History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 78

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

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tinued in business until 1890, when he was succeeded by his son, Andrew A.

Mr. Watson has been twice married, our subject being the only child of the first union. His second marriage was to Deborah Allen.

The parents of Andrew A. Watson lived for several years at Salem before locating in East Liverpool and he had excellent school advantages there and completed his education in East Liverpool, in the meantime assisting his father more and more in the store, gradually becoming acquainted with all its methods and succeeding to full ownership in 1890. A gen- eral line of hardware and stoves is carried, the stock being modern and complete enough to satisfy the most exacting customers. Both father and son bear the reputation of being honorable and upright men of business, have similar tastes and the same political convic- tions, both being stanch Republicans, but neither being office-seekers.

Andrew A. Watson was married in Ohio to Tamar Robinson, daughter of William Robinson, who resided near Williamsport, Ohio. They have three children : Allen Robin- son, Edith and Robert James. Mrs. Watson is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

€ VERETT LEWIS LYON, one of the leading attorneys of East Palestine, and one of the town's self-made men, was born in Middleton township, Columbiana County, Ohio, November 5, 1870, and is a son of Marcena.and Hannah Jane (Lewis) Lyon.

The paternal grandparents of. Mr. Lyon were Henry and Elizabeth ( Thomas) Lyon. When the grandfather came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, he settled in Middleton town- ship, Columbiana County, where his life was spent as an agriculturist. He was survived by three children, viz .: Mrs. Josephine Hastings. of Middleton township; Marcena, father of our subject ; and Osborn, who married Mary Rhodes and resides near Lisbon.

Marcena Lyon was born in Middleton town- ship, Columbiana County, Ohio, June 24. 1846

and died June 11, 1894. In his younger years he followed the tanning business but in later life was a carpenter and builder. On October 14, 1869, he was married at Lisbon to Hannah Jane Lewis, who was born in St. Clair town- ship, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a daugh- ter of Philip and Nancy (Miller) Lewis. Mr. Lewis died a number of years ago, but Mrs. Lewis still survives and resides in Indiana. Mrs. Lyon was one of four children, all of whom survive. Marcena Lyon and wife had five children, as follows: Everett Lewis, of this sketch Harry O., assistant superintendent of the Metropolitan Insurance Company ; Arth- ur Marcena, a druggist, at Struthers, Ohio; John Henry Chalmer, a law student ; and Wal- ter I., also a student, now in Mount Union College. Harry O. Lyon married Mary Flor- ence Rowe of East Palestine, and they have one son, --- Lavell Lewis. Arthur Marcena Lyon married Grace Moore of East Fairfield, and they have one son --- Arthur Marcena, Jr. Marcena Lyon came to Waterford in 1873 and he was one of the skilled workmen who did much of the building in New Waterford. He was school director there for a long time. He belonged to the Maccabees.

Everett Lewis Lyon was mainly educated in the vicinity of New Waterford and he was teaching school by the time he was 17 years old. He taught in many districts of Colum- biana County, during which period of teaching he made many friends. His period of teaching was extended until he had accumulated suffi- cient means with which to pursue his law studies. which he finally did, with C. P. Roth- well, with whom he remained for three years. He was admitted to the bar on October 4, 1894, and in May, 1895, settled at New Waterford, moving in the following October to East Pal- estine.

In 1896 the young attorney was elected city solicitor of East Palestine, and was in office during the period that saw the installing of the electric light plant and extension of the water works system. In 1897 he was elected justice of the peace, an office he continues to fill. From 1898 to 1900 Mr. Lyon was mayor of East Palestine and during his administration

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the municipality made long strides forward in the matter of' cleaning out the gambling dens and the places where liquor was illegally sold. In addition to his legal duties in this city, he is the senior member of the law firm of Lyon & Moore, of Alliance, Ohio; Mr. Moore, the junior member of the firm, read law with him and was admitted to the bar from his office.

Mr. Lyon has been identified with some very important litigation before the higher courts, and two cases as notable as any, were: the Abraham Hartley will case and the Solomon C. Gross case. In the former he was one of the main attorneys for the heirs, his efforts re- sulted in a pronounced success when the case was carried to the higher courts. In the other famous case he won it for his clients after they had previously had long and expensive litiga- tion. As another duty of a busy life, he con- trols one of the largest fire insurance agencies in East Palestine. He is also attorney for the First National Bank of East Palestine, of which he was one of the original incorporators. He was also one of the incorporators of the Unity Township Telephone Company.

