History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 109

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

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On January 29, 1899. our subject was united in marriage with Anna F. Perry, who was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and accom- panied her parents to Trenton, New Jersey, when she was three years old. later moving to Wellsville and East Liverpool, Ohio. Her father, Frederick A. Perry, was formerly a foreman in the potteries here, but is now a resident of Washington, D. C. This union has been blessed with one son, Eric Victor, aged four years. In politics Mr. Calhoun is a Republican. He is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, and was form- erly a member of the Sons of Veterans.

ILLIAM NICHOLS, who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in Fair- field township, resides on his farm of 155 acres, located in sections 4 and 5, one mile northwest of the village of Columbiana. He was born on Jan- uary 1, 1879, on this farm, where his father lived during his life and which his grandfather purchased on coming to Ohio from Virginia. He is a son of William Nichols, grandson of William and Mary (Janney) Nichols and

great-grandson of William and Sarah (Spent- cer) Nichols.

The Nichols family is of English extraction" and was founded in Virginia by two brothers, Isaac and William 'Nichols, followers . of George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends. After settling in Loudoun County, Virginia, they continued to reside there the re- mainder of their lives; their tombstones may be found in the graveyard of the Friends' Meet- ing House on Goose Creek. William Nichols married Sarah Spencer and had three sons- Isaac, Samuel and William-and two daugli- ters-Mrs. Mary Piggot and Mrs. Edith Tate.

William Nichols, son of the first William Nichols mentioned in the foregoing paragraph, and grandfather of our subject, was born in 1779 in Loudoun County, Virginia, in the old stone house, which was the family home. He was educated in the Friends' school in his na- tive county and all his life followed farming. He was a minister of the Society of Friends and his religious work took him about the country a good deal. In 1833 he first came to Colum- biana County and purchased about. 650 acres of land, afterward returning to Virginia. He made his second trip to this county in 1834, at which time he built a sawmill at Cherry Fork. Again returning to the old home in Virginia, he remained there until 1836, when he once more journeyed to Columbiana County, this time accompanied by his wife and children. The following year he built a grist-mill, which, with the sawmill, was operated by his son Stacey. He was a just man and devoted to his children. He married Mary Janney, who was born in Loudoun County, Virginia, and was the third child born to Stacey and Hannalı (Brown) Janney. To William Nichols and his good wife were born 10 children, all of whom are deceased except Mary, the widow of Jesse M. Allen, who was one of the pioneer merchants at Columbiana. Mrs. Allen resides at Columbiana. To each of his daughters on her marriage, William Nichols gave $1,000 in money, while the sons were presented ,with farms. He died in June, 1860. .

William Nichols, the third of the name, the

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father of our subject, was born in the old stone house in Loudoun County, Virginla, and was about 14 years old when he came to Ohio with his father. He was engaged in farming all of his life. He married Mary A. Mather, of Go- shen township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and to them was born one son, William, the subject of this article. Mr. Nichols died August 11, 1901, aged 80 years, five months and eight days. Mrs. Nichols lived to be about 50 years of age. Both were members of the Society of Friends, be- longing to the Hicksite branch. In their walk and conversation they fully exemplified the teachings of their simple faith. There were few who excelled them in uprightness and honesty, even in their own religious society. Mrs. Nichols was an especially attractive woman and had many friends, who held her in the highest esteem.

William Nichols, the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools and has always followed farming, having lived all his life on the farm where he was born and reared.

On August 3, 1902, he was married to Minnie Linhoss, of Dayton, Virginia. They have two children, namely: William Linhoss Nichols, the fifth in succession to bear the time- honored name of William Nichols, who was born June 4, 1903 ; and Mary Virginia Nichols, born September 17, 1904. Mr. Nichols is a member of the Hicksite Friends, while his wife, who is of German descent, is a Mennonite.

J C. THULLEN, president of the Lee- tonia Electric Light & Power Com- pany, of Leetonia, was born in 1850, at Sharpsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of the late Henry Thullen.

Henry Thallen was born in Prussia, and came to America in young manhood, settling first in Pennsylvania. Later he came to Ohio and embarked in a hotel business in Mahoning County, which continued until his death.

