USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 71
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 71
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 71
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Joseplı P. Cessna spent his boyhood and youth in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and at the early age of sixteen years was engaged in teaching school. He was one of the most efficient instructors in Bedford county, where he remained until 1847. He then removed to Seneca county, Ohio, and for five years continued teaching. He also gave consider able time to the study of medicine, and later became a student in the Cleveland Medical College, from which he was gradnated in 1851 with the degree of M. D. He prac- ticed in Seneca county, Ohio, from 1851 to 1855, thence moving to Kalamo, Eaton county, Michigan. Here he was interrupted by the call to defend the nation's flag. To- gether with his neighbors he organized two independent companies of cavalry. He served as Lieutenant, and was afterward transferred to the medical department, and . remained till the fall of 1865, when he was mustered out at Raleigh, South Carolina. When the war was ended he returned to Michigan and resumed his professional du- ties. In 1876, he went to Noble county, Indiana, and in 1885 came to Canfield, Ohio. Here he has since resided. He has not prac- ticed for the past sixteen years.
Our subject was married May 31, 1885, in Painesville, Lake county, Ohio, to Elizabeth
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
K. Bowman, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, a daughter of Josiah Bowman, deceased, who was a son of Christian Bow- man, a son of Phillip Bowman, who settled in Green township, Mahoning county, in 1806. Christian Bowman married Elizabeth Kreggor, and to them were born four sons and two daughters. Josiah Bowman mar- ried Sarah Strawn, who was born in Goshen township, Mahoning county, Ohio, and is now living, at the age of seventy-nine years; they had a family of five children: Allen, Elizabeth K., wife of our subject, Anna E., Amelia and Jefferson. Mrs. Cessna has been very active in carrying forward the great work of temperance reform, and was one of the pioneer crusaders in 1873. She is one of the prominent members of the W. C. T. U., and has served as President of the county organization. Mr. Cessna joined the Washingtonians at New Albany, Ohio, early in the '40s, under the influence of John Campbell, father of Walter Campbell, a highly esteemed citizen of Youngstown, Ohio. He is now an ardent supporter of the Prohi- bition movement. He and his wife are con- sistent members of the Congregational Church.
IDEON CRUM, who is ranked with the representative farmers of Austin- town township, Mahoning county, Ohio, is a native of this place, and a member of a large pioneer family. He was born March 24, 1827, son of John and Katie Crum, of Austintown, the names of their nine chil- dren being as follows: Eli, Gideon, Mary, Susan, Levi, Margaret, Sarah, Amanda and John. Six of this number are still living. John Crum came from Pennsylvania to
Ohio when he was four years old, and here he spent the rest of his life engaged in farm- ing and stock-raising on his large farm of 231 acres. He did an extensive cattle business at an early day, buying np cattle in this part of the country, and driving them to Eastern markets. Politically, he was a Democrat, and for a number of years filled the office of Township Trustee. He and his wife were active members of the Reformed Church, and contributed liberally toward its support, and also various charitable purposes. He died in 1873.
Gideon Crum was married September 7, 1848, to Amanda Gilbert, of Canfield, Ohio, daughter of Samuel and Mary Gilbert. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert had four children, the other three being Rebecca, Solomon and Levi. Mr. Gilbert died July 1, 1833, and his widow survived him until 1882.
Mr. and Mrs. Crum have three children: William E., Eliza A., and Charles W. All are married and settled in homes of their own. William E. wedded Amy Crum, and has five children: Eliza A. is the wife of G. Handwork, and has three children; and Charles W. married Miss Lucy Yeager, of Canfield.
Mr. Crum owns eighty-eight acres of fine farming land, and divides his attention between general farming and stock-raising. He and his wife are active members of the Reformed Church. They are among the lead- ing families in their vicinity.
W ILLIAM COOPER, one of the re- spected citizens of Coitsville township, Mahoning county, Ohio, is located on a small tract of fine farming land, and is successfully engaged in farming and stock-
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raising. During his early life he was engaged in teaching here for ten years, and is well- known throughont this vicinity.
Mr. Cooper was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, in the year 1825; son of David and Rebecca Cooper. His father, one of the early settlers of this part of Ohio, was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1762; was married in 1807, and died in 1855. He was a Democrat in politics, and both he and his were members of the United Presbyterian Church.
