Middleton Township (part 1 of 2)

Middleton Township

This village was originally platted to cover the southeast corner of section 23, by William Heald, soon after the settlement of the township. The plan embraced a square of lots so arranged as to give the village, when built up, a compact appearance. The purpose of the founder was not closely adhered to, and much of the village was built in a free way on sections 25 and 26, giving it a large area.

It is said that Albert Sharpless built the first house in the village, and that the building is now occupied by Rebecca Coppock. No stores were opened at an early day. Among the first to engage in trade were Millhouse & Mendenhall, about 1836, whose store was on the Fairfield road, east of the square. Eight or nine years later C. D. Bassett engaged in merchandising on the opposite side of the street; and later, on the corner occupied by Joseph Cope, J. Hamilton & Son had a store. Others in trade have been W, D. Chidester, Wm. Thomas, Nathan Cope, Thomas Taylor, Hum & Co., and George Frost. No goods have been sold in the village since 1874. This hamlet has never had a post-office or a public-house. A few years ago a man engaged in the sale of liquor, but his place met with summary treatment at the hands of the indignant women of the village, and he wisely left for other parts.

Middleton has several good shops occupied for mechanical purposes, two school-houses (one belonging to the Friends), and three churches. The number of inhabitants is 180.

Industries. - Mifflin Cadwallader has long carried on the manufacture of brooms ; and, formerly, Wm. Shaw had a chair-factory, and a lathe for turning broom-handles, operated by steam. David Wickersham had in operation, ten years ago, a shingle-machine; and later, Wickersham & Inman had a large cider-press, the motive power of both being steam.

The principal industry of the people is fruit-culture and the preparation of fruit for market. In 1878, Wickersham, Brown & Co. began the manufacture of fruit-baskets and crates in a factory operated by steam-power, and used also for fruit-drying. The machine used for cutting splints was devised and patented by the firm, and is very ingenious.

East Fairfield

This village has a very pleasant location on the southeast quarter of section 36, and was founded in 1803 by John Crozer and John Bradficld. It is the oldest, and for a long time and until the building of the railroad through other places near was the most important, village in the township ; but its business has since declined. It contains, besides the interests detailed below, a good school-house, a public hall, and two churches, and lias about 300 inhabitants.

The first goods were sold in the place by Israel Cope for a co-operative store company, but the first successful merchant was Robert Craig. He built a business house of brick, north of the old Low tavern, where he carried on trade many years. While this house was occupied by Farr & Thurston, in 1861, the foundation gave way, causing its destruction. Wm. Waterworth and the Hannas were in trade at the same period as Mr. Craig. Of many persons who were formerly engaged in business at this place there are remembered Thomas R. Knight, Wm. Ensign, George H. Brown, William Henderson, Joseph Morgan, Robert Glass, B. J. Ferrall, Samuel Crozer, Wm. L. Young, George Pitzer, and L. L. Beck. James M. Taylor and Frank Shoemaker are now in business.

Hotels. - Parnell Hall and Jeremiah Feazel were among the first to open public-houses, but Abel Lodge achieved the greatest reputation as.a pioneer innkeeper. His house was one of the most noted on the road between Pittsburgh and Worster. .Taverns were also kept by Robert Craig, Ephraim Blackburn, Joseph Thompson, William Ensign, and Isaac Low. The present innkeeper is Joseph Shrum.

Post-office - The post-office at East Fairfield is one of the oldest in the county. The village was on the old stage-route, and was supplied with mail before 1809. John Crozer was the first postmaster, and kept the office at his house, in the eastern part of the village. As near as can be determined the subsequent postmasters have been Robert Craig, Jesse Williams, George H. Brown, Morris Thurston, J. Morgan, Isaac Low, Samuel Poland, Josiah Wilkinson, and James M. Taylor, the present incumbent. The office is on the route from Liverpool to New Waterford, and has a triweekly mail.

Physicians. - The first permanently located physician was Gustavus Allen. For many years Sylvanus Fisher and Charles Kay were in practice at the same time, both remaining many years. C. P. O' Hanlon and II. Maloney have also been practitioners at this place. The present physicians are Frank Scott and Wm. R. Granger.

Industries. - In the early history of the village Joseph James had a tannery, which became the property of B. J. Ferrall, and was carried on by him more than forty years and then discontinued.

The father of the Hon. Wm. McKinley was in the foundry business at East Fairfield-many years ago, and was esteemed a good mechanic. Other foundry-men were Israel Thompson and Jacob Reep. Plow-making was carried on by Reuben Beans, and in the same shop Austin McConnell followed the machinist's trade. At a later day Mr. McConnell built a shop near the present Methodist church, in which he manufactured engines and farm-machinery until his death. Isaac Low has had a cooperage and cider-mill for many years. The tailor of the village for the past fifty years has been Robert W. Jackson. Robert Martin has carried on the cabinetmaker's trade about the same length of time. Outside of the ordinary mechanical pursuits, there is no manufacturing at East Fairfield.

Railroad, on sections 4 and 9. Its growth was slow and unimportant until the completion of the railway, but since that time its material interests and population have increased, until Columbiana ranks among the foremost of the villages of the county. It contains two very fine schoolbuildings, six churches, many handsome residences, and has about 1400 inhabitants.

The village was laid out by Joshua Dixson in the spring of 1805, and embraced originally fifty-eight lots, on the southwest quarter of section 4. These were located on two streets sixty feet wide, running with the cardinal points, and intersecting each other in the centre of a small square, near the top of a hill, on which the greater part of the village is built. This plat was recorded Aug. 22, 1805. Many additions have been made to the original plat. The principal ones have been John Todd's on the south and Sturgeon's on the west. Other lots for village purposes, on the foregoing section, and on sections 3 and 10, have been added by Deemer, Stouffer & Lamb, Koch, Zeigler, \V. E. & A. Sturgeon, Roninger, Stiver Brothers, William Nichols, Mary A. Todd, Snyder, Betz, John Stiver, Nichols & Allen, Joseph and William Wallace, Strickler, Rohrbaugh, Erwin, Voglesong, Holloway, Bell, Allen, Nichols, and Harrold.

It is said that Jesse Allen was the first merchant in the place, and began trade some time about 1812. Benjamin Hanna had an interest, and the firm was known as Jesse Allen & Co. They occupied a small building on the northeast corner of the square until 181(1. Mr. Allen was there in trade alone, after that time, for a number of years, but subsequently built and occupied the present bank-building. After many years of successful merchandising in Columbiana, he was succeeded by Jesse M. Allen, who remained a leading business-man for nearly half a century. The fine brick block on the west side of the square was erected by him. Probably the second to engage actively in trade was William Moody. After 1825 he opened a store in a building which stood by the side of the old Allen store, and remained about ten years. Meantime, William Yates opened a store, making, in 1831, three in the village. At the Moody stand Joseph Wallace engaged in merchandising, and continued about thirty years. Others actively engaged in trade in the village have been Moses Copeland, Jonathan Esterly, and Jesse Erwin. In 183G, Daniel Stouffer became a general merchant in Columbiana, and has been in trade ever since, the present firm being D. Stouffer & Son. The other principal merchants are Frank P. Farrand and L. D. Holloway.

Near where is now Lamb's drug-store John Young sold drugs forty years ago. The next to engage in this business were Icenhour & Allen, near the depot, where Allen was subsequently in trade alone. At a later period Paul Metzger began business near the square, and yet continues in that neighborhood.

The first hardware-store was opened by Frederick S warts, who was succeeded by Allen & Icenhour. John E. Allen continues the business. Greenamyer & Callahan, who remain in trade, came some time subsequent to Mr. Swarfs.

In former days Vollentine & Henkle, Reuben Strickler, and John P. Patterson were active grocers. J. & N. Strickler, L. Stuckinan, and George Voglesong are among those now in that business. Swick & Esterly, J. M. Williams, and H. Donges & Son were in business as clothiers, the latter yet continuing. W. R. Knowles & Co. are extensive dealers in harness and leather goods. There are other firms engaged in the different branches of trade, the aggregate of whose business is large.

Physicians. - As near as can be determined from the meagre accounts at hand, Moses Curry was the first settled physician in Columbiana. David G. Silvers was his contemporary practitioner for a time. Gustavus Aller also practiced in the village, but lived on a farm two and a half miles south. John B. Preston died in the village while in practice. Others of the medical profession who resided long enough in the place to establish a practice, but who have removed, were Drs. Onler, John McCook, John C. Levis, Gideon Wansettler, Enoch Cloud, Eli Sturgeon, George Wieland, Nicholas Sampsell, A. C. Yengling, D. Beard, and Sylvanus Fisher.

John Metzger has resided at Columbiana more than twenty years, but has not been in active practice. Daniel Deemer has been a successful practitioner since 1850 ; George S. Metzger since 1836 ; Abraham Sampsell since 1863 ; A. L. King since 1873 ; J. B. Thompson, a homoeopathist, since 1875; Enos Greenamyer since 1874; and John B. Weaver and Charles Orr since 1878.

Attorneys and Justices. - John D. King was the first attorney to locate permanently in the practice of his profession, although William McLaughlin and W. W. Orr may have been in the village for short periods before Mr. King's settlement, in 1856. King remained until 1860, when he was succeeded by George Duncan. Charles D. Dickinson opened an office for the practice of law in 1873, and John G. Beatty, E. S. Holloway, and F. A. Witt came later and at different periods.

Among the justices of the peace who maintained offices at Columbiana have been John Young, Anthony Hardman, John Voglesong, George Lamb, James Stevenson, Josiah Rohrbaugh, and John D. Robertson. The last two have offices at the present time, - 1879.

Village Government. - The village of Columbiana was vested with the privileges of a corporate body in 1837. Its territorial limits embraced one square mile of land, situate chiefly on sections 4 and 9, only 80 acres each being on sections 3 and 10. Under the charter an election for village officers was held at the house of John Sturgeon, May 27, 1837, twenty-one votes being polled. Emanuel Brubaker and John Snyder acted as judges, and declared the following persons elected : Mayor, William Hickman ; Recorder, Samuel Nichols; Trustees, Peter W. Dehoff, David Neidig, Lot Holmes, William Nichols, Isaac Keister.

