USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 22
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Mr. Charles Davidson come into the world over seventy-nine years ago, November 24, 1823, born in the same house where he now makes his home. He has never left his home for any length of time, and since his marriage has devoted himself to the cultivation of his land; he has seventy- eight acres and eighteen acres of timber land, and with his small herd of stock and grain products he has enough to live cosily and comfortably on his place, which is about the center of Boardman township.
On December 21, 1871, Mr. Davidson married Miss Mary Sparrow, a native of Tipperary county, Ireland, born there in 1823 and emigrating to America in 1835, where she landed at New York on the fourth day of July, after six weeks on the ocean. Her parents were George and Mary L. (Burke) Sparrow, and she was the second of ten children, five sons and five daughters. The Sparrow family are descendants from titled nobility, there being a coat of arms still preserved which represents upon an elaborate crest a sparrow, above which is a cat in chains. George Sparrow was the owner of flouring mills in Ireland, but he had met with severe reverses on account of floods, and he came to this country. where he also conducted a mill for awhile. He later went to Canada and ran a broom factory. He died there on January 1, 1863, at the age of seventy-five, but his wife sur- vived for many years and passed away at Boardman Center. November 25, 1887, aged eighty-four. Mrs. Davidson is the oldest of the five living children, and the others are as follows: William Sparrow, in Champion, Trumbull county, Ohio, who is the father of one son and one daughter : James lives in Wyoming and has four sons and a daughter: George is a resident of Crestline, Ohio, and his two daughters are both married; Mar- garet Frances is single and lives at the old home in Boardman Center. No children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, and they are passing the remaining years of their life in quiet enjoyment and peace. Both are members of the Protestant Episcopal church, of which he is vestryman and warden, and as a Republican he has taken part in public affairs by serving as township treasurer and township clerk for ten or twelve years.
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HON. BENJAMIN F. WIRT.
Among the older practitioners of the Youngstown bar none stands higher than the gentleman whose career furnishes the material for this biography. He has been practicing law at the county seat of Mahoning county for nearly thirty years, during which time he has obtained a reputation as a man of abil- ity, capacity for dispatching business promptly, and for his general knowledge of legal processes. But it is not only in the line of his profession that he has achieved distinction. He stands well also as a publicist and legislator, a fact fully attested by his service as a member of the state senate for two terms, and influential connection with the legislative affairs. He comes of an old Pennsylvania family long settled in the state of Ohio. His great- grandfather, Adam Wirt, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, and fought with steadfast loyalty for American independence. His grandfather was Peter Wirt, a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, who came to Ohio about the close of the second decade of the nineteenth century, and identified himself with the farming interests of that section. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812, and was a man much esteemed in his day as a possessor of all the virile virtues. William Wirt, son of the last mentioned, was born at Youngstown in 1826, grew to manhood in his native place, and has there since made his home. He was for many years a contractor and builder, achieving success in that line of business, and served as a representative of his ward in the city council. In 1849 he was married to Eliza J., daughter of Joseph and Mary (Gordon) Sankey, their only child being Benjamin F., the subject of this sketch. The latter's mother, who was a woman of rare social gifts and strength of character, passed peacefully away September 23, 1881.
Benjamin F. Wirt was born at West Middlesex, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1852, but was brought to Youngstown in infancy by his parents, and has ever since resided in that city. There, also, he received his primary education, and was graduated at the Rayen school in the class of 1869. As previously stated, his father was a contractor, and the son entered his office after leaving school, and worked there for one year. His ambition, however, was in another direction, and he entered the office of Hon. L. D. Woodworth for the purpose of studying law. He pursued his studies so diligently as to gain admission to the bar in 1873, after which he formed a partnership with his preceptor which continued for seven years. After dis- solving partnership with Mr. Woodworth in 1880, he continued business alone until 1896, when he united for practice with M. A. Norris. This firm, also, was dissolved in 1900, from which time up to the present Mr. Wirt has been without a partner in the law. In 1889 he was elected to represent the
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twenty-third Ohio district in the state senate and served so satisfactorily as to obtain a re-election in 1901. He proved a useful member of the upper branch of the Ohio legislature, served on important committees and left his impress on the work of the body.
