USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Twentieth Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County Ohio and Representative Citizens > Part 96
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Mr. and Mrs. May have had four children : A babe that died unnamed: Iva, residing at home : and Oscar Otto and Milton, who assist their father in the basket works.
In addition to his other interests. Mr. May has acquired large timber tracts, from which he secures the material used in his factory. He purchased a desirable tract of land. compris- ing four acres, at New Springfield, and in 1905 he completed a beautiful modern home here, containing to rooms, all of them finished throughout in quarter-sawed oak. It is one of the finest homes in this section. Mr. May was one of the organizers of the New Springfield Creamery and is still financially interested in it. Hle is a good citizen in all that the word implies, but has never been very active in pol- ities. In local affairs he supports the man of whom he most approves, but in national mat- ters, he votes with the Republican party. Per- haps it is unnecessary to add. after the above brief sketch of Mr. May's business career, that in his success rests both a lesson and an in-
spiration. Notwithstanding his natural tal- ents, if prudence, industry and perseverance had not accompanied them he would scarcely have become the head of the large industry which has carried his name to almost every part of the Union, and that because of early disadvantages, no young man, on the thresh- hold of life, need feel discouragement.
J OHN E. GRAY. general farmer, dairyman and breeder of Jersey cat- tle, residing on a valuable farm in section 6, Coitsville township, was born in Trumbull County. Ohio, Jan- mary 27, 1839, and is a son of George and Jane ( Early ) Gray.
The Gray family originated in Holland and the founder of the family in America was an Adam Gray, who settled in New Jersey, 14 generations in the past. Amos Gray, a de- scendant of Adam and grandfather of John E., was born in New Jersey and came to Ohio in 1804, crossing the mountains in a wagon drawn by oxen. He penetrated to Youngs- town when the place was represented by three log cabins and after a short stay there he pro- ceeded to Liberty township. Trumbull Conn- ty, just across the line from Malumning Coun- ty. He was a stone-mason by trade and a brick worker, but at that time no brick were burned in that section, so that his work nar- rowed down to cutting stone and building chimneys. In a few years he moved to Coits- ville township and bought a farm about one mile north of the farm of the subject of this sketch, remaining on that property until his death. At that time the whole country was one vast timber tract, and he had to clear a space on which to erect his log house and barn which were acknowledged to be the best in the township.
The children of Amos Gray were the fol- lowing: Mrs. Margaret Sippy. Mrs. Cath- erine Krahl, George, Jesse. Mrs. Mary Ann Kirk, David, Mrs. Sophia Dumuscomb, Stewart and Amos Sutton.
George Gray, father of John E., was born
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in New Jersey, in 1802, and was two years old when he accompanied his parents to Youngs- town. He was his father's helper in all his pursuits. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Fowler township, Trumbull County, where he lived for a few years and then returned to Coitsville township, and after his father's death he bought the old homestead. His use- ful life was prolonged into old age, his death occurring in 1884, when 82 years of age. George Gray was married (first) to Louisa Ciglor, and they had three children, namely : Mrs. Aurilla Stewart, deceased; Mrs. Mary Predmore, of Youngstown : and Louisa, who died in childhood. Mr. Gray was married ( second) to Jane Early, who was born in 1803 and died in 1875. She was a daughter of Thomas Early, who came to America from Ireland, accompanied by his family, and landed at Philadelphia with but small capital. In Dublin he had learned the weaver's trade, at which he was very expert, having worked in various cities, and being able to weave fancy patterns in colors very artistically. In the new land to which he had come he found to demand for his skilled services. After placing his wife and. two children in a room he had provided for them, and supplying them with the necessaries for the winter, he started out in search of work of any kind, with no money but an English shilling in his pocket. At Ten Mile. Pennsylvania, he secured work as a thresher with a flail and sent for his family who made the journey in an ox cart. By most remarkable economy he managed to ac- quire enough money to buy a few acres of land near Struthers, in Coitsville township, but in a short time removed further north in the township and purchased a farm which is on the line of Youngstown township. By this time he had found work at his trade, and it is recorded of him that he would lahor all day in the fields and remain up half the night weaving. To his hardly-earned acres he kept adding until at the time of death he owned 300 acres of valuable land. The children of George and Jane ( Early) Gray were: Jolm E. : Mrs. Lucinda Wise, deceased : Mrs. Minerva How- clls, of Butte. Montana : Thomas H., residing
at Youngstown; George M., of Sioux City, Iowa.
