USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 89
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In the days when he was a boy in Germany, the youth of 12 years was considered old enough to begin an apprenticeship to some self- supporting trade and he accordingly spent four years learning to be a practical tinner. Com- plying with the law of the land, he then traveled up and down the country, working as a jour- neyman, for three years, when he was deemed sufficiently experienced to enter into business for himself. He took advantage of this per- mit and opened up a shop at Minden, Prussia, although then but 18 years old. As soon as he began to prosper he married, probably in 1834, for soon after he and his wife came to America,
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reaching the city of Baltimore, Maryland, in 1835.
Mr. Koll did not establish a business there but settled at New Brighton, Pennsylvania, where he remained' until 1844, when he came to Salem. Here he embarked first in a tin- "ware business, shortly afterward adding stoves to his stock, and for many years he continued in this line of trade. His business capacity was of the best as was shown in subsequent years, when he was invited to become director and stockholder in various large business enter- prises here. He was one of the charter mem- bers of the Victor Stove Company, with which he remained connected as long as he was active in business, which company is still controlled by members of the family. His public spirit was notable and he was mainly instrumental in "the establishment of the Salem gas plant, when many more conservative citizens still thought "old ways" sufficiently good. From 1865 until 1869 he operated the Salem water-works sys- tem. His long business career was one marked by honorable methods and in perfect conso- nance with the rigid rules of the Quaker faith to which he subscribed all his life. For many years he was an acceptable preacher in the So- ciety of Friends, with which body he became united at Minden, transferring his member- "ship to the United States when he settled in America. On several occasions he visited Eng- land, Ireland and Wales in the interests of the society. He was unassuming in manner and reticent concerning the large amount of charity he annually dispensed. He passed away crowned not only with honored age but also with respect, esteem and affection.
Mr. Koll was married twice; first, in Ger- many, to Julia Seebohm, who died at Salem, Ohio, in 1866, aged 56 years. They had eight children, namely: Mary, deceased; Benjamin S., of St. Louis : Mrs. Lydia K. Lightfoot. who lives in Butler township near Salem; Joseph, who died in 1901 ; William H., who is president and treasurer of the Victor Stove Company, of Salem; Mrs. Esther K. Tolerton, of Alli- ance. whose husband has large banking inter- ests there; Charles, who is manager for a stove firm in Chicago; and Mrs. Martha K. Otis, of 'Sherwood, New York.
Mr. Koll's second union was with Mary J. Fawcett, who was born in 1810 and still sur- vives, being the oldest native resident of Salem who has spent a whole life here. At the time of his decease, Mr. Koll resided on Lincoln avenue, Salem, where burial services were held, interment being at Winona.
MRS. LYDIA K. LIGHTFOOT, whose beauti- ful home in section 3, Butler township, is noticeable both on account of its substantial construction and for its fine situation, is the widow of the late Benjamin Lightfoot and the oldest surviving daughter of Karl Daniel and Julia (Seebohm) Koll. She was born in Penn- sylvania, and on May 20, 1880, she was united in marriage with the late Benjamin H. Light- foot.
Benjamin H. Lightfoot was born August 15, 1827, near Philadelphia, coming from one of the oldest Quaker families of the country. He settled at Pittsburg about 1878 and there was actively engaged in business until within a short time of his decease. He was an im- portant factor in business circles there for more than a quarter of a century and was very well known.
Mr. Lightfoot was a consistent Quaker and not only carried into the affairs of his daily life the practice of the precepts learned at his mother's knee in childhood, but made them a foundation stone upon which he built up busi- ness success. Everywhere was his advice sought and respected for he was recognized as a man whose moral preceptions were never dimmed by passion or sullied by speculation, a man who was public-spirited, charitable and just, who could view a subject from all sides and give an impartial opinion. Such was the late Benjamin H. Lightfoot in the eyes of his fellow-citizens. He was always a notable figure in every gathering, clad in his broad- brimmed Quaker hat and suit of black, these being worn through life in spite of changes in the fashion of masculine attire. He was free, however, from all affectation and, in the midst of public greed and shameful money-making schemes, lived a quiet, honorable, prosperous business life.
