YOUNGSTOWN AND THE MAHONING VALLEY - 489

WADE E. SIMON. For a number of years before his death, which occurred January 3, 1919, Wade E. Simon had been prominent in the commercial affairs of the Youngstown District. About 1904 he established the Simon Packing Company, his associates in the organization being Henry Wick, J. C. Brownlee, William Creed, Judge Ewing and others. It was a $100,000 corporation, and Mr. Simon served as president and general manager. for several years until failing health compelled him to give over the heavier responsibilities. After that he merely looked after the buying. Wade E. Simon was one of a very notable family in Mahoning County. His great-grandfather, Michael Simon, was probably a native of Switzerland, and as early as 1803 had bought 600 acres of land in the Ohio Western Reserve. Though he spent his last years and died in Ohio it was left to his son, Jacob Simon, to occupy and develop much of this land purchased. Jacob Simon came here from Washington County, Pennsylvania, where he was born, and was one of the first teachers in Boardman Township. In order to distinguish him from another Jacob Simon in the same locality he was always known as Schoolmaster Jacob. He built a log cabin on his land, and on January 13, 1811, married Elizabeth Stemple. She came to Ohio riding horseback and was a woman of the real pioneer type, bearing with constant cheerfulness the trials and hardships of the early days. She died in April, 1879, at the age of eighty-nine. Jacob Simon was drafted for the War of 1812, and in order to pay for a substitute it is said that he sold all his household possessions except the pewter plates which his wife had brought from the Pennsylvania home. Jacob Simon had to clear every foot of his land before it could be made productive, and in the early days the table was supplied largely with wild game, wild honey, maple sugar and corn meal mush. Jacob Simon died September 12, 1861, at the age of seventy-five. He and his wife had nine children, five sons and four daughters. The youngest of these was Jesse Simon, who was born on the old Simon farm in Boardman Township, about four miles south of Youngstown, February 15, 1830. He grew up in a log cabin, attended a log cabin school, and spent his life on the old Simon farm. He lived a life of quiet industry, not distinguished by abnormal experiences or events, but at the same time marked by the greatest usefulness to his family and his community. He acquired by purchase a part of the old estate, improved it with a good home, and at all times was deeply interested in the welfare of his locality. He was a republican, served as township trustee, and was a member of the Christian Church. He married Betsy Williamson, daughter of Pyatt Williamson, who at one time owned a farm in the center of Youngstown. They had six children: Wilber C., Wade E., Eben N., Edith, Fitch and Della. Wade E. Simon was born February 20, 1857, and as a youth he showed unusual skill and judgment in handling stock. He became a stock buyer and dealer, and after his marriage moved to the Flint Hill section of Youngstown, where he and his family resided for thirty-six years. In March, 1918, they returned to the old Simon farm, his birthplace, and at that time built the present residence, which he enjoyed only a few weeks. His death occurred at Battle Creek, Michigan. His family still occupy the fine home which he provided for their comfort. A number of years before organizing the Simon Packing Company Mr. Simon built a large new slaughter house on the site of the packing plant. His business was an active stimulus to the raising of cattle and other livestock in this section of Ohio. The Simon Packing Company, however, did not rely altogether upon the local supply, but went into the outside markets. Mr. Simon was also an individual stock grower, every year fed a bunch of cattle and hogs, and for several years had been a breeder and exhibitor of Percheron horses. He had inherited fifty acres of the farm of his grandfather and father, and he also bought 200 acres, which was part of the Hitchcock farm west of Boardman Center. He showed the highest degree of public spirit, and interested himself in matters of schools, good roads, and any movement for general advancement. He was an elder in the Central Christian Church from the time it was established, and for several years was superintendent of the Flint Hill Union Sunday School. September 28, 1880, Mr. Simon married Miss Mary Gilby. She came from Canada with her father, Charles Gilby, at the age of twelve years. Her father died in the same year, leaving her and her brother Frank, four years younger. Mrs. Simon grew up in Mahoning County. Since the death of her husband she has lived at the family home four miles south of Youngstown. She has two children, Walter G. and Ethel M. Ethel is a kindergarten teacher. For eleven years she did that work in the Christ Mission but is now in the psychological department in East Youngstown. At present her special work is with the subnormal children, most of whose home surroundings are bad. Walter G. Simon is engaged in raising Holstein cattle on the farm purchased by his father, the latter starting the herd that is now being continued by the son. Walter G. Simon married Miss Lucy Stewart, of Youngstown, September 28, 1907. They have three children, Lucy Eleanor, Stewart Gilby and Mary Ethel.