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OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS
A Part of Genealogy
Express
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WELCOME to
COLUMBIANA COUNTY,
OHIO
History & Genealogy |
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ROBERT W. TAYLER,
formerly a member of the well-known firm of Wallace,
Billingsley & Tayler, of Lisbon, and Member of
Congress from this district, is now judge of the United
States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio
and a resident of Cleveland. He is prominent as a
man who accomplishes his aims, and his career has been
one of exceeding interest to those with whom he has long
been associated as a citizen.
Mr. Tayler was born at Youngstown, Ohio.
Nov. 26, 1852, and was graduated at Western Reserve
College in June, 1872. In September of that year
he commenced teaching in the Lisbon High School, and in
1873 was elected superintendent of schools. He
served with marked efficiency and was reelected in 1874
for a second term. From January, 1875, to
November, 1876, he was editor of the Buckeye State,
a newspaper published at Lisbon, which wielded a
great influence in the affairs of this section. In
April, 1877, he was admitted to the bar of Columbiana
County and from the very first was successful as a
lawyer.
Mr. Tayler was elected prosecuting attorney in
1880, and reelected in 1882, serving until 1886.
He has always been an earnest advocate of Republican
principles, and was honored by that party and the people
by his election to the 54th Congress. He
immediately took high rank among the members of that
august body, and served his constituency with
faithfulness and ability for four successive terms.
He held the important position of chairman of election
committee No. 1, was chairman of the special committee
on the case of Brigham H. Roberts in the 56th
Congress and was in line for far more important posts,
but the demands of his practice were such that he
declined a nomination for a fifth term. He was a
member of the law firm of Wallace, Billingsley &
Tayler and its successor, Billingsley, Tayer &
Clark until his removal to his natal city,
Youngstown, in 1903. He is widely known among the
people of Columbiana County, who regretted his departure
from their midst. He was the leading counsel in
the prosecution of Senator Reed Smoot before the
U. S. Senate committee on privileges and elections.
In this prosecution the question was whether, by reason
of his connection with the Morman Church, Senator
Smoot was eligible to a seat in the Senate. On
account of its importance the case attracted the
attention of the entire nation. In January, 1905,
he was appointed United States district judge for the
Northern District of Ohio and assumed the duties of his
office Feb. 2, 1905. Since then he has resided in
Cleveland.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 431 |
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ANTHONY W. TAYLOR,
formerly mayor of the city of Salem, serving in this
capacity for three terms, is a senior member of the
well-known law firm of Taylor & Harrison of this
city. He was born Dec. 2, 1861, at New Garden,
Columbiana County, Ohio, and is one of two children born
to his parents, Anthony W. and Clementine M.
(Smith) Taylor.
Mr. Taylor was reared in Columbiana County,
attending school and in boyhood assisted his stepfather
on the farm. After completing his education he
taught school for some years. During this period
he read law in leisure moments and thus prepared himself
for a profession in which he has become eminent.
He was admitted to the bar on May 28, 1885, and was also
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court. He
began practice at Salem, as a member of the firm of
Jones & Taylor, later, of Taylor &
Metzger, and three years later, Taylor &
Baker. The last named firm existed until 1904,
when the present law firm was organized. it
commands a large part of the legal business of the city
and vicinity. The offices of the firm are located
in the Masonic Block on Fast Main street.
Mr. Taylor has always been an active member of
the Democratic party and on numerous occasions has been
signally honored by it. In
April, j 886, he was elected to the highest office in
the gift of the municipality. The excellence of
his administration was shown by his subsequent
reelection to the office. He also served four
terms as city solicitor of Salem. Mr.
Taylor has a pleasant home at No. 1 Superior street.
he married Miss A. L. Baker, who is a daughter of
Hiram Baker, and they have four children,—
Paul R., Clarie, Anna M. and Anthony W., Jr.
The family belong to the Christian Church. Mr.
Taylor is a Knight Templar and also belongs to the
Knights of Pythias.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 456 |
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JOEL B. TAYLOR, JR.,
superintendent of the decorating department of The
Vodrey Pottery Company, at East Liverpool, was born
at Hanover, Columbiana County, Ohio, Oct. 31, 1863, and
is a son of Joel B. and Martha Isabel R. (Lamb)
Taylor and grandson of Anthony and Abigail
(Bishop) Taylor.
The grandfather of our
subject was born in New Jersey in December, 1788, and
came to Salem, Ohio, when the town was a mere niche in
the surrounding forest, there being but a few houses at
the time in the village. He was a wheelwright by
occupation and followed his trade in Salem for a number
of years. He afterward engaged in agricultural
pursuits in Green township, where he resided seven years
and then kept a hotel at New Albany, Mahoning County,
for a number of years, carrying on his trade while
tending to the duties of his public house. In 1840
he started a foundry at Newgarden and there manufactured
the “Taylor” plow. He was also the inventor
and maker of the “shear cutter,” which has been
extensively used in this and other States. He died
in Newgarden in 1852 at the age of 64 years. His
wife, Abigail Bishop, was also a native of
New Jersey, born in February, 1788. She lived to
the advanced age of 92 years, dying in 1880. They
raised a family of seven sons and five daughters, of
whom Joel B. Taylor, Sr., the father of our
subject, is still living.
Joel B. Taylor, Sr., was born at Salem, Ohio,
Mar. 24, 1825, and attended the common schools at
intervals during the years of his minority and the age
of 20 began working at the wheelwright’s trade, which he
had previously learned in his father’s shop. His
compensation for the first 18 months was 50c. per day;
notwithstanding such small wages he continued at his
chosen calling and with increased wages was able to lay
by a good deal of money, finally accumulating a handsome
competency. In 1862 he enlisted in the Third Ohio
Independent Battery as artificer and was with his
command nine months, when, owing to a stroke of
paralysis, which unfitted him for further duty, he was
obliged to leave the service. On returning from
the army, he removed to Cincinnati, where he resided one
year and then returned to Columbiana County, which has
since been his home. He is a well known business
man in the village of Hanover, being one of the leading
citizens of the place. Some years ago he began the
publication of a local weekly newspaper called the Ohio
Crowder, which was afterward changed to the Visitor; he
continued to issue it regularly for some time but it
finally ceased to make its visits because of other
business matters that claimed Mr. Taylor's
attention. He still carries on a general job
printing office, which has a good patronage and in
connection with the printing he conducts a queen’s ware
and book store, in both of which lines he has a paying
trade.
On Sept. 11 1845, Joel B. Taylor, Sr., was
united in marriage with Martha Isabel R. Lamb,
who was born in London, England, Sept. 13, 1825, being a
daughter of Christopher Joseph Lamb, of Scotch ancestry.
The wedded life of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, extending
for a period of 49 years until her death, was blessed
with the birth of 13 children—six sons and seven
daughters—five of whom are still living, namely:
Annie, Henrietta, Mary Alice, Thomas L.
and Joel B., Jr., the subject of this sketch.
After the death of his first wife, Mr. Taylor
married again and after eight years was again made a
widower. He has been married to his third wife for
over two years. He has served the town of Hanover
as mayor three terms and has also been justice of the
peace and township trustee, one term in each position.
He is now borough treasurer and notary public.
He belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic, and with
his wife is identified with the Church of the Disciples,
in which he holds the position of elder.
Our subject was reared at Hanover, attended the schools
of his native place and then learned the trade of
carriage painter. After completing his
apprenticeship, he went to Pullman, Illinois, and
entered the employ of the Pullman Palace Car Company,
where he remained about six years. In 1884 he came
to East Liverpool and opened a shop in which to carry on
carriage painting, which business he kept in operation
until the fall of 1888. Then he entered the
employ of The Vodrey Pottery Company, his duties
being both in the office and on the road. In the
summer of 1894 he became superintendent of the
decorating department, a responsible position that he
continues to fill, with 50 employees under his
supervision.
