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COVENTRY TOWNSHIP.

WILLIAM ALLEN, farmer; P. 0. Akron; son of Jonah Allen, was born Oct. 14, 1798; died May 15, 1874; he of Jesse Allen. His mother was Cynthia Spicer (for further history of Spicer family, see Avery Spicer); she was born May 21, 1803, and died Sept. 11, 1860. The family of Jonah and Cynthia were Catharine, born Nov. 5, 1822; Mrs. Beckwith, who died Jan. 23, 1855: Edward, born Aug. 18, 1824, died July 9, 1841; William, the subject of this sketch, born Feb. 18, 1827; John, whose history appears in another place in this work; and Cynthia, who died in infancy. William received but a meager district-school education, being employed upon the farm until about 17 years of age, when he began work at the Akron City Woolen Mill, his father being a heavy stockholder, where he learned the various branches of the business, such as carding, coloring, finishing, etc.; subsequently returning to the old farm south of the city, where he and his brother John farmed together for a time; then returned to the. city, where he kept for one year the boarding department for the Perkins Company, to whom the former company had sold. At the expiration of that year, the factory being converted into a flouring-mill, he again returned to the farm, where he has since resided. He was married Nov. 11, 1847, to Amy Amanda Beckwith, daughter of Chauncy and Susannah (Barnes) Beckwith, who came to Norton Township. about 1820, from Hartford, Conn. Mrs. Allen was the second daughter of a family of six children, three sons and three daughters; she was born Sept. 16, 1830, and by her marriage has two children—Newton W,. born April 2, 1857; and Cynthia Anna, Sept. 11, 1860. Newton was married, April 28, 1880, to Mary E. Grove, daughter of David Grove, a prominent farmerof Franklin Township. Mr. Allen has held the most prominent positions in the township, such as Trustee, Township Clerk and President of the School Board; a man of good business tact, which has been conducive to his success, and of a Christian spirit, he and family being members of the Disciples' Church, to which he is a liberal giver as well as to all other societies promoting the cause of Christianity.

LEVI ALLEN, Jr. farmer; P. 0. Akron; was born July 28, 1824, on the farm where he now lives; his education was sufficient to enable him to teach. He remained with his father until the spring of 1850, when he started from Akron to Sacramento City, Cal., going most of the way on foot in company with Edwin Allen, Isaac Spicer, Sterns Sparrowhawk and Ephraim Bellows; they endured a great deal of hardship and suffering on account of lack of provision and water; he lived in the principal cities, and engaged in mining in the mountains. The latter years of his stay there were spent on a ranch in the stock business and the raising of grain. At one time while returning on horseback to Sacramento City from his mining interests in the mountains, he was chased by two desperadoes (there being a great number in that country), for eighteen miles, and only escaped by the superiority of his steed and the approach upon civilization; many more incidents of the experience of about sixteen years of frontier life might be related, but space will not permit. On the 24th day of December, 1856, he was married to Mary E. Ware, a native of Amherst Co., Va., by whom he has had three children —a pair of twin boys who were buried there with their mother, and Mary E. P., born Aug. 16, 18.58. His second marriage occurred in

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1868, to Cornelia Adelaide Knapp, daughter of William H. and Deborah (Wightman) Knapp, who are prominent in the history of Cuyahoga Co., where they resided, and where Mr. Knapp served the county for nine years as County Surveyor, he being a man of influence, and one of the oldest settlers in that county, their settlement being made in about 1810. Mr. Allen has two children by his second marriage, viz., Cornelia Cynthia Adelia, born June 13. 1871; Albertina May Deborah, May 14,1872. He returned to Akron in December, 1866, from the Pacific coast, and subsequently engaging in a general farm life and the improvement of stock. Is a member of the Disciples' Church, and a man of prominence in his township.

JOHN ALLEN, farmer; P. O. Akron; was born Oct. 20. 1829. to Jonah Allen, whose history appears in another place in this work, under the head of William Allen. The subject of this sketch spent his early life in assisting in the farm work, and in securing as good an education as the common schools of his time would admit of. On the 9th of December. 1857, he was married to Ann Morgan. daughter of Isham and Juliette ( Meech) Morgan. who came to Newburg, Cuyahoga Co.. Ohio. in 1811. from Groton, Conn. The Morgan family was among the oldest and most prominent families of Cuyahoga Co. Mr. Allen by his marriage has four children—Emma C.. born Nov. 2. 1858. and married June 2. 1880, to Henry B. Sisler, one of the coal merchants of Akron: Jesse M.. born April 6. 1864: Isham F.. Jan. 2. 1868: John R.. March 23. 1871. The Aliens are a quiet and unassuming people. not aspiring to office. but paying strict attention to the most improved methods of agriculture. in which they are engaged. and very successful. They are members of the Disciples' Church, and have at heart the improvement of the morals of the people, and the advancement of education and religion. .

ISRAEL ALLYN. deceased: was born Dec. 24. 1790, in Groton. New London Co.. Conn.. and died May 7, 1873. He moved to the farm upon which his two daughters. Lucy and Hannah now live, and to whom we are indebted for this sketch, in March. 1819. with a family consisting of wife and two children. The wife was Lucy Gallup, born March 22, 1789, and married Aug. 1, 1813; daughter of Jacob and Rebecca (Morgan) Gallup, who were married in 1766, and were natives of the State of Connecticut. Israel's parents were Ephraim, born in 1748, died Dec. 28, 1816, and Temperance (Morgan) Allen, who died Oct. 3, 1799, having been born May 4. 1752, and married Nov. 15, 177(1. The wife of Israel died July 2. 1850. Ephraim was the father of seventeen children, twelve by his first wife, the subject of this sketch being one of a pair of twins, the eleventh child and seventh son, the four oldest being daughters. His second marriage was to Mrs. Rebecca (Morgan) Gallup, a sister to first wife; she was born April 9. 1766, died July 3, 1834. By this union five children were born. two of whom are now living —Erastus and Edward, prominent men in the State of Connecticut, and Austin. who died at Canaan. Conn.. in 1878. Israel's family consisted of seven children—George H., born Oct. 31. 1814: Israel M.. June 20, 1818; Abel G., Oct. 4. 1820; Lucy R.. Sept. 15. 1822: Austin, Aug. 20. 1828: Lydia. June 16. 1831: Hannah S.. Aug. 15. 1833. Three are deceased—Lydia. Mrs. Gen. Voris. died March 16. 1876, leaving three children—George H.. married a Miss Altay A. Hall, also leaving three children, two sons in Akron and one daughter in Sun City. Kan.. with whom the mother is living. Austin was married in August. 1854. to Huldah Voris. a sister to Gen. Voris. by whom he had six daughters. all living in Ottawa Co.. Mo.. except the oldest. who is teaching in the high school at Akron. He died April 15. 1871. Israel M. resides near Eaton Rapids. Mich.; was three times married. first. to Hannah Mather: second to Mrs. Caroline Ludlow, by whom he had two sons and one daughter; third marriage to Elmira Nichols. The subject of this sketch was in the war of 1812; a carpenter by trade. but engaged in farming after coming to this State. He is a man of rare abilities, of remarkable force of character, honest and industrious. a very prominent man among the people. and nearly worshiped for his kindness and assistance rendered the poor. He held the most prominent offices in the township of Coventry. and received the honor and praises of all the people.

