Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 73

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 73
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 73
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 73

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December 28, 1854, Mr. Hilker was mar- ried to Miss Rachel S. Dennison, the fifth of seven children of John and Elizabeth (Canada) Dennison. Mrs. Hilker's paternal grand- father, John Dennison, was one of the pio- neers of Ohio. With his wife, Mary, nee Mccullough, he first settled in Pennsylvania, but later took up a large tract of land near Liberty, Ohio, which he brought to a high state of cultivation and left to his family at his death. Mrs. Hilker's parents were both devoted members of the United Presbyterian Church and people of worth and prominence in their community. The faithful wife and mother was the first to be called to her re- ward, her death taking place in October, 1855, at the age of sixty-five years, to the re- gret of many friends. Mr. Dennison survived until July 8, 1861, expiring at the age of seventy-three years, sincerely lamented by all who knew him. Their seven children are: David, who resides in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania. He has been twice married, his first wife being Nancy Blackiner, and the second, Jane Hay, both deceased. He has two sur- viving daughters, Mary and Flora. The sec- ond child in order of birth, Mary Jane, mar- ried Robert Allen, of Youngstown, Ohio. She died April 10, 1889, aged sixty-six years. Thomas K., the next child, resides in Youngs- town. He married Hannah Kyle and they have four children: Marilla, Loretta, Charles

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and Kyle. John Dennison died August 17, 1887. He was twice married, first to Ann Jane Seymour, and they had one child, George. His second wife, Caroline, nee Fowler, now lives in Cleveland, Ohio. Rachel S. is the wife of the subject of this sketch; George died in 1853, aged twenty-one; and William, who now resides in Cleveland, Ohio. He has been twice married, his first wife having been Emma Gordon, and his second, Louisa Sonnedecker. He has three children: George, Eddie and Emma. Mr. and Mrs. Hilker have no children of their own, but their daughter whom they adopted September 5, 1866, at the age of one year, is now a woman of worth and accomplishments. She is married to Grant E. Hamilton, a resi- dent of Brooklyn, New York, who is one of America's most noted machinists and artists. They have two interesting children, Charles Hilker and Boneta.

Politically, Mr. Hilker affiliates with the Republicans, although not taking much in- terest in party measures. Religiously, he and his worthy wife are useful and prominent inembers of the Presbyterian Church.

During the fifty years of Mr. Hilker's resi- dence in Youngstowu, marvelous changes have taken place in this city and its sur- roundings. At the time of his settlement here, Youngstown boasted of but three honses on Mill street, one of which occupied the present site of Mr. Baldwin's mill, which is still standing, and the other house belong- ing to John Brothers. Hilker street is named iu honor of the subject of this sketch, whose operations in real-estate in this city played an important part in the financial his- tory of the place, he having owned the first lot on Mill street, which was 10 x 40 rods in dimensions. Mr. and Mrs. Hilker are justly numbered among thie influential pioneer set-

tlers of Youngstown. They are worthy and kind-hearted people, and are now enjoying a well-earned prosperity in the evening of their life. Their home is beautiful and they dispense a delightful hospitality to their large circle of friends. Having proved him- self an excellent man of business, Mr. Hilker can now well afford to enjoy the fruits of his industry, surrounded by the comforts and luxuries which his hands have earned. In the midst of their prosperity, however, he and his wife have not forgotten the wants of those less fortunate than themselves, and their purse is open to all demands of charity, giving open-handedly and without thought of reward. Such lives are living examples of true Christianity, and their names are re- garded as synonyms of all that is best and purest in mankind.

RANK M. LILLIE .- There is no greater mark of the confidence of the people in a mau than is testified by his appointment to an office of public trust and confidence, and the citizens of Youngstown displayed unusual good sense and discrimin- ation in their selection of Frank M. Lillie as City Engineer, which responsible position lie fills with marked ability. Mr. Lillie was born in Geauga county, Ohio, February 15, 1855, a son of Rev. W. A. and Laura A. (Roberts) Lillie, both natives of Ohio. The father was a clergyman of the Christian Church, and filled pulpits in Lake and Geauga counties, baptizing, burying and marrying people throughout his long and useful ministry, gaining the affection of his parishioners by his faithful devotion to his duty and his Christian forbearance and piety. Being one of the pioneers of his church in

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

Ohio, he became well known throughout the two counties wherein he officiated as well as throughont the entire northeastern portion of the State. Among the many converts he made to his church was the late President Garfield, and upon his death in 1887 he was most sincerely mourned by a large and faitlı- ful following, his age being seventy-one years. His wife had preceded him in 1864, dying at the age of forty-five years, after having borne him six children, of whom our subject was the youngest.

