Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 106

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

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L OUIS F. BARGER, treasurer and su- perintendent of The Mahoning Gas Fuel Company, at Youngstown, has been a resident of this city since the spring of 1888. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Mr. Barger was reared and educated in his native State, studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1866. For a few years he prac- ticed his profession in Philadelphia and through the northwestern part of Pennsyl- vania. He then became interested in the oil fields and remained more or less identified with the industries of the oil sections until April, 1888, when he came from Oil City to Youngs- town, at that time assuming the duties of his present position. During the Civil War. Mr. Barger served in both the land and sea forces of the Government. He was a member of the expedition sent to the West Indies to annex the island of Santo Domingo, and was also with the expedition under Commodore Shuefeldt to Tehuantepec and Nicaragua, in the interests of the ship canal.

In 1876, at Geneva, New York, Mr. Bar- ger was married to Louise Page, and they

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have two children, namely : Helen Margaret, who married John Searight, residing at New Castle, Pennsylvania; and Adele C., who re- sides with her parents. Mr. Barger is a Knight Templar Mason. He belongs to George G. Meade Post No. I, G. A. R., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

AMUEL WERREN, a representative agriculturist of Goshen township, who is extensively engaged in dairy- ing and cheese manufacturing, owns one of the finest farms in this vicin- ity, consisting of 2941/2 acres, situated in sec- tion 7. Mr. Werren was born in the canton of Berne, Switzerland, August 5, 1860, and is a son of John and Magdalena ( Martin) Werren.

The parents of Mr. Werren were born in Switzerland. The father is deceased, but the mother still survives, having reached her 87th year. Samuel Werren was educated in the ex- cellent schools of his native land. In 1883, he came to America, locating in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he followed agricultural pursuits for a time and then engaged for several years in making Swiss cheese, for John A. Summers, near Georgetown, Columbiana County. It was not difficult to create a public demand for this delicious cheese, and Mr. Werren decided to go into the business on his own account. He came to Goshen township and rented his present farm for seven years, and then moved to Smith township, in the vicinity of Sebring. In 1899, he returned to this farm, which he then purchased, and which he has continued to improve. In addition to general farming, dairying and cheese manti- facturing, Mr. Werren has become identified with cattle-raising, breeding from registered Holsteins. He now owns a herd of 100 of these beautiful, valuable cattle, of which he is justly proud, for their equal are seldom seen. Mr. Werren is a wide-awake business man and thoroughly understands all the details of his many industries.

married to Louisa Werren, who was also born in Switzerland. With his wife, Mr. Werren belongs to the German Reform Church, at Alliance.

Politically, Samuel Werren is a Republi- can, but he is too much occupied with his many business interests to care for any local office. His success in life has come to him through his own efforts, as Mr. Werren is an excellent type of that class known as self-made men.

A LFRED DETCHON, one of the most prominent and highly respected citi- zens of Milton township, residing on a tract of 60 acres, was born in 1837, in Boardman township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Solomon and Anna ( McKee) Detchon.

Oswald Detchon, grandfather of Albert Detchon, was a native of England. After his marriage to Miss Carr, he came to America and subsequently located on a farm of 300 acres in Boardman township, Mahoning County, Ohio. This land was divided among his three sons, Solomon Detchon, father of Alfred, was born in Boardman township, re- sided on his share of his father's estate, con- sisting of 100 acres, until his death in 1869. He was one of the first justices of Boardman township. He married Anna McKee, who was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and died in 1898. aged 89 years. They were the parents of five children, four of whom are living.

Alfred Detchon was reared to manhood on his father's farm in Boardman township. At the outbreak of the Civil War he enlisted in Company E, Second Regiment, Ohio Cavalry, at Canfield, contracting for three years, but on account of disability, he was discharged before a year had passed. He then returned to Boardman township where he continued to live until after his marriage, when he sold his property there and came to Milton township. where he has since resided. He was married in 1865. to Martha Eholtz, a native of Ohio,

On December 31. 1892, Mr. Werren was | and a daughter of Frederick and Amelia

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(Zedaker) Eholtz, both natives of Ohio, the former of Springfield and the latter of Board- man township, Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Detchon have ten children, all of whom are living, namely : Jessie, Ella, Fred, Herbert, Clara, Edith, Emory, Margaret, Blanche, and Vernon. Emory saw military service in the Phillipine Islands.

