Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 96

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 96

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Joel Middleton is the only survivor of the above family. He grew up on the home farm

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and when his father died, although then but 15 years of age, he rented the land from his mother and operated it until he purchased 50 acres of his own, north of the homestead. When his mother died he bought the present farm and has engaged in general farming and stock-raising here ever since. He under- stands carpentering and for some time suc- ceeding his marriage, worked at that. In 1862 Mr. Middleton enlisted in the State militia, and in 1864 went into the regular service and remained until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Camp Dennison.

In 1852 Mr. Middleton was married to Catherine Craig, who died in 1903, aged 72 years. She was born in Ohio and was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Craig, who spent their lives in Portage County. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton had six children, namely : El- len, Cora, Viola, William, Maggie and John, the second born, deceased.

Mr. Middleton has a very comfortable home and pleasant surroundings. He can re- member when this well-cultivated farm was still covered with much timber, and he can re- late many interesting experiences of pioneer days. He has been identified with much of the development of this section and is one of the most highly esteemed residents.

OHN M. FLOOR, M. D., a general medical practitioner at Petersburg, and a member of the Ohio State Ec- lectic Medical Association, is a rep- resentative of one of the old pioneer families of Mahoning County, and was born in Berlin township, May 15, 1853. His par- ents were Jacob and Agatha (Shaffer) Floor.

The great-grandfather of Dr. Floor was Theodore Floor, who came to America from Germany and settled in Maryland, and prior to 1820. Daniel and Mary (Rummel) Floor, the grandparents, came to Springfield town- ship, where the grandfather secured a patent for land, the documents relating to this being in the possession of the family, as was the land, until recent years. Daniel Floor made

an early visit to this locality, walking all the distance from near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Mahoning County, where he secured his half section of land between Petersburg and Springfield, on which he built a log cabin be- fore he returned to Maryland for his family.

Jacob Floor, father of Dr. Floor, was born in Maryland, December 25, 18II. He was a good business man and acquired valu- able property in Mahoning County, buying first, a farm of 50 acres in Springfield town- ship, then 140 acres in Berlin township and later, a second farm, of 200 acres. He con- tinued to live on his home farm until one year after the death of his wife, when he moved to Petersburg, where he spent his last days. On April 4. 1833, he married Agatha Shaffer, who was born in Wittenberg, Germany, Jan- uary II, 1812, and was 16 years old when her parents came to this country. They were Michael and Barbara (Deigle) Shaffer. They located first in Springfield township, but later moved to Berlin township, where they lived until death.

Jacob Floor and wife had 10 children. namely : Daniel, who died in 1902, who had lived on a part of the old home place; Frank V., deceased, who was a physician at Youngs- town for many years; Maria, residing in Trumbull County, married (first) Solomon Greenamyer, and (second) Elias Baringer ; Susan, residing at Alliance, Ohio, married John Greenamyer; Caroline, deceased, who was the wife of the late Reuben Kale, of Ber- lin township; Jacob, who died of pneumonia, aged one year: Agatha, who was accidentally burned to death; Hiram, who died while serv- ing in the army. in 1864, of typhoid fever, in the hospital at Nashville, was a member of the 155th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; R. Lee, a physician, formerly in partnership with his brother, John M .. died in 1878, at New Middletown; and John M. When the Re- publican party was organized in 1852, Jacob Flcor was in sympathy with its principles, but later he became identified with the Democrats. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.

Dr. John M. Floor was reared in Berlin

JAMES S. PRICE

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township, attended the common schools and la- ter . the Canfield High School, and when 19 years of age became a teacher. He taught for a number of years at Canfield, New Middle- town and other points through the county, and in the meanwhile read medicine under the di- rection of his brother, Dr. R. Lee Floor. After three years of study he began to practice and was with his brother from 1875 until 1878, and then practiced alone until 1880. Dr. Flour then went on his father-in-law's farm until 1885. shortly afterward going into part- nership with his father-in-law. John Eckert. in starting the Maple Grove distillery, selling his interest in the above year to his brothers- in-law, who did business under the firm name of Eckert Bros. In 1885 Dr. Floor established ·himself in practice at Petersburg, where he has met with much professional success. He has been interested in a number of business enterprises conected with oil and gas, has put down five oil and gas holes, and at one time was president of the Indian Branch Oil and Gas Company. He is one of the stockholders in the Unity Township Telephone Company.

