USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th > Part 77
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After the close of his military service, he returned to Poland and resumed carpenter work, and in 1869 he was married to Rosa A. Logan, a daughter of D. C. Logan, of North Bloomfield. Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt have three children: Carrie L., Frances ( Mrs. Warren Simon), and Jane. Miss Jane Nesbitt is an instructor at the Orphans' Home at Xenia, Ohio.
Mr. Nesbitt first assumed the duties of postmaster of Poland, April 1, 1891, and served for four years, and after a lapse of three years again took charge of the office, on Janu- ary I, 1898, and has since been serving in that capacity. For the past 20 years he has been trustee of Poland township, and has served on the village school board for the past 25 years. He is a member of the American Order Uni- ted Workmen.
RS. ELIZABETH CROCKETT. Among the best-known residents m of Green township, in which she has spent her whole life, is Mrs. Elizabeth Crockett, residing on her valuable farm of 52 acres which is located in section 15. Mrs. Crockett belongs to one of the old pioneer families of Ohio and was born in Green township, Mahoning County, Ohio, March 29, 1829, and is a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Dustman) Kenreich, extended mention of whom will be found in another part of this work.
Elizabeth Kenreich was educated in the dis- trict schools and was carefully reared to young womanhood by a good mother. She married (first) James H. Cook, formerly a merchant and later a farmer in Green township. He
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was a Republican in politics but was a man of quiet tastes and never sought political honors. He is well remembered by the older citizens. After the death of Mr. Cook, his widow sub- sequently married John Crockett, a former resident of Summit County, Ohio. For a num- ber of years Mr. Crockett lived in Green town- ship, where his death occurred. He was a worthy member of the Disciples Church. In politics he was a Republican.
Mrs. Crockett is one of the most highly esteemed residents of Green township, and her home is often the gathering place of old friends who have known her from childhood. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, in which she has taken an active interest since young womanhood.
D AVID SIPE, residing on the old homestead farm in section 14, Springfield township. Mahoning County, Ohio, on which he was born, June 17, 1849, is one of the repre- sentative men of this locality and is a member of a fine old family which has been settled in Ohio for several generations. The parents of Mr. Sipe were John and Catherine ( Paulin) Sipe.
Philip Sipe, the grandfather, came to Ma- honing County from York County, Pennsyl- vania, and settled on the present farm in Springfield township, in 1802, and the prop- erty has never since been out of the family. At a later date, with other settlers, Philip Sipe made a prospecting trip through Seneca Coun- ty, on horseback, where he was taken ill and died. He married Magdalena Messerly, whose father secured a section of land from the Gov- ernment, the present home farm being a part of the same. They had the following chil- dren : Jacob: Hannah, who married John Horning, resided in Springfield township: Elizabeth, who married Jesse Cover, lived in Berlin township. Mahoning County : Solomon, who lived at New Lisbon : John; Polly. Mrs. George Raub, residing in Seneca County ; and others who probably died in infancy.
John Sipe was born August 27, 1817, on the farm on which his whole life was spent. His business was general farming and stock- raising and these occupations engaged his at- tention through all his active years. He died January 22, 1898, and his remains rest in a cemetery in this township. He married Cath- erine Paulin, who was born in Springfield township, September 1, 1822, and died De- cember 22, 1883. She was a daughter of Elias and Hannah ( King) Paulin, this being an old pioneer family of that section. John and Catherine Sipe had children as follows: Jere- miah, residing in Poland township; Hannah, deceased, who married Elias Burkey; Sarah, residing at New Middleton, who married (first) Jacob Heaver, and (second) Joseph Sitler, also deceased; Eli, residing one mile south of New Springfield; David, whose name begins this sketch; Sophia, residing at Colum- biana, who married Louis Smith; Mary Anna, residing in Springfield township, who married Israel Beight; and two children who died in infancy. John Sipe was a stanch Democrat. He was one of the founders of the Reformed Church in this neighborhood.
