History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 67

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 67

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The children of John and Leah ( Albert) Vogleson were: Albert, deceased; William, married, who is now deceased; Columbus; Ira Eddy, deceased; Elizabeth, of Columbiana; George, deceased; Udora and Enora (twins), the former of whom is deceased and the latter is the wife of Henry Faust, of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania ; and three children who died in in- fancy. Miss Elizabeth and Mrs. Faust are the only survivors.

For many years Mr. Vogleson was at the

head of public affairs at Columbiana in one capacity or another. From 1830 until 1839 he served as justice of the peace in Fairfield township. In 1840 lie was mayor of Colum- biana under the town's first charter. Later he received a commission to act as notary public and this office he filled for six years. In 1862. he was elected recorder of the village of Colum- biana and served as such for one year ..

Mr. Vogleson was always an ardent advo- cate of reform. He was an anti-slavery man from the days of Hon. James G. Birney and until the final emancipatinn of the slaves he. worked, taught and voted in the cause of aboli- tion of slavery. No less deeply was he inter- ested in temperance and later in life when the prohibition forces were organized, he consist- ently supported that party. . He was the first president of the Washingtonian movement in Columbiana County, about 1840, and no doubt, if a few more years had been given him, he would have attended the centennial in 1908 of the first anti-saloon society. Temperance as a cause owes much to calm, quiet, resourceful' men like Mr. Vogleson, and in his active days. he was a man of wide-spread influence.

He was interested in almost everything that contributed to the growth of Columbiana as a desirable place for home-loving people. He was an early and continual supporter of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal Church, being one of the few earnest religious workers who started a village society which later was de- veloped into a large and flourishing church .. For years he was a member of its official board, filling his position there with the same satis- faction to all concerned as he did the duties and obligations imposed upon him in business, pub- lic and social affairs, during 63 years of resi- dence. His devoted daughter perpetuates his memory in this memorial of him.

HEODORE L. APPLE, special claim agent of the Cleveland and Pittsburg Division of the Pennsylvania Rail- road, and claim agent, in connection with the legal department, of the Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburg, is one of

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the prominent citizens of Wellsville. He was born at Easton, Northampton County, Penn- sylvania, December 20, 1841, and is a son of David and Matilda ( Lescher ) Apple.

The Apple family is of German-Swiss ex- traction, the ancestors emigrating at an early day from Switzerland to Prussia, Germany, and coming thence to the United States. For generations, however, the family has been American.

Andrew Apple, the grandfather, was born at Easton, Pennsylvania, and for a number of years he there followed a milling business. Later he removed to Crawford County, Penn- sylvania, where he purchased a small mill in the vicinity of Cambridge and there spent the re- mainder of his life. He married Elizabeth Gil- more, who was born on the banks of the Sus- quehanna River, in Pennsylvania. Her father, Thomas Gilmore, came from Ireland in 1775. and cast in his lot with the American Patriots, enlisting in Sullivan's division which wintered at Valley Forge. Shortly after enlistment, Thomas Gilmore met a fair young American by the name of Rachel Young, who looked kindly on the Irish lad, who in turn was very assiduous in assisting her in the domestic duties which she performed in her home. Just as the order came for, the company to move from that locality, the young soldier, accidentally or otherwise, cut his foot so badly that he was de- tained for some time and before he finally left for the front had become engaged to be married to the estimable young lady mentioned and after his return their marriage was consummated. His tomb is in the old Easton Cemetery.

It is related of Grandmother Apple, that she was a very devout woman and, as a fine family of sons was born to her, that her con- stant prayer was that at least one of these might be led into the Christian ministry, although she was not financially able to give any or each of them a suitable education. Her prayers and pious hopes were abundantly answered, for three of her sons-Theodore, Thomas and Jo- seph-became prominent men and powerful expounders of the Gospel. For a long period Thomas Apple was professor of theology in Lancaster College; he was also president of the

college for a considerable period and was an able writer for the German Reformed Messen- ger. Joseph Apple preached for many years in Crawford County, while Theodore Apple was professor of mathematics and astronomy in Lancaster College. They succeeded in their endeavor to acquire a liberal education through their own efforts put forth during their leisure hours in the old mill.

