Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 75

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 75

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Charles H. Booth was born at Knoxville. Tennessee. January 17. 1861. He was six years old when his father settled at Youngs- town. Here he attended the common schools. and also entered the High School, but did not remain to finish his course in the latter insti- tution, in preference spending two years at the Western Reserve College at Hudson. Ohio. Upon his return to Youngstown he

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

became his father's bookkeeper and gradually became more and more identified with the business until he attained his present responsi- ble position as vice-president of the United Engineering and Foundry Company, and gen- eral manager of the Lloyd Booth Branch at Youngstown. He now ranks well up among the practical business men of the city. He is a director in the First National Bank, the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, the Ohio Leather Company, the Republic Rubber Com- pany, the General Fireproofing Company, and the American Belting Company, all of Youngstown.

On June 15, 1887, Mr. Booth was married to Harriet Arms, who is a daughter of Myron I. Arms, of this city. They have two children, Lloyd and Jane Arms. Mr. Booth is identi- fied with the Masonic Fraternity and is con- nected with various civic bodies and social organizations. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

EORGE LINCOLN FORDYCE, president of the Fordyce-Osborne Company, who succeeded George L. Fordyce & Company, in the dry goods business, at Youngstown, is financially interested in a number of other suc- cessful business enterprises of this city. Mr. Fordyce was born at Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, September 29, 1860, and is a son of John Horton and Louisa ( Close) Fordyce.

Mr. Fordyce comes of Revolutionary stock and old Scotch and English ancestry. The Horton branch of the family originated in England and through Nathaniel Horton (2). the great-great-grandfather of George L. For- dyce. can be traced back ten generations.

Barnabas Horton was a son of Joseph Horton, and was born at Mousley, Leicester- shire, England, July 13 (old style), 1600. In 1636 he emigrated to America, settling at Hampton, Massachusettts. In 1640 he moved to New Haven, but in October of that year he settled permanently on the east end of Long Island, which is now known as

Southold. A house is still standing there, which he built in 1659.

Caleb Horton, third son of Barnabas, was born in 1640, married Abigail Hallock, and with his wife moved to Long Island. Barna- bas Horton, eldest son of Caleb, was born De- cember 22, 1687, married Phoebe Terry, and in 1748, moved to Roxbury, New Jersey. Nathaniel Horton, son of Barnabas, was born October 13, 1719, and married Mehitable Wells. Nathaniel Horton (2), son of Na- thaniel, was born in 1741, and married Re-

becca Robinson. He was captain of a com- pany in the Continental army, during the Rev- olutionary War, and one of the private sol- diers in his company was Benjamin Fordyce, who married Rebecca Horton.

The Fordyce annals reach no further back than this Benjamin Fordyce, who, it appears, was a good soldier in the New Jersey militia, of which his father-in-law was captain. In 1790, Benjamin Fordyce and Rebecca Horton were married, and five years later, they re- moved from New Jersey to Scipio, New York, settling on the same farm on which George Lincoln Fordyce was born, many years later. They were pioneers in that section and they endured the dangers and hardships incident to locating in the uncivilized land along the border.

John Fordyce, son of Benjamin, was born at Chester, Morris County, New Jersey, in 1791, and married Anna Wilkinson, of Scipio, New York. They had but one son, John Hor- ton, who was born August 23, 1836.

John Horton Fordyce, son of John and fa- ther of George Lincoln Fordyce, was reared on his father's farm near Scipio, and educated in the local schools, and until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, he was interested in developing and improving the home estate. He possessed in full measure that loyal feeling which caused him to sacrifice all personal in- terests in his country's behalf, and in August, 1862, he enlisted in Company E, 138th New York Volunteer Infantry, as a private, refus- ing the captaincy of the company. His death occurred nine weeks later, November 13, 1862, at Washington, D. C. He was survived by

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his young wife and their little son, then less than two years old. On January 12, 1859, he had married Louisa Close. Their child was given the middle name of Lincoln, in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, this being one of the last requests made by the soldier father.