In 1881 Mr. Wirt was united in marriage with Mary, daughter of Dan- iel McGeehen, a well known citizen of New Bedford, Pennsylvania. Mr. Wirt's prominence as a lawyer and political leader has made him well known in eastern Ohio, and he enjoys social relations with the best circles of Youngstown's population. He has for the past twenty-five years taken an active part in the political affairs of Mahoning county and Ohio.
PHILIP R. CALVIN.
Philip R. Calvin, who is now practically living a retired life on his farm in Mahoning county, has spent the greater part of his life in this locality and is a representative of one of its oldest families. When this section of the country was still wild and unimproved, when its forests were uncut, its prairies uncultivated, its streams unbridged, the Calvins came to Ohio, and representatives of the name have since borne an active part in the work which has brought Mahoning county to its present high state of development and progress.
Joshua Calvin, Sr., a native of New Jersey, born September 14, 1742, removed with his family to Virginia. He married Sarah Updyke and they became the parents of seven sons, Benjamin, Robert, Mahlon, Samuel. Luther, David and Joshua. For a number of years the family continued to reside in the Old Dominion, and in 1816 they came to Ohio, hoping to find better business opportunities in this new country, but recently opened up to civilization. Joshua Calvin, Sr., became one of the sturdy pioneers of Mahoning county and took an active part in subduing the wilderness and making the country to bloom and blossom as the rose. He was. an energetic agriculturist and assisted in laying the foundation for the present development of the county, and he also did much for Ohio in giving to her a family of sons who became useful and valued citizens, and whose children are now representative and honored residents of various sections of this state. Joshua Calvin was a man of marked influence, and in his business affairs he prospered, and was at one time the owner of sixteen hundred acres of land.
Of his sons, Samuel and Luther settled in what is now Mahoning county while the others took up their abode in Portage county. Luther Cal- vin was born in Virginia in 1772, and after reaching man's estate married
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Lydia Rose, whose birth occurred in 1770. Like his father, he was a prosperous farmer owning one hundred and sixty acres of land, and his fields returned to him excellent harvests. He was an active, energetic man, looking well to his own interests, yet never taking advantage of the necessi- ties or rights of others. He died November 1, 1841, and his wife passed away in 1857. In their family were seven children: David, Luther, Philip, Joshua, John, Sarah and Mary. All became farming people, were married, and reared families that were of value to the community. All of the chil- dren were born in Virginia, before the emigration of their parents to Ohio.
David Calvin, a son of Luther, was born in 1807, and was therefore about nine years old when his parents came to this state, where he was reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life. His farm of one hundred acres was always kept under a high state of cultivation, and neatness and thrift characterized the place and gave evidence of the supervision of a careful and painstaking owner. He was an honest and honorable man, who did much for the progress of the community, laboring along many lines that contributed to the general good. His political support was given the Re- publican party. He married Lydia Roller, and to them were born seven chil- dren, namely : Mary, who is now deceased; Jacob W., who has also passed away, dying of disease contracted while serving his coun- try as a member of the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Ohio Infantry; Sarah A .; Philip R .; Hannah, deceased; Luther and Elsie J. The father was married a second time, Sarah Morris becoming his wife. The only child of that marriage is now deceased. David Calvin passed away in 1877, and his wife in 1850.
