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TRUMBULL COUNTY,  OHIO
History & Genealogy

Source:
 History of Trumbull & Mahoning Counties, Ohio
Published:  Cleveland: H. Z. Williams & Bros.
VOLUME I
1882

CHAPTER VII.
BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP
Trumbull County, Ohio
Pg. 326

     This township is known as town number four in range one, and is bounded on the north by Hartford, east by the Pennsylvania State line, with Hubbard, east by the Pennsylvania State line, with Hubbard on the south and Vienna on the west Save the coal interest which in recent years has been one of considerable importance and a source of great profit to many land owners, Brookfield is purely an agricultural community.  It was first settled by a class of people, mainly New Englanders, who were noted for their intelligence and morality.  The settlement first began at or near the center of the township, and as families collected at that point a nucleus was formed for the growth of the little village, the largest in the township, known as Brookfield center.
     The main water-course is Big Yankee creek, which takes its rise a short distance north of the central part of the north boundary, in Hartford township, and flowing from this point in a southeast direction empties into the Shenango river in the southeast corner of the township.  This creek with its tributaries drains the northwest the west, and central parts of the township.  Little Yankee creek enters the township at the northwest, and flows southeasterly across the southwest corner, where at a point west of the center it enters Hubbard township, but after reaching Hubbard center it turns northeast, and again enters Brookfield at the southeast corner and flows into the Shenango.  The Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad extends across the southwest corner, following in this township the general course of Little Yankee creek, and has its main station at the crossing of the main east and west center road, about two miles west of Brookfield village, and near Payne's corners.
     The New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio railroad barely enters the township across the southeast corner.  Various coal-road branches are extended to the coal banks in the different localities.
     The surface of the township is generally rolling; the soil generally clay, but in the northwest part somewhat more gravelly soil is found.  The Yankee creek bottom lands, consisting of a black loam, are especially productive.  The southern part of the township is somewhat broken, and in this part are situated the coal mines.

ORGANIZATION.

     The township from

POPULATION

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manufactured plows, stoves and hollow-ware.  The ore

VILLAGES

 

PROPRIETORSHIP

 

EARLY SETTLEMENT

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trading, and it is supposed that the facilities of Jones' store were amply sufficient to meet all the demands of the settlement at that time.  Mr. Jones was a minister of the Baptist denomination, and he sometimes held religious services at the houses of the settlers; but at this time the general services were held over the line in Pennsylvania.  To him, therefore, must be accorded the honor of first introducing the gospel into Brookfield.

     JOHN BRIGGS settled on the north road two miles north of the center about 1806.  In the latter year, or previous, several of the prominent settlers arrived.  Anthony Patrick lived on the farm now owned by Benjamin McMullen.  Benjamin Bentley settled on the present farm of his son James, and built his cabin home about one half mile north of the present farm residence.  The first frame barn built in the township was erected by Mr. Bentley on this farm in 1808.  This seems to have been considered at the time a great step in the way of building improvements, and called together quite a number of men from distant neighborhoods.  It took two or three days to raise the building that two or three men could now soon put in position.  To accommodate the many persons who came to his assistants on this occasion, Mr. Bentley killed several sheep an a large ox, and generously supplied the many other wants of his friends.

     JOHNSON PATRICK lived adjoining Mr. Bentley on the west, and William Chatfield south of the latter on the south part of lot sixty-seven.

     JACOB ULP lived southeast of Chatfield, and Ethan Newcomb joined Mr. Beltley on the north.

     THOMAS THOMPSON settled north of the center on the west side of the road, lot number forty, and Thomas Patten lived north of Mr. Thompson.  Samuel Patrick lived on the north part of lot number fifty-one.

     JUDGE ROBERT HUGHES settled off the center road south on lot number twenty-five; Henry Gandy south of the center near the coal bank on lot number forty-seven.
     The first death in the township of which there is any record, was that of Mrs. Henry Gandy.  The body was interred in the woods, a short distance south of the present Whitacre coal bank.

     MATTHEW THOMPSON settled on lot number forty-four, south of Brookfield, and Samuel Clark south of him on Lot number forty-five.

