Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 94

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 94

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and dangers. Mr. King's record is one full of interest. Immediately after the regiment was mustered in, it was ordered to New Creek, West Virginia, and on its arrival was sent to Martinsburg, where it performed garrison and escort duty until June 3. 1864. From there the Regiment was ordered to Washington City and from there to White House Landing. thence to Bermuda Landing and then to City Point. remaining at the latter place until the 29th of June, when it was ordered to Norfolk, Virginia, and placed on duty in an entrenched camp. Company G was also sent to Cape Henry to guard a light-honse. On July 26. 5co men of the 155th Regiment, with other troops, made an expedition to Elizabeth City. North Carolina, subsequently returning to Norfolk, where they remained until August 19. when the whole command was ordered to Ohio and Mr. King was mustered out of the service, August 27. 1864. Exposure caused him to contract kidney trouble, and as his hearing was also impaired, he remained in the Hospital at Camp Dennison for ten days after his discharge. Ile was bass drummer of his regiment and carried the best drum. By an act of the legislature passed April 2, 1866, the regiment was honorably discharged from ser- vice in the Ohio National Guards. Mr. King prizes a card of thanks which he received from President Lincoln, for his performance of duty during his term of service.

In 1852, Mr. King had commenced to pur- chase his farm and after he returned to it he resumed farming, stock-raising and dairying. in the latter industry operating but lightly. Hle resides in a part of what was the okl house built by his father, to which he has added and improved into a comfortable, commodious. modern residence. All of the old buildings on the farm he has moved, with the exception of the frame of the barn, which shows the stanch kind of building done almost a century ago,

On May 6. 1852, in Milton township. Mr. King was married to Lucinda Greenanyer, who was born May 29. 1830. and died May 20. 1002. She was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Monasmith) Greenamyer. Mrs.

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King was born in Milton township, Mahoning County. Ohio, where her parents then lived, but they subsequently removed to the vicinity of East Lewistown. Mr. and Mrs. King had five children, namely: Warren H., residing at Warren, Ohio, a machinist, has a family that includes three danghters: Samantha, who is her father's companion on the old farm; Orvie T., residing near North Jackson, a sta- tionary engineer and farmer, had two dangh- ters and two sons: Luella E., who is a talented musician, who graduated in music at the Lima Lutheran College in 1897. has been a teacher of music since she was 18 years old: and S Alberta, residing at Youngstown, who is a stenographer in the general office of the Youngstown Engineering Company. She also is an accomplished musician.

The death of the beloved mother of this family was a severe blow to every member of it. Mr. King recalls her conrage in time of war when he was called from the heartli- stone, how she bravely cared for their little ones and kept the home while he was facing sickness and danger. Hers was a beautiful character, one which attracted esteem and won affection. From early life she had been united with the Lutheran Church, to which Mr. King and his children also belong.

Politically Mr. King has always been iden- tified with the Republican party and has con- sistently supported its candidates and furth- ered its principles, although he has not desired political office for himself.

W. GRANT. secretary and treasurer of the Youngstown Savings and Banking Company, at Youngstown. Ohio, was born at Youngstown in 1870. and is a son of Arthur and Mary (Brown) Grant. Arthur Grant was born at Belfast, Ireland, and located at Youngstown in 1865. where he has resided ever since. He married Mary Brown, who was born at Painesville, Ohio, and they have reared a family of eight children.

After completing his education. H. W.

Grant became bookkeeper for G, M. McKelvey & Company, remaining with that firm for 13 years, and for seven years was with the Youngstown Dry Goods Company. When the Youngstown Savings and Banking Company was organized and incorporated, Mr. Grant became secretary and treasurer and has re- tained official position until the present, giving to the bank all his services.

The Youngstown Savings and Banking Company is not an old organization, but it is backed by large capital, and the names of its officers carry the weight of large experience and sterling integrity. It began business on March 18, 1905. after being organized by H. W. Grant, its object being the carrying ou of a general banking business. Its capital stock is $100,000, and its officers are: W. T. Gib- son. president ; W. R. Leonard, vice-president ; and H. W. Grant, secretary and treasurer. The confidence of the public in this institution has been shown in marked degrec, and busi- ness has prospered from the first.

On May 1. 1900. Mr. Grant was married to Mary Mullane, of Youngstown, Ohio, and they have four children. Mr. Grant and fam- ily belong to the St. Columba's Catholic Church. He is a member of the Elks and of the Knights of Columbus.

