(RETURN TO THE TITLE PAGE) AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 527 Harry, who operates the home farm, married Laura Brumbaugh and they have one son, Donald Brumbaugh; Jessie, who married Dr. Floyd J. Metzger, residing in New York, have one daughter, Elizabeth; and Claude, who was born in 1886, graduated from the Akron High School and has taken two years of the four-year course at Buchtel College. One daughter, Mabel, died in November, 1895, aged eighteen years. Politically Mr. Ewart is a Democratic leader in this section. For twelve years he served as a justice of the peace and has been elected to various township offices, and in 1893, he was chosen by his party as their candidate for the Legislature. Although conditions, were such that no Democrat could have been elected, lie cut the majority very materially. Later he was selected as candidate for auditor of Summit County: He has been identified with insurance affairs for many years and has been a director in the Farmers' Lake Township Mutual Company for twenty-four years. In 1907 Mr. Ewart was elected a member of the State Board of Agriculture, e is a member of the local Grange, having always taken an interest in this movement: SAMUEL COOPER, brick manufacturer, a member of the firm of Cooper 'Brothers, came to Akron May 15, 1883, from Staffordshire, England, where he was born July 27, 1853. In his native land, Mr. Cooper learned the brick business, to which he has devoted his attention almost all of his business life. For a short time after reaching Akron, lie worked in the brick manufacturing plant of Byron Allison, and later for eighteen' months was in a brick business with John Dehaven and Dr. Jewett. Subsequently he went into partnership With his brothers, Joseph and William Cooper, in a brick manufacturing business which has been continued with great success until the present time. The firm of Cooper Brothers manufacture at their plant at No. 573 Spicer Street, all kinds of, building and sewer brick, and their_ product has entered into the construction of many of the substantial buildings of Akron. November 18, 1872, Mr. Cooper married Ann Edge and of this union have been born four children, namely: Ann Elizabeth, who Married. Timothy Emery, a missionary, residing at Liverpool, England; Samuel, Jr., and John William, both of whom are connected with the firm of Cooper Brothers; and Sarah Jane, who married William Johnson, a student at the Bible School at Alliance, Ohio. Mr. Cooper is identified politically with the Republican party. He belongs to the order of Foresters and to the Sons of St. George, He one of the attendants of the Gospel Mission Church on East South Street, Akron, of Which his family are members. CHARLES A. HARING, who owns seventy-nine acres of fine, land, was born on his present farm in Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, April 3, 1869, and is a son of Daniel and Mary E.. (Ludwick) Haring. Charles Haring, the, grandfather of Charles A., was born in Green Township, Summit, County, Ohio, to which pace his parents had come in early days. After his marriage he settled on a farm in Franklin Township, and here he and wife spent ''the remainder of their lives. Charles Haring was married to a Miss Willtrout, who was born in Pennsylvania and Came to Franklin Township when quite young.. They had a family of eight, Children: Joel, Daniel, Allen, Hiram, Mrs. Whitmire, Mrs. Dailey, Mrs. Swigart and Mrs. Marsh, all of whom are deceased with the exception of Mrs. Swigart. Allen Haring was a school teacher and was credited with teaching more terms than any other native, teacher of the township. Daniel Haring, father of Charles A., was reared on his father's farm in Franklin Township, which. he helped to clear, and after his marriage he removed to the present farm of Charles A. Haring, which he purchased from a Mr. Kaler. There the rest of his life was spent, his death taking place in 1886, at the age of fifty-six years. He married Mary E. Ludwick, who died in 1891, aged fifty-three years. She was a daughter of Samuel Lud Wick. Three children were born to this union: 528 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY Elmina, who died at the age of ten years; Charles Alvin; and Della M., the latter of whom died aged eighteen years. Charles A. Haring was educated in the district schools and was reared to agricultural pursuits. For two years he was in partnership with E. O. Cox and Warren Miller in a threshing business, but for the past five years he has carried on this line of work by himself, owning a complete threshing outfit and portable saw mill. On September 5, 1895, Mrs. Haring was married to Carrie M. Young, and to this union there have been born two children: Russell and Ophir. With his family he attends the Reformed Church at Barberton, Ohio. He is a Democrat. FREDERICK G. SHERBONDY, secretary of the Biggs Boiler Works Company, of Akron, was born in this city, in 1884, and is a son of Joseph P. Sherbondy, a business man residing on Sherbondy Hill, at Akron. The grandfather, Levi Sherbondy, came to Ohio in 1814, traveling by wagon from Pennsylvania. He was an extensive farmer and large land-owner and a prominent man in Summit County for many years. He died at Akron in 1898, aged eighty-six years. Frederick G. Sherbondy was reared and educated at Akron, and immediately after leaving school, entered the Biggs Boiler Works Company's employ as bookkeeper. In February, 1907, he became secretary of the company. He is recognized as one of the capable and progressive young business men of Akron who hold the future prosperity of the city in their hands. On November 22, 1906, Mr. Sherbondy was married to Pearl M. Winkler, who is a daughter of Frank B. Winkler, of Akron. Mr. Sherbondy is a, member of the Disciples Church. JACOB FINLEY JAMES RICHEY, who, for the past seven years has been a trustee of Northfield Township, is one of the progressive and successful general farmers of this section, and resides on the homestead farm of 231 acres, of which he owns 116, his mother retaining the balance. He was born September 20, 1859, and is a son of Andrew K. and Elizabeth (Bain) Richey. Thomas Richey, the paternal grandfather, came to America when twenty-one years of age and first worked in fisheries near Philadelphia. During the War of 1812 he was employed in the Du Pont Powder Works at Wilmington, Delaware, and then came to Ohio, pre-empting land in Chippewa Township, Wayne County. He continued to work in the powder works until he had made two payments on his land, and after making his third payment he settled on it, and lived there until 1852, when he sold that property and bought 211 acres in Northfield Township. He carried on large agricultural operations, engaging in farming and dairying in the old way, when butter and cheesemaking were important household industries. On April 3, 1826, Thomas Richey was married to Margaret Koplin, who came from Pennsylvania to Wayne County. She died June 22, 1879, having passed her eightieth birthday. Thomas Richey died August 27, 1867, seventy-seven years. All of their children are now deceased, namely: Andrew K., Matthias, Jane, Margaret, George, Catherine, Thomas, and Mary Ann. Andrew K. Richey was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, January 31, 1828. He obtained his education in the old Tallmadge school, which, like others of that period, made the study of the classics a leading feature of the curriculum. He was a fine Latin student and at the age of eighteen years began to teach school, and he taught one year also after his marriage. He subsequently purchased the present homestead farm, start. ing with 114 acres and adding to it gradually until he owned 231 acres. He erected buildings here and made improvements which have been still further added to by his son, one of these being the enlarging of the barn until now it is a handsome, substantial structure with dimensions of 105 by 40 feet, with basement and 24-foot posts. During the Civil War, Andrew K. Richey served as a lieuten- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 529 ant in the militia. He was a man every one trusted, one who met every obligation, treated all men fairly and displayed in full the manly qualities which brought him universal esteem. He served as a justice of the peace, and as township assessor and township trustee. On November 6, 1856, he married Elizabeth Bain, a daughter of Jacob Bain, who was born in Washington County, New York, April 30. 1807, and who died May 5, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Richey had six children, namely: Margaret Zephina, who married John L. Ritchie; J. F. J., of Northfield Township; Thomas Tell, residing at Cleveland; Andrew Fenn, residing at Northfield; Emmer Ross, now deceased; and Elizabeth Catherine, residing with her mother. Mrs. Richey was born September 19, 1836. She is a member of the old Associated Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Richey was a deacon and trustee. He died July 7, 1900. The paternal great-grandfather of Mrs. Richey was James Bain, who was born at Argyle, New York, where he married, and where his nine children were born. Jacob Bain came to. Ohio in 1855, and reaching Macedonia in July, and in the following December he settled on the farm on which he subsequently resided until his death. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade and assisted to build the first museum ever erected in the city of Albany, New York. In 1832 he married Catherine McNaughton, a former neighbor of his, who was born April 14, 1806. They had five children : Finley, deceased; Mrs. Richey; Mary Etta, who married Joseph C. Finney, residing near Mansfield, Ohio ; Catherine M., who married Dickson T. Harbison, residing at Robinson, Illinois ; and James M. residing at New York city. The Bain family was affiliated with the Associated Presbyterian Church. Jacob Finley James Richey has spent his life on the homestead farm. He tills about 160 acres, his main crops being corn, oats, wheat, hay and potatoes. He raises horses and keeps thirty head of young cattle. Mr. Richey believes in scientific farming to a large degree, and makes use of modern machinery, following the latest improved methods. The fine condition of his farm testifies both to his industry and to his thorough knowledge of his chosen calling Mr. Richey was married to Mary Alice Martin, who is a daughter of Henry Martin, of Northfield Township, and they have four children—Clarence La Mar, Laura Alice, Willis Paul and Ada Blanche. WILLIAM H. WAGONER, the owner of seventy-six acres of excellent farm land which is situated in Coventry Township, about five miles south of Akron, is a well-known citizen. He was born in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, not far from his present farm, March 4, 1857, and is a son of David and Margaret (Swigart) Wagoner. The grandfather of Mr. Wagoner was George Wagoner, who was born in Pennsylvania and after coming to Summit County, located on land near Manchester, which he cleared and developed into a good farm. He was married (first) to a Miss Roades and (second) to Catherine Souers. Both grandparents died on that farm, when about eighty-three years old, the second wife surviving her husband for thirteen years. There were four children born to the first marriage and ten to the second, six of the children still surviving, as follows : Philip, who is an ex-county commissioner of Summit County; Henry; John ; Aaron ; Harriet, who is the widow of John Harpster; and Mrs. Amanda Spangler, who is also a widow. David Wagoner, father of William H., had a twin brother, who died in childhood. They were born near Manchester and were children of the first marriage. David became a farmer and also a carpenter working at his trade to some extent all his life. He bought twenty-six acres of the farm now owned by his son, from Emanuel Sholley, and resided' on it until his death in his fifty-seventh year. He married Margaret Swigart, who survived him for nine years. She was born one an adjoining farm,, near Manchester, and was a daughter of George Swigart, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. He had fifteen Children' and 530 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY the mother of William H. Wagoner was one of the first to die. David Wagoner and wife had six children, namely: Oliver, who was a soldier in the Civil War, a member of Company II, 104th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died while at home on a furlough; Mary, who died aged three years; Alberta, who died aged one year; John, who is deceased; William Henry; and Sarah, who is the widow of Adam Carmany. William Henry Wagoner was nine years of age when his parents moved on the present farm and he has lived here ever since. From boyhood he has been accustomed to farm work and from the age of twenty years, when his father died, he has had charge of this property. The original farm of twenty-six acres was divided among three children, each one receiving a small amount after the debts of the estate were paid. Mr. Wagoner cleared off the above claims, and by hard and honest effort acquired land for himself, adding until he became possessed of his present farm. He owns also a one-half interest in thirty-one acres of timber land in Green township. He greatly improved his property by building a comfortable home in 1889, having erected the barn in 1883. On November 26, 1886, Mr. Wagoner was married to Clara E. Shook, who is a daughter of George A. and Elizabeth (Mutchler) Shook. They were born near New Berlin, Stark County, Ohio, where they lived until 1881, when they bought and moved on the farm adjoining that of Mr. Wagoner, where they now reside. Mr. and Mrs. Shook had four children, namely: Clara; Henry ; Irwin and Anna, the latter of whom was born in Summit County, and married Edward Eippert. Mr. and Mrs. Wagoner have had four children, namely: Edward Samuel, Elsie May, Floyd H. and William Ray. Edward Samuel died in infancy. Mr. Wagoner is a Republican and he has been elected by that party to a number of important offices. For nine years he served as township trustee and then resigned in order to assume the duties of infirmary director, to which office he had been elected, in a normal Democratic township, by an overwhelming majority. For a number of years he has served as school director and at the present time is a valued member of the School Board. With his family he belongs to the Lutheran Church at Akron, having assisted to build this church edifice. He was one of the building committee and a trustee and gave his time and services as well as financial assistance. Mr. Wagoner has given his children excellent educational advantages and Elsie May and Floyd H., both graduated from the Kenmore High School in 1907, receiving diplomas and teacher's certificates. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Wagoner was a teacher as were her brothers and sisters. CHARLES S. JOHNSON, who stands deservedly high as a business citizen at Barberton, where he is the leading dealer in hardware, is president of the Ohio Hardware Association and is known all over the State as a man of thorough knowledge along hardware lines. He was born at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, March 7, 1867, and is a son of George R. and Florence Estella Johnson. The father of Mr. Johnson was an oil well engineer and was also employed in the oil fields as a well shooter. For about ten years he followed farming, but during his later years he was in business with his son Charles S., at Barberton. As his business demanded, he moved to different sections of the country, in 1873, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where he remained for three years, in the fall of 1876, to Philadelphia, and from there to a farm near West Liberty, Iowa. For several ye he was also engaged in a hotel business. It was during the residence of the family Iowa, that Charles S. Johnson took a commercial course at Drake University, at Des Moines, where he was graduated with the highest honors in a class of twenty-two students, and carried off the coveted prize of being chosen valedictorian. Mr. Johnson then went to Pittsburg, and for a number of years he was employed there in the auditor's office, but, desiring a more active life, he accepted a position at Salem, Ohio, with Bakewell AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 531 & Mullins. About one year later, he took charge of a general store at Burkettstown, Pennsylvania, for six months, and then returned to Salem, where, in 1886, he became bookkeeper and collector for the firm of McLern & Crumrine, hardware merchants. In 1891 Mr. Johnson retired from this connection and embarked in business for himself at Barberton, locating first in a frame building situated just across the street from his present spacious quarters. In 1892 he purchased this property and in the following year he added a second story in order to facilitate increasing demands of business, and in 1902 he was obliged to still further add to his premises by building a third story. His line of goods comprises everything denominated hardware and his trade covers a large territory. Mr. Johnson's thorough knowledge of this line of goods, as well as his well established reputation for business ability and commercial integrity, caused his election to the office of vice-president of the Ohio Hardware Association for two successive terms and later to the presidency of the organization. He is connected with other successful business interests of Barberton, and is a member of the board of directors of the Barberton Savings Bank and also of the Deming Manufacturing Company. Mr. Johnson owns real estate of considerable value in this city, including a pleasant home. He married Laura Hartong. He is a member of the Christian Church. Fraternally Mr. Johnson is connected with the Masons, the Elks and the Maccabees. PETER LEPPER, whose farm of 255 acres is situated in Springfield Township, is a prominent and substantial citizen of this section. He was born October 7, 1826, at Milton, Mahoning County, Ohio, and is a son of John A. and Magdalena (Stine) Lepper. The Lepper family belonged originally to Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. There the grandfather of Peter Lepper, John A. Lepper, followed his trade of milling and lived and died. He had a family of eleven children and three of his sons, Johan A., Anthony and John A., served in the Germany army, all members of the same regiment. John A., father of Peter, served ten years and survived all dangers, but his two brothers were killed on the field of battle. The Stine family also belonged to Hesse Darmstadt and Grandfather Henry Stine was reputed a prominent and wealthy man at one time. He married Louisa Ritthousen and they had four children, Mrs. John A. Lepper being the eldest. John A. Lepper was born in June, 1779, and in 1803 lie was married in Germany to Magdalena Stine. She was born in April, 1780, and died December 11, 1871, surviving her husband exactly three years. They both were faithful members of the Lutheran Church and through a long life which brought them many undeserved misfortunes, they preserved their old faith intact. To John A. Lepper and wife were born the following children : Elizabeth ; an infant that died on the ocean while the family was coming to America; Adam, who died at New Lisbon, Columbiana County, Ohio ; Philip, who was killed in 1864, while serving as a soldier in the Civil War, was born in Germany in 1813, owned a farm in Missouri; Gerhardt, who died January 11, 1865, aged fifty-two years, ten months and twenty-one days ; Catherine, deceased, who married Joseph Crase ; Louisa, who never came to America, died in Germany, in 1893, and was the wife of Philip Hommel; and Peter, who is the only survivor and the only one of the family who was born in America. Early in the year 1819, John A. Lepper began to make preparations to emigrate with his family to America, and finally reached the docks at Bremen ready to take passage in one of the old sailing vessels of that time. It was a great undertaking for these quiet, home-loving people to break all old ties and start for a strange new country, but possessed of such courage and determination were the early pioneers whose efforts have made the United States the great grand land that it is. It was no easy matter to accumulate at one time the required passage money, a sum of some $510, but it was finally obtained, the amount was paid and the eager emigrants 532 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY were gathered awaiting the last arrangements before they went on the ship which they confidently believed was to take them to a land flowing with the proverbial milk and honey. Just then happened one of those unforeseen accidents, brought about innocently but of vast importance to the Lepper family. One of the waiting emigrants picked up a bullet, about the size of a small nut, and instead of throwing it away, unfortunately gave it to one of the restless Lepper lads, who, boy-like, immediately saw in it a plaything with which to while away the weary hours of waiting. He attached it to a string and found amusement in swinging it in a circle, until suddenly the string broke and the piece of lead flew off at a tangent, crashing into the front of a business house on the street and breaking a show