The death of Mr. Lightfoot was mourned at Pittsburg and at other places where he was
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well known, especially at Salem where his wife's family had so long been prominent. Al- though he had reached the age of 76 years, his health was not seriously impaired, and when his last illness came upon him it was not re- garded as probably fatal until within a few days of his death, which took place at his home at No. 5225 Center avenue, Shadyside, Pitts- burg. His burial was at Philadelphia, where he was laid by the side of members of his family, for generations gone.
After the death of her husband, Mrs. Light- foot, with their one son, Ferris, removed to Ohio, deciding to locate in the neighborhood of Salem, near other members of her family. She selected a valuable tract of land in section 25, Butler township, Columbiana County, com- ing to take possession in July, 1903. Here she has erected a handsome brick residence of modern pattern and equipped with all the con- veniences which now serve to make a rural home superior to a city one. Its location is three miles west of Salem, on the public high- way, and has the convenience of the Stark Electric Railroad running before the door.
Mrs. Lightfoot, like her father and hus- band, is a consistent member of the Society of Friends.
K ENNETH P. BEATTIE, one of the well-known residents of East Liv- erpool, a general designer and mod- eler of pottery, was born at the great manufacturing city of Birmingham, England, April 20, 1865. Mr. Beattie's parents were William C. and Charlotte E. ( Pewtress) Beattie.
As surely as physical features and char- acteristics are reproduced in one generation after another, mental gifts and artistic abil- ity are inherited in more or less degree. and this has notably been the case with our subject, whose grandfather, William Beattie, was a sculptor who stood very high in his profession in his day. His work was so highly consid- ered that it was exhibited for years in the Roy- al Academy
William C. Beattie, father of our subject,
died May 6, 1881, aged but 41 years, but dur- ing this period he had established a reputa- tion for fine designing, that made him one of the most valued men of his profes- sion in one of the largest artistic designing establishments in New England. His train- ing had been secured in one of the leading art schools of London, after which he. opened a studio at Birmingham. In 1879 he came to America and entered the employ of Reed & Barton, the great silverware manufac- turers at Taunton, Massachusetts. To him was entrusted, thenceforth until his death, all the choice artistic work of this firm and also the oversight of their factory. The great silver centerpiece which this firm displayed at the" Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, which received the highest prize awarded silver ex- hibits, was the beautiful work of William C. Beattie. He married a lady who also is an artist, her work in china painting placing her far beyond the amateur class. She was born in 1838 at Iping, England, where her, father's- paper-mills led in the industries of the sec- tion. After remaining a widow for some years, she married T. W. Field and now resides at Brooklyn, New York. Mr. and Mrs. Beattie. had three children : Herbert William, a sculp- tor. of Quincy, Massachusetts; Kenneth P., of this sketch; and Wilfred Percival, a wood engraver, of Brooklyn, New York. All three. sons inherited artistic tendencies and each one has become prominent in his own special line.
Upon the death of his father, our subject entered the employ of Reed & Barton, spend- ing his first year in the factory in order to gain the desirable practical experience and then en- tered the designing room. During the succeed- ing year he worked here and three times a week attended classes in art at the Boston Conserva- tory, preparatory to pursuing higher study in England. In 1883 he went to London and spent two years in the South Kensington Mus- eum, where his work won him a bronze medal and two Queen's prizes. Upon his return to New York, he entered into partnership with his brother Herbert and they opened a studio. there. their combined work meeting with popu- lar approval. Our subject had made a special.
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study of pottery work with the idea of giving his main attention to this branch and in 1887 he found an opportunity to pursue it in an offer from Knowles, Taylor &. Knowles, of East Liverpool, Ohio. This he accepted and entered the designing room of this firm and continued for three years in charge of the de- singing of their pottery. He then opened an independent studio and from that time until the present has been engaged in general design- ing. His work possesses the highest artistic ex- cellence and he commands the patronage of many exclusive firms and private dealers.
Mr. Beattie was married September 26, 1898, to Helen Barrett, who is a daughter of George W. Barrett, of Ravenna, Portage Coun- ty, Ohio. She is a member of the Dutch Re- formed church at Cleveland, Ohio.
Mr. Beattie has never taken any very active interest in political affairs, his temperament and ambitions not leading him to desire any public honors. His fraternal relations are with the Masons, being a member of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M. and East Liverpool Chap- ter, No. 100, R. A. M.
