USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 43
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 43
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 43
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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
Though active in the political affairs of the country, and taking a deep interest in the success of the principles of the Republican party, Mr. Perkins has never sought office. He inherited the principles of the Whig party, and upon the organization of the Republican party he became one of its lead- ing and zealous advocates.
October 10, 1855, Mr. Perkins married Eliza G. Baldwin, a lady of estimable worth of character, and daughter of Norman C. and Mary H. (Palmner) Baldwin, he a prominent citizen of Cleveland. Four children were born to this union: Mary B .; Alice D., now the wife of Samuel W. Smith, Jr., of Cincinnati; Jacob and Henry Bishop. Mr. Perkins' resi- dence is on the old homestead of his father, and is probably the finest in Warren, and he is noted for his generous hospitality. Mr. Per- kins and his family are active members of the Presbyterian Church, to the aid of which he generously contributes. Indeed, there are
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few enterprises in his vicinity which have not felt the enlivening touch of his energy and liberality. His life has been marked by kindness, benevolence and charity. He has been essentially a domestic man, ever a de- voted husband and an indulgent, affectionate father. Mr. Perkins' influence has been potential in the growth and development of his native city, and during his long and active life there has been nothing to mar its bright record. Few now, indeed, have lived so long in a community and held intact its esteem and confidence. He has been true to every duty devolved upon him,-true to the illustrious name he bears, and true to the State. The value of such men to a commu- nity is beyond calculation; it is such men who make life brighter and the world fairer to look upon; it is such men who build up cities, give tone to society, advance civiliza- tion, and glorify our nation.
C HARLES R. MAYERS, cashier of the First National Bank, Niles, Ohio, is one of the most popular and progres- sive business men of the State, and has at- tained an enviable reputation as a financier of sound judgment and superior ability. He was born at Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, March 23, 1859, and in his youth re- ceived a thorough education in those branches of practical use in the commercial world; he also completed the scientific course of one of the leading educational institutions of Ohio. His vacations were spent either in his father's mercantile honse or in his bank, where he had the advantage of training under men of the widest experience. When his college course was completed he entered his father's bank at Millersburg as cashier, and remained
there until he came to Niles. Here he or- ganized the First National Bank, of which he is cashier, the capital stock being $50,000, of which he owns $40,000. No bank liad ever succeeded at this point; more than once the attempt had been made, but suspension was invariably forced, and it was left to Mr. Mayers to demonstrate the fact that a bank in Niles could succeed. In a recent circular sent out to stockholders of the First National of Niles, a most favorable showing is made. Not a cent of interest or principal has been lost by this institution, and Mr. Mayers has attained a high standing as a conservative banker. Bank Examiner Ford says: "This bank pays the largest dividends and has as good a selection of papers and other securities as any bank in the State."
Reviewing the ancestry of this clever finan- cier, it is learned that his father, Louis Mayers, was a native of Bavaria, Germany, born in 1811. In 1840 he left the father- land and crossed the sea to the New World; he located in Holmes county, Ohio, and with a small capital and limited experience in commercial affairs embarked in mercantile trade; by close application and strictly fair dealing he-won a good patronage, and began to accumulate a little surplus. In time he took the position of leading merchant, which he held as long as he conducted business. In his old age he turned over to his sons the es- tablishment he had built up by years of in- dustry, but, preferring some activity he founded the Exchange Bank, with his son, Charles R., as cashier. He was a man of genial disposition, winning many friends whom he retained through life. His death occurred in August, 1883. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Anson and Rebecca (Cook) Wheaton; her maternal grandfather was an English officer and fouglit under Gen-
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eral Howe on the Brandywine. Sarah Mayers was born March 23, 1820, and died Decem- ber 26, 1891; she was a woman of rare traits of character, possessing a great love for hu- manity and a deep sympathy for the suffer- ings of mankind.
September 26, 1883, Charles R. Mayers was united in marriage to Libbie L., a daughter of A. and Percilla P. (Wade) Taylor, the former proprietor of one of the largest flour- ing mills in the State, and owner of mills in Toledo, Loudonville, Mount Vernon and Massillon. Mr. and Mrs. Mayers have one child, Urania B. Mr. Mayers is a member of the Masonic order, and he and his wife belong to the Christian Churchi.
