PART III.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
CITY OF AKRON.
ALLEN FAMILY, Akron. Jesse Allen, Sr., the progenitor of the Allen family, was born in 1770, in Cornwall, Conn. His father Nathaniel Allen was killed in the Revolutionary war, when Jesse was rather young.' He (Jesse) lived with a family in Connecticut, until he grew up, and there learned shoemaking. When a young man he went to Tompkins Co., N. Y., where he married a lady of German origin named Catharine Teithrich, in 1796 ; she was born in Trenton, N. J., in 1776. He abandoned his trade for farming, and bought a farm near Ithaca, N. Y., but lost it by " bailing " a man, and thus his hard earnings were swept away, except a few hundred dollars, with which he determined to remove to Ohio, and, in the summer of 1811, set out with his family of seven children, and brother's family, bound hither ; he bought land which adjoins the Sixth Ward, then Middlebury. During the war of 1812, he served under Maj. Spicer, and, while gone an Indian spy came into the house, and the little boys working in the clearing came with their axes to hew him down ; it is supposed the same Indian was killed near Summit Lake. Mr. Allen continued to reside in Coventry Township until his death, Sept. 12, 1837. Mr. A. was a member of the Baptist Church, and in the early days, before ministers came to the country, he, being an excellent reader, used to read sermons at the pioneer religious meetings. He was the father of ten children, seven of whom were born near Ithaca, N. Y., as follows : Jonah (see sketches in Coventry Township).
LEVI, the second son, was born Feb. 10, 1799, and was 12 years old when the family came to Ohio; he walked all the *fay and drove cattle. The following incident is not inappropriate. When on the beach of Lake Erie, the wagons with the provisions were delayed by accident, and Levi and other boys, with John, a little fellow, were on before with the cattle and were without provisions, except the milk of the cows. At night, he (Levi) covered John with sand to keep him warm, and thus they passed the night alone. Their first work upon arriving, in July, 1811, was reaping in a harvest field for Mr. Norton. He (Levi) grew up a close thinker, and was a man of sound judgment.
DAVID, the third son, was born Dec. 2, 1800 ; when about 18, he learned the trade of machinist ; he and his brother Jesse and McMillin commenced the manufacture of carding machines about 1833. He (David) married, in 1829, Beulah Jones. He died in 1842.
JACOB, the fourth son of Jesse and Catharine Allen, was born in Lansing, Tompkins Co., N. Y., Feb. 11, 1803 ; he was 8 years old when his family removed to Akron ; he learned his trade with Humphrey & Bagley in the woolen mills at Middlebury, Ohio, and, when about 18, he went to New York State and built a woolen factory near Ithaca, where he lived until 1835, when he returned to Akron and built several woolen factories, which he started, and sold while in successful operation. He was in company with Simon Perkins and Jedediah Cummins for several years, and was interested in all the railroads, doing all he could to promote the interests of Akron, widening Howard street and making various improvements. He was interested in the manufacture of flour for several years, and established an office for its sale, which his son, Frank IL, is now conducting in
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New York City. He was a Democrat ; never sought office, but was several times in the Council. He married Miss Catharine Van Sickle Feb. 16, 1830 ; she bore him five children, three of whom are living—Frank H., Mrs. Rufus Wright, of Brooklyn, Long Island, and Miss Lizzie Allen. He was liberal in the support of all churches, and died Nov. 25, 187 9, in his 77th year.
JOHN, the fifth son, was born Dec. 5. 1804 ; he learned the trade of stonecutter, and was a contractor on the locks of the Ohio Canal. He died at Piketon, Ohio, Nov. 23, 1829.
JESSE, the sixth son, was born May 1, 1807 ; he learned the trade of stonecutter also, and, with his brother David, manufactured carding machines in Akron in early times ; he engaged in flouring-mills in 1856, which he continued until his death, Sept. 24, 1863. He was a strong Whig during the last thirty years of his life, and an active business man, and firmly established in uprightness and integrity ; of high moral standing, talented ; to know him well was to esteem him.
CATHARINE was born Feb. 9, 1809, and died at the age of 32 years. She married Mills Thompson. of Hudson, Ohio ; leaves six children.
SARAH was born Jan. 3, 1812, and was the first one of the children born in Ohio. She married James M. Hall, March 22, 1832. She died Jan. 27, 1877.
HIRAM was born Sept. 14, 1814 ; he came to Akron in 1840, and, with Jacob Allen. his brother, erected in succession a woolen mill on Cherry street, the old portion of City Mills and brick mills, now occupied by Allen & Co., first used as woolen factories ; he erected the block north of the Beacon Block, and which burned in 1871, when he immediately put up the present one. He died Sept. 21, 1878, unmarried.
CHRISTIANA (Allen) Caldwell, the youngest of ten children, was born Jan. 30, 182 2 ; she came to Akron in 1840, where she still resides in a pleasant home on Broadway.
ALBERT Allen, the son of Levi Allen and the grandson of Jesse Allen, Jr., was born March 12, 1827, in Coventry Township, where, until he attained his majority, he was employed at farming and clearing, after which he learned millwrighting under John S. Gilcrest, of Springfield, and engaged in plying his trade for a period of nine years. In 1856, he built for J. & J. Allen & Co., the Allen Mill, and was employed as manager of the same for ten years. In 1867, in company with Alexander H. Commins, he purchased the Stone Mills, which then had but four runs of stone ; they conducted a successful business under the firm name of Commins & Allen, which continued up to the time of the death of Mr. Coramins, in 1880, since which time the firm name has not been altered. The mills do an entirely merchant business, and grind from two hundred and fifty to three hundred barrels of flour per day. In the spring of 1881, the mills were changed to the Hungarian process, which enlarges the capacity of the mills to four hundred and fifty barrels of flour per day.
FRANK ADAMS, President and Superintendent of Akron Sewer Pipe Company. Sixth Ward ; was born in Windsor Co.. Vt.. July 5. 1819, and is the son of Benjamin and Betsey (Crowley) Adams. who were natives of Massachusetts. and were married in Vermont. where they had moved with their parents when young. In 1838, they came to Ohio, the journey being made by a wagon to Troy. N. Y.; thence by canal to Buffalo ; thence by lake to Cleveland : and thence to Norton Township, in what is now Summit Co.. where they settled on a farm previously purchased ; they farmed there about ten years, when they removed to Akron. where they lived a retired life until his death, which occurred Nov. 22. 1849; Mrs. Adam died about twenty years later. They were members of the M. E. Church for more than forty years, and took an active interest in all church affairs. Frank remained at home until within a few months of his majority ; his education was confined to a limited attendance at the district schools. Upon leaving home, he went to live with his brother-in-law, Mr. Samuel Manning, who was publishing maps, and with him remained two years, in the printing department. He then engaged as clerk in the post office at Akron, remaining one year, when he left, and, at the expiration of another year, he returned to the post office, remaining this time two years. when he engaged in the map business. forming the partnership of Manning & Co.. and remained one year, when the firm became Adams & Egleston, the latter buying out Manning. They continued until the spring of 1848. when their building was destroyed by fire. which necessitated a dissolution of the firm and
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the discontinuance of the business in Akron. He then took an active part in the campaign, and was Treasurer of the Whig Club. In March, 1849, he was appointed Postmaster of Akron by President Zachary Taylor, and held the office during his administration and that of his successor, Millard Fillmore. After retiring from the post office, he opened a hat store, which was burned in the spring of 1855. In May following, he purchased an interest in the business of Merrill, Powers & Co., and, in 1859, the firm became Hill & Adams, which. continued until 1868, when the business was merged into a stock company, known as the Hill & Adams Sewer Pipe Company. and, in January, 1871, Mr. Hill retired, and the corporate name became, as now, "The Akron Sewer Pipe Company," of which Mr. Adams was made President, also Superintendent, which offices he still retains, having held them from the first formation of the stock company. During the war, Mr. Adams served as a member of the School Board. member of Council, Treasurer of School Board, Corporation Treasurer, and Treasurer of the Soldiers' Relief Fund. He was married Jan. 21, 1846, to Miss Sarah J. Gale, a native of Vermont, who came to Akron when young, with her parents. She died Jan. 11, 1863. They had three children, two living, viz., Julia Latham and May Perkins. both of Akron. He was again married, Sept 2. 1863. to Mrs. Janetta L. Murphy, formerly Miss Hart ; they have two children, viz.. Frank H. and Belle M. Mr. Adams was a Whig up to the formation of the Republican party, and a Republican since that time. He has been a member of the Episcopal Church for twelve years.
ISAAC C. ALDEN, Treasurer of Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Co.. Akron, Ohio ; is a son of Henry and Abbie C. (Smith) Alden, and was born Nov. 20. 1851, at Bridgewater. Mass. When very young, the family moved to Abington, Mass., where he went to school until he was 15 years old, and then entered a wholesale dry goods store in Boston, remaining two years. In 1869, he entered the knife manufacory at Fitchburg, which place he held until 1872, when he came to Akron and was made Assistant Treasurer of the Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Co., and, in 1877, he was made Treasurer of the concern. He was married, Dec. 10, 1874, to Miss Emma L. Gifford, of Fitchburg, Mass
ANGELO ANDREW, of R. L. & A. Andrew, Akron ; was born Feb. 1, 1846, in Boston Township, this county ; he lived at home until 17 years of age, when he was apprenticed to the printer's trade with the Akron Beacon. After serving two years, he went to Cleveland and worked on the Ohio Farmer until Aug. 23, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. H, 177th 0. V. I., and served until the close of the war, taking part in all the engagements in which his regiment participated. On his return from the army, he followed the business of painting, in Peninsula, for three years ; he then engaged as clerk in the same village, in a general merchandise business, for a period of five years. He then came to Akron and worked at his trade with his brother, and, in 1877, formed the partnership indicated above. Their business is confined to wall paper decorations for public buildings and residences, which they handle by the wholesale as well as retail, and all kinds of painting, employing from six to twelve skilled workmen. Their store is 22x66 feet, with two stories and a basement ; church and hall decorations are a special feature of their business. Aug. 14, 1873, he married Miss Lizzie Warburton. a native of Northampton Township ; they have three children—Maybelle, Frank and Bessie.
R. L. ANDREW, of R. L. & A. Andrew, Akron. R. L. Andrew, senior partner of the firm of R. L. & A. Andrew. is a native of Boston Township. this county ; his parents, Robert and Ann A. ! Tubbs) Andrew. were natives of England ; his father came to America in 1838 and lived with a brother in Boston, Summit Co., Ohio ; in the following year, he returned to England and married, returning to Boston with his wife in 1840 ; here he followed the trade of ornamental painter, remaining in Boston until 1873, when he moved to Akron, where he has since resided. Mrs. Andrew died in Akron Oct. 3.1879. ! R. L. Andrew was born May 24, 1841, the eldest of three children ; he lived at home, learning the trade of his father, and clerking at Peninsula and Akron for some five years until 1862. In June of this year he enlisted in the 85th O. V. I.. Co. B. and served four months, taking part. in the meanwhile, in the engagements at Prentiss, Miss., and Vickburg. In August, he enlisted in Co. H, 177th O. IT. I., and served to the close of the war with the rank of Sergeant ; he was present at the battle of the Cedars, the engagement at Shelbyville Pike, Town Creek,.
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and was present at Johnston's surrender. Returning home after the ar, he engaged as clerk in the store of E. H. Cole, at Peninsula. He subsequently went to Michigan and clerked in a store in Iona, then at Marshall, and finally at Ann Arbor, for E. B. Thompson & Sons, who moved their business about as indicated. Oct. 6, 1869, he came to Akron and took up the business connected with his trade of ornamental painting. In 1873, he built the present store property, 240 East Mill street, where he has since conducted his business. Jan. 1, 1877, he formed the partnership with his brother Angelo. Sept. 6, 1866, he married Miss Emerancy Hall, a native of Northampton ; she died April 3, 1879. Two children were born to them, both deceased.
JOHN H. AUBLE, real estate, insurance, railroad, steamship and foreign exchange agent, Akron, Ohio ; was born Dec. 2, 1842, and is a son of Daniel and Susanna (Orwig) Auble, natives of Mifflinburg, Union Co., Penn., where our subject was born. His parents came to Ohio in 1854, and settled near Wadsworth, Medina County. He worked on a farm until 15, when he entered the store of E. G. Loomis, at Wadsworth, as a clerk, until July, 1861, when he was made a partner, under the firm name of Loomis, Auble & Co. He was doing a prosperous business, when he enlisted in Co. I, 103d O. V. I., Aug. 2, 1862. Soon after enlistment he was detached as Clerk A. G. 0., under Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, and served in the army of Mississippi ; was in active service first against the rebel Gen. Kirby Smith, in Kentucky ; at the siege of Vicksburg, with Gen. Sherman, on the Yazoo, and Grant at its final surrender. He was in the Missouri campaign under Rosecrans, with Thomas at Nashville, and in Gen. Scofield's department during the last months of service. He was mustered out with his regiment at Camp Cleveland, June 24, 1865, and returned home. He was at once employed as salesman by M. W. Henry & Co., of Akron, where he remained five years, and, in 1871, engaged in the real estate, insurance, foreign passage and exchange business. In January, t875, he took the business management of the Beacon Publishing Co., leaving it in the fall of 1877 with its financial condition greatly improved. He is Secretary of the Akron Coal Co., operating rich mines in Guernsey County. In May, 1880, he was appointedagent for the New York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad, a position he still holds. He was married in August, 1870, to Miss Harriet E., only daughter of Rev. W. F. Day, D. D., formerly of Akron M. E. Church. They have five children—Anna Helen, Susie Orwig, Hattie Day, Bessie Norris and John Henry, Jr.
