Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 81

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 81

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Mr. Hagan was 24 years of age when he came to the United States. He was engaged in coal mining in Schuylkill County, Pennsyl- vania, for one year, and then went to Buffalo, New York, where he was employed for five years in the Union mills. From there he went to Chicago, where he was employed for two years by Orrin W. Potter. His next employ- ment was in St. Louis, where he worked for two years as a moulder for the Carondolet Iron Company, after which he returned to the Un- ion mills at Buffalo, where he remained for a short time before coming to Youngstown. Ar- riving here Mr. Hagan entered the employ of, the Valley Iron Company, where, for twenty years he was a foreman. During this time he was called to testify before the ways and means committee, in the legislature, when the Morrison and Wilson bills were under consideration.

In May, 1903, on being elected to his pres- ent office, Mr. Hagan severed his connection with the Valley Iron Company; he was re- elected to the same office in the fall of 1905. He was the first Republican ever elected a

member of the city council from the seventh ward. For many years he has been a promi- nent Republican and was a delegate to the state convention that nominated Nash for governor.

Mr. Hagan was united in marriage with Mary Munn, of New Castle, England, and they have had a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom still survive. With his fam- ily he belongs to the Immaculate Conception Church, and is a member of the church council. He is a member of the C. M. B. A., and has been its financial secretary since its organiza- tion. Mr. Hagan is prominent in all that in- cludes good citizenship.

L A. ROBISON, general passenger agent of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Rail- road, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was formerly a resident of Youngstown, in which city he acquired his early training in railroad work. Born in Southing- ton, Trumbull County, Ohio, son of John and Artimicia Robison, and grandson of William Robison, one of the original pioneer settlers in Liberty township, near the Mahoning County line, this grandson, after completing a commercial course at Oberlin College, came to Youngstown at the age of eighteen, as, oper- ator for the Lake Shore Railway. In this ca- pacity he showed such natural aptitude that three years later he was promoted to the re- sponsible position of train dispatcher. This, however, proved but a stepping stone to one of more importance, as within about two years he was called to accept the position of general passenger agent of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad. From this time on his rise in the railroad world was assured. In 1906, he was elected president of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Railway, an interurban electric line of 34 miles. When Mr. Robison assumed the duties of his present position, as general passenger agent of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad Company, he was the youngest general passenger agent in the United States, and in this position has

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proved his capacity to successfully handle a large volume of business.

Mr. Robison married Miss Mira Green- ough, of Ashtabula, Ohio, and has one child, a daughter, Ruth, born at Pittsburg June 8, 1905.

HEODORE CAMPBELL, who has been a resident of Goshen township for more than a half century, re- sides in section 23, where he is en- gaged in farming and stock-dealing. He was born January 12. 1841, and is a son of William and Rachel ( Welch) Campbell.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Camp- bell, Robert and Mary Campbell, were natives of Scotland, who came to America at a very early day. During the voyage, a son was born to them on the Atlantic Ocean, whom they named William, and he subsequently be- came the father of Theodore. Robert Camp- bell established a woolen mill at Salem, Ohio, which he operated for a time, and then moved into Goshen township, settling among the pio- neers. His son, William Campbell, became a man of considerable substance, through deal- ing extensively in cattle, and his life was spent in Goshen township, where his death took place in 1869. His surviving children are: Benja- min F., residing in Green township; and Theodore.

Theodore Campbell has spent the greater part of his life in Goshen township, but for eight years was engaged in farming in Berlin township. When his country called for de- fenders, at the outbreak of the Rebellion. he left the comforts of home and his peaceful sur- roundings and shouldered a musket and from 1861 to 1865 faced the dangers and hardships of war. He enlisted August 27. 1861. in Com- pany E. Second Ohio Regiment. Volunteer Cavalry, which became a part of the Army of the West. and was with the 25th Ohio Bat- tery much of the time of his service. He par- ticipated in numerous battles, notably those of Prairie Grove and Little Rock, and in skirm-

ishes, raids and small engagements without number, at all times displaying the cheerful courage which marks the valued soldier. He was wounded on one occasion, being shot in the left foot, while on duty, but not to per- manently disable him, and he was honorably discharged December 25, 1865.

