USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Vol. II > Part 29
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In politics Mr. Ranney is a Democrat of the Jacksonian type, though he has never been an active politician. His cheerful and sympathetic nature has won for him a host of friends, among whom are the younger members of the bar, for he has never forgotten that he was once a young and struggling barrister himself. Mr. Ranney has received many tokens of these friendships, but he possesses none that he prizes so highly as a handsome silver set, engraved with military designs, which was presented to him by his brigade upon the occasion of his resignation from the army
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in 1863. Mr. Ranney was married on September 19, 1853, to Miss Helen Burgess, of Ravenna, and six daughters and a son were born to this union. During his entire life Mr. Ranney has been a man of temperate habits, and young men of the present generation can find in this and his industry examples worthy of their emulation.
ARTIIUR B. ALLEN, of Kinsman township, Trumbull county, still re- sides on the old family homestead on which he was born, although, for purposes of cultivation, the farm is rented to outsiders. His fine property consists of one hundred and seventy acres and descended to him from his father and through his paternal grandfather, Benjamin Allen, a native of Connecticut, who was a soldier in the war of 1812. By trade Benjamin Allen was a carder and upon establishing his family on the farm in Kins- 'man township erected a carding mill upon his property. Between the mill and the farm he earned a good living for his household. His son, Benja- min, also learned the trade, and for years was the father's stanch assistant. He was a member of the legislature from Trumbull county in the early thirties, and made an enviable record as an able, patriotic and honorable citizen in the early historie days of the Western Reserve. Benjamin Allen, the father of Arthur B., married Miss Charlotte Galpin, a native of Con- necticut and daughter of Elnathan and Abigail (Baldwin) Galpin, who came to Trumbull county from Connecticut in 1832. In that year they located on the land in Kinsman township, now known as the Joseph Reed farm, their daughter Charlotte then being twelve years of age.
Arthur B. was the only child born to Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Allen, and he was reared on the old homestead and educated in the neighborhood schools. After his marriage in 1880 he located permanently on the Allen homestead, and devoted himself to farming and to the discharge of the public duties with which he has been honored. He has served as justice of the peace for two terms, and for several years both as a member of the school board and as township clerk, in that capacity taking the last census of Kinsman township. Since leasing his farm six years ago he has also been employed as a rural mail carrier. He is a leading member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has been an elder for some time.
On November 10, 1880, Mr. Allen was married to Miss Abbie H. Morehead, and two sons have been born to them, as follows: Benjamin G., a graduate of Oberlin College, now in the employ of the Pittsburg & Ohio Coal Company at Cleveland, and Dudley P. Allen, a student living at home.
W. D. CUNNINGHAM, M. D., who has been in the practice of medicine at Girard since 1902, was born in Grove City, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1872, a son of John R. and Phoebe (Oakley) Cunningham. The father was born in Grove City in 1829, in the month of May, the paternal grandfather, James G. Cunningham, being the founder of Grove City, in which vicinity of Mercer county he was born, his parents having settled there in 1796.
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They were of Scotch-Irish descent. At an early day the grandfather was a cabinetmaker and also followed farming. In those days, it must be remembered, a cabinetmaker also had the work of an undertaker to perform, and he frequently got up in the morning and sawed out lumber for a coffin which he fashioned for some person who had died the night before. In connection with operating a large farm he carried on this business until July 16, 1889, which was his birthday. Grove City now stands on the ground of the old homestead, and the Grove City College now owns the homestead land.
The father of Dr. Cunningham left the old farm in about 1850 and went to Wisconsin, and from there to Minnesota, where he remained until about 1863, when he returned to Grove City and enlisted in Company K of the Seventh Regiment, serving about eighteen months. After coming home, he engaged in farming, operating a saw mill in connection therewith and continuing thus until he retired, about 1898. The doctor's mother was born in Oswego county, New York, March 25, 1833. Her people moved to Minnesota when she was young, and she was married in that state. The issue by this marriage was four children-James Glenn, who became a Presbyterian minister at Ottawa, Kansas, and died at the old homestead in Grove City, Pennsylvania, in 1906; Milton V., practicing medicine in Youngstown, Ohio; Bessie, wife of Robert Loreday, of Grove City, a tele- graph operator ; and Dr. W. D., of this sketch.
