450 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY continued to operate for several years. It is now under the management of A. W. Beard, son of George S., in partnership with a nephew of the latter, Archie J., who is the son of Frank Valentine Beard. Mr. Beard's home is one of the most attractive in Beaver township, and on it he has erected what is undoubtedly the finest barn in Mahoning County, building it himself. On August 27, 1868, Mr. Beard was married to Caroline Neff, who was born in Canfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a daughter of ,Martin and Catherine (Wilson) Neff, who still survive. Mr. and Mrs. Beard have two children—Burton A. and Alexander Wilson. The former resides at home, and is his father's right-hand man. He married Stella Rohrbaugh, who died September 25, 1906, leaving three children : Ray A., Arthur R. and Caryl E. The second son of Mr. Beard, Alexander W., resides at Youngstown, but operates the creamery established by his father and is also interested in three creameries in Trumbull County. Politically Mr. Beard is affiliated with the Democratic party in National affairs, but still retains his right to sometimes differ with its policies. He has never consented to hold office, although well qualified, on acc.ount of large business interests; knowledge of the needs of the community, and a large measure of natural judgment and foresight, combined with the general esteem in which he is held on account of his sterling character. Mr. Beard is one of the leading members of the Lutheran Church, to which all his family belongs. DAVID GOOD, who is prominently identified with the North Lima Gilt Edge Butter Company, and was one of the organizers of the Beaver Township Telephone Company, being a stockholder at the present time, resides on his farm in section 11, Beaver township. He was born on what is now the Tilman Weaver farm, in Beaver township, Mahoning County, Ohio, December 30, 185o. and is a son of Samuel and Anna (Weaver) Good. Samuel Good, father of David, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Christian and Mary (Sneder) Good, who were early settlers in Beaver township. David Good remembers his grandmother as a venerable lady of 92 years, residing on a farm opposite to that of Lewis Obenauf. Samuel Good had preceded his parents to Beaver township by one year. He was a carpenter by trade, but after his marriage he settled on a small place in the southwestern; part of Beaver township. Later he moved to his father-in-law's place, which is now the Tilman Weaver farm, where he lived until he moved to the present home of David Good, when the latter was about six years old. His death occurred while he was on a visit to Wayne County, at the age of 73 years. He married Anna Weaver, who was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of Samuel and Anna (Bauman) Weaver, concerning whom may be found in the sketch of Tilman Weaver. The children of Samuel Good and wife were as follows : Jesse, a resident of Orrville; Mary, who married John Martin, residing in Wayne County ; Noah, residing near Dalton, in Wayne County ; Lydia, who resides near North Lawrence, Stark County : Samuel, residing in Beaver township; David. whose name begins this sketch ; and Anna. who resides in Wayne County. Samuel Good and wife were worthy people, members of the Mennonite Church, and he was a preacher of that faith. David Good has lived on his present farm ever since childhood. He has always been a leader in agricultural movements in this section, especially those which promise to be of advantage to his immediate neighborhood. The North Lima Gilt Edge Butter Company has been a very important enterprise in this section, Mr. Good was its manager for three years. In 1900 he effected the organization of a stock company which was incorporated in 1906, with the following officers : Solomon Elser, president ; Oliver Good, secretary ; AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 451 Tilman Weaver, vice-president ; and David Good, treasurer. The board of directors is made up of the following capitalists : David Good, Charles T. Marks, Solomon Elser, Tilman Weaver and Lewis Obenauf. On September 29, 1881, Mr. Good was married to Ida May Lodwick, who was born in Austintown, and is a daughter of John and Leah (Flickinger) Lodwick. The Lodwick family was a pioneer one of this section. Mr. Lodwick settled first in Austintown township, thence removing to North Lima and afterwards to Portage County, where he died. Mr. and Mrs. Good have four children, namely : Oliver, born January 1, 1883, residing in North Lima, who married Carrie Ritter, and has one son, Howard; Arthur, residing at home, who was born July 20, 1885 ; Lester and Chester, both residing at home, the former of whom was born November 13, 1897, and the latter, January 25, 1899. Mr. Good is not a very ardent politician and his vote is as frequently influenced by the man as by the party. He is a member of the order of Patrons of Husbandry. CECIL D. HINE. A. M., senior member of the important law firm of Hine, Kennedy & Robinson, at Youngstown, has been one of the prominent attorneys of Mahoning County for the past quarter of a century. Mr. Hine was born at Hubbard, Trumbull County, Ohio, August 3, 1849, and is a son of Samuel and Ellen L. (Montgomery) Hine and a grandson of Homer Hine, who was one of the earliest and most successful lawyers of the Western Reserve. The family is an old established one in Mahoning County. Samuel Hine, whose death occurred May 19, 1893, was born at Youngstown and married Ellen L. Montgomery, a daughter of Robert Montgomery, who located at a very early day in Trumbull County, and who, as early as 1806, built at Poland one of the first iron furnaces in the state, which he successfully operated for a considerable period. Cecil D. Hine was primarily educated in his native locality and then entered Western Reserve College, at the beginning of the sophomore year, where he completed the course with great credit. At a later date his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. After his return from college, he entered upon the study of the law with the well known firm of Taylor & Jones, at Warren, Ohio, and after two years of reading, was admitted to the bar in Trumbull County, on April 15, 1872. Shortly afterward he entered upon the practice of his profession at Youngstown, where he has remained ever since, by his ability making his name well known in Mahoning and other counties. The law firm of Hine, Kennedy & Robinson, which was formed in 1900, is considered one of the strongest and ablest combinations of legal talent in this section of Ohio. The junior member of the firm is a son of Circuit Judge Robinson. The other member, Hon. James B. Kennedy, is a former judge of the Court of Common Pleas. The firm has well-appointed offices in the Wick building. Mr. Hine is one of the city's representative citizens and is closely connected with its important interests and public affairs. On October 9, 1872, Mr. Hine was united in marriage with Elizabeth W. Woodruff, who was born at Poland, Ohio. They have one daughter, Elizabeth W., who is the wife of Charles H. Cates of New York. The family home is located at No. 725 Wick avenue. MOSES WEBBER. The death of Moses Webber, May 15, 1875, removed from Boardman township a citizen of sterling worth and a man of prominence in his section. He was born on his father's farm, in Boardman township, Mahoning County, Ohio, March 9, 1822, and was a son of Peter and Elizabeth (Deitzel) Webber. Christian Webber, the grandfather of Moses, was the founder of the family in America. He was born in Germany and crossed 452 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY the Atlantic to the United States when a young man. Here he was soon after married to Christina Rhine, also a native of Germany. They har eleven children, one of whom subsequently settled in Virginia and one in Indiana, all the rest remaining in Pennsylvania, with the exception of Peter, who came to Ohio and settled in Boardman township in 1811. He was born in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and learned the trade of shoemaker, but never worked at it after leaving his native state. He married Elizabeth Deitzel (now spelled Titzel), who was of German parentage, but who was born near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. With his wife and four children, Peter Webber came to Mahoning County in a large covered wagon, and until, with the help of kind neighbors, a log cabin could be built, the little family had to make the wagon their home. They settled on what is now the James Brownlee farm. After residing on that farm for forty years, Peter Webber bought a farm of Jonathan Dustman, on which Samuel Moyer now lives. in Boardman township, and other tracts of land, one being the farm now owned by his granddaughters. His wife died at the age of 44 years, but he survived to be 88 years of ago. He served in the War of 1812, and there is a family story told of how his wife and her small child fenced a wheat field during his enforced absence, which exemplifies the resourceful character of the pioneer wives and mothers. All of their seven children have lived out their lives and have passed into peaceful rest. They were : George, Catherine (who married David G. Waller), Mary, John, Betsey (who married James Spiers), David and Moses. Until his marriage, Moses Webber remained on the home farm assisting his father, receiving his education in the primitive schools of the neighborhood. On October 15. 