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pal at that time was John Ellis. There Mr. Fielberth studied English until an epidemic of smallpox closed the school, when he went to Perry Township and located on the farm of Jacob Geis, whose daughter he later married. He remained on the farm only a few months, and then again turned his attention to business affairs, for which he seemed to have an inherent aptitude. For several years he was engaged in clerking in a store in Van Wert County, Ohio, and then, in May, 1885, returned to Massillon, where his uncle, John Fielberth, had opened a shoe store in his building on Canal Street. Of this establishment the younger man took charge, and at the time of the uncle's death, in 1890, succeeded to the ownership of the enterprise, with a partner. The business has shown an annual growth of satisfying size, and the establishment has conic to be looked upon in the light of a necessary commercial adjunct.
In 1911 Mr. Fielberth was appointed to fill out the unexpired term of Mr. E. E. Fox, who had resigned, as a member of the Massillon board of education. This was a case of the office seeking the man, as it was gained without solicitation on Mr. Fielberth's part. His term lasted until January 1, 1912, but at the regular election, in 1911, he had been appointed to the same position, and for a full term of four years. On January 1, 1914, his associates on the hoard evidenced their appreciation of his abilities by electing him clerk of the board, and January 1, 1915, he was reelected for another term. He has been a hard and faithful worker and has done much to assist in the elevation of Massillon's educational standards. The Massillon High School Building, considered one of the finest school structures in the state, was built by the present board. Mr. Fielberth is a member of Saint John's Evangelical Church and secretary of the congregation. His fraternal connections include membership in Scioto Lodge No. 48, Independent Order of Odd Fellows and Eureka Encampment No. 24. He belongs also to the Massillon Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Fielberth was married in 1888 to Miss Rosa Geis, daughter of Jacob Geis, a substantial agriculturist of Perry Township, Stark County, and five children have been born to this union, of whom only one is living: Florence Elizabeth, who is a member of the junior class at the Massillon High School.
ELMER S. GRABLE. When a man can bring an undertaking to such wide recognition for its products that they and himself are known from coast to coast his business career may he called a pronounced success. Such has been the achievement of Elmer S. Grable, whose distinctive accomplishments are in the poultry industry. Mr. Grable was proprietor of the "Buckeye Farm." located just north of the City of Canton, near the Canton-Akron Electric Line. On this land was located the largest and oldest buckeye tree in that section of Ohio., and Mr. Grable is himself a "Buckeye" and from those two associations he found a most appropriate title for his establishment. The Buckeye Farm is devoted to the raising of fancy poultry, in which he specialized the barred Plymouth Rock and Rosa and Single Comb Rhode Island Reds, and originated the famous "Buckeye" strain of
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Barred Rock. The farms are also known for their fancy fruit crops, peaches, cherries, plums, strawberries, raspberries and asparagus. For nearly a quarter of a century Mr. Grable was closely identified with the poultry industry, and his business had great advantage of long establishment and the continuous direction of one master mind. Mr. Grable is a life member of the American Poultry Association, a member of the American Barred Rock Club, a member of the Rhode Island Red Club, and for many years has been regarded as one of the most expert and capable judges of poultry in the country. In 1915 he sold his farm and moved to Canton, where he now resides.
Elmer S. Grable was born June 7, 1869, just north of Edgefield Station in Plain Township, and the Buckeye farms are located in the close vicinity of his birthplace. His parents were Abraham and Eliza (Baer) Grable. His mother was a daughter of Samuel Baer. The Grable family is a sturdy and long-lived stock. Mr. Grable's great- grandparents on his mother's side were Henry and Catherine Baer, who died at the respective ages of ninety-nine and one hundred one years, and they were the first and the oldest couple buried at West Lawn Cemetery. Abraham Grable was for fourteen years a practical farmer and then a nurseryman until his death at the age of sixty-seven. Grandfather Grable was born in Pennsylvania and at an early day moved to Greensburg, Ohio, and continued a farmer until his death at the age of seventy-two.
Elmer S. Grable grew up on a farm and attended the schools at Greenstown and Oakwood and later the Canton Business College. On leaving the latter institution he became a bookkeeper in the office of J. R. Poysner & Son, and a year and a half later became a contractor and also operated a planing mill. Early in his life he developed considerable talent for drawing and other forms of art and was a capable sketch artist. After selling out his contracting and planing mill interests he took up photography as a profession in Canton, and was in that business two years until failing health compelled him to sell out and that was -a fortunate turn of events in his career, since it brought him into active connection with the poultry industry. Moving out to Cleveland Avenue, he was in the poultry business there for several years. and then bought the present Buckeye farms just north of Edge- field Station. These farms for a number of years have been noted for their unexcelled strains of the Barred Plymouth Rocks and Rhode Island Reds. His long experience led him to concentrate his attention upon these favorite fowls, and he did a large business in supplying the Barred Rock, a greater number of which variety are found on American farms than any other breed. As a judge of poultry himself, Mr. Grable has acted at poultry shows and state and county fairs throughout the country. He has also for some years been a regular correspondent for the leading poultry journals. His own stock won prizes under every prominent American judge of the day. and their trophies come from such shows as those held in Canton. Cleveland. Pittsburgh, Chicago, Hagerstown, Maryland, New York City, and dozens of other places throughout the country. One of his cups, won at Cleveland, was an award given to first prize winning for two years out of three. In
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Mr. Grable's den at his home his collection of cups and other trophies is the most conspicuous part of the furnishings. Every bird in his flock was registered, and his chickens and eggs, which were shipped all over the United States and to Canada, went out with perhaps the most liberal guarantee given to any poultry products in the world. He also did a considerable export business in poultry to Europe.
As a fancy fruit grower Mr. Grable gave particular attention to peaches. He made a scientific study of this fruit for twenty-five years, and became known throughout the state as producing the finest fruit and getting the highest market price. For eighteen consecutive years he produced a full crop of peaches, and this record is so remarkable that it has received considerable space in various fruit journals. He also has the distinction of having grown the largest crop of strawberries from one acre, a total of 1,137 quarts.
In June, 1889, Mr. Grable married Miss Emma Rice, daughter of William C. Rice, a well known contractor of Stark county. His specialty was the building of barns, and such structures have been erected by him all over the country. Mr. and Mrs. Grable have a fine family of children. Hugh Raymond is manager of the Harrison Company. Grace Elizabeth is the wife of John Ebia. Eliza May married Edgar Hoff of the Dueber Watch Company of Canton. Helen died at the age of seven months. Arthur is employed as a bookkeeper in the Bross Foundry at Canton.
JOSIAH WIREBAUGH. Prominent among the retired citizens of Plain Township, who after many years of strenuous endeavor in the pursuits of agriculture and mechanical industry, are now living quietly amid the comforts which their years of earnest effort have wan for them, is found Josiah Wirebaugh. In Stark County Mr. Wirebaugh has won the confidence and respect of his fellow citizens, and has not only enjoyed a long life of three score and ten but has made his years count for service to himself, his family and his community.
His birth occurred March 24, 1845, on a farm two miles east of Canton, known as the Martin Bechtel Farm. His parents were John and Maria (Bechtel) Wirebaugh. The Wirebaugh family came from Germany several generations ago, and Mr. Wirebaugh's grandparents were married in Pennsylvania and in the early days settled on Buck Hill west of Canton. All the early members of the family were farmers, and after the death of grandfather Wirebaugh his widow followed the plow, doing a man's work in order to support her family. When she was eighty-seven years of age she received injuries from a runaway horse which caused her death. John Wirebaugh was born on the old farm at Buck Hill, and his wife was born on the old Bechtel farm near Canton. Both secured their education in the public schools. After leaving school John Wirebaugh learned the trade of plasterer and followed that a number of years at the same time looking after his interests as a farmer. After his marriage he and his wife lived on and operated the Bechtel farm until after the death of her mother and they then bought and moved to the farm known as the North East Bechtel farm, on which John Wirebaugh carried on his vocation as a farmer until
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his death at the age of sixty-seven. To John and wife were born nine children: Lizzie, wife of John Shoup ; Lydelia, wife of John Brunkhart; David; Mrs. Sarah Willard; William; Josiah; Frank ; Henry ; and a daughter that died in infancy.
Josiah Wirebaugh grew up in the country, gained his education in the old Sleighbauch School, and at the same time gave his assistance so far as strength and growing years permitted to his parents in the operation of the home farm. lie lived on the homestead until twenty- two, and then learned the plasterer's trade, and has made that trade one of the sources of his livelihood until within recent years.
Mr. Wirebaugh married Miss Frances Cooper of Alliance, Ohio, and they shortly afterwards moved to their present farm in Plain Township, where they have had a comfortable home since 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Wirebaugh have become the parents of eight children: Otis; Jemima, now Mrs. E. Obney, of Alliance; Helen, Mrs. Byron Snyder; Dan, who is married and lives in Akron; Harmon, who is connected with the Wilson Auto Company in Canton; Dave, living at home; Lawrence, also at home; and one son that died in infancy. All the children living have been given the best of home training and school advantages, including a high school training. The family are members of the Catholic Church and Mr. Wirebaugh is a democrat who takes much interest in affairs, especially of a local nature, and can be found supporting every movement for improvement in his home township.
THOMAS WEIR. One of the principal industries of the little City of Louisville in Stark County is the Louisville Milling and Elevator Company, which has recently been acquired by the firm of Thomas Weir & Son. Thomas Weir is a business man of long and successful experience, and was identified with the management of affairs in Pennsylvania before coming to Stark County. He is one of the most prominent of the more recent comers to the group of manufacturers and industrial leaders in Stark County.
Thomas Weir is a native of Scotland, and was born at the old home of Robert Burns, Ayrshire, May 9, 1865, a son of Robert and Jeannette (Baird) Weir. In 1868 the family came to America, sailing on the old State Line steamer Ohio. Their first location was near Brownsville, Pennsylvania, and subsequently they removed to McKeesport in that state, where Robert Weir and wife lived for many years. Robert Weir toward the end of his life joined his son Thomas at Altoona, where he died in 1914 at the age of seventy-eight. His widow is still living at McKeesport with a daughter, and is about eighty years of age. Robert Weir during his active career in America was a contractor, and did a great deal of work in the building of street railways.
Thomas Weir, the oldest of the children, secured most of his education in the McKeesport schools. He left that city in 1884. at the age of nineteen, and found employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad Company at Altoona, Pennsylvania, and continued in the railroad service for about five years. His next work was one of increased responsibilities. He was appointed chief of police of Altoona and held that office three years, at the expiration of which time he was elected
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mayor in 1893. Mr. Weir was long identified with the municipal service of Altoona, and did a great deal to carry on effectively tire work of various administrations and the general improvement of the municipality. Ile was connected with the city government in one capacity or another until 1902, and for part of the time had charge of the committee on public safety. In the meantime he had been engaged in the manufacture of candy, and that was the business which gave him the basis of his solid prosperity as a business man and manufacturer.
On November 1, 1914, Mr. Weir bought the Louisville Milling & Elevator Company, primarily in order to furnish his son business opportunities, though up to the present time he has had active charge of the management. Since 1900 for fifteen years Mr. Weir has regularly visited his native land of Scotland, spending at least two months on each annual visit. He is deeply interested in the Masonic Order, and has the distinction of having been made a Mason at Kilwinning Lodge in Scotland, which is recognized as the mother lodge of the world. He is also a Knight Templar Mason.
Mr. Weir married Miss Dorothy Cowley, a native of McKeesport, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of James Cowley, a contractor. Mrs. Weir died on Easter Sunday in 1899 at the age of thirty-three. The three children born of her marriage are: Jeannette, who has charge of the Bell Telephone Company in a Pennsylvania city; Robert Burns, who is engaged in the furniture business at Altoona, Pennsylvania, and by his marriage to Ethel Ritz has one daughter, Dorothy ; and James Edward, who is the junior member of the firm of Thomas Weir & Son at Louisville. Since the death of his first wife Mr. Weir contracted a marriage with Frances Stuart, a daughter of Prof. James A. Stuart, former professor in the faculty of Washington and Jefferson College in Pennsylvania.
WILLIAM R. DAY. Stark County and the City of Canton pay special tribute of honor to Judge William R. Day. who has by his character and distinguished achievement become a prominent figure in national affairs and who is now serving as an associate justice of the United States Supreme Court. In Canton was served his novitiate in the legal profession and here he won prominence as one of the representative members of the Ohio bar. He was a close friend of the martyred President, William McKinley, long a resident and revered citizen of Canton, and proved a dominating force in connection with political activities not only in the Buckeye State but also in the nation at large. Stark County claims Judge Day as a citizen, even though he has retired from its borders by reason of the exigencies of public office of great distinction, and it is a matter of imperative historical consistency that in this publication be incorporated at least a brief review of his career.
William R. Day was born at Ravenna, the judicial center of Portage County, Ohio, on the 17th of April, 1849, and is a son of the late Judge Luther Day, who was one of the brilliant legists and jurists who in a generation past lent dignity and distinction to the bench and bar of Ohio, where he served many years on the bench of the Supreme Court of the state. He married a daughter of the late Judge Spalding, who
PICTURE OF WILLIAM R. DAY
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likewise was a member f the Ohio Supreme Court and who represented the Cleveland District in the United States Congress; the wife of Judge Spalding was a daughter f Chief Justice Swift of the Supreme Court of the State of Connecticut.
To the public schools of his native city Judge William R. Day is indebted for his preliminary educational discipline, and in pursuance of his higher academic studies he was matriculated in the University of Michigan, in which great institution he was graduated as a member of the class of 1870 and from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts. In the same year he initiated the study of law at Ravenna and after a year of reading under effective private preceptorship he entered the law department of the University f Michigan. where he continued his studies for one year. He was admitted to the Ohio bar on the 5th of July. 1872. and forthwith engaged in the practice of his profession in the City f Canton, where he became associated with William A. Lynch, under the firm name f Lynch & Day. He became one f the leading lawyers of this section of Ohio and continued a member of the original law frill through the various changes in its personnel until he was called to public service at the instance of President McKinley, of whom he had been cne of the staunchest political supporters and intimate friends. For more than a quarter of a century, 1872-97. Judge Day was engaged in the active practice of his profession at Canton, with the exception of a service of one year on the bench of the Ninth Judicial Circuit of Ohio, and in the meanwhile he held prestige as one of the most loyal and public- spirited citizens of the fine little capital city of Stark County.
Judge Day's association with the late President McKinley had its inception in 1872. and for more than a quarter of a century he was the most intimate friend and trusted advisor of this distinguished and honored son of Ohio. After President McKinley's retirement from the active practice f law Judge Day became his counsel in all legal matters, and after the President's tragic death Judge Day became one of the administrators of the former's estate. In 1886 Judge Day assumed a position on the bench of the Court f Common Pleas for the Ninth Judicial District, but he resigned the office after serving one year. this action being taken solely for the reason that he found the salary inadequate to meet the legitimate demands placed upon him. In 1889 President Harrison appointed him United States district judge for the Northern District of Ohio, but the impaired condition of his health prompted him to decline the appointment.
In April, 1897, President McKinley appointed Judge Day assistant secretary of state, and for a year he virtually assumed the entire practical duties and responsibilities of the secretary of state, under his senior, the aged Hon. John Sherman, whose venerable years weighed upon him and handicapped him in the handling of the exacting and multitudinous responsibilities of the office of secretary of state. In May, 1898, Judge Day was appointed secretary of state, of which important post he continued the incumbent one year and concerning his administration of which office President McKinley gave the following estimate: "Judge Day has made absolutely no mistakes." More terse and significant commendation than this could not be offered.
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With the closing of the hostilities of the Spanish-American war Judge Day wished to be relieved of the office of national secretary of state, as he felt that he was entitled to retirement from the arduous and exacting service which had marked his administration. President McKinley reluctantly consented to the retirement of this honored and valued member of his cabinet but made the stipulation that Judge Day should consent to become a member of the peace commission appointed to negotiate the Paris treaty with Spain. To this the judge consented, with characteristic loyalty, and as a member of this commission he served with marked distinction.
