Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 85

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 85

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In 1892, when the Mahoning Ore Com- pany was organized, it was the expressed wish of the late H. O. Bonnell that its vast interests should be entrusted to the capable hands of Mr. Neilson. Probably the faithful performance of this wish, considered almost sacred by Mr. Neilson, was the real cause of his death, as it was while visiting the various ore properties that he was prostrated by an attack of influenza from which he never really recovered, and his death occured on May 24. 1893. of heart failure. His loss was deeply de- plored not only at Youngstown, where as man and citizen he was honored and esteemed. but all over the country where the firm, sure

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control of his hand had been felt in so many industries and whose upright character lent value to them. A vital factor in Mr. Neilson's many enterprises was the employment of la- bor, and that so little friction occurred among the hundreds in his employ was mainly be- cause of his attitude toward them. Although a strict employer, expecting every man to per- form his full duty, he was a just one and readily recognized superior value or talent and rewarded it. He was universally beloved by those in his employ and no more sincere expressions of sorrow were heard on the oc- casion of his death than from those who worked in his mills and mines and foundries. It was no question with them of capital and labor, simply one of man and man, and it was so because Mr. Neilson had made it so.

Mr. Neilson was married in 1866 to Eliza E. Gibson, a daughter of P. D. Gibson, who was an early pioneer of Mahoning County, coming here with his parents at the age of 14 years. His wife became a resident of the county at nine years of age. After their mar- riage, Mr. and Mrs. Gibson settled near Gib- son Springs, where they had a farm of about 200 acres. Mrs. Neilson by a former marriage had two children, namely : L. Lola, deceased, and R. D., who is a specialist in medical prac- tice at Youngstown:

For many years Mr. Neilson was a con- sistent member of the Presbyterian Church and during his long enjoyment of its spirit- ual assistance he was a ready and willing con- tributor to its needs. He was charitable to a large degree and was particularly interested in work of the Young Men's Christian Asso- ciation. His fraternal connections included all the higher branches of Masonry, Hillman Lodge, No. 481, F. & A. M., of which he was past master: Youngstown Chapter, No. 93; St. John's Commandery, K. T., No. 20: Al- coran Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Cleve- land, Ohio, and of Lake Erie Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons.

Mr. Neilson left a large estate which is capably managed by his heirs. The beautiful family home is at No. 318 Wick avenue, that

delightful, spacious thoroughfare of Youngs- town on which the city's finest mansions stand. The publishers take pleasure in presenting a portrait of Mr. Neilson in connection with this biographical outline.

OHN S. MITCHELL, the manager of . Twin Oaks Farm, a valuable property consisting of some 50 acres, situated in Youngstown township, is a promi- nent and reliable citizen of this sec- tion. He was born in Canada, April 22, 1850, a son of John and Elizabeth (Forrest ) Mitchell.

The parents of Mr. Mitchell were born, reared, educated and married in Scotland. The father carried on farming to some degree, in his native land, where he remained until after his marriage and the birth of one child, when he emigrated to Canada, locating in To- ronto, Ontario, where John S. Mitchell was born. He afterwards moved to Seneca town- ship, Haldemand County, where he bought a farm of 100 acres.

John S. Mitchell spent his boyhood in Canada and attended the district schools near his home. When he was about 15 years of age his parents came to the United States, settling in Hartford, Trumbull County, Ohio, at the home of a relative, with whom they re- mained until the following spring. They then rented a farm near Clarksville, Pennsylvania, where they remained several years, when they removed to and settled on a farm near Cedar Corners, Trumbull County. One winter was spent there, but in the succeeding spring Mr. Mitchell removed to the John Kimmel farm in Youngstown township. Here the family lived for five years, and then the father bought a small place in Liberty township, Trumbull County.

While living on the above-mentioned farm John S. Mitchell was married to Mary Arm- strong, who was born August 20, 1851, and who died of bronchial consumption, August 19, 1900, leaving no children. She was a

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daughter of Samuel and Nancy ( Robb) Arm- strong, and a woman of rare qualities of mind and heart.

After marriage John S. Mitchell moved to the Armstrong farm, which was then occupied by the widowed mother of Mrs. Mitchell, and her sister, Miss Nancy A. Armstrong. Mr. Mitchell has resided here and has operated the farm ever since. It originally contained 106 acres, but all but 50 acres have been dis- posed of advantageously. Mr. Mitchell car- ries on farming and dairying on this place, as he also does on his own farm of 50 acres, which is situated in Coitsville township.

