Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 71

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

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

face such stern responsibilities necessarily will; the state had the year before gone Democratic; and C. L. Vallandigham, whose arrest for seditious utterances had been approved of by Governor Tod, had been placed in nomination by the Democratic party, and was making stir- ring appeals for his vindication at the polls. Under these circumstances the Republican managers thought it best for the interests of the party to place in nomination some man who had aroused fewer and less fierce antag- ·onisms, and although eighty-eight counties had instructed their delegates to vote for his nomi- nation, the political wires were manipulated in favor of Hon. John Brough, who was accord- ingly nominated. In January, 1864, Governor Tod retired from office, bearing with him the approval of the majority of his fellow-citizens, the love of the army, and the confidence and personal esteem of the public men with whom the exigencies of the times had so closely as- sociated him.

Failing health caused him to decline further honors proffered him. It was a disappoint- ment to President Lincoln that he was unable to induce him to accept the portfolio of Sec- retary of the Treasury which was tendered him. His fellow citizens soon realized that his health in their behalf had indeed been broken, and when the news of his death, No- vember 23, 1868, came to them from his Brier Hill Farm, to which he had retired, their grief was as that of a child for a parent.

Governor Tod was a man of unaffected manner, and a keen judge of men in all the changing elements of political and social con- ditions. Full well he knew the mettle of both friend and foe. His personal loyalty to his friends was unshakable, save when it con- flicted with the higher duties of an exalted patriotism ; and none of his political enemies could ever say that he was aught but a fair and open foe. Resolutions deploring his loss and speaking in appreciative terms of his high character as statesman and citizen were passed by the senate and house of representatives of the state, and the press throughout the country announced the sad news in words of sorrow

and respect that found an echo in the hearts of all who knew him as he was. His name still remains one of honor in the great state he served so well, and although long years have passed away since his mortal presence has been removed, the principles he labored to sustain remain, and the country he loved is still united.

At Warren, Ohio, 'July 24, 1832, Gover- nor Tod was married to Maria Smith, who came from a family of early settlers in Trum- bull County. The seven children of this mar- riage were: Charlotte, who married Gen. A. V. Kautz, of the United States army and died in 1868, in Mississippi; John, a prominent cit- izen of Cleveland, Ohio; Henry, deceased, formerly president of the Second National Bank of Youngstown, of whom an extended sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; Wil- liam, deceased, a prominent manufacturer at Youngstown, a sketch of whom will also be found in this volume; George, vice-president of the Mahoning National Bank of Youngs- town, and president of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, who is also represented in this work; Grace, who is the wife of Hon. George F. Arrel, a prominent attorney at Youngs- town, a sketch of whom will be found in this volume ; and Sally, the youngest of the family.

5 ENRY HAMILTON STAMBAUGH, secretary and treasurer of the Brier Hill Iron and Coal Company, is one of the best known citizens of Youngs- town, where he was born November 24, 1858. He is a son of John and Caroline ( Hamilton) Stambaugh and a grandson of John and Sarah (Bower) Stambaugh.

Mr. Stambaugh's father was born at Brier Hill, Mahoning County, Ohio, March 8, 1827. Early in life he became interested with the Tod family in the coal and iron industries and so continued until his death, which occurred at New York City, March 5, 1888. On Sep- tember 12, 1854, he married Caroline Hamil- ton, a daughter of Mary and William ( Hull)

HON. WILLIAM T. GIBSON

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Hamilton, the former a native of New Jersey, of English parentage, and the latter of Berlin township, Mahoning County, Ohio. Children were born to John and Caroline ( Hamilton) Stambaugh as follows : Grace G., Henry Hamilton, John, Jr., who is president of the William Tod Company and treasurer of the Youngstown Steel Company, and George, who is extensively engaged in stock farming.

Henry H. Stambaugh was educated in the Youngstown public schools, after which he completed a course at Cornell University. When a young man he engaged in the iron and coal business and has continued to be so interested ever since. He is a Republican and takes an active interest in political affairs in Youngstown and in the county generally. He resides at No. 1051 Belmont avenue.

ILLIAM T. GIBSON, president of the Youngstown Savings & Bank- ing Company, and senior member of the law firm of Gibson & Lowry, with offices at Nos. 701-3 Dollar Bank Building, Youngstown, is one of the leading men of this city, which he form- erly served as mayor. Mr. Gibson was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, December 20, 1850, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy J. (Gault) Gibson. His paternal grandfather, Robert D. Gibson, was a soldier of the war of 1812, and was a son of James Gibson who served in the Revolutionary War.

