History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 57

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

USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 57

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After his return from the army, he settled in Columbiana County, Ohio, but in 1887 he embarked in a lumber business in Adair Coun- ty, Kentucky, where he remained until 1893, when he returned to Ohio and purchased his present farm on which he has since been located. He carries on general farming and gives much attention to the production of fine fruit. His farm is well improved with substantial build- ings of all kinds and is a good home.

Mr. Ruble was married, first, to Oliveretta A. Vernon, who was born in Columbiana Coun- ty, and they had three children, viz: Adaline. wife of Wilmer Gilbert, of Butler township : Catherine, wife of W. D. Galbraith, of Alle- gheny, Pennsylvania; and Oliveretta, of Min- erva, Ohio. He was married, second, to Emma Linton, who is a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Politically Mr. Ruble is a Republican and has been one all his life. He has twice been assessor of personal property and twice asses- sor of real estate. He is a member of Trescott Post, No. Jo. G. A. R., at Salem.

h ON. JACOB .A. AMBLER was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, February 18, 1829. His parents, Henry and Han- nah Ambler, were natives of Eng- land, having immigrated to America in 1822, settling in Pittsburg. He was the fourth son in a family of 11 children. He se- cured his education in the public schools of Allegheny City. In 1849 he came to Salem, and read law with his brother Henry Ambler, and was admitted to the bar at Cincinnati. March 27, 1851. He practiced law with his

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

brother, Henry Ambler, until the spring of 1854 when Henry moved to Iowa. For three years . succeeding he was associated with Peter A. Laubie, of Salem. He was elected to the Lower House of the Ohio Legislature in October, 1857, and served one term, 1858-59, during . which he was a member of the judiciary com- mittee. He resigned from the Legislature in October, 1859, to accept an appointment by Governor Chase, on the common pleas bench of the First Sub-Division of the Ninth Judicial District of the State, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Lyman W. Potter. In October, 1860, he was elected for the re- mainder, of the unexpired term of Judge Pot- ter and in October, 1861, he was elected to the bench for the full term, which expired Feb- ruary 9. 1867. He resumed the practice of the law in Salem until 1868, when he was elected to represent the 17th District of Ohio in the 4Ist Congress, and was re-elected in 1870. He served on the committees of foreign affairs and on the revision of the laws. After the expir- ation of his congressional service, he devoted his time to the practice of the law exclusively, excepting during the summer and autumn of 1882, when he served as a member of the Uni- ted States Tariff Commission, by appointment of President Arthur. During the latter part of his practice at the bar, which closed with his retirement in 1898, his son, Byron S. Ambler, was a partner. Judge Ambler was married June 1. 1852. to Mary Steel ( daughter of An- drew and Sarah Steel). who died August 6, 1808. They were the parents of four children, -Bryon S .. Laura (McNabb), Ralph S., and Maude ( McManus). Since the death of Mrs. Ambler. Judge Ambler has made his home with his children.

Byron S. Ambler was born March 31, 1853, in Salem. After admission to the bar, he prac- ticed with his father until 1898, when the lat- ter retired. In the spring of 1902 he was ap- pointed, by President Roosevelt, judge of the Court of First Instance, at Manila, Philinnine Islands, which position he resigned in the spring of 1904. During his incumbency he tried several important cases of national im- portance in Manila, which, upon appeal. have

been affirmed by the United States Court .. One of these was that of the right of trial by jury ' in the Philippines. Judge B. S. Ambler was ' married in 1881 to Clara Thomas, daughter of Joseph G. Thomas, by whom he has one daugh- ter.,-Laura.

Ralph S. Ambler was born July 24, 1859. After a course in the Salem grammar and high schools, he taught school at Coleman, Colum- biana County, in 1876. He was graduated from the Western Reserve College in 1883. He read law with his father, Judge J. A. Ambler, and was admitted to the bar Decem- ber, 1885. He removed to Canton in the spring of 1886 and began the practice of the law. In November, 1900, he was elected common pleas judge. On the day after the election he was appointed to fill the unexpired term caused by the resignation of Judge Isaac H. Taylor. On June 20, 1901, Mary E. Phillips, daughter of Thomas H. Phillips, was married to Judge Ralph S. Ambler. One child. Phillips, has been the fruit of this union.