The doctor attended the Grove City College, the University of Illinois, and the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Girard, from which institu- tion he was graduated April 19, 1901. He was graduated from the Grove City schools when he was sixteen years of age, and he earned his own way through school by employing himself at various things for others during vacation times. He was not particular what the work was, just so it was of an honorable character. During the summer of 1894 he worked for $10 a month. Upon finishing school, he went to the Mahoning Valley Hospital, at Youngstown, as house physician. He was married about this date and settled down into a steady medical practice which is becoming extensive. On a good corner lot in Girard he intends to erect a residence with an office building.
In his political choice the doctor is in harmony with the principles of the Republican party. In his religious belief he is an exemplary member of the Presbyterian church. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Modern Woodmen of America, his membership in the last named order being with the Pathfinder's Lodge.
Dr. Cunningham was united in marriage, October 25, 1902, to Miss Anna Robb, of Beaver, Pennsylvania, born at Johnstown, Pennsylvania, October 25, 1874, a daughter of Lowry and Loretta (Bennett) Robb. Her parents were natives of Johnstown, Cambria county, her father being prominent as a well-to-do farmer. The parents now reside at Moravia, leading a retired life. Dr. and Mrs. Cunningham have one child-Ruth Estella, born June 11, 1908.
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THOMAS G. BLACKSTONE is well known in business circles, within the trade radius of Girard, as a furniture dealer and real estate dealer. Mr. Blackstone was born near Greenfield, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1865, a son of William and Sarah ( Porter) Blackstone. His mother was born east of the Allegheny Mountains, a descendant of a member of the Old Plymouth Colony. She was born about 1831 and died when Thomas G. was about fourteen years of age. The father was a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, born February 20, 1831. The paternal grandfather, George Blackstone, was also native to Pennsylvania soil, his father, great- grandfather of Thomas G., coming from Ireland.
William Blackstone, the father, was a farmer during his earlier years and also did tailoring work. He occupied the old farm, where he resided, since boyhood days, and where he was united in marriage, until his death, September 14, 1908. It is little wonder that he clung to the farm where so many of the happy scenes of his life were enacted. This worthy gentle- man and his faithful wife were the parents of eight children, as follows: Perry C., residing in Youngstown, Ohio, a carpenter and contractor ; E. B., residing in North Henderson, Illinois, a farmer; C. H., residing in Alexis, a railway mail service man; C. R., a mail messenger; B. R., residing in Washington, engaged in lumber trade; Ida, wife of L. J. Rogers, of Law- rence county, Pennsylvania, a farmer; Mary A., wife. of J. N. Hughes, farmer, stock dealer and fruit grower, residing in Mercer county, Pennsyl- vania; Thomas G., of this review, was the fifth child in order of their birth.
Thomas G. Blackstone attended the district schools in Lackawanna township, Mercer county, Pennsylvania; also received two terms in Brook- field township, Trumbull county, Ohio, at Yankee Run. He remained at home until nineteen years of age, then was employed by a cousin and farmed the old homestead for three years. He was married about that date and continued on the old place, working his father's farm several seasons, then went to Girard, where he was employed in the Girard Iron Works about four years, having various positions there. He next went to Clarksville, Pennsyl- vania, bought a farm and engaged in tilling the soil for four years, after which he sold his farm and went to Girard with the intention of spending the winter, but finally accepted a position with King Brothers, of that place, in the furniture business, continuing with this firm about three years and then embarking in the furniture business, coupling it with that of under- taking. He became partner with a Mr. Barchfeld, and this partnership still continues. Mr. Blackstone is also associated with G. H. Beaver in the gen- eral real estate business and is the manager of the sale of a patent wrench, which device he is introducing throughout this country.
In regard to his society memberships, he is connected with the Pro- tected Ilome Circle: Knights of Pythias: Woodmen of the World, which camp is named for him, Blackstone Camp No. 9475 ; member of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; the Eagles ; and Political Equality Club. He is a trustee of the Knights of Pythias lodge and the president of the IIome Circle, having served several years in such capacity. In religion,
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Mr. Blackstone is a member of the Presbyterian church, at Youngstown, his people all being of that faith. In politics, he is a Republican, being the present mayor of Girard, but has never been an office seeker, only holding such positions as the people demand of him so as to perform his duty of citizenship.
