AKRON
and
SUMMIT COUNTY
OHIO
1825-1928
SCOTT DIX KENFIELD
Supervising Editor
Volume I, II and III
Illustrated
CHICAGO AND AKRON
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1928
FOREWORD
IT WAS not accident which gave to the county, to whose progress this history is a memorial, the name of Summit. This choice was inspired by its location at the crest of the divide between lake and river, and because something in the word "Summit" typified the will of Akron and its founders ever to ascend the steep of life to better ideals and achievement. These qualities were native to the settlers of the Western Reserve, and they continue to shape the course of their descendants.
From the beginning of its history, as the succeeding pages will disclose, Akron and the county which its urban and suburban limits presently encompass, has been the true pioneer. Located at the crossing of great trails, land and water, which served the Indians in their journeys and the whites who were the vanguard of civilization's march to the West, it never ceased blazing the trail into new domains of human endeavor and aspiration. Here lived John Brown, the Liberator, who believed in direct action in abolishing slavery. To the north of Akron was Hudson and its Western Reserve Academy, one of whose presidents, Dr. Charles B. Storrs, did more than Brown to strengthen the sentiment of the Western Reserve in its hatred of slavery. His fight for human freedom really hastened his death, and brought from Whittier the tenderest tribute that ever came from his pen—the memorial :
"Thou hast fallen in thine armor
Thou martyred of the Lord;
With thy last breath crying 'Onward!'
And thy hand upon thy sword!"
An Akron educator was the founder of the American public school system, in its early days known as "The Akron Plan."
The towpath of one of the canals which had their confluence in the Summit watershed was pressed by the feet of Garfield, the martyred President who was at one with all the great leaders of the Reserve in the movement to abolish slavery. In the great industrial period that succeeded the Civil War Summit was still the leader. It was the home of Ohio C. Barber, the Match King, Ferdinand Schumacher, who prepared for the Nation its first breakfast foods ; then Lewis Miller, founder of the Chautauqua, George W. Crouse, Col. A. L. Conger, Col. George T. Perkins and J. F. Seiberling, who developed the harvesting machine industry, and Dr. B. F. Goodrich, who founded the present great rubber industry. In the production of books, clay products, paper and even the modest but essential fish hook, Akron was likewise the pioneer.
This history serves as a review of all these periods and enterprises of the county, and its chief city that is set upon more than seven hills, whose industrial and residential development has extended into the watershed of three rivers. But it is intended also as a reference work for all who would know the present Akron and Summit County. Every subject treated is
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vi - FOREWORD
prepared by a specialist in one of the many-sided activities of Akron and Summit County public, social, commercial and industrial life. They have done a useful public service in acquainting this and succeeding generations with the facts at their command, and giving every reader an accurate acquaintance with this wonderful community, whose industrial and cultural activities have drawn a population from all States and from many Nations. For all of these Akron and its environs have been a true "City of Opportunity," as its slogan implies.
In compiling this history the editors have drawn upon the valuable historical material found in the Howe, Lane, Doyle and Centennial histories of Akron and Summit County. In addition to the copy supplied by the associate editors much of the data and many of the historical facts contained in this volume are supplied from the contributions of such well known local historians as A. I. Spanton, Elizabeth A. Thompson, Susannah C. Cole, Orlando Wilcox, May Parker, Wm. A. Johnston, Vincent S. Stevens, A. B. Cannon, James A. Braden, Karl Kendig, Carl D. Sheppard, R. C. Busbey, Dr. Herbert C. Baxton, Hugh Allen, Laurine Wanamaker Schwan, George W. Sherman, Henry M. Hagelbarger, whose recording of historical events in Akron during the past century was a feature of the Centennial celebration in 1925. The files of Akron newspapers, especially The Beacon Journal and The Akron Times Press and The Sunday Times also have been the source of much of the material within this volume and the editor and publisher want especially to mention among the employes of these newspapers, Howard Wolf of The Beacon Journal and Miss Alice Edison and H. C. Atkinson, of The Sunday Times and The Times Press. The interesting histories of Summit County communities that have been a feature of The Sunday Times, written by Miss Edison have been included in this work. The publishers are indebted to Mr. C. G. Rohrich, of The Akron Engraving Co., for many of the fine half-tones used in illustrating the historical volume. To all of these we acknowledge our grateful appreciation of their effort that has aided in the preparation of the various chapters to follow.
ASSOCIATE EDITORS
HOWARD S. MACAYEAL
JOHN C. FRANK
GEORGE E. MCCORD
C. A. FLICKINGER
O. E. .OLIN
JOHN A. BOTZUM
EDWARD S. HARTER
DR. A. S. MCCORMICK
MRS. W. J. GELINK
MISS MALVYN WACHNE
E. C. MCQUEENEY
E. L. MARTING
WALTER B. WANAMAKER
W. M. RICHARDSON
U. L. LIGHT
C. E. MCCORKLE
MISS ALICE EDISON
W. R. LODGE
C. O. HALE
V. T. BENDER
GEORGE W. SCHICK
A. C. BACHTEL
E. F. TAGGART
HARRY E. BENNETT
MISS TEDDY SAWYER
CHARLES F. FISHER
C. R. MUSSER
JACK MOORE
C. W. KEMPEL
GEORGE J. HARTER, Assistant Supervising Editor
Photographers—Tinker-Rhodes Studio, Inc.—Floyd E. Chart