1846, he was married to Salome Simon, who was a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Stemple) Simon, and a sister of Jesse Simon, a sketch of whom appears in this work. They settled on a part of the Peter Webber farm, but in another house, and Moses continued to assist his father until the latter's death, afterwards operating the farm until his own decease. In politics he was a stanch Democrat. He was a man of intelligence and sound judgment, frequently called upon for advice by his neighbors and was elected to responsible township offices, serving alsO for many years as a justice of the peace in Boardman township. He was a member of the Mahoning County Agricultural Society. He and his wife had two daughters—Laura, who was born August 24, 1847, and Elizabeth, who was born December 6, 1848. They are members of the pioneer Reformed Church in Boardman township, which was built in 1816, and rebuilt in 1845. Miss Laura Webber was educated in the Poland Union Seminary and for a number of years taught school in the same section where both her mother and grandmother had taught before her, the latter sometimes carrying her sleeping babe with her. WILSON L. MILLER. residing on his well-improved farm of 120 acres, situated in section 27, Beaver township, is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of this part of Mahoning County. Mr. Miller was born in Springfield township, Mahoning County, Ohio, January 9, 1853, and is a son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Lower) Miller. Henry Miller. the grandfather of Wilson L., was the founder of the family in Mahoning County, coming in the 20'S of the nineteenth century from Maryland. He acquired about 13o acres of land in Springfield township, a farm that is now owned by Aaron Hoffman. Samuel Miller, father of Wilson L., was born on the above farm in Springfield township, on which he lived until 1869, when he purchased land in Beaver township. He had owned S0 acres in Springfield township which was so heavily timbered when he took charge of it that he was obliged to make a clearing before he could find space on which to build his house. This house subsequently burned down, after which Samuel Miller sold the property. His AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 455 farm of 154 acres in Beaver township had been improved by a house and barn, and he resided there until his death, some eighteen years later, at which time he was 60 years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, was born in New Springfield, Mahoning County, a daughter of Jacob Lower. She still survives and resides near Geneva, Ashtabula County, Ohio, with a daughter. Samuel Miller and wife had six children : Sarah Ann (deceased), who was the wife of William Minter; Tobias, residing in Cuyahoga County; Wilson L., the subject of this sketch; Alice Celesta, who married Isaac Esterly, and resides in Columbiana ; Melissa C.. wife of Joseph Harrold, a sketch of whom will be found elsewhere in this volume; and Laura J., who married Isaac Chappell, residing in Ashtabula County. Samuel Miller was a member of the Lutheran Church at New Springfield. Wilson L. Miller was educated in the district schools, which he attended in Beaver township for some two years. He has since given his attention to agricultural pursuits, carrying on general farming and stock-raising, and making a specialty of hogs. Besides the home farm he owns 22 acres in section 16. He has a valuable property and his surroundings all indicate a high degree of material prosperity. On September 7, 1876, Mr. Miller was married to Laura A. Sensenbacher, who was born in Springfield township. Mahoning County, a daughter of Gottlieb and Anna (Mollenkopf) Sensenbacher. The father of Mrs. Miller was born in Germany and was about 18 years old when his parents brought him to America. They located in Mahoning County, on the Pennsylvania line. He died June 14, 1891, and his wife's death occurred in the following year. Mr. and Mrs. Sensenbacher had seven children, namely : Mrs. Miller : Louisa Mary. who married Calvin C. Rummel. and resides in Youngstown; John, residing in Unity township. Columbiana County; Rosa Catherine. who married Henry Wood, residing in Youngstown ; Sarah, who married George Beck. and resides in East Palestine : Daniel and Emma, who died in childhood. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one son, Park F., who was born on the present farm, September 10, 1877. January 24, 1901, he married Blanche G. Wunderlin, who was born in Beaver township, a daughter of Lewis Wunderlin. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have one grandson, from the above marriage, Relph Lewis, who was born July 16, 1904. Like his father, Mr. Miller has always been a Democrat. He is a member of Grace Church, at Columbiana. A good citizen, he takes an active interest in everything pertaining to the advancement of education, temperance and religion, in his neighborhood. COOK FITCH KIRTLAND. who spent his entire life in Poland township, Mahoning County, was born here September 21, 1826, and died in his l0th year, on April 14. 1896. He was a son of Henry T. Kirtland, who was born November 16, 1795. From the period of the first settlements the Kirtland family has been prominent in the history of this section. Turhand Kirtland, the grandfather of Cook F. Kirtland, was born in Wallingford, Connecticut, November 16, 1775, and came to Ohio in early manhood at a time when only trails led through the dense forests. Accompanied by his brother Jared, and his sister and her husband, Jonathan Fowler, he Made the trip from Beaver, Pennsylvania (then known as Mackintosh), to Poland township, Mahoning County, in a canoe, arriving here on the 29th of May, 1799. Turhand and his brother located homes here but did not bring on their families until 1802. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler lived in a cloth tent for the first six weeks, which was pitched on the west bank of Yellow Creek near the flouring mill. Subsequently they erected substantial homes in which the first white child of the township was born—Rachel Fowler. It is said that when Turhand Kirtland removed fr0m Connecticut to western Pennsylvania he brought the first wagon to the town of Warren, but was 456 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY forced to leave it at that place when he continued his journey to Ohio, as there were no roads. He was well known as a land agent and as a public-spirited citizen. In 1800 he officiated at the first marriage in the township held on his farm, the contracting parties being John Black and Nancy Bryan. In .1804 he started a tavern, in a frame building situated on the high ground east of Yellow Creek, and ran this as a first-class inn for a time. The large public square in Poland and the cemetery were donated by him, and the church lot was given by his son, Henry Turhand. The salt spring tract belonged to him and others whom he represented. Cook Fitch Kirtland, whose portrait may be seen on a neighboring page, was reared in Poland township. He engaged in banking and other business, being also the owner and operator of several fine farms. His first wife was Maria Perkins Swift. The two children born of this marriage are deceased, the son, Henry Turhand, dying at the age of 19 years and the daughter, Maria, at the age of 10. On February 3, 1876, Mr. Kirtland was united in marriage with Harriet Swift, a cousin of his first wife, and daughter of Lucian and Sarah (West) Swift. She was born in Akron, Ohio, being the eldest of four children in the parental family and was graduated from the schools of Cleveland, Ohio. Two children were born of the second marriage, Isabell and Lucian Swift. The former, who was educated at Waterbury, Connecticut, is the wife of George S. Bishop, of Poland Village, and has two sons—George Kirtland and Fitch Kirtland Bishop. Lucian Swift Kirtland, a graduate of Yale University, is a journalist of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Hon. Zephaniah Swift, the grandfather of Mrs. Kirtland, was for many years a judge in the higher courts of Connecticut. His son, Lucian, her father, was born in Connecticut, June 2, 1808, and died in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1890. At the age of 20 years he removed to Ohio, settling in Summit county, where he married Sarah West, a daughter of Captain Thomas West, who for many years sailed a ship from Martha's Vineyard and lived to be 83 years old. Lucian Swift was active in public life. He served as clerk of the probate courts and filled other offices in the gift of the people. His wife lived to an advanced age, dying in 1906, at the age of 86 years. Of the children of Lucian Swift, his son Lucian moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1875, and was subsequently manager of the Minneapolis Journal. He is married and has a family. Grace Huntington lived with her mother in Cleveland until the latter's decease. Thomas died in Cleveland in 1881. Mrs. Kirtland has resided for many years past in the fine old brick mansion in Poland, which was erected by her late husband long before the war. It resembles a modern dwelling notwithstanding its age, and is a most charming home. CAPT. DANIEL B. STAMBAUGH, who is president of the Stambaugh-Thompson Hardware Company of Youngstown, was born in Mahoning County, April 6, 1838, a son of John and Sarah (Bower) Stambaugh. His parents were natives of Pennsylvania, in which state they were reared and married. Corning to Ohio in 1805, they settled on a farm north of the present city of Youngstown, where they passed the remainder of their lives. Daniel B. Stambaugh passed his youth on his father's farm and continued to be interested in agricultural pursuits until 1855, when he became identified with the development of the coal industry at Brier Hill and other localities. He has taken an active part in developing the iron resources of Ohio, although his mining operations have not been confined to this state alone, for he has made investments in mines in both Idaho and Colorado. He is a man of excellent judgment, shrewd and farseeing in his dealings, and worthy of the position he has won. In 1861 when President Lincoln issued his call for 75,000 men Mr. Stambaugh enlisted in Company B, 19th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served four months. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 457 In June, 1862, he reenlisted, becoming second lieutenant of Company A, 105th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He participated in the battles of Rich Mountain, Perryville and Chickamauga, at the last named engagement being so seriously wounded that he was sent to the hospital where he remained for forty days. When sufficiently recovered he rejoined his command and participated in the engagements at Mission Ridge, and the various battles of the Atlanta campaign, including Buzzard's Roost, Tullahoma Shanty, Lost Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, and the attack on and capture of Atlanta. From Atlanta he proceeded in Sherman's triumphant host on the "March to the Sea," and subsequently, after the close of hostilities, took part in the grand review at Washington. He was honorably discharged June 5, 1865. From the rank of second lieutenant he was promoted to that of first lieutenant, and in August, 1863, was appointed captain, in which office he served until the close of the war. On November 15, 1867, Captain Stambaugh was married to Margaret Osborne, a daughter of Abner Osborne, of Girard, Trumbull County, Ohio. To them were born three children : Philip, now deceased ; Anna, who is the wife of David Tod of Youngstown ; and Mrs. Mary Gordon, also a resident of Youngstown. Mrs. Stambaugh is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; she is a woman of deep devotion and possesses many rare qualities. Mr. Stambaugh is a man of very attractive personal traits, is a most congenial companion and a stanch and true friend: As a citizen he holds an esteemed place in the regard of his townsmen. Mr. and Mrs. Stambaugh reside at No. 129 West Rayen avenue. JESSE SIMON, owning 151 acres of valuable farming land which is situated in Boardman township, about four miles south of Youngstown, is one of the old and .prominent residents of this section, having been born on this place, February 15, 1830, in a log cabin which is still standing. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Stemple) Simon. Jacob Simon was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, to which his father, Michael Simon, had moved from Maryland. As early as 1803, Michael Simon came to the Western Reserve and before he returned for his family, he invested in 600 acres of land. The farm of Jesse Simon is a part of the original purchase made by his grandfather and he has the old deed in his possession. The country was wild indeed when Michael Simon ventured out into the wilderness. Here and there a few hardy settlers had made a little clearing and erected a log cabin, but between this point and the Ohio River there were no roads, only cow paths. Neither were there any roads between the homestead and Canfield. Michael Simon died in Ohio, in advanced age. It is thought by his family that he was a native of Switzerland. Jacob Simon journeyed on horseback to the land which his father had purchased, and came into possession of the farm now owned by his son Jesse. He had received some educational training in his native state, and being one of the first school teachers in Boardman township, was designated schoolmaster Jacob, in order to separate him from another Jacob Simon, who was known as Mill Creek Jacob. He built a log cabin on his land and January 13, 1811, he was married to Elizabeth Stemple. This remarkable woman, who bore her many trials and hardships with cheerfulness and fortitude, came to Ohio on the back of a three-year-old horse. At that time few streams had yet been bridged, and most of them had to be forded, a matter made more difficult on account of the burdens she carried, consisting of all that she could bring from her old home and including- a set of pewter plates. She became the mother of nine children and survived until April, 1879, dying at the age of 89 years. In the year following his marriage, Jacob Simon was drafted for service in the War of 1812, but he secured his release by going to Youngstown and paying $90 for a substitute. In order to secure this sum—a large one for 458 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY those days--he was obliged to sell all his household possessions, except the beloved pewter plates which had been brought with so much care from the old Pennsylvania home. The land, however, was left, and a new beginning was made, although under hard conditions. At that time salt, an absolute necessity, was selling for $24 a barrel and even then the settler had to make a trip of forty miles to Georgetown and bring it back on horseback, over Indian trails. The land had to be cleared before it could be made productive and hard and incessant labor was everyone's daily portion. Fortunately game was abundant and when there was time for hunting, deer and turkey filled the larder. The streams also were full of fish ; wild honey could often be found in the forest, the sugar maples were full of sap, and when the season came around for making sugar, the older members of the family took turns sleeping and boiling the syrup at night. All the corn was ground in a hand-mill and often Jacob Simon came home from a hard day's work in the field and ground the corn for his evening meal of mush. Jacob Simon lived to be 75 years old, dying September 12, 1861. He and his wife had nine children, five sons and four daughters, a son and daughter still surviving, the two youngest members of the family. These children were as follows : David, who was once auditor of Mahoning County ; Levi, who was a well known teacher ; Lydia, who married Elias Rupert.; Delilah, who married George Wormley ; Stilling, who was named for a noted German author; Gideon, of whom there is no special mention ; Salome, who married Moses Webber; Salinda, who married John Shaffer ; and Jesse, the youngest member of the nine children and the only survivor except his elder sister, Salinda. Jesse Simon was born after many of the early hardships of pioneer life had been overcome, but he can recall many disadvantages that still remained, among them lack of educational opportunities and want of farm machinery, as well as the still unsettled state of the surrounding country. Not far from his home, in the woods, had been built a log school house and there he secured a fair training in the elements of knowledge. He has in his possession an old account book which is interesting in that it shows the expense of running a district school in those days, the largest item being the teacher's salary of $8 per month. Mr. Simon has spent his life on this farm and still can do a good day's work although he acknowledges the valuable assistance given him by his eldest son, who manages the greater part of the farm labor. Mr. Simon, in young manhood, was married to Betsey Williamson, a daughter of Pratt Williamson, who at 0ne time owned a large farm situated in what is now the center of Youngstown. Mr. and Mrs. Simon have had six children : Wilber C., Wade, Eben N., Edith, Fitch, and Della. Wilber C., who married Anna Harding. resides in a tenant house on the farm, which he assists in operating. He has five children. namely : Clyde H., Emma, Horace, Alma and Bessie. Wade, residing on Flint Hill, Youngstown, married Mary Gilby, and has two children—Walter and Ethel. Eben N., residing in Washington, married Laura Hood and they have eight children—Jessie, Edith, Gail. Roger. Harold, Eben, Jr., Gladys and Laura Joy. Edith. now deceased, was the wife of Prof. W. H. Wagner. of Findlay College, at Findlay, Ohio. Fitch and Della, are also both deceased, the former dying at the age of three, and the latter at the age of two years. The comfortable family home of the Simons is a commodious eight-room frame dwelling, which Mr. Simon erected himself. His land he bought from his father's estate and since purchasing he has kept on making improvements. Politically he is a Republican and has served as township trustee. With his family he belongs to the Christian Church. Mr. Simon has an excellent memory and is an interesting story-teller. There are few families in this section of Whose history he is ignorant, and scarcely any event of importance in Boardman township has occurred that he has not taken an interest in. His life has covered a period of many changes in this vicinity, and in his day he has seen much of the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 461 country redeemed from the wilderness, happy home established, farms put under cultivation, and public utilities. like the telephone. the rural mail, and the electric car, changing for the better the former conditions of