Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 108

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 108

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J. DILL, vice-president and general manager of the Youngstown and Southern Railway, now in course of construction between Youngstown and Leetonia, Ohio, is a man whose railroad experience covers many years and in different sections of the country. He was born, reared and educated in the state of New York.

From a clerkship in a store, Mr. Dill en- gaged in an ice business in Jersey City, New Jersey, and then took up railroad work at that point, with the Pennsylvania system. Two years later he went with the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad, with which corporation he remained in train service for six years. He then accepted the position of division superintendent of the Metropolitan Street Railway, of New York City, remaining there five years. Thence he went to the super-

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intendency of the Detroit, Ypsilanti, Ann Ar- bor and Jackson Railroad, for two years, sub- sequently becoming general superintendent of the Michigan Traction Company, with which he remained for a year and a half. Mr. Dill was then called to his present position as gen- eral manager of the Youngstown and South- ern Railway. This line will have been com- pleted as far as Leetonia, by the autumn of 1907, and will be fully equipped as an elec- tric railway. A connection will be made at Leetonia with the Youngstown and Ohio River Railroad, thus connecting with Salem, Lisbon and East Liverpool, and cementing the transportation interests of Columbiana and Mahoning Counties.

In 1892 Mr. Dill was married to E. Jan- ette Flood, of Boston, Massachusetts, and they have four children : Leland, Herbert, Robert and Grace Margaret. Mr. Dill has invested in real estate at Youngstown, puchasing a hand- some home at No. 827 Michigan avenue. He is a member of the Masons and the Elks and belongs also to the Youngstown Club.

A BRAHAM GREENAWALT, justice of the peace and prominent citizen of Damascus, has been a resident of this little city since 1892, when he removed from his valuable farm of 129 acres in Smith township, which he still owns. Mr. Greenawalt is also an honored survivor if the great Civil War. He was born February 23, 1834, in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Eliza- beth (Conner) Greenawalt.

The parents of Mr. Greenawalt were na- tives of Pennsylvania, from which state they came to Ohio, in 1835, settling in Columbiana County, near Washingtonville. There the fa- ther engaged in farming for many years be- fore his death. He was survived by his widow for some years. Of their five children, Abra- ham is the only one living.

Abraham Greenawalt remained on the home farm assisting his father, until he was. 18 years of age, in the meantime securing a

district school education. He then learned the trade of bricklayer, one he followed for many years, but later, when he settled in Smith township, Mahoning County, turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. When the Civil War was precipitated on the country, the army was mainly made up, in the North, from a class of men who, previous to enlisting, had always lived quiet, peaceful lives. Among those who went out from this section of Ohio, was Abraham Greenawalt, who, in August, 1862, entered Company G, 104th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with cheerful courage until he was honorably dis- charged in June, 1865, at Greensboro, North Carolina. During this long period of hard marching and more or less continuous fight- ing, Mr. Greenawalt fortunately escaped in- jury, although he participated in some of the most serious battles of the whole war. His regiment was a part of the Army of the Cum- berland and took part in the siege of Knox- ville, the battle of Franklin, and the several days of fighting included in the battle of Nash- ville, and the campaign around Atlanta, being under fire the greater part of the time. The 23rd Army Corps, of which his regiment was a part, was at Raleigh, North Carolina, when the noted Confederate general, Joe Johnston, was compelled to surrender to the Federal forces.

After his honorable discharge from mili- tary service, Mr. Greenawalt came to Cleve- land, Ohio, where he was paid off, and then lived for a short time at Salem, but settled, in 1866, on farming land he had purchased in Smith township. He there became one of the substantial, reliable citizens, took an interest in public affairs, served several years as town- ship trustee, two years as assessor and in 1900, was appointed land appraiser in Goshen town- ship. In 1892 he retired from farm labor and since then has been a leading citizen of Da- mascus, has served as an active promoter of the town's best interests, and since May 5. 1903, has been a justice of the peace.

Mr. Greenawalt was married ( first) to Tane Miller, of Smith township and they had five children, the two survivors being: Emor

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M., residing in Wichita County, Kansas, and John J., residing at Alliance, Ohio. Mr. Greenawalt was married (second) to Mary J. Phillips, who was born in Montgomery Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Nathan and Anna Phillips, who came from Pennsyl- vania when Mrs. Greenawalt was eight years of age. A granddaughter of Mr. Greenawalt, Blanche, daughter of Emor M., has resided with her grandfather for the past fourteen years, since she was four years old, and is a very amiable and engaging young lady. Mr. Greenawalt is one of the leading members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a val- ued comrade in John C. Fremont Post, G. A. R., of Alliance, Ohio.