A INDREW KALE, one of the represen- ttive farmers and highly respected citizens of Berlin township, was born in a log cabin, in Columbiana Conn- ty, Ohio. in 1837. and is the only chill of Andrew and Susan ( Berkey ) Kale. the former of whom was a native of Ohio, and died in lowa. The litter died in Mahoning County, Ohio,

Andrew Kale grew to manhood in Mahon- ing Conuty and followed farming in Berlin township until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in Company G. 155th Regi- ment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, on his 27th birthklay. He followed the fortunes of his reg- iment from Camp Dennison to Virginia, and served for over four months, having enlisted

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for go days, and was mustered out at Fortress Monroe, being discharged on account of dis- ability. He then returned to the farm which he had purchased before going into the army, which was located one mile west of his pres- ent farm, and continued to reside on it for sev- eral years. After selling that property he bought his present place of 48 acres, which is situated two miles north and one mile east of Berlin Center. Here he has engaged in gen- eral farming, and in 1875 he built the pretty little house in which he and his family reside. reside.

Mr. Kale was married in February, 1859, to Lydia Aun Baum, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Philip and Margaret ( Wilson) Bamn, both of whom died when she was eight years old. Mr. and Mrs. Kale have two children: Warren II., who is county commissioner of Mahoning County; and Mary J., who married W. I. Felnogle, of Berlin township.

Mr. Kale is quarter-master of the Asher Kirkbride Post, No. 600, Grand Army of the Republic. Politically he is a liberal-minded Republican. He has served several terms both as assessor and trustee of Berlin township.

ILLIAM S. ANDERSON, a well- known attorney at Youngstown, senior member of the law firm of Anderson, McNab & Anderson, is identified with numerous business enterprises of this section, and owns a valua- able farm of 750 acres. Mr. Anderson was born December 31. 1848, and is a son of Da- vid and Hannah (Shaw ) Anderson.

David Anderson, father of William S., came from Ireland when he was about 16 years of age, and through energy and industry became a successful business man, engaged in merchandising, farming and cattle-raising. He died in 1890. He married Hannah Shaw, who was a daughter of Dr. William Shaw, of New Castle, Pennsylvania.

William S. Anderson was reared through boyhood on his father's farm, but was afforded

educational opportunities at Canfield, Poland, Salem, Jackson and other points, and read law with the firm of Hutchins & Glidden, at War- ren, Ohio. In 1870, he was admitted to the bar and practiced at Canfield until the county seat was removed to Youngstown, when he came to this city. His first partner was Judge L. W. King, and the firm of Anderson & King continued until Judge King was called to the bench. Then Mr. Anderson entered into asso- ciation with A. J. Woolf, under the firm name of Anderson & Woolf, which continued for five years, when the name became Jones & An- derson, which continued until 1903. Subse- quently Mr. Anderson admitted his son to partnership and since January 1, 1906, the firm has been Anderson, McNab & Anderson. Mr. Anderson is a prominent member of the Mahoning County Bar Association. In early life he took an active part in politics but has never consented to be a candidate for office.

In 1866. Mr. Anderson was married to Louise M. Shields, who is a daughter of An- drew Shields, one of the pioneer families of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have four children, viz: Blanche, William N., Randall Il., and Anna. William N. Anderson gradu- ated at the Rayen High School and also stud- ied at Hudson Academy, then read law with his father and was admitted to the bar in 1894. Randall H. Anderson is a member of the pres- ent state legislature from Mahoning County and is engaged in running his father's stock- farin. making a specialty of fine cattle. Mr. Anderson is an Elk.

J JOHN ROBISON, trustee of Milton township and one of the leading citi- zens of his community, resides on a valuable farnt of 150 acres which fronts on the Mahoning river, across which lay the former large possessions of his ancestors, who were the first settlers in this section. Mr. Robison was born in Milton township, Mahoning County, Ohio, August 31, 1846, and is a son of Edward and Ar- minda (Cole) Robison.

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PATRICK M. KENNEDY

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Edward Robison was of Irish parentage. The family came to America at the time of the land seizure troubles, settling in Ohio, where the father of John Robison was born. He resided for a time on the farm now owned by his son, then moved to Palmyra, later to Al- liance and then returned to Palmyra, where he died in 1873, aged 45 years. He married Arminda Cole, who was born in Ohio, and still survives, having reached her gist birth- day. She is a daughter of Jacob W. and Han- nah (Elsner) Cole, and a granddaughter of Jacob V. Cole. a native of Holland, who set- tled in New Jersey, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Jacob W. Cole was born in Orange County, New Jersey. In 1804 he came to Milton township, following Indian trails, on horseback, and was the first school teacher in this section. He purchased 640 acres of land along the Mahoning River, lying opposite the farm of his grandson, John Robison.