life. Instead of the old log school house his grandchildren are afforded all the advantages that are the result of modern ideas, and almost at the doors of their homes can acquire the collegiate training- that once would have entailed the expenditure ,of great capital and long- absences from the home circle. The Simons, with other pioneer families, cut the first paths of civilization through Boardman township and are entitled to due credit. SAMUEL GIBSON, a representative of one of the pioneer families of Mahoning County, was born on the farm which is still his home, March 9, 1819. and is a son of Robert D. and Lydia (Marshall) Gibson. Robert D. Gibson was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, in 1783, and accompanied his father to Ohio in 1799. After reaching Mahoning County, they camped for one night by the big spring, on the very land that Mr. Gibson now owns. Afterward, they went on to Warren. Trumbull County, but not finding a more favorable situation, they returned two weeks later to the locality which had pleased them, and the grandfather purchased the land on which the subject of this sketch now makes his home. Here Robert R. Gibson grew to manhood, and in 1818 was married to Lydia Marshall, who was born in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania, in 1799. She was 1I years of age when she accompanied her parents to Trumbull County, Ohio, where she obtained the education afforded in the primitive schools of those days on the frontier. There were nine children born to Robert D. and Lydia Gibson, five of whom grew to maturity. For two years following his marriage, Robert Gibson resided with his father and then removed to a home on the same farm, three-quarters 0f a mile distant, on which he passed the remainder of his life. He and wife were worthy, exemplary people, and they labored earnestly and zealously for the welfare of their children and for the good of their community, setting an example in all the cardinal virtues. Samuel Gibson began to assist his parents as soon as he was old enough to do a "chore," for their means, like those of their neighbors, were limited, and each. child had appointed tasks to add to the family resources. When but 12 years old, Samuel Gibson followed the plow, and when 14 was able to do all the ploughing on the farm, and was doubtless proud of it, as he had reason to be. His only school attendance was for six months, but his father was able to instruct him in mathematics, and when 15 years of age, he taught himself the rules of grammar. In early manhood the coveted opportunity was offered and accepted of a course of instruction in a select school at Youngstown, and so well did he improve his advantages that in the following year he began teaching, taking the Salt Springs school for one term. He then turned his attention to the cultivation of broom corn, and for fourteen years he devoted his energies to this industry. In 1843 Mr. Gibson was married (first) to Ann Irwin, who died in 1846, leaving one child, James D. He was married (second) June 11, 1847, to Nancy J. Gault, who is a daughter of Ma jor James Gault, of Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Major Gault was of Scotch extraction and was a prominent man in his community, serving many years as a justice of the peace. Of this second marriage there were eight children, six of whom grew to maturity, namely : William T., Benjamin, Robert A., Harry G., Minnie A., and Ella G. In politics Mr. Gibson is a Democrat. Although he has reached the 'age of 88 years, he remains hale and hearty, his physical vigor and mental powers unimpaired, bearing testimony to the benefits of a life mainly spent in out-door pursuits. With pleasure not unmixed with astonishment, he has watched the development of Ohio from a wilderness into 462 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY a populous and extremely fertile and resourceful commonwealth. His portrait is published in connection with this sketch. HENRY K. WICK, who is president of the large coal firm of H. K. Wick & Company at Youngstown, was born in this city August 31, 1840, being one of ten children born to Col. Caleb B. and Maria Adelia (Griffith) Wick. Col. Caleb B. Wick was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, October 1, 1795, and died at Youngstown June 30, 1865, having passed nearly the whole of his life in Mahoning County and having been largely interested in most of the important industries that were established in this section during his life time. His father, Henry Wick, was born in Long Island March 19, 1771, and at the age of 23 years married Hannah Baldwin, a daughter of Caleb Baldwin of Morristown, New Jersey. After some years of mercantile life in Washington County, Pennsylvania, Henry Wick came to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1801 and here engaged in a mercantile business. His son, Col. Caleb B. Wick, followed in his footsteps and was also interested in the iron industry which has done so much to develop this section. Colonel Wick was twice married. Both of the children born of the first marriage are deceased. On November 3, 1828, he married Maria Adelia Griffith, a native of Caledonia, New York. All of their children reached maturity. Henry K. Wick attended the public schools of Youngstown and laid the foundation of a good education which was later augmented through lessons learned in the school of experience. In 1856 he entered the business world as a clerk in the Mahoning National Bank. In the succeeding fifty years he has been interested in many branches of industry and for the last thirty-eight years has given special attention to the coal and iron industries, being president at this time of H. K. Wick & Company, coal dealers. His offices are located at No. 404-405 Dollar Bank building. Mr. Wick married Millicent R. Clarke, a daughter of Daniel T. Hunt, of Rochester, New York. The family residence is a very handsome structure located on Wick avenue. Like all other members of the Wick family in Youngstown, Mr. and Mrs. Wick are attendants of the Memorial Presbyterian Church. The subject of this sketch is a Republican in politics.W WILLIAM W. BROWNLEE, one of the leading citizens and largest land owners of Coitsville township, was born on the farm on which he now resides, April 2, 1854, and is the son. of John S. and Jennette (Patterson) Brownlee. John S. Brownlee and his wife were both born in Glasgow, Scotland, where they were also reared, educated and married. John Brownlee was a son of John Brownlee, Sr., who resided on a farm just beyond the city limits of Glasgow. He spent his entire boyhood days on his father's farm and after his marriage he and his wife came to this country, about 1828, first locating for one year at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He then crossed the mountains in wagons and came to Ma-honing County, Ohio, remaining. for one year at Struthers, after which he came to Coitsville township and bought z00 acres of land, which formed a part of the farm on which his son William now resides. At that time Youngstown was but a small village with about a dozen log houses on Main street. The only buildings on the land consisted of an old log house, part of which is still standing, and a log school house, which stood about z00 feet from the present 'home of the subject of this sketch, The latter building was taken down and rebuilt about half a mile farther east. There were but six of the 100 acres cleared, but in a few years Mr. Brownlee had the land all cleared and under cultivation, and erected a frame house in which he continued to reside until his AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 463 death in March, 1887. His widow died in February of the following year. They were the parents of six children : Margaret, John A., Jennette, Ellen, James Patterson and William W. Margaret died in 1880, aged 50 years; John A., enlisted in the 19th Ohio Vol. Inf. and died in a. hospital in 1862; his remains were brought home and buried at Hopewell Cemetery ; Jennette (Mrs. Marstler) resides in Mercer County, Pennsylvania; Ellen, died at the age of 17 years; James Patterson, who also enlisted in the 19th Ohio Vol. Inf., died in 1862 at the same hospital in which his brother, one month later, passed away, and was also brought home and buried at Hopewell Cemetery ; Randall S. is a resident of Coitsville township. William W. Brownlee was reared and has always resided on his present farm. He is one of the most substantial and prosperous farmers of the township, owning about 300 acres in this township. Since 1882 he has dealt considerably in stock, buying and selling- cattle, and wool, and is extensively engaged in sheep raising. His farm, which is known as the Walnut farm, is well improved in every way, with a fine large frame house, which he erected in 1878, and a large barn which was built in 1880. In December, 1878, Mr. Brownlee married Ella Mars. a daughter of John J. Mars. They have seven children : John Clyde, James Patterson. William A.. Donald, Clifford, and Raymond. James Patterson married Jennie Wilson; William A. married Bessie Fiddler and resides in Coitsville township on one of his father's farms; he has two children : Louise and Earl ; Donald, is a stenographer in the B. & O. R. R. offices. There was one other child who died unnamed, aged about one month. Mr. Brownlee is a Republican in politics and was first elected township trustee in the spring of 1900, being re-elected to that office in 1903. The township