History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 70

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 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

ORACE B. NICHOLSON, cashier and a member of the directing board of the People's National Bank of Wells- ville, was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1855, and is a son of David S. and Ellen ( Bigger) Nicholson.

Hon. Thomas Nicholson, the paternal grandfather, was born in 1804 in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to poor but worthy pa- rents. He grew to young manhood entirely dependent upon his own resources and from working in a distillery he became next a teacher in the village school at Frankfort, Pennsyl- vania, and subsequently was one of the found- ers of the justly celebrated Frankfort Academy, at Frankfort Springs. He carved out his own way to political eminence and his name is registered among the prominent statesmen of

514

HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

the "Keystone" State. He was active in the Whig party and served in the State Legisla- ture from 1844 to 1846 and again from 1868 to 186g. Ile is the accepted father of the pres- ent common-school statute of his native State. In his day he was one of Pennsylvania's most prominent men, and held many public positions beside legislative ones. He was the first county superintendent of the schools of Beaver County and never lost his interest. For years he was cashier of the Pennsylvania State Treasury, holding the position all through the period of the Civil War. Later he was chairman of the military claims committee of the State against the Federal government. He married Rebecca Stewart. Both were members of the Presby- terian Church.

David S. Nicholson, father of our subject, was born February 4, 1832 and died October 28, 1860. Ile was well educated but practically reared, his father believing that work and scholarship should go hand in hand. His natural leaning was in the direction of a mer- cantile life and he began his training in this line when but 13 years of age. For a number of years he also traveled over a large territory as a wool buyer. He was married on March 3, 1854, to Ellen Bigger, who was a daughter of James Bigger. She was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1832, and resides with her son, our subject, in his bachelor home. She comes of a distinguished Irish fam- ily, which has been frequently represented in Parliament.

Our subject came to Wellsville, Ohio, with. his widowed mother, being the eldest of six children. They located here January 1, 1876, and he assumed the duties of teller in the First National Bank, later assuming those of cashier. Subsequently he resigned this position and or- ganized the Peoples' National Bank, becoming its cashier. He was one of the organizers, also of the Perpetual Building & Loan Company and is at present its treasurer. Politically he is a Republican but not an active politician. With his mother he attends the Presbyterian Church. Resembling his father and grandfather, he is a man of scholarly tastes and literary acquire- ments.

E. WELLS, secretary and treasurer and general executive officer of The Homer Laughlin China Com- pany, a brief sketch of which ap- pears elsewhere in this volume, is also identified with various other busi- ness enterprises and is one of East Liver- pool's most successful and public-spirited men. He was born in Brooke County, West Virginia, just across the line from Steubenville, Ohio, in 1863, and was reared there. He engaged in business at Steuben- ville for some years after reaching his majority and in 1889 began his connection with The Homer Laughlin China Company. He rose rapidly in the service of that company, his promotion being based upon merit, until we find him at the present time the official in charge. He has served on the executive committee and as vice-president of the United States Potters' Association and is now president of that or- ganization. During the years 1903 and 1904 he was president of the National Selling Price Association, an organization governing the general output of ware in this country and its selling price. During the past four years he has been at the head of the various committees handling the labor problems, the representatives of labor being from the National Brotherhood of Operative Potters, and that all problems have been settled without a strike or cessation of business since 1894 speaks well for the work of this committee. The North American Manu- facturing Company. three-fourths of whose stock is controlled by The Homer, Laughlin China Company, is an organization of magni- tude, being the holding company of the com- bination consisting of the land company, The Newell Bridge Company, and the Newell Street Railway Company. The officers of this com- pany are: Joseph G. Lee, president; W. E. Wells, vice-president; Marcus Aaron, treas- urer; and Edwin M. Knowles, secretary. This company owns a tract of 500 acres of land in Hancock County. West Virginia, which is to be developed into a residence suburb, there be- ing 40 miles of streets laid out at the present time. This beautiful suburb lying along the Ohio River is within seven minutes ride of the

515

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

"Diamond" in East Liverpool, and the bridge just completed is the best and most expensive passenger bridge over the Upper Ohio River.