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ABEL G. ALLYN, farmer: P. O. Akron; is the third son of Israel Allyn, whose history appears in another part of the biographical department of Coventry Township; was born Oct. 4, 1820. in the vicinity of Akron, and received a common district-school education such as could be secured at that early day. He assisted in the management of the old homestead until 1847. when he purchased the farm on which he now resides, where his life has since been spent in a general farm and dairy business. His marriage occurred Oct. to. 1847. to Adeline Capron. daughter of Ara and Eliza (Sweet) Capron. who came from Susquehanna Co.. Penn.. about 1825, making their settlement on the line between Copley and Bath Townships. this county. where they engaged in fanning. They have six children. viz., Addie. born July 23. 1848: Charles, May 25, 1851: Ida, Feb. 15. 1854: Leora, May 14, 1860: Ettie. Jan. 28, 1863, and Gertie. Nov. 24, 1869. The three oldest are married—Addie. to Preston Barber, who is engaged at the Buckeye Works: Charles, to Ada Viall. and now residing in Summit, Greeley Co., Neb.. where he is farming, and is also Postmaster at Summit, which he named after his native county; Ida, the wife of States A. McCoy, a former resident of this county, now of St. Joseph, Mich. Mr. Allyn has held the most responsible offices of his township, and is now serving his fifth term as Director of the agricultural society ofthis county.

JOHN BEESE, Superintendent Summit Mine; P. O. Akron; son of Samuel, who was a son of Sampson, a native of Somersetshire, England, but moved to Monmouthshire, South Wales, when his son Samuel was 4 years of age, which was about the year 1800, there living and dying and raising a family, by his first marriage, of eleven children, of which our subject is one, having been born March 1,1829. By his second marriage he had twelve children, four of whom are still living in their native country. Five of the children by the first marriage living in this country. His mother was Esther Jones, who, at a very tender age, on account of the loss of her mother, was taken by a family named Roberts, with whom she lived until her marriage. Mr. Beese spent his life with his father, who was engaged in mining, until the fall of 1850, when he came to Youngstown, working in the Mahoning Valley until the fall of 1868, when he came to Coventry. accepting at that time the superintendency of the Middlebury Shaft, which position he held for about eight years; then that of the Summit mine. formerly the old Steese bank, which position he now holds. He was for some time Superintendent of both mines, which required a great amount of business tact and ability. He has been engaged in his present business for about twenty-four years. He was married. No. 4. 1853, to Agnes Thornton, who was born Jan. 31, 1836, daughter of Alexander and Mary (Meak) ) Thornton. all natives of Scotland. who came to America and settled in Sharon. Penn., in August, 1849. where her parents still reside. The father being one of the most prominent farmers and stock-raisers in Mercer County, and both hale and hearty at an advanced age. Their family, which consisted of ten children, nine of whom are living in different parts of the county. are all of considerable prominence. Mr. Beese has eight children—Alfred, born Aug. 18. 1854; Charles, June 10, 1856: Eliza, June 2. 1859: Mary, Nov. 4. 1801: Belle, May 26, 1864: Samuel, Nov. 18, 1866: John. Oct. 16. 1869: Agnes Caroline, June 10, 1873. Charles was married, Jan. S, 1878, to Mary Hausman, residing in Sharon Township. Medina Co.. Ohio, and is mining the Ebbert coal, which belongs to his father. The mine being situated on township county lines, they are mining for two counties and four different townships. Eliza is the wife of Henry Stroman, who is engineer at the Brewster Coal Company's mine in Springfield Township.

GEORGE BURGNER, farmer; P. O. New Portage. Jacob Harter, the father-in-law of the subject of this sketch. was born Jan. 10, 1793, in Dauphin Co., Penn. ; he a son of George, who was born about 1757, and died about 1833; he a son of Mathias, who came from Germany very early in 1700. His mother was Elizabeth Bauman, who died in her 95th year; she a daughter of Abraham Bauman, natives of Dauphin Co. also. Jacob came with his father to Stark Co. in 1805, settling near Canton. In the spring after arriving at the age of 18 years, was " taken in the first

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draft, first class," for the war of 1812. They were first sent to Wooster under Gen. Bell, where they built a block-house; no danger being anticipated, they were sent still further west to Mansfield, where they camped for a short time, and being put under the command of Gen. Simon Perkins, they were sent to his camp about forty miles north, afterward going to Lower Sandusky. The war ending in a short time, he returned home. In 1815, he was married to Catharine Souers. daughter of Henry and Catharine (Harter) Souers, from Lancaster Co.. Penn., and early settlers in Stark County. In the spring of 1831. Mr. Harter with his wife and seven children came to Coventry Township from Franklin. His family were ten in number, seven of whom still survive—one son in Iowa, two in Indiana, and one in Norton Township. this county: two daughters reside in Stark County, the other, a Mrs. George Bergner, with whom the old gentleman resides. Mr. Burgner is the son of Jacob, a son of Peter Burgner, who came from Berne, Switzerland, when but 15 years old. The record of the Burgher family is contained in a German Bible, printed in 153, and a testament printed in 1545. the two books now being the property of Jacob Burgner. who resides at Fremont. Ohio. The father of Jacob Burgner arrived in Canton July 4, 1812. He engaged in farming in Jackson Township, and, in 1615, came to Franklin Township, being among the first in that township. His wife was Mary Conrad. George received a very limited education, in an old log schoolhouse, which was built upon his father's farm, and afterward taught in same place in the winters of 1835 and 1836; from that time until 1852, he worked at the carpenter's trade, and the warehouses at New Portage. May 2, 1852, he was married to Anna Harter, and settled upon the farm where they now live. They have had four daughters. of whom three are now living—Amanda, born Jan. 9. 1855: Mary, Jan. 23, 1859, and Clara, March 10, 1870. Amanda is the wife of George A. Proehl, by whom she has two children—Clara Bertha, born Feb. 26, 1877; and Vincent, Sept. 15, 1880. Mr. Proehl is a farmer and stone mason in Coventry Township. Mr. Burgner held the office of Township Trustee four terms, and was elected Township Treasurer, but declined the office.

BREWSTER BROS. Coal Company, Middlebury, is composed of Stephen, born Oct. 2, 1832; Jonathan H., Jan. 11, 1834; James a, Jr., and Hiram, June 8, 1835; and George W., March 21, 1837: sons of James G., born in Groton, Conn., Jan. 9, 1797; and Martha ( Hassen) Brewster, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Mary Brown, who were residents of the State of Pennsylvania. James G., Sr., was a son of Stephen, born March 4. 1770, and Lydia (Bellows) Brewster, born May 14, 1771. They were married May 1, 1796. The Brewster Coal Company is well known throughout Summit County. and the north part of Ohio: the biography of James G. apears in the biographical department of Springfield Township. Jonathan H. and Hiram are bachelors. and the family histories of Stephen and George W. appear below. Stephen, the subject of this sketch. is living in the fourth house built upon the same location where his grandfather settled in 1811, being one of the first settlers in Coventry Township. He was married, April 2. 1874. to Charlotte H. Meach, daughter of John A. and Lydia Ann (Housel) Meach, early residents of this township. They have four children—Ephraim H.. burn Dec. 25, 1874: Hayes Wheeler. June 25, 1876; Stephen M, March 5, 1878: and Sir Walter, April 1, 1880. George W. was married, Oct. 19, 1876, to Marie L. Kent. who was born June 1, 1843, to Josiah and Lucia (Miller) Kent, who were among the first settlers in Suffield Township, Portage Co., Ohio, where the father has resided for about sixty-five years on one farm. They have three children—Georgia Marie, born Sept. 20, 1877: Hiram Wallace, Sept. 24, 1879: Arthur Kent. Dec. 20, 1880.

