Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 118

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

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Mr. Glazzard then turned his attention to the study of law and after sufficient prepara- tion under Attorney J. P. Wilson was admitted to the bar on March 11, 1897, and immediately began the practice of his profession at Youngs- town, meeting with flattering success. He has always been zealous in his support of the Re- publican party and has been a party worker for the candidates on its ticket, although he has seldom permitted his name to be used in connection with political advancement. How- ever, at one time, without any solicitation on his part, he received 1350 votes in the Repub- lican primaries for city solicitor, and it is the declaration of his friends that he will be put forward for the position of prosecuting attor- ney in the coming Republican primaries. Both politically and professionally it would seem that he has a bright future before him.

On August 31, 1887. Mr. Glazzard was married to Mary Luella Humm, who belongs to a prominent family of Sharpsville. Penn- sylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Glazzard are members of the Epworth Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a member of the Anglo-American So- ciety of Youngstown.

W. CRAVER, of the firm of Moore & Craver, attorneys at Youngstown, was born in 1872, at North Jackson. Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of William Craver and Mary (Wanamaker ) Craver. his mother being a (laughter of Nathan Wanamaker, of North Jackson, Mahoning County.

William Craver, whose death occurred in

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1901, was a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio in the 40's, settling in Trumbull Coun- ty, but removing to Mahoning County in 1872, where he became a prominent man of his com- munity and one of the leading farmers.

A. W. Craver was reared on his father's farm and after completing the common school course in his locality, entered the Ohio Normal University at Ada, where he alternately at- tended and taught school for about eight years, graduating from the law department of the University in 1897. He was admitted to the bar in the same year and entered into practice at Youngstown. On January 1, 1904, he formed a partnership with Hon. E. H. Moore, formerly mayor of Youngstown, which still exists. The firm stands very high in profes- sional circles and successfully handles a large part of the important litigation of the Mahon- ing courts.

In 1901 Mr. Craver was married to Jean- ette Noble, who is a daughter of Albie Noble, of St. Mary's, Auglaize County, Ohio. Mr. Craver is a member of a number of fraternal organizations, including the Masons, the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias.

HOMAS E. CONNELL, attorney, at Youngstown, Ohio, was born here in 1871, and is recognized as one of the rising young professional men of the city. He is a son of the late Thomas Connell, who, at one time, was probably the most prominent contractor of Youngstown and vicinity.

Mr. Connell completed his literary educa- tion in the excellent schools of his native city, and then studied law with the Hon. James Kennedy, member of Congress from this dis- trict, being admitted to the bar in 1895. At one time he was the junior member of the well- known law firm of Kennedy, Moore, Williams & Connell, but in recent years has practiced alone. He is an active member of the Mahon- ing County Bar Association and has been prom- inently connected with a great deal of the im- portant litigation in the courts of Mahoning

County for the past ten years. Mr. Connell has taken a very active part in political life, and is well and favorably known all over the county. He is a popular member of the Elks and the Knights of Pythias at Youngstown.

R OBERT SAMUEL TAYLOR, super- intendent of the infirmary at Canfield and owner of 100 acres of farm land in Ellsworth township, on which he resided until he accepted his present position, was born January 26, 1857, on his father's farm in Smith township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Hugh S. and Catherine (Shaffer) Taylor.

Hugh S. Taylor was born February 17, 1820, in Smith township, Mahoning County, Ohio, where his father, Robert S. Taylor, set- tled at a very early period. Robert S. Taylor was of French descent and came to Ohio from New York state, shortly after his marriage. He settled in the timber lands of Smith town- ship and resided for some time in a log house which he built. They often had trouble with the Indians, who still inhabited this section, and for meat had to depend on the wild game, which was then very plentiful. He cleared the land and at the time of his death had it in a state of cultivation. He was the father of five children : Margaret Ann; Nancy; Harriet; Alicia ; and Hugh S., the father of the present Robert S. Taylor. Hugh S. Taylor was reared on his father's farm, which he inherited and on which he is still living. He married Cath- erine Schaffer and reared a family of eight children: Robert Samuel, the subject of this sketch; Enloe C., Hugh Martin, Emlon, Ma- rion, Margaret, Walter, a physician, and Franklin, an attorney.

