Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 93

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 93

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David Cooper, the grandiather of James A., was born in Lancaster County, Pennsyl- vania, in 1762. He came from Frederick County, Maryland, to Coitsville township. Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1800, and settled on a farm on which he resided until his death when almost 94 years of age. About four years after locating in this township, he mar- ried Rebecca Armstrong, of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, and they were the parents of 12 children, 11 of whom grew to maturity, and but one of whom is now living. namely. Wil- liam, a resident of Coitsville township. David Cooper, the father of James A., was born in Coitsville township on the old home farm, on which he was reared and resided for many years. He married Jemima Raney, who was horn in Poland township, and was a daughter of Alexander Raney, a native of Washington County, Pennsylvania. Three children were born to them, namely: James A .; Rebecca, who died aged eight years; and Mary, who is the widow of Virgil C. McFarland, and re- sides in Youngstown, Ohio. David Couper died in 1885, aged 67 years, and his widow died in 1898, aged 72 years.

James A. Cooper was reared on his father's fanın in Coitsville township. His primary education was received in the district schools, and was supplemented by a course at the Ma- honing Academy at Canfieldl, after which he returned to Cuitsville township, and taught school for one term. He then engaged in the lumber business in Coitsville with his uncle. John Cooper, and operated a large saw mill until 1889, when the J. A. & D. P. Cooper Company was organized, since which time he has been engaged in mannfacturing carriage gear woods.

In 1870 Mr. Cooper was married to Alice R. Jacobs, who is a daughter of Nicholas Jacobs. They have had four children. name-

ly : David N., Sarah Louise, Sheldon Dill, and Ilelen Mildred, the last mentioned of whom died in 1903, aged 13 years. The eklest son. David N., who is teller in the Dollar Savings . Bank, of Youngstown, has been with his pres- ent employers since he was 19 years of age. He married Daisy Dubes of Sharon. l'ennsyl- vania, and they have two children, Alice Jean- ette and James A. Sarah Louise married Hon. W. J. Williams, of Youngstown. ex- member of the legislature, and they have one child, Alice Kirk. Sheldon Dill Cooper is a graduate of the Ohio State University and is engaged as an electrical engineer with the Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company.

Mr. Cooper was appointed one of the con- missioners to erect the new court house at Youngstown. He is prominent in the Ma- somic fraternity. belonging to Western Star Lodge, F. & A. M., and is a 32nd degree Mason, belonging also to the Mystic Shrine.

ARRY E. WELCH, M. D., physician and surgeon, and, since 1893, health officer at Youngstown, Ohio, is one of the leading citizens of this place. Hle is a native of Youngstown. born here in 1861. and is a son of Anthony Welch. Anthony Welch was born in Mercer Coun- ty, Pennsylvania, and came to Youngstown almount 1858 and was one of the founders of some of the great iron and steel industries of this section. During his years of active life he was a leading man of affairs here, and still survives, a resident of this city.

Dr. Welch completed the common and high selund course at Youngstown and then entered the Western Reserve University and was graduated from the medical department in 1885. The winter of 1885-6 he spent in taking a post-graduate course at the L'univers- ity of Pennsylvania, and in the following year he pursued his studies at Berlin and Vienna. L'jum his return to America he settled down to the practice of his profession at Youngstown and ranks with the eminent medical men of this locality. He is a member of the Mahon-

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ing County, the Ohio State and the American Medical Associations, and has been president of the local body. Dr. Welch enjoys a large private practice and he is surgeon for the Erie Railroad, is on the medical staff of the City Hospital and has served one term as coroner of Mahoning County.

In June. 1809. Dr. Welch was married to Adelaide Winsper, who is a daughter of Henry Winsper, a retired citizen of Youngs- town. In fraternal life. Dr. Welch is a Ma- son and a Knight of Pythias. His office is at No. 6 North Champion street, and his resi- «lence is located at No. 261 Spring street.

OSEPH S. BURTON, proprietor of Overlook Farm, a fertile tract of 75 acres of well improved land, sitnated in the southern part of Goshen town- ship. is a prominent and progressive citizen who enjoys the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born in Goshen township, Mahoning County, Ohio. May 17, 1841, and is a son of Samuel and Abigail A. (Lloyd) Burton.