John E. Gray was four years old when his father moved from Fowler township to Coits- ville township, where he has passed all his subsequent life, with the exception of six years spent in Stark County, during four of which he was in a dry goods business at Waynes- burg and two in the sewing machine business at Massillon, He formerly cultivated 100 acres, but has recently sold about 50 acres as town lots, a very profitable transaction. He has had much success in the breeding of fine Jersey cattle.
June 12, 1867. Mr. Gray married Cor- nelia A. Slusser, who was born and reared at Massillion, Ohio. Her parents were William Foster and Harriet (Borland) Slusser, both natives of Stark County, Ohio, the father born March 7. 1822. and the mother July 8. 1827.
The Slussers were of German extraction and formerly spelled their family name Schlosser, but after the grandfather, Peter Schlosser, came to Stark County, the name was simplified and spelled as it now is. The Slussers moved from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Stark County, Ohio, in 1805. William Foster Slusser and his wife spent sixty-two years in their home in Tuscarawas township, Stark County, and then came to spend their last years at the home of their daughter, Mrs. Gray. The mother died March 31. 19-, and the father a few years later, May 13. 1907. Mrs. Gray was their only child. Mr. and Mrs. Gray have one son, En- gene S., who is in business with the McCain Realty Company.
OSEPH W. OSBORN, a successful agriculturist of Milton township. re- siding on a farm of 122 acres, was born January 8. 1849. in Milton town- ship, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of John W. and Mary ( Harclerode ) Os- born.
Nicholas Osborn, the great-grandfather of
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Joseph W., was a native of England and first located in Virginia, after coming to America. He married Margaret Cunuard and in 1804 they came to Ohio, where he purchased a tract of 1,000 acres in what is now Youngstown township, upon which they resided during the rest of their lives. Joseph Osborn, the grand- father, was born in Virginia and came to Ohio with his parents. He married Margaret Wolf- cale and continued to reside here until his death, which occurred February 17, 1846.
John Osborn, father of Joseph W., was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, where he was reared, attended the district schools and learned the carpenter trade, at which he worked until after his marriage, when he en- gaged in farming in Ellsworth township for several years. He subsequently removed to Milton township and located on the farm now owned by W. A. Reed. He died on this farm in 1874, aged about 70 years. He was a Democrat in politics and held many of the minor township offices. He married Mary Harclerode, who also died on this farm, in her 78th year. They had a family of seven chil- dren, namely : Mary, Alfred, Jane. Margaret, Joseph W., Sarah, and William. Alfred, Jane and Sarah are deceased.
Joseph W. Osborn was born and reared on his father's farm in Milton township. He was educated in the district schools and later taught school during the winter months and worked on the farm in the summers until 26 years of age. After his marriage he operated the home tarm for two years and then pur- chased his present property, which was known as the James Moore farm, which originally contained 110 acres. This is one of the okt- settled farms of this section, Isaac Winans lo- cating on the land in 1804. when the whole casteru part of Milton township was still un- settled, and his dugout can yet be seen, The land has been under the plow for over 100 years, and is still one of the most productive farms in the township. Mr. Osborn has greatly improved the place since he located on it.
In 1878 Mr. Osborn was married to Lucy Carson, who was born in Milton township, and died in February. 1907, aged 48 years.
They had four children, namely: George Em- mett, Ida E., Edna Fronia and Marta V. George Emmett is cashier at the depot of the Lake Shore Railroad, at Youngstown. He married Lola Creed, who was reared in Milton township, and they have three children : Leun, Kenneth and Dean. Ida E., the eldest dangh- ter, married Arthur Gillmer, who is a prom- inent farmer of Milton township, and they have two children : Irma and Blanche. Edna Fronia, the second daughter, married Channcy A. Rose, who is engaged in farming in Jack- son township. Marta V. resides at home.
Mr. Osborn is a Republican in politics, and for a number of years has been township committeeman of his party. He has served as township assessor, was township clerk for seven years, and has been a member of the school board for the past three years. He was one of the charter members uf Lodge No. 753. Patrons of Husbandry, which was organized in 1874, at Blanco, Milton township, and he has held all of the offices of the organization from master down. Mr. Osborn is a member of the Christian Church.
