History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 56

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

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After returning from the army, Mr. Endly went to Fremont County, Nebraska. where he took up a claim of 160 acres, on which he remained 10 years. After selling the property to advantage, he came back to Ohio and settled on his present farm, which then contained 243 acres, but which he has reduced to 168 acres. At the time of settlement it was mostly covered with

a forest growth. This he has cleared and has here erected substantial buildings and made many improvements. In addition to his land being valiable for producing crops, he has on it the famous Klondike clay field. This hc leases and draws a per centage. The clay mine yields about 300 tons of clay a day, and has been in operation for six years. Mr. Endly devotes his land mainly to stock-raising and dairying, but at present the latter interest is not prominent on account of the death of Mrs. Endly, who capably managed the dairy in her lifetime.

In 1871 Mr. Endly was married to Ellen Asdell, of East Liverpool, a daughter of James Asdell. She died in 1900, aged 55 years, the mother of three children, viz: Elizabeth, who, married H. R. Mitchell, of Lisbon ; Addie, who. married Walter Ogden, who is a large manu- facturer at Lisbon, operating an excelsior factory ; and Charles, who lives at home with his father.

Mr. Endly has been a Republican all his life. He belongs to Star Post, G. A. R., at Lisbon and formerly was connected with the Odd Fel- lows. He is a member of the United Presby- terian. Church.

BYRON JONES, one of the sub- stantial farmer and representative-men of Butler township, who carries on large farming and dairying opera- tions on his fine estate of 871/2 acres. situated in section 6, was born in Butler town- ship on this farm, on August 3. 1855. His parents were Joshua and Rebecca ( Miller) Jones.

The father of Mr. Jones was born on an adjoining farm in Butler township in 1810. and remained at home until his marriage. He was a son of Catlett Jones, who was probably born in Virginia and who later went to Ken- tucky where he joined interests with Col. Daniel Boone. It is said that he entered Columbiana County in a cart and took up a large body of land in Butler township. Later in life lie be- came convinced of the truth of the principles

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advocated by . the Society of Friends, joined them in Christian membership and later became a missionary preacher, traveling all over the "country on horseback, making one trip through New England. He was a man of convincing power of speech and directed many in the path of truth. He died at the age of 80 years, leav- ing four sons, viz: Benjamin, Catlett, Joshua 'and Caleb, a physician.

After his marriage, Joshua Jones settled on the wild tract of land which adjoined his father's homestead and here spent a long, quiet. virtuous, industrious life, reaching the age of '80 years. He married Rebecca Miller, who was "born near Kensington, Columbiana County, and who died in the fall of 1895. aged 81 years. She was a daughter of Levi and Ann ( Morris) Miller, who were of old Quaker stock. They had these children: Sarah Ann, Mrs. Sarah Ann Hoge, of Martin's Ferry, Ohio; Thomas Ellwood, who died in 1888; Mrs. Deborah Bundy. of Belmont County, Ohio; Mrs. Emily Negus, of Iowa; William, of Nebraska: Levi, an attorney at Canton, Ohio; Mrs. - Elizabeth Purviance, who died in 1902 ; and J. Byron, of this sketch. The father erected a small house on his land in 1834, in which a number of his children were born. It still stands and is utilized by our subject as an addition to his handsome, modern residence.

J. Byron Jones, the subject of this sketch, has always had his home in Butler township, where he was reared and educated, and has spent but one and a half years outside its borders. This was when he took a long pleasure trip to California in 1887. He owns a very valuable and desirable farm, which he has placed in a fine state of cultivation. He makes dairying a prominent feature and owns a fine herd of cattle.

In 1879 Mr. Jones married Delphina Stan- ley, who was born in this county and is a daugh- ter of Israel and Uree C. (Cobbs) Stanley, also natives of Columbiana County. They have four children, viz: Russell S., a resident of Southern California: J. M., who follows the trade of carpenter; and Edward Everett and Irving B., both of whom live at home.

Formerly Mr. Jones was identified with

the Republican party but latterly has been more closely affiliated with the Prohibition party. He and his family are members of the Society of Friends.

REDERICK E. SEBRING, a member of the noted family of Sebring, founders of the city of Sebring in Mahoning County, Ohio, and presi- dent of The Limoges China Com- pany, of Sebring, was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, October 4, 1868, and is a son of George and Elizabeth A. (Larkins) Sebring.

