NEFF, Catherine nee WILSON
Mrs. Martin Neff – m. 5 Apr 1848
Daughter of John and Jane Trimble Wilson
B. 14 July 1831 in Dublin, Canfield Twp., Trumbull (now Mahoning) Co. OH
D. 30 Mar 1910 in Canfield Twp., Mahoning Co. OH
at 78y 8m 16d
Burial – in Canfield Village Cemetery, from mausoleum to Section C Row 01, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Transcribed by great great granddaughter, Jennifer L. Neff
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 1 Apr 1910
"PASSING OF A PIONEER - Mrs. Martin Neff Called to Her Reward Wednesday Morning"
"Mrs. Martin Neff died at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning at her home 1 ½ miles east of Canfield. Her death came as a shock to relatives and friends as she had been about the house the previous evening, although ailing for some days. Caroline (sic Catherine) Neff was a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, where she was born July 14, 1830, hence she was in the 80th [sic 78th] year of her age. She was married to Martin Neff April 5, 1848, or nearly 62 years ago. In 1908 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the occasion was one of the most enjoyable days of their lives. Deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church. Besides her husband she leaves three children - Mrs. G.A. Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield - one brother, R.M. Wilson of Canfield, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, of Corvallis, Oregon. Funeral services will be held from the family residence this Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. William Dickson being in charge. The remains will be placed in a vault until the mausoleum to be built in the village cemetery is completed."
Mahoning Dispatch, 50 Years Ago Column, 22 Dec 1961 (for 1911)
"Remains of Mrs. Martin Neff, Sr., and W.G. Cassady were first to be placed in new mausoleum in Canfield cemetery."
ON BURIALS
Comment from Jennifer L. Neff:
The Canfield Cemetery Village Mausoleum is in the front, facing E. Main St., of the Canfield Village Cemetery. It is the large stone building just to the left (east) of the main entry drive, and it is no longer in use. In the 1940's remains of those interred in the mausoleum were removed by family members to the cemetery. Martin and Catherine Neff had been interred there, but now rest with a new headstone just outside the old Mausoleum. In 2003, going up the main entry drive, just past the Mausoleum, they have about the fourth headstone on the left (east) side of the road. The next headstone is that of Mary Neff Blackburn, their daughter, and the next one is that of John E. Neff, their son and his wife, Harriett Sanzenbacher Neff. Also interred with John E. and Hattie Neff are three of their children, infant Rebecca, Calvin Carl and Sadie E. Neff.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"20th Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio,
And Representative Citizens", 1907, ps 963-964
Edited and compiled by Gen. Thomas W. Sanderson
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples"
Chicago IL, Biographical Pub. Co. 1907
Repository: Youngstown Main Branch Library
Comment: This biographical sketch contains interesting material, but some corrections should be noted. The text has been transcribed as it was written and proof read by R.H.N. and J.L.N. 2004
Corrections and additions are noted in brackets.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"Martin Neff, whose fine residence farm of 210 acres is situated in Canfield Township, a mile and three-quarters east of Canfield, on the Boardman and Canfield road owns also a farm of 75 acres south and east of the agricultural fair grounds. Martin Neff was born March 25, 1827, [28 Mar 1828], on his present farm in Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.], Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth [Kline] Neff.
Conrad Neff, the grandfather of Martin, was the pioneer of the Neff family in the Western Reserve, to which he came, from Berks County [Northampton now Lehigh Co.] Pennsylvania in 1802 [1804]. The Pennsylvanians who accompanied him numbered 16 souls and they made the journey in the strong old Conestoga wagons, which were built to traverse forests and cross unbridged streams, as was necessary in traveling through this section of Ohio in those early days. The travelers found a little settlement of 16 log houses where now stands the flourishing town of Canfield. Conrad Neff purchased 140 acres of land in the adjacent wilderness and erected a small log cabin near the site of the present comfortable home of his grandson. It took hard work and considerable time before any crops could be raised and in the meantime, the family subsisted on wild game, which was very plentiful, deer and wild turkey being easily secured. Conrad Neff was a mason by trade and he did a large part of the mason work for his neighbors in those days, his sons doing the larger amount of clearing and land cultivating. Both Conrad Neff and wife died on this place, having reached the age of 70 years. [Conrad died 13 Jan 1831.at the age of 89 and is buried in the Old North Cemetery in Canfield. His wife died on 13 Aug1833.] [The children who came to Ohio with him were: Mary Magdalena [Polly] who was already married to Henry Brunstetter Sr.; Margaret who married Henry Peatry [Petre]; Henry who married Mary Harding; Mary who married 1. Jacob Harding and 2. Henry Crum; Conrad Jr. who married Mary Katherine [Polly] Kline; and John who married Elizabeth [Betsy] Kline.]
John Neff, father of Martin, was born in 1795, [2 June1796] in Berks County [Northampton, now Lehigh], Pennsylvania, and thus was seven [eight] years of age when he came to Mahoning [Trumbull then] County. His early educational opportunities were meager but he was reared with the practical ideas which resulted in his becoming a man of ample fortune and a highly respected citizen of his community. His first land was purchased for $2.50 an acre and he accumulated a large amount. At time possessing 600 acres. He sold a portion of this to advantage and utilized the rest in general farming and stock-raising. He was a man of sound judgment and on a number of occasions was selected to hold township offices. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, but he did not approve of the War of the Rebellion. He died one week [7 Apr 1861] after the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter, aged 64 years, nine months and seven days. John Neff married Elizabeth Kline, who was born in Northampton County [now Schuylkill Co.], Pennsylvania, and died [7 July 1877] in Mahoning County, aged 79 years, surviving her husband for 16 years. She was a daughter of Abraham Kline, who settled at an early day in Youngstown Township, Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.]. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy during and epidemic of scarlet fever, the others being: Eli, residing in Kansas, having reached his 86th year [died Aug 1910 at age of 89]; Mary, deceased [24 Jan 1901], who married Russell F. Starr, also deceased [15 Apr 1895]; and Martin, the youngest of the family.