ORDON COOK, attorney at law, at Youngstown, with offices in the Dol- lar Bank Building, was born in 1879, on a farm near Clarendon, Orleans County, New York, his family being an old settled one of that locality. His father, Rev. F. W. Cook, is a minister in the Methodist Church. Mr. Cook was reared in Orleans County and completed his liberal education at the Syracuse University, receiv- ing his degree of Bachelor of Science, in 1899, and of Bachelor of Law in the same year. He immediately took a post graduate course at Vanderbilt University, at Nashville, Tennes- see, and on its completion came to Youngs- town. He soon formed a partnership with Hon. E. H. Moore, which was continued for a few years, but for some years he has been practicing alone. He is a member of the Law Library Association. In 1900, Mr. Cook was married to Mary Stambaugh, youngest daugh- ter of D. B. Stambaugh, of this city. Politics have always been of interest to Mr. Cook, but he has sought no political favors. Fraternally he is connected with the Elks.

ARREN L. RIPLEY, a leading cit- izen of Ellsworth township, resid- ing on his well-improved farm sit- uated at the edge of the village of Ellsworth, owns 140 acres of some of the best land in Mahoning County. . Mr. Ripley was born April 26, 1842, in Ells- worth township, Mahoning County. Ohio, and is a son of Hervey and Henrietta ( Sackett) Ripley.

Gen. William Ripley, the grandfather of Warren L .. came to Ellsworth township, in 1805, accompanied from Connecticut by his brother Hervey, who died in 1813. Captain Coit and Andrew Fitch. All were brave, adven- turous young men, who had had some Indian fighting experiences and were prepared for the hardships of pioneer life. They erected a frame building, two stories in height and 18. feet square, and this remained their home for two years. This building still stands on Mr. Ripley's farm. Each member of this quartet, with the possible exception of Hervey Ripley, subsequently married and from them have de- scended many who are representative people through this part of Ohio.

In 1807, Gen. William Ripley returned to. Connecticut, where he married Susan Bing- ham, whose mother belonged to the Bradford. family, the ancestors of which family came to New England on the Mayflower. William Ripley died in 1859. His family included four sons and three daughters, namely : Adeline, who married Joseph Colt, died in Ellsworth township; Edwin, who died at Princeton, Illinois ; Emily, who married Josiah Fitch, died in Wisconsin; Susan, who married Joseph Edwards, died at Marquette, Michi- gan ; Hervey, of whom there is no special men- tion ; William, who was born in 1818, the last survivor of this family, died in the winter of 1906-7; and John B., a clergyman, who was a chaplain in the United States Marine Corps, died while stationed at Philadelphia.

Hervey Ripley, father of Warren L., was born February 23, 1816, in Ellsworth town- ship, and died April 25, 1894, aged 78 years. On January 7, 1838, he married Huldah Hen- rietta Sackett, who died in 1874. She was born in Ellsworth township. Mahoning County, and was a daughter of Moses and Cornelia (Fox) Sackett, who were natives of Connecticut, and very early settlers in Mahon- ing County. There were ten children born to Hervey Ripley and wife, one of whom died in infancy, five sons and four daughters sur- viving to maturity. Judith P., married Walter Smith, who was a soldier in the Civil War, and died in a hospital at New Haven, Ken-

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tucky. Thomas, who served in the Third Regiment, Iowa Volunteer Infantry, enlisting from that state, married (first) Sarah Hughes, of Ellsworth, and (second) Annie Ogden. He died at Atlanta, Georgia, where he was in the contracting business. Warren L. Ward, who served in Company F, Forty-first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for four years and three months, resides at Olithia, Kansas. He married Ella Woodward, of Michigan. Edgar, who served 100 days in the 155th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, re- siding at Olithia, Kansas. He married Rachel Furgerson, of Milton township, Mahoning County. William never married.

Warren L. Ripley was educated in the dis- trict schools and Cottage Hill Academy. In September, 1861, he enlisted for service in the War of the Rebellion, in Company F, Forty- first Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered out November 27, 1865. The first battle of importance in which Mr. Ripley participated was that of Shiloh, April 7, 1862, and the last, that of Nashville, December 16, 1864, but between these two dates he had risked his life in 56 other engagements, large and small. For 100 days he was under fire in the Atlanta campaign, but he fortunately was never seriously injured. After the surrender of General Lee his regiment was sent to the Texas border on account of trouble being ex- pected with Mexico, but as Napoleon III wisely withdrew his French army, the Federal soldiers soon dispersed to their various homes, Mr. Ripley coming to Columbus and shortly afterward reaching Ellsworth township.

