Trumbull Township

Trumbull Township

This township, which is geographically known as No. 10 of the fifth range of the Connecticut Western Reserve, was originally divided east and west into three sections, the two south of which were two miles in width, while the third or north section was but one mile wide. Each division had a separate ownership, viz. : the first or south division was owned by Samuel Parkman, of Boston, Massachusetts (said to be the father of the unfortunate Dr. Parkman, who, it will be remembered, was murdered by Dr. Webster) ; the centre division by William Tuckerman, also of Boston ; and the north division by Christopher Starr. This tract was, however, disposed of prior to a settlement in the township, and Messrs. Fitch and May became the proprietors. The agent for these gentlemen was Simon Perkins, then residing at Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio.

Topography And Streams

The township of Trumbull is of a high rolling uature, descending easterly towards Grand river, into which the waters of its numerous streams are discharged. The soil is well adapted to agriculture, and the streams furnish ample living water. The principal of these streams are Trumbull, Crooked, and Mill creeks. Trumbull, the largest of these, rises from springs in Thompson and Montville, Geauga county, enters this township near the southwest corner, and, passing easterly, discharges its waters into Grand river, in Morgan. Crooked creek also heads in Montville, aud, after devious twisting and turning, reaches the river aforesaid in Rome township. Mill creek is the only one which has its rise in the township. This flows from the northwest quarter and empties into the same river in Madison, Lake county. There are also many smaller streams tributary to those above referred to.

Settlement

The first attempt at settlement was made in the year 1799, by Holly Tanner, the proprietors having proposed to deed him two hundred acres of land, provided he move on to the same, improve at least twenty acres, and remain in constant occupancy for the period of two years. This was agreed to, and the land selected on the north line, immediately east of the centre road, and on the 15th day of May, 1799, Mr. Tanner, his wife Hannah, and two children (David and Joseph) took their departure from Scipio, New York, for " New Connecticut ;" embarked in a small boat on Cayuga lake ; thence through Lake Ontario to the falls of Niagara, around which they hauled their boat ; and thence along Lake Erie to what is now known as Madison dock (then, we believe, called " Harper's Landing"), at which point they arrived on the 16th day of June. Disembarking, they took the woods' trail for Harpersfield, where the family remained until Mr. Tanner had, by the assistance of the early pioneers of that township, erected a log cabin on his possessions in Trumbull, into which the family removed, without doubt, the same season, though we have no positive knowledge of the fact. 31 r. Tanner chopped, in due time, the required number of acres, cleared a portion of it, raised one crop of wheat, and remained for nearly two years without neighbors, and was becoming very much discouraged, when news reached him of the death of the proprietors. This was the " last straw," and, giving up all hopes of ever acquiring a title, he abandoned his claim aud removed from the State. Subsequent events proved that, had he remained but a month or two longer, he would have received his deed, the proprietors having made such an arrangement with their agent.

From the date of his departure there was no setttlement in the township until about 1818, when Daniel Woodruff, originally from Colebrook, Litchfield county,

Connecticut, but more recently from Williamsfield, this county, removed to Trumbull and located in the southeast part of the township, on lands now occupied by M rs. 0. S. Wilson. Immediately following him was Isaac H. Phelps, who located on lot No. 32. Obadiah Brown, originally from Tyringham, Berkshire county, Massachusetts, was the third permanent settler, and located on lot No. 50 ; this place is now occupied by William Mead. Leonard Blackmar was the next accession to our little pioneer settlement. He was originally from Ontario county, New York, and located in Trumbull, on the spot where now stands the residence of John Brown. This was in 1819. Ezra Griffin located on lot No. 49. May 24, 1827, Nathaniel Brown, from Genesee county, New York, arrived in the township, and located on the Griffin lot (No. 49). From John, the oldest son of this gentleman, we learn many facts connected with the early history of Trumbull township, and to whom our thanks are due. Ebenezer H. Andrews, from Penfield, Ontario county, New York, settled in this township in the year 1837. His location was on the lot first occupied by Isaac H. Phelps, who had removed to near the centre of the township in 1836. The first settler at this point, however, was Osborn M. Baker. This was in about 1834. His location was near the spot afterwards occupied by Messrs. Andrews & Worthing with their mercantile establishment. This is the corner upon which stood the store and residence of Stephen J. Massingham, which, it will be remembered, was burned February 22, 1876. In December, 1835, two brothers, Jonathan and Thomas Rich, from the State of New York, settled on lot No. 53. The first settlement at what is now known as Footville was made by Orson Grant, in the fall of 1841. In June, 1842, he was joined by Lauren B. Foot, from Morgan township, and the subsequent autumn his brother joined them. The exact spot upon which this settlement was made we cannot definitely ascertain, but the name of this little hamlet is doubtless derived from these two families.

