USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 16
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GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
WARREN L. COOK.
At the beginning of the last century Stacy and Lydia Cook, natives of New Jersey, joined the ranks of the pioneers of Ohio and settled in what is now known as Mahoning county. They began their new life in the wilder- ness with cheerful hearts, and bent their energies to provide a good home for their children, who were as follows: Stacy, John, Daniel, Osborn, Jacob, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Pearson.
Many were the hardships which formed part of the daily life of this staunch pioneer family, and Jacob Cook, the granfather of our subject. was often chased by wolves when on his way to call upon the lady who afterwards became his wife. All of the sons became in time large land- owners, and Jacob alone had about seven hundred acres. In personal ap- pearance he was a large man, fine looking, and possessed a kindly, even tempered nature. Being a lover of stock, he dealt extensively in all kinds, especially horses, which he bought in Ohio and drove to eastern markets. In various ways he gained an extensive business experience, and at the time of his demise was very wealthy. His wife, Elizabeth Cook, bore him eleven children, and of them three are now living, namely: Jacob, a resident of Goshen township; Mrs. Charlotte, of Greenford; and Jane Kenrich, of Missouri. Jacob and his wife were members of the Disciples church and were highly respected by all who knew them. Jacob Cook was born in New Jersey, April 23, 1796, and died August 19, 1872, while his wife was born January 22, 1798, and died March 13, 1886.
John C. Cook, their son, was born in Green township, March 30, 1830, where with the exception of two years he lived all his life, and these two years were spent in the same vicinity, as he was then in Beaver township. Like his father, Jacob had dealt extensively in fine horses, but civilization having by this time extended further west, he was able to ship his stock instead of driving it to market. Being a man of broad views and wide experience, his counsel was sought and followed upon many occasions. His real estate amounted to some two hundred acres, upon which he erected excellent buildings and a fine residence, still standing to-day. He was practi- cal in all that he did, and reaped the benefit of his good management and thrift. Although unable to leave his many business cares, during the Civil war he paid a man a large sum to take his place, and gave liberally of his means to support the Union cause. From the organization of the Republican party, he ardently supported its candidates. While not a member of any church, he contributed toward the support of many, and always relieved want and suffering, his charities being large and numerous.
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In 1856 John C. Cook was united in marriage with Miss Caroline, daughter of Michael and Margaret Keck, and the following children were born to them: Alice (Mrs. Templin), January 15, 1858; Semilda K. (Mrs. Paulin), August 5, 1859; and Warren L., May 19, 1861. Mrs. Cook was born March 31, 1839, Mr. Cook died in 1897. Michael Keck, Sr., was a native of Holland and came to America at an early day. He married Catherine Kern, by whom he had six children, all of whom grew to maturity. Michael Keck, Jr. was born in Pennsylvania and was twice married, first to Miss Margaret Hummon, who was born in Ohio; she bore him nine children. By his second marriage he had two children, and of these eleven children, two only are now living, one of each marriage. Mr. Keck owned a section of land in Beaver township, and became a wealthy man and one of con- siderable influence. During his life he built a large and comfortable house of bricks that he himself manufactured. The Kecks were divided in their politics, some being Democrats and other Republicans, but they were all members of the Methodist church.
Warren L. Cook was reared and educated in Green township and finished his scholastic course in Canfield Academy. He is a practical farmer, as were his father and grandfather, and he is meeting with success both in his farming and stockraising. He makes a specialty of horses. He resides upon the farm owned by his father, and the younger man is maintaining the high standard set by his progenitors in the cultivation of their acres and caring for their premises and buildings.
In 1883 Mr. Cook was married to Miss Etta E. Knauf, born in Green township, June 29, 1862, a daughter of John and Amelia A. Knauf. Four children have been born to this union, Grace T., May 15, 1885; Omar A., January 29, 1889; Nora A., March 20, 1892; and Stacy E., November 22, 1895. Mr. and Mrs. Cook are consistent members of the United Evangelical church of Calla, and are important factors in the social life of their town- ship.
