(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 1000 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY tional advantages to be secured in the territory in which his home was located and through a thorough course of study, became a qualified civil engineer. For a long period he taught school in Northfield and Bedford Townships, and was also a competent teacher of vocal music. After his marriage, when twenty-seven years of age, he engaged in farming, in Boston Township and carried on agricultural pursuits until the close of his life, which came in 1903, when he was eighty-one years of age. He was a natural mechanic and the use of tools came to him without instruction. It was a pleasure to him, even in advanced age, to be called on to fashion some domestic utensil or to repair some damage. The task would be done in a manner creditable to an instructed workman. Mr. Foster left two fine farms to his family, aggregating 400 acres, one of these he held rented and on the other he cultivated the natural products of this climate. In his early political views he was an Abolitionist and Whig and immediately identified himself with the Republican party on its formation. Until the end of his life he retained his vigor of mind and was a great reader, keeping himself thoroughly posted on all public matters and discussing these questions with a thorough knowledge of the principles involved. In 1846, Edwin Francis Foster married Elizabeth Deiceman, one of the pupils attending his school. She was a maiden of seventeen years at that time, a cherished daughter of William Deiceman, of Northfield Township. She died in 1881, aged fifty-two years. Of the ten children born to this union, six reached mature years, namely : Coulson, residing in Hudson Township; James, who is deceased; Amelia, who married Robert Miller, residing in Portage County; Nancy, who married Hiram Mowen, had one daughter, Ethel; Todd C., residing in Boston Township; Grant, residing in Northfield Township; and Henry, residing in Bedford Township. The parents of this family were worthy members of the United Brethren Church and reared their children as became Christian people. Todd Charles Foster was reared in his native township and attended school in th brick school-house in Boston. He remained with his father, assisting on the home far until he was twenty-one years old and for the next seven years followed various occupations, engaging in farming and teaming and also worked one year at plumbing, in the meanwhile picking up valuable information along many lines, a great deal of which he has practically applied since taking charge of his present large property. During the above-named period, Mr. Foster was receiving excellent wages for his work and was providently saving them, and when he was able to secu his present estate, in 1889, he was prepared to invest $1,000, in the same. This payment of capital left him with just $15, and, as he adds, "a shovel, an axe and a hoe." Mr: Foster does not add, as he well might, that he had other equipments, including the habit of frugality, an enterprising and industrious spirit end a natural endowment of judgment and common sense. When Mr. Foster came here he purchased 108 acres, which had an unfinished house standing on it. This house he completed himself, even doing the painting, rooming off and plastering. The other substantial buildings which give his place such an air of completeness and thrift, were either totally built by him or entirely remodeled. We have no record of Mr. Foster learning the carpenter trade, but he is evidently one in skill, as a number of the farm buildings give testimonial. He is an adept in all kinds of mechanical work and is independent of the wagonmaker and the blacksmith, having his own workshop, which he built himself, where all kinds of tools are kept, and where Mr. Foster may generally be found in the inclement weather when farm work cannot be successfully, carried on. He is so busy and interested that fair or foul, he finds no time hang heavily on his hands. Subsequently, Mr. Foster added 128 acres tc his first purchase, and all his land is made to return its full value. In looking over even his ploughed fields, no stones or noxious weeds can be found, only the mellow soil AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1001 which responds to his careful, scientific cultivation. He raises crops of all the cereals, wheat, oats and corn, a large amount of hay and many potatoes. He supplies a large amount of the milk sent to Cleveland, from his neighborhood, and also feeds considerable young stock. Mr. Foster has found it profitable to make a specialty of raising turkeys and sells his choice birds for breeding purposes at $5.00 apiece. He has some five head of horses for the farm work. Mr. Foster has every reason to take pride in his beautiful estate, his stock and machinery, having the consciousness of having earned them all through his own energy and enterprise. Before leaving the subject of this fine farm, mention must also be made of his two apple orchards, his 300-tree pear orchard, and his plum orchard. There are berries of all kinds grown in great quantities and beside marketing bushels of the same, in 1906, his capable wife used 800 pounds of sugar in preserving the remainder. On December 19, 1889, Mr. Foster was married to Jessie B. McGee, who is a daughter of William and Marjorie (Martin) McGee, who was born December 6, 1865. Her grandfather, William McGee accompanied his parents from Ireland when a boy of nine years, and lived into old age, in Lawrence township, Washington County, Ohio: There the father of Mrs. Foster was born, and died March 19, 1871, on his thirty-fourth birthday. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He married Marjorie, daughter of John Martin, and Mrs. Foster was the eldest of their three children. Mr. and Mrs. Foster have had eight children, seven of whom survive, namely: Anna Elizabeth, born March 19, 1892; Charles E., born March 26, 1895; George William, born August 23, 1898; Nellie Marjorie, born October 25, 1901; Lottie May, born August 8, 1903; Harvey John, born November 16, 1905; and Alice Ethel, the pet of the family, born June 13, 1907. The eldest daughter may be regarded as an exceptionally bright young lady. She graduated from the grammar school when but sixteen years of age, having a high average in all her studies. Mr. Foster is giving his children every educational and social advantage in his power and there is great promise of their developing into the the finest specimens of manhood and womanhood. Politically, Mr. Foster is identified with the Republican party and he has served as supervisor of the roads in Boston Township but he is no seeker for office. His aim is to be a good citizen and with this in view, he gives attention to public matters and casts his ballots intelligently. MICHAEL and JAMES CONWAY, brothers, and prominent farmers of Boston Township, are the sons of John Conway, who was orn in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1819, and died in Boston Township, in the fall of 1881, aged sixty-two years. John Conway was reared on a small farm in his native land and came to America in 1848, bringing his wife and an infant daughter, Catherine, who lived to the age of twenty-six years. The Conway family settled first at Fall River, Massachusetts, where John Conway worked for three years in a foundry, coming from there to Hudson, Ohio, where he worked for three more years, in a cheese factory. In 1860, he bought the Richardson farm in Northampton Township, 174 acres, on which he lived for eighteen years, and then purchased the John Douds farm of 262 acres; situated in Boston Township. Here he carried on general farming and dairying, and before any cheese factory had been established in his neighborhood, made a great deal of fine cheese on the farm. He was a very industrious man and a good manager. In politics, he was a Democrat. John Conway married Julia Martin, in Ireland, where she was born in 1827, and is a daughter of Michael and Catherine Martin. She resides with her sons and is a well-preserved lady, one who takes part in the domestic life in the home and enjoys social intercourse. She is a consistent member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Hudson. Of the 1002 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY twelve children born to this marriage, six reached maturity, as follows: Catherine, above mentioned; Walter, residing on the homestead in Northampton Township; Michael, residing on the Boston Township farm, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, November 14, 1852; James, associated with his brother Michael, was born at Hudson, Ohio, in June, 1855; Mary, who married Lawrence Sullivan, residing in Boston Township; and John, residing at Moundsville, West Virginia. Michael and James Conway have remained on the present farm ever since their late father purchased it. They cultivate about seventy acres, carrying on mixed farming and grow hay, corn, wheat and oats. They have a fine silo, with dimensions of 16 x 30 x 30 feet. Their apple orchard of 150 trees produces abundantly. They also do a large business in dairying. The new railroad cut through this section tool off nineteen and one-half acres from the farm, necessitating the removal of the house and barn to a new location and the drilling of a new well. The property is a valuable one and the brothers have it under a fine state of cultivation. The Conway brothers are both identified with the Democratic party but are inclined to do considerable thinking on public matters for themselves. Both are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. They are good citizens and men who enjoy the respect and confidence of their fellow-men. J. F. HEMINGTON, of The Hemington Company, dealers in furniture, carpets and stoves, has been a resident of this city for sixteen years and stands very high among its leading business men. He was born in 1869, at Madison, Ohio, but was taken in childhood to West Richfield, Summit County, where he was reared and educated. When seventeen years old, Mr. Hemington came to Akron, and for a number of years following was interested in a meat business, first, for three years, on the corner of Spruce and Exchange streets, in this city, later at Lincoln, Nebraska, for one year, at Hudson, Ohio, for one year and again at Akron, for eight months. He then entered the employ of L. A. Barmore, on Main street, who was the pioneer furniture man here, with whom he continued for eight years. Removal was then made to Howard street and Mr. Barmore was succeeded by the Kirk Company, Mr. Hemington