RS. SARAH RHODES, a most highly respected resident of Greenford, widow of Cyrus Rhodes, who died December 26, 1904, was born in Green township, Mahoning County, Ohio, November 4, 1830, and is a daughter of John and Mary ( Baker) Bush.

The father of Mrs. Rhodes died in 1880. He was a native of Germany and had come among the early settlers to Green township. He was a weaver by trade and in connection with farming, worked more or less at his loom until his death. He married Mary Baker, who died when Mrs. Rhodes was small and she is the only survivor of their family of five chil- dren.

Mrs. Rhodes as a girl attended the public schools of Green township, and has always been considered a woman of great intelligence' and excellent judgment in the ordinary affairs of life. On August 7. 1851, she was married to Cyrus Rhodes, who was born November 18, 1826, in Green township. Mahoning Coun- ty, and was a son of Henry and Sarah (Cochel) Rhodes. The latter were natives of an eastern state and came to Green town- ship at so early a period that they were obliged to make their own path through the unbroken forest, marking the trees on the way in order

to find an opening again to civilization. No children were born to Cyrus Rhodes and wife, but they reared two infants to maturity, both of whom became as dear to them as their own. Their adopted son, Lafayette Rhodes, residing in Green township, married Caroline Hively, of Green township, and they have two chil- dren, Sarah M. and Otis O. The adopted daughter, Eliza Parmelia, who died in the spring of 1899, married Dwight Kelley, resid- ing now at Youngstown, and they had five children, namely: Ruby M., Ada M., Charles R., Clark L. and Honor D.

After their marriage, Cyrus Rhodes and wife settled on a farm in Green township, where Mr. Rhodes carried on general farming. He was a man of prominence in the county and served six years as infirmary director and a number of terms as trustee of Green town- ship. He took an active part in town politics and his influence was always lent to advance the best interests of his community. He was a Republican. For many years he was a con- sistent member of the Lutheran Church at Greenford, in which he was a deacon. After a half century of happy married life, Mr. Rhodes passed away, a man who was beloved and reverenced in his family and respected and esteemed by his fellow-citizens.

Mrs. Rhodes still owns her farm of 100 acres, situated in Green township. She is a valued member of the Lutheran Church at Greenford.

m YRON I. ARMS, vice-president of the First National Bank at Youngstown, Ohio, and president of the General Fire-Proofing Com- pany, also of Youngstown, is one of the representative business men of this city. He was born January 30, 1854, a son of Myron I. and Emeline E. (Warner) Arms.

The father of Mr. Arms was long one of the prominent business men of this section, a large iron manufacturer, with many and im- portant interests. During the Civil War these were so large that on three occasions he paid

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for substitutes to enter the service because he could not release himself from his business re- sponsibilities. Later he entered the service himself and died in 1864 as a result of expos- ure in the field. He was the father of six children.

After completing his education Myron I. Arms began his business career as a teller in a bank, but subsequently became interested in iron manufacturing at Niles, Ohio. His inter_ ests have extended and for some time he has been vice-president of the First National Bank at Youngstown, having been president of the General Fire-Proofing Company since 1901.

Mr. Arms married Almira Hitchcock, a daughter of the late Wm. J. Hitchcock, and they are the parents of one child. They have a beautiful and home-like residence at No. 639 Wick avenue, Youngstown.

Mr. and Mrs. Arms are members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Arms is affiliated with the Republican party, but takes no very active interest in politics. He ranks among the foremost business men of the city.

R EV. GEORGE B. MALMSBERRY, proprietor of Hillview Farm, a finely located tract of 63 acres of fertile, well improved land in Goshen town- ship, has been a minister in the So- ciety of Friends. for the past forty years. He was born March 23, 1841, in Goshen town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of James and Sarah H. (Brantingham) Malms- berry.

