(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 267 CHAPTER XVIII. THE TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS-I. Some of Columbiana County's Municipalities—Small Beginnings—Growth and Rapid Development of Cities. Towns and Hamlets of the County—Something About the Townships and Their Early Settlement—Butler, Center, Elkrun, Fairfield, Hanover and Knox Townships— Lisbon the County Capital. BUTLER TOWNSHIP Is in the northern range of townships, the second from the western border of the county. The soil is fertile, the contour of the land presenting a rolling aspect. It is well adapted to the cultivation of grain, to grazing and to fruit culture. Among the earliest settlers of the . township were William Whinnery. who entered section 27 in 1800 or 1801. and settled with his family in 1806 on the southwest quarter of that section. Mr. Whinnery divided the section among his six sons, Robert. John. Thomas, James, William and Zimri. Dr. J. C. hinnery was the son of James. and father of Miss Abby Whinnery, who became a famous vocalist, singing in the leading soprano parts of oratorios for many years. She was still living in 1905. William Whinnery son of William Whinnerv. settled on the northwest quarter of section 32. Sampson King settled on the southwest quarter of section 31. George Mountz locating on the northeast quarter. while Richard Beck became owner of the northeast quarter. Other pioneers of the township were : David Burson and John Johnson, who located in 1803 : William and James Randels. in 1806: Isaiah Harris and family of seven, also in 1806: Isaiah Woolf and family and Garrett Campf and family, in 1804: and John and Hugh Burns. Jacob Gaunt and Philip Irey, in 1805. William Hereford. John Coppock, Samuel Aaron, Jesse Lynch, Jesse Walton, Obadiah Crew and Jacob Schriver all settled in the township in 1806, and William Kennett, James French, and Daniel Burns, between 18 to and 1820. Isaac Test came to Butler when his father, Zaccheus, came to Perry township. Abram Warrington, Jr., came from New Jersey in 1805. lived with his uncle Abram Warrington in Salem for a short time, and then went to Damascus, stopping the first night with Samuel Morris, who lived on the northeast quarter of section 5, and had been there about a year. Mr. Morris was killed by falling from a tree while hunting a coon in the spring of 1806. Abram Warrington, Jr., bought the Morris place. He married Keziah oolman on Christmas Day. 1806. in the Friends' Meeting- House in Damascus. Theirs was the first marriage in the settlement. Legislative authority for. the organization of the township was enacted in 1806, but the date of the first election of township officers is not known, as the first and second volumes of the township records are missing. The third volume begins with the records of 1839. Joseph Coffee. Jonathan Walton and John Elliott were trustees in 1839-41. Damascus, Winona and Valley are villages in the township. Damascus was platted in 1808 by Horton Howard. agent for the owner of the site at the time, a Mr. Hooper of Eastern 268 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY Pennsylvania. The Mahoning and Columbiana County line now divides the town in almost equal parts. Winona became a post office site in 1868, with James Dean as the first postmaster. The village of Valley was established in 1809 by John Emerich. A very excellent sketch of Damascus, and of the "meeting houses," which were among the chief features of the town, was published in tile summer of 1904 by the Daily News, a newspaper published in the then new town of Sebring, just across the Mahoning County line, from which the following sketch is extracted : "The village of Damascus lies in the midst of 'a fertile' agricultural community, and contains probably 450 people. It has two Friends' churches, the 'Gurney' and the 'Wilber,' besides the Yearly Meeting House, Methodist Episcopal Church, two large general stores, stove and tin store, agricultural implement depot meat market, hotel and job printing office, carriage shop and splendid schools, including an academy under tutorship of the Friends' Church. The town is midway between Sebring and Salem and the line of the Stark Electric Railway traverses along the northern edge of the village. Prior to the building of this road; the nearest railway facilities were at Garfield on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago, one and one-half miles north. "The first meeting house of Friends was erected in 1805, or three years before the village was platted. It was a small, primitive one, built of logs, but its interior was cozy and it served well the needs of the people and the requirements for which it was built. Its first ministers were Joshua Lynch, of New Jersey. and Catlett Jones, of Virginia. Additions were made to the little church from time to time to accommodate the increasing membership, until in or near the year 1827, a commodious house of brick was built on the same site. This church was blown down during a storm. April 14, 1836, but was rebuilt the same or the following year, the same being used for religious serv,iees at this day. It is known as the 'Old Brick Meeting House,' and stands just south of the ;site of the large Yearly Meeting House. "At the time of the regretted division of the church membership on the matter of discipline in 1834, still remembered by a number of the older church people of the village, there still remained the spirit of brotherly love one with the other, that the one church was used for worship by both factions until after the destroying of the building by wind, as above mentioned, when the ilbers erected a separate home. "The Yearly Meeting House, in which the sessions of the big conferences are held, has a seating capacity of i,000 people and it is estimated that there have on several occasions been as many as 1,50o people crowded within its walls. It was first built about 1863, but to-day it much larger. than the original, a third more seating capacity having been added. It was built for any large assemblage of people which occasion of religious worship or moral presentment might bring together. The first Yearly Meeting at Damascus was held in either 1864 or 1866. Hitherto these had been held at Mount Pleasant, but since that time the meeting has alternated between the two places. This change was deemed prudent for the encouragement and convenience of members of the different localities." The burying-ground in Damascus. situated near the Friends' Meeting House, was the first in the township. Henry Woolf presented five acres of land for burial purposes, situated on the northwest quarter of section 50. A township house was first built in Butler in or about 1842. in the schoolhouse lot near the center of the township. It was built in connection with the schoolhouse of the district, a partition only separating the two. In 1876 a lot was purchased adjoining the first site on the north, and a substantial brick edifice built. In too; Curtis Votaw, of Winona, and J. S. Walker, of Damascus. were justices of the peace, alT-71 Thomas was township clerk. CENTER TOWNSHIP AND LISBON. Township 14 in range 3 was given the name of Center—because of its central location— upon its organization in 1803. The surface of the township is generally broken into hills and valleys, except in the northern part, where AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 269 the land is rolling and more fertile than in the southern and central portions. The middle fork of Beaver Creek enters the township from Salem township, near the east line of section 5, and, having a general southeast course, passes out on the south line of section 13. It has a rocky and, for the most part, tortuous course. Traversing almost the entire length of the township from north to south, near the west line, is Cold Run. A mile above the point where it leaves the township it receives the waters of the west fork of the Beaver, and is known by that name below the junction. There are several other small streams in the township. These creeks and brooks were important factors in the early days of the county, as they furnished power for many years to the "mills of the pioneers," which are treated of in another chapter. It is probable that the first settlement in Center township was that of Lewis Kinney and associates in 1802. Mr. Kinney purchased the present site of Lisbon, and erected a cabin at what in 1905 was the foot of Jefferson street. Christian