Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 67

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 67

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In January, 1858, Mr. Heintzelman was married to Hannah Kaercher, who was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County, a daughter of Philip and Rebecca ( Hahn) Kaercher. Iler father was born in Germany and her mother in Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. George Heintzelman had four children, name- ly: Henry Clinton: Ella R., who married Monroe Beard, of Beaver township: Carrie

M., who is the widow of Malcomb Clemons ; and Ada M., who married (first) Melvin C. Kile, and (second) Calvin Frye, and resides in Canfield township.

For a year after their marriage, George Heintzelman and wife lived with his father, afterwards buying and clearing a farm of 20 acres in Canfield township. In the spring of 1869, having recovered from the setback oc- casioned by his paying of a substitute, George Heintzelman bought the present farm, from Andrew Arner, who had cleared it. For some 15 years Mr. Heintzelman also worked at his trade of carpenter. He died on this farm in May, 1893, and was survived by his widow until February, 1899.

Henry Clinton Heintzelman attended the district schools, but while still a boy was ob- liged to assume heavy responsibilities on ac- count of his father's poor health. He lived at home until his marriage, with the exception of one winter, when he worked at Youngs- town, for his uncle Fred Kaercher, in the butcher business. After his marriage he lived for eight years with his father, and after the latter's death remained two more years on the homestead with his mother, but in the spring of 1895 he rented the Hartman farm in Boardman township. A year later he returned to the home farm, which subsequently came into his possession. He has always carried on general farming and has been as well rewarded for his labors as any agriculturist in Boardman township. A log house still stands on his farm, one of the .four residences built on this property, the present one of nine rooms having been erected in 1877, by his father and later remodeled by the present occupant. On January 7, 1885, Mr. Heintzelman was married to Minnie E. Osborn, who was born in Youngstown town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, January 2, 1864, and is a daughter of Clark and Laura (Moore) Osborn. Her parents reside in Ash- tabula County, Ohio, where Mr. and Mrs. Heintzelman were married. She is one of a fmily of ten children, as follows: Daniel and Isabella, both deceased; George S., Mrs. Sa- rah Zimmerman, Mrs. Adelaide Osborn, Mrs.

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Harriet Sweet, Minnie E., Mrs. Anna Ly- man, Lillian, wife of Dr. Zimmerman, of Youngstown, and H. Manning, a physician at Youngstown.

Mr. and Mrs. Heintzelman have had five children, namely : Laura Ruth, who is a grad- uate of the Boardman High School. Fayette C., H. Esther, John H. and Kenneth E., all residing at home.

In political sentiment, Mr. Heintzelman is a Republican. He served as township assessor, census enumerator, and for a number of years has been a member of the school board, which he is now serving as president. It was largely through his efforts that the High School was secured for Boardman township, and in 1907 he had the pleasure of witnessing the gradua- tion of one of his daughters therefrom. He belongs to the Grange and was a delegate from Mahoning County to the Ohio State Grange, for two years, one meeting being held at Warren and the other at Mansfield; subse- quently he attended the State Grange meet- ings at Canton and at Columbus. Mr. Heintz- elman and family belong to the Lutheran Church at New Buffalo, of which he has been a trustee for the past three years.

Mr. Heintzelman takes an interest in his family history and he justly prizes very highly a German family Bible, which was handed down to him by his father, who had received it from his father. The old records in this holy Book reach far back and are entirely dependable.

C HEODORE OBENAUF, a public- spirited and substantial citizen of Beaver township, resides on a farm in section 9. and in the same house in which he was born, March 17, 1856, son of Francis and Wilhelmina (Doer- fer) Obenauf.

The first of the Obenauf family to enti- grate from Germany to America, was Trow- gut Obenauf, an uncle of Theodore, who lo- cated at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was later joined by his brother Francis. The

brothers came together to Beaver township, Mahoning County, and purchased the second farm north of the one now occupied by Theo- dore, for their father, Christian Obenauf, who took possession of it two years later, in 1854, and continued to reside upon it until his death, in 1858. His children were: Trowgut, Fran- cis. Christian, Herman, Edward, Ferdinand, Pauline, wife of David Dietzman, and a resi- dent of Wisconsin, Lewis, and Huklah, who married Julius Siegel, and resides in Youngs- town.