J OEL MIDDLETON, who resides on his valuable farm of 70 acres, which is situated in Berlin township, two miles west of Berlin Center, was born on his present farm, in Mahoning County, Ohio, in 1832, and is a son of Na- thaniel and Dorothy ( Sharp) Middleton,
Nathaniel Middleton was born in another section of Ohio and came to Berlin township among the very first settlers. He purchased 112 acres of land. paying $1.25 an acre. built his first cabin on the opposite side of the road from the present residence, cleared up this large body of land and lived upon it during the rest of his life. In his political views he was a Whig. He married Dorothy Sharp, and they had the following children : Sarah. Ira. Levi, Mahlon, Mary Ann, Isaac, Deborah. Joel, Lewis, Rachel, MeCogie and Walliam.
Joel Middleton is the only survivor vi the alkwe family. He grew up on the leme farm
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and when his father died, although then but 15 years of age, he rented the land from his mother and operated it until he purchased 50 acres of his own, north of the homestead. When his mother died he bought the present farm and has engaged in general farming and stock-raising here ever since. He under- stands carpentering and for some time suc- ceeding his marriage, worked at that. In 1862 Mr. Middleton enlisted in the State militia, and in 1864 went into the regular service and remained until the close of the war, when he was mustered out at Camp Dennison.
In 1852 Mr. Middleton was married to Catherine Craig, who died in 1903, aged 72 years. She was born in Ohio and was a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth Craig, who spent their lives in Portage County. Mr. and Mrs. Middleton had six children, namely : EI- len, Cora, Viola, William, Maggie and Jolin, the second born, deceased.
Mr. Middleton has a very comfortable home and pleasant surroundings. He can re- member when this well-cultivated farm was still covered with much timber, and he can re- late many interesting experiences of pioneer days. He has been identified with much of the development of this section and is one of the most highly esteemed residents.
OHN M. FLOOR, M. D., a general medical practitioner at Petersburg, and a member of the Ohio State Ec- lectic Medical Association, is a rep- resentative of one of the old pioneer families of Mahoning County, and was born in Berlin township, May 15. 1853. His par- ents were Jacob and Agatha (Shaffer) Floor.
The great-grandfather of Dr. Floor was Theodore Floor, who came to America from Germany and settled in Maryland, and prior to 1820. Daniel and Mary (Rimmel) Floor, the grandparents, came to Springfield town- ship, where the grandfather secured a patent for land. the documents relating to this being in the possession of the family. as was the land, until recent years. Daniel Floor made
an early visit to this locality, walking all the distance from near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, to Mahoning County, where he secured his half section of land between Petersburg and Springfield, on which he built a log cabin be- fore he returned to Maryland for his family.
Jacob Floor, father of Dr. Floor, was born in Maryland, December 25, 1811. He was a good business man and acquired valu- able property in Mahoning County, buying first, a farm of 50 acres in Springfield town- ship, then 140 acres in Berlin township and later, a second farm, of 200 acres. He con- tinued to live on his home farm until one year after the death of his wife, when he moved to Petersburg, where he spent his last days, On April 4. 1833. he. married Agatha Shaffer. who was born in Wittenberg. Germany, Jan- uary 11, 1812. and was 16 years old when her parents came to this country. They were Michael and Barbara ( Deigle) Shaffer. They located first in Springfield township, but later moved to Berlin township, where they lived until death.
Jacob Floor and wife had 10 children. namely: Daniel, who died in 1902, who had lived on a part of the old home place; Frank V., deceased, who was a physician at Youngs- town for many years; Maria, residing in Trumbull County, married (first) Solomon Greenamyer. and (second) Elias Baringer; Susan, residing at Alliance, Ohio, married John Greenamyer; Caroline, deceased, who was the wife of the late Reuben Kale, of Ber- lin township; Jacob, who died of pneumonia. aged one year: Agatha, who was accidentally burned to death; Hiram, who died while serv- ing in the army. in 1864. of typhoid fever, in the hospital at Nashville, was a member of the 155th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry : R. Lee, a physician, formerly in partnership with his brother, John M., died in 1878, at New Middletown: and John M. When the Re- publican party was organized in 1852. Jacob Floor was in sympathy with its principles. but later he became identified with the Democrats. He was a consistent member of the Lutheran Church.
