History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 80

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

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Jane, both deceased. Both parents were worthy members of the United Presbyterian Church.

Samuel Stevenson was 10 years old when his parents moved into Wellsville and here he attended school until he was between 14 and 15 years of age. He then entered the machine shop of Philip F. Geisse to learn the trade of machinist and served an apprenticeship of five years, thereafter working as a journeyman until he was of age. About this time he se- cured a position as assistant engineer on a river steamer and within six months was promoted to the position of second engineer. It was not long before he successfully passed the examina- tion for first engineer and he served in that ca- pacity until 1862, a period of 20 years.

It was in the above mentioned year that his former employer testified to the high apprecia- tion in which he held his former apprentice, by offering him the foremanship and superin- tendency of his shop and Mr. Stevenson held the position until 1866 when he bought the business from Mr. Geisse, and went into part- nership with his brother, Thomas B., under the firm name of S. & T. B. Stevenson. A short time later Alexander Denham was received into the firm and the name then became The Steven- son Company. In the course of time MIr. Stevenson, our subject, became sole owner for a time and then Mr. Denham reentered the business and this partnership continued for six years. In 1888 our subject bought Mr. Den- ham's interest and gave it to his two sons. Will- iam and Charles. In 1900 the business was in- corporated and Mr. Stevenson became president of the company. The plant is an excellent one, well and conveniently located for business and is equipped with modern machinery. It con- tinnes in a very prosperous condition.

In 1849 Mr. Stevenson was married to Mary Lucretia Starr. who is a daughter of Thomas and Susan ( Ramsey ) Starr, of Wells- ville. They had four children, of whom Charles is the only survivor. He was born August 21. 1857. learned the trade of ma- chinist with his father and has always been identified with the business. He married Annie Askew, of Wheeling, West Virginia, and they have two children : Erla and Mary. Our sub-

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ject was married, second, to Mary A. Ramsey, who is a daughter of John and Keziah ( Ham- ilton) Ramsey. Ten children were born to this union, viz: John C., killed in the "Scioto" disaster, July 4, 1885; Mary S., wife of Ross S. McKinn: William G., of East Liverpool ; Lulu, wife of Thomas Rogers, of Indiana ; Susan, who attended Oberlin College, married Ralph Sweetzer and resides at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan; Nancy Myers, who lives at home ; Jennie, also at home; Irene, wife of Leonard Aughinbaugh, of Wellsville; Helen H., a grad- uate in 1905 of the Woman's College at Balti- more ; and Lena, a bright student at Oberlin, in the class of 1909. Mr. Stevenson and family belong to the United Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Stevenson was one of the organizers of the People's National Bank, of Wellsville, of which his son Charles is now a director. Politically he is a Republican and he has fre- quently served in public office, has been a coun- cilman and for 15 years was a member of the School Board. He was one of the original trus- tees of the water-works. Much of the efficiency of the city's various utilities is the result of the public-spirited efforts of such reliable men as himself and his compeers.

OHN W. RUSSELL, formerly one of Wellsville's leading business men, but now living retired in his beautiful home at No. 1103 Riverview avenue, was born at Monroeville, Jefferson ·County, Ohio, January 7, 1849, and is a son of Joseph and Mary ( Householder) Russell.

John Russell, the grandfather, was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1778, and died in Ohio, in 1851. After his marriage he came to Ohio as one of the pioneer settlers of Jefferson County, and entered a large body of land in the neighborhood of New Somerset. He became a leader in Democratic politics and county affairs, and was frequently elected to office. He married Jane Russell and reared a large family of children, a number of whom have become well known in this section of the :State.

Joseph Russell, father of John W., was a resident for many years of Hammondsville, Ohio, where he erected the first house. He kept a hotel there for a long period. His death took place in 1862. To him and his wife, who is a daughter of Mathias Householder, were born eight children, the six to reach maturity being : John W., of this sketch; Rebecca, wife of Al- bert Coombs, of Youngstown, Ohio; Nancy, wife of James Baker, of Cleveland; Mary, of Irondale, Ohio; and William and James Wes- ley, also of Irondale, Ohio. In early life the mother united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, but in later years attended the Presby- terian Church.