When he was two years old, the parents of Mr. Robison moved to Palmyra, Portage County, where they lived until he was 12 years old, when they settled at Alliance, where he obtained the larger part of his education. A few years later his father moved on a farm near Palmyra, on which his venerable mother still lives. When 16 years of age, Mr. Robi- son learned the mason trade, which he has followed more or less all his life. His father was also a mason, and by the time he was 16 years of age had built a brick house. Mr. Robison's skill in this line has been frequently and specially recognized by building commit- tees entrusted with the contruction of public edifices, and he is serving as a member of the court house buikling committee. In 1881 he purchased his present farm and he has been steadily improving his property ever since. He has a very attractive home and beautiful sur- roundings, the location giving a most inspir- ing view up and down the river.

In 1871 Mr. Robison was married to Ellen Corbett, who is a daughter of Leonard and Louisa (lewis) Corbett, old settlers of Pal- myra. Mr. and Mrs. Robison have three chil-

dren: Warren J., W. Perry and Jessie A., the latter of whom is an adopted daughter,

In politics Mr. Robison is a Democrat. For a number of years during his residence in Portage County, he served as justice of the peace, a position he now fills, and for over 20 years he has been on a school board, working for and securing a special district, both in Portage and Mahoning counties.

P ATRICK M. KENNEDY, president of the Home Saving and Loan Cont- pany, of Youngstown, Ohio, has been prominently identified with the business interests of this city for many years. Mr. Kennedy was born in Ire- land, on May 2, 1852, and is a son of Patrick and Catherine ( Maher) Kennedy, who were natives of Ireland. They emigrated to Ameri- ca in 1852, when their son Patrick was a babe of two months. Of their twelve children, but four survive. The father remained with his family in New York for some two years and then came to Youngstown, Ohio, where his death occurred on November 27, 1879.

Patrick M. Kennedy was reared and edu- cated at Youngstown and until the death of his father, he remained assisting him in his Imisiness operations. Later he removed to the country, where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for eighteen years. He then returned to Youngstown, in 1806 establishing himself licre in a real estate and loan business. For sixteen years prior to becoming its president, Mr. Kennedy had been a stockholder and di- rector in the Home Saving and Loan Com- pany. In 1900 he succeeded John R. Davis as president of this financial institution, which is one of the prominent features of the pros- perons business life of Youngstown. For this position he is well qualified, and he gives to this banking company the same conservative care which has made him successful in his private concerns. Fraternally Mr. Kennedy belongs to the great organization, the Knights of Columbus, which has members at every

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point where the Catholic Church, of which he is a consistent adherent, has a footing. He rsides at No. 250 Arlington avenue, Youngs- town. His portrait herewith published will be welcomed by his numerous friends throughout the county.

J HARRIS MCEWEN, cashier of the Mahoning National Bank and presi- dent of the Youngstown Clearing House Association, has been identi- fied with the financial interests of Youngstown and vicinity throughout his en- tire business life. He was born in this city in 1842, and is a son of James and Elizabeth ( Fitch ) McEwen.

The late James McEwen was born at Elk- town, Cecil County, Maryland, and for some 40 years was connected with the old Pennsyl- vania and Ohio.Canal Company, of which he was president at the time of his death, in 1872, when 73 years of age. He was also a director in the Mahoning County Bank, which was the first bank established at Youngstown. For many years he was prominent also in politics and was honored by the Democratic party with the nomination for congress. Hle mar- ried Elizabeth Fitch, who died in 1860. They reared three children, viz: J. Harris, of Youngstown; John Fitch, who died in 1898, had been cashier of a bank at Spokane, Wash- ington, for a mimber of years; and Mary L., who is the wife of Dr. John MeCurdy, of Youngstown. Ohio.

J. Harris MeEwen was educated in his native city and from the school-room went into the old Mahoning County Bank, and has been connected with banking ever since. This bank was organized in 1868. by the late Governor Tod, as a savings institution, and in 1877 was merged into the Mahoning National Bank. Mr. McEwen's association with the bank as cashier dates from 1868. He is also a direc- tor in the First National Bank and is a stock- holder in various other successful business enterprises.

