History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 92

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

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Charles Brock, the father of Mrs. Mount- ford. was widely known as an expert potter of Hanley. He was superintendent of the Mor- ley's pottery for many years, both under that gentleman and after it became the property of Ashworth Brothers. Later he bought the plant and operated it until a few years before his death, when he retired to enjoy the competency he had acquired in the manufacture of the fine ware for which he became famous.

ILLIAM M. HOSTETTER, secre- tary and treasurer of The Colum- biana County Mutual Insurance Company, has long been one of the most active and public-spirited business citizens of Lisbon. He has resided in this city throughout his entire life, with the exception of the years spent in the Union Army during the Civil War, and through his connec- tion with various enterprises and industries has become widely acquainted in this section of the State.

Mr. Hostetter was born in Lisbon, Ohio, in 1838, and is a son of William and Lydia T. (Helman) Hostetter. His grandfather, David Hostetter, was born at Baltimore, Maryland, and in 1806 moved from that. city to Lisbon, Ohio, the town being then known as New Lis- bon. Here he built and conducted the Com- mercial Hotel, which has been conducted con- tinuously since. It was one of the first hotels in the county, and after the death of David Hostetter was operated by his son, William. He was the father of three sons: William : David, who served in the War of 1812 and was a resident of Stark County, Ohio, at the time of his death; and Joseph, also a resident of Stark County.

William Hostetter, father of our subject, was born at Baltimore, Maryland, in 1799, and was about seven years of age when taken by his parents to Lisbon, Ohio. He at one time conducted an iron furnace near Lisbon and after the death of his father conducted the Commercial Hotel. He located on what is known as the Mckinley farm in West town- ship, but this he sold when he was chosen to serve as sheriff of Columbiana County, being the first Republican to serve in that capacity. He served two terms, from 1855 to 1859, after which he purchased the Brown farm near Lis- bon, where he made his home until the war, when he located in the city where he served as provost marshal and also engaged in the mercantile business. He continued in the grocery business in Lisbon until 1877 and then moved to a farm in Madison township, where he lived until a short time before his death. He died at the Hostetter House, then the home of our subject. December 4, 1884, at the age of 86 years. He was at that time possibly the only man living in Ohio, who had attended the funeral of George Washington in 1799, hav- ing been about six months old at the time. He was joined in marriage with Lydia T. Hel- man, who was born at Hanover, Maryland, about 20 miles from the city of Baltimore, and was a daughter of Martin Helman, who re- moved with his family to Lisbon, Ohio, in 1806. Here he built the Hamilton Block, which has been in use ever since. He kept a general store until his death in 1844, when his son, Charles F., took the store and ran it until 1850. In that year A. J. Blocksom assumed charge of it and continued until his death in February, 1869. In that year the firm of Hant- ilton & Hostetter, our subject being the junior member, bought the store and conducted it until 1872, when Mr. Hamilton became sole proprietor. Mr. Helman and his wife had three children, namely: Magdalena, who mar- ried John Watson, one of the family that built the Watson House (now the Hostetter House), and died at Newgarden in 1850: Charles F .. who removed to Cincinnati in 1850 and died there about 20 years later ; and Lydia T. (Mrs. William Hostetter), who died on the home

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farm in Madison township in 1882 at the age of 83 years. William Hostetter and his faith- ful wife became the parents of seven children, as follows: Laura, who died on the Mckinley farm in August, 1854, aged 35 years; Susan M., residing at East Liverpool, who is now 76 years of age; David C., aged 73 years, who is living a retired life at Dayton, Ohio; Theresa, who married David A. Pritchard and died in 1870, aged 40 years; William M .; Horace H., who died in 1847, aged six years; and Caro- line A., who died in 1872, aged about 23 years.

