Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 60

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 60
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 60
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 60

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The following extract is copied from a paper called Our Quarterly Statement, issued by the First Presbyterian Church of Youngs- town. The article is written by Mr. Wiek's pastor, D. H. Evans, D. D .: " Mr. Paul Wick on June 13, 1890, at his residence in this city, closed a life which has long been identified with our church and with our city. Born here sixty-five years ago and long and actively engaged in business, he was widely known and highly respected as a citizen. For twenty-eight years a member of this church, in various ways he has labored and largely given to its enterprises. His genial manners did much to sustain the social life of this organization, until recently it might safely be said that he knew every member of the flock of nearly 800. Knowledge with him was acquaintance, and acquaintance meant to

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be on friendly terms with the poorest and obscurest. In his death we lose a link that bound us to the honored toilers of the past -a generous friend whose deliberate and careful, yet kind and liberal benevolence did much for the good work in this community, and a brother who was possessed of the 'meekness of wisdom.' "

Mr. Wick was a Republican in politics, but never sought office, although he served in the City Council for several years and for nineteen years was a member of the Board of Education. In this capacity he served longer than any other inan in the entire city. A manly character only could have inspired such confidence, and a faithful and efficient service only could have secured its long con- tinuance. His continual re-election to the same official position speaks eloquently of a service well rendered, and of the high appre- ciation of talents in one of the most impor- tant offices of the city. He was largely in- strumental in the erection of the large and palatial school buildings on Front and Cov- ington streets. At the close of his nineteen years of service he left the School Board of his own accord, in 1879, much to the regret of the citizens of Youngstown. His death was felt throughout the community to be a personal loss to all tlie inliabitants, as he had endeared himself to them by a life of upright- ness and honesty. A life-long member of the Presbyterian Church, he served in the capacity of Trustee for many years, and was a liberal contributor to the church, benevolent and all other worthy enterprises. His charity was not confined to his own church, how- ever, but he gave liberally of his substance to all religious organizations. No one ever ap- pealed to lim in vain, and those asking his aid received a much larger contribution than they had reason to hope for or expect. In

disposition he was lovable, kind and court- eons, and was never known to slight at riend, although he was extensively acquainted and well and favorably known throughout the en- tire State. His practical knowledge of all the details of his business as well as his thorough acquaintance with the leading topics of the day, made him a most interest- ing conversationalist as well as a most com- petent adviser, and his opinion was sought by many, his views being received with the highest degree of respect. Pleasant in ad- dress, easy in manner, firm in his convictions, and of extraordinary force of character, he was uniformly admired for his honesty of purpose and his thorough business qualifica- tions. Tracing his ancestry back on both sides to people who were among the enter- prising and progressive pioneers of the city, Mr. Wick has proven himself a worthy off- spring of them. His life was actively de- voted to business pursuits, in which lie was most successful, and his death was mourned not only throughout the community in which he lived, but also by a large circle of ac- quaintances and friends, which he had at- tached to him through Ohio and surrounding States.

D AVID M. JOB, a member of the City Council of Niles, was born at Mon- mouthshire, Wales, December 21, 1848, a son of Michael and Margaret (Ste- vens) Job, both born and reared in that country. In 1864 the family came to the United States, locating at Newbury, Ohio, then a suburb of Cleveland, where the mother died, leaving one child, our subject. The father and son afterward came to Niles, and both are now employed as boiler-makers ,in the mills. The latter received his educa-

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cation in Wales, by reading and studying at home, and is now well informed on general topics. In 1892, he was elected a member of the City Council of Niles, by precinct B, and as an officer has shown ability and good business qualifications. He has been a resi- dent of this city for twenty-eight years.

At the age of twenty-three years, Novem- ber 3, 1870, Mr. Job was united in marriage with Ann Bomen, who was reared and edu- cated in Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, a daughter of Evan and Mary L. Bomen, the former deceased and the latter residing at Mineral Ridge. To this union have been born three children: Margaret Ann, Evan John, Mary Jane. Politically, Mr. Job is an active worker in the Republican party, and socially is Secretary of the I. O. O. F., Lodge No. 36; has held the position of secretary eight years in the Ancient Order of Foresters, and has passed the official chairs; he is a member of the Amalgamation Asso- ciation of American Iron and Steel Workers, and has been a delegate to its inany meetings. Mrs. Job is a member of the Baptist Church.

