History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 53

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

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cient carrying out of laws in connection with all measures pertaining to the city's welfare. He is at present the president of the Board of Public Service of the city.

Colonel Taylor was united in marriage with Bellvina Catherine Knowles. To Colonel Tay- lor and wife were born four sons, viz. : Edwin Knowles, who died at the age of two months; William Llewellyn, who is the manager of The Taylor, Smith & Taylor Company; Homer John, who is the secretary and treasurer of The Taylor, Smith & Taylor Company; and Harold Smith, who died in childhood, aged four years and seven months.

While Colonel Taylor has never united with a particular religious body, he has, from youth up, been interested in all the means of Chris- tian work, and in his younger days was very active in the Sunday-school, serving as its sec- retary and for a period as superintendent. His gifts to religious bodies and to benevolent ob- jects have been looked upon by him as manly duties, and he has taken no credit to himself for at all times lending a helping hand to those less fortunate in the world than himself. Mrs. Taylor is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and is ever concerned in some char- itable duty or religious task. They occupy one of the notable mansions of the city, which has also the reputation of being one of the most hospitable.

Politically a Republican from his youth up, Colonel Taylor early came into close personal friendship with the late beloved President William Mckinley. The latter, prior to his election as Governor of Ohio, made his first campaign speech of that year, speaking from the veranda of our subject's residence. Both were interested in tariff reform, and, as intelli- gent men, they frequently discoursed together upon it, and the result of Congressman Mc- Kinley's convictions had much to do with his elevation to the presidency. When he was made Governor, he appointed his friend John N. Taylor as a member of his staff, on which our subject served four years. During the remain- der, of Mr. McKinley's life, notwithstanding the' enormous demands made upon his leisure time, he made it his pleasure to spend several

weeks in the year at East Liverpool, as the guest of Colonel Taylor. On several of these occasions after he became President, the citi- zens were invited by our subject to meet the distinguished guest at his home, where they had an opportunity to grasp that firm, friendly hand and to win a kind and interested smile. The memory of these occasions are treasured not only by Colonel Taylor, who indeed has lost a friend, but by all who were permitted the honor of being present. .

Colonel Taylor's fraternal relations are with the Masons and Odd Fellows. In the former he belongs to Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; East Liverpool Chapter No. 100, R. A. M., and Pilgrim Commandery No. 55, K. T., of East Liverpool. Today he is the only surviv- ing charter member of East Liverpool Lodge, No. 379, I. O. O. F. Colonel Taylor. is also a member of General Lyon Post, No. 44, G. A R., and of the Military'Order of the Loyal Le- gion of the United States. He is also a mem- ber of the Duquesne Club and of the Americus Club, of Pittsburg.

RANT HILL. The mining industry is no inconsiderable one in Columbi- ana County, giving, as it does, em- ployment to a vast army of men and bringing large sums of money into the county to be disbursed in various ways. The man in charge of a mine needs to be a man of discernment, with a complete knowl- edge of the business. No better choice could have been made than that which placed the subject of this sketch in his present position as superintendent of the Prospect Coal Com- pany's mine in Unity township. Mr. Hill was born August 19, 1869, in Leechburg, Penn- sylvania.

The great-grandfather of our subject, John Hill, was captured by the Indians and left by them on the Allegheny River to die by starva- tion. His son, also, named John Hill, the grandfather. of our subject, was a man of con- siderable property, owning 1,000 acres of rich land in Pennsylvania. This he divided among

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his seven children, all of whom are now passed to their reward. Grant Hill's father, Shiloh Hill, owned and operated a flour mill at Leech- burg, at which place he died about 1888. The wife and mother survived until 1904 when she died very suddenly, leaving eight children to mourn her. They are as follows : Mrs. Laura Stull, of Leechburg, Pennsylvania; John A., a merchant of Leechburg, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Jesse Swank, a resident of Armstrong Coun- ty, Pennsylvania ; J. R., a roller, employed by the American Sheet & Tin Plate Company ; Grant; Fred E., manager of the Stull-Hill- Coulter Company ; C. S., secretary of the same company ; and Hattie C.

