(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1025 a member of Tallmadge Grange and Summit -County Horticultural Society for years.- He has always .supported the candidates of the Republican party, and during the Civil War was a member of Company D, 164th Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In his youth Mr. Fenn was not blessed with good health, and his friends feared an early death from consumption. Many of those he has outlived, and, -although he has passed four score years, lie bears their weight better than many do the half century. He continues to be actively interested in all that concerns the public life of his neighborhood and country, keeps thoroughly posted and in touch with modern thought along many lines, and enjoys social converse and family reunions. Mr. Fenn is a descendant of Governor Law, once governor of Connecticut. Also he and his wife are both descendants of Governor Treat,. RANSOME MILTON SANFORD was born in Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, on the old Buck farm. May 26, 1830, and is a son of Garry and Emily (Richardson) Sanford, and is probably one of the best-known men of Hudson Township. There are few buildings standing in Hudson that he has not either constructed or repaired, and in large part, the same may be said over much of Hudson Township. The paternal grandfather of Mr. Sanford never left Connecticut and lived continuously in the old family home, which was built 120 years ago, and which is still occupied by a descendant. The father of Mr. Sanford came from Bridgewater, Connecticut, to Rootstown, Portage County. Ohio, in September, 1819, and seven years later to Hudson Township. He was married in 1822, and located in the southeastern corner of Hudson, where he lived until 1833, when he bought the farm where T. B. Terry now lives. He cleared up that property and died there June 7, 1845. He married Emily Richardson, who survived until 1870, her death taking place near Akron. They had the following children: A babe that died; Lorenzo, born in 1824, residing at Bridgeport; Perry L., who died in Pennsylvania; Henry M., who died at Hudson; Ransome M.; Emily, who died, aged eighteen years; Marcus, who died aged fifteen years; Electa, born in 1839, who married Abel Underhill, residing near Akron; Harlan P., who died aged three years; and Sarah Jane, who died in childhood. Ransome M. Sanford was three years old when his parents moved to what is now the Terry farm. He went to the district schools during boyhood and when seventeen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade at Newton Falls, where he remained, at work for several. years, although he always made the old farm his home,: as long as his mother retained the property. He has been one of the leading builders of this section, and can point to many substantial and handsome structures to testify to his ability. Although he is over seventy-seven years of age, he is still working at his trade. For thirteen years he worked for Seymour, Strait & Company; engaged in building cheese factories. On November 19, 1856, Mr. Sanford was married to Mary Harman, who was born at Aurora., Ohio. The fifty-first anniversary of their wedding has but recently been celebrated. They have four children, namely: Harmon, deceased, who married Jennie Doyle, also deceased, left two sons, two daughters and a grandchild; Edward, residing at Columbus, married Clara Stover, and they have one son, Edward; Charles R., residing at Hudson, married Jennie Dodge; and Burt Sheldon, residing at Hudson, married Ruth H. Eby, and they have one son, Lawrence .Eby. Mr. Sanford votes with the Republican party. JOHN L. COMSTOCK, one of Richfield Township's retired farmers and substantial, public-spirited citizens, residing on his farm of 103 acres, was born near his present farm, in Summit County, Ohio, September 13, 1842, and is a. son of Allen and Lydia (Miller) Comstock. The father of Mr. Comstock was born at independence, Cuyahoga. County, where he 1026 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY remained until about the time of his marriage, when he purchased farming land in Richfield Township. During the whole of his active life he engaged in farming and stock dealing. He died in 1856, aged forty years, leaving an estate of 340 acres to his family. He married Lydia Miller and they had nine children, namely: John I., Myron R. and Orrin M., Rosaline C., Laura J., Julia M., Warren E., George E. and Allah E. All are now dead but Rosaline C. and John L. John L. Comstock obtained a district school and academic education and his occupation since has been farming. When his father's estate was settled he purchased 103 acres of the homestead farm, on which he continued to carry on general farming and bred shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep. until he retired from active life in 1902. His land is well situated and very fertile, producing excellent crops of potatoes, wheat, corn, hay and oats. He kept usually about twenty-five head of cattle. Mr. Comstock carried on operations along modern lines and made use of the best machinery. He was one of the first agriculturists of this neighborhood to see the value of silos and has two on his farm, with dimensions of 12 by 12 and 27 feet deep. His buildings are kept in complete repair and they are substantial and sufficient for the needs of a first-class farm. Mr. Comstock has his farm under rental. Mr. Comstock married Elizabeth Killefer, who died in 1900, aged fifty-eight years. She was a consistent member of the Congregational Church. They had three children, namely: Allen L., residing at Waynesville, Ohio; and Harley M. and Warren E., both residing at Cleveland. In political sentiment Mr. Comstock is a Republican. He is not a politician, but he has served in township offices as occasions seemed to demand. He taught school two seasons and was director in his district for about forty years in succession, and for many years was president of the Board of Education. He is a member of the Congregational Church and has been one of the trustees. HARVEY LANCE, who resides on his well-improved farm of eighty-five acres of excellent farming land, situated in Norton Township, Summit County, was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, March 20, 1848, and is a son of George and Eliza Jane (Richards) Lance. The founder of the Lance family in Ohio was Abraham Lance, the grandfather of Harvey, who came by wagon from Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, when his son George was a child of two years, and settled on a tract of 152 acres in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, on which he died, aged eighty-two years. George Lance was reared to manhood on the above mentioned farm and succeeded to its possession. He disposed of a portion of this farm and the remainder comprises the farm of his son Harvey. George Lance married. Eliza Jane Richards, who was born in Wayne County, Ohio, and was a cousin of John R. Buchtel, who was the founder of Buchtel College at Akron. To the above marriage eleven children were born. George Lance died March 5, 1881, aged sixty-four years, and was survived by his widow until January 5, 1887, her age being sixty-nine years. Harvey Lance was reared on the old farm settled by his grandfather, and attended the schools in his neighborhood during the period of boyhood. Farming has always been his occupation. In 1879 he was married to Flora Kepler, and they have had five children. Those surviving are : Cleber Leroy, residing in Medina County, Ohio, a machinist, married Bessie Bear, and they have one child, Gladys Opal; Jesse Richard, residing on the home farm ; and Myrtle May, residing at home. Those deceased were: Gertrude, who lived but five days, and Roland Earl, who died aged eleven months. Mr. and Mrs. Lance resided at Johnson's Corners for two years following their marriage, Mr. Lance having purchased a farm there which he subsequently sold to Norman Ware. In the spring of 1883 they settled on the farm they now occupy, and in August, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1029 1887, they built their present comfortable residence. Both Mr. and Mrs. Lance are religious people, Mr. Lance being a member of the Disciples Church and Mrs. Lance and the children of the Methodist Episcopal Church. SALEM KILE, president of the Kile Manufacturing Company, and one of Akron's firmly established business men, was born in 1839, in Canada, but was reared in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where his parents located in 1848. He was one of a family of eleven children. Mr. Kile attended school during boyhood as opportunity offered, and