USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 31
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To Mr. and Mrs. Clark were born six children, three of whom died early in life. Those living are as follows: Mary D. is the wife of J. Staffer Shanks, of Canton, and they have two children, Wil- liam Clark and Eunice. Alexander Bierce Clark, who is connected with the Massillon Rolling Mills, married Faith Fogle, and they have four children. Alexander B., Henry F., Roger C., and Faith. William W., Jr., who is a successful manufacturer in Canton, mar- ried Olive Cavnah, and they have five children, William W., third, Robert C .. Isabelle and Richard, twins, and James.
Mrs. Clark and her daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church, in the prosperity of which they are deeply interested. Socially they are also members of the local chapter of the Daugh- ters of the American Revolution, one of the most coveted member- ships in this country. Mrs. Clark has long taken a large interest in local benevolent enterprises and is now rendering efficient and aprreciated service as president of the Associated Charities, one of the most efficient agencies for good in the city. In the social life of the city she has long been a prominent figure and is extremely pop- ular in all the circles in which she moves. In many respects she is an exceptional woman, and she is eminently deserving of the high position she holds in the esteem of those who know her.
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George Cook
EW men of Stark County, Ohio, were as widely and fav- orably known as the late George Cook, who passed away at his home in Canton on May 3, 1879. He was one of the strong and influential citizens whose lives became an essential part of the history of this section of the State and for years his name was synonymous for all that constituted honorable and upright manhood. Tireless energy, keen percep- tion, and honesty of purpose, combined with every-day common sense, were among his chief characteristics and while advancing individual success, he also largely promoted the moral and ma- terial welfare of the community. He was recognized as a man of strong and alert mentality and for years was recognized as one of the progressive and representative men of his city and county.
Unfortunately, but little of a definite nature is known of the early history of Mr. Cook and absolutely nothing of his parentage or antecedents. He was a native of the State of Ohio, born in 1827, and the first authentic account of him was when, in young manhood, he became associated with a Mr. Jacob and Lewis Miller at Greentown, this State, in the manufacture of plows and other farming implements. Some years later, in the latter forties, he and five other men came to Canton and established the C. Aultman Company, which firm became prominent and well known all over the country, he being one of the leading members of the company. After some years, Mr. Miller went to Akron and engaged in manu- facturing on his own account, but Mr. Cook remained with the Aultman Company, in which he was a heavy stockholder up to the time of his death. At the time of the establishment of the busi- ness in Canton, there were no railways here and the transportation facilities were very poor and shipments tedious, but by earnest and indefatigable efforts the business was built up and enlarged steadily, and when, later, they obtained the additional advantage of railway transportation the business grew by leaps and bounds. In the upbuilding of the company, Mr. Cook took a conspicuous part, devoting himself indefatigably to the business and, by his wise counsel and shrewd advice, contributing to the splendid pros- peritv which they enjoyed.
Mr. Cook did not confine his activities entirely to the company with which he was closely allied, but gave a due share of his atten-
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tion and effort to the advancement of the civic, moral, and educa- tional interests of the city of his choice. He was outspoken in his opposition to everything degrading or suggestive of vice or law- lessness and his support was ever found on the side of those which tend to elevate and bless mankind. Religiously, he was an earnest member of the First Baptist Church of Canton, in which he served as trustee and in other offices of the society, and it was in this church, in 1857, that he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock with Mary Weary. She was born in the northern part of Stark County, Ohio, on June 7, 1832, and spent practically her entire life in this county and in the city of Canton since eighteen years of age. Thus she has been an eye witness of the wonderful growth and splendid prosperity which has characterized this section of the State and she is justifiably proud of the part which her late la- mented husband had in this progress. Mrs. Cook is descended from an old Pennsylvania family, her parents, David and Mary (Smith) Weary, having been natives of that State, where they were married. Some time in the twenties they came to Stark County, Ohio, and purchased a