Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 75

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 75

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Mr. Strawn married Betsey Mead, who was born in England, and is a daughter of Jolm Mead, a very early settler of this town- ship. They had the following children : Esther M .. who married Albert Burton, vice-president of the Mahoning County Agricultural Soci- ety and formerly a director in the same ; Mar- garet A., who is the widow of John Smith, formerly treasurer of Goshen township: Eva, who married Howard Bardo, of Goshen town-

ship; and Josephine W., who married Alva J. Colb. of Goshen township.

For a long course of years, Mr. Strawn has been one of the leading members of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church of Goshen township, and has served as one of its official board. He has always given encouragement to agricult- oral movements, is a member of the Goshen Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and has served as its chaplain. Mr. Strawn is num- bered with the older residents of this section and he can recall many wonderful changes which have taken place since he was a boy. Many of the pioneer families of this section have entirely passed away, but the Strawns are possessed of great vitality and retain their full mental faculties and physical activity even into extreme age.

RANCIS WHITE, residing on his well improved farm of 46 acres, which is situated in Berlin township, two miles south of Berlin Center, is a represen- tative citizen of this section and is an honored survivor of the Civil War. Mr. White was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1835, and is a son of Joseph and Jane ( Mead) White.

Joseph White, accompanied by his wife, three sons and a daughter, came to America in 1851, settling in Goshen township, Mahon- ing County, Ohio, where he engaged in farm- ing. With the exception of three years spent in Green township. Mr. White continued to reside in Goshen township until his death, Feb- ruary 19, 1873. when aged 86 years. His widow survived until 1895, dying aged 88 years and six months. Their children were: Francis: Mathew, residing at Alliance; Henry, residing in Goshen township, engaged in farm- ing; and Mrs. Mary Cassaday, residing in Canfield township.

Francis White was reared on the home farm and attended the schools of Goshen town- ship. He was engaged in the peaceful pur- suits of agriculture, when he enlisted for serv- ice in the Federal army. August 1, 1862, in

Dgiized by Google

576

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Company H. 105th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served faithfully and bravely, taking part in the famous march to the sea with General Sherman, and later en- joying the triumphal ceremonies of the grand review at Washington City, where he was mustered out June 3. 1865. When his patri- otic services were no longer needed. Mr. White returned to farming in Goshen township, where he continued until 1872, when he set- tled on his present valuable farm in Berlin township. He has made many substantial im- provements in the way of buildings and has both a comfortable and attractive home.

In 1867 Mr. White was married to Lydia M. Davis, who is a daughter of Samuel and Sarah Davis. of Goshen township. They have one daughter, Clara M.

In political sentiment Mr. White is a stanch Republican and has supported the prin- ciples of that party ever since the days of John C. Fremont, for whom he cast his first vote. At various times he has capably filled local of- fices. He has always taken a deep interest in Grand Army affairs and was the first com- mander of Asher Kirkbride Post, No. 600, Grand Army of the Republic, at Berlin Center.

J HOWARD EDWARDS was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1869. and was reared and educated at Hub- hard. After completing his studies he tanght school for two years, begin- ning when only 16 years of age. He then moved to Youngstown, and for the four fol- lowing years was engaged in reportorial work on the Youngstown Telegram and Vindicator. About this time he was selected by the city council as city clerk and was after- wards unanimously re-elected to the of- fice, serving through two terms of two years each. During his second term Mr. Edwards was editor and manager of the Youngstown Telegram, which paper he ably conducted for the succeeding six years. He has always been an ardent Republican and in 1899 he was mmanimously nominated by his party for the office of clerk of courts, to which

he was elected; in 1902 he was re-elected by the largest majority received by any candidate in the county for any office, up to that time. He was one of the most popular officials Ma- honing County ever had. Since the expira- tion of his term of office, Mr. Edwards has devoted himself to the interests of The Ed- wards Company, bookbinding and printing es- tablishment, which he founded some four years since.

On December 14, 1894, Mr. Edwards was married to Rachel C. Simms, of Youngstown, who was at that time superintendent of the Akron City Hospital. They have two chil- dren, Jeanette L. and Helen L.

Mr. Edwards is affiliated with the Odd Fellows. Elks and Knights of Pythias and several other fraternal orders. He is also prominent in Masonry, having taken the 32nd degree. and belongs to the local bodies and to the higher branches at Cleveland, as well as to the Mystic Shrine in that city. For some years he has been secretary of the old Nine- teenth District Garfield Club,

D ANIEL LAZARUS, senior member of the prominent business firm of Lazarus & Moore, proprietors of the North Benton Mills, at North Benton, is one of the substantial men and leading citizens of this section. Mr. Laz- arus was born in Deerfield township, Portage County, Ohio, July 4, 1839, and is a son of George and Janc (Craig) Lazarus.

