Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 102

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th > Part 102

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Mr. Marks is a Democrat in national af- fairs, but is independent in local politics, vot- ing for the man rather than the party. He served as township treasurer for one term. He is a member of the Mt. Olivet Reformed Church at North Lima.

UTHER EDWARDS WETMORE, a trustee of Canfield township, in which he resides on his well im- proved farm of 95 acres, is one of the substantial and representative men of this locality. He was born in his present house, in Canfield township. Mahoning Coun- tv, Ohio, April 30, 1846, and is a son of Wil- liam and Susan ( Edwards) Wetmore.

Ezariah Wetmore, the grandfather, was the pioneer of the family in Ohio. He came

to Canfield township in 1798 and was one of the first to start the clearing of the native for- est where the village of Canfield now stands, cutting down the trees where now is located the town pump. He erected a cabin where the well is placed, and the site of the present Dis- ciples Church is where he raised his first wheat crop, among the stumps. His grandson, Luther E., still preserves the sickle with which it was cut. After locating and surveying his land, he returned to Litchfield County, Con- necticut, and there was married to Belinda Sprague, whose parents came with Mr. Wet- more and took up land in Canfield township, including the farm which Mr. Wetmore owns. In 1802 the grandparents covered the long distance in a wagon, bringing with them all the household necessities they could, and their whole lives were passed in these wild regions. Ezariah Wetmore was a lieutenant of militia and during the War of 1812, he was flag- bearer of his regiment. The children of Ezariah and Belinda Wetmore were: Caro- line, Harriet, Cornelia, Sarah, William, Bet- sey, Henry and George, none of whom sur- vive.

William Wetmore was born December 16, 1814, on his father's farm in Canfield town- ship, where he was reared and which he later assisted to clear. He grew up with strong anti-slavery opinions, and was a trusted as- sistant in the workings of what was then known as the "underground railway." On one occasion, as he often recalled, a lecturer who was pleading the cause of freedom, at Canfield, was tarred and feathered by those who were not in sympathy with his sentiments. It was William Wetmore who rescued the un- fortunate speaker, assisted him in removing the evidence of the mob's violence, and the next day, clad in Mr. Wetmore's best suit of clothes, the unhappy man was taken by his rescuer to the Congregational Church. There Mr. Wetmore had the courage to show that he was not afraid to protect the weak and helpless, and the man was not further mo- lested. William Wetmore, in addition to farm- ing, became interested in leasing coal lands and in manufacturing an illuminating oil from

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cannel coal. This enterprise would have been a successful one had not oil been discovered in the ground about this time. On August 29, 1838, William Wetmore was married to Susan Edwards, who died August 10, 1890. Mr Wetmore died May 30, 1892. They had three children : William Waldon, Luther Edwards and Henry P.

Luther Edwards Wetmore is the only sur- vivor of his father's family. He was educated in the district schools and at Canfield Academy and was trained to practical farming on the homestead. In addition to general agricul- ture, for the past nine years, Mr. Wetmore has operated a fine dairy, keeping eleven head of Jersey cows and selling his choice butter to private customers at Youngstown. Mr. Wet- more takes justifiable pride in his well im- proved farm and fine stock.

On April 25, 1883, Mr. Wetmore was married to Harriet Sackett Turner, an accom- plished teacher in the township, who is a daughter of Charles R. and Flora J. (Sackett) Turner. They have one son, Phill, who was born April 29, 1884. He has been given ex- cellent educational advantages and is a gradu- ate of the Normal College at Canfield and also of the Ohio State Normal School dairy de- partment, receiving his diploma March 16, 1907. He resides at home and assists his father.

Politically Mr. Wetmore is a Republican and since 1904 he has been an efficient mem- ber of the board of trustees of Canfield town- ship. In addition to the home farm Mr. Wet- more owns also a farm of 50 acres in Green township.

ESSE COOK, whose excellent farm of 12 acres is situated in section 15, Goshen township, has resided in his present comfortable home for over a quarter of a century and is one of the representative men of his neighborhood. He was born November 18, 1844. in Ellsworth township. Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Joel and Keturah Cook.

