History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 103

Author: McCord, William B., b. 1844
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 912

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In the spring of 1902 the W. C. T. U. discovered that the saloons were distributing obscene literature. With much difficulty they obtained evidence and then through their secre- tary. Mrs. Ida L. P. Blazer ( who is State superintendent of the "Department of Purity in

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RESIDENCE OF MISS MARY M. UNCAPHER.

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Literature and Art"), prosecuted the two cases, each of which resulted in conviction. Thus the Union scored one more mark in favor of local option.

The individual members of the Union con- stantly used their influence with the men of their families to bring about a local option election. Men were received as honorary mem- bers and quite a number were enrolled. At the suggestion of the W. C. T. U., in December, 1902, the Christian Endeavor societies elected delegates to the Anti-Saloon Congress, in Columbus, the Union to help pay their ex- penses, on condition that a mass meeting be held on their return, at which they should re- port. Such a meeting was held and much en- thusiasm aroused. Again in the fall of 1903, feeling that the time was ripe for action, mem- bers of the Union broached the subject at a union meeting of the Christian Endeavor so- cieties, and afterward personally interviewed the men, who later became the leaders in the local option campaign. In the meantime the W. C. T. U. continued to provide lectures by the best temperance lecturers in the field, among whom were Mrs. Mary Hunt, Belle Kearney, Mrs. Florence D. Richards, Dr. W. F. Mc- Cauley, and Mrs. Annie W. Clark, president of the Ohio W. C. T. U.

When the actual campaign came on, in August, 1904, the ladies worked quietly, allow- ing the good men, who had so nobly come to the front, to assume the leadership. On elec- tion day, September 15th, the vote stood 402 "dry," 234 "wet."

While splendid work was done by the men, and much credit was due them, yet those who were far-seeing knew that such a change in sentiment had not taken place in a month, nor in a year, and such people attributed it to the steady plodding work of the W. C. T. U. year after year. With but a few exceptions the men who were active on the "dry" side were hon- orary members, or men whose wives were active workers in the W. C. T. U. The young men of the town voted "dry" almost as a unit. and they carried the town. They were, most of them. boys who had been given scientific temperance instruction in the public schools.

The Union is trying to teach Christian citizenship and observance of law. Beside its local work, it does county and State work and circulates petitions for State and national laws, and in many other ways makes its influence felt for good. It is in a healthy condition at pres- ent and expects to remain so. The present officers are : President, Mrs. Augusta MeBane ; recording secretary, Mrs. Alice Bunn; corre- sponding secretary. Mrs. Ida L. P. Blazer ; treasurer, Mrs. Margaret Smithi.

OHN UNCAPHER, deceased, was one of the most prominent and success- ful business men of Unity township, of which he was a pioneer. He was a successful farmer and tanner, and at the time of his death had extensive landed in- terests in this and other counties.

John Uncapher was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and was a son of George and Catherine Uncapher. He was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, settling near Saltzburg, in Mount Pleasant township. He was one of a large family of children and re- ceived his educational training in the primi- tive schools of that period. He came to Ohio about 1830, and settled on a farm in the north- east portion of Columbiana County, in section 18, Unity township, on which there was a log house, which is still standing, and a barn. He at once set about, in earnest, the task of making his fortune. In addition to farming, he conducted a tannery on his home place, and grew to be one of the substantial men of his section. In addition to his real estate holdings in Unity township, he acquired property in Van Wert County, Ohio, and about 400 acres of farm land near that town. He also had busi- ness interests in the town of Marion.

John Uncapher was united in marriage with Anna Elizabeth Williams, a daughter of Thomas and Mary Magdalena ( Foosleman) Williams. Her father was a native of Scot- land : upon coming to this country he settled in Connecticut, where he acquired considerable

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land. Many Indians being encamped in the timber of the section in which he lived, he was in constant danger of his life and as a result decided to leave that country, notwithstanding his property interests from which he never real- ized a cent. He moved to near Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where he became wealthy through his coal mining op- erations, and upon his death he left each mem- ber of the family much valuable property. Mr. and Mrs. Uncapher became parents of nine children, three of whom died young. Of those who grew to maturity, but two are now living : Mary Magdalena, of New Waterford; and Mrs. Margaret Hively, who lives in section 17, Unity township. Our subject departed this life at the age of 90 years; his faithful wife pre- ceded him some years, dying in her 75th year. Religiously, they were members of the Pres- byterian Church.

