History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 128

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 128

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to Alliance Dr. Heaton graduated from the Cleveland Homoeopathic Medical College in 1869, and established a good practice in the vicinity of Alliance. He married Margaretta Williams, Dec. 14, 1865; she was daugh- ter of John Williams of Mt. Union. She died Dec. 1, 1874, leaving three children-Clyde, Mary J. and Hugh. Jan. 18, 1866 he married Miss Susan R. Cooper, who was a graduate in medicine. She is a daughter of Morris Cooper of Lancaster Co., Pa. Dr. Heaton was seriously affected with pulmonary trouble, and with a view of seeking relief he started for California, stopping a few days with friends at Des Moines, lowa, where his disease culminated in death, June 27, 1876. Mrs. Heaton then returned to Alliance and remain- ed a short time, when she removed to Colorado for a few months, but again returned to Al- liance, and began the practice of her pro- fession in the spring of 1878. Mrs. Heaton was a student of both schools of medicine, her first preceptor, Dr. Philo P. Hatch, of Minneapolis, Minn., being one of the most prominent homeopathic physicians of the Northwest. Under his instruction she be- came thoroughly acquainted with the practice of homoeopathy. She read medicine with Doc- tor Mary E. Wilson, also, who practiced un- der the Old-school system, and was a gradu- ate of the Woman's Medical College of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia. Mrs. Heaton at- tended lectures at the Woman's Medical Col- lege of Pennsylvania, at Philadelphia, during the winter of 1873 and 1874, and graduated from that institution in 1875.

MATTHIAS HESTER, retired; Alliance; was born in Green Co., Penn., Oct. 17, 1793; the third son of a family of nine children born to John and Elizabeth (Mason) Hester. His mother was a daughter of one Martin Mason, who when a lad of 14 years, was stolen by the Indians from his home in Virginia, and brought to Ft. Duquesne-now Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where a Frenchman saw and took compassion on him, and finally pur- chased young Mason from the Indians for a bottle of rum. The Frenchman was on his way to Montreal, took Mason along,and there remained as one of the family until he was 21 years of age, then returned to his folks in Virginia, who had long since given up any hope of ever hearing anything of him again.

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Mr. Hester's parents removed from Pennsyl- vania, and settled in Columbiana Co., Ohio, in 1802. They were agriculturists, but our subject being of frail physique, was appren- ticed to the tailor's trade in New Lisbon. He commeneed the business for himself in Salem, afterward remaining in it at that place about ten years. In 1836 he came to Mt. Union and opened a grocery store, but in 1838, removed his stock to Freedom-now Alliance, his being the first mercantile establishment in the place, and continued in business until 1848. He has always been au enterprising citizen, and very liberal with his means to assist any and every improvement of general interest. He was a warm supporter of the railroad enterprises of the town, when those corporations were an uncertainty, and donated to them over $6,000 worth of real estat . He married Susan Gaskill, of Salem, in 1819. Mrs. Ilester died in March, 1861. They were the parents of ten children, viz :- David G .; John N., deceased; Sarah, Eliza, George W., deceased; Charles M .; Thomas; Rebecca, de- ceased; Harrison, deceased; and one died in childhood. Mr. Hester is now in his 88th year, and is remarkably well preserved for one of his age, though never of robust consti- tution. In later years he has enjoyed remarkably good health, and only through a slow, natural process of exhaustion of vital force is the finger of time discernible. He is a man of sterling character, honored and re- spected most by those who know him best.

DAVID G. HESTER, agent for the White Bronze Monumental Works, and Insurance Agent; is the eldest son of Matthias Hester, was born in Salem, Columbiana Co., in May, 1821. In boyhood and early manhood he was occupied as clerk in his father's store, and continued in the mercantile business many years. In March, 1850, he married Sarah I. Fox. of Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio. They have two children, Shelley and Frederick. In 1861 Mr. Ilester opened a book and paper store in Alliance, which he conducted until 1823; and then engaged in the insurance bus- iness, representing a number of good compa- nies, among which may be mentioned the Home of New York. Pennsylvania of Phila- delphia, North America. and Fra klin of Philadelphia: Hartford, Etna, and Phoenix of llartford, and many other American

companies, both life and fire ; besides the North British and Queen of England. In January, 1881, he was appointedagent for the White Bronze Monumental Manufac- turing Company, of Bridgeport, Conn., for Stark and adjoining counties. In a short time this class of work promises to supersede marble and granite for statuary and monumental designs ; being beautiful in appearance, and as has been demonstrated in the "Old World, " is, by the action of the elements, unchanged for hundreds of years.

