500 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD church; he was a prosperous farmer and substantial man and the family was one of prominence and sterling worth; he lived to be about ninety years of age and died on the homestead --a farm originally owned by the family "prior to Homer Sackett's birth. Aaron Sackett, father of our subject, was born January 7, 1891, on the old Sackett homestead, received the usual common education and became a school-teacher. He followed farming all his life and married in Warren, Conn., Hulda C. Tanner, a native of Warren and daughter of Deacon William Tanner, a lieutenant of the Revolutionary war, who fought under Gen. Anthony Wayne at Stony Point. In 1836 Aaron Sackett moved to Canandaigua, N. Y., where he lived two years in order that his children might attend its excellent academy and seminary. In 1838 he came to Ohio and settled in Tallmadge township, Summit county, where he bought a farm of 160 acres, but in 1868 retired and lived with his son William, at Copley, until his death, in 1872, at the age of eighty-four years. He was a man of stanch traits of character, temperate and moral, prosperous through life, and reared an excellent family. His children were Theodosia, Harriet T., George, Sarah, Emiline, Seth, Maria, Francis and Sarah (who died in childhood.) Hon. George Sackett, son of above, was born January 6, 1821, at Warren, Litchfield county, Conn., and received his education in the common schools and then attended the academy two years, at Canandaigua, N. Y., and at the academy in Tallmadge, Ohio, three terms. He has always been a farmer. Mr. Sackett married the first time, September 10, 1848, Miss Helen Williams, a native of Auburn, N. Y., and a daughter of Nelson Williams, of Connecticut. They had no children, and Mrs. Sackett died June 10, 1851. Mr. Sack ett next married February 9, 1854, at Tallmadge, Ohio, Frances V. Grant, who was born December 8, 1882, at Orange, New Haven county, Conn., daughter of William and Esther (Treat) Grant. William Grant was born in North Fork, Va., July 30, 1807, son of Richard and Elizabeth A. Grant. Mr. Grant went to New Haven, Conn., when a boy of sixteen, with his employer, Andrew Smith, a shoe manufacturer for the southern market, who setttled in Orange township, New Haven county, Conn. , about 1823 or 1824. William Grant remained in Orange all the rest of his life, was long in the employ of Mr. Smith, and afterward engaged in the manufacture of shoes on his own account. William Grant married, at Orange, and his children were Matilda E., Frances V., Henry Clay, Frederick, Anna Elizabeth, Charles R., and Emily A. Mr. Grant and wife were members of the Congregational chnrch. He was an honored citizen, a justice of the peace many years, and was a member of the Connecticut state legislature in 1843-4. He lived to be seventy-five years old and died in July, 1882, in Orange, a highly respected man. His wife, Esther Treat, was born at Orange, Conn., March 2, 1810, a daughter of Samuel and Clarissa (Wetmore) Treat. Samuel Treat enlisted as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, at the age of sixteen years. He was the son of Maj. Samuel Treat, of the same war, and well known as Deacon Samuel Treat. He was born August 6, 1728, at Milford, Conn., descended from Gov. Robert Treat, of Connecticut, who was descended from Richard Treat, who came from England in 1630. Maj. Samuel Treat was first appointed ensign in the continental army, August 31, 1768, was promoted to second lieutenant, then promoted to lieutenant in 1772, and to captain in the Revolutionary army in May, 1775, and resigned in 1779, being injured. OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 501 He died August 17, 1787, aged fifty-nine years, a man of the highest character. Samuel Treat, son of Maj. Treat, was the grandfather of Mrs. Sackett. He was born August 16, 1760, at Milford, Conn., married April 22, 1794, Clarissa Wetmore, and their children were Sarah, Mary, Samuel, Orin and Oriel ( twins), Clarissa, Erastus Scranton, Almira and Esther F. Samuel Treat lived to be fifty-three years old, was a prosperous farmer and a member of the Congregational church and gave the land for the church in his town. He was a private in a regiment of light-horse artillery, commanded by Maj. Beckus, served under Washington, was discharged October 30, 1776; in May, 1777, enlisted under Col. Joseph Thompson and marched, October 5, 1777, to Becksville and was discharged October 27, 1777. At marriage Mr. and Mrs. Sackett settled on their present homestead, which Mr. Sackett had bought, in 1847, the farm then consisting of 200 acres, which he had acquired when a young man, being very industrious and hard working and of great energy. He engaged in the wheat raising and wool business, and had good prices, rapidly accumulating property and bought more land, until he owned about 1,400 acres, but laid out and sold property in town lots. He laid Out Sackett's addition to Cuyahoga Falls, also Sackett's addition to Salida, Colo., and part of Laredo, on the Rio Grande, Tex. For several years he engaged in papermaking at Cuyahoga Falls, and has been engaged in mining silver and gold in Colorado and Nevada. In politics he was one of the founders of the republican party in Summit county, Ohio, was chairman of the Fremont and Dayton club and took a very active part in all the early campaigns. He was present at the first inauguration of Abraham Lincoln, and was county commissioner of Summit county in 1868, and a member of the state board of equalization in 1880-81; also member of the town council, and treasurer of the township before the organization of Cuyahoga Falls, and assisted in its organization. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sackett are members of the Congregational church. Mr. Sackett has lived a most remarkably active life, and has been generally successful. Mr. and Mrs. Sackett adopted a daughter, Mary Pauline Sackett, now married to Augustus F. Smith, of Cleveland, Ohio, in the Pennsylvania railroad office, and they have one son—Leslie Grant Smith. ALBERT H. SARGENT, a prominent citizen of Akron, Ohio, was born in Bloomfield, Prince Edward county, Ontario, Canada, October 31, 1846, a son of George A. and Lydia (Blount) Sargent, the mother being of English Quaker extraction. John Sargent, paternal grandfather of subject, was a native of Battle, Sussex county, England, and was the third in the family bearing that name, being a son of John, who was a son of John, both the latter farmers of Sussex county. John Sargent, grandfather of subject, was a carpenter by trade, and came to America about 1825, settled in Jefferson county, and there died early in the 'fifties. His wife, Susan Luff by birth, was a native of Sussex county, England. Her father was a miller by occupation, and an early pioneer of Jefferson county, N. Y. George A. Sargent, the second son of John and Susan (Luff) Sargent, was born in Hastings, Sussex county, England, Septemcer 6, 1813, was brought to America by his parents, was reared from twelve years of age to manhood in Jefferson county, N. Y., and after learning the carpenter's trade from his father, went, after reaching his majority, to Prince 502 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Edward county, Canada, where he worked at carpentering and contracting until 1878, when he retired on a competency and lived in comfort until his death, which occurred June 3, 1888. His wife, although a native of Prince Edward county, Canada, was of New England Quaker descent or parentage. She bore her husband four children, in the following order: John G. ; Walter W. (deceased), who left one son; Marshall B., a resident of Chicago, Ill. ; Albert H., our subject, and Marshall B., deceased. Albert H. Sargent received a good common-school education, taught school two years, and was also graduated from the Commercial college of Montreal in 1866. In 1867 he located in Rochester, N. Y., where he read law in the office of his uncle, Henry Sargent, four years, and then became bookkeeper for James Vick, the famous florist and seedsman, which position he filled ten years. He next studied landscape gardening and engineering under Charles W. Seelye, and was engaged in the laying out and adornment of the city parks of Rochester until February 1, 1880, when he was called to the superintendency of the Akron (Ohio) Rural cemetery, which position he has filled with consummate ability until the present time. In 1882 Mr. Sargent was appointed by the Akron city council on the committee to organize the board of health, and of this committee he was clerk for three years. As a republican, he was elected, in the spring of 1885, a member of the board of education of Akron, served six years, and for the last two years of his term was president of the board. In 1886 he was elected coroner of Summit county and in 1888 was re-elected, thus serving a double term of four years. Again, as far as political positions are concerned, Mr. Sargent was elected a member of the board of health and served during 189293-94, and in the incumbency rendered effi cient service in quelling the small-pox epidemic that waged during the winter of 1892-93. Mr. Sargent was united in marriage June 26, 1873, with Miss Sue S. Sargent, whose ancestry on the paternal side was the same as that of subject, and on the maternal side the descent is traced through Capt. Nathan Seelye, for five years a soldier of the Revolution, to Nathaniel Seelye, who came from Wales in 1695 and settled in Bridgeport, Conn. Mrs. Sue S. Sargent is also a great-granddaughter of George Morehouse, who, in the same glorious war, was quartermaster on the staff of Col. Morris Graham, under command of Brig.-Gen. Clinton. This lady is a member of the Cuyahoga-Portage chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution; Mr. Sargent is a thirty-second-degree Mason, is past eminent commander of knights templar and past master Akron council No. 42, royal and select Masons. To Mr. and Mrs. Sargent have been born two children—Albert H., deceased, and Jennie L. HENRY K. SAUDER, of the well-known and highly reputable firm of Sauder & Rogers, attorneys at law, Nos. 34 and 35 Savings Bank building, Akron, is a native of Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, was born in March, 1852, and is a son of Benjamin and Caroline (Kreiter) Sauder, the former of whom is now deceased, but the latter still living. They were both born in Pennsylvania, of German descent. Benjamin Sauder, father of Henry K., was reared in Lancaster county, Pa., in the Mennonite society. He there married Miss Kreiter, whose father was a man of great intelligence, was one of the pioneers of Canal Dover, Ohio, and was one of the founders of the Moravian church of Tuscarawas county. Shortly after marriage, Benjamin Sauder came to Ohio OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 503 and established a wagon factory in Wayne county, employing several hands, and to this interest he devoted himself until within a few years of the close of his life, which were employed in farming. He was a radical antislavery advocate, and his early party affiliations were with the whigs, but on the organization of the republicans became an ardent member of that party. He died at the comparatively early age of forty-nine years, the father of fifteen children, viz: Elvina, who died in early childhood; Joseph K., a molder of Akron, Ohio; John M., with William Buell & Co., druggists of Akron; Elizabeth, wife of Joseph M. Morrett, carpenter, also of Akron; Jacob, a lumberman of Wilson, Mich. ; Mary Ann, married to Jesse Hare, a farmer of Portland, Mich. ; Henry K., the subject of this memoir; Ellen, who died in infancy; Benjamin, a life-insurance agent, of Akron, Ohio; William M., lumberman, of Wilson, Mich. ; Elmer E., a carpenter, of Akron, Ohio; Caroline, wife of Perry Krummell, of Barberton; Emma, deceased wife of Milton Sell; Edwin T., of Peoria, Ill., and Minnie L., wife of E. A. Kramer, dentist, of Wadsworth, Ohio. Henry K. Sauder, the subject of this biography, was reared until he had nearly reached his majority in Smithville, Wayne county, Ohio, received a common-school and academical education, and for some time worked as a farm hand in the summer season; he learned the trade of printing subsequently, also taught school and filled a position as clerk in the post-office. In 1875 he came to Akron, studied law for two years with Green & Marvin, was admitted to practice in 1877, and for two years carried on an initiatory business in this city. He then went to Seville, Medina county, but, on account of failing health, relinquished practice for about three years, but in 1882 resumed his profession in Akron, and in his leisure hours practiced shorthand. In 1884 he was appointed court stenographer of Summit county, which position he held for seven years, performing its duties in conjunction with his legal practice. In 1893 he formed his present partnership with Mr. Rogers. Together they do general law business and a first-class one, and owing to the fact that Mr. Rogers was prosecuting attorney, a great deal of criminal practice was brought to their office. In politics Mr. Sauder is a democrat, and for three years was a member of the library board, two years of the time being its secretary. He had always been a devoted student of literature and was admirably well fitted for the position. In 1893 he was nominated for the probate judgeship, and in 1896 was renominated. In 1894-95 he was president of the Ohio Stenographers' association. He is still unmarried and resides with his mother at No. 229 North Main street. He is one of the best known men in the county and is recognized as one of its brightest legal lights. He is urbane and. gentlemanly in his deportment, and is highly esteemed by the profession as well as by the public at large. VICTOR P. SAWYER, a prosperous farmer, was born in Brimfield township, Portage county, Ohio, September 12, 1848, and here he has always made his home. Uriah Sawyer, paternal grandfather of Victor P., was a native of Massachusetts, was a cooper by trade, and settled in Brimfield township in 1817, and here followed his trade and also engaged in farming. He married Miss Sallie Spofford, the union resulting in the birth of eight children, of whom only one--Hannah --is now living; the deceased were named Oliver, Henry, Uriah, William B., Frank B., Lockhart and Sallie. Mrs. Sallie (Spofford) Sawyer died at the age of eighty-two .years, 504 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD and Mr. Sawyer at the age of eighty-four, in August, 1862. Uriah Sawyer, Jr., father of subject, was born in New Hampshire, July 14, 181o, and was brought to Ohio by his parents in 1817; here he was reared a cooper, and likewise a farmer. July 3, 1836, he married Miss Caroline Pike, daughter of Jeremiah and Rebecca (Walbridge) Pike. Jeremiah Pike was also a native of Massachusetts, and settled in Brimfield township in 1820. Miss Caroline Pike was born in Massachusetts December 28, 1816, and came to Ohio with her parents; by her marriage to Mr. Sawyer she became the mother of two children--Adelaide R., who died January 6, 1861, aged fourteen years and four months, and Victor P., the subject of this memoir. Mrs. Sawyer died February 23, 1879, at the age of sixty-two years. Her husband, Uriah Sawyer, when he started in life on his own account, located on lot No. 20, in Brimfield township, which he cleared up and improved, and on which he resided until 1860, when he purchased the farm on which Victor P. Sawyer now resides. Uriah was a very successful farmer and a popular gentleman, and for a number of years served as a justice of peace. His death took place on his last-named homestead, November 2, 1881, at the age of seventy-one years. Victor P. Sawyer attended the public schools until twenty years of age and continued to work for his father until the latter's death, when he fell heir to the farm on which he still lives. September 27, 1870, he married Miss Eunice S. Kelso, daughter of William R. and Lucy (Sawyer) Kelso, and this union has been blessed with 'three children, of whom two--Lucy C. and Addie C.—are still living; Frank E. died April 20, 1876, at the age of four years. The parents of Mrs. Victor P. Sawyer were natives of the state of New York, and the father was a blacksmith, but having lost an eye while at work, he afterward engaged in hotel keeping for a number of years; he also served as county commissioner several terms. Their marriage took place October 16, 1834, Lucy Kelso being a daughter of Asa and Eunice (Bruce) Sawyer, and of their twelve children four still survive, viz: Mary, wife of E. D. Sawyer, of Cleveland; Sarah, wife of A. T. Porter, of Brimfield; George, and Eunice S. (Mrs. V. P. Sawyer). Two of the twelve children died in infancy unnamed; the six others were Albert, Eunice, Franklin, Carrie, Cornelia and Alice. Mr. and Mrs. V. P. Sawyer and children are members of the Universalist church, and Mr. Sawyer is superintendent of the Sunday-school, as well as a trustee. Socially, the family hold a very high position. WILLIAM T. SAWYER, one of the most astute young attorneys of Akron, was born near the center of Springfield township, Summit county, Ohio, December 3, 1862, a son of Robert V. and Martha Ann Sawyer, natives of Pennsylvania, but now deceased, the father having died March 7, 1877, and the mother February 3, 1892. They were the parents of six children, viz: Mary, wife of Isaac Madlem, attorney at law, Omaha, Neb. ; Robert V., who was engaged in the secret service, and died in Chicago, Ill. in 1889; Jennie and Anna, who died in early childhood; Elizabeth Adell, wife of T. O. Spessard, baker and confectioner, of Knoxville, Tenn., and William T., the subject of this notice. The great-grandparents of subject were Benjamin and Margaret (Haynes) Sawyer, who were the children of English colonists. Their children were Thomas, William, Hannah Peters and James. Thomas, paternal grandfather of subject, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 505 was born in Dauphin county, Pa., in 1782, and was married to Elizabeth Day, March 6, 1806. In 1810 they moved to Union county, Pa., and in October, 1829, they moved to the " Old Sawyer " farm in Springfield township, Summit county, Ohio, bringing with them their ten children. The trip was made in covered wagons and they were on the road fourteen days. Their children were James S., Thomas H., Matilda M., John B., Ann E., Robert V., father of subject, Hannah S., William G. W., Benjamin F. and Mary J. Margaret C., was born after her parents came to Ohio. James Sawyer, youngest child of Benjamin and Margaret Haynes Sawyer, was the maternal grandfather of subject. His wife was Mary Fife, granddaughter of John Fife, who was born in Fifeshire, Scotland, in 1721, and came to America from county Tyrone, Ireland, in 1756. The children of James and Mary (Fife) Sawyer were Benjamin, Margaret Kelly, Martha Sawyer, mother of subject, Hannah, Mary, Thomas, William, John and Isabel List. William T. Sawyer was reared on his father's farm in Springfield township, where he attended the district school. After his father's death his mother moved to Akron, so that the children could have better educational advantages. After spending two years in the city schools and two years in the preparatory department of Buchtel college he was admitted to the college proper, where he studied four years and graduated with his class June 23, 1887. He then made an extensive trip through the west and south, visiting nearly twenty states, and finally settled down at Knoxville, Tenn., where he read law under the direction of the firm of Kornic & Caldwell. After passing the examination for admission to the bar of Tennessee, in May, 1888, he returned to Akron, making the trip on a bicycle. He was employed as a reporter on the Akron Daily Telegram for about six months, at the same time diligently prosecuting his studies of law, and was admitted to practice at the Ohio bar in June, 189o. He at once opened an office, and some months later formed a partnership with James V. Welsh, his present associate. They transact a general law business and are meeting with more than ordinary success. Their firm ranks well up toward the head of the Summit county bar, and they are known throughout northeastern Ohio as conscientious and successful lawyers. Fraternally, Mr. Sawyer is an Odd Fellow and is a member of Summit lodge, No. 5o. Politically, he is a democrat, is particularly active in his party, and has done earnest work in its behalf. His voice has been heard on the hustings in every campaign since 1884. He is a fluent speaker and has frequently held the attention of his audience for two hours and a half at a time. He has repeatedly served his party as a member and twice as chairman of the county executive committee. He has held the office of police prose.cutor, and in 1895 was elected treasurer of Portage township and re-elected to that office in 1897. At the solicitation of his ardent party friends he made the race for state representative in 1895 and has ever since rejoiced in the fact that he was defeated. In 1896 he was the nominee of his party for representative in congress, made a thorough canvass, and received twice as many votes as any other democratic nominee for that office ever received in the district since its organization. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Daily Democrat in 1892 and is still a director and treasurer of the company by which it is published. For several years after the paper was started he was frequently referred to• as the " Daddy of the Democrat." 506 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD He is a member of the Akron club and is a trustee of Buchtel college. Mr. Sawyer was married October 15, 1889, to Miss Bessie C. Voris, youngest daughter of Gen. A. C. Voris, and their union has been crowned by the birth of one child, Lucy Martha. Mrs. Sawyer is a woman of artistic and literary tastes. The walls of her home are covered with pictures from her brush, in oil and water colors, which show much more than ordinary ability. In addition to her familiarity with all the standard authors, she has written a number of short stories, which her friends have fruitlessly urged her to offer for publication. She is a member of the Universalist church and the Daughters of the American Revolution. The family residence stands on the brow of North Hill and is surrounded by spacious rustic grounds, upon which many of the native forest trees still flourish. Mr. Sawyer and his wife are among the most respected residents of Akron. PROF. FREDERICK SCHNEE, a prominent educator of Summit county, Ohio, and for the past twelve years superintendent of schools at Cuyahoga Falls, was born at Freeburg, Pa., April 3o, 1848, a son of John F. and Hannah (Young) Schnee. The great-great-grandfather of subject, Johannes Schnee, came from Germany in the ship Phoenix in 1743 and settled in Pennsylvania. After the Revolutionary war there were four Schnees, and three of them changed or translated the name to Snow. Johannes Schnee was a member of the Lutheran church. His son, John, settled in Lebanon county, Pa., was a miller and business man, and married Elizabeth Stehr. He was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His son, Joseph, was the grandfather of Prof. Schnee,. and was born in Lebanon county, Pa. His brothers are John, Jacob, Henry, Philip, and George. John Schnee married Elizabeth Fisher, and their children were William, Mary L., Joseph F., John F., Jacob F., Sarah, Susannah, Peter. F., Ann M., Henry F., and Elizabeth. Joseph Schnee learned the printer's trade and surveying. He moved to Union county, Pa., and bought a large farm near and partly on the Shade Mountain. He also engaged extensively in the manufacture of coverlets, and had three manufactories, at Lewisburg, Free-bury and Schnee's Mill, or Mount Pleasant. Mr. Schnee was a colonel in the Pennsylvania state militia, and was in the war of 1812. He was well educated for his time and kept school on his farm. He was an active politician and well and favorably known; he lived to be about forty-eight years old and died at Freeburg, Pa. He was justice of the peace at one time and married many people. He surveyed a great deal of land in Pennsylvania and taught others the surveying business. John F. Schnee, father of the professor, was born in Perry township, Union county, Pa., May 17, 1823, received a common-school education and attended the academy at Lewiston, Pa., and taught school for a few terms. He learned the tanner's trade, and married Hannah Young, a native of New Berlin, Union county, Pa., a daughter of Frederick and Eva (Spotts) Young. The Youngs were of Scotch descent; the Spotts were of German ancestry. Frederick Young was a carpenter. His children were John, Samuel, Jacob, Barbara and Hannah. Mr. and Mrs. Schnee settled, after marriage, at Freeburg, Pa., where he carried on the tanning business until 1864, when he came to Summit county, Ohio, and bought a good farm of 149 acres in Springfield township, and here he lived until his death, a Lutheran in religion and a deacon OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 507 for many years. In politics he was a demo crat, was a constable in Pennsylvania and a township trustee in Springfield township. He was a substantial farmer and much respected. His children were Frederick, Joseph and Elizabeth E. Mrs. Schnee died at Freeburg and Mr. Schnee married Lydia Swengel, and to them was born one son, now living—Charles M. Lydia Swengel was born in Union county, Pa., a daughter of Michael and Esther (Has-singer) Swengel. Mr. Schnee lived to be fifty years of age, and died November 9, 1873. Prof. Frederick Schnee received his education in a common school and then in the Freeburg academy until sixteen years old. He came to Ohio in 1864, attended the high school at Akron and Greensburg seminary at Inland, in Summit county, which was a prosperous school of the Evangelical association. He taught school in Summit county four consecutive winters, and then became principal of the Richfield Central high school and remained one year. Prof. Schnee married, in Springfield township, December 1, 1870, Caroline M. Gilcrest, who was born August 14, 1848, within the township limits, a daughter of Robert and Rebecca (Myers) Gilcrest. Robert Gilcrest was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and John Myers, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Schnee, was a soldier in the war of 1812. Robert Gilcrest was born in Washington county, Pa., a son of William, a pioneer. Robert was a millwright by trade and came when young to Summit, Ohio. He married Rebecca Myers, of Summit county, a daughter of John Myers, of Union county, Pa., but formerly of Berks county, Pa. Robert Gilcrest engaged in the milling business in Springfield township and owned and operated Gilcrest's mill for many years, and also bought a farm. His children were Caroline M., Thomas J., Matilda E., Mary A., and Robert Anson. Mr. Gilcrest was an honored citizen and held the office of township trustee and treasurer, was a successful man and died aged eighty-four years. His wife still lives, aged eighty years. After marriage, Mr. Schnee taught school a few years, and then located in Akron and engaged in the life-insurance and school-furniture business until 1877, and then was superintendent of schools at Magadore, Ohio, for six years, and in 1883 was superintendent of the township schools of Norton, Ohio, and in 1885 came to Cuyahoga Falls, where he has been superintendent since, and has charge of all the school buildings and fourteen teachers. He has been successful in building up the schools and improving the tone of scholarship. Prof. Schnee has been a member of the county board of school examiners since April, 1883, and in former years did much institute work. Prof. Schnee and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he is a trustee; in politics he is a democrat. To Mr. and Mrs. Schnee have been born Robert G. and John T. His son Robert G. is a graduate of the Cleveland college of Physicians & Surgeons, in which institution he teaches bacteriology and practices medicines with Dr. Rogers. Prof. Schnee gained his education by his own efforts, is a self-made man, and has succeeded through his individual ability. He stands high as a man and citizen, as well as in the educational profession. HENRY SCHULTZ, the well-known tinner, roofer and spout and gutter-maker, in Ravenna, was born in Randolph, Portage county, Ohio, March 4, 1845, a son of Adam and Elizabeth (Beisel) Schultz, natives of Germany and parents of seven children, viz: Peter, who died a soldier 508 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD in the Civil war; Eva, wife of Jacob Ginter; Adam; Elizabeth, married to Jacob Laubert; Henry, the subject; Willie and his twin brother, Albert. The paternal grandfather of Henry Schultz had been a soldier in the German army, was a farmer by vocation and the father of four or five children; he brought his family to America at a comparatively early day, about 1830, settled in Portage county and followed his vocation until his death, which occurred in 1856, at the age of eighty years. The maternal grandfather of subject died in Germany. Adam Schultz, father of subject, came to America with his father and grew to manhood in Randolph township, where he still lives on his farm, one mile from the old home of his father He and wife are members of the German Reformed church and are highly respected in their community. Henry Schultz, the subject of this biography, was reared on his father's farm and received the usual education accorded farmers' lads in the district schools. He rendered his faithful assistance to his parents until he was twenty-two years of age, and then started in the butcher business in Akron, Summit county, where he remained four years and nine months, after which he worked two years at the carpenter's trade. In 1884 he started in the tin roofing and spouting business in Suffield, Portage county, and did a prosperous business until 1889, when he moved to Ravenna, where he has been more successful than ever before. The marriage of Mr. Schultz took place in June, 188o, with Miss Ida Moatz, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Agne) Moatz, and this union has been blessed by the birth of four children, who are named Edith, Nettie, Floyd and Clinton. In their religious affiliations Mr. and Mrs. Schultz are Congregationalists, and fraternally, Mr. Schultz is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the National Union. In politics Mr. Schultz has always been a republican, but has never held positions of emolument or doubtful public honor, preferring to exercise his franchise, pure and simple, in support of the nominees of his party, provided that they be good and capable men and worthy of support. Mr. Schultz has always maintained a spotless reputation as a business man, has been attentive to the needs of his customers, has been thrifty and industrious, owns a good home and place of business, and enjoys, with his family, the respect of a large circle of friends and also that of the general public. JAMES GEER BREWSTER (deceased), who was the twin brother of Jonathan H. Brewster, county commissioner of Summit county, and with whom he was in partnership, and for many years one of the leading business men of Summit county, was born at Thomastown, this county, January 11, 1834, a son of James G. and Martha (Hasson) Brewster. Receiving a good common-school education, he remained on the farm until gaining his majority, when he went to California, where he was engaged in mining for twelve years, or until 1867, when he returned to the county of his nativity and engaged in farming, and about this time he, in company with his brother, Jonathan H., began operating the coal mine which was located upon their farm. This occupation he continued for many years, doing the controlling business of northeastern Ohio. He was also interested for a long period in the Buckeye Sewer Pipe works of Middlebury, and for many years was engaged in the flouring-mill business in Coventry township. He was a man of sound business ability, and in politics an uncompromising republican, in which party he was a prime OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 511 factor, and his counsel along this line was much sought after. May 25, 1870, James Geer Brewster was united in marriage with Miss Mary Davies, daughter of Rev. David and Rachel (Williams) Davies, natives of Wales, where Mrs. Brewster was also born. To Mr. and Mrs. Brewster were born nine children, of whom eight are living—Albert James; Martha V., now Mrs. John Shaffer; Mary I., Rose V., Modena R., Louise M., David Davies, and. James Geer. Of these children, Laura S. is now deceased, and Mr. Brewster, it is sad to add, died January 1, 1897. To better educate her children Mrs. Brewster has removed from the homestead at Thomastown to Akron, and now resides at No. 119 Johnson street, where she will readily be enabled to secure the means, through the excellent educational institutions of the city, of carrying out the commendable purpose which brought her to Akron. The Davies family, from which Mrs. Brewster descends, came to the United States in 1852 and settled in Portage county. Her father, of whom a sketch is given in full on another page, was born in 1817 and died at Paris (now 'Wayland) in Portage county, August 2, 1888. He was prominent as a Congregational minister and noted as the Welsh poet and wrote over the nom de plume of Dewi Emlyn. His wife was born in 1815 and died September 19, 1895. Of the nine children born to Rev. and Mrs. Davies three survive: Mary, Rev. David and Rachel, and no family of Portage county was ever more closely endeared to the population. FREDERICK W. SCHUMACHER, one of the best known, most prosperous and most highly respected farmers of Bath township, is a native of Germany, and is a descendant of an - 19 - old and honored family in that country. His great-grandfather, Henry C. Schumacher, born June 12, 1749, in Wiensen, county of Usler, province of Hanover, was in the seven-year war with Frederick the Great, joining the military in November, 1767, and serving for six years and a half. Following this service he went to Hanover and turned his attention to letters, thoroughly equipping himself for the profession of teaching. In 1775 he was tendered a position as teacher in the village of Marienhagen, in the county of Lauenstein, which he occupied with honor for forty years. The next in line was George Henry Ludwig, born September 13, 1780, in Neuhaus, province of Hanover.. He was a merchant, an extensive landowner and speculator, and had amassed a large fortune, which by unfortunate investments he lost. His son, Albert, the father of our subject, was born at Severn, in the dukedom of Brunswick, Germany, July 30, 1827. He began the active duties of life as a merchant, and later as a traveling salesman, after several years .of which experience he entered the military service, in 1848, serving two years in the artillery. After this duty to his country he established a cutlery factory and store, which he conducted and is still conducting with much success. He married Louisa Buse, who was born September 14, 1835, a daughter of William Buse, and to them were born three sons: Frederick William, our subject, born April 15, 1858; Theodore, born in 1860, now a leading jeweler in Germany; and Hermann, born in 1868, a prosperous merchant in his native country, whose army services were performed in the infantry between the years 1894-1896. Frederick William Schumacher received his education in the public schools of his native town of Bevern and at the normal school at Holzminden. After a brief experience in the mercantile way he entered the army when 512 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD he was sixteen years of age, serving in the cavalry until 1879. He then had charge of his father's business for a year. Determining that there were wider possibilities in this country, he decided to come to America, and in 1880 landed in New York city. He came directly to this county, and has managed the farm on which he now resides in Bath township, and also owns a residence in Akron. This farm consists of 200 finely-kept acres of rich river bottom land, well improved, and possesses good buildings and excellent apple and peach orchards. Mr. Schumacher stocked the farm well with full-blooded Holstein cattle and fine horses. He is a special lover of a fine horse, and has a number of which he may well be proud. On April 14, 1880, Mr. Schumacher was united in marriage to Miss Frances, daughter of William and Mary Cranz. To them were born two children : Katie, born August 1, 1881, and Ferdinand, born September 26, 1882. A sad bereavement to this household was the death of the wife and mother. Mr. Schumacher afterward married Miss Clara Emig, daughter of Martin and Sophia (Wehrly) Emig, who were the parents of the following chidren: Clara, born November 19, 1868; Edward, January 11, 1870; Charles, December 1, 1872; Mary, July 11, 1879; and Albert, March 5, 1881. Martin Emig was a veteran in the late war, serving with company C, One Hundred and Seventh Ohio volunteer infantry. To our subject, by his second marriage, four children have been given: Herbert 0., born July 8, 1890; Helen S., March 12, 1892; Hermine E., March 19, 1894; and Louisa, February 9, 1896. Mr. Schumacher and his family are delightfully situated in their pleasant home, and he is well liked by all who know him. In addition to the superior education he received in his native tongue, he has acquired a compe tent knowledge of English and keeps well informed on current affairs. Incidentally, he is a nephew of Ferdinand Schumacher, the