Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 84

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 84

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).

Politically. Mr. Weaver is a Republican, but has never consented to hold office. He is a director in the Gilt Folge Creamery at North

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Lima, and is vice-president of the company, and is also a stockholder in the local telephone company.

m ONROE BEARD. general merch- ant at New Buffalo, carrying a well assorted line of dry goods, groceries, hardware, boots, shoes, and a few drugs, is one of the leading citizens of Beaver township, and a member of a fine old Mahoning County fant- ily. Mr. Beard was born on the old Beard home place, May 8, 1853, and is a son of Ja- cob and Sophia ( Leitsey ) Beard.

Jacob Beard, grandfather of Monroe, came to America from Wittenberg. Germany, in 1817. settling first in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. In the fall of 1818 he moved with his family to Ohio, locating in Spring- field township. Mahoning County. where he purchased a tract of 40 acres of timberland, to which he subsequently added 160 more. In 1839 he sold his possessions in that town- ship and bought section 5. Beaver township, which is still known as the Beard section, about all of it being still owned by his descend- ants. The Lutheran Church to which Mon- roe belongs, and of which he is a liberal sup- porter, stands on an acre of the Beard sec- tion which was donated to it by Franklin Beard. When the time came for Jacob Beard and wife to retire from business activity, they removed to Canfield, where they passed the remainder of their worthy lives. Their chil- dren were: John, Jacob, Susanna. Frederika, Henry, David, Lydia, and Hannah.

Jacob Beard resided on his father's farm until his death, at the age of 43 years. His portion of his father's large estate was 250 acres, and he built the house now occupied by G. S. Beard. He married Sophia Leitsey and they had the following children : Cather- ine. who married Henry Flickinger, and, now with her husband is deceased: Franklin V., also deceased; George Sylvamis; Mary Ann, who married Byron Hendricks, residing at New Buffalo; Jefferson, who died aged 21 years; Monroe and Cyrus F.

L'ntil he was 17 years of age, Mr. Beard attended school and assisted on the home farm. He then went to Allegheny, where he worked for six months at the butcher's trade, being afterwards engaged for three years in a meat business at Youngstown. For the fol- lowing two years he was associated with a brother in the stock business, after which he took a trip through Woodson and Allen Coun- ties, Kansas. He then returned to Ohio with the intention, however, of going back, but ill- ness preventing, he became again associated in the stock and farming business with his brother, with whom he continued to be asso- ciated for 22 years. Both owned much land of their own and had no difficulty in renting more, and during this long period they oper- ated largely. Mr. Beard owns a farm of 190 acres in Beaver township and one of 64 acres east of Paradise Church. With his brother he purchased 325 acres in Green township, and when the fraternal partnership was dissolved, the brother took this latter purchase as his portion and Monroe Beard selected his present farm, coming here in the spring following his second marriage. On this farm he carried on general farming and dairying until No- vember 19, 1903, when he settled at New Buf- falo, having purchased the store property in the month of June previous.

On September 12, 1883. Mr. Beard was married (first) to Alice Starr, who died in Green township. November 23. 1885, she had a son Ai, who died three months previuns to her death. Mr. Beard was married ( second) December 9. 1886, to Ella R. Heintzelman, who was born in Canfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and who is a daughter of George and Hannah ( Kaercher) Heintzelman. They have had four children, namely : Olive M., born November 19, 1887, who is engaged in teaching in Boardman township; Clement J., born November 24, 1888, who died September 3. 1889: Hazel M., born August 28, 18go, who i4 a student at Dana College. at Warren; and Bertha H., born March 4, 1892.

Mr. Beard and family attend the services of the Lutheran Church at New Buffalo, Po- litically he supports Democratic nominees in

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National campaigns, but in local affairs he votes as his judgment dictates. He is a mem- ber of the order of Patrons of Husbandry.

R EV. EDWARD MEARS, rector of St. Columba's Catholic Church, at Youngstown, Ohio, has been an honored and esteemed resident of this city for more than a quarter of a century. Rev. Father Mears was born in Ireland, July 18, 1844, a son of Patrick and Hannah (Earley) Mears.

His parents, natives of Ireland, emigrated to America in 1853, settling in Toledo, Ohio, where the father died in 1862. The family in all numbered 12 children.

