USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 44
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
1
Abraham Zimmerman And Family taken A. D 1887
507
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
nine children, of whom one is living; Conrad had eight children, two of whom survive; Elizabeth became the mother of six children, but all have passed away; Ann had no children, nor did Mary.
Joseph Zimmerman was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, May 9, 1781, and on the 5th of November, 1810, married Elizabeth Whiteleather, whose birth occurred November 13, 1792. They became the parents of fif- teen children, but Abraham is the only one now living. The mother died Sep- tember II, 1831, and for his second wife Joseph Zimmerman chose Elizabeth Lehman, whom he married in 1834. They had six children, but David is the only survivor. Joseph Zimmerman was a man of marked influence and prominence in his community, and his counsel was often sought. He served as a captain in the state militia and in the war of 1812, and shortly after his return from the war was elected assessor. He became one of the charter mem- bers of the Lutheran church in Washingtonville, served in office and did all in his power to promote the cause. He was very active and energetic in his business affairs, and owned two hundred and eight acres of valuable land. He also purchased two sections of land for his children in Hancock and Hardin counties and afterward divided this among them, thus giving them a good foundation upon which to build success in later life. At one time there were fifty members of the Zimmerman family living on section 34, Green township, but only one resides there at present. The father passed away October 1, 1854, and the community lost one of its respected citizens.
Abraham Zimmerman, who is one of the best known and highly honored citizens of Green township, was born on the family homestead, December 14, 1825, and was educated in the common schools, where, in addition to the usual English branches, he was also taught the German language. His youth was spent upon the farm where his birth occurred, and he has always lived there, devoting his energies to tilling the soil which his grandfather entered from the government in 1802. He has kept abreast with progressive methods of farming and has added to the place modern improvements and equipments.
On the 23rd of May, 1850, Mr. Zimmerman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Shimp, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, who was born March 30, 1830. They became the parents of four children: Joseph C., Samuel L., John L. and Catherine I .; of this number only John L. is now living. Mr. Zimmerman held the office of justice of the peace for three years. during which time he tried twenty-one cases, and none of his decisions were ever reversed by a higher court. He was also a trustee of Green township for a number of years and has served on the school board for fifteen years. He is a member of the Lutheran church, takes an active part in its work and
508
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
for fifteen years served either as superintendent or assistant superintendent of the Sunday-school. For over sixty years he has been a member of the church and at all times his life has been in harmony with its teachings and liis professions. He also filled the office of deacon for several years and his interest in the work of the church is deep and abiding. In his business career Mr. Zimmerman has always been reliable, energetic and persistent and thus has won desirable success. He has carried on general farming and has raised good crops. His farm buildings are commodious and substantial and his resi- dence is a modern dwelling built upon a convenient plan.
While his life has been a bright and happy one there have come some dark clouds. occasioned by the death of those near and dear to him. In 1900 he was called upon to lay away the faithful wife who had been to him a devoted companion and helpmate on life's journey for a half century and who passed away on the 29th of November. In his early married life he was called upon to mourn the loss of his son Samuel, who died October 26, 1854. On the 26th of March, 1889, his son Joseph C. died, and the daughter, Cath- erine, passed away August 15, 1898. Rev. Joseph C. Zimmerman was born March 6, 1851, and attended Mount Union College, from which he was gradu- ยท ated in 1874. He then entered the theological department of Wittenberg College where he was graduated in 1876, and the following year he was ordained to the ministry of the Lutheran church.
His first charge was at Dantown, where he preached while still in college. His first charge following his or- dination was at Osborn, Donnelsville and Brant, and he labored at those three places for six years. In 1882 he received a call from St. Matthew's Lutheran church of Brooklyn, New York, where he remained for three years, and in 1885 he accepted a call from the church extension board and labored in the church extension field up to the time of his demise in 1889. He was one of the most capable and competent preachers in his denomination and the church sustained a great loss, as did his family, when he was called from his earthly career.