J. C. Thullen was educated in the schools of New Albany, Mahoning County, and then learned the trades of boiler-maker and engineer. His first important position was the superin- tendency of the Leetonia Boiler Works, which

was established in 1871, a position he filled until 1901. He assisted in the erection of the iron furnaces at Leetonia and also was one of the builders of the Cherry Valley furnace in 1867. From 1871 to 1901, during his connection with the boiler works at Leetonia, Mr. Thullen had acquired a large interest, which he sold in the latter year and turned his attention entirely to the affairs of the Leetonia Electric Light & Power Company, which he had organized in 1889. He installed this fine electric plant, one of the most satisfactory in this section of the country. The company was incorporated with a capital of $10,000, and Mr. Thullen has been its efficient president ever since.

Mr. Thullen was married in 1870 to Mary E. Cartwright, who was born at Youngstown, Ohio, and they have three children, viz. : L. H., who is connected with the Union Switch Signal Company, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, at the head of the electrical and mechanical depart- ment ; Carrie, who is the wife of W. Harry Schmick, cashier of the First National Bank, of Leetonia; and Nanette, who is the wife of D. K. Bishop, of the Bishop-Babcock Com- pany, of Cleveland.

Mr. Thullen is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been a trustee for the past 30 years. For some 30 years he has been connected with the Masonic fraternity. Being a practical mechanic, Mr. Thullen is well equipped for the position he holds as president of the public utility company, which contributes so materially to the comfort of the citizens of Leetonia. He is also treas- urer and general manager and thus has control of both the official and the practical working of the electric plant. He is held in very high esteem in his business relations and takes his place with the representative men of the town.

HARLES BOYD, a leading attorney at Wellsville, city solicitor and a prominent figure in Republican poli- tics, was born at Wellsville, Ohio, July 12, 1873, and is a son of Will- iam and Elizabetlı (Frazer) Boyd.

The father of Mr. Boyd was born in

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County Down, Ireland, in 1844, and there learned the mason's trade. In young manhood he came to America with a brother and to- gether they went to St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. In 1866 William Boyd came to Wellsville and here formed a partnership with Jefferson Abrahams. They engaged in build- ing and contracting. Later Mr. Boyd had other partners and did a great deal of stone work for the Pennsylvania Railroad and was engaged in completing one of the road's con- tracts when he was accidentally killed at Alli- ance. in 1879. He was a competent, reliable man and Wellsville lost a good citizen when he died. He married a daughter of Capt. Daniel K. Fraser, of Yellow Creek township. She was born in Wellsville and still resides here. Her father was born in Yellow Creek town- ship, July 19, 1817, and died in 1902. He was a carpenter by trade but for many years fol- lowed the river as captain of a steamboat. Before the days of railroads he was a large river trader. He also kept a store for a num- ber of years after leaving the water. He was a director of the First National Bank and in many ways was one of the town's prominent and influential citizens. Our subject has two sisters : Mabel and Mary. The maternal grandmother, Lexy McBane, daughter of William McBane, was born in Scotland.

After completing the common and high school course at Wellsville, Mr. Boyd entered the office of W. F. Lones, a well-known at- torney of Wellsville, and was admitted to the bar in 1898. He has always been active in politics and was elected by the Republican party city solicitor in 1901, and his efficiency is proven by his being retained in office ever since.

OTHAM & LOCKETT. Among many other claims to distinction, East Liverpool is known as the home of the most extensive modeling stu- dio in the United States and one which compares very favorably with any other in the artistic centers of the world. Reference is made to the firm of Gotham & Lockett, mode- lers and originators of pottery shapes, design-

ers of the greater number of the beautiful prod- ucts of the potter's art which in curve and line delight all those who are able to appreciate what is truly artistic, not only in the United . States but in many foreign countries.

The business was founded by the senior partner, Thomas B. Gotham, on May 1, 1898. In the following November Frank Lockett became an interested partner. The progress made in the seven years of business associa- tion is no less gratifying than remarkable. The original location was on the corner of Sixth and Washington street, East Liverpool, but it soon became evident that larger quarters would have to be secured and in May, 1904, removal was made to the present location between West Market street and Broadway. The vast in- crease in business since that date, owing to the wider distribution and consequent appreciation of their work, has made necessary the formulat- ing of plans which will soon be put into effect and the firm will be established in still larger and better equipped buildings.

