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PORTAGE TOWNSHIP.



JOSEPH BABB, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born May 4, 1820, in Berks Co., Penn. His father's name was David Babb ; his mother's, Susan (Marks) Babb. The grandfather's name was Mathias; he was a native of Germany. He had three sons, David, Samuel and John ; he had also three daughters. The eldest son was the father of the subject of this sketch. The mother of Joseph Babb had eleven children. Joseph came to Osnaburg, Stark Co., Ohio, about 1825, and stayed two or three years, and then came to Springfield Township where he resided until 1859, when he moved to Portage Township where he still lives. The father of Joseph was a cabinet-maker. He had eleven children born, seven of whom reached maturity—Catharine, Sarah, Polly, Susan, David, Samuel, Joseph. The last mentioned started out in life at the age of 14, binding himself to H. G. Weaver (subsequently a Representative from Summit Co.) for three years. The terms of the bond were six months' schooling, board and clothing, and 80 acres of Government land. At the expiration of the three years, Joseph took the value of the land in cash, preferring it to the real estate. He continued in the employment of Mr. Weaver for two years at $130 a year, and one summer at $12 a month. He then went to Stark Co., and worked for his brother David three years, at an average of $128 a year. After this, he rented the farm of Mr. Weaver and purchased a threshing machine at the same time, the two he ran for three years. His was the first cleaning machine in Summit Co. Mr. Babb subsequently went into the pottery business in Springfield, in the Purdy Pottery, which he managed for two years. He then hired the Purdy farm in Mogadore, working it for four years. After the expiration of that time, he returned to Stark Co., Lake Township, and purchased a farm and sawmill, which he owned for four years, when he disposed of it and came to Portage Township, this county, where he finally settled down, having bought 260 acres in the extreme northeast corner of the township upon which he continues to reside. The land cost him $28 an acre and is now worth $100. Mr. Babb was married March 25. 1847. to Elizabeth Wise. His wife was born July 30, 1822. in Stark Co. She was the eldest child of George H. Wise. The family of Mr. Babb consists of five sons and one daughter, their names are Jacob M.. George W., Amelia M., the wife of Horace Camp ; Win. W., Frank N. and Edwin. The father began in Portage comparatively poor, but by thrift and 1 economy has acquired a competence. In politics. he is a Republican ; in religion. he is skeptical.


HARRISON BAUCHMAN. farmer and dairyman ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Lehigh Co., Penn., Oct. 15. 1833 ; the son of Theobold and Mary Ann (Wilhelm) Bauchman, who moved to Norton Township during the spring of 1835 and settled upon a farm of 160 acres which they purchased from a Mr. Pardy ; the Bauchman family afterward removed to Springfield Township, and finally into Coventry, where Theobold died in February, 1866 ; Mrs. Bauchman died in August, 1872. At the age of 14, Harrison was employed by his elder brother. who farmed their father's land in Norton Township, and continued with him until he attained his majority ; he then worked for other parties some twelve months ; when about 22 years of age, he purchased a threshing machine, which he ran for several seasons ; for the next seven years, he was employed by John R. Buchtel on the farm now owned by Mr. Bauchman, which he purchased from his employer some sixteen years ago ; he bought 75 acres of Buchtel and 15 of another man, sold 34 acres, and has at the present time 56 acres. Mr. Bauchman has been engaged in the dairy business for many years ; his establishment. which stands second to none of its kind in the county, is conducted upon a system adopted by the proprietor after years of experience ; at the present time, he keeps over forty cows, and these are mostly of the Jersey grade. June 6. 1867, he was married to Miss Amanda Richards, daughter of William Richards, of Akron ; their


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present residence, built during the summer of 1875, is one of the largest farmhouses in Summit Co., and so neat and tasty in appearance that it would be an ornament to the city if located in the finest quarter of Akron.


CHARLES W. BAUER. farmer ; P. 0. Akron ; the subject of this sketch was born in Northampton Co., Penn., Nov. 22, 1836 ; he was the son of Charles and Saloma (Miller) Bauer, who moved to Summit Co. in 1812, and purchased in Norton Township 140 acres of land, which tract was occupied by the Bauer family for over twenty-five years, and owned by Mr. Bauer at the time of his death, in October, 1876 ; his wife is still living in Norton Township. Charles W. Bauer was educated in the common schools of Norton, and, for two terms, he attended the Western Star Normal School ; he worked for his father until 23 years of age ; was married May 26. 1860, to Miss Mary Serfass, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Hawk) Serfass ; then worked for his father-in-law for two years. In 1862, he removed to Berrien Co.. Mich.. and resided there nine months ; then returned to Norton Center. and for about three sears. worked at coopering ; the next five years he farmed in Norton Township. first renting 100 acres of land belonging to Jacob Wise, and then 160 acres of David Baughman ; about the year 1873. he rented the Dodge farm in Portage Township, continuing on this land four years ; then purchased 73 acres some three miles west of Akron. which he occupied three years. In the spring of 1880, he returned to the Dodge farm, upon which he is now located, managing at the present time this tract of 380 acres and his own farm. For the past six years he has been engaged in the dairy business. which he conducts very successfully on an extensive scale. He has always been a Democrat and voted the ticket "straight " at State elections ; at other times supports the best men. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are members of the Lutheran Church. at Loyal Oak. They are the parents of five children. all living—Hiram Elmore, Albert Franklin, Erving Wellington, Artie Monroe and Viola Jane.


EDWARD A. BARBER, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Genesee Co. (now Wyoming) N. Y., Dec. 30, 1826 ; son of Jared M. and Electia (Turner) Barber. who were both born in Connecticut. Jared B. on Feb. 1, 1793 and Electia June 29, 17 99 ; they were married at Wales, Erie Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1815. Electia Turner was the daughter of Jacob and Phoebe (Spencer) Turner, early settlers of what is now Buffalo, N. Y. ; Phoebe died Oct. 11, 1811, and was buried in the woods, and the site of her grave is now in the heart of Buffalo; Jacob died Nov. 3, 1820. Jared B. Barber was a soldier for a short time during the war of 1812, and his wife drew a pension from the Government for several years previous to her death. They removed to Ohio in July, 1831, and settled in Norton Township, then Medina County ; after two years, the Barber family removed to Copley and purchased 66 acres of land from Gad Bronson ; they remained here some fifteen years, then returned to Norton Township for a short time, and, finally, settled on a small piece of land in Portage Township, where Jared B. died April 17, 1854; Electia his wife died March 29, 1881. They were the parents of three children—Jane, now Mrs. Dennison Pettibone, a resident of Akron ; Spencer T. enlisted in the 13th Mich., V. I., during the rebellion and died in the service ; Edward A., the youngest child and subject of this sketch, was four years of age when his parents removed to Ohio : he received a common-school education and worked on his father's farm until 22 years of age ; then removed to Indiana where he remained some six months. He returned to Ohio and purchased. with his brother Spencer, the 66 acres in Copley belonging to their father: this tract was too small for both to farm and Edward A. sold his interest to Spencer, and shortly afterward bought a small piece of land in Portage. to which he has added since then other real estate, and now owns about 40 acres. After returning from Indiana, Edward A. worked at the stonemason's trade for five years ; then learned the carpenter's trade and followed this for over twenty years in Akron, working both in the city and in the country ; he is at the present time engaged in farming; was married May 17,181. to Miss Caroline Derthick, daughter of Corydon and Fannie (Judd) Derthick. of Copley Township ; she was born Oct. 6, 1831 ; they have one daughter, Florence, who was married Sept. 4, 1871, to Levi Monosmith. Mr. and Mrs. Barber and daughter are members of the Disciples' Church of Akron. Mr. Barber has served for two terms as Assessor of Portage Township.


SOLOMON BARE, retired farmer and gar-


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dener ; P. 0. Akron ; born in Berks Co., Penn., May 28, 1814; son of John Adam and Susan (Knoehr) Bare, who resided in Berks County, some eighteen miles from Reading, until the year 1833, when they removed to Niagara Co., N. Y. John Adam was always a farmer ; he afterward returned to Pennsylvania, and died in Mercer County about the year 1863 ; his wife died many years previous. Solomon received a knowledge of the common branches in the schools of Berks County ; he worked at farming until about 32 years of age, then learned the trade of a boat-builder, and was employed by Lyman A. Spaulding, of Lockport, for several years, after which he followed this trade a short time in Erie. Penn.. and Cleveland, Ohio. About the year 1853, he removed to Summit County, and for some three years worked at the carpenter's trade ; then worked at Wadsworth, Medina Co., for six months. then removed to Norton Township, where he continued in the hotel business many years ; was located first at Bates' Corners, then at Johnson's Corners and removing to Bates' Corners. While in Norton Township he purchased his present property near Akron, paying $100 per acre for 20 acres, and removed to this land in October, 1864, where he has since resided. He was engaged for many years raising small vegetables for the Akron market, which proved a very lucrative business. In later years, he laid out upon his land two additions to the city of Akron, and a street between them has been named Bare street in his honor; this land has been much improved by the proprietor, who has erected several houses upon various lots, but a portion has been sold by him at the rate of $1,200 an acre. Mr. Bare started out in life as a poor boy, but, by industry and good management, he has secured a competency. He was married first to Miss Eliza Lindsey, daughter of George W. Lindsey ; by her he had two children—Thomas J., the eldest enlisted in the 29th 0. V. I., during the rebellion, and was killed at Rocky Face ; the youngest, Frances Louisa, is now Mrs. Thomas Rawlins, of Akron ; Mr. Bare's first wife died, and he was married to Mrs. Mary Baughman, daughter of Abraham Burgey; by her Mr. Bare had three children—Isabella and Ida, who now reside with their father, and William Henry, who died aged 4. Some two years since, he was married a third time to Miss Caroline Hartman, daughter of Peter Hartman. Mr. and Mrs. Bare are members of Grace Reformed Church of Akron. Mr. Bare has always been a Democrat, but, during the war, gave his support to the Union party, voting for Brough in 1863, and Lincoln in 1864.


