SURFACE AND SOIL.

     Ellsworth, or township one in range four of the Western Reserve, has a varied surface and a fertile soil. The Meander and its branches cut the eastern portion by a number of narrow valleys, quite deep and winding, forming ridges and knolls of varying dimensions.  The main branch of the stream enters the eastern side of the township about a mile below the Canfield road, flows westerly about one mile and a half, then turns abruptly to the north, and winding northward and to the east, passes into Jackson township about three-fourths of a mile from the southeastern corner of Jackson.  The western part of the township is quite smooth, and contains many wide tracts of level land.
     The soil is fine clayey loam, somewhat sandy in places. It is well adapted to wheat, and the farmers generally secure a good crop of this cereal. The township was originally covered, - and much of it is to-day, - with a heavy growth of white oak, sugar maple, beech, basswood, walnut, hickory, etc.  The underlying lime rock and sandstone crops out in several places, the latter affording a good quality of stone for building purposes.

SETTLEMENT.

     This township was settled mainly by Connecticut and Pennsylvania people.  Captain Joseph Coit, whose biography will be found elsewhere, came in 1804 and began making improvements.  From the most reliable information we are able to obtain, it appears that the settlement of the township began in that year.  The family of James Reed was the first in the township.  Mrs. Reed was the first white woman who entered the township, and lived here six months without ever

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seeing the face of a female excepting her daughters.
     From Mrs. Polly Bowman, an old lady past the ninetieth year of her age, now residing in Goshen township, is gathered the following information regarding her father's settlement:
     JAMES REED came to Ellsworth from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and remained during the summer.  He made a clearing, built a camp, and raised a crop of corn that year. While he was encamped on one side of the Meander, an Indian occupied a camp opposite, across the stream.  Mr. Reed began operations on what is now called the Harclerode farm.  Before he came here to live he had made several trips from his home in Pennsylvania to Canfield, carrying supplies to the settlers on pack-horses.
     Toward the latter part of February, 1804, Mr. Reed and two of his daughters returned to the camp.  They came with a pair of oxen and a cart, following a course of travel marked by blazed trees, and cutting a road for the team when necessary.  Mr. Reed then went back for the remainder of his family, leaving his daughters in the care of a man who worked for him.  They reached here in April following.  The camp was a log structure, with three sides, the fourth being open and used as an entrance.   The ground was the floor, and into it was driven forked stakes for bed-posts.  Here the family lived until a house could be erected.  During the spring of 1804 they made a considerable quantity of maple sugar.
     Mr. Reed brought out some stock, including several hogs.  Six of the hogs, being averse to living in a wild country, escaped and made their way back to Pennsylvania, where they were found by Mr. Reed's father one morning sound asleep in their old nest.  They had made the whole distance of sixty miles alone, guided only by instinct or memory.
     One night a fat hog belonging to Mr. Reed was killed and partially devoured by a bear, very quietly it would seem, as none of the family were awakened by any noise.   Indians were frequent visitors at the house, but were never trouble some. Bears were often seen.  Polly Reed, then a girl of about eleven years, was after the cows one night when she saw a huge black fellow just across the ravine.  He reared upon his hind legs as soon as he saw her, while she, much frightened, ran to the house crying for aid.  Deer were numerous, and the children sometimes found the young fawns lying in the bushes near the house.
     Mr. Reed lived in Ellsworth a little over a year, then sold his farm to John and Nicholas Leonard, and moved to Canfield township, where he died in 1813.

     In 1804 a clearing was made one mile west of the center by two men from Connecticut, ore of them named PENUEL CHENEY.  These men did not settle here, but returned to their own State.  The land was bought by William and Harvey
Ripley in 1806.

     JOSEPH COIT had eight acres cleared at Ellsworth center in the summer of 1804.  He also entered a log-house the same years.