The education of our subject was received at Oberlin, Ohio, from which institution of learning he graduated in the class of 1880, which numbered thirty persons, after which he engaged in teaching school for several years, when he entered the City Engineer's office at Youngstown, where he continued for two years. At the expiration of his term of service in that capacity he engaged in various engineering and surveying works, being in the employ of the Pittsburg & Cleveland Railroad, while it was in process of con- struction. Later he was employed by the Pennsylvania Company for five years, en- gaged as Assistant Engineer and Supervisor on the Erie & Ashtabula Division of that company. His next change was in the spring of 1891, when he returned to Youngstown as the Chief Assistant of the City Engineer, G. D. Hersey, with whom he remained until his appointment to his present office in 1893. In political matters Mr. Lillie is a Democrat, although in local matters he does not draw party lines very closely, believing that it is better to vote for the man rather than for the party. The responsible position held by him indicates the esteem in which he is held by his fellow-townsmen, and the success which has already attended his efforts has been most deservedly gained by persevering labor.

Possessing a most thorough comprehension of all the details of his work, Mr. Lillie is enabled to prosecute his duties in the most competent and able manner, and is justly re- garded as the right man in the right place.

EREMIAH RICHARD WOOLLEY was born in Armstrong county, Penn- sylvania, March 18, 1847, a son of Richard and Rachel (Williams) Woolley, both natives of Wales; the father was born in 1802, and the mother in 1810. Their marriage occurred in South Wales, the moth- er's native place, and after this ceremony they removed to America, in 1840. Prior to his marriage Mr. Woolley resided in Nortlı Wales, having been born in that section of the country, and here engaged in farming, and continued that occupation upon his re- moval to South Wales in 1830, in addition to working on public works and in the coal mines. Upon emigrating to America he located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but later removed to Piketown, whence he went to the Ohio river at Brady's Bend. At that time the Great Western Iron Works were the largest in America, and Mr. Woolley hanled the coal from the mines to the works, using large dogs instead of horses or males, con- tinuing here until the works closed down, when he removed to Youngstown, in 1847, and continued a resident of Briar Hill until his death, with the exception of a few years, from 1856 to 1867, when he operated a small farm between Briar Hill and Girard. While living on this farm he was engaged in look- ing after the interests of the coal mines of ex-Governor David Tod, and was a partner of John Stambaugh, the firm mining and taking out coal at a certain amount per ton;

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the mines were located at Briar Hill and Weathersfield, and they continued operations until the deposits were exhausted. During his lifetime, by pursuing his many enter- prises, he was enabled to amass a comfortable competency, but unfortunately lost part of his wealth; in spite of his misfortune he was enabled to leave some property to his widow and children. His death occurred November 9, 1874, aged seventy-two years, while his wife died November 1, 1885, aged seventy- five years. Both parents were faithful and devout members of the Welsh Baptist Church, in which the father was an Elder and one of the firm supporters. Ten children were born to these parents, of whom our subject was the seventh in order of birth, and those still living are as follows: Jane, wife of James Morris, of Briar Hill, who served in the war from 1862 until the close of the conflict; Elizabeth, wife of David Johns, of Massillon, Ohio, who is secretary of the Ridgway-Bur- ton Company, proprietors of the coal and iron mines at Massillon, Ohio; James, a soldier in the late war, served in the Eighty- sixth and the Nineteenth regiments, and, although wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, he served alınost through the entire period of the war, and during the time our subject was Postmaster of Briar Hill he was one of the mail carriers; Thomas, a resident of Muncie, Indiana, is an iron-worker.

