Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 123

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 123

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Mr. Bonnell's name and character are known all through the Mahoning Valley, and the honor and personal esteem which he enjoys are but the results of a life of business integ- rity. In a way he is a self-made man, having labored with both head and hands, and in this way he is fitted to hold the proper balance be- tween capital and labor. a question which every

man with great interests must face in these days of unrest. Combined with a keen sense of justice, a kindly consideration for others, Mr. Bonnell possesses business discernment which amounts to almost genius and thus he stands today one of the big men of Ohio in the commercial world.

5 ON. DAVID F. GRIFFITH, probate judge of Mahoning County, and an honored resident of Youngstown, was born at Weathersfield, Trumbull County, Ohio, July 21, 1865, and is a son of David O. and Susannah (Jones) Griffith.

Judge Griffith's ancestry dates on both sides to Wales, a country which has contrib- uted largely to the good citizenship of Ohio. By trade his father was a blacksmith, and a number of his eleven children inherited much of his skill in mechanics. Shortly after the birth of David F., his parents moved to Min- eral Ridge, Ohio, where they lived for the re- mainder of their lives.

After completing the common school course at Mineral Ridge, Mr. Griffith, after overcoming discouraging conditions which would have killed the ambition of a youth of weaker character, was able to enter the North- eastern Normal College at Canfield, where, in 1890. he was creditably graduated, in the classical course, with the Bachelor's degree, following which, for a period of three years, he was superintendent of the public schools of Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Upon his retirement from school work, he entered upon the study of law with the late Judge L. W. King and John E. McVey, and during this period of study, he taught night school at Youngstown, thus earning support for himself and family. He was admitted to the bar at Youngstown in October. 1894, and was associateed with the law firm of King. . McVey & Robinson and Arrel, McVey & Robinson, for seven years. In 1900, on account of continued ill health, prob- ably induced by his unremitting attention to

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his professional duties, he was compelled to retire for a time, but after he regained his ac- customed health, he resumed the practice of law, until he was elected judge of the Probate Court in November, 1905. This election came through the Republican party and was secured without opposition on account of Judge Grif- fith's personal popularity, although the contest for the nomination was one of the hardest fought and most spirited in the history of Mahoning County, there being four candidates in the field. Since his election, Judge Griffith has displayed in his administration, the quali- ties most required in this high office, and in such marked degree that his fellow-citizens have continued to show the confidence they repose in him.

Judge Griffith married Harriet C. Phillips, who is a daughter of William Phillips, of Can- field, Ohio. They have two children, Mary Gertrude, and Wendall Phillips. His resi- dence is situated on Glenwood avenue exten- sion, near Mill Creek Park.

Fraternally, Judge Griffith is associated with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. For many years he has been a valuable member of several leading Re- publican organizations. His open record as a citizen shows his sane and sensible attitude toward, as well as his hearty co-operation in various public-spirited enterprises.

ALTER A. BEECHER, vice-presi- dent of the Mahoning National Bank, at Youngstown, Ohio, and for almost twenty-five years secre- tary and treasurer of the Ohio Powder Company, is one of the leading busi- ness men of this city. He was born August 30. 1845, at Southington, Connecticut, the only child of Leonard and Ruth W. ( Webster) Beecher.

The Beecher family is an old New England one of more or less prominence for many years back. The father of Mr. Beecher was born in Connecticut, and there Walter A. Beecher was

reared and educated. When about 20 years of age, the latter came to Youngstown and he has been identified with this city ever since. For thirteen years he has been connected with the great financial institution above mentioned, of which he has been vice-president since 1904. He has, besides, other business interests, being connected with a number, either as stockholder and director or as president, secretary or treas- urer. His business standing as well as his so- cial and civic importance makes him a repre- sentative Youngstown citizen. Mr. Beecher married Eleanor L. Price, a daughter of Sam- uel Price, and they have one son, Ward. The family residence is at No. 274 West Rayen avenue, they having also a summer residence on a farm on the Price Road, about two miles out of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Beecher are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politi- cally he is a Republican.

h ENRY MANNING GARLICK, presi- dent of the First National Bank of Youngstown, was born in this city, December 28, 1848, son of Richard G. and Caroline L. (Manning) Gar- lick. The father, who was a son of Alonzo Garlick, came to Ohio from Vermont at the age of about 32 years, and engaged here in farming and mercantile business. His wife, Caroline, was a daughter of Henry Manning, formerly president of the Mahoning County Bank, of which the First National Bank is the successor, and who took a prominent part in the development of Youngstown's business interests.