In his political views Mr. Mitchell is a Republican, and has been elected a delegate to many Republican conventions. He has served for ten years as a member of the school board, was appointed its first president under the new law, and is serving his third term as such. He is a prominent Odd Fellow, belonging to the lodge at Youngstown, to Phoenix Encamp- ment and the Canton Royal. He belongs also to the auxiliary order of Rebeccas and to the Home Guards of America.

Miss Nancy A. Armstrong, who owns the Twin Oaks Farm, which her brother-in-law, John S. Mitchell, has managed for many years, was born March 8, 1844, at Youngs- town, Ohio, and is one of the three children born to Samuel and Nancy (Robb) Arm- strong. Of her two sisters, Rebecca died in infancy, and Mary, the wife of John S. Mitch- ell, died, as above noted, in 1900. The Arm- strong family is one well-known and highly respected all over Mahoning County, and was established in Youngstown township by the father of Miss Armstrong, prior to his first marriage.

Samuel Armstrong was born in Pennsyl- vania and died on Twin Oaks Farm in Feb- ruary, 1853. He was a son of David and Sallie (Harris) Armstrong, the former of whom was born in Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, in 1747, and died in 1811. David had ten children, namely: Thomas, George, David, Rebecca, Polly, Roland, Archibald, Samuel, Betsey and Anna. Samuel was a builder and contractor and opened one of the

first brickyard at Youngstown, and the prod- uct of his kilns entered into the construction of many of the substantial old buildings of the city. He continued active in business until 1847, when he disposed of his interests at Youngstown and purchased a farm of 100 acres, situated in Youngstown township, pay- ing $2,000 for this property, and immediately began improving it.

Samuel Armstrong was married (first) to Jane Erwin, by whom he had five children, as follows: Henry, born in July, 1830, mar- ried Harriet Murry, and they had one son, Henry ; Henrietta died in childhood: Rachel. residing at Youngstown, is the widow of Thomas Jacobs, and her three children are: Rev. Dutton C. Jacobs, of Detroit; Rosella, deceased, who was the wife of George Ger- wig; and Thomas A. Jacobs, cashier of the Mahoning National Bank at Youngstown; Sarah, who married L. J. Jacobs of Youngs- town, died and left four children-W. Lloyd, Mrs. Carrie Heasley, Elmer E. and Mark; William, who married Sarah Kimmel, had two children, Luella, who married William Frease of Youngstown, and Cora, who mar- ried Robert Stevenson. Samuel Armstrong was married (second) in June, 1843, to Mrs. Nancy (Robb) Loveland, who was the widow of Amos Loveland. She owned a farm at Weathersfield, which she sold in order to as- sist in the purchase and development of Twin Oaks Farm, which she thus named on account of the noble twin oaks which particularly marked the farm, one of which still stands and shelters the cool spring in the yard. She was born August 16, 1807, and died April 10, 1894.

The old home in which Miss Armstrong has spent the greater part of her quiet, happy, useful life, is of historic interest, the house be- ing one of the oldest in the township. It still stands, fully one hundred years old, having long outlived its builders. It was replaced as a residence by a modern structure, in 1904. It is beautifully located, and no traveler through this region, who has any artistic per- ceptions, ever passes it without stopping to enjoy the picture of rural attractiveness. Nat-

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urally this old place is very dear to its owner, for in and around it are clustered the memor- ies of a half century. Miss Armstrong is a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church.

ACOB BOOHECKER, one of the sub- stantial men of Smith township. re- siding on his excellent farm of 150 acres, situated in section 4, was born in Unity township. Columbiana Coun- ty, Ohio, January 5, 1839, and is a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Switzer) Boohecker.

The grandfather of Jacob Boohecker, also Jacob Boohecker, was born in Pennsylvania and settled with his family in Columbiana County, Ohio, when his son Peter was a child of four years, and there he lived until his death. Peter Boohecker was reared on the pioneer farm in Unity township, where he lived until after his marriage and the birth of some of his children, when he removed to Mahoning County and settled on the farm in Smith township, which his son Jacob now owns. At that time the land was covered with heavy timber and there were but few settlers in this neighborhood. The first home in Smith township was a two-room plank house, which served for many years. Peter Boo- hecker died in 1884. Three of his children still survive, as follows: Jacob, named for his grandfather; Daniel, residing in Smith township; and Adam, residing at Sebring, Ohio.

