(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS COL. SIMON PERKINS. In Grace Park, Akron, stands a granite monument, which was erected by this city, in 1895, in memory of its greatest philanthropist and one of its most distinguished former citizens. It recalls to memory one whose almost entire life was generously given to promote the prosperity of Akron and to advance the happiness of her citizens. Simon Perkins was born February 6, 1805, at Warren, Ohio, where he was reared to manhood, and was a son of General Simon and Nancy (Bishop) Perkins, natives of Norwich, Connecticut. Colonel Perkins traced a clear line of ancestry back to Puritan forefathers. General Simon Perkins attained his military rank while commanding the United States forces in Northern Ohio, during the War of 1812. He had moved from Connecticut and settled at Warren, Ohio, in 1801, where he was made commissioner of the Connecticut Western Reserve Land Company. During his early manhood, Colonel Simon Perkins was associated with his father in handling the large amount of land which the latter had acquired, and it was in relation to land that he came to Akron, in 1835. This city, then an insignificant one, became his permanent home and as years went by greatly benefitted by his public spirit, his far-seeing judgment and his liberal and broad-cast generosity. From the first he was a man of force and energy in every direction, and four years after coming to Summit County he was elected a member of the State Senate, and in 1841-42 of the House of Representatives, from this county. The selection of the county seat was one of the questions in which Colonel Perkins took a ,personal interest, and he was the champion of many of the important measures which now appear as laws on the State records. While political life had many attractions for a virile, ambitious man like Colonel Perkins, agricultural employments also claimed a large part of his attention.. He advocated farming along the most modern lines then known, and was the pioneer live-stock breeder, from standard stock, in this section. He owned hundreds of acres of productive land. He was also one of the first to see the adventages accruing from an extended line of railroad through Summit County, to run through Akron, and was the first presi ;lent of the Cleveland, Zanesville & Cincinnati, now the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, later becoming its general superintendent. In pushing the interests of this line, Colonel Perkins is credited with sinking a large fortune, but even he could never have imagined the beneficial results this great transportation line has brought to the country through which it is operated. Perhaps no other citizen contributed so much, in time, energy, land and money, to the material development of Akron, as did this broad-souled, large-hearted man. He lived to see the industrial, educational and charitable institutions which he had more or less founded, enter upon a period of prosperity, and to realize, in a small degree at least, the gratitude of his fellow- 326 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY citizens. His death occurred July 21, 1887, at the age of over eighty-two years. Colonel Perkins was married in 1832, to Grace I. Tod, a daughter of Judge George and Sally (Ingersoll) Tod, and a sister of the late Governor David Tod, a sketch of whom may be found in this work. Of the eleven children born of this marriage, ten reached maturity, and seven still survive. The Colonel’s eldest son, Colonel George T. Perkins, is one of Akron’s most prominent business men, being president of the B. F. Goodrich Company and of the Akron Rubber Company. Mrs. Perkins died April 6, 1867, aged fifty-six years. JOHN FREDERICK SEIBERLING, a former citizen of Akron, where he was for many years identified with a number of the important business interests of the city, some of which were directly the result of his own genius and energy, was born March 10, 1834, at Norton, Ohio. He was one of a family of fifteen children (thirteen of whom grew to maturity) born to his parents, who were Nathan and Catherine (Peters) Seiberling. Mr. Seiberling completed his education at the Western Star Academy, and for two years, from 1856 to 1858, he was in the drug business at Akron. He was, however, of a mechanical turn of mind, and in the latter year went to operating a sawmill at Norton. It was while there that he invented his noted Excelsior mower and reaper, with the dropper attachment, and in 1861 he established works for their manufacture at Doylestown, which are still in operation. By 1864 the business had so expanded that extra works were needed, which were erected at Massillon. In 1865 the J. F. Seiberling Company was established at Akron, but in 1869, Mr. Seiberling withdrew and then began the manufacture of the Empire machine, which is so well known all over the country. Mr. Seiberling by this time not only had a perfect knowledge of business conditions and trade relations in every section, but he had command of a large amount of capital, and in 1871 he organized the Akron Strawboard Company, which he conducted until 1887. In 1883 he founded the Seiberling Milling Company and at this time built a six-story brick flouring mill, as well as the Academy of Music. Block. In 1889 Mr. Seiberling obtained a controlling interest in the Akron Electric Street Railway. Later he expanded other important interests both in Akron and at other points. On September 6, 1859, Mr. Seiberling was married to Catherine L. Miller, of Norton. Their family numbered eleven children, nine of whom- are still living. They are as follows: Anna A., wife of S. Samuel Miller, of Akron; Frank A., president and general manager of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, who married Gertrude F. Penfield, and resides at No. 158 East Market Street; Charles W., treasurer of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, who married Blanche Carnahan, and resides at No. 76 Fay Street; Cora D., wife of Lewis T. Wolle, of Cambria, Wyoming; Harriet M., wife of Lucius C. Miles, of Akron; Grace I., wife of Dr. W. S. Chase, of Akron; Kittie G., wife of Luther H. Firey, of Kansas City ; Mary B., wife of Henry B. Manton, of Akron ; Ruth J., wife of Ernest A. Pfleuger, also of Akron. The two deceased are John Frederick and Maude M., both of whom died in infancy. Mr. John Frederick Seiberling, the father of these children, died September 6, 1903. His widow still survives, and resides at No. 144 East Market Street. Mr. Seiberling was a man who was honorable, prompt, and true to every engagement. Throughout his career of far-reaching usefulness he remembered with a generous heart those who had not been so fortunate, and in quiet benevolence brought much cheer to those who needed it. For many years he was a member and a trustee of the Trinity Lutheran Church. JAMES R. HEMPHILL, general manager of the Colonial Sign and Insulator Company, at Akron, was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1860, and is a son of Robert Hemphill, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 327 who came to Summit County about 1855, where he was first a farmer and later a dealer in lumber. James R. Hemphill was educated in the schools of Fairlawn and Akron and started into business as an employe of the Aultman-Miller Company, with whom he remained five years. Since then, with the exception of a period of two years, he has been engaged in his present business, first with the Akron Insulator and Marble Company, which was organized in 1894, and which in 1904 was consolidated with the Colonial Sign Company. The business was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, as the Colonial Sign & Insulator Company, with H. B. Camp, president; C. R. Quine, secretary; W. H. Motz, treasurer, and James R. Hemphill, general manager. Mr. Hemphill has always displayed a helpful interest in undertakings outside his own sphere of work which have promised to benefit the city, and while never active in politics, performs every duty of a good citizen. In 1890 he was married to Louada Weeks, and they have had two children, Helen and Ray, the former of whom is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Hemphill are members of the First Congregational Church. GEN. SIMON PERKINS. Very many of the prominent families of Ohio trace their ancestry to Connecticut, and this is the case with the distinguished Perkins family. Simon Perkins, who for so long a period was one of the leading men of Ohio, was born at Lisbon, Connecticut, September 17, 1771. In 1795 he is found at Oswego, New York, and in 1798 he was chosen by the Erie Land Company to act as its agent in the exploration of the Western Reserve, and in this car pacity he spent his summers in Ohio. After his marriage, he settled permanently at Warren, Ohio, where he was postmaster from 1801 to 1829, and was also special agent of the government in establishing local offices and treating with the Indians. Tn August, 1812, as brigadier general of militia, he took charge of the troops in Northern Ohio and marched to defend the northern frontier. At the close of the campaign in the following year, he was offered by President Madison a commission as colonel in the regular army, which military honor he declined on account of his many pressing business duties. In 1813 General Perkins organized the Western Reserve Bank and remained its president until 1836. He was a member of