USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 35
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Louis n. N Donald.
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rectitude of character, and he fully merits the esteem and confidence so freely accorded him. On June 5, 1900, Mr. McDonald was united in marriage to Miss Lottie C. Schwartz, of Redstone, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and a native of West Virginia. To this union has been born one child, Thomas Morrison McDonald, born August 15, 1901.
JOEL SHARP.
It is natural that men should desire to be remembered after death, and to this feeling is doubtless due the stately stones often seen in cemeteries which record the deeds, titles and virtues of the departed. Most monuments, however, though built of brass or the most enduring marble, are little heeded nor long remembered by the rushing throngs of the busy world. The only lasting memorials of men are those constructed during their lifetime, and it is in vain to seek immortality by the post-mortem erection of mausoleums, however stately the structure or costly the design. On the other hand, he who founds a university, establishes a great charity, or develops a permanent industry, is sure of such earthly immortality as is within the reach of men, by having a perpetual reminder before their eyes of the deeds done in the body ; thus, they are remembered favorably long after their mortal remains have mouldered away, and thus future generations are constantly reminded of the benefactors who wrought well for the race and in so doing perpetuated their names to the latest posterity. Our country has seen many men of this class, and none familiar with the facts of his life will deny to the late Joel Sharp the right to have his name enrolled as one worthy to enter this "hall of fame." His claims rest upon his connection with great industrial enter- prises and more especially upon his achievements as one of the founders of the Buckeye Engine Works, whose product is now familiar throughout the world. His whole career was fruitful and productive, but those who loved him in life and revere him in death may safely rest his fame upon the organ- ization of the great industrial plant at Salem, to which he devoted the best part of his mental and physicial energies.
For the purpose of this biography, the genealogical records of this family will not be traced farther back than to Joel Sharp the elder, who was born at Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, August 13, 1779. He was adopted by Aaron Stratton, and reared to manhood in the place of his nativity. In early life he was united in marriage with Rebecca Tyrrel, born in New Jer- sey, November 17, 1783, and in company with his adopted father he came to Ohio in 1806. They located on a farm in Goshen township, and shortly afterward established a sawmill, which they operated for several years in
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partnership. The Strattons were members of the Society of Friends, and Joel Sharp and wife joined the meeting of that religious sect at Salem, May II, 1813. Joel Sharp was cut off in the prime of life and usefulness, his death occurring March 8, 1820, but his wife survived him more than half a century and passed away at Salem, June 12, 1875, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. Following is a brief biographical record of their children : Ruth, the eldest, died unmarried; Martha married Daniel Bonsall, and a sketch of their son Joel will be found elsewhere in this volume; Thomas, the eldest son, was born in 1808 and died at Salem in 1896; Clayton, the sec- ond son, died at Olmsted, near Cleveland, Ohio; Mary Ann, the third daugh- ter, married Caleb Hunt, of Salem, Ohio; Aaron, the third son, died in youth ; Simeon, the fourth son in order of birth, is noticed in detail in another part of this work.
Joel Sharp, Jr., the youngest member of this interesting family and to whose career this biography is devoted, was born in Goshen township, Columbiana county, Ohio, on February 22, 1820. At seven years of age he was apprenticed to Daniel Bonsall and remained with him on a farm until he had reached his fourteenth year, when he joined his mother, who had mar- ried Nathan Hunt and was then residing at Cleveland. Joel obtained em- ployment as clerk in a store of that city, spent five years in that occupation and used the money saved from his salary to pay expenses of one year's at- tendance at a school of the Society of Friends, situated at Mt. Pleasant. His first venture in life was as assistant to Daniel Bonsall in driving a lot of cattle over the Allegheny mountains to Philadelphia. In 1841 he went to work for his brother Thomas in the latter's sawmill at Cleveland and four years later began to learn the trade of a machinist with the Cuyahoga Furnace Company.