Dr. John M. Floor was reared in Berlin
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JAMES S. PRICE
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township, attended the common schools and la- ter the Canfield High School, and when 19 years of age became a teacher. He taught for a number of years at Canfield, New Middle- town and other points through the county, and in the meanwhile read medicine under the di- rection of his brother, Dr. R. Lee Floor. After three years of study he began to practice and was with his brother from 1875 until 1878, and then practiced alone until 1880. Dr. Flour then went on his father-in-law's farm until 1885, shortly afterward going into part- nership with his father-in-law, John Eckert, in starting the Maple Grove distillery, selling his interest in the above year to his brothers- in-law, who did business under the firm name of Eckert Bros. In 1885 Dr. Floor established himself in practice at Petersburg, where he has met with much professional success. He has been interested in a number of business enterprises conected with oil and gas, has put down five oil and gas holes, and at one time was president of the Indian Branch Oil and Gas Company. He is one of the stockholders in the Unity Township Telephone Company. Dr. Floor was married October 10. 1875. to Louisa Anna Eckert, who was born in Springfield township, and is a danghter of John and Paulina ( Hofmeister) Eckert. ex- tended mention of whom will be found in an- other part of this work. They have had two children, both born on the old Eckert farm, namely: Evan Charles, who was born Sep- tember 20. 1880, and died of pneumonia, aged five months and four days; and Vida Louesa, who was born January 25, 1885. Dr. Floor and wife are members of St. John's Luth- eran Church at Petersburg. In 1875 he was elected county coroner on the fusion ticket and served two years. Ile votes independently. and at various times has held minor offices. From 1903 until 1906, Dr. Floor was presi- dleut of the Harvest Home Picnic Association. a grand reunion which is celebrated each Au- gust, popular amusements being provided. Ile refused to serve longer as president but re- tains his interest and is one of the directors. Formerly he was connected with the Odd Fel- lows at Canfield and at Enon, and is now a
member of Starlight Lodge, No. 224. Knights of Pythias, and of the Protective Home Circle.
Dr. Floor has gathered together a most interesting collection of heirlooms and curi- osities, together with many valuable Indian relies. Among the latter are pipes, arrow heads, spear heads and worship and drill stones, perfect specimens. He has, in his col- lection, a pair of old-time candle snuffers and a fork that was carried by a soldier all through the War of 1812. Another interest- ing family possession is a leather belt which his annt wore about her waist when crossing the Atlantic ocean, carrying concealed in it the family wealth. Dr. Floor enjoys showing his many curiosities to an appreciative visitor and they would do credit to many a museum.
AMES S. PRICE, a prominent and highly respected farmer of Youngs- town township, and owner of the Price Stock Farm, located in section 10. was born August 17. 1849. on a farm just opposite his present farm. and is a son of Samuel and Lydia Elanor (Stewart) Price.
Samuel Price was born in Youngstown township also, and was a son of James Price, who came from Maryland in 18og, and set- tled on a tract of land where he and his wife both died. the land being now owned by James S. Sanmel was one of a family of nine chil- dren and was reared in this township on his father's farm. He married Lydia Elanor Stewart, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to Mahoning County, Ohio, with her father, Thomas Stewart. Five children were born into this household. but three of whom were reared to maturity : Margaret, who mar- ried Perry Wehr of Youngstown township; Elanor, who married Walter Beecher, and James S., whose name begins this article. Lu- cetta and Florence both died in infancy. Sam- nel Price died in March, 1900. his wife's death occurring just two weeks later.
James S. Price was reared on his father's farm and attended the district schools of the township. He was a member of the first class
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to enter the Rayen High School. He has lived on his present farm of 140 acres since his marriage in 1880, and has since been occu- pied as a general farmer and stock raiser, also running a dairy and selling his milk at whole- sale. He has made all of the improvements on the place, planting all of the trees, and, in 1808, erecting his fine large barn. The site upon which his house stands was at one time a wheat field.
Mr. Price was united in marriage January 8, 1880, to Clara Predmore, whose grand- father. Frank Barclay, was one of the early pioneers of Youngstown, and whose parents, Joseph and Julia ( Barclay ) Predmure, were both reared in Mahoning County. Mr. and Mrs. Price have reared three children, namely : Samuel Nelson, who married Mary Pauley; Elward Barclay, who resides in California; and Margaret Alice, who is now attending the Conservatory of Music at Baltimore. One child. Mary, died in infancy. Mr. Price served as decennial land appraiser in 18go. In the following year he was elected on the Republi- can ticket county commissioner of Mahoning County, and served in that capacity for seven years. Fraternally he is a member of the Elks.