trustees will spend about $57.000 on road improvements during the summer of 1907. Mr. Brownlee is also president of the New Bedford Independent Telephone Company, the stock of which is owned in Pulaski township, Lawrence County, Penn- - 26 - sylvania, and in Coitsville township, Mahoning County, Ohio. They will have at least 150 phones in by the fall of 1907. LEWIS F. OBENAUF, one of Beaver township's representative men, residing on his valuable farm of 125 acres in section 15, was born on the farm and in the house now owned and occupied by his older brother, Theodore Obenauf, January 4, 1865. His parents were Francis and Wilhelmina (Doerfer) Obenauf. Lewis Franklin Obenauf was educated in the local schools and remained on the home farm until he was 17 years of age. He then worked for neighboring farmers for three years, after which he removed to the farm on which he has since resided, which then consisted of 68 acres. This he rented for about eight years and then purchased it of his father, subsequently adding 57 acres. He carries on general farming, making a specialty of growing potatoes. Formerly he did a large business in raising strawberries, but in later years has given his attention to breeding fine cattle and raising poultry. He keeps about 400 chickens, employing the most modern methods in his poultry business, of which he makes a specialty. On July 20, 1884, Mr. Obenauf was married to Diantha Plum, who was born in Medina County, Ohio, a daughter of John and Kate (Grill) Plum. John Plum subsequently removed to Springfield township, where he still resides. Mr. and Mrs. Obenauf have four children, namely : Hattie Irena, born April 15, 1885, who married George Stackhouse, a teacher residing in Springfield township; Clara Ellen, born April 21, 1888, who resides at home; Charles Edward, born August 15, 1890. is attending school; and Floyd Francis, who was born April 19, 1896. The family belong to the Lutheran Church, of which Mr. Obenauf is a trustee. In political sentiment, like his father, Mr. Obenauf is a Democrat. For three and a half ears he served as township trustee. As long 464 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY as the local lodge of the A. O. U. W. organization was supported in this neighborhood, Mr. Obenauf remained connected with it.S SAMUEL O. EWING, who devotes his fine farm of 240 acres, situated in Boardman township, to farming and the raising of fine stock, is a leading citizen of this section. He was born on his father's farm in Jackson township, on Meander Creek, Mahoning County, Ohio, October 1, 1851, and is a son of John and Margaret (Sterrett) Ewing. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Ewing, John Ewing, was born in Ireland and came as a settler in the green woods of Jackson township at a time when few others had yet ventured into this wilderness, and when he still found Indians in the forests and along the streams. He married Margaret Orr and they .passed their lives amid these pioneer surroundings ; their remains lie in the old Jackson township cemetery. He had acquired land and was able to leave farms to his surviving children, his son John getting the old home place. His children were : Mary, who married A. Gault (deceased) ; Marjorie, who is the widow of Robert Gault; Martha, who married William Riddle, both of whom being now deceased; Anna, who married John Guthrie; Nellie, who became the wife of William Ewing, of Pittsburg; Sarah, who married Francis Johnson ; Rebecca. Catherine. Alexander, Gibson, and John, all of whom are now deceased. John Ewing, father of Samuel O., remained on the old home farm, on Meander Creek, until 1875, when he removed with his wife to Canfield. He married Margaret Sterrett, of Muskingum County, Ohio, who died in June, T891, while on a visit to her son, Samuel O. Of the children born to them the following reached maturity : Samuel Oliver, subject of this article; Frank, who died in the year after the family left the farm, aged 20 years; Elizabeth. who married J. B. Kirk : Ella, of whom there is no special mention ; T. Calvin and Margaret, twins, the latter of whom died aged 20 years, the former, a prominent citizen of Mahoning County and for six years judge of the probate court ; and James G., a resident of Youngstown. Samuel Oliver Ewing spent his boyhood on the old home place and was educated in the district schools, the high school at Jackson Center. Poland Seminary, and at Geneva College, Northwood, Ohio, where he spent one year. Mr. Ewing subsequently taught school for a number of terms, and for some years traveled in the interests of the Champion and the Johnson Machine Companies, his field being Northeastern Ohio and Northwestern Pennsylvania. In politics. Mr. Ewing has always been a stanch Republican. In 1889 he was elected sheriff of Mahoning County. in which office he served for four years. From 1875 until 1889 he resided at Canfield, where he bought property. He also invested in real estate in Ellsworth township, but later sold this land as he did land he owned at Youngstown. After leaving the sheriff's office, he bought his mother's place, on which he lived until 1898, when he purchased his present farm from the Boardman estate. Mr. Ewing carries on a general agricultural line. but gives a large measure of his attention to the raising of his high-grade stock. Percheron horses, Shorthorn cattle and Delaine sheep. Mr. Ewing has sold over 1,000,000 feet of lumber off his place. He has made many improvements, including the building of his fine ten-room frame residence, substantial barns and valuable silos. In February. 1884. Mr. Ewing was married to Emma Fox. who was born in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Jacob Fox, who was killed in the army during the Civil War. Being left an orphan at an early age, Mrs. Ewing was reared by her grandfather, Andrew Fox, who moved from New Castle to Hillsville, Pennsylvania, where he died. Mrs. Ewing was an only child. Mr. and Mrs. Ewing have one son, Frank, who was graduated from the Poland Seminary in 1906. and assists his father in the management of the farm. For one year. Mr. Ewing served as a jus- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 465 tice of the peace in Canfield township, when he resigned. He served also as a member of the Boardman township school board and was the main promoter of the work of securing the centralized school at Boardman Center. He has been prominent in carrying out all public-spirited enterprises which have had for their object the advancement of the general welfare. H. H. HAHN M. D., for many years a very prominent and successful physician and surgeon of Youngstown, was born in 1846 at Georgetown, near Salem, Ohio, and died at his home, on the Oak street extension, Youngstown, August 28, 1905. By some members of the family the family name is spelled Hawn. H. H. Hahn was mainly reared at North Lima, where his father. Dr. Hahn, settled in his childhood and became a prominent physician of. Mahoning County. He was educated in the schools at North Lima and Canfield, and subsequently taught school for a time. When 20 years old he entered Poland Academy as a classmate of the late President William McKinley. From Poland Academy he went to the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, where he completed the collegiate course. Graduated in medicine at the Long Island Hospital College as valedictorian of his class, he then served as interne in the Catholic Hospital at Pittsburg. On returning to Ohio the young physician took up the practice of his late father, and for the following six years devoted himself thereto, meeting with success and a continuation of the confidence which had been reposed in his father. After a few months at Cincinnati, Dr. Hahn came to Youngstown, in the spring of 1880, and was one of the city's leading' practitioners. both in medicine and surgery, until he was obliged to retire from a very arduous practice in order to seek the upbuilding of his own health. The news that it was impaired beyond recovery came as a sad blow to his family and to the large body of patients who had so long relied upon his great skill. Dr. Hahn was a valued member of the Ma-honing County Medical Society, Ohio State Medical Society and American Medical Association. He was a close and enthusiastic student, and was especially interested in electricity as a remedial agent. During the later years of practice be used it extensively and with remarkable results, having every modern scientific appliance in this line. At the time of his death he was one of the oldest and most successful practitioners of medicine in the Mahoning Valley. Dr. Hahn was married to Minerva Jane Clinker, of Iowa, but formerly of North Lima, Ohio. She still survives, residing in a beautiful home at No. 217 Wick avenue. She has two sons, F. R. and Charles B. F. R. Hahn, who is a graduate of the law department of the University of Michigan, class of 1903, is a rising young attorney of Youngstown, with an office on Phelps street. Charles B. Hahn graduated from the dental department of the Western Reserve College in 1902. and prac- ticed his profession at Youngstown for a short time, afterwards locating in Jefferson, Ohio. Dr. Hahn is also survived by two brothers, Dr. E. Hawn, of Leetonia, and Dr. B. F. Hawn, of Youngstown, and three sisters, viz: Mrs. J. N. Fiester, of Newton Falls; and Mrs. Lucinda Mowen, and Susan, of North Lima, Politically Dr. Hahn was a strong adherent of the Republican party. For several years, under a