The Gibson family has been settled in Ohio for more than 100 years, James Gibson, the pioneer, bringing his family from Cumber- land County, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and set- tling in the Mahoning Valley. Later James purchased the farm on which the subject of this sketch was born. Robert D. Gibson, the grandfather of William T. Gibson, was born in Pennsylvania in 1783. In Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1818, he married Lydia Marshall, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1799, and who bore him five children.

Samuel Gibson was born March 19, 1819,

on his father's farm in Mahoning County, Ohio, and his whole life has been spent in this county. He was one of the pioneers in the growing of broom-corn in this locality and for a number of years was engaged exten- sively in its culture. He was first married in 1843, to Ann Irwin, who died in 1846, leav- ing one son, James D. On June II, 1847, he married (second) Nancy J. Gault, daughter of Major James Gault, of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Of the six children of this second marriage-William T., Benjamin, Robert A., Harry G., Minnie A. and Ella G .-- four are now living. Samuel Gibson still sur- vives and resides upon his farm in Youngs- town township, hale and hearty at the age of 88 years. All of his brothers and sisters are living except one brother.

William T. Gibson was educated in the Youngstown Schools and at the Western Re- serve College, where he graduated in 1876. He read law with Judge Arrel, of Youngstown, and was admitted to practice in the fall of 1878. He has been a member of the Youngs- town bar for over 28 years and has made a professional reputation which extends through- out the Mahoning Valley. Since January I, 1906, he has been associated in practice with L. E. H. Lowry.

In addition to his professional prominence, Mr. Gibson has been identified with public affairs and with many of Youngstown's most important commercial activities. From 1896 to 1899 he served as city solicitor which office he resigned in December, 1899, having been elected prosecuting attorney of Mahoning county. He then served as such for three years. In April, 1903, he was honored by his fellow-citizens by election to the highest mu- nicipal office in their gift and he gave the city a good business administration, acquitting him- self wisely with all regard to the important interests placed in his hands. As the head of one of the great financial institutions of the city, he is also well and favorably known. Mr. Gibson's residence is located at No. 1039 Poland avenue, Youngstown. He is a strong Democrat in politics. His portrait is published with this sketch.

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

EORGE BALDWIN, a representative agriculturist and sterling citizen of Boardman township, residing on his magnificent farm of 200 acres, which is situated four miles south of Youngstown, was born in Boardman town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, September. 30, 1825, and is a son of Garry and Harriet (Meeker) Baldwin.

Amos Baldwin, the grandfather of George, was one of three brothers-Eli ( who later be- ·came a judge in Trumbull County ) ; Amos and Asa-all of whom came to Mahoning County in pioneer days. Amos settled in Boardman township, where he acquired a wild tract of land, which he subsequently converted into a productive farm. He and wife Sallie had their share of hardships and successes and both died at the home of their eldest son, at Champion, Trumbull County, Ohio. They had eight children, namely: Hicks, Asa, Garry, John, Ozro, Eli, Amander and Amanda. The last named, who married Ira Woods, lived to be about 90 years of age.

Garry Baldwin, father of George, was born in the log-house-the pioneer dwelling of the family-in the year 1800, the date being pre- served in a letter written at that time. He as- sisted his father in clearing the wild farm, and in early manhood took to wife Harriet Meeker. She came to Ohio with her parents, from New Milford, Connecticut, they settling on the road on the side of which Mr. Baldwin's land lies. A very industrious man, Garry Baldwin ac- quired some 200 acres of land, the most of which he cleared and put under cultivation. He died about 1869, being survived by his widow until she was 92 years of age. They had but two children-George and Louisa-the latter of whom became the wife of C. H. Andrews of Youngstown.

George Baldwin was aged three years and six months when the family moved from a farm at Boardman Center to that now owned by Mr. Baldwin, making the purchase from Harmon Stilson, one of the earliest settlers. George Baldwin attended first the district school, later an. academy at Ellsworth, and :still later Atwater Academy. Then for a num-

ber of winters he taught school in Boardman township, and at Flint Hill in Youngstown township. His summers were devoted to farming.