Robert S. Taylor was reared in Smith township, assisting with the work on his fath- er's farm and attending the district schools. He remained at home until 20 years of age, when he went to Ellsworth township and worked four years for M. G. Kirk, a farmer of that township. He then married Isabell Fox- all, who was born in Providence, Rhode Island

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January 20, 1855, a daughter of Henry and Mary Foxall, both of whom died when she and her sister were quite young, after which they found good homes with different families. Her sister, Mary Jane, was born July 1, 1859, in Youngstown and married Peter Foulk, of North Jackson. After his marriage Mr. Tay- lor purchased a farm of 100 acres in Ellsworth township from the Robert Kirk heirs, and re- sided there until March 15, 1906, when he was appointed superintendent of the infirmary of Mahoning County, and now farms his land on shares. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias of the North Jackson Lodge, and has served through all the chairs of that order. He is also a member of the Maccabees at Rosemont. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have no children. They are both members of the Presbyterian Church.

5 OWELL C. DAVIES, M. D. Among the rising young professional men of Youngstown, who has been estab- lished here for the past eight years, is Dr. Howell C. Davies, physician and surgeon, who was born at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in July, 1875. Dr. Davies was reared and educated in his native city, was graduated at the Pittsburg High School, and then entered upon the study of medicine. Sub- sequently he entered the Western University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1897, later taking a post-graduate course in the Jefferson Medical College. Philadelphia, and at New York Polyclinics. After spending two years in this way, in 1899, he located at Youngstown, where he has since practiced. His thorough professional knowledge, his sur- gical skill, and his pleasing personality have all had weight in making him a popular citi- zen. In addition to his profession, he has some business interests here. He is a valued mem- ber of the Mahoning County and the Ohio State Medical Societies. In 1902, Dr. Davies was married to Elizabeth Tarr, of Lisbon, Ohio. Fraternally, Dr. Davies is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.

ARRY G. HAMILTON. Probably no citizen of Youngstown has done more for the development or building up of this city and vicinity than Harry G. Hamilton, who was born at Youngs- town in 1866, and has devoted the greater part of his life to the various interests and indus- tries of the Mahoning Valley. Mr. Hamilton was reared and educated in his native city. After completing his education, he entered into the railroad business and worked for two years as locomotive fireman for the late C. H. An- drews. Subsequently he entered into the jour- nalistic field, becoming associated with what is now the Youngstown Vindicator, but which at that time was the old Independent, and for one year he was the capable editor of that journal. From the editorial chair he entered the rolling mill of Richard Brown, and after spending two years learning the work of the different de- partments, he was made superintendent, and continued in that position for several years. After leaving the rolling mill, he established, in association with Bales Campbell, a mill at Tacoma, Washington, and its operation there proved to be a very successful venture.

Later, disposing of his interests in Wash- ington, Mr. Hamilton returned to Youngstown and immediately became identified with the ex- tension of several railroad systems. He pro- moted and built the Youngstown Park & Falls Street Railway; bought the Youngstown Elec- tric Light & Gas plant, and in connection with W. H. Park consolidated them with and pro- moted the Youngstown & Sharon Railroad, which Mr. Hamilton built and which is pro- nounced by expert railroad men to be one of the finest constructed electric lines in this sec- tion of Ohio. Another enterprise in which Mr. Hamilton was concerned with Mr. Park was the building of the handsome Park Thea- tre of Youngstown. Recently he has disposed of all of his railroad interests, and devotes the greater part of his time at present to large dealings in real estate. Undoubtedly Mr. Hamilton has bought, platted and improved more real estate in Youngstown than any other man in the city, and during the past fifteen

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years has brought an immense amount of cap- ital which has been invested here from the East. Another successful enterprise in which he is at present interested is the Mahoning Valley Water Company, which is establishing a very complete and extensive system at Struthers. His last success was the purchase of The Iola Portland Cement Company, of Kansas and Texas, and the consolidation of these with other Western cement plants, the combined plant controlling the Portland ce- ment industries west of the Mississippi river ..