Mr. Taylor was married to Ellen Vodrey,
a daughter of James N. Vodrey, of East Liverpool,
and they have one daughter and one son, Alma
Vodrey and William Hard. Both
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are active
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is
one of the stewards, has been a member of the board of
trustees and has taken a deep interest in the
Sunday-school work. He has also been one of
the city’s able temperance workers and is considered one
of the city’s sincere reformers.
Politically, Mr. Taylor is a Republican
but he has never consented to have his name used in
connection with political honors. Fraternally he
belongs to Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M.; East
Liverpool Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M., and Pilgrim
Commandery, No. 55, K. T.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 403 |
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COL. JOHN NESSLY TAYLOR,
one of the leading citizens of East Liverpool, Ohio, who
is prominently identified with some of its most
important business enterprises, was born, June 23, 1842,
near Port Homer, Jefferson County, Ohio, and is a son of
Thomas B. and Roxie Ann (Brainard) Taylor.
Colonel Taylor's ancestry in America is traced
in one of the oldest families of New England, and also,
to one of the oldest knights of England.
On the paternal side his great-grandparents with their
children and grandchildren came from Ireland and settled
in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, about 100 years
ago. Thomas Berry Taylor, the Colonel's
father, was born in the latter place in the year 1807,
and died in East Liverpool, Ohio, in August, 1865.
In religion they were Scotch-Irish Presbyterians.
Colonel Taylor's more was born of the union of
Solomon Brainard and Charity
Jaques, which marriage was the first one recorded in
Johnston township, Trumbull County, Ohio.
Both the Brainard and the Jaques
families came from Connecticut to Ohio in the year
1804. These families are conspicuous in the
records of New England since the years 1662 and 1640,
these being the respective dates of their coming to the
New World from England.
The religion on the maternal side, also, was
Presbyterian, but, owing to convenience, Colonel
Taylor’s parents united with the Methodist Church
and were active in its service.
The Taylors, the Brainards and the
Jaques have all been loyal to America and have
fought in her wars. The latter two branches of the
family have been represented in every war of this
country, from the Revolution to the late strife with
Spain. Family lore is thrilling all clown the line, from
olden tales of English prison ships to modern warfare in
the Philippines.
Thomas Berry Taylor married
Roxie Ann Brainard, whose mother was named
Jaques and was of Huguenot ancestry. She
survived her husband and a number of her children and
her beautiful life extended to 93 years, her death
taking place in 1900. Mrs. Taylor
was a gifted poetess and, had not her exceeding modesty
prevented, her name would have been numbered with tire
sweet American singers. She never consented to
write for a remuneration but frequently contributed to
the magazines during her active life and these
productions show a delicacy of sentiment and a
conception of the beautiful, which could emanate only
from one with the gift of true poesy.
Of the family of nine children, five members grew to
maturity, viz.; James M., John N.,
Mary Jane, Arthur B. and Elizabeth C.
James M. Taylor, the eldest survivor, went to
the South in the 50's and became identified with that
section. When the Civil War broke out, his
interests and sympathies were with the Southern cause
and he entered the Confederate Army. It is a
coincidence worthy of note that the first battle in
which he was engaged was that at Dranesville, Virginia,
in December, 1861, in which he was in the Confederate
ranks, while our subject. Col. John N. Taylor,
his own brother, was in the Union ranks, neither
knowing of the presence of the other until long
afterward. James M. served first in the
First Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, and was then
commissioned 1st lieutenant and transferred to the
Medical Corps in which he served until the surrender at
Appomattox.
John N. Taylor was educated in the public
schools at East Liverpool where he remained until his
father thought the time had arrived for him to learn a
self-supporting trade, as was the general custom of the
day. He started to learn to be a carpenter when 15
years old and served out his apprenticeship. When
the Civil War broke out, he was one of the first, in
1861, to enlist in Battery B, First Pennsylvania
Artillery, with which portion of the service he remained
two years, only leaving when discharged for disability.
After a season of recuperation, he assisted materially
in the organization of Capt. William
Brunt’s company in the 143rd Regiment, Ohio Vol.
Inf., in 1864, and was commissioned 2nd lieutenant.
Early in 1864, Colonel Taylor was
appointed postmaster; the office, however, was conducted
principally by his sister until 1868 when it passed into
other hands. In 1867 Colonel Taylor
became identified with Isaac W. Knowles, who, at
that time, owned a 2-kiln rock and yellow ware factory.
In 1870 a partnership was entered into, consisting of
Isaac W. Knowles, John N. Taylor and Homer S.
Knowles, under the name of Knowles, Taylor
& Knowles, and the manufacture of white ware was
started and the name to-day is world-wide known.
In 1891 the company was incorporated with a paid-up
capital of $1,000,000, at which time Colonel
Taylor became its president, which responsible
office he still holds.
Colonel Taylor was one of the organizers
of the Potters’ National Bank, and served as its first
vice-president. He was one of the organizers and
became vice-president of The Knowles Taylor &
Anderson Company, manufacturers of sewer-pipe, whose
plant was sold to The American Sewer Pipe Company in
1900. Another important enterprise in which he was
one of the organizers and of which he is the president
is The Taylor, Smith & Taylor
Company, manufacturers of pottery at Chester, West
Virginia, and he is the vice-president of The H. C.
Fry Glass Company, of Rochester, Pennsylvania.
He was also one of the organizers of the Riverview
Cemetery Company, and has been connected with its
management ever since. In all civic matters he has
been so generally connected that his value as a citizen
has been many times proven. For 20 years he served
on the School Board, and was a member of the
construction committee which built the handsome Central
School Building, which is reputed the finest in the
State. During his numerous terms as a member of
the City Council he was notable in his support of
measures for careful financial management, and for the
efficient carrying out of laws in connection with all
measures pertaining to the city’s welfare. He is
at present the president of the Board of
Public Service of the city.
Colonel Taylor was united in marriage
with Bellvina Catherine Knowles.
To Colonel Taylor and wife were born four
sons, viz.: Edwin Knowies, who died at the age of
two months; William Llewellyn, who is the
manager of The Taylor, Smith & Taylor
Company; Homer John, who is the secretary and
treasurer of The Taylor, Smith & Taylor
Company; and Harold Smith, who died in
childhood, aged four years and seven months.
While Colonel Taylor has never united
with a particular religious body, he has, from youth up,
been interested in all the means of Christian work, a<nd
in his younger days’ was very active in the
Sunday-school, serving as its secretary and for a period
as superintendent. His gifts to religious bodies
and to benevolent objects have been looked upon by him
as manly duties, and he has taken no credit to himself
for at all times lending a helping hand to those less
fortunate in the world than himself. Mrs.
Taylor is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church and is ever concerned in some charitable duty or
religious task. They occupy one of the notable
mansions of the city, which has also the reputation of
being one of the most hospitable.
Politically a Republican from his youth up, Colonel
Taylor early came into close personal friendship
with the late beloved President William
McKinley. The latter, prior to his election as
Governor of Ohio, made his first campaign speech of that
year, speaking from the veranda of our subject’s
residence. Both were interested in tariff reform,
and, as intelligent men, they frequently discoursed
together upon it, and the result of Congressman
McKinley’s convictions had much to do with his
elevation to the presidency. When he was made
Governor, he appointed his friend John N. Taylor
as a member of his staff, on which our subject served
four years. During the remainder of Mr.
McKinley’s life, notwithstanding the enormous
demands made upon his leisure time, he made it his
pleasure to spend several weeks in the year at East
Liverpool, as the guest of Colonel Taylor.
On several of these occasions after he became President,
the citizens were invited by our subject to meet the
distinguished guest at his home, where they had an
opportunity to grasp that firm, friendly hand and to win
a kind and interested smile. The memory of these
occasions are treasured not only by Colonel Taylor, who
indeed has lost a friend, but by all who were permitted
the honor of being present.
