(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) 1100 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY Hudson and purchased 750 acres of land in the southwestern part of Hudson Township, for himself and two brothers, Abraham and Stephen, and for his father, Deacon Stephen Thompson. Dr. Thompson then walked back to Connecticut, making the trip in twelve days, and in the spring of 1801, accompanied by his wife and one child, he returned to Summit County and settled on a farm two miles southwest of Hudson, where he spent the rest of his life. On this land he built a log house, which he later replaced by what was considered a very grand house in those days. He lived to the venerable age of over eighty-two years, and even then an accident terminated a life which has been in high degree useful to his fellow-citizens. He was the first medical practitioner in what is now Portage County, and the territory over which he practiced covered a radius of fifty miles. During the War of 1812, Dr. Thompson served as a surgeon. His land in the meantime had proved very productive, and he engaged in the business of shipping produce from it to the southern markets. He was an earnest supporter of all religious and educational enterprises, gave liberally to charity and was a leading man of his day and locality. Dr. Thompson has the following children: Eliza Lemira, who married Horace Metcalf ; Susan, who married Horace Holbrook ; Mills ; Emily, who became the widow of Samuel Woods; Sylvested H. and Virgil M.; Ruth B., who married Leander Starr; Mary, who married John Hazelton ; Martha, who died aged twenty-two years; and Elizabeth, who never married, and survived all the other members of the family. Hon. Sylvester H. Thompson, father of Sherman P., was born July 28, 1808, on the old homestead, and attended the preparatory school in the Western Reserve. He was reared as a farmer and when twenty-two years old began farming on his own account. On May 14, 1832, he was married to Caroline D. Peck, who was born December 6, 1808, at Waterbury, Connecticut. She net Sylvester H. Thompson, whom she subsequently married, while on a visit to her brother at Hudson. She died November 23, 1876, having been the mother of seven children, as follows: Charles S., now deceased; Sherman P., whose name begins this sketch; Martha E., who married P. G. Clark and resides at Cleveland; Theodore F., residing in Akron ; Albert S., residing at Cleveland; and two died in childhood. Judge Thompson died January 15, 1883, aged seventy-four years, five months and seventeen days. After his marriage, Sylvester H. Thompson went to farming on a tract of land for which his father paid $420. He soon gained the esteem of his fellow-citizens, and was called upon to hold office more or less all through his life. He served first as assessor, and in other positions, and then'- was elected justice of the peace, an office he resigned within one year in order to accept an appointment as associate judge. He served in this latter capacity from 1845 until the office was abolished by the new state constitution in 1851. In 1864 he was appointed commissioner of the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad. For thirteen years he was connected with the City Bank of Akron. In all things he worked faithfully for the good of the community, and the annals of this section of Summit County show his usefulness and prominence in public affairs. Sherman Peck Thompson was born on the farm now occupied by Judge Phillips, and was there reared until six years of age, when his father settled on what is now the Townsend farm, west of the depot, in Hudson. He resided until September 12, 1861, on this place, which he purchased from his brother in 1862. He has erected all the buildings except a part of his residence, and, distributed over his property, he has fifteen houses and barns, besides a number of silos. He rents three properties in Cleveland. When he came here first he had 130 acres, which he has increased to 335, the larger part of the property being under the capable management of his son. Dairying has been made a specialty, and at one time as many as seventy mulch cows were kept. His land is well adapted to the growing of both wheat and potatoes, and AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1101 Mr. Thompson recalls that one year he harvested 7,000 bushels of the tubers. His orchards have also been great producers. The history of apple-growing in this section is interesting. The first apples were probably grown on the old Dr. Thompson place, trees having been produced from seeds taken from a piece of pomace, which Dr. Thompson inadvertently picked up when he stopped to feed his ox-team, when coming through Pennsylvania in 1801. The wonderful vitality of the seeds were shown by their producing trees, some of which are still living. The late Judge Thompson remembered the appearance of one apple that was grown in 1813, mid what a temptation it was to the eager children who scarcely permitted it to reach perfection. In early manhood Mr. Thompson was married to Cordelia M. Chamberlain, who was born in Hudson Township, north of Hudson, and is a daughter of Amos and Jerusha (Crane) Chamberlain. Her father came to Ohio from Winchester, Connecticut, before he had attained maturity. William Chamberlain, Mrs. Thompson's grandfather, emigrated from England to Connecticut, in 1780, and with his wife came to Ohio in 1809, settling on a farm in Hudson Township, where he lived until the death of his wife, when he made his home with his son Amos. The latter married Jerusha Crane, who was born at Saulsbury, Connecticut, and they had ten children as follows: Horace, residing in Northfield Township; Harris, residing on the old John Brown farm in Hudson; Schyler, also residing on the Brown farm; Mark, who died in infancy; Laura, who married Mr. Egbert, and resides in Bedford; Mrs. Jerusha Baldwin, a resident of Akron; Orville, residing at Freedom ; Catherine, who is unmarried, residing at Hudson ; Cordelia M., who married Sherman P. Thompson; and Henry, who married Mary Thompson. Amos Chamberlain had a farm of 288 acres, the larger part of which he cleared himself. The family settled in a log house there at a time when wolves and bears were very plentiful. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had five children, namely: Charles Sylvester, born at Hudson, Ohio, February 18, 1864, died February 6, 1879; Eddie S., born April 17, 1866, died young; Frederick Sherman, born January 4, 1868, was married to Lillian M. Terry, October 18, 1893, who died April 26, 1898, leaving two children—Carroll, born October 24, 1894, and Lynn M., born April 19, 1898; Caroline Estella, born August 28, 1870, died May 28, 1879; and Gorda May, born May 8, 1876, who married Carl Case Scott, October 9, 1901, and has two children —Sherman and Dorothy. Their home is within one and one-half miles of Hudson. Mr. Thompson is independent in politics. Formerly he was identified with the Republican party, but voted with the Democratic party during Mr. Bryan's first campaign, since which time he has been disconnected from both of the leading political organizations. He has never sought political preferment for himself. EBER HAWKINS,* president of the Board of County Commissioners of Summit County, and a member of one of the old pioneer families of this part of Ohio, was born in Summit County, April 5, 1840, and is a son of Ira and Phoebe (Jones) Hawkins. The father of Mr. Hawkins was born near Bridgewater, Vermont, and his mother was a native of the State of New York. She came of a distinguished family of Revolutionary stock and she was the first school teacher in Akron. Ire Hawkins was one of the very early settlers and for twenty-one years he was superintendent