USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 84
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 84
USA > Ohio > Ashtabula County > Biographical history of northeastern Ohio : embracing the counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning > Part 84
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Mr. Van Fleet was a member of the first Board of Education ever elected in the city, and under the circumstances his election was a great honor, inasmuch as he was one of the first projectors of the public-school system in this portion of the State. In order to ef- fect the progress in this direction that he desired, he was instrumental in passing through the State Legislature such measures as were necessary for the levying of taxes for school purposes, making the educational in- stitutions public instead of private. In order to establish the public school system in Youngstown lie circulated petitions, and to him more tlian to any one person is due the credit of the unexcelled public-school ad- vantages enjoyed by the youths of this city. Had his life been spared, he would have been offered an additional honor by reason of the
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interest lie took in, and the prominent man- ner in which he was identified with, the pub- lie schools, it being the intention of the Board of Education to secure a life-size portrait of him in his old age and place it in the public schools.
Mr. Van Fleet was an ardent temperance man and joined the Washingtonians about 1840. He was also as strong in his anti- slavery views and favored the abolition of that curse long before it was effected by means of a public proclamation. So earnestly did lie advocate it that his house was a depot for the underground railroad, and many a poor, forlorn fugitive was received and sent on his way rejoicing by this good and benevo- " lent man. He was one of the first projectors of this mode of travel, and scores of slaves owe their freedom to him. Mr. Van Fleet was one of the three men who voted for General Birncy, the Abolition candidate for president, in 1844, John Kirk and Samuel Hines being the other two who kept the next stopping place of the underground railway. During the late Rebellion Mr. Van Fleet was a warm sympathizer of the North and favored a vigorous prosecution of the war until every particle of rebellion should be stamped out of the South. In early life he connected himself with the Presbyterian Church and ever afterward continued in its communion, contributing most generously to its support.
Mr. Van Fleet was married August 20, 1834, to Jane Douglass, a daughter of Jolm and Nancy (McDowell) Donglass, all natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. Douglass died in 1819 at the age of forty-five years, his wife surviving him until 1849, when she died, aged seventy-three years, having been born Angust 13, 1776. Mrs. Van Fleet is a most estimable lady, wlio possesses all the essential
attributes of a good wife, a kind mother and a Christian woman. She survives her lius- band and is regarded as one of the honored and worthy pioneers of Youngstown. She was the sixth child in a family of seven chil- dren, and was born December 28, 1811. The other members of her family were, Margaret (Mrs. D. L. McCrady); William; John; James; Mary (Mrs. Starkweather); Jane, the wife of our subject; and George,-Mrs. Van Fleet being the only one now living. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Van Fleet, namely: Nancy, Sarah, Mrs. Henry Todd, James D., Charlotte and Alfred B., the last named of whom married Miss Helen Casper, and now resides on Ridge avenue. James, the eldest son, enlisted May 10, 1864, in Company B, the Forty-fourth Battalion of State Troops, which were later merged into the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry. He served in Virginia ou post and guard duty as a private, being mus- tered in at Camp Dennison and mustered out in the same camp. The first stop made by the regiment was at Martinsburg, West Vir- ginia, from whence they marched to White House Landing and thence to City Point, after which they were transferred to Norfolk, from whence they proceeded to Cincinnati to be discharged. He was called out with the " hundred-day " men in the State service and served with them more than the stipulated time, his discharge being given July 29, 1865,
Mr. and Mrs. Van Flect celebrated their golden wedding in 1884, Elder James Calvin being the orator of the occasion, and, on be- half of the donors, presented them with many golden gifts. This was a most joyful occa- sion, as the privilege of celebrating their golden wedding is accorded to bnt few mar- ried people. It is comforting to reflect that after so many years of hardships and priva-
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tions these two good and noble people were granted an evening of prosperity and happi- ness made glorious by memory's gentle rays and hope's unclouded view. Mr. Van Fleet died June 12, 1893, in the eighty-sixth year of his age. A happy old age is a beautiful crown, and is found only in the ways of truth and righteousness. The quiet, unassuming, blameless life of Mr. Van Fleet is an endear- ing heritage, not only to those who called him by the name of father, brother, husband and friend, but to the entire community at large and the church of his choice. His religious life was well rounded, never demonstrative, but constant and firmly founded upon the rock of salvation, and he conscientiously fol- lowed his Divine Master, developing a char- acter whose Christian charity and beauty was most highly appreciated by those with whom he came in contact. He took a leading and foremost part in all the conflicts of his time tending toward the betterment of the condi- tion of the masses, taking a broad and liberal view of all questions. His life was most ex- emplary-active, unassuming, gentle and full of deeds and kindness, and the gap left by his death is one not easy to fill.