     THOMAS JONES settled on the east line of the township in 1804, his family being the second that arrived in this township.  He was born in Maryland, and died in Ellsworth in 1852, at the age of ninety-two.  His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilson, died in 1865, aged about ninety.  They were the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom arrived at maturity, seven sons and three daughters.  Three sons and two daughters are still living.  Their names are: Mary, Margaret, Thomas, James, Joseph, John, Samuel, Rosanna, Elijah, and Matthew.  Mary married Ashur Squier, and is still living in Canfield; Margaret married James Bruce, and died in Randolph, Portage county; Thomas married Rachel Webb, and died in Edinburg, Portage county; James married Huldah Tanner, and died in Canfield; Joseph married Ann ____, and died in Portage county; John married Nancy Calhoon for his first wife, for his second Desire Phelps, and lives in Ravenna; Samuel married Betsy Calhoon, and lives in North Jackson; Rosanna married Columbia Lancaster, and now lives in Washington Territory; Elijah married Phebe Manchester, and died in St. Clair county, Missouri; Matthew married Eliza Manchester, and he now lives in Missouri.

     PHILIP ARNER, a native of Pennsylvania bought land and erected a cabin in 1803, and returned to his home.  He came back to Ellsworth in 1804 with his family and settled east of the Meander.

     GEORGE BROADSWORD, one of the first settlers, located on the place where Martin Allen now

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lives.  He brought up a family of fourteen children, and all but two of them are living.  The names of his sons were Peter, Daniel, John, David, Anthony, Matthias, and Levi.  The daughters became Mrs. Abigail Allen, Mrs. Rachel Wagoner, Mrs. Mary Winans, Mrs. Charlotte Rhodes, and Mrs. Lucy Parker.  The oldest two, Betsey and Eliza, remained single.  The sons are all living except David, and all the daughters except Mrs. Wagoner.  Anthony, Matthias, and Mrs. Winans reside in this township.

     JOHN HUSTON came in 1804 to buy land, but did not purchase that year.  He built a log house in 1807 and remained until about 1813, then sold to John Baker.  In 1817 A. W. Allen bought the place of Baker.

     HUGH SMITH, who had been here previously, came from Maryland in 1806 and settled on the main branch of the Meander.  He bought up five sons and three daughters.  Two sons and two daughters are now living in the western part of this State.  Mr. Smith died quite suddenly in 1821 or 1822.  He was going toward the barn one evening in a cheerful mood, singing the hymn commencing with the lines,

     Oh, when shall I see Jesus,
     And dwell with him above.

     A few minutes later he was found dead between the house and barn.

     In 1805 William Ripley, Hervey Ripley, Elisha Palmer, and one or two others, came from Scotland, Windham county, Connecticut, and commenced improving land west of the center, which they had previously purchased.  In 1806 William Ripley returned to Ellsworth with his wife, Susan Bingham, and settled at the center.  Hervey Ripley died here in 1813, aged forty years.  William Ripley was a justice of the peace for many years, a member of the Legislature in 1826 or 1827, and afterwards a State Senator.

     DANIEL FITCH and wife, from Norwalk, Connecticut, came in 1806, and settled one-half mile north of the center.  They had four sons and four daughters, several of whom are dead.  None of the survivors reside in this township.  Daniel Fitch died in 1826.

     In 1806 THOMAS JONES and family, from Maryland, settled in the eastern part of the township.  Mr. Jones had seven sons and three daughters.  He lived to be an old man.  After his death the family moved away.

     The FITCH BROTHERS, Richard, William and Charles, came from Salisbury, Connecticut, in 1806 with their families.  Richard settled at the center, and cleared the farm north of there, where his son Richard now lives.  William and Charles remained eight or ten years and then moved to Tiffin, Seneca county, Ohio.  William afterwards returned and settled two miles north of the center, where he resided several years, thence removing to Ashtabula county, where he died at the age of ninety-four.  Charles died in Chicago, aged eighty years.

     PHILIP BORTS came from Pennsylvania in 1805 with his family and located near Philip Arner.  He had two sons and three daughters.  He became one of the wealthiest men in this region, and gave a farm to each of his children.  One of his daughters married George Harding, whose son, G. W. Harding, now lives on the old Borts homestead, and has the finest house in the town
ship. 
(Sharon Wick's Note:  He can be found at Memorial ID 27102339 @ Find A Grave

     JOHN LEONARD and family settled near the Meander about the year 1806.  Mr. Leonard had several sons and daughters.  One of his sons, James, now lives in Portage county.  John Leonard died at quite an early date.