Henry M. Garlick was educated in the pub- lic schools of Youngstown, including the high school, which he attended until he was 17 years old. He then entered the employ, as book- keeper, of the Eagle Furnace Company, with whom he remained for about three years. For a year or more thereafter he was engaged in operating a coal mine at Brazil, Indiana. This venture not proving sufficiently remunerative, he returned to Youngstown, and soon after

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assisted in organizing the Second National Bank, of which he was subsequently cashier for twenty-five years. On May 3, 1904, this institution was consolidated with the First Na- tional Bank, and Mr. Garlick was elected presi- dent, which office he has since held.

Mr. Garlick has also been connected with various other prominent business enterprises of Youngstown. In the early 80's he was presi- dent of the Youngstown Malleable Iron Com- pany, and so continued until the company went out of existence. He was interested about the same time as a partner in the hardware firm of J. H. Morris & Co., and on the organization of the firm into a stock company under the style of the Morris Hardware Company, he was elected its president and thus served until 1905. He was also interested in the firm of Lloyd, Booth & Company, which was after- wards incorporated under the style of the Lloyd-Booth Company, that in turn being merged into the United Engineering & Foun- dry Company. In 1887 he helped to organize the Dollar Savings & Trust Company, of which he has been vice-president for a number of years. In 1901 Mr. Garlick, with G. M. McKelvey and A. E. Adams, and with the aid of Youngstown capital, organized the Stand- ard Table Oilcloth Company, one of Youngs- town's flourishing manufacturing industries. The Standard Oilcloth Company was formed by merging seven different concerns situated in several states. The company is now known as Standard Oilcloth Company, with a capital stock of $6,000,000, one-half each preferred and common.

R OBERT GRAY, vice-president and general manager of the Meehan Boiler & Construction Company, of Lowellville, has been a resident of that enterprising little city since 1897, and is recognized as one of its leading and most influential citizens. He was born June 12, 1857, in Coatbridge, Scotland, and is a son of James and Mary ( Frew) Gray.

James Gray, who was a blacksmith and an engineer by trade, was a life-long resident of his native land, Scotland, where his death oc- curred January 12, 1904. His wife is still liv- ing. They were the parents of eight children. six daughters, who all live in Scotland, and two sons, Robert, the subject of this sketch, and Thomas, who came from Scotland in 1900 and is now chief draughtsman for the Meehan Boiler & Construction Company.

Robert Gray was reared in Scotland and during his early days learned the machinist's trade in a locomotive works. He also later learned engineering. In 1891 he came to America and entered the employ of J. P. Wetherill, of New Castle. Pennsylvania. His first position was that of chief engineer and he later became superintendent of the works, re- maining in New Castle three years. In the fall of 1897 Mr. Gray removed to Lowellville. entered into partnership with the three Meehan brothers, Patrick, Paul and James, and their nephew, John Meehan. The company is in- corporated under the laws of Ohio with a capi- tal stock of $50,000, and the present officers of the company are: Patrick Meehan, presi- dent ; Robert Gray, vice-president and general Mr. Garlick was married April 5. 1870, to Miss Sarah Stambaugh Ford, daughter of James H. and Arabella ( Stambaugh) Ford, of Youngstown. Mrs. Garlick was born in Youngstown on the old Tod homestead at Brier Hill. Her father came to this city from Akron, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Garlick are the parents of two children : Richard, who is now treasurer of the Youngstown Sheet & Tube manager, and James Meehan, Jr., secretary and treasurer. On the site upon which the works are located was an old sawmill, which the company purchased, and they also later purchased the creamery, which stood on the adjoining lot. They first employed about twenty-five men, which number has been in- creased to 200. Their principal output is the Meehan Boiler, though they also do a great Company ; and Julia G., born March 31. 1874, deal of iron and steel construction work, such who is the wife of William W. Bonnell.

as building blast furnaces, their business

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amounting to about $200,000 per year. Mr. Gray is also a trustee and clerk of the Electric Light plant of Lowellville. He is a member of the Lowellville school board, and is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1880 Mr. Gray was united in marriage in Scotland with Ellen McQuade, like himself, a native of that country. They have reared a family of eight children, the six eldest of whom were all born in Scotland, namely : Nellie: James Gray, a machine apprentice of New Castle, Pennsylvania ; Eliza, Mary, Annie and Agnes; and Sarah and Robert, who were born in this country.

