Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 60

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 60

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After his marriage, in 1867, Mr. Davis be- came associated with his brother-in-law, W. J. Hughes, in a mercantile business at Youngstown, and was thus occupied until the winter of 1872, when he disposed of his in- terests to Mr. Hughes. From 1872 to 1877, official life claimed his attention, but in the latter year he embarked in a real estate and insurance business, in which he continued un- til his death. His sons have continued the in- surance business under the firm style of John R. Davis' Sons, with an office at No. 137 West Federal street, Youngstown. Theirs is one of the largest and most important general in- surance agencies in the city, representing the leading risk companies in the lines of fire, tor- nado, life, accident, health, liability, burglar, plate glass and boiler insurance.

From early manhood Mr. Davis took a deep interest in public affairs and in the period of the Civil War identified himself with the Republican party. In the fall of 1872 he was elected sheriff of Mahoning County and was re-elected on the close of his first term, retir- ing on January 1, 1877. During his incum- bency the court house was moved to Youngs- town. Aside from serving most acceptably as a member of the Youngstown Board of Ed- ucation, Mr. Davis was not prominent in pub- lic life from 1877 until 1889, when his party elected him a member of the General Assem- bly, re-electing him in 1891. During his long term of public service he was no figure-head ; the records of the sixty-ninth and seventieth general assemblies show how active he was in performing his full duty to his constituents and set forth the important measures that he presented, which subsequently were incorpor- ated in the state laws.

On January 1, 1867. Mr. Davis was united in marriage with Maria S. Richards, who was born in Tioga County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of William and Sarah Rich- ards and a sister of former Lieutenant-Gov- ernor Richards of Ohio. The parents of Mrs.

Davis were natives of Swansea, Wales. The children born to this marriage were: Albert R. and Charles W., both residents of Cleveland, Ohio, where they are engaged in the insurance business; Sarah E., residing at No. 680 Bry- son street, who is the wife of Chauncey A. Cochran, secretary of the Youngstown Iron & Steel Roofing Company, as well as of the Youngstown Pressed Steel Company; John R., residing at No. 427 Thomas street, who is a member of the general insurance firm of John R. Davis' Sons; and Ralph G., also a member of the firm.

From youth Mr. Davis was a consistent member of the Baptist Church and served that body at Youngstown as a deacon and trustee. He was a man who stood deservedly high both in public and private life and will be re- called whenever Youngstown's citizens of un- blemished character, sterling integrity and great usefulness are remembered.

6 EORGE SYLVANUS BEARD, one of Beaver township's most substan- tial citizens, resides on a beautiful farm of 289 acres, a part of the Beard section, and owns also 325 acres situated in Green township. Mr. Beard was born on his farm April 21, 1846, and is a son of Jacob and Sophia (Leitsey) Beard. Extended mention of the Beard family, with its ancestry, will be found in another part of this work.

George S. Beard was reared on the pres- ent farm, and owing to the death of his father while he was still young, his educational op- portunities were somewhat limited. General farming and stock-raising have been familiar occupations with him all his life. For a num- ber of years he devoted a great deal of atten- tion to raising horses, cattle and sheep, but now he carries on general agriculture and keeps many milch cows, the product of which goes to the creameries in which his sons are concerned. In 1898 Mr. Beard, together with his brother Monroe, started a creamery just across the road from his home. which they

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continued to operate for several years. It is now under the management of A. W. Beard, son of George S., in partnership with a nephew of the latter. Archie J., who is the son of Frank Valentine Beard. Mr. Beard's home is one of the most attractive in Beaver township, and on it he has erected what is undoubtedly the finest barn in Mahoning County, building it himself.

On August 27, 1868, Mr. Beard was mar- ried to Caroline Neff, who was born in Can- field township. Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Martin and Catherine ( Wil- son) Neff, who still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have two children-Burton A. and Alexander Wilson. The former resides at home, and is his father's right-hand man. He married Stella Rohrbaugh, who died Septem- ber 25, 1906, leaving three children : Ray A., Arthur R. and Caryl E. The second son of Mr. Beard, Alexander W., resides at Youngs- town, but operates the creamery established by his father and is also interested in three cream- eries in Trumbull County.