SMITH BUNKER, farmer; P. 0. Akron ; is a native of the Green Mountain State. His parents were Dodavah and Rebecca (Hall) Bunker. Dodavah was born in Barnstead Co.. N. H., and Rebecca. at old Hartford, Conn. They were married at the latter place. and moved to Huntingdon, Chittenden Co., Vt., where Smith was born, March 9, 1818. The Bunker family settled in Norton Township in 1834, where they remained one year ; then removed to the Dodge farm, in Portage Township. and after five years. to Bates' Corners, Norton Township. where Mrs. Bunker died. Her husband then moved to Berrien Co., Mich., and died there about 1845. at the age of 83. Smith was educated in the common schools of Vermont, receiving instruction at a school three miles from his home. When about 18 years of age. he purchased a threshing-machine, in partnership with his brother Abraham. This was an old style machine. being only a thresher, and it was necessary to separate the wheat from the straw with a rake. After one year, Abraham removed to Michigan. and Smith continued the business alone for nearly ten years. He then worked at Gale's furnace, in Akron, for twelve months, and was employed on the farm owned by Mr. Gale's heirs for two years ; then for several years worked for various parties in Copley and Portage Townships. About the year 1856, he purchased from Horace May 26 acres of the farm he now occupies, trading for it 40 acres near Loudonville, Ohio. He afterward bought 31 acres from James Lyon, and now owns 57 acres. When the Bunker family first settled on this land, in 1856, the country in the immediate vicinity was very wild, in consequence of the condition of Copley Swamp, which has since been drained ; at that time, Mr. Bunker could from his doorstep shoot wild turkeys, and he reports that once he killed four at one shot. The swamp was in those days a favorite " roost " for wild pigeons, and several settlers in the immediate vicinity state that occasionally the pigeons would fly so thickly to and from the swamp that they could not see the sun for an hour. Mr. Bunker was married, April 21,


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1849, to Miss Mary Ann, daughter of John and Rosannah (Ritchie) Sherbondy. She was born Jan. 23, 1832 ; they are the parents of ten children—Alfred T., now of Keokuk, Iowa, and married to Ella Tremble; Rosa, now Mrs. Jason Bunker ; Sarah, died, aged nearly 3 ; Lurinda, died, aged nearly 2 ; Ophelia, Ella, Oscar, Elmer, William and Homer.


ROYAL BROCKWAY, farmer; P. O. Akron. This gentleman is a native of Broome Co., N.Y., where he was born Feb. 1, 1815 ; when about 4 years of age, his parents moved to Tioga Co., remaining there some ten years. In the fall of 1830. they settled in Medina Co., Ohio, residing in Wadsworth Township for three years. and after 1833. in Norton Township. Royal's parents were William and Rhoda (Taylor) Brockway ; they had four sons. who removed to Medina Co. with them—Almeron. died while a resident of Sharon; Royal, of Portage Township: William, now of Sharon; Lesley, died in 1855 ; the father died in 1860, aged 84. and Rhoda, his wife. 1867 . Royal was educated in the schools of New York State and Medina Co. ; worked on his father's farm until he attained his majority : removed to Indiana. where he was married. July 3. 1838. to Miss Susan E. Hall, who was born and raised in Perry Co.. Ind.: she was the daughter of Presley and Nancy (Anderson) Hall. Royal remained in Indiana some twelve months. working at the carpenter's trade ; then farmed his father's land in Norton Township one year ; he returned to Indiana. and remained three years. In 1845, he bought 80 acres of laud in Copley Township, which he occupied until 1853, when he left for California. remaining there three years, during which time he mined, kept boardinghouse and worked as a carpenter and joiner ; his wife was with him in California. They returned to Ohio in 1856, and two years afterward, on April 11, 1858. he left for Pike's Peak ; while crossing the plains to Denver, he had charge of the company to which he was attached. Mr. Brockway relates many interesting incidents which occurred during his life on the border, and of which he had a personal knowledge. After six months, he returned to Summit Co.. where he has since resided. He farmed in Copley Township until November, 1864. when he removed to Portage, having sold his land in Copley. Mr. Brockway owns at the present time, 247 acres in Portage. which he purchased in 1860. For some years he has been engaged in the dairy business, and was for three years connected with a cheese factory, during which time he kept from 45 to 75 cows ; he afterward made cheese on his own farm for a short time. Royal has served as Trustee of Copley Township ; was chosen Captain of a " squirrel-hunter " company during the rebellion. Mr. and Mrs. Brockway are members of the Universalist Church, of Akron ; they are the parents of two children—Rice W., born Dec. 18, 1842, and Royal, born April 1, 1856. Rice was a member of the 104th Regiment O. V. I., and served during the war ; he was married. March 30, 1865, to Adeline S. Thompson, and they have one child-Linus. Royal, Jr., is a boiler-maker, and resides in Akron ; he was married, Jan. 3, 1875, to Caroline P. Stoskopf, and they have one son—Lyle.


ROYAL BAIRD, farmer; P. O. Akron ; is a native of New England, horn at Grafton, Windham Co., Vt., Sept. 17, 1806, the son of Abijah and Abigail (Stickney) Baird. The Stickneys have been a prominent and influential family of New England and the United States for many years ; the following descent is taken from a printed genealogy, now in Mr. Baird's possession : William Stickney, of Frampton, England. was baptized Dec. 30. 1558 ; his son William was baptized Sept. 6, 1592 ; Samuel. his son, was born in England 1633, and shortly afterward they emigrated to America ; William, son of Samuel. was born Jan. 27, 1674 ; his son William, Oct. 14. 1704 or 1705 ; his son William. April 3. 1743, and his daughter Abigail, March 6, 1770 ; she was married, June 25, 1793, to Abijah Baird, who was born. June 25. 1767 ; they were the parents of ten children, as follows : Abijah, Franklin. Ebenezer, Abigail. Esther. Ira, Royal. Louisa. Celia Arvilla and Josiah Dana. Abijah died at Bridgewater in 1844 ; his wife, April 28, 1847. Royal. subject of this sketch, came to Ohio in the fall of 1833 ; a short time afterward, purchased 113 acres in Copley Township ; he returned to Boston. where he engaged in business until 1836, when he settled on his farm, but for some seven years he remained in Philadelphia the greater portion of each year, where he was employed. In the spring of 1850, he left for California, and stayed in the gold regions two years ; since then he has been a farmer and stock-dealer ; he owns at the present time 161


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acres in Copley and 68 in Portage Township ; was married May 9, 1836 ; he is the father of one child, Gusta Minerva ; she was born Feb. 8, 1837, and married Zachariah R. Prentice, of Portage Township ; they have two children, Burton C., born Feb. 5, 1874, and Hubert Hayes, born Aug. 22, 1876. Mrs. Baird was born June 12, 1820 ; she is a granddaughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow, who married Joseph Hawkins, May 20, 17 84 ; they settled in Vermont when that State was comparatively new, and suffered many hardships. Joseph was born in Providence, R. I., Nov. 3, 1760 ; was a soldier during the Revolutionary war, and a captive for three years in a British prison ; removed with his two sons and three daughters to Ohio, in 1833, and died Nov. 17, 1848 ; his wife died .May 6, 1829 ; their daughter Susan married Caleb Casewell, who died in 1826 ; Susan died February, 1862; they were the parents of Mrs. Royal Baird.


SIMON BONFIRE, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Germany in 1842, the son of John Bonfire, who came to this country when Simon was 6 months old, and settled in Portage Township, in what is styled "Chuckery," where he engaged at his trade of shoemaker. August, 1861, Simon enlisted in Co. E, 115th O. V. I., and served three years as a soldier, earning an honorable discharge. On Jan. 17, 1866, he married Maria Wise, who was born March 4, 1840. For six years he worked in the Buckeye shops, but since has been engaged in farming ; he has good property in the township ; he had one child, Ermie E., who died at the age of 7, of diphtheria. Mr. Bonfire votes the Republican ticket.