oatmeal magnate. In politics Mr. Schumacher is an ardent supporter of the principles of the republican party. He is a member of the Knights of Maccabees, lodge No. 281, and a member of the German military organization at Akron, Ohio. Both he and Mrs. Schumacher are members and earnest supporters of the German Lutheran church at Akron, Ohio. LOUIS G. SCHWEITZER, a well-known business man of Ravenna, Portage county, was born in Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, January 4, 1856, and is a son of Frederick and Catherine (Engelhorn) Schweitzer, natives of Bavaria, Germany, born, respectively, June 18, •1829, and January 3, 1829. Frederick Schweitzer received a good education in his native land, and in 1847 came to the United States with his parents, who settled on a farm near Parma, about nine miles from Cleveland, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, and there he remained until twenty-one years of age, when he went to Cleveland and for three years served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith's trade in the shop of Mr. Burrows. For the seventeen years following he was employed as foreman in the John Drum Carriage works, and then moved to Marquette, Mich., where for three years he was employed by a brother, and in 1867 returned to Cleveland, where he took charge of Goodfellow's hall and conducted a wine, liquor and restaurant business until September 25, 1871, when he moved into his own building, known as Schweitzer's hall, at the corner of Pearl and Bridge streets, and here conducted a large billiard room, in conjunction with a sample OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 513 room, until his death, which occurred July 24, 1893. To the marriage of Frederick Schweitzer with Miss Engelhorn were born five children, viz: George, now deceased; Louis G., the subject; Lizzie, now Mrs. Metzger; Frederick, Jr., and Catherine, now Mrs. Lang. Louis G. Schweitzer attended the public schools of Cleveland until thirteen years old, and then worked for his father until his marriage, November 30, 1887, with Miss Lena Gretzinger, of Ravenna, a daughter of Martin and Lena Gretzinger, old and respected residents of Portage county. Martin Gretzinger was the owner of the oldest tannery in the state of Ohio, it having been started in 1810 by Jared Mason, who came from Beaver county, Pa., and did a lucrative business for three years, dying in 1813. In 1815 J. T. Wells married the widow of Mr. Mason, and thus became possessor of the tannery, which, in partnership with Jesse R. Grant, father of Gen. U. S. Grant, he conducted for several years, when it passed into the hands of Mr. Gretzinger, who ran it for many years, or until 1867, when it was disposed of to C. F. Goeppinger. This old tannery was located southeast of the court-house grounds, and some of the vats are still to be seen in the cellar of the original building on Jefferson street, Ravenna. To the marriage of Mr. Schweitzer with Miss Gretzinger have been born two children—Karl Frederick, June 20, 1892, and Fritz Lewis, October 5, 1894. Mr. Schweitzer is engaged in the wine and liquor business at No. 117 Chestnut street, the building having once been occupied by a school taught by Mrs. President Garfield in her younger days, but now owned by the parents of Mrs. Schweitzer, and here he is doing a prosperous trade. He is a member of Lake Shore lodge, No. 6, K. of P. , of Cleveland; of lodge No. 295, B. & P. 0. E., of Warren, and of the Ravenna Gun club—being an en- thusiastic sportsman. In politics he is a republican, and is a useful and popular citizen. Mrs. Schweitzer is a consistent member of the Congregational church and is a most estimable lady in every respect. JAMES HENRY SEYMOUR, ex-treasurer of Summit county and a member of the firm of J. H. Seymour & Co., proprietors of the Excelsior laundry of Akron, Ohio, was born in Colebrook, Litchfield county, Conn., July 16, 1842, a son of Henry R. and Ann P. (Gross) Seymour. Rufus Seymour, the paternal grandfather of subject, was also a native of Colebrook, Conn., and of Puritan stock, being of the same family from which the Goys. Seymour of Connecticut and New York descended. He was a farmer and lumberman by vocation, and passed his entire life in Colebrook. His son, Henry R., and wife came to Hudson, Ohio, in 1850, the son being at that time a traveling salesman for the American Whip company, of Chicago, which he represented in Ohio and other western states until about 1856, and then engaged with another wholesale Chicago house as salesman of cigars and tobacco, retaining the position two years, and during these two years made his home in Chicago. He then returned to Hudson and purchased a bakery, which he conducted up to the breaking out of the Civil war, and next carried on a grocery until his death, which occurred in 1864. He had been twice married, his first wife having been Ann P., daughter of Israel and Sarah (Ellsworth) Gross, of Torringford, Conn. , to which union were born two children—James H., the subject, and Anna M. (Mrs. Z. P. Allee), now deceased. His second wife was Sarah Bush, of Westfield, Mass., who bore him one son--Ernest W. James Henry Seymour was reared in New England and in Ohio, and received an academ- 514 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ical education in Hudson, Summit county. During the Civil war he was a member of the Second Ohio cavalry, going out as a musician in 1862, and being honorably discharged after one year's service. In the spring of 1864 he was appointed clerk in the quartermaster's department at DuVall's Bluff, Ark., but resigned in December and returned home, on account of his father's death. He then succeeded to the latter's grocery and provision business, which he conducted until 1886, when he was elected treasurer of Summit county, and was re-elected in 1888—thus serving two full terms of two years each. In 1891 he became identified with the Akron Queensware company, of which he was secretary and treasurer about two years. In May, 1895, as a member of the firm of Badger & Seymour, he became a purchaser of the Excelsior laundry; Mr. Badger sold his interest in May, 1897, and the firm became J. H. Seymour & Co., which has since been doing a most thriving business. Mr. Seymour has been twice married, his first wife having been Louise Case, of Hudson; his second marriage was to Martha L., daughter of Joel and Marion (Anderson) Webb, of Mogadore, Summit county, Ohio, and this union has been blessed with two children—Marion and Ruth. Mr. Seymour is a member of the First Congregational church, of which he is a trustee, and Mrs. Seymour is a member of the Universalist church. In politics Mr. Seymour is a stanch republican; fraternally he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, and of this great army he was department commander of Ohio in 1878, and for several years was commander of Gen. Sheridan post, at Hudson, Ohio. As a business man, Mr. Seymour is universally respected, and as a citizen he is held in great esteem for his public spirit and untiring usefulness. GUSTAVUS SEIBERLING, a representative farmer of Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, was born on the farm he now owns and occupies June 19, 1854, and is of remote German ancestry, being the descendant of one of two brothers, Jonas and Michael Seiberling, who were natives of Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to America in 1745. Of these two Michael died without issue and Jonas became a substantial farmer of Lehigh county, Pa., where he passed the remainder of his life. Christian Seiberling, only son of Jonas, was a noted hunter and Indian fighter, and died in Lehigh county, Pa., at the age of eighty-four years. His son, Frederick Seiberling, was a soldier in the war of the Revolution and in the early Indian wars. He was a farmer of Lehigh county, and his nearest courthouse was at Philadelphia, whither he went once a year to pay his taxes, making the trip on horseback. He died on his farm at the age of seventy-seven years, the father, of the following children: Christian, John F., Peter and Jonas. John F. Seiberling, grandfather of subject, was born in Lehigh county, Pa., in 1783, was postmaster at Linville, Pa., fifty-five years, and it is said he was the oldest postmaster in the United States. He married Catherine Bear, by whom he had a family of six sons and four daughters, the second son being Nathan, the father of our subject. In his old age John F. Seiberling came to Summit county, Ohio, and here died December 25, 1876. Nathan Seiberling was born in Linville, Pa., April 14, 181o, was reared to farming and on December 6, 1829, married Catherine Peter, who was born June 27, 1811, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Moser) Peter, of Northampton county, Pa., the marriage resulting in the birth of the following children: Kittie A., deceased wife of Paul Wall; John F. ; James H. ; Sarah, wife of Jacob M. Harter; OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 515 Monroe; Mary (deceased), wife, first, of John Biery, and, secondly, of Joseph Kemmerer; Frank, deceased; Eliza, deceased, wife of Sherman Baughman; Charles; Septimus, deceased; Columbus; Milton and Gustavus, all, with the exception of the first named, born in Ohio. In April, 1831, Nathan Seiberling brought his wife and first-born child to Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, and bought ninety acres of timber-land, cleared it up, built a log cabin, and erected the first sawmill in the township, which was operated by water power, and this farm constitutes part of that on which our subject now resides. Mr. Seiberling was strictly a temperance man, was zealous in the Lutheran faith, was an elder in the Walsh Lutheran church, of which he was a pillar, and, although he never sought official preferment, consented to serve for a short time as justice of the peace. He was modest and unassuming in his deportment, yet was a wide-awake business man and was worth over $100,000 at his death, which occurred November 4, 1889, his widow surviving until February 27, 1894. Gustavus Seiberling received a very good common-school education, and from early manhood has been closely identified with the agricultural interests of his township and county. November 18, 1875, he married Miss Julia Kulp, who was born September 8, 1856, a daughter of John M. and Sallie A. (Bechtel) Kulp, of Medina county. John M. Kulp is a son of Isaac Kulp, of Pennsylvania, who married a Miss Miller, and was one of the pioneers of Medina county, Ohio. John M. Kulp was born in Centre county, Pa., in 1821, and was married in Medina county, Ohio--his wife being also a native of the Keystone state. His family consists of Mary A., wife of Russell Griswold; Sarah J., wife of Frederick Williams; Fietta C., wife of Samuel Richards; William H., and Julia A., now Mrs. Seiber ling. Mr. Kulp is now a prominent farmer of Guilford township, Medina county, is a republican in politics, and is a Lutheran in religion, while his wife affiliates with the Reformed church. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Seiberling have been born five children, viz: Wilson F., Cloyd, Sarah C., Pauline and Raymond G. Mr. Seiberling owns a fine farm of 233 acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with two sets of buildings, making it one of the best farms in the county. His residence is situated within the corporate limits of Western Star, of which village he has filled all the offices and has materially assisted in developing, and of which he is now mayor. An ardent republican in politics, he has been active in the service of the party in county, state and national affairs, but has never sought public office, although he has consented to serve in the positions mentioned above in order to promote local progress. He has been liberal in his aid to the Lutheran church, of which he and wife are members, and he and family are esteemed as among the most refined and respectable residents of Norton township. EVELYN L. SHALL, of West Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, was one of the old soldiers of the Civil war and is a straightforward man. He was born August 15, 1847, at West Richfield, Ohio, a son of Robert and Abigail (Suley) Shall, the Shalls being of Mohawk, N, Y., German stock, and the Suleys coming from an old Connecticut family. Evelyn L. Shall received a common-school education and learned the harnessmaker's trade when young. He enlisted at Akron, Ohio, February 13, 1864, in the Ninth Ohio volunteer battery, independent, to serve three years or during the war, and 516 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD was discharged July 25, 1865, at Cleveland, Ohio, the war having closed. His services were at Tullahoma, Tenn., Bridgeport, Ala., and on garrison duty most of the time. He was in the last battle at Nashville and in several skirmishes. He was not wounded nor a prisoner, nor sick in hospital, but was always an active soldier, with but one day off duty. After the war Mr. Shall returned to West Richfield, but later was in the government service at Washington, D. C., in the postal department, from April, 1889, to November, 1895. He is a member of A. N. Goldwood post, G. A. R., and has held the office of quartermaster. In politics he is a republican, and cast his first presidential vote for U. S. Grant on the occasion of his second nomination. Mr. Shall has never married. He is a respected, industrious citizen, well known for his integrity of character. Robert Shall, father of our subject, was born in Herkimer county, N. Y., a son of Leonard and Catherine (Brummer) Shall. Robert Shall was a merchant tailor by trade, and came when young to West Richfield, worked at his trade many years, and married here Abigail Suley, daughter of Amigo and Mary (Baldwin) Suley. Their children were Eugene, Evelyn L., Mary, Charles, Frank, George, William and Clarence. Mr. Shall was a pioneer citizen and a respected and substantial man, but died when only fifty-two years of age. In politics he was a republican, and had two sons in the Civil war—Eugene, serving in company H, One Hundred and Seventy-seventh Ohio infantry. MERWIN SHAW, one of the most substantial agriculturists of Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, was born in Medina county, September 23, 1826, and is of English descent, although the family has long been listed among the residents of America, and for the three past generations of the Buckeye state. Moses Shaw, grandfather of subject, was born in Rhinebeck, Dutchess county, N. Y., where he grew to manhood and was married, and whence he came to Ohio overland by wagons and settled in Guilford township, Medina county, but afterward moved to Wadsworth township, where he passed the remainder of his life and died in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church. His children were named, in order of birth, Joshua F., Moses, Hannah, Phebe and James. Joshua F. Shaw, father of subject, was also a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., was born January 1, 1798, and was reared a farmer, which calling he followed throughout life. He was not yet fully grown when he came to Ohio and settled in Medina county, where he attended school a short time and on attaining his majority married Miss Rhoda Agard, who was born in Litchfield, Conn., July 23, 1802, To this union were born three children, viz: Merwin, Mary and George. Of these three, Mary, who was married to George Wise, is now deceased. Mrs. Rhoda Shaw died in Wadsworth township, Medina county, and for his second wife Mr. Shaw married Mrs. Betsey Johnson, widow of Thomas Johnson. Here, Mr. Shaw died August 5, 1869, in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which church his widow was also a member. Mr. Shaw was in his earlier days a whig in politics, had filled various offices, and was a gentleman of standing and respect with his neighbors. Merwin Shaw, with whose name this biography is opened, was educated in an old-time log school-house, but nevertheless received a solid education. With the exception of two years his practical business life has been passed in farming, and these two years were spent in OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 517 a grist-mill at Johnson's Corners, Summit county. From September 2, 1862, until November of the same year, he served with the Twenty-ninth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry in Maryland, receiving an honorable discharge at the end of his term of enlistment. In politics Mr. Shaw is a republican and has served his fellow-citizens as township trustee. In religion he and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and he has contributed most liberally to the support thereof, having at one time donated $3,000 in cash toward the erection of the Methodist church edifice at Johnson's Corners. For forty years he was Sunday-school superintendent, and may justly be called a pillar of the church. Fraternally he is a Freemason, a Patron of Husbandry, and has served as post commander and chaplain of post No. 267, Grand Army of the Republic. His farm comprises 267 acres of excellently improved land, and his dwelling and other buildings are of substantial and modern construction. To Mr. Shaw four children were born by his first marriage, viz: Frank J., George A., Ella E. and Hattie. Mr. Shaw was next married, in 1879, to Mrs. Clara Nichols, of Medina county, Ohio. Frank J. Shaw was born in Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, June 7, 185o. He lived on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, when he married Ruth Wilder, daughter of Wells Wilder, and to this union have been born four children, named Frank M., Daisey A., Dora E. and Earnest W. Mr. Shaw owns a farm of too acres and also operated a portable saw-mill for about thirty years, and also now runs a threshing machine. He is a republican in politics and in religion is a devoted Methodist, being a Bible-class teacher and church chorister and a liberal contributor to the support of his denomination. His daughter, Daisey A., is wedded to Ward Ware, who was born June 24, 1871, in Norton township, and is a son of Josiah and Lovina (Bark-hammer) Ware. Ward Ware is a farmer and carpenter and is a steady-going young man who enjoys the respect of all who know him. Mr. Shaw and his son-in-law, Ward Ware, are now engaged in general merchandizing at Johnson's, and are doing a good trade. GEORGE A. SHAW, of Barberton, Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, is a native of the township, was born in September, 1853, and is a son of Merwin Shaw, whose biography precedes this mention, and in which will be found full details concerning this honored family. George A. Shaw was graduated from the high school of Doylestown and later from the Wadsworth college, both of Ohio, after which he lived on his father's farm for a few years, when he sold his interest in the home estate and