RA E. IKIRT, one of the prosperous farmers and representative citizens of Elkrun township, has resided on his present farm of 120 acres, 50 of which are situated in Fairfield township and the remainder in section 5, Elkrun township, all his life, having been born in Fairfield town- ship. Columbiana County, Ohio, November 14, 1845. He is a son of Samuel and Sidney ( Freed) Ikirt.

The paternal grandfather was George Ikirt, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and died here, aged 80 years. He was of German parentage and spoke the German language. He left a family of three daughters and five sons.

Samuel Ikirt. the father of our subject, was born in Fayette County; Pennsylvania, and was one year-old when his parents came to Ohio. He lived to the age of 75 years his whole life being devoted to agricultural pur- suits. He married Sidney Freed, who was born in Fairfield township, and was a daugh- ter of Jacob and Eva Freed, who also came

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from Pennsylvania to Ohio and entered land in Fairfield township, Columbiana County, on which farm they spent the remainder of their lives. Mrs. Ikirt died, aged 70 years. The children of Samuel Ikirt and wife were: Ira E., of this sketch; Jacob and Simeon, both of Center township; Daniel, deceased; Eva, de- ceased; Mrs. Sidney McDavitt, deceased; and .Mary.

Our subject was reared in Elkrun township and obtained his education in the district schools. He has been established since 1879 on his present farm, where he carries on gen- eral farming and stock-raising. He has made many improvements on the property, especially in the line of putting up substantial buildings, and has a very comfortable home and paying property.

Mr. Ikirt -was married in 1870 to Rebecca Baker, who was born in Elkrun township and is a daughter of Thomas and Isabella Baker, and they have five children, namely : Bert, of Signal, Elkrun township: Hattie: Retta, wife of Maurice Baker, of Elkrun township; Lee and Raymond.

Mr. Ikirt has been a Republican in his political sympathies all his life. He is a worthy and consistent member of the Bible Christian Church. Mr. Ikirt is much respected as an honorable and upright man, one who performs every duty to his family, neighborhood and State.

P ARKS REN, M. D., physician and sur- geon at Wellsville, where he is one of the valued and esteemed citizens, was born September 6, 1850. near Rich- mond, Jefferson County. Ohio, and is a son of Benjamin and Martha ( Thompson ) Rex.

The ancestry of Dr. Rex goes back to Eng- land and on the mother's side to one of the old Quaker families. His father was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and died when our subject was a child of seven years. He was an extensive farmer, stock-raiser and dealer. in cattle in Jefferson County. Ohio, to which he

had come in young manhood and entered 1,200 acres of land when it was all in timber. He cleared and sold a large part of it for farming purposes, and when he died still owned 300 acres. Politically he was a supporter of the Republican party.

Benjamin Rex was twice married, the mother of Dr. Rex being his second wife. She was a daughter of James Thompson, who was a prosperous farmer of Jefferson County, liv- ing near Springfield. He had also come from Pennsylvania at an early day. The mother died in 1886, aged 78 years. She was a worthy member of the United Presbyterian Church. The four children of this marriage were: Ross E., of Salt Lake City, Utah; Elizabeth, de- ceased; Rebecca M., wife of James Barrett, of Richmond, Ohio; and Parks, our subject.

After completing the common school course at Richmond, Parks Rex became a student at Richmond College and later attended the West- ern University of Pennsylvania, at Pittsburg. His advent in Wellsville was in 1874 when he entered upon the reading of medicine with Dr. John McCarrell, which he continued through 1875 and 1876 and then entered Cleveland Medical College, now known as the Western Reserve Medical College, where he was grad- uated in 1878. Entering into practice at Knox- ville, Jefferson County, he remained there until 1884, when he returned to Wellsville, finding a generous welcome and a large practice await -. ing him.

Dr. Rex married Emma Eldora Gray, who was born in Salem township, Jefferson County, Ohio, and they have four children : Margaret G., William Parks, Benjamin Harold and Martha. The eldest daughter is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music at Boston, Massachusetts, and has been super- visor of music in the Wellsville public schools for about three years. The family belongs to the First Presbyterian Church.

Politically, Dr. Rex is a Republican and he has served a number of years on the School Board. Fraternally, he is a Mason. being a member of Wellsville Lodge. No. 180. F. & A. M. : Wellsville Chapter, R. A. M .. and Pilgrim Commandery, K. T .. No. 55. at East Liverpool.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

AMES DANIEL PEPIN, a retired pot- GA ter and well-known citizen of East Liverpool, was born in New Bright- on, Pennsylvania, May 7, 1847, and is a son of Gustavus and Eva (Rus- sie) Pepin. His grandfather, Theodore Pepin, was a native of Havre, France, and was a large ship-owner who fought under Napoleon.