The year 1848 proved to be the crucial period of his career, as it laid the foundation for his main achievement and gave the bent of his whole future life. Returning to Salem, he formed a partnership with his brothers Thomas, Clayton and Simeon and established the Sharp Brothers Foundry, destined to be the forerunner of greater things in that line. Later, with the omission of Thomas, the other brothers joined the firm of Sharps, Davis & Bonsall, which in 1871 was incorporated as the Buckeye Engine Company with Joel Sharp as president, Colonel T. C. Boone as secretary and treasurer, Milton Davis as vice president, Joel Bonsall as superintendent and Simeon Sharp as assistant superintendent. From that time on, Mr. Sharp, as presi- dent of this company, gave his whole time and attention to the development of the enterprise, with what success is well known at Salem. From very
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small beginnings the business was steadily increased until it has grown into the present mammoth establishment, employing nearly five hundred men and turning out a product which, as the Buckeye Engine, has a reputation of the first rank wherever machinery of that class is known and used. For this result, so valuable to Salem and so creditable to the industrial enterprises of the state of Ohio, Joel Sharp is accorded chief credit as the moving spirit of the company and prime factor in its management. Mr. Sharp's next most important work was in connection with the Salem Wire Nail Com- pany, of which he was one of the organizers in 1885, and subsequently presi- dent until it became part of the American Steel and Wire Company in 1898 His minor but important services of a public nature admit only of brief men- tion. He assisted in organizing the Salem Coal Company and became one of its directors. He was largely instrumental in obtaining the construction of the Salem Railway and was a member of the original board of trustees controlling that enterprise. For many years and up to the time of his death, he was a director of the First National Bank of Salem and a valued adviser in all its operations. The civic services of Mr. Sharp, though of a local nature, were in keeping with the public spirit he displayed in all his undertakings. For a long period he was a leading member of the city council of Salem, and during his various terms was active and influential in establishing the city water works and electric lighting plant. He joined the Republican party in 1856, thus becoming a charter member, and through all the following years was a strenuous advocate of the principles of that historic organization.
On November 21, 1844, Mr. Sharp was married to Angeline, daughter of Josiah and Hannah ( Boone) Lee, members of old and well known Penn- sylvania families. They were born during the last years of the eighteenth century in Berks county, Pennsylvania, married there on the 3d of September, 1818, and subsequently came to Salem, Ohio, for permanent residence. Jo- siah Lee died in 1844, while on a business trip to Memphis, Tennessee. His wife, Hannah (Boone) Lee, who lived to the age of ninety-two years and died in 1890, was a relative of Daniel Boone, the famous Kentucky pioneer and Indian fighter. Mr. and Mrs. Joel Sharp had two children, Frances and Herbert. The former was born at Salem, Ohio, August 31, 1845, and was mar- ried to Charles H. Ellis, August 22, 1872. She is living with and caring for her mother. The latter was born at Salem, Ohio, January 9, 1860, and obtained his education in the public schools, supplemented by a course at An- dover Academy and the Boston Institute of Technology, where he studied mechanical engineering. After leaving school he served an apprenticeship with the Buckeye Engine Company and in 1886 entered the employment of
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the Salem Wire Nail Company as shipping clerk. In 1892 he was promoted to the superintendency and held that position until the sale of the establish- ment to the American Steel and Wire Company in 1898. After the death of his lamented father he became a director of the Buckeye Engine Company, and in January, 1903, was elected president of the company.
On September 26, 1888, was solemnized the marriage of Herbert H. Sharp and Bessie Church Rush, from which union was born one son, on April 8, 1896, who is named in honor of his father and grandfather, Joel Herbert Sharp.
After a long and honorable career, useful both to himself and his commu- nity, Joel Sharp passed away on July 28, 1898, and it is needless to add, after a perusal of this memoir, that by his death Salem lost one of her most valued citizens. His widow still resides at the old home in Salem in enjoy- ment of that esteem which is the just reward of a well spent life.
CHARLES N. CRANDALL.