The parents of Mr. Burton, who were the founders of the Burton family in Goshen township, were natives of New Jersey from which state they came to Ohio as pioneers. They built a log cabin in the forest and brave- ly faced the dangers and hardships which were the necessary accompaniments of pio- neering. Their last years were spent in Salem. in the ease and comfort which they had earned. and for many years their remains have rested in the old Salem cemetery. Of their children. six yet survive, all of whom, with one excep- tion, reside in Goshen township. They are: James, residing in Iowa: William L., Joseph S .. Albert. Robert Lloyd, all of Goshen town- ship, and Elma, who married W. P. Mead. also residing in Goshen township.

Joseph S. Burton has always had his home in Goshen township. His education was se- cured in the district schools and he was trained in agricultural pursuits from boyhood. When the Civil War was precipitated upon the conn-

try, and when it became evident that the struggle was going to be prolonged, he en- listed for service, March 6, 1862, becoming a member of the First Regiment, United States Chasseurs, which was afterward merged into the 65th New York Volunteer Infantry, and was made a part of the Sixth Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Mr. Burton met every demand of a good soldier in his pro- longed term of service, being honorably dis- charged March 5. 1865, three of the best years of his young manhood having been given to the service of his country. He participated in a number of the most important battles of the war, including Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, the Wilderness, and Malvern Hill. Mr. Burton is a valued member of Trescott Post, No. 10, Grand Army of the Republic, at Salem, Ohio.

On February 6. 1868, Mr. Burton was married to Martha L. Strawn, who was born March 21. 1840, in Goshen township, who is a sister of John S. Strawn (a sketch of whom will be found in this work), and a daughter of Abel and Hannah (Spencer) Strawn. Mr. and Mrs. Burton have two sons: Howard S., residing in Goshen township; and Edgar I ... residing at Salem. Mr. and Mrs. Burton are members of the Society of Friends.

In politics Mr. Burton is a stanch Republi- can. He has always taken a lively interest in public matters pertaining to the welfare of Goshen township, and for eight consecutive years served as a trustee, during a part of which period he was president of the board.

5 ON. EDMOND H. MOORE, a prom- inent member of the Mahoning County bar, and one of the leading Democratic politicians of this section of Ohio, was born in Mahoning County. October 16, 1862, and is a som of Mexander F. Moore.

Alexander French, the great-grandfather of Edmond H., came to Mahoning County in 1810. Alexander F. Moore. the father, was born in Mahoning County in 1833. was ad- mitted to the har in 1858, and attained to

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eminence in his profession. With the excep- tion of four years, his practice was confined to Mahoning County.

Edmond H. Moore completed his educa- tion at the Rayen High School, at Youngs- town, then entered the educational field and taught school for some eleven years, in the meanwhile reading law with his father. He was admitted to the bar in 1884, but did not begin practice until 1891. He was associated first with A. J. Woolf, later with others, and on January 1, 1904, entered into partnership with Mr. Craver.

Mr. Moore has been interested in politics since young manhood and has been iden- tified with Democratic party councils for a number of years. In 1896 his party elected him mayor of Youngstown, and he gave the citizens an administration most creditable to himself and beneficial to the city. He was delegate at large to the Democratic National convention held at St. Louis, that nominated Judge Parker for the presidency, and he has served on the state executive committee on numerous occasions. He is closely in touch with his party at the present time and was selected as one of the committee of reception of which Governor Folk, of Missouri, was chairman, to meet Hon. William Jennings Bryan, on August 29. 1906, on his return to America from a trip around the workl.

In 1800 Mr. Moore was married ( first) to Emma Mckinney, who died in 1904, leaving two sons. Harold and Mark. Mr. Moore was married ( second). in November, 1905, to Martha Reznor. of Mercer, Pennsylvania.

Fraternally Mr. Moore belongs to the Elks and the Knights of Pythias.

IMES H. NUTT, secretary of the Western Bar Iron Association, and one of the prominent citizens of Youngstown, who has been closely identified with iron interests for over a half century, was born November 19, 1848, in Worcestershire. England, and is a son of Thomas and Ann ( Poultney) Nutt. The par-

ents of Mr. Nutt lived out their lives in Eng- land. They had nine children, three of whom grew to maturity and two of whom came to America : James H., and Thomas, of Cleve- land. Ohio.