David Apple was born at Easton. Pennsyl- vania, and died in Ohio, in 1897, aged 84 years. He was reared to the trade of miller and worked with his father in Northampton and Crawford counties and then went to New Cum- berland, Virginia (now West Virginia). He then came to Columbiana County, Ohio, and operated the Crawford mill on Big Beaver Creek. In 1864 he purchased the George Gib- bons mill on Little Yellow Creek, which he operated for some years and then took charge of John Smith's mill, also located in Colum- biana County and then upon taking up his resi- dence in Wellsville, he assumed charge of the Wellsville mill for Oscar and Byron Gibbons. He was a skilled man in his line of work and always commanded a good position.

Mr. Apple was one of the most loyal sup- porters of the government during the Civil War, for many years having worked for the abolition of slavery. With three of his beloved sons in the army at one time-all mere lads, Theodore being only 19, George 17, and An- drew but 15-his interests were so centered in military operations in which they were con- cerned that it was with difficulty he could force himself to attend to his business. Although he could not go to the front and leave his wife un- protected. he joined the Home Guards of West Virginia and took an active part in the guard- ing of the frontier when Col. John Morgan made his daring and destructive raids. He was for the greater part of his life a man of great strength but, having made heavy calls upon his vitality, the last two years of his life were rendered uncomfortable from paralysis.

Mention has been made of his anti-slavery attitude. His son, our subject, can recall many occasion's when his father would apparently retire for the night with his family and in the

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morning be found by them quietly resting in his bed, but they knew well that during the hours of darkness he had been alert and one more poor, trembling, escaped slave had been con- ducted by him safely as far as Reeder's, which was his nearest station on the "Underground Railroad." He was a man who had the courage of his convictions and no fear of personal in- jury ever paralyzed his efforts. He was not a politician but a patriot. He was one of the first members of the lodge of Odd Fellows at Easton, which was in the period when there had arisen great prejudice against secret so- cieties.

David Apple married a daughter of George and Elizabeth ( Kemeriah) Lescher. Mrs. Apple's father was a veteran of the War of 1812. To our subject's parents were born five sons and two daughters, viz: Theodore L., of this sketch; George Lescher; Andrew Oliver; Elizabeth, wife of T. J. Lockhart, of New Cumberland, West Virginia; William, and Maria, who died in infancy. The mother died in 1858, aged 36 years. She was a consistent member of the German Reformed Church. David Apple married, second, Martha Perry, a descendant of Commodore Perry. She had been a teacher in Crawford County. Mr. Ap- ple was a worthy member of the German Re-, formed Church and was a trustee of the church in Easton. He was a man whose memory" should be perpetuated as an example of a sturdy type of man not often found in these modern times.

Our subject was educated in the common schools of Crawford County and after complet- ing the course he went to reside in the home of a Presbyterian minister, who proposed to pre- pare him for college. He was progressing 111- der this tutoring when the Civil War broke out and, although but a youth, as noted above, he felt a man's loyalty and soon was enlisted as a member of Company I, First Reg., West Virginia Vol. Inf., and served in that regiment for three months, when he re-enlisted in Com- pany F, in the same regiment, and continued in that command until the end of the war. He was wounded at the second battle of Bull Run, while in command of the company during the

absence of the superior officers, his rank being that of sergeant. His wound sent him to the hospital from which he stole away and rejoined his company, nursing bis wound alone, with boyish grit. During the battle of South Moun- tain and a short time later at Antietam, he dis- played such bravery that he was promoted 2nd lientenant and a week later was made ist lieu- tenant, for "meritorious conduct" on the recom- inendation of Colonel Thoburn. After this he served on staff duty and was attached to the staff of Colonel Thoburn at the time the latter was killed at Cedar Creek, Virginia.

After the war he returned home in 1865 and entered into the employe of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad Company as bridge car- penter, and continued as such until 1884, when he was made foreman of bridges. In 1888 he became master carpenter and in 1897 he was appointed special agent and claim agent, posi- tions he still capably fills. His territory covers Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and Columbiana, Jefferson, Belmont, Carroll. Stark, Mahoning. Harrison, Portage and Tuscarawas counties, Ohio, while his work frequently carries him to number of different States. He has made a special study of railroad law with the result that he is exceedingly well versed in this branch.

