USA > Ohio > Genealogical and family history of eastern Ohio > Part 65
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The mother of these twin brothers was Susan Groff, who was born in York county, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1801, and died in 1876. She was the mother of eight children, of whom three died young, and there were two sets of twins. Leah was born February 15, 1824, and is the widow of Adam Condo, who died in 1863, aged forty years, leaving two sons and two daughters; twin infants died in infancy; George W., born December 20, 1829, died in 1869, a bachelor; Jeremiah and William, of this sketch; and Jacob, born July 17, 1836, who gave his life for his country on the bloody field of Chickamauga, and fills an unnamed grave, but he is not forgotten. George and Susan (Groff) Creps were married May 15, 1823, and settled in Beaver township in 1836, two miles west of Young's- town. Although they were in humble circumstances, they were honest and
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industrious people, and sent several of their sons to fight for their country. Their daughter, Mrs. Leah Condo, is well known in this locality and is much esteemed. She lost her oldest child, Susan, at the age of five years, but has three surviving: George, a fine specimen of manhood, who resides in Beaver township; Jacob, of North Lima; and Sarah, at home. They reside on the fertile farm of eighty-three acres, which is the property of all. In religious belief they all are Lutherans.
Jeremiah Creps was a member of Company A, One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and participated in the following battles: Franklin, Tennessee; Chickamauga; Missionary Ridge; Dandridge, Tennessee; Rocky Face Ridge; Resaca; Adairsville, Georgia; Cassville, Georgia; New Hope Church; Pine Mountain; Muddy Creek; Kenesaw Mountain; Peach Tree Creek; siege of Atlanta; Jonesboro, Georgia; Lovejoy Station, Louisiana; Spring Hill Farm; and Nashville. At the battle of Chickamauga he suffered a wound in the knee from an ex- plosion, and this has given him rheumatic trouble ever since. Mr. Creps possesses a noble record for long service and bravery, which is recognized by the government by awarding him a pension of seventeen dollars a month.
William Creps married Katie Winans, who died in Columbiana county, Ohio, January 15, 1900, aged seventy years, leaving one daughter, Lestie, who is the wife of Fred Foltzure, of Cleveland.
JOHN MOHERMAN.
John Moherman, a highly respected farmer of Jackson township, Ma- honing county, was born in this county and is a son of John Moherman, who was born in 1804 in Austintown township. The latter was a son of Frederick Moherman, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1778, and married Mary Horn. They reared nine children, as fol- lows: John; Abraham; Daniel; Robert; Austin; Winchester, now a resi- dent of Austintown township (see his sketch in this volume) ; Ann, wife of Leonard Woodward; Rachel, wife of George Lynn; and Mary, who died aged nineteen years. Frederick Moherman was a man of property at the time of the Revolutionary war and removed from Maryland to Washington county, Pennsylvania, when sixteen years of age, and came to Austintown township in company with a family named Park to view land. He subsequently re- turned and purchased one hundred and fifty acres in the southeast corner of the township, and then went back to Washington county and married, finally settling on his Ohio farm. At that time Indians and wild animals were still numerous, and there were yet few white settlers. There were no roads
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through the forests, nor mills where they could grind their corn. Their little rude log cabin was isolated, as there was then no county seat or town- ship bounds established. Here amid the most primitive conditions a large family was reared and taught the value of industry and economy.
John Moherman, the eldest son, was born in 1804, and his wife, Mary Cassidy, in 1805, in Newton township, Sussex county, New Jersey. They married in 1835, and reared two sons and two daughters. The business followed was of an agricultural nature, and their crops proved bounteous and their cattle multiplied until they became people of large means for the times. Mr. Moherman owned five farms aggregating about- eight hundred acres. The mother of our subject died in middle age, and the father some years later. In politics he was a Democrat during the administration of Andrew Jackson, but later adopted the principles of the Republican party. He gave his children as good educational opportunities as he could, and as- sisted them to start in life, and they have all prospered.
Mr. Moherman of this sketch is known as one of the able and success- ful farmers of this locality, and he owns three farms noted for their cultiva- tion and the excellent improvements upon them. He has engaged in mixed husbandry, and deserves the reputation he enjoys of being one of the best farmers in the county. Mr. Moherman married Miss Lida Woodward, a cousin, and two children were born to them, namely: Ward, a young man assisting his father at home; and Mary, whose young life ended at the age of sixteen years. In politics Mr. Moherman is a Republican.