Jacob Boohecker spent his boyhood and early youth on his father's farm, where he was thoroughly trained in all agricultural work. When the Civil War came on the country, he immediately became interested and in the sec- ond year of its progress, on August II, 1862, he enlisted in the service of his country. be- coming a member of Company H, 105th Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was at- tached to the Army of the Cumberland. Mr. Boohecker saw much hard service before he was honorably discharged, June 3, 1865, and can recall from personal observation, many of the most terrible battles of the great conflict.

He participated in the battles of Perryville, Missionary Ridge, Jonesboro, Milton, Chicka- mauga, the siege of Chattanooga, and marched with Sherman on that memorable trip to the sea. Mr. Boohecker has the record of being at all times a brave man and obedient soldier.

After the close of his army service, he re- turned to peaceful pursuits, first engaging in the mercantile business at Columbiana, and then came to Smith township, where he fol- lowed farming, but subsequently resumed mer- chandising, settling for this purpose at Be- loit, where he resided for sixteen years, after which he was interested for several years in a hotel business at Mt. Union. In 1895 he settled permanently on his farm in Smith township, where his wife owns also a farm of fifty acres.

Mr. Boohecker was married to Sarah E. Woods, who was born in Columbiana County, and they have two surviving children: James P., residing at Salem, and Mary L., who mar- ried Walter L. Miller, residing in Smith town- ship. Two daughters are deceased: Luella and Loretta J.

Politically Mr. Boohecker is identified with the Republican party. He is one of the lead- ing members of the Presbyterian Church at North Benton, Ohio.

RS. SUSANNAH R. DUNN. widow of the late William Dunn, residing on section 33, Green township, on her well-improved farm of 72 acres, is one of the most highly esteemed ladies of this section. Mrs. Dunn was born at Franklin Square, Co- lumbiana County, Ohio, September 25, 1841, and is a daughter of Thomas and Christena (Row) Post.

The father of Mrs. Dunn was a native of an eastern state, and he came to Columbiana County, with an aunt, Mrs. Susan Zimmerman, who was an early settler. The mother of Mrs. Dunn was born near Wellsville, Ohio, and taught school for a time in Columbiana Coun- ty. Mrs. Dunn was seven years of age when

DAVID STEWART

MRS. ELIZABETH H. STEWART

RESIDENCE OF DAVID G. STEWART, COITSVILLE TOWNSHIP

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her parents settled at Salem, where her father conducted a livery business for a number of years. She was educated in the Salem schools and grew to womanhood in that city.

On May 25, 1860, she was married to Wil- liam Dunn, who was born at Buffalo, New York, November 15, 1831, and was a son of Robert and Ellen Dunn, both parents being natives of England. William Dunn was mainly reared at Salem, and after his marriage he engaged in farming near that city until about 1880, when he removed to Green town- ship, Mahoning County, settling on the farm which Mrs. Dunn now owns, on which he died two years later. There were seven children born to Mr. and Mrs. Dunn, the six survivors being: Robert, residing near Salem, engaged in farming; Clara, who married Van Dunn, residing near Wellsville; Homer, residing near Alliance; Ella, who married George Car- lisle, residing at Youngstown; May, who mar- ried George Crutchley, residing at .Millville ; and Nora, who married Leonard Barber, re- siding near Millville. Mrs. Dunn has eleven grandchildren.

The death of Mr. Dunn removed from this section a good citizen, a kind husband and an affectionate father. He was a man of upright character and enjoyed the esteem of all who knew him, and he is affectionately remembered by his family and by his neighbors, to whom he was all that was kind, generous and just. Mrs. Dunn enjoys a wide acquaintance and has the love of her large family as well as the respect of all who have business or social re- lations with her. Her farm is well managed and is one of the most productive in this section.

D AVID G. STEWART, who is serving in his tenth year as trustee of Coits- ville township, resides on his well improved farm, the old Stewart homestead, situated in section 6, where he was born, September 3. 1858. He is a son of David and Elizabeth ( Houston) Stewart.