S OLOMON LIPPLY, who owns and occupies a farm of seventy-three acres in Springfield township, Mahoning county, Ohio, is a native of this place and a son of prominent pioneers, Christian and Barbara (Hallor) Lipply. He is one of a family of twelve children, nearly all of whom are still living and ocenpying honorable and useful positions in life.

Solomon Lipply was married in Beaver township, this county, in 1868. to Miss Caro- line Clerkler, daughter of John and Louisa Clerkler, well-known and highly esteemed people. Mr. and Mrs. Lipply have three

children, Selesta, Homer and Ida, born in 1870, 1878, and 1880, respectively. Selesta is the wife of Mr. S. Rapp, of Springfield township, this county. Both the Lipply and the Clerkler families are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, Mr. Lipply is a Democrat. He started ont for himself when he was twenty years old, and by honest industry and careful economy has succeeded in securing a snug little home, in which he and his family are surrounded with all the comforts of life. Like his father, be is noted for his piety and his strict integrity, and all who know him respect him for his many esti- mable traits of character.

A C. PFAU, a dealer in fine horses, New Springfield, Ohio, was born in Columbiana county, this State, in the year 1861. He is a son of John and Rebecca (Smith) Pfau, and one of a family of fourteen children. His father was a black- smith by trade, which trade he followed for forty years, and he also carried on farming to some extent, owning fifty-two acres of land. His life was characterized by simplicity, honesty and integrity, and he and his wife were faithful members of the Lutheran Church.

A. C. Pfau was married in 1884, to Miss Sydney Lower, daughter of John and Mary Lower. They have two children: Roy T., born in 1885; and Otto, in 1891. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics lie is Democratic.

Mr. Pfau learned the trade of carriage- maker, and worked at it seven years. For several years he has given his attention to horses, keeping on hand both carriage and coach horses. He is the owner of " Royal

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Pretender," a rich bay horse, with black mane, tail and legs. This horse is six years old, sixteen and a fourth hands high, and weighs 1,300 pounds. His beautifully shaped and well-poised head, his proudly arched neck, and his perfect gait, are the admiration of all who behold him. He has been exhib- ited at eleven different fairs, from each of which he has carried away the first prize.

L EVI J. SIMONTON .- Among the en- terprising and progressive business men of Youngstown, is Levi J. Simon- ton, City Commissioner, whose name has been connected with the vast operations in iron which have made the city famous throughout the country for many years. He is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Mercer county, that State, October 22, 1840, a son of James and Catherine (Clark) Simonton, both natives of the same State. The father was a miller by trade and operated a gristmill on the Shenango river, being an early settler and pioneer of that section of country, and his name is cherished through- out Mercer county as a synonym of honesty and uprightness. His death occurred when he had attained his eighty-second year, his wife dying in 1867, aged sixty-nine years. During their long and eventful lives they were faithful and devout members of the Methodist Church and were noted for their charity and benevolence. Such lives as theirs should prove to the young an example worthy of emulation. For their many kind deeds they were beloved by all with whom they came into contact, and the recollection of their loving, faithful and consistent Chris- tian lives arouses in many hearts a desire to so live that when death shall have called

them away from this earth, those left behind will have as many kind and pleasant memo- ries abont them as are preserved about Mr. and Mrs. Simonton.

Of the four children born to his parents, our subject was the youngest, the others being: Jemina, wife of William Stillings, who resides in Sharon, Pennsylvania; S. C., a resident of Mercer county; and Mary N., wife of Israel Garretson, who is now de- ceased. The educational advantages enjoyed by onr subject were not of the best, but, owing to his natural ability, he was enabled to secure a sufficient amount of necessary knowledge to enable him to successfully con- duct his affairs during his active and useful life. Coming to Youngstown in 1859 he has resided in this city continuously ever since and is now numbered among the lead- ing and representative business men of the place. For thirty years he was connected with the Brown-Bonnell mills, being the as- sistant superintendent for twelve years, and was also connected with the rolling mills, continuing the latter association until his elec- tion to his present office, in 1892, which posi- tion he still retains, his term not expiring until April 20, 1894.