George Lincoln Fordyce was reared and educated in his native town of Scipio, New York. In 1876 he became a clerk in a general store at Scipio Center, where he remained one year. then accepting a position which was of- fered him in a large grocery store at Auburn, New York. He soon made friends in that city, and later secured a satisfactory position in the Cayuga County National Bank there, remaining until 1883, when he came to Youngstown. Here in association with sev- eral partners, he opened up a dry goods busi- ness on the corner of West Federal and Phelps streets. From a modest beginning the busi- ness has been expanded into one of the largest in its line in the city, seventy-five people being now employed. It was conducted for many years, under the firm style of George L. For- dyce & Company, Mr. Fordyce being sole own- er. On February 1, 1907, The Fordyce-Os- borne Company succeeded, and the firm is still making rapid strides forward. Mr. Fordyce owns the present site of his establishment, hav- ing purchased it for a large sum some three years ago.

Mr. Fordyce is interested in other flourish- ing Youngstown enterprises, and is connected with many charitable and philantrophic agen- cies. He is a director of the First National Bank, also of the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, and was formerly vice-president of the People's Savings and Banking Company. He is a trustee of the Youngstown Hospital Association, was formerly president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and has been a leader in many of the benevolent enter- prises of the city.

On June 25, 1890, Mr. Fordyce was mar- ried, at Youngstown, to Grace Walton, who is a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Oyer) Wal- ton. They have had the following children : George Lincoln, bearing his father's name, born August 18, 1892, who died October II.

1900; Rebecca Walton, born May 20, 1894; and Louise Horton, born August 3. 1898. The family home is a handsome residence at No. 40 Lincoln avenue, Youngstown.

Politically Mr. Fordyce is a Republican and he has been chairman of many of his par- ty's important organizations. During his terms of service on the city council, his advice was frequently asked and followed, and he was always prompt in promoting public im- provements and favoring the installation of city utilities. For many years he has been ac- tive in the work of Trinity Methodist Episco- pal Church. While a keen and successful man of business, with his days well filled with the cares which large responsibilities bring. Mr. Fordyce somehow finds time to pursue studies and investigations in ornithology, and to such an extent that he has become an authority on birds and their habits. He finds pleasure and recreation in teaching bird lore to the public.

J OHN LONEY, who is one of the lead- ing contractors of Youngstown, Ohio, was born in 1849, in Limerick. Ire- land, and when about six years of age came to America with his parents. who located in Crawford County, Ohio. Here he was reared and educated. In 1864, when about 16 years old, he enlisted in Co. F, 199th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, being mus- tered into service at Philadelphia. He partici- pated in his first engagement at Deep Bottom, and was also in the engagements around Rich- mond, at the fall of Petersburg, and in other lively actions in that section of Virginia. He also participated in Grant's campaign to the surrender of Appomattox. After the close of the war he returned to his home, and in 1867 came to Youngstown, where he finished an ap- prenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner. He has since followed this trade, he- ing engaged in the general contracting busi- ness at Youngstown, where he is recognized as one of the leading contractors of the city.

Mr. Loney was married in 1870 to Mrs. Grace Wilson. They have one daughter.

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Mary, wife of W. W. McKelvy, superintend- ent of the W. B. Pollock boiler and structural works at Youngstown. Mr. Loney is a mem- ber of Tod Post, G. A. R .. No. 29; he filled the office of commander in 1901, and is the present adjutant. He is on the staff of Chief Commander Tanner with the rank of colonel.

€ LI GOODMAN, a well-known and successful farmer of Green township, has resided upon his present farm of 107 acres, situated in section 8, since 1876. He was born in Green town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 14, 1849, and is a son of William and Julia A. (Smith) Goodman.

Mr. Goodman was educated in the public schools of his native township and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. Since reaching manhood he has been engaged in farming and for a number of years has also operated a sawmill, these combined interests making him a very busy man.

