John E. Neff

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John E. Neff

Birth
Canfield, Mahoning County, Ohio, USA
Death
6 Aug 1940 (aged 91)
Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida, USA
Burial
Canfield, Mahoning County, Ohio, USA Add to Map
Plot
Section C Row 01
Memorial ID
View Source
NEFF, John E.
Husband of Harriet Louisa nee SANZENBACHER – m. 31 Mar 1870 in Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Son of Martin and Catherine Wilson Neff
B. 24 Feb 1849 in Canfield Twp., Mahoning Co. OH
D. 6 Aug 1940 in North Miami, Dade Co. FL at 91y 5m 10d
Burial – 10 Aug 1940 in Canfield Village Cemetery, Section C Row 01, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH

Youngstown Vindicator, Th, 8 Aug 1940
"J.E. Neff Dies in Miami; Former Canfield Grocer"
"(Special to The Vindicator) Canfield, Aug. 8 – John E. Neff, aged 91, died at 6 a.m. Tuesday in Miami, Fla., from infirmities of age. He had been a life-time resident here, until 12 years ago when he went to Florida for his health. Mr. Neff was born in Canfield, Feb. 24, 1849, and for more than 50 years operated a grocery store here. He is a member of an old pioneer family who, 135 years ago, built a log cabin and settled on the old Porter Farm, on the Canfield-Boardman Road. Mr. Neff leaves one daughter, Sadie C. Neff, with whom he lived at Miami, Fla.: five sons, Ensign of Milton Twp., Martin J., Calvin C., and Roy J., all of Canfield, and Cyrus H. Neff; and two sisters, Mrs. Caroline Beard of Milton Township and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield Township. The body is being brought from Florida today to the Williams Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday., The family will meet friends at the funeral home Friday evening."

Comment: John E. Neff was on of the leading business men of the area in 1940. He was a leading cattleman, merchant and owner of the Neff Co. in the early 1900's. He became one of the largest land owners in Canfield Twp. He was also an excellent, and active, advisor and supporter to his five sons and daughter.

History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley Ohio, 1921
Vol III p 401:2 and cont. p 402:1
Biographical Sketch of John E. Neff (1849-1940)
[At age 72 in this biographical sketch]
"While for nearly thirty years his home has been in the Village of Canfield, John E. Neff still has most of his active interests out in the country on his farm. For upwards of half a century he has been one of the prominent farmers, stock raisers and stock feeders in Mahoning County. He was born a mile and three-quarters east of Canfield February 24 1849, son of Martin and Catherine (Wilson) Neff. His father was born March 24, 1826 [sic 25th], and when this was written was still alive, one of the oldest men in the county. John E. Neff was the only son of his parents. There were four daughters: Mrs. Caroline Baird, of Beaver Township; Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifteen [sic age of 9]; Mrs. Mary Blackburn, who died young [34y]; and Mrs. Lois Edsell (sic Edsall). John E. Neff grew up on the home farm. In 1870 he married Harriet Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher). Her father, John Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher), came to the United States when a lad with his parents. He was a tanner by trade, and after locating at Canfield married Sarah Oswald. He developed a very successful tanning industry at Canfield, and subsequently built a large tannery along the railroad tracks. He not only made leather but converted his product into belting. The business was profitably continued until larger plants under corporation management absorbed it. John Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher) subsequently moved to a farm near the Neff homestead, and it was this propinquity of residence that made John Neff acquainted with his future wife. John Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher) died in the village of Canfield at the age of ninety-one. For twenty years after his marriage John E. Neff remained at the old homestead, farming, buying and feeding and shipping cattle. He also opened a meat market in the village, and was associated with his son in that enterprise for a number of years, finally turning its management over to the son. With his son Calvin he was also in the general merchandise business for about ten years, and for three years operated a livery stable. Mr. Neff still retains the old farm, comprising 340 acres, and so divided into range that it constitutes three distinct farms with two sets of building improvements. He has been very fortunate in his tenants, and from father to son has had one family for forty years. Mr. Neff still owns the cattle, sheep and other livestock on the farm and uses his land as a profitable feeding ground, frequently buying carloads of stock in Chicago and after keeping it through the winter, sending direct to market. Mr. Neff moved to the village of Canfield in 1891, primarily for the purpose of educating his children, and subsequently found it to his interest to remain, his farm being in good hands. Mr. Neff has never cared for politics, has voted for the man best qualified, though nominally he is a democrat. His children are five sons and one daughter. The daughter, Sarah, lives at home. Ensign is a dealer in hides, living at Canfield and married May Porter, who died in 1918 [sic 1919]. The other sons are Martin, Cyrus H., Calvin and Roy J."