Grant Hill completed the school course of Leechburg and at once entered the employ of Capt. Alfred Hicks, with whom he has re- mained ever since. He began as weighmaster for the Bagdad Coal & Coke Company, of which Captain Hicks was president. He con- tinued in that position until 1892 when he was sent as assistant manager to East Palestine to look after the Prospect coal mine. It might be incidentally remarked here that when Mr. Hill first entered the service of Captain Hicks that gentleman owned one coal mine, while to- day and he owns and operates 40, besides large iron mills and gold mines. In 1902 Mr. Hill was placed in entire charge of the business as superintendent and general manager and his subsequent efforts have shown him to be the right man in the right place. The company own four mines in Columbiana County, only one of which is in active operation at this time, while a second is being developed just west of the city. There are 150 men employed .here with a monthly pay-roll of $8,000, most of which is spent, of course, with the merchants of East Palestine. The output is 350 tons per day. The mine is equipped with mining ma- chines, air pumps, a compressed air system, rope haulage, etc., but what appeals most strongly to the visitor are the precautions taken for the safety of the men by the installation of electric signals which, in case of accident in the mine, at once notify the engineer. Mr. Hill is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the work from the digging of the coal and

loading `it for hoisting to the clerical work in the office, and has an able corps of men under him to carry out his instructions. Notable among them is Thomas Stackhouse, mine fore- man.

Mr. Hill owns the most complete hardware store in Leechburg, Pennsylvania. This is con- ducted by his brother, Fred E. Hill, who runs a general merchandise store in connection with it. Mr. Hill is also interested in Missouri prop- erty where he has stock in lead and zinc mines.

Mr. Hill married Grace Todd, daughter of Thomas Tood and granddaughter of the late Samuel Todd, of Fairfield township. Two daughters, Martha and Catherine, have been born to them. The family are members of the Presbyterian Church and Mr. Hill is president. of the board of trustees. He is a fine musician, having taken voice culture from one of the best teachers in Pittsburg and his. rich bass voice is an acceptable addition to the church choir, of which he has been leader for years. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum and is a prominent Mason, being a member of the Blue Lodge of East Palestine; Chapter of Lis- bon; Council of Salem and Commandery of Salem.

ILLIAM H. SEBRING, deceased, formerly secretary and treasurer of The Ohio Pottery Company, of East Palestine, Ohio, and subse- quently treasurer of the four great pottery companies of Sebring, was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, December 29, 1869, and was a son of George and Elizabeth A. (Larkins) Sebring.

The parents now reside at Sebring, sur- viving their son whose accidental death on De- cember 9, 1904, at Sebring, shocked the whole community and brought grief to family and friends innumerable.

William H. Sebring was educated in the public schools of East Liverpool and became an expert bookkeeper. As maturity approached, he became associated with his brothers in pot- tery interests and later took up work in this line at East Palestine. When the city of Sebring

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was established, he accompanied his brothers thither, in every way possible forwarding their interests and later, on account of his ability, became their accountant. He was made treas- urer of The Sebring Pottery Company, of The Limoges China Company, and the other pot- tery plants and also of The Sebring Land Com- pany, taking upon himself much of the onerous clerical work of the varied enterprises. His brothers always recognized their indebtedness to his faithful, careful business habits. In a family noted for its close personal affection, he was especially considered.

Mr. Sebring was married in 1897 to Evelyn Huston, who was born at East Liverpool, Ohio. She still survives with their two children, Earl and Virginia. Mr. Sebring was an active mem- ber, of the Methodist Episcopal Church and took a deep interest in the upbuilding of the religious and educational organizations of the city of his home and family name. While he never was so prominently identified with the business affairs of Sebring as his brothers, Oliver H., George. E., Elsworth H. and Frank A., he nevertheless was a very important and necessary factor in the successful development of their great enter- prises. The personal esteem in which he was held at Sebring was abundantly testified to at the time of the sad accident which terminated his life.

® OBERT B. SHARP, one of the repre- sentative agriculturists of Washing- ton township, who owns 240 acres of fine land in section 17, was born Sep- tember, 1, 1839, at West Point, Columbiana County, Ohio, a place made his- toric on account of its nearness to the spot where Morgan, the raider, surrendered. His parents were John and Agnes (Roseberg) Sharp.