Prior to the surrender of the charter, in 1842, the following were the mayors: Wm. Hickman, Samuel Seachrist, John G. Young, and John Voglesong. The recorders for the same period were Samuel Nichols and Lot Holmes.

For more than fourteen years the village was unincorporated, but on the 9th of June, 1856, the county commissioners granted a new charter, whose powers extend to the

Alexander Crozier Bell

Alexander Crozier Bell, Sr., father of the subject of this sketch, was born May 29, 1804, at Stony Point, near the town of Demare, County Down, Ireland. He was the son of Thomas and Martha (Crozier) Bell, who were natives of that county.

In 1816, Alexander C. Bell, Sr., came to America and located in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa., where he resided for a period of forty-one years, being engaged for several years as superintendent of one floor in the cotton-mills of James Adams (his uncle), and later in the wholesale grocery trade on Liberty Street.

Fort Wayne and Chicago Railway Company, and Pennsylvania Company ever since he came to Ohio, either as telegraph operator, freight or passenger ageut.

He has been a prominent member of both the Masonic and Odd-Fellow orders, having for three successive years represented Allen Lodge, F. and A. M., No. 276, in the sessions of the Grand Lodge of the State. He was one of the charter-members of Panora Lodge, No. 410, I. O. O. F. ; has held the various offices in the lodge, and served one year as District Deputy Grand Master of Columbiana County.

Although comparatively a young man, he has been an active worker in the Democratic party, and has been a delegate to several State and county con-

Alexander Crozier Bell, Jr., was born July 13, 1844, in the city of Pittsburgh, Pa. His education was obtained in the Fourth Ward schools of that city, which he attended until he arrived at the age of twelve and a half years.

In January, 1857, he moved with his parents to Columbiana, Ohio. At the age of thirteen he went to Mansfield, Ohio, and learned telegraphing, and was the first to open a telegraph key in Columbiana.

ventions. In 1878 he was nominated for the office of clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, and although his party was very largely in the minority, both in his township and county, his majority in his own township was seventy-one.

In 1876 he was elected mayor of the village of Columbiana, and re-elected in 1878, and in the discharge of the responsible duties of the office has been a faithful and efficient officer, guarding with care the best interests of the place, both morally and financially.

Hiram Bell

Hiram Bell, the subject of this sketch, was the great-grandson, on his maternal side, [of Thomas Buzby, who was born in England ; moved to America, and settled in Rancocas, Burlington County, N. J. Married and raised a family of six children, viz.: Joseph, Thomas, Amos, Isaac, Daniel, and Mary.

Isaac married Miss Martha Lippincott, of the vicinity of Philadelphia, Pa. She died at an early age, leaving two children, - Nathaniel and Martha. He afterwards married Naomi Owen, daughter of Rolan and Prudence Owen, formerly Prudence Powell. She died leaving seven children, viz. : Rachel, Prudence, Mary, Isaac, Martha, 'Joseph, and Rebecca. He afterwards married Sarah Alberson, by whom he had one child, Sarah.

His daughter Martha, by second wife, married Smith Bell, son of Thomas and Thamer (Smith) Bell, of Delaware. They moved to Columbiana County in 1805, and located in Elk Run township, two and one-half miles southwest of East Fairfield, where they resided until their death. There were born to them twelve children, six of whom are still living, viz. : Sarah, Hiram, Smith, Mary, Robert, and Martha, all owning homes within seven miles of where they were born.

Hiram married Martha Freed, only daughter of George Freed, and granddaughter of Jacob Freed and Samuel Kemble, of Columbiana County, May 30, 1849. They have had born to them nine children, viz. : Sydney, Lewis, Naomi, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Mulford, Anna, Clifton, and Norman, seven of whom are still living, the two latter having died in infancy.

In 1877 Hiram Bell was elected commissioner of the county for a term of three years, which office he now holds. He has been successful in his business enterprises, and holds to a large degree the esteem and confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances.

same limits as the first charter. No borough election was held until April 14, 1857, when forty-four votes were cast, and George Lamb elected mayor and Jonathan Esterly recorder.

The village officers in 1879 are as follows: Mayor, A. C. Bell, Jr.; Clerk, T. S. Arnold; Treasurer, Daniel Stouffer; Councilmen, John IJarrold, Solomon Haas, Adiu Greenamyer, Isadore Bishop, David Crawford, David Beard ; Solicitor, F. A. Witt; Street Commissioner, George Roninger; Marshal, Rufus L. Ney.

Under this charter the streets have been reduced to an easy grade and curbed, to secure surface drainage. The principal streets are lighted with oil lamps. In 18G0 the borough purchased the old Methodist church, which was used as a village-hall many years. At present there is a small council-house and lock-up near the centre of the village.

Fire- Apparatus. - The treasurer's report made in 1878 shows that the receipts of the corporation from all sources for the year previous were $4363.40, and the disbursements $2130.77. It was proposed that the remainder in the treasury be expended in purchasing a fire-engine and other necessary apparatus to protect the village against fire. As early as 1840 the village had an organization called the " Columbiana Fire Company," the apparatus consisting of hooks, ladders, and buckets. At later periods fire companies were formed, which, not properly encouraged, soon disbanded. An old hand-engine was made to do service for the village for a number of years, but since 1867 it has been unfit for use. The place has been comparatively free from fires, the only one of note being that which destroyed the Wallace machine-shops, in the summer of 1877.

Cemetery. - The corporation established a cemetery on the hill, in the eastern part of the village, in 1868. It contained originally five acres, but now has eight. The grounds have been improved and tastefully embellished. The present trustees of the cemetery are J. E. Icenhour, L. Stuckman, and William Flickinger.

Hotels. - As early as 1808, Michael Coxcn had a publichouse in the village, on the southwest corner of the square, which was afterwards kept by Caleb Roller. On the corner opposite, north, George Welch was a pioneer innkeeper, and opposite hjs hotel, east, was another, kept by Isaac Williamson. John Sturgeon engaged as a tavern-keeper on the site of Stouffcr's store, but subsequently took Roller's place, and for many years kept a house which was widely

Joseph Scott erected opposite the railroad station a large brick building for a hotel, which was used for that purpose but a short time. The Park House and the Patterson House (opened in 1878 on Main Street by J. P. Patterson) are the only hotels now in the village, - 1879.

Bank. - The first bank in Columbiana was opened in the Jesse Allen building, January, 1871, by J. H. Hollis and William Kemble. They were succeeded, June 1, 1875, by Jonathan Esterly, Abraham Esterly, and Augustine Windle, under the firm-name of J. Esterly & Co., who have since conducted a general banking business at the same place, dealing in foreign and domestic exchange, and receiving deposits on which interest is paid.

Post-office. - The post-office, of which John Dixson was the first postmaster, was established about 1809. The mail was supplied from the East Fairfield office, on the stage-line from Pittsburgh to Western points. Jesse Allen was the next to hold the office, and was succeeded by Wm. Moody, John Young, Wm. Sturgeon, Anthony Hardman, Peter Dehoff, John Heiner, James H. Bell, and, since 1873, David Esterly. Since August, 1871, it has been a " postal money-order" office. There are four out and four in mails per day, and it is the separating office for route 21,494, to points in Mahoning County, daily, and for route 21,382, Columbiana to Youngstown, daily. The office distributes about 135 letters per day.

Manufactures at Columbiana. - In the early history of Columbiana a number of hatters plied their trade in the village. Among them were W. Underwood, Wm. Patterson, Samuel Fitzpatrick, Elisha Leslie, Israel Beans, Wm. Stacy, George Probst, and Jacob Hum. Mr. Hum carried on the trade from 1831 till 1861.

About 1835, Sheets & Holms had a stove-foundry on the east side of Main Street, which was afterwards carried on by a man named Kingsley. The building used was subsequently converted into a blacksmith-shop.

No other factory of note was in the village until 1858, when the Strickler Brothers began the manufacture of a boring-machine (invented by Reuben Strickler) and agricultural implements. In a few years the shops were enlarged to admit of the manufacture of large quantities of hay-rakes, graindrills, and other farm-machinery. In 1865 the business was sold to W. W. Wallace, of Pittsburgh, who named the factory " Enterprise Agricultural Works." Mr. Wallace made a specialty of the manufacture of the self-discharging hayrake "Welcome." In 1868, E. S. Holloway became the superintendent of the works, and the following year the shops were enlarged to four times their original size. A further change was made in 1870, when a large building was erected on the north side of the street and connected with the main factory by a passage-way. At this time 35 men were employed, and the motive power was furnished by two engines, one being of sixty-horse power. In 1873, Alexander Wallace became the superintendent of the works, which were successfully carried on in the manufacture of farm-machinery, stoves, and ranges, until their destruction by fire, Aug. 2, 1877. Thirteen buildings were burned,

Valley Forge Machine-Shops. - - These works are south of the railroad, and were built in 1877 by A. Harrold & Bros, for general repair-work. They were enlarged in 1879 by J. Harrold & Sons, the present proprietors, to give capacity for the manufacture of stationary engines. Eight men will be employed.

Eurelca Flouring- Mills. - In the eastern part of the village a flouring-mill was erected in 1853 by William A. Smith, and was long known as the " City Mills." The building is a two-story brick, supplied with three runs of stone, operated by an eighty-horse-power engine. The present proprietors are C. Theiss & Sons.

Carriage- Factories. - The manufacture of carriages and light wagons constitutes the present principal industry of Columbiana, and gives employment to more than one hundred men. The number of carriages manufactured varies yearly, but approximates one thousand.

One of the oldest shops was erected by a company in 1868, and is now the property of William B. Slutter. It is occupied by C. Trail and Benjamin Schoeneman.

George Beard began carriage- making in 1868, and continued until his death, in February, 1879. The business is now carried on by David Beard.

Among the other leading firms in the village may be named Zimmer & Doty, Henry Wisner, J. B. Mellinger, James Fetzer, L. J. Deemer, Simon Roninger, and John Sponsellor.

