A saw-mill near it was also operated for some time. A. W. Allen owned two saw-mills on the Meander about 1835.
The first store was opened by Adams & Lloyd, of Philadelphia, in 1822, in a log house, near the spot where Mr. McKinney's residence now is. Soon afterwards they built a good store which was destroyed by fire some years later. These gentlemen were here about five years. The next merchants were 0. A. and L. Bingham, who continued in business about ten years. Their successors have been T. U. Kelley, Jesse B. Fitch, William Ripley, Jr., Spaulding & Morse, A. and J, McKinney, and McKinney Brothers.
In 1836 a store was built on the corner where Kirkbride's blacksmith shop stands and 1un for some ten years by Church & Fusselman. About 1850 E. A. Green built a store on the corner next to the hotel, where he traded three years. He was succeeded by Stofer & Hole, who were in business four or five years. McKinney Brothers are now the only merchants in the township.
PHYSICIANS.
The first physician who practiced in the settlement of Ellsworth was Dr. Shadrach Bostwick, of Canfield. The first resident physician was Dr. Chauncy C. Cook. He settled here about the year 1824, and remained three years. He moved to Youngstown and died there. Dr. Robert G. Huntington came about 1827 and remained until his death in 1838. Dr. Mordecai B. Hughes came in 1839 and 1emained until his death in 1852. Dr. G. W. Brooke came that year and still practices here. Ellsworth has always been favored with good physicians, well- read and skilled in their profession.
NOTES.
The first blacksmith was .probably Thomas Fitch. He came to Ellsworth about 1814, and opened a shop a short distance east of the center, where he continued to work until 184o. He then sold out and engaged in farming and afterwards went West.
The first shoemaker was probably William Porter, who lived about one-half mile west of the center. He was quite an early settler.
The following men from Ellsworth were soh diers in the War of 1812: Nicholas Courtney, William Fitch, Joseph Coit, John Lower, — Parshall, and perhaps others.
SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION.*
On the 4th of july, 1855, the citizens of Ellsworth celebrated the semi centennial anniversary of its settlement. The officers of the day were Dr. G. W. Brooke, president, and Granville W. Sears, secretary.
The Declaration of Independence was read by P, Allen Spicer, Esq. Rev. Loomis Chandler delivered the historical address. Hon. Eben
*This account was furnished by Dr. G. W. Brooke.
PICTURE OF HERVEY REPLEY
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Newton, Rev. E. C. Sharp (of Atwater), Samuel Smith, C. A. Bunts, and many others delivered brief addresses. Dr. James W. Hughes, of Berlin, read a poem. Letters of regret on account of inability to be present were read from Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, Hon. Milton Sutliff, and K. Upman, Esq.
The singing was led by Captain Joseph Coit. To "start the tune" he used an old-fashioned pitch-pipe, which is still in the possession of the family. All of the old settlers of the township then living, and many from surrounding townships, were present. The day was very fine, the attendance large, and many pioneer incidents were rehearsed with great zest.
BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The following is believed to be a complete business directory of the township : McKinney Brothers, merchants, center; H. H. Rose, carriage painter and hotel keeper, center; W. H. Kirkbridge, blacksmith, carriage maker, and carnage painter, center; P. B. Hughes, blacksmith, center; Jonathan Hull, cooper, center; Samuel McKean and Nelson W. King, wheelwrights, center; Albert Dakin, cabinet-maker, center; Roland Davis and Eli Davis, shoemakers, center; Eli and J. H. Diehl, distillers, section ten. Eli Diehl, grist-mill, section eight; D. R. Stahlvem smith, saw-mill, section one. Thomas Rose works a coal mine on section twenty one, and Frank Winans, on section fifteen. There are other small coal banks in the township.
The principal stone quarries are owned by Eli Diehl, Eli T. Arner, and G. W. Harding.
REFLECTIONS.
