History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 95

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

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road when it was put through here and his con- tracts extended to Pittsburg and other points outside of this neighborhood. His wife was Wilhelmina Russie, a descendant of an estim- able German family which had settled here at an early day. Mr. Wirt was a Republican.

HARLES N. THOMPSON, one of the well-known citizens of East Liverpool, and a member of one of its leading families, was born in this city May 15, 1859, and is a son of Matthew and Ruth Ann ( McKinnon ) Thomp- son, and a grandson of William and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson.

William Thompson was a son of Matthew Thompson and was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents were coming to America from Ireland. William Thompson was reared in Western Pennsylvania and married when quite young. In 1818 he came to Ohio and located at Fawcettstown, now known as East Liverpool, but removed at a later date to Calcutta which, at that time, offered better business opportuni- ties. There he kept a hotel until the close of his life. He married Eleanor McDowell and they became the parents of six sons and two daugh- ters.

Matthew Thompson, father of Charles N .. was born October 18, 1809. During his ear- lier years in business he had an interest in the George S. Harker pottery, which he later sold and removed to South Bend, Minnesota, where he took up farming land and also built a hotel. which he ran for a number of years. After a residence in that State of about 10 years he disposed of his property, and, on account of failing health, returned to the more genial cli- mate of East Liverpool. Mr. Thompson en- joyed the distinction of being the man who dis- covered the first oil well in this locality after considerable prospecting. This was located at Smith's Ferry and was a "30-barrel pumper." At a later date he purchased the Simeon John- son farm at Dry Run and devoted himself to its cultivation.

When the Civil War broke out, only the fact

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that he had passed the age limit prevented him from shouldering a musket and marching off in defense of his country. His sympathies were given and his activities engaged for the Union cause and when the draft was ordered in this locality.he was selected as the officer in charge. While not in robust health, his life might have been preserved many years longer had not a sad accident terminated it. A kick from a vicious horse injured him so badly that he never recovered consciousness and passed away on October 18, 1869, his 60th birthday. He was a valued member of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., of East Liverpool.

Matthew Thompson married Ruth Ann Mckinnon, who was born March 21, 1829, and was a daughter of Michael McKinnon, of East Liverpool, who was also a pioneer in this sec- tion. The Mckinnon ancestry will be found in another part of this volume. The children born to Matthew and Ruth Ann (Mckinnon) Thompson were: Isaphene A., born September 21, 1847, who is the widow of Angus M. Bratt, of East Liverpool; George Lamartine, born January 21, 1849, deceased June 6, 1896; Elizabeth Ellen, born July 18, 1850, deceased at the age of 15 months ; William Cassius, born January 29, 1856, deceased April 27, 1902, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume; John Clark, born May 21, 1857, deceased in childhood : Edward B., born January 15, 1862, deceased in childhood: Charles N., of this 'sketch; Mary Ida, born March 21, 1864; Matthew, born July 12, 1870, who was drowned July 14, 1877; and Nettie B., born November 27, 1867, who married Frank Chambers, a merchant of East Liverpool.

Charles N. Thompson was educated in the schools at Dry Run, with the exception of one year which he and his mother spent at Pitts- burg, shortly after the death of his father. He remained on the home farm until 1880, when he purchased the farm on which he now lives. In 1902 he was one of the incorporators of the Supplee Land Company, of which he is still a member. This company bought our subject's farm for the development of a fine residential district .. Mr. Thompson, however rents from the company a large portion of the land, on

which he raises all kinds of garden truck, which is sold to one dealer. This is a fine piece of bot- tom land and the whole farm is one of the most fertile in this section. Mr. Thompson has al- ways given his attention to farming with the exception of the years from 1877 until 1882, when he followed the trade of presser in a pottery.

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Alice L. Putnam, who is a daughter of James Herbert and Mary (Cunningham) Putnam, and they have two children, viz : Roy Matthew, born May 12, 1897 and Lola Fern, born July I, 1899. Mrs. Thompson was born August 21, 1862, a posthumous child, her father dying in that year prior to her birth. He was a bridge- builder by trade. Her mother was a daughter of Thomas Cunningham, who conducted a hotel and blacksmith shop, at Lisbon. Mrs. Putnam died February 9, 1889, aged 56 years and six months, the mother of four sons and two daughters, our subject's wife being the youngest of the family. Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Baptist Church.