John Sharp, father of Robert B., was born at Wheeling, Virginia (now .West Virginia), but his father, Robert Sharp, was a native of Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of Rob- ert B. Sharp was born in England, came in colonial days to America and served as an of- ficer under General Washington, in the Revo-'

lutionary War. The mother of our subject was born near Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Thomas Roseberg, a pen- sioner of the War of 1812. For his gallant serv- ices in that war he was awarded government land and owned property in Missouri and Wis- consin, as well as in Ohio. He died on his- Ohio homestead, aged 72 years. His daugh- ter, the mother of Robert B. Sharp, almost rounded out a century of life, her death taking place when three days past her. 98th birthday. She retained her faculties to a remarkable de- gree and enjoyed life to its close. She survived her husband, who died in his 81st year. They left but one child, Robert B., of this sketch.

Our subject was reared and educated im Washington township. The farm he owns: was a gift from his father who bought it in the son's name prior to his death. It is a very valuable body of land. Upon the death of his mother, he fell heir to a tract of 65 acres, which formerly belonged to her. He carries on gen- eral farming.

Mr. Sharp has lived in this county all his life with the exception of the period of his army service. In 1864 he enlisted in Company A, 143rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was mus- tered out at Columbus, Ohio, September 15, 1864. His service was at Washington and Petersburg, mainly in the line of guard duty .. His regiment was ordered from the latter city just prior to the battle there. He is a member of Thompson Post, Grand Army of the Re- public.

In 1869 Mr. Sharp was united in marriage with his cousin, Belle Sharp, who is a daugh- ter of William Sharp, of Carroll County, Ohio. They are members of the United Pres- byterian Church at Grant's Hill. In politics, Mr. Sharp has always been a Republican.

ICHOLAS WAY, a leading citizen of Lisbon, general manager of the New Lisbon Gas Company and connected with a number of other important and successful business enterprises of the State, was born at Sewickley, Allegheny Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, May 23, 1844.

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When a schoolboy of 17 years, Mr. Way enlisted in the Union Army, as a private and served four years in Company G, 28th Reg., Pennsylvania Vol. Inf. He was rapidly pro- moted for gallantry, in 1863 was commissioned Ist lieutenant and later was made captain, serv- ing as such until the close of his service. Al- though he participated in all the serious bat- tles of the 20th Army Corps, he returned home uninjured. He then accepted a position with a business house at Pittsburg, as bookkeeper, and remained there until 1870, when he came to Lisbon.

After locating in Ohio, Mr. Way became connected with the New Lisbon Woolen Com- pany and this connection lasted until 1896, when the mill was destroyed by fire. He then 'embarked in a feed and grinding-mill business at Lisbon and personally conducted it until 1901, when he was called to the position of general manager of the New Lisbon Gas Com- pany by the death of the former manager, Mr. Smith, having previously been associated with this enterprise as one of its incorporators.

The New Lisbon Gas Company was incor- porated in 1886 by R. W. Tayler, president ; A. G. Smith, deceased, vice-president; M. J. Childs, treasurer ; and Nicholas Way, secretary. Mr. Smith was the active manager until the time of his death in 1901. The company was incorporated with a capital of $50,000, first as a gas company to engage in the drilling of wells and disposing of the results. In 1890 a plant was built for the manufacture of gas and it was utilized until 1901, when the National Gas Company began furnishing natural gas. In 1892 the New Lisbon Gas Company installed an electric light plant and has since been fur- nishing the city with electric light and power for a few motors. It has prospered from the beginning. The present officers of the company are well-known capitalists of the State, viz : Charles Baker, of Alliance, president; E. B. Rawson,'manager of the Ohio Cement Com- pany, vice-president ; and Nicholas Way, treas- urer, secretary and manager. The company's plant is located on East Washington street.

Mr. Way was married in Allegheny Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, to Hattie R. Johnson, of

Sewickley, and they have three daughters, namely : Mrs. Ira C. Bean, of Lisbon, Mr. Bean being the manager of the feed and grind- ing-mill of Mr. Way; Jennie, a competent young lady clerk in a local insurance office ; and Mrs. H. L. Cook, Mr. Cook being manager of the Aetna Standard steel mill at Bridgeport, Ohio.

Mr. Way has been a life-long Republican, but he has not been particularly active in poli- tics and, beyond serving a term as councilman and as a member of the School Board, he has accepted no office. Like many other prominent business men of the city, he is conspicuous in the various Masonic bodies, being a member of the Lisbon Lodge and Chapter; Salem Com- mandery ; Cleveland Shrine and Pittsburg Con- sistory, and is a 32nd degree Mason. He be- longs also to Star Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

For the past 40 years Mr. Way has been a member of the' Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a man of large means and generous im- pulses, one whose many charities are quietly bestowed. Personally he is held in the highest esteem in every circle.