The history of a state as well as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicles of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society, whether in the broad sphere of public labor or in the more circum- scribed, but not less worthy and valuable, realm of individual activity through which the general good is promoted. Out of the depths of his mature wisdom Carlyle wrote: "History is the essence of innumerable biographies." Far- ther than this, what greater element of propriety could be asked in justifica- tion of the publication of works of this nature? The individual is the na- tional unit, and if the unit be justly estimated the complex organism will be- come correspondingly intelligible. The world to-day is what the leading men of the last generation have made it. From the past has come the legacy of the present. The name borne by the subject of this sketch is one which has stood as exponent for the most sterling personal characteristics, the deepest appreciation of the rights and privileges of citizenship in our great republic, and is one which has been indissolubly identified with the annals of Mahoning county from practically the pioneer epoch, involving prominence and value in civic and industrial affairs. Still further may we go in a genealogical line, to find that the name is one which became concerned with American history in the early colonial epoch, while the record shows that there have been strong men and true as one generation has followed another, men loyal to our national institutions and to the high duties of citizenship.
As to the original American progenitor of the Crandall family the records are, unfortunately, meager in exact information, though it is sufficiently well authenticated that the lineage is traced back to the Rev. John Crandall, who
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emigrated from England to Rhode Island in the early or middle part of the seventeenth century, having been a clergyman of the established church of England. His descendants became disseminated throughout New England and other eastern states, and representatives of the name have gone forth to iden- tify themselves with the interests of the most diverse sections of our great national domain. The great-grandfather of Charles N. Crandall was Samuel Crandall, whose birth is supposed to have occurred either in Connecticut or Rhode Island. His son Israel was born in Dutchess county, New York, in that ever memorable year which marked the signing of the declaration of independence, and he became one of the early residents of Youngstown, Ohio, where he passed the remainder of his long and useful life, and he was ninety-five years of age at the time of his death, which occurred in 1871. He was a man of prominence in this community, having been identified con- spicuously with industrial interests and civil affairs and having been distin- guished for his strong mentality, his pragmatic ability and his sterling honor in all the relations of life. He was a wagon-maker by trade, and his early life was devoted to that work. He was an active participant in the war of 1812, in which he rendered yeoman service. The maiden name of his wife was Pamela Cook, and her death anticipated his by a number of years, several of their children having lived to years of maturity.
Nelson Crandall, son of Israel, and long known as one of the distin- guished and valued citizens of Youngstown, was born near North Norwich, Chenango county, New York, January 4, 1826. There he was reared to the age of twelve years, when he came to Ohio and entered the home of relatives in the village of Youngstown, in 1838. In the local schools he com- pleted his educational discipline and as a youth inaugurated a business career which was to reach its culmination in a magnificent success, worthily achieved. He became conspicuously concerned in the great iron industry in this sec- tion of the Buckeye state, and for many years was incumbent of the office of secretary and treasurer of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, whose interests were largely advanced through his able efforts and marked business acumen. He was a Republican in his political proclivities, having identified himself with that party at the time of its organization, and for a number of years, in the early days, he was incumbent of the office of postmaster at Brier Hill. He was a man of distinct individuality, mature judgment and discrim- ination, and was animated by a broad humanitarian spirit so that in the daily walks of life he ever held the implicit confidence and the unequivocal esteem of all with whom he came in contact, at all times standing "four-square to every wind that blows," while no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil remain to cloud the memory of his long and singularly useful life. He ac-
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cumulated a valuable estate, but his success was that which comes of honor- able and determined effort along legitimate lines, and thus none could begrudge him his prosperity, while in his death, which occurred on the 5th of August, 1899, the community lost one whom it had honored as a man and a citizen, and whose value was recognized in connection with all that touched the wel- fare of his city, county and state. Not an exalted or pretentious life was his, but one signally true to its ideals and to "whatsoever things are of good repute." He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and here, as in all other relations of life, was felt his beneficent influence, while his tolerant and kindly spirit won to him warm and enduring friendships.
