USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 42
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 42
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 42
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H ENRY HARTZELL, of the firmn of Hartzell & McNeish, Girard, Ohio, is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Ger- many. He was born May 6, 1855, son of Aaron and Helen (Lambert) Herzog (as it is called in Germany). Both his par- ents are still living. Until he was fourteen
his boyhood days were spent in attending school. At the age of fifteen he entered a dry-goods store, in which he was employed until he was eighteen. He then came to America, at once directing his course toward Girard, where he had two brothers engaged in business. He has since been a resident of Girard, with the exception of two years spent in Youngstown, where they had a store. In 1882 lie entered into partnership with his brothers in Girard. Previous to this, in 1879, he became a member of the firm of Hartzell Brothers & Wolf, engaged in the mercantile trade at Youngstown.
When Mr. Hartzell came to this country he began with nothing, working for his clothes and board and a small salary the first year. Soon his salary was increased, and he saved his earnings until he was able to be- come a member of the firm. He is now one of the most prosperous merchants of this sec- tion of Ohio. Henry Hartzell was married October 31, 1888, to Miss Jennie Schaffner, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and a dangh- ter of Abraham Schaffner. Their only child is named Leo. They are members of Rodef Sholem Congregation, Youngstown, Ohio. He is also identified with Friendship Lodge, No. 65, K. of P., with the I. O. B. B., a Jewish organization of Youngstown, and also with the National Union.
The Hartzell brothers above alluded to came from Germany to America during the latter part of the '60s, coming here to enter the employ of their uncles, Hartzell and Lam- bert, of Girard, at that time the leading general merchants in the Mahoning valley. They began work as delivering clerks, worked their way np in the store and saved their earnings, and in 1871 bought out the estab- lishment, which they still partly own. In 1883 they opened a store in Briar Hill, con-
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ducting the business under the firm name of Hartzell & Co. In 1890 they came to Youngstown and opened out in business under the firm name of Hartzell Brothers & Co. At Girard they do business under the name of Hartzell & McNeish. The "Co." in the Youngstown business is represented by M. U. Guggenheim, and the names of the Hartzell brothers are Emanuel, Isaac and Henry. Emanuel Hartzell has charge of the business at Brier Hill; Henry, as above stated, is at Girard, and Isaac and Mr. Gug- genheim are located at Youngstown. Aside from the business above referred to, Messrs. E. and I. Hartzell are the owners of a large amount of real estate in the towns where their stores are located. They also own con- siderable bank and other manufacturing stock. These gentlemen are ranked with the leading business men of eastern Ohio.
AMES J. WINANS, a prominent farmer and sawmill man of Mecca township, Trumbull county, has been identified with the interests of northeastern Ohio all his life.
J. J. Winans was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, February 12, 1838, son of Jacob J. Winans, a native of New Jersey, and a veteran of the war of 1812, and a grandson of James Winans, a Revolutionary soldier. James Winans and his wife had four sons and three daughters, the names of the former being Isaac, Henry, Jacob J. and James. Three of these sons were ministers, and it is a fact worthy of note that Rev. Isaac Winans made the first Abolition speech that was ever delivered in Ohio. He was one of the most prominent pioneer preachers in this State, and died here, at the age of eighty-
eight years. Jacob J. Winans married Elizabeth McAdams. He died in Milton, Ohio, in 1839, aged forty-six years. He left a widow and seven children. Those of this number who are now living are Sarah Thatcher, Oscar, Jane Bemen, and James J. The mother of these children died in 1882.
J. J. Winans was reared to farin life, and was educated at Poland, Ohio. When the Civil war came on he enlisted, October 18, 1861, in Company E, Second Ohio Cavalry, and served under General Custer until the close of that sanguinary struggle. Mr. Winans had a horse shot from under him at the battle of Winchester, September 19, 1864, where he received severe injury, from the effects of which he lias never fully re- covered. He entered the service as a private, was in many prominent engagements, was at the surrender at Appomattox and at the grand review at Washington, and when he was honorably discharged at the close of the war it was with the rank of Corporal.
The war over, Mr. Winans returned to . Trumbull county, and has since been engaged in farming and sawmilling here. He owns two farms, the total acreage of which is 343 acres. Both farms are well improved with good houses, barns, etc. He is an excellent judge of timber, does his own buying, and for years has carried on an extensive busi- ness at the mill. Last year his milling busi- ness amounted to $8,000.
