Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 81

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 81

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).

Ensign McCluire was then ordered to the sloop-of-war Juniata, on which he served until the close of the war, mainly around Charles- ton, and he subsequently took the cruise to Brazil and the coast of Africa. In 1868 he retired from the naval service with the rank of lieutenant. In the meanwhile, his parents had removed to Youngstown and Lieutenant Mc- Clure joined them and shortly afterward asso- ciated himself with his brother John in the lumber business. With many others, the firm became embarrassed in the panic of 1873. Mr. MeClure then resumed surveying. in which he had received a practical training at the Naval Academy, and he has continued to

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follow this profession more or less ever since. In 1897 Mr. McClure bought his present farm and moved to it, his residence being just with- in the corporation lines of the village.

In 1878, in New York, Mr. McClure was married to Charlotte M. D'Arcy, and they have had six children, as follows: Gertrude, who married Albert Benkart, residing at Pitts- burg; Carolyn I., residing at home with her parents; Madeline D'Arcy, who married John Zedaker, of Poland; Rowena and Elizabeth, both residing at home; and Muriel, who died in infancy. Mr. McClure and family are mem- bers of the Presbyterian Church. A portrait of Mr. McClure will be found on another page.

B P. BUSH, proprietor of Chestnut Ridge Stock Farm, a tract of 172 acres of fine land situated in section 22, Green township, is one of the rep- resentative men of this part of the county. He was born in Green fownship, Ma- honing County, Ohio, February 18, 1827. and is a son of John and Mary ( Hoeflich) Bush.

The Bush family is one of the early pio- neer families of Green township, the first one of the name to settle here being Burkhardt Philip Bush, the grandfather of B. P. Bush. Both he and his son John were born in Wur- temberg, Germany, and the latter was 20 years of age when he came to America. He lived for two years in Eastern Pennsylvania before coming to what was then Columbiana County. but which is now included in Mahoning Coun -. ty, where he secured a farm in section 22, Green township, on which he erected a log cabin, in the depths of the green woods, and there he spent the rest of his life, dying in the fall of 1881. Mr. Bush was a solid, reliable man and his sterling character was recognized by his neighbors, who elected him to every office they could prevail upon him to accept. He served the township faithfully as trustee for many years and was one of the early jus- tices of the peace, holding court at first in his log cabin. He assisted in establishing the first church and school and remained a valuable

citizen to the close of his life. He married Mary Hoeflich, who was born in Pennsylvania.

B. P. Bush was educated in the district schools of Green township and Mt. Union Col- lege. For twenty-three winters he taught school, devoting his summers to farming and stock-raising, and for a number of years has been mainly interested in developing fine cat- tle and stock. His present specialties are Bel- gian thoroughbred horses and Shorthorn cat- tle, but formerly he raised Merino sheep ex- tensively. For over forty years he has been engaged in the live-stock industry and proba- bly is as well posted along this line as any stockman in Mahoning County. His farm is widely known and its products are in constant demand.

On December 7. 1873, Mr. Bush was mar- ried to Christina Wietmayer, who was born February 8, 1831, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a daughter of Henry and Barbara (Driver) Wietmayer, In 1832, when she was 13 months old, her parents emigrated to Amer- ica, settling near Petersburg, Pennsylvania, where she was reared and married. Mr. and Mrs. Bush are members of the Lutheran Church at Leetonia, in which Mr. Bush is an elder.

For nine years Mr. Bush served as a jus- tice of the peace in Green township, following in the footsteps of his worthy father. He has always been ready to cooperate with his fellow citizens in promoting educational progress, served as one of the directors of the High School of the township. and it was largely through his efforts that this school was located at Greenport.

D J. MORGAN. president of the board of trustees of Youngstown township. Mahoning County, Ohio, has held this honorable position for the past five years and has served as a mem- ber of the board for seven years. Mr. Morgan is a native of Youngstown, born here in 1868, and is a son of William T. Morgan, who was born in Wales, but has been a resident of Youngstown since 1860.

