USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 26
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 26
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R J. McDOWELL, one of the most suc- cessful business men of Hartford, Ohio, was born in Crawford county, Pennsylvania, September 25, 1845, a son of Josiah and Vashti (Meachum) McDow- ell. His parents had a family of nine chil- dren, as follows: Henrietta, Molansa, Esther, Ursula, Arada, R. J., Caroline, Eva and Wellington. Josiah McDowell was a builder in early life and also owned and operated a sawmill. Later he turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. He went to Cali- fornia, as a gold-seeker, in 1850, acquired a considerable fortune, and at the time of his death was well-off. He took a prominent and active part in the affairs of his day, and at one time was Captain of militia. He was a Republican in politics, and both he and his wife were members of the Christian Church. He was born in 1813 and died in 1890, and his wife, also born in 1813, died in 1879.
In speaking of his ancestry, Mr. McDowell says he is three-fourths Yankee and one- fourth German and Scotch. He started ont in life on his own responsibility in 1868, be-
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ing employed as telegrapher by the Erie & Pittsburg Railroad Company, having charge of 118 miles of line. In 1871 he turned his attention to the lumber and hardware busi- ness in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, where he did a successful business for twelve years. In 1883 he disposed of his interests there and went to Brown county, Dakota, where he settled down to the life of a ranchman. He remained there, however, only a few years, re- turning to Ohio in 1885. Since that date he has been engaged in a general merchandise business at Hartford. He still owns his ranch in Dakota and also has property in Sharpsville, Pennsylvania.
Mr. McDowell married, November 7, 1877, Mary H. Thompson, and they have had seven children, six of whom are living. They are James, Iran, Merace, Homer, Freda and Aul- ton. Mrs. McDowell's parents were among the first settlers of Hartford, her father own- ing 140 acres of land, and being one of the most public-spirited pioneers.
Mr. McDowell is a man of excellent busi- ness ability and marked individualty. In business, political and social circles he stands high. He votes with the Republican party, and for three years has served as Township Treasurer. In his religious belief he is a Universalist.
002-22000
L YMAN C. WOLCOTT was born in Farmington township, Trumbull coun- ty, Ohio, May 23, 1840, son of Josiah W. and Jane (Stewart) Wolcott.
Josiah W. Wolcott came to Ohio from Connecticut, his native State, when he was a young man, and upon his arrival here located upon the land where the subject of our sketch now lives. This country was all a wilder-
ness then, with but few pioneer cabins here and there, and here in the forest he built his home and developed a farm. He spent the rest of his life engaged in agricultural pur- suits, and died here at the age of sixty- three years. His wife, also a native of New England, emigrated to the Western Reserve with her parents. She died here at about the age of sixty-five years. In their family were teu children, of whom two sons and three daughters are still living.
Lyman C. Wolcott was at home with his parents when the Civil war broke out. He enlisted September 17, 1861, in Company D, Second Ohio Cavalry, Captain James Cald- well, and served three years and one monthi. He was with his company and regiment in about all the engagements in which they took part, and one year served as General S. P. Carter's escort in east Tennessee.
The war over, Mr. Wolcott returned to his home in Ohio. He was married May 1, 1865, to Miss Hattie Hickox, a native of Trumbull county, Ohio, born June 12, 1843. They became the parents of five children: Edwin C., at home, engaged in the brick and tile business; Nettie L., wife of A. J. Ward, has one daughter; Leverett C., a farmer and hay- baler, married Miss Belle Hansel; Ward J., engineer at the tile factory; and Lyda B. All their children have been well educated.
After his marriage Mr. Wolcott bought out the interest of the other heirs to his father's estate, and has since continued to reside at the old home place, being engaged in general farming, but giving especial at- tention to the dairy business. He is a man of progressive views, keeps well up with the times, and conducts his operations upon scien- tific principles. He affiliated with the Re- publiean party until a few years ago, when he joined the Grange and Alliance. He was
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one of the charter members of the Grange here, and has been an active worker in the same, having filled nearly all the offices in Grange No. 1226. He has also filled various township offices. He is a member of Hall Post, No. 436, G. A. R. He has also been prominently identified with the Horticultural Society of Trumbull county, of which he was a charter member.
Such is an epitome of the life of one of Trumbull county's successful and respected citizens.