In 1895 Mr. Lyon was married to Loula Ditzel, who was born in Fairfield township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and they have two children, viz .: Jay Marcena and Virginia.

Politically, Mr. Lyon has always been affiliated with the Republican party and is one of the active workers in his section. His fra- ternal connections include the Elks, the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Maccabees and the Modern Woodmen of America.

OHN M. MANOR, a most success- ful business man, is manager of The Golding Sons' Company, of East Liverpool. He was born in this city July 4, 1869, and is a son of Samuel and Samantha (Lathem) Manor. He traces his ancestry in this country back to Samuel Manor, who was born in America just after his parents arrived from Ireland. He located at Tomlinson's Run in what is now Hancock County, West Virginia, and cleared a farm.

William Manor, son of Samuel and grand- father of our subject, was born in Western Pennsylvania in 1804, and while yet a young man was taken by his parents to Tomlinson's Run, Hancock County, Virginia (now West Virginia), where he followed farming through- out life, dying in 1858. He was a Democrat in politics. He was united in marriage with Rachel Henderson, a daughter of Samuel Hen- derson, of Hancock County, and they had five children, of whom Samuel is the only one now living. Religiously, the family belonged to the denomination known as the Seceders, one of the two sects which by uniting formed the United Presbyterian Church.

Samuel Manor was born at Tomlinson's Run, Hancock County, Virginia (now West Virginia ), July 26, 1833. When a small boy, he removed with his parents to Carroll County, Ohio, where he attended school until he was 19 years of age. He then returned to Han- cock County to learn the trade of a cooper, which ,he followed for many years. In 1866 he came to East Liverpool, Ohio, and entered the employ of Knowles & Harvey, taking charge of their cask factory. He continued with them four years, and with W. S. George, who purchased the cooper shop, five years. About 1875 he opened a general store at the northwest corner of Washington and Fifth streets and conducted that for three years, when his health failed. He then took up drilling for oil as a vocation, sometimes prospecting on his own account and sometimes drilling for others. These ventures met with only indifferent suc- cess. In 1885 he took charge of the bisque warehouse of Knowles, Taylor & Knowles and has held the position ever since. He is a Re- publican in politics, but has always steadfastly refused to run for office. He married Saman- tha Lathem, a daughter of William Lathem, of Hookstown, Pennsylvania, and they had nine children, of whom the following grew to ma- turity : Alda Bell; Jennie R .; Emma L., wife of Charles Ward, of Ingrahams, Pennsylvania : Joseph F., of Huntington, West Virginia ; John M., subject of this sketch: James WV., of East Liverpool; Elizabeth (Taggart) ; and Clarence S., a Presbyterian minister now stationed at

HARRY J. BUXTON

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Harrisville, Pennsylvania. The family are .) of the First United Presbyterian Church. Fra- United Presbyterians.

John M. Manor received his educational training in the common schools and at Moore's Business College. In 1889 he entered the en- ploy of The Golding Sons' Company as book- keeper, and soon demonstrated an aptitude for the business. Greater responsibilities were placed upon him from time to time and in 1898 he was made manager of the Trenton, New Jer- sey, department of this firm's business. A few years later he was sent to the company's office at Wilmington. Delaware, to perform a similar service. After several years in charge of that plant, in 1901 he was put in charge of the East Liverpool department. This is the oldest and largest concern of the kind in the United States, and its plant in East Liverpool was the first of the kind here. In addition to those already mentioned, the company has works at Hockes- sin, Delaware, and Caln, Pennsylvania. They grind and prepare for use in the manufacture of pottery-flint, spar and china clay and Corn- wall stone, making all kinds of combinations as they may be called for by the various manu- facturing potters. The crude materials used come from all parts of the United States and Canada and the manufactured product finds sale over just as wide an area. In 1894 Mr. Manor became president of the Specialty Glass Com- pany, manufacturers of table ware and glass specialties. The company employed 125 men in the plant, which was located at the west end of Fourth street. In 1898 the Ohio River over- flowed into the plant, causing an explosion and fire which wrecked it. At that time the general outlook for the glass business in the near future was not promising in this country and Mr. Manor was appointed one of the committee of three to close up the affairs of the concern. He is a great believer in modern business methods. such as are comprehended under the term "system." Systematic methods of keeping track of things give a maximum of information with a minimum of work and expense.