After his long absence Mr. Ripley soon had farming operations under way and until the present he has continued to engage in gen- eral agriculture and stock-raising, in which he is ably assisted by his son, who has been given a half interest in the farm of 140 acres, which is jointly owned by Mr. and Mrs. Ripley.

On January 17. 1866, Mr. Ripley was married to Susanna Miller, who is a daughter of Eli and Catherine (Gee) Miller, old resi- dents, the former of whom was born in Ells- worth township, in 1821, and the latter in Delaware township, Westchester County, New

York, in 1822. She came to Ellsworth town- ship with her parents, Rev. Nicholas and Nancy ( Furman) Gee, one of twelve children. Rev. Nicholas Gee came here in 1825, and was a local minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the first of his faith in this community. He died May 14, 1867, aged 70 years. Mrs. Miller died in 1903, aged 82 years.

John Miller, the grandfather of Mrs. Rip- ley, was born in 1789, and died at the age of 94 years. Prior to coming to Ohio, he lived at Tyrone, Pennsylvania, from which point he started with his family and possessions, in covered wagons. The trip to Ellsworth town- ship consumed fifteen days, a stop having been made for a short period in Poland township. He settled in the northeast part of the town- ship and lived there until his death. The Mil- ler family is of German extraction and John Philip Miller, Mrs. Ripley's great-grandfa- ther, was one of the earliest settlers of Ells- worth township and a prominent man there. He had served in the War of 1812, and made a local reputation as a musician. He was a member of the Reformed Church and was buried in the cemetery of that church, at Can- field.

The parents of Mrs. Ripley reared two orphan boys, Ira F. Powers and William W. Craig, as their own. Ira F. Powers was born March 24, 1843, in Beaver County, Pennsyl- vania. His father lost his life while firing the salute which marked the completion of the . Fort Wayne Railroad through the Darlington cuts, a premature explosion doing much dam- age and causing the death of Mr. Powers. Ira F. Powers served as a soldier in the Civil War, as a member of Company C. 1Ith Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was the first volunteer from Ellsworth township. Wm. W. Craig was a son of John Wesley Craig. He died from typhoid fever, at Nashville, Ten- nessee, during the Civil War.

Mr. and Mrs. Ripley have had two chil- dren, Catherine and Sehon Miller. The for- mer was born July 14, 1883, and died April 20, 1891. The latter was born September II. 1890, and has obtained his education in the

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public schools. He is a very bright, intelli- gent and engaging young man and has a wide circle of friends in the neighborhood. Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are members of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, in which he is one of the stewards and belongs also to the board of trustees. Politically Mr. Ripley has been a life-long Republican and has served as town- ship treasurer. He belongs to Trescott Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic, at Sa- lem, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ripley are noted for their hospitality. They have a beautiful old home in which Mrs. Ripley has lived for fifty-two years.

A NDREW REESH, who is the proprie- tor of the Reesh Basket Works, at New Springfield, which is one of the important industries of that place, also oversees the extensive farming operations on almost 300 acres of fine land, all of which, with the exception of 15 acres, is situated in Springfield township. this bal- ance being in Beaver township. Mr. Reesh was born in Unity township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Rebecca (Kuntz) Reesh. The father of Mr. Reesh was born also in Unity township, where he owned 15 acres of land, which he sold when Andrew was about eight years of age, remov- ing at that time to Crawford County, Pennsyl- vania. During the last eleven years of his life he resided with his son at New Springfield.

Andrew Reesh is one of Springfield town- ship's most substantial citizens and is a self- made man. He was given almost no educa- tional opportunities in his youth, but never- theless he has much more than held his own in the battle of life, has acquired valuable prop- erty and has become one of the leading busi- ness citizens of his community, accomplish- ing all this through his own efforts. During his youth he was always industrious, working on farms in Columbiana and Mahoning coun- ties, and also following the carpenter trade. When he decided to embark in business at New Springfield, he sold his farm of 17 acres which he then owned and which included a

sawmill, about two miles south of New Spring- field, and in 1887, Mr. Reesh started into the manufacturing of hoops, that being the founda- tion of his present business, but shortly after- ward increased his facilities, and since then has manufactured baskets, barrel headings, shingles etc. His factory is fitted with first-class ma- chinery, including firteen basket machines, and also a cider press. He manufactures pint, quart and gallon baskets, his factory having a capacity of about 100,000 a week at present, and his sales are commensurately large. Dur- ing the summer of 1996, he shipped over 2. 0,000 baskets alone to California and s. ps to other states, particularly Michigan. During the busy season he gives employment to from 40 to 42 men, women and boys, pay- ing good wages and thus assists materially in the prosperity of the communtiy.