The first settlers are dead and gone. Nearly eighty years have elapsed since the first clearing was made in the now thriving township of Ellsworth. What the pioneers accomplished and what they suffered few of the present inhabitants know of can tell. But if .we judge them by their works, we shall certainly form a high opinion of their worth. Ellsworth has maintained good schools ever since there were enough children here to form a class. Churches have been kept up, and pious men are still teaching those who soon shall come upon the stage of active life to keep the way their fathers trod. Ellsworth center has two' good, substantial edifices, either of which would be a credit to a much larger place, where divine services are regularly held. There are no saloons or other res0rts where crime is manufactured.
On every hand we see indisputable evidence that the people are awake and at work. The mowing machine and harvester are now driven over fields which, in the memory of some who are living here, were frequented by bears, wolves, deer, and other denizens of the primitive forest. The steam threshing machine moves along roads which not long ago were solitary foot-paths, or tracks where only horseback riders or slow-going ox-teams could pass. Log cabins have been replaced by substantial farm houses, surrounded by orchards, shade trees, and rich and beautiful fields. Neat white barns, large and commodious, in every neighborhood show that the farmers understand their business, and are increasing in wealth and prosperity.
The allurements and vices of large towns are at a distance from this prosperous community; and safe in Christian homes, supplied with good b0oks and papers, with examples of uprightness and refinement constantly before them, the using generation is growing up to take the place of fathers and mothers who soon must pass away. The next fifty years will doubtless show a great change upon the face of the country; but in the characters and hearts of the people there will surely linger the brave and generous spirit of the hardy pioneers, ever active in promoting public welfare and morality as well as private interests.
The first settlers, many of them, were men and women of culture and education, who fully understood the great truth that the only hope of any country lies in a refined, enlightened, and civilized people. For this reason, though in the midst of a wilderness, they taught their children honesty, virtue, and temperance, and, above all, made them ladies and gentlemen in the best sense of the word.
POEM.
Written for the semi-centennial celebration of the settlement of Ellsworth township, by Dr. J. W. Hughes, Berlin center, Mahoning county, Ohio.
Hail, father!' mother! friendship greets you here.
Each well known face to-day is doubly dear,
While grateful feelings own His sovereign power,
Whose gracious arm has kept us to this hour;
As back ou1 thoughts with deep emotions flow,
To dwell on Ellsworth fifty years ago.
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Nor changed the scene, since you whose features bear
The trace of years and toil engraven there,
From New England's cherished homestead came
The western forest’s dreary witds to tame:
No path to guide you but the woodman’s "blaze,"
Nor shelter. tilt the cabin you could raise;
To years of t0il and weariness resigned,
Ease, friendship, luxury you left behind,
Amid privations such as few endure,
A future home and comforts to secure.
Where now the stately farm house meets the eye,
And wavy fields in cheerful sunshine lie.
One wide, unbroken forest spread around,
And silence reigned in solitude profound;
Where forth his brood the lordly turkey led,
Or timid deer in tranquil safety fed.
Till started by the wolf's discordant howl,
Or midnight hootings of the sun-blind owl.
No humble school-house reared its unhewn walls,
No sacred temple echoed mercy's calls,
No Sabbath bell the lonely settler heard,
No hymn of praise the slumbering echo stirrid,
Save when at eve. the grateful pioneer,
Waked some loved strain to busy memiry dear.
But soon the tide of emigration gave
Increasing strength with each succeeding wave.
New settlers, lured by hopes of future gain,
Or kindred ties. that seldom plead in vain,
Increased the numbers at first so few,
While social comforts with those numbers grew.
Soon here and there in quick succession rose
The needed school-house and the school-boy's woes;
Nor these alone—religion next demands
A house for God. and there the temple stands.
Long may it stand, and long may his holy word,
With heartfelt joy. within its walls be heard!
Here may no selfish partisan intrude,
Discordant themes with worldly aims imbued,
Nor zeal unwise, with hidden mischief rife,
Mar Christian peace. nor fan fraternal strife.
Ye township's fathers, whom we greet to-day
Ye honored mothers—no less dear than they—
Revered, beloved—of "length of days possesst."
Your children here rise up and "call you btest."
But while with heart-felt joy'we mingle here,
And thoughts arise and mem'ry claims a tear
For those. the partners of your early toil,
Who silent sleep beneath their chosen soil,
Or hence removed to some far distant clime,
No more shall meet you 0n the shores of time.