M ARTIN BETTEKER is ranked with the successful and well-known men of Mecca township, Trumbull county, Ohio, and as one of the representative men of his township, we make biographical mention of him as follows:
Martin Betteker was born in Germany, February 26, 1848, son of Godfrey and Rachel Betteker, both natives of Germany. The Betteker family emigrated to America when Martin was a lad of six years, and located in Pennsylvania, first in Delaware township, in Mercer county. From the latter county they removed to Mecca township, Trumbull county, Ohio. The mother died in 1877, and the father passed away ten years later. Godfrey Betteker was twice married, his wives having been sisters.
Martin Betteker owns and occupies a fine farm of 109 acres, all well improved. Ile has a comfortable frame house and commnodi- ons barn, the latter built in 1886, being 37 x
48 feet in dimensions. He carries on gen- eral farming, raises considerable stock, and also keeps a dairy.
Mr. Betteker was married October 6, 1878, to Mary J. Beman, who was born in the house in which they now live, daughter of Selby Beman, a prominent citizen of this township for many years. Selby Beman was born in Connecticut, son of Captain Bethuel Beman, also a pioneer of this county. Captain Be- man settled here in 1833, was largely inter- ested in farming, and was for many years a popular and successful teacher. He died in Leon, Ohio, while on a visit to that place. Selby Beman married Mary Reed, who was born in Williamstield township, Ashtabula county, Ohio, May 21, 1823, daughter of Deacon Ira Reed, a prominent citizen of Trumbull county, and Mary (Smith) Reed, his wife. She was reared on the farm on which Mr. Betteker now lives. Selby Beman died April 10, 1862, and his widow passed away May 29, 1886. They reared the follow- ing children: Sophia, born January 22, 1845, married Charles Bacon; resides in Hartford, Ohio; reared five children,-Lewis, Fred, Clara, Collins and Emma, who died at the age of nineteen years. Matthew Beman, born July 29, 1848, married Olive Curtis; he is a contractor and builder, and a resident of Lincoln, Nebraska. They reared three chil- dren,-Selby, Clara and Lena. Mary J. Be- man was born April 24, 1851; married Mar- tin Betteker, who still lives on the old home- stead; lias one child, Mary, born January 28, 1887. Bethuel was born June 26, 1853, and died at the age of twenty-one montlis. Clara was born May 11, 1856, and died October 1. 1887. Selby Beman carried on farming, and also was engaged in house-moving. He and his wife were members of the Congrega- tional Church. Captain Bethuel Beman, born
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
January 17, 1784, at Hartland, Connecticut, and his wife, nee Hannah. Selby, was born April 14, 1789; was married January 1, 1811, and had nine children: Almerine, born December 6, 1811, married John Cowdry; had one child, John. Sophia, born October 3, 1813, married Jeremiah Selby; lived in Cincinnati; had two children, one dead; Sophia lives in Philadelphia. Jenett was born November 4, 1815; married Dr. A. N. Read; had two children, Beman and Amelia. Selby was born May 3, 1819; married Mary Read, March 6, 1844; had five children. Hellen was born August 12, 1821; married George Liddle; lived in New York city; had two children; Jennie lives in Leon, Ohio; Hannah, at Mecca. Bethuel was born March 9, 1824; married Rhoda A. Powers; lived in Youngstown. Hannah A. was born May 28, 1826; married John Hanghton; reared three children, all of whom are deceased. Oscar F. Beman, born March 21, 1829, mar- ried Mary J. Winans; had three daughters, Altha, Hellen and Nora. Webster D., born November 28, 1835, married Jenett Dickson; had one son, Harry; lived in Cortland, Ohio. All have passed away except two, Mrs. Han- nah Haughton and Oscar F., both of Leon, Ashtabula county, Olio.
L EWIS DURST, one of the leading citizens of Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1826, son of William and Catherine (Roap) Durst, both of whom passed the closing years of their lives and died in Champion Ohio. His father died in 1860 at the age of seventy-six years; his mother, in 1870, aged eighty-five. They had a family of nine children, namely: Elizabeth, widow
of Moses Sprinkle, of Ashtabula county, Ohio; Daniel, a resident of Cortland, Ohio; Mary, widow of P. Inman; Phoebe, deceased, was the wife of Andrew Reidesill; William, who died in Bazetta township, this county, in 1891; David, a resident of Champion, Ohio; Joseph, deceased; Lewis, whose name heads this article; and Catherine, wife of Jacob Bailey, of Rock Island, Illinois.