Philip R. Calvin, the son of David, was born on the 8th of June, 1838, on the old family homestead in Mahoning county, and after attending the common schools, he turned his entire attention to farming, which he has followed continuously since. As a companion and helpmate for life's journey he chose Miss Mary Mitchelen, their marriage being celebrated on the 8th of December, 1861, when Mrs. Calvin was in her twenty-first year, her birth having occurred in Green township, Mahoning county, in December, 1840. In 1865 the young couple removed to Hancock county, Ohio, where Mr. Calvin purchased fifty acres of land and later bought eighty acres more. For fourteen years he resided in that county, carrying on agricultural pur- suits, and then returned to Mahoning county, where he became the owner of one hundred acres. His farm now comprises two hundred and seventy acres and is a very valuable and attractive property, well equipped with modern improvements and good buildings. He is engaged in the produc-
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tion of the cereals best adapted to this soil and climate and in the raising of stock of good grades, and both departments of his business return to him a good income. His sons are now largely engaged in the operation of the land, while he is practically living retired, enjoying a well earned rest.
To Mr. and Mrs. Calvin have been born nine children: Anna E., born in October, 1862; Alice C., in 1864; Freeman W., in 1867; Harvey E., in 1870; Henry H., in 1872; Bertha J., in 1875; Melville, in 1877; Oliver D., in 1879; and Carrie B., in 1881. Of these Alice died in 1880 and Melville in 1878. Mr. Calvin and his sons are supporters of the Re- publican party. The family is one of prominence in the community, because of their sterling worth and their active efforts in behalf of the general good and progress. Throughout almost an entire century the family has been connected with this section of the state, and no history of Mahoning county would be complete without mention of them.
JOSEPH G. BUTLER, JR.
Among those who have stood as distinguished types of the world's workers and who have introduced elements of distinct power in the industrial life of the nation is the subject of this review, who is one of the leading citizens of Youngstown, Ohio, and who is identified with enterprises of magnificent scope and importance. The name which he bears has been intimately and most conspicuously linked with the inception and development of the iron industry in America, and in this connection it can not prove other than gratifying to note the precedence which is his in this field of enter- prise,-a field in which were exerted the effective efforts of his ancestors in both the paternal and maternal lines. Any work touching upon the lives and deeds of the representative men of Mahoning county, Ohio, would be incomplete were there failure to make prominent mention of Joseph G. Butler, Jr.
Joseph Green Butler, Jr., is a native son of the old Keystone state of the Union, having been born at Temperance Furnace, Mercer county, Penn- sylvania, on the 21st of December, 1840, and being a son of Joseph Green Butler and Temperance (Orwig) Butler. His father, a man of sterling character but limited means, early instilled in his mind the fundamental principles of an upright life. He was an original Washingtonian in his temperance views and was an uncompromising temperance advocate. In early life he came to Trumbull county, Ohio, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits and also held the office of sheriff. The educational opportunities of his son and namesake were limited, being confined to a somewhat des-
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ultory attendance in the public schools at Niles, Trumbull county, where he was a fellow student of the revered and late lamented President Mckinley, of whom he remained an intimate friend until the deplorable tragedy which robbed the nation of an executive of exalted character and the world of one of its noblest men. Mr. Butler early found it imperative to assume the practical responsibilities of life, and when he was but thirteen years of age we find him working in the old rolling-mill store of James Ward & Company, his father being manager of the enterprise at the time. At the age of sixteen he was transferred to the shipping department of the rolling-mill and two years later his ability and fidelity were rewarded by his advancement to the position of bookkeeper of the concern, in which capacity he served until the attainment of his legal majority, when the entire supervision of the office of the firm was entrusted to him, the con- cern being considered at that time one of wide scope and importance. In 1863 Mr. Butler entered the employ of Hale & Ayer, of Chicago, with the expectation of being transferred to that city. However, this firm owned an interest in the Brown-Bonnell Iron Company, of Youngstown, and here Mr. Butler was sent as their representative. He continued in their employ until 1866, when he entered into partnership with Governor David Tod, William Ward and William Richards, for the purpose of building a blast furnace at Girard, Trumbull county, under the name of the Girard Iron Company and with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, divided into four equal parts. Mr. Butler assumed charge of the financial affairs of the newly organized corporation, and when Governor Tod died, in 1868. the estate disposed of his interest in the enterprise, the same being acquired by A. M. Byers, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, to whom, in 1873, Mr. Butler also sold his interest in the concern. At this time, in harmony with the invitation of John Stambaugh and the sons of Governor Tod, Mr. Butler acquired a large interest in the Brier Hill Iron Company, of which he be- came general manager. The corporation has been very successful in its operations and is to-day in control of one of the most important industrial enterprises in this section of the state, the headquarters being in the city of Youngstown. In addition to his prominent association with this magnifi- cent undertaking, Mr. Butler is interested in what was formerly known as the Ohio Steel Company, having been one of the founders of the same, whose business is now carried forward under the title of the Ohio Works of the National Steel Company, into which great corporation its interests were merged in 1900, Mr. Butler having been vice-president of the original company.
