History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 87

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

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The father of Mr. Hiscox was born in 1809 at Bradford, England, on the banks of the river Avon, and came to America in 1842 with his wife and five children, settling at Elkton, Columbiana County, Ohio, where he secured work in the woolen-mills. He was a practical man in this line and he leased a woolen-mill on the Columbiana road in Center township, which he operated five years. Subsequently he bought a farm of 100 acres which he culti- vated until his death, at the age of 56 years. He married Mary Slug, who was born in Eng- land in 1806, also on the banks of the beautiful river Avon. She married again after the death of Mr. Hiscox and died at Hicksville, Defiance County, Ohio. Her children, all born to her first marriage, were as follows: Martha, who married Isaac Reynolds, of Warsaw, Indiana ; Elizabeth, who married Warner Peters. of Center township; James, of Colfax County, Nebraska; Jabez, who died in young manhood : Joseph. deceased; William, who was drowned while bathing near Lisbon : George W .. of this sketch: Susan, who married Jesse Williams, of Lisbon; and John, who resides in Hicksville.

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Our subject was reared in Center township, attended the public schools and remained on the home farm until he was 20 years old. He then made a visit to Dodge County, Nebraska, and remained there one year with his brother James. After the death of his father, he re- turned to the homestead and continued to farm for his mother. In 1874 he bought his pres- ent valuable farm which he has greatly im- proved, erecting excellent buildings and in vest- ing in fine stock. He is one of the representa- tive agriculturists of the township.

In 1873 Mr. Hiscox was married to Cynthia J. Trunick, who was born in Center, township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Eaton) Trunick, who were born in Washington County, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. and Mrs. Hiscox have five chil- dren, namely: Albert, of Center township; Orville C., living at home; Florence, who mar- ried Roy Gilmore, of Madison township, Columbiana County ; and Ira and Carl, who live at home.

OHN W. SHOOK, for many years pro- prietor of the tannery in Unity village, which was established as early as 1843 or 1844, is now retired from that busi- ness and conducts a farm of 40 acres in Unity township. He is one of the sub- stantial citizens of the village, where he still has numerous business interests.

Mr. Shook was born at Middlesex, Pennsyl- vania, and is a son of Charles and Margaret (Brooks) Shook, and grandson of John Shook, who was a soldier. during the War of 1812. John Shook was located near Youngstown, Ohio, in Mahoning County, at a time when the country was sparsely settled and Indians roamed about over the land. He lived there until his death, engaged in farming, although in early life he followed the trade of a ship carpenter, which he had learned in his native country, Germany. His marriage with Annie Wilson, a lady of Irish parentage. resulted in the following offspring : Charles, Calvin, Hazel, Martin, Rachel and Mary, all of whom grew to maturity.

Charles Shook was reared on a farm near Middlesex, Pennsylvania, and at an early date learned the trade of a tanner under his uncle, Dr. Mitchelltree. He came to Unity village in 1853, and was thereafter connected with the tannery and shoe manufactory until his retire- ment from active business in 1873. He was identified with the tannery of William Hoff- stott and J. Young, who also conducted a gen- eral store, and he later engaged in business for himself, tanning leather and manufacturing shoes. At one time there were as high as 20 shoemakers in Unity, and their output was sufficient for the whole county. When Charles Shook assumed charge of the business, he shipped the output to Pittsburg and other dis- tant points. Upon quitting this business, he retired to a farm adjoining the village, where he thereafter resided until his death in 1883. He was married to Margaret Brooks, who was born at Cape May and died in Youngstown in 1899. This union was blessed with the fol- lowing offspring : Sarah, deceased, who was the wife of Dr. E. Greenamyer; Annie, wife of Oliver Heck; Louise, deceased, who was the wife of Dr. McDonald; Rachel; John W .; Elizabeth, wife of D. C. King; Frank; Eliza, wife of Peter Bower, of Allegheny, Pennsyl- vania ; and Charles. .

John W. Shook was 15 months old when his parents moved from Middlesex, Pennsyl- vania, to Unity township, Columbiana County, Ohio, and here he was reared to maturity. He attended public schools and at an early date learned the trade of a tanner in the tannery of his father, which was established about 1843 as aforesaid. He succeeded his father as proprie- tor of this tannery, which he conducted with uninterrupted success until his retirement in re- cent years. He grew up with the business, learning it in all its details, and it was this thorough intimacy with the business which enabled him to achieve business success. He has a farm of 40 .acres in Unity township, which he supervises and is interested in the Unity teleplione line.