In 1891 Mr. Hamilton was married to Elizabeth Thompson, of Toronto, Canada, and they have three children, namely : Harry, Fred and Alice. They enjoy one of the beautiful homes of this notably beautiful city and are prominent in social circles.

Mr. Hamilton is associated with and pro- moted in 1903 the Hamilton Realty Company, whose offices are on South Market street, Youngstown.

ILAS SHOOK was born june 11, 1850, on the old Tod farm, and is a son of Calvin and Julia (Stam- baugh) Shook, who were well known and prominent farmers of Youngs- town township.

Mr. Shook passed his boyhood days on his father's farm, and his education was received in the district schools and the high school of Youngstown. He was the first to bring Jer- sey cattle into Mahoning County. Mr. Shook has a strictly up-to-date dairy, using all of the modern scientific appliances in the business, and keeps on an average about ninety head of cows, besides a great many valuable horses. Mr. Shook is a man of great business ability. and when still quite young, began to appreci- ate the future growth of the city of Youngs- town, and entered into the real estate business. He is one of the most prominent real estate men in the city and besides managing his own large farm and dairy, operates in partnership with H. H. Stambaugh, between 1,200 and 1.500 acres of land in Trumbull and Mahoning

counties. Mr. Shook's farm is one of the most modern and well improved farms in the township, with large sanitary barns for his cows and horses. He has met with severe loss on two occasions when his fine large barns were struck by lightning and burned, but they were immediately rebuilt.

Mr. Shook was married, in 1871, to Cath- erine O'Connor, and has three children, Mrs. A. E. Adams, George R. and Raymond C.

EORGE TOD, president of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, at Youngstown, Ohio, and one of the best known and most prominent citizens of Mahoning County, is a worthy representative of the distinguished family whose history has been so closely and beneficially interwoven with that of the city, county and state. He was born at Warren, Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1840, and is a son of the late Governor David and Maria (Smith) Tod, and a grandson of Judge George and Sally (Isaacs) Tod.

Though more than a generation has elapsed since David Tod passed from life's ac- tivities, so great was the impress he made on the minds and hearts of his fellow-citizens, that his name still remains fresh in the mem- ories of those who love their country and de- light to honor its great men, He was born at Youngstown, Ohio, February 21, 1805, son of George and Sally (Isaacs) Tod, who were among the earliest settlers in the Western Re- serve, coming hither from Connecticut.

Choosing law as his profession, he was ad- mitted to the bar at Warren, Ohio, in 1827, and in the space of fifteen years had become one of the most noted advocates in the state. In 1847 he was chosen by President Polk as a man eminently fitted by education, social pol- ish, dignified bearing, and lofty public spirit, combined with diplomatic courtesy and ability, to fitly represent the United States at the court of Brazil as minister. There his wisdom, sa- gacity, and faithful performance of duty re- sulted in the satisfactory adjustment of all

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state matters between the two countries and the further cementing of cordial relations.

In 1852 Minister Tod returned to his own country and resumed his business relations. The exigencies of the times, however, called him again from private life, and in 1861 he was elected governor of Ohio. History re- cords his great services to the state during the War of the Rebellion, and he is still called the Great War Governor. An extended sketch of this distinguished statesman and beloved citizen may be found elsewhere in this vol- ume. He passed peacefully away at his home, the Brier Hill farm, near Youngstown, on No- vember 23, 1868.

On July 24, 1832, at Warren, Ohio, David Tod was married to Maria Smith, and their children were as follows: Charlotte, who died in 1868, was the wife of General A. V. Kautz, of the United States army ; John was a pron- inent citizen of Cleveland, Ohio, now de- ceased; Henry, who is now deceased, and a sketch of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume, was president of the Second Na- tional Bank at Youngstown; George, who is the subject of this review : William, deceased. whose biography appears on another page of this work, was a prominent manufacturer and leading citizen of Youngstown; Grace, who is the wife of Hon. George F. Arrel, of the well known law firm of Arrel, Wilson & Harrington ; and Sally, of Youngstown.'