     DR. THOMAS HARTFORD lived in Constant Lake, previous to 1806, on lot number forty, one mile north of the center, and was the first physician in the township.  Dr. Upson settled at the center soon after, and became a well-known practitioner.

     ROBERT MONTGOMERY settled on lot number twenty-six, south of Judge HughesIsaac Flower on the northeast corner at the center, where he opened the first store at the center.  Jacob Hummason settled on the southwest corner at the center.

     In 1811 the road districts were designated and the supervisor elected received the names of the persons whom he had under his charge, and the following assignments are appended to show the extent of the Brookfield settlement in that year.  The district assigned to Jacob Ulp included the road running east on the center line from Yankee run to the Pennsylvania line, and embraced the following persons with him self:  Thomas G. Jones, Benjamin Jones, James McMullen, Nathan Birge, Geo. Middleton, John Tribby, John Patterson, Philip Yarnell, and Daniel Groscost.

     James Wilson was assigned to the road leading west from the center to Simeon Wheeler's and from thence south on the township line to the Liberty township line, and included the following persons, with himself: William White, Philip Quigley, David Wheeler, Samuel Munson, Jonathan Kerr, James and Robert Montgomery, James Haw, James Kerney, John D. Smith, Robert Hughes, Timothy Alderman, A. Alderman and Daniel Williams.

     Henry H. Gandy was assigned to the road leading from the center south through the township; also the road leading east from the center to Yankee run, embracing the following persons, with himself:  Walter Clark, Collins Youngs, Henry Reidsilly, Jacob Harris, Amos and Charles Bradford, John Woods, John Patrick, Jacob Hummason, Isaac Flower, Jr., and Ebenezer W. Comes.

     WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM'S district included the road leading from the center north to Brockway's mill and from thence on the triangle road leading to Simeon Wheeler's, and included the following persons:  David Bacon, Constant Lake,

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Clark Rathbun, Samuel Patrick, Benjamin Bentley, Ethan Nathan, John Briggs, Reuben Campbell, James Thompson, Henry and
John Hull, James Russell, Jacob Reeder, Richard Creamer, Thomas Patterns, Joseph R. Porter, Jonathan Alderman.

SCHOOLS

 

INDIANS

 

THE BROOKFIELD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY

 

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THE PRESBYTERIAN (OLD SCHOOL) CHURCH

 

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THE METHODISTS

 

THE DISCIPLES CHURCH

 

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT

     DR.. ELIJAH FLOWER was one of the most widely known and popular of the early physicians of Trumbull county.  He was born in Burlington, Hartford county, Connecticut, in 1782, and removed to Ohio in the fall of 1813 with his family, consisting of his wife and one child, Mrs. E. D. King, then not quite two years old.  His father, Horace Flower, had moved out previously and settled in Vienna, and his daughter Lavinia is said to have been the first white child born in that township.  Dr. Fowler settled in the center of Brookfield, and resided there until his death.  He had practiced his profession in Connecticut, having studied medicine with Dr. Everett, of Burlington.  His professional life was one of great activity.  He enjoyed an extensive practice in Trumbull and Mercer counties, and was deservedly popular, not only on account of his professional skill, but also for his eminently genial disposition and social qualities.  He died Feb. 2, 1839.  His wife was Sylvia Hart, daughter of Bliss Hart, of Connecticut, of whom and family a sketch may be found on another page of this work.  Sylvia Hart was born in Burlington, Connecticut, Apr. 1, 1790, and was

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married to Dr. Flower Nov. 8, 1810.  They were the parents of eight children, of whom only two survive - Mrs. E. D. King, living in Warren, and Mrs. A. Chew, living in Mercer county, Pennsylvania.  The deceased children were Amanda (first wife of Dr. T. Garlick), Lucy (wife of Pierce Wallahan), Sylvia (second wife of Dr. Garlick), Orland, Emeline M., and
Peter Allen.