After the close of his military service, Mr. Campbell returned to Mahoning County and resumed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. He was married April 6, 1876, to Mary C. Scroggy, who was born February 12, 1847, in Goshen township. Mahoning County, and is a daughter of John and Harriet ( Callahan) Scroggy, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, and the latter in Green township, Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have two children : Lewis S., residing in Green township, and Helen, who married Perry Robb, residing at Salem, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are well known residents of this neighborhood and their comfortable, hospitable home is often the scene of many pleasant gatherings.

HESTER W. HARTZELL, a lead- ing citizen of North Benton, who is largely interested in the buying and selling of live stock. principally horses and mules, and is identified with the North Benton and Deerfield Tele- phone Company as treasurer and a director, belongs to one of the old and substantial fam- ilies of this part of Ohio. He was born at North Benton, Mahoning County, Ohio, May 8. 1847, and is a son of Solomon and Clor- inda ( Loomis) Hartzell.

The Hartzell family came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, many, many years ago, when Portage County, where settlement was made. was still practiclaly a wilderness. There the grandfather. William Hartzell, located and reared his family, and in the course of nature. passed away. Solomon Hartzell, father of Chester W., was born and reared in Deerfield township. Portage County. While still un-

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married he came to North Benton, where he engaged for many years in a general mercan- tile business, during a part of this period being in partnership with Dr. Hanna, who was the father of the late distinguished Senator Han- na, of Ohio, under the firm name of Hanna & Hartzell. He was postmaster at North Ben- ton while in the mercantile business. Later he became interested in stock-raising to a large extent. He was a capable man of business and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank at Alliance and served on its board of directors from its organization until his death, in November, 1897. He was one of the found- ers of the Presbyterian Church at North Ben- ton and for many years was a deacon in the same. He took much interest in local politics and was active in his support of the Republi- can party. He married Clorinda Loomis, who was also born in Portage County, and they had five children, namely: Chester W .; So- phia M., who is the widow of the late James Dickson, who was formerly superintendent of the Mahoning County Infirmary, residing at Canfield; Stratton L., residing in Atwater township, Portage County; Daniel H., resid- ing at Alliance; and Emma Detchon, deceased.

Chester W. Hartzell was reared at his home in North Benton, where he obtained his early education, which was supplemented by a number of terms at Mt. Union College, at Alliance, after which he taught for a time in the schools of Smith township. He has al- ways been interested in agricultural pursuits and has made a specialty of the live-stock in- dustry, paying much attention to the buying and selling of fine horses and mules. He has always taken an active part in public move- ments which have promised to be of general welfare, and he was one of the promoters and is now a director and the treasurer of the North Benton and Deerfield Telephone Com- pany. He is also one of the stockholders in the First National Bank at Alliance.

Mr. Hartzell married Gertrude Diver, who was born in Portage County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph Diver. Politically Mr. Hartzell is a Republican.

J EDGAR RUDGE, member of the board of public service, at Youngs- town, Ohio, is one of the city's most valued officials. He was born in Boardman

township, Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1861. He is a son of George Rudge, who was born in England and who came to Youngstown in 1852, engaging first in farming but later establishing himself in a real estate business. For some twenty years George Rudge was secretary of the Youngs- town Water Works, being the first to serve in that office, and he also was one of the early members of the city council. He still resides at Youngstown, at the age of 83 years, a most highly respected citizen.

When J. Edgar Rudge was about five years old, his parents moved to Youngstown, where he was reared and received his prelimi- nary education. In 1881 he became a stud- ent at Notre Dame, Indiana, where he re- mained for two years, completing the classical as well as the commercial course. He then entered into business with his father under the firm name of George Rudge & Son, real estate and insurance, which firm continued until 1901, when that of Rudge & Johnston, was organized. The business is concerned with fire insurance and real estate, the latter being mainly city property. The firm does a large amount of selling, platting and building, and has handled some of the finest sub-divisions in and adjoining the city.

