Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 79

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 79

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. and Mrs. Kennedy reared a large family, and the survivors are the following :

Dig zedby Google

611

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Sarah, who married James Notman, residing at Beloit, Ohio; David, residing at Washing- tonville; James, residing in Green township; Agnes, who married James McFee, of Austin- town township; Janet, who married Ernest Allen, residing at Salem; William, residing in Green township; and George, residing at Washingtonville.

In 1887 Alexander Kennedy came to Ma- honing County, and for two years resided west of and near Youngstown, removing then to Green township, near Washingtonville, where he purchased a farm of fifty acres, on which his widow still resides. For a number of years he was employed as a stationary engi- neer in connection with coal mining opera- tions, and he also engaged in farming. Until within three years of his death, Mr. Kennedy was a robust man. The family is well and favorably known all through this section. Mrs. Kennedy is a member of the Methodist Epis- copal Church at Washingtonville. In earlier years Mr. Kennedy had been identified with the order of Odd Fellows.

AMES' BUTLER, who has been a member of the Board of Public Safety of Youngstown, Ohio, since February, 1906, was born in this city, July 17, 1856, and is the son of James and Catherine (Nugent) Butler. James Butler, the father, was born in County Waterford, Ireland, in 1828, and emigrated to America in 1847. He settled first in Canada, but soon found his way to the states, and resided in the city of Boston for several years before coming to Ohio. In early manhood he worked at the carpenter's trade, but his latter years were spent on a farm. During the Civil War he was with the "Squirrel Hunters" in their chase after General John H. Morgan. the raider. He married Catherine Nugent and they became the parents of six children : John N .: Hanmah, who married Edward Flanni- gen; James, subject of this sketch; Margaret, wife of Patrick O'Brien; Mary, and Thomas.

James Butler was reared on a farm near

Mineral Ridge, Trumbull County, Ohio, where his parents located when he was a child. Here he was given a good common school educa- tion, remaining on the farm until 1880, when he was engaged by the Erie Railroad as yard brakeman in their yards at Youngstown. Ohio. After spending fourteen months in this trying and dangerous occupation, Mr. Butler went to the Lake Shore road, running a local freight out of Youngstown for six months. Then for a number of years he was with the Pennsyl- vania road, first as brakeman, and in 1885 being promoted to the position of conductor. In 1887 he accepted a position as brakeman on the Pittsburg & Western Railroad, and a number of years later was made yard con- ductor. In the following year he was ad- vanced to yardmaster, which position he held until he retired from railroading in 1901 to- accept that of city commissioner, which he held for four years. Among railroad men he is deservedly popular, and has served as sec- retary of the James Harvey Lodge, No. 21, Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen. He is a Democrat in politics and is a member of the Catholic Church.

Mr. Butler was married February, 1881, to Miss Mary A. Stotler, a daughter of Michael and Mary Stotler. They have six children : Edward T:, Frank L., Raymond M., William J., Catherine Irene, Elizabeth M.

RED MATTIX, a popular citizen and successful business man at Green- ford, proprietor of a grist mill, where he manufactures flour and feed and deals in all kinds of grain, was born in Mercer County, Pennsylvania, August 13, 1867, and is a son of Elijah W. and Lorna (Ferguson) Mattix, who are natives of Penn- sylvania and reside at Sharon, in that state.

Fred Mattix was aged about 12 years when his parents moved to Orangeville, Trumbull County, Ohio, having attended the public schools of Mercer County prior to this re- moval. For a considerable period he worked in the stave manufacturing department of the

Dlg ized by Google

612

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Standard Oil Company, but since July 1, 1899, he has been engaged in his present enterprise at Greenford. His mill is equipped with the roller process and he has a big custom trade among farmers in the neighborhood of Green- ford, and also sells and ships to Youngstown and other points. He is a good business man, honest, accommodating and capable, and has a genial manner, which makes him popular with his fellow citizens.

In July, 1888, Mr. Mattix was married to Minnie Wreichtadt, who was born at Green- ford, Ohio, and is a daughter of Andrew Wreichtadt. Mr. and Mrs. Mattix are mem- bers of the Greenford Lutheran Church and they have many pleasant social connections in the village.

D AVID BECK, a leading citizen of Springfield township, owns 282 acres of very valuable farming land, situated in sections 25 and 26, but resides, with his sister, on the old homestead farm of 197 acres, which belongs to his father's heirs. Mr. Beck was born on this beautiful old home place, October 12. 1857, and is a son of Christian and Mary (Horning) Beck.

