History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 42

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 42
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 42

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WEATHERSFIELD CHURCHES.

There are two Welsh churches here. The Welsh Baptist church was built in 1866. Meet- ings have been kept up regularly ever since. Rev. Edward Jenkins was the first pastor and Rev. John James is at present in charge. The membership is small. A tasteful little cemetery is situated near the church.

The Welsh Calvinistic Methodist church was organized previous to 1867 and a house was built at that date. Rev. T. C. Davis was the first pastor. Meetings have been held ever since the organization, though not always at regular intervals. The church now numbers about sixty members. Rev. J. L. Jeffreys is the pastor.

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,

JAMES WARD.

It is but proper that a sketch of the life of the man to whom more than any other the industrial development of Niles is due should be included in this work. The following sketch was pub- lished in a book containing an account of the principal manufactures and manufacturers of Ohio :

James Ward was born November 25, 1813, near Dudley, Staffordshire, England. When four years old he came with his parents to Pittsburg, where he received an ordinary school education which concluded when he was thirteen years of age. He then began work in earnest, aiding his father in the manufacture of wrought iron nails. This he continued until he was nineteen, when he commenced to learn engineering and re- mained engaged in that business until 184r. In 1843 he moved to Niles and was connected with the rolling-mill business of James Ward & Co., continuing the same until his death, July 24, 1864.

James Ward was looked upon by business men, even when a boy, as possessing all the ele- ments suitable for the avocation he pursued, and many predicted that in time he would attain the first rank in his business and stand at its head. This prophecy was abundantly fulfilled.

Mr. Ward was married in 1835 at Pittsburg, to Miss Eliza Dithridge, of that place, daughter of William and Elizabeth Dithridge. The issue of this marriage was seven children, all of whom are dead except James Ward, Jr. Mr. Ward is supposed to have been the first man to practical- ly use pig iron made from raw coal, also the first to practically utilize the blackband ore of this region. The furnace built by him in 1859 was operated a number of years.

He left a name known not only in his immedi- ate vicinity, but as wide-spread as the country, an honorable and liberal man, endowed with great enterprise and business capacity, and was cut down while yet in his prime. He had garnered wealth and reputation without creating the envy which so usually accompanies these possessions. He won golden opinions from all, and there are none who knew him who do not respect his memory and appreciate his character.

SETTLEMENT NOTES.

John McConnell (deceased) was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, April 3, 1778. February 25, 1802, he married Miss Nancy Travis, and had a family of five sons and five daughters-Alexander, born April 5, 1803; John, born September 3, 1804; Polly, January 8, 1806; Rebecca, October 19, 1807; Peggy, April 2, 1809; Matthew, November 26, 1810; Elizabeth, August 17, 1812; James, June 6, 1814; William C., February 2, 1816; Martha J., January 24, 1818. John, Rebecca, Peggy, Matthew, and Martha J. are deceased. Mr. McConnell, with his family, consisting then of his wife and oldest son, came to Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1804, settling in Weathersfield township. He erected a log-cabin in the woods, building it one day and moving into it the next. He resided there until his death, which took place September 27, 1853. His wife died February 26, 1841, and he was married again to Mrs. Lovinia Rice, who lived until January 17, 1881, reaching within less than a month the great age of one hundred and three years. The old homestead is now occupied by William C. McConnell. He has been married three times. His first wife was Harriet Mc- Combs, by whom he had six children -- Sally, Olive, John T., William J., Charlie, Kittie H. After twenty-five years of married life his wife died. He married for his second wife Miss Sarah J. Simpson. By this marriage he had one son, Clyde W. The mother died December 26, 1867, and he again married Mrs. Eusebia Camp- bell, widow of Calvin S. Campbell. She had one son by her former husband, George C.

Josiah Robbins was born in Youngstown, Ma- honing county, Ohio, August 21, 1802, son of Josiah and Elizabeth (Newport) Robbins. Josiah Robbins, Sr., settled in Youngstown township in 1799, on the place now owned by James Smith, which he cleared up and on which he lived until 1850. He was for many years a justice of the peace and was a member of the Swedenborgian church. He raised a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom but two are living: Mrs. Matilda Cleveland, of Niles, and Mrs. Eliza Heaton, of Illinois. He died in 1855. Josiah, Jr., married in 1827 Maria, daughter of James Heaton. She was born in 1806. To that mar- riage were born four sons, three of whom are living. Mrs. Robbins died in 1835, and in 1836