Mr. Apple married Hannah Crawford, who is a daughter of A. G. Crawford, of Jefferson County, Ohio, and they have three children, viz .: Anna, who graduated from the Wells- ville High School, and was preparing for the study of medicine when she died; Elizabeth, who died in infancy ; and George Lescher, who is chief clerk in the trainmaster's office at Cleve- land. He was educated in the Ohio State Uni- versity at Columbus. Mrs. Apple is a very ac- tive member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Fraternally Mr. Apple is past noble grand of Iris Lodge of Odd Fellows, at Wellsville, of which he has been a member for more than 30 years. He cast his maiden presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln on his second candidacy. when at Rappahannock Ford, the regiment marching back from the firing line to cast its vote.

Mr. Apple's brother. Andrew. now de-

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ceased, was awarded a gold medal for personal bravery displayed at Fort Gregg, in front of Richmond. He married Mary Pabst, of Elgin, Illinois, who still preserves this medal as one of her most precious possessions.

6 EORGE A. WALTER, one of the well-known citizens of Elkrun town- ship, residing on a magnificent farm of 281 acres located in section 6, was born on this farm October 13, 1859, and belongs to one of the old pioneer families of this locality. He is a son of David and Sarah P. (Springer) Walter.

The Walter family is still considered one of the most thrifty and respected among the many Pennsylvania Dutch families which own great farms through Berks and Buck Counties in that State. From there came Henry Walter, our subject's great-grandfather, who settled in this section of Ohio, where he entered large bodies of land and spent the remainder of his life in improving them, dying aged 73 years and being succeeded by his son George. The latter, our subject's grandfahter, spent his whole life on this farm in Elkrun township; he also owned other lands, having some 700 acres in his po- session at the time of death. He left three sons and three daughters.

David Walter, father of our subject, was born on the present farm of George A. Walter, on August 13, 1835, and he also spent his long and useful life here, following agricultural pursuits. He was a man of business capacity and of local prominence. For a number of years he served as township trustee and was a member of the School Board. In politics he was a Republican. His death took place in his old home April 15, 1904. He married Sarah P. Springer, who was born May 10, 1837, at Lisbon, where she now resides, being a daugh- ter of Henry and Rebecca Springer. Henry Springer was formerly a leading merchant at Lisbon and also owned farm lands and was con- sidered one of the county's capitalists. The three children born to David Walter and wife were : George A., of this sketch; Emma, wife

of L. B. Pike, of Lisbon; and Anna, wife of L. D. Vossin, of Elkrun township.

George A. Walter was reared on the home- stead farm and was educated in the township schools. He has always resided on the home- stead and has been engaged in general farm- ing and stockraising. This farm is one of great value, on account of its favorable location, its acknowledged fertility which has been brought about by intelligent cultivation and for its ex- cellent improvements. It belongs to the undi- vided estate of his late father.

In 1885 Mr. Walter was married to Ella Morris, who was born in Elkrun township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Robert and Mary (Ferguson) Morris, and they have five children, viz: Sarah, David, Frank, Ruth and Alice.

.Politically Mr. Walter is identified with the Republican party. He is serving as a member of the School Board of the township. His fraternal connection is with the Masons and he belongs to the Royal Arch Chapter at Lis- bon. This family is one of the oldest in the township and has been prominent in agricul- tural business and social life. Our subject is a representative member of it and he is a citi- zen who fills creditably every position which life imposes upon him.

EREMIAH C. MOUNTZ; proprietor of the "Pine Tree Farm," which is sit- uated in Butler township, consisting of 149 acres in section 31, was born in West township, Columbiana Coun- ty, Ohio, July 9, 1839, and is a son of George H. and Catherine (Hocher) Mountz.

George H. Mountz was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in 1792, and was a son of George Mountz. In 1805 the latter decided to cross the mountains and settle in some of the rich, newly opened lands in Ohio. He packed up his household goods and with his family safely made the long and tiresome trip and finally located in Knox township, Colum- biana County, about one mile from the present family farm. Here the elder George Mountz entered 160 acres and the family settled down

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in their little log cabin as true pioneers. In- dians still roamed through the forests and our subject's father frequently met them as he went on horseback many miles to mill, but they never molested him. Both the grandfather and the father of our subject continued to operate the original farm through life, the latter removing to North Georgetown only a short time prior to his death in 1872. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church. He was a quiet, industrious man, and lived a useful, worthy life.