At the age of fourteen our subject began self-support by clerking in the evening for the firm of David Johns & Co., his father being the company ; he attended school during the daytime. When the war broke out, fired with enthusiasm, he enlisted, but his parents would not permit him to remain, on account of his extreme youth; so, during the time that he wished to be gaining glory for himself, he was forced to clerk for the firm of John Jehu

& Co., composed of John Jehu, Hon. All- thony Howells, Joshua Davis, David Johns and Richard Woolley; but he remained in their employ only six months, when he was sentto Professor Humaston's private Military School at Cleveland, on University Heights. His next change was made when he engaged as office boy for Homer Hamilton & Co., with whom he remained until a change was made in the firm, and he was engaged by ex- Governor Tod, February 4, 1867, to take charge of the office at the Tod Furnace, Will- iam Pollock being the manager. So capable was he that in a short time he was entrusted with all the business of the office, remaining there until 1873, when all the works were closed down, although he was retained until all the iron in the yards was shipped. In 1874, while on a visit in Massillon, his father sent for him, and he was employed by Julian Kennedy, manager, as night founderer at Grace furnace; here he remained for several years, but later went to the Kline coal mines to assist William Pollock to superintend the office, but in a short time the inines were closed, and he went into the office of the Corn Iron Company, at Girard, owned and operated by the Briar Hill Iron and Coal Company, Joseph Corn and Evan Morris being the principal proprietors; he served as paymaster from 1877 to 1881, when he re- moved to Briar Hill, engaging as assistant bookkeeper for Nelson Crandall, treasurer of the Briar Line Coal Company. Here he re- mained for some time, and was then sent to the Kline mines as superintendent, but upon their closing down, in 1883, he accepted the position of private secretary of the executors and trustees of the late ex-Governor David . Tod, which position he still retains.

During the administration of ex-President Harrison, Mr. Woolley was appointed Post-

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

master of Briar Hill, having been recom- mended for the position by Governor Mc- Kinley, who was then in Congress, a personal friend of his, and the appointment was the first Republican one made in the county. He retained this position until June 3, 1893, when he resigned some six weeks before his term of service expired. He has also served as School Director for fifteen years, upon the Township Board of Education, and has been on the building and finance committees of the latter. While filling this position he made a motion, which was carried, to have the school buildings of Youngstown township insured, and acted as the chairman of the committee appointed to attend to the matter. During the Harrison campaign he served as assistant secretary of the Republican County Central Committee, and was also chairman of the Re- publican City Committee during the late contest for Mayor I. B. Miller. Social by nature, Mr. Woolley is a member of the Gar- field Club, the Montgomery Club, and the Ohio State Republican League, of which he was committeeman for Mahoning county for 1891. He is the official correspondent for the American Protective Tariff League of the United States, the office being located in New York; he is also vice-president of the St. David's Society, and during the campaign of 1888 he was president of the Briar Hill Protective Tariff Club, which won a flag that was offered the largest club. In the order of Odd Fellows he is Past Grand, being con- nected with Hebron Lodge, No. 55.

The marriage of Mr. Woolley occurred December 24, 1877, to Miss Marian Kane, by whom he has had two children: Rachel Edna, born December 10, 1878; and Jennie May, born February 2, 1881. Mrs. Woolley is a native of Wisconsin, and her history is an eventful one. Her three brothers, John,

Michael and Miles, all eulisted in the late war, and the youngest, a drummer boy, starved to death in Libby prison; but nothing was ever heard of the others. The mother of the family died of grief soon after the enlist- ment of her sons, and ahnost immediately her husband placed his daughter with her aunt at Briar Hill, and a little later joined her. He then placed her in the Villa Maria convent, where she received a classical educa- tion and then took the white veil, but was sent out into the world by the authorities of the convent to teach. She went to her aunt, with whom she remained until her death, which occurred in Briar Hill. Mrs. Woolley is now a faithful member of the First Pres- byterian Church of Youngstown, in which she is an earnest worker. Mr. Woolley is one of the reliable and enterprising men of the city, and is deservedly popular among all.

OSIAH MCCULLOUGH, recently de- ceased, who was for many years a pros- perons farmer and prominent citizen of Poland township, Mahoning county, Ohio, was born in this township, April 20, 1839. He comes of Revolutionary stock, his grand- father having fought on the side of inde- pendence in the war of 1812. The parents of the subject of this sketch were Samnel and Maria (Walker). Mccullough, both early settlers of Poland township, to which the for- mer came in 1803. They had two children: Samuel, residing in Poland township; and Josiah, of this notice.