Colonel Taylor’s fraternal relations are
with the Masons and Odd Fellows. In the former he
belongs to Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M.; East
Liverpool Chapter No. 100, R. A. M., and Pilgrim
Commandery No. 55, K. T., of East Liverpool. Today
he is the only surviving charter member of East
Liverpool Lodge, No. 379, I. O. O. F. Colonel
Taylor is also a member of General Lyon Post, No.
44, G. A. R., and of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion of the United States. He is also a member
of the Duquesne Club and of the Americus Club, of
Pittsburg.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 381 |
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WILLIAM J. TAYLOR, M. D.,
proprietor of the first private hospital and Red Cross
training school for nurses in East Liverpool, is one of
the eminent physicians and surgeons of this section of
Ohio. Dr. Taylor was born in Cambridgeshire,
England, Oct. 6, 1853.
Dr. Taylor became a member of the medical
profession in his own country, where he practiced over
12 years. On coming to America, he engaged i
medical practice for some six or seven years in New York
City and Brooklyn, then took a course in the College of
Physicians and Surgeons at St. Louis, Missouri, and in
1894 completed a post-graduate course in genecology in
the New York Polyclinic, and also completed a four
year's course in the Eclectic Medical College of that
city.
In 1894 Dr. Taylor came to East Liverpool, Ohio,
and entered into general practice. In 1902 he
opened The Dr. Taylor Private Hospital and also
his Red Cross training school for nurses, the first of
the kind in this city and the
best equipped in this part of the State. The
operating room i3 fitted with every modern appliance and
the nurses are given a thorough, practical training in
every detail. The hospital owns the best filter in
the city and apparatus for distilling water and it has
static and X-ray machines in addition to every other
known appliance used in electro-therapeutics. The
school has been in operation two years and has graduated
three nurses. Dr. Taylor has
associated with him several medical men of wide
reputation,— Dr. Swope, of Pittsburg and
Dr. Howard Davis, of East
Liverpool. Dr. Taylor is surgeon to
the police and fire departments.
Dr, Taylor belongs to a number of medical
.bodies. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic
order, which he entered in England, where he still
retains membership. He also belongs to Stella
Chapter, No. 27, Order of the Eastern Star, of Brooklyn,
New York, and do Josiah Wedgewood Lodge, No. 235,
Sons of St. George, of East Liverpool.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 620 |
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EDWIN THOMAS, postmaster of
Winona in Butler township, was born in Hanover township,
Columbiana County, Ohio, May 2, 1849, and is a son of
Henry and Sarah (Johns) Thomas.
The Thomas family
originated in Wales and the grandfather of our subject,
John Thomas, was probably born there. He came
to Columbiana County among the earliest
pioneers. The father of our subject was born
in this county and spent his whole life here,
dying at the age of 52 years. He married Sarah
Johns, who was also a native of this
county, and who survived him, dying at the age
of 74 years. They reared these children: Jesse,
now of Van Buren County, Michigan, who
served eight months during the Civil War in
Company I, 179th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf.; Mrs. Elizabeth
Schaffer, of Homeworth; Nathan, a
very prominent citizen of Paw Paw, Michigan; Stanton, of Columbiana County, who served
four years and two months in the Civil War, as
a member of Company I, 19th Reg., Ohio Vol.
Inf.; Mrs. Maria Kerns, of Winona;
Mrs. Phoebe Boone, deceased; Franklin;
Edwin, of
this sketch; and Kersey, who died aged seven
years. Each of the sons of this family who was
old enough to carry a musket served in the
Civil war, and the number of years they gave
to the service of their country aggregate 33
years. Nathan Thomas served three years
in the 10th Regiment Kansas Vol. Inf., and
came to Columbiana County just before the
last call for troops. He then reenlisted as 1st
lieutenant of Company I. 191st Reg., Ohio Vol.
Inf., in which he served until the close of the
war. Then he went to Van Buren County,
Michigan, and shortly afterward was elected sheriff,
serving a number of terms. Franklin
Thomas also saw a long term of army service.
He enlisted at the time of the last call and after
the close of the war he entered the regular
service in which he remained for 17 years. His
death occurred some seven years ago.
Our subject was left an orphan at the age
of eight years by the death of his father and he
remained with his mother until he was 16 years
of age, when she sold the farm and they removed
to Adair, where he still continued with
her until he was 22 years old. He was variously
occupied, serving five terms as assessor of Hanover
township, and in other offices. When 33
years old he came to Winona and started in a
grocery business, which has been his main enterprise
ever since, only interrupted one year
on account of an accident which had befallen
his son, when he was required to give the child his
entire care, all of which, however, did not preserve his
life.
Mr. Thomas carries a large and varied stock to
meet the demands of trade at Winona, including
groceries, wall paper, patent medicine, school books and
stationery. He was appointed postmaster first
during the administration of President
Harrison, and he served four years and was again
appointed under President McKinley and has
remained undisturbed in the office ever since. He
has been township clerk three terms and is serving at
present, and has been a notary public for the past 15 or
20 years. He has served on the Republican County
Central Committee continuously for the past 22 years and
has been an important factor in party movements.
He assisted to nominate the first circuit judge here,
some 20 years ago.
Mr. Thomas married Elizabeth A. Wilson,
who was born near Adair, Ohio, and is a daughter of
John and Annie (Andre) Wilson, natives of this
county, who came of German descent. They have had
six sons born to them, namely: Walter J., who
died aged 24 years; Warren Leslie, who died aged
three years; Harry Brinton, of Newton Falls,
Ohio; Frank L., of Salem; and Mervin H.
and Albert J., both at home.
Mr. Thomas has been a member of the
Masonic fraternity for a number of years and belongs to
Lodge No. 408, of Hanover village. He has very
frequently been called upon to act as executor and has
settled a great many estates in his locality. He
is acting at present as executor of the John
Hoyle estate, where $25,000 is involved.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing
Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 750 |
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WILLARD B. THOMAS,
superintendent of the railway department of The United
Power Company, of East Liverpool, was born at Cleveland,
Ohio, Mar. 23, 1870, and is a splendid example of
American pluck and energy, having started at the foot
and climbed to his present position at an age when most
men
are but beginning their ascent. Willard B.
Thomas is a son of Dr. Willard B. and Adeline
(Laney) Thomas.
Dr. Willard B. Thomas was born in New York City
in 1849. He graduated from the Cleveland College
of Homeopathy and for 20 years prior to his death was an
able practitioner of that city. He was twice married,
first to Adeline Laney, who became the mother of
four children, one of whom died in childhood.
Those living are Lucien E., of Cleveland; Etta
L., wife of Charles A. Swan, also of that
city; and our subject, Willard B. Mrs.
Thomas was a member of the Christian Church and a
most estimable woman. he died in 1872. The
second marriage was contracted with Mary Frances
Shotter and resulted in the birth of two children,
Frances Lucille and Spencer Shotter.
Dr. Thomas died in June, 1902.
Willard B. Thomas finished the high school
course of Cleveland and at once went to work to earn a
livelihood. His first situation was with the
Eberhart Manufacturing Company, with which he
remained about one year, when he accepted a position
with the Brookline Railway Company, of Cleveland.
He may be said to have grown up with the work as he was
with that company until 1891 when he came to East
Liverpool as barn foreman. Here his watchfulness
and practical common sense made him an invaluable
official who understood, thoroughly, the needs of the
company and he has risen, step by step, until he now has
charge of the entire street railway business.
Mrs. Thomas, whose maiden name was Annie
Florence Allison, was a resident of
Chester, West Virginia, in her girlhood and has the
genial, pleasant manners of the South. The family
consists of three children, Willard B., Jr., Charles
Lucian and Mary Lucille. They are
members and liberal contributors of the United
Presbyterian Church, of East Liverpool. Mr.