early became entered in the lumber business. For forty years he engaged in the manufacture of sucker rods for use in the oil regions, and he continued his lumber operations in Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties until 1895, when he came to Akron. At that date they moved the bending works from West Farmington to Akron establishing the Thorpe and Kile Company here, for the manufacture of shafts and poles, the firm name later being changed to Kile and Ford. In the winter of 1902-3 he sold out to the Pioneer Pole and Shaft Company, and in association with his sons, George and William Kile, established the Kile Manufacturing Company, for the manufacturing of hoops, staves and sucker rods. This company has one of the finest bend sawmills in this section, which has a capacity for cutting about 3,000,000 feet of lumber per year. The mill has over 100 names on its pay roll and keeps fifteen teams busy. In addition to the plant at Akron, Mr. Kile and his son George have a plant at Barberton for the manufacture of insulators and electrical supplies.. He is interested also in other Akron enterprises, being a stockholder in the Pioneer Pole and Shaft Company and in the People's Savings Bank. In 1862, Mr. Kile was married to Carolina Heath, and they have a family of six children, namely: Orra, who married E. E. North way, who is secretary of the Standard Tool Company, of Cleveland; George H. and L.. who are associated with the Kile Manufacturing Company ; Flora, who married Dr. Hillman, residing at Akron; Mary J., who married W. H. Lantern, of. Shreve, Wayne County, Ohio; and Sarah G., who married Dr. Underwood, residing at Akron. For a period covering thirty years, Mr. Kile has been an Odd Fellow. From the age of twenty-three years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and for thirty-three years was superintendent of a Sunday School. He is president of the Board of Trustees of the Woodland Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also president of the Board of Trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association; also a member of the Board of Trustees of Mount Union College Alliance, Ohio. In 1904 he was sent as a delegate from his church to the General Conference at Los Angeles, California, and while in the far West spent two months visiting various points of interest, including the National Park. In September 1907, he was again elected a member of the General Conference to meet in Baltimore in May, 1908. He is a man of ster- lino. character and bears his years lightly. Both his personal and business reputation are unblemished. GEORGE W. WUCHTER, one of Tallmadge Township's well known citizens, resides on his farm of thirteen and one-fourth acres, which is widely known as a fine stock farm, having much more than a local reputation. Mr. Wuchter was born in Norton Township, Summit County, Ohio, August 26, 1848, and is a son of William and Aurilla (Cahow) Wuchter. The father of Mr. Wuchter came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, with his father, John Wuchter, who in early days lived at Stowe Corners. Later he moved to Norton Township, where he owned land and he became a man of substance. He died in 1867, aged seventy-three years. He was twice married. Two sons were born to him and his wife, Mary, namely, William and Eli. The latter lived and died in Norton Township, where his widow still resides. William Wuchter was a young man when 1030 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY he accompanied his parents to Norton Township, where he lived many years, finally selling his farm and moving to Johnson's Corners. He died May 30, 1898, aged seventy-five years. He married Aurilla Cahow, who survived until 1905, dying in her seventieth year. Her father brought his family from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, to Summit County, Ohio, by means of a wagon and an ox-team, and lived to see his fortunes so increased that he could have used any mode of transportation back again that he desired. From the old homes in Pennsylvania, both the Wuchter and Cahow families brought many articles of household utility, and George W. Wuchter owns and highly prizes a chair that has been in the Cahow family for over 150 years. The children of William and Aurilla (Cahow) Wuchter were: George W., residing in Tallmadge Township; Mary, who married. Ephriam Marsh, residing at Dixon, Tennessee; Aurilla, who married Joseph Knecht, residing in the State of Washington; Helen, who married Burt Dilsworth, residing at Barberton; Eli, who married Calista Flickinger, residing at Johnson's Corners; Lottie, who married Charles Heller, residing at Barberton; Lydia, who married Frederick Tincum, residing at Fairlawn; and others who died in infancy. George W. Wuchter attended the district schools of Norton Township, where he grew to manhood. His occupation has been along agricultural lines and he has become a man of note as a raiser of fine stock. He resided for four years in Green Township, and for a time in Coventry Township, and came to Tallmadge Township in 1879. In 1881 he purchased the farm on which he has resided ever since, which he has vastly improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wuchter has made a specialty of raising Berkshire hogs, but has stock of all kinds, from imported strains, which he has exhibited at agricultural expositions all over the country, including Buffalo, New York, Detroit, Michigan, the State Fair at Columbus, Ohio, at Wheeling, West Virginia, and other points, and he has taken many premiums. To see his fine Mock bearing off the coveted blue ribbon is no new sensation to him Visitors of note frequently are the guests of Mr. Wuchter, as his farm has an established repu- tation, but probably no more distinguished ones were ever entertained here than on the occasion when President Roosevelt and Vice President Fairbanks spent an enjoyable half hour with him, while awaiting the train to convey them to the funeral of the late Mrs. McKinley. The visit impressed President Roosevelt so pleasurably that on his return to Washington he hastened to write a letter to Mr. Wuchter, giving expression to his sentiments, and enclosing an autograph-photograph of himself. With a great deal of pride, Mr. Wuchter displays these tokens of the great executive's appreciation, and has, both neatly framed. On November 7, 1871, Mr. Wuchter was married to Sarah Hines, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a. daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Henderson) Hines. The father of Mrs. Wuchter died in the army during the Civil War. He was a member of Company F, 85th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The mother of Mrs. Wuchter died when she was four years old. Mr. and Mrs. Wuchter have had the following children: William, residing on Buchtel Avenue, Akron, married Mary Klinger, and they have one daughter, Ruth; John M., married Allie Kline, of Akron, residing at home; Bessie, who married John M. Smith, residing at Akron; Lola A., who married Frederick W. Kirk, residing at Youngstown; Arline S., who married Jacob Kuhn, residing at Akron, has one daughter, Alda; and Russell F., residing at home.. HENRY WILLETT HOWE, A. B., M. A. No history of Summit County would be in any way complete without extended mention of the Howe family, which has been so prominently identified with its growth and development through several generations. An honored representative of this family is found in Henry Willett Howe, residing at Ira, Northampton Township. He was born in AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1031 Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio, within sight of his present home, June 29, 1828, and is a son of Richard and Roxanna (Jones) Howe. Richard Howe was born in St.. Mary's County, Maryland, March 8, 1799. He had but meager educational advantages, as his father died when he was quite young. At the age of ten years he accompanied his mother to Ohio, settling in Franklin County, but her second marriage deprived him of a home. After leaving his mother, he went to live with Lucas Sullivan, a large landowner and a surveyor, and soon made his way into the confidence and esteem of his employer, who provided him with books, which, in those days, were ,of considerable cost. The boy appreciated what was being done for him and studied hard by the light of the evening fire, acquiring a- good knowledge of the elemental facts of learning and also of surveying and engineering, and had his home with Mr. Sullivan until he became of legal age. He then secured work us an engineer in the construction of the Ohio Canal, and while in pursuance of his duties he became well acquainted with William H. Price, the leading engineer on the construction work of the Erie Canal. This acquaintance developed into friendship and Mr. Price, recognizing the mechanical ability of Mr. Howe, and wishing to assist him, gave him a book containing pencil drafts of work used in the building of the Erie Canal, locks and other mechanical contrivances which had, as yet, never come under Mr. Howe's observation. This book was of inestimable benefit to him. For a period covering thirty years, Mr. Howe was in the employ of the state of Ohio, the connection' being severed by his resignation in the spring of 1850, in order to visit California. This was the period of the gold fever, and a company of enthusiasts had been organized to cross the great plains to the golden land, and Mr. Howe was elected captain of this company. He started on the long journey with the horse and sulkey that he had used in his work on the canal, both being well seasoned, and sub- sequently arrived in California with the horse still alive. At Sacramento, California, Mr. Howe engaged in a commission business with Samuel A. Wheeler, under the firm name of Wheeler, Howe & Company, he having known Mr. Wheeler i. Ohio. He built a warehouse at Lock N.,. 