the Ohio Canal Fund Commission from 1826 until 1838. In 1825, in association with Paul Williams, he founded the village of Akron, and in 1831, in connection with Judge King and Dr. Crosby, that portion known as North Akron. He donated ground for public buildings, parks, schools and churches, and enriched in every possible way the young town where he enjoyed passing much of his spare time. He died at Warren November 6, 1844, aged 73 years, one month and nineteen days. On March 18, 1804, he married Nancy Bishop, who was born at Lisbon, Connecticut, January 24, 1780, and who died at Warren April 24, 1862, aged eighty-two years and three months. Among their children was Colonel Simon Perkins, now deceased, who for many years was a leading figure in the affairs of Akron. Colonel George Tod Perkins, president •of the P. F. Goodrich Company and the Akron Rubber Company, a sketch of whom may be found in this volume, is a grandson of General Perkins. GEORGE P. GRAFTON, a prominent farmer of Norton Township, who carries on a general line of agriculture, operates a milk route and also grows many berries for the market, is serving as clerk of the School Board of this township, with which body he has been connected a number of years. Mr. Grafton was born in Jefferson County, Ohio, December 10, 1858, and is a son of John D. and Sarah J. (Palmer) Grafton. The parents of Mr. Grafton still reside on their farm in Jefferson County, where he was reared. He obtained a good district school education, and was trained to be a careful and capable farmer. He continued to 328 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY live in Jefferson County for eight years following his marriage, moving then to Medina County, where he remained for almost a year. In. March, 1892, he bought his present farm in Norton Township, and here has been since engaged in farming, dairying ad fruit-growing. He devotes an acre to small fruit, finding a ready market for all he can produce. He grows many potatoes, raising only the best varieties and giving them scientific care. Mr. Grafton married Nora J. Swickard, who is a daughter of Daniel and Elizabeth (Zimmerman) Swickard, and who was born and reared in Jefferson County. They have had seven children, all surviving except Sidney, the sixth in order of birth, who died aged sixteen months. Those living are: Elvah, Lizzie, Clyde, Mabel, John and Ella. Mr. Grafton is a member of the First Lutheran Church at Barberton and is a member of the Church Council. For about two years he has been a member of the school board and several years before completed a service of four years. J. B. LOOKER, president of the Western Reserve Security Company, of Akron, is one .)f the city’s leading citizens, participating largely in its business and social life, and taking an interest in its development as well as in its good government. Mr. Looker was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1873, and was reared and educated in his native city. He came to Akron in 1897, for some eight years previously having been in the rectifying business. For five years he was in business at Akron as a representative of Fleischman & Company, of Cincinnati. and then opened a restaurant and was additionally interested in a five and ten cent store at Columbus. Prior to December, 1903, when Mr. Looker organized the Western Reserve Security and Loan Company, he had been engaged in a banking and loan business. He still operates two restaurant, one in Canton and another in Akron, they being the most select and high-class places of the kind in the respective cities. In 1893, Mr. Looker was married to Le Lake, of Chicago, and they have three children: Adelaide, Florence and Helene. Mr. Looker is a thirty-second Degree Mason, and belonging to the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Akron and to Lake Erie Consistory at Cleveland. Ile is also a member of the Masonic and the Akron Lunch clubs. GEORGE VIALL. Akron has a number of substantial citizens living in easy retirement after a long and useful business life, and among these is George Vial!, who was born in this city March 12: 1834, his parents being Thomas C. and Mahala (Atwood) Viall. The father of Mr. Viall came to Akron in 1824, where he built both a saw- and a woolen-mill, and besides operating them he invested in a large amount of farm property in Summit County. He died when his only child, George, was about two years of age. Mr. Viall completed his education in the schools of Akron, or old Middlebury, as that section of the city was then denominated, and was nineteen years old when he engaged in a grocery business at Old Forge. Two years later he purchased a boat and for three summers plied with it on the canal. After that he was for three years in the grocery business in Middlebury, and continued it for three more in the Tappan Block. He next engaged in the stoneware business, which occupied him for eight years, and afterwards he was in the 'general merchandise business for nine years in Middlebury. Mr. Viall was one of Middlebury,s most active business men for a long period, during a part of this time, in addition to the occupations above noted, being a representative of the United States Life Insurance Company, and also of the Cleveland Mutual Accident Insurance Company. For some years he was secretary and treasurer of the Middlebury Clay, Company, of which he was one of the incorporators. On August 24, 1857, Mr. Viall was married (first) to Maria Reepsumer, who died February 17, 1877. Of the three children AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 331 born to this union, the one survivor is Mrs. Frank Comstock, residing at Akron. Mr. Vaiall married for his second wife, December 7, 1887, Mrs. Jennie (Thompson) Sweeney, a daughter of Duncan Thompson. Mrs. Viall was born in 1849, at Edinburg, Scotland, and was but one year old when her parents came to America and settled at East Liverpool, Ohio. Nine years later they removed to Akron, where she was reared, being educated in the old Sixth Ward school. By her former marriage, Mrs. Viall had three children: May and George, both residing in Chicago, Illinois, and Frank, residing at Lisbon, Ohio, where he is engaged in a general mercantile business. Mr. Viall reared Edward F. Carl, from childhood, and the latter is connected with the M. O,Neil Company, of Akron. Mr. Viall has served in public offices in his native city, at different times, having ever been interested in public movements and anxious to promote the general welfare. For thirty years he has been identified with the Odd Fellows, and he belongs also to the Knights of Honor. He is a member of the Broad Street Church of Christ, which he served many years as a deacon, and as chairman of the board of trustees. Advancing years have caused him to resign these offices, but not to relax his interest in the work of the church, or to curtail his liberality toward it.. Mrs. Viall is an active member of the Ladies' Aid Society of this church. LEWIS MILLER. Few citizens of Akron, now passed off the scene of life, have more claims to remembrance than the late Lewis Miller, the genius who invented the Buckeye Mower and Reaper. He was born July 24, 1829, at Greentown, Stark County, Ohio, and his useful life closed February 28, 1899. Mr. Miller completed his education in the Academy at Plainfield, Will County, Illinois. From 1846 until 1851 he taught school during the winter seasons and worked as a plasterer in the summers. All the time he was studying out inventions, many of which have been since patented and put on the market. In 1851 he became a member of the firm of Ball, Aultman and Company, manufacturers of stoves, plows, threshers, and the old Hussey reaper. After the firm removed to Canton, Mr. Miller became superintendent of the plant. Then followed his invention of the Buckeye /Slower and Reaper, and in 1865 of the Buckeye Table Rake and still later, the self-binders. To his inventive genius, Akron and other manufacturing cities of Ohio owe a large part of their prosperity. In 1864 works were erected at Akron for the further enlargement of the business, under the firm name of Aultman, Miller and Company, Mr. Miller being the president and superintendent of the organizations with which his name was connected. His capital became invested in numerous other manufacturing plants, particularly at Akron and Canton, as well as in banks and other business organizations. He was a trustee of Mt. Union College, of Allegheny College and the Ohio Wesleyan University, and at Akron was connected prominently with educational work. Although a good citizen he was never a prominent politician, being too busily engaged otherwise, but at various times he consented to serve on the City -Council, and gave generously of his time to promote all civic measures of importance. Thousands each year enjoy the benefits of the Chautauqua Association, of which he was the originator and founder. Mr. Miller was united in marriage, September 6, 1852, to Mary V. Alexander, a native of Macoupin County, Illinois, who was born December 6, 1830. They were the parents of eleven children, of .whom eight are now living, namely: Ira, who resides in Akron; Edward, also of Akron ; Robert, postmaster of Porto Rico ; Lewis, residing at the family home in Akron ; Mina, wife of the distinguished inventor, Thomas A. Edison, of Llewellyn, New Jersey; Mary, who is single and resides at home; Grace, a teacher in a select school