Mr. Shook was united in marriage with Miss A. Martin, a daughter of Elijah Martin, who was of one of the pioneer families of the

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

county. Three children have been born to them : Clark S. and W. W., who are tanners by trade ; and O. D. All are well educated and holding responsible positions. Mr. Shook has been considerably interested in local politics and has served about 10 years as school trustee, also 10 years 'as township trustee. He fre- quently has been chosen delegate to county con- ventions.

€ LI HARMAN, a prosperous farmer of Unity township, owns a valuable farm of 227 acres in section II. He comes of a prominent old family of this township, and is held in the highest esteem by his fellow-citizens. He is now liv- ing a retired life.

Mr. Harman was born on the old home farm in Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Solomon and Leah (Mellinger) Harman, and grandson of John Harman, who took up a section of land in Mahoning County, Ohio. Solomon Harman located in Beaver township, Mahoning County, at the same time as his pa- rents, and lived there until 1849, when he came to Unity township, Columbiana County, pur- chasing the Eyster place, which consisted of a little more than 109 acres and was partially improved. There was an old log building on the piace, and into this he moved with his fam- ily. As time went on he made many improve- ments on the place. He lived here until his death in 1872, his wife having preceded him some years. They were the parents of 10 children, of whom a daughter, Elizabeth ( Mrs. Jehu Clupper), resides in Unity township, and Daniel lives in Greene township, Mahoning County.

Eli Harman was reared on the home farm and has always followed farming. Upon the death of his father, he purchased the interests of the other heirs to the home farm, and kept it until he transferred it to his son. Aaron Calvin Harman, in whose name it still stands. Our subject's farm of 227 acres in Unity town- ship is well improved and under a high state of cultivation. He is a trustee of Unity town- ship, has served as assessor and has always

worked for the advancement of his home com- munity. He has served on the School Board and is a director of the First National Bank, of East Palestine. In politics, he is a stanch Democrat.

Eli Harman was married to Mary Elwon- ger, who died leaving one son,.Oliver, who is a core-maker at Leetonia. He subsequently married Louise Floor and to them was born 'one son, namely : Aaron Calvin, who was mar- ried December 22, 1891 to Ida Strawheeker, a sister of Samuel Wilhelm Strawheeker of Unity township and a daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Wilhelm) Strawheeker; they have two sons, Gaylord and Milton. Eli Harman, after the death of his second wife, married his sister-in-law, Elizabeth C. Floor, and they have one son, Clarence Edwin, who was mar- ried November 10, 1903, to Anna Shaffer, a daughter of Albert Shaffer, of Unity town- ship; they have an infant son,-Audis Ray- mond Williard.

ILL A. TOLERTON, proprietor of the e popular summer resort, "Tolerton Park," and the owner of 179 acres of the most valuable land in Perry town- ship. which is situated in sections I and 12, a part being within the city limits of Salem, is one of the best known men of his locality. Mr. Tolerton was born on this beau- tiful farm, May 31, 1847, and is a son of Hill and Lucy Mary (Warner) Tolerton.

James Tolerton, the grandfather of Hill A., was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to America with wife and two children, mak- ing a home in Columbiana County, Ohio, where three more children were born, the family be- ing as follows : Alexander, a physician ; Robert, Hill. Ann and William.

Hill Tolerton, father of Hill A., was born at Salem, in a house on West Main street which is still standing, in 1812, and spent the whole of a long, useful and honorable life in. Perry township, dying at the age of 80 years. When he invested in property here, the whole country was covered with a heavy growth of timber. He began life in a log cabin but be-

GEORGE E. SEBRING

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fore he died he erected the stately mansion now occupied by his son, which he built on an elevation overlooking the city of Salem and miles of rich farming land. This delightful home is approached through a long avenue of fine shade trees and is one of the most com- fortable as well as attractive rural homes in the county. He was reared in the Quaker faith but he married a Methodist and then united with that religious body. He married, first, Lucy Mary Warner, who was born at Canfield, Ohio, and died in Perrv township, aged 56 years. Mr. Tolerton married. second, Mrs.