The father of Mr. Sebring was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and the mother in Pittsburg. They came to East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1864, where they reared a large fam- ily and resided until 1900 when they removed to Sebring, where they now reside, retired from active life. They had 10 children, namely : Oliver H., president of The French China Com- pany, of Sebring; George E., president of The Oliver China Company, of Sebring; Elsworth H., of the French China Company, of Sebring ; . Joseph H., who died aged 27 years ; Frank A., president of the Sebring Pottery Company and vice-president of The Limoges China Company, of Sebring; Frederick E., president of The . Limoges China Company and interested in cther concerns of importance at Sebring; Eva, wife of Rev. J. H. Norris, of Pittsburg; Wil- liam H., formerly treasurer of the potteries of his brothers at Sebring, who was accidentally killed on the evening of December 9, 1904, at the Sebring railroad depot at Sebring ; Emma, wife of C. J. Albright, secretary of the Sebring Pottery Company ; and Charles, who died aged five years.

Frederick E. Sebring attended the public schools of East Liverpool until 16 years of age and then entered the Sebring Pottery Com- pany, of which his brothers were sole stock- . holders, as a decorator. He continued to work as a decorator for 14 years and then took charge of the Ohio China Company at East Palestine, Ohio, with which he was connected for about four years, succeeding then to the

ALEXANDER CROZIER BELL

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management of the Oliver China Company for about four years and finally becoming president of The Limoges China Company, of which he and his brother, Frank A., are sole owners. The output of this company is a fine grade of semi-porcelain and sales are made all over the United States. Employment is given to about 300 workmen at this plant alone and it is one of the most important industries of Sebring.

Mr. Sebring was one of the founders of the remarkable little city which is his home and bears the family name, and has devoted his energies for years to the furthering of The Se- bring Land Company's interests and since 1900 has done his full share in advancing the pros- perity of Sebring. He possesses the same strong individuality which marks all the members of the family and the same eminent business quali- fications which have made the name of Sebring synonymous with industrial success as well as good citizenship, not only in Mahoning and Columbiana counties but over a widely extended territory.

H LEXANDER CROZIER BELL, the genial and accommodating sta- tion agent of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, at Co- lumbiana, whose portrait accompan- ies this sketch, was born in Pittsburg, Pennsyl- vania, July 13, 1844. His parents, Alexander C. and Mary (Frazier) Bell, deceased, were former residents of Columbiana and will be re- membered by many of our readers. His grand- father was John Young Crozier Bell, who was born in County Down, Ireland, and was a land- owner of Stony Point, Ireland. He came to America in 1850 and died in Pittsburg some five years later, being then within six weeks of passing the century mark. His wife was Martha Crozier.

Alexander C. Bell was born May 29, 1800, in the town of Denmare, County Down, Ire- land. He came to America when a lad of 16 and located in Pittsburg where 'for several years he was superintendent of the flour and cotton mills of his uncle, James Adams. He remained in Pittsburg 41 years, during the lat-

ter part of which period being identified with a wholesale grocery store on Liberty street. On January 10, 1857, he came to Columbiana, Ohio, and 20 days later took charge of the sta- tion of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway. He kept that position until his death 24 years later. He was married in 1842 to Martha Frazier, who was a native of the same part of Ireland and who came with her parents, John and Martha ( McClucken) Frazier, to this country in 1816 when she was six months old. She died October 18, 1891. They were the parents of the following children : Alexander C .; Anna B., wife of Thomas Jefferson Dav- idson, of West Bridgewater; Martha C., wid- ow of John Flickinger and whose son, John Ross, is employed by subject as operator ; Da- vid R., who was accidentally killed in 1866; and Mary F. and Lizzie, both living at home. The parents were devout members of the Pres- byterian Church.

