Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 95

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 95

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Dr. Clark spent the succeeding year in teaching school and applying himself to the study of medicine, at Windham, Ohio. He entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, in October. 1863, re- maining until April 1, 1864. Shortly after his return home he re-entered the army, en- listing as a private in Company I, 17Ist Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Iniantry, under what was known as the 100-day call. A little later he was commissioned hospital steward and ac- companied his regiment in all its later move- ments, suffering capture and being held as a prisoner until recaptured by troops under Gen- eral Burbridge. He was finally discharged August 21, 1864. He then returned to Ann Arbor and was graduated at the university on March 28. 1865. For some months Dr. Clark practiced at Austintown, Ohio, and then re- moved to Warren, where he remained until 1868, removing then to Bristolville, from which place he came to Youngstown, as pre- viously mentioned. In the more than a third of a century which has since passed, Dr. Clark has been more or less identified with many movements for the moral and material ad- vancement of the city. In his profession he has been honored all over the state by numer- ous medical organizations, his skill, combined with his personal attributes, gaining him the respect of his brother practitioners. In the encouragement of educational advancement and the promotion of moral enterprises. Dr. Clark has always been relied upon and in former years he willingly gave his valuable time to civic boards that had such objects.

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

He continues to be one of Youngstown's act- ive practitioners and his home and offices are situated at Nos. 816-818 Elm street.

On May 9, 1867, at Hiram, Ohio, Dr. Clark was married to Hettie J. Smith, the ceremony being performed by Dr. L. L. Pink- erton, assisted by President James A. Gar- field, of Hiram College. Mrs. Clark, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work, is a daughter of Rev. John Tune and Esther (Cheyney) Smith, the former of whom was a very prominent minister of the Christian Church in Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Clark have had three children : Clayton A., born Septem- ber 25, 1874; James A., born June 10, 1878; and Louis Pinkerton, who was born July 9, 1880. Clayton and James are both deceased.

Politically Dr. Clark has always been a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the higher and subordinate lodges of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held important offices, and to the Ancient Order of Foresters of America, in which he has also been elected many times to the high- est offices. He has been equally prominent in the Independent Order of Foresters, and in the Sons of St. George. He has taken an act- ive part in Grand Army of the Republic coun- cils at Youngstown and has served in official position in Tod Post, No. 29, and is also a United States pension examiner by appoint- ment of President Roosevelt.

In 1858 Dr. Clark united with the Chris- tian Church at Hiram, Ohio, being immersed by James A. Garfield, and in 1875 he was ordained an elder of the Christian Church at Youngstown. His portrait appears on a neighboring page.

B. HALL, treasurer and manager of the Realty Trust Company, and secretary of the Mahoning County Abstract Company, with offices on the northeast corner of Central Square, Youngstown, was born in this city, in 1867.

Youngstown schools, Mr. Hall served in a clerical position with the Youngstown Rolling Mill Company, now the Carnegie or American Steel Hoop Company, for about 10 years. He then became clerk of the probate court un- der Judge George E. Rose. From this posi- tion he went to the Mahoning Abstract Com- pany and continued as manager until 1903. This company was established in 1892 by A. E. Adams, and Mr. Hall has been identified with it since 1896. In 1903 the Realty Trust Company was organized, mainly through Mr. Hall's efforts, and the outstanding capital of the Mahoning County Abstract Company was purchased by the Realty Trust. It was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, with John Stambaugh as president; H. M. Robinson, now of Pasadena, California, as vice president ; and W. B. Hall as secretary and treasurer. The business is to buy and sell real estate, execute private trusteeships, and a commission and brokerage business and to act as agents for property. Large blocks of land are bought and sales made according to de- sired investments. Mr. Hall is an active, as- tute business man and has other business in- terests in addition to those mentioned.

In 1898 Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Carrie H. McKinnie, who is a daughter of George McKinnie, of Youngstown.

E MORY KALE, general merchant and farmer, located at the old Blanco postoffice, in Milton township, was born June 16, 1855, in Milton town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Solomon and Lydia (Smith) Kale.