William Stewart, grandfather of David

G., was born December 20, 1765, in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and in 1803, accom- panied by his wife and several brothers, came to Mahoning County and with the latter bought land in Coitsville township, aggregat- ing 1000 acres. One year later, in 1804. Wil- liam Stewart bought 200 acres of land and it is a part of the purchase that David G. now owns and occupies. There was a time when William, John, James, Robert and Joseph Stewart owned all the land in this part of Coitsville township. In 1799. William Stew- art married his cousin, Mary Stewart, who was a daughter of Elijah Stewart, who was born in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. She died in Coitsville township, October 16, 1851. William Stewart died May 5, 1841. He had seven children, namely: Sarah (Mrs. Low- ery), Elijah, Robert, William, Samuel, Mary (Mrs. McKee) and David.

David Stewart, father of David G., was born September 30, 1814, on the farm now owned by his son, in Coitsville township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and died April 8, 1891. His life was one of useful activity, devoted entirely to farming and stock raising. He married Elizabeth Houston, who was born and reared in Coitsville township, and who was a daughter of John and Grace (McCall) Houston. Her father was born January 9, 1783, in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and died in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, De- cember 6, 1861. Mrs. Houston was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1790, and died May 10, 1879, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. There were seven chil- dren born to David Stewart and wife, namely : William Walker, born June 17, 1840, enlisted in Company A, 105th Ohio Volunteer In- fantry, during the Civil War, and died at Camp University Heights, Tennessee: Anna Elizabeth, wife of Rev. J. A. Collins, a retired United Presbyterian minister, who now is en- gaged in a publishing business at Philadel- phia ; John Houston, who is a resident of Kan- sas City; Eusebius, who was born May 2. 1850, died June 23, 1866: Watson Henderson, who was born May 19. 1853, lives at Ironton, Colorado; David G., subject of this sketch ;

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Frank E., who was born March 31, 1862, died March 10, 1904, at Westphalia, Kansas. William Stewart and John Houston, grand- fathers of the above family, were both men of good judgment and solid virtues, and they were two of the first trustees of Coitsville township. David Stewart was a man of like character. For 50 years he was elder in the Liberty United Presbyterian Church.

David Goodwillie Stewart perpetuates the name of Rev. David Goodwillie, who for many years was a noted preacher at the Liberty United Presbyterian Church. Mr. Stewart at- tended the township and Youngstown schools and Cook's Business College at Youngstown, after which he made several trips to the West, party for pleasure and party for investiga- tion. Later he engaged in a cattle business for three years, in Colorado, with his brother, Watson H. Stewart, but the death of his fa- ther recalled him to Coitsville township. He has resided on the old farm ever since, engag- ing in general farming. He has become inter- ested also in the contracting business and has done a large amount of pike-making, leveling and grading. In 1896, Mr. Stewart was first elected township trustee and served two terms but when the time came for a third election he was suffering from a severe attack of typhoid fever and was compelled to decline a re-elec- tion. After a retirement of three years from public life, Mr. Stewart was again elected township trustee and, as stated above, is serv- ing out his tenth year in the office. On Janu- ary 9, 1890, at Youngstown, Mr. Stewart was married to Alice Mars, who died April 22, 1899. A view of Mr. Stewart's residence, with portraits of his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. David Stewart, are published herewith.

H. LOLLER, who for the past six years has been chief of the Youngstown Fire Department, was born in Millville, Cumber- land County, New Jersey, in 1863. When still a child his parents moved to Clayton, New Jersey, where he was reared,

being educated in the Clayton Academy. In 1880 they moved to Ravenna, Ohio. In 1881 Mr. Loller came to Youngstown and found employment with the Mahoning Gas & Fuel Company, for whom he worked about two years and a half, during which time he joined the Volunteer Fire Department. When the present paid department was organized he be- came a member of the hook and ladder crew, afterwards being promoted, first to hoseman, and in 1900 to captain, finally being made chief of the department, all of these promo- tions being made without any solicitation on his part.

Mr. Loller was married in 1890 to Sarah Edwards of Youngstown, Ohio. He is a 32nd degree Mason and is also a member of the or- der of Elks. He is one of the oldest members of the Youngstown Fire Department.

AMUEL DAWES, formerly a high- ly respected resident of Green town- ship, was born in Butler township, Columbiana County, Ohio, January 3, 1866, and died in Green township, Mahoning County, June 21, 1905. He was a son of Benjamin and Martha (Ulery) Dawes.

The parents of Samuel Dawes were born in Ohio, and the father still carries on agri- cultural pursuits on his farm, which is situ- ated about five miles south of Salem. There Samuel Dawes was reared, obtaining his edu- cation in the district schools of the neighbor- hood and following farming as an occupa- tion. In the spring of 1901 he removed to Green township, renting a large tract in its southern part, and continued the operation of that farm until his death. Mr. Dawes was a Republican in his political views, but he never was willing to accept any office. He was a man of quiet tastes and was devoted to his farm work and to promoting the welfare of those nearest to him.

