History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 7

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 7
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 7

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Francis G. Servis was married September 11, 1853, to Martha E. Patton, youngest of three daughters of John and Mary (Taylor) Patton. John Patton was born in Ohio April 3, 1806;

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

married in 1828, and died May 8, 1880. His wife, a native of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1810, married in 1828, and died in October, 1832, aged twenty-two years. Martha E. Patton was born in Beaver county, Pennsyl- vania, December 15, 1831, and by the death of her mother was left an orphan at the age of ten months. Mr. and Mrs. F. G. Servis, having no children of their own, adopted two daughters, Florence Geer and Minnie V. Piert, the former at the age of five years and the latter at the age of three. Florence is now the wife of Frank W. Freer, Ashland, Ohio. Minnie is single and re- sides at home with Mrs. Servis.

Judge Servis's father was a man in humble cir- cumstances, who, after coming to Ohio, settled on a small farm, and divided his time between labor upon his farm and law practice in the lower courts. He had few early opportunities, but made the most of the facilities afforded him, and, having a natural aptitude for legal pursuits, he was skillful in the management of his cases. He is said to have been quite successful, and this no doubt, led his son to adopt the same profes- sion. The young man, however, was obliged to depend entirely upon himself for means to ac- quire an education. He passed his boyhood laboring at various occupations, gaining what knowledge he could from the limited advantages afforded by the district schools and studying with zeal in his spare time.

In 1850 Judge Servis came to Mahoning county and entered the probate office of William Hartzell, then probate judge, as his deputy. While performing the duties of this position he pursued his legal studies under the instruction of John H. Lewis, Esq., at that time a leading law- yer of Mahoning county bar. In 1853 Mr. Ser- vis was admitted to the bar upon the certificate of Wilson & Church, in whose office he had completed his studies. Soon after he opened an office, and ere long enjoyed a good prac- tice. The acquaintance formed with citizens of all parts of the county during the years of his clerkship was of great service to him; the young man had many friends, and rose in his profession with almost marvelous rapidity. By diligence in his business, by faithfulness in promptly and punctually discharging every duty entrusted to him, he gained the confidence and respect of all his clients. When embarked on 6+

the full tide of a prosperous practice, neither greed for gain nor any other unworthy ambi- tion ever entered his heart. On the contrary, he rendered valuable assistance to many just entering upon the difficult task of building up a law practice, who, like himself, were obliged to begin at the foot of the ladder. A distin- gushed member of the Mahoning bar, after the death of Judge Servis, spoke of his friend and brother in the profession as follows: "I came to Canfield compelled to rely for a livelihood on my own exertions, and I should have found this a hard matter to accomplish had it not been for the helping hand extended to me of Judge Servis. I had no clients, but he had many. He worked from dawn of day till late at night, and many and many a time has he come to me and told me where I could make a cent, a dime, or a dollar. I can never forget the kindness done me in those days by this noble-hearted man. Illustrating his kindness, let me speak of what I myself know. A few years ago, while he was in Montana, the banking firm of which he was a member made an assignment, and by the stress of circum- stances he individually was compelled to do the same. I was his assignee, and when I came to look up his assets, I found that there were hun- dreds, nay, thousands of dollars loaned out to needy widows or unfortunate men, from which not a dollar could ever be realized. He loaned knowing that he would never get a dollar back; he gave out of his warm sympathy never expect- ing a return save that which came from the affectionate regard of those whom he helped."

Concerning his abilities as a lawyer, a promi- nent member of the bar said:

He was strong as a statutory lawyer, and in this respect had not an equal in the State of Ohio. He had the statutes at his fingers' ends and at his tongue's end, and could turn to any one he wanted without a moment's delay or hesita- tion. When you add to this his strong common sense, he was an antagonist in a law suit to be dreaded and an at- torney to be desired and sought after.

Judge Servis exerted a great, and at times a controlling influence in the politics of the county for nearly a quarter of a century. Up to the time the war broke out he was a Democrat, but when Sumter was fired upon he espoused the Union cause with fervent patriotism, and faltered not in this course until he laid down his life. Considering his activity in politics he rarely held office. Indeed, he seemed more desirous of

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

helping his friends than of advancing his own interests. He was twice elected prosecuting at- torney of Mahoning county, and discharged the duties of that office with great credit to himself and advantage to the public.