J. PARK ALEXANDER. The subject of these lines was born to John and Mary (Scott) Alexander on Aug. 7. 1834, in Bath township, Summit Co., Ohio, where he worked on a farm until the age of 18, attending district school and the academy at Richfield. At the age of 20 he went to the normal school at Marlboro, entering the engineering class under Prof. Holbrook, being a classmate of Prof. Mendenhall. Having completed an engineering course, he was, in 1856, employed in the public schools of Akron, where he taught two years. In 1865-66, he bought the present site of his firebrick manufactory; then used as a manufactory of stoneware, being. at that time, a small concern. He enlarged the buildings. and at the same time contracted for such an amount of stoneware as twelve or fifteen manufactories of Summit county could make. The aggregate amount of some years was two million gallons of ware. He established a warehouse at Detroit, maintaining it eight years. and one at Chicago five years. In 1867. he began manufacturing firebrick, which he has greatly improved in quality. In 1875, he succeeded in obtaining a patent for the manufacture of a nearly pure (98.78) silica brick from white pebble. This was the first business of the kind in Ohio. They make about one and one-half million bricks per year, employing twenty men in the making, and a large number in the handling of them for market. In 1872, he bought two oil refineries in this city and ran them, in connection with the Standard Oil Company. for five years. In 1858, he was elected Secretary of the Summit County Agricultural Society, holding the position for five years, which were followed by seven years in the presidency of the same, during which time (1858 to 1870), great improvements were made in the society. In 1868, he was elected member , of the State Board of Agriculture, and, in 1872, Treasurer of the same. He was made member of the City Council in 1865, and, with the exception of two years. has continued such, being for the past eight years President of the same, and witness-
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ing during that time all the public improvements, the city having grown from 3,500 to 20,000 inhabitants. Religious and educational institutions have repeatedly been the recipients of his munificent gifts. On Sept. 5, 1860, he was married to Miss Martha D. Wright, of Tallmadge, Ohio, daughter of Francis H. Wright, of which union there were eight children, one of whom, George B., is dead. Those living are Clara W., Helen B., Grace F., Mattie D., Bessie H., J. Park, Jr., and Alice S.
DAVID S. ALEXANDER, agricultural implements, Akron, Ohio ; is a son of John and Mary (Scott) Alexander, both of whom were born in Washington Co., Penn., and were married in 1828. In February, 1831, they came to Ohio, and settled in Bath Township, where he had previously bought 175 acres of land, upon which was some improvements. He followed farming there for several years, and, about 1840, began to import fine sheep (Saxon breed) from Washington Co., Penn., of the McKeever stock, driving overland. He was for some years a prominent breeder and woolgrower, and brought into the county the first flock of Spanish merinoes. He died in 1856, aged 58, and his wife in June, 1880, at the age of 80 rears. They had four sons, of whom David, the subject, was the oldest. and was born July 7, 1829, in Washington Co., Penn., and was an infant when the tinnily came to this county. He grew up on the farm in Bath Township, receiving his education in the schools of Bath, and attending school in Akron from 1847 to 1849, under Gen. Leggett, now of Cleveland. At 24 years of age. he commenced business for himself, and, in 1851, bought the farm of J. P. Baldwin, and for eleven years followed grain and stock farming successfully. In 1861, he came to Akron, and bought several lots on "Ely Tract," and commenced dealing in sheep, but dogs were very destructive to them, and he quit the business. In 1871, he began to deal in agricultural implements, which he still continues. His establishment was destroyed by fire in 1879, entailing upon him a loss of $12,000. In rebuilding, he fell from a scaffold and broke his thigh. In June, 1853, he married Miss Sarah C. Hale, a daughter of William Hale, of Bath Township. Five daughters were born to them. Lucy J. was the wife of C. R. Grant, of Akron. and died June 8,1880. Three brothers of subject died when young ; those living are David S. (subject), Joseph H., J. Park and William G., who is a commission merchant at Toledo, Ohio.
FRANK M. ATTERHOLT, lawyer, Akron, son of John and Emeline (Williams) Atterholt, was born Dec. 19,1848, near New Lisbon, Ohio, where he lived on a farm until he was 14 years of age, in the meantime attending school, and then entered the New Lisbon High School, which he attended for three years. At the age of 17 he began teaching, and continued some twelve years, spending his summer vacations in the National Normal School of Lebanon. He graduated from Mt. Vernon College in 1870, having entered three years previous. He was for three years Superintendent of the Columbiana Public Schools, and for some time editor of the Independent Register of that place. In the Medina Normal School of 1872 he taught mathematics, and in 1873 was made Principal of the West Salem Public Schools, which position he retained for five years. In June, 1878, he began the study of law under the direction of Upson, Ford & Baird, and pursued his studies with them two years, being admitted to the bar on Oct. 5, 1880, at the session of the Supreme Court at Columbus, and has since been in practice here, having moved here in 1879. He was married to Miss Mary E. Beard, of Columbiana, Ohio, Dec. 31, 1872 ; she was a teacher in the public schools of that place. She bore him one child, a son.
O. C. BARBER, Vice President Diamond Match Co., Akron. The subject of this sketch is a native of Middlebury, now Sixth Ward of Akron, Ohio. He was born April 20, 1841, and is the fourth of eight children born to George and Eliza Barber, who were natives of Connecticut and Ohio respectively. George Barber was born in the year 1804. His parents, Ezriah and Ann Barber, moving to Onondaga Co., N. Y., when he was 1 year old, and where he remained until he became of age, his schooling was confined to a few months each year at the district schools of his neighborhood. At the age of 18, he was apprenticed to coopering, and worked for three years. In the year 1826—feeling the same pioneer spirit that had actuated his parents and grandparents before him (he being a descendant of a family that came to this country from England in 1620)—he thought he would take a look at what was then considered the far
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West, i. e., Ohio, and, after a few years' travel through the State in the clock business, he . finally settled down at Middlebury, where a considerable milling interest was well established, and where and at Akron he followed his trade until the year 1845, when he began the manufacture of matches, being one of the first to take up the business in the West. Meeting with indifferent success at first, owing to the great difficulty of distributing the goods he manufactured. There being no railroads at that time that would transport matches. it was necessary to distribute his product by wagons. In the year 1852, feeling somewhat tired of the struggle, and the necessity of a rest, he concluded to retire from the business. and traded his fixtures and factory for a hotel at Middlebury, and was appointed Postmaster of Middlebury, under Pierce's administration. Of this he tired in about one year. and again engaged in the manufacture of matches and buttons, the latter part of the enterprise proving unprofitable was soon abandoned, and he again gave his entire time and attention to the manufacture of matches, the facilities for which were inproved from time to time, to keep pace with the growing demands of the trade ; and from making matches by hand in a barn. step by step the business was so increased that in the year 1880, the business was conducted in buildings that, if on one floor twenty-two feet wide, would be over one mile long, and in which are made enough matches every twenty-five days. if placed end to end, to span the earth. and from which the Government received for internal revenue stamps over $2,000 per day. Our subject, who is the only surviving son of the founder of this immense business, was raised in his native village, and received a course of study in the common schools. The circumstances of the family early ushered him into business affairs, thus at the age of 16, he began selling matches for his father, operating in Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Pennsylvania, in which States, through his activity and industry, the reputation of the Barber match soon became well-established. In the year 1862, the entire management was left to his dictation, from which time the success of the enterprise became more marked. Very much of this success Mr. Barber attributes to his associate and active business friend, J. K. Robinson, who about this time took charge of introducing the goods intonew markets, as well as the taking charge o ' the markets where the reputation of the goods were established, and no man in the entire West is better or more favorably known to the jobbing grocer trade of the country than Jack Robinson, as he is familiarly dubbed by his many friends. In 1864, the business was merged into a stock company, known as the Barber Match Co., of which George Barber was the President and O. C. Barber the Secretary and Treasurer, and John K. Robinson was General Agent. In January, 1881, the company had by far the largest and best equipped match works on this continent. The same enterprise that had made it what it was, suggested to Messrs. Barber & Robinson the propriety and economy of consolidating all the match companies of the States into one ownership or one company. and through them and other active manufacturers. a consolidation was made of twenty-eight of the leading manufacturers of the country. under the name of the Diamond Match Co., with a capital of $2,250.000, of which William H. Swift, of Wilmington. Del., is President ; 0. C. Barber. Vice President ; and William B. Gates. of Frankfort. N. Y., is Treasurer. The business of this company is conducted or managed by these officers. as an Executive Committee. with co-ordinate powers, the subject of this sketch having charge more directly of all the company's factories in the States west and south of Pennsylvania; the sales department in the same territory being in the charge of John K. Robinson. 0. C. Barber married Miss Laura L. Brown, of Akron, Oct. 10. 1S66. By the marriage there have been two children, one of whom is living, viz., Anna Laura : Charles H. is deceased.
JOHN RICHARD BUCHTEL. manufacturer of reapers and mowers, Akron, whose portrait appears in this work, was born Jan. 18, 1822. in Summit Co., Ohio. He was the son of John Buchtel, a farmer, and the grandson of Peter Buchtel. who was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he moved to Ohio in 1809, entering service here as a soldier in the war of 1812, and dying in the army. He engaged in farming when a youth, with no opportunity of obtaining other education than such as he could acquire by himself, so that, when lie attained his majority, he could with difficulty write his name. At that age he began to work land on shares, continuing it for several years,
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until at length he was able to purchase a small farm of twenty acres. Finally disposing of this, he bought a farm of 160 acres in Coventry Township, Summit Co., Ohio, which he improved and lived upon until 1854. when he sold it, and purchased a farm in La Porte Co., Ind., purposing at the time to remove there, and continue farming. Before doing so, however, he modified his plans and entered into the employ of Ball, Aultman & Co.. of Canton, then just beginning to make and introduce very extensively the Ohio," and afterward the "Buckeye" mower and reaper. continuing as their agent until the spring of 1856. The firm was burnt out soon after. and made an assignment to him for the benefit of its creditors. They obtained an extension, and he gave them such important aid that the fiim, C. Aultman & Co., was again on a secure foundation. In 1864, he succeeded in persuading the Canton manufacturers of the " Buckeye " machines. to build a manufactory at Akron also. and he superintended the construction of the necessary buildings. and purchased a one-sixth interest in the new establishment. By the following spring they began manufacturing their machines in the new buildings. The next year the business was organized as a stock company, of which he was elected President. This company has over 51,000,000 of paid-up capital, and $500.000 surplus. Its works have capacity for building over ten thousand machines annually. The Akron Iron Company, with its large rollingmills and fine blast furnaces. and the Akron Knife Works, of the Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Company. for the production of knives and sickles for mowers, grew indirectly out of the establishment of' the Buckeye works; and the Akron papermill of Thomas Phillips & Co.. the rubber works, the the chain works. and many other flourishing industries, owed very much to Mr. Buchtel for their location in Akron. He was an office of the Canton incorporation of C. Aultman & Co.. a Director of the Akron Iron Company, of the Bank of Akron, and of the Weary. Snyder & Wilcox Manufacturing Company, besides many smaller business interests. In politics a Republican, and in temperance matters a prohibitionist ; he was the candidate of the latter party for Secretary of State of Ohio, in 1874. He was appointed by Gov. Hayes. and confirmed by the Senate, one of the Trustees of State Agricultural College, and was a member of the executive committee during the erection of its buildings. Throughout the war of Secession, his services to the community were simply invaluable. When others deemed the obstacles to filling up the quota and escaping the draft to be insurmountable, he, by his direct and supervisory efforts obtained the apportionment laid upon his town. In religious belief, he is a stanch Universalist, but nevertheless contributed for the erection of every church built in Akron, after he began to take an active part in affairs. The crowning work of his unstinted liberality was reached in the establishment and endowment of Buchtel College, Akron. an institution under the control and patronage of the Universalist denomination of Ohio. As the outgrowth of three years of earnest thought and persistent effort, the cornerstone of this college was laid July 4, 1871. Horace Greeley delivering the address of the occasion. Besides donating at the out-set. his library to the institution, he from time to time contributed toward its completion and permanent endowment, until his gifts. in this direction, amounted to over $100,000. This college. at first an experiment, steadily made its way forward until it holds a place of acknowledged merit among the most flourishing institutions of the West. His generous contributions to the Akron Library Association, of which he was President. did much to place that organization upon a permanent basis. It may be safely said that he gave away all he earned, and was a great public and private benefactor. In 1844. he married Miss Elizabeth Davidson. and their union is without issue. In 1877. Mr. Buchtel went to Athens Co., Ohio, where he purchased for the Akron Iron Company, on the line of the Hocking Valley Branch Railroad. 1,400 acres, comprising some of the richest deposits of coal and iron in the State. During the same year, the railroad company located a station on these lands, and in honor of his efforts to develop the mines, they named the station Buchtel, and later, the post office there received the same name. As purchaser, projector and general manager of the company during the past I four years, he has made five openings and established large furnaces, which combined, require a force of over four hundred men to operate, with a mining capacity of 1.000 tons
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of superior furnace coal. The rich veins of iron there are worked with great facility on account of contiguous quarries of limestone which produce lime suitable for fluxing.
