USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 18
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In 1880 Mr. Brenner was married to Rebecca M., daughter of Captain John Bayer of Youngstown, Ohio, and has had ten children, of whom the seven survivors are: Emma Wilhelmina, wife of Wade Christie; Carl L .; Thurman S .; Kate; Conrad F., Jr. ; Earl William ; and Fritz. Mr. Brenner's religious affiliations are with the Lutheran church, and he is a member of the Odd Fellows, Elks, Improved Order Knights of Pythias and Tribe of Ben Hur. None stand higher than he in the local business or political circles and none can claim a larger number of sincere and devoted friends.
GEORGE H. DAVIDSON.
George H. Davidson, one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers of Mahoning county, was born in the house in which he still resides, on the 19th of December, 1871. His paternal great-grandfather, John Davidson, was one of the early pioneers in this locality, his residence here dating back to 1805, and he was the first shoemaker in Boardman township. Upon his arrival here he purchased the farm now owned by the subject of this review and built a log cabin just across the road from the present residence, while
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in 1824, seventy-nine years ago, he erected the present Davidson homestead. John and Charlotte Davidson became the parents of three children, two sons and one daughter, the sons being Orlando and Norman. The last named be- came the grandfather of our subject, and he was born in Washington, Litch- field county, Connecticut, on the 7th of August, 1803, and his death occurred in the old family home in Mahoning county, January 31, 1887. Among his children was Edward Davidson, who was born in the old homestead January 4, 1838, and was married to Martha Patrick, George H. Davidson being the only child born of this union. The mother was called from this earth on the 24th of July, 1887, and on August 3, 1891, her husband joined her in the spirit world.
After his parents' death George H. Davidson became the sole owner of this valuable old farmstead, which consists of one hundred and forty-five acres of fertile and well improved land. He follows diversified farming and also conducts a large dairy, keeping a number of head of high-grade Jersey cattle, the product of this dairy being sent to the Youngstown creamery. His fine large bank-barn was erected in 1902, the structure being forty by fifty-six feet, with an "L" thirty-seven feet, and it is built of the most sub- stantial timber, and the other buildings which adorn this old homestead are of the most substantial character. Mr. Davidson has prospered in his busi- ness dealings, and today stands among the highly respected and leading agriculturists of the locality.
On the 3rd of May, 1894, Mr. Davidson was united in marriage to Miss Mary Shaffer, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania line, being a daughter of Joseph and Hannah (Warner) Shaf- fer, residents of Poland, where the father is employed as a rural mail carrier. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer lost one son, John J., who died at the age of four years and nine months, and two of their daughters are: Lula, the wife of Fred L. Brainard, of Canfield, Ohio, and Pamilla, a student in the Poland high school. Mrs. Davidson also received her education in that institution of learning, and for one term prior to her marriage was a successful teacher. The union of our subject and wife has been blessed with two bright little sons, Joseph Edward, who was born May 29, 1900; and Herbert Livingston, whose birth occurred on the 2nd of May, 1902. Mrs. Davidson is a member of the Poland Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Davidson gives his political support to the Republican party, and is now serving as the clerk of his town- ship, which office was filled by his father for eighteen years. His life has been one of activity and industry, and his methods have been in keeping with the highest principles of fair dealing and with conscientious regard for the rights of others.
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GENERAL EPHRAIM S. HOLLOWAY.
The gentleman here named, now deceased, was one of Columbiana county's most distinguished sons for a period of six decades. He was a man who left his impress upon society, and whose descendants are also men of fine repute in the different communities of which they are citizens. General Holloway was the son of John and Lydia (Dixon) Holloway, and was born in Fairfield township, July 27, 1833. He was reared to agricultural life, and pursued that calling until 1857. He received but a limited education, but his lack of proper educational advantages was compensated in part by a resoluteness of purpose. From 1857 to 1861 he followed the carpenter and joiner business.