Mr. Reesh married Lena Whitmore, who is a daughter of David Whitmore, of Unity township, and they have eleven children : John, who works with his father, married Mary Peters and they have five children; Clark, who is railroading ; Elsa, residing at home; Alice, who married Jonas Sheely, residing in New Springfield; Icephene and Josephine, twins, the former of whom married Daniel Seeger, residing in New Springfield; Nettie, who mar- ried Elmer Crouse, and resides in Columbiana County ; Nonie, residing at home; and three who died in infancy.

In politics Mr. Reesh is a Democrat. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees, at New Springfield. Mr. Reesh's success, which he has reached entirely by his own efforts, should prove a source of encouragement to other young men, placed, at the beginning of life, in a like situation.

HOMAS J. McVEY, a prominent citi- zen of Coitsville township, a member of its school board, and identified for the past five years with the land pur- chasing interests of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, resides on his farm, which is situated on the Youngstown and Lowell-

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ville highway, east of the former city. Mr. McVey was born May 31, 1862, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Isabella (Johnston) McVey.

The father of Mr. McVey was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and was a son of Daniel McVey, who died in that country. In his youth he went to the coal mines of Scot- land, where he worked until 1850, when he was 23 years of age, when he emigrated to America and located immediately at Lowell- ville, where he began work in the coal fields. He was a man of exceptional business faculty and in a very short time he began to lease coal and ore lands, and entered into shipping their products to Brier Hill by way of the old canal. Subsequently, John McVey went to Illinois, where he associated himself with William Gra- ham, who was a cousin of his wife and an uncle of Prosecuting Attorney Graham, of Youngstown, and together they opened up the first coal mine in Illinois.

Mr. McVey then moved to Lawrence Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, buying a farm situated one- half mile east of the State line on the Youngs- town and New Castle road, and this farm was the birthplace of his son, Thomas J. McVey.

The mother of Mr. McVey was born in Ireland but was taken to Scotland in early youth by her father, Robert Johnston, who emigrated to America at a later day and set- tled in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, on a farm adjacent to the one on which Thomas J. McVey was born. When the latter was five years old, his parents sold the farm in Law- rence County and bought one located in Po- land township, between Lowellville and Struthers. The father bought three separate farms in Poland and Coitsville townships, ag- gregating 300 acres of good land, and the family still retain two farms in Poland town- ship and one in Coitsville, although they have disposed of some of the property, the Penn- sylvania and Lake Erie Railroad having bought 23 acres of the farm on which Thomas J. McVey lives, and the Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company having bought about the same amount, while a large tract out of the 100 acres has been divided into building lots.

After retiring from the coal mining busi- ness, which he did when Thomas J. was still young, John McVey devoted the rest of his life entirely to agricultural pursuits and died on his farm in Poland township, July 24, 1901. His widow resides in Youngstown, They had seven children, namely: Margaret Jane, who died aged two and one-half years; John E., formerly a prominent attorney at Youngstown, died November 24, 1905; Rob- ert W., residing in Coitsville township; Thomas J .; Hannah Jane, who married Daniel Davis, residing in Youngstown; Isabella Frances, who married James S. Potter, resid- ing in Youngstown; and Charles Y., resid- ing at Cleveland.

Thomas J. McVey was educated in the schools of Lowellville, and up to 1902, de- voted his attention to farming, retiring at that time from agricultural pursuits to turn his attention to other lines of business. Since then he has been connected with the Pennsyl- vania Railroad as purchaser of rights of way. Since January 1, 1905, he has served on the school board.

Mr. McVey married Althea J. Reed, who is a daughter of John and Samantha Reed, and they have one child, Cecil Reed, aged 19 years.

C HARLES J. ROLLER, the success- ful operator of a valuable farm .of 157 acres, which is situated in sec- tion 23, Green township, is a prom- inent citizen of this neighborhood and a member of one of its old families. Charles J. Roller was born in Green township, Mahoning County, Ohio, August 3, 1867, and is a son of the late Samuel W. and Sarah E. (Hole) Roller.