Second Obituary
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 9 Aug 1940
"JOHN E. NEFF, 91"
"John E. Neff died at home of his daughter, Miss Sadie Neff, in Miami, Fla., Tuesday evening. He was 91 years of age, having been born in Canfield Township Feb. 24, 1849, a son of Martin and Catherine Wilson Neff. His entire life has been spent here until 12 years ago, when he went to live with his daughter. His wife, Harriett Sanzenbacher Neff, died many years ago. He is survived by the daughter and five sons, Ensign E. of Milton township, Martin J., Calvin C., Cyrus H. and Roy J., all of Canfield: also two sisters, Mrs. Lois Edsall and Mrs. Caroline Beard. The body will be brought to Canfield where funeral services will be held at the Williams Funeral Home Saturday at 2 o'clock."

ON BURIALS
Comment from Jennifer L. Neff:
Hattie, John E. and three of their children, Sadie, Cal and Rebecca share the same headstone which is in the Canfield Village Cemetery, Section B, Row 1. It is directly across the path from the Sanzenbacher Family Mausoleum.
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. Harriet Sanzenbacher Neff had been interred there, but now (since about 1940) rests with a new headstone just outside the old Mausoleum in Section B Row 1. She and her husband, John E. Neff and three of their children, Sadie, Calvin and Rebecca share the same headstone.
John E.'s parents, Martin and Catherine Wilson Neff, have a headstone just to the north of them.
NEFF, John E.
Husband of Harriet Louisa nee SANZENBACHER – m. 31 Mar 1870 in Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH
Son of Martin and Catherine Wilson Neff
B. 24 Feb 1849 in Canfield Twp., Mahoning Co. OH
D. 6 Aug 1940 in North Miami, Dade Co. FL at 91y 5m 10d
Burial – 10 Aug 1940 in Canfield Village Cemetery, Section C Row 01, Canfield, Mahoning Co. OH

Youngstown Vindicator, Th, 8 Aug 1940
"J.E. Neff Dies in Miami; Former Canfield Grocer"
"(Special to The Vindicator) Canfield, Aug. 8 – John E. Neff, aged 91, died at 6 a.m. Tuesday in Miami, Fla., from infirmities of age. He had been a life-time resident here, until 12 years ago when he went to Florida for his health. Mr. Neff was born in Canfield, Feb. 24, 1849, and for more than 50 years operated a grocery store here. He is a member of an old pioneer family who, 135 years ago, built a log cabin and settled on the old Porter Farm, on the Canfield-Boardman Road. Mr. Neff leaves one daughter, Sadie C. Neff, with whom he lived at Miami, Fla.: five sons, Ensign of Milton Twp., Martin J., Calvin C., and Roy J., all of Canfield, and Cyrus H. Neff; and two sisters, Mrs. Caroline Beard of Milton Township and Mrs. Lois Edsall of Canfield Township. The body is being brought from Florida today to the Williams Funeral Home, where funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday., The family will meet friends at the funeral home Friday evening."

Comment: John E. Neff was on of the leading business men of the area in 1940. He was a leading cattleman, merchant and owner of the Neff Co. in the early 1900's. He became one of the largest land owners in Canfield Twp. He was also an excellent, and active, advisor and supporter to his five sons and daughter.