C HARLES R. TRUESDALE, attorney at law, Youngstown, was born in Board- man, Mahoning county, September 15, 1841, a son of Alexander and Harriet (Leach) Truesdale. The father was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in 1797, of Scotch ancestry, and the parent tree of the family in America. He was a soldier under Washington in the Revolutionary war, and his father also served under Cromwell. Alex- ander Truesdale was one of six brothers who were pioneer settlers of Mahoning county,
namely: James, John, William, Alexander, Robinson and Joseph. The last was a physician of considerable prominence in Po- land, Ohio, and also served in the State Legis- lature. Alexander came to this county at the age of fifteen years. He was married here to Harriet Leach, a native of Morristown, New Jersey. She and two sisters, Mrs. William Packard and Mrs. Thomas Duncan, came with their father in a covered wagon to this place in the early history of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Truesdale had ten children, of whom our subject was the ninth in order of birth. The youngest son, Joseph, lost his life in the Civil war. The mother died in 1866, and the father "in 1874.
Charles R. Truesdale, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm. At the age of twelve years he located with his father near this city, in Youngstown township, where he attended school until in August, 1861. In that year he enlisted as a private in Company E, Second Ohio Cavalry, and afterward re- enlisted as a veteran in the field, in the win- ter of 1864, in the same company and regi- ment. He served as a non-cominissioned officer until the close of the struggle. Mr. Truesdale took part in all the engagements and battles in which his regiment was en- gaged, and was twice captured, first in 1863, at Greenville, east Tennessee, but escaped on the same day and returned to his command. He was again captured at Monoxia Junction, in July, 1864, by General Early's command, on his retreat from Washington; was held as a prisoner of war at Danville, Virginia, and afterward taken to Libby prison, where he was exchanged, February 22, 1865. He re- mained in parole camp until his discharge, in June, 1865. Mr. Truesdale participated in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, in the movements against
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Petersburg, Ream's Station, etc. After the battle of Ream's Station our subject was ordered to Washington to intercept General Early, and following him led to his capture at Monoxia Junction. After returning home he entered the Western Reserve College, in 1866, where he graduated in the class of 1871. He afterward read law in the office of Taylor & Jones, of Warren, Ohio, was ad- mitted to the bar in 1872, and immediately began practice in Youngstown. In 1875 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Ma- honing county, and in 1881 was re-elected to that position.
In 1872 Mr. Truesdale was united in mar- riage with Louise M. Jacobs, a daughter of Nicholas Jacobs, of Coitsville, this State. They have two living children, l'hobe K. and Joseph R. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church. In political mat- ters Mr. Truesdale affiliates with the Repub- lican party, and socially is a Master Mason, belonging to Hillman Lodge, and is also a member of Tod Post, No. 29, G. A. R.
M YRON WOOD. - Among the trusted and reliable employes of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railway, is Myron Wood, general agent of the road, who has filled his present position since May, 1888, discharging the duties incumbent on him in a most satisfactory manner.
Mr. Wood was born in Washington county, New York, December 21, 1844, and is a son of James H. and Esther (Lyinan) Wood, natives of Vermont and New York, respect- ively, the former born December 21, 1821. The mother of the subject of this sketch was a granddaughter of Captain Dudley, of Cas- tleton, Vermont, a brave and distinguished
officer in the war of 1812 to 1814. Myron Wood's father was a farmer and school teacher by occupation, attaining high dis tinction in his latter calling. Prominent in local affairs, he held many minor offices in the place in which he resides. He removed from Vermont to Ohio, in 1888, settling in Youngstown, where he has since been an honored citizen. Throughout his long and eventful life he has been a faithful member of the Episcopal Church. The mother of the subject of this sketch died June 19, 1850, at the early age of twenty-five. She also was a devont Episcopalian and active in all good works. She had two children: Helen, who died in 1853, aged ten years; and Myron, of this notice. In 1856, the father of the sub- ject of this sketch married again, his second wife being Miss Mary A. Richards, of Ver- mont, and they liad two children: Edward F. and Fred H.