It was about 1828 that the Durst family ar- rived in Champion township, Trumbull coun- ty Ohio, there being at that time only three township, near the site of the Infirmary, and on familes in the township. William Durst se- lected a location in the southern part of the 113 acres of land he set his stakes and established his home. This section of the country was then all covered with heavy timber, and the work of improving a farm here was no small undertaking. He went to work with a will, however, and, as the years rolled by, the forest gave way to well-cultivated fields, and his farm became one of the finest in the pio- neer settlement. Here he spent the rest of his days, and here he died. He not only im- proved his farm, but he also came into pos- session of and developed other land; at the time of his death being the owner of about 430 acres. He was eminently a self-made man, having come out to Ohio, bringing his family in a wagon, and having a capital of only $400. He was, all his life, prominently identified with the best interests of the com- munity in which he lived. Politically he was a Democrat; religiously a Lutheran.
Lewis Durst was two years old when his parents settled in Trumbull county. Here he was reared and educated. For several years he was engaged in sawmilling but for the past thirty years his energies have been devoted to general farming. His home farm comprises seventy-six and a half acres. He
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has given several hundred acres to his child- ren; the amount given to each being valued at $1,250. He located on this farm in 1862. For a number of years he gave special atten- tion to the dairy business.
Lewis Durat was married December 2, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Moyer, of Lords- town, Ohio, born in 1830, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Moyer. They have six child- ren: Edward L., a resident of Champion township, this county; Charles W., a promi- nent physician, of St. Elmo, Illinois; Will- iam A., the proprietor of a meat market in Warren, Ohio; Allison L., engaged in farm- ing and sawmilling in Champion township, this county; Carrie E., wife of Sherman Hardman, resides south of Newton Falls, Ohio; and Mamnie, wife of B. Kincaid, bag- gage-master at Warren, Ohio. For forty-four years Mr. Durst has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which his wife is also a member. Politically, he is a Democrat.
Edward L. Durst, son of the above-named gentleman, was born in the eastern part of Champion township, Trumbull county, Ohio, February 27, 1851. He was reared to farm life, and was educated in the public schools, with a finishing course at West Farmington. For a number of years he has spent his sum- mer months at farm work, and during the winter has taught school; altogether having taught twenty-four terms, in four districts. He owns fifty acres of land, located on the State road, in the western part of the town- ship, this place being well improved with first-class buildings.
He was married in Champion, January 1, 1873, to Miss Martha Templeton, daughter of William and Mariah (Shafer) Templeton, the dato of her birth being September 13, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Durst have three
children: Emerson E .; William S., and Bernice M. He is a member of the Met- hodist Episcopal Church, while his wife and two sons belong to the Disciple Church. Mr. Durst has filled the office.of Township Assessor, having been elected to this posi- tion by the Democratic party.
G H. CRANAGE, one of the highly respected citizens of Champion town- ship, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Warren, this State, March 10, 1852, son of Benjamin and Eliza (Caldwell) Cranage, residents of Warren. He was reared and educated in his native town, and there learned the shoe business, in which he was engaged for about twelve years, in company with his father. He then came to his pre- sent location in the northwest part of Cham- pion township, where he has a farm of 123 acres, sixty-five acres of which extend over into Bristol township. Here he carries on general farming and also runs a dairy.
G. H. Cranage was married September 18, 1880, to Miss Ella Anderson, daughter of John and Catherine (Hyde) Anderson, and they have two children; Hazel I. and George B. Mrs. Cranage is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
John Anderson, the father of Mrs. Cran- age, died June 9, 1885. He was born in county Antrim, Ireland, March 5, 1817, and was married November 14, 1844, to Cathe- rine Hyde, a native of Montgomery county, New York, who was born November 19, 1817, and died October 9, 1886. Mr. Ander- son left his native land when he was about twonty years of age, and his marriage, just roferred to, occurred in Farmington, Ohio, his wife having come to Trumbull county,
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Olio, with her parents in 1818, she being then less than a year old. Mr. Anderson, and his wife, were both devoted Christians. He succeeded in clearing up a fine farm here, and in his varions undertakings was successful. Of their children we record that Oliver is a resident of Champion township, this county; Ira is deceased; Clinton died in early childhood; Lida and Ella, twins, are both married and settled in life, Lida being the wife of R. L. McFeitrich, of West Farmington, this county, and Ella being the wife of Mr. Cranage, of Champion; Mary is deceased. Of Mr. Anderson, it should be further stated, that he was the youngest of a family of four children, and was the first of that number to seek a home in America, the others following and becoming prosperous and happy in this land of the free.
