Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 57

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 57
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 57
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 57

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During the late war Mr. Cornell enlisted for 100 days in Company D, One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, be- ing made First Lieutenant. The regiment was stationed at Martinsburg, and here Mr. Cornell was detached acting as Aid-de-camp to the commander at the post, but later was made Judge Advocate of a military commis- sion. Although not in active service, Mr. Cornell endured many hardships, yet he emerged from his term of service none the worse and was honorably discharged at the close of the hundred days. For many years Mr. Cornell has been one of the leading busi- ness men of the city, although during the later portion of that time he has been most sorely afflicted with a cancer in the face,

which has necessitated his retirement to some extent from active business life. Owing to many noble qualities, Mr. Cornell is highly esteemed throughout the community where he has labored for so many years.

S AMUEL SMITH, who owns 100 acres of land and operates a sawmill and handles a shingle factory, is one of the prosperous and well-known inen of Mahoning county, Ohio, his location being in Poland township.

Mr. Smith was born in the township where he now resides, September 17, 1820. He is a son of Robert and Kizia (Stewart) Smith, and is the only survivor in a family of ten children. His father came from Pennsyl- vania to Ohio, as early as 1802 and settled in Mahoning county, where he owned 300 acres of land, and where he was engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising. He also operated a distillery and sawmill, the sawinill being the same one now run by his son. He was a Democrat, took an active interest in the pub- lic affairs of his day, and was well known throughout this section of the country. For some time he served as Township Trustee. He and his wife were members of the Pres- byterian Church, and he was an Elder in the Church for many years. He gave freely of his means to the support of the gospel, and indeed any public enterprise that he deemed for the good of the people was sure to receive his hearty support and material assistance. After an active and useful life, he passed to his reward, March 17, 1835. His wife sur- vived him until March, 1847.

Samuel Smith grew up on his father's farm and in the sawmill, and has all his life been

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more or less interested in farming and mill- ing. He was for fonr years engaged in the manufacture of threshing machines.

Mr. Smith was married in 1847, to Mar- garet Blackburn, and to them were born two children, Joseph S., in 1850, and Robert F., in 1852. The latter died in 1854. Joseph S. married a Miss Allen, and has one dangh- ter. The Smith family are among the most prominent people of the county. In connec- tion with Mr. Smith's family history it should be further stated that his grandfather James Stewart came to Mahoning county some time after Robert Smith located here, and here he past the rest of his life and died. The subject of our sketch had two great- uncles in the Revolutionary war. Their names were Montgomery.

Mr. Smith's political views are in accord with Democratic principles, and in the cam. paigns of his party he takes a lively interest. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian Church, in which he has served as Trustee fifteen years and as Elder six years.

D R. JAMES E. VOGAN, an honored member of the medical fraternity of Mahoning county, Ohio, is a son of William P. Vogan, who was born in Law- rence county, Pennsylvania, in 1835, and died in Worth township, Butler county, Feb- ruary 22, 1878. He had a liberal education and was for several years a teacher in the public schools of his native county. He possessed a good mind and sound judgment; was a man of strict integrity, an earnest Christian and a profound anti slavery inan. He served in the Union army, a member of Company H, Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania

Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Jack; this regiment was known as the " walking regi- ment," having crossed Kentucky and Ten- nessee, and Alabama more than once on foot ; after a long illness following the battle of Stone River he was placed on guard duty, which he continued until his discharge at the close of the war. He returned home much broken in health, and never fully re- covered from the effects of army life. His par- ents were Jonathan and Julia (Emery) Vogan, natives of Pennsylvania, and he was the oldest of their nine children. He married Keziah Trevitt, a native of Birmingham, England. a daughter of John and Emma (Bevan) Trevitt, natives of Birmingham. She came to America when nine years old. Mr. Trev- itt settled in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and was engaged in mechanical pursuits in his own country, but after coming to America devoted his spare time to preparing for the ministry ; his first charge was a South Pitts- burg Baptist Church, and afterward he went to Butler connty, Pennsylvania, where he was pastor of Zion Baptist Church for seven years. From here he removed to North Se- wickly, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where his wife died in 1866. After the death of his wife he went to Lee county, Iowa, where he did ministerial duty until his death in 1872. At the time Lonis Kossuth visited this country Mr. Trevitt was employed in the Novelty Works at Pittsburg; he was called upon by his fellow workmen to make an address of welcome when the distinguished foreigner visited the works; the great Kossuth after- ward shook him by the hand, remarking that he was glad to meet a workman able to make so good an address. William P. Vogan and Kezialı Trevitt were united in marriage in 1859, and there were born to them seven children: James E., the subject of this notice,

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John W., deceased, Herbert N .; Ulysses G .; Mary Emma, wife of E. L. McKelvey; Eva; and Anna.