CAPT. GEORGE BILLOW, undertaker, Akron, the representative of his line of business, has an eventful history. He was born April 2, 1833, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, and is the son of John and Elizabeth (Milljus) Billow, both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt. His parents, with five sons and two daughters, emigrated to the United States about the year 1844, and settled on a farm near Sandusky, Ohio. George remained with his parents till he was 17 years old, and then went to Fremont, Ohio, to learn the trade of a wagon-maker ; he spent three years there at learning his trade. and then he went to Cleveland, where he finished in fine workmanship ; he then came to Akron, and for a time was employed by E. A. Collins. About this time he was married to Miss Mary, daughter of Conrad and Charlotte (Graff Fink ; their marriage took place on Sept. 19, 1854. His wife, as well as her father and mother, were natives of Germany. After his marriage he returned to Cleveland for a time, and then again came to Akron. when he engaged in the manufacture of spokes for Mr. Collins, and for Oviatt & Sperry, of Tallmadge. About the time he was engaged in this business, the war of the rebellion had grown to a point when President Lincoln issued a call for 300,000 men. Mr. Billow sold out and closed up his interests as best he could, and then entered the army ; he enlisted in Co. I, 107th O. V. I., as a private ; this was a German regiment, and was enlisted specially for Sigel's command ; he entered the army in July, and in the following November he was promoted to Second Lieutenant ; shortly after this he rose to the rank of First Lieutenant, and then was made Captain of his company. Much of his term of enlistment was spent in detail service, though he saw some hard fighting ; he was in the Fredericksburg campaign, and was at the battle of Chancellorsville from July 1 to 4 ; in the first bayonet charge at this battle, the Captain and thirty men of his company were lost. Hagerstown and Boonsboro will also be remembered by him as places of battle in which he participated. From Warrenton Junction they embarked for , South Carolina ; their command had been so cut up that the 1st Division of the 11th Corps was united with Gordon's Division, and the command known thereafter as Gordon's Division. They went to Folly island, under command of Gen. Q. A. Gilmore. Capt. Billow was at the capture of Fort Wagner, and about Christmas, 1863, he was at the battle of James' Island ; he was subsequently ordered to the assistance of the troops at Jacksonville, Fla. ; there he was stricken with typhoid fever, and, after recovering, he was detailed Brigade Commissary of Subsistence, which position he held for three months, and had the honor of having been complimented by Commissary General Kilbourn on his success. Again he was detailed, and this time on the staff of Gen. Foster, as Post Commissary at Fernandina ; he remained there about nine months. and was then sent to Jacksonville as local Provost Marshal, and was there for three months. and then he was returned to Fernandina. where he remained till the close of the war. When he returned from the army he engaged in the grocery business in Akron, with Mr. C. Kolb : they were in business for about two years, when he took charge of the co-operative grocery ; he then, for about one and a half years, was traveling and selling stoneware. Having seen much of the South during the war, he removed to Huntsville, Ala., where, for four years, he was on a cotton plantation ; finding this speculation unprofitable. he returned to Akron, where he arrived the 1st of April, 1875. He has now been Notary for five years, and is doing an extensive business as agent for different ocean steamship lines and in foreign exchange ; this, in connection with his business as undertaker, makes an extensive trade. He is a member of Akron Commandery, No. 25 ; and while he was in Alabama, he was a member of Huntsville Commandery, No. 7, and held the office of Grand Captain of the Guard of the order in that State. Politically, he is a Republican. His family consists of the following children : Anna, George W., Charles Fernando (named after the Major), Ida, Albert C., Jacob L.. Edwin M., and the baby, Claire.
WILLIAM BUCHTEL, lumber, etc., Akron; a son of John and Catharine (Richards) Buchtel, was born Dec. 23, 1822, in Green Township of this county. His father had but little means, except his land (106 acres) and his children only went to school when they could be spared from the farm in winter. He (subject) and his brother. John R., cleared a large portion of his
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father's farm. At 22, he commenced for himself, and in one year bought the homestead, and engaged largely in wheat-raising. He followed farming until 1856, when he bought an interest (having rented out his farm) in the Chamberlin Mills, which he operated for some time with good success. He served in the 164th O. N. G. during the late war, and was honorably discharged in the fall of 1864. After leaving the army, he removed to Akron, and in the following year he made one of the firm of Jackson. Buchtel & Co., and engaged in the lumber business for five years—subject being most of the time in the pineries near Saginaw, Mich., superintending the manufacture of lumber. He is at present in the lumber business. Since 1865; he has located and handled over 20.000 acres of Government and State lands, in Clare. Isabella and Missaukee Counties, Mich.. and still owns some 3.000 acres there. He was married March 7. 1842. to Miss Martha Henderson, of Springfield Township. By this marriage there are four children, viz.: James H., John D., Wm. 31. and C. J.
JOHN D. BUCHTEL, Akron, second son of Wm. and Martha (Henderson) Buchtel was born May 20,1849, in Coventry Township, this county. In 1864, when his father went into the army, he came to Akron, and worked in the mill until his return, when he went to school for two years. He then engaged in a flour and feed store ; attended commercial school in Poughkeepsie in 1868. and spent two summers at Saginaw. Mich. He was in the employ of Thomas & Son one year (1871). and teller in the Citizens' Savings and Loan Association, from May. 1872, to March. 1877, when his health failed and he lay sick for some time. In 1878, he was a member of Germania Printing Co. for a short time and then went to Chautauqua Lake where he clerked in a hotel for three months. He then came back to Akron. and in November, 1878, opened a feed store on Mill street, which he kept until the spring of 1881, when he became a member of the firm of Wm. Buchtel & Sons, lumber dealers.
CHARLES W. BROWN. barber, Akron, a son of John and Margaret (Groves) Brown, was horn in Cleveland. Ohio. May 7, 1843, where he lived until 15 years of age, attending the public schools of that city. At the age of 14 he entered his father's barber shop as an apprentice ; he, being a leading barber on Superior street for some fifty years. Subject worked in the shop until the war broke out. He had drilled with a company of colored men under Capt. Paddock of the " Cleveland Grays." This company, through John Brown (subject's father) tendered their services to Gov. Tod, who telegraphed in response : " When we want niggers we'll let you know." Subject then recruited fifteen men, and upon offering themselves to Rhode Island were accepted. He then returned and raised twenty men more, but Ohio had, in the meantime, discovered that "niggers " would stop bullets as well as whites, and got out an injunction against their leaving the State. Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island was notified, and sent two of his ablest attorneys to manage the case. In the trial of the case, Gov. Tod's telegram was offered in testimony, and after a full discussion of the pros and cons, the " niggers " were allowed to follow their own bent. and at once reported to Rhode Island, where they were mustered into the 14th Rhode Island' Heavy Artillery. They entered the service in October, 1862, and were discharged at New Orleans in the spring of 1865. Subject served in the Gulf Department, and was in the battles of Red River, Mobile, Plaquemine, La., and was 1st Sergeant of Co. K. He came to Akron in the fall of 1865, and has done a good business as barber ever since. His shop is located under the Academy of Music, and runs from three to five chairs with competent artists, and has a bath room attached. He has always been a stanch Republican and is the first colored man elected to office in Summit County, by a popular vote, being elected Trustee of Portage Township in 1880, an office he has faithfully filled. He was married, July 29, 1867, to Miss Laura V. Lewis, of Cleveland ; they have two daughters and one son. His parents were freeborn and came to Cleveland about 1820, where the mother still lives, aged 85 ; father died in 1868. They had two sons and two daughters. Subject is a fine musician, and was leader of the first colored band ever raised in Akron.
DAVID BUNN, policeman, Akron, Ohio ; a son of Jacob and Sarah A. (Whaler) Bunn ; was born in Wells Co., Ind., May 23, 1842; his father having moved to that locality in an early day. Subject worked on a farm, and helped to clear 200 acres of woodland. He went to school, two miles distant, and, at 19, came to Ohio, where he worked for David Gailhouse, of
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Wayne County, on farm and in coal bank. He enlisted, Aug. 22, 1862. in Co. G, of the 120th O. V. I., and participated in the Trans-Mississippi and Vicksburg campaign, and the Red River expedition. He was captured at Snagg Point, Red River, and imprisoned at Camp Ford for thirteen months ; was at one time sentenced to be shot by the rebels. and taken out for that purpose, but was not executed for some cause. After being inhumanly treated, rendering him an invalid for five years, he was. in 1865. paroled at Camp Ford. and returned to Doylestown. Ohio, and clerked for one year for his old employer, on farm and in coal bank. He was married. October 11. 1866. to Miss Almira Springer. of Doylestown. where he lived until 1875. They have three children. two sons and one daughter. Mr. B.. in 1866. engaged in the grocery business. and afterward dealt in dry goods. In 1875, he came to Akron. and opened a boot and shoe store on Howard street. for about three years. when he closed out and entered the employ of Teeples & Maxim for about one and one-half years. In 1878. he was appointed. by Mayor Scott. policeman for the Fourth Ward. and has been on the force ever since, a faithful and vigilant officer. He has always been a stanch Republican in politics.
J. MARTIN BECK. Akron Varnish Works, Akron, Ohio, is a son of Adam and Christina (Hoefer) Beck. and was born in the town of Seib, Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 14, 1843. At 14, he entered as an apprentice in a wholesale grocery and drug house, and served four years without compensation, and paid over $300 to learn the business. He passed a regular examination, and came to the United States in 1862. and to Akron in August of the same year. Here he first entered the employ of M. W. Henry & Co., Mr. Wolf, his half-brother, being a partner. He remained six years. when his health failed, and he changed his location to Cleveland, where he was employed by E. I. Baldwin & Co. as a salesman for one year. In the spring of 1869, he went to Europe and remained till fall, and returned to the United States in improved health. He entered into partnership with John Wolf and H. J. Church, in the dry goods business, until 1878, when he sold out, and shortly after formed a partnership with E. G. Kubler, and established the Akron Varnish Works, the first and only factory of the kind in the county. The businesshas largely increased since its establishment. Jan. 12. 1871, he married Miss Kate J. Buchtel. daughter of William Buchtel, Esq. They have two sons and one (laughter.
SOL J. BUCHER, Constable, Akron: son of David and Catherine (Baird) Bucher. was born in Franklin Township. this county, April 10, 1846. He lived there until the war broke out. At 16. he entered the army. enlisting August 5. 1862, in Co. H, 104th O. V. I. He served in the Kentucky and East Tennessee invasion. and the Atlanta campaign. At Columbia. Tenn., he was wounded on the 28th of November, 1864. while on skirmish line ; he was shot by a sharpshooter. and the ball entered under his left nostril. crashing through the hard palate. grazing the base of the skull, and lodged between his ear and bones of the neck. The wound was probed by surgeons, and they removed a half ounce ball. His hearing and eyesight were affected for some time. He joined his regiment at Greensboro. N. C.. in May. 1865, and was mustered out at Cleveland with his regiment. On his return. he engaged in farming in Coventry Township. until 1869. when he removed to Akron. and was there in the employ of Thomas & Sons. in the planing business. for about a year ; then, for some time, engaged in the grocery business. Next. he worked in the different departments of the "Excelsior Works," on reapers and mowers, and subsequently in the Akron Rubber Works. In 1875. he was elected Constable for Portage Township, which position he has filled by annual elections ever since. He has been a member of the Republican County Committee for two years. September 28. 1866, he married. at "Millersburg, Ohio, Mrs. Harriet L. Bucher, widow of the late David Bucher, Jr.. and daughter of David Flickinger, formerly of Summit Co. His father was born in Maryland in 1808, and came to Canton with his parents in 1810, the present city having then but four cabins. He grew up there, and moved near Clinton, this county, in 1838. He married Miss Catharine Baird, of Canton, a lady of Scotch descent, born in 1813. He farmed in Franklin Township until his death, in 1858. He was one of the " Minute Men " during the Mexican war. He was the father of fourteen children, eleven of whom are deceased ; but six grew up, viz., David. Jr., John, Joseph, Solomon J., Lavina and Amelia, Henry (deceased).
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John was a member of the 1st Battalion of the 18th U. S. A., and died at Park Barrack, Louisville, Ky., Dec. 9, 1862. Mrs. David Bucher, Sr., is still living. Theobald Bucher, grandfather of subject, was a French soldier, and removed from Alsatia, France, to America, just after the American Revolution, settling at Baltimore, Md.; then removed to Bellefonte, Center Co., Penn., and. in 1810, to Canton, Ohio, with his family.
