Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 73

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 73

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on the board for three years. He had much to do in the removal of the county seat from Canfield to Youngstown. In 1880, he was elected assessor of Green township and com- pleted one term of service, and in 1892 he was elected to the very important and responsible office of treasurer of Mahoning County. In this position he served one short and one long term, the period included being nearly three years. In all his public service he has applied the principles by which he has successfully reg- ulated his own business and is universally recognized as a progressive and public-spirited man and reliable citizen.

LYDE W. OSBORNE, attorney at law, at Youngstown, in partnership under the firm name of Osborne, Jenkins & Lloyd, with offices at No. 107 West Federal street, was born in Portage County, Ohio, September 18, 1881. He is a son of Edwin L. and Elizabeth M. ( Reese) Osborne.

The Osborne family is of English extrac- tion and many generations ago was prominent on the Isle of Wight in the English Channel. Osborne House, the late Queen Victoria's fav- orite castle, had many retainers among the sur- rounding gentry and many of the name of Os- borne. The first member of this old and hon- orable family to come to America was Aaron Osborne, who settled in Virginia in 1746. His son Abner, who was the great-grandfather of Clyde W. Osborne, removed to Pennsylvania.

Amos Osborne, son of Abner, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio in young manhood, locating first in Milton township. Mahoning County, and later removing to Paris township, Portage County, where he died. The mother of the late President Mckinley was a member of this family, a first cousin of Edwin Osborne. William Osborne, formerly mayor of Youngstown and later consul to England, also belonged to this family. Other members have been equally prominent.

Edwin Osborne, father of Clyde W., was born in Milton township. Mahoning County,

but was mainly reared in Paris township, Portage County, where he still resides, en- gaged in agricultural pursuits. He married Elizabeth M. Reese and they have four chil- dren, viz. : Clyde W., whose name begins this sketch; Mark, born June 18, 1887, who is a teacher in the Excelsior Business College at Youngstown; Ruth M., born December 25, 1892; and Alice, born July 3, 1896.

Clyde W. Osborne remained on the home farm until he was 17 years old, beginning his long educational career by teaching the district schools of Charlestown township for one year. He then spent three years in the Newton Falls High School, in Trumbull County, and later took a year's course at the Hubbard High School, where he was graduated. After com- pleting a business education at the Hall Busi- ness College, Youngstown, Mr. Osborne took charge of the commercial department of the college, which he conducted for five years, re- signing April 1, 1906. He then purchased the controlling interest in the Excelsior Business College at Youngstown and took charge as manager, retaining the office until his admis- sion to the bar, December 21, 1906. He had commenced the study of law with leading at- torneys of Youngstown. December 21, 1903.

On March 3. 1903. Mr. Osborne was mar- ried to Jennie Jones, who is a daughter of Ed- ward and Sarah Jones, of Hubbard. Trumbull County. Ohio. They have one child, Eliza- beth, who was born September 21, 1905. Mr. Osborne, in his fraternal relations, belongs to St. David's Society, a Welsh organization, and to the Foresters.

m ARTIN GROVE, a prosperous citi- zen of Beaver township, who, for 18 years was a popular educator in Beaver and Springfield townships, resides on a valuable tract of 40 acres, situated in section 27, which he devotes to moderate farming and the extensive grow- ing of small fruits. Mr. Grove was born in the southwestern part of Beaver township, January 5. 1848, and is a son of William and Salome ( Wilderson ) Grove.

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The paternal grandparents of Mr. Grove were George and Elizabeth (Creps) Grove. From his great-grandfather Creps, he enjoys the distinction of belonging to Revolutionary stock. George Grove brought his family from York County, Pennsylvania, to Beaver town- ship, Mahoning County, when his son William was very young. At that time all this section was included in Columbiana County. In early manhood, William Grove married Salome Wilderson, who was a daughter of Martin Wilderson, a pioneer of Beaver township. They had five children, namely: Sevilla, who married George W. Cole, and resides on a farm adjoining that of Martin Grove; Isabel, whose death occurred in childhood, from ac- cidental burns; Solomon, who has resided for many years in Allegheny, Pennsylvania; Mar- tin, to whom fuller reference will be made in this article; and Harriet, who married Wil- liam Yoder, and resides in Nebraska. In po- litical views, William Grove was a stanch Democrat. At an early day he was a member of a company of militia. All through life he was a good, reliable citizen. For many years he was an attendant of the Reformed Church at North Lima, of which he was a member.