John W. Russell remained at home until he attained his majority, assisting his mother in the management of the hotel which she con- tinued to operate after her husband's death. From 1868 until 1873 he engaged in a mercan- tile business but as his patronage depended largely on the prosperity of the mills at Iron- dale, the panic which closed them in the, latter year caused him heavy loss. He then came to Wellsville and entered into partnership with his cousin, John C. Russell, under the firm name of J. C. & J. W. Russell, but two years later he sold his interest to his partner and embarked individually in storekeeping. Two years later he bought the Thompson & McClain brick-yard on Ioth street, where he engaged in the manu- facture of brick for two years, making during this period about all the brick used in Wells- ville. In the third year he bought ground of Richard Aten and started a new yard, platting the old yard and converting it into residence lots which he sold. For five years he ran the new yard.

Then Mr. Russell engaged in another brick business, entering into partnership with the late Judge P. C. Young. They manufactured fire-brick for one year at Vanport, Pennsyl- vania, then Mr. Russell purchased Judge Young's interest and continued alone for four years, finally selling the business to a Pittsburg firm. Mr. Russell next accepted the manage- ment of the wholesale meat business of Armour & Company at Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, for a year and then came back to Wellsville. Here

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he saw a good opening in the real estate busi- ness and he also handled his own property, erecting a number of residences which he dis- posed of. About this time he became deeply interested in the refined coal-oil business, in- vesting largely and equipping his business with oil tank wagons and erecting oil tank stations in a number of towns in the valley. He was mak- ing money and the prospects of developing an entensive wholesale oil business were indeed flattering, when the Standard Oil Company. whose product he handled, ordered him to sell out to it and forced him to take this unwelcome step under the threat that the company would not sell ltim oil if he remained in business. As he could not obtain oil elsewhere, he sold the business in 1899. Mr. Rus- sell then turned his attention to milling, pur- chasing the grist-mill of Christian Metsch in Wellsville and he operated this for some time under the name of the Wellsville Milling Com- pany. This was his last business connection before he retired.

On March 23, 1876, Mr. Russell was mar- ried to Lucy Swearingen, a daughter of Elime- lech Swearingen, of Wellsville, and they have two children, viz: Helen M. and John How- ard, the latter being a member of the 10th Bat- tery, U. S. A., now located at San Francisco, California. Mr. Russell and family belong to the First Presbyterian Church. In politics he is a Republican, taking only a good citizen's interest, however.

OHN W. MOORE, manager of The Moore Furniture Company, of East Liverpool, is one of the city's success- ful men. He was born 37 years ago in St. Clair township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a son of John W. and Sarah J. (Martin) Moore, and grandson of John W. and Nancy (Crawford) Moore.

The Moore family is of Scotch-Irish extrac- tion and came to Ohio from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The family is an old one of St. Clair township, our subject's grand- father, John W. Moore, being one of the pio- neers. Later he conducted the Ohio House, a

hotel on the corner of Fourth and Market streets, East Liverpool, where he died in 1866, aged 70 years. In St. Clair township he was justice of the peace and also was well known as an auctioneer.

John W. Moore, father of our subject, was born in St. Clair township, Columbiana County, Ohio, in March, 1824, and died at East Liver- pool. November 6, 1904. He engaged in farm- ing in St. Clair township until 1890, when he retired from active work and took up his resi- (lence in the city. He was a man of judgment and integrity and at one time active in the Democratic party. He married a daughter of James W. Martin, both of whom were born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Of the seven children of this marriage, these grew to ma- turity : James L., deceased, who was a resi- dent of Madison township: Amanda J., who married S. P. Saint, of St. Clair township; John W., our subject : and Elmer E., deceased. The parents were members of the United Pres- byterian Church.

Our subject was reared on the farm and before moving to East Liverpool attended the local district schools. Later he attended the Northeastern Ohio Normal College at Canfield, although he had previously taught several ses- sions of school. For three years after com- pleting his education, he was connected with the Daily Crisis, of East Liverpool, and then spent six years with a local furniture establish- ment. Thus he was thoroughly prepared to enter into business for himself and in April. 1893. in association with G. W. Moore, he embarked in his present furniture and carpet business. The original location was at No. 200 Sixth street, but in October, 1904. the growth of the business made a change necessary and they took possession of their present building on Washington street on its completion in March following. This building is a fine brick three-story structure, 27 by 90 feet in dimen- sions, with finished basement. The whole building is of modern equipment. an elevator service being installed and a private electric light plant.

In politics. Mr. Moore is a Democrat. He is one of the trustees of the United Presbyter- ian Church.