Dr. Floor was married October 10. 1875. to Louisa Anna Eckert, who was born in Springfield township, and is a daughter of John and Paulina ( Hofmeister) Eckert, ex- tended mention of whom will be found in an- other part of this work. They have had two children, both born on the old Eckert farm, namely: Evan Charles, who was born Sep- tember 20. 1880, and died of pneumonia, aged five months and four days; and Vida Louesa, who was born January 25, 1885. Dr. Floor and wife are members of St. John's Luth- eran Church at Petersburg. In 1875 he was elected county coroner on the fusion ticket and served two years. He votes independently. and at various times has held minor offices. From 1903 until 1906, Dr. Floor was presi- dent of the Harvest Home Picnic Association. a grand reunion which is celebrated each Au- gust, popular amusements being provided. He refused to serve longer as president but re- tains his interest and is one of the directors. Formerly he was connected with the Odd Fel- lows at Canfield and at Enon, and is now a

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member of Starlight Lodge, No. 224. Knights of Pythias, and of the Protective Home Circle.

Dr. Floor has gathered together a most interesting collection of heirlooms and curi- osities, together with many valuable Indian relics. Among the latter are pipes, arrow heads, spear heads and worship and drill stones, perfect specimens. He has, in his col- lection, a pair of old-time candle snuffers and a fork that was carried by a soldier all through the War of 1812. Another interest- ing family possession is a leather belt which his aunt wore about her waist when crossing the Atlantic ocean, carrying concealed in it the family wealth. Dr. Floor enjoys showing his many curiosities to an appreciative visitor and they would do credit to many a museum.

J AMES S. PRICE, a prominent and highly respected farmer of Youngs- town township, and owner of the Price Stock Farm, located in section IO, was born August 17, 1849, on a farm just opposite his present farm, and is a son of Samuel and Lydia Elanor (Stewart) Price.

Samuel Price was born in Youngstown township also, and was a son of James Price, who came from Maryland in 1809, and set- tled on a tract of land where he and his wife both died, the land being now owned by James S.

Samuel was one of a family of nine chil- dren and was reared in this township on his father's farm. He married Lydia Elanor Stewart, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to Mahoning County. Ohio, with her father. Thomas Stewart ... Five children were born into this household, but three of whom were reared to maturity : Margaret, who mar- ried Perry Wehr of Youngstown township: Elanor, who married Walter Beecher. and James S., whose name begins this article. It- cetta and Florence both died in infancy. Sam- uel Price died in March, 1900, his wife's death occurring just two weeks later.

James S. Price was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of the township. He was a member of the first class

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to enter the Rayen High School. He has lived on his present farm of 140 acres since his marriage in 1880, and has since been occu- pied as a general farmer and stock raiser, also running a dairy and selling his milk at whole- sale. He has made all of the improvements on the place, planting all of the trees, and, in 1898, erecting his fine large barn. The site upon which his house stands was at one time a wheat field.

Mr. Price was united in marriage January 8, 1880, to Clara Predmore, whose grand- father, Frank Barclay, was one of the early pioneers of Youngstown, and whose parents, Joseph and Julia (Barclay) Predmore, were both reared in Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Price have reared three children, namely : Samuel Nelson, who married Mary Pauley ; Edward Barclay, who resides in California ; and Margaret Alice, who is now attending the Conservatory of Music at Baltimore. One child, Mary, died in infancy. Mr. Price served as decennial land appraiser in 1890. In the following year he was elected on the Republi- can ticket county commissioner of Mahoning County, and served in that capacity for seven years. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks.

During his term of office the Market street viaduct was built and the present county in- firmary was erected, which is said to be one of the most modern institutions of its kind in the United States. Mr. Price is one of four commissioners appointed by the county com- missioners to build the first improved roads in the county. He has for many years been connected with the agricultural fair of the county and is now its president. Fraternaly he is a member of the Elks. His portrait ap- pears in connection with this sketch.

AMUEL M. THOMPSON, a promi- nent member of the bar at Youngs- town, was born June 28, 1861, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he was also reared. He com- pleted his literary education at the Fayette Normal School, and in 1891 was graduated

in law at the Cincinnati Law School. Mr. Thompson then came to Youngstown, which city has been his home ever since. He has become known professionally all over Ma- honing County, and has been successfully connected with many important cases of liti- gation. His offices are located in the Ma- loney Block.