window valued by the irate proprietor at $400. The passage money of the Lepper family was immediately attached, and for a time it seemed as if they would have to return to their old home instead of sailing across the Atlantic. The glass broken was a fine one and among the passengers the broken bits were purchased to take with them to their new homes as relics, and to assist the unfortunate family, but although they paid good prices, there still remained $200 to be paid. In this serious dilemma, the captain of the vessel came to the aid of the Leppers with the suggestion of a custom then in force, that of giving free passage to the port of Baltimore to those members of the family who could not pay, if such members would consent to be auctioned off as servants, to work until the amount was settled, or, if children, until the age of majority. This was a hard proposition for the honest old German father, but he saw no other way and finally signed the necessary papers. After ninety-one days on the water, during forty-one of which the passengers never saw daylight on account of the tempestuous seas, the little vessel reported at the Baltimore docks and the news was spread through the city streets that a family would be sold to pay passage money. It was not quite so dreadful a thing then as it would be now, for it was the custom, and in that way many large landowners in the vicinity secured their necessary help. It was decided that little Catherine, then a maid of fourteen years, should be the one offered to float the family out of its difficulties, and she was sold for enough to cover the shortage, and went with the strange family who had bought her, to remain until she was twenty-one years of age. However, her sturdy father had no intention of permitting her to remain and fill out the conditions. With the rest of the family he went on as far as Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, where he soon secured employment at his trade, that of miller, and as soon as the kind-hearted people among whom he had settled learned of little Catherine's fate, they raised by subscription enough money to release her, and a messenger was sent to Baltimore for this purpose. He proved unreliable and never returned. A second subscription was then taken up and a reputable citizen took the matter in hand and went to Baltimore and returned the daughter to her afflicted family. This incident is presented as recalling a historic custom and also as a bit of family history. The family had landed at Baltimore in June, 1819, and Mr. Lepper continued to work at milling in Northumberland County, for three years and then they moved to Ohio, where he followed milling at New Lisbon for three years at Milton, Mahoning County, for one year, and at Tompkins Creek, for one year, and in the following year removed to Akron, which was then known as Middlebury. After working for two years at a mill in East Akron, he came to Springfield Township, and after working one year at his trade at Millheim, he bought twenty-six acres of land and took charge, at the same time, of the Randolph flouring mill, this being in Randolph Township. This land subsequently passed into the hands of his son Peter, who took it upon himself to pay all incumbrances on it and to take care of his parents as long as they lived. Peter Lepper was three years old when his parents moved to the farm in Suffield Town- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 538 ship, Portage County, which was then all dense forest. When twelve years of age he began to make his way independently, finding plenty of employment in his own neighborhood, assisting in clearing up the wild farms and chopping wood. He worked for three seasons as a driver on the canal, and in 1840, made a trip as cabin boy on the Mississippi River. In the fall following the above trip, he attended school for three months, in Suffield Township, and in the spring of 1841, resumed work on the canal, as bows-man, under Captain Woodward, working satisfactorily all through that summer, although only a boy in years. He at last accumulated enough capital to enable him to buy an ax and saw, with which implements he made a good living for the next two years, going from house to house at Akron, chopping and sawing wood. Thus he earned enough to buy a two-horse wagon and team and for the next two years he did general hauling. In 1845 he sold his team, and during the next two years he was employed peddling groceries and cigars. About this time, his older sister, who also possessed an independent spirit and good business capacity, started a little grocery store in Suffield Township and induced her brother Peter to enter into partnership with her, he to do the purchasing in connection with his peddling, while she managed the business at home. They were entirely successful in carrying out their plans. In 1847 Mr. Lepper bought forty-seven acres in Suffield Township, lying adjacent to the twenty-six acres owned by his parents, and then followed the agreement formerly noted, and as long as the aged parents lived they had a. comfortable and happy home with this devoted son. Mr. Lepper followed farming and stockraising in Suffield Township until 1853, and also, for fourteen years operated a threshing machine and for thirty years was more or less engaged in selling farm machinery and agricultural implements. After a residence of nearly forty years in Suffield Township, Mr. Lepper moved to Springfield Township and purchased his present valuable farm of 255 acres. It is situated conveniently near to Akron and was formerly known as the Philip Kramer farm. It is acknowledged to be one of the finest farms in Summit County and Mr. Lepper still carries on general farming and sheep raising, formerly being one of the largest shippers in the county. He has made many improvements on his property, erecting his fine home in 1878 and subsequently his substantial barns and other buildings. There is an air of solidity about this farm and its surroundings that give on a fair indication of the character of its owner. On May 20, 1848, Mr. Lepper was married, at Hartsville, Stark County, to Catherine Sausaman. This estimable lady was born September 25, 1818, and died on this farm July 9, 1896. Her death was a great affliction to' her sorrowing family, for she had been a loving, faithful wife and kind mother. Her parents were Isaac and Catherine (Jarrett) Sausaman. Her father was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1842 moved to Stark County, Ohio, where he followed his trade of saddler for many years and then bought twelve acres of land in Suffield Township, Portage County. He had nine children, two of whom survive. Peter Lepper and wife had seven children born to them, as follows: John H., residing at Brittain, Summit County, where he conducts a large grocery, married Anna Kling, who is a daughter of George Kling and they have these children: George, Winnifred Margaret, Benjamin Franklin, Kittie Lillie and Daisey Ruth; Louisa, who is her father's housekeeper and devoted attendant; Benjamin Franklin residing on his large sheep ranch in Montana, has made a great success of sheep-raising and has resided in the West for twenty-five years ; Margaret A., residing on a farm in Portage County, married Henry Swartz and they have had six children : Lillian, deceased, Sylvia, Lois, Ruth, Louise and Frank ; Mary Elizabeth and Jefferson, twins, the latter of whom was married (first) to Ottie Smith, daughter of Orrin Smith, who died January 1, 1890, leaving one son, Howard, and (second) to Maria Adams, daughter of Horace Adams. They have one daughter, Edith, and 534 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY they reside near New Springfield; and Catherine, who married Frederick Hawk, residing in Portage County, and they have seven children: Frederick, Helen P., John, Earl P., Clair, Irene, and Eva. During fourteen years in Springfield Township, Mr. Lepper was a valued member of the Summit County Agricultural Society, of which he was president for two years, vice-president for two years and for eight years was superintendent of the horse department. During the time he was president he spent the available funds in such a way as to meet With the approbation of all concerned. With K. J. Ellet, he set out the fine poplar trees which give such needed shades on the fair ground, without any compensation. For several years he took a great interest in Fountain Park and has always been willing to contribute liberally to various public improvements. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been elected to almost all the local offices, although never seeking them, and has served as township trustee and assessor. In 1890 he was elected appraiser of real estate in Springfield Township and served as township trustee, supervisor and as a member of the School Board for many years, in fact until he refused to serve longer. On one occasion he was selected as his party's candidate for Representative to the General Assembly and although he was not elected, his personal popularity reduced the normal Republican majority from 1,500 to 380 votes. He has been prominent in political life for a long period and his judgment is often consulted by the party leaders in his locality. Mr. Lepper is a member of Akron Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 83, and of Akron Commandery, K. T., No. 25. He is one of the oldest members of that lodge, having entered the fraternity at Kent, Ohio, in 1861. He is a charter member of both the Pomona and the Tallmadge Grange. In his religious life Mr. Lepper belongs to the Reformed Church and formerly was a deacon in that body. He is a man of kind heart and generous impluses and in his treatment of others, on his journey through life, has never forgotten the time when he was a poor boy with no future look forward to except one made by hi His generosity and sympathy have cost many thousands of dollars, but he still faith in human nature and still plays the p of a philanthropist on many occasions. residents of Springfield Townhip are generally esteemed. WILLIAM P. BARKER, senoir member of the firm of W. P. Barker and Son, at Cuyahoga Falls, engaged in heavy blacksmith work for the big machine shops, and subcontracting work for the United States Government, came to this city in 1845, and it has been his real home ever since. Mr. Barker has been a great traveler through the United States, but in all his wanderings has not found a section more to his liking than the one to which he was brought by his English father, sixty-two years ago. Mr. Barker was born in Yorkshire, England, on August 3, 1841, and is a son of Jonathan and ,Mary Barker. Mr. Barker's mother died when