Joel Cook, father of Jesse, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, but the Cooks were originally from New Jersey, where his father, Job Cook, was born and he was a son of a Cook who came from England, possibly be- fore the Revolutionary War. Job Cook was the founder of the family in Ohio, and he came when Salem was but an outpost of civilization and was the home of the wandering Indian. Grandfather Cook acquired 80 acres of good land in Ellsworth township, entering the same from the government, and his son Joel Cook, resided on this place for fourteen years before he moved to Goshen township, subsequently settling on the farm on which his son, Jesse Cook. still resides. Joel Cook continued to live on this property until his death, May 6, 1873, when in his 64th year. He was twice married and of the children of his first union. Jesse is the only survivor. He was married (second) to Esther Mead and there are three survivors of this marriage, namely : Mary E., who married Jeremiah Clark, residing in Smith township; William R., residing at Vir- ginia. Minnesota ; and Elizabeth, who married Charles Blondhem, residing near Alberta, British Columbia. In politics, Joel Cook was a Republican. In religious belief he was united with the Christian Church.

Jesse Cook was reared on the home farm in Goshen township and obtained his educa- tion in the district schools. From boyhood he was trained in the details of farming and gave his father his help as long as the latter lived. Mr. Cook has spent almost his entire life on his farm, his main interests having always been centered here, but when occasion de- manded that he give up its comforts for a time, he did not shirk the duty. In May. 1864. he enlisted for service in the Civil War, en- tering Company D. 143rd Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and during the four months of his enlistment, he did guard duty at City Point and took part in the siege of Petersburg. After his honorable discharge he returned to his home in Goshen township. He is a member of Trescott Post, Grand Army of the Republic, No. 10, at Salem.

Mr. Cook was married to Ellen J. Oving-

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ton, who was born in Goshen township, Ma- honing County, Ohio, where she died April 14, 1905. She was a devoted member of the Bunker Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. She was a woman of beautiful, Christian character, and her death was not only a great bereave- ment to her husband and children, but to the whole community, where she was universally esteemed. She was a daughter of Bryan and Ann ( Mead) Ovington, the former of whom was born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Cook had three children born to them, namely : Howard R., residing at Beloit; Abbie, who married Warren E. Townsend, residing in Goshen township: and Mary C., who married Robert Boyd, residing in Goshen township.

In political sentiment Mr. Cook has always been affiliated with the Republican party, but he has never consented to hold any office ex- cept that of director of School District No. 5. He is one of the leading members of the Bunker Hill Methodist Episcopal Church.

ILLIAM G. CASSADAY, whose fine farm of 1061/2 acres is situ- ated in Canfield township, about three miles south and west of the village, is one of the representa- tive agriculturists of this section as well as a leading citizen. Mr. Cassaday was born De- cember 5, 1833, in his father's farm-house, which then stood on the present site of the new Methodist Episcopal Church, at Alliance, Ohio. He is a son of Samuel and Hannah (Scott) Cassaday.

The Cassaday family came originally from England to America and the grandfather of William G. Cassaday settled in New Jersey, where his son Samuel was born. The latter engaged in farming and teaming until several years after his marriage, when he decided to migrate with his wife and two children to Stark County, Ohio. The journey was made in a gerat covered wagon and at its termina- tion, a home was founded on the present site of Alliance, right in the midst of the green woods. The family lived in the wagon until

a rude log cabin could be erected, in which they lived for many years. At first Mr. Cas- saday supplied his family with wild game with little exertion, but afterward each year found fewer and fewer deer and wild turkey, and in time as the country was settled and cleared, they even became so rare that the sight of a wild creature was a matter of general com- ment. Mr. Cassaday, in the early days, made a large amount of maple sugar. In 1850 he moved to Mahoning County, settling on a partly cleared farm of 255 acres, on which he died in May, 1874, aged 75 years. The mother of Mr. Cassaday lived first with her son Joshua a number of years and then with William G., after which she went to the home of another son, Abraham Cassaday, at Alli- ance, where she died aged 84 years. There were six children born to Samuel Cassaday and wife, namely: Elizabeth, who married William Naylor, both being now deceased; Mercy, who married Dr. Brenton, both of whom also are deceased; Joshua, residing at Alliance: William Garwood; Abraham, resid- ing at Alliance, engaged in a drug business; and Sarah Jane, who married Dr. John M. Jennings, of Indiana.

