Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 119

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 119

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Though more than a . generation has elapsed since David Tod passed from life's ac- tivities, so great was the impress lie made on the minds and hearts of his fellow-citizens, that his name still remains fresh in the mem- ories of those who love their country and de- light to honor its great men. He was born at Youngstown. Ohio, February 21, 1805. son of George and Sally ( Isaacs) Tod, who were among the earliest settlers in the Western Re- serve, coming hither from Connecticut.

Choosing law as his profession, he was ad- mitted to the bar at Warren, Ohio, in 1827, and in the space of fifteen years had become one of the most noted advocates in the state. In 1847 he was chosen by President Polk as a man eminently fitted by education, social pil- ish, dignified bearing, and lofty public spirit. combined with diplomatic courtesy and ability. to fitly represent the U'nited States at the court of Brazil as minister. There his wisdom, sa- gacity, and faithful performance of duty re- sulted in the satisfactory adjustment of all

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state matters between the two countries and the further cementing of cordial relations.

In 1852 Minister Tod returned to his own country and resumed his business relations. The exigencies of the times, however, called him again from private life, and in 186t he was elected governor of Ohio. History re- cords his great services to the state during the War of the Rebellion, and he is still called the Great War Governor. An extended sketch of this distinguished statesman and beloved citizen may be found elsewhere in this vol- ume. He passed peacefully away at his home, the Brier Hill farm, near Youngstown, on No- vember 23. 1868.

On July 24. 1832, at Warren, Ohio. David Tod was married to Maria Smith, and their children were as follows: Charlotte, who died in 1868, was the wife of General A. V. Kantz. of the United States army; John was a prom- inent citizen of Cleveland, Ohio, now de- ceased; Henry, who is now deceased. and a sketch of whom may be found elsewhere in this volume, was president of the Second Na- tional Bank at Youngstown; George, who is the subject of this review : William, deceased. whose biography appears on another page of this work, was a prominent manufacturer and leading citizen of Youngstown; Grace, who is the wife of Hon. George F. Arrel, of the well known law firm of Arrel, Wilson & Harrington: and Sally, of Youngstown.

George Tod was about three years old when his parents settled on the Brier Hill farm, which was so called from its original abundance of briers, whose extermination provided him with frequent if not congenial occupation in his boyhood days. His educa- tion was secured in the local schools and he grew up accustomed to working on the home farm. In April. 1861, in response to the call of President Lincoln for volunteers. he cn- listed as a private in the Mahoning Rifles, which was one of the first companies to report to the Governor. In the following March, at Cleveland, the Rifles became Company B of the Nineteenth Regiment of Volunteer In- fantry, and Mr. Tod served with the organi- zation until the close of his term of enlistment.

Upon his return to Youngstown he entered upon the study of law, and in 1865 was ad- mitted to the bar at Canfield.

While possessed of every qualification necessary for advancement in his profession, Mr. Tod has not chosen it as his vehicle to business success, his interests for many years having been absorbed by the gigantic coal and iron industries which have made Youngstown and the vicinity world-famous as a great man- ufacturing center. In 1889 he succeeded Mr. John Stambaugh as president of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company, one of the largest and most important of these enterprises, of which his father was the first president, and one of the chief founders, and he still holds that po- sition. Hle is also connected with other large and successful business ventures in the Ma- honing Valley.

A part of Mr. Tod's time has also been taken up with the care of his father's estate, of which Governor Tod's four sons were made executors, but the principal care of which has devolved upon him. He became the purchaser of the homestead which he has made his resi- dence, and which he has improved until it is now one of the most valuable estates in Ohio.

In these varied activities he has found full scope for that inexhaustible energy and suc- cess-compelling qualities which were the chief characteristics of his honored father, and which he himself possesses in fullest measure.

J JOHN GIBSON, a prominent farmer of Youngstown township, residing on a fine farm of 125 acres, located in sec- tion 43. was born, on the farm on which he resides July 27, 1829, and is a son of Robert Dixon and Lydia ( Marshall) Gibson, who were among the early pioneers of Mahoning County.