becoming vice president and general manager of the new organization. After four years and nine months, he sold his interest and for one season he was out on the road as traveling salesman. Being recalled on account of the precarious state of his father's health, he gave up his position and cared for his aged parent until the latter's death. Mr. Hemington then engaged in a carpet, furniture and stove business at No. 356 South Main street, for one year, removing then to his present location at No. 72 South Howard street. He carries a large and well chosen stock and does a good business. In 1890, Mr. Hemington was married to Mellie C. Knepper, of Beach City, Ohio, and they have two daughters: Freda. Catherine and Nellie Winnifred. Mr. Hem ington is a member of the First Disciples Church. Fra ternally, he is a Knight Templar Mason, and he belongs to the Protected Home Circle. WILLIAM H. ROOK, mechanical engineer for the American Sewer Pipe Company, at Akron, was born January 8, 1866, at Mecca, Trumbull County, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Akron in childhood. William H. Rook bears his father's name. The latter was born at Boston, Massachusetts. During his active years he worked as a machinist ,and now lives practically retired, at Akron. William H. Rook, Jr., has been a resident of this busy and beautiful city for a period covering thirty-seven years, almost his whole lifetime. After finishing school, he entered the machine shops of Taplin & Rice, where he learned the trade, showing a particular aptitude for the same, and remained with that concern for some twenty years. Since severing his relations with the above firm, he has been connected with the American Sewer Pipe Company in his present capacity. He is a AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1003 stockholder in several of Akron's leading enterprises, and belongs to that body of progressive and enterprising young business men who have had much to do with the developing of this city along manufacturing lines. Mr. Rook is identified with both the lower and the higher branches of the Odd Fellow's fraternity. GEORGE WELLINGTON DICKINSON, general farmer, residing on his finely-cultivated, well-improved estate, which contains 138 acres, 100 of which he has under the plow, is one of the sterling citizens of this part of Summit County. He was born in Northampton Township, Summit County, Ohio, July 5, 1849, and is a son of Alexander and Harriet (Faylor) Dickinson. In the days of the great-grandfather, the name was spelled Dickerson and the family lived on Long Island and was driven from there by the British during the Revolutionary War. The name of the great-great-grandmother was Mary Hamilton, who was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. Their son, John Dickerson, was born August 20, 1782, at Millville, Connecticut, and was five years old when his mother died. Later, he went into partnership with an associate, in the shoe business, at Charleston, South Carolina. He had married Sabrina Cone, who was born at Middletown, Connecticut, January 19, 1778, and died in Northampton Township, Summit County, January 25, 1862. Her father was an officer in the Revolution War. It was the intention of John Dickerson to send for his family to join him but the only message ever received was that he had been drowned. After satisfying herself that her husband no longer lived, the widow of John Dickerson went to New. York. On September 15, 1834, her son, William Dickerson, the grandfather of George W. Dickerson, left Watson, New York, for Ohio, and after many adventures through stormy weather on Lake Erie, reached Fairport. He was accompanied by his family and there secured a wagon and drove to the home of William Coleman, at Shalersville. The family remained with this hospitable family for a week and then came on to Northampton Township, their son Riley at that time owning a place near Northampton Center. Alexander Dickerson, son of William and father of George W., was born at Watson, New York, May 1, 1828, and died May 3, 1902. He followed agricultural pursuits all his active life. He married Harriet Faylor, who was born in Brimfield Township, Portage County, Ohio, October 15, 1827, and died July 7, 1904. Of their seven children, five grew up, namely : George Wellington ; Hemon, residing in Stow Township; Mary Jane, who is the widow of Calvin Hunt, residing in Boston Township; Edwin Riley, residing in Boston Township; and Julia, who married Charles Trumphour, residing in Northampton Township. The parents of this family w ere good, worthy, virtuous people, who were valued members of the Disciples Church. George W. Dickinson remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he rented a farm in Boston Township, which he operated for a year, and then worked as a teamster for a railroad company and also for an uncle, for several years. After his marriage, in 1872, he bought his first farm in Boston Township, which he retained for three years, and in 1878, he came to his present place. In partnership with his brother Heman, he invested in 300 acres, which they later divided. Mr. Dickinson raises hay, wheat, corn and oats and markets a part of each prop. He keeps ten head of cattle, thirty head of sheep and four horses. His farm is one good to see, its perfect order and careful state of cultivation satisfying even the eye of the stranger. Mr. Dickinson has met with some misfortune, having lost a large amount in 1884, when his barn with forty-eight head of cattle, six horses and all its other contents were destroyed by fire. In 1891, he put up his present substantial barn building, with dimensions of 40 by 68 feet, with eighteen-foot posts. In 1905 he built his tool house, a snug little structure 20 by 40 feet, wherein everything has its proper place. In 1881, the comfortable and attractive thir- 1004 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY teen-room residence was erected. Mr. Dickinson has the reputation of being one of the most progressive farmers of the township, one who believes in the use of improved machinery and the adoption of sensible, modern methods of agriculture. On December 7, 1872, Mr. Dickinson was married to Alice Enos, who was born December 19, 1853, at Syracuse, New York. From the age of two years to eleven, she lived in Michigan, and in 1870, she came to Boston Township. She is a lady of education and refinement. Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson have four children: Nellie, who married Park Knapp, residing at Ravenna; Arthur, residing at home; Jessie, who married Ernest Cargould; and Alice. The family belong to the Disciples Church. Politically, Mr. Dickinson is a Republican. ALFRED E. McKISSON, trustee of Richfield Township, resides on his valuable farm of fifty-two acres, which he devotes to general agriculture, and also operates considerable ad- jacent land which he has rented for a number of years. Mr. McKisson was born in Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, Janu- ary 29, 1859. His parents were Arthur and Jane (Kettlewell) McKisson. Arthur McKisson was born in Northfield Township, Summit County, May 29, 1831. His educational opportunities were very limited, as his father died when he was young, and he was early called on to assist his half-brother, James, to clear the farm. When he was seventeen years of age he went to work for Lucian Bliss, of Northfield, and continued in the lumbering business for fifteen years. In 1871 he engaged in farming and dairying, renting land for the purpose near Brecksville, five years later moving to Twinsburg, and later to Richfield, in the latter place working again at lumbering for five years, as foreman, for C. L. Newell. He also worked four years as foreman for Ralph Farnum, in the same industry. Prior to retiring from busi¬ness activity, he operated the Newell Brothers' farm, at Brecksville. During the early part of the Civil War he endeavored three dif ferent times to pass muster and become a soldier in defense of the Union, but he was rejected. He is past overseer of the Summit County Pomona Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. On February 22, 1854, Mr. McKisson was married to Jane Kettlewell, who is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Kettlewell. Mrs. McKisson was born in England, May 10, 1832, and was an infant when she was brought to America. Of the eight children born to the above marriage, six survive, namely: William J., residing at Brecksville, Ohio ; Alfred E. ; Annie, who married Witt Fonts, residing in Stark County ; Francis, residing at Macedonia; Jennie, who is the widow of Robert Mitchell, residing in Richfield; and Horatio S., residing at La Grange, Ohio. The McKissons are Maryland people and the great-grandfather, Samuel McKisson, as well as the grandfather, also Samuel McKisson, were both born in that State. Grandfather McKisson served in the War of 1812. For his second wife he married Susanna Boerntrigger, who was the mother of Arthur McKisson, and the grandmother of Alfred E. Alfred E. McKisson attended the schools of Northfield Township until the age of thirteen years, when he started out to make his own way in the world, a courageous thing for a boy of his years to attempt. He found work with neighboring farmers and was employed by the month until 1880, when he was prepared to buy his present farm. For a number of years he has rented the Lockert farm of 115 acres, which adjoins his own. He keeps on an average, twenty-five head of cattle and cultivates the land not needed for pasturage, about eighty acres, raising mainly wheat and potatoes. Mr. McKisson still finds profit in growing sheep, keeping some forty head. His milk all goes to Cleveland. He has a fine apple orchard of three acres, which he also considers a paying investment. He is an industrious man, a careful and intelligent farmer, and is prospering. Mr. McKisson married Elizabeth R. Edgell, of Richfield Township, and they have three children : Roy E., Lillie and Bessie. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1005 Politically, Mr. McKisson is identified with the Republican party and is somewhat active, on numerous occasions having been sent as a delegate to various important conventions. He is serving in his first term as township trustee, and for a long period he has been a member of the township School Board. He is much interested in everything looking to the advancement of the agricultural welfare of this section and long ago united with the Richfield Grange. He is past grand of Chippewa Lodge, No. 675, Odd Fellows, at Brecksville. WILLIAM N. WOOD, general farmer in Boston Township, residing on a valuable estate of 332 acres, 150 of which are under cultivation, was born in Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, July 11, 1862, and is the only son of Thomas and Julia (Wetmore) Wood. Thomas Wood, than whom there was no more highly considered citizen of Boston Township, at the time of his death, in 1900, aged seventy-two years, was born in Ireland, and was seven years of age when his parents brought him to America. The family lived at Sheboygan, Michigan, until he was about twelve years of age, when they came to Boston Township, where the grandfather of William N. Wood worked in a mill. Thomas Wood learned to build canal boats and engaged in the business on his own account for some years, from which he embarked in a lumber business, which he continued for forty years. He possessed great business enterprise, operated two or three sawmills, bought standing timber and cut it, and acquired timber land both in Boston and Northampton Townships, at one time owning for one mile along the Cuyahoga River. He was held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens. He was a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M., of Richfield. He married Julia Wetmore, who resides at Peninsula since her widowhood. She was born at Silver Lake, in Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, where her father, Hon. William Wetmore, was one of the early settlers. William N. Wood attended school at Peninsula until he was eleven years of age. He was a boy of unusual brightness of mind, and, inspired with a desire to travel, he left home without asking his parents' consent, rightly judging that it would be withheld, and made his way to Chicago. His smiling face and engaging personality enabled him, with no previous experience of city life, to secure a position as bellboy in the Palmer House. He was so obliging and attentive to guests of that somewhat famous hostelry, that his tips from the capitalists who frequently make it their home, were so generous during his stay of four months, that he had enough money with which to buy a horse, on which he started back home, which he reached in safety, having paused at several points on the way to trade horses with other travelers. After this little excursion into the world, the youth quietly attended school until he was fifteen years of age and then worked several years for his father, driving a team, having always been fond of horses. He purchased a team of his own and continued to use it in his father's lumber business, until 1897, when he turned his attention more especially to speeding horses. For some years he owned and took an interest in racing many fast horses in different classes, traveling over considerable territory and becoming well known in the sporting world. In the meanwhile, the home farm was under rental, with the exception of several years when Mr. Wood conducted operations on it, but for the past five years it has been under his careful and successful supervision. He keeps about forty head of cattle, selling his milk to the Peninsula Creamery, and raises hay, corn, oats and wheat. He feeds all but his wheat. Mr. Wood married Olive Lee who is a daughter of Edward Lee, of Richfield Township. They have one son, Thomas H. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Peninsula. Mr. Wood votes with the Republican party in National affairs, but independently in local matters. Mr. Wood's genial personality, open hospitality and his many sterling qualities of 1006 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY mind and heart, have won him a wide circle of warm friends wherever he has been. HENRY BLACKWELL, the efficient superintendent of Factory No. 1, of the Robinson Clay Product Company, at Akron, came to this city in 1873, when fifteen years of age, having been born in England, in 1858. Ever since locating at Akron, Mr. Blackwell has been identified with pottery interests, first entering the pottery works of Spafford & Richardson, of East Akron, and continuing with the firm of Cook and Richardson, and later with Cook & Fairbanks. For the following twelve years, Mr. Blackwell was with the F. H. Weeks Company, and for the past twelve years he has been in charge of Factory No. 1 of the Robinson Clay Product Company. From his years of practical experience, Mr. Blackwell has become thoroughly efficient in the position to which his knowledge and abilities have advanced him, and the products of this factory continue to meet the high grade of excellence which long since made the name of this great manufacturing house one of importance in the pottery world. In 1881, Mr. Blackwell was married to Emma Richards, of Akron, and they have one son, Edmund R., who has been afforded the best educational advantages Akron has to offer. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell belong to the First Presbyterian Church of Akron. GEORGE P. HOFFMAN, part proprietor of the Excelda Stone Company, general contractors at Akron, and dealers in and manufacturers of all kinds of plain and ornamental cement stone, is a leading business man of this city. Mr. Hoffman was born at Akron in 1872, and is a son of B. F. Hoffman. The father of Mr. Hoffman was born at Manchester, Ohio, and now resides in Portage Township, Summit County, of which he is a trustee. After working for a quarter of a century in the Buckeye shops as a blacksmith, he retired to his farm. George P. Hoffman attended school at Akron and in youth learned the plumber's trade at which he worked for twelve years. In 1903, in association with I. S. Myers, the present county treasurer, he formed the Excelda Stone Company, which has grown to be a very important business concern of this city. They have important work under construction at the present time and all of it, both in appearance and substantial character, is most creditable. In 1897, Mr. Hoffman was married to Minnie J. Warden, who is a daughter of John W. Warden, of Akron, and they have one son, Glenn W. Mr. Hoffman is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the American Insurance Union. Personally he is a man of stable character and aptly represents the class that is known as Akron's sterling citizens. F. W. BUTLER, manager of the stoneware department of the Robinson Clay Product Company, and also president of the Akron Smoking Pipe Company, is one of Akron's leading business men and has been a resident of this city since boyhood. He was born at Worcester, Massachusetts. Mr. Butler came to Akron in 1866 and completed his education in the High School of this city, after which he entered the employ of the old mercantile firm of Hall Brothers, with which he continued for four years. Subsequently, Mr. Butler became bookkeeper in the First National Bank, still later teller, remaining with this financial institution for nine years, during which time he acquired an interest in the E. H. Merrill Pottery Company, and this connection became of sufficient importance to cause his resignation as teller and to become secretary and manager of the latter business. He continued to perform the duties of these positions until the E. H. Merrill Pottery Company was absorbed by the Robinson Merrill Pottery Company, when he became manager of the stoneware department of the new firm. Mr. Butler remained with the concern after it became the Robinson Clay Product Company, and since 1900, has been manager of the stoneware department of this large industry. He is interested in other Akron enterprises and commands the consid- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1009 eration of his fellow-citizens as a man of ability and business honor. In 1879, Mr. Butler was married to Grace A. Merrill, who was a daughter of E. H. Merrill. Mrs. Butler died in 1888, leaving three children: H. Karl, Merrill W., and Fred W. The two older sons of Mr. Butler are interested in real estate in Cuba, owning a plantation in that island. The youngest son is employed in the shipping department of the Robinson Clay Product Company. Mr. Butler is a member of the Portage Country club. AUGUSTUS O. OPLINGER, a leading citizen of Norton Township, residing on his valuable farm of fifty-six acres, was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1848, and is a son of Nathan and Sabina (Deiter) Oplinger. This section of Ohio is much indebted to Pennsylvania, for from that State have come many of the most solid, substantial and reliable people, whose thrift and industry have brought prosperity. Among this class were the parents of Mr. Oplinger, who came overland to Ohio, settling for a short time, in 1850, at Wadsworth, Medina. County, but shortly afterward purchasing a small farm in Norton Township, west of Loyal Oak. When Augustus 0. Oplinger was about fifteen years of age; his father sold that farm and going a little further west, bought a tract of fifty-eight acres, but subsequently this farm also was sold and the family moved to the village of Loyal Oak, where both parents died. They had seven children, all of whom are now living. Augustus O. Oplinger has been a resident of Norton Township ever since his parents settled here. He has made farming and dairying his main interests, but from the age of twenty-two to that of twenty-five years, he worked at the carpenter's trade. For some twenty years he operated rented land, but in 1894 he bought his present farm, which, under his excellent management has proved very remunerative. He does general farming and dairying and also gives attention to the growing of small fruits. Although the farm claims the larger part of his time, Mr. Oplinger has served his fellow citizens efficiently as a member of the township School Board. Mr. Oplinger married Isabella Houser, who is a daughter of Stephen and Mary Houser, and they have a family of thirteen children, all of whom survive, proving the sturdy stock from which they Caine. They are: Horace, residing at Akron, married Emma Koch and has one child, George William; Edward, who married Anna Flannigan, has two children, Mary and James; Dora, who married Russell Phelps; Frank, who married Sadie Chalice, has one child, Lillian; Robert, residing at Loyal Oak, Who married Virgie Stripe, has two children, Marion and Doris; Charles, who married Cassie Messner, has one child, Charles; and Arthur, James, Walter, Frederick, Bessie, Mabel and Raymond, all at ionic. Mr. Oplinger and family belong to the Reformed Church and from the age of twenty-five he has been one of the officials. He formerly served as treasurer of the Norton Insurance Company, and has served on the Board of Directors for a period of eighteen years. At present he is serving as treasurer of and for