1, Akron, which he had rented to Mr. Wheeler, who subsequently died in Califorina. Other Members of the original party from Ohio either died, fell sick or became discouraged and, as all the responsibility fell on his shoulders, Mr. Howe wisely closed out his interests at Sacramento. Soon after he entered into the employ of the United States government, and much of his work in the way of surveying and engineering proved of the greatest value for years afterward. He ran the base line from Mt. Diablo south to the Pacific Ocean and from that line all lands of the southern half of the state of California. are still surveyed. He also laid out and superintended the construction of a mining race for the washing of gold, but finally became wearied of the crude civilization of the far West and longed for the comforts of home, consequently he sold his interests and re- turned to 'Ohio. The return journey was made by way of Panama, where lie contracted fever, from which he suffered for two years. To name all the important work subsequently done for his native state and particularly for Summit County in the way of his profession, would fill many pages. He was widely known and is still recalled by the older generation as a man of remarkable vitality and ability. He continued to engage in professional duties up to the time of his death. For two years he bad charge of Nugent's section of the canal construction, while Mr. Nugent was serving in Congress. He superintended the change in the connection of the lower end of the canal with the Ohio River. In 1825 he bought 400 acres of land where Tra Station. on the Valley Railroad is now located, and he also owned eighty acres on Summit Lake, in-South Akron. The Howe school building at Akron was named in honor of Richard Howe and his son, Henry Willett Howe, the latter 1032 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY of whom was a member of the school board for six years, dating from 1862. Richard Howe was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was a Whig in politics, but no active politician. He died March 19, 1872. Richard Howe married Roxanna Jones, who died February 14, 1875. She was a daughter of Sylvanus Jones, who was a minute man in the Revolutionary War, married a daughter of Captain Alden Sears, who was a descendant of Priscilla and John Alden, and they settled at Bristol, Ontario County, New York. There Mrs. Howe was born January 18, 1805. She taught school in Bath Township, Summit County, prior to her marriage. There were seven children born to this union, namely: Henry Willett; Charles Richard, who is deceased; Nathan J., who is deceased; Emily Barrett, who married James Ingersoll, residing at Chicago, Illinois; Mary Ann,, who married John Wolf, residing at Akron; and two others who are deceased. Both Richard Howe and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in the First Methodist Episcopal Church at Akron appears a beautiful memorial window in honor of Mrs. Howe. For fifty years she was an active worker in church and Sunday school, a lovely Christian woman. Henry Willett Howe attended. the public schools at Akron and also was instructed in his earlier years in select schools chosen by his wise and careful mother, and there he was prepared for Oberlin College, where he was graduated in 1849 in the classical course, with the degrees from this institution of A. B. and M. A. For about two years after the close of his collegiate course he took charge of his father's contracting business while the latter was in California, and then entered upon the study of law with Judge James S. Carpenter. In 1854 ..he was admitted to the bar and entered into a law partnership with Judge Carpenter, under the firm name of Carpenter & Howe, this association lasting until Judge Carpenter went on the bench, when Mr. Howe continued to practice alone. It was while attending to legal work in connection with certain patents that he became interested in agricultural implements, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of the same under the firm name of Hawkins & Howe, a partnership which lasted for ten years. In 1870 Mr. Howe bought a manufacturing property at Richfield and entered into partnership with a Mr. Hinman, the firm being Howe & Hinman, which engaged in the manufacture of spokes, handles of all kinds, axles and manufactured lumber, and as his manufacturing business increased Mr. Howe gradually dropped his law practice, thereby regaining the health which close professional work had endangered. After a successful period, he sold his manufacturing interests, and in 1881 he settled on his present farm, which originally contained 200 acres, but has been reduced to 100. For a long time Mr. Howe rented out the larger part of his estate, but in late years he has developed an active interest in raising fine stock. His father brought the first blooded Durham stock into Summit County. Mr. Howe has been closely connected with all the progressive movements made in this section during the last half century, in educational circles and has been a more or less prominent factor in politics. Originally a Whig and an Abolitionist, he identified himself with the Republican party, but has never been a seeker for political preferment. He served three years as a member of the Akron city council, and in 1852 he was elected a member of the Board of Education at Akron and served six years as its secretary without compensation. He was one of the officials at the laying of the corner stone of the first grammar school of any size and was practically its superintendent. For six years he was county and city examiner of teachers. For about twenty years he served also as a justice of the peace, both in Richfield and Northampton Townships. Mr. Howe married Isadore C. Bell, who is a daughter of Edwin Bell, of Portland, Connecticut, and three of their four children still survive: Edwin, who is station agent at Ira: Frank Richard, residing at Darrowville, Sum- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1035 mit County; and Abbey, who is postmaster at Ira. In 1887 Frank R. Howe bought a small job printing press, making his office in a building on his father's farm, in what is now the postoffice building. His early work was the printing of supplies for school teachers and he carried on his business under the style of the Howe Publishing Company. After his marriage he started a more ambitious business at Darrowville, under the name of the School Publishing Company, which he still continues. His office is equipped with two large cylinder newspaper presses, two job presses, a power paper cutter, folder and binder, all of which are run by a. gasoline engine. His publications include a small newspaper, The Entertainment, which issues specialties for Friday afternoon exercises at the public schools and thousands of amateur plays. A postoffice has been established at Darrowville, Mr. Howes' brother-in-law, Edward Shirely, being postmaster. Frank R. Howe married Nina Danforth, who is a daughter of Milton Danforth, of Darrowville. At the age of eighty years, Henry W. Howe is serving in the office of president of the Association of Lincoln Voters. Mr. Howe joined the Odd Fellows at Akron when a young man, where he also became a Mason. During his residence in Richfield Township he united with the Richfield and Pomona Grange and for fourteen years he was secretary of the Summit County