John L. Zimmerman, another son of our subject, was born March 18, 1856, and also attended Mount Union College. He afterward engaged in teaching school for a short time and subsequently entered Wittenberg College, where he remained from 1876 until 1879. In 1881 he was admitted to the Ohio bar and is now a distinguished lawyer of Springfield, known and hon- ored for his upright character as well as for his marked capability in the line of his chosen profession. He was nominated for a member of Congress in the seventh district and is now frequently mentioned in connection with the candidacy for the next governor of Ohio. A brilliant lawyer, a man of strong
509
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
intellectuality and of irreproachable character, Ohio would be honored and benefited by the choice of such a man for her chief executive. In 1889 he was united in marriage to Miss Helen Ballard, and their two sons are Charles B. and John L. Their father is a member of the Lutheran church and teaches a class of fifty-four young men in Sunday-chool. He has also held the office of deacon in his church. Catherine I., the daughter of Mr. Zimmer- man, was born July 10, 1860, was a graduate of Mount Union College, and became the wife of the Rev. D. W. Simons, by whom she had two children. Her death occurred August 15, 1898.
AMOS C. RUSSELL.
In a gray stone house, which is one of the landmarks of Mahoning county and which was erected by his grandfather in 1833, lives Amos C. Russell, his home being surrounded by a fine farm of two hundred acres, which returns to him an excellent income for the care and labor he bestows upon it. He was born here in 1856, a son of Hamson Russell. His ancestry can be traced back to his great-grandparents, Robert and Eve Russell, who were residents of Virginia and had a family of nine children. Among the number was Robert Russell, the grandfather of our subject, who became one of the honored pioneer settlers of Ohio. He was born in Virginia, August 23, 1781, and on leaving the Old Dominion went to Pennsylvania. where he remained for some time, coming to Ohio in 1806. He located on Stone Ridge in Austintown township, where he purchased two hundred acres of land in its primeval state. Upon this he built a rude log house, but it was soon replaced by a more substantial log cabin and still later he built a hewed-log house. In course of time he developed a good farm in the midst of the forest, and as his means were increased by the sales of his crops he felt justi- fied in erecting a residence of dressed stone. This was built in 1833 and still stands as a monument to his progressive spirit. He married Rachel Hamson, who was born in New Jersey in 1809, and they became the parents of the following named : Sarah, Jane. Elizabeth. James, John, Robert, Ham- son, Samuel and Rachel. When the grandfather started out in life on his own account he had nothing to depend upon but his hands. He first walked from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and when he returned for his family he brought them in a wagon drawn by an ox team. He labored industriously and untiringly, was honest in his dealings with his fellow men and never took advantage of the necessities of others in a trade transaction. He gave to each of his sons a farm of one hundred acres, having accumulated extensive landed interests, and to each of his daughters he gave a thousand dollars on
510
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
their wedding day. In politics he was a Whig and in his religious faith was a Disciple. His death occurred January 31, 1879, and his wife passed away February 20, 1872. His parents, who had come to Ohio about a year or two after his arrival, also died in this county.
Hamson Russell, the father of Amos C. Russell, was born in Austintown township, Mahoning county, August 24, 1822, was here reared and educated and became a prosperous farmer. He owned one hundred and forty acres of good farming land, now in possession of his son, Thomas R. He was a quiet unostentatious man, who never interfered with the rights of his neigh- bors, and because of his earnest purpose and integrity was highly esteemed. He was married May 1, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Reed, and to them were born three sons: Charles W., born in 1852; Amos C .; and Thomas R., born in 1860. The mother, whose birth occurred December 1, 1826, passed away February 12, 1893, and Mr. Russell departed this life January 24, 1897, in the faith of the Disciples church, of which his wife was also a faithful member.