six years has been a director in the Norton Cyclone Association. DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOODRICH, founder of the B. F. Goodrich Company (Akron Rubber Works), the largest rubber factory in the United States, was born in Ripley, New York, November 4, 1841. He was educated in the schools of Fredonia, New York, and Austinburg, Ohio, and was graduated at the Western Medical College, Cleveland. Ohio, in February, 1861. About this time he entered the army as hospital steward of the Ninth New York Volunteer Cavalry, and was promoted to assistant surgeon in the spring of 1862, in which capacity he served until September, 1864, being for a part of the time in charge of the hospital at Aquia Creek. On the close of the war he engaged in real (state business in New York City. In 1870 1010 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY he came to Akron, and with Colonel George T. Perkins, George W. Crouse, of Akron, and H. W. Tew, of Jamestown, New York, he established in Akron the first rubber factory west of the Allegheny Mountains, under the firm name of Goodrich, Tew & Co., later changed to B. F. Goodrich & Company. The business slowly grew and prospered until in 1880 a co-partnership was formed and the business incorporated under the name of the B. F. Goodrich Company, with a capitalization of $100,000.00, and with Dr. Goodrich as president, Alanson Work, vice-president, and Colonel George T. Perkins, secretary and treasurer. The company was engaged in the manufacture of fire hose, and other rubber goods. Later a second company for the manufacture of hard rubber goods was organized, and styled The Goodrich Hard Rubber Company, with the Doctor also as its president. The growth of the company was continuous from that time on, and the capital was increased from time to time, as the demands of the business required, until at present the capitalization of the company is $10,000,000. The present product of the company consists of a full line of soft rubber goods such as belting, hose, packings, druggist sundry goods, golf balls, tennis balls, automobile and bicycle tires, carriage tires, molded goods, mats, boots and shoes. The factory buildings cover an area of sixteen and a half acres of floor space, on fifteen and a half acres of ground, and the works give employment to 3,300 people. Dr. Goodrich remained president of the company until 1888—the time of his death, when he was succeeded by Colonel George T. Perkins He was a public-spirited citizen of high intelligence, and in his founding of this giant industry, proved one of the greatest benefactors that Akron ever had. He was a member of the Akron City Council for the years 1880 and 1881, the first year being its president. Dr. Goodrich was married, November 4, 1869, to Miss Mary Marvin, daughter of Judge Richard P. Marvin, of Jamestown, New York. Of this union there were three children—Charles C., born August 3, 1871, who is now general superintendent of the B. F. Goodrich Company; Isabella, and David M. Dr. Goodrich died at Manitou Springs, Colorado, August 3, 1888. CHARLES C. GOODRICH, general superintendent of the B. F. Goodrich Company, of Akron, which controls the largest rubber factory in the United States, and whose goods are known all over the civilized world, is a native of Akron, and a son of B. F. Goodrich, from whom the company takes its name. He was educated in the public schools of Akron, at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and at Harvard University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. In February, 1895, Mr. Goodrich returned to Akron and began business life as a clerk in the office of the B. F. Goodrich Company. His ability and application have since carried him steadily to the important position of general superintendent of this immense industry. Mr. Goodrich is prominent in Masonry, having attained the Thirty-second Degree. He belongs to all the Masonic bodies at Akron, and to the Mystic Shrine, at Cleveland. He was reared in the Episcopal Church and is junior warden of the Church of the Savior, at Akron. In April, 1895, Mr. Goodrich was married to Mary A. Gellatly, of Orange, New Jersey. FREDERICK H. WEEKS, president, treasurer and general manager of The F. H. Weeks Lumber Company, with plant situated at No. 570 South Main street, Akron, is one of the city's leading business men, interested in a number of its important enterprises. He was born in Copley, Summit County, Ohio, May 15, 1858, son of Darius and Elizabeth (Wilcox) Weeks. He is descended from sturdy pioneer ancestry on both sides of the family. His paternal grandfather was Levett Weeks, born in Vermont in 1798, who married Celestia Taylor, born in Connecticut, in 1799. Darius Weeks was born in Wadsworth, Ohio, April 7, 1825, and was married at Copley, Ohio, October 1, 1846, to Elizabeth AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1011 Wilcox, who was born at Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, Illinois, May 31, 1827. She was a daughter of John R. and Mary (Kinney) Wilcox. Her father, John R. Wilcox, was born in Salsbury, Vermont, in 1900, entered West Point at the age of eighteen years, finished at the age of twenty-two, and was ordered to frontier duty at Fort Edwards, Illinois. Mrs. Mary (Kinney) Wilcox was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1807. Among the maternal ancestors also was Plinney Wilcox, born in Vermont, son of Mary Remley, also a native of that State. Frederick H. Weeks was educated in the public schools of Akron, as far as the second year in the High School at the age of fourteen Years. In August of the same year F. H. Weeks commenced to work, as back flagman with the surveying party that located the Valley Railroad from Cleveland to Canton. At the age of fifteen he went to Louisville, Kentucky, as a city salesman, where he spent four years and then returned to Akron, where he learned the potter's trade, at which he continued to work for four and one-half years. Mr. Weeks then went into the business of manufacturing stoneware, under the name of Weeks, Cook & Weeks, and two years later, with his brother, bought out the interest of Mr. Cook. The business was continued under the name of Weeks Bros., up to 1890, when F. H. Weeks bought his brother's interest and now is sole proprietor of the F. H. Week's potteries, at East Akron, where stone- ware of all description is manufactured. In 1889, Mr. Weeks took charge of the Hankey Lumber Company as manager and treasurer. In 1898 he acquired the holdings of The Hankey people by purchase but continued the business under the original corporate name until March 1, 1907, when the firm of The F. H. Weeks Lumber Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, $90,000 paid in. Of this organization, F. H. Weeks is president, treasurer, and general manager. F. H. Weeks, Jr., is vice-president, and L. R. Dietzold is secretary. This company manufactures sash, doors and blinds and makes interior finishings of all description. Mr. Weeks is also president of the National Blank Book & Supply Company and the Akron Clay Company ; is a stockholder in the Crown Drilling Machine Company; was formerly president of the Builder's Exchange, of Akron; formerly president of the State Builders' Exchange, and is vice president of the Employers' Association of Akron, Ohio. In February, 1882, Mr. Weeks was married to Bertha A. Hankey, who is a daughter of the late Simon Hankey, who was the founder of the Hankey Lumber Company. Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have two children, F. H., Jr., and Charlotte A. The former was educated in both public and private schools at Akron, and at Buchtel College and Culver Military Academy. He is vice president of the F. H. Weeks Lumber Company. Miss Charlotte was educated in the Akron schools and at Miss Mittelberger's Preparatory School, at Cleveland. Mr. Weeks is affiliated with the Masonic and Elk fraternities at Akron. He is liberal in his support of public-spirited measures of various kinds. DAVID L. PARKER, a citizen and retired farmer of Copley Township, now residing in Portage Township, for many years engaged in teaching school. Mr. Parker was born on his father's farm in Copley Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 4, 1838, and is a son of Richard E. and Martha (Richardson) Parker. Mr. Parker's paternal grandfather, Luna Parker, was born in New York. He was a contractor on the old Ohio Canal. Richard E. Parker was his eldest son and he was born in Northampton Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1811, being the first male child born in that township. At the age of twenty-one years he bought a farm in Copley Towship and built a double log cabin. Oa April 18, 1833, he married Martha Richardson, who was born in Vermont, whose parents were natives of Maine. In 1871 Richard E. Parker and wife retired from the farm and removed to Akron, where both died. They 1012 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY had the following children: Henry, Hartwell; David Luna; Mary, who is the widow of H. Harris; Eudora, Who is the widow of William Trimbell; Phoebe, deceased, who married C. Low; Perry R.; and Cordelia, who married Charles Stadler. David Luna Parker attended school first in the log school house near his home, but later the Granger Institute, beginning to teach school at the age of nineteen years, and he continued in the educational field until he was forty years of age, his' last school being taught at Copley. During this long period he paid some attention to farming and also furnished stone and built a number of bridges and culverts for Summit County. He spent about two years introducing improved and advanced school books through the county. Mr. Parker is able to look back over many happy years in the school room and he is remembered With much kindness by his pupils. In November, 1859, Mr. Parker was married to Ellen S. Averill who is a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Harvey) Averill. They have four children, namely : Charles H., Allen, Nettie and Eugene. Charles H. married Minnie Lockert, and they have two children: Elta, who married Benjamin Lockert, and Nellie. Allen married (first) Grace Randall and had three children : Ethel, Junen and Evan, and (second) Maggie Kinch, and three children have been born to this marriage: Vera, Viva and Clarence. Nettie married Walter Palmer, and they have two children: Harry and Helen. Eugene married Cora Squires, and they have two children, Roy and William In political preference, Mr. Parker is a Republican and he has served in numerous township offices. For twelve years he was assistant