Francis Obenanf was born in Saxony, Ger- many, November 26, 1830, and was about 22 years of age when he came to America. In 1855 he was married to Wilhelmina Doerfer, a daughter of Michael Doerfer and also a na- tive of Saxony. She accompanied the Obenauf family to America. After marriage, Francis Obenauf settled on the farm now occupned by his son, which was fairly well cleared when he purchased it. He continued to reside on this place until Theodore was married and then moved to the farm now owned by Lewis F. Obenauf, on which he built a house and barn and made other improvements. He re- sided on that farm until the death of his wife which occurred November 13, 1878, when he moved to North Lima, where he sub- sequently (second ) married Mrs. Elizabeth Hahn. He resided at North Lima, until 1890, when he removed to Melrose, Florida, resid- ing there until within six weeks of his death, which took place at Augusta, Georgia, Janu- ary 29, 1899. His remains were brought home for burial, as were those of his widow, who died in Georgia, December 16, 1900, and a son. Frank, who died there June 13, 1901. The children of Mr. Obenauf were all born of his first marriage and were : Theodore, sub- ject of this sketch: Adeline, born December 25. 1859, wife of William Feicht, and a resi- dent of Springfield township; Anna, born November 7, 1861, who died November 16, 1885: Lewis F., residing in section 15. Beaver township; and Frank, born March 5. 1873. who died in Georgia, as stated above. The last named was a prominent lawyer. His death was caused by typhoid fever.

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Politically, Francis Obenauf was a Demo- crat. Ile was a man of sterling character and took an active interest in public matters where- ever he lived. At one time he served as trus- tee of Beaver township. Through life he was .a consistent Lutheran.

Theodore Obenauf was educated in the local schools and has devoted the greater part of his life to agricultural pursuits. In younger years, when not busy on the farm, he was en- gaged very successfully in selling organs through the country, but in later years has been mainly interested in raising fruit, po- tatoes and poultry as specialties in addition to general farming.

On April 11, 1878, Mr. Obenauf was mar- riedl to Louise Ilunk, who was born in Spring- field township. Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a daughter of llenry and Mary ( Barth) Hlouk, and a granddaughter of Jacob Houk, who resided all his life in Trumbull County, and who married Christina Unkauf. Henry Hlouk resided in Springfield township until his death, on March 26, 1906. He was born April 25. 1831, and was married April 1, 1853. to Mary Barth, who died October 22, 1905.

Mr. and Mrs. Obenanf have had four sons and one daughter, namely : Henry Fran- cis, horn January 15, 1879, is a Lutheran min- ister located at South Sharon. Pennsylvania, married Mary Ota Lynch and they have one son. Paul Francis: Albert Myron, born De- .cember 12. 1881, resides in Cleveland; Henry Francis and Albert Myron were both edu- .cated at Wittenberg College; Emma Ahmeda born May 15. 1887, is a graduate of the North Limi High School and taught schoot during one year in Beaver township and one year in Springfield township; Homer Allen, horn February 19. 1891, is attending Rayen School at Youngstown; Maurice Samuel. born February 14, 1897. is still a student. The eldest son of Mr. Obenani was educated at Wittenberg College and at the Lutheran Col- lege at Chicago.

For a number of years Mr. Obenauf has Been a member of the township school board. .of which he is treasurer. With his family he

belongs to the Lutheran Church. He has fra- ternal connection with the Home Guards of America.

UGH BRYSON WICK. In recalling the men to whom Youngstown is in- debted for its material prosperity, the late Hugh Bryson Wick is im- mediately brought to mind, for he was a very important factor in its develop- ment for many years. His long and busy life was mainly devoted to this section, which benefited by his business sagacity and public spirit. Mr. Wick was born at Youngstown, February 5, 1809. and died April 22. 1880. He was a son of Henry and Hannah ( Bald- win) Wick. The Wicks were of English ori- gin, settling originally on Long Island, New York.

Mr. Wick's parents came to the Mahoning Valley as pioneers from Washington County, Pennsylvania. For many years they were closely identified with the business and social interests of this section and when they passed away they left memories of honorable, nse- ful and virtions lives, They reared a large family and almost all of these became promi- nent in some walk of life. They were Caleb Baldwin. Thomas Lupton, Betsy. Lemuel Henry, Jr., Hugh Bryson. Hannah, Matikla Lucretia, John Dennick, Mary Ann. Thomas Lupton (2) and Paul. The first birth was in 1795 and the last in 1824. The last survivor of this notable family was Henry Wick. Jr., who was a resident of Cleveland.