Thomas is a member of a number of fraternities,
being past captain of Ceramic City Lodge, No. 62,
Uniform Rank, Knights of Pythias; past councillor of the
Senior Order of United American Mechanics; and a member
of the Protected Home Circle.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing
Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 705 |
| |
CASSIUS C.
THOMPSON, secretary of the C. C. Thompson Pottery
Company, of East Liverpool, was born June 11, 1871 in
East Liverpool, and is a son of Cassius C. and
Elizabeth Arria (Martin) Thompson.
The late Cassius C. Thompson, father of
George C., was born at Calcutta, O., June 9, 1845,
and died Apr. 14, 1905. He was a son of
Josiah
and Sarah (Jackman) Thompson, a grandson of
William and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson and a
great-grandson of Matthew Thompson, who was born
in Ireland and was the founder of the family in America.
Cassius C. Thompson came to East Liverpool with
his parents in 1840. His father was already known
through all this section as a man of affairs, identified
with its mercantile interests and its public life, and
Cassius, the third member of his family,
inherited many of his father’s sterling traits of
character and his excellent business perceptions.
He became a partner with his father, later entered into
business relations under his own name and still later,
with his father, formed the partnership which was
subsequently incorporated as The C. C. Thompson
Pottery Company. Of this company Cassius C. Thompson
was made president and our subject, George C.
Thompson, became secretary.
George C. Thompson was educated in the schools
of East Liverpool and at Wooster University, Wooster.
Ohio, and then entered into the business field in which
he has since continued. He is interested also in
other enterprises, being a director of The Dollar
Savings Bank, president of the Cosmopolitan Club of East
Liverpool and a member of the executive committee of the
United States Potters’ Association.
Mr. Thompson married Mary A. Stewart,
who is a daughter of George W. and Mary Amanda
(Hewitt) Stewart. They have one son, George
Stewart. Mrs. Thompson is a
member of the Methodist Protestant Church.
The Stewarts were among the first settlers in
this section. The maternal grandfather of Mrs.
Thompson, Jacob Nessley, settled in
Hancock County, Virginia, (now West Virginia), just
across the Ohio River from East Liverpool, in 1782.
He had a direct grant of land from the government
consisting of 1,860 acres. He was a member of the
first session of the Virginia Legislature.
Politically Mr. Thompson is a Republican,
Since 1904 he has been a useful and valued member of the
Board of Education. Fraternally he is a Mason.
Personally Mr. Thompson is a worthy
representative in manner and character of ancestors who
have been distinguished for their traits as “Nature’s
gentlemen.” With winning geniality he meets the stranger
and upon occasion gives him the rare pleasure of
enjoying one of the notable rose gardens of this section
of the State. Mr. Thompson has made a study of
roses and where many other business men find relaxation
in recreations of various kinds, he finds perfect
enjoyment among his exquisite flowers, which, in season,
offer at least 20,000 blooms at one time.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 705 |
| |
CHARLES N. THOMPSON,
one of the well-known citizens of East Liverpool, and a
member of one of its leading families, was born in this
city May 15, 1859, and is a son of Matthew and Ruth
Ann (McKinnon) Thompson and a grandson of William
and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson.
William Thompson was a son of Matthew Thompson
and was born on the Atlantic Ocean while his parents
were coming to America from Ireland. William
Thompson was reared in Western Pennsylvania and
married when quite young. In 1818 he came to Ohio
and located at Fawcettstown, now known as East
Liverpool, but removed at a later date to Calcutta
which, at that time, offered better business
opportunities. There he kept a hotel until the
close of his life. He married Eleanor McDowell
and they became the parents of six sons and two
daughters.
Matthew Thompson, father of Charles N.,
was born Oct. 18, 1809. During his earlier years
in business he had an interest in the George S.
Harker pottery, which he later sold and removed to
South Bend, Minnesota, where he took up farming land and
also built a hotel, which he ran for a number of years.
After a residence in that State of about 10 years he
disposed of his property, and, on account of failing
health,, returned to the more genial climate of East
Liverpool. Mr. Thompson enjoyed the
distinction of being the man who discovered the first
oil well in this locality after considerable
prospecting. This was located at Smith's Ferry and
was a "30-barrel pumper." At a later date he
purchased the Simeon Johnson farm at Dry Run and
devoted himself to its cultivation.
When the Civil War broke out, only the fact that he had
passed the age limit prevented him from shouldering a
musket and marching off in defense of his country.
His sympathies were given and his activities engaged for
the Union cause and when the draft was ordered in this
locality he was selected as the officer in charge.
While not in robust health, his life might have been
preserved many years longer had not a sad accident
terminated it. A kick from a vicious horse injured
him so badly that he never recovered consciousness and
passed away on Oct. 18, 1869, his 60th birthday.
He was a valued member of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A.
M., of East Liverpool.
Matthew Thompson married Ruth
Ann McKinnon, who was born Mar. 21, 1829, and
was a daughter of Michael McKinnon, of
East Liverpool, who was also a pioneer in this section.
The McKinnon ancestry will be found in another
part of this volume. The children born to
Matthew and Ruth Ann (McKinnon)
Thompson were: Isaphene A., born
Sept. 21, 1847, who is the widow of Angus M. Bratt,
of East Liverpool; George Lamartine, born Jan.
21, 1849, deceased June 6, 1896; Elizabeth Ellen,
born July 18, 1850, deceased at the age of 15 months;
William Cassius, born Jan. 19, 1856, deceased
Apr. 27, 1902, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this
volume; John Clark, born May 21, 1857, deceased
in childhood: Edward B., born Jan. 15,
1862, deceased in childhood; Charles N., of this
sketch; Mary Ida, born Mar. 21, 1864; Matthew,
born July 12, 1870, who was drowned July 14, 1877; and
Nettie B., born Nov. 27, 1867, who married
Frank Chambers, a merchant of East Liverpool.
Charles N. Thompson was educated in the schools
at Dry Run. with the exception of one
year which he and his mother spent at Pittsburg, shortly
after the death of his father. He remained on the
home farm until 1880, when he purchased the farm on
which he now lives. In 1902 he was one of the
incorporators of the Supplee Land Company, of which he
is still a member. This company bought our
subject’s farm for the development of a fine residential
district. Mr. Thompson,
however rents from the company a large portion of the
land, on which he raises all kinds of garden truck,
which is sold to one dealer. This is a fine piece
of bottom land and the whole farm is one of the most
fertile in this section. Mr. Thompson
has always given his attention to farming with the
exception of the years from 1877 until 1882, when he
followed the trade of presser in a pottery.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with
Alice L. Putnam, who is a daughter of James
Herbert and Mary (Cunningham) Putnam, and they have
two children, viz.: Roy Matthew, born May 12,
1897 and Lola Fern, born July 1, 1899. Mrs.
Thompson was born Aug. 21, 1862, a posthumous
child, her father dying in that year prior to her birth.
He was a bridge builder by trade. Her mother was a
daughter of Thomas Cunningham, who
conducted a hotel and blacksmith shop, at Lisbon. Mrs.
Putnam died Feb. 9, 1889, aged 56 years and six
months, the mother of four sons and two daughters, our
subject’s wife being the youngest of the family.
Mrs. Thompson is a member of the Baptist
Church.
In political affiliation Mr. Thompson is
a Republican, but is no politician. His fraternal
connection is with the Protected Home Circle.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 703 |
| |
GEORGE THOMPSON
is
one of the thriving and progressive farmers of
Columbiana County and resides in section 25, St. Clair
township, on a farm of 72 acres, which he keeps in a
high state of cultivation. He was born in 1837 and
is a son of William and Elizabeth (Grim) Thompson.
His grandfather was also named William Thompson
and kept a hotel in Calcutta in the long ago when that
village was in its palmiest days as a trading post.
His father was born Oct. 28, 1813, and met his death by
drowning at Smith’s Ferry in 1839, when his son was two
years old. His mother
was a daughter of Michael Grim and was
born in 1818 in Columbiana County. She was married
three times and lived to the age of 75 years.