On January 31, 1856, he was married to Eliza Detchon, a daughter of William and Hannah (Jones) Detchon. As Hannah Jones, Mrs. Baldwin's mother, was the first white child born in Austintown township (then in Trumbull County ), she was entitled to a "boun- ty" that had been offered in such cases, but the bounty was never collected. She was the eld- est born in her family, her husband, William Detchon, being the eldest born in his family, his birth taking place in 1790, in England. He died in 1860, in Boardman township. He sur- vived his wife many years, her death occurring in 1839. when she was in her 39th year. They had a large family, those living to maturity be- ing as follows: Horace, who is deceased ; Mary, who married Silas Fankel, both being now deceased; Jerusha, who with her husband, Ben Tait, is also deceased; Eliza, who was; born in Boardman township, January II, 1833; Julia, deceased, who married Josiah Wirt.

The Baldwin and Detchon families were neighbors and friends and Mr. and Mrs. Bald- win can remember hearing it related that when their most estimable mothers would visit each other they would carry their spinning wheels with them in order to lose not a moment of time. Their cheerful industry was reflected in the comfort in which their children were reared. The father of Mrs. Baldwin left her a farm of 100 acres of well-improved land in Boardman township.

Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin have three children, Harriet, Henry and Stanton. Harriet mar- ried Joseph Smith, a prominent citizen and formerly deputy sheriff of Mahoning County, now residing at Long Beach, Mississippi. She and her husband have two children, Karl and Guy. Henry Baldwin, who resides on a farm adjoining his father, served as township treas-, urer for three terms and at present is a mem ber of the school board. He married Lottie, Smith and they have two children, Esther, Louisa and George Smith. Stanton Baldwin,

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residing next to his father, in Boardman town- ship, is, like his brother, engaged in dairying. He has one son, Howard Mack.

Mr. Baldwin is identified with the Repub- lican party as are also his sons. He has served 'as schocl director and as township trustee and has always done his part in the futhering of the best interests of Boardman township. He is a trustee in the First Christian Church at Youngstown, to which he and his family be- long.

m RS. ELIZABETH KISTLER, wife of Levi F. Kistler, is a prominent and highly esteemed resident of Green township, Mahoning Coun- ty, Ohio, where she was born Oc- tober 21, 1833. She is a daughter of Michael and Catherine Kronich.

The parents of Mrs. Kistler were born in Germany. After their marriage they came to America and were early settlers in the vi- cinity of New Albany, Green township. They lived in their pioneer log cabin until a fine new house was erected, other farm buildings also being constructed. After a number of years they removed to Berlin township, where they died, the father in his 81st year and the mother in her 84th year. They were good Christian people, kind neighbors and charitable to all who were in need. Of their children three sur- vive, namely: Mary, residing in Green town- ship, the widow of Christian Shawl; Eliza- beth, Mrs. Kistler, and Annie C., residing in Berlin township. This family originated in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came directly to Ohio, bringing many of their German customs with them.

Mrs. Kistler was reared in the good old German way and was taught to be a capable housewife by her excellent mother, while she obtained a book education in the district schools. All her life she has been bright and intelligent, and has always enjoyed keeping posted on the general events of the day. On November 19, 1850, she was married (first) to Christian Schaffer, who was a native .of

Germany. After a number of years of widow. hood, Mrs. Schaffer was married, October 26, 1886, to Levi F. Kistler, who was born in Le- high County, Pennsylvania, September 18, 1829, and is a son of Charles and Rebecca (Sechler) Kistler. When he was three years old his parents moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, soon after to Trumbull County, where he was educated and grew to manhood. He en- gaged in farming in Trumbull County until 1886, when he removed to Salem, residing there until 1901, when he and Mrs. Kistler settled on the present farm in Green township. During his residence in Trumbull County, he served as trustee of Lordstown township. In politics he is a Prohibitionist.

For forty years prior to returning to Green township, Mrs. Kistler resided at Salem, Ohio, where they are held in great esteem by a wide circle of friends. Both she and her husband are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Salem.

J OHN TOD, president of the American Belting Company, vice-president of the Falcon Bronze Company, and sec- retary of the Republic Rubber Com- pany, is one of the leading young busi- men of Youngstown, Ohio, and is ness noted for his enterprise and public spir- it. He was born at Youngstown, Ohio, No- vember 29, 1870, and is a son of Henry and Dillie (Pollock) Tod, and a grandson of Ohio's great war governor,, David Tod.

