Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 109

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 109

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).

OSEPH R. TABER, postmaster, dealer in boots and shoes, and one of the leading citizens of the village of Can- field, was born February 3, 1859, in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph Addison and Isabella ( Keckley) Ta- ber, the former of whom is deceased, and the latter is still living on the old home place in the village of Pekin, Carroll County, Ohio,

Joseph R. Taber was reared in Carroll County, Ohio. His primary education, which was received in the district schools; was sup- plemented by a course at the Grand River In- stitute in Ashtabula County, after which he taught in the business department of the Aus- tinburg Institute for two years. In 1888 he came to Canfield and taught the business de- partment of the Northeastern Ohio Normal College for thirteen years. In 1900 he bought out G. B. Shellhorn, who conducted a boot and shoe store, and has since been engaged in that business which he manages in connection with his duties as postmaster of Canfield, taking charge of the postoffice on April 11, 1905. Since 1900 Mr. Taber has been clerk of the village. He is a Republican in politics, and served as mayor of Canfield for two years, during 1804-5. Fraternally he is connected with the Odd Fellows.

Mr. Taber married Nettie A. Bartholomew of Vienna, Ohio, and has two children: Mil- dred and Mabel.

ILLIAM BEIGHT, merchant, who has been established in the mer- cantile business at New Middle- town. since 1887, was born on the old Jonathan Beight homestead, in Springfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, January 11, 1866, and is a son of Jona- than and Bietta ( Lipp) Beight.

The Beiglit family came to Springfield township among its earliest pioneers. John Beight. the great-grandfather, with his son, John Beigt, came from Hagerstown, Mary- land. in 1802. and located in Springfickl town-

Dig izedby Google

871

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

ship, where he secured about about a half sec- tion of land from the government, paying $1.25 an acre. The land was cleared enough at first to enable the father and son to build a log cabin of the most primitive description, without either windows or floors. This struct- ure stood on the farm for many years. Grand- father John Beight married a member of the Rhodes family, also pioncers. Jonathan Beight, father of William, was born on the Beighit land but on a fanın adjoining that on which his son was born, in December, 1828. When he married he bought 57 acres of the homestead land to which he subsequently addled until he had 140 acres, which he oper- ated for some years, but later disposed of all of it to his sons. He married Bietta Lipp, who was born in April, 1828, in Stuttgart, Ger- many, and is a daughter of Gottleib Lipp, who came to Springfield township when Mrs. Beiglit was five years old. A family of ten children have been born to Jonathan Beight and his wife, as follows: Israel, residing in Springfield township; Louis, a resident of Springfield township: George, who died aged six years: Emanuel and Jonathan. Jr., both residing in Springfield township: Lydia, who married Francis Haller, residing in Spring- field township: William; Tillie, who died young : Rebecca, who married Clarence Creps, residing with her parents; and Annie, who married Sylvester Burkey. and resides a short distance east of New Middletown.

1 William Beight was reared in Springfield township. where he attended the public schools during boyhood. later became a student at the Northeastern Ohio Normal School at Can- field, and completed his education at the Spen- cerian Commercial School at Cleveland. For two years he was interested in a mercantile business at New Springfieldl, under the name of J. Hoffman & Co., following which he came to New Middletown. Mr. Beight commenced business at his present location, a two-story building. and he utilizes all the space, his stock being a very heavy one. For the first six years he had his brother, E. M. Beight. as a partner, but then bought the latter's interest and the firm name was changed from Beight

Bros. to William Beight. His stock includes dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, and he supplies a large percentage of the citizens of New Middletown as well as the adjacent country.

Mr. Beight has not only been a successful merchant, but he has a number of other inter- ests which he ably controls. A man of fore- sight and judgment, he has invested largely in real estate, particularly at Youngstown, in which city he owns seven valuable residence properties and also has an interest in the Pfau & Faunce Realty Company. He owns a one- fourth interest in a three-story store and apart- ment building which is being erected on Phelps street.

In September, 1887, Mr. Beight was mar- ried to Emma Fauser, who was born at Peters- burg, Mahoning County, and is a daughter of Frederick and Lucy (Martin) Fauser. Mr. Fauser still survives and resides at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Beight. The latter have one son, Judson Frederick, who was born Febru- ary 11, 1888. In politics, Mr. Beight votes with the Democrats. Fraternally he belongs to Starlight Lodge, No. 224, Knights of Pythias.