SIMON JOHNSON, Mayor of Alliance; was born in Washington Tp., Stark Co., Nov. 12, 1826. His grandfather, Caleb Johnson, was a well-to-do farmer in Pensylvania, and a man whose advice was largely sought in mat- ters of local interest. Ile was appointed Jus- tice of the Peace, and held said office contin- uously forty-eight years. He had a family of eight children, and the four boys, Ellis, Simon, Caleb and Job, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Stark Co .; of these only Ellis sur- vives, in his 93rd year. The second one, Si- mon, married Keziah White, and came here about 1823. They reared a family of ton children, of whom our subjeet is the second, and bears his father's name. There were five girls and five boys, one of each sex being de- ceased. The Mayor's early education was such as the common schools afforded, besides some time spent in study at Mt. Union Semi- nary. Ile was one of the four students pres- ent at the organization of said institution, and subsequently took a course at Marlborough Academy. April 3, 1851, he married Jane Teeters, daughter of John Teeters, who resi- ded near Salem. They moved to a farm in Knox Tp., Columbiana Co., where they resid- ed eight years, three of which he served as Justice of the Peace. In 1859 they removed to Alliance, and the following year he was elected Mayor, and served one year. In 1862 he was re-elected Mayor and served three years. At the expiration of this term of office, they removed to the old home- stead in the country, and in 1868 returned to Alliance. During his residence here from 1859 he was largely engaged dealing in live- stock through the period of the late civil war, and spent some time traveling in the interests of the agricultural works of Fisher, Shaw & Co., then of this town. Two years subse-

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quent to 1868, he spent traveling as assistant State agent for the Security Life Insurance Co., of New York; three years for Forest City Fire Insurance of Cleveland, and one year for the Buckeve Insurance Co. In the spring of 1880 he was re-elected Mayor of Alliance, which office he now holds. They have had five children, four of whom are liv- ing-John H., Rosetta, (deceased); Mary K., L. M., now in Akron, and William W. Mr. Johnson is a plain and unassuming gentleman of fine personal appearance, a man of sterling qualities, and most respected where he is best known.

J. H. JOHNSON, Insurance Agent; Alli- ance ; is the .eldest son of Simon and Jane (Teeters) Johnson : he was born in Washing- ton Tp., this county, Feb. 12, 1852. His edu- cation was secured at the public schools of Alliance, and he also spent a short time at the Alliance College. When quite young he began to assist his father, who was then representing several insurance compa- nies, and has ever since devoted his attention to that line of business, and represents many of the most reliable insurance companies do- ing business on this continent, among which may be mentioned the Royal of England and the Travelers' Life and Accident of Connecti- cut. He married Rosa Hartzell, June 28, 1876 ; she was a daughter of Frederick Hart- zell, of Belmont, Mahoning Co., Ohio. They have one child-Lucy K. Mr. Johnson has been a member of the Knights of Honor for the past six years.

THOMAS J. JOHNSTON, City Marshal ; Alliance : was born in Franklin Tp., Colum- biana Co., Ohio, Sept. 25, 1847. He is the youngest of five children born to William and Elizabeth R. Johnston. His parents were both born in County Antrim, Ireland, and came to the United States when quite young. His paternal grandfather, with his family, set- tled in Columbiana Co. about 1828, and his maternal grandfather (whose name was also Johnston) settled in the same neighborhood about 1830, and all engaged in farming. When Thomas J. was about three years old his father died, leaving a widow and five chil- dren. Mrs. Johnston remained on the farm, and reared the children to farm life, and gave them a fair common-school education, and prepared them for doing for themselves. She

lived to enjoy their filial affection, and died at the old home in September, 1879. The children are-Rosey, now Mrs. J. C. Shoe- maker, of Alliance ; Robert, now in Marion Co .; Mary, who resides on the old homestead; William J., in Jefferson Co .; and Thomas J. When about 14 years old, Thomas J. began to learn the shoemakers' trade, and worked about a year and a half, when he enlisted, carly in the summer of 1863, in the 12th Ohio Cavalry, being first under Gen. Burbage, but afterward transferred to Gen. Stoneman's command. He served until November, 1865, when he got his discharge and returned home, and employed himself at general business, principally bricklaying and plastering, for several years. March 3, 18:0, he married Mary J. Aikens, of Alliance ; they have two children, viz .- Frank W. and Elizabeth J. Mrs. Johnston's parents came to the United States from France. Mr. Johnston came to Alliance in 1867; he took a position on the police force of Alliance in 1878, and in the spring of 1880 was elected City Marshal.

