History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 59

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

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account of failing health, subsequently asking jor and receiving the appointment to East Pal- estine. coming here first in 1883. 1Ic served the people acceptably during a first pastorate and was returned here in 1893. re- maining until 1898 when he took a superan- nuated position on account of feeble health.

The subject of this sketch was a very suc- cessful revivalist when engaged actively in the ministry, and in this line of church work his enthusiasm and personal influence never ceased to be of the greatest importance. Wherever he has been called during his many years of min- isterial labor, the efficiency of his work has been shown by the numerous additions to the congregations and the deeper and more notice- able devotion to Christian work. Dr. Butts was married to Lucinda Guy, a daughter of Hon. Levi Guy, of Clarkson, Ohio. They have one surviving child, Osmon L., who married Elizabeth Collins, of Wellsville, and has one daughter, Marion Atchison Butts, a resident of East Palestine.

In recalling the events of the life of Rev. Mr. Butts, his honorable term of army service must not be overlooked. lle not only went to the front in the early days of the Civil War, but he recruited Company F, 98th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was made its captain and was in active service for nine months. His first colonel was Col. George W. Webster and the second was Colonel Poorman, both excellent officers. It will be remembered that the battle of Perryville was one of the hottest fights of the campaign, in which the companies composing the 98th Regiment took a prominent part. In this en- gagement a command was given that the regi- ment should separate into companies; Captain Butts did not hear it but nevertheless on his own initiative gave orders of the same effect to his men, as he saw the expediency of the move. In giving his commands, he told his soldiers to walk across a certain field and to behave as soldiers; while one-half of the regiment was killed, his men. although they passed through a hailstorm of bullets, all came in unharmed, proving the soundness of his military tactics.

Captain Butts was beloved and admired by his command and it was a source of regret to

them as to himself that their relations had to be severed. An attack of typhoid fever, however, caused prostration and subsequent retirement from the service. Its effects are still felt, or- ganic heart trouble having developed.

Few religious teachers in this section of the State are better known than the venerable sub- ject of this sketch. He is a man whose learning and piety have made him a power in every com- munity where the duties of his calling have made him a resident. His exceptional gifts as an orator, his clear and convincing manner of presenting Christian truths and impressing them upon the minds of his hearers, made hini always a valued spiritual teacher, while the material prosperity in which he left his charges demonstrated a large amount of execu- tive ability. In the early days of his ministry the work of a Methodist clergyman was a task of magnitude indeed, including cares and hard- ships which in no section attend his career at the present time. During his years as presiding elder he was also held in the very highest esteem and the arduous work of those years resulted in the establishing of churches in many localities and in the arousing of religious aspirations, the remembrance of which bring happy memories to one who has faithfully sown the seeds and has been permitted to see the whitening harvest. The evening of life is filled with light, the horizon is clear, and this inadequate record is brought to a close with the words of one who has known him long and well: "There is a good man."

HOMAS CAMERON, one of the representative agriculturists of Knox township, who owns 270 acres of fine land, was born in Smith town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Alexander Cameron, Jr., and grand- son of Alexander Cameron.

The Camerons originated in Scotland. Our subject's grandfather, who was born in Scotland in 1770, was forced to leave his own country on account of religious persecution. He lived in the North of Ireland a short time, then emigrated to America and settled first in

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Belmont County, Ohio, but shortly afterward moved to Columbiana County, locating on the Cameron farm that is situated four miles south of Salem and living there until his death, which occurred in 1847. He was a weaver by trade but after coming to this country followed farming. He married Jane Kirk, who was born in Scotland, September 11. 1766, and died in Columbiana County in 1833. Their children were named as follows: Absalom, Eliel, Nancy, Lydia, Jane, Alexander ( father of our subject), Josiah, Elizabeth and Hiram. Alexander Cameron, Jr., was born on the farm in Butler township, Columbiana County, in 1802 and always followed farming, dying at the age of 62 years.

Our subject grew up in Smith township, Mahoning County, attended school and worked on his father's farm until his 21st year and then learned the carpenter's trade, which in combination with farming he has followed ever since. He married in 1856 and resided on his father-in-law's farm until 1891, when he bought a farm of 140 acres adjoining this farm. He now owns 270 acres and on the farm on section 8 he has erected a fine brick residence which was completed in 1892, one which has scarcely an equal in the township in point of appearance and comfort.