L EWIS WALKER, one of the leading citizens of West township, a survivor of the Civil War and for the past 24 years a justice of the peace, was born in Stark County, Ohio, five miles from his present home which is situated in section 22. He is a son of Walter R. and Eveline ( Edwards) Walker.
Both parents of Mr. Walker were born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, where the fam- ilies have been known since before the Revolu- tionary War, Walter R. Walker was a son ·of Jacob Walker, who was born in 1776 and married Rachel Craig, who was born near the Brandywine, in Delaware. Jacob Walker was a son of John Walker, who was born in Ire- land and immigrated at a very early day to Chester County. Pennsylvania, where he lived to the age of 80 years. His tomb may be found at Kennett Square. Jacob Walker also lived to advanced age, being 92 years old at
the time of death. On the maternal side, our subject's mother is a descendant of William Edwards, who came to America from Wales in 1682 and settled in Hook township, Chester County his wife was Eleanor Plummer and the records of their marriage can still be seen in the Friends' Meeting House there.
Walter R. Walker, father of Lewis, moved to Stark County, Ohio, in 1835, and purchased the land on which he died in 1896, aged 86 years. He married in 1837 and his wife died in 1872, in her 52nd year. They had six chil- dren, viz: Ann, wife of Thomas Newcomer, of Stark County; William, who served three years during the Civil War, a member of the 104th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., was wounded at the battle of Utoy Creek, Georgia, he mar- ried Caroline Stelling and has four daughters, all of whom are married; Hiram, also a soldier in the Civil War, serving three years in the 104th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., who married Sarah Willis after the war was over; Lewis, of of this sketch; Walter, who married Emma Bricker ;and Lydia E., now residing with her second husband at Wilburn, Illinois, who has been twice married, first to John Lucas and second to Peter Strong.
Lewis Walker was the third son of this loy- al family to enter the army in the Civil War. He served three months in the 184th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., taking part in the great battle of Perryville. He was married, first, in 1869, to Mary Ann Kelley, who was a daughter of James Kelley, a native of Columbiana County, Ohio, and they had five children. Of these, Julia E. married Elson Irons, of West town- ship, now of Wellsville, and has five children,- Karl, Mildred, Elson, Gertrude and George W .; and Zua married Austin Haycock, a grocer and provision merchant at Sebring, Ohio, and has four children,-Ellen, Ford, Erla. who is a school teacher and Vesta, deceased. Mrs. Wal- ker died October 5, 1885, in her 34th year. The second marriage of Mr. Walker was to Lou Emma Summer, who is a daughter of Noah and Susan (Aspey) Summer, the for- mer of whom was born at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, and the latter at North George- town, Columbiana County, Ohio. Besides Mrs.
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Walker, the following constituted the family of Mr. and Mrs. Summer : Mary Ann, wife of Jefferson Milbourn; Malinda, wife of Albert Ruff ; John A., a farmer and cheese manufac- turer ; Lucy A., wife of A. C. Smith; Harriet, wife of Daniel Ruff ; Joseph B., deceased, and Amanda, wife of Allen W. Pedlar. Mr. and Mrs. Walker have one child, Paul Russell, born March 26, 1892.
Politically Mr. Walker is a Republican. For the past 24 years he has administered justice officially in West township and his judicial de- cisions have given universal satisfaction. In his church relations he belongs to the Bible Christian Church at East Rochester. He is one of the active and interested members of Grand Army Post, No. 106, Department of Ohio, and is fraternally connected with Minerva Lodge, No. 551, F. & A. M.
EORGE C. MURPHY, secretary and treasurer of the George C. Murphy Pottery Company, of East Liverpool, was born at Browns- ville, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1857, and is a son of Thomas B. and Jane (Coffin ) Murphy.
Our subject comes of Revolutionary stock, his great-grandfather, Henry Murphy, having come from Ireland to the American Colonies prior to the Revolutionary War. During the war he was a resident of Philadelphia but later settled in Fayette County, where he established the homestead. His wife Susan lived to the age of 98 years, dying in 1844, having sur- vived her husband for sixteen years. An an- cestor of our subject's mother, Capt. Tristan Coffin. was one of the original purchasers of Nantucket Island from the Indians for two beaver hats and $150. He was a sea captain and was once captured by pirates.
George Coffin, our subject's maternal grand father, was made a Mason in Lodge No. 25, in London, England, and his card of demit, which is now in the possession of his grand- son. hears the date of 1809.