Although his family had been settled many years in Canfield township, when Martin Neff came on the scene of life, many pioneer conditions still prevailed and his educational opportunities were limited to a short period of school attendance in the old log school-house near his home. His father was greatly interested in raising and dealing in cattle at this time and a large part of the hard work of the farm fell on young Martin and his brother. As his father drove his own cattle over the mountains and disposed of them in the eastern markets, he was away from home a great part of the time. The sons, especially Martin, developed good judgment in cattle, and he also became a dealer and on his own account drove stock as far as Pittsburgh. The business was very profitable as long as no lines for cattle transportation had been built and no great cattle ranches had yet been established in the West. Mr. Neff has lived on this farm all his life, but, has traveled on horseback all over the country and on one occasion was in the saddle for 31 days. He started out with a farm of 73 acres and when he went into the stock business was obliged to rent pasture land, but gradually acquired field after field until, at one time, he owned more than 600 acres. He has been very generous to his children, but still retains 335 acres. With the assistance of Thomas G. Stratford, [nephew – son of Catherine's sister] whom he reared from childhood, Mr. Neff still carries on farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Neff was married April 5, 1848, to Catherine Wilson, who is one of the first children born at what is now the town of Dublin, Mahoning County, [then Trumbull Co.] Ohio. Her parents were John and Jane [Trimble] Wilson, who were natives of Ireland and were early settlers at Dublin, this county. Mrs. Neff was reared and educated in that village. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had five children, as follows; John E., Caroline, Mary, Lois and Elizabeth, the last named dying at the age of seven years [died 6 July 1862 at the age of nine].
John E. Neff, residing at Canfield, is engaged in a dry-goods business. He married Hattie Sanzenbacher and they have six children, Namely: Sadie; Ensign, who married Mary Porter [Mary died in 1919 and he later married Frances Johnson]; Martin, who married Ann Fithian, has two children [Isabell and Virginia -a son Martin will be born later] ; Calvin [married Aulurah Harding Buck in 1911]; Silas [Cyrus], who married Miss [Melvia] Waters, has one child [Marjorie - a daughter Mary will be born later]; and Roy [married Laura Noll 29 July 1908 and had four sons, Charles, Edward, Robert and Richard.].
Caroline, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neff, married G.S. Beard, and they reside in Beaver township and they have two children: Bert, who is married and has three children; and Alexander, who is engaged in the milk business in Youngstown. Mary Neff, the second daughter, who married Floyd Blackburn, died in 1900 [27 Apr 1899 at 34y]. Lois Neff, the third daughter, married Charles Edsall and they reside near the parental home and have two children, Julia and Bertha.
Politically Mr. Neff has always been in sympathy with the Democratic party. He has been elected to almost all the township offices at various times and has served with the greatest efficiency on the township board of trustees, on the board of education and as supervisor, and his advice and counsel is considered valuable by his fellow-citizens whenever any important township matter is under consideration.
Mr. Neff and family have enjoyed the benefits and pleasure of travel and are most entertaining in recalling what they have seen with their own eyes. Mr. Neff, himself, has seen a large portion of his native land west of Ohio, and in 1902 he was accompanied by his wife and some of his children on a delightful trip which extended through a large part of the most enjoyable regions of a number of States. The party started from Canfield and went west to Chicago, remaining one night in the famous Windy City, going on from there to Denver, Colorado, and then through the great mountain ranges to Sacramento and viewing the beautiful city of San Francisco before the great calamity of 1906. From there they went to Los Angeles, then covered 750 miles to Junction City, Oregon, going from there to Salem and Portland and thence to Seattle and through the great pine timber country to Spokane, Washington. On their return they visited St. Paul and other interesting cities. The enjoyment and advantages of such an extended trip can scarcely be overestimated."
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 10 Apr 1908
"CELEBRATED SIXTIETH - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY"
"On Sunday last at their pleasant home a mile and a half east of the village, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Neff, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. While the day was dark and gloomy without there was nothing but brightness and happiness within the Neff home. Near where they now reside this aged and respected couple have spent most of their lives.
Both were born in Canfield township, Mr. Neff on March 25, 1827, and Mrs. Neff July 14, 1830, making their ages 81 and 78 years, respectively. Mrs. Neff's maiden name was Catherine Wilson, being a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, who afterwards lived almost directly across the street from the present Neff homestead and it was there in what afterwards was known as the "old red house", and which in another location now serves as a barn, the happy couple was united in marriage, the ceremony being performed April 5, 1848, Rev. Evrett (sic) of Poland officiating. Five children blessed this union, three of whom survive - Mrs. Caroline Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield. Industry and thrift have all their lives marked the pathway of Mr. and Mrs. Neff; always busy, happy and contented, enjoying to the full the quiet of their country home. That Mr. Neff has prospered, with the assistance of his helpmeet, is shown by the fact that he is perhaps the wealthiest farmer and stock dealer in Canfield township. He is still hale and hearty and his wife enjoys fairly good health and they have promise of celebrating many more wedding anniversaries. Besides the children named above, Mr. and Mrs. Neff have ten grand children and six great-grandchildren, all of whom with several other guests, were present to enjoy the sumptuous dinner and the pleasures incident to the sixtieth wedding anniversary."