JAMES BUCHANAN, foreman in paper mills, Akron ; is a son of James and Elizabeth (Patterson) Buchanan ; she a daughter of Frank Patterson. All were natives of County Donnegal, Ireland ; but emigrated to America, and settled at Quebec, Canada, in 1853, the same year coming to Cuyahoga Falls. James and Elizabeth Buchanan had four children, two of whom are living—our subject, born in 1846, and Helen, now a Mrs. Fred Langs ; he a molder at Webster, Camp & Lanes. The youngest and the oldest children died in infancy. James received a limited education, and, at 9 years of age, began working in the paper mill at Cuyahoga Falls, where he worked a number of years, and learned the different departments of the work. In Aug. 2, 1862, he enlisted in Co. G, 115th 0. V. I., and was afterward transferred to the Second U. S. Calvary, in which he served two and a half years. He was mustered out of service in August, 1865 ; returned home, and learned the harness-maker's trade. at which he worked three years. In 1868, he reengaged in the paper mill at the falls, working with the engines and machines, until, in the year 1874, from which time until, in 1876, he was employed at the Monroe Falls Paper Mills. In 1876, he came to the Akron Paper Company, and, in 1879, accepted the position of foreman of the works. He was married to Mary Ann Nesbitt, by whom he had four children. three of whom are now living, viz., Ellen. Emma and Frank. He is a member of Summit Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F. He is also connected with the Episcopal Church.
FREDERICK BISHOP, Superintendent Akron Iron Company, Akron ; son of Thomas and Ann (Warner) Bishop ; was born in the county of Warwickshire, England, October 30, 1843. When a child, his parents removed to the iron region of South Staffordshire. England. When 12 years old, he entered a rolling mill at Wednesbury, Eng., in the heart of the iron country. He worked in almost every department of the business there, and came to the United States in 1868, stopping at Pittsburgh, Penn., from August to November, when he came to Akron, and entered the employ of this company, as puddler's helper for some six months, when he was assigned the management of the finishing mills, a position he held some six years, after which he was employed in the mills of the Mahoning Valley as superintendent of mills (at different points) for four years. He then entered the employ of the Akron Iron Company, in September, 1878, as superintendent, which position he has held ever since. He has been in the iron business for twenty-six years, and is thoroughly acquainted with all the processes known as to its manufacture. May 31, 1869, he married Miss Ann Baldwin, of Wednesbury, England. He has two children living, and three dead. His father was a fanner, and is living with his wife in England. They were once in the United States.
JOHN BROWN, deceased. The champion of universal liberty, the zealous friend of the colored race, and the hero of Harper's Ferry, was born at Torrington, Conn., on the 9th of May, in the year 1800, and was the son of Owen and Ruth (Mills) Brown. His ancestry is traced back in an unbroken line to Peter Brown, one of the fugitive pilgrims, who landed from the Mayflower on Plymouth Rock in December, 1620. Without tracing the family back to this renowned ancestor, suffice it to say that Capt. John Brown (the grandfather of subject), was an officer in the Revolutionary army. and died of disease during his term of service. He was of the fourth generation from Peter Brown in regular descent. Capt. John Brown's youngest son was named Owen, and was the father of our subject. He came to Ohio in 1805, when the latter was but five years old, and settled in Hudson Township (now in Summit County), where he became one. of the principal pioneer settlers of that section. He was commonly called Squire Brown, and was one of the Board of Trustees of Oberlin College; was spoken of as being endowed with energy and enterprise, and of going down to his grave honored and respected, about 1852, at the age of 87 years. Subject's mother died when he was but 8 years old, a loss he mourned long and sincerely. When the war broke out with England (1812), his father engaged in fur-
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nishing the troops with beef cattle. During this war he had some chance to form his own boyish judgment of men and measures, and to become somewhat familiarly acquainted with many who figured before the country in after years. A circumstance occurred during this war that made him a most determined Abolitionist, and led him to declare eternal war on slavery. He was staying for a short time with a man who owned a slave boy about his own age. This man made a great pet of him (subject), brought him to table with his first company and friends, and called their attention to every little smart thing he said and did, while the negro boy was badly clothed, poorly fed and lodged in cold weather, and beaten before his eyes with anything that came first to hand. At the age of 10 an old friend induced him to read a little history, by which he acquired some taste for reading ; formed the principal part of his early education and diverted him, in a great manner, from bad company. By reading the lives of great and good men, and their writings, he grew to dislike vain and frivolous conversation and persons. In early life he became ambitious to excel in anything he undertook to perform, and especially in the fall labor of a man in any hard work. At an early age he became, to some extent. a convert to Christianity, and was ever after a firm believer in the divine authenticity of the Bible. With this book he became very familiar, and possessed an unusual memory of its entire contents. He was married June 21, 1820. at Hudson, to Miss Dianthe Lusk, an industrious and economical girl of excellent character, earnest piety, and of good practical common sense. By this marriage he had seven children, viz., John, Jason, Owen, Frederick, Ruth, Frederick (2d), and an infant son, buried with its mother, Aug. 10, 1832. three days after its birth. By his second wife, Mary A. Day. to whom he was married at Meadville, Penn., he had thirteen children, viz., Sarah, Watson, Salmon, Charles, Oliver, Peter, Austin, Anne, Amelia, Sarah (2d), Ellen, infant son, Ellen (2d). From his 21st to his 26th year, he was engaged in the tanning business and as a farmer in Ohio. At 26, he went to Crawford Co., Penn., where he carried on his old business until 1835, characterized as a thoroughly honest man. In 1835, he moved to Franklin Mills, Portage Co., Ohio, where he remained until 1840, when he went to Hudson and engaged in the wool bussness with Mr. Oviatt, of Richfield. In 1844, he moved to Akron, and in 1846, to Springfield, Mass., where he lived until 1849, and then removed to Essex Co., N. Y. In 1851, he returned, with his family to Akron, Ohio, where he managed Mr. Perkins' farm and carried on the wool business. It was in 1839 that he first conceived the idea of liberating the Southern slaves. He had seen the blasting and blighting manhood of the nation, and had listened to the "voice of the poor that cried." This sentiment was cherished by him, and his efforts in that direction pushed forward. until he expiated with his life the zeal he felt for the down-trodden African. In 1855, on starting for Kansas, he again moved his household to Essex Co., N. Y., where now his "body lies moldering in the dust." But from the period of his' going to Kansas. until an ignominious death closed his eventful career, his acts and his deeds are a part of the nation's history, and require no repetition in this sketch.
JAMES N. BALDWIN, merchant miller, Akron. Benson C. Baldwin was born in 1797, in Granville, Mass., and his wife, Louisa A. Neal, in Tallmadge. Ohio, in 1812. He was a minister in the Presbyterian Church, and preached up to the time of his death, which occurred at Medina in 1844. He was the father of three sons, and James. the second child, was born Feb. 22, 1839, in Medina, Ohio. He lived in Middlebury from 1844 to 1851, when his mother moved to Hudson. Here he attended school until he was 19, when he came to Akron and clerked for the Hall Bros. until 1862, when he was employed as bookkeeper and Secretary of the Chamberlain Company, continuing until 1878, in which year he formed a partnership with George W. McNeil, and leased the Etna Mills, which they have conducted with fair success since. In March, 1864, he was married to Miss Augusta Eldred, of Akron, who bore him two children ; she died in January, 1875. In July, 1879, he married Miss Harriet L. Andrus, of Akron.
DENNISON BABCOCK; butcher, Akron, is a son of George, he of Samuel Babcock, who were natives of Groton, Conn. George, with two brothers and one sister, came to Ohio at an early date, he settling in Middlebury, and engaging in mercantile pursuits, which he afterward pursued in Akron City proper. He
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was married, June 14, 1829, to Clarissa Williams as a second marriage, by whom he had five children—Martha Calista, born July 1, 1830 ; Sarah Susannah, May 18, 1833 ; Williams Pierpont, Oct. 27, 1835 ; Clarissa E., July 31, 1840 (now deceased), and the subject of this sketch, born Feb. 12. 1844. Paul Williams, born in 1767, and Sarah Williams. horn in 1763, the grandparents of our subject. came to Akron and erected the first log-house in the city proper. the location of which was
on Broad street, near the knife works. The family nearly all died during the building of the canal, none being left except the grand! mother and the mother of the subject of this sketch. who lived until 1868. The grandmother died in 1832. from the effects of sickness in 1827. Dennison attended school in Akron until 17 years of age. when he learned butchering, and worked for a time at the carpenter's trade. At 18 years of age. he enlisted in Co. H. 104th 0. V. I., in which he served until .July. 1865. receiving in the meantime a wound at the battle of Knoxville which sent him to the hospital for a considerable time. which he occupied in filling the position of Hospital Steward. In the spring of 1867, he engaged with his brother in the feedstore business. but disposed of the same the following fall. Then engaged in butchering for about two years. after which time he traveled four years for Alfred Pitkin & Co.. steam-heating apparatus. subsequently engaging in the business of carpentering and pattern-making for W. Thomas. continuing for about three years. In March, 1879. he began the butchering business with a meat market at No. 322 East Mill street. where he is now engaged with W. Russell. doing an average business. He was married. Nov. 12. 1873. to Lucy Maria Upson, daughter of Julius Upson. a resident of Cuyahoga Falls. He is prominently identified with the Republican party.
JOHN H. BELLOWS. retired farmer ; P. O. Akron ; is the eldest son of Ithamar Bellows. who was born Feb. 11, 1794, in Groton, Conn., and died in 1868, he being a son of Ephraim, who came, among the early settlers, to Coventry and Springfield Townships. The wife of Ithamar was Lanah Haynes, born June 28, 1796 ; died Jan. 17, 1867. Her parents were Daniel and Jane (Haynes) Haynes, who were the first white settlers in Coventry Township. The fatherof our subject drove an ox-team from Groton, Conn., to Coventry, in the fall of 1811, for Capt. Amos Spicer, with whom he lived until his marriage to Lanah Haynes, by whom he had seven children—Laura, born March 30, 1816 ; John H., April 24, 1818 ; Samantha J., Oct. 20, 1823 ; Ephraim G., Dec. 15, 1825 ; Harriet D., March 11, 1830 ; Henry J., Dec. 18, 1833, and Mary E., Dec. 22, 1837. He was always a very hardworking man, honest and upright in all his dealing, by which he amassed a considerable fortune, although very liberal, and meeting with many reverses. John H., being the oldest son, received a very limited education, he being employed in assisting his father in clearing up the old homestead until about 25 years of age. He was married, Oct. 9. 1857, to Lydia Ann Myers, daughter of Simeon Myers. an old settler in Norton. They have two sons—Francis Leroy, born Dec. 25, 1859, now engaged as Assistant Superintendent at Akron Rubber Works—and Charles Orlando, born Oct. 25, 1861, now engaged in the manufacturing of brooms, with Buchtel & Pontius.
JAMES H. BURT, bookkeeper at Brewster Coal Chutes, Akron ; was born Aug. 19, 1843 ; the son of William Burt, whose father was also named William ; they were natives of England. Our subject is a native of Glamorganshire, South Wales ; and, in the fall of 1853, came from Liverpool to New York with his parents and four sisters. They resided at Wampum, Penn.. for one year ; then came to the city of Youngstown, Ohio, where the father now lives. and is engaged as an horticulturist. His mother was a sister to John Beese, whose history appears in Coventry Township. James attended school until 13 years of age, when he engaged as a mule driver in the Mahoning Valley until the breaking-out of the war, when he enlisted as drummer in an independent band called“Dixon's Baud ;" but was subsequently connected with the 155th Pennsylvania Regiment, the band being discharged some time after enlistment, he returned home, and re-enlisted in the 84th O. V. I. three months' men ; but were kept several months overtime, when they were-discharged. He then, immediately, Jan. 2, 1864, enlisted in the 15th Ohio Battery, in which he served until June, 1865, when he returned home, and worked on a farm and attended school until April, 1866, when he was engaged as bookkeeper by the Crawford, Davis & Co. Coal Mining
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Company, near Youngstown, until 1874, at which time he accepted the position which he now occupies. He was married, Nov. 28, 1867, to Harriette E. Beatty, daughter of John and Lucretia (Darrow) Beatty, natives, he of Ireland, she of New England. By this marriage, there were five children—Harrison J., Franklin P., Clara May, Alfred and Martha J.
ARTHUR F. BARTGES, Akron ; son of Dr. Samuel W. Bartges ; was born in North Georgetown, Ohio, April 2, 1838, and came with his parents to Akron in 1842. where he attended the public schools until he was 16, entering Western Reserve College of Hudson in 1856, where he spent two years. In 1857, he entered the law office of Ranney, Backus & Noble, of Cleveland, being admitted to the bar at the session of the Supreme Court at Columbus, April 4, 1859. Returning at once to Akron, he formed a partnership with Gen. A. C. Voris, which lasted until 1864. In 1865, he opened a coal mine in Norton, and engaged in the coal business, gorng to Cleveland in 1869, where he had his principal office, and did a large business in the sale of coal until 1877. when he again came to Akron, and resumed the practice of law, being in active practice ever since.