Here let us briefly call our thoughts away
From local themes to hail our Nation’s day.
Far down the vista of receding years
On hist'ry's page a patriot group appears
No nobler names in any land or clime
Adorn the annals of 1ecorded time.
Life, fortune, honor. pledged to freedom tie ;
Fearless, tho’ few—resolved to win or die.
No minion there to base dishonor sold—
No sordid stave to ignominious gold ;
No mock philanthropist self-lauded stood.
Invoking strife. and calling " evil good";
No fierce oppressor, drunk with lawless power,
Insatiate leveled—courting ruin’s hour.
Alas ! that nations should like parents rear
Unworthy sons an honored name to bear ;
That brethren to a common fortune born
Should link their birthright with undying scorn,
And scathe and blast the noblest heritage
That ever nations had in any age.
Say not the bard to human progress blind
Sees not the onward. mighty march of mind :
He sees it—feels it —owns it all and more.
The nea1 abyss—the rocky leeward shore—
Beyond it all he sees the threatening rod,
And reads—"The world by wisdom knew not God!"
And speak I warmly ? I should inly feel
The curse of treason o'er my conscience steal.
Could I 1ovemday before this audience stand,
And breathe no tribute to my native land ;
Desert who may—prove recreant who will.
With all her faults. I love my country still.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES
JOSEPH COIT.
The man most prominently and effectively identified with the early settlement and improvement of the township of Ellsworth was without doubt he whose name heads this sketch. Joseph Colt was born in Norwich, Connecticut, August 18, I783. He was the eldest child of Thomas and Sarah (Chester) Coit. His father was a merchant of Norwich, and in early life the son was employed in the store. He received a good education, being for some time a pupil of John Adams, a celebrated teacher of Norwich, and father of the late Dr. William Adams, the distinguished pastor of Madison Square Presbyterian church, New York city. Mr. Coit had mastered the science of civil engineering, and his uncle, Daniel Coit, being the owner of a large amount of land in the Western Reserve, he was induced by his uncle to come West and act in his interest as a surveyor and as agent for the sale of his land. He made his first journey to the Reserve in 1803, when he accompanied General Moses Cleaveland who came to treat with the Indians for the extinguishment of their title to the land on a portion of which the city of Cleveland now stands. This journey was made on horseback, and consumed twenty eight days.
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At this time he selected a place for his own settlement at the center of Ellsworth, then an unbroken wilderness. He soon returned to Connecticut, but came back the next year to take permanent possession. Taking four men from Canfield he cleared up eight acres that season and on the 4th of July surveyed and laid off the first village lots in what is now Ellsworth center. He was for a time employed in the office of General Perkins, at Warren, giving his attention mostly to collections. Besides his agricultural labors he was considerably employed in surveying and selling lands, always taking an active part in the various improvements of the township. He served in the War of 1812 as cornet of a company of dragoons. He was frequently called upon to fill various civil offices. He was postmaster and deputy postmaster at Ellsworth center for about thirty years. In 1817 and 1818 he was tax collector for Trumbull county. The onerous duties of this office will be better understood when the extent of territory then embraced within the limits of Trumbull county is considered in connection with the fact that it was the duty of the collector to visit every house for the collection of the tax. The tax books for those years are still in possession of his widow, and they are models of official bookkeeping, showing Mr. Coit to have been a systematic business man and correct accountant. He was elected county surveyor of Trumbull county in 1821, and county commissioner in 1844. He also served as county commissioner of Mahoning county toward the latter part of his life. Always moral and exemplary in his life, he did not make a public profession of religion until the last year of his life. His death occurred May 31, 1857, resulting from cancer upon the face. Mr. Coit was married June 11, 1838, in Hartford, Connecticut, to Elizabeth Mygatt, daughter of Thomas and Lucy (Oakes) Mygatt. Mrs. Coit was born in Weathersfield, Connecticut, February 22, 1802, and is still living with her daughter at Ellsworth center, where she and her husband first settled on coming to Ohio. One child only was born of this union, Fannie M., born April 2, 1844, now the wife of Chester Allen, whom she married on her twenty-fourth birthday.