he was a child, he being the youngest of her sixteen children. The father, a weaver by trade, decided to come to America to better his business prospects, and brought with him his surviving children, namely : Elizabeth, who died unmarried; Anna, deceased, who married George Irvington ; Sarah, who married J. C. Daly, residing at Medina; and William P. Jonathan Barker worked for a time in the fork factory at Cuyahoga Falls, after which he bought a horse and wagon and for many years traveled through the country as a tin peddler, retiring several year prior to his death, which occurred in 1877, when he was aged seventy-seven years. Under the above circumstances it can be seen that William P. Barker had fewer opportunities of obtaining an education than is the case with children of the present day; in fact, he went to school regularly for but one year. When he was fourteen years of age he went to Windsor, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, where he was apprenticed to his brother-in-law, George Irvington, and learned AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 537 the horseshoer's trade. He continued to work there for two years, when he came back to Cuyahoga Falls and worked for one year at blacksmithing for John and Robert Allen. In 1863 he accompanied John Allen to Redwood, California, where Mr. Allen opened a blacksmith shop. After working in this shop for about a year, Mr. Barker joined a party of three and went with them to Arizona, and thence to Montana. He walked 1,800 miles that winter, going from Montana to Los Angeles, back to Arizona, around by Salt Lake City, and then back to Montana. Mr. Barker worked at his trade during favorable seasons and prospected during the rest of the time. He reached Cuyahoga Falls about two years after the close of the war, and then embarked in his present business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, J. C. Daly. A few months later he bought Mr. Daly's interest and continued to work alone for about a year, when lie was again seized with a desire to travel. On this occasion, Mr. Barker went to Minnesota, where he remained for a year engaged in lumbering and trapping. Then returning to his old home, he reopened his shop and continued in business until 1896. He then took a gold prospecting .trip to Alaska, but was forced to return home on account of illness, after an absence of sixteen months, during which time he experienced hardships which almost terminated his life. He soon recuperated, however, under home care, and resumed business at . his present place, which he had built before starting for the far Northwest. His shop is a one-story brick building 107 feet long and 50 feet wide in the north end and 36 feet in the south end. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged as above indicated, and fully one-half of the work of the plant goes to Alliance. Since 1895 his son, William H. has. been his partner. Mr. Barker was married to Charlotte Lyons, who was born probably in New Jersey, and is a daughter of John Lyons. They have had ten children, all of whom are still living as follows: Mary, Amelia, Sarah, William H., George, John, Samuel and Susan, twins, Harry and Fred. Mr. Barker is a good citizen in all that pertains to keeping the laws and exerting an influence in the direction of morality and business integrity, but he has united with neither of the great political parties, casting his vote independently. GEORGE STROBEL AND WILLIAM STROBEL, owners of 125 acres of valuable farming land, which is favorably situated in the southwest corner of Coventry Township, are the sons of William and Lovina (Cormany) Strobel. Their grandfather, Lorenzo Strobel, was a native of Germany, from which country he came to America in about 1840, in a sailing vessel, the journey consuming six weeks. Continuing his journey to Summit County, Ohio, lie settled on Sherbondy Hill, near Akron, which was at that time a mere village. For a few years he lived in the woods, following weaving, an occupation which he had learned in Germany, and then removed to a farm in Coventry Township, that is now owned by his grandsons. There he died in 1900, aged eighty-eight years, his wife having passed away when 75 years old. To Lorenzo Strobel and his wife Margaret there were born six children, namely: Elizabeth, who married George Miller; William; Sophia, who married John Filler; John ; Hannah, Who married George Haas; and Lawrence, who died in childhood. William Strobel grew up on his father's farm, and experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's trade with 'a Mr. Hoskins, but did not follow it to any great extent, giving more of his attention to farming. About 1867 he purchased the farm of his father, which was mostly cleared by. this time, and here he met his death, being killed by a runaway team December 23, 1874.. He was married to Lovina Cormany, a daughter of George Cormany, who came to Manchester, Ohio, from Pennsylvania, and here became a prominent agriculturist and large landowner. 538 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. William Strobel, namely : George, the subject, with his brother, William, of this article; John, who married Nellie Hardin, and resides at Akron ; Anna, wife of Ellsworth Hall, and a resident of Norton Township; William, mentioned above; and Elizabeth, who died at the age Of eight years. George and William Strobel are now engaged in general farming, although for two years they carried on poultry raising, and for a like period George and his brother John conducted a confectionery store at Barberton. They reside on the old homestead, where George was born August 25, 1866, and William April 23, 1871. Both are good, practical agriculturists, public-spirited citizens, and stanch Democrats in politics, William having served on the school board, and as township supervisor in 1904-5-6. For some time both brothers were connected with the Goodrich Rubber Company at Akron, and William spent one year on the Akron street car lines, while George was for a year with the Webster, Camp and Lane Machine Company. They were reared in the Lutheran and Reformed faiths. William Strobel is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, No. 356, Court Pride, in which he has passed the chairs, and of the Knights of Pythias, Akron Lodge, No. 603. HARVEY E. STEIN, a representative farmer of Bath Township, who owns 155 acres of excellent land, was born May 23, 1863, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Leiby ) Stein. Harvey E. Stein remained at home until fourteen years old, assisting his father in his general store, and then went to Guilford Township, Medina County, Ohio, where he worked for about two years as a farm hand. He then spent one year in the coal mines of Norton Township, Summit County, after which he engaged in farm work in Granger Township, Medina County, for one and one-half years. At the end of this time Mr. Stein came to Bath Township, where he was employed by C. P. Heller for five and one-half years and by Edward Jones for two years. After his marriage he settled on a rented farm for several years, and in 1900 purchased his present property from the heirs of Edward Heller. Here he has since been engaged very successfully in general farming and stock-raising, and has made a specialty of breeding imported horses. In 1888 Mr. Stein was married (first) to Dora Heller, and (second) to Amanda Heller, who were born in Copley Township, Summit County, Ohio, daughters of Edward and Julia (Dutt) Heller. JAMES ALBERT SMITH, who owns 104 acres of some of the best land in Bath Township, which is situated in School District No. 12, one-half mile north of the Smith or Medina road, has owned and resided on this property since 1896. He was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 22, 1856, and is a son of Housel and Susan (Moore) Smith. When James Albert Smith was an infant, his father moved first to Bath Township, purchasing a farm of ninety-four acres, in its eastern part, on which the family lived for a short time and then went back to Springfield Township. James Albert was twelve years old when his father returned to Bath Township and settled on the farm he now owns, which he subsequently purchased from the other heirs. Both parents died on this farm, the mother surviving until April 17, 1907. They had eight children, two daughters and six sons, as follows: Emanuel C. and John Newton, both residing at Akron; James Albert of Bath Township; Robert, residing at Montrose; Sarah L., who married James Edgar; Charles Henry, residing at Peninsula; George, residing in Coshocton County; and Maggie L., who married Cyrus Fields, of Detroit, Michigan. Until he was twenty-one years of age, James Albert Smith resided at home and then learned the stone-mason trade, at which he worked for seventeen years, during thirteen of this period, living at Copley. For the past eleven years he has engaged in general farm- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 539 ing and is numbered with the successful men of this section. On December 28, 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Elta Barber, who is a daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Wright) Barber. Solomon Barber was born in Stark County, Ohio, and accompanied his father in boyhood to the farm in Bath Township, on which Newton Hackett lives. The mother of Mrs. Smith was born at Lima, New York, and in her widowhood, lives with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Her parents were Richmond and Betsey (Egbert) Wright. They came to Akron when Mrs. Barber was a babe and became well-known residents. Mr. and Mrs. Barber were married at Independence, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and they had twelve children, eight of whom survive: William, residing at Minneapolis; Leonard, residing in Oregon; Sylvenes, deceased at the age of twenty-five years; Elta; Belmont, who is deceased; Belle, residing at Youngstown, is the wife of DeForest Richards; Theron, residing at Brown Valley, Minnesota; Minnie, deceased, married Peter Hanson ; James, residing at Youngstown; Emily, deceased, married Louis Molton, residing at Warner, South Dakota ; Thomas, residing at Rochester, Minnesota, and Paul, residing in South Dakota. The father of Mrs. Smith died August 29, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children: Pearl, who married Harry Robinson, has three children, Albert, Victor and Jessie; Bessie, who married Ervin Snyder, has one child, Celesta; and Ethel and Ruth. Mr. Smith belongs to the beneficiary organization known as the Knights of the Protective Legion. CHARLES HATCH, superintendent of the Ohio Canal between Cleveland and Navarre, Ohio, who has been identified with this waterway during all his business life, was born at Peninsula, Summit County, Ohio, in 1855. His father, Asa D. Hatch, who was a native of Vermont, removed from that State to Pennsylvania, where he operated a sawmill for about twenty years. He served over three years in the Civil War as a member of Company D, Battery F, Second Regiment Ohio Volunteers, and survived the war thirteen years, dying in 1878. Shortly after the death of his father, Charles Hatch bought a boat which he operated on the Ohio Canal until 1884. He then entered the employ of the State of Ohio, as foreman of a State boat on the canal, which position he continued to fill until 1902, when he became superintendent of the Ohio Canal from Cleveland to Navarre, with his office at Lock No. 1. He takes an active interest in politics and for years has been, a member of the Summit County Republican Executive Committee. In 1878, Mr. Hatch was married to Fannie Hardy, who was born in Summit County; Ohio, and they are the parents of three children : Stella E., who married D. E. J. Williams; Asa D., and Harold H., all residents of Akron. Mr. Hatch is a Mason, an Elk, and a Maccabee and belongs also to the Sons of Veterans. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. NORMAN WARE, highly esteemed retired citizen of Norton Township, residing on his valuable farm of sixty-three acres, situated at Johnson's Corners, was born on the old Ware home place, near Hometown, Summit County, Ohio, February 24, 1840, and is a son of Israel and Mary (Lautzenheiser) Ware. Israel Ware came to Ohio from Pennsylvania and settled in Norton Township at a very early day, marrying into a Norton Township family, and purchasing the farm that is now occupied by Forrest Swain. On that farm his eight children were born, four of whom are deceased, one of whom was killed in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, July 12, 1863, and there both he and his wife died. Norman Ware was reared on his father's farm and assisted in its care and development. He attended the country schools and remained working on the homestead until 1884, when he purchased his present farm, on which he carried on a general line of agri- 540 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY culture until he retired from hard work. His second son then assumed his responsibilities in the management of the property. In 1864, Mr. Ware married Louisa Waltz, who was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, but was reared in Norton Township, Summit County. Her parents were David and Lydia (Baughman) Waltz, old settlers. Her father was born in Pennsylvania and came to Medina County when a young man, and after marriage moved to Summit County. Mrs. Ware is one of a family of thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Ware have two children: Roy D. and Loman, the latter of whom is the home farmer. Roy D. Ware resides at Johnson's Corners and is employed in the Sterling Boiler Works, at Barberton. He married Nellie Sharp and they have two children : Earl and Lloyd. Politically, Mr. Ware is identified with the Democratic party. He has served as a member of the School Board of Norton Township and also as township treasurer. He is one of the reliable, representative men of his section and is a consistent member of the Reformed Church. GEORGE P. HEINTZ, a prominent citizen of Bath Township, a member of the School Board and a leading farmer, resides on his well-improved farm of eighty-seven acres, which lies in School District No. 10, on the Croten House road, running north from the old Smith or Medina road. Mr. Heintz was born on the corner of Brown and Exchange Streets, Akron, where the family then resided, October 24, 1845, and is a son of John and Sophia (Keck) Heintz. John Heintz, the father, was born, reared and married in Germany and came to America in 1834, living for six months at Cleveland, then coming to Akron. At Cleveland, he engaged in butchering and after reaching Akron he worked both as a butcher and as a cooper, having learned the latter business in his native land. Later he owned a small slaughter house and marketed his meat through Akron. Subsequently he moved to Summit Hill, Coventry Township, where he first bought sixty acres, to which he later added fourteen acres of the old Witner farm. He died in Coventry Township in 1903, aged ninety-one years. His first wife, the mother of George P. Heintz, died when the latter was five years of age, and John Heintz married Mrs. Margaret Bolick for his second wife. She died in 1900. George P. Heintz was six years old when his father moved to Coventry Township, and there he obtained all his schooling. He remained at home until 1864, when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, during his first term being a member of the Sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, connected with the Army of the Potomac, for one year and seven months. During the great war he participated in a number of battles, including: Boynton Plank Road, October 27, 1864; Stony Creek Station, December 2, 1864; Hatcher's Run, December 9-10, 1864; Monk's Neck Bridge, February 5, 1865; Hatcher's Run, (2), February 6, 1865; Dinwiddie Court House, March 31, 1865 ; Fettersville, April 4, 1865 ; Famer Cross Roads, April 5, 1865; Farmsville, April 6, 1865 ; Harper's Farm, April 7, 1865; and Appomattox Court House, the memorable spot where General Lee surrendered to General Grant, April 9, 1865. Mr. Heintz was in the brigade that opened the fight in that closing action of the war. On his discharge papers may be read the following, under the signature of Lieutenant Smith, of his company : "In all eleven engagements in which he was commendable for his bravery and coolness." Those simple words tell the story of how Mr. Heintz served while in the uniform of his country. He was promoted to the rank of corporal, from being a private. His enlistment was for the whole of the war, the termination of the struggle happily ending it. He was honorably discharged at Petersburg, Virginia, August 7, 1865, having entered the army when a little past seventeen, and was not quite nineteen when he was discharged. After a short season. at Akron he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he enlisted a second time, on May 5, 1866, entering Com- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 541 pany G, Second United States Infantry, and served for three years with the Regulars. On April 1, 1867, he was made a corporal, and July 15, 1868, was promoted to be a sergeant. He was discharged at Atlanta, Georgia, on May 5, 1869. About one-third of his second term of service was spent in Kentucky, his regiment being stationed at Louisville, at Danville, at Stamford and Paducah. For a short time it was at Union, West Virginia, but returned for several weeks to Louisville, then was sent to Atlanta, where it was discharged some four months later. During all this long season, when each day was filled with danger, Mr. Heintz escaped every deathly missile, and at no time was seriously hurt except on one occasion when his horse fell on him. Three days after he returned to Akron, in 1869, Mr. Heintz with his widowed sister, Mrs. Sarah Pelott, moved to his present farm which his father had previously purchased. Here he has continued ever since, engaging successfully in farming and stockraising. On November 25, 1869, Mr. Heintz was married to Sarah J. Harris, who is a daughter of Thomas and Eliza (Peach) Harris. She was born and reared in Bath Township, Summit County, but her father was a native of Pennsylvania, and her mother of West Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Heintz have no children of their own, but they adopted a little girl named Edith, who subsequently married Clyde Miller. Mr. Miller assists in carrying on the farm work with Mr. Heintz. The Millers have had four children, namely: Iva Marie, Nona Grace, Homer Guy, and Lee Harold, the latter of whom died aged four years. Since November, 1906, Mr. and Mrs. Heintz have been enjoying the handsome residence which was completed at that time. Both are members of the Evangelical Church, of Bath Township. Since 1905 he has served on the School Board. He is a member of Buckley Post, No. 12, Grand Army of the Republic. GEORGE W. M'COY, residing on his well-improved and valuable farm of eighty-six acres, which is situated in Norton Township, here carries on a general line of farming. He was born at Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio, March 4, 1844, and is a son of Robert and Lucinda (Bartlett) McCoy. Robert McCoy was born in Tallmadge Township, Summit County, and was a son of Samuel McCoy, who was born in Ireland. Samuel McCoy came to America in young manhood and was an early settler in Tallmadge Township, moving from there to Wadsworth Township, in Medina County, where he purchased a farm. On that farm Robert McCoy was reared from boyhood, and in Medina County he was married to Lucinda Bartlett. Of their nine children, the four survivors are: Mrs. Olive Dickerson, residing at Akron ; George W.; States, residing in Copley Township; and Mrs. Ella Britton, residing at Sharon, Medina County. About 1859, Robert McCoy moved to Summit County and invested in 225 acres of land at what is known as McCoy's Crossing. It was all farming and pasture land at that time, but the city of Akron has long since invaded the fields which Mr. McCoy used to follow over with his plow. South Main street, a busy thoroughfare of Akron, now spreads out over this land. Robert McCoy also owned the land upon which Lakeside Park now stands. All this land each year grows more and more valuable. Robert McCoy was a contractor and he met his death while engaged in grading on North Hill, the accident occurring while he was superintending the work. His wife had died when the children were small. George W. McCoy attended school at Wadsworth and later in Coventry Township. When twenty-one years of age he left home and spent three years on a farm in California and then moved to Nevada, where he went into contracting, cutting and hauling wood to the quartz mills. He owned a number of teams and employed a large force of men. Mr. McCoy remained in the West for ten years and then returned to Akron for about two years, but went back to Nevada and resumed contracting. Several years later he again visited Akron for a short period and 542 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY returned to Nevada for the third time, accompanied by his wife, and remained six years. In October, 1881, Mr. McCoy returned permanently to Summit County and purchased the farm he resides on. This was first the property of his brother, the late Samuel