NATURAL DRAINAGE.

LOCATION.

EARLY SETTLEMENTS.

     HENRY THORN came from Virginia in 1822, and built the first log cabin in Lordstown, about two and one-half miles east of the center; soon after his brother William came and settled near him.  He soon after moved south of the center where he died.

     JOHN TAIT and his brother Robert settled together on lot number fourteen, north of the center, in 1824.  They began blacksmithing, and were the first to engage in blacksmithing in the township.  Robert Tait purchased a farm northeast of his brother where he now resides, and is the oldest pioneer now living in the township.  In 1826 Thomas Pew settled near the Woodward residence, immediately south of the center.  In this same year William Moore settled on what was then known as the "old Indian trail, which lead from the salt springs in Weathersfield to Sandusky, and his log-cabin stood about forty rods north of the present Ohltown road, on lot number seventy-three.

     In 1826 Lyman Lovell, Peleg Lewis, John Lewis, Samuel Bassett, Peter Snyder, Leonard Miller, Thomas Longmore, and John Owens lived north of the center, and Andrew Grove and James Preston lived south.
     From this time the township began to improve and increase in population; small tracts of land were sold to suit the small means of the purchasers, thus affording homes for a greater number of families; but as some grew richer they began purchasing more land, and the farms grew larger, but the number of families less.  The census reports show that in 1860 this township had a population of nine hundred and ninety; in 1870, eight hundred and fifty; and in 1880, eight hundred and four.

FIRST OFFICIAL ACTS, AND INDENTURES.

NAME, ETC.

INDUSTRIES.

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Meander, southeast of the center.  The present steam saw-mill was first built about 1850, and the Simon's steam mill in1860.

LORDSTOWN CENTER.

SCHOOLS.

     In January, 1830 another district was made and the others changed.  Altogether the householders of Lordstown at that time were,

Of these early householders Andrew Grove is the only one now living in the township.  Though Robert Tait had settled here earlier his name does not appear in the records and he probably was not a householder at the time.  Also Thomas Duncan, who came in 1829, probably was not yet on the list of householders.  There may have been others residing in the township whose names are not on this list, but if there were they could not at this time be ascertained; so the list is given to show the extent of the settlement of the township in 1830, three years after its organization, whereby some estimate can be made of the many changes in the last fifty years.
     The list also shows the names of those who were taxed for the first schools, and was made for that purpose.
     The first school-house at the center stood a short distance south, near "the ledge," and was a small log cabin.  The first teacher of whom any account can now be ascertained, was Anna Harmon.  She was a dear lover of Bohea tea, and carried it with her to school, and always kept a tin full hot by the school house fire, and many times "Aunt Anna," as she was called, found more than tea grounds in the bottom of her tin.  It seems that "Aunt Anna" had limits in which she thought it necessary that the pioneer youthful mind should be circumscribed, and hence at the beginning of the school the first class would begin at "crucifix" and the other class at "baker," and at the close, finish as usual at "The Fox and the Bramble."  Next term the same ground would be patiently and with profound gravity gone all over again.  The next teacher was John Fullerton, an old bachelor, who was given to mirth, and indulged in occasional "sprees," but succeeded, however, in pushing the expanding mind of the scholars as far as the English reader, and the "rule of three," which then embraced the highest branches of education, and was deemed amply sufficient for all the demands of life.  Granville Sears afterwards combined his trade of making boots at night with teaching school in the day time; and it is related of him that in an emergency he could "lay about him with a hickory gad" in a way that commanded the respect if not the admiration of the students of his academy.
     About 1840 a frame school building was erected at the center, on the site of the present district school-house, which was burned down, but another soon replaced the loss.  The first select school was taught by Joseph King, now a minister of the gospel in Pittsburg.  He was a great worker in the cause of education, and subsequently, as his school increased in numbers, taught in the town hall, and succeeded in fitting many teachers for successful work, and secured quite a reputation for the school at Lordstown.  After him came his brother, John King; then Mr. Campbell, and after that the interest in the school seemed almost entirely lost, until S. F. De Ford came, who was an excellent educator, and he taught two terms in the old hall, but afterwards began and finished the Lordstown academy; the school was very successful for some time.  After De Ford, R. W. Duncan taught the school four years.  The school was afterwards allowed to cease, and in 1870 the building was sold for a cheese factory but about 1877 the township purchased the building for township purposes.
     In 1875 the Lordstown Educational society was formed, of which A. G. McCorkle, James Wilson, Jr., D. K. Woodward, George W. Harshman, John C. Pew, and L. C. Longmore, are the working members.  This organization proposes to engage teachers for a graded school and pay from their own treasury the amount necessary to employ competent teachers over and above what the township trustees will alow to be paid for teachers from the public fund.  The board of education this year made this a graded school and has been very successful.  The building is well adapted for the school and for the various purposes of public necessity for which it is used, and especially is the school a credit to the township and speaks well for the citizens, especially those who have labored so long and

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faithfully in behalf of education and intellectual improvement in this township.

