Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1868-04-22
HISTORY OF GREENE.
HISTORICAL ADDRESS,
On the Fifiieth Anniversary since
the settlement of Greene, Trum-
bull County, Ohio.
BY MAJOR CHURCHILL.

Mr.. PREsIDENF:-In resuming the
history of our township, this Afternoon,
permit me to suggest that there are
several other subjects belonging to our
history which we think worthy of be-
ing presented. These topics have been,
by our committee, assigned to me.
We shall first refer to our mechan-
les and manufactures. There were
here, at very early day, some of the
most useful and needed mechanics-
particularly blacksmlths and shoe
makers. Few OF our people had to
travel to other towns for mechanical
work, for most of US soon learned thst
necessity obliged US to help ourselves.
In one sense, every man had to be a
mechanic. He had, at least, to make
and to mend his own sleds, drags and
troughs. Wagons in that early day,
could be Of very little use.
Mr.. Ephraim Rice, I'd, commenced
blacksmithing here in 1921, and follow
ed that trade for number of years
We have had since then, at that trade,
AlVa j. Fuller, Aaron NJ. Cooley and
John G. Pilson. These three have died
among US. We have had others who
followed that occupation, but none of
them as permanent and reliable as the
three last named.
Barnabas Churchill commenced shoe
making here, soon after mis- arrival, in
1922. Others, particularly J. A Cowden,
carried on a shoe-shop in early days
In 1925, B. Churchill commenced tan
ming. George King, and J. A. Cowden,
commenced tanning and shoe-making
here about 1880. At later date W.
c. Tuttle carried on the tanning, cur
rying and harness making business,
which he still follows. 4 halter shop
was established here by P. Curtis, in
1887 for several years he supplied our
people with hats. He afterward chang
ed his business to that of merchandise
about 1887. A wool carding machine,
moved by a tread wheel, was built
here, by Jonathan Worthen, in 1927
1t stood near where i. Rsymond's house
now stands. This Mr.. Worthen was in
reality the first trader in this place
He came here in 1924. with a peddlars
wagon, from which he sold goods, and
took in pay, furs, sugar, black salts,
and like trade. After a few trips, in
the year 1926, he left his remnants of
goods with one of our citizens, while
he went for more. His business increas-
ed SO that in the following year, for
want of room, he built small frame
store upon the corner, opposite the
place now occupied by G. P. Curtis
He soon, however, changed his business
and left trading. About 1889, Mr..
Emerson Gibbs had a carding machine
and cloth dressing works, propelled by
water, upon the place now occupied by
Henry Wilson. After Mr.. Gibbs death,
in 1864. these works ran down, and the
machinery was removed. The manu-
fscture of cheese and cheese boxes, has
become quite an item in the labors of
our people. Shingles, cut by machinery,
have been pretty extensively made by
Mr.. c. Williams, Martin Kee, and
others.
In the year 1863, Mr.. ]. C. Bidwell,
proprietor of the pittsburgh pillow
works, at Pittsburgh, Penn, purchased
about 500 acres of oak timber land, near
the west line of this township, and
erected machinery upon it, propelled
by steam. For about six months after
this mill went into operation, it was
employed in saving and preparing the
wood parts for gun carriages. The war
then in progress, made the demand for
them. Since that time it has been
employed in the manufacture of
pillow woods. These are of white oak.
The logs are taken upon a wooden rail
way to the mill, where they are sawed
and planed to their proper size, and
then transported by teams to Bacons-
burgh, or Warren, and then sent by
rail or canal, to the works at Pittsburgh,
to be finished. The number of woods
for 5000 ploughs are now monthly pre-
pared at this mill. A Aplaning machine
is also attached to this establishment.
Mr.. A. V. Crouch experimenting agent.
About 1910, the settlement first com
menced in the n. w. quarter of this
township. As the land there was not
then for sale, the first settlers squatted
upon it. They entered upon the land,
cleared and made buildings, with the
expectations that when the land be-
came for sale, that the occupant should
have the first chance TO purchase. This
gave the name of SquatVille, to that
section. The first settlers were James
Dampster, Ransom Coats, Moses Bowen,
David Bonney, and Benz. Merritt.
Pigeons, in vast numbers, in early
days, roasted during the winter, in the
swamp west of Squatville. 1t was great
sport for the hunters then to shoot, and
otherwise disturb them. OF late these
birds seldom occupy that swamp. Wild
animals, such as elk, bear, wolves, and
deer, which were plenty here when
our township was first settled, have all