Ilngh Brysemn Wick began his remarkable business career as a merchant in 1828, open- ing a store at Brookfield, Trumbull County. where he remained for ten years, during a por- tion of which period he had business interests also at Lima. In 1837 he removed to Lowell- ville, where he conducted a business for two years, coming to his native place in 1839 to enter into business competition here. In 1846. with his brothers, Caleb B. and Paul Wick, Henry Hensley: Dr. Hleury Manning. William Rice and other capitalists, Mr. Wick built a

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JAMES MACKEY

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rolling mill and opened a store, the latter be- ing managed by the late Paul Wick and con- tinucd as a business under the management of Paul and Hugh B. Wick until 1855. This rolling-mill enterprise was the nucleus around which developed the immense works of Brown, Bonnell & Company.

Probably the late Mr. Wick was best known as a financier, having been prominently identified with the H. B. & I1. Wick Banking Company of Cleveland, and, after 1857. with Wick Brothers & Company, Bankers. at Youngstown. He had large coal and other interests, was a director in the Mercer Mining & Manufacturing Company, the Shenango & Allegheny Railroad Company and many other successful interprises. Ile was essentially a business man and sellom undertook responsi- bilities unless he clearly saw his ability to bring them to a successful issue. With other members of his family, and also individually, he stood for years at the head of great com- binations of capital and industry, and during the many years of such prominence enjoyed unlimitedl confidence and universal esteem.

On October 30, 1832. Mr. Wick was un- ited in marriage with Lucretia G. Winchell, who was born September 5. 1813. at Walling- ford, Connecticut, and was a daughter of Or- rin and Laura C. Winchell. Being left an orphan when young, Mrs. Wick was reared in the home of her uncle. Dr. Charles Cooke. at Youngstown. Her death occurred on April 27. 1892, when in her 79th year. Of the ten children of Hugh B. Wick and wife, four sur- vive. viz. : John C., vice-president of the Dol- lar Savings & Trust Company, whose sketch appears in this work: Lucretia H., wite of William Scott Bonnell, president of the Ma- honing National Bank, of whom biographical mention will be found elsewhere in this vol- ame ; Henry, president of the Witch Hazel Cual Company, residing at No. 416 Wick av- enue, and Emily W., residing at No. 315 Wick avenue, widow of the late John M. Bommell, of whom a sketch may be found on another page of this work.

From early mankowal the late Ihugh Bry-

son Wick was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. He was a willing and liberal contributor to all regulated charities. Although he belonged to a family which took a more or less im- portant place in the city's varied interests and thus commanded a large measure of public at- tention aside from his individual prominence, he was notably simple and unassuming. to the close of his lite being a practical business man who liker best to stand before his fellow-citi- zens on his own merits. He was a man who was devotedly loved in the domestic circle, was trusted and revered by a large number of personal friends and was admired and respec- ted by his fellow-citizens.

J AMES MACKEY, one of Youngs- town's leading citizens, whose profes- sional work as a surveyor has kept his name before the public for many years, was born at Youngstown, Ma- honing County, Ohio, February 7. 1820. and he is a sum of James and Margaret ( Early) Mackey.

As the name indicates, the Mackeys orig- inated in the Highlands of Scotland, and the founder of the family in America was the grandfather of Jantes Mackey, who settled in Pennsylvania and there reared a family. James Mackey, Sr., father of James, was born in 1776, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and in 1805 he came to Ohio and settled in thas part of Trumbull County which later became Mahoning County. He was a man of edu- cation, a mathematician and a surveyor, and. with other enterprises, he became associated with Robert Montgomery in the building of one of the first furnaces on Yellow Creek. He kept the accounts of the firm until the begin- ning of the war of 1812, when he joined the Fourth division of Ohio militia, in which he was paymaster and also adjutant, and was ad- copied the rank of major, by which title he I was subsequently known.