He was most distinguished in the event which now occurred in his life, and upon which he entered with all the enthusiasm born of sympathy for a down-trodden race. In October, 1861, he enlisted as a private soldier in Company F, Forty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and upon the organization of the company was elected first lieutenant. He had hardly entered upon his duties when he was promoted to the captaincy of the company, a posi- tion which he retained until the campaign of 1864, when he was advanced to the command of the regiment. During four and a quarter years of ser- vice he was almost constantly on duty, participating in the following engage- ments : Shiloh, siege of Corinth, Perryville, Stone River, Woodbury, Chicka- mauga, Browns Ferry, Bald Knob, Missionary Ridge, Rocky Face Ridge; then followed the Atlanta campaign, in which he participated in most of the hard-fought battles, and returned in pursuit of Hood to Tennessee, where he was at the bloody battles of Franklin and Nashville. On the 28th of July, 1864, his brigade commander, General Hazen, selected him to lead an assault on a strongly posted line of the enemy, the feat having failed the day previous. General Holloway with one hundred and fifty-six men dashed across an open field, through the marsh and into the enemy's line, capturing twenty-eight prisoners with a loss of but two men. General Holloway's official record is as follows: Commission first lieutenant, October 10, 1861 ; captain, September 8, 1862; major, November 26, 1864; lieutenant colonel, March 18, 1865; colonel, May 31, 1865. On retirement from the service he was breveted brigadier general of volunteers. In endorsing the recommen- dation for this brevet, General Stanley said : "As commander of the Fourth Army Corps I have for the last year and a half known Colonel Holloway. I fully concur with the recommendation of General Beatty, and commend him to the government as a gallant, energetic and meritorious officer." General Holloway was an exceedingly popular officer with his men, the officers of
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his regiment upon separation presenting him with an engrossed testimonial, very warmly tendering him "the homage of grateful hearts and wishing him prosperity, happiness and honor in the future." The enlisted men of his regiment testified their love for him by presenting him with a solid silver set costing one hundred and fifty dollars, as a testimonial of tlieir regard for him as their commanding officer.
On returning home General Holloway resumed the carpenter trade, which he followed for three years, and then accepted an appointment as superintendent of the Enterprise Agricultural Works, which he held for the following five years. In 1871 he purchased a half interest in the Inde- pendent Register office, and in addition to his duties as superintendent, took editorial charge of the paper. In 1872 he became sole owner of the paper, associating with himself two of his sons under the firm name of E. S. Hol- loway & Sons. In political faith he was a Republican, and was active and influential. In 1873 he was elected to the state legislature, and re-elected in 1875. Of his career in the general assembly it was said "that he was not only a faithful but a most conscientious member in that body, and was admitted to be one of the most useful and able men of the sixty-first and the sixty-second general assembly."
In April, 1887, he was admitted to the bar, and for the remainder of his lifetime was one of the leading lawyers of his section. On the 29th day of April, 1852, he married Miss Margaret Windel, of Fairfield township. Five children were born, as follows: John W. Holloway, now a mail clerk on the Lake Shore Railroad, born in 1853 in Columbiana; upon arriving at maturity he engaged with his father on the newspaper spoken of above; in 1881 he became a mail agent for the government, in which service he has since been engaged; he married in New Waterford Miss Christiana H. Campbell, daughter of Rev. William B. Campbell, minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. The second child was Orlando T. Holloway, now super- intendent of the Fifth Division of the railway mail service, headquarters at Cincinnati. Theron A., the third son, died in boyhood. Owen B. is as- sistant financial manager of the American Cereal Company of Chicago. Carrie G. is Mrs. M. E. Nolan, of Leetsdale, Pennsylvania. General Hol- loway died in the year 1895.
Touching briefly now upon the early family history of the Holloways, the father of General Holloway was named John, and was born near Lisbon, Ohio, in 1806. He died in 1874. His father was Ephraim, a native of the Old Dominion state, Fauquier county. He emigrated to Ohio in 1801, and settled in Salem township, where he died in 1848. On the Dixon side of the
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family the great-grandfather of General Holloway was Joshua Dixon, who emigrated from Redbank, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and settled on Section 4, Fairfield township. His son, John Dixon, married Hannah Beal, and was a prominent citizen of Columbiana, having held the position of postmaster in 1811. The family of which General Holloway was an immediate member consisted of eleven children. There were two sets of these, the mother of the first being Lydia Dixon, the names of her children being: Leonard D., deceased; General E. S. Holloway; Lucina; Eliza Ann; John D .; Lydia Ann. The second wife's name was Rebecca Secrist; this lady is still living at the advanced age of eighty-nine years, and is the mother of Susana, Lott, Amanda, George W. and Park H., Such is the record of an honorable and influential family of Columbiana county, and it has left its impress for good upon the society of northeastern Ohio.