Politically Mr. Beard is affiliated with the Democratic party in National affairs, but still retains his right to sometimes differ with its policies. He has never consented to hold of- fice, although well qualified, on account of large business interests; knowledge of the needs of the community, and a large measure of natural judgment and foresight, combined with the general esteem in which he is held on account of his sterling character. Mr. Beard is one of the leading members of the Lutheran Church, to which all his family belongs.

D AVID GOOD, who is prominently identified with the North Lima Gilt Edge Butter Company, and was one of the organizers of the Beaver Township Telephone Company, be- ing a stockholder at the present time, resides on his farm in section II, Beaver township. Ile was born on what is now the Tilman Weaver farm, in Beaver township, Mahoning

County, Ohio, December 30, 1850. and is a son of Samuel and Anna ( Weaver) Good.

Samuel Good, father of David, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Christian and Mary (Sneder) Good, who were early settlers in Beaver township. David Good remembers his grandmother as a venerable lady of 92 years, residing on a farm opposite to that of Lewis Obenauf. Samuel Good had preceded his parents to Beaver township by one year. He was a carpenter by trade, but after his marriage he settled on a small place in the southwestern; part of Beaver township. Later he moved to his fa- ther-in-law's place, which is now the Tilman Weaver farm, where he lived until he moved to the present home of David Good, when the latter was about six years old. His death oc- curred while he was on a visit to Wayne County, at the age of 73 years. He married Anna Weaver, who was born in Berks Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Sam- tel and Anna (Bauman) Weaver, concerning whom may be found in the sketch of Tilman Weaver. The children of Samuel Good and wife were as follows: Jesse, a resident of Orrville; Mary, who married John Martin, re- siding in Wayne County: Noah, residing near Dalton, in Wayne County; Lydia, who re- sides near North Lawrence, Stark County: Samuel, residing in Beaver township; David. whose name begins this sketch; and Anna. who resides in Wayne County. Samuel Good and wife were worthy people, members of the Mennonite Church, and he was a preacher of that faith.

David Good has lived on his present farm ever since childhood. He has always been a leader in agricultural movements in this sec- tion. especially those which promise to be of advantage to his immediate neighborhood. The North Lima Gilt Edge Butter Company has been a very important enterprise in this sec- tion. Mr. Good was its manager for three years. In 1900 he effected the organization of a stock company which was incorporated in 1906, with the following officers: Solo- mon Elser, president ; Oliver Good, secretary ;

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Tilman Weaver, vice-president; and David Good, treasurer. The board of directors is made up of the following capitalists: David Good, Charles T. Marks, Solomon Elser, Til- man Weaver and Lewis Obenauf.

On September 29, 1881, Mr. Good was married to Ida May Lodwick, who was born in Austintown, and is a daughter of John and Leah (Flickinger) Lodwick. The Lodwick family was a pioneer one of this section. Mr. Lodwick settled first in Austintown township, thence removing to North Lima and after- wards to Portage County, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Good have four children, namely : Oliver, born January 1, 1883. residing in North Lima, who married Carrie Ritter, and has one son, Howard; Arthur, residing at home, who was born July 20, 1885 ; Lester and Chester, both residing at home, the former of whom was born November 13, 1897, and the latter, January 25, 1899.

Mr. Good is not a very ardent politician and his vote is as frequently influenced by the man as by the party. He is a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry.

ECIL D. HINE. A. M., senior mem- ber of the important law firm of Hine, Kennedy & Robinson, at Youngstown, has been one of the prominent attorneys of Mahoning County for the past quarter of a century. Mr. Hine was born at Hubbard, Trumbull Coun- ty. Ohio, August 3, 1849, and is a son of Sam- uel and Ellen L. (Montgomery ) Hine and a grandson of Homer Hine, who was one of the earliest and most successful lawyers of the Western Reserve. The family is an old es- tablished one in Mahoning County.

Samuel Hine, whose death occurred May 19, 1893, was born at Youngstown and mar- ried Ellen L. Montgomery, a daughter of Rob- ert Montgomery, who located at a very early day in Trumbull County, and who, as early as 1806. built at Poland one of the first iron fur- naces in the state, which he successfully oper- ated for a considerable period.