Dr. Vogan was born in Worth township, Butler county, Pennsylvania, May 22, 1861, and there resided until 1883. He attended the common school and during the summer aided in the work of carrying on the farm. When his school days were ended he began to earn money in the lumber region. As soon as he had saved a sınall sum he entered the Edinboro State Normal School, and studied and taught alternately until he completed the course in 1887. At this time he went to Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and after teaching two terms of school there began the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. William T. Philips, of Library, Alle- gheny county, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1889 he entered the Western Pennsylvania Medical College and was graduated with the degree of M. D. on March 26, 1891, being one of the seven who took the highest grades in a class of fifty-three.

The year of his graduation he located in Lowellville, Ohio, and his first practice was done in partnership with Dr. R. H. Mont- gomery, although this relationship terminated at the end of three months. Dr. Vogan was married March 28, 1891, to Ella Belle Boyer, who was born August 4, 1869, in Bethel township, Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Peter B. and Matilda (Philips) Boyer; Mrs. Vogan's parents are natives of Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and still reside there. The Doctor and wife have one child, Hilda, born May 6, 1893, at Lowellville, Ohio.

Politically he affiliates with the Republi- can party. He is a charter member of Low- ellville Lodge, No. 537, K. of P., and was the first representative of this body to the

Grand Lodge at Columbus, Ohio, in May, 1892. He is a member of the Mahoning County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society, and is well up with the times on all subjects pertaining to the science and practice of medicine. He and his wife are worthy members of the Baptist Church, at present holding their membership in the Hillsville Church.

H OMER HAMILTON, an honored, in- dustrious and useful citizen of Youngs- town, Ohio, now deceased, was born in what is now Mahoning county, Ohio, February 24, 1836.

His parents were Emanuel and Catherine (Deeds) Hamilton, the father a native of Ohio, the mother of Pennsylvania. Emannel Hanıil- ton's father, William Hamilton, was a native of Connecticut, while his wife, the mother of Emanuel, came to this country from Germany. Emanuel Hamilton was a miller, and at dif- ferent times ran almost all the flouring mills in this part of the State. For many years he was a miller at Landerman Falls, and was afterward at Girard, doing custom and mer- cantile milling at both places. He was also for some time a miller at Youngstown, hold- ing an interest in the mill with Mr. J. Bald- win and others. This mill was hurned, but was afterward rebuilt by Homer Baldwin. Emanuel Hamilton held the office of Town- ship Trustee before, during and after the war. He held the office of Infirmary Director also, and filled other positions of trust and it- portance, in all of which he discharged his duties with honor to himself, looking well to the best interests of all those who intrusted their rights in his keeping. He died August 27, 1889, aged seventy-eight years. His

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wife, born January 15, 1809, is still living, an honored pioneer resident of Youngstown, Ohio. She was for many years an active member of the Christian Church. This . worthy couple, Emannel Hamilton and wife, had four sons, namely: Homer, our subject, was the oldest and the first of the children to depart this life, a resident of Portland, Ore- gon; Wilson, superintendent of the Youngs- town water works; and Chauncey, also a resident of Youngstown.

Homer Hamilton sprang from humble life, being reared in the school of adversity and stern experience. He surmounted difficul- ties, led a useful and blameless life, and leaves to his family something that wealth could not purchase-an honored name and spotless re- putation.

At the age of sixteen he left school and concluded to learn the trade of machinist. He engaged witlı Reed & Wells, of Yonngs- town, and, although only a lad, did a man's work. Under his term of apprenticeship he received $25 the first year, $30 the second, and $35 the third, board and washing included. Two years later the firm failed, and he went to Warren, where he was employed for nearly two years in Hull's machine shop, and when he returned to Youngstown at the end of that time he engaged in business with James Predmore on East Boardman street. His first work in the machine shop was on a port- able engine to be used in the Mecca oil fields in Trumbull county, Ohio, which were then being developed. Shortly afterward he built one for Brown, Bonnell & Co. The firm of Predmore & Hamilton was dissolved in 1861, Mr. Hamilton and John Stambangh buying the interest of Mr. Predmore. It was then organized under the name of Homer Hamil- ton & Co. This firm was the predecessor of William Tod & Co., now doing business at

the same old stand. An item worthy of mention in this connection is that an engine from the William Tod & Co. establishment was used in turning the Ferris Wheel in the " White City." Mr. Hamilton was the man- ager of this firm, and prepared the plans and specifications for the extensive plant, the Hamilton works being one of the largest of the kind in Ohio. He continued a member of the firm and its active manager up to the time of his death, which occurred November 27, 1886.

