USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 55
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Gideon was married July 11, 1869, to Eliza A., daughter of Gideon Crum, and to this union have been added children as follows: Perry W., born September 3, 1871; Nora E., born August 19, 1876; and Thyrza L., born October 25, 1888. Mrs. Handwork was born in Austintown township in 1850. Eli Handwork was married to Miss Rebecca, daughter of Eli and Mary Koenreich in 1885. To this union six children have been born, namely : Nettie, born in 1887; John, born in 1889; Charles, born in 1890; Myrtle, born in 1892; Ray, born in 1897; and one now deceased. Mrs. Eli Handwork was born in Canfield township in 1857. Both brothers, with their families, are members of the Lutheran church and are very active in church work. They are staunch Democrats, and occupy a settled position in the neighbor- hood, being highly respected by all who know them.
JOSHUA TWING BROOKS.
The late Joshua Twing Brooks, who died in Salem, Ohio, October II, 1901, belonged to that brilliant galaxy of men who were residents of the eastern part of Ohio in the last half of the last century, and a bare recital of whose names would present to the reader foremost statesmen, lawyers, cap- tains of industry and leaders of men in the United States. The many en- comiums pronounced at the death of Mr. Brooks show him to have had a many-sided nature, gifted with untiring industry, great executive ability, a re- fined taste in literature and broad humanitarian instincts, and that he was a leader among corporate lawyers and a prominent figure in the railroad world for the last thirty years of his life.
He came of a New England Quaker family. Joshua J. Brooks, his father, was born in Montpelier, Vermont, in 1809, and after an education re-
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ceived in his native city and in an academy at New Lisbon, Ohio, he began teaching in 1835, and in the following year, having studied law, he located in Salem and was one of the leading lawyers until his death. He was also identified with the financial interests of northeastern Ohio; he was president of the Farmers National Bank of Salem for a number of years; and assisted in the development of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad (then the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad), and was its first treasurer. He died in 1861, in the prime of life. His wife was Judith Twing, of Barre, Vermont, a daughter of Joshua Twing, a mill-owner of that town.
Joshua Twing Brooks, who inherited the strong intellect, great energy and executive ability of his father, was born in Salem, Ohio, October 27, 1840, and made that place his home till his death. His early schooling was gained at Canfield, Ohio, and he prepared for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, New Hampshire, where he graduated with honors. From there he entered Yale College, but was obliged to give up his studies in the latter part of his first year because of serious trouble with his eyes. In 1860 he returned with the intention of completing the course with the class of 1863, but the death of his father in 1861 called him home to assume the responsibili- ties as head of a large household of brothers and sisters and of his father's extensive business. Although his college training was fragmentary, he was a superior scholar and able speaker, winning a prize in debate and being one of the "Statement of Fact" orators in behalf of the Brothers in Unity.
In January, 1862, he became president of the Farmers National Bank of Salem, which position he held until his death. He also took up the study of law and was admitted to the bar in August, 1865, and then formed a part- nership with Hon. P. A. Laubie, of Salem, which continued until 1875. This was known as one of the leading law firms of eastern Ohio. In the year of his admission to the bar he received election to the state senate of Ohio, and was re-elected in 1867, making a creditable record as a legislator. In May, 1870, he was elected president of the State Bank of Ohio, whose cor- porate charter had expired in 1866, but whose existence was continued for some time in order that it might wind up its affairs.
Mr. Brooks began his connection with railroad corporations in Decem- ber, 1866, when he was appointed solicitor for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad Company for eastern Ohio, and when this road was leased to the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, he was appointed, in July, 1869, solicitor for the state of Ohio for the latter company. He held this position until November, 1877, when he became general counsel of all the Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg In May, 1891, he was elected second
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vice president of the Pennsylvania, and had charge of the law, real estate and treasury departments of that road till his death. At the fiftieth anniversary of the Pennsylvania Railroad, in Philadelphia, April 13, 1896, he made one of the ablest addresses of the occasion. When the news of his death was announced it caused profound sorrow in the general offices of the railroad company, and the many tributes paid by the directors and officers of the com- pany indicate the important place he filled in that powerful corporation.