JOHN JOSEPH, manufacturer of stone- ware; Alliance; was born in Beaver Co., Penn., Ang. 26, 1832; son of Burton and Mar- garet (Kramer) Joseph, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The Joseph family came from Delaware to the "Keystone" State at an early date. The parents of our subject followed agricultural pursuits, to which he also was early initiated. They were parents of eight children, four of whom lived to maturity. In 1842 his father died, leav- ing a widow and four helpless children, viz : Alexander, Daniel, John and Barton, the youngest of which was born a few weeks after his father's demise. At this time they were on a large rented farm, and in order to provide the necessaries of life for her family, and get the business safely within her control, Mrs. Joseph gave up the rented place, dis- posed of their surplus chattels, and purchased a small piece of land, where the devoted mother reared and supported her family un- til they began to learn trades and do for themselves. John was especially restive, and in boyhood full of youthful mischief, which caused many an ominous shake of the wise- acres ' heads. But as he advanced in years, and began to reach out into the realities of life, the scene changed materially. When a

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youth of about 15, he began to run on the P .. It. W. & C. R. R., and eight years later, 1860, he was promoted to locomotive-engineer, where he remained until 1865, when he left the railroad to engage in teaming in Alliance. Thus be occupied his time until 18;1, when he embarked in the coal trade until Is;1. On abandoning the coal trade, he conceived the idea of establishing a pottery here, more for business recreation than out of necessity. In superintending this he takes great delight. and makes the finest kind of "stone-ware. " Ilis business has been a pecuniary success, and conducted in such an unassuming man- ner that many of the citizens scarcely realize its proportions. Ile manufactures about sixty- five kilns, with an average of 3,500 gallons of ware of all kinds, to the kiln annually. and gives employment to ten hands. He has been married three times: first in 1855, to Mar- garet Durbin, who died in less than a year from the dite of their marriage. This second marriage was with Mary E. Allerton, July 2, 185 ;; she died in 1822, leaving one child- Flora E. Nov. 2. 1828, he married Margaret M. Gassaway, by which union there is one child-Gertrude M. Personally, he is a man mach above the average size: his weight be- ing upward of 300 pounds. At one time himself and two brothers, jointly, weighed nearly ten hundred pounds. When he began for himself he was without means of any kind, but by industry he has accumulated a fine property in Alliance, the income of which is more than sufficient for his every de- mand. He is a member of the Masonic fra- ternity, Knights of Honor, and American Le- gion of Honor.

PETER D. KEPLINGER, boarding house keeper; Alliance; was born in Paris Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Aug. 6, 1824. His father, Samuel Koplinger was a tobacconist, and a native of Adams Co., Penn. He married Miss Sarah Slagle, a native of the same county. IJer father was financially well-to-do, and at an early date in the settlement of Stark Co., he came here and entered a large tract of land in what is now Paris Tp. In 1823, his son-in-law, Mr. Samuel Koplinger, removed with his young wife to the tract of land al- ready referred to, with a view of occupying and improving that portion which his wite would eventually inherit. When they came

here they were young, and knew little of the hardships which they would have to encounter in the almost unbroken forest; their means were limited and only the things actually necessary were procured. They erected in the woods a log cabin 10 x 12 feet, and lived in it without either floor, except the one formed by nature, or furniture; and the few rude things made of riven boards, forming bed-steads by driving posts in the ground. Such were the luxuries of pioneer life! But in a year or so they were able to erect a more comfortable dwelling. When they once got a patch of ground cleared, everything grew luxuriantly, but it was almost impossible to raise oven a small sum of money. When they had been living in their new home over two years, the entire sum of cash raised in that time by Mr. Keplinger was $1.50. There was no market or demand for anything pro- duced in the country, consequently no circu- lation of money. The fond memory of other days and circumstances, with the pleasant associations of her girlhood, frequently caused the silent tears to trickle down the young wife's cheek. But these times they outlived. the settlements inercased, the country opened up to the outer world by the construction of the canal, circumstances and society changed, and their days of privation gave place to seasons of plenty. Mrs. Keplinger passed away in 1846, he in 1849. Peter D. was the oldest of their six children, and his early life was spent on the farm. He married Carolina Miller, but she died, leaving two children- Elmira and Samuel L. He then married Ra- chel Scheatzley. She was born in Germany, and came to Stark Co., with her parents in 1831, being at that time & years old. By this union three children were born, viz .- Mary L., Lyman D., and Frank E. In 1850, Mr. Koplinger engaged in the mercantile business in New Franklin, for about four vears, thence went to North Georgetown, where he remained about six years in business. In 1860 he came to Alliance and has engaged in almost every kind of industry in the place. He was interested in the manufacture of light steel; also in the wagon and carriage hub factory, which burned down, causing him considerable loss; and. unfortunately he was the loser of $5,000 by the failure of the Fisher, Shalters & Co.'s agricultural works.

