400 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY securing the street railroad between Niles and Mineral Ridge, of which he is now president. He owns fine residence property midway between the two cities, and also owns and conducts a farm of 400 acres in Ma-honing county. Our subject was married at North Dover, Ohio, September 21, 1865, to Rebecca Jackson, a member of a prominent and respected family. Mr. Williams is an active worker in the Republican party, and has served as a member of the City Council and School Board of Mineral Ridge for a number of years. He is a self-made man, yet in the prime of life, is frank and cordial with all whom he meets, and is one of the leading and popular citizens of Trumbull county. JAMES AGUE, of Mineral Ridge, was born in Hubbard township, Trumbull county, March 26, 1826, a son of Anthony Ague, a native of Pennsylvania, but who came to Youngstown, Ohio, in 1806. Two of his brothers, John and George, were soldiers in the war of 1812. The mother of our subject, nee Leticia Kayse, was a native of New Jersey, of Holland Dutch ancestry. She died in Weathersfield township in 1832, leaving six children: Mary Ann, deceased; James, our subject; William, who served in the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Battery during the late war, and now resides at Mineral Ridge; Martha Jane, Lorinda, deceased, and Leticia. The father afterward married Catherine Boyd, and they had ten children. James Ague, the subject of this sketch, removed to Henry county, Illinois, in 1854, which was then wild and unsettled, and engaged in farming and coal mining. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Infantry, for the late war, under Colonel T. J. Henderson, and the regiment made a gallant record. Mr. Ague was wounded at the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, July 25, 1863, and still carries the rebel lead in his body. After the battle of Knoxville his regiment was in the Third Brigade, Third Division, and Twenty-third Army Corps. After the Atlanta campaign he, with his regiment, followed Hood into Tennessee; in the spring rejoined Sherman, and marched through the Carolinas, then through Virginia to Washington, District of Columbia. He served with honor and credit two and a half years, and after the close of the struggle resided in Henry county, Illinois, until 1888. * In that year he sold his possessions there and came to Trumbull county, Ohio. Our subject was first married at Austin-town, Ohio, in 1848, to Mahalah Bowen, a daughter of David and Mary Bowen. They had ten children, six now living: Clinton, Horace, George, Eugene, Helen and Martha. The wife and mother died in 1887, and in the following year Mr. Ague married her sister, Euphemia Bowen. Mr. Ague is identified with the Republican party, and cast his first presidential vote for General Taylor. He is a member of the G. A. R., John A. Logan Post, No. 620, of which he is Past Commander, and he is. a pensioner. BENJAMIN LEACH, of Trumbull county, was born in Youngstown township, Mahoning county, Ohio, December 1, 1816, a son of Abram and Amy (Luce) Leach, natives of New Jersey. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Abner Leach, served as a soldier in the Revolution- OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 401 ary war for seven years. Abram Leach was a soldier in the war of 1812. The parents of our subject had ten children: Polly, Joel, Abner, Sally, Eliza, Daniel, Benjamin, John, Stephen and Levi. The father died in Champion township, at the age of seventy years, and the mother departed this life about ten years later. Benjamin Leach lived at Hubbard for several years, and in 1863 came to the place where he still resides. He was married in Fowler township, September 19, 1844, to Mary Royen, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Sarah (Porter) Royen. The father died at the age of sixty years, and the mother at the age of eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Leach have had seven children: Laura, wife of Austin Tibbits; Sarah, now Mrs. Abraham Van Wye; James; Kittie, wife of James Harper; John; Collie, wife of Walter Agler, of Garrettsville, Ohio; and Annie, wife of Frank Stewart. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leach are members of the Disciple Church. Mr. Leach supports the principles of the Republican party. NIELSON J. McCOMBES, whose post office address is Niles, Ohio, is one of the prominent men of Howland township, Trumbull county. He was born in this township, June 24, 1842, son of Milo McCombes, a native of Weathersfield township, this county. Grandfather James McCombes was one of the first settlers in this county, having come here from Pennsylvania when the woods abounded in bears and wolves, and when the Indians outnumbered the whites. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. Grandmother McCombes was, before her marriage, Miss Betsey Beard, and she, too, was a native of Pennsylvania. Both the McCombes and the Beards are descended from Scotch-Irish ancestors who were Presbyterians. James McCombes and his wife passed the closing years of their lives in this county, and died and are buried here. They reared two children, John and Milo, both of whom are deceased. John was engaged in banking and other business in Warren, Ohio. Be and his wife left one daughter, Charlotte, who is now the wife of George Ross, of Cleveland, Ohio. Milo McCombes was married at the age of twenty-one, to Harriet Nelson, a native of Liberty township, this county, and a daughter of John and Margaret (Steward) Nelson, both of her parents having died in Liberty township. Mrs.McCombess died in Weathersfield township in 1851, leaving three children: N. J., the subject of this article; Alice E., who married Tracy Lowry, and who died, leaving two children; and James, of Columbus, Ohio. James cCombess has been blind from his birth. He is a music teacher. MiloMcCombess married for his second wife Miss Rebecca Hake, and in 1856 he settled on the farm on which his son, N. J., now lives. This property was then known as the Dr. Seeley farm. Ile died at the age of sixty-two, and his widow still survives him. N. J. McCombes was reared on his father's farm, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits all his life. He owns 111 acres of land, one of the best farms in the township, which is well improved with good buildings, etc. His residence is 41 x 41 feet, and at the time it was built was one of the finest country houses in the county. The barn is 40 x 50 feet in dimensions. Mr. McCombes has given special attention to the dairy business. He was married in October, 1870, to Charlotte Sowers, of Howland township, daugh- 402 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY ter of William and Mary (Hake) Sowers. They have two children, Harry C. and May Belle, aged nineteen and fifteen years respectively. Mr. McCombes is a Republican, as was his father before him. He is a member of the Disciple Church, and is an officer in the same. DAVID FISK, one of the representative citizens of Champion township, Trumbull county, Ohio, dates his birth in Montville, Geauga county, this State, July 27, 1850. The Fisk family is of Welsh origin. N. G. Fisk, the father of our subject, was born in Cattaraugus county, New York, son of David Fisk, who came with his family to Portage county, Ohio, at an early day, and who died here at an advanced age. David Fisk was the father of seven sons and four daughters. N. G. Fisk was married in Montville, Ohio, to Betsey McFarland, who died when her son David was about five or six years old. She left three children, the other two being Charles and Warren. For his second wife, N. G. Fisk married Cordelia Merriman, by whom he had one child, W. E. He moved to Hubbard township, this county, about 1857, where he still resides on a farm. He is a. member of the Disciple Church, affiliates with the Democratic party, and is one of the highly respected citizens of the community in which he lives. David Fisk was reared on his father's farm and was educated at Hartford. He remained at home until he was nineteen years of age, when he rented land in Fowler township and subsequently in Champion. In 1882 he bought his present farm of Jacob Dice, eighty acres, and on it he has since resided. This place is nicely improved with cottage residence and convenient farm •buildings, and here Mr. Fisk is devoting his energies to general farming and also to the dairy business. He was married March 7, 1878, in Bazetta township, this county, to Miss Anna M. Knox, daughter of T. S. and Sarah (Rush) Knox, one of the leading citizens of the county. They have two sons: Ray N., born April 9, 1880, and Rolland S., born March 15, 1885. At this writing, Mr. Fisk is filling the office of Township Trustee, having been elected on the Democratic ticket. Socially, he is identified with West Mecca Lodge, No. 707, I. 0. 0. F. He is in the prime of life, and is ranked with the leading and most enterprising men of the county. SAMUEL FENSTERMAKER, one of the representative citizens of Cham- pion township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in Jackson, Mahoning county, this State, March 3, 1833, son of Peter and Betsey Fenstermaker. The subject of our sketch has been a resident of Champion township since he was eight years old, with the exception of time spent in Minnesota. After he reached his majority' he learned the carpenter's trade, at which he worked a short time. He then turned his attention to the trade of gunsmith, and continued working at that trade for some six or seven years. At the end of that time he bought a tract of land, settled down to farming, and continued to cultivate his land for about five years. About 1872 or 1873 he went to Jackson county, Minnesota, where he took a homestead claim, and where he lived some eighteen years. He OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 403 came back to Ohio in 1891, intending to make a visit and then return to Minnesota,. but decided to remain, and purchased his present place, a nice little farm of forty acres. Mr. Fenstermaker was married in 1862 to Miss Susan C. Fullwiler, who was born in Braceville township, Trumbull county, Ohio, and who died in Minnesota in 1887, aged forty-one years. Mr. Fenstermaker is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics is a Democrat.   