First School-House

This was erected in about 1829. It was of logs, a mere cabin, and stood perhaps four rods southeast of the present residence of Mrs. O. S. Wilson. We are unable to learn who taught the first school ; but among the first was Miss Mehetabel Madison, who taught a term in this house in the summer of 1830. There were in attendance some eight scholars. The first school taught in Footville was in the winter of 1842. Miss Cornelia Ballard was the teacher, and there were six scholars in attendance.

The First Sermon

delivered in Trumbull township was by the Rev. Giles H. Cowles, at the house of Daniel Woodruff, in the year 1819. The first church organization was that of the Methodists, at an early day ; their meetings were held in school-houses until about 1855, when a church edifice was erected by this denomination on the corner of lands owned by Theodore Frisbie, Sr. This church was subsequently removed to a short distance north of the centre. We learn this church has never had a resident minister, the pulpit having been supplied by the clergyman of the Grand river charge, to which this church is attached. The present pastor is the Rev. S. S. Collier, of Mechanicsville. The Disciple church at the centre was formed June 6, 1859, under the preaching of Elders Orrin Gates and James Ensall. The original members were fifteen, of whom eleven were females. William Nelson was elected overseer and Harvey Curtis deacon. The first pastor was J. A. Thayer, who located in Trumbull in 1870. Their church edifice was erected in the summer of 1874, and dedicated December 25, 1874, by President Pendleton, of Bethany college. Present membership, one hundred and five. Present pastor, J. C. Cushman. The church of this denomination at East Trumbull was erected in 1874. The project of building a church at this point originated with H. R. Kendall. It was finished, however, by John Brown. S. S. Bartlett is the present pastor.

The First Post-Office

was established in the year 1823, at the house of the postmaster, Isaac H. Phelps ; he was succeeded by Josiah Gregory in 1828, who held the position for twenty years, at the expiration of which time George Rich was appointed, and the office removed to the centre, where it still remains. J. M. Fairbanks is the present postmaster. A second office was established at East Trumbull in 1848.- O. H. Price was the first postmaster, and after him were J. H. Wheeler, J. Palmer, Wm. Davis, and Lewis C. Horton, who is the present incumbent, the office being kept at his store. The mails were formerly carried over the State road, on horseback, once each week (if the weather would admit), and when the office was removed to the centre the route was changed. Now they have a daily mail via Geneva and Rock Creek.

Prior to a settlement in this township a road was laid out from Ilarpersfield to Warren, and made passable as far as Windsor. This road passed through Trumbull about one hundred rods east of the centre. The thoroughfare now commonly known as the " East road" was established or at least cut through from Mechanicsville as early as 1820. The State road was opened (as a county road) in 1816, and became a State road in 1820. In 1835 a road was authorized, " Beginning at the north line and running south through the township, one mile west of the centre." In 1837 another, " Beginning at the cast and west road on the south side of Grand river in Harpersfield, between lots Nos. 108 and 109, and running south until it intersects a new road laid out in Trumbull."

The first crops of wheat harvested in Trumbull township by permanent settlers were in 1819, by Isaac H. Phelps and Daniel Woodruff, and as there was no such article as a " fanning-mill" to be had, a large " wooden bowl" was substituted, and several subsequent crops were winnowed by the aid of the same rude contrivance.

The first fruit-trees were also planted by the same gentlemen in the fall of 1818. The trees were procured in Harpersfield, and the first plum-trees in the township were grown from seeds which Mrs. Josiah Gregory brought in her pocket from Saratoga, New York, in 1818.