Henry Tod, who was born June 14, 1838, at Warren, Ohio, was a child of 10 years when he accompanied his parents to South America, his father having been appointed Minister to Brazil. After a year spent at Rio Janeiro, he returned to the family home at Youngstown, where he was mainly reared and educated and where his many business interests were gener- ally located. He was one of Youngstown's, most prominent citizens for many years and. was closely identified with almost every line of its development. He died February 20, 1905. An extended sketch of this distin-

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guished member of a notable family will be found in this work.

In 1869 Henry Tod was married, first, to Dillie Pollock, who died on December 28, 1878, at Pueblo, Colorado. She was sur- vived by two sons, John, subject of this sketch, and Henry, Jr., who was accidentally killed in an automobile collision on October 8, 1902. In 1891 Henry Tod was married, second, to Lucretia Van Fleet, who is a daugh- ter of John Van Fleet, a sketch of whom also will be found in this volume.

John Tod, the only surviving son of the late Henry Tod, was primarily educated at Youngstown and then entered Cornell Col- lege, where he was graduated in 1893. Shortly afterwards he entered into business, rapidly taking a prominent place at the head of various corporate interests, as mentioned above. He is besides the executor of his father's large estate. His offices are located at No. 35 Central Square, Youngstown, where an immense amount of business is transacted. Mr. Tod is a director in the First National Bank, the Mahoning National Bank, di- rector in the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, the Youngstown Carriage & Wagon Company, the American Belting Company, the Falcon Bronze Company, and the Republic Rubber Company. He is president of the Century Realty Company and of the Tod Land Company.

Mr. Tod married Alice Thayer Wood, daughter of Colonel F. Wood, and a member of a prominent old family of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Tod have a beautiful home at No. 207 Arlington street. They both are members of the Episcopal Church. Politically Mr. Tod is identified with the Republican party.

LBERT BURTON, one of Goshen township's leading citizens, and vice- president of the Mahoning County Agricultural Society, resides on his well cultivated farm of seventy acres,

which is situated in section 21. Mr. Burton was born in Goshen township,

Mahoning County, Ohio, January II, 1848, and is a son of Samuel and Abigail A. (Lloyd) Burton. The history of this promi- nent family may be found in the sketch of R. L. Burton, in this work.

Albert Burton obtained a district school education. From boyhood he has been ac- customed to life on a farm, and from actual experience understands every detail of the im- portant duties pertaining to successful agri- culture. He owns a valuable property, which he has put under a fine state of cultivation, has improved his surroundings at various times and enjoys the comforts of a well regulated home.

On February 9, 1874, Mr. Burton was married to Esther M. Strawn, who is a daugh- ter of John S. Strawn, of Goshen township, and they have two children: Ira S., residing at Salem; and Annie A., residing at home.

Mr. Burton, as an agriculturalist, has al- ways taken an active interest in local agri- cultural movements and for a number of years has served as one of the board of directors of the Mahoning County Agricultural Society. Since February, 1907, he has been vice-presi- dent of this important organization. He is a valued member of Goshen Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He belongs to the Odd Fellows and is connected with the lodge of this order at Salem. In political sentiment he is a Re- publican.

D AVID POTHOUR, who is engaged in the wholesale dairy business with his son-in-law, Fritz Wilson, also op- erates his farm of seventy-eight acres, located in section 8, Coits- ville township. He was born on this farm September II, 1859, and is a son of David and Rachel (Mariner) Pothour, both of whom are now deceased.

David Pothour, his grandfather, was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1800, when 19 years old, settling in Hubbard town- ship, Trumbull County, Ohio, where he bought a farm on which he resided until his

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death at the age of 96 years. David Pothour. father of the present David, was born at East Hubbard, Trumbull County, Ohio, and was reared on his father's farm, living there until his marriage, when he located on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch. He married Rachel Mariner, who was born and reared in Coitsville township and who was a daughter of Asa Mariner, who removed to that township from Hartford, Connecticut, walking the entire distance. He was a sur- veyor and was the first of that calling to lo- cate in the county. He was married in the township in which he settled and where he spent the remainder of his life. Three chil- dren were born to David and Rachel ( Mar- iner) Pothour, namely: Emmet, a soldier in the Civil War, who was a member of the 17th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in 1863 at Crab Orchard, Kentucky, of hydrophobia, having been bitten by a mad dog the summer previous to his entering the army; Nancy, widow of William Mars, who lives in Bed- ford, Pennsylvania; and David, the subject of this sketch.