Mr. Cameron was married in 1856 to Bar- bara Zimmerman, the estimable daughter of Henry Zimmerman. She was a lady of many Christian virtues. Her death occurred in 1900, when in her 65th year. She was the mother of these children : Emma Jane, deceased, who was the wife of John Wolf and left a daughter and son,-Flora and Charles; Mary, residing at home; Rosa, who married Michael Denny and, has three children,-Celestia, Iva and Olive, the latter of whom married Otley Boyle and has one child, Myrtle; Celestia, who mar- ried John Hoffman and has five children,- Bertha, Lela, Maida, Elsie and Lorin : Jestina, who married Fred Reichenbaugh and has seven children,-Thomas, William, Anna, Olive, Earl, Leroy and May; John W., who married Nellie Davidson and has one child,-Pearl; Eliza, who married William H. Hunter and has two children,-Esther and Elizabeth; Simon

H., who married Cora M. Stanley and has two children,-Eldessa and Lorin ; Alma, who mar- ried A. J. Perry and has one child .- Lillian ; Arthur H. and Esther B.

In politics Mr. Cameron is a stanch Repub- lican but he is one from principle and not for the sake of any office. He is one of the sub- stantial men and respected citizens of the town- ship.

h ON. ROBERT W. TAYLER, form- erly a member of the well-known firm of Wallace, Billingsley & Tay- ler, of Lisbon, and a Member of Con- gress from this district, is now judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio and a resident of Cleveland. He is prominent as a man who accomplishes his aims, and his career has been one of exceeding interest to those with whom he has long been associated as a citizen.

Mr. Tayler was born at Youngstown, Ohio, November 26, 1852, and was graduated at Western Reserve College in June, 1872. In September of that year he commenced teaching in the Lisbon High School, and in 1873 was elected superintendent of schools. He served with marked efficiency and was reelected in 1874 for a second term. From Jannary, 1875, to November, 1876, he was editor of the Buckeye State, a newspaper published at Lis- bon, which wielded a great influence in the affairs of this section. In April. 1877. he was admitted to the bar of Columbiana County and from the very first was successful as a lawyer.

Mr. Tayler was elected prosecuting at- torney in 1880. and reelected in 1882, serving until 1886. He has always been an earnest advocate of Republican principles, and was honored by that party and the people by his election to the 54th Congress. He immediately took high rank among thie members of that august body, and served his constituency with faithfulness and ability for four successive terms. He held the important position of chairman of election committee No. I. was chairman of the special committee on the case of Brigham H. Roberts in the 56th Congress

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and was in line for far more important posts. but the demands of his practice were such that he declined a nomination for a fifth term. He was a member of the law firm of Wallace, Billingsley & Tayler and its successor, Billings- ley, Tayler & Clark, until his removal to his natal city, Youngstown, in 1903. He is widely known among the people of Columbiana Coun- ty, who regretted his departure from their midst. He was the leading counsel in the prosecution of Senator Reed Smoot before the U. S. Senate committee on privileges and elec- tions. In this prosecution the question was whether, by reason of his connection with the Mormon Church, Senator Smoot was eligible to a seat in the Senate. On account of its im- portance the case attracted the attention of the entire nation. In Jannary, 1905, he was appointed United States district judge for the Northern District of Ohio and assumed the duties of his office February 2, 1905. Since then he has resided in Cleveland.

ILLIAM Y. CALVIN, a prominent agriculturist and lumberman of Middleton township, has been a resident of this township since he was a boy of 10 years. He was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1846, and is a son of William and Rachel (Young) Calvin and a grandson of Robert Calvin.

William Calvin, father of our subject, re- sided in Beaver County through his whole life, dying there in 1853. He married Rachel Young, who died in 1855. She was a daugh- ter of Baltzer and Elizabeth (Boose) Young, who were of German birth and were early set- tlers in York County, Pennsylvania. When the fertile lands of Columbiana County, Ohio, were opened for settlement, they came hither and in 1803 located in Middleton township, their first home being where Mrs. Hazen now lives in the village of Achor. Mr. Young ac- quired a section of land and, with his sons. became prominent in the locality. Two of these, Samuel and Peter, were especially so,

as they were the leading agitators in the move- ment which resulted in the building of the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway, through Columbiana County.