In February, 1899, President McKinley appointed Judge Day to the bench of the United States Circuit Court for the Sixth Judicial Circuit, and of this position he continued in tenure until 1903, when he was appointed associate justice of the United States Supreme Court, as a member of which great national tribunal he has since served, his admirable record in the connection being an integral part of the history of the court during the time of his incumbency.
On the 24th of August, 1875, was solemnized the marriage of Judge Day to Miss Mary E. Schaefer, of Canton, her father, Louis Schaefer, having been one of the honored pioneers and influential citizens of Stark County. The maximum loss and bereavement in the life of Judge Day came when his gracious and loved wife was summoned to the life eternal, in 1912, and of their union were born four sons,—William L., Luther, Stephen A. and Rufus. Concerning the two elder sons, both of whom are well upholding the high professional prestige of the family name, individual mention is made in following sketches.
WILLIAM L. DAY was born in the City of Canton, Ohio, on the 13th of August, 1876, and after availing himself of the advantages of the public schools of his native city he entered Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Massachusetts, where he continued his studies until 1896. In that year he was matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1900 and from which he received his degree of Bachelor of Laws. In the same month he was admitted to the Ohio bar and became a member of the law firm of Lynch, Day & Lynch, of Canton. He continued in the general practice of his profession, with noteworthy distinction and success, until 1912, when President Taft appointed him United States district judge for the Northern District of Ohio. Of this high judicial office he continued the able and zealous incumbent until the 1st of May, 1914, when he resigned to resume the general practice of his profession. Like many another he had come to a realization that the honors and emoluments of public office, no matter of how distinguished order, did not justify so young a man in withholding himself from the broader field of individual effort and achievement, and since his retirement from the bench Judge Day has been engaged in the private practice of law in the City of Cleveland, where he had established his residence at the time of his appointment to the office noted.
On the 10th of September. 1902, Judge William L. Day wedded Miss Estella McKay, of Cairo. Michigan.
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LUTHER DAY, who likewise is one of the representative members of the Cleveland bar, was born in Canton on the 9th of May, 1879. He received his early education in the public schools of Canton and in 1896-97 pursued a collegiate preparatory course in Williston Seminary, at East Hampton, Massachusetts, after which he was for two years a student in Wittenberg College, at Springfield, Ohio. In preparation for the work of his chosen profession he entered the law department of the University of Michigan, where he continued his technical studies until he had entered his senior year. He then withdrew from the university to assume the position of secretary to his father, who was then serving on the bench of the Circuit Court of Appeals. This position he retained two years, and thereafter he continued to serve two years as secretary to his father after the latter's appointment to the office of associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in June, 1904, and in the following year became a member of the law firm of Ake & Day, of Canton. Here he continued in successful practice until 1910, but in 1908 he severed his original professional alliance and became a member of the firm of Day & Ammerman. In November, 1910, Mr. Day removed to the City of Cleveland, where he became a member of the law firm of Goulder, Day, White & Garry. He has gained secure prestige as one of the resourceful and representative younger members of the Cleveland bar and since June 1, 1914, he has been in practice as an associate of the firm of Gage & Wachner. Mr. Day is a member of the Cuyahoga Bar Associate and the Ohio State Bar Association.
Mr. Day was married to Miss Ida McKinley Barber, daughter of M. C. Barber, of Canton, and a niece of the late Mrs. William McKinley, in whose honor she was named. Mr. ay d Mrs. Day have two daughters, —Katherine, who was born in 1904, and Ida, who was born in 1909.
ANDREW ERTLE. From the time of his birth Mr. Ertle has maintained his home in Stark County, to which he pays appreciative loyalty, and he is a representative of a sterling family whose name has been worthily linked with the business and civic interests of the county for more than seventy years. In the City of Massillon Mr. Ertle is the owner and operator of the Ertle Bottling Works, which controls a large and substantial business in the bottling and sale of mineral water and soda waters, all products being of the best grade and every detail of the business being carefully regulated to maintain perfect sanitary conditions and uphold the high standard of the products, the reputation of the establishment being such that its trade is not confined entirely to Stark County, in which connection it may be noted that several families in the City of Cleveland place regular and direct orders with Mr. Ertle for supplying them with his products.
The seventh in order of birth of a family of ten children, of whom eight are living and one of whom is now serving as chief of the police department of Massillon, Andrew Ertle was born at the old homestead of the family in the Village of West Brookfield, this county, and the date of his nativity was April 6, 1868. He is a son of Martin and Barbara (Hemberger) Ertle, both natives of the Kingdom of Bavaria, Ger-
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many, where the former was born on the 21st of April, 1821, and the latter in the year 1832. The father died in the City of Massillon, in 1887, and his widow survived him by a decade, her death occurring in 1897. Their marriage was solemnized in old St. Mary's Church, in this city, both having been lifelong and zealous communicants of the Catholic Church, and in later years Mr. Ertle was one of the honored and influential members of the parish of this same church at Massillon, having served twenty-one years as its secretary, and having been also a prominent member of St. Joseph's Society.
Martin Ertle was reared to maturity in his native land, where he learned the trades of cooper and stone mason, and he was about twenty- one years old when he came to the United States, in 1842, the voyage having been made on a sailing vessel that reached the port of New York City after having been on the Atlantic for forty-two days. In the same year Mr. Ertle established his home at West Brookfield, Stark County, and he became one f the honored and industrious citizens of this county. In earlier years he followed the trade of cooper during the winters and during the intervening seasons found ready demand for his services as a skilled stone mason. After his removal to Massillon, a few years prior to his death, he here engaged in the retail grocery business, to which he devoted his attention during the remainder of his active career, his political proclivities having been indicated by the stalwart support which he gave to the cause of the democratic party. He was a man of positive views and well fortified convictions and his life was guided and governed by the highest principles of integrity and honor, so that he was not denied the fullest measure of popular esteem in the county that represented his home for nearly half a century.
The parochial school of St. Mary's Church at Massillon afforded to Andrew Ertle his early educational advantages, and as a mere boy he began to gain fellowship with honest industry. He was employed for a time in a grocery store, and later became driver of a delivery wagon for Edward H. Gleitsman, who was engaged in the bottling of mineral and soda waters at Massillon. He remained with Mr. Gleitsman eight years and in the meanwhile gained a through knowledge of all details of the business, so that at the expiration of that period he felt justified in his action when he formed a partnership with Elmer Gleitsman, under the firm name of Gleitsman & Ertle, and engaged in the same line of enterprise in an independent way. This partnership alliance continued eleven years and Mr. Ertle then purchased Mr. Gleitsman's interest, since which time he has continued as the sole proprietor of the well ordered and substantial business, which is conducted under the title of the Ertle Bottling Works.
Mr. Ertle has not centered his interests in his own business affairs but has shown a loyal and helpful concern in all that touches the general welfare of the community and is known as a liberal and public-spirited citizen. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, and both he and his wife are communicants of St. Joseph 's Catholic Church. Mr. Ertle is a past grand knight of Massillon Council. No. 554, Knights of Columbus; past president of Massillon Aerie, No. 190, Fraternal Order of Eagles; and past chancellor of the local organization of the Catholic
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Mutual Benefit Association, besides which he is affiliated with Massillon Lodge, No. 481, Loyal Order of Moose, and Massilon Lodge, No. 441, Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks.
In 1895 was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Ertle to Miss Bertha L. Manger, who was born and reared in Massillon, and they have four children—Marie Isabelle, Elmer Martin, Margaret Valera, and Robert Lewis.
WILLIAM HENRY BECHER, M. D. An experience of more than forty years as a practicing physician has given to Dr. Becher a standing among the ablest and most honored medical men in Stark County. To more than a generation of people living in the North Industry community he has given his competent services and his solid prosperity is only an adequate reward for the benevolent activities of a long and useful life. Dr. Becher has for many years lived on his farm in Pike Township, a mile and a half south f North Industry.
His is one of the old family names of Stark County. His birth occurred in what was then Sparta, now the Village of East Sparta, Stark County, July 17, 1848. His father, Henry Becher, was a native of Pennsylvania, and the grandfather was Simon Becher, also a Pennsylvanian, who brought his family to Louisville in Stark County during pioneer times. Simon Becher subsequently removed to Canton. where he lived for fifteen years until his death. For many years his business was that of traveling salesman. Henry Becher was a millwright by trade in early days, and subsequently a farmer, a vocation which he followed for many years. Late in life he moved to the farm on the Bolivar Road near North Industry. He died in 1900, and his wife, whose maiden name was Barbara Collins, and who was a native of Ohio. passed away in 1895.
Doctor Becher was well educated and came into his profession well prepared soon after he reached manhood. He attended the high school at Canton, also Mount Union College, and finally went east and pursued his medical studies in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, where he was graduated M. D. in 1869. In the same year, soon after passing his twenty-first birthday, he began his practice, having his office within half a mile of his present home. He has lived at his present location for more than forty years, and has always enjoyed a large patronage and has doctored many families in that community while the children have passed from infancy to middle age.
Doctor Becher is a member in high standing of the Stark County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Few physicians still in active work in Stark County have performed so much country practice. His practice extends into Tnscarawas County and Carroll County. north to Canton, and as far north as Marlboro. He was a hard working physician in the years before such notable conveniences came into a doctor's life as the telephone, improved highways, automobiles and other facilities which reduce the arduous character of day and night attendance upon sick patients. Doctor Becher owns a fine farm and conducts it through renters. He owns stock in the Bowman Wholesale Drug Company of Canton and in
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the Commercial and Savings Bank of the same city. He also has improved property at North Industry, including a business house.
In 1865 Doctor Becher married Miss Sibilla Apley, who was born on the farm where Doctor Becher now lives, a daughter of John Apley, a pioneer resident of the township. At her death she left two children: Winfield S., who is postmaster at North Industry; and Webster A., M. D., now established in successful practice at North Industry. Doctor Becher's present wife before her marriage was Olive 0. Guest, daughter of Squire Washington Guest, a lifelong resident of Pike Township of this county. Mrs. Becher is a member of the United Brethren Church. Politically Doctor Becher has been identified with the republican party since casting his first vote, and has at different times been honored with local offices in the township. He is now and for the last ten years has been health officer of the township and is also a member of the school board.
JACOB S. BARKEY. There is no business more essentially dignified and more important to the welfare of the world than that of producing commodities to feed the people. It is in this line of business that Jacob S. Barkey has devoted all the years of his active life. Mr. Barkey has long been successfully identified with farming, particularly as a truck grower and horticulturist and also operates one of the dairies which contribute the high grade milk supply to the City of Canton. Mr. Bar- key's fine country home is located in Plain Township, but with convenient access to his principal market at Canton.
Jacob S. Barkey was born in Holmes County, Ohio, November 22, 1865, a son of Isaac and Mary (Newcomer) Barkey. Isaac Barkey was born in Holmes County, while his wife was a native of Pennsylvania, her people coming to Ohio in the early '40s. Nearly all the different generations of the Barkey and Newcomer families have been farmers, and while the older people of the Barkey family were Mennonites in religion the present generation are Methodists. Isaac Barkey in connection with farming operated a threshing outfit, using the now old- fashioned horse power. In the family of Isaac Barkey were twelve children : Susan, now Mrs. Ed. Parker; Leander, who lives in Akron ; Laura, now Mrs. R. A. Pfouts; Jacob S.; Frances, now Mrs. Finley Harmon ; Joseph, who married Nettie Patterson; Mary, wife of D. Ballard; Henry, who married Leta Monroe; Martha, wife of Albert Lehner; Uriah, whose place in order of birth is between Francis and Joseph, and who married Della Wisner ; one child that died in infancy; Walter, who died at the age of eighteen years.
Jacob S. Barkey had all his earlier associations with Holmes County, where as a boy he attended the district schools and gained an excellent training for the work of his life under the direction of his father. He lived on his father's farm until twenty-four years of age, and has since then been engaged in independent activities, having worked out for others only one month in all his life.
When he was twenty-four years of age he married Miss Opal Pfouts, of Holmes County, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Pfouts. Her parents for the past twenty-six years have lived in Canton Township of
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 811
Stark County. Her father was formerly a miller and general farmer, but after coming to Canton township interested himself in truck farming. Mrs. Barkey was one of the following children: Mary, wife of Curtis Bair; Minnie, who has always lived at home; Leroy, who married Miss Anna Killian; Sherman, who married Ella Gocklie; Owen, now deceased; Opal, Mrs. .Barkey; William, who is married; and Oscar, who married Emma Williams.
After his marriage Mr. Barkey took his wife to his father's second farm, and there followed general farming four years. His next location was in Stark County on the John F. Roth farm, which was his home for three years. Then came another move to the John Sherry farm, but at the end of a year Mr. Barkey bought a place of his own, forty acres from J. F. Kaler. This land he cultivated and developed as a berry and truck farm, and found that a highly profitable enterprise and one for which his talents and experience well fitted him. He remained eleven years in that location, after which he operated the Snyder farm three years, and in 1908 moved to his present home, purchasing the J. H. Lehman farm, northwest of Canton, in Plain Township. The forty-five acres included in this attractive country place are now largely devoted to fruit. He also operates a dairy, and has a fine herd of Holstein cattle. He keeps high grade cows, and employs all the up-to-date methods and facilities for the handling of, his milk, and has many of the best families in the City of Canton as his customers. An important feature of his farm industry is the growing of peaches.
Mr. Barkey is an active member of the Grange, and in politics is a republican. Mrs. Barkey during her girlhood attended the district schools, and on leaving school lived at home until her marriage at the age of nineteen. They have a fine family, comprising four children. Zelda, the oldest, is the wife of Charles Studer, who now lives on the Whipple Road, and they have one son, Sherman. Oscar, now twenty- one years of age, is a well educated and intelligent young man and is' handling the dairy business for his father. Ray is attending the public schools and also taking a course in automobile construction. Olen is a student in the district schools.
HERBERT BONNETT BATES. A type of the progressive and enterprising agricultural element to which Stark County must look for its future development and prosperity is found in the person of Herbert Bonnett Bates, proprietor of Maple Crest Farm, located four miles from the City of Canton. Mr. Bates is a native of the State of New York, born at Scarsdale, near New York City, July 17, 1890, a son of Henry W. and Louise (Bonnett) Bates.
Alfred Bates, the grandfather of Herbert B. Bates, was born in New York City, but soon left the rush and bustle of the metropolis for the quiet life of the country, locating on a farm in Westchester County, in Scarsdale, where he passed his life in the peaceful pursuits of farming, and died there in his seventy-sixth year. The maternal grandfather of Herbert B. Bates was William Henry Bonnett, who was born also in New York City, the son of Peter Bonnett, who was a native
812 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
of that city, and who, May 4, 1787, was commissioned by Governor Clinton ensign of a company in a regiment of militia in the city and county of New York, of which company Aaron Burr was a lieutenant. The Bonnett family is of French Huguenot stock and has been in America for many generations, members of the family having for years occupied prominent places in the business world, in the professions, and in military, public and civil life.
Henry W. Bates, the father of Herbert B. Bates, was born in New York, and was given excellent educational advantages, completing his schooling at Columbus University. He early entered the law and soon became known as one of the successful corporation attorneys of New York City, where he was particularly prominent in Wall Street. He died near Hackensack, New Jersey, in 1901. Mr. Bates was well known in Masonic circles, and at his death left many friends. Mrs. Bates was born in New York City, her mother being Margaret Ann Rumsey, who was born at East Chester (now part of the City of New York), the daughter of Thomas Osborne Rumsey, a merchant of Dutch stock. Mrs. Margaret Ann Bonnett died at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1900, to which city the Bonnett and Bates families moved from New York, and her husband, William Henry Bonnett passed away in December, 1912, at the Grand Canyon of the Colorado, Ariz., at the age of eighty-two years, while on his way to Riverside, California, where he had intended spending the balance of the winter. For more than thirty years William H. Bonnett was associated with the National Biscuit Company and his descendants are still interested in that corporation. In 1908 he came from Pittsburgh to Maple Crest Farm, and that property continued to be his home until he left on the trip which was ended by his death.
