Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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 66

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The children born to Jacob Beard and wife were: John, whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Jacob, extended mention of whom will be found in the sketch of Monroe Beard, printed on another page of this volume; Susanna (deceased), who married Dr. Louis Zeigler; Frederika, who married Joseph B. Miller, of Boardman township and is now de- ceased : Henry and Jacob, both deceased; Ly- dia, who married Gabriel Klyne, residing at Youngstown : Hannah ( deceased), who mar- ried Peter Klyne, and David, who resides in Newton Falls, Mahoning County.

John Beard was reared in a very practical manner and from childhood was taught that ! industry is the price of success. As he was the eldest of the sons, he became his father's chief assistant. He remained at home until 1848, when he purchased 50 acres of partly cleared land, on which then stood an old log cabin. Later he bought 18 acres and still later 24 acres, both of which he subsequently traded in a bargain for a 100-acre farm adjoining his original purchase. He then built the comfort- able home in which he has lived ever since. having also erected other substantial buildings

in connection therewith. During his active years he was a successful agriculturist and was considered one of the township's most useful and substantial men. Although he has passed his 89th birthday, he retains his vital powers in a wonderful degree.

In January. 1844, Mr. Beard was married to Hannah Ertzinger, who was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, January 18, 1823, a daughter of John Ertzinger. Mr. and Mrs. Beard had two children, Lydia and Freeman H. The former, born April 15, 1845, mar- ried Andrew Lynn, of Beaver township, and died in 1897. Freeman H. Beard resides in section 7. Beaver township, where he has a valuable farm of 157 acres. Politically, Mr. John Beard is a Republican. He is a member of the Paradise Lutheran Church.

Mr. Beard's memory being excellent he can recall many interesting events and condi- tions pertaining to this section. He remem- bers when Youngstown had but one store, and but a few cabins, and when the location now occupied by the Diamond was nothing but a rank pond. At that time Poland was a more thriving place, having three stores and a larger population. Wages paid for labor during his early manhood and the price of commodities furnish food for reflection. In his day, work began as the sun peeped over the hills at dawn and continued, with a brief "nooning" until the stars shone at night, when a choice was given the laborer of a bushel of wheat or the sum of 25 cents in money. this scale being only operative, however, during harvest days, at other times the pay being but 18 cents. Mr. Beard recalls the time when a barrel of salt cost 48 bushels of shelled corn, eggs were worth from two cents to but one and one-half per dozen, butter was three cents per pound, chickens were three cents each and for coffee 65 cents a pound was demanded. It is a long distance to look back over 80 years and won- derful events have happened within the span of his life. He still keeps himself well in- formed concerning public affairs and takes an interest in local happenings and the welfare of his neighbors and kindred.

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HON, ROBERT MACKEY

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ON. ROBERT MACKEY, whose por- trait accompanies this article, was one of the prominent men produced by Youngstown township, where the greater part of his long and use- ful life was spent. He belonged to a prominent pioncer family of this section and was born in the historic old Mackey homestead in Mahoning County, Ohio, in October, 1832, and was a son of James and Margaret ( Early) Mackey. The Mackey family history will be found in this work in the sketch of James Mackey, brother of Robert Mackey.

After completing his education Robert Mackey became interested in developing the coal land on his own farm, but subsequently gave his main attention to farming and stock- raising. Following in the footsteps of his father, he became a factor in political life, and in 1877 he was elected a member of the state legislature and served one term, after which he resumed his agricultural pursuits and also gave attention to affairs of a public-spirited nature.

In association with his brothers, James and David Mackey, he projected the first street railroad at Youngstown, it being constructed in 1875. It was operated by horses until the installation of electricity, and it marked the beginning of a large amount of Youngstown's prosperity. In many ways his intelligence, judgment and capital were used to benefit his fellow citizens, and he is recalled by them with consideration and esteem.

On December 10, 1868, Robert Mackey was married to Kate M. Martin, danghter of Hugh R. and Dorcas ( Blackburn) Martin, who were natives of Lancaster County, Penn- sylvania. Mrs. Mackey's parents came to Ohio and settlers in Springfield township. Ma- honing County, just across the line from Po- land township, and there Mrs. Mackey was reared. Immediately following their mar- riage, Robert Mackey and wife settled on the old Mackey homestead, where Mrs. Mackey still resides. The residence was built several years prior to 1816, when the father of the late Mr. Mackey bought the farmn.