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Nevertheless, he has accumulated a good property, owning one of the best business rooms on Main street, occupied by Mr. Katz- enstein, in the dry goods trade, besides other valuable property.

MARION'M. KING, Attorney at Law; Alli- ance; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, May 31, 1852. He is the eldest of the family of four children of Levi and Mary (Lower) King, who were likewise natives of the same county. His education was that afforded by the common schools and Georgetown Acad- emy, which institution has been abandoned. When about 17 years of age lie began to teach school in the winter months, and at- tended Mt. Union College during the spring and summer. He began the study of law with A. L. Jones, of Alliance, in 1872, and was admitted to the bar in the District Court of Stark Co., Sept. 17, 1874. He opened a law office in Alliance, where he practiced until November, 1880, when a partnership was formed with himself and his preceptor, under the firm name of Jones & King. March 6, 1877, he married Dora, daughter of Mr. A. L. Jones. They have one child-Roxy Verne. A. L. Jones was born in Columbiana Co., Nov. 27, 1826; he is the second in descent from Samuel Jones, a native of New Jersey, who emigrated to Virginia, and whose son, of same name (Samuel), emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Columbiana Co., near New Lisbon, at a very early day. A. L. was the eighth of ten children, and when about 15 years of age he was apprenticed to the tailor's trade, but abandoned that to secure a more liberal education, and attended an academy at Washingtonville and Marlborough. When about 26 years of age, he began to read law with W. D. Ewing, of New Lisbon, and in May, 1854, he was admitted to the bar, and in the fall of same year was admitted to practice in the Federal Courts. Oct. 2, 1849, he mar- ried Ruth A. Coffee, daughter of Joseph Coffee, of Columbiana Co. They had four children-Joseph C., Samuel A., Dora, now Mrs. King, and Ruth A. Mrs. Jones passed from this life Oct. 27, 1828.

LEWIS KIRK, miller and general man- ager of the Alliance City Flouring Mill; Al- lianee; was born at Grampian Hills, Clear- field Co., Pa., Dec. 19, 1844. His father, Asaph Kirk, was born Feb. 10, 1814, and

reared to agricultural prusuits in Clearfield Co., Pa. He married Eliza Wall, in 1835, she was born in York Co., Sept. 9, 1815, and when a little girl moved to Clearfield Co., with her parents. After their marriage they settled on a farm near the Grampian Hills P. O., where they reside to this day, and where their family were all brought up to farm life, with very limited school facili- ties. They had five children-Mary, Jona- than, Jason, Lewis and Jane, all married. Lewis was the third son, and when about 21 years old he learned the art of photography, and followed it until August, 1868, when he started to Ohio in a one-horse wagon to seek a new field of labor; toward the close of the first day's travel, he stopped at a small town and while loitering around saw two bars of heavy iron nailed to the ground, and extend- ing as far as he could see; upon enquiry, as to their use he was told that it was a railroad, " What ? a railroad within one day's drive of Skunk-hollow." He then concluded to send his horse and wagon home and try the thing. He had heard of railroads somewhere, but knew nothing of academies and colleges, and was lost in amazement at the extent of the country when he got to riding in a big box with windows in it. He arrived in Ohio sev- eral days ahead of time, but he traveled over the State considerable, and finally selected Alliance as the most desirable spot to con- vert a Keystone boy into a Buckeye. His fa- ther and two uncles, Isaac and David Kirk, purchased the Alliance City Flouring Mills, and he took charge Jan. 15, 1869, as princi- pal business manager, and apprentice to the milling trade. At Cleveland, Jan. 7, 1869, he married Hannah Margaret Spencer; they have three children-Cora V., Elsie F., Raphael S. Mrs. Kirk was born in ('learfield Co., Pa., April 23, 1850, and is a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Stugart) Spence, who were married there in 1840, and in 1868, moved to Benton, Holmes Co., Ohio, with two sons, Jesse and Isaac, they are engaged in the milling business; their eldest son John was killed May 6, 1864, in the battle of the Wil- derness, and Elsie the youngest is with her parents. In 18:3, on the death of his uncles, our subject's father purchased their joint half interest in the mill, and the management re- ' mains unchanged.