In political affiliation Mr. Thompson is a Republican, but is no politician. His fraternal connection is with the Protected Home Circle.

E. JOHNSTON, M. D., one of East Palestine's well-known medical men, with office on West Main street, was born in 1860 at Baltimore, Maryland, and is a son of John A. and Caroline (Rimer) Johnston.

Dr. Johnston's early years were clouded with the black pall of war, for his father entered the army at the first call for Union troops and be- came a veteran in the 14th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania Vol. Cav. One of his childish memories is that of the marching of troops through the city streets. His father survived all the disas- ters of war and now resides at Vandergrift, Pennsylvania. He reared a family of nine children.

The beautiful city of his birth was the scene of our subject's literary and medical studies, the late Professor Lee, of that city, being one of

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his instructors. His medical course covered the period between 1880 and 1884 and for one year he served as an interne in Johns Hopkins Hospital, for one year was resident physician of the Maryland General Hospital, and then for a year filled the position of resident phy- sician at Johns Hopkins. After an experience of six years in various city medical positions, he settled at Marysville, Pennsylvania, and in 1890 located at Unity, a village in Unity town- ship, Columbiana County, removing to East Palestine in 1895, where he controls a large and lucrative practice.

Dr. Johnston was married in Pennsylvania to Elizabeth Virginia Carpenter, a daughter of Samuel Carpenter. She is a lady of many accomplishments and formerly was a teacher in Indiana County, Pennsylvania. Three children have been born to this marriage, viz: Paul Duitt, Harry Charles and Marcus Hanna.

Dr. Johnston is eligible through his grand- father, William Johnston, to membership in the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.

e ASSIUS C. THOMPSON, deceased, was one of East Liverpool's most prominent manufacturing potters. He was born at Calcutta, Columbiana County, Ohio, June 9, 1845, and was a son of Josiah and Sarah (Jackman) Thomp- son, and a grandson of William and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson, and a great-grandson of Matthew Thompson, the founder of the family in America.

In another part of this work will be found extended mention of both William and Josiah Thompson.

Cassius C. Thompson came to East Liver- pool with his parents in 1840. His primary education was secured here but he pursued the higher branches at Beaver Academy, Beaver, Pennsylvania, and at Mount Union College.

After completing his education, Cassius, C. Thompson entered his father's store and later became a partner in the business. About 1868 lie engaged in the manufacture of pottery, forming a partnership with Col. J. T. Herbert

under the firm name of Thompson & Herbert. Subsequently Josiah Thompson purchased Colonel Herbert's interest and the firm name became C. C. Thompson & Company, under which business was conducted until it was in- corporated as The C. C. Thompson Pottery Company, August 29, 1890, our subject becom- ing the president of this company, and so con- tinuing until his death, which took place April 14, 1905. Like other members of his family, he was a man of remarkably fine business per- ceptions.

Mr. Thompson was married to Elizabeth Arria Martin, a daughter of George and Albina (Brown) Martin, of Wellsville, Ohio. Five children were born to them, the three survivors being : George C., Minnie E., and Dale D.

The great pottery enterprise to which the late Cassius C. Thompson devoted so many years still continues and has become one of the great industries of this section. Its other of- ficers at the time of his decease were: B. O. Simms, vice president ; George C. Thompson, secretary ; and John C. Thompson, treasurer. The company manufactures cream-colored and decorated ware and "Rockingham" and yellow ware, making a specialty of decalcomania dec- orations. Its success was due to the able efforts of Mr. Thompson and his death brought the deepest sorrow to his associates as well as grief to his family.

ILLARD B. THOMAS, superin- tendent of the railway department of The United Power Company. of East Liverpool, was born at Cleve- land, Ohio, March 23, 1870, and is a splendid example of American pluck and en- ergy, having started at tlie foot and climbed to his present position at an age when most men are but beginning their ascent. Willard B. Thomas is a son of Dr. Willard B. and Adeline (Laney) Thomas.

Dr. Willard B. Thomas was born in New York City in 1849. He graduated from the Cleveland College of Homeopathy and for 20 years prior to his deathi was an able practitioner of that city. He was twice married, first to

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Adeline Laney, who became the mother of four children, one of whom died in childhood. Those living are Lucien E., of Cleveland; Etta L., wife of Charles A. Swan, also of that city; and our subject, Willard B. Mrs. Thomas was a member of the Christian Church and a most estimable woman. She died in 1872. The second marriage was contracted with Mary Frances Shotter and resulted in the birth of two children, Frances Lucille and Spencer Shotter. Dr. Thomas died in June, 1902.