Mr. and Mrs. Mackey had four children,

namely : Frank, who resides with his mother and manages the farm; Emma, who also re- sides with her mother, and who is the widow of Fred C. McCombs, who was assistant su- perintendent of the Lowell furnace, and was accidentally killed six months after his mar- riage; Robert and George, both of whom died while their father was serving in the legisla- ture, their deaths occurring from diphtheria, but three days apart. The death of Robert Mackey occurred November 11, 1893.

Mr. Mackey was one of the pioneer mov- ers in having the county seat moved from Canfield to Youngstown. He was also a mem- ber of the Mill Creek Park Commission and gave much of his time and attention to bring- ing the Park into public favor.

EORGE J. RENNER. JR., proprietor of the City Brewery, at Youngstown, is one of the city's capitalists and in- fluential citizens. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 11, 1856, and is a son of George J. and Seraphina ( Ap- pleman ) Renner.

The parents of Mr. Renner came to Amer- ica from Germany in 1848 and settled at Cin- cinnati, Ohio, removing to Akron in 1888. The father of our subject, who was born in 1834 and still survives, has been a brewer all his Inisiness life and has been interested in plants at Cincinnati, Akron and Mansfield, Ohio, His wife was born in 1835 and died in 1803. She was a most worthy woman, a devoted wife and mother and a consistent member of the Catholic Church. She was the mother of 12 children, of whom the survivors are George J., Lizzie, Rosa, Nora, Emma and William.

George J. Renner, Jr., was reared and edu- cated at Covington, Kentucky, across the Ohio River from Cincinnati. He has been identi- fied with the brewing business since he was a youth, and has been in the business on his own account for the last quarter of a century. His first location was at Wooster, Ohio, whence he removed in 1884 to Youngstown. where he established his present business. Six years

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later Mr. Renner erected his present modern plant, equipping it with the best machinery. It stands on Pike street, enjoys excellent rail- road facilities and is the largest plant of its kind in the city, having a capacity of 100,000 barrels of beer, and porter, per annum. There are 60 people employed in the brewery.

In 1880 Mr. Renner was married to Em- ma Weaver, who is a daughter of the late John Weaver, of Covington, Kentucky. Mrs. Ren- ner was the eldest in a family of 10 children, the others being: John, Robert, George (who died aged 26 years), Mary, Pauline. August, Frank, Harry and William.

Mr. and Mrs. Renner have had eight chil- dren, George, Emil A., Edna, Irene, Viola, Florence, Ruth and Earl. George, Irene and Earl are now deceased. The family home is sit- uated at No. 200 Pike street. Mr. and Mrs. Renner are members of the Catholic Church. Mr. Renner also belongs to a number of social organizations and is a well-known and popular man.

ALEB B. WICK, one of the leading citizens of Youngstown, who for years has been closely identified with its most important commercial interests, belongs to one of the most honored pionedr families of the Mahoning Valley. He was born April 24. 1836, at Youngstown, and is a son of the late Colonel Caleb B. and Maria Adelia (Griffith) Wick. The early history of the Wick family may be found in the sketches of Colonel Caleb B. Wick and his brother, Hugh Bryson Wick, appearing elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Wick completed his education in the schools at Youngstown and began his long and successful business career as a clerk in the Mahoning County Bank, when he was 17 years of age. By the time he was 23 years old he had risen to the position of cashier of this institution and served as such until 1862. His association as a member of the banking firm of Wick Brothers & Company, at Youngs- town, gave him an acknowledged standing and

he soon became interested in other financial enterprises, these including the founding of the first bank at Sharon, Pennsylvania, under the name of Wick, Porter & Company. In connection with his large financial operations. Mr. Wick early became interested in the build- ing of railroads and was a very important factor in the organization and completion of what is now the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad, having been one of the incorporators of the company. He still re- tains his position on the directing board of this road and is the only surviving member of the original board. He was the first president of the Youngstown & Sharon Steel Railroad Company.

For the past half century Mr. Wick has been largely interested in real estate in this section, being a large holder and the owner of iron and coal properties. His commodious of. fices are located at Nos. 404-405 Dollar Bank Building, Youngstown. His beautiful home is situated at No. 524 Wick avenue.