Martin Grove being only four years old when his mother died, he was reared by his grandmother, at North Lima, where he at- tended school during his boyhood. Later he took a course in Poland Seminary, an institu- tion which has educated many prominent men, among them being the late President William Mckinley. The latter's brother, the late Ab- ner Mckinley, was one of Mr. Grove's class- mates. Among his remembrances of those years which subsequent events made historic, in connection with President Mckinley, is that of a maiden speech made by the future states- man and martyr, in Mt. Olivet Reformed Church at North Lima.

After completing his education Mr. Grove engaged in teaching in Beaver and Springfield townships, devoting a period of eighteen years to the educational field, in which he attained no little prominence. Finally tiring of the confinement of this work, Mr. Grove turned his attention to agriculture, in 1875, buying

forty acres of land in Beaver township, on which he has since resided. When he first settled here and began raising produce and small fruits for the Youngstown market, it was necessary for him to leave home about midnight in order to be at the market in time for his trade. But the building of the Youngs- town & Southern Railway has given him ex- cellent transportation facilities, its line running near his farm. He has met with very satis- factory success in his enterprise.

On April 30, 1876, Mr. Grove was married to Harriet Macklin, who was born at New Springfield, Ohio, a daughter of John and Mary (Hisey) Macklin. John Macklin was born in Mahoning County in 1805, and was a son of George and Mary ( Thomas) Mack- lin. The Macklins came to Ohio from West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, and Mrs. Grove's parents resided here through life, the father dying in 1897, aged almost 93 years. The children of John Macklin and wife were: Hiram, residing in Columbiana; Tryphena, deceased; Harvey H., residing at Warren, Ohio; Isabel, who married L. A. Reddy, re- siding at Alliance; and Harriet, who married Mr. Grove.

Mr. and Mrs. Grove have had four chil- dren, viz .: Eva Mabel, Arthur Macklin, Charles Rollin, and Herbert Martin. 3 The daughter is an accomplished young lady who, after completing the high school course at North Lima, took some terms of musical in- struction at Canfield and Youngstown, and subsequently taught school. Arthur M. Grove is a graduate of the Zanerian Art School of Columbus, Ohio. Charles Rollin, residing at home, is a student in Heidelberg College. Her- bert M. was graduated from Heidelberg Col- lege, in June, 1907. The family belongs to Mt. Olivet Reformed Church, in which Mr. Grove has been an active worker for forty years, during twenty-seven serving as Sunday school superintendent. When not serving as superintendent he has been a teacher, which position he has filled for the past eighteen years. He has also served as an elder in the church. Politically Mr. Grove is a Republican and he has filled a number of minor offices. He

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is a Mason and is a member of Allen Lodge, No. 276, F. & A. M., at Columbiana.

H LBERT FOGG, a prominent citizen and treasurer of Goshen township, residing on his excellent farm of 100 acres, situated in section 28, was born on this farm, in Mahoning County, Ohio, April 11, 1865, and is a son of Edwin and Drusilla (Ellyson) Fogg.

Edwin Fogg was born in New Jersey and was about five years of age when he accom- panied his parents, Ebenezer M. and Mary (Silvers) Fogg, to Mahoning County. The Foggs were among the earliest settlers of Goshen township and they endured the hard- ships which all pioneers had to face. Early in the 50's Edwin Fogg purchased the farm now owned by his son Albert, on which he lived until he retired from active life, when he moved to Damascus, where he died March 14, 1906, in his 83rd year. He was identified with the Republican party, but was never a seeker for office. He was well known all over this section and a familiar figure, his plain clothes and simple speech proclaiming him a member of the Society of Friends. The eight surviv- ing children of Edwin Fogg and wife are: Robert, residing in North Branch, Iowa; Eb- enezer, residing at West Liberty, Iowa; Edgar, residing near Chicago, Illinois; Ellen, who married Edward Edgerton, residing at Gibson, Iowa: Hannah E., who married Jesse E. Maris, residing at Nortonville, Kansas ; Al- bert, whose name heads this article; Isabel, widow of Albert Barber, late of Green town- ship, residing at Damascus; and David, resid- ing also at Salem, where he operates a livery stable.