During the war he was draft commissioner for Mahoning county, and in the discharge of the responsible duties of this trying position he dis- played energy, courage, and ability that com- manded universal admiration.

In 1872 he was appointed associate justice of the supreme court of Montana, and entered up- on his duties in the fall of that year. In the summer of 1875 he resigned this position, re- turned to Canfield, and resumed his practice. In Montana he was held in high esteem by men of all parties. The press and bar of that Terri- tory, with absolute unanimity, paid the highest tributes to his memory as to his ability, integrity, and judicial character generally.

In 1876 Judge Servis was elected circuit judge of his district. Concerning this period of his career the Youngstown Register says :

There is no doubt that he has cherished for many years an honorable ambition to hold the office to which he has just been clected, and upon the performance of whose duties he has not been permitted to enter. Since his election last Oc- tober he has without any doubt overworked himself that he might reflect honor upon the great public dignity to which the people had called him. Of the judicial reputation and honorable fame he justly anticipated winning from a service upon the bench, among those with whom he had maintained life-long friendship and associations, cruel Death has robbed him.

Both in public and in private life Judge Servis was ever the same-a genial, generous, whole- souled man; and at his death the entire com- munity mourned the loss of a valued and trusted friend.

HENRY VAN HYNING.

The name Van Hyning originated in Holland and was brought to this country by some of the earliest of the New York colonists.

Henry, son of Henry and Hannah (Brower) Van Hyning, was born in Saratoga county, New York, May 1, 1797. His mother, who was his father's second wife, was a grandchild of Bogardus, a missionary from Holland. To the first wife of Henry Van Hyning, Sr., three sons were born, and to the second four sons and six daughters, of whom only two survive, Henry and

Sylvester. The latter lives in Norton township, Summit county.

In the spring of 1804 the family started for Ohio. The family then consisted of the father, mother, and nine children. Mr. Van Hyning made a canoe and took it with the heavier part of his goods to French creek, thence into the Allegheny, to Pittsburg. There he was met by the family, who had journeyed by land, and after putting the goods aboard wagons, all started for Canfield. They came via Beaver and arrived in Canfield township the latter part of August, 1805, having stopped in Susquehanna county nearly a year, and remained until the latter part of October. During their stay in Canfield the youngest son, Sylvester Van Hyning, was born.

Meantime the father had been to Northamp- ton, then in Trumbull, but now in Summit county, and had selected and purchased land for a farm. He hitched up his teams with two wagons and started for his new home, traveling by the way of Ravenna, and cutting a road a portion of the distance. From Ravenna he pro- ceeded to Warren and there purchased a barrel of pork, a barrel of flour, and a barrel of whiskey, doubled his teams, and in due time reached Northampton. There were then but two white families in that township. All was dense forest and Indians were numerous. After six years of pioneer life in Northampton, Mr. Van Hyning sold out and removed to Wolf creek, now Nor- ton township, where both he and his wife died. The father lived to see the fourth generation and attained the remarkable age of one hundred and two years. He served in the French and Indian war and all through the Revolution.

In the last-named war he was a captain, and commanded a company of picked men, selected from a brigade. Of the eighty members of this company not one was less than six feet in height, the captain being among the tallest of them. Captain VanHyning was under General Gates, and participated in the battle which resulted in taking General Burgoyne. During his residence in Northampton he was a justice of the peace; the greater part of the time for several townships, all of which were included in one election dis- trict. He also held the same office in Wolf Creek district, being one of the first elected there.

Henry VanHyning, Jr., passed his early years

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

amid the pioneer scenes ot the Western Reserve. He is one of the few men now living in Ohio who had Indians for his neighbors and associates. He found them friendly and well disposed, learned to talk their language, and frequently went hunting with them.

He obtained all of his school education in the log school-houses of pioneer days, usually at- tending a few months in the winter. At home he frequently studied by the light of hickory bark, and, in fact, picked up the most of his learning in this way.

At the time of the War of 1812, though not subject to military duty, he went into the service as a substitute for his brother, who had been drafted immediately after Hull's surrender, and served about three months in scout and outpost duty against the Indian raiders.

While in Norton Mr. VanHyning was a justice of the peace for several years, and was engaged in other public business, settling estates, etc., most of the time. In 1855 he removed to Cleve- land, thence to Newburg after a year or two. He remained in Newburg until he removed to Can- field in 1871. Mr. VanHyning was principally the means of getting a bank established in Can- field, and has been its president ever since it was founded.