Other Industries. - A small pottery is carried on at the village by I. Keister & Son, the product being plain earthenware. North of the village a tannery was successfully carried on many years by J. J. Shauweher, but has been discontinued. East of the village, Christopher Hively formerly had a carding-machine and a saw-mill.

Works for the manufacture of plain furniture were erected in the fall of 1877 by William Flickinger and Solomon Culp. The building occupied is 30 by 45 feet in size, and two stories high. Steam is used as a motive power. The works give employment to six men.

F. Baird built a shop, also in 1878, for the manufacture of bent work for carriages and sleighs, and uses therein an engine of sixteen-horse power.

Miscellaneous. - West of the village of Columbiana, on the brook, in section 8, William Nichols put up a grist-mill about 1840, which in the course of time was converted into a woolen-factory. This was operated many years by J. Earley, and is continued by his family. At the same place

On the same brook, in section 7, John Beeson started the first grist-mill in the township about 1804. It stood above the present mill in that locality, and was a simple aflfair, the stones revolving no faster than the water-wheel. The present is the fourth mill on this power, and was erected in 1829 by Jacob Nold. For many years it was operated by the Nold family, but is at present the property of Switzer, Miller & Keagle.

South of the village, on section 16, a water-power sawmill was operated many years by Benjamin Bushong, and a little north of the village Jacob Harrold had in operation a steam saw-mill from 1850 to 1870.

A little northeast of the .village of East Fairfield the James family had a water-power saw-mill in early times, which was abandoned before 1850 ; and farther up the brook, on section 35, a steam saw-mill was built in the fall of 1856 by J. E. Allman, Joel Wickersham, David Wickersham, and Joel Ritchie, which became the property, in January, 1877, of W. L. English, and has since been operated by him. It has an eighteen-horse-power engine, and is supplied with circular saws and saws for making lath.

On the headwaters of Elk Run, on section 32, George Freed at an early day started saw- and grist-mills, which in subsequent years were carried on by B. Dilworth, but have lately become the property of others.

Columbiana Union School. - In June, 1858, District No. 2 was organized, under the act of March 14, 1853, as a special district, with Jacob Greenamyer, David Woods, and Michael Henry as a board of education. In the fall of 1864 the schools were transferred to what is now known as the " east building," and placed under the principalship of Prof. George J. Luckey. The subsequent principals have been: 1866-68, J. P. Cameron; 1868-70, Mrs. C. A. Haas; 1871, I. J. Glover; 1872-73, F. A. Atterholt ; 1874-76, W. P. Cope; 1877-78, J. P. Todd; 1878-79, W. J. McGinnis.

The principal is assisted by six teachers. The school is divided into primary, secondary, intermediate, grammar, and high-school departments. Each department is well graded, and candidates for promotion are passed only upon evidence of good scholarship. The number of scholars enrolled is 340, and the average attendance is about 300. The schools are maintained at a cost of about $3000 per year.

The east school-building was completed in 1864, and contains three study- and two recitation-rooms. It has spacious grounds, ornamented with fine trees and shrubbery. The west building was erected in 1873, at a cost of $12,000. The lower story is divided into school-rooms, and the upper story forms a spacious hall for public meetings.

In 1870 the board of education was increased to six members, and was organized by electing Leonard Holloway president, J. B. Powell secretary, and Isaac Groff treasurer.

The board is at present composed of H. H. Crouse, President; .Josiah Rohrbaugh, Secretary; William Lamb, Treasurer; and Henry Smith, J. D. Jones, and J. W. Beeson.

No satisfactory account of the condition of the public schools is afforded by the records prior to 1853. For that year the children of school age were as follows :

The text-books used were McGuffey's Readers; Ray's Arithmetic ; Morse's, Mitchell's, and Pelton's Geographies ; and Clark's, Smith's, Green's, and Ivirkham's Grammars. The township school library was composed of two hundred volumes, and the school-houses were rated at values ranging from $40 to $500.

The districts were provided with houses rated at from $1900 to $12,000. The appropriation for tuition amounted to $3918.56, and for contingent expenses to $1638.74.

John D. King came to Columbiana from Warren, Trumbull County, in 1862 ; remained until 1867, practicing in Columbiana and Mahoning Counties. In June, 1867, he moved to Kenton, Hardin County, where he still resides and holds considerable prominence in his profession.

George G. Duncan came to Columbiana in 1865 ; was admitted to the bar in 1866, and commenced practice early in 1867. He remained until 1874, when he moved to Monroeville, Huron Co., Ohio.

Charles D. Dickinson was admitted to the bar, Aug. 28, 1872, in New Lisbon, at a session of the District Court. He commenced practice March 20, 1873, in Columbiana, where he still follows his profession.

John G. Beatty was born in Charlestown, Mass., Sept. 9, 1826 ; emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1833, and to Ohio in 1873. He was admitted to the bar, Sept. 1, 1874, at Akron, Ohio, and commenced practice in Columbiana a few days later.

Epbraim S. Holloway was born in Fairfield township, Columbiana County, July 27, 1833 ; was admitted to the bar, April 11, 1877, in Columbus, Ohio, and commenced practice in Columbiana, Nov. 1, 1877.

Religious Societies

The Friends, who were among the first settlers of the township, formed a religious society, which was the first in the township, and probably the first in the county, and was the second Monthly Meeting of the Friends in the State of Ohio.

In the summer of 1803 a delegation was appointed by the Red Stone Quarterly Meeting of Pennsylvania to visit the new settlement and organize what is now known as " The Middleton Monthly Meeting of the Society of Orthodox Friends." One of the delegates who came on this mission was Jonas Cattell, at that time more than seventy years of age. Ten years later he again made the meeting a visit, to counsel its members and inspire them by his venerable presence.

The persons originally composing the meeting belonged to the Ileald, James, Woods, Cope, Boulton, Allman, Crozer, Hawley, Oliphant, Shaw, Davis, Test, Moreland, Schooley, Beeson, and other families in Fairfield and the surrounding township. Probably in the same year, or soon after, a log meeting-house was built near the centre of section 26, which was used as a place of worship until 1810, when a brick bouse was built at the village of Middleton. The latter was demolished by a storm in 1858. The present house - a small frame - was then erected, a little south of the site of the brick church.

The Friends have had as regular ministers of this meeting John Ileald, Nathan Heald, Isaac James, James Armstrong, and others. [For a number of years Abi Heald, the wife of James Ileald, of Middleton township, has been a public minister.] William Heald and John Allman were the first elders. The latter died on the 16th day of the 9th month, in 1811, at the age of fifty-one years, and was one of the first interred in the Friends' grave-yard, on section 26. Joseph Cope, John Lipsey, James Boulton, William Blackburn, and Samuel Shaw have served as elders. Mr. Shaw now fills that position (1879). Mifflin Cadwallader is the clerk of the meeting.

The Particular Meetings of the Friends are now attended by about 40 persons ; but the attendance on the Monthly Meetings, in which Friends from Mount Carmel join, is much greater.

A school for instruction in the common branches of a secular education has been maintained by the Friends at Middleton since the formation of the society. A plait) school-building has been provided, in which as many as 60 pupils have been taught at one time. For the past ten years the average attendance has not exceeded 15. Evi Stratton was one of. the teachers who continued longest in charge of the school.

The membership of the Middleton Meeting has been repeatedly diminished by the formation of societies in the adjoining townships on the south, and by the defection of those who allied themselves to other branches of the Society of Friends. To accommodate those living in the northern part of the township, a small meeting-house was built, of logs, before 1820, in what now forms the Friends' grave-yard at Columbiana. It contained at first but one room. It is said that on one occasion, when a business meeting was to be held, a partition of bed-quilts was put up. In this house worship, according to the custom of the Orthodox branch, was for a time sustained ; but most of the members in that part of the township became Hicksites, and meetings were thereafter held by that organization. The present frame meeting-house, on the side opposite the cemetery, was erected in 1832.

The Hicksite Friends' Meeting of Columbiana may be said to have a distinct history from the year 1832. The members about that period were Samuel Erwin, Sr., William Nichols, Thomas Mercer, John Armstrong, Thomas Wickersham, Moses Emery, John Dixon, John Hatcher, Lewis Morgan, Lot Holmes, Samuel Nichols, Morton Dixon, Stacy Nichols, Cyrus Mercer. William Nichols, Jr., Mahlon Nichols, and, in general, their wives.

William Nichols and his wife, Kysander, were recommended ministers, and John Armstrong and Thomas Wickersham were occasional preachers. The regular Monthly Meetings were discontinued in 1867. Since that time the members have become so few that the society is practically extinct, although still maintaining its right to the church property.

The early days of the Reformed Church have scarcely found a place in local annals. A few scattered fragments of its history only can be gathered from very meagre records. In the recollection of the older members, it appears that about the year 1813 a Reformed missionary from the East by the name of Mahnesmith visited the northeastern section of the State, preaching in Mahoning and Columbiana Counties. At Columbiana he held catechetical instruction in a primitive hotel, which stood on the ground now occupied by the " Park House." This sainted pioneer a number of the older citizens heard preach. His manner of speech was plain and forcible. After one of his intensely practical sermons, a lady, on leaving the church, lightly remarked, " Heut hat es wieder gedonnert" (To-day it thundered againj. Mahnesmith, who overheard the remark, replied, " Wenn es auch nur einschlagen wird !" (If it would only strike in, too !)

This first Reformed missionary's labors were continued with greater or less regularity at Columbiana until about 1830. On the 13th day of August, 1814, the " Schooland Meeting-House Society for Columbiana" was organized, the " grand and leading object" of which was to build a house on a lot of ground granted the society by Joshua Dixson, " proprietor of the town of Columbiana." Provision was made in the " articles of association" for three trustees, a secretary, and treasurer, but who were first elected to these offices is not on record. " The only conditions of fellowship required in this society" were " a practical conformity to the principles of impartial 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 abovesaid 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 following " names of associate subscribers," with the amount subscribed by each, and "in what received," are appended to the articles of association :

The house built by this society was of hewed logs, and stood on the lot now occupied by Grace church. After it was discontinued as a preaching-place, it was used for a number of years for day- and Sabbath-school purposes.

