Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 111

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 111

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After completing his education in the Youngstown schools, Mr. Birmingham en- gaged in a general advertising business in partnership with his brother. The firm does business under the style of Birmingham

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Brothers, James C. being the general mana- ger. The business is an extensive one, cover- ing sign writing, novelty advertising, souvenir cards and general contract work in printing. The brothers own a large amount of city realty and the firm is recognized as a reliable concern in this line.

On April 22, 1903, Mr. Birmingham was married to Anna E. Boyle, who is a daughter of John Boyle, of this city, and they have one child, James C., Jr. Mr. Birmingham and wife belong to St. Columba's Catholic Church.

In 1898, early in the agitation caused by the trouble with Spain, Mr. Birmingham en- listed in Company H, Fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and accompanied his regiment to the South, which was one of the first to be ordered to Porto Rico. The troops were about to embark on a transport, when the order was countermanded. Mr. Birmingham was then assigned to the hospital service and, with two assistants, established and managed the hos- pital of Company F, at Fernandina, Florida. After the war was 'over, he returned to Youngstown and resumed business. Politic- ally he is a stanch Republican and has served as a member of the Republican executive com- mittee of the city. At one time he was a mem- ber of the city council. In all his efforts he has proven himself an able business man and a loyal, public-spirited citizen.

HARLES A. CLEMMENS, one of the leading citizens and substantial farmers of Jackson township, was born July 16, 1851, in Jackson town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of George and Elizabeth (Lipkey) Clemmens.

The paternal grandfather, Daniel Clem- mens, came to Mahoning County from Penn- sylvania, at a very early period, and was one of the early settlers of Jackson township, lo- cating on the farm now owned by D. R. John- son. He was a son of Nicholas Clemmens, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

He preserved a cane presented to him by Gen. George Washington. The maternal grandpar- ents were Lipkeys and Crows.

George Clemmens was born in Jackson township in 1828, and died in 1903, aged 75 years. He married Elizabeth Lipkey, who survives and is in her 75th year. They had four sons born to them, namely: Wesley, who died aged 19 years; Charles A .; Shannon J., who is a member of the school board of Jack- son township, married Bertha McMahon, a daughter of John McMahon, of Jackson town- ship; and Elmer E., who is a resident of .Jackson township, married Dora Moody, whose parents came from Maryland.

Charles A. Clemmens grew to manhood on his father's farm and attended the district schools of the township. Mr. Clemmens owns a valuable property of 85 acres, and has fol- lowed general farming all of his life and is considered one of the most successful farmers in the township. He was married in 1873 to a daughter of Benjamin and Anna (Tod) McMahon. Three daughters and one son were born to Mr. and Mrs. Clemmens : Maud, who married Albert Bagnell, of Youngstown, has two children, Helen, aged two years, and Eugene, aged three months; Gertrude, who married Rue Jones, of Jackson township, has one child, Charles; Alberta, residing at home; and Ernest, who attends the public schools.

Mr. Clemmens is a Republican in politics and all of his ancestors were of the same po- litical faith. Since 1902 he has served con- tinuously as township trustee. He is a mem- ber of Lodge No. 343, Knights of Pythias, at North Jackson.

IBSON J. GAULT, a prominent citi- zen and successful agriculturist and stock-raiser of Jackson township, was born December 6, 1852, in Jackson township, Mahoning Coun- ty, Ohio, and is a son of Robert and Mar- jorie (Ewing) Gault.

The father of Mr. Gault was born in Jack- son township, in 1814, and died in January,

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1892. He was a son of Robert Gault, who was born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania, and came to the Western Reserve in 1800. Robert, second, married Marjorie Ew- ing, who was born in June, 1816, and who still survives at the age of 91 years. Ex- tended mention of both the Gault and Ewing families may be found in the sketch of John Gault, published elsewhere in this volume.

Gibson J. Gault attended the public schools of Jackson township, Youngstown and Canfield until about 19 years of age, when he settled down to farming on the old place which has been the home of his venerable mother for 72 years. He owns a valuable farm of 140 acres and devotes his main atten- tion to the raising of horses, sheep, cattle and hogs, making a specialty of the latter. For eight years, from 1883 until 1891, he was engaged in sheep-raising in Coffee County, Kansas, but then returned to the homestead and resides in the comfortable old residence which has weathered the storms of 60 years.