Five of the children of William and Rachel (Young) Calvin grew to maturity, namely : Baltzer, Julia Margaret, Samuel Y., Peter Y. and William Y. Baltzer was a well-known resident of Fort Wayne, Indiana, where he died. Julia Margaret married David Hartford and resides in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Samuel Y. has been a bookkeeper at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, for the past 32 years. He served four years in the Civil War, as a member of the 43rd Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., etsablishing a fine record as a brave and loyal soldier of his country. He enlisted as a private and was promoted to Ist sergeant in May. 1862: 2nd lieutenant. October 4, 1862; and Ist lieutenant, in April, 1864. Peter. Y. was also a soldier in the Civil War. serving three years in the 10th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., and was one of the 35 members of his com- pany to return, the survivors of the 112 who went to the front. He is now a railroad en- gineer at Sioux City, Iowa.

William Y. Calvin was left fatherless when a child of seven years and was but nine years old when he was bereft of his mother. The youngest of the family. he was also the most helpless, being at that tender age dependent upon his boyish endeavors for his support. He came to Middleton township, Columbiana County, and found a home with his uncle, Will- iam Brown, who was a very extensive stock- raiser and the owner of some 700 to 800 acres of land. William continued to assist here un- til he was 17 years of age; herding and caring for many hundred head of sheep and learning all the practical details of farming. His edu- cation was rot neglected and in 1863 he at- tended the public schools of Lisbon for a time, being a friend and classmate of the late Judge P. C. Young.

During two months of the following winter he taught school near the village of Achor, but in February, 1864, he enlisted as a private in the Third Independent Battery, Ohio Light Artillery, in which he served until the close of

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the Civil War. He participated in the siege of Atlanta and witnessed there the tragic death of that noble soldier and officer, General Mc- Pherson. He was also in a number of the serious engagements in that section but escaped all injury and was mustered out in July. 1865, although he had enlisted for three years. Mr. Calvin returned to Middleton township and prepared himself for the profession of dentistry which he practiced off and on for many years.

In 1882 Mr. Calvin located on his present farm in section 14, where he still follows gen- eral farming. In addition he has been engaged in lumbering for the past 28 years and in the operation of this business he utilizes a portable sawmill on his own place and a stave-mill at Mill Rock.

Mr. Calvin was married July 22, 1869. to Matilda Hartford, who is a daughter of David and Matilda ( Armour) Hartford, of Alle- gheny County, Pennsylvania. They have had nine children, viz .: Maude A., who has been a popular teacher in the public schools for the past 12 years and is now professionally en- gaged at Lowetown, Ohio; Nannie R., who married Irwin D. Marker, of Hancock County, West Virginia; Georgie D., who died at the age of 18 months; Jennie, who for the past three years has been cashier and bookkeeper for the East Palestine Store Company; Harry T., formerly a teacher in the public schools, who completed a course in the school of pharmacy at Ada, Ohio, and is now in a drug-store at Youngstown, Ohio; Chester W., formerly in business at Beaver Valley, who is now engaged with his father in the milling business; Martha. who is a successful teacher ; and Anna L. and Everett T., both students. The family attend the Baptist Church at Achor.

Mr. Calvin has served continuously as justice, of the peace and notary public for a period of 18 years, and during that time has been frequently called upon to serve in fiduciary capacities. He has been administrator of a number of estates and has drawn many wills.

Mr. Calvin has been a life-long Republi- can and for the past 20 years he has been a member of the Republican County Central Committee continuously, with the exception of

one year. Formerly he was a member of Chamberlin Post, G. A. R., of East Palestine. Fraternally he is connected with Negley Lodge, No. 565, F. & A. M.

From the above brief record it will be seen that Mr. Calvin is a self-made man. He is well known to the people of Columbiana Coun- ty, many of whom have watched with interest his advance to his present place of influence and honor in the community.