OHN H. MILLER, a leading business man of Salem, who conducts a green- house at No. 17 West Main street, operates two other similar establish- ments on his farm of 25 acres, which is situated in Goshen township. Mr. Miller was horn in Bedford County, Pennsylvania, October 30. 1845, and is a son of Joseph C. and Delilah ( Hanks) Miller. The father of Mr. Miller came to Ohio in the spring of 1882 and resided in various parts of Mahoning Comty. His death took place in Berlin town- ship.

John 11. Miller came to Mahoning County in the spring of 1864, and until the following fall he worked as a farmer. in Ellsworth town- ship. He then went back to Bedford County. only to return to Mahoning in the spring of 1865. and from then until 1872 he was mainly engaged in agricultural pursuits in Green and

Dla zedby Google

872

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Goshen townships. About that time he bought 25 acres of land in section 13, Goshen town- ship, and started immediately to improve the property, which he continued to do as long as he resided upon it. He started his nursery and greenhouses and when he saw a good opening for the business, in 1881, he moved to Salem and erected his present establishment in the city; his business now requires the re- sources of all three greenhouses.

Mr. Miller married Rosa D. Bowman, who was born in Goshen township, and who is a member of an old and prominent family of this section. Iler father was the late Chris- tian Bowman. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six children, as follows: George H., residing in Goshen township: Rachel, a public school teacher in Mahoning County; Esther, resid- ing at home; John G., residing at Salem; Emily, residing at home; and Abel R., a resi- dent of Salem.

Politically Mr. Miller is a Democrat. While living in the country, he served as school director in district No. 6, and always has done all in his power to advance the inter- ests of education in his community. He be- longs to Salem 1.odge, No. 305, of the Elks, and is serving in the office of chaplain. Since he was eight years of age Mr. Miller has been entirely dependent upon his own efforts and he may justly be called a self-made man.

n ORMAN W. HOLE, M. D., a leading physician and one of the representa- tive citizens of North Jackson, was born May 23, 1869, near Augusta, in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a son of Caleb and Sophia ( Miller ) Hole.

Caleb Hole was born about 1827, in Car- roll County, Ohio, and is still living at the ad- vanced age of 80 years. His parents, John and Catherine ( Hanna) Hole, came from .Vir- , ginia to Ohio, and were among the early pio- neers of the state. Catherine ( Hanna) Hole, grandmother of Dr. Hole, and the grandfather . of the late Senator Mark A. Hanna, were

brother and sister. Sophia (Miller) Hole. mother of Dr. Hole, survives, in her 68th year. Her parents came to Mahoning from Columbiana County, Ohio. By a previous marriage, Mrs. Hole had two children, and two children were born to her marriage with Caleb Hole, viz .: Anna Lula, who died aged 22 years, was unmarried : and Norman W.

Dr. Norman W. Hole received his early education in the district schools of Carroll County, Ohio, and was reared on a farm. When about 17 years old his father removed to Damascus, and there he graduated from the academy. He subsequently spent three years in the Western Reserve Medical College, and later entered the Cleveland College of Phy- sicians and Surgeons, now known as the Medi- cal Department of the Ohio Wesleyan Uni- versity of Cleveland, where he graduated with the class of 1898. In the following autumn he located in North Jackson, Mahoning County, Ohio, and embarked in the practice of his pro- fession, and has become one of its eminent ex- ponents in this section. Dr. Hole is president of the North Jackson Telephone Company. His fraternal relations include membership in Lodge No. 343. Knights of Pythias, of North Jackson. and the Maccabees, of Rosemont, Mahoning County. Religiously, he is con- nected with the Disciples Church at North Jackson. Politically he affiliates with the Re- publican party, but is extremely liberal in his views. At present he is a member of the Jackson township school board.

Dr. Hole was married June 10, 1896, to Ellena Cobbs, a daughter of Amasa and Anna M. (Schaeffer) Cobbs, of Beloit, Ohio. Her grandfather. John Schaeffer, who still resides near North Benton, Ohio, is probably the most aged man in North Benton, having entered his 102nd year. He settled there when all that section was a dense forest. The paternal grandparents were Linsey and Anna Cobhs. Three children have been born to Dr. and Mrs. Hole: Bertha ' Anna. Donald Norman. and Alfred C. Dr. Hole has a bright and in- telligent family. They enjoy a beautiful and comfortable home in North Jackson.

Digiizedby Google

873

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

AMIES PORTER McNEILLY, a lead- ing citizen of Ellsworth township, re- siding on his valuable farm of 85 acres, was born on this farm Febru- ary 1, 1844, son of James and Eliza- beth (Trimble) McNeilly.

