Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 95

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 95

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Railroad and is a structure of four stories, 55 by 90 feet in dimensions, with adjacent ware- houses. Some 80 employes are engaged in the office and factory and 18 men are kept on the road.

On June 21, 1866, Mr. Fitch was married to Alice Packard, who is a daughter of the late Dr. John A. Packard, of Austintown, and they have four children, viz: Stella G., wife of Fred G. King; Minta M., wife of Rev. Walter S. Goode, pastor of the Central Chris- tian Church; Paul P. and John H., Jr., both with the Fitch Company.

Mr. Fitch is a prominent Republican and is a member of the Republican State Central committee.

7 ILLIAM P. LOVE, M. D. Few men have attained prominence and occupied so many positions of responsibility at so early an age as has Dr. William P. Love, of Youngstown. In youth he manifested a spe- cial taste and aptitude for military affairs, and when still a mere boy had earned such honors as to attract the notice of those in authority. As a physician he ranks as one of the best- educated and most thoroughly-informed men of his years in the profession. His college career was especially brilliant, and in the vari- ous schools that he attended he was always found at the head of his class.

The family of Dr. Love was founded in America by his great-grandfather, who emi- grated during the latter part of the eighteenth century and ended his days in the United States.

William Love, son of the last-named. was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, in 1793. He served as a soldier in the War of 1812, and died in 1884. Among his children was Andrew, father of Dr. William P. Love, who was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1838, and spent his life engaged in agricul- tural pursuits.

William P. Love was born on his father's

farm in Poland township, Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1870. After attending the district schools he entered, at the age of 18 years, the Northeastern Normal school at Canfield, where he remained for a short time. His further studies were pursued at Volant Academy, in Pennsylvania, and at Grove City College, also in that State, where he was graduated from the ancient classical and military departments in the class of '93. He was one of the three "honor men" in the military department, and was recommended to the adjutant-general of Pennsylvania and to the adjutant-general of the United States army as a distinguished ca- det. During his career at Grove City he served three years in the Cadet Corps, one year as first sergeant and one year as senior cap- tain. During the same period he was a pri- vate in Company F, 15th Regiment, Pennsyl- vania National Guards, and saw actual service with his command at the time of the Home- stead strike. In the fall of 1893, Dr. Love went to Baltimore and attended one session of the Baltimore Medical College, in that city. This was followed by a course in the medical department of the Western Reserve Univer- sity at Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1896, as president of his class. In 1897 he received the degree of A. M. from his alma mater at Grove City, which rounded out his academic career with the highest honor his college could confer. Dr. Love's professional education was completed by a course at the New York Post-Graduate College, the New York Polyclinic and the Philadelphia Poly- clinic.

In November, 1896, Dr. Love located at Youngstown, and on August 4, 1897, he was appointed captain and assistant surgeon of the 5th Infantry, O. N. G .; on May 4, 1898. he was promoted to the rank of major and sur- geon of the same regiment. On May 11, 1898, he was commissioned as surgeon of the 5th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with rank of major, and served in camp with that command at Tampa and at Fernandina, Flor- ida. until September 9th. He was not mus- tered out with his regiment, but was retained as a member of the examining board for the

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mustering out of the troops, and was thus engaged for about a month, receiving his dis- charge on November 26, 1898. In December. 1809. he re-entered the militia service as as- sistant surgeon of the 5th Regiment Ohio Na- tional Guard, with rank of captain, this being the position held by him when he first entered the military service. On April 28. 1903. he was made major and surgeon of the Ohio Na- tional Guard. He is a member of the Spanish- American War Veterans' Association, having held the rank of cokmel and aide-de-camp 10 Commander-in-chief General James B. Coryell, of Philadelphia, and was surgeon-general of the same organization with the rank of brig- adier-general. He is an active member of the Association of Military Surgeons of the United States. Politically he is a Republican. Fraternally he is a Knight Templar and 324 degree Mason. An earnest worker, he takes high rank in his profession, and his frank and genial manners make him popular in the society circles of Youngstown.

He is married and has one son, Wil- liam, Jr.

ESSE B. FITCII, a leading citizen and successful farmer and stock- raiser of Ellsworth township, resides on his well-improved farm of 130 acres. Mr. Fitch belongs to one of the oklest families of this section and he was born May 1, 1870. in Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Frank and Martha ( Mc- Neilly ) Fitch.

