USA > Ohio > Portage County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 1
USA > Ohio > Summit County > A portrait and biographical record of Portage and Summit counties, Ohio > Part 1
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59
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M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
L
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02484 0727
A PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL
RECORD
OF
PORTAGE AND SUMMIT
COUNTIES, OHIO,
-
CONTAINING BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY
Prominent and Representative Citizens, 1
TOGETHER WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES OF ALL THE
PRESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, ·
.
AND BIOGRAPHIES OF THE
GOVERNORS OF OHIO.
V.2
. LOGANSPORT, IND. A. W. BOWEN & CO. 1898.
1625394
David Davis
493
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
ETER ROTHERMEL, a thriving and respected farmer of Rootstown town- ship, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Germany June 24, 1835, a son of Peter and Margaret (Brotzes) Rothermel, the former of whom was a weaver by trade, and to whom was born a family of eight children, five of whom are still living, viz: Theressa, widow of Andrew Rettig; Mary, wife of Andrew Horn- ing; Adam, Peter and Matthias. The de- ceased were George, who died April 3, 1897, aged sixty-seven years; John, who died March 11, 1862, aged twenty-four, and Philip, who died at the age of three. The family came to America in 1840 and settled in Randolph town- ship, Portage county, Ohio, and here the father, for a short time, followed his trade of weaver, and then bought a farm, which he cultivated until his death, which occurred at the age of eighty years, in the faith of the Catholic church, in which faith, also, the mother was called away May 21, 1890, aged eighty-four.
Peter Rothermel was but five years of age when brought to Randolph township by his parents, and was here reared to manhood on his father's farm, receiving but a limited edu- cation. At the age of twenty-one years he hired out among the neighboring farmers as a helper until his first marriage, which took place Octo- ber 4, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Elmerich, daughter of Joseph and Mary Elmerich, but to this union there was no issue, as Mrs. Rother- mel was called away July 12, 1859, in the faith of the Catholic church. October 5, 1859, Mr. Rothermel was united in wedlock with Miss Mollie Weidaman, who was born in Ran- dolph township June 27, 1842, a daughter of of John and Magdalena (Spellman) Weidaman, and this union has been blessed with ten children, viz: Margaret, Frank, Henry, An- drew, Annie, Otto, Clara, Joseph, Edward and Leo.
John Weidaman, father of Mrs. Mollie Rothermel, is a native of Germany and a car- penter by trade. He came to Ohio in 1840, settled in Randolph township, and here engaged in farming, working at lis trade meanwhile, In 1841 he married Miss Spellman, the union resulting in the birth of seven children, viz: Mollie; Margaret, wife of Conrad Hauff; Barn- hard, John, Charles, all still living, and Eliza- beth and Abbie, deceased. The mother of this family died August 25, 1892, at the age of seventy-nine years, a devoted member of the Catholic church. The father now resides in Rootstown, a highly respected citizen, having filled several township offices and having been a steward in the Catholic church for many years
In 1877 Peter Rothermel settled on the farm he now owns in Rootstown township, which he has brought to a fine state of cultiva- tion and improved with a good dwelling and all necessary farm buildings. He began life a poor man, but was very industrious and eco- nomical in his earlier days of labor, and is now one of the most respected and substantial citizens of his township. Politically he is a democrat, and for many years has served as supervisor of his township and as school director, and in religion is a Catholic, to which faith all his family devoutly adhere.
S AMUEL S. ROTHTROCK, one of the representative men of Copley town- ship, Summit county, Ohio, is a na- tive of Stark county, was born De- cember 12. 1846, and is the eldest in a family of ten children born unto Samuel and Cather- ine (Stauffer) Rothtrock: Samuel S .. the sub- ject; Christian, a resident of Copley. farmer, and married to Miss Sarah Ritchie; David. who died June 8, 1897; Amos, a resident of
18
494
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
Portage county and an honored teacher there, was educated in a common school and was a student four years at Otterbein university; Levi died in 1861; Susan, widow of David Morhier, is a resident of Akron; Mary, wife of Willis Bissel, resides in Polk county, Iowa; Margaret, wife of Elias Hoagland, resides in Copley township; Anna, wife of E. W. Soll- man, resides in Copley township; Jacob re- sides in Medina county, Ohio.