THE RIPLEY FAMILY.
General William Ripley was among the earliest settlers, and for years one of the most prominent residents of Ellsworth township. He was born in Windham, Connecticut, in May, 1782; was brought up on a farm and enjoyed few privileges for mental training. He, however, possessed more than ordinary native ability, and in mature life was elevated to positions of trust and honor. He married, March 31, 1805, Susan Bingham, of Windham (born November 30, 1784), and the same spring he came out to the Western Reserve, leaving his bride in Connecticut. He purchased, in connection with his brother Hervey, three hundred and twenty acres of land of the Connecticut Land company, a short distance west of Ellsworth center. This farm, or a part of it, is now occupied by his son Hervey. General Ripley that season cut off ten acres and put up a log cabin, and the next fall returned to Connecticut. In the spring of 180 he returned with his wife to Ellsworth. After occupying his farm for a few years, on account of threatened hostilities by the Indians he moved to the center, where he resided a number of years. In 1820 he erected the large frame residence now occupied by his son, and moved into it November 30th of the same year, and lived there until his death. He was a general of militia, hence his military title. He was justice of the peace in Ellsworth for fifteen years, and was a Representative m the State Legislature two terms and served one term as State Senator. He died December 7, 1860, and his wife May 1, 1868. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Adaline, Edwin, Emily, Susan, Hervey, William, and Bingam, of whom only Emily (now Mrs. Fitch), living in Wisconsin; William in Chicago, and Hervey, are living.
Hervey Ripley was born at Ellsworth center, February 23, 1816. He received an ordinary education at the common schools of his neighborhood, and January 7, 1838, was married to Henrietta H. Sackett, daughter of Moses and Cordelia (Fox) Sackett, of Ellsworth. Mrs. Ripley was born in Warren, Connecticut, December 5, 1816, and came with her parents to Ellsworth when a small girl and settled south of the center where Mr. Arner now resides. With the exception of three months Mr. Ripley has resided in the house which he still occupies with
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his family for a period of sixty-two consecutive years. Mrs. Ripley departed this life April 13, 1874. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, as is her husband, and was an estimable woman, and a devoted wife and mother. She left surviving her her husband and nine children, her own death being the only death which has occurred in the family. The names of the children are as follow: Judith P., widow of Walter Smith, residing with her daughter, Mrs. Miller, in Ellsworth; Thomas, in Alliance, Ohio; Warren L., at Ellsworth center; Ward S. and Edgar, in Olathe, Kansas; Florence E., at home; Emma C., at home; William, at Burton, Ohio, and Margaret V., at home. Four of the sons served in the Union army during the war of the Rebellion, viz: Thomas, Warren, Ward, and Edgar, the latter in the one hundred day service; Thomas was in the Third Iowa infantry, and was discharged at the expiration of six months on account of sickness. Warren and Ward were members of the Forty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and served all through the war, participating in the battles of Pittsburg Landing, Nashville, Lookout Mountain, and Stone River, and came out unhurt. Walter Smith, the husband of the eldest daughter, was a member of the same regiment and died at New Haven, Kentucky, in February, 1862.
MARTIN ALLEN.
Martin Allen was born in Windham, Connecticut, on the 25th day of August, 1807. His early days were spent in farm labor and attending the common schools. Having decided upon the study of medicine, after his common school education was completed, he attended Plainfield academy for a while with a view of training himself, by a thorough preparatory course, for the career he had marked out. After teaching for a time he at length decided that a professional life would not suit him, and resolved to devote himself thenceforth to farming. About this time he determined to make his home in the West, and in 1829 came to Ellsworth township and located upon the farm which he still occupies. After his arrival here he continued teaching for several years, following the usual custom of district school-teachers, of teaching during the winter months and farming in summer, Those of his pupils now residing in the neighborhood are unanimous in their testimony as to his popularity and worth as an instructor.
March 21, 1832, Mr. Allen married Miss Lucy M. Fitch, of Ellsworth township—a union which and the rearing of a large family. Mr. Allen, by economy and enterprise has prospered abundantly, and is now the owner of a pleasant home, a has resulted in a long and happy married life well selected library, and a large, well cultivated farm. His home is beautifully situated, and its surroundings afford evidence of the care and taste of its owner.