Grange. In 1850 he assisted in organizing the first agricultural fair of Summit County and in the same year was elected a director and for eight years continued to be identified with this enterprise, either as a director or as secretary. In his religious views Mr. Howe is ex. tremely liberal. Personally he is a man of fine presence. Time has treated him kindly as may be seen by his clear eyes, which do not require the help of glasses, his erect stature and the vigor of every faculty. C. F. CHAPMAN, local manager of the American Sewer Pipe Company at Akron, was born in this city, in 1852, and is a son of the late Edgar T. Chapman, who was an early settler and later one of Akron's most prominent citizens. In early days he was postmaster of Middlebury and later was extensively engaged in the stone-ware manufacturing industry. C. F. Chapman was reared and educated in Middlebury, now East Akron. After leaving school he learned the pottery business and worked at the stone-ware trade for twelve years. In August, 1881, he became connected with the Akron Iron Company, at Buchtel, Ohio, where he remained until August., 1884. He then became associated with the Akron & Hill Sewer Pipe Company, which in March, 1900, was merged into the American Sewer Pipe Company, since which time he has been local manager. His long experience in this line has made him a very efficient man for the position. He has, besides, other business interests and is one of the representative business men of Akron. In 1887, Mr. Chapman was married to Mary A. Parker, who is a step-daughter of the late Henry A. Gibbs, of Akron. He and his wife had one son, Parker E., a bright, engaging youth, who died in September, 1903, aged fourteen years. Mr. Chapman is connected with various civic bodies, being an active citizen, and fraternally belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum. GEORGE E. LANCE, general farmer and dairyman, residing on his valuable farm of 106 1-2 acres, situated in Northampton Township, was born in Summit County, Ohio, May 22, 1866, and is a son of William and Theodosia S. (Harvey) Lance. The Lance family came from Pennsylvania to Ohio. George Lance, the grandfather of George E., accompanied his father, the pioneer, to Wayne County. Land that he cleared there still remains in the family. William Lance was born in Wayne County, attended the district schools and engaged in farming. During the Civil War he frequently drove cattle to Pittsburg for the use of the army. In the spring of 1866 he came to Northampton Township. remaining but a few months, when be went to Akron, and for five 1036 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY years worked in the rolling mills in that city. From there he went to Doylestown, Wayne County, later to Medina County, and then back to Akron, where he lived for about one year before his death, which occurred July 22, 1889, at the age of fifty-two years. He was a man of quiet tastes and sought no 'political office, but supported the Republican party. William Lance married Theodosia S. Harvey, who still survives. She is a daughter of Eber Harvey, of Wayne County, who emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1857. The following children were born of this marriage: George E., Theodore, Charles, Raymond, Ernest, Clyde, Bessie and Bertie. The mother of this family resides in Northampton Township. She is a member of the Disciples Church. George E. Lance attended school through boyhood wherever the family home was located and remained under the household roof until his marriage. For the first six following years he worked in the Diamond Match factory at Akron, and since then has been engaged in farming. In 1896 he rented a farm in Northampton Township for three years and then bought his present place. Here he cultivates about sixty acres, paying especial attention to wheat and corn, and pastures seven cows, selling his milk to the creamery at Peninsula. In early manhood George E. Lance was married to Emma R. Stinson, who is a daughter of Wesley and Kate Stinson, of Litchfield, Ohio, and they have six children, namely : Edna, who married William Sapp, of Northampton ; and Claude, Irvin, Guy, Arthur and Frieda. residing at home. The family belong to the Disciples Church at Everett, Mr. Lance being one of the trustees. He is a member of the order of Maccabees, at Peninsula. ALBERT H. BILL. M. D., physician and surgeon at Cuyahoga Falls, is one of the leading professional men of this place, where he was born January 26, 1851. He is a son of Henry W. and Harriet E. (Butler) Bill. Dr. Bill comes of fine old New England ancestry on both sides. The Bill generations can be easily traced to the great-grandfather, Solomon Bill, who was a great scholar. lie taught navigation and higher mathematics in a Connecticut seat of learning. John Bill, grandfather of Dr. Bill, was born at Middletown, Connecticut, and was a son of Solomon and Mary (Sizer) Bill. He died at Charlestown, Portage County, Ohio, in 1844, aged seventy-five years. He married Fannie Rogers, who died before he came west in 1833. He was a strong Baptist and a very devout man. It is remembered how he maintained Bible reading and family prayers in his home. From him many of his descendants inherited their gift of song. Henry W. Bill, father of Dr. Bill, was hall at Middletown, Connecticut, where, in early life he started in the machine business. The destruction of his plant by fire caused him to turn his attention to the West, and about 1 833 he accompanied his brother, Asa G., to Cuyahoga Falls. They began business together on the river, opposite the plant of Turner, Vaughn and Taylor, under the firm name of A. G. Bill and Brother, establishing a foundry and machine business, and built it up until it was the largest. of its kind in that part of the country, running their plant night and day. They manufactured paper mill machinery mainly, and during the time they were in business they, with others, started the first steam paper-making plant in Cleveland. They were the inventors of the first barrel-making machines. The brothers were associated in business for many years, but finally, Henry W. withdrew. He was a very well known man. Nature had gifted him in music and he was at home with almost any instrument, playing the bugle and clarinet with skill. These instruments he played in the old pioneer Portage County band. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; his wife was a Congregationalist. He died aged seventy-four years. Henry W. Bill and wife had two children, viz.: Alice B., who is the widow of George Dow, residing at Cuyahoga Falls ; and Albert H. Dr. Bill was educated in the schools of his native place. His medical education was pur- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1037 sued under the direction of Dr. C. M. Fitch, of Chicago, Illinois, after which he entered ush Medical College, where he was gradated in 1875. Since then he has been en.' aged in general practice at Cuyahoga Falls. Dr. Bill married Isabella Fitch, who is a daughter of Dr. C. M. Fitch, a noted physician and surgeon, of Chicago, and they have one son, Kenneth, who graduated in 1907 at the Cuyahoga Falls High School. Mrs. Bill is a member of the Congregational Church. olitically, Dr. Bill is a Republican. He is very prominent in fraternal circles, especially -1 the order of Knights of Pythias. He has assed all the chairs in Pavonia Lodge, is past deputy grand chancellor of the Twenty-fifth istrict and has the Grand Lodge rank. He ;as several Pythian offices in the Uniform Rank and is assistant regimental surgeon. He is connected also with other organizations. ULYSSES F. HOURIET. In the death of Ulysses F. Houriet, which occurred June 28, 1904, Summit County, Ohio, lost a. young man of brilliant parts, one whose business success and personal popularity had made his name a familiar one all through Northeastern Ohio. He was born at Canal Fulton, Stark County, Ohio, May 25, 1868, and was a son of Floriant and Catherine (Miller) Houriet. The Houriet family came to America from Switzerland. In that land of magnificent mountain scenery, Floriant Houriet was torn at St. Imier, Canton of Bern, March 17, 1834. His father, Victor Houriet, was known in his native land as a jeweler of great skill. Victor married &line Flotron, a member of the celebrated Flotron watch-making firm of Switzerland, and the name of that family may yet be seen engraved on the ease of many fine, old Swiss watches of a half century ado. Three children were born to Victor Houriet and wife, namely: Emil, who became a prominent watch-maker and jeweler at Charleston, Illinois; Floriant. residing at Kenmore, Summit County; and