Smith built a log tavern in 1803, also on the site of the town. Thomas Frederick took up section 12 in 1804. Frederick Bleeker, Andrew Brinker, Jonathan Hamilton, William Paul. Michael Mowry, Harmon Fagan, Jehu Powell, Jacob and Conrad Worman, also came into the township prior to 1808. About this time, also, Gabriel Laird, Frederick Crubaugh, Robert Blackledge, the Branderberrvs and George Lee, became residents of the township by settlement. Early settlers also were : The Koffel family, on section 29; Jacob Springer and Peter Glessner, on section 30; Daniel Lindesmith, on section 31; John and James Pollock, on section 32 ; John J. Bowman, on section 8; Rev. John Stough, who was the father of six sons, all born in the township, and was the first settled minister in the township, located on section 8 in 1805 ; Joab Gaskill with his five sons, on section 25. The records of the township from its organization in 1803 until 1825 are lost. In 1825 the township trustees were: Jacob Watson, John Gaskill and Joshua Chandler. In 1905 the justices of the peace of the township were : Joseph B. Richie, Lodge Riddle and J. M. Dickinson, all of Lisbon. The township clerk was J. J. Bennett, Lisbon. February 16, 1803, Lewis Kinney laid out New Lisbon, the plat being acknowledged a short time afterward before Esquire Alexander Edie. of Jefferson County. The lots were numbered from the northeast corner of the plat, and the first block was set aside for a cemetery. The two blocks on the southeast Mr. Kinney reserved for himself, but in 1805 sold them to John Arter. With a view to securing the county seat, he set aside for the use of the county a number of lots where was later erected the Union school building, but was induced to change the location to what afterwards was made the Public Square and where the Court Houses were built in later years. Many additions were afterward made to the plat of the town. The first buildings erected in the village were of logs. The first postmaster in New Lisbon. says Brant & Fuller's "History of the Upper Ohio Valley," was William Harbaugh, who kept the post office in an old log building on Washington street, where the carriage shops of illiam Myers were afterwards located. Col. Thomas Rowland succeeded Harbaugh as postmaster and when in 1812 Colonel Rowland entered the service to fight the British, Fisher A. Blocksom presided over the post office in a little brick building on Market street. At that time the mail came in once a week on horseback from Pittsburg to New Lisbon, and was forwarded thence to Cleveland. Dr. John Thompson was the first physician in the town. He located in 1807. Dr. Horace Potter came in about 1808. Dr. George McCook located in New Lisbon in 1817 and practiced for many years before removing to Pittsburg. The first bank in Columbiana County was the Columbiana Bank of New Lisbon. under a charter granted by the Ohio Legislature. The first meeting for the election of directors was held on the 7th of March, 1814, and Thomas Gillingham. Thomas Moore, James Craig. William Harbaugh, Holland Green, Alex Snodgrass, George Endly, Horace Potter. Martin Helman, Joseph Richardson. John Street, Elderkin Potter, and Gideon Hughes were elected directors; books having 270 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY been previously opened for subscriptions of stock at Steubenville. Pittsburg, Canton, Beaver, Greensburg, Salem. Beaver Mills, Petersburg, Poland, Sandy Store. Fairfield, Yellow Creek and New Lisbon. Martin Heiman was chosen president of the bank. Elder- kin Potter, cashier, and Fisher A. Blocksom, attorney. A stone building was erected immediately south of the new Court House. which structure was used as a bank for many years. Owing to the monetary troubles of 1827 the bank ceased to do business. In 1835, however, it was reorganized, Andrew W. Loomis being elected president, and B. W. Snodgrass. cashier. A new two-story banking house was built on the corner of Beaver and Walnut streets, where William Steel's grocery was afterward located. The directors under the new organization were : Horace Potter. George Graham. George Endly, Charles D. Coffin, William Carey, Joshua Hanna, John Burns. David Begges. David Small, George Garretson. Holland Green and Benjamin Hanna. The First National Bank was organized in 1874. with John McDonald, president : R. B. Pritchard. vice-president, and O. W. Kyle. cashier. In January, 1878. M. J. Child was appointed cashier, Mr. Kyle having resigned. One morning in October. 1898. the bank closed its doors, the affairs of the institution having become involved. Simultaneously Cashier Child disappeared, and no trace had been discovered of him up to 1905. Indeed, little. if any, effort seemed ever have to been made to find him. I. B. Cameron was made receiver November 12. 1898. and a little later, he being elected State Treasurer. L. C. Laylin succeeded him, and he. in turn having been elected Secretary of State. was succeeded by Judge J. G. Moore. January t. 1902. The affairs of the bank had not vet been entirely closed in 1905. although creditors had been paid 73 per cent. In 1879 the Firestone Brothers established a private bank. which was still doing business in 1905. The Lisbon Banking Company, also a private institution, was established in two with former County Auditor George B. Harvey as cashier and manager. It also continued to do business. The People's Savings & Loan Association was organized in 1889, with A. A. Ramsey as secretary and manager. The association was capitalized at a half million dollars. The Columbiana County Mutual Fire Insurance Company of New Lisbon was incorporated in 1837, with John Armstrong as president and George Endly as treasurer. The company was still in successful operation in 1905, with William M. Hostetter. secretary and treasurer. LISBON CHURCHES. The first minister of the Gospel to locate in New Lisbon was Rev. Clement Vallandigham, of the Old School Presbyterian Church. He came in 1807 and preached to the people of New Lisbon. continuously, until the year of his death, which was in 1839. His first sermons were preached in the old log Court House, and afterward a tent was used for a considerable time except in inclement weather. The first Presbyterian house of worship was built in 1814. This was replaced in 1841 by a more pretentious building. which served the congregation as a house of worship until 1897, when a handsome building which cost approximately $15.000 was dedicated. Rev. Robert H. Pugh was pastor in 1905. The United Presbyterian Church was incorporated in 1859 and a building erected in 1860. Rev. S. F. Herron was the first pastor. Rev. A. Y. Young was pastor in 1995. having been called to the field in 1904. In August, 1827. the Mahoning Baptist Association met in New Lisbon. One item of business transacted was the choice of alter Scott, a man of considerable power as an orator. and who was teaching school in Steubenville at the time. to be an evangelist to work among the 15 or 20 churches then embraced in the association, which had adopted the name of Disciples. His preaching was followed by great results. In 1841 the society built a new house on the site of the old one. In 1875 Rey. William Baxter. in a memorial sermon, said in referring to Elder Walter Scott's preaching and its results : "Nothing has ever occurred in the history of this town of such importance to the world as the sermons delivered by alter Scott. Not a single congregation of this body AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 271 (the Disciples, later still the 'Christian' (Church) was in existence when he began his plea in 1827; now there are 300 or 400 congregations in this State. The echoes of Scott's preaching have gone round the world : myriads of hearts have been gladdened. The teachings of other religious bodies have been modified by the truth which he and his fellow-laborers so ably and earnestly presented." Rev. J. W. Gorrell was the minister in 1905. In 1826 a brick structure was built by the Methodists on the hill near Market street. In 1838 they erected the building which stood near the site of the new Court House: and in 1888 the congregation built the modern house of worship at the corner of Market and Washington streets, at a cost of $16,000. Rev. Amos A. Brown was the minister in 1905. In 1813 the Society of Friends began to hold meetings in a dwelling house and about 1816 a small meeting house was built on Jefferson street, which was still standing in 1905. But