USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 62
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Dr. Taggart attended school at East Pales- tine in his boyhood and made sufficient prepara- tion to be accepted as a student at Westminster College, at New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1866, going then to Allegheny Theological Seminary, at Alle- gheny, Pennsylvania, where he was graduated in 1869. His first charge was his present one at East Liverpool where for more than 36 years he has ministered to the spiritual needs of the First United Presbyterian Church. The mu- tual relations between pastor and people have assumed so close and tender a character that their dissolution would bring much grief. To have been the spiritual director of a community for so long a period means much, both to pas- tor and people. The passing years have seen many changes in material prosperity and in
spiritual development and Dr. Taggart can look back over very fruitful years. He found here a very unpretentious church edifice, which was situated just across the street from the present imposing church, which rears its stately spire on the northwest corner of Fifth and Market streets. This beautiful building was completed in 1875.
Dr. Taggart, although a man of peace, has back of him an honorable war record. When his beloved country was in danger, he enlisted on August 2, 1862, in Company C, 104th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., in which he served first as an orderly sergeant; 18 months later he was pro- moted to the rank of 2nd lieutenant and subse- quently won the position of Ist lieutenant. At the battle of Franklin, where his company gave a good account of itself, he was wounded in the right arm, an accident he did not notice until his attention was called to it by a hole in his sleeve. The wound gave him no very serious trouble.
Dr. Taggart married Mary Elizabeth Moore, a daughter of John Moore, who at the time of his daughter's marriage was a resident of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. They have a very beautiful home which was built on East Market street in 1872. It is modern in all its appointments, one of its delightful fea- tures being a comprehensive library.
At various times Dr. Taggart has been hon- ored by educational bodies and in 1895 his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity.
HE FIRST NATIONAL BANK of East Palestine takes a prominent place with the prosperous financial institutions of the State. It com- menced business on March 2, 1903, and its increase has been steady and healthful. This is mainly due to the careful and conserva- tive attitude of its officers and board of direc- tors, all of whom are men of large capital and of solid, substantial character, principally resi- dents of Unity township.
The officers of this institution are: W. C. Wallace, president; William Johnston, vice- president; D. W. McCloskey, cashier ; and M.
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W. Beyer, assistant cashier. On the board of directors are found such men as : W. C. Wal- lace, E. W. Powers, Ulrich Winter, S. M. Hoon, F. B. Unger, John Kipp, B. A. McClos- key, M. W. Beyer, William Johnston, Eli Har- man, Austin D. Dildine and William K. Rose, of Cleveland. D. W. McCloskey, the cashier was the moving spirit in the organization of the bank and to his ability and courtesy a large measure of its success is due.
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The report of the condition of the First National Bank at the close of business on May 29, 1905, was as follows :
RESOURCES.
Loans and discounts. $149,387.82 Overdrafts secured and unsecured. 3,114.82
U. S. bonds to secure circulation. 25,000.00
Premiums on U. S. bonds. 1,598.75
Bonds, securities, etc. 18,300.00 Banking house furniture and fixtures. 3,900.00 Due from national banks, not reserves 7,660.28
Due from approved reserve agents. 25,639.44
Checks and other cash items. 2,200.58
Notes of other National banks. 3,535.00
Fractional paper currency, nickels and cents
120.57
Lawful money reserved in bank.
Specie. $ 4,482.00
Legal tender notes. 9,000.00
$13,482.00
Redemption fund with U. S. Treasurer, 5
per cent. circulation. 1,250.00
Total $255,189.26
LIABILITIES.
Capital stock paid in. $ 25,000.00 Surplus fund. 500.00
Undivided profits less expenses and taxes paid. 4,219.14
National bank notes outstanding 25,000.00
Individual deposits subject to check. 106,446.04
Demand certificate of deposit. 94,024.08
Total $255,189.26
At the close of business on March 14, 1905, the bank issued this comparative statement of deposits :
April 9, 1903 $ 30,493.75 June 9, 1903. . 57,416.90
September 9, 1903 84,396.42
November 9, 1903.
100,894.10
January 22, 1904. 120,772.04
March 28, 1904 142,914.26
June 9, 1904. 162.932.88
March 14, 1905 197.53.3.98
The large amount of capital represented by the unusually large body of directors as well as their high, personal characters, have always given this institution the confidence of the pub- lic. They are all men of solid worth, engaged in no speculative enterprises and the continued prosperity of this bank is well assured.
h ON. NATHAN B. BILLINGSLEY, formerly judge of the Court of Com- mon Pleas and now senior member of the law firm of Billingsley, Clark & DeFord, is one of the best known and most successful lawyers of Lisbon.