Mr. Blackstone was married December 29, 1887, to Miss Minnie Ever- hart, born in Mahoning county, Ohio, near Poland, April 20, 1866, a dangh- ter of Frederick and Anna (Godward) Everhart. Her mother was born in England in 1842 and the father near Greenville, Pennsylvania, in 1839. They came to Mahoning county, Ohio, about 1894. The father is a station- ary engineer. At present they live at Girard, where he is employed with the Girard Iron Works. He served with the Twenty-fourth Ohio Regiment of infantry soldiers and later with the artillery command. One child has been born to Mr. and Mrs. Blackstone-Thomas G., Jr., born November 26, 1902.
EDWARD LOUIS HAUSER was born in Youngstown, Ohio, August 4. 1866, his parents-David and Mary (Bixler) Hauser-being natives of Germany. The former emigrated to America at the age of twenty-two, and , the latter came here with her parents when she was seven years old. The first few years of their married life were spent in Liberty, Poland and Youngstown; but they removed to Girard, Ohio, in 1868. Here they pur- chased a log house and the acre and half of land surrounding it, and de- voted themselves with characteristic German thrift to the establishment and development of a real home. The log house has long since been replaced, but the Hauser home is on the original site, and is occupied by Mrs. Hauser and two of her daughters. Early and late, year in and year out, the father and mother toiled side by side. Others besides their own children were dependent upon them and the struggle was a serious one.
The children, George W. (born September 23, 1863, died December 19, 1907), Edward L., Minnie C., Georgina S., Elizabeth J., and Charles David Hauser, all inherited the industry of their parents and the elder chil- dren tasted something of the hardships, too. All became self-supporting while very young. George and Edward became partners in the father's business. David Hauser died in May, 1907, and the eldest son in December of the same year, as above noted. Minnie C. Hauser is a bookkeeper, has held several responsible positions, and is now in the employ of the National American Woman Suffrage Association, of which organization Elizabeth J. is chairman of the Press Committee. Georgina is the wife of A. C. Mc- Kinney, of Girard, and Charles D. Hauser is a practicing physician and surgeon at Youngstown.
Edward L. Hauser's active business life commenced at thirteen years of age, when he left school. Large and strong physically, following the example of his parents in the matter of clean-living, his mind matured early and at sixteen he was really a man. The actual management of the gen- eral meat business of D. Hauser & Sons devolved upon him early in life.
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In addition to this he has been a regularly employed newspaper corre- spondent for out of town papers for twenty-six years, edited a weekly local newspaper for a season, and has taken an active interest in politics. From April, 1898, to January 1, 1908, he served as corporation clerk, having been five times elected on the Democratic ticket, and this in a village which is normally Republican by a majority of about three to one. He was a dele- gate to the State Democratic Convention in Columbus in May, 1908. He is a past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and past regent of the Royal Arcanum, the only fraternal organizations to which he belongs. He was elected a director of the First National Bank of Girard in January, 1909.
He was united in marriage, September 22, 1891, to Mary R. Andrews, born at Vienna Center, September 18, 1865, daughter of Lucius and C'or- nelia (Woodford) Andrews. The father was born at Paynes Corners, on the Brookfield side, June 28, 1841. The mother was born in Vienna, De- cember 1, 1841. IIer people came from Connecticut and were early settlers in that township. The people on the father's side were also early settlers in the same locality. Of the Andrews family there were two children : A. L., who died in Chicago, March 28, 1901, and Mary R., wife of Mr. Hauser.
JOHN M. SMITH, postmaster at Tyrrell, Vienna township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1844, a son of William and Sarah ( Logue) Smith. The father was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Clarion county, that state. The father went to Ohio about 1888, resided there five years, then retraced his steps to Pennsylvania and was a farmer by occupation as well as the owner of much real estate in Clarion county. He also had valuable property in Trumbull county, Ohio. He started life as a wood chopper and served as a constable several years. His death occurred about 1891. The mother died about 1870. The maternal grandfather, John Logue, served eight years in the United States army, all through the Revolutionary struggle, and also fought in the Indian wars.