track of wild land, on which was a small, rude log cabin. In this primitive home they lived awhile, then he built a larger hewed-log cabin, which he later covered with weather-boarding, so that it looked like a substantial frame house. Indeed, it was substantial and comfortable and there the family made their home until the death of the father, in 1847, in the prime of his life. Though he had been a hard-working and fairly success- ful man in his business affairs, he was unfortunate and lost a part of his possessions through the dishonesty of an unworthy fellow townsman in Pennsylvania, in whom he had put too much faith. Subsequently his widow came to Canton and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Cook, until her death, about two decades ago, at the advanced age of ninety-one years. To David and Mary Weary were born the following children: Margaret, who married late in life, died at the age of sixty years, leaving no children; John, who was killed by the falling of a tree, when less than nineteen years of age, was a farmer by vocation, though he had paid some attention to teaching music, having been an accomplished musi- cian; Katharine, who became the wife of Amos Johnson, is de- ceased; Sarah was the wife of John Smith, a farmer in Stark County, and they are now both deceased, having reared a large family; Simon, who was twice married, established a manufactur- ing business in Akron, where his death occurred; Daniel, who died in Illinois, was a successful contractor and builder; he married and left several children; Jacob, who married, went to one of the west-
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ern States, where he died; Henry, who was for years a prominent carriage manufacturer in the west, is now a resident of Pennsyl- vania; he has been married twice and has reared a family; Elizabeth died in young girlhood; Mrs. Cook was the next in order of birth; Benjamin was a soldier in the Civil War, being captain of an Ohio company, and after the close of the war he was shot by a southern bushwhacker, he having remained in the South; he left a widow and children.
To Mr. and Mrs. Cook were born six children: Charles, who is a leading citizen and prominent business man in Steubenville, Ohio, being actively connected with the gas industry there, is mar- ried and has three children, George, Justine and Marian; Edward, who is now in business in New York City, married Carrie Peters, who is now deceased; Helen became the wife of Conrad Switzer, who is now a retired banker at South Orange, New Jersey; Mary Alice is the wife of William Kuhns, a prominent business man of Baltimore, Maryland; they had two children, Ralph, of Philadel- phia, and Grace died at the age of three months.
Mrs. Cook has for many years been an earnest member and an active worker in the First Baptist Church of Canton, to the inter- ests of which she is a generous giver. She possesses those gracious qualities of head and heart which make for friendship and she is a popular member of the circles in which she moves, her home being characterized by the genuine spirit of old-time hospitality.
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hon. John D. S. Trainer
HERE is a great difference in men. They differ as the stars differ one from another in glory. Sometimes a light goes out which we do not miss. Its absence is not observed by men, unless in the conclusive agony of extinguishment it sweeps the sky with a meteoric trail and we be- hold it for a moment, wondering, as it sinks into the shadow and fades away. Other lights there are shining in the azure which, if they should be extinguished, would disturb the harmony of the spheres and startle mankind. So some men, journeying now through blossoming clover fields and now over toilsome hills, come to the end and lay down this thing we call life, and the great world goes on without a moment's pause. That is the fate of most men; a few fleeting years of effort and then the pitiless cycles of obliv- ion. Other men there are, better poised, better equipped, more resolute, whose lordly spirits rise on tireless wings to greater heights, and who shine among their fellows as the planets, those stately sovereigns of celestial empire. They are men of high pur- pose and definite achievement, who not only make history, but are history. When such a man falls the human race stops and stands awhile in wonder. We cannot go on until we pause and look back at the vast void occasioned by his absence, and thenceforth we carry with us a memory of him and of his deeds. In this mold of great men was cast the gentleman to whose memory the following lines are dedicated. When John H. S. Trainer passed out from among men into the endless shadow of that mystery we call death, it was as if the evening star had slipped from tired hands and fallen to shine no more. Because of the purity of his life, his emi- nent ability, his great attainments in his chosen line of effort, and the breadth and comprehensiveness of his intellect, he attained to an enviable standing among his fellows and his death was counted a distinct and irreparable loss to the community.