Miss Mary Magdalena Uncapher is a lady of refinement and good business capacity, and universally respected and esteemed by her fel- low-citizens of New Waterford. Believing government bonds the safest investment, al- though not affording large returns, she has in- vested her property in these securities. Miss Uncapher has a fine residence, pleasantly sit- uated near the center of the village of New Waterford, a view of which accompanies this sketch. Miss Uncapher identified herself with the Presbyterian Church in early life, but of late years has attended the Methodist Church, of which she is a member.

REDERIC J. MULLINS, junior mem- ber of the well-known law firm of Carey & Mullins, of Salem, stands very high in the estimation of his professional brethren as well as the general public. Mr. Mullins was born at Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, October 3, 1857, and is a son of James and Hannah E. Mullins.

Mr. Mullins was given excellent educational training and is a graduate of the University of Wooster. In 1888 he came to Salem and en- tered the service of the Pennsylvania Com-

pany in its law department, forming a partner- ship with James R. Carey and W. C. Boyle, under the firm name of Carey, Boyle & Mul- lins, and continued thus until January 1, 1900 .. when Mr. Boyle withdrew and the present firm took the place of the old one. Mr. Mullins is assistant solicitor for the Pennsylvania Con- pany. Both Mr. Carey and Mr. Mullins have been retained in some of the most important litigation in the courts of the county and have acquitted themselves well individually and as a firm.

Mr. Mullins was married in 1882 to Mary E. Parsons, daughter of Hon. C. C. Parsons, of Wooster, and has a family of three children.

5 ARRY H. LEITH, civil engineer by profession and now city engineer of Wellsville, was born at Wellsville, Columbiana County, Ohio, July 10, 1878, and is a son of Thomas J. and Isabel W. (Philips) Leith.

Thomas J. Leith, the father, was born at Wellsville also, on July 23, 1848. While a lad he began going back and forth on the Cleve- land & Pittsburg Railroad as a newspoy, later became a brakeman and still later a passenger conductor on the line between Cleveland and Pittsburg, and occupies that position at the present time. He is a Republican in politics.

The mother of our subject was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and still sur- vives. The four members of the family to reach maturity are: Maude V., wife of Ben- jamin F. Hepsley, of Steubenville, Ohio; Charles F., of Pittsburg; Harry H., of Wells- ville and Pearl M., wife of Lee Phillips, of Chester, West Virginia.

Harry H. Leith was educated in Wells- ville and graduated at the High School in 1896 entering then the office of the maintenance of way department of the Cleveland and Pitts- burg Division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, where he remained two years, his instruction including surveying. He then entered the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland

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where he took a special course in civil engin- eering and continued his studies along this line in the Ohio State University at Columbus.

Mr. Leith then returned to Wellsville and worked for about 12 months for the Pennsyl- vania Railroad Company, but since 1901 he has been city engineer, appointed by the City Council. He bears off the record as being the youngest city engineer in the State of Ohio. He has a large private business, doing work in his line in the city for private concerns and had personal charge of the construction of the storm sewers. Almost all of the city's utilities have been established under his supervision.

Mr. Leith was united in marriage with , Nora Moorehead, a daughter of John Moore- head, of Wellsville, and they have one son, --- -Joseph P. Mrs. Leith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Politically Mr. Leith is identified with the Republican party. Fraternally he belongs to Wellsville Lodge, No. 180, F. & A. M. Dur- ing his university days he was a member of the Sigma Chi, class of 1901. He possesses a fine baritone voice and was chosen a member of the University Glee Club, one of 16, out of a body of 1,500.

OSEPH B. STEINER. The beautiful home in Butler township, where the OrG late Joseph B. Steiner spent three years of his long and useful life, is one of the most attractive of the many fine houses for which the northern sec- tion of the county is noted. Mr. Steiner was born at Leesburg, Mercer County, Pennsyl- vania, in September, 1841, and was the second in a family of nine children born to Joseph and Margaret (Robbins) Steiner.