William Cooper was married in 1853, to Sarah J. Dickson. A record of their chil- dren is as follows: D. S., born in 1854, married a Miss Silic; Martha R., born 1857, is the wife of Dr. F. L. Round; Evaline A., born in 1859, is the wife of Fyndale Palmer; Jane I., born in 1863; James A., 1866; John Q., 1868; and Clara B., born in 1873, died in 1878. Mrs. Cooper was born 1835, and died in 1891. She was a devoted Christian woman and was for many years an active member of the United Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Cooper is a stanch Republican, and for eight years has served as Township Clerk.
W ILLIAM KIRK, one of the promi- nent men and prosperous farmers of Mahoning county, Ohio, is a resident of Boardman township.
He was born in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, June 15, 1825, son of John and Ann (Chapman) Kirk, who were of Irish ex- traction. He received a fair education in his youth, and when he was married, in 1846, started out in life without capital. His pres- ent prosperity is the result of his own ull- aided efforts. For twenty years he was en- gaged in the coal business, in which he was
very successful, and for a number of years past has devoted his energies to agricultural pursuits. He now owns 100 acres of land, and is in good circumstances.
Mr. Kirk married Menerva A. Ruggles, who was born in Broome county, New York, but who, at the time of her marriage, was a resident of Wellsville, Ohio, she having re- inoved to this State in 1835. They became the parents of four children, as follows: Marintha A., wife of North Newton; Laura E., wife of Lyman Fredrick; Willard C., who married Ida E. Hahm; and Mary L., wife of James Shay.
Mrs. Kirk is a daughter of Nathaniel and Marintha (Watrous) Ruggles, and is one of a family of five children. We record that her forefathers were formerly from Wales,-the Watrouses and Weltons. Two brothers (Watrouses) emigrated to this country two hundred and fifty years ago, and settled in Saybrook, Connecticut. John Welton and his wife, whose maiden name was Mary Upson, came over to this country in the May- flower in the year 1667, and settled in Water- bury, Connecticut, in 1669. Both the Watrouses and the Weltons belonged to the Church of England, and they were not very forward in opposing the English Government. Grandfather John Watrous was crippled in one hand, and could not enter muster. He, with his family, moved from Connectient to New York, and settled near Windsor, in Broome county, when he bought a large tract of land. He was engaged in farming and stock-raising all his life. He lived to a good old age, respected by all who knew lıim. He and his wife reared a family of ten children, all good citizens, one son an eminent physi- cian, and all members of church except one. Marinthia Watrous married Nathaniel Rug- gles greatly in opposition to her parents, they
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
thinking he would not accumulate property and provide for a family. He, however, proved to be a successful man, being for a number of years engaged in farming and stock-raising in New York, and also doing a successful business in rafting in that State. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. Both he and his wife were identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were noted for their deeds of charity.
Mr. Kirk was a Union soldier in the Civil war. Since the war he lias affiliated with the Republican party, and has taken an act- ive interest in local affairs. He has served as Assessor four times; has filled the office of Supervisor, and, at this writing is a director of the Mahoning County Infirmary. Mrs. Kirk is a member of the Christian Church.
A LLEN CALVIN has been identified with the milling interests of Malion- ing county since 1880, and has at- tracted a large patronage to Canfield, where he has one of the best equipped mills in this section of country. He is a native of Mahoning county, Ohio, born August 19, 1842, a son of Robert and Jane (McBride) Calvin, natives of Ohio and Virginia respect- ively. Robert Calvin was born August 22, 1800, and died in the month of May, 1880; his wife was born in 1815, and survived him bnt two weeks; he was one of the most suc- cessful farmers in Green township, and was highly respected in the community. He reared a family of nine children, seven of whom are still living. Dr. A. W. Calvin, the fourth son, was engaged in the practice of his profession in Canfield; after attending some very malignant cases of diphtheria in 1881 he was stricken with the disease, which proved
fatal. Allen Calvin received his education in the common schools of this county, and was reared to the occupation of a farmer, fol- lowing this vocation until 1871, when he en- gaged in the milling business.
In 1863 he removed to Illinois, but re- turned to his home after a year; at the end of another twelvemonths he went back to Illi- nois and there resided until 1880. He was united in marriage in 1868 to Miss Julia E. Reese, a native of Pennsylvania and a daugh- ter of Elias Reese, one of the most promin- ent millers and lumbermen of Pennsylvania; Mr. Reese removed to Kansas in 1870 and there passed the remainder of his life; his death occurred in 1881. Mr. and Mrs. Cal- vin had born to them a family of three chil- dren: Cora Lee, who died in her sixth year, Eva Lanra and Jo. Mrs. Calvin died a few weeks after her little daughter, in November, 1874. Upon his return to Ohio in 1880 Mr. Calvin continued his inilling operations in partnership with Joseph Stafford, until 1888, when he purchased Mr. Stafford's interest. He conducted a very profitable and satisfac- tory business with the old-style mill until 1893, when he remodeled and refitted his es- tablishment with a new and complete roller process, with a daily capacity between fifty and sixty barrels; they can also grind at the same time 100 bushels of corn. Situated in the midst of a fertile, wheat-growing country, they have drawn a large patronage, and by strictly correct business methods have retained the good will of all with whom they have had dealings.