The education of Mr. Wood of this notice was received in the common schools of Ver- mont, his time being alternately passed in at- tending them and in working on his father's farm. In 1862, when seventeen years of age, his young blood became fired with patriotic ardor, and he enlisted in Company C, of the Eleventhı Vermont Volunteer Infantry. He served in the defenses of Washington in the Twenty-second Army Corps and also in the Sixth Corps of the Army of the Potomac, participating in many battles. At the battle of Winchester, in September, 1864, he was wounded and taken to a hospital in Baltimore, whence he was removed in about a month to one in Vermont, and later to another in New York city. His wound, which was in the left leg, necessitated the amputation of that member, the operation being performed on the field by an army surgeon. Owing to the imperfect treatment and exposure attending
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his removal Mr. Wood suffered excruciating pain from his wound, and had at the same time another distressing wound in his right shoulder, which disabled his arm and from the effects of which he has never entirely re- covered. Owing to his disabled condition, it was impossible for him to return to the field, and after his recovery he learned telegraphy in Oberlin, Ohio, He then assumed charge of a telegraph office at Columbia City, Indi- ana, where he remained about a year, at tlie end of which time, in 1868, he removed to Valparaiso, the same State. Thence, in 1869, he came to Youngstown, Ohio, where he secured a position as clerk and telegraph operator, which city has ever since been his home. So faithful and efficient did he prove that he was promoted to the office of station agent, which he resigned to accept that of cashier with the Atlantic & Great Western Railway. In due time, he was promoted to the position of joint agent for the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio and Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railways, assuming his present duties in May, 1888, in the discharge of which he has given uniform and entire satisfaction.
February 15, 1871, Mr. Wood was mar- ried to Miss Sarah A. Winans, daughter of Dr. Isaac and Eliza (Sheets) Winans, of New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Dr. Winans was a noted physician and for many years an active Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and the influence he exerted for good was wide-spread. He died in 1877 at the age of sixty-seven years, greatly regretted by all who knew him. His widow still survives and resides in Chicago, at the age of seventy-five. Dr. and Mrs. Winans had nine children: Jacob, who married Elizabeth Fulton, and now resides in Kansas; Mary, wife of A. W. Browning, of Pittsburg; Elsie, wife of John Corbus, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Alexander, living
in New Mexico; Virginia, wife of Jolin Evans, of Chicago; Sarah A., wife of the sub- ject of this sketch; Charles, a resident of Kansas; Helen, wife of Eugene S. Ward, of Youngstown; and a daugliter deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Wood have two children: Charles L., who is being educated for an electrical engineer; and Arthur, pursuing the study of music, which he intends to make his pro- fession.
Politically, Mr. Wood is an ardent Repub- lican, and socially, is an earnest and energetic member of the G. A. R. Post. Throughout his life, he has been distinguished by fear- lessness and independence of thought and action. Loyal to his country in its hour of peril, he sacrificed one of his limbs and still has only the partial use of his right arm. Of sterling integrity of character, he has made for himself a record as a railroad official, which is equaled by few and excelled by none in the employ of the company, by whom he is regarded as one of their mnost up- right and efficient employes. Public-spirited in a marked degree, Mr. Wood takes a most active part in all measures tending to advance the material and moral welfare of his com- munity, and is justly recognized as one of Youngstown's most enterprising and worthy citizens.
