Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 76

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 76

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George Felger was reared on the old farm on which his father settled and went to schoool in a primitive log cabin. He learned the trade of wagon making and then turned his atten- tion to wood-bending, at New Springfield, where he has lived ever since he was 19 years of age. He built a factory which stood on the site of John P. Felger's handsome residence, and when his son entered into partnership, op- erated under the name of George Felger & Sons. The business grew to large proportions, but in 1877 the factory burned down, entailing a loss of $7,000. The factory was rebuilt, the location being on the edge of New Springfield, in Springfield township, and the business was continued for 20 years at that location. George Felger owns 25 acres outside the city, very valuable property.

George Felger married Caroline Eckert, who was born at Wittenberg, Germany, July 27, 1826, and died August 13, 1902. She was about six years old when her parents came to America. There were five sons and one daugh- ter born to this marriage, namely : Henry, who died aged six years; Theodore, residing in Springfield township; John P., whose name begins this article; Hattie, who married Henry Buffinger, residing at New Spring- field: Allen, residing five miles north of New Springfield, and Jonas, who re-

sides in Columbiana County. George Felger has always been a stanch Republican. He is a member of the Evangelical Church. For many years, in fact all his active life, he was a representative business man of New Spring- field. His enterprise was an important one and the influence he exerted through persistent in- dustry and honest dealing was not lost in the community.

John P. Felger was reared at New Spring- field. He attended school in an old log house and at no time did he have any very extended educational opportunities. By the time he was 15 years of age he was learning the wood- bending trade with his father, and later be- came a partner, and through his excellent busi- ness qualifications did much to make the busi- ness a success. The burning of the factory, as above stated, interrupted the business for a time, but the new factory that took its place was better equipped, and during the succeed- ing 20 years Mr. Felger turned out a large amount of fine work.

Since 1897, Mr. Felger has given his ex- clusive attention to the sale of fertilizers for the Jarecki Chemical Company, of Sandusky, selling at retail and also going out on the road as their representative, and has proved him- self one of their most successful promoters, having covered a wide territory.

On September 18, 1880, Mr. Felger was married to Sadie Peters, who was born at New Springfield, and is a daughter of Con- rad and Lena (Hoffman) Peters. Conrad Peters was a buggy manufacturer at New Springfield, for many years and died in this city, his two surviving children being Mrs. Felger and Jonathan Peters, who also resides at New Springfield. Mr. and Mrs. Felger have three children: William Henry, Hattie Flor- ence and Floyd Evan, William Henry Felger was born September 7, 1881, and was edu- cated at New Springfield, subsequently suc- cessfully passing the examination for teachers and receiving a certificate. From earliest child- hood he exhibited marked musical talent and it became the ambition of his life to perfect himself in this great art. He taught school for three years and then entered the Dana

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Conservatory of Music, at Warren, Ohio, where he was both pupil and instructor. His success as a teacher made him decide to make the profession of music his life work and he remained four years at the conservatory and took one year of post graduate work. For two years he has maintained a studio at Youngstown and has all the piano students he can accommodate. Mr. Felger's daughter and younger son reside at home, the latter being a teacher, while Miss Hattie Florence is a practical milliner. In politics, Mr. Felger is identified with the Republican party.

h ARRY W. WILLIAMS, secretary and treasurer of the Lowellville Sav- ings and Banking Company of Low- ellville, was born March 28, 1881, at Lowellville, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of William and Maria (Becker) Williams.

William Williams was born at Greenville, Pennsylvania, and when a young man came to Lowellville, where he married Maria Beck- er, a daughter of Lorenz Becker, a native of Alsace-Loraine, then a part of France. They were the parents of four children : Daisy, John L., and Harry W. and Hattie, twins, all re- siding at Lawellville.

Harry Williams was reared at Lowellville · and attended the common schools, after which he entered the employ of Frank Vaughn, as a drug clerk, remaining in that position for two and one-half years, when he entered the employ of the P. & L. E. Railroad, on April I, 1900, as assistant agent at Bently, Ohio, a point directly across the river from Lowell- ville, and he remained there for one year, when he was transferred to Haselton. This was before the company began building the yards there, and Mr. Williams was the first clerk, employment now being given to 14 clerks. He was made chief clerk on August 22, 1904, and served in that capacity until he resigned, May 14, 1907, when he accepted his present position as secretary and treasurer of

the Lowellville Savings and Banking Com- pany.