The mother of our subject, Catherine (Hocher) Mountz, was born in Switzerland and came to the United States with her parents when about 20 years of age. In 1836 they settled in Columbiana County among the pio- neers. She was the second wife of George H. Mountz and lived to the age of 67 years. Mr. Mountz by his two marriages became the father of 21 children. Seven of his sons by his second marriage were as near the same age as was possible ; all grew to manhood and became men of character and substantial standing. Three daughters died, young and one son died aged 18 years. In 1872 a scourge of typhoid fever caused the death of George H. Mountz and two of his sons, very close together. One of the daughters of the first marriage, Mrs. Sarah Moore, now a widow, is our subject's very capable housekeeper.

Jeremiah C. Mountz was six months old when his parents located in Knox township and he lived on the home farm until he was 13 years old. He then engaged with a local firm and learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in Columbiana and Stark Counties until 1863, when he engaged in farming on the property where he has made his home ever since. Mr. Mountz has been one of the town- ship's large land owners, but has disposed of several farms recently. His home farm is known far and wide as the "Pine Tree Farm," which he operated as a dairy farm until recent- ly ; at present it is mainly given over to general farming. Mr. Mountz still works occasionally at his trade, having been a skilled carpenter for 47 years, but has about retired from everv active employment of any kind. He has been

successful in his business affairs and has earned the rest which he is preparing to take.

On April 30, 1863, Mr. Mountz was mar- ried to Mary Martha Pettit, who was born here October 12, 1842, and died here April I, 1896. She was a daughter of George Pettit. The eight children born to this union were: Alfaretta, who married George Dellar, of Pitts- burg; Emma, who married Joseph Walton, of Butler township; Anna, who married Thomas Whinnery; Homer, of Butler township; Har- vey, of Butler township; Charles, who assists his father ; Jesse, of Butler, township; and Flor- ence, who married Herman Gray, of Guilford. Mr. Mountz has reason to take pride in his children, all of them having grown to maturity to be industrious, temperate, Christian people. He has set them a most exemplary example. For 40 years he has voted the Prohibition ticket, voting thus when there were but two temperance advocates in the township. He has always lent his influence in the direction of tem- -perance and morality. He assisted in the erec- tion of the Lutheran Church at North George- town, of which he is a member and for many years was one of the elders. Mr. Mountz is widely known and enjoys the warm friendship and hearty esteem of the many who have had business or social relations with him. He has always taken an interest in township affairs but not to the extent of holding office.

6 EORGE H. OWEN & COMPANY, with offices in the First National Bank Building in East Liverpool, has the largest real estate and in- surance business in this section of Ohio. The company is composed of George H. Owen, F. H. Croxall and James S. Hilbert, three men of prominence in business circles and experienced in the insurance and real estate business. It was established in 1898 by a con- solidation of the business conducted by George H. Owen and that of Messrs. Croxall and Hil- bert, and now has under course of construction a fine building at No. 151 Sixth street, which is to be an office building as well as the home of this company.

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GEORGE H. OWEN, from whom the firm of George H. Owen & Company takes its name, is one of the most successful business men. of Fast Liverpool. He was born in Bennington, Vermont, August 7, 1855, and is a son of Will- iam and Susanna ( Rhodes ) Owen,-the former a native of Burslem, Staffordshire, England, and the latter, of Cheshire, England,-who came to America shortly after marriage.

William Owen upon coming to this country first located in New York City, where lie fol- lowed the trade of a potter, later removing to Poughkeepsie where he continued in that business. He next engaged in the manufacture of pottery at Bennington, Vermont, and at the same time conducted a crockery store. In 1855 he moved with his family to East Liverpool, Ohio, where he continued at his trade until his death, aged 35 years. He and his wife were parents of five children: Arthur C., born in New York City, who is with The Colonial Pottery Company; W. J., born at Pough- keepsie, New York, is manager of The Rad- ford Pottery Company, of Clarksburg, West Virginia; George H., our subject; John Lin- coln, born in East Liverpool, who is identified with the local potteries; and Mary Elizabeth (Foutts), born in Hancock, West Virginia, who resides in East Liverpool.