Nelson Crandall was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Stambaugh, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, a daughter of John Stambaugh. She preceded him into eternal rest by many years, her death having occurred on the Ist of June, 1877, when her son Charles was but seven years of age. She was a woman of gentle and noble character, and was beloved by all who came within the immediate sphere of her gracious influence. Of the four children of this union three are living at the present time, namely: James Ford, a resident of Youngstown; Arabella, who is also a resident of this city; and Charles N.
Charles Nelson Crandall is a native son of Youngstown, where he was born on the 4th of August, 1870, and in the public schools of this city he received his preliminary educational discipline, which was effectively supple- mented by a course of study in Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1898, after which he returned to his home. His father's death occurred the following year and entailed responsibilities which have ever since demanded his undivided atten- tion in the management of the large estate bequeathed by the honored father.
He is one of the representative men of the younger generation in his native city. In politics, while not actively concerned as a worker in the cause, he gives a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and his religious faith is that in which he was reared; he is one of the zealous members of Trinity church, Methodist Episcopal, and a liberal supporter of the same and its col- lateral benevolences.
JAMES NELSON ROSE.
The gentleman above named has long been a familiar figure at East Liverpool, owing to his incumbency as justice of the peace, an office which he has held for twelve years and in which he is now serving his fifth term. Previously he had been known in various Ohio towns as a jeweler, which trade he abandoned in 1889 to become a part of the force engaged in trying causes
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and administering justice between man and man. The family originated in north Ireland, whence John Rose emigrated to the United States about 1780, and immediately thereafter enlisted in the continental army as a mem- ber of a New York regiment, with which he served until the war closed in the triumph of the cause of independence. For his services he was given a land warrant in Chautauqua county, New York, to which place he went shortly after the war to take possession of the land. While trying to secure possession, his life was terminated by murder, the cause and details of which crime do not seem to have been clearly ascertained. He left a son named Henry Rose, who was born in Chautauqua county, March 24, 1812, and was but six years old when deprived of his father by the cruel crime above men- tioned. In 1833 he was married to Betsey Jennings, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania, and later removed to Ohio, where he was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in Randolph township, Portage county, May 30, 1890. His wife survived him about seven years and passed away March 19, 1897. Of their twelve children two died in infancy and four at subsequent periods, the six survivors being : Sarah A., wife of David Crawford; Carrie, wife of N. C. Davis; James N., subject of this sketch; Mary J., wife of Ora F. Clapp; Byron B .; and Hiram E.
James Nelson Rose, third of the living children, was born at Tallmadge, Summit county, Ohio, in 1842, but was reared on a farm in Portage county, to which his parents subsequently removed. He was living there when the Civil war began, and on September 25, 1861, enlisted in the First Regiment, Ohio Light Artillery, for service in the Western Army. He went to the front with his command, but after arduous campaigning for eighteen months was sent home on account of sickness, and was honorably discharged in March, 1863, for physical disability. During his presence with the western forces he was engaged in the battle of Shiloh, the siege of Corinth and the engagements at Lawrenceville and Dog Walk, Kentucky. After recuperating from his illness sufficiently to undergo hard labor, he worked on the farm one season and then went to Alliance, Ohio, where he learned the jeweler's trade. In 1865 he opened a jewelry store at that place, but a year later removed to Minerva and remained in the same business there until 1871. Returning then to Alliance, he remained there until 1877, in which year he came to East Liverpool, and continued in the jewelry business in that city until 1889, when he was elected justice of the peace. Since then, by continuous re-elections, he has retained his judicial office, devoted all of his time to the discharge of its duties, and is at present serving his fifth term. His long retention of the same office is sufficient proof of the fidelity with which he has filled it,
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and also attestation of his popularity with his fellow citizens, as well as their entire satisfaction with his work as a dispenser of justice.