went to Mitchell, Dak., where he was employed by the C., M. & St. P. Railway company as yardmaster for about eighteen months, and six months as conductor on a train running between Mitchell and Woonsocket. He then returned to Ohio and engaged in general mercantile business in New Portage, where he was also postmaster during the last Harrison administration; later he located in Barberton, where he has since done a prosperous trade. He is an ardent republican in politics and organized the first McKinley club in Barberton, of which he was the president, and in the ,spring of 1896 was elected by a majority of seventy-two votes mayor of Barberton, at that time considered to be a democratic stronghold. The societary connection of Mr. Shaw is very extensive, he being a charter member of K. of P. lodge, No. 486, of Barberton, in 518 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD which he has passed all the chairs, and which he has represented in the grand lodge; he is a member of the G. A. R., also of Daniel Webster lodge, No. 9o, 0. U. A. M., of which he was also a charter member; of this body he has likewise acted in every official capacity, was once elected representative to the grand lodge, but was prevented by business engagements from attending, and is now deputy of the local lodge. He has also passed all the chairs in the U. R. K. P., Akron division. In religion he is a Methodist, and is a charter member of and elder in the Barberton congregation. He is exceedingly popular, and is untiring in his efforts to promote the prosperity of his township. DWIGHT SHUMWAY, an old soldier of the Civil war and a respected citizen of Cuyahoga Falls, Summit county, Ohio, was born in Peru, Berkshire county, Mass., April 3, 1838, and is a son of Stewart and Mary (Leland) Shumway. Dwight received the usual education of the common schools, came to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, March, 186o, at twenty-two years of age, and worked at farming. He enlisted at Cuyahoga Falls, August 28, 1861, in Captain Joseph A. Agard's company K, Nineteenth regiment, Ohio volunteer infantry. December 31, 1863, he veteranized in the same regiment, in Capt. Joseph Venney's company, at Flat Creek, Tenn., and served until honorably discharged,October 24, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio, on account of the closing of the war. He was in the battles of Pittsburg- Landing, Stone River, Chickamauga, and Missionary Ridge; and in the Atlanta campaign at Dallas, Dalton, Resaca, Pumpkinvine Creek and Kenesaw Mountain. He was shot through the right arm by a minie-ball, which completely disabled it, the bone being shot out for two inches, and shattered from three to four inches. He was taken to hospital on the field, and a few days later to Chattanooga, where he was confined in hospital one month, and then at Nashville, Tenn., two months, and at Jeffersonville, Ind., and at Cleveland, Ohio, for about six months, and then at Cincinnati, then Camp Dennison, and then taken to Columbus, where he was mustered out. During this time he suffered greatly and many pieces of bone worked out of his arm. It became finally healed, yet the bone is entirely lacking for the space of two inches, but he can use it to some extent. On returning from the war, Mr. Shumway engaged in the drug business, in 1866, in Cuyahoga. Falls, remaining in this for fifteen years, since which time he has been engaged in farming. He married, in 1866, in Cuyahoga Falls, Miss Eunice James, of this city, a daughter of Orin and Betsey James. Mrs. Shumway is a member of the Methodist church. In politics Mr. Shumwav is a republican, and has served as postmaster of Cuyahoga Falls for eight years. He is a member of the G. A. R., Eadie post, No. 37, in which he has held the offices of senior vice-commander and quartermaster. Until disabled, Mr. Shumway was an active and efficient soldier, prompt to do his duty, and was in some of the hardest-fought battles of the war and in many skirmishes, and well deserves the esteem in which he is universally held. HON. AARON MORGAN SHERMAM, M. D., of Kent, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Brimfield, Mass., March 24, 1826, and descends from one of the very old English families of New England. Of two brothers and a cousin of the name who came to America in 1634, one brother settled in Massachusetts, the other in Connecticut, and the cousin in Providence, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 519 R. I. From the settler in Massachusetts the doctor is descended, while Gen. W. T. Sherman and Senator John Sherman descend from the settler in Connecticut. The great-greatgrandfather of subject, Dr. John Sherman, was one of the two brothers who came from England; the great-grandfather of subject was named Thomas; and the grandfather, also named Thomas, lived and died on his farm in Brimfield, which farm is still owned by the family of the late Elijah Sherman. Capt. Harris Sherman, father of the doctor, was born February 22, 1790, was reared on the home farm, and married Sally Morgan, a native of Brimfield, Mass., born June 30, 1790, a daughter of Aaron Morgan. After marriage he purchased a farm near the old homestead and continued in the pursuit of agriculture. In early life he had been a member of a military organization, in which he held the rank of captain, and during the war of 1812 was twice commissioned to recruit a company of soldiers, in which he was successful, but did not enter into the war himself, owing to the severe illness of his father. In 1831 Capt. Sherman disposed of his home farm and took in exchange, as part payment, a tract of 25o acres in Brimfield, Portage county, Ohio, of which he took immediate possession, and brought hither his wife and six children. This farm is now one of the best improved and best cultivated of any in its immediate vicinity. He was always active in politics, being first a whig and later a republican, and held several local offices. He was one of the founders of the Pioneer association of Portage and Summit counties, and he and his wife were pioneer members of the Universalist church, in the faith of which his wife died August 3, 1870, and he February 14, 1878, the parents of eight children, viz: Lewis M., a resident of Kent, Ohio; Caleb, who was a farmer and died in Kent, Portage county, in 1856; Caroline, who died unmarried; Sarah, who is married to William R. Matthews, and resides in Lynnville, Jasper county, Iowa; Dr. Aaron M., the subject; Thomas, a farmer of Jasper county, Iowa; John Warren, who was a farmer and died in Brimfield, Portage county, Ohio, and Otis S., who died at eight years of age. Dr. Sherman was but five years of age when brought by his parents to Ohio. The trip was made from their farm to Albany, N. Y., by wagon, and by canal and lake Erie to Cleveland, Ohio (that city containing a population at that time of only 1,000), and from Cleveland to Akron by the Ohio canal. He was reared on his father's farm, and received such education as the district schools of the day afforded. He then taught school four winters, and at night taught singing school—all the family being excellent vocalists. At the age of twenty years he commenced reading medicine under Dr. John A. Knowlton at Garrettsville, Portage county, and in I851 was graduated from the Cleveland Medical college, which was then the medical department of the Western Reserve university. He at once entered upon his practice in Garrettsville, and there remained until 1857, when he removed to Kent, being now the oldest physician in the city. From 1857 until 1860 he was also engaged in the drug trade and met with much success both as a practitioner and as a pharmacist. In 1864-65 he was assistant surgeon in the Lincoln general hospital at Washington, D. C., but with that exception his practice has been confined to Kent and vicinity since 1 857, having been surgeon for several railroad companies for many years while pursuing his general practice. The doctor is a member of the Union Medical association of northeastern Ohio, and was its second president; the State Medical society and the Portage county Medical society, before all of which he has made many interesting ad- 520 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD dresses, and has, beside, contributed many valuable articles to the better class of medical journals of the day. In politics the doctor was originally a whig, and cast his first presidential vote for Zachary Taylor. He united with the republicans on the formation of that party, and his first public office was that of coroner of Portage county, and was acting in that capacity when the distressing railroad accident happened at Ravenna, July 3, 1891, through which twenty-three lives were lost—nineteen of the victims being burned beyond recognition. In 1884 he was elected a member of the Ohio general assembly, and served on several highly important committees, and he has, beside, held many local offices. The doctor is now the president of the Pioneer association of Portage and Summit counties, which he assisted to organize in 1874, and of which he drew up the constitution and by-laws, having been the first secretary of the association—a position he filled twenty consecutive years. Since the association was formed there have been over 600 deaths of its members, the average longevity of whom was over eighty years, and of whom the doctor has written the biographical sketches of over 500. Dr. Sherman was made a Mason at Garrettsville, Ohio, in 1856, is one of the charter members of Rockton lodge, No. 316, of Kent, which was organized in 1858, and of which he was the first master, serving ten years. He is also a member of Washington chapter, R. A. M., at Akron. The first marriage of Dr. Sherman was solemnized in 1851, with Miss Henrietta Tabor, in Garretsville. This lady was a daughter of John Tabor, and died in 1854, without issue. The second marriage was celebrated in October, 1854, with Miss Harriet A. Gray, a native of Ravenna township, Portage county, and a daughter of Watson I. Gray. This happy union has been blessed with one son, Harris G., now a celebrated oculist of Cleveland. The doctor has been an extensive traveler throughout the United States, visiting forty states and territories, and the winters of 1893-94 and 1895-96 were passed by himself and wife in Pasadena, Los Angeles county, Cal. They are members of the Universalist church and have a pleasant home, but the doctor has never had any inordinate desire for wealth, and his ambition is gratified by the fact that he stands at the head of his profession and he and his wife are deservedly esteemed by all who know them. JOHN SISLER, retired merchant and farmer of Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, and now a resident of Manchester, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., December 16, 1817, and is a grandson of Lewis Sisler, who was a native of Germany and was there married, but about 1775 came to America, before any of his children were born, and first located in Boston, Mass., where, for a short time, he taught school; later he moved to Lancaster county, Pa., thence to Lycoming county, and, being a highly educated man, followed the profession of educator until his death, which occurred in Lycoming county about 1820. His children were born in the following order: George, Nicholas, Lewis, Houston, Betsey, and Mary. Lewis Sisler, son of Lewis, the immigrant, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., about 1790, was a farmer from childhood, and about the year 1812 married Margaret Marsh, daughter of George Marsh, a German, and to this marriage were born eleven children, viz: George W., Houston, John, William, Thomas, Adam, Charles, Mary A., Lewis, James and Margaret. In 1824 the family moved to Erie county, N. Y., where the father engaged in farm- OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 521 ing until his death, in August, 1855, and in 1856 the mother came to Summit county, Ohio, and passed the remainder of her life with her daughter Margaret, dying on the 28th day of March, 1872. John Sisler was reared on a farm, received a good academic education, taught school one term in York state, and on September 10, 1839, came to Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, and here taught several years. He was married in this county, June 1, 1853, to Miss Mary C. Justes, a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and a daughter of Michael J. and Margaret (Hoy) Justes, and this union has been blessed with the following children: Ida, wife of Hiram Allen; William W., Cassius C., John M. , deceased; Abbie, now Mrs. Price; Elizabeth, wife of Thomas Prout; Mary, married to Isaac Myers ; Arthur, Bertha and Earnest. When Mr. Sisler first came to Franklin township the country was quite new to civilization, although log cabins were numerous and all the school-houses were built of logs, as were many of the churches, and he has been an eye-witness of hundreds of changes for the better, and in these changes he has himself been a prime factor. His present homestead comprises twenty acres, to which he has retired to pass in peace the remaining years of his long and useful life. In politics he is a republican; he has filled the office of justice of the peace many years, and has served in minor offices when called upon to do so. He and wife are members of the Disciples' church, of which he has been an elder for a number of years, and they have reared a family which is a credit to the township. A. G. Sisler, of the firm of Sisler & Co., general merchants of Manchester, and a son of John and Mary C. Sisler, was born in Franklin township September 19, 1867, and passed his earlier days on his father's farm. He received a good common-school education, which was supplemented by an attendance of three years at the Valparaiso (Indiana) normal college. For the past four years, in partnership with his brother, William W., he has been doing a very successful retail business in general merchandise, their stock in trade being well asorted and equally well adapted to the wants of the community, while their affable treatment of their patrons make them universal favorites with the buying public. May 9, 1896, A. G. Sisler was happily united in marriage with Miss Cora Reifsynder, daughter of Edward Reifsnyder, a resident of Green township, Summit county. In politics Mr Sisler is a strong republican, and in religion he adheres to the faith of his forefathers and is very liberal in his financial aid to the church. William W. Sisler, an elder brother of A. G. and his partner in business, was born in Franklin township January 16, 1855, and is still unmarried. In politics he is also a republican, and fraternally is a member of lodge No. 173, Junior Order American Mechanics, of Clinton, Ohio. Like his' brother, he is very popular both as a merchant and citizen, and the entire Sisler family stand among the foremost of the residents of Franklin township and Summit county. Mrs. Sisler was a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and was educated in the common schools. There were nine children in the Justes family, four sons and five daughters, only five now living, of whom Elizabeth is the wife of Elijah Troxel, of Defiance, Ohio, a plasterer by trade; Ellen, wife of Lewis Farris, of Garrettsville, Ohio; Nancy, wife of a Mr. Brown, a miller of Evansport, Ohio; Samuel, of Striker, Ohio, and a plasterer by trade; and Mrs. Sisler, of this biography. Those deceased are William, Susan, James and David. For almost one-half century have Mr. and Mrs. Sisler traveled life's journey hand in hand, sharing the joys and sorrows of life, and 522 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD now in the declining years of their lives are living in peace and contentment, surrounded by their loving children and dear friends, who will be glad to read this excellent life sketch of this worthy couple. J. M. Sisler, M. D., son of Mr. and Mrs. Sisler, was a young man of brilliant promise. He graduated from the Cincinnati Medical college March I, 1882, and located in Manchester, Ohio, and three years after his graduation his life labors ended, he dying at twenty-seven years of age. He married Miss Ella Kaufman, a native of Manchester, Ohio. During his short but useful life he had also engaged in teaching, and was successful to a marked degree. ADAM SISLER, M D., of Manchester, Summit county, Ohio, is a native of Lycoming county, Pa., and was born December 30, 1823. He traces his ancestry to Germany, whence his paternal grandfather came to America after marriage, and bought a farm in Lycoming county, Pa., where, after taking part in the war of 1812, he died in the faith of the Presbyterian church and in politics a whig. Lewis Sisler, son of the immigrant mentioned above, was born in Lycoming county, Pa., in 1790, there grew to manhood and married Margaret Marsh, who was born in 1795, a daughter of George Marsh, who came from Germany, and to this marriage were born the following children: George W., Houston, John, William, Thomas, Adam, Mary A., Charles, Lewis, Margaret and James. In 1827 Lewis Sisler moved his family to Erie county, N. Y., where he purchased a farm with a log cabin on it, but with no other improvement. This farm Mr. Sisler cleared from the wilderness and erected on it good, substantial buildings, and made it one of the best homesteads in the county. He became a man of wealth and influence, and gave all his sons academic educations, and, as a whig, was elected to several, township offices. He died on his farm in August, 1855, in the Presbyterian faith; his widow subsequently came to Summit county, Ohio, and died March 28, 1872, in Manchester. Dr. Adam Sisler was but four years of age when his parents removed from Pennsylvania to New York, and in the latter state attended the academy at Aurora, where he later taught school a year and then came to Manchester, Ohio, where he taught four years, in the meantime reading medicine with his brother, William. In the fall of 1847 he entered Cleveland Medical college, studied one year, then practiced three years, after which he re-entered college and graduated therefrom in 1853. He immediately returned to Manchester, and for twenty years was associated with his brother, who finally removed to Akron, and there passed the remainder of his life. In the early years of the doctor's practice here the country was new and the roads little better than trails, and he was forced to travel a radius of thirty or forty miles on horseback in order to attend to his patients; but he has been very successful, and his reputation, hard earned as it is, is as high as that of any physician in the county. In politics the doctor was at first a whig, but is now a prohibitionist. In religion he is of the belief of the Disciples, in whose church he has for many years been an elder. April 6, 1848, the doctor married Miss Amanda E. Hoy, who was born in February, 