Of his early life we have few records but it is known that from boyhood he was thrown upon his own resources. He made his way to Pittsburg and there sought and obtained work .in one of the largest rolling-mills of that city, and through his industry and faithful per- formance of duty continued in the employ of Everson & Preston for more than 35 years, a

considerable period of this time being a man- ager of an important department. He was connected in a like capacity with two other firms in Pittsburg. From that city he enlisted for service in the Civil War and faithfully per- formed a soldier's duty from February, 1864, until the close of hostilities. He was connected with Battery F, known as "Hampton's Bat- tery," under the command of that brave soldier, Capt. Nathaniel Irish, and the greater part of his service was in protecting Hampton Roads. He was a valued member of Hayes Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Pittsburg.

By his own industry and frugality Mr. Steiner had accumulated sufficient capital to in- vest in a body of valuable land and in 1898 he purchased the present home farm of 150 acres, located in section 14, Butler township, Columbiana County. He took great pride in this beautiful home and spared neither expense nor labor in making it attractive in every way. Here he was stricken with apoplexy very sud- denly and, with sickness of but one day's dura- tion, passed away, on June 29, 1902. He was a man of such sterling character that he had many friends and sorrow over his death was wide-spread. For many years he had been a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. He had been associated with the Masonic fra- ternity since young manhood. In his political views he was a Republican.

In 1866 Mr. Steiner was united in marriage with Miriam Jones, who was born at Newton, Wales, December 21, 1842. Her parents hav- ing died previously, she came to the United States with a brother, when 19 years old. She is the only survivor of four children, viz : Rowland, Isaac W., Eleanor, and Miriam. Mr. and Mrs. Steiner became the parents of five children, all of whom were carefully edu- cated and all have domestic circles of their own. They are as follows : Maude, who mar- ried M. R. Little, of Hanover; Joseph, who is cashier of the great Crane Manufacturing Company, of Chicago: Hugh C., who married Margaret Carroll, in February, 1898, and has three bright, attractive little ones,-Margaret, Miriam and Ruth: Gertrude M., who is the wife of George R. Aufderlieide, of Pittsburg :

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and Alma C., wife of Charles B. Moore, of :Salem.

Prior to the death of his father, Hugh C. Steiner was a successful mechanic at Pittsburg, "but since then he has had charge of the farm, taking the same amount of interest in keeping it up and improving it still further as did his late father. Mere words can not adequately describe this beautiful rural home. The sub- stantial brick residence is surrounded by fully a half acre of ground laid out with the taste of a landscape artist, trees, shrubbery and flowers making it indeed attractive.

R ICHARD L. E. CHAMBERS, teller of The First National Bank, of East Liverpool, is a native of Knoxville, Ohio, and a son of Richard and Mary E. (Clear) Chambers. His grand- father Chambers was a native of Halifax, Eng- land, where he was a prosperous timber mer- chant.

Richard Chambers was born in Halifax, England, January 24, 1832. He was a carpen- ter and joiner and during the Crimean War was employed in the government arsenal at Woolwich. In 1858 he came to America and became a partner. of his brother Joseph, who had been conducting a general store at Knox- ville, Ohio, for many years. When the war with the South commenced he enlisted in Com- pany D, 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served three years, during which he had only a slight wound. He was captured at Perryville, Ken- tucky, and paroled at Columbus, Ohio. Later on he was exchanged and then rejoined his regi- ment in the field. Returning to Knoxville after the war, he continued the business alone until his death, September 26, 1881. He was a Re- publican. He was married in 1860 to Mary E. Clear, who was a daughter of Thomas Clear, and was born in Knoxville, Jefferson County, Ohio, July 4, 1842. Their family consisted of six children, namely: Elmer E .: Frank B., Charles S., of Jacksonville, Florida ; Frederick TV., of Cincinnati; Hubert C., a United Pres-

byterian minister, who is a missionary in India; and Richard L. E. After the death of Mr. Chambers, his widow conducted the store for, several years, when her son Frank took the responsibility from her shoulders. In 1887, he formed a partnership with his brother Elmer and came to East Liverpool, where they opened the largest department store in the East End, then known as Ohio City, under the firm name of Chambers Brothers. About 1893 a new organization was formed and since then the business has been conducted under the name of The Chambers Company. Frank B. Cham- bers is manager of the business.

Mrs. Chambers is a member of the Second United Presbyterian Church, with which her husband was also identified. Her father, Thomas Clear, was born in Uniontown, Penn- sylvania, and married Sarah Pontius, a daugh- ter of George Pontius. After the death of his wife he came to East Liverpool and lived with his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Boyle, until he passed away at the age of 72 years in 1871.

