USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 28
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 28
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 28
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
William D. Hickox remained on the home farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade. He was working away at this trade when the war broke out, and at the very beginning of the war he dropped his tools and joined the Union ranks. He enlisted September 4, 1861, in Company D, Second Ohio Cavalry, and at the end of his term of service, three
256
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
years, re-enlisted and served until the close of the war. With the exception of six months when he was a prisoner at Libby and Ander- sonville, he was with his company and regi- ment and participated in every engagement, in which they took part. A braver or truer soldier never took up arms in defence of his country. His first service was on the western frontier, and he then returned and became a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and and later joined the army of the Potomac under Grant. His first engagement was the Battle of the Wilderness, and he went through that campaign to the surrender at Appomat- tox. Our subject was taken prisoner at Aslı- land Station.
After the war Mr. Hickox returned to his native place and resumed work at his trade. He was married, October 23, 1866, to Miss Matilda Cummings, who was born in Bristol township, Trumbull county, Ohio, May 2, 1845, daughter of Joseph and Margaret (Nicholson) Cummings. Joseph Cummings was born in Bristolville, this county, son of James and Phebe (Moore) Cummings, who came from Virginia to Ohio about 1810, and settled on a tract of wild land. They passed the rest of their lives and died here, he, at the age of nincty-four and she, at the age of ninety-three. James Cummings and his wife had eleven children, nine of whom reached adult years. Fonr of this number are still living. The Cummings family have for the most part been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits. Joseph Cummings died at the age of sixty-two years. His wife, a na- tive of Pennsylvania, died at the age of thirty- cight. Some of his ancestors participated in the Revolutionary war.
Mr. and Mrs. Hickox have four children, as follows: Ross M., born October 16, 1868; Lettie J., December 7, 1870; Hattie U., July
15, 1872; and Joseph C., July 10, 1875. All have been educated at Farmington College.
After his marriage Mr. Hickok settled on a farm in Bristol township, and in connection with his farming operations he also worked at his trade for some time. Then he moved to Bloomfield, and a year later came to Farm- ington township and traded for his present farm. On this property he has since resided. He is what may be called a self-made man, having accumulated a competency by his own honest toil. To the kind encouragement and able assistance of his good wife he attributes much of the success he has attained. He and his family are among the most highly es- teemed people of the community, in which they reside. They attend the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the G. A. R. Post No. 2, at Bristolville. He is a member of the Grange and also of the Masonic fraternity.
OHN RYNARD BUTTS, a prosperous farmer of Braceville township, Trum- bull county, Ohio, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1822. John, Butts, his father, also a native of York county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio at an early day, and lived in various places in this State. He died at Windham at the age of seventy-two years. He was a blacksmith and farmer, and also for some time was engaged in rafting on the river. Mr. Butts' mother died in York county when he was about two years old. George Butts, the grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolution- ary war. John R. Butts' mother had two children, of whom he alone survives. His father was married three times, and by the other two wives had six children.
257
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
The subject of our sketch remained at home until he was twenty-four years old. He was reared on the farm and was educated in the subscription schools of the period. His chief education, however, has been ob- tained in the practical school of experience, and he is what may be truly termed a self- made man. April 2, 1846, he married Su- sanah Hoffman, who was born in Colum biana county, Ohio, February 2, 1818, daughter of Jacob and Polly (Mees) Hoffman. Jacob Hoffinan was a soldier in the war of 1812. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania, and were among the earliest settlers of Ohio, having located here when this country was all a wilderness, and both passed the rest of their lives and died in Lordstown township, he dying at the age of eighty-seven and she at thirty-six. Jacob Hoffman was a son of Dietrich and Susanah (Aldrich) Hoffman, who were both born of German parents. Dietrich Hoffman took claim to a tract of land in Columbiana county, Ohio, upon which he lived to an advanced age. His wife survived him and died at the home of her son. Mrs. Butts is one of a family of ten children, four of whom are still living. The Hoffmaus were all farmers and people of prominence. Mr. and Mrs. Butts had three children, only one of whom is living, Addison E., who was born in Lordstown August 2, 1851. He married Edna A. Porter and has four children: Ethel P., Alice M., Lillian A. and Altheia E. He is engaged in farming with his father.