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IVILLIS CARTER. a prosperous GA farmer of Columbiana County, who owns 128 acres of land in section 34. Washington township, the greater part of which is under cultivation, was born in 1846 in England, and is a son of James and Mary ( Priestley) Carter.

The father of Mr. Carter came to America in 1854, bringing with him his two sons, Thomas and J. Willis. His one daughter, Nannie, remained in England with her grand- parents until her impaired health was restored, when she joined the family in 1866. Later she married Lytle Green, of Salineville, and they have five children : Willis, William, Fred- eric. Walter and Helen. Thomas, the eldest of the family, is engaged in a successful gro- cery business at Salineville. He married Sarah Ware, of Carroll County, Ohio, and they have four children: William, Frederick, Ada and Lou.

The paternal grandfather of our subject, John Carter, lived out his life in England, dy- ing at the age of 68 years, surviving his wife many years. The maternal grandparents were John and Naomi Priestley, the former of whom died in England aged 77 years and the latter, aged 66 years.

J. Willis Carter obtained his education in the schools of Washington township and as- sisted his father on the homestead until the age of 21 years, when he learned mine blacksmithing. This work he followed for some time, but for a number of years he has given his attention entirely to agricultural pur- suits. Mr. Carter still has a valuable growth of timber on his farm; the remainder of the land he has put under good and careful cultivation.

Mr. Carter was married, first, to Harriet Clark, of Salineville; at her death she left one son, John Sherman, who married Jennie Ran- dolph. In 1870 Mr. Carter was united in marrige with Jane Brown, a daughter of James and Jeannette (Brown) Brown, and they have had these children: James, who married Nellie Anderson, of Juniata County, Pennsyl- vania, and has one child,-Jay; Minnie, who resides at home: Albert, who is a resident of Amsterdam, Ohio: Thomas W., who married

Pearl Toban ; and Harry G., Sherrod, Walter and Nellie, who live at home.

Mr. Carter is affiliated with the Republi- can party. He is a consistent member and lib- eral supporter of the Christian Church at Sa- lineville.

WESLEY RUSSELL, real estate dealer and auctioneer, of Wellsville, was born in Knox township. Jefferson County. Ohio, September 16. 1852, and is a son of James R. and Eliza (Wilson) Russell.

John Russell, the grandfather, was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1778, and died in Ohio in 1851, aged 73 years. He came to Ohio after his marriage and located in Jef- ferson County where he was one of the pioneer settlers and became possessed of a large body of land near New Somerset. He was very promi- nent in the Democratic party in his locality. He married Jane Russell and they reared a large family. In his later days he united with the United Presbyterian Church.

James R. Russell, the father, was born near New Somerset, Jefferson County, Ohio. July 16. 1826, and died October 6, 1885. He re- sided all his life on the homestead farm and also acquired one adjoining it. Like his father he was a prominent Democrat and like him was a man of sterling character. He filled numerous local offices. He married a daughter of James Wilson. She was born in County Tyrone, Ire- land, June 1, 1827, and became the mother of two children, viz: John C., who was born in 1849, and died in 1884, and J. Wesley, of this sketch. The mother still survives and is a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Her husband belonged to the United Presbyterian Church.

Our subject grew up on the home farm where he remained until maturity and then he opened a general store near New Somerset, in partnership with J. B. Culp. under the firm name of Russell & Culp, which continued until 1885, when Mr. Russell sold his interest. For several years following he engaged in farming but in 1890 he engaged with the Pioneer Pot-

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tery and during the five succeeding years was on the road looking after its interests.

Mr. Russell then became interested in the development of real estate, including contract- ing, building and disposing of property. Later he added an agency to the business and then, advised by Judge P. M. Smith, he went into the real estate business. His first year was one of great encouragement as during this time he sold property to the amount of $97,000. For the past 15 years he has also been an auc- tioneer and is very popular in this connection at Wellsville and neighboring points.

Mr. Russell married Vella Culp, who is a daughter of Jacob Culp, one of the early stock men of New Somerset. Mr. and Mrs. Russell are members of the First Methodist Protestant Church, of Wellsville. Politically, he is a Democrat but takes an intelligent citizen's inter- est only.

HRISTIAN METSCH, senior part- ner of the well-known firm of C. Metsch & Son, large retail feed mer- chants of East Liverpool, who have extensive warehouse facilities on Peach alley, is one of the city's representative men and is probably one of the most expert millers in this section of the State. Christian Metsch was born in Hessigheim, Wurtemberg, Germany, October II, 1830, and is a son of Jacob G. and Katherine (Sauders) Metsch.