the existence of the society as an organization had ceased some years before. The Protestant Episcopalians formed an organization in 1863, and in 1876 a neat chapel was built on Walnut street. Rev. Mr. Spence, a young man, was in 1905 serving the parish as rector. it being still a mission station. The Reformed Church had an organization still in 1905, of which Rev. C. H. Brant was pastor. The A. M. E. denomination. too. had an organization, but no settled pastor. St. George's Catholic Church was joined in parish work with the congregation at Dungannon. SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES OF LISBON. Hon. H. H. Gregg, in the country's centennial year of 1876. prepared an article upon the early schools of Lisbon and of the county for the State school commissioner. some of the ail points at least of which are worthy of being preserved as matters of history. "The lot or square of ground on North Market street. on the hill (in New Lisbon) , occupied from the commencement of the town for school purposes," Mr. Gregg says. "was originally a beau- tiful grove of white-oak saplings or, bushes, in the midst of which was constructed a rude log cabin schoolhouse, of round logs, clap-board roof, light being admitted through greased paper used in the place of window-glass. The furniture of that day was generally constructed of slabs, flat side up. adjusted by fixing pins in the walls, and desks to correspond, and The teacher sat on a stool of primitive style, with rod near at hand to insure obedience to 1::s mandates. This school was early presided over by Daniel Wilson, who continued to teach until 1808, when he died of a fever which prevailed at the time and proved fatal in many cases. He was succeeded by Reuben McNamee, who was afterward county commissioner, and also by Rev. Thomas Rigdon. a Baptist minister, who was elected a Representative in the Legislature from 1813 to 1816. This primitive log cabin schoolhouse was succeeded by a he*ed-log house, which was at the time considered a great improvement in architectural style. The School Board was composed about this time of Gen. Rezin Beall. Maj. Thomas Rowland. Daniel Harbaugh and Fisher A. Blocksom. In the last named house John Whitacre taught school, also De Lonna Brookes. who was a Representative in the Legislature in 1826-27. Thomas Morrel, long a citizen of New Lisbon, and David McKinley ( grandfather of William McKinley, later President of the United States) were also early teachers in this school. In later years Robert Whitacre and Jacob J. Willard taught school in the same house, the former for six years auditor of the county and the last named serving as treasurer and also as county surveyor. The last teacher to occupy the old building was David Anderson, who, for 37 years, well and faithfully served the people of New Lisbon as a teacher. In September, 1849, the board of school directors declared the old hewed-log house 'no longer tenable and Mr, Anderson-and his pupils were obliged to abandon the premises and occupy a building on West Walnut street which had been rented for school purposes." Among other eminent teachers and superintendents of the New Lisbon schools were William Travis. Reuben McMillan. Henry C. McCook, T. M. T. McCoy, I. P. Hole and R. W. 272 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY Tayler, afterward Congressman and judge of the United States District Court. In 1905 the town was splendidly equipped with school buildings, the two fine structures, the Market street and the Chestnut street buildings furnishing ample facilities for school purposes. For several years Prof. H. W. Crooks had been superintendent of schools ; but in 1905 Professor Crooks received a more lucrative call, resigned, and Prof. W. 0. Lambert, of Barnesville, Ohio, was chosen to fill this vacancy, and had accepted the position. Intimately associated with the subject of schools is that of libraries. The Lepper Library of Lisbon was founded in 1897 by Mrs. Virginia Lepper, in memory of her husband, Charles W. Lepper. Substantial contributions were also made by citizens and former residents of the town. The late Senator Marcus A. Hanna and Gen. Anson G. McCook made generous contributions to the cause. The title of the library property is the Lepper Library Association, a corporation composed of seven trustees chosen for life. The board as originally constituted was : N. B. Billingsley, president : Isaac P. Farmer, vice- president ; C. C. Connell, secretary ; S. J. Firestone. treasurer ; I. B. Cameron, R. . Tayler and . S. Potts. R. . Tayler and I. B. Cameron resigning, Dr. Frank Moore and Hal. Wright were, in 1904, chosen in their stead. Mrs. M. P. Springer was chosen librarian at the beginning, and continued to serve in that capacity in 1905. The Columbiana County Law Library Association was organized in 1896. and was given as quarters what had been the grand jury room in the Court House. On the shelves are 1,700 volumes, the property of this association. They embrace the legal reports from several States. the "Reporter" systems of all the States. digests, encyclopedias. etc. Fifteen per cent. of all the fines in criminal cases in the county courts is applied to the maintenance of the library. The county pays the librarian a salary not to exceed $500 a year. Abram Moore, who had served the county as recorder from 1884 to 1889. inclusive, was librarian in 1905. By a decree of the Common Pleas Court January 17, 1895, the name of the town was changed from "New Lisbon" to "Lisbon." In this work both names appear, so as to accord. with the period to which reference is made. The census of 1900 showed the town to have a population of 3,330. In 1905 George T. Far-. rell was mayor and Lodge Riddle, clerk. The Lisbon Buckeye State, of August 3, 1905, has this to say editorially of the earlier and later business men of Lisbon : "The older merchants and business men of Lisbon have nearly all passed over. the river. A few years ago we had the Shultz Brothers. Mahlon Briggs, Samuel Small, James Percival,. H. H. Gregg, John A. Morron, Martin Heiman, Horace P. Hessin, J. F. Benner, William Huston, Ezra Frost, George Nace. David Bower, and one or two others. but these have all passed over, leaving behind M. N. Hamilton and James K. Frew as sole representatives of the older generation of Lisbon business men. William Bradbury, proprietor of the Commercial House. and S. J. Firestone. the banker, might object to being classed as 'has beens.' 'Billy' is apparently as young as he was 40 years ago and can still hold up his end with the boys. William Myers, the pioneer carriage maker, is still with us. though not actively engaged in business. The new generation of Lisbon business men are mostly young men, and one notable fact is that with perhaps a few exceptions they are all native to Lisbon or Columbiana County. G. L. Miller, the clothier. may perhaps be considered the oldest merchant of the new generation in years, although lie doesn't allow time to affect his spirits, nor enterprise. But the distinguishing characteristic between the merchants of 20 years ago and those of today is that then they were mostly grey-beards while now they are composed of comparatively young men." ELKRUN TOWNSHIP. The township of Elkrun is in the interior of the county, adjoining Center on the east. A larger portion of the township is yet timbered, the surface being broken to a considerable extent with rough hills, with intervening fertile AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 273 valleys. The principal stream is the Middle Beaver. The settlement of the township was begun about 1800 by John Snyder and others. Snyder settled on section 2, where he lived until about 1836. Levi Haines settled on section near the same time. John Gardner settled in the township about 1801. He had five sons, namely,—John, George, Michael, Rudolph and Lewis. In the fall of 1801 Jason Morlan purchased section 12. His sons and sons-in-law long occupied and cultivated the section. William Neal was an early settler on section 11. In the same neighborhood was Benjamin Harrison, whose sons, Latham and William, lived on the section to a good old age. James Cowgill, Nathan Heald, William Siddell, Gilbert Williamson and Smith Bell also settled in the same locality about 1802 and 1803. Isaiah Morris in 1803 purchased section to at S4 an acre. His wife lived to the age of 102. Their sons, Isaiah and Jonathan, lived and died in the township; Isaiah had six sons and nine