First Stores

The first mercantile establishment was opened at the centre ; stock consisted of groceries and notions. George Rich was the proprietor, and his goods were kept in a small red building, which is now occupied as a wood-house by Y. N. Stone, and stands near its original site. This was in 1847, and the first stock of goods from Cleveland to this point was transported by teams. Horatio Rich afterwards operated for a number of years a store on this corner, and V. N. Stone at present occupies the premises with a Grange store. The business houses at this point are J. M. Fairbanks, general stock; E. P. Saunders, groceries and hardware; Edward Curtis, boots and shoes; and Mrs. A. H. Dodge, millinery. At East Trumbull Lewis C. Horton has a store, general line ; O. C. Parker, groceries and notions; and Mrs. Ingall, millinery. R. P. Walcott has an undertaking establishment one mile north of the centre.

The First Marriage

in Trumbull township was solemnized by Isaac H. Phelps, justice of the peace, in about 1821. The happy pair were Jehoiakim Burget and Sarissa Patterson, of Harpersfield ; but the first marriage of residents of this township was that of Ezra and Laura Griffin, in about 1824, and of which William Nelson, Esq., gives the following description :

" Ezra and Laura having made up their minds that it was ' not good for man to be alone,' started one evening, at perhaps eight o'clock, in the month of, we will say, November, for Jefferson, he taking with him his entire earthly possessions, consisting of three coon-skins, with which to pay for the license, an axe, and gun. Arriving at Grand river, at a point where now stands the residence of John Craig, they found the waters of this now peaceful stream so turbulent that the expectant bride refused to cross, though the sturdy groom (that was to be) had felled a tree and prepared a raft for the purpose. There being nothing better for it than to they 1 tarried by the roadside' until evening, when they crossed, and, repairing to Jefferson, exchanged the coon-skins for the necessary documents, and were made one by, it is thought, Esquire Jones. The justice's fees were only partially paid, as the coon-skins did not bring ' quantum sufficit' for all expenses." This couple settled on the farm now occupied by James Froward, reared a numerous family, but eventually sold out and ' went west.' "

The first who settled in the township was Nelson Eastman, who located in East Trumbull in about 1842; remained some six years. The present M.D. is W. G. Leland, who resides just west of the centre.

The first child born in the township was a son of Daniel Woodruff. This interesting event occurred on the 17th day of September, 1819, and the young pioneer was christened Alanson Trumbull. Of his subsequent history we have no knowledge.

The first adult death was that of Leonard Blackmar, on April 22, 1819. His death was occasioned by injuries received some two months previous, while engaged in capturing, alone, a full-grown elk. The funeral obsequies were performed by Bazetta Spencer, at the house of the deceased, and the body was interred near by. The first cemetery established in the township was in 1836 ; this was on lot No. 49.

The first hotel in the township was opened at East Trumbull, in 1839. The building is now occupied by O. C. Parker as a dwelling and grocery. A. T. Codding was the landlord. No hotel is kept at this point at present. The first and only hotel at the centre was built by Scott Jenks, in 1858. This was managed by different parties until the early part of 1874, when it was purchased by E. P.

The pioneer saw-mill of this township was erected in 1828, by M. W. Beach. This was located on the southeast part of the township, on Trumbull creek (lot No. 12). Another saw-mill was built at Footville, in 1842, by Messrs. Grant & Foot. In 1833. Asa Wait and Nathaniel Clark erected (also on Trumbull creek) the first grist-mill. This was, in 1841, purchased by Nathaniel Brown and John, his son, who is now the sole owner of this property. A saw-mill was erected south of the centre by Daniel Dodge, in 1837. In about 1840 a grist-mill was put in operation by the same individual. The stones formerly used in this mill are now doing duty, a little farther down the stream, in the flouring-mill of Sylvester Curtis.

Cheese-Factories

Of these quite modern institutions we find that the first was established in the spring of 1S61. This was conducted on the co-operative plan, with the following stockholders: Frank Cook, James Massingham, M. Proctor, A. Sinclair, G. W. Bich, A. H. Dodge, Steve J. Massingham, and H. G. Rich. The average number of cows contributing is three hundred and fifty. In the spring of 1870 another factory was opened at East Trumbull. This was burned in August, 1876. The present factory at this point began operations in the spring of 1877, A. H. Brainard. manager. At Footville, Hiram Spafford erected a factory building in 1871. This has been operated by William Raymond and others.