The subject of this sketch was reared on his father's farm and attended the schools of his vicinity, receiving a good education. He afterward engaged in farming and stock- raising for himself, and at the time of his

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death owned 290 acres under a good state of cultivation, besides much valuable stock, with a good farm residence, substantial barns for his grain and cattle, and other valuable im- provements. All this prosperity was due to his nntiring industry and excellent manage- ment, and he gave to every detail of his bnsi- ness his own personal supervision.

March 5, 1863, Mr. Mccullough was married to Mary Dobbins, a young lady of superior education and ability, who came of an old and respected pioneer family of much wealth. Her mother died when she was an infant and her father died in 1868. He was an Elder in the Presbyterian church for many years. Our subject's grandfather killed twenty rattlesnakes on his farm the first year he came to the country, and for many years thereafter killed one less each year until they were exterminated. He came from Ireland, and was a man of rare intelligence and energy and greatly respected by all who knew him. Mr. and Mrs. McCullough had two children: Glendora and James S., who live at home, the latter now running the home farm and caring for his mother. Mr. Mccullough dicd December 8, 1888, mourned by his family and many friends, who knew and appreciated his sterling qualities.

In politics, Mr. Mccullough was a Repnb- liean, and took a deep interest in the issues of the day. He was well informed on all pub- lic measures and enthusiastically defended the principles which he advocated. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church, to the support of which he liberally eon- tribnted. His good wife, who is also a mem- ber of that denomination, still continues her interest in its behalf. Few men are more deeply attached to a community than Mr. Mccullough was to his, and few have been more instrumental in building up home in-

terests, his aid ever being prompt for those measures calculated to advance the public welfare, and he justly deserves the veneration of his fellow citizens.

S P. BLACKMAN, who is engaged in the grocery and provision business at Poland, Ohio, is a native of this place, born in 1844. He is one of the four children of Heman and Phillace Blackman.

Heman Blackman was born in Walling- ford, Connecticut, in 1801, a member of an old New England family, who were promin- ent in the East and also in the Middle and Western States where they have settled. In 1807, when a mere lad, he was brought by his parents to the Western Reserve, and in Mahoning county he passd his life. He was a brickmaker by trade, and was engaged in the manufacture of brick for a number of years. He owned 100 acres of land, all under a high state of cultivation, and carried on both farming and stock-raising. In politics he was first a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and although he was not a politician, he took considerable interest in the issues of the day. He and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and were noted for their many acts of kind- ness to the poor. He was a member of the militia that went from here to Cleveland at an early day, and his son, S. P., still owns the old horse pistols and swords that his father carried. This worthy old pioneer died very suddenly while riding in a sleigh, being on his way to a coal mine after a load of coal. His good wife also passed away some years ago.

S. P. Blackman left home at the early age of twelve years and began working out on

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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

farms. Subsequently he turned his attention to the lumber business, in which lie was en- gaged for some years, and at the same time ran a hack line between Poland and Struthers. For a period of fifteen years he made regular trips over this route. He then engaged in the grocery and provision busi- ness at Poland, which he had continued up the present time, in which he has been very successful. He is ably assisted in the store by his son, Asa, a young man of business push and energy.

Mr. Blackman was married October 27, 1866, to Kate A. Shafer. Their four chil- dren are: Fannie, Asa, Perry H., and Clark L., all at home.

Politically, Mr. Blackman is a Republican, and has served as Councilman of Poland. He and his wife are attendants at the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Black- man was a soldier in the Union ranks from May 7, 1864, until October of that year, being a member of Company D, 155th Ohio Regiment, and althoughi his service in the army was brief it was long enough to shiatter his constitution.

EWIS D. STROUP, a farmer, manu- facturer and successful business man of Southington township, Trumbull coun- ty, Ohio, is a native of this place, born De- cember 18, 1855.

Mr. Stroup is a son of Elias and Catharine (Stroup) Stroup. His father came from Pennsylvania to Ohio when he was about seventeen years old, and a year later settled in Trumbull county. Here he bought 100 acres of wild land, upon which he spent the rest of his life and died, his death occurring when he was forty-two years old. His widow,

a native of Youngstown, Ohio, still lives at the old home place. Four of their six chil- dren are still living.