CHARLES J. CHINNOCK, one of the most progressive farmers and stock-raisers of Champion township, Trambull county, Ohio, is a son of Thomas Chinnock, deceased. He was born on the old Chinnock homstead in this township, March 30, 1860, and was reared and educated here. In 1881 he purchased a small tract of land, thirty acres in extent, and at once settled down on it. The following year, September 21, 1882, he married Miss Lucy A. Parks, of Mecca, daughter of James and Catherine (Price) Parks. Her father is still living, her mother died October 7, 1891. Mr. and Mrs. Chinnock have four children: Bessie C., born September 20, 1885; John J., March 10, 1888; Charles Howard and Harry Elsworth, twins, September 21, 1892. After a few years of honest and earnest toil, Mr. Chinnock was enabled to add to his original purchase, and at this writing is the owner of 131 acres of fine farming land, upon which he has made many valuable improvements. Since February, 1885, in connection with his general farming, he has been engaged in the breeding of fine draft horses. He first brought to his farm a fine stallion, "Boisie," from which he sired over 300 colts. This horse was the son of "Prince of Normandy," imported by Dolman, of New York. Mr. Chinnock disposed of him in 1891, and secured his present stallion, " Brilliant," an imported Percheron, brought to this country by Powell Brothers, of Crawford county, Pennsylvania. " Brilliant" is registered in the Percheron Stud Book of France, volume 1, No. 215; the American Stud Book, volume 4, No. 5427; and in the National Register of French Draft Horses, volume 4, No. 3819. He is jet black, and weighs 1,840 pounds. This horse was sired by " Decide," the sire of which was " Viaduct." The last named was one of five horses that took the grand sweepstakes of America. Mr. Chinnock is one of the stanch Republicans of Trumbull county. He has filled the office of Township Treasurer. Fraternally, he is a member of Mecca Lodge, No. 707, I. O. O. F. HON. JOHN M. STULL, one of the leading members of the bar and best --t known citizens of Trumbull county, Ohio, residing in Warren, has literally obeyed the Scriptural injunction not to hide his light under a bushel or conceal his good works from men, inasmuch as he is highly conspicuous for both ability and benevolence. He is a native of the county in which he now resides, his birth having taken place May 16, 1823. His parents were James and Catherine (Mcllree) Stull, the former a native of Pennsylvania, of German parentage, and the latter born in Scotland of Irish descent. Thomas Stull, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to Ohio, in 1805, settling in Liberty township, then in Mahoning county, but from which Trumbull county 404 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY was afterward made. He reared a large family of children and passed his life on his farm, where he died. The parents of Mr. Stull of this notice were married in Trumbull county and continued to reside on a farm until 1829, when they removed to Farmington. They died in early life, leaving six children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the only survivor. Mr. Stull was the second child in order of birth and was reared on the home farm until he was eighteen years of age, attending the common schools and gaining a fair education for those days. He then began to learn the blacksmith's trade at Hampden, Geauga county, and after two years' apprenticeship he returned to his home in Farmington, whither his parents had removed, and where he worked at his trade two years and a half. In shoeing a horse he was one day greatly injured, so much so that he discontinued his trade. He then commenced to attend the Farmington Academy, and was for eight years engaged in school either as a student or teacher, acting as an instructor in Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. In the meantime he began the -study of law at Campbellsville, Kentucky, and a few days before reaching the age of thirty he was admitted to the bar in Trumbull county, Ohio, in 1853. He celebrated this achievement by marrying an estimable lady of his acquaintance, and in 1853 began the practice of law at Warren, where he has for many years held high rank in his profession, but of late years has given more attention to his private business interests, of which he has a number. He owns considerable real estate in Warren and elsewhere, besides other valuable property, and is also engaged in farming. He is a large stockholder in the Western Reserve National Bank, the Warren Paint Company, the Packer Lumber Company, Cortland National Bank and Warren Savings Bank. He was for six years Prosecuting Attorney for Trumbull county, and served one term of two years (1888 and 1889) in the Ohio State Senate. He was renominated for a second term, but declined the honor, for reasons satisfactory to himself. While in the Senate, he did able service as a member of the School, Temperance and Judiciary committees, the committee on Revision and others, his conduct being distinguished by uprightness and thorough attention to his work. He naturally takes .a deep interest in educational matters, and is trustee of the Mount Union college, and treasurer of the Farmington Academy, as .well as trustee of the Alleghany College, at Meadville, Pennsylvania. In politics, he was originally -a Democrat, but on the organization of the Republican party, he joined its ranks and has ever since been a strong supporter of its principles. Fraternally, Mr. Stull affiliates with the Masons, of which he is an active member, belonging to the Mystic Shrine and being president of the Board of Trustees of the Ohio Masonic Home. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is treasurer, and also treasurer of the Board of Stewards, and for ten years acted as superintendent of the Sunday-school. In May, 1853, Mr. Stull was married to Florilla W. Wolcott, daughter of Deacon Lewis Wolcott, of Trumbull county, a noble woman who proved a faithful helpmate and worthy companion. They had three children, of whom but one survives, a daughter, now Mrs. Minnie S. Harris, of Warren. In 1885, the devoted wife and mother died, leaving her family and many friends to mourn her OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 405 loss. In his affliction, Mr. Stull has the sympathy of a large community, who esteem him not only for his many able qualities of mind, but also for his kindness of heart and general beneficence. IRA HYDE, one of the leading farmers of Farmington township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born here, April 15, 1821. Following is a record of his genealogy for several generations back: Humphrey Hyde and family came from England and settled in Fairfield, Connecticut, about 1650. He married Ann Ripley, and their children (second generation) were John, Sarah and Hannah. John, the first mentioned of these, was born in England in 1642, came to Fairfield, Connecticut, with his father, was a farmer, and married Elizabeth Harvey, who was born July 25, 1654, a daughter of Richard Harvey. Their children (third generation) were John, Elizabeth, Sarah and Mary. John, the first of these, was born at Fairfield, May 1, 1668, was a physician and married, January 1, 1692, Rachel Rumsey, daughter of Robert Ramsey, of Reading, Connecticut. She was born October, 1671, and died November 6, 1744. This John Hyde died January 14, 1738, his children (fourth generation) being John, Elizabeth, Damasts, Daniel, Abigail, Sarah, Mary, Hannah, Joseph and Rachel. Of these, Daniel was born at Greenfield, Connecticut, March 31, 1700, was a captain by occupation, and married Deborah Beadsley, who was born in 1698 and died February 17, 1754. Their children (fifth generation) were Nehemiah, Eliakim, Daniel, Abijah, Deborah, John, Elihu, Martha and Eunice. Elihu lived at Oppenheim, Montgomery county, New York, was twice married,—first to Betsey French, who left no children, and secondly to Sarah Wheeler, by whom he had nine children (sixth generation): Elihu, Eli, Elisha, Ira, Betsey, Sally, Polly, Daniel and Joel. The father died May 11, 1829, at Oppenheim. Captain Ira Hyde, father of our subject, was born in Montgomery county, New York, January 29, 1782. He acquired his title in the war of 1812. Nearly all his life was spent on the frontier, and in his make-up were found all the elements of the true pioneer. In 1818, accompanied by his wife and five children, he came with a colony to Ohio, making the journey in a wagon that was drawn by a yoke of oxen and one horse. Upon his arrival in Trumbull county, he settled on a tract of land in Farmington township. This land comprised 500 acres, and on it he at once built his log cabin and established his home. In this primitive cabin he and his family lived for fifteen years, when a modern residence was built on the same site. Captain Hyde was married, in 1810, to Mary Parker, who was born in Ireland, January 18, 1787, daughter of James and Sarah Parker, natives of Scotland. She came with her parents to this country when she was only two or three years old, and they settled in New York. Her mother died in that State at about the age of seventy-five years, and her father subsequently came to Ohio, where he passed away at the age of eighty-six. The captain and his wife had eight children, of whom three sons and three daughters are still living. Few men in this part of Ohio were more prominently identified with its early history than Captain Hyde. He did much in every way to advance its interests. He built two churches in Farmington township and helped to build the first schoolhouse in this part of Trumbull 406 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY county. After a life of useful activity, he quietly passed away, January 27, 1858, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife survived him until May 2, 1872, when she died, aged about eighty-four years. Both were devoted Christians, and were active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The subject of our sketch was reared on his father's frontier farm and conned his lessons in the old log schoolhouse his father helped to build. He himself has assisted in clearing over 500 acres of wild land. He was married, June 19, 1842, to Miss Mary Housel, who was born in Jackson township, Mahoning county, Ohio, December 31, 1819, daughter of Peter and Sarah (Myers) Housel. Her father was captain of a company of State militia in 1816, his commission being dated January 6, of that year. He was employed as workman on the capitol of Washington when Jefferson was president. Of Mr. and Mrs. Hyde's eight children we make the following record: Mary P., born May 16, 1843, was married, September 10, 1867, to A. E. Pierce, a merchant of Bristolville, Ohio; Charles P., born March 23, 1846, was married, October 17, 1871, to Clara M. Hunter, and they have two sons and two daughters, he -being a farmer; Jefferson H., born June 3, 1848, was married, May 