After his marriage John R. Butts settled down to farming in Lordstown township, where he lived for seven or eight years. Then he moved to Ashtabula county, bought a farm in Lenox township, and there he lived for nine years. About 1862 he returned to Trum- bull county and settled on a farm near where
he now lives. His present farm comprises 300 acres, which he bonght with his own earnings. Indeed, he never had a dollar given him. When he was about twelve years old he began working out on farms, receiving $115 per year, and from that time on he was not only self-supporting but he also assisted his father materially in purchasing a farm. He has been a hard-working man all his life, and this year (1893), in his advanced age, planted fifteen acres of corn without any as- sistance. Before he was married he had saved $300 and also had a horse and buggy. He has with his own hands improved no less than three farms in northeastern Ohio.
Mr. Butts casts his vote and infinence with the Republican party. He and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are ranked with the most highly esteemed people of the community in which they live.
R OWLAND K. LEWIS, who has been identified with the farming and stock- raising interests of Farmington town- ship, Trumbull county, Ohio, all his life, was born here, June 5, 1841.
Leonard Lewis, his father, was born in Bristol, Connecticut, November 23, 1806, and was married, at the age of twenty-six years, to Miss Mary Smith, who was born in Schoharie county, New York, April 4, 1803. They had five children, four of whom are still living. He and his wife emigrated to eastern Ohio, at an early day, settling on a farm in Farmington township, Trumbull county, where they spent the rest of their lives, and there died, his death occurring August 20, 1884, and hers January 21, 1887. Leonard Lewis was a son of Dennis and Nan- cy (Bartholomew) Lewis. Dennis Lewis was
258
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
born in Bristol, Connecticut, December 1, 1782, and in 1810 moved out to the West- ern Reserve with his wife and three children, in company with his uncle, Jacob Lewis. Their first settlement was made in this township on a tract of wild land, which they cleared and on which they erected a cabin. Their first land was in the shape of 160 acres, inherited from Nancy Bartholomew's fatlier. Dennis Lewis spent his entire life here, engaged in agricultural pursuits. For four years he also ran a mill The family suffered all the attendant hardships of fron- tier life, they being among the very first settlers in this part of the county. In 1852, Dennis Lewis was persuaded to pay a visit to his old home in Connecticut, and while there his death occurred, August 2, 1852, at the home of his brother. His wife, also a native of Bristol, Connecticut, born Feb- ruary 2, 1782, died May 16, 1852. A singu- lar coincidence in the lives of this worthy couple is, that they were both born in the same year and both died in the same year. Three of their nine children are still living. The Lewis family are able to trace their an- cestery back for a period of 200 years, from the time they first landed in America, hav- ing come to this country from England.
Rowland K. Lewis was married November 1, 1865, to Miss Adelma Spencer, who was born in Farmington township, this county, September 26, 1843, daughter of Selden and Caroline D. (Lyman) Spencer. Her parents were natives of Hinsdale, Berkshire county, Massachusetts. Her mother was born Octo- ber 5, 1810, and died in this township, Jan- uary 22, 1864. Her father was born August 17, 1811, and was married to her mother September 22, 1835. Their union resulted in the birth of two children, of whom Mrs. Lewis is one. Selden Spencer was married a
second time, and he and his wife are still liv- ing. He is a son of Samuel W. and Lucy (Fisk) Spencer, the former born October 5, 1779, died May 4, 1852; and the latter, born in 1780, is also deceased. Samuel Spencer and his wife were natives of Massa- chusetts, and were among the early pioneers of Ohio, having made the journey to this State with an ox cart. Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have had three children, one of whom died in infancy. Those living are Harry S., born March 30, 1869, and Fred L., May 23, 1873. Harry S. was married June 14, 1893, to Miss Tessa Evans. He is engaged in the stock business with his father. Mr. Lewis owns between 1,100 and 1,200 acres of land, and carries on both farming and stock-raising ex- tensively. In politics he is a Republican,
R OBERT KINCAID, a venerable citi- zen of Farmington township, Trum- bull county, Ohio, was born in Youngstown, this State, January 12, 1817, son of Robert Kincaid, Sr., and grand- son of John Kincaid.