Mr. Calvin was married a second time in 1885, being united with Mrs. Mary E. Fowler, a daughter of Francis and Elizabeth Frethy of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Calvin is a worthy member of the Presby- terian Church. The children, Eva L. and
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Jo, are gradnates of the Canfield Normal School. Politically Mr. Calvin adheres to the principles of the Democratic party, but takes little interest in the issues of that body. He is a member of the I. O. O. F. and has been a faithful officer in the subordinate lodge.
W ADE E. SIMONS, wholesale butcher, Youngstown, Mahoning county, Ohio, is one of the enterprising young business men of the town. The fol- lowing facts in regard to his life have been gleaned for publication.
Wade E. Simons was born in Boardman township, Mahoning county, Ohio, February 20, 1857, son of Jesse and Betsey (William. son) Simons. Jesse Simons, also a native of Boardman township, was born in 1828, and in that township he grew to manhood, and was married. He still resides there, owning and occupying a fine farm. Jacob Simons, the father of Jesse, was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio at an early day, where he bought a farm and spent the remainder of his life, dying about 1862. He was one of the leading men of his day. Politically, he was first a Whig and afterward a Free-soiler. He was a member of the German Lutheran Church. His wife, Elizabeth Stemple by maiden name, was a native of Virginia, and they were married here in Ohio. She, too, was a Lutheran. The grandparents owned and lived upon the farm, 151 acres, which is now occupied by our subject's father. They settled here when this was all dense forest, and there were few hardships and privations through which they did not pass. Grandmother Simon was a woman of marked intelligence and good edn- cation, and was for a number of years engaged
in teaching school, the schoolhouse in which she taught being one of the first in the town- ship. During the sugar-making season in the early pioneer days, it was no unusual thing for her to boil sugar water until midnight, and rock her baby in a sap trough, while the howling wolves made music near by. She made several trips back to Virginia on horse- back, on one occasion riding a young horse that had never before been ridden, and carry- ing her babe in her arms. Once, while ford- ing a river, her horse fell in the middle of a the stream, and at another time, while fol- lowing a mountain pass, it stumbled, and was precipitated a distance of twenty feet. She, however, was not hurt. She could spin and weave, and was familiar with every phase of pioneer life. She survived her husband sev- eral years, and died abont 1878, when near ninety. After Grandfather Simons' death, Jesse succeeded to the home farm. He is one of a family of four sons and five dangh- ters, all honorable and upright citizens. Lydia, wife of Elias Rupert, died in Indiana in 1876; Delila, wife of George Wormly, died in Mahoning connty, Ohio, in 1870; Saloma, who married Moses Webber, lives in Board- man township, near the old Simons liome- stead; Salinda, wife of John Shafer, lives in Indiana; David, at one time Auditor of Mahoning county, is deceased; Levi, for many years a minister of the Disciple Church, and a pioneer of Wood county, Ohio, is still liv- ing; Gideon, also a resident of Wood county ; and Boardman. The Simonses are of German descent, and the children were educated in German schools. Jesse Simons never attended an English school a day in his life. It was German that Grandmother Simons taught. The mother of our subject was born in Youngstown. She is a sister of Joseph Williamson, one of the prominent men of
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
this place. Mr. and Mrs. Simons have had six children, three of whom survive. Both par- ents are members of the Disciple Church.
Wade E. Simons was reared on his father's farm, and his district-school education was supplemented by a commercial course in a business college at Youngstown. He was married, in the fall of 1880, to Miss Mary Gilby, who was born in England in 1855, daughter of C. Gilby. When she was two years old her parents emigrated to Canada, where, soon afterward, her mother died. The father and little girl then came to Youngs- town, Ohio, where he followed teaming and farming. His death occurring not long after- ward, little Mary found a home in the family of Henry Osborn. She is the only daughter in a family of five children. Mr. and Mrs. Simons have two children: Walter G., born in Jannary, 1884, and Ethel, in September, 1886. He and his wife are members of the Disciple Church.