Eagle Grange , No. 148, was organized October 8, 1S73, U. D. They have never received a charter. The members for organization were L. G. Nye and wife, Daniel Webb and wife, A. M. Proctor and wife, R. F. Cook and wife, Wm. E. Bradley and wife, H. A. Warren and wife, 31. Loomis and wife, H. Spafford and wife, A. H. Dodge and wife, B. F. Gee and wife, H. P. Dodge and wife, A. E. Graham and wife, Frank Cook and wife, Mrs. Alice Stevens, A. Scott, S. C. Powers, and John Quail. First officers. A. H. Dodge, 31. ; L. G. Nye, 0. ; John Quail, L. ; B. F. Gee, S. ; R. F. Cook, Ass't S. ; H. Spafford, G. ; W. E. Bradley, Chap. ; D. Webb, Treas. ; and A. E. Graham, Sec. Present membership, about sixty. 3Ieetings, second and fourth Tuesdays. Present officers, A. E. Graham, 3Irs. 31. Wolcott, 0. ; H. Spafford. L. ; H. 0. Thompson, S. ; R. P. Wolcott, Ass't S. ; W. E. Bradley, Chap. ; A. H. Dodge, Treas. ; and H. H. Townsley, Sec. There has been a lodge of I. 0. G. T. at the centre, but it is not now in operation. There was also a post of the Grand Army at Footville, which has long since been abandoned.

Organization

The record of the commissioners of Ashtabula County shows, under date of 3Iarch 7, 1825, that, "on the representation of Isaac H. Phelps and others, it was ordered that all that part of the township of Harpersfield in the fifth range, between the north line of the township at Windsor and the south line of number eleven in said range, be erected into a new township by the name of Trumbull, and that the first meeting to elect township officers shall be holden on the first 3Ionday of April next, at the house of Isaac H. Phelps." Pursuant to which the electors (there were ten of them) met at the house of Daniel Woodruff, on the 4tli day of April, 1825, organized by the appointment of Benjamin 3Ioore, Obadiah Brown, and Ezra Griffin, judges, and Isaac H. Phelps and Ezra Gregory, clerks, of said election, and proceeded to elect the following township officers : Ezra Griffin, James Brown, and Ezra Gregory, trustees ; Isaac H. Phelps, township clerk; Ezra Griffin, treasurer; 0. Brown and Daniel Woodruff, overseers of the poor ; D. Woodruff and 0. Brown, fence-viewers ; Ezra Gregory, lister and appraiser ; and Benjamin 3Ioore, lister. On the arrival of the first 3Ionday of April, 1826, there was a sufficient number of voters in the township to legalize an election, and Daniel Burgess was appointed trustee and township clerk, Isaac H. Phelps treasurer, and Jehoiakim Burget constable. July 3U, 1828, Isaac H. Phelps was elected first justice of the peace for Trumbull township. The succession in this office is as follows : Nathaniel Brown, Asa Wait, Josiah Gregory. Ebenezer Andrews, Daniel Dodge, Nathaniel Brown, William Nelson, 0. H. Price, Daniel Webb, A. J. S. Barnes, H. C. Holt, N. D. Kellogg, Daniel Webb, and 3Iarian Brown and H. C. Holt, who are the present incumbents. The officers for 1877 are R. E. Clough, R. P. Wolcott, and John Brown, trustees; I. S. Lewis, clerk; J. 31. Fairbanks, treasurer; E. C. Livingston, assessor; H. H. Townsley and H. H. Kellogg, constables. There are at present sixteen supervisors of roads and highways in the township.

Statistics For 1877

Trumbull claims to be the " banner" of Ashtabula County during the war, sending more men and raising more money to aid the cause of the Union than any other township in the county of equal population and financial ability. This item is given us by Hiram Spafford, of the committee.

