USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 33
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John Stambaugh Ford
and it was mainly through his personal efforts that the beautiful building of that society became an assured fact. He also had defi- nite plans in his mind regarding the Young Women's Christian Association, which have been faithfully carried out by his widow and daughter since his death. Large-hearted and generous, he never turned a deaf ear to any worthy appeal and his benefactions were both numerous and large. In all his giving, however, Mr. Ford was entirely unostentatious, for he did good solely for the sake of the good, and not for the applause of the multitude. As a companion in social circles, Mr. Ford enjoyed a well-deserved popularity, for he possessed to a marked degree those qualities which make a person agreeable. His optimistic view of life, his cheerful disposition and keen wit were contagious and no gather- ing of friends was dull if he was present. In his home he was es- pecially agreeable and nowhere was he happier than at his own fireside. His personal relations with his fellow men were ever mutually pleasant and agreeable, and he was highly regarded by all, having been easily approached and obliging and straightfor- ward in all the relations of life.
Religiously, Mr. Ford was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the various activities of which he took a keen interest and to the support of which he contributed liberally.
On June 8, 1887, John S. Ford was united in marriage with Harriet Wick, the daughter of Paul and Susan A. (Bull) Wick, and to them was born one daughter, Helen W. Mrs. Ford was educated in the public schools of Youngstown and Mrs. Mettle- berger's School in Cleveland, Ohio, after which she spent some time in study and travel abroad, being an accomplished and cul- tured lady. Her daughter, Helen, studied at the Misses Master's School at Dobb's Ferry, after which she too traveled and com- pleted her studies in Europe. She is now the wife of Dr. Armin Elsaesser, and they have one child, John Ford. They now reside with Mrs. Ford on Wick Avenue, near the old Paul Wick home, Wick Avenue having been named in an early day in honor of the Wick family. Paul and Susan Wick are referred to specifically, elsewhere in this work.
Arthur George Doung
ISTORY and biography for the most part record the lives only of those who have attained military, political or literary distinction, or who in any other career have passed through extraordinary vicissitudes of fortune. The unostentatious routine of private life, although in the aggre- gate more important to the welfare of the community, cannot, from its very nature, figure in the public annals. But the names of men who have distinguished themselves in their day and gen- eration for the possession, in an eminent degree, of those qualities of character which mainly contribute to the success of private life and to public stability-of men who, without dazzling talents, have been exemplary in all their personal, business and social relations, and enjoyed the esteem, confidence and respect of those around them-ought not to be allowed to perish. Few can draw rules for their own guidance from the pages of Plutarch, but all are benefited by the delineation of those traits of character which find scope and exercise in the common walks of life. Among the individuals of this class during recent years in Youngstown was the late Arthur George Young. His record is the account of a life which was, in the main, uneventful, as far as stirring incidents or startling adventures are concerned, yet was distinguished by the most substantial qualities of character. His life history exhibits a career of unswerving integrity, indefatigable private industry, and wholesome home and social relations-a most commendable career crowned with success. It is the record of a well balanced mental and moral make-up, strongly marked by those traits of character which are of special value in such a state of society as exists in this country. A community depends upon business ac- tivity-its welfare is due to this, and its promoters of legitimate enterprises may well be termed its benefactors. Such a man was the subject of this sketch, for many years a leading contractor of the city of Youngstown, a man who, in the most liberal acceptance of the phrase, was the architect of his own fortune, and worthy of the high esteem in which he was universally held.