When Alexander Crozier Bell was 13 years of age, he was sent to Mansfield, Ohio, where he was instructed in telegraphy. One month after his father took charge of the station in Columbiana, he was made a clerk in the office and when the first telegraph office was estab- lished there the following July, he was given the position of operator. After his father's death he was made station agent and has given such evident satisfaction that he has been .?- tained ever since. Mr. Bell is a prominent Democrat and was the nominee of that party in 1878 for the position of clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, receiving a majority of 71 votes in his township, and running far ahead of his ticket, but being defeated as the county is strongly Republican. Two years previous he had been elected mayor of Columbiana and was reelected in 1878, 1880, 1882, 1884, 1886 and 1888, and this in spite of the fact that the town is largely Republican. He was one of the best mayors that was ever elected to the office and made many improvements in the vil- lage, notable among them being the establish- ment of the water-works. Mr. Bell is an active Mason ; is past master of the blue lodge at Co- lumbiana ; past high priest of Salem Chapter, No. 94. R. A. M. ; past eminent commander of

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Salem Commandery, No. 42 K. T .; was init- iated into the Scottish Rite at Pittsburg; and was made a life member of the Mystric Shrine at Cleveland. He is charter member and past noble grand of Panora Lodge, No. 410, I. O. O. F., of Columbiana; past chief patriarch of Goodwill Encampment, No. III, I. O. O. F., of Salem; and was district deputy grand mas- ter of this county for two terms.

On the night of the capture of the Con- federate raider, John Morgan, Mr. Bell was kept busy at the telegraph without sleep from II o'clock Saturday night until the following Monday.

He is unmarried.

AMES ANDERSON, M. D., one of the prominent physicians of Salem, and a leading member of the medical fra- ternity in Columbiana County, was born in Knox township, Columbiana County, Ohio, December 13, 1851, and is a son of William and Isabel (Little) Anderson.

The parents of Dr. Anderson were natives of Scotland. They were married in Knox township, Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1847. They prospered and when our subject reached his 16th year they were able to give him collegiate advantages. In 1869 he entered Mount Union College where he was graduated in 1874 and in the same year began the study of medicine with Dr. G. L. Anderson, a well- known physician of Homeworth, Columbiana County. In the fall of the same year he en- tered the medical department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, from which he was graduated in 1876, and was graduated from the University of New York in 1877.

Dr. Anderson. settled at Salem a few months later and this has continued his home and the scene of his labors ever since. De- voting all his energies to his profession, he has been a very successful practitioner, has built up a large and lucrative practice and has gained the confidence and esteem of the community. Constant study and extended reading keep him posted on all matters concerning medical ad-

vance. He is a member of the Medical Society of Columbiana County and also of the Ohio State Medical Society, and takes part in the discussion of the important questions relating to the profession, at the meetings. He is also- a member of the American Medical Associa- tion.

In 1877 Dr. Anderson was united in mar- riage with Henrietta Brooke, who is a daugh- ter of Jesse and Agnes (Diehl) Brooke, of Homeworth, Columbiana County. They have three children, viz .: Mary, Thomas B. and Robert B. Mary, a graduate of Salem High School and the Woman's College, Baltimore, Maryland, is at present a teacher of Latin and ancient history in the Salem High School. Thomas B., a graduate of Salem High School, is now a student in the Western Reserve Col- lege, Cleveland, Ohio. Robert B. is a student in the Salem High School. The family be- long to the Presbyterian Church.

Politically Dr. Anderson is identified with the Democratic party. His well-appointed office is located in his pleasant home at No. 4 West Main street, Salem. .

5 ARRY H. SURLS, deceased, was for many years one of the most promi- nent citizens of East Liverpool, where he had lived throughout the greater part of his business career. He was; born in Steubenville, Ohio, October 23, 1842, and came of German ancestry. He was a son of John V. and Emily L. (Hukill) Surls, and grandson of John V. Surls, the latter a native of Wellsburg, West Virginia. The family name is spelled Surls by some of its members, while others spell it Surles.

John V. Surls, father of our subject, was born in Mifflin, Pennsylvania, in · 1803, and" there learned the trade of a shoemaker. When a young man he removed to Steubenville, Ohio, where he engagd in the retail shoe business until 1864, thereafter living in retirement until his death in 1868. During the Civil War he- resided in Beaver, Pennsylvania, and then moved to Mansfield, Pennsylvania, where he

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lived at the time of death. He was a Republi- can in politics, and a member of the Masonic fraternity. His wife, Emily L. Hukill, was born near Mifflin, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of William Hukill. They became parents of 11 children, of whom the following grew to maturity : Martha, deceased, wife of Stephen Hill, of Steubenville, Ohio; Catherine, . deceased wife of Capt. Robert Gracey, of Alle- gheny, Pennsylvania ; . Mary, deceased wife of James E. Richardson, of Mansfield, Ohio; George C., deceased, who lived at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania ; Alexander D., killed in the battle of Chickamauga, who was a member of Com- pany G, Second Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .; Lida L. wife of Capt. Charles Fairman, of Pittsburg ; Harry H., whose name heads this sketch; and William H., a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Surls died in 1878, aged 72 years.