CAPT, A. P. BALDWIN, Agent Akron Iron Company, Akron, oldest son of James and Mary (Robertson) Baldwin, was born Jan. 28, 1838, near 110 North Howard street, Akron ; at 14, he entered the employ of P. D. Hall & Co., as clerk, where he remained until 1859, when his father opened a hardware store on Howard street, under the firm name of James Baldwin & Son ; this they conducted until the war broke out, and, in October, 1861, he enlisted in the 6th Ohio Light Battery, organized at Mansfield, Ohio, by John Sherman, by whom he was commissioned 2d Lieutenant. After the battle of Mission Ridge he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and during the Hood campaign he was made Captain of the 6th Battery ; he was mustered out at New Orleans September 1, 1865, having served nobly in the Pittsburg, Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain, Atlanta Campaign, Resaca, Atlanta (Jonesboro), Spring Hill and Nashville battles. For his gallant services at Spring Hill, of Franklin, Tennessee, he was offered a commission in the regular army, by Corps Commander Gen. D. Stanley, but declined it. On his return to Akron he went into the hardware business with H. W. Wetmore, under the firm name of Wetmore & Baldwin, and in 1867, it became Wetmore, Baldwin & Paige, so 1 continuing until 1869, when he retired, and in March became General Agent for the Akron Iron Company, a position he still retains, representing the company throughout the East, West and South. November 10, 1863, he married Miss Celia F. Ayres, of Akron ; he has four children—James A., John Sherman, Susie and Mary E.
JAMES BALDWIN, Akron, was born at Amsterdam. N. Y., in 1805, and came to Akron in 1831, having but little means he was a carpenter and builder. The firm of Kilbour & Baldwin was presented with lots on corner of Howard & Market streets, for the purpose of erecting a hotel, which they did, and named it the " Pavilion Hotel :" they rented it to Charles B. Cobb. who kept it for several years. Mr. Baldwin put up the present block, comprising Nos. 102.104 and 108 North Howard st. He went into the hardware business in 1859. continuing until 1864. when he retired. and died Sept. 19, 1865. His wife. Mary (Robertson) was born in Pittsburgh. Penn.. in 1805, came to Ohio, with her parents. in 1831, and was married. She died in 1872, leaving a family of six children, viz., Miranda P., resident of Akron ; Isabella R., wife of William C. Sullivan, of Oakland, California ; Aaron P. (of whom see sketch) ; James W., died in 1875. near Cincinnati ; Mary J., who was the wife of B. D. A. Melvin, of Akron, and died in 1877 ; and Olive J.. wife of C. L. Benjamin. of Dennison. Tex. James Baldwin was a civil engineer on the railroad from Schenectady to Albany, N. Y., in 1830, the first railroad in the United States, with Hon. Horatio Allen and James Mills ; he was a man of great industry, and possessed a character without a flaw.
JAMES F. BRUOT, Notary Public, general insurance and real estate agent, Akron ; was born Jan. 29, 1827 ; is the son of John Nicholas Bruot and Catharine Bruot, nee Guyot, of Valentigney, near Montbeliard, Department of Doubs, France, and the descendant of an ancient Huguenot family. He was educated in the normal school of his native town, and in 1843 came out best of his class and drew the first prize of honor ; in May, 1848, he came to the United States, stopping at Buffalo, N. Y., where he engaged to work for an attorney in
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order to learn the English language ; he went back to France in 1851 on a visit, and while there received a power of attorney from Mr. Peter Gressard, of Coventry Township, Summit Co. On his return to the United States, and at the solicitation of Mr. Gressard, he came to this eon my and visited the latter, when he first became acquainted with his wife ; he did not remain long, however ; he, being an only child was again called to France by his parents for the third time. While there his father died accidentally, and, after arranging matters relating to the estate, he returned to Buffalo, and, Dec. 1854, was married in Akron to Miss Rosalie Gressard. He took his wife to Buffalo. and remained there in the grocery and provision business until November. 1857, when he sold out his house, lot and business, at a good margin. and took his wife and first child on a visit to Europe. In 1860, he returned with his family to Akron. where, a few months later. after the death of his father-in-law, he purchased the latter's farm. In 1864, he erected a large building on South Main street, where he opened a wholesale and retail grocery store. and. a few years later. erected the Harmonie Block. at a cost of 823,000: in November, 1871, he engaged in the general insurance and real estate business, and is at present Notary Public, insurance and real estate agent. He has five children, all of whom are living. Mr. B. has made eight trips to Europe, which. with his original trip to the United States, makes seventeen times crossing of the Atlantic.
G. C. BERRY, merchant, Akron. of the well-known firm of G. C. Berry & Co.—of which so much is said in the sketch of Mr. Henry of this firm—is a native of Medina Co., Ohio, though he became a resident of Summit County when he was 3 years old ; in 1863, he became a partner in the firm of which he now stands at the head, which change was made in 1874. His has been a life without remarkable incident, yet crowned with success. During his early life he had the advantage of the public schools of Akron ; his opportunities were not left unimproved, the result of which was the acquirement by himself of a good education. In social as well as in business affairs, he is not given to ostentation. He was a member of Co. F of the 164th O. V. I., 100 days service during the war of the rebellion ; he has been a member of the Board of Education of Akron, which fact is pretty goodevidence of his ability and the confidence of the people ; he is a member of Summit Lodge, No. 50, I. 0. O. F., and a Republican in politics. He has been almost wholly dependent upon his own resources, and, however prominent his position may be in connection with the mercantile industries of Akron, that position has been attained by his own energy, ambition and honesty.
GEORGE BURKHARDT, retired, Akron, who is a representative of the industrious and enterprising German element of Akron population, was born in Baden, Germany. When he was 11 years old, his father died, and, at the age of 13, he was doubly orphaned by the death of his mother. He, however, had the advantage of attending school until he was 14 years of age. When 15 years of age, he was apprenticed for three years to a toolmaker to learn that trade, in addition to serving which time. he paid $32. At the closing of his term of apprenticeship, he began life among strangers on his own account, by beginning a tour of five years' travel through the States of Germany, and by special pass into France and Switzerland. This period of travel was for the purpose of working in the different States of Germany, and was what was known as his term of journeyman workmanship, at the end of which time he was termed a master workman. In 1848, he emigrated to America and came direct to Akron, where he has since resided. He first began work for a Mr. James Hale, at Lock No. 7, of Akron. His work has been principally in iron and brass. He has received good wages on account of his being a fine workman. By saving his money and investing it in real estate he has become the owner of valuable residence and business property in Akron. To aid him in succeeding better in his business, he for a time. shortly after his arrival in Akron, attended a night school for the special instruction of Germans in the American or English language. Mr. Burkhardt has not been a political office seeker, though he has held the office of Chief Engineer of the Akron Fire Department, and has been a member of the Akron City Council from the Fourth Ward. He is a member of the order of A., F. & A. M., and of a number of secret societies that are strictly German. He is also a member of the Reformed Church. In 1870, he paid his Fatherland a visit, where he remained for about three
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months. He is now one of that class of the residents of Akron who are reaping the reward of their early industry and economy in the possession of a comfortable home and a competency for old age.
ALMON BROWN, County Coroner and Justice of the Peace, Middlebury (Sixth Ward, Akron), was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Nov. 26, 1801, on his father's farm, and is the third child of a family of eight children. born to Holland and Sarah (Mix) Brown. They were natives of Brimfield, Mass., and Litchfield, Conn., and were married in Tompkins Co., whither they had removed with their parents. In January, 1814, Mr. Brown and family, then consisting of seven children, came to Ohio. His means of transportation was a sled, drawn by two yoke of oxen, the stronger members of the family, of whom was Almon, our subject. walking the entire distance. The trip required twenty-six days. Upon his arrival he bought 160 acres of timber land, and, while building a cabin, lived with a friend. The cabin put up by Mr. Brown was twenty feet square. and of round logs ; there was one room. " cut down " inside, oiled paper window. board door, made from the sled box, and a stick chimney. He lived here two years. then sold his improvements and bought 135 acres adjoining, on which he erected another log cabin, and commenced clearing his land. He lived in the vicinity some ten years, making in the meantime several improvements. He then removed to what is now Wadsworth Township, Medina Co., where he bought land, upon which he lived until his death, which occurred in April. 1844. His wife died in Medina in 1861, where she had lived with a daughter most of the time after her husband's death. Almon Brown, our subject, made his home with his parents until he was 21 years of age. He received but a limited education—his schooling amounting to about four months' attendance, one month each at four different terms of district schools. He was married, Jan. 1, 1828, to Miss Rosalind Hinman, a native of Allegany Co., N. Y., who came to this county (Coventry Township) with her parents about the year 1818. She died May 13, 1847, leaving five children. He was a second time married, on Sept. 9, 1847, to Miss Evan Shively, a native of Columbiana Co., Ohio. She died June 17, 1857. Two children were born of this marriage. May 13, 1858, hewas again married. to Mrs. Read, formerly Miss Catharine Paulus. a native of Huntingdon Co., Penn. She was born June 13, 1811, and was the third of five children born to Danrel and Hannah (Miller) Paulus. They were natives of Pennsylvania and Virginia, and were married in Pennsylvania, removing to Ohio in the year 1815. They settled in Jackson Township, Stark County, where Mr. Paulus died the next year after settlement. His widow, two years later, married Mr. Jacob Jubb. and bore him five children. They lived in Stark Co. until his death, when she went to Indiana, and passed the remainder of her life with her children. Catharine. the wife of our subject. lived at home until her first marriage to John Read, a wagon-maker in Middlebury. He died Aug. 18, 1856 ; they had no children. She has since resided here. with the exception of about eight years passed in the western part of the county. After the first marriage of our subject, he followed carpentering for about twenty years, and then worked at wood-turning in Norton Township. and, in 1866, came to Middlebury. where he has since resided. He has served most of the time as Justice of the Peace ; also served as Ward and Township Assessor some eight or nine years. He was mail agent for several years. and is now serving his fifth term as County Coroner. He was Mayor of Middlebury two terms—the last during the vote to annex it to Akron. He has been a member of the Disciples' Church since 1834; and an Elder of the same a number of years. Mrs. Brown was a Methodist about thirty years. but since 1860. has been a member of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Brown's first vote for a Presidential candidate was for John Quincy Adams. He was a Whig until 1840 ; then anti-slavery until the organization of the Republican party, since which time he has been a zealous member of it.
JUDGE CONSTANT BRYAN, lawyer. Akron. A son of Elijah and Content (Fowler) Bryan ; was born Sept. 6, 1809. in Delaware Co., N. Y., where he was brought up on a farm until he was 16 years old. He then commenced teaching, continuing it for three years, when he entered upon the study of the law at Bainbridge, Chenango Co., N. Y., in the office of John C. Clark, remaining with him about two years. In the fall of 1831, he went to Milford, Conn., and afterward to New Haven,
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where he continued his studies in the Law Department of Yale College, teaching in the public schools during the summer vacation. In . the fall of 1833, he came to Ohio and located in Akron, and, in 1834, was admitted to the bar at Columbus, he walking to Wooster, and going by stage from that place. He opened an office for practice at once ; was the partner of George Bliss for two or three years. In 1852, he was elected Probate Judge of Summit Co. Judge Bryan's practice has been chiefly in civil cases and in the chancery courts. He was the first Recorder of the incorported village of Akron, and long a member of the School Board. He was one of the early Free-Soilers, and was elected Probate Judge by that party and the Democrats. He was married in May, 1839, to Miss Sophia Dennison, a native of Rutland, Vt. Two children were born of this marriage, one of whom is living—Henry E., City Clerk of Columbus, Ohio. His wife died, and in September, 1854, he was again married, to Miss Susan L. Barnum, of Florence, Huron Co., Ohio. Of this marriage, there are two children living—Fred C., in the Cincinnati Law School, and Isaac J., at home. Judge B. is a member of the Congregational Church.
REV. JOHN B. BROUN. Pastor of St. Bernard's (German Catholic) Church, Akron, was born in Rennes. France, March 2, 1834. When he was 13, his family emigrated to the United States and settled in Monroe, Mich., in 1847. He entered Assumption College at Sandwich. Ontario, at the age of 20, remaining there three years, then entered St. Thomas College, near Bardstown, Ky., where he graduated in June, 1859 ; was in St. Mary's Seminary one year in Cleveland ; studied theology three years in Assumption College. and, Aug. 28, 1863, was ordained priest, in the Cathedral St. , Mary, by Bishop Baraga. He was located at Eagle Harbor. on Lake Superior, ,Mich., having a territory of fifty miles in length, containing three churches and sixteen missions. comprising over one thousand families. He visited each mission every month and church every two weeks, for three years, often traveling on foot. In 1866, he came to Cleveland, and was sent to St. Bernard's Church at this place, where he has since remained, with the exception of a short visit to Europe in 1873. The church had but sixty families when he came, and nowit has three hundred with about nine hundred communicants, full particulars of which are given in the history of St. Bernard's Church in another chapter.
J. W. BAKER, of Baker, Merriman & Co., Akron, was born in Auburn, Cayuga Co., N. Y., Jan. 27, 1827, and was the youngest of ten children born to Edward and Mollie (Sherman) Baker, who were natives of Massachusetts. He was an edge-tool maker. In 1843, he came to Ohio and settled in Akron. The subject of these lines lived at home about one year after coming to Akron, and then went to Columbus, Ohio, where he learned the cabinet-maker's trade, serving until he became of age, and then returning to Akron, working at his trade until 1850. In company with others, he then went to California overland, where he remained two years, engaged in mining. He returned via Panama and New York, and engaged in the manufacture of musical instruments, continuing until the spring of 1857. He then became a member of the Akron Melodeon Company, manufacturers of musical instruments, continuing in that business ten years, when he engaged in the manufacture of cigar boxes, and gradually added wood-turning and japanning. In about 1870, he and Mr. J. C. McWilliam established the present business, which they have since continued. In May, 1853, he married Miss Caroline Thayer, a native of New York, who bore him three children, two of whom are living, viz., Frank and Alice. Politically, he is a Democrat.