Samuel Rothtrock, father of the subject, was a native of Nothampton connty, Pa., born October 20, 1820, and was reared a farmer, and received a limited education in the com- mon schools. He emigrated to Ohio at the age of fifteen, in the year 1835, and first lo- cated in Stark county, and in that county mar- ried Miss Stauffer, daughter of Christian and Christina (Ensminger) Stauffer. He came to Summit county in 1853 and purchased 160 acres in Copley, and in 1863 added eighty acres to his original purchase, and in 1870, 102 acres, making a total of 344 acres. Here he remained until his death, in 1871 As a poli- tician, he was an old-line whig, and when the republican party was born he cast his lot with it. He was an ardent friend of the public- school system. He and wife were members of the Dunkard society, and he died a man respected by all who knew him. The mother of the subject of this sketch still survives her husband, resides in Copley, aged seventy-three years, has her mental faculties intact. and is an adherent of the United Brethren church in Copley township.
The name Rothtrock is of German origin. Mr. Rothtrock. of this biography, is a typical Ohioan, having spent his entire life in Stark and Summit counties, was reared to agricult- ural pursuits, and received a common-school education as well as a short course at the Copley high school. He commenced life for himself empty-handed as regards money,
his first earnings being $20 per month, given by his father. He is a man of industrious and frugal habits, and his competency places him and his family in easy circumstances.
He married Miss Mary E. Yoey, a native of Wayne county. They were married Jan- uary 26, 1871, and five children, all daugh- ters, grace this union. Gertrude Elnora was educated in the common schools and the Copley high school; she has been one of Sum- mit county's successful teachers, and is a lady whose close companions are good books and authors. She is a member of the Ohio Teach- ers' Reading circle; Nellie May also received a good education in Copley high school and a normal course at the normal school at Ada, Ohio. She is also a teacher of note in her township; Almeda J. is at present a student in the high school and will graduate in the class of 1898; Mabel Fern died September 22, 1894. She was a bright little iniss of nine summers, and a great deal of the golden sun- light of the home circle went out when she was called to her heavenly home; Blanche Yoey is the youngest in the home and is very bright in her school work. Mrs. Rothtrock was born January 6, 1850, in Wayne county and was the second child born to George and Hannah (Wagoner) Yoey. the eldest child of the family being Kate A., wife of Eli Fretz, residents of Doylestown, Ohio; Mrs. Roth- trock is next in order of birth; and Adaline J died aged twenty-eight; she was a teacher; Benjamin Franklin, resident of Copley, mar- ried Miss Rose Ream. Mrs. Rothtrock's fa- ther was born in Pennsylvania about 1850 and died December 14, 1877. He was a fariner by occupation, although a man of fair educa- tion, and taught school successfully. He was about six years of age when his parents emi- grated to Ohio. He and' wife were members of the Reformed church, and he was a stanch republican in politics. The mother was a na
495
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
tive, also, of Pennsylvania, and is aged seventy-three years.
Mrs. Rothtrock received a good common- school education and is a lady of pleasing ad- dress, and possesses the cardinal points in character which make the true wife and mother. Mr. Rothtrock is a democrat in pol- ities, casting his first presidential vote for Hon. Horatio Seymour, of New York. Officially he was township trustee from 1873 until 1876, and a member of the board of education for years, as well as director of the schools for six years, justice of the peace from 1886 to 1895, receiving his commissions from Ex-Govs. For- aker and MeKinley, and he was also real es- tate assessor of Copley township in 1890 and township assessor in 1887. Socially, Mr. and Mrs. Rothtrock are members of Copley grange No. 1298 and have been since 1878. He was master of the grange for five years. Miss Gertie is lady assistant steward. Miss Nellie is lecturer of the grange. Mrs. Rothtrock is a member of the German Reformed church, and the three daughters are members of the Methodist Episcopal church at Copley.
The Rothtrock homestead comprises 102 acres of land lying within two miles of the village of Copley, and the home is the abode of hospitality, and the friends as well as the strangers receive a cordial welcome.
RTHUR JAMES ROWLEY, city so- licitor of Akron and a young lawyer of great merit, with his office at No. 43 Akron Savings Bank building, is a native of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, was born December 4, 1868, and is a son of William and Mary J. (Wills) Rowley.