Arthur G. Young, whose lamented death occurred at his home in Youngstown on February 2, 1909, was a native of Mahon- ing County, his birth having occurred on April 19, 1853, at Can- field, which at that time was the county seat. He was the son of
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George Alexander Young, a native of Maryland. His paternal grandparents were Robert and Lucinda Young, also natives of Maryland, where Robert died when his son George was but a. child. Then the widowed mother brought her only child west, first locating in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. There they formed the acquaintance of Colonel Hillman, who, taking a fancy to the lad, was like a father to him until he had reached manhood. Colonel Hillman, with the object of finding a home farther west, blazed a trail to what is now Youngstown, and then returned and brought his wife to the new location, the trip being made on horse- back. Lucinda Young and her son, George, followed in a short time. The saddle they used on this memorable journey is now a prized possession of the Historical Society, where hundreds have looked upon it, as it brought before them a flood of memories of former days. Colonel Hillman located at that time on what is now known as Mahoning Avenue. Lucinda Young bought property on Front Street, opposite to where the L. & S. railroad station is now located. She was in but modest financial circumstances, she naturally bought in a location where land could then be bought cheaply. In marked contrast to this fact, is the statement that in 1912 twenty-one feet in the rear of this same location sold at the rate of seven hundred dollars per foot front. There Lucinda Young spent the rest of her days, and there her son, George A., likewise passed the rest of his life. He followed the vocation of a cooper, and also made gloves. In this connection, it is related that he put out a sign reading, "Gloves Made Here." The residents of the neighborhood were surprised and amused to find, one morning, the sign changed to "Love Made Here." This was the work of a couple of mischievous young girls, who had playfully cut off the first and last letters of the word "gloves." However, the glovemaker appre- ciated the joke, and years afterwards one of the girls, a woman grown, called to see him during his last illness. He was in the eighty-fourth year of his age when he died.
In Baltimore, Maryland, George A. Young married Almira Noon, a native of that city, and a woman of unusual qualities of character. She became the founder of the first Baptist Church to be established in Youngstown, and her labors in this connection are matters of record. The society first met over Theabolds (now Ritter & Myers) store, to which room she carried the benches and other necessary furnishings. She was an earnest and active mem- ber of this first society and it is generally acknowledged that to her faithful and untiring efforts was its early success mostly due. After her death a committee endeavored to secure a portrait of
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her, to be hung in a place of honor in the present church building of that society, but were unable to secure it, as the only suitable portrait is in the possession of relatives out of the city. It is hoped that it will not be necessary to abandon the plan, for her portrait should adorn the church for which she did so much. By her union with George A. Young, she became the mother of eight children, namely: Almira, who is the wife of James Owen, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Kate, the deceased wife of Martin Andrews; Mary, the wife of Wells Clark, of Youngstown; Susan is the wife of Edwin Tidbaugh, of Los Angeles, California; Arthur G., the im- mediate subject of this sketch; Dillman R., a well-known jeweler of Youngstown; Emma, the wife of W. N. Hull, of San Francisco, California; Althia, deceased, was the wife of George H. Winds- worth, of Chicago, Illinois.
Arthur G. Young received a fair education in the public schools, but for the most part was self-educated. Indeed, as an index to his character, it may be said of him that he never con- sidered his education completed, and all his life he was a constant reader and profound student of a wide range of subjects. He thus became accurately informed and was a most interesting conversa- tionalist in any gathering in which he chanced to be found. At the age of sixteen years he apprenticed as a carpenter and at the age of twenty-two he was considered a master workman. During his spare time, while serving his apprenticeship, he studied pattern- making and architectural drawing, two branches of knowledge which were of inestimable value to him in his later life work. He followed his trade of carpenter until 1887, when he engaged in general contracting on his own account. As a contractor and builder he had no superiors, and indeed few equals, and his busi- ness was soon as large as he could care for. By nature and train- ing he was well fitted and qualified for this work and into it he put his whole energy. It was said of him that he took more pride in the quality of his work than pleasure in the compensation that he received for the work. It was soon found that he could be abso- lutely depended upon to construct a job exactly as it was intended it should be done and many people gave him full charge of the enterprise in hand, merely giving him an outline of what they wanted done, knowing that with his experience and natural abil- ity he would give satisfactory service. He could easily have ac- quired great wealth had he not been so absolutely honest in his work; however, he was successful and became very comfortably situated. Some of the finest and most costly private and public buildings in Youngstown were erected by him, among which may
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be mentioned the Rayen High School, the Stambaugh-Thompson Building, the Wick Bank Building, the Stambaugh Building, the Elks Home, and many other substantial structures in the business district of the city and a number of the best homes on Wick Ave- nue; he had also been engaged to superintend the construction of the new public library building, but died before the execution of the contract.