Nathan B. Billingsley was born on his father's farm in Columbiana County, Ohio, October 9, 1850, and received a preliminary educational training in the district schools. After completing a course of study in Mount Union College, he engaged in teaching for a time and in the meantime read law under the. direction of Hon. Jonathan H. Wallace, who subsequently went to Congress and still later became a judge of the court of Common Pleas. Our subject was admitted to the bar Septem- ber 24, 1873, and on June Ist of the following year, formed a partnership with Judge Wallace, which continued until the latter's elevation to- the bench. Upon the retirement of Judge Wal- lace from the bench, the firm of Wallace, Bill- ingsley & Tayler was formed and was recog- nized as the strongest combination of legal tal- ent in this section of Ohio. Brief sketches of the lives of Judge Wallace and Hon. R. W. Tayler may be found elsewhere in this volume. After the death of the senior member of this firm, on October 29, 1892, the firm of Billings- ley & Tayler continued until April 25, 1893, when Mr. Billingsley, without solicitation on his part and at the request of the bars of Col- umbiana, Stark and Carroll counties (compris- ing the Fourth Sub-Division of the Ninth Ju- dicial District of Ohio), was appointed judge
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA' COUNTY
of the Court of Common Pleas, vice Hon. William A. Nichols, who died in April, 1893. He was elected in November, 1893, to serve the residue of Judge Nichol's unexpired term, and was re-elected in November, 1894, for a full term. On December 5, 1895, Judge Bill- ingsley resigned from the bench, and the firm of Billingsley, Tayler & Clark was formed and continued until the removal of Mr. Tayler to Youngstown, Ohio. The firm of Billingsley, Clark & DeFord was then formed and has since maintained a high position at the bar of Col- umbiana County. Well grounded in the law and a profound thinker, Judge Billingsley has been one of the most forcible advocates of the Columbiana County bar and eminently success- ful. -
On May 18, 1876, our subject was joined. in the bonds of matrimony with Mary Wallace, a daughter of his former preceptor, Judge Wal- lace, and they have three children: Lorane; Robert Wallace, deceased; and Horace Mc- Cook, a law student of Columbia University. The family have a pleasant residence in Lis- bon.
€ LSWORTH H. SEBRING, one of the founders of the marvelous little city of Sebring, in Mahoning County, Ohio, and a part owner of the French China Company's plant, one of its largest industries, was born in Meigs County, Ohio, July 3, 1861, 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 reside at Sebring. They reared a family of nine children to maturity, the youngest son alone 'of the family of 10 members (lying in childhood.
Elsworth H. Sebring, the third member of the family was two months old when his parents settled in the old home in East Liver- pool, where they resided for so many years and where our subject was reared. He was a student in the public schools of . that city until 15 years of age and then began to think of his future business ca-
reer. The main industry of the city being the manufacture of pottery, and his older brothers being already working at that trade, he also en- tered a local pottery and spent three years learn- ing the presser's trade. He was 19 years old when, with his brother Frank A., he embarked in a grocery business, forming the firm of Se- bring Brothers, of East Liverpool. This firm ran the first exclusively cash grocery in the city, an early indication of the business acumen which has brought about such wonderful suc- cess as marks all the Sebrings at the present time. Selling for cash, the firm was able to offer much better terms to customers than the the older, grocers could afford to do, and their prosperity was so phenomenal that they met with much hostility from their competitors. The brothers were considering the opening of a wholesale business, with every prospect of equal success, when their other brothers, Oliver H. and George E., presented to them a propo- sition by which all four should enter into a part- nership and buy the old Agner and Foutts pot- ter in East Liverpool then 'held by Mrs. Sarah Jane Campbell on a mortgage, and enter into the pottery manufacturing field. The prospect seemed a good one as all the men were practical potters and that their hopes were not too opti- mistic, the results have shown. The four brothers entered into combination, being obliged to borrow additional capital, however, and in 1887 began the pottery business, which has developed into such stupendous proportions, becoming an incorporated body under the name of The Sebring Pottery Company.