David Sipe has always resided on his pres- ent farm and has carried on farming and stock-raising with excellent results. His place is a valuable one, his land fertile and well im- proved. The residence was built by his father. On January 31, 1882, Mr. Sipe was married to Amelia E. Hammer, who was born in Unity township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Christian and Rosanna ( Griner ) Hammer. The father of Mrs. Sipe was born in Germany and was about 22 years of age when he came to America. He belonged to an educated family in his native land, which was prominent in local affairs. When he reached Ohio he settled near New Middletown, Spring- field township. Mahoning County, but later moved to Unity township. Columbiana County. He married Rosanna Griner and they had eight children, two sons and six daughters, namely : Mrs. Kate McNutt, residing in Springfield township: John : Mrs. Mary Christman, resid- ing in Columbiana County ; Amelia, now Mrs. Sipe : Mrs. Sadie Wetzel, residing in Cincin-
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nati; Mrs. Louisa Wetzel, a resident of Co- lumbiana; Mrs. Matilda Geiger, residing in New Springfield ; and William, who resides on the old home farm.
Mr. and Mrs. Sipe have five children, namely : Elmer Howey, born October 3, 1884; Clara Rosanna, born September 27, 1886; Charles M., born January 7, 1889; Martha May, born April 14, 1898; and Florence Eva, born December 17, 1901.
Mr. Sipe has always been a stanch sup- porter of the Democratic party. He is a mem- ber of the Reformed Church and for 20 years was an official, having served both as elder and deacon.
J ACOB W. SEACHRIST, residing on his well-improved farm of 24 acres, situated in section 28, Goshen town- ship, and owning a second farm, of 100 acres, is a prominent and respect- ed citizen. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, January 27, 1840, and is a son of Henry and Margaret ( Windle) Seachrist. Jacob Seachrist, the grandfather of Jacob W., came from Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, at an early day, and settled among the pioneers in Columbiana County, Ohio. His son Henry accompanied him from the old home and the youth soon formed new ties, marrying in Columbiana County, where he lived until his son Jacob W., was about six years old, when he moved with his family to Portage County, taking up land in Atwater township, which was then a wilderness. After a struggle with hard conditions there for six years, Henry Seachrist returned to Colum- biana County and settled for the rest of his life in Fairfield township.
Jacob W. Seachrist was 12 years old when his parents came back to Columbiana County, where he was reared to manhood and where he attended school and became skilled in all agricultural pursuits. After his marriage he came to Goshen township and early in the 70's settled on his present farm.
Mr. Seachrist was married (first to Eliza-
beth Lower, and they had two children, the one survivor being, Elizabeth, wife of Allen Seeds, residing in Columbiana County. Mr. Seachrist was married (second) to Marillas Crum, who was born and reared in Colum- biana County. She is a daughter of the late John Crum. Two sons were born to this mar- riage, Charles E. and John, both residing in Goshen township.
Mr. Seachrist is a Republican with pro- hibition leanings. He is a good man, one who realizes his duty to his family, his neighbor- hood and his country, and he is very highly esteemed. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
R. GRAHAM, prosecuting attor- ney of Mahoning County, Ohio, now serving in his second term of office, is a prominent member of the county bar and belongs to the Mahoning County Bar Association. He was born in 1864 on his father's farm near Lowell- ville, Mahoning County, just over the Penn- sylvania line, and was reared and primarily educated in that locality.
Mr. Graham subsequently entered Grove City College, where he completed his literary course, and afterwards became a student at the Cincinnati Law School, where he was graduated in 1889. On August 17, of that year, he began the practice of law at Youngs- town and six months later became associated as a partner with Judge James B. Kennedy. This partnership continued from 1890 to 1896, when Judge Kennedy was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas. After that Mr. Graham practiced alone until his first election as prosecuting attorney, which was in the fall of 1902. In the fall of 1905 public satisfaction with his record was evidenced by his re-elec- tion, without opposition, to this office. Mr. Graham has, with a strong intellectual endow- ment, the tact, firmness and discriminating judgment particularly needed in a prosecuting attorney, the duties of which office he has ad- ministered without fear or favor. In 1894
JAMES DAVIDSON SHIELDS
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Mr. Graham was married to Helen E. Rice. He has many social and fraternal connections, including membership in the Elks and the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the United Presbyterian Church.
AMES DAVIDSON SHIELDS, a leading citizen of Coitsville township, resides on his well-improved farm of G II2 acres, located in section 17, be- sides owning 30 additional acres which are located in the same township, on the Oak road. Mr. Shields was born in this township January 24, 1831, a son of John and Sarah (Davidson) Shields.