Gustavus Pepin was born in Havre, France, and there learned the business of watch-making. When he was about 18 years of age he came to this country and located in Pittsburg, where he opened a jewelry shop and remained a num- ber of years. Later he moved to Gallipolis, Ohio, where he prospered as watchmaker and jeweler for several years until he succumbed to the climate and was obliged to leave to get rid of the ague. He returned to Pennsylvania and engaged in business in New Brighton and several years later moved to East Liverpool and opened a jewelry store which he conducted up to the time of his death. He was affiliated with the Odd Fellows of East Liverpool and was a Republican. He was prominent both in social and business circles and was elected may- or the city twice, refusing the nomination for the third term. He married Eva Russie, daughter of Daniel Russie and a native of Ger- many. Eleven children were born to them and of the number eight are living and all re- side in East Liverpool. The record is as fol- lows: Emily Maria; Adaline, wife of William Burgess; Francis; Charles Lucien ; James Dan- iel; Amelia Sophia; Caroline Virginia, wife of John D. Burgess; George, deceased; Ellen, wife of John Conn; William Leslie and Gus- tavus, who died in the Civil War. The par- ents were devout members of the Protestant Episcopal Church.

James Pepin had little opportunity to ob- tain a schooling as he was one of a large family and was placed at work in the potteries at the tender age of nine years. He first worked in the Salamanda Pottery and continued for var- ious companies until he had thoroughly mas- tered the business. When he was 20 years old, he and his brothers Francis and Charles Lu- cien established the firm of Pepin Brothers, house painters, and followed that occupation

five or six years. He then returned to the pot- teries and was e'nployed there until 1903, when, continued ill health caused him to retire from active work. He is thoroughly at home in any department of work in the clay-shops and is an expert potter.

Mr. Pepin was married to Mary Hays, daughter of Luke and Hannah (Burnside) Hays and half sister to Joseph R. Hays, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. Three children have been born to them: Mary Ellen, who died at the age of seven years; Daisy, wife of George Kennedy and John Ed- ward, both of East Liverpool. They are active members of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcapol Church. Mr. Pepin is a Republican.

ILSON S. POTTS, one of the able journalists of Eastern Ohio and editor of the Patriot, at Lisbon, was born February 9, 1846, near Wattsville, Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of James Potts.

Mr. Potts comes of Revolutionary stock and of an Ohio pioneer family. His grand- father served during the Revolutionary War on the staff of General Washington. James Potts, his father, was born in Pennsylvania in 1796 and came to Ohio with the Pioneers about 1818.

Wilson S. Potts received his elementary education in the district schools of his native county and was graduated from Mount Union College in 1871, receiving the first honors of his class. In the fall of that year he entered the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he pursued his law studies until 1872, when he came to Lisbon and entered the law office of Judge Jonathan H. Wallace. In the course of this year he was tendered the super- intendency of the schools at Salineville, which he accepted and efficiently discharged the duties until 1875, having been admitted to the bar in April, 1873.

In 1874 he was the choice of the Demo- cratic party of his county for the position of prosecuting attorney and his election, by a ma- jority of 1,000 votes, wiping out a previously

DANIEL JONES SMITH

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Republican majority of 1,500, was a proof of personal popularity and public confidence. In 1875 he turned his attention to journalism, purchased the Ohio Patriot, and has since made it one of the leading papers of Eastern Ohio.

Mr. Potts has always been an ardent Demo- crat and he has held many positions of trust and responsibility at Lisbon. He has been chairman of the Democratic County Committee and has done yeoman service for his party. He is a man of versatile ability and has met with satisfactory success as editor and publisher and as a practicing attorney.

ANIEL JONE'S SMITH. The aim of this sketch is to record the principal events in the long and varied career of one who is the oldest living repre- sentative of the oldest East Liverpool family, and is himself probably the oldest native of the city now living. But he is not old in thought or action, as no man of 40 can move more quickly and no man's intellect is keener than is his to-day.