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In 1816 Major Mackey entered into part- nership with Colonel William Rayen in a mer- cantile business at Youngstown, which con- tinued for several years. Prior to 1823, when he was married, Major Mackey purchased a large tract of land northeast of the village, and on this he settled, making it his home during the remainder of his life, and carrying on farming and stock-raising. His death oc- curred August 15, 1844, when he was 68 years old. During the whole of his active life he had done surveying, and his son's pro- ficiency as a civil engineer may be a direct heritage from the father. September 10, 1823. he married Margaret Early, who survived until May 14. 1870. Her parents, Thomas and Jane Early, who were born in Ireland, settled in Coitsville township, Mahoning County, Ohio. Major Mackey and wife had eight children, three of whom died in child- hood. There are but two survivors, namely : James and his youngest sister, Letitia, who is the wife of Andrew Kirk.

Major Mackey was the type of pioneer whose value to a community cannot be over- estimated. He served as township trustee, justice of the peace, township clerk, county commissioner, a member of the legislature and treasurer of Trumbull County, while in his immediate neighborhood there was no necessity to elect or appoint by law, for he was naturally fitted to be a leader and safe adviser.

James Mackey, Jr., was afforded common school and academic training before he entered the Cleveland University. Here he prepared himself for the work for which he felt him- self especially fitted, and proved himself so competent and accurate. that he had filled but a few contracts before he was invited to be- come a member of a commission made up of five representative engineers and surveyors of Ohio and Pennsylvania, to establish for all time the boundary line between the states. Mr. Mackey has probably had as much ex- perience in the surveying of coal lands and mines as any man in his profession, his work being marked with the certainty and accuracy which precluded all kinds of litigation, About

1875 he began also to survey and plat town sites and his work in this line has been vast. With his brothers, the late David and Robert Mackey, he promoted and constructed the first street railroad in Youngstown, the old horse- car line, which was then an enthusiastically welcomed public utility. Of this enterprise he served for seven years as president, when the pressure of professional work made it seem advisable that he resign this office, as well as curtail his activities in a number of other directions.

Mr. Mackey, like other members of his family. has always been identified with the Democratic party, but he has never been con- vinced that his duty as a good citizen necessi- tates his acceptance of public office. Neither has he accepted many positions on directing boards of business or other enterprises, his tastes lying more in the direction of a private life and close attention to his professional work. Large demands have come to him in this line, and these he has met with the effi- ciency which has made his name one of note in civil engineering all over the state. He spent upwards of fifty-three years in and about Youngstown in his profession.

On October 30. 1862, Mr. Mackey was married to Mary H. Ruggles, who was born in Canfield, Ohio, a daughter of Azor and Adeline M. Ruggles. Mr. and Mrs. Mackey have had five children, namely ; Robert M., who died in infancy, Charles I ... Grace, Margaret H. and Nellie. The beautiful family home, which is the center of much social life, is situ- ated just east of the city limits, on McGuffey street. Mr. and Mrs. Mackey are members of the Episcopal Church, worshipping with the congregation at St. John's, of which Mr. Mackey was a member of the vestry for a number of years.

Mr. Mackey was a member of the original board of trustees of the Raven School, and after serving continually for twenty years. he refused to accept the position longer on ac- count of his professional duties. His portrait is published on a neighboring page of this volume.

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ENRY ISREAL, proprietor of Beaver Dale Farm, a magnificent tract of 206 acres of fertile land, extending through the best part of Goshen township, which he devotes to gen- eral farming and fruit-growing, is also an ex- perienced railroad man, having been identi- fied with various great transportation lines since he was 16 years old. He has been engine inspector at Alliance, Ohio, since the fall of 1899. for the Pennsylvania Railroad Com- pany. Mr. Isreal was born June 30, 1838, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Greabing) Isreal.

The parents of Mr. Isreal were born in Germany. When he was 11 years old his fa- ther died and he remained with his mother until her second marriage, when he started out to make his own way in the world, turning his attention to railroad work. For a number of years he worked as brakesman with the Ohio & Pennsylvania system; then one year as fireman; then for 14 years as locomotive engineer for the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne and Chicago Railroad. three years of the time as freight engineer, and rt years as passenger engineer. On July 3, 1873, when the Ashta- bula and Pittsburg Railroad opened service, he became engineer and yardmaster at Ashta- bula, in which capacity he continued to serve until September 1, 1862, when he was ap- pointed road foreman of engines of Division B, on the Pittsburg. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. which position he filled for nine con- secutive years. He then became assistant road foreman on the Eastern Division between Crestline and Pittsburg, a position he held for eight years. In the fall of 1899, be assumed the duties of his present office.

