USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 115
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Since the age of 12 years Mrs. Clark has been a member of the Christian Church and through all the succeeding years she has been one of the active and efficient workers in the canse of Christianity, In her own religions connection she has been of the greatest service and many responsibilities have been placed upon her willing shoulders. For some years she served as chairman of the First Christian Church finance committee: was secretary of the missionary society and served as its presi- dent for several years : served one year as pres- ident and also as secretary of the 221 dis- trict : and was superintendent of children's work in Ohio for some years, during which period she made many admirable and effective addresses. Since the organization of Central Christian Church she has served as secretary and president of the auxiliary of the C. W. B. M., and is at the present time its superin- tendent. She has taught in the Central Chris- tian Sunday school since its inception and has also taught in the First Christian Church Sun- day school. In Youngstown her work among the city por is well known; she has long been a welcome and familiar figure at the City Hos- pital, at the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion, and wherever there is need of a woman's sympathy or miderstanding help. She has al- ways been an active member of the Woman's Relief Corps and has hekl almost all of the local offices. Her life is filled with the per- formance of helpful duties for others and no
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name is held in greater reverence in this city, where it is best known. She attends to the many calls made on her time and to the de- mands of an immense correspondence, inci- clent to her many interests, at the office and home of herself and Dr. Clark, Nos. 816-818 Elm street. Youngstown. A portrait of Mrs. Hettie J. Clark is presented on a neighboring page of this volume.
EORGE EVELYN KNESAL. one of Petersburg's leading citizens, and a member of the prominent hardware firm of Knesal Bros, was born April 23. 1873, in Springfield township. and is a son of Andrew and Sarah E. ( Moore) Knesal.
The father of Mr. Knesal was born in Wurtemburg. Germany. in 1828, and was brought to America in 1832. In 1856 he mar- ried Sarah E. Moore, who was born just across the Pennsylvania line, within three miles of Petersburg. Both parents survive and Mr. Knesal had the privilege of attending their golden wedding. October 9. 1906. Of their eleven children. George E. is the youngest.
George E. Knesal attended the Petersburg schools and before entering into business he took a course at the Iron City Commercial Col- lege at Pittsburg, where he was graduated in 1802. When the firm of Knesal Bros, was or- ganized, in December, 1903. Mr. Knesil be- came a partner and has been identified pronti- nently with this successful business ever since. He has interests in the First National Bank at East Palestine, and in the U'nity Township Telephone Company. With his brother, John M .. he has been a member of the Petersburg. orchestra and the Petersburg band since their organization, the family being one of marked musical talent.
On February 19, 1902, Mr. Knesal was married to Jennie G. Miller, who was born at Petersburg May 17. 1874. and who is a dangh- ter of John F. and Mary ( Zieger) Miller, the former of whom conducts the leading general store at Petersburg. She is a granddaughter
of John H. and Elizabeth ( Ilgenfritz) Miller, and a great-granddaughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Seidner) Miller, the former of whom was one of the earliest settlers in Springfield township. Mr. and Knesal are members of the Presbyterian Church.
In national affairs, Mr. Knesal supports the candidates and policies of the Democratic party, but in local politics he considers fre- quently the man, rather than the party. Like other members of his family, he is always ready to work for the best interests of the town. He is a member of Starlight lodge. No. 224, Knights of Pythias, at Petersburg.
B. VAN ALSTINE, proprietor of the Youngstown Lumber Company. is one of the city's leading business men and is identified with many of the prospering concerns which handle large capital and serve to bring this city into great prominence as an industrial center. Mr. Van Alstine was born in Canada, where he was reared and educated.
When about 19 years of age, Mr. Van Al- stine went to Connecticut and after two years went to the Pennsylvania oil fiekls, where he remained about two years longer, during the greater part of this time working at the car- penter's trade. In the fall of 1866 he came to Youngstown and worked at his trade and as a general contractor until the fall of 1875. when he went into the lumber business. He became associated with three others and they bought a planing mill and lumber yard and established the Youngstown Lumber Company. Since then various changes have been made in the composition of the firm, but Mr. Van Alstine. has always retained his interest, and since 1898 he has been sole proprietor. He does a gen- eral planing mill business on a large scale, has immense lumber yards and gives employment to from twenty to twenty-five employes,
In addition to the above mentioned busi- ness, Mr. Van Alstine is interested in the Pfau & Faunce Realty Company, of which he is a
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director, and in the Youngstown Foundry and Machine Company, in which he is a stock- holder, as he is also in the South-West Land Company and in other business concerns. An astute and honorable business man, he is a val- ued member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce.