James Gibson, grandfather of our sub- ject, came from Huntingdon County, Penn- sylvania, in 1799, and settled on the farm now occupied by Samuel Gibson, the brother of John. It was his intention to locate at War- ren, Ohio, and while on his way there he

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stopped over night on the farm on which he later settled. There is a fine spring on the farm, the water of which su pleased Mr. Gib- son. that after going to Warren and looking over the town, he decided to return and settle on the farm in Youngstown township, a part of which is now owned by the subject of this sketch. Robert D. Gibson, tather of John, was but 16 years old when his father settled on this farm, and he here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1862, at the age of 78 years. His widow, who was eleven years his junior, survived him eleven years and also died in her 78th year. They were the parents of nine children, five of whom grew to ma- turity, and but four of whom are living. namely : Samuel, who is now 88 years old; Nancy ( Mrs. Skinner lline), of Boardmin township: John, whose name begins this sketch; and Mrs. Eliza E. Nielson. Jane's . Marshall Gibson died in 1846 aged 23 years.

John Gibson was born in a log cabin on the farm on which he still lives. He was edu- cated in the district schools of the township. after which he taught for one term at the Flint Hill school, located on a corner of his fa- ther's farm. He then assisted his father on the farm until his marriage, which occurred when he was 27 years old. He first lived in the central part of the farm. He resided for some time in the old stone house which his tather built when he was a lad of nine years. and which is still standing, remaining there with his parents for five years after his mar- riage. when he built, in 1861, his present home. On his father's death in 1862. he inherited 125 acres of the land, the remaining 75 acres gur ing to his brother.

Mr. Gilson was married in 1856 to Amelia L. Eckles, a daughter of James Eckles. They have had four children, all of whom are liv- ing: Cora Dell, who is now Mrs. Nicholas 1 .. Rees, and has three children, resides in Youngstown : Charles R., resides with his par- ents and has charge of the farm: Sarah E .. the wife of Frank L. Hend. resides in Pitts- burg, and has two children; Marshall C., who is assistant secretary of the Y. M. C. A., of Youngstown, also resides at home. Mr. Gib-

son has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since locating upon his present farm, and is one of the most influential and prosperous farmers of the township. He is a charter member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, and was elected an elder of this church much against his wishes. Previous to this he was a member and an cher of the First Presbyterian Church.

5 OMER HAMILTON. born at Youngs- town, Ohio, February 29, 1836, died in his native city, November 29, 1886. Given Ont 50 years of life. this master in the mechanical world Imilt for himself and the Mahoning Valley a name which is linked today with others whose achievements have totally revolutionized modern living. His parents. Emanuel and Catherine ( Deeils) Hamilton, were in what may be termed humble circumstances, in that they were not able to further their son's for- tunes, nor assist him in those enrly accomplish- ments which really proved his genius.

Homer Hamilton, however, was favored in being thus obliged to depend upon his own resources. At the age of 16 years he laid aside his school books and apprenticed himself to the trade of machinist, with the firm of Reid & Wells, of Youngstown, contracting to per- form almost the duties of a man from the first, for which he was to be taught the trade, and receive board and laundry, and the sum of $25 for the first year, on a rising scale of $5 for the three necessary years of service. His part of the contract was faithfully performed, but before his third year in the shops the firm failed. He then went to the neighboring town of Warren and entered Hull's machine shop. where he completed two more years of work after which he returned to Youngstown and entered into business with James Predmore. on East Boardman street, under the firm name of Predmore & Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton at this time was little more than 20 years of age, but he was a skilled ma- chinist even then. The firm had little capi-

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tal and their crying need was more machinery, but tools were dear and were slowly added to the equipment of the shop. Wonderful re- sults were produced by Mr. Hamilton with his one lathe and a few other indifferent tools, but he was greatly hampered all through those early days. Among the first work he turned out was the building of portable steam engines for use in the Mecca oil field, in Trumbull County, the boilers for which were purchased in Pittsburg and brought to the shop in Youngstown, where these engines were at- tached. The first one completed by Mr. Ham- ilton was to fill an order for Edwin Bell, Sr., of Youngstown, and the work was of such a satisfactory character that the young machin- ist's ability was immediately recognized. His second engine was built for Brown, Bonnell & Company, and so thoroughly was the work done that it was still in running order after its builder had passed away.