Mrs. Martin Neff – m. 5 Apr 1848
Daughter of John and Jane Trimble Wilson
B. 14 July 1831 in Dublin, Canfield Twp., Trumbull (now Mahoning) Co. OH
D. 30 Mar 1910 in Canfield Twp., Mahoning Co. OH
at 78y 8m 16d
Burial – in Canfield Village Cemetery, from mausoleum to Section C Row 01, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Transcribed by great great granddaughter, Jennifer L. Neff
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 1 Apr 1910
"PASSING OF A PIONEER - Mrs. Martin Neff Called to Her Reward Wednesday Morning"
"Mrs. Martin Neff died at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning at her home 1 ½ miles east of Canfield. Her death came as a shock to relatives and friends as she had been about the house the previous evening, although ailing for some days. Caroline (sic Catherine) Neff was a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, where she was born July 14, 1830, hence she was in the 80th [sic 78th] year of her age. She was married to Martin Neff April 5, 1848, or nearly 62 years ago. In 1908 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the occasion was one of the most enjoyable days of their lives. Deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church. Besides her husband she leaves three children - Mrs. G.A. Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield - one brother, R.M. Wilson of Canfield, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, of Corvallis, Oregon. Funeral services will be held from the family residence this Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. William Dickson being in charge. The remains will be placed in a vault until the mausoleum to be built in the village cemetery is completed."
Mahoning Dispatch, 50 Years Ago Column, 22 Dec 1961 (for 1911)
"Remains of Mrs. Martin Neff, Sr., and W.G. Cassady were first to be placed in new mausoleum in Canfield cemetery."
ON BURIALS
Comment from Jennifer L. Neff:
The Canfield Cemetery Village Mausoleum is in the front, facing E. Main St., of the Canfield Village Cemetery. It is the large stone building just to the left (east) of the main entry drive, and it is no longer in use. In the 1940's remains of those interred in the mausoleum were removed by family members to the cemetery. Martin and Catherine Neff had been interred there, but now rest with a new headstone just outside the old Mausoleum. In 2003, going up the main entry drive, just past the Mausoleum, they have about the fourth headstone on the left (east) side of the road. The next headstone is that of Mary Neff Blackburn, their daughter, and the next one is that of John E. Neff, their son and his wife, Harriett Sanzenbacher Neff. Also interred with John E. and Hattie Neff are three of their children, infant Rebecca, Calvin Carl and Sadie E. Neff.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"20th Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio,
And Representative Citizens", 1907, ps 963-964
Edited and compiled by Gen. Thomas W. Sanderson
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples"
Chicago IL, Biographical Pub. Co. 1907
Repository: Youngstown Main Branch Library
Comment: This biographical sketch contains interesting material, but some corrections should be noted. The text has been transcribed as it was written and proof read by R.H.N. and J.L.N. 2004
Corrections and additions are noted in brackets.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"Martin Neff, whose fine residence farm of 210 acres is situated in Canfield Township, a mile and three-quarters east of Canfield, on the Boardman and Canfield road owns also a farm of 75 acres south and east of the agricultural fair grounds. Martin Neff was born March 25, 1827, [28 Mar 1828], on his present farm in Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.], Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth [Kline] Neff.
Conrad Neff, the grandfather of Martin, was the pioneer of the Neff family in the Western Reserve, to which he came, from Berks County [Northampton now Lehigh Co.] Pennsylvania in 1802 [1804]. The Pennsylvanians who accompanied him numbered 16 souls and they made the journey in the strong old Conestoga wagons, which were built to traverse forests and cross unbridged streams, as was necessary in traveling through this section of Ohio in those early days. The travelers found a little settlement of 16 log houses where now stands the flourishing town of Canfield. Conrad Neff purchased 140 acres of land in the adjacent wilderness and erected a small log cabin near the site of the present comfortable home of his grandson. It took hard work and considerable time before any crops could be raised and in the meantime, the family subsisted on wild game, which was very plentiful, deer and wild turkey being easily secured. Conrad Neff was a mason by trade and he did a large part of the mason work for his neighbors in those days, his sons doing the larger amount of clearing and land cultivating. Both Conrad Neff and wife died on this place, having reached the age of 70 years. [Conrad died 13 Jan 1831.at the age of 89 and is buried in the Old North Cemetery in Canfield. His wife died on 13 Aug1833.] [The children who came to Ohio with him were: Mary Magdalena [Polly] who was already married to Henry Brunstetter Sr.; Margaret who married Henry Peatry [Petre]; Henry who married Mary Harding; Mary who married 1. Jacob Harding and 2. Henry Crum; Conrad Jr. who married Mary Katherine [Polly] Kline; and John who married Elizabeth [Betsy] Kline.]
John Neff, father of Martin, was born in 1795, [2 June1796] in Berks County [Northampton, now Lehigh], Pennsylvania, and thus was seven [eight] years of age when he came to Mahoning [Trumbull then] County. His early educational opportunities were meager but he was reared with the practical ideas which resulted in his becoming a man of ample fortune and a highly respected citizen of his community. His first land was purchased for $2.50 an acre and he accumulated a large amount. At time possessing 600 acres. He sold a portion of this to advantage and utilized the rest in general farming and stock-raising. He was a man of sound judgment and on a number of occasions was selected to hold township offices. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, but he did not approve of the War of the Rebellion. He died one week [7 Apr 1861] after the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter, aged 64 years, nine months and seven days. John Neff married Elizabeth Kline, who was born in Northampton County [now Schuylkill Co.], Pennsylvania, and died [7 July 1877] in Mahoning County, aged 79 years, surviving her husband for 16 years. She was a daughter of Abraham Kline, who settled at an early day in Youngstown Township, Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.]. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy during and epidemic of scarlet fever, the others being: Eli, residing in Kansas, having reached his 86th year [died Aug 1910 at age of 89]; Mary, deceased [24 Jan 1901], who married Russell F. Starr, also deceased [15 Apr 1895]; and Martin, the youngest of the family.