JACOB SIMON.
Jacob Simon, a well known agriculturist of Youngstown township, was born in Boardman township, November 9, 1827. He is a son of Abraham Simon, who was born in December, 1794, in Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, and died in Boardman township at the age of seventy-six years. His father, Michael Simon, was born on the ocean, about 1746, and died in 1844, aged ninety-eight years and six months. This patriarch foresaw his death, asking, one day, while in usual health, that his children might be gathered about him, and when they came, he calmly said farewell, and passed away. He was a man of large means, and reared a numerous family from four marriages. Henry Simon, father of our subject, with a brother, were the children of his last wife. Longevity was notable in this family, one uncle of our subject living to the age of ninety-two years, and one aunt to the age of one hundred and six years.
The mother of Mr. Simon was Catherine Crouse, and she was born
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March 13, 1799, in Beaver township, and was a daughter of Joseph Crouse. Solomon, the first child of the parents of our subject, was born November 5, 1820, and died in Wood county, Ohio, in 1895. The other members of the family were: John, born January 1, 1823, is a farmer in Boardman town- ship; Michael, born December 10, 1825, died in the fall of 1902; Jacob, of this sketch; Harriet is the widow Connor, and has one daughter and two sons : Elizabeth is the widow of Jacob Bailey, a large farmer ; Martha married George Hormical, of Boardman township, and they have one daughter; Delilah is the widow of Azrean, of the same township; and Joshua, of Board- man township, has two daughters and five sons.
In 1855 Jacob Simon came to his present farm, having married Miss Clarissa Osborn on December 20th. She was born in Jackson township, and is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Chryst) Osborn, who came here from Virginia in 1804. The father was born in 1802, and was a son of Anthony Osborn, who was born in Virginia in 1769. The original Osborn family came from England in the persons of three brothers. One son re- mained at home, and the property finally fell into chancery, and the heirs never received any portion of it.
Mr. Simon bought this farm of one hundred and forty acres, fifty-two years ago, paying thirty-three dollars per acre. He has brought it to a very fine state of cultivation, by the use of rotation of crops and good ma- chinery, abundant fertilization and careful methods. His crops compare favorably with any in the state, while his large barns and comfortable resi- dence give an air of prosperity to all his surroundings.
Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Simon, namely: Enos G., who was born April 20, 1857; and Sabilla. The former lost his sight at the age of fourteen years, but in spite of this affliction is a very intelligent man, cheerful in spirit and valued in his family and community. Like many others who have been deprived of sight, his other senses have been remark- ably developed. He married Charlotte Rogers, and they have two daughters. Sabilla Simon married Noble Detchon, of Youngstown, and they have two daughters. Of the Reformed church in religious views, and of the Repub- lican party in politics, Mr. Simon is one of the best representative men of his locality.
CAPTAIN DAVID RICHART.
One of the old-time residents of Youngstown, Ohio, one who has sur- vived the raging moil of battle and likewise the ravages of father time, and who has an honorable record in all the departments of life in which he has been called to serve, is Captain David Richart. He might well be termed
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a gentleman of the old school, and his popularity among all classes and citi- zens of Youngstown marks how well he has fulfilled life's early promises and how he has caused the beauteous bloom of hope to remain unseared by time's advance. Captain Richart as a veteran of the Civil war is a member of the Loyal Legion of Cincinnati, Ohio. He is at present living a retired life with his sister, Mrs. Juliet Ellis, and they are both enjoying the utmost regard of many friends and acquaintances. Mrs. Ellis is the widow of the late J. N. Ellis, one of the prominent and honorable business men of Youngs- town.
NORMAN RIPPLE.