At the commencement of 1882 Yale College honored her quondam son and student with the honorary degree of M. A. Mr. Brooks was married September 7, 1865, to Miss Annie Miller, of Brownsville, Pennsylvania, who survives him. They had five children : Charles Twing, born March 29, 1867 ; Elizabeth, October 9, 1868; William P., June 2, 1870, died August 5, 1872; Judith T., April 7, 1872; and Mary Augusta, July 8, 1875. Charles T. Brooks graduated from Yale in 1889 and from the Harvard Law School in 1894, and is now practicing in Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Brooks was a sufferer from Bright's disease, and his failing health compelled him to resign his active duties in December, 1900, and he lived retired at his Salem home till his death. Several trips to the south were thought to have benefitted him materially, but the end came suddenly on the morning of October 11, 1901. At his request the funeral was conducted in a very simple manner, without music and singing. A large number of dis- tinguished men from his own and other states were present to do honor to one who had won such high esteem for his character, ability and services. For the time business was suspended in the town which he was looked upon as the father, and whose every interest had depended on him for support.
While Mr. Brooks' greatest work was probably done in connection with his service for the Pennsylvania Railroad, he also made a lasting reputation in the field of politics, but not as an office-seeker or office-holder. And it is here that his independence of thought and action is shown. He entered po- litical life as a Republican, but differed with the party in opposing the re- election of General Grant. He was a strenuous supporter of Grover Cleve- land's policy in regard to high protection during the latter's leadership of the Democratic party. But he was just as ardent in his advocacy of the election of William McKinley and in his opposition to free silver, and after the election of 1896 was personally thanked by President Mckinley for the active part he had taken in the campaign. It is said that, upon the retirement of Hon. John Hay from the post of ambassador to Great Britain, President Mckinley offered the vacancy to Mr. Brooks, who declined, but who, when requested to state whom he would like to have appointed, named the present
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ambassador, Joseph H. Choate. The latter, before accepting the position, said : "Before I accept, I must first see my creator."
It would add to the interest of this short biography if the many panegy- rics and resolutions expressed at Mr. Brooks' death might be given in full, but it must here suffice that all unite in unstinted honor and esteem for one so broad-minded, so profound of thought, so tireless in energy, so complete and rounded in the development of perfect manhood ; he was a pleasing con- versationalist and an effective speaker ; his love of nature, of the freedom of the country, was a predominant characteristic; and above all his character was personal, human and sympathetic, sweetened with intense interest in others, and he was one of the few whose strength carried more than his own weight and was able to uplift and support his companions on the road of life.
JAMES ADAIR FREED.
The gentleman above named, who holds the position of Superintendent of the Safety Department, Ohio District, for the National Steel Company and American Steel Hoop Company, has had a varied experience in life, which brought him in touch with many different lines of employment. Since reach- ing manhood he has studied law, managed a brick yard, acted as postmaster, worked in rolling mills, been a contractor, served on the police force, been employed in steel works, and made a record as an officer in the military forces. Such an experience as this is necessarily a great educator and furnishes in- formation of a practical kind, superior to anything to be learned in the schools. But Mr. Freed has both kinds of education, as his books were not neglected in early life, and it is safe to say that few men are better informed than he, both practically and theoretically, concerning those things the know- ing of which insures success in life. His father, James A. Freed, was born in Pennsylvania, but removed in early life to Ohio, where he was first engaged in farming, and later as a contracting carpenter. He married Phoebe Deeds, and the four of their five children still living are Samuel T .; Nancy A., wife of George Daniels; Hiram H .; and James A.