Republican administration, he served as county coroner. He was connected with a great deal of charitable work in the city and perhaps saw more need of medical philanthropy than any other city physician, as he held the office 0f president of the City Hospital staff for a long period. This work was one in which he took the deepest interest and of which he conversed feelingly. Fraternally he was identified with the Masons. Personally Dr. Hahn was a man of sympathetic manner and soothing presence, and it was no unusual thing- for his patients to remark that his word and touch carried healing with them. 466 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY JAMES B. KENNEDY, former ly judge of the court of common pleas, and a member of the law firm of Hine, Kennedy & Robinson, at Youngstown, has been identified with the bench and bar of Mahoning County since March, 1885. Judge Kennedy was born in Youngstown, November 20, 1862, and is a son of John R. and Elizabeth (Bird) Kennedy. The Kennedy family is of Scotch-Irish extraction, the original stock having been implanted in Ireland early in the 18th century. The founder of the Kennedys in the United States, who bore the family, name of James, established himself late in the 18th century in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, where family records reveal that he married a daughter of Lord Stewart, who came across the Atlantic about the same time. Their son James was reared in Cumberland County, married there and reared four sons, one of whom distinguished himself later in the War of 1812. In 1808 James Kennedy and his four, sons came to the Western Reserve of Ohio, and settled in Trumbull County. James Kennedy, the third of the name, was the grandfather of Judge Kennedy. His whole life was passed in Mahoning County, where he married Sarah Reed, also of Irish extraction and pioneer parentage, and they reared a family of ten children, John R., the second son, being the father of Judge Kennedy. John R. Kennedy was born in 1820 at Coitsville, Ohio, and was the pioneer in the iron business, which has been one of the foundation stones on which Youngstown has built her present prosperity. He was interested in furnaces, as builder and manager, during the rest of his life, and also had other business interests in Youngstown. In his early political life he was a Democrat, but later became identified with the Republican party. On numerous occasions he was chosen by his fellow-citizens for positions of responsibility and for a number of years he was county commissioner of Mahoning County. His death occurred in 1869 at Haselton, Ohio, to W=hich place he had removed two years before, and where his wife also died in 1870. She was born in England, in 1823. The two children of John R. Kennedy and wife were David S. and James B. The former has long been connected with the steel interests at Homestead, Pennsylvania. James B. Kennedy was but six years old when be suffered the loss 0f his father and this was soon followed by the death of his mother. The two orphan sons came under the care of the paternal grandfather. The subject of this sketch was in school at Coitsville for two years, later went to school on Wood street, Youngstown, and still later attended school at Poland. being there prepared for the classical department of the University of. Michigan at Ann Arbor. Failing health caused him to leave Ann Arbor and his studies within a year, but as soon as he had regained his normal condition he took a commercial course at Duff's Business College, at Pittsburg, and thus prepared himself for entrance into commercial life. His inclination however led him in the direction of the law, and while teaching school, in 1882-83, he did his preliminary reading and later devoted several years to its serious study. In March, 1885, he was admitted to the bar at Columbus. Ohio. Judge Kennedy wisely chose his birthplace as the scene of his professional labors. His ability was almost immediately recognized and from that time until the present he has enjoyed a very liberal patronage and has won many professional laurels. Intelligently interested in public affairs, he became identified with the Republican party, and on this ticket he was elected prosecuting attorney of Mahoning County, in November, 1890. His fearless conduct while attending to the duties of this position, as well as his wisdom and tact in handling many important cases which came up for his consideration, but added to the confidence and admiration he had already inspired and his election to the bench logically followed. Judge Kennedy served with admirable results from 1897 to 1900, when he resigned the position in order to give attention to a private practice, which has since absorbed AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 469 his time and energy to a large degree and the emoluments of which are entirely satisfactory. The junior members of the firm are C. D. Hine and Thos. L. Robinson, a son of Judge Robinson, of the common pleas court. Judge Kennedy was married March 4, 1884, to Roxanna Rice, who was born in Poland, Ohio, and died in June, 1896. Judge Kennedy later married Mary Swift Young, of Baltimore, Maryland. Three children were born to the first marriage: D. R., Florence and D.. S. Kennedy. Judge Kennedy and family reside at No. 270 Madison avenue. THOMAS H. WELLS. Few among the earlier inhabitants of Youngstown whose life histories have been intimately connected with the rise and progress of the city from its early condition, twenty years before the Civil War, as a small and somewhat commonplace village, to its present-day importance as a great and world-famed manufacturing center, have cut so striking a figure as he whose name begins this sketch. Though not of native birth, Mr. .Wells possessed in a high degree those characteristic American qualities which make for success in whatsoever field their possessor may choose to seek it, and by virtue of which he may be justly regarded as one of the makers and builders of Youngstown as it is today. Born in Dublin, Ireland, December 12, 1814, he was a true son of that land whence sprang the poet Moore and freedom's martyr, Emmet, and which has added many a glittering name to history's page. Of a superb physique and commanding- presence, he was especially noted for that peculiar charm of manner, approaching personal magnetism, that belongs as of right to the true Irish gentleman, wherever he may be found. He came of a good family, through whose influential connections he obtained and held for some time in early manhood a position in the Government service at Dublin. This, however, he resigned after a few years to come to America. A civil engineer and architect by profession, he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad, his headquarters being located at Newark, New Jersey. The railroad at that time extended only to New Brunswick, that state: Mr. Wells made the original survey from Trenton, New Jersey, to New York. In his capacity of architect he designed the Pennsylvania station at Philadelphia. Subsequently giving up his professional life to enter the commercial field, he settled in Youngstown, and began in a modest way as a merchant on East Federal street. Later he removed to a store on West Federal street, and was afterwards located for some time in the Merchant's block, of which he was part owner. Successful in business, he grew up with the city, and with its expansion there came to him opportunities for legitimate investment of which he was not slow to avail himself. He was intimately connected with the development of the coal industry, for a number of years operating mines in Mineral Ridge, Austintown township and elsewhere. Later he became one of the largest owners of the Y0ungstown Rolling Mill Company, which developed subsequently into what is now the Carnegie Union works of the United States Steel Corporation. He was also interested in numerous other business and financial enterprises, and erected some of the principal business blocks in the city of Youngstown. In 1863 he was elected mayor of Youngstown. His wealth increased and in his latter years he paid, it is said, the largest personal tax of any man in the city. Yet with all this triumphal achievement along business and commercial lines he was no mere man of dollars. Of intellect above the ordinary, he never prostrated himself before the Golden Calf. He was money's master, not its slave. The rich and the poor, the worthy of all classes, ever received at his hands that ungrudging justice, that refined courtesy which was perhaps his most striking characteristic. His years were long in the land in which Providence had cast his lot, and on September I, 1905, at the venerable age of 470 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY nearly ninety-one, he passed away, respected by his fellow citizens and deeply mourned by all those with whom he had been on terms of intimate association. Mr. Wells was married in 1878 to Miss Grace Jewett, of Greenville, Pennsylvania. With her he joined the First Presbyterian Church of this city, which had subsequently a large share of his numerous benefactions. Mrs. Wells died suddenly in 1891, after having been the mother of four children, who were as follows: Mary, born in 1880, who is now the wife of Richard Garlick, of Youngstown; Thomas H., Jr., who died when quite young; Grace, born in 1883, who married William Seigfried, of Youngstown; and Thomas H., Jr. (2d), who is now a student at Sanford School; Bethel, Connecticut, preparing