HENRY J. BELLOWS. farmer: P. O. Akron: is the youngest son of Ithamar, whose history appears with that of John H. Bellows. He received a common district-school education, attending until about 20 years of age, the intervening time being spent upon the farm. He was married. July 4. 1856, to Louisa Weston, born Dec. 24. 1837, and daughter of Francis and Amanda (Hinman) Weston, , who were among the earliest settlers in Springfield Township. They have one child-Mary—

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born July 16, 1857, and married Sept. 6, 1875, to Frank Rabenstine, son of Ephraim Rabenstine, who was one of the early settlers of Stark Co. They reside with Mr. Bellows, and have one son—Dwight. The subject of this sketch was for seven years engaged in the dairying business, four years on his present farm, and three years on the Sumner estate, south of Middlebury, where he lived from the fall of 1873 to 1876. He is a stanch Republican, and he and his family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a liberal giver to the cause of religion, and the advancement of missions and schools; is prominently engaged in all the enterprises of the township. but not an office seeker.

BENJAMIN S. COOKE, machinist, with Webster, Camp & Lane, and farmer; P. O. Akron. The father of the subject of this sketch, Charles Cooke, son of Benjamin S., a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., was a harness-maker by trade, and engaged in business in Baltimore, Md., and in Camden, N. J., where his son, Benjamin S., was born March 22, 1833. Charles was born in Brooklyn Feb. 18, 1810, and died June 25, 1849. He was married, July 12, 1831, to Sarah Stout, daughter of James and Rebecca (Stiles) Stout, natives of Salem Co., N. J.; he was the possessor of the famous " apple orchard farm " opposite Fort Delaware. The Stouts and Stileses were of the original Quakers, who settled before the Revolution in Burlington and Camden Cos., N. J. The family names possess considerable wealth and influence in England. The parents of our subject are both deceased, leaving a family of four children—Benjamin S., Rebecca, Abigail, now deceased, and Sallie, wife of Charles Peck, a business man of Pittsburgh. Rebecca, wife of Henry Caries, residing in Camden. Benjamin S. received the advantages of education until the age of 16 years. At 18, he began learning the trade of a machinist, at which he is now engaged with Webster, Camp & Lane. He has worked at his trade in a great many different cities and States, and was, at 22 years of age, steamboat engineer upon the Delaware River, and during the war, engineer in Admiral Farragut's squadron of the navy, and at the taking of Fort Morgan, at the mouth of the Mobile. His travels have been extensive, taking in twenty-six Sates, Mexico and Cuba; he came to the farm which he now owns, about two miles from Akron, in the spring of 1868, from Mifflin, Penn. In 1878, he built a portable engine, giving it by his great inventive talent, many new points, which make it superior to all others of like design. On his farm he has ' a very profitable pebble quarry, with all the machinery for separating the pebble from the sand, for fire brick manufacturing, making a superior quality of brick. He was married, June 27, 1862, to Ermina K. Frank, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Frank, natives of Juniata Co., Penn. They have had three children, one of whom died in infancy; those living are Sallie, born Sept. 18, 1866: and Rebecca, April 22, 1873.

HIRAM S. FALOR, Akron: burn in Coventry Township, at the farm upon which he now resides, March 22, 1829: the son of George A. and Nancy (McCoy) Falor. who were early settlers of Summit Co.; he received a knowledge of the common branches in the schools of his native township; when 19 years of age, became an apprentice in the harness-shop of Orrin Beckwith, of Akron, remaining three years: then started a shop of his own, and carried on business some ten years. In the spring of 1860, he went to California; for a short time clerked in a wholesale store at San Francisco; then went to Humboldt Bay, crossed over the mountains to Salmon River and mined for four months. During the latter part of 1860, he removed to Virginia City, Nev., then a Territory, and opened the first harness-shop ever started in that place; his establishment was called the " Pioneer Harness-Shop." He served as a petit juror in the first court ever held in Storey Co. During the early part of 1861, he organized the Virginia City Grays, and was elected Captain of the company; when the rebellion was inaugurated the company tendered their services to the Government, but were declined by the national authorities who, at the time early in the war, did not wish to pay the expense of transporting the company to the seat of hostilities. In September, 1863, Falor returned to Akron, remaining for some five years in the city. In 1868, having purchased 30 acres

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from his father, he removed to Coventry Township, erected a residence on this land, a part of the old homestead, where his family now resides. In January, 1880, he was appointed by Hon. Joseph Turney, Treasurer of Ohio, to be Messenger in the office at Columbus; he also had charge of the Attorney General's office and the Mine Inspector's rooms in the Capitol. Mr. Falor was, on April 28, 1853, elected by the Council of Akron to be Deputy Marshal of the place, and served for two years. He was Secretary of the Summit County Agricultural Society for four years, and Assistant nearly ever since its organization: has been a member of the I. O. O. F. for over twenty years, and, as early as 1857, filled the office of Noble Grand in that order: has also been a Mason since 1852. He was married, July 4, 1854, to Miss Bertia E., daughter of Benjamin and Bertia E. Agard, and by her had four children—Benjamin Stanton. died aged 8: Claude Emerson. now a member of Co. G. 10th Regiment of the regular army: Nancy Honora. died aged 7: Minnie Florence, now at home. His first wife died Jan. 2, 1872, and he was married a second time to Mrs. Phoebe A. Lutz: two children being the result of this union—Hiram. Garcelon and Phebe. Mrs. Falor. by her former husband, is the mother of two children—Minnie C., now Mrs. Harry Flower: and Sylvester E. Lutz. Mr. Falor is now at the age of 52. in reasonable good health and circumstances.

MOSES FALOR. farmer: P. O. Akron: was born in the city of Akron Feb. 3. 1827, to Abraham and Polly (Osborn) Falor: his grandparents were Adam and Elizabeth Falor. who came from Pennsylvania among the first settlers of Stark Co., Ohio. The Osborns were from the State of Connecticut. There were ten children in his father's family, seven sons and three daughters, of which the subject of this sketch is the fifth son, and has lived near the city of Akron his whole life, noting the rapid progress of that place. in the building-up of the great manufacturing interests of which she can now boast. Mr. Falor received but a limited education, his time being spent on the farm with his father in the performance of the various duties connected with farm life. His marriage occurred Feb.10, 1853, to Hannah a Wilson, born 1827, Oct. 20, and daughter of Moses D. and Jane (McCoy) Willson, who were among the first settlers in Coventry Township. They have had eight children, four sons and four daughters—Albert, born Feb. 22, 1854; Ida Jane, Feb. 9. 1856; Clinton, Oct. 10, 1857; Rollin J., Dec. 18, 1859: Clara L., Sept. 12, 1863; Grace N., Oct. 11, 1866: Cora May, Dec. 18, 1869: Jasper M., May 26, 1874. All are living except Clara, who died Oct. 20, 1866. Clinton was married July 18, 1880, to Isabel Kintz, daughter of Samuel Kintz, and is engaged in the molding-room at the Buckeye Works. They are engaged quite extensively in farming and dairying. They are members of the Disciples' Church, respected and esteemed as citizens.