Rev. Edward Mears was primarily edu- cated in the parish schools of Toledo. In 1857 he entered St. Mary's College, at Cleveland, and in 1859 he became a student at Notre Dame, South Bend, Indiana, where he was graduated in the class of 1862, and in that year entered the Seminary at Cleveland, to pursue his theological studies. Father Mears was ordained in March, 1869, by the Right Reverend Bishop Rappe, following which he became the Bishop's assistant at the Cathedral, where he served until 1872. He was then placed in charge of the church at Bellevue, in Huron County, Ohio, and also attended to the needs of the people at Clyde. In 1874 he was transferred to Crestline and later was sent to St. Augustine's Church at Cleveland. Two years after he became secretary to the bishop, retaining that position until July, 1877, when he was placed in charge of his present parish.

The new St. Columba's Church, which stands on the corner of Wood and Elm streets, Youngstown, is one of the most imposing and beautiful structures in this city. Its congrega- tion is made up of about 900 families, many of these being the most intelligent, cultured, and wealthy in the city. The school attached to St. Columba has goo pupils and the teach- ers are 14 sisters of the Ursuline order. Rev- erend Father Mears has two assistants, Father

A. A. Crehan and Father James Higgin- botham.

While Father Mears has devoted himself with Catholic zeal to the best interests of his own people, in his long residence here he has taken a leading part in public movements when the issue meant the advancement and pros- perity of the people at large.

A NDREW KNESAL, one of Spring- field's old and honored citizen's re- siding on his valuable farm of 136 acres, which he purchased as far back as 1855, was born May 6, 1828, in Wurtemberg, Germany, and is a son of An- drew and Catherine (Schwartz) Knesal.

The parents of Mr. Knesal left their na- tive land in 1832, taking passage on a sailing vessel for America. For 81 days the vessel struggled with the rough waters of the At- lantic, but finally landed the weary voyagers at the port of Philadelphia. The captain of the ship had died after leaving the German port and his successor lost his bearings, and it was only by great good fortune that the colonists ever reached the United States. The first winter after their arrival. was spent by the Knesal family at Urey, Pennsylvania, from which point they started. in the spring of 1833. for Springfield township, stopping first at New Springfield. The father had but little capital and was not prepared to purchase land, but rented the farm now owned by A. Haller, on which he died in 1838. his wife hay- ing passed away in the previous fall. They had brought four children with them to Springfield township and one was born after settling here.

Andrew Knesal still recalls the long wagon journey from U'rey, Pennsylvania, to Spring- field township. He was only about five years old but the various unusual experiences made a lasting impression on his chiklish mind. He remembers wearily tramping behind the wa- gon, over the rough roads, through the wild country, and doubtless was well pleased when

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KEY. JOHN KLUTE

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the journey came to an end. The surrounding country was but partially cleared and he re- members seeing a huge bear cross the farm, during his father's life-time, the latter pur- sning but not succeeding in killing it. The death of both father and mother within five years after settling in Springfield township, broke up the family and cach member was obliged to look more or less after his own in- terests. Andrew secured work in a distillery which was operated just over the Pennsyl- vania line, where he remained for two and one-half years, and he is justly prond of the fact that he never learned to drink liquor, al- tlumgh coming into daily contact with it. As soon as he was able he left the distillery and learned the trade of shoemaker, at Peters- burg. For 17 years he worked at this trade, a part of the time at Pittsburg, where he was considered an expert maker of fine shoes, which he made a specialty. That was before the days of shoc factories.

In August, 1855, Mr. Knesal purchased his present farm of 136 acres, which was not improved. Two years later he built the resi- dence which he still occupies, one of the sub- stantial old buildings, fashioned of seasoned timber which withstand the stress of wind and storm for many years. It is a comfortable. attractive old home, no change ever having been made in its original plan except as to the windows and veranda. The land had all been cleared when he took possession and he soon had it under a fine state of cultivation. It was formerly the property of Judge James Wal- lace.

On October 9, 1856. Andrew Knesal was married to Sarah E. Moore, who was born near Enon Valley, Lawrence County, Penn- sylvania, about three miles from Petersburg. Mrs. Knesal's parents were David and Jane (Smith) Moore, belonging to old families of that region. Her paternal grandparents were Andrew and Margaret (Banks) Moore, and her maternal grandparents were Thomas and Mary Smith. The Smiths came originally from Ireland and settled first in Westmore- land County. Pennsylvania. renuwing subse- quently to Lawrence County. Grandfather

Smith had an exciting adventure with a bear in his young days which cost him the loss of a toe. The brute attacked him in a small clearing and to escape it he climbed a sapling bnt was not able to draw his feet high enough to keep them out of the way of the animal, who chewed off the toe before assistance ar- rived.

