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Biographies
History of Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley, Ohio
Vols. 1 & 2
By Jos. G. Butler, Jr. -Publ. American Historical Society -
Chicago & New York
1921
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Transcribed by Sharon Wick
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Henry Onions |
HENRY ONIONS has the
distinction of being the oldest living pioneer iron worker in the
Youngstown district, and at the present time he is serving as hall
man in the general office of the Republic Iron & Steel Company.
He was born in Boonton, New Jersey, Feb. 24, 1840, a son of
Josephus and Eliza (Harris) Onions. The parents were born
in England and came to America in the early part of 1839, locating
in the city of Boonton, and remaining there about three years.
Going farther west, they established their home in Cincinnati, Ohio,
and from there came to Youngstown in the early part of 1846.
Josephus Onions superintended the erection of the puddling
furnaces in the first mill erected in Youngstown, and he also made
the first heat of iron in the puddle mill. Both he and his
wife spent the remainder of their lives and died in Youngstown.
Henry Onions attended the public schools of
Youngstown in his youth, but at the early age of ten, in 1850,
entered as an employe the Youngstown Iron Works, and thus when a
mere youth started out to make his own way in the world. The
Youngstown Iron Works closed down in the fall of 1850, and during
the years of 1851 and 1852 the young iron worker was engaged in
making coke for the Mill Creek Furnace, which was located in what is
now known as Mill Creek Park. In the spring of 1853 he began
work at the Falcon Furnace, owned and operated by James Ward &
Company, of Niles, Ohio, continuing as an employe there for a
year and a half, and in February, 1855, began work for Brown,
Bonnell & Company, being the third person employed by them,
and Mr. Onions remained with them and their successors until
1866. He is now employed with the Republic Iron & Steel
Company. His mature yeas have been spent in diligent labor, he
has been the architect of his own success, and he has lived to reap
the reward of tireless energy and right living.
In 1858 Mr. Onions belonged to an independent
military company called the Tod Artillery, which disbanded
before the opening of the Civil war, and at the beginning of that
struggle, in 1861, he enlisted for service but was rejected on
account of having lost the sight of his right eye. He
has taken but the good citizen's part in the matter of politics, and
has voted with the republican party since 1861. On the 15th of
December, 1864, he became a member of Hebron Lodge, No. 55,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, in which he has since filled all
the various offices, and from January 1, until July 1, 1868, he
served the order as noble grand, and he now has the honor of being
the oldest living past grand of the lodge. At the present time
he is serving it as treasurer, and has filled that office for the
past twenty years. Since 1862 he has been a member of St.
John's Episcopal Church.
At Bedford, Pennsylvania, April 23, 1861, by the
Reverend Nesbett. Mr. Onions was married to Ruth Hannah
Harris, a daughter of William and Frances Harris, who
came to this country from England and settled in Youngstown in 1849.
Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Onions.
Wyllys H. Married Esther Taylor, and they are the parents
of the following children: Carrie M., Frank, Mildred, Etta,
Henry, Elizabeth and Esther. Carrie F. is the widow
of Robert T. Carothers. The history of Joseph H.
will be found on succeeding pages. Ruth H. is the widow
of Frederick C. Hilton and the mother of one son,
Frederick H.
Source: History of Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley, Ohio - Vol. 2
By Jos. G. Butler, Jr. -Publ. American Historical Society - Chicago & New York
1921 - Page 98 |
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JOSEPH H.
ONIONS, who is associated with the Republic Iron & Steel
Company, has been a life long resident of Youngstown and was born in
this city Nov. 21, 1872. He attended the city graded schools,
with also one year in the Rayen High School, and in the summer of
1887 began driving a wagon for a grocery store. This first
employment was followed by other odd jobs for a time, and on Oct. 3,
1892, he entered the service of the Lake Shore Railroad Company as
car accountant. On the 11th of August, 1899, he began his
connection with the Republic Iron & Steel Company as an accountant
under W. C. Riley, a year later became an assistant in the
office of Hugh Swaney, who was then the company's paymaster,
and in 1902 succeeded to the office of paymaster and has since
filled that important position.
On Sept. 24, 1896, Mr. Onions was married to
Emma Sunderlin, and their three children are Robert c.,
Gertrude H. and Helen J. Mr. and Mrs. Onions are
members of the St. John's Episcopal Church. Mr. Onions
is also affiliated with the Youngstown Chamber of Commerce, and with
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is a York Rite and a
Thirty-second degree Mason and a member of Al-Koran Temple, Ancient
Arabic Order Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, Cleveland, Ohio. He
gives his political support to the republican party.
Source: History of Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley, Ohio - Vol. 2
By Jos. G. Butler, Jr. -Publ. American Historical Society - Chicago & New York
1921 - Page 99 |
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FRED MONTGOMERY ORR Source: History of
Youngstown & The Mahoning Valley, Ohio - Vol. II - Publ. American
Historical Society - Chicago & New York - 1921 - Page 3 |
NOTES:
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