Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 82

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 82

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).

In Jime, 1871, Mr. Peters was married to Amanda Troxel, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Felger) Troxel. They have four children, namely : Lulu and Maude, resid- ing at home: Elsa, who married Allen Seid- ner, residing in New Springfieldl; and Mabel. residing at home.

In political sentiment Mr. Peters is an active Democrat. He served one term as in- firmary director. lle is a Knight of Pythias and is affiliated with Starlight Lodge, No. 224. at Petersburg.

ENRY WICK, president of the Witch Hazel Coal Company, at Youngs. town. is an old and experienced man in this line of business, one with which he has been identified for about forty years, Mr. Wick was born at Youngs- town, Ohio, May 13. 1846, and is a son of

Hugh B. and Lucretia G. (Winchell) Wick.

After completing his education, passing through the common and High Schools at Youngstown. Mr. Wick, at the age of 22 years, entered into the coal business as the owner of a coal mine in Youngstown town- ship. During the whole period of active busi- ness life he continued to be connected inti- mately with coal interests, and still retains the presidency of the Witch Hazel Coal Company, although practically retired.

On November 4. 1869, Mr. Wick was mar- ried to Mary Arms, who is a daughter of Myron 1. Arms, and they have three children, viz: Hugh B., Mrs. W. J. Sampson, of Youngstown, and Myron Arms. The eldest son, Hugh B., is vice president of the Elyria Iron and Steel Company, of Elyria, Ohio, and resides with his family at that place. The youngest son, Myron Arms, is secretary and treasurer of the Youngstown Furnace and Supply Company.

In addition to his coal interests, Mr. Wick is a director of the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, of Youngstown; treasurer and member of the board of directors of the Wash- ington, Ohio, Lumber Company ; and a direc- tor of the National Lumber and Box Com- pany, of Hoquiam, Chehalis County, Wash- ington. Having spent his whole life at Youngstown, Mr. Wick has been more or less prominently connected with the various bene- ficial agencies which have brought about the progress and prosperity of his native city.

FORGE H. MONTGOMERY, a representative citizen of Youngs- town, has been county surveyor of Mahoning County, Ohio, since 1897, being his own successor in the office and now serving in his third term. Mr. Mont- gomery was born in Youngstown township, Mahoning Comty, Ohio, in 1873. His father, Lewis Montgomery, has resided here all his life. He was the son of Robert Montgomery, one of the carly settlers in this section of the state.

Digizedby Google

639

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

George M. Montgomery, after completing the common school course at Youngstown, entered the Northern Normal University at Ada, Ohio, and completed his course in civil engineering at the Ohio State University in 1896. He located immediately at Youngs- town and became a member of the firm of Haseltine Brothers & Montgomery, succeed- ing that of Haseltine Brothers. On the death of Robert Haseltine in 1905, the firm became Haseltine & Montgomery, general civil and mining engineers. This is at present the lead- ing firm of its kind in the city.

Mr. Montgomery married Ella Robinson, daughter of James Robinson, of Niles, Ohio. They have two children, Mary Louisa and Robert Morris. The family belongs to the First Presbyterian Church at Youngstown. Mr. Montgomery is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias. As a good citizen he takes an interest in politics and invariably gives time and attention to secure the election of first-class men, with good records, to posi- tions of responsibility in both local and na- tional affairs.

ENRY J. WINDLE, a prominent citi- zen of Smith township and a veteran of the Civil War, resides on his high- ly cultivated fruit farm, which con- sists of eighteen acres in section 36, on which he settled in 1890. Mr. Windle was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, March 12. 1841, and is a son of Joseph J. and Phebe (Dutton ) Windle.

Benjamin Windle, the grandfather of Henry J., was a native of Pennsylvania, and from there he came to Columbiana County, Ohio, at an early day, settling first in Butler township, but moving soon afterward to the vicinity of Salem, where he died. Joseph J. Windle spent the greater part of his life in Columbiana County, but prior to his death, in 1890, he had located at Garfield. The sur- viving children of his first marriage are: Henry J .: Anna M., residing in California, who married Christopher Conard: Benjamin 34

B., residing in Colombiana County; Edwin D., residing at Salem; Alpheretta, residing at Winona, Ohio, who married James Hoops; and Ida, residing at Winona, who married George Woolf.