CHARLES BAIRD, Prosecuting Attorney, Akron. Is a son of Robert and Helen Knox (Moir) Baird; was born in Akron March 25, 1853. His father was the son of William and Susan (Smith) Baird, and was born in Kineff, Kincardineshire, Scotland, March 8, 1818. His father and grandfather were blacksmiths, and while quite a boy he learned the trade, which he has followed all his life. In 1842, he and his brother came to the United States, and he worked at his trade at Buffalo until May, 1843, when he came to Akron, engaging his services at his trade until 1846, when he established a shop of his own on Main street, at which place and in which business he still continues. On Sept. 21, 1846, he married Miss Helen Knox Moir, a native of Buchan, Forfarshire, Scotland. She bore him five children, viz., William (of Akron), Isabel, Charles and Mary (of
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Akron), and Helen, who died at the age of 21. Charles, the subject of this sketch, attended the public schools of Akron, from which he graduated in 1872. In August, 1873, he entered the office of Upson & Ford, where he studied law, being admitted to the bar at the session of the Supreme Court at Columbus Nov. 2, 1875, immediately afterward forming a partnership with William H. Upson, under the firm name of Upson & Baird. which continued until the return of Mr. Ford from Mexico Jan. 10, 1877. when the firm became Upson. Ford & Baird. Oct. 20, 1875, he was appointed Clerk of Portage Township, which office he retained until April, 1878, being twice elected. On Feb. 15. 1879, he was appointed Canal Collector for the port of Akron, which he continued to be until, on Jan. 15. 1881. he resigned the office to take charge of the Prosecutor's office, having been elected Prosecuting Attorney of Summit Co. in October, 1880. at which election he ran largely ahead of his ticket. With the exception of one year. he has been a member of the Republican Central Committee since 1875.
ALFRED BALDWIN, undertaker, Akron. William and Lucinda (Ladd) Baldwin were natives of Vermont, and were the parents of three sons and three daughters, their second son Alfred, the subject of these lines, being born to them on March 18, 1823, near Sackett's Harbor, in Northern New York. In 1836. they moved to Ohio, and settled on a farm in Portage County, where they lived until 1870. except a period of seven years. The subject of this sketch lived there on a farm until 1853, when he went to Ravenna, Ohio, there to assume the duties of Deputy Auditor, remaining such until 1856, when he was elected Auditor of Portage County on the Republican ticket, which position he held for two years, at the end of which time he again served as Deputy for two years. (At that time, the County Auditor was given but one term.) In 1863, he became Deputy Clerk in the Probate Judge's office, which he continued two years. During these years, he retained the farm which he owned at Rootstown, on which he lived until 1865, when he came to Akron and purchased the furniture establishment of E. D. Dodge, and, with E. A. Reed, continued the business one year. when Reed retired. In February, 1880, Mr. George W. Weeks became a partner, and the business since then has been conducted under the firm name of Baldwin & Weeks. They carry a full line of undertakers' goods, burial robes, caskets, and the elegant appointments of the business. On Sept. 29, 1850. he married Miss Anjanette E. Reed, of Rootstown, Portage Co., daughter of Horace Reed, who was born in 1806. in Rootstown, and who is said to he the first white male child born in Rootstown. One daughter—Lois E., was horn of that marriage. Subject is a member of the Congregational Church. His father died in 1870, aged 90 years, and his mother, nine years later, followed him, aged 91. Both were consistent members of the M. E. Church. His brothers and sisters are Wm. L.. Methodist minister, now located at Gilmore. Ohio ; Rev. Chancey. of Centralia. Ill.. and Encebia, wife of Thomas Kingsbury. of Berwick. Ill. His sister Sarah A.. who was the wife of Harvey Laughlin. died at Deerfield, Portage Co.. Ohio. in her 25th year. One sister. Amelia, died at 16 years of age.
TALMON BEARDSLEY. retired. Akron. On Dec. 15, 1799. to Daniel and Hannah (Bailey) Beardsley, was born a son. whom they named Talmon. and who. over eighty years later, becomes the subject of our sketch. and we would pen a few incidents in a life well spent. The place of his birth was Delhi Town' ship. Delaware Co., N. Y., where he lived on a farm until 1810, when his parents moved to Licking Co.. Ohio. settling on wild land. where Talmon aided at clearing and farming. making out of chaos a clean spot for a home; here also, he went to school. about three. months per year. The schoolhouse was one of those primitive kind, having slab-seats. paper windows. and a fireplace the full length of the building. with a "cat-and-clay" chimney. In the summer of 1818, he started for Middlebury with only his walking stick as a companion. intent upon finding something to do as a means of earning a livelihood, and further schooling. When he reached this place. he found the old Cuyahoga furnace in operation. and secured work there for a few months, going to school a part of the time. He was employed in 1819 by Henry Chittenden, and for fourteen years. he made his home-with him, working by the year at farming and teaming, doing a considerable amount of the latter, as his employer had contracted to furnish 16,000 bushels of lime for the locks
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of the Ohio Canal then in progress. In hauling the lime, he drove a six-horse team. On the memorable occasion of the first breaking of the ground on the Licking Summit for the Ohio Canal, he was present, and a witness to the formal and ceremonious reception of De Witt Clinton, two Van Rensselaers and other distinguished personages who, on their arrival, accompanied by their colored waiters, and a fine display of baggage, were met near Newark and greeted with cannonading and martial music. On that day, Mr. Beardsley drove the team which bore the waiters and baggage. Clinton, who threw out the first shovelfuls, did so with great ceremony. Under the contract of Chittenden & Crosby; Mr. Beardsley superintended the construction of the deep cut on the canal of a half-mile between Bolivar and Zoar, having charge of about fifty hands, and he built the locks near Zoar for a man named Rhodes. The first boat was sent on July 4. 1827, to Cleveland. In the years 1824 and 1825, he was employed in a hotel. On Oct. 27, 1831, he married Miss Temperance Spicer, who was the fourth daughter of Maj. Minor Spicer. The five children are, viz., Ann. wife of George Hart, a farmer of Stow Township ; Mills H., hotel keeper at Ogden. U. T.; Avery S., farmer in Portage Township ; Harriet, wife of A. G. Babcock. of Akron, and Louisa D.. wife of George Stover, Canal Fulton. Stark Co. A daughter. Emily. died at the age of 19. After marriage. he settled near Middlebury on a farm of 75 acres, which he purchased for $6 per acre. This land was where the shaft of Payne & Cross, of Cleveland. mines are now. At that time, the existent coal in that locality was unsuspected by any one. else he would not have sold the land as he did two or three years after for the small sum of $20 per acre. After selling that, he moved to Coventry Township where he bought 100 acres of land and farmed it. The date of his going to Coventry was 1833 ; a year previous to this. he was made Captain of the canal boat "Western Reserve." carrying iron ore from Zoar to this place, and provisions to Cleveland, Ohio, from 1832 to 1835, from which date up to 1858 he followed farming in Coventry, when he left that place and moved to Akron, where he has since retired from business, except attending to affairs connected with his estate. He was a Whig. cast his first vote for Henry Clay, and has been a Republican ever since the organization of the party. He was Justice of the Peace at Coventry, and filled many other township offices, He has been Assessor of the ward in which he lives a number of times. He is a Universalist, and a member of the church.
CHARLES W. BROWN, Akron, whose portrait appears in this work, son of Jonas 1 and Mary (Williams) Brown, was born Oct. 2, 1796, in North Stonington, Conn. His father died when he was 5 years old, at New London, Conn., of yellow fever. After the death of his father, he went to district ! school until he was 18 years of age, attending about two months per year. When he was 16 years old, he commenced learning the carpenter and joiner trade, serving as an apprentice two years, at the end of which time he commenced working at Lyme, Conn., where he remained a year. On Feb. 3, 1817. with one year's wages as his only capital. he, in company with two other young men, shouldered their knapsacks and started, on foot, for Ohio—for the purpose of making places for themselves in the great, bustling world—reaching Middlebury, on the evening of the 28th of February, after a journey of about 700 miles. On his arrival he found about sixteen buildings, the majority of which were log, there being but a very few frame houses then at this place. (Previous to his coming here, he was married in Connecticut. to Miss Henrietta Halsey. which marriage occurred on June 9. 1816 ; his wife came here in August, 1817, with Capt. Gear, who drove through with an ox team.) At Middlebury he kept house some fifteen years, engaged at his trade, and putting up many of the first frame houses there, and in that vicinity. In 1825, he purchased 45 acres of woodland, where his present place is situated. moving there in 1832. and adding to it various lots, until he owned 115 acres. Several of the early bridges were built by him, and quite a number of buildings in Akron are of his handiwork, among which is the Baptist Church. He helped to cut the way for Market street, and, in after years, graded the same road for five miles. reaching from Akron to Copley. After 1840. he devoted himself to other pursuits. For five years he held a Lieutenant's commission. He raised five daughters and one son, viz., Mary, wife of Edward F. Pulsifer. of Chicago. and Prudence, wife of
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J. W. Sabin, of Akron, both of whom are dead. Antoinette, wife of Benjamin McNaughton, of Akron ; Lucy, who died in 1850, and was the wife of Robert Henry ; Alice, wife of William H. Mills, of Akron, and Henry H. Brown, of Akron. His wife, Henrietta, died on Sept. 23, 1859. On May 14, 1864, he married Mrs. Lydia Williams, of Connecticut, who died on Sept. 6, 1865. For some years he has enjoyed the rest which his toiling has so richly deserved. At the present time, in the same house, are four generations of the Brown family, each of which is represented by a male member.
PHILO BENNETT, retired, Akron. This gentleman was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., Feb. 16, 1810, and is the oldest of three children born to Ephraim and Lucinda (Hutchins) Bennett. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Brownville, where he lived until he was 22 years of age. At the age of 16, he was apprenticed to the harness and saddle trade, and served until he became of age. A year later, he moved to Cleveland, Ohio, and worked at his trade and at carriage trimming until 1837, when he moved to Tallmadge, and worked at his trade. The following year he visited St. Louis, returning in 1839. In 1842, he came to Akron, engaged in the harness business, and was identified with the same until 1862, since which time he has retired. In September, 1852, he married Miss Emma Francis, a native of England, who came to Akron about the year 1843, where she lived with her sister until her marriage. By their marriage there was one child, now deceased.
ANTON BERG, lock and gunsmith, Akron ; is a native of Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. He was born Feb. 14, 1820. His father, Christian, was a farmer, and Anton assisted in work on the farm until he reached his 16th year, when he was apprenticed in the city of Worms, on the Rhine, to the locksmith business. After serving three years, he worked as a journeyman for a year, when he was drafted into the army. He served twenty-one months in active military service, but during the remainder of his six years' term of service, he worked at his trade. A part of the time he was employed at the arsenal, manufacturing friction cannon caps, the inventor of which was his commanding officer, Capt. Hartman. After serving his full term of service, and being discharged, he began preparations for emigrating to America. He manufactured the tools he needed for his trade, and on June 9, 1847, he started for the new country, landing in New York in the following August. He left immediately for Buffalo, where he met friends and got work at his trade, being employed by Mr. Ketchum, an inventor of a reaping and mowing machine. Mr. Berg made the first knife bar for machines, a business that has since grown to large proportions. In the spring of 1848. he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he had relatives, and worked at his trade until 1849. On June 16 of that year, he walked to Akron; and found work, on stove mounting, which he followed five years. Sept. 6, 1854, he returned to his old business, manufacturing and repairing guns, etc., which he still continues. Mr. Berg is a Republican in politics, beginning as a strong anti-slavery man. He was a personal friend of John Brown, and when the latter went to Kansas. Mr. Berg repaired his arms free. working nights in order to escape the detection of hostile parties. Dec. 17. 1849. he married Miss Augusta Cappella. a native of Germany, who had that year come from her native land, and came to Akron the same clay he did, though not formerly acquainted. Four children have resulted from this marriage, three of whom are living : Sarah. now Mrs. William Durand ; Edward, grain dealer in McPherson, Kan.; and Libbie, a teacher in the South School, in Akron. Ohio ; Hermann died in infancy.
