USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 21
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The grandfather of the Doctor was Samuel McBride, who was born on the old family homestead farm, in Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1786, and his death occurred on the 28th of May, 1827, his vocation having been that of tanner, though he devoted many years of his life to agricultural pursuits. On the 29th of June, 1813, he was united in marriage to Ann Struthers, who was born on the IIth of October, 1776. The original American progenitor of the family was the Doctor's great-grandfather, who likewise bore the name of Samuel McBride, and who was born in county Antrim, Ireland, in 1748, his educational discipline being received in the city of Belfast. He emigrated to America in June, 1772, making the voyage on the sailing vessel Philadelphia, and he located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he turned his attention to teaching school, being a man of talent and excellent education. On the 20th of February, 1776, the year made mem- orable for all time through recording the date of the signing of the Declara- tion of Independence, he was united in marriage to Miss Lydia Reed, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and between the years 1793 and 1796 they located on a tract of six hundred acres of land which he had entered in Mercer county, that state, and which, by a subsequent division, became a portion of Lawrence county; there he continued in agricultural pursuits during the remainder of his long and signally honorable and useful career. He was a ruling elder in what was known as the Seceder church, represent-
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ing the element which seceded from the Presbyterian church of Scotland in the early part of the eighteenth century, and he was one of the prominent members of the church organization at Deer Creek, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Cooper F. McBride, the immediate subject of this review, may well take pride in his ancestral record, which has been one exemplifying strong and noble manhood and womanhood of the highest type, and in this century of magnificent progress and ever accelerating rush for the goal of success, we can not afford to hold in light estimation, and should stop to ponder upon and appreciate, the record of worthy lives and worthy deeds in the generations which have preceded. The Doctor was reared in Butler county, Pennsylvania, receiving his early educational training in the public schools of the town of Butler, which was the family home, and there he continued his studies in the Witherspoon Institute, after which he began the work of pre- paring himself for his chosen vocation. He took up the technical study of medicine in the office and under the able direction of Dr. A. M. Neyman, of Butler, and later matriculated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, in the city of Philadelphia, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1875, securing his degree of Doctor of Medicine in March of that year and being thoroughly fortified for the practical work of his profession. He began the practice of medicine in his home city of But- ler, where he remained until May, 1877, when he removed to Harrisville, in the same county, where he entered into a professional partnership with Dr. J. H. Elrick, with whom he was associated in practice at that place until the autumn of 1879. He then removed to Fairview, that county, which was the scene of his successful endeavors until May, 1882, when he became a resident of Youngstown, Ohio, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He is also prominently identified with business interests, having here opened a drug store in the year 1882 and having ever since successfully continued this enterprise, securing a large and representa- tive support, while his professional work is now to a large extent confined to an office practice. The Doctor is held in the highest esteem in profes- sional circles, holding membership in various medical societies and being recognized as a skilful and recondite physician and surgeon, while in the community in which he has so long retained his residence he is held in the uniform confidence and regard, having a wide circle of appreciative and appre- ciated friends. In politics he gives his support to the principles and policies of the Democratic party, in whose cause he takes a lively interest, though he has never had personal ambition in a political way. He is one of the repre- sentative members of the Westminster Presbyterian church, of which his wife also is a devoted member.
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On the 26th of May, 1876, Dr. McBride was united in marriage to Miss Fannie E. Bovard, daughter of George Bovard, a well known citizen of Manorville, Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, where she was born on the IIth of November, 1856. Dr. and Mrs. McBride are the parents of three children, namely : George Bovard, born August 5, 1877; Frank Fennimore, born September 28, 1889; and Helen Irene, born October 29, 1891. The family is prominent in the best social life of the city, and the attractive home is a center of gracious hospitality.
ELI M. SLAGLE.