of the Ohio Canal. The latter years of their lives Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins spent on their farm in Portage Township. They had four children, namely: R. W., now deceased, formerly a merchant at Auburn, Illinois; O. P. Hawkins, residing in Kansas; Eber; and Addie, deceased. Eber Hawkins was reared in Portage Township and obtained his education in the neighboring schools. Shortly after his marriage he moved to Akron, but in 1870 located at Richfield, where he was engaged in farming for o time. He subsequently went out on 1102 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY the road as traveling representative of the Aultman-Miller Company, with which he continued for twenty-four years His election to the responsible office of a commissioner of Summit County, took place in the fall of 1900 and he assumed its duties in 1901 and is now serving his fourth year as president of the board. On April 26, 1865, Mr. Hawkins was married to Clara Sweet, who is a daughter of the late Richard Sweet, who was an early settler in Richland Township, Summit County. They have three children, namely: Mrs. Janette Farnham, Richard S., residing in Illinois, and Nellie, residing at home. P. C. HUBER,* vice-president of the J. Koch Company, the largest clothing enterprise at Akron, is interested also in other successful business concerns of this city and vicinity. Mr. Huber was born in Germany, June 5, 1845, and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to America, His father established the family home at Clinton, Ohio, and there he was reared and attended school. Later he worked on the home farm and in the coal mines, but as his inclinations lay in an entirely different direction. in 1871 he came to Akron, and entered the employ of George Rosentahl, a clothing merchant, in the capacity of clerk, remaining there for six years. For three years subsequently he was with the firm of Hoffman & Moss. In 1882, in partnership with a brother, Mr. Huber started a shoe store at Doylestown, Ohio, which they operated together for six years, although Mr. P. C. Huber, after a stay of one year at Doyleston, returned to Hoffman & Moss and remained with that firm until it sold out to J. Koch & Company. On February 1, 1907, the J. Koch Company was incorporated with Louis Loeb as president; P. C. Huber, as vice-president; and S. M. Goldsmith as secretary and manager. Mr. Huber has been identified with the present business for twenty years and has labored faithfully in its interest before becoming one of its officials. In 1875, Mr. Huber was married to Anna Williams, of Wayne County, Ohio, and the have one daughter, Nellie M., who is the wif of William N. Fitch, paymaster for the Di mond Rubber Company. Mr. Huber is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and for years has sery on its official board. He belongs to th Knights of Pythias, is treasurer of the Un form Rank, and trustee of Aetotia Lodge while he is also a member of the board o directors of both lodges, and has served a chairman. Mr. Huber's standing in the business world is of such an honorable characte that it cannot be assailed. JULIUS FRANK,* a leading citizen an township trustee of Portage Township, Sum mit County, Ohio, who is proprietor of the Tip Top Poultry and Fruit Farm, a tract of sixteen acres on Sherbondy Hill, adjoining the old Wooster road, was born February , 1850, in Germany, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Heintz) Frank. Julius Frank was but seven years of age when his father died, and he was left an orphan when ten years old by the death of his mother. Of the five children of his parents, two brothers, Charles, an electrician, and William, a shoemaker, live in Germany, while his two sisters, Minnie, who married August Waxier, and Carrie, single, came to America. Until he was fourteen years of age, Julius Frank attended school and resided with his guardian, and at this time learned the wood turner's trade, at which he worked for five years in Germany. Until 1879, he traveled as a journeyman at this trade, and in this year came to America, locating first at Pittsburg, from whence he went to Braddock, Pennsylvania, where for three years he was employed in the Carnegie Steel Works. After his marriage, Mr. Frank conducted a bird store for six months, and then went to Stewartson, Shelby County, Illinois, with the intention of buying a farm, but not liking the country, after four months he settled in Akron, Ohio, and purchased a home on South Bowery Street. For one year he worked at his trade with Baker and McMillan, and for AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1103 several years was in the employ of the Akron Iron and Steel Company, then becoming em. ployed by the Goodrich Rubber Company, with whom he continued for sixteen years as a rubber turner. In 1898 Mr. Frank purchased his present farm, then a tract of fourteen acres, to which he has added two acres., and in the following April located thereon. For the past twenty-two years Mr. Frank has engaged in poultry raising, having started that industry as a side issue, but since settling in the country he has made a specialty of raising Hamburg, Polish and Bantam poultry, which he has exhibited at various poultry shows, where he received premiums, including the PanAmerican Exposition, the St. Louis Exposition, and poultry shows at New York City, Chicago, Washington, D. C., and Cleveland. Mr. Frank also grows a great deal of fruit, especially berries, which he disposes of in the retail markets. In 1884 Mr. Frank was married to Maria King, who was born at Newton Falls, Ohio, and is a daughter of William King. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank, namely: Otto, who is engaged in teaming, owning his own team ; Nelson A., who attends the Ohio Law University, at Columbus, Ohio; and Harry, who will be a graduate of the Akron High School in 1908. Mr. Frank has served as township trustee since 1899, having been elected to that office the year after his arrival here. He is a member of the National Union. With his family he attends the German Lutheran Church. HON. CHARLES W. KEMPEL,* mayor of Akron, serving in his second term, is a progressive and enterprising young man who has mainly made his way in the world and secured public position and esteem through his own personal ability. He was born at Akron, May 22, 1863, and is a son of Adam and Barbara (Gonder) Kempel. The parents of Mayor Kempel were born in Bavaria, Germany. and came to America in 1844, in the same year settling in Akron. The father died in this city in 1904. The family consisted of twelve children. Mayor Kempel was educated in the public schools of Akron and when old enough began to make his own living. He was in the clothing business for fourteen years and after retiring from it was engaged in sign-writing, having developed a special talent for this work in advancing his clothing interests. From early manhood he has been active in Democratic politics, and in 1903, he was nominated and elected by that party mayor of Akron. So well did he guide the municipal ship that his re-election followed in 1905, and it is generally conceded that few cities of its size have a more efficient administration. than Akron has at the present time. Mayor Kempel was married to Nellie M. Bushnell, who is a daughter of T. Bushnell. They have A pleasant home at No. 111 Beck avenue. Fraternally, Mayor Kempel is associated with the Elks, the Knights of Columbus, the Woodmen, the Maccabees, the Protective Home Circle and other societies. He is a member of the Catholic Church. EDWARD D. COX,* the Owner and operator of a tract of 100 acres of excellent farming land in Norton Township, was born September 9, 1860, in Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Christopher