secretary of the County Agricultural Society and he belongs to the Grange, which was organized over twenty years ago, he being a charter member. CHARLES H. WATTERS, who has been the efficient secretary of the board of Public Service, at Akron, since 1901, is one of the alert, enterprising and progressive young men of this city. Mr. Watters was born at Akron, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of Thomas Watters, a former well-known and highly considered citizen. Thomas Watters was born in Wales, February 4, 1846, and died at Akron, in February, 1906. -He came to this city immediately after completing four years of service in the Civil War, having been a member of Company E. 193rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during his first enlistment of three months, and of Battery E, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the three years and more which covered his second enlistment. He was ;an iron worker and he enjoyed the distinction of having worked the first bar of iron ever made in the works of the Akron Iron Company. He remained superintendent of the mills of this company, until 1889, when he accepted a similar position with the Cherry Valley Iron Company, at Leetonia, Ohio. Charles H. Watters was employed in clerical work at Akron for a time after completing his schooling, and then engaged in a real estate business for several years. In 1901 he was elected secretary of the board of Public Service, his efficiency in this office being generally conceded. He has been a very active worker in the Republican party and is a representative young American in his energy and business initiative. B. W. ROBINSON, president of the Robinson Clay Product Company, also of the Second National Bank, both of Akron, is one of the city's native sons who have done yeoman service in advancing her manufacturing and financial interests, and adding materially to the volume of business which places her among the foremost cities of her size in the United States in point of enterprise and prosperity. He was born, as has been already intimated, in Akron, the year of his nativity being 1860. His father was William Robin son; a native of Staffordshire, England, who AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1013 on coming to America, settled first in East Liverpool, Ohio, whence he came to Akron in 1856. Here William Robinson became a pioneer in the manufacture of pottery and sewer pipe, and was one of the stirring business men of Akron in his day. B. W. Robinson, with whom this sketch is more closely concerned was reared in his native city, and after graduating from the Akron High School, supplemented his school studies by a term at Oberlin College. His first business experience was gained as bookkeeper for Whittmore, Robinson & Co., with whom he became connected in 1878; and with the exception of two years-from 1884 to 1886, when he was with the Akron Milling Co. he has been connected with the pottery and sewer-pipe manufacturing interests. Through his force of character and acknowledged ability as a business man he has risen from a subordinate position to the presidency of the Robinson Clay Product Company, as well as to that of the Second National Bank. The former concern is the largest of its kind in the United States, if not in the world, they being the sole owners of nine factories, six of which are located in Akron, one at Canal Dover, one at Midvale, and one at Malvern. They also control a number of incorporated companies scattered over the United States, among which latter may be mentioned the Eastern Clay Goods Co., with office at Boston, Mass. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Portage Country Club. He is also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving usefully on its board of trustees. He was married in 1893 to Miss Zeletta M. Smith, of East Liverpool. They have six children-Helen, Paul, William, Stuart, Ruth, and Zeletta. McCONNELL MOORE, one of the highly respected retired residents of Cuyahoga Falls, who has made this city his home since 1885, was born November 9, 1836, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Hugh and Fanny (Shryock) Moore. The Moore family traces its ancestry back to Scotland and Ireland, but has been American through a number of generations. John Moore, great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1749. He was of Scotch-Irish blood, coming to this country directly from Ireland and settling in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, near New Alexander. The exact date of his death is at present unknown, but it occurred some time before the burning of Hannastown by the Indians He had four children, namely : William, born in 1773, who died in 1832 in Butler County, Pennsylvania, married Mary Conway; James, born in 1774, married Catherine Chambers, and died in 1846; Mary, who married Thomas Dickie. William and Mary (Conway) Moore were the parents of children as follows: Jane, born in 1798, who married Thomas McCurdy; John, born in 1801, married Matilda McAfee, died in 1881; Hugh, born in 1803, married Fanny Shryock, died 1889; James (dates of birth and death not given), married Margaret McAfee. Hugh Moore, who married Fanny Shryock, had the following children : John S. born August 23, 1826; died August 19, 1870, married Elizabeth Gibson ; William, born February 24, 1828, died December 25, 1864, married Elizabeth Conrad; James, born March 3, 1830, married Eliza Henry ; Lavena, born December 8, 1832, died August 26, 1870, married Barnard Hendrick ; Thomas Harper, born November, 1834, married Nancy McClery ; McConnell, born November 9, 1836, married Elizabeth Mildren ; Sarah Jane, born January 22, 1839, married Samuel Nicholson; Margaret Ann, born September 25, 1841, married John Adams; George H., born November 8, 1843, married Annie Thomas; Samuel Curtis, born March 8, 1846, died February 17, 1$54. The Shryock family originated in this country through a Leonard Shryock, who came, it is thought, from Prussia, between 1720 and 1730, one of whose grandsons was the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The said maternal grandfather, 1014 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY (born in 1776, died 1859), married Jane Conway, and had children—Margaret, who married Thomas Harper; Fanny who married Hugh Moore; Eliza who married John Hindman; Sarah who became the wife of Andreas Wilk; Lena, who married Thomas McElvain ; John, who married Eliza Dickson ; Daniel married Elizabeth Lincoln ; Jane married Peter Hyskell. William Moore, the paternal grandfather of McConnell Moore, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where his whole life was spent. Hugh Moore, father of McConnell Moore, was born in the same county in 1806, and died in 1900, in Sugar Creek Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to which section he probably removed about the time of his marriage. Hugh Moore and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of ten children born to them, nine of whom reached maturity, as follows: John and William, both deceased; James, residing at Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Lavinia, deceased; Thomas H., residing at Los Angeles, California; McConnell; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of Capt. Samuel J. Nickerson, of Indiana, Pennsylvania; Margaret Ann, who is the widow of John Adams, of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.; and George H., of Rimersburg, Pennsylvania. The mother of Mr. Moore survived to the age of eighty-three years. McConnell Moore was reared in Armstrong County and obtained his education in the district schools. For several years he was connected with mercantile pursuits at Brady's Bend, later had charge of oil interests at Oil Creek, after which he entered a rolling mill at Pittsburg for several years. He returned to Brady's Bend in the capacity of ore inspector for the Brady's Bend Iron Company, remaining with that concern for seven years, and was also interested in the oil fields for himself. In 1872, Mr. Moore became manager of a fire brick business owned by his brother-in-law, E. J. Mildren, at Blacklick Station, Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1885, when he came toCuya hoga Falls. Mr. Moore resumed his mercantile interests for a time but subsequently accepted the position of time-keeper at the Rivet and Machine Works, where he remained until April 15, 1907, when he retired. He owns a fine residence on Bailey Road, north of town, and a valuable farm of fifty-one acres, which is managed by his son Charles. In 1861, McConnell Moore was married to Elizabeth Mildren, who was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, in 1842, and is a daughter of Jacob L. Mildren, formerly of Brady's Bend. Of the thirteen children born to this marriage, twelve reached maturity, as follows: Fannie Jane, who married B. B. McConnaughey, of Homer City, Pennsylvania; A. Kate J., now deceased; Edward J., residing at Cleveland; Melda, who was a victim of the great Johnstown flood; Lavinia, residing at Cuyahoga Falls, who married F. J. Creque; Charles M., residing on the home farm; Alice, who married John Young, residing at Muskegon, Michigan ; Leroy M., residing at Newark, New Jersey ; Frank R., residing at Cuyahoga Falls; Ralph R., residing at Cuyahoga Falls; Richard L., postmaster at Cuyahoga Falls; and Dora, who married Rev. C. A. Coakwell, a minister of the Disciples Church, residing at Lennox, Iowa. Mr. Moore has always been identified with the Republican party. For fifteen years he served as a member of the Board of Education of Cuyahoga Falls and during the larger part of this time he was clerk of the board. Ralph Moore, the second youngest son of Mr. Moore, is one of Cuyahoga Falls' most enterprising young business men. He was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1878, and his education was secured there and in this city. After completing his school course he turned his attention to the jewelry business and subsequently studied optics, and in both occupations he has met with the most gratifying success. He commenced his studies with B. F. Phillips, at Cuyahoga Falls, going from there to Cleveland, where he had expert teaching in the many technical points of his work, and after he became pro- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1015 ficient he entered the employ of the Webb C. Ball Company, of Cleveland. After several business ventures, more or less satisfactory, Mr. Moore took a complete course in the Philadelphia Horological College, and from this institution received his diploma in optics. Following his graduation he took