Although his family had been settled many years in Canfield township, when Martin Neff came on the scene of life, many pioneer conditions still prevailed and his educational opportunities were limited to a short period of school attendance in the old log school-house near his home. His father was greatly interested in raising and dealing in cattle at this time and a large part of the hard work of the farm fell on young Martin and his brother. As his father drove his own cattle over the mountains and disposed of them in the eastern markets, he was away from home a great part of the time. The sons, especially Martin, developed good judgment in cattle, and he also became a dealer and on his own account drove stock as far as Pittsburgh. The business was very profitable as long as no lines for cattle transportation had been built and no great cattle ranches had yet been established in the West. Mr. Neff has lived on this farm all his life, but, has traveled on horseback all over the country and on one occasion was in the saddle for 31 days. He started out with a farm of 73 acres and when he went into the stock business was obliged to rent pasture land, but gradually acquired field after field until, at one time, he owned more than 600 acres. He has been very generous to his children, but still retains 335 acres. With the assistance of Thomas G. Stratford, [nephew – son of Catherine's sister] whom he reared from childhood, Mr. Neff still carries on farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Neff was married April 5, 1848, to Catherine Wilson, who is one of the first children born at what is now the town of Dublin, Mahoning County, [then Trumbull Co.] Ohio. Her parents were John and Jane [Trimble] Wilson, who were natives of Ireland and were early settlers at Dublin, this county. Mrs. Neff was reared and educated in that village. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had five children, as follows; John E., Caroline, Mary, Lois and Elizabeth, the last named dying at the age of seven years [died 6 July 1862 at the age of nine].
John E. Neff, residing at Canfield, is engaged in a dry-goods business. He married Hattie Sanzenbacher and they have six children, Namely: Sadie; Ensign, who married Mary Porter [Mary died in 1919 and he later married Frances Johnson]; Martin, who married Ann Fithian, has two children [Isabell and Virginia -a son Martin will be born later] ; Calvin [married Aulurah Harding Buck in 1911]; Silas [Cyrus], who married Miss [Melvia] Waters, has one child [Marjorie - a daughter Mary will be born later]; and Roy [married Laura Noll 29 July 1908 and had four sons, Charles, Edward, Robert and Richard.].
Caroline, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neff, married G.S. Beard, and they reside in Beaver township and they have two children: Bert, who is married and has three children; and Alexander, who is engaged in the milk business in Youngstown. Mary Neff, the second daughter, who married Floyd Blackburn, died in 1900 [27 Apr 1899 at 34y]. Lois Neff, the third daughter, married Charles Edsall and they reside near the parental home and have two children, Julia and Bertha.
Politically Mr. Neff has always been in sympathy with the Democratic party. He has been elected to almost all the township offices at various times and has served with the greatest efficiency on the township board of trustees, on the board of education and as supervisor, and his advice and counsel is considered valuable by his fellow-citizens whenever any important township matter is under consideration.
Mr. Neff and family have enjoyed the benefits and pleasure of travel and are most entertaining in recalling what they have seen with their own eyes. Mr. Neff, himself, has seen a large portion of his native land west of Ohio, and in 1902 he was accompanied by his wife and some of his children on a delightful trip which extended through a large part of the most enjoyable regions of a number of States. The party started from Canfield and went west to Chicago, remaining one night in the famous Windy City, going on from there to Denver, Colorado, and then through the great mountain ranges to Sacramento and viewing the beautiful city of San Francisco before the great calamity of 1906. From there they went to Los Angeles, then covered 750 miles to Junction City, Oregon, going from there to Salem and Portland and thence to Seattle and through the great pine timber country to Spokane, Washington. On their return they visited St. Paul and other interesting cities. The enjoyment and advantages of such an extended trip can scarcely be overestimated."
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 10 Apr 1908
"CELEBRATED SIXTIETH - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY"
"On Sunday last at their pleasant home a mile and a half east of the village, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Neff, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. While the day was dark and gloomy without there was nothing but brightness and happiness within the Neff home. Near where they now reside this aged and respected couple have spent most of their lives.
Both were born in Canfield township, Mr. Neff on March 25, 1827, and Mrs. Neff July 14, 1830, making their ages 81 and 78 years, respectively. Mrs. Neff's maiden name was Catherine Wilson, being a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, who afterwards lived almost directly across the street from the present Neff homestead and it was there in what afterwards was known as the "old red house", and which in another location now serves as a barn, the happy couple was united in marriage, the ceremony being performed April 5, 1848, Rev. Evrett (sic) of Poland officiating. Five children blessed this union, three of whom survive - Mrs. Caroline Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield. Industry and thrift have all their lives marked the pathway of Mr. and Mrs. Neff; always busy, happy and contented, enjoying to the full the quiet of their country home. That Mr. Neff has prospered, with the assistance of his helpmeet, is shown by the fact that he is perhaps the wealthiest farmer and stock dealer in Canfield township. He is still hale and hearty and his wife enjoys fairly good health and they have promise of celebrating many more wedding anniversaries. Besides the children named above, Mr. and Mrs. Neff have ten grand children and six great-grandchildren, all of whom with several other guests, were present to enjoy the sumptuous dinner and the pleasures incident to the sixtieth wedding anniversary."