The grandparents of Mr. Malmsberry were Benjamin and Jane Malmsberry, who came to what is now Mahoning County, from New Jersey, and settled in Goshen township, when but few other pioneers had ventured into the wilderness which then prevailed. Ben- jamin Malmsberry selected his farm near the present site of the town of Garfield, this land now being the property of M. L. Pettit. There he built his log house and began the develop- ing of a farm from the forest. In religious

faith he was a Quaker and his was a powerful influence in establishing firmly in this section, the Society of Friends. Benjamin Malms- berry and wife, in the course of nature, passed away and their remains lie in the quiet little burying ground of the East Goshen Church.

James Malmsberry, father of George B., was reared and educated in Goshen township, in which he passed the greater part of his life. He married Sarah H. Brantingham, of Eng- lish descent, and they reared a family and they, too have passed away.

George B. Malmsberry was reared in Goshen township and in his boyhood attended the district schools. He also enjoyed educa- tional advantages in private schools, his early instruction having been supplemented by a life more or less intellectual in its activities. For a long period Mr. Malmsberry has been an acceptable minister in the Friends' Church and has served as regular pastor of both the East Goshen Church and of the Mottown, Portage County, Church. He is widely known, and his counsel, advice and example, as well as his deep and earnest religious in- struction, are highly valued by his people. In character he is an honest, upright, God-fearing man, fearless in denouncing wrong and ready at all times to speak for the right.

Mr. Malmsberry married Tazetta Cattell, who was born in Mahoning County and is a daughter of Joseph and Annar Cattell. Mr. and Mrs. Malmsberry have two children, namely : Arvine J. and Sarah A. The latter is the wife of Walter J. Ellyson, residing in Butler township, Columbiana County, Arvine J. Malmsberry was born in Goshen township, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 5. 1864, and was educated in the public schools and at Da- mascus Academy. He owns an excellent farm of 60 acres, situated in section 19, Goshen township, and is also senior member of the firm of Malmsberry & Stanley, balers and pressers of hay and straw. This firm does a large business and owns a modern hay press. Arvine J. Malmsberry married Alice Cobbs. who was born in Goshen township and is a daughter of Elihu and Mary A. (Stanley)

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Cobbs, who reside at Salem. Of this mar- riage have been born three children: Russell E., Loren G. and Charles A. Mr. Malms- berry is an elder in the East Goshen Friends Church. Like his esteemed father, he is a Prohibitionist.

Rev. George B. Malmsberry has resided on his present property since about the close of the Civil War. As its name appropriately describes it, the farm is admirably situated as to view, and it shelters some of the most highly respected and beloved residents of this section. Mr. Malmsberry is a pleasant con- versationalist, and his recollections of the changes which he has witnessed in the face of the country in this vicinity are very inter- esting.

u F. KISTLER, attorney-at-law, at Youngstown, with offices in the Ma- loney block, was born in 1864, near Cornersburg, Boardman township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph Kistler.

His grandfather, John B. Kistler, who was born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, was an early settler and a prominent farmer of Ma- honing County. Joseph Kistler was born in this county and died when the subject of this sketch was 10 years old.

U. F. Kistler was reared on the farm in Boardman township where he received his pri- mary education, later attending school in Can- field. For ten subsequent years he taught school in Mahoning County, and then read law with R. B. Murray, of Youngstown. After his admission to the bar, in 1894, he immedi- ately began the practice of his profession. In 1902 he entered into partnership with F. L. Oesch, under the firm name of Kistler & Oesch. Mr. Kistler is a member of the Ma- honing County Bar Association and the Ma- honing County Library Association. Mr. Kistler has a beautiful country residence at Lanterman Falls. He was reared in the faith of the Lutheran Church.

OSEPH R. TABER, postmaster, dealer in boots and shoes, and one of the leading citizens of the village of Can- field, was born February 3, 1859, in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph Addison and Isabella (Keckley) Ta- ber, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter is still living on the old home place in the village of Pekin, Carroll County, Ohio.

Joseph R. Taber was reared in Carroll County, Ohio. His primary education, which was received in the district schools, was sup- plemented by a course at the Grand River In- stitute in Ashtabula County, after which he taught in the business department of the Aus- tinburg Institute for two years. In 1888 he came to Canfield and taught the business de- partment of the Northeastern Ohio Normal College for thirteen years. In 1900 he bought out G. B. Shellhorn, who conducted a boot and shoe store, and has since been engaged in that business which he manages in connection with his duties as postmaster of Canfield, taking charge of the postoffice on April II, 1905. Since 1900 Mr. Taber has been clerk of the village. He is a Republican in politics, and served as mayor of Canfield for two years, during 1894-5. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows.

