History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 129

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

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nent prior to the Revolutionary war, and set- tled in Pennsylvania. His father, Jeremiah B. Lee, married Mary Tea, of his native place. To them were born seven children, of whom the subject of these notes is the third. When he was about 10 years old his mother died, and father married again. Two children were the result of this union. Richard was apprenticed to the pottery business when 10 years old, and continued in that business un- til about 24 years of age. In 1840, the fam- ily, consisting of father, step-mother and six children, came to Ohio and located at Albany, Columbiana-now Mahoning Co. They en- gaged in farming, and got along well in their new home. The old folks returned to their former home in Pennsylvania, on a visit after about two years residence in Ohio. When returning here his father took sick by the way and died at New Brighton. April 1, 1841, Richard married Susan, daughter of John and Mary Teeters, and began to farm for himself. He was appointed administrator of his fath- er's estate; and unknown to the family his father had signed as surety the paper of a merchant of Salem, to the amount of $2,500, which became due soon after his death, and for which the farm was sold to meet the de- mand. Richard and a brother-in-law, William Hoppes, purchased the place between them and succeeded in making satisfactory arrange- ments, thus retaining the old homestead. Richard's early education was very deficient, as he was continuously engaged from 10 years of age until 15 years, in the pottery, having attended school about six months in all, after he was 10 years old. At 15 years of age, he was obliged to haul iron ore from the mines to the smelting works during the winter months, and through the summer continue in the pot- tery; thus he was employed until he was 24 years of age. In the meantime he had ae- quired a fair knowledge of the common branches of education by close and hard study at nights; by the light of the fire he eagerly perused what few books he could secure, and, although working hard, made more progress in gaining a knowledge of the practical idea than many who were favored with better facil- ities. In the spring of 1844, the family re- moved from Columbiana to Stark Co., and set- tled in Washington Tp., where Mr. Lee be- came one of the most successful farmers,

and resided until 1875, when he retired from the farm and came to Alliance, where he has resided ever since. He officiated as Treas- urer of Washington Tp., for twelve years; was County Commissioner six years, and is now serving his fifth year as Trustee of Lex- ington Tp. Early in life he affiliated with the Democracy; being opposed to the pro-slavery issues, he resolved to unite with the "Know- Nothing" party, which was then being organ- ized. Having presented himself for initia- tion, the secret oath being administered, in which there were unpleasant and unpatriotic issues developed, he instantly called a halt in ceremonies, reached for his hat, and bid the party a lasting farewell. To Mr. and Mrs. Lee five children were born-Mary, now Mrs. W. Coffee; Jeremiah, Ellen P., wife of T. F. Haines; Jane, wife of Robert W. Cook, and Jessie E. His son Jeremiah enlisted in the late war, 115th, O. V. 1., and served three years, having received his discharge the day he was 21 years old. He returned home broken down in health, married and survived until July 4, 1872, when he died of disease contracted in the service.

HARVEY LAUGHLIN, attorney at law; Alliance; was born in Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio, Jan. 10, 1813. His father, James Laughlin, was born in Virginia, and came to Pennsylvania with his parents when quite young; in the latter State he married Letitia Dunlap, and in the year 1800 they removed to Ohio, settling in Deerfield Tp., of Portage Co. They were parents of twelve children- six girls and an equal number of boys; ten grew up to maturity, seven of whom survive. Harvey was the eighth child. Mr. James Laughlin was by trade a mill-wright; he was a man of push and energy; with an idea of the early demand for milling in the rapidly developing settlement, he began the erection of a dam on the Mahoning River, one mile south of Deerfield Center. He put in machinery for both grist and saw-milling; this was among the first mills in Portage Co .; he lived there to a good old age, and passed away in 1851. His wife preceded him in death several years. Harvey obtained his education at the common schools and Sturde- vant Academy of Talmadge. His early man- hood was spent variously between teaching school and being employed in his father's mill,

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and farming. In 1842 he began the study of law with Griswold and Grant, of Canton, and in the fall session of 1844, of the Supreme Court in Canton, he was admitted to the bar. I Ie did not enter immediately upon the practice of law, but returned to the old homestead in Deerfield, Portage Co., and of which be had charge until 1852. That same year he moved to Alliance, and opened a law office, where he has practiced ever since. He has been twice married, first to Sarah A. Baldwin, of Wheeling, Va., in 1836, who died, leaving one child-Sarah A. Ilis second marriage was with Minerva M. Mills, of Deerfield, in May, 1840. By this union five children were born, four of whom are living, viz .- Eliza M., Harvey C., James L. and Mary E. His eldest son, Harvey, has been in the employ of the Pioneer Oil Co., of Cleveland, in the capacity of book-keeper for the past ten years. James L. graduated from Harvard College, in 1873, where he is now Assistant Professor of Political Economy.