John H. S. Trainer was born January 22, 1826, at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was of good old Irish stock, both his parents having emigrated to this country from the Emerald Isle in 1818. Here the father first engaged in manufacturing, but eventually de- voted his attention to agricultural pursuits. The subject of this sketch attended the public schools of Lancaster until ten years old, when the family came to Jefferson County, Ohio, locating in
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Thon. John D. S. Trainer
Springfield Township, in the common schools of which neighbor- hood the lad completed his elementary education. His vacation periods were spent in assisting his father in the work of the farm, for John H. S. Trainer had early learned the important lesson of industry, a trait which characterized his entire life. At the age of seventeen years he entered the academy at New Hagerstown, Ohio, and later engaged in teaching school, first in Harrison County, this State, and later at Cadiz until 1848. Having deter- mined to make the practice of law his life work, Mr. Trainer had been employing his leisure time in the study of law under the di- rection of Hon. T. L. Jewett, and on April 7, 1848, he was admitted to the bar at Steubenville. He first engaged in the active practice at Mt. Gilead, this State, having formed a professional partnership with Judge Stewart, at Mansfield, which was, however, terminated six months later on account of the judge's ill health. Then Mr. Trainer removed to Carrollton and entered into a partnership with Judge Beldon of Canton, which lasted from November, 1848, to June 20, 1850. Mr. Trainer next opened an office at Wellsville, this State, where he practiced alone until April 1, 1853, when he located in Steubenville and became associated in the practice with George W. Mason. Nine months later these relations were severed and Mr. Trainer practiced alone until May, 1862, when he entered into partnership with Robert Martin, under the name of Trainer & Martin. In April, 1862, Martin entered the army and Mr. Trainer was alone until the following April, when he took J. F. Dayton in as a partner. In April, 1865, Mr. Martin returned from the army and again he and Mr. Trainer entered into a partner- ship, which lasted until Mr. Martin was elected to the bench in 1867. Then for a year Mr. Trainer was associated with Milton Tag- gart, when he formed a partnership with his nephew John McClave, now a leading attorney of Steubenville, and on Novem- ber 1, 1873, he formed a legal partnership with John M. Cook. He was later in partnership with Mr. James T. Bigger, who was a former student of Mr. Trainer and after that he and his son John W. Trainer, who is now in the Department of Justice at Washing- ton, formed a partnership. As a lawyer Mr. Trainer was well in- formed in his profession and faithful to his clients and the law. His mind was strong, judicial, and well balanced, impartial and just. He possessed a rare equanimity of temper and kindness of heart, which won for him the sincere regard of his associates at the bar. He was an honest and fair practitioner, and took no part in the tricks of the pettifogger or lawyer of low degree, which sometimes cast odium upon a profession which should ever be one of truth
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and honor. His nature was genial and social and his manners courteous and attractive. His mind was rich in the fruits of a long life of reading and observation. He had no personal enemies and provoked no one to enmity, for the simplicity and cordiality of his nature and manners invited friendship and forbade or dis- armed enmity. His personal character was above reproach. He was of manly presence, of pure morals, temperate and self-con- trolled. Fraternally he was a member of the Masonic and I. O. O. F. lodges. His domestic life was exemplary and his home a genial and happy one, while he was hospitable by nature and cordially responsive to all social claims. The death of such a man, even in the rounded fullness of a long life, is a great public loss, and not alone his associates at the bar, but the people of the city, expressed sincere sorrow and regret at his passing away. He leaves to his family the rich memory of an unstained name, and to the people he loved so well and served so long and faithfully, the record and example of an honorable and well spent life.
John H. S. Trainer spent some of the best years of his life in public service. Not that he was an office seeker, for had he con- sulted his own wishes he would have confined his attentions and labors to his own affairs, but he was not unheedful of the call to duty and responded in the loyal spirit that should characterize every citizen, and the discharge of his varied duties was always characterized by efficiency and thoroughness. In 1853 he was elected prosecuting attorney on the Democratic ticket, and in 1857 was elected mayor of Steubenville, serving in the latter position two terms with eminent satisfaction to his fellow citizens. In October, 1858, he was nominated for the position of county judge, but was defeated by three hundred and seventy-three votes, though the balance of the ticket was defeated by fourteen hundred votes. In April, 1859, he became city solicitor, and in 1873 he was nomi- nated as a delegate to the State constitutional convention, but was defeated at the polls by one hundred and seventy-two votes. Here again his personal popularity in the county was in evidence, for the remainder of the ticket was defeated by seventeen hundred votes. In 1875 his name was brought before the state convention for Attorney General, but he declined. In 1883, his friends urged him to become a candidate for Common Pleas Judge and he was defeated by only 103 votes, the usual Republican majority being about 2,000.