The family was an old agricultural one of Wurtemberg, and the grandfather, Jacob Metsch, died there in 1834. Our subject's pa- rents spent their lives there also, the father dying in 1857, aged 53 years, and the mother, in 1884, aged 72 years. Their children were : Frederick, deceased, who lived in New Orleans ; Louisiana ; Christian ; Jacob, a member of the 65th Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol. Inf., who (lied at Fortress Monroe in the Civil War: and Katherine (widow of Charles Gaileng) ; Louise, ( widow of Abraham Salsman) ; Mrs. Pauline Schmidt and Mrs. Mary Schwamm. who live in Germany. The family was reared in the faith of the German Lutheran Church.

As a boy, Christian Metsch learned the

milling business as soon as he had finished his schooling. This business he followed in his native land until he came to America in 1853. After a few months at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Mr. Metsch rented a mill in Westmoreland County and operated it for some years, sub- sequently buying a mill which he ran until 1862. About this date he came to Ohio and started a flouring mill near Calcutta, Colum- biana County, which he operated until 1871 and then moved to East Liverpool, buying the mill of Wilson & Company. This mill he suc- cessfully ran until 1900 when it was destroyed by fire. At the same time he was managing two other mills. In 1883 he built a flouring mill at Alma, Ohio, which he continued to operate for 19 years, and in 1890 he bought a flouring mill at Wellsville, Ohio, from Bunting & Company, which mill he subsequently sold. With three mills in operation, he produced a large amount of flour, which he sold only in car-load lots, the product being in demand at Pittsburg and finding a market all over the country.

After the destruction of his plant at East Liverpool, in 1900, Mr. Metsch purchased his warehouse on Peach alley, where, in company with his son, John G., who has been a business partner since 1883, he carries on a very large business. He is a well-known and valued busi- ness citizen and his judgment is consulted and his favor invited concerning many of the city's important enterprises. He is president of The People's Building & Savings Company, of which he was one of the organizers and is also president of the Park Place Land Company.

Mr. Metsch married Elizabeth Kaufman, a daughter of Casper Kaufman, of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and to them have been born these children : Sarah, deceased. who was the wife of Elwood Pusey: Rachel Ellen, widow of Elwood Pusey ; George H .. deceased : Cassius M., deceased; John G .. of the firm of C. Metsch & Son; Calle, wife of Fred. Cart- wright; Elizabeth. wife of David MeIntosh : and Tobias, deceased. The family belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church and Mr. Metsch has been a member of the official board for the past 30 years and still is active in church

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affairs. In years past he was very active in politics. He served five terms in the City Council, was the prime mover in establishing the water-works system, and served four years as trustee and was once the Republican party's candidate for State Senator. He was the first to become initiated as a member of East Liver- pool Lodge, No. 379, I. O. O. F., and at one time belonged to East Liverpool Encampment, No. 107. He belongs to Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M .; East Liverpool Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M .; and Pilgrim Commandery, No. 55, K. T.

ILLIAM M. CRUMRINE, manager of The Salem Hardware Company, of Salem, one of the largest con- cerns of its kind in the city, was born at Salem, April 28, 1856, and is a son of Daniel and Mary ( McLeran) Crumrine.

The Crumrine family is of Pennsylvania Dutch extraction and the grandfather, Michael Crumrine, was born in Berks County, and re- moved to Mahoning County, Ohio, at an early clay. He died at the age of 73 years. The father of our subject was born in Ohio and the mother in Pennsylvania. They had three child- ren, namely : Oella, wife of W. H. Halliday, of Salem; William M., of this sketch; and Nora B., wife of W. E. Howell, of Hamilton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Crumrine still survive. For over 30 years Daniel Crumrine was in the furniture and undertaking business in Salem ..

William M. Crumrine of this sketch was permitted to attend school until he was 20 years old. completing both the common and high school courses. He then started into business as a clerk in a hardware store and remained with Kirk, Allen & Thomas for five years and then spent one year in a wholesale house at Mansfield. Next he went to Alliance, where he was in partnership with William McLeran for two years, after which the stock was moved to Salem and in 1897 the firm name became Crumrine & Kale. The business in 1900 was incorporated and the name of The Salem Hard- ware Company adopted. Mr. Crumrine became

manager and H. R. Kale, secretary. This is one of the large business enterprises of the city and is conducted along approved commer- cial lines.