In 1864 Mr. Rose was united in marriage at Alliance, Ohio, with Mary C. Miller, who died December 28, 1897, leaving two children: Cora May, wife of Dr. F. E. McFarland; and Charles H. July 6, 1899, Mr. Rose con- tracted a second marriage, with Miss Emma C. Heiserman, member of an old and prominent family at Alliance. He is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal church and has always been conspicuous in connection with its relig- ious work, having served as trustee and steward and for twelve years was superintendent of the Sunday-school at East Liverpool. Fraternal associa- tions with his old comrades of the Civil war are renewed by Mr. Rose, by meeting with them often as a member of General Lyons Post No. 44, G. A. R.
JOHN W. GIPNER.
It does not fall to the lot of many to have such a varied career and so many different employments in different places as has been the case in the life of the gentleman whose name is presented above. After a long siege in the army, with its hard marches and battles, its hair-breadth escapes and eventuation in a term at that modern inferno at Andersonville, Mr. Gipner was successively clerk in a store, in the railroad business at various points, conductor of a construction train, coal operator, general merchant, farmer, and eventually an official of the water-works board at East Liverpool. Those who know him best affirm that in whatever position he has been placed, he has always borne himself in such a way as to gain credit for a conscientious performance of his duties. The family originated in Germany, where our subject's grandfather, George Gipner, was born, reared and ended his days. His son, George Frederick Gipner, was born at Bidingen, Germany, in 1810, came to the United States in 1832 and soon after was married to Margaret Smith. Of their seven children, one died in infancy, and the others who grew up were: George F .; Charles, who died in 1862; Frederick M .; Mar- garet, widow of George Salathe; Catharine, who died in girlhood; and John W. The mother died in 1846, and the father seven years later, when several of the children were still of an age that can ill bear such a loss.
John W. Gipner, the youngest child, was born at Zelienople, Butler county, Pennsylvania, in 1845, and was consequently eight years old when the death of his father made him an orphan. Thus bereft, he was sent to Pittsburg, where he lived with his elder brother, Charles, until July, 1862, when he enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Twenty-third Regiment,
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Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he served nine months, and during that time was promoted to the rank of corporal. His term having expired, he re-enlisted at Cincinnati, January 22, 1864, in Company A, Seventy-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years. A few months later he was transferred to Company K of the same regiment and served with that command until made prisoner in August, 1864. During his first enlistment Mr. Gipner was in the battles of Antietam, Fredericksburg and Chancellors- ville. The regiment in which he re-enlisted being mounted infantry, they served principally on raiding expeditions, and during one of these in Florida, had a severe engagement with the force of General Dickinson at Gainesville. In that fight Mr. Gipner was captured and sent to the prison at Andersonville. whose sufferings and cruelties have gained for it an immortality of infamy. He was held in this pen of horrors until the close of the war and was one of the last victims to leave the accursed place, being taken first to Jackson- ville, Florida, thence by boat to Annapolis, Maryland, and from there to Columbus, Ohio, where he received his final discharge in June, 1865. He receive i a slight wound during the skirmish at Gainesville, but aside from this was not touched by bullet or sabre in the many battles and skirmishes in which it was his fortune to participate.
After receiving his honorable discharge, Mr. Gipner went directly to his old home at Pittsburg, where he secured employment in a notion store and remained there until 1868. His next move was to Marion, Indiana, at which point he was engaged for eighteen months as conductor of a construc- tion train in charge of work on a branch of the Panhandle Railroad. Return- ing then to Pittsburg, he resumed his old place in the notion store, remained there four years and in 1874 went to California, where he became baggage master on the Southern Pacific Railroad, with headquarters at Watsonville. After spending two years in this occupation, Mr. Gipner returned to Pitts- burg, and again took up the business of selling notions for the same firm with which he had twice previously been employed. After two years thus spent, he went to Rock Island, Illinois, and was there engaged for a year or so as operator in a coal bank, but not liking this business he came to East Liverpool, and embarked on his own account in general merchandising. his line including notions, dry-goods, millinery and men's furnishings. Mr. Gipner carried on this store for ten years, when he retired to a farm in Colum- biana county, where he lived until 1892. He then returned to East Liver- pool to become secretary of the water-works board, which position he has since retained.
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