Willard B. Thomas finished the high school course of Cleveland and at once went to work to earn a livelihood. His first situation was with the Eberhart Manufacturing Company, with which he remained about one year, when he ac- cepted a position with the Brookline Railway Company, of Cleveland. He may be said to have grown up with the work as he was with that company until 1891 when he came to East L'iverpool as barn foreman. Here his watchful- ness and practical common sense made him an invaluable official who understood, thoroughly, the needs of the company and he has risen, step by step, until he now has charge of the entire street railway business. Mrs. Thomas, whose maiden name was Annie Florence Allison, was a resident of Chester, West Virginia, in her girl- hood and has the genial, pleasant manners of the South. The family consists of three chil- dren, Willard B., Jr., Charles Lucian and Mary Lucille. They are members and liberal con- tributors of the United Presbyterian Church, of East Liverpool. Mr. Thomas is a member of a number of fraternities, being past captain of Ceramic City Lodge, No. 62, Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias: past councillor of the Senior Order of United American Mechanics ; and a member of the Protected Home Circle.

ILTON DAVIS, one of the most es- teemed citizens of Salem, as he has long been one of the most prom- inent, was identified for many years with this city's largest and most important industry, the Buckeye Engine Company, filling the responsible office of vice-

president until 1895. Other interests have also claimed his attention and his long life has been a very fruitful one. Mr. Davis was born December 12, 1822, in Atwater township, Portage County, Ohio, and is a son of Isaac and. Mary (Antram) Davis.

Isaac Davis, the father, was born in 1795 in. North Carolina, and came in 1806 to Columbi- ana County, Ohio, where he learned the carpen- ter's trade. About the time he came to Ohio, the family of John Antram, a. prominent Quaker, also settled here and Mr. Davis later married the daughter Mary. In 1821 they re- moved to Portage County, Ohio, and there they lived the remainder of their lives.

Milton Davis learned the carpenter's trade; with his father and he continued to work at this in connection with some farming until 1848 when he entered the works of the Sharp. Brothers, at Salem, to learn pattern making. In this he became very proficient and later his main business was as draughtsman and pattern- maker, also going out to set up engines in dif- ferent parts of the country. In 1851 when the. present business was really founded, he became one of the partners, the firm being Sharp, Davis & Bonsall. The members of the firm were all' practical mechanics and did much of the work themselves, a force of 12 men only being re- quired where now some 300 are given constant employment. In December, 1870, the Buckeye Engine Company was incorporated, with these officers : Joel Sharp, president; Milton Davis, vice-president ; T. C. Boone, secretary and treasurer : Joel S. Bonsall, superintendent ; and Simeon Sharp, assistant superintendent. The business prospered from the first, having all the requisites for success-ample capital and wise and industrious men, while the time was ripe for the introduction of so satisfactory a piece of machinery as the "Buckeye" engine. The popularity of this engine has never waned and now is not only sold in all the industrial centers of the United States, but is shipped to many foreign countries.

For over 20 years Mr. Davis had charge of the pattern department of the business and much of the success of the enterprise came from his mechanical ability and accuracy. In 1895;

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he retired from the office of vice-president, being succeeded by his son, D. W. Davis. Although he has reached his 82nd year and is justly en- titled to the ease of retired life, he is still inter- ested in the progress and development of his city and county. For many years he has been one of the city's largest capitalists ; is the owner of the city's electric light system, having erected the plant and, with his sons, controlled it; and he is also president and treasurer of the Salem Street Railway Company.

In 1850 Mr. Davis was married to Sarah Anthony, who was born in Massachusetts, and they had three children, two sons, D. W. and D. L., and one daughter, Josie, who died in 1874. D. W. Davis was born November 3, 1851, was educated in the public schools and during youth learned the machinist's trade and became also a draughtsman. In 1885 he mar- ried Ora Sharp, a daughter of Simeon Sharp. Their one son died in infancy. D. L. Davis was born January 3. 1855, and in 1882 married Emma T. Harvey, of Ithaca, New York. Mrs. D. L. Davis died in 1898, survived by one son, Leon H., who was born in 1892. Mr. Davis is a practical electrician and, with his father and brother, owns and operates the electric light system at Salem, one of the city's greatest utilities. Of this company Milton Davis is president, D. W. is vice-president and D. L. is secretary and treasurer. The sons are also in partnership with the father in the street rail- way enterprise. The mother of these children died in 1865.