William Garwood Cassaday still has very lively recollections of his boyhood which was passed in Stark County, and on many a hot day has ploughed where the railroad station and many of the finest business blocks of Alli- ance stand. His father at one time owned 255 acres of land which is now of great value, be- ing right in the heart of the city. Like many other early settlers he could not be persuaded that a railroad cut through his land would ever enhance its value, and when he was com- pelled to submit, he sold his property for a trifle and again made a pioneer beginning in Mahoning County. Before the removal to Canfield township, when William was about 16 years of age. he had attended the old log school which long ago passed out of existence, and later went to school in this section, com- pleting his education at Mt. Union College. Mr. Cassaday then taught school through ten winters and also several summer terms, one winter in Indiana, but mainly in Mahoning

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County. Following his marriage he rented the present farm for several years from his father, later purchasing it by degrees until he came into possession of about one-half of his land. He carries on general farming and raises horses, cattle, hogs and sheep and has been very successful with poultry, keeping some 150 chickens and doing a good business in eggs. The buildings were here when he came but he has rebuilt the residence and added many modern comforts.

Mr. Cassaday was married May 21, 1863. to Mary A. White, who was born in York- shire. England, January 29, 1838, and is a daughter of Joseph and Jane ( Mead) White. They came to America in 1850 and settled in Goshen township. Mahoning County. Joseph White was married ( first) to Sarah Robin- son and they had five children: John, Mary, William. Edward and Joseph. He was mar- ried ( second) to Jane Mead, of which union also there were five children, namely : Matthew, Richard, Frank, Mary A. and Hen- rv. all of whom live in America. He died in Goshen township, in February, 1873. at the age of 87 years. The mother of Mrs. Cas- saday died June 30. 1895. aged 88 years.

Mr. Cassaday has an excellent tenant in Rov E. Williams, who manages the farm. Mr. Williams married Ella Sauerwein and they have one child. Politically Mr. Cassaday is a Republican. Both he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Can- field, of which he is a trustee.

AMES E. NEVIN, a leading member of the bar of Mahoning County, and a substantial citizen of Youngstown, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, May 28, 1858.

Mr. Nevin was educated in the public schools of Columbiana County, at Mount Un- ion College, Alliance, Ohio, the National School of Elocution and Oratory, at Philadel- phia, Pennsylvania, and Washington Univer- sity, of St. Louis, Missouri. For three years Mr. Nevin was a successful educator in Co-

lumbiana County, principal of several schools, and prior to coming to Youngstown, in 1899, he practiced law at Omaha, Nebraska. He is a man of capital and is interested in a num- ber of mining and producing combines, oper- ating in coal, oil and other minerals.

On September 3. 1890, Mr. Nevin was married to Elizabeth Beattie, of St. Louis, and they have three sons, Kirkwood Scott. Robert Beattie and James Edmondson, Jr. They are members of the First Presbyterian Church.

Politically Mr. Nevin is a conservative Re- publican. He retains membership in his col- lege Greek letter society, the Phi Delta Phi.

IRE, WELSH & CO .. distillers, at New Middletown, widely known throughout this section of Ohio and Western Pennsylvania, con- duct the largest business enter- prise in the southeastern part of Mahoning County. This distillery was first started. in 1888, by Solomon M. Wire, William H. Rum- mel, Francis Marin and Elias Collar, and it was conducted under the firm name of Wire. Rummel & Co., until 1889. It was then changed to Wire & Welsh, with Solomon M. Wire and E. C. Welsh, as owners. It re- mained such until Duncan Livingstone became a partner, when the firm style was changed to Wire, Welsh & Co., under which it has since operated, although Mr. Wire died in 1903. Mr. Welsh and Mr. Livingstone are sole owners.

The business was started in a small way. being a twelve-bushel capacity a day. When Mr. Welsh became connected with it, it was in- creased to twenty-five bushels a day, later was advanced to forty-three bushels a day, still later to 85 bushels a day, and it is but a ques- tion of still more enlargement, when it will be one hundred bushels a day. Under Wire, Welsh & Co., many improvements were made and improved machinery, in the way of steel worms and other apparatus, was installed. In 1902, the building occupied at present was erected, new warehouses were built and still

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more improved machinery was introduced. The plant is taxed to its utmost capacity at present, but plans are on foot for further ex- pansion. This distillery has fine equipments. It uses a natural gas engine and a 100-horse power boiler and their prouct is double copper distilled. Although many firms falsely adver- tise their products as so prepared, in fact, this is one of the few firms in this part of the coun- try which employ the double copper distilled process. They have an elevator with 10,000 bushels capacity, and two warerooms, one 76 by 175 feet and another 36 by 105 feet, with a capacity of 5,000 bushels.