James Adair Freed, the youngest member of the family, was born at Youngstown, Ohio, February 6, 1861, attended private school awhile, and in 1879 was graduated in the public schools of his native place. His first im- pulse after completing his academical education was to become a lawyer, and with this end in view he spent eighteen months investigating the mysteries of that profession under the tutelage of Jones & Murray. At the end of that time he made up his mind to leave Blackstone, Greenleaf, Coke upon Little- ton, and the rest of the musty tomes to others who like them better, and
OHIO
James A. FireEd
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abandoned law to become manager of a brick yard. After pursuing this calling for two years, Mr. Freed received the appointment as assistant postmaster of Youngstown and served in that capacity for the four following years. In search of a business opening, he then went to Canada, secured a position as assistant manager of the Ontario Rolling Mills at Toronto, and remained in that city about eighteen months. Returning to Youngstown at the end of that time, Mr. Freed engaged in business as a contracting carpenter, which occupied his attention for a year and was abandoned to accept an appoint- ment as lieutenant of police. He was connected with the force nearly ten years, during which time he proved a capable and efficient officer, but resigned in 1900 to take employment with the Republic Iron and Steel Company as foreman in the Bessemer department. In August, 1901, he was appointed chief of the Safety Department of the National Steel and American Steel Hoop Company, which position he has since held up to the present time.
In addition to his business and official experiences, thus briefly sketched, Mr. Freed has also made a varied and creditable military record. He enlisted as a private in the Ohio National Guard June 27, 1882, and rose steadily through the various grades until he reached high rank. May 19, 1883, he was appointed first sergeant, which was followed by a commission as first lieutenant January 10, 1885. His next promotion was to a captaincy, which rank was conferred March 10, 1887, but this commission was resigned April 23, 1889, on his removal from the state. Again he was commissioned as captain April 7, 1893, but this also was resigned to accept the regimental quartermaster- ship, the commission for which, with the rank of captain, was conferred October 31, 1895. Resigning as quartermaster in 1896, another commission as captain of the line was given him, being dated July 16, 1897. While hold- ing the last mentioned rank, the Spanish-American war was opened by the declaration of Congress, and on April 26, 1898, Captain Freed was re-com- missioned and given command of Company H, Fifth Regiment, Ohio Volun- teer Infantry. This regiment made its rendezvous at Columbus, Ohio, from which place it was ordered to Tampa, Florida, where it remained from May 21, 1898, to July 22, 1898. While there Captain Freed was detailed on de- tached duty with Lieutenant Colonel Edmund Rice, of the inspector general's department, to inspect transports, and was occupied for a month with this duty at Port Tampa. After remaining with his regiment in Florida about two months, Captain Freed was mustered out November 5, 1898. As soon as he returned to Youngstown he reorganized Company H, Fifth Ohio Na- tional Guard, known as the Logan Rifles, after which he resigned and was placed by the state government on the retired list as captain.
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June 1, 1881, Captain Freed was united in marriage with Miss Armada E., daughter of Eli H. Ostrander, who served in the Civil war as a member of the Fifty-first and Two Hundred and Eleventh Pennsylvania Infantry regiments. Captain and Mrs. Freed have an only son, Allan Adair, a manly and intelligent youth, who gives promise of a life of future usefulness. Cap- tain Freed is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and a member of Major John A. Logan Camp No. 115, Spanish-American War Veterans, and quar- termaster general of the National Association. In all the relations of life, whether as official, soldier or business man, he has so borne himself as to receive and deserve the name of a good and loyal citizen.
GEORGE M. McLURE.
George M. McLure, who is a civil engineer of the village of Poland, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1842. The family, as the name indicates, is of Scotch origin and was founded in America at an early period in the development of this country. John McLure, the grandfather of our subject, was a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and was a farmer by occu- pation, following that pursuit throughout his entire life. He wedded Agnes Toppin and then entered a claim for five hundred acres of land where the city of Homestead now stands. Among his children was William D. Mc- Lure, the father of our subject. He was born near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1799, and in 1865 came to Ohio, settling in Youngstown, where his re- maining days were passed, his death occurring there in 1872. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Irwin and was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in 1807, a daughter of Boyle and Eliza (McCully) Irwin, the latter a daugh- ter of Major McCully, who was a distinguished officer of the Revolution. The Irwins were of Irish descent and the McCullys of Scotch lineage. To Mr. and Mrs. McLure were born eight children, all of whom reached adult age: John, who was born in Mifflin township, near Pittsburg, about 1837, and is a carpenter and builder ; Boyle Irwin, who is connected with the Dollar Savings Bank of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania; Annie, who died at the age of twenty years: George M., whose name introduces this review; Agnes, who died in 1866; Caroline, who is living in Pittsburg with her brother; William, who died at the age of eighteen years; and Ella, the wife of J. K. Orr, of Youngstown, Ohio, ex-sheriff of Mahoning county. As before stated, the father passed away in 1872, and the mother's death occurred in 1894.