Mr. Smith, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was born in East Liverpool, Ohio. October 30, 1832, and is a son of William G. and Susan ( Smith) Smith. His paternal grandfather, Joseph Smith, was born in Char- tiers, Pennsylvania, and was a pioneer of East Liverpool, owning a greater part of the land east of Union street where the city now stands. He was a pioneer farmer of the community. He married Abigail Fawcett. a daughter of Thomas Fawcett, the founder of East Liver- pool, the town being first called St. Clair, but later known as Fawcettstown.

William G. Smith, father of our subject. was born June 17, 1803. in the village that has since grown into the city of East Liverpool. He received his education in the old log school house of his district. He became clerk in a store when little more than a boy in years and at an unusually early age embarked in busi- ness for himself, conducting a general store. After a time he took his brother-in-law, George Smith, into partnership under the firm name

of William G. Smith & Company, and they continued together until 1840, when George Smith withdrew and went west to Missouri, driving 2,000 sheep across the plains. William G. Smith continued in business alone until 1845, in which year. he embarked in the whole- sale grocery business in Pittsburg. In 1851 he returned to East Liverpool and conducted a general store until 1857. In 1851 or 1852 he leased the Salt & -Mear pottery, in partnership with Benjamin Harker, the firm of Smith & Harker continuing until 1853, when our sub- ject succeeded to the interest of Mr. Ilarker and the firm name was changed to Smith & Company. In 1856 Daniel J. Smith sold bis interest to James Foster, and the following year his father sold his interest to George Garner. William G. Smith then resided in Cincinnati until the breaking out of the Civil War, when he went west to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he held a city position for a number of years. From there he went to Atch- ison, Kansas, and engaged in farming five or six years, after which he returned to Cincin- nati and lived a retired life until his wife died in 1888. He then went to Tacoma, Washing- ton, where he lived until his death in 1896. He was called "the white-haired boy" in his later years because of his wonderful strength and agility at so advanced an age. When 82 years of age he walked three miles to cast a vote for Benjamin Harrison for President. He was a great reader and probably no man had a better general knowledge of men and affairs. Hle pos- sessed a pleasing manner and his society was enjoyed by all, the young as well as the old. He had constructive and organizing ability and organized the Ashtabula & New Lisbon Rail road, for which the money was subscribed, but the project was defeated by the financial crisis of 1836. He exerted great influence in having the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad put through East Liverpool. He built the first brick house in the city and did more than any other man of his time to develop the real estate interests. A number of the buildings erected by him on Second street are still occupied. Ow- ing to his familiarity with the Ohio and Mis- sissippi rivers, Secretary E. M. Stanton com-

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missioned him in the navy to prevent contra- band goods and communications from being transmitted throught the lines on the river. Un- til 1856 he was a Democrat and from that date he was a Republican. He was a leader among men but did not himself aspire to office. He married Susan Smith, who though bearing the same name was no relative of his. She was a daughter of John and Mary (Fisher) Smith, and was of Dutch descent. Her father was born in Buffalo Valley, Pennsylvania, and was a soldier in the War of 1812; his wife was born at Yellow Breeches Creek, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Captain Fisher, who commanded a company in the Revolution. Mr. and Mrs. William G. Smith became the parents of II children, of whom the following grew to maturity : Daniel J .; George T., of Atchison, Kansas, now deceased; William H., who served in the Ioth Regiment, Ohio Vol: Inf., and afterward in the IIth Regiment, Ken- ticky Veterans and died in Louisville, Ken- tucky; Wilson F., of Tacoma, Washington ; Jason, who died in Minneapolis; Hanson L., Zeletta, wife of William Graverson, of Cin- cinnati; and Elizabeth, deceased, wife of Jo- seph Mitchell, of Tacoma, Washington.

Daniel J. Smith remained at home and at- tended school until he was 12 years of age and then went to Pittsburg and attended school un- til 1848. Then at the age of 15 years he be- gan running a canal-boat on the Sandy and Beaver Canal, shipping produce to his father's store. This continued about two years, after which he attended Mount Union College three terms. In 1853 he became a partner with his father in the pottery business and so con- tinued until 1856, when he started for Kan- sas, but only got as far as Caldwell County, Missouri. This was in the days of the "Border War" and being an anti-slavery man of the John Brown and "Jim" . Lane type, he was sharply warned to quit the country. He sent his wife away but remained long enough to close up his business affairs. He sold his prop- erty and took what cash he could get, the bal- ance of $1,350 being in nine months' notes. These notes were left with a man named Jer- ry Marree for collection, and what the latter,