and Mary (Chisnell) Cox. Christopher Cox was born in Fayette County, Ohio, from whence he came to Green Township, Summit County, at the age of nineteen years. Leaving home with five dollars in his pocket, he walked most of the way to his sister's home in Green Township, where he worked one summer on the farm and taught two winter terms in the district school. After his marriage Mr. Cox engaged in farming, his first property being in Green Township, on which he operated for two years, and after a like period spent on another farm in the same township, removed to Franklin Township, and purchased the old Ludwig farm. Being a hard-working, industrious man, he soon began to accumulate property and at the time of his death, March 20, 1903, his holdings aggregated over 1,100 acres. Mr. Cox was married in Green Township to Mary Chis- 1104 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY nell, whose death occurred in August, 1889. Of this union there were eleven children, ten of whom still survive. Edward D. Cox was reared and educated in Franklin township, where he resided until his marriage, since which time he has lived on his present farm in Norton Township, on which he has erected good substantial buildings. About thirty acres of the farm were cleared by Mr. Cox himself. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and is considered one of the good, practical agriculturists of the township and a valued and public-spirited citizen. On December 4, 1884, Mr. Cox was married to Leora High, who is a daughter of Alem High and sister of U. G. High, county treasurer of Summit County. To Mr. and Mrs. Cox there have been born nine children, eight of whom survive, namely: Grace, who attends a summer school at Ada, Ohio, and teaches school in the winter terms; Gertrude; Ethel; Blanche, who died at the age of twelve years; Ferne; Gladys; Florence; Raymond; and Mary. JOHN MEMMER,* senior member of the insurance firm of John Memmer & Son, at Akron, has been an active business man of this city since 1861. He was born at Suffield, Portage County, Ohio, June 14, 1839, and is a son of David and Margaret (Arehart) Mommer. John Memmer was reared on the paternal farm and obtained his education in the district schools and in the private school taught by Professor Fitzgerald, at Cleveland. During this time he became well acquainted in that city and followed his school term by clerking in a grocery store and in a confectionery store for some five years. On March 1, 1861, he came to Akron and established a business which he followed for seven and a half years, opening up a confectionery store at No. 137 Howard Street. In 1868 he inaugurated his present business and for almost twenty-five years his establishment on the corner of Main and Market Streets was the home of large insurance interests. Since admitting his son, George W., to partnership the firm style has been, John Memmer & Son. They do a large business in fire, life and accident insurance and Mr. Memmer has other interests, including membership on the directing board of the Central Savings & Trust Company, of Akron. He is president of the Akron Odd Fellows Temple Company. On August 22, 1880, Mr. Memmer was married to Louisa Boyer, who was born at Cleveland, Ohio, and died at Akron, December 29, 1904. They had five children, as follows: Laura, now deceased; Nellie M., also deceased; Ida May, who is the wife of Alexander W. Maynes, of Akron; George W., junior member of the insurance firm of John Memmer & Son; and Louise, wife of Mr. E. A. Palmer. The handsome family home is located at No. 410 East Market Street. Mr. Memmer has always been actively interested in politics and has served on the City Council of Akron. He is an Odd Fellow and a Mason, holding membership in the latter order in the Blue Lodge,. Chapter and Commandery. He is one of the best known residents of the city of Akron. EDWARD P. LAUBACH,* residing on his excellent farm . of 135 acres, which is situated on the Wadsworth-Akron highway, one-half mile east of Loyal Oak, in Norton Township, was born in this Township, February 24, 1868., and is a son of Edward and Lavina (Dewatch) Laubach. Edward Laubach was reared and married in Pennsylvania, and came to Norton Township accompanied by his wife and two children. He settled at the village of Loyal Oak when his son, Edward P., was a few months old, moving from the farm of 145 acres, and placing it under rental while he engaged in the operating of a sawmill in the town. His mill was twice burned to the ground and each time he rebuilt it. The structure still stands, but Mr. Laubach sold it prior to removing to Akron, where he now lives retired. . Edward P. Laubach has always lived in Norton Township, with the exception of two years which he spent in Fulton County, his parents having resided there from 1890 until AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1105 1903. He was educated in the common schools and has made farming his chief occupation. In the spring of 1895 he settled on his present farm, which he has since continued to operate. It is fine, tillable land and yields good returns for the labor expend on it. On October 24, 1894, Mr. Laubach was married to Fretta E. Bauer, a daughter of Joseph D. and Sarah E. Bauer, and they have two children, Mahlon George and Maud. Mr. Laubach and wife belong to the Reformed Church at Loyal Oak, in which he fills the office of deacon. He is one of the township's honorable men and most successful farmers. HON. ERNEST L. FILLIUS,* mayor of Hudson, ex-county commissioner of Summit County, and head of the firm of Fillius Company, at Hudson, is a prominent citizen who is well and favorably known all through this section. Ernest L. Fillius was born in Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 20, 1856, and is a son of Philip and Anna (Keyes) Fillius. Philip Fillies, the grandfather of Mayor Fillius, accompanied by his three sons, John, Jacob and Philip, came from Baden-Baden, Germany, and reached Cleveland, Ohio, in 1832, with considerable capital. They were looking for a suitable investment and bad the opportunity of buying land which now is worth thousands of dollars on Euclid Avenue, for $18 an acre, but to them it looked too light for farming purposes. They remained at Cleveland for two years, looking around in the meantime, and in 1834 the grandfather bought 600 acres of land in Hudson Township, Summit County, on which he continued to live during the rest. of his life. Philip Fillius the second, son of Philip and father of Ernest L., married Anna Keyes, who had come from Germany in her youth. There were nine children born to this union, all of whom still survive, proclaiming a vigorous ancestry. Their names and places of residence are as follows: Mrs. Katherine Corbett, residing at Bethany, Missouri; John, residing in San Francisco; Mrs. Elizabeth Thomas, residing at Kansas City, Kansas; Philip, residing at Reading, California; Mrs. Josephine Nesbitt, residing in Northfield Township; Jacob, residing at Denver, Colorado; Mrs. Ella Sherman, residing at Augusta, Michigan; Charles, residing at Warren, Ohio; and Ernest L., of Hudson. Ernest L. Fillius takes justifiable pride in the fact that he is what may be termed a. self-made man. It fell to him, as the youngest member of the family, to remain on the home farm, southeast of the city of Hudson, and to care for his parents. He lived at home but began working on the outside when fourteen years of age, in the meanwhile attending the district school as opportunity offered. In 1890 he came to Hudson and his advent into the milling business was due to a rather unusual circumstance. He. was called on to sit on a jury in a damage suit, where the plaintiff, a miller, sought redress for damages to