daughters ; Robert, son of Jonathan Morris, had a family of 21 children. These are but examples of many large families in those early times. There was no fear of "race suicide" in those early clays in Columbiana County. In the northwestern part of the township Hugh Pike, Alexander McCoy, Frederick Zeppernick, William Caldwell, Henry Walter, Robert Whan and Thomas Hawkins were among the earliest settlers. William McCready settled on a part of section 17 in 1805. John Thompson about 181 i purchased this tract. On this farm in 1854 was built-probably the finest and most commodious barn in the county, at that time, costing $50,000. On section 34 and adjoining Levi Lowry, John Hollinger and Martin and John Switzer were early settlers. Matthias Walter located on section 26 about 1850: he died in 1854. His son. Henry, settled oil the northwest quarter of section 25. The father and son both kept taverns. Henry Walter was a soldier of 1812, as was also Christian Bowman, who married a daughter of Henry Walter. Christian Bowman settled on the southwest quarter of section 26. on the farm occupied years later by Christian Bowman. Jr. In 1811 George and David Bowman settled on section 25. On the same section James Brisbine and William Downey were pioneer set-. tlers, and to the north was Jonas Farr, wh© settled about 1805. Elkrun township was organized in 1806. The records from 1806 to 1820 are missing: In 1820 Samuel Kemble, John Travis and Andrew Armstrong were trustees, and James Orr was township clerk. In 1904 Horace Martin was township clerk. The Sandy and Beaver Canal was built along the north bank of the Middle Beaver, and while commerce Continued on that ill-starred waterway the interests of the township were considerably promoted thereby. April 30, 1835, County Surveyor J. G. Williard platted the village of Elkton, on the north bank of the middle fork of the Beaver, in section 21, for William Kemble. In 1848 the village attained its maximum growth, having then about 25 houses. After. the canal suspended business, the village ceased to grow and lost its importance as a business center. it continued to be a country trading point. The Elkton post office was established about 1845, George Kemble being the first postmaster. Prominent among the early physicians were Dr: Hardman. Dr. William Moore and Dr. T. . Calhoun. The village site of Elkton is elevated but a few feet above the level of the creek, and on the night of August 11, 1861, a flood occurred, resulting from a long and continued rain and the breaking of several mill-dams and ponds on Beaver Creek and Elk Run, which formed a confluence in the neighborhood of the village: and soon the water stood eight feet over the level of Canal street. the principal thorough-. fare. So sudden was the rise of the water that . the occupants of the houses were in some cases unable to robe themselves and escape to higher, ground. 'Several dwellings were washed away and many bridges, outbuildings. etc., and four persons lost their lives, viz.: Mrs. Susan Kernble. mother of the founder of the village, aged 73: her grandson, Alonzo Hawkins, aged 15.; and Mrs. John A. Huffman and her two-year old child. The destruction of property by the flood was great. 274 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY The Society of Friends first established public worship in the township, building a meeting }Ouse on section 2 about 1810, on a piece of land given for the purpose by Isaac James, who was the first minister. The meeting house was abandoned as a house of worship about 1860, the Friends of Elkrun township uniting with those of Carmel in Middleton township in forming a monthly meeting, and assembling at the places alternately. Many of the Orthodox Friends joined the "Hicksites" in 1828. A class of Methodists was formed at the house or Samuel Kemble, on section 9, in 1814. Occasional meetings were held at the houses of members until about 1825, when a log church was built and used until 1862. Then a new house was built on the same section but farther east. The church since 1862 has been one of the four charges constituting the Elkton circuit. In September, 1840. Rev. Joshua Monroe organized in the village of Elkton a class, which in the course of years. became known as the "Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church of Elkrun," but later adopted the name of the Elkton Methodist Episcopal Church. The services were first held in members' houses, in barns and often in groves in the summer season; but about 1830 a meeting house was built on land given by Amos Stevens. which was the place of meeting for many years, from which fact the appointment became known as the "Stevens Church." In 1822 the Bible Christians first held services in Fairfield township but without establishing a permanent society. Four years later Rev. John Adams, at that time a resident of Elkrun township, began holding meetings in the house of Joseph Paxton, at what was afterwards known as Chamberlain Mills and in course of time a goodly number became associated in the church fellowship. John Paxton occasionally ministered to the society during a period of six or eight years. In 1828 the society built its first meeting house at Church Hill. It was a log building and had a loose floor, without stove or fire-place. In 1835 a frame house was built on the same site which was used until 1872, when a more modern structure was erected at a cost of $2,750. In 1840 a fund was raised by subscription and what was known as the "Elkton Free Church" was built, and dedicated to the use for public worship of any Christian denomination under proper restrictions. The church was used by different denominations until 1870, when the old house was sold and removed, and a new structure built, larger and more modern, largely through the munificence of Alfred Dickey. It was continued as a union church as was its predecessor. Because of a clause in the constitution of the Free Church limiting the meetings to "preaching services." the people of Elkton determined. in January, 1842. to build a house for Sunday-schools, singings township meetings and other public gatherings. Subscriptions to build such a house were raised in all parts of the township. to be paid in money, labor, building material or farm products. A frame house was erected on a lot adjoining the Free Church and. being painted white, was almost universally known as the "White House." FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP AND COLUMBIANA as organized in 1805. It is township 12, range 2, on the northern border of Columbiana County. The surface is level in the northeast, undulating in the central part. and moderately hilly in the southern portion. almost the entire area being susceptible to cultivation. It was originally covered with forests, and has yet much timber land. The soil is very favorable to the cultivation of fruits. It has no large streams, but is reasonably well supplied with the smaller ones. Matthias Lower is said to have been the first permanent settler. He was a native of Maryland, and located in the valley of Bull Creek, in 1800. before the land. was surveyed. He afterward united with William Heald and the two purchased section 23. Heald taking the northern part. It was in Lower's log barn that: in the fall of 1803, the first session of the Columbiana County Common Pleas Court was held. In 1801 and the few ensuing years a large settlement of Friends was formed in the southeastern part of the township. Among them was William Heald, a surveyor, PAGE - 275 - BLANK PAGE - 276 - PICTURES AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 277 under whose direction a greater part of the county was subsequently surveyed. With his family of five children he settled on section 26, and lived in the county more than 60 years, being active in his profession until 1850. In 1801 Samuel Oliphant settled on the northeastern part of section 27. A daughter married Hon. Richard Beeson. of Unity, in 1804, and lived to become a centenarian. John Crozier, the first justice of the peace in the township. settled there about 1802 and lived at East Fairfield until his death. Abel Lodge was an early settler. He became widely known as an innkeeper at East Fairfield. Near Middleton, Henry Dixson owned a tract of land, upon which his sons-in-law. John Woods and John Cope. were early settlers and in the same neighborhood John Allman lived as early as 1802. In 1806 James Boulton became a resident of the township: in 1837 he died