George Thompson has always been a farmer
and one who is a credit to his neighborhood, as he
believes in doing well what he undertakes. He
purchased his present homestead in 1871 and has improved
it until it is among the most desirable in the township.
Mr. Thompson was married in 1868 to
Ruth Ann Dixon and has two children:
William Clark, born Jan. 5, 1874; and
George Howard, born Jan. 2, 1882. The
parents of Mrs. Thompson were Joseph
and Lydia (Richardson) Dixon.
Joseph Dixon came with his parents
from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, when he was a small lad
and the land his father entered from the government is
in the vicinity of Leetonia and is still in the
possession of the Dixon family.
Mr. Thompson and his wife are members of the
Presbyterian Church. He is a Republican in
politics and a member of the Masonic order.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 436 |
| |
GEORGE C. THOMPSON,
secretary of the C. C. Thompson Pottery Company,
of East Liverpool, was June 11, 1871, in East Liverpool,
and is a son of Cassius C. and Elizabeth Arria
(Martin) Thompson.
The late Cassius C. Thompson, father of
George C., was born at Calcutta, O., June 9, 1845,
and died Apr. 14, 1905. He was a son of Josiah
and Sarah (Jackman) Thompson, grandson of William
and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson and a great-grandson
of Matthew Thompson, who was born in Ireland and
was the founder of the family in America. Cassius
C. Thompson came to East Liverpool with his
parents in 1840. His father was already known through
all this section as a man of affairs, identified with
its mercantile interests and its public life, and
Cassius, the third member of his family, inherited
many of his father’s sterling traits of character and
his excellent business perceptions. He became a
partner with his father, later entered into business
relations under his own name and still later, with his
father, formed the partnership which was subsequently
incorporated as The C. C. Thompson Pottery
Company. Of this company Cassius C. Thompson was
made president and our subject, George C. Thompson,
became secretary.
George C. Thompson was educated in the schools
of East Liverpool and at Wooster University, Wooster.
Ohio, and then entered into the business field in which
he has since continued. He is interested also in
other enterprises, being a director of The Dollar
Savings Bank, president of the Cosmopolitan Club of East
Liverpool and a member of the executive committee of the
United States Potters’ Association.
Mr. Thompson married Mary A. Stewart,
who is a daughter of George W. and Mary Amanda (Hewitt)
Stewart. They have one son, George
Stewart. Mrs. Thompson is a
member of the Methodist Protestant Church.
The Stewarts were among the first settlers in this
section. The maternal grandfather of Mrs.
Thompson, Jacob Nessley, settled in
Hancock County, Virginia, (now West Virginia), just
across the Ohio River from East Liverpool, in 1782. He
had a direct grant of land from the government
consisting of 1,860 acres. He was a member of the
first session of the Virginia Legislature.
Politically Mr. Thompson is a Republican,
Since 1904 he has been a useful and valued member of the
Board of Education. Fraternally he is a Mason.
Personally Mr. Thompson is a worthy
representative in manner and character of ancestors who
have been distinguished for their traits as “Nature’s
gentlemen.” With winning geniality he meets the
stranger and upon occasion gives him the rare pleasure
of enjoying one of the notable rose gardens of this
section of the State. Mr. Thompson
has made a study of roses and here many other business
men find relaxation in recreations of various kinds, he
finds perfect enjoyment among his exquisite flowers,
which, in season, offer at least 20,000 blooms at one
time.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 690 |
| |
HENRY ALLISON THOMPSON,
president of the Citizens' Banking Company, of
Salineville, and one of the town's representative men
and capitalists, was born June 17, 1824, at Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Margaret
(George) Thompson.
The father of Mr. Thompson was born in
Ireland and the mother of Washington County,
Pennsylvania, where she died in 1882. The father
was a weaver by trade. Our subject lived in the
home of his uncle, Judge Thomas George, from the
age of nine years, until 1848, when he settled on a farm
of 160 acres, in Carroll County, Ohio, to which he
subsequently added 80 acres. When he settled on that
property, the home was a log cabin roofed with
clapboards and weight-poles, floored with puncheons, and
with a chimney built of wood and mortar. It was
not very comfortable but afforded a temporary home until
a more modern building was erected. When he sold
this property in 1863, he had 100 acres of it improved,
60 acres cleared and the rest in timber. He then
purchased an improved farm of 300 acres near Wattsville,
Carroll County, which he turned into a stock farm,
devoting himself to the extensive growing of sheep,
which for a considerable period was a profitable
enterprise.
After a residence there of 17 years, Mr.
Thompson sold and, in 1880, came to Salineville,
where he bought W. T. Cope's house, situated on
the hill south of the town and entered into a general
banking business, in partnership with Mr. Cope,
under the firm name of Cope & Thompson. After an
association of seven years, Mr. Cope left,
selling his interest to our subject and his nephew,
W. A. Thompson, and the partnership of H, A.
Thompson & Company was formed. This business
combination continued for seven years. The H.
A. Thompson Banking Company was then incorporated,
with a paid-up capital of $23,000, with H. A.
Thompson, president and W. A. Thompson,
cashier. When W. A. Thompson, the present
county treasurer, assumed the duties of his office, in
1902, he resigned his position in the banking house and
then came about the organization of the Citizens’
Banking Company. The officers of this company are:
H. A. Thompson, president; William A. Thompson,
vice-president; and W. A. McBane, cashier.
This is an incorporated institution and has a paid-up
capital of $50,000. The directors are: B.
E. Smyth, Alliance; B. Y. Welch, farmer,
Salineville; William A. Skinner, merchant,
Salineville; T. E. George, farmer, Pravo, Ohio;
J. E. Herbert, a mail clerk on the Pennsylvania
Railroad; and S. G. Dorrance, farmer, Pine Hill.
The headquarters of the Citizens’ Banking Company are
situated on Main street, opposite the Postoffice, in a
fine new building. The front of the building is
given over to the banking offices and the president's
room, the rear to the director’s rooms, while
immediately below are situated the hot water plant and
the lavatories. The building presents a very
attractive appearance, constructed of Roman gray brick
with trimmings of Indiana limestone, while the inside
finishings are all of solid oak. The architect was
A. W. Scott, of East Liverpool. All the
bank equipments, including the safes and vault, are of
modern construction with every device known in the way
of facilitating business and safeguarding deposits.
The company stands very high in financial circles, the
known integrity of its officers ensuring public
confidence.
Mr. Thompson was married Mar. 7, 1848, to
Hannah Graham, a daughter of James and
Mary (Nelson) Graham, the former of whom was born in
Ireland and the latter at Hookstown, Beaver County,
Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have
had three children, viz.: Mary Margaret,
wife of Prof. E. B. Sawven, of Thiel College,
Canfield, Ohio; Christina Jane, who died in 1857,
aged six years; and an infant, deceased. They have
two grandchildren, Leonard and Lottie, the
former of whom will graduate shortly from Yale.
One grandchild, Floy, is deceased.
Politically Mr. Thompson has always been
affiliated with the Republican party. He is a
member of the United Presbyterian Church, in which he an
elder, he has been a life-long promoter of temperance
and every other moral reform.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 435 |
| |
HOMER W. THOMPSON, M. D.,
specialist in the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and
throat, located at Salem, is one of the leading
physicians and surgeons of Columbiana County. He
was born in Salem, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1859, and is a son of
Joseph W. and Hannah A. (Leach) Thompson.
Joseph W. Thompson was one of a family of two
children born to his parents, Farlin and Pleasant
(Reeder) Thompson, the former of whom was born in
Virginia, where he was both blacksmith and farmer.
Joseph W. Thompson was born in Virginia, Dec. 23,
1833, and came to Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1851.
Soon after coming he became connected with the Buckeye
Engine Company in the capacity of mechanical engineer
and continued with the company until 1895, when he
retired. He still own an interest in the business.