At various times Mr. Hamilton held prominent official positions. At home lie held a position on the Board of Health, was a member of the Council, and was Treasurer of the Fire Departinent. He was elected to the Council from the third ward in 1868. In 1883 the onerous duties of Commissioner of Ohio to have charge of the mechanical dis- play at the New Orleans Exposition, were thrust upon him, the appointment being made by President Arthur and without any solicitation on Mr. Hamilton's part. That he filled the position with honor to the State and credit to himself is well known. At the Centennial Exposition in 1876, he rendered most valuable aid in making a creditable ex- hibit of the iron products and mineral re- sources of the Mahoning valley. With his customary energy. he interested manufacturers and others here in the matter, and the arrange- inent of the attractive display caused him to receive many compliments from the press and publie. In this, as in every other position he attempted to fill, he showed himself the right man in the right place. The following is a quotation from resolutions adopted at a meeting of the manufacturers of the city:

" The manufacture of engines and machin- ery on a superior scale in this city is perhaps due to the genius of Mr. Hamilton more than

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to any other person. His death at a time when his usefulness was ripe from knowledge, is a loss to the community which will be keenly felt; but not alone for his natural gifts and attainments do we mourn his loss, for his large heart and genial nature have left an impression on the masses in this city where he was born, on those with whom he came in contact everywhere, which will always keep his memory green as a noble and useful man."

One solution of the success of Mr. Hamil- ton in the mechanical world was, that he inastered every detail of the trade, never counting the labor lost, but knowing the results that would be attained. Several years ago, in conversation regarding stationary en- gines, Mr. Hamilton remarked: " I will first build an engine that will create a sensation in the mechanical world, as I believe one can be built that, while furnishing the necessary power, will be almost noiseless when running at full speed." In this his most sanguine expectations were realized in the Porter- Hamilton engine, in which he felt a pardon- able pride. He was the inventor of this en- gine, and its smooth and noiseless movement will be a gentle and much appreciated tribute to the inventive genins of the Youngstown mechanic whose name it bears.

Mr. Hamilton was married, September 27, 1859, to Miss Adeline Roberts, a native of Ohio, and a most pleasant and companion- able lady, who shared his joys and sorrows for more than a third of a century. She is a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Moore) Roberts, of Youngstown. Mr. and Mrs. [Iamilton became the parents of six children, namely: Grant E., who married Lida Hilker, resides in New York city, where he has a position as an artist on the staff of Judge; Frederick, a mechanical draughitsman in the

employ of William Tod & Co .; Harry, who married Elizabeth Thompson, of Toronto, Canada, is engaged in the real-estate business at Youngstown, Ohio, being a member of the firm of Hamilton & Evans; John, also in- . terested in the real-estate business, with his brother, Harry; Nicholas, who married Clem- entine Taylor, of Youngstown, Ohio, is tele- graph operator at the Mayor's office in this city; and Scott, who has not yet completed his education.

Politically, Mr. Hamilton was a Repub- lican. Fraternally, he was a Mason, a mein- ber of Western Star Lodge at Youngstown, and his funeral was in charge of the order he loved.

S H. TRUESDALE, M. D., one of the eminent physicians of Mahoning coun- ty, Ohio, is a resident of Poland. A brief record of his life is as follows:

Dr. S. H. Truesdale was born in Poland township, this connty, in the year 1843, son of Dr. Joseph and Eliza Truesdale. His father located in Mahoning county in 1831, where he was for many years engaged in the practice of his profession: he died in March, 1871. He served two terms in the State Legislature, representing Mahoning county. He was a graduate of the Cincinnati College of Medicine. During his active career he took a prominent part in public affairs, being a generous and public-spirited citizen and doing much to advance the best interests of his county. He and his wife are members of the Congregational Church. Of their family we make record as follows: Sarah M. is the wife of Dr. Riley, a prominent physi- cian of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Ella Smith is now a widow and lives in London, England. Lucy (Rockwood), a resident of Chicago,

N. B. Wick

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Lottie (King), a resident of Youngstown. Fred H. is engaged in the real-estate business in Chicago.