In 1868 Mr. Van Alstine was married to Susanah Wehr, of Youngstown, and they have three children, Blanche W., Jessie and Ruth. The family belong to Trinity Methodist Epis- copal Church, Mr. Van Alstine being a mem- ber of the board of trustees.
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E DWARD LOUIS KNESAL. On ac- count of the large distilling interests centered at New Middletown, the po- sition of storekeeper and gauger for the government is a very responsible and important one. Since March, 1901, this office has been held by Edward Louis Knesal, who was born at Petersburg, Ohio, July 31, 1867, and is a son of John George and Henri- etta (Whitmyre) Knesal.
John George Knesal was born in Germany and was eight years old when he was brought to America by his parents, who located at New Springfield, Ohio. Of their eleven children seven survive, as follows : Henrietta, who mar- ried Samuel Koch, residing in Detroit, has a daughter who is older than our subject; Charles, residing at Greenport, Long Island, New York, who is a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church; Alice, who married C. M. Morse, who was engaged in ministerial work until his health failed and then learned stenog- raphy and is now court stenographer at Bea- ver, Beaver County, Pennsylvania; Emma, who married Dr. Joel Cooperrider, residing at Brownsville, Ohio; Lizzie, who married John Shiller, residing at Petersburg; Edward Louis. and Nora, who married Duncan Livingstone, residing at New Middletown.
After completing his education in the schools of Petersburg, Edward L. Knesal learned shoemaking, a trade he followed for fifteen years in connection with conducting a
shoe store. For three years prior to coming to New Middletown, in January, 1901, he was in business at Newcastle, Pennsylvania. He was officially connected with the government offices at New Springfield before he was trans- ferred to New Middletown, but this place has been his home ever since he entered the service. Ilis territory includes the 18th District of Ohio.
On April 21, 1890, Mr. Knesal was mar- ried to Kate Shillinger, who was born at New Middletown, and is a daughter of Jonathan and Louisa ( Hahn) Shillinger, the former of whom conducted a store at New Middletown for many years and for twenty years was a justice of the peace. Mrs. Shillinger still sur- vives and resides with Mr. and Mrs. Knesal. The latter have had three children, the one sur- vivor being Charles Morse, who was born June 22, 1895. The two older children were twins, who died at birth.
Mr. Knesal and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Petersburg. He has always been interested in Sunday school work and at one time was superintend- ent of this Sunday school, being the youngest official of that kind in the conference. He has also been church trustee. In politics he is an ardent Republican. He is a member of Star- light Lodge, No. 224, Knights of Pythias, at Petersburg. Mr. Knesal is one of the city's energetic and reliable citizens. He is serving as a member of the board of education.
J. PARRY, one of Youngstown's successful business citizens, who is engaged in a general roofing and spouting business, was born in Pennsylvania in 1863, and was reared both in Mercer County, that state, and in Trumbull County, Ohio. Early in life he worked in the coal mines, in which occupation he continued for about five or six years. In 1880 he came to Youngstown and learned the slater's trade, at which he worked for a period of 13 years with Mr. Blunt. He then followed this trade for some time in various other
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places, and finally engaged in the general roofing business, locating on Oak Hill ave- nue, where he remained until March, 1904. Afterwards he moved to 738 Ma- honing avenue, where he is at present lo- cated. Mr. Parry was married in 1884 to Lillie J. Dando, of Youngstown, Ohio, and they have three children : Edward P., who is in business with his father; Lorinda and George. Mr. Parry is a member of the Ep- worth Methodist Episcopal Church and was for two years district steward, and for five years a member of the finance committee. Fra- ternally, he is a member of the Knights of Golden Eagle, of the Foresters, and of the Maccabees.
L EWIS J. JACOBS. court constable at Youngstown, and one of the older continuons residents of this city, was born in 1832 in Coitsville township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Nicholas and Isabella ( Brown) Jacobs.
Nicholas Jacobs was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and came to Mahoning County shortly before the birth of his son. Lewis. His wife, Isabella, was born in Vir- ginia. Nicholas Jacobs was a ship carpenter in early life, but after settling in an agricul- tural district. became a farmer and continued one until his death.
