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
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1893
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COLONEL
CALEB B. WICK - No family has been more closely identified
with the settlement, growth and development of Youngstown, Ohio,
than that by the name of Wick. One of the first
ministers of the gospel of any denomination, if not the first, to
hold religious services in the infant settlement of Youngstown, and
who was for many years pastor of the Presbyterian Church, in which
he solemnized a marriage as early as November, 1800, was Rev.
William Wick, an elder brother of Henry Wick,
father of the subject of this sketch.
Henry Wick was born on Long Island, Mar.
19, 1771, and was a son of Lemuel and Deborah (Lupton) Wick.
Lemuel was born at Southampton, Long Island, New York, Apr.
16, 1743, and was the ninth of eleven children of Job and Ann
(Cook) Wick, of Southampton. The remote genealogy of
Job Wick is not well authenticated, but the Wick family
is said to be of English origin. Henry Wick went, when
a young man, from his native town to Washington county,
Pennsylvania, where he was married, Dec. 11, 1794, to Miss Hannah
Baldwin, daughter of Caleb Baldwin, a prominent
resident of that county. They had eleven children, of whom
Caleb Baldwin, the subject of this sketch, was the
oldest. Henry Wick was engaged in the
merchandise business in Pennsylvania until 1801, when he came alone
to Youngstown, probably at the instance of his father-in-law,
Caleb Baldwin, who removed to this pioneer town in 1799.
Here, Henry Wick purchased land, erected buildings for
residence and store, and engaged in mercantile pursuits. After
getting a home for his family, he removed them to Youngstown in the
spring of 1802. He continued to be in merchandising on the
corner of Federal and Phelps streets, and on the southeast corner of
the Diamond, until the date of his death, Nov. 4, 1845, his demise
being greatly lamented by all who knew him. His wife survived
him some years, her death occurring Apr. 10, 1849, to the regret of
many friends. They had six sons: Caleb B., of this
notice, Lemuel, Henry, Hugh B., John D. and Paul.
But one now (1893) survives: Henry Wick, a prominent
banker of Cleveland, Ohio, esteemed for his business ability and
exalted character. This worthy couple had also several
daughters, who are all now deceased, leaving no children.
Caleb B. Wick, whose name heads this sketch, was
born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Oct. 1, 1795, and was in
his seventh year when his parents removed to Youngstown. He
received such instruction in the common branches of learning as was
afforded in the schools of his day, much of his youth being spent in
assisting his father in the latter’s store and in other business.
In the fall of 1815, Caleb B. Wick and Dr. Henry Manning
opened a general store at Youngstown, conducting in connection with
it a drug store, the first in that part of the Western Reserve.
This partnership was continued about ten years, after which Mr.
Wick followed mercantile pursuits alone until 1848, his
experience as a merchant having covered a period of more than thirty
years. He then retired from active pursuits, being then the
oldest merchant in business in Youngstown. In 1846, Colonel
Wick, with a few other citizens, erected the first rolling mill
in Youngstown, which, with the additions since built, are now the
immense works of the Brown-Bonnell Iron Company.
His activity was not confined to his business alone, as
his fellow citizens several times elected him to positions of honor
and trust, all of which he fulfilled with ability and integrity.
In 1817, he was commissioned Lieutenant of the Third Company, First
Battalion First Regiment, Fourth Division of Ohio Militia, and, in
1818, was made Captain of the same company. In 1822, he was
commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel of the First Regiment, and in the
fall of the same year was promoted to the rank of Colonel of the
same regiment, which position he retained for several years.
He served as Township Clerk and later as Trustee of Youngstown
township. In 1840, he was an active supporter of General
Harrison for the Presidency, and, Nov. 17, 1841, he was
commissioned Postmaster of Youngstown, which office he retained
until Mar. 10, 1843, when, not being a supporter of President
Tyler, he was removed.