Cecil D. Hine was primarily educated in his native locality and then entered Western Reserve College, at the beginning of the soph- omore year, where he completed the course with great credit. At a later date his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Mas- ter of Arts. After his return from college, he entered upon the study of the law with the well known firm of Taylor & Jones, at War- ren, Ohio, and after two years of reading, was admitted to the bar in Trumbull County, on April 15, 1872. Shortly afterward he entered upon the practice of his profession at Youngs- town, where he has remained ever since, by his ability making his name well known in Mahoning and other counties. The law firm of Hine, Kennedy & Robinson, which was formed in 1900, is considered one of the strongest and ablest combinations of legal tal- ent in this section of Ohio. The junior mem- ber of the firm is a son of Circuit Judge Robin- son. The other member, Hon. James B. Ken- nedy, is a former judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas. The firm has well-appointed offices in the Wick building. Mr. Hine is one of the city's representative citizens and is closely con- nected with its important interests and public affairs.

On October 9, 1872, Mr. Hine was united in marriage with Elizabeth W. Woodruff, who was born at Poland, Ohio. They have one daughter, Elizabeth W., who is the wife of Charles H. Cates of New York. The family home is located at No. 725 Wick avenue.

OSES WEBBER. The death of Moses Webber, May 15. 1875, re- moved from Boardman township a citizen of sterling worth and a man of prominence in his section. He was born on his father's farm, in Board- man township, Mahoning County, Ohio. March 9. 1822, and was a son of Peter and Elizabeth ( Deitzel) Webber.

Christian Webber, the grandfather of Moses, was the founder of the family in Amer- ica. He was born in Germany and crossed

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the Atlantic to the United States when a young man. Here he was soon after married to Chris- tina Rhine, also a native of Germany. They har eleven children, one of whom subsequently settled in Virginia and one in Indiana, all the rest remaining in Pennsylvania, with the ex- ception of Peter, who came to Ohio and set- tled in Boardman township in 1811. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of shoemaker, but never worked at it after leaving his native state. He married Elizabeth Deitzel (now spelled Titzel), who was of German parentage, but who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. With his wife and four children, Peter Web- ber came to Mahoning County in a large cov- ered wagon, and until, with the help of kind neighbors, a log cabin could be built, the little family had to make the wagon their home. They settled on what is now the James Brown- lee farm.

After residing on that farm for forty years, Peter Webber bought a farm of Jonathan Dustman, on which Samuel Moyer now lives, in Boardman township, and other tracts of land, one being the farm now owned by his granddaughters. His wife died at the age of 44 years, but he survived to be 88 years of ago. He served in the War of 1812, and there is a family story told of how his wife and her small child fenced a wheat field during his en- forced absence, which exemplifies the resource- ful character of the pioneer wives and mothers. All of their seven children have lived out their lives and have passed into peaceful rest. They were: George, Catherine (who married Da- vid G. Waller), Mary, John, Betsev (who married James Spiers), David and Moses.

Until his marriage, Moses Webber re- mained on the home farm assisting his father, receiving his education in the primitive schools of the neighborhood. On October 15, 1846, he was married to Salome Simon, who was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Stemple) Simon, and a sister of Jesse Simon, a sketch of whom appears in this work. They settled on a part of the Peter Webber farm, but in another house, and Moses continued to assist his father until the latter's death, afterwards

operating the farm until his own decease. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. He was a man of intelligence and sound judgment, fre- quently called upon for advice by his neigh- bors and was elected to responsible township offices, serving also for many years as a jus- tice of the peace in Boardman township. He was a member of the Mahoning County Agri- cultural Society.

He and his wife had two daughters- Laura, who was born August 24, 1847, and Elizabeth, who was born December 6, 1848. They are members of the pioneer Reformed Church in Boardman township, which was built in 1816, and rebuilt in 1845. Miss Laura Webber was educated in the Poland Union Seminary and for a number of years taught school in the same section where both her mother and grandmother had taught before her, the latter sometimes carrying her sleeping babe with her.

ILSON L. MILLER, residing on his well-improved farm of 120 acres, situated in section 27, Beaver township, is one of the prosperous farmers and stock- raisers of this part of Mahoning County. Mr. Miller was born in Springfield township, Ma- honing County, Ohio, January 9, 1853, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lower) Miller.