Mr. Wells was united in marriage with Elizabeth Mahan, a daughter of William B. Mahan, of Brooke County, West Virginia, one of the prominent farmers of that county. Three sons have blessed this union, all natives of East Liverpool, as follows : Joseph B., William E. and Arthur A. Socially, Mr. Wells is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and has filled all the chairs. He occupied the highest office in the local lodge in 1895, and has since that time delivered annual memorial addresses in various cities. He has a handsome home in East Liverpool and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the wel- fare of the city. For some six or, seven years he has served on the Board of Education.

OSEPH G. LEE, vice-president of The Knowles, Taylor & Knowles Com- pany, of East Liverpool, has been closely identified with this and other large business interests, in the "Ceramic City" and elsewhere in the State, for a long period, covering indeed almost all of his mature life. Mr. Lee was born at Salem, Ohio, in 1855 and was reared and educated there.

Circumstances pushed Joseph G. Lee into the business world at the early age of 12 years, and as years increased his business responsibil- ities became larger and larger, until his name became very familiar in financial and manu- facturing circles. He was 24 years of age when he came to East Liverpool, Ohio, and for the past quarter of a century he has been actively interested in the pottery business. For three years he was associated with The Harker Pot- tery Company, and for the past 18 years he has been connected with The Knowles, Taylor & Knowles Company. He has but recently re- tired from the presidency of the United States Potters' Association, a position he filled for two years, but his other active connections con- tinue. He is president of The Citizens' National

Bank, of East Liverpool; a director of The Dollar Savings Bank; secretary and manager of The Potters' Mining & Milling Company ; president and director, of the North American Manufacturing Company; and vice-president and a director of the Newell Bridge Company.

Mr. Lee is one of the indefatigable busi- ness men who have contributed largely to the upbuilding of this city. He is a prominent Mason, a member of East Liverpool Com- mandery and of the Consistory of the Scottish Rite at Cleveland.

EORGE B. ALABACK, postmaster of East Palestine, and one of the citizens who has been identified with the city's growth from a mere hamlet to its present proportions and im- portance, was born near Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1850, and is a son of James T. and Jemima C. Alaback.

The father of Mr. Alaback was of German clescent. He died October 26, 1865, leaving a widow and a family of five children, the main responsibility of whom fell upon the shoulders of our subject, then a lad of 15 years, the eldest of the children. The others are : Morris, of Salem; Mrs. Hannah L. Mitchell, of Salem; and John and James Thornton, both of Salem. The mother died March 12, 1884. As long as she lived she was the object of tender solicitude to our subject, who also took care that the sister and brothers should have every chance and advantage that he could pro- vide.

All of Mr. Alaback's education was ob- tained in the common schools prior to his father's death. He learned the carpenter's trade and in 1872 he located in East Palestine, where he soon entered into contracting and building. He proved himself a man of reliable character and soon gained the confidence of his fellow-citizens, resulting in his election to town offices. For four years he was the efficient city clerk of East Palestine and during two years was town marshal, and at all times, whether in or out of office, has been a citizen

516

HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

ready and willing to advance the city's in- terests in every possible way. On September 1, 1898, he was appointed postmaster of East Palestine and his administration of the duties of the office has met with universal approval.

Mr. Alaback was married to Elizabeth J. Sheets, who is a daughter of Benjamin F. and Jane D. Sheets, members of an old pioneer family of this county, and they have a family of five children, viz. : Oliver F., who is deputy postmaster; Nettie V., wife of Walter D. Sample, of East Palestine; Maud A., wife of Jospeh E. Evans, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania : and Jane L. and Edith M., of East Palestine. Mr. Alaback's fraternal associations are with the Masons and the Knights of the Maccabees.

EA S. BENNETT, one of the leading agriculturists and dairymen of Butler township, who resides on his valuable farm of 140 acres located in section 27, was born on this farm June 28. 1853, and belongs to one of the pioneer fam- ilies of this region. Mr. Bennett's parents were Samuel H. and Phebe ( Yates) Bennett.