Mr. Gault was married September 17, 1879, to Harriet Duncan, who is a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Osborne) Duncan, who formerly resided in Berlin township, Mahon- ing County. Joseph Duncan was born in Pennsylvania and died in Ohio, in 1873, aged 52 years. In about 1840 he was married to Mary Osborne, of Trumbull County, who died in 1899, aged 73 years. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Gault, James Duncan, died in Pennsylvania. The maternal grand- parents were John and Isabella Osborne. Mr. and Mrs. Gault have two children, viz: Paul M., who is in the signal department of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and is a graduated electrical engineer of the Ohio State Univer- sity ; and Mary Marjorie, who is a member of the graduation class of 1908, at the Rayen School, at Youngstown.

Politically, Mr. Gault is affiliated with the Republican party and is a valued member of the school board of Jackson township. His attitude toward higher education is shown in the unlimited advantages he is offering his children. He belongs to Lodge No. 343, Knights of Pythias, at North Jackson. Both

he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church. The venerable mother of Mr. Gault is the oldest resident of Jackson township. Her 91 years have bridged a vast epoch in the Nation's history. She continues her little self-appointed daily tasks and enjoys meeting old friends to whom she can talk of the days of long ago.

ARTIN C. HIGGINS, president of the city council of Youngstown, Ohio. and one of the most prom- inent labor leaders of the Mahon- ing Valley, was born in 1875, at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Mar- tin J. Higgins.

Martin J. Higgins was one of the pioneer iron men of the country and was known in various sections. In association with A. J. Moxam, he opened up and subsequently de- veloped the great iron industry at Birming- ham, Alabama. At one time he was superin- tendent of the manufacturing plant of the Coleman-Shields Company, at Niles, Ohio. He was well known in labor circles and was the personal friend of many advanced thinkers on social questions, notably Hon. Tom John- son, of Cleveland.

After completing his education, M. C. Higgins entered the employ of the Coleman- Shields Company, at Niles, Ohio, as a ship- ping clerk and went from there to Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where he was connected for one year with large motor works, and then came to Youngstown. Here he became interested in theatrical matters and has been an organizer of a number of successful companies now on the road. For the past two years he has been manager of the Eagle club.

Mr. Higgins is prominently identified with the labor organizations of the Mahoning Valley. He is president of the Central Labor Union and has been a delegate from the Stage Hands' Local Union. For a number of years. he was secretary of the United Labor Con- gress. As the Labor candidate, he was elected president of the city council, of Youngstown ..

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

in November, 1905, and his administration of the office has made so favorable an impression on all parties that he is being urged to con- sent to a nomination for mayor.

Mr. Higgins is a member of the fraternal .order of Eagles and belongs also to the Knights of Columbus, the Knights of St. John and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He is also a member of the International Order of Stage Employes and of the United Labor Con- gress. Mr. Higgins is a member of the Cath- olic Church.

He married, April 22, 1907, Miss Mar- gret C. Morton, a native of Youngstown and daughter of George Morton.

C ILMAN HALL, a substantial citizen and well-known agriculturist of Go- shen township, residing on his valu- able farm of 126 acres, situated in section 19, has been located here since 1866. He was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, May 18, 1831, and is à son of William and Hannah (Wharton) Hall. The Halls settled in Jefferson County at a very early date. The father and grandfather were born there, but the mother of Mr. Hall was born in Pennsyl- vania.

Tilman Hall was reared in his native · county and attended school there and subse- quently at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, where the Society of Friends conducted a boarding school at that time. His main business in life has been farming, but in his earlier years he taught school for a time in Jefferson and Har- rison counties. For some years after mar- riage, Mr. Hall resided on a farm near Mount Pleasant, but in 1866 he moved to Mahoning County and established his home in Goshen township .. Mr. Hall placed his land under a good state of cultivation and it proved fertile and productive, and after the discovery of a fine vein of bituminous coal running through it, its commercial value was greatly enhanced. This vein has been successfully worked and for a number of years has been producing coal.