John M. Smith attended school at the district school at Prospect and other districts in Clarion county, Pennsylvania. He remained at home with his parents until 1861, and when his mother sent him to Sunday school he ran away to enlist in the army of the Union forces. He was not allowed to enlist, but remained with the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Regiment, under Captain Laughlin, returning under Captain Alvin II. Alexander. He continued with the regiment until it was reorganized in February, 1864, when he enlisted, on February 23, at Plymouth, North Carolina, and served until June 19, when he was mustered out of service, being discharged at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He was in twenty-eight en- gagements and saw much real warfare. After his return from the war, he purchased a small farm, which was in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and continued on the same until 1878, when he removed to Ohio, settling in Trumbull county. After two years he bought a farm in the same town-
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ship and continued to reside on rented land another year, then purchased another farm adjoining the first mentioned ; also still another farm in John- son township. He was a resident of Gustavus township from 1878 to 1895, then sold all of his land and moved to Warren, Ohio, where he engaged in the dairy business and shipped milk to Pittsburg for about four years. He left his business in Warren in the hands of his sons and went to Pittsburg, in which place he lived for a time, looking after the sale of his product of the dairy. He sold his interests in 1898, then engaged in the real estate business in Pittsburg, remaining there until 1903, when he went to Tyrrell and engaged in farming, following this until his appointment as postmaster at Tyrrell, which office he took possession of December 11, 1907.
He is a member of the Odd Fellows order, Mahoning Lodge No. 29, be- longing to the Encampment degree also. Politically, he is a supporter of the Republican party.
Mr. Smith was united in marriage, the first time, June 12, 1867, to Elizabeth L. Graham, who was born in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, in 1842 and died February 22, 1899. She was the daughter of James and Elizabeth (Miller) Graham, both natives of Clarion county, and farmers by occupation. The father died about 1866 and the mother in 1894. The children born of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Smith were as follows: The first child died in infancy ; Ala, born June 6, 1869, died June, 1895; Sarah, June 9, 1870, died at the age of eleven months ; William E., June 16, 1872, residing at Gary, Indiana, foreman and electrician in the steel mills : Charles S., November 20, 1875, residing also at Gary, a machinist and electrician ; twins, born in January, 1877, named Harry and Ada ; Ada died in 1895 and Harry resides in Warren, Ohio, and is a foreman in a machine shop for an electric plant.
For his second wife Mr. Smith married, October 11, 1904, Mrs. Alice L. Greenwood, the widow of Corydon Greenwood. Her maiden name was Vaughn. (See sketch of Carlos Greenwood.) By her first marriage Mrs. Smith had three children: Lillie, born October 16, 1872, deceased ; Clayton B., born May 13. 1875, residing at Youngstown, an engineer in a steel plant ; and Grace, now Mrs. J. A. Tully, of Youngstown, Ohio, her husband being a machinist in the steel mills.
JAMES MCCARTNEY, a prosperous agriculturist of Vienna township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Hubbard township, this county, Sep- tember 20, 1859, a son of John and Susana (Robison) McCartney. The mother was a native of Clearfield county, Pennsylvania, born in 1829. John McCartney, the father, was a native of Ireland, born in 1830, and he accom- panied his parents to America about 1845, the family remaining in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio, a few years, and then moving to Hubbard township, Trumbull county, where the father, James McCartney (grandfather of James, of this sketch) purchased a farm upon which he lived between thirty and forty years. The grandparents finally went to New Castle and resided with a daughter for six or eight years, and there the grandmother died.
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The grandfather then made his home until his death in 1885 with his son, the father of James.
John McCartney resided with his parents until about thirty years of age, having purchased a half interest in his father's place, continuing on the old homestead until 1866, when he sold, reserving the coal rights of the place. He then went to Vienna township, where he bought one hundred and sixty-five acres of land, the major part of which is within Brookfield township. Here he continued to reside until his death, in 1900, his wife having died on the same place in 1895. They were the parents of the fol- lowing : Mary, unmarried and a resident of Brookfield township ; James, of this sketch ; William, a farmer of Brookfield township; Frank, residing in Vienna township, cultivating his brother James' farm; Harry, a telegraph operator on the Lake Shore Railroad, residing at Wick, Ohio; and Charles residing with his sister.