D JAVID S. BROOKMAN, manager of the Wellsville plant of the American Sheet & Tin Plate Company, the largest industry of the city, is in every essential the right man in the right place. Mr. Brookman was born at Oneida, Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Sarah Ann (Cross) Brookman.

The father of Mr. Brookman was born in Western Pennsylvania and removed to Geauga County, Ohio; just prior to the birth of our subject ; he located in Carroll County. His business was that of a cabinet-maker. During his early life he was a strong Whig. He mar- ried a daughter of John Cross, an old resident of Carroll County, and they had two children, our subject being the only one to reach matur- ity. The mother still survives and resides at Wellsville. She is a member of the Presby- terian Church.

David S. Brookman was reared in Malvern, Carroll County and spent the first years of his business life as a clerk in a hardware store at Wellsville, where he located in 1872. He left the hardware business in order to enter the employ of the Wellsville Plate & Sheet Iron Company, which was an enterprise of local importance prior to its being merged into the American Sheet & Tin Plate Com- pany, which was accomplished in 1900. At that time Mr. Brookman, who had been secre- tary of the former company for some years, be- came manager for the latter company of its Wellsville plant. He is interested in other successful business organizations. He is vice- president of the People's National Bank and

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was one of the organizers of the Perpetual Building & Loan Company, of which he is vice- president. He is one of the leading business men of the city and is also one of the most public spirited. His manner is courteous and dignified and his speech diplomatic, most dle- sirable personal qualifications for one filling so important a position as his.

Mr. Brookman was united in marriage with Jennie L. Barr, who is a daughter of the late James Barr, of Wellsville, and they have two children : Horace D. and Louise P. They, as a family, belong to the Presbyterian Church, Mr. Brookman being one of the trustees.

Politically he is affiliated with the Republi- can party. He was borough clerk for some years prior to Wellsville becoming a city, but is in no sense a politician. He is a member of Wellsville Lodge, No. 180, F. & A. M.

POLLOCK THOMPSON resides on a fine farm of 176 acres in section 20, St. Clair township, and is one of the hustling, wide-awake agriculturists who win their success by striking out in new lines instead of following in the beaten track of their predecessors. Mr. Thompson was born in 1844 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Robert and Eleanor ( Huey ) Thompson, both of Washing- ton County, where the father died in his 78th vear. His wife reached her 83rd year and was residing in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, at the time of her death in November. 1904.

Robert Thompson. the grandfather of J. Pollock, with two of his brothers was in the War of the Revolution and together they en- tered a tract of three thousand acres of land by the "notched survey." This "notched survey" was done by the settler simply notching or blazing the trees around the land claimed by them, hence the name. It was on this land that our subject was born and where his father was born, lived and died. There is still a good portion of this land owned by descendants of the three brothers although the homestead,

itself, has passed into other hands. The log house in which they lived is still standing and arrangements have been made whereby it shall never be destroyed so long as the logs stand. The brothers sold considerable of their land, receiving 50c. per acre for some and $1 for some until they had in their cabin $300. This was considerable money to have in one lump in those early days and excited the avarice and cupidity of two of their neighbors, named Meek and Bently, who determined on robbing the Thompsons and securing the booty. The robbers were repulsed and driven off, after having three of their number killed.

J. Pollock Thompson remained at home until his marriage in 1870, when he began farming on his own account. In 1891 he came to Ohio. He resided in East Liverpool for five vears and in 1901 purchased the farm of Jere- miah Ainsley, which consisted of 126 acres. To this he added an adjoining 50-acre tract. He carries on general farming and dairying and keeps a large amount of stock. He is building a large barn with a silo in order that he may furnish his cows in the winter months a more satisfactory ration for milk production. By feeding the product of his farm to his cows he obtains a better price for his hay and grain and at the same time keeps up the fertility of his land as he could in no other way. He has one of the best and most productive tracts in his section and is looked upon by his neighbors as a model farmer.

Mr. Thompson was married in 1870 to. Anna M. Patterson, daughter of James and Jane ( Leeper) Patterson, both of whom were residents of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Nine children have been born to them, namely : Robert Wilburt, who died when a young man of 20 years; Howard. who lives at home: Noretta, wife of Jeremiah Ainsley, resident of California ; Herbert, who lives at home ; Denver G., who lives on the homestead farm; Willis Austin, who died at the age of nine months ; and Lulu Grace. who lives at home. They have one grandchild, Mary Ainsley, who lives with her parents in California. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Long Run United Presbyterian Church, of Calcutta. He is a Democrat.