NEFF, Catherine nee WILSON
Mrs. Martin Neff – m. 5 Apr 1848
Daughter of John and Jane Trimble Wilson
B. 14 July 1831 in Dublin, Canfield Twp., Trumbull (now Mahoning) Co. OH
D. 30 Mar 1910 in Canfield Twp., Mahoning Co. OH
at 78y 8m 16d
Burial – in Canfield Village Cemetery, from mausoleum to Section C Row 01, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Transcribed by great great granddaughter, Jennifer L. Neff
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 1 Apr 1910
"PASSING OF A PIONEER - Mrs. Martin Neff Called to Her Reward Wednesday Morning"
"Mrs. Martin Neff died at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning at her home 1 ½ miles east of Canfield. Her death came as a shock to relatives and friends as she had been about the house the previous evening, although ailing for some days. Caroline (sic Catherine) Neff was a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, where she was born July 14, 1830, hence she was in the 80th [sic 78th] year of her age. She was married to Martin Neff April 5, 1848, or nearly 62 years ago. In 1908 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the occasion was one of the most enjoyable days of their lives. Deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church. Besides her husband she leaves three children - Mrs. G.A. Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield - one brother, R.M. Wilson of Canfield, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, of Corvallis, Oregon. Funeral services will be held from the family residence this Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. William Dickson being in charge. The remains will be placed in a vault until the mausoleum to be built in the village cemetery is completed."
Mahoning Dispatch, 50 Years Ago Column, 22 Dec 1961 (for 1911)
"Remains of Mrs. Martin Neff, Sr., and W.G. Cassady were first to be placed in new mausoleum in Canfield cemetery."
ON BURIALS
Comment from Jennifer L. Neff:
The Canfield Cemetery Village Mausoleum is in the front, facing E. Main St., of the Canfield Village Cemetery. It is the large stone building just to the left (east) of the main entry drive, and it is no longer in use. In the 1940's remains of those interred in the mausoleum were removed by family members to the cemetery. Martin and Catherine Neff had been interred there, but now rest with a new headstone just outside the old Mausoleum. In 2003, going up the main entry drive, just past the Mausoleum, they have about the fourth headstone on the left (east) side of the road. The next headstone is that of Mary Neff Blackburn, their daughter, and the next one is that of John E. Neff, their son and his wife, Harriett Sanzenbacher Neff. Also interred with John E. and Hattie Neff are three of their children, infant Rebecca, Calvin Carl and Sadie E. Neff.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"20th Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio,
And Representative Citizens", 1907, ps 963-964
Edited and compiled by Gen. Thomas W. Sanderson
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples"
Chicago IL, Biographical Pub. Co. 1907
Repository: Youngstown Main Branch Library
Comment: This biographical sketch contains interesting material, but some corrections should be noted. The text has been transcribed as it was written and proof read by R.H.N. and J.L.N. 2004
Corrections and additions are noted in brackets.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"Martin Neff, whose fine residence farm of 210 acres is situated in Canfield Township, a mile and three-quarters east of Canfield, on the Boardman and Canfield road owns also a farm of 75 acres south and east of the agricultural fair grounds. Martin Neff was born March 25, 1827, [28 Mar 1828], on his present farm in Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.], Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth [Kline] Neff.
Conrad Neff, the grandfather of Martin, was the pioneer of the Neff family in the Western Reserve, to which he came, from Berks County [Northampton now Lehigh Co.] Pennsylvania in 1802 [1804]. The Pennsylvanians who accompanied him numbered 16 souls and they made the journey in the strong old Conestoga wagons, which were built to traverse forests and cross unbridged streams, as was necessary in traveling through this section of Ohio in those early days. The travelers found a little settlement of 16 log houses where now stands the flourishing town of Canfield. Conrad Neff purchased 140 acres of land in the adjacent wilderness and erected a small log cabin near the site of the present comfortable home of his grandson. It took hard work and considerable time before any crops could be raised and in the meantime, the family subsisted on wild game, which was very plentiful, deer and wild turkey being easily secured. Conrad Neff was a mason by trade and he did a large part of the mason work for his neighbors in those days, his sons doing the larger amount of clearing and land cultivating. Both Conrad Neff and wife died on this place, having reached the age of 70 years. [Conrad died 13 Jan 1831.at the age of 89 and is buried in the Old North Cemetery in Canfield. His wife died on 13 Aug1833.] [The children who came to Ohio with him were: Mary Magdalena [Polly] who was already married to Henry Brunstetter Sr.; Margaret who married Henry Peatry [Petre]; Henry who married Mary Harding; Mary who married 1. Jacob Harding and 2. Henry Crum; Conrad Jr. who married Mary Katherine [Polly] Kline; and John who married Elizabeth [Betsy] Kline.]
John Neff, father of Martin, was born in 1795, [2 June1796] in Berks County [Northampton, now Lehigh], Pennsylvania, and thus was seven [eight] years of age when he came to Mahoning [Trumbull then] County. His early educational opportunities were meager but he was reared with the practical ideas which resulted in his becoming a man of ample fortune and a highly respected citizen of his community. His first land was purchased for $2.50 an acre and he accumulated a large amount. At time possessing 600 acres. He sold a portion of this to advantage and utilized the rest in general farming and stock-raising. He was a man of sound judgment and on a number of occasions was selected to hold township offices. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, but he did not approve of the War of the Rebellion. He died one week [7 Apr 1861] after the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter, aged 64 years, nine months and seven days. John Neff married Elizabeth Kline, who was born in Northampton County [now Schuylkill Co.], Pennsylvania, and died [7 July 1877] in Mahoning County, aged 79 years, surviving her husband for 16 years. She was a daughter of Abraham Kline, who settled at an early day in Youngstown Township, Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.]. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy during and epidemic of scarlet fever, the others being: Eli, residing in Kansas, having reached his 86th year [died Aug 1910 at age of 89]; Mary, deceased [24 Jan 1901], who married Russell F. Starr, also deceased [15 Apr 1895]; and Martin, the youngest of the family.