George Tod was about three years old when his parents settled on the Brier Hill farm, which was so called from its original abundance of briers, whose extermination provided him with frequent if not congenial occupation in his boyhood days. His educa- tion was secured in the local schools and he grew up accustomed to working on the home farm. In April, 1861, in response to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers, he en- listed as a private in the Mahoning Rifles, which was one of the first companies to report to the Governor. In the following March, at Cleveland, the Rifles became Company B of the Nineteenth Regiment of Volunteer In- fantry, and Mr. Tod served with the organi- zation until the close of his term of enlistment.

Upon his return to Youngstown he entered upon the study of law, and in 1865 was ad- mitted to the bar at Canfield.

While possessed of every qualification necessary for advancement in his profession, Mr. Tod has not chosen it as his vehicle to business success, his interests for many years having been absorbed by the gigantic coal and iron industries which have made Youngstown and the vicinity world-famous as a great man- ufacturing center. In 1889 he succeeded Mr. John Stambaugh as president of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, one of the largest and most important of these enterprises, of which his father was the first president, and one of the chief founders, and he still holds that po- sition. He is also connected with other large and successful business ventures in the Ma- honing Valley.

A part of Mr. Tod's time has also been taken up with the care of his father's estate, of which Governor Tod's four sons were made executors, but the principal care of which has devolved upon him. He became the purchaser of the homestead which he has made his resi- dence, and which he has improved until it is now one of the most valuable estates in Ohio.

In these varied activities he has found full scope for that inexhaustible energy and suc- cess-compelling qualities which were the chief characteristics of his honored father, and which he himself possesses in fullest measure.

J OHN GIBSON, a prominent farmer of Youngstown township, residing on a fine farm of 125 acres, located in sec- tion 43, was born on the farm on which he resides July 27, 1829, and is a son of Robert Dixon and Lydia ( Marshall) Gibson, who were among the early pioneers of Mahoning County.

James Gibson, grandfather of our sub- ject, came from Huntingdon County, Penn- sylvania, in 1799, and settled on the farm now occupied by Samuel Gibson, the brother of John. It was 'his intention to locate at War- ren, Ohio, and while on his way there he

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stopped over night on the farm on which he later settled. There is a fine spring on the farm, the water of which so pleased Mr. Gib- son, that after going to Warren and looking over the town, he decided to return and settle on the farm in Youngstown township, a part of which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. Robert D. Gibson, father of John, was but 16 years old when his father settled on this farm, and he here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1862, at the age of 78 years. His widow, who was eleven years his junior, survived him eleven years and also died in her 78th year. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to ma- turity, and but four of whom are living, namely : Samuel, who is now 88 years old; Nancy (Mrs. Skinner Hine), of Boardman township; John, whose name begins this sketch; and Mrs. Eliza E. Nielson. James Marshall Gibson died in 1846 aged 23 years.

John Gibson was born in a log cabin on the farm on which he still lives. He was edu- cated in the district schools of the township, after which he taught for one term at the Flint Hill school, located on a corner of his fa- ther's farm. He then assisted his father on the farm until his marriage, which occurred when he was 27 years old. He first lived in the central part of the farm. He resided for some time in the old stone house which his father built when he was a lad of nine years, and which is still standing, remaining there with his parents for five years after his mar- riage, when he built, in 1861, his present home. On his father's death in 1862, he inherited 125 acres of the land, the remaining 75 acres go- ing to his brother.

Mr. Gibson was married in 1856 to Amelia L. Eckles, a daughter of James Eckles. They have had four children, all of whom are liv- ing: Cora Dell, who is now Mrs. Nicholas L. Rees, and has three children, resides in Youngstown ; Charles R., resides with his par- ents and has charge of the farm; Sarah E., the wife of Frank L. Head, resides in Pitts- burg, and has two children; Marshall C., who is assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A., of. Youngstown, also resides at home. Mr. Gib-

son has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since locating upon his present farm, and is one of the most influential and prosperous farmers of the township. He is a charter member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, and was elected an elder of this church much against his wishes. Previous to this he was a member and an elder of the First Presbyterian Church.