Jolın Kincaid was born in Virginia, came to Ohio at a very early day, and died at Jackson, this State at an advanced age. Ro- bert Kincaid, Sr., was born in Pennsylvania or Virginia, and about 1798 or 1799, came out to Ohio, and was employed in a gristmill at Youngstown. He was a blacksmith by trade. About 1802 he went back to Virgin- ia, but soon returned to Ohio. He was inarried at twenty-one, to Miss Margaret Ir- win, a native of Virginia, who died in Youngstown at the age of eighty-four years. After his marriage, Mr. Kincaid settled down to his trade, and also carried on farming, con- tinuing thus occupied the rest of his life.
259
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
He died at his old home, at Youngstown, aged about eighty years. This worthy pio- neer couple had a family of ten children, the subject of our sketch being the seventh born, and one of the three who are now living.
Robert Kincaid was reared on his father's farm andremained at home until he reached his majority, spending a few mouths each win - ter in the subscription schools, but devoting the most of his time to work on the farm. When he was twenty-one he began working out by the month on farins, and continued thus employed for four or five years.
September 16, 1845, he married Mary Pearce, who was born in Farmington town- ship, Trumbull county, Ohio, daughter of Shadrick and Sarah Pearce, who came from Connecticut to this State at an early day. Here her father developed a farm and spent the rest of his life. He died at about the age of seventy, and his wife also lived out her three-score years and ten.
After his marriage Mr. Kincaid bought sixty acres of wild land, settled on it, aind lived there four years, and then he bought 108 acres, also wild land, and upon this place he has since resided, having, later on, added 25 acres to this farm. Here he built a double log house, one of the best in all the country around, at that time, its dimensions being 16 x 18 feet, with an addition, and in this house he and his family lived for twenty years. Their present residence was then erected. During these years Mr. Kincaid has given his attention chiefly to the raising of stock, keeping a dairy on his farm.
Of Mr. Kincaid's family, we record that he and his wife had six children, four of whom are still living, as follows: Christopher C., born February 28, 1847, in the old log-house above described, is now engaged in nerchau- dizing and banking, in Cherry Vale, Kansas.
He has been twice married, first to Emma Gates, and, after her death, to Laura Mar- shall. He has two children living. Mr. Kincaid's second child, Cornelia, born Sep- tember 24, 1849, was married to O. B. Perci- val, and they have three children. Margaret J. Kincaid, born July 25, 1859, is the wife of James I. Ray, and has two children. Mary E. Kincaid, born September 3, 1861, is the wife of Jerry Hausel.
Mr. Kincaid was a Whig until the organ- ization of the Republican party, since which time he has been identified with the latter. He has filled various local offices. During the war his son, C. C., was a member of Company D, Second Ohio Cavalry, being in the service three years and coming out with only a slight scratch. He was one of the bravest soldiers in the Union ranks. Mr. Kincaid also had several nephews in the Civil war. He and his wife have been members of of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and for over thirty-six years he has been a class-leader. He has also served as Steward of the Church for a number of years.
AMES WILSON, SR., a venerable cit- izen of Lordstown township, Trumbull county, Ohio, dates his birth in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in October, 1816, son of James and Christiana (Mccullough) Wil- son.
James Wilson, father of our subject, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, June 15, 1781, and was engaged in farming all his life. He emigrated to Ohio when the subject of our sketch was about sixteen years old, bought a tract of wild land in Trumbull county, built his cabin in the woods, and here spent the rest of his life. He died in
260
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
April, 1842, leaving a widow and six chil- dren, who continued to live on the old farm for some time. The mother, also a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, passed the rest of her life with her children, and died in Lordstown township. The subject of onr sketch is the youngest of their seven children and is now the only one left of that number. All of them were farmers and were among the most highly respected people of the county.