George H. Owen was reared at East Liver- pool, where he attended the public schools and also night school. He' learned the trade of presser and worked in the potteries at East Liverpool for a period of 19 years. In 1893 he bought the insurance agency of F. H. Crox- all, who moved temporarily to Denver, Colorado; the business was consolidated at once with that of Edwin M. Knowles and the two conducted the business under the firm name of Knowles & Owen until Mr. Owen bought out his partner. He then continued alone until the consolidation of his interests with those of F. H. Croxall and James S. Hilbert in 1898, under the firm name of George H. Owen & Company. Our subject is identified with various land companies, has made many large real estate transfers, and is president of the Dollar Savings Bank, an important financial institution of East Liverpool. In his fraternal

relations he is a member of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., of East Liverpool; and to the following Odd Fellow societies: East Liverpool Lodge, No. 379; East Liverpool Encampment, No. 107; Canton Rhodes, No. 73, Patriarchs Militant and Ceramic Lodge, No. 286, Daughters of Rebekah. He has been an Odd Fellow for 26 years and has taken all the degrees.

Mr. Owen was united in marriage with Sarah Agnes Allison, who was born and reared in East Liverpool, and they have a son, Frank E., who is exchange clerk in the First National Bank. Religiously they are members of the First Presbyterian Church of East Liverpool.

F. H. CROXALL, of the real estate and in- surance firm of George H. Owen & Company, has been engaged in the insurance business in East Liverpool continuously since 1880, prob- ably longer than any other man in the city. He was born in East Liverpool in 1851, and is a son of Jesse Croxall who came to this city in 1844.

Jesse Croxall was one of the four, Croxall brothers who succeeded Edwin Bennett in the pottery business, which they conducted until the plant was destroyed by a flood in 1850. Jesse Croxall then engaged in the cattle busi- ness for many years and at the time of his death in 1882, at the age of 62 years, was living a retired life. He served several terms as coun- cilman and was very active in municipal af- fairs. He was joined in marriage with Mary A. Carey, who was born in Pennsylvania of Scotch-Irish parentage, but lived the major portion of her life in East Liverpool, where. she died in October, 1903, aged 77 years. This union resulted in the birth of seven children, of whom Mrs. George C. Murphy, whose hus- band is secretary and treasurer of. The Barber- ton Pottery Company, of Barberton, Ohio, and F. H. Croxall, subject of this sketch, are the only survivors.

Mr. Croxall was reared at East Liverpool, where he attended the public schools and the academy of H. T. Martin. He held a posi- tion as traveling salesman in the pottery trade for some years, and in 1880 embarked in the real estate and insurance business. Politically,

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he is a Republican, is a member of the county central committee of his party, and has taken an active interest in political affairs.

Mr. Croxall was united in marriage with Anna Kerr, a native of Pennsylvania, and they have a comfortable home in East Liverpool. He is a member of numerous fraternal orders. In religious faith and fellowship he is a Pres- byterian, and is an elder in the church.

JAMES S. HILBERT, of the firm of George H. Owen & Company, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, near East Liverpool, September 16, 1866, and is a son of Martin and Rosanna (Standley) Hilbert. His parents came to East Liverpool in January, 1868, and Mrs. Hilbert still is a resident of the city, at the age of 69 years. . Martin Hilbert in 1867 built and occu- pied the City Hotel, now known as Hotel Lakel, which was then the largest building in the city. He conducted this hotel until 1876 when he sold out, and shortly after was elected city con- missioner. He later did general contracting in excavations and the moving of houses, con- tinuing until March, 1883. In that year he re- sumed the hotel business and continued until his death in February, 1885, aged 63 years. Politically, he was a Democrat. He and his estimable wife were parents of the following children : James S .; Mrs. C. H. Connell, of Steubenville, whose husband is engaged in con- tracting on the Wabash extension and has also contracted at East Liverpool; Caroline who is Sister St. Michael located at Villa Maria, Penn- sylvania ; and Anna, now located at Pittsburg.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 67

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