5 OMER HAMILTON, born at Youngs- town, Ohio, February 29, 1836, died in his native city, November 29, 1886. Given but 50 years of life, this master in the mechanical world built for himself and the Mahoning Valley a name which is linked today with others whose achievements have totally revolutionized modern living. His parents, Emanuel and Catherine (Deeds) Hamilton, were in what may be termed humble circumstances, in that they were not able to further their son's for- tunes, nor assist him in those early accomplish- ments which really proved his genius.

Homer Hamilton, however, was favored in being thus obliged to depend upon his own resources. At the age of 16 years he laid aside his school books and apprenticed himself to the trade of machinist, with the firm of Reid & Wells, of Youngstown, contracting to per- form almost the duties of a man from the first, for which he was to be taught the trade, and receive board and laundry, and the sum of $25 for the first year, on a rising scale of $5 for the three necessary years of service. His part of the contract was faithfully performed, but before his third year in the shops the firm failed. He then went to the neighboring town of Warren and entered Hull's machine shop, where he completed two more years of work after which he returned to Youngstown and entered into business with James Predmore, on East Boardman street, under the firm name of Predmore' & Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton at this time was little more than 20 years of age, but he was a skilled ma- chinist even then. The firm had little capi-

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tal and their crying need was more machinery, but tools were dear and were slowly added to the equipment of the shop. Wonderful re- sults were produced by Mr. Hamilton with his one lathe and a few other indifferent tools, but he was greatly hampered all through those early days. Among the first work he turned out was the building of portable steam engines for use in the Mecca oil field, in Trumbull County, the boilers for which were purchased in 'Pittsburg and brought to the shop in Youngstown, where these engines were at- tached. The first one completed by Mr. Ham- ilton was to fill an order for Edwin Bell, Sr., of Youngstown, and the work was of such a satisfactory character that the young machin- ist's ability was immediately recognized. His second engine was built for Brown, Bonnell & Company, and so thoroughly was the work done that it was still in running order after its builder had passed away.

The firm of Predmore & Hamilton con- tinued until 1861, when Mr. Hamilton, with John Stambaugh and Fred Gerwig, purchased the interest of James Predmore and the busi- ness name of the new organization became Homer Hamilton & Company. This firm was succeeded by the style, The Hamilton Works of William Tod & Company, Mr. Hamilton becoming manager. Between 1861 and 1872 the firm prospered exceedingly, the needs of the government requiring the products of foundry and forge to an unusual extent, but the panic of 1872 effected this business as it did almost every other, and the company suf- fered severe loss. However, with the general resumption of ordinary business and under the able management of Mr. Hamilton, the com- pany again took its place among the leading industries of the section. The plans and spec- ifications from which the new works, made necessary by the steady expansion and healthy growth of the business, were constructed, were prepared by Mr. Hamilton and what they are and what they accomplish has been called "the life-work of Homer Hamilton." These works constitute a mechanical world, where mechanism for almost every conceiva- ble purpose is made, and from which it is sent

all over the civilized globe. They show the evolution of invention and many of them are of so unusual and daring a nature, that at one time, Thomas A. Edison, examining the dia- grams of Mr. Hamilton, declared that they were remarkable and were 100 years in ad- vance of the times. The general public and even the mechanical world never had even a faint idea of the magnitude, scope, number and practical value of the ideas Mr. Hamilton was able to call forth from his fertile brain and put into shapes of utility. From the great works which he managed up to the time of his death, was sent the engine which propelled the Ferris Wheel, at the World's Fair at Chicago, and from the same source, other machines as sub- stantial and of equal utility, have been devoted to similar purposes in various sections of the land. He was justly proud of that combina- tion of mechanical power, the Porter-Hamil- ton engine, many of which are still construct- ed, and he was financially interested in their manufacture, and had still other business in- terests.

In 1876 the business men of the Mahoning Valley formed an association to represent at the Centennial at Philadelphia, the coals, ores and iron products of this region, and they wisely made Mr. Hamilton president of this body. His efficiency was recognized at subse- quent exhibitions, notably the World's Indus- trial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, which he attended as commissioner of Ohio, under appointment of President Arthur. His com- plete grasp of the principles of mechanics and his thorough knowledge of everything per- taining thereto, made him a valuable repre- sentative of his great state and he fulfilled her every expectation.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 118

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