William M. Hostetter was reared and edu- cated at Lisbon, and was less than 17 years of age when he was made deputy sheriff, serving under his father and also two years under Sheriff Jesse Duck. On the first call of Presi- dent Lincoln for volunteers, he enlisted in the 19th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf., and imme- diately saw active service at the front. Upon the expiration of his term of enlistment, he reenlisted in the 115th Regiment, Ohio Vol. Inf. He was at that time appointed adjutant of the regiment, and directly afterward was made captain of Company K, serving in that capacity until he was forced to resign on ac- count of illness. He participated in numerous important engagements, among them the first victory of the war, July 11, 1861, at Rich Mountain, West Virginia. Returning from the army, he engaged in the livery business at Lisbon, and continued until 1869, when he em- barked in the drug business as a member of the firm of Hamilton & Hostetter. In the mean- time he was appointed by President Grant as postmaster of Lisbon. He continued in the drug business until 1872 when he sold his in- terest to his partner. In 1873 he started in the drug and hardware business with C. B. Dickey, buying out the interest of R. B. Pritchard. Two years later he purchased the interest of his partner and continued the store alone until 1877, when he sold to the firm of King & Young. He was elected sheriff of Columbiana County in the fall of that year and served two terms of two years each, his second term ex- piring in 1882. The following year he en- gaged in the gentlemen's furnishing business and in 1884 bought what is now the Hostetter House, conducting the latter very successfully

until May, 1889, when he sold it to A. J. Griswold and John Hartzell. In 1892, Mr. Hostetter purchased the "H. V. George Drug Store" from J. S. Marquis, and conducted it until 1894 when he sold it to Hepburn & Mor- gan. He was then retired from business activ- ity for three years, but in 1896 became presi- dent of The Columbiana County Mutual In -- surance Company, one of the oldest mutual insurance companies in the United States and the oldest in Ohio. He served successfully in this capacity until January 1, 1901, since which time he has been secretary and treasurer. A brief sketch of this company, showing Mr. Hostetter's connection with it, appears else- where in this work. He is a man of recognized business ability, and is highly esteemed for his excellent qualities wherever known. He has served as director of the above-named com- pany since 1877, and to him is due much of the credit for its excellent standing and financial condition.

William M. Hostetter was joined in mar- riage with Rosaline S. McCaskey, of Lisbon, who was born at Wellsville, Ohio, and is a daughter of A. G. McCaskey, who was post- master of Lisbon a number of years and died here in 1882, aged about 64 years. He was born in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and was- brought to Columbiana County in infancy. Three children were born to bless this union : William A., who died at the age of nine. months; Horace E., who died in 1878, aged eight years, five months and 18 days; and Emma Josephine, who married Frank R. Gailey, a merchant at Lisbon and has two chil- dren,-William D., aged 17 years, and Ariel H., aged eight years. Our subject has a fine residence at No. 148 East Walnut street. Poli- tically, he has always been a stanch Republi- can, casting his first vote for Lincoln. He was chosen the first supervisor of elections in 1804. and in 1900 was supervisor of the census for the 18th Congressional District of Ohio. Fra- ternally, he is a 32nd degree Mason, being a member of Salem Commandery. and a charter member of Pittsburg Consistory. He is also- an Odd Fellow of high standing and a mem- ber of Star Post, No. 138. G. A. R. Mrs. Hostetter is a member of the Christian Church ..

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LOUIS NILE, M. D., one of the ex- perienced and prominent physicians and surgeons of East Liverpool, was born near Salineville, Columbiana County, Ohio, February 3, 1869, and is a son of Levi and Jane ( Russell) Nile.

The Nile family claims Scotch, Irish and French ancestry. The founders were early set- tlers in this section of Ohio. Levi Nile, father of Dr. Nile, was born in Columbiana County, March 1, 1825. His whole life has been de- voted to agricultural pursuits, with the excep- tion of a few years in his youth, when he fol- lowed the river. His present home is in Jef- ferson County, Ohio, where he has served as township trustee and in other offices to which he has been elected as a Democrat. He mar- ried Jane Russell, a daughter of James Rus- sell, of Carroll County, and they had a fan- ily of six children, namely : James R., of Saline- ville; Martha M., widow of A. M. McCoy, of Wellsville; Isabella N., widow of Franklin Telfer, of Wellsville; Dora, widow of William Faloon, of Salineville ; Mervin J., deceased ; and J. Louis, of East Liverpool. The mother of this family died in 1895, aged 68 years. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Levi Nile has been a church trustee and has held other offices at various times, be- ing one of the pillars of the church in his lo- cality.