FRED B. REBMAN.
It gives us great pleasure to insert a short sketch of Dr. Rebman which recently appeared in a prominent publication : "Dr. Fred B. Rebman, eye specialist and optician. Individuality is a far more decisive force in profes- sional life than in the fields of mercantile endeavor. It is true that firms and persons forge to the front in trade and industrial endeavors through un- usual energy and the capacity to embrace opportunities, but such prominence in most instances merely reflects the power to earn money, while the suc-
Fred. B. Rehuan
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cessful professional man represents individual talent and rare skill in his chosen branch of science.
"As an eye specialist and optician, Frederick B. Rebman, 23 North Phelps street, Youngstown, occupies an honored position in his profession in northeastern Ohio, and his success has been such as to attract a steadily enlarging patronage drawn from a wide area of territory. Mr. Rebman has been in business on his own account for the past twelve years and has met with a most encouraging degree of success. He has met the requirements of the most exacting oculists with rare proficiency and is the preferred op- tician of many."
Dr. Rebman was born at Danville, Pennsylvania, in 1871, and after two summers had passed over his head. removed with his parents to Phil- adelphia, in which place he was reared and educated, graduating from the public schools in the year 1885. Afterward becoming much interested in optical studies, he entered the Queen Optical School, from which he gradu- ated in 1890. He then traveled through Pennsylvania for a period of from five to six years and in 1896 permanently located in Youngstown, Ohio. In 1895 he was married in that place, to Miss Anna Harris, the daughter of John Harris. His father, John Rebman, was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1845 and came to America with his parents when a lad of thirteen, locating in Philadelphia, where he died in 1900. The mother of Dr. Rebman was Amy Sechler, and he was one of five children born to her, of whom three now survive: Fred B., Samuel C. and Harry J. Rebman. Dr. Rebman's paternal grandfather was a native of Germany, where he spent his whole life.
The Doctor is a prominent member of St. John's Commandery No. 20, K. T., of the Elks, Knights of Pythias and Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, in all of which societies he is accounted one of the most genial and enthusiastic members. Though not a member of any religious denomination, he attends the Episcopal church and gives it his hearty support. He has risen to a position of great prominence as an eye specialist and has met with extraordinary success in treating persons who have long been afflicted with eye troubles.
JAMES E. DUNCAN.
This gentleman is a representative farmer of Poland township, Mahoning county, Ohio, and three generations of the Duncans are connected with the life of this part of the state. Grandfather James Duncan was born in Scot- land or Ireland, but removed to this country and died at Northeast, Erie county, Pennsylvania, when ninety years old. He was a prosperous farmer,
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and reared all his ten children, six sons and four daughters, all but one marrying and having families. He had a son who was also named James, and who was born in Northeast, Pennsylvania, in 1801. In the early thirties he made his initial purchase of sixty-five acres and later bought seventy-five acres. He and his father entered into a contract to construct a mile of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal near Lowellville, Mahoning county, and after they had completed this undertaking he began in a small way as a merchant, the firm being H. and J. Duncan. He married Miss Rebecca Shepherd, who was born in this township and died March 13, 1887. James E. was the oldest of their five children; the second in order of birth was Elizabeth. who was born March 15, 1840, and died October 18, 1875; William died in Poland in October, 1898; Henry S. is in the iron business in Pittsburg as a member of the Canonsburg Iron Company and is unmarried; Nancy M. lives in Pittsburg.
James E. Duncan, the third of the name in three successive generations, was born in Poland township, October 6, 1837, and was reared on the farm which his father had purchased in the early half of the century. He began at the age of nineteen to clerk in his father's store, which he continued for ten years. For two years he was in the hardware and tin business in Lowellville, but with this exception he has been engaged in farming on the home place up to the present time. He does a general farming business, but makes a specialty of selling milk from his eleven thorough-bred Jerseys. He owns his share of his father's estate, but it has never been divided, and the old frame house on the place was erected before his father came, but the modern two-story dwelling was built by him in 1879.