19, 1869, to Ellen Palmer, and they have two sons and five daughters; Franklin H., born May 3, 1850, resides with his parents; Sarah M., born February 15, 1853, was married, March 4, 1889, to Henry Clernments, a commercial traveler; Emeretta C., born March 6, 1856, was married, December 19, 1887, to George Sager, and they have one daughter; Eliza T., born December 7, 1859, was married, June 25, 1885, to E. P. Robinson; and Nettie Z., born May 18, 1864, was married, March 8, 1888, to Harry S. Lewis. All have had good educational advantages and two of the daughters are accomplished musicians. After his marriage the subject of our sketch settled on his present farm, on Grand river, and here he has lived ever since. The first log cabin he built gave way a few years later to a better log house which, in turn, was replaced by the modern residence in which Mr. and Mrs. Hyde now live. He owns 350 acres of fine land and for many years has carried on farming extensively. He was one of the first to raise blooded stock in Trumbull county. For some time past his specialty has been Durham cattle. Mr. Hyde and his father were Whigs until the birth of the Republican party, and since John C. Fremont was a candidate for the presidency our subject has supported the Republican ticket. He has filled various local township offices. He is one of the pillars of the Methodist Episcopal Church at his place, and we are safe in saying that he and his nephew, Corwin B. Hyde, have kept the church up here for the past sixteen years. Few families in Trumbull county are more prominent or are held in higher esteem than that of Ira Hyde. In 1892 Mr. and Mrs. Hyde celebrated their golden wedding, surrounded by their children, grandchildren, relatives and many friends. LUCIUS ANDREWS, one of the representative citizens of Vienna, was born 1 in Brookfield, Trumbull county, Ohio, June 28, 1841, a son of Andrew and Mary (Barnhisel) Andrews, both of whom died in Vienna, the father May 2, 1873, and the mother September 5, 1886. The father was born in Burlington, Connecticut, July 14, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 407 1815, and the mother August 23, 1818. He was a son of Whiteley H. and Phoebe (Woolford) Andrews. The former was of English ancestry, and they removed to Brookfield, Ohio, where they settled. Whiteley H. was a man of considerable wealth, and was a farmer by occupation. Andrew J. Andrews, father of our subject, came to Ohio with his parents when a small boy, was reared to farm life in Brookfield, Trumbull county, and at the age of twenty years, in connection with farming, began dealing in cattle. In 1868 he became interested with his son, our subject, and Chauncey Andrews, of Youngstown, in searching for coal in Vienna and adjoining townships. They located a number of the best mines in this part of Ohio, and also developed and operated a number of them. Later, in company with General Curtis, of Sharon, Pennsylvania,. and Jacob Messersmith, of Vienna, Mr. Andrews developed the Mecca oil fields. He was a public-spirited man, a Democrat in an early day and later a Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Andrews had two children. The daughter, Lucy E., is the widow of Robert H. Jewell, formerly a banker of Hubbard, and still resides in that village. Lucius Andrews, the subject of this sketch, was reared on a farm in Vienna township, and received his education in the public schools and at the Farmington and Hiram Colleges. After completing his education he was engaged with his father in the stock business a few years, next followed coal mining in company with his father and Chauncey Andrews. In 1874 he embarked in the mercantile business in Vienna, with M. A. Quilty, two years later sold his store, and in 1878 moved to Meadville, Pennsylvania; to educate his children, and engaged while there in business. Six months later Mr. Andrews returned to Ohio, where he was associated with the malleable iron works for two years, and then returned to his old home in Vienna. He still resides at that place, living a retired life. In political matters he is a stanch Democrat; has held the office of Township Trustee, and has been a member of the School Board. Socially he is a member of the F. & A. M., Mahoning Lodge, No. 394. Mr. Andrews was married, May 8, 1862, to Miss Cornelia Woodford, a native of Vienna and a daughter of Henry and Rachel (Bradley) Woodford. To this union have been born two children: Alfred L., traveling with a Chicago mercantile agency; and Mary R., wife of Edward L. Hauser, a member of the firm of Hauser & Son, of Girard, Ohio. OVID O. WILSON, another one of the successful farmers of Bazetta township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born October 24, 1852, on the farm on which he now lives. James G. Wilson, his father, was for many years a prominent and well-to-do citizen of Bazetta township. He was born in Vermont in 1800, and in 1818 took up his abode in Trumbull county. He was twice married—first, to Barbara Stephens, and after her death to Olive' King. The latter, the mother of our subject, is still living, being a resident of Howland township, this county. James G. Wilson died in April, 1885, at the age of eighty-five years. He left three sons: William W., Ovid O. and-Thomas K., the former two being residents of Bazetta township, and the last named of Howland township. Until he was fourteen, Ovid O. spent his boyhood days on his father's farm in Bazetta township. Then the family moved to How- 408 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY land township, where he was reared to manhood on a farm and where he was educated in the common schools. He was married March 24, 1875, in Howland township, to Miss Della E. Gibson, a woman of marked intelligence and a member of a highly respected family. She was born in Warren, Ohio, September 21, 1857, daughter of U. P. and Amanda (Dray) Gibson. Her father is a contractor and builder of that place. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have five children: Thomas Howland, Howard, Walter Roy, James Elbert, Arthur Julien and Alta May. Mr. Wilson returned to the scenes of his early childhood in 1875, and since that date has resided on his present farm. Here he owns 150 acres of fine land, well improved, and located conveniently near to Cortland. The two-story residence, 18 x 26 feet, with an L, 20 x 22 feet, and an addition, 10 x 12 feet, is beautifully located on a natural building site. There are two good barns on the place. Mr. Wilson devotes his time to general farming and stock-raising, having a large flock of sheep. This farm was formerly known as the old " Sam Stevens " farm, and was at one time owned by the father of our subject. Mr. Wilson's political views are in accord with Republican principles. Re is a man in the prime of life and is regarded as one of the most popular men of his township. JAMES LAWRENCE KENNEDY, one of the intelligent and enterprising farmers of Howland township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born upon the farm on which he now lives, June 4, 1843. James Kennedy, his father, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, July 29, 1807, son of Samuel Kennedy, a native of the north of Ireland, a descendant of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and a member of the Presbyterian Church. In 1814 Samuel Kennedy and his wife and children came to Trumbull county, Ohio, and settled in the neighborhood in which James L. now lives. He died in middle life and his wife survived him several years. They had a family of eleven children, namely: Montgomery; James, Maxwell, Thomas, William, Elizabeth, Nancy,Tabitha, Jane, Maria and Ann. James Kennedy was reared on his father's pioneer farm and his education was that received in the district school. As he grew up he learned the trade of brick and stone mason, and afterward became a gunsmith. He was married November 10, 1831, to Alice Scott, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James Scott. James and Alice Kennedy had four children, as follows: William Wallace, a resident of Howland township; George W., also of Howland township; James Lawrence, the subject of this sketch; and John S., a resident of Warren, Ohio. James Kennedy died at the age of seventy-six years. He was a man of some local prominence and had the respect of all who knew him. He voted with the Republican party, and filled various tow--ship offices. His wife lived to be seventy-eight. James L. was reared on his father's farm, and received a fair education, attending the district schools. The home farm was divided and is now owned by him acid his brother John. He has seventy-two acres, which is well improved with house, barn and fences, and has a valuable stone quarry. Mr. Kennedy lived n Warren for several years, engaged in a hotel and insurance business, but for some time past has given his attention to the farm. He was married September 9, 1869, at OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 409 Fowler, Ohio, to Betsy Alderman, daughter of George and Mary (Greenwood) Alderman. Their only son, Charles H., is now twenty-one years of age. Mr. Kennedy is a Republican and an active worker in the ranks of his party. He has served as a Justice of the Peace, and has been secretary of the Republican Central Committee. Fraternally, he is a member of the Masonic order. He has served as secretary of old Erie Lodge, No. 3, for sixteen years, and for seventeen years filled the same office in the Mahoning Chapter, No. 66. He is also a member of Warren Council, No. 58, and Warren Coinmandery, No. 39. WILLIAM Y. SAYERS, a member of the City Council of Niles, was born at Cambridge, Guernsey county, Ohio, March 8, 1862, a son of Frank and Elizabeth (Chapman) Sayers, residents of this city. Our subject was reared and educated at Brookfield. For the past sixteen years he has been engaged in the barber business in Niles, and for ten years has remained at his present location, near the center of the town and the post office. He employs three men, and has four chairs. In the spring of 1890, Mr. Sayers was elected a member of the City Council, and re-elected in 1892, which position he has filled with honor and credit. He owns a good residence at 44 First street, Niles. Mr. Sayers was married in this city, at the age of twenty-four years, to Rozella Orr, a daughter of James and Eunice (Rucker) Orr. They have three children: Howard Yates, William Orr and James Ford. Mr. Sayers is a prominent and active worker in the Republican party. Socially, he is a member of the K. of P. lodge, No. 138, of the Trumbull Division of the U. R. K., No. 18, and of the Royal Arcanum. JONATHAN