from injuries received by being thrown from a wagon. Joshua Dixson in 1802 located on sections 3 and 4. building his first cabin home on section 4. In the organization of the township he took a prominent part. When he located in the township he had r 1 children. a r 2th child being born afterwards. Among the first marriages in the township was that of Benjamin Hanna and Rachel Dixson, which was solemnized December 15, 1803, according to the custom of the Friends. The first officers in the township in r80; were: Justice of the peace. John Crozier : trustees. Robert Hanna. Caleb Cope and Nicholas Firestone. In 190-3, the trustees were : Frank P. Windle, H. O. Newell and J. M. Levan. The justices of the peace were : S. S. Weaver and Stanton Thomas. The principal town in Fairfield township is Columbiana and there is none in the county more beautifully located. It was laid out in the spring of 1805 by Joshua Dixson, on sections 4 and 3. and the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway was afterwards built through its borders. It is said Jesse Allen was the first merchant in the place, and began business about 1812. Later Benjamin Hanna had an interest, the firm being known as Jesse Allen & Company. The village of Columbiana became a corporate body in 1837. Under the charter an election of officers was held at the house of John Sturgeon, May 27, 1837. William Hickman was elected mayor and Samuel Nichols, recorder. The charter was surrendered in '842, and for 14 years the village was unincorporated. Then in 1836—June 9th—the county commissioners granted a new charter, the corporate limits being the same as those under the original charter. A borough election was held April 14, 1837, when George Lamb was elected mayor and Jonathan Esterly, recorder. In June, 1838, School District No. 2 was organized, under act of March 14, 1833, as a special district. In the fall of 1864 the schools were transferred to what was afterwards known as the East building, which was completed that year. The est building was erected in '873, at a cost of $12,000. Moses Curry is believed to have been the first settled physician in Columbiana. Other physicians who practiced long and quite successfully were : Drs. Gustavus Allen, John B. Preston. John McCook. John C. Levis, Gideon Wansettler, Enoch Cloud. Eli Sturgeon, George Willand. Nicholas Sampsell, D. Beard, Sylvanus Fisher and A. C. Yengling. Dr. Yengling removed to Salem, and in 1905 was still practicing. Other Columbiana physicians were: Drs. John Metzger, Daniel Deemer. George S. Metzger. A. L. King, J. B. Thompson, Enos Greenamyer. John B. Weaver and Charles Orr. Early in the history of Columbiana a number of hatters plied their trade in the village. About 1835 Sheets & Homes operated a stove foundry. The building was subsequently converted into a blacksmith shop. In 1858 the Strickler Brothers began the manufacture of boring machines and agricultural implements. The later history of the–establishment, with the large business which grew out of it, are noted in the industrial chapters of this work. The manufacture of carriages and light wagons was long the principal business of the town: but in later years, owing to the cheaper work being produced in the larger cities, the business in that line had fallen. Two firms, however. in 1903 278 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY continued to command a paying trade, viz. : N. M. Fuhrman and Hanna & Zimmer. J. Esterly & Company for many years did the leading banking business; but in 1896 J. Esterly, the head of the concern, died suddenly, and the bank went into litigation. A receiver was appointed and by 1904 the affairs of the concern had been closed up, the creditors securing about 33 per cent. The firm of Shilling & Company also went into litigation in March, 1905, and its affairs were thrown into the bankruptcy court. This failure involved the affairs of the Columbiana Handle Works, one of the leading industries of the town. This concern, originally doing business as the Columbiana Handle Company, had failed in 1896, and S. S. Shilling had undertaken to put it on its feet. It was reorganized as the Columbiana Handle Works, but it seems that all parties involved had not done their part financially and the final collapse of the works and the Shilling bank seems to have been one result. In July, 1902, the First National Bank of Columbiana began business, with a capital stock of $50,000. In 1905, John E. Allen was president ; C. M. Young, cashier, and j. B. Stewart, assistant cashier. The Columbiana village school district embraces some territory outside the town, and the one building, although large and well-equipped, is usually in a somewhat crowded condition. Prof. E. 0. Trescott was superintendent in 1905. In 1900 Columbiana had a population oi 1,339. In 1905 Dayton Fisher, president of the Council, was acting mayor, Mayor Renkenberger having died the year before. CHURCHES AND RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES OF FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. Among the early settlers of Fairfield township, the Friends largely predominated. They founded a religious society which was the first in the township, and was the second Monthly Meeting of the Friends in Ohio. In 1803 a delegation was appointed by the Redstone Quarterly Meeting of Pennsylvania to visit the new settlement and organize what was afterwards known as the "Middleton Monthly Meeting of the Society of Orthodox Friends." The same year a log meeting house was built near the center of section 26, which was used as a place of worship until 1850, when a brick house was built in Middleton. This was destroyed by fire in 1858, and a frame structure erected in its stead. A school for instruction in the common English branches was maintained by the Friends at Middleton for many years. The membership of the Middleton Meeting was reduced by the formation of societies in adjoining townships, and by defections to other factions and denominations. To accommodate those living in the northern part of the township a social meeting hotise Was built of logs, before. 1820, in what was afterward the Friends' graveyard in Columbiana. For a time worship, held according to the custom of the Orthodox branch. was maintained, but most of the members in that part of the township became Hicksites, and meetings were held by that organization. And so the Hicksite Friends' Meeting of Columbiana may be said to have a distinct history since 1832. The regular Monthly Meeting was discontinued in 1867. The Carmel Meeting of the Orthodox Friends was organized in Middleton about 1810. In that year a log meeting house was built on a lot donated by Jacob Heacock, and was used until 1835, when a new one was built. which was partially destroyed by fire in 1845. The first Monthly Meeting at Carmel was on December. 12, 1817. The monthly meetings were discontinued in 1854, nearly all the old members baying either died or removed. However, the Friends living in that neighborhood held monthly meetings in Middleton, after that date, and in 1828 the Hicksites formed a separate Meeting in Elkrun township. Here until about 1845 the meetings were well attended. but soon after that date members began to remove, and after December, 1851, no monthly meetings:, were held. The Carmel Monthly Meeting for Women was established in 1820. but discontinued in 1840. About the year 1813 a Reformed Church missionary from the East by the name of Mahnesmith visited the northeastern section of the State, preaching in Columbiana and Mahoning, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 279 counties. This missionary's labors continued with greater or less regularity at Columbiana until about 1830. August 13, 1814, the "School and Meeting House Society of Columbiana" was organized, the object of which was to build a house on a lot granted the society by Joshua Dixson. "proprietor of the town of Columbiana." The only conditions of fellowship required in this society were a "practical conformity to the principles of equity, and that every member shall be considered as possessing in himself an original and inalienable right to believe and worship God as his own conscience may dictate. without being called into question by any of the other members." It was "allowed for any licensed preacher that preaches the Gospel of Jesus Christ in purity to preach in the above meeting house. if he makes application to the trustees ; and should it happen that