A. L. CALDWELL, farmer; P. O. Akron ; was born Jan. 13, 1838, near Logansport, Ind. His parents were Tarleton and Julia (Vrooman) Caldwell. Tarleton Caldwell was born in Virginia, near Clarksburg, about the year 1816. His ancestors were natives of Ireland, who, coming to America, settled in Virginia. Tarleton came West with his parents when a mere youth, settling in Indiana, where he was married to Miss Vrooman, who was born in Schoharie Co., N. Y. The Vroomans are of German stock. Our subject moved with his parents to Missouri ; stayed nine years, then went to California, in 1849, and engaged in mining, where the elder Caldwell still resides (Lower California). Ten children were born them, who were Abner, William, Marion, George, Charles, John, Jerome, Hugh, Ida and Dora, five of whom are now living. Abner engaged in mining with his father. In 1860, he returned to the Buckeye ' State. April 2, married Mary Pitkin, who was born in 1843, in Fulton Co., Ill., daughter of Judge Stephen Pitkin, who married Julia Lusk, daughter of Amos Lusk. one of the early pioneers in the county. After his marriage, Mr. Caldwell returned to California, where he remained until 1865. He has since been a resident of the township, and has been engaged in farming. He was for some time employed as clerk previous to the time he located on his farm, consisting of 70 acres, on Tract 3.


JAMES COURTNEY (deceased) ; was born in 1816, in County Kerry, Ireland; son of Patrick and Mary McCarthy Gallee, who had eleven children born them—Daniel, John, James, Francis, Jerry, Thomas, Patrick. Mary, Abigail. Margaret and James. James was married in Ireland to Mary Harrity, and by her had one son—James. who was killed in the late war, having served all through the rebellion. He was a member of Co. A, 1st Regiment, and was in the artillery—a true and valiant soldier, and was killed while manning his gun, in 1864. Mr. Courtney emigrated to this country in 1840. He came to Akron. where he worked for several years as a common laborer. Having no means when he came to this country, was glad to get work for any price, 50 cents per day being the price paid at first. yet he succeeded in saving sufficient means to enable him to purchase 30 acres of unimproved land, which he cleared up. In 1864, he moved to the north part of the township, purchasing 100 acres. His wife died in 1853. In September, 1861, he married Mrs. Julia Hogan, who was born Feb. 2, 1825, in Kilkenny, Ireland, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Welch) Bergen. Mr. Courtney died Feb. 19, 1878. He was esteemed by all who knew him as a good neighbor and an upright citizen. He was a successful business man, having secured all his property by his own industry. Mrs. Courtney was first married to Patrick Hogan, in April, 1845, and came to America the same year of their marriage, landing in New York. Mr. Hogan died in 1857. She came West the following year. By Mr. Hogan she had six children, but three living—Nora, who married Frank Courtney, son of James Courtney, by his first wife. Mary, Mrs. James McGuire, and


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Stephen, now in Colorado. By last wife, Mr. C. had two children—Joseph and Julia.


A. CURTISS, farmer ; P. 0. Akron ; was born in 1836, in Boston Township ; son of Giles and Fannie (Carter) Curtiss. Augustus left home before his majority. He was raised to farming. In 1855. he went to California, where he remained four years, returning home after a successful experience, being engaged in mining, and at one time in the grocery trade. In August, 1861, he enlisted in Co. A., 2d O. V. C.. and served until June the following year, when he was discharged on account of disability, caused from a heavy fall from his horse. He was then engaged in the dairy business in Stow Township with his brother. In 1864. he engaged in the lumber business. Nov. 25. 1865. he was married to Helen Barnhart. born July 27. 1845. in Boston. daughter of William and Laura (Chaffee) Barnhart. to whom were born Laura, William H.. Mary and Helen. In the fall of 1868. Mr. Curtiss was elected Sheriff of the county. and re-elected in 1870. He afterward served as a Deputy four years, and during the whole time served the people in a manner creditable to himself and with satisfaction to the people. He has since been engaged in farming. having 158 acres of land. He has no children. Mr. Curtiss' father was born in Connecticut in January. 1808 : son of Ethan : his wife in 1807. in Ireland. They came to this country and settled in Boston Township in 1815. Ethan. the father of Giles Curtiss. had three sons —Lewis. Nelson and Giles. the latter the only surviving member of the family. Ethan filially located in Trumbull Co.. Ohio. Giles located in the southeast part of Northfield. about the year 1840, where he cleared up that farm. and is yet living with his worthy companion. They have had seven children, six of whom grew up—William A.. George S.. Augustus. Mills. Lewis and Eliza. who married Sylvester Honey. and lives on the homestead.


HENRY FREDERICK. farmer; P. 0. Akron ; born in Wayne Co.. March 20. 1834 ; his great-grandfather. Thomas Frederick. was born near Lancaster. Penn.. about 1745, and, when some 7 years of age. his father, Noah, was killed by the Indians, and Thomas taken prisoner. He was adopted as one of the tribe, and remained with them seven years, but, after the treaty with the French and Indians, he, in connection with all other captives, was delivered to the English at Fort Du Quesne. He afterward settled in Northumberland Co., Penn., from which section he removed to Ohio with his family in the year 1804, and died May 3, 1808, while a resident of Center Township. Columbiana Co. His wife, Anna Margaret Frederick, died Feb. 28, 1826. Their son Thomas was horn near Lancaster, Penn., Dec. 1, 17 78 ; emigrated to Columbiana Co., with his father, in 1804 ; was married, May 2. 1804, to Elizabeth Schock, who was born March 8, 17 85. He was a soldier during the war of 1812 ; removed to Wayne Co., and settled in Chippewa Township during the year 1813. He died July. 1871 ; was the father of fourteen children. His eldest son. Jacob, was born in Columbiana Co., February, 1805. and removed to Wayne Co. in 1813 ; was married to Margaret Rasor. and removed with his wife and family to Copley Township about 1843. where he now resides. Jacob had seven children, as follows : Samuel, Thomas. Henry, Eli. Benjamin, William and Christopher. Henry. the subject of this sketch, was educated in the common schools of Doylestown and Copley Townships ; worked for his thither until May 20. 1858, when he married Miss Ellen Viers. daughter of James McClintock and Eliza (Allen) Viers. During the summer of 1858 he worked out by the day. In October, 1858, he rented John C. Stearns' farm of ninety-seven acres. and farmed this three years : then the farm owned by the heirs of Jonathan Spatford ; after about eighteen months, he purchased this land, which he afterward sold. In the fall of 1865. he removed to Norton Township, and, after eight months, returned to Copley and rented 240 acres of Peter Wicks. which land he farmed for one year. In 1867. he purchased 546 acres, in connection with Royal Brockway. from the Rhodes brothers. This land was divided between Messrs. Frederick and Brockway. The former sold a portion of his, and bought other tracts. and now has 233 acres. Mr. Frederick is. at the present time, engaged in raising stock and farming. He is a member of the Disciples' Church of Akron. His wife is connected with the same congregation. They are the parents of three children—Charlotte Eliza, now Mrs. Harry N. Sherbondy ; James McHenry. and Grant. Mr. Frederick was elected Trustee of Portage Township in 1874, and served for three years ; was chosen Infirmary Director of Summit Co. in the


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fall of 1876, and re-elected in 1879. At both elections, he ran ahead of his ticket.


FREDERICK FOUSE, farmer; P. O. Akron ; was born March 17, 1825, in Lake Township, Stark Co. ; son of John and Christina (Miller) Fouse. John Fouse was born in 1794, in Blair Co., Penn. ; his wife in 1801. John Fouse was a son of Nicodemus. The father of Christina was Abram Miller, whose family came to Ohio shortly after the war of 1812, locating in Stark Co. The Fouse family were among the early settlers in the county. Abram Miller settled in Plain Township ; John Fouse in Lake Township, where he died, when his son Frederick was a babe. Four children were born them—Savilla, Nicholas, Priscilla, and Frederick, who is the youngest and only surviving member of the family. Frederick stayed at home until 22 years of age. May 4, 1848, married Elizabeth Gaite, who was born Nov. 25, 1827. in Cumberland Co., Penn., daughter of Jacob and Mary (Keiper) Gaite. Jacob was a native of Germany. The Gaite family came West about the year 1829, locating in Stark Co.. and raised a family of nine children ; of the number living are Jacob, Levi. Joseph and Elizabeth. After Mr. Fouse was married he lived on the homestead twenty-seven years. In January. 1873, purchased 107 % acres, where he now resides, adjoining Akron on the northeast, costing 8118 per acre. Of eleven children born, nine are living, viz., Melinda, John, Reuben, Jacob, Edwin, Menodes, Fernando, William and Ira. He and wife are members of the Reformed Church.