Herbert Bonnett Bates was educated in the public schools of Peekskill, New York, New York City and Pittsburgh, attending the grammar school in the New York metropolis and high school at Pittsburgh. He next took a two-year course as a member of the class of 1912 at the Ohio State Agricultural College, and there received his diploma. With his mother, in 1908, he came to Stark County and in that same year took charge of Maple Crest Farm, which he has since operated as a highly successful dairy property, at the same time growing general crops.
Mr. Bates and his mother are members of the First Presbyterian Church of Canton.
AUGUSTUS W. INMAN. As a waterworks engineer there is perhaps no better informed man in Ohio than Augustus W. Inman, who for the last quarter of a century has been superintendent of the Massillon Water Supply Company. He came to Massillon as an expert from the East in connection with the local waterworks, and with the exception of one year has been a resident of the city ever since.
He was born on a farm in the State of Rhode Island, December 25, 1853, a son of George and Ruth Wheeler (Mowry) Inman. His parents were natives of Rhode Island and of English descent. Augustus W. Inman lived on the farm where he was born throughout the period of his boyhood, attended public schools, and graduated from the English
PICTURE OF ANTON SCHWERTNER
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 813
department of the Mowry & Goffs English and Classical High School at Providence, Rhode Island. He then took up technical work which brought him into relation with general and waterworks engineering, and remained in his native state and in the employ of different water companies until 1889.
In that year he was sent to Massillon as engineer to improve the local waterworks system. The following year he assisted in building a street railway at Aurora, Illinois, but in 1890 returned to Massillon to take charge of the Water Supply Company as its superintendent. That has been his office ever since, and under his personal supervision and direction the Massillon waterworks system has been developed and improved until it is one of the best possessed by any of the smaller cities of Ohio.
Mr. Inman is a member of the Central States Water Association, being its treasurer, and is also a member of the American Water Association. He belongs to the Massillon Social Club and is a vestryman in St. Timothy's Episcopal Church. Mr. Inman married Miss Evelyn E. Steere, of Rhode Island. They have one daughter, Amie G., who is now a teacher in the Arts and Crafts Department of the Lincoln High School at Cleveland.
ANTON SCHWERTNER. When the late Anton Schwertner first came to Canton about fifty years ago he was an unknown German cobbler, friendless, and with only a few years of experience in business ways and American customs. He rented a small shop and began making and repairing boots and shoes by hand. His skill as a workman commended him to those in need of such service, and his shrewd business sense, his industry and genial nature brought him a large following of friends and customers. Not many years had gone by before he was well established in the general shoe business in Canton and many years before his death had reached a position as one of the most influential merchants and one of the largest owners of business property in the city. He was a highly respected business man, and as a citizen did his full share in the upbuilding f the city.
Anton Schwertner was born in Rueckersdorf in German Bohemia, October 1, 1840. When thirteen years old he was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade in the City of Vienna, where he spent five years, following which he traveled as a journeyman workman in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. In 1860, at the age of twenty, he left his native land and came to the United States. The following four years were spent in working on the bench as a shoemaker in Pittsburg, and then for one year he was connected with a produce shipping house in the same city. When he left Pittsburg in 1865 with his destination as Canton, he had so little money that he was unable to make the entire journey by railway, and therefore came on foot and in any conveyance he could find. He arrived in Canton on a farmer's wagon. He first rented a small room 8 by 10 feet on East Tuscarawas Street, just opposite the present handsome Schwertner business block, which his subsequent business success enabled him to build. His energy, perseverance and determination to succeed overcame all the obstacles which beset a stranger in a community, and he was soon prospering in a modest way. From
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year to year his business grew, and he finally bought a frame business house at what is now 309 Tuscarawas Street East, and put in a stock of boots and shoes with a repair shop in connection.
When the material of the old courthouse and jail was sold in 1872, Mr. Schwertner bought it at auction, and subsequently acquired the ground at the northeast corner of Tuscarawas and Rex Avenue, where he put up the brick business block which now stands on that site. Into this structure he worked a large portion of the material he had bought from the county, and the tin roof now on that building was at one tune the roof of the county jail. Mr. Schwertner showed a great deal of boldness and enterprise in constructing a building which was at that time somewhat outside the immediate limits of the business district. Ills initiative proved a boom in the upbuilding, of that section, and the erection of the entire block to the east was the result of his initial building operations. While in business in his new store, he rebuilt the old store and also one adjoining now known as the Schwertner Block. Into the new building he removed his business, and carried it on from year to year with increasing success. In 1899 he sold the business to his son Urban, and then retired from active affairs. The store is still operated by Urban Schwertner, and is one of the leading shoe houses of Stark County.
The late Mr. Schwertner also built the handsome residence on Walnut and Fourth streets, northeast, which is still the residence of the family in Canton. There Mr. Schwertner passed away after his long and successful career on August 26, 1912, while his wife died October 15, 1907. During Mr. Schwertner 's residence in Canton he became known to all the people of his time, and his genial nature and exemplary life won him a host of friends who esteemed him not only for what he accomplished in a business way but for his fine fellowship and sterling character. He belongs to a group of early Canton citizens nearly all of whom have now passed away, who upheld the burdens of business responsibility and were leaders in all the life of the city. Mr. Schwertner was one of the leading members of St. Peter's Catholic Parish and took a deep interest in church affairs. He was proud of having given two of his sons to the church.
On May 14, 1867, Mr. Schwertner married Christina Richert, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, in 1844. To this union were born the following children : Frank A., now deceased ; Rev. August J., who is chancellor of the Toledo, Ohio, Catholic Diocese ; Urban C., of Canton ; Flora, wife of Edward Elnen, of Canton, Ohio; Walter R., of Canton; Mary and Ida, both unmarried and living at Canton ; and Rev. Thomas M., editor of the Rosary, a Catholic magazine published in New York City.
Frank A. Schwertner, the oldest son, was born in Canton, April 2, 1869, and died in that city August 12, 1914. He received his education in the public schools, in St. Peter's Parochial School and the Spencerian Business College at Cleveland. His business career began in association with his father in the retail shoe business. From that employment he left to accept a position with the Star Manufacturing Company at Canton, and when that company was merged with the Berger Manu-
PICTURE OF P. MELANCTHON ZINSMASTER
PICTURE OF URBAN C. SCHWERTNER
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 815
facturing Company he continued with the new organization, went through the various positions of responsibility and finally was chosen treasurer, a position he held for a number of years and until his death. He was recognized as one of the city's progressive business men and popular citizens, and his death in the prime of his usefulness was deeply regretted. He was prominent in church and church society work, a member of St. Peter's Catholic parish, a charter member of the Canton Council of the Knights of Columbus, and a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. Frank A. Schwertner married Frieda Klorer, daughter of the late Herman Klorer, an old time Canton business man and manufacturer. She died in 1899. Two daughters, Marcella Marie and Edith Frieda, are still living.
Urban C. Schwertner, who is the successor of his father in the shoe trade at Canton, and a solid and popular business man, was born in that city November 28, 1872. While attending St. Peter's Parochial School he worked in his father's store evenings and during vacations, and thus acquired a thorough business training at an early age. For five years he was a traveling salesman. He left the road in 1903 to engage in business for himself at Canton, opening a store at 121 Walnut Street North. In 1909 he acquired the business established by his father on East Tuscarawas Street, and has carried that on with substantial success to the present time.
Mr. Schwertner is a member of St. Joseph's parish, though he was reared in St. Peter's. • He is a charter member of the Canton Knights of Columbus and a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, and has affiliations with the Fraternal Order of Eagles and the Woodmen of the World. As a business man and citizen lie is doing his full share in building up the city and maintaining its institutions. Mr. Urban Schwertner married Charlotte J. Harrier of Loyal Oak, Ohio.
P. MELANCTHON ZINSMASTER. In the list of Stark County's citizens who have secured prominence in business and financial life, the name of P. Melancthon Zinsmaster stands high. Locating in Navarre in 1888, in 1895 he became cashier of the Navarre Deposit Bank Company and in that capacity has continued to be one of the leading factors in the development of an institution which fills the place of a necessary financial adjunct. Mr. Zinsmaster is a native of the Buckeye State, born on a farm in Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, August 11, 1861, and is a son of Michael and Susanna (Tschantz) Zinsmaster.
Michael Zinsmaster was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, in March, 1831, and was eighteen years of age when he accompanied his parents to the United States, the family settling on a farm in Lawrence Township, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. There he was married to Susanna Tschantz, who was born in Switzerland and was three years of age when brought to this country by her parents. In 1865 Mr. Zinsmaster purchased a farm in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, which he continued to operate until after the death of his wife, when he sold his property to his second son, who still owns it. In 1903 Mr. Zinsmaster removed to Navarre, where he is still residing, and where he was one
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of the organizers of the Navarre Deposit Bank Company, becoming its first president, but is now living a retired life. One of his community's most substantial citizens, his name has ever been associated with honorable dealing, and he has the regard and confidence of his associates and his fellow-citizens.
P. Melancthon Zinsmaster was four years of age when brought to Stark County. He was brought up in Bethlehem Township, where he attended the country schools, subsequently going to the Navarre High School and completing his education at Ohio Northwestern University, where he took a commercial course. He had been reared to agricultural pursuits and remained on the home farm until 1888, in which year he came to Navarre and turned his attention to the hardware business, in which he was successfully engaged until 1895. In that year he joined his father and others in the organization of the Navarre Deposit Bank, of which he was elected cashier, a position which he has since held.
The Navarre Deposit Bank Company, of Navarre, one of the strongest and most prosperous banking institutions of Stark County, outside of the large cities, was organized as a private concern, May 4, 1895, as the Navarre Deposit Bank, with a capital of $3,000, which in 1897 was increased to $9,000. The president of the bank at that time was Michael Zinsmaster, the secretary and treasurer was P. M. Zinsmaster, and the above named and H. R. Bennett, W. S. and T. C. Putnam and S. J. Shelter formed the board of directors. On July 1, 1907, the bank was reorganized and incorporated as the Navarre Deposit Banking Company, with an authorized capitalization of $25,000, of which $15,000 was paid up. William G. Miller became president, D. A. Muskoff, vice president, P. M. Zinsmaster, secretary and cashier, and F. L. Zinsmaster, assistant cashier, while the directing board was composed of the following : P. M. Zinsmaster, F. L. Zinsmaster, D. A. Muskoff, Philip Loew and William G. Miller. Two years later the full capital was paid in and the bank has continued to grow in business from year to year, until its latest statement shows its resources to be $309,605.76, with liabilities the same. The 1915 officials are as follows: D. A. Muskoff, president; Philip Loew, vice president; P. M. Zinsmaster, cashier; F. L. Zinsmaster, assistant cashier; and Robert Hug, Philip Loew, D. A. Muskoff, P. M. Zinsmaster and F. L. Zinsmaster, directors. The fine, up-to-date brick banking house was completed in 1913 and is one of the handsome structures of Navarre.
P. Melancthon Zinsmaster has various other financial and business interests, and for many years treasurer of the Navarre Stoneware Company, the latter now defunct. He has supported all civic movements which have promised progress and advancement, and as a friend of education has contributed his abilities as a member of the school hoard of Navarre Village. Fraternally he is affiliated with the local lodge of the Knights of Pythias, while his religious connection is with the Evangelical Church, of which he is treasurer.
Mr. Zinsmaster was married to Miss Minnie Woodling, who died in 1892, leaving two children : Edna, who married Harry E. Crim, of Marion, Ohio, and has one daughter,—Marie; and Warren, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where he is now teaching accounting,
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 817
while at the same time he is preparing himself for practice as a legist, and is also holding a position in the Oakland Savings and Trust Company. Mr. Zinsmaster was married the second time to Miss Artie Brant, of Smithville, Wayne County, Ohio.
SAMUEL W. SPONSELLER. Representing the third generation of his family to till the soil of Plain Township, Samuel W. Sponseller is now known as one of the worthy farmers of Stark County whose industry, perseverance and good management have brought him into comfortable circumstances. For twenty years he has resided on his present property, which for its size is one of the best in the township, being characterized by its modern improvements and well-kept appearance. Mr. Sponseller was born in Canton Township, May 10, 1854, and is a son of Abraham and Elizabeth (Stoner) Sponseller.
John Sponseller, the grandfather of Samuel W., came to Ohio from Pennsylvania at an early date and took up land from the United States Government. This is what is now known as the Sponseller Homestead, and is located south of Canton on the Waynesburg Road, where the Sponseller Schoolhouse is now located. John Sponseller passed his entire life in farming and stockraising, became one of the substantial and influential men of his community, and when he died, at the age of eighty-four years, was the owner of 400 acres of valuable land. The grandmother lived to the ripe old age of ninety-four years. There were eight children in the family, namely: Frederick, John, Abraham, Henry, David, Mary, Julia and Catherine.
Abraham Sponseller, father of Samuel W., received his early education at the Sponseller School, and completed it at Canton Academy. When his school period was over, he purchased a farm south of the old homestead place, and in the fall of 1865 sold the original place and bought what was known as the Lichtenwalter farm, a tract of 160 acres on which he continued to follow diversified farming and stock- raising until his demise, at the age of seventy-nine years. He rounded out a full and active life and throughout his career merited and held the esteem and respect of his fellow-citizens. He took a keen interest in local as well as national affairs, was always proud to inform every new acquaintance that he was a sturdy Andrew Jackson democrat, and at various times was honored by his fellow-citizens by election to public office, serving in the capacity of justice of the peace and as township trustee for some years. There were eight children in his family: John, George, Samuel W., William, Mary, David, Lucy and Augustus. The mother of these children died at the age of seventy years.
The Sponseller District School furnished Samuel W. Sponseller with his education and he was brought up on the home farm, where he assisted his father until the time of his marriage. He was united with Miss Anise E. Casper. daughter of George and Louisa Casper, who lived near Magnolia, Ohio, and were prominent farming people. For some years Mr. Sponseller operated the farm of his brother John, located hetween Canton and Richfield, but in 1895 bought his present place, which was known as the George Hassler homestead, a tract of sixty-two acres. He has continued to make this his home to the present
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time, keeping his land under thorough culture. His farming operations are careful, diligent and systematic and have been attended by favorable results, his farm being one of the best producing in Plain Township. ills buildings are modern and substantial in every way, and the visrtor, in passing the comfortable residence, receives the impression that he is viewing a city home. Mr. Sponseller is a democrat in his political views, but has been content with his farming operations and has not sought public office. With the members of his family, he attends the German Reformed Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Sponseller have been the parents of six children, of whom one survives : Glenwood Casper, born march 2, 1892, who attended Brush College and subsequently graduated from Canton High School, and is now assisting his father in the operation of the home farm.
ORVIN F. VOGELGESANG, one of the most progressive, intelligent and successful farmers of Plain Township, and a scion of one of the oldest and most highly esteemed families of Stark County, was born in the township in which he now resides, December 6, 1871, and is a son of Lewis A. and Agnes (Dolham) Vogelgesang. The family was founded here by the paternal grandfather, Isaac Vogelgesang, who came from Germany at an early day and settled in Plain Township, on a farm about two and one-half miles north of the City of Canton, on the Fulton Road. There he continued to be engaged in general farming until his death, at the age of seventy-two years. He was the father of nine children: Lewis A., Isaac, Phillip, Jacob, Louisa, Lizzie, Molly. Katherine and Emma, of whom Philip, Isaac and the five daughters are still living.
Lewis A. Vogelgesang was born on the old Vogelgesang homestead, and there passed some sixty years in the pursuit of general' farming and stockraising. He was one of the substantial and highly esteemed farmers of his community and a citizen who supported all movements for the advancement of the locality. He and his wife were the parents of seven children, namely : Louisa, who is now the wife of Oliver Cramer and lives in Summit County, Ohio; Mrs. Emma Arnold, a widow, living at Canton; Isaac, a farmer of the old homestead, who married Miss Edith Albright; Orvin F., of this notice; Charles, a resident of Cleveland, who married Miss Edith Weidler; Alfred, of South Dakota, who married Miss Elnora Reizer; and Edward, who is single.