at Cleveland, and John B., who is associated with Mr. Edison in his scientific work. Those deceased 'are: Eva, who died just before reaching her sixteenth year; Jennie, who was the wife of Richard Marvin, who 332 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY is also deceased; Theodore, who was killed in Porto Rico during the Spanish-American war. WILLIAM J. EMERY, M. D., a well-known member of the medical fraternity at Akron, was born in 1860, near Lowell, Seneca County, Ohio, where he was reared and obtained his earlier education. Later he entered Buchtel College, where he was graduated Ph. B., in 1885. For two years following his graduation, Dr. Emery was in the office of Ferdinand Schumaker, and he then entered upon the study of medicine, subsequently becoming a student at the Western Reserve, where he was graduated M. D. in 1890. He immediately entered upon the practice of his profession at Akron, and has been fortunate in gaining the confidence and support of the public through his acknowledged professional ability, winning an excellent status both as a physician and surgeon. He has identified himself with the leading medical organizations—the Summit County, the Sixth Councillor District and the Ohio State Medical Societies. He has been city physician, and during 1891-2-3 he was physician to the County Infirmary. In 1894, Dr. Emery was married to Flora M. Stein, of Summit County. His business location is at No. 581 South Main Street. Fraternally, Dr. Emery is a Mason, a member of Adoniram Lodge, F. & A. M., and also of the Home Guards, He is identified religiously with Grace Reformed Church of Akron. DAVID C. SMITH, a representative citizen of Clinton, who does an extensive business in hardware, paints, implements, buggies and harness, was born on the home farm east of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, February 27, 1859, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Croft) Smith. John Adam Smith, the grandfather of David C., was a substantial citizen of his native town in Germany, where he was mayor and professor in the High School. He came to this country with his three children, of whom Lewis, the youngest, was three years old, and landed at Baltimore. Mr. Smith brought with him $7,000 in gold, which, in the few hours at night that were spent on the boat at the docks in Baltimore, was stolen from him, and he was compelled to begin all over again in the new country. Sustaining his great loss with fortitude, this sturdy emigrant settled for a short time in Pennsylvania, whence they came to the vicinity of Canton, Ohio, and located for a time on a farm. A small place was then purchased near' Canal Fulton, Ohio, where John Adam Smith spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the age of 89 years. In spite of his great pecuniary loss in early life, Mr. Smith had become a very successful man, and at the time of his death was rated one of the substantial men of his community. He had three children, Catherine, Elizabeth and Lewis. Lewis Smith, father of David C., being the only son of his parents, was compelled to spend his youth in hard labor on the home farms, and his period of schooling was limited to about eighteen months. After his marrige he lived for several years on a rented farm north of Canal Fulton, and then purchased eighty-one acres of fine land east of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, where he resided for about thirty-three years. He then bought a farm of 160 acres west of Clinton, where his death occurred twenty years later, when he was in his eighty-first year. Mr. Smith was married to Elizabeth Croft, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and who died at the age of fifty-seven. Of this union there are living five children : Adam, who lives on the home place in Franklin Township; William H., of Clinton, Ohio ; Jacob, who died in 1901; David C. and Mary E. Ruck, residing at Canal Fulton. After the death of his first wife, Lewis Smith was married to Louisa Fritz, who died in 1903, there being no children of the second union. David C. Smith was reared on the home farm, attending the district schools, and when about nineteen years of age engaged in a threshing business with his brothers, which AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 333 was continued for about ten years, with much success. At the end of this time Mr. Smith engaged in a hard lumber business on a large scale, but after conducting it for twelve years he sold out his interests therein, and on October 22, 1903, he purchased the stand of N. N. Housman and Company, and since that time has been engaged in the sale of hardware, paints, implements, buggies and harness, of which he carries a full line, his sons, Clarence D. and Thurman C. being interested in the business with him. With much business ability, Mr. Smith also combines a pleasing manner, which wins both business and personal friends. On October 11, 1883, Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Mary E. Huber, who is a daughter of Phillip Huber, and to this union there have been born eight children, nainely: Dora, who married C. W. McLaughlin, assistant cashier of the Fulton Bank; Clarence D., Thurman T., Carrie, Ruth, Lewis, Miriam and Amelia. Mr. Smith is a Republican in his political views, but he takes only a good citizen's interest in public matters. Fraternally he is connected with the Knights of the Maccabees and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran Church, in which he is deacon. K. H. HAYS, secretary of the Akron Cultivator Company, with which enterprise he has been identified since 1890, was barn at Manchester, Ohio, in 1862, and is a member of an old and representative family of that section. After leaving the Manchester schools, he entered the Ohio Northern University, and later attended Oberlin College, following which he taught school for eight years. He then came to Akron and entered the office of the Akron Cultivator Company, of which for the past eight years he has been secres tary. He has proved the affirmative in his own case of the much discussed question as to whether a college man makes a good business man. In 1888, Mr. Hays was married to Frances Everhard, who died in 1903, leaving one daughter, Marguerite. He was married (second) in 1906 to Lena Wilson, a native of Akron. Mr. Hays is a member of the First Church of Christ, and is one of its board of elders. Fraternally, he is connected with the order of Maccabees. HARVEY S. FIRESTONE, president of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, of Akron, was the founder of this important business organization, and its great success is mainly due to his own energy and business capacity. He was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1868, where he was reared and educated. Mr. Firestone has been actively identified with business since early manhood, first engaging as a coal merchant at Columbus for one year, and then becoming associated with the Columbus Buggy Company, at Detroit, Michigan. In 1895 he drove a buggy equipped with the first rubber tire made by the company, and was so impressed with its superior qualities that he decided to embark in the manufacture of these tires if he could create a public demand for them. He turned out a fine quality of rubber tires, manufacturing them at Akron, and demonstrated their value at Chicago, and the encouragement thus received determined him to go into the business on a large scale. He therefore organized the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, which has been increased to $500,000. The officers of the company are: H. S. Firestone, president and general manager; Will Christy, vice president; L. E. Sisler, treasurer; S. G. Carkhuff, secretary, and F. R. Talbott, assistant treasurer, with R. J. Firestone as sales manager. The business has grown to immense proportions, giving employment to 300 workmen. In 1895 Mr. Firestone was married to Ida Belle Smith, of Jackson, Michigan, and they have three sons: Harvey S. Jr., Russell Allen and Leonard Kimball. Mr. and Mrs. Firestone are members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Mr. Firestone has a wide busi- 334 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY ness and social acquaintance and belongs to the Portage Country Club and to the Chicago Athletic Club. ALBERT G. MALLISON, who was one of the early settlers and first surveyors of Summit County, coming here in the capacity of a civil engineer during the construction of the Ohio Canal, was born in 1797, at Groton, Connecticut, and died at Akron, February 26, 1879, aged almost eighty-two years. When he was eleven years of age his parents, Amos and Clarissa (Newton) Mallison, moved to Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and thence, in 1832, to Akron, settling on a farm that is now Wooster avenue, one of the choice residence districts of Akron. Land then acquired by Albert G. Mallison and his brother, Amos, is still owned by his descendants. Mr. Mallison was given good educational advantages and also learned surveying, and his ability in this direction was recognized by the officials who had in charge till?, construction of the State line between Massachusetts and New York, the surveying being given to the young surveyor. After locating in Akron Mr. Mallison surveyed and platted a large part of the northern section of the city for Dr. Crosby, Mr. King and others, and in many of the old deeds of