BENJAMIN G ARMAN, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born June 20, 1819, in Lehigh Co.. Penn. ; son of Abram and Elizabeth (Naffe) Garman, to whom were born Phillip, Conrad, David, John, Adam, Jacob, Henry, Abram and three daughters. Abram Garman's father was a native of Germany. and came to Pennsylvania, settling in Lehigh Co. when the country was new. Elizabeth Naffe was a daughter of Barnhart, who had three sons and one daughter. Benjamin, whose name heads this page, was but 12 years of age when his father died. In 1836, he came to Ohio with his mother and brother Eli, who located in Homer Township, Medina Co. Eli purchased eighty acres of land, and was for several years the head of the family, who, besides himself, were Josiah, Rebecca, Jared, Benjamin, Abram. Levi, Elizabeth and Mary. Benjamin worked three years for his brother, then worked one summer in Norton Township, and chopped the following winter. Returning to Lehigh Co., Penn., the spring of 1840, he married Esther Clouse. who was born in same county Dec. 19, 1823, daughter of Phillip Clouse, whose wife's maiden name was Elizabeth Evart, both natives of Lehigh. Their offspring were Eliza. Sophia, Esther, Hannah, Nathan, David and Uriah. After Mr. Garman's marriage he returned to Homer Township, where he purchased forty acres of unimproved land for $250, and subsequently added to the same until he had 120 acres, when he came to this county, which was in March, 1863. when he purchased 151 acres at $34 per acre ; has since been a constant resident of Portage Township, and among its valued citizens. Seven children have been born to him—Alfred, Rosa A. (who married Louis Esselburn, a resident of Homer), Elizabeth (married Frank Weygandt, and resides in Macon Co., Ill.), Sarah (the wife of Louis Andrews, and reside in Harrisville. Medina Co.), Irene (the wife of Mandus Baughman, of' Wadsworth. Medina Co.), Uriah, and Alfred are residents of this township. Mary married Charles Starks. of Akron. Ohio.


JOHN GLENNAN. farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born 1828. in Kilkenny, Ireland ; son of James and Bridget (Killfoil) Glennan. the grandfather of John was Darby Glennan. John left the land of Erin at the age of 22, to try his fortunes in America, landing in New York, where he remained about one year and a half, and in 1852 came to Ohio, and began work in Akron and vicinity, working much of the time in the stone quarries. Afterward purchased land, where he now lives, which was unimproved, costing him $40 per acre ; working in the quarries in the clay time, and, upon his returning home, spent a portion of the night in clearing up his land. Oct. 19, 1852. married Ann Bergen, born June 24, 1824, in Kilkenny, Ireland. Her parents were Stephen and Mary (Welch) Bergen, to whom were born thirteen children. March 11, 1878, after a short and severe illness, Mrs. Glennan died, leaving a husband and five children to mourn her demise. She was a faithful wife, a loving mother, and a valuable helpmeet to her husband. The children are Katie, Bridget, James, Anna and Julia ; two deceased—Mary. aged 10, and


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Stephen, a babe of 4 months. Mr. Glennan has a snug farm of thirty-six acres, upon which he has excellent buildings, all which have been the outgrowth of his own hard labor, assisted by his deceased worthy companion. With the exception of' his brother James. in Tallmadge, he is the only representative of the family in the county or State.


GEORGE W. GLINES (deceased), for many years Superintendent of the Summit County Infirmary, was born in Vermont Oct. 10, 1832, and died March 4, 1878 ; he was the son of Asa and Roxana (Sinclair) Glines, who removed to Lake Co. and settled near Painesville when their son was quite small ; Asa afterward settled in Cleveland ; his wife died in 1849. and, shortly afterward, while keeping a store on the West Side, he suddenly disappeared, and his relatives never heard from him. George W. was married June 4. 1856. to Miss Julia Ferguson, who was born in Willoughby. Lake Co.. Dec. 24, 1832 ; she was the daughter of Finley and Julia (Judd) Ferguson : Finley was born in August, 1801 ; was the son of John and Mary Ferguson. who were born in Scotland ; he died Dec. 8, 1878 ; his wife died nearly fifty years since. The Judds were Yankees. and removed to Ohio from Boston, Mass.: shortly after. Mr. and Mrs. Glines were married they removed to Mayfield, Cuyahoga Co.. where they farmed for nearly ten years. In 1864. Mr. Glines enlisted in an artillery regiment. and served until the civil war closed. He held several minor offices in Cuyahoga Co.. and. in 1868. received the appointment of Superintendent of the Summit County Infirmary. and was employed by the Infirmary Directors to fill this responsible position from April 1. 1868. until he died. His widow. Mrs. Julia Glines. having demonstrated. during the ten years her husband was Superintendent. that she was eminently qualified for the position made vacant by his death. was appointed to succeed him, and the best evidence that she has successfully managed the institution is the fact that she has been continued in the same position ever since. and was, in January, 1881, reappointed for the term commencing April 1, 1881. Mr. Glines was during his life a member of the M. E. Church, and his widow is connected with the same denomination. Two children were the result of their marriage—Julia and Charles ; the latter died in infancy ; Julia was born Dee. 14, 1858, was married Nov. 27, 1877, to Worth Davis, and they have two children—, Worth, born July 5, 1879; and James Finley Davis, born Aug. 12, 1880.


JUSTUS GALE (deceased), was an enterprising and successful business man in Akron during the early history of' the place ; he was the son of Ephraim and Mollie Gale, who were residents of Guilford, Windham Co., Vt., at the time of' his birth, Jan. 14. 1798 ; was educated in the schools of his native State, and married, June 8. 1823, Sarah Hyde. who was born, at Guilford, April 26, 1802 ; she was the daughter of Dr. Dana Hyde, a prominent physician in Guilford for many years, and died July 18, 1827 ; her mother's maiden name was Lucy Fitch. For some ten years after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Justus Gale remained in Vermont ; for five years, he was in the mercantile business at Dover ; then kept a hotel at Wells River for about the same length of time. In 1833, they moved to Ohio and settled at Akron in July, embarking in the mercantile business with Edward Pulsipher and Alvin Austin. who were also natives of Vermont ; the firm was styled Pulsipher. Gale & Austin, and their establishment was at what is now South Akron. At this time there were very few houses at Akron. and the country between the village and Middlebury was a wilderness. After continuing in the mercantile business for some five years with Messrs. Pulsipher and Austin. they dissolved business relations. and then Mr. Gale for some ten years ran a tin store : for a short time he was a partner with Lyman Cobb ; in connection with Paris Tallman. they engaged in the manufacture of stoves, kettles and castings ; their furnace was situated on the site now occupied by C. A. Collins' carriage establishment. Mr. Gale died June 28, 1847 ; previous to his death, he sold his interest in the furnace, and also purchased the 40 acres now occupied by his widow and her son : in 1849, the Gale family removed to this land. Mr. and Mrs. were the parents of six children-Lucy Jane, now Mrs. Alexander Brewster, of Akron ; Sarah, married Frank Adams. now a resident of Middlebury—she died Jan. 11, 1863. leaving two daughters—May. now Mrs. Charles Perkins. and Julia, now Mrs. Arthur Latham

Francis Gale, died in 1845. aged 16 ; Ann. now Mrs. Theodrick Balch, of' Akron ; Henry, was married Dec. 3, 1857. to Miss Mary Pettibone, daughter of Norman and Susan (Whitmore)


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Pettibone—they have two children, Jennie Adams and Susie Hyde ; Mary. the youngest daughter, married James C. McNeal. of Akron ; they have two children, Grant and Sarah. Mr. Gale served for several years as a Justice of the Peace in Vermont. His wife is now a member of the Episcopal Church of Akron.


ENOS HAWKINS, farmer; P. O. Akron. Among the early settlers of Portage Township were the Hawkins family, who were natives of New England. Enos was the son of John Emerson and Jemima (Pratt) Hawkins : the former was the son of John and Sarah Hawkins. and was born Aug. 18, 1780. in Woodstock. Windsor Co.. Vt.; Jemima, who was the daughter of Asa and Betsy Pratt, was born Oct. 20.1785. They were married in 1803, and nine children were the result of their union : Enos. subject of this sketch ; Ira. who died many years since. while a resident of Portage Township ; Lucy. married Ansil Miller. and died at Akron ; Mary, married Luman Mills. and died while a resident of Wadsworth Township ; John Wesley died at the age of 16 ; Asenath married Wm. Ellis, a resident of Boston Towhship, and died about 1843 ; Horace, and Nelson, the youngest child. are now residents of Portage Township ; Almira, the youngest daughter, married Zachariah Prentice, of Portage Township, and died many years since. Six of the above children moved from Vermont with their parents. in 1816. They reached Portage Township, October 28 of that year, and shortly afterward Mr. Hawkins purchased 100 acres of land. At that time no other families were residing in the southwestern portion of Portage Township, but Josh King lived near where Simon Perkins does now. Enos Hawkins, subject of this sketch, was horn near the Green Mountains, Bridgewater Township, Windsor Co., Vt., Dec. 5. 1803, and was nearly 13 years of age when his parents moved to Ohio. He received a knowledge of the common branches in the schools of Vermont and Ohio. In 1825, he was a member of the locating party employed to survey the route of the Ohio Canal, and continued at this business for two years. When the canal was opened, he was appointed Superintendent of Repairs, and had charge of the section from Cleveland to Short Pinery Level ; this division was some eighteen. miles in length, and he continued at this for many years, until removed by the Democratic Administration at Columbus, Mr. Hawkins being too much of a Whig to suit the ruling party. He then farmed in Independence Township Cuyahoga County, until about the year 1872, when he removed to his present farm. In 1830, he purchased nearly 100 acres of land in Portage Township ; since then he has sold a portion of this, and now has 49 acres. He was married in 1836 to Miss Mary Parker, daughter of Cardy and Mary Ann (Lee) Parker. They were the parents of four children : Emily, died in infancy ; Emma, died aged 16 ; Minerva, now Mrs. A. W. Gillett. of Portage Township ; Ella, now Mrs. Charles Green, of Independence, Cuyahoga Co. Mrs. Enos Hawkins died Jan. 11. 1854.