OSEPH A. KERR. Among the promi- nent residents and highly esteemed citizens of Salem, whose honorable business career of more than 40 years entitled him to the confidence and re- spect of all those with whom he associated, was the late Joseph A. Kerr, who passed out of life on August 31, 1900. Mr. Kerr was born near Mechanicsburg, Carroll County, Ohio, September 15, 1828.

Mr. Kerr's boyhood, youth and early man- hood were spent in his native county, after which the greater part of his life was passed in Columbiana County. He spent one year at Pittsburg and a year or more at Canton and then located at Salem, where he first became a clerk for L. Schilling & Company and later, for Joshua Boone. In 1858 he became teller of the Farmers' National Bank, at Salem, a po- sition he faithfully filled for 41 years, still being

MR. AND MRS. ALBERT R. SILVER

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an incumbent at the time of the distressing ac- cident from which he never, recovered.

Mr. Kerr was married in April, 1860, to Carrie E. Grisell, of Salem, and they had two sons : Willis W., who has been with the Stand- ard Oil Company for over 20 years and is now the company's representative at Hong Kong, China; and J. . Frank, of Salem. The latter is one of the rising young men of Salem and is now serving in the office of justice of the peace in this city, with- quarters at No. 631/2 East Main street, his home being with his mother at the family residence at No. 233 Lincoln ave- nue, which was built by Mr. Kerr and has con- tinued to be the family home for 45 years. Willis W. Kerr married Flora Dale, of Du Bois, Pennsylvania, and. has two children : Rachel Margaretta and Marion. J. Frank Kerr was married to Juliet Durham, of Attica, Kan- sas, and has two children: Fannie and Robert Trimble.

The late Joseph Kerr was a man known for his upright character. He was one of the old members of the Presbyterian Church and whose life was entirely in accord with his pro- fessions. With business ability he combined a pleasing courtesy. In his domestic circle he was dearly beloved, in his immediate neigh- borhood he was esteemed and by his fellow- ·citizens he was looked upon as one who repre- sented the best in civic representation. Accord- ing to his own request, Salem Commandery, No. 42, Knights Templar, took charge of his remains after his spirit had passed to its Maker, and, with the beautiful and impressive serv- ices of the organization, all that was mortal of one who had been a Sir Knight with not a blot on his escutcheon was laid away in its last resting place.

LBERT R. SILVER. The Silver family was one of the first to become permanently established in Columbi- ana County. The rich farming lands. of Ohio attracted many home- seekers in the early part of the 19th century from every settled community, and the Silvers -father, mother and several children-came

from Maryland. The father purchased a tract of land from the government, which was lo- cated two miles south of the present city of Salem. This virgin land, of which the Silvers took possession in 1804, remained the family home for generations.

William Silver, the father of the esteemed subject of this sketch, was 12 years of age when the family removal to Ohio was made and was his father's right-hand man in the clearing and cultivating of the new farm. He married a daughter of the Spencer family which had settled just west of Salem, and shortly after- ward left the farm and removed to the village, but subsequently purchased a farm of his own ;on the deerfield and New Lisbon road, three miles west of Salem, built a blacksmith shop on his land and carried on a prosperous busi- ness.

Albert R. Silver was born in 1823 at Sa- lem, but grew up on the farm and assisted his father in the farm work. He remained with his father and assisted as a dutiful son should, but when he was about 19 years of age he left home and went to Salem to learn the trade of blacksmithing with Henry Rankins and later went into the establishment of David Woodruff, who was a pioneer in carriage blacksmithing in the village. He soon became · foreman of the establishment, and then served in the same capacity in the Sheets' carriage manufactory. He then bought a shop of his own, and took in, as a partner, Robert Camp- bell, who remained with him a short time. He was a man of practical ideas and thoroughly understood the business in which he was inter- ested and at the same time had the enterprise and progressive spirit which looked forward to the improvement of the old methods of con- struction then employed.

