Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 100

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On January 18, 1852, Mr. Walker was mar- ried to Mary E. Jenney, who was born at Hardwick, Massachusetts, and they have had four children, namely: William, who is book- keeper for the firm of Standard Sewing Ma- chine Company, at Cleveland; George, a grad- uate of Yale College, who is serving as United States district attorney for the Southern Dis- triet of Indian Territory ; Charles, who is de- ceased: and Arthur H., who is a resident of London, England. Mrs. Walker died Sep- tember 3, 1903.

In political sentiment, Mr. Walker has al- ways been a Republican, and in earlier years he filled a number of important offices in Akron and in Summit County. He served in the City Council for two terms, at an early day, before hogs and cattle were restrained from running at large. For nine successive years he served as a member of the County Infirmary Board and to his efficient efforts in behalf of the county's unfortunates must

be credited the erection of the present modern and magnificent infirmary buildings, which compare favorably with those of other coun- ties. For thirty years he served as a deacon in the Congregational Church. Mr. Walker's present residence is at No. 166 Fir Street.

CHARLES N. GAYLORD, one of Stow Township's most substantial men and leading citizens, largely interested in the dairy indus- try, was born on the valuable farm on which he lives, in Summit County, Ohio, March 14, 1852, and is a son of Sylvester and Julia Ann (North) Gaylord.

The Gaylord family descended from the English Puritans who settled in Connecticut in colonial days. Jonathan Gaylord, the grandfather of Charles N., was born in Upper Middletown, Connecticut. He married Martha Thomas, who was born at Haddam, Connecti- cut, and they had the following children : . Isaac, Eliza, Mary A., Joshua and Sylvester, all born in Connecticut, and Eli and Martha, both of whom were born in Ohio.

Jonathan Gaylord came with wife and chil- dren to the Western Reserve in 1809, among the large body of homeseekers who migrated thither about that time from the East. He started on the first day of June, 1809, his possessions drawn by yokes of oxen, Captain Stow and family being of the same party. Jonathan Gaylord brought his father and mother, Jonathan and Elizabeth (Goodham) with him, and the following brothers and sis- ters also accompanied the daring pioneer who was venturing into these wild regions: Wil- liam, Betsey, Abia and Margaret. To the larger number of the travelers, that was in- deed a memorable journey. All of those who were able to walk traveled in that primative way, for on many occasions streams had to be forded and thoroughfares cut through the dense forests. After forty-one days of advance the little cavalcade reached the desired destin- ation and settled in the southern part of Stow Township. A part of the land which his grandfather and great-grandfather looked on and called good, is now the property of Char- les N. Gaylord, although in its present state of

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

cultivation and improvement, it little resem- bles the landscape that then greeted their eyes. They were practical men, however, and they were able to value thie timber and under- stand the quality of the soil.

Jonathan Gaylord acquired here 200 acres of forest land, on which he built first a log cabin, in which the family lived for some years, which was replaced by a substantial frame house. With the assistance of his sons he cleared this immense body of land, but was not permitted to enjoy the fruits of his labor into old age. He was active and industrious beyond his strength, and when farm work did not press, it was his custom to walk the whole distance to Cleveland and return, doing work in the shipyards of that then village. He was stricken, probably with an affection of the heart, while on one of these trips, when not Inore than in middle age. Both he and wife belonged to the Presbyterian faith.

Sylvester Gaylord, father of Charles N., was nine months old when brought by his parents to the Western Reserve. He attended the district schools and learned at Cleveland to be a carpenter and builder, and was a young man of such steadiness of character that when only twenty years of age, he began business for himself. ITe worked at his trade and lived on a part of the homestead farm in Stow Township which he purchased and which Charles N. now owns. He was a man of sterling character and was trusted and re- spected by all who knew him. Politically a Republican, he was offered by that party many local offices and was elected township trustee on several occasions. His death took place June 17, 1889.

In 1830, Sylvester Gaylord married (first) Ruth Nickerson, who was born near Cape Cod, in Massachusetts. She was of English descent and her parents were among the pio- neer settlers in Stow Township. her father keeping one of the early inns at Stow Corners. There were two children born to this mar- riage: Helen, deceased; and Sylvester, re- siding at Stow Corners. The first wife of Mr. Gaylord died in 1838, and he was married (second) April 29. 1839, to Julia A. North.

who was a daughter of Selah and Anna (Ne- well) North. The children born to this union were the following: Lucy, who is the widow of Linas E. Burr, residing at Cameron, Mis- souri; William, residing at Cleveland; Julia, who is the wife of Willard W. Wetmore, re- siding in Stow Township; Charlotte, who mar- ried for her first husband Dr. Charles Hen- shaw, and her second marriage was to James L. Banning, residing at Stow Corners; and Charles N.