He has married twice-first on August 14, 1820, to Miss Almira Taylor, a native of Con- necticut. She bore him three children, two sons and one daughter-Julius, Giles, and Henrietta. The daughter died in Newburg at the age of twenty-three; Julius is a farmer in Napoleon, Henry county, Ohio; Giles is a prominent mem- ber of Mahoning county bar, practicing in Can- field.

Mrs. VanHyning was born January 15, 1799, and died March 14, 1864.

November 30, 1864, Mr. VanHyning wedded Julia Randall. She was born in Northampton, Massachusetts, April 2, 1815. She died March 27, 1881.

Mr. VanHyning is a man of sterling integrity, . an esteemed citizen, and a useful member of so- ciety. His long life and active business career have made him familiar with many men, and all speak of him in the highest terms.

COLONEL SHERMAN KINNEY.

Sherman Kinney was born in Washington, Litchfield county, Connecticut, September 4, 1817, being a son of Theron and Ruth Ann (Meeker) Kinney. Sherman is the oldest of a family of eight children, two sons and six daugh- ters, of whom all are living except two daughters. His parents removed to Ohio when the subject of this sketch was about fourteen years old, set- tling in Boardman township where the father died in 1863, aged seventy-two. Mrs. Kinney is still living in Boardman. Sherman Kinney re- ceived a common school education. When in his thirteenth year, under the instruction of his father, he began to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade, working summers and attending school winters. After about four years he began working with his uncle, William Meeker, also a carpenter, and continued with him until he was about nineteen. His father then gave him his time during the remaining years of his minority, and Mr. Kinney began work for himself, and has since been following his trade. He made the study of architecture a specialty, and having a love for his pursuit he soon became well skilled in designing, which he has practiced as a depart- ment of his work from 1840 up to the present time.

From the beginning of his business life Mr. Kinney has been successful. He has worked in- dustriously, zealously and faithfully. Of recent years his business has been large and ever in- creasing. He has taken many important con- tracts and in every instance his work has given the best of satisfaction.

From 1852 to 1859 Mr. Kinney was a con- tractor and builder in the city of Cleveland and conducted quite an extensive business with his usual success.

In 1860 he came to Canfield, where he has since resided. As a business man he enjoys the respect and confidence of his fellow-citizens, and maintains a high social standing. Mr. Kinney is a Republican, but he has always been too busy to take a very active part in politics. In military matters he has been honored by several appoint- ments.

In 1841 Mr. Kinney was chosen a captain of militia, and served several years. At the break- ing out of the war a company, principally of Can- field men, was raised and Mr. Kinney was chosen

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

captain. Under the first call for troops-seventy- five thousand men for three months-this com- pany attempted to get into the army, but did not succeed, though many of its members subse- quently enlisted in other companies.

At the time of the organization of the State militia during the war the militia of Mahoning county was divided into three regiments, and Mr. Kinney received an appointment as colonel of the Second regiment of Mahoning county, and served in that office about two years.

Mr. Kinney was married in 1838 to Miss Marcia M. Titus. This lady was born in Wash- ington, Litchfield county, Connecticut, December 10, 1820, and was the daughter of Onesimus and Nancy Titus. The parents moved to Board- man township in this county in 1821 and spent the remainder of their days on the farm where they first settled. They reared five children who arrived at maturity, Mrs. Kinney being the second child. Three of this family are now living, one son and two daughters. Mrs. Titus died in 1863 aged sixty-seven; and Mr. Titus in 1875 at the age of eighty four.

Mr. and Mrs. Kinney have no children living. Their only child, Henry, born September 8, 1849, died October 13, 1856. This couple have many friends and no enemies.

It has been truthfully said, "On their own merits, modest men are dumb," and Colonel Kinney is one of most modest and unassuming of men. Nevertheless, his long experience in act- ive business has made his circle of acquaintances a large one, and every one bears cheerful testimony to his worth and usefulness. By faith- ful attention to his business and unwearied indus- try he has won success and prosperity.

NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.