After his retirement from mercantile pursuits, in 1848,
Colonel Wick devoted his attention to the management
of his large estate until his death, which occurred June 30, 1865,
aged nearly seventy years, followed by the universal regret of his
fellow men.
The Colonel was twice married. Jan. 1, 1816, he
was united to Rachel Kirtland, daughter of Jared Kirtland,
an early settler of Poland, Ohio. They had two children:
Henry K., for some time a merchant of Youngstown, died aged
twenty-two; and the second child died in infancy. In 1820, the
Colonel was called upon to mourn the death of his devoted wife,
whose amiable qualities had rendered her a favorite with a large
circle of friends. Nov. 3, 1828, Colonel Wick was
remarried, his second wife being Miss Maria Adelia
Griffith, of Youngstown, formerly of Caledonia, Livingston
county, New York, who died in 1887. They had ten children five
of whom survive in 1893. Seven of the ten attained maturity,
viz.: Rachel K., wife of Robert W. Taylor; Hannah M.,
married to Charles D. Arms; Laura E.; Caleb B.;
Henry K.; Charles E. died in 1893; and Eliza M.
died in 1890.
In social life, as a neighbor, friend and citizen,
Colonel Wick was warm-hearted, generous and progressive.
His hospitality was unlimited and in his house everyone felt at
home. He was indulgent to his family and to the young in
social joys, and took great delight in the society of old and young.
He united with the First PresbyterianChurch of Youngstown, on
profession of faith, Apr. 6, 1835, and for more than thirty years
was known as a Christian man, giving liberally of his means to the
church of his choice. He remained steadfast in the faith, and
though death came to him rather suddenly he had long awaited the
summons from high and peacefully fell asleep.
Caleb B. Wick, son and namesake of the subject
of this sketch, who is a prosperous and esteemed business man of
Youngstown, was born in that city, Apr. 24, 1836. He received
his education in the schools of his native city, where, at the early
age of seventeen, he began his successful business career as a clerk
in the Mahoning County Bank. In 1859, he was promoted to the
position of cashier, in which capacity he continued to act until
1862. During this time he was a member of the banking firm of
Wick Brothers & Company, of Youngstown, and, in the
spring of 1865, in company with William Coleman and S. Q.
Porter, he started the first bank in Sharon, Pennsylvania, under
the firm name of Wick, Porter & Company. These
multitudinous duties, however, did not absorb all of his time or
attention, for he became prominently identified with the development
of the railroad interests of the country. He was one of the
organizers and a director of the Lawrence Railroad, which was
completed to Youngstown in the spring of 1867, and which was then
the only railway connection between Youngstown and Pittsburgh and
the East. He was also one of the incorporators of the
Ashtabula, Youngstown & Pittsburgh Railroad Company, in 1870, which
line was completed in 1873. Mr. Wick has always
been a director of this road, and out of the thirteen original
directors he and one other are the only survivors. The latter road,
with the Lawrence Railroad and a branch from Niles to Alliance,
constitutes the Pittsburg, Youngstown & Ashtabula Railroad.
Since 1862, Mr. Wick has been largely interested in
the iron, coal and real-estate industries. He owns much of the
best property in Youngstown and vicinity, and does a large and
profitable business. He is a liberal minded, progressive and
popular citizen, interested in all that concerns the welfare of his
community, to the development of which he and his illustrious father
have greatly contributed, and their names deserve to be perpetuated
in the memory of all future generations.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio
Embracing the Counties of
Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing
Company, 1893 - Page 461 |
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HUGH BRYSON WICK -
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio
Embracing the Counties of
Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing
Company, 1893 - Page 477 |
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MYRON C. WICK Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio
Embracing the Counties of
Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing
Company, 1893 - Page 586 |
| |
PAUL
WICK - That "the good that men do lives after them" is most
strikingly illustrated in the life of Paul Wick, whose name
is indissolubly connected with the growth and development of
Youngstown. For many years he was numbered among the leading
and influential business men of the city, and his death was mourned
throughout the entire Mahoning valley, where he had played such an
important part. Mr. Wick was born in Mahoning county,
Ohio, Oct. 1, 1824, a son of Henry and Hannah (Baldwin) Wick.