Mr. Simons began dealing in stock before he reached his majority, carrying on the stock business in connection with farming, and finally merged his operations entirely into the stock business. For some time he lived at the old homestead, and then he bought a corner of the farm, the place on which he now lives, borrowing the money to pay for it. This debt, $1,100, he has since paid off. In partnership with another party, he put up the Youngstown stockyards, where he sold cattle on foot, and where he also killed and dressed beeves for market. A year later he disposed of his interest in the company and engaged In business for himself. From time to time he has increased his facilities, is now well equipped for carrying on the slaughter business on an immense scale, and is doing a large wholesale business. He has built large sheds, has everything conveniently ar-
ranged, and dresses no less than twenty beeves per week besides other stock. He is located a mile and three-quarters from Youngstown, on the Flint Hill road, where he owns seven- teen acres of land. He not only sells his product to dealers here, but he also makes shipments to other points, receiving much of his stock from Chicago.
D R. HENRY HARRIS, a retired drug- gist and grocer of Ashtabula, Ohio, who was for twelve years Postmaster of that city, a gentleman widely known and highly esteemed for his many estimable qual- ities, was born in Smithfield, Rhode Island, June 24, 1805. His ancestors were early settlers of America, the paternal grandfather of Dr. Harris having been born in Provi- dence, Rhode Island, April 3, 1752. He was for many years in charge of an extensive linen factory in Smithfield, from which point linen goods were exported to all parts of the world. He was religiously a Quaker and opposed to all warfare, in consequence of which he did not participate in the Revolu- tionary war. He was married in 1779 to Hepsibalı Bunker, whose ancestors were French and originally spelled their name " Bonqnor." They had nine children: David F., father of the subject of this sketch; Han- nah, the first, born June 3, 1783; Sarah, born August 28, 1784; William, the first, born December 1, 1781; William, the second, born December 28, 1785; Joseph, December 26, 1787; Daniel, the first, August 23, 1789; Hannah, the second, May 27, 1791; Samuel, May 7, 1793; and Daniel, the second, Octo- ber 23, 1795. David F. Harris, father of Dr. Harris of this notice, was born August 17, 1780, and December 31, 1800, was mar-
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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.
ried to Lydia Streeter, born January 27, 1783. The father was a Quaker in religious faith and a farmer by occupation. He removed from Rhode Island to Dutchess county, New York, when the subject of this sketch was an infant, and when the latter was fourteen years of age his parents settled in Saybrook township, the same county. Here the father followed farming until elected Postmaster of Saybrook, in which latter position he effi- ciently served for many years. He died as he had lived, a consistent Christian gentleman, universally beloved and respected, his death occurring in 1848, when he was little more than sixty-eight years of age. The devoted wife and mother died February 11, 1837. They had nine children: Edward, born Oc- tober 3, 1801; Sophia, October 10, 1803; Henry, the subject of this sketch; Samuel, January 2, 1807; Rufus, December 25, 1809; Paul B., August 9, 1812; Beulah Ann, Jan- uary 6, 1815; Hepsibalı H., January 29, 1817; and Rhoda, December 13, 1819. Ed- ward, the oldest born, became the celebrated manufacturer of woolen goods, known as the Harris cassimeres, his factory being in Woon- socket, Rhode Island. He amassed great wealth in this business and died in 1873. Samuel, another brother, was also a woolen manufacturer, first at Leeds and later at Catskill, New York. Rufus was a farmer, and Paul was for many years a merchant in Ashtabula, Ohio.
The early life of the subject of this sketch was paseed in Saybrook, New York, where lie received his education. His first business experience was as a clerk in the store of D. I. Boyd & Company, when there was but three stores in Saybrook. He was thus en- gaged until 1829, when he formed a partner- ship in the merchandise business with Levi Jenks, with whom he continued until 1830.
Young Harris then joined the western tide of emigration, coming to Ashtabula, Ohio, where lie entered the drug and grocery busi- ness, in which he was successfully engaged until 1842. He then began traveling and selling medicine from a wagon, establishing agencies wherever he went. He was thus em- ployed five years, traveling in the meantime all over the States of Indiana, Illinois, Mich - igan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Missouri. At the end of this time, in 1848, he returned to Ashtabula and for a number of years was not engaged in any business except settling up his father's estate. In 1861 he was appointed Postmaster of Ashta- bula and capably filled this position twelve years, when he was succeeded by Joseph F. Sexton, now at Spokane Falls, Washington. Since leaving the post office he has been in business but two years, during which time he was railway mail clerk between Ashtabula and New Castle, Pennsylvania. With an ample income assured him, the necessity for further exertion is eliminated, and the Doc- tor is enjoying in retirement those pursnits which he finds most congenial.