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D. J. Morgan attended the district school until he was about 16 years old, during the summers, for some years, working on a farm. Later he became a trapper in the coal mines, working as such for two years, and afterwards worked as puddler in the rolling mills for. eleven years. His industry brought him a competency and since 1898 Mr. Morgan has given his attention mainly to the duties of pub- lic office. Politically he has always been iden- tified with the Republican party and has fre- quently served as delegate to both county and congressional conventions. In March, 1898, he was first nominated for the office of town- ship trustee, over thirteen competitors, but in the subsequent election he failed by just seven votes. In the following September he was ap- pointed to fill out an unexpired term, and in March, 1899, he was elected trustee by a ma- jority of 876 votes. He was elected to his second term by 1.682 majority. and at the last election he carried every ward in the city, and was elected by a majority of 2,662 votes. This record tells its own tale of Mr. Morgan's effi- ciency and of the confidence which he has in- spired in his fellow citizens.

On December 22, 1892, Mr. Morgan was married to Mary Morgan, a daughter of Sam- uel Morgan. She was born at Youngstown but reared at Cleveland. Mr. and Mrs. Mor- gan have two daughters, Irene and Doris, both attending school. Mr. Morgan is a popular member of munnerons fraternal organizations -including the Odd Fellows. the Knights of the Golden Eagle, the Owls, the Muskrat Club and the Foraker Club.

e RMIG BROWN WILSON was for- merly one of Springfield township's large landowners, substantial agri- culturists and representative citi- zens. He was born in Zelianople. in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, December 14. 1827, and was a son of Thomas and Nancy ( Hemphill) Wilson, and a grandson of Hugh Wilson. Craig Brown Wilson died October 31. 1900.

The parents of the late Craig B. Wilson reared a family of eleven children, namely : James, residing at Hoytdale, Pennsylvania; Mrs. Nancy Frew, residing at Princeton; Jane, residing at the old home: Mrs. Eliza- beth Fullerton, residing in Pennsylvania: Thomas, residing at Centerville, Pennsylva- nia: Mary A., residing at home; William. farming the old homestead; Joseph, who died of typhoid fever during the Civil War, while serving as colonel of the 101st Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and who was a lawyer by profession : John H., residing at North Sewickley, Pennsylvania: Frank S .. residing on the old homestead in Butler Coun- ty; and Craig B.

For thirty-two years the late Craig Brown Wilson was a resident of Springfield township. He was a tanner by trade and owned and con- ducted a large tannery in his native place. After he came to Ohio he followed agricultural pursuits and owned 200 acres of valuable farm land, having acquired the rich old Pontious place adjoining Petersburg. He was married to Elizabeth Pontious, who was born on this place, August 4, 1829. and died January 26. 1892. She was a daughter of John and Mary Ann (Crawford) Pontious, and a grand- daughter of John and Elizabeth ( Root ) Pon- tions, John Pontious located in 1803 on the farm on which Edward C. Brungard now re- sides, and in 1812 he came on the present place and subsequently acquired other valuable sec- tions of land. He married Elizabeth Ruot. who came from Maryland. There were two children born to John and Mary Ann Pon- tions: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wilson and Nancy, who is the widow of the late Prof. M. C. Butler, of Poland. There is no more prom- inent family in Mahoning County than that of Pontious, and it has been closely identified with the developing of Springfield township.

To Craig B. Wilson and wife were born the following children : Alice E., who married Robert Brewster of Mt. Jackson, and has three children, Wylie. William and Elizabeth: Mary T ... who married John Cain, residing at Port Angeles, Washington, and has one son. John W. : Jolm P., residing in Beaver County, Fenn-

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sylvania, who married Angeline Cunning- ham, and has one daughter, Mary E .; Nancy Hemphill and Joseph H., both residing at home; William S., residing at Bellingham, Washington, who married Alice R. Kridler, and has one daughter. Lois; Robert F., a res- ident of Mahoningtown, who married Mary O. McWilliams, and has three children. Helen, Frederick Craig and Keith : Edith M., residing at home: and Frank S., who resides in Skag- way. Alaska.

In politics Mr. Wilson was identified with the Republican party.

P HILIP HAGAN, one of the public of- ficials of Youngstown. Ohio, a miem- ber of the board of public service and hence a valned and reliable citizen. was born at Belfast, Ireland. Sep- tember 6. 1847. but was educated at New Cas- tle. in the north of England.