Enoch Rowley, grandfather of subject, came to America from Stoke-upon-Trent, Staffordshire, England, about 1848, and with . his family located in Akron, Ohio. He was a
potter by trade, and soon after his arrival es- tablished the first pottery of the city, which he conducted for many years -- a part of the time in partnership with his son, the father of subject, and on his retirement from business sold the entire plant to the latter. He was a republican in politics and for eight years served as councilman from the Sixth ward. His family consisted of himself, wife and eleven children, of whom four of the latter were born in Akron, the other seven, with the father and mother, having come from England together. He died at the age of seventy-three years, an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
William Rowley, father of Arthur James Rowley, was born in England, and was a lad of about ten years of age when brought to Akron, Ohio, by his parents, he being their eldest child. He spent his boyhood days here, receiving in the meantime a solid com- mon-school education, and, as stated above, eventually succeeded his father in the stone- ware business. He married in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and his union was blessed with four children, viz: Florence, who died in in- fancy; Arthur J., subject; Maud L. and Zelle I. Mr. Rowley, like his father, was also a stanch republican in politics, and for six years was a member of the board of equalization. Fraternally, he was a member of Apollo lodge, I. O. O. F., and as a business man bore a name that was everywhere respected for its unblemished integrity. He retired from active business life in 1886, and lived in peace on his income until his death, which occurred in November, 1891, at the age of fifty-four years.
Arthur James Rowley was reared in the city of Akron and graduated from its high school in January, 1886. and from Buchte! college, in the same city. in June, 1890. He then read law with Charles Cobbs, and later
496
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
with Green, Grant & Seiber; was admitted to the bar in March, 1892, and was elected a member of the board of education upon the republican ticket in 1893, which position he resigned on being elected city solicitor in 1895. In the spring of 1897 he was re-elected for a further term of two years, receiving the largest plurality of any officer elected. He has filled this office, as he did his former office, with ability and credit to himself and to the satis- faction of the public, and is now one of the most promising young attorneys of the city. He is a member of the Summit county Bar association; of the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks, and also of his college frater- nity, Delta Tau Delta; he is likewise a mem- ber of the Akron club, and of the Akron cham- ber of commerce. The family residence is at No. 1044 East Market street, and its members are among the most reputable and respected of the city of Akron.
HARLES E. RUGG, a practical and prosperous farmer of Franklin town- ship, Portage county, Ohio, is a na- tive of the Buckeye state, and was born in Northampton township, Summit coun- tw, September 3, 1850, a son of Ora and Jane (Everett) Rugg, of New England and Penn- sylvania descent.
Elias Rugg, the paternal grandfather of subject, was a native of New Hampshire, was a cabinetmaker by trade, and married Sarah Wellman, to which union were born twelve children, of whom two are still living-Jo- seph, and Mary, the wife of Benjamin Batch- elder; the deceased were named Betsey, Sallie, Elias, Francis, Bial, Ora, Elvira, Lucinda, Walter and George. The father of this family was called away in 1840, and the mother June 20, 1854.
Ora Rugg, father of Charles E., was born in
Keene, N. H., October 30, 1807, was a wood- turner by trade, came to Obio in 1837, and located at Cuyahoga Falls, where he followed his trade for a short time. In the spring of 1839 he bought a farin in Northampton town- ship, which he cleared and improved, and when, in 1869, he sold this farm, it was con- sidered one of the finest farms in that town- ship. He then removed to Earlville, Frank- lin township, Ohio. March 29, 1839, he mar- ried, at Ravenna, Miss Jane Everett, and of the four children born to this union, Charles E., the subject, and Minnie A. still survive; Wilson died May 11, 1851, aged seven years, and Charles S. died September 12, 1846, at the age of seven months. Ora Rugg was called away October 3, 1880, in his seventy- third year, and his widow passed away March 2, 1886, at the age of seventy years, in the faith of the Methodist church.
John Everett, the maternal grandfather of the subject, was born in Northumberland county, Pa., September 10, 1781, was a black- smith by trade, and married, in his native county, September 3, 1807, Miss Jane Hart, to which marriage were born eleven children. of whom two only are living-Ann, wife of S. S. Prior, of Cuyahoga Falls. Ohio, and Florence, wife of George Whaley. of Hudson; the nine deceased were named Susan, Mary, Rachel, John, Matthew, Jane, Rebecca, Sarah and David. After coming to Ohio, Mír. Everett was engaged in farming until his death, in January, 1872, at the extreme age of ninety- one years.
Charles E. Rugg, the subject proper of this biography, received a very good education in the district schools of Summit county, Ohio, and there grew to manhood on his father's farm. In 1869 he came with his parents tu Earlville, Portage county, and in 1885 pur- chased his present farm, which was but partly cleared. He at once cleared up this place m
497
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
full, set out an orchard and erected a hand- some and commodious dwelling, and within the past twelve years has so improved his farm that it is one of the most productive and prof- itable in the township.