Mr. Thompson is a man of inventive genius
and for many years the fruits of his ingenuity were
devoted to the Buckeye Engine Company. Many of his
patented inventions are still their exclusive property.
His wife, who was a daughter of James W. Leach,
died in March, 1883, leaving two children: Homer W.,
and Leora M., who is a successful teacher and who
resides with her father at No. 469 McKinley ave.
Homer W. Thompson was reared and educated at
Salem and was here prepared for entrance to the Ohio
Medical College of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in
1885. In 1900 he was also graduated at the Medical
Institute of Philadelphia. For five years he engaged in
general practice at Salem and then decided to give his
entire attention to those diseases which interested him
most. In this special line he has built up a large
practice and has established a reputation which extends
far beyond Salem. His well-appointed offices are
conveniently located at No. 23 East Main street.
Dr. Thompson was married Apr. 12, 1900, to
Cora Owens, who is a daughter of William
Owens, a leading citizen of Beloit, Ohio. The
family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Politically Dr. Thompson is a stanch
Republican. His fraternal connection is with the
Elks.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 788 |
| |
J. POLLOCK THOMPSON
resides on a fine farm of 176 acres in section 20, St.
Clair township, and is one of the hustling, wide-awake
agriculturists who win their success by striking out in
new lines instead of following in the beaten track of
their predecessors. Mr. Thompson
was born in 1844 in Washington County.
Pennsylvania, and is a son of Robert and
Eleanor (Fluey) Thompson, both of Washington County,
where the father died in his 78th year. His wife
reached her 83rd year and was residing in Allegheny
County, Pennsylvania, at the time of her death in
November, 1904.
Robert Thompson, the grandfather of J.
Pollock, with two of his brothers was in the War of
the Revolution and together they entered a tract of
three thousand acres of land by the “notched survey.
"This "notched survey” was done by the settler simply
notching or blazing the trees around the land claimed by
them, hence the name. It was on this land that our
subject was born and where his father was born, lived
and died. There is still a good portion of this
land owned by descendants of the three brothers although
the homestead, itself, has passed into other hands. The
log house in which they lived is still standing and
arrangements have been made whereby it shall never be
destroyed so long as the logs stand. The brothers
sold considerable of their land, receiving 50c. per acre
for some and $1 for some until they had in their cabin
$300. This was considerable money to have in one
lump in those early days and excited the avarice and
cupidity of two of their neighbors, named Meek
and Bently. who determined on robbing the
Thompsons and securing the booty. The robbers
were repulsed and driven off, after having three of
their number killed.
J. Pollock Thompson remained at home until his
marriage in 1870, when he began farming on his own
account. In 1891 he came to Ohio. He resided
in East Liverpool for five years and in 1901 purchased
the farm of Jeremiah Ainsley. which consisted of
126 acres. To this he added an ad joining 50-acre
tract. He carries on general farming and dairying
and keeps a large amount of stock. He is building
a large barn with a silo in order that he may furnish
his cows in the winter months a more satisfactory ration
for milk production. By feeding the product of his
farm to his cows he obtains a better price for his hay
and grain and at the same time keeps up the fertility of
his land as he could in no other way. He has one
of the best and most productive tracts in his section
and is looked upon by his neighbors as a model farmer.
Mr. Thompson was married in 1870 to
Anna M. Patterson, daughter of James and
Jane ( Leeper ) Patterson, both of
whom were residents of Washington County, Pennsylvania.
Nine children have been born to them, namely:
Robert Wilburt, who died when a young man of
20 years; Howard, who lives at home;
Noretta, wife of Jeremiah Ainsley,
resident of California; Herbert, who lives at
home; Denver G., who lives on the homestead farm;
Willis Austin, who died at the age of nine
months; and Lulu Grace, who lives at home.
They have one grandchild. Mary Ainsley,
who lives with her parents in California. Mr.
Thompson is a member of the Long Run United
Presbyterian Church, of Calcutta. He is a
Democrat.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 434 |
| |
JOHN C. THOMPSON,
president of The First National Bank, of East Liverpool,
was born in this city, in the old Thompson homestead,
and is the youngest son of the well-known
Josiah Thompson and
Sarah Jackman, his wife, and a grandson of
William Thompson. An ancestral sketch of the
Thompson family will be found in another
part of this work.
John C. Thompson received his preliminary
educational training in the public schools of East
Liverpool, subsequently attending Alliance College and
still later taking a course at Mount Union College.
Upon his return to East Liverpool, Mr. Thompson
entered into business, becoming connected with the old
and well-established firm of J. Thompson &
Company, which, up to this time, has been owned and
managed for many years by Josiah Thompson.
The firm on being reorganized was composed of the
following members: Josiah Thompson,
Cassius C. Thompson, B. C. Simms, Will L. Thompson
and John C. Thompson, the business being a
general mercantile one. The place of business was
on the corner of Third street and Broadway which
building was afterward sold to Will L. Thompson
and a few years later to outside ownership several
times, is now known as the New Thompson House.
For a number of years the firm of Thompson &
Company was an important factor in the commercial world
at East Liverpool. After removing from its old
quarters, it occupied the large brick building, erected
by Will L. and John C. Thompson on the
corner of Broadway and Second street, near the railroad.
The first change in partnership, previous to this
removal, came when Cassius C. Thompson retired
from the firm and went into the manufacture of
"Rockingham" and yellow ware, and later Will L.
Thompson left the old firm and entered the new firm
of Will L. Thompson & Company for the sale of
music and musical instruments. The third member
and musical instruments. The third member to leave
the old firm was B. C. Simms, who entered into
the pottery firm of C. C. Thompson & Company.
This firm soon after began the manufacture of white and
decorated ware in addition to the "Rockingham" and
yellow ware. Shortly after these changes,
Josiah Thompson retired from active business and
John C. Thompson was the lsat member of the family
to continue the general mercantile business, carrying on
the same successfully under the old firm style of
John Thompson & Company. Some few years later,
Aug. 29, 1890, the firm of C. C. Thompson &
Company was incorporated under the laws of Ohio and
formed the new corporation, The C. C. Thompson
Pottery Company.
At this date John C. Thompson increased his
stock in the new pottery firm, selling out his new
company, becoming one of the active members of the firm
as secretary and treasurer entire mercantile holdings,
and went into the new company, becoming one of
the active members of the firm as secretary and
treasurer.
Mr. Thompson was united in marriage with
Charlotte Everson, who is a daughter of
the late William H. Everson, of Pittsburg,
Pennsylvania. They now have five living children,
viz: Millicent E., wife of Robert T. Hall,
of East Liverpool; Sara E., Josiah Donald, Charlotte
W. and Malcom Wayland. For many years
Mr. Thompson and family occupied their old home
at No. 8 Thompson place, but since the spring of
1902 they have occupied their new home on Park
boulevard, known as “The Lyndens.” The entire
family belong to the First Presbyterian Church, of East
Liverpool.
In addition to his many other business interests in
East Liverpool, Mr. Thompson was elected
president of The First National Bank of East Liverpool,
Jan. 10, 1905, which position he now fills.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 708 |
| |
HON. JOSIAH THOMPSON,
deceased, was long the recognized head of one of the
leading famlies of Columbiana County, for years being
identified with prominent business and financial
interests and political position. He was born in
Washington County, Pennsylvania, Mar. 13, 1811, and was
a son of William and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson.
William Thompson, was a son of Matthew
Thompson, who was born in the town of Ballymena,
Ireland, in the year 1763, but was of Scotch parentage.
Coming to America in 1790, the family settled first in
Philadelphia, where their son William grew to
young manhood. In 1818 with his wife and children,
William Thompson came to Ohio and settled
at Fawcettstown, now known as East Liverpool. At
this date Calcutta was the metropolis of the county,
being located on the stage road, and thither Mr.