Norman Ripple, who follows the business of blacksmith at Youngs- town, was born in Jackson township, September 16, 1849, and is a son of William Ripple, who was born December 13, 1827, and died on his seventy- first birthday, and a grandson of John Ripple, who was born in 1781 in Penn- sylvania, east of the mountains, and died in 1867. The mother of our subject was Emily Shafer and was a daughter of Jacob Shafer, who was a pioneer from Pennsylvania to this section. The mother was born June 9, 1828, and was married in Jackson township. Mr. Ripple is one of four children, as follows: Norman, of this sketch; Mary E., born in September, 1851, is the widow of Frank Parks, of Youngstown, and has two sons ; Caroline is the wife of John Gilchrist, of Warren, Ohio, and has nine chil- dren; and Charles F., who was born in 1857, died November 26, 1897. A curious coincidence is that all these children were born in September and on a Sabbath. The mother died February 14, 1897, and the father December 13, 1898.
Norman Ripple came to Youngstown, November 24, 1869. He shod his first horse that day, having had no apprenticeship, and he has continued in business ever since at 125 West Commerce street. He is regarded as one of the experts in his line, and now employs three helpers and has many of the best customers in the city.
Mr. Ripple was married September 28, 1882, to Miss Carrie Miller, who was born in Youngstown and is a daughter of Francis and Louisa (Hoffman) Miller, both of whom were born in Germany and came to Youngstown in 1851 and married in 1854. The father was a clothing mer- chant, and was a prominent citizen of Youngstown, a member of the city council and for two terms its president. Mr. and Mrs. Miller had five chil- dren, namely : William A .; Theodore F., of Youngstown: Carrie, Mrs. Ripple; Henry; and Frank E., who resides here and has one son. The mother still survives at the age of seventy years. The children of Mr. and
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Mrs. Ripple are : Bessie and Grace E., both of whom are graduates of the public schools and are talented in oil and china painting; and Edith, Frank and Florence, all students.
In politics Mr. Ripple is a Republican, but he has neither sought nor accepted office. He owns a pleasant residence at 25 West Rayen street, and in the rear, fronting Wood street, he has a very large boarding barn, sixty-five by one hundred feet in dimensions. He also owns his shop and has a very fine trade. This is a good showing for one who began poor and has made his own way in the world. Better than that, he enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow citizens on account of his promptness and the fine quality of the work he turns out. Fraternally he belongs to the orders of United Workmen, Ben Hur and Woodmen of the World. He has many friends, and has a family which reflects much credit upon him. He has given his children educational advantages and in every way has been a first- class and representative citizen, and a promoter of the industrial prosperity of Youngstown.
FRANK MILLER.
Frank Miller, who follows the business of horse-shoeing at 25 Sixth street, Youngstown, was born in Poland township, March 13, 1856, and is a son of Alexander Miller, who was born in 1824 in Philadelphia and died in this city in 1900. The grandfather was Joseph Miller, who was born in county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1795, and died aged eighty-one years in this city. He married in Ireland, and his first child was born on the Atlantic Ocean. The grandmother died aged fifty-six years, and he passed his last days with his sons. He was the first cash purchaser of a farm in Mahoning county, in 1828 buying what is now known as the Cyrus Detchon farm. His first work in Philadelphia was in a stage office, handling baggage. He had five children, two sons and three daughters.
The mother of our subject was Mary Hollibaugh, who was born near Pulaski, Pennsylvania. Three children were born to Alexander Miller and wife, one son and two daughters, as follows: Anna is the wife of David Evans, of Youngstown, and they have two living children; Jennie is the wife of David McElvey; and our subject. The parents sold the farm and came to Youngstown in 1863, buying a home on Boardman street, where Mr. Miller followed his trade of shoemaking. The mother died in 1894, aged fifty-six years, and the father, October 31, 1900.
Frank Miller was reared on the farm until eighteen years old, and had rather limited school advantages. After coming to Youngstown he went with Sheldon Jacobs to learn shoeing of horses and general blacksmith work,
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and remained three years. He has made a specialty of horse-shoeing, and has few equals in this section. Mr. Miller now has a good shop and a fine trade of his own, and gives constant employment to two skilled workmen. It is located in a convenient portion of the city, and he numbers among his patrons many owners of some of the most valuable animals in the county. In 1902 he bought his comfortable residence at 1806 South Market street.