Although his family had been settled many years in Canfield township, when Martin Neff came on the scene of life, many pioneer conditions still prevailed and his educational opportunities were limited to a short period of school attendance in the old log school-house near his home. His father was greatly interested in raising and dealing in cattle at this time and a large part of the hard work of the farm fell on young Martin and his brother. As his father drove his own cattle over the mountains and disposed of them in the eastern markets, he was away from home a great part of the time. The sons, especially Martin, developed good judgment in cattle, and he also became a dealer and on his own account drove stock as far as Pittsburgh. The business was very profitable as long as no lines for cattle transportation had been built and no great cattle ranches had yet been established in the West. Mr. Neff has lived on this farm all his life, but, has traveled on horseback all over the country and on one occasion was in the saddle for 31 days. He started out with a farm of 73 acres and when he went into the stock business was obliged to rent pasture land, but gradually acquired field after field until, at one time, he owned more than 600 acres. He has been very generous to his children, but still retains 335 acres. With the assistance of Thomas G. Stratford, [nephew – son of Catherine's sister] whom he reared from childhood, Mr. Neff still carries on farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Neff was married April 5, 1848, to Catherine Wilson, who is one of the first children born at what is now the town of Dublin, Mahoning County, [then Trumbull Co.] Ohio. Her parents were John and Jane [Trimble] Wilson, who were natives of Ireland and were early settlers at Dublin, this county. Mrs. Neff was reared and educated in that village. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had five children, as follows; John E., Caroline, Mary, Lois and Elizabeth, the last named dying at the age of seven years [died 6 July 1862 at the age of nine].
John E. Neff, residing at Canfield, is engaged in a dry-goods business. He married Hattie Sanzenbacher and they have six children, Namely: Sadie; Ensign, who married Mary Porter [Mary died in 1919 and he later married Frances Johnson]; Martin, who married Ann Fithian, has two children [Isabell and Virginia -a son Martin will be born later] ; Calvin [married Aulurah Harding Buck in 1911]; Silas [Cyrus], who married Miss [Melvia] Waters, has one child [Marjorie - a daughter Mary will be born later]; and Roy [married Laura Noll 29 July 1908 and had four sons, Charles, Edward, Robert and Richard.].
Caroline, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neff, married G.S. Beard, and they reside in Beaver township and they have two children: Bert, who is married and has three children; and Alexander, who is engaged in the milk business in Youngstown. Mary Neff, the second daughter, who married Floyd Blackburn, died in 1900 [27 Apr 1899 at 34y]. Lois Neff, the third daughter, married Charles Edsall and they reside near the parental home and have two children, Julia and Bertha.
Politically Mr. Neff has always been in sympathy with the Democratic party. He has been elected to almost all the township offices at various times and has served with the greatest efficiency on the township board of trustees, on the board of education and as supervisor, and his advice and counsel is considered valuable by his fellow-citizens whenever any important township matter is under consideration.
Mr. Neff and family have enjoyed the benefits and pleasure of travel and are most entertaining in recalling what they have seen with their own eyes. Mr. Neff, himself, has seen a large portion of his native land west of Ohio, and in 1902 he was accompanied by his wife and some of his children on a delightful trip which extended through a large part of the most enjoyable regions of a number of States. The party started from Canfield and went west to Chicago, remaining one night in the famous Windy City, going on from there to Denver, Colorado, and then through the great mountain ranges to Sacramento and viewing the beautiful city of San Francisco before the great calamity of 1906. From there they went to Los Angeles, then covered 750 miles to Junction City, Oregon, going from there to Salem and Portland and thence to Seattle and through the great pine timber country to Spokane, Washington. On their return they visited St. Paul and other interesting cities. The enjoyment and advantages of such an extended trip can scarcely be overestimated."
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 10 Apr 1908
"CELEBRATED SIXTIETH - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY"
"On Sunday last at their pleasant home a mile and a half east of the village, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Neff, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. While the day was dark and gloomy without there was nothing but brightness and happiness within the Neff home. Near where they now reside this aged and respected couple have spent most of their lives.
Both were born in Canfield township, Mr. Neff on March 25, 1827, and Mrs. Neff July 14, 1830, making their ages 81 and 78 years, respectively. Mrs. Neff's maiden name was Catherine Wilson, being a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, who afterwards lived almost directly across the street from the present Neff homestead and it was there in what afterwards was known as the "old red house", and which in another location now serves as a barn, the happy couple was united in marriage, the ceremony being performed April 5, 1848, Rev. Evrett (sic) of Poland officiating. Five children blessed this union, three of whom survive - Mrs. Caroline Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield. Industry and thrift have all their lives marked the pathway of Mr. and Mrs. Neff; always busy, happy and contented, enjoying to the full the quiet of their country home. That Mr. Neff has prospered, with the assistance of his helpmeet, is shown by the fact that he is perhaps the wealthiest farmer and stock dealer in Canfield township. He is still hale and hearty and his wife enjoys fairly good health and they have promise of celebrating many more wedding anniversaries. Besides the children named above, Mr. and Mrs. Neff have ten grand children and six great-grandchildren, all of whom with several other guests, were present to enjoy the sumptuous dinner and the pleasures incident to the sixtieth wedding anniversary."