Dr. Nile remained at home until the age of 14 years, attending the local schools, and then was sent to the Northeast Ohio Normal School, where he enjoyed a thorough training extending over four years. He was called home on account of the accidental death of his brother and did not resume his studies in the institution referred to. He then turned his at- tention to the study of medicine under the pre- ceptorship of Dr. A. J. Lindsay, of Saline- ville, going from there to Canton, Ohio, where he continued his reading for two more years and then entered the College of Physician and Surgeons at Baltimore, Maryland, where he completed a four-years course in 1892.

After receiving his degree, Dr. Nile settled at Fostoria, Ohio, where he engaged in suc- cessful practice for nine years, but, finding that

the malaria prevalent there brought ill health on himself and family, in 1901 he removed to Oklahoma. After two years in the West, he returned to his native State and settled at East Liverpool, where he has already established a very satisfactory practice.

Dr. Nile married Dorothy Hill, a daughter of James B. and Lucy E. Hill, of Canton, Ohio. They are leading members of the First Presby- terian Church, of East Liverpool. Fraternally he is a Knight of Pythias, a member of the lodge at Kansas, Ohio.

HE COLUMBIANA COUNTY MU- TUAL INSURANCE COMPANY, with headquarters at Lisbon, is the oldest mutual insurance company in Ohio and does an extensive business throughout the State.

This company, which has been one of the most successful enterprises of Columbiana County, was organized and chartered March 2, 1837, by many of the most prominent citizens of Lisbon and vicinity, including the follow- ing : Benjamin Hanna; Samuel Shriver ; Will- iam Helman ; Peter Speaker ; James H. Shields ; Godfrey Beaumont ; Henry Trumick; William Carey; David Whitaker; Levi and Joshua Hanna (uncles of the distinguished statesman, Marcus A. Hanna) ; Charles F. Helman ; Jon- athan Hamilton, Jr .; John Armstrong; James McElroy; William D. Lepper, Jr., and Martin Helman. From this representative body of men were chosen a board of directors, and the following officers were elected: Anson L. Brewer, president ; Benjamin Pritchard, treas- urer ; and David Anderson, secretary. J. F. Benner served some years as president, and upon his death in 1896 he was succeeded by William M. Hostetter, who filled that office until January 1, 1901. Dr. William Moore has since served as president, and William M. Hostetter, as secretary and treasurer. The present board of directors includes the follow- ing : S. J. Firestone; Nicholas Way ; George B. Harvey; Dr. William Moore; F. R. Gailey ; F. M. Benner ; S. D. Longshore ; D. A. Pritch-

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ard; and William M. Hostetter. The main office of this company has been at Lisbon since its organization, and sub-agents are located throughout the State. The company has en- joyed wonderful success and at the present time carries risks in Ohio amounting to $4,000,000. Its wonderful growth and business success in recent years is directly attributable to the energy and enterprise of its officers, who are men of the highest standing in business affairs.

ILL L. THOMPSON. The name of Will L. Thompson is almost a household one in the musical world and his personality is one of the most highly regarded in East

Liverpool. Mr. Thompson is claimed as an Ohio product, for it was in this State he was developed, having been brought here when but one year of age. He was born in Beaver Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, November 7, 1847, and is a son of the late Josiah and Sarah (Jackman) Thompson, and a grandson of William and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson. In another part of this work will be found extended notice of the late Josiah Thompson, a citizen who for years was closely identified with the material growth and civilizing development of East Liverpool and environs.

The musical talent which has made Will L. Thompson known over the world, wherever the English language is understood, developed early. Fortunately his father was appreciative of the lad's great gifts and possessed the means with which to give him a complete musical edu- cation, in connection with a liberal literary one. After completing the public school course at East Liverpool, he was placed at Beaver Acad- emy, Beaver, Pennsylvania, where he was pre- pared for Mount Union College, his musical education keeping pace with that in other lines. In 1870 he went to Boston where he continued his musical studies under private tutors and in 1873 became a student at the New England Conservatory of Music in that city. During the latter part of his sojourn there he came under the special instruction of the great Carlyle Petersyllia.

In 1876 Mr. Thompson decided to go

abroad to study, desiring to pay special at- tention to advanced harmony and composition. During his absence from America, he studied at the Conservatory of Music at Leipsic, Ger- inany, enjoying the advantages of special train- ing under many of the most celebrated musicians of the time.