On March 29, 1855, Mr. Hall was mar-

ried to Mary Eliza Kinsey, who was born January 22, 1837, at Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Charles and Sarah (Binns) Kinsey, the former of whom was born in Ohio and the latter in England. She was an infant when her par- ents settled in Harrison County, where she was reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have had six children, namely : Alice A., deceased ; Ezra, deceased; Charles H., residing at Washington, D. C., an employe in the U. S. Treasury Department; Emmor W., residing at Portland, Oregon, where he is connected with the postoffice department; Ira K., residing at Cleveland, where he is foreman of the Wire and Steel Company ; and George B., a resident of Alliance, Ohio, connected with the Alli- ance Banking Company. At the time of the celebration of their golden wedding anniver- sary, on March 29, 1905, in Goshen township, Mr. and Mrs. Hall had the pleasure of gath- ering their children once more beneath the home roof, beautiful, peaceful Sunnyside Farm.

Mr. Hall has been one of the elders in the Friends' Church for over a quarter of a cent- ury and he has served in the various church offices, as clerk and as Sunday-school super- intendent. Mrs. Hall is a very interested mem- ber of the Foreign Missionary Society con- nected with the East Goshen Friends' Church, the whole family having been prominent in the affairs of this religious body for many years. Politically, a Prohibitionist, Mr. Hall has served his township in office at various times, having been both treasurer and trustee.

HADDEUS F. WOODMAN, one of Youngstown's prominent business men, who resides at 20 Scott street, was born in New York State, and came to Ohio with his parents when but one year old. He came to Youngstown in 1869 and engaged in the mercantile business in which he continued until 1888, when he went to Chicago and became secretary and treasurer of the Lakeside Nail Company,

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which was located at Hammond, Indiana. He afterwards became president of this concern and in 1003 sold out and returned to Youngs- town, Ohio. He is director of the Mahoning National Bank, and is also director of the Ohio Iron and Steel Company. Mr. Wood- man also has other business interests, being a stockholder in various other enterprises. He is a member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce. also the Youngstown Club and the Mahoning Golf Club.

OHN MCKINNEY, a leading citizen of Ellsworth township, residing on a farm of 145 acres, was born April 10, 1832, in County Donegal, London- derry, Ireland, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Thompson) Mckinney.

The paternal grandfather was Samuel Mc- Kinney, who died in Ireland, but three of his sons came to America, Samuel and William, settling at Braddock, Pennsylvania. The third, who located in Texas, was one of the 72 who fell in the battle of the Alamo. He had previously served as a soldier in the British Army in the East Indies.

.John McKinney, father of John, was born in Ireland on a farm on which he was reared and on which both he and his wife died. They were the parents of five sons : Robert, Andrew, James, John and Samuel. Robert went to New Zealand, where he died. He was a Pres- byterian minister and pastor of one church for 48 years. His daughter visited the Ohio rela- tives. in 1906. remaining six months. Andrew resides at Clarksville. Mercer County, Penn- sylvania. James died in Ireland, in 1907. Samuel practiced medicine at Mineral Ridge, Mahoning County, for a number of years prior to his death.

John McKinney. subject of this notice. came to this country in 1856 and located first in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where he re- mained for three years, coming to Mahoning County in 1859. and settling in Ellsworth township. In this year. Mr. Mckinney em- barked in the mercantile business at Ellsworth

and continued in same until 1874, when he invested in 145 acres of land about one-quarter mile south of Ellsworth, but he has resided in the village of Ellsworth for the past 48 years, mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and was one of the most successful farmers of the township. For a number of years he has been retired from active business. Mr. Mckinney has seen a great many changes take place since locating here, and he has always shown a deep interest in the progress and material development of this section. In 1862, Mr. Mckinney returned to Pittsburg, and married Martha Hare, who was a daughter of James Hare, who died in Ireland. Mrs. Mckinney died February 7, 1907, at the age of 72 years. They had one child who died in infancy. Mr. Mckinney is a Republican in politics, and was serving as postmaster under President Lincoln at the time of his assassination. For many years he has been a member of the Presby- terian Church at Ellsworth.

6 EORGE B. KINSEY, who, for the past 30 years has resided on his pres- ent farm of 82 acres, which is sit- uated in section 20, Goshen town- ship, is one of the leading men of this locality, in all that pertains to good citi- zenship. He was born in Harrison County, Ohio, August 6, 1845, and is a son of Charles and Sarah ( Binns) Kinsey.

The father of Mr. Kinsey was born in Jef- ferson County, Ohio, and was a son of Aaron Kinsey, who was of English extraction. The mother was born in England and was six years of age when she accompanied her par- ents to America. They resided for a time in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and then came to Ohio and settled in Harrison County.