Orvin F. Vogelgesang attended the Vogelgesang Schoolhouse, and until the age of twenty-seven years was engaged in engineering. At that time he was married to Miss Anna Ruffner, the last of the Ruffner family, who as a girl attended the district schools and remained at home until her marriage. She is a daughter of the late Samuel Ruffner, who served as a Union soldier throughout the period of the Civil war. The Ruffner family was founded in Stark County in 1804, when the grandfather took up land from the United States Government, and this property has remained in the family ever since. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vogelgesang: Grace, born in 1899, who is attending eighth grade in the public schools and has evidenced great
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 819
musical talent ; Lewis, born in September, 1902; Edward, born in 1904; Franklin, born in 1906; Walter, born in 1909; and Ralph, the baby, born December 30, 1914.
Up to the time of his marriage, Mr. Vogelgesang had not accumulated any means for his establishment as the proprietor of a home of his own, and on the day f his marriage his cash resources were measured by a two-dollar bill. He at once set about, however, to gain himself independence and position, and so industriously has he worked, and so well have his labors been directed, that he is now one of the substantial men of his community, owning a farm of eighty acres, on which he has resided for the past fifteen years. This is one of the most valuable and highly improved farms in Plain Township, for during the past ten years Mr. Vogelgesang has spent $6,000 in its improvements. His home has all the most modern conveniences and comforts, including hot and cold water, hot water furnace and electric lights, while the barns and other, buildings are substantial in character and fitted with the most modern equipment, including cement floors and electric lights. He has occupied himself principally with general farming, but is also making a specialty of dairying, selling large quantities of milk in Canton, and owning dairy barns which are up-to-date in equipment and built and maintained with a view to sanitation. Mr. Vogelgesang holds progressive ideas, as is evidenced by his possession of a late model five-passenger Chalmers automobile, which he finds not only a source of great pleasure to himself and family, but a great help to him in his business activities.
A republican in his political views, Mr. Vogelgesang has served as assessor f Plain Township, and is now acting in the capacity of deputy sheriff. His fraternal connection is with the Masons. He holds his honorable discharge from the state militia, in which he served five years, being captain of Company I, Eighth Ohio Regiment, under Col. Harry Freese, and participating in two strikes at Massillon, as well as the coal strike. He is highly thought of in business circles, and has numerous friends who have found pleasure in watching his steady rise to success.
RALPH E. OBERLIN. For more than a century the name Oberlin has been identified with the life and affairs of Stark County, and is one of the oldest and best known in local annals. It is of a branch of this fine old stock, founded here by a revolutionary soldier, to which Ralph E. Oberlin belongs. Mr. Oberlin is one of the younger business men of Massillon, and is secretary and treasurer of the John Igelstroem Company.
He was born in Massillon July 9, 1885. His branch of the Oberlin family is descended from Adam Oberlin, who was member of a Lancaster County (Pennsylvania) company during the Revolution, and ably served as sergeant of his company. Five of his brothers also fought in the same war. Adam Oberlin some years after the close of the Revolution brought his family out to Stark County, Ohio. That was about 1813, when the second war with Great Britain was still in progress. He located in what is now Tuscarawas Township. At that time his family comprised his wife and three sons, Peter, Frederick and John. Next in
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line of descent was Peter Oberlin, great-grandfather of Ralph E. Peter was born in Pennsylvania and married a Miss Cramer. Their son, Samuel, was born in Tuscarawas Township and married Mary Hofman, who came from a Maryland family. Samuel Oberlin was one of the incorporators of the City of Massillon and for years was engaged in the dry goods business, first as a member of the firm of Harsh, Humberger & Oberlin, and later under his own name. His son, Samuel H. Oberlin, father of Ralph E., was born in Massillon in 1860. He is a well known citizen and for many years has been a traveling salesman for a dry goods house. He married Miss Lucy Strobel, who was born south of Massillon, daughter of John Strobel.
After his graduation from the Massillon High School in 1901, Ralph E. Oberlin became a clerk in the First National Bank. That was the beginning of his successful business experience which has now covered fifteen years. He remained with the First National six years, and then for several years was in the offices of Russell & Company, and W. R. Harrison & Company. In December, 1908, he became assistant manager of the John Igelstroem & Company, and in 1910 was made its secretary and treasurer. He has the push and energy of the typical twentieth century business man, and his friends look for a splendid future. lie is also a director in the Ohio Banking & Trust Company of Massillon.
Mr. Oberlin is secretary of the Massillon Social Club, a member of the Lakeside Country Club, and is affiliated with Clinton Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; Massillon Commandery No. 4, K. T.; with Lake Erie Consistory of the thirty-second degree Scottish Rite; and with Al Koran Temple of the Mystic Shrine at Cleveland. He also belongs to the Cleveland Advertising Club.
MRS. ELIZA WERSTLER, wife of Christian Werstler, was born on October 14, 1841, on what is now the Case Farm, just east of the Werstler Church, though in that early day it was known as the Werstler Farm. The land had been pre-empted from the Government in the '20s by the grandfather of the man whose wife is the subject of this review.
Christian Werstler attended school in the community wherein he lived and as a young man worked his father's farm, and later operated a saw mill until the time of his enlistment in the army. He served three years, participating in many important engagements of the war, and when he came home married Miss Eliza Oberlin, who was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, December 5, 1847, the daughter f John Oberlin, who was born in Pennsylvania. He moved to Stark County in 1852 and located four miles from Canton. Mr. Oberlin was a miller by trade and operated a grist mill for years in conjunction with his farming, activities in Plain Township. Eliza Oberlin Werstler was one of the eleven children of her parents, the others being Samuel, John, Isaac, Sarah, Susan, Kathryn, Julia, Ellen, Adam and Emma. Four are now living: Adam; Emma, now Mrs. Lesher ; Julia. the wife of John Essig of Jackson Township, and Mrs. Werstler. The father of this goodly family died at the age of seventy-seven and the mother was eighty-one when death claimed her.
PICTURE OF ENOS A. STEWART
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 821
After the marriage of Christian and Eliza Werstler, they settled on the Werstler farm and operated a sawmill a part of the time. When they had lived there for fifteen years they moved to the Oberlin farm, which he later purchased, and followed farming, at the same time operating a coal mine that lay on the place. He was engaged in that industry up to the time of his death in 1908, when he was sixty-six years old.
Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Werstler. Charles is a Lutheran preacher, located in Indiana. He has one daughter, Mary Elizabeth. Frances Kathryn is now Mrs. Markly and lives in Marlboro Township, the mother of three children. Olive married Ira Sheets, and they live just north of New Berlin. Carrie May and Ada Maud are deceased. Edith is the wife of E. F. Heck. They live in Plain Township and have two children. Herman L. is deceased. John Daniel lives at home.
Mrs. Werstler owns a farm of one hundred and thirteen acres, all highly improved, and with beautiful buildings on it. The place is one of the finest in the township, and it is one of which its owners may rightfully be proud.
The family are members of the Lutheran Church.
ENOS A. STEWART. One of the leading industries of Canton and a concern which has only three competitors in its field in the United States is the Stark Brick Company, an enterprise founded and backed by local men, whose fortunes are wrapped up in its welfare and whose best abilities have been given to its advancement, so that from the time of its inception it has steadily grown and developed. One of the most progressive and energetic of these men is Enos A. Stewart, the efficient secretary and general manager, who was the dominant factor in the organization of the company. Until he became interested in this concern Mr. Stewart had devoted his energies to an entirely different line of endeavor, having for some years been an educator, but in his new field he has proved himself fully capable of competing with men of business ability and acumen, and his associates have come to place the utmost faith in his judgment and foresight.
Mr. Stewart was born in Holmes County, Ohio, July 18, 1870, and is a son of Jonas and Anna (Harrold) Stewart, both natives of Columbiana County, Ohio. The grandfather, Samuel Stewart, fought in the forces of the American army during this country's second war with England, in 1812, and for his services as a soldier was given a land grant for land in the then new country of Ohio, selecting land in Columbia County. There he had his homestead (luring the remaining years of his life, the property still being in the family possession. The Harrold family has been in America for eight generations.
The parents of Enos A. Stewart were married in Columbiana County and moved into Holmes County at about the time of the close of the Civil war. The father, an agriculturist by vocation, followed the pursuits of the soil there until 1875, in which year he moved to Canton and engaged in the printing business with his brother, Moses Stewart, as partner. They became the publishers of the old Canton City Times,
822 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
a democratic newspaper, which lasted for about one year and then went out of business. Jonas Stewart then returned to his farming operations, and passed away on his property, west of Canton, in 1899, aged seventy- two years, the mother surviving until 1910 and dying at the age of seventy-nine years.
Enos A. Stewart was reared at Canton and in the neighborhood of this city from the time he was five years of age. His early education was secured in the public schools, and at the age of nineteen years, in 1890, entered upon his career as an educator, his first work in that line being in the country school in his home community, which he taught for five years. This was followed by six years in neighboring schools, and in the meantime he added to his own knowledge by taking summer work at Mount Union College and Dennison University, at Granville, Ohio. In this way Mr. Stewart prepared himself for higher work, and in 1902 was made principal of the Crystal Park Graded School, at Canton, a position which he held for two years. Next he held a like position at the East Fourth Street School, where he remained until November, 1913.
In 1909, while still teaching, Mr. Stewart organized the Stark Brick Company, which was incorporated during the same year, the plant being erected in 1910, and the manufacture of the product beginning January 1, 1911. The beginning, in 1911. was of a very modest nature, the company owning only one kiln. The business began to grow immediately, however, and three kilns more were built the first year, so that 1911's product amounted to 1,500,000 brick. Three additional kilns were built in 1912 and two more in 1914, and they now have ten kilns, which have brought the daily output of the concern up to 30,000 brick when the plant is working to full capacity. The concern makes a specialty of salt glaze brick, which is used principally for interior decoration work, is one of four concerns which do this particular kind of work, and has its market all over the United States and Canada. The officers of the company in 1915 are as follows : J. B. Fierstos, president; G. A. Marks, vice president, and E. A. Stewart, secretary and general manager, these gentlemen, with C. A. Pontius and Joseph A. Lippert, making up the board of directors. The plant is five miles east of Canton, a large, well built and thoroughly modern structure, while the executive offices and headquarters are located in the Folwell Building, Canton.
Mr. Stewart is a member of Clinton Lodge, F. & A. M., Massillon. He belongs to the Canton Chamber of Commerce, and with his family attends the Baptist Church. As a citizen he has been foremost in enterprises calculated to advance the business or civic welfare of Canton.
Mr. Stewart married Miss Anna Smith, who was born four miles north of Massillon, in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, a daughter of William Smith, who for years was engaged in farming, but is now deceased. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stewart, Mary Helen and John Harrold.
JOSEPH D. MILLER. The natural issue of many years of well directed toil and public spirited citizenship should be a commendable degree of
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 823
prosperity and a popular esteem that indicate a man's position in the community. These have been the proofs of the career of Joseph D. Miller, for many years known as a farmer and manufacturer in Plain Township of Stark County.
Joseph D. Miller was born April 10, 1852, near Belford, France, a son of Christian and Maria (Graber) Miller. The grandfather, John Miller, was a substantial farmer near Belford, and Christian Miller also carried on the same occupation in France until 1854, when in search of better opportunities he brought his family across the ocean to America and located in South Canton on the farm known as the Booster farm, comprising 160 acres of land. There for fifteen years he continued general farming and also built up a considerable business as a brick manufacturer, having a plant which supplied large quantities of that building material throughout Stark County. His death occurred at the age of forty-two. Christian Miller was a graduate of the Belford High School, was well trained in youth, and in his time was considered a man of broad information and excellent culture. Christian Miller and wife had eight children : Catherine, Joseph D., Daniel C., Lydia, John C. and Peter C., twins, Mary and Susan.
Joseph D. Miller was about two years old when brought to the United States, and in all essential particulars may be considered a native of this country. As a boy his time was divided between attending district schools and assisting in the duties of the home and the farm and he also completed what amounted to a practical apprenticeship as a brick maker. Soon after reaching manhood, in 1874, he was married at the Booster farm to Miss Anna Conrad, daughter of Joseph and Catherine (Krabille) Conrad.
After their marriage they began housekeeping on what was known as the Foglesang farm, and with an ambition for a reasonable degree of prosperity and with commendable thrift and enterprise they were finally able to buy the farm and remained there as substantial farmers for about twenty years. In the meantime Mr. Miller had also taken up the vocation followed by his father as a brick manufacturer, and with others organized the Royal Brick Company, becoming foreman in the plant. After about two years he sold his stock and then organized the Imperial Brick Company, in which he was also a stockholder and practical manager of the factory for a number of years. Mr. Miller then sold his farm and his stock in the Imperial Brick Company, and turned his attention to other lines of enterprise. He had the active management of what was known as the Harrison Avenue Coal and Feed Company, a concern which carried on a very extensive coal business, the annual value of which at times reached $150,000.
In 1903 Mr. Miller bought the Lewis Essig farm, just north of the city limits of Canton on Market Street extension. There for the past twelve years Mr. Miller has continued his business as a general farmer and has also operated the Miller Feed Company, handling a large amount of supplies for the neighborhood. These twelve years have brought many improvements to the farm in the way of building and increasing productiveness, until it now is regarded as one of the most beautiful farm homes in Plain Township. The Miller Feed Company
Vol. III-5
824 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
has a large retail business, and controls practically the handling of general feed supplies over a wide radius.
During the forty years of their married companionship Mr. and Mrs. Miller's home has been blessed with the birth of seven children. Esther B. is now Mrs. Daniel Graber. Katie A. lives at home. Lydia E. is the wife of Aaron Sahmucker, and they have two children, Carl J. and Lester J. Clara is the wife of Christ King, and they have two children, named Floyd E. and Wilson J. C.; Susan, Joseph D. Jr., and John J., are all at home.
This family has been notable for its strict adherence to the principles of morality, good citizenship, Christianity and general material and social progress. Mr. Miller is a democrat, and his place in the community is well indicated by the honors and responsibilities of a public nature that have been thrust upon him. For six years he served as township trustee, and was a member of the school board for about twenty years.
DANIEL A. MUSKOFF. The modern druggist is associated, hand in hand, with the physician, and this reciprocal dependence is generally adjudged a condition of public safety. The lawful administration of drugs has long since been taken out of the hands of the ignorant and untrained, and the pharmacist of today is one who, after a protracted period of study and experiment, covering a number of the sciences, has passed a satisfactory examination before a learned scientific body. Thus it is no irresponsible position that the druggist holds in his community, and his personal and professional standing is usually of the highest.
One of the leading pharmacists of Stark County is Daniel A. Muskoff, who since 1902 has been proprietor of an establishment at Navarre, and who is also well known in financial and public life, being president of the Navarre Deposit Banking Company, of which he was one of the reorganizers, and since 1907 justice of the peace. Mr. Muskoff was born near Beach City, in Sugar Creek Township, Stark County, Ohio, March 28, 1870, and is a son of John and Mary Magdalena (Zintmeister) Muskoff. John Muskoff was born in Rhenish Bavaria, Germany, in 1817, and about the year 1835 came to the United States, first locating in Bethlehem Township, Stark County, where for a year or so he was engaged in working for a barn builder, and subsequently accepted whatever honorable occupation presented itself, working industriously and saving thriftily. In 1853 he was ready to embark upon an agricultural career of his own, and purchased a farm in Sugar Creek Township, where he continued engaged in farming until the time of his death, in 1906. He was a hard-working and energetic farmer and a citizen who won the respect and esteem of those with whom he was associated, by reason of his integrity and honorable dealing. Mr. Muskoff was married to Miss Mary Magdalena Zintmeister, also a native of Bavaria, who came to America about the time of his arrival, and met and married Mr. Muskoff in Stark County. She died in 1911, aged eighty-four years, in the faith of the German Evangelical Church, of which the father was also a consistent member.