The paternal grandfather, Martin Kale, was one of the earliest settlers in Springfield township, where Solomon Kale was born in 1817. The latter passed the greater part of his life in Milton township, where he died at the age of 89 years. He married Lydia Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to Mahoning County with her father, Henry Smith, when 12 years of age. He

After completing his education in the | cleared up a farm in the southeast corner of

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Milton township on which he passed his life. There were six children born to Solomon Kale and wife, namely : Sarah, Reuben, Mary, Martin, Elizabeth and Emory, three of the above being deceased.

Emory Kale assisted on the home farm and attended school until he was 18 years of age and then spent two years in other pursuits, returning at that time to the home farm on which he remained seven years. When 21 years old he married, and after leaving the homestead, in association with his wife, he bought 156 acres of land. For 22 years Mr. Kale has been improving and cultivating this property. Subsequently he and his wife started a store to supply the needs of their neighbors in the surrounding country and three years la- ter, Mr. Kale was appointed postmaster of what was known as the Blanco postoffice, and he continued as such until the establishment of the rural mail route. Mr. and Mrs. Kale have a fine home and well-stocked store, and all their buildings are solid and substantial.

On December 17, 1876, Mr. Kale was married to Mary Matilda Renkenberger, who is a daughter of Lewis Renkenberger, men- tion of whom will be found in the sketch of Jacob Helsel. Mr. and Mrs. Kale have had four children, namely: Harry, Theo (de- ceased), Burton and Zella. In politics, Mr. Kale is a Democrat.

OHN BRENNER, president of the John Brenner Jewelry Company, at Youngstown, established this business and conducted it alone for 27 years, and enjoys the distinction of being the oldest continuous business man on Fed- eral street. Mr. Brenner was born in Europe and was 14 years of age when he accompa- nied his parents to Youngstown, Ohio.

Mr. Brenner entered the jewelry store of Mr. Bakody, in this city, where he learned the jewelry business, remaining with him for five years, engaging then in business for himself, . beginning in a small room of 24 feet dimen- sions, on Federal street. This business has

expanded until it occupies the present com- modious quarters on West Federal street. In 1904, Mr. Brenner had his business incorpo- rated, under the laws of Ohio, as the John Brenner Jewelry Company, with a capital stock of $20,000. The officers are: John Brenner, president, Conrad Brenner, vice pres- ident, and Carl Brenner, secretary and treas- urer. A general business is done in diamonds, watches and all kinds of jewelry, a specialty being made of diamonds. The house stands very high in the trade and they are rated as reliable, first class men of business. Mr. Brenner is also president of the Youngstown Cattle Company, which is extensively inter- ested in the growing of cattle and fruit in Cuba, where they own a large amount of land. In the Youngstown Cattle Company he has as associate officers, F. W. Young, of Mineral Ridge, as vice president, and Albert H. Buehrle, as secretary and treasurer. Since its organization, Mr. Brenner has been president of the Masonic Temple Company.

In 1879 Mr. Brenner was married to Mary Wellendorf, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Irma, who is the wife of B. Frank Thomas, of J. R. Thomas Sons. The family belongs to the First Re- formed Church, in which Mr. Brenner has been an elder for many years. Fraternally, Mr. Brenner is a 32nd degree Mason and has been treasurer of Western Star Lodge for 12 years. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, belonging to the committees on streets and membership. He is a man of great public spirit, energy and enterprise and stands as a representative business man of this city.

ILLIAM MAY. the owner and operator of the New Springfield Basket Factory, a large and im- portant industry of this place, is one of the foremost citizens of the town. Mr. May was born in Unity township, Columbiana County, Ohio, May 4, 1849, and is a son of Israel and Rebecca (Harrold) May.

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

The history of the May family in Spring- field township, dates back to William May, the grandfather, who came to this section in young manhood, locating three-fourths of a mile south of New Springfield, where he acquired 200 acres of land and became a prosperous farmer. Israel May, father of William and son of William, the name being one particu- larly favored in the May family, was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and died while his children were yet young. He purchased a farm of 50 acres, in Unity township, Columbiana County, which he subsequently sold and bought one of 84 acres in Springfield township, on which he lived until his death. He married Rebecca Harrold, who was born near New Waterford, Columbiana County, Ohio, who was an aunt of Joseph Harrold, a sketch of whom appears in this work. To this marriage four children were born, the two survivors being: William May, of New Springfield, and Medina, who is the wife of Manassas Smith, also residing at New Springfield. Mrs. May was married sub- sequently to George Kuntz, and to that mar- riage were born two sons and four daughters, namely : Charles, residing at East Palestine ; Mrs. Sarah Crider, residing at Girard, Ohio; Solomon, residing at Youngstown; Mrs. Lu- cinda Leish, deceased; Mrs. Amanda Wetzel, residing at Columbiana ; and Alice, who is the widow of Elmer Rupert.