5 UGH LYTLE MCELROY, president and general manager of the H. L. McElroy Company, at Youngstown, the largest house furnishing company in the retail line in the state of Ohio, was born November 19, 1866, at Fairfax, Linn County, Iowa, and is a son of William B. and Jane G. (Lytle) McElroy.

The founder of the McElroy family in America was James McElroy, the great- grandfather of Hugh L., who was born in the north of Ireland and who emigrated to Amer- ica, settling in Pennsylvania. His son, Hon. James McElroy, the second, was born in Penn- sylvania in ISII, and resided many years at Wl'est Fairfield, in that state. He was a promi- nent citizen and a member of the state legis- lature.

William B. McElroy, son of Hon. James and father of Hugh L., was born in Pennsyl- vania in 1841. In early manhood he removed to Iowa and became permanently identified with the interests of that state. He served four years with distinction in the Civil War, com- mencing as a private and rising in rank to be adjutant, in the Fourth Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Volunteer Cavalry, under General Philip Sheridan. He was seriously wounded on four occasions. At the battle of the Wilderness he was captured by the enemy, and in making his escape five minutes later was very seriously

wounded. He participated in many of the most serious battles of the war and was pres- ent at the surrender of General Lee at Appo- mattox Court House. Immediately after his return from the war, he married Jane G. Ly- tle, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Hugh Lytle. Mr. and Mrs. McElroy then moved west, locating on a valuable farm in Linn County, Iowa, which Mr. McElroy op- erated and on which he died in 1889. His widow still survives and. resides with the youngest son at Tacoma, Washington. Of their eight children-Hugh L., James I., Ed- ward H., Harry A., William B., John A., Ralph G. and Susan M .- Hugh L. is the only one living east of the Mississippi River.

Hugh L. McElroy attended school in Linn County, Iowa, completing his education at Monmouth College, Illinois. He began to teach school, although only 17 years old, and continued in that occupation for two years. He then accepted a clerkship in a store at Ce- dar Rapids, Iowa, where he remained eighteen months, this giving him some business experi- ence and proving a stepping stone to a better position. In the early winter of 1888, Mr. McElroy came to Youngstown, Ohio, and for three years was with the firm of J. N. Euwers & Son, as manager of their carpet depart- ment. After the death of his uncle, Frank Ly- tle, he entered into partnership in the furniture business with his uncle's widow, the business being conducted for two years under the firm style of Lytle & McElroy.

Prior to accepting a responsible position with a large mercantile establishment at Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, Mr. McElroy was con- nected for a short time with the E. M. Mc- Gillan Company, at Youngstown. He re- mained at Pittsburg for almost three years, in charge of the carpet and upholstering depart- ment at Kauffman's, the largest store of its kind there, and then returned to Youngstown in 1896. It was with the intention of estab- lishing in this city the large general furniture and house furnishing business, which he has developed into such an immense concern, that Mr. McElroy selected Youngstown as his field

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of effort. He succeeded in the organization of what is known as the H. L. McElroy Com- pany, of which he became president and gen- eral manager. The store at Youngstown is one of sixteen others of its kind located at dif- ferent places in the United States. The H. L. McElroy Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000, which was later in- creased to $25,000 and in 1901 to $75,000. The Youngstown store occupies a whole acre of floor space and, as noted above, is the largest retail furniture establishment in the state of Ohio. The business is enormous and employ- ment is given an army of assistants. January 20, 1907, occurred the second disastrous fire that destroyed the entire store and goods of this firm. Mr. McElroy devotes the whole of his time to looking after the affairs of the Youngstown store. He stands very high in commercial circles and is a prominent member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce; he was one of the prime.movers in the organi- zation of that body and was a member of the first board of directors.