Mr. Goodman married Mary C. Woolf, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and they have four children, namely : Harvey, residing in Green township; Lenora, who mar- ried F. L. Crockett, residing in Canfield town- ship; Marietta, who married Eli Paulin, re- siding in Green township; and Etta R., liv- ing at home. Mr. Goodman is a member and liberal supporter of the Disciples Church at Greenford. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

OEL MALMSBERRY, a prominent and substantial citizen and former treasurer of Smith township, has been a resident of North Benton, Ohio, for the past thirty-one years, during which period he has been identified with both mercantile and agricultural interests of this section, and for the past twenty years has de- voted a large part of his attention to the rais- ing of Shetland ponies on his extensive farm,

which is situated all in one body, extending through Smith township and Deerfield town- ship, in Portage County. Mr. Malmsberry was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, No- vember 14, 1842, and is a son of William and Maria (Solomon) Malmsberry.

The Malmsberry family is of English ex- traction and Quaker faith, and the name is one well-known throughout the rich farming regions of Pennsylvania. The parents of Joel Malmsberry were both born in that state, and when he was about II months old, they re- moved to Ohio, settling on land in Goshen township, Mahoning County, on which the present village of Garfield now stands. After a number of years they moved from their first to another farm, in the northern part of the same township, and there the father died in 1865. The mother made her home with her son Joel, at North Benton, for many subse- quent years, and died at North Benton, aged 80 years. The three surviving children are : Jcel: Elizabeth, who married John Minser, a harnessmaker, residing at North Benton; and Annie, who married A. E. Strong, also of North Benton.

Joel Malmsberry was educated in the schools of Goshen township. In 1876 he came to North Benton, where for 17 years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and during a part of this time was postmaster. Later he devoted himself exclusively to farming and stock-raising, owning 410 acres of valuable land, 70 acres of which is situated in Deer- field township, Portage County. For over 20 years he has made the raising of Shetland ponies a leading feature, and has bred a great number on his Smith township farm, but also has imported largely from the Shetland Is- lands. There is always a larger demand for these sturdy little ponies, than there is a sup- ply. Prior to coming to North Benton, Mr. Malmsberry, in 1862, enlisted for service in the Civil War, and was a member of Company G, 86th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with General McClellan in Virginia and West Virginia, mainly doing guard duty. He was honorably discharged in the latter part of 1862.

Richard Brown

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Mr. Malmsberry was married (first) to Margaret Sproat, of Smith township, who was a daughter of John Sproat, and they had two children : Mary and John, both residing at North Benton, the latter of whom is a grad- uate of Mt. Union College, at Alliance. Mr. Malmsberry was married (second) to Sallie Henry, who is a daughter of Richard and Caroline Henry, the former of whom is de- ceased, the latter is a resident of Deerfield township, Portage County. They have one daughter, Ruth. In politics, Mr. Malmsberry has always been identified with the Republi- can party. For a number of years he served as treasurer of Smith township, making a true and careful official, and he has frequently been a member of the school board. He is a man whose useful activities have benefited the whole community.

R ICHARD BROWN, pioneer iron manufacturer, whose portrait ap- pears on a neighboring page of this volume, was the son of John and Elizabeth (Swain) Brown,

na- tives of England. He came from a long line of Christian ancestry. His maternal grand- father was a Wesleyan clergyman, his great- uncle, Joseph Swain, a celebrated Baptist cler- gyman and composer of the Walworth hymns. Of his mother, Bishop Scott said, "I have sel- dom, if ever, seen so ripe a Christian."

Mr. Brown inherited his aptitude for the iron business from his father and grandfather who had the reputation of making the best iron in Wales. His father came to this coun- try in 1814, and was one of the pioneer iron manufacturers of America. Among the plants of his erection the first was at Ellicott Mills, Maryland, where his son Richard was born November 27, 1824. Mr. Brown received such advantages of education as the local schools of that time afforded.

When 21 years of age he went to New Castle, Pennsylvania, to join his elder broth- ers Joseph and Nathaniel, who were engaged in the iron business there. His life from that

time on is more interesting than many a story book. He arrived in New Castle in almost the same condition as that in which Benjamin Franklin entered Philadelphia. All his earthly possessions consisted of a church letter ( which he presented the following Sunday ), one hun- dred dollars in bank notes, and some small change. Unfortunately, the bank on which the notes were drawn had just failed and he had nothing left but the small change with which to begin life. He often laughingly asserted that it was the first Sunday in New Castle that his fortunes began because it was then at Sunday-school where he first saw and fell in love with his wife.