In March, 1861, Mr. Winans married Miss Lovira Huntly, who was born and raised in Bristol, Trumbull county, daughter of Calvin and Julia (Fairchild) Huntly. Her father, now at the age of eighty years, is a resident of Warren, Ohio. IIer mother died in Feb- ruary, 1892, aged seventy-six. They had thirteen children, eleven of whom are now living. Calvin Huntly and four of his sons
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were in the Civil war, he being a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry. Abel Huntly, who served on a gunboat, died during the war at Vicksburg. George and Leighi were in the same regiment with their father, and Scott was a member of the Twenty- third Ohio Infantry. Mr. and Mrs. Winans have had eleven children, of whom five sons and four daughters are still living, their names being Sidney, Loue Armstrong, William, Nelson, Bird V., Vernie, Julia, Maud and Tod. James, a railroad employe, was killed in an accident at the age of twenty- two years. Mabel died in infancy.
Mr. Winans affiliates with the Repub- lican party, and is a member of Brook Post, No. 2, G. A. R. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Cortland, Ohio. His wife belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Winans is a man in the prime of life, and his many genial qualities make him a general favorite with all that know him.
H ON. EDMUND A. REED, of Vernon, Ohio, was born in Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut, September 27, 1821. His parents, Allen and Sylva (Haynes) Reed, were born in Connecticut, and his father was a merchant in his native town, Granby. They had five children, namely: Chester, born August 23, 1815, died in Vernon, Ohio, April 19, 1893; Mary Ann, born in 1811, became the wife of Sul- livan Allen, and died in Iowa, Jannary 21, 1889; Harriet, wife of Judson J. Barnes, died in Gustavus, Ohio, in 1854; Edmund A., the subject of this sketch; and Charles H., born in 1823, is now a resident of Ver- non, Ohio. The Reed family took up their abode in Vernon, Trumbull county, Ohio, in
1830, the father having died in Connecticut. After his death the mother was left with her family of little children in indigent circum- stances. With that heroism so characteristic of many of our pioneer women she went to work to support her family. As soon as they were old enough they began to depend upon their own resources, and to their individual efforts and the kind care and Christian train- ing of their mother is due the success they attained. She was a faithful member of the Presbyterian Church. She lived to see her children occupy honored and useful positions in life, and in 1881, at an advanced age, quietly passed away.
Mr. Reed's early educational advantages were limited to the district and select schools of Vernon. By the time he had reached his majority he had acquired sufficient knowledge to enable him to teach, and for four winters he was engaged in teaching, spending his summers working on the farm. In connec- tion with his farming and school-teaching, he was also for some time engaged in speculat- ing in cattle.
Mr. Reed has always been a radical Re- publican and has served his party faithfully. In 1877 his ability and services were recog- nized by his election to the Sixty-third Assembly, and also to the Sixty-fourth. In 1889 he was elected from the Twenty-third Senatorial District to the State Senate of Ohio. While he was a member of this hon- orable body he gained the reputation of being a careful legislator, reflecting credit on him- self and also on his constituency. During his first term in the Assembly he secured the passage of a bill by which the State line be- tween Ohio and Pennsylvania was resurveyed, Preceding this Mr. Reed held several town- ship offices. For twenty-one years he was a , Justice of the Peace, being first elected in
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1857. In 1866 he was elected County Com- missioner, and served two terms. Mr. Reed has been a careful student of political economy all his life, is a man of general in- formation and broad and progressive views.
He was married in 1848, to Eliza M. Smith, a granddaughter of the original settler in honor of whom Vernon was named. Her father, Havilah Smith, died in Vernon, on the farm on which he was born. Mr. and Mrs. Reed have had three children: Harriet E., born March 6, 1850, married A. T. Gilmore, a farmer of Burgh Hill, this county; Allen, born January 2, 1852, died in his twenty-first year; and Charles E., born in 1855, resides at the old Smith homestead.