On September 9, 1876, he married Miss Wealthy Simpkins, who was born at Orangeville, Ohio, in 1861, and is a daughter of the late esteemed Robert J. Simpkins, who died here in 1891 aged sixty-four years. He is survived by his widow and four children. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Miller are: Lottie, wife of James Cooper, has two children; Ruby a bookkeeper, at home; and Irma, who is still a student. Mr. Miller belongs to the order of Odd Fellows, and is a member of the encampment. He was reared in the Democratic faith, but has been identified with the Republican party for some time, and was a supporter of the late President Mckinley, whose sister was once his school teacher. The family belongs to the Chris- tian church.
WILLIAM H. LOLLER.
There are occupations in life which partake of the heroic. No one who has ever been a victim of fire, that agency of nature so beneficent when con- trolled, so absolutely fiendish when allowed its full sway, can ever listen to the loud alarm of the fire bell as it awakes night's echoes without feeling keen distress until the finished call locates the blaze far away in another part of the city. The knowledge that the fire department of the city is efficient and effective in the most trying situations does much to allay this feeling of nervousness on the part of citizens, for they know that the chances are against an extended conflagration. Youngstown's fire department is her pride, and at the head of it as chief is William H. Loller, a young man, but who combines with the vigor that comes with youth the qualities of age.
He was born July 26, 1863, at Millville, New Jersey, and at the age of two years came with his parents to Clayton, in the same state, where he was reared to man's estate. He received an excellent common school educa- tion in the public schools of that city, which was supplemented later by a course at the Clayton Academy, where he graduated in 1882. Beginning life for himself he left home and went to Philadelphia, where he secured a posi- tion in a dry-goods store as clerk. He followed this business for two years, but it was not of such a nature as to satisfy a disposition which demanded more life and action, as did his. He therefore left the business, and for several years wandered about the country in search of more exciting work.
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In 1884 he came to Youngstown, Ohio, and secured a position with the Ma- honing Gas Fuel Company, having in his wanderings become somewhat ac- quainted with the gas-fitting business. He continued with them for a period of two years. During this time he had taken a great interest in the volun- teer fire department of the city. It is, and was then the custom to draw the members of the regular department from the volunteer fire department, select- ing the best men among the volunteers. In 1888 he came into the paid de- partment, and since that time has been on the force. His first work in the department was as a hoseman, and in June, 1900, he was made a captain. His present appointment as chief of the department dates from May 1, 1901.
Chief Loller was married in Youngstown in 1890 to Sarah, daughter of William D. Edwards. In political belief Mr. Loller is a Republican, the ' only "black sheep," however, in the family, as all of the people of the family on both sides have always been Democrats. Socially he affiliates with the Elks, and is a chapter and Royal Arch Mason, and is an honored member of the Odd Fellows fraternity.
The family of which our subject is a worthy member were New Jersey people, his grandfather, James Loller, having been born in that state in 1802. He followed the sea, being captain of a vessel, and was drowned in a terrible storm off the island of Cuba. His son, the father of our subject, was also named James, and was born in Tuckahoe, New Jersey, in 1825, and died in the village of Clayton, New Jersey, in 1882. He was a glass- blower by trade, and had gone into the hotel business some time prior to his death. He married, in 1854, Beatrice Maley, to whom were born three children : George, deceased; Flora R., wife of Howard Gray, of Millville, New Jersey; and William H., the subject of this sketch. The mother of this family is still living, residing at Clayton, New Jersey.
REES L. JONES.
The gentleman above mentioned, who for many years has been one of the foremost citizens of Youngstown, is a contribution to America from the ancient land of Wales, which, though it has not sent so many emi- grants as some other countries have, makes up in quality for any lack in quantity. Wherever the Welsh are found they prove good and industrious citizens, being especially useful in the mechanic arts, in several lines of which Wales has long been famous. And it may truthfully be said that that worthy little country has never contributed a more worthy son to the citizenship of any community than Mr. Jones, whose career forms the sub- ject of this biography.