Christian Beck was born in Germany and accompanied his parents to America in his boyhood. His father settled in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, where he remained for some years, but later returned to die in his native land. Christian Beck was reared in Lawrence County, where he lived until after his marriage, when he came to Mahoning County and settled on the farm on which his son lives, purchasing first, 85 acres in section 23. to which he subsequently added until he had 197 acres. This land he improved by put- ting up substantial buildings, and it is a very valuable property at the present time. He resided here until his death on March 20, 1903. He was a lifelong Democrat and held some local offices. For many years he was one of the pillars of the Lutheran Church. He married Mary Horning, who was born in

Springfield township, on a farm north of this homestead, and was a daughter of John and Hannah (Sipe) Horning. She died in May, 1905. They had nine children, as follows : Harriet, who married O. F. Ilgenfritz ; George F., residing at East Palestine; Hannah, who resides with her brother on the homestead; Auna, who died in 1896; David; Clara, who married J. S. Allen, residing at Wampum, Pennsylvania; Seymour, residing in Spring- field township; Ida, who married S. D. Grein- er, residing at Petersburg: Elsie, who died aged one year; and William, who died aged 21 years.

David Beck was reared on the present farm and was educated in the district schools. He has always devoted himself, more or less to agricultural pursuits, carrying on general farming and stock raising. In addition to managing the old homestead property, he locks after his farm of 100 acres, which is situated in section 25, south of this place, and a second farm of 182 acres, situated in section 26, which was the old Gottleib Bonnett farm. He is president of the Home Telephone Com- pany. one of the township's most useful utilities.

In politics Mr. Beck always supports the candidates of the Democratic party in Na- tional affairs, but uses his judgment in local matters. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Beck has never married.

H. MIDDLETON. county clerk of Mahoning County. Ohio, is one of Youngstown's energetic and progress- ive young men, and one who is an important factor in Republican politi- cal councils. He was born in this city, a son of the late John Middleton, who was an early settler at Youngstown and a well-known citi- zen. John Middleton married1 Mary E. Irwin and they had two sons. the subject of this sketch, and Harry I., the latter of whom is in the employ of the Republic Iron and Steel Company. The father died when J. H. was but one year old, but the mother still survives.

Digamedby Google

Dlg zed by Google

-1

Dig zedby Google

Digazedby Google

615

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

J. 11. Middleton was educated at Youngs- town and was still a boy when he entered the employ of the Lake Shore Railroad, for whom he was engaged in clerking in different depart- ments of the service. Subsequently he went to the Republic Iron and Steel Company, where he remained two years. He was then cashier at Youngstown for the Iron Sheet and Tube Company, for one and a half years. Then he went into the office of probate judge as deputy probate judge, and remained for four years. Mr. Middleton was elected coun- cilman from the Second ward and served in this office until he was elected county clerk in the fall of 1905. He has long been a zeal- ons worker in the Republican party, and was chairman of the Republican county executive committee during the campaign that resulted in the election of President Roosevelt. He has membership in the Odd Fellows, the Elks, and the Knights of Pythias.

G EORGE M. McKELVEY for a num- ber of years stood at the head of a score of the most successful business enterprises of Youngstown, Ohio. and, until ill health caused a partial retirement, was a notable example of the result of perseverance and enterprise. Mr. Mckelvey was born at the village of Armagh. Indiana County, Pennsylvania, on August 17, 1849. and his death occurred at the family home. "Torfoot," Youngstown, December 24. 1905.

Mr. McKelvey obtained his education in the schools of his native county and for a time engaged in teaching, which occupation he al- ternated with farming until 1869. when he came to Youngstown. Having relatives al- ready established here, he became associated in a dry goods and grocery enterprise with his consin. Lawson McKelvey, opening a store on the corner of Mahoning and Oak Hill ave- mues, but subsequently removing to Federal street, where for a time he conducted the Red Hot Cash Store. By this time he had shown those business qualifications which so marked

his management of later and larger enter- prises. He then went to Hubbard, where the Andrews & Hitchcock Iron Company had established a general store, and hecame their manager, and continued to be interested in that concern until his death.