His paternal grandfather, James Shields, came to Mahoning County from Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and settled on the pres- ent farm in 1801. He was born in County Ty- rone, Ireland, and was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to America. They settled first in Cumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, at a later date removing to Beaver County, where James' parents died.
Coming to Mahoning County in 1801 as above noted, James Shields bought 228 acres of land in Coitsville township, which was then covered with its native forest growth. This he purchased from a land investment com- pany, which gave him a deed, but, like many other early settlers who bought in this way, he found the title to the land clouded and in order to enjoy the improvemetts he had al- ready put on the place, he was obliged to pay for it a second time. Other troubles came up- on him, as about this time he was drafted for service in the War of 1812, and a severe at- tack of fever which rendered him unavailable for army service, was all that saved him from the risks and hardships of military service. Sub- sequently he cleared up all the land which had cost so him so much, and died in the little log cabin which he had erected when he first set- tled here.
John Shields, father of James D. Shields, was born on the above mentioned farm, and assisted his father greatly in its final clearing.
His wife, Sarahy was a daughter of James Davidson, who was born in Ireland and who had settled as a pioneer in Youngstown town- ship. In 1852, John Shields bought the Day- idson farm of his father-in-law, after first ser- iously investigating the advantages presented to settlers in Iowa. He continued to carry on agricultural pursuits during the whole of his active life and became a man so highly es- teemed for his many sterling qualities that he was elected justice of the peace, serving in that office for many years, and in 1859 he was elected county commissioner. His death oc- curred March 6, 1895, he having almost reach- ed the age of 91 years. His wife passed away in October, 1893, aged 85 years. They had four children, namely : James Davidson ; Anna J., who died aged 33 years ; John G., residing on his farm of 90 acres, in Coitsville town- ship; and Ambrose, who resides on the farm his father bought in 1852.
James Davidson Shields was reared near Coitsville Center and attended the district schools. As he was the eldest in the family, his services were required on the farm, but as he grew older he gave attention to other in- terests. In association with his father, he owned 50 acres of land near Edinburg, Penn- sylvania, and work was commenced there in the prospect of finding coal. The coal was found, but not in paying quantities, owing to the difficulty of mining it. They opened one mine, however, and in the summer of 1859 shipped coal by boat to Cleveland. Finding a superior quality of fire-clay, they went into the business of making fire-brick in 1861 and during the first season they made a kiln of 60,000 brick. James Shields, the father, con- tinued in the business until 1866, when he sold the whole property-the land and the brick- yard plant.
On September 1, 1862, James D. Shields turned the brick business over entirely to his father and entered the Federal army, as a member of the 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, enlisting at Youngstown, where General Nash and two sergeants had a recruiting office. for three years service. He was assigned to a company and quartered at Camp Cleveland,
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but later went to Youngstown, where the 19th regiment remained until January 1, 1863, when they were ordered to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and became a part of the Fourth army corps of the Western army. While in camp at this point, four of the twenty mein- bers occupying Mr. Shields' tent were pros- trated with camp fever, he being the last to succumb and the only one to survive. For three weeks he was confined to his tent be- fore the physician permitted him to be re- moved to the hospital at Murfreesboro, and later was sent from there to the convalescent camp, but was subsequently returned to the hospital, where he was assigned for duty, and for two months he served as a nurse for those more unfortunate than himself, at Hospital No. I.
It was during the progress of the battle of Chickamauga that a surgeon took Mr. Shields with 100 other convalescents to Chattanooga, and he remained at that hospital until it was closed, when he was sent back to Murfrees- boro to assist in nursing a train load of poor, wounded soldiers. He remained there until the following spring, when he went again to Chat- tanocga. At this time he made application to be returned to his regiment, but the surgeon decided his health was not good enough for him to endure army exposure. Being unwill- ing to break his contract with the Govern- ment, he continued to act as nurse, and re- mained in the army until the close of the war, receiving his honorable discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, May 29, 1865. Mr. Shields' rec- ord proves that a soldier's courage and fidelity does not necessarily mean marching up to the mouth of a cannon. He had many trying ex- periences, and there are those still living who doubtless owe their lives to his kind and faith- ful care.