     E. D. KING was born in Montgomery county, Maryland, Nov. 20, 1804.  His father, Edward King, was a natiave of the same place, and removed with his family to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1806.  He resided in Youngstown until his death which occurred at about the age of forty-five years.  His occupation was principally that of a butcher.  He married in Maryland, Catharine Pool, and reared a family of five boys and five girls; four are now living.  His wife survived him a number of years and died in Youngstown.  E. D. King came to Ohio with his parents in 1806, being then the youngest of five children.  He was brought up to farming twenty years old, then engaged in the boot and shoe business in Youngstown as an employee of George Hardman.  He remained with him some four years, then commencing the same business for himself in which he continued for over twenty years.  In 1847 he engaged in the dry goods business at Brookfield with his brother-in-law, A. Chew, in which he continued for three years.  For the subsequent three years he kept the hotel at Brookfield center, and afterwards, until 1872, was engaged in farming in Brookfield and Vienna.  In that year he removed to Warren and has since that time led a comparatively retired life.  Mr. King was a justice of the peace in Brookfield for six years and was elected to the same office in Vienna, but did not serve.   In 1855 he was elected county commissioner, serving three years.  He married in 1827, Maria, daughter of Dr. Elijah Flower of Brookfield, born in Connecticut in 1811.

     JACOB ULP came from New Jersey to Brookfield in 1804 and settled on the farm where his sons now live.  He married Elizabeth Scheiner and raised three sons and two daughters.  All are living except one daughter, viz.: William and Amos, Brookfield; Enoch, Hickory township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania; Enoch, Hickory township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania; Eliza (Clark) Girard, Pennsylvania.  Susan is dead.  Jacob Ulp died in 1860 aged eighty-three; Mrs. Ulp died in 1836 aged about sixty-two.  William Ulp was born in Brookfield on the farm where he now lives in 1810.  He married, first, Elizabeth Carkuff, a native of New JerseyShe bore four children, all now living:  Timothy Dwight, Enoch, William, and Adelaide.  Mrs. Ulp died in 1845 aged thirty-two.  Mr. Ulp married for his second wife Nancy Wright, a native of Massachusetts.  Five children, Eliza, Jane, Leonidas, Ella, and Ida.. Amos Ulp was born in Brookfield in 1813, and is still a resident of the township.  He married Rachel Conover and has three children - Robert, Charles, and Alfred.

     ROBERT MONTGOMERY, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, settled in Brookfield in 1804.  He raised a family of seven children, who arrived at maturity:  Robert, James, William, Hugh, Morgan, Eliza Jane, and Mrs. John Kearney  All are now living except William and Mrs. Kearney.  Eliza Jane married Wyatt McKay, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania.  Mr. McKay died in 1874, aged about fifty-four.  He was the father of six children, four of whom are living:  Myrtilla Jane, S. A., F. B. and F. M. (twins), Nannie, James.  The daughters of both dead.  The sons are living, located as follows:  S. A. married Maggie McMichael first, and second, Mary Clark.  He is now in Sharon in the book and news business.  F. B. married Mary Gillmer and resides in Brookfield; F. M. married Arie Long and resides in Brookfield; James in attending school in Valparaiso, Indiana, fitting for the legal profession; Wyatt McKay settled on the old Montgomery farm, where his widow still  resides.  Mr. McKay was an active business man and a prominent citizen of Brookfield.

     JAMES BENTLEY was born in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1798.  In 1806 he came to Brookfield with his parents, Benjamin and Mary Bentley, who settled north of the center road.  They raised eight sons and two daughters.  All are dead but James and Aholiab.  The latter lives in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he has been engaged in the iron business.  Benjamin Bentley, the father, died in October, 1818, aged sixty-two.  His widow died about 1867, aged eighty-six.  James Bentley lives on the old farm.  He married Temperance Buttles, a native of Connecticut, in 1823.  She moved from Connecticut to Brookfield in 1817 with her parents, Benoni and

[Page 353]
Mary Buttles
Mr. and Mrs. James Bentley have five children living, two deceased:  Amos B., Missouri; Anson G., Niles; Martin V. died, in Iowa; Benjamin F., Brookfield; Joel B., Missouri; Caroline (Woodbridge), Iowa; Eveline (Devol) dead.  Mr. Bentley served as justice of the peace two terms.  In 1840  he took the census of the south half of Trumbull county before Mahoning county was formed.  Mr. Bentley is in the enjoyment of vigorous health and has a vivid recollection of pioneer times.