Charles N. Gaylord attended the public schools of Monroe Falls and spent three years in the Tallmadge Academy. He then en- tered the paper mills at Monroe Falls, where he worked for some twelve years, after which he rented the farm from his father, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits ever since. The homestead farm was the property of his mother until her death and he con- tinued to rent it until the settlement of the estate, when he purchased it together with seventy adjoining acres. During this whole period he has operated a dairy, keeping about twenty-five cows. During nine months of the year his milk goes to the Co-operative Cream- ery at Stow, of which enterprise he was one of the organizers, and of which he is a direct- or as well as a heavy stockholder. In 1899, he embarked in a new industry on his farm, this being the making of ice cream by whole- sale, and this dainty he sells all through this section, having the important contract of sup- plying Silver Lake Park. He has well-equip- ped quarters and utilizes a steam engine for power. Mr. Gaylord raises corn, oats and po- tatoes. His interests are many and varied, and he keeps a firm hand on all.

Mr. Gaylord married Lucy Southmayd, a member of an old and important family, and they have two children: Howard S. and Stanley G. Mrs. Gaylord is a daughter of the late William and Martha (Wilson) South- mayd.

The paternal grandmother of Mrs. Gaylord was Clarissa (Rice) Gaylord, who was born February 6. 1805, and died March 14, 1879. She was a daughter of Captain Rice and was the first white child born in Stow Township.

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She became the second wife of Erastus South- mayd, who was born at Middletown, Connec- ticut, March 29, 1787. He came to the West- ern Reserve a single man and was married (first) to Annie Wetmore, in 1822, who died after the birth of three children: Charles, Lucy and Leonard. In 1827, he married Clarissa Rice, and they had four children : Walter, William, Horace and Henry. Eras- tus Southmayd owned a good farm situated one-half mile north of Stow Center, which he cleared from the forest, and for sonic years he also kept a hotel at Stow Corners. He died on this farm October 16, 1866. He was a member of the Disciples Church.

William Southmayd, father of Mrs. Gay- lord, was one of the best-known citizens of Summit County. He was a farmer and school teacher, following the latter profession for sixteen years consecutively in his native county. For many years he was one of the infirmary directors and held political posi- tions of various kinds. serving as clerk and as treasurer of Stow Township, on the Repub- lican ticket, for a long period. He was a member of the School Board. and was an elder in the Disciples Church. His last years were passed at Cuyahoga Falls, where he died De- cember 8, 1887. aged fifty-seven years. On

November 4, 1852, he married Martha Wil- son, who was born at Pompey. Onondaga County. New York. December 27. 1831, and was a daughter of Darius and Temperance (Chase) Wilson. Darius Wilson moved to the Western Reserve in 1835 and settled in Medina County. Ohio. where he died at the age of seventy-four years.

Politically Mr. Gaylord is a Republican. He served one term as justice of the peace and several terms as township trustee. For four vears he has been president of the Summit County Horticultural Society. for two years president of the Farmers' Institute of Summit County, and secretary of this organization for two years, and has been a member of the School Board for a long period. He belongs to Pavonia Lodge. No. 301. Knights of Py- thias. at Cuyahoga Falls. He is a deacon in the Disciples Church.

G. C. DONALDSON, manager of the Pitts- burg Coal Company, at Akron, has a large territory to cover in the interests of this im- mense concern, with which he has been iden- tified since 1900. He was born at Girard, Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1872, where he secured his schooling.

When sixteen years of age Mr. Donaldson went to Cleveland and entered the employ of Pickands, Mather & Company, with whom he continued for eight years, after which he was three years with the Canada Life Insur- ance Company. For a short time, Mr. Don- aldson was employed as a special agent by the Erie Railroad, and then entered upon his present connection with the Pittsburg Coal Company. Until 1904 he traveled in its in- terest through Ohio, Indiana and Michigan, and then was stationed at Akron and placed in charge of all the business in Ohio west and south of Warren, Ohio.

On October 9, 1902, Mr. Donaldson was married to Anna Grace Dunbar, of Steuben- ville, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Donaldson are members of the Presbyterian Church of Ak- ron. Mr. Donaldson is a talented musician and is treasurer of the Tuesday Musical Club, Akron's leading musical organization.

SAMUEL F. ZILIOX, president and gen- eral manager of the Commercial Printing Company. of Akron, has specialized in his line of work for many years, and has been at the head of his present enterprise since its incorporation in 1896. He was born at Mill- ville. Butler County. Ohio. in 1864, and was educated mainly at Hamilton.