Rebecca A. (Whetmore) Wheeler, who still survives and resides with our subject. The latter is one of a family of nine children, four of whom died in infancy, the survivors being : James J., of Iowa; Fannie, wife of Alexander McCleary, of Indianapolis, Indiana ; Oscar O., of Iowa; Hill A .; and Elihu W., of Toledo, Ohio.

Hill A. Tolerton has always lived on the beautiful farm which he now owns. Formerly he devoted it to extensive stock interests, mainly sheep raising, keeping some 500 head. This he has reduced to about 50 head of sheep with a corresponding number of other high- grade stock., For the past 12 years he has utilized 35 acres as a park and summer re- sort, spending a large amount of money in its improvement. The natural growth of sugar maple, oak, poplar and chestnut trees still stand in all their, strength and beauty and he has *added an artificial lake, which covers two and a half acres and is fed by springs. Boats are provided and it is a very popular resort during the heated season. In the winter it is converted into an ice field, a profitable busi- ness in this line having been conducted by Mr. Tolerton's sons for the past four years, sales being made in Salem. Mr. Tolerton finds his time fully occupied in looking after his large property interests, when not overseeing his farm operations. He owns two valuable bųsi- ness blocks in Salem, one.of these located oppo- site the First National Bank Building and an- other opposite the Metzger Hotel, and six resi- "dences in fine renting localities.

Mr. Tolerton was married in 1875 to Flor-

ence E. Johnson, who was born April 1, 1853, in Massachusetts, but accompanied her father. William Johnson, when he moved his family to Iowa when she was eight years old. They have had six children : William W .; Raymond, deceased at the age of seven years: Charles ; Earl August, deceased at the age of 15 years, Lucy and Percy L. Miss Lucy Tolerton is a graduate of the Salem High School, the vale- dictorian of the class of 1905.

EORGE E. SEBRING, one of the founders of the young city of Se- bring in Mahoning County, Ohio, a leading factor in the greater number of its manifold industries and presi- dent of The Oliver China Company, was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, February 13, 1859, and is a son of George and Elizabeth A. (Larkins) Sebring. The father was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and the mother in the city of Pittsburg. They live retired at Sebring, surrounded by every luxury their de- voted children can provide.

George E. Sebring is the second son and child of his parents' family of 10 children, the others being: Oliver H., president of The French China Company, of Sebring; Elsworth H., of The French China Company, of Sebring ; Joseph H., who died aged 27 years : Frederick E., president of The Limoges China Company, of Sebring; Frank A., president of The Se- bring Pottery Company and vice-president of The Limoges China Company ; Eva, twin sister of Frank A., wife of Rev. J. H. Norris, of Pittsburg; William H., accidentally killed in 1904; Emma, wife of C. J. Albright, secretary of The Sebring Pottery Company ; and Charles, a twin brother of Emma, who died aged five years.

From the age of 15 years our subject, George E. Sebring, has been associated with pottery interests. He started to work in the old Agner and Foutts pottery in East Liverpool, at turning jiggers, the work then being done by hand, at a salary of $2 a week, and worked on up through every department until he became foreman of the Knowles, Taylor & Knowles

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clay-shops at East Liverpool, where he con- tinued until he entered into partnership with his brothers in the purchase of the Agner and Foutts pottery. To him was assigned the of- fices and duties of president and general man- ager of the business and he continued until 1893, when he was released in order to assume the management of the East Palestine Pottery Company, at East Palestine, under a contract of five years.

This plant was in rather bad repute when Mr. Sebring took charge, having failed some eight or ten times in the preceding 15 years, but with his practical methods he soon had it on a paying basis and it became one of the most successful potteries in this section. As his methods continued to be observed, it is still a valuable plant. Mr. Sebring's successful management of this plant secured him the con- fidence of the citizens of East Palestine and during his last year there under contract they presented him with a bonus of $25,000 to build there a new pottery plant, which he had .in contemplation. With this encouragement he did so, erecting the plant and forming The Ohio China Company and successful conducted it until his interests became centered at Se- bring. He then disposed of this plant to East Palestine people, leaving it in a prosperous condition and this prosperity continues, largely on account of Mr. Sebring's methods being still employed. During his residence at East Pales- tine he still continued his financial interest with his brothers at East Liverpool, and his brother, Frank H., was also interested with him at East Palestine.