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Mr. Robbins married Electa, daughter of Judge Ambrose Mason. She was born in Moriah, Essex county, New York, January 28, 1815. By this marriage there were born two sons and one daughter, all of whom are living. Josiah Rob- bins, Jr., settled on the Heaton homestead, now occupied by William B. Mason, in 1827. He was engaged in the furnace business in connec- tion with his brother-in-law, Warren Heaton, for ten or twelve years, until 1843, when he was elected to the State Legislature for one term. He took an active part in the cause of temper- ance and was a strong and influential anti-slavery man. His home was frequently visited by that able and stalwart abolitionist, Joshua R. Gid- dings, and furnished a refuge for fugitives from slavery. He was engaged for many years in the lumber trade. He was also engaged in farming, owning four hundred acres, upon which the greater part of Niles is situated. In company with a son and a Mr. Lawson, he erected a flour- ing mill at Princeton, Illinois, in 1854, and one also in Chicago. During the latter part of his life he was engaged in market-gardening, which he followed merely as a pastime. He did much for the improvement of Niles, building many of the principal buildings there, including the post- office. He was postmaster for eleven years, holding the position at the time of his death, which occurred December 11, 1873. at the age of seventy-one years, four months, and twenty days.

The Dunlap family, of which William Dunlap, Sr., was the first representative in Trumbull county, were among the earliest settlers here. William Dunlap, Sr., emigrated from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Poland township, then Trumbull county, Ohio, about 1800. He after- wards purchased seven hundred acres of land in Weathersfield, and moved to that township about 1806. His sons settled around him on this tract. He had a family of six sons and four daughters. He died in Liberty township at the residence of his daughter, Mrs. Carlton, at the age of about ninety-six. His son William married Rachel Frazee, of Poland, and lived on the farm, which is now occupied by the widow of the late Stephen Dunlap, son of William, Jr. William and Rachel Dunlap were the parents of nine chil- dren, of whom three are yet living, to-wit: Rachel (Lewis) and Perry in Lordstown, and

Chauncy in Vienna. Stephen Dunlap was born November 30, 1813, in Weathersfield, on the farm, where he lived until his death December 18, 1881. He married in 1840 Hannah McMul- len, of Brookfield, who was born in 1822. Mrs. Dunlap still resides on the old Dunlap home- stead. She has three children, as follows : George in Wisconsin, B. F. in New York city, and Em- ma at home.

Benjamin B. Robbins was born in Youngs- town, Ohio, December 11, 1830. He was the eldest of three sons of N. T. Robbins, who settled on what is still the family homestead, in 1834. The two younger sons are still living, T. N. in Niles, and J. D. in Cleveland. B. B. Robbins was united in marriage September 29, 1853, to Miss A. E. Carle, daughter of Joshua and Mar- garet (Oliver) Carle, who was born in Smithfield, Jefferson county, Ohio, on the Ist of March, 1834. After their marriage they settled on the place where the family still reside. Mr. Robbins was a farmer by occupation and a suc- cessful and prosperous man. He was noted for his benevolence and generosity. He died No- vember 21, 1881. He was the father of five sons and two daughters, six of whom are living : George B., born September 2, 1854, a merchant of Niles ; Noble T., February 22, 1856, a grad- uate of the Albany, New York, law school ; Frank C., May 30, 1858, in trade with his brother George ; Henry J., February 17, 1862, on the home place; Maggie N., January 30, 1865; Ollie E., April 17, 1868.

Abram Van Wye (deceased) was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1797. In 1819 he married Charity Laird and had a family of twelve children, as follows: Charles, John, Lydia, Mary, Nancy, Catharine, Amanda, Wil- liam, Joseph W., Darthula W., Almyra S., and Sabina H., of whom six are living. In the spring of 1834 he emigrated to Ohio and set- tled in Weathersfield township, Trumbull county. His original purchase comprised one hundred and fifty acres of land, but at the time of his death he owned four hundred acres. He was well and favorably known throughout this region. He died May 2, 1854, his wife surviving him about ten years. Charles, the oldest son, who owns the family homestead, was born March 28, 1820; married Miss Katie Draper, and has had ten children - Abram, Elihu, William,

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George, Charles, Alice May, John, Kit, and two unnamed, dying in infancy. His first wife died in 1873, and he afterwards married Rebecca Caldwell (her maiden name). No children by this marriage. Joseph W., the fourth son, was born on the old homestead in Weathersfield, April 16, 1837. In 1877 he married Alla Troxel and has had one daughter-Almyra. Mrs. Van Wye had been previously married and had one son- Freddie. He purchased the farm on which he now lives in 1872. He was in the war of secession three months as member of company B, Eighty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry. Abram Van Wye was born in Weathersfield township, November 19, 1845. He was in the service of his country during the war of the Rebellion, a member of company C, Nineteenth Ohio vet- eran volunteer infantry, and participated in a number of severe engagements, among them the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, etc., but came through without a scar, and returned to peaceful pursuits. Mr. Van Wye married Sarah Leach. They have three children, all living-Warren, Frank, and Anna. William Van Wye was born upon the homestead farm July 7, 1850. He has always followed farming, and now resides upon a por- tion of the old homestead. In October, 1873, he married Maria E. Bolin, by whom he has one child-Lizzie Bolin Van Wye.