The father of Mr. McNeilly was born in 1804, in Ireland, and was married there at the age of 20 years. In 1827 he brought his fam- ily to Mahoning County, Ohio, settling first in Jackson township. but later removing to the present farm in Ellsworth township. His children were eight in number, namely: John and Robert, deceased; William, residing in Wayne township, Ashtabula County; Mar- garet and Eliza, deceased; Samuel A., resid- ing in Ellsworth township; Mary, deceased; James Porter, subject of this sketch; and Martha, who is the widow of Frank Fitch, and a resident of Ellsworth township. The father of the above-mentioned family, when he set- tled here, built a log house on this farm, and in that his children were born. Here also the mother died in November, 1870, aged 72 years.

James Porter McNeilly grew to manhood on his present farm, and was educated in the district schools and the Canfield Academy. He. has devoted himself to agricultural pursuits, and the longest time he has ever passed away from his old home was the period, during the Civil War, in which he served in the Federal Army. He enlisted in 1864 in Company G. 155th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. After serving his term of enlistment he re- turned to the farin. and for some years spent the winter seasons in teaching local schools.

On February 2, 1871, Mr. McNeilly was married to Jerusha Fitch, who is a daughter of Richard and Nancy ( Webb) Fitch, and a granddaughter of Richard Fitch, who came to this section in 1806, in company with his brothers, William and Charles Fitch. The mother of Mrs. McNeilly was six months old when her parents, John and Sallie Webb, came to Mahoning County. The children of Rich- ard and Nancy Fitch were: Francis, de- ceased; Jerusha, now Mrs. McNeilly; Addie. residing in Ellsworth township; and Colbert, who is deceased. Richard Fitch died aged

73 years, and his widow aged 77 years, both being residents of Ellsworth township.

To Mr. and Mrs. McNeilly were born two children: Francis Fitch and Fannie Alberta, the latter of whom was born October 21, 1879, and died February 20, 1881. Francis Fitch McNeilly, the only son, was born January 13, 1876, and died after a short but severe illness, in April, 1899, aged but 23 years. On Sep- tember 28, 1898, he was united in marriage with Glenadore Noble, who is a daughter of Henry and Lucy Noble, of Rosemont, form- erly of Rock Creek, Ashtabula County. The untimely death of Mr. McNeilly was a heavy blow to his loving family and was felt as a bereavement to the community, which had watched him develop from a manly youth into a man of sterling character. His friends were many, for he possessed a beautiful, sunny dis- position which attracted all to him, and those who knew him only in a business or social way, were impressed by his unusual ability, his excellent judgment and his personal in- tegrity. There are many who still miss his hearty, cheerful greeting and the cordial grasp of his hand. His peaceful resting place is in the quiet shades of the Ellsworth cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. McNeilly reside in their com- fortable nine-room residence, one of the many improvements he has put on the farm. Mr. McNeilly has been a lifelong Republican. He is a member of Kirkbride Post, No. 600, of the Grand Army of the Republic, of Berlin township.

ID ANIEL I. RICHARDS, a prominent citizen of Goshen township, who served eighteen consecutive years as a justice of the peace, resides on his valuable farm of 77 acres, which is situated in section 23. Mr. Richards was born in Goshen township, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 12, 1843, and is a son of Sammel and Lydia (Brown) Richards.

Samuel Richards was born in Warren County, New York, and came to Mahoning County in 1839, settling on the farm in Gosh- en township now occupied by his son Daniel,

Di zed by Google

874

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

where he continued to live until his death in 1854. He was a son of Daniel Richards, a native of the state of New York. In the early days he was one of the pioneer school teachers and being a man of more education than many of his neighbors, he took a leading part in public matters. He was a Whig in politics and he served as one of the first clerks of Goshen township. He married Lydia Brown. who was born in Susquehanna County, Penn- sylvania, and of their children the following survive: Stephen B., residing at Salem; Dan- iel I .; George A., residing at Elmira, New York; Hannah B., wife of Emmett Snode, residing in Stark County; and Huldah E., a resident of Goshen township.

Daniel I. Richards was reared in his native township and its schools provided him with a common school education. He has always given attention to agricultural pursuits and in addition to general farming he carries on ex- tensive dairying. His valuable herd of Jersey cows includes a number of registered cattle.

