History of Ellsworth Township
This township was settled primarily by people coming from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Immigration of such people began in the year 1804. Ellsworth was officially established in 1810 and received its name from a prominent citizen of Connecticut. It is said that the family of James Reed was the first to settle in the township. His daughter Polly said that her father came to Ellsworth from Westmoreland County. Mr. Reed resided in Ellsworth not much over a year, selling his farm and moving to Canfield, where he died in 1813. Several other settlements were made about the same time by men who remained but temporarily, soon removing to other localities. The second family to arrive in the township was that of Thomas Jones, of Maryland . He became a permanent settler, dying in Ellsworth in 1852, at the age of 92. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilson, survived her husband in longevity, dying in 1865 at the age of about ninety.
First Events
- The first child born in Ellsworth was Thomas Jones, Jr., son of the Thomas Jones, who came from Maryland in 1806, the child being born in that year. In the same year two other births occurred those of Jeanette, daughter of Hugh Smith, and Mary L., daughter of Richard Fitch.
- The first death was that of a child of a miller in the town, Mr. Miller, who remained in the township fro a short period of time. The second death is thought to have been William Logan, which occurred in 1812.
- The first marriage was that of Hezekiah Chidester and Lydia Buell. Mr. Chidester was a resident of Canfield.
History of Schools
The first school was taught in a log house east of the center, Miss Clara Landon of Canfield being the first teacher. She was followed consecutively by Miss Matilda Sackett, Jesse Buell, Hiram B. Hubbard and Asa W. Allen. During the winter of 1817-18, when Mr. Allen taught, there were about twenty students in the township.
History of Churches
The Presbyterians were the first in the Ellsworth field, the Rev. John Bruce being the first preacher. The first meeting house was situated just north of the center, and was a rude structure, built of hewn logs and without any floor. Other log buildings were subsequently used, and services were frequently held in the open air, in barns, school-houses, and private dwellings. In 1818 the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations united and organized a union church, under Revs. William Hansford and Joseph Treat, missionaries, the town hall being used as a place of worship until 1833, when the Presbyterian church was built.
This township was settled primarily by people coming from Connecticut and Pennsylvania. Immigration of such people began in the year 1804. Ellsworth was officially established in 1810 and received its name from a prominent citizen of Connecticut. It is said that the family of James Reed was the first to settle in the township. His daughter Polly said that her father came to Ellsworth from Westmoreland County. Mr. Reed resided in Ellsworth not much over a year, selling his farm and moving to Canfield, where he died in 1813. Several other settlements were made about the same time by men who remained but temporarily, soon removing to other localities. The second family to arrive in the township was that of Thomas Jones, of Maryland . He became a permanent settler, dying in Ellsworth in 1852, at the age of 92. His wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Wilson, survived her husband in longevity, dying in 1865 at the age of about ninety.
First Events
- The first child born in Ellsworth was Thomas Jones, Jr., son of the Thomas Jones, who came from Maryland in 1806, the child being born in that year. In the same year two other births occurred those of Jeanette, daughter of Hugh Smith, and Mary L., daughter of Richard Fitch.
- The first death was that of a child of a miller in the town, Mr. Miller, who remained in the township fro a short period of time. The second death is thought to have been William Logan, which occurred in 1812.
- The first marriage was that of Hezekiah Chidester and Lydia Buell. Mr. Chidester was a resident of Canfield.
History of Schools
The first school was taught in a log house east of the center, Miss Clara Landon of Canfield being the first teacher. She was followed consecutively by Miss Matilda Sackett, Jesse Buell, Hiram B. Hubbard and Asa W. Allen. During the winter of 1817-18, when Mr. Allen taught, there were about twenty students in the township.
History of Churches
The Presbyterians were the first in the Ellsworth field, the Rev. John Bruce being the first preacher. The first meeting house was situated just north of the center, and was a rude structure, built of hewn logs and without any floor. Other log buildings were subsequently used, and services were frequently held in the open air, in barns, school-houses, and private dwellings. In 1818 the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations united and organized a union church, under Revs. William Hansford and Joseph Treat, missionaries, the town hall being used as a place of worship until 1833, when the Presbyterian church was built.
Development and Industry
Ellsworth remains a rural area in present day with construction and agriculture being the primary industry within the township. Any urban atmosphere being sought by it's residents can be had in nearby canfield. The town remains free of any major highway development, leaving back and country roads as the major source of travel.
Values, Attitudes and Norms
The values, attitudes and norms have not changed a whole lot throughout the years. Most of the residents within the community regard family as the most important aspect of their lives. Many of the residents within the township have family members living in close proximity, some even neighbors. Due to the relatively small number of residents, many of the towns people know one another closely and are more likely to trust, help and receive help from those they are familiar with. Because of this and the distance required to travel for health care, medical treatment is often avoided for minor ailments.
Reference
- Sanderson, Thomas W. (1907). Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Biographical Publishing Company. p. 200.
- Ellsworth Township Mahoning County, Ohio History. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://genealogytrails.com/ohio/mahoning/history_ellsworthtwp.html
Ellsworth remains a rural area in present day with construction and agriculture being the primary industry within the township. Any urban atmosphere being sought by it's residents can be had in nearby canfield. The town remains free of any major highway development, leaving back and country roads as the major source of travel.
Values, Attitudes and Norms
The values, attitudes and norms have not changed a whole lot throughout the years. Most of the residents within the community regard family as the most important aspect of their lives. Many of the residents within the township have family members living in close proximity, some even neighbors. Due to the relatively small number of residents, many of the towns people know one another closely and are more likely to trust, help and receive help from those they are familiar with. Because of this and the distance required to travel for health care, medical treatment is often avoided for minor ailments.
Reference
- Sanderson, Thomas W. (1907). Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County. Biographical Publishing Company. p. 200.
- Ellsworth Township Mahoning County, Ohio History. (n.d.). Retrieved November 19, 2014, from http://genealogytrails.com/ohio/mahoning/history_ellsworthtwp.html