The brand, Middletown Golden Rye, is well known to the people of this part of Ohio, and is sold within a radius of twenty miles of New Middletown, the demand being so much greater than the supply, precludes the possi- bility of their extending their territory at the present time. The fact that Springfield town- ship is the only one in the county not voted dry, speaks well for the manner in which this plant has been conducted, and its importance to the prosperity of the community.

J OHN SANZENBACHER. a retired tanner and belt manufacturer of Can- field, Ohio, was born May 5. 1827, in Wittenberg. Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Barbara (Sugar) Sanzen-

bacher.

Jacob Sanzenbacher was born and reared in Germany and served for four years in the German army. He subsequently became pro- prietor of a hotel and later emigrated to Amer- ica with his wife and family. In 1833 he first located in Unity township, Columbiana Coun- ty, Ohio, and engaged in farming, after which he moved to Beaver County, now Lawrence County, residing there from 1838 until 1870. He then retired from farming, resided with his daughter in Girard a few years, after which he settled in Springfield. Mahoning County, Ohio, where he and his wife both died, his death occurring April 17. 1882. and that of his wife, December 24, 1878. They were the

parents of seven children, three of whom died in Germany, and one, George, died on the ocean and was buried at sea. Those reared in America were: Jacob, John, and Barbara, John being the only survivor.

John Sanzenbacher was about six years old when his parents located in Columbiana County, Ohio. The little education he re- ceived was obtained in a German school, held in an old fashioned log building with slab benches which had wooden pins for legs. Large four-foot whips were in evidence, as a reminder to the children to be good. Mr. San- zenbacher remained on the farm until 18 years of age when he served an apprenticeship of three years and six months in the tanning bus- iness, with Robert Fullerton of Lawrence County. During this time he received his board and washing together with $100. He then engaged at journey-work for William Moore of Boardman, and then for Mr. Miller of New Middletown, whom he later bought out, but one year later returned to Boardman, where he worked six months for William Moore. On April 9, 1850, he came to Can- field, Ohio, and opened a small tannery for himself, starting with a capital of $400, and one horse. He later entered into partnership with Pierpont Edwards and Franklin Show- aker, and they, under the firm name of The Buckeye State Tannery, built a larger plant nearer the railroad, giving employment to 30 men, tanning leather and working it into belt- ing. Mr. Sanzenbacher later bought out his partners and took his son David into the busi- ness, and in 1892 he retired from the business. For sometime he engaged in buying and selling leather, but is now living in retirement in an elegant home on Lisbon street in Canfield, where he has been a resident longer than any other man, with but one exception. Mr. San- zenbacher still owns a small farm at the edge of Canfield, but gave his well improved farm of 120 acres to his son David, and his farm of 67 acres to his son Charles.

Mr. Sanzenbacher was married (first) De- cember 24, 1850, to Sarah Jane Oswalt, who (lied November 5, 1898, and they had six chil- dren : Harriet, who married John Neff; Re-

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becca, who married Irwin Callahan ; Charles, who married Mollie Kohler: John H., who married a Miss Dodge; David, who married Sarah Carrol, and Luther, who is unmarried. In 1904 Mr. Sanzenbacher married (second) Elizabeth Marrow, who was born in 1830. Politically Mr. Sanzenbacher was formerly an adherent of the Free Soil and Anti-Slavery party, and is now a Republican. He is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Can- field. He was the founder of the Farmers National Bank of Canfield, of which he was a stockholder and director for seventeen years, but from which he has now retired.

S -

H. LIGHTNER, dealer in pianos, music and musical instruments, also musical author and publisher, has been identified with the interests of Youngstown, Ohio, for the past twen- ty-eight years. He was born and reared in Pennsylvania.

Mr. Lightner has been musical from his youth and possesses not only mechanical skill but a decided talent for composition. He taught school in his native state and also in Ohio, for some eight years, and in 1878 he accepted the position of supervisor of music in the public schools at Youngstown. This he retained for twenty-four years, only resigning in 1902, after a faithful service of almost a quarter of a century. He compiled a course in music which was adopted by the Ohio Nor- mal Music School. He is the author of a series of music books, three in number, known as the Melodic Music Course, which have proved very popular and being in use all over the state. Since retiring from the educational field, Mr. Lightner has been engaged in his present business, which to him is a thoroughly congenial one.