Eli M. Slagle, a farmer residing in Green township, was born on sec- tion 14, this township, on the 3rd day of June, 1853. His parents were Jonas and Nancy (Adair) Slagle, and the father was born in Pennsylvania on the IIth of November, 1811, while the mother's birth occurred in Colum- biana county, Ohio, on the IIth of September, 1812. About 1830 Jonas Slagle removed from Pennsylvania to the Buckeye state. He was a miller and followed this pursuit for a number of years. Starting out in life for himself as a poor boy, he worked for small wages for some years and finally received some assistance from his father. This, combined with his own savings, enabled him to purchase a half of section 14, Green township, and with characteristic energy he began the development of a farm from the land which was then in its primitive condition. In later years he sold all of this with the exception of one hundred and sixty acres, and this quarter section he developed into a very fertile tract. He lived a sober, upright, honorable life, and was an industrious man, whose example is in many respects well worthy of emulation. He held membership in the Lutheran church and gave his political support to the Democracy. His death occurred on the 12th of January, 1890, and his wife, surviving him for only a few months, passed away on the 10th of December of the same year. They were married on the 18th of May, 1837, and their union was blessed with the following named: Elizabeth, who was born March 18, 1838; Sarah J., born February 12, 1840; George W., who was born August 25, 1842, and is now deceased; Barbara C., born February 15, 1845: William H., born September 3, 1847; Simon E., born September 30, 1850; Eli M .; Solo- mon R., of Green township; and Samuel, deceased.
Eli M. Slagle was reared and educated in his native township and has always followed agricultural pursuits. Since 1885 he has resided upon his present farm, and his labors have made it a valuable property. He was united in marriage to Miss Ida Inetta Boston, a daughter of William and
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Lydia (Weikart) Boston, the wedding being celebrated on Christmas day of 1884. Her father, William Boston, was born in Washingtonville, Ohio, in 1840, and her mother's birth occurred there in 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Slagle have three interesting children: Grace P., born March 21, 1886; Jeremiah C., born October 4, 1887; and Owen C., born January 8, 1890. Mrs. Slagle's birth occurred in Washingtonville, Columbiana county, Ohio, on the 9th of May, 1865; she is a most estimable lady, and wherever she has gone has made friends. Both Mr. and Mrs. Slagle are members of the Lutheran church, in which he is serving as a trustee. Mr. Slagle feels the importance of keeping in touch with the progress of the times, and he is following advanced methods of farming both in the cultivation of crops and in the raising of stock. His farm comprises one hundred and thirteen acres and will compare favorably with the best in Green township. His fields are well tilled, his buildings are modern, and he keeps the best im- proved machinery in order to facilitate his work. Everything about his place is neat and attractive in appearance and indicates his careful super- vision.
JOHN WESLEY VAN AUKER.
The above named gentleman, at present filling the position of commis- sioner of Mahoning county, has been a life-long resident of Youngstown and vicinity. He is a veteran of the Civil war and made an exceptionally honorable record during the continuance of that tremendous and history- making conflict. Since its termination he has been identified with the growth and development of his native county in such a way as to reflect credit upon him as a citizen and man of affairs. As the name would indicate, the family is of Holland origin, the American brand being founded by Absolom Van Auker, who was born in the Netherlands in 1772, and when a child came to America with his parents, who settled first in Delaware and later in Ohio. Absolom Van Auker's second wife was Ruth Barnes, who became the mother of his four children, of whom the three survivors are: Martha, widow of S. D. Cole, deceased; John W. and Charles W. The father died in 1836, but his wife long survived him, not passing away until 1864.
John Wesley Van Auker, second in age of their living children, was born at Youngstown, Ohio, in 1834, and remained in his native city until fifteen years old. After that age his life was spent on a farm, and most of the subse quent working years of Mr. Van Auker have been devoted to agricultural pur- suits. In his case, as in that of millions of others, the great event of his life and crisis of his career were coincident with the outbreak of the Civil war in the spring of 1861. Mr. Van Auker felt the patriotic impulse, and his
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country's call for help summoned him as one of the earliest volunteers from his part of the state. In June, 1861, less than sixty days after the first awakening guns, he had enlisted in Company B, Nineteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he remained and fought loyally for nearly four years. Though he went in as a private, Mr. Van Auker was soon pro- moted to the rank of corporal, followed by that of second sergeant, and for
1863.
eighteen months he acted as second lieutenant in the Third Battalion of the Engineer Corps. He took part in many of the great historic battles, includ- ing Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, Juka, Stone River, Chickamauga and Mis- sionary Ridge. He was also in the famous campaign from Dalton to Atlanta during the summer of 1864, and participated in the severe engagements at Peach Tree Creek and Jonesboro. He was so severely wounded at Lovejoy Station, Georgia, as to necessitate his transference to a hospital at Atlanta, where he was detained thirty days, followed by a weary detention of four
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weeks in the hospital at Nashville. From the latter place he was trans- ferred to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and after remaining there two weeks, was sent to Camp Denison, Ohio, where he obtained his final discharge in June, 1865.