Harry H. Surls was but 17 years of age when he enlisted in Company H, Fifth Reg., Ohio Vol Inf .. and served with that regiment through its campaigns. During the entire time of liis service he was never seriously wounded, but received three slight flesh wounds. He was taken prisoner at Winchester and after three days made his escape at Carifex Ferry in the following manner : He was color-bearer, and when the Confederate guard put him and other prisoners in a haymow to sleep for the night. he stood the flag-pole up against the barn. Mr. Surls and his companions succeeded in pulling up the pole and flag through a hole in the boards and whittled up the pole with their knives, secreting the shavings in the hay. Mr. Surls wrapped the flag around his body under his shirt and while the guard was asleep during the night made his escape. Swimming the river, he made his way back to the Union lines. bearing his flag with him. He participated in the battles of Winchester, Blue Gap. Romney. Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. After the last named engagement. his regiment. being in the 12th Army Corps under General Hooker, was removed to the West to reenforce the Army of the Cumberland which was then under siege at Chattanooga. His brother. Will- iam H. Surles, the present postmaster of East

Liverpool, was in that starved and besieged army, and our subject, having received per- mission to hunt him up, went forth on the mis- sion with a comrade, after having first filled his knapsack with a goodly supply of food. Will, knowing the general whereabouts of his brother, after receiving the necessary permis- sion, went in search of him. Five miles up the river he passed two soldiers, one of whom he recognized as his brother Harry, but so over- come was he with emotion he rode on past them. His brother's comrade remarked : "Harry, that looks like your, brother, Will," and the reply came : "No, that is not he, Will is a hearty, rugged lad." But a second glance at the emaciated man before him revealed to him the truth, and with the exclamation "My God! It is Will!" there followed a scene which beggars description. Will was taken from his horse and so famished was he that he ate ravenously of the raw pork from his brother's knapsack until he was stopped by Harry who realized the danger. He then took Will to his own camp where he received immediate medical treatment. There was fighting in and around Chattanooga, and by chance the brigade, to which Will belonged, was ordered up the side of the mountain to reenforce the command of General Hooker. After the battle, he sought for Harry, about whom he was anxious, and about midnight found him. Together they went through the battle. and on the next day, November 24, 1863. participated in the fighting at Mission Ridge. After the battle, the two brothers went back over the battlefield of Chickamauga where they found the body of their brother. Alexander D .. which they identi- fied by a shirt sent him from home and the ah- sence of two teeth which had been knocked out. These two brothers continued in the same regi- ment throughout the remainder of the war. ac- companying Sherman on his "March to the Sea."

Upon his return from the war, Harry H. Surles located at East Liverpool and learned the trade of brick-layer with McClain & Surles, with whom he continued until they dissovled partnership. He later purchased an interest in the brick-yard of Surles & Thompson and

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formed a partnership with his brother, George C. He continued in this business until 1880, when by an unfortunate accident he lost an arm. Selling out his interest in the business, he became associated with A. H. Clarke under the firm name of Clarke & Surls, in the fire insurance business at which he continued until his death. The agency is now conducted by his widow and her sister, Miss Belle Stewart, and is in an exceedingly prosperous condition. Mr. Surls was a Republican in politics and was a member of the City Council, when he re- signed to accept the postmastership under President Hayes, in which office he served eight years. At the time of his death he was clerk of the city water board, having filled that posi- tion most creditably for a few years.