the mill-race, and in proving his case it was necessary to show his profit on a barrel of flour. This brought the subject to Mr. Fillius's attention and convinced him that there was money in the milling business. Consequently he laid his plans for several years and the result was the establishing of the firm of Fillies & Company, the ownership, of the business being invested in Ernest L. Fillius and the estate of H. H. Chamberlain. The old mill standing on the present site was torn down and a modern, building of brick took its place, which is equipped with the best improved machinery. Fillius & Company are merchant millers and wholesale and retail dealers in flour, feed, hay, grain, coal, brick, hollow brick, cement, salt, sewer pipe and drain tile. Mr. Fillius has been a prominent factor in politics for the past fifteen years serving almost continuously in office for that period. He has served in the Town Council and later was elected county commissioner on the Democratic ticket, serving one term, but as the county is normally largely Republican, he was defeated for re-election. He was elected treasurer of Hudson Township and later mayor of Hudson and held both offices for 1106 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY several terms, and at present is completing his third term as mayor. His administration has been marked with many forward strides for Hudson and in every way he can point to a creditable record. He was also put forward by the Democratic party as its candidate for sheriff and came nearer than any other of his organization to overcome the Republican majority. On August 18, 1880, Mayor Fillius was married to Irene Carson, who was born at Galesburg, Michigan, where her people lived prior to her marriage, although originally they were from Ohio. They have two children, Florence and Helen. The former married George Patterson, residing at Cleveland, and they have one child The latter resides at home and is bookkeeper for the mill company. Mr. Fillius is a memner of the Hudson lodge of Knights of Pythias. ARTHUR R. SHAW,* a prominent citizen of Johnson's Corners, and half owner-of a farm of sixty-three acres, situated in Norton Township, on which are located the famous Pebble Rock stone quarries, was born August 10, 1866, in the very house in which he now lives. It is an historic old mansion, built by one of the pioneers more than 100 years ago. His parents were George and Haretta (Douglas) Shaw. George Shaw was born in Medina County, Ohio, April 13, 1835, and was seven years old when his parents brought him to Johnson's Corners. His father, Joshua T. Shaw, came to Ohio from New York, when he was a young man, and in the old home mentioned above the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of Arthur R. Shaw died. There were three children born to George Shaw and his wife: Georgia, who died in infancy, Arthur R., and Bert. For three years during the Civil War, George Shaw was a soldier and was leader of a brigade band. He survived all the dangers and harships of that stormy time, and died at his home, June 20, 1902. His widow still survives. Arthur R. Shaw was reared at Johnson's Corners and acquired a common school education. For several years in early manhood he followed farming and then traveled one year as a representative of a grocery house, for a time dealt in real estate and then turned to developing his quarries, which he owns in partnership with his brother Bert Shaw. The farm formerly contained 120 acres, fifty-seven having been sold in the spring of 1907. The Pebble Rock quarries are widely known, the output being very large. The Shaws have installed a gas engine and crusher, and give employment to fifteen men. They have excellent transportation facilities, having built a siding running down to the Belt Railroad line and their facilities are such that they can ship on four lines. They are energetic and progressive business men. Mr. Shaw was married to Inza C. Miller, who is a daughter of A. W. Miller, of Akron, and they have had six children, of whom George, the eldest, lived but one year. The survivors are: Stanley, Hattie, Arthur, Esther and Leslie M. GEORGE H. HELFER,* formerly a well known business man of Akron, was born January 25, 1820, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Christopher and Lydia (Heiman) Helfer. The parents of Mr. Helfer were born in Pennsylvania, the mother being of Scotch, and the father of German ancestry. In 1820 they moved to Ohio and settled in Congress Township, Wayne County, where Christopher Helfer followed the trade of shoemaker. In 1840 he turned his attention to farming and bought property in Congress Township, where he spent the rest of his life. His children were: Mrs. Royce Sommerton, George II., Mrs. Stephen Collins, Mrs. Parker Campbell, Daniel and Mrs. Joseph Sharp. George H. Helfer was an infant when the family made the overland journey from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the winter of 1820. He attended school pretty regularly until he was fourteen years of age, when he became a clerk in a dry goods store, in which capacity he worked for nine years. In 1843 he entered into partnership with Mr. Pancoast, and the firm of Paneoast and Helfer was engaged in a dry goods business in Congress Township AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1107 until 1847, when Mr. Helfer bought Mr. Pan-coast's interest, and continued at the same place for two years more. In 1849 he sold out and came to Akron, entering into general business in this city as senior member of the firm of Helfer and Sechrist. This firm continued until 1867, when Clinton Helfer bought the interest of Mr. Sechrist and the firm style then became Helfer & Son, and no change was made until 1877, when the younger partner became sole proprietor, Mr. Helfer was one of the original stockholders in the Akron Iron Company and he now entered the office of this concern as shipping clerk, a position he filled for twenty-one years. He was one of the first druggists at Akron, and for many years was an extensive local dealer in coal. He retired from business in 1898. Mr. Helfer was married (first) to Mary Elgin, who was born in Wayne County, a daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Elgin. Of the five children of this marriage, the only survivor is Clinton E. Mr. Helfer was married (second) to Rebecca Luce, of Wayne County, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Luce. The four survivors of the five children born to this marriage are: William A., Emma (Mrs. Clarence Rudolph), Edwin W. and Minnie B. (Mrs. Henry Adams). Politically, Mr. Helfer was affiliated with the Republican party from its birth. GEORGE HEER,* superintendent of the plant of the Wellman, Seaver, Morgan Company. at Akron, is serving in his second year in this capacity. He was born in 1875, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated at Alliance, Ohio. After leaving school, he served an apprenticeship in the machine shops of the Morgan Engineering Company, at Alliance, following which he was with the Harris Automatic Printing Company. of Niles, Ohio, later with the Lloyd Booth Engineering Company, of Youngstown, for four months, and with the Diamond Match Company, of Barberton, for one year. Mr. Heer then entered the Sterling Boiler Works, where his training was severe and practieal. He remained there until Septem ber, 1901, when he entered the Cleveland office of his present firm, where he continued three years as an inspector, after which he came to Akron as assistant superintendent, later becoming superintendent of the whole plant. Mr. Heer is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLIAM A. HELFER,* proprietor of the Imperial greenhouses at No. 565 Bowery .Street, Akron, is one of