George J. Lynn was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, December 26, 1775. He came to Ohio in the fall of 1803 and purchased land in Canfield township, then Trumbull county, and set- tled in the midst of the forest. He erected a rude log cabin in which he and a sister kept house until his marriage in the spring of 1807. His wife was Miss Catharine Grove, a representa- tive of a pioneer family. The subject of this sketch was a poor boy and started in life with

but seven cents in money and the clothes he had on. But he patiently and successfully met every difficulty which beset his pathway and eventually accumulated quite an extensive property. He died November 14, 1833, mourned by his rela- tives and a host of friends, by whom he was familiarly known as " Uncle George." He was the father of five sons and two daughters, as fol- low: David, John, George, William, Levi, Mary, and Elizabeth. Levi and William are dead, both leaving families. Mrs. Lynn sur- vived her husband until March 15, 1866. They are buried in the cemetery near Canfield.

David Lynn, the eldest son of the subject of the previous sketch, was born on the old Lynn homestead April 25, 1808. His occupation has always been that of a farmer. He was united in marriage February 17, 1834, to Miss Mary Ann Harding. To them were born nine chil- dren, as follow: George, John, George E., Al- medus, D. E., Elizabeth C., Lucy A., Mary, and Mary Jane. George and Mary Jane died in in- fancy; the remainder are living. Mr. Lynn is one of the prosperous and substantial farmers of his township and has held various offices of trust. He and his wife are members of the Presby- terian church of Canfield.

George Lynn, third son of George J. and Catharine Lynn, was born on the old homestead where he now lives, in Canfield township, March 21, 1813. During his active business life he has followed farming. He has been twice married, first to Rachel Moherman, who became the mother of five sons, viz: Freeman T., George F., Ensign Damel, Orlando M., and Walter J.

Henry Thoman, Canfield township, Mahoning county, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1790. He learned shoemaking when a young man, though he has followed farming principally. He married Mary Marter, who died in 1860, having borne ten children, viz: Harriet, Daniel, Cath- arine, Lewis, Henry, Margaret, Isaac, Samuel, Jesse, and Amanda. Six are living,-Lewis, in . Kansas; Harriet (Crouse), in Crawford county; Catharine (Morris) and Margaret (Wining) in Columbiana county ; Samuel and Amanda (Heintzelman), in Canfield township. Mr. Tho- man is now passing the evening of his ripe old age at the home of his son Samuel. The family came to Beaver township, Mahoning county, in 1828. In 1877 Mr. Thoman and his son Sam-

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

uel moved to Canfield. Samuel Thoman was born in Beaver township in 1833. He has fol- lowed a variety of occupations, having been a carpenter, a tinner, a millwright, a merchant, and a farmer, by turns. He has also resided in what is now Mahoning county. In 1854 he married Elizabeth Heintzelman, of Beaver town- ship. They have had six children: Ora Alice, Alvin, Viola, Melvin, Cora L., and an infant daughter. Ora Alice, Melvin, and the youngest are deceased. The family belong to the Re- formed church.

Prior T. Jones, farmer, Canfield township, Mahoning county, was born in Ellsworth town- ship, in 1836. In 1860 he married Ellen R. Bond, of Edinburg, Portage county. They have four children,-Lester L., Harry T., James B., and Amy Belle. Mr. Jones is a son of James Jones, who was born in Ellsworth in 1807 and died in Canfield in 1870. He married Huldah Tanner, and lived in Ellsworth until 1852, then moved to Canfield. While in Ellsworth he car- ried on tanning some years. His widow still lives in Canfield. She has borne four children, three of whom are living: William died in Kansas in 1857 about twenty-four years of age ; Prior T., Fanny (Turner), and Laura reside in Canfield. A sketch of the Jones family will be found in the history of Ellsworth.

George F. Lynn, member of the firm of Lynn Brothers, druggists, Canfield, Mahoning county, was born in Canfield township, March 20, 1845, a son of George and Rachel Lynn. He followed the dry goods business seven years, commencing in 1866. Since 1873 he has been engaged in the drug business. He was married November 9, 1872, to Lena N. Taylor, of Canfield. Mr. Lynn, for a young man, has been honored with a large number of local offices. He has been township clerk nine successive years ; secretary of the Mahoning County Agricultural society one year, and treasurer of the same two years. He was nominated for county auditor in 1880 by the Democrats, and ran about four hundred votes ahead of the rest of the ticket ; he was a mem- ber of the Democratic Executive committee sev- eral years, and was chairman of the central com- mittee in 1879, and exerts much influence in the Democratic party. He is one of the incorpora- tors of the Northeastern Ohio Normal school, Canfield, and is secretary of its board of trustees.