Mrs. Martin Neff – m. 5 Apr 1848
Daughter of John and Jane Trimble Wilson
B. 14 July 1831 in Dublin, Canfield Twp., Trumbull (now Mahoning) Co. OH
D. 30 Mar 1910 in Canfield Twp., Mahoning Co. OH
at 78y 8m 16d
Burial – in Canfield Village Cemetery, from mausoleum to Section C Row 01, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Transcribed by great great granddaughter, Jennifer L. Neff
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 1 Apr 1910
"PASSING OF A PIONEER - Mrs. Martin Neff Called to Her Reward Wednesday Morning"
"Mrs. Martin Neff died at 5 o'clock Wednesday morning at her home 1 ½ miles east of Canfield. Her death came as a shock to relatives and friends as she had been about the house the previous evening, although ailing for some days. Caroline (sic Catherine) Neff was a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, where she was born July 14, 1830, hence she was in the 80th [sic 78th] year of her age. She was married to Martin Neff April 5, 1848, or nearly 62 years ago. In 1908 they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and the occasion was one of the most enjoyable days of their lives. Deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church. Besides her husband she leaves three children - Mrs. G.A. Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield - one brother, R.M. Wilson of Canfield, and one sister, Mrs. Mary Martin, of Corvallis, Oregon. Funeral services will be held from the family residence this Friday afternoon at 1 o'clock, Rev. William Dickson being in charge. The remains will be placed in a vault until the mausoleum to be built in the village cemetery is completed."
Mahoning Dispatch, 50 Years Ago Column, 22 Dec 1961 (for 1911)
"Remains of Mrs. Martin Neff, Sr., and W.G. Cassady were first to be placed in new mausoleum in Canfield cemetery."
ON BURIALS
Comment from Jennifer L. Neff:
The Canfield Cemetery Village Mausoleum is in the front, facing E. Main St., of the Canfield Village Cemetery. It is the large stone building just to the left (east) of the main entry drive, and it is no longer in use. In the 1940's remains of those interred in the mausoleum were removed by family members to the cemetery. Martin and Catherine Neff had been interred there, but now rest with a new headstone just outside the old Mausoleum. In 2003, going up the main entry drive, just past the Mausoleum, they have about the fourth headstone on the left (east) side of the road. The next headstone is that of Mary Neff Blackburn, their daughter, and the next one is that of John E. Neff, their son and his wife, Harriett Sanzenbacher Neff. Also interred with John E. and Hattie Neff are three of their children, infant Rebecca, Calvin Carl and Sadie E. Neff.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"20th Century History of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio,
And Representative Citizens", 1907, ps 963-964
Edited and compiled by Gen. Thomas W. Sanderson
"History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples"
Chicago IL, Biographical Pub. Co. 1907
Repository: Youngstown Main Branch Library
Comment: This biographical sketch contains interesting material, but some corrections should be noted. The text has been transcribed as it was written and proof read by R.H.N. and J.L.N. 2004
Corrections and additions are noted in brackets.
1907 Sanderson on Martin Neff at Age 80 and Family
"Martin Neff, whose fine residence farm of 210 acres is situated in Canfield Township, a mile and three-quarters east of Canfield, on the Boardman and Canfield road owns also a farm of 75 acres south and east of the agricultural fair grounds. Martin Neff was born March 25, 1827, [28 Mar 1828], on his present farm in Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.], Ohio, and is a son of John and Elizabeth [Kline] Neff.
Conrad Neff, the grandfather of Martin, was the pioneer of the Neff family in the Western Reserve, to which he came, from Berks County [Northampton now Lehigh Co.] Pennsylvania in 1802 [1804]. The Pennsylvanians who accompanied him numbered 16 souls and they made the journey in the strong old Conestoga wagons, which were built to traverse forests and cross unbridged streams, as was necessary in traveling through this section of Ohio in those early days. The travelers found a little settlement of 16 log houses where now stands the flourishing town of Canfield. Conrad Neff purchased 140 acres of land in the adjacent wilderness and erected a small log cabin near the site of the present comfortable home of his grandson. It took hard work and considerable time before any crops could be raised and in the meantime, the family subsisted on wild game, which was very plentiful, deer and wild turkey being easily secured. Conrad Neff was a mason by trade and he did a large part of the mason work for his neighbors in those days, his sons doing the larger amount of clearing and land cultivating. Both Conrad Neff and wife died on this place, having reached the age of 70 years. [Conrad died 13 Jan 1831.at the age of 89 and is buried in the Old North Cemetery in Canfield. His wife died on 13 Aug1833.] [The children who came to Ohio with him were: Mary Magdalena [Polly] who was already married to Henry Brunstetter Sr.; Margaret who married Henry Peatry [Petre]; Henry who married Mary Harding; Mary who married 1. Jacob Harding and 2. Henry Crum; Conrad Jr. who married Mary Katherine [Polly] Kline; and John who married Elizabeth [Betsy] Kline.]
John Neff, father of Martin, was born in 1795, [2 June1796] in Berks County [Northampton, now Lehigh], Pennsylvania, and thus was seven [eight] years of age when he came to Mahoning [Trumbull then] County. His early educational opportunities were meager but he was reared with the practical ideas which resulted in his becoming a man of ample fortune and a highly respected citizen of his community. His first land was purchased for $2.50 an acre and he accumulated a large amount. At time possessing 600 acres. He sold a portion of this to advantage and utilized the rest in general farming and stock-raising. He was a man of sound judgment and on a number of occasions was selected to hold township offices. Politically, he was a strong Democrat, but he did not approve of the War of the Rebellion. He died one week [7 Apr 1861] after the first gun was fired at Fort Sumter, aged 64 years, nine months and seven days. John Neff married Elizabeth Kline, who was born in Northampton County [now Schuylkill Co.], Pennsylvania, and died [7 July 1877] in Mahoning County, aged 79 years, surviving her husband for 16 years. She was a daughter of Abraham Kline, who settled at an early day in Youngstown Township, Mahoning County [then Trumbull Co.]. They had five children, two of whom died in infancy during and epidemic of scarlet fever, the others being: Eli, residing in Kansas, having reached his 86th year [died Aug 1910 at age of 89]; Mary, deceased [24 Jan 1901], who married Russell F. Starr, also deceased [15 Apr 1895]; and Martin, the youngest of the family.