Mr. and Mrs. Allen both united with the Presbyterian church about the same time (1843) and have ever remained constant, faithful members. For many years Mr. Allen has been a ruling elder and one of the main supporters of this church.
Martin Allen is a man of cultivated tastes and of more than ordinary ability. The friends of the family are many, and in simple justice it should be stated few men enjoy the respect of their fellow-citizens in as high a degree as Mr. Allen. Modest and unassuming he has always refrained from seeking notoriety of any kind, much preferring the pleasures of home life and the enjoyment of the rewards of industry and social kindness. A contented mind, and a heart filled with a spirit of Christian resignation are in deed the greatest boons a man can have.
Mr. Allen was the third son and the fourth child of Enoch and Betsey (Witter) Allen, who were married in 1794. They had five children: Asa Witter, born 1795; John, 1797; Eliza, (died young; Martin, 1807; and David, 1809. Enoch Allen was born in Windham, Connecticut, May 23, 1768. His father, Asahel Allen, was born in the same place in the year 1742. The Allen family were among the earliest of the New England colonists. Martin Allen is a direct descend. ant of Samuel and Ann Allen, of Bridgewater, Somersetshire, England, who located at Brainvemtree, Massachusetts, ten miles south of Boston, in the early part of the seventeenth century.
To Mr. and Mrs. Martin Allen have been born twelve children, of whom eight are now living. The names of the survivors are as follows: Lloyd, born July 14, 1833, married Fannie M. Beardsley, resides in Ellsworth; Mary Eliza, born
PICTURE OF JAMES AND ALMYRA WILLIAMS
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August 26, 1837, married Robert A. Kirk, Canton, Ohio; Jesse Fitch, born August 13, 1841, unmarried, at home; Chester, born February 1, 1843, married Fannie M, Coit, in Ellsworth; William Hoyt, born January 3, 1845, married Ella Brooke, Ellsworth; Henry Bingham, born April 26, 1847, married Emma R. Weaver, Salem, Columbiana county; Lucy A., born November 5, 1848, at home; Jettie W., born April 6, 1851, at home; Enoch, Enoch Fitch, Betsey Ann, and an infant son are deceased.
JAMES WILLIAMS.
John Williams was among the pi0neers of Canfield township, and bore with fortitude the experiences of pioneer life. He enlisted in the army during the War of 1812, immediately after Hull's surrender, and served as first lieutenant. He married Mary Smith. The names of their children were James, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Banner, Nancy, and Rachel. Rebecca (deceased) married Jacob Bower; Elizabeth married Almedius Scott, and resides in Canfield ; Banner married first Clarissa Lew, and second Margaret McDaniels, and resides in Canfield; Nancy the wife of Ormon Dean, resides in Lordstown; Rachel married J0hn Porter, and resides in Palmyra, Portage county.
James Williams, the oldest child of John and Mary Williams, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, November 8, 1809. He was married November 17, 1836, to Miss Almyra Cook. She was born in Columbiana county, August 28, 1818. Their children are as follows: Henry A., married Irene Greathouse, and lives in Oregon ; Mary E., the wife of George Bennett, resides in Illinois; Delos E., married Esther Jane Bennett, and resides in Ellsworth; Homer married Mary Brooke, and resides in Canfield; Alice J., married Samuel S. Gault—her home is in Ellsworth; Lewis died at the age of two years.
Mr. Williams worked at the trade of a carpenter and joiner for about forty years of his life, but is now retired from active business, having secured a competency sufficient to support himself and wife during the remainder of their days, besides amply providing for all their children. Although Mr. Williams never sought office, his fellow citizens, have shown their confidence in his integrity by electing him to the office of justice of the peace three times.
No better tribute of respect to this worthy couple can be paid than the universally prevalent sentiment of their associates and friends, that their lives have been distinguished by acts of kindness and benevolence toward many a one in need of friends and help.
NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.
