Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 123

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 123

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Mr. Swanston was very industrious and willing in boyhood and youth and when one kind of work failed he soon found something else to take its place. When he went to work for John Brownlee at Struthers it was to haul are and to work on the farm and he was paid $8 for his services. In 1855. he started to work for the firm of Brownlee & Swanston, driving horses along the town path of the canal. for which he was paid $18 per month, all this time giving all he earned to his father, a prac-

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tice he followed until he was 19 years of age. In the meantime John Swanston dissolved partnership with Mr. Brownlee and he and Charles, his brother, came into possession of the boat, but they found it worn out and prac- tically useless. In partnership then with his brother Charles, he bought, in 1857, a new boat, the "Cottage Girl," for which they paid the sum of $600. This was considered the finest boat that had ever been in use on the canal. In 1859 Mr. Swanston dissolved part- nership with his brother. In the two summers and three months during which he had the boat its earnings were $4,200, and he sold it to Mr. Sullivan for the sum of $520.

By this time Mr. Swanston had proved him- self an excellent business man, and after leav- ing the boating business he turned his atten- tion to trading in cattle and stock, handling sheep, hugs, horses and cattle, and for some twenty years he annually cleared $2,500. This was very gratifying, for he had made all his opportunities for himself, but the time has come when that income is more than doubled. He has extended his business interests in vari- ous directions, loans money and makes many trips to Chicago to buy stock, being still a large dealer.

Mr. Swanston has had a really remarkable life. At the age of 19 years he left the home roof without one dollar of capital. He went into debt $7,000 for his present farm, on which he settled in 1864, and according to agreement, paid it all off in ten years and at the same time paid cash for 200 acres more. llis taxes are heavy. some $500 annually in Mahoning County and $100 in Portage County. His comfortable home is situated about eight miles southwest of Youngstown. He has never mar- ried.

D. JONES, president. treasurer and manager of The W. D. Jones Company, wholesale liquor deal- ers, at Youngstown, was born in this city. in 1864. and is a son of D. W. Jones. For a number of years the late D. W. Jones was a prominent business man

here. He was born in Wales and came to Youngstown in 1852, where he resided until the time of his death in 1800. He was a sub- stantial citizen and owned a farm within two miles of this place.

W. D. Jones was reared on his father's farm, through boyhood attended school at Youngstown and then became connected with the firm of E. O. Jones, wholesale liquor deal- ers. After the death of E. O. Jones, the firm of The W. D. Jones Company was incor- porated, with a capital stock of $40.000. Mr. Jones is the only active member of the com- pany, which is a reliable and representative one, Two traveling men are kept continually on the road and the goods of the firm sell on quality. In January, 1888, Mr. Jones was married to Mary Parry, of Hubbard. Olio, and they have three sons, viz: Fred, Howard an:1 Edward. Mr. Jones is a valued member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce and a potent factor in its most important de- liberations. Hle belongs also to the Elks, the Eagles and the Golden Eagles.

J. THOMPSON, one of the lead- ing real estate men and influential . citizens of Youngstown, was born in Simcoe County, Ontario, Can- ada, in 1872, where he was reared and educated. He entered the rolling mill Insiness in Toronto, which he had learne:1 previously, and afterwards was engaged in the same business at Burlington, lowa, where he remained until coming to Youngstown in 1802. Here he engaged in the real estate husi- ness with H. G. Hamilton, with whom he has been associated since 1893. and who subse- quently organized the firm of Hamilton. Ev- ans & Company, which later became the Ham- ilton Realty Company. This is now the larg- est real estate company in the city, and has practically made the south side of Youngs- town. which they developed, platted, built up and sold. Mr. Thompson has other interests also in various enterprises of the city. He was united in marriage in 1804 with Margaret

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Haddow, who was born and reared in Ma- honing County, Ohio. They have two chil- dren : Edgar J. and Sarah Helen. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Youngstown Canadian Society and also of the order of Scotch Clans,

D AVID W. STAMBAUGH, a repre- sentative citizen and prosperous ag- riculturist of Youngstown township, resides upon his valuable farm of 1 18 acres, which is situated in section 14. and which is generally regarded as a model farm of this part of the county in way of im- provements. Mr. Stambaugh was born on the old Stamlaugh farm, near Bear's Den, in Youngstown township, Mahoning County, Ohio. August 31. 1857. and is a son of Jacob and Lydia .\. ( Wise ) Stambaugh.