The firm of Predmore & Hamilton con- tinued until 1861, when Mr. Hamilton, with John Stambaugh and Fred Gerwig, purchased the interest of James Predmore and the busi- ness name of the new organization became Homer Hamilton & Company. This firm was succeeded by the style. The Hamilton Works of William Tod & Company, Mr. Hamilton becoming manager. Between 1861 and 1872 the firm prospered exceedingly, the needs of the goverment requiring the products of foundry and forge to an unusual extent, but the panic of 1872 effected this business as it did almost every other, and the company suf- fered severe loss. However, with the general resumption of ordinary business and under the able management of Mr. Hamilton, the com- pany again took its place among the leading industries of the section. The plans and spec- ifications from which the new works, made necessary by the steady expansion and healthy growth of the business, were constructed, were prepared by Mr. Hamilton and what they are and what they accomplish has been called "the life-work of Homer Hamilton." These works constitute a mechanical world, where mechanism for almost every conceiva- ble purpose is made, and from which it is sent

all over the civilized globe. They show the evolution of invention and many of them are of so unusual and daring a nature, that at one time, Thomas A. Edison, examining the dia- grams of Mr. Hamilton, declared that they were remarkable and were 100 years in ad- vance of the times. The general public and even the mechanical world never had even a faint idea of the magnitude, scope, number and practical value of the ideas Mr. Hamilton was able to call forth from his fertile brain and put into shapes of utility. From the great works which he managed up to the time of his death, was sent the engine which propelled the Ferris Wheel, at the World's Fair at Chicago, and from the same source, other machines as sub- stantial and of equal utility, have been devoted to similar purposes in various sections of the land. He was justly proud of that combina- tion of mechanical power, the Porter-Hamil- tun engine, many of which are still construct- ed, and he was financially interested in their manufacture, and had still other business in- terests.

In 1876 the business men of the Mahoning Valley formed an association to represent at the Centennial at Philadelphia, the coals, ores and iron products of this region, and they wisely made Mr. Hamilton president of this body. His efficiency was recognized at subse- quent exhibitions, notably the World's Indus- trial and Cotton Centennial Exposition, which he attended as commissioner of Ohio, under appointment of President Arthur. His com- plete grasp of the principles of mechanics and his thorough knowledge of everything per- taining thereto, made him a valuable repre- sentative of his great state and he fulfilled her every expectation.

In his home life, Mr. Hamilton was deeply blest. On September 27, 1859, he was mar- ried to Adeline Roberts, who is a daughter of William and Mary Ann (Moore) Roberts. They became the parents of six sons, namely : Grant, residing in the city of New York, where he has made a name as an artist ; Fred- erick, Harry and John, residing at Youngs- town, partners in the Hamilton Realty Com- pany; Nicholas, residing at Youngstown, fol-

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lows the profession of engineer ; and Scott, residing near Poland, who is engaged in farming.

Although he never took any active part in politics, at various times, as the pressing de- mands of his business permitted him, he ac- cepted civic offices at the hands of his fellow- citizens, as he was ever a man of public spirit and in every landable way he strove to pro- mote the city's prosperity and help in her sub- stantial advancement. He lived to see many changes brought about and to realize that his efforts in various directions were bearing fruit. Springing from the lower walks of lite and from boyhood reared in a school of adversity and stern experience, through his own indomi- table spirit he was able to surmount all diffi- culties and win enduring remembrance. The tunes, nor assist him in those early accomplish- record of both his private and business life, is written as that of an honorable, able man of genins, whose virtues were those of a good citizen who loved family, friends, home and country.

OHN W. KUHNS, one of the prom- inent business men of Youngstown, a member of the firm of Kulins Broth- ers, carriage and wagon manufac- turers, whose plant is located at No. 23 North Walnut street, has been identified with this city for the past 25 years. John W. Knhns was born in 1864, in Pennsylvania, a son of Emanuel Kuhns, of Youngstown.

Mr. Kuhns attended school in his native locality and also learned the trade of carriage painting and was 17 years of age when he came to Youngstown and worked for Sheklon Jacobs during the first year. Mr. Jacobs was located on West Boardman street, on the pres- ent site of the Vindicator building. Follow- ing this Mr. Knhs worked with the firm of Kallenbaugh & Robinson, for nine years and then bought out Mr. Robinson. In the fall of 1892, in association with his brother. H. J. Kuhns, he established the firm of Kuhns

Brothers, and since that time the firm has con- tinued, doing a large business in the manufac- turing of carriages and wagons. Employment is given to 20 skilled workmen at their well equipped plant and the product goes all over the country. Mr. Kuhns is additionally inter- ested in other important enterprises. He is a large dealer in real estate and is secretary and treasurer of the West Side Land Company.