     WILLIAM SQUIRES was born in Burlington, Connecticut, in 1810, and came to Ohio with his parents, Jason and Elizabeth (Wilmot) Squires, when eight years old.  They settled in Vienna, on the farm where William lived.  William Squires in 1834 married Sarepta Woodford, who survives him.  They had six children:  Jason, Willard, Sidney, Docia, Lucia, and Nellie.  Mr. Squires died Aug. 22, 1879.  Mrs. Squires is the daughter of Isaac and Statira (Cowles) Woodford, who settled in this township among the first arrivals.  Only four of their children are living, viz.:  Isaac, Emeline (Truesdell), Laura (Smith), and Mrs. Squires.

     ABIEL BARTHOLOMEW came to Vienna from Waterbury, Connecticut, arriving in October, 1804.  His son Ira came with him.  Ira married Boadicea Church.  They raised five children:  Abiel, Mary, Eli, Rachel, Erastus.  Abiel resides in Vienna, Eli in Indiana, Mary (Fuller)  in Vienna.  Rachel and Erastus are dead.  Abiel was born Sept. 14, 1805.  He married Lorinda Maria Tyrell in 1830.  They have seven children: Rebecca, Mary Antoinette, Epenetus R., Boadicea, Ira, Celesta and Austin.  All are married and have families.  Mr. Bartholomew is the oldest native of the township now living in Vienna.

     JAMES STEWART settled in Coitsville in 1802, coming from Pennsylvania.  He was twice married.  By his first wife he had four children, all of whom are dead.  For his second wife he married Jane Buchman.  Eight children were born to them, five of whom are living:  Polly, James, Joseph, Alelxander, and David.  David Stewart was born in Coitsville in 1828.  In 1849 he married Aurilla Gray, of Coitsville.  They have three children living - John M., George H., and Luella.  Mr. Stewart first settled in Liberty township, moved thence to Hubbard, and in 1867 moved to his present location in Brookfield.  Mr. Stewart is a member of the United Presbyterian church.  Mrs. Stewart died in August, 1878, aged forty-nine.  She was a member of the same church.  Both the sons are married.  John resides in Brookfield.  George  is in the hardware business in Hubbard.

     PHINEAS WHEELER was born in Erie county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and came with hi parents, William and Margaret Wheeler, to Brookfield when young.  Of William Wheeler's children eight are yet living, five sons and three daughters.  Phineas, the fourth child, married Emily Jones in 1859.  She is a daughter of John E. Jones, of Brookfield.  Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler have but one child, EarlMrs. Wheeler belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church.  Mr. Wheeler is a Republican in politics.

     JAMES CHRISTY, a native of Sussex county, New Jersey, settled in Brookfield in 1816.  His wife was Elizabeth Struble.  They had nine children, six of whom are living,  Robert, Emeline, David, Seth, Willilam, and John.  James Christy died in 1861 in his seventy-third year.  Mrs. Christy died about seven years later.  Robert Christy was born in New Jersey in 1811, and has lived in Brookfield since 1816.  He married Amanda Reno in 1837.  They have six children - Albina, Minerva, J. N., Elizabeth E., Charles R., and J. P.  Mr. Christy is a member of the Presbyterian church.  His wife is a Methodist.

     DR. ROBERT P. HAYS was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, in 1840.  He studied medicine with Dr. Robert Crawford, at Cooperstown, Pennsylvania.  He attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and graduated in March, 1866.  In May of the same year Dr. Hays settled in Vienna, where he now enjoys a large practice.  He is a member of the Masons and of the Temple of Honor, and in politics a Prohibitionist.  Dr. Hays was married in 1876 to Miss Lavinia C. Bacon, of Vienna.  They have one child, a daughter - Frank - three years old.

     Among the Welsh residents of Brookfield DAVID S. JONES, who lives on a farm in the southwest of the township, is one of the most prominent.  At the time of our visit he was absent, visiting his native land, therefore we are unable to give the personal history of him.