In the district school Amos C. Russell acquired his education and after- ward worked at the carpenter's trade, which he followed for a time. He then took up the work of a stationary engineer, which he followed for a number of years, but his attention is now given to agricultural pursuits. He is the owner of his grandfather's original farm of two hundred acres, save that the railway right of way has been taken from it, and he occupies the old stone house which was erected in 1833. He is a practical farmer and dairyman, and the products of both his fields and his dairy find a ready sale on the market. He makes a specialty of the latter branch of his business, keeping a number of cows for this purpose. In general farming he is also successful and now has a well developed property.
In 1890 Mr. Russell was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. McGowen, who was born in Canfield township, Mahoning county, in 1859, and they now have a son, John, whose birth occurred in 1891. They are both well known in this county, and their circle of friends is almost co-extensive with the circle of their acquaintances.
HENRY BUTLER ROSE.
If a complete account of the events which form the early history of Mahoning county were written, no name would appear more frequently or figure more prominently in connection with leading events than that of Rose. Through many decades representatives of the family have been important factors in the public life, especially that department pertaining to agricultural pursuits, whereby the growth and prosperity of the county has been assured.
51I
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
They came to this country in a very early day, and the first American ancestor obtained his wife by purchase, giving one pound of tobacco for every pound which the girl weighed. He took with him one hundred and twenty-five pounds of that product, but as the weight of his prospective bride amounted to one hundred and fifty pounds he was obliged to return home for the remaining twenty-five pounds of tobacco. For generations the Rose family have been prosperous agriculturists, and have ever been numbered among the worthy and reliable citizens of their respective communities. During the past nine years they have held annual reunions, and at these gatherings there are frequently as many as one hundred and fifty representatives present.
The paternal great-grandfather of him whose name introduces this review served as a soldier in the war of 1812, as did also his son Robert. The grand- father, David Rose, came to this state from Pennsylvania in an early day, and for his wife he chose Sarah Parshall, they having become the parents of ten children, seven sons and three daughters, as follows: Jesse, who died at the age of seventy-six years, but left no heirs; Robert, the father of our subject, who died at the age of seventy-five years; Samuel, who departed this life at the good old age of eighty-two years; David, who reached the seventieth milestone on the journey of life; Thomas: Ezra; James; and three daughters. All but three of this large family married and reared children, and all became prosperous farmers and reliable citizens. David Rose owned a farm of one hundred and fifty acres, and in his farming operations he met with a high degree of success.
Robert Rose was born in Poland township, Mahoning county, Ohio, in 1809. In 1834 he was united in marriage to Almira Edsall, of Orange county, New York, who after her arrival in this state became a successful school teacher. To this union were born six children, namely: Sarah M., the widow of John M. Howard and a resident of Ellsworth township, Ma- honing county ; H. B., the subject of this sketch; Oscar A., who is married and resides in Shippensville, Pennsylvania, but has no children; Mary M., the widow of William Ballard, by whom she had four children, and she now resides in Colorado; O. S., who resides on the farm on which his great-grandfather located on coming to this township; and Wallace E., a well known agriculturist of this locality, and who is married and has a little son. The children all received excellent school advantages, and have proved a credit to the honored family name.
Henry Butler Rose was born on the farm on which he now resides, on the 5th of July, 1838, and throughout all the years of his subsequent business career this place has continued to be his home. The town of Rose-
512
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
mont was named in honor of the family. He was early reared to habits of industry and honesty, and in addition to the educational advantages secured in the district schools he also spent two years in the Cottage Hill Academy, of Ellsworth, Ohio. On the 25th of June, 1867, when he had reached his twenty-ninth year, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Moherman, a daughter of John Moherman, of Ohio, and of Mary Cassady, who came from New Jersey in 1835. In their family were four children, namely : Clara, the widow of Eli Arnold, of Rosemont; John; Elizabeth, the wife of our subject; and Robert, of Jackson township. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Rose has been blessed with two sons. The elder is Charles E., who is employed as bookkeeper in Niles Ohio; he married Miss Mary Belle McCorkle, of Lordstown, Ohio, and they have a little daughter named . Martha E. The second son, Chauncey A. Rose, is engaged in agricultural pursuits on one of his father's farms; his wife bore the maiden name of Elva Fronia Osborn, and she, too, is a member of an old and prominent family of Mahoning county.