1828, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Troxler) Hoy, natives of Pennsylvania and early pioneers of Summit county, Ohio. Mr. Hoy ran the first stage line between Wellsville and Cleveland, Ohio, and was also the first innkeeper in Manchester. He was a leader in the whig party, held office as associate county OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 523 judge, was land appraiser two terms, and for a long time a justice of the peace. He was an elder in the Disciples' church and died in that faith August 6, 1883, having lost his wife June 20, 1866. To the marriage of Dr. Sisler and wife have been born the following children: Frances E., wife of Lafayette Swigart; Charles E.; Clara A., wife of Frank Raber; Caroline B. ; Lewis E. ; Everett B. ; John L.; Jennie L., wife of Prof. Rood, and William H. Dr. Sisler is now probably the oldest as well as the most prominent physician in Summit county, is known far and wide, and has acquired a competency in his practice, but is too closely devoted to his profession to abandon it, although he could easily afford to do so, but such a step would prove a matter of regret and an irreparable loss to a large portion of the suffering invalids in his community. LEWIS E. SISLER, M. D. , and county auditor of Summit county, Ohio, was born April 8, 186o, a son of Dr. Adam and Amanda (Hoy) Sisler, the place of his nativity being the village of Manchester, in the county of which he is now the auditor. Lewis E. Sisler was primarily educated in the district school of Manchester, graduated from the high school, next attended the Smithville academy, and then entered the Northwestern Ohio normal university at Ada. Following his graduation from the latter institution, he taught school two or more years in Manchester and its environs, and in 1879 began reading medicine. When he had been sufficiently prepared by diligent study for a full comprehension of oral utterances, he attended lectures at the medical department of the Western Reserve university at Cleveland, from which he received his diploma in the spring of 1883. He then practiced his pro- fession, in partnership with his father, for a year or more, in his native village, whence he moved to Clinton, Summit county, where his practice was so remunerative that he remained there fourteen years, establishing an imperishable reputation for unusual skill and proficiency. In politics Dr. Sisler is an uncompromising republican, and for eleven years has been a member of the republican county executive committee, of which he was vice-chairman three years, and chairman in 1890. In 1889 he was appointed, by President Harrison, a member of the Akron board of. pension examiners, and in 1895 elected auditor of Summit county by the handsome plurality of 1,600, and was qualified for the office September 14, 1896, and up to the present writing no word of disparagement has been uttered against him, but, on the other hand, constant praise has been his, for the able manner in which he has filled the duties of his office. The first marriage of Dr. Sisler took place in 1884, to Miss Metta B. Miller, of Canal Fulton, and to this union were born two children—Dreamond Miller and John Rutherford. The doctor was bereaved of his amiable wife May 25, 1891, and in December, 1895, he married Miss Eva Tilton, a highly accomplished lady, also of Canal Fulton. In religion Mrs. Sisler adheres to the Methodist Episcopal church, while the doctor worships with the Christian society. The fraternal relations of Dr. Sisler are broad and extended, as he holds membership with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and the Knights of Maccabees, in which last-named order he is medical examiner-in-chief for the state of Ohio. The doctor and his amiable lady hold a very high position in the social circles of Akron, as they also did while residing in Man- 524 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD chester, and his professional success has ever been a matter of satisfaction to himself as well as of congratulation by his numerous friends. WILLIAM G. SMITH, M. D., the well-known physician and surgeon of Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio, was born in New Wilmington, Larence county, Pa., July I I, 1854, and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Banks) Smith. Both parents were born in Pennsylvania—the father in Beaver county and the mother in Latrobe, Westmoreland county, and there were born to them nine children--four sons and five daughters—of whom the following are still living: Dr. William G. ; Robert A., of New Wilmington; Ella, wife of N. A. Philips, of Bedford, Ohio; Edward H., of Cleveland, Ohio, and Edith, who resides with her mother in New Wilmington, Pa. The father of this family was a farmer and died at New Wilmington in May, 1875, at the age of forty-four years, a member of the old-school Presbyterian church; the mother still lives on the home farm, and is a member of the same religious denomination, as are also all the surviving children. Jacob Smith, the paternal grandfather of subject, was also a native of Pennsylvania, was of German parentage, a butcher by calling, and was the father of twelve children, of whom Samuel, father of Dr. William G., was the eleventh in order of birth. Robert Banks, maternal grandfather of the doctor, was likewise a native of the Keystone state, was a cooper and farmer, was of English descent, and married a Miss Coulter, of Irish extraction. This lady lived to be upward of seventy years of age, and her husband reached the advanced age of eighty-seven years. William G. Smith, the subject proper of this memoir, was reared on the home farm in Pennsylvania until thirteen or fourteen years old, then went to New Wilmington, where he clerked during the summer months and attended the public school in the winter, graduating finally from the high school. While still employed as a clerk in a drug store, he commenced the study of medicine about 1874, and in the fall of 1875 entered Miami Medical college, from which he graduated in the spring of 1877. In the same year he came to Ohio and began practice in Palmyra, Portage county, where he enjoyed a lucrative patronage for over fourteen years, constantly increasing his knowledge of the profession both by study and experience. The winter of 1890-91 he passed in the city hospital at Cincinnati, further enlarging his experience. In the spring of 1891 he brought his family to Ravenna, whither his fame as a practitioner had preceded him, and here has since stood among the. foremost physicians of the city and surrounding country. The marriage of the doctor was solemnized October 26, 1879, with Miss Mary A. Force, daughter of David and Abigail (Merwin) Force, which marriage has been blessed with three children, Charles W., George Merwin and Ada Lillian, but of these the parents have been afflicted with the loss of the second born, George M., who died when one year old. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are members of the Methodist church, in which the doctor is a steward, and for two years was superintendent of the Sunday school while residing in Palmyra. Fraternally the doctor is a Freemason, an Odd Fellow, is examining surgeon in the Royal Arcanum, and is also a Forester of America, of which order he is the grand chief ranger of Ohio. He is likewise a member of the State Medical society, the Northeastern Ohio Medical union, and the Portage county Medical society, and of the last named was one year president. His practice is general in its scope OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 525 and extensive in its dimensions. He is, moreover, a genial and affable gentleman, and he and wife hold distinguished positions in the social world of Ravenna and of the county. GEORGE J. SNOOK, the artistic photographer, of Akron, Ohio, is a native of Brantford, Canada, was born March 9, 1857, and is a son of George and Amy (Hull) Snook, natives of England. George Snook, father of subject, learned the trade of miller in his native county of Somerset, and came to America while yet a single man and located in Canada, where he met and married Miss Amy Hull, and there operated a mill until 1863, when he brought his family to Akron, where he passed the remainder of his life, working at his trade. To his marriage were born seven children, viz: William F., foreman of a spice mill in Chicago, Ill. ; Thomas B., orange grower, Weirs-dale, Marion county, Fla. ; John I., miller of Akron, Ohio; George J., the subject; Henry W., orange grower, Marion county, Fla. ; Charles A., foreman in the City Roller mills, Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Amos B., plumber, Jacksonville, Fla. The death of the father of this family occurred April 24, 1868, in the faith of the Episcopal church, in which faith his widow still lives. George J. Snook, from about the age of six years, was reared in Akron and educated in its public schools. When fourteen years old, he entered the studio of G. W. Manley for the purpose of learning photography, and with him remained about three years; later and for one year was in the employ of B. F. Battles, and afterward with Epley, Howard & Co. In April, 1882, he opened a gallery on his own account at No. 186 South Howard street, where he established a high reputation and remained twelve years, when he removed to his present elegant parlors and studio, which form the only ground-floor gallery in the city, and which he has especially fitted up for his purpose, and where he executes every variety of photography, including portraits, views and commercial work. In connection with his gallery he conducts an art store, in which he carries a complete line of works of art, artists' supplies, picture frames, etc. Mr. Snook is a member of the State Pho tographic association; of Nemo lodge, of Akron encampment, I. O. O. F. ; of Adoniram lodge, Washington chapter, and Akron commandery, F. & A. M., and of Akron senate, A. E. O. In politics he is a republican. The marriage of Mr. Snook took place September 19, 1882, with Miss Mary I. Bartlett, daughter of A. A. Bartlett, but after fourteen years of wedded life Mrs. Snook was called from earth November 13, 1896. PETER I. SNYDER, an enterprising young farmer of Norton township, Summit county, Ohio, was born on the farm which he still occupies, in the original log cabin erected by his parents in 1852, and in which his birth occurred on the 4th day of July, 1863. Jost Snyder, grandfather of subject, was a native of Sweden, but while still a young man came to America, and was married in Pennsylvania to a Miss Baughman, who bore him the following-named children: Abraham, Joel, Paul, Jonas, Joshua, George, Daniel, Isaiah, Nathan, Sophia, Elizabeth and Peter. Some time after his marriage Jost Snyder came to Ohio and settled on a farm in Springfield township, Summit county, became a substantial citizen, and died highly esteemed March 27, 1876. Isaiah Snyder, father of subject, was born 526 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD in Springfield township May 7, 1821, and was reared on his father's farm. Although he learned the stonemason's trade after having acquired as good an education as could be obtained in the pioneer log school-house of his early youth, farming was the chief occupation of his active life. He married Elizabeth Grube, who was born November 2, 1829, in Lehigh township, Lancaster county, Pa., but who was six years of age only when brought by her parents, Peter and Nancy (Landis) Grube, to Norton township, Summit county, Ohio. The Grube children were four in number and were named in order of birth David, Peter, Margaret and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Snyder resided for some years after marriage in Springfield township and then came to Norton township, where Isaiah bought the farm on which subject now lives in 1852. Isaiah was a democrat in politics, was an elder of the German Reformed church, was respected as an honest and substantial citizen, and died February 9, 1876. His widow afterward married Tillman Koons, and her death took place in Doylestown, Ohio, January 25, 1895. Peter I. Snyder received all the advantages in the way of education that the common schools of his district afforded, and has been identified all his life with the farming interests of Norton township. November 4, 1885, he was united in marriage with Miss Alice V. Miller, who was born in Sharon township, Medina county, Ohio, April 4, 1869, a daughter of Joseph B. and Rebecca J. (Lower) Miller, of whom further mention will be found in the biography of M. L. Miller, on another page. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Snyder has been blessed with six children, who are named, in order of birth, as follows: 011ie L., William E., Elsie M., Charles L., Harry R. and Ira P. The farm of Mr. Snyder comprises fifty acres, and, although comparatively small, is extremely fertile and well kept, comparing favorably with many of greater dimensions both in tillage and yield. In politics Mr. Snyder is a democrat. He is a deacon in the Waltz German Reformed church, and is well known as well as respected throughout the entire township of Norton and the townships adjoining. JOHN L. REID, the popular proprietor of Reid's livery establishment, at the corner of Mill and High streets, Akron, Ohio, was born in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, June I I, 1854, a son of John and Jane L. (Lowe) Reid, and came to Akron in 1868. John Reid was a carpenter and contractor and also came to America in 1868, first located on a farm near Lodi, Medina county, Ohio, but later came to Akron, where he followed his trade until his death, in 1873. His widow has now reached her seventy-fifth year. They were the parents of seventeen children, of whom six died in Scotland in early childhood, OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 529 and eleven came to the United States with their parents. Of these, George resides in Cleveland; Mary is the wife of Gad Wheeler, of Akron; John L. is the subject of this notice; Charles and Duncan, twins, are shoe dealers in Akron; Frank, also a shoe dealer in Akron, is the twin of Jennie, the wife of William Dunham, of Berea; Helen, wife of Edward Mitchell, of Akron; James R., a cabinetmaker of the same city; Fannie, wife of C. Wells, of Cleveland, and Willie, deceased. John L. Reid drove a team—a horse and cart—for his father in the highlands of Scotland until coining to the United States, attending school in the meantime, and on coming to Akron found employment in the Stone cereal mill as engineer and remained in that employ about ten years. He then engaged in the livery business on North High street for several years, then removed to the rear of the Buchtel hotel and conducted the livery at that place until 1892, when he removed to his present location, where he has fitted up one of the largest and best equipped livery establishments in the city, having erected a building to suit his own ideas of conveniences and facilities for transacting his business. His barns are well stocked with rigs for general livery purposes, for the transfer trade and for funeral purposes, as well as for picnic parties, weddings or other festivities. He at first started in business with two horses and two buggies; he now owns twenty-nine horses, six fine coaches costing $1,200 each, surreys, buggies, phaetons, traps and other vehicles of the daintiest as well as of the most substantial description. He keeps a full corps of assistants, who clean, clip and otherwise care for his own and his boarding " stock, and sharpen and cork shoes according to the season. The barns are well ventilated, and lighted by electricity, and by this power he grinds his feed. In fact, he is up to date in everything. - 20 - Mr. Reid was married, March 7, 1876, to Miss Anna Flowers who has borne him four children: William, Robert, Jennie and one deceased. In politics Mr. Reid is a republican, and as a citizen he is wide-awake, public spirited and law abiding; his integrity is marked in his every act, and he is well worthy of the high esteem in which he is universally held. ADAM G. SPANGLER, general merchant of Manchester, was born in Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, June 18, 1853, and is a son of Joseph and Caroline (Smith) Spangler, who were the parents of three younger children, viz: John (deceased), Charles, a resident of Clinton, Ohio, and Jennie, wife of O. W. Baum. David Spangler, grandfather of subject, was a native of Pennsylvania, but was one of the pioneers of Summit county, Ohio, where he entered a tract of land from the government, and until his death was identified with the agricultural development of the county. Joseph Spangler, son of David and the father of the subject, was born in Summit county November r , 182o, and is now the oldest man in Franklin township, who has since that date been a continuous resident thereof. He was educated in a pioneer log school-house, has always been a farmer, and now owns a farm of 154 acres in this township, and another of 16o acres in Kansas. He first married Caroline Smith, daughter of John and Jane Smith. This lady was born in 1828, and gave birth to the children named at the opening of this article. The second marriage of Mr. Spangler took place March 12, 1868, to Adeline Hoy, who was born in Warren county, Ohio, January 2, 1838, a daughter of David and Jane (Hutchinson) Hoy, and to this union have been born David E., July 22, 1869; 530 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Irwin H., August 4, 1870, and Joseph G., January 30, 1873. David Hoy, father of Mrs. Spangler, was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Adams county April 25, 1805, and his wife, a native of the same state, was born March 19, 1809. They were married in Adams county, and soon afterward moved to Wayne county, Ohio; but their declining years were passed in Hocking county, where Mr. Hoy died October 22, 1883, and Mrs. Hoy, October 19, 1881. Mr. Spangler is a member of the Reformed church, to the support of which he has always contributed freely of his means, and in politics is a democrat. Adam G. Spangler was reared on his father's farm and was well educated in the common schools. For eighteen years he followed plastering as a trade, and in 1889 opened his general merchandizing establishment in Manchester, designed especially for the supplying of the needs of farmers and miners. He is a first-class business man and possesses the tact of so treating a patron that when he once makes him a sale he ever after holds him as a customer. In politics Mr. Spangler is a stanch democrat and cast his first presidential vote for Hon. Samuel J. Tilden, but has never had any overweening desire for public office. In religion his faith rests with the Reformed church, in which he is very active, having been for several years a Sabbath-school teacher, and which he aids with a liberal hand. Fraternally he is a member of the Junior Order -United American Mechanics, Gen. Joe. Hooker council No. 173, of Clinton, Ohio, and a Mason, being a member of Elliott lodge, of Canal Fulton, Ohio. Mr. Spangler was united in marriage January 13, 1874, with Miss Mary A. Serfass, who was born in Franklin township in 1856, a daughter of James and Julia (Shoup) Serf ass, who came from Cumberland, Pa., to Franklin township in a very early day, and here passed the remainder of their lives, the father dying March 9, 1896, and the mother February 2, of the same year. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Spangler have been born two children, viz: Charles E., born November 10, 1875, but who died May 9, 1896, and Claude C., born July to, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Spangler stand high in the social circles of Manchester and Franklin township, and as a business man the name of Mr. Spangler is without a blemish. IRVIN H. SPANGLER, a leading young farmer of Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, is a son of Joseph and Adeline (Hoy) Spangler, of whom full mention is made in the biography of Adam G. Spangler, given above. I. H. Spangler is a native of Franklin township, born August 4, 1870, received a good common-school education, and has been a farmer since his boyhood days, having been reared on his father's farm. December 18, 1890, he married Miss Laura E. Bender, who was born in Lake township, Stark county, Ohio, June 14, 1872, a daughter of Harvey and Mary (Miller) Bender. Mrs. Spangler, when quite young, was bereft of her mother, but her father, who now resides in Kalamazoo, Mich., is a prosperous farmer, is a member of the Lutheran church, and in politics is a democrat. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Spangler have been born four children, who, in order of birth, were named Florence L., Robert R., Lydia (deceased) and Charles B. Mr. Spangler owns and resides on a snug farm of forty-two and a half acres, which he keeps in an excellent state of cultivation, and has improved with modern accessories. He and wife are members of the Reformed church and its teachings constitute the rule of their daily walk through life. In politics Mr. OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 531 Spangler is a stanch democrat and he cast his first presidential vote for Grover Cleveland, but he has never yet sought official honors. He is recognized as one of the most industrious and capable young agriculturists of the township, is liberal in his support of church and school, as well as all commendable enterprises, and socially he and wife enjoy in a marked degree the esteem of their neighbors. CHARLES OLIVER SPRENKEL, a prosperous farmer of Springfield township, Summit county, Ohio, was born October 14, 1859, in Snyder county, Pa., a son of Charles and Charlotte (Hoff) Sprenkel, who still reside in Snyder county. Charles Sprenkel, father of Charles Oliver, is a native of the Buckeye state and was reared a shoemaker, but on relinquishing his trade engaged in farming and in dealing in live stock, and on removing to Snyder county, Pa., followed farming and saw-milling. He there married Miss Hoff, a native of that county and a daughter of Josiah and Magdalena (Bickel) Hoff, the fruit of the union being nine children, viz: Cordelia, wife of Christopher Regle, of Selin's Grove, Pa. ; John F. ; Matilda, widow of Moses Fisher; Charles Oliver; Zeno W., of Kantz, Pa. ; Ida S.. wife of Henry Shumbach, of Snyder county; William H., Isaac C., and Mary 0., deceased wife of John A. Straub. Mr. Sprenkel and wife are members of the Reformed church, are greatly respected in their community, and Mr. Sprenkel has served his fellow-citizens in various official capacities. Charles Sprenkel, paternal grandfather of Charles Oliver, was born in Germany, came to Ohio in early life, was twice married, reared two large families, and died at the advanced age of eighty-six years. The maternal grandparents of Charles Oliver were natives of En- gland, and early settlers of Pennsylvania; they had born to them ten children, of whom Mary Ann, wife of William Crist, Charlotte, wife of Charles Sprenkel, and Margaret, widow of Henry Kessler, are still living; the deceased were Matilda, Sadie, John, George, Samuel, Martha and Maria. The father of this family died in 1881, at the age of seventy-seven years, and his wife in 1887, aged eighty-one years, and both sincere Methodists. Charles Oliver Sprenkel was reared on his father's farm in Pennsylvania until eighteen years of age and then worked about nineteen months in a grist-mill, intending to thoroughly learn the trade, but relinquished it on account of the dust, and worked in the ore banks about eighteen months, then resumed milling for nineteen months, when, early in 1883, he drifted westward to Erie, Pa., where he worked in a saw-mill until July of the same year, when he came to Summit county, Ohio, and engaged in farming until December, 1887, when he went to Akron, where he was employed as a carpenter (having partly learned the trade in Pennsylvania) about five years, and later engaged in the jewelry business, carrying on a store until 1897, when he came to Springfield township and engaged in farming. Mr. Sprenkel was united in marriage, in Springfield township, November 16, 1882, with Miss Catherine Stein, who was born August 1, 1860, in Green township, a daughter of John and Rebecca (Peters) Stein, and this union has been blessed with two children, Mary C. and Maud R. Daniel Stein, grandfather of Mrs. Sprenkel, was born in Baden, Germany, was a farmer, and came to America in 1831. Of his eight children the only one living is Catherine, wife of Henry Strohman; the deceased seven were named Daniel, Peter, Elizabeth (wife of John Brown, also deceased), Henry, Magdalen, Mary (Mrs. Daniel Winkelman) and John. The 532 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD maternal grandparents of Mrs. Sprenkel were natives of Pennsylvania, where the grandfather was a school-teacher for many years, and later, for a long time, postmaster in Summit county, Ohio. To his marriage with Miss Catherine Dague were born six children, of whom but one survives—Elizabeth, wife of Simon Keifer; the deceased were George Henry (who died in the army), Simon, Susan (wife of William Beaty), Mary (wife of Jonas Braucher) and Rebecca (wife of John Stein). The parents of these children died within nine days each of the other, in June, 1869. John Stein, father of Mrs. Sprenkel, was born in Baden, Germany, July 16, 1820, and his wife, Rebecca, was born in Dauphin county, Pa., January 24, 1840. John Stein was first a shoemaker and then a farmer, in Springfield township. He first married Catherine Kreighbaum, who bore him two sons, Jacob and Andrew, the former of whom died in infancy and the latter at twenty-two years of age. The second marriage of John Stein took place February 5, 1859, to Miss Rebecca Peters, daughther of John and Catherine (Dague) Peters, and to this union were born eleven children, of whom ten are still living, viz: Catherine (Mrs. Sprenkel); Mary, born April 23, 1862, and now the wife of Charles Miller; Henry E., born December 14, 1866, married to Ellen Pontius and residing in Akron; John W., born March 8, 1869; Charles F., born March 20, 1871, and married to Nettie Metz; Ida E., born May 1, 1873; George Oliver, born June Jo, 1875—now a resident of Akron; Simeon P., born August 3, 1877; Lavina May, born May 24, 1880; and Frederick, born July 30, 1883, and who makes his home with Mr. Sprenkel; Etta was born September 2, 1864, was married to William Mitchell, and died March 13, 1893. The mother of this family died March 31, 1896, at the age of fifty-six years and two months, and the father December 18., 1896, aged seventy-six years, five months and three days, both being members of the Reformed church. It was while Mr. Sprenkel was engaged in the jewelry business in Akron that the parents of Mrs. Sprenkel were called from earth, and this event led to his taking charge of the old Stein homestead in Springfield township, which is now his home, and which he has shown himself to be fully capable of managing. In politics he is a democrat, and in 1897 was elected supervisor of Springfield township, of which office he is still the incumbent. He is a member of Knights of Pythias lodge, No. 598, of Akron, and is highly respected as one of the most upright and useful citizens of Springfield township. WILLIAM H. STAMM, an experienced and skilled blacksmith of Manchester, Summit county, Ohio, is a native of this village and was born May 21, 1856, a son of William and Louisa (Grubb) Stamm. John Stamm, grandfather of subject, was born near Philadelphia, Pa., of German parentage, but married in Stark county, Ohio, Mary Braucher, a daughter of Jacob Braucher, and for a few years lived on a farm in Jackson township, Stark county, and then came to Summit county, where he died in the fall of 1840, when the widow returned to her former home. Both were members of the Lutheran church, and in politics the husband was a democrat. The grandmother is still living at Canal Fulton, is eighty-eight years of age, is still hale and of unimpaired intellect. It is related of her that in the early pioneer days, during the absence of her husband, she killed a deer with a hatchet—the crust of ice on the snow at the time being strong enough to sustain the weight of the household dogs, but OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 533 through which the sharp hoofs of the deer penetrated, thus rendering it a prisoner to the hounds until dispatched by Mrs. Stamm. William Stamm, father of subject, was born in Stark county, Ohio, December 19, 1828, on his father's farm, and was educated in the pioneer log school-house. He was the eldest of the five children born to his parents, and his father's early death threw him upon his own resources, and he began life for himself by working for the pioneer farmers for four dollars per month—at that time considered to be very good wages. He first married Louisa Grubb, who was born in Summit county, Ohio, in 183o, a daughter of John and Margaret (Kintz) Grubb, pioneers from Lancaster county, Pa. This lady bore her husband four children--Almon (deceased); William, our subject; Frances died at three years, and Alice, wife of James Proctor. Mrs. Stamm died December 3, 1863, a member of the Disciples' church—and Mr. Stamm then married Margaret E. Grubb, a sister of his deceased wife. Mr. Stamm first engaged in blacksmithing in Manchester in 1848, worked here eleven years, and then moved to Canal Fulton, where he worked eight years, and thence went to Montville township, Geauga county, where he bought a farm and built a blacksmith shop, and there he still resides. In politics he is a republican, and he and wife are adherents of the Disciples' church. William H. Stamm, the subject of this memoir, was educated in the schools of Canal Fulton and Kent, and at nineteen years of age entered his father's shop and became a thorough blacksmith. October to, 1880, he married Miss Savila Singer, a native of Green township, Summit county, born January 22, 1857, and a daughter of Gephart and Annie (Epler) Singer, who came from Germany to Summit county in 1855; here the mother died October 9, 1889, and the father June t t, 1892, both in the faith of the Evangelical church. In politics Mr. Singer was a republican. With the exception of sixteen years spent in Canal Fulton and Kent, William H. Stamm has always lived in Manchester, where he now owns a modern dwelling. In politics he is a strong republican, but has never held an office. He and wife are consistent members of the Disciples' church, in which he is a trustee and teacher in the Sunday-school, and in support of which both are liberal with their means. They are much respected in the social circles of the village, and it is an acknowledged fact that Mr. Stamm has no superior as a blacksmith in Summit county. COE JAMES STANFORD, the well-known funeral director and scientific embalmer of Ravenna, Ohio, was born in Randolph township, Portage county, September 7, 1841, and is a descendant, maternally, of one of the oldest families of America, being a son of Orrin and Eliza 0. (Coe) Stanford. The Coe family came to this country from Suffolkshire, England, where they had resided for many generations. The earliest notice of them which can be found is in " Fox's Book of Martyrs," which states that Roger Coe, of Milford, Suffolkshire, was burned at the stake by Queen Mary in September, 1555. Little else is known of the family until the removal of Robert Coe from Suffolkshire to America, and who, in a genealogy of nine generations, represents the first. He was born in 1596, and with his wife Anna, born in 1591, and their three sons, landed in Boston in June, 1634. Thus by a direct line of descent the family can be traced, almost from the landing of the Pilgrim fathers. Deacon James P. Coe was the maternal grandfather of the subject, and the father of 534 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Eliza O. Coe, who married Orrin Stanford. Deacon Coe was born in Granville, Mass., March 19, 1769, and married Nancy Pratt, by whom he had six children. In 1811 he removed to Randolph township in this county and resided there for a period of thirty-four years, or until his death. His numerous family married and .settled in various lines of business in Portage county, and their representatives are numbered among the prominent families to-day. The Coes were exemplary people—the office of deacon in the Congregational church being held for sixty-two years by James, Almon B. and James P., respectively, representing three consecutive generations. Little is known of the ancestral history of the Stanford family. Orrin Stanford, father of our subject, was born in New York state, and when a child of two years, accompanied his parents to Portage county, Ohio. Here his life was spent, the township of Randolph being the location of the family home. Mr. Stanford, though possessed of a good farm, spent most of his life in mechanical pursuits. He was a carpenter by trade, a profession which our subject followed for several years. Orrin and Eliza Stanford had a family of eight children born to them, our subject, the second in order of birth, and his sister, Stella 0., being the only survivors. The eldest of this family was Celestine, who died in young womanhood. Stella resides at Randolph Center, in this county, unmarried. Hiram died at twenty years of age a young man of bright promise; Rolla died in infancy. Rosa died of atrophy of the heart—a young lady of eighteen. Flora and Cora—twins—died at the age of four years of diphtheria. Coe J. Stanford, the subject, passed his early years on the farm and also learned the use of tools in his father's carpenter shop. He acquired a fair common-school education and had spent something over a year as a student in Hiram college when the war cloud called him from his studies to bear arms in defense of the Union. Mr. Stanford is one of the few survivors who had the honor to serve his country under command of the distinguished and lamented Gen. Garfield. He enlisted September 25, 1861, as a member of company A, Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, his company being made up almost of students from Hiram college. Owing to his educational abilities, Mr. Stanford was appointed to several positions on detached duty, but persistently refused all offers of promotion, and at the end of his three years' service came out of the army as he had entered it—a private. On his return from the army in 1864 he found that his father had died in the fall of that year at the age of fifty-two years; the mother died in 1888. Mr. Stanford now found it necessary to assume charge of his deceased father's business, which he conducted until 1877, when he engaged in the manufacture of coffins at Edinburg, subsequently purchasing a stock of undertakers' supplies. In 1880 he removed to Atwater, sold out in 1886 and went to Quincy, Ill., whence, fifteen months later, he removed to Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked eighteen months as an employee, and then came to Ravenna, where he passed a few months in unprofitable business, after which he went to New Philadelphia, where he passed a year and a half in the undertaking business as an employee. He then returned to Ravenna and established his present line of business, having in the meantime graduated from the Cincinnati school of embalming, and being the first to introduce the arterial embalming process in Portage county. March 15, 1883, Mr. Stanford was united in marriage with Miss Nina Mendenhall, a native of Randolph township and daughter of OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 535 William and Asenath Mendenhall, of Atwater, Ohio, where the father is engaged in the furniture and undertaking business. To Mr. and Mrs. Stanford have been born two children, the elder of whom, Willie, was born December 2, 1883, and died October 29, 1891; the younger, Helen, was born in August, 1886. In religion Mr. Stanford was reared a Methodist, and his wife is a Congregationalist. In politics Mr. Stanford is an uncompromising republican, but has never been a seeker of office. Fraternally he is a member of the I. 0. 