In 1899 the brothers organized The Se- bring Land Company, and our subject, on ac- count of his superior executive ability was re- lieved of other duties and delegated to build the town of Sebring. It is a very interesting story of how, within 48 hours, he managed to close deals for 18 farms aggregating 1,000 acres of land in the Mahoning Valley, for which he paid, on an average, $38 per acre. The business interests of Salem on the west and Alliance on the east, both large manufacturing centers. opposed the establishment of an in- dustrial town between, so that Mr. Sebring did

not wait until their opposition took form; but made his plans secure before the locality at large. was aware of the new project. The ultimate purchase embraced 2,000 acres of land, a town was platted and on celebrating its sixth anni- versary in June, 1905, most wonderful results. were shown.

In the establishing of the various utilities necessary for the operation of a prosperous. community, George E. Sebring's efforts have been of a very valuable nature. He was presi- dent and secretary of The Sebring Land Com- pany ; he organized the Sebring Water Works and put in a water supply and subsequently sold it to the Mellens, Pittsburg bankers, who- now have an interest of $75,000 in it. He also organized the Sebring Electric Light & Power Company and this he sold to Pittsburg capital- ists. It was through his efforts that the Farm- ers' Manufacturing Company with their specialty of feed cutters, an artificial-stone plant and electrical repair shops, located at Sebring, and he assisted in the organization of the Tor- rent Pump Company, which has been in opera- tion for four years and organized the Sebring Forging Company. In the erection of churches, of which the city can boast four, he was very active, and was instrumental in the erection of the present two large school buildings and in arranging for accommodations for each and all organizations which the rapidly growing popu- lation required. His energies have been untir- ing and much credit is due him personally for the success of the great enterprise.

In December, 1902, the various holdings of the brothers, then in combination, had grown of so much importance, that it was decided that individual interests and the prosperity of the town would be better preserved if each brother would assume the personal supervision of a branch of the business. George E. Sebring took charge of The Oliver China Company, which established the first pottery built in the town, which has never been closed down since its fires were first built. . It has six ware and six decorating kilns, employs 250 hands and mint- factures a full line of table and toilet ware, making a specialty of fancy and highly decor- ated ware.

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At one time in the development of their in- terests here, the four brothers decided upon building a street car line to connect Sebring with Alliance by trolley and as they were about to form a company to carry out the idea. a financier from Cleveland came to them with the promise of building a through line from Can- ton to Salem if they would drop their negotia- tions. Finally the Stark Electric Railroad was completed, a finely equipped line which gives hourly service with Canton, Salem and other adjacent points.

Although stupendous business interests have claimed so much of his time, Mr. Sebring has found opportunity for some recreation and in 1896 he made a foreign tour, during which he visited Europe, Egypt and Africa, enjoying a trip to Palestine and all through the Holy Land. He owns a fine home at Rock Ledge, Florida, on the Indian River, where he has a productive orange grove, and he spends the greater part of the severe winter weather there. He was a hearty worker in the Methodist Church for. many years in East Palestine and East Liver- pool, and has built a magnificent church at Se- bring, at an outlay of $16,000. He has always been deeply concerned on the temperance ques- tion, although not an adherent of the Prohibi- tion party, and in the founding of this town it was his judgment that made necessary contracts which forever, will prevent the establishing of saloons to mar the peace, plenty and happiness of one of the most attractive and cleanly towns of the State. It gives him great pleasure to be assured that Sebring presents the appearance to the stranger of being the best and most moral town in Ohio. He has also given great thought to the schools and is' a director of Mount Union College.

Mr. Sebring was married, first, in 1882, to Annie L. Harrison, who was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, and was a daughter of George and Margaret (Wood) Harrison, who were among the English pioneers who came to East Liverpool and engaged in the pottery industry. Mr. Harrison died at East Liverpool but his widow still survives and resides at Sebring. Mrs. Sebring, a most estimable lady, widely known and much beloved for her many chari-

ties, died at East Palestine, August 5, 1895, the mother of two children : H. Orvel and Ethel Marie. The former was born in East Liver- pool, August 17, 1883. He passed through the common and high schools, enjoyed two years at Mount Union College and three years at Harvard University. In June, 1904, he grad- uated there in a class of 600, being one of 50. to receive honors and one of the five Ohio graduates to be given the degree of B. A. He is a practical potter, possessing the democratic American ideas which made him, during vaca- tions, don the potter's overalls and go into his- father's works and learn the business from the very bottom. He owns stock and when he went into business was assistant manager of The Oliver China Company, under his father, but in six months he became manager and his father now is assistant. In every way he is capable. Soon after graduation he was mar- ried to Elsa Roderus, of East Palestine, who is a daughter of Henry Roderus who has been the leading grocer there for the past 30 years. The daughter, Ethel Marie, was born at East Pales- tine, December 8, 1893, and is still attending school.