ENSIGN N. BROWN.
Ensign N. Brown, though a native of Ohio, received from infancy the advantages of a life and education in New York city. Here he grew up amid the commercial strife of the business capital of the United States, and here he obtained the experience in its complex machinery which in later years helped so much to give him breadth of vision and professional skill.
Born of distinguished ancestry, which for generations removed dis- closes a continuous chain of men of more than common bravery and attain- ments, he was equipped by nature with the qualities necessary to a success- ful career as an attorney. It was at Canfield, Ohio, on the 9th of Decem- ber, 1854, that Mr. Brown was born, and within a short time thereafter he was taken to New York, where he was reared until he reached the age of twenty-three, at which time he was united in marriage, on September 17, 1876, to Jeannette Cooper, a daughter of John Cooper, a merchant of New York. About two years later he removed with his family to Canfield, Ohio, at which place he attended to some business of importance for his grand- father, and continued his residence in Canfield until about 1887, when he went to Youngstown, Ohio, at which place he had been practicing law for about ten years previous. He was admitted to the bar in 1880, at Colum- bus, Ohio. Two children, Genevieve N. and Bessie H., were born to him, and have ever proved a source of gratification and pride to their parents.
He is a Republican, and though not a politician in its common sense, has had the interest of the party deeply at heart and has rendered it many valuable services. He belongs to the Masons, and also to the Episcopal church, in
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both of which he has been prominent and has won many admirers and friends.
Richard Brown, his father, was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1817, and came to America about thirty years later, and was an importer in New York for many years, until 1880, when he retired to Ohio, where he died at Canfield, Ohio, in 1888. It was here that he was married to Thalia Newton in 1853, who was a daughter of Judge Eben Newton, the first judge called to preside over the court of common pleas of Mahoning county. Judge Newton was one of the great men of the west. At one time he was a law partner of Rutherford B. Hayes, president of the United States. In 1852 he filled a seat in Congress, and during his career as an attorney was involved in many cases of great magnitude, in all of which he acquitted himself in a manner which won the admiration of all who knew him.
Mr. Brown was one of twelve children, nine of whom are now living, he being the oldest of all. His mother died in 1889 in Canfield, Ohio. His paternal grandfather was John Brown, who also was born in Derbyshire. England, about 1756. The grandfather was a captain in the English army and served with distinction in the American Revolution, but during his sojourn in the United States he became so interested in our institutions, and so much taken with our great country and its future, that, soon after the cessation of the war, he came back to America with his family, settling in Canfield, Ohio, where he died in 1885, at the advanced and honored age of ninety years.
The subject of this history has combined many of the qualities which have made his forefather successful, and in his varied experience as an attor- ney in the courts of Ohio has made for himself a reputation of which any lawyer might well be proud.
FRANK M. LILLIE.
Mr. Lillie's family is of Connecticut origin, but long connected with Ohio, by reason of early emigration. George Lillie, grandfather of our subject, was born in the old Nutmeg state in 1780 and died about 1868. His son, William A. Lillie, who was born in Connecticut in 1816, came in early manhood to Ohio and spent the remainder of his days in the Buckeye state. He was a minister of the Church of the Disciples and did much pioneer work in the cause of religion among the people of Ohio, being regarded as a pious and deserving man. Aside from his preaching and pastoral duties, he farmed on a small scale for some years. His death occurred in 1887 at Willoughby, Ohio. He married Laura A. Roberts, who bore him six
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children. She died in 1864; she was of Welsh descent, her parents having been born in Wales.