L. J. Jacobs was mainly reared in Coits- ville township, but in his boyhood had, on vari- ons occasions, lived in Youngstown. acting as a clerk in his uncle's store. In 1861 he settled at Youngstown and worked as a carpenter un- til the spring of 1804, when he enlisted in Company B, 155th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. for service in the Civil War and was ont four months, mostly in Virginia and North Caro- lina. Upon his return from the army, Mr. Jacobs worked on the farm in Coitsville town- ship for two years, but in the spring of 1867. he returned to Youngstown and resumed work at his trade. Later he accepted a position on the police force and remained in official life for two years, when he again returned to his trade.
working at it until he was appointed superin- tendent of the city market. He served in this capacity from 1888 to 1891, again returning to his trade for some years. In 1900 he was appointed to his present office, that of court constable.
In December, 1854, Mr. Jacobs was mar- ried to Sarah J. Armstrong, who died in May, 1870, four of her children surviving, as fol- lows: W. L. Jacobs, manager of the Stam- baugh-Thompson Company, of Youngstown; Carrie L., wife of John Heasly, of California; Elmer E., of Birmingham, Alabama; and Mark B., who is in the plumbing business at Youngstown. On April 9, 1874. Mr. Jacobs was married second, to Agnes Irons. of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, who died in September, 1903. The three surviving children of this union are: Guy, who is clerk for the chief of police at Youngstown; Ralph I., who is em- ployed at the Youngstown Post Office; and L. J., who is in the plumbing business.
Mr. Jacobs has always been considered a good citizen, one who has taken an active in- terest in public affairs and one who, on being placed in official position, has faithfully per- formed his duties. He is a member of the Odd Fellows and has belonged to the Youngs- town lodge for thirty-eight years. He is also a member of Tod Post, Grand Army of the Republic.
OSPER WILLIAMSON, one of the leuling citizens of Youngstown, Ohio, who has now retired from business activity, belongs to one of the old and influential families of this part of the county. He was born on the old Williamson farm in Youngstown township in 1827 and is a son of Pyatt Williamson, and a grandson of Joseph Williamson.
Joseph Williamson came to Mahoning County in the spring of 1800, and cleared a tract of land. then bringing his family here from Washington County, Pennsylvania. D'y- att Williamson, the father, was born in
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Youngstown township, Mahoning County, in 1801 and was one of the most prominent farm- ers and stock raisers in the county. . At the time of his death he was the owner of 225 acres of fine farm land.
Joseph Williamson, the subject of this no- tice, was reared on his father's farm and ac- quired his education in the old pioneer school house of Youngstown township. Early in life he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked in connection with farming. He was married in the fifties to Belinda Detchon, a daughter of Elijah Detchon, one of the old settlers of Boardman township. Mahoning County. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Williamson: Warren P., manager of the Youngstown Carriage and Wagon Works; Martha B., and Mary B., who are twins. Po- litically, Mr. Williamson is a Republican. He is a member of the Central Christian Church.
m AHLON KIRKBRIDE, com- mander of the Asher Kirkbride Post, No. 600, Grand Army of the Republic, at Berlin Center, resides on a farm of 46 acres located on the township line between Berlin and Goshen. He was born in Berlin township, Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1846, and is a son of Robert and Sarah (Shaw) Kirkbride.
Robert Kirkbride, a native of Bucks Coun- ty. Pennsylvania, was married and came to Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1832, and was one of the earliest pioneers in Berlin township. He settled on a farm of 46 acres in Berlin town- ship, which is now owned by John Hoyle. He remained on this farm the remainder of his life, dying in 1878 at the age of 78 years. His wife survived until 1883, dying aged 78 years, There were nine children born to Robert and Sarah Kirkbride: Nancy. Ferdinand. Mary, Frank, Watson, James, Jo- seph. Asher and Mahlon. Nancy married K. Morris. Ferdinand enlisted in Company D. 104th Ohio Voluntecer Infantry, and serve 1 from 1862 until the close of the Civil War. Mary married John Morris, James, who en-
listed at Berlin Center August 11, 1862, was wounded at the battle of Perryville, but served until the close of the war. Joseph, who en- listed at Berlin Center August 11, 1862, in Company H. 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was discharged atter the battle of Perrysville for disability. Asher, for whom the Grand Army Post at Berlin Center was named, was born in this township and at the age of 18 en- listed in Company H, 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was killed at Missionary Ridge.