Mr. Hagan was 24 years of age when he came to the United States. He was engaged in cont mining in Schuylkill County, Pennsyl- vania. for one year, and then went to Buffato, New York, where he was employed for five years in the Union mills. From there he went to Chicago, where he was employed for two years lwy Orrin W. Potter. His next employ- ment was in St. Louis, where he worked for two years as a moulder for the Carondolet Iron Company, after which he returned to the Un- ion mills at Buffalo, where he remained for a short time before coming to Youngstown, Ar- riving here Mr. Hagan entered the employ of the Valley Iron Company, where. for twenty years he was a foreman. During this tinte he was called to testify before the ways and means committee. in the legislature. when the Morrison and Wilson bills were under consideration.

In May, 1903, on being elected to his pres- ent office. Mr. Hagan severed his connection with the Valley Iron Company; he was re- elected to the same office in the fall of 1905. He was the first Republican ever elected a

member of the city council from the seventh ward. For many years he has been a promi- nent Republican and was a delegate to the state convention that nominated Nash for governor.

Mr. Hagan was united in marriage with Mary Munn. of New Castle, England, and they have had a family of thirteen children, eleven of whom still survive. With his fam- ily he helongs to the Immaculate Conception Church, and is a member of the church counci .. lle is a member of the C. M. B. A., and has 1 been its financial secretary since its organiza- tion. Mr. Hagan is prominent in all that in- cludes good citizenship.

L A. ROBISON. general passenger agent of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Rail- rond, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, was formerly a resident of Youngstownt, in which city he acquired his early training in railroad work. Born in Sonthing- ton, Trumbull County, Ohio, son of John and Artimicia Robison, and grandson of William Robison, one of the original pioneer settlers in Liberty township, near the Mahoning County line, this grandson, after completing a commercial course at Oberlin College, came to Youngstown at the age of eighteen, as oper- ator for the Lake Shore Railway. In this ca- pacity he showed such natural aptitude that three years later he was promoted to the re- sponsible position of train dispatcher. This, however, proved but a stepping stone to one of more importance, as within about two years he was called to accept the position of general passenger agent of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad. From this time on his rise in the railroad world was assured. In 1906, he was elected president of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Railway, an interurban electric line of 34 miles. When Mr. Robison assumed the duties of his present position, as general passenger agent of the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad Company, he was the youngest general passenger agent in the United States, and in this position has

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proved his capacity to successfully handle a large volume of business,

Mr. Robison married Miss Mira Green- ough, of Ashtabula, Ohio, and has one child, a daugliter, Ruth, born at Pittsburg June 8, 1905.

C HEODORE CAMPBELL, who has been a resident of Goshen township for more than a half century, re- sides in section 23, where he is en- gaged in farming and stock-dealing. He was born January 12, 1841, and is a son of William and Rachel ( Welch ) Campbell.

The paternal grandparents of Mr. Camp- bell, Robert and Mary Campbell, were natives of Scotland, who came to America at a very early day. During the voyage, a son was born to them on the Atlantic Ocean, whom they named William, and he subsequently be- came the father of Theodore. Robert Camp- bell established a woolen mill at Salem, Ohio. which he operated for a time, and then moved into Goshen township, settling among the pio- neers. His son. William Campbell, became a man of considerable substance. through deal- ing extensively in cattle, and his life was spent in Goshen township, where his death took place in 1869. His surviving children are: Benja- min F., residing in Green township; and Theodore.

Theodore Campbell has spent the greater part of his life in Goshen township, but for eight years was engaged in farming in Berlin township. When his country called for de- fenders, at the outbreak of the Rebellion, he left the comforts of home and his peaceful sur- roundings and shouldered a musket and from 1861 to 1865 faced the dangers and hardships of war. He enlisted August 27. 1861. in Com- pany E. Second Ohio Regiment. Volunteer Cavalry, which became a part of the Army of the West. and was with the 25th Ohio Bat- tery much of the time of his service. He par- ticipated in numerous battles, notably those of Prairie Grove and Little Rock, and in skirm-

ishes, raids and small engagements without number, at all times displaying the cheerful courage which marks the valued soldier. He was wounded on one occasion, being shot in the left foot, while on duty, but not to per- manently disable him, and he was honorably discharged December 25, 1865.