After the termination of hostilities Mr. Van Auker, with health some- what impaired but a consciousness of duty well performed, returned to his Mahoning county home and resumed his old employment on the farm. These peaceful pursuits were not interrupted by any event of especial importance until 1898, when Mr. Van Auker was elected to the office of county commis- sioner. He discharged his duties so satisfactorily in this important place and exhibited such good judgment in managing public business that in 1900 he was honored and endorsed by a re-election. In 1854 he was united in mar- riage with Sylvia A., daughter of Joseph Jackson, by whom he had seven children, six of these growing to maturity, and five still surviving, as fol- lows : Robert T .; John F .; Charles S .; Anna J., wife of Charles Ellis; and Ida M., wife of Frederick Gough. Mr. Van Auker renews old time recol- lections and the spirit of comradeship by his membership in David Tod Post No. 29, G. A. R. But as a public man and private citizen he enjoys the esteem and good will of his neighbors in Mahoning county. He cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, and since that time he has always been an ardent supporter and an active worker for the principles of the Republican party.
JOHN DURR.
John Durr, one of the successful farmers of Green township, Mahoning county, Ohio, is descended from an old and honorable family, founded in America by George Durr, his grandfather. George Durr, who was a native of Germany, emigrated with his wife and five children to America at a very early day, locating in Maryland near Baltimore. He was a farmer, owning a small property of less than one hundred acres.
In 1804 three of his children, Michael, Elizabeth and Mary, moved to Ohio, purchasing section 7 in Green township, Mahoning county. Michael lived in his wagon for some time, then built a log house. Thoroughly ener- getic, he began clearing off his land, and continued improving it until he had a fine property of two hundred acres. Michael was born in 1766 and in 1815 he married Elizabeth Snider. To this union there were born nine children, namely : George, 1817; Mary, 1819; Jacob, 1820; Magdalene, 1822; John, September 16, 1825; Elizabeth, 1827; Michael, 1831; David, 1833; Josiah, 1835. Of these Mary, Magdalene, Elizabeth and Josiah are deceased. Michael was a member of the Lutheran church. His death occurred in 1849,
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and his wife died in December, 1889, and she was born in Pennsylvania in 1797. Of the two hundred acres owned by Michael in 1804, none now re- mains in the family, although his descendants have large farms adjoining.
John Durr, our subject, has always followed the calling of a farmer and has met with unqualified success in his undertakings. His first purchase of land was made in 1860 and consisted of thirty acres, to which he added fifty acres which he had received as a gift from an aunt. This land was all in a wild state, but by hard work he reduced it to a fine state of cultivation, and now has one of the most valuable farms in the county.