James H. Nutt came to this country in 1868, an intelligent, well-educated, young iron worker, whose skill brought him immediate employment in the busy city of Pittsburg. where he remained until January, 1876. He then came to Youngstown and entered the Brown-Bonnell iron works. Here he followed the trade of a heater for some sixteen years. and it was during this time that he became as- sociated with the great movement which crys- talized in the Amalgamated Association, of which he was one of the organizers. In 1877 he was elected vice-president of the Amalgam- ated Association of Iron and Steel Workers of the United States for this district, and to this position of importance he was elected three separate terms. Subsequently he was elected one of the national trustees, an office he hell for a number of years. On June 1. 1892, he became manager of the labor depart- ment of the Mahoning & Shenango Valley Manufacturing Association, and in July, 1893. was appointed its secretary.

As one of the chief officials of the great Amalgamated Association, Mr. Nutt naturally assumed a very prominent place in the public life of Youngstown. He served for six years as a member of the city council and was men- tioned for postmaster. His greatest work. however. has always been in the interests of labor and he has served in a score of import- ant positions in its various bodies, and has accomplished much in its behalf. He was chosen to represent the iron workers before the Ways and Means committee of Congress. on the question of tariff, for the Amalgamated Association and the Manufacturer's Associa- tion, since 1878, having been identified with different committees that were permitted to appear before Congress in the interest of a protective tariff. Mr. Nutt's uprightness of character. genial manner and frankness of in- tercourse with men of all degree. have at- tracted to him many friends and have won

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MR. AND MRS. ALLEN SILVER, DAUGHTER, GRANDSON AND GREAT GRANDCHILD (Four Generations)

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many helpful adherents to the cause of labor.

On November 26, 1871, Mr. Nutt was married to Sarah Ward, a daughter of Heury and Susan Ward, of Rome, New York, and they have had eight children, viz; Flora, Harry, Helena, Albert, May, Edith, Ada and George. The family home is one of great hos- pitality and much domestic comfort and is lo- cated at No. 238 Spring street. The family belong to the St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church at Youngstown.

Politically Mr. Nutt is a zealous Republi- can, and he has been one of the leading men of his party in this section for many years. He is a man of powerful personality and he com- mands the respect of all who meet him, whether they are in accord with his theories of life and government or not, by his gentle- manly bearing. his dignity of character and his evident honesty of purpose. Mr. Nutt's office is situated in the Dollar Bank buikling at Youngstown.

A LLEN SILVER, a retired farmer of Berlin Center, who for many years was one of the most successful and prosperous agriculturists of Berlin township, was born in 1832 on his father's farm one and a half miles south of Berlin Center, his parents being Adna B. and Lydia (Allen) Silver.

Adna Silver was born in Salem County. New Jersey, and was a son of Abraham and Elizabeth ( Broadway ) Silver, who were mar- ried in Pilesgrove township. Salem County. New Jersey, May 5. 1797. Adna was married in Riles township, that county and state, on February 20. 1823. to Lydia Allen, a daugh- ter of Joseph and Hannah Allen, and in 1825 he and his wife came to Ohio and settled in Salem, Columbiana County, where they re- mained until 1828. They then removed to Berlin township, which was then known as Hart and Mather township. Berlin township was originally purchased by a Mr. Perkins, who named the eastern part of the township Perkins, and the western half Hlart and Math-

er, after a son and daughter. Here Adna Silver purchased 119 acres of land at $3.50 per acre, which he immediately began improv- ing, as there were no cabins, roads, or any other improvements. At the time of his death, which occurred when he was in his 80th year, he was the owner of 260 acres of land in this township. His wife, who was born in 1795. on the home place in Salem County, New Jer- sey, also died on this place in her 74th year. They were the parents of five children : Sarah. who was born in New Jersey, married Samuel Davis, and died at the age of 78 years ; Joseph, died when young; Elizabeth became Mrs. So- lon Day; Allen is the subject of this sketch : Mary married Samuel Linton. Adna Silver was for many years treasurer of Berlin town- ship, and was an adherent of the Republican party from the time of its birth.

Allen Silver was reared on the home place in Berlin township and at the age of 22, after his marriage, started in life for himself on a farm of 100 acres in the southeast part of Ber- lin township, which had been presented to him by his father. He remained here for twenty- five years, when he sold the farm and removed to Alliance, Ohio. There he was employed in a warehouse, selling machinery, remaining there for a period of twelve years, when he returned to Berlin township, aud has since been living in retirement at Berlin Center. In 1862, on August 11, he enlisted in the 105th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Co. H, and served through the entire Civil War, covering a period of thirty-four months. He was never wounded or captured, he accompanied Sher- man on his march to the sea, and was mus- tered out at Washington, after which he re- turned home to Berlin township and resumed farming. He is a member of Kirkbride Post, No. 600, G. A. R., at Berlin Center.