Daniel A. Muskoff was reared on the home farm in Sugar Creek
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 825
Township. He was given good educational advantages, first attending the country schools and then the Beach City graded school. After three years at Otterbein University, Westleyville, Ohio, in 1891 he entered the drug business at Bolivar, Ohio, and while thus engaged, in 1892 and 1893, attended the department of pharmacy at the Northern Ohio University, at Ada. Continuing in the drug business at Bolivar until 1902, in that year Mr. Muskoff came to his present place of residence, Navarre, and opened a pharmacy, which has grown to be one of the leading establishments of its kind in Stark County. Here he carries a full line of all articles found in a modern drug establishment, and makes a specialty of careful and accurate filling of prescriptions. He keeps in touch with the professional brotherhood, being a member of the Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association and the National Association of Retail Druggists, and is a stockholder in the United Drug Company. As one of the leading business men of Navarre, in 1905 he was one of the reorganizers of the Navarre Deposit Banking Company, and at that time was made vice president of that institution, a position which he held until his election to the presidency, in 1912. As the director of the policies of this banking concern he has placed it in a foremost position among the monetary institutions of Stark County. In addition to capably discharging the duties of justice of the peace of Navarre from 1908 to 1916, Mr. Muskoff is acting as a notary public. Fraternally, he is connected with Caldwell Lodge No. 330, F. & A. M.; Tuscarawa's Lodge No. 133, and Lawrence Encampment No. 257, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. A leading democrat, in 1912 he was his party's candidate for county auditor, but owing to political conditions here at that time met with defeat.
Mr. Muskoff was married to Miss Cora M. Zutavern, who was born at Bolivar, Ohio, daughter of William N. Zutavern, and eight children have been born to this union : Daniel H. a graduate (1914) of Navarre High School and (1915) of Massillon H., School, is now attending Western Reserve University, department of pharmacy ; John W.. who graduated from Navarre High School in the class of 1914, and now associated with his father in the drug business; Mary M., Paul B. and Cora Jeanette, who are attending the public schools of Navarre ; and Loretta A., Dorothy E. and Florence. The members of the family are well and favorably known in social circles, and have numerous friends at Navarre.
JACOB A. SCHWEISBERGER. The fertile agricultural regions of Stark County have furnished the medium through which many substantial men have attained success and position. The passing years have brought numerous changes in farming methods since the pioneer first cleared the forests of Stark County, but there has been no change in the necessity of hard, strenuous endeavor and consecutive effort, and the man who succeeds today, as formerly, must be possessed of the characteristics of industry and persistence, for it is not always due to the fertility of the soil that the farmer becomes prosperous but to the manner in which he handles it and manages its affairs. There have been two successive generations of active farmers in Stark County belonging to the Schweis-
826 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
berger family, and Jacob A. as well as his father has used a similar course of industry and well applied intelligence in gaining success. Jacob A. Schweisberger now has one of the finest farms of Plain Township.
Born November 4, 1864, he is a son of Christian and Catherine (Grossman) Schweisberger, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Swiss parentage. Christian Schweisberger came to the United States when twenty-two years of age, located in Stark County, and until his marriage at the age of twenty-six was employed on several different farms at monthly wages. At the time of his marriage his wife was seventeen years old. Their first housekeeping was done on a rented farm south of Canton, at what is now known as the Little Brick farm, and during their six years of residence there three children were born to them. They then removed to Shelby County, where Christian Schweisberger acquired a tract of new land, cleared off the brush and timber, converted it to profitable tillage, and while living there his son Jacob A. was born. After two years in Shelby County Christian Schweisberger returned to Stark County, and bought 100 acres at Mapleton. He lived on that farm 51/9 years, and selling it removed to Canton Township where he bought a place of seventy-one acres. All this land, as a result of the splendid industrial development of the City of Canton, is now included within the city limits and is the site of numerous factories and other plants, including the Berger Manufacturing industry. The land is now all cut up into lots and streets and a network of railroad tracks. Christian and Catherine Schweisberger had the following children: Ephraim, John, Samantha, Jacob, David, Alice, Elizabeth, Ira F. and one that died in infancy. Both parents are still living, and having gone through many trials in early life have for a number of years enjoyed an abundance of prosperity.
Jacob A. Schweisberger lived on the various farms above mentioned, attended the public schools, and from an early age began to take his place in the fields and in performing the various duties connected with the farm. He remained at home until twenty-three and then married Mary E. Hayes, daughter of Peter Hayes. In the same year he and his wife started out as renters, but instead of securing a place from a stranger as his father had done, he rented one of his father's farms, on which he lived three years. He next rented the farm of his wife's father for a year and a half, subsequently spent four years at Crystal Park, and then returned to his father's farm in which he had acquired a half interest. Four years were spent in managing the place, after which he sold his interest, and moved to what is known as the Reuben Karper place. Mr. Schweisberger for many years has been more or less actively identified with the dairy industry, and on the Karper place established a dairy and operated several milk routes into Canton. That was his business and location for six years, at the end of which time he sold his plant to Lloyd Stevens. Mr. Schweisberger then bought the farm where he now lives, known as the William Snyder farm, 4 1/2 miles northeast of Canton and on the township line of Plain and Nimishilling. His home is in Plain Township. Comprising eighty acres. this is one of the choice farms in that section, and has been under Mr. Sehweisberger's ownership and
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 827
management since 1906. In that time he has effected many notable improvements, especially in the farm buildings, and has made of it not only a profitable business but also an attractive home.
After twenty-seven years of happy companionship his wife and thc mother of his children died on March 8, 1914. On January 20, 1915, Mr. Schweisberger married Mrs. Zella (Stantz) Gnau, who was born in Coshocton. Mr. Schweisberger by his first wife had five children : Dora, now Mrs. Arthur Snyder, and their three children are named Dorothy, Zelda and Claude ; Nova S. is now Mrs. Earl Henry, living near Fairhope ; Ethan M. and Opal C. live at home with their father ; and Virgil R. died at the age of eighteen months. Mr. Schweisberger is a member of the election board for Plain Township, but in politics usually casts an independent vote. He is a member of the Grange and with his family worships in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
ALBERT E. GORDON. The career of Albert E. Gordon, vice president and general manager of the Gordon Rubber Company, of Canton, has been one of constant advancement since his seventeenth year, when he became identified with his present line of business in a humble capacity. His standing as one of the leading business men of Canton has been entirely self gained and is an illustration of the rewards which are to be attained by industry, persistence and close application to a chosen line of effort.
Mr. Gordon was born at Binghamton, New York, July 12, 1882, and is a son of Robert and Elizabeth (Holmes) Gordon, natives of Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The Gordons are of Scotch stock, and the family was established in .America by Robert Gordon, the grandfather of Albert E., who settled at Belleville in early days. Robert Gordon, the father, removed from Canada to the United States and settled at Binghamton, New York. He died when his son Albert was six years old. The family later removed to Belleville, New Jersey, where the mother engaged in the retail dry goods business.
Albert E. Gordon received his education in the public and high schools and at the age of seventeen years became an employe of the Hardman Rubber Company, with which he was connected for a number of years, during which time his faithful discharge of duty, his energy and ability, won him repeated promotion, he advancing from the position of office boy to that of assistant superintendent. In 1906 he became manager of the druggists' sundries department of the International Rubber Company, at Milltown, New Jersey, and continued with that concern until 1908, when he became identified with the Ajax-Grieb Rubber Company, of Trenton, New Jersey.
Mr. Gordon came to Canton, Ohio, in 1912, and became one of the organizers of the Gordon Rubber Company, which took over the old Imperial Rubber Company's plant. The new concern was incorporated in that year by C. W. Keplinger, Isaac Harter, Warren Keplinger, C. J. Keplinger and A. E. Gordon, the officers of the company at the present time being: C. W. Keplinger, president ; A. E. Gordon, vice president and general manager; C. J. Keplinger, secretary ; and E. O. Machlin, treasurer. The capital is $300,000, and the plant is entirely of brick
828 - HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY
with a total floor space of 35,000 sq. ft. The company manufactures automobile tires and tubes and druggists' sundries, and its market includes the entire country. This concern is considered one of the important contributors to Canton's manufacturing prestige, and has grown and developed steadily since its inception, largely through the energetic efforts of Mr. Gordon, than whom there is no better known or informed man in the trade. He is a man of keen discernment, doing business in an efficient, modern and systematic manner, and who brings with him the atmosphere of business. He has allied himself with those who have the best commercial and industrial interests of Canton at heart, and is an active and stirring member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce. He holds membership also in the Young Menls Christian Association, the Lakeside Country Club and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and is president of the Christian Science Church of Canton.
Mr. Gordon married Miss Laura Holt, of Lynchburg. Virginia, and they are the parents of one daughter and two sons: Elizabeth, Robert and John Donald.
ELISHA GORSUCH POCOCK. The general merchandise business of Elisha Gorsuch Pocock, at 619 East Walnut Street, Massillon, has existed since 1900, when its owner came to this city from West Salem. A man of great energy and industry his capacity for business affairs has found expression in connection with a number of enterprises, while at the same time he is one of his community's most useful citizens, having been an active and working member of the Massillon board of education since 1911. Mr. Pocock is a native son of the state, and was born at Ottawa, Putnam County, September 5, 1861, his parents being David B. and Susan R. (Gorsuch) Pocock.
The Pocock family is of English origin, but its home has been in America for many generations, Israel B. Pocock, the grandfather of Elisha G. Pocock, having been a native of Baltimore, Maryland. In that city David B. Pocock was born September 15, 1824, and was there married, the mother having been born April 4, 1830, also in that city. Her father was a native of the United States, although the Gorsuch family came originally from Scotland. In 1857 David B. and Susan R. Pocock came to Ohio, locating at Ottawa, where the father engaged in merchandising. In 1867 he removed to Wooster, where he was engaged in the milling business, and in 1872 went to Shreve, where he again followed mercantile lines. Removing to Navarre in 1878, he resumed milling operations, and in 1902 came to Massillon, where his death occurred January 26, 1908. The mother passed away here December 14, 1907. At the time of his demise Mr. Pocock was one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Ohio.
Elisha G. Pocock was reared at Ottawa, Wooster, Shreve and Navarre, and attended the public schools of all these places. At the age of sixteen years he began his business career as a clerk in his father's store at Shreve and later at Navarre and at the latter place was elected village clerk, a capacity in which he served two terms and gained his initial experience as a public servant. In 1888 he went to West Salem, Ohio, and
PICTURE OF HENRY ERNST WEBER
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 829
engaged in the grocery and bakery business on his own account, but in 1900 sought a wider field for the display of his business abilities and came to Massillon, where he established himself in the grocery business at No. 619 East Walnut Street. His present modern store building was erected by Mr. Pocock in 1901 and is of brick. His stock is large, well chosen, conveniently arranged and attractively displayed and his business has shown a pleasing yearly increase. Mr. Pocock is interested in various other ventures, being secretary of the Buckeye Cereal Company of Massillon, of which he was the organizer, and vice president of the Ohio Printing and Publishing Company. In 1910 Mr. Pocock was elected a member of the Massillon Board of Education, taking office January 1, 1911, and during his incumbency there has been built the new high school, regarded as one of the model buildings of its kind in Ohio. Mr. Pocock has worked untiringly in support of the cause of education and his labors have contributed in no small way to the development of the community of his adoption. Fraternally, he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Independent Order of Foresters and the Tribe of Ben Hur, and he holds membership also in the Massillon Chamber of Commerce and the Massillon Business Men 's Club.
On June 7, 1884, Mr. Pocock was married to Miss Elenora A. Hensel, of Bethlehem Township, Stark County, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Martha B. Hensel. Four children have been born to this union : Earl C., who died March 24, 1891, at the age of four years, seven months; Grace Mae, who is the wife of Russell G. Kissner, of Delaware County, Ohio; Ralph Hensel, who attended Wesleyan College, Wooster, Ohio, and Wooster University, and is now a traveling salesman representing the Buckeye Cereal Company, and Elmore G., a sophomore at the Case School of Applied Science, Cleveland. Mrs. Kissner is a graduate of Massillon High School and of Oberlin College. Mr. Pocock and his family are members of the Methodist Church. His political allegiance is given to the men and measures of the republican party.
HENRY ERNST WEBER. One of the most important among the various branches of professional knowledge upon which civilized humanity is dependent for the maintenance of healthful conditions is the science of dental surgery. This science is constantly developing new phases of usefulness, and one of the chief contributors to its advancement has been the invention of appliances and instruments which, while adding to the comfort of the patient, greatly aid the operator in his work. To no one individual is greater credit and gratitude due for the invention of ingenious appliances of a dental character than to Henry Ernst Weber, inventer and manufacturer, and president of the Weber Dental Manufacturing Company, of Canton. In his life work he has made his name known over the civilized world.
Mr. Weber was born at Canton, April 27, 1862, a son of the late John and Catherine (Oligner) Weber, old-time residents of Canton. He comes of a family long noted for useful accomplishments, one of his ancestors being Carl Rudolph Weber, the eminent German artist. Another ancestor of Mr. Weber's was one of Germany 's most eminent scientists, Heinrich Ernst Weber, after whom Mr. Weber was named, and who was born in
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1795, was from 1818 until his death in 1878 a professor of anatomy and physiology at the University of Leipsic, Germany, and was especially famous for his researches into aural and cutaneous sensations. He was the author of Weber's Law, in physiology, that there is always a constant ration between the intensity of the sensations and the strength of the stimulus, and that the stronger the stimulus already applied the stronger must be the increase of the stimulus in order to cause a noticeable increase of the sensation.
John Weber, the father of Henry Ernst Weber, was born in Germany and was one of the first citizens of Canton, coming to this city when its population did not exceed 500 people. He was a pioneer distiller and was one of the best known of the old-time citizens. He died in 1875, aged sixty-eight years. Mrs. Weber, also born in Germany, was brought as a child to Canton, her brother being Louis Ohliger, who was proprietor of Canton's first hotel. She died in 1913, aged eighty-three years.
In 1880 Henry Ernst Weber entered upon an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade with the Diebold Safe and Lock Company at Canton, to which he served four years. He was next head machinist for the Conotton Valley Railroad for two years, and in 1885 entered the College of Pharmacy, Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1887. In that year he passed the examination before the State Board of Pharmacy and was registered as a licensed pharmacist, and, with his brother Charles engaged in the retail drug business at Canton. In 1892 he bought his brother 's interest and continued alone as a druggist until 1897, when he embarked in the manufacture of dental supplies from his own patented inventions. His original invention and patent was the Weber dental cuspidor, upon which he has since received numerous patents for improvements and which today is the most popular and most widely used of any similar article in the world. His next invention and patent was the Weber dental chair on which he has also many patented improvements. He first manufactured and sold to agents, but as each year brought added demands he was compelled to enlarge his facilities for manufacturing and found it advisable to form a corporation. Since then he has increased his plant from time to time until it now occupies half a city block at Cherry Avenue and Fourth Street, S. E. The company was organized in 1907, and is a close corporation, with Mr. Weber as president and general manager, and its market is the world, for until the outbreak of the present European war at least 40 per cent of its product went to foreign countries. Wherever dental work is done on the face of the globe, there Weber dental goods are in use. Most of the leading dental colleges in the world are equipped with Mr. Weber's goods. He has invented and patented devices outside of those connected with dentistry, all of which he has sold, and has never patented, to use a trade expression, "a dead one."
Mr. Weber was elected to the Canton City Council in 1892 and served one term. He is a member of the Canton Club, the Lakeside Country Club, the Congress Lake Club, the Canton Chamber of Commerce and the Elks, being a life member of the last named. Mrs. Weber, who was Miss Mary E. Morris, was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, a daughter of E. H. Morris, who was superintendent of the pattern department of
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY - 831
C. Aultman & Company's plant at Canton for many years. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Weber: Helen, who is the wife of R. Verne Mitchell, president of the United Securities Company, of Canton; Miriam and Jeannette, who reside with their parents, and Margaret, who died at the age of two years.