He received a position at the mills as roll turner, at which he earned $1.25 a day by working long hours. In December, he was taken ill with fever. It was a year before he could work again. His illness left him not only weak and out of work but deeply in debt for food and medicine. Doubtless many a man of less moral strength and courage would have given up in despair. But out of these trials he emerged all the more deter- mined and hopeful. He secured a position in Orizaba rolling mill of which his brother Jo- seph was a partner and manager. He was accus- tomed to begin work at five in the morning and work until four in the afternoon at the rolls, and from four until six he worked at roll turning, clearing $3.00 a day, and to earn a little extra money he frequently worked after supper until bed time.

On December 27, 1849, Mr. Brown was married to Henrietta A. Chenoweth, and they went to England on their wedding tour. Mr. Brown's purpose was to visit the iron mills of Wales. The trip from New Castle to New York was in those days a great undertaking. The young couple were almost a week in reaching Philadelphia, part by stage and canal boat and over the mountains by inclined plane. From Philadelphia to New York they took the railway train, which required a full half day to accomplish the trip. This was consid- ered dangerous speed and those who traveled it were thought to be risking life and limb. Steamboats were considered dangerous ex-

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periments and the people had not yet recovered from the excitement of the loss of the steam- ship President not long before. When Mr. Brown reached New York with a letter of in- troduction to Horace Greely he asked his opin- ion of the comparative safety of the steamship and sailing vessel. At Mr. Greely's advice they took the latter. The trip over was ac- complished in 18 days and the return in 30.

In 1855 the iron works in New Castle burned down and Mr. Brown and his brother lost all they had. With a determination that makes heroes of men they sought at once a new enterprise. Hearing of an abandoned mill at Youngstown, Ohio, Richard and his bro- ther Joseph negotiated for the purchase. A company was formed including the Brown Brothers, Mr. Wiliam Bonell and Mr. James Westerman. With credit and character for their only capital, they gave their notes for $100,000. With rigid economy and great in- dustry they paid for it in four years. That they were thenceforth in the highest degree successful is attested by the extensive plant founded by them, called Brown, Bonnell & Company, who products soon became known in all markets of the world. In fact it is the cor- nerstone upon which has been reared the stt- perstructure of Youngstown's growth and prosperity.

During the great growth of Youngstown Mr. Brown was interested in many of its man- ufacturing enterprises. He retired from busi- ness in 1891 and spent his winters at his country residence in Florida. His blissful mar- ried life lasted for over 50 years. He and his wife celebrated their golden wedding at Youngstown in the company of 25 nieces and nephews, three of whom were members of his household. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had no chil- dren but had a strong attachment for them, and were called Uncle Richard and Aunt Hetty by almost the entire community.

Mr. Brown was a most successful superin- tendent of Trinity M. E. Sunday-school for over 20 years. He was the leading figure in Trinity Church and it was largely through his efforts and generosity that the present handsome stone edifice was made possible. In

order to help humanity he was identified for years with all the best things in Youngstown. He has given time, thought, money and- in- fluence to practically every good movement. He was a most liberal giver to each of the five Methodist Episcopal Churches, the public library and Young Men's Christian Associa- tion. For several years before his death he was president of the Board of Trustees of Mount Union College up to which time his interest towards this institution never ceased. He was a staunch and diligent worker in the temperance cause and in every way possible he sought to elevate and help humanity. Among his beautiful traits of character which was apparent to all who knew him, was his cheerful view of life and human nature. He carried a happy heart and more sunshine fell into other lives when he passed by. On one time an abused confidence seemed destined to bring financial disaster to him when his day for labor was passed. His attorney said of him: "I had not then nor have I since seen such quiet fortitude in the midst of such adverse surroundings. I learned then to know why he could have led so noble and good a life. His Maker had so fashioned him that to be good and help were but the manifestations of his nature." At the time of his demise an edi- torial said "In the death of Richard Brown, Youngstown loses a great power for good. He was an altruist by nature, and was one of the few men who never allowed anything to dull or blunt his conscience. He never became pessi- mistic and in spite of prosperity he never be- came dazed by the glitter of gold. He was superior to his environments and lived and died a true Christian. For years the name of Richard Brown had been synonymous in Youngstown with goodness, kindliness and generosity. He gave not because of ostenta- tion or for publicity, but through a sense of duty and out of the innate openness of his heart. Such men as Richard Brown are of more vital importance to a community than fine residences, monuments of art, mills and fur- naces, and great bank accounts.