0. F., of the G. A. R., and of the A. 0. F. A. Socially, he and wife stand among the elite of Ravenna. ST. CLAIR STEELE, an old soldier of the Civil war, springs from sterling Scotch-Irish ancestry, his remote ancestry having been old colonial settlers of Pennsylvania. He was born in Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio, September 13, 1842, a son of Isaac and Margaret C. (Steele) Steele. He attended the common schools and high school until he enlisted, in April, 1861, at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, under Capt. A. J. Konkle, in company K, Nineteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, for three months. He was taken sick with measles and was in hospital six weeks in Cleveland, and thus saw no service under this enlistment. He returned to Stowe township and on recovering enlisted, September 10, 1861, in company D, First Ohio light artillery, at Cuyahoga Falls, under Capt. A. J. Konkle, to serve three years, or during the war. He served out his term and one month over, and was honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio, October 30, 1864. His first campaign was with Gen. Nelson, at West Liberty and Piketon, and was then with Gen. Buell on the advance from Green River, Ky., to Pittsburg Landing, Tenn., and was in the engagement at this place, where he volunteered, with others, to carry the wounded. He was later in the battles at Corinth, Munfordville, Green River, Ky., and was taken prisoner by Gen. Bragg, and paroled on conditions, but violated the parole, and a number of the party escaped to the Union lines. Afterward he was exchanged and took part in Burnside's siege of Knoxville, Tenn., Rockford, Tenn., and at Cumberland Gap, and assisted in the capture of 5,000 rebel prisoners. He was in Sherman's famous Atlanta campaign, and in battles at Dallas, Dalton, Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, Pumpkinvine Creek, Kenesaw, Mountain, and the battles in front of Atlanta, and in many skirmishes. He was sick in hospital No. 3, at Louisville, about three weeks in January, 1863. He was transferred, in January, 1864, to the Nineteenth independent battery, and served with this battery about five weeks, and then returned to his own battery, and served as a non-commissioned officer and as chief of caissons throughout the Atlanta campaign. Mr. Steele was always prompt in the discharge of his duty and served his country faithfully. After the war Mr. Steele engaged in the saw-mill business at Peninsula, Summit county. Mr. Steele married, December 13, 1870, in Cuyahoga Falls, Sarah J. McCauley, who was born October 20, 1850, at Hudson, Summit county, Ohio, a daughter of Peter and Mary (O'Brien) McCauley. Peter McCauley was born in the north of Ireland September 5, 1812, was a shoemaker and farmer, and came to America when a young man and settled at Hudson, Ohio, where he married. He bought land and cleared up a farm of about 300 acres and became a substantial farmer and a well-to-do man. Mr. and Mrs. McCauley were members of the Episcopal church, and their children were Edward, William and Sarah J. Mr. McCauley died April 8, 1863, an honored 536 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD citizen, and was an industrious, hard-working man. Mr. and Mrs. Steele first settled at Stowe, where he bought a farm of 120 acres and ran a saw-mill. He came to his present home about 1884, and is doing a successful business. To Mr. and Mrs. Steele have been born Harry C. and Mabel M. Mr. Steele was guard at the penitentiary at Columbus over two years, being in politics a stanch republican, and has taken an active interest in politics and has served as township trustee of Stowe township two terms and as member of the town council of Cuyahoga Falls one term. Mr. and Mrs. Steele are members of the Episcopal church. Mr. Steele stands high as a man of business integrity of character. Isaac Steele, father of our subject, was a son of Isaac, who was a son of Adam, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and a farmer of Fayette county, Pa., where he was a pioneer, descended from a well-known colonial family. Col. Crawford, who was burned at the stake by Indians, was a relative of his family. Adam Steele moved with his family to Ohio, where he was a pioneer of Stowe township. He died in July, 1811, about sixty-seven years of age, and is buried in the Hudson cemetery. Isaac Steele, grandfather of St. Clair Steele, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a farmer of Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio. He married, in Pennsylvania, Betsy Galloway, and their children were Isaac, Mary, Eliza, Anna and Margaret. Isaac Steele came to Stowe township about 1804, but returned to Pennsylvania and again came out and settled in the township in 1820, where he died in 1845. 'hen a boy he carried mail in the Revolutionary war. He engaged in the mercantile business and lost a vessel-load of flour between Spain and her American colonies. On the vessel were fifty-two men and one woman, and the flour had been bought at $3 per barrel. The vessel attempted to enter the blockaded Spanish and American ports, and they would have obtained $52 per barrel for the merchandise. They were captured and confined in prison three years. All died in prison except three of the men and the woman, and they lived to be released—among them was Isaac Steele. He was the son of his father's first wife. Isaac Steele, father of subject, was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1812, was a farmer, having come here with his father when a boy eight years old, and in 1841 he married Margaret C. Steele, a distant relative and a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Galloway) Steele. To them were born St. Clair, Nancy, Henderson, Ellen E. and Thomas A. Mr. Steele was a pioneer farmer, owning 100 acres of land, was a respected citizen and lived to be about seventy-two years old, and died in 1884. In politics he was a democrat. St. Clair Steele is a member of the G. A. R. post at Cuyahoga Falls, and Lincoln command, Veteran Union, Akron. Harry O'Brian, the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Steele, was born in the north of Ireland September 9, 1781, and on coming to America was one of the first pioneers of Hudson township, Summit county, Ohio. He cleared a farm from the wilderness, owned a large estate, was a wealthy man and a well-known and prominent citizen. His children were Moses, Martin, Daniel, William, Michael, Mary, Harriet, Fannie and Sarah Ann. Harry O'Brian was a very public-spirited man, and assisted many of the early settlers from the north of Ireland in obtaining land. He was a very strong churchman and assisted to found the Episcopal churches at Cuyahoga Falls and Hudson. He married Sarah Ann Walker June 7, 1804. His house in early times was a home for the people looking for lands, especially the north of Ireland people. OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 537 Adam Steele, son of Alexander, is the oldest member of this family now living. He was a lumberman and mill-man and now retired. He married Julia Hart, and their children are Cora and Mary. In politics he is a democrat, a respected citizen, and a man of unblemished character. HENDERSON STEELE, one of the prominent citizens of Summit county, Ohio, and trustee of Stowe township, is living on the old Steele homestead and has been engaged with his brother, T. A. Steele, in the lumber business for more than twenty years. He is a son of Isaac and Margaret C. ( Steele) Steele. Henderson was born in 1845, November 15, on the Steele homestead, received a good common education for his day and was brought up a farmer. He married Emily J. Carr (née Malone), born January 17, 1846, at Fulton, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas and Lucy (Rice) Malone, of Irish and English ancestry. After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Steele settled in Cuyahoga Falls and there lived one year and then moved to the home farm, bought out the heirs and have since lived there. It is a good farm of eighty acres and he owns one-half interest in sixty acres more. They have improved this farm and made a pleasant home. Mr. and Mrs. Steele have one son—Lester H., born February 2 1, 1 888. Mr. Steele is politically a democrat, served as township trustee three years and has been re-elected for three years more. He is a member of the I.O.O. F. , Howard lodge, No. 62, Cuyahoga Falls. Mr. Steele has been very successful as a business man, being sagacious and prudent, and has won the respect of all with whom he has ever had any transactions, his name standing beyond the reach of reproach. Mrs. Steele is the mother of two children by her first marriage, named Frank B. and Claude L., who have been reared in respectability, and the social relations of the family are of the most pleasant character, as they enjoy the respect and esteem of all who know them, and, as may well be imagined, the name is well and favorably known throughout the county. Isaac Steele, grandfather of Henderson A. Steele, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a farmer in Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio. He married, in Pennsylvania, Betsey Galloway, and their children were Isaac, Mary, Eliza, Anna and Margaret. Isaac Steele came to Stowe township about 1804, but returned to Pennsylvania and again came out and settled in the township in 1820, where he died in 1845. When a boy he carried mail in the Revolutionary war. He engaged in the mercantile business and lost a vessel-load of flour between Spain and her American colonies. On the vessel were fifty-two men and one woman, and the flour had been bought at $3 per barrel. The vessel attempted to enter the blockaded Spanish and American ports, and they would have obtained $52 per barrel for the merchandise. They were captured and confined in prison three years. All died in prison except three of the men and the woman, and they lived to be released—among them was Isaac Steele. He was the son of his father's first wife. Isaac Steele, father of subject, was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1-812, was a farmer, having come here with his father when a boy eight years old, and in 1841 he married Margaret C. Steele, a distant relative and a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Galloway) Steele. To them were born St. Clair, Nancy, Henderson, Ellen E. and Thomas A. Mr. Steele was a pioneer farmer, owning .100 acres of land, was a respected citizen and lived to be about seventy-two years old, and died in 1884. In politics he was a democrat, stanch and true. 538 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD THOMAS A. STEELE, one of the prominent men of Summit county, Ohio, and for many years a lumberman, was born October Jo, 1853, in Stowe township and is a son of Isaac and Margaret C. (Steele) Steele. He received a good, common-school education and learned the trade of carpenter, at which he worked seven years. In 1877 he engaged in the lumber business under the firm name of the Steele Brothers (St. Clair, Henderson and Thomas A., but later St. Clair withdrew from the firm), and has operated in various parts of the county, and done a successful business. In politics he is a strict democrat and was elected county commissioner in 1892 and served three years. Fraternally he is a member of Starr lodge, No. 187, F. & A. M., Cuyahoga Falls; also of Pavonia lodge, No. 301, K. of P., of the same city. Mr. Steele was married, December 25, 1878, in Stowe township, to Lilly J. Reed, who was born February 12, 1856, in the township named, daughter of Hiram and Phebe (Sadler) Reed. Hiram Reed was born in Pennsylvania and came with his father, John, to Kent, Portage county, Ohio, about 1856; he settled in Stowe township, where he bought a farm; there he died in 1894, an aged man. His children were Angie, Arthur, Hattie, Ellen, Lilly J. and Phebe. Mr. Reed was of New England ancestry and was a substantial farmer and respected citizen. Mr. Steele, the subject, settled, after marriage, on the old Steele homestead, where he lived eight years, and then bought the Reed farm at Metz, lived there six years, and then, in 1893, moved to Cuyahoga Falls and built a pleasant residence. Mrs. Steele is a member of the Episcopal church, and Mr. Steele has always taken an active part in politics, and stands high for his integrity of character, and socially he is a highly respected gentleman. Isaac Steele, grandfather of Thomas A. Steele, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and a farmer of Stowe township, Summit county, Ohio. He married, in Pennsylvania, Betsey Galloway, and their children were Isaac, Mary, Eliza, Anna and Margaret. Isaac Steele came to Stowe township about 1804, but returned to Pennsylvania and again came out and settled in the township in 1820, where he died in 1845. When a boy he carried mail in the Revolutionary war. He engaged in the finer= cantile business and lost a vessel load of flour between Spain and her American colonies. On the vessel were fifty-two men and one woman, and the flour had been bought at $3 per barrel. The vessel attempted to enter the blockaded Spanish and American ports, and they would have obtained $52 per barrel for the merchandise. They were captured and confined in prison three years. All died in prison except three of the men and the woman, and they lived to be released—among them was Isaac Steele. He was the son of his father's first wife. Isaac Steele, father of subject, was born in Fayette county, Pa., in 1812, was a farmer, having come here with his father when a boy eight years old, and in 1841 he married Margaret C. Steele, a distant relative, and a daughter of Alexander and Nancy (Galloway) Steele. To them were born St. Clair, Nancy, Henderson, Ellen E. and Thomas A. Mr. Steele was a pioneer farmer, owning roc) acres of land, was a respected citizen and lived to be about seventy-two years old, and died in 1884. In politics he was a democrat. WILLIAM H. STEIN, a prosperous agriculturist of Green township, Summit county, Ohio, was born in Springfield township, this county, November 9, 1851, a son of Henry and Mary (Kramer) Stein, the former now deceased. OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 539 Daniel Stein, grandfather of William H., was a native of Baden, Germany, came to this country in 1835, was a farmer all his life, and was the father of ten children, of whom only one—Catherine, wife of Henry Strohman—is now living; the deceased were Peter and Barbara, who died at sea; Daniel; Peter, second; Elizabeth, who was married to John Brown; Henry and Magdalena; two others died in infancy. The maternal grandparents were also natives of Germany and came to America early in life; the grandfather was a shoemaker by trade and for many years had been a sailor, and after coming to this country followed his trade in Canton, Ohio, and later became a farmer. He married Anna Brant, who bore him eleven children, of whom five still survive, viz: Jacob, who resides in Indiana; Mary, wife of Henry Stein; Annie, widow of Jacob Kreighbaum; William and Phillip. Of the others, two died in infancy; Christopher was killed in the Civil war; Sarah was the wife of Samuel Warner; Moses died single, and Elizabeth was married to Samuel Wertz. The parents were consistent members of the Lutheran church, and the father died at the age of eighty-six years, his wife also living to be well advanced in age. Henry Stein, father of William H., also a native of Baden, Germany, was born August 12, 1818, and came to America in 1835 with his parents, who first located in Massillon, Stark county, Ohio, but shortly afterward came to Springfield township, Summit county, where they bought and cleared up a farm. Henry Stein was married June 6, 1841, in Green township, to Miss Mary Kramer, who was born in Clearfield township, Dauphin county, Pa., a daughter of Christian and Anna (Brant) Kramer, to which union were born six children, all of whom grew to maturity, but of whom four only are now living, viz: Emeline, wife of Benjamin Holem; William, the subject of this memoir; Amanda E., wife of E. H. Killinger, of Akron, and Daniel P., who married Celia Harttong, and is night superintendent of the Akron street railroad. The deceased members of this family were Lovina, who was the wife of John T. Sell, and died March 24, 1896, aged fifty-one years, and John F., who died March 1, 1897, at the age of fifty years, one month and one day. The father of the family was greatly respected in the township, held various local offices, was a devout Christian, having been a member of the Reformed church from boyhood, and passed away August I, 1881, at the age of sixty-three years; his widow is still a resident of Akron, and is highly-esteemed by all who know her. William H. Stein received a good common-school education in youth and lived on his father's farm until twenty-three years of age, when he married, September 6, 1874, Miss Emma E. Royer, daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Bidleman) Royer, and born in Green township, Summit county, October 23, 1857. Jacob Royer was born in Snyder county, Pa., January 5, 1832, and his wife was born in Green township, Summit county, Ohio, in 1838, a daughter of George and Rachel (Grotz) Bidleman. To the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Royer have been born five children, viz: Emma E., now Mrs. Stein; Ida E., wife of Aaron Myers, of Stark county; John F., married to Jennie Albright, daughter of George Albright and re-. siding in Lake, Stark county; William, who died when nine months old, and Mary A., who died March 16, 1882, at the age of twelve years and sixteen days. Mr. and Mrs. Royer are active members of the Reformed church, of which Mr. Royer has been a deacon for many years. To the happy union of Mr. and Mrs. 'William H. Stein have been born seven children, of whom, however, four only are now living, viz: Cora M., wife of William F. Ritter; 540 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD Gertrude B., Harry A., and Anna R. Those who have been called away were Clifford Leroy, who died April 17, 1882, aged one year and seventeen days; Jessie Almeda died April 16, 1893, at the age of five years and seven months, and Norman F., eight years and two months old, died April 20, 1893. Mr. Stein, since marriage, has followed agricultural pursuits in Springfield, Green, and Portage townships, and in 1888 permanently settled on his present farm in Green township. He has a very pleasant home as well as a profitable farm, which is one of the finest of its dimensions in the township, everything about it denoting the oversight of a practical and experienced farmer. He is highly esteemed as a useful, upright citizen, and has served his township as a school director and supervisor, in both capacities giving the utmost satisfaction to the public, and for the six years in which he has been connected with the school interests of the township evincing so strong and effective an interest in educational advancement as to win the heartfelt thanks of all within the township limits who cherish intellectual progress. JAMES A. STETLER, a well-known farmer and producer of vitrified clay, is one of Springfield township's prominent citizens. He was born in Union county, Pa., May 5, 1840, and comes from an old colonial family. His great-great-grandfather, John Stetler, was a native of Germany, and was married and reared a family in that country. He came to America and settled near New York city. His son, Conrad, married in New jersey, where he lived a short time, afterward moving to Union county, Pa., where he engaged in farming and became very wealthy, owning 1,000 acres in the rich heart of Dry Valley.   