He has served several years as councilman of the incorporated village of Canfield.

J. C. Turner, farmer and coal operator, Can- field township, Mahoning county, was born in 1832 on the old Turner homestead, his present residence. In 1869 he married Fanny Jones, daughter of James and Huldah Jones, of Can- field. They have two children living, one de- ceased -- Elsie, Laura Electa, and Sylvia (de- ceased). Mr. Turner is proprietor of a coal bank, from which he is shipping several car loads of coal daily. He has been working the mine about three years. At present he employs from thirty to forty men, and is the most extensive coal operator in the township. For Turner fam- ily see Canfield township history.

Warren Hine, stock dealer and farmer, Can- field, Mahoning county, was born in Warren, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 18ro. In 1811 his parents returned to Canfield, their home, and here Mr. Hine has since lived. He has followed agricultural pursuits and is a large dealer in stock; he has been buying and selling for many years and is well known throughout a large region. Mr. Hine was married in 1836 to Rhoda Tichner, a native of Salisbury, Connecti- cut. They have no children of their own, but have reared two in their family, namely, Kate and Warren. During the war Mr. Hine warmly espoused the Union cause and was earnest in getting recruits for the army. Formerly a Whig he is now a Republican. Mr. Hine is a wide- awake citizen and a friend to every good work. He was one of the earliest supporters and organ- izers of the Mahoning County Agricultural society. For his parentage see chapter on Can- field township.

Lewis D. Coy, physician, Canfield, Mahoning county, was born in Green village, Mahoning county, in 1848, the son of Wesley and Dorothea (Bush) Coy, of Green village. He studied with Dr. Tritt, of Green ; attended Eclectic Medical institute, Cincinnati; graduated therefrom May 9, 1876. He then located in Green village and practiced till April, 1879, when he settled in Canfield, where he now enjoys a large and in- creasing practice. In April, 1881, he was ap- pointed physician at the county infirmary. This, with his outside calls, keeps the doctor very busy. In 1868 he married Laura C. Bowell, of New Albany, Ohio, who has borne two children,

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

Olive F. and Warren. Dr. Coy served in the late war; enlisted January, 1864, in company C, Sixth Ohio cavalry, and served until the close of the Rebellion. He is a member of the Lutheran church.

John H. Clewell, lumber dealer, Canfield, Mahoning county, was born in Northampton county, Pennsylvania, in 1806. He worked as a tinner and locksmith some years. In 1835 he came to Ohio and resided in Green village, Ma- honing county, where he was engaged in buying and selling stock. In 1837 he moved to Can- field and kept the hotel known as the Clewell house on the site of the present American house. This business he continued until 1848. He then went to Philadelphia, where he kept hotel about one year. In May, 1850, he returned to Can- field and began the manufacture of sewing ma- chines. In 1854 he engaged in the lumber busi- ness, which he still continues. At first his work was making bed-pins and broom-handles. In the first days of the oil well excitement he manufact- ured pump-rods for the oil well pumps. He now manufactures and deals quite extensively in all kinds of house-furnishing lumber. Mr. Clewell was married in 1830 to Elizabeth Koeh- ler (born in 1808), daughter of Nathaniel Koeh- ler, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania. To thetn have been born four children: Harriet Adelia (Whit- tlesey), Canfield; Stephen Albert, Stillwater, Minnesota; Delorma M., Ravenna, and Mary L. (Super), Athens. Mr. Clewell is a member of the Odd Fellows.

John J. N. Delfs, tanner, Canfield, Mahoning county, was born in Hamburg, North Germany, in 1849. In July, 1872, he emigrated to America, and after remaining a few months in New York city went to Hartford, Connecticut, and worked at his trade. From Hartford he went to Holyoke, Massachusetts, thence to Rock- well, Connecticut, from Rockwell to Cleveland, from Cleveland to Pittsburg, and from the latter place to Canfield in 1877. The following year he married Miss Ida M. Tanner. They have had two children-Roy and Fannie. Only the son is living. Mr. Delfs belongs to the order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Delfs is a member of the Congregational church.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 7

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