Mr. Williams is a member of the Western Star Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M., of Youngs- town; Lodge No. 537, K. of P., of Lowell- ville; Maine Castle Lodge No. 44, Knights of the Golden Eagle, of Lowellville, which lodge is named after the battleship Maine; of the Protective Home Circle No. 368, of Lowellville. He is a member of the Christian Church of Lowellville. Politically he is a Re- publican and was elected on that ticket clerk of the village of Lowellville, serving from May, 1903, until January, 1906, and was ten- dered the nomination for a second term, but was obliged to decline on account of his nu- merous other duties.

GRANT JACOBS, the efficient city treasurer of Youngstown, Ohio, serving in his second term, is one of the representative men of this section of Mahoning County. He was born in 1864 in Coitsville township, Ma- honing County, Ohio, and is a son of Nicho- las Jacobs. The father, Nicholas, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania, came in early life to Mahoning County, where he became a prosperous farmer and a useful, re- spected citizen.

C. Grant Jacobs was reared on his father's farm and was educated in the country schools. In the spring of 1884, when 20 years old, he came to Youngstown, and became a clerk in a shoe store, remaining thus engaged for about ten years. He then learned the carpen- ter trade, which he followed for some three years, when he was obliged to abandon it on account of ill health. His period of residence at Youngstown had shown him to his fellow citizens as a reliable and trustworthy citizen, and in 1900 he was elected clerk of Youngs- town township. In this office he served for two and a half years, resigning in order to become city treasurer, to which office he was first elected in 1903. being re-elected in the fall of 1905. without opposition.

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On October 1, 1886, Mr. Jacobs was mar- ried to Ruth Brenner, of Youngstown, and they have two children, Clyde and Martha. Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs are members of the First Christian Church at Youngstown, he being a member of its board of trustees. He is also one of the trustees of the Bellmount Park Cemetery Association. Fraternally he is con- nected with the Odd Fellows, the Elks and the Maccabees.

OHN DANIEL SEEGER, a prosper- ous business citizen of New Spring- field, who has been engaged in the meat business here since April, 1892, was born at New Springfield, Ma- honing County, Ohio, March 5, 1873, and is a son of John and Fredericka ( Baum) Seeger.

The father of Mr. Seeger was born in Wittenberg, Germany, February 22, 1838, and was about 21 years of age when he came to America, and located at New Castle, Penn- slyvania. He was a brewer and distiller and carried on that business at New Castle until 1861, when he came to New Springfield. Un- til 1878 he operated a brewery and distillery,

but in that year discontinued the brewing busi- ness although he continued distilling until his death which took place April 12, 1904. He married Fredericka Baum, who was born March 7, 1837, in Germany, and was 18 years of age when she came to America with her father, Mathias Baum, who located at New Springfield. He followed his trade of stone- mason until his death. The children of John and Fredericka Seeger were: Rachel, who married Edward Ulman, residing at Youngs- town; Louise, who married Simon Peters, re- siding at New Springfield; Charles, residing at Youngstown; Doretta, deceased at four years; Anna, who married Emmerson Heck, residing at Youngstown; Fred, residing at New Springfield; John Daniel; and a babe that died unnamed.

John Daniel Seeger was reared and edu- cated at New Springfield and after leaving school he learned the butcher business. In

April, 1892, he established his own market, which he has successfully conducted ever since. He is a well-known and popular citizen.

On April 10, 1892, Mr. Seeger was mar- ried to Icephena Reesh, who was born in Un- ity township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Andrew and Lena ( Whit- mer) Reesh, a sketch of Mr. Reesh being in- cluded in this work. They have two children : Maude Marie, who was born January 7, 1893, and Herman Otto, who was born March 9. 1897. Mr. and Mrs. Seeger are members of the Lutheran Church. Politically, he is a Dem- ocrat. Fraternally, he belongs to the K. O. T. M., at Springfield, and was a member of the Junior Order of the U. A. M. until the or- ganization was disbanded.

Mr. Seeger owns some very valuable prop- erty in this city. In 1906 he completed one of the handsomest residences in New Spring- field, a two and one-half story, 10-room house, which is supplied with every modern comfort and convenience.