Upon his return to Youngstown in 1882, Mr. Mckelvey, in association with L. E. Cochran and the late C. H. Andrews, bought ont the business of the E. M. McGillen Com- pany, which later underwent re-organization, Mr. McKelvey becoming president of G. M. McKelvey & Company, with L. E. Cochran, who is now president, as vice-president, and E. L. Mckelvey as secretary and treasurer. . Mr. McKelvey assumed the duties of general manager of this business and built up one of the largest department stores in this section of the country, one known over and beyond the state. There was no element of chance in the remarkable success that he achieved. Thoroughness in organizing and extend- ing his great business was joined to what may be termed almost genins in choos- ing his fellow workers-and many of these were associates in other important organiza- tions as well as in his great mercantile busi- ness. With C. H. Andrews, L. E. Cochran and others he was deeply interested in the or- ganizing of the Commercial National Bank, of which he was president at the time of his death. He was one of the organizers of the Standard Table Oilcloth Company, of which he was director and chairman of the executive board; he was vice-president of the Youngs- town Iron & Steel Roofing Company: vice- president of the Mahoning Foundry & Ma- chine Company: vice-president of the Edwin Bell Company. now of Pittsburg: and direc- tor in the Ryan-Parker Construction Com- pany of New York.

In September, 1876. Mr. Mckelvey was married to Leah M. Brownlee, of Struthers, Ohio. He is survived by his widow and five children, namely: Mrs. Letitia Morris, Lu- cius. Mrs. Katherine Owsley. Florence, and Gertrude.

Mr. McKelvey was essentially a business man. During the accumulation of his own

Dig zed by Google

616

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

fortune, he assisted in the building of others by encouraging industries and enterprises in which he had no interest beyond that of a sincerely public-spirited citizen. He was al- ways ready and willing to promote move- ments for the public welfare, but in an in- telligent and wise manner, making no vain show of his wealth and prominence. He was a member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce and was chairman of its commit- tee on public improvements.

For many years Mr. McKelvey was a lead- ing member of the Tabernacle United Pres- byterian Church and a liberal contributor to the support of its many charitable enterprises. His fraternal relations were mainly with the Masons, he being a member of Hillman Lodge No. 481, F. & A. M .; Youngstown Chapter, No. 93, R. A. M .; and St. John's Command- ery, K. T. He was also an Elk; and belonged to the Royal Arcanum and the National Union. His portrait is herewith presented.

RANK B. GEIGER, an enterprising and successful farmer of Springfield township, residing on his valuable property, which contains 68 acres of well cultivated land, was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, July 20, 1874, and is a son of Gottlob and Gottleiba (Myers) Geiger.

The father of Mr. Geiger was born in Germany and was two years old when he was brought to America by his father, Daniel Geiger. The latter located on a farm at the crossroads, in Springfield township, in the southeast corner of section 21. and built the house, which is still standing, in which Frank B. formerly lived. There Gottlob Geiger was reared. He later became a substantial farmer and lived to a good old age, dying May 28. 1905, aged 75 years. He built the house in which his son Frank B. now resides, the latter having purchased his father's farm in the spring of 1907. Gottlob Geiger married Gott- leiba Myers, who was a daughter of George and Mary ( Koch) Myers. Her father was

born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and the ship in which he started to America was wrecked and he was taken to Norway, but was finally landed at Philadelphia, where he was bound out for three years, probably to work out his passage money. He started for Ohio with a horse and wagon, which he traded when he reached Springfield township, Mahoning County, for 300 acres of land, to which he later added 27 acres and still later bought 80 more acres. He followed farming and operated a coal bank for a number of years. He married Mary Koch, who was born in Germany and was the only girl in a family of eight children. She came to America when young, with two of her brothers, and was bound out in Lan- caster County, Pennsylvania. They had three children: Gotleib and Gottleiba, twins, and J. George, who died on his farm in Spring- field township, in 1905.

The children of Gottlob and Gottleiba Gei- ger were: George, residing a half mile south- west of the home place; Mary, who married Isaiah Hoffman, residing in Green township; Louisa, who married Allen Felger, residing in Springfield township; Julia; Clara, who mar- ried Nathaniel A. May, residing in Spring- field township; William, residing in New Springfield; Charles, residing at Boardman ; Tillie, who married Clinton Lipp, residing in Minnesota; and Frank B.