On July 26, 1899, the company, after years of prosperity, purchased 2,000 acres of land in the southern part of Mahoning County, just over the Columbiana County line, and here platted the city of Sebring, one which has now a population of over 2,000 and is rapidly ex- panding in every direction. Here the company erected the plant of The Oliver China Company as a beginning, and soon after added other plants until at present their various build- ings cover acres and acres of ground. Now their, plants embrace 25 ware kilns and 24 decorating. kilns, employment , is given to , 1,200 workmen and the value
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of their annual output exceeds $1,000,000. They manufacture a high grade of deco- rated porcelain ware and they rank among the first in the value and output of the potteries of the United States. They have developed a city in every sense, one with paved streets, flagstone walks, electric lights and water-works, one which is an ideal for both the artisan and the man of wealth. About two years ago, the brothers, in consultation, decided to separate their interests as an easier way of handling their varied enterprises and still further de- veloping the city, this division affecting prop- erty worth $1,250,000. In the division our subject and his brother, Oliver H., became sole owners of The French China Company. They have many other interests in Sebring, both in combination and individually.
Mr. Sebring was married, first, in 1881, to Lida Hancock, who was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph and Emma (Webster) Hancock. Mrs. Sebring died in 1887, leaving one daughter,-Elsie Winnifred. Mr. Sebring was married, second, to Edna F. Coyle, who was born in Indiana and is a daugh- ter of David Coyle, a resident of Steubenville, Ohio. They have four children, viz: Kenneth Coyle, Thelma, Elizabeth and Kathryne. They occupy one of the stately mansions, which add so much to the attractiveness of this city.
Mr. Sebring belongs to a notable family. Like his brothers, he is a quiet, thoughtful, busy man, as carefully looking after his affairs now as when working for a daily wage in the pottery. He is, as formerly, as keenly awake to every chance for advancement along pro- gressive lines, but at the same time sustains his reputation for benevolence, for thoughtful care for his army of employees, and for his family regard, a feeling shared by every one of the Sebring "boys."
HARLES BURLEIGH GAL- BREATH was born in Fairfield township. Columbiana County, Ohio, February 25, 1858. His ear- ly life was spent on the farm. At the age of 17 he began teaching in the rural
schools. In June of 1879 he completed a course in the Lisbon High School and in September of the same year entered Mount Union Col- lege, from which he was graduated in 1883. Four years later this institution conferred np- on him the degree of A. M. He was superin- tendent of the Wilmot (Ohio) schools from 1883 to 1885, when he resigned to accept the superintendency of- the East Palestine (Ohio) schools, where he remained eight years. Al- though unanimously re-elected for two years more, he resigned to accept a position in Mount Hope College, and was later promoted to the presidency of that institution. While in East Palestine, lie was for two years editor of The Reveille, now The Reveille Echo. While teaching, he frequently did institute work. He was school examiner of Columbiana County from 1885 to 1893. In 1886 he was granted a life certificate by the State Board of Examiners.
In 1896 he was elected State Librarian by the Library Commission created by the 72nd General Assembly. Since entering upon the duties of his present position, a number of changes have been inaugurated in the manage- ment of the State Library. It is now open 011 equal terms to all citizens of the State. A sys- tem of traveling libraries has been organized and these collections of books have been sent to patronizing communities in every county of Ohio. Among all the States of the Union, Ohio leads in the number of traveling libraries issued. Within the period of his administration, the number of volumes in the State Library has more than doubled. He is a member of the Ohio Library Association, the American Li- brary Association and the National Association of State Librarians. Of the last named or- ganization he was president in 1900.
Under the direction of Col. Ethan Allen, of New York. Mr. Galbreath. in 1897, organ- ized the Columbus Branch of the Cuban League of America, of which he was secretary. This league, which was organized for the purpose of aiding the Cubans, had two thousand men- bers in Columbus, and was active in the ad- vocacy of armed intervention just before the Spanish-American war.
Mr. Galbreath is an honorary member of
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY
the Historical and Philosophical Society of Ohio and a life member of the Ohio Archaeo- logical and Historical Society. He is author of the following books and monographs: "Sketches of Ohio Libraries," "First News- paper in Ohio," "Daniel Decatur Emmett. Author of Dixie," "Samuel Lewis, Ohio's Militant Educator and Reformer," "Alex- ander Coffman Ross, Author of Tippecanoe und Tyler, Too." "Benjamin Russell Hanby." Author of Darling Nelly Gray," "Will Lamar- tine Thompson. Author of Gathering Shells from the Sea-Shore," and "Song Writers of Ohio." He has written other sketches and has contributed to library and educational journa's.