H ORACE P. BASSETT, formerly pro- prietor of one of the leading livery stables in Warren, Ohio, is a native of Portage county, this State, born June 17, 1838.
William and Eloise (Welton) Bassett, the parents of H. P., were natives of Connecticut. William Bassett drove an ox team front Con- necticut to Ohio as early as 1817, and set- tled on a tract of wild land. Here he cut away the forest and developed a farm of 266 acres, and on this farm he passed the rest of his life, and died at the age of eight-five years. He was a prominent man in this county, and for some time served as Captain of militia. He was in the war of 1812, hav- ing entered the service when he was sixteen years old. The Bassett family are descended from an old English family that settled in
New England at an early day. William Bas- sett was a prominent member of the Free- soil party, and he also took considerable in- terest in the educational affairs of his day. He was a man of great prowess, was a great wrestler, and was known all over the country for his remarkable physique. His wife died at the age of eighty-seven years. She was a member of the Episcopal Church. Of their four children we make record as follows: William, a farmer near Kent, Obio, was for many years a railroad conductor, and is now prominently identified with local affairs; Harriet, deceased; Edward W., a railroad con- ductor for many years, was employed as ex- press messenger at the time of his death, which occurred at Kent in 1887; and Horace P., with whose name we begin this sketch.
Horace P. Bassett remained on his father's farm until he was twenty years old, receiving his education in the public schools and at Hiram College. At the age of twenty he accepted a position withi Harris, Hanford & Co., dealers in blank books, papers, etc., and for two years was employed as their travel- ing salesman. In 1860 he came to Warren, and was soon afterward employed as travel- ing salesman for James B. Dunlap, grocer, in whose employ he remained three years. He was then employed by another grocery firm, Anderson & Rupps, with whom he con- tinued until 1864. That year he engaged in the livery business, succeeding A. S. Robins, which business he continued up to May, 1893. In 1873, he combined undertaking with his livery business, and carried on both until January, 1893, when he sold the under- taking department to Taylor & Pierce. Mr. Bassett is an authority on horses, his opin- ion frequently being sought and always valued. He owns a fine stallion, known far and near as " Black Allie."
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
Mr. Bassett also devotes considerable time to looking after his farm, in Portage county, of 340 acres. He and his brother William own the old home place. He is also interested somewhat in the life-insurance business, re- presenting the United States Life Insurance Company.
Politically, Mr. Bassett is a Republican. Fraternally, he is a member of the A. F. & A. M., Erie lodge, No. 3; I. O. O. F., No. 29; K. of P., No. 90; and American Mechan- ics, No. 4. He is Past Grand in the I. O. O. F. and Past Chancellor of the K. of P.
Mr. Bassett was married in 1860, to Miss Justine L., daughter of Washington Brewster, a native of Summit county, Ohio. They have had four children, three of whom are living: Jennie B., Charles H. and Helen J. William is deceased. Jennie B. is the wife of E. W. Christy of Cleveland, Ohio, man- ager of the United States Life Insurance Company.
H ON. WILLIAM T. FEE, Mayor of Warren, Ohio, was born in Trumbull county, this State, May 6, 1854, son of Dr. William M. and Mary (Barn- heis'e) Fee.
Mr. Fee's maternal ancestors came from Pennsylvania to Ohio about the year 1812 and settled near Girard, where his mother was born. Her father, Martin Barnheisle, was a farmer and one of the leading men in the southern part of Trumbull county. He died and is buried at Girard. His father, Henry Barnheisle, a native of Perry county, Pennsyl- vania, is also buried at Girard. Martin Barn- heisle had one son and four danghters. This son, George, a soldier in the Rebellion, was killed at Missionary Ridge, while his son
Martin, a lad of seventeen years, died from the effects of a wound received in the second battle of Bull Run. The boy was shot in the leg, lay on the battle-field nine days, was then taken by the Rebels, and after a second amputation he finally died. The name of Barnheisle has become extinct in this part of Ohio.