FIRST ELECTIONS.

TEMPERANCE AND MORALITY.

EARLY MEETINGS AT OHLTOWN.

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THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
LORDSTOWN CENTER

THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH,
EAST LORDSTOWN.

THE DISCIPLE CHURCH,
LORDSTOWN CENTER.

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THE ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH -
(BAILEY'S CORNERS)

THE LADIES AID SOCIETY.

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EDEN GRANGE NO. 1,294,
LORDSTOWN CENTER

BAILEY'S CORNERS.

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NOTES ON SETTLEMENT.

     THOMAS DUNCAN,

     CHARLES OHL, an old resident of Lordstown township, was born in Austintown in 1807.  His father, Michael Ohl, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1804 or 1805, and settled in Canfield township, Trumbull county, for a short time, and then moved to Austintown, where he lived many years.  He then came to Ohltown, Weathersfield township.  The town derived its name from Mr. Ohl.  He was a farmer by occupation, though he was interested in milling considerably.  The family is of German descent.  There were thirteen children in his family, seven boys and six girls.  Mr. Charles Ohl came to Lordstown in 1839, and located upon the farm where he now resides.  His house was destroyed by fire about a year ago, yet Mr. Ohl in his old age is again building. In 1838 he married Miss Elizabeth Robb, daughter of John Robb, of Lordstown township.  Eight children were the fruit of this union.  Mrs. Ohl died in August, 1874.  She was a member of the United Brethren church.  In politics Mr. Ohl is a Republican.

     PETER SHIVELEY

     GRANVILLE W. SEARS

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     ISAAC BAILEY, who came to Lordstown in 1829, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania; died on the home farm, Dec. 8, 1877, aged seventy-one years, one month and twenty-six days.  He left at his death, his wife, who is now living, five sons, three daughters, forty-four grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.  He was a carpenter by trade and put up most of the early houses in this locality, and built the locks on the canal from Newton Falls to Youngstown.  He was married, in 1830, to Rebecca Weaver, who was six years younger than her husband.  They had a family of the following children: Polly, deceased; Catharine, now Mrs. George Wonders; Rebecca, deceased; Mary Ann, deceased; Mariah, now Mrs. William Hahn, Lavina, now Mrs. Crandall Semple, Isaac, Jacob, Abram D., Samuel, and George A.  Mr. Bailey was known as a prominent man in all public affairs of his neighborhood, especially in the Lutheran church, of which he was a devoted member, and its most zealous supporter, liberal almost to a fault in contributing both his time and money to the support of the church and the spread of the gospel.  His house was known as the Lutheran hotel of Lordstown, and the ministers of the gospel always had a kind welcome there.  He came to the township a poor man, having only $4.50 in money; contracted for one hundred acres of land, which, by hard work, rigid economy, and frugal living, soon became his own.  Abram D. Bailey was born Apr. 14, 1839, and was married to Mary J. Wonders in 1860, who was born Mar.  4, 1837.  To them were born the following children: Laura (married), Sarah Josephine, James Ulysses, Harry Tecumseh, Mary Ann, Maria Antoinette, Edith Ione, Agnes Lavina, and Carroll Bismarck.  He settled on his father's farm immediately after marriage, where he has since lived, and where all his children were born.  He has served two terms as trustee, being the first Republican elected in this strong Democratic locality.  He, like his father before him, is a leading member of the Lutheran church, to which he is earnestly devoted; was a member of the building committee of the new church, and has been trustee of the same for many years.  In 1864 he served one hundred days as member of the One Hundred and Seventy-first Ohio National guard, and with his regiment was taken prisoner at the battle of Cynthiana, Kentucky, by General Morgan.  While on their way to Richmond they were over taken by the Union forces under General Burbridge, near Augusta, paroled and sent to John son's Island, where Mr. Bailey did guard duty until the fall of the same year, when he was mustered out.

     C. G. BEARDSLEY,

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     JAMES CASSIDY was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, Sept. 20, 1815.  His father, John C., was a native of New Jersey, and lived and died in that State.  The family is of Irish descent.  James Cassidy came to Ohio in 1837.  He was a tanner by trade.  He came to Lordstown in 1838 or 1839, and built a tannery at the center and followed his business for eight years, then went upon the farm, where he now lives.  He has made dairying his chief occupation.  He was married in 1839 to Miss Elizabeth Struble, daughter of Jacob Struble, of Sussex county, New Jersey.  They have had four children, Granville, Adelaide, Elby, and John.  Granville was killed at Vicksburg while bravely fighting in defense of his country.  Mr. Cassidy is a member of the Disciple church.  Politically he is a firm Democrat.

     JAMES WILSON, JR.

     JAMES WILSON, SR.

     U. W. CARSON

     SAMUEL R. GREINER

     CHARLES KISTLER and his wife, Rebecca (Sechler), of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, moved to Lordstown, Trumbull county, about fifty years ago.  They settled on and cleared up the place on They raised a family of eight children, of whom seven

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are still living:  L. F., Julia (Hoffman), Catharine (Craver), C. E. Hannah (deceased), Rebecca, Samuel and Daniel.