McCoy, who sold it to another brother, States McCoy, who, in turn sold it to George W. It thus has not been out of the McCoy family for a number of years. In 1876, Mr. McCoy was married to Amelia J. Falor, who is a daughter of John Falor, of Akron. Her grandfather, Abraham Falor, was an early settler in this section, and when Mrs. McCoy drives through South Main Street, Akron, it is over land which was once her father's farm, on which she was reared. They have four children, namely : Elsie, who married Norman Miller, of Barberton ; George, unmarried, residing at Baiberton ; Ernest, residing at home ; and Myrtle, who married Henry Zeisick, residing at Barberton. The beautiful family home was built by Mr. McCoy in 1883. It is one of the fine, modern residences of this section. JOHN D. ARNOLD, proprietor of a valuable farm which contains 102 acres and is situated on the old Smith road, about one and one-half miles west of Montrose, was born on a farm one mile west of Copley Center, August 1, 1855. His parents were Daniel and Sophia (Porter) Arnold. The Arnolds came to Summit County, Ohio, from Maryland. The father of Mr. Arnold owned and disposed of a half dozen farms in course of his life, but John D. grew up on the farm near Copley. He was reared to agricultural pursuits and has been able to trace a straight furrow with his plow, ever since he was eight years of age. About two years after his marriage, he moved to the present farm, eighty-two acres of which he purchased at that time, subsequently adding twenty adjoining acres. This makes a fine, easily cultivated farm and here Mr. Arnold carries on a general line of agriculture. Mr. Arnold married Lizzie Hankey, December 25, 1876, who was born in Copley Township, and is a daughter of Samuel and Maria (Whitmer) Hankey. Samuel Han-key was one of the earliest settlers at Akron and from there he moved to Copley Township. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have three children of their own and another child, Hazel Bradley, whom they have reared from the age of two years to seventeen. Their three children are: William, who is employed by the Akron Telephone dompany, married Mary Wiley, and they have two children, Eva and Ray; Lilly, who married Albert Boltz, has two children, Earl and Glen; and Frank, who as- sists his father. Mr. Arnold's farm and surroundings show good management and thrifty methods. All of the substantial farm structures, except the house, he has placed here, and he has done much additional improving. AARON A. SWIGART, who is engaged in agricultural operations on an excellent tract of 200 acres, is one of the substantial citizens of Franklin Township, and was born August 6, 1857, on his present farm in Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah (Haring) Swigart. George Swigart, grandfather of Aaron A., was a native of Pennsylvania, where he married. On coming to Ohio he had to clear most of his farm from the woods, and here his first wife died. He was married the second time to a Miss Daily, a native of Summit County, and here the remainder of their lives were spent, his death occurring in his 85th year, his second wife having preceded him to the grave. They had a large family, about fourteen children, and of these Joseph was next to the eldest. Joseph Swigart was born on his father's farm, which was located south of the present Swigart farm, and was reared to manhood here; helping to clear the farm from the wilderness. Prior to his marriage he purchased a part of the present Swigart farm, and to this he kept adding from time to time, making improvements, including a large house and barn, and converting his property into one of the finest farms in Franklin Township. Here he AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 543 died in 1895, at the age of seventy years. Mr. Swigart was married to Sarah Haring, who was born in Franklin Township, and who is a daughter of Charles Haring. Mrs. Swigart survives her husband and resides on the home farm with her son Aaron A. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Swigart : Aaron A., above mentioned, and Charles, who married Hattie Diehl, a daughter of William Diehl, and has two children—Gladys and Hallie. Aaron A. Swigart attended the district schools and afterward engaged in agricultur-al pursuits, in which he has been occupied all of his active period. With his mother and brother he owns the excellent homestead of 200 acres, on which is situated a large and comfortable residence. The row of beautiful shade trees on each side of the driveway leading to the house were planted by Mr. Swigart and others twenty-five years ago, and add much to the attractiveness of the property. On September 16, 1901, Mr. Swigart was married to Mary Scholl, who is a daughter of Peter and Ann Scholl, and to this Union one child has been born : Joseph Herman. Mr. Swigart is a member of the Reformed Church at Manchester. L. K. FORCE, president of the Summit China Company, has been a resident of Akron for the past fifty-eight years. Born in New York, in 1848, he came to this city with his parents, in the following year, and thus may almost be called a native of Akron, where he was reared and educated. In 1863, when only a school-boy of fifteen years, he enlisted for service in the Civil War entering the Sixth Ohio Volunteer Independent Light Artillery. His battery was sent immediately ,to become a part of the Army of the Cumberland, and thus he participated in all the battles and marches of the Atlanta campaign. After returning to Tennessee, this battery took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, after which it went into winter quarters at Pulaski. In the spring of 1865 it returned to Nashville, where it took boat to New Orleans. In the succeeding August it returned to Columbus, where it was honorably discharged September 1, 1865. After all this long and hazardous army experience, Mr. Force returned to Akron, where he set about learning a peaceful trade, having no more desire for military life. He entered a factory where he learned the pottery trade, becoming so expert a worker, that in 1879, when the Akron Stoneware Company. was organized, he was made superintendent and also president, and served as such until March, 1900. At this time, in association with R. H. Kent, he organized the Summit China Company, which is incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, Mr. Force being president and superintendent and R. H. Kent, secretary and treasurer_ This company employs 150 men and does an annual export business of $175,000. In 1870, Mr. Force was married to Alice L. Washburn, a daughter of Daniel B. Washburn, who was one of the pioneers of Summit County. Mrs. Force died March 14, 1893, leaving six children, namely: Mildred, who married E. L. Demming; Orlando, residing in Akron ; Jessie B., residing at home; Daniel B., working with the Summit China Company; Ferdman F., assistant superintendent of the Summit China Company; and Benjamin F., who is a student at the Ohio State University. Mr. Force was married (second) in June, 1897, to Mrs. Yeomans, who is a daughter of John Wilson, of Brimfield, Ohio. Although he has never sought public office, Mr. Force has long taken an active interest in politics, and on many occasions has demonstrated his public spirit and civic pride.. Fraternally, he is an Odd Fellow. He is a member of Buckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and also of the German Rifle club. He ranks well up among Akron's prominent citizens. WILLIAM A. MORTON, notary public at Barberton, has been established in the insurance and real estate business here since 1903, and has been a resident of Summit County since 1873. He was born Law- 544 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY rence County, Pennsylvania, June 6, 1864, and is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Scott) Morton. The parents of Mr. Morton were born in England and were married there prior to coming to America in 1862. Thomas Morton was a coal miner and he engaged in this work first in Pennsylvania and after 1873, in Summit County, Ohio. For two years he lived- at Tomotown, east of Akron, but in 1875 he moved to Norton Township and located at a point then known as Dennison and now as Sherman. At this place he became a mine boss and was known as a very reliable, capable man. His wife died in 1881 and his death followed in 1884. Prior to coming to Summit County, William A. Morton had attended school for a short time but had in no way gained a sufficient amount of education to satisfy him, even in boyhood. For three years he worked in the mines in Summit County and then started again to school, attending first the Copley and Norton Center High. School and later the Normal Schools at Wadsworth and Lebanon. He then taught school for some time, after which he took a commercial course in the Iron City Business College at Pittsburg, where he was graduated in 1884. Upon his return to Summit County he engaged in teaching for ten years and for four years of this period he was principal of the Western Star Academy. He became widely known as an excellent educator, and he was made treasurer of the Summit County Teachers' Institute and later its president, serving one year in each position. In 1900, Mr. Morton came to Barberton and became a member of the office force of the Sterling Company, later of the Pure Gum Specialty Company, and later bookkeeper for the American Clay Company, of Akron. In 1903, he established a fire insurance office and began also to deal in real estate, and in company with Godfrey Werner he entered also into the coal business and developed the mines at Manchester, in Summit County. His business interests are large and important. On September 8, 1887, Mr. Morton was married to Sadie A. Boden, who is a daughter of John Boden, and they have three children, namely: Raymond E., Bessie and Mary. Mr. Morton has been in public office for a number of years. Since 1889 he has been a notary public and for nine years he served as a justice of the peace in Norton Township, where he also was trustee for two terms, and township clerk for four years. He is a member of the Summit County Court House Commission, appointed by Judge J. A. Kohler, has served two terms as Deputy State Supe visor of Elections, and has been a member the city council of Barberton. Mr. Morton is a popular and respec citizen. He is fraternally connected with th Odd Fellows and the Elks and is one of the trustees of the latter organization. GEORGE DREISBACH, whose farm of 125 acres of valuable land, all in one body, is situated in Norton Township, is a represen tive citizen of this section and one of its be farmers. He