The artistic designs of this firm are sought wherever there are pottery interests, in this and European countries, and they have even been called upon to make designs for potteries in Australia. It is the custom of the various man- ufacturers, in need of a new design, to call upon this firm, knowing well that satisfaction will follow. It is not an unusual thing to have some of their choicest designs copied and used in other countries, this having notably been the case in England. Among the many potteries of this section of Ohio, there is not one which does not secure its designs, more or less en- tirely, from this firm and quite frequently wholesale china dealers call on them for espe- cial designs for their trade. Occasions have arisen when a special order has come to them for some design of exquisite beauty and of in- tricate workmanship, to be used but once and then destroyed. The firm has a number of ex- clusive patrons of this kind.

THOMAS GOTHAM was born in 1873 at Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. He was but 14 years old when he went into a pot- tery, having previously developed his natural artistic talents to some degree at the Science

F. Q. MASON

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and . Art School. He entered the modeling de- partment in the pottery and worked there until 1889, when he came to America and located at Trenton, New Jersey, where he was engaged in artistic designing until 1897. Shortly after making his home at East Liverpool, he em- barked in his present enterprise.

Mr. Gotham married Anna De Putron Lynn, of Sewickley, Pennsylvania, and they have two children, viz. : Thomas B. and Cath- erine A. In religious views, Mr. Gotham and family are Episcopalians. Mr. Gotham be- longs to East Liverpool Lodge, No. 258, B. P. O. E.

FRANK LOCKETT was born at Hanley, Eng- land, in 1874, and was educated in the Science and Art School at Hanley. Like Mr. Gotham he was but 14 years of age when he went into the modeling department of a pottery, where he was employed until 1897, when he also came to America and located at Trenton, New Jersey. For a period of 18 months he was connected with the Trenton Potteries Company. He came to : East Liverpool on November 1, 1898, and associated himself with Mr. Gotham.

Mr. Lockett married Maude E. Webster, of East Liverpool. They have two sons and one daughter, viz. : Thomas W., Albert J. and Mary M. Mr. and Mrs. Lockett are members of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church.

Both Mr. Gotham and Mr. Lockett are men of original ideas and thus their designs and models are entirely different from those of many other workers in their line and they have gained well-deserved recognition for work which possesses unique charm, classic beauty and artistic perfection.

Q. MASON, manager and manufac- turing chemist of The Mason Color Company, of East Liverpool, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born at Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent, England, January 22, 1880, and is a son of Augustus Frederick and Keziah (Jones) Ma- son.

Our subject has inherited professional abil-

ity from as far back as his grandparents. His grandfather, James Mason, was born at Teine, Staffordshire, England, and died in 1865. He was a color maker and was the originator of the famous Mason colors for use in potteries and glass works and in enameling. He started into business for himself as early as 1830, building the Bleak Place Color Works in 1842, which are famous all over the world, and he continued active in this business until within three weeks of his death.' He married Mary Skerratt, of Hanley, Staffordshire, who was considered at that time, by competent authority, as the finest color chemist in North Stafford- shire. She was also a woman of business fac- ulty, and much of the early success of James Mason must be attributed to her. He was at one time a printer at the Cauldon Place Pot- tery Works of John Ridgway, where he filleď the position of, foreman for a period of 40) years. The only child of James and Mary Mason was Augustus Frederick, the father of our subject.

Augustus Frederick Mason was born Sep- tember 4, 1842, and. as both his father and mother were interested in colors, he very early gained a knowledge of their composition and blending, spending his boyhood in and about his father's works. He later took a course in chemistry at the Hanley Art School, and finally succeeded to the ownership of the Bleak Hill Color Works. He is still active in the business manufacturing ceramic colors. He married Keziah Jones, a daughter of Martin Jones, of Tunstall, England. Our subject is the only one of the children who has come to America.