JONATHAN MYERS, contractor and builder ; Alliance ; was born in Smith Tp., Mahoning Co., Ohio, June 6, 1836. His fath- er's name was Jonathan Myers, who was born in Virginia, Nov. 11, 1806. When quite young, his parents removed from Virginia to Carroll Co., Ohio, and when he arrived at man- hood he worked at the carpenter's trade. He finally married, and with his wife removed to Smith Tp., Mahoning Co., where he engaged in farming. They reared eleven children, seven boys and four girls; of these, ten lived to maturity. The subject of these notes is the third child of the family; he received the ordinary tuition afforded in the common schools, and until about 22 years of age was variously engaged on his father's extensive farm and in working at the carpenter's trade ; for the latter he had a decided natural turn of mind. He began for himself, with what ex- perience he had then acquired, in contracting and building, throughout the neighborhood, in which operations he was quite successful. Aug. 5, 1802, he enlisted in Co. H, 105th (). V. 1., and went to the front ; on the Sth of October, the same year, while participating in the battle of Perryville, Ky., he was shot through the right arm, breaking it above the elbow, which disabled him from further duty as a soldier ; he lay there in hospital three

months, and was then removed to Louisville, Ky., where he was discharged Jan. 14, 1863, on account of disability. The ensuing sum- mer he attended a select school in Mahoning Co., and in 1864 he accepted a position as bookkeeper in the planing-mill of John Pack- er, where he remained seven months, when he purchased a piece of real estate in Alliance, and began building, and selling house and lot as soon as finished. Ife did a good busi- ness in this way during the influx of popula- tion to the town when it was comparatively new. This line of business he has continued ever since, besides being for three years the partner of J. T. Weybrecht in the planing-mill and lumber business. June 8, 1865, he mar- ried Emeline Coppock, a daughter of Pleas- ant and Lydia E. Coppock, of Mahoning Co. They have five children living -Mary (de- ceased), Charles S., Howard F., Orlando B., Oscar and Edward ; one died in childhood. Besides his town property, he purchased in April, 1880, a farm of 120 acres adjoining the city corporation.

B. F. MERCER, manufacturer of wooden pumps; Alliance; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Dec. 20, 1831. He is the son of Solomon and Elizabeth (Fitzpatrick) Mercer, who were hoth natives of this State. His father learned the potters' trade, and worked at it in his younger days, but subsequently turned his attention to farming, where ho reared his family. Consequently the early life of B. F. was spent on the farm. and at the age of 15 he was apprenticed to the carriage manufacturing business in Massillon, and worked at that trade, including a term of apprenticeship, about fifteen years. In 1864 he removed to Alliance, and embarked in the manufacture of horse, hay and grain- rakes, and conducted that three years; the busi- ness could scarcely be considered a financial success, and abandoned it. In 1868, in part- nership with Dr. Armstrong, he established the manufactory of wooden pumps, and about one year later he purchased the interest of his partner, since which time he has conducted the business himself. In this he has been favored with a rapidly extending patronage ; lays no claim to any new-found plan or patent, but manufactures a first-class pump, of the very best material, for either deep or shallow wells. His establishment is commodious and

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suited to his business; he employs five to ten hands, according to the season of the year, and turns out about 5,000 pumps annually, which are sold to dealers throughout the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, April 13, 1851, he married Sarah C. Freer, of Paris, this country. They have three children, viz .- Harley F., Fannie and Burr S.