David Pothour died May 16, 1879, 'and his widow died December 29, 1891.

David Pothour was reared on his present farm, and brought up to agriculture, which he has since followed. He is also engaged in the dairy business with his son-in-law, Fritz Wil- son. He was married November 16, 1881, to Rose Emma Longstreet, daughter of Charles Longstreet, of Coitsville. They have two children : Jessie, residing with her father, who married Fritz Wilson, and has one child, Laura Belle; and Edna, who married Edward Creed of Coitsville township.

OHN C. WICK, vice-president of the Dollar Savings & Trust Company, of Youngstown, is one of the most prom- inent business men of this city, as well as a member of one of the oldest families whose representatives have been foremost in developing the resources of this section and have contributed in a 30

very large degree to Youngstown's com- mercial prosperity and importance. He was born December 9. 1836, at Youngstown, and is one of a family of ten children born to his parents, of whom four survive, the others be- ing: Lucretia H., wife of William Scott Bonnell, president of the Mahoning National Bank, a notice of whom appears elsewhere; Henry, president of the Witch Hazel Coal Company, residing at Youngstown; and Eve- lyn W., widow of the late John M. Bonnell, a separate sketch of whom also appears else- where in this volume.

Hugh Bryson Wick, the father of our subject, was born at Youngstown, February 5, 1809, when the future city consisted of only a few scattered houses and stores. In 1828 he engaged in business as a merchant at Brookfield, Trumbull County, where he con- tinued until 1837. He then removed to Low- ellville, where he conducted business for two years. In 1839 he returned to his native place, and from that time until his death, which oc- curred April 22, 1880, he was very prominent in the business world of Youngstown, being actively engaged in the iron industry, also as a member of the H. B. & H. Wick Banking Company of Cleveland, and, after 1857, as a member of the banking firm of Youngstown, known as Wick Brothers & Company. He also had large coal and railroad interests.

In October, 1832, he married Lucretia G. Winchell, who was a native of Connecticut, born September 5, 1813. Her death occurred April 27, 1892, when in her 79th year.

John C. Wick attended the common schools at Youngstown and continued his edu- cation in the public schools of Cleveland, Ohio. His first experience in business was obtained as an employe of the H. B. & H. Wick Bank- ing Company of Cleveland, with whom he continued from 1856 to 1859. He then re- turned to Youngstown and entered the bank of Wick Brothers & Company, in which he subsequently acquired an interest. On August 1. 1894. it was organized as a national bank, becoming the Wick National Bank, with the subject of this sketch as president. Mr. Wick continued as the head of this institution until

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July, 1906, when the bank was merged with the Dollar Savings & Trust Company, of which he became vice-president. Mr. Wick is also vice-president of the Ohio Iron & Steel Company, and is also identified with the Mor- gan Spring Company and other important industries.

Mr. Wick married Caroline H. Bonnell, a daughter of the late William Bonnell of Youngstown, a biographical sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Mr. and Mrs. Wick are members of the Presbyterian Church. They have a beautiful residence at No. 410 Wick avenue. Mr. Wick is a Re- publican in politics.

YLVESTER L. BURKE, proprietor of the S. L. Burke Drug Store, of Lowellville, the pioneer drug store of that city, which was established more than twenty years ago by J. A. Cowden, was born December 2, 1874, at New Castle, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Honora ( Murphy) Burke.

Mr. Burke was about four years old when his parents moved to Lowellville. Here he was reared and attended the public schools of the village, after which he took a course at St. Mary's Retreat, at Dunkirk, New York. Upon his return to Lowellville he entered the employ of Mr. Frank Vaughn, who was then proprietor of this store, and remained in the employ of Mr. Vaughn for about five years, after which he worked at the drug business at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, for several years, and also at New Brunswick, New Jersey, and Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He subsequently purchased the old Mitcheltree Drug Store at Edinburg, Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until October 1, 1905, when he disposed of his business in Edinburg and purchased his present store. About one year after locating in Edinburg he bought an interest in the Olive Drug Company of Youngstown, Ohio, and he also sold his in- terest in this concern upon returning to Low- ellville. Mr. Burke carries a full line of

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 71

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