George Lazarus, father of Daniel, was born in Pennsylvania and was a son of Frederick and Christena ( Hartzell) Lazarus, who came from Pennsylvania to Portage County, Ohio, when he was about one year old, settling in the wills of Deerfieldl township, where they passed through many pioneer experiences and subsequently died. In 1850 George Lazarus moved to North Benton, Mahoning County. where he engaged in agricultural pursuits for many years, living to be 89 years of age. He was born on the natal day of Abraham Lin- coln. February 12. 1800, but his life was one of peace, far removed from the scenes of pas-

Digized by Google

Lloyd Booth

Dig zedby Google

| ter

Umted 11200

inen

Digizedby Google

Digazed by Google

579

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

sion and strife that brought about a nation's calamity. In his early years, George Lazarus was a miller and later a farmer. He was a man of sterling character, a strong Democrat, and an honest official when he was elected to township offices,

Daniel Lazarus accompanied his parents to North Benton where he attended school through boyhood, and later spent a short pe- riod in the Salem High School. For a number of years Mr. Lazarus has been identified with the North Benton mills. The firm operating these mills under the name of Lazarus & Moore, is made up of Daniel Lazarus and E. C. Moore. They manufacture choice flour, mill feed. corn meal, and buckwheat and Gra- ham flour, the best put upon the market. They have an excellent plant with modern machin- ery and make a specialty of the Leader and Armada brands of flour. This is an import- ant industry at North Benton.

On February 16, 1865. Mr. Lazarus was married to Drucilla Bosworth, who was born in Trumbull County, Ohio, and died July 7. 1881. She was a daughter of Thompson Bos- worth. an old resident of Trumbull County. They had two children born to them, namely: Effie M., who married George P. Miller, re- siding in Smith township; and Mary B., re- siding at North Benton.

Mr. Lazarus is a stanch Republican. He is an ekler in the North Benton Presbyterian Church and is a man of broad-minded views and charitable impulses, and enjoys the re- spect of his fellow-citizens.

LOYD BOOTH, founder of the Lloyd Booth Company. now incorporated with the United Engineering and Foundry Company of Youngstown, was born in the village of New Scotland. not far from Albany, Albany County, New York, and was a son of Arza and Phoebe ( Beardslee) Booth, his father be- ing a farmer in that locality. He was edu- cated in Albany and Icarned the machinist trade in that city, subsequently securing work

as a master mechanic in the Erie Railroad shops at Susquehanna, Pennsylvania. Prior to the Civil War he settled at Knoxville, Ten- nessce, and later worked as a locomotive engi- neer on the East Tennessee & Georgia Rail- road. After retiring from railroad work he moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania, where he became a partner in the firm of Dick, Fisk & Company, manufacturers of engines and oil well equipments. In April, 1867, Mr. Booth came to Youngstown and bought an interest in the present concern. . At that time the plant consisted of a small foundry and machine shops operated as Ward, Kay & Company. Later Mr. Booth bought out the other inter- ests, the name of the business being changed to Lloyd Booth & Company, and after it was incorporated, to The Lloyd Booth Company. In 1901 this plant became part of the United Engineering and Foundry Company. which has its general offices at Pittsburg. The Youngstown branch is carried on on a large scale, 400 men finding employment here.

Lloyd Booth was married at Susquehan- na, Pennsylvania. November 18, 1858, to Nan C. Gilbert. He had three chikiren- Charles H., of whom further mention will be made in this article ; Gilbert B., who died May 5. 1896, and who was also connected with the Lloyd Booth Company; and Grace B. When Mr. Booth's business was absorbed by the . United Engineering and Foundry Company. he retired from active life. His death occurred August 28, 1901. He was a man widely re- spected as one who had risen by his own nat- ural ability and force of character to a posi- tion as one of Youngstown's notable captains of industry. He was a director in the Ma- honing National Bank. In the Masonic order he had attained the 32nd degree.