When a lad of fifteen years Mr. Ziliox en- tered the printing office of Jacob H. Long, at Hamilton, where he remained two years, then spent a short time at Urbana. only to return to Hamilton, where he was connected with the Hamilton Democrat as superintendent and business manager until May, 1889. For a short period he was a member of the adver- tising staff of the St. Louis Chronicle, then was identified with the Laning Publishing Company. of Norwalk, Ohio. In February, 1891. he came to Akron and was in charge

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

of the job department of The Akron Print- ing and Publishing Company until March, 1896, when, with others, he organized the Commercial Printing Company. This con- eern was incorporated in 1898, with a capital stock of $20,000, which has been increased to $75,000. The officers of the company are: S. F. Ziliox, president and manager; D. W. Bowman, vice president; F. A. Lane, treas- urer and general superintendent, and W. E. Young, secretary and assistant superintend- ent.

In 1904 Mr. Ziliox was married to Kath- eryn Aydelotte, of Hamilton, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Ziliox are members of St. Paul's Epis- copal Church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Elks, and is a member of the Elks club.

FREDERICK KUHLKE, one of Akron's substantial business men, who conduets one of the leading bakeries in the city, has been identified with Akron's development for the past forty-one years. He was born in Ger- many in 1846, and was reared and educated in his own land.

In 1864 Mr. Kuhlke came to America and for two years he worked in a grocery store in New York City, and then came to Akron. Not being able to seenre employment in a grocery at that time, Mr. Kuhlke worked on the Ohio Canal and at various things which an active, industrious young man is able to secure, in the meanwhile making friends for himself and accumulating enough capital to go into business in 1882. In 1886 he first engaged in the bakery business, having a partner for a space of six weeks, after which he continued alone. He proved himself a good manager and accumulated considerable money, but in the panie of 1893 he sustained losses which made it necessary for him to begin all over again.

Mr. Kuhlke proved that he possesses the perseverance and courage which usually be- long to his countrymen, by setting to work immediately to repair his losses. He met with such success that by 1904 he was able to construct bis present plant, consisting of

a two-story brick building, 46 by 56 feet and basement, located No. 330-2-4 South Broadway. Mr. Kuhlke conducts a first-class bakery, having sixteen employes and running seven wagons. His sales-rooms and office are located at No. 27 East Exchange Street.

In 1869 Mr. Kuhlke was married at Akron to Mary Bramer, and they have two surviv- ing children-George, who is a salesman for the bakery, and Carl, who is foreman of the business. One son, Herman, died in 1894, aged twenty-four years, and his only daugh- ter, Meta, died also in 1894, at the age of twenty-two years.

Mr. Kuhlke has taken more or less interest in politics and has frequently shown his pub- lie spirit. Sinee 1869 he has been identified with the Odd Fellows and has twice been sent as a representative to the Grand Lodge of Ohio, which is no slight honor. He be- longs to various German societies of a bene- ficiary and social nature, including the Lie- dertafel.

J. L. SHIREY, M. D., an old-established physician and surgeon of Akron and a promi- nent and respected citizen, was born at Han- over, Harrison County. Ohio. June 20. 1853.

At the age of twelve years Dr. Shirey went to Indiana, and was educated at Dover Hill, in that State, and at Carrollton, Ohio. In the meantime he had commenced the study of medicine and spent one term in the Ohio Medical College, at Cincinnati, and then en- tered Starling Medical College, where he was graduated in 1885, loeating for practice at Tippecanoe, Harrison County, Ohio, from which place he came to Akron, in 1887. He has been in the active practice of medicine and surgery in this city ever since, and claims a large amount of the legitimate business of the profession. He is a member of the Sum- mit County and of the Ohio State Medical Societies, and keeps thoroughly posted on all subjeets relating to the advance of medical science.

In 1881 Dr. Shirey was married to Anna Spiker, of Harrison County, and they have one daughter. Pearl K. She married Burt

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

D. Grief, who is superintendent of the largest sugar plantation in the world, which is lo- cated in Porto Rico.

Dr. Shirey is an active politician and is a stanch Republican. He is a citizen of great public spirit and takes pride in the progress and welfare of the city. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

ANDREW HARPER ALLEN, a well- known resident of Cuyahoga Falls, now living retired in his pleasant home on Sackett Street, was born at Pond Creek, Burean County, Illi- nois, August 18, 1856, and is a son of Robert Henry and Mary Phylura (Cochran) Allen.