To Andrew Knesal and wife were born II children, namely: Mary Jennie, residing in Springfield township, who married J. W. Robinson, and has five children, Emma, An- drew, James, Tyrell Moore and Helen Dunlap; Stanley, who died aged 26 years; James A., residing at Petersburg engaged in farming, who married Marcia Koch, and has two chil- dren, Emeline and Edith Leora; Iccphena, who died at the age of seven years; Ennna Leora, who died aged four years; Charles Edward, who died aged one week; Alberta Viola, who died at the age of three months; Frank Edwin, who died aged two years; Willis Herbert, who died aged seven years; and John and George Evelyn, who are members of the prominent hardware firm of Knesal Brothers, at Petersburg.

On October 9, 1906, the surviving chil- dren and many friends of Mr. and Mrs. Knesal gathered at their hospitable home to assist them in celebrating the anniversary of their Golden Wedding. It was a most enjoyable occasion which will long be remembered by all who were permitted to be present.

R EV. JOHN KLUTE, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church at Youngs- town, has been in charge here since Angust 11, 1883. a term of nearly 24 years. Father Klute was born October 17. 1847. in Westphalia, Germany, and he is a son of Henry and Gertrude Klute. Ile is the only one of his parents' family of seven children to reside in America.

Father Klute completed his collegiate course at Cologne before coming to America. Ile reached Cleveland, Ohio, in June, 1870, and entered St. Mary's Seminary. where for

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four years he pursued the studies which fitted him for the priesthood, being ordained Au- gust 8, 1874, by Bishop R. Gilmore. For the following six years his duties were confined to various missions in Paukling. Defiance, Ot- tawa and Sandusky counties. In May, 1880, he was placed in charge of the churches at Hulr bard and Vienna, Trumbull County, where he continued in parochial work until August 11. 1883, when he was transferred to Youngs- town.

Since Father Klute took charge of St. Joseph's parish, many remarkable changes have come about. The beautiful church on the comer of Wick and Rayen avenues has been built, a fine school edifice has been constructed, and in material as well as in spiritual matters St. Joseph's has kept pace with churches of the same size in other cities, and is a credit to pastor, people and town. The parish is made up of 240 families. In June. 1900, Father Klute bought Dr. Mathew's residence for a parsonage. His former parsonage on Wick avenue was given to the Sisters of Notre Dame, who in September, 1903, took charge of St. Joseph's Parochial School, which now has 280 pupils.

Personally Father Klute is known to almost every resident of Youngstown, a large num- ber of whom belong to his congregation. He is held in the highest esteem by Catholics and Protestants alike. A portrait of Father Klute is published in connection with this sketch.

€ LSON P. BOYLE, whose carefully cultivated and well improved farmof 100 acres is situated one and one- quarter miles west of Poland, in Boardman township, is a prosperous farmer of this section and .a man who owes his success to his own efforts. He was born in the province of Munster, Ireland, November 10, 1846, and is a son of Robert and Kather- ine ( Berry) Boyle.

The parents of Mr. Boyle spent their lives in Ireland, where the father was a small farin- er. They had five children, namely : Lena,

who came to America, but afterwards returned to her native land where she now resides; Robert, who is engaged in farming the old home place in Ireland : Elson P., whose name heads this sketch, and Margaret and Cather- ine, both of whom remained in the old country.

Elson P. Boyle was about 18 years of age when he decided to leave home and try his fortunes across the Atlantic, in America. Those who know the Irish character well, need not be told that it was a wrench to leave behind the old parents and brother and sisters. The youth landed in the city of New York with little capital in money, but he was ro- bust and industrious and ielt sure that if op- portunity was given him he could prove his usefulness to any farmer. For a number of years he remained in the state of New York, working on many farms, but after his mar- riage, desiring to acquire land for himself, he turned his attention to the west. For a short time he was employed on a farm near Cleve- land, Ohio, from which he came to Mahoning County. Assisted by his frugal wife he suc- ceeded in saving enough to purchase enough to purchase a small farm of 25 acres, in Can- field township, and in a short time, purchased another parcel of land, both of which he sub- sequently sold to advantage. During a resi- dence of six years in Canfield village, he made many friends. He later invested in land in Boardman township, which he sold, and in 1896 he bought his present farm of 100 acres from the Heasley heirs. This is a good prop- erty and when he came into possession was improved with honse and barn. He takes a great deal of interest and successfully carries on general farming, and with the assistance of his capable wife, operates a first-class dairy. The milk of 11 cows is all disposed of at Youngstown.