In the business life of the community Mr. Young was long looked upon as one of the leaders. He was one of the founders of the Youngstown Builders Exchange and was for a long time treas- urer of that body, being one of its leading members. He was also prominently identified with the Equity Building and Loan Com- pany, of which he was a director at the time of his death, and owing to his knowledge of real estate values, he was for many years the adjuster for that society, holding that position at the time of his death.
Politically, Mr. Young was an ardent Republican and took an active interest in the trend of public affairs. But he had no incli- nation for public life and never permitted his name to be used in connection with public office. Fraternally, he was a member of Western Star Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Hebron Lodge, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Youngstown Lodge, Be- nevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He was a regular attend- ant, though not a member, of the First Baptist Church, having been reared in that faith, and he gave liberally of his means to the support of that society.
Mr. Young was twice married. His first wife was Ella Pol- lock, whom he married on March 31, 1876, and to this union were born four children, namely: Cora is the wife of William G. Wilson, of Youngstown, and they have three children, Natalie L., Arthur Y., and Billy J .; Myrtle D., the wife of Otis E. Hawk, of Youngs- town; Elizabeth F., now deceased, was the wife of Robert W. Ker- nochan, and their only child, Elizabeth Y., now makes her home with her grandmother, Mrs. Young; Wilbur B., of Youngstown, married Lillian Gordon.
On January 1, 1886, Mr. Young married Mrs. Selemia Van Epps, widow of L. L. Van Epps and daughter of John P. and Mary A. (Thorn) Shoup, old and well known residents of Butler, Pennsylvania. John P. Shoup was a native of Germany, but at the age of six years was brought by his parents to the United States, the long and tiresome trip being made in a slow-going sail- ing vessel. They located on land in Butler County, Pennsylvania, which the father cleared and developed into a good farm. When
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they first located there wild game was abundant, and thus their table was always well provided with fresh meat. John P. Shoup became one of Butler County's successful and prominent farmers, and his death occurred there at the age of sixty-four years. Mary A. (Thorn) Shoup, Mrs. Young's mother, was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and spent most of her life in that State, though her death occurred at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Young, in Youngstown, on November 5, 1912, at the advanced age of seventy-nine years. By her former union with Mr. Van Epps, Mrs. Young became the mother of one child, Floyd, of Youngstown, who married Isabella Ponton, and they have a daughter, Anna Belle. Mrs. Young took into her heart and affection the children born to Mr. Young's first union and gave them the same motherly care and devotion that she would have given them had they been her own. Between her and these children there have always existed the most affectionate rela- tions. Mrs. Young is a woman of many pleasing qualities of char- acter, whose friends are in number as her acquaintances, and in her home she entertains with a charm and grace that expresses a welcome to all who enter there.
Mr. Young was essentially a home man, and though very busy all the time, he never permitted other things to detract his atten- tion from his home, where he found his greatest enjoyment. He was in the truest sense of the term a self-made man, having begun at the bottom of the ladder and working his way steadily and surely to the top entirely by his own efforts. At the time of his death, it was repeatedly said, "Youngstown has lost a man she could ill afford to lose," and among those with whom he had been associated there came a deep sense of personal bereavement, for he was a man who tied other men to him by the strongest cords of respect, confidence and friendship. It was a great privilege to have enjoyed his friendship, and even his companionship, for he was an inspiration to others, and his influence on those with whom he came in contact was always uplifting. He held to a high standard of busi- ness ethics and had no use for trickery or anything savoring of dishonesty. Painstaking and thorough in everything he did, he demanded of others that their work should be well done, and this high standard for himself and others he never deviated from. This fundamental element of his character probably had as much to do with his success in his business as anything else, for it com- manded the respect and confidence of the business world. Person- ally, he was genial and unassuming, and he enjoyed a wide circle of friends throughout the city of his residence.