George M. McLure spent his early boyhood days under the parental roof and acquired his primary education in his home locality. In 1859 he entered the Naval Academy at Annapolis and was graduated at Newport,
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Rhode Island, in 1863, remaining in the navy from 1859 until 1868. During the Civil war he was in active service and stationed off the coast of Charles- ton as a member of the cruise of the Housatonic, that was afterward blown up. He rose from the rank of midshipman to that of lieutenant because of his faithful and capable service.
In 1879 Mr. McLure was united in marriage to Miss Charlotte Darcy, a lady of Irish descent and a daughter of George and Maria (Bingham) Darcy, both of whom are now deceased. Mrs. McLure was born in London, England, pursued her education in that country and came to America in 1867. By her marriage she became the mother of six children: Gertrude Bingham, who makes her home with her uncle Boyle Irwin in Pittsburg ; Caro- line, who has acted as her father's housekeeper since the mother's death ; Madeline Darcy, who is now a student in the Poland Union Seminary ; Rowena, who is a student in the Union school; Elizabeth; and a daughter who died in infancy. The mother of these children passed away on the 16th of April, 1898, at the age of forty-four years, and her death was deeply regretted by all who knew her.
Mr. McLure purchased the old Dr. Henry Kirkland property of fifty-two acres and now has a very pleasant home. He is following his profession as a general surveyor and does much business in this line in Youngstown and in the Mahoning valley. In his political views he is a stalwart Republican, and belongs to the Poland Presbyterian church. His life has been an honor- able and upright one in which energy and capability in his chosen line of labor have won for him creditable success. Wherever he is known he commands the respect and regard of those with whom he has been brought in contact, and as a representative of one of the old families of this portion of the state he well deserves mention in this volume.
HARRY D. THOMPSON.
Americans are quick to find terms expressive of their idols in the dif- ferent departments of life. Thus we find the phrases "leader of men," "cap- tains of industry," and others equally terse and forceful, to designate those who have been most successful in their sphere of activity. But perhaps to the average citizen of this country of opportunity, the appellation which con- veys the highest compliment and is most suggestive of honor is that of "self-made man." There are thousands of men in this country who deserve this encomium, but each one stands among the first of the citizens of his com- munity, and as such receives the respect which is the meed of one who has shown his independence and self-reliance so as to reach a creditable position
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in society. And it is certainly no abuse in the meaning of words when we say that one who has made his own way in the world since he was twelve years old, and from that early and disadvantageous beginning has advanced to the position of master mechanic in one of the greatest corporations of the United States,-when we affirm that such a one is worthy of the distinction that comes from the title of a "self-made man," which may well be applied to the popular Youngstown citizen, Harry D. Thompson.
Benjamin D. and Julia (McAfoos) Thompson were both natives of Pennsylvania, where the former followed the trade of carpentering and contracting, but he is now engaged in farming in Mahoning county, Ohio. His wife died in Hazelwood, Pennsylvania, in 1875. Harry D. Thompson was born of these parents in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, November 9, 1865. What education he received before he took up the more serious problems of life was obtained in the public schools of Pittsburg. When he was seventeen years of age he came to Youngstown, Ohio, and entered the employ of the William Tod Company with the intention of learning the machinist's trade. He remained with this one firm for a number of years, until 1893, when he became a machinist for the Ohio Steel Company, now the Ohio works of the National Steel Company. His ability was recognized and on April 1, 1898, he was advanced to the position of foreman of the machine shop, and received his present promotion to the responsible place of master mechanic of the works, on the Ist day of January, 1903. Mr. Thompson is also an example of the man who has devoted himself to one line of work, a course which insures success, and he has the honor of being one of the oldest employes of the Ohio works.