M ATHEW LOGAN .- The wonder- ful progress that has been made dur- ing the past quarter of a century in the paving of streets and in the large- ly increased railroad facilities, has given em- ployment to the energies of leading and sub- stantial men who are actively engaged in taking large and important contracts for this class of work. Among those who have gained notable distinction in this line is Mathew
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Logan, a prominent railroad and street con- tractor of Youngstown, Ohio, who was born in New York State, March 15, 1828, a son of Hugh and Rose (McKenna) Logan, both na- tives of county Londonderry, Ireland. The father was a blacksmith in his native land, and after coming to America with his wife and family, in 1827, he engaged in the pur- suit of his trade for a short period of time, but finally abandoned it for that of con- tracting, executing some large and important contracts for railroads. Upon landing in this country he proceeded to Greece township, Monroe county, New York State, where our subject was born. The death of the father occurred in 1849, when he was sixty-two years of age, his wife surviving him until 1866, when her death occurred, at the age of seventy-two years. Both were devout and faithful members of the Catholic Church and earnest and charitable Christians.
Our subject was the fourth child in a family of eight children, two of whom are still living: Barkley, the oldest of the family, who now resides in Michigan, having settled in that State after following the life of a steward on a lake steamer until 1888; and our subject. The latter was educated at Rochester, New York, and during vacation he engaged in labor upon some public works which were being erected, beginning by car- rying water to a gang of workmen and end- ing by taking a contract for some of the work. He has been engaged in contracting on rail- roads and streets ever since, and has gained an enviable reputation in this direction for his ability and skill.
Removing from Monroe county to Green- ville, Pennsylvania, in April, 1862, he re- mained until November of the same year, when he came to Youngstown, Ohio, to take charge of the railroad works for Will-
iam Mathers, having remained there ever since, with the exception of one and one-half years spent in Columbiana county, Ohio. Since coming to the city he has been engaged in railroad and street contracting, having built up a large and prosperous business in this direction as the result of his ability and en- terprise. In politics he is an ardent Demo- crat and has been elected to several offices of public trust and honor by the people of this vicinity, having been Sheriff of Mahoning county for one term from 1870, discharging his duties in an efficient and capable manner, giving the mnost entire satisfaction to all parties; and Mayor of the city for four years, in which capacity he reflected honor not only upon himself but also upon his constituents and city. While residing in Rochester, New York, Mr. Logan was Deputy United States Marshal in the western district of New York under President Buchanan, and also served as Collector of Taxes as early as 1858. In all of his relations of life Mr. Logan has maintained the same course of dealing, which has won for him the esteem of all.
Mr. Logan was married in 1864, to Miss Eliza J. Smith, daughter of Enoch and Caro- line Smith, natives of Ohio. Two children have been born to this marriage, namely: Carrie, wife of John Shaw, a resident of Youngstown, private secretary of Mr. An- drews, in addition to his other business in- terests; and Mary S., still at home. Mrs. Logan is an earnest and energetic member of the Episcopalian Church of Youngstown, in which body she is a faithful worker. Mr. Logan has always taken a very active part in the political questions of the day, and has been rewarded by his grateful fellow citizens with many positions of honor and trust, all of which he has filled in such a manner as to commend him to the entire community. It
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is in the pursuit of liis chosen profession, however, that Mr. Logan finds the best scope for his abilities, and the success which lie has attained in this line is but the just reward of a life of untiring and persevering labor.
H ON. JESSE BALDWIN, one of the most prominent and influential men of Mahoning county, Ohio, was born in the township of Boardman, Mahon- ing county, Ohio, Sunday, April 9, in the year 1815, son of Eli and Mary (Newport) Baldwin. His parents had a family of four- teen children, five of whom are still living. His father was born at New Milford, Litch- field county, Connecticut, May 12, 1777.
Early in life the subject of this sketch learned the trade of miller, at which he worked for some time. For a number of years past he has been extensively engaged in farming operations and still exercises a general su- pervision over his large landed estate, he himself being the owner of 1,200 acres, his wife having 500 acres, and his daughter a 200-acre tract. The Baldwins are among the wealthiest families of Mahoning county, and their beautiful and attractive liome is one of the finest in all the country around.
Mr. Baldwin was married in 1844 to Miss Lucy Patric, a native of Boardman township, Mahoning county. They had three children, only one of whom is living, the wife of George T. Lewis. Mrs. Baldwin is a prom- inent and active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Alice Lewis, the only child, is a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
For many years Mr. Baldwin has been prominently identified with the interests of this part of Ohio. In his early life he was
employed as a surveyor for some time and he also had some experience as a school- teacher. Politically, he is a Republican, and has all his life taken an active interest in the issues of the day. He served two terms as Appraiser of Trumbull county, and was twice elected a member of the State Legislature, where he served most acceptably, performing his duty in a manner that reflected credit on himself and also on his constituents. He is called the "Amendment member from Mahoning county." Mr. Baldwin is a stock- holder of the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad.