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JASON KIRK, the second son, was born Oct. , 1840, and worked on his father's farm until Aug. 12, 1862, when he enlisted in Co. E. 149, P. V. I., one of the famous " Buck- tail " Regiments, of the Army of the Potomac, he was in the Seven-days' Fight, the Battle of the Wilderness, in the hottest contested points of the Battle of Gettysburg, and many others, and served until the close of the war, without receiving even a scratch. On return- ing from the army ho learned, and afterward engaged in the photographic art until 1869, when he came to Alliance to assist his brother in running the mill, remaining until July, 18;3, when he repaired to the oil-reigons of Pennsylvania, and engaged in drilling oil- wells until August, Ist8, when he returned to Alliance, and resumed business as praeti- cal miller and business manager. He was married Sept. 9, 1825, to Anna E. Edwards, of Homeworth, Columbiana Co., Ohio.

SAMUEL KATZENSTEIN, Alliance; is one of the leading merchants of Alliance. Hle came from Europe to the United States when quite young. Having been engaged in the dry goods trade from early boy hood, he continued in that business in this country, and has now established one of the best dry goods houses in Alliance.

LEVI LESLIE LAMBORN, physician and banker ; Alliance ; was born in Chester Co., Pa., Oct. 10, 1829. He is the youngest son of a family of eleven children born to Townsend and Ant (Clayton) Lamborn. His father was a prominent Whig politician, and passed ma- ny years of his lite as an officeholder in his county. He was greatly opposed to Freema- sonry, and once ran for Governor of Pennsyl- vania on the anti-Masonic ticket. When young Lamborn was about 8 years old he came with some of his older brothers to Ohio, and located near Salem, where, in conformity with the religious creed of his relations, he was reared and educated in the schools of the " Friends." At the age of 15, having already determined upon medicine as a profession, he began reading under the supervision of Dr. Solomon Sleeve, of Damascus; attended his first two courses of lectures in Philadelphia, and a third at the medical department of the West rn Reserve College in Cleveland, where he graduated in 1>19. He entered upon the practice of his profession in Mt. Union, where

he continued fifteen years. In 1863 he re- moved to Alliance, and having practiced for three years he retired from the profession. In 1865, in company with others, he purchas- ed 250 acres near Alliance, a part of which is now the southern addition to the city. In the sessions of 1859-60 and of 1860-61, he served as Clerk of the House of Repre- sentatives of Ohio, having been a Free Soil candidate for that body the year pre- vious. Before the late war he was a Re- publican, but, possessing conservative views as to the policy to be pursued toward the South, he became what was known as a U'nion Democrat, and has since affiliated with that party. In 1844 he was a candidate for State Senator on the Democratic tieket. and in 1876 was nominated for Congress from the 12th Ohio District. In 1824 he engaged in private banking with E. W. Gray, though for several years previous he transac od quite an exten- sive loan and discount business. He possesses natural abilities of a high order, coupled with good judgment, great cantion and shrewdness. He has acquired a leading position among the most successful business men of the county, and is of independent and decided views, be- ing outspoken, vet of genial, affable manners. As a physician he enjoyed an extensive prac- tice, and achieved position among the eminent practitioners of eastern Ohio ; was a member of the various medical associations of the County and State, and has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Asylum for the Deaf and Dumb, at Columbus. He is connected with no organization of any kind, secret or religious, but has been an earnest advocate of the policy of the Democratic party ; has acquired a reputation as a public speaker, and a prominent place among the effective platform orators of this part of the State. In June. 1851, he married Maria, daughter of Stacey Grant, of Alliance. They have had seven children, six of whom are liv- ing ; their only daughter, Lissetta L., is the wife of Alexander Fletcher, an official of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R .; Leroy L. conducts one of the most extensive floral establishments in this part of the State.

RICHARD LEE, retired farmer; P. O. 11- liance; was born in Berks Co., Penn., Oct. 25, 1812. Ilis great-grand-parents were from Wales and Ireland. They came to this conti-

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 128

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060