Charles H. Booth was born at Knoxville, Tennessee. January 17. 1861. He was six years old when his father settled at Youngs- town. Here he attended the common schools. and also entered the High School, but did not remain to finish his course in the latter insti- tution. in preference spending two years at the Western Reserve College at Hudson. Ohio. Upon his return to Youngstown he

Dig zed by Google

580

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

became his father's bekkeeper and gradually became more and more identified with the business until he attained his present responsi- ble position as vice-president of the L'uited Engineering and Foundry Company, and gen- eral manager of the Lloyd Booth Branch at Youngstown. He now ranks well up among the practical business men of the city. Ile is a director in the First National Bank, the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, the Ohio Leather Company, the Republic Rubber Com- pany, the General Fireproofing Company, and the American Belting Company, all of Youngstown.

On June 15, 1887. Mr. Booth was married to Harriet Arms, who is a daughter of Myron 1. Arms, of this city. They have two children. Lloyd and Jane Arms. Mr. Booth is identi- fied with the Masonic Fraternity and is con- nected with various civic bodies and social organizations. His portrait accompanies this sketch.

EORGE LINCOLN FORDYCE. president of the Fordyce-Osborne Company, who succeeded George L. Fordyce & Company, in the dry goods business, at Youngstown, is financially interested in a number of other suc. cessful business enterprises of this city. Mr. Fordyce was born at Scipio, Cayuga County, New York, September 29, 1860, and is a son of John Horton and Louisa ( Close) Fordyce.

Mr. Fordyce comes of Revolutionary stock and old Scotch and English ancestry. The Horton branch of the family originated in England and through Nathaniel Horton 12). the great-great-grandfather of George L., For- dyce. can be traced back ten generations.

Barnabas Horton was a son of Joseph Horton. and was born at Monsley. Leicester- shire, England, July 13 (old style). 1600. In 1636 he emigrated to America, settling at Hampton. Massachusettts. In 1640 he moved to New Haven, but in October of that year he settled permanently on the cast end of Long Island, which is now known as

Southold. A house is still standing there, which he built in 1659.

Caleb Horton, third son of Barnabas, was born in 1640. married Abigail Hallock, and with his wife moved to Long Island. Barna- bas Horton, eldest son of Caleb, was born De- cember 22, 1687, married Phoebe Terry, and in 1748, moved to Roxbury, New Jersey, Nathaniel Horton, son of Barnabas, was born October 13. 1719. and married Mehritable Wells. Nathaniel Horton (2). son of Na- thaniel, was born in 1741, and married Re- becca Rohinson. He was captain of a com- pany in the Continental army, during the Rev- olutionary War, and one of the private sol- diers in his company was Benjamin Fordyce, who married Rebecca Horton.

The Fordyce annals reach no further back than this Benjamin Fordyce, who, it appears, was a good soldier in the New Jersey militia. of which his father-in-law was captain. In 1790, Benjamin Fordyce and Rebecca Horton were married. and five years later. they re- moved from New Jersey to Scipio, New York, settling on the same farm on which George Lincoln Fordyce was born, many years later. They were pioneers in that section and they endured the dangers and hardships incident to locating in the uncivilized land along the border.

John Fordyce, son of Benjamin, was born at Chester. Morris County, New Jersey. in 1791. and married Anna Wilkinson, of Scipio. New York. They had but one son, John Hor- ton, who was born August 23. 1836.

Jolin Horton Fordyce, som of John and fa- ther of George Lincoln Fordyce, was reared on his father's farm near Scipio, and educated in the local scheels, and until he enlisted for service in the Civil War. he was interested in developing and improving the home estate. He possessed in full measure that loyal feeling which caused him to sacrifice all personal in- terests in his country's behalf, and in August, 1862, be enlisted in Company E. 138th New York Volunteer Infantry, as a private, refus- ing the captaincy of the company. His death occurred nine weeks later. November 13. 1862. at Washington, D. C. He was survived by

Dig zedby Google

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

his young wife and their little son, then less than two years old. On January 12, 1859, he had married Louisa Close. Their child was given the middle name of Lincoln, in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, this being one of the last requests made by the soldier father.

George Lincoln Fordyce was reared and educated in his native town of Scipio, New York. In 1876 he became a clerk in a general store at Scipio Center, where he remained one year. then accepting a position which was of- fered him in a large grocery store at Auburn, New York. He soon made friends in that city, and later secured a satisfactory position in the Caynga County National Bank there, remaining until 1883, when he came to Youngstown. Here in association with sev- eral partners, he opened up a dry goods busi- ness on the corner of West Federal and Phelps streets. From a modest beginning the busi- ness has been expanded into one of the largest in its line in the city, seventy-five people being now employed. It was conducted for many years, under the firm style of George L. For- dyce & Company, Mr. Fordyce being sole own- er. On February 1, 1907, The Fordyce-Os- borne Company succeeded, and the firm is still making rapid strides forward. Mr. Fordyce owns the present site of his establishment. hav- ing purchased it for a large sum some three years ago.