Mr. Rugg was united in marriage, at Ra- venna, April 3, 1881, with Miss Rose M. Gray, who was born in Limaville, Stark county, Ohio, May 27, 1860, a daughter of Thomas L. and Mary Jane (Carver-Webster) Gray, who were of Irish and English extraction, re- spectively. This union has been blessed with three children, the eldest of whom, born Jan- uary 8, 1884, died, unnamed, January 14 of the same year; Edna M. was born August 12, 1888, and Ruth A. was born May 16, 1892, and these two still live to add happiness to subject's pleasant home.
Thomas L. Gray, the father of Mrs. Rose M. Rugg, was a native of Pennsylvania, and by trade was a wheelwright. He was still young when he came to Ohio and settled in Limaville, Stark county, where he engaged in farming. In 1862 he moved to Louisville, Stark county, Ohio, and in 1866 sold his farm and moved to Earlville, Franklin township, Portage county, Ohio, where he remained until his death, which occurred March 25, 1890, at the age of seventy-seven years. He had been thrice married, and the only child born to his first union, John, died while serv- ing in the late war; his second marriage, which was with Sophia Rech, resulted in the birth of three children, of whom William and Frank are still living, but Leander died in June, 1880; to his third marriage, which was to Mrs. Mary J. Carver Webster, two children were born -- Mrs. Rugg and Sherman T .- the latter born April 8, 1864. The mother of this family was called away February 12, 1892, a member of the Disciples' church, at the age of sixty-four years.
In politics Charles E. Rugg is a decided i professionally
republican, although he is not very aggressive and has never been an office seeker; his fam- ily are members of the Methodist church, to the support of which they freely contribute, and he is a liberal supporter of all movements designed for the good of the public. He holds an exalted place in the esteem of his fellow- citizens, and is recognized as one of the most progressive and useful farmers in Franklin township.
RANKLIN P. RUSSELL, M. D., an eminent practitioner of surgery and medicine in Suffield, Portage county, Ohio, was born in Valparaiso, Porter county, Ind., October 29, 1852, the eldest son of Newell and Paulina (Blakeslee) Russell, of whom further mention will be made in a par- agraph yet to follow. Franklin P. was edu- cated primarily in his native city, which is somewhat renowned for its educational institu- tions, and when about fourteen years of age came to Portage county, Ohio, where his lit- erary studies were completed. In 1877 he commenced the study of medicine under the preceptorship of Dr. C. L. Belden, of Ravenna -a graduate from the Eclectic Medical college of Philadelphia, with the class of 1859, and one of the most experienced physicians of Ra- venna. Being thoroughly prepared by this scientist for a course of lectures, Mr. Russell entered the university of Wooster, at Cleve- land, from which he received his diploma, in in 1880, as M. D., and at once engaged in practice in Streetsboro, Portage county, where, for nearly two years, he met with the most flattering success, but finding the field too contracted for the exercise of his acknowl- edged ability, he sought the broader field of Suffield in 1881. where his practice has been most satisfactory to himself. In his
fraternal relationship, the
498
PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD
doctor is a member of the Northeastern Ohio Medical society-his only other fraternal con- nection being with the Knights of Pythias. In politics he is a democrat, and during the last administration of President Cleveland he was a member of the board of Portage county pen- sion examiners; he has also served as a inem- ber of the school board for several years, and in both positions has fully and creditably at- tended to his duties.
The marriage of Dr. Russell took place May 13, 1880, to Miss Lillie E. Tucker, a daughter of Daniel and Betsey (Willcox) Tucker, of Streetsboro, and the result of this union has been three children, viz: Cora Leona, Bessie P. and Hortense Ardell. Daniel Tucker, father of Mrs. Dr. Russell, was a na- tive of Portage county, born March 29, 1820, and when a young man learned the carpenter's trade, but later in life became a farmer. His marriage with Miss Willcox was crowned by the birth of one child only-Lillie E., the wife of Dr. Russell. Mr. Tucker passed away April 20, 1887, aged sixty-seven years, and his wife died February 19, 1896, at the age of sixty-eight.
Newell Russell, father of Dr. Franklin P. Russell, was born in Aurora, Portage county, Ohio, March 29, 1820, of Connecticut parent- age, and was married in Porter county, Ind., to Miss Paulina Blakeslee, a native of the same county. Some years after marriage he re- moved to Iowa, lived in that state until 1862, when the family removed to Quincy, Ill., the father January 5, 1862, having enlisted in company H, Fifteenth Iowa volunteer infantry, and served three years in defense of the integ- rity of the flag of his native country. At the close of the war he went west and engaged in silver mining, and died in Denver, Colo., November 3, 1872, at the age of fifty-five years, his wife having died in Quincy, July 29, 1367, at the age of thirty-four, in the faith of
the Presbyterian church, leaving a family of five children, all still living, and respectively named, in order of birth, Franklin P., Chester M., Agnes V. (wife of A. C. Seaton, of Omaha, Nebr.), Lola L. (wife of W. A. Folger, of Ak- ron, Ohio), and Charles Henry. Dr. Russell is a successful physician.