James McCartney, of this notice, attended the township schools and remained at home with his parents until twenty-six years of age. He then bought a farm of fifty-three acres, a portion of which had belonged to the father and the balance to his father-in-law, and moved to this place and began general farming. He has devoted his entire life to farming with the exception of a short period spent as construction foreman of the Lake Shore Railroad, and now has one of the best farms in the vicinity, all of which he has earned himself.
Mr. McCartney is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Interna- tional Brotherhood of Railroad Men. Being in hearty accord with the order, he became one of the organizers for the Order of International Brotherhood. Since old enough to exercise the right of franchise Mr. McCartney has voted the Democratic ticket, and while never an office seeker, he has held the position of member of the school board and other local offices.
In December, 1885, Mr. McCartney was married to Miss Harriet Vin- ton, born in Vienna township, June 22, 1855, a daughter of Aaron and Ruhama (Snyder) Vinton. Mrs. McCartney's father was born in New York state in May, 1827, and the mother in Vienna township, this county, December, 1826. Aaron Vinton came to Ohio with his parents when a young man and located near the present McCartney farm. When about twenty-three years of age he purchased a farm near the old homestead place and there continued general farming until his death. The wife and mother spends the greater part of her time with Mr. and Mrs. McCartney. The four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Vinton were: Rosetta, wife of Mr. Shoff, whose sketch is also in this work; Harriet, Mrs. McCartney ; Alfred, residing on the old farm : and Wayne, residing in Moorehead, Ken- tueky, where he is engaged in mercantile business.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. James MeCartney are: Vinton, born July 6, 1887, unmarried, now in Ohio State University, taking a mechanical course in engineering; Roy, born November 13, 1888, at home : Ruby, born Feb- rmary 3, 1890, a graduate of the IIartford high school and preparing herself for a teacher ; and Aaron Glenn, born May 25, 1892, who is also at home and studying to be an operator.
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KENT DOLL, whose excellent farm home is situated on the rural mail delivery route out from Tyrrell, Vienna township, is a native of Massillon, Ohio, born December 9, 1877, is the son of Benjamin and Katherine (Fisher) Doll, both of the parents being natives of Pennsylvania. The father was born in 1826 and the mother in 1838. When about six years of age, the father accompanied his parents to Ohio and they located at Osnaburg, on a farm, but later removed to Massillon and resided with their son until their death. The father became the owner of a large farm npon which he resided the remainder of his days, his death occurring December 5, 1906; the mother died May 14, 1887. In the family of Benjamin and Katherine Doll there were eight children: Josiah, residing in Canton, Ohio, a farmer; Flora, wife of Charles Rhodes, of Massillon, Ohio. a widow ; Dennison, residing at Massillon, a traveling salesman for Russell Bros.' farm implements : Logan, residing on a farm near Canton, Ohio; Melville, resid- ing at Massillon, a farmer : Cora, wife of Engene Shanabrook ,of Massillon, a motorman ; Albert, residing at Massillon, a railway engineer on the Wheel- ing railway : Kent, of this biography.
Kent Doll attended the public schools of his native county near Mas- sillon, and early in life united with the Christian church. Up to the time he was nineteen years of age he remained at home assisting his father and gaining a common school education. He then enlisted as a member of the Eighth Ohio Volunteer Regiment, in Company L, under Captain Fisher, to do military service in Cuba at the time of the Spanish-American war in 1898. After his six months' army career, he worked on the farm for his father for one year and then went to work in a glass factory, in which he continued six years. His next employment was that of rural mail carrier, which he followed for a year, after which he became baggagemaster at the Pennsylvania station at Massillon, Ohio. After a service of a year and a half there he returned to the glass factory, where he worked eighteen months and then purchased the one hundred and eighty-four acre farm where he now resides. He went to this farm home March 1, 1907, and there carries on general farming operations and expects to branch out into the dairy business ; also is a breeder of Holstein cattle.
Mr. Doll is a member of the Grange and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics at Massillon. Politically, he is a supporter of the gen- eral principles as set forth by the Republican party. He has never cared to hold public office, but believes in good local government.
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