Mr. Fordyce is interested in other flourish- ing Youngstown enterprises, and is connected with many charitable and philantrophic agen- cies. He is a director of the First National Bank, also of the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, and was formerly vice-president of the People's Savings and Banking Company. He is a trustee of the Youngstown Hospital Association, was formerly president of the Young Men's Christian Association, and has been a leader in many of the benevolent enter- prises of the city.

On June 25, 1890, Mr. Fordyce was mar- ried, at Youngstown, to Grace Walton, who is a daughter of Daniel and Sarah (Over) Wal- ton. They have had the following children : George Lincoln, bearing his father's name, born August 18, 1892, who died October II.

1900: Rebecca Walton, born May 20, 1894; and Louise Horton, born August 3. 1898. The family home is a handsome residence at No. 40 Lincoln avenue. Youngstown.

Politically Mr. Fordyce is a Republican and he has been chairman of many of his par- ty's important organizations. During his terms of service on the city council, his advice was frequently asked and followed, and he was always prompt in promoting public im- provements and favoring the installation of city utilities. For many years he has been ac- tive in the work of Trinity Methodist Episco- pal Church. While a keen and successful man of business, with his days well filled with the cares which large responsibilities bring. Mr. Fordyce somehow finds time to pursue studies and investigations in ornithology, and to such an extent that he has become an authority on birds and their habits. He finds pleasure and recreation in teaching bird lore to the public.

OHN LONEY, who is one of the lead- ing contractors of Youngstown, Ohio, was born in 1849, in Limerick, Ire- land, and when about six years of age came to America with his parents, who located in Crawford County, Olio, Here he was reared and educated. In 1864, when about 16 years old, he enlisted in Co. F. 199th Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry, being mus- tered into service at Philadelphia. He partici- pated in his first engagement at Deep Bottom, and was also in the engagements around Rich- mond, at the fall of Petersburg, and in other lively actions in that section of Virginia. He also participated in Grant's campaign to the surrender of Appomattox. After the close of the war lie returned to his home, and in 1867 came to Youngstown, where he finished an ap- prenticeship to the trade of carpenter and joiner. He has since followed this trade. he- ing engaged in the general contracting busi- ness at .Youngstown, where he is recognized as one of the leading contractors of the city.

Mr. Loney was married in 1870 to Mrs. Grace Wilson. They have one daughter,

Digiized by Google

582

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Mary, wife of W. W. McKelvy, superintend- ent of the W. B. Pollock boiler and structural works at Youngstown. Mr. Loney is a mem- ber of Tod Post, G. A. R., No. 29; he filled the office of commander in 1901, and is the present adjutant. He is on the staff of Chief Commander Tanner with the rank of colonel.

€ LI GOODMAN, a well-known and successful farmer of Green township. has resided upon his present farm of 107 acres, situated in section 8, since 1876. He was born in Green town- ship. Mahoning County, Ohio, October 14. 1849. and is a son of William and Julia .A. (Smith) Goodman.

Mr. Goodman was educated in the public schools of his native township and was reared to agricultural pursuits on his father's farm. Since reaching manhood he has been engaged in farming and for a number of years has also operated a sawmill, these combined interests making him a very busy man.

Mr. Goodman married Mary C. Woolf. who was born in Columbiana County. Ohio, and they have four children, namely : Harvey, residing in Green township; Lenora, who mar- riedl F. L. Crockett, residing in Canfield town- ship; Marietta, who married Eli Paulin, re- siding in Green township; and Etta R., liv- ing at home. Mr. Goodman is a member and liberal supporter of the Disciples Church at Greenford. Politically he is identified with the Republican party.

J DEL MALMSBERRY, a prominent and substantial citizen and former treasurer of Smith township, has been a resident of North Benton, Ohio, for the past thirty-one years, during which period he has been identified with both mercantile and agricultural interests of this section, and for the past twenty years has de- voted a large part of his attention to the rais- ing of Shetland ponies on his extensive farm.

which is situated all in one body, extending through Smith township and Deerfield town- ship, in Portage County. Mr. Malmsberry was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, No- vember 14. 1842, and is a son of William and Maria (Solomon) Malmsberry.