In April, 1870, Mr. Duncan was married to Mary S. Brownlee, who was born in Struthers, and bore him three children: James Alexander is unmar- ried and a farmer in this township; George Brownlee is at home; Catherine Rebecca, who has had an excellant education, is a teacher in Toledo and re- sides there with her aunt. The mother of these children died December 14, 1888, and the father and his son live alone on the place. He is a Democrat in politics and is an exemplary citizen in every sense of the word.
GEORGE A. BAKER.
We introduce this review with a clipping from a publication of prominence recently appearing in Youngstown: "The power of one man to make or unmake a city is nowhere more pronounced then in the career of a hotel- keeper, particularly if his patronage is largely derived from commercial men. It is an indisputable truth that a man measures the attractions of a
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city by the manner in which he is entertained. The town may lack attract- iveness in its physical features, and even trade may languish, but the com- bined effect of these two conditions is as nothing compared with unsatis- factory hotel accommodations. Youngstown's trade accommodations at present are such as to satisfy almost every commercial traveler whose operations are along legitimate lines, and so long as George A. Baker remains at the head of the Tod House, the traveler will find at his disposal as good hotel accommodations as can be had anywhere in the country. The Tod House has been one of the features of Youngstown for more than a quarter of a century. The property has been gradually enlarged to meet the demands of a growing patronage, and further improvements are under contemplation at present. * It is proper to state that the prominence and popular- ity of this house dates from the time George A. Baker took hold of it in 1885. He came here with a valuable and extended personal acquaintance and from the day he took charge until the present he has given close personal supervision to all its affairs, and this has been no small element in contribut- ing toward the success of the house."
Mr. Baker was born in Marion, Ohio, in the year 1848 and removed in infancy with his parents to Delaware, Ohio, where he passed his early boy- hood days until he had arrived at the age of sixteen, meanwhile attending school and receiving a very fair education. He then went to Corry, Penn- sylvania, where he worked for three years as a messenger boy for the Western Union Telegraph Company. Leaving this employment he accepted a position at Concord, Pennsylvania, as ticket agent for the Atlantic & Great Western Railway, in which capacity he served for about a year, returning to Corry, Pennsylvania, as night operator at a salary of sixty dollars a month. After a short term of service here he was promoted and his salary raised to seventy- five dollars a month, and he was transferred to Tidioute, Pennsylvania. Leaving this position again, he went to Columbia, Pennsylvania, where he obtained the position of freight and ticket agent for the Oil Creek Railroad, his salary being advanced to one hundred dollars a month. In this position he rendered able services for about three years, in recognition of which the same road transferred him to Mayville, New York, as agent at that place. This road was then known as the Buffalo, Corry & Pittsburg Railroad. Find- ing the duties of this position in conformity to his desire and its salary a fair compensation, he continued in this position for eight years, being again re- moved by the same road and made freight agent at Buffalo, New York, a much more responsible position, and here he remained two years.
In 1883, the company having a vacancy as general freight agent of the
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whole system, cast about among their employes to ascertain who was the most competent to fill the position, and by consent of all Mr. Baker was selected for the position, which he filled to the complete satisfaction of the railroad until 1885, when he resigned to accept the position which he has since occupied as manager of the Tod House in Youngstown. In 1876, in Buffalo, he was joined in marriage to Julia Brewster Hurlbert, and to them were born four children. Horace Fords, George A., Jr., Marie E. and Crawford H., all of whom are now living and reflect much credit upon their parents.
The father of Mr. Baker was Horace Walker Baker, who claimed Ver- mont as the place of his nativity, being born there in 1818. He married Eliza- beth Thomas in 1842, and by her had four sons, of whom three died in infancy, leaving the subject of this narrative as the only survivor. His father went to California at the time of the gold excitement in 1849, and died within a year in that state. The mother married, in 1855, Andrew J. Crawford, and four children, only two of whom survived, were born to them. The mother died in 1893. His grandfather was born in Vermont.