     NICHOLAS LEONARD settled one mile from the centre.  He had a large family, seven sons and five daughters.  Abraham, the youngest son, resides in Wood county, and a daughter, Mrs. Dorothy Swartz, in Ashtabula county.

     ANDREW FITCH, an early settler, located at the centre.  He married Lucy Manning.  He lived here until quite old, then returned to Connecticut and died there.  He had one daughter, who is now living, the wife of Silas C. Clark, of Washington, District of Columbia.

     JAMES PARSHALL

     THOMAS AND ROBERT McKEAN

     JAMES McGILL and family settled on section twelve, where Thomas Young now lives, resided

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there several years, then sold and moved to Poland.

     PETER WALTS

     Wolf and Painter, Broadsword and Razor, were some of the fierce sounding names belonging to Ellsworth's early citizens.

     JOHN and ROBERT McCREARY

     MICHAEL CRUMRINE

     JAMES BYERS

     WILLIAM LOGAN was the first cooper in the township, died during the War of 1812.

     The SPAULDINGS, David and Philo,

     JOHN BINGHAM,

     ASA WITTER ALLEN

FIRST EVENTS.

ORGANIZATION.

[PORTRAIT OF MARTIN ALLEN]

[PORTRAIT OF MRS. LUCY M. ALLEN]

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township by the county commissioners Mar. 4, 1828.

FIRST ELECTION.

OTHER RECORDS.

     RICHARD FITCH qualified as a justice of the peace June 19, 1810; Robert McKean (or McCane, as the name is spelled upon the old records), was commissioned as justice Mar. 13, 1813, resigned June 23, 1815; William Ripley was commissioned Aug. 21, 1815, Oct. 17, 1818, Oct. 29, 1821, Dec. 11, 1824, Mar. 17, 1828; Henry Boyd, June 6, 1826; Thomas Fitch, Apr. 30, 1831; George Matson, May 7, 1832.  Later than this date the records are not complete.
     The first selecton of jurors, or the first of which there is any record, occurred Mar. 2, 1812.  William Ripley and Richard Fitch were chosen grand jurors; William Logan, Andrew Fitch, and Thomas McKean, traverse jurors.
     That the people of this township in early days were rigid in their determination to prevent the spread of pauperism in their midst will appear from the following entry upon the records:
     To Jesse Buel, constable of the township of Ellsworth, greeting:
     Whereas, it appears from information by us received, that ___ _____ is likely to become a township charge; these are therefore to command you to warn the said ___ _____ to depart from this township.
     Given under our hands at Ellsworth, this sixth day of June, 1811.
                                                  CHARLES B. FITCH,
                                                  PETER WALTS,           } Overseers of the Poor.

     JUNE 8, 1811. - Served the within warrant by reading it to the within-amed person, at the house of William Fitch, in Ellsworth.
                                                  JESSE BUEL, constable.
     A true copy.
                                       JOSEPH COIT, township clerk.
     Many similar entries appear on the records for years following.  The persons warned, however, were not obliged to quit the township; but if they afterwards become so poor as to require aid, the township officers were relieved from the responsibility of furnishing it.  Often these severe measures doubtless served to “foster home industry.”  Sometimes the most worthy citizens were “warned,” on account of the complaints of those who bore them some ill-will.
     For many years the township elections were held at the house of Richard Fitch.
     The town hall was built in 1818 by private subscriptions. Thenceforth religious meetings, schools, elections, etc., were held there.

EARLY INCIDENTS.

     Feb. 3, 1818, three feet of snow fell in one day.  Some who are yet living remember wading through it when it reached higher than their waists.
     The most of the families coming from Connecticut in 1806 were not provided with cabins, so they stopped at Captain Coit's until homes could be built for them.  Coit was then a single man, and required little room; besides, he was at work the greater part of the time making improvements on his land in the northern part of the township.  While thus engaged one day his house took fire and was destroyed, together with his watch, money, books, and clothing.  Mr. Coit came home toward evening, and gazed unmoved upon the destruction the flames had made.  He found the women in tears, and almost in despair.  He, however, seemed in excellent spirits; and, seating himself near the ruins, began singing in a rich, full voice the air, Contentment, the first verse of which is:

     "Why should we at our lot repine,
          Or grieve at our distress?
     Some think of they should riches gain,
          They'd gain true happiness.
     Alas!  how vain is all our gain,
          Since life must soon decay;
     And since we're here with friends so dear,
          Let's drive dull care away!"