J ACKSON TRUESDALE, M. D., a re tired physician and merchant, resid- ing at Canfield, enjoys the distinction of being the oldest male resident of the village. Dr. Truesdale was born on his father's farm in Austintown township, Mahoning County, Ohio, in the fall of 1820. and is a son of John and Mary ( Reed) Trues- dale.

John Truesdale, grandfather of Dr. Trues- dale, was born in Ireland and came to America with his father, also named John, in 1771. They settled in Pennsylvania. purchasing a farm in Perry County, on which the younger John (the grandfather) was employed at the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. He en- tered the Patriot army with the Pennsylvania contingent and was in Washington's immedi- ate command. He was proud of the services he could perform not only for the land which had offered him a home, but for the great commander and would frequently tell of his detail to keep the fires glowing in the aban-

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doned camp on the memorable night on which Washington crossed the Delaware and sur- prised the Hessian garrison at Trenton, who supposed, from the lighted camp fires on the other side, that the enemy, like themselves, were holding Christmas revels. The record of American soldiers in the country's archives, shows that John Truesdale was a brave and faith ful soldier throughout the war.

At the close of hostilities, he returned to Pennsylvania and shortly afterward was mar- ried to Hannah Robinson. Later he removed to Washington County. Pennsylvania, and in 1802 from there to Mahoning, then Trumbull, County, Ohio, and acquired land in Poland township, as he is listed with tax-payers, in 1802. In 1813 he sold his first farm and re- moved to Austintown township, where he died in 1819, his widow surviving many years. During a large part of this period her grand- son, now Dr. Truesdale, was under her care. The children born to John and Hannah Trues- dale were: John, James, Hugh, William, Al- exander, Robinson, Joseph, Margaret, Mary and Jane, all of whom grew to maturity, but all have long since passed away. All the sons became more or less prominent in the locali- ties where they lived. John, James, Hugh and William served in the War of 1812. William served in the artillery and was offered a com- mission in the regular army, but refused it. He was elected a justice of the peace in Aus- tintown township, before he was 21 years of age and had to wait until his majority before receiving his commission; he served in that office during the rest of his life.

Robinson Truesdale, a man of military bearing, was elected a colonel of militia. He was a strong anti-slavery man, and in relig- jous views was a stanch Presbyterian. He designed the Presbyterian Church edifice at Youngstown and did much of the work of construction. Hugh Truesdale spent his life, after returning from the war, in Poland town- ship, where he was elected a justice of the peace and served in that office for 25 years. His grandson, James Kennedy, who was a son of his daughter Margaret and her husband, Walter Kennedy, is a member of Congress.

All this family of Kennedys have become noted in the iron and steel industries.

John Truesdale, the third of the name in the ancestral line, and the father of Dr. Jack- son Truesdale, was born in 1783, on the farm in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and ac- companied his parents to Ohio. He assisted in the clearing of the wild land which had been selected by his father. Subsequently he mar- ried Mary Reed and they moved to Austin- town township. Both he and his wife died in 1825, their deaths occurring but three weeks apart. They had five children, namely, four sons, James, William, John and Jackson, and one daughter, Mary, who married William Bassett.

Jackson Truesdale was the youngest of his parents' children and he was but five years old when he was left an orphan. He then went to live with his grandmother, who resided with her daughter, Mrs. Eastman, in Ells- worth township. In 1832 he was taken into the family of his uncle, Joseph Truesdale, at Poland, where he had the benefit of the best school instruction, both public and private, that the locality afforded, and as he was an ambitious youth. he profited by it and im- proved his time.

In 1837, Mr. Truesdale came to Canfield, beginning to teach school when only 17 years of age. Subsequently he spent a short time at Oberlin College and later at Allegheny Col- lege, but did not remain long enough to grad- uate. In 1840. he moved to Kentucky, where he continued to teach for a number of years, teaching one year near Nashville, Tennessee. While thus engaged he spent all his leisure time in reading medicine, and after his return to Ohio, he continued his medical studies with Dr. Joseph Truesdale, of Poland. When thoroughly prepared, he entered a medical school at Cleveland and for ten subsequent years he practiced medicine in the western part of Mahoning County.

In 1854, while residing in Jackson town- ship, Dr. Truesdale was elected auditor of the new county organized a few years previously, the county seat then being at Canfield, and served in this office from 1855 until 1859.