Biographical Sketches John Brown

The subject of the present sketch, a fine portrait of whom appears in connection with a view of his pleasant home-surroundings, in another portion of this volume, was born in Bethany, Genesee county, New York, on the 30th day of June, in the year 1815, and is the eldest child of Nathaniel and Lorana Keith Brown, who removed from the above place to Ohio, and located in Trumbull township, to which point they arrived on 3Iay 24, 1828. The place of their settlement was near the site now occupied by the residence of A. R. Eastman, at East Trumbull. They resided in this little hamlet until their decease.

The education of 3Ir. Brown was obtained at the district school, the greater part of it prior to his removal to Ohio. Arriving in the wilderness, of course the first work was to subdue the giant forest-trees then covering the lands comprising his father's purchase. Steadily this vocation was pursued until the attaining of his majority, when he made his first purchase of real estate. This consisted of thirty acres, and is now owned by Ira Slater. In December, 1841, 3Ir. Brown purchased. in company with his father, the grist-mill at East Trumbull originally built by 3Iessrs. Clark and Wait, paying therefor four thousand dollars. This mill was conducted under different managements until 1865, when 3Ir. Brown became the sole owner, and still continues as such. He has, however, thoroughly refitted the mill until now it does excellent work and commands a good custom. Of the military record of 3Ir. Brown we find that he entered the United States service in the fall of 1861, as a private, Company K, Sixth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry ; went into rendezvous at Warren, Trumbull county; was elected lieutenant of his company, but deeming 3Ir. Freer as justly entitled to the position, declined in his favor, and was appointed sergeant ; went to the front ; was engaged in numerous fights and skirmishes while in the Army of the Potomac ; September 8, 1864, was discharged. Returned to Trumbull, and purchased the mill as above stated. He was united in marriage, on the 30th day of January, 1837, to Polly A., daughter of Henry and Lovina Cogswell, of Trumbull township. From this marriage were born the following children, viz.: Ellen, born April 5, 1840; married Sam Evans; lives in 3Iichigan. Dann, born July 30, 1841 ; killed in action, at Enon Church, 31ay 28, 1864. Henry, the next child, was born December 3, 1843 ; married Carrie Herrendine. Wallace, born August 19, 1846 ; married Effie Hac-kett. George, born 3Iarch 16, 1849 (died in infancy). Jane, born in 1852 ; married Clayton McArthur. Olive, born April 12, 1855 ; died in 1863. George, born February 5, 1857 ; and Frank, the last, born October 25, 1861. These children remain in their native township except as above stated. The mother of these children died on September 11, 1864, and on August 3, 1867, 3Ir. Brown married his present wife, who was 3Iiss Olive Brainard, of Trumbull. The first township office to which he was elected was that of constable, when he was of age ; served five years. Has been trustee of the township for a term of years. He early became a Christian, and joined the Free-Will Baptist church. On the organization of the Disciple church at East Trumbull he became a member of it, and has been foremost in promoting its interests. He took the " lion's share" in the erection of the church edifice. He is a Republican.

John Churchill

was born in Boonville, Oneida county, New York, on the 14th day of August, in the year 1814, and is the second in a family of ten, the children of Carolus and Polly Churchill, of the above point, but who removed to Ohio and located in Hartsgrove township in 1833. The place of their settlement is now owned by E. G. Hurlburt, Esq. In the year 1842 they removed to Illinois, and remained there until their decease. The education of the gentleman under consideration, a view of whose residence appears in this volume, was obtained at the common schools, and, it is unnecessary to state, was far below the average of the present district school education. The first real estate he became possessed of was in 1851. This was the eighty-three acres now owned in part by II. Stenard. His life-work since then has been that of a farmer. The fifty-four acres he now occupies in lots 31 and 32 were purchased in 1856, and are equal in productiveness with those adjoining them. Mr. Churchill was, on September 20, 1840, united in marriage to Eleanor H., daughter of David and Elizabeth Bartram, then of Trumbull township, but who was born in Madison, Lake county. The father died September 2, 1875, and the mother December 31, 1854. This couple were of the pioneers of Trumbull township. From this marriage were born two children: Adline, born April 8, 1844, married Henry Kellogg, and died July 18, 1866; and Warren, who was a private in Company C, Sixtieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was in sixteen battles, and died of disease contracted in the service, on the 3d day of October, 1865. Politically, Mr. Churchill is a sterling Democrat.