John M. Manor was united in marriage with Adella Stewart, a daughter of Robert F. Stewart, of East Liverpool, and they have a daughter, Ruth. Religiously they are members

ternally, our subject is a member of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; East Liverpool Chapter. No. 100, R. A. M. He also belongs to the East Liverpool Driving Association and the Phoenix Club.

5 ARRY J. BENTON, general foreman of the decorating department of the Ohio China Company at East Pales- tine, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. was born December 30. 1864. at Longton, Staffordshire, England, and is a son of Henry and Julia. ( Beech ) Buxton.

Henry Buxton brought his family to .America. August 7. 1874. By trade a brick-mason, he built the first enamel kiln ever constructed in Ohio. in the works of the Knowles. Taylor & Knowles pottery at East Liverpool. There were seven children in his family, of whom five survive, as follows: Mrs. Georgiana Pickal. of East Liverpool ; Mrs. Mattie MicClure, of East Liver- pool : Alfred G. A., a Methodist minister with charge at Mayville, New York: Mrs. Julia Thompson, of East Liverpool : and Harry J .. our subject. Henry Buxton is deceased but his widow survives and lives in East Liverpool. The grandmother of our subject also still sur- vives and makes her home with Mrs. Julia Thompson, of East Liverpool.

Our subject was never able to take ad- vantage of many educational opportunities as he went to work in a pottery when a child of eight years. He has continued to be associated with this line of work until the present time. gradually being promoted from one department to another as he became proficient. His first work was in the clay shop, running moulds thence to the dipping house, taking off for the dipper and thence to the warehouse. When he was but 17 years old he was made foreman of the warehouse, a pretty fair indication of capacity and reliability. and two years later was promoted to be foreman of the decorating department. He held this position two years and then accepted the position of decorator

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and foreman for Charles Reizensteen. at Alle- gheny, Pennsylvania. where he remained two years. He then became foreman in the West End pottery and kept this position also two sears and then took up work at the bench as a gilder. Mr. Buxton continued in this line for about three years and then accepted his present responsible position with the Ohio China Company, as foreman of the decorating department. The line of work here is the gen- eral decorating of tea, dinner and toilet ware, with specialties of different styles. It will thus be seen that Mr. Buxton is a practical potter and thoroughly understands every de- partment of the work from the bit of moist clay to its exhibition in the sample room as a completed work of art and a thing of beauty and utility.

Mr. Buxton was married at Beaver. Penn- sylvania, on January 2, 1884, to Sadie Harnett, of Greenville, Pennsylvania, and they have two sons and two daughters, viz. : Harry S., George L., Ada Jeanette and Lela Mae. Mr. Buxton and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In his views on public questions, and politi- cal parties, Mr. Buxton is a Prohibitionist. His fraternal relations are pleasantly sustained with East Liverpool Lodge, No. 379, I. O. O. F .; Peabody Lodge, No. 19, K. of P., of East Liverpool, in which he is past chancellor ; East Palestine Lodge, F. & A. M., in which he is senior warden ; and Lisbon Chapter, R. A. M., at Lisbon. He is one of the self-made men of East Palestine and one who commands the respect and enjoys the esteem of all who know him.

€ LMORE E. SITLER, of Floding & Sitler, leading butchers and meat dealers of Leetonia, is a product of Columbiana County, having been born within two miles of Leetonia. His birth occurred July 27, 1864, and he is a son of Samuel and Sarah ( Halverstadt) Sitler. He can trace his genealogy back to 1755 to two brothers, Deidrich and Matthew Sitler, who settled in Pennsylvania and were the founders of the Sitler family in America.

It was in Berks County, Pennsylvania, that Martin Sitler, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born and it was there he engaged in farming until 1803 when he came to Colum- biana County, Ohio. He was a soldier in the War of 1812, with rank of captain. Among the children born to him was Solomon Sitler, who was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1800 and was a child of three years when the family moved to Ohio. He was a farmer and continued in that occupation until his death at the age of 71 years. He was married to Elizabeth Hoke, who was also a native of Pennsylvania. Of the four sons and seven daughters born to this marriage, two sons and four daughters survive, one of them being Samuel Sitler, who was born in Salem town- ship, Columbiana County, Ohio, April 18, 1826, and is still an honored and respected resi- dent of the township. In early youth he learned the turner's trade and followed that calling for seven years, when he turned his attention to farming and stockraising. This he continued until 1890 when he disposed of his farm and moved to the village of Leetonia where he is living in easy retirement. He was married in 1852 to Sarah Halverstadt, daughter of Jacob Halverstadt, one of the pioneers of Colum- biana County. Five children have blessed this union, namely: Elmira, wife of C. W. Sen- nings, who is a boot and shoe dealer of Lee- tonia; Rebecca, wife of Samuel Schweitzer, of Macon County, Illinois ; Clara, wife of William Mellinger, who is employed in the internal revenue office at Cleveland, Ohio; Arvilla, wife of William Nold, of Akron, Ohio; and El- more E.