     In the early part of the summer of 1806, WILLIAM RIPLEY had his leg broken by a log

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falling on it, while he was helping to raise the cabin of Daniel Fitch.  The fracture was a severe one, and he was unable to work the greater part of that summer.  There were then no physicians nearer than Youngstown.
     At an early day, Captain Coit offered a poor fellow named Alexander Crawford ten acres of land in this township, if he would dig a well for him and put it in working order.  Crawford accepted the job and toiled alone until he had excavated a good well, twenty-eight feet deep, throwing the dirt up from one scaffold to another until it reached the top.  He then exchanged work with a neighbor, and got assistance in stoning it.  He received a deed of the land as pay for his labor.  Land soon commenced to rise in value, and a few years later he sold the ten acres and with the proceeds bought an eighty-acre lot in Hancock county, this State, which he made into a good farm.
     A story is told concerning MRS. HUGH SMITH, which shows that she was a lady possessed of strength of mind and courage which is seldom equalled.  She heard a noise in the hog-pen one evening, and, on investigating the cause of it, discovered a large bear attacking a lusty porker.  She seized a club and pounded the bear until he was glad to retreat without any pork for supper.

     An incident which occurred during the War of 1812 was often laughed about and talked over by the early settlers.  Some half-breed Indian hunters who had spent the night hunting coons, returned to the vicinity of the settlement about daylight, and to amuse themselves began firing at a mark.  The whole neighborhood was aroused by the reports of their rifles, and much consternation ensued, as it was thought the Indians were attacking the settlers.  Houses were fastened up and valuables hidden away.  At length two experienced hunters were prevailed upon to go and learn the cause of the alarm.  They mounted horses and proceeded to the spot where the firing had been heard, but by the time they arrived there the hunters had gone and no “Indians” were visible.  When the whole affair was thoroughly understood there was much hearty laughter over “the great Indian raid.”

EARLY SCHOOLS.

     The first school was taught in 1811 by Miss Clara Landon, of Canfield.  The school-house, or rather the building used as such during that year and several years thereafter, was the small log house east of the center, mentioned in connection with the history of the Presbyterian church.  The next teacher was Miss Matilda Sackett, of Tallmadge, succeeded by Jesse Buel, Hiram B. Hubbard, and others.  Asa W. Allen taught school here in the winter of 1817 and 1818, and had all the scholars in the township—not over twenty.  He states that there was a bench extending along the side of the house, also one chair in the room, which of course belonged to the teacher.  There were three small windows, each one containing as much paper and wood as there was glass, and perhaps more. 
     For several years the Center district was the only one in the township, and in the rude school-house just mentioned some of Ellsworth's smartest men received their first drill in “readin', 'ritin', and 'rithm'tic.”

PRESBYTERIANS

     For many years the most, if not all, the preaching in Ellsworth was by ministers of this denomination.  Rev. John Bruce was the first preacher.  He was born in New York in 1771, and studied theology with Rev. T. E. Hughes.  In 1809 he was licensed, and commenced preaching in Ellsworth, where he remained five years.  He after wards preached one year in Newton, and died there in 1816.  The first meeting house was situated just north of the center.  It was built of hewn logs and had no floor.  This was used as a place of worship for a short time.  A similar log structure was erected a few years later on the hill just east of the bridge across the Meander, where Mr. Bruce continued preaching as long as he remained here.  Services were frequently held in open air as well as in barns, school houses, and private dwellings.  In 1817 meetings were held in a small log-house, with a huge fire-place in it; this was situated near the center, upon a spot just east of where the Methodist church now stands.  The building was erected for a dwelling house, but had been used as a school-house for some years before this date.  The present Ellsworth church was organized as a union church of the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, Mar. 26, 1818, under Revs. William Hanford and Joseph Treat, missionaries.  It started with fourteen members, whose names are given below: Henry and Margaret Boyd,