The paternal ancestors of Mr. Fitch were pioneers in the Western Reserve, settling in what is now Ellsworth township. more than 100 years ago. The great-grandfather. Rich- ard Fitch, was born in Connecticut, of old Colonial stock. In 1806 he same to this sec- tion which was then in Trumbull County, in company with his brothers, William and Charles Fitch. All took a very important part in organizing the township and establishing the first civilizing enterprises. . This may also be recorded of the maternal ancestors, James

and Elizabeth ( Trimble ) McNeilly. They were born in Ireland and in 1827 settled in Jackson township, Mahoning County, remov- ing to Ellsworth township in 1830. They lo- cated on the farm now occupied by James P. McNeilly, where they reared a large family. There the mother of Jesse B. Fitch was born May 1, 1845.

Frank Fitch, father of Jesse B., was born one-half mile north of Ellsworth Center, Ma- honing County, Ohio, in November, 1840, and died in January, 1904. He was a man of high character, in every relation of life deserving respect and esteem. During the Civil War he was a soldier in the 155th Regiment Ohio Vol- untcer Infantry. He married Martha Me- Neilly, who still survives, and they had five children, namely : Lizzie, who resides on the old homestead with her mother: Jesse B .; Charles, residing at Calla, Ohio, connected with the business house of Temple & Com- pany, married Jessie Kirk, daughter of R. M. Kirk, of Canfield, and they have one child. Josephine: Bertha, deceased; and John, who died aged 18 months.

Jesse B. Fitch was reared to an agricul- tural life and obtained a fair education in the district schools. After starting out for him- self he farmed for 12 years on the Colbert Fitch farm, but since the death of his father he has been operating the old home farm of 130 acres, carrying on general farming and dairying. Youngstown being his market. He is a thorough-going agriculturist and a firm believer in the virtues of the best stock and improved methods of farming. He keeps only the finest horses for farm purposes and raises registered Jersey cattle oply. His surround- ings indicate excellent management. The com- fortable residence is a commodious rural home and his barn and other buildings are substan- tial and well kept.

On December 28. 1892. Mr. Fitch was married to Amanda Knauf, who is a daughter of Sammel and Barbara Knauf, the former of whom was a well-known resident of Ellsworth township, now deceased. The mother of Mrs. Fitch was born in Germany. She still sur- vives. Mr. and Mrs. Fitch have four children,

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MYRON SOBIESKI CLARK, M. D.

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namely: Frank, born November 20, 1893; Odessa, born March 6, 1895; Frederick, born January 28, 1897; and Nora, born February 17. 1899. The children are all intelligent pu- pils in the neighboring school.

In politics, Mr. Fitch is a Republican, but his ambition has never been in the direction of political honors, his interests on the other hand being centered in his agricultural pur- suits. With his family he belongs to the Presbyterian Church.

m YRON SOBIESKI CLARK, M. D. In the fall of 1873 there located at Youngstown a young physician and surgeon of some years' experi- ence in general practice, a gradu- ate of the medical department of the Univer- sity of Michigan, who had not yet forgotten his year of service as hospital steward in the Civil War, finding a hearty welcome and im- mediately gaining a foothold which he has never lost. Dr. Clark was born October 9. 1840, at Gallipolis, Ohio, and is a son of Par- menas Pomerey and Sarah E. ( Barber) Clark.

Dr. Clark's parents were natives of Mas- sachusetts and members of old colonial fam- ilies. The father came to Ohio in 1834 and lived in this state all his life. The mother died in 1859, while the family were residing on a farm in Freedom. Portage County. The father, P. P. Clark. contracted a second mar- riage and subsequently removed to Wauseon, Fulton County. Dr. Clark was his eklest child.

From the common schools to an academy at Freedom, Ohio, and thence to Hiram Col- lege, Dr. Clark's boyhood and youth were sur- rounded by literary advantages, and after completing his course at the latter institution under the direct supervision of James A. Gar- field, then its president, he opened a select school at Windham, Portage County, in the vicinity of his father's home. The outbreak of the Civil War changed his whole course of life. in all probability, as it did many others

with whom his previous experiences had con- nected him, and at the close of his first half term of school he decided to enter the service of his beloved country, following his determi- uation by enlisting on October 21, 1861, in Company K (of which he was made corporal ), 41st Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The change to the exposures of army life brought him in a few months to a sick bed in the hos- pital, and at length necessitated his removal to his home, and his subsequent discharge on October 28, 1862, on account of general dis- ability.