Henry J. Windle was reared in Butler township, Columbiana County, where he ob- tained a good district school education. He was his father's helper on the home farm until he enlisted in the Union army, for service in the Civil War, then in progress, August 11, 1862, in Company G, 104th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was first attached to the Army of Ohio, and later to General Sherman's command. Mr. Windle remained in the service until the summer of 1865. when he was honorably discharged, at Raleigh, North Carolina. During his long term of service, he participated in many important battles, including: Knoxville, Missionary Ridge, all the fighting around Chattanooga and on the way to Atlanta, Georgia, taking part in the siege of that city, later was in the terrible battle at Franklin, and also the siege of Nashville. He was a brave, gallant and faithful sollier. For a number of years, Mr. Windle was a member of the John C. Fremont Post, G. A. R., at Alliance.

When he had done his full duty to his country. Mr. Windle returned to Butler town- ship. Columbiana County, where he lived until 1890, when he settled on his present farm, where he has developed some of the finest berries, apples, plmins and pears, to be found in all this section of Ohio. He has ready sale for all his surplus.

On October 21, 1866, Mr. Windle was married to Adaline Burns, who was born in Butler township. Columbiana County, and is a daughter of George and Lydia (Stratton) Burns. Her parents were born and reared near Salem, her maternal grandfather, David Stratton. having been a very carly settler there. Her paternal grandparents were Hugh and Sarah Burns, who settled near Salem so early that Indians were still nummerons in this section. Mr. and Mrs. Windle have three children: George J., residing at Sebring; Elmer A., residing at Alliance; and Minnic.

Dig Redby Google

640

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

residing in Columbiana County, who married Harvey Bartges.

In politics Mr. Windle is a Democrat. While a resident of Butler township he served as judge of elections, but has taken 110 active part in political matters since coming to Smith township.

D AVID ELDORADO STOUFFER, who formerly served as mayor and also as postmaster, at Washington- ville, passed out of life November 2, 1906, leaving behind him a rec- ord of fifty-four useful years, and a nanie which had long stood for sterling business qualities, good citizenship, and private benevo- lence. Mr. Stouffer was born March 7, 1852, in Beaver township. Mahoning County, Ohio, and was a son of John and Susannah Stouffer.

The Stouffers probably came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and were pioneers in Beaver township prior to 1828, for there are records in existence that show that Henry Stouffer was a leading minister of the Mennonite faith and assisted in building the first log church in Beaver township in the above year. In 1849 the grandfather of the late David E. Stouffer visited the gold regions of California, settling in Eldorado County, where he proba- bly prospered, and perhaps for this reason, favored the naming of his grandson after that rich region.

The parents of Mr. Stouffer were both born in Ohio, and the father died on his farm in Mahoning County, in 1853. His widow then removed to Columbiana, where her death occurred in 1885. Both were worthy and valued members of the German Reformed Church. Among their surviving children are the following well-known people: H. C., re- siding at Mineral Ridge; Mrs. William Slut- ter, residing at Canton: Mrs. Jerry Groner and Mrs. Del Wismer, both residing at Co- Jumbiana.

David Eldorado Stouffer was left father- less in infancy, but had a wise and careful mother, by whom he was reared and with

whom he remained until he was 22 years of age, taking the task of managing the farm from her shoulders. His book education was acquired in the district schools, but necessity taught him self-reliance and the ability to put into practice habits of industry and frugality which assisted him through life. After farm- ing for himself for two years in Beaver town- [ ship, he moved to Washingtonville, and in 1881, in partnership with a brother, and Wil- liam Warner, opened and began operating the Fairview coal mine, of which he later became superintendent. For four years the original owners of the mine worked it and then dis- posed of the property.

On June 2, 1874, Mr. Stouffer was mar- ried to Hannah E. Myers, who was born in Beaver township, Mahoning County, Ohio, May 23. 1853, and is a daughter of George and Rosanna B. Myers, who were early set- tlers in the township. George Myers and wife were born in Germany and when they came to Beaver township they found the country wild and unsettled. They lived in their log house, which they built in the green woods, until they built a more commodious dwelling, and in this they lived until their death, the father surviving to the age of 88 years. Mr. and Mrs. Stouffer had four children, namely : Harry A., Charles A., George R., and Wil- liam E. Mrs. Stouffer is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Washington- ville, of which Mr. Stouffer was also a mem- ber and a liberal supporter, and for some years served as superintendent of the Sunday school.