ADAM GREENWALT, grocer and farmer: P. O. Akron: son of Michael and Henrietta ( Brehm) Greenwalt, who were natives of Germany, but emigrated to America in 1841, and settled in York State, where he worked at farm work until 1843, when he came to Massillon and worked in a warehouse for eight years; then purchased a farm two and a half miles north of that place, where he died Jan. 13, 1873. in his 54th year. His wife survives him at the old homestead in her 60th year, she coming to Massillon in 1839. Adam was born Sept. 18, 1845: received a limited education and enlisted Oct. 18, 1862, in Co. C, 13th O. V. I, under Capt. William B. Lamberts, at Mansfield. and sworn in to service at Columbus: thence to Cincinnati, Louisville and Cave City, where he joined his regiment and began the hard life of active soldiering, which lasted for more than three years, during which time he participated in all the hotly contested battles and skirmishes engaged in by the Southern army. At Murfreesboro. the regiment was badly cut to pieces, suffering great loss: also at Mission Ridge, engaging in the great charge at that place, with Grant the great leader, by his side: thence to Knoxville, Chattanooga and the seven months Georgia campaign: then back to Chattanooga, Huntsville, Franklin and Nashville, engaging in the battle at that place; thence to Texas, landing at Indianola; afterward to San Antonio, where he was discharged by Capt. D. A.

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Geiger, on the 26th day of October, 1865, after having displayed great bravery and discharged nobly the duties of a soldier. He is one of the six or seven members of the original company, who returned home. He came to this county about 1867, from Stark Co., and about seven years later in company with his brother-in-law, purchased the farm of 82 acres upon which he now lives. He was married, Oct. 10, 1867, to Catharine Koontz, daughter of Frederick and Charlotte (Dippey) Koontz, who were natives of Germany, but emigrated to America about forty-five years ago. They have three children living —William Henry, John and George Adam.

MATHIAS HARTER. farmer: P. O. Akron. The Harter families in our county and country have become quite numerous. The original stock emigrated from Wurtemberg, Germany, in the year 1743. Three brothers landed in that year in the city of Philadelphia. The colonial laws then allowed the owners of ships to sell all emigrants for a stated time, so as to pay their indebtedness to the t hip. The voyage having been both tedious and perilous, all the emigrants had to be sold for debts. One of the brothers being lame he didn't bring anything on the block, so the mother of the family, who was a stout woman, was sold and worked out the indebtedness. Two of the brothers moved into the interior of Pennsylvania, and one went to the colony of New York and settled in the valley of the Mohawk. The name was originally Herder, similar to the Herder who was one of Germany's most distinguished authors, theologians and teachers. The names of some of the Harters who were among the first settlers in the southern part of this county are Andrew, who settled near the village of Manchester, and Jac Harter, who lives now in Coventry Township. These Harters are first cousins.. Andrew came to Franklin Township in 1814. But John Harter, the father of Jac, moved to Stark Co. previous to the war of 1812. The Harter family to which Andrew and Jac belong, is noted for its longevity. The former is past 87 years, while the latter has rounded up his 88th year. Andrew has now a brother living in Center Co., Penn., who is 90 years old, and two sisters who arepast 80. The name of the original grandfather who came from Germany was Mathias. It was he who was lame and did not bring anything. Andrew Harter's father's name was John, who was born and raised in Lebanon Co., Penn. The family of Andrew Harter consisted of five sons and one daughter, who was the wife of Mr. Daniel Diehl, of Franklin Township. Two of the sons are dead—Andrew and Isaac. George resides at Independence, Iowa; Daniel and Mathias reside in Coventry Township. The latter lived in the State of Missouri when the war of the rebellion broke out. And as he resided in one of the hottest hotbeds of secession, he had great opportunities to learn the real spirit of the Southerners. After the fall of Fort Sumter. he took his wife and two children and started for Iowa, where he formerly resided, and after locating them as comfortably as he could, he enlisted in the 9th Regiment of O. V. I. After the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge in the fall of 166 3, he re-enlisted for three years more, or during the war. He was with Gen. Sherman on his great march from Atlanta to the sea, and through the Carolinas and Virginia to Washington, and was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., in the month of June, 1865. After the war was over, he moved with his family to the city of Akron, where he started the "Akron File Works," in the fall of 1868. Mathias Harter was married, in 1855, to Miss Sallie M Hall, the youngest daughter of John Hall, second of Springfield Township, who was one of its earliest pioneers. The family of Mathias Harter consists of three sons—Edwin C., Sigel F. and James Hall; and two daughters—Jennie Winona and Sallie Belle. The two first sons and the first daughter were born at Independence, Iowa; of the remaining two, the daughter was born in Akron, and the son in the township of Coventry.

JOHN HEINTZ, farmer; P. O. Akron; came to New York in August, 1834 from Hesse, Hamburg, on the west side of the Rhine, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, which country now belongs to Prussia. He was born Oct. 24, 1812, to Peter and Louisa (Bauers) Heintz: she was a daughter of George and

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Margaret Bauers. His father was a prominent farmer in his native country: his family consisting of three sons and three daughters, John being the only son now living: his oldest sister living in Germany, the second. Louisa. wife of Urias Whitner. of Coventry: and Mary. wife of Joseph Slager. now residing near Aurora. Ill. John was married. March 20, 1836, in Cleveland. to Sophia Kech. daughter of Conrad Kech. a prominent farmer of Trumbull Co.. Ohio: by her he had seven children, two of whom died in infancy. John F. in his 29th year. after having been married some time to Susannah Renninger. who is also deceased. leaving three children—Charles and Edward. living in Bath Township. and Joseph living with relatives in East Liberty. There are four children living. one son and three daughters --Louisa. wife of Louis Moore. residing in Pine Bluff's. Ark.: Sarah. wife of Joseph Arnold. a farmer in Sharon Township. Medina Co.: Amelia. widow of Henry Bolinger. she residing in Clarke Co.. Ind: and George. married to Sarah A. Harris. a farmer in Bath Township. The first wife of John Heintz died in 1801: his second marriage occurring May 20. 1851. to Margaret (Rost) Bollen a daughter of Jacob and Agues (Bollinger) Bollen. who were natives of Schaffhausen. Switzerland. came to New York in 1848: subsequently moving to Norton Township. Mr. Heintz after complying with the requirements of the compulsory education law. learned the painter's trade. After coming to America he sought for work at his trade. and not being able to speak the English language, was unable to secure a position. He then traveled in search of work, a part of his time being spent in Holmes Co., Ohio, and in Cleveland. where he learned the butcher's trade. which he followed in the latter place and in Akron. subsequently learning the cooper's trade which he followed until 1853. when he moved to the farm which he now occupies. He has held the various township offices of trust, and with his family, are connected with the German Reformed Church of Akron.

GEORGE HEINTZ, farmer; P. O. Akron; son of Philip, whose history appears in that of John Heintz, in another place, was born Jan. 28, 18-7 Philip came from Germany in the spring of 1845, to the farm on which our subject now lives. with his wife, two sons and two daughters—seven more, two sons and five daughters being born after their emigration to Coventry Township, he dying Dec. 20,1876, in his 67th year: of the whole number of children eight are now living—two brothers, Philip and John, in Bath Township, this county, engaged in farming; one sister, formerly Mrs. Jacob Glass, who died in Kansas, she afterward marrying Elias Gaskanbach, a farmer in Miami Co., Kan.. where they now reside: the others are Mrs. Matilda Sherbondy, whose husband is Superintendent in rubber works: Mary, Mrs. Urias Kramer, also engaged in rubber works: Magdalena, a Mrs. Eli Petra, engaged at the sewer-pipe works; Catharine, formerly a Mrs. Philip Burgy. now a Mrs. Philip Lambert. working at the Seiberling Company Works: all residing in Akron. George. the subject of this sketch, was married to Mary M. Beck, born Sept. 1, 1853, and daughter of George Beck. They have one child—George Philip, born Aug. 21, 1878. The mother of our subject is Mary (Baird) Heintz, born Sept. 20, 1814. George learned the potter's trade, at which he worked eight years. the rest of his life being spent in a general farm avocation. They are members of the Trinity Lutheran Church, living Christian lives and commanding the respect of the people.