December 2, 1851, Dr. Harris was married in Bloomfield, Wisconsin, to Miss Mary S. Whittier, a native of Newburyport, Massa- chusetts, and a relative of the celebrated American poet, John G. Whittier. They have had six children: Ella, born Septem- ber 18, 1852, married Joseph F. Sexton and has two children: Mary Lonise and Katie; Emina, born November 29, 1853, died young; Harriet, born June 24, 1855, also died young; Henry Fremont, born September 25, 1856, now lives in Warren and is editor of the Daily and Weekly Tribune of that city. He married, on March 16, 1881, Bessie Isabel Darling, of Elyria, Ohio, and they have one child: William Russell. Antoinette, born
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
February 25, 1857, died young; Walter Whittier, born February 21, 1867, is single and is employed in the Lake Shore & Michi- gan Southern Railroad office at the harbor.
The Doctor is public-spirited and progres- sive in disposition and takes a deep interest in the welfare of Ashtabula, to the advance- ment of which he has materially contributed.
S IMON MILLER, a respected and prosperous farmer of Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Newton township, same county, December 26, 1833, and is the son of Samuel and Nancy (Hudson) Miller. Samuel was a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in Little York, the son of Leonard Miller, who came to Ohio as early as 1804, settling in Newton township, where he pur- chased a tract of land consisting of 640 acres, which he improved. Of this tract Samuel received 180 acres, which he cultivated to the time of his death, in September, 1856. He and his wife, Nancy, had eight children: Sarah Ann, Lucretia, Horace, Nancy, Mary E., Simon (whose name heads this sketch), Eliza, and Leonard D. Of these the living are Lucretia, Mary E., Simon, Eliza, and Leonard.
Simon's early life was spent on his father's farm and at the country school, being an in- dustrious and good son. He received a cer- tain partition of his father's estate, and that, in connection with what he afterward ob- tained from a brother and uncle, makes his holdings in landed property now 200 acres, which he has brought into a state of fine cultivation. He has added to the value and attractiveness of this farm by the erection of a fine dwelling-house, commodious barns and
out-buildings, etc. He carries on a general farming, raising the cereals and giving con- siderable attention to stock.
Mr. Miller was married, June 3, 1858, to Lucina Wright, and their only child is Elmer, who is now in Pueblo, Colorado. Mrs. Mil- ler died January 28, 1867, and Mr. Miller, for his second wife, wedded Seleta A. Coe, a daughter of E. P. and Julia A. (Holcomb) Coe, the marriage occurring October 13, 1867. By this marriage there were three children: Ora, who was born September 9, 1872, and died November 10, 1892; an infant who died unnamed; and Grace.
Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the Congregational Church, of which they are liberal supporters. In politics Mr. Miller is a Democrat.
H ENRY E. HALL, of Youngstown, Ohio, is a man whose success in life entitles him to a place among the rep- resentative citizens of his county. A brief sketch of his life as prepared for pub- lication is as follows:
Henry E. Hall was born in Stark county, Ohio, August 24, 1832, son of George and Elizabeth (Wright) Hall. George Hall was born in Norfolkshire, England, in 1791, and came with his parents to the United States in 1795. John Hall, the father of George, who married Judith Hastings, a relative of Warren Hastings, Governor General of India, opened a general merchandise store near Philadelphia soon after his arrival in this country, and some time later his partner started for New York to buy goods, taking with him $40,000. Neither the partner nor the money was ever afterward heard of. Having met with this loss, John Hall then
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OF NORTHEASTERN 01110.
removed to Stark county, Ohio, where he spent the residue of his life. He and his wife had seven children, of whom we record that William was a prominent Baptist preacher; Jolin was a wealthy farmer and stock-raiser; George, the father of our sub- ject, was a farmer and a stock-raiser, and was also largely interested in contracting, having a contract on the Ohio canal between Ports- mouth and Cleveland; Edward was for many years Judge of the Court in Holmes county, Obio; Samuel was a farmer and owned a fine farin underlaid with coal in Stark county, Ohio; Ann was the wife of Curtis Dowus; Judith was the wife of John Barber. All of the above are deceased. George Hall was in politics a Whig, and his religious views were those of a freethinker. He was well posted on general topics, and es- pecially on the Bible, and was fearless in ex- pre sing his opinion. He and his wife had a family of nine children, namely: John, a resident of Youngstown, Ohio: Salina, wife of Henry Paunds, resides in Doniphan county, Kansas; Alexander, a resident of Akron, Ohio; Henry E., whose name appears at the head of this article; and William, Matilda, Elizabeth Ann, George W. and an infant, all deceased.
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