The parents of William May removed from Columbiana to Mahoning county in his infancy, and he was reared on the home farm two miles south of New Springfield. Owing to the fact that his father died when he was small, he had but limited educational oppor- tunities, but his few chances were improved and the progress he made in mathematics was remarkable, his 1.atural bent being in the mak- ing and solving of problems which required mathematical precision of the highest order. As a boy he could fashion puzzling bits of mechanism, out of indifferent materials, which he would put together and defy any one to im- itate. It is said of him that after watching some men working on a six-piece puzzle, he was able to construct it for himself, without

ever having had it in his hands. Such natural talent as this was bound to result in success outside the walls of a school room. Mr. May in boyhood built a puzzle of 16 different pieces, which he still keeps, he being the only one who has ever known how to reconstruct it. although it has been submitted to many expert "puzzle-solvers." He had some thought of placing this puzzle on the market, but its di !- ficulty of solution made its sale doubtful and he gave up the idea.

Mr. May was 16 years old when he left home and started out for himself, working first as a carpenter and later as a molder, al- though he never had a day's training in either industry, his natural talent enabling him to successfully compete with those who had served long apprenticeships. In 1871 he came to New Springfield and conducted a foundry for about eight years, after which he em- barked in a saw-mill business, and operated extensively some 10 years ago, when he turned his attention to his present enterprise, and be- gan the manufacture of fruit baskets. At first he made the peck and half bushel sizes. He now manufactures only full quart baskets, un- like many other manufacturers who turn out a scant quart, which is a fraud on the public. Mr. May has been in large measure, rewarded for his honesty, as he has been wonderfully successful, and he undoubtedly enjoys the confidence of those with whom he has large business dealings. His beginning was in a small way, his first building being a space 40 by 45 feet in which he put an engine, boiler and planer. To this he added 30 by 100 feet, and still later, as the growing business de- manded, 30 by 40 feet, all equipped with first- class machinery. He also has large lumber sheds and two commodious store rooms, in which he carries a stock of 1,500,000 baskets. These he ships on order, the product going mainly to Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, although there is a good de- mand also in Michigan and South Dakota, while trade is extending through other States. The plant operates eight machines and em- ployment is given to many workmen, and the distribution of wage money is very large, re-

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sulting in proportionate prosperity to New Springfield.

On August 24. 1878, Mr. May was mar- ried to Christine Celestia Gephardt, who was born one mile east of New Springfield, and is a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Wolf) Gephardt. The father of Mrs. May was born in Germany and was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to America. He died in 1890, aged 86 years. He was married (first) to Elizabeth Muckenfus, and they had the following children : Mirs. Caroline Royer. deceased ; Annie, residing in Maryland ; Lewis. residing in British Columbia ; Mrs. Kate Has- ness, residing at Canton, Ohio: Jacob, de- ceased : Mrs. Mary Waldele, residing in Osage County, Kansas ; Mrs. Elizabeth Snapp, resid- ing in Alabama: Mrs. Louisa Stacy, residing near Coitsville. Ohio; and Paulina, who died young. Mr. Gephardt was married (second) to Elizabeth Wolf, and they had three chil- dren, namely : Amelia Sophronia, who mar- ried John Russell, residing at Industry, Penn- sylvania ; Mrs. May; and Josephine, who mar- ried John Brenneman, residing at Canton. The mother of Mrs. May died in 1895.

Mr. and Mrs. May have had four children : A babe that died unnamed: Iva, residing at home ; and Oscar Otto and Milton, who assist their father in the basket works.