On September 25, 1895, Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Miss Nellie M. Evans, who was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, a daughter of Henry A. Evans. The two bright children who have come into their home are named Helen Sara, born July 24, 1898, and Donald Henry, January 25, 1902. This pleasant family have their home at 542 George street. Mr. Thompson holds to the political creed of the Republican party, in fraternal relations is a member of Western Star Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M., while he and his wife belong to the First Presbyterian church of Youngstown.
JOHN SANZENBACHER.
In the year 1833 there came to America from Germany Jacob and Bar- bara Sanzenbacher, who, while they had been in good circumstances in the fatherland, on various grounds had decided to make their home in the new world across the sea. Jacob had been the proprietor of an old country
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"inn" and also followed the trade of mechanic, but when he came to Colum- biana county, Ohio, he purchased fifty acres of land and farmed for a few years. In 1836 he moved to Lawrence county, Pennsylvania, but later took up his residence in Mahoning county, and spent the remainder of his days there. Jacob was born August 1, 1799, and died in 1882, while his wife Barabara was born February 12, 1804, and died in 1879. Their family con- sisted of John, Jacob and Barbara, that grew to maturity and four died in infancy ; these children never forgot the industrious training and the worthy Christian principles which were instilled in them by their parents.
While the above mentioned parents lived in their old home in Würtem- berg, Germany, the son John was born to them, on May 5, 1827, and he therefore lived only the first six years of his life in the fatherland. He had the advantages of school up to his seventeenth year and on August 19, 1844, was placed under the instruction of R. Fullerton that he might learn the tan- ner's trade. When he had served three and a half years as an apprentice, he entered the employ of William Moore, of Boardman township, Mahoning county, and remained with him ten months. Another ten months were spent in New Middleton, Ohio, but in the winter of 1849 he came to Boardman town- ship again and in the following spring moved to his present town of Canfield. He embarked in business on his own account and on the strength of his merits plus about five hundred dollars in cash and personal effects, and in the same year purchased the tannery of F. A. Brainard and began business, on a small scale at first, of course, but one that was destined to grow to great proportions. In 1862 he and Mr. P. Edwards embarked in the drug business also, and three years later he formed a partnership in the tannery with F. Krehl, of Girard. In 1867 he sold out his interest to Mr. Krehl and bought a farm of one hundred and twenty acres in Canfield township, one of the most pro- ductive and valuable places in the township, and now the property of his son, D. L. For two years he was engaged in placing the needed improvements on this farm, but in 1869 he and Mr. Edwards again went into the leather busi- ness, this time in the manufacture of leather and belting. In 1872 F. Shaw- aker was admitted as a partner in the concern, but in 1875 his interest was purchased by Mr. Sanzenbacher: and in 1877 the belt-making was dropped and the manufacture of harness leather taken up. The business was thus continued until 1888, when, at the death of Mr. Edwards, Mr. Sanzenbacher bought the Edwards interest in the business and took in his son, D. L., who remained in the business about two years, retiring on account of ill health. For about three years he bought unfinished leather and completed the finish- ing process, but in 1899 he sold some of his buildings to Lyman, Dickson
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and Williams, and in 1901 completed the sale to I. Callihan and S. Neff, since which time he has been retired.
On December 24, 1850, Mr. Sanzenbacher was married to Miss Sarah Oswalt, who was born in Canfield, November 25, 1832. On November 5, 1898, when he returned home for dinner, he found the faithful companion of forty years dead in her chair, and from this dark hour he has not yet re- covered. Their family consisted of Mrs. Harriet E. Neff, Mrs. Rebecca Cal- lihan, Charles J., John H., David L. and Martin L. Mr. Sanzenbacher is one of the most popular men in his community and has proved a most loyal citizen to his adopted country. He has served as a bank director, is an esteemed mem- ber of the Methodist church, and has certainly deserved the success in com- mercial and social life which has come to him. He is a staunch Republican, but votes for the best man in local affairs.
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