In 1821 a movement was commenced by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations to build a new union church. When these congregations were organized is not on record, but they must have been in existence at this time, and seem to have labored and worshiped together most harmoniously. Each congregation had its own pastor, elders, and deacons, but the trustees, a secretary, and a treasurer were elected annually in a joint meeting of the congregations. The effort to erect a new house of worship was crowned with success in 1822, in which year the new church was dedicated. The house was built of brick, with galleries, and occupied the present site of Grace church. Peter Bushongand John Windle are reported to have acted as trustees during the building. Besides their names, the following also appear as subscribers to the building-fund : Jacob Seachrist, Daniel Hisey, Wm. Bushong, Michael Hively, Daniel Bushong, Jacob Hisey,

Peter Dehoff, Matthias Lower. Thomas Dixon, Abraham, John, and Samuel Fox, Michael Coxen, and others. The name given this building was "Jerusalem Church." At the first communion held by the Reformed congregation in the new church sixty persons were received.*

About the time this church was built, or soon thereafter, Rev. Henry Sonnedecker became pastor of the Reformed congregation. He continued to preach for many years. His death occurred in 1851. From about the year 1845 till 1852 or 1853 a minister by the name of Palsgrove was pastor, but the congregation had begun to decline under the troublous discords of those times, and finally disbanded altogether. Rev. Aaron Warner, then pastor at Washingtonville, occasionally preached at Jerusalem church, and finally, by a year's regular supply, succeeded in reorganizing the congregations in 1858.

During 1859 a man by the name of Roemer was pastor for a number of months. In 1860 the pastorate of the still lamented James Rinehart commenced. He brought together the scattered members and imparted to the Reformed Church an impulse the power of which is felt to this day. In 1867 the Reformed people bought out the interests of the Lutheran congregation in the church built in 1822, and during the following year, by many sacrifices and prayers, erected a handsome brick edifice, with basement, which is used by the congregation at the present time.

In 1870, Mr. Rinehart closed his pastorate, and his life, after having been permitted to see, during the winter, a wonderful work of grace in his church, which resulted in the addition of 70 persons.

Rev. Henry Hilbish served the congregation from the fall of 1870 to the winter of 1871-72. During his pastorate the church was constituted a pastoral charge by itself. In June, 1872, Rev. John M. Kendig took charge of the church, and served it with great acceptance and success till September, 1878. His ministry was blessed with a steady growth in interest and numbers. The present pastorate commenced September, 1878. Present officers: Pastor, II. T. Spangler ; Elders, Robert Bell, Simon Roninger, and Benjamin Firestone; Deacons, Josiah Rohrbaugh, Henry Werner, and Frederick Herbster; Trustees, J. C. Icenhour, Frank J. Rohrbaugh, and F. Keller; Secretary, Jonathan Esterly ; Treasurer, L. D. Holloway. Jacob Esterly, who died Feb. 22, 1878, had served the congregation for many years as elder.

The only fact that could be discovered with reference to Sunday-school work in the earlier years of Grace church is that, in 1833, Peter Dehoff was superintendent. In May, 1866, Mr. Rinehart, then pastor, reopened the school by appointing Elders Jacob Esterly and Robert Bell superintendents. Mr. Bell entered heartily into the work, and continued as superintendent until January, 1878. The present officers are Josiah Rohrbaugh, Superintendent;

* Aftor 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 tho village, which received the name of "Jerusalem Church. A sketch of the society's history was promised for this volumo, hut did not come to hand. - ii».

Disciples Church, East Fairfield

About the year 1825 a society was organized at East Fairfield which entertained the doctrines of the " Primitive Christians," and worshiped according to the forms of that body several years. It had among its members persons belonging to the Crozer, Fisher, Ferrall, Cunningham, Morlan, Wallahan, and other families. They built a meeting-house on a lot which now forms a part of the cemetery, west of the village of East Fairfield. In this church Revs. Jones, Seachrist, and other Christian ministers preached, and about 1827 Rev. Joseph .Gaston became the pastor. John Ferrall and William Cunningham were elected to perform the office of deacons.

In February, 1828, Revs. Walter Scott and J. G. Mitchell, missionaries of the Disciples' Church, held a series of meetings which produced many conversions and caused the society to adopt the tenets of the Disciples, all but six of the members voting to make the change. Rev. Joseph Gaston continued as minister, and the deacons became elders. Dr. Fisher was appointed deacon. The present elders are Aaron C. Baker and L. W. Morlan ; the deacons are Henry Morlan and W. C. Baker. These offices have also been held by Henry Morlan, Sr., Amos Dillon, Abel Lodge, John Wallahan, Joel Simpkins, William Pettit, Macy, Fisher, Jacob Booth, and L. L. Beck.

Among those who have ministered to the church have been Revs. Gaston, Saunders, Campbell, Lanphear, Baxter, Way, Reeves, Moss, Hillick, Hayden, and Callahan. The society has about 140 members and a flourishing Sundayschool, of which Frederick Heacock is superintendent.

The old meeting-house was used until 1851, when the present neat brick edifice was erected on the opposite side of the street. Henry Morlan and Laban Ferrall are the trustees of the property.

United Brethren In Christ, Middleton

A class of thirteen members of this faith was organized in 1860 by the Revs. Turner and Paxson, and soon afterwards a log meeting-house for its use was built, on land purchased for the purpose from Robert Gilbert. The church building is 24 by 36 feet in size, and is controlled by a board of trustees, whose first members were Jesse B. Hook, John McConnell, and Jacob W. Seachrist. The present trustees are Henry Seachrist, John Gilbert, and Emanuel Lower.

The church is connected with the societies in Middleton and Unity townships, in a circuit which is at present under the pastoral care of llcv. George Kettring. Other pastors following Mr. Turner were Revs. Bonewell, Travel-, Dilley, Booth,. Bowers, Perkins, Slusser, Dcilil, Randall, Lower, Faulk, Low, Begley, and Singer.

Bible-Ciiristian Church, Middleton

This society was organized in 1861, by the Rev. D. V. Hyde, with about 20 members. The meetings were first held in private houses, but during the ensuing year a plain frame meeting-house was built in the western part of the village, which is yet the home of the society. The first trustees were Gilbert Williamson, Thomas Case, and J. F. Richey.

The church has enjoyed the ministerial labors of the Revs. Hauger, Hurd, Winget, McCowan, Nelson, and Cameron ; but for the past year - 1878-79 - has had no regular pastor. The present membership is about 80. John Stapleton, David Grim, and John Bushong are trustees.

Christian Church Of Columbiana

A temporary organization of persons of this faith (Disciples) to the number of seven was effected, Dec. 29, 1876, by the Rev. J. F. Callahan, an evangelist. Meetings were thereafter held in the school hall, and in January, 1878, the organization was placed upon a permanent basis by the selection of the following officers : Elders, Obadiah Klingingsmith and David Hoffman ; Deacons, Peter M. Wansettler, George Beck, and J. M. Williams; Trustees, J. F. Callahan, J. M. Williams, and P. M. Wansettler.

In August, 1878, a hall on Main Street was fitted up for the use of the society, and is now its place of worship. The members number 23, and since April, 1879, have been under the pastoral direction of Rev. Herman Reeves, who then succeeded Mr. Callahan. He is also the superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which has 45 members.

Presbyterian Church Of Columbiana

Application for the formation of a church was made to the Presbytery of New Lisbon, May, 1865, and that body appointed Revs. A. B. Maxwell, William Gaston, and Elder Hugh Dobbins a committee to attend to the prayer of the petition. After deliberating several days, the church was organized May 13, 1865, with 13 members, and George 0. Frasier, J. T. Barclay, and William Geiger as trustees.

In July, Rev. William C. Faulker, a licentiate, began his ministry with the church, and was ordained to the pastoral office the following October. He remained a year, and was followed, January, 1867, by Rev. John Gilmore, whose pastorate extended to 1868. In November, 1868, Rev. J. G. Hall became pastor, and remained for a little more than a year. In December, 1870, Rev. William C. Smith succeeded, and continued until April, 1872. The next pastor was Rev. T. P. Johnson, who remained more than one year. Since the fall of 1874 the Rev. A. B. Maxwell has ministered to the church as a stated supply, in connection with his pastorate of the church at Leetonia.

In May, 1867, John Campbell and Robert Close were elected the first ruling elders; March 31, 1870, William Geiger and George O. Frasier were chosen ; and in January, 1877, J. H. Trotter and 0. N. Gaylord became the elders of the church. The membership in May, 1879, was 35, and the Sunday-school had 40 members.

The first meetings were held in the school hall ; but in 1867 the present frame meeting-house was erected by Hiram Bell for the society. While the frame was being raised, one of the workmen, Thomas Taylor, of Middleton, was killed by falling timbers. The present trustees are John G. Beatty, J. II. Trotter, and William Shaler.

Methodist Episcopal Church Of Columbiana

Among the settlers of the northern part of the township who were Methodists were the McGregory and Hum families, John Yoglesong, William Wright, John Maury, John Fitzpatrick, and others, to the number of a score. Preaching was supplied about once a month by the clergy on the old Beaver circuit, a full list of which is given in an account of the New Lisbon church.

In 1834 a small meeting-house was built on the Petersburg road, under the trusteeship of John Voglesong and John Fitzpatrick, which was intended primarily for the Methodists, but was to be free for other denominations when not occupied by the former. It was dedicated by Father Swazey, one of the pioneer Methodist ministers. This house was used until 1859, when the present churchedifice, on the lower part of Main Street, was erected by a building committee composed of William Wright, Daniel Deemer, and Daniel Stouffer. It is a well-proportioned brick building, and has lately been much beautified. In 1873 a parsonage was erected on the lot next south. The trustees of this property, in 1879, were Jacob Beard, Samuel Sheets, Daniel Stouffer, J. B. Powell, William Wallace, John Beard, David Esterly, E. Greenamyer, and E. Overholser.

The church has a membership of 162 in full standing and on probation, and has a flourishing Sunday-school, of which 0. T. Holloway is superintendent.