In 1879 Mr. Lightner was married to Jen- nie Hopkins. of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, and they have four children-Allan. Dean, Marjorie and Bernice. Allan, the eldest son, completed the public school course at Youngs- town and graduated from the classical depart-

ment of Oberlin College, in the class of 1903. He is married and has the general agency of the New York Lumber Insurance Company. The second son, Dean, graduated from Ober- lin in the class of 1906. He also is now with the New York Lumber Insurance Company. Marjorie possesses great musical gifts and is a student in the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. The youngest daughter is a student in the Rayen High School. The family are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

J OHN L. BECKER, one of the well known citizens of Poland township, who owns a farm of 51 acres and oper- ates the Kennedy farm of 135 acres, was born at Lowellville, Mahoning County, Ohio. June 29, 1859, and is a son of Lorenz and Veronica ( Dahringer) Becker. Lorenz Becker was a native of Alsace Loraine, France, and came to America with his father, Lorenz Becker, who settled at Syracuse, New York, where the son, Lorenz, was reared. After coming to Lowellville, he operated a coal bank located at Mt. Nebo, Mahoning County, for many years, after which he en- gaged in house painting. He married Veron- ica Dahringer and both are still living in the village of Lowellville. She came from Ger- many with her parents when 16 years of age.

John L. Becker was reared in Lowellville and for a number of years followed painting and paper hanging. Since his marriage he has resided with his wife's parents and farmed the Kennedy farm of 135 acres, and for seven years he also operated the flour mill at Low- ellville.

Mr. Becker was married October 4. 1888, to Rachel Kennedy, who is a daughter of Thomas W. and Margaret (Truesdale) Ken- nedy. Thomas Kennedy was born in Coits- ville in June, 1824, and was a son of James Kennedy, who came with his father, John Kennedy, from Westmoreland County, Penn- sylvania, to Ohio, where he was one of the earliest settlers of Coitsville. Thomas Ken- I nedy died June 4, 1896. His widow, who was

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born on the old Truesdale farm, is a daughter of Hugh Truesdale, who was also born on the old Truesdale farm, near Portland. James Kennedy, member of Congress from this district, is a son of Thomas and Margaret Kennedy, and is a brother-in-law of Mr. Beck- er. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Becker: Walter, who attends the Low- ellville High School; Frank; Margaret, who died aged seven years; Hugh Truesdale; Rachel Erskine: and Ruth.

AMUEL E. BRADSHAW, one of Goshen township's native born and substantial and prominent citizens, resides on a tract of 40 acres, which is situated in section 4, and owns an additional 371/2 acres, which is also located in Goshen township. Mr. Bradshaw was born on his present farm in Mahoning County, Ohio, June 30, 1849, and is a son of William and Jane ( Shinn ) Bradshaw.

The father of Mr. Bradshaw was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and the mother in New Jersey. The founder of the family in Goshen township, was the grandfather. James Bradshaw, who was a pioneer settler in this locality, coming when his son William was about seven years of age. For a short period he lived at Salem, Ohio, and then settled on his pioneer farm in the dense woods that then covered what is now one of the finest sections of farming land in Goshen township. Wil- liam Bradshaw, father of Samuel, became a man of prominence in this community and served a long time as a justice of the peace, in which office he won the confidence and re- gard of his fellow citizens on account of his just and careful decisions. He was a sup- porter of the principles of the Republican par- ty. He married Jane Shinn, and of their chil- dren. four survive, namely : Samuel E .: Lewis C., residing at Cleveland; Margaret E., who married William Stratton, residing in Columbiana County ; and James A., residing in Berlin township, Mahoning County.

Samuel E. Bradshaw was reared on the

farm he now occupies and through boyhood he attended school at Patmos. He has always devoted himself to the care and cultivation of his land and raises a fine line of agricultural products. He married Eliza J. Middleton, a daughter of the late Levi S. Middleton, of Goshen township, and they have three chil- dren, namely : Nellie I., who married Wil- liam A. Mather, residing in Goshen township; Rebecca E., who married Lewis Stratton, re- siding in Goshen township; and Mary E., who resides with her parents.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 102

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074