Mr. Crumrine was married in 1884 to Mag- gie Quinn, who was born at Alliance, Ohio, and they have two children, viz: Dora M. and R. Albert. The daughter is a graduate of the Notre Dame Academy at Cleveland, and the son is a student in Salem.

Mr. Crumrine is a Republican but he takes no very active interest in campaigning. For the past 29 years he has been a Mason, being a member of Perry Lodge, No. 185, F. & A. M .: Salem Chapter, No. 94. R. A. M .; Omega Council, No. 44, R. & S. M. ; and Salem Com- mandery, No. 42, K. T. He belongs also to the Elks. He is recognized as one of the re- presentative citizens of Salem and enjoys the esteem, as he commands the respect, of all who know him.

HE ENTERPRISE COAL COM- PANY, which commands the largest retail coal trade in East Liverpool and vicinity, was established in 1894 by William Pilgrim, in partnership with two sons, Frank P. and Charles W. Its beginning was small, these three men with the aid of a single team doing the entire work of the company. In 1903, the business was in- corporated under the same name and with the following officers: William Pilgrim, presi- dent ; Charles W. Pilgrim, vice-president ; and Frank P. Pilgrim, secretary and treasurer. In addition to the officers, the board of directors includes Martha and Effie Pilgrim. In addi- tion to a very extensive retail coal trade, the company handles mason's supplies, and at the present time gives employment to 18 men and IO teams.

WILLIAM PILGRIM, president of The En- terprise Coal Company, was born January 26, 1833, and is a son of George Pilgrim, who was born at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and died in 1858. George Pilgrim was reared on a farm and in later years teamed across the mountains until he was 40 years of age when he began

LOUIS F. SIEGLE

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working on the river. He thereafter engaged in steamboating until his death by drowning. In politics he was a Democrat. He married Sarah Berry, who was born in Lancaster Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and died in 1850, leaving three children: William; Catherine, wife of William Conaby, of Canonsburg, Pennsyl- vania; and Thomas, who while on a scouting trip about Mount Jackson during the Civil War was killed by a cannon ball. William Pil- grim attended the old log school house of his district .. When work did not make it necessary to stay on the home farm, he attended school in a district farther from home which was pro- vided with a better school. He followed farm- ing at home until he left school in 1858, after which he located at West Elizabeth, Pennsyl- vania, where he worked as superintendent of the coal mines of O'Neil & Company. He continued in that position until 1884, when he moved to East Liverpool and purchased the teaming business of Anderson Rattery. He hauled clay and shipped goods for potteries until the con- struction of the Horn Switch, which ruined his business, as the railroad hauled the clay in cars direct to the potteries. He then started in the coal business with his two sons, with whom he has since been associated. He is a member of Youdan Lodge, No. 647, I. O. O. F., of West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, and is a Re- publican in politics. On May 13, 1858, he was united in marriage with Martha Pickersgill, who was born at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, Eng- land, March 18, 1835, and is a daughter of William and Martha (Walton) Pickersgill. Her father was a woolen manufacturer in Eng- land until he came to this country, the voy- age across the Atlantic consuming six weeks. They first located in Pittsburg, then went down the river to Steubenville. He purchased a farm east of Wheeling, but in a short time went to . Steubenville, where he put in four looms and became one of the first manufacturers of woolen goods in that section, selling theni through the country as far as Cincinnati. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pilgrim, as follows: John Ernest, born Sep- tember 18, 1859; George E., born September 9, 1860: William T., born February 5, 1863; Frank P .: and Charles W. Mr. and Mrs.

Pilgrim are members of the Methodist Protest- ant Church.

FRANK P. PILGRIM, secretary and treas- urer of The Enterprise Coal Company, was born at West Elizabeth, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 25, 1868. He attended the common school's at West Elizabeth, after which he took charge of the teaming business for his father. After the discontinuance of that business, he learned the trade of. a plumber, at which he spent about four years. He next, in partner- ship with his father, operated the wharf-boat for three years, when they started the coal business. He was married to Effie Jane Ster- ling, a daughter of John P. Sterling, of East Liverpool, and they have two children : George Sterling and Martha Naomi. Religiously, they are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Pilgrim is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees ; the Protected Home Circle, of which he is president; and McKin- ley Home, No. 75, Home Guards of America, of which he is a past councillor. Politically, he is a Republican.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 80

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