USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 58
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 58
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 58
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
Mr. Wick was idolized by his wife, children and grandchildren, and by all who lived in the family. No word but of kindness fell from his lips, and no act but of love charae- terized his intercourse with those connected
480
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
with him by ties of blood or dependence. In his death a good man, a worthy citizen, a faithful friend, a most loving husband and father has fallen by the way; but he lived well his allotted time and ac- complished to good purpose the work assigned him. It is to such men that Youngs- town owes her rapid and continued advance- ment in wealth and morality, the principles of whose character are such as lay most firmly the foundation of commonwealths and con- tribute to the prosperity and honor of na- tions.
-2
C OLONEL JOHN STEWART, "''Squire John Stewart," was born on his father's farm in the northwest cor- ner of Coitsville township, Trumbull, now Mahoning, county, Ohio, May 28, 1807. He removed with his parents while a boy to a farm in the southwest part of the same town- ship, remaining with his father until some time after attaining his majority, when he bought his father ont, assuming the care of his parents for the remainder of their lives. He attended the common schools of that day, and taught in the same one or two winter terms. He was elected Justice of the Peace at a very early period, probably at the April election before coming of age, and held the office almost continuously during the re- mainder of his life, being in office at the time of his death. About 1830 he spent a part or all of the year at Danville, Pennsylvania, in the employ of Major Robert Montgomery, father of Hon. Robert Montgomery, of Youngstown, Ohio. Along in the '30s he was elected Colonel of the State militia, and started with his regiment for Fort Meigs during the last contention regarding the boundary line with Great Britain. After
marching a couple of days they were sent back home, owing to amicable settlement. In 1839 he was elected County Commissioner of Trumbull county, and again to the same office in what was Mahoning county, in 1852. In 1849, in company with James D. Bryson, now of the Lovell Milling Company, he went to Big Run, near New Castle, Pennsylvania, purchased the site and rebuilt the flouring mill recently burned, which they ran until the fall of 1850; he then sold to Mr. Bryson and returned to his Coitsville farm. In April, 1851, he opened a general store at Lowell- ville, in company with S. H. McBride and James S. Moore, under the firm name of MeBride, Stewart & Company, continuing the business until 1858. In 1853 he sold his Coitsville farm and bought the Walter Buchanan farm near Lowellville, Poland township, to which he moved. He removed to Lowellville in 1854, still running his farm and mining coal there, supplying the town of Lowell and neighboring country, and during the summer seasons shipped by the old canal to Cleveland. He returned to the farm in 1858. Hle then exchanged the same for the James Adair farm at Mt. Nebo, mov- ing there' in 1860, where he continued to reside until 1880; then sold the farm, mov- ing to the village of Struthers on account of failing health. He was one of the original members of the Struthers Iron Company, or- ganized April 1, 1869. He spent much of his time in managing business and lands of non-residents as administrator and executor of estates, and at times was guardian for three- fourths of the orphan children in Poland and Coitsville townships; he was an old-time Whig, and later a Republican; he was a member of the Seceder Church in early life, going with it to the United Presbyterian Church when the latter was organized. After
481
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
a busy life he died at Struthers, October 7, 1881. He was at that time a Ruling Elder of the church.
The subject of this sketch was a grandson of Robert Stewart, of Marsh Creek, Adams county, Pensylvania, who came to Ohio in 1802, and purchased lands in Coitsville and Liberty townships, on which he located six sons and two daughters. These sons and daughters, following the traditions of their Scotch-Irish ancestor, at once, with other settlers then arriving, interested themselves in organizing what was and still is known as the Seceder Corners Church in Liberty town- ship. The Rev. David Goodwillie, D. D., was pastor of this church for fifty years, re- signing in 1875 on account of the infirmities of old age. The Stewarts were at all times a prominent feature of this church, and the ten original pioneers with many of their de- scendants lie buried 'neath the shadows of its walls.
John Stewart, father of the subject of this sketch, married, in 1804, Agnes Struthers, sister of John Struthers, the second settler in Poland township, arriving there in 1799; she died September 24, 1824, aged fifty-two years, leaving four children: Robert H., M. D., born 1805; John, 1807; Sarah, 1809; and Agnes, 1812. John Stewart again mar- ried, Sarah Lackey, of North Beaver, Law- rence county, Pennsylvania; he died Novem- ber 16, 1838, aged seventy-one years; and Saralı, his second wife, died February 20, 1855, aged eighty-two years.