Frank B. Geiger was reared in his native township and attended the public schools through his boyhood. He remained on the home farm assisting his father until his mar- riage, when he located one mile west of his present place, on his grandfather's old farm, on which he lived until 1900. In 1905 he set- tled on his father's old farm, and in the spring of 1907 he became the owner of this excellent property. This he operates and rents his grandfather's old farm, so that he has a large acreage to manage. His land is under a fine state of cultivation, he has good buildings and a large amount of modern farm machinery. He works along modern lines and is meeting with the most satisfying results.

On November 17. 1897. Mr. Geiger was married to Frances Elser, who was born in

Dasmed by Google

617.

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Beaver township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Simeon and Mary (Cover) Elser, both of whom are residents of Beaver township. Mr. and Mrs. Geiger have three children, namely : Russell E., who was born March 1, 1900; Mildred Verne, who was born August 31, 1901 ; and Charles Clin- ton, who was born January 12, 1904.

In politics Mr. Geiger is a Democrat. He is a member of the Lutheran Church.

R OBERT F. UMSTEAD was one of Goshen township's most highly esteemed citizens, where he carried on general farming and also oper- ated a greenhouse in connection therewith for some twenty-five years. Mr. Umstead was born March 30, 1829, in Mont- gomery County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John and Maria ( Favinger) Umstead, and he died in Goshen township. February 5, 1903.

The great-grandfather of Robert F. Um- stead was Harmon Umstead, who emigrated from Germany, settling in Montgomery Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. When Robert was about 17 years of age. he accompanied his father. John U'mistead, and his step-mother. to Ma- honing County. They settled in the southern part of Goshen township. in which Robert Umstead continued to live until the close of his life. His industry brought him material prosperity and he left an excellent estate at death. He was a man of sterling character, one of the solid, sensible, reliable citizens who are a gain to any community and whose death can but be a great loss. His tastes were quiet and his desires satisfied by the cultivating of his land and caring for the welfare of his family, but he was always ready to lend his influence in the direction of promoting ten- perance, education and morality in his neigh- borhood. In political sentiment he was a, Re- publican,

On Angust 15. 1850, Mr. Uinstead was married to Minerva J. Morris, who was born at Damascus, Ohio, March 15. 1831. and is a daughter of Anthony and Elizabeth (Stuckey)

Morris. The father of Mrs. Umstead was born at Damascus and was a son of Anthony and Hannah (French) Morris, who were natives of New Jersey. They came to Da- mascus among the earliest settlers and passed through Salem on the way, which was then a settlement of four cabins. The mother of Mrs. Umstead was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Umstead is one of a fam- ily of twelve children: Sarah, who is the widow of Joseph Walker, residing at Alli- ance; Barbara A., who married Jolin Myers, residing in Ripley County, Indiana; Stephen, residing at Salem; John W., deceased, who was a soldier in the Civil War; Barzilla, de- ceased, who died from wounds received at the battle of Lookout Mountain, during the Civil War; Mrs. Umstead. James, Daniel, Han- nah, Elizabeth, Mary and Lorenzo.

A family of five children were born to Robert F. Umstead and his wife, namely : Presley, engaged in mechanical pursuits. re- siding in Goshen township; Maria E., who married Hiram Brown, residing in Goslien township; John C., residing in North Jack- son, Ohio; Morris A., residing in Goshen township; and Daniel B., residing at Salem.

Mrs. Uinstead resides on her farm of 117 acres in Goshen township. She is well-known and enjoys the esteem of a wide social circle. Her kindness and hospitality are only equalled by the wisdom and prudence with which she has managed her affairs since her widowhood.

L AUREN WARD STEWART, resid- ing on his valuable farm of 100 acres, situated in Poland township, is a representative agriculturist of this section and belongs to an old pioneer family of Trumbull County. Mr. Stewart was born in Hubbard township. Trundmll County, Ohio, October 8. 1847, and is a son of William A. and Mary ( Stewart ) Stewart. The names of father and mother were the same. but their ancestry was different.

William A. Stewart was born in Liberty township, Trumbull County, Ohio, April 11,

Digized by Google

618

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

1818, and was a son of Robert Stewart, who was also reared there, his parents probably being among the earliest settlers in that sec- tion. After his marriage, William Stewart moved to Hubbard township, and during the childhood of Lauren W., to Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and subsequently to Iowa, where the father died four years later, No- vember 16, 1857. The widow then returned to Ohio and lived for a time with her father, Alexander Stewart, who was the father of D. Hammond Stewart, a sketch of whom will be found in this work. The mother died April 25, 1887, aged 67 years and 5 months. When Lauren W. Stewart had reached manhood, his mother and he went to housekeeping in Board- man township. In 1895 Mr. Stewart pur- chased his present farin and settled on it in 1900. His land is well situated and is adapted to general farming and stock raising.