Dr. George W. Brooke, son of Basil and Rachel (Morris )Brooke, was born in Goshen township, then Columbiana (now Mahoning) county, Ohio, April 29, 1828. He began the study of medicine in 1846, under Dr. James W. Hughes of Berlin township, and attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical college, where he graduated in the spring of 1851. He immediately commenced practice under the supervision of his preceptor in Berlin, removing in the spring of 1852 to Ellsworth, where he has since been engaged in his profession. He married in 1852 Miss Theda A. Carter, of Darien, Genesee county, New York. The children born of this union are Ella E., Clara R., Mary Q., Georgie, and Theda Carter. Mrs. Brooke died December 29, 1874, and he married September 21, 1878, Miss Mary E. Williams. Dr. Brooke was a Republican presidential elector in 1860, and cast the electoral vote of the Nineteenth Congressional district for Abraham Lincoln. He was elected a representative in the State Legislature in 1877, and re-elected in 1879.
Richard Fitch, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, is the son of Richard Fitch, Sr., one of the early pioneers of Ellsworth township. Richard Fitch, Sr: was born in Salisbury township, Litchfield county, Connecticut, and emigrated to Ohio in 1806. He settled in Ellsworth, in section thirteen. His wife was Lucinda Buell, a native of Connecticut. They had a family of two sins and eight daughters, three of whom are living, viz; Sally, Antoinette, and Richard. The latter was born on the homestead in section thirteen. In 1838 he was married to Nancy F. Webb, by whom he has had six children, two of whom are deceased, having died in infancy. The rest live in Ellsworth. Frank, the oldest son, was born September 20, 1842, in Ellsworth
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township. May 2, 1867, he was married to Miss Martha B. McNeilly, and has had five children: Lizzie M., Jesse B., Charles P., and Bertha B., who are living, and John S., who died at the age of twenty-three months. Frank Fitch enlisted in 1864, in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio national guard, serving one hundred days. Richard Fitch, Jr., the subject of this sketch, was justice of the peace of this township for fifteen years. He 1s a member of the Presbyterian church.
William Dean (deceased) was born in Litchfield county, C0nnecticut, in the year 1774. He emigrated from that State with his family in company with his father's family in the year 180 and settled in Canfield township, then Trumbull county. The country was then very wild; Indians were not uncommon and frequently visited the cabins of the settlers while passing over their lost hunting-ground. There were also plenty of wild animals and game, wolves, deer, and bear being far more plenty than sheep and cattle. Not long after their settlement in their new home, mother Dean was called away, her husband surviving her but a few years. William Dean married Miss Parthenia Bailey and had a family of eight children, six sons and two daughters, viz : Orpha, Hiram, Orsemus, James, Benjamin, William B., Orman, and Balinda; of these James, Benjamin, and Balinda are deceased. By his second marriage he had one daughter, Rebecca. Mr. Dean followed farming during his life, and by dint of industry and good management acquired a good property. He died at the old homestead in 1847 at the age of seventy-three years. He was married three times. His third wife is still living.
William B. Dean, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, son of William Dean, the pioneer above mentioned, was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1810. In October of that year his parents emigrated to Ohio, or New Connecticut as the Reserve was then called. William B. Dean grew up on the farm and was trained in the severe school of pioneer times. In 1832 he was married to Phebe Diehl. They have one child, Ward, born January 18, 1834. Mr. Dean settled in Ellsworth in 1835 and cleared the farm on which he lives.
In the year 1840 a part of the family of James Dixon, consisting of five sons and one daughter, emigrated to this country from Ireland. They came to Ohio and settled about a mile south of the present fair grounds. John Dixon, the third child, was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1809. He married in 1838 Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, by whom he had eight children, viz : James, Agnes, Mary Ann, Eliza, Margaret, Mary Agnes, Robert, and Martha. Agnes, Mary Ann, and Mary Agnes are deceased. Mr. Dickson is now seventy-two years old but is still active and can do his day's work in the harvest field, Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
Philip Amer (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania in 1776; was married in 1801 to Miss Susan Broadsword, and had five sons and three daughters, as follows: Peter, Elizabeth, Chloe, Lewis, Mary, Caleb, Daniel, and Eli T., two of whom are deceased. Mr. Amer came to Ellsworth township, now in Mahoning county, in 1802, and bought one hundred and sixty acres of land on Meander creek, the farm now being owned by his son Daniel. He made a small clearing, the first in Ellsworth township, and built a log cabin and then went back for his family, whom he brought out in 1804. He was an industrious man, worthy citizen and was held in high esteem by the entire community. He lived to an advanced age.