ILLIAM P. MEAD, a prominent citizen of Goshen township and a member of its board of trustees, resides on his well-cultivated farm of 40 acres, which is situa- ted in section 21. Mr. Mead was born Janu- ary 20, 1853, in Goshen township, Mahoning, County, Ohio, and is a son of William P. and Margaret (Strawn) Mead.

The father of Mr. Mead was born in Eng- land and in boyhood accompanied his parents to America and to Goshen township, Mahon- ing County, where they were early settlers. He died in this township in the fall of 1905. He married Margaret Strawn, who was born in Mahoning County. Her parents came to Ohio from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The surviving children of William Mead and wife are: Abel, residing in Goshen township; Wil- liam P .; Ella, who married William P. Lloyd, residing in Goshen township; Mary, who mar- ried R. L. Burton, residing in Goshen town- ship; Elmer E., residing at Salem;

HON. HUGH ALEXANDER MANCHESTER

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Hannah, who married John Hack, re- siding in Goshen township; and Clara, who married Albert Fogg, who is treasurer of Goshen township. The late William Mead was a well-known man who was actively en- gaged in the business life of Goshen township for many years. He was both farmer and mil- ler, successfully operated a sawmill and also did a feed-grinding business.

William P. Mead obtained his education in the schools of Goshen township and has al- . ways been more or less active in politics and a leader in township affairs. For at least ten consecutive years he served as treasurer of Goshen township, served two terms as asses- sor, for many years has been a valuable mem- ber of the township school board and is now on the board of trustees. Politically he is a Republican.

.Mr. Mead married Elma Burton, who is a daughter of Samuel and Abigail Burton, late of Goshen township, and they have two children : Homer B., residing at Denver, Col- orado; and Abbie A., residing at home. Mr. Mead carries on a general line of agricultural work.

5 ON. HUGH ALEXANDER MAN- CHESTER, formerly a member of the Ohio State Legislature, serving from 1899 until 1900 in the 74th General Assembly, and since 1902 acceptably filling the honorable office of Mayor of Canfield, belongs to an old Mahoning County family. He was born on the Man- chester homestead in Canfield township, in that part which was then situated in Trumbull County, March 5, 1837, and is a son of Isaac and Ellen (Wilson) Manchester.

The Manchester family has always taken pride in its English descent. In 1738, Thomas Manchester, bearing the name of one of the great manufacturing cities of his native land, came to America and landed at New Haven, Connecticut, where, in the following year, in association with Clark and Cardington, and II others, he organized a company and

formed the first settlement on what is now known as Rhode Island, in Narragansett Bay. Many of his descendants still live in that part of the country. His son, Thomas Manchester, married a Miss Woods, also of English descent, and they reared their family in Rhode Island, leaving a son William, who also lived and died in Rhode Island.

John Manchester, son of William, served in the Revolutionary War; he married a Miss Crandell, and they both died in Rhode Island. Their son Isaac inadvertantly assisted the the British soldiers when about 15 years of age, being captured by them and compelled to haul wood to their camp. He attained old age, but never forgot the indignity. He sub- sequently married a Miss Taylor and they reared a family of 12 children, some of whom, in 1797, left home with great covered wagons and penetrated what was then the far West, crossing the Allegheny Mountains and set- tling in the fertile valleys in Independence township, Washington County, Pennsylvania. Isaac Manchester seems to have been the first of the family to make the journey and become a man of substance and importance in Penn- sylvania. He was a very successful fruit- grower, raising apples, peaches and cherries in great abundance. He died in Washington County in December, 1851, leaving many de- scendants.

Benjamin Manchester, son of Isaac, was born at Newport, Rhode Island, in 1785, and accompanied his parents to Pennsylvania, where he was in the course of time married to Nancy Doddridge, a granddaughter of the eminent divine, Rev. Philip Doddridge, he be- ing at that time 19 years of age, while his bride was but 17. They came at once to Ohio and settled in what was then Trumbull County now Mahoning, right in the depths of the dark and lonely forest. Mr. Manchester was a soldier in the war of 1812, but he returned home before the death of his young wife. which occurred in the spring of 1813. She left four children, all now deceased, namely : Philip, James. Isaac and Mary Ann. The last named married George Ranck. Benjamin Manchester died in 1857. just five years and

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six months after the death of his father, leaving a large estate to his children.