The Stambaugh family came to Ohio at a very early date, in the person of Philip Stam- bangh, who crossed the mountains from l'enn- sylvania and acquired the old Wirt farm, near Brier Hill, in Youngstown township. Mahon- ing County, on which he lived until 1810. La- ter, he moved to Youngstown and for a num- ber of years kept a tavern on West Federal street. located near the Town Hall, but subse- quently returned with his family to Pennsyl- vania, locating on a heavily timbered farm in Mercer County.

Jacob Stambangh, son of Philip and Re- becca ( Bower ) Stambaugh and father of Da- vid W., was born in the log tavern which was conducted by his father, at Youngstown. in 1820. He was small when his parents re- turned to Pennsylvania and until his majority he was busy, a large part of the time, in giving his father assistance in clearing off the timber on the Mercer County farm. His parents were in no position financially to assist him at any time, and after working at various em- ployments in his own neighborhood, as occa- sien offered, he decided to return to Mahon- ing County, where, from having visited an uncle, he had found there was plenty of work for willing hands to do. Hence, in 1842, when

22 years of age, with a few dollars in his pocket as sole capital, he became a resident of Youngstown.

Mr. Stanbaugh hired out to Judge Rayen, who was then the leading man in the village, and worked for him for two years, doing much of the clearing and plowing of his land. At that time oxen were mainly used for all kinds of farm work and during his later years it was a source of great entertainment to his grandchildren when Mr. Stambaugh would tell them stories of what he accomplished with the patient cattle in days when conditions right on the site of their comfortable homes were full of hardships they could scarcely imagine.

Mr. Stambangh was a well-informed man. having taken advantage of his few op- portunities, and while his whole life was de- voted to manual labor, he gave his children educational opportunities which fitted them for professional and business life. On May 31. 1847, Mr. Stambaugh entered the employ of the late Gov. David Tod, remaining ou the lat- ter's farm for two years, when he went to Weathersfield, where he was employed by Tod, Ford & Company, as head teamster, for five years. His work here was the hauling of coal from the coal bank, where a large busi- ness was being done, fording the stream and loading on canal boats, seven trips being then considered a day's work. For two years after his marriage, in 1850, Mr. Stambaugh resided in Weathersfield, and then purchased 72 acres of land near Bear's Den, which farm is now owned and occupied by his daughters. Marga- ret E., who is the wife of Myron 1. Wehr, and her maiden sister, Priscilla. The family resided in an old log house which was then standing on the farm, and in it David W. Stamhaugh was born. It was purchased by Dr. Timothy Woodbridge of the family for the sum of $40, and was moved to the vicinity of Mill Creek Park, where it stands as a relic of pioneer days. Mr. Stambaugh continued to be active long beyond the age of many of his contemporaries. When uet busy on his own farm he took contracts for public work and in 1866-67 he hauled much of the stone

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and timber used in buikling the Baldwin dam. L'p to December, 1898, he had known little of sickness, but he was then stricken with par- alysis, which, in the following March, became more serious, and which terminated his life March 18. 1899. His death, was the subject of extensive local comment and press notices. for he was a well-known and most highly re- spected citizen. He was noted for his strict temperance and this not caily envered the use of intoxicating liquor and tobacco, but entered into every phase of life, making him a kind and peaceable neighhor and a loving father and grandfather.

On January 31, 1850. Jacob Stamlaugh was married to Lydia A. Wise, who died in 1895. They had four children, namely : Re- becca, who was born . April 16. 1851. who died May 29, 1854: Priscilla, who was born Jan- uary 21, 1853: David W., whose name begins this article; and Margaret E .. who married Myron I. Wehr. There are six grandchil- dren, all of whom were beloved to an minsnal degree by Mr. Stambaugh, and who rendered him obedience and affection.