was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, December 19, 184 and is a son of Charles and Sarah (Konkle) Dreisbach. About 1865, Charles Dreisbach became a resident and landowner in Summit County and continued to invest in property until he acquired a very considerable amount. His first purchase was of 144 acres, to which he added sixty-five acres, and later bought sixty-seven acres where Barberton now stands, part of which, on which Lake Anna situated, he sold to John J. Warner, and also owned fifteen acres in Coventry Township, the total reaching 300 acres, the result of careful foresight and wise investing. He died on the farm where his son lives, in 1885. He was married three times, Sarah Konkle, his second wife, being the mother of George. He had fourteen children, ten of whom still survive. George Dreisbach was born near a place called Big Grass Pond, from which his father moved in his boyhood, to near Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, where he bought a farm. In 1865, George accompanied his father to Sum- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 545 mit County, where he was subsequently married and one year later he moved to Michigan. He learned the joiner's trade in youth, working with E. A. Barber of Akron, and worked also at this trade in Michigan. He also made a great deal of money by handling farming lands, buying, improving and selling, frequently owning and disposing of two farms in a year. Upon the death of his father, he returned to Ohio and bought out the other heirs, and has resided in Norton Township ever since. For a short time he owned the old Surf ass farm, but this he sold to George Cowling. Mr. Dreisbach was given but few educational chances in his youth. He was only thirteen years of age when he was sent into the harvest field, and was proud to be able to do the work of a half hand. He has always enjoyed the hard, hearty work incident to safely getting in the crops, and for a period covering fifty-two years he has never failed to take part in this labor, even when working as a joiner. Mr. Dreisbach married Martha A. Raber, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, who is a daughter of L. B. Raber, and she came to Summit County in girlhood. They have two children : Lewis B. and Charles C. A. The elder son married Anna Blocher, who is a daughter of Martin Blocher, and they have one son, Leroy. He resides on the home farm. Charles C. A., who owns forty acres in Coventry Township, married Mamie Strawhacker, and they have one child, Merland. B. J. GIFFORD, city superintendent of the Mohican Oil and Gas Company, whose portrait appears in this connection, has been identified with the gas business all his life. He was born in the state of New York, in 1872, and was reared and educated in Pennsylvania. After finishing his schooling, Mr. Gifford went to work for the Standard Oil Company, at Titusville, and eighteen months later went to Fremont, Ohio, where he was engaged in the gas business for six months. Thence he went to Toledo, where he was employed for two years. Later he worked all through the Indiana gas belt, subsequently returning to Pennsylvania. When the Mohican Oil and Gas Company was organized, in May, 1905, Mr. Gifford became associated with it at Barberton and later, when it became the lessee of the Akron Gas Company, and the offices were transferred to Akron, he became the superintendent at this point. His steady continuance in one line of effort has given him the experience needful for an office of the importance of the one who fills. In 1898 Mr. Gifford was married to Bernice Giles, who was born at Dennison, Ohio, and they have two attractive children : Margaret Grace and Bernice June. WILLIAM H. McCHESNEY, a descendant of one of Springfield's oldest and most honored families, and a man of prominence and influence in his community, was born on the farm on which he now resides, in Springfield Township, Summit County Ohio, December 3, 1857, and is a son of William and Louise (Gressard) McChesney. John McChesney, the grandfather of William H., was a farmer and distiller, and he erected the residence which stands, well preserved, on his grandson's farm. The name of his wife was Martha and they had the following children : Andrew, whb married Betsy Cables, died in Kansas; Margaret, who married Eli Flickinger, died in Iowa; Mary, who is the widow of Jacob Merton, resides in Nebraska; Leslie, deceased, married Harriet Chote, who resides in Kansas; and William. William McChesney was born March 3, 1817, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to Ohio. He followed farming all his life and died in 1905, in his eighty-ninth year. Enterprising and public-spirited, William McChesney did much toward building up the community in .which he lived. He was one of the heartiest supporters of the Valley Railroad, to which he donated the right of way through his farm. He was one of the pillars of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, he was a Republican 546 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY but his desires never lay in the direction of political preferment. William McChesney married Louise Gressard, who was a daughter of Frederick Gressard and had been a soldier in the French army before coming to America. He landed at Philadelphia but subsequently came to Coventry Township, Summit County, where he reared a family of six children. Both he and wife died in Coventry Township. To William and Louise McChesney were born the following children : Charles Lewis, who died in infancy; Edward Austin, a contractor and farmer, residing in Springfield Township, married Sarah Wise, of East Liberty ; Philora, who married George L. Sypher, residing at Akron; Herman G., residing at Akron, owns a farm near Krumroy; Frederick, residing on his farm in Springfield Township, who married Nettie Yerrick, and William H. William H. McChesney was reared in his native section and was educated in the district schools. For many years he carried on agricultural pursuits on the home farm. It is a tract of almost sixty acres and Mr. McChesney's careful cultivation resulted in abundant returns. When he tired of farming he became associated with his brother, Edward Austin, in building and contracting, renting his farm to a tenant. He is well known all through this section and enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. By his marriage to Lucy Thompson, Mr. McChesney became connected with another prominent old family of Summit County. Mrs. McChesney is a native of Summit County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Robert and Elizabeth (Henderson) Thompson, and a granddaughter of ' James and Margaret (Sunderland) Thompson. Robert Thompson was born in 1809, and came to Summit County, in 1832, where he died at the age of seventy-two years. The children of Robert Thompson and wife were: Margaret J.; Mary F., who married Oscar Collins, residing at Cleveland; Nancy J., who died in 1900, was the wife of William L. Ewart ; James A., who died in 1906, resided in Indiana; one son died in 1864; and Lucy, the youngest, who married William H. McChesney. Although Mr. and Mrs. McChesney have no children of their own, they have an adopted son who is very dear to them, who bears the name of Walter McChesney. He is a bright, intelligent youth of twelve years. Mr. McChesney is a stanch Republican. He belongs to the Presbyterian Church which has been the faith of the family for generations. His beautiful modern home he erected in 1906, and there he and wife enjoy offering hospitality to their many friends. ROBERT A. McCLELLAN, who was, for almost seventy-two years a prominent citizen and successful farmer of Springfield Township, was born April 9, 1835, on the farm on which his son, William J. McClellan, now resides in Summit County, Ohio. He was a son of William and Jane (Fite) McClellan. The parents of the late Robert A. McClellan came to Summit County in pioneer days and the family has been one of prominence in this section ever since its founding. Of the children of William and Jane McClellan the following reached maturity: William A., residing at Akron, married Alice Russell; Elizabeth, who married Urias Cramer, residing at Wichita, Kansas ; and Robert A. Robert A. McClellan passed his boyhood attending the district schools, and working on the farm, of which he later became manager and subsequently owner. He married Amanda Hoff, a member of another family that has been identified with Summit County from its earliest days. Her parents were James and Wilhelmina Hoff, who died in Springfield Township, where they had spent long and useful lives. They were natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. McClellan still survives and is an esteemed resident of Mogadore. She was born February 9, 1847, and is one of a family of eight children, namely: Lucinda, who married James Stall, residing at Delta, Ohio ; Miles, residing at Akron, who married Mattie Swain ; Emma, residing in Springfield Township, who married Thomas Hale; Zadia, residing at Cuyahoga, Falls, who mar- AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 547 ried L. Cramer; Albert, residing at Tallmadge, Ohio, who married Hattie Treat ; Frank, residing at Mogadore, who married Mary Hale; Amanda, who is the widow of Robert A. McClellan, who died April 29, 1907 ; and James. To Robert A. McClellan and wife were born five children, as follows: Cora, William James, Charles, Robert A., and Fred. Cora, who married Robert Gates, April 27, 1891, residing at Mogadore, has three children, Harry, born November 22, 1892, Eunice Mary, born May 16, 1894, and Ernest, born April 17, 1903. Mr. Gates is a prominent Republican of Springfield Township, serving at present as a justice of the peace, and he is a charter member of Mogadore Lodge, No. 482, Knights of Pythias; William James, born November 18, 1874, was educated in the local schools and the Mogadore High School, married Lillian Selzer, daughter of Michael and Amanda Selzer of Springfield Township, and they have two children, Pearl, born December 8, 1904, and Edna May, born May 18, 1906. Mr. McClellan is a very successful farmer, a Democrat in politics, and belongs to the order of Knights of Pythias at Mogadore. Charles, who has been in partnership with his brother in conducting a meat market, at Mogadore, since September, 1906, is a Democrat in politics and fraternally a Knight of Pythias. He married Elsie L. Denny, June 21, 1905, a daughter of Henry A. and Barbara Denny, of Suffield Township, Portage County. Robert A., who is in business at Mogadore, is a Democrat in politics, and fraternally a Knight of Pythias. He married Lizzie Bowman, a daughter of Jefferson and Jemima (Boyer) Bowman, and