to enter Yale College. A portrait of the subject of this sketch may be found on an adjacent page of this volume. JOHN V. CHAMBERS, M. D., who has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at North Lima, for a period of twelve years, was born in Boardman township, Mahoning County, Ohio, September 13, 1863, and is a son of John A. and Maria L. (Andrew) Chambers. The Chambers family is of Scotch-Irish descent. Three brothers of the name came to America. from Ireland, in 1774, and it is known that two of these fought in the Patriot army all through the Revolutionary War, and that one was probably killed in the service, no trace of him being found beyond the fact of his enlistment. Of the above brothers, Thomas was the ancestor of Dr. Chambers, and be was a resident of Washington County, Pennsylvania. John A. Chambers, father of Dr. Chambers. was born in Pennsylvania and in early manhood came to Ohio, locating first near Crestline. During the winter of 1859-60, he removed to Boardman township, Mahoning County, where he resided until his death. During his younger years he was a drover, for four years disposing of his cattle at Cleveland. Later he devoted himself to farming and became one of the township's substantial men. He was always a supporter of law and order and as he was a man of personal courage, he wielded much influence and was able to protect life and property on several occasions during the stormy days of the Civil War. John A. Chambers married Maria L. Andrew, who was a daughter of James and Mary (McConnell) Andrew, the former of whom was a millwright by trade. The McConnell family is one well known in professional and educational circles in Pennsylvania. The great-grandfather of Dr. Chambers was a member of the faculty of the Washington-Jefferson College, which at one time ranked with the greatest educational institutions of the country. The children of John A. Cham hers and wife were: Mary, wh0 married William McLaren, residing at New Carlisle, Pennsylvani.a ; Anna, Who is a resident of Newcastle, Pennsylvania ; James B. ; William Andrew, who lives on the home farm in Boardman township; and John V. Politically John A. Chambers was a Democrat. Dr. Chambers was reared on the home farm and secured an excellent common school education in the district schools and at Poland. In deference to the wishes of his father, he considered entering the law, although, from childhood, he had cherished the hope of becoming a physician. The profession of law being very distasteful, the young student was finally permitted to follow his own inclinations and prepared for college under the preceptor-ship of Dr. Dixon. of Youngstown. In 1895 he was graduated with his medical degree. from the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, and immediately afterward he opened an office at North Lima, where he has been since located. His practice, though lucrative, extends throughout the lower part of Ma-honing County. which has entailed a gre.at strain upon him, and in the near future he contemplates establishing himself in California. He has spent the past two winters in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 471 Florida and finds a genial climate conducive to his health and enjoyment, and for this reason he has practically decided to dispose of his real estate at North Lima and at Youngstown, and sever, with considerable regret, the pleasant social and professional ties he has formed in this section. On August 30, 1897, Dr. Chambers was married to Frances Newton, who like himself, was born in Boardman township, on a farm adjoining the one on which his birth took place. Mrs. Chambers comes of old pioneer stock on both sides and is a daughter of Henry and Emily (Spaulding) Newton. Dr. and Mrs. Chambers have had one child that died in infancy. He is a member of the Reformed Church. Politically Dr. Chambers is a Democrat. He is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias and the beneficiary organization . known as the Home Guards. For a number of years he has been health officer at North Lima. JOHN VAN FLEET. Among the early business men of Youngstown who were closely identified with all its interests for a period of sixty-seven years, was "Honest" John Van Fleet, whose name stood not only for material prosperity but also for the highest integrity and the best type of citizenship. Mr. Van Fleet was born October 14, 1807, in what is now Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and, after a long, useful and exemplary life covering 85 years, passed away at Youngstown, June 12, 1893. His parents were Richard and Sarah Van Fleet. The Van Fleet family originated in Holland, but was an old settled one in Pennsylvania at the time of 0ur subject's birth., his parents being natives of that state. The family was one of the old patriarchal ones of the time, consisting of six sons and six daughters. John Van Fleet was reared on his father's farm until he reached his maturity, when he started out for himself, coming to Youngstown in 1826. After serving an apprenticeship with a local tanner, he purchased the latter's interests and operated the business until 1870, when he located on West Federal street, where he was engaged until 1878 in the handling of leather and findings,' an excellent bus- iness at that time. It is told of him, as illustrative of his honorable business methods, that purchasers came t0 Youngstown from Pittsburg, Cleveland and Cincinnati to deal with him. During the progress of the Civil War, the government had no more ardent supporter than Mr. Van Fleet. He had been a strong anti-slavery man, for many years and had been: closely associated with the other philanthro- pists of his day in assisting the escape of fugitive slaves. He was one of the first three antislavery men in Youngstown township, and his home was used as a. station on the "Underground Railroad." In 1844 he voted for James C. Birney, who was the Abolition candidate for the presidency. On August 20, 1834, Mr. Van Fleet was married to Jane Douglass, who was born December 28, 1811, a daughter of John and Nancy (McDowell) Douglass, all natives of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Van Fleet were born eight children, namely : Charles, deceased ; Nancy, Sarah; Lucretia, widow of the late Henry Tod, a separate sketch of whom.. will be found in this volume; James D., deceased, who served in the Civil War as a member of Company. B, 44th Battalion of State troops, which was later merged into the 155th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Char-. lotte, deceased; John, deceased ; and Alfred B. Alfred B. Van Fleet, a prominent and progressive business man, is one of the leading real estate men of Youngstown, with offices at No. 607 Dollar Bank building, and home at N0. 523 Yale avenue. He was secretary of the Mahoning County Pioneer Society for six years ; upon its dissolution, he with the other remaining members, presented the $110 in the reasury of the society to the Young Women's Christian Association. As a sincere friend of education, John Van Fleet worked long and earnestly in behalf of 472 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY the union schools of the county. He took a deep interest in the schools and was one of the first as well as one of the most prominent advocates of better educational facilities for the city of Youngstown. He served as president of the board of education and in this capacity brought to Youngstown the late Reuben McMillan, who left such a decided impress for good on the city's educational life that time will not destroy. Mr. Van Fleet's wife was the first and only president of the Free Reading Room, which was finally merged into the Reuben McMillan Library, that splendid institution of which Youngstown is justly proud. Throughout almost the entire course of his life. John Van Fleet was a consistent member of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, of which for fifty years he was a deacon. He was a man of generous impulses which were tempered with prudence. His value to the early business interests of Youngstown cannot be overvalued. Careful, conservative and sensible, his excellent judgment often was the balance wheel which preserved the equilibrium between enterprise and a cautious conservatism. He left behind him a substantial fortune and an unsullied name. JOHN SIMON, proprietor of a well-improved farm of 147 acres, which is distributed in Youngstown, Coitsville, Poland and Boardman townships, lives in the latter, his residence standing on a tract of forty-one acres. Mr. Simon was born in a log house on his father's farm, which was located on the dividing line between Boardman and Youngstown townships. Ma-honing County, Ohio. December 31. 