Frank M. Lillie, the youngest child, was born at Bainbridge, Ohio, February 15, 1855, but soon after was taken by his parents to their new residence in Lake county. There he received his training and early educa- tion, his life being that of a farmer boy, and he learned something of value as to agricultural affairs by this early experience. At the age of seventeen he embraced an opportunity to enter Oberlin College, and received much benefit by his attendance at the excellent institution, where he was graduated in the class of 1880. Immediately thereafter Mr. Lillie came to Youngs- town and engaged in civil engineering, in which he exhibited a commendable proficiency. For several years he did work in the line of his profession and in 1893 received the appointment as city engineer, which he has held ever since.
Mr. Lillie was married at Youngstown in 1900 to Miss Mary Whitehead, and their household has been brightened by the birth of one daughter named Laura. Mr. Lillie is not connected with any church, but is a member of the Masonic fraternity and Order of Elks; and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat. During nearly the whole time of his residence in Youngs- town he has been connected either with railroad or municipal engineering.
FRANCIS R. PAULIN.
Francis R. Paulin, of Green township, Mahoning county, Ohio, is one of the young and enterprising farmers of this locality; he was born in Beaver township, Mahoning county, in 1863, and is a son of Azariah and Mary (Ackerman) Paulin. Azariah Paulin was born in Springfield town- ship, this county, and was descended from English and German ancestors. His wife was born in Beaver township, and she is a daughter of parents who were born in Germany. Azariah Paulin is a wealthy farmer of Beaver town- ship, and is well and favorably known in his community.
Mr. Paulin was reared and educated in Beaver township, and during his early business life devoted his attention to coal mining, at which he became an expert. Later he became interested in the manufacture of iron in Youngstown, Ohio, and from that city he removed to his present farm of eighty acres, which he purchased of Rachel Cook in 1894. On this farm he has erected a beautiful home, planted a promising orchard of apple and peach trees, and has made many needed improvements, now owning one of the finest pieces of farming property in the county, and he spares no efforts to add to its value and to the comfort of the house.
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In 1887 Mr. Paulin married Miss Mary A. Rupert, born in Beaver town- ship in 1866, and three sons have been born of this union: Seth, Ralph and Earl, all promising and bright young fellows, who are destined to make their mark in the world. In addition to being recognized as one of the thor- oughly practical and successful farmers of his township, Mr. Paulin is a man who has won the confidence of his neighbors, and his future is a very promising one, to judge by the past. Mrs. Paulin is a consistent member of the Lutheran church, to which denomination Mr. Paulin contributes very generously.
THOMAS PROSSER.
Mahoning county is fortunate in having installed as director of the county infirmary, in Youngstown, an incumbent who is fully alive to the responsibilities devolving upon him and who has administered the affairs of this eleemosynary institution with marked discrimination and ability, giving to the wards of the county, the unfortunates, the best attention pos- sible to accord with the facilities provided and ever aiming to preserve har- mony and due economy in the management of the institution committed to his charge. Such a capable officer is Mr. Prosser, whose course has gained to him uniform endorsement on the part of the local public, and whose kindness and justice of discipline have been such as to secure to him the confidence and good will of those whom misfortune or improvidence have thrown upon the charities of the county.
Mr. Prosser is a native of England, having been born in Herefordshire, on the 19th of December, 1839, a son of Philip Prosser, who was born in the same county in 1769, and who was there united in marriage to Miss Mary Wheel. They removed thence to Monmouthshire, Wales, when the sub- ject of this sketch was a mere boy, and there both passed the remainder of their lives, having been people of energy, industry and sterling character. The father died about 1853, his devoted wife having preceded him into eternal rest by about six months. They left two children, Thomas, the subject of this sketch; and James, who died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1890.