Mr. Silver married Julia A. Gee in 1854. and she died, leaving two children, May and Frank. May married Willis Kirkbride, who is engaged in the furniture business at No. 435 Pearl street, Cleveland, Ohio, and has two sons. Carl and Allen. Frank Silver resides in Youngstown. The publishers take pleas-

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ure in presenting on an adjoining page a group picture of Mr. and Mrs. Allen Silver, their daughter, grandson and great-grandchild.

J OHN DELFS, senior member of the firm of John Delis & Sons, at Can- field, dealers in hides, tile and build- ing supplies, resides on his well-im- proved farm of 50 acres which is situ- ated on the edge of the village. Mr. Delfs was born March 26, 1849. near Hamburg, Germany, and is a son of Joachim and Helena (Rippen ) Delis.

At one time the father of Mr. Delis was a prosperous commission merchant living near the North Sea, where he had a large trade provisioning boats. Later he met with re- verses, which he partly repaired, so that ten years prior to his death he was able to retire from business. At his death his farm was in- herited by a half brother of John Delfs, who subsequently sold the land for building pur- poses, realizing a fortune. The first marriage of Mrs. Delfs was to Henry Selk, and when she married Joachim Delfs, she had two chil- dren. Henry and Mary. Two children were also horn to the second marriage: Christina, who married John Johnson, who owned and operated a pottery in Germany ; and John. The parents are both deceased.

The farm of the father of John Delis was near the village of New Minster, which has grown to be a city of 40,000 inhabitants, but when Mr. Delfs had finished going to school. conditions were different and he was glad to find work in a tannery, this industry being the leading one of the place. He learned the trade and left home when 19 years of age to travel, according to the law, as a journeyman. and spent three years working through Hun- gary, Italy and Southern Germany, returning to his home just prior to the German War. of 1870. After passing a physical examination, he was able to postpone entering the army for three and one-half years. In the meantime. with some 700 of his countrymen, he had de- cided to come to America, and the party

landed at the port of New York in 1872, after a voyage of fifteen days. For three months after landing, Mr. Delfs was sick in the strange city, but he found friends and as soon as able, made his way to Holyoke. Massachu- setts, where he worked for eight months as a woolsorter in a factory. From there he went to a factory at Rockwell, Connecticut, and later to Hartford, where he worked three months in a tannery; thence he went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked in differ- ent tanneries for three years. During the following year he worked in tanneries at Pitts- burg, and then came to Canfield, landing here March 17. 1877. under contract with John Sancenbacher to finish leather, with whom he remained for eight years. Mr. Delfs then be- came a partner with his employer, to whom he sold out three years later. He then associated himself with G. M. Bouten, in the tanning of sheep skin, but two years later this partner- ship was dissolved and Mr. Delfs went into buying and selling hides. When his son Roy reached manhood. he took him into partner- ship, as he also did his son Herbert, and the firm became Jolin Delfs & Sons. This firm stands for a great deal at Canfield. including business enterprise, integrity and success. They pay cash for what they buy and sell on the same basis. In 1906 they expanded their operation to include dealing in grain and building supplies. Their quarters include four buildings and they occupy over an acre of land west of the Erie Railroad tracks.

Mr. Delis was married November 28, 1870. to Ida M. Tanner, who is a daughter of Julius and Mary ( Wadsworth) Tanner, the latter of whom died when Mrs. Delfs was young. Julius Tanner married ( second) Fi- clelia Turner. Both the Tanner and Turner families came from Connecticut to Mahoning County in 1801. The male members came first and prepared homes and then returned and brought their families to this section, trav- eling with oxen.

Mr. and Mrs. Delfs have had nine children, viz .: Roy, who is engaged in business with his father. married Eleanor Watson, and they have had three children, Gilbert. Roy (de-

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ceased), and Edwin; Harry, residing in Beaver Falls, married Adaline Weist; Her- bert, who is associated with his father and brother ; Helena, who is a teacher in the Can- field schools; Florence ; Ethel, who is a student in the Northeastern Ohio Normal College; Edna; Fannie and Hazel, who are deceased.