JOSEPH HILL. farmer. Akron ; was born Nov. 30. 1825. in Guilford. Windham Co.. Vt. His parents were Tyler and Sallie (Fish) Hill. Tyler was born in New Hampshire in 1793. son of Fisher Hill. whose wife's maiden name was Chase. Tyler Hill emigrated West with his family in 1836. coming by canal from Troy to Buffalo, thence by water to Cleveland. At Brooklyn, he secured an ox team, conveying his family to this county, making his settlement in the northeast part of Twinsburg, where he purchased 144 acres of land. Having at the time of his arrival 81,300 in money, which was expended for land and such necessaries as circumstances required ; here he remained until his death ; he was a good citizen anti a Christian, who adhered to the tenets of of the Baptist Church. Six children were born them. whose names were Delight, Hannah, Ambrose, Jane. Joseph and Sarah. Joseph was married March 14, 1854. to Mehitable Drake, born Feb. 29, 1836, in Boston Township. daughter of Nathan and Lizzie (Bowker) Drake. He was born in New Hampshire, Dec. 1, 1786 ; she, in same State, May 30, 1792. To this couple were born the numerous family of fifteen, whose names were, David, Silas. Mary, Amy A, Jasper B., James N., Emily, John D., Elizabeth, Joseph, Benjamin, Nathan, Mehitable and Mariamne. After Mr. Hi" was married he moved to Solon Township, where he lived five years, then moved to Twinsburg and stayed two years, returning to Solon and lived three years. Located on the farm he now owns, in 1864 ; since remained. Has now over 300 acres of land situated in the extreme north part of the township. Of eleven children born him, Charles G., Jessie, Ira M.. Joit-


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ajuba, Aquilla, Schuyler J. and George M. are living ; Lillie L. died at 7, Leander at 5, Lizzie and Viva when young. Farming is the business in which he has been engaged. Not a member of any orthodox church. Father was Democratic ; Joseph, Republican. The parents of Mr. Hill were Baptists. Her father died in 1852, mother about seven years later. Were early settlers.


CHAUNCEY HART, deceased. This pioneer was born in Oneida Co.. N. Y., Sept. 10, 1797 ; son of Reuben Hart, who was a native of Connecticut. Chauncey moved to Tallmadge in 1816. Oct. 10, 1819. he married Rosetta Hard, who was born in 1798. in Berkshire, in North Vermont. She was a daughter of Abram and Rebecca (Flagg) Hard, whose children were Cyrus, Abram. Nelson, Moses K., Orilla. Sophia, Rosetta. Laura and Julia A. In 1821. Mr. Hart moved to Wadsworth, Medina Co., where he purchased some unimproved land, which he improved. In 1853. he located in Akron, where he lived several years ; then he located on his farm, where he died. March 20, 1877. His wife died the year following. March 26. To them were born four children ; but two are now living, Mrs. Cunningham and Mrs. Beardsley. For more than one-half a century, he was a member of the M. E. Church. From that time forward he never wavered from his course, but attested the genuineness of his profession by an upright and blameless life. For the last seven years. he was an invalid, and suffered greatly, yet through all his affliction he waited with Christian resignation for his Master's call, and was ready to pass over to the shining shore. His remains now rest in the cemetery, near by his last home. Amanda, his youngest daughter, was born in October. 1840, in Wadsworth. Oct. 17. 1861. she married Avery S. Beardsley, who was born in Coventry, this county. Oct. 26, 1838. son of T. and Temperance (Spicer) Beardsley. Mr. and Mrs. Beardsley have one son, Chauncey Hart ; they reside on the homestead farm.


WILLIAM H. JONES, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born July 17, 1833, in Oneida Co., N. Y. 'Son of John H. and Sarah (Simpson) Jones. The former was born August, 1806, in Albany, N. Y., son of Samuel and Betsey (Hamilton) Jones. Samuel was born at Schenectady, N. Y., in the " Mohawk Dutch " settlement. Betsey Hamilton was born in Dublin, Ireland.where she lived until 11 years of age. Sarah Simpson was a daughter of John. John H Jones came west in 1834 to Ohio, remained some time, and then moved to Indiana. They had six children who grew up to maturity—Louisa, William. James, Mary E., Charlotte and Sebra. William H., was raised to farming, On Aug. 25, 1862, he enlisted in Battery B, and served one year, when he was discharged on account of disability. He returned home, remaining until February. 1864, when he re-enlisted in Co. B, 188th O. V. I., and remained until the close of the war. March 14, 1855, he married Susannah Best, a daughter of John Best, who was born in Mercer Co., Penn., in 1796 ; son of John Best, who came from Germany and settled in Mercer Co., when the country was new. John Best married Rebecca Watson, a daughter of Gabriel Watson, who had fourteen children born to him. John Best came to Northampton in 1832, where he purchased unimproved land at the center of the township, which he cleared up, and lived on the same as long as he lived. His death occurred March 18, 1861 ; his wife is yet living. They were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. They had ten children, Mrs. Jones being the eldest of the family. To Mr. and Mrs. Jones have been born ten children, eight of whom are living. They have 100 acres of land. Mr. Jones' father was killed in August. 1868. His wife died Jan. 14. 1877.


GEORGE MILLER, retired farmer, Akron, whose portrait will be found in this work, has been a resident of the State since 1810 ; was born Dec. 14. 1807, in Perry Co., Penn., eldest child of Jacob and Sarah (Lutman) Miller. The Millers are of German stock, and were among the better class of that nationality who left the " Faderland " to cast their lots with America and its varied interests. At the age of 3, our subject " came West" with his parents, who made their first settlement in Canfield Township, Trumbull Co. He was a carpenter by trade, but his worldly possessions were very limited indeed. His first purchase of land was 60 acres, which he partially cleared. The country at this time was a dreary wilderness, the inhabitants were very few and much scattered. He immediately began the arduous task of clearing a spot for cultivation, and soon had a cabin erected in which he resided until 1816, when he moved to what is now Wadsworth Township, Medina Co.


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(then Portage), where he purchased 120. acres of Gen. Wadsworth at $3 per acre. Here he found as uninhabitable a place of settlement as in Trumbull Co. The nearest settlement on the east was that of Joseph Harris, of Harrisville Township, sixteen miles distant. Upon this place he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1859 ; his wife preceded him nearly a score of years. Of the family born to this couple were George and his twin. who died young ; Samuel, who died aged 1 year. Petsey, who died at 14 ; David was killed at Akron while in the discharge of his duties as fireman at a fire ; John ; Aaron died while on his way to California in 1851 ; Catharine married Reuben Baughman ; Mary now Mrs. Alexander Beck ; Harriet, now Mrs. Shaffer ; and Susan married Henry Parmelee. George was raised to hard labor ; what schooling he obtained was the plainest rudiments of the cabin schools, but was increased by careful study at his father's fireside. His father being a carpenter and cabinet-maker, George soon learned the use of tools and assisted his father in his labors as a house-builder, and manufacturing such articles as were required by the early settlers who came to their western homes without tables. chairs, or scarcely any furniture. Coffins were manufactured for the unfortunate ones, which were split out of logs. then hewn out to encase the mortal remains of the lone pioneer. Mr. Miller left home at the age of 23, made his first purchase of land in Sharon of 60 acres of unimproved land, which cost him $4 per acre ; he afterward added 15 acres. and then 27. After a residence of three years, he returned to Wadsworth. where he purchased 100 acres, which he cleared up, remaining on the same until 1853, when he moved to his present place on Tract 4, which has ever since been his place of living. In 1831, he married Rebecca Baughman, daughter of Paul Baughman. Upon Mr. Miller's arrival here he purchased of Gov. Tod 240 acres at $25 per acre. He has now 231 here, and 120 in Wadsworth. His faithful wife was taken from him in the year 1868, leaving him four children—Paul, now in California ; Sarah, who married S. Coplin, and has five children—Charles, George, Rollin. Homer and Oscar ; Martha married Frank Springer, now of Medina, having one child, Fred, by her first husband ; John F., at home, he married Charity Brouse, daughter of William Brouse, of Wadsworth ; John F. has one child. Elton. Paul married Matilda Horn. and by her has two sons. Mr. Miller has already passed the limit allotted to mankind and is now spending the eve of his life in the sweet quiet of his home. He is held in high esteem by all who know him. Politically he has been Democratic, and always true to the principles embraced by his party. Religiously, he was reared a Lutheran, but later in life he has become impressed with the doctrine of universal salvation. He has been a man of industrious habits, and been prospered in all of his business undertakings ; he has taken an active part in whatever was calculated to advance the interests of the people at large ; has been a substantial member of the community. and liberal in his contributions to charitable and educational purposes. He has devoted his life to agricultural pursuits, never seeking the publicity of office. yet. at the solicitations of friends. has filled several offices of trust in the community. While in Medina Co.. he served as Justice of the Peace, Township Trustee, Treasurer and Assessor. Acting independently of sect or denomination, yet has favored everything known to be right and opposed to wrong ; honestly and openly laboring to promote good morals and advance the common interests of all good citizens. By his frugality and industry he has acquired a handsome property. and is one of the self-made men of the county.