Mr. Stouffer was very active in political life and was prominently identified with the Republican party. On August 1, 1890, he was appointed postmaster at Washingtonville, and during his term of service paid faithful attention to the duties of the office. He al- ways was willing to co-operate with his fellow citizens in public matters and he was so gener- ally recognized as a public-spirited and re- liable citizen, that he was elected mayor of Washingtonville, and his period of adminis- tration was marked with progress and civic improvement. He creditably held a number of other public offices, and at the time of his

Digazed by Google

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

death was treasurer both of the village and of the school board. He had honorably acquired property and left to his family valuable land aggregating over 140 acres. He was fra- ternally associated with Welcome Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Washingtonville, and the Junior Order of United American Me- chanics, of Leetonia,

In the death of Mr. Stouffer, Mahoning County lost a valuable citizen. He was a man who was always loyal to his friends, who was conscientious in the performance of every duty, who was honest in his religious convic- tions and so lived that he is remembered with respect and affection.

S OLOMON J. HECK, a well-known and progressive farmer of Beaver township, residing on a tract of fifty acres located in section 28, was born in Unity township, Columbiana Coun- ty, Ohio, August 9, 1857, and is a son of John and Eliza (Greenamyer) Heck.

John Heck was born in Springfield town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, March 1, 1822, and was a son of Jacob and Nancy (Chap- man) Heck, who came from Pennsylvania to Springfield township, where they owned a farm of 125 or 130 acres; they also owned another tract of 100 acres in Columbiana County. Jacob Heck, great-grandfather of Solomon J., resided in Columbiana County, and probably came to this country from Ger- many. John Hleck was married in 1851 to Eliza Greenamyer, who was born in Unity township, Columbiana County, and was a daughter of Solomon and Anna Maria (Gei- ger) Greenamyer. Her parents resided in L'nity until their death. Her mother was reared in Westmoreland County, Pennsyl- vania. Her father, reared in Maryland, came from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, with his father, Jacob, who, with three or four sons, located in Columbiana County, Ohio. Two children were born to John and Eliza Ileck: Tillie, who died in infancy : and Solo- mon, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Heck

died at the home of the latter, November 30. 1895. His widow resides with her son, Solo- mon Heck.

Solomon Heck was about four years old when he left Columbiana County and came to Beaver township, Mahoning County, where his father located on a farm, which is now owned by David Whispel. He was reared there and obtained his education in the dis- trict schools, also attending one term in Co- lumbiana. His father, after residing on this farm for about ten years, retired to a small tract of five acres in this township, about two miles west. Mr. Heck worked for some time at carpentering before his marriage, and also worked for about five years on his uncle Peter Heck's farm. In 1890 he moved to his pres- ent farm of fifty acres, where he is extensively engaged in raising strawberries. Two years after settling here he built a saw mill, a six- roller feed grinder, cider mill, evaporator and apple-butter cooker. He makes a specialty of custom sawing, and does a large business in apple-butter, cider, and other farm products. His fine home, which was built in 1902, is fin- ished throughout in oak, and he is now build- ing a large barn, 50x68 feet in dimensions. Mr. Heck also has other business interests in this locality. He is a director in the Beaver Telephone Company, of which he was one of the originators, and is also a director in the Columbiana Bank and Savings Company.

Mr. Heck was united in marriage October 20, 1885, to Emma Rapp, who was born in Beaver township and is a daughter of Noah and Anna Rebecca (Sponseller) Rapp. Her father was born and reared on the farm, and died there May 19, 1900, aged 58 years, 6 months and 15 days. The grandfather, Henry Rapp, was born in Ohio, but his father came from Germany, and lived until his death in Beaver township. The grandfather Rapp is buried at North Lima. The following were the children of Noah and Anna R. Rapp: Emma, now Mrs. S. J. Heck; George Syl- vanus, who lives on a farm near North Lima ; Harvey. who resides at Columbiana; Albert, a resident of Springfield township: and Edna, who died, aged 16 years. Mrs. Noah Rapp

Digitizedby Google

642

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

still resides on a farm of 200 acres in Beaver township.

Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Heck: Clarence Raymond, born June 7, 1887, who lives at home; Grace Morie, bom November 10, 1889; Stella Beatrice, born May 20, 1892; Irma Lauretta, born August 30, 1895, and Mildred LaRue, born June 1, 1906.

Mr. Heck is a Democrat in politics, and has served two terms as township trustee. He is a member of the Mt. Olivet Reformed Church at North Lima.