Colonel John Stewart married Mary Young Walker, January 5, 1836; she was the daugh- ter of Isaac and Rachel Walker. Isaac Walker was a son of Nathaniel and Mary Young Walker, who came from Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and settled on a farm near Lowellville, Poland township, now
owned by Thomas W. Kennedy. Isaac and Rachel were married in 1811, and settled by purchase on his father's farm, his mother having died in 1810. Mrs. Stewart was born January 5, 1813, and February 10, her father, then Captain of the United States Army of 1812, took his command to the pres- ent site of Fremont, Ohio, and there died, April 5, 1813, being buried in the camp. Rachel Walker, Mrs. Stewart's mother, born near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, was the daughter of Gabriel and Rachel (Lowry) Walker, Rachel Lowry being the daughter of James Lowry, of county Down, Ireland and Rachel Walker, of county Londonderry, Ire- land, who married and emigrated to Oxford, Chester county, Pennsylvania, before the Revolution. She, Rachel Walker, came to Ohio to visit her sister, Mrs. Joseph Porter, in 1811, and was there married; she was mar- ried a second time in 1820, to Hugh Trues- dale; he died August 20, 1862; she continued to reside with her daughter Margaret, wife of Thomas W. Kennedy, on the old homestead until the time of her death, March 20, 1870. Mrs. Stewart died at Struthers, September 1, 1885; she was well educated for the times, only having attended common schools and for a short period the old academy at Canfield. She had a strong mind, a wonderful memory and large individuality.
John and Mary Stewart were the parents of seven children: Isaac W., born in Coits- ville, May 27, 1838, educated in common school, about one year at Westminster Col- lege, clerked in his father's store, took a com- inercial course at business college, was ein- ployed by the City Bank, Cleveland, went to California in the employ of Cleveland capi- talists in 1860, and was murdered by Indians at Walker's lake, Nevada, in 1865. John H., born at Coitsville, August 24, 1840, attended
489
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
Canfield Academy for a short time, farmed, and taught school, married Rachel A. Moore of Poland, in 1862, studied pharmacy, and has been a successful druggist, in Washing- ton, Iowa, for twenty-five years; they have had five children,-Charles W., M. D., and Mary A., surviving. Hugh T., born at Coits- ville, June 10, 1843, attended common school, farmed, enlisted in Company A, Eigthy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, June 6, 1863; dis- charged February 10, 1864, worked a few months with Thomas W. Kennedy, building blast furnaces, but by reason of injuries re- ceived during service was unable to continue the business; took commercial course at busi- ness college. entered the employ of company then operating Lowell furnace, and was after agent for the railway company, went to Missouri in 1867, and in 1869 took charge of the office of the Struthers Iron Company at Struthers, Ohio, is still there, having been a member of the firm since 1880; he was married April 3, 1867, to Mattie de F. Ram- sey, daughter of Dr. Robert Ramsey, de- ceased, and Mary McCreery Ramsey; they have had five children, Mabel Barton and Harry Hull, surviving. Homer E. was born at Coitsville, May 21, 1845; he graduated at Westminster College in 1867, and began the study of law with Hon. Milton Sutliff the following fall; he attended Albany Law School, graduating in 1869, and in Septem- ber of the same year became a member of the bar of Ohio, and began the practice of his profession with Judge Sutliff. September 7, 1870, he married Kate L. Sutliff, daughter of Calvin G. Sutliff, deceased; they have three children: Milton S., Helen D. and Homer E. Albert S., born at Coitsville, September, 26, 1847, educated at Westminster College, at- tended theological seminary at Newburg, New York, was ordained a minister in the
United Presbyterian Church, and has filled pulpits in various places, now being in charge at Redclyffe, Pennsylvania; he married April 26, 1876, Charlotte E. Campbell of New York, born in 1856, the daughter of Solomon Campbell, deceased, a native of Ire- land; they have five children: Mary E., Charlotte O., Jolin C., Solomon W., and Margaret K. Wilfred H., born at Big Run, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1850, educated in common schools, remained with his parents until grown, was in the West several years, was employed as bookkeeper for the Struth- ers Iron Company for three years, remaining until January 1, 1882, when he took charge of the property and business of Hon. Thomas Struthers at Struthers, which position he still holds, in connection with the secretaryship of the J. A. & D. P. Cooper Company; he mar- Ina M. Lewis, of Crawfordsville, Iowa. She died June 24, 1883, leaving three children: Lewis S., John S. and Faith. Sarah Agnes, born at Coitsville, November 4, 1852, single and now residing at Wooster, Ohio.