JOHN McCAUSLAND, farmer and brick manufacturer; P. O. Akron ; was born June 26, 1824, in County Antrim, Ireland. and is a son of James and Jane (Drain) McCausland. James was born in February, 1799. the only son of James, his father, who bore the same name. Jane was a daughter of Hugh Drain. John emigrated to Ohio in 1849, having served his father several years after his majority, and came here poor. He began work in this county as a common laborer, receiving at first $8.50 per month ; afterward, by the year, receiving $120, then $150 annually. In 1853, he married Mary McQuillan, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland. in April, 1827 ; daughter of Charles and Mary (Mulheren) McQuillan. After Mr. McCausland acquired sufficient means, he bought a team and the necessary implements, and engaged in farming, renting land about six years on the Phelps farm. In 1859, he purchased where he now lives, first buying 76 acres, for which he paid $28 per


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acre. He has since added to the same, having now 112i acres. In 1871, he engaged in the manufacture of brick, and has been every year increasing his facilities until he has now productive capacity of 2,000,000 per year. there having been such a demand that he has not been able to fill the orders that have been given him. He has four children living—James. John. Margaret and Mary. Mr. McCausland is one of the substantial men of the township. Coming here a poor man, he has. by diligence and economy. acquired for himself a home and a sufficient competence, and built up a manufacturing establishment in his line which is the largest in the township ; a man of intelligence and a liberal patron of the public journals.


AARON OVIATT, retired farmer; P. O. Akron ; a member of a numerous; important and influential family of Summit County. He is a grandson of Benjamin Oviatt. who was born Feb. 27. 1 7 5 ; Benjamin was a soldier during the Revolutionary war : was married Dec. 8. 1774. and died Sept. 24, 1832 ; Elizabeth. his wife. was born Aug. 29. 1754. and died Dec. 5, 1832 ; they had eleven children—Heman. Luman. Benjamin. Olive. Salmon. Betsy. Clarissa. Nathaniel. Huldah. Mary and Anna. Many of these settled in what is now Summit County, at an early day. and became active and energetic citizens in their respective communities. Benjamin. and his sons Luman and Heiman. bought the northwest quarter of the township of Richfield. paying $4,000 for 4,000 acres. Luman never lived in Summit County. but Heman settled at Hudson and was one of the founders of Hudson College ; Benjamin, his brother, also settled in Hudson ; Salmon and Nathaniel settled in Richfield ; Betsy married Elisha Ellsworth. of Hudson ; Clarissa married Elijah Ellsworth. of Richfield ; Huldah married a Mrs. Thompson. of Hudson : Mary married the gentleman after whom Hudson Village was named, and when he died. Darius Lyman, of Ravenna. Luman Oviatt. father of Aaron. was born Sept. 6, 1777 ; married May 10. 1796, to Rhoda Norton, born Oct. 9, 1777. They resided in Goshen Township. Litchfield Co., Conn.; were the parents of ten children, many of whom moved to Summit County, as follows : Birdsey, at Hudson Nelson, at Richfield ; Kesiah died at Goshen ; Rhoda, formerly Mrs. Julia Humphrey. of Richfield ; Heman, at Richfield ; Marcus died in Connecticut ; Aaron, subject of this sketch ; Moses, of Cuyahoga County ; Harriet. formerly Mrs. Washington B. Bigelow. of Richfield ; Laura, formerly Mrs. Jonathan Spafford, of Copley. These are all dead except Aaron and Moses ; their mother died Jan. 10, 1821 ; Luman married a second time and had three children—Sarah Lucretia, Lyman B. and Samuel—but they never removed to Summit County ; their father died Dec. 7, 1838. Aaron was born August 4, 1810, in Goshen Township, Conn., where he was raised and educated. He was married Jan. 9, 1833, to Electa, daughter of Reuben Brown, of I Norfolk, Conn.; they had three children—Orestus died aged 9, Heman died in California, Huldah married More Briggs and removed to Iowa. Aaron's wife died and he came to Summit County, where he was married Oct. 11, 1846. to Miss Marion B.. daughter of Salmon and Mary B. (Hawkins) Hoisington. He then returned to Connecticut. resided there two years. and removed to Copley and purchased 123 acres. which land he farmed until about seven years since, when he removed to Akron City. Mr. and Mrs. Oviatt are the parents of eight children. as follows : Orestus Aaron, deceased ; Quincy G.. deceased ; Ella, now Mrs. Hugh Mussleman ; Truman, deceased ; Clara E., now living in Cuyahoga County ; Jennie M., now Mrs. Fred. Tarble, of Akron ; Phila D. and Edward.


FRIEDRICH PFEIFFER. farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born Jan. 17, 1829, in Hagenstein Kirchenfeld, Oldenburg, in Northwest Bavaria ; son of George and Catherina (Bank) Pfeiffer. George was the only son of his father, who was a manufacturer of woolen cloth, and who was accidentally killed in his mill. Catherina was a daughter of John Bank. whose wife was Caroline Haas. John Bank had eight children born him, of whom John, Charles, Catherina, Derothe and Caroline grew to maturity. John Bank was a man of wealth and influence ; was largely interested in the manufacturing interests of the place, ran a distillery, an oil mill, a blacksmith-shop, and owned several farms besides. He had sons whose names were John, Charles and John, two of whom are prominent ministers—Charles, in New York, John in Buffalo. To George and Catherina were born Frederick, George (who died in California after a residence of twenty-two years), Catherina


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(married Rev. George Rettig, of Iowa), Jacob (now in Wadsworth), Louisa (now Mrs. Mono Smith), Charles (in Akron). Frederick came to Ohio in 1848 ; he came to Akron poor, but was not afraid to labor; worked at farming, ran an engine two years, and worked in a store and mill. March 19, 1854, he married Catherina Grohe, who was born April 23, 1829, in Baden ; eldest daughter of Adam and Catherina (Rettig) Grohe. Adam Grohe was a son of john and Eva (Shaeffer) Grohe, whose children were Adam, Michael, Eva, Jacob, John, Phillip and George. Mrs. Pfeiffer came to this State in 1852. After Mr. Pfeiffer was married he lived six months in Defiance Co., then one year iii Madison Co., Ind., and then came to Akron. where he worked a farm on shares. He worked three years in Wadsworth on George Miller's farm, rented a farm in Clinton one year, then bought a farm in Sharon Township, Medina Co., which he sold eight years afterward. After making several changes, purchased where he now owns, having eighty-five acres at a cost of $7,001). Has one child—George Frederick, born Nov. 3, 1860.


WEBSTER B. STORER. horticulturist ; P. O. Akron. The subject of this sketch was for thirty years an enterprising and energetic business man of Akron ; born in Portland. Me., Jan. 24, 1809 ; son of Joseph and Charlotte (Knight) Storer. Joseph was a ship-carpenter and joiner in Maine until 1818, when he moved to Zanesville, Ohio, with his family ; assisted by John Wilson, his partner, he built the first forked bridge over the Muskingum River at Zanesville ; in 1828, he removed to Cleveland, where he was engaged for many years ears building vessels, steamboats, canal boats, and other water craft. Joseph died in the spring of 1868 at the advanced age of 92 ; he was the father of six children ; all are living, the youngest being 70, the eldest 80, and the aggregate of their ages is 450 years ; they are Eliza (now Mrs. Joel Chapman, of Erie Co.), George K. and Joseph (of Brooklyn, Cuyahoga Co.), Samuel (of Clyde. Ohio), Webster B., and Hester (now Mrs. Harris Brainard, of Parma, Cuyahoga ; Co.). Webster was educated in the schools of Portland and Zanesville. He served an apprenticeship with his father, and at the age of 21 commenced business for himself in Cleveland ; for four years he was employed at ship-joinering.; he then farmed in Cuyahoga Co. for one year ; in 1836, he removed to Akron, and, for three years, was engaged building houses ; during this time he erected the first house eve] built on Mill street, upon the lot now occupied by the Universalist Church ; during the next quarter of a century he followed canal-boat building for some eighteen years. employing at times over twenty hands to assist him, constructing one year twelve boats ; he built the first boat which had a capacity of 2,600 bushels of wheat ; he was in partnership at this business for two years with Jacob Barnhart. and fox ten years with Ansel Miller. About the years 1856. he was engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery trade, continuing at this some two years. In 1863, he sold his interest at canal-boat building to William H. Payne, and then ran an iron store for five years in partnership with his son-in-law, J. L. Noble. In 1868. having traded his city property for 208 acres of land, he removed to this tract. where he has resided ever since with his son-in-law. For some twelve years he has been raising small fruit. and is a member of the State Horticultural Society. and an honorary member in a similar association of Franklin Co. He served as Trustee of Portage Township several terms ; was Infirmary Director of Summit Co. for three years ; was a member of the Board of Education in 1850, when the Central High School building was erected. Mr. Storer was originally a Democrat casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson. He supported Van Buren in 1836 and 1840 ; then being an ardent sympathizer of the anti-slavery movement, he united with the old " Liberty " party ; since the formation of the Republican party he has voted that ticket ; was connected with the underground railroad and the men who conducted its passengers through Summit Co.; was chosen President of the meeting at Akron called to express the indignation of the citizens when John Brown was hung. July 24, 1832, he was married to Miss Mary A. Bangs. daughter of James and Martha (Nash) Bangs. Mr. and Mrs. Storer are members of the Disciples' Church of Akron ; they were among those who organized the congregation in 1840 ; he has served as Deacon and Overseer in the church for many years. They are the parents of five children, one died in infancy ; the others are Daniel W. (now of Shelby) ; Hatty. (now Mrs. J. L. Noble ; she was married


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Dec. 3, 1855, and. is the mother of two daughters—Mary and Lucy M. Noble). James B. (now Postmaster of Akron), George S. (now of New York City).