Dr. Clark spent the succeeding year in teaching school and applying himself to the study of medicine, at Windham, Ohio. He entered the medical department of the Uni- versity of Michigan, in October, 1863, re- maining until April 1, 1864. Shortly after his return home he re-entered the army. en- listing as a private in Company I, 171st Regi- ment Ohio Volunteer Intantry, under what was known as the 100-day call. A little later he was commissioned hospital steward and ac- companied his regiment in all its later move- ments, suffering capture and being held as a prisoner until recaptured by troops under Gen- cral Burbridge. He was finally discharged August 21, 1864. He then returned to Ann Arbor and was graduated at the university on March 28, 1865. For some months Dr. Clark practiced at Austintown, Ohio, and then re- moved to Warren, where he remained until 1868, removing then to Bristolville, from which place he came to Youngstown, as pre- viously mentioned. In the more than a third of a century which has since passed, Dr. Clark has been more or less identified with many movements for the moral and material ad- vancement of the city. In his profession he has been honored all over the state by numer- ous medical organizations, his skill, combined with his personal attributes, gaining him the respect of his brother practitioners. In the encouragement of educational advancement and the promotion of moral enterprises, Dr. Clark has always been relied upon and in former years he willingly gave his valuable time to civic boards that had such objects.

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He continues to be one of Youngstown's act- ive practitioners and his home and offices are situated at Nos. 816-818 Elm street.

On May 9. 1867, at Hiram, Ohio. Dr. Clark was married to Hettie J. Smith, the ceremony being performed by Dr. L. L., Pink- erton, assisted by President James A. Gar- field, of Hiram College. Mrs. Clark, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work. is a daughter of Rev. John Tune and Esther (Cheyney) Smith, the former of whom was a very prominent minister of the Christian Church in Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Clark have had three children : Clayton A., born Septem- ber 25, 1874: James A., born June 10, 1878; and Louis Pinkerton, who was born July 9. 1880. Clayton and James are both deceased.

Politically Dr. Clark has always been a Republican. Fraternally he belongs to the higher and subordinate lodges of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has held important offices, and to the Ancient Order of Foresters of America, in which he has also been elected many times to the high- est offices. He has been equally prominent in the Independent Order of Foresters, and in the Sons of St. George. He has taken an act- ive part in Grand Army of the Republic coun- cils at Youngstown and has served in official position in Tod Post, No. 29, and is also a United States pension examiner by appoint- ment of President Roosevelt.

In 1858 Dr. Clark united with the Chris- tian Church at Hiram, Ohio, being immersed by James A. Garfield, and in 1875 he was ordained an elder of the Christian Church at Youngstown. His portrait appears on a neighboring page.

B. HALL, treasurer and manager of the Realty Trust Company, and secretary of the Mahoning County Abstract Company, with offices on the northeast corner of Central Square, Youngstown, was born in this city. in 1867.

After completing his education in the

Youngstown schools, Mr. Hall served in a clerical position with the Youngstown Rolling Mill Company, now the Carnegie or American Steel Hoop Company, for about 10 years. He then became clerk of the probate court un- der Judge George E. Rose. From this posi - tion he went to the Mahoning Abstract Com- pany and continued as manager until 1903. This company was established in 1892 by \. E. Adams, and Mr. Hall has been identified with it since 1896. In 1903 the Realty Trust Company was organized, mainly through Mr. Hall's efforts, and the outstanding capital of the Mahoning County Abstract Company was purchased by the Realty Trust. It was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, with John Stambaugh as president : H. M. Robinson, now of Pasadena, California, as vice president ; and W. B. Hall as secretary and treasurer. The business is to buy and sell real estate, execute private trusteeships, and a commission and brokerage business and to act as agents for property. Large blocks of land are bought and sales made according to de- sired investments. Mr. Hall is an active, as- tute business man and has other business in- terests in addition to those mentioned.

In 1898 Mr. Hall was united in marriage with Carrie H. McKinnie, who is a daughter of George McKinnie, of Youngstown.