Many lovers of music who still enjoy many of the tender, expressive songs which have had wide popularity all over the country, may be surprised to learn that a number of them were composed before Mr. Thompson had reached his majority. He was only 16 years old when he wrote "Darling Minnie Gray." which had a large sale. In 1875 he wrote four songs which have been sung, and still are cher- ished, all over the United States, viz. : "Gather- ing Shells From the Seashore." "Drifting With the Tide." "My Home on the Old Ohio" and "Under the Moonlit Sky." These musical gems he offered to a then well-known pub- lisher, asking the modest sum of $100. But, with the usual conservatism of publishers when considering the work of young aspirants, he was informed that his demands were unreason- able and that, in fact, publishers had no diffi- culty in securing compositions from young composers for nothing. In the light of his future success, this dictum is amusing reading, but Mr. Thompson knew the value of his work and, having no intention of contributing freely to the publisher's banking account, took his manuscripts back home with him. While of a deeply artistic nature, he had inherited from his able father a goodly supply of business ability also, and soon after his return to this city he started a publishing business of his own. His songs immediately met the popular taste and Mr. Thompson had the satisfaction, within less than a year, of receiving cheques from the former indifferent publisher amounting to many times the original $100.

After his return from Europe, Mr. Thomp- son continued in the publishing business, added the handling of all kinds of musical instruments and built up a business in this line second to none in the country. In 1891 he established The Thompson Music Company in Chicago, and during the succeeding two years gave a large portion of his time to making it a suc-

JOHN S. METZGER, M. D.

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cess. In 1893 the business was incorporated and since that time he has not been identified with the company in an official position.

Mr. Thompson's musical efforts cover a wide range. Perhaps he is in his happiest vein when writing concert quartets. His composi- tions are not of an ephemeral sort, pleasing only a passing fancy, but they have the quali- ties which ensure their lasting sale.

One of the remarkable compositions, as to popular approval, was "Come Where the Lilies Bloom" and scarcely less so were "Moonlight Will Come Again" and "When My Ship Comes Over the Sea," the demand for these concert quartets still being constant. Mr. Thompson has also written many of the most enduring Gospel songs-they are in all the church hymnals and are sung from one end of the country to the other and throughout the Christian world, as sure as the Sabbath dawns. His melodies are hummed to the sound of the pick and shovel in far off Alaska and in mis- sion churches in foreign lands where homesick Americans softly chant them with double significance. Particularly we refer to "Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling," "Lead Me Gently Home, Father." "Jesus is All the World to Me" and many others. Perhaps 200 pieces of music is too small an estimate of the finished productions which have emanated from Mr. Thompson's prolific pen. It is estimated that the combined sales of his concert quartets, the most popular quartets ever written by any com- poser, have reached 2,000,000 copies. Among his latest books are "The New Century Hymnal," "Thompson's Anthem Quartets" and "Thompson's Class and Concert." all of which are very popular.

In his own city Mr. Thompson is highly appreciated. Quoting from an issue of an East Liverpool newspaper of several years since, we see the following estimate :

"Perhaps the most widely-known citizen of East Liverpool is Will L. Thompson, the musician. He is a song writer of national reputation. Few people of this city realize to what extent his name has gone abroad. We, who have known him in his boyhood days and :associated with him in every-day life, are apt

to forget that this quiet, unassuming gentle- man, who greets us with genuine, friendly in- terest, is one of the most widely-known song writers of the country. It is only those who know him intimately in his home life, and see him at his professional work in his study at the old family mansion, who fully realize his genius and superior attainments."

From the Musical Messenger we quote: "Mr. Thompson has sought to please the masses with his compositions and he has succeeded. He has displayed genius and rare talent. His music is well written and will bear analysis. It is good, refining and elevating."

Mr. Thompson is perhaps the largest real estate owner in East Liverpool. One of his best buildings (the Boston Store Building) was destroyed in the notable "Diamond"' fire in February, 1905, but steps were immediately taken to rebuild. He has a beautiful home on the boulevard just north of the city and a charming winter residence at Savannah, Georgia.

Mr. Thompson married Elizabeth Johnson, who is a daughter of the late Dr Robert John- son. of Wellsville, Ohio, and they have one son, William Leland. The family are members of the First Presbyterian Church.