Henry Miller. the grandfather of Wilson L., was the founder of the family in Mahoning County, coming in the 20's of the nineteenth century from Maryland. He acquired about 130 acres of land in Springfield township, a farm that is now owned by Aaron Hoffman. Samuel Miller, father of Wilson L., was born on the above farm in Springfield township, on which he lived until 1869, when he purchased land in Beaver township. He had owned 80 acres in Springfield township which was so heavily timbered when he took charge of it that he was obliged to make a clearing before he could find space on which to build his house. This house subsequently burned down, after which Samuel Miller sold the property. His

l + tilland)

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farm of 154 acres in Beaver township had been improved by a house and barn, and he resided there until his death, some eighteen years later, at which time he was 60 years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in New Springfield, Mahoning County, a daughter of Jacob Low- er. She still survives and resides near Geneva, Ashtabula County, Ohio, with a daughter. Samuel Miller and wife had six children : Sarah Ann (deceased), who was the wife of William Minter; Tobias, residing in Cuyahoga County ; Wilson L., the subject of this sketch ; Alice Celesta, who married Isaac Esterly, and resides in Columbiana ; Melissa C., wife of Jo- seph Harrold, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume; and Laura J., who married Isaac Chappell, residing in Ashtabula County. Samuel Miller was a member of the Lutheran Church at New Springfield.

Wilson L. Miller was educated in the dis- trict schools, which he attended in Beaver township for some two years. He has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits, carrying on general farming and stock-rais- ing, and making a specialty of hogs. Besides the home farm he owns 22 acres in section 16. He has a valuable property and his surround- ings all indicate a high degree of material prosperity.

On September 7, 1876, Mr. Miller was married to Laura A. Sensenbacher, who was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County, a daughter of Gottlieb and Anna (Mollenkopf) Sensenbacher. The father of Mrs. Miller was born in Germany and was about 18 years old when his parents brought him to America. They located in Mahoning County, on the Pennsylvania line. He died June 14, 1891, and his wife's death occurred in the following year. Mr. and Mrs. Sensen- bacher had seven children, namely: Mrs. Mil- ler : Louisa Mary, who married Calvin C. Rummel, and resides in Youngstown; John, residing in Unity township, Columbiana Coun- ty: Rosa Catherine, who married Henry Wood, residing in Youngstown; Sarah, who married George Beck, and resides in East Pal- estine ; Daniel and Emma, who died in child- hood.

Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one son, Park F., who was born on the present farm, Sep- tember 10, 1877. January 24, 1901, he mar- ried Blanche G. Wunderlin, who was born in Beaver township, a daughter of Lewis Wun- derlin. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one grand- son, from the above marriage, Relph Lewis, who was born July 16, 1904.

Like his father, Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat. He is a member of Grace Church, at Columbiana. A good citizen, he takes an active interest in everything pertain- ing to the advancement of education, temper- ance and religion, in his neighborhood.

OOK FITCH KIRTLAND, who spent his entire life in Poland town- ship, Mahoning County, was born here September 21, 1826, and died in his 70th year, on April 14, 1896. He was a son of Henry T. Kirtland, who was born November 16, 1795. From the pe- riod of the first settlements the Kirtland family has been prominent in the history of this sec- tion.

Turhand Kirtland, the grandfather of Cook F. Kirtland, was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, November 16, 1775, and came to Ohio in early manhood at a time when only trails led through the dense forests. Accompanied by his brother Jared, and his sister and her husband, Jonathan Fowler, he made the trip from Beaver, Pennsylvania ( then known as Mackintosh), to Poland town- ship, Mahoning County, in a canoe, arriving here on the 29th of May, 1799. Turhand and his brother located homes here but did not bring on their families until 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler lived in a cloth tent for the first six weeks, which was pitched on the west bank of Yellow Creek near the flouring mill. Subsequently they erected substantial homes in which the first white child of the township was born-Rachel Fowler. It is said that when Turhand Kirtland removed from Connecti- cut to western Pennsylvania he brought the first wagon to the town of Warren, but was

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forced to leave it at that place when he con- tinued his journey to Ohio, as there were no roads. He was well known as a land agent and as a public-spirited citizen. In 1800 he officiated at the first marriage in the township held on his farm, the contracting parties be- ing John Black and Nancy Bryan. In 1804 he started a tavern, in a frame building situ- ated on the high ground east of Yellow Creek, and ran this as a first-class inn for a time. The large public square in Poland and the cemetery were donated by him, and the church lot was given by his son, Henry Turhand. The salt spring tract belonged to him and others whom he represented.