While living in the State of New York, Mr. Boyle was married to Mary Flarity, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Thomas and Margaret ( Dolen) Flarity. The father of Mrs. Boyle was a small farmer in Ireland. where he died when she was a child. Later she accompanied her mother to America, the latter dying in New York, in 1901, aged 75

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years. There were seven children in the Flarity family, as follows: Edward; Margaret, who married Thomas Galliger; John; Catherine, deceased, who married John Horigon; Nora, who died young; Mary; and Delia, who mar- ried Juhn Cohen.

Mr. and Mrs. Boyle have had five children, namely : Lena who married John Kane, the well-known detective of Youngstown, and has six children-William, Mary, Margaret, John. Madeline and Helen; Edward, who is en- gaged in railroad work; Margaret, who died young; Mary Florence, who died on Christ- mas Day, 1905, aged 22 years; and Ethel, who graduated from the Boardman High School. in 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Boyle and family be- long to St. Columba's Catholic Church at Youngstown. He has never taken any active interest in politics and votes independently. He is a fine type of the self-made man. one who has made his own way in the world and has won what he owns by hard and honest toil.

m ADISON J. POWERS, a promi- nent farmer and stock-raiser of Austintown township, residing on his father's estate, four miles southwest of Youngstown, is a large shipper and buyer of cattle and is en- gaged also in a wholesale butchering business. Mr. Powers was born on his father's farm in Vienna township, Trumbull County, Ohio, December 20. 1867, and is a son of Wilson and Catherine (Stewart ) Powers.

Abraham Powers, the great-grandfather of Madison J., was the founder of the family in Ohio. He was of Scotch-Irish extraction. At a very carly day he settled in the deep wexxls that then covered the site of Youngs- town, where he cleared up a farm and spent the remainder of his life. His children were : Isaac, Abraham, Madison, Milton, Nancy and Mary.

Madison Powers, grandfather of Madison J., was born on the farm his father had wrest- ed from the forest, which he assisted to de-

velop. With his brother Milton he became a steck dealer, and on many occasions they drove their cattle over the mountains and sold them in eastern markets. Later he nxwed to Trumbull County, where he acquired so much property that at the time of his death, when aged 85 years, he was the largest land-owner in that county. He married Elizabeth Wilson and they had four children, namely: Wash- ington, deceased; Wilson, father of Madison J .: Albert, residing at Warren. Ohio: and Mary Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Jolm Hults.

Wilson Powers, father of Madison J .. was born in Hubbard township, Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1844, and now lives retired, on his wife's farm, in Fowler township. Trumbull County. Like his father he became a success- ful dealer in live stock and in his early man- hood often drove his herds over the mountains to sell. After the death of his father, he pur- chased the old home place of 417 acres, which be subsequently sold to M. C. Wick. Later he bought the farm of 175 acres, in Austin- town township, on which his sons now reside. its former owner having been Jefferson Mo- herman. He also purchased 250 acres of land in Enon Valley. Wilson Powers married Catlı- erine Stewart. a danghter of Armstrong and Isabel Stewart, who were pioneer settlers of Vienna and Liberty townships, Trumbull County, Seven children were born to Wilson Powers and wife: Madison J., whose name be- gins this sketch: Emma, who married W. Shoaff : Floyd, who resides on a part of his brother Madison's farm; and Clinton, Etta. Walter and Mary, all of whom are deceased.

Madison J. Powers was educated in the district schools, and was thoroughly trained by his father in the stock business. He was 17 years oldl when the family moved to Enon Valley, and he resided there until after his marriage. He then took charge of his grand- father's farm of 1000 acres, in Trumbull County, remaining there mtil the tragic death of the latter, which resulted from an attack made on him by a vicious member of one of the herds. Mr. Powers still continued to raise stock on this place for some five more years,

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coming to his present farm after it was pur- chased by his father. He buys his cattle in Chicago, and ships a car load about every three weeks, doing a large amount of busi- ness.