Mr. Shields then returned home and re- sumed the brick business, marrying in the same year, and in the following year closed out his brick interests and bought the farm in Coitsville township, on which he has lived ever since. He keeps some ten or twelve cows and sells his milk by wholesale. Since August, 1890, Mr. Shields has been agent for the Suc-
cess Manure Spreader, manufactured by Kemp & Burfee, Syracuse, New York, and he has disposed of fully 100 of these valuable agricultural machines throughout Mahoning and Trumbull counties, Ohio, and Lawrence and Mercer counties, Pennsylvania. In 1855 Mr. Shields introduced the first mowing and reaping machine in Mahoning County and he acted as agent for the same until he became interested in the brick business. He has al- ways been a man of progressive ideas.
In December, 1865, Mr. Shields was mar- ried to Mary Gilchrist, who died in May, 1903, leaving no children. She was a daugh- ter of James Gilchrist, a native of Scotland and a carpenter by trade, who came to Coits- ville township from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1835, when his daughter Mary was a babe of six months, purchasing the farm on which Mr. Shields has lived since his marriage. Mr. Gilchrist built the house on the place, a sub- stantial ·building, in which he died. Since the death of his wife, Mr. Shields has rented a part of his residence and the tenant looks after the farm. Mr. Shields, whose portrait ac- companies this sketch, is a member of Tod Post, Grand Army of the Republic, No. 29. He belongs to the United Presbyterian Church at New Bedford.
RS. LOVINA B. COY, widow of Jonas Coy, who was a highly es- teemed citizen of Green township, has resided on her valuable farm of 35 acres for many years, and is well and favorably known all through this section. Mrs. Coy was born in Green town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, September 6, 1846. and is a daughter of Elijah and Mary (Way) Callihan. Elijah Callihan was born in Green township and was a son of Jeremiah Callihan, who was one of the earliest settlers here and a pioneer of sterling character. He married Mary Way, who was also a member of an old township family.
Lovina B. Callihan was reared in Green township and obtained a district school educa-
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tion. On February 21, 1869, she was married to Jonas Coy, who was also born in Green township, October 28, 1820, where he died February 28, 1896. His father, Daniel Coy, was one of the very early settlers in this part of Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Coy had four children, namely: George W .; Gleason F .; Emma Frances, who married Percy Calli- han ; and Elsie G., who married Homer Rotcel. By a prior marriage, Mr. Coy had a family, the survivors of which are: Simon, John W., Saralı, Madison, Addison, and Amanda J. Sarah married John Hilliard.
Mr. Coy was an excellent farmer and a quiet, self-respecting citizen. He took no ac- tive interest in politics, but cast his vote with the Republican party. Few citizens left be- hind them a better record for honesty and up- right dealing with his fellow men that did Jonas Coy.
E DGAR STRAWN, formerly one of Goshen township's prominent and es- teemed citizens, was born in Goshen township, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 24, 1855, on the farm on which his widow still resides, and on which he died December 31, 1903. He was a son of Samuel and Dortha (Kirtland) Strawn.
The Strawns came to Goshen township at a very early day and built their cabin of logs in the wilderness in pioneer times. The father of Mr. Strawn was born in Goshen township, but his mother was a native of England.
Edgar Strawn grew to manhood on the home farm of 67 acres. For many years his chief business was buying and shipping live- stock. He was an excellent business man and was respected for his honorable methods. While he looked carefully after his own inter- ests he was just in his treatment of others, and those who knew him best were ready to declare that "Edgar Strawn's word was as good as his bond."
is a daughter of Jacob and Hannah M. (Walker) Coy, both of whom now reside at Salem.
Mr. Strawn was a Republican.
RANK L. DE NORMANDIE, sheriff of Mahoning County, Ohio, and a well-known business man of Youngs- town, was born January 15, 1853, at New Castle, Pennsylvania. He re- sided on his father's farm in Lawrence County from the age of 12 to that of 17 years.
Mr. De Normandie became a resident of Youngstown, April 15, 1872, on that date en- tering the employ of John H. Bushnell, with whom he served an apprenticeship to the har- ness trade. He remained with Mr. Bushnell for 12 years, and afterward 16 years as his foreman, then becoming an equal partner in the business. On the death of Mr. Bushnell the firm of De Normandie & Kay was es- tablished, the business of Mr. Bushnell being purchased from his executors. This partner- ship continued until January, 1906, when Mr. De Normandie purchased Mr. Kay's interest and the business is now conducted under the name of Frank L. De Normandie, and, since our subject's assumption of public office, has been managed by the latter's son, Albert Franklin.