On October 10, 1849, Mr. Trainer was married to Esther Ann Morrison, who was born in Monroeville, Mahoning County, Ohio, January 22, 1825. Her father, Andrew W. Morrison, was a native
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of Ireland and served under Wellington. He settled in Carroll County, Ohio, in an early day, became a teacher by profession and also served as probate judge of that county. Mrs. Trainer was an ideal helpmate for her husband, presiding over her home with queenly grace, husband and children all coming under the sweet influence of her presence and her excellent qualities of soul, mind, and character. To her and her husband were born six children, of whom two survive, Mary C. Trainer, of Steubenville, and John W. Trainer, of Washington, D. C. A son, William M. Trainer, who died on September 10, 1912, is mentioned specifically elsewhere in this work, he having been one of Steubenville's honored and ap- preciated citizens. John H. S. Trainer died on May 9, 1891, and Mrs. Trainer on January 5, 1910. They were parents of whom their children are justifiably proud and of whom all who knew them will retain sweet and tender memories for their good deeds and their pure lives, which remain an inspiration and a benediction to those who follow after.
oshua Low
HERE is no positive rule for achieving success, and yet in the life of the successful man there are always les- sons which might well be followed. The man who gains prosperity is he who can see and utilize the opportuni- ties that come in his path. The essential conditions of human life are ever the same, the surroundings of individuals differ- ing but slightly, and when one man passes another on the high- way of life and reaches the goal of prosperity before others who perhaps started out before him, it is because he has the power to use advantages which probably encompassed his fellows. Among the prominent citizens and successful business men who were identified with Steubenville, Ohio, stood Joshua Low. The qual- ities of keen discrimination, sound judgment, and executive abil- ity entered very largely into his makeup, and were contributing elements to the material success which came to him.
Joshua Low, whose lamented death occurred at his home in Steubenville on December 15, 1903, was a native son of the old Keystone State, having been born at Paris, Pennsylvania, on Feb- ruary 20, 1845. He was the son of Caleb and Priscilla Low, early settlers of that locality, who had emigrated there from Maryland, when Caleb was but eighteen years of age. Joshua Low spent his boyhood days in Paris, Pennsylvania, securing his education in the common schools of the neighborhood and assisting his father. Upon starting out in life on his own account he followed the voca- tion of tanning. In 1868 he moved to Freedom, Pennsylvania, where he remained but a short time, then came to Steubenville, Ohio, with which city he was closely identified during the remain- der of his life. Energetic and enterprising, he devoted himself indefatigably to his business affairs, and during a long period of years he was numbered among the substantial and prosperous men of this city. In the upbuilding of the city he was deeply inter- ested, giving his support to every movement organized for the purpose of advancing the best interests of the community. Large- hearted and generous, Mr. Low was widely recognized as a charita- ble and kind-hearted man, his benefactions extending over a long period of years and touching not only many individual cases, but also benefiting many of the public benevolences of the city. How- ever, he was not ostentatious in his generosity, for he did not
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crave the plaudits of the people, his charity being but the prompt- ings of a kind nature. He always saw the bright side of life, and wherever he went he was a welcome guest. Genial and companion- able in his actions, he readily made friends and always retained them, for he was a man whose personal characteristics were such as drew men to him. For thirty-four years he was numbered among the representative citizens of his city and his death, which occurred on December 15, 1903, was deeply regretted by all who knew him. The business is now successfully carried on by his sons.