Mr. Rudge was united in marriage with Julia O'Connell, of New York City, a lady who has almost a national reputation as a vo- calist. She has been a pupil under some of the most distinguished instructors in both Lon- don and Paris, and formerly was connected with the choirs of both Dr. Parker's and Henry Ward Beecher's church in New York. At present Mrs. Rudge is residing in London superintending the musical education of their daughter, Olga, who inherits a large measure of her talented mother's gift of song. It is the parents' intention to give their daughter every educational advantage, both at London and Brussels. The two sons, Edgar and

Hot B. Jones,

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Arthur, are students at Mrs. Stevens' private school at St. Leonards. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rudge cross the Atlantic almost yearly.

HOMAS B. JONES, formerly county commissioner of Mahoning County, for two terms, was born in August, 1836, in Wales, but from the age of 20 years until his death, on Septem- ber 28, 1906, he had been a resident of Amer- ica, and for more than half a century a valued citizen of Youngstown.

Mr. Jones came to the United States in 1856, equipped with a good common school education and skilled in the trade of shoe- maker, having learned the same in his father's shop, in his native place. He immediately lo- cated at Youngstown, and he prospered with the prosperity and growth of the city. For some twenty-five years he conducted a large shoemaking establishment, giving employment to from 12 to 14 hands. He may be named as one of the pioneer manufacturers, for few of "the great industries which are now the city's glory were projected then or even thought of. After 35 years in the shoe business, he retired from that line, taking with him an unblem- ished reputation as a business man.

Mr. Jones served on the board of education for seven years, and served twice as decennial appraiser, being elected both times without a dissenting vote, the first time on the Demo- cratic, and the second time on the Republican ticket. He was subsequently elected and re- elected county commissioner, his majority at the second election being 5,000 votes, the nor- mal majority being about 2,000. His public services were always of such a character as to but add to the confidence and esteem in which he had previously been held by his fel- low citizens.

Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Mary Ann Davis, of Youngstown, and they had five sons and two daughters, namely : Thomas B., residing at Cleveland; Richard M., residing at home; Ellen, who is the wife

of Louis Jones, of Washington, D. C .; Ar- thur residing at Washington; James E., re- siding at Washington, where he is chief clerk in the bureau of Plant Industry; Anna, who died aged 15 years; and William, who died aged 37 years. Mr. Jones was a member of the Congregational Church, and one of the trustees. A portrait of Mr. Jones accompanies this sketch.

0 BEDIAH PETERS, one of New Springfield's best-known and most highly respected citizens, who has filled the office of justice of the peace continuously for the past thirty years, and is identified in a clerical way with the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Springfield township, and other organizations, was born at New "Springfield. Mahoning County, Ohio, May 22, 1844. His parents were Daniel and Eliza ( Hoffman) Peters.

The founder of the family at New Spring- field was John Peters, the grandfather, who came to the site of what is now New Spring- field in 1821, being one of the very first set- tlers. He conducted the first inn in the ham- let. He married Catherine Lower, who lived to the age of 94 years, and he died in 1876, also in advanced age.

Daniel Peters, father of Odediah, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and was six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and he died in New Springfield, in 1898, aged 83 years. He married Eliza Hoff- man, who was born one and one-half miles from New Springfield, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and was a daughter of John Hoffman, who settled in that section prior to the war of 1812, in which he was a soldier. He owned a farm in Unity township, Columbiana Coun- ty, and also farming land in Springfield town- ship. Five children were born to Daniel Pet- ers and wife, namely: Reuben H., residing in Chicago, was a soldier in the Civil War: Obe- diah : Minnie, residing in New Springfield, married J. P. Troxel; Caroline, who married John Funkhouser, residing in New Spring-

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

field ; and Simon, also residing in New Spring- field.

Obediah Peters was reared and educated at New Springfield. For a number of years he was a carpenter and house mover. During the Civil War he was employed by the Govern- ment in the commissary department, and for eight months was on a boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, being at New Orleans at the time President Lincoln was assassinated. His home has always been retained at New Springfield, and his relations with public af- fairs and with private interests have been so intimate that he is personally known to all the older residents. As justice of the peace for thirty years and a notary public for almost the same period, he has been long before the pub- lic. He has been appointed administrator of numberless estates and has served as executor and guardian for many minors. For the past twenty years he has been secretary of the Springfield Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and since 1895 he has been book- keeper for the Reesh Basket Works. In 1894 he was appointed gauger in the internal reve- nue service at New Springfield.