Mr. Sebring was married, second, on Feb- ruary 16, 1897, to Cora H. Harris who was born in Pittsburg but accompanied her pa- rents to Columbiana County in childhood. She is a highly cultured lady, a graduate of the Ohio University. They have three children, viz. : Leland H., born December 8, 1897, de- ceased April 9, 1901; George E., Jr., born September 30, 1902, at Sebring, Ohio; and Paine Murry, born at Rock Ledge, Florida, March 28, 1904. Mr. Sebring owns one of the handsomest homes in Sebring. His portrait .

accompanies this sketch.

ILES McGREGOR, who is the oldest retail lumber merchant at Wells- ville, as well as one of the city's most esteemed citizens, was born in the city of New York, August 27, 1828, and is a son of John and Margaret ( McBane) McGregor.

The parents of Mr. McGregor were both

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born in Inverness, Scotland, where the father followed the trade of tailor until about the age of 35 years, when he immigrated with his family to America. He came to Ohio and was pleased with the land in the vicinity of Wells- ville and finally bought a farm in Yellow Creek township, some two and a half miles from this city. He was a man of wonderful vitality and continued to farm until he was 95 years of age, and after retiring from manual work was still active enough mentally to satis- factorily fill the offices of road supervisor and school director, in his 98th year, the year in which he died. He was a strong Whig in his early days and an ardent Abolitionist and never concealed the fact of his interest in the "Under- ground Railroad." John McGregor married a daughter of Giles McBane, for whom our sub- ject, the eldest son. was named. Of the II children, 10 reached maturity, viz. : Margaret. born in Scotland, who married Alexander Smith, of Wellsville-both are deceased : Giles, of this sketch: William, who lost his life in the Civil War, in which he served as a soldier of the Confederate army; John, of Akron, Ohio: Mary, wife of George Elliott, of Lisbon : Alexander, a resident of Lisbon: Charles, of Wellsville; Emily, wife of David Downey. of Custer County, Nebraska : Jane, wife of Sam- uel Culp, of St. Louis; and Donald, of Cleve- land. The parents were members of the Pres- byterian Church.

It seems almost a matter of happy chance that our, esteemed subject was born on Ameri- can soil, the event taking place shortly after his parents landed from Scotland, on their way to Ohio. He was reared on the home farm in Yellow Creek township until the age of 18 years, attending the local schools as opportun- ity afforded. On April 1. 1848, he left the farm as his inclinations did not lead in the direction of an agricultural life, and came to Wellsville where he went to work for the grocery firm of Lawson & Cavode, with whom he continued until April 1. 1850. In 1848 A. IV. Smith & Company had established a saw- mill at Wellsville, and now Mr. McGregor rented a third of their mill and went into busi- ness for himself, continuing to rent until April,

1856, when he purchased William Smith's half and the firm name became Smith & Mc- Gregor and so continued until February, 1871, when Mr. McGregor bought his partner's in- terest.

Since that date Mr. McGregor has con- tinued in business alone under his own name and has led a very busy life. Having sawed up all the available timber in this section, and also on account of competition from Southern mills, he closed up his plant in 1898 and sold his machinery and since that time has sold lumber only at retail. He handles some 1,500,- 000 feet of lumber annually-white pine. yel- low pine, hemlock and some oak-and also sells sash, doors and blinds.

Mr. McGregor married Sophia L. Moore, daughter of Jesse Moore, of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and they have two children : Jesse of Columbus, Ohio; and Margaret Jane, wife of Charles Schultz, of Wellsville. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church, Mr. McGregor being an elder. Politically he is a Democrat. He was a city councilman for eight years and for a long period was township treasurer.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 87

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