The late Samuel W. Roller was born in Green township, April 30, 1826, and died March 30, 1902. He was a son of Michael and Isabel (Calvin) Roller, and a grandson of John Roller, who came to Green township from Tennessee, as early as 1802. His son, Isaac Roller, was the first white male child

THOMAS A. CREED

MRS. ELLA P. CREED

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born in this township. All the early history of Green township shows the prominence of the Roller family. They cleared the land, made roads, built school houses and estab- lished places for religious worship, giving en- couragement to every civilizing influence. Samuel W. Roller spent his whole life in Green township, and he was one day over one year old when his parents settled on the pres- ent farm, which is known as the Samuel W. Roller homestead. It is owned by his heirs and is operated by Charles J. Of the nine chil- dren of Samuel W. and Sarah E. Roller seven are living, as follows: Elvira J., who married Oliver S. Walter, residing at Greenford; Me- lissa, who is the widow of Dr. J. H. Calvin, late of Salem, Ohio; Arthur C., residing near Columbiana; Anna L., who married Jacob D. Cook, residing at Salem; Ida I., who resides with her mother at Greenford; and Charles J. and Ernest I., residing in Green township. The late Samuel W. Roller served a number of terms as trustee of Green township, elected on the Republican ticket. His widow resides at Greenford and is a consistent member of the Disciples Church.

Charles J. Roller grew to man's estate in his native place and was educated in school district No. 7. He has been accustomed to farm work from his youth and is considered one of the leading agriculturists and fruit- growers of this part of the county. His late father was also interested in growing fine fruit. On August 26, 1903, Mr. Roller was married to Irene Porter, who was born in Canfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. Porter of that town- ship.

In politics Mr. Roller is a strong supporter of the principles of the Republican party and he has served as township trustee, and in 1900 was township census enumerator. Fraternally he belongs to the Blue Lodge, F. & A. M., at Leetonia, and the Chapter at Salem; is also a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Green- ford Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. Mr. Roller is a very popular citizen in his neigh- borhood, his best friends being those who have

known him from boyhood, which is a pretty fair test of character.

C HOMAS A. CREED, owner and pro- prietor of the Creed Stock Farm, which consists of 112 acres, all of which with the exception of II acres lying across the line in Trumbull County, is situated in Youngstown township, resides on the old William Price farm, in Coitsville township, this property having for- merly belonged to his father-in-law. He was born in Somersetshire, England, September 30, 1845, son of William and Harriet ( Ames) Creed. His parents came to America when he was about three years of age. They settled in Coitsville township, Mahoning County, where William Creed rented farming land from the late Judge William Rayen, for 30 years. Wil- liam Creed died aged 55 years, but his widow has survived to a venerable but not helpless age. She has reached her 89th year and when 85 years of age was able to enjoy her usual social life and to entertain her friends with in- strumental music. She resides with a daugh- ter, Mary J. Millikin, at Youngstown.

Thomas A. Creed was about 19 years old when his father died and he remained at home until he married, when he took charge of the William Price farm and worked for his fa- ther-in-law on shares for thirteen years. He then moved to Fosterville, in Youngstown township, and lived there on rented land for five years, but in 1888 he bought 118 acres from H. H. Stambaugh, taking possession of it in the following spring. Here he carried on general farming, stock-raising and dairying for fourteen years, but in the spring of 1903, came to the present farm. In a large degree Mr. Creed is a self-made man, having gained independence through his own industry and good management.

In 1871 Mr. Creed was married to Ella B. Price, a daughter of William B. and Matilda E. (McFarland) Price. William B. Price was born at Hubbard, Ohio, a son of James S. and Sarah Ann (Duer) Price, who were na-

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tives of Connecticut. He remained in Hub- bard until he was 17 years old and then came to Coitsville township, where he learned the blacksmith trade with Thomas McGeehan, subsequently entering into partnership with him. His wife, Matilda Elizabeth McFarland Price, is a daughter of William and Elizabeth McFarland, the former of whom was born in Ireland and was an early settler in Coitsville township. In 1831 William McFarland built the old stone house to which the parents of Mrs. Creed moved, from Coitsville Center, when she was five years old. The William Price farm originally contained 123 acres, but a large portion of it has been sold to the Youngstown Land & Improvement Company.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 106

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