Dr. S. H. Truesdale was married in 1864, to Miss Amelia McCreary, danghter of Will- iam McCreary. Their only child, William J., born in 1870, is a graduate of medicine and is now engaged in the practice of his profes- sion with his father. He is one of the prom- ising young physicians of the county and is starting in life with a bright ontlook. The Doctor and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and are popular in the social circles of Poland.

The subject of our sketch comes from a patriotic family, and he himself has never been lacking in the spirit of patriotism. Dur- ing the troublons days of the Civil war he was Captain of Company A, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteers, enlisting in June, 1863, and being discharged at Cleveland the follow- ing year. His grandfather Truesdale served in the Revolutionary war, four of his father's brothers were in the war of 1812, and his maternal grandfather was a Colonel in the latter war.

Dr. Truesdale has been a resident of Mahoning county all his life with the excep- tion of a few years, from 1867 until 1875, when he resided in Chicago, on Rush street, engaged in the crockery business.

H UGH BRYSON WICK .- Conspien- ous among those men of prominence in Youngstown, Ohio, whose enter- prise, business sagacity, npright meth- ods, liberality and public spirit have contrib- uted to the growth of this young metropolis, rendering it a leading factor in the advance- ment of the State and country, stands the

subject of this sketch, who, although having departed to his reward, has left a legacy rich in good influences which will endure to the end of time.

Mr. Wick was a native son of Ohio, having been born in Youngstown, on the northwest corner of Federal and Phelps streets, Febru- ary 5, 1809. This city was then but a ham - let, and this young lad and the town grew in unison together, dispensing in their advance the light and warmth of prosperity and hap- piness to all with whom they came in contact. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Henry and Hannah (Baldwin) Wick, promi- nent pioneers and for many years esteemed residents of Mahoning county, most of whose twelve children played an important part in the development of the Mahoning valley, planting there those seeds of civilization which have attained to their present wonder- ful growth. These children, in order of their birth, are as follows: Caleb Baldwin, born October 1, 1795; Thomas Lupton (the first), born February 4, 1798, died September 16, 1818; Betsy, born January 12, 1800; Lem- uel, born Jannary 3, 1804; Henry, born Feb- rnary 28, 1807; Hngh Bryson, born Febrn- ary 5, 1809; Hannah, March 21, 1814; Matilda Lucretia, February 1, 1813; John Dennick, January 4, 1816; Mary Ann, Oc- tober 15, 1817; Thomas Lupton (the second), November 29, 1819; and Paul, October 1, 1824. Of these children, the only survivor is Henry, who has been for many years a res- ident of Cleveland. Like an oak he still stands as a prominent landmark of that once young and vigorous family.

Mr. Ingh B. Wick, while yet in his mi- nority, entered upon that active business career which he pursued successfully and uninterruptedly for more than half a century. His first adventure in this line was as a mer-

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chant, in Brookfield, Trumbull county, in 1828, where he was continuously engaged in business for nearly ten years, conducting, during a portion of the same time, a branch store in Lima, in Columbiana county, Ohio. Early in 1837 he left Brookfield and removed to Lowellville, where he started a store, which he successfully conducted for a little more than two years. At the end of this time, in 1839, he came to Youngstown, where he was continuously engaged in business until his death, reaping the deserved fruits of an en- ergetic and npright career in a large and ever-increasing patronage and consequent good fortune. His comprehensive grasp of financial and commercial matters, connected with great activity, led him to undertake numerons enterprises, which, under the wise direction of the same mind which conceived then, were conducted with uniform success. In 1846, he with his brothers, Henry, Caleb B. and Paul, with Henry Heasley, Dr. Man- ning, William Rice and others, started a roll- ing mill, which was the beginning of the now extensive works of Brown, Bonnell & Com- pany. In connection with these works, the company conducted a store, under the man- agement of the late Paul Wick, which, on the termination of the partnership, was con- tinned by Paul and Hngh B. Wick until 1855. In the meantime the subject of this sketch had become interested in the banking business in Cleveland, Ohio, becoming a member of the well-known firm of Wick, Otis & Brownell, afterward known as H. B. & 11. Wick & Company. In 1857, he and his brother Paul, with others, started in Youngstown the well-known house of Wick Brothers & Company, and two years later Mr. Hugh Wick dissolved his Cleveland connections. After that date, he chiefly de- voted himself to banking, although his coal