NTHONY W. TAYLOR, formerly mayor of the city of Salem, serving in this capacity for three terms, is the senior member of the well- known law firm of Taylor & Harri- son, of this city. He was born December 2, 1861, at New Garden, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is one of two children born to his parents, Anthony W. and Clementine M. (Smith) Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was reared in Columbiana County, attending school and in boyhood as- sisted his stepfather on the farm. After com- pleting his education he taught school for some years. During this period he read law in leis- ure moments and thus prepared himself for a profession in which he has become eminent. He was admitted to the bar on May 28, 1885, and was also admitted to practice in the Su- preme Court. He began practice at Salem, as a member of the firm of Jones & Taylor, later, of Taylor & Metzger. and three years later, Taylor & Baker. The last named firm existed until 1904, when the present law firm was or- ganized. It commands a large part of the legal business of the city and vicinity. The offices of the firm are located in the Masonic Block on East Main street.
Mr. Taylor has always been an active mem- ber of the Democratic party and on numerous
occasions has been signally honored by it. In April, 1886, he was elected to the highest of- fice in the gift of the municipality. The ex- cellence of his administration was shown by his subsequent re-election to the office. He also served four terms as city solicitor of Salem.
Mr. Taylor has a pleasant home at No. I Superior street. He married Miss A. L. Baker, who is a daughter of Hiram Baker, and they have four children,-Paul R., Clarie, Anna M. and Anthony W., Jr. The family belong to the Christian Church. Mr. Taylor is a Knight Templar and also belongs to the Knights of Pythias.
P ATRICK McNICOL, vice-president of The Standard Pottery Company, of East Liverpool, was born in this city November 16, 1865, and is a son of Patrick and Ellen (Johnson) Mc- Nicol and a grandson of George and Margaret McNicol.
Patrick McNicol, father of our subject, was one of the early potters, one who learned his trade in one of the pottery establishments of the old country. He was born May 10, 1824, in County Donegal, Ireland, a son of a weaver, who with his wife carried on weaving, as did their neighbors, in their little home in that county. The grandfather of our subject died in 1834, being survived by his widow until 1874. George and Margaret McNicol were re- spected residents of their community. Their son Patrick remained at home until he was 17 years of age, when he went to Glasgow, Scotland, where he worked in the potteries until about 1850, and then came to the United States, set- tling at East Liverpool, Ohio. Here he entered the employ of Vodrey, Woodward & Blakely and remained with this firm until it went out of business in 1857. Then he went to work for Foster & Riley, with whom he continued for 13 years.
In 1871 Mr. McNicol. in association with his brother, John McNicol, organized a stock company, purchasing the old Novelty Pottery. and remained with the company until the fall of 1888, when he retired from active participa-
WILLIAM H. SURLES
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tion in business. He enjoyed some seven years of leisure, after a long, active and successful life, his death occurring on the 13th of Novem- ber, 1894.
In 1852 Mr. McNicol married Ellen John- son, daughter of Thomas Johnson, who was at that time a resident of Columbiana County. She was born October 20, 1828, and still sur- vives, a lady highly respected and esteemed. She is a devoted member of St. Aloysius Catho- lic Church, as was the late Mr. McNicol. They had the following children: George F. and Ellen, deceased; Thomas J., president of The Salem China Company, of Salem, Ohio; John F., deceased; Margaret; Patrick, the subject of this sketch; Mary A., who married David S. Harris ; and Daniel B. and Charles A., of East Liverpool.
After completing the common school course in his native city, our . subject entered his father's pottery and there gained a thorough knowledge of the bus- iness. In 1890 he purchased an interest in The Standard Pottery Company, which was then a cooperative concern. In 1892 it was changed into a joint stock company with its present board of officers, Mr. McNicol being vice-president. It is one of the important in- dustries of this section, one which is well man- aged and one which returns an ample income to those concerned.
Politically Mr. 'McNicol is a Republican. He is interested in fine horses and owns a very valuable trotter. For some time he has been a member of the directing board of the East Liverpool Driving Association.
ILLIAM H. SURLES, postmaster of East Liverpool, whose por- trait accompanies this sketch, belongs to one of the old Colum- biana County families which has been prominent here in business and military life. Mr. Surles is a veteran of the Civil War, in which great struggle his distinguished serv- ices have become matters of history. He was born at Steubenville, Ohio, in 1845, and from
early boyhood was connected with life on the river.