CHARLES L. MORGAN, physician and surgeon; Alliance; was born Sept. 19, 1857, in Alliance. He is the son of John C. and Elizabeth (Pennock) Morgan, both of whom are natives of Ohio. Charles L. is the second son of three children. He received a thorough practical education in the pub- lic schools, and in 1871 entered Mt. Union College, and subsequently graduated from the High School of Alliance, and in 1876 be- gan the study of medicine with Dr. J. H. Tres- sel, in this place. The first course of lectures he attended was in the Miami Medical College of Cincinnati; and again at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, Md., where he graduated in 1829. He began the practice of his profession in partnership with Dr. E. Luclien, of Westfield, Morrow Co., and in 1880 he removed to Alliance, where he has established himself, and, so far, has se- cured a good patronage, which is daily in- creasing. As a student he was a close worker and observing, and as a practitioner no doubt the same characteristic will predominate. With his naturally agreeable and pleasing manners, combined with his professional abil- ity, it is only a question of a short time and circumstances when he will stand in the first ranks of the profession. While he is profi- cient in all branches of the science of medi- cine, surgery claims his special atttenion. Sept. 2, 1880, he married V. Estella Miller, daughter of Dr. Jesse Miller, of Alliance.

EMERY MILLER, dealer in live stock; A]- liance; was born in Mahoning Co., Ohio, July 21, 1839. The second of nine children born to John H. and Elizabeth (Ilgenfritz) Miller; and in youth was brought up to farming and its kindred pursuits. After the regular course of study in the district schools, he received a liberal education in the Canfield Academy, and began teaching school when 16 years of age; having completed six terms before he was 21 years old, some of the time being em-

ployed in the schools of New Middleton' When of age, he began to clerk in a dry goods store, and a year later (1861) he came to Alliance, and opened a dry goods store which he continued for eight years ; when he pur- chased a good farm of 240 acres in Mahoning Co., a short distance from Alliance, and en- gaged in stock dealing extensively, to which business he devotes his whole attention. His annual shipments average about 500 head of horses, sold principally in Philadelphia, and about 1200 head of cattle, which are slaugh- tered principally in Youngstown, Ohio, to supply the meat market of his brother, whose patronage requires upwards of 1200 beeves yearly. In March, 1860, Mr. Miller married Maggie I., daughter of David Weikart, of Mahoning Co. Three children have been born to them, viz: Austie I., Ivie C., and Chloe E. Mr. Miller has pursued industrious- ly a straight, business-like course, which has been greeted with more than ordinary suc- cess. He began in business with a very limited amount of capital, and has now, in the prime of life, a competency; for, besides his stock-farm, he owns 9 acres within the cor- porate limits of Alliance, on which he erected one of the finest residences in Alliance, in 1842, at a cost of upwards of $11,000, with all necessary out-buildings. He is an active member of the Society of American Legion of Honor.

JESSE MILLER, physician and sur- geon; Alliance; son of Rev. John B., and Sarah Miller; was born in Washington Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, May 4, 1837. His early education was received in the common schools, and subse- quently at Mt. Union Seminary; he began teaching in his 12th year, during win- ter, and attended school in the interval. In 1858 he began the study of medicine with J. P. Gruwell, M. D., at Damascus, Ohio; attended lectures at the University of Penn- sylvania, at Philadelphia, and graduated there in March, 1871. He married Maria Summer, daughter of David and Anna Summer of Columbiana Co., Sept. 29, 1859; he began the practice of his profession in 1861 at North Benton, Ohio; where he remained until he engaged in the war of the late rebellion in 1864, as Assistant Surgeon, U. S. A., and was assigned to duty, first at Indianoplis, soon after ordered to Louisville, Ky., and from

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there went to Nashville, Tenn., and was as- signed to general hospital No. 2, where he re- mained until March, 1865, when he returned home having contracted rheumatism from which he has suffered severely since. In 1869 he was compelled to quit practice, on account of disability induced by rheumatism, and de- cided to try a change of climate. He then removed to Topeka, Kan., where he resided five years without any improvement, but his rheumatic trouble had so far disabled him as to make him almost entirely helpless. He returned to Ohio in 1874, and located in Al- liance where he now resides. His suffering has been extreme, even to the dislocation of his joints; his esteemed wife has been his constant companion and care-taker during these many years of his affliction, which he has borne with patient resignation. They have two children, viz .- Viola Estelle, and William Leslie.