Politically Mr. Delis is a Republican and has served on the board of trustees, and for the past 18 years has been a member of the board of education, He was one of the in- corporators of the Northeastern Ohio Normal College, is a director of the Farmers' National Bank at Canfield. and for seven years was a member of the Mahoning County Agricultural Association. Fraternally he is a Mason, hav- ing been an official member of Argus Lodge, No. 455, at Canfield, and belongs also to Lodge No. 155. Odd Fellows, in which he has passed the chairs. He was reared in the faith of the Protestant Lutheran Church,

H. KENNEDY, cashier of the Commercial National Bank, at Youngstown, was born on a farm in Coitsville township. Mahoning County. Ohio, in 1866, and is a sou of HI. G. and Esther E. (Stewart ) Kennedy. The father. H. G. Kennedy, was born in 1836, in Coitsville township. Mahoning County, and was a son of James Kennedy, who was a very early settler in this county. H. G. Kennedy went out with the first volunteers in 1861. and remained in the army until 1864. dying after- ward of fever contracted in the army. He married Esther E. Stewart, who had been renred on an adjoining farm in Coitsville township. She belonged to one of the old pioneer families of the county. Mr. Kennedy has one brother. C. F. Kennedy, of Chicago. Illinois,

C. H. Kennedy was six years old when he accompanied his mother to Youngstown, where he obtained his education. He was only .16 years ohl when he entered the Com- mercial National Bank as a collector. later he- came bookkeeper, then teller and assistant

cashier and finally cashier, having been identi- fed with this institution since 1882.

In 1888, Mr. Kennedy was married to Edith MI. Orr, who is a daughter of John S. Orr, and they have two children, Margaret M. and Kathryn. The family belongs to the Tabernacle United Presbyterian Church at Youngstown.

Mr. Kennedy is an active member of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, and he belongs to the Elks Club.

ADDISON M. CLARK. M. D., physi- cian and surgeon, at Youngstown. has been in active practice in this city since March, 188t. Dr. Clark was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

In 1877 Dr. Clark was graduated a Bach- clor of Science. from Washington and Jeffer- son College, and then entered the medical de- partment of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated and received his med- ical degree in March. 1880. After one year of practical work in the Western Pensylva- nia Hospital, at Pittsburg. Dr. Clark came to Youngstown, where he practiced alone until 1800, when he was associated for one year ' with Dr. HI. A. Zimmerman, Since 1900. Dr. Clark has been in partnership with his nephew. Dr. C. R. Clark, who is also a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. and since 19044 Dr. J. A. Sherhondy has been a mem- her of the firm. The latter graduated in 1902. at the Western Reserve University, at Cleve- land. The firm are physicians and surgeons to the Pittsburg & Lake Erie Railroad. and Dr. Addison M. Clark is one of the surgeons of the Pennsylvania and the Baltimore & Ohio Railroads. In October, 1887. Dr. Clark was married to Reinette Ford, of Mbany. New York, and they have two children, Margery and Edward Ford, the latter of whom is a student at Hotchkiss, Connecticut,

Dr. Clark is a 32nd degree Mason and an Elk. He belongs to the Youngstown and the Mahoning Golf Clubs, to the Rayen Club and

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to the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce. He was one of the prime movers in establish- ing the Youngstown City Hospital, having spent a great deal of valuable time in soliciting funds for the same, with the result that this city can now boast of one of the finest equipped hospitals in the state.

OSEPH KING, whose home in Berlin township is on the site of the old log house in which he was born 78 years ago, July 13. 1829, owns 170 acres of well-improved farming land and is one of the substantial men of this section. His parents were Jonathan and Lydia ( Kecke) King.

Jonathan King was an early settler in Ma- honing County, locating here in 1820. He was born January 5, 1804. in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. In 1826 he settled in Berlin township, where he resided until his death in 1896, passing away at the age of 92 years, being then the oklest resident of the township. His energy and industry were re- warded by the acquisition of a large property. For many years he operated a six-horse team over the route from Pittsburg and Cleveland to the mouth of the Huron River, which was largely patronized in his day. In 1825 he married Lydia Kecke, who was born in 1806. in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, accompanied her parents to Mahoning County in 1808, and died in 1875. They had ten children, five of whom reached maturity.

Joseph King passed his boyhood on the home farm and continued to carry on agricul- tural operations here until he entered the ser- vice of his country, May 8, 1864. At that time he was 34 years of age and had a be- loved wife and three children, but the call of duty was not to be ignored, and with as brave a heart as possible he marched away, a mem- ber of Company G. 155th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Although 43 years have passed away since that memorable year of the great Civil War, no surviving participant can forget its duties. experiences, hardships

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 93

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