David W. Stambaugh was reared in Youngstown township. His early education was obtained in the schools of the kicality known as Bear's Den, near his home, and there he prepared for Poland Union Seminary, in which he was a pupil from 1873 until 1875. In the latter year he taught school at Perkins" Corners, and then he took the high school course at Youngstown, where he was grad- uated in the class of 1878. Mr. Stambaugh subsequently taught schoof at Bear's Den and at Weathersfield. in Trumbull County, in the nwantime devoting a part of his time to agri- cultural pursuits. In 1881 be purchasedl the first portion of his present farm and located on it in the same year, and at various times has added to it until he now asus 118 acres of very fine land, which he has been improv- ing ever sinee. All the substantial and snit- able builtlings for a country home and large farming operations, he has erected. with the result that few farms of equal size can excel it in Youngstown township.

On December 28. 1880. Mr. Stambaugh

was married to Mina Riblet, who is a daughter of William W. Riblet, a sketch of whom will be found in this work. They have three chil- dren, namely : Ida Maude, residing at home, graduated from the Rayen School at Youngs- town in the class of 1902 and attended Mt. U'nion College, near Alliance; Paul H., a stn- dent of mechanical engineering, in the class of 1908, at the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, who graduated at the Rayen High School in 1903; and Helen F., who is a grad- uate of the Rayen High School, class of 1907.

Mr. Stambaugh and family are members of the Central Christian Church at Youngs- town. He has always taken a deep interest in educational matters in his township, has voted in favor of good roads and public improve- ments, and in his life has displayed the same prudence and good management which brought success to his father before him.

ILLIAM SCOTT BONNELL, president of the Mahoning Na- tional Bank, and prominently identified with many of the most important business interests of Youngstown, is also known in other cities where he has capital invested and has business and social relations. Mr. Bonnell was born July 12, 1842, at Cincinnati, Ohio, and is a son of the late William and Sarah (Scott) Bonnelt.

The early boyhood of William Scott Bon- nell was passed at New Castle, Pennsylvania, and he was 13 years of age when his parents located at Youngstown, where his education was completed in the public schools. As a lad he songhit employment for his spare hours and served as clerk in a number of the business honses, which were well known at that time. Later he entered the employ of Brown, Bon- nell & Company, iron manufacturers, where he was made toll turner and thoroughly learned that branch of the business, later ac- quiring experience in others. His employers suon recognized that his ability could be put to better account in the offices of the company,

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and he proved his capacity so well that in 1867 he was invited to become a partner. Within eight years, upon the incorporation of the bus- iness, Mr. Bonnell was made secretary of the company, a position hie filled until business changes caused a transfer of his interests and he became secretary and, later, vice-president of the Mahoning Valley Iron Company. For a long period he has been one of the alert, di- recting spirits of this great corporation, and as years have passed he has assumed other re- sponsibilities and his name adds strength to a number of the country's great business com- binations.

Mr. Bonnell, through his marriage with Lucretia H. Wick, became connected with one of the oldest and most prominent families of Youngstown. Mrs. Bonnell was born at Youngstown and is a daughter of Hugh B. and Lucretia G. (Winchell) Wick. Her father was a very prominent iron manufac- turer and capitalist of Youngstown. Mr. and Mrs. Bonnell have two surviving children: Emily Cree, wife of Perry Burnham Owen, of Youngstown, and William Wick, who married Julia Garlick and resides in Youngstown. For many years Mr. Bonnell and wife have been leading members of the Presbyterian Church. They 'are also active supporters of many of the city's charities and both publicly and privately display the real Christian spirit that actuates those whose sincerity cannot be questioned. Their beautiful home has been the scene of many of the most important social functions of the city, and has also been open to gather- ings of literary and musical talent. The home atmosphere has always been one of culture and refinement. The stately structure, which stands at No. 305 Wick avenue, is one of the most elegant modern residences in the city.

Mr. Bonnell's name and character are known all through the Mahoning Valley, and the honor and personal esteem which he enjoys are but the results of a life of business integ- rity. In a way he is a self-made man, having labored with both head and hands, and in this way he is fitted to hold the proper balance be- tween capital and labor, a question which every

man with great interests must face in these days of unrest. Combined with a keen sense of justice, a kindly consideration for others, Mr. Bonnell possesses business discernment which amounts to almost genins and thus he stands today one of the big men of Ohio in the commercial world.

5 ON. DAVID F. GRIFFITH, probate judge of Mahoning County, and an honored resident of Youngstown. was born at Weathersfield, Trumbull County, Ohio, July 21, 1865, and is a son of David O. and Susannah (Jones) Griffith.