ESSE M. ALLEN, deceased, one of the early merchants at Columbiana, who was in business in this town for almost two score years, was born in 1808, and came to this locality with his uncle, Jesse Allen.

This Jesse Allen was the first merchant in Columbiana and began business in 1812. For, a time Benjamin Hanna had an interest and the firm was known as Jesse Allen & Company. They occupied a small building on the northeast corner of the "Square" until 1816, when Mr. Allen continued alone for a number of years. Subsequently he bought property and built a brick building where the bank was located on the northwest side of the "Square." There he continued in successful merchandising, in the meantime taking his nephew, Jesse M. Allen, into partnership. The latter succeeded his uncle in business and continued for almost 40 years. The brick block on the west side of the "Square" in which Mrs. Allen resides, he built in 1841, three years after his marriage. After

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a long, exemplary and useful life, he died in 1874.

In 1838 Mr. Allen married Mary Nichols, who is a daughter of William and Mary (Jan- ney ) Nichols, who reared a family of 10 child- ren, of which Mrs. Allen is the only survivor.

William Nichols was born in 1779 in Lou- doun County, Virginia, in an old stone resi- dence which was the family home. He was a son of William and Sarah (Spencer) Nichols, who reared a family of three sons and two daughters, viz. : Isaac, Samuel, William, Mrs. Mary Piggot and Mrs. Edith Tate. The Nich- ols family is of English extraction and of Quak- er stock. It was founded in Virginia by two brothers, Isaac and William Nichols, followers of George Fox. They lived and died in Lou- doun County and their tombstones may be found near the little meeting house on Goose Creek.

William Nichols, the father of Mrs. Allen, was educated in the Friends' school in his na- tive county and all his life he followed farming in connection with traveling as a minister of the Society of Friends. In 1833 he came to Columbiana County, Ohio, purchasing at that time some 650 acres of land. In 1834 he came to the county again, built a sawmill at Cherry Fork and then went back to the old home in Virginia. In 1836 he brought his wife and children to the new home and in 1837 built a grist-mill. which his son Stacey conducted in connection with the sawmill. He was a just man and devoted to his children. On the mar- riage of each daughter, he gave her $1,000, while to his sons he gave adequately in land. He was permitted to pass away before the Civil War conflict rent his beloved section, dying in June. 1860. The mother of Mrs. Allen was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and was the third child born to Stacey and Hannah (Brown) Janney.

Mrs. Allen has witnessed the development of Columbiana from its beginning and with her husband has much to do with the advance- ment of education and the refining of crude con- ditions into the civilization of to-day. With her brother, Isaac Nichols, and her husband, Jesse M. Allen, she laid out 100 acres in town

lots, this addition being situated north of the- "Square." She is a lady who is held in great esteem both in Columbiana and in Salem, where she has business connections and a wide circle - of friends.

HE DOLLAR SAVINGS BANK, of East Liverpool, one of the leading in- stitutions of the city, was established in July, 1902, by George H. Owell, Harry T. Hall, and other representa- tive business men. In addition to transacting a general banking business, this bank accepts deposits of sums as small as 10 cents and on the savings deposits pays compound interest. It is the only institution of its kind in the city, and is filling a long-felt want.

The officers of The Dollar Savings Bank are: George H. Owen, president; H. N. Hark- er, vice-president ; and Harry T. Hall, cashier. These gentlemen are also on the board of di- rectors with M. E. Golding, James G. Lee, H. A. McNicol, Monroe Patterson. L. M. Thomas, . Oliver C. Vodrey, Edwin M. Knowles, A. S. Young and George C. Thompson. The bank has purchased the building on the corner of Fifth and Washington streets, known as the Odd Fellows Building, which will be the home of this institution in the near future. The Dol- lar Savings Bank has a capital stock of $60,000 fully paid up, and in the two and a half years .. of its existence has opened up over 6,000 ac- counts. It was conceived and fostered by con- . servative and successful business men, and un- der excellent management has prospered be -. yond the expectation of its promoters.

ANIEL WEBSTER BRINKER, one . of the prominent citizens of Salem township, secretary of the Salem Township Rural Telephone Company and also secretary of the Leetonia Horse Breeding Association, resides on his fine . farm of 105 acres, which is situated in section 36. Mr. Brinker was born in Center township, Columbiana County, Ohio, March 23, 1861,.