Mr. Taber married Nettie A. Bartholomew of Vienna, Ohio, and has two children : Mil- dred and Mabel.

ILLIAM BEIGHT, merchant, who has been established in the mer- cantile business at New Middle- town, since 1887, was born on the old Jonathan Beight homestead, in Springfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, January II, 1866, and is a son of Jona- than and Bietta (Lipp) Beight.

The Beight family came to Springfield township among its earliest pioneers. John Beight, the great-grandfather, with his son, John Beight, came from Hagerstown, Mary- land, in 1802, and located in Springfield town-

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ship, where he secured about about a half sec- tion of land from the government, paying $1.25 an acre. The land was cleared enough at first to enable the father and son to build a log cabin of the most primitive description, without either windows or floors. This struct- ure stood on the farm for many years. Grand- father John Beight married a member of the Rhodes family, also pioneers. Jonathan Beight, father of William, was born on the Beight land but on a farm adjoining that on which his son was born, in December, 1828. When he married he bought 57 acres of the homestead land to which he subsequently added until he had 140 acres, which he oper- ated for some years, but later disposed of all of it to his sons. He married Bietta Lipp, who was born in April, 1828, in Stuttgart, Ger- many, and is a daughter of Gottleib Lipp, who came to Springfield township when Mrs. Beight was five years old. A family of ten children have been born to Jonathan Beight and his wife, as follows: Israel, residing in Springfield township; Louis, a resident of Springfield township: George, who died aged six years; Emanuel and Jonathan, Jr., both residing in Springfield township; Lydia, who married Francis Haller, residing in Spring- field township; William; Tillie, who died young : Rebecca, who married Clarence Creps, residing with her parents; and Annie, who married Sylvester Burkey, and resides a short distance east of New Middletown.

William Beight was reared in Springfield township, where he attended the public schools ·during boyhood, later became a student at the Northeastern Ohio Normal School at Can- field, and completed his education at the Spen- cerian Commercial School at Cleveland. For two years he was interested in a mercantile business at New Springfield, under the name of J. Hoffman & Co., following which he came to New Middletown. Mr. Beight commenced business at his present location, a two-story building, and he utilizes all the space, his stock being a very heavy one. For the first six years he had his brother, E. M. Beight. as a partner, but then bought the latter's interest and the firm name was changed from Beight

Bros. to William Beight. His stock includes. dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and he supplies a large percentage of the citizens of New Middletown as well as the adjacent country.

Mr. Beight has not only been a successful merchant, but he has a number of other inter- ests which he ably controls. A man of fore- sight and judgment, he has invested largely in real estate, particularly at Youngstown, in which city he owns seven valuable residence. properties and also has an interest in the Pfau & Faunce Realty Company. He owns a one- fourth interest in a three-story store and apart- ment building which is being erected on Phelps. street.

In September, 1887, Mr. Beight was mar- ried to Emma Fauser, who was born at Peters- burg, Mahoning County, and is a daughter of Frederick and Lucy (Martin) Fauser. Mr. Fauser still survives and resides at the home- of Mr. and Mrs. Beight. The latter have one son, Judson Frederick, who was born Febru- ary II, 1888. In politics, Mr. Beight votes- with the Democrats. Fraternally he belongs to Starlight Lodge, No. 224, Knights of Pythias.

OHN H. MILLER, a leading business: man of Salem, who conducts a green- house at No. 17 West Main street, operates two other similar establish- ments on his farm of 25 acres, which is situated in Goshen township. Mr. Miller was born in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, October 30, 1845, and is a son of Joseph C. and Delilah (Hanks) Miller. The father of Mr. Miller came to Ohio in the spring of 1882 and resided in various parts of Mahoning County. His death took place in Berlin town- ship.

John H. Miller came to Mahoning County in the spring of 1864, and until the following fall he worked as a farmer, in Ellsworth town- ship. He then went back to Bedford County, only to return to Mahoning in the spring of 1865, and from then until 1872 he was mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Green and

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Goshen townships. About that time he bought 25 acres of land in section 13, Goshen town- ship, and started immediately to improve the property, which he continued to do as long as he resided upon it. He started his nursery and greenhouses and when he saw a good opening for the business, in 1881, he moved to Salem and erected his present establishment in the city; his business now requires the re- sources of all three greenhouses.