CAPT. EDWARD BUCKINGHAM. ex-County Auditor, Akron ; was born in Watertown, Conn.. July 15, 1835, and is the eldest of three children of George and Betsy (Merriman) Buckingham, who were natives of Connecticut. In 1844, they came to Middlebury, Ohio. where he engaged in the manufacture of woolen machinery, and followed the same until his death in 1861. Mrs. Buckingham is still living on the old homestead. At about the age of 18. Edward engaged as clerk in a wholesale house in Cleveland. A few years later, he became a clerk in the post office at Indianapolis, a posrtion he obtained through his acquaintance with Judge Weeks, the Postmaster, and served there some 'three years. In August, 1862, he enlisted in the 115th O. V. I., and served until the close of the war ; he entered the service as First Lieutenant, and in three months was promoted to Captain of his company. During this term, he served as Provost Marshal of Cincinnati for awhile, also of Murfreesboro ; of Cincinnati
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during the Morgan raid. After the close of the war, he returned to Akron, and became Collector of Internal Revenue, which office he held until 1871, when he entered the office of County Auditor—serving continuously for nine years, being elected to the office on the Republican ticket. He was married March 10, 1863, to Miss Frances Johnston, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Newton) Johnston, old residents of the county. By this marriage there have been born six children, of whom four are living, viz. : George E., John S., William J. and Hulda ; all of them are living at home.
G. S. BEATTY, dentist, Akron ; is an old member of the dental profession, though located in Akron but for a few months. He began the study of dentistry in Meadville, Penn., and after finishing his studies, he went to Mercer, Mercer Co., Penn., and practiced there for one and a half years. In 1844, he removed to Canton, Ohio, where he practiced until the fall of 1860, and then he went to Silver Creek, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. From there he removed to the city of Toledo, Ohio, and for thirteen years he was engaged in the practice of his profession in that city. He was married in Silver Creek, and while a resident of Toledo, his wife died. From Toledo he went to Pennsylvania, and in the fall of 1880, he returned to Ohio and located at Akron. During all these travels. he has been an earnest student of the profession, and now, after so many years of practice, he is able to do the very finest of operating ; the fitting of celluloid plates, or of the artificial palate, known as the Kingsley patent. In his short term of practice in Akron, he has already become well and favorably known, and bids fair, in a short time, to stand as an equal in reputation to any of the dentists of the city. He is a member of the Order of A.. F. & A. M., and has made frequent contributions to scientific journals.
DR. WILLIAM BOWEN (deceased) , was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., July 30, 1805 ; his father was a soldier of the war of 1812, and, having served out his term of enlistment, was returning to his home across Lake Erie on the ice, and, losing his way, perished from cold. His widow was left with six small children, and in very limited circumstances. Our subject was apprenticed to the carpenter's trade when very young, and, completing his term of service, he came West, stopping in Stark Co.. Ohio,where he obtained employment with John Brown, at that time building a grist-mill near Canton, for William Reynolds. The subject was what was termed a " bookworm," and had but little taste for the pleasures and sports in which young men usually indulge, but preferred spending his leisure hours with some favorite book. These facts coming to the knowledge of Mr. Reynolds, who being pleased with the young man, he kindly proffered to lend him assistance. Mr. Reynolds also assisted him to attend the select school of Barak Michener, at that time a popular teacher in the higher branches of education. Upon the completion of a term at school, he commenced teaching in the village of Paris, Stark Co.; while thus engaged, he made the acquaintance of Dr. Robert Estep, then living in Paris, and a warm friendship at once sprang up between them. Through the influence of Dr. Estep, our subject was induced to undertake the study of medicine ; but as this part of Dr. Bowen's life is given in the chapter devoted to the medical profession, it will be omitted here. In 1853, he purchased a tract of land near New Portage, in Summit Co., and, without giving up his practice, he devoted considerable attention to farming. He moved to Akron in 1857, where he remained until his death, which took place Jan. 14, 1880, in the 75th year of his age. He married Miss Huldah Chittenden while engaged in the study of his profession ; there were born of this marriage nine children, seven girls and two boy, only three of whom, with their mother, still survive him. Dr. Bowen was emphatically a selfmade man ; his success was the result of his own individual efforts, improving the circumstances and advantages as they presented themselves.
S. M. BURNHAM, Secretary Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company, Akron ; was born in Genesee Co., N. Y., Jan. 23, 1824, and is the second of ten children of Simeon and Anna (St. John) Burnham, natives of Massachusetts and New York. He moved to New York with his parents about the year 1809, and lived at home with them until his marriage, about the year 1821 ; his wife moved to New York with her parents a few years after he did, and after their marriage, Mr. B. followed farming, and also was in the insurance business as an agent—a business followed during the latter years of his life ; he died May 10, 1862. his death resulted from an accident with a run-
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away team she continued on the old homestead, and died a few days later. S. M. (the subject) lived at home until 1844, and received an academic education in a neighboring village, finishing off at the Wyoming Academy. In 1844, he came to Ohio and taught school in Madison, Lake Co., and the following summer he returned to New York and attended school at Wyoming Academy ; after this he took a commercial course in Buffalo, where he afterward taught penmanship. In April, 1848, he settled in Akron, and engaged as a clerk in the Rattle & Tappan warehouse on the Ohio Canal ; two years after, Mr. Tappan retired and opened an iron store, where Mr. B. went with him as clerk and with his successor until 1855: he then engaged with the Austin Powder Co.. and was with them two years, and, after being bookkeeper in Franklin Mills for a time, he, in January, 1858, engaged as Deputy Auditor for G. W. Crouse, and also as Deputy for S. S. Wilson, County Treasurer. serving in both nearly four years, and serving as Auditor for an unexpired term by appointment. In March, 1862, he became County Auditor by election, and was re-elected for the three succeeding terms. In the fall of 1872, he was elected to the Legislature, from the Summit County District in the Sixtieth Assembly, in which he took an active part. Upon his return in vacation, he was made Secretary and one of the Board of Trustees building Buchtel College. In 1873, he engaged in his present business, and was made Secretary. He was married, Nov. 5, 1848, to Miss Anne M. Row. a native of Connecticut ; she came to Medina Co., Ohio, with her parents when quite young ; they had six children, three of whom are living, viz., Lillie M., Charles S. and Clifford D.
A. A. BARTLETT, Recorder, Akron ; is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y., and was born June 22, 1840. Until the age of 17, he lived upon the farm ; he then went to work in a sawmill for a year or two, subsequently conducting the mill on the shares. He was thus engaged at the breaking-out of the war. In July, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 49th N. Y. V. I., for three years or during the war. He served with the regiment in the Potomac army, and was in all the engagements of the command up to the battle of Antietam, where he was wounded, which occasioned the loss of his left arm. April 6, 1863, he was discharged, and returned to his home in New York, and gave his attention to a small place he owned. Some two years later, he went to Corry, Penn., where he engaged in a steam sawmill as engineer, and, one year later, took charge of the business. In the spring of 1867, he came to Akron, and soon engaged in the planing-mill of George Thomas & Son, and was connected with the business until 1879. During the latter eight years of that time, he served as foreman of the establishment. though conducted under several different firm names. In the fall of 1878, he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Recorder. and entered upon the duties of his office in January following. In 1860, he married Miss Imogene Travers, a native of Chautauqua County, N. Y.: by the marriage, there has been three children. two of whom are living—Mary and Jennie.
ALEXANDER BREWSTER, President Brewster Coal Co.. Akron ; was born in Augusta Township, Oneida Co., N. Y., Sept. 10, 1808. on his father's farm, and is the youngest of six children, born to Stephen and Lydia (Bellows) Brewster, who were natives of Connecticut. Mr. Brewster traces his ancestors back to Rev. William Brewster, one of the Pilgrims who came over in the Mayflower. Stephen Brewster, the father of our subject, was born May 4, 1770; in 1797 he moved to New York. with his wife and one child, and, in 1811, he came to Ohio. He bought 160 acres of land in what is now Coventry Township, and then returned to New York. and the next year brought out his family. They started in June, and came by ox team, and were thirty-three days on the way, landing in Coventry July 4, 1812. His cabin was the fourth built in the township, and was the proverbial log cabin. They lived here until 1815, when they were enabled to build a better one. He was a carpenter, and worked at his trade. building many of the houses of the early settlers. He died July 4, 1858, at the advanced age of 88 years ; his wife died in the fall of 1842, aged 71. Our subject lived at home until of age, receiving a limited education at the district schools. He learned the carpenter's trade with his father. He was married Jan. 9, 1830. to Miss Margaret Ann Kinney, a native of Ontario Co., N. Y., and who came to Springfield, Ohio, about the year 1813. She was the youngest of three children, born to Ephraim and Mary (Danes) Kinney, natives of New
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York. They settled in Springfield Township in 1813, where they lived until their death ; he died about 1820, and she in 1861. Mr. Brewster now owns the place on which they settled. Mrs. Brewster, the wife of subject, died in November, 1854, leaving five children, four of whom are living, viz., Alfred A., General Agent of the Brewster Coal Co.; Austin K., Secretary and Treasurer of the Brewster Coal Co.; Louisa, now Mrs. J. F. Mecham, of Akron ; Mary M., now Mrs. Russell Kent. of Akron. Mr. Brewster married a second time in December, 1857, to Mrs. Brown, formerly Minerva Dyer, a native of Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio; she died June 27, 1873. In September, 1877, he married Mrs. Chamberlain, formerly Lucy Jane Gale, a native of Massachusetts, who came to Ohio with her parents in the year 1825. Mr. B., after marriage, followed farming in Coventry until 1848. Coal having, in the meantime, been discovered on his farm. he turned his attention to mining, and, in 1849, shipped over 1,000 tons to Cleveland via canal. In 1850, he left his mines in competent hands. and went to California overland, his object being mining. He remained in the land of gold but a short time. and returned home via Panama and New Orleans, arriving home in 1851. He prosecuted his coal mining, and, about the year 1865, formed a stock company. of which he is the President, the capital being S100.000. He and his sons subscribed the stock. They built a railroad from the mines to the basin of the Ohio Canal, a distance of five miles. which cost about $120,000, the rolling stock making it about $150,000. They mine from 30,000 to 60,000 tons of coal per year, and own docks in Cleveland for the purpose of handling coal, and sell as high as 200.000 tons per annum. In July, 1872, Mr. B. moved to Akron, where he has since resided. In 1871. he visited California, in company with his eldest daughter.
GEORGE G. BAKER, physician. Akron ; is a native of Ohio ; he was born at Norwalk, Huron Co., Dec. 3, 1849, and is the third of four children born to Daniel A. and Harriet (Vandercook) Baker. They were natives of Connecticut and New York. Daniel A. Baker came to Ohio when about 17 years of age. or about the year 18M, and located in Huron Co., where he began as a clerk in a mercantile business, and, alter a number of years, he became a partner, and was identified with the mercantile interests of Norwalk most of the time until the year 1858 or 1859, when he became interested in the banking business of that place, and has continued in the same to the present time. Our subject entered the Western Reserve College at Hudson, Ohio, at the age of 17, and graduated in 1869 ; he began reading medicine in 1868. with Drs. Read & Ford, of Norwalk. Ohio. and, having in the mean time taken two courses of lectures at Ann Arbor and Brooklyn, N. Y., he began practice in 1872 with Dr. George P. Ashmun, of Akron ; in 1875, he graduated at Ann Arbor, Mich. The Doctor is a member of the Summit County Medical Society. and also a member of the Union Medical Association of Northeastern Ohio, of which he has been Recording Secretary a number of years. In June. 1873, he married Miss Celia, a daughter of Dr. George P. Ashmun, of Akron ; by this marriage there has been four children, of whom three are living, viz.. Fred A., Harry and an infant.
B. F. BATTELS. photographic art gallery, Akron, was born in Wadsworth, Medina Co.. Ohio, April 21, 1832, and is the second child in a family of seven children born to Caleb and Juliana (Hard). Battels ; they were natives of Massachusetts and Vermont ; he came to Middlebury, Ohio, when he was young ; arriving before the canal was built, he overseeing the building of locks on same. Mrs. Battels came to Ohio with her parents. who settled in River Styx. Medina Co.. Ohio, at an early day, they being pioneers in that locality. After the marriage, Caleb, who is a natural mechanic, worked as a carpenter and builder ; about the year 1852, he came to Summit Co., Ohio, and bought and occupied his present place where he now lives. Our subject lived with his parents until he was 20 years of age ; he was brought up on the farm, and received a common school course of study ; also taught a number of terms during the winters. In 1852, the family moved to Mount Vernon ; B. F., tiring of farm life, began looking around for a suitable change. and was favorably impressed with daguerreotyping, then quite a new business ; he soon obtained an opportunity, and learned the new business, and such was the ability he displayed that within a few weeks he had a set of tools and was on his way to Wadsworth, where he opened an office ; the business those days was of a transient character. and he moved from place to place. In 1852, he located at Bucyrus, Ohio, and in the winter of 1855 he
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came to Akron, and opened his present place 'in the spring following, and has remained in the same location since. In his chosen field he has found ample room for his genius, and his popularity as an artist attests the appreciation of his patrons for his genius. He married Miss Sarah M. Edgerly, a native of Hudson, Ohio.