Mr. Davis has always been a stanch Repub- lican but has never taken any very active part in public affairs, content to give his influence to the support of good men and wise measures without desire for personal honors. This fam- ily as much as any other has contributed to the prosperity of Salem. Its social connections are of the pleasantest character. No visitor comes to Salem without seeing the works of the Buck- eye Engine Company and does not remain long before he hears the name of Davis. That the head and Mentor of this family may see many years more of prosperity and happiness is the general expressed wish of his fellow- citizens.

B. CULP, proprietor of the "Quality Hill Fruit Farm," which is located in Fairfield. township, was born in Greene township, Mahoning County, Ohio, April 13, 1856, and is a son of Joseph and Mary ( Bixler ) Culp.

The Culp family came from Rockingham County, Virginia, in the time of Henry Culp, the grandfather, who was born there and re- moved with his large family to Mahoning County, Ohio. The familiy is of German ex- traction and the records have been kept as far back as 230 years. Many branches of it are scattered over the Union, a large contingent living in Elkhart County, Indiana, where it is computed that there are 448 voters of the: name. Henry Culp was born January 14, 1786. and died September 2, 1868. On May 21, 1807,. he married Elizabeth Clepper, who was born January 8, 1783, and died September 22, 1870.

The children of Henry and Elizabeth Culp. were : Magdalena, born March 12, 1808, de- ceased June 17, 1838; George, born September 9, 1809, deceased February 15, 1899; Elizabeth, born January 25, 1811. deceased May 25, 1899 ; Michael, born November 24. 1812, who is a well-known resident of Mahoning County, noted for the robust health he enjoys for a man of 93 years, weighing more than 200 pounds: Anthony, born August 19, 1814, deceased August 20, 1892: John, born March 12, 1816. deceased August 13, 1868: Fannie, born September 25, 1817, deceased September 6. 1886; Joseph, born January 19, 1819, deceased March 23. 1889; Henry. born June 23, 1820, deceased February 16, 1875; Barbara born December 19, 1821, deceased October 4, 1901 ; Jacob. born October 29, 1823. deceased August 3, 1900, and Samuel, born March 15, 1825, deceased August 20, 1827.

Joseph Culp was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, and his wife at Uniontown, Pennsylvania, in 1824: she still resides in Beaver township. Mahoning County, occupying the old home- stead. The children of Joseph and Mary Culp were: Henry: Jacob: Mrs. Nancy Harrold ; Elizabeth ( Mrs. Eli Cole), deceased: William, of Columbiana ; J. B., of this sketch; Susan,

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who died, aged 14 years; Samuel; Isaac and John.

J. B. Culp was one year old when his parents settled in Beaver township, Mahoning County, and there he was educated in the district schools. He remained at home until the age of 21 and then started out for himself, embarking in the jewelry business in which he continued for two years. In 1884 he established himself in the town of Columbiana, removing in 1887 to his present farm, which includes 91/4 acres of fertile land. This tract Mr. Culp utilizes for the growing of choice fruit, finding his entire mar- ket at Pittsburg. In the season he picks 16,000 "quarts of strawberries and other fruits in pro- portion. All the improvements, from the set- ting out of every tree and the placing of every vine and brier to the introduction of a perfect system of waterworks and the installing of a. telephone, are the results of his own efforts. In the autumn of 1888 he completed his fine res- idence and substantial barn. The whole place gives evidence of careful cultivation, excellent management and exceeding thrift.

Mr. Culp married Ettie Salathee, of Goshen, Indiana. She is a member of the Lutheran Church, while he is a Mennonite.

Mr. Culp is probably one of the most ac- ·complished penmen in this part of the State, a natural talent so apparent that he has had many pupils come to him to fill out their diplomas. He has exercised it frequently in the making of pen and ink sketches of various people.

OHN C. THOMPSON, president of The First National Bank, of East Liverpool, was born in this city, in the old Thompson homestead, and is the youngest son of the well-known Josiah Thompson and Sarah Jackman, his wife, and a grandson of William Thompson. An ancestral sketch of the Thompson family will be found in another part of this work.