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Jackson township was thoroughly Democratic and Dr. Truesdale was the first Republican who had ever received a majority of the votes. After the close of his term of office, Dr. Trues- dale considered resuming the practice of me- dicine, but he had never been an enthusiast in the profession, and after due consideration decided to engage in a mercantile business at Canfield in place of opening an office. Al- though he has been retired from active parti- cipation in business for the past 20 years, for over a quarter of a century he was one of Canfield's leading merchants.

Dr. Truesdale was married (first) to Lola Maria Tyler, who at her death left two chil- dren, Henry and Lola. Henry enlisted in the Federal army for service in the Civil War, was taken prisoner by the Confederates and was one of the unfortunate Union soldiers who perished from privation and suffering at Andersonville, Georgia. Lola married Edgar Cummins, residing in Lorain County, Ohio, and they have one child. Luella. Dr. Trues- dale was married (second) to Hannah Eckis, who died 16 years later, August 13, 1863. Dr. Truesdale was married (third) to Luceba A. Ripley, daughter of General Ripley, who died in February, 1906. They had two chil- dren, William and John. William Truesdale was a man of scholarly attainments, a gradu- ate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, Dela- ware, Ohio, and at the time of his death was a member of the Colorado State University faculty, having previously been a High School instructor in Cleveland, Ohio. He married (first) Hattie Belts, who was a classmate and co-graduate of his, and (second) Maude Or- ton. John Truesdale, a business man at Youngstown, with offices in the Realty build- ing, married Clara Justice.

For over 20 years, Dr. Truesdale has been a director and vice-president of the Farmers' National Bank at Canfield. Although so long retired from the cares of business, he has re- mained a busy man, turning his attention into the congenial channel of literary production. Through his careful study and research con- cerning the War of 1812, many soldiers' re- cords have been established, while his interest

in the development of Canfield village and township, has resulted in a large amount of interesting local history, which is valuable to the historian as well as to all those who take pride in the achievements of their pioneer forefathers. These are all much indebted to the researchies of Dr. Truesdale.

ORNELIUS SIMON, whose valu- able fruit farm of 25 acres is sit- uated three miles south of Youngs- town, in Boardman township, was born on his present farm, February 25, 1850, and is a son of Michael and Ros- anna (Gentholtz) Simon.

Adam Simon, the grandfather of Corne- lius Simon, was the first householder of this section. He was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, April 26,1777, was reared on his father's farm and married Maria Margaritha, shortly afterward coming to Ohio and set- tling in the deep forest in Boardman township. He erected his log cabin in these wilds in 1800 and here his wife died in the following year. She was the first person buried in the old graveyard which lies near Mr. Simon's farm. Adam Simon lived until August 20, 1826, and he was also buried in the same place. One child was born to his first marriage and after the death of its young mother, Adam's father, Michael Simon, started on horseback to Wash- ington County, carrying the infant in his hunt- ing shirt, but it was unable to stand the ex- posure and soon died. He later returned to Mahoning County. Adam Simon's second marriage was to Rebecca Reinhardt, who was born at Hagerstown, Maryland, and died in 1862, in Boardman township.

The children born to the second marriage of Adam Simon, were: Thomas, Andrew, Reinhardt, Cornelius, Michael and Amelia, the last named of whom married David Nei- dig. When the war of 1812 broke out, Adam Simon took up arms, believing it to be his duty. Strong and robust, nature had fitted him to bear hardship, and, as illustrative of his kind and generous character, it was related

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by old settlers, that on one occasion, on a long march, when a comrade had fallen from wear- iness, he carried him in his powerful arms. He returned safely from the war and spent the rest of his days in Boardman township. In the year following his settlement, his father, Michael Simon, came also to Mahoning County, about 1801 or 1802, and took up a section of land, the present farm of Mr. Si- mon being a part of it. As no roads had been cut through this part of the country, Indian trails had to be followed from Pittsburg to Cleveland.