After the close of his military service, Mr. Campbell returned to Mahoning County and resumed the peaceful pursuits of agriculture. He was married April 6, 1876, to Mary C. Scroggy, who was born February 12, 1847, in Goshen township, Mahoning County, and is a daughter of John and Harriet (Callahan) Scroggy, the former of whom was born in New Jersey, and the latter in Green township. Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell have two children: Lewis S., residing in Green township. and Helen, who married Perry Robb, residing at Salem, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are well known residents of this neighborhood and their comfortable, hospitable home is often the scene of many pleasant gatherings.

e 11ESTER W. HARTZELL, a lead- ing citizen of North Benton, who is largely interested in the buying and selling of live stock, principally horses and mules, and is identified with the North Benton and Deerfield Tele- phone Company as treasurer and a director, belongs to one of the old and substantial fam- ilies of this part of Ohio. He was born at North Benton. Mahoning County, Ohio. May 8. 1847, and is a son of Solomon and Clor- inda ( Loomis) Hartzell.

The Hartzell family came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, many, many years ago, when Portage County, where settlement was made. was still practiclaly a wilderness. There the grandfather, William Hartzell. located and reared his family, and in the course of nature, passed away. Solomon Hartzell. father of Chester W., was born and reared in Deerfield township, Portage County. While still un-

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married he came to North Benton, where he engaged for many years in a general mercan- tile business, during a part of this period being in partnership with Dr. Hanna, who was the father of the late distinguished Senator Han- na, of Ohio, under the firm name of Hanna & Hartzell. He was postmaster at North Ben- ton while in the mercantile business. Later he became interested in stock-raising to a large extent. He was a capable man of business and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank at Alliance and served on its board of directors from its organization until his death, in November, 1897. He was one of the found- ers of the Presbyterian Church at North Ben- ton and for many years was a deacon in the same. He took much interest in local politics and was active in his support of the Republi- can party. He married Clorinda Loomis, who was also horn in Portage County, and they had five children, namely: Chester W .; So- phia M., who is the widow of the late James Dickson, who was formerly superintendent of the Mahoning County Infirmary, residing at Canfield: Stratton 1 ... residing in Atwater township. Portage County; Daniel H., resid- ing at Alliance ; and Emma Detchon, deceased.

Chester W. Hartzell was reared at his home in North Benton, where he obtained his carly education, which was supplemented by a number of terms at Mt. Union College, at Alliance, after which he taught for a time in the schools of Smith township. He has al- ways been interested in agricultural pursuits and has made a specialty of the live-stock in- dustry, paying much attention to the buying and selling of fine horses and mules. He has always taken an active part in public move- ments which have promised to be of general welfare, and he was one of the promoters and is now a director and the treasurer of the North Benton and Deerfiekl Telephone Com- pany. He is also one of the stockholders in the First National Bank at Alliance.

Mr. Hartzell married Gertrude Diver, who was born in Portage County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Joseph Diver. Politically Mr. Hartzell is a Republican.

J EDGAR RUDGE, member of the board of public service, at Youngs- town, Ohio, is one of the city's most valued officials. He was born in Boardman township. Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1861. He is a son of George Rudge, who was born in England and who came to Youngstown in 1852, engaging first in farming but later establishing himself in a real estate business. For some twenty years George Rudge was secretary of the Youngs- town Water Works, being the first to serve in that office, and he also was one of the early members of the city council. He still resides at Youngstown, at the age of 83 years, a most highly respected citizen.

When J. Edgar Rudge was about five years old, his parents moved to Youngstown, where he was reared and received his prelimi- nary education. In 1881 he became a stud- ent at Notre Dame, Indiana, where he re- mained for two years, completing the classical as well as the commercial course. He then entered into lmisiness with his father under the firm name of George Rudge & Son, real estate and insurance, which firm contimed until 1901. when that of Rudge & Johnston, was organized. The business is concerned with fire insurance and real estate, the latter being mainly city property. The firm does a large amount of selling, platting and building, and has handled some of the finest sub-divisions in and adjoining the city.