In addition to his other interests, Mr. May has acquired large timber tracts, from which he secures the material used in his factory. He purchased a desirable tract of land, compris- ing four acres, at New Springfield, and in 1905 he completed a beautiful modern home here, containing 10 rooms, all of them finished throughout in quarter-sawed oak. It is one of the finest homes in this section. Mr. May was one of the organizers of the New Springfield Creamery and is still financially interested in it. He is a good citizen in all that the word implies, but has never been very active in pol- itics. In local affairs he supports the man of whom he most approves, but in national mat- ters, he votes with the Republican party. Per- haps it is unnecessary to add, after the above brief sketch of Mr. May's business career, that in his success rests both a lesson and an in-

spiration. Notwithstanding his natural tal- ents, if prudence, industry and perseverance had not accompanied them he would scarcely have become the head of the large industry which has carried his name to almost every part of the Union, and that because of early disadvantages, no young man, on the thresh- hold of life, need feel discouragement.

J OHN E. GRAY, general farmer, dairyman and breeder of Jersey cat- tle, residing on a valuable farm in section 6, Coitsville township, was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Jan- uary 27, 1839, and is a son of George and Jane (Early) Gray.

The Gray family originated in Holland and the founder of the family in America was an Adam Gray, who settled in New Jersey, 14 generations in the past. Amos Gray, a de- scendant of Adam and grandfather of John E., was born in New Jersey and came to Ohio in 1804, crossing the mountains in a wagon drawn by oxen. He penetrated to Youngs- town when the place was represented by three log cabins and after a short stay there he pro- ceeded to Liberty township, Trumbull Coun- ty, just across the line from Mahoning Coun- ty. He was a stone-mason by trade and a brick worker, but at that time no brick were burned in that section, so that his work nar- rowed down to cutting stone and building chimneys. In a few years he moved to Coits- ville township and bought a farm about one mile north of the farm of the subject of this sketch, remaining on that property until his (leath. At that time the whole country was one vast timber tract, and he had to clear a space on which to erect his log house and barn which were acknowledged to be the best in the township.

The children of Amos Gray were the fol- lowing: Mrs. Margaret Sippy. Mrs. Cath- erine Krahl. George, Jesse. Mrs. Mary Ann Kirk, David, Mrs. Sophia Dunscomb. Stewart and Amos Sutton.

George Gray, father of John E .. was born

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HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

in New Jersey, in 1802, and was two years old when he accompanied his parents to Youngs- town. He was his father's helper in all his pursuits. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Fowler township, Trumbull County, where he lived for a few years and then returned to Coitsville township, and after his father's death he bought the old homestead. His use- ful life was prolonged into old age, his death occurring in 1884, when 82 years of age. George Gray was married (first) to Louisa Ciglor, and they had three children, namely : Mrs. Aurilla Stewart, deceased; Mrs. Mary Predmore, of Youngstown; and Louisa, who died in childhood. Mr. Gray was married (second) to Jane Early, who was born in 1803 and died in 1875. She was a daughter of Thomas Early, who came to America from Ireland, accompanied by his family, and landed at Philadelphia with but small capital. In Dublin he had learned the weaver's trade, at which he was very expert, having worked in various cities, and being able to weave fancy patterns in colors very artistically. In the new land to which he had come he found no demand for his skilled services. After placing his wife and two children in a room he had provided for them, and supplying them with the necessaries for the winter, he started out in search of work of any kind, with no money but an English shilling in his pocket. At Ten Mile, Pennsylvania, he secured work as a thresher with a flail and sent for his family who made the journey in an ox cart. By most remarkable economy he managed to ac- quire enough money to buy a few acres of land near Struthers, in Coitsville township, but in a short time removed further north in the township and purchased a farm which is on the line of Youngstown township. By this time he had found work at his trade, and it is recorded of him that he would labor all day in the fields and remain up half the night weaving. To his hardly-earned acres he kept adding until at the time of death he owned 300 acres of valuable land. The children of George and Jane (Early) Gray were: John E. ; Mrs. Lucinda Wise, deceased; Mrs. Minerva How- clls, of Butte, Montana; Thomas H., residing

at Youngstown; George M., of Sioux City, Iowa.

John E. Gray was four years old when his father moved from Fowler township to Coits- ville township, where he has passed all his subsequent life, with the exception of six years spent in Stark County, during four of which he was in a dry goods business at Waynes- burg and two in the sewing machine business at Massillon. He formerly cultivated 100 acres, but has recently sold about 50 acres as town lots, a very profitable transaction. He has had much success in the breeding of fine Jersey cattle.