Mr. Wilson remained at home until he was eighteen years of age, when he entered upon an apprenticeship to the blacksmith trade. He worked at that trade for thirteen years, after which he bought a farm and has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits. He was married at the age of twenty-two to Miss Mary Hutchison, a native of Hubbard, Trumbull county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Anna (Battle) Hutchison, na- tives of Niles, Ohio. She died leaving four sons and one daughter. For his second wife Mr. Wilson married Miss Rebecca Hazlett, a native of Lordstown, this county, who died at the age of forty five years, leaving four children. Mr. Wilson's third marriage was consummated with Jane Weisel, a native of Pennsylvania. Her death, at the age of sixty, again left him a widower. His home is now presided over by his accomplished daughter. Of Mr. Wilson's nine children we make record as follows: William H. died at the age of twenty-one years; James lives in Lordstown township; George W. died at the age of twenty-six, having married Libbie Nuhrenberger, who bore him one child, Grace May, who is now the wife of James Crover; Mary J .; Alva is practicing medicine in Nickerson, Kansas, and has one child, Mabel; Robert H. lives in this town- ship and has one son, Stanley; Charles lives
in this township; Emma, wife of James Ap- plegates, has four children: Annie, Mamie, Lloyd and John; Boston lives in Oklahoma and is engaged in the mercantile business.
Mr. Wilson is rightly classed with the self- made men. He has earned every dollar he has by his own honest toil. His first land purchase was 102 acres. To this he has since added,and is now the owner of 250 acres. He erected all the buildings on his farm and otherwise improved it, and it is now one of the most desirable places in this vicinity.
Mr. Wilson has been a Republican ever since the party was organized. His first vote was cast for William Henry Harrison. He has filled various local offices, and has always faithfully performed every duty entrusted to him. As a Christian man his life has been an exemplary one. He and his family are members of the Disciple Church.
D AVID S. LILLIBRIDGE, M. D .- Although still a young man, our sub- ject, David S. Lillibridge, M. D., has already attained noble distinction in the prac- tice of his profession, being especially fitted for it not only by reason of careful study, but also on account of his natural ability in that direction. Dr. Lillibridge was born in Greene township August 30, 1867. At the time of his birth his father, J. A. Lillibridge, was a farmer of Greene township, but later removed to Ashtabula, where he now resides, engaged in carpentry and joining work. He was a native of Greene township as was also his wife, mother of our subject, Lncy Palfree- man, whose parents emigrated from England to this country about 1830.
Our subject is the only child of this mar- riage, and his educational advantages were
261
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
confined to a common district school until lie attained the age of sixteen when he obtained the necessary certificate entitling him to teach school. After following this calling for a year, he decided to adopt thie profession of medicine as his life work and began its study under his uncle, Dr. O. M. Bailey, one of Greene township's most noted physicians, with whom he remained three summers. In the meantime, however, he took a course of lectures in the medical department of the Western Reserve University, at which he graduated March 4, 1891. After his gradua- tion he removed to Mesopotamia and began the practice of his profession, since which time he has built up a large and rapidly increasing practice, and is fast becoming one of the most popular physicians in this section of the country. Possessing a large medical library to which ready reference can be made and being a liberal subscriber to all profes- sional periodicals, the doctor is enabled to keep himself thoroughly in touch with the times, being conversant with all the latest discoveries of the age. His enthusiasm with regard to everything pertaining to his profes- sion is marked and his genial, pleasant man- ner, combined with his intellectual ability, has won for him the esteein and confidence of all with whom he is brought in contact.
Dr. Lillibridge was married, September 10, 1889, to Sadie A. Hubbard, daughter of E. P. Hubbard, a prominent farmer of Rock Creek. Social by nature, our subject has connected himself with the order of Odd Fellows of Mesopotamia, and is at present recording secretary of that organization, be- ing as popular in this connection as he is prominent in professional circles.
In his profession, Dr. Lillibridge is pos- sessed of a firmness and dexterity of hand, a calm, cool brain, a quick unfailing eye, a
steady nerve, a strength of will and a phy- sical endurance, which can but give him much distinction as a physical and surgeon. These qualities enable him to successfully perform some of the most difficult and dangerous operations known to his profession. He has also won a enviable reputation as a physician, his practice being chiefly confined to the best class of people. In addition to all this lie is a thorough scholar and a true gentleman and enjoys the abiding confidence and respect of the people for his manly character and unim- peachable integrity.
E LISHA WALKER, a venerable citi- zen of Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Chippewa township, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 1822.