Michael Simon, father of Cornelius, was the youngest son of the family and was born in the log house on the home place, August 26, 1820, and died in Boardman township, September 3, 1893, aged 73 years. He fol- lowed farming and fruit growing. In 1846 he was married to Rosanna Gentholtz, who was born in Stuttgart, Germany, and who at the age of six years, accompanied her parents, Frederick Gentholtz and wife, to America, settling one mile east of Girard. This vener- able lady still survives, having reached her 82nd year. The children of Michael and Ros- anna Simon, who reached maturity were: Le- nora, who with her husband, Clark Hawkins, is now deceased; Cornelius, whose name be- gins this article; Catherine (deceased), who married D. G. Stemple; Rebecca, who married Robert Augenbaugh, and resides at Beaver, Pennsylvania; Coroline, wife of C. H. Stam- baugh; Julius; Elmer Ellsworth, who died at the age of 20 years; and Warren, who resides on the home place with his aged mother. In this family there were born twins, Lenora and Ezra, and triplets, who were named re- spectively, Elmer Ellsworth, Bishop Clinton and Ira Clayton.

Cornelius Simon was reared on the old home place and obtained a district school edu- cation. After his marriage he moved to Youngstown and for four years lived on the south side of the city, working in different capacities for the Kyle Coal Company ; he has been interested in coal mining work for 20 years. In the spring of 1880, he bought his present farm from his father, and since then

has devoted himself to the pleasant and pro- fitable business of growing fruit, raising strawberries, apples, peachlies and plums. His commodious eight-room frame dwelling he built himself and also set out the well-kept hedge, which extends in front of the house and adds so materially to its general attract- iveness. He has made many improvements, has put in one mile of tiling, and has set out many shrubs and trees. He finds a ready mar- ket for his fruit at Youngstown.

On November 9, 1876, Mr. Simon was married to Alice M. Oatey, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Louisa Oatey. They have two sons, Clarence and Elmer, the latter of whom assists his father on the farin. The former resides at Youngstown, where he is foreman of the electrical plant of the Ohio Steel Company. In September, 1898, he mar- ried Addie Summers, and they have one son, Lloyd.

Mrs. Simon is one of a family of seven children, namely: Alice, William, Elizabeth, who married John Smith, Charles, Anna, who is the widow of James Allen, Howard, and Samuel, the last named of whom is deceased. The father of Mrs. Simon was a well-known citizen of Youngstown, where he died in Sep- tember, 1899, aged 73 years. His widow still survives at the age of 71 years.

Formerly, Mr. Simon was identified with the Republican party but for the past 12 years he has been a Prohibitionist. Mr. Simon has enjoyed several extended trips through the West, in 1902 spending seven weeks in South- ern California and Seattle, Washington, and in 1906 and 1907 he and his wife passed the winter in California.

ENRY CLINTON HEINTZELMAN, president of the school board of Boardman township and identified with its agricultural interests for a number of years, owning 80 acres of well-improved land upon which. he lives, with- in nine miles of Youngstown, was born on his grandfather's farm in Beaver township. Ma-

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honing County, Ohio, October 7, 1858. His parents were George and Hannah Heintzel- man.

Jacob Heintzelman, the grandfather of Henry C., was born April 2, 1796, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared on a farm and later learned the tailor trade. On May 18, 1823, he was married in his na- tive state to Rebecca Lynn, who was born November 4, 1803, and they had 14 children, namely : Daniel, David, Polly, Catherine, Ly- dia, Israel, George, Elizabeth, Joseph, Maria, Cornelius, Sylvester, Enos, and William. Daniel, who died young : Polly and Maria each married a Mr. Hahn, Catherine married a Mr. Thoman, Lydia a Mr. Hinkle, Israel died young, Elizabeth is now Mrs. Elizabeth Tho- man. Sylvester, who died young. Enos died at the age of 21 years. Of the union of Jacob and Rebecca Heintzelman there have been, up to the present time (1907), 160 descendants, a number of whom have settled in Mahoning County. Jacob Heintzelman died in Beaver township, Mahoning County, April 25, 1875, and his widow December 30, 1883. They came to this county between 1825 and 1830.

George Heintzelman, father of Henry C., was born August 10, 1833, and grew up among pioneer surroundings. He was both a farmer and carpenter, and became well known all over the county for his mechanical skill. During the Civil War, when a draft was made for 20 men from Canfield township, his was the 20th name drawn. He remained in camp at Cleveland for a short time. but, feeling that it was almost impossible for him to leave his wife and little children, a babe having been born the very day he was drafted, he sold about all he possessed and sent a substitute in his place.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 66

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