The paternal grandparents of our subject were James and Hannah Bennett, natives of Pennsylvania, who came to Butler township. Columbiana County, Ohio, at a very early day and settled on the present farm of our subject. Samuel H. Bennett was born in Chester Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and was a young man newly married when he settled on the farm mentioned above, which he subsequently bought from his father and which is now in the possession of his son. His wife was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and died here, aged 80 years. Their children were all born on this farm and were as follows: Elizabeth, widow of David Burson, of California: AAraminta. deceased ; William, of Hartford, Michigan: Caroline, widow of Joshua Whinnery, of Marshalltown, Jowa : James, of Butler township : Ann, wife of J. B. Whinnery, of Damascus; Ruth, wife of Hiram Cameron, of Damascus : and Lea S., of this sketch.

The father of Mr. Bennett was mainly oc-

cupied in farming, although he conducted a hotel in Chester County for a short time before coming to Ohio and was also engaged in the mercantile business for a limited period in Butler township. He was a stanch Republican and took much interest in public affairs. He served for 27 years as a justice of the peace and was one of the township's respected and repre- sentative citizens. He was reared in the So- ciety of Friends. His death took place in June, 1884. at the age of 79 years.

Our subject was reared in Butler town- ship and obtained his education in the local schools. His business has been entirely of an agricultural nature and his life has been mainly passed in Columbiana County. He tried farm- ing in Cass County, Michigan, for three and a half years and for six months in North Dakota ; he finally sold his farm of 80 acres near Dowagiac, Michigan, and returned to the homestead. Here he has been engaged in gen- eral farming and dairying. He has a herd of 16 fine Jerseys and disposes of his milk to the Winona Creamery.

Mr. Bennett was married on March 18, 1885, to Isaletta King, who was born in Butler township, Columbiana County, Ohio, July 22. 1858, and is a daughter of Francis and Rebecca ( Pettit ) King, natives of Columbiana County. They have three children, viz. : Lauretta, wife of Dr. A. R. Cobbs, of Damascus ; Samuel H .. of Butler township; and Paul, who lives at home.

Mr. Bennett has been identified with the Re- publican party all his life and has frequently been called upon to accept local offices. He is serving at present as township assessor. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Winona and one of its liberal supporters.

EORGE B. HARVEY. a prominent citizen of Lisbon, is the founder and proprietor of the Lisbon Banking Company, an enterprise which he es- tablished in June, 1900, and in the conduct of which he is ably assisted by W. L. Armstrong.

Although a comparatively new financial in-

HOMER S. KNOWLES

519

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

stitution, the bank has been very prosperous from its inception. It is situated on the north- west corner of Park avenue and Market street.

The subject of this sketch was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1862, his parents, William and Emma (Day) Harvey, having located in Columbiana County in the later '40s. The former died in 1867, and the latter passed away in 1892. Both were natives of Devonshire, England. The father was engaged in the pot- tery business.

George B. Harvey was reared at East Liver- pool and pursued his studies in Scio College. He subsequently engaged in the real estate and insurance business in East Liverpool.

Mr. Harvey was elected county auditor in 1893, and served in this capacity for two terms,-until 1899; the next year he estab)- lished the bank. At East Liverpool he was a member of the School Board, and at Lisbon he has been a councilman. He is at present a member of the Board of Public Affairs.

Mr. Harvey was married at East Liverpool to Mary F. Thomas, of that city, and they have three children, two of whom were born at East Liverpool, and the youngest, at Lis- bon. Mr. Harvey has a sister, Mrs. T. H. Arbuckle, who resides in the former place.

Politically, the subject of this sketch is a Republican. Socially, he is a Mason, being a member of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., and of Pilgrim Commandery, No. 55. K. T., both of East Liverpool. He also belongs to the I. O. O. F., and to various insurance orders. In religious views, he favors the Methodist Episcopal Church.

OMER S. KNOWLES. Every Amer- ican school-boy is familiar with the story of the struggles, the experiments and the successes of Bernard Palissy. of centuries ago, whose happy combi- nation of materials finally resulted in the dis- covery of the method of making pottery which still bears his name, but, on account of its scarcity is of such value that only in the homes of collectors or in great museums are specimens

to be found. No less remarkable was the suc- cess, in the same line and under scarcely more favorable conditions, of the late Homer S. Knowles, of East Liverpool, whose name must also be recalled. as one of the greatest Ameri- can potters. Through midnight studies in chemistry and tireless experiments, he produced wares as essentially beautiful as those of older potters, while, at the same time. the present price of production through his same wonderful discoveries, is such as to enable the every-day. toiler to add them to his home. Surely such a man should be remembered as a public bene- factor.