1823, and is a son of Abraham and Catherine (Crouse) Simon. The Simon family, an old, numerous and prominent one in Ohio, originated in Switzerland. About 1735, John Adam Simon emigrated to America. married in the state of Maryland and reared a family, the eldest of whom was Michael Simon. who was born in 1741. He was the father of ten children. The early annals of the family tell of thrilling adventures with the Indians and many sufferings therefrom. Later, John Adam Simon emigrated to Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he subsequently died. aged about 100 years. Michael Simon. grandfather of John Simon, came to Boardman, then Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1800. and here purchased 640 acres of land. His fourth son, Adam, moved in the same year to Boardman. and established here his permanent home. Michael Simon died in 1839. aged nearly 99 years. He was thrice married and had fifteen children. He is credited with bringing the first wheat into Boardman township, and raising the first wheat crop. During a time of crop failure it is said of him that he thus replied to his neighbors who came to offer their all to him for grain, "No. I have no wheat for sale, but come and get what you want and return it-to me when you can raise some." Such anecdotes cause us to sometimes pause and ask if such generosity and Christian kindliness still exists. Abraham Simon, father of John, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his father. on horseback, to Ohio, settling on the wild, pioneer farm, where he continued to live until the close of his life. His father, Michael, resided with him. His wife, Catherine. was a daughter of Jacob and Catherine Crouse, who had come at an early day from Pennsylvania and settled at North Lima, Mahoning, County. Jacob Crouse was a soldier in the War of 1812. Abraham Simon died aged 7; years and was survived by his widow for a few years, she dying at the age of 80. They were the parents of eleven children—Solomon. Elizabeth. John, Michael. Martha, Jacob, Harriet, .Delilah. Joshua, and two who died are infancy. Solomon, Michael and Martha are deceased. The last named married George Hornicle. who also is deceased. Elizabeth is the widow of Jacob Jacob resides at Flint Hill, Youngstown. Harriet is the widow of the late Peter AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 473 Monismith, and (second) of the late Hugh Cover. Delilah is the widow of Ralph Agnew. Joshua resides in Boardman township. John Simon was reared on the home farm one mile west of his present place. He was about eight years old when his father erected a brick house, still standing, which was much admired, it being the first in this part of the township. Mr. Simon went to school in an old log house with a. stick and mud chimney, which was furnished with rough benches made out of split logs, with wooden pins driven through for supports. The rude desks extended around the sides of the room and were also of the most primitive construction. Not much time c0uld be spent for study by boys in his day, wh0 had fathers with large farms to clear and cultivate, but he went long enough to learn the spelling b0ok through, and the Book of Psalms by heart, in German. For about eight years, Mr. Simon and brother operated a horse-power threshing machine. His regular occupation has been general farming, and he came to his present place in the spring of 1844. This property was left to his wife by her uncle, Philip Stambaugh. On February 27, 1844, Mr. Simon was married to Elizabeth Fusselman, who died April 2, 1899, aged 75 years. She was a daughter of Gideon and Eve Fusselman. There were eight children born of this marriage, namely : Mary, who died at the age of 14 years ; Philip, who died in 1906; Olive Edna, residing with her father ; Samuel Crouse, who died aged eight years; Frank F., residing on the first old home place, who married Lena Hanni, and has four children—Scott H.„ Meta, Samuel Louis and Marshall Christian ; George Humphrey, residing across the road from his father, in Poland township, who married Mary Hanni and has two children—Elizabeth and Helen; William, who died at the age of four years; and John Calvin, a graduate of the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, who is engaged in the practice of medicine at Cleveland, Ohio, and who married Hattie Gallagher. Politically Mr. Simon is affiliated with the Republican party. He is one of the leading members of the Reform Church, in which he has served as deacon and in other offices. A reunion of the Simon family, which occurred at the residence of Levi Simon, at Bloomdale, Ohio, September 20, 1882, showed that the family has spread over a wide territory and has many members who have become prominent and substantial citizens of their vari0us c0mmunities, in various occupations and walks of life. There were 101 of the name of Simon present, 172 blood relations and some 75 others who through marriage could claim kinship. The states of Ohio, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan were represented. CHARLES T. AGNEW, County Commissioner of Mahoning County, and a well known and highly respected citizen of Boardman township, residing on a farm, was born November 2, 1861, in Boardman township, and is a son of Ralph and Elizabeth (Crouse) Agnew, and a grandson of Thomas Agnew. Thomas Agnew, a native of London, England, remained in that city until 22 years of age and learned the goldsmith's trade. He then came to America, settling first in Philadelphia, where he became a shoemaker, after he removed to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where, about 1825, he was married. He subsequently located on a farm in Boardman township, Mahoning County, on which he and his wife both died. Ralph Agnew was three years old when his parents removed from Pittsburg to Boardman. Here he was reared, and married Elizabeth Crouse. They had two children—Frank, a farmer of Boardman township, and Charles T., the subject of this sketch. Mrs. Agnew died in February, 1872; her husband in May, 1893. Charles T. Agnew, our subject, was reared in Boardman township and attended the district schools. He has always devoted his time more to stock-raising and shipping than to farming, although he owns his farm in this township. He has been married twice, first on 474 - HISTORY OF MAHONING COUNTY December 10, 1885, to Nannie Cowden, who died in August, 1897, leaving two children—Bessie and Irma. He was married the second time on January 6, 1899, to Nettie Hart, by which marriage also there were two children—Thelma and Dan. Mr. Agnew served two terms as trustee of Boardman township. In the fall of 1895 he was elected county c0mmissioner, on the Republican ticket, and assuming the duties of that office in the fall of 1896, served for three years. In the fall of 1906 he was elected to fill the unexpired term of Thomas B. Jones, who was commissioner at the time of his death. Mr. Agnew is a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. COL. CALEB B. WICK, whose long, eventful and useful life was almost entirely spent in Youngstown, may well be classed with that band of notable men, whose patriotism, energy, ability and integrity ushered in the conditions which have resulted in the wonderful development of this city along every line. Caleb B. Wick was born October 1, 1795, in Washington County, Pennsylvania, and was the eldest son of Henry and Hannah (Baldwin) Wick. Henry Wick came, through several generations of Americans, and most worthy residents of Long Island, from an English ancestor. His father and his grandfather were born and reared at Southampton, Long Island, where his birth took place March 19, 1771. On December 11, 1794, he married Hannah Baldwin, who was a daughter of Caleb Baldwin, a prominent resident of Morristown, New Jersey. In Washington County, Pennsylvania, Henry Wick went into business and carried on merchandising until 1801, when he followed his father-in-law to Youngstown, Ohio, then in its infancy. Here Henry Wick established a home and re-embarked in business and in the following year brought his family here. Caleb B. being then in his seventh year. A successful and honorable business career fol lowed, Mr. Wick's store on the southeast corner of the Diamond, on the corner of Federal and Phelps streets, being a landmark for over forty years. He died November 4, 1845, and was survived by his wife until 1849. Henry Wick and wife were the parents of twelve children, all of whom have passed away. One of the sons, the late Henry Wick, a capitalist of Cleveland. resembled in character, as well as in name, Youngstown's honored pioneer citizen. Caleb Baldwin Wick was given the best educational advantages that the little town of Youngstown afforded, and received an excellent business training under his father, nne which equipped him for a mercantile busir. of his own. In 1815, in association with Dr. Henry Manning, he embarked in a general mercantile business at Youngstown, his stock including drugs, and from this beginning grew the city's large drug business, it being the first departure in this line in all this section of the Western Reserve. When Mr. Wick retired from mercantile pursuits, in 1848, h, was the oldest merchant in this city. He was interested in the various industries which gave employment to his fellow-citizens, encouraged the influx of capital and proved his public spirit by investing much of his own. In 1846, in association with other men of means, he erected the first of the great rolling-mills which formed the nucleus of the extensive plant of Brown, Bonnell & Company, one of the main industries of the Mahoning Valley. For many years of his life, the late. Caleb Baldwin Wick was known. as Colonel Wick, a title given him in 1822, as colonel of the First Regiment of Ohio State Militia, with which he had been connected as an officer since 1817. He served as township clerk and trustee, and as postmaster of Youngstown under the administration of President William Henry. Harrison. To the developing of the educational and religious influences of his city, Colonel Wick was a large contributor, not only of his means but of his time, which was always a valuable asset. Many of the present well-developed charities of the city had their in-