WARNER, the popular superintendent of the Russia Rolling Mills, Niles, Ohio, is one of the most progressive young business men of Trumbull county. He is a native of Ohio, born in Trumbull county, August 2, 1865. His paternal grandfather, Jonathan Warner, was born in New York State in 1818, and emigrated in an early day to Ohio, locating at Mineral Ridge; there he became interested in coal-mining, owning and operating the larger mines and controlling the bulk of the product in this section. With the exhaustion of the mineral resources Mr. Warner's activity diminished; his career had been one of uninterrupted prosperity and he had accumulated a competence for his declining years. He is now living in retirement surrounded by the substantial comforts of life. He married Eliza Field, and to them were born five children: Emeline, wife of Myron Arms; Edwin J., of Denver, Colorado; Jacob B., the father of our subject; Charles M., and William H. J. B. Warner was born in the State of New York in 1841, and received a limited education in the pioneer schools of Ohio, whither he was brought in infancy. Arriving at mature years he became his father's partner in operating the coal mines of "the Ridge." This industry was abandoned by him during the period of the great Civil war of this country; his command did very important service in Virginia, and when hostilities ceased he returned to Ohio to locate in New Lisbon, where he embarked in the coal 410 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY trade. He married Maria Lewis, a daughter of John Lewis, a native of Wales, and a pioneer settler of Ohio; there were three children in this family, Mrs. Maria Warner, John and Mrs. Leavitt of Brazil, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Warner are the parents of two children, Jonathan and Josephine. At the age of seventeen years Jonathan Warner went to Denver, Colorado, and attended the public schools of that city for a time; he returned to Ohio, and was graduated from Rayen College in 1885, standing second in his class. He then entered Williams College, Massachussetts, and completed the course in this time-honored institution in 1889. His literary education finished he returned to Niles and entered upon the duties of assistant superintendent of the Arms Rolling Mills. He has been very successful, and has won an enviable reputation in manufacturing circles for his sound judgment and mechanical ability. Mr. Warner was married September 23, 1891, at New Castle, Pennsylvania, to Miss Mary Brown Ward, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Brown) Ward; Elizabeth Brown Warner is the child of this marriage: Mr. Warner is a thirty-second-degree Mason, the degree having been conferred upon him in the Lake Erie Consistory. In politics he is a Republican. He and his wife belong to the Presbyterian Church. JOHN F. KEENE, .M. D., is a young physician of acknowledged ability whose future is promising. He was born May 28, 1867, in Sugar Grove, Pennsylvania, a son of William C. and Emily (Davis) Keene, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, both of whom are deceased, the father dying July 24, 1886, and the mother March 14, 1885. Mr. Keene, Sr., was a merchant of Sugar Grove and died highly esteemed by all who knew him. Our subject is the youngest in the family born to his parents, the others being as follows: Elsie A., who died in infancy, and Llewellyn J., who resides in Omaha. Dr. Keene passed through the district schools of his section, after which be began teaching school, in 1886, continuing to follow that calling for eight terms, during which time he became very successful, giving entire satisfaction to all parties concerned. In 1889 he entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, graduating from that institution of learning in March, 1893. For one year he was obliged to teach school to obtain sufficient funds with which to complete his course, which was a thorough and comprehensive one. After graduating he located in Gustav us and is now engaged in building up a practice which promises to be a large and lucrative one. While in college he made a specialty of the study of surgery and is now one of the best qualified surgeons in the entire county, but intends to pursue this branch of his profession still further, feeling that he has a particular aptitude for it. His medical library is an excellent one, to which he is constantly adding, and his constant ambition is to excel in his chosen profession. Dr. Keene was married in September, 1891, to Edna Artman, a daughter of Abraham and .Elmira Artman, of Jamestown, Pennsylvania, where they both reside. Mrs. Keene is the oldest of the five children born to her parents. One child has been born of this marriage, Harriet Effie Mildred, born April 27, 1893. Politically Dr. Keene is a stanch Republican and an ardent adherent of the principles of his party. Socially he is OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 411 connected with the Knights of Pythias of Jamestown, Pennsylvania, in which connection he is as popular as he is prominent in medical circles. Pleasant in manner, possessed of fine intellectual endowments, Dr. Keene is destined to become one of the leading physicians of the entire county, if not of the State, and he already enjoys the full confidence of a large and constantly increasing list of patrons.B BENJAMIN F. PARSONS, manufacturer of spokes and handles, established his business in Cortland, Ohio, in 1888. This is one of the prominent and leading industries of the town, and has acquired a reputation that extends from New York to the Pacific coast. Mr. Parsons manufactures four grades of spokes, the material used being oak and hickory, and is of the best quality. Two engines are used in his factory, one a fifteen-horse power, and the other a twenty-horse power. The plant is composed of two buildings, one 20 x 60 feet, and the other 30 x 100 feet. A force of eight men is employed the year round, and the annual business amounts to from $10,000 to $12,000. Mr. Parsons is a thorough mechanic and is master of every department of his business. He is eminently a self-made man. Of his life we present the following brief sketch: B. F. Parsons was born in Canada, near Quebec, January 11, 1850, son of George Parsons, a native of Connecticut. His mother, nee Susan Barger, was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, and she and Mr. Parsons were married in Canada. She was left a widow by the death of her husband in 1846, and sub sequently came with her six children to Boardman, Mahoning county, Ohio. B. F. Parsons was reared in Mecca. At the age of sixteen he entered the employ of Haymaker & Harmon, of Warren, Ohio, with whom he remained three years, making spokes. After that he was in Camp & Randall's mill for one year. We next find him at Niles, where he was employed in the Russia mill six months. Returning to Warren, he was for some time in the employ of the Richards Furnace Company. From there he went to the factory owned by Johnson & Erie, with whom he remained until he established his present business. At this writing Mr. Parsons has a large contract to supply the Studebaker firm with spokes. Mr. Parsons was married in Sharon, Pennsylvania, November 22, 1868, to Miss Ada CI anson, by whom he has two children, Charlie and Isa. The mother of these children died in July, 1880, and on January 14, 1881, Mr. Parsons married Mary Miller. They have five children by this union: Jessie, Carrie, Roy, Flossie and Percy. Politically, Mr. Parsons is a Republican, and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Cortland Lodge, No. 318. HIRAM H. ROE, of Bazetta township, Trumbull county, Ohio, was born in this township, February 9, 1841, and has all his life been identified with its interests. Walter Roe, his father, was born in Schoharie county, New York, and is descended from an old New England family, some of his ancestors having fought on the Revolutionary battle-fields. For his first wife he married 412 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Mary Blair, a native of Pennsylvania, who died, leaving four children: Clarissa, Reece, H. H. and Mary. His second wife was, before her marriage, Miss Hanna Higley. He came to Ohio at an early day, lived in Bazetta township, this county, for some years, and from there moved to Bloomfield township, same county. He died in Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio, at the age of sixty-nine years. All his life was devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was a member of the Congregational Church, in politics was a Republican, and his character was above reproach. H. H. Roe was reared on his father's farm, and was educated chiefly at Bloomfield. For the past twenty-three years he has lived in Bazetta township, where he owns ninety-four acres of fine farming land. This place was for many years known as the old Alden Faunce farm. It is located a mile and a half from Cortland. Mr. Roe was married September 6, 1866, to Permelia Casterline, daughter of John and Mary (Post) Casterline. Her father is one of the well-known early settlers of the county. Her mother died in 1863, leaving five children, two of whom have since died. Edna Belle, the only child of Mr. and Mrs. Roe, was born April 16, 1884. Mr. Roe is a prominent factor in various local organizations. He is a zealous and active worker in the Republican party; is a member of I. 0. 