George B. Kinsey was reared in Harrison County, Ohio, and for a short time attended a most excellent private school conducted by the Society of Friends, to which religious body his parents belonged. Prior to coming to Mahoning County, he taught school for a short time. On May 1, 1879, Mr. Kinsey was

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married to Anna E. Pettit, who is a daughter of Daniel R. and Rebecca W. Pettit, former residents of Goshen township, both now de- ceased.

In politics, being identified with the Re- publican party, he was elected clerk of Goshen township, for several years, on that ticket. Like the other members of his family, Mr. Kinsey is a member of the Society of Friends. Possessing the sterling qualities of mind and character that he does, it is not remarkable that he enjoys, in large degree, the confidence and esteem of those with whom he has been associated so long.

H LBERT R. SHINN, proprietor of Maple Grove Stock Farm, consist- ing of 225 acres of land located in both Mahoning and Columbiana Counties, has resided at No. 108 East Sixth street, Salem, since the fall of 1902. He was born in Perry township, Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, May 3, 1841, and is a son of Abraham and Susanna ( Phillips ) Shinn.

The Shinn family was founded in Colum- biana County by William B. Shinn, the grand- father of Albert R., who came to Ohio in 18II, from New Jersey, when Abraham was a small boy. William Shinn settled on the spot which is now the site of the Metzger House, it then being in the dense woods which covered all this land. At that time Salem had but a few indifferent buildings. Mr. Shinn can trace a fine military ancestry. Abraham Jones, a great-grandfather, was a Revolution- ary soldier, and Robert P. Phillips, the ma- ternal grandfather, was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a son of Robert Phillips, who was also a soldier in the great war for inde- pendence.

Abraham Shinn was born in New Jersey. For a number of years during his active life, he operated a grist and sawmill in Perry town- ship, a short distance from Salem, and later engaged in farming. He was a very familiar figure in this section and was a man whose

advice was often consulted concerning public affairs. He married Susanna Phillips, who was born in Pennsylvania.

Albert R. Shinn was reared in Perry town- ship and attended the district schools. He spent some time at Moore's Academy, at Salem, and later a year at Hiram College, during the period when the late James A. Garfield, President of the United States, was at the head of the educational institution, hav- ing been educated there himself. During the time of the Civil War, Mr. Shinn was heavily engaged in the stock industry, buying cattle for the United States Government and was a partner with Webb & Phillips, a firm then having headquarters at Chicago. From 1858 until 1865, Mr. Shinn continued this partner- ship, since then being engaged in farming and stockraising on his own account.

On the Maple Grove Stock Farm may be found a fine herd of Shorthorn and Holstein cattle, many of them being registered. They are animals worth going far to see and whose money value is to be figured in thousands of dollars. In his efforts to introduce stock of this kind, Mr. Shinn is to be set down as a public benefactor. The business is conducted under the firm name of A. R. Shinn & Son. Harry A. Shinn being the partner and the manager of the farm.

On September 13, 1866, Mr. Shinn was married to Eliza Schilling, who was born in. Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah A. (Lewis) Schilling, the latter of whom was born in Delaware, and the former in Wurtemberg, Germany. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Schilling lived in Stark County, Jacob Schilling being pro- prietor of a general store at Limaville, but both died at Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Shinn have the following children: Donna A., wife of T. J. Thomas, residing at Greenville, Pennsyl- vania ; Mary E., who married John W. Lease, residing at Salem; Lucy H., who married Frank J. Yengling, residing at Salem; Arta E. residing at home; Harry A., residing on the farm.

Prior to moving to his present residence. Mr. Shinn lived for a number of years on the

LOUIS HELLER

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Maple Grove Stock Farm, and while located in Perry township he was a member of the school board. Politically he is a Republican. Mrs. Shinn is a member of the Disciples Church at Salem.

J. FITZ SIMONS, general mana- ger of the Finished Steel Com- pany, at Youngstown, Ohio, oc- cupies a very important position with one of the great corporations of the times.

The Finished Steel Company, of this city, was organized on May 15, 1895, and on June I. following, the plant was sold to the Fitz Simons people, of Cleveland. The officers are : T. G. Fitz Simons, president ; R. F. Fitz Sim- ons, of Chicago, vice-president ; James R. Fitz Simons, treasurer: and W. J. Fitz Simons, general manager. T. G. and J. R. Fitz Sim- ons are in charge of the plant at Cleveland, and R. F. Fitz Simons is the Western agent and is located at Chicago. The company man- ufactures all special shapes of drawn steel products, the four staples being round, flat, hexagon and square. They have 50 employes at the Youngstown plant.