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He is also president of the Bessemer Limestone Company, an adjunct of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, while he is a member of the di- rectorate of the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad Company, the Cleveland & Mahoning Valley Railroad Company and the Mahoning Valley Street Railway system, the last mentioned providing an electric equipment and being pushed forward as an inter-urban system.
As touching the personality of the subject of this sketch another publi- cation has spoken as follows: "Notwithstanding Mr. Butler's prosperity and industry, he is by no means a man of large wealth. His generous nature and open-handed hospitality have in a measure prevented the accumulation of great wealth. His assistance is ever sought by those in need, and all who are acquainted with him know his unvarying kindness, tolerance and generosity to those in affliction or need." A man of genial personality, ab- solutely free from ostentation, he has never hedged himself in from his fellow men through the exigencies of business or through social conven- tionalities, ever honoring true manhood and having a supreme respect for the dignity of honest toil. Thus he has gained uniform esteem and confi- dence and cemented the deepest friendships. In the midst of the thronging cares and exactions of his active business life he has found time to identify himself with various fraternal, civic and social organizations and to derive pleasure through active association with the same. He is a member of the Western Reserve Society of the Sons of the American Revolution; the American Geographical Society of New York; the Union Club of Cleveland; the Duquesne Club of Pittsburg; and the Youngstown Club, in his home city. In politics Mr. Butler has been an influential and uncompromising supporter of the Republican party and has signally aided its cause by the expenditure of time and money, though he has never permitted the con- sideration of his name in connection with political office. He was a delegate from the so-called " Mckinley district " of Ohio to the Republican national convention in Philadelphia in 1900. He was a member of the first city council of Youngstown, in 1868, and twice since that time has consented to thus aid in the administration of the municipal government, ever showing a lively interest in all that concerns the welfare of the city of his home. He was also for many years a valued member of the city board of health.
The Butler family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, and the subject of this sketch is of the fourth generation in America. The original progenitor in the new world was Thomas Butler, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, on the 2d of January, 1740, and who married Ann Dalrymple. As a young man he emigrated to the United States and took up his residence in Pennsyl-
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vania, and in Chester county, that state, occurred the birth of his son Joseph, the date of the latter's nativity being January 7, 1779. There he grew to years of maturity and there was solemnized his marriage to Esther Green (or Greene, as the name has been spelled by various branches of the family). One of their children was Joseph Green Butler, who was born near Bellefonte, Center county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of March, 1814, and who was the honored father of the subject of this review. Joseph Green Butler married Temperance Orwig, whose grandfather was the founder of the town of Orwigsburg. Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, and they be- came the parents of ten children, of whom four are living at the present time.
Mr. Butler's ancestors on the paternal side were among those instru- mental in building up the great commonwealth of Pennsylvania. They aided in the formation of the infant republic and incidentally took part in the different political complications that have arisen since the war of the Revolu- tion. Thomas Butler, Joseph Green and James Miles, great-grandfathers of the subject of this review, were among the pioneer iron manufacturers of the Keystone state, a business that seems to be an inheritance of the Butlers and Greens,-General Nathaniel Greene's father having been one of the first iron-makers of New Jersey; and most of the Butlers, from Thomas down to the present generation, have been concerned in the industry. Al- ways loyal and patriotic, the Butlers have ever been found affiliated with the political parties which have conserved the progress of the nation,-first as Federalists, then as Whigs and afterward as Free-soilers and Republicans.