John C. Thompson received his preliminary educational training in the public schools of East Liverpool, subsequently attending Alliance College and still later taking a course at Mount Union College.

Upon his return to East Liverpool, Mr Thompson entered into business, becoming connected with the old and well-established firm of J. Thompson & Company, which, up to this time, has been owned and managed for many years by Josiah Thompson. The firm on being reorganized was composed of the following members : Josiah Thompson, Cassius C. Thompson, B. C. Simms, Will L. Thompson and John C. Thompson, the business being a general mercantile one. The place of business was on the corner of Third street and Broad- way, which building was afterward sold to Will L. Thompson and a few years later to outside parties for hotel purposes and, after changing ownership several times, is now known as the New Thompson House.

For a number of years the firm of Thomp- son & Company was an important factor in the commercial world at East Liverpool. After re- moving from its old quarters, it occupied the large brick building, erected by Will L. and John C. Thompson, on the corner of Broadway and Second street, near the railroad. The first change in partnership, previous to this removal, came when Cassius C. Thompson retired from the firm and went into the manufacture of "Rockingham" and yellow ware, and later Will L. Thompson left the old firm and entered the new firm of Will L. Thompson & Company for the sale of music and musical instruments. The third member to leave the old firm was B. C. Simms, who entered into the pottery firm of C. C. Thompson & Company. This firm soon after began the manufacture of white and dec- orated ware in addition to the "Rockingham" and yellow ware. Shortly after these changes, Josiah Thompson retired from active' business and John C. Thompson was the last member of the family to continue the general mercantile business, carrying on the same successfully under the old firm style of J. Thompson & Company. Some few years later, August 29, 1890, the firm of C. C. Thompson & Com- pany was incorporated under the laws of Ohio and formed the new corporation, The C. C. Thompson Pottery Company.

At this date John C. Thompson increased his stock in the new pottery firm, selling out his entire mercantile holdings, and went into the

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new company, becoming one of the active mem- bers of the firm as secretary and treasurer.

Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with Charlotte Everson, who is a daughter of the late William H. Everson, of Pittsburg, Penn- sylvania. They now have five living children, viz : Millicent E., wife of Robert T. Hall, of East Liverpool; Sara E., Josiah Donald, Char- lotte W. and Malcom Wayland. For many years Mr. Thompson and family occupied their old home at No. 8 Thompson place, but since the spring of 1902 they have occupied their new home on Park boulevard, known as "The Lyndens." The entire family belong to the First Presbyterian Church, of East Liverpool.

In addition to his many other business inter- ests in East Liverpool, Mr. Thompson was elected president of The First National Bank of East Liverpool, January 10, 1905, which posi- tion he now fills.

HOMAS T. CHURCH, M. D., one of Salem's prominent and skilled phy- sicians and surgeons, as well as lead- ing citizens, was born at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, September 12, 1860, and is one of a family of three children born to William I. and Emma (Teasdale) Church.

Dr. Church is following in the professional footsteps of his forefathers for four generations back, all of whom have been distinguished in the medical field. Since the age of two years his home has been at Salem and here he ob- tained his literary training, graduating at the Salem High School, in 1878. His medical studies were pursued in the medical depart- ment of the University of Tennessee, at Nash- ville, and later at the Homeopathic Hospital College at Cleveland, Ohio, where he was grad- uated in 1882. His first experience was as a member of the hospital staff of the Huron Street Hospital in Cleveland, where he re- mained a year.

Dr. Church spent the following year in Salem and then went abroad, spending one year at Vienna and Berlin in study and visit- ing the leading hospitals and great clinics of

Europe. Since 1885 he has been in successful. practice at Salem, where his qualities as an ex- perienced and skilled physician and surgeon are abundantly recognized.

Dr. Church married Kate L. Safford, who is a daughter of Philo T. Safford, and they have two children: Herbert and Katherine. The attractive home is situated at No. 31 Lin- coln avenue, a portion of which the Doctor utilizes for his well appointed office. With his. family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the leading Homeopathic medical organizations of the country, includ- ing those of County and State and the American Institute of Homeopathy, and of the American Public Health Association. He is secretary and treasurer of the Salem Publishing Com- pany.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 95

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