During his term of office the Market street viaduct was built and the present county in- firmary was erected, which is said to be one of the most modern institutions of its kind in the United States. Mr. Price is one of four commissioners appointed by the county com- missioners to build the first improved roads in the county. He has for many years been connected with the agricultural fair of the county and is now its president. Fraternaly he is a member of the Elks. His portrait ap- pears in connection with this sketch.
in law at the Cincinnati Law School. Mr. Thompson then came to Youngstown, which city has been his home ever since. He has become known professionally all over Ma- honing County, and has been successfully connected with many important cases of liti- gation. His offices are located in the Ma- loney Block.
In October, 1894, Mr. Thompson was imited in marriage with Blanche Thomson, of Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and they have three children, Kenneth I .. , Wayne C. and Florence Jane. Mr. Thompson is a dea- con in the Haselton Baptist Church and is also a member of the board of trustees. He is identified with a number of the successful business enterprises of Youngstown, and is a director in the W. H. Parmer Land Company, in the Home Savings and Loan Company, and in the C. O. Mayberry Company, His fra- ternal associations are with the United Work- men and the Protected Home Cirele.
e HARLES C. KNOX, the very effi- cient building inspector at Youngs- town, Ohio, was born in this city in 1871, and is a son of Clark Knox, a retired resident of Youngstown. who was connected with the iron works of Brown & Bonnell for many years.
Charles C. Knox was educated in the com- mon and the Rayen High Schools and then took a course in the Youngstown Business Col- lege, where he was graduated with an excel- lent commercial education. He immediately accepted a position as bookkeeper for the Tel- egram Company, and after two years went to the E. M. McGillen Company in the same capacity. where he remained three years, go- ing from there to J. B. McNall and then engaged in the grocery business under the firm name of Knox & McNall. After four years of business, Mr. Knox withdrew and entered into real estate dealing and general contract- ing, a business in which he is still interested. | He has large realty dealings and has built
S AMUEL M. THOMPSON, a promi- nent member of the bar at Youngs- town, was born June 28, 1861. in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. where he was also reared. He com- pleter his literary education at the Fayette Normal School, and in 1891 was graduated | during the last 10 years some 75 or 80 houses
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on tracts of land which he has bought. Mr. Knox is a director in the Home Savings and Loan Company, and is a stockholder in other enterprises. He is a member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Young Men's Chris- tian Association. For the past three years he has been city building inspector, and the effi- ciency of his work can not be questioned.
In 1899 Mr. Knox was married to Susie Fellows, formerly a popular teacher in the public schools, who is a daughter of the late John Fellows, who was connected with the Brown-Bonnell Iron Company for years.
Fraternally Mr. Knox is an Odd Fellow, an Elk, a Chapter Mason and a member of the National Union.
R OBERT W. DICKSON, a prominent and popular citizen of Ellsworth township, residing on the farm on which he was born, March 29, 1849. owns 180 acres of fine land, which is separated into two farms, lle is a son of William and Margaret ( Redmond) Dickson.
William Dickson was born in County Down, Ireland, and was a son of .Alexander Dickson, and died in Ellsworth township. Ma- honing County, Ohio, in May, 1858, aged 54 years. In Drumadonald, Ireland, on Tues- day. August 3. 1835, William Dickson was married to Margaret Redmond. by Rev. George Legatt. She was a daughter of Alex- ander and Jane Redmond and was born in Ireland and died in Ellsworth township. Wednesday, July 20, 1802, aged 75 years. The Redmonds came to America and settled in New Jersey, where Alexander Redmond died in advanced years. The Redmond chil- dren were: James, William. Robert, Samuel, Jane, Ellen and Margaret, the two survivors being Jane and William, both of whom reside in New Jersey.
On April 21, 1840, William Dickson, ac- companied by his wife and two sons. James and Alexander, with his two brothers, James and John, left County Down, Ireland, for America, taking passage on Sunday evening,
April 28, 1840, at Liverpool, on the vessel Franconia, bound for New York. They ar- rived in that city June 10, 1840, and John and James Dickson came on to Canfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, where James lived until his death. John located in Ellsworth township near the place on which Robert W. resides, prior to the Civil War, where he died in 1903, in his 95th year, his brother James having reached his 94th year.
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