R OBERT B. VAN FOSSEN, the elo. quent young clergyman now in charge of the Methodist Episcopal Chureli at Greensburg, is a man who has won the hearts of all with whom he is brought in contact, not only by means of his oratorical powers, but also, and more especially, by that expression of a fellow feeling in the sorrows of others which is of more benefit to the re- ceiver than any amount of material assistance. Mr. Van Fossen was born in Belmont county, Ohio, February 6, 1859, a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Perkins) Van Fossen, natives of Ohio, the former having been born April 1, 1818, and the latter, March 14, 1817, and both now reside in Behnont county, upon a farm. Mr. Van Fossen, Sr., is a highly re- spected farmer and citizen of his township and county, and is the owner of one of the very productive farms in that seetion of country. A Democrat in polities, he is strong in his adherence to party principles, his chief characteristic being high regard for
honesty, justice and truth. His wife is a devout member of the Methodist Church, and earries the principles of her religion into her daily life, being a most faithful wife and mother. The family is of Duteh de- scent, the founders of this branch having emigrated from Holland to Pennsylvania in the early history of the country.
Our subjeet is the fourth in a family of nine children, eight of whom now survive, the others being: Eliza, who died in infancy ; William, who resides in Belmont county; Lydia M. Cash, who also resides in Belmont county; Elizabeth A. Day, who resides in Nebraska; Flora Smith, who resides in Kansas; John, who resides in Harrison county; David and Francis M., who reside with their parents.
Dividing his time between the farm and the schoolhouse, our subject in early youth managed to obtain a sufficient amount of schooling to enable hin to enter Lebanon University, and later Scio College, after which he was placed upon the Hampden cireuit in Geauga county for one year. His next charge was in Lower Salem, Washington county, where he remained one year, and was then transferred to Masterton, Monroe county, and after remaining two years was placed in charge of the church at Greensburg, where he still remains.
Mr. Van Fossen was married, November 13, 1888, to Miss Lizzie HI. Hobbs, a daugh- ter of Alonzo and Annie Hobbs, of Behnont county, where they now reside. By this mar- riage two children have been born,-Wesley Fairbanks and Grace Victoria. The first named was born in Montville, Geauga eonnty, August 21, 1889, and died March 28, 1893. his death being caused by a fall into a cistern. The little one was a very bright child and was able to quote various passages of Serip-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ture as readily as his father, it being a prac- tice with the latter to teach him the "golden text," which his retentive memory enabled him to retain, and he was looked upon as a very bright and promising child; and his loss is felt throughout the entire community. The little danghter, born February 4, 1891, is a bright and lovable child, and her pretty prattle cheers the parents in their sad bereave-
ment Mrs. Van Fossen is a devoted wife and mother and an active worker in the church. She belongs to both home and for- eign missionary societies and in every con- nection of life she has proven herself a sym- pathetic friend and neighbor as well as an earnest Christian. For the last two years our subject has voted with the moral reform movement, although prior to that he was a Republican. The influence for good exer- cised by Mr. and Mrs. Van Fossen can not be too highly estimated, and they enjoy the full confidence and esteem of the entire community in which they are such important factors in moral advancement of the people.
HARLES B. OSGOOD .- For the past two years, Charles B. Osgood, the pastor of the Christian Church of Greensburg, has labored among the people of this town, spreading abroad the doctrine of salvation. He was born in Allegan, Michigan, October 27, 1866, a son of James and Julia (Peck) Osgood, natives ot Portage county, Ohio, who removed to Michigan in 1865. The father of our subject now resides in May- nard, Iowa, where he is filling a township office, the mother having died about fourteen years ago, after bearing her husband four children, three of which are still living, of whom our subject is the eldest. The second
son. William, is now studying medicine at Hiram, while Elliott, who is preparing for the life of a missionary, is in the junior class at this institution of learning, and has already gained a local reputation as a preacher.
After passing through the common district schools of his section of country, our subject spent one year at the Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity and three years at Hiram, where he pur- sued a literary as well as a theological course, being adjudged competent to preach in 1888. He first was stationed at Diamond, where he made fifty additions to the church, and then at Kent, where for six months he was quite successful, and was then sent to Greensburg, where he has since remained. Since coming here he has made 175 conversions, and his work has been greatly blessed, he being con- sidered one of the best evangelists in the country. Ata recent meeting held at Orwell the greatest harmony prevailed and the re- snlts were 'such as to satisfy the most en- thusiastic. The library of Mr. Osgood is wel! selected, and here he spends much of his time as possible, studying his books and gleaning from them precious facts and thoughts which he embodies in his stirring discourses. Being an extensive reader he is interested in the events of the day in politics and church, and is a subscriber to several missionary periodicals. Since attaining his majority he has voted the Prohibition ticket, and is greatly interested in all the measures of that party.