conveyance his name appears. He continued to be a prominent and useful citizen for many years, and his memory is kept garden along with that of the other pioneer builders of Akron. On June 22, 1843, Mr. Mallison married Cornelia G. Washburn, of Akron. Their family consisted of three children: Eveline, who married Horace G. Moon, residing at Akron; Albert H., who is vice president of the Depositors' Savings Bank at Akron; and Amos, who died in 1883. Mrs. Mallison, the mother, .died December 8, 1875. PETER M. FRASE, one of Clinton's most substantial citizens, who is treasurer and cashier of the Clinton Savings Bank, is well known in banking circles throughout Summit County. Mr. Prase was born on his father's farm in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, on the Summit County line, July 24, 1859, and is a son of John and Ann (Etling) Frase. John Frase, the grandfather of Peter M., was an emigrant in the early days from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and owned the land where was opened the first coal mine in that section of Wayne County, the old Chippewa mine. His son, John, who was a native of Wayne County, remained there all his life, engaged in 'agricultural pursuits, and died in 1892, at the age of seventy-two years. Mr. Frase married Ann Etling, also a native of Wayne County, Ohio, who died in 1905, aged about seventy-seven years. To Mr. and Mrs. Frase were born eight children: Noah, who resides in Franklin Township, Summit County; Catherine, who married William Deckerhoof; William, Peter Madison, John. W., Mary, who married Charles Applinger; Emma, who married Henry Slee, of Franklin Township, and Ida, who married C. Albrecht of Akron. Peter M. Frase attended the district schools of his native locality, and grew up on his father's farm until his marriage, when he started to operate his father-in-law's farm, where he continued for four years. He then came to Clinton, where he opened a general store with Henry Serfass, this partnershi continuing for about eight years. Then Mr. Serfass sold his interests to C. S. Spangler, who was Mr. Frase's partner until June, 1893, when Mr. Prase retired from the firm. He then began to organize the bank, whit was established in 1903 with a capital stock of $25,000, and the following officers: E. R. Hill, of Akron, president; Martin Limbach, of Clinton, vice president; P. M. Prase, treasurer and cashier, and Fred Deutsch, secretary. Mr. Prase was also one of the organizers of the Clinton Bell Telephone Com pany and is a stockholder in the Clinton Milling Company. In November, 1883, Mr. Frase was married to Ella A. Serfass, daughter of Lawrence and Lydia Serfass, of Franklin Township, Summit County, and four children have been born to this union, namely: Earl B. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 335 who married Tura B. Spark ; John, Mildred and Drummond. Mr. Frase is a Democrat in politics, and for four years served as township clerk. He is a charter member of the Knights of the Maccabees of Clinton. Mr. Frase, with his family, attends the Lutheran Church. H. G. BRANDAU, vice president of the Ornamental Iron Work Company, of Akron, was born in 1876, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated and gained his first knowledge along the lines of his present business, in boyhood entering an iron and wire factory in his native city. Working at his trade, Mt. Brandau visited different sections of the country, reaching Akron in 1899, where he entered the employ of the Burger Iron Company. Here he met Frederick Zindel, like tastes and similar employment bringing about a business association which resulted in the organization of the Ornamental Iron Works Company in February, 1906. This successful business enterprise was incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000, the officers being Fred Zindel, president; H. G. Brandau, vice-president, and W. A. Boesche, secretary and treasurer. All the officers are young, enterprising, capable and practical men. The business of the company is the manufacturing of all kinds of ornamental iron and wire goods. In 1902 Mr. Brandau was married to Pauline Zindel, and they have one child, Lillian. WILLIAM BARNETT, general contractor, senior member of the contracting firm of Barnett & O'Marr, has been a resident of Akron since 1871. He was born in April, 1846, at Exeter, England, where he was reared, and where he served his apprenticeship to the brick and stone mason's trade. Shortly after coming to Akron, Mr. Barnett began to (work on the Schumacher house, in the same summer assisted in the building of Buchtel College, and within three years after locating in this city, began contracting. His first contract was the building he erected on the corner of Akron and Chestnut Streets, and later he built the Market House, on the corner of Howard and Cherry Streets, Mr. Whitelaw's Temple of Fashion on Howard Street, and many more of the substantial buildings which line that busy thoroughfare. Mr. Barnett is also a member of the firm of Gardincr & Barnett, paving contractors, which firm paved Main Street from Buchtel Avenue to Tallmadge Street, Prospect Street to Perkins Street, and Union Street from Blurt to Buchtel Avenues. Mr. Barnett has also done a large amount of paving in neighboring towns, and has a reputation for business integrity second to none in this city. Mr. Barnett was married in England to Lucy Stankum, and they have five children, namely: Emma, who married George Conger, residing at Akron ; Charlotte, who married Frederick Dodge, also a resident at Akron ; Alice, who married Carl Colby, residing at Passaic, New Jersey; Jeannette, who married A. Sadler, and lives in Akron, and Louise, who married William Curtin, also living in Akron. With his family, Mr. Barnett belongs to the Episcopal Church. Mr. Barnett is in sympathy with labor organizations and helped to organize the first bricklayers' Union at Akron. For eight years he was treasurer of this body, and as their delegate voted for the first nine-hour system, at their convention. Until eleven years ago, when he suffered from partial paralysis, he was a noted athlete and he formerly gave instruction in boxing. Since being incapacitated he has received $3,000 from the disability fund of the order of Maccabees, of which he has long been a member. He has twice visited Europe since locating at Akron, and is a man whose ideas have been broadened through travel and mingling with men of all classes. He is recognized as one of Akron's best citizens. HENRY FREDERICK, whose valuable farm of 200 acres, situated in Portage Township, has been in his possession since June, 1867, has developed this property into its present high state of cultivation from a tract of native timber. He was born at Doyles- 336 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY town, Wayne County, Ohio, March 20, 1834, and is a son of Jacob and Margaret (Rasor) Frederick. Jacob Frederick was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and accompanied his father, Thomas Frederick, in boyhood to Columbiana County, Ohio. When he was fourteen years old, the family made another, change, removing to Wayne County, Ohio, where Thomas Frederick bought a half section of land, which included the present site of Doylestown. At that village Jacob Frederick was married to Margaret Rasor, who was a daughter of Christopher Rasor, who came from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, to Summit County when Margaret was a child, and she was reared at Wadsworth. In November, 1842, Jacob Frederick bought a farm in Copley Township, on which his son, Henry, was reared, and where both the parents died. They were good, Christian people, who led a peaceful life and did their full duty to their neighbor. Henry Frederick, in his boyhood, attended the district schools in Wayne County, and later in Copley Township, and assisted his father on the home farm until he married, in 1858. He -then rented in Copley Township a. farm which was then owned by John C. Stearns, and which is now occupied by William Waggoner. After residing there for three years, he moved to a seventy-eight-acre farm north of the White Elephant Church, in Copley, renting it for eighteen months and then buying it. Mr. Frederick lived on that farm for eighteen months and then sold it and moved to Clark's Mills for a residence of six months, after which he lived for a year on a rented farm of 240 acres. About this time Mr. Frederick, together with Royal Brockway, bought the place on which he now resides, the whole tract containing 546 acres. This enterprise was entered into in May, 1867, and in the following fall, the partners divided their land, Mr. Frederick keeping 235 acres, with the improvements. Since then he has bought thirty acres of the Brockway part on the west side, and seventy-one acres of the Sherbondy plat, selling a portion of his land in 1904. He has devoted his attention to general farming and dairying. During his first five or six years on this land, he was engaged in a lumber business to a large extent, but since then has paid attention exclusively to raising large crops and to operating his first-class dairy, keeping twenty-six head of cows. On May 20, 1858, Mr. Frederick was married to Ellen Viers, who was reared in Norton Township, Summit County, and who is a daughter of James McClintock Viers. Mr. and Mrs. Frederick have three children, namely: Charlotte, residing at home; James Mcflenry, who