Mr. McEwen was married in 1883 to Florence Rayen, who is a daughter of John

Rayen. of Trumbull County. Ohio, and a niece of Judge William Rayen, who founded the Rayen High School at Youngstown, and was one of the most prominent men of this city, one of its capitalists and philanthropists. Mrs. McEwen is a member of the First Presbyter- ian Church.

As a public spirited citizen, Mr. McEwen has always been interested in the developing of Youngstown's resources. He is vice-presi- cent of the Reuben McMillan Library Asso. ciation.

R C. STEESE, secretary and genera! superintendent of the Brier Hill Iron and Coal Company, president of the North Heights Land Company, vice- president of the Brier Hill Coke Company and a director in the Dollar Savings Bank, belongs to a notable group of business men whose enterprise and industry have brouglit great prosperity to Youngstown, Ohio. He was born at Akron, Ohio, in December. 1867.

Mr. Steese spent his boyhood at the vari- ons points where his parents made their home. and he was educated at Akron, Cleveland and i later in Tennessee. His first business connec- tion was with the Dayton Coal & Iron Com- pany of Dayton, Tennessee, which he left to enter the Case School of Applied Science at Cleveland, Ohio, in the meantime working for J. H. Cremer, of Cleveland. In 1890 he came to Youngstown, and entered the employ of the Brier Hill Iron & Coal Company as chemist, remaining with them in that position for one year, when he was made superintendent and subsequently general superintendent of this important industry and large corporation. In 1 addition to the various positions held by Mr. Steese as mentioned above, he is also a direc- tor in the Youngstown & Southern Railway. He is a valued member of the Chamber of Commerce, and belongs also to the Youngs- town Club and the Mahoning Golf Club.

In 1894 Mr. Steese was married to Lora Bucklin, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Caroline.

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RANK HITCHCOCK, president of the Andrews & Hitchcock Iron Com- pany, one of the most extensive in- dustries of Youngstown, Ohio, was born in this city, and has been more or less identified with it all his life, the excep- tion being the time spent at school in Massa- chusetts.

The large business at which Mr. Hitch- cock is the head, was established in 1859 by C. H. Andrews and William J. Hitchcock, now both deceased. For many years they were two of the leading spirits in the great iron industry of the Mahoning Valley, and more extended mention of these business pio- neers will be found in another part of this volume.

The Andrews & Hitchcock Iron Company was incorporated in 1892, with a capital stock of $400.000. The officers of the company are Frank Hitchcock, president; W. J. Hitchcock. vice-president and superintendent, and H. W. Heedy, secretary and treasurer. The com- pany is engaged in the manufacture of Hub- bard Scotch foundry products and Bessemer pig iron.

Mr. Hitchcock was united in marriage with Bertha R. Cowles, of Utica, New York, who is a daughter of George O. Cowles. They are members of St. John's Episcopal Church, in which Mr. Hitchcock is a vestryman.

FANK KNAUF, whose well-in- proved farin of 55 acres is situated in Ellsworth township. four miles southwest of Caufield, is a successful nurseryman and florist. He was born .August 15. 1856. in Ellsworth town- ship. Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Hannah (Goodman) Knauf.

Joseph Knauf, father of Frank, was born in 1827. in Green township. Mahoning Conn- ty, Ohio, and was a son of Nicholas Knanf. The latter was brought to Mahoning County in chikllaxxl. by the Beard family, who trav- eled over the mountains from Pennsylvania. in great covered wagons and settled in the 39

dense forest which then covered almost all this territory. It is probable that Nicholas Knauf was an orphan. He grew to manhood in Mahoning County and started one of the first mills in this section. It was run by water power and was a great convenience to the settlers for miles around. The old mill structure is still standing on what is known as the John Unger iarm, through which an electric railroad line has been surveyed, but doubtless this old landmark will soon be re- moved. Frank Knauf remembers many oc- casions when he and his boyhood companions hathed in the cool waters which served to turn the great mill wheel. There were IO of the children of Nicholas Knauf who grew to maturity, namely: Sarah, who married John Unger; Lydia, who married John Ew. ing: Elizabeth, residing in Tennessee, who married Abraham Bair: Annie, who married Michael Cronick : Mrs. Daniel Goodman : Jo- seph; Sammel: John; Jacob, and Eli, resid- ing in Pennsylvania. Nicholas Knauf and wife died in advanced years.