0. F. Lodge, No. 554, of Cortland. His wife is a member of the Rebekah degree lodge. Both he and his wife are active members of the Disciple Church, he being an Elder in the church and superintendent of the Sunday-school. For several years he has been a member of the School Board. Mr. Roe is a man of more than ordinary intelligence, has broad and progress ive views, and is well informed on general topics. Of a frank and genial nature and cordial manner, he is a man who makes friends of all who have any dealings with him. BURKE OATLEY, Cortland, Ohio, is well known as the genial and popular proprietor of the Hotel Oatley,the leading hotel of Cortland. This hotel is located on the main street of the town, convenient both to the business houses and the railway station. It contains twenty-five rooms, is well furnished and well kept, and from its obliging host and his efficient attendants the guests receive kind and courteous attention. In connection with the hotel, Mr. Oatley also keeps a sale, feed and livery stable. In both he is doing a successful business. Mr. Oatley was born at Cortland, June 27, 1866, son of Lewis and Thankful (Brown) Oatley, one of the prominent early settlers of the town. They were the parents of five children: Eva, now Mrs. Porter Truman, of Cortland; the subject of this biography; Anna, the wife of Charles Dodge, of Cortland; Grace, at home; Blanche, the oldest child, died at the age of two years. The elder Oatley was a farmer by occupation, and was engaged also in mining and stock-raising. His farm was finely located, being right in the town of Cortland, and contained about seventy acres. He was an active and public-spirited citizen, always laboring for the development and prosperity of his town. He was one of the organizers of the Cortland National Bank, of which he was a director. In politics he was first a Republican and latterly a Prohibitionist. July 1, 1893, while in one of his cherry trees picking cherries, he missed his footing, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 413 fell to the ground, and struck on his head, causing instant death. His untimely death was deeply mourned by his family and all who knew him. At the age of sixteen, Burke Oatley went to the Pacific coast and spent one year in Los Angeles, California, at the expiration of which time he returned to Ohio. Then for four years he was engaged in farming in Mecca township. After that he conducted a meat market in Cortland two years. In 1893 he took charge of the hotel and livery stable above referred to, the property of which has been in the possesion of the family many years. Mr. Oatley was married in. Bazetta, January 1, 1885, and has one daughter.. Clare. His wife, Minnie, nee Shaffer, is a daughter of John W. Shaffer, of Trumbull county. Mr. Oatley is a member of Cortland Lodge, No. 318, K. of P., and in politics is a Republican. JOB J. HOLLIDAY, one of the representative citizens of Vienna, Trumbull county, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 10, 1827, a son of Harry and Rebecca (Doan) Holliday. When our subject was about eight years of age he came to Vienna and made his home with Eppenetus Rodgers. Mr. and Mrs. Rodgers were natives respectively of Long Island and Connecticut, but were early settlers of this county. The former came to Trumbull county on foot from his native place, carrying his knapsack, and the latter came with a family in an ox wagon, paying her passage according to her weight. Mr. Rodgers secured his first 100 acres of land from Mr. Holmes, for which he worked six months at. surveying. Ile located on that land in 1.804, and his wife after- - 28 - ward purchased an adjoining 100 acres. Mr. Rodgers opened a farm of 300 acres in Vienna, was one of the leading men of his township, a stanch member of the Presbyterian Church, and in political matters was a Whig. When a young man he met his wife in Cleveland, where they were married, and afterward went on horseback to Connecticut. After spending the winter there they returned to this township. They were successful people financially, and were good, honest and industrious citizens. J. J. Holliday, our subject, was reared to farm life, attended school during the winter months and worked on the farm in summers. He remained on the Rodgers farm a number of years during the life of Mr. Rodgers, and after his death remained with the widow, whom he took care of until her death. Mr. Holliday inherited one-half of their estate, and remained on his place until 1870. In that year he came to Vienna Center, where he has a fine residence and thirty acres of land. For the past fifteen years he has been engaged in the wool business, handling large amounts of that product annually. For a number of years Mr. Holliday has been one of the leaders in the Republican party in this county, has held the office of Trustee for many years, has served as Township Treas- urer, etc. November 23, 1849, he was united in mar, riage with Miss Mary Woodford, who was born in Vienna, February 12, 1828, a daughter of Amon and Nancy (Nelson) Woodford. The father was also born in this township, in 1802, a son of Isaac and Statira (Coles) Woodford, natives of Connecticut, but located here in 1801. They were among the early and substantial families to settle in the woods of Trumbull county, where they reared a large family of children. The father was a 414 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Deacon in the Presbyterian Church. Amon, the fourth child in order of birth, was reared on the old home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Woodford had seven children, viz.: Mary, wife of our subject; Sidney, who was a member of an Iowa company during the late war, is now a resident of that State; Nelson A., also of Iowa; Newton I., a resident of Nebraska; Albert, who served in the Second Iowa Cavalry during the late war, died while in the army, at LaGrange, Tennessee; Libbie C., of Vienna; Henry L., who died at home in 1866. Mr. and Mrs. Holliday have had two children: Eppenetus R., who died at the age of three years and eight months; and Della, who died January 5, 1891, at the age of twenty-five years, was the wife of George Houser, of Girard, Ohio. Mrs. Holliday is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject affiliates with the A. F. & A. M., Mahoning Lodge, No. 394, and in politics is a Republican. ALDIS S. GILBERT is one of the prominent men of Cortland, Ohio. He was born at Canandaigua, Ontario county, New York, July 1, 1822, son of Enos Gilbert, and grandson of Elisha Gilbert, the former a native of Vermont, and the latter of one of the New England States, it is not known which. Enos Gilbert married Isabelle Stevens, a native of Vermont and a daughter of Simon Stevens, also a native of the Green Mountain State, a descendant of a Scotch family. Three brothers by the name of Stevens, members of Cromwell's staff, fled from their native land and sought a refuge in the United States. From one of them Mrs. Gilbert was descended. Simon Stevens settied near the center of Howland township, Trumbull county, Ohio, at an early day, and five years after his settlement here Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert came from New York to this place. Here Mrs. Gilbert died in 1849, leaving five sons and one daughter, namely: Hascall, who is engaged in milling at Hemlock Lake, New York; Aldis, whose name heads this article; George, deceased, was a soldier in the late war; Edwin, a graduate of Amherst College, and a college professor for some years, was colonel of a New York regiment during the war, and is now deceased; Ora, deceased, was also a soldier in the late war; and Prudence, deceased. Enos Gilibert was born in 1796, and died in New York in 1870. He was a miller by trade, and was a successful business man. Politically, he was first a Whig and afterward a Republican. Aldis S. Gilbert was reared and educated in Howland township, Trumbull county, Ohio, and was a resident of that place until 1868. From 1868 to 1880, he was engaged in the hotel business in Cortland. He went to Kansas in 1880 and settled on a farm in Solomon valley in Ottawa county, where he carried on farming operations and also successfully conducted a real-estate business. In 1885, he disposed of his interests there and returned to Ohio. He has since liVed retired in a comfortable home in Cortland. Mr. Gilbert was married February 15, 1849, to Jane Root, a native of Johnson township, Trumbull county, daughter of George and Mary (Johnson) Root, both deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert have five children, namely: Mary, wife of Albert Brown, of Howland township, this county; Viola, wife of James Brown, of Howland township; Edith, wife of Samuel. McCorkle, also of Howland township; Mona, at home; and Frank, an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 415 in company with Herbert & Bacon. Mary and Viola were engaged in teaching previous to their marriage. Politically, Mr. Gilbert is a Republican. During the war he was one of twenty-two who advanced sufficient money to prevent a draft in Howland township. He is a man of frank and genial nature and is as popular as he is well known in Cortland. JOHN B. LEWIS, a merchant of Min- eral Ridge, was born in Monmouth- shire, Wales, June 9, 1837, a son of Rev. Benjamin and Margaret (Alexander) Lewis. The father was a Minister in the Welsh Congregational Church. In 1851 the family came to the United States, locating at Tallmage, Summit county, Ohio, where Mr. Lewis was engaged in the ministry three years. He then went to Edinburgh, Portage county, this State, and later to Palmyra, where he met a sudden death in 1855. His wife departed this life in 1885, at the age of seventy-nine years. They had six children: Margaret, Winifred, Morgan, John B., Benjamin and Janey. Benjamin was a soldier in the late war, a member of the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio Infantry, and died at Murfreesborough from disease contracted in the army. Only two of the children are now living, J. B. and Winifred. J. B. Lewis came to Ohio at the age of fourteen years, where he was employed as a coal miner for a number of years. In September, 1861, he enlisted for service in the Civil war, joining the Nineteenth Ohio Infantry, Company C, and participated in the battles of Shiloh, Stone River, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, and Lovejoy Station. Following Hood in his march on Nashville, he took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. At Lovejoy Station Colonel C. F. Mandison, now of Sumpter, Nebraska, was wounded. Mr. Lewis was wounded by a minie ball at Stone river, remained in the hospital at Nashville three months, and on the road North was severely injured by the train turning over an embankment, for which he was again confined in the hospital at Nashville. He wintered at Columbia, Tennessee, then went to New Orleans. He next went with his regiment to Texas, and was honorably discharged at San Antonio, in September, 1865, as Sergeant. Mr. Lewis was married at Warren, Ohio, February 15, 1867, to Anna Evans, a native of Clarksville, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Evan and Mary Evans, both now deceased. They had three children, two now living: William and Mrs. Lewis. Our subject and wife have six children: John, of Niles; Mary; Ben, who graduated at the high school in the class of 1893; Edd Morgan; Jessie B. and Harrold R. Mr. Lewis is one of the leading members of the Republican party at Mineral Ridge, and has served as a member of the City Council. He has passed all the chairs in Everleigh Lodge, I. O. O. F. THEODORE THOMAS, a member the Mineral Ridge, Manufacturing Company, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, June 28, 1849, a son of William, and Ellen (Owens) Thomas, the former a native of Wales, but reared and educated in Schuylkill county, and the latter also a native .of Pennsylvania. The father died in in Schuylkill county and the mother in Connellsville, same State. They had ten 416 - BIOGRAPHICAL. HISTORY children, five sons and five daughters. One son, Hiram A., was a gallant soldier in the late war, a member of the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, was taken prisoner at Salisbury, North Carolina, held seven months, was paroled in 1865, was taken home and a few days later died, his death occurring the day that President Lincoln was assassinated. Theodore Thomas, the subject of this sketch, was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. He served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade, and later worked as a journeyman, and has had twenty-three years' experience as a thorough and practical mechanic. He came to this city July 12, 1889, and now has charge of the mechanical work in the Mineral Ridge Manufactory. Mr. Thomas was married at McKeesport, Pennsylvania, September 1, 1876, to Alice Louise McGaffick, a native of Allegheny county, that State, and a daughter of Hesekiah and Sarah McGaffick. Our subject and wife have had ten children: S. Ellen, William R., Edna B., Mary J., Clara, Howard M., Ralph and Alice. Theodore and Rufus, twins, died in infancy, one dying the same day of its birth, and the other at the age of eight months. Mr. Thomas affiliates with the Republican party, and his wife is a member of the Disciple Church. HARMON AUSTIN.