C OBIAS PALMER, who is engaged in general farming on his well improved farm of 75 acres, located in section 43, Youngstown township, was born June 23, 1831, in Germany, and is a son of Tobias and Catherine (Specht ) Palm- er, farmers and wine gardeners of Germany, where they both died.

Ludwig Specht, the maternal grandfather of our subject, came to America in 1835 or 1836, and settled on a farm two miles east of Middletown.

Tobias Palmer grew to manhood in Ger- many, attending school until 14 years of age, when he began assisting his father in wine gardening. His father was a general farmer, raising wheat and cattle, and also had a vine- yard and an orchard. In 1854, at the age of 22 years he came to America, with two friends, from the same town in which he resided, set- tling first near Middletown. Ohio, with his uncle, Frederick Mack. He subsequently worked for Mr. Henry Kirtland of Poland, remaining on his farm for eighteen years, during which time he was married to Doro- thy Knauer, a daughter of Ludwig Knauer, and also a native of Germany. She was born about one mile from the birthplace of her husband, and came to this country in 1855, her brother having come with him in the pre- vious year. Four children have graced this union : Lewis, who was born November 10. 1863, lives at home: Mary C. is principal of

the Fairmont Avenue School of Youngstown; Lydia lives at home; Caroline, the wife of Frank Agnew, resides in Boardman and has three children : Ralph, Norman and Myron.

Mr. Palmer, after purchasing his present farm in 1869, rented it out for two years, after which he located on the land, which he has greatly improved and placed in a high state of cultivation. He carries on general farming. but was formerly engaged in gardening.

Mr. Palmer is a member of the Lutheran Church, and has been an elder therein for the past twenty years, having formerly served as deacon, Mr. Palmer gave the ground on which the church stands, on the corner of his farm.

6 EN. JAMES LAWRENCE BOTS- FORD, formerly a large iron manu- facturer at Youngstown, and also a distinguished officer in the Civil War, was born April 16, 1834. at Poland, Mahoning County, Ohio, and was a son of Archibald Grant and Eliza (Lynn) Botsford. He died October 6, 1898. Major Botsford was the third member of his par- ents' family of six children, the only survivor of whom is Mary Julia, who is the widow of H. O. Bonnell, of Youngstown,

The schooldays of James Lawrence Bots- ford were spent at Poland and his early youth and manhood were employed in assisting his father, who was engaged at Poland in the manufacture of combs. In 1858 he went to California and was there engaged in mining until 1861. Returning. he reached Poland just as a company was forming for service in the Civil War. Of this company he became a member, and was mustered into the service at Camp Chase, in May, 1861, as second lieu- tenant of the 23rd Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regiment was justly distin- guished as being the first to enter the service from Ohio, under an enlistment of three years.

Inured to hardships as a consequence of his western mining experience, he was able to bear army life somewhat better than many

Olo red by Google

geo@Wilson

Dig zed by-Google

Dlg zedby Google

Dig zedby Goog

Aus Go. @Hilson

Digitized by Google

Olgizedby Google

Digitized by Google

0 11

4 1 c 1 1 €

3 1

"OAKLAND FARM", RESIDENCE OF MKS, GEORGE C. WILSON, YOUNGSTOWN, OHIO

Dlg zedby Google

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

of his comrades. Through the whole con- tinuance of the war he was at his post and as a reward for able and valiant service, was constantly promoted. His first service was in West Virginia, where he was made aide-de- camp to General Scammon, and on January 17, 1862, he was commissioned first lientenant. He was again assigned as aide-de-camp to General Scammon, who was in command of the First Brigade of the Kanawha Division, and in all the battles, defeats and victories of the Army of the Potomac during its subsequent years in West Virginia, Major Botsford par- ticipated. On October 27, 1862. he was com- missioned captain and was made assistant adjutant-general of United States volunteers. He was next assigned to service under Major General Crook, and took part in the battles of Cloyd Mountain, New River Bridge, Blakes- burg, Panther's Gap, Buffalo Gap and lynch- burg, and in the series of engagements in the Shenandoah Valley, among which were the battles of Sinker's Ferry. Cabletown, Stev- enson's Depot, Winchester and Martinsburg. He reached Cumberland in November, 1864, and here was detailed as assistant inspector- general of the Department of West Virginia. This long and faithful service did not go un- recognized. His commission "for meritori- ons and distinguished conduct" as brevet- major, dated from March 13, 1865.