In June, 1871, Mr. Peters was married to Amanda Troxel, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Felger) Troxel. They have four children, namely: Lulu and Maude, resid- ing at home; Elsa, who married Allen Seid- ner, residing in New Springfield; and Mabel, residing at home.

In political sentiment Mr. Peters is an active Democrat. He served one term as in- firmary director. He is a Knight of Pythias and is affiliated with Starlight Lodge, No. 224, at Petersburg.

5 ENRY WICK, president of the Witch Hazel Coal Company, at Youngs- town, is an old and experienced man in this line of business, one with which he has been identified for about forty years. Mr. Wick was born at Youngs- town, Ohio, May 13, 1846, and is a son of

Hugh B. and Lucretia G. (Winchell) Wick.

After completing his education, passing through the common and High Schools at Youngstown, Mr. Wick, at the age of 22 years, entered into the coal business as the owner of a coal mine in Youngstown town- ship. During the whole period of active busi- ness life he continued to be connected inti- mately with coal interests, and still retains the presidency of the Witch Hazel Coal Company, although practically retired.

On November 4, 1869, Mr. Wick was mar- ried to Mary Arms, who is a daughter of Myron I. Arms, and they have three children, viz: Hugh B., Mrs. W. J. Sampson, of Youngstown, and Myron Arms. The eldest son, Hugh B., is vice president of the Elyria Iron and Steel Company, of Elyria, Ohio, and resides with his family at that place. The youngest son, Myron Arms, is secretary and treasurer of the Youngstown Furnace and Supply Company.

In addition to his coal interests, Mr. Wick is a director of the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, of Youngstown; treasurer and member of the board of directors of the Wash- ington, Ohio, Lumber Company ; and a direc- tor of the National Lumber and Box Com- pany, of Hoquiam, Chehalis County, Wash- ington. Having spent his whole life at Youngstown, Mr. Wick has been more or less prominently connected with the various bene- ficial agencies which have brought about the progress and prosperity of his native city.

EORGE H. MONTGOMERY, a representative citizen of Youngs- town, has been county surveyor of Mahoning County, Ohio, since 1897, being his own successor in the office and now serving in his third term. Mr. Mont- gomery was born in Youngstown township, Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1873. His father, Lewis Montgomery, has resided here all his life. He was the son of Robert Montgomery, one of the early settlers in this section of the state.

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George M. Montgomery, after completing the common school course at Youngstown, entered the Northern Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and completed his course in civil engineering at the Ohio State University in 1896. He located immediately at Youngs- town and became a member of the firm of Haseltine Brothers & Montgomery, succeed- ing that of Haseltine Brothers. On the death of Robert Haseltine in 1905, the firm became Haseltine & Montgomery, general civil and mining engineers. This is at present the lead- ing firm of its kind in the city.

Mr. Montgomery married Ella Robinson, daughter of James Robinson, of Niles, Ohio. They have two children, Mary Louisa and Robert Morris. The family belongs to the First Presbyterian Church at Youngstown. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. As a good citizen he takes an interest in politics and invariably gives time and attention to secure the election of first-class men, with good records, to posi- tions of responsibility in both local and na- tional affairs.

h ENRY J. WINDLE, a prominent citi- zen of Smith township and a veteran of the Civil War, resides on his high- ly cultivated fruit farm, which con- sists of eighteen acres in section 36, on which he settled in 1890. Mr. Windle was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 12, 1841, and is a son of Joseph J. and Phebe (Dutton) Windle.

Benjamin Windle, the grandfather of Henry J., was a native of Pennsylvania, and from there he came to Columbiana County, Ohio, at an early day, settling first in Butler township, but moving soon afterward to the vicinity of Salem, where he died. Joseph J. Windle spent the greater part of his life in Columbiana County, but prior to his death, in 1890, he had located at Garfield. The sur- viving children of his first marriage are : Henry J .; Anna M., residing in California, who married Christopher Conard; Benjamin

B., residing in Columbiana County; Edwin D., residing at Salem; AAlpheretta, residing at Winona, Ohio, who married James Hoops; and Ida, residing at Winona, who married George Woolf.