application should be made for two preachers in one day, let the one preach in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon. so that none may meet a disappointment." The house built by this society was of hewed logs and stood on the lot afterward occupied by Grace Reformed Church. In 1821 a movement was started by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations to build a new union church. The effort succeeded in 1822 in which year the building was dedicated. Each congregation had its own pastor, elders and deacons, but the trustees. a secretary and a treasurer were elected annually by the congregations in joint meeting. The house occupied the site where Grace Reformed Church afterwards stood. After the separation of the two congregations—Reformed and Lutheran—the latter worshiped in the old Methodist meeting house. A few years later they built a fine house of worship of brick in the southern part of the village, which received the name of "Jerusalem Church." In 1905 Grace Reformed Church had no settled pastor. Rev. G. A. Leber was pastor of the Lutheran Church. Application for the formation of a church organization for Columbiana was made to the Presbyter); of New Lisbon in May, 1865. Accordingly the church was organized May 13, 1865, with 13 members. In July. William C. Faulkner. a licentiate, began his ministry with the church. The first meetings were held in School Hall, but in 1867 a frame building was erected by Hiram Bell for the society. Rev. J. F. Kirkbride was pastor of the church in 1905. In 1834 a small meeting house was built on the Petersburg road, in the edge of Columbiana. which was intended primarily for the Methodists, but was to be free for other denominations when not occupied by the former. This house was used until 1859, when the brick building on the lower part of Main street was erected by the denomination. In 1873 a parsonage was built on the lot adjoining on the. south, and in 190o an addition to the church was built. In i905 the pastor of the church was Rev. A. M. Carr, D. D. A temporary organization of the Disciples faith was effected December 29, 1876. Meetings were thereafter held in School Hall, and in January, 1878, a hall on Main street was fitted up by the society as a place of worship. The society afterward adopted the name of the Christian Church of Columbiana. The removal of a number of the members to other points brought about the abandonment of the organization before the close of the century. However, about 1898, a new organization was effected and a comfortable frame structure for a place of worship was built. In 1905 the congregation had no pastor. Methodist meetings were held in East Fairfield as early as 1835. An organization was formed a few years later. About 1842 a small house of worship was built, which in 1876 was replaced by a larger and more presentable edifice. About 1825 a society was organized at East Fairfield. which assumed the name of "Primitive Christians" and worshiped according to the forms of that body for several years. They built a meeting house on a lot which later formed a part of the cemetery. In February. 1828, ministers of the Disciples Church held a series of meetings which resulted in many conversions, and in the adoption by the society of the tenets of the Disciples. The old meeting house was used until 1851, when a neat brick edifice was built. 280 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY A little earlier than 1840 a meeting house was built of logs on the farm of Elias Holoway, on section 29, which was at one time occupied by a flourishing congregation. It was known as the Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church. The congregation disbanded prior to 1860. In 1835 the people of the western part of the township built a small meeting house, in which a society of Bible Christians and others worshiped, the latter belonging chiefly to the "Church of God." In about to years this home was removed to section 20. three-quarters of a mile northeast of its original location. Then the title to the new property was vested in Samuel Ney, David Galbraith and Samuel Heaton and their successors, as trustees. "To be free to all sons and daughters of Adam." The Mennonite denomination built a log house of worship, near the west line of section 7, Fairfield township. about 1828. for the use of people of their faith in that township and of Beaver township, Mahoning County. The log building was replaced in 1873 by an unpretentious structure of brick. In 1905 it still occupied a beautiful knoll surrounded by stately forest trees. VILLAGES AND HAMLETS OF FAIRFIELD TOWNSHIP. Middleton was originally platted by William Heald soon after the settlement of the township, to embrace the southeast corner of section 23. It was always Nvell supplied with churches and schools, with a few shops for mechanical industries in a small way. and with several stores at different times. In 1905 the population was less than 200. The inhabitants generally engaged in fruit culture. East Fairfield was laid out in 1803, on the southeast quarter of section 36. It is the oldest village in the township but never having had a railroad it was outstripped by its neighbors with less natural advantages. It contained a good school house, two churches and a public hall. with a population of nearly 300. The postoffice is one of the oldest in the county. The village was on the old stage route, and was supplied with mail earlier than 1809. The first permanently located physician was Gustavus Allen. The father of William McKinley was in the foundry business in East Fairfield before 1850. HANOVER TOWNSHIP AND ITS HAMLET Hanover township is No. 15 in range 4. and is six miles square as originally laid out. The surface of the country is slightly undulating and is well adapted to agricultural purposes. The townships of Hanover. Knox, Butler and est form a portion of the "divide" between the waters of the Erie and the Ohio River. The west fork of Little Beaver Creek flows through the township. southward along the eastern border. emerging at section 25. In 1806 illiam Winder located upon a portion of section 33. William Rhodes settled on section 32. Samuel Reeder on section 33, and just east of him Benjamin Stackhouse. Stephen McBride settled in 1805 or 1806 in what was later Kensington, near where later the Friends' Meeting House stood, which Mr. McBride was chiefly instrumental in erecting. In 18%. John Sinclair and Fredefick Bayard ( who was a great hunter) entered the northeast quarter of section 20. Enos Ellis and James Craig were early settlers of Hanoverton—in 1806 and 1807. Edward Carroll settled in Hanover township shortly after 1804, on the northwest quarter of section 1. Thomas Griswold. a Friend preacher. located in 1806 on the place afterward occupied by Francis Blythe. His on Joseph was a justice of the peace for a long time. John Farmer and his grandfather, Joseph Jones, Quakers from Georgia, ancestors of James Farmer, who was prominent in the industrial development in Salineville, settled near New Garden in 1804. and in 1812 or 1814 removed to Salineville. Michael Arter removed from, New Lisbon to Hanoverton in 1817 and there continued to live until his death in 1879. Mr. Arter was conspicuous early in life for the earnest stand he took as a supporter of the anti-slavery doctrine, and gave freely of his time and means in assisting fugitive slaves from the South on their way to Canada AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 281 through Hanover village which was a station on the "Underground Railroad." James Waugh kept tavern in 1815 on the old State road where later was located the village of New Garden. His tavern consisted of two log cabins, one on either side of the road, and beside them at that time there were but two other cabins upon the site of New Garden. Samuel Reeder settled in the township in 1806 and Charles Petit in 1808. The latter for years operated a shop wherein was manufactured fanning-mills, coffins and window-sash. Among the early settlers in the eastern part of the township were Amos Frost, who, about 1807, located on section 34; Nicholas Miller, on the same section, and Isaiah 'Williams. on section 13. Benjamin Saunders settled on section 9. Robert Burton, who settled in the western part of the township in 1806. was the first justice of the peace. Joseph Figley. one of the early settlers in Wayne township, moved afterwards to Hanover. Levi Miller settled in 1810 on two