they have two children, Earl and a babe. Fred resides with his mother at Mogadore. About four years preceding his death the late Robert McClellan moved from his farm to Mogadore, where he had erected a comfortable home. He was a successful farmer, and was an honorable man. Politically, lie was a Democrat. With his sons, he was associated with Lodge No. 482, Knights of Pythias. CHARLES N. MILLER, a representative citizen of Mogadore, and manager, secretary and treasurer of the Colonial Pressed Brick Company, an important industry of this section, was born in Plain Township, Stark County, Ohio, February 27, 1880, and is a son of N. S. and Ellen (Wise) Miller. The Millers came originally from Pennsylvania to Ohio, Abraham Miller, the grandfather, bringing his family to Stark County, where the father of Charles N. Miller was born and where he still resides, at the age of fifty-eight years. His occupation since he reached mature years has been farming. He married Ellen Wise, who also survives, and they are the parents of three sons and four daughters, namely : Roy C., residing at Canton ; Joseph. A., residing at New Berlin; Nettie, who married Harry Stover, residing at Canal Fulton ; Minnie, who married Arthur Wearstler ; Lydia, who married Thomas Weaver, residing at Canton ; Ellen, residing with her parents; and Charles N. Charles N. Miller was educated in the schools of New Berlin and after graduating from the High School, took a course in the Spencerian Business College, at Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1902, after which he accepted a position as cashier for the Federal Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of automobiles and parts, at Cleveland. He remained with this organization until 1905, when he entered into his present business, which was then located at Akron. He became bookkeeper for the Pressed Brick Company, and after its removal to Mogadore he became manager, secretary and treasurer. The Colonial Pressed Brick Company is an Ohio corporation, and in 1904, the late Ira A. Miller, of Greentown, was its president. J. A. Sheets was elected vice-president and C. N. Miller secretary, treasurer and general manager. The other capitalists connected with the company are: J. W. Hisey, Henry Sweitzer, Levi Stoner, E. C. Sheets and W. E. Butler. They are engaged in the manufacture of face or stiff mud brick. The kiln has a capacity of 12,000 brick per day, machine capacity, 40,000, and they employ 548 - HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY 25 men and market their product over a large area of country, finding ready sale on account of its superior quality. The plant is most conveniently located where there is an abundance of clay, with water supplied by the Little Cuyahoga River. Its equipments are entirely modern. When Mr. Miller took charge it needed a man of his business capacity to adjust what was wrong and to put the business on a full paying basis. This he has done and it is numbered with the prospering industries of this part of Summit County. In 1904 Mr. Miller married Rhuie Summers, who is a daughter of Rev. H. B. and Elizabeth Summers, who was born at Baltimore, Fairfield County, Ohio, and they have one son, Homer Summers. The father of Mrs. Miller is a well-known minister of the Evangelical Church. Both Mr. and Mrs. Miller belong to the United Evangelical Church. They have been residents of Mogadore for the past two years. ROBERT C. GATES, a leading citizen of Mogadore, where he is engaged in a grocery business, was born in Cleveland, Ohio, July 18, 1861, and is a son of Henry and Eunice (Cornwell) Gates. The founder of the Gates family in this State was the paternal grandfather, Halsey Gates, who came with his wife Lucy and settled at what has been known ever since as Gates Mills, as early as 1816. He was the founder of that village and there lived out a long and useful life. His children were : Washington, who is deceased; Edwin, who is deceased ; Alexander, who has never been heard of by his family, since he moved to Mexico, in 1884; Maria, deceased, who married Selig Knapp; Eliza, who married Gordon Shipman ; Hattie, who married D. B. Spear; William, who resides at Toledo, Ohio ; and Henry. The grandparents were natives of New York. Henry Gates, father of Robert C., was born at Gates Mills, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, in March, 1831. Soon after his marriage he left Gates Mills and settled at Cleveland, where he had charge of a mill, having been trained in this industry. He moved from there to Elmore, in Ottawa County, and from there to Port Clinton, in 1887 locating at Mogadore, where he has been engaged ever since in operating a mill of his own. Although many men of his age have retired from business, Mr. Gates has preserved his strength, vitality and ambition to a remarkable degree, and is just as capable of conducting large business deals as in his earlier years. When twenty-one years of age he united with the Masons, at Chagrin Falls, and received his demit when he left Port Clinton. He is a member of the Disciples Church. Mr. Gates has been a life-long Republican, this being the political complexion of the whole kindred, with the single exception of Mr. Gosline, who is the editor of the Oak Harbor, Ottawa County, Press, and a son-in-law of Mr. Gates. Henry Gates was married (first) to Eunice Cornwell, who died at the age of sixty-three years. She was a daughter of Sanders Cornwell. There were five children born to that marriage, namely : Walter, who died in infancy; Lucy, who married J. W. Sylvester, residing at Cleveland; Cora, who married George Gosline, residing at Oak Harbor; George, residing at Mogadore, who married Grace Hickerman ; and Robert C. Robert C. Gates attended school up to the age of seventeen years, both at Elmore and Port Clinton, after which he worked for a time in a printing office, and later worked at railroading. In 1887 he came to Mogadore with his father; and shortly afterward embarked in his present business, in which he has met with success, being now one of the leading men in his line in the place. Mr. Gates was married (first) to Sylvia Atchison, who died in the following year. He was married (second) to Cora McClellan, who is a daughter of one of the prominent old county families, Robert and Amanda (Hoff) McClellan. They have three children : Henry Robert, Eunice and Ernest. Mr. and Mrs. Gates are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics Mr. Gates is a stanch Republican and on numerous occasions since locating at AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS - 549 Mogadore, has been called to public office. He served six years as a member of the School Board, for three years was treasurer of the corporation, and in the fall of 1904, without his knowledge, he was nominated for justice of the peace and subsequently elected, his personal popularity being great enough to overcome a normal Democratic majority of some eighty votes. He has taken an active interest in everything likely to advance the welfare and prosperity of the town and county. He is a charter member of Lodge No. 482, Knights of Pythias, at Mogadore. Like every other member of his family, he is a musician and has been the leader of the Mogadore band since it was organized in 1902. His father, in his youth, was a member of the old Gates Mills band and was a member of the Elmore band when living there. BRADFORD W. SKINNER, a representative citizen of Tallmadge Township, of which he has been a trustee for the past five years, resides one-half mile northeast of Tallmadge Center, where he owns fifty acres of excellent land. He was born in Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio, April 7, 1833 and is a son of Col. Salmon and Caroline (Waldo) Skinner. The father of Mr. Skinner was born at Milford, Connecticut. In his eighteenth year he entered the service of his country, in the War of 1812, after which he settled in Summit County. He lived to the unusual age of ninety-two years, dying in 1892. He married Catherine Waldo, who accompanied her father, General Waldo, to Suffield Township, Portage County. He later moved to the far West, where he died. Mrs. Skinner died at the age of forty-two years. The children of Salmon and Catherine Skinner were the following: Daniel, residing in Nebraska; Decatur, who died in California; Uriah, deceased; Bradford W., of Bath Township; Oliver, who died in Geauga County, Ohio; Edwin, residing at Tallmadge, married (first) to Caroline Wurst, and (second) a lady in Bath Township, and he served in the Civil War as a member of the 29th Regiment, Ohio Volun teer Infantry; and Joseph, who died in a New York hospital, having served in the Civil War under General Sherman. Bradford W. Skinner was eleven years of age when his mother died. He lived in Bath and Northampton Townships until he was eighteen years of age, in the meantime having but meager school advantages. When he came to Bath Township he hired out to run a sawmill, and he remained in the employ of one man for fifteen years. He then rented land of F. D. Ailing for five years, subsequently purchasing thirty-three acres of the land, which he has added to and continued to cultivate. For many years he followed teaming, this being very profitable to him, resulting in his becoming a man of independent means. On April 18, 1855, Mr. Skinner was married to Laura Dickerson, who is a daughter of William and Martha Dickerson, farmers of Northampton Township. Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Skinner, namely: Etta L., Carlton B., 011ie, Lucy A. and Minnie. Etta L. was married (first) to Arthur Hart and (second) to John Newton, resides at Hudson and has four children. Carlton B. married (first) Julia, a daughter of O. S. Treat, and (second) Fannie Bierce, daughter of Lucius V. and Hattie Bierce, and they have one daughter. Ollie married Frank Root, who is a mail carrier residing at Six Corners. They have four children. Miss Lucy A. is head nurse at the Battle Creek Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Michigan. She studied three years at Ann Arbor and holds the record of being the only girl who ever passed out of that institution from the school room directly to a high and responsible position, one which she has capably filled for the past three years. Minnie married Edwin Upson, who is engaged in farming in Tallmadge Township. Politically Mr. Skinner has been a stanch Republican ever since he acquired his right to full citizenship and he has been a supporter of the Government both in peace and war. On May 2, 1864, as a member of Company D, 164th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, he accompanied his comrades to Cleveland