Rues. L. Jones
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Rees L. Jones was born in Dowlais, Glamorganshire, South Wales, Oc- tober 1, 1849, and when about six years old went with his parents to Mid- dlesborough, Yorkshire, England. His father, John M. Jones, died Decem- ber 8, 1865, while a resident of the place last named, and in 1867 his widow, accompanied by her children, emigrated to America. They located at Nor- ristown, Pennsylvania, where Rees L. obtained employment in the rolling mill of Colonel William Schall and Sons, and remained there four years. From that point he went to Philadelphia and worked in a rolling mill there from 1871 to 1879. His next move was to Bay View, Wisconsin, where he held the position of roller for the Bay View Rolling Mill Company, but he remained there only a few months and in 1880 came to Youngstown, which was to prove the scene of his future activity. He first entered the employ of the Brown-Bonnell Iron Company in the capacity of roller on a twenty- two inch mill, was later transferred to an eighteen-inch mill in the same capacity, and one year afterward to a twelve-inch mill, where he served with credit to the company and distinction to himself for twenty-one years, the length of service itself being a glowing testimonial to his steady and indus- trious character. He left this employment to enter upon his duties with the Valley Works of the Republic Iron and Steel Company, where he is em- ployed at present in one of the more responsible positions and is adding to his already excellent success.
Aside from his regular duties he has figured conspicuously and usefully in the educational, social and business life of the community. In 1889 he was elected to the city council from the third ward, and his two years' ser- vice amply proved his aptitude for public business. In 1893 he was made a member of the board of education, and served in that capacity most accept- ably for five terms, during two of which he held the position of president of the board. Mr. Jones was one of the incorporators of the Dollar Savings & Trust Company, also an incorporator of the Brown-Bonnell Relief Asso- ciation, organized to relieve the injured and bury the dead. His mother died in Philadelphia shortly after her emigration to this country, and of her ten children only two survive besides himself. These are John M. Jones and a sister named Jane, who is now the wife of James N. Clayton, of Norris- town, Pennslyvania. Mr. Jones is a member of the firm of Jones and Bey- non, retail meat dealers, who carry on an extensive business on the south side. He has not only shown great ability in the particular industry to which he has devoted so many years of his life, but has, in various transactions, evi- denced good business judgment and foresight. On more than one occasion he has displayed qualities of unselfish heroism which should place him among
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the world's elect and chosen. Only two or three years ago he succeeded in shutting down a runaway engine, at the imminent risk of his own life, and thus saved much property to the company and averted disaster to many lives.
In 1871 Mr. Jones was married at Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Mary V. Erwin, by whom he had the following children: Meredith T., who follows the same line of business as his father: Daniel E., who is the fore- man roll turner of the Valley Works of the Republic Iron and Steel Com- pany; Elizabeth, a graduate of music and a professional pianist, is the wife of Thomas J. Helrigle, Jr .; and Margaret is the wife of William N. Saxton, a cousin of Mrs. William Mckinley. Mr. Jones' second marriage was with Alice M. Moran, by whom there is one child, John Clayton. In addition to his own children, Mr. Jones has an adopted son, whom he named after him- self, Rees L. Jones. His religious affiliations are with the First Baptist church at Youngstown. He is a member of Western Star Lodge No. 21, F. & A. M .; Royal Arch Chapter No. 93 ; and St. John's Commandery No. 20, K. T. In 1877 he became a member of Delaware Lodge No. 42, A. A. I. S. & T. W., of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and since 1880 has been a member of Youngstown Lodge No. 14, of this order. He was its treasurer, in which position he served for five years, and was the president for seven terms and represented Youngstown Lodge in the national convention five times. He is also a past chief ranger of the Foresters of the World. Whether in business, among the fraternities, or in church or social affairs, no man stands higher at Youngstown than Rees L. Jones.
JOHN McVEAN.
For forty years Mr. John McVean has been contracting for the large firm of Brown-Bonnel Company of Youngstown, a record not often surpassed by even the most persevering of men, and if one were to seek some cause outside of inherent character for this rather extraordinary career, the fact that Mr. McVean is the son of Scotch parents might account in some measure for such persistent and unremitting effort along one line; and, not to spoil the moral sequel, it is gratifying to mention that Mr. McVean has profited in an unusual degree by this course of single-minded endeavor, and can be counted among those to whom fortune has given an unwonted amount of material prosperity.
The worthy parents mentioned above were Donald McVean, born at Edinburg, Scotland, and Catherine McGregor, of a Highland Scotch family. They came to Canada about 1845, and to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1862. Don-
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