ALEM HIGH. farmer; P. O. New Portage; son of William High, who was born Feb. 13, 1796; he of Josiah High, a native of Berks Co., Penn. William was married to Elizabeth Reninger Sept. 10, 1822; she was born Jan. 6, 1801, and died Sept. 3, 1872; they had three children—Alen. the subject of this sketch, born June 1, 1823; Isaac, June 21, 1825: Anna Eliza, Dec. 18, 1828; all of whom are living, the latter the wife of Rev. L. C. Edmonds, married Feb. 1, 1850, and located in Adamsburg, Snyder Co., Penn. ; Isaac was married to Mary Jane Ludwig; the second marriage, to Jane Moore, with whom he is still living in Medina; he engaged in the hardware and grocery business at that place. Alem was married to Leah Wildroudt May 30, 1850, she dying April 6, 1851: second marriage, to Mary

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Weirick, Aug. 29, 1854; expired July 21, 1863; third marriage, to Elizabeth Daily, Nov. 2, 1865. By all marriages, he has had ten children: By first wife, one, who died in infancy; second, four children, two of whom died in infancy; those living are Amasa Milton, born Oct. 10, 1859: Sarah E., Sept. 26, 1861; third marriage, five—Leora, born Sept. 4, 1866: U. G., July 9, 1868; Milo, Feb. 26, 1870; Lydia A., Oct. 23. 1871, died May 10, 1875: and Joshua, Jan. 8, 1875. William High came to Springfield Township in the spring of 1832, where he lived and worked at the carpenter and joiner's trade for about eleven years. then came to the farm upon which his son now lives, and upon which he has carried on a general farm life since. securing a district-school education. Our subject has held the various township offices of trust: is a liberal supporter of all the enterprises of the township, and watchful in the advantages of education for his family.

ELMER HOUSEL, Weighmaster at Sweitzer Shaft, Akron: is a son of Martin, born Nov. 20, 1794, in Westmoreland Co., Penn., and died Sept. 30, 1856, in his 63d year: he is a son of Jacob Housel. Martin was one of the first settlers in Coventry Township; his first wife was Charlotte Brewster, a sister to Alexander Brewster, whose sketch appears in another place in this work. By this marriage there were three children—Hiram, Jacob and Lydia; second marriage, to Margaret Viers, by whom he had twelve children, eight of whom are living; they were as follows: Charlotte, Sarah, Martin. Liverton, Harrison, Nancy, Martha, James, Alice, Elmer (the subject of this sketch), Benjamin and Oscar. All are married-Charlotte. wife of C. L. Goodwin, engaged in prospecting coal; residence, Girard, Trumbull Co., Ohio; Martin, a millwright in Middlebury; Harrison, mail agent on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; Martha, wife of James Kilfoyle, who is connected with the railroad at Niles, Ohio; James, foreman in sewer-pipe company at Middlebury; Benjamin, a carpenter in Northfield, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio; Oscar, carpenter in Galesburg, Ill. Our subject was born Feb. 25, 1846; attended school and worked on a farm until 16 years of age, when he went to Girard, Ohio, where he worked in a flouring-mill eleven years, then engaged in the coal business in different parts of the Mahoning Valley, continuing in the same business, principally. until the present time. He was married, Oct. 3, 1871, to Rachael A. McCartney, daughter of A. W. and Mary A. (Dunlap) McCartney. of Girard, Ohio. They have three children—Guy. born June 16. 1873; Mary, Feb. 28, 1876: Elizabeth. Jan. 17, 1879. In November. 1880, after the opening the new shaft of an extensive coal-mine on the Sweitzer farm, he accepted his present position—that of Weighmaster.

HOUSTON KEPLER, farmer: P. O. New Portage: is a son of Jacob Kepler. who was born about 1797. in Center Co.. Penn. His father was John, a native of Bucks Co.. Penn., but moved with his family to Green Township. in 1802. The early ancestry were from Switzerland. John and a valuable horse were instantly killed at a cider-press by being struck with a heavy lever which became detached. Jacob remained with his father until 18 years of age. when he began working for himself, returning, however, at harvest time, to assist his father. At about 25 years of age. he was married to Susan Marsh, daughter of Adam Marsh. an early settler of Franklin Township. Jacob was always a hard-working man, with a great desire for the acquisition of wealth. which he afterward possessed. In 1822, he settled on the farm where his son Houston now lives, which at that time was a vast wilderness, but, by clearing and grubbing, he became the possessor of more than 1,100 acres of land in Coventry Township. They had thirteen children—four sons and nine daughters: six are living—two sons. both represented in this work; and four daughters—Mrs. Thomas Baughman. Mrs. Henry Wise, Mrs. Andrew Oberlin and Mrs. Solomon Reninger. Huston was born Aug. 25, 1839; he stayed with his father on the farm until his marriage. which occurred April 2, 1863, to Catharine Foust, daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Mauery), daughter of Frederic and Catharine (Hillygoss) Mauery, natives of Pennsylvania. In 1850, the Fousts came from near the southern line of the State of Wisconsin. whither they had gone, a short

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time before, from their native State, to Green Township, where they purchased the place known as the "Old Foust Farm." The old people there died—the father on his birthday, Oct. 20, 1875, aged 66 years; the mother, Aug. 18. 1872, aged 56 years. Houston has four children—Clara Alice, born Feb. 24, 1864; Laura Jane, Aug. 11, 1867; Maggie Elizabeth, Oct. 13, 1872; and Nelson Eugene, May 16, 1877. He was elected Clerk of the township in the spring of 1864, which position he held for six successive terms, and two terms thereafter was Treasurer one year, and for the last fifteen years has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and eleven years member of the School Board, taking an active interest in the progress of education. His life upon the farm is more especially devoted to the raising of grain, the products of his farm being from twelve to fifteen hunched bushels of wheat alone. He and family are members of the Reformed Church, and liberal givers to the cause of religion and the building of churches.

SAMUEL KEPLER. farmer; P. O. New Portage; is a son of Jacob Kepler, a brief history of whom appears with that of Houston Kepler, in this work. Samuel was born April 17, 1830, and received the educational advantages of the old log schoolhouse of those pioneer days. with its puncheon floor and Congress stove, with holes bored in the logs of the building, and wooden pins driven in to support their writing-desks, etc. At 21 years of age, he engaged in farming on his present location, which was a part of the land owned by his father. He was married. Sept. 12. 1851, to Suannah Swigart, daughter of George and Elizabeth (Daily) Swigart, she a daughter of John Daily, who was supposed to have been the first settler in Franklin Township They were natives of Bucks Co., Penn. By this union there were seven children, five of whom are living—Uriah A., born in 1852; Anna. in 1855; Jacob, July 19, 1859; Samuel, Dec. 9, 1865; Minnie May, Dec. 5, 1871. Uriah A. married Mary Lamb, daughter of Nathan Lamb, formerly a prominent business man of this county. They are farming at Chanute, Kan. ; Anna, wife of Hon. Hugo C. Preyer, formerly of the Ohio Stoats Zeiting, at Canton.now editor of the Great West, an independent paper published at Denver, Colo. He is also President of the Stonewall Mining Company. The mines of this company, four in number, are situated near Crosson, on the line of the Denver & South Park Railroad, about forty-eight miles from Denver. The camp is considered one of the best in the State, with a capital of $1,000,000. He is also Secretary of three other mines. Jacob, second son of Samuel Kepler, has advanced to a considerable degree of prominence as a township poltician and a business man. He received a district-school education, with the additional advantages, for a short time, of the high schools and College of Canton, Ohio, where he was also engaged for a time as solicitor upon the Ohio Stoats Zeitung. When a lad of but 16 years, he became very much interested in public matters, and, at 21 years of age, was appointed by the Trustees to canvass the township for election purposes, on account of the great number of transient men. He has been for a considerable time a regular correspondent of the Akron City Tines, and is at present living upon the farm with his father. The subject of this sketch has held the various township offices of trust since his marriage—those of Trustee. Treasurer, and, in 1880, was Assessor of real estate:

JOHN P. KEPLER, Akron; proprietor of the Farmers' Coal Bank, Coventry Township Ohio, which was started in 1874, opening a mine of coal of a superior quality, with a vein averaging about four and a half feet, and employing at one time nearly forty men. His machinery consists of two engines, one of eighty-five-horse power, the other of twenty-horse power: being a practical engineer, he is able to run his own power, as well as the general superintendency of his mine. In 1878, he began utilizing his power by engaging in wood-turning of all kinds, and light sawing; but, on the 13th of February, 188(1, his building, 36x46, was destroyed by fire, entailing upon him a heavy loss. He was born March 5, 1849, to John A., the son of Andrew and Maria Kintz. the latter a daughter of John Kintz, of Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio. His boyhood was spent in Green Township. where he was born, working on a farm

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and at the carpenter's trade. He afterward went to Akron, where he learned the machinist's trade, having before had some experience in that branch of machinery, so that he is now able to build an engine complete. Afterward, for about a year, he kept a meat market, and, since being engaged in the business of mining, has devoted some time to prospecting for coal and the study of geology. He was married, July 27. 1865, to Lovina Stroman, daughter of John Stroman, of Springfield Township. They have two children—Clara M., born June 9. 1869: and Henry Edgar, Feb. 4. 1879.

JOHN KITTINGER, retired farmer; P. O. Akron: was born east of the city of Lancaster. Penn., Aug. 28, 1809. His father was Abraham, son of Casper, whose father came from Germany about one hundred years ago. His mother, Elizabeth Hunsicker, a native of Switzerland, came to this country in about the year 1800. The subject of this sketch has spent his life in farming and fancy-coverlet weaving, being at present engaged, to a limited extent, in the latter occupation. his apprenticeship being completed when not quite 21 years of age, so that, for more than half a century, he has plied his trade. In the year 1833, he came from the land of his nativity to New Portage. where he resided for about two years, then returned to the East to purchase machinery for weaving purposes. He was married, in the spring of 1835, to Sophia Babb, daughter of George Babb. one of the early settlers of Springfield Township: five children blessed this union, three of whom are still living—Jacob, born Feb. 19, 1837: George, Sept. 23, 1838, died in infancy: David, Oct. 25, .1840: Levi, May 26, 1842; and Amanda, Sept. 23, 1850. All three of his bons served in the cause of their country--Levi in the 14th Ohio Battery, under Capt. Burrows, dying April 15, l852, of a fever which he contracted at Pittsburg Landing: David served three years in the 29th O. V. I.. under Col. Buckley, and was discharged after the battle of Atlanta; returning home, he engaged in work at the wagon-maker's trade at Hammond's Corners, Bath Township, this county, where he still resides; Jacob resided in Randolph Co., Ill,, with his family, where he joined a regiment and entered the service;1 being taken prisoner on after, he lay at Richmond until that city was taken by the Union forces: he is now residing at Paris Landing, engaged in coopering and carpentering. Mr. Kittinger's wife died March 26, 1870. He is a stanch old Republican, and has been a member of the German Reformed Church for nearly fifty years.

CHARLES F. KOHLER. Akron: the oldest of a family of five suns and one daughter: born Sept. 6. 1855. to Andrew: he of Andrew and Sarah Fisher, daughter of John Fisher. He is of German-English descent. Charles' father was for many years engaged in general merchandising at Richfield and Jersey Shore. in the State of Pennsylvania. where. in Juniata Co.. Charles was born and receive all the educational advantages of his community: then. after moving to Akron. in the spring of 1870. he completed the high schoo term and took a course at the Oberlin Commercial School, where he received a diploma for proficiency. On the 1st of January. I 1879. he accepted the position of Weigh-master and bookkeeper at the Summit. Mine. formerly the old Steese Mine. He was married. April 10, 1879, to Alice Brittain. daughter of .John T. Brittain whose history appears in the biographical department of Springfield Township, of this work. They have one child-Burt B.. born Feb. 4, 1880. Charles' only sister. Mrs. Ferdinand Diebold, residing in Cleveland: his oldest brother, John, studying medicine with Dr. Leight: the others are attending school. the father being careful that his children improve their educational advantages.

SIMON P. MARSH teacher and farmer; P. O. Akron. The ancestors of this estimable-gentleman were natives of the State of Pennsylvania. near Williamsport: his father. George L.. was born Feb. 7, 1808, and died April 18, 1870, the son of Adam, a carpenter by trade, who came to Franklin Township. this county. about 1819. and died in 1862 or 1863. aged about 82 years. George L. received a very limited education on account of the. early removal of his father to the above-named township, and the prevailing idea of those early times that work was more necessary than education; his services were, at a tender age. demanded upon the farm. He was married

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to Elizabeth Hane. Dec. 1, 1831: she was born July 20, 1811, and died Nov. 2, 1867. By this union there were six sons and six daughters—George Adam, born Dec. 8, 1832: John Jacob. Dec. 30, 1833: Samuel Christian. Aug. 25, 1835: Nancy, April 4. 1837: Lovina, Jan. 8, 1839: Elizabeth, April 3. 1840: Sarah, April 7. 1842: the two last are dead—the latter, wife of John Myers, by whom she had one child Ida Elizabeth, born June 22. 1862: William Henry. Jan. 22. 1844: Hiram Franklin. Nov. 23, 1845: Simon Peter. April 5, 1848: Harriet. May 3, 1850; and Amanda. Sept. 16. 1852. Mr. Marsh. before his marriage. entered 160 acres of land, which he afterward cleared up, and raised the large family mentioned above, ten of whom are still living. all the sons having been teachers. George teaching and farming in Marshall Co.. Ind.: William teaching and carpentering in Tallmadge Township: John farming in Stark Co. : the others are residents of Franklin Township: the daughters are wives of the sons of the earliest and most prominent early settlers of that township. Simon P. began teaching at 16 years of age. having received h s certificate to teach when but 15 years of age: he has now taught his twentieth term of district school. He was married. Oct. 15. 1872. to Sophia E. Young. born July 21. 1848. in Franklin Township. daughter of Samuel. the son of Abraham Young : her mother was Sarah Shook, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Vensall) Shook, natives of Pennsylvania. but early settlers of Franklin Township. They have had four children. one dying in infancy: those living are Ellery Leroy. horn Aug. 1. 1874: Charles Gilbert. March 1 . 1877 : and Etta Elizabeth. March 26. 1879. He purchased the beautiful farm upon which he now lives in March. 1874. and. in the spring following. his removal to the township. was elected to the office of Township Clerk. which position he has held to the present time. except the year 1879. He and family are members of the Reformed Church: a prominent Democrat. and an enterprising young man.