     C. E. KISTLER, a well-known citizen of Warren, was born in Lordstown in 1835.  In 1859 he married Mary A. Harris, of Lordstown, and resided at Newton Falls for ten years, engaged in the manufacture of harnesses.  In 1869 he removed to Warren, where he has since been engaged in the livery business.

     WILLIAM SALEN, SR.

     ORMAN DEAN,

     SABASTIAN WONDERS

     WILLIAM PEW, (deceased) was a native of Ireland, and born in 1803.  He came to America in 1825, and first settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he remained five years, and then came to Lordstown, Trumbull county, Ohio, settling upon the farm now occupied by his son.  In 1830 he married Miss Isabella McRora, and had six children, four of whom died when quite young.  He died in 1858 on the farm where he settled, leaving a wife and two children to mourn his loss.  His wife died in 1869.  They were for many years members of the Presbyterian church of Warren.  William H. Pew, the elder of the two sons who survived them, was married in 1857 to Miss Angeline, daughter of Thomas Woodward, of Jackson, Mahoning county.  He died in February, 1861.  John C. Pew was born on the home farm in Lordstown (where he still lives), Sept. 3, 1837.  In June, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Pew,

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daughter of Seymour Pew, of Warren.  She died in May, 1864.  Oct. 11, 1866, he married Miss Mary Ernest of Braceville, Trumbull county.  Three children were born of this union  - Adelbert E., Jennie C., and Blanche M.  Mr. and Mrs. Pew  are members of the Disciple church of Lordstown.

     ALEXANDER LONGMORE, the third settler in Lordstown township, was born in Ireland in 1767 and emigrated to America in 1823.  He came to Ohio the following year and settled in Braceville township for a year or two, then came to Lordstown and located upon the farm where his son George now lives.   There were eight children in the family, four boys and four girls.    Mr. Longmore was a weaver by trade, though he he carried on farming.  He died in 1848.  Mrs. Longmore died in 1851.  Mr. George Longmore has always lived upon the old home farm.  He was married in 1867 to Miss Emily Fishel, daughter of Samuel Fishel of Southington township.  They have no children, Martha and Blanche.  Mrs. Longmore died Feb. 6, 1881.  She was a member of the Lutheran church.  Mr. Longmore is also a member.

     LEONARD WOODWARD, an early resident of Lordstown township, was born in Pennsylvania, May 25, 1804.  His father, Jehu, was a native of Pennsylvania.  Mr. Leonard Woodward came to Lordstown in 1831 and settled upon the farm where his son now lives.  He began in the woods, but by hard work he soon had a fine farm.  He was a carpenter by trade.  He was married Mar. 20, 1831, to Miss Annie Moherman, daughter of Frederick and Mary Moherman, of Austintown.  By this union there were nine children, six of whom are living - Mary, Rachel, Elizabeth, Almira, John, Amanda, Orlando, Delbert, Charles.  Mary, Elizabeth, Amanda, are deceased.  Mr. Woodward died Aug. 22, 1867.  She was a member of the Disciple church and a devoted Christian.  Mr. Woodward was justice many years.  He was respected by all who knew him.

     JACOB HARSHMAN was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Dec. 4, 1821.  His father, Jacob H., was a native of Washington county, Maryland, near Hagerstown.  He was born in 1790.  The family is of German descent, Mathias Harshman, grandfather of Jacob Harshman, the subject of this sketch, reared a family in Maryland.  He moved to Pennsylvania in 1800 and settled in Washington county, and lived there till 1807, then came to Ohio, locating in Youngstown township.  He was among the early pioneers of the township.  Living here seen years he moved to Austintown, where he resided several years, then moved to Weathersfield.  In 1831 or 1832 he came to Lordstown, where he lived till his death in the winter of 1837, leaving a family of ten children and a widow to mourn his loss.  Mrs. Harshman died in the fall of 1851.  Mr. Jacob Harshman, Sr., went back to Pennsylvania in 1813, where he remained till 1836, then returned to Ohio and located in Lordstown.  He was married in 1814 to Miss Elizabeth Moninger, daughter of John Moninger, of Pennsylvania.   The had nine children, of whom eight are living at the present time - Mathias, John, Mary, Catharine, Jacob, George W., Elizabeth, Levi, Ephraim.  Mathias is deceased.  Jacob Harshman, the fifth child, has lived in Lordstown since 1836.  He was married in 1840 to Miss Catherine Jones, daughter of Samuel Jones of Lordstown.  Eleven children have been born to them, ten of whom are living.  Mr. and Mrs. Harshman are members of the Methodist church, also five of the children.  Mr. Harshman has been justice of the peace twenty-four years.  In politics he is a good Democrat.

END OF CHAPTER XXII - LORDSTOWN TWP.

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