REV. JOHN B. MILLER, Presbyterian minister ; Alliance; was born near North Benton, Columbiana (now Mahoning) Co., Ohio, Feb. 13, 1816. Ilis father, Abraham Miller, was a native of Fayette Co., Pa., and moved to Ohio and settled in Smith Tp. of Columbiana Co., in 1804; his wife's name was Nancy Blackburn ; they reared a family of eight children. The children were sent to subscription schools in the winter, and were reared to the industries of farm-life during summer. In this way John B. secured a good practical education, and was never an hour under instruction which was paid from any

public fund. When about 12 years of age he united himself with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and early distinguished himself as a leader; on the day he was 16 years of age he received a license from that denomination to exhort in Randolph, Portage C'o., and was regularly ordained at Warren, Trumbull Co., Aug. 1, 1841, as a local minister. Two years subsequent to his ordination, when the Church was divided on the issue of slavery in the United States, Mr. Miller went with the seceding faction and joined the Wesleyan Methodists, in August, 1843; he was then appointed to a circuit, and spent ten years as traveling minister, principally in the "Western Reserve," except one year which he spent in the Westville circuit, in the counties of Co- lumbiana and Stark. Although everything

was in harmony as regarding his connection with the Wesleyan body, yet his better judg- ment and more cool reflection would continu- ally deprecate his withdrawal from the Meth- odist Episcopal body. In December, 1853, he united himself with the Westville Pres- bytery, and was received by that body on cer- tificate from the Wesleyan Methodists, as an ordained minister, as he had been ordained an elder while connected with the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He was then installed pastor of the Presbyterian Church at New Waterford, Columbiana Co., where he preach- ed fourteen years, when he received and ac- cepted a call to preach at Enon Valley, in Pennsylvania, where he remained three years, when he accepted a call from the churches of Bethesda and Hanover, in Columbiana Co., where he preached three years, half the time to each church, as neither congregation was able to sustain regular weekly service. He then severed his relation with the Hanover church, and preached two years, giving all his time to the church at Bethesda. In April, 18 ** , he was obliged, on account of failing health, to give up his charge at Bethesda, since which time he has been supplying dif- ferent churches; for about eighteen months past he has been preaching to the congrega- tion at New Harrisburg, Carroll Co. Dec. 2, 1834, he married Sarah Shaffer, and to them were born twelve children, eight of whom are living, viz .- Jesse (whose sketch is in this work), Bradford, now Treasurer of Shawnee Co., Kan .; William W. and Hiram B., part- ners in mercantile and live-stock trade, in Osage, Kan .; Henry H., a physician, in prac- tice at Rossville, Kan .; John A., in the boot and shoe business in North Topeka; Stephen is a merchant in Florence, Kan .; Jane A. is now Mrs. William Millard, of this county. Mrs. Miller died Nov. 6, 1865 ; Mr. Miller married his second wife, Mrs. Mary Boies, nee Hamilton, widow of the late W. Boies, Nov. 6, 1866. Although well advanced in years, Mr. Miller is a man full of vitality, energetic in the good cause, an ever-ready and zealous worker; what he may have lacked, in early life, in collegiate education, is fully compensated in native ability, a large amount of common- sense, seasoned with a long and varied expe- rience. Five of his sons were engaged in the late civil war, viz .- Jesse, Bradford, John A.,

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William W. and Hiram B. Bradford served for some time as Assistant Provost Marshal at Alliance.

WILLIAM McLERAN, commercial trav- eler and hardware merchant; Alliance; was born at Philadelphia, April 28, 1832. Ilis parents were James and Mary (Brown) Mc- Leran, both natives of Scotland; who came to the United States with their respective families when children. James McLeran en- gaged in the manufacture of woolens in Phil- adelphia, and continued in that business until 1832, when he removed with his family to Salem, Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he en- gaged in coverlid and carpet weaving, and continued in that business until his death, which occurred in 1852. His widow survived until 1867. They had four children-James, John; and Mary and William (twins). Wil- liam's boyhood was spent in Salem, and when about 14 years old, he began to clerk in a store of general merchandise, and remained three years, when he began to learn the carriage-blacksmithing trade, and worked at that for four years. Being much inclined to travel, he decided on making a tour of the Western States and Territories, which, includ- ing his stay in California, occupied a period of four years. In 1855, he left California, and returned to Ohio, and engaged in the dry goods business in Hanover, and subsequently in the merchant-tailoring in Salem for several years, and then disposed of his interest in that business to his brother, who was his part- ner, and went to Pittsburg in April, 1859, where he engaged in the hardware-jobbing business until January, 1861, when he went to Philadelphia, and has been a commercial traveler from the latter city ever since. His experience for the last twenty-one years as traveling salesman over the north-west, has been varied and interesting. His strict integrity and close attention to business has placed him high in the confidence of his em- ployers, and won him many friends among his patrons. Nov. 7, 1855, he married Laura .I. Laubie, daughter of James Laubie, of Salem, formerly of Pittsburg, Pa. In the spring of 1881, he established a retail hard- ware store in Alliance, in partnership with his nephew, Will. M. Crumrine, the latter gentleman has charge of the business, in which he has had considerable experience.