Thompson soon removed, thinking that Calcutta
offered a better business future. There he
established himself as a manufacturer of hats and later
opened a hotel which he conducted until a few years
before his death. While in Washington County,
Pennsylvania, he married Eleanor McDowell
and they became the parents of six sons and two
daughters.
Of the six sons in the parental family, Josiah
Thompson was one of the most enterprising. His
educational opportunities were meagre. He attended the
little log school-house in the vicinity of his father’s
home and spent many hours pouring over the old “
Western Calculator.” When he was about
14 years old, he was apprenticed to the saddlery
business but he never enjoyed work at this trade and,
having listened to the tales of the travelers who
stopped at his father’s inn, he soon resolved to get out
into the world^and see something beyond the borders of
the village. Consequently he sought employment in
Pittsburg and became a clerk on the wharf where he saw
so many business opportunities that he became eager to
enter into the shipping business on his own account.
He returned home and began to buy produce, which he took
down the river to New Orleans and other points.
During several years while thus engaged he saved enough
money to establish a general store at Calcutta.
His father continued to live at Calcutta and at first
was interested with him in his mercantile enterprises,
but later sold his interest to his son, Mathew,
and then the firm became known as J. Thompson &
Company. This business enterprise proved very
successful and other stores were soon established at
close connecting points,—at Frederickstown, Smith’s
Ferry, and East Liverpool. On account of the
construction of the canal which seemed to promise better
transportation facilities, Smith’s Ferry seemed a
better business point than either Frederickstown or
Calcutta and the company ecided to concentrate its
efforts there and abandoned the stores at Calcutta and
Frederickstown. Subsequently Mr.
Thompson sold his interests at Smith’s Ferry
to his brother and became sole proprietor of the
business at East Liverpool, where he took up his
residence, in 1847. From a line of general
merchandise, this stock was gradually changed until
finally everything handled was in the line of dry goods
and clothing. Mr. Thompson continued
in this business until 1878 and from that time until his
death he ceased to be confined by any particular
business connections, his time being fully occupied in
looking after his many real estate and other investments
and the various interests which come into the life of a
prominent and successful man of affairs. His death
occurred on Nov. 22, 1889. In his death East
Liverpool and the State lost a public-spirited, generous
and broad-minded citizen.
In Josiah Thompson many of the city’s
early enterprises found a hearty supporter. When
the pottery business was in its infancy and I when its
wonderful expansion could never have been dreamed of,
Mr. Thompson greatly aided .the manufacturers
in their first efforts and there are men in the business
at the present time who owe him gratitude for his
encouragement and financial support. He extended
credit on long time for the commodities they were
obliged to have and willingly waited for his pay until
they could realize on their wares. He thus won
their undying regard and their esteem and confidence
were shown him as long as he lived. Later he
became personally interested in the pottery industry
through assisting his sons in the establishing of what
became one of the largest potteries in the city.
Josiah Thompson was one of the organizers
of The First National Bank of East Liverpool, of which
he, was president until his death. He always took
an active interest in civic affairs and in public
matters but could scarcely be called a politician in the
common acceptance of the term. However, he was
elected and served four years as a member of the State
Legislature his public career being that of a man of
honor and unselfish public spirit. In political
sentiment he was a Republican.
Josiah Thompson married Sarah
Jackman, who was a daughter of John
Jackman, and they became the parents of these
children: Deborah E., deceased, formerly the wife
of Daniel Jones Smith, of East Liverpool,
of whom a sketch appears in another part of this volume;
Maria L., deceased, formerly the wife of J. H.
Phillips, of Cincinnati; Cassius C.,
deceased; Will L., of East Liverpool; John C.,
of East Liverpool; and Mary, who is the wife of
Moses E. Golding, of East Liverpool.
Sketches of Cassius C.,
Will L. and
John C. Thompson will
be found elsewhere in this work.
Both Josiah Thompson and his wife were
earnest Christians. In their early days they were
members of the Disciples Church, but for some years
before their death they were members of the First
Presbyterian Church, no Disciples organization having
yet been effected here. In all that pertains to a
Christian life they were examples.
Mr. Thompson continued through life an
active member of the Masonic fracternity, living
up to its teachings to the letter. He was one of
the founders of Riddle Lodge, No. 315, F. & A. M., of
East Liverpool and occupies an honored place in the
records of the organization. He was also one of
the leading temperance workers of his day and not only
lent his influence but contributed largely to the
movements which stood for the great advancement of
temperance sentiment through the State and the founding
of philanthropic institutions.
It was his belief that temperance, education and
morality went hand in hand and he was ever willing to
assist in spreading these sentiments. He was a
member of the board of education for a long period and
was particularly interested in the underlying principles
of the common school system.
Mr. Thompson died a capitalist but his
wealth had come to him through legitimate channels.
He was one of the largest real estate owners in the
city, having invested heavily in earlier days and he
owned many of the best business buildings and sites in
East Liverpool. It would not be meet to close this
record without referring to Mr. Thompson’s
unostentatious charities. They were widely
extended but were never heralded and it is a fact that
many of the recipients never knew to whom they owed
their relief in times of stress and anxiety. This
was especially true during the dark days of the Civil
War, when many families in East Liverpool would have
suffered for the necessities of life but for, his
generosity.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 678 |
| |
WILL L. THOMPSON.
The name of Will L. Thompson is almost a
household one in the musical world and his personality
is one of the most highly regarded in East Liverpool.
Mr. Thompson is claimed as an Ohio product, for
it was in this State he was developed, having been
brought here when but one year of age. He was born
in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, Nov. 7, 1847, and is a
son of the late Josiah and
Sarah (Jackman) Thompson, and a grandson of
William and Eleanor (McDowell) Thompson. In
another part of this work will be found extended notice
of the late Josiah Thompson, a citizen who for
years was closely identified with the material growth
and civilizing development of East Liverpool and
environs.
The musical talent which was made Will L. Thompson
known over the world, wherever the English language is
understood, developed early. Fortunately his
father was appreciative of the lad's great gifts and
possessed the means with which to give him a complete
musical education, in connection with a liberal literary
one. After completing the public school course at
East Liverpool, he was placed at Beaver Academy, Beaver,
Pennsylvania, where he was prepared for Mount Union
College, his musical education keeping pace with that in
other lines. In 1870 he went to Boston where he
continued his musical studies under private tutors and
in 1873 became a student at the New England Conservatory
of Music in that city. During the latter part of
his sojourn there he came under the special instruction
of the great Carlyle Petersyllia.
In 1876 Mr. Thompson decided to go abroad to
study, desiring to pay special attention to advanced
harmony and composition. During his absence from
America, he studied at the Conservatory of Music at
Leipsic, Germany, enjoying the advantages of special
training under many of the most celebrated musicians of
the time.
Many lovers of music who still enjoy many of the
tender, expressive songs which have had wide popularity
all over the country, may be surprised to learn that a
number of them were composed before Mr.
Thompson had reached his majority. He was only
16 years old when he wrote "Darling Minnie Gray,” which
had a large sale. In 1875 he wrote four songs
which have been sung, and still are cherished, all over
the United States, viz.: “Gathering Shells From the
Seashore.” “Drifting With the Tide, ” “My
Home on the Old Ohio” and “Under the Moonlit Sky.”
These musical gems he offered to a then well-known
publisher, asking the modest sum of $100. But,
with the usual conservatism of publishers when
considering the work of young aspirants, he was informed
that his demands were unreasonable and that, in fact,
publishers had no difficulty in securing compositions
from young composers for nothing. In the light of his
future success, this dictum is amusing reading, but
Mr. Thompson knew the value of his work and,
having no intention of contributing freely to the
publisher’s banking account, took his manuscripts back
home with him. While of a deeply artistic nature,
he had inherited from his able father a goodly supply of
business ability also, and soon after his return to this
city he started a publishing business of his own.
His songs immediately met the popular taste and Mr.