Mr. Simonton was married in 1863 to Miss Charlotte J. Lett, a daughter of John and Jane (Shelley) Lett, by whom he he has had four sons, namely: William L., who is now connected with the Brown-Bonnell Company, being in charge of a department in the office, and who is married to Miss Lottie Kellie; John L., in the flour, feed and coal business, under the firm name of Lett & Simonton, of Youngstown; S. C., clerk in Brown- Bonnell Company's office; and Levi J., Jr., still at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Simonton are de: vout and faithful members of the Methodist Church, in which they are active factors. For

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over twenty-five years he has been a member of the Odd Fellow lodge, and has- passed all the chairs in that organization.

During the late war Mr. Simonton was in the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company D, serving for three months, when he was hon- orably discharged with his regiment, the time of enlistment having expired. Holding decided and pronounced views on political matters, Mr. Simonton has always given ex- pression to them, and, owing to his ability and integrity, the people have conferred upon him various positions of trust and responsi- bility, which he has occupied with character- istic intelligence, giving the most uniform satisfaction to all with whom he has come in contact. The success which has attended his efforts has been gained by the pursuit of honorable and enterprising methods, and Mr. Simonton is justly regarded as one of the leading and representative exponents of the business men of the city of Youngstown.

ESSE F. ALLEN has been prominently identified with the agricultural interests of Mahoning county, Ohio, since arriv- ing at years of maturity, and has aided very materially in elevating the standard of the live-stock raised in this section of the State. He was born on the farm on which he now resides, August 13, 1841, and is a son of Martin and Lucy Maria (Fitch) Allen, pio- neers of this county; they reared a family of twelve children, seven of whom are now liv- ing. Jesse F. was the second son born to these worthy people; in early life he became inured to the hard labor of the frontier farm, but acquired a good education in the district school and at Cottage Hill Academy.

The quiet monotony of his life was brought to a sudden end by the declaration of war be- tween the North and South of the country which had hitherto had no internal dissen- sions. August 13, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, Company H, and participated in many of the most noted engagements of the war; he was with Sherman on his march to the sea, returned through the Carolinas, and was present at the grand review in Washington, District of Columbia. At one time he was granted a furlough on account of disability, but as soon as his health would permit, re- joined his command near Chattanooga. He was honorably discharged at the close of the war, and then returned to take up the old duties on the farm. He now owns the old homestead, a choice tract of 230 acres, well improved with substantial build- ings and all the conveniences of modern invention. Mr. Allen makes a specialty of raising sheep and cattle, and has been uni- formly successful in every branch of hus- bandry which he has essayed.

Politically he adheres to the principles of the Republican party ; he has served as. Town- ship Clerk and Trustee, and has been a dele- gate to county conventions. He is a member of Kirkbride Post, No. 600, G. A. R., and has filled the offices of Commander and Adju- tant with marked ability. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has been an Elder of this society for a number of years. A man of excellent business qualifications and strict integrity, he has the respect and confidence of all who know him.

Martin Allen, deceased, father of Jesse F. Allen, was one of the prominent pioneers of Mahoning county. He was born at Windham Connecticut, August 25, 1807, and received a thorough education in his youth; he en-

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gaged in teaching in his native State, and in 1829 came to Mahoning county, Ohio; he settled on the farm now occupied by his widow and son, and did his part toward de- veloping a fertile farm in the forest. He also aided in establishing schools for the children of early settlers, and himself taught a number of terms in the primitive log schoolhouse. He was married March 12, 1832, to Miss Lucy Maria Fitch, who was born in 1811, and of this union there were twelve children: Lloyd, Enoch, Mary Eliza, Jesse Fitch, Chester, William Hoyt, Henry Bingham, Lucy A., Jettie W., Enoch F., Betsey Ann and a son who died in infancy. The paternal grandparents of our subject were Enoch and Betsey (Witter) Allen; they were married in 1794, and reared a family of five children: Asa W., John, Eliza, Martin and David. The earliest ancestors of the family in this country were Samuel and Ann Allen, who emigrated from Somersetshire, England, to the United States and settled in Braintree, Massachusetts.