Elmore E. Sitler was an industrious and enterprising lad and as soon as his school days were over he secured a position as clerk in a grocery store. This gave him just the practi- cal experience needed to develop him into a shrewd business man. He remained in that situation until August 20, 1895, when he be- came associated with John A. Floding in the retail meat business. The market is one of the finest in the State and modern in all its appointments as is also the slaughter house.

Mr. Sitler was married June 20. 1895, to Mary A. Floding, daughter of William

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Floding and sister of John A. Floding, whose biography appears elsewhere in this work. One child was born of this union, Samuel Russell. They are members of the English Lutheran Church.

ILLIAM T. BURTON, president of the New Grand Opera House Com- pany, of East Liverpool, has been a resident of this city almost con- tinuously since boyhood and has leen closely identified with its development, in- dustriously, socially and morally. He is a veteran of the Civil War, having served in the Union Army with honor and credit, and bears the distinction of having been one of the guards of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy, when the latter was taken prisoner.

William T. Burton was born in Stafford- shire, England, December 11, 1842, and is a son of William and Mary ( Lloyd) Burton, and grandson of Samuel Burton, whose wife was a Jones. Samuel Burton was born at Stoke-on- Trent. Staffordshire, England, and there fol- lowed the trade of a potter all his life, dying in the year 1827. Being a sagacious business man of frugal nature, he became owner of consider- able property.

William Burton, father of our subject, was born in Staffordshire, England, April 1, 1819. the youngest of two sons. He was but eight years old when his father died, and he was obliged to go to work at an early age. He learned the trade of a dipper, which he fol- lowed in the potteries of his native place until 1848, when he moved with his family to the United States. For four years he was employed in the potteries of Jersey City, New Jersey. then went to Baltimore and worked in Bennett Brothers' potteries one year. In 1853 he moved to East Liverpool. Ohio, and was employed in various potteries until 1870, when he engaged in business for himself in partnership with his son. William T. Burton. Patrick McNicol. Mitchell McClure. Adolph Fritz and John Dover. Forming a stock company, they pur- chased the original John Goodwin pottery on

Broadway and conducted it successfully under the firm name of McNicol, Burton & Company until 1873, when William Burton retired from the firm. Thereafter he lived in retirement from business activities until his death in Febru- ary, 1890. He was a man of ability and was considered one of the substantial men of the city. Politically, he was an unswerving Re- publican after the organization of the party. He was joined in marriage in 1838 with Mary Lloyd, who was born in Wellington, Shrop- shire, England, in 1808, and was a daughter of William Lloyd. She was seven years of age when the battle of Waterloo was fought and remembered the occasion well, her father hav- ing served in the British Army in that memor- able conflict. Her death occurred November 8, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Burton were charter members of the Methodist Church at East Liverpool, and he served as trustee, class leader and superintendent of the Sunday-school. Their union was blessed by the birth of eight children, only two of whom grew to maturity, namely : William T .; and Mary Ann, wife of Volney E. Ball. of East Liverpool.

William T. Burton was about five years of age when brought to this country by his pa- rents. He received his educational training in the public schools of Jersey City. Baltimore and East Liverpool, after which he went to work in the potteries. When the Civil War broke out, he responded to President Lincoln's first call to arms by enlisting on April 14. 1861. as a member of Company K., Third Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf .. for three months, being sworn in two days later at Columbus, Ohio. He served five and a half months before receiving his dis- charge. and then reenlisted in Company A., 143rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., as fifth duty ser- geant. He received his second honorable dis- charge in the latter part of 1863, and went to Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where he reenlisted as a member of the Third Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, with which he thereafter served until the close of the war. He was discharged at Fortress Monroe. November 14. 1865, and reached home just two days later. eight days after his mother's death.