Thomas Prosser was reared in Monmouthshire, Wales, receiving his educational discipline in the schools of that locality, and there he retained his residence until 1879, when he emigrated to America. He located first in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he tarried about three months, and then came to Youngstown, where he secured employment in mill No. 4 of the Brown-Bonnell Company, serving in the capacity of puddler and be- ing thus engaged until 1895, when he was elected to the office of trustee of
Thomas Crosses
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Youngstown township. He gave efficient service and was chosen as his own successor in 1898, being thus incumbent of the office for a period of six years. At the expiration of his second term, in the fall of 1901, he became the candidate of his party for the office of infirmary director, was elected by a gratifying majority and entered upon the discharge of his duties January 6, 1902. His tenure of the office is for a term of three years, and he has al- ready clearly demonstrated his eligibility for the position. He has instituted numerous improvements in the management of the institution, has adopted new methods of discipline as the necessities of the case have demanded or his judgment suggested, and his regime is proving not only creditable to him- self as director but also to the county. Mr. Prosser has ever exercised his franchise in support of the principles and policies of the Republican party from the time of becoming a naturalized citizen of his adopted country, and he has been an active and efficient worker in the party cause for many years. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and fraternally is iden- tified with the Knights of Pythias. He has won a large circle of friends since taking up his residence in Youngstown, and it is a pleasure to note that the infirmary is placed in such capable charge. He is now chairman of the infirmary board.
In 1869, in Monmouthshire, Wales, Mr. Prosser was united in marriage to Miss Jane Hobbs, who was born in that country and who proved to him a devoted companion and helpmeet. She died in Youngstown in 1893, leaving her husband and their four children to mourn the loss of one who had been a loving and devoted wife and mother and one whose gentle womanhood had endeared her to all who came within the sphere of her influence. Of the four children we record that Mary J. is the wife of William Bew; Alice is the wife of Carl Campbell; Thomas married Eva Taylor; and Albert is in Youngstown.
ELMER HIVELY.
Elmer Hively, one of the enterprising young farmers of Green town- ship, Mahoning county, Ohio, resides with his mother on her fine farm, in which he possesses an interest. He was born in Goshen township, Mahon- ing county, in August, 1876, and is the only son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Knauf) Hively. He was reared and educated in his native township, and chose to follow the calling of a farmer.
Jacob Hively was one of the industrious farmers of Green township, whose life was confined to his home circle, although he was always ready to lend assistance to neighbors, and bore his part as a loyal American citizen.
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He was born in Mahoning county, and his demise occurred in 1880, in Green township. His wife, Elizabeth (Knauf) Hively, was born in Ells- worth township, April 7, 1849; she was married to Jacob Toot in 1897. Jacob Toot was born in Green township in 1843, and in his early life learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he worked for fifteen years. Mr. Toot has taken a prominent part in local politics, having served in the office of supervisor for fifteen years. Both he and his wife are consistent members of the Lutheran church, in which body he has served as deacon for a number of years.
Prior to his marriage to Mrs. Toot, Mr. Toot married Mary M. Clay. January 29, 1869, and five children were born of this union, namely : Austie A., Curtis L., Levi O., Lewis M. and Frederick F. Mr. Toot is a son of Levi and Lydia (Baird) Toot, the former of whom was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and the latter in Green township. Levi Toot owned a farm of eighty-five acres, and held the office of trustee of the township for some years with credit. His family consisted of eleven children, namely: John, Solomon, Elizabeth, Jacob, Peter, Levi, Mary (deceased), Sarah, Christine, Anna and Rebecca. The Hively homestead is one of the best farms in Mahoning county, and under the able management of Mr. Hively the returns from the broad acres are excellent.
JOHN JAMES THOMAS, M. D.
During his twenty-one years' connection with the life of Youngstown, Dr. Thomas has achieved high standing as a professional man, besides partici- pating in the religious and business activities of the city. Possessing a popu- lar personality, a courteous address and genial manners, he has had no diffi- culty in making and holding friends, and his example as well as practice have been worthy of the best citizenship of his adopted home. He comes of the best stock of Great Britain, his grandfather, John Thomas, having been a sergeant in the British army and wounded at the battle of Waterloo. The Doctor's father, Rev. John M. Thomas, was born in Glamorganshire, Wales, in 1825, and was married in England in 1850 to Sarah P., daughter of Thomas P. James, a native of that country.
In 1852 they emigrated to the United States, locating first in New York city, where the father was for several years pastor of a Congregational church. His next pastorate was in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he served the Congregational church for a term of years. Later he entered the service of the Methodist denomination in missionary capacity, establishing churches which have since become strong and influential. When the war
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