Mr. Miller married Rosa D. Bowman, who was born in Goshen township, and who is a member of an old and prominent family of this section. Her father was the late Chris- tian Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six .children, as follows: George H., residing in Goshen township; Rachel, a public school teacher in Mahoning County; Esther. resid- ing at home; John G., residing at Salem; Emily, residing at home; and Abel R., a resi- dent of Salem.

Politically Mr. Miller is . a Democrat. While living in the country, he served as school director in district No. 6, and always has done all in his power to advance the inter- ests of education in his community. He be- longs to Salem Lodge, No. 305, of the Elks, and is serving in the office of chaplain. Since he was eight years of age Mr. Miller has been entirely dependent upon his own efforts and he may justly be called a self-made man.

ORMAN W. HOLE, M. D., a leading physician and one of the representa- tive citizens of North Jackson, was born May 23, 1869, near Augusta, in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Caleb and Sophia ( Miller) Hole.

Caleb Hole was born about 1827, in Car- roll County, Ohio, and is still living at the ad- vanced age of 80 years. His parents, John and Catherine (Hanna) Hole, came from Vir- ginia to Ohio, and were among the early pio- neers of the state. Catherine ( Hanna) Hole, grandmother of Dr. Hole, and the grandfather of the late Senator Mark A. Hanna, were

brother and sister. Sophia (Miller) Hole, mother of Dr. 'Hole, survives, in her 68th year. Her parents came to Mahoning from Columbiana County, Ohio. By a previous marriage, Mrs. Hole had two children, and two children were born to her marriage with Caleb Hole, viz .: Anna Lula, who died aged 22 years, was unmarried; and Norman W.

Dr. Norman W. Hole received his early education in the district schools of Carroll County, Ohio, and was reared on a farm. When about 17 years old his father removed to Damascus, and there he graduated from the academy. He subsequently spent three years in the Western Reserve Medical College, and later entered the Cleveland College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, now known as the Medi- cal Department of the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity of Cleveland, where he graduated with the class of 1898. In the following autumn he located in North Jackson, Mahoning County, Ohio, and embarked in the practice of his pro- fession, and has become one of its eminent ex- ponents in this section. Dr. Hole is president of the North Jackson Telephone Company. His fraternal relations include membership in Lodge No. 343, Knights of Pythias, of North Jackson, and the Maccabees, of Rosemont, Mahoning County. Religiously, he is con- nected with the Disciples Church at North Jackson. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party, but is extremely liberal in his views. At present he is a member of the Jackson township school board.

Dr. Hole was married June 10, 1896, to Ellena Cobbs, a daughter of Amasa and Anna M. (Schaeffer) Cobbs, of Beloit, Ohio. Her grandfather, John Schaeffer, who still resides near North Benton, Ohio, is probably the most aged man in North Benton, having entered his 102nd year. He settled there when all that section was a dense forest. The paternal grandparents were Linsey and Anna Cobbs. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Hole: Bertha Anna, Donald Norman, and Alfred C. Dr. Hole has a bright and in- telligent family. They enjoy a beautiful and comfortable home in North Jackson.

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AMES PORTER McNEILLY, a lead- ing citizen of Ellsworth township, re- siding on his valuable farm of 85 acres, was born on this farm Febru- ary I, 1844, son of James and Eliza- beth (Trimble) McNeilly.

The father of Mr. McNeilly was born in 1804, in Ireland, and was married there at the age of 20 years. In 1827 he brought his fam- ily to Mahoning County, Ohio, settling first in Jackson township, but later removing to the present farm in Ellsworth township. His children were eight in number, namely: John and Robert, deceased; William, residing in Wayne township, Ashtabula County; Mar- garet and Eliza, deceased; Samuel A., resid- ing in Ellsworth township; Mary, deceased; James Porter, subject of this sketch; and Martha, who is the widow of Frank Fitch, and a resident of Ellsworth township. The father of the above-mentioned family, when he set- tled here, built a log house on this farm, and in that his children were born. Here also the mother died in November, 1870, aged 72 years.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 108

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