is a graduate of Amherst College, and resides at Lakewood, where he is superintendent of the schools, and Ulysses Grant, who is secretary of the U. G. Frederick Lumber Company, of which his father is president. Mr. Frederick has long been prominent in township and 'county affairs. From 1876 until 1882 he served as a member of the County Board of infirmary directors; he has frequently been township trustee and a member of the School Board, and in 1889 he was elected county commissioner. He is a member of the First Church of. Christ and has served for years on its Board of Trustees. R. E. ARMSTRONG, secretary and treasurer of the L. W. Camp Company, 'manufacturers of all kinds, of tile, at Akron, has been a resident of this city for the past dee: ade. He was born at Kent, Portage County, Ohio, and is a son of the late William Armstrong. He was reared and educated in his native place, and after leaving school learned the printer's trade. For about seven years he was in the employ of the Werner Company, at Akron, and later was with the II. B. Camp Company, manufacturers of tile, for several years. When the L. W. Camp Company in the same line, was organized, in 1902, he became its secretary and treasurer, and has continued as such ever since. He is also secretary in the Akron Fireproofing Company, vice president of the Colonial Sign & Insulator Company, and vice president of AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 339 the Factory Oil Company. Ile is a man of system, having an easy grasp of business, and performs the duties attendant upon his responsible position with ready efficiency. 1900 Mr. Armstrong was married to Grace Camp, daughter of H. B. Camp. He has two children: Dorothy and Alice. CAPT. GEORGE BILLOW, president of the Akron Masonic Temple Company, has been established since 1875 in an undertaking business at Akron, which is now conducted under the firm style of Billow & Sons. He was born in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, April 2, 1833, and accompanied his parents to the United States in 1844. He was reared to the age of sixteen years on his father's farm near Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio, and then learned the trade of wagon and carriage making, which he followed at Talhnadge and Akron until July, 1862, when he enlisted for service in the Civil war. From a private in the ranks of Company I, 107th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he was regularly promoted, for efficient service and soldierly qualities, to the' captaincy of the company, and did duty as brigade and post commissary . at Fernandina, Florida, and as local provost marshal at Jacksonville. He received his discharge at Charlestown, South. Carolina, July 10, 1865, and was mustered out of the service at Cleveland, Ohio, July 26th, following. After the honorable termination of his military service, Captain BilloW returned to Ak. ron, where he was engaged in a grocery business for sonic two years. Later ho: took charge of another grocery enterprise, subsequently going on the road as traveling salesman for about eighteen months in the interests of a stoneware house.. About this time lie was led to make investments in Alabama which proved unprofitable. He returned in April, '1.875, to Akron, where shortly afterward he engaged in the undertaking business, subsequently' admitting his sons to partnership. In connection with the mortuary department, an ambulance and invalid carriage service is also conducted. The firm's place of business is located at the corner of Mill and Ash Streets. Captain Billow is a well-known and very highly regarded citizen. On September 19, 1854, Captain Billow was married to Mary Fink, of Akron, and they have had eight children, namely : Anna, George W., Charles Fernando, Ida, Albert C., Jacob L., Edwin M., and Claire. The family home is located at No. 110 Beck avenue. For his services in behalf of Masonry, Captain Billow has been honored with the 33d degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also an Odd Fellow. FRED ZINDEL, president of the Ornamental Iron Work Company, of Akron, has boon a resident of this city for eighteen years, and during this time has been connected with a number of its great manufacturing enterprises. Although a comparatively young man, Mr. Zindel has reached a prominent position in the city's commercial life and stands high in his special line of work. He was born in 1876, in Austria and was twelve years of age when he came. to America and located at Akron. Mr, Zindel's first industrial connection was with the Diamond Match- Company, with which organization be remained for five years, during this period_ being placed in charge of different departments successively and acquiring- an excellent knowledge of the business. From the Diamond Match Company he went to the Burger Iron Company, where he was employed 'for eleven years. Here, even before he had completed his apprenticeship, he was made foreman and continued in that responsible position until he severed his relations with that concern. With this much experience behind him, Mr. Zindel decided to go into business for himself, and in February. 1906, he organized the Ornamental Iron Work Company at Akron. It was incorporated with a capital stock of $10,000, with Fred Zindel as president; H. G. Brendan, vice president; W. A. Boesehe as secretary and treasurer. The company is engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of 340 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY ornamental iron and wire work. The success which has been achieved by these young men in their enterprise is proof both of their ability and of the fact that the business field was open to just such a concern at the time they launched it. In 1898 Mr. Zindel was married to Lizzie Weirath, of Akron, and they have one child, Edna. SOLOMON KOPLIN, one of Portage Township's best-known and most highly esteemed residents, resides on his valuable farm of sixty-nine acres, which is situated on the Merriman road, one-half mile northwest of Akron. He was born at Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio, March 3, 1828, and is a son of Christian and Magdalena (Baughman) Koplin. Christian Koplin accompanied his father, Mathias Koplin, from Maryland, and they settled on a farm in Chippewa Township, Wayne County. The Koplins were very early settlers there, and on that farm the grandfather died. Christian Koplin remained there until after his marriage to Magdalena Baughman, who was born in Pennsylvania, and who was a daughter of Lorentz Baughman, an early settler in Medina County. After his marriage, Christian Koplin moved to Wadsworth Township, Medina County, where he bought a farm, but he died in the following year, when only thirty-three years of age. He left his widow with three children, namely: Solomon, sub- ject of this sketch; David, who resides in Florida, aged seventy-seven years, and Anna Maria, who is the widow of Nicholas Edick and resides in New Mexico. The father's death left the little family badly off. They secured but $100 from the farm, but Mrs. Koplin purchased five acres of land, and she had learned the weaver's trade, so her efforts supported the family until the sons were able to assist. The little log cabin home was never without bread. She was a woman of great capacity and well deserved the gratitude of her children. When he was eighteen years of age, Solomon Koplin left home to learn wagon-mak ing, his brother leaving about the same time to learn the tanning business. During the first year, Solomon received seven dollars a month, and he was thus able to relieve his mother of his support, purchase good clothes and to show a balance of $44 at the end of the year. On September 7, 1850, he wa married to Sarah Miller, who is a daughter of George Miller, who owned 237 acres of land in Summit County. The Miller and Koplin families came to Portage Township together, and together they farmed this large tract of land. For two years after marriage Mr. Koplin and wife lived at Wadsworth, but in 1853 they came to their present farm, which was a part of the Miller property. George Miller later bought the interest of the heirs of his father, Jacob Miller, in the farm in Medina County of 114 acres. Solomon Koplin then moved to Wadsworth and lived on that farm for twenty-one years, but in 1866, Mr. Koplin returned to the farm in Portage Township, and in the year following was elected a justice of the peace, in which office he served for fourteen years. The large residence which formerly stood on this farm, was destroyed by fire in 1902, and was replaced by the present comfortable and commodious house. Mr. Koplin is no longer active in farm work, having delegated duties of that kind to younger hands. He continues, however, to be interested in all that goes on, and important matters are usually referred to his judgment.. Mr. and Mrs. Koplin have had the following children: Editha, who died aged two years and nine months:, Mary, who was the wife of William Shays, and died at the age of thirty-seven years; Charles M., who married Catherine Wolf, and resided in Akron, is the active farmer on the homestead, and by a former marriage has one child, Claude R., residing in Wyoming; George A., who married Hattie Miller, has one daughter, Mrs. Beulah Johnson, wife of Dr. Robert L. Johnson, residing at Wadsworth ; Rolland Forrest, residing on the home farm and assisting in its management, married