PETER L. MONTER. One of the most important business interests of Stark County is that of agriculture, the farmers of the county in general being prosperous and contented citizens, enterprising and up to date in their methods. A representative type of this class is the subject of this memoir, Peter L. Monter, of Nimishillen Township, whose well cultivated farm of forty-two acres is located on the Wick Point Road, at the north end of Harrisburg. Mr. Monter is an agriculturist both by inheritance and training and was born on his father's farm one and a half miles east of Harrisburg (now owned by Michael Maur) June 28, 1868. His parents were Louis and Louise (Moullen) Monter, and he is a grandson of Frank Monter, a native of France, who came to America when a young man, in pioneer days, locating in the French settlement near Louisville, Stark County, Ohio.
Louis Monter, father of Peter L., was born in Nimishillen Township, this county, in 1838. When the Civil war broke out he went to Indiana and there enlisted in the Twentieth Indiana Infantry. Among the battles in which he took part was that of Gettysburg. He was wounded in the hand by the fragment of a shell, and was in the hospital about sixty days. His service lasted three years and twelve days, after which he was mustered out and returned to Ohio. A short time afterwards he married and went to farming on the parental homestead, working for his father a year or two. He then bought the farm on which his son Peter was born. This he sold in 1874 and moved to another place, where he resided for some thirty years. At the end of that time he sold his farm and moved to Harrisburg, where his death occurred December 24, 1910. He was a life-long member of St. Mary's Church at Harrisburg. His wife, Louise, who was born in Lexington Township, Stark County, in 1845, is still living and resides with her daughter, Mrs. Charles Gulling, at Harrisburg. This daughter, Rosa, and Peter L., the subject of this sketch, were their only children.
Peter L. Monter began agricultural life for himself on his father's farm in Marlboro Township in 1891 and continued there for seven years. In 1908 he bought his present farm and in the same year erected his fine modern residence and remodeled his large and commodious barn. Energetic and progressive, he keeps his place in good condition, his land well cultivated, and has prospered in his undertakings, being now justly classed among the representative citizens of his township. On September 13, 1894, Mr. Monter was united in marriage with Isabella Snider, who was born on the same day and in the same year as her husband, the daughter of David and Eliza (Ringer) Snider. Her father, David Snider, was born a few miles north of Louisville, and there spent his life engaged in farming. During the war he was a member of Company K. Ohio Volunteer Infantry and took part in the siege of Vicksburg. He was first married to Eliza Ringer, who was born on the old
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homestead of her father, Michael Ringer, in Marlboro Township. At the time he married her she was a widow, her first husband having been William Slusser, who died in the army. By him she had one son, Wilson, now a resident in Marlboro Township. She died December 8, 1875. By her marriage to Mr. Snider she had four children ; Isabella, now Mrs. Monter; Thaddeus, who lives on a farm located between Canton and Louisville ; Jennie, who married Adelbert Hisey, of Marlboro Township, and Lorena, who is the wife of Irvin Wenner, of Marlboro Township. David Snider married for his second wife Eliza Kuepper, who bore him four children, namely : Phoebe, who married Otis Bur- get ; Elsworth, a resident of Osnaburg Township ; John, who lives in Lake Township, and Lillie, who is unmarried. Mr. and Mrs. Monter have no children. They have, however, an abundance of friends throughout this part of the county and are people held in high esteem by their neighbors.
THE MCLAIN FAMILY has been in America since Colonial days, in Ohio for almost a century, and in Stark County for over eighty years, and for three generations has been prominent in banking, manufacture and commerce in Massillon and Canton. The family came to America direct from Scotland, prior to the Revolutionary war, and settled in Pennsylvania. James McLain, great-grandfather of the present generation was the Ohio settler. He was a native of Green County, Pennsylvania, was a miller by trade, and removed his family to near New Lisbon, Columbiana County in 1820. He married Eleanor Evans.
John E. McLain, son of James and Eleanor McLain, and grandfather of the present generation, was born in Green County, Pennsylvania, in July 15, 1814. In 1832 he came to Stark County and located in Massillon, and became prominent in banking. and railroad building. He learned blacksmithing in Massillon, and later became a member of the firm of Knapp & McLain, manufacturers of threshing machines. The firm sold out in 1840, and Mr. McLain engaged in the transportation business in the old Ohio canal and for three years operated a line of boats between Cleveland and Portsmouth. Later on he superintended the erection of the car shops at Massillon for Davenport, Russell and Company, and still later superintended the erection of the Massillon Iron Company's plant, and became that company's purchasing and selling agent. During that period he went in the paper business of the Iron Company and ultimately, in order to save himself financial loss, he took over the business and operated it for a time. In the fall of 1851 he completed the construction of this section east of Massillon of the old Ohio & Pennsylvania Railway. (From the P. Ft. W. & C. Ry.) From 1849 to 1852 he was engaged in carriage manufacturing in Massillon. In 1852 he became interested with Henry L. Yesler, the pioneer lumber man of Puget Sound, in the erection of a large sawmill at Seattle, Washington. In 1855 he entered private banking in Massillon. In 1862 he was appointed provost marshal for Stark County and served until 1864. In 1869 he became senior member of the firm of McLain & Hunt, private bankers. In 1875 he became president of the Union National Bank of Massillon, and held
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that position, besides many other important interests in Massillon at the time of his death.
On January 10, 1839, Mr. McLain married Eliza, the daughter of Isaac Austin, of Massillon.
James H. McLain, son of John E. and Eliza McLain, was born in Massillon, November 16, 1842. He died March 10, 1894. He began his business career in 1861 as clerk in his father's dry goods store in Massillon. In 1862 he became a member of the firm of Ricks & McLain, which continued for five years. He was for six years a member of the firm of McLain, Dangler & Company, and following that was for three years in the Exchange National Bank of Massillon, and during that time became interested in the White Sandstone Company, of Massillon. In 1876 he bought a half interest in the Crystal Spring Mill, under the firm name of Justis & 'McLain. Later he bought two warehouses, and was a half owner in the planing mill of McLain & Brown. Still later he engaged in the manufacture of brick, and in 1886 he came to Canton and established Canton's first electric light plant, which he operated for some time, then sold it to the Canton Electric Company. In the deal he came into possession of the Canton, Car plant, and later he organized the J. H. McLain Machine Company, and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural implements. In 1894 he incorporated the J. H. McLain Company, and began the manufacture of heating apparatus of which company he became president, and so continued until the time of his death on March 9, 1894.
On August 3, 1865, Mr. McLain married Ellen M., daughter of Rev. John Tonner, of Canton. She survives him.
John E. McLain, manufacturer, of Massillon and Canton was born in Massillon on December 10, 1871, the son of the late James H. McLain. He was educated in the Massillon schools, and in 1899 entered the First National Bank of Massillon, where he spent three years. He became interested in his father's business in Canton in 1902, and following the death of his father became president of the J. H. McLain Company, and so continued. In 1902 he organized the Trolley Supply Company of Canton, manufacturers of street railway supplies, which was incorporated the same year, and of which he is president. Mr. McLain is a member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce, the Canton Club and Lakeside Country Club. He maintains executive offices in Canton and his residence in Massillon.
Mr. McLain married Alice C. Burton, daughter of J. P. Burton, of Massillon, and they have three children; Mary B., John E. Jr., and Wiliam Burton.
WILLIAM E. MELBOURNE. For more than thirty years has Mr. Melbourne been engaged in business at Canton as a contractor and builder and he is today recognized as one of the leading and influential representatives of this line of enterprise, in which he is now associated with his younger brother. George F. S. Melbourne, as senior member of the firm of Melbourne Brothers, which controls a large and important contracting business and which has erected in Stark County many fine modern buildings, public, business and private, that stand as monuments to
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the ability of the members of the firm and indicate the confidence reposed in them in the community. Of the junior member of the firm individual mention is made on other pages of this work, and to the sketch of his career reference may be made for further data concerning the successful business and distinctive precedence of the two brothers in the important domain of building construction.
William E. Melbourne was born in Queens County, Ireland, on the 25th of February, 1862, and is a son of Henry and Jane (Sawyer) Melbourne, both likewise natives of that fine old inland county of the Emerald Isle. Henry Melbourne, who was born in the year 1823, became a citizen of prominence and influence in his native county, where he continued to reside until his death, when well advanced in years. His widow, who was born in 1827, died March 10, 1915. She was held in affectionate regard by all who came within the compass of her gentle influence. John Melbourne, grandfather of him whose name initiates this article, likewise was a native of Queens County, where he passed his entire life, the family genealogy tracing back to French-Huguenot origin and the founders of the family in Ireland having fled from France to find refuge from the religious persecutions which followed hard upon the revoking of the historic Edict f Nantes.
William E. Melbourne was reared to years of maturity in his native land and was afforded the advantage of excellent schools in his home county, where he remained until 1882, when, at the age of twenty years, he came to the United States and joined his elder brother, the late John S. Melbourne, who was then a successful mason-contractor in the City of Canton, Stark County, Ohio. Here William E. Melbourne effectively fortified himself as an expert artisan at the trade of stone mason, his virtual apprenticeship having been served under the direction of his brother. He finally returned to the old home in Ireland, where he remained until 1889, when he again came to Stark County and established his residence in Canton, where he engaged in contracting and building in an independent way and where his ability, enterprise and honorable policies soon gained to him a representative supporting patronage. Within the first two years of his individual activities as a contractor he erected a number of buildings in Canton, including the public-school building on East Fourth Street and Aultman Avenue, besides which he made extensive repairs and completely remodeled the Bass Building. Mr. Melbourne erected also the Sherer Building, the main building of the Stark County workhouse, and the west section of the county courthouse. In 1891 he admitted to partnership in his well established business his brother George F. S. Melbourne, and this effective alliance has since continued. Mention of a number of the more important buildings erected by the Melbourne Brothers since the formation of this partnership will be found in the sketch dedicated to the junior member of the firm, elsewhere in this volume, so that a repetition of the data is not demanded in the present connection.
Mr. Melbourne is an active member of the Canton Chamber of Commerce and takes lively interest in all that tends to advance the civic and material prosperity and progress of the fine city that has long represented his home and to which his loyalty is unwavering. He is aligned
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as a supporter of the cause of the republican party, both he and his wife are communicants of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and he is affiliated with Canton Lodge, No. 60, Free & Accepted Masons.
August 9, 1894, stands on record as the date of the marriage of Mr. Melbourne to Miss Frances E. Waters, and who, like himself, is a native of Queens County, Ireland, where she was reared and educated, their marriage, however, having been solemnized in Canton, Ohio. They have six children: Frances Jane, Herbert Sidney, William Henry, Mildred Edith, Aileen and Adelaide.
JACOB D. WETTER. During his residence of forty-six years in Massillon the late Jacob D. Wetter was known as a hard working clerk, then as a merchant, and then, with the accumulated experience and resources of his preparatory years, as a figure in the industrial development and general commercial enterprise of this section of Ohio. He is remembered as a man who honored every obligation, who bore an upright character in all his relations with his fellow men, and left his home city the better for his having lived.
Jacob D. Wetter was a native of Switzerland, born August 23, 1840, a son of Andrew and Anna (Howenstein) Wetter. Andrew Wetter was a weaver by trade, and in 1853 brought his family to the United States and settled near Mount Eaton in Wayne County, Ohio. In that community he spent the rest of his life engaged in farming
Jacob D. Wetter, one of a family of six children, all of whom reached maturity, and three of them now living, was thirteen years old when the family came to the United States, and nearly all his education was the result of training received in the old country. At thirteen he hired out for farm work at monthly wages, and continued for six years to support himself in that manner. Then came an accident, resulting in a broken leg, and being incapacitated for physical labor he turned his energies into another field. He was clerk in the postoffice and a general store at Dalton in Wayne County for two years, and in 1862 arrived in Massillon. His first years in that city were spent as a clerk in the store of John G. Warwick, and he remained with that merchant until 1871. In the meantime lie had pursued a course of careful economy, and with his accumulated capital finally entered a partnership with C. B. Allman and G. G. Gross, under the name Allman, Gross & Wetter, who established the Beehive store at Massillon. This was one of the leading mercantile establishments of the town for a number of years. In 1876 Mr. Gross retired from the partnership, and it was then conducted under the name Allman & Wetter until 1882, in which year Mr. Wetter sold out to Mr. Allman. With his retirement from merchandising Mr. Wetter turned his capital and enterprise into the development of coal lands in this section of Ohio. He was associated with Hon. Anthony Howells, J. C. Albright and E. J. Evans under the name Howells Coal Company. When the Howells Coal Company was organized, Mr. Wetter sold his interests and then employed his capital in the sand and stone business. Subsequently he became president and treasurer of the Wetter Sand & Stone Company, and was also a director of the State Bank of Massillon.
Jacob D. Wetter died October 2, 1908, at Battle Creek. Michigan,
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where he had gone for medical treatment. He was a member of St. John's Evangelical Church, and served that society as its treasurer for thirty-five years. With whatever movement he associated himself, it was always with the full vigor of his personality and character, and in such a way as to be of practical benefit.
In 1870 Mr. Wetter married at Massillon Sophia J. Albright, who was born in Massillon, daughter of Michael and Elizabeth Albright, who were among the early settlers of Stark County. Mr. and Mrs. Wetter have one son, Albert M., born November 21, 1871, and died October 5, 1903. Mrs. Wetter is still living, and has her home at the corner of East Main and High streets in Massillon. She is one of the older members of St. John's Evangelical Church, and is known to the people of Massillon for her beautiful character and her many practical benevolences.
Albert M. Wetter, the only son of his parents, though taken away by death in his thirty-second year, had achieved a record that will long cause him to be remembered in the business community and it was with sincere sorrow and regret that his many friends and associates received the intelligence of his demise. He received his education in the public schools of Massillon, and had his first business experience in the coal trade. He was always alert for opportunities, and finally invested his capital in a circus, a venture which proved unprofitable, not through mismanagement, but on account of an unprecedented series of bad weather that occurred soon after the enterprise started on the road. The undertaking ended in a failure and a heavy loss to its proprietor, but that misfortune was turned into fortune since it developed and awakened his remarkable business talents and energy. Mr. Wetter then turned to the sand and stone business, and with such success that he was enabled eventually to pay every dollar of the indebtedness caused by his previous venture and with a liberal rate of interest. That was a demonstration of his keen regard for an obligation and established him thoroughly in the confidence of all his business associates. At the time of his death he was serving as president of the Wetter Steel Sand Company, was owner of the Massillon Sand & Stone Company of Barrs Mills, and a director and one of the principal stockholders in the State Bank of Massillon, which had been organized only a few months prior to his death. He was also a Knight Templar Mason, and a member of the local lodge of Elks, and active in church work.
CHARLES N. RIBLET. The present chief of the Canton Department of Police is a tried and experienced officer, has seen upwards of twenty years of active service with the Canton Police Department, and is a man of the highest qualifications both personally and officially.
Charles N. Riblet was born on a farm in Ashland County, Ohio, May 7, 1861, son of the late Emanuel and Margaret A. (Hanawalt) Riblet. Both parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but were married in Ashland County, Ohio, where both died. Chief Riblet grew up on a farm, received a common school education, and developed both mind and body by active contact with the work of the country until 1879. In that year he began an apprenticeship at the blacksmithing trade, and in 1881 came to Canton, where he entered the employ of the Canton
PICTURE OF CHARLES N. RIBLET
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Bridge Company. Efficiency and determination have been recognized factors in Mr. Riblet's character throughout all his relations with business or with public office. He first entered the police department as a patrolman in 1896. In 1899 his service brought him promotion to the rank of sergeant, a title he held until May 7, 1914. At that date he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant and acting captain, and continued to discharge the duties of that rank until December 15, 1914. He was then made acting chief, on January 1, 1915, was promoted to provisional chief, and on April 1, 1915, was made permanent chief. He has served in the department continuously for nineteen years and this appointment as chief is all the comment that is necessary as to his record and qualifications.