In recognition of his ability, in 1890 Governor Foraker appointed Mr. Baker a member of the board of elections of Mahoning county, in which position he rendered efficient and satisfactory services. He is a member of Hillman Lodge, F. & A. M., Youngstown Chapter, St. John's Commandery, No. 20, Alkoran Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, and a Scottish Rite Mason of Cleveland.
The exceedingly varied life of Mr. Baker in the world of railroading neces- sarily has given him a wide experience, and his residence in so many towns and cities has taught him the objections and difficulties encountered in hotels throughout the country. This schooling he has well profited by in his man- agement of the Tod House, and the common drawbacks and unpleasantnesses of hotel life are wholly wanting here. Personally Mr. Baker is well liked and has hosts of friends among the public. He was president of the Ohio State Hotel Association for the year 1901, and is now a member of the executive committee of that association.
FRANK G. McCONNELL.
Travel is the best educator, and the youth who is fortunate enough to gain his education and the earlier experiences of his life in a variety of locations and among people of diverse occupations, training and customs, is indeed fortunate. This great country of ours, with its innumerable towns and cities, while constituting a homogeneous whole, yet exhibits a great
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variety both of men and of conditions. Mr. McConnell profited by his sojourn in the south and by the many lessons learned in early manhood in the various places and occupations where circumstances led him. In the year 1861, in Youngstown, he began life's journey and four years later accompanied his parents to Chattanooga, Tennessee, in which place he spent the following fourteen years of his life in going to school, and in the usual aimless pursuits of youth. At this age his father died, and his mother then took him back to her home in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he lived upon the farm for about five years, attending school and assisting in the farm work.
At the age of seventeen he was well advanced and was given a position as teacher, where he continued during one fall term and the winters of the three years following. Seeking a wider field of action and opportunity affording, he joined a corps of railway contractors engaged in work through- out the states of Mississippi and Arkansas. He continued about three years in the commissary department of the work. Then upon the death of his mother he returned to Ohio and in 1878 located in Youngstown, where in that year he was married to Jennie Hillman. He at once opened a retail grocery and carried on the business successfully until 1892, when he sold out at a good figure in order to accept a position as city commissioner. This he held for about two years and a half, during which time all of the duties of his office were discharged with dispatch and ability. In 1895 he was selected as the best man who could be obtained to assume the position of special agent of the Central Union Telephone Company, and after three years' service was given the position as manager of that company, which position he still holds to the satisfaction of all.
Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McConnell, Maude, Charles D. and Florence. John C. McConnell, father of Frank G., claims Londonderry, Ireland, as the place of his nativity, being born there in 1831 and coming to America with his widowed mother in 1835, locating at Clarion, Pennsyl- vania. He died in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 1875 and was eminently successful in his business as a general contractor. While at Youngstown, in 1861 he enlisted in the army as a private in Company B, Nineteenth Ohio, where he served until the close of the war, being promoted for bravery to the rank of second lieutenant. During his service he contracted consumption. of which he afterward died. The mother of Mr. McConnell of this review was Mary E. Kimmel, a daughter of Isaac Kimmel, and to her were born three children beside our subject, as follows: Frank G., Mattie E., Lemuel C. and Catherine A. She died in the year 1884.
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Mr. McConnell is an ardent advocate of Democracy, its principles and candidates, and in times past has been of great service to the party. He belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Knights of Pythias, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in all of which he is esteemed as one of the most popular and active members, and he is also a member of the Presbyterian church, in which he has accomplished much good.
ISAIAH PAULIN.
Isaiah Paulin, a farmer of Green township, Mahoning county, owning and operating eighty acres of land, of which forty acres lie in Beaver township, was born in the latter township on the 11th of May, 1849. He comes of English stock. His paternal grandfather, Jacob Paulin, was a native of England, and after coming to the new world married Miss Ann M. Starry, who was born in Maryland. They were people of the highest respectability and were greatly esteemed by all who knew them.