In October, 1894, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Blanche Thomson, of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and they have three children, Kenneth L., Wayne C. and Florence Jane. Mr. Thompson is a dea- con in the Haselton Baptist Church and is also a member of the board of trustees. He is identified with a number of the successful business enterprises of Youngstown, and is a director in the W. H. Parmer Land Company, in the Home Savings and Loan Company, and in the C. O. Mayberry Company. His fra- ternal associations are with the United Work- men and the Protected Home Circle.

HARLES C. KNOX, the very effi- cient building inspector at Youngs- town, Ohio, was born in this city in 1871, and is a son of Clark Knox, a retired resident of Youngstown, who was connected with the iron works of Brown & Bonnell for many years.

Charles C. Knox was educated in the com- mon and the Rayen High Schools and then took a course in the Youngstown Business Col- lege, where he was graduated with an excel- lent commercial education. He immediately accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Tel- egram Company, and after two years went to the E. M. McGillen Company in the same capacity, where he remained three years, go- ing from there to J. B. McNall and then engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Knox & McNall. After four years of business, Mr. Knox withdrew and entered into real estate dealing and general contract- ing, a business in which he is still interested. He has large realty dealings and has built during the last 10 years some 75 or 80 houses

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on tracts of land which he has bought. Mr. Knox is a director in the Home Savings and Loan Company, and is a stockholder in other enterprises. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. For the past three years he has been city building inspector, and the effi- ciency of his work can not be questioned.

In 1899 Mr. Knox was married to Susie Fellows, formerly a popular teacher in the public schools, who is a daughter of the late John Fellows, who was connected with the Brown-Bonnell Iron Company for years.

Fraternally Mr. Knox is an Odd Fellow, an Elk, a Chapter Mason and a member of the National Union.

R OBERT W. DICKSON, a prominent and popular citizen of Ellsworth township, residing on the farm on which he was born, March 29, 1849, owns 180 acres of fine land, which is separated into two farms. He is a son of William and Margaret (Redmond) Dickson.

William Dickson was born in County Down. Ireland, and was a son of Alexander Dickson, and died in Ellsworth township, Ma- honing County, Ohio, in May, 1858, aged 54 years. In Drumadonald. Ireland. on Tues- day, August 3, 1835, William Dickson was married to Margaret Redmond, by Rev. George Legatt. She was a daughter of Alex- ander and Jane Redmond and was born in Ireland and died in Ellsworth township, Wednesday, July 20, 1892, aged 75 years. The Redmonds came to America and settled in New Jersey, where Alexander Redmond died in advanced years. The Redmond chil- dren were: James, William, Robert, Samuel, Jane, Ellen and Margaret, the two survivors being Jane and William, both of whom reside in New Jersey.

On April 21, 1840, William Dickson, ac- companied by his wife and two sons, James and Alexander, with his two brothers, James and John, left County Down, Ireland, for America, taking passage on Sunday evening,

April 28, 1840, at Liverpool, on the vessel Franconia, bound for New York. They ar- rived in that city June 10, 1840, and John and James Dickson came on to Canfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, where James lived until his death. John located in Ellsworth township near the place on which Robert W. resides, prior to the Civil War, where he died in 1903, in his 95th year, his brother James having reached his 94th year.

William Dickson remained with his fam- ily, in New Jersey, until May 25, 1841, when they started for Ohio, by way of the Hudson River, the Erie Canal and Lake Erie, to Cleve- land, from which city they reached Canfield township, September 10, 1841. They came to the Hill, as the present farm was called, and William Dickson soon purchased the prop- erty of Henry Fitch, paying $1,350. They reared a large family and continued to reside on this farm until the end of their lives. They were people of local prominence, thrifty, in- dustrious and worthy in every way, proving kind neighbors and faithful friends. They were the parents of children, as follows: Alex- ander, who died in February, 1858, when 20 years of age, unmarried ; James M., residing at Youngstown, where he is principal of the Elm street school, having been a teacher for more than 30 years, married Dorothy Gib- son; Anna J., who married J. B. Jordan, re- siding at Youngstown, a leading educator of Mahoning County; Ellen, residing in Berlin township, is the widow of B. Frank Kirk- bride: Lizzie M., residing with her brother, Robert W .; Margaret L .. born September 3, 1852, who was married June 26, 1890, to James A. Forsythe, residing near Moravia, Pennsylvania, has one son: Ada R., born Jan- uary 4, 1855, who was married December 15, 1892, to W. T. Anderson, residing at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania: William Alexander Scott, born June 7, 1858, was married at Rich- mond, Indiana, February 9, 1888, to May A. Dickson, and they reside at Richmond, where Mr. Dickson is in the hardware business; two children who died in infancy.