G ENERAL JAMES H. FORD, de- ceased, was born in Painesville, Ohio, in the year 1829, a son of James R. and Julia (Tod) Ford. His father's family came from Connecticut to Ohio at an early day, and settled upon the Reserve. James H. made the most of the limited educational advantages afforded in the com- mon schools and the academy at Twinsburg. Arriving at years of maturity he became in- terested in the great iron industry of the State, and built one of the first furnaces at Youngstown; lie sold this and went to Cleve- land, and there became a member of the firm of Ford, Rhodes & Company, dealers in coal.

On account of failing health he went to Omaha, Nebraska, but after a short time there went on to Colorado. He was still there when the dark war cloud spread its sable pall over this nation, and threatened the existence of the Union. He was commis- sioned by Governor Gilpin to raise a company, which was afterward Company A, Second Colorado Cavalry. An intimate acquaintance writes as follows of his deceased comrade: " It is a sad duty for us to perform to record the death of one of Colorado's bravest soldiers, with whom we have served so long and with whom we have had the honor of participating in every battle of the late Rebellion in which he was engaged. We speak advisedly when we declare that no kinder officer or braver soldier ever set a squadron in the field." Always prompt to duty, always in the thickest of the fight, by his lion-hearted courage he won the confidence of his men who would follow him to the death if he would lead them. There is not a man in his old regi- ment who will not deeply sympathize with his afflicted widow in her great bereavement. In the winter of 1861-'62 he entered the service as Captain of one of the independent companies; this was afterward made Company A, of the Second Colorado Infantry; with it he marched to New Mexico, and was in the campaign against the invading force of Texans in that territory. In May, 1862, Colonel Leavenworth was authorized to raise the Second Colorado Infantry, when Captain Ford's company was made part of it, and he was made its Major. During the following snmmer the raising of the Third Colorado Infantry was authorized by Governor Evans; he took charge of recruiting it, and the fol- lowing January, the Second and Third In- fantry being consolidated and made the Second Cavalry, he was mustered in as its

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Colonel. Soon afterward the regiment was ordered to western Missouri, and Colonel Ford was placed in command of the fourth sub-district of the district of central Mis- souri, which comprised the counties of Jack- son, Cass and Bates, the very worst bush- whacking district in the West. During the spring and summer of 1864, by his energy and judicious management Colonel Ford met with better success than any of his predeces- sors. In the celebrated campaign known as Price's raid, he commanded a brigade of the Army of the Border, and for gallantry and meritorious services in this campaign he re- ceived the rank of Brevet Brigadier-General. After the close of this campaign he was ordered to Fort Riley and placed in com- mand of the district of the Upper Arkansas; he held this command until the regiment was inustered out in the fall of 1865. We feel that this brief sketch of the military career of General Ford illy does him justice. He leaves a fond wife to mourn the loss of a kind husband, four children the loss of a de- voted father, and a regiment of men who loved him as a brother. May he receive the reward of a brave soldier and patriot."

General Ford was married at Briar Hill, Ohio, May 22, 1850, to Miss Arabella Stam- baugh, a daughter of John and Sarah Stam- baugh, whose history will be found on another page of this volume. The General and his wife reared a family of four children: Sarah, wife of H. M. Garlick; David Tod, who married Miss Carrie Arms, deceased; James R., deceased; and John S., deceased, who married Harriet Wick, a daughter of Paul Wick.

Mrs. Arabella Ford, widow of the General, is still living, a highly esteemed resident of Youngstown; she is a woman of much force of character, and during the war was a sister

of mercy to many a suffering soldier. Gen- eral Ford died at Akron, Ohio, in 1867, deeply lamented by the entire community. Strongly in sympathy with all progressive movements he identified himself with the advancing element of society, winning the highest regard of all who prize good citizen- ship.