Mr. Durr was twice married, his first wife having been Ellen Reed, whom he married in 1855. To this union there were- born no children, and she died in 1858. The second wife of Mr. Durr was Sarah Fitch, and she died January 26, 1899, having had no children. The Fitch family probably dates back to the Mayflower, and there is definite record of Thomas Fitch of Connecticut receiving a land grant from the British crown in 1665. His son Thomas purchased a large tract later in the same state. A third Thomas was governor of Connecticut from 1754 to 1761, and he was the father of Timothy. Timothy was the father of Thomas, born September 17, 1786, and who married Nancy Carver, born July 1I, 1786, and these children were born to them: Henry, March 22, 1807; Nancy, January 17, 1809; Charles, December 10, 1810; Susan, September 23, 1814; Samuel, July 10, 1820; Sallie E., July 19, 1823. Henry married Rebecca Bowman, and they had the following children: Mrs. Sarah Durr, deceased, born in Ellsworth township, August 25, 1831 ; Cyrus, June 28, 1833 ; Charles C., March 9, 1835 ; Lucy A., May 7, 1837; Elizabeth E., August 6, 1839; Rebecca S., February 3, 1842; Laura A., June 6, 1844; Mary B., November 17, 1846; Henry B., April 19, 1849; Alice B., December 10, 1851; Albert H., December 19, 1854. Mrs. Hattie M. (Fitch) Gordon, the daughter of Mrs. Rebecca S. (Fitch) Case and the niece of John Durr was born August 10, 1878, and is a most estimable lady. Her maternal grandmother was Rebecca Bowman, who became the wife of Henry Fitch. The Bowmans are of German ex- traction, and David Bowman founded the family in Easton, Ohio. David was born in Wuertemberg, and emigrated to America in 1755 with his two children. He located in Philadelphia in 1757. On the voyage over, Philip C. was born, and he afterwards became a soldier in the Revolutionary war, participating in the battles of Monmouth, Germantown and Brandy- wine. After the war he settled in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and in 1806 he removed to what is now Green township, Mahoning county. He married Catherine Fast, and they had twelve children. and one of his sons,
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Christian, was born in 1782 and died in 1852, having been married to Eliza- beth Kreager in 1803; she was born in 1781 and died in 1864. Their family consisted of seven children who became useful citizens of Green township.
John Durr is a consistent member of the Presbyterian church, to which he contributes very liberally. He is a practical farmer, a quiet, peaceable citizen and one who enjoys in the highest degree the confidence of his fellow townsmen. His father was a prominent man, and prominently identi- fied with the making of Mahoning county, helping to lay out many of the roads and clearing up many acres of land.
JONAS M. KNOPP.
Jonas M. Knopp is one of the prosperous young farmers of Green town- ship, where his landed possessions of one hundred and twenty-three acres constitute one of the best farms in the locality. He was born here on the 26th of May, 1856, and is a son of Samuel and Catherine Knopp, the former a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and the latter of Franklin county, that state. In early life they came with their respective parents to Ohio. Samuel Knopp was a son of Jacob and Rebecca Knopp, who were also natives of Pennsylvania, and about 1838 they came to Ohio, settling in Beaver township, Mahoning county. Here the grandfather purchased eighty acres of land. He was a blacksmith by trade, and become blind from the effects of the fire. All who knew him had for him the highest respect for his sterling worth, and both he and his wife lived in harmony with the teachings and principles of the Mennonite church, to which they belonged. Both were advanced in years when they were called to their final rest. In their family were: Kate, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Barbara, Benjamin, Samuel and Jacob.
Samuel Knopp was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1822. After arriving at years of maturity he purchased a small tract of land, and to this he added from time to time as he found it possible to make further payments upon his property. His first purchase, of seventy-three acres, came into his possession in 1849, and he extended the boundary of his farm until it comprised one hundred and twenty-three acres. His life was one of marked industry, supplemented by economy and perseverance. He married Nancy Metzler, and to them was born a son Abraham. For his second wife he chose Catherine Miller, whom he married in 1850, and they became the parents of four children, two of whom are now living: James M. and Susan. The father died in 1860, and his wife, long surviving him, passed away March 28, 1895. She was born in Franklin county, Pennsyl-
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vania, and was a daughter of Tobias and Susan (Lehman) Miller, who were married in 1804 and came from the Keystone state to Ohio in 1827; their children were: Elizabeth, born in 1804; Peter L., born in 1807; Magdelene, born in 1809; Mary, born in 1811; Tobias, Jr., born in 1814; Susan, born in 1816; and Daniel, born in 1818; of this number only Susan is now living.
In his native township Jonas M. Knopp was reared and in the district schools of the neighborhood pursued his education. He is still residing upon the farm on which he first opened his eyes to the light of day, and the occupation which claimed his attention in youth has always been the one which he has followed as a life work. He believes in modern advance- ment and is a practical, energetic agriculturist, whose labors have made his farm a very valuable property. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Sarah E. Hisey and their wedding was celebrated in 1879. The lady was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 6, 1856, and is a daughter of Daniel and Martha Hisey. They have had six children, of whom five are yet living: Annie, who was born September 3, 1880; Martha, who was born March 24, 1883; Lizzie, born October 1, 1885; Mary. born September 23, 1888; and Ezra, who was born August 9, 1891.