"He will live long in the memory of the people, not because he made a success in life

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from a worldly standpoint, not because he ac- quired wealth, but because he lived without guile, and tried, by the best of his ability to make all with whom he came in contact happy and hopeful."

6 EORGE W. BODENHORN, district agent for the Metropolitan Life In- surance Company, with office at No. 414 Federal building, Youngstown, was born at Lapel, Madison County, Indiana, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Coverdale) Bodenhorn. The father of Mr. Bodenhorn, who was born in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, is still a resident of Lapel. The mother, who was a native of In- diana, is now deceased.

After completing his education in the local schools, Mr. Bodenhorn taught school in his native state until 1894, when he went into the insurance business. He was associated with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. from the start, first at Richmond, Indiana, where he re- mained two years, then at Elwood, Indiana, where he remained nearly four years as as- sistant superintendent. His work here was so successful that he was sent to the Upper Pen- insula of Michigan, to open up and organized the copper country district, having his office at Calumet, Michigan. There he served the company for four years with the greatest effi- ciency, as superintendent, and various marks of confidence were shown him by the officials. At the end of four years he was asked to take charge of the Youngstown district, which is considered one of the best and most progres- sive districts of the company in Ohio, and he has been in charge here since 1903. This dis- trich has been operated by the company since 1882, and business has developed so rapidly that they have found it necessary on several occasions, to divide the territory.

The honorable business methods pursued by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and its clean record under the closest investi- gation, together with the able men in control of its affairs, have all contributed to the just

popularity of this organization. While it has more thon 15,000 industrial policies in force here, the company also enjoys the patronage of many of the leading citizens and capitalists of the district. The district over which Mr. Bodenhorn has charge, comprises Mahoning and Trumbull counties, with the main office at Youngstown and a branch at Niles. Under him are 30 employes. Since he has been in charge the volume of ordinary life insurance business has been more than doubled. As a matter of general interest it may be mentioned that Mrs. John A. Logan, widow of General Logan, is one of the enthusiastic admirers of the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, and has made use of her gifted pen to pro- mote its interests. A reprint of the copyright articles, from various magazines, has been is- sued in a brochure entitled "Mrs. Logan's Talk to Women," copies of which can be ob- tained at the local offices.

On December 23, 1894, Mr. Bodenhorn was married to Myrtle May Reinier, a daugh- ter of Joseph Reinier, of Lapel, Indiana. He is one of the official members of the Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a trustee of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation and an active member of the Youngs- town Chamber of Commerce.

OHN P. FELGER. a well known citi- zen and representative business man of New Springfield, who, for many years was in the manufacturing field. in Springfield township, has been ex- clusively engaged, for the past five years. rep- resenting the Jarecki Chemical Company, of Sandusky, in this district. Mr. Felger was born at New Springfield. Mahoning County. Ohio, October 14. 1856, and is a son of George and Caroline ( Eckert ) Felger.

George Felger was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County, February 12. 1830, and is a son of John Philip and Magda- lene ( Miller) Felger. Both of the latter were about 15 years old when they came to America from Germany, and were bound out for two

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years to work out their passage money. Be- fore starting for the wilderness of Mahoning County, over ninety years ago, they were mar- ried and established their pioneer home among the earliest settlers. They had five sons and five daughters to grow up, three chil- dren dying in infancy; Philip, who lived at West Salem, in Wayne County; Mary, who is the widow of Samuel Smith, and resides in Iowa; Joseph, residing at West Salem, who has passed his SIst birthday .; Elizabeth, deceased, who married John Peters, of New Springfield; George, father of John P .; Christine, who married John Shady, and resides in Iowa; Benjamin, a resident of New Springfield; John, residing in Springfield township; Mag- daline, who married Abraham Noggle, and re- sides in Michigan; and Caroline, who married William Smith, and resides in Youngstown.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 75

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