Frederick Schoeninger
B IOGRAPHIES should not be published unless there is something in the life and character of the individual worthy of emulation or imitation by others under like circumstances-certainly not for self aggrandizement, but sufficient has been drawn from the life history of the gentle- man whose name appears above, to show that there was something in the inner life of this man worthy of more than incidental men- tion. He began life practically at the bottom of the ladder, while he climbed to the top with no help but a brave heart, industrious hands and an intelligent brain, and was an example of what may be accomplished in this country by thrift and perseverance, even under discouraging circumstances. He was a native of the Ger- man Empire, from whence has come so much of the bone and sinew of this country, and in his life he exhibited the qualities which have ever characterized people of that nationality-pa- tience, industry, and economy. By a life of integrity and genuine worth he gained an enviable standing in the community where the major portion of his life was spent and his death was considered a distinct loss to the locality.
Frederick Schoeninger, who died at his home, No. 262 East Exchange Street, Akron, on March 26, 1892, was born in Engels- brand, Württemberg, Germany, on September 23, 1843, and was a son of Frederick and Margaret (Boeninberger) Schoeninger, whose respective families had resided in the fatherland for gene- rations, respected and honored in their home communities. The subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being: Christian, deceased; Christiana, the wife of Erhart Hoenicka, William and Jacob. Frederick Schoeninger received his education in the excellent public schools of his native land, and at the age of seventeen years, fired with the stories of the wonderful opportunities open in this country to the men of ambition and energy, he decided to leave home and fatherland and work out his own career here. He was the first of the family to come to the United States, his brother Christian fol- lowing him soon afterwards, and eventually their parents also emi- grated, coming at once to Akron, where they spent the rest of their days and died. Upon landing in this country, Frederick Schoen- inger came at once to Akron, Ohio, and engaged in the butcher
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business. In this line he achieved an eminent success and followed it all his active life. He had good business ideas, was wisely eco- nomical of his funds and tactful and straightforward in his trans- actions, so that he soon had a substantial start. He bought his own animals in the country contiguous to Akron and did his own butchering, thus being able to select his meat and handle it to best suit his trade, an advantage which resulted in large profits to him. His courteous treatment of his customers, and his evident desire to please them, attracted to him a large patronage and for many years he was numbered among the leading meat men of this city.
Politically, Mr. Schoeninger was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party, and took an intelligent interest in the current questions of the day, but was never a seeker after the honors of public office, preferring to devote his attention to his own affairs. He was a man of marked domestic tastes and found his greatest enjoyment in his own home circle. He was, in the fullest sense of the term, a self-made man, of which fact he was justifiably proud, but was entirely unassuming in his demeanor. He was genial and companionable and enjoyed a marked popularity among his asso- ciates. He and his family were affiliated with the German Re- formed Church, to which he was a liberal contributor. He was deeply interested in the general welfare of his adopted city, and gave his support to every movement which had for its object the city's upbuilding or improvement in any line. He was the owner of considerable real estate in the city, including a valuable block at the corner of Market and Main streets, as well as several resi- dence properties. Honesty was one of the keynotes to his char- acter-an honesty that was evident in every phase of his life and which gained for him the confidence of the entire community.
In 1868 Mr. Schoeninger was united in marriage with Caro- line Angne, a native of Akron, Ohio, and the daughter of George and Catherine (Schaumloeffel) Angne. Her parents were both natives of Germany, but were married after they had located in this country. Though a weaver by trade, Mr. Angne was here em- ployed in the Buckeye Mower and Reaper works, where he was considered an efficient workman. He and his wife are both dead. They were the parents of the following children: Caroline, Mrs. Schoeninger; John, Julia, the wife of Otto Giessen, deceased; Charles; Amelia, deceased. To Mr. and Mrs. Schoeninger were born the following children: Carrie, who is employed at the Akron Hardware and Supply Company; Christian F., a successful meat dealer of this city, who married Hazel Annette Merryweather and they have one daughter, Margaret West; Amelia, a teacher
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in the Canton high school; Anna Bertha, a teacher in the Akron high school. Mrs. Schoeninger is a woman of unusual qualities of mind and heart. She possesses marked business ability and since her husband's death she has so managed the estate as to increase its value materially. Personally, she possesses those graces that. commend her to the love and kindly regard of all who know her.