In 1878, Mr. Isreal acquired Beaver Dale Farm, on which he settled in 1882, and re- sided there until the fall of 1900, when he re- moved to his present place of residence, which is known as the Ezra French farm on the Gar- field road, near Damascus. Mr. Isreal had few educational opportunities in his youth, having never entered a school room after he was 11 years old, but nevertheless his educa-

tion, of a thoroughly practical kind, has made hím a well-informed man.

On May 29, 1861, Mr. Isreal was married to Mary A. Hartje, who was born in Colum- biana County, Ohio, April 13. 1838, and is a daughter of Lorenzo and Wilhelmina ( Herbst) Hartje. Her father was born in Germany and served seven years under Napoleon Bona- parte. He was in the campaign in Russia, also taking part in the battle of Waterloo. With pardonable pride he wore the decoration of the Black Eagle, which he had won by his bravery. Mr. and Mrs. Isreal have had six children, namely: Frank, deceased; Charles A., residing in Smith township; Elizabeth, who married John King, residing at Salem; Wilhelmina, who married Louis Doane, re- siding at Alliance; and Frederick W., and Homer W., both residing at Alliance.

Mr. Isreal cast his first presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln and has supported the principles and candidates of the Republican party ever since. He recalls a most interesting incident in his life, one which went far to make him an Abolitionist. This was at Alle- gheny City, Pennsylvania, in 1853, when he was instrumental in securing the freedom of a slave woman and her six children, from her pursuing master. He was reared in the Lu- theran faith and his wife is a member of the Society of Friends, both being consistent in their views. He is a member of the Masons, having united with the fraternity in 1873 at Allegheny City, and is now connected with the Blue Lodge at Alliance.

ILLIAM W. BONNELL, secretary of the Falcon Bronze Company, of Youngstown, and also treasurer and general manager of the Leather Shop Company, is one of the most progressive and enterprising young business men of this city. He was born at Youngstown, Ohio, in 1875, and is a son of W. Scott Bonnell, a full sketch of whom ap- pears in this work.

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William W. Bonnell was reared in Youngs- town, but was mainly educatedl in Boston. Massachusetts. He entered into business with the Mahoning Valley Iron Company, with whom he remained for six years, and was then connected with the Finished Steel Company for about five years, after which he was with the Truss and Calle Fence Company of Cleve- land, Ohio, for one year. Mr. Bonnell then built the plant of the Concrete Sand & Stone Company, and for about one year and a half was with the Morris Hardware Company. which is one of the largest concerns of its kind in this section of Ohio. He is also in- terested in several other large business enter- prises and is a stockhokler in several of the Youngstown Banks.

Mr. Bonnell was married in May. 1898. to Julia F. Garlick, a daughter of 11. M. Gar- lick, and they have one daughter, Sara-Cree Bounell. He is a member of the Youngstown club and Golf club and belongs to the First Presbyterian Church.

U ICK TAYLER, one of Yomigs- town's leading business men, who is prominently identified with in- surance and real estate interests in the city and vicinity, was born at Youngstown, Ohio, October 2, 1855, and is a son of Hon. Robert Walker and Rachel K. ( Wick) Tayler.

The late Robert Walker Tayler, a separate sketch of whom may be found in this volume. was one of the distinguished public citizens of Ohio for almost forty years. He served Youngstown in many official positions, his county in responsible offices, his state in the halls of legislation, and his nation as comp- troller of the United States treasury. His whole life was passed in association with mak- ers of history, and his services stand with those of the greatest for fidelity to the charges entrusted to him. He died February 25. 1878. His second marriage, to Rachel Kirtland Wick, mited him to one of the most promi-

nent families in the Mahoning valley, in point of wealth, age and culture. Of the seven chil- dren of this union, the subject of this sketch was the eldest born.

During the period of the Civil War. Wick Tayler, then a child. resided at Columbus, where he enjoyed superior educational advan- tages. In 1876 he engaged in teaching, in which occupation he spent several years, but subsequently accompanied his father when the latter was called to Washington. There, for a mimber of years, he filled an important Gov- ernment office, but when released returned to his native city to pursue a business career and enjoy a home among the beautiful surround- ings of his early childhood. After his return, he took up the study of law under the pre- ceptorship of General Thomas W. Sanderson. Subsequently, in 1897, it was General Sander- son who nominated him for the state legis- lature, to which he was duly elected and served with distinction.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 67

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