Paul, of Massillon, Ohio, whose tastes led him in the direction of mechanics. In 1848 Victor Houriet emigrated to America with his family, investing in farming land near Utica, New York, where he lived until 1852. He then sold his property there and removed to Wayne County, Ohio, purchasing a farm near Mt. Eaton. Before making his third and last trip to Switzerland Victor Houriet had engaged successfully in business in America, and had become attached to the land where he saw his sons prospering, but he could not reconcile himself to the thought of dying in any place beyond the shadows of his native mountains. When he bade his last farewell to his family he asserted that he would never again cross the ocean, and his premonition proved true, for his death followed soon after this return to his native land. His wife had died in 1876 at the home of her son, Floriant, at Canal Fulton. Floriant Houriet was fourteen years old when he came to America, and he well recalls the long passage of forty-four days' duration. He has never gone back to the little Swiss village, of which he has a picture, which was given his father, and which he treasures highly. The schools of Switzerland and Germany are justly noted for their efficiency. He was thoroughly instructed in both countries, and when he came to the United States had command of three languages. He no longer had time to go to school, but up to 1858 he worked steadily on farms in Ohio, going then to Illinois, where he continued to farm until the outbreak of the Civil War. He then returned to Ohio in order to enter the army from that state. In 1861 he enlisted for three months in the Twenty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, becoming a member of Company H. the survivors of which still proudly call it "McKinley's Regiment." Mr. Houriet was a young man well informed on public questions and during his residence in Illinois had heard Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas discuss the public matters. and had been much impressed and had made up his mind concerning his choice of leaders. When his first term of enlistment expired Mr. Houriet re-enlisted for three years. but was honorably discharged on account of dis- 1038 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY ability, after a service of eighteen months. During this period he was detailed to carry messages to General Rosecrans, his command of the German language making him very useful in this capacity. He participated in a number of battles before he was disabled and on all occasions bore himself as a brave and faithful soldier. After his return to Ohio he worked in a coal mine at Canal Fulton, but found this too hard labor, and, therefore, embarked in a grocery business at Canal Fulton, which he continued to operate with success until 1883. During this period he had been buying small tracts of land within the corporate limits of the town, which land he still owns. In 1903 he came to Kenmore, and in 1903 he purchased the residence in which the family resides, an elegant home, where the late Ulysses Houriet resided at the time of his death. Floriant Houriet married Catherine Miller, who was born May 18, 1840, in Germany, and accompanied her parents to America in 1852, when she was a girl of twelve years. They were Lawrence and Elizabeth (Bott) Miller. Her father died in 1879. Six children were born to Floriant and Catherine Houriet as follows: Edward, who died in infancy; Ulysses F.; Mary, who is a teacher in the public schools of Akron; Willie, who died aged three years; Zelina, who married Edward Richert, and has one child; Paul; and Elsie, who fills the position of bookkeeper in the South Akron Bank. All, the children were born at Canal Fulton, graduated from the schools of that place, and all who survived infancy, with the exception of the youngest, have taught school. Floriant Houriet is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and he accompanied his old regiment to Washington city to be present at the inauguration of the late President McKinley, their beloved comrade. He is a member of the Reformed Church, while Mrs. Houriet and the children are members of the Lutheran Church. Of the above mentioned family, the late Ulysses F. Houriet was the beloved and admired son and brother. In his childhood he was noted for his quick, intelligence and his genial, happy nature and, after completing his time at school, he was gladly accepted as a teacher and very soon was made superintendent of the township schools, subsequently becoming the principal of the High School at Norton Center. He remained in the educational field from 1887 until 1895, in the meanwhile spending some of his summers at Valparaiso College, Indiana. In 1895 he made a bicycle tour through Florida, visiting many interesting points outside the line of ordinary travel. When he returned it was to find the heated McKinley campaign agitating Summit and adjoining counties, and he immediately began to stump the country for the leader of the party, in this capacity visiting almost every part of Summit County. and making friends wherever he went. Many still recall him standing on the street corners in interested conversation, surrounded by his farmer friends, speaking first in English and then in German, being greatly gifted as an elocutionist. After his bicycle trip to Florida Mr. Houriet made one to St. Louis using the same wheel, pausing at many places to address gatherings of the Young Men's Christian Association, in which organization he was greatly interested. He was prominent as a member of the building committee of the association at Akron, and was one of its directors. For a few months in 1896 he was connected with the New York Life Insurance Company, later becoming associated with the late Noah Steiner in the real estate business He had much to do with the rapid disposal of the White City allotment in' 1898. At that time Mr. Steiner was pushing the claims of the Pathfinder order and Mr. Houriet became interested and joined the organization as its thirteenth member. He later began to organize lodges, many of which . are among the most prosperous of this beneficiary organization, notably the "Coshoction." After the death of Mr. Steiner. Mr. Houriet was elected in 1901 as president and assumed the command of the order. For some time he was active as manager of the company, which AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1041 began laying out and building up Kenmore, and Mr. Steiner's death threw the whole business into Mr. Houriet's capable hands. It was about this time that he moved into the present beautiful family residence, which later became the property of his father. Mr. Houriet never married. He died in Akron, Ohio, June 28, 1904. CHARLES G. LUTZ, who is engaged in a general contracting business at Barberton, is one of the substantial citizens of Norton Township, of which he was elected a: trustee in 1905. Mr. Lutz was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 15, 1868, and is a son of Sebastian and Elizabeth (Eitonmiller) Lutz. In his boyhood, the parents of Mr. Lutz removed from the farm on which he was born, to Marshallville, where the father followed the business of carpet weaving. He attended the schools of Marshallville until about seventeen years of age, when he began to learn the carpenter's trade, which he subsequently followed as a livelihood, six years later going into contracting. In March; 1897, lie came to Barberton, since which time he hds been very busily engaged, and has erected a number of the finest business blocks in the place, notably the Rodenbaugh Block, which Was completed in 1906, the McKenna Block, in 1904, and the Henry Block, in 1907. He keeps from two to ten men employed. At Marshaliville, in the 'spring' of 1893., Mr. Lutz was married to Catherine Yeakley, who died March 28, 1901, leaving three chil dren—Karl, Irene and Edna. Mr. Lutz was married (second) to Mrs. Flora (Houtz) Heller, who was the widow of Jacob Heller; and they have one child, Nola. Mr. Lutz is a member of the Reformed Church at Barberton. In politics he- is a Democrat and has always taken a good citizen's interest in public affairs. GEORGE GRETHER. Among the representative agriculturists of Northampton Township may be mentioned George Grether, who owns a fine farm of 100 acres. He was born at Akron, Ohio, September 2, 1853, and is a son of John George and Elizabeth (Dice) Grethen John George Grether was born in Baden, Germany, in 1822, and there learned the trade of wagonmaker. He was about thirty years old when he came to America, and on locating at Akron he entered the employ of his brother Jacob, who was in business