     JOHN and LUCY BENTLEY were among the early settlers of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, adjoining Brookfield.  Their son Elam Bentley was born in 1811.  He married first Rachel Dilley, and after residing two years in Hubbard moved to Brookfield and there spent the remainder of his days.  By his first wife he had six children, three of whom are living, James Lauriston, John Emery, and Cornelius.  In 1860 he married Elizabeth Thomas, a native of Hartford, who survives him.  One child, Mary Louie, is living; Lucy Anna died in1881 aged ten years.  Mr. Bentley  died in 1873.  He was a member of the Baptist church.  Mrs. Bentley is a member of the Methodist church.

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     SAMUEL D. GETTIS came to Ohio from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and settled with his parents, James and Margaret Gettis, in Liberty township, at an early date.  S. D. Gettis married, first, Eliza Tully, by whom he had three children, two of whom are living - Lucinda, Emeline, and Mary Jane (dead).  Mr. Gettis married for his second wife Ellen Branning.  Three children by this marriage are living - John, Eliza M., and Lina.  Lorinda Gettis first married Austin Alderman.  One child by this marriage - Lyman G., dead.  Mr. Alderman died in 1857.  His widow married Joseph Hart, and by him had one child - Mary Elizabeth.  Mr. Hart died in 1860.  Mr. Hart still resides upon the homestead in Vienna.

     ISAAC D. PRICE, son of Isaac and Christiana (Hibler) Price, was born in Hubbard in 1836.  His father was a native of Hubbard and his mother came to that township from New Jersey when young.  Mrs. Price is still living.  Mr. Price died in1867.  Six of their children are living, three sons and three daughters.  I. D. Price in 1867 married Nancy Hall, daughter of Jesse and Jane Hall, old residents of Hubbard.  In 1873 Mr. Price settled in Brookfield.  He is the father of three children - Isaac, Clara J., and Mary F.  Mr. and Mrs. Price are members of the Disciples church.  In August, 1862, Mr. Price enlisted in the Ninety-fourth Ohio volunteen infantry, and served two years.  He was taken prisoner in September, 1862, near Lexington, Kentucky, but was released on parole after two days.  He was in the battles of Richmond, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, etc.

     R. R. MINER, son of Julius and Lucy (Rowe) Miner, was born in Hartford, Trumbull county, in 1822.  His father, from Hartland, Connecticut, came to Ohio in 1820; settled in Vernon; lived there several years, removing to Hartford, and died there at the age of seventy-seven.  Mrs. Miner was a daughter of Titus Rowe, who settled in Hartford in 1820, and there lived and died.  R. R. Miner is the third son of a family of nine children, of whom two sons and four daughters are living.  He was married in 1850 to Paulina L. Lewis, daughter of Levi Lewis, of Vienna.  They have three children living:  Eugenia (Groves), Sharon; Cornelia (Sanburn), Brookfield, and Clara, at home.  Mr. Miner has lived in Brookfield about twenty-seven years.

     PETER COOK was born in the province of Bavaria, Germany, in 1830.  In 1852 he came to America, and remained in New York one year; settled at Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1853, and on his present farm in Brookfield in 1865.  He married Margaret Dininger, also a native of Germany, in 1855.  They have nine children living:  Leonard J., Sophia R.., Martgha L., Theodore H., Godlove G., Alfred C., Jonathan S., Martha, Selina.  Mr. and Mrs. Cook belong to the Lutheran church.

     JAMES LAFFERTY was an early settler of Brookfield.  He was a native of Ireland.  His sons were James and William; his daughters, Jane, Rebecca, Martha, Margaret, Orpha, and Lettie.  Of this family only three are living - Martha, Orpha, and Lettie.  William Lafferty lived in Brookfield on the home place.  He married Mary Arthurholt for his first wife, and for his second Fannie Eacrett.  By the first marriage there were six children, three of whom are living - Orpha, Drusilla and William Andrew.  The children of the second marriage are Ella and Edward, both living.  Mr. Lafferty died in 1875 aged fifty-eight.  He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and a respected citizen.

     J. G. TREAT, son of J. H. Treat, was born in 1855 in Weathersfield township.  He is now engaged in keeping a livery stable at Cortland.  He followed the same business two yeas in Vienna, and moved from that place to his present location in the spring of 1882.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

BLISS HART AND FAMILY

END OF CHAPTER VII - BROOKFIELD TOWNSHIP

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