For a number of years Augustus F. Mason was associated with that religious body known as Plymouth Brethren and he was considered one of the orators of North Staffordshire. On one occasion it is remembered how he con- quered a noted infidel in a public debate before an audience of 3,000 people, the discussion lasting 13 1-2 hours. He has always been an active Gospel preacher and has been a very successful temperance worker. With his whole family, he has been a total abstainer all his life. For some years past he and his wife have been members of the Christian Church.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

Our subject was reared at Burslem where he completed the common and high school courses and in 1892 he entered Wedgewood Institute, where he took a course in inorganic chemistry and quantitative and qualitative analysis. After completing a general and special training, he entered his father's works in January, 1902, where he remained until June, II. 1902, when he set out for America with the idea of looking over the fields of the pot- tery industry in the United States, with a view to establishing a color manufacturing plant similar to his father's. His investigation re- sulted in the organization of the first and thus far the only color plant in the country, at East Liverpool, Ohio, in October, 1902. The busi- ness was commenced in a small way, with a ca- pacity measured by two grinding pans but ere three months had elapsed six pans were re- quired and at present the company is installing more machinery so as to double its facilities. It is the only American concern attempting as yet to meet foreign competition in this line. The product is sold all over the United States. Much credit is due Mr. Mason for his energy and enterprise in the matter.

Mr. Mason is a man of enlightened .views and as he has come to make America his home he has signified his intention of becoming an American citizen. He belongs to the class which finds a ready and enthusiastic welcome on American shores. In his political sentiments he inclines toward the Republican party, his father in England being a Conservative. In religious belief he is a member of the First Christian Church of East Liverpool. He is the choirister of the Sunday-school of the First Christian Church and is the bass soloist in the "Enterprise Male Chorus," of Wellsville and East Liverpool.

MON DENNY, whose fine home farm is situated in section 7, Butler town- ship and consists of 100 acres, also owns 93 acres adjoining, in Knox township. Mr. Denny is one of the substantial men of this section. His birth took place in the city of Oberried, Canton of Bern,

Switzerland, on November 20, 1850. He is a son of Simon and Margaret (Ruf) Denny.

The parents of our subject were natives of Switzerland and came to America in 1858. Mr. Denny the elder had had experience in conduct- ing a provision store, bakery and restaurant in his own land and he continued the same in the city of New York and later bought a farm, but died in New York. Shortly after his death the family came to Columbiana County, Ohio, and our subject has resided here ever since, He is one of a family of eight chil- dren, namely : Margaret, who died aged 21 years; Elizabeth, deceased; Elizabeth (2nd). cleceased ; John, of Minnesota; Simon, of this sketch; Peter, deceased; Michael, of Butler township; and Annie, wife of A. L. Snyder, of Alliance, Ohio.

The subject of this sketch was seven years of age when his parents came to the United States, and here he was educated and has spent his life as a farmer and stockman. His farm in Knox township is run mainly as a dairy farm, being stocked with 25 fine milch cows. Mr. Denny has a very attractive home place. his buildings are substantial and well adapted to all purposes and an air of thrift pervades everything. All the improvements here have been made by Mr. Denny himself, who enjoys the reputation of being a very industrious as well as capable man. In addition to his several farms, he has other interests, being a stock- holder. and treasurer of the John Asch Cheese Company, a very important industry of the township, which has been in operation for four seasons. Here is made the famous Swiss cheese, which is considered a delicacy and is welcomed on the tables of rich and poor. Mr. Denny is a practical Swiss cheese maker, hav- ing been engaged in this business for 38 years, IO years of which period he was at the head of a cheese factory as cheese maker.

Mr. Denny was married in 1879 to Mary Barbara Oyster, who was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 18, 1856, and is a daugh- ter of Henry and Amy (Stanley) Oyster, na- tives of this county. They have eight children. viz. : Alice L., wife of Emanuel Ramsyer, of Knox township; Edward S., of Butler town-

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ship; Annie Elizabeth, wife of Ellis Heasten, of Mahoning County; and Urban P., Lottie M., Leroy A. and Arthur S. and Bertha M. (twins), all at home. This family of children is all that a loving father could desire, but a great grief fell upon the household when the beloved mother was removed by death, on May I, 1904. She was a woman of estimable char- acter and many Christian virtues. In times of sickness and sorrow her neighbors found her sympathetic and helpful, while her husband and children depended upon her for their greatest happiness in the home. She was a devoted member of the German Reformed Church. Mr. Denny also belongs to this religious body, of which he is an elder. Politically he is a Republican.

A LBERT H. KENNEDY, city treas- urer of Salem, and vice-president and general manager of the Salem Wall Paper & Carpet Company, was born at Mansfield, Ohio, January 20, 1866, and is a son of John and Victoria ( Hed- rick) Kennedy.