W TILIAM HOWARD, deceased, was for many years one of the most re- spected citizens of Trumbull county, Ohio. He was born in Poland, Mahoning county, Ohio, June 23, 1814, and died at his home in Trumbull county, February 8, 1867. His father, Willam Howard, was a native of England and came to America when he was a young man; was a shoe maker by trade; died in Ellsworth, Mahoning county, Ohio, at about the age of eighty years. The senior William Howard married Miss Mary Rose, a native of Maryland, who died in Ellsworth at at about the age of seventy-five years. They had a family of thirteen children, all except two living to be over seventy years of age. The younger William Howard remained under the parental roof until he reached his majority. Then he bought a farm in South- ington township, Trumbull county, upon which he lived for three years. He subse- quently lived in various localities, spent one year in Ellsworth, lived on a farm in Newton township about twelve years, and from there moved to the farm now owned by his widow.
William Howard was married, June 20, 1844, to Cynthia Carlisle, who was born in
Newton township, Trumbull county, . Ohio, July 8, 1821, daughter of David and Ann (Davidson) Carlisle. David Carlisle was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. In 1804 he came to Ohio and traveled over Trumbull county, and, being pleased with the country, decided to make it his future home. He returned to Pennsylvania and married Miss Davidson, and two years later moved to this place. Here lie bought a tract of Government land, paying $1.25 an acre for the same, and upon it built his log house and barn. Here he lived and died, being seventy- nine years of age at the time of his death. He was engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life and was a man of considerable prom- inence in the community in which he lived. He was first a Whig and afterward a Repub- lican, and was the choice of his party for several local offices. In whatever position he was placed he always performed his duty with the strictest fidelity and to the best of his ability. His wife, also a native of Penn- sylvania, died on the old farm here at the age of seventy-two years. They had a family of eight children.
William Howard and his wife have had three children, as follows: Anna M., widow of Charles G. Graham; Lanra T., at home; and Emma, wife of W. C. Burchard. Charles G. Graham was born in Pennsylvania, and died in this county at the age of thirty-four years, leaving his widow with one little daughter, Edith H. After Mr. Howard's death Mr. Graham took charge of his mother- in-law's farm and managed the same for a number of years. Mr. Graham, was a son of Rev. John Graham, who was engaged in the ministry here for over fifty years and who is now on the superannuated list.
Of Mr. Howard we further record that he affiliated with the Republican party, and
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took an active interest in the political issues of his day. His family are Presbyterians and are all active church workers. For many years he was a Deacon in the Church and also took a prominent part in the Sun- day-school work. The Howards are ranked with the first families of this county.
AMES CASSIDY, deceased whose fine farm of 165 acres is located in Lords- - town township, Trumbull county, Ohio, is one of the well-known citizens of this part of the county. Following is a resume of his life:
James Cassidy was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, September 20, 1815, son of John Cassidy. His father was also a native of Sussex county and was engaged in farming there all liis life. He died at the age of fifty-five years. Grandfather Cassidy was also named John. He was a native of Ire- land, but was for many years a resident of Sussex county, New Jersey, where he died at an advanced age. The mother of James Cassidy was before her marriage Miss Mary Lanterman. She was also a native of Sussex county, passed her life and died there. John and Mary Cassidy had eight children, two of whom are still living.
The subject of our sketch remained at home until he was seventeen years of age. He then entered upon a four years' apprentice- ship to the tanner's trade, after which he fol- lowed that trade for twelve or fifteen years in Trumbull county, Ohio, having moved out here in 1837. After his marriage he settled in Lordstown township, and abont eight or ten years afterward bought his present farm.
Mr. Cassidy was married at the age of twenty-five years to Elizabeth Struble, also a
native of Sussex county, New Jersey, who died at the age of sixty-six years. They had four children. Granville, the oldest, a meth- ber of Company H, Twentieth Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, was killed in the siege of Vicksburg by a sharpshooter June 16, 1863. The others, Adaline, Elba and John, are married and have families of their own. Ad- aline married John Wannemaker; Elba, mar- ried George D. Herbert and John married Maggie Allen, by whom he had six children: Nora, Dell, Harry, Clifford, Bessie and Glenn.
About five years ago Mr. Cassidy retired from his farm, and enjoyed the fruits of his early years of toil, until his death, whichi oc- curred September 10, 1893. He had voted tlie Democratic ticket from the year 1868. Previous to that time he was a Whig. He was a member of the Disciple Church.