Cook Fitch Kirtland, whose portrait may be seen on a neighboring page, was reared in Poland township. He engaged in banking and other business, being also the owner and op- erator of several fine farms. His first wife was Maria Perkins Swift. The two children born of this marriage are deceased, the son, Henry Turhand, dying at the age of 19 years and the daughter, Maria, at the age of Io. On February 3, 1876, Mr. Kirtland was united in marriage with Harriet Swift, a cousin of his first wife, and daughter of Lucian and Sarah (West) Swift. She was born in Akron, Ohio, being the eldest of four children in the paren- tal family and was graduated from the schools of Cleveland, Ohio. Two children were born of the second marriage, Isabell and Lucian Swift. The former, who was educated at Waterbury, Connecticut, is the wife of George S. Bishop, of Poland Village, and has two sons-George Kirtland and Fitch Kirtland Bishop. Lucian Swift Kirtland, a graduate of Yale University, is a journalist of Minne- apolis, Minnesota.

Hon. Zephaniah Swift, the grandfather of Mrs. Kirtland, was for many years a judge in the higher courts of Connecticut. His son, Lucian, her father, was born in Connecticut, June 2, 1808, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1890. At the age of 20 years he removed to Ohio. settling in Summit county, where he married Sarah West, a daughter of Captain Thomas West, who for many years sailed a ship from Martha's Vineyard and lived to be

83 years old. Lucian Swift was active in pub- lic life. He served as clerk of the probate courts and filled other offices in the gift of the people. His wife lived to an advanced age, dying in 1906, at the age of 86 years. Of the children of Lucian Swift, his son Lucian moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1875, and was subsequently manager of the Minne- apolis Journal. He is married and has a fam- ily. Grace Huntington lived with her mother in Cleveland until the latter's decease. Thomas died in Cleveland in 1881.

Mrs. Kirtland has resided for many years past in the fine old brick mansion in Poland, which was erected by her late husband long before the war. It resembles a modern dwell- ing notwithstanding its age, and is a most charming home.

APT. DANIEL B. STAMBAUGH, who is president of the Stambaugh- Thompson Hardware Company of Youngstown, was born in Mahoning County, April 6, 1838, a son of John and Sarah (Bower) Stambaugh. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were reared and married. Coming to Ohio in 1805, they settled on a farm north of the present city of Youngstown, where they passed the remainder of their lives.

Daniel B. Stambaugh passed his youth on his father's farm and continued to be inter- ested in agricultural pursuits until 1855, when he became identified with the development of the coal industry at Brier Hill and other lo- calities. He has taken an active part in devel- oping the iron resources of Ohio, although his mining operations have not been confined to this state alone, for he has made investments in mines in both Idaho and Colorado. He is a man of excellent judgment, shrewd and far- seeing in his dealings, and worthy of the posi- tion he has won.

In 1861 when President Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 men Mr. Stambaugh enlisted in Company B. 19th Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, in which he served four months.

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In June, 1862, he reenlisted, becoming second lieutenant of Company A, 105th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Rich Mountain, Perryville and Chickamauga, at the last named engagement being so seriously wounded that he was sent to the hospital where he remained for forty days. When sufficiently recovered he rejoined his command and participated in the engagements at Mission Ridge, and the various battles of the Atlanta campaign, including Buzzard's Roost, Tullahoma, Big Shanty, Lost Moun- tain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, and the at- tack on and capture of Atlanta. From At- lanta he proceeded in Sherman's triumphant host on the "March to the Sea," and subse- quently, after the close of hostilities, took part in the grand review at Washington. He was honorably discharged June 5. 1865. From the rank of second lieutenant he was promoted to that of first lieutenant, and in August, 1863, was appointed captain, in which office he served until the close of the war.

On November 15, 1867, Captain Stam- baugh was married to Margaret Osborne, a daughter of Abner Osborne, of Girard, Trum- bull County, Ohio. To them were born three children : Philip, now deceased; Anna, who is the wife of David Tod of Youngstown ; and Mrs. Mary Gordon, also a resident of Youngs- town. Mrs. Stambaugh is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; she is a woman of deep devotion and possesses many rare qual- ities. Mr. Stambaugh is a man of very at- tractive personal traits, is a most congenial companion and a stanch and true friend. As a citizen he holds an esteemed place in the re- gard of his townsmen. Mr. and Mrs. Stam- baugh reside at No. 129 West Rayen avenue.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 60

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