Politically Mr. Thompson is a Republican but not a politician. He has been president of the Carnegie Library Association since the library was opened and gives this worthy in- stitution much attention. He is a member of Riddle Lodge. No. 315, F. & A. M .: East Liverpool Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M .; Pilgrim Commandery. No. 55. K. T., all of East Liver- pool : and of the Temple. A. A. O. N. M. S., of Savannah, Georgia.

G OHN S. METZGER. M. D .. de- ceased. whose portrait accompanies this sketch, was prominently identi- fied with the growth of the village of Columbiana, and for several years was one of her leading medical practitioners. He was born at Hanover, Pennsylvania. and was a son of Jacob and Mary (Smith) Metz- ger, also natives of Hanover.

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY

Paul Metzger, the paternal grandfather, came to Pennsylvania from Germany at an early day and reared his family in York Coun- ty. His son Jacob became a prosperous mer- chant in Hanover and the family became prom- inent in that section.

John Metzger, our immediate subject, at- tended school at York. He next took an academic course under the celebrated Dr. Cooper at Franklin, Pennsylvania, and then turned his attention to the study of medicine. His medical reading was done under. Prof. James Miller, of Baltimore and he was grad- tiated at the Baltimore Medical College in the class of 1827. He practiced at Huntingdon and at Hanover, Pennsylvania, until he re- moved to Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1851. Owing to ill health he was obliged to give up his practice some years before his death, but while in active work he ranked second to none. He was closely connected with the different agencies which worked together for the devel- opment of this section in its early days and ranked with Columbiana's leading men. His death occurred October 1, 1881.

In 1833 Dr. John S. Metzger married Elizabeth Gobrecht, who survived him until 1895. Four of the seven children reached ma- turity, but the only survivor is Miss Georgiana Metzger.

LFRED U. RICHARDSON, manager of the Southern Division of the Columbiana County Telephone Com- pany, is a resident of East Liverpool. He was born in Middleton township, Columbiana County, Ohio, November 18, 1867, and is a son of Thomas J. and Hannah E. (Shaffer) Richardson.

Thomas J. Richardson, father of our sub- ject, was born in 1833 in Middleton township, was educated in the local schools and remained on the old homestead farm until 1890. In 1894. in association with his son, Alfred U., he em- barked in a drug and hardware business under the firm name of Richardson & Son, which was continued until 1897 when the hardware feature was discontinued. The business is now

operated as a drug store and such articles are also kept for sale as are usually found in the modern first-class pharmacy. Mr. Richardson was a soldier in the Civil War, entering the service at the age of 17 years in the 26th Ohio Battery, under Captain Yost. He has always. been active in Republican politics and since lo- cating at Negley, in the early 80's, has been a party leader there. He was appointed post- master of Negley during the first administra- tion of President Mckinley and has never been disturbed in this official relation. He belongs. to the G. A. R. Post at East Palestine.

The mother of our subject was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Michael Shaffer, formerly of Meigs County, Ohio. He came to East Palestine among the pioneers and lived in the town until his death at the age of 92 years. Mrs. Richardson died' in May, 1894, aged 64 years. She was a woman of most estimable character, devoted to her family and to the work of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she had long been a consistent member. The two survivors of the family of three children born to Thomas J. Richardson and wife are: Alfred U., of this sketch and May E., who is the wife of John W. McCain, of Negley.

Alfred U. Richardson, the immediate sub- ject of this biography, was educated first in- the excellent schools of Achor and then spent three years at Mount Hope College. Subse- quently he entered into partnership with S. L. Fisher under the firm name of S. L. Fisher & Company, in the hardware and drug business: at Negley. In 1896 Thomas J. Richardson bought Mr. Fisher's interest, and in 1898 our subject withdrew in order to travel for a wholesale house, as he desired a change of occupation. He then entered the employ of the telephone company upon its organization, act- ing as solicitor, and later became superintendent of construction ; in 1902 he was elected to his present position. In the meantime the com- pany has met with much encouragement, hav- ing at present about 2,500 subscribers. His whole time is occupied in attending to the company's affairs. In politics he is a Repub- lican.

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Mr Richardson married Margaret L. Fisher, who is a daughter of his former busi- ness partner. She was born in Wellsville, Ohio, and lived for some years in St. Louis, Missouri. They have three children, viz. : Frances F., Erla M. and Lucy N. The family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Richardson was one of the trustees.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 92

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