D R. C. S. FENTON, a promising young physician of Orangeville, Ohio, was born in North Bristol, Ohio, in 1866. He is one of a family of ten children and thie son of S. W. and Sophia Fenton. His father is a farmer and stock-raiser of Trumbull county, and occupies a prominent position among his fellow-citizens. He is a Republi- can, takes a somewhat active interest in poli- tics, and both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church.
Dr. Fenton completed his high-school education at Bloomfield, Ohio, and at the age of twenty-one began the study of medi- cine. He is a graduate of the Western Re- serve Medical College at Cleveland. He en- tered upon the practice of his profession at Orangeville two years ago, and here he has since continued, having gained the respect
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
and confidence of the people in the town and vicinity and having already established a repu- tation as a skillful physician and surgeon. He has successfully performed some very difficult operations in surgery.
Dr. Fenton was married, in 1891, to Miss Ida Viney. He and his wife are identified with the Christian Church, and, like his father, he affiliates with the Republican party. He is now serving as one of the Councilmen of Orangeville.
F J. SNYDER, who keeps a general merchandise store, and who is Post- master at Weldon, Trumbull county, Ohio, has been engaged in business at this place since July, 1891. Of him we present the following brief sketch:
F. J. Snyder was born in Hartford town- ship, Trumbull county, Ohio, May 6, 1866, son of James L. and Sarah (Vinton) Snyder. His parents had a family of four children, three of whom are living. Alvina M. is the wife of F. L. Montgomery, and Clara M. married L. B. Craig. Asa D. died in 1863, at the age of eight years. James Snyder is engaged in farming and stock-raising and also runs a sawmill. He owns seventy-nine acres of available farm land. He was born September 4, 1829, and his wife May 1, 1830.
August 13, 1889, F. J. Snyder married Flora M. McDowell, and they have one child, Cleo Vida, born June 15, 1890.
Mr. Snyder was the first settler in the new town of Weldon and has already done much to advance its interests. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. He is a member of the K. G. E. and also of the J. O. U. A. M. Both he and his father are Democrats.
Our subject's grandfather was George Snyder, who was born in Dauphin county, Pennsylvania, and lived to be seventy-nine years of age. He was a member of the Lu- theran Church and, politically, was a Demo- crat. His wife was Elizabeth Carnes, who was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsyl- vania, and who died at the age of sixty-four. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Mary, wife of Daniel Artherholt, lives in Trumbull county; Margaret is de- ceased; Jane married Warren Alderman and after his death was united to John Raney, wlio is also deceased, his widow being a resident of Mercer county, Pennsylvania; Ruhamah, wife of Aaron G. Vinton, resides in Trum- bull county; James L., father of our subject; Aaron C. lives in Trumbull connty, as do also the other two brothers, Uriah and George W., the latter being a resident of Orangeville.
AMES FOWLER; who resides on a farm in Hartford township, Trumbull county, Ohio, is one of the venerable citizens of this place. He was born in Brookfield, Ohio, February 1, 1820, son of Abner and Hester (Jennings) Fowler. His parents had a family of seven children : Julia, Ira, Sarah, Abner, Harvey, James and Rhoda. Harvey died in the spring of 1849. Abner Fowler was for many years engaged in farming and stock-raising. In early life he followed the trade of shoemaker. When he was twenty-three years of age he emni- grated from Westfield, Massachusetts, to the Western Reserve and his father, Abner, was the first white man to locate in Fowler town- ship, Trumbull county. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. He and his wife were earnest Christians and faithful members of
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
the Methodist Episcopal Church. They were well-known by all the pioneers throughout this section of the country and were noted for their genial hospitality, friend and stranger alike receiving a cordial welcome in their primitive cabin home. They owned 175 acres of land.
James Fowler was married in 1843, to Lura Lucinda Miner, and for over fifty years they have shared each other's joys and sor- rows. Sons and daughters have grown up around them and are now occupying honored and useful positions in life. Of their family we record that Esther is the wife of Aaron J. McColum; Addison J. married Maggie Mackey; Dwight A. married Flora Clark; Albert R. married Flora Montgomery; James C. married Maudie Clark; Sicilie is at home; and Ida M. is the wife of Harry P. Fell.