On January 16, 1883, Mr. Richards was married to Emma Fred, who was born in Bel- mont County, Ohio, and is a daughter of the late Thomas Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Richards have five surviving children, namely : Herbert F., Lola M., M. Grace, Lewis S., and Thomas W. Mr. Richards has given his children ex- cellent educational advantages, one daughter, M. Grace, at present being a student in the El- mira Female College, at Elmira, New York, and the standing of the family has assured them pleasant social connections.

Politically Mr. Richards has been identi- fied with the Republican party ever since his majority, and he has frequently been called on to serve in office, for eighteen consecutive years. as mentioned above, being a justice of the peace, and also a member of the township board of trustees. On numerous occasions he has been sent as a delegate to important con- ventions, being in the confidence of the leaders of his party. He is a man of progressive ideas and has always encouraged agricultural move- ments which promise to promote the welfare of the farming community, and is a charter member of Goshen Grange, Patrons of Hus-

bandry. He is a member of the Society of Friends at Salem. Mr. Richards is a type of the self-made man, in that he was left with heavy responsibilities at an early age, being but II years old and next to the eldest son, when his father died.

ORACE W. SPEAR, who is largely identified with the fruit industry in Goshen township, is also a successful agriculturist, residing on a valuable farm of 85 acres, which is situated in section 32. Mr. Spear was born at Salem, Ohio, February 17, 1857, and is a son of Dr. Benjamin W. and Elizabeth (Ware) Spear.

Alexander Spear, the grandfather of Horace W., was probably born in Scotland, but he was residing in Pennsylvania at the time of the birth of his son Benjamin, in 1822. The latter came to Ohio and for about twenty years practiced medicine at Salem. On ac- count of failing health, he turned his attention to the growing and handling of fruit, and in 1865, in order to advantageously engage in this industry, he moved to Garfield, Ohio. He owned a fruit farm in Goshen township, and for a number of years he was profitably en- gaged in buying and shipping. During his last ten years in Ohio he conducted his busi- ness under the firm name of B. W. Spear & Son, Horace W. being his partner. The firm was dissolved in 1800, when Dr. Spear and his wife moved to Pasadena, California, where they still reside. Dr. Spear has passed his 84th birthday.

Horace W. Spear was eight years old when his parents moved to Garfield, where he entered the public schools, and he later spent a short time at Mount Union College, at Alli- ance. He carries on general farming, but has his father's tastes, and in the season pays much attention to the handling of fruits. He owns a warehouse at Garfield and buys and ships hundreds of barrels of' apples all over the country. He is a well-known dealer all through the fruit belt and is a very highly valued citizen of Mahoning county.

Dized by Google

€

HON. IRA F. MANSFIELD

Digweed by Google

877

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Mr. Spear married Isabella Stanley, who is a daughter of John and Hannah Stanley, former residents of Salem, but now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Spear are members of the Pres- byterian Church at Salem.

In politics Mr. Spear is a Republican. He has served for two terms as trustee of Goshen township and is a public-spirited and progress- ive citizen, taking an interest in all her public affairs. He belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias, at Sebring, Ohio.

I RA FRANKLIN MANSFIELD. The Mansfield family is of ancient origin and honorable achievement in all the walks of life down the line from re- mote periods in the pioneer past to the changed conditions of the progressive present. Though there are now representatives of the name in the various States of the Union, they radiated from one common center in the an- cient Wallingford of Connecticut, where the connection clustered for many generations. The family is traced back to Sir John Mans- field, who was born and died in Exeter, Devon- shire, England. His son, Richard Mansfield, was born in Exeter, England, in 1609, settled in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1639, and died January 10, 1655. He married a Miss Gilham.

Their son, Major Moses Mansfield, was horn at New Haven in February, 1639, mar- ried. in 1664. Mercy Glover, and in 1097 mar- ried Abigail Yale. He was a picturesque per- sonality in the early Indian wars, and went out as Major-General of the State militia, defeating the Indians in King Philip's war, and in his lionor the name of the aboriginal town of Nawbesetuck was changed to Mansfield.

His son, Jonathan Mansfield, was born in New Haven. February, 1686, married, in 1708. Sarah Alling, and, later, Abigail Dorman, and died in January. 1775.

Moses Mansfield, the son of Jonathan, was born in Wallingford in 1709, married, in 1734. Mary A. Kierstead, and, in 1748, Rachel 45

Ward, and died in 1754. He was known as "Schoolmaster."