Judge Griffith's ancestry dates on both sicles to Wales, a country which has contrib- uted largely to the good citizenship of Ohio. By trade his father was a blacksmith, and a number of his eleven children inherited much of his skill in mechanics. Shortly after the birth of David F., his parents moved to Min- eral Ridge, Ohio, where they lived for the re- mainder of their lives.

After completing the common school course at Mineral Ridge, Mr. Griffith, after overcoming discouraging conditions which would have killed the ambition of a youth of weaker character, was able to enter the North- eastern Normal College at Canfield, where, in 1890, he was creditably graduated, in the classical course, with the Bachelor's degree, following which, for a period of three years, he was superintendent of the public schools of Mineral Ridge, Ohio. Upon his retirement from school work, he entered upon the study of law with the late Judge L. W. King and John E. McVey. and during this period of study, he taught night school at Youngstown, thus earning support for himself and family. He was admitted to the bar at Youngstown in October. 1894. and was associateed with the law firm of King. McVey & Robinson and Arrel, McVey & Robinson, for seven years. In 1900, on account of continued ill health, prob- ably induced by his unremitting attention to

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his professional dutics, he was compelled to retire for a time, but after he regained his ac- customed health, he resumed the practice of law, until he was elected judge of the Probate Court in November, 1905. This election came through the Republican party and was secured without opposition on account of Judge Grif- fith's personal popularity, although the contest for the nomination was one of the hardest fought and most spirited in the history of Mahoning County, there being four candidates in the field. Since his election, Judge Griffith has displayed in his administration, the quali- ties most required in this high office, and in such marked degree that his fellow-citizens have continued to show the confidence they repose in him.

Judge Griffith married Harriet C. Phillips, who is a daughter of William Phillips, of Can- field, Ohio. They have two children. Mary Gertrude, and Wentdall Phillips. His resi- dence is situated on Glenwood avenue exten- sion, near Mill Creek Park.

Fraternally. Judge Griffith is associated with the Elks, the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. For many years he has been a valuable member of several leading Re- publican organizations. His open record as a citizen shows his sane and sensible attitude toward, as well as his hearty co-operation in various public-spirited enterprises,

ALTER A. BEECHER, vice-presi- dent of the Mahoning National Bank, at Youngstown, Ohio, and for almost twenty-five years secre- tary and treasurer of the Ohio Powder Company, is one of the leading Inist- ness men of this city. He was born August 30. 1845. at Southington. Commectieut, the only chill of Lemand and Rmh W. ( Webster) Beecher.

The Beecher family is an oll New England one of more or less prominence for many years hack. The father of Mr. Beccher was Iurn in Connecticut, and there Walter .\. Beecher was

reared and educated. When about 20 years of age, the latter 'came to Youngstown and he has been identified with this city ever since. For thirteen years he has been connected with the great financial institution above mentioned, of which he has been vice-president since 1904. He has, besides, other business interests, being connected with a number, either as stockholder and director or as president, secretary or treas- urer. His business standing as well as his so- cial and civic importance makes him a repre- sentative Youngstown citizen, Mr. Beccher married Eleanor L. Price, a daughter of Sam- tel l'rice, and they have one son. Ward. The family residence is at No. 274 West Rayen avenue, they having also a summer residence on a farm on the Price Road, about two miles ont of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Beecher are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politi- cally he is a Republican.

5 ENRY MANNING GARLICK, presi- clent of the First National Bank of Youngstown. was born in this city, December 28. 1848, son of Richard G. and Caroline L. ( Manning) Gar- lick. The father, who was a son of Alonzo Garlick, came to Ohio from Vermont at the age of about 32 years, and engaged here in farming and mercantile business, His wife. Caroline, was a daughter of Henry Manning. formerly president of the Mahoning County Bank, of which the First National Bank is the successor, and who took a prominent part in the development of Youngstown's business interests.

Henry M. Garlick was educated in the pub- lie schools wi Youngstown, including the high school, which he attended until he was 17 years old. He then entered the employ. as book. keeper, of the Eagle Furnace Company, with whom he remained for about three years. For a year or more thereafter he was engaged in operating a coal mine at Brazil, Indiana. This venture not proving sufficiently remunerative. he returned to Youngstown, and soon after

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assisted in organizing the Second National Bank, of which he was subsequently cashier for twenty-five years. On May 3. 1904, this institution was consolidated with the First Na- tional Bank, and Mr. Garlick was elected presi- dent, which office he has since held.