Mr. Riblet is a member of Nimishillen Lodge No. 39, I. 0. 0. F., Canton Encampment No. 112, Oliver Wendell Holmes Lodge No. 41, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, the Home Guards of America and the National Union.
Mr. Riblet married Miss Carrie Schwartz, daughter of the late Rev. Jacob Schwartz, a minister of the Evangelical Association in Canton. To this union have been born four children : Ralph C., now teller in the First National Bank of Canton ; Ruth C., teacher in the Canton public schools; Robert M., a draughtsman for the H. H. Timken Company of Canton; and Esther NI., a student in the high school.
IRA E. SHEETS. One of the fine landed estates of Stark County is that owned by Mr. Sheets, the same comprising 400 acres and being situated in Plain Township. He has been one of the prominent and influential agriculturists and stockgrowers of his native county, having made a specialty of the dairy business, in connection with which his cream and milk products were shipped principally to the City of Canton, and he is now living virtually retired in his beautiful and modern brick residence just north of the Village of New Berlin and on the Canton and Akron electric interurban line. He has achieved pronounced success in his individual business operations, is in the very prime of his manhood and finds ample demands upon his time and attention in the general supervision of his splendid landed estate, so that he has manifested no predilection for sybaritic ease. Mr. Sheets is fully upholding the prestige of a name that has been signally prominent and honored in connection with the civic and industrial development and upbuilding of Stark County and his high standing in community affairs and as a citizen of sterling worth renders most consonant the recognition accorded to him in this history of his native county.
Ira E. Sheets was born on the old homestead farm of his father, in Plain Township, this county, and the date of his nativity was September 10, 1871. He is a son of Emanuel C. and Lydia (Reece) Sheets, both likewise natives of Plain Township, where the former was born in 1843 and the latter in 1849. Emanuel C. Sheets was a son of John and Polly (Casler) Sheets, who were born in Pennsylvania and who came in an early day from Lancaster County, that state, to establish themselves as pioneers of Stark County, Ohio. They settled in the midst of the wilds of what is now Plain Township and here did well their part in
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the onerous work of development and progress, the while they endured the full tension of vicissitudes and deprivations necessarily incidental to life in a pioneer community. Here the grandparents of the subject of this review passed the remainder of their lives, both having attained to venerable age, and their names merit enduring place on the roll of the sterling pioneers who were numbered among the founders and builders of Stark County. The genealogy of the Sheets family traces back to the staunchest of German origin and the original representatives of the name in America settled in Pennsylvania in the colonial days. Emanuel C. Sheets effectively carried forward the work instituted by his honored father and with the passing years he became one of the substantial agriculturists and influential citizens of Stark County, where both he and his wife passed their entire lives, secure in the high regard of all who knew them, and both devout members of the Reformed Church. Aside from their son, Ira E., of this review, they are survived also by one daughter, Minnie, who is the wife of Ulysses S. Stover, of Greentown, this county.
Reared to the study and invigorating discipline of the home farm, Ira E. Sheets early learned the dignity and value of honest toil and endeavor, and in the meanwhile he made good use of the advantages afforded in the Apple Grove District School and the New Berlin High School, in which latter he was graduated when twenty-one years of age. Thereafter he had the active management and supervision of the old homestead farm of the family until his marriage, when he assumed full control of the landed estate, which has long been known as one of the best in the county, his present holdings comprising 400 acres, including the land on which he erected, in 1912, his spacious and essentially modern brick residence, in which he is now living in retirement from the active labors and responsibilities that had long engrossed his attention and which is known as one of the leading centers of the representative social activities of the community in which he has resided from the time of his birth and in which his unallowed popularity sets at naught any application of the scriptural aphorism, that "a prophet is not without honor save in his own country." During his active association with agricultural pursuits Mr. Sheets gave special attention to the raising of highgrade live stock and incidental thereto was known as one of the most successful representatives of the dairy business in the county, with facilities of the most approved modern type.
In national politics Mr. Sheets gives his support to the republican party, but in local' affairs he votes for men and measures meeting the approval of his judgment, irrespective of partisan dictates. He is alive to all that concerns the communal welfare and to the responsibilities that success imposes. and thus is always ready to lend his co-operation in the furtherance of measures and enterprises projected for the general, good. He is an active member of the New Berlin Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, and he and his wife are communicants and liberal supporters of Zion Reformed Church, at New Berlin.
On the 19th of May, 1896, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sheets to Miss Anna Olive Warstler, who was born and reared in Plain Township, a daughter of Christian Warstler, a prominent farmer and hon-
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ored citizen of this township, he and his father having been prominently concerned in the founding of the Lutheran Church Society which erected the Warstler Church, and which is still one of the thriving religious organizations of Plain Township. Mr. and Mrs. Sheets have one daughter, Ethel Irene, who was born July 31, 1905.
PHILIP LOEW. Than the lives of those who have risen from the ranks and by unswerving integrity and continuous hard work have won over all obstacles and reached a position of prestige, there is nothing more interesting, more elevating or More encouraging. The sternest opposition, bitter trials, difficulties apparently unsurmountable, sink into mere shadows before energy, self reliance and ambitious perseverance, and success, while it may long elude, is bound to come in time to those who persistently and perseveringly strive for its attainment. The career of Philip Loew, of Navarre, is one in which the qualities mentioned have played an important part, for he entered upon his independent career as a mere youth, without advantages and willing to accept his start in a humble capacity. He has steadily risen, step by step, and is now one of the leading merchants and bankers of his native city.
Philip Loew was born in the Village of Navarre, Stark County, Ohio, December 4, 1857, and is a son of John and Margaret (Rhine) Loew. His father was born in Hesse-Castle, Germany, October 11, 1830, a son of Augustine and Elizabeth (Gnau) Loew, both natives of Germany. John Loew received his education in the public schools of his native land, and there as a youth learned the trade of cooper, a vocation which he followed there until 1854. At that time, a young man of twenty-four years, earnest and ambitious, he decided that there was but little future for him in the fatherland, and therefore decided to try his fortunes in the land across the sea. Accordingly, he emigrated to the United States and settled at Navarre, in the thriving and growing community of Stark County, Ohio, where he soon found profitable employment at his trade and continued to be engaged in that line of business until 1869. In that year, having accumulated sufficient capital from his earnings, he decided to become the proprietor of a business enterprise of his own, and accordingly entered the grocery business, a venture in which he was eminently successful and in which he continued to be occupied during the remainder of his active career. For a period of forty-five years he was known as one of Navarre's most successful merchants, and during that time established a reputation as a man of the strictest business integrity and personal probity. Advancing years caused his retirement, in 1914, but he still takes an interest in business affairs and his judgment is frequently consulted on matters of business importance. To the public life of Navarre Mr. Loew contributed his services and abilities as a justice of the peace, a capacity in which he acted for thirty years, and throughout his incumbency he was accounted one of the most capable and impartial officials of the county. He is a consistent member of the Catholic Church. the faith of which he has lived. Mr. Loew was married, in 1856, to Miss Margaret Rhine, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1833. and died in 1859, leaving two children: Philip, of this review; and Mary, who died at the age of six years, in 1867.
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Mr. Loew was again married, being united with Catherine Smith, and to that union there was born one son, William, now deceased.
Philip Loew was reared at Navarre, was brought up to habits of industry, and was educated in the public schools. He was but thirteen years of age when he displayed his energy, ambition and industry by starting to work in his father's grocery, and there received an excellent business training, particularly as to honesty and fidelity, under the capable preceptorship of his father. In 1892, when ready to embark in a business of his own, he formed a partnership with William G. Swaller, an association which has proved mutually profitable and congenial, and which, under the firm name of Loew & Swaller, is conducting one of the leading mercantile establishments of the city. Various other business enterprises have occupied Mr. Loew's time and engaged his attention. In 1907 he was one of the reorganizers of the Navarre Deposit Bank Company, of which he has been a member of the board of directors to the present time, and in 1915 was elected vice president of this institution, which is known as one of the most substantial and prosperous among the banking concerns of the smaller communities of Stark County. In 1914 he participated in the organization of the Navarre Baking Company, which has grown and developed into one of the leading companies in the manufacture of bakery goods and ice cream in the northern part of the state. He continues as a director of this industry. Mr. Loew is a prominent and influential democrat, and has been active in the ranks of the party, but has not solicited personal favors at the hands of the organization. However, he has always been ready to discharge the duties of citizenship, and during his four years as township treasurer and his several terms as a member of the town council displayed the possession of executive capacity of a high order and an earnest desire to aid his community to better things. Mr. Loew is a member of St. Clement's Catholic Church, and is affiliated with the Knights of St. John and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.
Mr. Loew married Miss Clara Stetzel, who was born at Fredericks- burgh, Ohio, but was living at Londonville, Ohio, at the time of their marriage. Five children have been born to this union, namely : Paul J., who is a well known young business man of Navarre; Ruth, who is the wife of C. E. McCormick, of Akron, Ohio, and has one daughter, Virginia; Loretta, who is connected with the Navarre Deposit Bank; Marie, who is engaged in teaching school and resides at the home of her parents; and Isabelle, who is a teacher of music and also resides with her parents.
CHARLES BENNETT. For more than thirty years the name Bennett has been associated in Canton with the contracting business. The late William Bennett was an expert in the application of plastic materials in building construction, and his successor in the business, Charles Bennett, is one of the most successful contractors in brick, cement. plaster and stucco work. Any contract with which the name Bennett has been associated has the stamp of thoroughness and reliability and members of this family have performed a most useful part in the local business affairs of Canton.
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The present head of the business, Charles Bennett, was born at Canton November 19, 1886, a son of William and Elizabeth A. (Johns) Bennett. His parents were both born in Little Torrington, England, were married there, and after the birth of three children in their native country they emigrated to the United States in 1882 and in the same year located at Canton. For many years William Bennett continued his business as a plaster contractor at Canton, and in that time finished many of the city's most prominent buildings. Among those that deserve particular mention are the present courthouse, the Courtland Hotel, the Auditorium, the Masonic Temple, the McCurdy Block, the Christian Church and the United Brethren Church. William Bennett died April 21, 1913, at the age of sixty-one, and his widow passed away July 5, 1914, at the age of sixty-five.
In the city of his birth Charles Bennett grew to manhood, gained his education in the public schools, and even before leaving school had learned many of the practical details of his father's business. At the age of seventeen having left school, he took regular employment under his father, and in 1910 was made a. partner in the firm of Bennett & Son. After the death of his father he assumed full charge of the business, and has perfected an organization for the successful handling of contracts of almost any magnitude in brick, cement, plastering and stucco work. Among the contracts which testify to his skill and business ability since the death of his father, were the following: Charles Kepplinger's residence; O. W. Renkert's residence; the W. E. Palmer Block; the office for the American Tin Plate and Sheet Company; the Greek Orthodox Church; the Allen Street and Summit Street public schools; the Christian Science Church, besides many other buildings.
Mr. Bennett is a member of the Canton Builders Exchange and is affiliated with the Loyal Order of Moose. He married Miss Minnie L, Hart. Mrs. Bennett was born in Canton and is a daughter of Louis Hart.
EDWARD BERNHART HANSEN. Though comparatively a new comer to Stark County, the business enterprise and civic popularity of Edward B. Hanson has made him well known not only in Canton, where he now has an office and successful business as an insurance and bond dealer, but throughout the county.
Edward Bernhart Hansen was born in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, November 14, 1879, a son of Lorenz and Margaret (Ingvertsen) Hansen, both of whom were born in the same part of what is now the German Empire. The family in 1894 emigrated to the United States, there being eight children besides the parents, and later two more children were born. The family went west to Tilden, Nebraska, and the father, having been a. farmer in Germany continued in the same vocation in the comparatively new State of Nebraska, and bought a farm near Tilden. That state has been his home for the past twenty years, though at the time of this writing, in October, 1914, he is visiting his old home in Schleswig-Holstein. The mother died in Nebraska about a year and a half ago. All the children are still living, and the family are communicants of the German Reformed Church.
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Edward B. Hansen was about sixteen years of age when he came with other members of the family to America, and most of his education had been acquired in Germany, but he also attended a country school in Nebraska, and subsequently was a student in the University of Nebraska and graduated from a business college at Lincoln in that state. Prior to his college career he worked two years in a store at Meadow Grove, Nebraska, and after leaving college returned to the same employment and somewhat later set up in general merchandising for himself at Tilden, under the firm name of Hansen & Ringer. This firm later became Hansen & Ruegge, and still later was under his individual name as E. B. Hansen. Mr. Hansen gained a thorough knowledge and considerable success as a Nebraska merchant, but finally sold out his business and in 1907 moved to Stark County, locating at Beach City. For some time Mr. Hansen was employed by the Garber Brothers Company at Strasburg, in their large department store, but in March, 1909, removed to Canton and has been actively identified with that city for the past five years. He was first employed in the Canton Brush & Broom Factory, and was manager of the factory until 1913. Leaving that concern he opened an office for insurance and bond handling in the City National Bank Building, and though one of the younger business men of Canton is well established and evidently has a successful career before him.
In 1914 Mr. Hansen, who has for some time been interested in politics, presented his name at the primaries as aspirant for the nomination to the State Senate from the senatorial district comprising the counties of Stark and Carroll. He was chosen at the primaries, and this was a special mark of popularity given to a man whose home and business relations with this county have covered only a few years. Mr. Hansen is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America, and is a member of several German societies. At Beach City in Stark County in 1907 he married Lulu Emma Stahl. She was born at Winesburg in Holmes County, Ohio, daughter of Charles Stahl. Mr. and Mrs. Hansen have two children : Louise Stahl Hansen and Elizabeth Hansen. The family are members of the Trinity Reformed Church.
EDWARD M. ERTLE. In the compilation of this publication it has been specially gratifying to accord recognition to such an appreciable a percentage of the native sons of Stark County who have remained within its gracious borders and here found ample opportunity for effective endeavor in connection with varied vocations of representative character. To such distinction the present able, forceful and popular chief of police of the City of Massillon is fully entitled, and he it is whose name initiates this paragraph.
Edward Martin Ertle, present head of the Massillon Police Department, was born in the Village of West Brookfield, this county, on the 20th of April, 1862, a date that indicates that the family name is not without pioneer honors of a relative order. He is a son of Martin and Barbara (Hemberger) Ertle, both natives of the Kingdom of Bavaria, Germany, where the former was born on the 21st of April, 1821, and the latter in the year 1832. their marriage having been solemnized in
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the old edifice of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Massillon, in which city they passed the closing years of their lives, the father having passed away in 1887 and the mother in 1897. Of the ten children eight are living.
Martin Ertle was reared and educated in his native land and was about twenty-one years of age when he severed the ties that bound him to home and fatherland and set forth to seek his fortunes in America. He made the voyage on a sailing vessel of the type common to the trans- Atlantic traffic of that day and forty-two days elapsed ere the vessel dropped anchor in the port of New York City, in the year 1842. From the national metropolis Mr. Ertle soon came to Stark County, Ohio, and established his residence in the little hamlet of West Brookfield, and there he showed his versatility of mechanical ability by working at his trade of cooper during the winter seasons and as a stonemason during the intervening summers. He finally removed with his family to Massillon, and here he became a successful retail grocer, besides showing marked public spirit and being known and honored as one of the sterling citizens of the county. Both he and his wife were most zealous and devout communicants of the Catholic Church and were active in the work and support of the parish of St. Mary's Church, of which he served as secretary for twenty-one years, besides being actively affiliated with St. Joseph's Society, a Catholic organization. In politics he was an ardent advocate of the principles and policies of the democratic party.