the enterprising business men of this city. He was born July 24, 1860, at Akron, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of the late George H. and Rebecca (Luce) Heifer. The 'grandparents of Mr. Helfer were the first of the family to come to Ohio. They were natives of Pennsylvania and they crossed the mountains in the winter of 1820 and settled at Millbrook, Wayne County. Grandfather Christopher Helfer was a shoemaker by trade, but he later became a landowner and farmer in Congress Township. Of his six children, the late George H. Helfer was the second in order of birth. George H. Helfer was born at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1820. Until 1849 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Wayne County and then settled at Akron, where he became the senior partner in the general mercantile firm of Helfer and Sechrist, which continued until 1867, when Clinton Helfer, the eldest son of George H., purchased Mr. Sechrist's interest. The firm continued Helfer and Son until 1877, when Clinton H. bought his father's interest and still conducts the business. For some twenty-one succeeding years Mr. Helfer was associated with the Akron Iron Company, of which he had long been a. stockholder. George H. Helfer was married (first) to Mary Elgin and they had five children, Clinton E. being the only present survivor. Mr. Helfer was married (second) to Rebecca Luce, who was born in Wayne County and is a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Luce. Five children were born to the second marriage, the four survivors being: William A., 1108 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY Emma, Mrs. Clarence Rudolph ; Edwin W., and Minnie B. (Mrs. Henry Adams). William H. Helfer was educated in the Akron schools and subsequently entered the Akron Iron Company, where he learned the practical details of the business and became a skilled workman.. Later he became shipping clerk, and remained with the company for five years as general foreman of the polishing department. He then went into the retail coal trade, which he followed from 1885 until March 1, 1897. In the meantime he had permitted his natural inclinations to dominate his future business career, from boyhood having been interested in the growth of flowers and plants. He sold his coal business in 1895 and erected his modern greenhouses which are situated at No. 565 South Bowery Street. He soon found himself forced, in order to meet the demands of his trade, to greatly enlarge his capacity, and he now has six houses and does the largest business in his line in Summit County, giving constant employment to four skilled men. The business includes the growing of cut flowers and plants, fine decorating being a specialty. Baskets, bouquets and designs are made to order and weddings, parties and funerals are supplied. On June 26, 1893; Mr. Helfer was married to Hattie May Rothrock, who died January 1, 1902. She was a daughter of William H. and Sarah (Messer) Roth-rock, prominent residents of Akron. Politically Mr. Helfer is identified with the Republican party but he has never sought political honors. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Woodmen. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his late wife was also identified. CHARLES B. CARR, M. D.,* physician and surgeon, has been a resident of Barberton since 1890, and can almost lay claim to being one of the oldest inhabitants, as the town was then being just laid out. Dr. Carr was born July 25, 1861, in East Union Township, Wayne County, Ohio, and is a son of David F. and Sarah E. (Boydston) Carr. The father of Dr. Carr was a farmer and stockraiser and the boyhood of the futur physician was spent in learning the details o agriculture, while securing a good primary education in the local schools. Later, after literary course at Smithville, in Wayne County, he entered the university at Wooster. His inclination and ambition being in the direction of medicine as a profession, he made the necessary preparation and then entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, wher he was graduated in 1890. He came to Barberton July 14, of the same year, which fa makes him the oldest physician in point o service, in the town, having practiced here continuously ever since, with the exception of the years 1893 and 1894, when he practiced at Youngstown. His reputation as physician and surgeon has carried his name all over Summit County, and he is often called into consultation at distant points. He is a member of the American Medical Association an of the Summit County Medical. Society. For some seven years he served as surgeon for the Erie Railroad. On February 14, 1904, Dr. Carr was married to Mary H. Morgan, of Shreve, Ohio, who is a daughter of John Morgan, a well-known citizen. They have two sons, Charles B. and Otis Paul. Dr. Carr owns a large amount of valuable property at Kenmore, where he has a beautiful summer home, in which he has resided since 1905, and he is making preparations to build residences on his lots in this section. PERRY DELAZEN HARDY,* the owner of 106 acres of fine farming land in North- ampton Township, who has been prominent in the agricultural, educational and political affairs of this section of Summit County for many years, was born in Northampton Township, Summit 'County, Ohio, April 11, 1834, and is a son of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Reed) Hardy. Nathaniel Hardy, the grandfather of Perry D., was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which he lost a leg. He came from New York State to Northampton Township, Ohio, at an early day, and lived here retired for the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1109 rest of his life being a pensioner: Nathaniel his son, father of Perry D., was born in Massachusetts, October 11, 1793, went to Western New York as a child, and when sixteen years old came to the vicinity of Old Portage, Summit County, Ohio„ where his first employment was farming. Later he assisted in building several locks on the Ohio Canal, and after the completion of that waterway, erected, and for many years conducted a hotel and small store at Yellow Creek Basin, now known as Botzum Station. Mr. Hardy subsequently engaged in farming, purchasing 250 acres of land in Northampton Township, east of the Cuyahoga River, After cultivating it successfully for many years, he sold it to his sons, William and Norton R. For a long period Mr. Hardy served as justice of the peace and was active in ridding the township of many disreputable characters and prat- bees. Mr. Hardy was married in 1824 to Rebecca Reed, who was born June 11, 1805, at Delaware, Ohio, and to them were born eight children : Caroline, who married Jasper Drake; William; Norton Rice; Perry Delazen; Mary, who married (first). Champion Belden and (second) Hiram Ayres, and resides in Akron; Harriet, who is the widow of Henry Hall, of Akron ; Clarissa, who is< the wife of Charles Walters of Cuyahoga Falls; and Nathaniel, Jr. Of this family Caroline and William are deceased: The father of these children died December A, 1866, his wife having passed away July 11, 1865. Perry Denizen Hardy received his education in the primitive log schoolhouse of his district, and was reared on the home farm. Early in life his energy and tenacity of purpose earned- for him the nickname of "Commodore Perry," and this was later changed to that of "Old Zach," after General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the Mexican Wan During the Civil War Mr. Hardy was very active in raising bounty money and securing recruits for the Union Army, and served as constable for several years, during which time by his vigilance he succeeded' in ridding the township of a- gang of toughs known as the "Norwegians." For eight or nine years he served as school director of District No. 9, being for one year president and the remainder of the time clerk, was township trustee for four years, and ex-officio member of the Board of Education, securing after a long fight, a schoolhouse, for his district of the township. Mr. Hardy remained on the home farm until 1858, when he purchased fifty-five acres of .farming land in Northampton Township, to which he has added from time to time by purchase until now he owns about 106 acres. He marketed large quantities of hay and wheat and did a large dairy business, his milk being sold at the cheese factory, but he has now retired from active pursuits and is renting his property. For thirty years he was engaged in selling agricultural implements, traveling through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and during all this time did a large business on his own account. In 1854 Mr. Hardy was married to Elizabeth A. Lanphier, who was a daughter of Albert Lanphier, of Coddingberg, Ohio, and to this union there were born, nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Ida S., born October 2, 1855, who was married October 1, 1888, to William Darrow, of Hudson; Harry B., born November 1, 1857, who resides in Portage Township ; Willis Perry, born December 12, 1865, was married September 18, 1887, to Ida Lilley, and lives in Cleveland, Ohio; Nellie B., born July 2, 1869, who is the wife of William Walters of Northampton Township; Myrtle I., born December 18, 1871, who is the wife of Dennis Clements of Akron ; and Vinton M., who was born January 1, 1874, and resides in Akron. The mother of these children died April 11, 1907, after a long and painful illness. She-had borne her suffering with patience, and passed away in the faith of the Methodist. Episcopal Church. Mr. Hardy completed a new home to replace the one totally destroyed by fire in 1905, in which he lost his violin, bass viol and several other stringed instruments. From boyhood he had been a lover of music and was very proficient on the violin, often playing at dances in the early days. He is known to be one of Northamp- 1110 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY ton's foremost citizens and he stands deservedly high in the estimation of his fellow-citizens. GOTTLIEB VONGUNTEN,* one of the self-made men of Copley Township, Summit County, Ohio, the products of whose fine 138 acre truck farm find a ready sale in the markets of Akron, was born in April, 1858, in Switzerland, where his father followed agricultural pursuits all of his life. Mr. Vongunten lost his parents when a boy of twelve or thirteen years of age, and when nineteen years old he came to America, locating at once in Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade, an occupation which he had learned in his native country. Two years later he returned to Switzerland, but in a few months he again came to 'America, bringing with him his three sisters and one brother. He worked at odd jobs in Wayne County until his marriage, when he removed to Ashtabula County, Ohio, purchasing a small farm, which he later sold in order to rent a much larger property. After living there for ten years Mr. Vongunten and his family came to Summit County, where he purchased ten acres of land located in Portage Township, but in October, 1901, he came to his present property, buying at first ten acres, the balance being purchased in 1906. On this fertile tract, the old Sackett farm, Mr. Vongunten has carried on truck farming to the present time and his onions, celery and other small vegetables are of the finest grown in the county. He has always made a point of thoroughly cleansing his produce before putting it on the market, and for this purpose keeps large vats of running water, through which everything passes before leaving his hands. His success is due to his own industry and earnest efforts, and he is respected and esteemed as one of the representative agriculturists of Copley Township In March, 1882, Mr. Vongunten was married to Anna Hein, also a native of Switzerland, who came to America as a girl of twenty years, her parents having died some years previously. Ten children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Vongunten, namely: Fred, who conducts a dairy, married Mary With, and has one child—Ruth Anna; Edward; Mary, who married P. Dockus, has one child—Mabel Anna; Christ; Emma; Elizabeth; Ernst; Clara; William, and Herman. With his family Mr. Vongunten attends the Apostolic Christian Church. CHARLES E. PERKINS,* chief engineer of the public works at Akron, is a graduate of the School of Mines of Columbia College, New York, and has had many years of practical experience in his line of work. He was born May 7, 1850, at Akron, and is a son of Col. Simon Perkins, one of the early settlers of this region. Charles E. Perkins was educated and trained in his specialty in the Western Reserve College, the Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, New York, and later at Columbia College. Upon his return to Akron he was made city engineer and served as such from 1873 to 1877 inclusive. From 1878 until 1883, he conducted an agricultural warehouse business at Akron. In October, 1883, he was elected county surveyor, and was re-elected in 1886 and again in 1889. He stands at the head of his profession in Akron and fills the most responsible position, in his line, in the gift of his fellow-citizens. On January 14, 1880, Mr. Perkins was married to May Adams, who is a daughter of Frank Adams, of Akron. JOHN S. BARLET,* one of the representative citizens of Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, who in addition to farming twenty acres of fine land, has been in the auctioneering business for the past thirty years, was born December 5, 1848, in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of William and Harriet (Sonnon) Barlet. William Barlet was a native of Pennsylvania, and there learned the trade of lime burner. On December 9, 1862, he brought his family to Ohio, and the train on which they traveled was frequently side-tracked to allow the trainloads of soldiers going to the AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1111 front to pass. The family came immediately from Canton to Green Township, where Mr. Barlet rented a farm from Jacob King for five years, and then purchased a home at Greensburg, where he died at the age of seventy-six years, his wife having passed away in 1895 when sixty-seven years old. Mr. Barlet was married to Harriet Sonnon, also a native of Pennsylvania, where all their children except the youngest were born. These were : Lydia, deceased, who was the wife of F. Winkelman; John Samuel; Harriet, who married a Mr. Perry; Ellen, who married Benjamin Allman; and Jennie, who married Newman Smith. John Samuel Barlet attended the old frame district school in his native locality, and remained with his parents until his marriage. When a young man he became a very successful auctioneer, and this occupation he has followed for the past thirty years, having had charge of most of the important sales in this section of the State. In addition to his own twenty acres of land, Mr. Barlet rents fifty-five acres more, and engages in general farming. For the past ten years he has been overseer of the grounds of the Highland Park Camp Meeting Association. In 1869, Mr. Barlet was married to Emma Dickerhoof, who is a daughter of William Dickerhoof, an old Civil War veteran and pioneer of Summit County, who was killed on a railroad. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barlet, namely: Effie May, who married Charles Leonard, of the O'Neil Boiler Works, Akron, has one child---Harold ; Harvey, foreman of the Akron Linoleum Works, is married and has two children, Myrtle and Dorothy; Lloyd, a farmer and auctioneer in business with his father, married Catherine Stark ; and Ward, foreman of the Diamond Rubber Works at Akron, who married Lovina Fessler. J. DWIGHT PALMER,* one of Akron's native sons and prominent business men, was born in this city in 1867, a son of R. F. Palmer. He was reared in Akron and graduated from the High School in 1886. For some time after leaving school, Mr. Palmer traveled for his health, mainly through the New England States, but when prepared to enter into business life, he returned to his native city and shortly afterward became connected with the collection department of the Aultman-Miller Company, with which he continued for eighteen years. On severing his relations with that firm he decided to remain in the collection business, in which he had become experienced, and in December, 1904, he established the J. D. Palmer Collecting Agency, which he has successfully operated ever since. Mr. Palmer is a prominent factor in local politics, being a leading Republican, and at the present writing; has just received the nomination for councilman, from the Second Ward. He has every qualification for a first-class city official, being public-spirited, judicious and popular. In 1897, Mr. Palmer was married to Jeannette Groesel, who is a daughter of G. A. Groesel, of Akron, and they have two sons: Roland F. and George A. Mr. Palmer is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, in which order he has advanced as far as the commandery. SOWARAS GOUGLER,* a highly respected citizen and successful farmer, residing on an excellent property of 140 acres in Coventry Township, not only owns this valuable farm but also a tract of twenty-five acres which is situated across the line in Springfield Township. Mr. Gougler was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1850, and is a son of Daniel and Phoebe (Arnold) Gougler. Daniel Gougler was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Tilden Gougler, whose whole life was passed in Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of eighty years. His children were : Samuel, Susan, Peggy, George, Mrs. Stoll, Bivy, Daniel, Jacob, Sarah and Mary. Daniel, the seventh member of the above mentioned family, grew up on the farm, and learned 1112 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY the blacksmith trade. He married Phoebe Arnold, who was born in Snyder County, and 'in 1870 they came to Ohio, settling at Greensburg for one year, and then moving to near East Liberty, where Mr. Gougler died March 15, 1887, aged fifty-nine years. His widow survives, having reached the age of seventy-four years, and lives on the old homestead near East Liberty. The children of Daniel Gougler and wife were: Sowaras; Louisa, who married Frank Miller; Jacob; Jackson; Maria, who married Julius Gearhart; and Calvin. The whole family, with the exception of Jackson, who lives at Kent, are residents of Summit County. Sowaras Gougler received his education in the district schools of Snyder County and was about twenty years of age when. he accompanied the family to Ohio. He attended school for a short time afterward. He engaged in farming and teaming, driving a team for two years and ten mouths for Steas & Company, after which he returned to work on the farm. On November 23, 1876, Mr. Gougler was married to Mary Bettler, who died October 14, 1902,, aged forty-seven years. She was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Tritt) Bet-tier. Mr. and Mrs. Gougler had six children, namely: Frank, who married Susan Spreggle, has three children—Park, Pearl and Dayton—and he lives on a part of his father's land; Elmer; Emma; Daniel; Lulu, and Clara Leona, the last mentioned of whom died aged six months. Mr. Gougkr rented his present farm before he purchased it. In partnership with his brother-in-law, Joseph Bettler, he bought 140 acres, and in 1890, Mr. Gougler bought Mr. Bettler's interest. The house was standing, and this was remodeled and improved and the whole farm was gradually .put into as fine shape as it is today. Mr. Gougler has resided right here for the past thirty years and can count all his neighbors as friends. He is a Democrat in his political views, but has never taken any very active part' in politics. F. H. ADAMS,* cashier of the First tional Bank of Akron, has been identied with this financial institution for a Ion period and for the past eleven years has filled the responsible office of cashier. Mr. Adams was born at Akron, Summit County, Ohio, in 1865 and is a son of Frank Adams, who came to Akron as early as 1838 and who still survives, being a representative pioneer citizen. F. H. Adams was reared in this city, where his father was one of the early manufacturers, and his education was secured in the excellent schools for which Akron has an established reputation. After leaving school, the young man went to Mexico, where he remained for one year interested in mining. He returned to Akron for a short time and then became connected with a large manufacturing concern at Fort Wayne, where he remained for two years. He then returned to Akron in order to become bookkeeper in the First National Bank, with which he has been associated ever since. He is interested also in other prospering enterprises at Akron and is recognized as one of the city's able business men. In 1891, Mr. Adams was married to Frances Robinson, who is a daughter of William Robinson, who was the pioneer manufacturer of sewer pipe at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the First Presbyterian Church of this city. His social connections include membership in the Portage Country club. JOHN F. DICE,* one of Summit County's good, practical farmers, who resides on an excellent farm of ninety acres, located in Franklin Township, was born May 9, 1856, near Manchester, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Jeremiah and Caroline (Dissinger) Dice. Jeremiah Dice, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio as a young man, and for some years was engaged in work on various farms in Franklin Township. He subsequently purchased the farm now operated by John F. Dice, and at the time of his death, February 28, 1904, in his seventy- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1113 seventh year, he was considered a man of ample means. Shortly after coming to Ohio, Mr. Dice was married to Caroline Dissinger, daughter of John Dissinger, one of the early pioneers of this section, and a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dice, who was born in Ohio, survives her husband. Seven children were born to Jeremiah and Caroline Dice, namely: John Franklin ; Mary, who married M. Waltz; William ; Alma, who married J. Baughman ; Elton ; Emma, who married Thomas Sauers; and Marvin. John F. Dice received his early educational training in the district schools of his native township, and here he has spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. In association with his mother he owns the home farm of ninety acres, and his careful cultivation has largely increased its value. On January 31, 1877, Mr. Dice was married to Savilla Snyder, who is a daughter of George and Susan (Kepler) Snyder. Two children have been born to this union, namely: Bertha, who married Clarence Snyder, residing in Akron ; and Irving, who also makes his home at Akron. Mr. Dice is a member of the Reformed Church, of which he is now serving as treasurer. In political matters Mr. Dice is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his home interests. He is fraternally connected with the Maccabes. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TRACY,* capitalist and a leading citizen of Barberton, is vice-president of the Rubber Product Company, of this place, a large and important industry, and has been for many years identified with the strawboard interests of this section of Ohio. Mr. Tracy was one of the original settlers at Barberton, coming to this point in 1879 when the town was founded. Mr. Tracy was born in Parkman Township, Geauga County, Ohio, December 10, 1840, and is a son of Evander and Almeda Tracy. The father of Mr. Tracy was born in the State of New York and the mother in Trumbull county, Ohio. Evander Tracy was an early settler in Trumbull County, after marriage moving to Geauga County, where he engaged in farming. Both he and wife died when their son Benjamin F. was young. Benjamin Franklin Tracy was reared on a farm in his native county, where he resided until 1879. Through boyhood he attended school there and when a young man was married in the same county. When Mr. Tracy left his farm he went first to Akron and then, for a time to Barberton, where he subsequently acquired much land. Mir. Tracy about this time entered the employ of the Seiberling Straw Board Company, gathering straw for Mr. Inman, who had the contract for that work. After two years in that line he took charge of the straw department of the Straw Board Company, at New Portage. In 1884 he moved to Circleville, where he organized a straw board company, remaining there eight years, during which time he had charge of the straw department. In 1892 he returned to Barberton and after the American Straw Board Company took charge of the New Portage Straw Board Company, he became superintendent of all their twenty-five different mills. After settling permanently at Barberton, Mr. Tracy erected the fine structure known as the Tracy Block, three stories in height, 96x100 feet in dimensions, constructed of brick. The city offices are all located in this block. Mr. Tracy was married to Sarah White, and they have one son, Jay W. The latter also resides at Barberton and is associated with his father in an extensive real estate business. He married Stella Richards and they have one child, Harriet. Mr. Tracy is a member of the Masonic fraternity. BERT RODENBAUGH, M. D.,* one of Summit County's rising young medical practitioners, who is serving as health officer of Barberton, Ohio, was born at Thomastown, Summit County, Ohio, in August, 1874, and is a son of N. J. and Nellie (Wagoner) Rodenbaugh, the former a retired school teacher and farmer of Summit County. Dr. Rodenbaugh has one brother, Harry, and one 1114 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY sister, Mabel, who married Thomas Stahl. Dr. Rodenbaugh attended the common schools of Thomastown and Buchtel College for five years, and after spending several years in the pottery works at Akron, Ohio, he entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus, and after a four years' course was graduated therefrom in 1902. He immediately located at Barberton, where he engaged in practice alone for a short period, then forming a partnership with his uncle, Dr. N. F. Rodenbaugh, with whom he has since been associated. They are surgeons for the Sterling Boiler Company, the Columbia Cereal Company, the American Sewer Pipe Company, the Diamond Match Company, the Diamond Machine Shop and the Pittsburg Valve Company, all of Barberton. In September, 1905, Dr. Bert Rodenbaugh was elected health officer of Barberton, on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and the State and county medical societies. In January, 1905, Dr. Rodenbaugh was married to Grace Robinson, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Rodenbaugh reside at their residence, situated at No. 602 West Beard Avenue, Barberton. GEORGE A. SMEAD,* a leading business man of Akron, is located at No. 65 South Main Street, where he is proprietor of the largest art and wall-paper store in Northern Ohio. He was born in 1882, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, but was practically reared and educated at Akron. Mr. Smead has been identified with his present line of business ever since his entrance into the industrial world. For two years he was with M. D. Brouse, following which, for three years he was in the wall-paper department of M. O'Neil, and for three years managed the wallpaper store of C. G. Oliver. In June, 1906, he bought the business and conducts the largest wall-paper store in all this section of the State, carrying all grades of paper, and of the simplest to the most expensive and exclusive designs. In connection therewith he also carries on an art department, in which he handles only works of real merit. Many visitors go to his establishment to see the exquisite wall hangings and choice works of art always on exhibition. In 1903, Mr. Smead was married to Elta M. Biltz, who died June 9, 1903, leaving two little sons: Elmer E. and Chester Ray. Mrs. Smead is greatly missed, both in her home and in social circles, where she was a favorite. Mr. Smead is a member of the Wooster Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Royal League, and the Protected Home Circle. GEORGE V. BILLOW,* president of the Akron Paving and Plastering Company, of Akron, was born in 1854, at Kendallville, Indiana, but he was reared and educated in Williams County, Ohio. In young manhood, Mr. Billow learned the plastering trade, and after removing to Mansfield, Ohio, he was engaged in contracting in plastering, for twenty years, and then he came to Akron, where he did the plaster work on the Post Office, and also work of this kind on many buildings in Cleveland. He did the plaster work on the Hamilton Building and at this time, in 1900, he moved his family to Akron, where he took contracts for plastering the First National Bank, the Library Building, the new Summit County Court-House and other large buildings. In 1901, Mr. Billow, in partnership with George W. Carmichael and George J. Shaffer, organized the Akron Paving and Plastering Company, locating at No. 262 South Broadway, and this enterprise is already numbered with the important industries of the city. In 1875, Mr. Billow was married to Alice Bell, of Mansfield, Ohio, who died in 1883. leaving three children, namely: Paul, who is a student in the medical department of the University of Wisconsin, at Madison; George B., residing at Evansville, Indiana; and Grace, who married C. K. Reamer, residing at Akron. Mr. Billow was married (second) July 22, 1885, to Mary McGray, of Holmes County, Ohio, and they have the following AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 1115 drew Herbert, Alice, Fern, May M., John, Kathryn and Dollie M. Mr. Billow family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church. WILLARD N. FITCH,* who fills the important office of paymaster for the great army of employes connected with the Diamond Rubber Company at Akron, was born in 1872, in Medina County, Ohio, where he obtained a good, common school education and remained until he was twenty years of age. In 1892, Mr. Fitch came to Akron and for one year worked for the Akron Grocery Company, after which lie was with his father for a short time in an insurance business. Following this he entered the employ of the B. F. Goodrich Company and eighteen months later became foreman of a special department of the Diamond Rubber Company, a position he filled until 1897, when he became time-keeper. In 1900, Mr. Fitch was made paymaster and as such has entire charge of the pay rolls of this company, handling annually vast sums of money and disbursing the same which is mainly spent in Akron. In 1898, Mr. Fitch was married to Nellie M. Huber, who is a daughter of P. C. Huber, of the Jacob Koch Company. They have two sons, James Huber and Robert Philip. With his family, Mr. Fitch belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. He is a member of the Diamond Rubber Relief Association.