After completing his education in the schools of his native township, Albert Fogg turned his attention to farming and is known as one of the progressive, enterprising and successful agriculturists of this section.

On December 24. 1890. Mr. Fogg. was married to Clara D. Mead, who is a daughter of William P. and Margaret ( Strawn) Mead,

and they have had three children : Clifford M., deceased. William E., and Erma D.

In his political views Mr. Fogg is a Repub- lican and his high standing in the township is shown by the fact that his fellow-citizens elected him township treasurer in 1900, and have kept him in office ever since.

OHN E. GILBERT. a prominent bus- iness citizen of Washingtonville, en- gaged in the hardware line, which in- cludes roofing and spouting, was born July 20, 1864, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a son of George B. and Susanna (Bilger) Gilbert, the former of whom was born in Columbiana County and the latter at Washingtonville, Ohio. Mrs. Gilbert still sur- vives and resides in her native place, having reached her 70th year.

John E. Gilbert was brought to Washing- tonville by his parents when he was an infant and the greater part of his life has been spent here. After completing his education in the public schools, at the age of 19 years he went to Columbiana, where he learned the tinsmith trade with John Beard, and worked at the same in various places until he finally settled at Berlin Center, in a shop of his own. Two years later, in December, 1889, he came to Washingtonville and established himself in business here. He is a well known and popu- lar citizem, showing interest and enterprise along every line of the town's progress.

On November 29. 1888, Mr. Gilbert was married to Rhoda R. Donahue, who was born at Columbiana, Ohio, and is a daughter of Charles Donahue, formerly of Pittsburg. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have three daughters, name- ly : Vera J., S. Rebekah and F. Mercedes.

Fraternally Mr. Gilbert is identified with Washingtonville Council. No. 199. Junior Order of United American Mechanics, being a charter member of this organization at this point. He is a prominent factor in Republican politics in this section, and on many occasions has been sent as his party's representative to county, state and congressional conventions.

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Mrs. Gilbert's upright character and honest business methods, together with his energy and enterprise have made him a representative citi- zen of Mahoning County.

OHN C. HANNI, who is now serving in his second term as one of the county commissioners of Mahoning County, Ohio, has been a resident of Youngs- town since 1901, but still retains his fine farm of 140 acres in Springfield township. He was born December 19. 1866, in Youngs- town township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Christian Hanni.

The father of Mr. Hanni, Christian Hanni, was born at Berne, Switzerland, and came to Youngstown in 1853. For some twenty years he was connected with the iron furnaces in the vicinity of this city and now lives retired in Youngstown township. He was naturalized soon after coming to the United States, and was never afterwards known to miss the priv- ilege of voting.

John C. Hanni was reared on a farm and was educated in the district schools. After his marriage he settled on his farm of 140 acres in Springfield township, where he engaged in general farming and stock-raising until April 1, 1901, when he retired to Youngstown. After locating here, Mr. Hanni engaged in a real estate business in which he continued until he was elected county commissioner in the fall of 1903. Although he has always taken an intelligent man's interest in public affairs, his present office is the only political one Mr. Hanni ever sought. His services as a member of the board have been highly appreciated and have been satisfactory to both parties.

On August 30, 1888, Mr. Hanni was mar- ried to Mary E. Mowery, who is a daughter of George Mowery, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and moved from there to Mahoning County in 1856. Mr. and Mrs. Hanni have one child, John M. The family belong to the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church at Youngstown. Fraternally, Mr. Hanni is con-

rected with the Knights of Pythias and the Eagles.

E PHRAIM E. SIPE. general farmer and stock-raiser, residing on his val- table estate of 100 acres, situated in section 14. Springfield township, known as the Springfield Township Stock Farm, was born on this farm, in Mahon- ing County, Ohio, November 16, 1863, and is a son of Jacob and Sophia ( Edler ) Sipe.

Jacob Sipe, father of Ephraim E., was also born in Springfield township and resided all his life in this neighborhood. After his mar- riage he moved to the farm above mentioned, which formerly contained 185 acres. He im- proved the property by building a large house and barn, but the latter subsequently burned down. Jacob Sipe was married (first) to Rachel Griner, who died leaving four children, namely : Israel, Isaiah, Mary Ann, who is the wife of Frederick Unger, and Henry, who lives near Columbiana. Jacob Sipe married (second) Sophia Edler, who was a daughter of Jacob Edler and was born two miles north of New Springfield. The children of the sec- ond marriage were: Harvey W., residing near Mt. Jackson, Lawrence County, Pennsyl- vania ; Ephraim E .; and Ezra, who was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County. Jacob Sipe always voted the Democratic ticket. He was a consistent member of the Reformed Church, at various times serving on its offi- cial board.