Much of Mr. Fowler's early life was given to educational matters. He was for fifteen years President of the Hartford Academic Institute. Since then he has devoted his attention to his farm. He at one time owned 207 acres of land, but has disposed of some of it and now has only a little over 100 acres. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church.
AMES C. STRUBLE, another one of the prosperous farmers and worthy citi- zens of Brookfield township, Trumbull county, Ohio, dates his birth in New Jersey in the year 1835 and on the 2d day of Jan- uary. His parents, Peter and Catherine (Osborn) Struble, had a family of four child- ren: George S., Emanuel, William Peter and James C.
Mr. Struble is ranked with the most reli- able and substantial men of Brookfield town-
ship. He is identified with the Democratic party and takes an active interest in the po- litical issues of the day. Both he and his wife are members of the Christian Church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is a public-spirited and generous man, and has done much to advance the interest of the community in which he lives.
Mr. and Mrs. Struble are the parents of two children: Florence, wife of W. K. Ham- ilton, and Frank, who married Winfred Lewis.
EROY M. BEARDSLEY, a prosperous farmer of Lordstown township, Trum- bull county, Ohio, was born in Ells- worth township, Mahoning county, this State, May 28, 1854. He is the adopted son of Chauncey G. and Elizabeth (Wetinore) Beardsley, by whom he was reared from his ninth year, and by them educated.
Chauncey G. Beardsley was born in Can- field, Ohio, and when a young man settled on the farm on which the subject of our sketch now lives. He was a prominent and active man here up to the time of his death, March 31, 1887. His wife, also a native of Canfield, died on their farm in Trumbull county.
May 15, 1877, Leroy M. Beardsley mar- ried Miss Laura Graber, who was born in Newton township, Trumbull county, Ohio, October 14, 1858, daughter of Andrew and Mary A. Graber. After his marriage he located on a farm in Newton township, owned by his mother-in-law, and there made his home for five years. At the death of his adopted parents, he inherited their estate, a fine farin of 230 acres, to which he moved and upon which he has since resided.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have two children : Chauncey A., born May 15, 1878, and Mary E., April 21, 1885. The Beardsleys are among the leading families of the vicinity in which they live. Mr. Beardsley has one sister, Mrs. Eva Scott of Warren township. Politically, he affiliates with the Republican party, as also did Chauncey G. Beardsley.
Mr. Beardsley has one of the finest farms in the county, well laid out and improved. His commodious dwelling is of modern archi- tecture and good finish, and his barns and stables are commodious and substantial. He carries on general farming and stock raising.
EORGE S. LEWIS, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Farmington township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Sheridan township, Geauga county, this State, May 30, 1836.
Leonard Lewis, his father, was born in Connecticut, November 23, 1806, and died August 20, 1884. He was married October 1, 1832, to Mary Smith, who was born in New York, April 4, 1803, and died January 21, 1827. They had a family of five children, four of whom survived. Leonard Lewis was a son of Dennis Lewis, who was born De- cember 1, 1782; was married August 2 1802, to Nancy Bartholmew; and died August 3, 1852. She was born February 2, 1782, and died May 16, 1852. They reared nine children.
George S. Lewis was brought by his parents to Trumbull county when he was six months old, and here he grew up on the farm, his early life being not unlike that of other farmer boys. In 1860 he went to California and engaged in mining, being thus occupied for seven years. He then returned to Ohio
and has since made his home liere. After his marriage he settled down to farming on the old homestead, and up to the present time has given his attention to general farming and stock raising.
February 18, 1888, Mr. Lewis married Miss Mattie Bower, who was born in Meso- potamia, Ohio, October 7, 1854, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Evans) Bower. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, and a de- scendant of German ancestry, was one of the very earliest settlers of this part of Ohio. Furthur history of the Lewis family will be found in the sketch of R. K. Lewis.
Mr. Lewis cast, his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln, and has ever since sup- ported the Republican party. He is not, however, a politician and has never been an office seeker, his whole time and attention being given to his farm and his own private business.
A P. KEPNER, who owns and occupies a nice farm of 109 acres in Hartford township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in this township, September 2, 1841. He is the only child of Jacob and Eliza (Parsons) Kepner. His father came from Pennsylvania to this county when he was a boy, was reared here, and has re- mained here engaged in farming and stock- raising ever since. He is the owner of 200 acres of land.