In 1872 Mr. De Normandie was married to Emma McIntyre. of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and they have two children, Ada Blanche, who is the wife of John W. Miller. who is with the Carnegie Steel Company, and Albert Franklin, mentioned above. Mr. De Normandie and family belong to the Disciples Church. Fraternally he is a member of the Odd Fellows, belonging to the subordinate lodge and the Encampment, Patriarchs Mili- tant, and the Rebekahs, also to the Elks, the Maccabees, and the National Union.
Mr. De Normandie has been prominent in political life in Mahoning County, for a num- her of years, serving on the city council of Youngstown and holding a number of the
On April 22, 1896. Mr. Strawn was married to Florence M. Coy, who was born near Salem, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and i minor offices. Since January 1, 1905, he has
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been the very efficient sheriff of Mahoning County, a terror to evil doers and a protector of law-abiding citizens.
B ERNARD FORD LEE was the founder and for many years the pres- ident of the Poland Union Seminary, at Poland, and also one of the not- ably successful business men of this section, who were early promoters of railroad building and developers of the oil and coal fields. Bernard F. Lee was born at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, May 7, 1814, and died at Poland in 1886. The Lee family is of English extraction and was established in Poland township by the parents of Mr. Lee when the country was yet a wilderness. In all probability the Lee family settled here next following the Kirtland family.
Bernard Ford Lee attended the district schools in Poland township and when 14 years of age began to learn the tailor's trade, al- though his natural inclinations lay in the di- rection of an intellectual and professional life. To this end, after working at the trade all day, he attended night school and thus pre- pared himself for college, later entering an in- stitution of note at Meadville, Pennsylvania. After completing its prescribed course he re- turned to Poland with the intention of com- mencing the study of law, but circumstances induced him to open up a school. For one year he conducted a school in the building which was erected for that purpose but after- wards was converted into his residence, which is now the home of his daughter, Miss Grace Lee, and as he met with such unexpected pat- ronage, a building was erected on the present site of the Poland Seminary.
Subsequently Mr. Lee, with a corps of competent educators, opened up a law and med- ical school in the building which he formerly used for the first school, and young men from the town and vicinity eagerly came for in- struction, and upon his roll of students were inscribed names which have become illustrious on the pages of American history. From the
Poland Union Seminary and from under Mr. Lee's personal supervision, went William Mc- Kinley, to enter the service of his country among the early volunteers. Before he de- parted he wrote his name upon the walls of the dining-room, and that signature, which then represented but an ambitious student and manly youth, was carefully preserved all through the years of his great rise to the heights of statesmanship and public honor, and the writing still remains a treasured re- lic of one who became "first in the hearts of his countrymen." In all his rise to fame there came no period when William McKinley did not look back to Poland Seminary, his only alma mater, with affection, and to the end of his life he entertained the highest personal re- gard for Mr. Lee. Other distinguished names appear on this roll and many of the students of this school have, and still do occupy high places in professional and business life, both in Ohio and the Nation.
After many years of successful direction of this school, President Lee retired in favor of Dr. McMaster, but he assumed charge of its business affairs, discharging them with the greatest efficiency as long as he retained the connection. Normally, Mr. Lee was a business man, possessing the alert faculties and the foresight which make the formulation of com- mercial policies and their successful carrying out, the foundation for great business move- ments. He was associated with Chauncy H. Andrews, the Wicks and other financiers of Youngstown, in many of their large enter- prises, but always retained his home at Po- land.
Bernard Ford Lee was married (first) to Pauline King, who died in June, 1859. Six children were born to this marriage, as fol- lows: Florence, deceased; Jessie, who mar- ried Dr. W. S. Matthews; Carrie, who mar- ried I. P. Sexton; Henry Kirk, who died in infancy: Blanche, who married H. W. Low- ery, residing at Akron; and Grace, residing in the old homestead at Poland. Mr. Lee was married ( second) to Jane Simpson, and three children were born to this union, as follows: Bernard Lysle. Clyde Duncan and Annie.
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