Henry Murphy, our subject's paternal grandfather, was born in November, 1794, in
his father's home in Fayette County, Penn- sylvania. He carried on extensive farming. and stock-raising operations on the Murphy homestead for many years but his later days were made wearisome on account of rheuma- tism. He was a man of importance .in his locality and was chosen to fill many of the local offices on various occasions, serving as super- visor, trustee and most probably as justice of the peace. He always supported the Whig par- ty. Henry Murphy was married, first, to Mary Hempstead, who was a daughter of Jeremiah Hempstead. She was born near Uniontown,. Fayette County, Pennsylvania, in November, 1796 and died in 1834. Five of their six chil- dren grew to maturity, viz : Mary Ann, Joshua. and Henry, deceased; Thomas B., father of our subject ; James, deceased, and Susan, who died in infancy. The second marriage was to Nancy Palmer, also of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and they had five children, namely : John, Sam- uel, Susan, Sevilla and John West. Henry Mur- phy was a member of the Presbyterian church, but his first wife, our subject's grandmother, belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Our subject came to East Liverpool, Ohio, with his parents in 1874. His father, Thomas B. Murphy, was born in the old home, Jeffer- son township. Fayette County, Pennsylvania, six miles east of Brownsville, on February 18, 1829,. and was reared on the home farm where he remained until 19 years of age, when he learned the carpenter's trade. He served an apprentice- ship of three years and followed the trade until 1852. After his marriage he moved to Farm- ington, Virginia, (now West Virginia), where he formed a partnership with Elijah Morris and J. C. Price in a general mercantile busi- ness, the firm name being Murphy, Morris & Company. The enterprise was successfully conducted for three years and then Mr. Mur- phy sold out his interest and returned to Brownsville, Pennsylvania. where he embarked in a grocery business and remained there so engaged until 1874. in which year he came to Ohio and embarked in a grocery business at East Liverpool, in association with our sub- ject. the firm name being Thomas B. Murphy & Son. This honorable old firm name has re- mained unchanged, each son becoming a part-
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ner upon the withdrawal of his predecessor. Harry E., the youngest son, entered the busi- ness in 1901. It has long been one of the lead- ing concerns in its line of trade in the city and the same honorable business methods instituted by its founder still rule the house.
Thomas B. Murphy was united in marriage with Sarah Jane Coffin, who was born at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1830, and. is a daughter of George Coffin. Eight children were born to this marriage, namely: Mary, who died aged 21 years; Ollie, who lives at home; George C., the immediate sub- ject of this sketch; Charles, deceased, who was a resident of Salem; Ella, who is the widow of Theodore Kober and resides with her father ; Emma' Jane, who is the wife of George R. E. Gilchrist, an attorney at Wheeling, West Vir- ginia ; and Harry E., the junior partner in the firm of Thomas B. Murphy & Son. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Although Thomas B. Murphy is a stanch Republican, he is in no way a politician and no political office is attractive enough to in- duce him to put aside his business interests and give it his attention. He has been quite prominent in the affairs of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for many years. He is past grand of East Liverpool Lodge, No. 379, is chief patriarch of East Liverpool Encamp- ment, No. 107, and is lieutenant colonel in the Patriarchs Militant, Canton Rhodes, No. 73. He belongs also to the Order of United Ameri- can Mechanics.
When George C. Murphy came to East Liverpool, he was yet a schoolboy and he com- pleted his education in the East Liverpool High School. He then entered his father's store with whom he continued until he was 20 years old and then entered the employ of William Erlanger, a well-known retail clothing dealer of this city. He continued here until he had thoroughly learned the business, leaving his employer in 1889 in order to embark in the same business on his own account. He con- tinued in the clothing business for eight years, his store having a good location on the "Dia- mond," and then disposed of it and in 1897 or- ganized the George C. Murphy Pottery Com-
pany, of which he has been secretary and treas- urer ever since.
This company began business in the old pottery of Mountford & Company, which they purchased, but in 1901, they sold the pottery to The East Liverpool Potteries Company, of which Mr. Murphy served as president for one and a half years. In July, 1903, the George C. Murphy Pottery Company repurchased their former pottery and continued to operate it until it was destroyed by fire on March 4, 1904. This entailed a great loss to the com- pany and to the city's industries as the busi- ness was a good one and their wares, semi-por- celain dinner ware and fine decorated ware, were in great demand wherever known.