He was born in Salem, Ohio, April 28, 1856; son of Daniel and Mary (MeLeran) Crumrine -she the only sister of Mr. MeLeran. Mr. Crumrine was engaged in a hardware store where he remamed six years, and then accepted a position in the wholesale house of Wagner & Forney, of Mansfield, as traveling salesman, which position he resigned when the firm of McLeran & Crumrine was formed.

WILLIAM MURPHY, manufacturer and repairer of steam boilers, &c .; Alliance ; was born in Cork, Ireland, Feb. 10, 1846. When he was about 3 years old, his parents came to the United States, and settled at Buf- falo, N. Y. There his mother died, and his father married a second wife, and reared a large family. When about 19 years of age, William began to work with the Buckeye Boiler Co., of Cleveland; finished his trade with the Variety Iron Works Co., and subse- quently established a shop in Newcastle, l'enn., but being in limited financial circum- stances, he suffered considerable loss in the panic of 1873, and was obliged to suspend business in that place. He then opened a shop in the oil regions of Pennsylvania, which he finally sold and returned to Ohio. On Aug. 29, 1812, he was married to Margaret Ryan, daughter of William Ryan, of Mt. Union. Since their return to Ohio, Mr. Mur- phey worked at his trade during the winter months, and worked Mr. Ryan's farm during the summer, until November, 1880, when he established his present boiler works in the old Nixon agricultural works building, where he does all kinds of boiler manufacturing and re- pairing. They have three children-William F., Charles H., and John A.

J. W. MCFARLAND, machinist and manufacturer of engines; Alliance; was born in Chester Co., Penn., August 26, 1833; he is the youngest of five children of John and Ann (Wiley) McFarland. His father died when he was quite young, and until about his 17th year he lived and worked on the farm. He then began to learn the ma- chinist's trade at the Brandywine Machine Works, and served four years. In 1855 he came to Ohio, and started a saw-mill near Salem, Columbiana Co., and ran that about three years. He came to Alliance in the spring of 1860, and was employed in the ma- chine works here as "master mechanic;" he

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held this position until 1866, when he re- moved to Coatesville, Penn., and engaged at his trade there several years, after which he returned to Alliance and took charge of Nix- on & Co.'s works for a short time. In 1822 he began business for himself; although his out -set was at a time most unfavorable for business enterprise, he pushed his work per- severingly and steadily in a small way, and has been favored with unexpected success, employing now five or six hands, as trade de- mands. In June, 1858, he married Phobe P. Babb, of Chester Co., Penn. They have two children-Laura E., (who has charge of the books of the concern), and Leetta.

ISAAC C. MILBOURN, general stationery dealer; Alliance; was born in flanover, Co- lumbiana Co., Ohio, Nov. 19, 1828. He is the youngest of a family of eight children, one girl and seven boys, born to Samuel and Jane (Craig) Milbourn, who removed from Virginia to Ohio about 1804. They located on a farm in Columbiana Co., and on which they ever afterward resided until their demise, which occurred, his in 1864, and his widow survived until 1820, both well advanced in years. Isaac C. Milbourn's youth was spent on the farm until about 18 years of age; he then learned the carpenter's trade, and fol- lowed that business until 1864. The follow- ing year he abandoned the carpenter business and opened a store of general hardware in Waynesburgh, this county, which he conduct- ed two years, and then embarked in the dry goods trade until 1869. IF. disposed of his business in Waynesburgh, and came to Al- liance the same year, and took a contract of grading the Pittsburg, Baltimore & Ohio R. R., from Connellsville to Cumberland, which occupied him over a year. His contract com- pleted, he returned to Alliance in 1870, and, to learn the business, he accepted a clerkship in a stationery establishment, which he pur- chased in 18:4, and has conducted that busi- ness ever since. March, 1853, he married Elizabeth Manfull. They ha lone child who died when 4 years old. Mrs. Milbourn is a daughter of Stephen Manfull, of Augusta, Carroll Co., Ohio.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 129

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