ON. HENRY C. SANFORD, attorney at law, Akron, Ohio, was born in New Portland, Me., September 11, 1833, a son of John and Priscilla (Delano) Sanford, also natives of the old lum- ber state.
John Sanford, grandfather of subject, was a native of Massachusetts, was of English descent, was captain of a sea-going vessel, married Mary Wilson, and in his middle age retired to Topsham, Me., where he passed the remainder of his days. John Sanford, Jr., the father of subject, was born in Topsham, where he was reared to manhood and in his earlier days was engaged in the lumber trade, but later became a farmer. His luinber business was very extensive, but the embargo of 1812- 13, ruined his trade and his lumber and ships rotted on his hands. Nevertheless he had ac- quired a competence long before he retired to his farm. He was of an ingenious turn of mind, and among his numerous inventions was a mill to grind feed, the motive power of which was the ebb and flow of the tide; he invented the process for the manufacture of straw board; a device for turning a grindstone; a winnowing machine; a windlass for raising heavy weights; also, the curved plowshare-and to secure patents for these he rode horseback to Wash- ington, D. C. He was married in Maine, in ISHI, to Priscilla Delano, who bore him a family of nine children, viz: Judah and Will- iam T., deceased; Elizabeth, wife of A. S. French; Susan, of Portage county, Ohio:
499
OF PORTAGE AND SUMMIT COUNTIES.
Harriet, wife of William Lettys; John, de- ceased; Henry C., the subject: Lucia, wife of E. Sawyer, and Thomas, deceased. The father of this family died in Maine in 1841. The mother, who was born in Plymouth, Mass., December 11, 1793, was a daugliter of Capt. Judah and Penelope (Sampson) Delano, also of the Bay state. This venerable lady died July 9, 1897, at the extreme age of 103 years.
Henry C. Sanford attended a private acad- emy at Manchester, N. H., and then, for a period of a year and a half, was employed in the Amoskeag Locomotive works of Manches- ter. He then came to Ohio, locating in San- dusky City, and, for several years, was em- ployed on the Lake Shore railroad. In 1855 he went to Quincy, Ill., and ran the first pas- senger train on the C., B. & Q. road from Quincy to Galesburg, and remained as engi- neer with the company for six years; was next in mercantile business in Lorain county, Ohio, a year, and in 1861 went to Meadville, Pa., as engineer for the Atlantic & Great Western road, and when the division was established in 1864, at Kent, Ohio, was placed in charge as engine dispatcher. In 1867 he quit railroad- ing and spent a year in the law department of the university of Michigan, at Ann Arbor. In 1868 he was admitted to the bar at Ravenna, Ohio, where he practiced until September, 1870, when he came to Akron. As a repub- lican he was elected, in 1872, prosecuting at- torney, and served one term; in 1876 was elected city solicitor; in 1887 was elected to the state legislature and re-elected in 1889, when he introduced and secured the passage of numerous important bills.
January 19, 1857, Mr. Sanford was married, in Lorain county, Ohio, to Miss Emily J. Fair- child, a native of that county and a daughter of Elam and Lydia (Wilcox) Fairchild, and this union was crowned by the birth of three children, viz: William H., attorney and real-
estate dealer; Burton J., grocer of Akron, and May F., who is a graduate of the Cleveland Art school, and who possesses superior art qualities. The mother of these children died January 6, 1890, a member of the Congrega- tional church, and was a woman filled with charity and good will toward mankind and of more than ordinary mental ability. Mr. San- ford, in his fraternal affiliations, early became a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. Outside of his regular practice, he is the attorney for the Peoples' Savings bank.
William H. Sanford, elder son of Hon. Henry C. Sanford, was born in Lorain county, Ohio, February 2, 1859, and was eleven years of age when his parents came to Akron. Here he was graduated from the high school in 1877, after which he attended Buchtel college two years, and then entered the Cincinnati Law school, from which he was graduated in 1883, since which time he has been engaged in legal practice in Akron, making a specialty of real estate. He is associated with his father in business, and, like him, is a republican.
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