The marriage of Mr. Osgood occurred March 28, 1893, when he was united to Miss Cordelia Coit, daughter of Samuel and Mary Coit, of Mantua, Ohio, where the former is engaged in farming. Mrs. Osgood supple- mented her common-school course by several terms of study at Hiram, and intends to con- tinne the study of art at Hiram, she being
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an artist of considerable ability, and having made some studies from nature which display high order of talent.
Mr. Osgood and his most estimable wife are greatly beloved by the people of their congregation, and their influence for good throughout the community cannot be over- estimated. Earnest in all he undertakes, and possessing rare powers of exhortation, Mr. Osgood can bring home to people a sense of their own shortcomings as few preachers can, and his work cannot fail of results.
W ILLIAM IRWIN is a pioneer of the town of Mecca, Ohio, and is the oldest and one of the most promin- ent citizens of Trumbull county. More than a passing mention should therefore be made of him on the pages of this volume. Will- iam Irwin was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, December 29, 1809, son of Ambrose Irwin, who was born in Ireland, in 1781, and was reared and inarried there, the lady of his choice being Anna Thompson, also a native of the Emerald Isle. Ambrose and Anna Irwin had one child born in Ireland, and him they named Thomas. Soon after- ward the family emigrated to the United States and settled in Maryland, whence they subsequently removed to Westmoreland coun- ty, Pennsylvania. After a twelve years' resi- dence at that place they moved out to Ohio and first settled in Columbiana county. In 1834 they came to Trumbull county and es- tablished their home in the woods in Mecca township. That was before there were any roads in this section of the country. Here they built a log cabin and in a humble way began the work of improving a farm and making a home; and here Ambrose Irwin
and his wife lived for many years and reared a large family. The latchstring of their cabin door always hung out; a cordial welcome was extended alike to friend and stranger, and tlie genial hospitality of the Irwin home was well known far and near. Their family was composed of nine sons and two daughters, namely: Thomas, Sarah, William, John, Ambrose, Wesley, James, Thompson, Jere- miah, Stephen, and Mary Ann. The mother departed this life in 1852, aged seventy-two years. After her death the father lived in Vernon township for four years, but returned to Mecca and spent his last days here, dying at the home of his son Jeremiah. This large family all reached adult years, the youngest, Thomas, being twenty-eight at the time of his death. Ambrose Irwin, Sr., was a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was a zealous and active worker in the vineyard of his Master. All who knew him respected him for his sterling character. Politically, he was a Republican.
William Irwin was thirteen years old when his parents moved to Columbiana county, Ohio. His education was limited, as at that early age he began working ont by the month. For nine years he gave his wages to his parents. He continued working out by the month for seven years longer, carefully saving his earnings and investing the same in 100 acres of land that joined his father's farm in Mecca. This land was all covered with heavy timber, and as soon as he could make a little clearing he erected a cabin. Here he settled down in life in a humble way, having chosen for his partner Miss Marilla Sillamon, whom he wedded at Youngstown, Ohio, December 7, 1836. She was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, danghter of Elijah and Barbara Sillamon, natives of New England. By industry and good manage-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
inent Mr. and Mrs. Irwin's efforts to improve and cultivate their farm and make a com- fortable home were crowned with success. . They kept a large dairy and everything they undertook seemed to prosper in their hands. As the years passed by they were enabled to purchase additional land and increase their farm to 297 acres. They improved the whole tract, and in time their primitive buildings gave way to modern and commodious ones. Of their children we make the following record: Elizabeth, who was for many years a popular and successful teacher, is now the wife of Samuel Stover, of Bristol, this county, and has one daughter, Emma; Angeline, wife of William Little, of Greene township, this connty has four children: Jerry, Lucy, Walter and Gertie; Lucy Ann, wife of Jason Case, also of Greene township, has three children: Dora, Edie and Clinton; John W., of Mecca township, owns and occupies the old, original farm, a tract of land comprising 147 acres. He was married May 9, 1872, to Miss Vic- toria Caldwell, and has two children,-Nellie and Gny. He is one of the prominent mnen of this place; is identified with the I. O. O. F. Lodge No. 707; in politics, affiliates with the Republican party. Clinton Irwin, the next in order of birth in the family of Will- jam Irwin, is also a resident of this township, and he, too, owns 147 acres of land, his farm being located just south of that owned by his brother J. W. He was married March 25, 1875, to Miss Sarah Owens. Fletcher, the next son, has a fine farm of 118 acres, located south of the farm just referred to. His modern residence was recently erected, at a cost of $1,500. Like his brotli- ers, he occupies a place among the leading men of the vicinity. He is at present serving as Township Trustee, and is an active mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
December 9, 1875, he married Ella Thomp- son, their three children being Clare, Charlie Roy and William.