He reared the following family: John, George, Nicholas, Mary and Elizabeth. He was one of the wealthiest and most prominent men in that section. John Stetler (II) was born in 1792. He married Elizabeth Baughert, daughter of Anthony Baughert, who was a native of Bucks county, Pa. Anthony Baughert removed to Columbia county, Pa., and later located in Illinois, where he died. John Stetler (II) was the father of the following children: \Villiam, Daniel, Mary (wife of Thomas Pursel), John, Isaac, Charles and Thomas. He was a whig in politics, a deacon in the Albright church, and took an active interest in public affairs, although he never aspired to office. He died September 9, 1868; his wife in October, 1876. William Stetler, father of our subject, was born in Union county, Pa., October 10, 1816. His schooling was received in the little log school-house common to that time, and remained on the farm until he was fifteen years of age. He then worked for three years in a brick yard, and then for five years worked on the construction of the public darns on the Susquehanna river, filling in the winter months at the shoemaker's bench. In 1846 he was promoted to the position of superintendent of wood work on these dams, and in that capacity did valuable service for the state. In 1848 he moved to Summit county, Ohio, settling in Green township, where he lived until seven years ago, when he moved to Stark county, where he is living in easy circumstances, having accumulated a competence in his active life. He was a whig until 1844, when he became a democrat. He has held township offices. He is a pillar in Methodism, and several churches of that denomination have received donations of $500 from him. On November 2, 1838, he was married to Salome Reichley, who was born in Union county, Pa., February 10, 1815, daughter of OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 541 William and Mary (Sausaman) Reichley, .who lived and died in that county. William Reichley was a soldier in the war of 181 2, and was at Cleveland, withing hearing distance of the great Perry naval battle. James A. Stetler, the subject of this sketch, was the only child of this union, and he was eight years of age when his parents moved to this county. He was reared on the farm, and received more than the average common-school education, his advantages in this direction being supplemented by attendance at at an excellent select school. On September 2, 1860, he was married to Lovina Koons, who was born in Bloomsburg, Columbia county, Pa., November 29, 1841, daughter of Henry and Esther (Rooke) Koons, natives of Pennsylvania, who for many years lived in Norton township, this county, as farmers. Mr. Koons died March 24, 1893; his wife January 23, 1889. To our subject and wife have been born the following children: William H. married Rose Hagerty, is an agriculturist and resides in Green township; Charles E. married Martha A. Rhodes, is a commercial traveler, and resides in Piqua, Miami county, Ohio; Marvin T. married Maud Morton, and resides on the homestead; Clarence 0., unmarried, resides in Akron, and is also a commercial traveler. Of the above-named children, William H. received, first, a good common-school education, and then attended the academy at Union Town, Stark county, Ohio. Charles E., after receiving a rudimentary education in the common schools, graduated from the Mogadore high school, became a student at Buchtel college, Akron, and then became a practical telegrapher. Marvin T. was educated in the Magadore high school and at the Union Town academy. Clarence 0. passed through the common schools, graduated from the academy at Union Town, and then as an accountant and bookkeeper from the Business college at Akron. It will thus be seen that Mr. and Mrs. Stetler have spared no pains to properly educate their offspring. Mrs. James A. Stetler was about ten years of age when brought from Pennsylvania to Ohio by her parents, whose family comprised nine children, of whom four are still living, viz: Emeline, widow of Solomon Giger, and a resident of Green township; Daniel, a tailor by trade, residing in Cleveland, and married to Miss Sophina Mowen; Mary A. , widow of Allen Haring, and residing in Doylestown, "Wayne county; and Mrs. Stetler, who is the youngest living member of the family. Since 1879 Mr. Stetler has lived on his present well-improved farm of 156 acres. On fifteen acres of this land is a valuable deposit of vitrified clay. This he has developed until an important and profitable industry has been formed by him. He has been excavating this clay in some quantities for the past fifteen years, but within the past two years, particularly, has taken out large quantities of it. Mr. Stetler is a democrat and has taken an active interest in politics, having been elected to the offices of trustee, justice of the peace, treasurer, assessor and clerk of the township. He cast his first presidential vote for Gen. George B. McClellan, but the first presidential candidate he cheered for was James K. Polk. Both he and his wife are earnest workers in the Methodist Episcopal church, and contribute largely to the support of that organization, he being one of the trustees of the church. He is prominent in the Apollo Odd Fellows' lodge, No. 61, in Akron, and is a member of the Patrons of Husbandry, being past state deputy master in that body and a pillar in lodge No. 1323. Almost one-quarter of a century has this worthy couple been honored and respected citizens of Springfield township, Summit coun- 542 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD ty, and this biography will be treasured and held sacred by their children when the father and mother have passed away. AMOS W. STOCKER, of the firm of Stocker & Slaughter, proprietors of the Ravenna Marble & Monumental works, was born in East Hampden, Me., February 26, 1851, a son of Daniel and Sarah (Bickford) Stocker. Daniel Stocker was a native of New Hampshire, born in 1815, and in early manhood removed to Maine, in which state he married, and in 1853 came west. For one year he lived in Belvidere, Ill., and in 1854 came to Ohio, located at Brecksville, Cuyahoga county, where he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he came to Ravenna township, Portage county, purchased a farm on which he lived until the beginning of 1881, when he sold his land and built a fine residence on West Main street, Ravenna, where he died May 17, 1882, and where his widow still resides. For several years he served as trustee of Ravenna township, and in 1880 was real-estate assessor. He had been successful as a farmer, was public spirited, and was esteemed as one of the best of citizens. Amos W. Stocker remained on his father's farm until 1872, assisting in its cultivation, attending the common schools at intervals, and securing a good education, and then came to Ravenna and followed painting as a trade until 1877, when he engaged in the marble and monument business, which he successfully followed alone for ten years, and then formed his present partnership. The business is not confined to monumental work alone, as contracts are made by the firm for mason and stone work of all descriptions. Mr. Stocker was united in marriage, in November, 1871, with Miss Carrie L. Fox, who was born March 6, 1853, in Ravenna, and is a daughter of Griffith W. and Emily (Trowbridge) Fox, both natives of Ohio. One son, Daniel, was born to Mr. and Mrs. Stocker in June, 1873, and he is their only child. In politics Mr. Stocker is a republican, and as such was first elected to the city council of Ravenna in 1885; was thrice re-elected, and thus served four consecutive terms of two years each, or a total of eight years. In 1893 he was elected township trustee; in the spring of 1894 he was elected water-works trustee, and in 1896 was again elected township trustee, and still holds both offices. Mr. Stocker has always been faithful to his party and has worked strenuously in its behalf. During the campaign of 1896 he was active as a member of the McKinley club of Ravenna, and gave much of his time to the promotion of the cause of sound money and the protection of American industries. He is not a member of any religious organization, but is a moral, upright man, with a business reputation untarnished and pure. He affiliates with the National Union of Ravenna, No. 188, is public spirited and ever ready to aid with his means all projects designed for the public good. NELSON B. STONE (deceased) was born at Canfield, Mahoning county, Ohio, September 18, 1816, and was a son of Milo and Sarah (Beardsley) Stone, natives of Connecticut, who came to Ohio, by ox-team conveyance, in 1816, for the purpose of settling in Tallmadge township, Summit county, the subject being born on the way. The father cleared and improved a farm in Tallmadge township, and there the subject was reared; he was educated in the district school, in the Tallmadge academy and OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 543 in Allegheny college at Meadville, Pa., and then clerked several years at West Bloomfield, N. Y., and in Ravenna and Chardon, Ohio. In December, 1840, he located in Akron, clerked in a store a few months, and was then appointed as deputy under County Clerk Lucian Swift, later under Lucius S. Peck, serving until October, 1851, when he was elected county clerk—the first under the new constitution, the office theretofore having been appointive—and served three years. Although still a resident of Akron, Mr. Stone next served as deputy clerk of Cuyahoga county, and then, after a short engagement with Aultman, Miller & Co.. of Akron, he became secretary and treasurer of the Weary, Snyder & Wilcox Manufacturing company, filled the position eighteen years and then retired from active business. Mr. Stone was one of the organizers, as well as a trustee, of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Akron, was a zealous and efficient church worker, and teacher, superintendent and secretary of the Sunday-school from the time of its organization until his death, which took place November 9, 1893—a devout and sincere Christian. Mr. Stone was first married to Miss Mary H. Clarke, daughter of William L. Clarke, of Akron. This lady died April 6, 1853, leaving one son, Nelson C., now cashier of the City National bank of Akron. The second marriage of Mr. Stone was with Miss Elizabeth H. Beardsley, daughter of Philo and Eliza (Smith) Beardsley, also of Akron, and this union was blessed with two children—Philip C. (deceased) and Dwight M. Politically Mr. Stone was a stanch republican and was a delegate to the first republican state convention held in Ohio, at which the late Salmon P. Chase was nominated for governor of the state. The memory of Mr. Stone is still revered by the citizens of Akron, as his character was that of a pure, upright man and citizen, filled with a broad charity toward all his fellow-men and devoid of malice toward any human being, high or low. EPHRAIM STUMP, a retired farmer of Franklin township, Summit county, Ohio, is a native of this township and was born May 28, 1842, being of remote German ancestry, yet still of long-ago American descent, and of the third generation to live in the Buckeye state. John Stump, grandfather of subject, was a native of Franklin county, Pa., was there married to Elizabeth Grove, and after two children had been born to the marriage, came to Ohio and purchased a tract of 164 acres in Summit county, which tract he succeeded in denuding of the dense growth of trees with which it was encumbered, and eventually converted it into a profitable farm. His children were born in the following order: Jacob, David, Catherine, Mary, Eliza, John, Levi and Sarah, of whom David, Catherine and Mary are the only survivors. In his politics Mr. Stump was a democrat and a leader in local party management. An elder in the German Reformed church, he assisted in forming, in his own house, the first society of that denomination in Summit county. He was an industrious man and a good manager, and succeeded in acquiring a comfortable competency. Jacob Stump, father of subject, was also born in Franklin county, Pa., and was a boy when brought to Ohio by his parents. He was reared to manhood in Summit county, on his father's farm, and married Catherine Sorrick, daughter of Adam and Mary (Raber) Sorrick, also of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Summit county, Ohio. Jacob Stump entered a tract of government land in Franklin township, developed an excellent farm, and had 544 - PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD born to him the following children: Ephraim, Matilda, Amos (deceased) Nathaniel and William. Ephraim Stump was reared on the home farm and.agriculture has been the chief industrial pursuit of his life. November 28, 1870, he married Louisa Smith, daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Diehl) Smith, the former of whom was likewise a native of Franklin township, and prominent as a democratic politician and township office-holder. In religion Mr. Smith adhered to the teachings of the German Reformed church, in which faith he died, while his wife, who differed somewhat in religious belief, died in the faith of the Lutheran church. William Smith, father of Daniel, married Rachael Vanderhoff, and was one of the earliest pioneers of Franklin township. Ephraim Stump, after his marriage, followed farming until 1884, when he retired to his present home of twenty acres at Nimisila, in which village he owns and occupies a modern residence and is living in peace and comfort. The children born to his marriage are Bertha B., wife of William Fisler; Clarence E., who is attending the high school in Fulton, and Frederick C. In politics Mr. Stump is a stanch democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Gen. George B. McClellan, and in religion both he and wife adhere to the German Reformed church, to the support of which they liberally contribute financially. Mr. Stump is also a member of the Maccabees at Clinton, Ohio. The family is well known and respected throughout the county, and certainly Mr. Stump is well deserving of the high esteem in which he is held. SAMUEL SWINEHART, one of the most respected citizens of Suffield township, Portage county, was born in Springfield township, Summit county, Ohio, August 25, 1837, a son of Benjamin and Catherine (Garl) Swinehart, of whom further mention will be shortly made. Christian Swinehart, paternal grandfather of Samuel, was a native of Hesse, Germany, was a school-teacher by profession, but was still a young man when he came to the United States and first located in Pennsylvania, where he taught school a number of years, and where he was married. Late in life he came to Ohio, lived a short time in Summit county, and then removed to Elkhart county, Ind., where he passed the remainder of his life. He was twice married, and by his first wife became the father of eight children; to his second marriage, with Mary Schuck, there were also born eight children, but of the sixteen there is only one now living—Moses. of New Berlin, Stark county, Ohio. Benjamin Swinehart, father of Samuel, was born in Lancaster county, Pa., and while yet a single man came on foot to Ohio and settled in Union Town, Stark county. By trade he was a shoemaker, but followed his trade in Stark county for a short time only, when he bought land and cleared up a fine farm. There he married Miss Garl, daughter of Reuben Garl, and to this union were born seven children, four of whom are still living. viz: Samuel, our subject; Sarah, wife of Isaac Dausman; Henrietta, married to Franklin Ewell, and Daniel. Those who have passed away were Elizabeth, who died in her youthful days; Lavina, who was married to Jacob Brumbaugh and died at the age of thirty-two years, and Levi, who died April 24, 1896, aged sixty-one. About 1834, Benjamin Swine-hart brought his family to Suffield township, Portage county, and purchased the homestead on which our subject now resides. He became very prominent in local politics, and served his fellow-townsmen many years as township trustee, supervisor and school director. He was a deacon in the Reformed church, and died in OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES - 549 this faith at the age of sixty-seven years, his wife having died at the age of sixty-one--both deaths having occurred at the present home of our subject. Samuel Swinehart was but three and a half years old when brought to Suffield township by his parents, and, the farm being in the wilderness, his boyhood days were passed in a log cabin with neither doors nor windows. His preliminary education was acquired in the district school, and later he attended school at Kent and Greensburg until twenty-one years of age; then, in 1859, he entered the academy of which the late James A. Garfield was the principal. At the age of twenty-two years he himself began teaching, his first term being in Suffield. He also taught in Randolph township, and for eight winters he followed this vocation, assisting his father on the home place during the summer months. While thus engaged, he married, October 26, 1862, Miss Elizabeth Brumbaugh, who was born June 15, 1841, in Randolph, Portage county, and who is one of the thirteen children born to Henry and Catherine (Stuffier) Brumbaugh —all still living within fifteen miles of their birthplace. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Swinehart has been blessed with three children, viz: Marion, who married Emma Schumacher and has three children—Ledos, Esther and Inez; Perry, who married Alice Marsh, daughter of J. J. and Rebecca Marsh, and became the father of two children—Clyde and Leon—Mrs. Alice Swinehart dying at the age of thirty-two years; Lenora, who resides at home with her parents, and is a dressmaker. In 1863, Mr. Swinehart bought from his father the old homestead, which consisted of thirty-eight acres, but he has added to this, from time to time, until he now owns a splendid farm of Doc) acres. In addition to farming he has given considerable attention to live - 21 - stock, especially to sheep, and has been very successful. In politics Mr. Swinehart is a sound democrat, and has filled most of the township offices, including those of clerk, supervisor and school director—filling the last-named office eighteen years. He is a deacon in the Reformed church, and maintains a very high position in the esteem of the community. The Swinehart family hold an annual reunion, over which the subject invariably presides, and there is no more respected family in the township than this. JUDGE GIDEON SEYMOUR, of Bonniebrook Farm, of Rootstown, Portage county, Ohio, descends from one of the oldest families in the United States, but, before entering into the details of his own eventful life, it were better to narrate his antecedents to a remote priority and to follow them up, in detail, as far as the limited scope of this volume will permit. The Seymour family originated in Normandy (now a province of France), and the name was in that country spelled Saint Maur, and the town of the same name, in Normandy, was derived from the family name of the ancestors of subject, who held sway there in the early part of the christian era. The name of the family has by easy stages been modified and anglicized through the spellings, Saint Maurre, Saymaur and Seymour—as the street in London, England, now called Rotten Row, derives its name from Route en Roi—the route of the king. Early in the thirteenth century the present name was adopted, several of the Seymour family having gone over to England, and the student of English history will remem ber the prominence which the Seymour family obtained in Kent and Monmouthshire. In 1607 a colony of English people came to