Sarah Jackson, and has two children, Forrest and Wade; Homer AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 341 S., residing on Portage Path, married Clara Bailey; Walter S., employed in the rubber works at Akron, resides at home; and a son who died in infancy. Mr. and Mrs. Koplin have one great-grandchild, Charlotte, the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Johnson. Mr. Koplin is one of the oldest Masons in Summit County, and belongs to the first Masonic lodge established in Akron. Both he and wife are valued members of Grace Reformed Church. They have a wide circle of friends to whom they delight to offer the hospitality of their home. WILLIAM P. McFARLAND, florist, whose greenhouses are at No. 491 Wooster Avenue, Akron, is a thoroughly experienced man in this business, having devoted his attention to it since he was a boy of nineteen years. He was born in Greene County, Ohio, in 1830, and when a lad of thirteen set out from home to make his way unaided in the world. During his boyhood he had few educational opportunities, but he made the most of those he had, and worked for his own support. He had a natural taste for floriculture, and at nineteen years of age he entered the florist's establishment of C. A. Reeser, of Springfield, with whom he remained for nine years. Thence be went to a florist at Youngstown, with whom he remained for several years, and he later worked at the business art Erie, Pennsylvania; for one year. In 1896 Mr. McFarland came to Akron, and after working for some time with two different florists' here, he embarked in the business for himself, securing his present location at No. 491 Wooster Avenue. Here he has a finely-equipped plant, with about 7,000 square feet under glass. He does a very large business in cut flowers, and in his cooling department keeps on hand rare blooms at all seasons, to supply festive occasions or funeral demands. In 1899 Mr. McFarland was married to Mrs. G. B. Kendall, of Akron. Lewis C. McFarland, son of Mr. McFarland, was born October 15, 1887, has been educated in the business with his father and expects to succeed hint. Politically, he is a Republican, and always takes an active interest in local matters. For five years he has been a member of the precinct election board. Fraternally he is a Mason, a Woodman, a Mecca bee and a Knight of Pythias, in the latter organization being a member of the board of directors. He is also a member of the Protected Home Circle. W. A. BOESCHE, secretary and treasurer of the Ornamental Iron Work Company, of Akron, has been a resident of this city. since he was nineteen years of age. He was born in 1883, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was educated and had his first practical business experience. After leaving school Mr. Boesche became identified with newspaper work and for several years was connected in a reportorial 'capacity with the Cincinnati Enquirer. He then came to Akron, seeking a wider field of effort, and became connected with the B. F. Goodrich Company, with which he continued for three years. In February, 1906, when the Ornamental Iron Work Company was organized and incorporated at Akron, he became interested therein and was offered and accepted the position of secretary and treasurer of the company. The enterprise has proved very successful, and its prospects indicate that in the near future its facilities will have to be enlarged to keep up with the increasing demand for the conipany's product. The president and vice president of this company, Frederick Zindel and H. G. Brendan, are both practical and experienced men in the iron business. The output of the works include all kinds of ornamental iron-and wire-work. Mr. Boesche is a Knight Templar Mason and he belongs to the Masonic Club. WILLIAM H. SMITH, a leading contractor and lumber dealer of Clinton, and one of the substantial business men of the locality, was born at the home farm east of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, 342 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY Ohio, March 17, 1854, and is a son of Lewis and Elizabeth (Croft) Smith. John Adam Smith, the grandfather of William H., was a substantial citizen of his native town in Germany, where he was mayor and also professor in the High School. He came to this country with his three children, of whom Lewis, the youngest, was three years old, landing at Baltimore. Mr. Smith brought with him $7,000 in gold, which, in the few hours at night that were spent on the boat at the docks in Baltimore, was stolen from him, and he was compelled to begin all over again in the new country. Sustaining this misfortune with a brave heart, this sturdy emigrant settled for a short time in Pennsylvania, whence he came to the vicinity of Canton, Ohio, and located for a time on a farm. A small place was then purchased near Canal Fulton, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the age of eighty-nine years. In spite of his great loss in early life, Mr. Smith had become a very successful man, and at the time of his death was rated one of the substantial men of his community. He had three children: Catherine, Elizabeth and Lewis. Lewis Smith, father of William H., being the only son of his parents, was compelled to spend his youth in hard labor on the home farms, and his schooling was very limited, lasting in all about eighteen months. After his marriage he lived for several years on a rented farm north of Canal Fulton. He then purchased eighty-one acres of fine land east of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, where he resided for about thirty-three years. His next and last purchase was a farm of 160 acres west of Clinton, where his death occurred after twenty years; when he was in his eighty-first year. His wife, Elizabeth Croft Smith, was born in Stark County, Ohio, and died at the age of fifty-seven years. To them were born eight children: Adam, who lives on the home place in Franklin Township; William H., whose name beginS this sketch; Jacob, who died in 1901; David C., of Clinton, Ohio, and four who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Lewis Smith was married to Louisa Fritz, who died in 1903; there were no children of this second union. William H. Smith secured his education in district school No. 8, in his native township, and was reared on his father's farm, where he remained until his marriage, in 1881. In that year he removed to Clinton, and for a number of years was engaged in the hardwood lumber business with his brother, David C. In 1889 they opened a planing-mill, which Mr. Smith has operated ever since, having purchased his brother's interests therein about six months after entering into business. He also engages in all kinds of contracting and building, and has various other business interests which include a directorship in the Clinton Savings Bank and the Franklin Industrial Company of Warwick. Mr. Smith's fine home, a frame residence of fourteen rooms, was erected by him in 1901. On November 31, 1881, Mr. Smith was married to Annie Mueller, who is a daughter of Peter and Mary Mueller, and three children have been born to this union, namely: Elsie, Jessie, who married Archie Dunmead, and resides at Barberton, Ohio, and Effie. In political matters Mr. Smith is a Republican; and he has always taken an interest in the success of his party, although he has never cared for public office. He belongs fraternally to the Knights of the Maccabees. He attends the Lutheran Church, in which he is an elder, and to which his family also belongs. C. C. WARNER, a member of the Board of Public Safety, at Akron, is one of the city's prominent men, who has been identified with its business, political and social interests for a long course of years. Mr. Warner was born in 1860, in Germany, and is a son of the late Frederick Warner. C. C. Warner was about ten years of age when he came to Akron, and here he was reared and educated. He left school to enter the employ of the E. H. Merrill Company, AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 343 with whom he remained for twenty-three years, going then to the Robinson Clay Product Company, where he stayed four years. Since then Mr. Warner has been connected with the Akron Gas Company. He owns a considerable amount of real estate, and a large part of his time is taken up in looking after these interests. For many years he has been more or less prominent in Democratic politics and has served a number of times as a member of the City Council, showing the careful interest in civic affairs that betokens the good citizen. He served two years-also as a trustee of Portage Township, and three years as a member of the Board of Public Safety, and is the Democratic nominee for the Board of Public Service. In 1890 Mr. Warner was married to Louise Knapp, of Massillon, Ohio. His home is a beautiful residence at No. 373 Wooster Avenue. Mr. Warner is a member of the Akron lodge of Odd Fellows, of which he has been treasurer for eight years, and he belongs also to several of the leading German benevolent societies. G. F. KASCH, president of The Portage Park Land Company, of Akron, was born in 1867, in Germany, but accompanied his father, William Kasch, and his mother, Ernestine Kasch, to this city in childhood, where he was reared and educated. With his father, he learned the tiriner's trade, and was only eighteen years of age when he went into the roofing business on his own account. In 