Mr. Rose and wife are the owners of three well improved and pro- ductive farms, aggregating in all two hundred and thirty-six acres, and many of the improvements thereon stand as monuments to their thrift and ability. The home farm contains a commodious two-story residence, thirty- one by forty-six feet, while his large red barn is a structure forty-two by fifty-seven feet, and the beautiful shade and fruit trees which surround his home have all been planted by their own hands. The land is kept under an excellent state of cultivation by the rotating of crops and stock-raising. He has made a specialty of cattle-breeding, raising a high grade of short-horns, and he has often kept as high as thirty-five head of this excellent breed on his place. In his pastures may also be found sheep and horses, while for the past thirty years he has been raising the Poland China hogs. In his political affiliations Mr. Rose is a Republican, and on the ticket of that party he has been elected to many offices of trust and responsibility. The family are members of the Disciples or Christian church. Mr. Rose is a public- spirited, progressive citizen, honored for his integrity in industrial life, for his fidelity to every trust and his faithfulness to family and friends.
HARRY G. GIBSON.
At this point we are permitted to touch upon the life history of one who, if for no other reason, merits recognition in this connection by reason of his having been a life-long resident of Mahoning county and on account of being a representative of one of the sterling pioneer families of this section
513
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
of the Buckeye state. But, superadded to this, are other conditions which render the appearance of his biography within these pages all the more consistent, for he has here attained a position of prominence in connection with the industrial activities of the county and is honored as one of the upright, progressive and public-spirited citizens and able business men of his native county, being at the present time secretary and treasurer of the Milliken-Gibson Company, who conduct an extensive general merchandise business in the city of Youngstown.
Harry G. Gibson was born in the city of Youngstown on the 7th of August, 1866, being the son of Samuel and Nancy J. (Gault) Gibson, the latter being a daughter of Major James Gault, who was one of the pioneers of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and who was a gallant officer in the war of 1812. The father of our subject was likewise born in Youngstown, and that his parents were numbered among the early settlers here is evident when we revert to the fact that the date of his nativity was the year 1819. He is a son of Robert D. Gibson, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in Youngstown, Ohio, where he located in the early years of the last century, having been an active participant in the war of 1812. Samuel Gibson, also, was prominent in military affairs in his younger days, having been for many years a captain in the cavalry branch of the state militia. He is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-four years, making his home in the city of Youngstown, whose development and material prosperity were largely furthered through his efforts and influence; he is one of the honored patri- archs of the county, being esteemed by all who know him and having left the impress of his individuality upon the civic, business and political affairs of this locality. He was married in 1844 to Ann Erwin, who died in the following year, leaving one son, James D., of whom specific mention is made on another page of this work. In 1847 was solemnized his marriage to Nancy J. Gault, who has been his cherished and devoted companion and helpmeet for more than half a century. Of the children of the second mar- riage the six who attained years of maturity were as follows: William T., Minnie A., Benjamin M., Harry G., Ella and Robert A., the last men- tioned having died in 1898 at the age of thirty-seven years.
Harry G. Gibson secured his early educational training in the public schools of his native city and was graduated in the Rayen high school as a member of the class of 1886. A year later he entered the employ of the Haselton Store Company, a prominent general store, being engaged in the capacity of cashier and later being made secretary and treasurer of the company, which incumbency he has ever since retained. The original com-
514
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
pany closing in February, 1901, a reorganization took place, and the present corporate title was adopted. This company represents one of the leading mercantile enterprises in the city, and its finely equipped and extensive establishment is one which would prove creditable in a metropolitan center, while the volume of business transacted is continually expanding in scope and importance. Mr. Gibson is a careful business man, duly conservative and yet progressive in his policy, while he has that administrative ability which is ever essential in the furthering of any industry involving so large amount of detail as does that with which he is identified.