Isaac Manchester, the son of Benjamin and father of Mayor Manchester, was born in Canfield township, on the home place, De- cember 20, 1810, and resided there all his life, with the exception of four years, which he spent in Indiana. On growing to manhood he married Ellen Wilson, who was born in 18II, and who was of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion. This was the first introduction into the family of other than English blood, but her beauty, quick wit and household thrift won her a ready welcome. She became the beloved mother of seven children and died in 1867. Isaac Manchester lived almost 20 years longer dying in 1887. Their children were: Hugh Alexander, Robert Asa, William John, Mary Margaret, Benjamin Oscar and Hannah Jane Elizabeth, all of whom survive except Mary Margaret. Isaac Manchester was a highly re- spected man and valued citizen. He always took a lively interest in public matters, with- out being willing to hold office. For a short period he served as justice of the peace and then resigned.

Hugh Alexander Manchester obtained his education in the district schools, and when 18 years of age began to teach through the winter seasons and farm during the summers. For some 30 years he continued teaching. At the age of 30 years he was elected justice of the peace; he was also made county school examiner, and for 23 years served as clerk of the county board. In 1887 he became cash- ier of the Farmers' National Bank, at Can- field, a position he resigned April 1, 1907, but he still continues as one of the directors. He formerly owned 600 acres of fine land in Canfield and Ellsworth townships, but has disposed of a part of it.

On November 8, 1859, Mr. Manchester was married to Rose A. Squier. They have been the parents of the following children : Mary E., who died at the age of 19 years; Laura E., who married E. P. Tanner, and has two children, Fannie Marion and Edmond P .; Fanny C., wife of Ellis Bowman, who has one child. Hugh; Isaac, who married Stella

Stewart; William Charles, who married Mar- garet McGregor, and has four children, Hugh A., Walliam C., and Mary Katherine and Helen Margaret; Curtis A., who married Leona Eckis, and has one son, Hugh Wallace; and Leroy Alexander.

Mr. Manchester and family belong to the Presbyterian Church, in which he is an elder. Formerly he was connected with the manage- ment of the Children's Home, being president of the board of trustees, but increasing busi- ness and public cares caused his resignation. He has always taken an active part in politics and when sent to the State Legislature, served with the efficiency which has always marked the management of his private affairs. His ad- ministration of the mayoralty has given gen- eral satisfaction and the city has prospered wonderfully during the past six years. Mr. Manchester is prominent in Masonry, belong- to Argus Lodge at Canfield and to St. John's commandery, Knights Templar. He belongs also to Lodge No. 155, Odd Fellows, at Can- field. His portrait is published in connection with this sketch.

I. DAVIES, city auditor of Youngstown, Ohio, has been a res- ident of this city since he was four years old. Here he was reared and educated, receiving his early education in the public schools. Early in life he entered the business world, clerking in sev- eral of the city's stores for a number of years. In the fall of 1893 he entered the city clerk's office in Youngstown, subsequently becoming deputy clerk, and still later city clerk, which office he held for four years. He was after- wards elected city auditor, in which capacity he is still serving. Mr. Davies has always taken an active interest in Youngstown poli- tics and his public services have been eminently satisfactory to his fellow citizens, his reputa- tion being that of an honorable, capable and hard-working official. Fraternally Mr. Davies is a 32nd degree Mason; he also belongs to Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the

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Elks. He is a member of the Congregational Church of Youngstown, Ohio.

D R. N. H. CHANEY. A. M., A. B., Ph. D., superintendent of the public schools at Youngstown, Ohio, is one of the best known educators in the state. Dr. Chaney was born in 1858, in Highland County, Ohio, where he passed his boyhood. He received his collegiate train- ing at Wilmington, Ohio, where he secured his degrees of A. B. and A. M., receiving that of Ph. D. from Delaware, in 1893, after complet- ing a thorough post-graduate course. Dr. Chaney has been a teacher since 1876, begin- ning his successful career in the educational field in the district schools of Highland Coun- tv. Later he took charge of the schools at Samantha, where he spent one year prior to entering Wilmington College. After com- pleting his collegiate course, he was invited to become superintendent of the schools of Clarksville, where he remained for four years. Thence he went to Blanchester, where he taught for 18 months. He then took charge of the schools at Washington Court House, and for the succeeding 12 years remained at the head of educational affairs there. The fol- lowing four years he spent as a teacher in the city of Chillicothe, from which place he was called to Youngstown.