The life of the late Homer S. Knowles, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was covered by but 41 years, but they were filled with activity and a review is interesting from every point of view. His birth took place at his father's home in East Liverpool, Ohio, in April. 1851, his parents being Isaac Watts Knowles and Hester Ann Smith, his wife. He went to school until his services were required by his father, who was the senior member of the pottery firm of Knowles & Harvey. This business had been established by Isaac W. Knowles and Isaac Harvey in 1854 for. the nyanufacture first, of yellow ware and, later. a line of "Rockingham" ware.

At a later date Isaac . W. Knowles bought the Harvey interest and with the intelligent assistance of Homer S. continued the business. The latter applied every energy to the work and every branch of it became familiar to him and. as long as he was actively concerned he could on occasion fill any position in his great works for which he paid a salary. As he became more and more interested in the' possibilities of the business, he took a deeper and deeper interest in experimenting for the production of other and better wares which could be produced at a minimum cost and still retain the desirable features of beauty and util- ity. He purchased a chemical library and spent hours in study and experimenting long after his humblest employee was wrapped in slumber. During the day following he would attempt to make the combinations he had studied out and the time came when his ex-

520

HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

periments were entirely successful and on Sep- tember 5, 1872, the first kiln of white granite was drawn. It proved beautiful ware, fully up :to all expectations and Mr. Knowles and his :associates had every reason to rejoice.

In 1870 the firm of Knowles, Taylor & Knowles had been formed and by 1885 the ·company was conducting a pottery of 16 large kilns. To the enterprise, energy, talent and persevering study of Homer S. Knowles this :great progression was attributable. Following the success of their white granite and after an- ·other succession of experiments, another process was discovered and the manufacture of vitrified hotel china was prepared for by the building of new china works, Mr. Knowles devoting every energy to the completion of this great enter- prise. The disastrous fire on November 18, 1889, which destroyed the new works with a loss of $250,000 was a heavy blow to him, for "he had so thoroughly given his life to the up- building of this business, exercising self-denial 'in many ways and laying justifiable plans for :a great future. However this was just the ex- prience to prove the caliber of such as he. Ere the flames had been quenched, he had thought out plans for rebuilding and his courageous at- titude brought energy to others who had been almost prostrated by the disaster. Within eight -months the new and enlarged china works were rebuilt and in successful operation.

The strain of work and anxiety had taxed Mr. Knowles too heavily and although he ac- ·cepted enforced relaxation, his former health was never restored and he was never again able to resume his former activity. He retained his interest in the business as vice-president, but established his residence in New York City where his death occurred on November. 7, 1892.

In 1888 Joseph G. Lee and Willis A. 'Knowles had been admitted to the firm. On January 10, 1891, The Knowles, Taylor & Knowles Company was incorporated, at which time the venerable Isaac W. Knowles retired from the busines's, of which he had so long been the head. John N. Taylor became presi- dent, Homer S. Knowles, vice-president and Joseph G. Lee, secretary and treasurer. In ad- dition to his interests already mentioned, the

late Mr. Knowles was also a member of The Knowles, Taylor & Anderson Company (sewer- pipe manufacturers ), The Potters' Supply Com- pany and the Potters' Mining & Milling Com- . pany.

On January 24, 1877, Mr. Knowles was married to Ida Stockdale, the eldest daughter of Capt. J. T. Stockdale, superintendent of the Pittsburg and Cincinnati packet line. . Her -death occurred in October, 1904. They. are survived by one son, Harold Homer.

According to his desire, the remains of Mr. Knowles were brought to East Liverpool to be laid to rest in old and, always to him, dear surroundings. . The memorable occasion will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. When the train arrived from New York,' it was met by as distinguished a body of citi- zens as ever acted as pall-bearers for one who had never taken an active part in public life. These had been selected from a large body of at- tached personal friends and a number of them have since also crossed the dark river, : some under tragic conditions. They were': Governor William Mckinley, Homer: Laughlin, Col. H. R. Hill, J. M. Kelly, William Cartwright, F. D. Kitchel, John C. Thompson and J. H. Simms. The loving respect and esteem felt by the great body of pottery workers not only in his own plants but all. through the city where his liberality, charity and justice were so well known, was notably shown by an almost universal desire to show the last tokens of respect. ; He was a man of winning personality, kindly without con- descension, kind and generous to all worthy ob- jects, grateful for deserved approbation and honest in word and deed. Any utterance made by the late beloved President Mckinley is cher- ished, in the light of subsequent events, and it is recalled that he thus expressed himselt. on this sad occasion : "I have never met a man in all my extensive acquaintance whose hospi- tality was so unbounded, nor visited a home where I was more warmly welcomed, than that of my friend, H. S. Knowles.".