OHN FINK, who owns twenty acres of land in Poland township, Mahoning county, Ohio, and who is one of the prominent horticulturists of this part of the country, was born here, November 21, 1817. He is a son of John and Charretta (Dice) Fink, the third born in their family of seven children. The other members of the family were: Mary, Barbara, Betsey, Kattie, Samuel and Rachel. His father was one of the ear- liest settlers of Mahoning county, having lo- cated here in 1802. Our subject's grand- father, George Fink, owned 640 acres of land, a portion of it now being in the possession of our subject, and here he was engaged in
483
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
farming and stock-raising, and also operated a sawmill for thirty years. This mill was built in 1828 and was run by water power. The average number of logs sawed per year was 600. He and his wife were members of the Reformed Church, were generous in their support of the gospel and all public enter- prises, and were ranked with the most prom- inent of the early pioneers.
John Fink, the subject of our sketch, was married in 1844, to Caroline Arner, and they had ten children : James W., Elizabeth, Frank, Lynda, Mary, Delia, Caroline M., Charles, Clara and John W. Seven of this number are still living. Mrs. Fink died in 1876, and in 1880 Mr. Fink married Mary New- house. She is a member of the Christian Church, while Mr. Fink is a Presbyterian, as also was his first wife.
Mr. Fink was formerly engaged in the saw- inill business, running his mill day and night for thirty years. He now gives his whole at- tention to his farm. Unlike his father, who was a Democrat, Mr. Fink gives his influence and support to the Republican party. He is one of the most worthy citizens of Mahoning county, and his family are likewise highly esteemed.
W ILLIAM R. STILES, the popular and efficient cashier of the First National Bank, of Warren, Ohio, of which city he is a life-long resident, was born here April 29, 1827. He comes of one of the most prominent families of the State, his father, Henry Stiles, having been for many years a leading merchant of Warren.
The Stiles family is of Scotch lineage and settled in New England in an early day. Henry Stiles, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Danbury, Connecticut, in
1798, and came to Canfield, Ohio, with his stepfather, Comfort S. Mygat, when but three or four years of age. When about four- teen years old, Henry came to Warren to make his home with a family in that place, and he here learned the saddler and harness trade, which he followed until 1833. In 1837, he engaged in the general merchandise busi- ness in that city, which he followed there until his death in 1869. IIe married Mary Reeves, a native of Pennsylvania, and they had four sons and two daughters; the worthy wife and mother died in 1859, aged sixty years, greatly regretted by all who knew her. The firm of Henry Stiles, Sons & Company, is still perpetuated in Warren, where it was ably guided for so many years by the founder and senior member, whose memory is still re- called with affectionate regard by all who knew him. He was a man of superior busi- ness ability and the highest integrity. He began life without capital other than his in- dustry and perseverance, combined with in- telligence and wise economy, characteristics which marked his useful career. He never aspired to public office, but was well informed in regard to the political issues of his day, in all of which he took a deep interest. He was originally a Whig, but later became a Re- publican and always a champion of right and liberty. Few men were his equal in honor and ability and the influence of none has re- sulted in more benefit to the community in which he lived and labored so long.
William R. Stiles, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Warren, and in 1842, when fifteen years of age, lie en- tered his father's store as a clerk, in whichi capacity he continued until 1858, when he became a partner in the firm. In 1882, he withdrew from the store, and in 1887 became cashier of the First National Bank of Warren,
484
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
where he has since continued, contributing by his financial ability and business integrity to the prosperity of this well known institu- tion, by inspiring. people with confidence in its management.
June 15, 1853, Mr. Stiles was married to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel and Lucy (Potter) Quinby, an estimable lady, now de- ceased. Two children were born to them: Lucy P., now the wife of Rolla A. Cobb, of Warren; Henry Q., engaged in the mercan- tile business at Warren, Ohio, married Miss Belle Thayer. They have one child, Will- iam R.
Although not active in politics, Mr. Stiles votes the Republican ticket and stanchly ad- vocates the measures of that party. He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Mahoning Lodge, No. 29. Like his father he is prominent in ad- vancing the welfare of his community, of which he is justly regarded as a representa- tive citizen.