Mr. Rudge was united in marriage with Julia O'Connell, of New York City, a lady who has almost a national reputation as a vo- calist. She has been a pupil under some of the most distinguished instructors in both Lon- don and Paris, and formerly was connected with the choirs of both Dr. Parker's and Henry Ward Beecher's church in New York. At present Mrs. Rudge is residing in London superintending the musical education of their daughter. Olga, who inherits a large measure of her talented mother's gift of song. It is the parents' intention to give their daughter every educational advantage, both at London and Brussels. The two sons. Edgar and

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Arthur, are students at Mrs. Stevens' private school at St. Leonards. Both Mr. and Mrs. Rudge cross the Atlantic almost yearly.

HOMAS B. JONES, formerly county commissioner of Mahoning County, for two terms, was born in August, 1836, in Wales, but from the age of 20 years until his death, on Septem- ber 28, 1906, lie had been a resident of Amer- ica, and for more than half a century a valued citizen of Youngstown.

Mr. Jones came to the United States in 1856, equipped with a good common school education and skilled in the trade of shoe- maker, having learned the same in his father's shop, in his native place. He immediately lo- cated at Youngstown, and he prospered with the prosperity and growth of the city. For some twenty-five years he conducted a large shoemaking establishment, giving employment to from 12 to 14 hands. He may be named as one of the pioneer manufacturers, for few of the great industries which are now the city's glory were projected then or even thought of. After 35 years in the shoe business, he retired from that line, taking with him an unblem- ished reputation as a business man.

Mr. Jones served on the board of education for seven years, and served twice as decennial appraiser, being elected both times without a dissenting vote, the first time on the Demo- cratic, and the second time on the Republican ticket. He was subsequently elected and re- elected county commissioner, his majority at the second election being 5,000 votes. the nor- mal majority being about 2,000. His public services were always of such a character as to but add to the confidence and esteem in which he had previously been held by his fel- low citizens.

Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Mary Ann Davis, of Youngstown, and they had five sons and two daughters, namely : Thomas B., residing at Cleveland; Richard M., residing at home: Ellen, who is the wife

of Louis Jones, of Washington, D. C .; Ar- thur residing at Washington; James E., re- siding at Washington, where he is chief clerk in the bureau of Plant Industry; Anna, who died aged 15 years; and William, who died aged 37 years. Mr. Jones was a member of the Congregational Church, and one of the trustees. A portrait of Mr. Jones accompanies this sketch.

O BEDIAH PETERS, one of New Springfield's best-known and most highly respected citizens, who has filled the office of justice of the peace continuously for the past thirty years, and is identified in a clerical way with the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Springfield township, and other organizations, was born at New Springfield. Mahoning County, Ohio, May 22, 1844. His parents were Daniel and Eliza (Hoffman) Peters.

The founder of the family at New Spring- field was Jolin Peters, the grandfather, who came to the site of what is now New Spring- field in 1821, being one of the very first set- tlers. He conducted the first inn in the ham- let. He married Catherine Lower, who lived to the age of 94 years, and he died in 1876, also in advanced age.

Daniel Peters, father of Odediah, was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, and was six years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio, and he died in New Springfield, in 1808, aged 83 years. He married Eliza Hoff- man, who was born one and one-half miles from New Springfield, in Columbiana County, Ohio, and was a daughter of John Hoffman, who settled in that section prior to the war of 1812, in which he was a soldier. He owned a farm in Unity township. Columbiana Coun- ty, and also farming land in Springfield town- ship. Five children were born to Daniel l'et- ers and wife, namely : Reuben HI., residing in Chicago, was a soldier in the Civil War; Obe- diah : Minnie, residing in New Springfield. married J. P. Troxel; Caroline, who married John Funkhouser, residing in New Spring-

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field : and Simon, also residing in New Spring- field.

Obediah Peters was reared and educated at New Springfield, For a number of years he was a carpenter and house mover. During the Civil War he was employed by the Govern- ment in the commissary department, and for eight months was on a boat on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, being at New Orleans at the time President Lincoln was assassinated. His home has always been retained at New Springfield. and his relations with public af- fairs and with private interests have been so intimate that he is personally known to all the older residents. As justice of the peace for thirty years and a notary public for almost the same period, he has been long before the pub- lic. He has been appointed administrator of numberless estates and has served as executor and guardian for many minors. For the past twenty years he has been secretary of the Springfieldl Township Mutual Fire Insurance Company, and since 1895 he has been book- keeper for the Reesh Basket Works. In 1804 he was appointed ganger in the internal reve- nue service at New Springfield.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 81

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