East Fairfield Methodist Episcopal Church

Methodist meetings were held in East Fairfield as early as 1835, but no organization was attempted until a few years later. Among those who were instrumental in forming a society are remembered George H. Brown, Wm. Ensign, and William Henderson. About 1842 a small house of worship was built and used until the present edifice was completed, in 1876. The new building has a very inviting appearance, and was erected by a committee composed of George Jeffries, Lambert Williamson, and Joseph Patton. They, with Robert Martin, constitute the board of trustees. The old house was sold to the citizens of the village, who have converted it into a public hall.

The church has about 40 members, and has been served by the same ministers as the church of Columbiana. The present preacher is Rev. C. H. Edwards.

Wesleyan Methodist Church Of Liberty Hill

into a society with the above name. Meetings were first held at the houses of John and Adam Hum, who were among the chief members of the society, but in 1847 a small house of worship was built near the cemetery in the northern part of section 14, which was used until 1873. That year a new church was built in the locality called Humtown, which was consecrated by the Rev. Adam Crook, April 10, 1873. At the same time a conference of the denomination was held there. The present trustees of this house are John Van Fossan, Adam Hum, and Barnard Jackman.

The membership of the church is small, numbering but 14. Samuel Lower is classJeader, and Rev. H. S. Childs pastor. Among others who have preached to this people are remembered Revs. Selby, Trago, Savage, Beckwith, Lawhead, Palmer, and Nolen.

Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church

Some time before 1840 a meeting-house was built of logs on the farm of Elias Holloway, on section 29, which was at one time occupied by a large and very flourishing congregation of more than 100 members. Among these were persons belonging to the Freed, Zepernick, Ney, Croft, Crook, Ward, Rogers, Henry, Wallahan, and other families. The organization of Methodist societies in the surrounding villages, and the removal of members, so much weakened the society that it was allowed to go down before 1860. Since then occasional meetings have been held, but the building is now unfit for further use.

About 1835 the people of the western part of the township built a small meeting-house on the present Bielhart place, on the New Lisbon road, in which a society of Bible- Christians and others worshiped, the latter belonging chiefly to the Church of God, or " Winebrennarians." The principal ministers were Revs. Andrew Hange and E. Louge.

In the course of ten years this house was removed to a point on section 20, three-quarters of a mile northeast from its old site. 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 the sons and daughters of Adam" for public worship. Since then the house has been occupied by various sects besides the denominations before named, but no society has been formed in this locality. The building has lately suffered from disuse. For a number of years a good Sunday-school was conducted there by Rev. J. Anglemeyer, of the Church of God, who lived in the neighborhood.

Nold Mennonite Church

The house of worship of this denomination, near the west line of section 7, was erected in 1873. It is a neat but unpretentious structure of brick, 40 by 48 feet, on a fine knoll, on which have been left standing many handsome forest-trees. It is the second house which has occupied this place. Its predecessor was a log building, put up about 1828 by the Nolds, Stouffers, and others in Beaver and Fairfield townships, who entertained the Mennonistic belief. Preaching was held alternately in this and in the

Overholser neighborhood soon after the country was settled, and thereafter in the Metzler neighborhood, the three churches having always had the service of the same pastors. The principal ministers have been'Jacob Overholser, Jacob Nold, Henry Stouffer, Rudolph and John Blosser, Jacob Wissler, and Samuel Good. The present ministers are Jacob Culp, Joseph Bixler, and Peter Baysinger. The church has about 50 members, and is under the trusteeship of John Z. Nold and Jacob Stouffer.

Allen Lodge, No. 276, F. And A. M.

This organization is at Columbiana, and was chartered Aug. 1, 1855, on the petition of the following persons: George Lamb, D. K. Bertolette, John C. Ansley, R. H. Carpenter, John M. Allen, Benjamin Allen, Moses Mendenhall, Lewis W. Yale, Thomas C. Allen, John Baker, Allen Coulson, Philip Fetzer, and John L. D. Heinman. D. K. Bertolette was elected the first Master; John C. Ansley, Senior Warden; and R. H. Carpenter, Junior Warden.

The Lodge has had 85 members, and at present reports 60, having the following officers : William Brenneman, N. G.; Levi Arnold, V. G. ; Hiram H. Crouse, Sec.; A. C. Bell, Jr., Per. Sec.; Dale S. Stouffer, Treas.

In the spring of 1872, Isaiah Holloway, Thomas Holloway, C. P. O'Haulon, Isaac Stallcup, T. B. Crook, and others, combined to establish monthly cattle sales at or near East Fairfield. Stock-pens were built near the brook west of the village, and sales successfully begun. This satisfactory result induced the formation of the present association and the holding of a fair in the fall of 1872, on the ground prepared for the stock sales. The fair was a success, and convinced the members of the utility of their project and caused them to establish it on a permanent basis. Accordingly, the following year, 12 acres of grove land opposite the place where the first fair was held were leased from John Bradfield, substantially enclosed, and improved for the uses of the society. Here the fairs have since been held during three days of each year, and have been well attended. These have proven profitable and pleasant occasions.

The first officers of the association were, President, Isaiah Holloway ; Vice-President, Isaac Stallcup : Secretary, C. P. O'Hanlon ; Treasurer, J. J. Todd.

The association has about 140 members, and in 1879 had as officers, Gilbert Williamson, President; W. W. Patton, Secretary ; and George A. Jeffries, Treasurer.

Fruit Interests

The southeastern part of the township, in its soil and local surroundings, appears especially favorable for the cultivation of the hardier varieties of fruit, and large quantities are grown annually. One of the largest orchardists is Nathan Cope, on section 24, who has seventy-five acres set with apple- and peach-trees. In the vicinity of Middleton village, Byron Cope, George Lower, and J. W. Kinnear have each about twenty acres of land in orchard, and others a smaller quantity. At the village, cider-presses and fruithouses have been provided, and the shipments of apples, in 1878, by Detweiler & Entriken, amounted to more than four thousand barrels.

There is also considerable land devoted to small fruits, the principal growers being George Lower and Benjamin Harrison, who each have about fifteen acres thus appropriated. At East Fairfield the principal orchardists are Robert Martin, Wm. C. Baker, and Job Hustis.

The Press

All the papers of the township have been published at Columbiana. In 1857, Revs. Kurtz and Quinter began, at Columbiana, the publication of the Gospel Visitor, a German and English monthly devoted to the interests of their society, - the Dunkers. In 1866 the office was removed from Columbiana to Dayton.

In May, 1858, the first secular paper was issued by Black & Watson. It was called the Columbiana Telegraph , and was issued twenty-four weeks.

In September, 1858, C. H. M. Beecher began the Ledger , and was its editor until 1861, when he went to the army. During his absence of six months R. L. King was the editor. Upon Mr. Beecher's return he published the Ledger a few months, when the presses were removed to Pittsburgh.

The village was without a paper from that time until April 14, 1870, when the first number of the Independent Register appeared. It was edited by J. M. Hutton for a number of gentlemen of the village, who furnished the office material. He issued but five numbers, when his connection with the paper ceased. In May the property passed into the hands of the Washington Printing Company, composed of E. S. Holloway, J. B. Powell, J. Bsterly, A. Sturgeon, W. R. Knowles, who employed George Duncan as editor, who remained until February, 1871. From that time until September, 1871, R. G. Mossgrove was the editor. The company then sold its interests to Frank M. Atterholt and Noah E. Nold, but after a few issues Atterholt sold his interests to E. S. Holloway. The latter and Mr. Nold continued the publication until May, 1872, when Gen. Holloway became the editor and proprietor. In April, 1877, he associated with him his sons, John W. and Orlando T., under the firm-name of Holloway & Sons, who are the present editors and proprietors. The Register was enlarged with Vol. II., and again with Vol. VI. It is now a folio sheet, 26 by 40 inches, and is Republican in politics.

The Columbiana Time Press was established July 14, 1875, by L. and T. S. Arnold, and is continued by them as an independent sheet. It is a 24 by 36 folio, and has been twice enlarged.

It is said that the Salem road, entering the township on section 36 and passing out on 19, is the oldest highway in the township, and that what was formerly known as the " Warren Road" was next opened. Some of the other county roads were traveled before the organization of Fairfield. Since that period many good and convenient roads have been provided.

Railroad

On the 1st of January, 1852, the Pittsburgh and Fort Wayne Railroad was opened through the township for the transit of passenger trains. Its general course is from east to west, being deflected north or south from a straight line drawn through the second tier of sections from the north.

At Columbiana a station has been located on three acres of ground, part of which has been set aside for a park. Aaron Pile was the first agent, and was succeeded, February, 1857, by the present agent, A. C. Bell. The telegraph-office was opened in 1859, and A. C. Bell, Jr., was the first operator. About the time the station was located the Adams Express Company opened an office, which has since been in charge of John E. Icenhour.

In 1873 the present depot building was occupied. The principal shipments of Columbiana consist of live-stock, wool, and fruit. About five hundred passenger tickets per month are sold.

Gen. Ephraim S. Holloway, son of John and Lydia (Hixson) Holloway, was born in Fairfield township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, July 27, 1833. He was raised upon a farm, and pursued that calling until 1857. His education was obtained by an irregular attendance at a district school during the winter months each year until he arrived at the age of seventeen ; but his lack of proper educational advantages were compensated in part by a resoluteness of purpose, which has been a leading characteristic in all his undertakings. From 1857 to 1861 he followed the carpenter and joiner business.

In October, 1861, he enlisted in the army as a private soldier in Company F, 41st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and in the organization of the company was by a unanimous vote of the same elected first lieutenant. Early in December he was required to take command of the company, which he retained until relieved, by promotion to the command of the regiment, early in the Atlanta campaign in 1864.