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Colonel Arthur Latham Conger
NE OF the notable men of his day and generation, who gained success and recognition for himself and at the same time honored his native State by distinguished services, was the late Col. Arthur Latham Conger, of Akron, who held worthy prestige among the leading citizens of Ohio for a number of decades during the latter part of the nine- teenth century. Distinctively a man of affairs, whose broad and liberal ideas commanded general respect; a man of keen discern- ment and wise foresight; by nature an organizer and promoter of vast enterprises, and a public-spirited citizen of unswerving loy- alty to the general good, he long filled a conspicuous place in the public eye. As a leader in many important civic enterprises he contributed materially to the public welfare, while in the political arena of his day he attained distinction in a field where sound erudition, mature judgment and talents of a high order are re- quired. In his home city of Akron, where a number of his large and important enterprises were located, he ever commanded the confidence and esteem of all classes and his death was generally considered a distinct and irreparable loss to the community.
Arthur L. Conger was a scion of a sterling old pioneer family of this State and was born in Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, on February 19, 1838. His parents, John and Hannah (Beales) Conger, were natives of the State of Vermont and were both descended from Revolutionary ancestry. They were honest, hospitable, hard working people, who came to Summit County in an early day and here, through their industry and good manage- ment, became well established. On the home farm the subject of this sketch spent his boyhood years and received a meager educa- tion in the rural schools of the neighborhood. While still a mere boy he began to support himself by working in a brick yard for twenty cents a day. Though early deprived of the educational fa- cilities that he so ardently desired, he largely made up for this lack by persistent study at home and during his leisure moments, thus forming habits of study which remained one of his notable characteristics through life. So well did he equip himself men- tally in this way that he was qualified to teach school, which voca- tion he followed for awhile, also spending two years in canal boating.
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When the tocsin of civil war sounded through the land, Mr. Conger evinced his patriotism and loyalty by enlisting, in 1862, in Company G, One hundred and Fifteenth Regiment Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, of which he was elected second lieutenant. Later he was promoted to first lieutenant and finally, for meritorious and faithful service, he was placed in command of his company. For three years he saw service with the Army of the Cumberland, winning the confidence of his men and the approval of his superior officers by his gallant conduct. General Thomas, who commanded that great army, recommended him for promotion to the rank of captain and commissary of subsistence, but the war ended before the appointment could be made. He served efficiently as assistant adjutant general and provost marshal of Covington, Kentucky, and was assistant inspector of railroad defenses under James R. Willett. Receiving an honorable discharge, he returned home, and thereafter gave his attention to civil pursuits.
In 1866 Colonel Conger was elected treasurer of Summit County, and was re-elected at the expiration of his first term, dis- charging the duties of the office to the entire satisfaction of his fellow citizens. Desiring to enter a business career, he moved to Akron in 1867 and soon became identified with various business interests. In 1870 he became a stockholder and director in the Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Company and at the close of his service as county treasurer he became traveling salesman for the company, and in 1876 was elected vice-president. In 1877 the Whitman & Miles company consolidated with George Barnes & Company, of Syracuse, New York, under the name of Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, and of this concern Mr. Conger was elected vice-president, and later president, which position he held until 1898. In 1880 he became president of the Akron Steam Forge Company, which was afterwards moved to Muncie, Indiana, and was largely interested in the American Strawboard Com- pany, the Enterprise Manufacturing Company, and the Thomas Lumber and Building Company. He was also one of the promot- ers and largest stockholders and the president of the Diamond Plate Glass Company, of Kokomo, Indiana, the Elwood Tinplate Company, of Elwood, Indiana, and the Hartford City Glass Com- pany. Eventually he was one of the organizers of the plate glass trust into which the Diamond Plate Glass Company was merged and he became a director of the consolidated company. In 1891 he organized the American Tinplate Company, of Elwood, Indi- ana, with a capital stock of three hundred thousand dollars, which was one of the first and largest tinplate plants in the United
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