Eli T. Arner, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, youngest son of Philip Amer, was born in Ellsworth, May 8, 1825. In 1846 he married Miss N. Orcleroad, and has three children—Susan, Ella, and Jessie. Mr. Amer is a thorough and successful farmer, and possesses a well improved farm..
Charles Fenstemaker (deceased) was born in Pennsylvania in 1817. He came to Ohio with his father, and settled about one and a half miles from where his widow now lives. He resided upon his father's farm until the year 1837, when he married Miss Abby Antony. He then bought and settled where his family now lives. Mr, Fenstemaker, by industry, prudence, arid economy acquired a good property and pleasant home. He had two sons and three daughters— Anna, Elizabeth, Susanna, Ira and Aaron. The three daughters are deceased. Mr. Fenstemaker died in 1880. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as is also his widow.
Jonathan Howard, farmer, Ellsworth town-
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ship, Mahoning county, third son of William and Mary Howard, was born in Poland township, then Trumbull county, now Mahoning, March 30, 1811. His father was born in Maryland in 1774. He came to Ohio in 1802, and settled in Poland township. About 1816 he moved to Ellsworth township. April 6, 1802, he married Miss Mary Rose, by whom he had thirteen children, as follows: Susan, Mary, John, Jesse, Jonathan, William, Rebecca, Jane, Louisa, Melvina, Isaac, Albert C., and one that died in infancy. It is a singular circumstance in the history of this family that the circle of twelve children was not broken by death until the youngest was forty years of age. Jonathan was some five years of age when his parents moved to Ellsworth. He married, in 1849, Margaret Hoover, and has one son, Frank C., born September II, 1852. He lives at home with his parents.
Albert C. Howard, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, youngest child of William and Mary Howard, was born in Ellsworth, November 5, 1826. He married, March 3, 1857, Miss Susan Teegarden, by whom he has had two children, a son and daughter, viz : Martha, born January 17, 1858, who died March Loth of the same year, and L. U., born February 24, 1859, now a student in Mount Union college, having attended some four terms. Albert Howard taught school for a number of terms in Jackson, Newton, and Green townships, and has studied medicine to some extent, but has never practiced.
J. M. Howard, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, was born in section twenty, Ellsworth township, in 1833. When about two years of age he went to live with his grandparents (McCreary), who resided in the same neighborhood, and of whom a brief sketch is given elsewhere. Mr. Howard was married in 1859 to Sarah M. Rose, of Jackson township, and has one child, Jeannette. He owns and occupies the farm previously owned by his grandfather McCreary.
Philo Spaulding (deceased) was a native of Connecticut, where he was born June 26, 1786. In 1808 he married Miss Amanda Bingham, by whom he had six sons and two daughters, as follow: Augustus, Moses, Amos, Newman, Isaac, Jeremiah, Paulina, and Jerusha. In 1813, with
his family of wife, daughter Paulina, and sons Augustus and Moses, he came to Ohio making the journey in an ox-cart. He settled in Ellsworth township, now Mahoning county. Two years afterward he located upon the farm where his son Moses now lives. He began there in the woods and by hard work and under the difficulties incident to pioneer life built up a good home and reared his family. His wife and companion of his pioneer days died in 1835, and in 1837 he married Mrs. Elizabeth Kidd. By the second marriage there were no children. He died in 1876 at the advanced age of ninety years, surviving his wife twenty years.