A. M. BARBER, buyer and shipper of grain and produce, Akron. The subject of this sketch was born in Bath Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Oct. 2, 1830, and is the fourth of five children born to Isaac W. I. and Mary (Brown) Barber ; they were natives of Connecticut and New York. Isaac W. I. Barber was raised on a farm ; about the year 1820, he left Connecticut for the West. coming with a wagon load of boots, shoes, etc.; arriving in Bath Township he bought 110 acres of wild land, which he cleared and improved. March 1. 1824, he married Miss Mary. a daughter of Samuel and Lucinda (Coy) Brown. Samuel Brown was a Revolutionary soldier and a pensioner during latter years ; he was a native of New York, and came to Ohio about the year 1810, settling in Boston Township, and later moving to Springfield Township, where he died in 1845 ; he was twice married ; his first wife died in Boston Township soon after they came there ; in 1817, he marrried Miss Lucinda Bishop. I. W. I. Barber settled on his land in Bath Township after his marriage, and lived there until his death, in 1833 ; he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, in the affairs of which he took an active interest ; foremost in improvements, he was well known, and his death was lamented by a wide circle of friends. Some years after his death, Mrs. Barber married Capt. Fanning, who died in 1845, she continuing on the old homestead until 1856, when she sold her interest to A. M. Barber and moved to Kansas, where she lived with her children until her death, about the year 1874. A. M. Barber was raised on the farm ; the country being new, and he losing his father during his infancy, afforded him limited opportunities for obtaining an education. Oct. 6, 1857, he married Miss Sarah, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Emmons) Vansickle ; after the marriage, he remained on the farm one year. and in January, 1859, came to Akron and bought the Pearl Mills, which business he was identified with for four years ; he then engaged in the grain and produce business, in which he has done an extensive trade ; the volume of his transactions have amounted to $1.500,000 per annum ; he was a director upon the formation of the Bank of Akron, and is also identified with several of the leading manufacturing interests in the city. In 1880, he had finished his elegant and commodious brick block, Nos. 150 and 152 South Howard street. known as Barber's Block. which ranks among the leading business blocks of the city. Though starting out in life in the most adverse circumstances. he has by his energy and perseverance' been successful, and, while remembering that he has been the architect of his own fortune, he has also lived so as to not only win. but also to deserve the respect and confidence of all who know him.
JUDGE JAMES S. CARPENTER. attorney, Akron ; is the son of William and Lucina (Sumner) Carpenter ; he was born at Swanzey, Cheshire Co., N. H.. on Aug. 17, 1805. from which place his father moved eighteen months later to the woods of St. Lawrence Co., at Potsclam. N. Y. ; here he labored hard on the farm and at clearing. He does not know when or where he first learned the beauties and mystery of the alphabet, but it was probably at home. for his earliest recollections of school experience was spelling in his a-b, abs, in one of the primitive log cabin schoolhouses, where subscription teachers applied the lubricating oil to the complicated machinery of the human mind ; his first lessons in reading he well remembers were at the side of his mother's foot-wheel, which was fast flying. when. after some assistance on her part, and utter unbelief of his ability to read in readings," he astonished himself by finding that with a little help from her he could and did read The history of a lrttle boy found under a haycock." He spent the greater part of his youth on the farm, and at the age of 17 attended the St. Lawrence Academy, in Potsdam ; he taught in the State of New York a part of each year until he attained his twentieth year, by which time he had acquired a fair knowledge of the English branches. In the winter of 1825-26. he taught in New York, and in the spring of 1826 he went to Lower Canada, where he taught until the fall of 1828,,a part of the time in Montreal ; from there he went to Amherst. Mass., and became assistant teacher in the Amherst Academy, and later teacher of the Ladies' Seminary at Springfield. Mass.. during the summer of 1829 ; in
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the fall of that year he entered the freshman class of Amherst College, where he remained until his health failed from overwork, being engaged simultaneously in the capacity of both pupil and teacher. He then returned to his home in New York, where he resumed teaching, and kept up his studies in the branches of the college course. In June, 1832, he came to Cleveland, Ohio, where he taught languages in the Cleveland Academy, but the school was shortly after broken up by the sudden appearance of cholera, which was brought to Cleveland by the steamboat " Henry Clay." Mr. Carpenter next removed to Ravenna, Ohio, where he organized a class in French, but departed soon after for Massillon. where he taught that winter ; in the spring of 1833. he returned to Ravenna, and became Principal of the Ravenna Academy, which position he held for two years. He retired then. being still in a poor state of health, and rented a portion of a farm near there, which he farmed one season. On May 1. 1835. he was married to Miss Frances C. Saltonstall. of Geneva. N. Y. In November of the same year. he went to Medina. Ohio, and there started the Medina Constitutionalist, a Whig and anti-slavery paper, of which he was the editor, at the same time studying law under the direction of Camp & Canfield ; he continued with the paper until the winter of 1838-39. On May 29, 1833. he was admitted to the bar. at Springfield. Ohio. reaching there on horseback. after a journey of four days. He practiced at Medina. with Judge McClure, from 1840 to 1850. In the fall of 1839, he was elected a member of the Ohio Legislature, and of the Ohio Senate in 1840. serving with distinction in both houses ; in the Legislature he was the only avowed Abolitionist. While he was a member of the House, Mr. Fisher, of Shelby. introduced a set of resolutions denouncing the Abolitionists with barbaric vituperation. It was in a speech upon these resolutions that Mr. Carpenter declared that slavery and freedom could not co-exist in this Government, a doctrine which, ten years later, blazed from a higher standard. when Mr. Seward proclaimed the irrepressible conflict." in the United States Senate. While in the Senate. Mr. Carpenter had frequent occasion to defend his Abolition principles, on bills introduced by him to charter institutions for the education of the colored people ; they being then v holly excluded from
the common schools and from the common school fund, and yet taxed to support that fund, and in numerous other ways, when the course of legislation brought before the Senate the injustice and cruelty they were suffering in Ohio, both under and against its laws. About the last' of these conflicts was on a bill to repeal the charter of Oberlin College. It was defeated. Our subject never joined the Liberty party ; he said he was for the abolition of slavery everywhere. The Liberty party was organized not for the abolition of slavery, but to stop its advance. The abolition movement was by the diffusion of moral truth, while the Liberty party was political. Whatever moral truth it disseminated was outside of its platform, and but auxiliary to its political end. He was Secretary, in 1834, of the first County Anti-Slavery Society, at Ravenna, and has held various prominent positions of trust. He came to Akron in 1846, and has practiced law here ever since. In 1856, he was elected Judge of Court of Common Pleas, and served a term of five years. He is the father of three children, viz., Gilbert S., Captain in regular army at Camp Douglas, near Salt Lake City, Utah ; Dr. William T. Carpenter, of Ishpeming, Mich., and Abbie L., still at home. He is a member of the Congregational Church.
N. A. CARTER, contractor and builder, Akron, Ohio ; was born in Twinsburg, Summit Co., Ohio, and is the second of nine children born to Thaddeus A. and Esther A. (Marshall) Carter ; they were natives of Connecticut ; he was brought up on a farm and early went to peddling clocks, operating principally in the Western Reserve ; about the year 1826, he settled in Twinsburg Township, Summit Co., Ohio, where he cleared a farm upon which he lived until his death in 1870. He was twice married ; his first wife died Sept. 1, 1845. In December of that year. he married Miss Margaret McKisson, a native of Maryland ; she died about the year 1846. He was a member of the Methodist Eprscopal Church, and took an active interest in its affairs ; he was well-known and respected by all. Our subject lived at home seventeen years ; he then apprenticed to the carpenter and joiner's trade at Hudson. serving three years, after which he worked as a journeyman in that vicinity until 1871, when he came to Akron, where he has continued in the business as contractor and
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builder. In all he has followed the trade for a third of a century, during which time he has built many buildings, principal among which are the Buchtel College, the Buckeye office and many other leading structures. He served on the Board of Education of Hudson, and also as a Councilman. In 1879, he was elected a member of the Akron Council for Second Ward and was re-elected in 1881. June 24. 1852. he married Miss Jane R. Herrick. a native of Twinsburg ; they had five children. four of whom are living—Ella J.. Frank N.. Walter T. and Emory J. Mr. Carter is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. in which he has held many of the offices usual to that denomination. and has otherwise taken an active interest in its affairs.
DR. MASON CHAPMAN. dentist. Akron : was born on his father's farm in Copley Township. Summit Co., Ohio. June 28. 1838. His parents. Lucius and Sally B. (Mason) Chapman were natives of New York : he was a farmer ; was born Nov. 20, 1807. on a farm called Cone Hill. in Onondaga Co.; were married in Sennet, N. Y.. June 2, 1829 ; they came to Ohio in June. 1833. and settled in Copley Township. where they lived until 1857. Mrs. Chapman died in 1852. In 1857. he moved to Wisconsin. and later, to Anamosa. Jones Co.. Iowa, where he now resides. His father, Ashbel Chapman. was born in Massachusetts May 20, 1775 ; he came to Ohio about the year 1836, and settled near Copley Center. where he died Jan. 25, 1865 ; his with also died there March 9. 1862 ; they were married in Massachusetts Aug. 8. 1800. Our subject lived with his father until December. 1864; his early life was spent on the farm. In Wisconsin he clerked in a grocery and boot and shoe store. after which he joined his father in Iowa. and assisted on the farm. The following winter, he attended Cornell College at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. alternating on the farm and at college for two years. He then taught school for two terms. and, in the fall of 1862, he began the study of dentistry with Dr. Matson, of Anamosa, with whom he studied for two years ; he then visited in New York State, and, in the spring of 1865, he came to Akron and practiced one year with Dr. Bolles, after which he bought the business, and has continued the practice since. Nov. 3, 1867, he married Miss Alice L. Randall, a na 1 tive of Copley Township, Summit Co., Ohio. They have one child—Cloyd M. Chapman. During the term 1878 to 1880. the doctor served the city of Akron as Councilman.
DR. JOSEPH COLE. deceased : was born in Winfield, N. Y.. in September. 1795 ; he was raised on the farm and began reading medicine in 1820, with 1)r. Clark. graduating from the Fairfield. N. Y.. Medical College. In 1824. he came to Summit County. Ohio. and practiced for three years at Old Portage ; he then came to Akron. where he practiced until his death in 1861 ; he was married in November. 182G. to Miss Charlotte Dewey. a native of Westfield. Hampden Co.. Mass.: she came West with her parents in 1822 : there were ten in the family ; all came in one wagon. the male members often walking : they settled at Old Portage and within three years. father. mother. three brothers and one sister died from the fever then prevalent in that locality. Charlotte lived with her brothers, who were farming in that vicinity. until her marriage: by the marriage were seven children. all of whom have since died. Mrs. Cole is living in the old homestead, where she has lived since 1832. and by her family has three grandchildren—Helen L. Agard. of Saratoga. N. Y.. and H. D. and Fannie F. Cole. living with her. Their father. H. D.. was the youngest son of Dr. Joseph and Charlotte (Dewey) Cole ; he was born in Akron in 1840 : he received a high school education. and in his latter years was engaged in the livery and undertaking business : he died in April. 1876. In 1864. he was married to Miss Hattie Farnam. a native of Akron. daughter of Daniel Farnam ; they had two children, viz.: H. D. and Fannie F. Mrs. Hattie Cole is also living in the old homestead with her mother-in-law.
CHARLES A. COLLINS, carriage manufacturer, Akron ; is a native of Richmond, Berkshire Co., Mass. He was born July 26, 1816, and is the youngest of six children born to Ralph and Hannah (Hickox) Collins : they were natives of Connecticut ; he died in Massachusetts Aug. 4. 1817. Our subject lived with his mother until 1827, when they moved to Berkshire. Tioga Co., N. Y., where she lived for three years with her married daughter. Charles A.. while in Massachusetts. worked about at farm work, and attended district school. In New York he lived with an uncle, working on the farm in summers, and attending select school winters. In the fall of 1830,
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he and mother came to Ohio and settled at Tallmadge, where his brother-in-law, Mr. Amos Avery, was engaged in the manufacture of wagons. Charles A. apprenticed with his uncle, and remained until he became of age. His mother lived there with a daughter until her death in November, 1849. In 1838, the firm of Collins & Hale established a carriage manufactory in Middlebury, now Sixth Ward, Akron. They continued until 1841, though Mr. Collins was identified with the business until it was burned in 1860. During this year, the business was established by Collins & Bell in South Akron, where the business was conducted until 1869. In February, 1870, the present firm of C. A. Collins & Son erected a shop corner of Main and Church streets. Akron, where they have clone business since. While residing in the Sixth Ward, Mr. Collins served as a member of the Board of Education for several terms, a member of the Village Council, and Mayor of Akron for the years 1862 and 1863, also member of City Council, 1876 to 1878. Jan. 16, 1839, he married Miss Louisa Hine, a native of Milford. Conn., and youngest child of Abraham and Abigail (Elton) Hine, who came to Summit Co., Ohio. about the year 1820. By the marriage there have been seven children, of whom four are living, viz.: George A., with father ; Mrs. Josephine A. Kent, of Kent, Ohio ; Charles E., formerly cashier Second National Bank of Akron, now with the Colwell & Collins Manufacturing Co. of Cleveland, and Nettie E., at home.
A. L. COTTER, retired, Akron City ; was born in Cornwall, Conn., Dec. 28, 1795, and is the second of five children born to Andrew and Rhoda (Rogers) Cotter, natives of Connecticut, and who died in their native State. Our subject lived at home until he was 22 years of age. He assisted his father at farming, and in his blacksmith-shop. His education was limited, and confined to the district schools. At the age of 22 years, he opened a blacksmith-shop of his own some three miles from his father's. where he continued in business for about two years, when he went to Bristol, and worked there for one year, engaged in i