It may be mentioned in this connection, that the late President Mckinley made one of his earliest political speeches from the steps of

521

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

Mr. Knowles' old home, now the residence of Col. John N. Taylor.

Among the family reminiscences are many which explain the deep affection and pride which all his kindred felt in him. He was gifted particularly with a readiness of speech which developed into oratory and when he was but a child of four years, he was taken to a convention of the Odd Fellows, where, dressed in the regalia of the order, he took the plat- form and, in no way frightened, made a credit- able little speech. For many years he was prominent in the various Masonic bodies, be- longing to Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., of East Liverpool; East Liverpool Chapter, R. A. M., and Steubenville Commandery, K. T., which organization attended his burial in a body.

HAROLD HOMER KNOWLES, the only son of the late Homer S. Knowles, was born July 6, 1884. He was educated in the common schools and at Peekskill Military Academy at Peeks- kill, New York; Trinity School and St. Paul's at Garden City, Long Island. In November, 1899, he went to Southern California where he spent a winter, and thence to New York City, where he was engaged for eight months in a real estate business in partnership with his uncle, Jackman T. Stockdale, under the firm name of T. J. Stockdale & Company. He then took a trip to Europe, visiting every country except Sweden and Norway. He was at Paris when the direful news flashed through the cable of the shooting of President Mckinley, who, from his childhood, he had known as a family friend. This took all pleasure out of his foreign travel and he returned home.

In November, 1901, Mr. Knowles returned to East Liverpool and in the following January entered the decorating shop of The Knowles, Taylor & Knowles Company as the first step in the line of completely mastering the pottery business, being one of the directors of this company.

Mr. Knowles was married September 27. 1902, to Alma Marshall, daughter of Erastus D. Marshall, of Chester, West Virginia, and they have two children, Gail Marshall and Alma Stockdale. The family belong to the First

Presbyterian Church. Mr. Knowles is a Re- publican. He belongs to the Monongahela Club of Pittsburg and to the Calumet Club of New York City.

V. MACKALL, head of P. V. Mackall & Company, real estate deal- P ers and insurance brokers in the Ikirt Block, East Liverpool, is a lawyer by profession and has been identified with many important enterprises.

Mr. Mackall was born near Negley, Colum- biana County, Ohio, in 1878, and is a son of E. D. Mackall, who was a prominent agricul- turist and fruit grower of this county. Our subject is descended from Benjamin Mackall, who with his brother James came to America from Central Scotland in 1760 and settled at Baltimore, Maryland. Benjamin entered the army in the Revolutionary War, serving as captain, and after its close located at George- town, Pennsylvania, where he died. James went South and one of his sons, a Confederate general, was killed at Island No. 10 in the Civil War. Benjamin Mackall and his wife, Mary (Dawson) Mackall, were the parents of four sons and two daughters, the sons being named Thomas, James, Samuel and Jack.

Thomas Mackall, the eldest of the sons mentioned, resided at Calcutta, Ohio, and was father of three sons and two daughters, the sons being named George, Thomas and Press.

James Mackall, the second son of Benja- min and Mary (Dawson) Mackall, was the father of 12 children, namely : James, grand- father of our subject, J. S., who is a prominent politician and business man of Georgetown, Pennsylvania; Benjamin, who resides on a farm near Hookstown, Pennsylvania; Samuel, deceased, who lived near Hookstown, Pennsyl- vania ; George, residing near Beaver, Pennsyl- vania, who became prominent in politics : Jack, decease, a captain in the river service, who lived at Georgetown, Pennsylvania; Thomas, who died on the home farm in Pennsylvania ; Phoebe, who married Milton Calhoun and re- sides near Hookstown, Pennsylvania: Annie,

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 70

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