Jonathan Warner was born in Sodus, Wayne county, New York, February 10, 1808. When fifteen or sixteen years of age he went to Oswego, where he was employed as a clerk in a store. He afterwards returned to Sodus and engaged in mercantile business. He was married No- vember 22, 1829, to Eliza Landon, who was born in Oneida county, New York, April 6, 1810. Mr. Warner continued in business in Sodus until about the year 1843, when he removed to Youngstown, Ohio, where he carried on the same business many years. He afterwards en- gaged in the iron business, and with Mr. Phil- pott built the first furnace at Brier Hill in that section, and operated there some two years. A short time previous to the war of 1861-65 he removed to Mineral Ridge, where he has since resided. He had acquired large coal and iron interests at Mineral Ridge, built two blast fur- naces, and afterwards carried on an extensive business there many years. He finally sold his

furnaces for a large figure, taking in part pay- ment several thousand acres undeveloped min- eral lands in the Lake Superior region. He or- ganized the Republic Iron company, of Mar- quette, Michigan, of which he was president several years, and in which he is still a stock- holder. Mr. Warner was the first to discover the unprecedented richness of the mine originally called Smith Mountain, and inaugurated the movement for its development. In 1872 he bought back his furnace at Mineral Ridge. The panic came the next year, and proved disastrous to his business, and he was compelled to make an assignment. He subsequently went to North Carolina and leased a gold mine, which proved unremunerative, and after remaining there a couple of years he returned to Mineral Ridge, where he has since led a substantially retired life. Mr. Warner's career has been one of great activity, and he has done much for the material development of the region in which he has lived. He has also been a generous donor to moral and religious enterprises. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of five children, who are all living, as follows: Mrs. Myron I. Arms, of Youngstown ; Edwin J. and Jacob B., of Denver, Colorado ; Charles M. and William H., of Mineral Ridge.

Isaac Marshall was among the early settlers of Weathersfield township, where he purchased fifty-four acres of land. He was born in 1785 and 1808 married Jane Megee, who was born in 1784. They had a family of four boys and five girls, as follows : John, Benjamin, Huston, Miles, Sally, Betsey, Jane, Mary, and Lucinda. Isaac Marshall died March, 1858, and his wife Septem- ber, 1868. He was drafted in the War of 1812 for three months.

John Marshall was born March 14, 1810; married in March, 1836, Mary A. Nelson, born October 5, 1813. Their children were John Calvin, a son who died in infancy, Margaret Jane, Sarah Samantha (deceased), Electa Ann, and Linus Ida. John Marshall attended the pioneer schools of Weathersfield. The building was of the rudest kind. It was built of round logs daubed with mortar ; the floors were laid down loose, a fire-place on one side, split logs for benches, boards fastened onto pins driven into the walls for writing desks, and windows of greased paper. Such is a brief description of the earliest school-houses, and all the schooling

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he ever got was obtained in such a house. There was no church building in his township until as late as 1833.

George McCartney, oldest son of Andrew and Eleanor (Wilson) McCartney, was born in Liberty township, Trumbull county, Ohio, September 7, 1811. His father was a native of Indiana county, Pennsylvania ; came to Ohio first about 1806. He was then a single man, and tended saw-mill at Mill creek for Judge Baldwin. He married Eleanor, daughter of James Wilson, of Youngstown township, and settled within one mile of where Girard now is. James Wilson, the father of Mrs. McCartney, was one of the earli- est pioneers of Youngstown township. He was a Revolutionary soldier, serving during the entire war. About three years after his marriage An- drew McCartney removed with his family to In- diana county, Pennsylvania, and occupied the old homestead nineteen years. He then re- turned to Trumbull county and bought a grist- mill at Girard, and afterwards built a saw-mill, fulling-mill, and carding machine, which he operated for many years. He was made justice of the peace in Liberty township and served nine years. He died March 30, 1858, in the seventy- fifth year of his age. His wife survived him about ten years. They had six sons and two daughters. George McCartney obtained his schooling in the log school-house of those days. He was brought up to milling and tended his father's mills until the building of the Pennsyl- vania & Ohio canal necessitated the abandon- ment of the grist-mill. He married first, March 22, 1836, Mary Eckman, and continued to live at Girard. His wife died October 9, 1847, leav- ing two daughters and one son -- Elizabeth, wife of Jacob Stambaugh, Eleanor, wife of John Rush, of Girard, and Andrew J. McCartney, of Youngstown. May 25, 1848, Mr. McCartney married Mrs. Mary Ann Brooks, who died De- cember 10, 1851. He was married a third time to Elizabeth Osborn, of Youngstown township, born in 1815, who is still living. By this mar- riage one daughter was born-Mary L., now wife of Calvin Marshall. About 1839 Mr. McCart- ney located on the farm where he now lives. There was then but three acres cleared and a small log cabin on the place. He has lived to see a vast improvement in the appearance of the county, and is enjoying the fruit of an active life.