Thus Mr. Silver was prepared to listen to the exploitation of an invention made by a fellow-townsman, Levi A. Dole. This inven- tion was one of many made previously bv Mr. Dole. Mr. Silver was quickly convinced of its practical character and was ready to fur- nish the capital for the manufacture of the machine which was designed to take the place of the old hand chisel, in boring out wagon

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and carriage hubs. The partnership was formed, a shop was rented, a lathe bought and the firm was soon turning out the new machines. An invention of such obviously great utility could not fail to soon attract at- tention and the firm was enterprising enough to place its merits before the public through the leading newspapers, and ere very long the capacity of the little plant was strained to turn the machines out fast enough to meet the demand. It is interesting to remember, in view of the great transportation facilities now commanded by the Silver Manufacturing Company, that in the early days of the busi- ness it was a familiar sight to see Mr. Silver trundling a wheelbarrow load of his finished product to the railroad station for shipment. As the business continued to grow beyond ex- pectations, it became necessary for Mr. Sil- ver to confine his attention to office work, in- cluding a vast amount of correspondence, but Mr. Dole remained in personal charge of the mechanical department. He was a natural genius and his inventions continued to be made use of in the development of other machines and the perfecting of those in use. Many of the labor-saving machinist tools of the pres- ent day are inventions of Mr. Silver and Mr. Dole and were first used by the Silver Manu- facturing Company. They patented a hollow auger, for cutting the tenon on chine, and other hub-boring devices; the water tuyere iron and press saw-gummer, both of which are still in use, although the invention of the circular saw replaced the saw-gummer to some extent. They invented other articles in other lines which proved of practical use. The death of Mr. Dole in 1868 was regarded as an irreparable loss.

Shortly before death of Mr. Dole, John Deming had been admitted to partnership and in 1873 the business was incorporated under the name of the Silver & Deming Manufact- uring Company, removal was made to more commodious quarters and the manufacture of feed-cutters commenced, and in 1882 the manu- facture of pumps was added, and an addition was made to the firm, John Humphrey enter- ing into partnership and becoming general sup-

erintendent. The company had enjoyed a long season of prosperity up to July 3, 1883, when a disastrous fire destroyed the plant. The company immeditely rebuilt on a larger scale, and in 1890 W. L. and W. F. Deming pur- chased the Silver interest in the establishment and have carried on the manufacture of pumps under the name of The Deming Company.

The above business changes brought about the organization of the Silver Manufacturing Company, which erected the present commo- dious and well-equipped factory. The Silvers retained all the original patents and the entire line of goods previously manufactured, with the exception of pumps. The business has con- tinued to be conducted along the same lines upon which it was directed in the early days of its founding, and its development into one of the greatest industries of the State is large- ly the result of the persevering industry and sterling integrity of the father of the present officers. At the time of the organization of the present company, the officers were : Albert R. Silver, president; H. M. Silver vice-president ; William Silver, treasurer ; A. O. Silver, secre- tary; and E. W. Silver, superintendent. In 1905, H. M. Silver was made superintendent, succeeding E. W. Silver. In 1901 the sales. of the company amounted to half a million dol- lars and trade relations have been established with every civilized country in the world.

Albert R. Silver married young, being uni- ted with Mary A. Dunn, who is a daughter of Robert and Helen (Chaters) Dunn, of Sa- lem. A happy married life of a half century was celebrated by a "Golden Wedding" in 1898. Mrs. Silver's parents, who were na- tives of Yorkshire, England, immigrated to America when she was four years old, coming in a sailing vessel which took eight weeks and four days to complete the voyage. A family of seven children was born to this union, five. of whom still survive and are prominent in business and social life. Emmor W., who un- til 1905 was superintendent of the Silver Man- ufacturing Company, married Anna Bishop, of Salem. Charles R. married Jessie F. Steele, of Salem, and left two children at his death, which occurred at Portland, Oregon, in 1900 ..

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Esther married Frank Brainard, of New York City, and they have two sons-Frank and Will- iam, students at Yale University. Helen, twin sister of Esther, died at the age of four years. William, who is treasurer of the Silver Manufacturing Company, married Helen Sharp, a daughter of the well-known capital- ist, Simeon Sharp, and they have one child, Hel- en Louise. Homer M., ,who is vice-president of the Silver Manufacturing Company, mar- ried Josephine King, of Salem, and they have one son, Albert R. Albert Otis, who is secre- tary of the Silver, Manufacturing Company, married Lizzie Walton, of Salem, and they have three children, Rebecca, Esther and Mary.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 53

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