The parents of Mr. Kennedy were born in Ohio and resided at Mansfield until 1875, when they removed to Salem. They had three chil- dren : Albert H., of this sketch ; Grace, wife of William Wood, of Mansfield, Ohio; and. John C., also a resident of Mansfield.

Albert H. Kennedy was educated in the public schools at Salem and began his business career as a clerk in the dry goods and carpet house of C. C. Snyder, with whom he remained for 23 years, and served two years with Con- verse & Company. He then accepted the posi- tion. of manager of what is now the Salem Daily News Company, which he retained for two years, when he embarked in his present business. The Salem Wall Paper & Carpet Company is an incorporated concern and Mr. Kennedy has been vice-president and general manager since its organization. He has always been prominent in the ranks of the Republican party and on more than one occasion has been selected as a leader. For some years he has been a member of the Republican County Com-

mittee, has served as township treasurer and since 1900 he has been city treasurer. He is a capable and honest official who enjoys the con- fidence of the general public and stands well in line for future honors.

In 1892 Mr. Kennedy was married to Ella Tescher, who was born in Salem, and is a daughter of Capt. John F. and Susan Tescher, natives of Switzerland. They have one son, Charles Snyder. Mr. Kennedy is interested in a number of fraternal organizations, is a Ma- son and Odd Fellow, is treasurer of the Royal Arcanum, is a Knight of Pythias and an Elk.

EFFERSON FISHER, now a resident of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but a na- tive of Columbiana County, where he lived for many years, was born at the old Fisher home, opposite Riverview Cemetery, in the outskirts of East Liverpool, Ohio, June 3, 1843, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Richardson) Fisher.

Paul Fisher, the grandfather of our sub- ject, was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and it is supposed that the family originally came from Germany, although it has been set- tled on American soil for many generations. Both Paul Fisher and his son, Samuel, con- versed fluently in the German language. The former founded the family in Columbiana County, Ohio, coming to this section in pio- neer days soon after the beginning of the last century. He had been a soldier in the Revolu- tionary War.

Samuel Fisher, our subject's father, was born at Sunbury, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1807, and accompanied his parents when they came to Columbiana County and settled at Calcutta, possibly about 1813. Here he grew to manhood, securing his education in the prim- itive schools of the early day. In 1836 he mar- ried Mary Richardson, born December 20, 1818. a daughter of Samuel Richardson, who was also a pioneer of Columbiana County, coming here in January, 1802, and taking a farm, a part of which now forms the sites of the towns of Negley and Camp Bouquet. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of William Black-

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ledge, of Washington, Greene County, Pennsyl- vania. Samuel Richardson engaged extensive- ly in farming and also conducted a tannery on his place. His grandfather came to this country from England with William Penn and settled where Philadelphia now stands.

After his marriage, Samuel Fisher cultiva- ted a rented property for two years and then moved upon the valuable tract on which he spent the remainder of his lite and where he died May 3, 1880. This farm is now included in the city limits of East Liverpool, being lo- cated on the road leading to Calcutta. The time is not far distant when the homes of great enterprises and private residences will have covered the whole extent of the farm, where he carried on agricultural operations the great- er part of his life. Many of the landmarks have already disappeared.

Eight children were born to Samuel and Mary ( Richardson) Fisher, as follows : Richardson, deceased; Henry, of East Liver- pool; Jefferson, the subject of this sketch; George, deceased; Alfred J., of East Liver- pool; Mary Catherine, wife of Clark Moore, of . East Liverpool; Maria L., deceased, who was the wife of Moody Coburn, of East Liver- pool ; and Caroline M., deceased. Mrs. Fisher, who still survives, was for many years a prom- inent member of the Presbyterian Church at Long's Run.

The subject of this sketch obtained his edu- cation in the local schools, was then engaged in teaching school for a few terms, after which he spent some time clerking in a general store. In June, 1868, he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and has con- tinued in its employ ever since. He spent his first two years as agent at Beaver, Pennsyl- vania. He was then transferred to Wellsville, Ohio, where he served six years as ticket agent and accountant, being then assigned to East Liverpool as agent, in which position he also spent six years. Since then he has been ac- countant in the general offices of the company at Pittsburg, but makes his home in the ad- jacent town of Crafton.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 109

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