Thompson had the satisfaction, within less than a
year, of receiving cheques from the former indifferent
publisher amounting to many times the original $100.
After his return from Europe, Mr. Thompson
continued in the publishing business, added the handling
of all kinds of musical instruments and built up a
business in this line second to none in the country.
In 1891 he established The Thompson Music Company
in Chicago, and during the succeeding two years gave a
large portion of his time to making it a success.
In 1893 the business was incorporated and since that
time he has not been identified with the company in an
official position.
Mr. Thompson’s musical efforts cover a
wide range. Perhaps he is in his happiest vein
when writing concert quartets. His compositions
are not of an ephemeral sort, pleasing only a passing
fancy, but they have the qualities which ensure their
lasting sale.
One of the remarkable compositions, as to popular
approval, was “Come Where the Lilies Bloom” and scarcely
less so were “Moonlight Will Come Again” and “When My
Ship Comes Over the Sea,” the demand for these concert
quartets still being constant. Mr.
Thompson has also written many of the most enduring
Gospel songs—they are in all the church hymnals and are
sung from one end of the country to the other and
throughout the Christian world, as sure as the Sabbath
dawns. His melodies are hummed to the sound of the
pick and shovel in far off Alaska and in mission
churches in foreign lands where homesick Americans
softly chant them with double significance. Particularly
we refer to “Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling,”
“Lead Me Gently Home, Father.” “Jesus is All the World
to Me” and many others. Perhaps 200 pieces of music is
too small an estimate of the finished productions which
have emanated from Mr. Thompson’s prolific
pen. It is estimated that the Combined sales of
his concert quartets, the most popular quartets ever
written by any composer, have reached 2,000,000 copies.
Among his latest books are “The New Century Hymnal.”
“Thompson's Anthem Quartets” and “Thompson’s Class and
Concert.” all of which are very popular.
In his own city Mr. Thompson is highly
appreciated. Quoting from an issue of an East
Liverpool newspaper of several years since, we see the
following estimate:
“Perhaps the most widely-known citizen of East
Liverpool is Will L. Thompson, the musician.
He is a song writer of national reputation. Few
people of this city realize to what extent his name has
gone abroad. We, who have known him in his boyhood
days and associated with him in every-day life, are apt
to forget that this quiet, unassuming gentleman, who
greets us with genuine, friendly interest, is one of the
most widely-known song writers of the country. It
is only those who know him intimately in his home life,
and see him at his professional work in his study at the
old family mansion, who fully realize his genius and
superior attainments.”
From the Musical Messenger we quote: “Mr.
Thompson has sought to please the masses with his
compositions and he has succeeded. He has
displayed genius and rare talent. His music is
well written and will bear analysis. It is good,
refining and elevating.”
Mr. Thompson is perhaps the largest real
estate owner in East Liverpool. One of his best
buildings (the Boston Store Building) was destroyed in
the notable “Diamond” fire in February, 1905, but steps
were immediately taken to rebuild. He has a
beautiful home on the boulevard just north of the city
and a charming winter residence at Savannah, Georgia.
Mr. Thompson married Elizabeth
Johnson, who is a daughter of the late Dr Robert
Johnson, of Wellsville, Ohio, and they have one son,
William Leland. The family are
members of the First Presbyterian Church.
Politically Mr. Thompson is a Republican
but not a politician. He has been president of the
Carnegie Library Association since the library was
opened and gives this worthy institution much attention.
He is a member of Riddle Lodge. No. 315, F. & A. M.;
East Liverpool Chapter, No. 100, R. A. M.; Pilgrim
Commandery. No. 55. K. T., all of East Liverpool: and of
the Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of Savannah, Georgia.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 684 |
| |
WILLIAM A. THOMPSON,
county treasurer of Columbiana County and a well-known
citizen of Lisbon, has been prominent in the banking
circles of this county for many years and is at the
present time vice president of the Citizens' Banking
Company, of Salineville.
Mr. Thompson was born at Wattsville, Carroll
County, Ohio, in 1857, and is a son of Robert G. and
Jane (Hutson) Thompson. Robert G. Thompson
followed the trade of a shoemaker in Wattsville until
the outbreak of the Civil War, when he enlisted in
Company A., 32nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf. He saw three
years of hard service in the army, participating in
numerous important engagements. Returning home at
the end of that time he purchased a farm near Wattsville
and followed farming until the early ’90’s; since then
he has lived in Salineville. He is 76 years old.
The mother of our subject died Mar. 5, 1905, aged 74
years. William A. Thompson has lived at the
home of his uncle, H. A. Thompson, much of the
time since he was eight years old. He attended the
common schools, then spent one year in Westminster
College at Wilmington, Pennsylvania. After
spending a term in study at the normal school in
Hopedale, Ohio, Mr. Thompson taught school
in Carroll County for three or four years. In 1881
he located at Salineville, Columbiana County, and taught
in the school for six years. During that period he
spent his evenings and Saturdays in keeping books for
the banking house of Cope & Thompson, a
firm composed of W. T. Cope, afterward State
Treasurer of Ohio, and H. A. Thompson, uncle of
our subject. In 1887, in association with his uncle, he
purchased the interest of Mr. Cope in the
bank, which was thereafter conducted under the name and
style of H. A. Thompson & Company until 1895.
In that year the institution was incorporated as the
H. A. Thompson Banking Company, of which William
A. Thompson served as cashier until July 1, 1902,
when he removed to Lisbon, which has been since
his home. He is still interested in the bank and
is at the present time vice president, having been
chosen in 1904 to succeed Francis Rogers.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 693 |
| |
WILLIAM CASSIUS
THOMPSON, whose death took place Apr. 27, 1902,
was for many years one of the well-known citizens of
Columbiana County, being engaged in conducting a large
dairy farm in the environs of East Liverpool.
Mr. Thompson was born at South Bend, Minnesota, Jan.
29, 1856, and enjoyed the distinction of being the first
white child ever born there. He was a son of
Matthew and Ruth Ann (McKinnon) Thompson.
Extended mention of both his parents will be found in
the sketch of Charles N. Thompson, which appears
in another part of this volume.
William C. Thompson was educated- in the public
schools of East Liverpool. The accidental death of
his father, when our subject was but 14 years old,
changed the family affairs to some degree and a few
years later he went to the home of an uncle at Calcutta,
where he made his home for several years. Through
life William C. Thompson and his brother,
George L. Thompson, were closely connected in
fraternal affection and were associated in business.
When they were old enough they engaged in farming and
later entered into a dairy business, continuing together
until the death of George L. After that our
subject continued the business, his sister-in-law
keeping her late husband's interest for three years,
when the dairy property was sold and William C.
Thompson rented his sister-in-law’s interest in the
farm and continued farming until his death. In
every characteristic he possessed the same sterling
characteristics which have made the name Thompson
in East Liverpool a synonym for business integrity and
personal honor.
On Aug. 31. 1893, Mr. Thompson was united
in marriage with Lillie M. Hewitt, who was born
at Achor, Columbiana County, Ohio, May 8, 1865, and is a
daughter of Martin E. and Mary A. (Nelson) Hewitt.
One son was the fruit of this union, George M.,
born Oct. 11, 1896.
Martin E. Hewitt was born in Westmoreland
County, Pennsylvania, in 1833 and died in 1890. He
came to East Liverpool, Ohio, Sept. 23, 1880. When
a young man he learned the trade of shoemaker and this
he followed many years in connection with farming.
He married a daughter of Samuel Nelson, of
Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. Martin Hewitt
was a member of the United Brethren Church, but his
wife had been reared in the faith of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, which is also the chosen church of
Mrs. Thompson. The late William C.
Thompson, was a Presbyterian, but his family were
all members of the United Presbyterian Church.
Source: History of Columbiana County, Ohio and
Representative Citizens - Publ. by Biographical
Publishing Co. , Chicago, Illinois - 1905 - Page 698 |
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