€ MORY KALE. general merchant and farmer, located at the old Blanco postoffice. in Milton township, was born June 16, 1855. in Milton town- ship. Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of Solomon and Lydia ( Smith) Kale.

The paternal grandfather. Martin Kale, was one of the earliest settlers in Springfield township, where Solomon Kale was born in 1817. The latter passed the greater part of his life in Milton township, where he died at the age of 80 years, He married Lydia Smith, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to Mahoning County with her father. Henry Smith. when 12 years of age. He cleared np a farm in the southeast corner of

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Milton township on which he passed his life. There were six children born to Solomon Kale and wife, namely: Sarah, Reuben, Mary, Martin, Elizabeth and Emory, three of the above being deceased.

Emory Kale assisted on the home farmi and attended school until he was 18 years of age and then spent two years in other pursuits, returning at that time to the home farm on which he remained seven years. When 21 years old he married, and after leaving the homestead, in association with his wife, he bought 156 acres of land. For 22 years Mr. Kale has been improving and cultivating this property. Subsequently he and his wife started a store to supply the needs of their neighbors in the surrounding country and three years la- ter, Mr. Kale was appointed postmaster of what was known as the Blanco postoffice, and he continued as such until the establishment of the rural mail route. Mr. and Mrs. Kale have a fine home and well-stocked store, and all their buildings are solid and substantial.

On December 17, 1876, Mr. Kale was married to Mary Matilda Renkenberger, who is a daughter of Lewis Renkenberger, men- tion of whom will be found in the sketch of Jacob Helsel. Mr. and Mrs. Kale have had four children, namely: Harry, Theo (de- ceased), Burton and Zella. In politics, Mr. Kale is a Democrat.

J OHN BRENNER, president of the John Brenner Jewelry Company, at Youngstown, established this business and conducted it alone for 27 years, and enjoys the distinction of being the oldest continuous business man on Fed- eral street. Mr. Brenner was born in Europe and was 14 years of age when he accompa- nied his parents to Youngstown, Ohio,

Mr. Brenner entered the jewelry store of Mr. Bakody, in this city, where he learned the jewelry business, remaining with him for five years, engaging then in business for himself. beginning in a small room of 24 feet dinten- sions, on Federal street. This business has

expanded until it occupies the present com- nuxlions quarters on West Federal street. In 1904, Mr. Brenner had his business incorpo- rated, under the laws of Ohio, as the John Brenner Jewelry Company, with a capital stock of $20,000. The officers are: John Brenner, president, Conrad Brenner, vice pres- ilent, and Carl Brenner, secretary and treas- urer. A general business is done in diamonds, watches and all kinds of jewelry, a specialty being made of diamonds. The house stands very high in the trade and they are rated as reliable, first class men of business. Mr. Brenner is also president of the Youngstown Cattle Company, which is extensively inter- ested in the growing of cattle and fruit in Cuba, where they own a large amount of land. In the Youngstown Cattle Company he has as associate officers, F. W. Young, of Mineral Ridge, as vice president, and Albert H. Buehrle, as secretary and treasurer. Since its organization, Mr. Brenner has been president of the Masonic Temple Company.

In 1879 Mr. Brenner was married to Mary Wellendorf, of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and they have one daughter, Irma, who is the wife of B. Frank Thomas, of J. R. Thomas Sons. The family belongs to the First Re- formed Church, in which Mr. Brenner has been an elder for many years. Fraternally. Mr. Brenner is a 32nd degree Mason and has been treasurer of Western Star Lodge for 12 years. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce, belonging to the committees on streets and membership. He is a man of great public spirit, energy and enterprise and stands as a representative business man of this city.

ILLIAM MAY, the owner and operator of the New Springfield Basket Factory, a large and im- portant industry of this place, is one of the foremtost citizens of the town. Mr. May was born in U'nity township. Columbiana County, Ohio, May 4, 1849, and is a son of Israel and Rebecca ( Harrold) May.