John Mansfield, the son of Moses, was born in Wallingford in 1748, and married, in 1775, Ester Lewis. He was widely known as "Captain Jack," and his memory is proudly cherished by his descendants for his distin- guished services as a soldier and a pa- triot. He served for thirty-nine years in the military forces of Connecticut, being at different times a member of the Second, Fourth and Sixth regiments and securing promotion to commissioned of- ficer in each. He entered the Revolutionary War in February, 1775, fought through all the terrible years "that tried men's souls," and at its glorious termination held a commission as captain, which was conferred under circum- stances that reflected great honor upon the tam- ily name. It was received from the hands of General Washington himself, and states speci- fically that it was given in reward for "cool- ness, firmness, and punctuality" displayed by leading the "forlorn hope" that storied and captured redoubt No. 10 at Yorktown, Vir- ginia. This patriotic officer, twice wounded, was retired on a pension in 1814, and died in Jime, 1823.

Ile lett a son named Ira Mansfield, who was born in Wallingford, in 1776, and mar- ried Sukey Kirtland. They settled at At- water, Ohio, in 1803; he was a member of the militia taking part in several Indian conflicts, and died in 1849.

Isaac K. Mansfield, son of Ira Mansfield, was born at Atwater, Ohio, in 1809; he mar- ried, in 1838, Lois 11. Morse. Early in life he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Poland, Olio: he was also a commission and forward- ing merchant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He died in 1850.

Ira F. Mansfield, son of Isaac K. Mansfickl. was born in Poland, Ohio, in 1842. Besides passing through the common school grades he had one year's course at Poland College. His schooling was suddenly ended by his suspen- sion for violating the school rules by attend- ing a dancing party at President William Me-

Dlg zed by Google

878

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Kinley's home, after which he learned the moulder's trade with Van Brocklin & Jones at Youngstown, Ohio, But this occupation was changed by the outbreak of the Civil War. It was not to be expected that a descendant of soldiers and patriots would hold aloof at such an hour, and so we find young Mansfield at his Poland home, in August, 1862, as having enlisted in Company H. One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry. Two months later they were in the battle of Perryville. Kentucky. Company H lost every officer, and, though badly wounded. Sergeant Mansfield took com- mand of the company and was early promoted to second lieutenant. At the battle of Chick- amanga he was made first lieutenant, and for "conspicuous bravery" in the charge and capture of Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. was assigned as quartermaster on Gen- cral Thomas's staff of the Fourteenth Army Corps with the rank of captain. His military service included Sherman's March to the Sea, the campaign through South and North Caro- lina and Virginia, with the final review at Washington, D. C., in 1865.

On his return to Poland, Ohio, Mr. Mans- field took a half interest in the Brick Store, but soon sold it and purchased the Cannel Coal Mines in Beaver County, Pennsylvania. Be- sides making various improvements there, Mr. Mansfield carried on a general store, and was postmaster. He is the owner of a large fruit orchard and has 200 acres of land at Negley, Ohio, with large railroad mines and fire clay works. He was justice of the peace for twenty- five years and married over eight hundred couples. In 1887 he removed to Beaver, Pem- sylvania, where his activities include those of president of the Beaver College, also of Griers- burg Academy ; vice-president of the Roches- ter National Bank, and director of Wabash lines of railroads. Hle was representative in the Pennsylvania legislature for ten years, and has reached the 3211d degree in Masonry.

On the 11th of December, 1872, Ira F. Mansfieldl was united in marriage to Lucy E. Mygatt. The children of this union are : Kirt- land M., Mary 1 .. and Henry B.

Mr. Mansfick) is also a leading authority

on botany, having for several years chap- erened a club of lady school teachers in camp- ing, and made a systematic study of wild flowers, insects and fossils. He has pub- lished a work on the wild flowers of Beaver county, with notes and many illustrations. He is a member of the Ameri- can Philosophical Society of Philadelphia, the A. A. A. Society of Washington, also several botanical clubs of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Massachusetts,

S HANNON JEFFERSON CLEM- MENS, one of the most prominent citizens of Jackson township, who is engaged in general farming on a fine farm of 115 acres, was born July 9, 1859. in Jackson township. Mahoning Coun- ty. Ohio, and is a son of George and Eliza- beth { Lipkey ) Clemens.

Nicholas Clemmens, the paternal great- grandfather, was a soklier in the War of the Revolution and among his treasured posses- sions was a cane, presented to him by Gen. George Washington. The maternal grandpar- ents were Lipkeys, and the maternal great- grandmother was a Miss Crow.

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.

Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 109

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 993

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago, Ill., Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 993