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Welcome to
Mahoning County, Ohio
History & Genealogy

Biographies

Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio
Embracing the Counties of
Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning
Containing Portraits of all the Presidents of the United States, with a Biography of each,
together with Portraits and Biographies of Joshua R. Giddings, Benjamin F. Wade,
and a large  number of the Early Settlers and
Representative Families of to-day.
"Biography is the only true history." - Emerson
CHICAGO:
THE LEWIS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
1893

Transcribed by Sharon Wick
 
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


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  JAMES NEILSON, formerly one of the most prominent and progressive citizens of Youngstown, now deceased, was born in Glasgow, Scotland, Dec. 1842.  His mother died when he was an infant, but the father survived her until 1887, when his death occurred in his native city of Glasgow, he never having been in the United States.  Our subject received a common-school education in his native country, emigrating to America when he attained his majority, locating near Columbus, Ohio, where he worked upon his uncle’s farm for one year, and then went to Canada, but after about six months returned to Ohio, to accept the position of weigh-master, at the old Powers coal mine.  In 1866 the mines were leased by the Andrews Bros, the following year the blast furnaces at Haselton were in progress of erection, and the firm, appreciating the ability of Mr. Neilson, placed him in charge of their books, which position he retained for ten years, when he was made the manager of the furnace in addition to his other duties.  In 1880, he became a member of the firm of Andrews Bros. & Co., and in 1887, upon the incorporation of the Andrews Brothers Company, he was elected vice-president and general manager of their extensive iron plant and mines, which position he continued to hold until his death.  In 1889 he organized the Youngstown Bridge Company, of which he was made president; the Mahoning Ore Company, operating mines in Minnesota, of which he was also made president; and be came a stockholder and director of the Youngstown Car Manufacturing Company.  He also held stock in the Morris Hardware Company, the G. M. McKelvey Company, the Dollar Savings and Trust Company, the Ohio Steel Company, and the Commercial National Bank.  When the Mahoning Ore Company was organized in 1892, it was the desire of the late H. O. Bonnell that its interest be placed in the hands of Mr. Neilson, and it was while engaged in attending to the business of this corporation that his death occurred.  During the fall and winter of 1892-’93 he made frequent trips to the ore regions of the Northwest, where he was obliged to endure hardships to which he was not accustomed, and his system became undermined, so that when he was attacked by a severe case of grip he was unable to rally, and his death occurred, May 24, 1893, of heart failure, superinduced by the grip.
     In 1866, Mr. Neilson was married to Mrs. Eliza Gibson, who had two children by a former marriage, Miss L. Lola Gibson, who resides with her mother, and Dr. R. D. Gibson, a practicing physician of Youngstown.  Mrs. Neilson is a most estimable Christian lady, of refined sensibilities, and her cheerful disposition cheered Mr. Neilson’s home for over a quarter of a century before he was called away by death.
     Mr. Neilson joined the Presbyterian Church at twenty-three years of age and continued firm in its principles until the day of his death.  A strong temperance man, he advocated every measure tending toward the furtherance of reform and progress.  It was during a reception held at his residence in honor of Mr. C. H. Yatman, the evangelist, that the project of building a home for the Young Men’s Christian Association was first broached, and since that time the beautiful and substantial building in which their meetings are held has been built.  A prominent Mason, he was connected with Hillman Lodge, No. 481, F. & A. M., of which he was Past Master; Youngstown Chapter, No. 93; St. John’s Commandery, K. T., No. 20; Alcoran Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine of Cleveland, Ohio, and of the Lake Erie Consistory of Scottish Rite Masons, and through his entire life lived up to the teachings of his order.
     A kind and affectionate husband, a good neighbor, a thoughtful employer and a most exemplary Christian, Mr. Neilson’s death was felt throughout the entire community and the most gratifying notices relative to his many sterling qualities were published in the various newspapers and trade journals of the country.  One of the prominent figures in local business circles, his loss is felt through out the city, for few were the enterprises in which he did not play an important part, either as official or stockholder; and the success attained by him is the result of his energy, combined with his great ability as a manager and his excellent business qualifications. His every act was manly, his friendships lasting, and all who knew him esteemed him for his many virtues.  No death in the entire city has ever called forth such sincere expressions of sorrow, and all feel that the community has lost one of its most prominent advocates in this influential and tireless worker, whose success was looked upon as the success of the city.  Not content with furthering his business interests, Mr.  Neilson was an earnest church member and gave largely of his abundance to those less fortunate.  It was his purpose to be personally acquainted with all the men under him, and many of them can recall untold acts of kindness, deeds of generosity and expressions of interest and sympathy, which proved more valuable than material assistance.  His employes ever regarded him as their friend, and his death is mourned by none more deeply than those who under his direction earned their daily bread by the labor of their hands.  He possessed rare good judgment, was broad-minded and ever willing to utilize his talents for the good of the church and the community at large.  His word was always regarded as good as his bond, and none there were who doubted any assertion he might make.  A Republican in politics, he supported the measures of that party upon any and all occasions, although he never sought office, preferring to give his sole time and attention to the direction of his own affairs.  At the time of his death he was a member of the Board of Health, having been elected to that office without any previous knowledge of his having been a candidate.  He was a rarely good man, an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, and in his death the city loses one of its best sons.  He was companionable in the extreme, possessing an even disposition and pleasant manners, and won the esteem and confidence of his fellow citizens.  His well rounded life, filled with deeds of charity and goodness, that were almost without limitation, is an endearing heritage to all who knew him.
Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1893 - Page 650
  JOHN B. NESSLE

Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1893 - Page 519

  NORTH NEWTON, a prominent and prosperous farmer of Boardman township, Mahoning county, Ohio, was born at the place where he now lives in the year 1849, son of Sheldon and Rachel (Hahn) Newton. His parents had five children, the others being Warner, Olive, George and Sarah.  Olive and North are the only ones of this number who are now living.
     The Newtons are of English extraction, the first members of the family having come from England to America in 1676 and located in the Housatonic valley, Connecticut.  Sheldon Newton was born in 1804, and died in 1888.  His mother’s maiden name was Olive Warner, she being a sister of Colonel Seth Warner of Revolutionary fame.  Rachel Hahn was born in 1813, and her marriage to Mr. Newton occurred in 1837.  They were among the early pioneers of Mahoning county, and he was prominently identified with local affairs here.  He owned 150 acres of land; was a director in the Mahoning County Bank, and was vice-president of the First National Bank at Youngstown; was a Justice of the Peace forty years and also served as County Commissioner and Representative to the State Assembly, being elected to these offices on the Republican ticket.  His wife was a member of the Episcopal Church.  Warner Newton, the oldest brother of our subject, enlisted in the Union army in 1861, and went out as a member of Company E, Second Ohio Cavalry.  He was killed at Five Forks, Virginia, in September, 1861.  He was serving as Major at the time of his death.
     North Newton was married Sept. 27, 1871, to Marinthe A. Kirk, daughter of William Kirk, of Boardman township, Mahoning county.  They have two children: Gertrude R. and Sheldon W.  Both have been educated at Youngstown and Painesville, this State.
     Mr. Newton erected his commodious and attractive residence in 1891, and has one of the finest homes in the township.  He owns 150 acres of Mahoning county’s best soil, and is engaged in general farming and stock raising.  He is a stockholder in the First National Bank of Youngstown, and is interested in the Poland Milling Company at Poland.  He takes an active interest in political issues, affiliating with the Republican party, and has served as Justice of the Peace six years.  He is a Freemason.  Mrs. Newton is a member of the Episcopal Church.

Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1893 - Page 549

James H. Nutt
JAMES H. NUTT. - Among the prominent personages identified with the great iron interests of Youngstown, is James H. Nutt, who, although still in the prime of life, has already attained the summit of worldly prosperity, being at present secretary of the Mahoning & Shenango Valley Iron Manufacturing Association.  Mr. Nutt was born in Worcestershire, England, Nov. 19, 1848, a son of Thomas and Ann (Poultney) Nutt, both natives of England, where they died, the father at the age of sixty-eight and the mother at the age of sixty-three, the former being by occupation a tinman.  Nine children were born to their union, of whom but three grew to maturity, one brother, Thomas, now residing in Cleveland, Ohio.
     Ohio subject received his scholastic education in england, and became an iron-worker before coming to the United States in 1868.  Upon his arrival in this country he located in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, engaging at his trade, and in January, 1876, he removed to Youngstown, Ohio, to work in the rolling mills as a heater with the Brown-Bonnell Company.  This occupation he followed for sixteen years, during which time he took an active part in the iron movement which has played so prominent a part in the upbuilding of the city.  He was one of the organizers of the American Amalgamated Association.  In 1877 he was elected vice-president of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers of the United States for this district, serving three separate terms.  He was also elected one of the national trustees, and has been re-elected each year until 1891, when he resigned to accept a position under the city government; but June 1, 1892, he accepted a position with the Manufacturers of the Mahoning Valley as manager of the labor department, which office he still holds, and July 24, 1893, he was appointed its secretary.
     In 1891 he was appointed City Commissioner for two years, and prior to that was a member of the City Council for six years, during two years of which time he served as its president.  During his term of service many important measures were passed and franchises were granted; the street railway was extended, the water-works improved and many other improvements were carried out, the success of which largely depended upon his zeal and enterprise.  Prior to his election to the City Council, Mr. Nutt took an active part in the affairs of the city, his position as one of the chief officials of the Amalgamated Association bringing him into close touch with the prominent iron men of the community.  While connected with this association he was several times elected a representative to the conventions of the Confederation of Labor, and served with credit to himself and his constituency.  For years he was a member of the conference committee, whose object was to adjust the prices paid for labor.  He has also represented the iron-workers before the Ways and Means Committee of the national legislature on the question of tariff for the Amalgamated Association and the Manufacturers’ Association, having since 1878 been prominently identified with the different committees that were permitted to appear before Congress in the interest of protective tariff.   A prominent Republican, he has been a delegate to the county and State conventions, and for two years was chairman of the Republican County Central Committee of Mahoning county, and for the same length of time held a like position on the Republican Central Committee of Youngstown.
     Mr. Nutt was married Nov. 26, 1871, to Miss Sarah Ward, a daughter of Henry and Susan Ward, of Rome, New York.  This union has been blessed with eight children, namely: Flora, who died at the age of eighteen months; Harry, a student in the junior year at the Ohio State University, who is taking a course in mechanical engineering; Helena, deceased at the age of seven years; Albert; May; Edith; Ada, deceased at the age of five years; and GeorgeMrs. Nutt is a devout member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Nutt is an attendant, and both are faithful workers in this body. A live and active Mason, Mr. Nutt has passed through the blue lodge, chapter and St. John’s Commandery, and is also connected with the order of Elks. For many years Mr. Nutt has occupied positions of public trust and responsibility, in all of which he has shown himself thoroughly competent to execute every demand made of him. He is a responsible, upright and reliable citizen, who has been connected in a substantial and prominent way with the growth and progress of the city. So prominent has he become that his name has been mentioned several times for the State Legislature, and in 1888 he was spoken of for Postmaster, but his various duties have prevented him from ac cepting any further responsibility, he having already served, as before mentioned, as mem ber and president of the City Council, member of the Board of City Commissioners, trustee of the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers, with headquarters at Pittsburg, and secretary of the Mahoning & Shenango Valley Iron Manufacturing Association.  In 1891, when he left the Brown Bonnell Company’s works to assume his duties as a city official, he was presented by the operatives with an elegant gold watch in appreciation of his faithful service among them, and a handsome testimonial from the National Lodge of the Amalgamated Association.
     Possessing fine conversational powers, Mr. Nutt is enabled to talk intelligently upon all the living topics of the day, and his genial, pleasant manner and affable ways make him a general favorite with all classes of men.  Having worked his way up from the bottom, he is enabled to appreciate the difficulties under which working men labor, and his sympathy with them has gained for him their confidence and esteem.  His thorough knowledge of all the details of his position have made him a protectionist in the extreme, and his arguments in favor of a protective tariff are convincing and indisputable.
Source: Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio Embracing the Counties of Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1893 - Page 525

 

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