Camden A. Cleveland was born in Liberty township in 1803. February 24, 1830, he mar- ried Matilda, daughter of Josiah and Elizabeth (Newport) Robbins, born in Youngstown, De- cember 31, 1804, and settled in Austintown township, where he cleared up a farm, and where he lived until his death, which occurred in 1839. They were the parents of three chil- dren-Eliza L., wife of Samuel Campbell, died in 1867; Albert A., a resident of Youngstown, and at present engaged in mining in Colorado ; Alice M., wife of Hiram Ohl, of Niles, Mrs. Cleveland removed to Niles, where she lived nine years, and then returned to Austintown until 1872, when she again moved to Niles, where she has since resided.

Samuel C. Edwards was born in Jefferson, Greene county, Pennsylvania, March 30, 1811. His parents, John and Jane (Rook) Edwards, removed with their family from Pennsylvania to Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, in June, 1823. In the spring of 1830 he removed further north and purchased fifty-seven and one- half acres at $2.50 per acre, which he eleared up and improved. He died in February, 1855, aged seventy years. His widow removed to Niles, and died at her son Samuel's residence, at the age of eighty-nine years, six months, and nineteen days. Of the eight children born to them five are still living-Samuel C .; John, who resides in Mecca; William, who occupies the old home- stead ; George, who lives in West Geneva, Michigan ; Mary Jane, wife of John Reel, liv- ing in Girard, Ohio. Samuel was married March 15, 1839, to Miss Ann Jane Wilson, by whom he had four sons and three daughters -- James L., John F., George E., William C., Amanda, Esther, and Allee. Alice and George are de- ceased. George lost his life February 3, 1881, by an explosion in Ward's iron mill in which he was employed as engineer. His first wife died August 23, 1854, and he afterwards married the widow of Aaron Kingsley. They had seven children --- Mary, Martha, Luther, Phila A., Wil- liam H. H., Sarah S. J., and Franklin. Mr. Edwards has been during his life engaged in dif- ferent pursuits. While young he learned the shoemaker's trade, but in later years he has given his principal attention to farming.

William Arnold was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, November 30, 1802. He

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came to Weathersfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, in the year 1827. He married Miss Catharine Justice, of Springfield township, Columbiana county, born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, in 1804. To Mr. and Mrs. Arnold were born two children, James E., now residing in Iowa, and Mrs. James McRoberts. Mr. Arnold purchased his farm, consisting of one hundred and four acres, paying for it out of his earnings in a saw- mill, his wages being $9 per month, at the rate of $4 per acre. He cleared up the farm, and occupied it until his death, April 10, 1857. Mrs. Arnold is still living, making her home with her daughter.

John Park, son of Elijah and Margaret Park, was born in Wells, Rutland county, Vermont, May 22, 1794. He was married December 5, 1816, to Miss Sophia Broughton, and has had a family of five children, four sons and one daughter, named as follows: Samuel, Cephas, John H., Rachel Ann, Servetus W., all born in Vermont but the youngest, who was born in Moriah, New York. Mr. Park removed from Vermont to Essex county, New York, where he resided some five or six years, when he came to Ohio in the spring of 1831. He was accom- panied by Jonathan Folsoni, and with him pur- chased five hundred and fifty-two acres in Weathersfield township, near Niles. The tract was afterwards divided, our subject getting one hundred and eighty-four acres off the south part. He brought out his family in the fall of 1831. That section was still quite new, the nearest post-office being Hake's corners. His wife died January 3, 1854, and the following year he mar- ried Miss Mary Ann Cline, by whom he had three children, one son and two daughters- Mary, Seth, and Cora. Of the children by his first marriage all are dead except Cephas, John H., and Servetus. John H. occupies the old homestead. He was married May 1, 1845, to Mary Weisell and had the following children : Edwin, Minerva J. (dead), Rachel A., Rebecca R., John, C. E., and Samuel H. Mrs. Parks died June 14, 1880. Mr. Parks, Sr., is still living in a pleasant home adjoining the home- stead at the advanced age of eighty-seven.