quarters in sections 29 and 32, entered by Mahlon Haines. Miller sold to Samuel Holland. from whom the property descended to Samuel M. Holland, the original proprietor of Kensington village. Hanover township was organized in 1806. Hanover village (long known as Hanoverton P. 0.) was laid out in May. 1813. by James Craig. Craig organized a stock company, or co-operative store, and obtained an appointment as postmaster. Among the early stores were those kept by George Sloan and Charles Pope. "Pope," says an old history, "committed suicide one day, but nobody ever learned why." In 1834, when the Sandy and Beaver Canal was projected to pass through Hanover township, near Hanoverton. there was a general awakening and "brushing up" among the business men. Michael Arter, George Brown and Horace Potter purchased land along the proposed canal at the village, and laid an addition upon what was later Canal street, which afterward became the business portion of the village. Properties were improved and everything seemed favorable for a prosperous future for Hanoverton. The canal project, however, received a backset in the panic of 1837, and the business projects of Hanoverton received a check, to be revived, however, in 1845, when the canal project seemed to be approaching realization. David Arter and Perry Nicholas built a great warehouse, which was still standing, opposite the Mansion House, in 1905, and J. R. and A. R. Arter a larger one, which was still occupied as a business place in the early years of the new century. For a brief time business was good in Hanoverton in the buying and shipping of produce, but the canal failing in 1847, Hanoverton's bright prospects also came to an end, and the town has since been moving along quietly, and enjoying a moderate degree of prosperity. Hanover village was incorporated in 1836, Michael Arter being the first mayor and John Alexander, the first recorder. The population in 1900 was 399. In 1905 A. V. Johnson was mayor and C. H. Swearingen, clerk. Gillford was another of the "boom" villages of Hanover township, boomed as a result of the Sandy and Beaver Canal project. In 1835. upon the projection of the canal, apart of whose chosen course was to pass through section 12. Hanover township. Dr. George McCook, J. G. Willard and Jacob Schreiber purchased the northeast quarter of section 12 and laid out a town, advertising an auction sale of town lots. About the same time Samuel Fugit and John Hanna laid out lots on the southeast quarter ; and on the day of sale about 3,000 people from Ohio. Pennsylvania! and Virginia, with some from more remote States, were present and ready to bid for these choice properties. Excitement ran high, for everybody thought Gillford was destined to be a great city. Consequently the lots sold at fancy prices. Meanwhile work on the canal was being pushed. Houses were built and stores and hotels opened up. The town was named-in honor of Gill, the engineer in charge of the canal work. At the first sale 150 lots were sold, some bringing sums as high as $250. After the canal bubble had burst, many of these lots were sold for fifty cents to one dollar each. Samuel Boots sold his farm, bought a lot in Gillford and put up a big tavern. in which for a couple of years he did a 282 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY great business. The town was incorporated in 1836, with a population of 400 or boo. The first officials were : Thomas Brandon, mayor, and William Torrance, clerk. The next mayor was Joseph Louthan, in 1837, in which year the golden prospects of the town took to themselves wings. As a municipality its existence was of very short duration. In 1845, when the revival of the canal scheme gave to the hamlet some promise of the final fruition of its earlier hopes, there was a temporary awakening, but it was never a brisk one; and after the final collapse of the canal Gillford lapsed into the importance of a rural village, which it ever afterwards maintained. The village of New Garden was laid out in 1850, and an addition was made to it in 1832. It has always been a quiet though reasonably prosperous hamlet, situated as it is in a rich farming section. James Graham was a prosperous merchant and the postmaster for 40 years. E. K. Liber had a carriage manufactory and Charles Liber conducted a small foundry. George Sloan purchased 20 acres on section 35, and in 1838 laid out Dungannon, calling it for his native land in Ireland. The projectors of the town shared with those of Hanoverton and Gillford their bright expectations based upon the canal project, and like them of course were doomed to disappointment. Many of the inhabitants of the village, with those of the immediate neighborhood, were Catholics, and a church of their faith has been maintained there. The village of Kensington was laid out in 1852 upon the building of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad, being first called Mayville, as a tribute to Samuel May Holland, who had owned the village site. The name Kensington was adopted in 1876. The first station agent was Jacob Dutton, who opened the first store. Oliver Miller was for many years station agent. B. C. Battin kept a hotel for about 25 years in the town. THE CHURCHES OF HANOVER TOWNSHIP. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Hanoverton was organized in 1834. It was at tached originally to the New Lisbon circuit. The first church building was erected in 1837, preaching having originally been held in the Disciples Church. The building was demolished June 50, 1876, by a wind storm, but was at once rebuilt. The Methodist Episcopal Church at New Garden was organized in 1840. Public worship was held in the village schoolhouse until 1841, when a frame church was erected. Robert Dennis donated the land for the church. The Methodist Episcopal Church at Gillford was also organized in 1840. In 1846 J. P. Conly donated a lot upon which the church was built. The Disciples Church at Hanoverton traces its origin back to 1850, when the Christian Church was organized there. The first house of worship was a log cabin just south of Hanover village. In 1850 the congregation was reorganized as the Disciples Church. An addition to the church was built, and that house served until 1859, when a new building was completed. The Disciples Church at New Garden was organized in 1842, as a branch of the church at Hanoverton. A frame house was built, but in 1856 the branch returned to its parent stem at Hanoverton. About 1810 John Stauzh, a German Lutheran minister, gathered together a band of worshipers from the German Lutheran settlements in Center and Hanover townships.. and he was engaged to preach for them. In 1813 he organized St. Martin's Lutheran Church, and shortly after a log church was built. Rev. Mr. Stauzh preached several years without compensation. With small remuneration he served the society until 1847. A brick church was built in 1847, and in 1876 a frame structure took its place. St. Philip's Catholic Church was organized at Dungannon in 1814. In 1827 a church was built near„the site of, the Catholic graveyard. In 1847, the majority of the members living at Dungannon, a location was obtained in the town and a large brick building was erected at a cost of about $15,0oo. The first church built in Hanover township was a log meeting house built by the So- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 283 ciety of Friends, east of New Garden, about 1806. In 1840 the log church was replaced by a commodious structure. Soon the Friends began to move away. the church was abandoned and, in 1859, the structure was demolished. About the date of the building of the church at New Garden, the Friends living near Hanover erected a log meeting house. At that time this was the only church in the neighborhood. In 1872 they replaced the log house with a brick structure. The services of the New Garden Meeting of Friends were transferred to Winona in 1839, they having been held in Hanover township prior to that time. The First Presbyterian Church of Hanoverton was organized about 1830 by Rev. James Robertson, a minister somewhat noted in Columbiana County for his success in organizing churches. A frame church had been built in anticipation of the organization. Rev. Mr. Robertson was the first pastor. and served until 1846. when he organized a Free Presbyterian Church at Hanoverton, and became the pastor. In 1841 the frame church building was replaced by a brick structure. In 1846 the church