W. J. Fitz Simons was married in 1899, to Helen G. Conley, of Cleveland, and they have three children, Helen, Susan and W. J .. Jr. Mr. Fitz Simons is connected with var- ious business organizations and he belongs to the fraternal order of Elks.

P ROSSER S. CAMPBELL, president of the Campbell Bros. Company, at Youngstown, dealers in coal, stone. feed and builders' supplies, and owners of a valuable stone quarry, is one of the city's representative and success- ful business men. He was born. at Hubbard. Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1869.

Mr. Campbell was reared from infancy. in Mahoning County, and was educated at Hazelton and Youngstown. For some three 46

years after completing his education, he was connected with the Hazelton postoffice and then was employed in the shipping department of the Andrews Brothers rolling mills. He remained at the mills about eight years, go- ing then to the Youngstown Engineering Company for 18 months before engaging, in May, 1902, in his present enterprise. The Campbell Bros. Company was incorporated in May, 1905, with a capital stock of $10,000, with P. S. Campbell as president, and B. R. Campbell, a brother, as secretary and treas- urer, the title of the firm having formerly been Campbell Brothers. The business is one of large scope. Employment is given 20 men and ten teams are kept busy. Mr. Campbell is also interested in the Pennsylvania Fuel Company.

In 1899, Mr. Campbell was married to Lida Davis, of Youngstown. They have two children, Mary Louise and Elizabeth. With his family, Mr. Campbell belongs to the Pres- byterian Church.

L OUIS HELLER, president of the Hel- ler Brothers Company, president of The Hiwannee Lumber Company, di- rector of The Home Savings & Loan Company, of Youngstown, Ohio, is one of the leading business men and public spirited citizens of this community. Mr. Hel- ler was born in Switzerland in the year 1855, and was reared in the planing mill and lum- ber business, his father being an extensive contractor and mill operator.

In 1880 the name of Heller first became prominent in the business circles of Youngs- town, two brothers, Louis and Adolph Heller, establishing a general contracting business here. In 1888 they bought out the planing mill and lumber yard of Ellis & Cunningham. at the foot of Market street. Their business increasing every year, they acquired the plant formerly known as the Mower & Reaper Works, and in 1902 selling the same to The Wm. Tod Company, they bought the place known as the Eagle Furnace Company's prop-

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city at the end of the West Rayen avenue and Furnace street, on which they built their present large planing mill, equipping same with all modern appliances, establishing an up-to-date lumber yard, and placing them- selves in a position to do the largest contract- ing business in the Mahoning Valley. The Heller Brothers Company was incorporated in 1891, with a capital stock of $40,000.00, which has been increased to $200,000.00. The officers of the company are: Louis Heller, president : Adolph Heller, vice-president ; and Joseph T. Murphy, secretary and treasurer.

Louis Heller was married in Switzerland to Ida Graack, and they have four children, namely ; Louis, Jr., with the Heller Brothers Company ; Rosina, Walter and Ernest, still in school. Mr. Heller and family belong to the First Reform Church. A portrait of Mr. Hel- ler may be seen on an adjoining page of this volume.

D AVID STEINER, who has been a resi- dent of Youngstown for the past 2I years, is one of the most successful and prominent members of the Ma- honing County Bar. He was born in 1875. Mr. Steiner is a self-made man in the truest sense of the word. Having the mis- fortune to lose an arm when a boy, he started in life as a newsboy in Youngstown, and later in New York City. His parents moved to Youngstown when he was a lad of ten years. He was educated in the public schools and graduated from the High School in 1896. He at once entered the New York Law school from which he graduated in 1898. Returning to Youngstown he studied for two years in the office of M. A. Norris & Wirt and was ad- mitted to the bar at Columbus in December, 1900. He immediately located in Youngs- town and with the exception of a few months when he was associated with Mr. Esterly, has practiced alone. His reputation is that of a lawyer of ability and a counsellor whose ad- vice may be safely followed. Mr. Steiner has long taken an active interest in politics. He is a member of the Modern Maccabees, the

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 111

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