During four and a quarter years of service he was almost constantly on duty with his company and regiment, and of the fifty-eight engagements in which his regiment participated, among which were Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Woodbury, Chickamauga, Brown's Ferry, Bald Knob, Mission Ridge, Rocky-face Ridge, Resaca, Picket's Mills, Adairsville, Cassville, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, Peachtree Creek, Jonesboro', Franklin, and Nashville, he participated in fifty-four. On the 28th day of July, 1864, in front of Atlanta, he was selected by his brigade commander, Gen. William B. Hazen, to lead an assault upon a strongly posted line of the enemy, which had been attempted on the day previous by Gen. Gross's brigade, assisted by a battery, but failed after considerable loss. The assault was made across an open field through a marsh, a distance of about four hundred yards. Gen. Holloway, with one hundred and fifty picked men from his regiment deployed as skirmishers, dashed across the field through the marsh and into the enemy's lines, capturing twenty-eight prisoners, with a loss of but two men.

captain, Sept. 8, 1862; major, Nov. 26, 1864; lieutenantcolonel, March 18, 1865; and colonel, May 31, 1S65. Upon the recommendation of Maj.-Gens. Samuel Beatty, Thomas J. Wood, David S. Stanley, H. G. Wright, and P. H. Sheridan, he was appointed and commissioned a brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet, to rank as such from March 13, 1865. Gen. Beatty, in addressing Gen. Lorenzo Thomas, Adjutant-General United States Army, upon the subject, said :

" I have the honor to invite your attention to the following brilliant record of Col. E. S. Holloway, 41st Regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteers, and respectfully recommend his promotion to the rank of brigadier-general of volunteers by brevet.

" Col. Holloway entered the service as a private on the 10th day of October, 1861, and was soon after commissioned first lieutenant, and served in that capacity during the siege of Corinth. He commanded a company in the campaign through Northern Mississippi, Alabama, and Middle Tennessee, and in the Kentucky campaign under Gen. Buell. He was commissioned captain on the 8th of September, 1862, and served in the campaign against Murfreesboro' and Tullahoma, under Gen. Rosecrans, in 1862 and 1863, and in the Atlanta campaign under Gen. Sherman. He commanded the regiment in the campaign through Northern Georgia and Alabama, and in the retreat from Pulaski to Nashville. He was commissioned major on the 26th of November, 1864 ; lieutenant-colonel on the 18th of March, 1865 ; and on the 31st day of May, 1865, he was commissioned colonel, but could not be mustered in consequence of the regiment being reduced below the minimum number. He has participated in the battles of Perryville, Stone River, Picket's Mills, Franklin, and all the skirmishes and battles in which his regiment has been engaged, and was severely wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, June 21, 1864, while advancing the skirmish line. Col. Holloway has served constantly with his regiment at the front since its organization in 1861, and is a strict disciplinarian and an excellent officer, and I recommend that this rank of honor so justly earned may be conferred upon him."

In indorsing the recommendation of Gen. Beatty, Gen. Stanley said : " As commander of the 4th Army Corps I have, for the last year and a half, known Col. Holloway. I fully concur with the recommendation of Gen. Beatty, and commend him to the government as a gallant, energetic, and meritorious officer."

After the long service with his regiment, on its return to Ohio to be mustered out of service, and on the eve of muster-out, the officers called upon the colonel and presented him with the following testimonial, signed by every commissioned officer of the regiment:

" Sir : The time has arrived for us to part. Before we separate, however, permit us to express the deep sense of the obligations we are under to you for the courtesy and kindness you have always shown us in all our social and official relations, and to bear testimony to your gallantry on the field of battle, your care and consideration for the sick and wounded, and to assure you of our lasting friendship and regard. You go back to civil life with the prayers and good wishes of the many whose fortunes you have shared during the four longyears of the rebellion. They wish you prosperity, happiness, and honor in the future; they are proud of your record, and proud of the record the regiment has maintained under your command; they will emulate your example in the future, and ever regard the honor and interests of their country more than life itself; they will refer to the great battles and campaigns in which they have been engaged with no greater pride than they will with gratitude for their long-tried comrade and commander, and now ere they part from you, they tender you the homage of grateful hearts, and beg leave to subscribe themselves through every fortune your sincere friends."

A day or two later, after all bad again returned to civil life, the late officers of his command presented him with further testimonials in the shape of a fine gold-headed cane and superb editions of Hume's and Macaulay's " Histories of England," Bancroft's " History of the United States," and Scott's "Poetical Works." The presentation was made by Brevet Lieut.-Col. McCleary in a short address, which was responded to by Col. Holloway, who had been taken entirely by surprise, in a few words expressive of his heart-felt thanks for the parting testimonials he had received. The enlisted men of his regiment had a short time previously presented him with a solid silver set of four pieces, costing $150, as a testimonial of their regard for him as their commanding officer.

On returning home from the army he resumed the carpenter and joiner business, which he followed until the first of March, 1868, at which time he was appointed superintendent of the- Enterprise Agricultural Works, which position he held until September, 1873.

In November, 1871, he purchased a half interest in the Independent Register office, and in addition to his duties as superintendent of the Enterprise Works, took editorial charge of the paper. In June following he purchased his partner's interest (Mr. N. E. Nold), and has since that date owned and controlled the paper now published under the firm-name of E. S. Holloway & Sons.

In politics he has been a life-long Republican, and has taken an active and influential part, both in his county, district, and State. In 1873 he was elected as representative in the State Legislature, and re-elected in 1875. Of his career in the General Assembly, Senators W. P. Howland and B. G. Richards write us :

" Hon. E. S. Holloway was elected a representative of Columbiana County in 1873, and re-elected in 1875, thus serving in that capacity for four years. During that time there was not a more faithful and conscientious member in that body. He was known and admitted to be one of the most useful and able men of the Sixty-first and Sixtysecond General Assemblies.

" In the Sixty-first he took a leading part on the standing committees of insurance and public printing, and was appointed on the following committees of investigation : to investigate and report upon the conduct of the officers of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans House at Xenia ; also as i to the necessity of providing further protection to burial- I grounds; was chairman of a committee to investigate and report on the management of the Ohio penitentiary under the administration of Col. Junis. During the progress of the investigation Gen. Holloway displayed the qualities that gave him his reputation and rank in the military service ; for, despite all the obstacles with which the opposition endeavored to obstruct the course of the investigation, he conducted the work with indomitable will and unflagging zeal, and, although in the minority on the committee, set forth in his report facts that could not be successfully contradicted, and laid open to the General Assembly the errors and weaknesses of that administration, which brought about a willing reorganization on the part of the opposition, and saved to the State that important institution from general confusion and extravagance. The labor was so severe that the general's health failed him, and he was on that account confined to his room for nearly two weeks.

" Then came what is known as the AVood County Investigation. A large and persistant lobby had for two sessions infested the State capital, for and against the removal of the county-seat of Wood County from Bowling Green to Perrysburgh. The Perrysburgh party were at last victorious, but it was openly charged that corrupt measures had been used, that money had been tendered and taken by some of the members, for either withholding their opposition, or favoring removal. Never in the history of the State was there a more heated contest, more bitter feelings, and harsher language used in the course of legislative investigation than upon that occasion. Night after night, for over two weeks, the examination of witnesses continued, interspersed with frequent sharp and bitter contests as to rulings, etc. A report was finally reached, finding several guilty of attempts to bribe some of the members, and part of the committee, of which Gen. Holloway was one, made a report recommending the expulsion of certain members. Thus, with courage and a high sense of honor, he maintained, with a few others of his associates on that occasion, the regard and dignity due the Legislature of a great State.

" During the Sixty-second General Assembly he was made prominent on the committees on penitentiary and reform schools ; was chairman of the committee on retrenchment, and saved to the State by one act alone $7000 annually, in abolishing a needless office that had beeu little less than a sinecure for years.

" It was during this term that General Holloway unearthed the outrageous abuses practiced by the parties in charge of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home at Xenia, which resulted in the reorganization of that institution. Although maligned and misrepresented, he stood firmly by his guns until he accomplished what brought that favored institution to a condition better than it had ever before enjoyed.

" The General was the author of several measures that will eventually result in great good to the commonwealth and in the interests of justice and humanity ; among them ivas a bill providing for district reform prisons. The bill gave evidence of great labor and research ; it provided for intermediate prisons where those found guilty of minor felonies could be confined, where those young in years and crime could be separated from older and confirmed criminals ; thus giving an opportunity for their reformation. "Without extending this sketch to greater length, it is due General Holloway to say, that he is a man whose love of country, whose sense of duty and whose abilities are of such a character and of so high an order, that in whatever position he may be placed, his services would be valuable and satisfactory to all those who, like himself, have the greatest good to the greatest number as their object."

In April, 1877, he was admitted to the bar, in Columbus, Ohio, and commenced the practice of law Nov. 1, 1877, and is rapidly building up a lucrative practice. On the 29th day of April, 1852, he married Miss Margaret Windcl, of Fairfield township, who was one year his junior. There have been born to them five children, as follows : John W., Orlando T., Theron W., Owen B., and Carrie, four of whom are living, Theron W. having died at the age of two and one-half years.

This township is located on the Pennsylvania line, and is known in the government survey as township No. 7, in range No. 1. It lies south of Unity, east of Elk Run, north of St. Clair, and contains thirty-six full sections, whose surface presents a broken, and, in some localities, even a mountainous, aspect. Many of the hills are too abrupt for cultivation, and are valuable only as being the depositories of minerals. Coal, iron, salt, and petroleum abound, the former in almost illimitable quantities. Building-rock, flagging-stones, cement, and a superior potter's clay may also be procured in many sections. The soil is variable, being a clay, clayey loam, sandy loam, or alluvium, and is adapted for a great variety of products, including the tenderer kinds of fruit. The valleys are unusually productive, and the township, notwithstanding it has some poor land, ranks well agriculturally.

The principal stream is North Beaver Creek, which enters the township from the east, south of the centre of section 12, and, after flowing southwest a mile and a half and taking the waters of Bull Creek, has a general southerly course. It is a wild, turbulent stream, and yields but little water-power in the township. Bull Creek, its principal affluent, flows from the northwest, taking in its course through Middleton the waters of Little Bull Creek and Leslie's Run. Like the Beaver, it is a rapid stream, with a deep valley bordered by rugged hills, which are thickly covered with evergreens and tanglewood, giving it a wild and picturesque appearance in some localities. The other streams of the township are Brush Run, Rough Run, and the Middle Beaver. The latter makes a small bend into the township on the southeastern part of section 31, and the former are only large brooks. Many springs of excellent water abound, and the natural drainage of the township renders it one of the healthiest in the county.