Dr. William M. Fee, the father of our snb- ject, was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, in 1822, a son of John Fee. John Fee was born in Ireland in 1788, and came alone to America in 1818. Soon afterward, however, his father having died, his mother converted all her possessions into a stock of goods which she started to bring to this country in order to establish her son in business here. She also brought her other children with her. The vessel in which she sailed was wrecked and all her possessions were lost. She and her children, however, were saved, as were the crew and other passengers, they being picked up by an English vessel and carried to Quebec. She and her children settled there and from them descended a large family of Fees. John Fee located at Niles, Ohio, about 1840, coming hither from Mercer county, Pennsylvania. He is a remote descendant of the French Huguenots. His wife, nee Eliza Smith, was a granddaughter of Thomas Nel- son, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. She was a native of Bedford Springs, Pennsylvania. They had one daugh- ter and three sons. The daughter married and settled in St. Paul, Minnesota. Wesley, the eldest son, located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he died, leaving one son. David Fee went to California in 1849, was for many years general engineer for the Pacific Steam- ship Company, became wealthy, and is now living retired at Victoria on Vancouver isl- and, British Columbia.
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Dr. William M. Fee was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, as already stated, the date of his birth being 1822. His boyhood days were spent in attending school and clerking in a store, and in 1840 he came to Ohio with his parents. He began the study of medicine under the instructions of Dr. John Loy, attended lectures in Cleveland, and after completing his medical course en- tered npon the practice of his profession at Niles, where he remained until 1859. His failing health at that time necessitated a change of location and he removed to Frank- lin, Pennsylvania. In 1884 he went to In- dian River, Florida, where he has since con- ducted a successful practice. He was mar- ried in Girard, Ohio, and he and his wife reared a family of five children: Frank H., a hardware merchant in Florida; Emma, wife of J. P. Dutton, Wolcott, New York; Will- iam T., whose name heads this article; Nellie, wife of C. P. Leitch, of Fort Grant, Arizona, died in 1892; and Addison S., an orange- grower of Florida.
Williamn T. Fee was reared in Ohio and Pennsylvania, receiving excellent educational advantages from the public schools of these States and at Oberlin College. He was grad- itated at La Fayette College with the class of 1876. Then he went to Germany and spent some time in the University at Gottin- gen, and traveled extensively over the con- tinent, returning to America in 1878. While in college Mr. Fee gave special attention to oratory, on several occasions carrying off the prize.
Upon his return to America he began reading law in the office of Hon. Brossius, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. That winter he came back to Niles, and the following spring, 1879, he was admitted to the bar at Warren and formed a partnership with Attorney
Calhoun. In the spring of 1880 he was elected City Solicitor of Niles. In 1881 he came to Warren, where he again joined Mr. Calhoun, who had come here the previous year. They practiced together until March, 1885, when Mr. Calhoun went West and Mr. Fee continued alone. In 1891, he was elected Mayor, to which office he was re- elected in 1893. He is now serving his sec- ond term in that office. Mayor Fee has made an efficient officer, carefully guarding the interests of the city and the people, with with whom he is very popular. He is a man of pleasing address, generous in disposition and true in his friendships. He is a stanchi Republican ; is Past Chancelor of the K. of P. Lodge, No. 90; a member of Old Erie Lodge, and the present Senior Warden of Ma- honing Chapter, No. 66, and Warren Comand- ery, No. 39, and is also a member of the Senior and Junior Orders of American Me- chanics.
Mr. Fee was married March 1, 1882, to Miss Margaret D. Semple, a native of Easton, Pennsylvania. They have two sons,-War- ren H. and Clarence E.
The Fee family attend the Presbyterian Church.
F 1 B. MINER, M. D., is one of the promising young physicians and sur- geons of Warren, Ohio. He has but recently entered upon his professional career, and with his natural ability, his education, and his special adaptability for the profession he has chosen, he starts out with bright pros- pects.
Dr. Miner was born in Vienna, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 28, 1865, and was reared in Warren, receiving a high-school education at this place. He then entered
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Allegheny College, Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he received the degree of A. B. in June, 1889. In 1893 he received fromn this institute the degree of A. M. He entered the University of Michigan in the fall of 1889, where he took a two years' course, after which he matriculated at Long Island Hospital College, Brooklyn, New York, and was graduated in 1892. Immediately after his graduation lie returned to Warren, where he has since been engaged in practice.
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