The Walkers are of English descent. Ro- bert A. Walker and Robert Walker, the father and grandfather of Elisha, were both born in Baltimore, Maryland. Robert Walker was a farmer by occupation. He died when Robert A. was fourteen years of age. When the latter was twenty-one he went to Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and followed his trade, that of stone cutter. At Lancaster he married Abbie Griswold, and in 1832 they emigrated to Ohio and settled on a farın in Warren town- ship, Trumbull county. Several years later they moved to the place where the subject of this sketch now lives, his death occurring here at the age of seventy-eight years, and his wife's at the age of seventy-five. In ad- dition to his farming operations here, Robert A. Walker also for some time ran a sawmill. He was well-known in this vicinity and was highly respected. Our subject's maternal grandfather was Elisha Griswold, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Both the Gris-
262
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
wolds and the Walkers, as far back as any thing is known of the families, were people of industry and integrity, and were leaders in the various communities in which they lived, both in the East and the pioneer settlements of Ohio. Some of the old stock took an active part in the Revolutionary war. Most of them have been farmers, but there have been some few mechanics among them.
Elisha Walker came to Ohio with his par- ents when he was a boy. His chances for an education here were very limited, but he made the most of his opportunities, and by improving his leisure hours in reading and study he acquired a store of valuable in- formation. He is naturally a lawyer, and had he turned his attention to that profession would doubtless have made his mark as such.
Mr. Walker has been twice married. His first marriage was to Lucy A. Humphrey, a native of this place. They had four chil- dren: Franklin D., Abbie S., Norris and Mary G., all of whom are married and have children of their own. Mrs. Walker died at the age of forty-five years. She was a daugh- ter of Frederick and Sophrona Humphrey. For his second wife Mr. Walker married Mrs. Maria Clark, a native of Madison, Ohio. Her first husband, Edwin E. Clark, was in the Seventh Ohio Battery, and was Captain of his company. He lost his life while in the service. Mr. Walker and his present wife have one child, Effie, who is married and has one son. Mr. Walker's children have been educated in the common schools and at Hiram College, all having excellent educa- tional advantages.
For three years after his first marriage Mr. Walker was engaged in farming in Warren township. Then he sold out and removed to Braceville township, this county, where for forty-three years he led the life of a prosper-
ous farmer. At the end of that time he again sold out, and purchased from the heirs of his first wife's father their interest in the Hum- phrey estate. On the old Humphrey home- stead he has since resided. He has made most of the improvements on this farm, has a most desirable and attractive home, and is surrounded with all the comforts of life. He has filled many of the local offices in the township, and for a number of years has, at different times, served on the United States jury. He was formerly a Whig, but since the birth of the Republican party has given it his support. Mr. Walker and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are among the leading and niost substantial people in the county. Mr. Wal- ker was a charter member of the Agricultural Society in this county, and for many years was one of its active and efficient workers. When he was eighteen years old he helped to build the Erie canal. During the troublous days of the Civil war he was active in raising money and men for the Union ranks, and al- though he did not take up arms himself, he did what he could to protect the old flag. He still has a general supervision over his farm- ing operations, but for several years past has been practically retired from the active duties of the farın.
W ALLACE JOHNSON was born in Newton township, Trumbull coun- ty, Ohio, February 14, 1846, and is one of the prosperous farmers of this section. His father, George R. Johnson, was born in Herkimer county, New York, June 19, 1817, son of Isaac and Sarah (Dodge) Johnson, natives of Massachusetts. Isaac Johnson located in New York when he was a young man, and subsequently he and his
263
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
wife came to Ohio, where they passed the closing years of their lives and died, he at the age of fifty-five years, and she at the age of seventy-five. They reared a family of nine children, six of whom are still living. George R. Johnson was married December 10, 1841, to Nancy Force, a native of Essex county, New Jersey, and a daughter of Isaac and Mary (Mains) Force, of New Jersey. Her parents died when she was a little girl, and she died March 9, 1890. George R. Johnson has been a resident of Trumbull county since 1833, when he bought a partially improved farm here, upon which he has since lived. He has one daughter, Miss Grace, at home. For a number of years he has served as a Justice of the Peace, and has also filled the office of Trustee.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.