June 12, 1867, Mr. Gray married Cor- nelia A. Slusser, who was born and reared at Massillion, Ohio. Her parents were William Foster and Harriet (Borland) Slusser, both natives of Stark County, Ohio, the father born March 7, 1822, and the mother July 8, 1827.

The Slussers were of German extraction and formerly spelled their family name Schlosser, but after the grandfather, Peter Schlosser, came to Stark County, the name was simplified and spelled as it now is. The Slussers moved from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Stark County, Ohio, in 1805. William Foster Slusser and his wife spent sixty-two years in their home in Tuscarawas township, Stark County, and then came to spend their last years at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Gray. The mother died March 31, 19-, and the father a few years later, May 13, 1907. Mrs. Gray was their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one son, Eu- gene S., who is in business with the McCain Realty Company.

J OSEPH W. OSBORN, a successful agriculturist of Milton township, re- siding on a farm of 122 acres, was born January 8, 1849, in Milton town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of John W. and Mary ( Harclerode) Os- born.

Nicholas Osborn, the great-grandfather of

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Joseph W., was a native of England and first located in Virginia, after coming to America. He married Margaret Cunnard and in 1804 they came to Ohio, where he purchased a tract of 1,000 acres in what is now Youngstown township, upon which they resided during the rest of their lives. Joseph Osborn, the grand- father, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio with his parents. He married Margaret Wolf- cale and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred February 17, 1846.

John Osborn, father of Joseph W., was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, where he was reared, attended the district schools and learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked until after his marriage, when he en- gaged in farming in Ellsworth township for several years. He subsequently removed to Milton township and located on the farm now owned by W. A. Reed. He died on this farm in 1874, aged about 70 years. He was a Democrat in politics and held many of the minor township offices. He married Mary Harclerode, who also died on this farm, in her 78th year. They had a family of seven chil- dren, namely : Mary, Alfred, Jane, Margaret, Joseph W., Sarah, and William. Alfred, Jane and Sarah are deceased.

Joseph W. Osborn was born and reared on his father's farm in Milton township. He was educated in the district schools and later taught school during the winter months and worked on the farm in the summers until 26 years of age. After his marriage he operated the home farm for two years and then pur- chased his present property, which was known as the James Moore farm, which originally contained IIO acres. This is one of the old- settled farms of this section, Isaac Winans lo- cating on the land in 1804, when the whole eastern part of Milton township was still un- settled, and his dugout can yet be seen. The land has been under the plow for over 100 years, and is still one of the most productive farms in the township. Mr. Osborn has greatly improved the place since he located on it.

In 1878 Mr. Osborn was married to Lucy Carson, who was born in Milton township, and died in February, 1907. aged 48 years.

They had four children, namely : George Em- mett, Ida E., Edna Fronia and Marta V. George Emmett is cashier at the depot of the Lake Shore Railroad, at Youngstown. He married Lola Creed, who was reared in Milton township, and they have three children : Leon, Kenneth and Dean. Ida E., the eldest daugh- ter, married Arthur Gillmer, who is a prom- inent farmer of Milton township, and they have two children: Irma and Blanche. Edna Fronia, the second daughter, married Chauncy A. Rose, who is engaged in farming in Jack- son township. Marta V. resides at home.

Mr. Osborn is a Republican in politics, and for a number of years has been township committeeman of his party. He has served as township assessor, was township clerk for seven years, and has been a member of the school board for the past three years. He was one of the charter members of Lodge No. 753. Patrons of Husbandry, which was organized in 1874, at Blanco, Milton township, and he has held all of the offices of the organization from master down. Mr. Osborn is a member of the Christian Church.

OEL MIDDLETON, who resides on his valuable farm of 70 acres, which is situated in Berlin township, two miles west of Berlin Center, was born on his present farm, in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of Na- thaniel and Dorothy (Sharp) Middleton.

Nathaniel Middleton was born in another section of Ohio and came to Berlin township among the very first settlers. He purchased II2 acres of land, paying $1.25 an acre, built his first cabin on the opposite side of the road from the present residence, cleared up this large body of land and lived upon it during the rest of his life. In his political views he was a Whig. He married Dorothy Sharp, and they had the following children : Sarah. Ira, Levi, Mahlon, Mary Ann, Isaac. Deborah, Joel. Lewis, Rachel, McCogie and William.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 95

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