there. Mr. Grether then went to Jackson's Corners, where he worked a rented farm for some years, after which he purchased a. lot on what is, now West Exchange Street, Akron, and during the Civil War he worked at his trade. In .1887 ho purchased the farm now owned by George' Grether, and hero his death occurred in his sixty-seventh year. Mr. Grether was married to Elizabeth Dice, and she now makes her home with her only son, George Grether. She is seventy-eight years old. Two children wore born to Mr. and Mrs. Grether: George and Ernest Frederick, the latter of whom died when twenty-one years of age. George Grether attended the public schools, after which he learned the trade of chain-maker, which he followed for fourteen years, and which he finds of much value to him in farm work, as with this knowledge he can do all his own ,blacksmith work. He now gives his entire attention to agricultural pursuits, and raises -and fattens calves for the market, also selling many chickens and eggs. Mr, Grether was for five years a member of the Sixth -Ohio Battery, Eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, for three years of which time he was corporal. Mr. Grether was married to Pauline Dice, who is a daughter of Martin Dice, of Akron, and they have had seven children, six of whom survive, namely: Louisa., who is the wife of Fred Shumaker, of Cleveland: Otto Frederick, who lives in Akron; Charles George William, who resides in Copley Township; and Edward, Frank Herbert and Ruth Marie Elizabeth. S. C. McGOWAN, junior member of the firm of McGarry McGowan, prominent contractors and leading citizens of Akron, has spent the major part of his business life 1042 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY here, coming to this city in 1868. Mr. McGowan was born in 1857, in New Jersey, and is a son of Charles McGowan, who was an early contractor at Akron, and concerned in selecting sewer pipe clay and working for the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company. S. C. McGowan's early life was spent on the farm of Miss Louise Sumner, after which he entered the employ of David R. Paige, who was engaged in a hardware and general contracting business, remaining there for twenty-five years. During nine years of this period Mr. McGowan was with Mr. Paige in the city of New York, working on the contract of constructing the Croton aqueduct. Mr. Paige was called to Africa, and after his departure, Mr. McGowan built the piers for the suburban elevated road from the Harlem River to Tremont. With Mr. Paige he built the Guttenberg race track and was concerned in many other large jobs in that city. He was connected with D. C. Coolman and Page & Carey when they built the Ohio River Railroad from Wheeling to Parkersburg, West Virginia, between the years 1882-1886. After his return to Akron, in 1890, Mr. McGowan entered into partnership with Daniel Mc Garry, under the firm name of McGarry & McGowan, and they do a general contracting business second to no other in this section. A contract is being carried out at the present writing (1907), which includes the putting in of a complete sewer system for the city of Ravenna, extending some ten or twelve miles. The firm has done a great deal of street paving and the work is well done, it being the aim of this firm to excel in all that it undertakes. Mr. McGowan is interested in other enterprises, and is ranked with the city's substantial business men. In 1902 Mr. McGowan was married to Amelia Wohlwend. He is a consistent member of St. Vincent de Paul's Catholic Church. He belongs to the organization known the world over as the Knights of Columbus. While not accepting office for himself, Mr. McGowan takes a lively interest in politics and is a loyal supporter of his friends. WILLIAM E. MARTIN, a representative citizen of Summit County, Ohio, who is one of the heirs to the undivided estate of his father, a desirable farm in Northfield Township, located on the State Road, was born in Northfield Township, December 14, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Sodon) Martin. Henry Martin, who was born in Sowham, England, was engaged in market gardening there with his father until coming to Amer- ica. He started to this country with his first wife and seven children, but on the voyage to the new home five of his children and his wife died of smallpox. Having friends in Northfield Township, Mr. Martin at once located here and for two or three years worked by the day. In 1864 he rented several farms which he operated until 1874, in which year he purchased the farm now owned by William E. Martin, and here carried on general farming until his death, in December,. 1899, at the age of eighty-six and one-half years. Mr. Martin was married (second) to Elizabeth Sodon, who was born in England, and was a daughter of John Sodon, and to this union there were born six children: William E.; Mary, who is the wife of Jacob Ritchie, of Northfield Township; Hannah Emily, who married Lewis Whitcomb, of Northfield Township; Elizabeth Jennie, who married James Rees, of Bedford Township: Minnie B.; and Rachel L., who is the wife of Benjamin Myers, of Northfield Township. The mother of these children died in June, 1906, aged seventy-one years, in the faith of the United Presbyterian Church, of which the family were all members. Mr. Martin was a Democrat hi politics, but never sought public office. William E. Martin was educated in the public schools of Northfield Township, and his life has always been spent on the farm on which he now lives. This is a well-kept, fertile property in the northern part of the township, situated on the State Road, and being near Cleveland. Mr. Martin has always engaged more or less in truck farming. His principal crops, however, are hay. wheat, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1043 corn and oats. Mr. Martin was married to Edith Smith, who is the daughter of Samuel Smith, of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Martin is a devoted member of the United Presbyterian Church. JOSEPH R. MELL, senior member of the well known insurance firm of J. R. Me11 & Son, at Akron, is also a veteran of the Civil War, one whose long and arduous service entitles him to the honorable and grateful consideration of his fellow-citizens. Mr. Mell was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, where he was educated and remained until he was sixteen years of age, when he moved to Portage County. Among the first young men of Portage County to come forward in defense of the Union was Joseph R. Mell, who, as a private, entered Company K, Nineteenth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, entering April 22, 1861. During the three months of this first enlistment he saw hard service in West Virginia and participated in the battle of Rich Mountain. After its expiration he returned to Summit County, Ohio, but the call of his country was again too strong to permit him to settle down in safety to peaceful pursuits, and he re-enlisted for a period of three years, on February 20, 1862, entering Company K, Sixty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at Camp Chase. This regiment returned the young soldier to the scene of his former exploits in West Virginia, where it remained under the command of General Fremont until July, 1862, when it was sent to join General Pope's army at Culpeper Court House. Then followed the second battle of Bull Run, then Chaneellorville, followed by the Gettysburg campaign, at this time the regiment being a part of the Eleventh Army Corps. On the second day of the fight at Gettysburg Mr. Mell was captured on Culp's Hill and was taken to Richmond, where he was held a prisoner of war until the spring of 1865. being paroled just at the close of the war. From the ranks he was again and again promoted for personal valor, climbing from private to orderly sergeant, then to second lieutenant in 1863. During his confinement in prison he was promoted to be first lieutenant, and still later to the rank of captain, as which, however, he was never mustered in. Captain Mell returned to Summit County after being released from the Confederate prisons, and as soon as he was sufficiently recuperated, engaged in a hotel business, which he conducted for three years, and then came to Akron. He entered the employ of the AultmanMiller Company, with which corporation he continued to be associated for twenty-one years. Since then he has been engaged in a general insurance business in partnership with his son, Cloyd, W., under the firm name of J. K Mell & Son. In 1895 Mr. Mell was elected councilman at large, an office he filled for about nine months, which he resigned to accept