Robert W. Dickson was but eight years old when he lost his father. He attended the

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district schools in boyhood and enjoyed two terms at the Canfield Union School. In 1869 he began teaching and followed this profes- sion for 25 years in Mahoning County, half of the period in his home district. After many years of enjoyable and successful work, Mr. Dickson retired from the educational field and since then has devoted his attention to agri- cultural pursuits. The Dickson family had produced a number of successful teachers. James M. Dickson, mentioned above, is one of the best-known educators in Eastern Ohio. Lizzie M. has devoted a number of years to educational work, having attended many ex- cellent private institutions and stimulated her intellect also by courses of home study.

Robert W. Dickson was married Novem- ber 5, 1882, to Jettie W. Allen, who was born in Ellsworth township and was a daughter of Martin and Lucy Allen, the former of whom was born in Connecticut. Mrs. Dickson died April 30, 1886, leaving one son, Allen R., who was born July 23, 1884. He has been educated in the local schools and the Can- field Normal School.

In 1892 Mr. Dickson purchased the home farm, on which he resides with his son and sister, Lizzie M. He has long been a leader in his township, not only in educational mat- ters, but also in politics. He is serving in his sixth term as justice of the peace and has been the choice of his party for the offices of county commissioner and county treasurer, being de- feated by a very small majority in a county that has several thousand normal adverse ma- jority.

OHN M. WEBB. On a sunny Sabbath morning in the year 1847, a dark haired, slender youth of twenty-one. with sturdy steps wended his way to the corner of our now busy Federal street, where stands the hotel then known as the Mansion House. His name was John M. Webb. All his earthly possessions-a small trunk, a robust constitution, and, for one of his years, a superior talent for journalism. En- tering the hotel, he found the waiting-room

empty. the surroundings lonesome. The trav- eler, weary and depressed, seating himself, the clerk, Mr. Chauncey Andrews, soon entered, his genial countenance and kindly conversa- tion scattering some heavy, unwelcome thoughts beginning to intrude themselves upon the traveler's solitude.

During this conversation young Webb learned from Mr. Andrews many things to his advantage, and after the latter rose to fame and fortune, they retained a warm friendly feeling for each other.

Mr. Webb had made the journey from dis- tant Washington to edit and assume charge of a Democratic newspaper. At times he longed for a view of the tall spires and beautiful domes of the stately capital he had left be- hind, but he found beauty in the hamlet of Youngstown with its few scattered houses slumbering in the beautiful valley, surrounded by its verdure-clad hills. His senior partner, Mr. Ashal Medbury, was intelligent and very congenial, his principles sound, and he the best of advisers. By Mr. Medbury young Webb was introduced to the late Governor Tod, and was greatly fascinated by Mr. Tod's fine personality and his very striking resem- blance to his own favorite hero, Napoleon the Great. He conceived a warm affection for Mr. Tod, and they were friends for many years.

Mr. Webb realized that successful journ- alism demanded unceasing toil, both mental and physical, and with the intrepidity of youth he entered upon his duties. His laborious ef- forts produced a very entertaining weekly journal, by name, The Ohio Republican, its columns containing much matter pertaining to the arts and sciences, and replete with news of current events-and through all there breathed a prophecy of the future greatness of Youngs- town. He received praise and congratulations from all. He continued his labors five years in Youngstown. In 1852 Mr. Medbury, wish- ing to retire from journalism, Mr. Webb pur- chased his interest and removed The Ohio Republican to Canfield, then the county seat of Mahoning County. This removal was not a success financially, but Mr. Webb's abilities

JOHN C. KIRK

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as a Democratic journalist being recognized by the late Dr. Trevitt, then one of the pro- prietors of the Columbus Crisis, he was of- fered a position as editor under much better conditions. He accepted, and for a number of years was managing editor of that paper. Subsequently, realizing that the Crisis was not sufficiently progressive, he advised and persuaded its managers and proprietors to give it up and engage in the publication of an up- to-date and progressive daily, and as a result, in 1871. there arose, phoenix-like, from the ashes of the old Crisis, The Columbus Daily Dispatch.