Mr. Burton participated in many of the

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hardest fought battles of the war, and after the capture of Jefferson Davis served as one of his inside guards, while he was confined at Fortress Monroe. In view of the public discussion given this episode in recent issues of the press, it will not be amiss to here state the facts as stated by an active participant in it. Gen. Nelson A. Miles was at the time in command of Fortress Monroe, and F. V. Thompson, a man named Green and William T. Burton were inside guards under Captain Tidlow. The last named ordered our subject to have shackles made for use on Jefferson Davis, and shortly after sent him to the blacksmith shop, some 200 yards. away. to see if they were made. The black- smith, who had just placed them in water to cool took them out and accompanied Mr. Bur- ton to where Captain Tidlow was standing with Mr. Davis, the former at the time being in the midst of an explanation that the order had come from the government to put him in chains. When Davis saw the men approaching with the shackles. he stepped inside the room and turned very pale, asserting that he would not submit to having them put on. He talked with great vehemence, saying he had dined with the crowned heads of Europe, had been Secretary of War and an officer in the Mexican War. and that he would not submit to this indignity. Captain Tidlow told the guard to lay hold of Davis and shackle him, and as they advanced to comply with the order Davis struck one of the guards, Mr. Thompson. Mr. Burton and Mr. Green overcame him and laid him upon a cot, and the former, assisted by the blacksmith, put upon him the shackles, which were light in weight. Mr. Burton is the sole survivor of those who were active participants in this affair. and is therefore best qualified to speak of what actually happened and to put to rest the accusa- tions that Jefferson Davis was treated with un- due harshness.

Upon returning home after the war, Will- iam T. Burton again followed his trade in the potteries until 1870, when with his father and Patrick McNicol, Mitchell McClure, Adolph Fritz and John Dover, he formed a stock com- pany. as above related. Later, in 1873. John McNicol, Patrick McNicol and our subject

became sole owners and conducted the business most successfully until 1892, in which year Mr. Burton disposed of his interest to W .. L. Smith. In 1890, in partnership with John Garner and Edwin Devon, he embarked in the manufacture of stills, and later in the manu- facture of door knobs. After a time Harry Williams purchased the interests of Messrs. Garner and Devon, and the firm of Burton & Williams continued until 1894, when Mr. Bur- ton sold out to Albert Corns. Our subject was - one of the organizers of the New Grand Opera House Company, which was incorporated in 1893, with William T. Burton as president ; Dr. W. N. Bailey, secretary; S. J. Cripps, treasurer ; and J. M. Norris, manager. They erected on Sixth street what was at that time the finest theatre in Eastern Ohio, the building being 92 by 79 feet in dimensions, three stories high and with a capacity for accommodating 1,000 people. Mr. Burton has taken a leading part in the development of real estate in East Liverpool and at the present time is owner of a large number of residences. When he came out of the Civil War he did not own five cents, and what he now possesses i's the result of his own energy and business acumen.

In 1866 Mr. Burton married Eliza Jane Kinney, a daughter of Capt. Dorsey P. Kinney, and they have five children living : Mary Eliza- beth, wife of Edmund A. Geon ; Florence Belle, wife of Charles Scott: Anna, deceased, who was the wife of Edward Laughlin; Nellie; and Kate. Mrs. Burton died March 27, 1901, aged 55 years. She was a member of the Presby- terian Church. Politically, our subject is a Republican, and twice served in the City Council.

ORNELIUS CRONIN, secretary and treasurer of The Standard Pottery Company, of East Liverpool, was born in the parish of Millstreet, County Cork, Ireland, December 13, 1861, and is a son of John and Johanna ( Hickey ) Cronin. His grandfather, also named John Cronin, was a farmer in Mill- street parish and it was there the father was

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born and engaged in farming on the Cronin homestead.

In 1863 John Cronin, our subject's father, embarked with his family for America, the voyage being made on the steamship "Great Eastern,". which was the only trip made by that vessel, carrying passengers. They arrived here in August, 1863. In June, 1864, Mr. Cronin enlisted in Company C, 23rd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served during the remainder of the war. He then secured work on a railroad and continued in that employment until his death in 1876. He was a Democrat in politics. His wife was a native of the same parish as he and daughter of John T. Hickey. She was born in 1836 and is now residing in East Liverpool. Six of their children grew to adult years, name- ly : Daniel P., vice-president of The Salem China Company, of Salem; Honora, wife of Daniel E. McNicol, president of The D. E. McNicol Pottery Company, of East Liver- pool; Cornelius; Johanna, deceased; Ellen, who married Joseph Luthringer and lives with her mother ; and Mary, deceased.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 78

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