developed factions on the question of slavery, a portion of the congregation going with Rev. Mr. Robertson to the Free Presbyterian Church. Probably the first burying ground laid out in Hanover township was the one at the Friends Meeting House near Hanoverton. William Craig is supposed to have been the first person buried there. He died about 1808. Although the ground was laid out by the Friends. it was free for public use, and many persons from a distance conveyed their friends thither for burial. There is an old burying ground. also, near New Garden. That, too, was laid out bv the Friends, near their meeting house ; and, although the Friends have passed out of the township, and their meeting house, too, is gone. the graveyard still remains. being still free to all denominations and the public generally. THE TOWNSHIP OF KNOX. Knox township is the northwest corner township of Columbiana County. It is slightly rolling as to its topography, and is drained by the Mahoning River and its tributaries. At an early day the land was largely taken up by speculators, who, however, disposed of their holdings in many cases to actual settlers at reasonable figures. The first permanent settler of the township was John Thomas, who came from Pennsylvania. He entered sections 27, 28 and 29, in 1804. Jacob Shaffer also settled in Knox in 1804. During the Sunday morning services, June 2, 1822, on the banks of the Sandy, Mrs. Shaffer and her infant child were killed by as falling tree. Daniel White- leather, living at the close of the century at North Georgetown, is one of a family of eight children, sons and daughters of Andrew Whiteleather. This family, all grown, settled in the township in 1807. Parmenas Lamborn settled on section 13 in 1814. John Weaver, Jr.. from Bedford County, Pennsylvania, settled on section 35 in 1819. John Weaver, the father of John Weaver, Jr., settled on section 36 in 1822. In 1821 Cornelius Sheehan of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, settled on section 32. In his family were to children—five sons and five daughters. James Johnson entered a quarter of section 17 in 1823. James Beer, a pensioner of the War of 1812. settled in Wayne township in 1805, and in 1830 removed to Knox, bringing a wife and family. Rev. Joshua Beer, son of the pioneer James Beer, had settled in Knox in 1825, leaving, in Portage County, whence he came, a family of grown sons and daughters. Rev. Mr. Beer had preached in Knox as early as 1818. While preaching in the Middle Sandy Presbyterian Church, he was taken suddenly ill, and died a few days afterward. Christian Dellenbaugh settled in Knox township in 1824. Dr. Dellenbaugh, a son of Christian. began the practice of medicine at North Georgetown, continuing 28 years. Daniel Burton, a native of Burlington County, New Jersey, bought lands from the government, comprising a part of section 9. receiving a grant therefor, bearing the signature of President John Adams. He settled on the land in 1826. Samuel Hoffman, a pioneer of Salem township. settled on section 21 in 1829. John, the oldest son living of a fam- 284 - HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY ily of eight children, still resided on the home farm in Knox township a few years before the close of the century. George M. Bowman settled on section 23 in 1832. John Kuntz, of union County, Pennsylvania, with his wife and son Robert, settled in North Georgetown in 1836. Benjamin Anderson entered land in section 30. He died in 1875. Among the early settlers of the township also were Jacob Stoffer, Henry Keister, Daniel Shiveley, George and Adam Wolf, George and John Mountz, Stophel Miller, Obadiah Crew, Thomas Stanley, Pleasant Cobbs and Adam and Michael Falor. James McLaughlin. an old Revolutionary soldier, who had served under the immediate command of General Washington, came to Columbiana County from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. and settled near the village of Calcutta, St. Clair township, in the year 1797. In 1850 he removed to Knox township and settled on section 18. There he resided a few years and then removed to Wayne township where he died about 1834. in his 91st year. Knox township was organized June 14. i808. Jacob Crumbacher and Benjamin Anderson were the first trustees. North Georgetown occupies a pleasant, elevated site, and has a population of about 200. It is located on sections 24 and 25, and was laid out in 1830. The village was platted by John Whiteleather and George Stiger. The first building erected on the site was a log house, built by John Weaver in 1828. In 1833 a hotel was opened bS, Jacob Ritter. who kept it in operation several years. George Wolf. Alexander Crump, David Eckstine, David Summers. and Samuel Sturgeon. respectively, succeeded to the proprietorship of the house. At the death of Mr. Sturgeon, the house was abandoned as a hotel. Another hotel was started in 1874 by Jacob Kuntz. Homeworth, a thriving little town on the line of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad. was laid out August 28, 1851 under the proprietorship of Jonas Ruff, Samuel Fox and Jacob Williams. While there had been a cluster of buildings on the site of Homeworth as early as 1840. yet the town really owes its existence to the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad. The postoffice prior to 1869 was known as "Sandy Postoffice." The first hotel was built by Jonas Ruff in 1852. Over the door of the house for several years was displayed the words, "Call and see Jonas Ruff." Reuben Shidler succeeded Ruff in 1863. In 1871 P. W. Taylor bought the property and continued the hotel in connection with his duties as postmaster. The development of the Homeworth oil field. told of elsewhere in this work, in 1904-05, gave the town something of a boom. Prior to 1880 for about 25 years, the Homevurth Agricultural Works did a large business in the manufacture of grain drills, corn shellers and various other agricultural implements. Reading, a small and practically extinct hamlet. situated midway between North Georgetown and Homeworth. was platted about the year 1840, when a little cluster of houses was built. It was expected by some that this would be the center of trade for the township. The hamlet never extended beyond the limits of its original 40 acres. The first regular divine service held in Knox township was in the summer of 1816, Rev. Robert Semple. of the Hartford ( Connecticut ) Presbytery. officiating. The service was held in the woods near the site later occupied by the Middle Sandy Presbyterian Church. November Io, 1821. the church was organized by Rev. John Core, of the same presbytery. The first house of worship was built about 1825. and the structure still in use in 1905 was built in 1853. The early meetings of the German Baptist Church society were held in log houses as early as 1810—but they were of an informal character. These house to house meetings were continued until 1860. when a house of worship was erected on section 27. In 1878 the church building was enlarged and remodeled. This is the largest church edifice in the township. and will 1 seat boo persons. The Disciples or Christians of Knox township held informal services as early as 1830. In 1866 the society purchased the schoolhouse on section to. and removed it to lands of Dan- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 285 iel Borton, on section 9, where they continued to worship. Bethel Church (German Reformed) was organized about 1830. Jacob Cronig and Jacob Miller in 1838 donated a site for a church on section 15, where a house was built. The original structure was replaced by a larger one in 1860. In 1830 a house of worship was built on the hill east of Georgetown, to be occupied in common by the German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran societies. A discussion arising as to the form of service to be used, whether English or German. resulted in the withdrawal of those who preferred the English. These organized the Evangelical Lutheran Church in 1861. A Methodist Episcopal society was organized about 1840, which some time subsequently built a church edifice on the hill east of Homeworth. The first school in Knox township was opened in a log cabin by Samuel Thomas, on section 29, in the year 1806. In 1826 the township contained four school districts. In 1852 the township was divided into 11 districts, which number was afterward increased to 12. The districts' were all provided with good and comfortable buildings.