The editorial staff of this paper was tal- ented and brilliant, and its initial appearance very attractive. The citizens were pleased with it and it received their universal patronage, and is still flourishing. In 1877 Mr. Webb re- turned to Youngstown. His dreams of its fu- ture progress and greatness were then almost realized. His friend Mr. Andrews became the owner and proprietor of the Evening News, and at the latter's request he became a mem- ber of its editorial staff. The publication be- ing neutral, it had, as the Nozes, but a brief existence. A stock company was formed, and the paper, after going through various muta- tions, finally became the Daily Telegram, which now enjoys a flourishing existence.

Mr. Webb and that prince of newspaper financiers, Mr. William F. Maag, then pur- chased the L'indicator, a Democratic weekly, and he devoted his energies, his labors, for its success. Here again he saw the necessity of an interesting daily to meet the demands of a progressive city. Through the combined ef- forts of Mr. Maag and himself, a company was formed which commenced the publication of The Vindicator daily. Mr. Webb continued his labors as editor and lived to see his ef- forts as a founder and journalist realized in its steady increasing popularity and phenomenal success. As a substantial reward for his fidel- ity and toils he received the appointment for Youngstown's postmaster the day of his death. If opportunities had presented themselves Mr. Webb as a newspaper founder would stand without a peer. For him every dark cloud 40

had its silver lining, and he also was a firm believer in the saying, "All things come to. him who toils and waits." On February 21, 1893, still toiling and using his burden for a pillow, he entered that calm, sweet slumber to awake to a more perfect and eternal life.

Mr. Webb was born in Canton, Ohio, Au- gust 1, 1827, son of John N. and Eliza Webb. His father was sheriff of Stark county for a period of eight years and during his life filled several other positions of public trust. His mother was a devout Christian of the Methodist persuasion. He was married in 1849 to Mary Woodruff, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lyman Woodruff, who came to this city from Connecticut. He leaves besides his wife, two daughters-Kate, now Mrs. C. D. Hamil- ton, and Miss Ella, the latter residing at home.

J ℮ OHN C. KIRK, one of the most pros- perous farmers and highly respected citizens of Canfield township, resid- ing on a fine farm of 100 acres, was born May 15, 1828, in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of John and Anna (Chapman) Kirk.

John Kirk, a native of Ireland, was a son of William Kirk, who came to America and located in Knoxville, Jefferson County, Ohio. William married Mary Grcar and reared a family of seven children, namely: John (father of John C.) ; Mary; Peggy ; Michael ; Theopolos; William, and Jane, all of whom are now deceased. William Kirk and his wife both died in Jefferson County, Ohio, at an ad- vanced age. John Kirk came to this country when about 18 years old and first located in Philadelphia for a short time, after which he removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He was married when 19 years old to Ann Chapman, a native of Ohio, after which he moved to near Wellsville, Ohio, where he worked for some time in a furnace. He subsequently removed to Salineville, Columbiana County, where both he and his wife died, her death occurring at the age of 78 years. They had a family of eight children, namely: James, deceased :

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Mary, who married Isaac Pinkerton, both be- ing now deceased; William, deceased; John Chapman, the subject of this sketch ; Michael, deceased: Levina. the widow of Simeon Stranton, resides in Salem, Ohio: Monroe, who served in the army, is deceased : and Lu- cinda, widow of Benjamin Way, resides at Salem, Ohio.

John Chapman Kirk was a mere child when his parents moved to the vicinity of Wellsville, Ohio, and settled near the mouth of Yellow Creek. Here he was reared and at- tended the old Hollow Rock school, though most of his time was devoted to working on different farms in Jefferson and Columbiana counties. When a young man of about 20 years he and his brother operated a coal bank near Salem, Ohio, where they owned 112 acres of land. They were very successful and made considerable money from the coal and subsequently sold the land, after which John came to Mahoning County. During his early life Mr. Kirk dealt extensively in stock, and spent many days in the saddle, driving cattle and horses from the west to Philadelphia. He was engaged in that business for over twenty- five years, being very successful and traveling all over the western part of Ohio and through Indiana on horseback. He was then very fond of riding, and was a large man, weighing 250 pounds, and being six feet one and a half inches tall. In 1861 Mr. Kirk located on his present farm of 100 acres, renting it for the first three years, after which he bought it from his father-in-law, and, with the excep- tion of four years spent in Canfield, has re- sided here ever since. Mr. Kirk and his fam- ily reside in a large ten-room frame house, which he erected in 1877.

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 96

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