Ephraim E. Sipe was reared in Springfield township and attended the schools near his home and completed his education by taking a business course in the Spencerian Commer- cial School, in Cleveland. Upon his return to the farm he immediately entered actively into developing its various resources. From boyhood he has been fond of horses and for many years he has handled all kinds very suc- cessfully, draft as well as fancy stock. He has charge of the famous stallion, Major, which was imported at a cost of $3.000, from France and .is now owned by the Springfield

JOHN E. McVEY

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Township Percheron Horse Company, of which Mr. Sipe is a member. He has not confined his attention, however, to the buying and selling of horses, in addition to this in- dustry, carrying on large farming operations and growing a considerable amount of stock. One season he devoted his attention to ship- ping wheat and that year he handled 35,000 bushels of the cereal. In addition to the home farm he owns 30 acres more, not adjoining. but a short distance east. His land is all well situated and is very valuable. He has made a number of excellent improvements, including the building of a substantial barn to take the place of the one destroyed by fire.

On February 19, 1905, Mr. Sipe was mar- ried to Lizzie Sheets, who was born in Spring- field township, and is a daughter of Barnes F. and Sally ( Raub) Sheets, the former of whom resides one mile northeast of Springfield. The grandparents of Mrs. Sipe were Robert and Elizabeth (Unger) Sheets, and they lived and died two miles northeast of Mr. Sipe's farm, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The mother of Mrs. Sipe was born in Springfield township and was a daughter of George and Susanna (Snyder) Raub. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets had five children, namely : Hattie, who married Ezra Haller, residing in New Mid- dletown; John, residing in New Middletown; George, a resident of New Springfield : Lizzie, now Mrs. Sipe; and Samuel, who died aged three years.

Mr. Sipe is identified politically with the Republican party. He is a member of the Reformed Church. His standing in his com- munity is that of a successful man and first- class citizen.

OHN E. McVEY. In the death of the late John E. McVey, which occurred at his home at Youngstown, Novem- ber 23. 1905, the city lost a man of sterling worth and the bar of the state a brilliant, able and successful member. Mr. McVey was born on his father's farm, about one mile east of Lowellville, just

over the state line in Pennsylvania, on May 2, 1858.

About 1868 the parents of Mr. McVey moved to a farm on the north side of the Ma- honing River, between Struthers and Lowell- ville, and here the boy attended a country school. Later he became a student at Poland Seminary, which institution he left to enter Hudson College. After leaving the college he taught for a short time what was known as the Cooper School, in Coitsville township, later becoming principal of the Lowellville High School, a position which he filled for two years. An opportunity offering for foreign travel, he went to Germany and studied at Hanover for a year, returning to Youngstown in order to prepare for the profession for which nature had so generously endowed him. He engaged in the study of law in the office of R. B. Murray, a well-known practitioner, was admitted to the bar on January 3. 1885, and immediately began practice at Youngs- town.

In 1887 Mr. McVey entered into partner- ship with the late Judge King, shortly after the latter had retired from the office of pro- bate judge, and in 1892 the firm was still further strengthened by the admission of Henry M. Robinson. This combination con- tinued and prospered undisturbed until the death of Judge King, in 1899. Shortly after Hon. George F. Arrel entered the firm and the firm style became Arrel, McVey & Robin- son, which partnership continued until the spring of 1901, when A. F. Rowland and John Harrington were admitted. In the fall of 1902, Mr. Robinson withdrew in order to give attention to his personal interests and in Feb- ruary, 1903. Judge Robert W. Tayler went into the firm, when the style became Arrel, McVey & Tayler. On February 1, 1905, Judge Tayler withdrew to go on the United States cirucuit court bench for the northern district of Ohio, and the firm then became Arrel, McVey, Rowland & Harrington. Dur- ing all this period. from the time when he first became connected with a law combination of acknowledged strength, Mr. McVey remained one of the strongest members. developing

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

those qualities which resulted in his becoming one of the greatest corporation lawyers in the state.