1890, when the subject of this sketch was twenty-two years of age, the firm of Kasch Brothers (Roofers) was organized, its members being F. C. Kasch and G. F. Kasch, and the latter remained a member until 1893, when he 'disposed of his interest and went into real estate. This firm was afterward organized as The Kasch Roofing Company, and so continues until the present time. Until 1900 Mr. Kasch operated independently, handling only his own property, buying land, and platting and improving the same. During this period he platted two allotments in the Cobb farm on West Hill—one on West Market Street at the intersection of Portage Path Road, and Kasoh's Glenwood Allotment on the north side of the city. In 1900, with Will Christy and J. R. Nutt, two prominent local capitalists, he organized the Wet Hill Land Company, which was incorporated for $75,000. They received from the commissioners of Summit County fifty-five acres of land of the Summit County Infirmary farm, on West Hill (which land lays between West Market and West Exchange Streets), in exchange for 122% acres of other land lying west of the present County Infirmary and immediately adjoining the County Farm. The fifty-five acres obtained by The West Hill Land Company was all the land the county owned lying between the Infirmary and the city, the greater portion of it lay within the city limits. In 1900 and in 1902 the remaining portion was annexed to the city. The West Hill Land Company has opened up this fine property, making it the choicest residence section of the city, providing it with every city improvement. A number of the avenues in this allotment were named for some of Akron's most distinguished citizens, among them being Senator Charles Dick (Dick Avenue), former Congressman David R. Paige (Paige Avenue), former Mayor Richard P. Marvin (Marvin Avenue), and H. C. Corson, philanthropist, (Corson Avenue). The removal of this beautiful allotment far from Akron's industrial plants, for which this city is world famous, insures the absence of all smoke in that section, and the phrase, "West-of-the-Smoke," which Mr. Kasch originated, tells the story of its greatest advantage for home purposes. Mr. Kasch and his associates have shown great public spirit and deserve the thanks of all Akron for the gift of three beautiful parks, namely: Christy Park, Portage Park (consisting of three 'and one-half acres), and Watershed Park. The latter is situated on the watershed of Ohio from which the Water is deflected to Lake Erie and the Gulf of 344 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY Mexico. The company has spent a large amount in beautifying these parks, entirely free of any expense to the city. While prominently connected with The West Hill Land Company, Mr. Kasch has been busy in other realty enterprises. He opened up the Rubber Works Allotment at the corner of East Exchange and Fountain Streets, located midway between the great rubber manufacturing plants of the city. He is also at the present time opening The Kasch-Viall Allotment at the intersection of Beaver and Gage Streets, near the industrial section of the city. In September, 1906, Mr. Christy, Mr. Nutt and Mr. Kasch divided their interest in the West Hill Land Company, Mr. Kasch taking over one-half of the West Hill property. He then incorporated the Portage Park Land Company, taking its name from the Allotment, "Portage Park," with a capital stock of $50,000. The following are the officers: G. F. Kasch, president and treasurer; Charles F. Wallraff, vice president, and W. H. Kasch,. secretary. On this property valuable improvements have recently been made, including the paving and introduction of sewer and water pipes and concrete sidewalks the entire length of Marvin Avenue. This avenue has the unique distinction of lying right along "The Watershed" ridge of Ohio, with a mean elevation of 1,130 feet above sea-level. The view of the surrounding country from this avenue is superb, as from the roofs of the residences located thereon, every township in Summit County, except Green, is visible to the naked eye. The lots here offered for sale have all city improvement, and at a price that has formerly been asked for lots without any improvements. The advantages for acquiring a comfortable home in pleasant surroundings at such prices has never been before equalled and there are many satisfied householders who are under many obligations to Mr. Kasch and his associates for their enterprise. He has devoted the last fourteen years to this line of business and has done much to develop and improve the west end of the city. His time has been entirely taken up with his own projects and he has never engaged in real estate brokerage. The Indian monument standing on West Market Street was erected by him on July 4, 1905, to commemorate the spot where the old Indian trail crossed the watershed, in the days when the Connecticut Yankees first came into The Western Reserve. The above date is exactly a century since the United States commissioners met the representatives of all the Indian tribes then living between the Portage Path and the Mississippi River, at Toledo, and purchased from them for $20,000 their rights in this immense tract of land. The title of the United States to this vast domain then became perfect, and purchasers of land at Portage Park, west of the Portage Path, have the assurance that they not only have a good legal title to their land, but a perfect moral title as well. This cannot be said of the land lying east of The Portage Path, as the Indians were driven west by the settlers, and they made their last stand at the line formed by The Cuyahoga River, the Portage Path and The Tuscarawas River. In 1895 Mr. Kasch was married to Miss Augusta Wallraff, a lady who was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Akron. They have one son, Allan Wallraff Kasch. Mr. Kasch is a member of the Arlington Street, or "Old Forge" Congregational Church, and for sixteen years has been identified with its Sunday School, during the mo t of this time being the superintendent. He is a man of great energy and remarkable business foresight, and these qualities, combined with the virtues of honesty and personal integrity, have contributed to his business success. He is one of Akron's first advocates of political independence in local affairs, and does not hesitate to urge the election of men for office whom he believes best fitted for the positions, regardless of his personal feelings or party lines. CHARLES H. LAHR, auditor of the Northern Ohio 'fraction and Light Company, Akron, has been identified with the railroad AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 347 interests of this city throughout almost the entire period of his business career. He was born at Norton Center, Summit County, Ohio, in 1873, and is a son of William H. Lahr. William H. Lahr was born at Norton Center in 185.0 and for a number of years was a leading farmer of Norton township, where he now lives retired. His father, John Lahr, was one of the early settlers of the township and the family has always been one of more or less prominence in this section. Charles H. Lahr was reared on his father's farm and after completing the High School course at Norton Center, came to Akron, entering the office of the J. F. Seiberling Company, where he remained a short time. He then entered the employ of the Akron Street Railroad Company, from 1892 until Janu.ary 1, 1907, serving as cashier of that corporation. At the date last mentioned he became auditor of the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company, in which he is a stockholder. In April, 1900, Mr. Lahr was married to Elizabeth May Seeger, who is a daughter of Jacob Seeger, of Akron. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Lahr is affiliated fraternally with the Elks. HARVEY BALDWIN, president of the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company at Akron, for many years was one of the city's most active business men, and is identified still with a number of its leading enterprises, although he has been retired from active participation in business life for fully twenty-five years. Mr. Baldwin was born August 29, 1822, at Goshen, Connecticut, and is a member of a family which has been one of importance there since the time of the early settlements. He is a son of Erastus and Lucretia (Austin) Baldwin. In 1844 Mr. Baldwin came to Ohio, locating first at Hudson, and in 1857 at Middlebury, where he engaged in the match business and the manufacture of stoneware. He later entered into the sewer pipe industry, with which he has been identified ever since. He is a director in the Permanent Savings and Loan Association, of which his brother, the late Joseph A. Baldwin, was president, and is also on the directing board of the Central Savings and Trust Company. In 1855 Mr. Baldwin was married (first) to Cordelia Mather, who died soon after. In 1859 he was married (second) to Margaret L. Hawn. By the first marriage he had one daughter, Delia Louisa, who is the wife of George W. Ruckel, of Akron. Mr. Baldwin resides in a handsome mansion at No. 797 East Market Street. Under appointment from Governor David Tod, Mr. Baldwin served for seven years as a justice of the peace, and he was also for some time clerk of the Board of Infirmary Directors. He has been a resident of Akron since 1857, and is one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. An ample fortune and