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and is a son of Henry and Rosina ( Augst) Brinker.

The grandfather of our subject, Andrew Brinker, was born in Pennsylvania, and came to Ohio with his family in 1807, settling on land which he had entered two years previously. The family still have the original deeds. He became a very wealthy and influential man, owning at one time 2,000 acres of land, 1,740 of which were situated in Columbiana County. He came of sturdy German stock which had settled first in Maryland and had then crossed into Pennsylvania. At his majority he was started out in life with a capital represented by a horse and a steer. The most of his large fortune, accumulated by his own efforts, was made in Ohio. He was generous to his chil- dren, giving each one 200 acres of land. With two others he founded the St. Jacob's Re- formed Church.

Henry Brinker, father of our subject, was born in Center township. Columbiana County, Ohio, in June, 1809, and died October 7, 1882, after a long and useful life of 73 years. His life was spent as a farmer and at one time he owned much land; he willed 458 acres to his children. All his property he acquired by his own efforts with the exception of what his father gave him, about 190 acres, and he carried on extensive farming and stockraising. He was a liberal supporter of the church and a man of honor and business integrity. He was one of a family of II children and the only one born in Columbiana County. He was twice married, a period of 20 years intervening between his weddings.

The mother of our subject was Rosina Augst, who was born in Salem township and is a daughter of Jacob and Katherine Augst, Swiss-Germans. She still survives and resides with her daughter. Sara Ida, in Salem town- ship. The one child of Mr. Brinker's first mar- riage was Jacob, who died in 1887, aged 57 years. The three children of the second mar- riage were: Mrs. Mary C. Arter. of Center township: Daniel W., of this sketch ; and Mrs. Sara Ida Bates, of Salem township.

Daniel Webster Brinker, our immediate subject, was reared in his present neighborhood

and attended the local schools. In 1877 his father gave him the farm he now owns and operates and he settled on it in 1884, two years previously having erected the fine residence and commodious barn. He operates his own 105 acres and 42 acres adjoining belonging to his mother. It is mainly conducted as a dairy farm, being stocked chiefly with Jersey cattle. It is one of the excellent properties of the town- ship and the home is one in which to take just pride.

On March 8, 1884, Mr. Brinker was mar- ried to Alice Hilbish, who was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Rev. Henry Hilbish, of the Reformed Church. They have seven children, namely: Ada B., Linna R., Mildred and Miriam (twins), Henry R., William Theodore and Mary.

In addition to his agricultural interests, Mr. Brinker, takes an active part in politics and in religious and social organizations. He is the efficient secretary of the Salem Township Rural Telephone Company, which was organ- ized in July, 1904, and fills the same position with the Leetonia Horse Breeding Association. which has given much attention to the develop- ing of a superior grade of horses in this section.

Politically Mr. Brinker is a Republican and is a member of the township School Board. He also belongs to the local Grange. Like his father he liberally supports St. Jacob's Re- formed Church, in which he has been a deacon for the past 10 years. Few men are better known in Center township and few are held in higher esteem. The family has been settled in this locality 'so long that few can recall when the name was not familiar here.

ACOB MILLER, deceased, was one of the prominent German farmers of Columbiana County, owning a fine farm of 288 acres, located in sections 14 and 15, St. Clair. township. He was honorable and upright in all his dealings and it is our privilege to pay this token of re- spect to the memory of one so highly esteemed { by his fellow-men. Jacob Miller was born in

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Bavaria, near the Rhine, in Germany, in 1819. He was a stone-mason by trade and followed that business in his native country. He was a soldier in the German Army but as it was a life for which he had no fancy he left it and soon after crossed the ocean to find a home in Ameri- ca. He first located in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. He also had a farm of 160 acres in Seneca County, which he disposed of when he came to Columbiana County. After coming to this county he worked at his trade for some time.

In 1858 Mr. Miller was married to Susan Grader, whose father was George Grader, a soldier under Napoleon in the battle of Water- loo. They had four children,-Mary M .. Caroline, George and Ellen .- all of whom live on the homestead. George married Mary Jane Farmer and has six children,-Frank, Law- rence, Mary, Blanche, George and Merle. His parents built him a house on a part of their farm where he resides.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 103

Author: McCord, William B., b. 1844 Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 912

Author: McCord, William B., b. 1844
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 912