AMES B. KENNEDY .- Few men are more deserving of mention in the his- tory of Ohio than the subject of this sketch, not only on his own account, but be- cause his ancestors came to this State in its earliest days, and contributed by their energy and ability to start that civilization which has attained to its present remarkable growth.

The founder of this family in America was James Kennedy, who emigrated from Ireland some time in 1700 and settled in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania. His wife was the daughter of a nobleman, Lord Stewart, and she was married to Mr. Kennedy after her arrival in America. They had one son and three dangliters.

This son, who was named after his father, after arriving at the age of maturity, was married to a lady by the name of Clark, whose parents, with herself, also resided in Cumberland, Pennsylvania. They had four sons and one daughter. Of these, John Kennedy was the oldest, and served with distinction in the war of 1812 on the side of American independence. The other sons were James, Joseph and Thomas Kennedy, the name of the daughter being nnknown to the writer. These four sons emigrated with their father, James Kennedy, to the Western Reserve in Ohio in 1808, and settled in the township of Coitsville, Trumbull county, where the father resided until his death. He

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was a man of strong physical constitution and survived to the ripe old age of eighty- nine years, a patriarch of imposing appear- ance and genial personality, whose influence is still felt for good in the community where he passed so many years of his useful life.

Some time after the father's arrival in Trumbull county his oldest son, John Ken- · nedy, returned to the East and again settled in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, the early home of the original American ances- tor of the family. The other three sons of the Ohio patriarch, James, Joseph and Thomas, remained in Coitsville township, Trumbull county. Of these, James and Joseph, on attaining majority, married sis- ters, respectively, Sarah and Betsy Reed, whose father, John Reed, was also a pioneer of Ohio, having emigrated from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to the township of Coitsville in 1804, his arrival antedating that of most of the other early settlers. The paternal grandparents of these two girls were descendants of Irish parentage, while those on their mother's side were of Scottish an- cestry.

Of these brothers, James Kennedy is the one who particularly engages the attention, as having been the grandfather of the sub- ject of this sketch. He remained a resident of Coitsville township all his life, and, like his father, was a citizen of prominence and moral worth, ever ready to advance his connty's interests, and is held in respectful remembrance by the older inhabitants of his vicinity and by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. His children were ten in number, and in order of birth are: James Bailey; John R., father of Mr. Kennedy of this notice; T. W., W. H., J. C., D. S., II. G., Mary Elizabeth, Margaret Jane and Nancy Matilda. Of these, W. II., J. C. and

H. G. Kennedy emulated the example of their brave forefathers, giving their services to their country in her hour of need and in the cause of liberty in the war of 1864.

James Bailey Kennedy, the eldest, is a citizen of Liberty township, Trumbull county, his occupation being that of a farmer. He has two children, a son and daughter: Leon Adison and Sally.

John R. Kennedy, the second son, and father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Coitsville, Ohio, in 1820. He was an early pioneer in the iron business at Youngs- town, Ohio, being master mechanic of the first Himrod furnace, and was identified as a builder and manager of furnaces the remain- der of his life. He was also engaged in Youngstown, for a number of years before his death, with his brother, J. C. Kennedy, in the furniture and undertaking business. Mr. John R. Kennedy was several times honored by his fellow citizens with official positions of importance and responsibility, serving at one time for a number of years as County Commissioner. His duties in these public capacities were discharged with the same rigid uprightness and wisdom which distinguished his actions as a private citizen, and he enjoyed in full the confidence and esteem of the people. In politics he was originally a Democrat and later a Republi- can, and, with the blood of Revolutionary patriots in his veins, always a stanch sup- porter of the cause of liberty. He married Elizabeth Bird, born in Shropshire, England, in 1823, who emigrated from that country with her sister. Both he and his wife died in Haselton, Ohio, the former in 1869 and the latter in 1870, followed by the regrets of all who knew them. They were the parents of two children: David S. and James B., of this notice. David S. engaged, soon after

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his majority, in the iron business, and be- came distinguished as a steel man in the mills of Carnegie, Phipps & Company, at Homestead, Pennsylvania. Of the second son we shall speak more at length further on.

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 60

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