At Niles, Ohio, June 20, 1894, Mr. McEl- roy was married to Anna Benedict, who was born in the same house as was the late la- mented President William McKinley, and is a daughter of the late James S. Benedict, who died in 1895.

Mr. McElroy has always participated ac- tively in public affairs and has been a prom- inent factor in Republican politics, working more, however, for his friends than for him- self. He has been chairman of the Republi- can city committee. Fraternally Mr. McEl- roy is prominent in the Knights of Pythias, is past chancellor commander and for ten years a member of the board of trustees. He is a past exalted ruler of Youngstown Lodge. No. 55. B. P. O. Elks, and has been for two years district deputy grand exalted ruler of Northeastern Ohio. For many years he has also been an Odd Fellow. Mr. McElroy be- longs to the Tabernacle Presbyterian Church and is chairman of the board of trustees. Other connections are with the Foraker Club and the Youngstown Club.

J OHN G. THOMAS, president of The John G. Thomas Company, dealers in flour, feed, butter, eggs and cheese, at No. 16 Chestnut street, Youngstown, was born in January, 1870, at Thorn- hill, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of the late Jonathan G. Thomas, who was one of the pioneers of this county. He was reared and educated in Youngstown and began his business career as clerk in a mercantile estab- lishment, continuing thus employed until 1899. when he entered into his present business. The business was conducted under the name of John G. Thomas until it was incorporated in January, 1906, with a capital stock of $25,000, as The John G. Thomas Company, with John C. Thomas as president. Under able manage- ment it has been developed into one of large proportions. In March, 1898, Mr. Thomas was married to Annie C. Camp, of Youngs- town, and they have one daughter, Helen. Mr. Thomas is a valued member of the Credit Men's Association. He is a good business man and an enterprising, public-spirited citi- zen.

ILLIAM B. MOORE, justice of the peace, who is serving his second term in this office in Poland town- ship, is one of the substantial, reli- able and esteemed citizens of Low- ellville. He was born in Poland township, Mahoning County, Ohio, August 27, 1840. and is a son of James S. and Hannah R. ( Truesdale ) Moore.

The Moore family of this section of Ohio can be traced very far back. It originated in Ireland, a country which has contributed so largely to the citizenship of America, and from that green isle came Francis Moore, the great-grandfather of William B. Moore, oi Lowellville. He did not settle permanently in the colonies, but returned to Ireland prior to the breaking out of the Revolutionary War. He left descendants behind him, his one son. William, the founder of the family in

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Mahoning County, coming to Poland township in 1804. The latter selected a desirable site for his future home, in the dense woods that then covered all this region. Two years later, with his wife and two children, he took pos- session. The long journey, by devious trails and through the wilderness, over unbridged streams and through grassy morasses, from Franklin County, Pennsylvania, to Mahoning County, Ohio, was made on horseback, his wife carrying the babe in her arms, while the older child was fastened behind him. He came without capital, but his pioneer pluck soon put him in comfortable circumstances. In Franklin County he had married Mary Smith, and they reared four of their seven chil- dren, namely: Francis, born December 3, 1802, who died in the old home in Poland township, June 13, 1833; James S., father of the subject of this sketch; Martha, who mar- ried David Arrel, and died leaving three sons and one daughter; and Rebecca, born Febru- ary 28, 1813, who died in 1886, unmarried. The death of Francis was one of especial sad- ness. He was engaged to be married and had erected a house of his own on the home farm, which he never lived to occupy. The three other children died within one week, from dys- entery.

This farm became the Moore homestead and is still in the possession of the family. One-half of the 260 acres was formerly owned by William B. Moore, but recently passed into the possession of his son, Alfred J. The other half is owned by F. M. Moore, a brother of William B. At the present time it consists of highly cultivated, productive and improved land, and it requires a vivid imagination to recall it as it must have been in the grand- father's day, when his little rude log cabin without door or window, stood in the midst of a great forest, which was then but the home of Indians and wild animals.

James S. Moore was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, October 28, 1804, and was but two years old when his parents brought him to Poland township. Although his life was one of hard manual labor, and he

was of so slight build that he never weighed more than 100 pounds, he lived to the age of 81 years without ever having had a day's illness, dying from natural causes. He married Han- nah R. Truesdale, on May 3, 1838, on what is now the Kennedy farm. She was born in Springfield township, April 2, 1816, and was the only child of Hugh and Ann ( Riley) Truesdale. The following were the children of this marriage: Rachael A., William B., Hugh R., Franklin M., Mary E., Rebecca J. and Julia A.