Although his family had been settled many years in Canfield township, when Martin Neff came on the scene of life, many pioneer conditions still prevailed and his educational opportunities were limited to a short period of school attendance in the old log school-house near his home. His father was greatly interested in raising and dealing in cattle at this time and a large part of the hard work of the farm fell on young Martin and his brother. As his father drove his own cattle over the mountains and disposed of them in the eastern markets, he was away from home a great part of the time. The sons, especially Martin, developed good judgment in cattle, and he also became a dealer and on his own account drove stock as far as Pittsburgh. The business was very profitable as long as no lines for cattle transportation had been built and no great cattle ranches had yet been established in the West. Mr. Neff has lived on this farm all his life, but, has traveled on horseback all over the country and on one occasion was in the saddle for 31 days. He started out with a farm of 73 acres and when he went into the stock business was obliged to rent pasture land, but gradually acquired field after field until, at one time, he owned more than 600 acres. He has been very generous to his children, but still retains 335 acres. With the assistance of Thomas G. Stratford, [nephew – son of Catherine's sister] whom he reared from childhood, Mr. Neff still carries on farming and stock-raising.
Mr. Neff was married April 5, 1848, to Catherine Wilson, who is one of the first children born at what is now the town of Dublin, Mahoning County, [then Trumbull Co.] Ohio. Her parents were John and Jane [Trimble] Wilson, who were natives of Ireland and were early settlers at Dublin, this county. Mrs. Neff was reared and educated in that village. Mr. and Mrs. Neff have had five children, as follows; John E., Caroline, Mary, Lois and Elizabeth, the last named dying at the age of seven years [died 6 July 1862 at the age of nine].
John E. Neff, residing at Canfield, is engaged in a dry-goods business. He married Hattie Sanzenbacher and they have six children, Namely: Sadie; Ensign, who married Mary Porter [Mary died in 1919 and he later married Frances Johnson]; Martin, who married Ann Fithian, has two children [Isabell and Virginia -a son Martin will be born later] ; Calvin [married Aulurah Harding Buck in 1911]; Silas [Cyrus], who married Miss [Melvia] Waters, has one child [Marjorie - a daughter Mary will be born later]; and Roy [married Laura Noll 29 July 1908 and had four sons, Charles, Edward, Robert and Richard.].
Caroline, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Neff, married G.S. Beard, and they reside in Beaver township and they have two children: Bert, who is married and has three children; and Alexander, who is engaged in the milk business in Youngstown. Mary Neff, the second daughter, who married Floyd Blackburn, died in 1900 [27 Apr 1899 at 34y]. Lois Neff, the third daughter, married Charles Edsall and they reside near the parental home and have two children, Julia and Bertha.
Politically Mr. Neff has always been in sympathy with the Democratic party. He has been elected to almost all the township offices at various times and has served with the greatest efficiency on the township board of trustees, on the board of education and as supervisor, and his advice and counsel is considered valuable by his fellow-citizens whenever any important township matter is under consideration.
Mr. Neff and family have enjoyed the benefits and pleasure of travel and are most entertaining in recalling what they have seen with their own eyes. Mr. Neff, himself, has seen a large portion of his native land west of Ohio, and in 1902 he was accompanied by his wife and some of his children on a delightful trip which extended through a large part of the most enjoyable regions of a number of States. The party started from Canfield and went west to Chicago, remaining one night in the famous Windy City, going on from there to Denver, Colorado, and then through the great mountain ranges to Sacramento and viewing the beautiful city of San Francisco before the great calamity of 1906. From there they went to Los Angeles, then covered 750 miles to Junction City, Oregon, going from there to Salem and Portland and thence to Seattle and through the great pine timber country to Spokane, Washington. On their return they visited St. Paul and other interesting cities. The enjoyment and advantages of such an extended trip can scarcely be overestimated."
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 10 Apr 1908
"CELEBRATED SIXTIETH - WEDDING ANNIVERSARY"
"On Sunday last at their pleasant home a mile and a half east of the village, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Neff, surrounded by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of their marriage. While the day was dark and gloomy without there was nothing but brightness and happiness within the Neff home. Near where they now reside this aged and respected couple have spent most of their lives.
Both were born in Canfield township, Mr. Neff on March 25, 1827, and Mrs. Neff July 14, 1830, making their ages 81 and 78 years, respectively. Mrs. Neff's maiden name was Catherine Wilson, being a daughter of John Wilson, one of the early settlers of Dublin, this township, who afterwards lived almost directly across the street from the present Neff homestead and it was there in what afterwards was known as the "old red house", and which in another location now serves as a barn, the happy couple was united in marriage, the ceremony being performed April 5, 1848, Rev. Evrett (sic) of Poland officiating. Five children blessed this union, three of whom survive - Mrs. Caroline Beard of New Buffalo, John E. Neff and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield. Industry and thrift have all their lives marked the pathway of Mr. and Mrs. Neff; always busy, happy and contented, enjoying to the full the quiet of their country home. That Mr. Neff has prospered, with the assistance of his helpmeet, is shown by the fact that he is perhaps the wealthiest farmer and stock dealer in Canfield township. He is still hale and hearty and his wife enjoys fairly good health and they have promise of celebrating many more wedding anniversaries. Besides the children named above, Mr. and Mrs. Neff have ten grand children and six great-grandchildren, all of whom with several other guests, were present to enjoy the sumptuous dinner and the pleasures incident to the sixtieth wedding anniversary."
Family Members
Siblings
