from historical marker in Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio:

Built in 1804 by Jonathan Fowler, one of the founders of Poland Village, this structure served as his family home, general store, tavern and a hotel all at the same time. It became an important stagecoach stop on the main highway between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. In 1861, the future President of the United States, William McKinley was sworn into the Union Army from the tavern's front porch.

from: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=35507457

On February 16, 1800, a daughter, Rachel Fowler, was born, the first white child born in Poland Township. In 1801, Jonathan Fowler built the first sawmill and grist mill within what is now the Village.

Source: Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Historical Collections of the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, Oh, 1876, pp. 510-512

Jonathan Fowler

• BIRTH 21 Feb 1764 Guilford, New Haven County, Connecticut, USA
• DEATH 12 Apr 1806 (aged 42) Beaver Falls, Beaver County, Pennsylvania, USA
• BURIAL Poland Presbyterian Cemetery, Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, USA Show Map GPS-Latitude: 41.0192606, Longitude: -80.6091984
• PLOT Row 13 MEMORIAL ID 35507457 Photos by Dave Smith

Jonathan was the second son of Andrew and Martha Stone Fowler of Guilford, Connecticut. His siblings were Rev. Andrew, James, Bela, and Russell.Source: Families of Early Guilford by Alvan Talcott - in the Guilford Public Library.

"Later, in May of 1799, Jonathan Fowler and family from Guilford, Connecticut, became the first permanent settlers of Poland Township. With Fowler was his wife and infant daughter. Mrs. Fowler was a sister of Turhand Kirtland. The Fowlers traveled overland to Pittsburgh, and then traveled by canoe to Youngstown. They were met by Kirtland, who brought them to the present site of Poland Village. They spent that night under an Oak tree on a spot a few yards west of Yellow Creek. On February 16, 1800, a daughter, Rachel Fowler, was born, the first white child born in Poland Township."

In 1801, Jonathan Fowler built the first sawmill and grist mill within what is now the Village. In 1804, Jonathan Fowler erected a stone tavern building in the settlement. In fact, the settlement was known as "Fowler's" for some time. For many years it was the historic "Sparrow Tavern," with a frame front of recent vintage, and was the home of Charles Austin. It was on the porch of this tavern that William McKinley enlisted in the
Union Army in 1861. In 1804, Jared Kirtland also erected a tavern in the same area.

A story titled "The Dean Rafts" explains that in December 1804 a Mr. Dean contracted with early settlers of Poland Township to build three large rafts and staves to be used for wine casks to be taken to the Madeira Islands. When the rafts were completed they were launched in the Mahoning river in Coitsville Township during heavy spring flooding. Dean's nephew, James, supervised the launching but soon after drowned when he apparently fell from a canoe escorting the rafts to the Ohio River. The rafts were broken apart at the falls of Beaver, Pa. but most of the staves were gathered and shipped to New Orleans.

The last paragraph of the story reads, " Jonathan Fowler, the first settler of Poland Township, was drowned at that time at Hardscrabble in the Beaver River. He was accompanying the party that was running the rafts.While passing the rapids at that place, the canoe in which he was riding struck a rock and upset, and he was lost.The others that were in the canoe at that time were rescued."

The story goes on to explain that there was some speculation that Aaron Burr had actually intended to use these rafts in his treasonable actions against the governernment but there was never any proof of this version.
The story was contributed by Mrs. Elizabeth McFarland, daughter of Amos Loveland who helped build the rafts.

Inscription
"In Memory of Jonathan Fowler Here Interred/ Born at Guilford, Connecticut Feb 21,1764/
Drowned in Big Beaver April 12 1806/Aged 42 years. In him the tender husband, affectionate parent and friendly companion were eminently displayed."

Parents
Andrew Chauncey Fowler 1728–1815
Martha Stone Fowler 1737–1794

Spouse
Lydia Kirtland Dunlap 1772–1850

Siblings
Andrew Fowler 1760–1850
Jared Fowler 1770–1821

Children
Lydia Kirtland Fowler 1797–1822
Rachel B. Fowler Riley 1800–1879
Chauncey Russell Fowler 1802–1883

Notes

This marker and all others in this graveyard transcribed in 1983 and 1984 by Carol Bell and Margaret Simon, published in the O.G.S. Report Winter 1984. The inscription in Photos is for Jonathan's infant son. The marker is in a cellar in Guilford. CT.

References

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35507457/jonathan-fowler

Sources

Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Historical Collections of the Mahoning Valley, Youngstown, Oh, 1876, pp. 510-512