In 1880 Mr. Knhs was married to Effie Bayer, who is a daughter of John Bayer, of Youngstown. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhns have three children, Carl William, Caroline Elizabeth and Helen Mary. The family belongs to the English Lutheran Church. Fraternally Mr. Kuhns is connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Knights of the Golden Eagle.

ILLIAM ALLEN CHUBB, resid- ing on a farm of 97 acres located three miles southeast of Canfield, was born March 22, 1875, on his present farm, and is a son of En- sign and Marietta ( Flickinger ) Chubb.

Henry Chubb, his great-grandfather, was the first of the Chubb family to locate in Ohio. He came from Pennsylvania and set- tled in the timberlands of Canfield township. Mahoning County. He erected a log cabin and spent the remainder of his life here. He reared one son to maturity. William, granil- father of William .\., who was reared in Can- fiekl township and helped to clear the land. William married Frederica Renkenberger, a native of Germany, who came to this country when a child of three years. She was one of a family of 13 children. Her parents were very poor and when they emigrated to Amer- ica, the children were sold out to pay their steerage passage and became separated. Four children were born to William and Frederica Chubb: Catherine married David Deitrick : Lydia Aun married William Heckman, of New Buffalo: Ensign, father of William A .; and Henry, who died at the age of five years. William died in 1868 and his widow survived

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KOSTENHAT

KURZ BLOCK, YOUNGSTOWN

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RUDOLF KURZ

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him until 1890, passing away at the age of 75 years.

Ensign Chubb was born in a log cabin on his father's farm in Canfield township in 1845, and was there reared and spent his entire life in improving and cultivating the farm. He married Marietta Flickinger, who was born at East Lewiston, Mahoning County, Ohio, in January, 1855, a daughter of Aaron and Mary Ann ( Messerly) Flickinger, who came from east of the mountains in Pennsylvania and located in Boardman township, where they are still residing. Marietta Flickinger was the oldest child of a family of seven chil- dren, namely: Marietta; John; Sylvanus; Lydia; Cora; Lucy, deceased: and Henry. Eusigu Chubb died April 22, 1897; his widow is still living and resides with her son, the subject of this sketch. She is the mother of three children: William Allen; Mary Eldora, who married Frank Lynn, resides at Canfield, and has three children, Leland, Blanche and Catherine; and Blanche, a resident of Wood- worth, who married Park D. Coler, and has one child, Evelyn.

William Allen Chubb was reared on his present farm, attended the district schools of the township and later the Northeastern Olio Normal College at Caufield. He has spent the greater part of his time on the farm, but dealt in trotting horses for two seasons previous to his marriage. This event occurred Decem- ber 24, 1895, and united him to Maude R. Lynn, who was born October 17, 1876, on the old Lynn farm, and who is a daughter of Walter J. and Ella ( Norton) Lynn, residents of Canfield, the former being constable of that village. Mr. and Mrs. Lynn are the parents of five children: Mande. Frank, Ray. Ross and Ethel.

Mr. and Mrs. Chubb are the parents of six children, namely : Willard E., Wilmer. Rus- sell .A., Harland, Thalia and Thelma, the two last mentioned being twins. Mr. Chubb is a Democrat in politics, and is a member of the school board. He belongs to the Grange at New Buffalo, and he and his family are mnem- ber. of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as deacon for seven years.

R JUDOLF KURZ, a successful busi- ness man of Youngstown, proprietor of a large carriage and wagon man- ufactory, located at No. 414 East Federal street, was born in Prussia, Germany, February 26, 1855, and is a son of Angust and Caroline Kurz.

The parents of Mr. Kurz came to America in 1866, settling at Youngstown in the same year. The father had learned the cabinetmak- ing trade in Germany and worked at it for a short title in Youngstown.