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The history of the May family in Spring- field township, dates back to William May, the grandfather, who came to this section in young manhood, locating three-fourths of a mile south of New Springfield, where he acquired 200 acres of land and became a prosperous farmer, Israel May, father of William and son of William, the name being one particu- larly favored in the May family, was born in Springfield township. Mahoning County, Ohio, and died while his children were yet young. He purchased a farm of 50 acres, in L'uity township. Columbiana County, which he subsequently sold and bought one of 84 acres in Springfield township. on which he lived until his death. He married Rebecca Harrold, who was born near New Waterford. Columbiana County, Ohio, who was an aunt of Joseph Harrold, a sketch of whom appears in this work. To this marriage four children were born. the two survivors being: William May, of New Springfield, and Medina, who is the wife of Manassas Smith, also residing at New Springfield. Mrs. May was married sub- sequently to George Kuntz, and to that mar- riage were born two sons and four daughters. namely: Charles, residing at East Palestine: Mrs. Sarah Crider, residing at Girard. Ohio; Solomon, residing at Youngstown; Mrs. I.n- cinda Leish, deceased: Mrs. Amanda Wetzel, residing at Columbiana : and Alice, who is the widow of Elmer Rupert.

The parents of William May removed from Colombiana to Mahoning county in his infancy, and he was reared on the home farm two miles south of New Springfield. Owing to the fact that his father died when he was small. he had but limited educational oppor- tunities, but his few chances were improved and the progress he made in mathematics was remarkable. his natural bent being in the mak- ing and solving of problems which required mathematical precision of the highest order. As a boy he could fashion puzzling bits of mechanism, out of indifferent materials, which he would put together and deiy any one to im- itate. It is said of him that after watching some mien working on a six-piece puzzle. he was able to construct it for himself, without

ever having had it in his hands. Such natural talent as this was bound to result in success outside the walls of a school room. Mr. May in boyhood built a puzzle of 16 different pieces, which he still keeps, he being the only mme who has ever known how to reconstruct it. although it has been submitted to many expert "puzzle-solvers." He had some thought of placing this puzzle on the market, but its di !- ficulty of solution made its sale doubtful and he gave up the idea.

Mr. May was 16 years old when he left home and started out for himself, working first as a carpenter and later as a molder, al- though he never had a day's training in either industry, his natural talent enabling him to successfully compete with those who had served long apprenticeships. In 1871 he came to New Springfield and conducted a foundry for about eight years, after which he em- barked in a saw-mill business, and operated extensively some to years ago, when he turned his attention to his present enterprise. and he- gan the manufacture of fruit baskets. At first he made the peck and half bushel sizes. He now manufactures only full quart baskets, un- like many other manufacturers who turn out a scant quart, which is a fraud on the public. Mr. May has been in large measure, rewarded for his honesty, as he has been wonderfully successful. and he undoubtedly enjoys the confidence of those with whom he has large business dealings. His beginning was in a small way, his first building being a space 40 by 45 feet in which he put an engine, boiler and planer. To this he added 30 by 100 feel. and still later. as the growing business de- manded. 30 by 40 feet, all equipped with first- class machinery. He also has large lumber sheds and two commodions store rooms, in which he carries a stock of 1.500,000 baskets. These he ships on order, the product going mainly to Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, although there is a good de- mand also in Michigan and South Dakota, while trade is extending through other States. The plant operates eight machines and em- ployment is given to many workmen, and the distribution of wage money is very large, re-

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sulting in proportionate prosperity to New Springfield.

On August 24. 1878, Mr. May was mar- ried to Christine Celestia Gephardt, who was born one mile east of New Springfield, and is a daughter of Michael and Elizabeth (Wolf) Gephardt. The father of Mrs. May was born in Germany and was nine years old when he accompanied fiis parents to America. He clied in 1890. aged 86 years. He was married (first ) to Elizabeth Muckenfus, and they had the following children : Mrs. Caroline Royer. deceased ; Annie, residing in Maryland ; Lewis, residing in British Columbia: Mrs. Kate Ilas- ness, residing at Canton, Ohio; Jacob. de- ceased; Mrs. Mary Waldele, residing in Osage County, Kansas; Mrs. Elizabeths Snapp, resid- ing in Alabama: Mrs. Louisa Stacy, residing near Coitsville. Ohio; and Paulina, who died young. Mr. Gephardt was married ( second) to Elizabeth Wolf, and they had three chil- dren, namely: Amelia Sophronia, who mar- ried John Russell, residing at Industry, Penn- sylvania : Mrs. May : and Josephine, who mar- ried John Brenneman, residing at Canton. The mother of Mrs. May died in 1895.

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Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens, Part 95

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