Jonas Paulin, the father of Isaiah, was born in Beaver township, Mahon- ing county, February 17, 1817, and was a practical and prosperous farmer. He became the owner of about one hundred and seventy-two acres of land, which he placed under a high state of cultivation, and in addition to its im- provement he engaged in the operation of a sawmill. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Hannah Candel, who was born in Beaver township, in November, 1826. Both were members of the Evangel- ical church, in which Mr. Paulin served as an officer, and he donated to the denomination the ground upon which the house of worship now stands. His political support was given to the men and measures of the Republican party. To him and his wife were born nine children, seven of whom are living : Jeremiah, Emanuel, Isaiah, George H., Anna M., Sarah A. and Alice; those deceased are Susannah and Keturah. The father passed away in 1881 and the mother's death occurred in 1899.
Isaiah Paulin spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, working in the fields through the summer months and when not engaged with the duties of the schoolroom. When he was three years of age his parents removed from Beaver to Green township. After arriving at years of maturity he operated and owned a farm in Beaver township for several years. The first real estate which he ever purchased lay in the same township and be- came his property in 1883. In 1900 he purchased twelve acres more, and in 1903 thirty more were purchased, the last two tracts being situated in " Green township, where he makes his home. Here he devotes his attention
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to general farming and stock-raising, and has a good farm, the fields being well tilled, while substantial improvements have been added to the place.
Mr. Paulin was united in marriage to Miss Lydia A., the daughter of Levi and Lydia Toot, in 1873. Three children were born to them: Harvey O., who was born November 29, 1873; John D., born May 31, 1879; and one that died in infancy. Mrs. Paulin's birth occurred in Green township, December 3, 1850. Both Mr. Paulin and his wife are well known in this locality, where their many excellent traits of character find recognition in the high regard which is uniformly given them.
JOHN EWING.
John Ewing, one of the enterprising and successful farmers of Mahoning county, Ohio, and a man who commands the confidence of all who know him, descends from one Archibald Ewing, a native of Ireland but of Scotch parentage. Archibald, with one brother John, two sisters and their mother, emigrated to America in 1792, landing at Wilmington, Delaware, September 5. They first located in Center county, Pennsylvania, but in 1803 they re- moved to Austintown township, Mahoning county, where they entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. In addition to this, Archibald entered one hundred and sixty more. He married Sarah Pauley, who bore him seven children, five of whom grew to maturity: Alexander ; John, who died when about thirteen; Thomas; Archibald; William; Ann and John. By calling, the father of this family was a farmer, and showed ability in the management of his property and gave his children what op- portunity he could to secure liberal educations. His death occurred in 1842, while his wife died in 1853. The sons all settled in the township in which they were born, forming quite a community.
Of the sons born to Archibald, Alexander became the father of our sub- ject; he was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, in 1798, and was also a farmer. While his life was uneventful, he was a good and charitable man, universally beloved. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Fenster- macker, who was also American born, but of German parentage. The family born to these two consisted of six children, namely: William, deceased, Mary, deceased, Thomas, John, Archibald, Ameliann. Alexander became a man of some prominence in the township, and successfully conducted a farm of about three hundred and twenty acres. His death occurred in 1871, and ten years later his wife passed away.
John Ewing, the son of these parents, was born on the farm he now owns, July 28, 1827. This farm consists of one hundred and ten acres of fertile
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land, which is underlaid with veins of coal, each twenty-four inches thick, and laid eight feet apart. Owing to the richness of his land in coal deposit, Mr. Ewing has been extensively engaged in coal mining for over half a century, and also carries on general farming.
In 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Lydia Knauf, and six chil- dren were born of their union, namely: Almedus J., Elmer E., Oran D., John A., Rebecca A. and Charles A. Mrs. Ewing was born in 1841 and is a charming lady, beloved by a wide circle of friends. Mr. Ewing is a progressive farmer and business man, who believes in having all improve- ments in his work. His pleasant home was built under his personal super- vision, and is a model of convenience and comfort. The entire premises indicate that a man of excellent judgment and good executive ability is at the head of affairs, and he is justly regarded as a representative of the best agricultural interests of Mahoning county.
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