Mr. Surles was a boy of 15 years when the war was precipitated and at that time was serving as cabin boy on the steamer "Poland," a vessel which ran from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Nashville, Tennessee. The last trip of the vessel was made in 1861, just after Tennessee had seceded from the Union, and the passen- gers and sailors were greeted at the Nashville wharf with a great show of enthusiasm from the Confederate leaders, and their flag floated from the dome of the State House. The vessel found some difficulty in leaving Nashville but when it proceeded down the Cumberland, it car- ried some very determined loyal hearts. With. his older brother, Mr. Surles went to Steuben- ville, and there enlisted, on September 5, 1861,. in Company G, Second Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Capt. James F. Sarratt, and shortly after- ward the regiment was mustered in at Camp- Dennison for a three years service.
The history of this regiment tells of long and continuous marches, of dangers on land and water until the battle of Perryville, which took place on October 8, 1862. In this battle occurred the notable incident for which, in after years, Private Surles was rewarded by Congress with a medal of honor, and he has the distinction of being the only resident of Columbiana County ever so honored. This medal was made from a cannon captured from the enemy, and bears this inscription: "The Congress to Private William H. Surles, Com- pany G. Second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for distinguished bravery at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862."
We are permitted, in this connection, to copy a fine descriptive account of this notable event, from a publication called "Deeds of Valor," which is devoted to the interests of the soldier, heroes of the Civil War: ,
"The scene was at the battle of Perryville, Kentucky, October 8, 1862, and the heroes were W. H. Surles and Col. Anson G. 'Mc- Cook, both of the Second Ohio Vol. Inf. The regiment under McCook was a part of Buell's army which struck the rebel army under Gen-
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY
eral Bragg on that eventful day. The Con- federates outnumbered the Union forces en- gaged almost three to one, but with note- worthy skill and bravery the latter inflicted severe losses on the enemy, and, when day- light came next morning, Bragg and the rebel army were in full retreat.
"Although General Buell, with a large force, was within sound of our, guns, Private Surles says, 'he did not come to our assistance .and for a time we were forced to fall back by the overpowering number of the enemy, but soon rallied on the crest of a wooded ridge, which position we held until the battle was over and the rebels had flown. During the retreat, Colonel McCook's horse was shot "under, him. Grasping a musket from the hand .of a dead soldier, he fought on foot and by his gallant example cheered the drooping spirits of his men. The ground we traversed was thickly strewn with the dead and wounded of our own army and presented a ghastly picture. We observed with horror that the enemy, with the cruelty of barbarians, were plunging their . bayonets into the prostrate forms of our comrades. Colonel McCook himself noticed one of the fiends about to ex- tinguish the life of one of our fallen comrades with his bayonet. The Colonel halted, fired his musket and dropped the fellow before he could accomplish his dastardly deed. The death of the rebel made his companions more furious, and a Confederate soldier, a veritable giant in appearance, sprang from behind a tree close by and took deliberate aim at the officer. I had seen this man's movement and quickly realized the great danger of my be- loved commander. How I wished I could, with a well-directed shot, end this rebel's life, but like the Colonel himself, I had just fired my gun and did not have time to reload. My blood almost froze in my veins as I saw the rebel raise his musket and take aim at our brave leader.
"On the impulse of the moment and moved by the love and admiration I felt toward "our commander, I sprang directly in front of Colonel McCook to shield him if possible from certain death that was coming. Happily the
rebel giant was too slow in firing or delayed in order to make sure of his shot, and · before he pulled the trigger, he himself was shot through the head by one of our regiment near at hand. All this happened while shot and shell were flying around us like hail, and with- in far less time than it takes to tell it. I should. not forget to mention the conclusion of the episode for it made me the happiest soldier in the regiment and has ever been one of the hap- piest moments of my life. When Colonel Mc- Cook saw the rebel giant fall, he grasped me in his arms and, with tears in his eyes and voice husky with emotion, kissed me as a father would a son. I suppose the fact that I, at that time, was a mere boy, weighing less than 100 pounds and of almost girlish appearance, while the rebel was such a big, burly man, made the incident a trifle more prominent than it other- wise would have been.' Thus modestly has Mr. Surles related a most worthy act of his life. In the account above mentioned, the . inscription on the medal alluded to is given."
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