interests were at times very large and im- portant. He was, at the time of his death, a director in the Mercer Mining & Manufac- turing Company as well as in the Shenango & Alleghany Railroad Company, distinguish- ing himself as a wise and upright official and contributing in no small measure to the ad- vancement of the institutions with which he was connected. He was a man of public en- terprise, but was not, it is true, in favor of lavishing expenditures without an assurance of return, or a reckless extravagance where it would bear no fruit. In public, as in private life, his strong common sense asserted itself, and in matters of public improvement he ad- vocated cutting the garment according to the cloth obtainable, and to measuring the outlay by the existing necessity. Few knew it, but he was by far the largest contributor to the fund for building the Mahoning county court- house, at Youngston, which is but one of many instances which might be cited of his unostentatious gifts to public advancement.

Hugh Bryson Wick died April 22, 1880, aged seventy-one, a year older than the al- lotted time of man. His was a busy and useful life, his active years being devoted to the best interests of Mahoning valley, and his most lasting monument is in the hearts of those whom his acts benefitted. Although the materialistic side of his life has thus far been given precedence, yet it must not there- fore be inferred that he neglected spiritual things. On the contrary he was deeply re- ligious, his convictions being carried with him into the work of every-day life, and gov- erned his associations with men. In 1843, he united with the Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, for many years under the able pastorate of Rev. Charles A. Boardman, and lovingly continued its communion until his death. He took an active interest in every-

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thing pertaining to its welfare, and was one of its pillars of strength, a devoted and faith- ful friend on all occasions. It was on the Sabbath of April 4, when attending com- munion, that he last visited that church which knew him so well. He seemed even then to be nearing the eternal shore, his feeble and measured step being at that time remarked by many present. He was a man of large benevolence, but literally obeyed the Scrip- tural injunction to not let " the left hand know what the right hand doeth." Many a load of coal, barrel of flour and bushel of po- tatoes have found their way from his liberal hand to needy homes, the recipients themselves not being aware whence the assistance came or who was the noble benefactor. These generous and unostentatious deeds, known to but few, and to those through no sign from Mr. Wick, now rise as sweet incense to his memory, and wreathe a halo round his name which glows with immortal radiance.

October 30, 1832, was the date of Mr. Wick's marriage to Miss Lucretia G. Win- chell, at that time residing in Youngstown with her uncle, the late Dr. Charles C. Cooke; and Mr. Wick's friends have often heard him speak of his bridal trip, which contrasted wonderfully with the extensive and expensive wedding trips of the present day, his jour- ney on that occasion being from Youngs- town to Lima, in the same county. Mrs. Lncretia G. Wick was the only daughter of Orrin and Laura C. Winchell, and was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, September 5, 1813. Her parents dying in her infancy, she was reared in the family of her uncle, Dr. Charles Cooke. She was until fourteen years of age a pupil in a select school in New Haven, Connectient, when, in 1827, she ac- companied her uncle to Ohio, and, after re- siding two years in Ellsworth, removed to

Youngstown, which, for the most part, was ever afterward her home. She became a communicant of the First Presbyterian Church in early life, and continued a regular and earnest attendant until failing health prevented. She survived Mr. Wiek twelve years, her death occurring April 27, 1892, in her seventy-ninth year, universally regretted by all who knew her. The services at her funeral were conducted by Rev. Dr. Evans, who paid a glowing tribute to the Christian life of the deceased, and the womanly traits of character with which she had been so richly endo wed. She gave largely to charity, al- thongh in a quiet way, and many love and reverence her memory for the helping hand so often extended to them in time of need. Few women are as greatly distinguished for refined sensibilities and generosity. She cheered her home with the sunshine of her presence for nearly sixty years, watching over the interests of those most dear to her, and contributing by all means within her power to their happiness. She brought to her forty- eight years of married life every sweet and noble attribute to be found in a wife, inother and friend. Few lives are as replete with happiness as were those of this perfectly mated couple, the sunshine of their domestic felicity radiating round about and enveloping all with whom they came in contact, making all more happy and content. They had ten children, six of. whom preceded the parents to the better land. The four surviving are: John C. Wick; Mrs. Lucretia H. (Wick) Bonnell; Henry Wick; and Mrs. Emily (Wick) Bonnell.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 57

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1893 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 786

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1893
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 786