plenty of leisure have served to broaden his life, and he has taken advantage of many opportunities to advance the moral and material interests of the city. He has been Fellows with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than a half century. JOHN F. MILLER, a general farmer, residing on his valuable farm of forty-eight acres in Portage Township, was born at Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio, July 29, 1844, and is a son of George and Rebecca (Baughman) Miller. Jacob Miller, the grandfather of John F., was one of the earliest settlers in Medina County, locating at Wadsworth in 1816, and purchasing a farm one mile east of the village. In journeying from Pennsylvania, Mr. Miller and family passed through Middlebury, then the infant Akron. They stayed for one year at Canfield, Mahoning County, before pursuing their journey farther west. Jacob Miller, anxious to secure good land, examined its quality in several sections before purchasing. He was offered a farm for $3 per acre, which is now in the very heart of Akron, on the site of the Perkins public school. He was not satisfied, however, and went on to Medina County, where he invested his money. The maternal grandfather of 348 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY John F. Miller came also from Pennsylvania, locating between Wadsworth and Doylestown. George Miller was born in Pennsylvania, and was a boy when his parents came to Ohio. His older brother, John Miller, went into partnership with John Pardee, in a mercantile business at Wadsworth, which was one of the earliest enterprises there, and when the brother died, George assumed his interests and continued in partnership with Mr. Pardee for some time. A few years later he bought a farm on Silver Creek, near Wadsworth, on which he lived for a few years, selling it at a later date. In 1853 he bought 240 acres, and on a part of this property John F. Miller now lives. George Miller carried on farming and stockraising on this land quite extensively. In 1856 he built the substantial stone house which is still standing. He was a very just man, and divided his land so that all his children were provided for. He made three farms of the 240 acres he owned in Portage Township, and the old Miller homestead in Wadsworth Township he left to the heirs of his daughter, Mrs. Springer. There he died, four days after his 80th birthday. George Miller married Rebecca Baughman and they had four children : Sarah, Paul, Martha and John F. Sarah, residing in Portage Township, married Solomon Koplin. Paul has been a resident of California since 1860. Martha, now deceased, was married, first to Dr. F. F. Falk, who died at Western Star, aged twenty-eight years. She married, second, Frank Springer. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1868 on the home farm. John F. Miller was eight years old when his parents came to Portage Township, and, although he has spent some time away from here, on various occasions, this has always remained his home residence. For two years in early manhood he followed railroading and mountain teaming along the Pacific coast, but for many years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on his fine property here. This land is well improved, and its value may be estimated from the fact that Mr. Miller recently sold twelve acres of it, for which he received $1,000 per acre, the purchaser being W. B. Miller, of Akron. Mr. Miller also owns another farm of sixty-four acres in Medina County, Ohio. In October, 1868, Mr. Miller was married (first) to Charity Brouse, who died in February, 1892. They had four children: Elton Harry, Paul and Laura, of whom Laura died when aged fourteen months. Elton Miller, who resided on the farm in Wadsworth township, which is owned by his father and sons, was accidentally killed there September 13, 1906, by an accidental explosion of the steam pipes in, a saw mill. He married Nellie Blackford. Harry Miller is foreman of the shipping department of the Quaker Oats mills at Akron; Paul Miller assists on the home farm. On October 20, 1897, Mr. Miller married (second) Mrs. Christeen (Mohn) Palmer. For twenty-five years Mr. Miller was identified with the Prohibition party, and then united with the Democratic party. For four years he served as trustee of Portage Township. He has long been a prominent member of the West Congregational Church at Akron. In 1904 he and his wife took a trip to California, where he revisited scenes made familiar to him in his first trip. On the way they visited the exposition then in progress at St. Louis. HIRAM and HAYES WHEELER BREWSTER, uncle and nephew, residing on the old Brewster estate, which extends through both Coventry and Springfield Townships, and was settled in 1811, are representatives of one of the old, prominent and wealthy families of Summit County. Hiram Brewster, who lives retired from business activity, was formerly an extensive farmer, coal producer and active business man. He comes of New England ancestry, but was born on his present farm, June 8, 1835, and is a son of James G. Brewster, and a grandson of Stephen Brewster, who was the founder of the family in Ohio. Stephen Brewster was born at. Groton, Con- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 349 necticut, and probably could trace his ancestry back to the landing of the Mayflower colonists. He married Lydia Bellows, also of Groton, who had been a childhood playmate and school mate, and they had the following children born to them: James G., Mrs. Lucinda Murray; Hannah, who married David Dunbar; Charlotte, who married Martin Howell; Alexander, and Hiram: The latter died in 1813 and his grave is marked by a stone still standing on the farm. Stephen Brewster was a carpenter and millwright and he probably followed his trade at Groton until short after the birth of his elder children, when he .moved to the State of New York, doubtless with the idea. of securing a permanent home in an agricultural region, but not finding what he desired there, in 1811, he came to Ohio, securing 160 acres in Summit County, at a very low rate, from the Connecticut Land Company. The Browsters came as early pioneers to this section, making the long journey in covered wagons, as at that time no railroads had been built or canals constructed. Their way often led over different roads, through unbridged streams and dense forests, but at last they reached their destination. At that date there had been not a single house erected between their wild farm and Akron, which was then but a village, with no appearance of ever becoming the home of more than 42,000 souls, and all their surroundings were of*the wildest description. A little log cabin was soon constructed in the midst of the forest, and the appearance of human beings in 'these dense woods caused the deer to run in herds, like flocks of sheep, at-the sound of the lax on the heavy timber. Game was so plentiful and so easily obtained that the family never was in danger of starvation until they were able to raise grain in the rich land which quickly responded to their efforts of cultivation, but they went through many of the inevitable hardships which belonged to pioneer life. On this farm both Stephen Brewster and wife died, he at the age of eighty-eight. and she aged seventy years. James G. Brewster, father of Hiram, was born in 1797, at Groton, Connecticut, and was yet young when the family came to Summit County. He had few educational advantages and his early life was completely filled with the hard work of clearing the farm and putting it under cultivation, the fact of his being the eldest son placing heavy responsibilities on him. These circumstances probably assisted in developing a strong and sturdy character, for Mr. Brewster was known far and wide for his integrity, foresight and sound business judgment. This active years wore given to farming and improving the part of his father's estate which he had inherited, and to which lie added until he owned 320 acres, situated on both sides of the public highway. He died in June, 1842. He was married in Columbiana County, Ohio, to Martha Hasson, who was born in Pennsylvania and accompanied her parents to Columbiana County, where the family was a prominent one 'among the pioneer settlers. They had five children : Stephen, who married Charlotte Meech (both deceased) ; Jonathan H. and James G., twins, both now deceased, the latter of whom married Mary Davey; Hiram, and George, who married Maria L. Kent, and died May 25, 1907. Hiram Brewster, who is the only survivor of the above mentioned family, was reared on his present farm, and, with the exception of a period of three months, which he spent with his brother Jonathan, in Florida, during 1906, be has never resided elsewhere. He went to school in a frame building which had succeeded the old log. one, remains of which still stood, and others of its kind can still be found through this section. There he secured a good, common-school education, which has served him well through years of active business life. Mr. Brewster has a well improved place, and he assisted in building all the houses and barns which are necessary here for the carrying on of the work on 750 acres, which, with his nephew, Hayes Wheeler Brewster, he operates. Although no longer active in extending its interests, Mr. Brewster is a member of the firm of the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company, and is also a stockholder in