Henry J. Windle was reared in Butler township, Columbiana County, where he ob- tained a good district school education. He was his father's helper on the home farm until he enlisted in the Union army, for service in the Civil War, then in progress, August II, 1862, in Company G, 104th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was first attached to the Army of Ohio, and later to General Sherman's command. Mr. Windle remained in the service until the summer of 1865, when he was honorably discharged, at Raleigh, North Carolina. During his long term of service, he participated in many important battles, including: Knoxville, Missionary Ridge, all the fighting around Chattanooga and on the way to Atlanta, Georgia, taking part in the siege of that city, later was in the terrible battle at Franklin, and also the siege of Nashville. He was a brave, gallant and faithful soldier. For a number of years, Mr. Windle was a member of the John C. Fremont Post, G. A. R., at Alliance.

When he had done his full duty to his country, Mr. Windle returned to Butler town- ship, Columbiana County, where he lived until 1890, when he settled on his present farm, where he has developed some of the finest berries, apples, plums and pears, to be found in all this section of Ohio. He has ready sale for all his surplus.

On October 21, 1866, Mr. Windle was married to Adaline Burns, who was born in Butler township. Columbiana County, and is a daughter of George and Lydia (Stratton) Burns. Her parents were born and reared near Salem, her maternal grandfather, David Stratton, having been a very early settler there. Her paternal grandparents were Hugh and Sarah Burns, who settled near Salem so early that Indians were still numerous in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Windle have three children: George J., residing at Sebring ; Elmer A., residing at Alliance : and Minnie.

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

residing in Columbiana County, who married Harvey Bartges.

In politics Mr. Windle is a Democrat. While a resident of Butler township he served as judge of elections, but has taken no active part in political matters since coming to Smith township.

D AVID ELDORADO STOUFFER, who formerly served as mayor and also as postmaster, at Washington- ville, passed out of life November 2, 1906, leaving behind him a rec- ord of fifty-four useful years, and a name which had long stood for sterling business qualities, good citizenship, and private benevo- lence. Mr. Stouffer was born March 7, 1852, in Beaver township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and was a son of John and Susannah Stouffer.

The Stouffers probably came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and were pioneers in Beaver township prior to 1828, for there are records in existence that show that Henry Stouffer was a leading minister of the Mennonite faith and assisted in building the first log church in Beaver township in the above year. In 1849 the grandfather of the late David E. ·Stouffer visited the gold regions of California, :settling in Eldorado County, where he proba- bly prospered, and perhaps for this reason, favored the naming of his grandson after that rich region.

The parents of Mr. Stouffer were both born in Ohio, and the father died on his farm in Mahoning County, in 1853. His widow then removed to Columbiana, where her death occurred in 1885. Both were worthy and valued members of the German Reformed Church. Among their surviving children are the following well-known people: H. C., re- siding at Mineral Ridge; Mrs. William Slut- ter, residing at Canton; Mrs. Jerry Groner and Mrs. Del Wismer, both residing at Co- lumbiana.

David Eldorado Stouffer was left father- less in infancy, but had a wise and careful mother, by whom he was reared and with

whom he remained until he was 22 years of age, taking the task of managing the farm from her shoulders. His book education was acquired in the district schools, but necessity taught him self-reliance and the ability to put into practice habits of industry and frugality which assisted him through life. After farm- ing for himself for two years in Beaver town- ship, he moved to Washingtonville, and in 1881, in partnership with a brother, and Wil- liam Warner, opened and began operating the Fairview coal mine, of which he later became superintendent. For four years the original owners of the mine worked it and then dis- posed of the property.

On June 2, 1874, Mr. Stouffer was mar- ried to Hannah E. Myers, who was born in Beaver township, Mahoning County, Ohio, May 23, 1853, and is a daughter of George and Rosanna B. Myers, who were early set- tlers in the township. George Myers and wife were born in Germany and when they came to Beaver township they found the country wild and unsettled. They lived in their log house, which they built in the green woods, until they built a more commodious dwelling, and in this they lived until their death, the father surviving to the age of 88 years. Mr. and Mrs. Stouffer had four children, namely : Harry A., Charles A., George R., and Wil- liam E. Mrs. Stouffer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Washington- ville, of which Mr. Stouffer was also a mem- ber and a liberal supporter, and for some years served as superintendent of the Sunday school.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 81

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