SAMUEL W. MILLER (deceased): was born in Westmoreland Co.. Penn., Dec. 6. 1812. and died Jan. 28, 1881. suddenly. of heart disease: his parents were Jesse and Elizabeth (Weaster) Miller, both of whom lived to a great age—she about 106 years. They came from Venango Co., Penn., to the farm on which the widow now lives, in January, 1865, after having resided in many different places in their native State, he being a stonemason by trade, but afterward engaging in farming: his father, Jesse, was a miller by trade. and a school-teacher of considerable prominence. Samuel married Elizabeth Seger June 11, 1833. daughter of John, he of John and Ann (Rhodenbush), she of Jacob and Ann Rhodenbush. They had eleven children, four of whom died in childhood; those living are William J. M.. born March 3, 1834: Mary Caroline. Dec. 12, 1836; John H.. May 12. 1839: Sarah Ann. Nov. 30, 1841: Eunice C., July 2. 1847: Hannah M., June 4, 1856: and George W.. April 28, 1859. William married Elizabeth Honn, who was born in Philadelphia: they have two children—John L. and Sarah A.. who, at this writing, reside in Venango Co.. Penn. William, being called here by the death of his father, is contemplating a removal to this State to assist his mother in the management of the farm: the second is Mrs. James Graham, living in Wood Co.. Ohio; the third, to Amanda Gregg; they reside in Akron: the fourth, a Mrs. Samuel Foster. who is a mechanic in the knife-works at Akron: the fifth, a Mrs. Earnest B. Teits, a tailor at Akron. The two youngest are at home. Mr. Miller was a man respected by the people of his community, and, with his wife. members of the church. and gave liberally of their means for the support of the cause of religion and the advancement of the people.

SAMPSON MOORE. JR. farmer: P. O. Akron; the youngest of six children—four sons and two daughters—of Sampson Moore. who came from the County Antrim. near Ballymena, Ireland. in May 1822, landing at Fairport. Ohio, and going from there to Painesville. Lake Co., Ohio. Sampson, Sr., died nine days after landing at Fairport, and his widow afterward married one James Hall, and, in March, 1826. moved to the farm upon which the subject of this sketch now lives. The stepfather died about two years later, and the mother Sept. 7. 1855. at about 68

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years of age. She was Jane Kerr, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Robert and Margaret (Boyd) Kerr, who was a sister of Gen. Boyd, of Revolutionary fame, who died in New York City. The Kerr family was formerly of Scotland, but moved into Ireland, and, like the Boyd family, became very wealthy and of considerable prominence. Mr. Moore was married, Jan. 10, 1864, to Mary E. Shutt. daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Gregg) Shutt, who were natives of Maryland—the Greggs of Pennsylvania. They have four children—Jane C., born Feb. 21,1865; Emma T., Nov. 26, 1869; Louisa M., Oct. 17, 1871: and James S., May 26, 1875. The Moores were of English descent, Sampson's grandfather being sent from England to Ireland as legal agent for an estate. James Moore, a brother to Sampson, is probably responsible for the p appearing in that name; he was a jeweler at No. 68 High street, Belfast, and. upon the face of an "old bull's-eye" watch, which he presented to his brother, he used the letters of the name to mark the hour, instead of figures or other characters, and supplying the deficiency in the number of letters. Mr. Moore is a member of the Disciples' Church, a stanch Republican, and a man of considerable prominence in the township in which he lives.

GEORGE PROEHL,, farmer; P. O. Akron; was born April 9, 1822, to George and Christine (Boedchel) Proehl, who were natives of Saxe Altenburg, Germany; his father was a grain-dealer in that country, dying when the subject of this sketch was at a very tender age, probably about 1825, at about 50 years of age. George is the youngest of six children, all of whom are dead except an older sister, who still resides in their native country. received his education under the compulsory laws of the country, was a soldier from 1842 to 1846, serving the required time as a regular; then went on the reserve force for two years, after which he received his freedom. In the fall of 1848, he came to America, shipping from Bremen to New York, where he landed after a forty-three days' voyage; he immediately came to Akron, where he worked the first ten years at his trade, that of stone-cutting and masonry. In 1858, he purchased the farm upon which he now lives moving to the same in the spring of 1859, and has been working at his trade and farming since that time. He was married, July 1 1849, to Louisa Loose, who was born May 21 1825. to Gottfried and Elizabeth Loose, who were also natives of Saxe Altenburg, Germany. She came to America without her parents in the year of her marriage. They have had eight children; one died in infancy; the oldest. Louis J., born July 18, 1850; George, March 8, 1852; William, May 14, 1854; Maria Matilda. April 18, 1856; John Franklin, Aug. 8, 1861; Emma, Aug. 17. 1864, and Sarah Ida. Jan. 29. 1867. Louis is a graduate of the college at Lebanon, Ohio; also, :n 1879, graduated from the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, and is now practicing with Dr. Underwood, in the city of Akron. George. Jr., married Amanda Burgner; William married Allie S. Vandersall Dec. 7, 1879, by whom he has one child—John Martin, born Sept. 6. 1880; he is engaged in farming in Coventry. Maria M. is the wife of John R. Davis, who is teacher of a graded school started by himself at Brecksville; he is also a graduate of Lebanon, Ohio. They were married April 18, 1880. Mr. Proehl and family are members of church, and he a liberal supporter of religious and educational privileges.

ISAAC ROMIG, farmer; P. O. New Portage; is a son of Jesse Romig, a native of Lehigh Co., Penn., who died in 1867, in his 85th year; he was the youngest of five children—four sons and one daughter, all of whom are dead. Isaac was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, March 14, 1827. Jesse came from his native county to Wooster in the fall of 1826, where he lived four years, then removed to Thompson Township. Seneca Co., where he died. He was the father of thirteen children, all of whom lived until after 21 years of age: there are at present two sons and five daughters living, our subject next to the youngest. Their residences are as follows: John, a farmer in Marshall Co., Ind.; Susannah, widow of Michael Kern, Thompson Township, Seneca Co.; Polly, widow of Samuel Shirk, living in the State of Michigan; Juliana, a maiden living with the last-mentioned; Catharine, wife of John Good, a farmer of some official prom-

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inence in Stark Co., Ind. ; Martha, wife of George Collier, a farmer in York Township, Sandusky Co., Ohio. Our subject received a very limited education, attending the district school about six months, his time being occupied upon the farm with his father until 20 years of age, after which he worked by the month for a time. In February 1850, he was married to Lucy Ann Good, daughter of Adam Good. By her he had two children, she dying in June. 1855, in Stark Co., Ind., whither they had gone shortly after marriage. His second marriage was to Mary Good, in December, 1856, a cousin to his first wife; by the latter marriage there were eight children, two of whom died in childhood: those living are Sarah Matilda, born March 21, 1851, now the wife of Robert Paul, the present County Surveyor, living in Akron: Mary Magdalene, born Oct. 23, 1853, the wife of Moses Werley, a carpenter and cabinet-maker in Wadsworth, Ohio. Emma L., born Aug. 28, 1862; Hiram F., Aug. 31, 1865: George W., July 4, 1868: Clara A., Oct. 6, 1871; Charles N., Sept. 12, 1875: Archie H., Aug. 16. 1878. Mr. Romig has been a member of the School Board of his township. taking an active interest in the education of his family: his business is grain and stock raising. He and family are members of the Grace Reformed Church. After ten years' life in Indiana, and meeting with many reverses in trying to secure a home, he sought a new field in Summit Co., Ohio, were. after many trials and hardships, he has, by diligence and perseverance, secured one of the most beautiful homes in Coventry Township.