Thomas B. Wilson, with a wife and five chil- dren, came from Perry county, Pennsylvania, to Weathersfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1833. He was married in 1812, immediately on his re-

turn from the war, and had a family of the follow- ing children: Margaret, Anna, James, Mary, Caroline, Rachel, and Elizabeth. He was a hatter by trade, but did not follow it after com- ing to Ohio, but successfully pursued farming until the time of his death, which occurred in April, 1869. His wife, whose maiden name was Agnes Thompson, survived him, dying in June, 1878. The old homestead is owned and occu- pied by their son James.

Jacob May was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, August 6, 1814. He was brought up on a farm and has always followed farming as an occupation. He moved to his present farm in Weathersfield township, Tumbull county, in 1835, purchasing one hundred acres. He now owns two hundred and ninety-three acres and is one of the substantial farmers of the county; is the owner of property in Niles and also in Girard. In September, 1834, he married Miss Elizabeth Floor, and had a family of eleven children, as follows: Samuel, Mary, Freeman, Daniel, Katie, John, Zenas, William, Amanda and Lucy (twins) and Lines, all living but Freeman.

H. H. Mason was born in Essex county, New York, January 3, 1819. He came to Ohio in April, 1835, with his parents and settled near Niles, Trumbull county. During the next four years he was employed as clerk for William H. Goodhue and William McFarland, each a year and a half, and for Smith & McCombs one year. In 1839 he returned to Niles and engaged in mercantile business in which he continued until 1864. August 16, 1880, he was appointed postmaster at Niles, which position he still holds. His father, Ambrose Mason, was the first incum- bent of the office, appointed in 1842, and as as- sistant to his father he distributed the first mail received there. He was married, February 22, 1842, to Miss Adaliza T. Kingsley, and has six children, four sons and two daughters.

Hiram T. Mason, third son of Ambrose and Jemima Mason, was born in Essex county, New York, in 1816; came to Ohio with his parents in 1835 ; married in 1839, Miss Margaret Cherry, by whom he has had three sons and two daugh. ters, as follows: A. C., Albert H., Jesse E., Alice A., and Clara A. A. C. and Alice are deceased. A. C. died in the army during the Rebellion, and is buried at Chattanooga, Tennes- see. He was captain of company C, One Hun-

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dred and Fifth Ohio volunteer infantry. Mr. Mason, our subject, was elected county commis- sioner in 1861, and served six years. He is a prominent member of the Disciples church, and has been deacon in his church for twenty years and an elder for ten years.

James Ward, Sr., was a native of Staffordshire, England. He came to America in 1815, and in 1841 located at Niles, Trumbull county, Ohio, and in company with his brother William, and Thomas Russell, under the firm name of James Ward & Co., erected the first rolling mill estab- lished at Niles, and in 1859 built the first blast furnace. Mr. Ward was one of the most pros- perous and enterprising citizens of the Mahon- ing valley, and Niles owes its growth and pros- perity principally to him. He died in 1864. His widow, Eliza Ward, is still living, residing with her son Janes. They had a family of seven children, of whom Mr. James Ward, of Niles, is the only survivor, the well-known iron manufacturer of Niles. He married Miss Eliza- beth, daughter of William H. Brown, of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, and has five children, James, William H., Charles S., May B., and Lizzie B.

E. J. Ohl, druggist, Mineral Ridge, Trumbull county, was born in Ohltown, Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, in 1847. He is a son of Henry Ohl. When six years of age he went with his parents to Allen county, Indiana, where his father engaged in farming. At the age of fifteen and one-half years Mr. Ohl enlisted as a private in the Thirtieth regiment of Indiana volunteers. This regiment witnessed some hard engagements, among which were the battles of Shiloh, Lookout Mountain, and at Atlanta. January 1, 1863, Mr. Ohl's company went into the battle of Stone River with thirty-one men, and twenty-one of these were killed and wounded. His term of enlistment expired September 29, 1864, and he returned to Trumbull county. After four months he enlisted in the One Hun- dred and Ninety-sixth Ohio volunteers, and was commissioned second lieutenant of company K by Governor Brough. The members of this company presented Lieutenant Ohl with a fine gold watch in token of their esteem. When the war closed he returned to Ohltown. In 1867 he engaged in mercantile business in partnership with Andrew Ohl, at Mineral Ridge. In 1875 the store, of which he was the sole proprietor, be-

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History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 42

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams
Number of Pages: 726