He has ever shown a commendable interest in all that touches the progress and material prosperity of his native and home city, where he has an honored position in both business and social circles. In politics he accords allegiance to the Democratic party, but has never been an aspirant for public office, and his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the West- minster Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Gibson, also, is a devoted ad- herent. On the 3Ist of October, 1899, in Poland, this county, was solem- nized the marriage of Mr. Gibson to Miss May J. Kirtland, daughter of Charles N. Kirtland, one of the influential citizens of the county, who died May 27, 1901. Of this union has been born one daughter, Martha E.
ELIZABETH KISTLER.
Mrs. Elizabeth Kistler, one of the most highly esteemed ladies of Wash- ingtonville, Mahoning county, is descended from an old and honored family of the county. She is the daughter of Michael and Catherine ( Seabold) Cronick, both of whom were born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and emigrated to America in 1825. Michael was a prosperous and well informed farmer, who owned one hundred acres of valuable land, and his family consisted of three sons and four daughters, and of them one of the sons and three of the daughters are still living.
Mrs. Kistler, of this family, was born in Green township in 1833, and she was tenderly reared and well educated in her native county, and grew to be an important factor in the social life of the community. When only seven- teen, on November 19, 1850, she was united in marriage with Christian Schaef- fer. No children were born of this marriage. Mr. Schaeffer was born in Germany January 9, 1826, and died in 1883. His father was Christian Schaef- fer and a native of Germany, who, in 1800, married Mary M. Wooster. The Schaeffers are all Democrats in politics, and Lutherans in religion.
In 1886 Mrs. Schaeffer married Levi F. Kistler, who was born in Le- high county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, and is the son of Charles and Rebecca
Elisalater Boister Levi F Kistler
517
GENEALOGICAL AND FAMILY HISTORY.
(Sechler) Kistler, of the same locality. The parents of Mr. Kistler removed to Trumbull county in 1833, and there purchased a farm, upon which they settled and lived. This property consisted of one hundred and thirty-five acres. There were eight children in the family born to Charles and Rebecca Kistler, five of whom are still residing in Trumbull county. Levi Kistler removed from Trumbull county in 1886. He had married Lydia Huffman in 1851, and she bore him seven children, five of whom are living, and the wife died in 1882.
Mrs. Kistler owns in her own name over one hundred and seventeen acres of good farming land in Green township, besides property in Salem, consist- ing of four valuable residences, three stores and vacant property. Mr. and Mrs. Kistler resided in Salem for a number of years, but in 1901 they removed to one of her farms, where they are now making their home, enjoying the comforts of life provided by ample means. Prior to his second marriage, Mr. Kistler was a member of the Lutheran church, in which he was a deacon, but he has joined the church of which his wife is a member, the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and is very prominent therein. In politics he is a Prohibitionist, and both he and his wife are very highly esteemed throughout , the neighborhood.
ALLEN CALVIN.
The town of Canfield, Mahoning county, is doubly fortunate in having such an enterprise as the Canfield Roller Mills within its limits and in the fact that their owner, Allen Calvin, is one of the most broad-minded and worthy citizens. These mills were built in 1879 by John and C. W. Harroff, who ran them for one year and then sold to Stafford and Calvin, which firm con- tinued up to 1888, when Mr. Calvin purchased the interest of his partner and has since been in business alone. In 1893 he remodeled the entire plant. putting in the Nordyke and Morman system of rollers, and the mill now has a capacity of fifty barrels per day. There is also a chop and buckwheat outfit, the whole plant being operated by an engine of sixty horse power, and the product is eagerly sought by the local and adjacent markets.
The parents of this Canfield miller were Robert and Jane ( McBride) Calvin, the former of whom moved to Ohio in 1818, from Virginia, where he had been born on August 22, 1800. He was thus one of the early set- tlers of this state and was an industrious and practical farmer of Mahoning county, where he owned one hundred and sixty acres, besides a large tract of eight hundred acres in Illinois. He died in 1880 and his wife followed him two weeks later, and all their eight children grew to maturity and be- came honored members of society.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.