Pioneer Settlers

On account of its proximity to Pennsylvania, the first settlers of Middleton belonged to a class of people popularly known as squatters, who came here in the belief that they were locating on Pennsylvania soil, and that they could, therefore, hold their land by right of possession, according to the usages which prevailed in the western part of that State. Usually, these people were not energetic nor enterprising, but were content if they were the owners of a rude log cabin, with a puncheon floor and greased-paper window, which stood within easy access of a spring of water, beyond which was an unobstructed range on which their cattle might feed. What little land they cultivated yielded only the simplest food, but, with the fish and game that might readily be procured, they eked out a living which was not utterly destitute of comforts or enjoyment. To this class belonged Benjamin Wright, John Wilson, Jacob Welker, Andrew Wisely, Stephen Pearce, Joseph Watson, Benjamin Craige, John Heckathorn, and others whose names are no longer remembered. The settlements were first made along the streams of the township, and John Leslie, who located in the northern part soon after 1800, was probably what might be called the first permanent settler, although never very prominently identified with the interests of the township.

A few years later Aaron Brooks settled on section 14, and improved the water-power there to operate saw- and grist-mills. In the fall of 1804 he sold his interest to Baltzer Young, of Adams Co., Pa., and the following year removed to another part of the county. In 1805 Young brought on his family, and lived there until his death, in 1846. He had sons named Jacob, John, Peter, and Samuel, and three daughters, Mary, Elizabeth, and Margaret. Of these Peter Young, now a resident of New Lisbon, is the only surviving member of a family which took a very conspicuous part in the early affairs of Middleton.

Before this period, in 1802 and earlier, Job Rossell settled on section 13, where he reared three sons, Thomas, Caleb, and Job ; the latter is still living in the northern part of the township. On the same section were Abraham Z ., Joel, Levi, and Robert Rogers, and John Briggs. The latter removed early ; and many of the early settlers of Middleton resided there only a few years, until the interior of the county and the country beyond presented more favorable conditions for pioneer-homes, when they left, and it is extremely difficult to obtain an accurate account of them, and others who deserve mention in this connection.

On section 12 the pioneers were John Richardson and his sons, - Samuel, John, and Joseph. The latter removed to New Lisbon, and was among the first settlers of that place ; others of the family remained in this locality. On the same section lived John Booth, Alexander Huston, and Edward Earle as early as 1804. The former had sons named John, Isaac, Jeremiah, Hiram, William, Jacob, and Ephraim, some of whom yet live in the township.

On section 23 the settlers of that period were Levi Jennings, Francis Andrews, and John Eakin, and on section 1 they were John and George Grate and Thomas Barton. Afterwards some of the Hustons and the Burts settled here. Rev. John Burt, who came in 1812, had thirteen children. The same year Hugh Eaton settled on this section, on the farm occupied by his son, Samuel ; another son, Isaac, lived on the same section until his death, a year ago.

Alleghanies in a wagon which had wooden tires. He reared sons named Charles, George, John W., Jefferson, Newton, and Amos S., all of whom became useful citizens of the township, and some yet reside there.

On section 3, among the pioneers were Thomas Rogers, who came in 1806, George Brown, who came in 1804, and Samuel Gorby and Henry Garrett. A son of Rogers, James, was born on the homestead, which he now occupies. Descendants of the others also live in the township.

Benjamin Scott made some early improvements on sections 4 and 9, and among other pioneers on section 4 were Ambrose and Robert Martin ; on 9 were Nathan, Joshua, and John Crawford.

Parley Bowen was a pioneer on section 5, on the creek, and north, on the farm now occupied by J. M. Rudibaugh, was Joseph Thompson as early as 1804. His son, Joseph, became prominent in county and State politics. Next, on section 6, James McArtor early settled, on the farm now owned by Aaron Bradfield, whose parents were among the pioneers of Fairfield.

On section 7, Aaron Boram and Stephen Cooper made the first improvements ; on section 18 were first the Siddalls, and later Israel Cope, who died here a few years ago, aged ninety-two years. A son, also named Israel, yet lives on this section.

Adon Morlan settled on section 8 in 1805, on a tract of land which had been slightly improved by a squatter named Gibbony. He lived there until bis death, in 1857. Jonathan Marsh came to live on this section permanently in 1816, and the homestead is now occupied by one of his sons-in-law,' Jacob Taylor. On this also lived, among the earliest pioneers, James Marsh and James Crawford, both of whom removed. On the section south, No. 17, Jacob and Jonathan Heacock were early and prominent ; and on a place which had slight improvements, made by a man named Johnson, Jesse Underwood afterwards lived. He bad sons, named William and Newton, who have descendants in the township. On the present C. N. Kirtland place, on this section, Thomas McMillan was a pioneer, rearing sons named Taylor and Joseph.

On section 19, Benjamin Pyle and his sons, Aaron, Henry, and Ellwood, were among the very earliest settlers ; and to section 20, John Edmundson, the father of John, Jonathan, Eli, Amos, William, Nathan, Franklin, and Hiram Edmundson, came about the same period.

A little later, in 1808, Alexander Underwood settled on section 21, where he lived until his death. He had two sons, named Jesse and Alexander, and some of their children yet occupy this section.

Among the prominent settlers who came at a later period, after 1810, was Richard Fitz-Randolph. In 1812 he located on section 13, buying a tannery which had been established thereby Archibald Scott and William Hamilton, and lived in that locality until his death, October, 1873. He reared sons named Bailey F., Reuben F., Kersey F., Jonathan F., Richard F., Eli J. F., and Joseph F. Several of these yet reside in that locality, and are among the most enterprising citizens of the township and the eastern part of the county.

the west half of section 25, where one of his sons, Thomas, yet lives. Another son, James, is a resident of section 28 ; a son, William, died while a youth, and there were also a number of daughters. James Fitzsimmons died in February, 1836.

In 1814, John Yale and his son, Eli, came from York, Pa., and settled in the southwestern part of the township. The latter reared a number of sons, among them John F., at present a resident of section 17, where his father died, April 25, 1879, aged nearly ninety years, and at his death the oldest person in the township.

In this part of Middleton, among other early and prominent families, were the Saints, Hustons, Guys, Ashfords, Shirtz, Lyons, Tennis, Hannas, Stephens, and others, whose names cannot be here produced.

From 1808 till 1824 immigration was very great. In 1821 there were more than two hundred voters in the township, and the number of families a few years later was probably greater than at present. In 1838 the following persons paid a road tax, levied on the chattel property of the township, and were therefore residents :

Civil List

The records of the township from its organization, in 1803, until 1846, have been destroyed. Of the civil officers the names of the clerks up to that period were Jeremiah Feazle, Jacob Young, Charles Hole, and Thomas McMillan. Peter Young served from 1821 till 1852. Since 1845 the principal officers have been :

Iii 1846, Isaac Eaton, Moses Dickey, Levi Guy, and Janies Mackall were appointed road supervisors. Since that period five districts have been formed, and in 1878 the supervisors were Isaac Dyke, Henry Hickman, G. H. Gorby, T. J. Richardson, and W. II. Young. The roads of the township have been fairly improved, and most of the streams are spanned by substantial bridges, whose maintenance lias been a heavy burden. Several railroads have located routes through Middleton, and there is a prospect that one or more will soon be improved for travel.

Manufacturing Interests

The manufactories of Middleton have not been very numerous, and have been limited to the common kinds. The first attempt at milling was made by John Leslie. He constructed a machine to grind corn by hand-power. The first grinding by water-power was done by Benjamin Wright, soon after 1800. He had a small corn-mill on Brush Run, near the west line of section 24.

The third mill, but the first which had any bolting apparatus, was put up at Aclior, in 1803, by Aaron Brooks. A saw-mill was built the same season, and in the fall of 1804 both became the property of Baltzer Young, who owned them until 1839, when Peter and David Young became the proprietors, and carried on milling many years. The present is the third mill that occupies that site, and is owned by Andrew Whiteleather.

The next mill was built on section 10, about 1806, by Bernard Feazle. It was swept away by the great freshet in 1813, and the power thereafter was not improved.

On Leslie's Run was formerly a grist-mill, which was operated by John Beeson, John G. Strait, Robert Campbell, and others, which has long since been abandoned, and the building is now used for a barn by Zephaniah Wherry. Above this point, about 1815, William Burt put up a gristmill, which has been discontinued, but a saw-mill is yet here operated. Below the mouth of Leslie's Run, at an earlier day, a stone grist-mill was erected by John Beeson, which was successfully carried on until about thirty years ago. It was last operated by Thomas Reed. Farther up Bull Creek, John Edmundson put up a log-mill at an early day, and also had a tannery at this point. Benjamin Scott became the owner of the power and erected a very good mill, which was subsequently owned and operated by Thomas Cannon, Samuel Prouse, and Peter Ulirn, the latter being the present proprietor.

On the west branch of Bull Creek, some time about 1820, Parley Bowen improved a power for a tilt-hammer for making axes, scythes, etc. At the same place Samuel Thomas had a carding-machine. In the course of time the power was employed by Moses Dickey to operate a sawmill, which is yet continued.

ferent periods, on the small brooks of the township. One of the principal ones was on Rough Run, and was put up by James Brooks, about 1825. That mill and others on the same site have been operated by Adam Conkle, Johnson Chaney, John 0. Gaston, Samuel Henderson, and John Donavan, the present proprietor. On the Middle Beaver, in the southwestern part of the township, Samuel Conkle erected a grist-mill in 1830, and not long after a saw-mill. These have been the property of James Gaston, Thomas Whitacre, and are at present the property of Philander Gaston.

In 1808, Archibald Scott and William Hamilton established a tannery at Achor, which, in 1812, became the property of Richard F. Randolph, who increased the capacity, adding fifteen vats to the four already there. This tannery has since been carried on by the Randolph family, the present proprietor being Jonathan F. Randolph.