Along about 1890-91, the firm of King & McVey was retained by the Youngstown Street Railway Company, which had just com- menced to extend its system at Youngstown. Mr. McVey at once displayed a peculiar apt- ness for corporation organization and person- ally took charge of the legal work connected with the construction of this railroad system. He continued in this connection until his death. He saw the line extended from Har- vard avenue to New Castle, from Brier Hill to Leavittsburg, and from Niles to Mineral Ridge. It was largely through his recom- mendation that these extensions were made. His success in handling street railway inter- ests attracted the attention of influential men who were not all residents of Youngstown, and among these was the late Senator Calvin S. Brice.

In 1897 Senator Brice was projecting a steam road through the Mahoning valley to complete a vast system of railroads then in contemplation, and with great good judgment he chose Mr. McVey to take charge of the legal work. He organized the Cleveland & New Castle Railroad Company and was made its president and in that capacity he disbursed sums amounting to $2,000,000 for the right- of-way and construction work. For his ad- mirable management as president of this com- pany, he received the universal approbation of railroad men and of capitalists all over the country. After Senator Brice obtained con- trol of the Pittsburg & Western Railroad Company, he again turned to Mr. McVey, who foreclosed the mortgage and reorganized the company, making it a part of the Balti- more & Ohio system. This was a triumph of legal accomplishment, the task having been fraught with many legal complexities. From that time on Mr. McVey's firm was the legal representative of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road Company, and its importance continued to extend until it became also legal counsel for the Pennsylvania & Mahoning Valley

Railway Company and many corporations of little less prominence.

In the winter of 1900 and 1901 Mr. Mc- Vey was called upon to go to St. Petersburg, Russia, in the interest of an American syndi- cate which was interested in establishing a system of electric traction there and in Mos- cow. Owing to the outbreak of the Russian- Japanese war this work was not finished, but these negotiations gave opportunity to make some pleasant and valuable acquaintances, among whom was Count Witte, who was then Minister of the Interior, and Prince Hilkhoff, who was director of railways.

Mr. McVey had personal charge of the legal work in connection with the consolida- tion of the Pennsylvania & Mahoning Valley Railway Company's interests with the inter- ests of the Youngstown & Sharon Railway Company and the Youngstown Consolidated Gas & Electric Company. He was secretary of the Pennsylvania & Mahoning Valley Company ; was a director of the First National Bank of Youngstown and was identified in a like capacity with several other local corpora- tions of importance, including the Dollar Sav- ings & Trust Company, of which he was also a director.

In 1885 Mr. McVey was married to Lillia Hopkins of Sharpsville, Pennsylvania, who was at that time a popular teacher in the Wood street public school at Youngstown. Mrs. McVey and two children-a daughter and a son-Fannie Belle and John Hopkins- survive.

Mr. McVey was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. and was a liberal and cheerful supporter of its benevolent and philanthropic enterprises. His hand was ever open to the call of charity and none will ever know the extent of his private benefactions. Having spent the most of his life at Youngstown, he was well and favorably known all over Mahoning County, beloved for his many sterling traits of character and genial nature and admired for the great gifts with which he had been endowed. In his profession he was a tireless worker and his

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comparatively early death may, perhaps, be attributed to the great tasks he undertook and the absorbing interest he felt in them. . He possessed the sound judgment, the well-bal- ancel mind as well as the capacity for the close, logical reasoning and the alert intellect which made him master of every legal point and situation, and at the same time gave him power to array facts and present evidence to prove them, that brought continual success. It is not always that an intellectual man in his profession is also a good business man, or even a public-spirited citizen, but such was the case with Mr. McVey, and thus his loss was deeply felt by the majority of his fellow citizens.

As a political force Mr. McVey was never inclined to try his strength, enthusiasm for his profession absorbing his time and atten- tion too thoroughly. In the same way he was never greatly attracted by the influence of fra- ternal orders. In young manhood he had identified himself with the Masons, and at the time of his death was a member of Hillman Lodge, F. & A. M. His social opportunities were numerous and he enjoyed giving and accepting hospitality, but never to the extent of interfering with his professional duties, which to him, at all times, were paramount. A portrait of Mr. McVey accompanies this sketch.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 73

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