On December 15. 1868, Mr. Surls was joined in marriage with Mary M. Stewart, who was born in Liverpool township, Colum- biana County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Robert B. and Nancy (Mayes) Stewart. Her grandfather, John Stewart, was born in Ire- land and came to America when a young man, locating in the West. A short time afterward he returned to Ireland, where he married Martha Boyd, lived several years and then came again to this country. Robert B. Stewart was born on what is known as the Thomas Croft farm in Liverpool township, Columbiana County, Ohio. April 5, 1812, and grew to man- hood on the home farm. He was a Free-Soiler in politics, and later introduced the first Re- publican speaker to address an audience in East Liverpool. He took an active part in politics, was a frequent contributor to the editorial columns of The National Era, at Washington, and held numerous township offices. He mar- ried Nancy Mayes. a daughter of John Mayes of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and of six children the following grew to maturity : James S., who died in East Palestine, Decem- ber 3. 1903. aged 54 years : Hannah Ellen, wife of A. C. Gould, of East Liverpool ; Isabelle, who is in business with Mrs. Surls; and Will- iam Chalmers. of East Liverpool. Religiously, they were of the Calvinistic denomination known as Seceders.

Mr. and Mrs. Surls became parents of the

following children : Robert S., of Chicago; Kate G., wife of Frederick E. Sebring, of Se- bring, Ohio; Harry C., of Sebring, Ohio; and Georgia .A. Religiously, Mrs. Surls is a mem- ber of the United Presbyterian Church and has always been interested in church work.

ILLIAM S .. GEORGE, one of the' well-known business men of East Palestine, closely identified with the town's pottery interests, was born in Columbiana County, . Ohio, March 21, 1865, and is a son of the late Will- iam S. and Mark G. (Cavett) George, and a grandson of John and Elizabeth (Shaw) George.

William S. George bears his father's honored name. The latter was born in Alle- gheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1821 and came to Columbiana County in 1862. He was largely interested in the pottery industry and for some 12 years manufactured casks for the use of potteries. Later he became a well-known breeder of fine draft horses, his farm of 192 acres being near East Liverpool. His death occurred in 1903 at the age of 82 years, his wife having died previously, and they were survived by six children, our subject being the youngest. Almost all the family are more or less interested in the large potteries of this section.

William S. George, our immediate subject, was educated in the public schools and the normal school at Hopedale, Ohio. From the age of 16 years he has been associated with pottery work, mainly in the decorating depart- ment, and in 1889 he was made manager of the East Palestine Pottery Company. In 1900 he built the Canonsburg ( Pennsylvania) pottery plant for the Canonsburg China Company, where $100,000 is invested, and he has con- trol of it still. in addition to being the general manager of three plants, two of which are lo- cated at East Palestine and are operated by the East Palestine Pottery Company, in which he is one of the principal stockholders. Mr. George has associated with him skilled work-

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men in every line of pottery work. Mr. George was married to Anna Campbell, a lady born. in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and they have seven children. namely : William Camp- bell, Marguerite, John, Frank, Dorothy, Lois and Robert.

ILES G. RUBLE, who owns a well improved farm of 20 acres, includ- ing one of the best orchards in the locality, which property is situated in section 5. Butler township, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, November 6, 1843, and is a son of Miles and Hannah ( Linton) Ruble.

The parents of our subject were natives of Pennsylvania. The father met with an acci- dent which caused his death in 1844, at the age of 43 years. Our subject was a babe at the time, the youngest of a family of five children. the others being: William L., deceased. who served in the 140th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., in the Civil War; Adaline, deceased; Hiram, of Washington County, Pennsylvania ; and David, deceased, who was a member of the 140tli Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol. Inf.

Mr. Ruble was an orphan when seven years old and was reared by his uncle, Nathaniel Baker, at New Garden, Ohio, with whom he remained until 16 years of age. He then spent 18 months in his native State, but in the spring of 1860 he returned to Ohio and worked at farming until December 25, 1861, when he en- listed in Company K. 43rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Captain Walker and Col. Kirby Smith, the latter of whom was a nephew of the noted Confederate general. Mr. Ruble served until the close of the war, after two years en- tering on a second enlistment. He saw much hard service but escaped capture or, injury. He took part in these battles: Island No. 10. Fort Pillow, siege of Corinth. Iuka, and the second battle at Corinth and numerous engagements through Tennessee. AAlabama and Mississippi not important to the country enough to be de- nominated battles but each one of which

claimed some vietims. He was in the Atlanta campaign and marched with Sherman to the sea, and subsequently had the pleasure of tak- ing part in the Grand Review at Washington City. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ken- tucky, in June, 1865. During all this time Mr. Ruble performed his whole duty as a soldier, was always at his post and obedient and brave in the face of danger.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 56

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