who turned rebel, did not get the rebels did by robbing the United States mails on their way north. When the rebels stole the arms from the arsenal at Liberty, Missouri, Mr. Smith trailed them into, Kansas, locating them at Kickapoo. He then informed "Jim" Lane and the Free-State men followed and recaptured them. Mr. Smith then returned east and in 1861 enlisted in Company I, 143rd Regiment Ohio National Guard, and in 1864 the regi- ment enlisted as a whole in the United States service. Mr. Smith was a member of this regiment for four months and II days. On June 17th his regiment held the center in the attack on Petersburg. He contracted malaria fever and was assigned to detached duty as provost marshal at Wilson's Landing, guard- ing prisoners and contrabands. He was very active in organizing Union leagues, founding the first one in Harker's pottery at East Liver- pool and, later, one in every township in Co- lumbiana County. With the assistance of Rev. Samuel Clark, he established leagues through- out the State. 'After the war, he settled on a farm in Liverpool township, engaged in farming 31 years and then moved to a farm in St. Clair township. Here he farmed until 1903,' when he built a comfortable home in the East End, East Liverpool, where he now lives. For the past 41 years he has engaged extensively in the purchase of wool, and during the present year has purchased 40,000 lbs. in this section for a Boston firm. During the greater part of this time he has also bought stock on a large scale. In the early part of the year 1905, he formed a partnership with his grandson, D. John Ferguson, under the firm name of Smith & Ferguson, to engage in the real estate busi- ness, but the partnership was brought to an un- timely end by the death of Mr. Ferguson, who was a very promising young man. Our sub- ject still continues the business.

Mr. Smith has always been active in poli- tics and is known all over the State. He is a forceful speaker, with an inexhaustible fund of entertaining stories and anecdotes, and has contributed some very valuable literature to the parties with which he has been affiliated. In early life he was an Abolitionist and in

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1854 was a member of the committee appointed by the county convention to draft resolutions and select a ticket to be placed in nomination by said convention. He composed and wrote the first Republican platform in this county and probably the first in the United States. It could not be more terse, comprehensive or pointed, and is as follows: "First, We believe in a free school and an open Bible; Second, None but men of known temperance principles for office; Third, We will oppose by all lawful and legitimate means the further extension of slavery in territory now free. And we ask all men who believe in the economical expendi- ture of the people's money by our public of- ficials to unite with us and crystalize these principles into law." In association with Sam- uel and David Watson of New Lisbon, he or- ganized the Know-Nothings in East Liverpool. For a period of 12 years he was justice of the peace in St. Clair township. He continued a Republican until the second election of Presi- dent Mckinley, since which time he has been a Prohibitionist. He is well known as an able writer on questions of public policy and his opinion always carries great weight. Fraternal- ly. he is a member of General Lyon Post, No. 44. G. A. R., of which he is past commander. lle was a member of the Masonic lodge at Wellsville many years ago and at the present time belongs to the Royal Arcanum at East Liverpool.

In June, 1855, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Deborah Thompson, a daughter of Josiah Thompson, a record of whose life appears elsewhere in this work, and they be- came parents of nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Josiah T., and William S., of East Liverpool: Lulu, wife of Hugh Ferguson, of Beaver Falls, Pennsylva- nia : Cassius, deceased : Wilson F. : and Zelletta S .. wife of Byron Robinson, of Akron, Ohio. Religiously, Mrs. Smith was a member of the Disciples Church. Our subject formed a sec- ond marital union with Amanda Carnegie, a daughter of Thomas Carnegie, who was a cons- in to the far-famed Andrew Carnegie. Both children of this second union died in infancy. Religiously. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members

of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Freder- icktown, of which he has served as trustee and steward.

ARRY BOOKWALTER, M. D., the leading physician of Columbiana, was born at Dalton, Ohio, February 9, 1872, and is a son of Henry and Bar- bara (Rudy) Bookwalter.

The father of Dr. Bookwalter was a farmer and for many years operated a large stock farm near Warren, which is still carried on by his sons. His death occurred there but his widow survives and is now in her 73rd year. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters. Dr. Bookwalter has one brother who is an attorney at Warren, Ohio, another is in business in Chicago, and the others are farmers.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 57

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