After fifty-two years of happy married life, William Irwin was bereaved by the loss of his loving companion, who departed this life January 23, 1892. She was a woman whose lovely Christian character won the admira- tion of all who knew her. She was for many years an active member of the Metbodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Irwin has been a Trusetee and Steward of the Church for nearly a score of years, and ever since he first established his home in the cabin in the woods his house has been headquarters for the Methodist preachers. Politically, Mr. Irwin was first a Democrat, but has been identified with the Republican party ever since Fremont was a candidate for the presi- dency. Few families in Trumbull county, or, indeed, in eastern Ohio, are more highly respected than the family of William Irwin.
ON. HENRY BISHOP PERKINS .-- The biography of a worthy citizen is not only valuable as a means of pre- serving the record of his life and family history, but also as an example and educator for the present and future genera- tions. This is eminently applicable to the nien whose name is placed at the head of this meinoir.
Mr. Perkins was born at Warren, Ohio, March 19, 1824, where his life has been un- interruptedly passed. He attended the local schools until the age of twenty, when, owing to his father's death, in November, 1844, there fell upon him the management of his portion of the estate. From early manhood, Mr. Perkins has looked after large and varied
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
interests and has manifested a spirit of public enterprise, and on assuming control of his own property, he was at once drawn into public affairs and public favor. His life is a series of public-spirited and beneficent acts in the interest of all that is best in human life. He has always manifested a warm friendship for education, and when the graded school system was introduced at Warren, he accepted a posi- tion on the School Board and labored faith- fully and efficiently in that cause for several years. He co-operated with his brothers in endowing a professorship in the Western Reserve College, and in other ways has mani- fested his interest in the cause of education.
Inheriting a large estate, Mr. Perkins has necessarily given much personal attention to the same. Although largely interested in various enterprises in connection with his property, he has given much time to his favorite pursuit, that of agriculture, in which direction his tastes tend and to which he has devoted much attention. He served two terms as president of the Trumbull County Agricultural Society, and has twice served on the State Board of Agriculture. He be- came a trustee of the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College when that institution was established, in which capacity he did able service, and to which position he was subse- quently appointed by Governor Foraker. Aside from these interests, Mr. Perkins was a stockholder and director in the old Cleve- land & Mahoning Railroad Company. In 1852, he became a director in the Western Reserve Bank, and on the organization of the First National Bank, of Warren, July, 1863, he was chosen president of that institution, in which capacity he has ever since efficiently acted, contributing by his known high stand- ard of business integrity and financial ability to the prosperity of that institution. In 1861,
he was appointed by Secretary Chase agent for the sale of the first national loan. In 1878, he was appointed by the governor of Ohio as one of three persons to serve with a similar commission from Pennsylvannia, to re-establish the boundary line between Ohio and the Keystone State.
Mr. Perkins was elected by the Republican party in 1879 to represent the Twenty-third Senatorial District in the General Assembly of Ohio, and re-elected in 1881. His legis- lative career was marked by business-like ability and a high sense of justice most re- freshing to look upon in this day of super- ficiality. In 1888, he was Republican Elector for Harrison, and it gave him much pleasure to cast his vote for his father's distinguished friend's grandson. He is now trustee of the Cleveland insane asylum, having been ap- pointed by Governor Mckinley.
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