After his return to private life. Major Botsford was engaged nutil t872 in a general produce business at Louisville, Kentucky. Removing in this year to Youngstown. he subsequently devoted his attention to the great iron industry, and in 1879 became treasurer of the Mahoning Valley Iron Company. a re- sponsible and honorable position which he held until the close of his life.

In 1864 Major Botsford was married to Ellen E. Blaine, a daughter of Samuel L. and Anna Blaine, of Kentucky, and a first consin of llon. James G. Blaine. Two children were born of this marriage: Ella Kirtland and James 1 .. Ella Kirtland married Frederick H. Wick, a member of one of Youngstown's most prominent families, treasurer of the Ohio Iron & Steel Company, and secretary and treasurer

of the Paul Wick Real Estate Company of Youngstown. James L. Botsford, who bears his honored father's name, is a resident of Tucson, Arizona.

In politics Major Botsford was a Repub- lican and his personal friendship for both Rutherford B. Hayes and William Mckinley, who were comrades in the same regiment, made it a pleasure for him to give them politi- cal support. On Janmary 14, 1892, Governor MeKinley appointed Major Botsford quarter- master-general of the state. In local politics Major Botsford was never very active, al- though he was elected a member of the City Council and served for a short period.

For many years both Major Botsford and his wife have been valued members of the Protestant Episcopal Church at Youngstown; he served as one of the vestrymen and was treasurer of the church for zo years. He was always ready to promote the usefulness of the church and his quiet assistance helped to make many of its benevolent objects prosper. Mrs. Botsford, whose residence in Youngstown is located at No. 664 Wick avenne, is ex-state regent of the Ohio Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, having served as state regent two terms.

C HE SHEEHY FAMILY. One of the old and honorable pioneer families of Youngstown and vicinity is that of Sheehy, a prominent representa- tive of which is found in Mrs. George C. Wilson, who is a Daughter of the American Revolution, through her paternal grandfather and grandmother, and also presi- dent of the Fortnightly Reading Club, an ex- clusive organization at Youngstown.

Daniel Sheehy, the grandfather of Mrs. Wilson, was the founder of the family in America. He was born in County Tipperary, Ireland, and was educated at Dublin for the Catholic priesthood. For generations his fam- ily had been closely identified with the Roman Catholic Church, and family annals tell of an ancestor who was beheaded by an English

Digized by Google

650

HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY

Monarch rather than deny his faith. It was mainly on account of religious persecution that Daniel Shechy was induced to turn his back on his native land, and in 1770. to emi- grate to America. For a number of years he re- sided at New York and when the War of the Revolution broke ont, he entered the Patriot army and fought through the whole of the long struggle which resulted in American inde- pendence.

At what date Daniel Sheehy came first to the Western Reserve is not definitely known, but probably very soon after the elose of the war, and it is certain that he had made several horseback trips prior to locating in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1796, when he bought the land which is now Mrs. Wilson's Oakland Farm. His former residence had been New York City and at Whitestown, New York, where also resided John Young, who later joined Daniel Shechy in the Western Reserve, acquiring land which included quite a portion of Youngstown township. John Young gave his name to Youngstown, and in the early days the two pioneers were friends, but later business differences arose which separated them.

Daniel Shechy's first entering of land. it is said, amounted to 1000 acres, and he built a log cabin on the bank of the beautiful river which was even known then as the Mahoning. He then constructed at canoe, with a skill re- markable in a man whose early years had been devoted exclusively to intellectual pursuits and in this frail Imat made excursions down the river to Beaver, Pennsylvania. to lay in necessary supplies, On one of these trips he met the beautiful 16-year-old Jane MeLain. of Scotch ancestry, and won her consent to return with him to the little log cabin en the Mahoning, as his bride. His next trip to Beaver was made on horseback and when he returned his young wife was with him on the same horse. The home to which he took her was a primitive log structure, which stood only a stone's throw from Mrs. Wilum's pres- ent mansion, its main advantage, to modern views, being hs ventilation, as it had to door or window. A quilt hung up at night, how'-

ever. afforded protection from the wind and storm and there is no record but that this was a happy home. Later he built a much better cabin, a double log honse, which he placed on a knoll about 150 yards from the first eabin, and there the family lived for a great many years, and there Daniel Shechy died. He was survived many years by his widow, who was much younger than he, and she died at the home of her son James, who had built a frame honse on the site of Mrs. Wilson's residenec.

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 82

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