charge of a store of Bygate & Son, of Pittsburg, later was with A. E. Siedle & Company of that city, where he was watchmaker, engraver, and optician. Later he was in business at Port Huron, Michigan, which city he left on account of climatic conditions, and in February, 1905, he embarked in a business at Cuyahoga Falls, which has grown to remarkable proportions in the past two years, necessitating a change of quarters and fine facilities. Mr. Moore is a member of Star Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 187, and of Pavonia Lodge, No. 301, Knights of Pythias. MRS. SUSANNAH SNYDER, widow of John G. Snyder, has resided on her present farm of 178 acres, situated in Coventry Township, ever since her marriage and the comfort and conveniences amid which she lives, are largely due to her years of frugality and good management. Mrs. Snyder was born in Green Township, Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of George and Catherine (Marsh ) Kepler. The Keplers came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. George Kepler was born in the latter State, and in boyhood accompanied his people to Stark County, the party consisting of the family of John Kepler, his father, and that of Andrew Kepler, his uncle. There were no railroads in those days and every one who left home with his belongings, traveled by wagon and frequently used an ox-team. The Keplers settled near together in the wilderness which they found, but all were men of energy and industry, and soon made clearings and erected comfortable homes. The grandfather of Mrs. Snyder reared a large family and lived far into middle life. His death was caused by an accident. George Kepler, father of Mrs. Snyder, was one of the older members of the family and he assisted his father very materially through the pioneer hardships which they had to encounter. After he reached manhood he married Catherine Marsh, who had also accompanied her parents from Pennsylvania. The latter were Adam and Susannah Marsh, who also settled in what was then Green Township, Stark County, but which is now Franklin Township, Summit County. The Keplers removed from Green Township, where they originally settled, to Coventry Township, locating on a farm on which Mrs. Snyder lives. It was then covered with a heavy growth of timber. George Kepler, who was a man of great industry, built a log house and barn. He died when only thirty years of age, but had almost completed the clearing of the place. He was not long survived by his wife, who died aged twenty-eight years, both falling victims to typhoid fever. Six children were left orphans, namely : Susannah, Adam, Solomon, Alfred, Mary and William. Alfred and Mary are now deceased. Susannah Kepler was three years old when her parents settled in Coventry Township, and she lived on the present home farm until they died, when she returned to Green (Franklin Township) and made her home with her maternal grandfather, Adam Marsh. On January 3, 1856, she was married to John George Snyder, who was a son of Michael and Barbara Snyder, who had come to Ohio from Germany, after their marriage, and who died in Summit County. They had five children, namely: John George; Michael, now deceased; Eve (deceased), who married J. Daily; Frederick; and Julia Ann, both deceased, the latter of whom married D. Steele. John George Snyder was born in Germany, January 13, 1827. He came to America when he was eleven years of age, and lived at home until his marriage. He always carried on farming and became a man of local prominence, one who was frequently selected by 1016 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY the Democratic party to serve in township offices. Such duties were always performed with honesty and fidelity. He died February 21, 1901. A family of ten children were born to John George Snyder and wife, as follows: Mary, who married M. Loutzenheiser; Saville, twin sister of Mary, who married John Dice and has two children—Bertha, wife of C. Snyder, and Irving; Wil¬liam, who died aged nineteen years; Solomon, who married Cordelia Dearling, and resides at Stoutsville; Huston E., who married Celesta Bauchman, and has one child, Wallace; Albert, a clergyman, and president of a college, residing in North Carolina, who has three children, George R., Charlotte and Beatrice; Charles A.; Harvey A., a practicing physician at Barberton ; Ella, who married M. Asdale, residing with her mother; and Emma Elvira, who died aged four months. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder gave their children the best educational advantages in their power, and encouraged them in their efforts to obtain a thorough schooling. While but three members of the family entered into professional life, all are intelligent and well-informed members of the communities in which they live, four being graduates of the Tiffin schools. Mrs. Snyder has lived in the old home ever since her marriage and owns it, together with her children. It is a well-improved property and has always been carefully cultivated. Mrs. Snyder has a wide circle of friends. She is a valued member of the • Reformed Church, attending services at Barberton. EUGENE F. CRANZ, a prosperous farmer and highly esteemed citizen, of Bath Township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 1, 1863, son of William F. and Mary (Drushel) Cranz. William F. Cranz was a native of Germany, born in 1820, who came to this country in 1834, with his father's family, they landing at Baltimore. They settled in Holmes County, where William's father followed the occupation of a Lutheran preacher, his residence being at Winesburg, that county. William F. Cranz in 1843 married Mary Drushel, who bore him eleven children, nine of whom are still living. In 1863, twenty years after his marriage, he removed to Bath Township, Summit County, where he and his wife subsequently died. They were worthy people who conscientiously performed their share of life's duties, and left behind a good name that shall long endure. Mary Drushel was the daughter of Henry Drushel, who came from Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Holmes County, Ohio, with his wife and large family about the year 1829, and with his father, John Drushel, who came some years earlier, bought a large tract of choice land, the most of which is still held by their descendants. This John Drushel was a soldier of the Revolution, and was in the battles of Bunker Hill, Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and at Valley Forge. Mary Drushel was eleven years old when her grandfather died, in 1837, at the age of eighty-seven, but she clearly retold stories of the Revolution as told to her by her grandfather. One of these, which in after years her children were always fond of hearing, was as follows: By trade John Drushel was a blacksmith, and during some of the campaigns in New Jersey, General Washington's horse became very lame, owing to being improperly shod. He ordered the horse reshod with no better results. By some means the General learned that John Drushel was a blacksmith, and ordered that he be brought forward, and after questioning him in regard to his trade, said to him: "Shoe that horse so that he doesn't go lame, or .I will hang you up." After the job was done an orderly mounted the horse rode off at a brisk trot. No lameness was noticeable, and General Washington put his hand on John Drushel's shoulder and said "Did you think that I meant what I said?" To which he replied: "I thought you intended that I should do my best, sir." From that time John Drushel was the shoer of General Washington's horse, and some years later AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1019 helped to make the famous carriage exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and now sacredly kept as a National treasure and relic. Eugene F. Cranz was but one month old when he accompanied his parents to Bath Township, so he may almost be said to have resided here all his life. He received a good education, after leaving the district schools, attending Copley Center High school, then a year at the Normal school, at Lebanon, and afterwards a year and a half at the Ohio State University, at Columbus, Ohio. For five years after leaving college he taught school and also, .before the death of his parents, carried on the home farm for some time. After their death he bought out the other heirs, except one sister, who owns a part of the homestead farm, and has since resided on the property, making a specialty of dairying. The farm he now owns was fast settled by Jason Hammond, who Caine from Connecticut, in 1810, and was in the Hammond family for three generations until purchased by Mr. Cranes father of Irwin Hammond in 1863. Mr. Eugene F. Cranz has named the farm, Mt. Toni Farm, after a hill of that name included within the limits of property. An independent Democrat in politics, Mr. Cranz has served efficiently for twelve years on the School Board, has been town trustee for five years, and in 1903 was a candidate for the State Legislature, but because of his party being in the minority he made no canvass for election. He is a. prominent member of the Grange, having been secretary of Pomona. Grange, Summit County, for ten years, and master for three years. He has also served the Ohio State Grange in minor offices for four years, at present being an assistant secretary. Mr. Cranz was married, in 1893, to Miss Nettie Parker, of Hinckley Township, Medina County. Her father was Oliver H. Parke•, a carpenter and prominent bridge builder of Summit and Medina Counties. He and his wife are the parents of six children—Tillman P., Gracia E., Doris E., Damon D., Harmon F., and Paul H. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cranz are members of the. Congregational Church in which also they are useful workers. They mid their family are among the most respected residents of the township. ARMIN SICHERMAN, M. D., one of Akron's leading physicians and surgeons, whose well-equipped offices may be found in the Hamilton Building, and whose surroundings all indicate the presence of a. man of scholarly tastes, was born in 1865, in Hungary. From the schools of his native land, Dr. Sicherman entered the college of Eperjes, Imperio-Royal University of Vienna, Austria, where he was graduated. Following the close of his university career, be spent two years in the general hospital at Vienna. During the term of his medical studies he gave one year of service in the regular army. From Vienna, Dr. Sicherman came to America, reaching Akron in March, 1893, and this city has remained his field of labor ever since. He has won the confidence of his fellow-citizens, in his profession, and their esteem end friendship, in personal relations. He La a member of the Summit County, the Ohio State. the Union Medical and the American Medical Associations, and he belongs to the Summit County Medical club. Tie is also a member of the Masonic 'fraternity. Dr. Sicherman was married in 1900, to Rose Loewy, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and they have two sons, Merryl and Karl. Tie belongs to the Hebrew congregation, at Akron. COL. GEORGE TOD PERKINS, president of the B. F. Goodrich Company, and of the Akron Rubber Company, and formerly president of the Second National Bank, of Akron, is one of the leading men of this city, where he was born, May 5, 1836. He is a soar of Colonel Simon and Grace Ingersoll (Tod) Perkins. separate notice of whom may be found in this volume. George Tod Perkins was educated in the schools of his native city and at Marietta Col- 1020 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY lege. In 1859 he went to Youngstown, where he was associated with his uncle, David Tod, later Governor of Ohio, as secretary of the Brier Hill Iron Company. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Nineteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was elected by the company to the rank of second lieutenant. During his enlistment he served in West Virginia. In 1862 he re-enlisted, becoming major of the 105th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; he was made lieutenant-colonel, July 16, 1863, and colonel, February 18, 1864, and was mustered out at Washington, June 3, 1865. Colonel Perkins' service included many of the most serious battles of the whole war, notably Perryville, Kentucky, where two of his captains and forty-seven of his men were killed; Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw, Mountain and the siege of Atlanta, were among his other experiences. He commanded his regiment in the "March to the Sea," with General Sherman, and was one of the gallant officers who won and received deserved promotion. Colonel Perkins then returned to Akron and entered into business, from 1867 to 1870, being secretary of Taplin, Rice & Company. In the latter year he became president of the Bank of Akron, continuing from 1870 to 1876, and then served as cashier of the same until the consolidation of that institution with the Second National Bank, in March, 1888, of which latter bank he was president for some years. As mentioned above, Colonel Perkins has other important business interests. In 1900 he presented to the city of Akron seventy-six acres of land for park purposes—to be known as Perkins Park. On October 6, 1865, Colonel Perkins was married to Mary F. Rawson, and they had three children, the one surviving being Mary, who is the wife of Charles B. Raymond, of Akron. Colonel Perkins has a beautiful home at No. 90 North Prospect Street. JAMES PIERCE NOLAND, general farmer and nurseryman, resides on his valuable 64 1-2 acre farm in Boston Township, and also owns the well-known Mackey place, which contains sixty acres, with a fine residence and farm buildings attached, also a valuable silo. He was born in Pike Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, May 6, 1853, and is a son of James D. and Mary (Porter) Noland. The father of Mr. Noland was born in Coshocton County and in childhood accompanied his parents to Indiana and later to Iowa, but returned to his native county, where the .rest of his life was passed. He died in 1903, aged eighty-seven years. In politics he was a Democrat and he served in almost all the local offices of his township. He married Mary Porter, who died in 1884, aged fifty-three years. She was a member of the Disciples Church. Of their eight children, James Pierce was the eldest. Until he was twenty years of age, James P. Noland remained on the home farm, in the local schools having good educational advantages. He then went to Painesville, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Storrs & Harrison, nurserymen, and after two years of practical experience there, formed a partnership with his brothers, W. A. and C. C., under the firm name of .Noland Bros. Together they conducted a nursery business at West Carlisle, Ohio, for three years. After Mr. Noland's marriage, in 1886, he took up his residence with his wife's parents in Boston Township, and put out a lot of nursery stock that same spring. The sixty acres which compose the Vowles farm, together with the Mackey farm, gives him a large acreage and all sections of the whole estate is made to produce to its limit. Mr. Noland raises corn, wheat, hay and oats, but his main business is raising nursery stock of all kinds and he has the distinction of being the most extensive grower in Summit County. From the age of thirteen years Mr. Noland has given this line of business close attention, and he is not an indifferent acceptor of just what the land will produce, but a scientifically educated tree, plant and flower developer, one who, seeming- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1021 ly, can bring forth any variety from the fertile land that he chooses. He is an indefatigable worker, a keen observer of all climatic conditions and also an excellent business man. Mr. Noland has originated a number of choice varieties of flowers and fruit. He has been very successful with strawberries, his main producers being the Bubach the Senator Dunlap, the Haviland, the William Belt, Samples and Yant, and the Noland, the latter a large, firm, berry that he originated himself: He raises many raspberries and blackberries, all of the kind easiest to ship. He has now on his place, 60,000 Norway spruces, a specialty, standing from four inches to eight feet, designed for the Christmas demand, while his fruit stock include all the varieties which will stand the climate. He calls attention to a very fine species of crab apple, large, of fine flavor and handsome color, which he originated himself. He has an abundance of roses and flowering shrubs of all kinds and in almost all seasons of the year he is surrounded by a perfect wealth of natural beauty. On March 9, 1886, Mr. Noland was married to Mary Voyles, who is a daughter of Levi and Janes Vowles, of Boston Township. THE FOSTER FAMILY. Among the well-known and respected families of Northfield Township, the Foster family, which has been established here since 1841, is now represented by three members—two brothers and one sister. Lyman Foster was .born at Bangor, Maine, in 1805 and died in Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1875. Lyman Foster's wife, Minerva Everest Foster, was born in Essex County, New York, in 1800, and died in Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, 1892. In the spring of 1841 Lyman Foster, wife; and family of six children started for Ohio. Taking canal boat at Albany, they arrived at Buffalo three weeks later, from there they took the steam-boat to Cleveland, from which place they made their way to Northfield Township by canal and overland. They were met at the canal boat by Zadac Everest, brother of Minerva Foster, who took them to her father's home (William Everest's) in Macedonia, Northfield Township. Remaining a short time with them, they then rented some land of Gabriel Curtis and commenced the battle of farming for a livelihood. By hard work and good management they were fairly prosperous and very soon purchased land where their present home has been for the past fifty-four years. This home is now occupied by L. R., A. L. and Z. M. Foster. Two children were added to the family, being born in Macedonia, making eight children in all who lived to reach their majority. The records of the children are as follows: Orlando H. Foster, born in Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1830, married in 1861 Mrs. A. R. Willard (now deceased), of Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio; he died at Macedonia in 1862, leaving no children. LeRoy Foster, born in Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1831, married Maria Stevens of Princeville,, Peoria County, Illinois, in 1859. She died in 1862 leaving one child, Ora M., who became the wife of T. D. McFarland, of Hudson, Ohio, in 1885. She died in 1892 leaving one child, Doris Marie. T. D. McFarland died in 1907. Doris Marie now makes her holm?, with her grandfather, L. R. Foster. Andrew J. Foster was born in Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1833, married Mary A. Taylor, of Twinsburg, Summit County, Ohio, in 1860, died at Foster City, Michigan, in 1896. She died at the home of L. R Foster in 1903; no children living. Amanda Elizabeth Foster, born at Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1835, married James H. Clark, of Northfield Township in 1859. To them three children were born, one now living, Mrs. F. M. Vaughn, of Cleveland. Mrs. Clark died at Macedonia in 1865. Mr. Clark died at Cleveland in 1903. Alonzo L. Foster, born at Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1837, was married in 1870 to Frances E. Barlicomb of Cadil- 1022 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY lac, Michigan, who died in 1878, in Cleveland, leaving no children. Sarah Jane Foster, born at Greenwich, Washington County, New York, in 1839, married Rev. William Campbell, of Northfield Township, in 1862. To them two children were born : William, Jr., and Lillian, all of which now live at Minneapolis, Minn. Zorada M. Foster, born in Macedonia, Summit County, Ohio, in 1841. Amelia M. Foster born in Macedonia, Summit County, Ohio, in 1844, married B. D. Hammond, of Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1866, died in 1887 at Wichita, Kansas, leaving six children: Foster, Myrtle, Daniel, Thorne, Lyman, and Tracey. Lyman Foster and wife were active members of The Free-Will Baptist Church of Macedonia and brought up their family in strict, New England Evangelical codes; were up-to-date Americans, Republicans in politics. The whole family was interested in the underground , railroad. At one time eight negroes were concealed in a straw-stack at the barn. The Foster family sang as a choir in church for many years. At the present time the three living members of the family at the old homestead and the granddaughter of L. R. Foster, Doris Marie McFarland, are active members of the Christian Science Church of Macedonia. ROSWELL KENT, once one of the leading business men of Akron, was well and widely known as a merchant and as a member of the manufacturing firm of Irish, Kent and McMillan, later Irish, Kent and Baldwin, and subsequently Kent, Baldwin and Company. He was born May 18, 1798, at Leyden, Massachusetts, and