The father was a native of Southampton, Long Island, New York, where
he was born Mar. 19, 1771. After attaining maturity he moved
to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was married Dec. 11,
1794, to the mother of our subject. Here he engaged in
mercantile pursuits for few years, but came to Youngstown in 1802,
his father-in-law, Caleb Baldwin having preceded him several
years, and it is presumed that it was upon the request of the latter
that he made the removal. Thirteen children were born to the
marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wick, senior, namely: Caleb B.;
Betsey; Dr. Lemuel Wick of Cleveland; Henry Wick of
Cleveland, who was born in 1809, and is now the only survivor of the
family; Hugh Bryson; Hannah; Matilda;
John D.; Alary A.; Thomas L.; Paul, and two
others who died in infancy. Our subject was educated at an old
academy where the Diamond is now located. After finishing his
school course he and his brother, John D. Wick, opened and
operated a coal mine on a farm near Youngstown, which their father
had given them. Later he engaged in the mercantile line, and
for a short time was associated with Henry and Hugh Bryson
Wick in a wholesale and retail store in Cleveland, Ohio.
For a number of years he operated a store in Youngstown, and was one
of several who in 1846 comprised the Youngstown Iron Company, they
being then the prominent capitalists of the city. After the
organization of this company a small mill was built on the “flats”
along the old Ohio & Pennsylvania canal. The company operated the
mill for a number of years when it was shut down, but in 1855 was
sold to the late William Bonnell and others.
Mr. Wick’s name is associated with the very first of
those who conceived the idea of an iron mill in Youngstown, but the
possibility that this village, then consisting of 500 or 600
inhabitants, would ever become the great manufacturing center it now
is, never entered their minds. There is no doubt “they builded
better than they knew,” and the wonderful result attained but
demonstrates the enterprise and public spirit of the men concerned.
In addition to his other interests at this time, Mr. Wick
managed a dry-goods store located a little west of Champion street,
under the firm name of P. Wick & Brother, P. and Hugh
Bryson Wick being the proprietors. Later Mr. Wick
was a member of the firm of Wick & Goble, continuing in the
mercantile business until 1866, when he and Hugh Bryson, his
brother, organized the banking house of Wick Bros. &
Co. near where the Stambaugh-Thompson building is now
being erected. Here they continue until 1883, when the bank
was moved into the Wick Bros.’ building, where
it is now located. Since its inception this bank has been one
of the most substantial institutions in the entire State, and Mr.
Wick continued a member of the firm until his death.
The gentlemen at the head of the management, of the affairs of this
bank have ever commanded the respect and confidence of the entire
community, and their transactions have been without exception of the
most honorable character. Since the demise of Hugh
Bryson Wick his son, John C., has been in charge
of the bank, and has nobly sustained the high reputation it has
borne for so many years.
Paul Wick, our subject, was a most
successful business man. He assisted in various other enterprises of
the city in addition to his banking, and owned valuable realty
throughout the city. He was also interested in several iron
firms, including the Youngstown Rolling Mill Company, and was one of
six men who composed this corporation. He was also a member of
the Ohio Iron & Steel Company, and played an important part in the
management of its affairs.
The marriage of Mr. Wick occurred in
1840, to Miss Susan A. Bull, who came from Vermont a few
years prior to her marriage, with her brother, a school-teacher.
The ceremony was performed at the old homestead on East Federal
street, which is still standing and is now occupied as a hotel.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wick was blest with six
children, namely: Myron C.; Alice M., widow of
Clark S. Powers, who died in August, 1892, aged forty-two years;
George D.; Harriet, widow of John S. Ford; Frederick H. and
Mary. Mrs. Wick died in 1882, aged fifty-
six years, having been throughout her life-time a faithful member of
the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown. In speaking of
her many virtues, a friend of Mrs. Wick says: “Few
knew her best traits on account of her retiring disposition.