Rachel A. Moore married John Stewart, a prominent druggist at Washington, Iowa, where he died in September, 1901. She had three children : Anna, who died aged 22 years; Dr. Charles W., a physician and surgeon at Washington, Iowa, who married Maud Den- nie, and had two children, Mildred and Fran- cis; and Mary, who married Ralph Smith, a merchant at Washington, Iowa. Hugh R. Moore, the next younger brother of William B. Moore, died of heart disease, at Poland, in 1897. He had practiced medicine at Lowell- ville for many years and after removing to Poland, continued to practice to the day of his death. During the Civil War he served in the 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of sergeant. Later he graduated from a med- ical college at Cincinnati. He married Mar- garet Woodruff, of Poland, and they had three children, of whom Elizabeth married Bert Sexton, formerly an employe of Brown & Bon- nell; George married Cora McFarland, of Po- land, and has three children, Hugh, Mabel and Elizabeth ; and Kittie, who died in infancy.

Franklin M. Moore, who has resided on the old Moore homestead all his life and owns one-half of the original tract, married Ella Bell. of Youngstown, and they have two chil- dren, Charles and Bell.

Mary E. Moore, the second sister of Wil- liam B., married Dr. Ebenezer McKinnie, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, and they had five children, namely : Hannah M., who married Frank Bissel; Lewis H., residing at Colorado Springs, a graduate of a Philadelphia medical college who has gained quite a reputation as a

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surgeon, and who married Helen E. Ficher ; Bertha M., who married Charles Phelps, a merchant of Greeley, Colorado, and has one child, McKinnie: and Alice and Shirley, both of whom reside with their parents.

Rebecca Moore, residing at Los Angeles, California, married E. J. McComb, an engin- neer by profession, and they have two children : Arthur, a civil engineer, who married Bettie Church. and resides at San Francisco, and Frances, who lives at home. Julia A., the youngest of the Moore children, married Frank Crawford, of Crawfordsville, Iowa, and they moved to Los Angeles, where both died.

William B. Moore was educated in the dis- trict schools of Poland township and was trained to agricultural pursuits on the home farm. In June. 1863, he enlisted for service in the Civil War, and was mustered in as a member of Company A, 86th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, at Camp Cleveland, on July 1, and was mustered out February 10, 1864. He served eight months during which time his regiment was stationed at Cumberland Gap, and he was present when General Rosecrans forced the surrender of that place. After the close of his military life, Mr. Moore returned to the old farm on which he continued to re- side until 1895. For a number of years he was in a profitable partnership with his brother, F. M. Moore, in the horse business and their stock farm gained a wide fame for its regis- tered stock of all kinds and its fine road and carriage horses. When Mr. Moore decided to locate at Lowellville, he rented his farm at first, but later turned it over to his son, who is successfully operating it. He then purchased his present residence property in the village. and since 1902, when he was first elected mag- istrate, he has been busy with the duties of his important office. After serving three years, he was again elected on the Republican ticket, and as a public official, enjoys the full confi- dence of his fellow citizens.

Mr. Moore was married (first) in 1867, to Sarah J. Johnson, of New Wilmington, Penn- sylvania, who died in 1882. They had three children, namely: Alfred J., residing on the

old farm, who married Emma Brown and has one child, Ruth : Mary E., who died at the age of 14 years ; and Phoebe C., who died of scar- let fever when only seven years old. In 1882, Mr. Moore was married ( second) to Ella J. McConnell.

Politically, Mr. W. B. Moore is a Republi- can, his father having been one of the old line Abolitionists. He is an elder in the Presby- terian Church at Lowellville.

LFRED H. RICE, of Youngstown, who is prominently identified with many of the city's important busi- ness interests and public affairs, was born in 1846, at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Chauncy Rice, who came to western Pennsylvania from Con- necticut. Chauncy Rice was a merchant for many years in western Pennsylvania, but after coming to Mahoning County and buying the old Dr. Kirtland place, in the village of Po- land, in 1837, he engaged in farming here dur- ing the rest of his life.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 123

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