JACOB SHAKE, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born Jan. 19, 1827, in Wurtemberg, Germany. His parents were John and Kate (Ripley) Shake : he was a son of Jacob. Our subject was the youngest of a family of eight children. In March. 1854. he married Frederica Richards. who was born Aug. 27. 1832, in Wurtemberg; daughter of Davis and Catharine ( Rutz) Richards. Davis Richards' father was John Richards; Catharine Richards was a daughter of George Kutz. In the same year in which he was married. Mr. Shake came to this country ; coming west to Ohio. he stopped in Liverpool Township. Medina Co.. where he worked by the mouth. After saving some money. went to Northampton. where he bought 25 acres of land unimproved. costing 82 per acre. This place he cleared up ; he then moved to this township, where he purchased and has since resided. He has now 100 acres of land. which he has cleared up. and erected suitable buildings thereon. He has been a hardworking man. a careful manager. and has been successful and secured a good home. He has ten children—Christian. who resides on her father's farm : Catharina. now the wife of Henry Schumacher ; Mary. the wife of Martin Dice : Helen. Rosa, Charles. Eliza, Willie. John and Ida. Mr. and Mrs. Shake are members of the German Reformed Church.


C. M. SMITH, farmer P. O. Akron ; was born in Lake Township. Stark Co.. Ohio, Nov. 14. 1818. of a family of seven children born ' to James and Sarah (Houser) Smith. James was born in Pennsylvania Jan. 16, 1790 ; son of John. who was a native of New Jersey, and had born to him five sons and three daughters. . James Smith married Sarah Houser, who was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 11, 1792. She was a daughter of Peter, who was a son of John Houser, a native of Germany ; his wife was Mary Fisher, by whom he had thirteen children. Of those who grew up were Mary, Catharine, Margaret. Amelia. Julia. Margaret, 2d. Peter, Tunis and William. The parents of our subject were married in Pennsylvania. and emigrated to Stark Co. about the year 1813. They entered 160 acres in Lake Township ; in 1823. he moved to Springfield. remaining there until his death. Nov. 15, 1858. To this couple were born Peter, now in Michigan ; John, in Elkhart, Ind.; C. M., Catharine, now Mrs. M. Hagenbaugh, in Tallmadge ; James, died at the age of 50, in this county ; Housel, in Bath Township ; Amelia, Mrs. Hiram Allen, in Nebraska. C. M. left home at 20, learned the cabinet-maker's trade, and worked at the same thirteen years. He was first married to Rebecca Monroe. who died one year afterward, leaving one child, since deceased. His second wife was Catharine Fulkerson, who died two years afterward, leaving one child, Sylvester. On Jan. 28, 1849. he married Grazella Ruckel, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 18. 1826 ; daughter of Peter and Mary (Hagenbaugh) Ruckel. Mr. Ruckel came to this country about 1 32. and settled in Sharon Township, Medina Co. His wife died when Mrs. Smith was 1 year old. Mr. Smith moved to his farm April. 1858, bought 111 acres of unimproved land, and cleared it up ; he is a self-made man. He. has had four children, three living—Elizabeth. Mrs. Joseph M. Byerley ; Allen J. and Sarah. Mr. Smith has the best of farm buildings. and is a successful farmer.


EPHRAIM SHERBONDY, farmer; P. O. Akron ; one of the earliest settlers of Portage Township. born in East Huntington Township, Westmoreland Co., Penn., Jan. 25. 1612 ; the eldest son of John and Rosannah (Ritchey) Sherbondy. who settled in Portage Township, with their family, in the spring of 1817. George, a brother of John, came at the same time with his family. and they traveled from Pennsylvania with only one large wagon for the two households. At that time, there were only nine other families living in the township these were Avery Spicer, Paul Williams, Samuel Newton. Phelps, John Hawkins, Ayres, Samuel Nash, King and George Sholls. Of these nine families only three persons are now living, Avery Spicer, his wife and Enos, son of John Hawkins. Several years afterward, Melkiah Sherbondy, father of John and George, moved to Portage and his son Peter also settled in Summit Co., with his family at an early day. From these families were descended numerous offspring, who are at the present time occupying most of the land originally purchased by their ancestors. John Sherbondy was elected Trustee of Portage Township fifteen years in succession ; he was


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also Assessor for many years ; he died March 22, 1866, at the age of 76 ; Rosannah his wife died Aug. 12, 1852 ; they were the parents of fourteen children, six died before maturity, eight raised families as follows : Ephraim, Uriah and Levi, now of Portage Township ; Sarah, now Mrs. Jacob Smith, of Copley; Reuben and John, now of Portage Township : Ann, now Mrs. Smith Bunker, of Portage ; Homer, now of Nebraska. Ephraim, subject of this sketch received a very meager education in his youth. He worked on his father's farm until 20 ; then at the carpenter's trade for fifteen years, during which time he was employed repairing the canal for the State. He was married Aug. 10, 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Edwards, who was born in Logan County, December 29, 1824; she is the daughter of Justus and Margaret (Smith) Edwards ; Justus died in October, 1852. Mr. and Mrs. Sherbondy are the parents of nine children. as follows : Amanda. now Mrs. Thomas Farell. of Cleveland ; Wallace, of Copley Township and married to Maggie Porter ; Justus died aged 10 months ; Ada. now Mrs. Benjamin Frederick, of Copley ; Eunice, now at home ; Rosa, died aged 13 in June, 1873 ; John, Giney and Lydia at home. Mr. Sherbondy owns at the present time some 24 acres of land, and has been a farmer since he left the Ohio Canal.


A. A. TINKHAM. farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born in Windsor Co.. Vt.. Jan. 24, 1824, the only son born to his parents, Allen and Mary Ann Tinkham. Mary Ann was a daughter of Robert Cain, who came from England and settled in Dedham. Mass., where his children Esther, Harriet, Mary Ann and Robert were born. Amos was 4 years of age when his father died ; his mother afterward married Mr. Washburn. The family came West in 1832, first to Wayne Co., Canaan Township, where they lived until 1837, when they moved to Wooster, remaining one year ; then to Seville in Medina Co., and remained there until 1839. Amos remained with his stepfather until he was 13 years of age, and, subsequently, hired out to Philo Chamberlain, in Akron, to drive team, and do general outside work until the spring of 1842, when he entered the mill and learned the miller's art, following the same until 1849 ; then engaged in the livery business at Franklin, now Kent, remaining nearly one year, then returned to Akron, and continued inthe business until 1862, when he went into the army, and served two years in the Quartermaster's Department ; returning home, lived one year in the city ; then moved to the farm where he has since lived ; his farm consists of 150 acres. May 1. 1853, he married Mary Bangs, born May 24, 1828, in Richfield Township, daughter of E. N. Bangs, who was born April 10, 1800, in Stanstead, Lower Canada ; his father was James, who moved some four months previous from Hampshire Co., Mass., to that place, in 1819, with his entire family, which consisted of Hortensia. Theodore, Harriet. Elisha, Martha, Samuel, Clarissa. Henry. Mary Ann and James. The family moved to Norwalk. Ohio. 1821. where he was married to Abigail Wallace. of Petersham. Mass.. by whom he had two sons and four daughters—Henry, Adeline A. Barnard. of Chicago; Mary Tinkham. of Akron ; Louise Simmons, of Chicago ; Celestia. Mrs. P. J. Moersch. of Akron. In 1821. Mr. Bangs moved to Milan, Ohio ; in 1825. removed to Richfield. Summit Co.; in 1836. to Akron, where he lived until his death. Nov. 17. 1878. Abigail Wallace was a daughter of Daniel, whose children were Abigail, Simeon. Lewis, Miranda. Harriet (deceased), Sarah L. (deceased), and Adeline. Mr. Tinkham has two children—Clara. Mrs. I. R. Miller. of this township, and Fred at home.