On June 15, 1904, Mr. Murphy went to Barberton, Ohio, where he accepted a posi- tion as general manager of the Barberton pot- tery, which he resigned on June 1, 1905, and returned to East Liverpool and again occupied. his comfortable home at No. 210 Third street .. For some three years prior to removing to Bar- berton, Mr. Murphy had been a director in The First National Bank. For 12 .years he served the city as a member of the Board of Educa- tion, but otherwise accepted no public office, be- ing like his father a good citizen with no self- seeking motives. He is identified politically with the Republican party.
Mr. Murphy married Mary E. Croxall, who is a daughter of Jesse Croxall, one of East Liverpool's early potters, and they have two children : Jessie O. and Helen. They are mem- bers of the First Presbyterian Church, of East Liverpool, in which Mr. Murphy has been an elder for 12 years. He has also been clerk of sessions and Sunday school superintendent. His fraternal relations are mainly with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows.
OSIAH ROHRBAUGH. One of the attractive homes in the environs of Columbiana, a substantial brick resi- dence with cheerful surroundings, is the property of Mrs. Maria Rohr- baugh, who is the widow of the late Josiah Rohrbaugh, who for many years was identified with this town and all its important interests.
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He was born May 12, 1833, in Beaver town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and was a son of Samuel and Catherine ( Motter ) Rohrbaugh, who were natives of Pennsylvania.
After four years residence in Lewistown, Ohio, after leaving his father's farm, Mr. Rohrbaugh moved to Columbiana, Columbiana County, Ohio, where he opened up the first shoe business in the place and thus was one of the earliest business citizens. He was a man of determined character and he was called upon very soon to assume the duties of office in the growing place. He served in almost all of the responsible local positions to which the votes of his fellow-citizens could elevate him, including that of mayor, and for 27 years was justice of the peace, his death in 1897 prevent- ing his serving out his last term. At one per- iod he was postmaster and there are few im- portant records of the city's development on file which do not allude in some way to this useful, liberal and public-spirited citizen. He soon became a property owner and erected his comfortable home, which now stands just be- yond the corporate limits, but was then in the midst of a clover field. He was one of the organizers of the Masonic lodge at Columbi- ana and a zealous member of the same all his life. He was one of the leading members of Grace Reformed Church and pastor and peo- ple always found him ready to cooperate with them in all the branches of religious work. For years he was Sunday-school superintend- ent, was also choir leader and held some posi- tion or other on the official board. A member of a large family, two brothers and three sis- ters survive him.
Mr. Rohrbaugh was married in Mahoning County, Ohio, in December, 1860, to Maria Catherine Sponseller, who is a daughter of the late Conrad and Nancy (Seachrist) Sponsel- ler. The father died January 29, 1875. The mother of Mrs. Rohrbaugh was a daughter of Jacob and Christina (Foulk) Seachrist. Jacob Seachrist was born in 1760 in Adams County, Pennsylvania, married there in 1786 and in 1814 moved with his wife, four sons and five daughters to Ohio and settled near (New) Lisbon. In the following year he purchased
of Benjamin Hanna the southwest quarter of section 3. Fairfield township, where the Colum- biana Cemetery is now located. He died Feb- ruary 23. 1831 and his wife died August I, 1827.
Mr. and Mrs. Rohrbaugh had three children born to them, two of whom survive, viz. : John Manhattan and Annie. The former is now a resident of Canton, Ohio. He married Lou- ise Baumsbarger, who is a daughter of Abra- ham Baumsbarger, a retired farmer of Colum- biana. They have three children,-Carl Hay- den. Julia and Alice. Annie is the wife of Homer J. Miller, also a resident of Canton. They have two children,-Aden Rohrbaugh and Helen.
When Mr. Rohrbaugh was called from earth, he still had very many large interests in his possession. Owing to the business capac- ity of his widow and his two children, all these interests were carefully looked after and they satisfactorily settled up 14 different estates for the heirs. Mrs. Rohrbaugh owns three lots in her home place, 160 feet deep, and a large part of this space she devotes to garden- ing. She is numbered with the older, residents and says she can recall when every face she met in the village was a familiar one. She is a member of Grace Reformed Church and of its missionary society.
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