Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1870-12-21
THE CHRONICLE.
Written for the CHRONICLE.
Pioneer Life in Trumbull
County.
Historical "reminiscences or Hartford.
BY t. A. BUSHNELL.

In lSl3, the Rev. Harvey Coe was in
stalled as pastor ofthe church, at the
residence Of DIR. Wilcox, in Vernon,
the school house, the usual place of
holding meetings, not being large
enough to accommodate those in at
tendance. The Rev. John Seward
preaching the installation sermon
from there words: "WhO hath believ-
ed our report"
EPIDEMIC OF 1918.
The epidemic which prevailed SO
extensively through the whole west
ern country during the year 1913,
visited our township and carried off
fifteen persons, elderly people, all the
deaths Of the year, except two orthree
resulting from it.
JOHN FITCH, THE BUILDER OF THE
FIRST STEAM BOAT.
Among the number was Mrs. Fitch,
widow of John Fitch, whose descen-
dants by one branch are still residing
here. To him belongs the honor Of
having constructed the first steam
boat. Twenty years before the great
experiment Of Fulton aud Livings-
ton, on the Hudson, a steamboat was
constructed and put in operation in
Philadelphia, under his sole direction,
and was found to 90 at the rate OF
eight miles an hour. He was cOnsid-
cred, in his day, as quite visionary,
and being a poor man, found it diff
cult to command the means to make
his experiment. Had his means
been equal to the accomplishment OF
his designs, there can be no doubt
that he would now hold undisputed
the honor of having given to the
country this most noble and useful
invention He at last became dis
couraged and disheartened, and ended
his days by suicide and lies buried at
BardstOwn, KY.
FIRST PUBLIC HOUSE.
The first public house was kept by
Aaron BrOckway, at Burg Hill, as
early as 1902 or 1908. David Lane
was afterwards engaged in the same
business for many years.
THE FIRST RESIDENT PHYSICIAN
Was Daniel Upson, who was succeed
ed by DR.. Wilcox.
THE FIRST STORE
was opened by James HeZlep, in 1914,
but in a few months he sold to Col.
Richard Hayes. For years his goods
were brought from Philadelphia, in
large Pennsylvania six horse wag-
Ons, carrying near three tOns.-
Large drOves of cattle, some num-
bering as high as five hundred head,
were purchased and driven east to
VI -aH Nv
goods were brought 10 some extent by
dealers, who would 60 among the
farmers and purchase cheese, butter
and other produce, take il to Pitts
burgh and exchange it for dry goods
and groceries, school books, and al
manacs, or anything their customers
saw fit to order. About two weeks
were required to make the round trip.
MONEY SCARCE AND PRICES LOW.
At this time almost every family
made their own cloth, the clatter OF
the loom, the humming of the great
wheel, or the buzzing of the little
wheel, sometimes called "grand moth
er's piano." gave life and hustle, as
well as business, to the whole house
hold. Currency was so scarce that
families were compelled to live within
and 'barter" became the
usual rule in business. It was diff
cult at times to raise money enough
for the payment of taxes property
was sold at almost any price 10 obtain
the necessary funds to pay the county
Treasurer. School "marmsr taught
at seventy-five cents a week, or less
even, and were sometimes partly paid
with 'store orders, u or whilebacks, as
we call them here, and with these pur-
chased calicOes at 80 cents per yard,
for their Sunday best.