A. P. Kepner was reared on his father's farm, and when the war came on he was among the first to offer his services to pro- tect the old flag. He enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, in 1861, in Company A, Forty-first Ohio Infantry, and rendered efficient service until the close of the war, receiving an hon- orable discharge in 1865. During this
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
period he was for three months a prisoner at Andersonville. He has all his life been a stanch Republican, and is an active worker in the ranks of his party. He is a member of the J. O. U. A. M. and the G. A. R.
Mr. Kepner was married, in 1866, to Adda Cone, who was born in this county, October 15, 1843, daughter of E. B. and Candis (Greene) Cone. Their only child, Della, was born June 6, 1882.
R ODNEY MILLER, the leading mer- chant of West Farmington, Ohio, has long been identified with the in- terests of this place, and is entitled to more than a passing notice in this work, devoted to the representative men and women of the county.
Rodney Miller was born in Avon, Connec- ticut, February 28, 1826, son of Samuel Miller and grandson of Norr Miller. As far back as the Miller family is traced, most of them have been farmers, with some few tradesmen. Samuel Miller was engaged in farming all his life. He died at the age of sixty-six years. The mother of our subject, whose maiden name was Harriet Cornish, was born in Simsbury, Connecticut, and died at the home of her son in Trumbull county, Ohio, at the age of eighty-two years. They had twelve children, two of whom died in infancy. The rest reached adult years, and three sons and three daughters are still liv- ing, all highly respected and residents of this county.
The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the district schools, and when he was fourteen years old left home and worked around among the farmers near by. When he was
nineteen he came out to Ohio and in Trum- bull county secured employment in a ma- chine shop, where he worked one summer. April 22, 1846, he married Miss Mary A. Lord, who was born in New York, daughter of William Lord. Her father removed from New York to Wisconsin, where he spent the closing years of his life and died.
After his marriage, Mr. Miller went to Middlefield, Ohio, where he spent three years in the study of medicine, after which he went to Wisconsin and practiced medicine for a short time. Returning to Ohio the follow- ing year, he located at West Farmington, and a year later went to Middlefield. During this period his time was divided between practicing medicine and working at the car- penter's trade, and finally he retired from practice altogether. After he had been in Middlefield about a year, he came back to West Farmington, and this place has con- tinued to be his home ever since. He worked at the carpenter's trade for fifteen years. During the Civil war he enlisted in April, 1864, in Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-first Regiment, under Captain Hatch, and served 100 days, the length of his enlistment, when he was honorably dis- charged. He was on duty all the time at Sandusky.
In July, 1866, Mr. Miller was appointed Postmaster at West Farmington by Presi- dent Lincoln, and served in that capacity for nineteen years, until after Cleveland's first election. When he first entered upon the duties of this office, he bought the stock of goods owned by the former Postmaster, and lias all these years carried on a general mer- chandise business, having given his whole at- tention to the store since he retired from the post office. He also served as Justice of tlie Peace, off and on, for a number of years, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
for several years was a Notary Public. Be- sides these he has filled various other local offices, always performing his duty with the strictest fidelity and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. During his long business career in Trumbull county, Mr. Miller has gained an extensive acquaintance. Indeed, few men in the county are better known than he. To all the offices in which he has served he has been elected on the Republican ticket. Of recent years, however, he has given his vote and influence with the Prohibition party, and a more earnest temperance worker than Rod- ney Miller it would be hard to find. He is a niember of G. A. R. Post, No. 426, West Farmington, his name being on the list of charter members of that post. For over thirty years he and his wife have been mem- bers of the Disciple Church, and in both church and Sabbath-school work he has takenl an active part.
F REDERICK R. HARRIS, the popu- lar superintendent of the Falcon and Russia mills, Niles, Ohio, was born in Staffordshire, England, July 10, 1848, a son of George Harris, also a native of Great
Britain. His father emigrated with his family in 1856, and located in Cincinnati, Ohio; there he remained a year, but was not thoroughly satisfied with his new surronnd- ings and so returned to England. Once again in his old home, he realized the super- ior advantages offered in the United States and resolved to come back to this country; this he did in 1862, and settled in Niles, Ohio. During the first three years of his residence here he was in the employ of the James Ward Company, and he then became a member of the firm of Harris, Davis & Com-
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