Mr. Garlick has also been connected with various other prominent business enterprises of Youngstown. In the early 80's he was presi- clent of the Youngstown Malleable Iron Com- pany, and so continued until the company went ont of existence. He was interested about the same time as a partner in the hardware firm of J. H. Morris & Co., and on the organization of the firmu into a stock company under the style of the Morris Hardware Company, he was elected its president and thus served until 1905. He was also interested in the firm of Lloyd, Booth & Company, which was after- wards incorporated under the style of the Lloyd-Booth Company, that in turn being merged into the United Engineering & Foun- dry Company. In 1887 he helped to organize the Dollar Savings & Trust Company, of which he has been vice-president for a number of years. In 1901 Mr. Garlick, with G. M. McKelvey and A. E. Adams, and with the aid of Youngstown capital. organized the Stand- ard Table Oilcloth Company, one of Youngs- town's flourishing manufacturing industries. The Standard Oilcloth Company was formed by merging seven different concerns situated in several states. The company is now known as Standard Oileloth Company, with a capital stock of $6,000,000, one-half each preferred and common.

Mr. Garlick was married April 5, 1870, to Miss Sarah Stambaugh Ford, daughter of James Fl. and Arabella (Stambaugh ) Ford. of Youngstown. Mrs. Garlick was born in Youngstown on the old Tod homestead at Brier Hill. Her father came to this city from Akron. Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Garlick are the parents of two children : Richard, who is now treasurer of the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company : and Julia G., born March 31. 1874. who is the wife of William W. Bonnell.

R OBERT GRAY. vice-president and general manager of the Mechan Boiler & Construction Company, of Lowellville, has been a resident of that enterprising little city since 1897, and is recognized as one of its leading and most influential citizens. He was born June 12. 1857, in Coatbridge, Scotland, and is a son of James and Mary ( Frew ) Gray.

James Gray, who was a blacksmith and an engineer by trade, was a life-long resident of his native land, Scotland, where his death oc- curred January 12, 1904. His wife is still liv- ing. They were the parents of eiglit children, six daughters, who all live in Scotland, and two sons, Robert, the subject of this sketch, and Thomas, who came from Scotland in 1900 and is now chief draughtsman for the Mechan Boiler & Construction Company.

Robert Gray was reared in Scotland and during his early days learned the machinist's trade in a locomotive works. He also later learned engineering. In 1891 he came to America and entered the employ of J. P. Wetherill, of New Castle, Pennsylvania. His first position was that of chief engineer and he later became superintendent of the works, re- maining in New Castle three years, In the fall of 1897 Mr. Gray removed to Lowellville. entered into partnership with the three Mechan brothers, Patrick, Paul and James, and their nephew, Jolin Mechan. The company is in- corporated under the laws of Ohio with a capi- tal stock of $50,000, and the present officers of the company are: Patrick Meehan, presi- (lent; Robert Gray, vice-president and general manager, and James Meehan, Jr., secretary and treasurer. On the site upon which the works are located was an old sawmill, which the company purchased, and they also later purchased the creamery, which stood on the adjoining lot. They first employed about twenty-five men, which munber has been in- creased to 200. Their principal output is the Mechan Boiler, though they also do a great deal of iron and steel construction work, such as building blast furnaces. their business

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amounting to about $200,000 per year. Mr. Gray is also a trustee and clerk of the Electric Light plant of Lowellville. He is a member of the Lowellville school board, and is a member and trustee of the Presbyterian Church.

In 1880 Mr. Gray was united in marriage in Scotland with Ellen McQuade, like himself. a native of that country. They have reared a family of eight children, the six eldest of whom were all born in Scotland, namely : Nellie: James Gray, a machine apprentice of New Castle, Pennsylvania; Eliza. Mary, Annie and Agnes; and Sarah and Robert, who were born in this country.

UGH LYTLE MCELROY. president and general manager of the H. L. MeElroy Company, at Youngstown, the largest house furnishing company in the retail line in the state of Ohin. was born November 19. 1866. at Fairfax. Linn Comty, lowa, and is a son of William B. and Jane G. ( Lytle) McElroy.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 123

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