In the year 1791 Colonel Robert Patton and Colonel Samuel Miles, both of whom had rendered distinguished service in the war of the Revolu- tion, the latter being a brother-in-law of Joseph Green, Sr., built near Belle- fonte, Pennsylvania, a blast furnace, giving to the locality the name of Center Furnace. The Milesburg Iron works, in the Bald Eagle valley, were already in operation, having been established by Joseph Green, Sr., and John and Joseph Miles. Among those interested in the operation of the above mentioned works was Joseph Butler, a son of Thomas Butler, Sr., who married Esther Green, a daughter of Joseph Green, his business partner. He abandoned the iron business for a time, to serve in the war of 1812, and in 1821 he was elected sheriff of Center county on the Whig ticket.
Joseph Butler's son, Joseph G. Butler, while yet a young man had be- come associated with his grandfather, Joseph Green, as manager of the Center Furnace. The high tariff imposed from 1824 to 1828 proved most
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beneficial to the iron trade, but the tinkering with the tariff, inaugurated in 1832 and culminating in the financial crisis of 1837, caused the practical suspension of the iron business until the Whigs came into power, in 1841, instituting a protective tariff that encouraged the industries of the country and ushered in a reign of prosperity which continued until 1846. About 1838 Joseph G. Butler, removed to western Pennsylvania and built a furnace near Mercer, in the county of the same name, giving to the new establish- ment, and thus incidentally to the locality, the name of Temperance Furnace, in honor of his wife, Temperance (Orwig) Butler, to whom specific refer- ence has already been made in this article. Losing his property by fire in 1842, Mr. Butler came to Niles, Ohio, and assumed the management of the mills and store of James Ward & Company, whose enterprise eventually became one of the most prosperous of the sort in the west. Mr. Butler iden- tified himself with the Republican party at the time of its organization, and in 1860 he was elected sheriff of Trumbull county, an office to which he was again chosen in 1862. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, in the year 1895, while his wife passed away in 1899.
Joseph G. Butler, Jr., may well take pride in his ancestry, in both direct and collateral lines. Coming from the ancient house of Ormond, in the agnatic line, we also find that he is connected, as has been shown in pre- ceding paragraphs, with Colonel Samuel Miles, who was a distinguished patriot soldier and officer in the war of the Revolution and who became one of the influential citizens of Philadelphia, of which he served as mayor in 1790. One of his kinsmen, John Miles, was the founder of the Baptist church in America. The Greens were of Quaker stock, while other ancestors of our subject in the direct line were of the Griffith family, whose lineage traces back to Llewellyn Griffith, Marquis of Cardigan.
On the Ioth of January, 1866, Mr. Butler was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Voorhees Ingersoll, a daughter of Lieutenant Jonathan Inger- soll of the United States navy, and a representative of one of the old and prominent families of New England. Mr. and Mrs. Butler have three chil- dren, namely : Blanche, the wife of Edward L. Ford, of Youngstown; Grace, the wife of Arthur McGraw, of Detroit, Michigan ; and Henry A., who was graduated from Harvard University as a member of the class of 1897, and who is now incumbent of a responsible position with the Youngstown Iron, Sheet & Tube Company ; he married Miss Grace Heath. Mr. Ford is manager of the Youngstown Steel Company, and Mr. McGraw is a member of the firm of Parke, Davis & Company of Detroit.
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MARCUS WESTERMAN.
The subject of this sketch, chairman of the board of county commis- sioners of Mahoning county, is a native of Youngstown, was there reared and educated, and his whole life has been spent in and around that thriving Ohio city. When it is mentioned that Mr. Westerman has been elected and re-elected as township trustee, and, later, twice elected county commissioner and has served in both capacities with marked business ability, service which has been acceptable to his constituents, sufficient will have been said to indicate that he enjoys high standing among those who know him best. In fact, he is a good and useful citizen and a man who loses no opportunity to advance every cause which he thinks will lead to the betterment of the community.
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