The Malmsberry family is of English ex- traction and Quaker faith, and the name is one well-known throughout the rich farming regions of Pennsylvania. The parents of Joel Malmsberry were both born in that state, and when he was about 11 months old, they re- moved to Ohio, settling on land in Goshen township, Mahoning County, on which the present village of Garfield now stands. After a number of years they moved from their first to another farm, in the northern part of the same township, and there the father died in 1865. The mother made her home with her son Joel. at North Benton. for many subse- quent years, and died at North Benton, aged 80 years. The three surviving children are: Joel; Elizabeth, who married John Minser, a harnessmaker, residing at North Benton; and Annie, who married A. E. Strong, also of North Benton.

Joel Malmsberry was educated in the schools of Goshen township. In 1876 he came to North Benton, where for 17 years he was engaged in mercantile pursuits, and during a part of this time was postmaster. Later he devoted himself exclusively to farming and stock-raising, owning 410 acres of valuable land. 70 acres of which is situated in Deer- field township, Portage County. For over 20 years he has made the raising of Shetland ponies a leading feature, and has bred a great number on his Smith township farm, but also has imported largely from the Shetland Is- lands. There is always a larger demand for these sturdy little ponies, than there is a sup- ply. Prior to coming to North Benton, Mr. Malmsberry, in 1862, enlisted for service in the Civil War, and was a member of Company G. 86th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. and was with General Mcclellan in Virginia and West Virginia, mainly doing guard duty. He was honorably discharged in the latter part of 1862.

Dig Redby Goog

Richard Bunn

Dlg zed by Google

585

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Mr. Malmsberry was married (first) to Margaret Sproat, of Smith township, who was a daughter of John Sproat, and they had two children : Mary and John, both residing at North Benton, the latter of whom is a grad- uate of Mt. Union College, at Alliance. Mr. Malmsberry was married (second) to Sallie Henry, who is a daughter of Richard and Caroline Henry, the former of whom is de- ceased, the latter is a resident of Deerfield township, Portage County. They have one daughter, Ruth. In politics, Mr. Malmsberry has always been identified with the Republi- can party. For a number of years he served as treasurer of Smith township, making a true and careful official, and he has frequently been a member of the school board. He is a man whose useful activities have benefited the whole community.

R ICHARD BROWN, pioneer iron manufacturer, whose portrait ap- pears on a neighboring page of this volume, was the son of John and Elizabeth (Swain) Brown, na- tives of England. He came from a long line of Christian ancestry. His maternal grand- father was a Wesleyan clergyman, his great- uncle, Joseph Swain, a celebrated Baptist cler- gyman and composer of the Walworth hymns. Of his mother, Bishop Scott said, "I have sel- com, if ever, seen so ripe a Christian."

Mr. Brown inherited his aptitude for the iron business from his father and grandfather who had the reputation of making the best iron in Wales. His father came to this coun- try in 1814, and was one of the pioneer iron manufacturers of America. Among the plants of his erection the first was at Ellicott Mills, Maryland, where his son Richard was born November 27, 1824. Mr. Brown received such advantages of education as the local schools of that time afforded.

When 21 years of age he went to New Castle, Pennsylvania, to join his elder broth- ers Joseph and Nathaniel, who were engaged in the iron business there. His life from that

time on is more interesting than many a story book. He arrived in New Castle in almost the same condition as that in which Benjamin Franklin entered Philadelphia. All his earthly possessions consisted of a church letter (which he presented the following Sunday), one hun- dred dollars in bank notes, and some small change. Unfortunately, the bank on which the notes were drawn had just failed and he had nothing left but the small change with which to begin life. He often laughingly asserted that it was the first Sunday in New Castle that his fortunes began because it was then at Sunday-school where he first saw and fell in love with his wife.

He received a position at the mills as roll turner, at which he carned $1.25 a day by working long hours. In December, he was taken ill with fever. It was a year before he could work again. His illness left him not only weak and out of work but deeply in debt for food and medicine. Doubtless many a man of less moral strength and courage would have given up in despair. But out of these trials he emerged all the more deter- mined and hopeful. He secured a position in Orizaba rolling mill of which his brother Jo- seph was a partner and manager. He was accus- tomed to begin work at five in the morning and work until four in the afternoon at the rolls, and from four until six he worked at roll turning, clearing $3.00 a day, and to earn a little extra money he frequently worked after supper until bed time.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 75

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