Lewis D. Stroup was married January 3, 1884, to Miss Phoebe Chalker, a native of this township and a daughter of Harrison and Catharine (Scott) Chalker, old settlers of the county. After his marriage he settled on the farm upon which he now lives, and upon which he has since carried on general farm- ing stock-raising. He is also engaged in the manufacture of staves. He is a man of gen- eral information and broad and progressive views, and keeps well abreast with the times. He is the owner of 200 acres of fine land.

Mr. and Mrs. Stroup have liad two danglı- ter: Jessie L., born in July, 1889, died Oc- tober 16, 1890; Myrtle, born May 10, 1892.

Politically, Mr. Stroup is a Republican. He belongs to the Masonic Lodge, No. 507, at Farmington, and he and his wife are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

D D. SHAFFER, one of the substantial men of Mecca township. Trumbull connty, Ohio, is a native of Howland township, this county, born December 31, 1826.

Daniel Shaffer, his father, was one of the first pioneer settlers of Howland township. He was born at Dover, York county, Penn- sylvania, and his wife, nee Elizabeth Hoover, was also a native of that county. His father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and his grandparents were natives of Germany. A short time after their marriage, which oc- curred in York county, Daniel and Elizabeth Shaffer came from Pennsylvania to Canton, Ohio, and a year later settled in Howland

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OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO.

township. Here Mr. Shaffer developed a fine farnı of 100 acres, and on it spent the rest of his life and died. They had a family of thir- teen children, eleven of wlioni reached adult years: Abram; D. D .; Samnel; Betsey A .; Henry; David; Anna; William, a soldier in the Civil war, was killed while on duty at Fort Atchison; Frank, a member of the Sixth Ohio Cavalry, was wounded while in the ser- vice, and has since died; Mary; and, - who died in Ashtabula county. The father died at the age of fifty-seven years, the mother surviving him some time, her death occurring at the age of eighty-seven. In politics a Democrat, in religion a Lutheran, and in every respect a worthy citizen, Daniel Shaffer was a man respected by all who knew him.

D. D. Shaffer was reared on his father's farm, was early taught to chop and grub, and aided his father materially in the clear- ing of their farm. Honesty and industry were the principal elements in his early train- ing, and on this foundation rests his success in after years. His education was received in a log school-house near his home. He was married at the age of twenty-four, and some time after his marriage came to Mecca town- ship and settled on fifty-six acres of wild land. Here he built a log-house, and in a humble way began his life on this farm. By his own honest toil, and by the able assistance of his good wife, he succeeded in clearing his land and securing a comfortable home. As the years rolled by the log cabin gave place to a frame residence. This was burned in 1876, and in 1877 their present modern residence was erected. This is a two-story frame, 17 x 26 feet, with an L, 14 x 22 feet. It is beautifully located and commands a mag- nificent view of the surrounding country. Mr. Shaffer has two good barns, and his

other farm improvements are all first-class. To his original purchase he has added nntil he is now the owner of 200 acres.

The great loss of Mr. Shaffer's life was in the deatlı of his beloved companion, who, after thirty-nine years of happy married life, was called to her home above. She was a woman whose lovely Christian character en- deared her not only to her home circle, but also to her many friends and acquaintances. She was the mother of nine children, as fol- lows: Mrs. Amanda Walker, of Champion township, this county; Charles, of Mecca township; Willis, of Bristol township; Mrs. Sadie Hicox, of Bristol; Mrs. Clara Parks, of Warren; Sena, wife of F. J. Shaffer, of Bris- tol; and Sheridan, Fred and Earnest, at home. Sheridan Shaffer married Ina Hoagland, and they have one daughter, Althea Mae. Mr. Shaffer's grandchildren are twenty-three in number.

Politically, Mr. Shaffer is a Republican.

q EORGE BOONE, a well-known resi- dent of Mecca township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1820, son of John and Jane (Hnnt) Boone, the former a native of Ireland and the latter of Beaver county, Pennsylvania. John Boone was reared and educated on the Emerald Isle, and at the age of twenty came to America and located in Pennsylvania, where he mar- ried Miss Jane Hunt, danghter of George Hunt. The latter died in her native county, December 9, 1824, leaving four children, nainely: Mary Jane, George, Eliza and Thomas. After her death Mr. Boone married again. He died in Mecca township, Truin- bull county, Ohio, May 4, 1859. After the

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Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning, Part 73

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