The chief of police of Massillon acquired his early education in the parochial school of St. Mary's Church and as a youth he learned the cooper's trade under the punctilious and effective direction of his father. At intervals thereafter he continued to work at his trade for a number of years, was for some time identified with the meat-market business, and finally he engaged in the grocery business in Massillon, in association with his father, this alliance continuing about five years. In 1888 he here engaged in the retail liquor business, from which he retired after a period of about two years and turned his attention to the meat-market business, in which he continued to be engaged until 1894, when he became a member of the police force of Massillon. With this department of the municipal government and service he has since continued to be identified, and his able and discriminating discharge of the duties devolving upon him led finally to his advancement to his present important post, that of chief of the department, an office of which he has been the incumbent since May 28, 1903. He has thoroughly systematized the work of the department, has evolved an excellent discipline of just and considerate order, and has the friendship and good will of his subordinates, who give him earnest co-operation, besides having secure place in the confidence and esteem of the community which he serves. Chief Ertle is a member of the International Association of Police Chiefs and a member of the Ohio State Police Association, of which he served as president in 1911. He is a democrat of unfaltering loyalty, he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic Church, and he is affiliated with the following named fraternal organizations in his home city : Massillon Council, No. 554, Knights of Columbus ; Commandery No. 51, Knights of St. John ; Massillon Lodge, No. 441, Benevolent & Protective Order
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of Elks; and Massillon Aerie, No. 190, Fraternal Order of Eagles; besides which he is identified also with other social and civic organizations in Massillon.
September 28, 1888, marked the solemnization of the marriage of Mr. Ertle to Miss Susan Garver, who likewise was born at West Brookfield, this county, and they have two children,—Grace, who remains at the parental home, and Gertrude, who is the wife of John Miminger.
WILLIAM J. PONTIUS. A scion of one of the old and prominent families of Stark County, Mr. Pontius is a man of energy, initiative ability and progressiveness, has made his influence potent along many lines in his native county and state and is to be consistently designated as one of the essentially representative citizens of Stark County. Mr. Pontius owns and resides upon his fine farmstead, in Plain Township, and the same is the place of his nativity, since here he was born on the 13th of January, 1865, a son of Andrew and Sarah J. (Correll) Pontius, long numbered among the most honored citizens of the county, within whose gracious borders they continued to reside until their death. Passing his boyhood days under the invigorating influences of the home farm, Mr. Pontius is indebted to the Plain Center School for his early educational discipline, and this was effectively supplemented by a course in Mount Union College, in the City of Alliance, and by an effective course in the Canton Business College. After leaving the latter institution Mr. Pontius assumed the position of money- order clerk in the Canton postoffice, in which he was later promoted to the office of assistant postmaster, a position of which he continued the incumbent two years. The following period of about one year was given to service as bookkeeper in the office of one of the leading business men of the City of Canton and he then returned to the home farm, upon which he has since continued to reside and of which he is now the owner, this finely improved estate comprising eighty acres.
After giving his attention principally to diversified agriculture for several years Mr. Pontius began his noteworthy operation in the conducting of a high-grade dairy farm and business. In this connection he bred and raised two fine herds of Jersey cattle of the best type, and thus effected a basis for the successful breeding of Jersey cows in Stark County, his father-in-law, Moses Clay, having likewise been a prominent figure in the furthering of this special line of industrial enterprise in Stark County, where he purchased the stock and business of Ira M. Allen, who was the real pioneer of the Jersey cattle industry in the county. Mr. Pontius built up a very successful dairy business, kept his equipment and facilities up to the highest standard at all times and continued his active association with this important line of enterprise for a period of twenty years. On the 3d of March, 1915, he disposed of this prosperous business, and is now engaged in general farming, though he retains the nucleus of another fine herd of Jersey cattle. He has been a recognized leader in connection with modern and progressive husbandry in Ohio, and has been specially prominent in the affairs of the Patrons of Husbandry, to the organization work of which he has given much time and attention since 1907, six years of this period
PICTURE OF WILLIAM J. PONTIUS
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having shown to his credit excellent results from his service as deputy state master for Stark County of the Ohio State Grange. His civic loyalty has been further shown through his earnest efforts and liberality in the furtherance of general agriculture and fruit-growing in his native county, and on his farm he has an excellent apple orchard of about ten acres, the same being given careful attention and the best scientific methods and facilities being utilized in the propagation of fruit that will enable Ohio to compete favorably with the leading apple- growing sections of the Union. He is at the present time, 1915, treasurer of the Stark County Agricultural Society and has done much to conserve the success of its annual fairs and exhibitions.
The intrinsic public spirit of Mr. Pontius has found another benignant exemplification through his active association with the educational interests of his home township and county. He has been a valued member of the Plain Township school board during the entire period that its constituent personnel has comprised five members and since 1913 he has served as president of the board, besides which he is a member of the school board of Stark County, a post to which he was elected for the five-year term, and of which he has been president since the time the board was organized.
In the domain of politics the prominence of Mr. Pontius in this section of the state is shown by his retention of membership on the Stark County Democratic Central Committee and by his earnest efforts to further the party success and prestige through presenting of the most worthy and eligible candidates for office and through the adoption of policies that will prove of benefit to the people at large. In a fraternal way he is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias and the Loyal Order of Moose. and in a business way his interests are amplified through his being a stockholder and director of the Commercial & Savings Bank of Canton.
On the 26th of November, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Pontius to Miss Emma E. Clay, who was born in Jackson Township, this county, a daughter of Moses Clay, and who was summoned to the life eternal on the 9th of September, 1908. She is survived by six children, namely : Ruth E., Ethel K., Robert W., Eunice E., Rebecca M., and Mildred E. On the 22d of December, 1910, Mr. Pontius wedded Mrs. Emma Van Horn, no children having been born of this marriage.
FRANK X. PAUMIER. In Mr. Paumier the agricultural interests of Stark County has a representative who has spent practically his entire life within the borders of the county. His work has been of special value in the northern part of the county, where is located his fine farm of one hundred twenty-five acres, situated within the corporate limits of the City of Louisville. He recalls this section of the state as it was in his boyhood, and since then he has witnessed many remarkable transformations, including the development of a wilderness into one of the most fertile and productive agricultural localities of the state, and also in that time it has become a center of education, religion and public spirited citizenship. His own contribution to this advancement has been not inconsiderable, and he has developed several fine farm properties
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and has also given long years of faithful service to the improvement of educational standards in this part of the county.
Born on the old Paumier farm in Osnaburg Township of Stark County October 24, 1839, Frank Xavier Paumier is a son of the late Xavier and Mary (Faiver) Paumier. His father, a native of France, came to America in young manhood locating in Osnaburg Township just across the Nimishillen Township line. About a year after his arrival he married Miss Mary Faiver, who was also a native of France and a daughter of Joseph Faiver. Xavier Paumier had come to America in the same vessel with Joseph Faiver and family, and was employed on the Faiver homestead for some time. Later Xavier Paumier accumulated sufficient capital to become a landholder on his own account. His first farm was located just east of Belfort in Osnaburg Township, across the township line from the Favier farm. In 1854 he bought the farm now located in the corporate limits of Louisville which his son Frank X. owns and occupies. Xavier Paumier continued to reside in this locality throughout the remaining years of his life and became one of the most prominent and influential citizens in this community. At his death he was the owner of the original homestead place, the F. X. Paumier farm and the Lawrence Paumier farm, and was regarded as one of Nimishillen Township's well-to-do men. He was a consistent member and communicant of the St. Louis Roman Catholic Church to which the members of his family also belonged.
Frank X. Paumier grew to manhood in the two decades preceding the war, and besides such training as came to him from the public schools near his father's home he was well disciplined in all the arts and methods of farm work. Thus on coming to manhood he adopted farming as his vocation, and has relied upon it as his chief business in life, though he has never been known to neglect the interests of his community, and has accepted such responsibilities as come to every public spirited citizen. He lived with his father until 1866, when he married, and after the death of his father he bought the home farm of one hundred twenty-five acres on which he has continued to carry on general farming and stock raising until the present time.
AMOS C. MYERS. Commencing life on his own resources, with no advantages save a district school education and inherent business ability, Amos C. Myers has worked his way to a position among the substantial men of Greentown. He has displayed the possession of versatile talents in a business way, his earlier years having been passed as a carpenter, contractor and builder, vocations which he first followed when he came to Greentown in 1897. Later, under the name of A. C. Myers, he established a furniture and undertaking establishment, of which he continues to be the proprietor, while at present he is also the directing head of the hardware and implement concern of A. C. Myers & Son, an enterprise which has met with the same success that has rewarded his other ventures.
Amos C. Myers was born June 7, 1864, at Uniontown P. 0., Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Charles and Elizabeth (Frank) Myers. His grandfather was John Myers, who was born in Lancaster County,
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Pennsylvania, and who about the year 1845 removed with his family to Summit County, Ohio, where he passed the remaining years of his life in shoemaking. Charles Myers received a common school education, and under the preceptorship of his father learned the shoemaker's trade in his youth, a vocation which he followed until about the age of forty-five years, when he turned his attention to farming and stockraising, occupations in which he was engaged until the time of his death, at the age of sixty-four years. Mrs. Myers died at the age of seventy-six years. They were the parents of three sons and three daughters, as follows: Wilson, who is married and resides at Lake P. O., Stark County ; Lycurgus, who married and resides in the City of Cleveland ; Amos C., of this review ; Sarah Jane, who is the wife of William Etter and resides at Springfield, Ohio; Julia, who is the wife of Jeff Nunnemaker, of Akron ; and Carrie, who married Charles Etter and resides at Hartville, Ohio.
The district schools of Summit County furnished Amos C. Myers with the foundation of his education, which has since been supplemented by reading, observation and practical experience. As a youth he learned the trade of carpenter and gradually drifted into the contracting and building business, which he followed for about fourteen years. He also passed about two years in the cabinetmaking business at Akron, from which city he came to Greentown, in 1897, this city since having been his home. After two years passed as a carpenter and builder, Mr. Myers entered business circles as a merchant, establishing a furniture and undertaking establishment under the firm name of A. C. Myers. Under his management, this venture proved a success, growing and developing into one of the leading establishments of its kind in the city. In 1914, in association with his son, he established a hardware store, under the style of A. C. Myers & Son, carrying a full line of shelf and heavy hardware, agricultural implements, etc. The new business has enjoyed a satisfying trade and is rapidly growing under the stimulus of its proprietor's energetic and well-directed efforts. Mr. Myers bears an excellent reputation in business circles of Greentown, and has the confidence and good will of a wide circle of friends.
Mr. Myers married Miss Laura Ellen Wise, the estimable daughter of D. J. Wise, and a member of one of the old and honored families of Lake Township, Stark County, where for many years Mr. Wise was one of the most extensive farmers and stockmen and leading wool men of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are the parents of three children : Park G., now twenty-six years of age, who is a graduate of Greentown High School and of Mount Union College of Alliance, who is now associated with his father in the hardware business at Greentown, and also is engaged in the automobile business at Sharon, Pennsylvania ; Roy K., now twenty- two years of age, who attended the Greentown High School and is a graduate of the Canton Actual, and is in partnership with his father in the hardware business; and Willard D., thirteen years old, who is attending Greentown High School. Mr. Myers is a democrat in his political views, and generally accorded one of the active and influential men of his party at Greentown. He has at various times been called upon to serve his community in positions of public trust and has ably discharged the duties of township treasurer, school director and president of the school board.
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He is fraternally affiliated with the local lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and the members of his family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.
GEORGE N. WENGER, M. D. An able and representative physician and surgeon of the younger generation in his native county, Doctor Wenger is engaged in the successful general practice of his profession at Canton, where his technical skill, close application and unqualified personal popularity have enabled him to build up a substantial and important practice and to achieve unequivocal prestige in the exacting vocation of his choice.
Dr. George Newton Wenger was born on the old family homestead farm in Canton Township, 3 1/2 miles southwest of the City of Canton, and the date of his nativity was April 29, 1885. He is a son of William H. and Catherine (Snively) Wenger, who still reside on their fine farm and who are representatives of old and honored families of Stark County. William H. Wenger was born near Orrville, Wayne County, Ohio, in 1860, and was but two years of age when he came with his widowed mother to Stark County, where he was reared and educated and where he has continued to maintain his home during the long intervening years, —years marked by earnest and fruitful endeavor on his part, as shown by the fact that he has long been numbered among the substantial agriculturists and honored citizens of Canton Township. His father, Joseph Wenger, was a native of Pennsylvania and came thence to Wayne County, Ohio, where his death occurred in 1863. The widowed mother, after her removal to Canton Township, Stark County, finally became the wife of John Bancker, one of the sterling and well known pioneer citizens of the county, and here they passed the residue of their lives. The mother of Doctor Wenger was born in Perry Township, this county, and is a daughter of the late John Snively, a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler of Stark County, where he was a representative of that fine German element that has played a most important part in the civic and industrial development and upbuilding of this favored section of the Buckeye State.
Like many another who has achieved definite success in professional activities, Doctor Wenger found the days of his childhood and youth compassed by the invigorating influences of the farm, and his rudimentary education was acquired in the district schools of Canton Township. In 1905 he was graduated in the high school in the City of Canton, and in preparation for the work of his chosen profession he was matriculated in the old and well conducted Medical College of Ohio, in the City of Cincinnati, an institution in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 1909 and from which he received his degree of Doctor of Medicine. For the purpose of gaining varied and valuable clinical experience Doctor Wenger thereafter served one year as house physician in the German Deaconess Hospital, in the same city, after which he became assistant to Dr. E. Gustav Zeinke, professor of obstetrics in the Medical College of Ohio. He thus continued to be identified with the corps of instructors of his alma mater for one year, at. the expiration of which, in 1911, he engaged in the general practice of his profession in the City of Canton, where his success has been above that achieved by
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the average young physician in the early period of practice. He is a member of the pathological staff of Aultman hospital, of which position he has been the incumbent since 1912, and he has the further distinction of being medical examiner in Stark County for the Ohio State Industrial Commission. The doctor continued a close and appreciative student of the best in the standard and periodical literature of his profession, and is in active affiliation with the Stark County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Society, besides which he holds membership in the local organizations of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. His name is still enrolled on the list of popular young bachelors in Stark County.
PAUL AUGUST JOLIAT. A resident of Stark County since boyhood, and of Canton for more than a quarter of a century, a contractor and builder whose work is exemplified in hundreds of structures including business and public blocks and private residences, a citizen of broad public spirit and with a devotion to the welfare of his community which equals his material prosperity, Mr. Joliat is one of the older and likewise best known men of Canton.
Paul August Joliat was born on a farm in Wayne County, Ohio, August 2, 1854, son of Peter Joseph and Susan (Membray) Joliat. His parents were both born in Switzerland, were married in that country, and emigrated to the United States in 1852. As soon as they landed they made their way at once to the French settlement in Wayne County, Ohio. where Peter Joliat bought a small tract of land and began a career of thrifty and industrious citizenship. In his native land he had acquired the art of carpenter, and became a carpenter contractor in Wayne County. In 1865 the family moved to a farm in Stark County about two miles east of Louisville, where the father continued farming and died on his homestead in 1878 in his fifty-eighth year. His wife passed away in 1906 at the age of eighty-seven. Their children were named as follows: Sebastian, who was born in Switzerland and is now living in Alliance, Ohio; Josephine, also a native of Switzerland, who died in 1908 as the wife of Peter Buchart ; Celestine, born in Switzerland and the wife of Joseph Menegay of Canton ; Paul August ; Victor, who was born in Wayne County and is now a Stark County farmer.
Paul A. Joliat grew up on a farm, attended the public schools of Wayne and Stark counties, but since the age of eighteen has been actively identified with a trade and business. He learned the carpenter's trade in Louisville, worked as a journeyman, and also began as a contractor at Louisville. In the spring of 1887 Mr. Joliat moved his home and business headquarters to Canton, locating in the northeast part of the city in the second ward, which has been his home ever since. At Canton he rapidly developed a large business as a contractor, and it would not be difficult to compile a long list showing his substantial achievements in this field. Among the more important buildings constructed through his agency are the Dannenmiller wholesale grocery block, the Clark block, the St. Peter's and St. John's parochial schools. and all the buildings of the Berger Manufacturing Company. Mr. Joliat has for twenty-one years continuously been the contractor for this company. and there has