History of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley Ohio, 1921
Vol III p 401:2 and cont. p 402:1
Biographical Sketch of John E. Neff (1849-1940)
[At age 72 in this biographical sketch]
"While for nearly thirty years his home has been in the Village of Canfield, John E. Neff still has most of his active interests out in the country on his farm. For upwards of half a century he has been one of the prominent farmers, stock raisers and stock feeders in Mahoning County. He was born a mile and three-quarters east of Canfield February 24 1849, son of Martin and Catherine (Wilson) Neff. His father was born March 24, 1826 [sic 25th], and when this was written was still alive, one of the oldest men in the county. John E. Neff was the only son of his parents. There were four daughters: Mrs. Caroline Baird, of Beaver Township; Elizabeth, who died at the age of fifteen [sic age of 9]; Mrs. Mary Blackburn, who died young [34y]; and Mrs. Lois Edsell (sic Edsall). John E. Neff grew up on the home farm. In 1870 he married Harriet Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher). Her father, John Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher), came to the United States when a lad with his parents. He was a tanner by trade, and after locating at Canfield married Sarah Oswald. He developed a very successful tanning industry at Canfield, and subsequently built a large tannery along the railroad tracks. He not only made leather but converted his product into belting. The business was profitably continued until larger plants under corporation management absorbed it. John Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher) subsequently moved to a farm near the Neff homestead, and it was this propinquity of residence that made John Neff acquainted with his future wife. John Seanzebecher (sic Sanzenbacher) died in the village of Canfield at the age of ninety-one. For twenty years after his marriage John E. Neff remained at the old homestead, farming, buying and feeding and shipping cattle. He also opened a meat market in the village, and was associated with his son in that enterprise for a number of years, finally turning its management over to the son. With his son Calvin he was also in the general merchandise business for about ten years, and for three years operated a livery stable. Mr. Neff still retains the old farm, comprising 340 acres, and so divided into range that it constitutes three distinct farms with two sets of building improvements. He has been very fortunate in his tenants, and from father to son has had one family for forty years. Mr. Neff still owns the cattle, sheep and other livestock on the farm and uses his land as a profitable feeding ground, frequently buying carloads of stock in Chicago and after keeping it through the winter, sending direct to market. Mr. Neff moved to the village of Canfield in 1891, primarily for the purpose of educating his children, and subsequently found it to his interest to remain, his farm being in good hands. Mr. Neff has never cared for politics, has voted for the man best qualified, though nominally he is a democrat. His children are five sons and one daughter. The daughter, Sarah, lives at home. Ensign is a dealer in hides, living at Canfield and married May Porter, who died in 1918 [sic 1919]. The other sons are Martin, Cyrus H., Calvin and Roy J."

Second Obituary
Mahoning Dispatch, Fri, 9 Aug 1940
"JOHN E. NEFF, 91"
"John E. Neff died at home of his daughter, Miss Sadie Neff, in Miami, Fla., Tuesday evening. He was 91 years of age, having been born in Canfield Township Feb. 24, 1849, a son of Martin and Catherine Wilson Neff. His entire life has been spent here until 12 years ago, when he went to live with his daughter. His wife, Harriett Sanzenbacher Neff, died many years ago. He is survived by the daughter and five sons, Ensign E. of Milton township, Martin J., Calvin C., Cyrus H. and Roy J., all of Canfield: also two sisters, Mrs. Lois Edsall and Mrs. Caroline Beard. The body will be brought to Canfield where funeral services will be held at the Williams Funeral Home Saturday at 2 o'clock."

ON BURIALS
Comment from Jennifer L. Neff:
Hattie, John E. and three of their children, Sadie, Cal and Rebecca share the same headstone which is in the Canfield Village Cemetery, Section B, Row 1. It is directly across the path from the Sanzenbacher Family Mausoleum.
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. Harriet Sanzenbacher Neff had been interred there, but now (since about 1940) rests with a new headstone just outside the old Mausoleum in Section B Row 1. She and her husband, John E. Neff and three of their children, Sadie, Calvin and Rebecca share the same headstone.
John E.'s parents, Martin and Catherine Wilson Neff, have a headstone just to the north of them.