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Christian and Elizabeth Bowman, Catherine, wife of John Bowman, Joshua and Mary Bowman, Joseph and Polly Bruce, Daniel and Elizabeth Fitch, Daniel W. Lathrop, Thomas and Nancy Fitch.  Sixteen more members were added during the year, and in succeeding years the number increased.  The first church officers were Henry Boyd and Daniel W. Lathrop, committee, and Daniel W. Lathrop, clerk.  The first preachers were all missionaries, and many different ones labored here.  The town hall was used for a place of public worship from the time it was built in 1818 until the present church was erected in 1833.  The church has had but four installed pastors, whose names are Rev. William O. Stratton, Rev. William Hoyt, Rev. Warren Taylor, and the present pastor, Rev. William J. Reese, who has been here since 1878.  When vacancies have occurred, as has frequently been the case, missionaries or “stated supplies” have carried on the meetings. At present the church has about eighty members, and is in a prosperous condition.

THE METHODISTS.

     REV. NICHOLAS GEE, a native of New York, moved to Ellsworth township in 1823.  He was licensed to preach in 1824, and a society was probably organized about that date, though concerning this no information is attainable.  Mr. Gee acted as a local preacher here for some years.  The first meetings were held at private residences and at the school-house in district number three, until about 1835, when the church in that district was completed and dedicated.  Mr. Gee and C. A. Bunts gave most toward building it. Among the most prominent members of Mr. Gee's church were the Gee family, Nicholas Leonard and family, Mrs. Hugh Smith and family, John Hoyle and family, C. A. Bunts, and others. The church is still standing, but no organization has been maintained since 1856.
     In 1839 a society was formed at the center.  A church was commenced that year and finished in 1840.  This building was erected through the efforts of Mr. Gee, Mr. Bunts, Dr. Hughes, John Smith, L. D. Smith, and others, assisted by their brethren in neighboring townships.  This church was used until the new one was completed in 1880—dedicated Feb. 17, 1881.  It is a neat brick structure, well fitted and furnished in excellent taste.  The society numbers about fifty members at present.  It is out of debt and in a prosperous condition.  Jacob Lower, Miller & Ripley, Jefferson Diehl, Eli Diehl, John Cronick, and others, gave liberally towards building the new church.

CEMETERIES

     Of these there are but two in the township, one at the center and the other near the old Methodist Church on section twenty-four.  The graveyard near the center is the oldest, and for many years was the only burying-place in Ellsworth.
     The inscription upon the monument of Captain Coit is as follows:

     Joseph Coit, born in Norwich, Connecticut, Aug. 18, 1783; died May 31, 1857.  He came to Ohio in 1804, and with his location commenced the settlement of Ellsworth.

FIRST TAVERN.

     RICHARD FITCH opened a tavern in a small log cabin built in 1806 on the site of the present hotel.  He made a framed addition some years later, and about 1824 put up quite a large house which is still standing.  He continued to entertain travelers until 1837, and was then succeeded by Charles and Andrew Fitch.  The house was in the hands of many different individuals during the succeeding years.  For ten years past it has not been a hotel, until it was opened to the public by Mr. Rose in 1881.

POST-OFFICE AND MAIL.

     The first postmaster was Lucius W. Leffingwell, who settled in the township in 1818, and was probably commissioned postmaster the same year.  The mail was obtained once a week by a carrier who went after it on horseback.  When the stage line through this place began running, the mail was obtained twice each week.  As Mr. Leffingwell lived at some distance from the center, he could not conveniently perform the duties of postmaster, so he appointed Joseph Coit as his deputy.  Mr. Colt was also the school-teacher, and whenever the mail-carrier signified by tapping on the window of the schoolroom that the presence of the postmaster was required at his office the classes were left until the mail could be disposed of.  As would naturally be expected, the boys held high carnival during the teacher's absence, but sobered down mysteriously and suddenly as he again approached.  The second postmaster was Joseph Coit, who held the position until 1857. His successors were John C.

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Fusselman, Samuel McKean, James Green, Oliver A. Bingham, A. R. Hammond, Andrew McKinney, John McKinney, and W. J. McKinney, the present incumbent. Ellsworth now has an eastern and a western mail daily.