On September 5, 1895, Mr. Dawes was married to Anna B. Davison, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, not far from Franklin Square, and is a daughter of Elias

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and Jane (Kyle) Davison. The mother of Mrs. Dawes was a daughter of John and Lydia (Mottinger) Kyle, who were residents near Youngstown for many years, and a granddaughter of Joshua Kyle, who was one of the early settlers of Mahoning County, where he entered 700 acres of Government land. The father of Mrs. Davison died when she was 17 years of age. In 1850 she married Elias Davison, in Columbiana County, and they had twelve children born to them, the survivors being: Leander H .; William H., residing in Oklahoma; Jeremiah B., residing in Hancock County, Iowa; Harry W., resid- ing at Marshalltown, Iowa; Sarah A., who married David M. Harris, residing five miles south of Salem; Anna B., and Elmina, who married Wade Fesler, residing in Iowa. Elias Davison died in Oklahoma in March, 1903. His widow still survives, having passed her 75th birthday.

After the death of her husband Mrs. Dawes removed to Salem, and now resides at No. 69 Woodland avenue in that city. She owns a fine farm of 98 acres in Green town- ship. She is well known socially in Salem and is a member of the Disciples Church in that place.

L EWIS E. DAVIS, one of Youngs- town's most efficient public officials, whose zeal as president of the board of public safety has made him a most useful citizen, was born in Wales, November 5, 1838, and was about 16 years of age when he came to America and settled at Carbon, Pennsylvania. Although so young, he had been instructed in the tailoring business in his native land and had become an expert cutter. In 1863 he made his way to Pittsburg, and there he was put to work on the fortifications which were being constructed about that city. Although unaccustomed to such labor, he faithfully performed it for one month. Then, in partnership with Thomas D. Thomas, he opened a tailoring shop at Pittsburg, where he carried on business for

six years, subsequently removing to Johns- town for a stay of six months. After dissoly- ing partnership with Mr. Thomas, he became associated with Jones & Laughlin in the American Iron Works, where he remained three years and then came to Ohio, working at his trade in various places when oppor- tunity offered. He then became connected with the house of G. M. McKelvey & Com- pany, at Youngstown, with which he remained for twenty-five years, after which he retired from business activity.

Although Mr. Davis is no longer concerned in business affairs, he by no means has be- come a retired citizen in the usual acceptance of the word. He has always taken an intelli- gent interest in politics, though not an office- seeker, and when he was appointed on May 16, 1905, by Mayor Baldwin, as a member of the board of public safety, the honor came entirely unsolicited. As indicative of the at- titude of his fellow citizens and of other mem- bers of the board, he was immediately elected president, and has proved to be the right man in the right place.

In 1859 Mr. Davis was married to Eleanor Powell, who was born in South Wales, and they have had four children. The eldest son, now deceased, W. H. Davis, was a man of exceptional ability and a most popular citizen of Hubbard, where he served through three terms as mayor. Mr. and Mrs. Davis's only surviving child is Rev. U. S. Davis, Ph. D., who is now one of the most scholarly divines of the Baptist Church in the United States. He spent seven years at the University of Ohio, two years in the University of Chicago, and one year at the Baptist University at Bos- ton, where he received his advanced degree. He is now in charge of the First Baptist Church at Bloomington, Illinois, and he has been one of the church's lecturers and has traveled extensively in Europe.

Mr. Lewis E. Davis is one of the leading Welsh citizens of Ohio. For fourteen years he served as treasurer of St. David's Society. and he also has been treasurer of the Welsh Pioneer Society of the Western Reserve since its organization. Mr. Davis belongs to the

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First Baptist Church, and for years was a member of the financial board. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of the Gold- en Eagles, St. David's Society, and the Odd Fellows, to which last-mentioned order he has belonged since 1866.

H LONZO B. COVER, senior member of the firm of Cover & Haynes, which conducts two separate stores at Po- land, dealing in dry goods, boots, shoes, groceries, flour, feed and all commodities except hardware and drugs, is one of the representative business men of this place. He was born in Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, September 14, 1872, and is a son of William R. and Amy A. (Davidson) Cover.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 85

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