A. TEEPLE, farmer; P. O. Akron; was born in December, 1841. in Franklin Township ; son of John and Dorothe (Miller) Teeple. He was born Oct. 5. 1795, in New Jersey : son of Andrew Teeple. who came from Holland. He had three sons—Andrew. George and John. The Teeple family came West to Ohio. settling first in Jefferson Co.. at Steubenville, where Andrew died in 1810. To him were born Jacob. George. William, Pitney, John, Mary. Sophia and Ann. At the age of 18, John Teeple. the father of the above, came to Canton, where he hired out as a common laborer. Being industrious and economical, he succeeded in saving means to enable him to engage in business for himself. He worked for some time at contracting. He made his first purchase of land in Franklin, where he cleared up a farm of 160 acres, which cost at first $3 per acre. Upon this farm he died Sept. 13, 1864 ; wife Nov. 26, 1866. She was a member of the Disciples Church. He believed in Universal salvation. Their children were Catharine, George, Isaac


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who was killed in the late war at Champion Hills, May 16, 1863 ; member of Co. A, 42d 0. V. I. ; Simon, David, Aaron and John P. Aaron was raised to farming, receiving the advantages of the common district schools, and finally attended two years at Hiram College, having James A. Garfield as preceptor. At the age of 19, enlisted in September, 1861. in Co. A, 42d O. V. I., and served three years, participating in the principal battles in which the regiment was engaged. In the fall of 1865, he was married to Rachel Hiser, born Dec. 16, 1843, in Sandusky Co., daughter of Daniel and Elisabeth (Richard) Hiser, who had the numerous family of sixteen children, twelve grew up. Mr. Teeple moved to this township in 1869, and has 100 acres of good land. He has two children — John Frank and Nellie E. Mr. and Mrs. Teeple are members of the Disciples' Church.


SAMUEL UNDERHILL, farmer ; P. O. Akron ; was born April 9. 1804, in Hyde Park; Dutchess Co.. N. Y.; son of James and Clara (Quinby) Underhill, both of whom were born in Westchester Co., N. Y.; he in 1870 ; his wife two years later. The Underhills were of Quaker belief. James Underhill was a son of Nathaniel. whose ancestors came from England. Clara Quinby was a daughter of Samuel, whose wife was a Powell. To them were born seven children —Moses. Obadiah. Edward. Mary. Jane Catharine. Ann and Clara. The children of Nathaniel were James and Clara. Nathaniel was a lover of horses, and during the time of the Revolution purchased horses for the army. The children of James were Nathaniel. Samuel. Mary, Abram, Philo, Abel, James, Ann. Sarah and Catharine. In 1810. James Underhill moved to Coxsackie. N. Y., where he lived until 1813. when he died of pneumonia. Our subject was early in life left without a home. At the age of 20, he began the study of medicine, received his first diploma at Saratoga, N. Y.; afterward took lectures at New York City, and then came west to Ohio. first locating in Stark Co., in 1830. and began the practice of medicine. Although educated an allopathy, he afterward changed to Hydropathy. After becoming well-read in phrenology and studying scientific works, his views in regard to religion became changed, and has since been a Spiritualist. He has practiced medicine thirty years, also having two brothers, Abram and Abel, who have been engaged in the practice of medicine. He came to this township in 1863. In June, 1868, he married Electa Sanford, who was born in Hudson Township, daughter of Garry and Emily (Richardson) Sanford, who were early settlers. The former died in 1843 ; the latter in 1873 ; they had ten children. Since the Doctor's location here, he has been engaged mostly in farming. He has one son.


DANIEL B. WASHBURN, farmer; P.O. Akron ; born at Kingston, Plymouth Co., Mass., Dec. 15, 1818 ; the son of Abiel and Rebecca (Adams) Washburn ; when about thirteen years of age his parents removed to Summit Co., after stopping one winter in New York State ; and for some two years Abiel followed the shoemaker's trade until he died, Aug. 25, 1834. A short time previous he purchased from Samuel Nash. one of the early settlers of Summit County, 122 acres of land, and most of this is still owned by his decendauts. When the Washburn family removed to this land, there were only two log houses and a frame building between their farm and Akron ; what is now Wooster avenue was laid out but not fenced. Abiel and Rebecca Washburn were professors of the Swedenborgian faith ; she died Aug. 9, 1865 ; they were the parents of six children—Cornelia G., now Mrs. Albert G. Mallison, of Akron ; Lorinda, a resident of Sacramento. Cal.; Leander of Galesburg. Ill.; Keziah, married Charles Mallison, and died about seven years since ; Rebecca, now Mrs. John Wilbur, of California ; Daniel B., of Portage Township, subject of this sketch. who has resided upon his present farm since 1834 ; he received a knowledge of the common branches in the schools of Massachusetts and "York" State, and finally "graduated" at a log cabin schoolhouse in Portage Township. He was married December 10, 1849, to Mrs. Anna M. Adams, daughter of Robert and Betsey (Viers) Adams. She was born Sept. 15, 1818, in Richmond, Va.; her parents died when she was young and she removed to Massachusetts and was married to Daniel Adams, and by him had flour children—Louisa Q.. now Mrs. William T. Babcock, of Akron ; Delia J., now Mrs. Thomas Thomas. of Sonoma Co., Cal.; Helen F.. now Mrs. George Bunker, of Portage Township ; Francis B., now of Akron, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Daniel B. Washburn are the parents of five children—Winslow, now at home ; Alice. now Mrs. Lycurgus


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Force, of Middlebury ; Julia, now Mrs. Frank Sherbondy, of Portage Township ; Addle A. and Anna A., now at home. Mr. Washburn has always voted the Republican ticket since the formation of that party, previous to that time he was a Whig, casting his vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840.


GEORGE H. WISE (deceased); born Nov. 10, 1800. in Longstown, Union Co., Penn.. a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Seibald) Wise, whose children were John, Jacob, Henry, William, George, Christopher, Daniel. Mary and Abram. Henry Wise came West about the year 1812 ; John, his son, served in the war of 1812 ; Henry Wise settled in Lake Township when the country was new, remaining upon the place of his settlement until his death, which took place in 1839. George H. was raised a farmer ; about the year 1820, was married to Catharine Wise, who was born May 11, about the year 1803, daughter of David and Catharine (Denious) Wise ; he was a son of Frederick and Catharine, who came from Germany and were sold to pay their passage. The parents of Mrs. Wise came West when she was but 9 years of age, settling in Stark Co., where they remained until their death. To them were born Betsy, Polly, Catharine. Barbara. John. Sarah, Nancy and David ; of those living are David, John and Mrs. Wise. For a time after the marriage of Mr. Wise, he located in Greentown, where he kept tavern and carried on the butchering business ; was a carpenter by trade at which he worked in the early part of his life. In 1860. came to the township and purchased 349 acres of land, upon which he lived until his death which occurred Aug. 22, 1880 ; was father of thirteen children who were Jacob, Elizabeth, Sarah, Harriet. Lydia, Eliza, Washington, Jefferson. Wesley, Emma J.. Melissa J.. Washington and Nettie D. Wesley was born Nov. 1, 1838, died Dec. 25, 1862; married Clarissa Pryor, born in October, 1843. in Northampton, daughter of Samuel S., and Anra Everet. The Pryors were from Vermont, andthe Everets from Germany. Mr. Wise has three children—Mary, Addie and Freddie: there are 312 acres in the estate.


WILLIAM ZELLER, farmer: P. O. Akron ; was born in Lake Township. Stark Co., Ohio, Nov. 4. 1824 ; son of Adam and Elizabeth (Hoover) Zeller ; Adam was born about the year 1789, in Union Co.. Penn. The Zeller family came West to Stark Co. about the year 1815. and settled in Lake Township ; he first bought 80 acres, upon which he settled ; he then moved to a place adjoining, and. finally. located in Greentown. where he died in 1853 ; he was highly esteemed in the community, a good Democrat and a quiet citizen : his wife survived him but four days. Twelve children were born to them—Polly, Joseph. Daniel. Benjamin. Sarah. Anna. Betsey, Susan. William. Aaron. Robert and Jeremiah—ten of whom came to maturity : those living are Daniel. in Brimfield Township. Portage Co.: William. in this township ; Benjamin. in Cass Co.. Mich ; Elizabeth. married Absalom Shubert ; Jeremiah, in same county and State. Our subject remained at home until 1842 ; he learned the harness-maker's trade, at which he worked about ten years. On Sept 2. 1847. he married Sarah Wise, who was born May 16. 1825, in Stark Co.. daughter of George H. Wise. who was an early resident of Stark Co; after Mr. Zeller was married, he lived several years in Greentown. afterward removing to Uniontown. where he carried on his trade and was engaged in butchering : in 1855, he moved to the country, where he farmed five years ; in 1860, he moved to Portage Township and located where he now resides. purchasing 70 acres of land (but 6 acres improved). paying 850 per acre ; he has since cleared up his farm and has excellent buildings thereon ; his farm is situated in close proximity to the city of Akron. They have three children—Almira (Mrs. B. F. Huffman). Joseph H. and George. Mr. Zeller is a Republican in sentiment. His brother Aaron served as a soldier in the late war, doing his duty manfully.