the appointment of court bailiff. On August 30, 1865, Mr. Mell was married to Sabina V. Koons, who is a daughter of Jonas Koons, and a granddaughter of Henry Koons, who came to Summit County from Allentown, Pennsylvania, among the earliest settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Mell have four surviving children, namely: Marvin M., residing at Akron, engaged in a flour and feed business; Todd J., residing at Youngstown, where he is manager of the automobile tire department of the Republic Rubber Company; Wade B., residing at Havana, Cuba, engaged in a brokerage business; and Cloyd W., of the firm of J. R. Mell & Son. For twenty-five years Mr. Mell has been an official member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is past commander of Buckley Post, No. 12, G. A. R. GEORGE T. WHITMORE, treasurer and general manager of the Granite Clay Company, of Akron, has been a resident of Mogadore since 1902, and is an experienced man in Ms line of business. He was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, January 1, 1858, and is a son of Richard and Emma (Robinson) Whitmore. The parents of Mr. Whitmore were natives of Staffordshire, England. The father came 1044 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY to America and settled in Wisconsin, in 1847, removing from there to East Liverpool, where he lived until 1857, when he located at Akron, where he died in February, 1898, aged seventy-nine years. He was a potter by trade. The mother accompanied her parents when they crossed the Atlantic Ocean and settled at East Liverpool, where she was married. The following children were born to Richard Whitmore and wife: Elizabeth, William H., Maria H. George T., John A., James B., Emma H. and Earl. The mother of these children died in July, 1870, aged thirty-seven years. George T. Whitmore was reared at Akron and graduated from the High School of that city in 1876, later entered Buchtel College, where he remained for two years, leaving in 1880 to accept the position of shipping clerk with Whitmore, Robinson & Company. He continued to fill that position for one year and then entered into partnership with Cook & Fairbanks, which firm was later known as Cook, Fairbanks & Company, manufacturers of stoneware, remaining in that connection until 1889. After severing his business relations with the above company, Mr. Whitmore was one of the organizers of the Summit Sewer Pipe Company and remained with that concern for eleven years. In 1899 he went to the City of Mexico, as general manager of the Mexico Clay Manufacturing Company, and remained in that capacity one year and then returned to Akron. Mr. Whitmore is a man of too much business activity to remain quiescent for any length of time, and shortly after his return from the South, he organized, the Granite Clay Company, with which he has been identified ever since. The plant is located at Mogadore and the capacity is 2,000 car loads annually. Employment is given to ninety men. The business was incorporated in 1900, with C. H. Palmer, president; T. A. Palmer, vice-president; G. T. Whitmore, treasurer and general manager; and W. N. Palmer, secretary. The business is capitalized at $250,000. Mr. Whitmore was married April 22, 1885, to May Peckham, who is a daughter of Thomas and Agnes Peckham, and was reared and educated at Akron, where she graduated from the High School in the class of 1880. They have four children, three daughters and one son, namely: Agnes Emma, Marion P., Elizabeth and George T., Jr. Fraternally, Mr. Whitmore belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Maccabees, being identified with the former order at Akron and the latter at Mogadore. In politics he is a Republican and he was elected to the city council, of Akron, in which he served one year as president. During 1887 and 1888 he served as treasurer of the Republican Central Committee. He has been active in county politics since he was twenty-one years of age. Mr. Whitmore's father was one of the pioneers in the clay industry in Summit County and it has formed a leading feature of the son's successful business career. Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore reside in a beautiful residence which he erected after coming to Mogadore to make this place his permanent home. He is a man of pleasing personality, frank, friendly and sincere, and possesses the business capacity, good judgment and foresight to make successful both social and business aspiration. He is identified with the various charities and with the civic organizations which promote the general welfare. EDWARD A. McCHESNEY, who is a representative of one of the old and prominent families of Summit County, was born on the farm in Springfield Township, on which he still resides, March 20, 1848, and is a son of William and Louisa (Gressard) McChesney. William McChesney was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to this part of Ohio. They were John and Martha (Laramore) McChesney, the former of whom had come in boyhood to America, settling with his parents in Pennsylvania, where other Irish emigrants had formed a colony. There were five children AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1047 born to John McChesney and wife, namely : John Leslie, Andrew, Mary, Margaret and William. The parents of Edward A. McChesney were married in Coventry Township, Summit County, where the mother was born in 1825. She was a daughter of Peter Frederick Gressard, who served as a soldier under Napoleon Bonaparte. He came to America and settled in Summit County, where his last years were spent. His children were: Catherine, Louisa, Eugenia and Rosalie, twins; Frederick and Charles. One daughter, Rosalie, who is Mrs. Bruot, survives and resides on Fir Street, Akron. To William and Louisa McChesney were born the following children: Edward A.; William H., residing in Spring. field Township, married Lucy Thompson; Flora A., residing at Akron, is the wife of G. L. Sypher; Herman G., residing at Akron, married Lucy Wright; and Frederick W., residing in Springfield Township, married Nettie Yerrick. The father died in 1905, aged eighty-nine years, and the mother in 1900, aged seventy-five years. Edward A. McChesney was reared on the present farm and was educated in the district schools. He carries on mixed farming and dairying on his forty-seven acres of excellent land, which is mainly looked after by his son. For the past thirty years Mr. McChesney has been engaged in building and contracting, working all over Summit County. Mr. McChesney was married in 1873 to Sarah Wise, who is a daughter of Samuel and Catherine (Rahber) Wise, and they have had three children : Gertrude, who is deceased; May, who married. Charles Roeger, have one son, Milford Glenn; and Dwight, who manages the home farm. Politically, the McChesneys are identified with the Republican party. AUGUST BLESSMAN, treasurer of the Klages Coal and Ice Company, of Akron, has been a resident of this city for a period of twenty-five years. He was born in Germany, in 1857, and was reared and educated there. In 1882 he came to America, shortly afterward locating at Akron. Here he embarked in a coal business, for the first five years working for Mr. Klages, and then, in partnership with Mr. McCue, bought the business. In 1887 the firm name was changed to H. Klages Si Co., and when it was incorporated in 1890, it became the Klages Coal and Ice Company, with a capital stock of $50,000. At that time it was dealing largely in ice, having bought out two other companies. In 1895 the Klages Company built an ice plant for the manufacture of artificial ice, it having a capacity of fifteen tons daily, and it completely changed the conditions of the ice business in this city. Since then it has been found, necessary to enlarge the plant and the output is now seventy-five tons daily, employment being given to forty men. The present officers are: P. E. Werner, president; A. Blessman, treasurer; L. Klages, secretary, and H. W. Haupt, superintendent. In 1887, Mr. Blessman was married to Lillie Fisher of Akron, and they have three children—Matilda, M. Freda, and Walter B. Mr. Blessman is a Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge, Council, Chapter, and Commandery at Akron; also to the Odd Fellows' organization in this city. He is numbered with the successful business men of Akron and is a valued representative citizen. CHANCY SALISBURY, a highly respected resident of Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio, who was born on the farm on which he lives, where he has seventy-eight acres of valuable land, is one of the older agriculturists of this section. His birth took place