Although unobtrusive she was positive in all the qualities that go
to make up noble womanhood. Her conception of the Christian was of
the highest type, and her greatest ambition to exemplify that
conception in her daily life. Though not published throughout
the world, she was ever ready to respond to calls for the church and
for benevolent purposes. Although gone to the silent shore,
her many virtues still live in the memory of a large circle of
acquaintances.” Mr. Wick was again married in
1885, to Mrs. Margaret L. Haney, of Youngstown, with whom he
lived until he was called away by death June 13, 1890, in the
sixty-sixth year of his age.
The following extract is copied from a paper called Our
Quarterly Statement, issued by the First Presbyterian Church of
Youngstown. The article is written by Mr. Wick’s
pastor, D. H. Evans, D. D.: “Mr. Paul Wick
on June 13, 1890, at his residence in this city, closed a life which
has long been identified with our church and with our city.
Born here sixty-five years ago and long and actively engaged in
business, he was widely known and highly respected as a citizen.
For twenty-eight years a member of this church, in various ways he
has labored and largely given to its enterprises. His genial
manners did much to sustain the social life of this organization,
until recently it might safely be said that he knew every member of
the flock of nearly 800. Knowledge with him was acquaintance,
and acquaintance meant to be on friendly terms with the poorest and
obscurest. In his death we lose a link that bound us to the
honored toilers of the past —a generous friend whose deliberate and
careful, yet kind and liberal benevolence did much for the good work
in this community, and a brother who was possessed of the ‘ meekness
of wisdom.’ ”
Mr. Wick was a Republican in politics,
but never sought office, although he served in the City Council for
several years and for nineteen years was a member of the Board of
Education. In this capacity he served longer than any other man in
the entire city. A manly character only could have inspired
such confidence, and a faithful and efficient service only could
have secured its long continuance. His continual re-election
to the same official position speaks eloquently of a service well
rendered, and of the high appreciation of talents in one of the most
important offices of the city. He was largely instrumental in
the erection of the large and palatial school buildings on Front and
Covington streets. At the close of his nineteen years of
service he left the School Board of his own accord, in 1879, much to
the regret of the citizens of Youngstown. His death was felt
throughout the community to be a personal loss to all the
inhabitants, as he had endeared himself to them by a life of
uprightness and honesty. A life-long member of the
Presbyterian Church, he served in the capacity of Trustee for many
years, and was a liberal contributor to the church, benevolent and
all other worthy enterprises. His charity was not confined to
his own church, however, but he gave liberally of his substance to
all religious organizations. No one ever appealed to him in
vain, and those asking his aid received a much larger contribution
than they had reason to hope for or expect. In disposition he was
lovable, kind and courteous, and was never known to slight a friend,
although he was extensively acquainted and well and favorably known
throughout the entire State. His practical knowledge of all
the details of his business as well as his thorough acquaintance
with the leading topics of the day, made him a most interesting
conversationalist as well as a most competent adviser, and his
opinion was sought by many, his views being received with the
highest degree of respect. Pleasant in address, easy in
manner, firm in his convictions, and of extraordinary force of
character, he was uniformly admired for his honesty of purpose and
his thorough business qualifications. Tracing his ancestry
back on both sides to people who were among the enterprising and
progressive pioneers of the city, Mr. Wick has proven
himself a worthy offspring of them. His life was actively
devoted to business pursuits, in which he was most successful, and
his death was mourned not only throughout the community in which he
lived, but also by a large circle of acquaintances and friends,
which he had attached to him through Ohio and surrounding States.
Source:
Biographical History of Northeastern Ohio
Embracing the Counties of
Ashtabula, Trumbull and Mahoning - Publ. Chicago: The Lewis Publishing
Company, 1893 - Page 493 |
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