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5 ENRY ALLISON THOMPSON, president of the Citizens' Banking Company, of Salineville, and one of the town's representative men and capitalists, was born June 17. 182.4, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Margaret (George) Thompson.

The father of Mr. Thompson was born in Ireland and the mother in Washington County, Pennsylvania, where she died in 1882. The father was a weaver by trade. Our subject lived in the home of his uncle, Judge Thomas George, from the age of nine years, until 1848, when he settled on a farm of 160 acres, in Carroll County, Ohio, to which he subsequently added 80 acres. When he settled on that prop- erty, the home was a log cabin roofed with clapboards and weight-poles, floored with puncheons, and with a chimney built of wood and mortar. It was not very comfortable but afforded a temporary home until a more modern building was erected. When he sold this prop- erty in 1863. he had 100 acres of it improved, 60 acres cleared and the rest in timber. He then purchased an improved farm of 300 acres near Wattsville, Carroll County, which he turned into a stock farm, devoting himself to the extensive growing of sheep, which for a considerable period was a profitable enterprise.

After a residence there of 17 years, Mr. Thompson sold and, in 1880, came to Saline- ville, where he bought W. T. Cope's house, situated on the hill south of the town and entered into a general banking business, in part- nership with Mr. Cope, under the firm name of Cope & Thompson. After an association of seven years, Mr. Cope left, selling his interest to our subject and his nephew. WV. A. Thomp- son, and the partnership of H. A. Thompson & Company was formed. This business com- bination continued for seven years. The H. A. Thompson Banking Company was then incor- porated, with a paid-up capital of $25,000. with H. A. Thompson, president and W. A. Thomp- son, cashier. When W. A. Thompson, the present county treasurer. assumed the duties of his office, in 1902. he resigned his position in the banking house and then came about the or- ganization of the Citizens' Banking Company.

The officers of this company are: H. A. Thompson, president; William A. Thompson, vice-president ; and W. A. McBane, cashier. This is an incorporated institution and has a paid-up capital of $50,000. The directors are : B. F. Smyth, Alliance; B. Y. Welch, farmer, Salineville; William A. Skinner, merchant, Salineville; T. E. George, farmer, Pravo, Ohio; J. E. Herbert, a mail clerk on the Penn- sylvania Railroad; and S. G. Dorrance, farmer, Pine Hill.

The headquarters of the Citizens' Banking Company are situated on Main street, opposite the Postoffice, in a fine new building. The front of the building is given over to the bank- ing offices and the president's room, the rear to the director's rooms, while inimediately be- low are situated the hot water plant and the lavatories. The building presents a very at- tractive appearance, constructed of Roman gray brick with trimmings of Indiana limestone, while the inside finishings are all of solid oak. The architect was A. W. Scott, of East Liver- pool. All the bank equipments, including the safes and vault, are of modern construction with every device known in the way of facilitating business and safeguarding deposits. The com- pany stands very high in financial circles, the known integrity of its officers ensuring public confidence.

Mr. Thompson was married March 7, 1848, to Hannah Graham, a daughter of James and Mary ( Nelson) Graham, the former of whom was born in Ireland and the latter at Hooks- town, Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had three children, viz. : Mary Margaret, wife of Prof. F. B. Sawven, of Thiel College, Canfield, Ohio: Christina Jane, who died in 1857, aged six years; and an infant. deceased. They have two grand- children, Leonard and Lottie. the former of whom will graduate shortly from Vale. One grandchild, Floy, is deceased.

Politically Mr. Thompson has always been affiliated with the Republican party. He is a member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he an elder. He has been a life-long promoter of temperance and every other moral reform.

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WILLIAM A. McBANE, cashier of the Citi- zens' Banking Company, of Salineville, was born November 25, 1862, in Fox township, Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Loughlin and Jennet (Shaw) McBane. Both parents still survive. and reside on their farm in Carroll County. Of their six children five survive.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 59

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