March 10, 1830, and he is a son of William and Sylvia (Atrill) Salisbury. Both parents of Mr. Salisbury were born in New York state. William Salisbury came to Bath Township in 1827, where he remained a year assisting, settlers to clear their land and begin its cultivation. He found the country so desirable that he decided to establish here a home of his own and made the long journey back to his native place in order to marry. The young couple bravely started in a belated April snow storm, but the 1048 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY snow melted before they had covered the distance and they completed their journey to the new home in a wagon. William Salisbury built a modest log house on his land, having bought seventy-five acres of the present farm, and then began its clearing and subsequent improvement. At a later date he bought forty-five acres on the opposite side of the road. He and wife lived on this farm during the remainder of their lives, dying honored and esteemed in their community. William Salisbury's death took place April 8, 1868; his wife died February 24, 1867. They had seven children, the three survivors now being: John, residing in Wisconsin, aged seventy-nine years; Chancy, who has reached his seventy-seventh year; and William, residing in California, who is aged seventy-one years. Those deceased are: Olive, who was the wife of Joseph Manly; Peter, Mary and Russell. Chancy Salisbury has devoted his life more or less to pursuits pertaining to the farm which he assisted in the strength of youth to clear. His opportunities for attending school were meager, but having spent much time in travel, he is, in some important respects, one of the best-informed men in his neighborhood. He has made ten trips to Wisconsin, three to Iowa, three to Michigan and two to New York, and once, in the space of six weeks, he visited thirteen states. Mr. Salisbury married Maria Hopkins. Having no children of their own, they opened their hearts to two little girls, Jennie and Nancy Lambight, who grew up under their protection and have married well. Jennie married William Wolf and they have seven children—Sherman, Ida, Howard, Alba, Carrie, Earl and Maud. Nancy married Adam Wolf, and they live at Hammond's Corners, while Mr. and Mrs. William Wolf reside with Mr. Salisbury. Mrs. Salisbury died in June, 1891. She was an estimable woman and good Christian. In politics, Mr. Salisbury is a Republican and on that ticket he was elected township trustee. He is a member of the Disciples Church, of which for several years he was treasurer. CHARLES W. JAQUITH, who owns a fine farm of seventy-three acres, of well improved land in Coventry Township, was born in a log cabin in Medina County, Ohio, and is a son of William Henry and Margaret J. (Hunt) Jaquith, and a grandson of Josiah Jaquith. Josiah Jaquith, Sr., great-grandfather of Charles W., came to Ohio from Vermont in 1829, and settled on a 100-acre tract in the northern part of Wadsworth Township, Medina County, building a little log hut on the east side of the "Big Spring." Later, in 1831, Josiah Jaquith, Jr., the grandfather of Charles W., and his family, followed here and located on the same farm, making the trip in true pioneer style, with ox teams, it taking six weeks. The newcomers erected a larger log cabin of white wood, hewn on one side, the floor being ofoakk puncheons. For a number of years the Jaquiths made potash here, which was hauled through the woods to Pittsburg. The land was cleared and a number of orchards set out, probably the first in the county, and Josiah Jr., received the west half of the property. This land, which had been purchased from a Mr. O'Brien for $3.00 per acre is now some of the most valuable property in Medina County. Here Josiah Jr., died July 30, 1842. William Henry Jaquith, father of Charles W., was born at Saint Albans, Vermont, July 6, 1827, and made the trip with the family to Ohio, growing up in the woods of Medina County, where he experienced all the hardships of pioneer days. In his younger days Mr. Jaquith did little farming, having learned the shoemaking and coopering trades, and also teaching school for a short time. In the spring of 1865 he went to Johnson's Corners, Summit County, Ohio, and took charge of a grist mill for a Mr. Shaw, where hercmainedd six years, and from 1871 to 1879 he conducted the New Portage House, at New Portage. He also kept an apiary at New Portage, and sold honey, hives, bees, etc., but in 1883 gave up this business, and purchased the present farm of Charles W. Jaquith, where both he and his wife died. On March 24, 1850, Mr. Jaquith was mar- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1049 ried to Margaret J. Hunt, who was a daughter of John Hunt, who came from Union County, Pennsylvania, and purchased the old Jaquith home place. Mr. Jaquith died January 2, 1887, and his wife May 21, 1907. They were the parents of five children, namely : Mary. E., who married J. H. Miller; Charles Wesley; Ella, deceased, who married N. Van Hyning ; Henrietta who died young; and William J., deceased. Charles W. Jaquith spent his boyhood days in Medina County, and attended the district schools of his native locality. When about ten years of age he left Medina County with the family, and went to Summit County, later however returning to Wadsworth to attend the Mennonite College, learning to read and write in German. When a young man he helped his father in the mill at Johnson's Corners, and later taught singing in New Portage and the vicinity, being choir leader for many years. On account of poor health, Mr. Jaquith went to Michigan, locating for a while on a fruit farm in the western part of the State, and spending his winters in a lumber camp. In 1883 he returned to Summit County, Ohio, being beater engineer for two years with the Straw Board Company, at New Portage. In the spring of 1885 he came to his present property, of which he became the owner soon after. He has been engaged in general farming since that time. On May 16, 1883, Mr. Jaquith was married to Fannie Cady, who was born on a farm in Boone County, Illinois, and is a daughter of F. R. and Nancy (Schlellenger) Cady. F. R. Cady, who is still well preserved in spite of his eighty-two years, is serving as a county coroner in Michigan, where he has been a justice of the peace for many years. He resides at South Haven, where his wife's death occurred. They were the parents of five children, namely: Ida and Flora, deceased ; Fannie, the wife of Mr. Jaquith ; Jennie, and Allen, who belongs to the live-saving crew. Mrs. Jaquith taught school near South Haven for three years. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Jaquith, namely : William E., a machinist of Barberton, and a member of the Odd Fellows; and Bessie F. Mr. Jaquith is a Republican in politics, and has been a member of the School Board since 1896. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church of New Portage. JACOB A. SNYDER, residing at his beautiful home at No. 197 High Street, Barberton, is a worthy representative of one of the old and honorable pioneer families of Summit County, which has been established here since 1818. Jacob Augustus Snyder was born in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 16, 1845, in the old log house in which the family lived until he was fourteen years old. His parents were George M. and Mary Ann (Rex) Snyder. George M. Snyder was born in Pennsylvania, in 1814, and was four years old when the family came to Ohio. His parents were Joseph and Mary (Bachman) Snyder, who left Pennsylvania with their loaded wagons and ox-teams and made their slow way across the mountains and through the uncleared forests until they reached Summit County. They settled in Green Township, erecting a primitive log cabin, in which they lived during the remainder of their lives which reached into old age. They had numerous children, some of whom succumbed to the hardships and privations of pioneer life, but twelve reached maturity, as follows: Peter Joshua; George M.; Elizabeth, who. married (first) a Mr. Hoobler and (second) Samuel Messer; Sophia, who married (first) George Tritt and (second) a Mr. Babb; Jacob ; Daniel; Paul, residing in Starke County, Indiana; Joel; Abraham, residing in Green Township, Summit County; Jonathan; and Nathaniel, residing in Green Township. The survivors of the above family are Paul, Abraham and Nathaniel. The children took after their parents, being large of frame and of robust constitution. George M. Snyder was reared on the pioneer farm and assisted in its clearing. His educational chances were few, school houses were far apart and in so large a family