On April 30, 1867, at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Joshua Low was united in marriage to Elizabeth Mohr, a native of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and they became the parents of the follow- ing named children: Ella, the wife of William Barr, who is con- nected with the Steubenville Drug Company; Anna C., twin with Ella, is the wife of Frank Blackburn; Frank E., who rendered effi- cient service to his city as a member of the board of public service; Harry M., of Steubenville, Ohio; Howard J. of Steubenville; Fran- ces, the wife of D. M. Wier. In many respects Mr. Low was a man of unusual capability. He was a genius in his love for and knowl- edge of mechanics and electricity and not infrequently he gratu- itously gave hours of service to those in need of an expert in those lines. He possessed a keen sense of humor and was a most enter- taining conversationalist. A wide reader and keen observer of men and events, he was well informed on general topics, and was able to discuss intelligently all the current issues of the day. Religiously, the family are identified with the Westminster Presbyterian Church. They move in the best social circles of Steubenville and are popular among their acquaintances, who esteem them for their genuine worth and character.
Walter Orlando Johnson
VE OF the distinctive incidental functions of this publi- cation is to take recognition of those citizens of the great commonwealth of Ohio who stood distinctively representative in their chosen spheres of endeavor, and in this connection there is eminent propriety in according consid- eration to Walter O. Johnson, who was prominently identified with the banking interests of Steubenville, and whose life chapter has been closed by the fate that awaits all mankind. For a long lapse of years he was a prominent citizen of his city, although he was summoned to close his earthly accounts while still in the zenith of his power. While he was particularly identified with one special line of effort, he also belonged to that class of representative men of affairs who promote the public welfare while advancing individ- ual success. There were in him sterling traits which commanded uniform confidence and regard, and his memory is to-day honored by all who knew him.
Walter Orlando Johnson, whose death occurred at his home in Steubenville, Ohio, on August 20, 1908, was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, on February 27, 1851, and was the son of David Johnson. The latter was a native of Washington County, Penn- sylvania, and brought his family to Jefferson County in an early day, becoming one of the prominent early citizens of this commu- nity. Walter Johnson was reared under the parental roof and his education was secured in the public schools. He attended business college in Pittsburgh two years and then obtained employment in a bank and practically his entire active life was spent in connec- tion with the banking business, for which he had a natural apti- tude. At the time of his retirement from active work, some time prior to his death, he was serving as teller of the Steubenville Na- tional Bank, having been connected with that institution for a number of years in various capacities. He was a man of large bus- iness capabilities and was held in high esteem among his associates and the patrons of the bank. His record was characterized by faithful service and prompt discharge of every duty devolving upon him, while he possessed an integrity that no consideration could swerve. He gave to the world the best of an essentially virile, loyal, and noble nature and his standard of honor was inflex- ible. He was a citizen of high civic ideals and ever manifested his public spirit by an earnest and effective support of all measures
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for the public good. Although his life was a busy one, his every- day affairs making heavy demands upon his time, he never shrank from his duty as a citizen and his obligation to his church, his neighbors, and his friends. Always calm and dignified, his life was, nevertheless, a persistent plea for the purity and grandeur of right principles and wholesome character. He had the greatest sympathy for his fellow men and was ever willing to aid and en- courage those less fortunate than he, though in this, as in every- thing else, he was entirely unostentatious.
In April, 1880, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage with Julia Blinn, and to them was born one child, Frank, who died in infancy. Mrs. Johnson is the daughter of Captain James H. and Julia (Hol- liday) Blinn. Her father was a native of New Haven, Connecticut, who came to Jefferson County, Ohio, in young manhood, becoming identified here with various business enterprises and attaining a position of relative importance in the business circles of this city. On first locating here he engaged in partnership with his uncle, Christopher Wolcott, in the woolen business, after which he served two terms as sheriff of Jefferson County. Eventually he engaged in the coal business and for a number of years was the efficient manager of the High Shaft Coal Company, of this city. He was given his title of Captain because of his distinctive military bear- ing and also on account of his having commanded a company of militia here at one time. During his active years he was one of the best known men in Jefferson County. A Republican in his political affiliations, he took an active and influential part in political af- fairs, being numbered among the leaders of the party in this county. He was twice married, his second wife being the mother of Mrs. Johnson, and she also was a native of Pennsylvania. Cap- tain Blinn was prominent in the Masonic order, having attained to the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite, while his religious membership was with St. Paul's Episcopal Church, of which he was a member of the vestry and a liberal supporter.
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