Mr. Knopp is a well known and influential citizen of his community and has served as supervisor and school director in his township. Both he and his wife belong to the Mennonite church, and have many friends who esteem them highly for their sterling worth. They occupy a pleasant and attractive home, and Mr. Knopp is regarded as one of the leading farmers of the community, his well tilled fields indicating his careful super- vision, and that the farm is under the management of one who thoroughly understands his business. The fences are kept in good repair, and the lawn will compare favorably with those surrounding the best city property. Everything is neat and attractive in appearance, and Mr. Knopp well deserves to be mentioned among the representative agriculturists of this section of Ohio.
S. W. YODER.
S. W. Yoder, one of the young and enterprising farmers of Green township, Mahoning county, Ohio, owns and operates one of the best farms in this locality, consisting of seventy acres, which he devotes to general farming. Upon this fertile farm are modern buildings, both convenient and commodious, and his entire property shows the effect of good management, thrift and enterprise.
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Mr. Yoder was born in Green township, February 21, 1865, and was reared and educated in his native township, attending school at Greenford. He has always followed farming, and came into possession of his present property in 1885. On February 21, 1888, he was united in marriage with Miss Cora, daughter of John and Catherine Compton, and four children were born to this union, namely: Ida M., deceased; Emma: Oscar and Osta, twins. Mrs. Yoder was born in Columbiana county, July 20, 1868.
The parents of Mr. Yoder were Solomon and Leah (Whisler) Yoder, both of whom were natives of Mahoning county, where the former was born in 1841, and died in 1866 at the age of twenty-five years, and his wife was born in 1845, and died February 26, 1902. S. W. Yoder is the only child of this union, and grew to manhood without the fostering care of the father, who was cut off in his early prime, having been a sober, industrious farmer. Solomon Yoder was the son of Peter K. and Polly (Knopp) Yoder, and they had four children; David, a farmer of Nebraska, is the only one of the family now living. Peter K. Yoder was born in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, November 10, 1813, and removed with his parents to what is now Mahoning county in 1816. He owned two hundred acres of land, was a good farmer and devoted his time to the cultivation of his ground and the advancement of the best interests of his locality. In politics he was a Republican, and in religious faith was a Mennonite. He was the son of John and Anna (Koffman) Yoder, and they had a family as follows : Abram, Samuel, John, Peter, Jacob, Polly, Nancy and Susanna. John Yoder with his family removed from Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, where he and his wife had been born, and located in 1816 in what is now Lewistown, Beaver township. John owned one hundred and twenty-one acres, and he and his sons cleared this property and converted it into a fine farm. When he emigrated, John was accompanied by his brother Peter, and two of Peter's sons are still living, namely: Lewis and Peter. All the members of the Yoder family are good citizens, kind neighbors and promoters of the best interests of the several communities in which they reside.
CHARLES DAVIDSON.
John and Charlotte (Merchant) Davidson were settlers of Connecticut in pre-revolutionary days, and they became the parents of three children; Orlando; Amanda, who became the wife of Horace Burroughs, but died leaving four children; Norman reached the age of eighty-two years, and his grandson is now farming the old place in Mahoning county. The first mentioned of these children, Orlando, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, about 1796, and was one of a small colony of three families who came by
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wagon to eastern Ohio, each household possessing a yoke of oxen and one horse. His father had been a shoemaker in Connecticut, and on arriving in Ohio, in addition to his trade, he and his children began clearing off the woods and making a home in the wilderness. On January 7, 1819, Orlando married Roxcelana Noble, who was born in Connecticut in 1801, the daughter of David and Rachael Noble. The three children reared by these parents were William Davidson, who died in 1884 at the age of sixty-four; Charles : and Annis Davidson, who died at the age of twenty-seven. Mr. Davidson died in 1863, and his wife in 1871.
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