accompanied his parents to Hud son, Ohio, in 1812. Mr. Kent was educated in the best schools of his day. He became industrially interested at Akron, then Middlebury, in 1820, when he established a general store for his brother and Capt. Heman Oviatt. In 1826 he bought the business and conducted it himself until his retirement. When the firm of Irish, Kent and McMillan was formed for the manufacture of woolen machinery, he became its second member, and during the changes in the course of years, remained a member. His name is associated with many of Akron's early enterprises and his assistance was given to a large number of its public-spirited efforts. The Sixth "Ward Kent school building, one of the finest educational edifices of the city, was named in his honor. In 1826 Roswell Kent was married to Eliza Hart, who was a daughter of Joseph and Annie (Hotchkiss) Hart, who settled at Middlebury in 1807. Mrs. Kent was born in 1808, and was the first white child born in the present limits of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Kent had seven children, of whom three grew to maturity—Ekka K. (deceased), who was the wife of Findley McNaughton; Russel H., .and Flora K., who was the wife of T. S. Page. Russel H. Kent, the only surviving son of the late Roswell and Eliza (Hart) Kent, who is secretary and treasurer of the Summit China Company, was born September 26, 1841, in Akron, Ohio. His education was secured in the common schools of Akron, after which he became associated with The Kent and Baldwin Company, of which his father was the head. In 1879 the Akron Stoneware Company was organized, which was :succeeded in 1900 by The Summit China Company, and Mr. Kent is still identified with this enterprise. Mr. Kent was married to Miss Mary Melissa Brewster, who is a daughter of the late Alexander and Margaret Ann (Kinney) Brewster. Mr. and Mrs. Kent reside at No. 398 East Buchtel Avenue. Alexander Brewster, who was one of Summit County's prominent pioneer citizens, was born September 10, 1808, at Augusta. Oneida County, New York, and died at Akron in May, 1899.. In 1812 the parents of Mr. Brewster came to Summit County and settled as pioneers in the wilderness of Coventry Township. There father and son developed a fine homestead farm, and together they worked at the carpenter's trade, although Alexander later gave his attention entirely to agricultural AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1023 pursuits. In 1848 a vein of coal was discovered on his land, but not being a practical miner, he did little to develop it until after his return from the California gold fields, in 1852. He soon found it more profitable to engage in mining than in farming, and after successfully operating on his own land, in 1865 he organized a stock company, under the title of the Brewster Coal Company, with a capital stock of $100,000. Of this organization, Mr. Brewster became president and his two sons, Alfred A. and Austin K., were associated with him, the former as general agent, and the latter as secretary and treasurer. This company is still active in the coal fields and for years, during Mr. Brewster's management, mined 300,000 tons of coal annually. He was a man of fine business judgment and became one of Akron's most substantial citizens. CHARLES HENRY STROMAN, one of Springfield Township's substantial citizens and leading agriculturalists, resides on his farm of 115 acres, and owns other land, thirty-eight and one-half acres being situated in Coventry Township He was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 14, 1854, on his father's farm, a mile and a half south of his present home, and is a son of John and Rosanna (Raber) Stroman. John Stroman was born in Pennsylvania and he accompanied his parents, Charles and Rebecca Stroman, who settled in Green Township, Summit County, but later removed to. Indiana. The grandfather of Charles H. Stroman died on his farm there, after which the grandmother returned to Ohio and lived the remainder of her life in the vicinity of her children. These were: Gemima, Matilda, Lucy Ann, Rebecca, Barbara, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary Ann, Samuel, John and Charles, the latter two remaining residents of Summit County. John Stroman married Rosanna, daughter of Henry Raber, who came to Ohio from. Pennsylvania. They had two children, Charles H. and Lovina. The latter married John P. Kepler. She is deceased. John Stroman sold the farm where Charles Henry was born and bought the latter's present farm in 1856. He also owned 100 acres in Coventry Township. John Stroman died in 1884 at the age of fifty-eight years. His widow died in 1894, aged sixty-eight years. Charles Henry Stroman was two years old when his father purchased and moved to the farm on which he has spent fifty-one years. He secured his education in the district schools and has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. For some five years he rented the present farm and then purchased it and has made many improvements here. In 1900 Mr. Stroman was married to Nora Ellen Taylor, who is a daughter of Henry and Amanda (Ringer) Taylor, of Coventry Township. Henry Taylor was born in Ireland and accompanied his parents to America and they still survive, living at Kistler, Pennsylvania. The mother of Mrs. Stroman was born at Royalton, near Cleveland, Ohio, and died in 1889, aged forty-eight years. Mr. Taylor resides at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Stroman have one little daughter, Amy Viola, who was born in 1901. Mr. Stroman is a Democrat in his political views, but he is broad-minded enough to see merit in men outside the ranks of either party and usually votes for the man he believes best qualified for office. He is a member of Summit Lodge, No. 50, Odd Fellows, at Akron. FLORENZO F. FENN, a citizen of Tallmadge Township, and the oldest living representative of the Fenn family, was born January 17, 1828, in Tallmadge, Ohio. His parents, Fowler F. and Esther (Law) Fenn, were born in Milford, Connecticut, and after their marriage in 1818 came to the Western Reserve, Ohio, and located in Tallmadge in 1820. Tallmadge was at that time a dense forest. His farm was in the eastern part of Tallmadge, and his father, Benjamin Fenn, Florenzo F. Fenn's grandfather, occupied a farm half a mile west of the center. As Mr. Fenn's father made his home with the grand- 1024 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY father while preparing a home of his own, it involved a walk of two miles and a half each way through a wilderness of trees and brush. Mr. Fenn's father once encountered a panther that bounded from one side of the path to the other, screaming like mad. He armed himself with a club and reached his home safely. After that incident he was careful to start for home before dusk. They built their own log cabin and the first tree cut for it was felled by his wife, he cutting off the larger part. Although frail in body, Mr. Fenn's mother was a helpmate in every sense of the word. She paid a subscription of $50.00 to the church by spinning flax and weaving linen. They were blessed with five children: Nathan W., who died at two; Lucinda S., still living at eighty-six; Henrietta L., who died at twenty-one; Nathan W. (second), who died at twenty-one; and Florenzo F., the youngest, the subject of this sketch, still living. His mother died when he was thirteen months old, at the age of thirty-two. He was reared by his mother's sister, Abigail A. Law, whom his father afterward married, in 1830. She was the mother of three children : Edward P., who died at the age of two years; Esther E., who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Edward P. (second), who died at the age of forty-one. She was a devoted and loving mother, and lived to the good old age of ninety-three years, spending the last years of her life in the home of Florenzo F. Fenn. When Mr. Fenn was nine years old, at a time when he most needed the loving care and watchfulness of a father, his father was taken away, at the age of forty-four. Mr. Fenn attended school until seventeen years of age, when he went to Hudson and learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. He also attended the preparatory department of Western Reserve College, which was in Hudson at that time. He, however, did not continue his studies, as his health would not permit. In the year 1854 he was married to Julia Eunice Treat. Her parents, Andrew Treat and Marietta Newton Treat, were born in Connecticut, and lived there until they were mar ried in April, 1823, at which time they left their home for the adventures of a new country. They made the journey in a one-horse wagon, which for a time was the only wagon in, the neighborhood and was used for all purposes—to go to mill, to meetings, to weddings and funerals. It is, still preserved by Mr. Fenn, and is a curiosity which attracted considerable attention at the Tallmadge Centennial held in 1907, when a large up-to-date automobile stood beside it, showing the progress of events. Mr. Treat bought laud on the southeast road in Tallmadge Township and settled on the same. By industry and frugality he became the largest land owner and one of the wealthiest citizens of Tallmadge. He cleared acres and acres of land by hand, chopping magnificent trees down in windrows and burning them—trees that would be a fortune to any one owning them now. They built on the land he had cleared and lived there all their lives, Mrs. Treat dying in 1887, aged eighty-three years and Mr. Treat in 1888, aged eighty-seven years. They had two children, Joseph A. and Julia E. Treat. Julia, who was the wife of Florenzo F. Fenn, secured her grammar education in Tallmadge. At the age of fourteen went to Cleveland to school, and later to New Haven for special study in music. She was married at the age of twenty-one and spent the remainder of her life in Tallmadge, her death occuring in November, 1901, when she had attained the age of sixty-eight years. She was a woman of estimable character, a devoted mother, and beloved by all who knew her. She was the mother of eight children: Frank and Florenzo, Everton Newton, Julian; Marietta A., Andrew Edward, Elbert Dwight and Julia. Frank and Florenzo died in infancy, Julian at the age of three and a half years, and Marietta at thirty years of age. The other four are still living and reside in Cleveland. Since Mr. Fenn's marriage he has spent most of his years in farming, and has always taken an interest in the affairs of the township. He and his wife joined the Congregational Church in their youth and were active members ever afterward. He has been