A NON G. BENTLEY, a well-known citizen of Niles, was born in Brook- field township, Trumbull county, Ohio, December 25, 1824. His father, James Bentley, was a farmer by occupation; he died in Brookfield township, at the ad- vanced age of ninety-two years. His father, Benjamin, located in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1797, and there engaged in real-estate transactions on a large scale; he owned great bodies of agricultural lands, and at the time of his death had accumulated a handsome es- tate. He removed to Ohio before his death, about 1806. He married a Miss Baldwin, and they reared a family of eight children. James Bentley, their son, was a merchant's
clerk in his youth, and at the age of twenty- two he turned his attention to agriculture; he served his town as Justice of the Peace and was one of the Marshals who took the census in 1840. He married Temperance Buttles, the daughter of a Connecticut Yankee who emigrated to Trumbull county about the year 1820, and removed to Iowa City, Iowa, in 1855. James Bentley and wife reared a family of seven children: Amos B .; A. G., the subject of this notice, Caroline, wife of Mr. Woodbridge; Eveline, who married Mr. De Vol; Martin, deceased; Benjamin and Joel B.
A. G. Bentley received a fair English education in the district schools and private academies, and as soon as he was fitted for the profession engaged in teaching. In 1853 he gathered together all his pos- sessions and started to the gold-fields of Cal- ifornia, locating in Nevada county; there he remained five years, and met with satisfactory results. In 1858 he returned to his old home, and soon afterward settled in Youngstown, conducting a lumber business there for one year. In 1859 he assisted in organizing the First National Bank of Youngstown, and for many years was its vice-president and director. He was also interested in a flonring mill. In 1879 he came to Niles and assisted in organ- izing the Wick, Bentley & Co. Bank; this was afterward converted into a banking as- sociation of which Mr. Bentley was presi- dent; ten years afterward this association was succeeded by A. G. Bentley & Co., and in 1883 the business was closed out. Since that time Mr. Bentley has given his attention to real estate and other business interests.
During the war he was a stanch supporter of the cause of the Union, and was active in securing men for the ranks and providing for Youngstown's quota.
485
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
He was united in marriage August 5, 1858, to Miss Mary A. Ingraham, a daugh- ter of the Rev. S. W. Ingraham of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. Mr. and Mrs. Bent- ley are the parents of four children: Anon J., a banker residing in Kansas; Frank, Mary E., wife of W. A. Thomas, a dry-goods merchant of Niles; and an infant that died at the age of two years.
OHN LETT .- A good name is the best heritage a man can possibly leave to his descendants. Such an inheritance fell to the children of John Lett, one of the old and well known citizens. of Youngstown, now deceased, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, August 10, 1815. His parents dying when he was still a young man, he re- moved to this city in 1835 and married De- cember 22, of the following year, Miss Jane Shelley, a daughter of Daniel and Jane (Me- Clain) Shelley, two of the earliest pioneers of Youngstown. Mr. Shelley came to the city from Ireland in 1795, and in 1798 married and brought his young wife to the farm which he had purchased with the money his efforts had earned. That same property is still owned by his descendants and Shelley street was named for this sturdy old pioneer, although his death occurred in 1832, when he was about seventy-five years of age, many years before the street was laid ont. By oc- cupation he was a farmer and was unnsually well educated for his time, being regarded as a man of refinement and culture by all who knew him. Of the nine children borne to him, eight grew to maturity and married, but are now deceased, Lucius McClain Shelly, Sr., who died, February 4, 1893, being the last of the family. Mrs. Shelley was a na-
tive of Pennsylvania and was married in Beaver county, that State, and died in Youngstown in 1855, aged seventy-five years, a devout member of the Presbyterian Church.
The first year of the married life of Mr. and Mrs. Lett was spent in Hubbard county, but they then removed to Youngstown, where they purchased a home on the corner of Watt and Federal streets, bnt later removed into their larger and better residence on Shelley street, where Mr. Lett died in 1866 at the age of fifty-one, his wife surviving lim until 1889, when her death occurred at the age of seventy-one years. Seven children were born to them, namely: Ellen Mansel, who died in 1879, aged forty-one years, leaving six chil- dren: Ella P., Ida Irene, Lottie J., Nellie W., Katie C. and Alice; Horace O., a resi- dent of Coitsville township, married Jane Holland, by whom he has two children, Nel- son and Horace; Charlotte J .; John S .; Charles A., married Anna M. Hyle, and re- sides in Youngstown, engaged in the flour, coal and feed business, hus three children be- ing John C., Mary H. and Steward K .; Dan- iel L. married Lizzie J. Warner and now re- sides in Youngstown, being a carpenter and contractor by trade and occupation, his two children being, Willie A. and Alice G., and Willie A. died in 1865 at the age of eight years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lett were devout and earnest members of the Methodist Church, the date of their entrance into that body antedating their marriage.