Mahlon Kirkbride passed his boyhood days on the farm and at the age of 18 enlisted in Company G. 155th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served four months during the Civil War, when he was mustered out at Camp Dennison, and returned to Berlin township. Since then he has been engaged in farming on his present farm of 46 acres, the original pur- chase having been 30 acres.
Mr. Kirkbride was married in 1867 to Mary E. Botaw, a daughter of Thomas and Elma (Ilutton) Botaw, the former of whom was a native of Goshen township, and the lat- ter of Marlborough. Both the parents are de- ceased. Thomas Botaw, the grandfather of Mrs. Kirkbride, came to Goshen carly in the 18th century with his future wife, Elizabeth Baum, They walked from Salem to Lisbon, there were married, and walked the distance back the same day. Mr. and Mrs. Kirkbride have had four children: Asher V., who mar- ried Mary Weaver ; Chester T., who married Elizabeth Weaver; Sarah E., who died aged 27 years, and one an unnamed infant. Mr. Kirkbride is a Republican in politics, and has held various minor offices in both Goshen and Berlin townships.
6 RANT S. WHITSLAR. one of the leading real estate men of Youngs- town, was born in that city in 1864 and is the son of Dr. F. S. Whitslar. a pioneer dentist of Youngstown, who is now in his Send year. Mr. Whitslar was reared and educated in his native town, receiving a common school education. After
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leaving school he did considerable reportorial work on the Telegram and Vindicator, after which he was in the railroad mail service for four years, being the youngest clerk in charge on the Pennsylvania Railroad. For six years he was general passenger agent of the Graham & Morton Transportation Company, of Chi- cago, Illinois, was manager of the Whaleback Steamship Company, of Chicago, for two years. After this he located in New Orleans, Louisiana, where he was connected with the Times-Democrat, after which he returned to Youngstown, Ohio, and has since been en- gaged in the real estate business on an exten- sive scale. For the past five years he has been identified with the W. H. Park Land Com- pany, and is also identified with various other enterprises of the city. In 1901 Mr. Whitslar was united in marriage with Minnie B. Welsh. Hle is a member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce. Fraternally. he is a member of the Masonic order.
J G. HANEY, of the firm of Rice, Haney & Medbury, general insurance, at Youngstown, is one of the representa- tive business men of this city and is connected with a mmnber of its im- portant enterprises, Mr. Haney was born at Youngstown, Ohio, in 1857, and is a son of the late Joseph G. Hancy. When Youngs- town was but a straggling village. with en- tirely undeveloped resources, Joseph G. Haney came here and embarked in a shoe business. which he continued during the active years of his life. He became a man of local promi- nence and for years was a justice of the peace in the growing city.
In 1871, J. G. Haney accompanied the family to Cleveland and there he completed his education, but in 1882 he came back to Youngstown. While in Cleveland he had been interested in the telephone business to some ex- tent and was cashier for a time of the Cleve- laud Telephone Company. After returning to Youngstown, Mr. Haney embarked in the in- surauce business, in which he has continued
until the present. In tout the firm of Rice, Haney & Medbury was established and it has become the leading insurance firm of this sec- tion. The companies represented by this firm include these standard corporations: Insur- ance Company of North America; Home In- surance Company, of New York ; Phoenix. of Hartford; Continental, of New York ; Germa- nia, of New York : Phoenix and Sun, of Eng- land: North British and Mercantile and Com- mercial Union, of England; Fidelity and Cas- ualty Company, of New York; Fidelity and Deposit Company, of Maryland; and the Northwestern Life, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. On September 18, 1895, Mr. Haney was mar- ried to Grace Mervin. Mr. Hancy is a mem- ber of the Youngstown Chamber of Com- merce. He belongs to the Elks and to the Youngstown and Rayen clubs. His business location is at No. 509 Dollar Bank Buikling, Youngstown.