DISTILLERIES.

     The first distiller in the township was a MR. STANLEY.  Stanley, the father of German Stanley.  His
still was situated just below Hoover's mill.  He worked it several years. Charles C. Chapman, a Methodist preacher, also had a still on the same stream, built a few years later.  Both of these did quite an extensive business.  George Leonard operated a small still on the Meander for a short time.

TANNERY.

     WALTER SMITH came about the year 1816 and began business as a tanner on the stream a short distance north of the centre.  He did a good business here for several years, and acquired considerable property.  Mr. Smith followed tanning until 1856.  He was an active business man, a worthy and prominent member of the Presbyterian church.

MILLS, STORES, ETC.

PHYSICIANS.

NOTES.

     The first blacksmith was probably THOMAS FITCH.  He came to Ellsworth about 1814, and opened a shop a short distance east of the center, where he continued to work until 1840.  He then sold out and engaged in farming and afterwards went West.
     The first shoemaker was probably WILLIAM PORTER, who lived about one-half mile west of the center. He was quite an early settler.
     The following men from Ellsworth were soldiers in the War of 1812: Nicholas Courtney, William Fitch, Joseph Coit, John Lower, Parshall, and perhaps others.

SEMI-CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION*

     On the 4th of July, 1855, the citizens of Ellsworth celebrated the semi centennial anniversary of its settlement.  The officers of the day were Dr. G. W. Brooke, president, and Granville W. Sears, secretary.
     The Declaration of Independence was read by P. Allen Spicer, Esq.  Rev. Loomis Chandler delivered the historical address.  Hon. Eben-
-------------------------
     *This account was furnished by Dr. G. W. Brooke.

HERVEY RIPLEY

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BUSINESS INTERESTS.

REFLECTIONS.

POEM.

[Page 106] -

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

     JOSEPH COIT. [portrait in chapter iii] - Pg. 106

     THE RIPLEY FAMILY - Pg. 107 -

     MARTIN ALLEN - Pg. 108 -

JAMES WILLIAMS

ALMYRA WILLIAMS

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Aug. 26, 1837, married Robert A. Kirk, Canton, Ohio; Jesse Fitch, born Aug. 13, 1841, unmarried, at home; Chester, born February 1, 1843, married Fannie M. Coit, in Ellsworth; William Hoyt, born January 3, 1845, married Ella Brooke, Ellsworth; Henry Bingham, born April 26, 1847, married Emma R. Weaver, Salem, Columbiana county; Lucy A., born Nov. 5, 1848, at home; Jettie W., born April 6, 1851, at home; Enoch, Enoch Fitch, Betsey Ann, and an infant son are deceased.

     JAMES WILLIAMS

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.

     DR. GEORGE W. BROOKE

     RICHARD FITCH

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     WILLIAM DEAN

     WILLIAM B. DEAN

     In the year 1840 a part of the family of JAMES DIXON, consisting of five sons and one daughter, emigrated to this country from Ireland.  They came to Ohio and settled about a mile south of the present fair grounds.  John Dixon, the third child, was born in county Down, Ireland, in 1809.  He married in 1838 Elizabeth Kirkpatrick, by whom he had eight children, viz.:  James, Agnes, Mary Ann, Eliza, Margaret, Mary Agnes, Robert, and Martha.  Agnes, Mary Ann, and Mary Agnes are deceased.  Mr. Dickson is now seventy-two years old but is still active and can do his day's work in the harvest Presbyterian church.

     PHILIP ARNER

     ELI T. ARNER

     FENSTEMAKER, Charles

     JONATHAN HOWARD

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     ALBERT C. HOWARD

     J. M. HOWARD

     PHILO SPAULDING

     MOSES SPAULDING

     JAMES McNEILLY

     JAMES P. McNEILLY

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     SAMUEL McNEILLY

     JAMES McCREARY

     SAMUEL KNAUFF

     WILLIAM J. McKINNEY

     GEORGE W. HARROFF

     HENRY C. BEARDSLEY

     HENRY BOYD

END OF CHAPTER IV -
 

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