Joseph Knauf was reared on his father's farm and assisted him in his mill business. In early manhood he married Hannah Goodman, who was a daughter of William Goodman, a pioneer in Green township. They had seven children. namely: Elizabeth, who married ( first ) Jacob Hively, and (second) Jacobs Toot; Isaac: Lydia, who married John H. Lower; Nicholas; Frank: Alice, who died in 1881 ; and Martin, residing at Tacoma, Wash- ington.

After marriage. Joseph Knauf moved to a farm in Ellsworth township, adjoining the present farm of Frank Knauf, which Nicholas Knauf had purchased for his son, and on this farm Joseph Knauf lived until his death. in 1881. His widow still survives and continues to reside there. Joseph Knauf was one of the township's substantial citizens. Ile owned land in Pennsylvania and also in Goshen town- ship together with his land in Ellsworth town- ship. Politically he was a Republican and hell township offices at various times,

Frank Knauf obtained his education in the clistrict schools and remained at home until

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his marriage, when he came into possession of his present farm as a part of his father's estate. Mr. Knauf makes a specialty of nur- sery and greenhouse stock, and has equip- ments on his farm for the growing of all varieties of plants and fruit and other trees. He disposes of his stock mainly in Youngs- town, having his place of business on West . Federal street. He has made many fine im- provements on his property, including the building of a commodious frame residence, in 1881, and does enough general farming to supply his own wants.

In September, 1880, Mr. Knauf was mar- ried to Mary E. Winans, who is a daughter of Austin and Mary ( Broadswoard) Winans, and was born in Ellsworth township, in No- vember, 1858. Her father died in 1886. Mr. and Mrs. Knauf have two children, Herbert and Nellie .M. The former operates his grand- mother's farm of 79 acres. He married Emma Goodman.

J OHN H. FITCH. In noting the leading commercial factors at Youngs- town, where particularly prosperous business conditions are apparent, prominent mention should be made of John H. Fitch, who is either at the head or owns a controlling interest in many of the successful enterprises here. He is president of the John H. Fitch Wholesale Grocery Com- pany, president of the Youngstown Ice Com- pany, a director in the Youngstown Dry Goods Company, a director in the Dollar Sav- ings and Trust Company, president of the Ohio Merchandise Company, president of the Belmont Cemetery Association, a member of the board of trustees of the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, and was formerly president of the People's Bank, prior to its merger with the Dollar Savings and Trust Company.

Mr. Fitch was born on his father's farin in Austintown township, Mahoning County. Ohio. February 5. 1843. and was educated mainly in the local schools, although he en-

joyed one term at Hiram College at the time that James A. Garfield was president of that institution. At the age of 15 years he be- came a clerk in a store at Austintown Center, in which he bought a half interest in March, 1865, entering into partnership with a Mr. Crum, under the firm style of Crum & Fitch. In 1871 he purchased the Crum inter- est, and in 1880 he sold a half interest to L. W. Raver and Joseph Smith, the firm becom- ing Fitch, Smith & Company. Mr. Fitch sub- sequently went to Leetonia and bought a half interest in the Company store there, operating it for three years. He then returned to Aus- tintown for two years' further residence. In the spring of 1885 he came to Youngstown.

In May, 1885, John H. Fitch and John T. McConnell, under the firm name of Fitch & McConnell, embarked in a grocery business at Youngstown. On June 1, 1886, Samuel Phipp entered the firm, and a change was made to Fitch, McConnell & Phipp, but in July, 1893. Mr. Phipp retired and the old firm style was resumed. In August, 1895, Mr. Fitch purchased Mr. McConnell's inter- est and the business name became John H. Fitch. On January 1, 1901, the business was incorporated, Mr. Fitch desiring to give some of his faithful associates blocks of stock, part- ly as a mark of confidence and also as a busi- ness incentive. The capital stock of the com- pany is $300.000, with John H. Fitch as pres- ident, Paul P. Fitch, as vice president, Fred G. King, as treasurer, and Charles W. Scha- fer, as secretary.

In 1902, the Fitch Company bought out the wholesale grocery firm of Baldwin, Hol- comb & Company, their line being coffee, spices and manufactured extracts, and since then the Fitch Company has given consider- able attention to the extension of their coffee trade. They have enlarged this department of their business and have fine quarters on the corner of Watt and the Erie Railroad, doing business as the John H. Fitch Coffee Com- pany. The main plant is a commodious brick building, 220 by 51 feet, having 78,000 square feet of floor space here. The factory is lo- cated on the corner of Watt and the Erie

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 94

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