P AUL WICK was the youngest son of the family of twelve children born to Henry and Hannah (Bakiwin) Wick. He was educated in the old Youngstown Academy, which stood on the site of the present public square. His first business enterprise was in the joint opera- tion of a coal mine with his brother, John D. Wick. Later he was associated with other members of the family in the management of a mercantile establishment at Cleveland and still later devoted his attention to the develop- ing of the resources and extending the trade of Youngstown. He was one of those who laid the foundation for the great iron industry; which has spread the fame of Youngstown throughout the world. Until 1866 he was con- cerned in a mercantile business at Youngs- town as senior member of the firm of Wick & Goble. Hle then turned his attention to pri- vate banking, organizing the firm of Wick Brothers & Company. a banking house which has continued to the present time, having safely passed through every commercial crisis and gaining strength with each succeeding year.
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Mr. Wick continued to be the head of this busi- ness until his death, which occurred June 13. 1890. He was also interested in the Ohio Iron & Steel Company, the Youngstown Rolling Mill Company and the Paul Wick Real Estate Company. In 1846 he was married to Susan A. Bull, a native of Vermont, who died in Youngstown in 1852, aged 56 years. To this marriage six children were born, among whom may be mentioned Myron C., George D. and Fred Wick, prominent business men of the city of Youngstown, and Harriet, the widow of John S. Ford. In 1885 he was married second to Mrs. Margaret L. Haney, of Youngstown. In his political sentiments Mr. Wick was al- ways a stanch adherent of the Republican party, and as a man of high standing, known public spirit and large business interests, was more or less influential in shaping public move- ments in Youngstown. He served for some years as a member of the city council and for nineteen years was a member of the board of education. In church membership he was a Presbyterian, but his religion was wide enough and broad enough to cover other denomina- tions, and in the dispensing of his charities he knew neither creed, color nor condition. Like most men of affairs, he was a man of prac- tical views, but he was also keely alive to all that is beautiful and elevating in life.
John S. Ford is survived by his widow and one daughter, Helen, who reside in a beautiful home at No. 509 Wick avenue. Mrs. Ford is a member of the Presbyterian Church, to which Mr. Ford also belonged and in which his Christian character was most highly ap- preciatedl.
ICHOLAS KNAUF, who resides on his well-improved farm of 55 acres. which is situated in one of the best ! sections of Ellsworth township, has long been considered one of the lead- ing men of his community. Mr. Knauf was born July 14. 1854. on a farm in Ellsworth township, some miles west of his present home, in Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah ( Goodman) Knauf.
Joseph Knauf, father of Nicholas, was born in Green township, Mahoning County, and was a son of Nicholas Knauf, who came to this section of the country with Henry Beard, when pioneer conditions still prevailed. Nicholas Knauf married a member of the Sea- christ family and they became well-known resi- dents of Green township. Among their chil- dren were: Joseph, Samuel, Jacob, Eli, John, Elizabeth, Lydia and Sarah, and of these Mrs. Elizabeth Bair, Mrs. Lydia Ewing, Mrs. Sarah Unger and Eli Knauf are living at the present time.
Joseph Knauf settled on the farm of which his son Nicholas now owns a part when the latter was small, In early manhood he mar- ried Hannah Goodman, who was a daughter of William and Julia Goodman, residents of Green township, and they had children, namely : Isaac, residing in Geauga County, married Tillie Webb; Nicholas; Frank, farm- ing and operating a nursery and greenhouse, married Mary Winans; Martin, residing in the state of Washington, married Mary Kenreich; Elizabeth, who was married ( first ) to a Mr. Hively, and (second) to Jacob Toot; Lydia, who married John H. Lower, residing in Ells- worth township; and Alice, who died aged 20 years. The mother survives, but the father died in 1882.
Nicholas Knauf was educated in the dis- trict schools and the Union School at Canfield. attended an institution at Washington, Ohio, and completed his studies at Mt. Union Col- lege. For some years after attaining manhood he alternated farming and school teaching. ac- cordling to the seasons, but after his marriage devoted himself entirely to agricultural pur- snits. In addition to carrying on general farm- ing. he is much interested in raising strawber- rics, peaches and apples. He has made many improvements on his property, building a sub- stantial barn and later his comfortable and at- tractive nine-room residence.
In 18g6 Mr. Knauf was married to Lulu Esterly, who is a daughter of Eli and Clara Esterly, formerly of Green township. Mahon- ing County, and they have had five children, namely : Ethel MI., a little miss of nine years;
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Laura, deceased; Dorothy Alice, aged 4 years ; William Nicholas, a sturdy boy of 2 years ; and an infant.
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