Rudolf Kurz attended school until he was 11 years of age and then began working in the rolling mills. At 15 years of age he began to learn the carriage-waking trade and also blacksmithing, and the past 32 years of his life have been devoted to these industries at Youngstown. He also buys and sells factory- made vehicles and is the largest dealer of this kind in the city. In 1906 he erected a fine fire-proof building of brick and iron, three stories high, 38 by 90 feet in dimensions, on East Federal street, and he has in contem- plation a still greater enlargement of his busi- ness. At the present time (1907) he is erect- ing another brick block adjoining his new building 19 by go feet, three-stories high, at 410 East Federal street. He is one of the city's substantial men, owns a large amount of real estate, is a director in the Equitable Build- ing and Loan Association and in the Youngs- town Savings and Banking Company.

On December 25. 1880, Mr. Kurz was married to Amelia Krum, a native of Spring- field township, and a daughter of John Krum, of that township, who was born in Germany and was an early settler in Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Kurz have five children, name- ly: Charles, who is with the Morris Hard- ware Company: Clara: Edward. in business in Youngstown; Harry and Carrie, twins, who are attending school. Mr. Kurz has been a voting member in the German Lutheran Church since he was 21 years of age, and has been on the anditing committee for a long time. Politically he is a Democrat, and he has served as a valued and useful member of the city council for four years. He is a man of

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enterprise and public spirit and is active in promoting all movements looking to the ad- vancement of his city and fellow citizens. Mr. Kurz's portrait and a view of his brick block above described are presented with this article.

C HE HINE FAMILY. Pride of ances- try has its place with other family virtues. To know not only one's grandfather, but to be able to trace an unbroken ancestral line for centu- ries back, its generations being marked by men and women whose existence left an impress, aronses a noble sentiment that makes a still further record of their lives a matter of deep moment, a fitting tribute from their grateful descendants. The Hine family, of Mahoning County, identified as it is, by marriage connec- tions, with other old and honorable families, in various sections of the country, occupies a very conspicuous position as to ancestry, and to noting its direct line with its resulting branches, the following pages are dedicated. The present representatives of this family trace back, through Samuel, Abraham Skinner and Homer Hubbell Hine. to Homer, to Noble, to James, to Samuel, to Thomas Hine, the founder.

The first record of the Hine family in America is found at Milford, Connecticut, the name being variously spelled Hinde, Hinds and Hine. Thomas Hline is recorded as being a resident at Milford, January 28, 1646, and his name may to this day be read on the me- morial bridge at that place. Thomas Hine, in all probability, came from England, as Mil- ford was an English settlement, and it doubt- less was this same Thomas Hine, whose hu- mane rescue of an Indian captive won the grat- itude of the Mohawks and proved to be the savior of the village from further attacks of the savages. This incident is related in Hol- lister's History of Connecticut in the follow- ing words :

"A company of Mohawks came within the borders of the town and secreted themselves

in a swamp, where they waited to make an attack upon the Milford Indians, the Pequots .. Some Englishmen saw the Mohawks and were friendly enough to inform their swarthy neigh- bors of their danger. They immediately ral- lied in great numbers, raised the war whoop and rushing suddenly upon the Mohawks, gained complete victory. Among the prisoners was a stout Mohawk warrior whom the cap- tors decided to kill by famine and torture. They stripped him naked, and having tied him to a stake, left him in the tall grass of the salt meadows to be eaten up by the mosquitoes. An Englishman named Hine, who found the poor wretch in this deplorable condition, shocked at the barbarous mode of torture, cut the thongs from his limbs and set him at lib- erty. He then invited him to his house, gave him food and helped him to escape. This kind act was never forgotten by the Mohawks. They treated the English of Milford ever after with marked civility and did many kind and friendly acts that testified their gratitude towards their deliverer and his family." An- other authority records that for this good act "the Indians believed the Great Spirit would always watch over and protect the good white face and his posterity."

The will of Thomas Hine was made in 1694.

The name of Thomas Hine's wife was Elizabeth and they had ten children : Thomas, born October 31, 1653; Jolin, born March 7, 1656; Samuel (1), born December 3, 1657; Samuel (2), born January 26, 1659-60; George, born June 22, 1662, buried January, 1673; Stephen, born October 25, 1663; Ealos (Alice), born December 16, 1667, married Canfield; William, born August 15, 1670, bap- tized September 24. 1670; George (2), born June 29. 1673, baptized July 6, 1673; and Elizabeth, born November 21, 1669, married Simkins.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 119

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