—July 27, 1817, stands as the date of the birth of Harmon Austin, the place of his nativity being the old Austin homestead, just two miles west of the city of Warren, Ohio. The subject of this review is descended from one of the most prominent and highly honored of New England families. The parent tree of the Austin family in America was Richard Austin, who came from England to the Connecticut colony about 1638. His son, Anthony Austin, of Suffield, Connecticut, was a participant in the war of the Revolution as a Colonial soldier, and figured as a conspicuous character in the history of his city. He had a son by the name of Benajah Austin, whose first son received the same name, and this son in turn had a son who bore the same name, and it was the last-named Benajah Austin who was the father of him whose well-known name initiates this biographical memoir. Ile was born in Suffield, Connecticut, in the year 1779, and, in 1803, wedded Olive Harmon, a native of Rupert, Vermont, born in 1783. Within the same year of this marriage, Benajah Austin came to Trumbull county, Ohio, and settled on a farm two miles west of the present city of Warren. He devoted the major portion of his life to farming operations. He was respected and esteemed for his splendid order of intellect, for his integrity, purity of character and usefulness as a progressive citizen. He was an old-line Whig, an anti-slavery man, and served several years as County Commissioner. He was also the incumbent as Sheriff of the county for two or three terms. He was for years a zealous member of the Christian, or Disciple, Church, and his life was ever that of a devout Christian. He died leaving to his family a considerable estate, but also left that which is above and beyond such mere material endowment, the richer heritage of honor and nobleness of character. His summons to join the "innumerable caravan" that marches to the silent halls of death came not until he had attained his seventieth year, and his wife, a true and lovely character, soon followed him, entering into eternal rest two years later. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 417 These courageous and honored pioneers had born unto them five sons and one daughter. Of these children the subject of this sketch was the youngest, and is the only survivor. Having been reared on a farm, it was but natural that his tastes should incline him to the following of agricultural pursuits, and after acquiring a fair academical education, he continued on the farm with his father until 1839. In that year his father resigned the active work of the farm, placing the same in the hands of his son, our subject, who assumed full control. Ten years later the father died intestate, and subsequently, by the purchase of the undivided interests of his brothers and sister in the parental estate, Mr. Austin became owner of the old homestead. He has since added to his possessions by the acquisition of other landed interests, and now controls 600 acres of farming land in the county. January 11, 1843, Mr. Austin wedded Minerva Sackett, and they took up their residence on the old home farm, where they continued to abide until 1870, when they removed to Warren, in which city they have since maintained their home,. enjoying the well-earned repose which is their just desert, after their life of active labor. Of the four children born to Mr. and Mrs. Austin, three are living: Mrs. W. C. Pendleton, Harmon Austin, Jr., of Warren, and Mrs. T. W. Ross, of Cleveland. A particularly notable event was that which took place January 11, 1893, and a reference to the same will be apropos at this juncture. On the date mentioned, Mr. and Mrs. Austin celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. There were present to do them honor on the occasion a large number of home friends and many from abroad. From divers sections of the Western Reserve came many persons of prominence to pay a fitting tribute to the venerable couple, who had been identified with the progress of that portion of the prosperous commonwealth for the period of au average life-time—identified, not alone as residents of the locality, but as prominent personages in church work and as active coadjutors in all that had conserved the welfare of the community. Hon. W. T. Spear, of Warren, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, had expected to be present and deliver an address on the occasion, but was detained by reason of ill-health. His address, however, was read by Hon. T. I. Gillmer, and as the same touches upon many points of interest in the history of this section, it is but consistent that extracts from the context be embodied in this volume and in connection with the biography of him to whom it gave honor The address was substantially as follows: " The occasion which we are assembled to commemorate, is, in many respects, a remarkable one. This is the fiftieth anniversary of the wedding of our good friends, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon Austin. 1843-1893. A half a century. A resume of the momentous events and wonderful changes witnessed in that time might befitting here, and possibly interesting, but time will not permit. " The committee has requested me to call attention to some of Mr. Austin's business and political relations with the public, and his connection with some of the institutions of this community. This phase of the subject being chiefly matter of fact, calls for plain words. To those who may treat of the social and home life of this couple, you will look for whatever graces of oratory and flowers of rhetoric may befit the occasion. " Naturally, one is first reminded to-day of Mr. Austin's association with the Church of 418 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY Disciples, of Warren. He has been for many years prominent in its councils and work. With its efforts toward the advancement of liberal religious ideas, and its enterprise in first making of the plain brick building, standing on this spot in 1843, an attractive and convenient house of worship, and later replacing that with the beautiful structure within whose walls we are met to celebrate this auspicious occasion, he has been an active participant. " Mr. Austin was an advocate of higher education. As an aid to the advancement of this cause, he favored the first Disciple school established in this part of Ohio. I refer to the Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, organized in 1850, now Hiram College. His particular part in its management will be told by those who labored with him. " In politics, Mr. Austin was ever at home. Early an anti-slavery man, though not fanatical in his views, he sided with the organization which sought to curtail the influence of slavery, and prevent its spread until such time as its complete extinction might be practicable. This brought him in contact and in hearty sympathy with many of the leading minds of the times, among them that distinguished Ohioan who was eventually to reach the highest place within the gift of the American people. " Mr. Garfield was professor of ancient languages at Hiram. By the urgent solicitation of those who had faith in him and in his future, after many refusals, the young professor consented to accept the presidency of that college. His objection was that he was too young, and lacked experience. None were more urgent than Mr. Austin--then a trustee —in overcoming this reluctance. An extended correspondence ensued between the two, and to Mr. Austin's persistent advocacy, it is be lieved, more than to any other cause, is to be attributed the final withdrawal of the objection. It is said that so unwilling was the professor to yield that he wrote Mr. Austin twenty-three letters urging him to abandon the project. The wisdom of the selection the future abundantly demonstrated; for, though other duties in a wider field called the young president some five years later from active direction of the destinies of the college, yet the impetus given the work by his most valuable service in that capacity, supplemented by like intelligent and -able direction given the college by his successors, placed the institution upon a high plane, and gave to it a repu tation extending far beyond the boundaries of the State. " As theretofore, Mr. Austin continued Garfield's warm, devoted, unswerving friend, Under all circumstances, at all proper times and in all proper ways, he was ready to give of time, counsel, money when needed, to promote the interests of his friend. And it is simple justice to add that General Garfield appreciated this devotion, put a true value upon its efficacy, and reciprocated, in the fullest sense, the friendship. " Without detracting from the prominent part taken by Judge Kinsman, General McLain, Morgan and others, it is not too much to say that no one person contributed more to the first nomination of General Garfield to Congress than did Mr. Austin. The opposing candidate was an experienced politician, an able man, and surrounded by many active and zealous friends. To succeed against such odds was possible only with the best of management and the most untiring effort. So, too, in after years, when differences arose in the party, and factional opposition developed here and there in the district, the same service, effective though quiet, was rendered. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 419 In time, it is true, as we all know, when the people apprehended what manner of man he was, the General by his own masterly work, rather than by the aid of any and all friends, became the idol of his constituents and the standard-bearer of his party. And yet the devotion of his wise friend continued to the end. It was manifested especially in the promotion of General Garfield to the United States Senate, and was not wanting in his election to the Presidency. " It would be a mistake, I think, to assume that the fealty thus shown was attributable to personal friendship alone. There was all of that, it is true, that is practicable between man and man, but there was in it, after all, more than that. His conduct and expressions of purpose indicated that his devotion to Garfield had its origin in the principle that all citizens owe their first duty to the State; and it was because Mr. Austin estimated at its true value the great usefulness of so good a man to the country, that he devoted so much effort to secure, for the good of the whole people, the services, in public life, of this college president. " He saw earlier than the rest of us the possibilities of the future of General Garfield, because he comprehended sooner the character of the man. He, much in advance of the general public, even in this locality, understood the spirit of that man's life. If I may express it in my own way, it was this: His aim was, first, to use the great talents with which he had been endowed, and the rare opportunities which came to him, for the making of the very best specimen of a man; and secondly, the devotion of the best energies of that man to the up-building of the Republic, and the good of his fellow men. " To have been instrumental in securing for the people the services of such a man in public life, is to have discharged an important duty. For scarcely second to any other is the duty of the private citizen to see that the country has the benefit of the labors of its most worthy and gifted sons, to the end that good government be preserved. " Governed by this same principle,. Mr. Austin took an active part in the selection of good men to fill other public positions. He generally had a choice and was not afraid to express it. In the nomination of a State Senator from his district to the Legislature which was to choose a successor to Senator Thurman, Mr. Austin was influential in 'a high degree. " But while interested in the elevation to office of other men, Mr. Austin desired no office of profit for himself. When the matter was spoken of in his presence, he briefly dismissed the subject, saying he was too busy. And he was. This self-abnegation, however, did not prevent his selection for many places of trust. In 1878 Mr. Austin was appointed trustee of the Ohio Institution for the Blind, in which capacity he served, by continued appointment, six years. His services, though rendered under unusual difficulties, were eminently satisfactory to the executives who appointed him, and were of great value to the State. At the formation of the Trumbull National Bank, in 1865, Mr. Austin was chosen a director, serving in that capacity many years, and in 1882 was made its president. Being interested in agricultural pursuits, Mr. Austin naturally gave of his time to the Trumbull Agricultural Society. During the greater part of its existence he has been an active member, and for many years was its president. For over twenty years he has been the president of the Austin Flag Stone Company, and its manager. To him, more than to any other, is due its success; and to 420 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY the company itself is due much of the progress of Warren, in the pavement of its roadways and sidewalks. In 1881 Mr. Austin was made president of the Oakwood Cemetery Association, and I have personal knowledge of his energetic services and zeal in the discharge of the thankless duties of that modest, though important, trust. His uniform good judgment and efficiency have been highly benficial in the management of that charity, and though this may not be understood by the public at large, it is well known to those who have labored with him. Many other positions of trust, public, quasi public and private, have been worthily filled by Mr. Austin, of which time forbids further mention here. " The reason for the selection of our friend for such places is found in the fact that the public has learned that, if I may express it in a homely phrase, when Mr. Austin is president he presides, when manager he manages, when director he directs, and when trustee he performs the trust. In short, his neighbors know him as a public-spirited citizen, firm of will and steady of purpose as to essentials, while conciliatory and yielding as to non-essentials, having unusual capacity for details, combined with liberal and comprehensive views of larger subjects, possessed of a willing disposition, and what is termed a 'long head.' They know him as peculiarly a man of his time, abreast with its life and purpose, and in sympathy with that wise spirit of progress which seeks for the best that is here attainable. " The social and home side of our host's life, as well as that of our hostess, will be treated by one much better fitted than I. But I stop to add that no less in private life as in public, is Mr. Austin's character noteworthy. He has dealt justly, generously with his fel low-men, has aided the poor, has encouraged the faint-hearted and struggling. As a friend he has been steadfast and resolute, and as an opponent fair and honorable. " In all this he has been most heartily aided by the exemplary woman, the devoted wife and mother, who has blessed his life with her love and their home with her gentle Christian spirit. Inspired by love for one another, by regard and friendliness, and a never-failing sense of duty toward all, this couple has walked harmoniously, hand in hand, through this half century. " I but speak the voice of the entire community when I extend to them heartiest congratulations upon the past and the present, and best wishes for the future." CHARLES R. DODGE, assistant cashier and bookkeeper of the First National Bank of Cortland, Trumbull county, Ohio, has been connected with this institution since June, 1892. The First National Bank of Cortland, was organized April 12, 1892, with William H. Wartman as president, E. F. Bresco as cashier, and with a good board of directors. The building in which it is located is a brick structure, 22 x 45 feet, equipped with all the latest improvements and supplied with a burglar and fire proof safe and vault. Aside from his connection with the bank Mr. Dodge also has business interests inNew Lyme, Ohio, being in partnership at that place with his brother, Warren L., in a mercantile establishment. They occupy a room 35 x 70 feet, carry a stock of goods valued at from $8,000 to $10,000, and are doing an extensive business. Charles R. Dodge was born in New Lyme, Ashtabula county, Ohio, October 22, 1866. OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 421 His father, H. L. Dodge, a highly esteemed citizen of New Lyme, was for many years a successful merchant of that place but is now living retired. His father, Jeremiah Dodge, deceased, was for many years an extensive and successful stock-dealer in this part of the country. H. L. Dodge married Mary A. Wescott. Their three children are, Warren L., Charles R. and Jay. November 8, 1887, Charles R. married, at Cortland, Anna B. Oatley, daughter of Lewis Oatley of this place. They have one child, Virginia R. Mr. Dodge is a stanch Democrat, an enterprising and energetic business man and a popular citizen. Mrs. Dodge is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. DR. JULIAN HARMON.—Conspicuous among the representative names in American history is that of Harmon, members of which family have figured prominently in the country's affairs since its earliest settlement. If this is true of the nation at large, it is peculiarly true of Ohio, where an important branch of this vigorous, energetic family has taken root, and has flourished with remarkable growth throughout the great commonwealth. The founder of this family in America was John Harman, as the ancient records spell the name, who emigrated from England prior to 1644, and settled in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he died after a long and useful life, January 7, 1660. His great-grandson, Reuben, and the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born at Sunderland, Massachusetts, or perhaps at Springfield, on February 18, 1714, and married Eunice Parsons, of Suffield, Connecticut, August 25, 1739. In 1759, he sold his real estate in Suffield, and, in 1776, became a large land owner in Rupert, Vermont. In 1779, he bought 170 acres in Rutland, the latter State, to which town he soon afterward removed, and where he held the offices of Selectman and Justice of the Peace in 1780. 