RILEY ROOT, farmer; P. O. New Portage: is the youngest of eight sons. one daughter being younger: he was born June 30, 1807, his parents being Reuben and Sarah (McMillin) Root, natives of Canaan. Conn., but came to Coventry Township in the winter of 1818, and engaged in farming. at time when the city of Akron consisted of only three log cabins, Cleveland and Canton being the nearest markets. The subject of this sketch received a very limited education, his time being employed in farming and at odd jobs of clearing. He was married, Sept. 27, 1827, to Lucinda Manning, who was born Jan. 29, 1812, to John and Sophia (Cogswell) Manning. They have ,had five children—Fannie, born Jan. 11, 1828, married Jan. 24, 1847, to Orson Moore, and died Jan. 19, 1875; Orpha, born Dec. 27, 1829, married, July 1, 1852, to John Meredith, a resident of Bath; Harriet, born Sept. 21, 1833, married Sept. 2, 1852, to N. C. Minor, a resident of Johnson's Corners; William, born Dec. 27, 1835, married, Oct. 6, 1859, to Rosetta Bunker, who died Oct. 23, 1872; he remarried March 20, 1873, to Mary Ann Smith (McCune); Olive, born Sept. 1, 1839, married, Nov. 10, 1859, to Charles Ingersoll. They have lived on their present homestead for forty-four years, clearing up all the land and making progress with the times. Mr. Root was, in his younger days, an expert with the rifle, having at one shot killed two deer, and on several occasions two turkeys; he has been an honest and industrious farmer all his days, and, with his noble wife, is a member of the M. E. Church.

FRANKLIN E. RENINGER, farmer; P. 0. Akron; is a son of Solomon Reninger, deceased, born Sept. 26, 1830, in the State of Pennsylvania, and came to Coventry in the spring of 1831, he a son of John and Mary ( Spotts) Reninger. Mr. Reninger was a man of many pleasing characteristics, and his death, which occurred April 1, 1870, after nearly fifty years of life among the people of Coventry, was greatly lamented by the people of many years' acquaintance. His wife, who is still living, is Lovina Kepler (see sketch of Kepler family). Franklin was born July 10. 1855: being second son of a large family, his educational advantages were limited; however, he has taken an active part in the different enterprises of the township. He was married. June 22, 1874, to Catharine Ries, born May 25, 1858, to Henry, a son of Nicholas Ries, who were natives of Hesse-Cassel, near Unter-Haun, Germany; he came to America in 1845, in his 17th year. Her mother was Elizabeth Brehm, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Karr) Brehm, natives of Bavaria, Germany; she came to this country in 1846, in her 14th year. By this marriage there were three children born—Lizzie, Dec. 18. 1875; Clara, Oct. 5, 1879; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Reninger carries on general farming and stock-raising; is a member of

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the Coventry Center Cornet Band, and Clerk of School Board, taking a lively interest in the advancement of education.

SAMUEL STEFFEE, farmer; P. 0. Summit; was born Jan. 2, 1819, to Adam, a son of Leonard Steffee who were natives of Huntingdon Co., Penn.. where they resided. and were engaged as tillers of the soil. The father of our subject died in 1878, in his 84th year. Samuel's mother was Sally Stroup, daughter of Adam and Eve Stroup, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania. He obtained his education, which is moderate, by carefully utilizing the spare moments which he had from labor. the whole time that he spent in school being but one-half day. his father having moved into Venango Co. as one among the first settlers, and when the schools were more than five miles distant. He assisted his father on the farm until about 21 years of age, when he engaged at the charcoal works, at which employment he was engaged nearly thirty years. He was married about 1844, to Margery Allen, daughter of Gen. George Allen, who was one of seven brothers engaged in the war of 1812. but returned home at the close of the war. having passed safely through many hair-breadth escapes with the Indians. By this marriage there were seven children, four of whom are living—Thomas. Louisa, Narcissa and Samuel. The three oldest are married and living—Thomas. in Coventry Township; Louisa, wife of Charles Carpenter, in Portage Township; Narcissa, wife of John Nichols, a farmer in Copley; Samuel, at home. His second marriage was to Sarah Jane Manross (Manson), daughter of George and Sarah (Burdick) Manross, who were natives of York State; she, by her first marriage, had five children—Louis, Robert, Euphemia, Mary T. and George Washington, all living, the four oldest married; by her marriage to Mr. Steffee she has two children—Jesse and Elmira. Jesse Manross, who was a relative or Mrs. Steffee's, was also engaged in the war or 1812, and captured by the Indians, with whom he lived a short time, sharing the life of a prisoner with other comrades among the Indians, but finally made a very narrow escape. Mr. Steffee came to Coventry in the

spring of 1865, where he has since been a prominent Republican and grainraiser, also taking part in all the different enterprises of his township.

AUSTIN A. SPICER, farmer and coal-dealer; P. 0. Akron: son of Avery Spicer, whose history appears in the part devoted to the city of Akron: was born Feb. 27, 1834, and spent his early years in securing a good common-school education sufficient to qualify him for teaching, which he engaged in while traveling through the States of Michigan and Illinois in the year 1855, and a part of 1856. In the year 1857, March 19, he was married to Julia A. Lantz. born Nov. 22, 1835, to Jacob and Elizabeth (Albert) Lantz. the mother being a native of Hagerstown. Md.. the father of the State of New Jersey, but among the early settlers in the southern part of Springfield Township, this county. They have four children—Julia May. born July 5. 1859, and died Sept. 15.1860; Ernest. Albert K., Lizzie Beatrice. Mr. Spicer. in the year 1860. went to California. where he intended making his future home, and engaged in mining for a time, but, on account of the death of his daughter, he returned to Coventry and engaged in the stock business and farming. Since 1875, he has been engaged in the coal business, mining from his own farm, and in running a coal-dock in the city of Akron, where he is now doing business. Mrs. Spicer has an old German Bible, printed in 1727, and handed down to her from her great-grandmother: also several other relics of antiquity.

ELIAS L. THORNTON, farmer: P. O. Akron: son of David Thornton, who came from the land of his nativity, Snyder Co., Penn., to Coventry Township in 1836, his father, John Thornton, following in 1839. Elias, the subject of this sketch, was born April 25, 1850, on the farm where he now resides, receiving, in his earlier life, a very limited education on account of not being able to understand the English language, so that the success with which he has met is due to his own energy and business tact. In about the year 1870, he began running a restaurant, belonging to his father, in the city of Akron, in which business he continued about two years, the latter half of the second year for

BOSTON TOWNSHIP - 891

himself, having purchased the business of his father, who died April 23, 1874, since which time Elias has had charge of the large farm contained in the old homestead, in addition to a 53-acre lot adjoining, which he purchased a few years ago. He has, also, in connection with his large farming interests, employed men as blacksmiths and harness-makers in shops on his own farm, and extensively engaged in the lumber business, furnishing from his own land timbers for the different coal mines in Coventry Township, and,. in partnership with the Swartz brothers. purchased several acres of timber land near Manchester. Franklin Township. which was furnished in ties to the railroad company. In the early part of the centennial decade, he entered into partnership with the Motz brothers. at Uniontown. in the tannery business. which they continued for about two years. when they sold the stock and retired from the business. retaining the real estate. which they hold , jointly at the present time. He has charge, on the old homestead, of one of the finest pleasure-grounds in Summit Co., it being finely located on the reservoir, where can be found the best of boating and fishing, and having every modern convenience. makes it a most popular summer resort. He is now building a store-room on his farm adjoining the mines. for the purpose of supplying the farmers and mining trade. He was married. Sept. 7, 1S75. to Alice Stahl. daughter of Benjamin and Catharine (Sholley) Stahl, formerly of the city of Akron. They had three children: two are living—Dora Belle and Grace Leona.