EORGE T. LEWIS, another one of the prominent men of Boardman town- ship, Mahoning county, Ohio, was born in Warren, this State, in 1839. He is a son of Thomas and Martha Lewis, and one of a family of three children, all of whom are living. His sister Alice is the wife of George Mann, and lives in New York. Feranda O. is a resident of Erie. Thomas Lewis was born in 1809, and died in 1875. He was first married in 1833, to the mother of our subject, who was born in 1810, and died in 1851. In 1861 he married Harriet Mighells, who died in 1887. He was a mu- sician of some note and was for many years engaged in teaching music all over this part of the country. He was an Odd Fellow and a Mason, having attained the Sir Knight degree in Masonry, and being prominent in Masonic circles. Politically, he was a Re- publican. The mother of George T. was a relative of Judge Chase.
George T. Lewis was married in 1868, in Youngstown, Ohio, to Miss Alice Baldwin, daughter of Jesse Baldwin, one of the prom- inent and wealthy men of this township.
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They have three children: Jessie, Cora E. and Lucy Marie; Jessie is the wife of Charles D. Herron, of Erie, Pennsylvania.
Mr. Lewis learned the science of teleg- raphy in early life, and was employed as telegrapher for some time. During the dark days of the Rebellion he rendered efficient service in the Union ranks. He enlisted April 18, 1861, for three months' service, and in June of that same year re-enlisted, serving until he was honorably discharged in 1864. He received his discharge papers at Camp Dennison, Ohio. His service was with Company I, of the Sixth Ohio Infantry. After the war he was in the Treasury De- partinent at Washington, District of Colum- bia, for three years. He has been a Repub- lican ever since the party was organized and has always taken an active interest in politi- cal affairs. He is a Knight of Pythias, and both he and his wife are members of the Episcopal Church.
D R. J. A. DICKSON, the leading phy- sician and surgeon of Youngstown, Ohio, was born in Columbiana county, this State, July 26, 1858. His parents, William and Hetty (Niswonger) Dickson, were natives of Ireland and Ohio, respect- ively, the latter born in the same house and room in which the birth of the subject of this sketch took place. The father of Dr. Dickson has been a clergyman in the Pres- byterian Church for thirty years, and is widely and favorably known for his learning and good works. He is an old settler of Ohio, having come from Ireland to Canfield with his parents, James and Margaret Dick- so11, in 1830, when he was but eight years of age, and is one of five children, four of whom
are living in Canfield. He was educated in Washington and Jefferson College, at Can- nousburg, Pennsylvania, at which he gradu- ated in 1858. Naturally a man of ability and a student, he improved his opportunities and has a splendid education, being able to read and constrne Latin and Greek at sight. He was for some time an educator in the seminary at Poland, Ohio, after which he took charge of the Presbyterian Church in Canfield, in which he has officiated for the past twelve years. On going to the latter city he taught Latin and Greek in the nor- mal school for several years, in connection with his ministerial duties. His worthy wife still survives, at the age of fifty years. They are the parents of two children: J. A., the subject of this sketch; and Anna, wife of D. E. Linn, also of Youngstown, who is in the implement business, and they have one child, Williamn D.
Dr. Dickson, of this notice, received his early education in the Poland (Ohio) Union Seminary, at which he graduated. He then attended Mount Union College until he reached the senior year, when he returned home and pursued his studies under his father's instruction for one year. In 1879 he entered the medical department of Ant Arbor (Michigan) University, taking a four years' course, and graduating with honor in 1883. He then commenced his practice in Mount Jackson, Pennsylvania, where he con- tinued successfully for five years. Always a student and with a commendable ambition to perfect himself in every branch of his pro- fession, lie went to Philadelphia in the fall of 1888, where he spent the winter, taking post-graduate courses at Jefferson Medical College and the Polyclinic, gradnating at the. former institute. He also took private in- structions on gynecology under the noted
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