At Clarkson, Joseph Moore began a tannery many years ago, on the side opposite the present establishment, which was built by Richard Stock. Bailey F. Randolph was his tanner. Subsequently, William and Perry Ashton carried on the business, aud were followed by George Uncapher and the present proprietor, W. H. Owens. At Clarkson common earthenware was made about 1840 by John T. Yale and others.

Formerly there were many distilleries in Middleton, whose capacity, however, was not very great, seldom exceeding three bushels per day. The first was put in operation at Achor, about 1808, by Levi Rogers, and at later periods, among the distillers, were George Brown, Job Rossell, George Grate, John Grate, Levi Guy, Edward Crawford, William Craige, aud Peter Myers.

The Mineral Wealth

THE MINERAL WEALTH of Middleton is varied and extensive, but, owing to the lack of shipping facilities, has been but slightly developed. In the southeastern part of the township flagging-stone of any size, so hard as to be a good substitute for fire-brick, crops out on many farms, and in the same locality are deposits of excellent cement and beds of rich ore. Firebrick and potters' clay may be procured on many sections, and salt and petroleum exist in limited quantities. But the most abundant mineral is coal. Nearly the entire township is underlaid by veins of superior bituminous or caunelcoal, which has been mined only to supply the local demand for fuel. Banks were opened as early as 1840 by George Burson on the Ward farm, and later on his own farm, on section 15, which he is yet working. Along the same ridge, extending from the northeast to the southwest, are numerous banks of coal, which, it is said, will smelt iron without coking. Among those who have mined coal in the township may be named N. Durk, A. Ward, Andrew French, Eli Guy, Isaac Dyke, Jasper George, Adam Pancake, John Scott, Hugh Gaston, John G. Gaston, Isaac Warrick, and others.

The Fruit Interests

THE FRUIT INTERESTS of Middleton have become such an important feature of its history that mention of them may appropriately be here made. rI lie soil of the township, in the northwestern part especially, is adapted for the culture of the peach, and the " Carmel Ridge" has a wide reputation for producing a superior quality of this delicious fruit Apples and pears also grow to perfection, and the grape and other small fruits seem at home among the hills of Middleton. Fruit-growing may be said to have become the principal industry of the people, and on some farms it constitutes a business of no small proportions.

One of the first peach-orchards was planted many years ago by John Marsh. This is now owned by Charles P. Hall, and has been enlarged to contain twenty-four hundred trees. In the same neighborhood are the orchards of John T. Yale, with more than five thousand trees. Among other prominent orchardists may be named Jacob Taylor, Morton Neil, Meader Allman, Charles Hewitt, Adam Reed, Josiah Miles, Aaron Kersey, Mahlon and Alexander Underwood, John Burson, James Nichols, Henry Morlan, Israel Cope, John V. Ashford, Stephen Crawford, Nathan Crawford, Jonas H. Farr, Joseph Love, William Crawford, I. and M. Warrick, Franklin Taylor, David Swaney, Robert Martin, James Rogers, Theop. Rogers, Samuel Eaton, George Burson, Eli Guy, G. H. Mackall, James Mackall, John Henderson, Isaac Beatty, J. G. Gaston, William McCoy, William Pancake, Richard Lyons, and Allen Campbell.

Nurseries for the culture of fruit-, ornamental, and evergreen-trees have been established at Carmel by N. W. Crawford, aud in the Beaver Valley by G. II. Mackall. Each of these contains from 10 to 15 acres.

Hamlets And Villages

Although numerous attempts have been made to form villages, the township is destitute of any place of importance greater than that which attaches to a country trading-point. One of these embryotic villages was platted on the 28th day of November, 1806, by William Heald for Isaac Siddle. Fourteen lots were laid out on the northwest quarter of section 18, which received the uame of Waterford, but not a single house was here built, and very few people in that quiet Quaker neighborhood are aware how narrowly they escaped village greatness. Near here is at present which, since 1871, has been maintained by the government, and which has a tri-weekly mail, supplied by the route from Liverpool to New Waterford. Since that time William II. Blackburn has been the postmaster, keeping also a small country store. Before 1871 the post-office here was maintained by individual enterprise.

At the old Scott mills, on Bull Creek, the Mill Rock post-office was established in 1873, and had E. Prousc as the first postmaster. Peter Ulim holds the appointment at present, and also keeps a small grocery-store. Mail is supplied from New Galilee, Pa.

Tiie Valley Of Achor

was the name applied by Abraham Z. Rogers to a village which he platted, before 1807, half a mile east of Young's mills, near the present Baptist church. The place had a promising future until the State road was located over the ridge a mile or so south, when it began to decline, and whatever interests were demanded by the surrounding neighborhood found a better place at the mills. One by one the few log houses which had been built here were removed or went to decay, and the village-plat forms a part of the neighboring farms. Joseph W. White, Samuel Jackson, Richard F. Randolph, and a few others had small stores at this point many years ago.

Achor

a title which yet designates it, and which is now applied to this locality. Jacob Young was the first postmaster, and was followed by Samuel Young, John Kinney, and Martin E. Hewitt. It was allowed to go down about this time, but in 1872 it was re-established and P. W. Smith appointed postmaster, who yet holds the office. A daily mail is supplied from East Palestine.

In 1806, Baltzer Young opened a tavern at his residence, and continued until 1836. A short time before, Samuel Young opened a store in the log building below the mill, and after a number of years was followed by John Kinney. For a space there was no store, when Martin Gillespie engaged in merchandising, and was followed by J. G. Green and the present W. S. Guy. At this hamlet are also at present a few mechanic shops and three or four houses, besides the mills, which are the principal feature of the place.

another ephemeral village, was platted, March 9, 1816, on the northeast quarter of section 26 by Nicholas Young, a native of Bellefont, Pa. Young was a tailor by trade, and induced other tradesmen to settle there ; but, as the locality was not suitable for a village, the purposes of the founder were not realized. Only half a dozen houses were built, and the plat has long since been vacated. On the State road west, George Pancake had a tavern many years, which had a wide reputation among the travelers of that period. Another tavern that found much favor was kept by Amos Stevens at a point still farther west.

New Liberty

is another village that exists only in the records of the county. It was platted on the southwest quarter of section 29 in March, 1817, by Levi Guy, probably in opposition to Clarkson, which had been laid out the year before. Beyond a house or two, no other buildings were put up, and the aspirations of the proprietor were overcome by the more sturdy progress of which became the only village in the township. It has a pleasant location on sections 29 and 30, and was platted, Feb. 19, 1816, by William Heald for the proprietor, Robert II anna. The general plan embraced two streets, each sixty feet wide, dissecting a square around which were twelve lots. The village had its beginning there, but in its subsequent growth expanded more in length along the street running north and south. It contains two churches, three stores, two public-houses, the usual complement of mechanic shops, and about thirty dwellings.

The Hannas sold the first goods in the place in a log cabin on the square. John McCoy had the second store. Some time about 1824, Richard Stock began merchandising, and continued until 1856. Meantime, Eli Yale was in trade, and was succeeded by I. & M. Warrick, for a number of years successful merchants, who were followed, in 1870, by W. C. Wilson, yet in trade. The other merchants are William M. Crawford and Mrs. A. Campbell, and among others who have been in trade were Henry Lyon, Isaac Levan, J. A. Lyon, James Heeps, Jacob Walter, William Hamilton, and A. Campbell.

Thomas Hanna, Isaac Pyle, and others were early tavernkeepers in the village. Other landlords were William B. Shannon, John Souder, Jacob Walter, and A. Campbell. The present houses of entertainment are kept by Mrs. A. Campbell and Harvey Moore.

The Clarkson post-office was established some time about 1839, with Richard Stock as postmaster, and William Thomas, assistant. Subsequently, the office was held by Isaac Warrick, Samuel Casebur, Moses Louthan, and A. Campbell. Mrs. A. Campbell is the present incumbent. The office has a tri-weekly mail from New Lisbon, a triweekly mail from New Waterford and East Liverpool, and a semi-weekly mail from New Galilee.

Among the earliest physicians in the township, if not the first, was Dr. John Edmundson, living in the Quaker neighborhood, who was in practice a number of years. Dr. Thomas McMillan, a Thompsonian physician, had an extensive practice a few years later, continuing through a period of fifteen years. For the past twenty-five years Dr. Golden Pearson has been a practitioner in that part of the township.

At Achor, Dr. William Wilson was in practice about twenty years, before 1839, and the next resident physician was the present, Dr. W. H. Young, located here since 1875.

At Clarkson, Dr. Joshua Calvin was a physician before 1850, and was followed in his practice by Dr. Luther Calvin. In 1870, Dr. D. Young located, but remained only a short time, followed by Dr. H. W. Yale and the present practitioner, Dr. A. G. Yale.

The Public Schools

Owing to the loss of the records, nothing satisfactory concerning the condition of schools prior to 1853 can be given. That year the directors of the several districts were as follows, the first named of each set being the clerk : District No. 1, Milton P. McArtor, Israel Underwood, and John Rudibaugh ; District No. 2, Charles Billingsley, Joel F. Read, and David Brown ; District No. 3, David Young, Samuel B. Todd, and George Eakin ; District No. 5, George W. Churchill, John W. Billingsley, and Jesse Underwood; District No. 5, Nathan H. Armstrong, Jacob Taylor, and Jesse Hole ; District No. 6, Samuel C. Saint, John Sowders, and Edward Huston ; District No. 7, John Durk, Elisha Rowles, and Henry Durk ; District No. 8, Uriah ThomaSj-Henry March, and William McCoy; District No. 9, James Fitzsimmons, George Davidson, and Mathew Davidson ; District No. 10, James Rogers, Spaar Dyke, and A. J. Cannon.

It was voted that each district have power to build its own school-houses, and the following year most of the districts displaced their log school-houses with comfortable frame buildings. The condition of the schools at that period may be seen from the following table : making a total of. 594 children of school age. In 1878 the number of male children of school age was 276; of female children, 220, - nearly a hundred less than in 1857.

The present board of education is composed of J. C. Huston, President, and W. II. Young, Clerk ; associate members, Samuel Eaton, Isaac Randles, B. F. Dyke, J. M. Louthan, Hiram Booth, S. B. Davis, H. J. Green, and Alvin Thomas.