Moses Spaulding, farmer, Ellsworth, Mahoning county, son of the subject of the preceding sketch, was born in Connecticut December 21, 1811. He remained upon the farm with his parents until his marriage, which took place October 8, 1834, to Miss Harriet Ann Dakin. The result of this union was eleven children, as follow: Horace, Caroline E., Emily, Julia, Homer, Susan, Charlotte, Horace (2), Ella, Ida, and Mary. Horace (I), Julia, and Homer are dead. The latter enlisted in the war of the Rebellion, although only fifteen years of age, and was severely wounded in his first engagement at the battle of Shiloh. He rallied for a time and was brought home where he received the kindest attention and care, but the wound proved a fatal one and he died December 2, 1862, his loss being a severe blow to his parents. Mr. Spaulding is an enterprising farmer and has accumulated a good property. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
James McNeilly (deceased) was born in Irevemland, July, 1804. He married Elizabeth Trimble in 1824, and in 1827 emigrated to America; came to Ohio and settled in Mahoning county, then Trumbull, Jackson township. He remained there about three years and then moved to Ellsworth and located in section twenty-three, where he lived until his death, His children were John, Robert, William, Margaret, Eliza, Samuel, Mary, James P., and Martha, all of whom are living but John.
James P. McNeilly, farmer, Ellsworth, Mahoning county, son of James McNeilly of the above sketch, was born February 1st, 1844, in Ellsworth township. At the age of twenty-seven he was united in marriage to Miss Jerusha Fitch,
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by whom he has had two children, Frances F. and Fannie A., one of whom died at the age of sixteen months. Mr. McNeilly enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio National guard in 1864, and served one hundred days. Himself and wife are both members of the Presbyterian church.
Samuel A. McNeilly, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, was born in Ellsworth in 1839. In 1860 he married Miss Mary W. Smith, and has a family of four children, viz: Walter T., Helen V., Mary E., and Charles S. Mr. McNeilly has a good property in Ellsworth center. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church.
John McCreary (deceased) was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1770. He emigrated to America in 1787, and settled in New Jersey. Shortly afterwards he moved to Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1801 he married Miss Jane McFarland, and two years afterwards he came to Ohio, and settled in section nineteen, Ellsworth township, now Mahoning county. He cleared up and improved a fine farm, on which he lived until his death in 1839. He left surviving him a wife and two daughters, Mary and Jeannette.
Samuel Knauff (deceased) was born in Green township, now Mahoning county, in the year 1822. He lived with his parents until his marriage, which event occurred in 1850. He married Miss Barbara Hardman, and began married life on the farm now occupied by the widow. The family consists of five sons and five daughters as follows: Anna, Henry, John, Lida, Erin, Mary, Amos, Lovina, Amanda, and Ensign, Mr. Knauff died in 1872, and was buried in Green township beside his parents, who died many years ago. He was a member of the Lutheran church.
William J. McKinney, postmaster, Ellsworth center, Mahoning county, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, August 4, 1852, and came to Ohio with his father in the latter part of the year 1858. He was married to Miss Hannah Mygatt, but has no children. He was appointed postmaster at Ellsworth center in 1874, and also elected township treasurer the same year. He is a merchant at Ellsworth center.
George W. Harroff, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, July it, 1833. He married in 1865, Miss Mary McLaughlin, who died December 22d of the same year, while on the way to Ohio, and was buried at Wellsville. He was again married, early in 1867, to Miss Mary Diehl, by whom he had one child, Mary S. C. His second wife died December 22, 1867. Mr. Harroff was married a third time, to Miss Sarah Diehl, sister of his second wife, March 20, 1868, by whom he has had one child, George A., born February 14, 1869.
Henry C. Beardsley, farmer, Ellsworth township, Mahoning county, was born in the State of Connecticut, December 2, 1823. He came to Ohio with his father, Almus Beardsley, and settled in the woods in Ellsworth township. Henry C. Beardsley married, in 1851, Miss Elizabeth Smith, and has had eight children. Four daughters and two sons are now living, viz: Laura, W. L., Ora, Lucy M., Edith, and Arthur. Mr. Beardsley still resides on the old homestead. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. In politics he is a Republican.
Henry Boyd, grandfather of Dr. F. Wilson, came to this county in 1830; settled in Ellsworth township first, afterwards in Berlin ; was a member of the State Legislature in 1847, and it was probably on his recommendation that the lines bounding the county were lrun. He was a justice of the peace for many years ; an elder in the Presbyterian church; was a man of influence and highly esteemed. He died in Lima, Ohio, in 1864.