In political matters Mr. Lett was a Whig and later a Republican, and during the late war, while he was too advanced in years to take any active part in the great struggle he sent two of his sons and two sons-in-law and was strongly in favor of continuing the struggle until rebellion was stamped out. Throughout his lifetime he was known as a
486
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
man of honor and integrity and his many virtues endeared him to a large circle of friends and acquaintances, among whom his influence for good was wide spread, and his memory lives in the hearts of those to whom he was known. Early in life he was a shoe- maker by trade, but later engaged in farming; both callings were pursued by him with characteristic zeal and enterprise, and the success attained by him was most deservedly obtained.
OHN S. ORR was born in Beaver coun- ty, Pennsylvania, January 15, 1842, a s on of James and Sarah (Mclaughlin) Orr, also natives of the Keystone State. James Orr was a carpenter by trade; he re- moved with his family to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1859, and continued his former vocation. John S. received his education at New Brighton, Pennsylvania, and then began to learn his father's trade. His plans were in- terrupted by the Civil war that shook this country from coast to coast, and called a halt npon all industries and paralyzed the opera- tions of commerce. In August, 1862, Mr. Orr enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Forty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry; he was assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in the battle at Fredericks- burg, in which engagement he was wounded in the ankle, and from that time was de- tailed as division forage master; he was in the field two days at the battle of Gettysburg, and saw both Grant and Lee at the time of the surrender at Appomattox; he ended liis military career at the grand review, in Wash- ington. His health was badly broken, but after his return home he resumed work at his trade; four years later his health again failed, and for many months life was a very uncer-
tain quantity to him. He finally rallied, and in 1869 he went to Kansas, returning somewhat improved at the end of twelve months.
In 1870 Mr. Orr purchased an interest in a furniture store in Youngstown, and took charge of the undertaking department; the firm name was Gilman, Orr & Company, and the business was carried on for eighteen months; at the end of this time Mr. Gilman withdrew, Mr. Shields taking his place in the business. This relationship continued until October, 1873, when the establishment was destroyed by fire. Mr. Orr then purchased the liearse and horses, and has since conducted the un- dertaking business alone. He is well equipped in every detail for this work, and has a large patronage.
He was married February 14, 1863, when home on a furlough, to Miss Sarah, daughter of Hon. Joseph and Nancy (Smith) Mont- gomery of Youngstown. Mr. and Mrs. Orr are the parents of four children: Edith is the wife of C. H. Kennedy, teller of the Commercial National Bank; Bessie is a graduate of the Rayen school; Nettie and Fred are twins; Nettie graduated from the Rayen school in June, 1893, and Fred is a graduate of the Peekskill Military Academy, New York. The father and mother are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. Mr. Orr is a member of the Tod Post, G. A. R .; lie belongs to Youngs- town Lodge, I. O. O. F., of which he is a charter member; he is a member of the A. O. U. W., of the O. U. A. M. and of the Elks; he is a member of the Masonic order, belonging to Western Star Lodge, No. 21, A. F. & A. M .; Youngstown Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M., and St. John's Commandery, No. 20, K. T .; he is a member of the Grand Consistory of Northern Ohio, S. P. R. S.,
487
OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
thirty-second degree; he belongs to Alkoran Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S .; he is also a member of the Veteran Legion. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and served as a member of the Town Council two years, declining re-election at the expiration of his first term. He is one of the repre- sentative business men of Youngstown, and in all his relations displays that integrity of character that wins and holds the confidence of all who meet him.
D R. WILLIAM BREADEN .- Having passed a long and honorable life, Dr. William Breaden yet lives in the hearts of those among whom he had labored. Possessing an unusual aptitude for his busi- ness he pursued it with untiring zeal and in- dustry and his success in this line was but the just reward of his enterprising efforts. Dr. Breadeu was born in Springdale, Hamil- ton county, Ohio, near Cincinnati, September 20, 1820, a son of Dr. Jeremialı and Epinetns (Sarter) Breaden, natives of Ireland and New Jersey respectively. Coming to this country at an early age with his parents, the father of our subject studied medicine in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, with Dr. Harmon. Of thirteen children born to Dr. and Mrs. Breaden but one, John Edward Breaden, a farmer of Greenville, Darke county, Ohio, is now living.
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.