'In June of that year, the records show that he conveyed ninety acres of land in Rutland to each of his sons, Oliver and Reuben, Jr., the latter of whom was the grandfather of the subject of this notice. Reuben, Sr., died in Rutland, Vermont, in September, 1794, his widow surviving him until November 18, 1803, expiring at the age of eighty-six years, both greatly regretted. Reuben Harmon, Jr., grandfather of Dr. Julian Harmon, of this biography, was an extensive land-owner and farmer in Vermont. He was a member of the Legislature of that State for a number of terms, and enjoyed the privilege of coining copper coins on his own responsibility, which, in those days, was no trifling distinction. He was married, in September, 1774, to Ruth Rising, also a member of an old and honored family, her parents being Aaron and Anna Rising, of Suffield, Connecticut. She was a woman of fine physique, resolute, persevering and patient, of rare sociability and cheerfulness. During the Revolutionary war, Reuben Harmon, Jr., served in the patriot army, and his wife was either residing with his father, at Sunderland, Massachusetts, or was there on a visit, when that town was burned by the British and Indians. Mrs. Harmon caught an unbroken colt in the field and mounted it, bare-back, and, carrying in her arms a babe three weeks old, fled while the smoke of her husband's early home rolled up behind her. Such a person was well fitted to be the first 422 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY white woman on the frontier of Ohio, as she afterward became. Fearless amid semi-hostile Indians and strong in every hour of trial, she was a typical pioneer. The babe previously mentioned, she afterward carried in her arms during the long journey to Ohio, where it was scalded to death in 1802! In 1796, Reuben Harmon, Jr., purchased 500 acres of land, comprising the salt springs, in Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, Ohio, and in the fall of 1797 he went there and began the manufacture of salt, returning to his home the following spring. Each fall and winter, he continued this business and eventually erected a cabin there for the future home of his family. In the early spring of 1600, he returned to Vermont and prepared for the final removal to the new field, which seemed to promise so much to one of his vigor and activity.. Having all things ready, the family started in June of that year for the far West. In 1806, Reuben Harmon, Jr., returned to Vermont to finish settling his business, and when he went back to Ohio found that his agent, who had been left in charge of the salt works, had disappeared with $2,000, part of which amount had been collected from sales of salt, which were partly delivered. Thus stripped of his means, Mr. Harmon was obliged to work the harder for the support of his family. In the midst of this, he was taken with fever and died, October 29, 1806, in the fifty-seventh year of his age. His loss was a sad blow to his family and to the newly started settlement in which he took such an active part. He was for many years a member of the Congregational Church of Rupert, Vermont, and, in 1803, united by letter with the First Presbyterian Church, of Warren, and was noted for his piety, kindness of heart and rigid integrity. From a condition of independence and prospective affluence, his family was left in comparative poverty. His widow, however, proved equal to the emergency, meeting all her trials with rare fortitude and sagacity. She passed a life of usefulness, and spent her declining years in Warren, at the homes -of her sons, Dr. John B., and Heman R. Harmon, dying at the latter's house, of congestion of the lungs, April 10, 1836, in the seventy-eighth year of her age, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. Her life was characterized by cheerfulness and activity, and she enjoyed a large share of the pleasures of a ripe old age. She was for many years a member of the Methodist Church in Warren, and died in the hope of that faith. She was the mother of eleven children, of whom John B. was the father of the subject of this sketch. Anna, born in Rupert, Vermont, February 20, 1782, died in Bristol, Ohio, in March, 1841. She was for many years a school teacher in different townships of Trumbull county, and is still remembered by some of the older descendants of the pioneers as the woman who could teach them arithmetic. Clara, born April 12, 1785, married William Leavitt, son of John Leavitt, Esq., of Warren, from whom she was divorced because of his intemperance. She afterward married Dr. John Brown, and moved to Lancaster, New York, where she died January 22, 1844. She was an exemplary and interesting woman. Betsey, born November 12, 1788, died November 7, 1853. She married Samuel Gilson, and had a son, Reuben H. Gilson, and two daughters: Mary, who married Henry McGlathery, of Bristol, Ohio; and Julia, who married Hugh Lackey, of Youngstown, now deceased. She now lives in Hart's Grove, Ashtabula county. After Mr. Gilson's death, she married Albert Opdycke, OF NORTHEASTERN OHIO - 423 and lived in Hubbard until 1836, when they moved to Pulaski, Williams county, Ohio, where they were greatly prospered, and were one of the happiest families to be met with. Mr. and Mrs. Opdycke had six sons and one daughter, the last named having married 0. H. Patch of Warren. He died in Denver, Colorado, in the spring of 1888. Lucretia Harmon, born February 11, 1791, married William Draper of Weathersfield, who lived but a short time. She then married William Frazier, of Hubbard, and moved to Trenton, Ohio, later to Dearborn, Indiana, in which latter place her husband died in May, 1862. Mrs. Frazier died at Dillsboro, Indiana, in January, 1871, being the last survivor of the eleven children, four sons and seven daughters, nine of whom were well known to the pioneers of Trumbull county. Hiram R. Harmon, the ninth child and second son, was born an Rupert, Vermont, December 18, 1793, and died at Ives Grove, Wisconsin, October 15, 1852. He was a blacksmith and resided for a few years in Liberty and Brookfield, later removing to Bristol, Ohio, where he bought the Potter farm, and kept a hotel for a long time, also working some at his trade and farming extensively. He afterward sold his farm and moved to another a mile west of the village, but a few years later went West, where he died of apoplexy in the harvest field about three years afterward. He was an active, industrious, honest and capable man, a zealous advocate of temperance and of anti-slavery. Heman R. Harmon Was born in Bennington, Vermont, February 12, 1798, and died December 1, 1859. He was one of the first merchants of Warren, and also dealt extensively in cattle, large droves of which he took East, and conducted a large farm near the springs. He was at different times a member of the firms of Harmon Brothers, Harmon & Stiles, E. E. Hoyt & Co., and Harmon & Johnson. He served two terms as Sheriff of the county, was an ardent politician and an indefatigable worker in all that he undertook. He aided in the manufacture of the Heath mowing machine, of which he started the first one in this county. Liberal-minded and generous, he did work enough to have amassed a fortune. His losses grew out of adverse circumstances and not from special failures of his own. John B. Harmon, father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Rupert, Vermont, October 19, 1780, and was named after John Brown, a friend of his father in the Vermont Assembly. John Harmon's early experience fitted him for the part he was to play in life. He helped his father conduct a large farm in Vermont, and early became inured to exposure, often going through the winter storms on foot, with his dog and gun, from the home farm in the valley to one several miles up the mountains. He had a fair knowledge of the English branches, and of Latin, and, in 1796, when sixteen years of age, commenced the study of medicine under the tuition of Dr. Jonathan Blackmer, a relative by marriage, who resided in Dorset, Vermont. In 1800, on the removal of his parents to Ohio, John Harmon accompanied them, being then prepared to practice so far as the wants of the family and the few scattered settlers should require. From 1800 to 1806, he aided his father in the salt works, which were carried on extensively, furnishing that necessary commodity to distant settlers as well as to those in the vicinity. He enjoyed the common sport of the day, deer and bear hunting, and was considered an expert shot. One winter he had some twenty deer strung up on a hill a mile west of the springs, the law of hunters in that day rendering 424 - BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY property more safe than bolts and bars can now make our hams and bacon. In lieu of lard, the fat of the bear was used in cooking, and the Doctor often said that with a short cake in his bosom, made with bear's oil, he could travel farther on a hunt or ride, than with any other food. In 1803, Dr. Harmon bought of his father 250 acres of the Salt Spring tract for $2,500 in currency, which was resold in 1806. He afterward became the owner of 280 acres in Warren township, and carried on farming quite extensively, devoting special care to raising thoroughbred horses, choice cattle and Merino sheep, and investing largely in mules. In 1804, Dr. Enoch Leavitt settled in Leavittsburg, and Dr. Harmon resorted to him at intervals for medical instruction. In 1806, Dr. Harmon accompanied his father to Vermont, and resumed, in Dorset, his medical studies, under Dr. Blackmer. In 1808, the Doctor returned to Ohio and settled in Warren, where his practice rapidly increased, and notwithstanding his low fees he easily met his large expenses. After his father's death, he, being the oldest son, naturally assumed the guidance of the family. During his early practice in Warren, he boarded at the tavern on Market street, called at one time the Pavilion, and later the Van Gorder House, which was kept by Colonel William W. Cotgreave. That gentleman August 10-1813, commissioned Dr. Harmon surgeon of the Second regiment, Fifth brigade, Fourth division of the militia of the State of Ohio, which was repeated, on February 5, 1817, by Stephen Oviatt, with the rank of Colonel, and by Governor Worthington, on July 17, 1818, with the rank of Captain. Dr. Harmon was present at the attack on Fort Mackinac, in 1813. When our forces first reached the fort, the Doctor urged an immediate attack, but the General delayed some three days, during which the enemy reinforced the fort, and when the attack was made it was repulsed with great loss. Near the close of the war, Dr. Harmon resumed practice in Warren, and from this time on his rides extended greatly, reaching to Cleveland, Painesville, Ashtabula on the lake, and a long distance in all directions, as, indeed, they had previously, but now more frequently. He was ever at the call of the sick, whether pay was to be had or not. He sometimes swam his horse across the Mahoning, swollen with ice, to meet a professional engagement. During a large part of his life, regular sleep was unknown to him, and he has been known to have gone two weeks without undressing at home, because of daily calls. He learned to sleep on his horse or in his sulky, and when he lay down instantly fell asleep. He would awaken at a call, put up medicine in his bed, give directions and be asleep before the waiter was out of the room. In 1816, he bought the frame (which had been erected the year previous) on lot forty in Warren, and in 1817 he finished the story-and-a-half dwelling where he afterward resided. His sisters, Mrs. Clara Leavitt and Mrs. Dunscomb, kept house for him several years, and afterward, the wife of Captain Thompson took charge of his domestic affairs, until the Doctor's marriage. In 1830, Dr. Harmon was prostrated by a severe run of fever, which nearly proved fatal. In 1833, he was pulled from his saddle by a colt he was leading, and his horse ran, dragging him by the heel until the breaking of the girth released him. His back was so hurt that he could not sit down or get up for a long time without help. Years afterward, in attempting to do so, he would suddenly