On February 28, 1887, Mr. Powers was married to Emma E. Swisher, who was born August 27, 1868, in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Powers is a daughter of Philip and Martha (Sampson) Swisher, whose children were as follows: Herbert, de- ceased; John and Ira, of whom there is no special mention : Bird, who married William Patterson ; Harriet, who married Frank Bush; Mary, who married Wiley Kennedy; Laura, who married Ralph White; Frederick, de- ceased, and Emma, who is the eldest.

Mr. and Mrs. Powers have nine children, namely : Jolm, deceased; Anna, Grace, Pearl, Jean, Walter, Mary; Mabel, deceased; and Clara.

Mr. Powers is one of the representative Democrats of this section and has served in various local offices, for three years being trustee of Hubbard township, Trumbull Coun- ty, and also assessor. He is a member of Lodge No. 112, Knights of Pythias, at Coal- berg, and of the Eagles, at Youngstown.

E DWARD MILLER, who owns a valu- able farm in Springfield township, de- votes about 135 acres to general farming, under the best conditions, having a well cultivated and finely improved property. Mr. Miller was born February 22, 1857. in Poland township, Ha- honing County, Ohio, and is a son of James D. and Susan (Kriner) Miller.

James D. Miller, father of Edward, was born at Downingtown, Chester County, Penn- sylvania, August 24, 1820, and died October 2, 1800, aged 70 years, one month and eight days. Ile had reached his majority when he accompanied his father, James Miller, to Po- land township, where the latter purchased the

100-acre farm now owned by Cyrus Detcheon, who bought it when Mr. Miller was ready to move to Youngstown, where he died. After coming to America, James Miller located at Philadelphia and for a time drove a four-horse stage over the route between Philadelphia and Pittsburg. James Miller had the following children : Alexander, who died in Youngs- town; Mrs. Margaret McGee, who also died in Youngstown; Mrs. Mary Holton, who died in Niles; Mrs. Jane Knott, the only survivor, who resides at Rock Island, Illinois; and James D.

James D. Miller had but few educational opportunities in his youth, but through reading and observation, he became a well informed man, having a specially good knowlege of history. He lived in different sections, on var- ious farms, leading an agricultural life. After serving in the 100-day service in the Civil War, as a member of Company D, 155th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he returned to his farm in Poland township, where he remained until 1867, removing then to Lowellville, where he lived until 1870. Thence he moved to Hills- ville, Pennsylvania, afterwards to a farm near Lowellville, and thence to a farm near Mt. Jackson, Pennsylvania. In 1800 he moved to a farm near New Springfield on which he lived until his death. He was twice married, (first) to Elizabeth McGowan, by whom he had three children, name- ly: Alexander, who died at the age of three years; Jennie, deceased, who married Horace Brown; and Elizabeth, who married Barna- bas Reed, residing two miles south of Lowell- ville. Mr. Miller married (second) Susan Kriner, who was born October 14. 1827, and who died April 2, 1893, aged 65 years, five months and 19 days. The children of this marriage were: Clara, deceased, who resided at Fayette. Ohio; Charles G., an instructor in the High School, at Archibald, Ohio, and owner of a fine farm and home in Fulton Couty, Ohio; Edward, whose name begins this sketch; Sophia, who married Cyrus Martin, residing at Hillsville. Pennsylvania; Freder- ick, who died aged three years; George W.,

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residing at Penn Station, Pennsylvania; and Fannie, who married J. S. White, residing in Columbiana.

Edward Miller was about ten years of age when his parents moved from Poland town- ship; where he had already made a good rec- ord at school. Later he attended the Normal School at Worthington. He remained at home until he was 31 years of age, assisting his fa- ther in the management and operation of the farm. Prior to purchasing land of his own, he rented for three years near Lowellville and one year near Mt. Jackson, and then bought 80 acres in Springfield township. To this he added a piece of over eight acres and subse- quently 47 acres more. In 1896, before com- ing to his present farm, he removed to New Springfield, and later spent three months in Florida, settling on his present place in the following year. He made many improvements in what was previously a good property, with a comfortable residence and a barn 32 by 56 feet in dimensions. The latter he enlarged, making the dimensions 86 by 70 feet, and it is now one of the handsomest and most sub- stantial structures of its kind in Springfield township.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 84

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