Dr. Chaney here holds a very responsible position, having under his supervision 223 teachers and 8,641 pupils-a position which could only be satisfactorily filled by a man of high scholarship and collegiate training. pos- sessing also some personal magnetism, and an large amount of tact and executive ability. As an educator his exceptional acquirements have been widely recognized for a number of years. and in 1903 he was made president of the State Teachers' Association, which office he filled un- til 1905. In 1902 he was the director, for Ohio, for the National Teachers' Association.

In 1880, Dr. Chaney was married to Anna Roush, of Highland County, Ohio. They are

the parents of three daughters-Bertha, Opal and Emma. The family belong to the Method- ist Episcopal Church, Dr. Chaney serving on the official board. Fraternally the Doctor is a 32nd degree Mason and an Odd Fellow. He takes no active interest in politics.

ILLIAM THOMAS, a highly re- spected retired farmer of Smith township, and owner of a valuable farm of 188 acres in section 16, has been a resident of Sebring since the fall of 1906, his pleasant home being located on Indiana avenue. Mr. Thomas was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1846, and is a son of Uriah and Elizabeth ( Barkley) Thomas.

The parents of Mr. Thomas were born in Washington County Pennsylvania, and they moved from there to Ohio in 1855, settling in Columbiana County, near Westville. The mo- ther of Mr. Thomas has passed away, but his venerable father still survives and bears well his 87 years.

William Thomas was reared to agricul- tural pursuits. After securing a good district school education, he entered upon farming and this has been his main occupation through life. He came to his farm in Smith township in the spring of 1874 and resided there until his removal to Sebring.

On October 2, 1874, Mr. Thomas was married to Hannah J. Howe, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, March 13, 1854, and is a daughter of Peter and Sarah (Meach) Howe, the former of whom was born in Penn- sylvania and the latter in Ohio. For many years they were residents of Wayne County. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have three children : John William, residing in Smith township; Henry W., residing in Goshen township; and Luva E., who married F. D. Burris, residing at Sebring.

In politics, Mr. Thomas is an independent thinker and voter. He has always supported educational and religious enterprises and both

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he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church at Sebring. He is one of the directors of the Smith township Aid Society.

OHN W. NESBITT, postmaster, and one of the leading citizens of the vil- lage of Poland, was born January 31, 1840, on a farm in Poland township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Nathaniel and Jane ( Wishard) Nesbitt.

The Nesbitt family came originally from Scotland. James Nesbitt, the great-grandfa- ther of John W., was born in that country and at a very early period came to America and located in Pennsylvania where James Nesbitt, the grandfather was born. In 1855 he came to Ohio and settled in Poland, where he died at the advanced age of 94 years.

Nathaniel Nesbitt, father of John W., was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, and was 15 years old when he accompanied his fa- ther to Poland township, where he lived all his life, his death occurring in 1868. He was a contractor and builder by trade. Nathaniel Nesbitt married Jane Wishard, who was born in Poland township, in 1806, and died in 1868. She was a daughter of John Wishard, who came from Washington County, Pennsylvania, and settled on a farm just west of the Ohio State line. Six children were born to Na- thaniel and Jane Nesbitt : James, who died in 1883; Mary J., who resides with her brother, John W., is the widow of Isaac Robb, who died from sunstroke while serving in the Civil War; John W .; Sarah, who died in 1868; Myrancy, deceased, who married Adam Frankforth, of Iowa; William H., who died at the age of four years. John W. Nesbitt was reared in Poland township and learned the carpenter trade, which he followed for about 35 years. On August 9, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 105th Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and served in the Army of the Cumberland until the close of the Civil War. He was with Sherman on his march to the sea, and participated in all of the battles and en- gagements, and was not absent from duty for

even 24 hours, during the whole war. He was slightly injured in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain, but not seriously enough to in- capacitate him from duty. During his first nine months of service he acted as commissary of his company, and was then made sergeant, serving in that capacity until the close of the war, and was mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, June 9, 1865.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 76

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