On January 29, 1885, Mr. Stewart was married to Mary Elizabeth Balmgardner, who was reared in l'ennsylvania, and is the only child of Jolm Jacob and Isabella ( Wallace) Balmgardner, natives of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, both of whom died when Mrs. Stewart was quite young. Mr. and Mrs. Stewart have five children, namely: Ethel May, Elmer Ward, Frank William, Grace Eleanor, and Charles Walker. The eklest daughter graduated from Poland Seminary in the spring of 1906. The family belong to the Presbyterian Church at Poland, in which Mr. Stewart is an elder.

m RS. LYDIA MESSERLY, resid- ing on her valnable farm of almost 80 acres, in Green township, Ma- honing County, Ohio, has spent the whole of her 69 years here. where she was born, June 16, 1838. She is a daughter of Jacob and Susannah (Rooler) Cool.

The father of Mrs. Messerly was born in Virginia and was 18 years of age when he ac- companied his widowed mother and his brothers and sisters to Mahoning County.

His uncle, Philip Cool, was also of the party, and they settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Messerly. At that time the country was still a wilderness and the log cabin of the Cool family stood surrounded by a dense forest. Many pioneer hardships had to be endured, but in the meantime the clearing and culti- vating of the farm was accomplished. Jacob Cool grew to manhood, married and died. Of his cleven children, two alone survive, name- ly: Elizabeth, who is the widow of Andrew Rhodes, and Mrs. Messerly.

Lydia Cool was educated in the district schools of Green township, and December 26. 1867, she was married to William H. Messer- ly, who was born March 22, 1839, in Beaver township; Mahoning County. He died De- cember 18, 1802. They had three children. namely: Orrin J., born November 16, 1868; Emery S., born January 15, 1871, deceased; and Cora E., born Jarmary 20, 1877, who mar- ried Frank C. Mellinger, of Leetonia, Ohio. Orrin J. Messerly is serving as assessor of Green township, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. Like his father, he has always given stanch adherence to the Demo- cratic party. He belongs to Greenfield Grange. Patrons of Husbandry, and is also a member of the order of Foresters at Green- ford.

Mr. and Mrs. Messerly resided on the present farm and Mr. Messerly became a well- known and successful agriculturalist. Mrs. Messerly is a member of the German Re- formed Church. She has passed her whole life in this section, and commands the respect and enjoys the esteem of all who can claim her friendship.

E NSIGN N. BROWN, attorney-at-law, at Youngstown, with law office in the Maloney block on Wick avenue, was born in 1854, at Canfield, in Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Richard and Thalia F. (Newton) Brown.

Richard Brown, born in Derbyshire, Eng- land. was a son of Captain John Brown, an

Dig Redby Google

619

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

officer in the English army, and came to America about 1845. He married Thalia F. Newton, a daughter of Hon. Eben Newton, who settled in Mahoning County in 1815. and who lived his whole life at Canfield, with the exception of a few years during which he practiced law at Cincinnati. He was the first judge of Mahoning County, was a member of the state senate and in 1852 was elected a member of congress from this district. Some time after 1860 he served again as a member of the Ohio state senate.

Ensign N. Brown was an infant when he was taken to New York city, where he was carefully reared and educated, his father being a merchant there. In t878 he returned to Canfield, called there to look after his grand- father's interests, and, in accordance with the wishes of the aged jurist, he entered upon the study of law in the office of Judges Van Hyn- ing and Johnston. In 1880 he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, and then located at Youngstown, where he has gained a promi- nent position in the profession. He is a mem- ber of the Law Library Association.

In 1876 Mr. Brown was married to Jean- ette Cooper, of New York City, and they have two daughters, Genevieve Newton and Bessie Hunt. Mr. Brown has always taken a good citizen's interest in politics, but has never consented to be a candidate for office. He is one of the leading Masons of the city, having been identified with the fraternity for thirty years, and is past master of the Blue Lodge. He is a member of St. John's Church.

6 EORGE A. COOK, who settled in 1905 on his valuable farm of 227 acres, situated in section 28, Green town- ship, was born February 24. 1863, and is a son of Deacon and Sarah ( Pettit) Cook.

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 79

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