The Allen family in Summit County, came from Scotch and Irish ancestors. John 11- len, the great-grandfather of Andrew II., was born in County Antrim, Ireland, where he died, leaving a family of six children. George Allen, his third son, born in County Antrim, in 1799, married Elizabeth Harper, and they came to America in 1832, settling first at Lee, Massachusetts, and in 1836. coming to Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. He followed paper- making almost all his active life. Ile was a man of great industry and prudence and in- vested in land in Summit County, which be- came very valuable, a part of his eighty-acre farm being now included in the city of Cuya- hoga Falls. He had ten children, namely ; Jane, Andrew II., John M., Robert H., Wil- liam A., George L., Julia, Mary Alexander and the first Mary, who died in infancy while the family was crossing the Atlantic ocean.

Robert Henry Allen, father of Andrew H., was born December 25, 1832, at Lee, Massa- chusetts, and came to Cuyahoga Falls with his father, in 1836. For twenty years after reach- ing maturity he was engaged in the carriage- making trade at Cuyahoga Falls, but in 1874 he moved to a farm which was situated in Stow Township, on which he lived until 1882. He then moved to AAkron, where he re- sumed work at his trade of carriage manu- facture, but one year later he discontinued it, and bought a farm of 170 acres in Stow Township, to which he moved. He now turned his attention to acquiring land and

continued to add one parcel to another until his possessions aggregate 600 acres. He was at man of exceptional business faculty, but he gained his ample fortune without dishonesty, mainly through his steady perseverance and frugality.

On October 5, 1855, Mr. Allen married Mary Phylura Cochran, who was born at Cuyahoga Falls, July 18, 1837, a daughter of John M. and Jane (Semple) Cochran. Both the Cochran and the Semples were old colonial families of Scotch-Irish lineage that had generations of honest ancestors behind them. John M. Cochran was born in 1775, at Calcutta, Ohio, and in 1814 was married to Jane Semple, who was born in County Tyrone, Ireland but who had been reared in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, where her father, James Semple had settled, being an early teacher in that locality. The children of Robert Henry and Mary P. Allen were: Andrew H., Maria, William A. and Arthur MI. Mrs. Allen is a consistent member of the Episcopal Church. Mr. Allen was identified with the Republican party, and was one of its founders in Summit County. He died May 5, 1902, aged sixty-nine years.

.Andrew Harper Allen's parents resided only one year at Pond Creek, moving then to Cuyahoga Falls, where he was reared and educated. After completing the High School course, he learned the trade of wagon-maker with his father and uncle. After finishing his apprenticeship with the firm of W. A. Allen & Company, he was married and moved to Lafayette, Indiana, where he worked for about a year. He was then in partnership with John Spafford, at Akron, for a year, and for another year with John Agne, under the firm name of Allen & Agne. doing business enough to encourage him to organize the Allen Wagon Company. This enterprise was entirely successful and Mr. Allen car- ried it on for some years, giving employment to thirty people in his works. After dispos- ing of his interests in this concern. in part- nership with his father he purchased the old Galloway farm, and on it was engaged in general farming and dairying for five years.

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After retiring from the farm Mr. Allen went to the Goodrich Rubber Company as a mill- wright and pattern-maker, where he contin- ued for five years. He then started a pattern shop of his own, at Cuyahoga Falls, which he continued to operate, with two assistants, un- til the spring of 1907. Mr. Allen then retired from active business life, being able to look back over a useful and prosperous career of many years.

Mr. Allen was married, first, to Ora War- ner, who was a daughter of William Warner, of Mogadore. She died in 1897, aged thirty- seven years. Her three surviving children are: Walter M., residing at Akron; Edna Grace, who married E. O. Hale, residing at Akron, and S. Blanche, who married F. F. Bingham, and resides at Bedford, Indiana. Mr. Allen was married, second, to Emma Willgohs, who is a daughter of Dr. Charles F. Willgohs, of Doylestown. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are members of the Episcopal Church. In political sentiment, Mr. Allen is a Demo- crat. He has been identified with much of the development of Cuyahoga Falls, at all times performing his full duty to the com- munity as becomes a worthy citizen.

FREDERICK C. WOOD, a well known business citizen of Akron, treasurer of the Akron Auto Garage, was born in 1873, at Peninsula, Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick Wood.

The father of Mr. Wood was born in Ire- land, in 1828, and emigrated to America and settled in Boston Township, in 1835. For fifty years he was engaged in business at Peninsula, being a pioneer merchant of the place, and was prominent in the town's de- velopment. At the age of seventy-nine years he still survives, enjoying life, and resides with his son at Akron.

Frederick C. Wood entered his father's store as a clerk in early youth, and for twelve years was a partner with his father, the firm style being F. Wood & Son. In the fall of 1899 he came to Akron and engaged in a clothing business for six years, and in 1905 he became associated with the Youngstown

Telegram, but subsequently sold his interest and returned to Akron. Since then he has been identified with automobile interests. He bought a partnership in an established auto- mobile concern at Akron and the business was incorporated as the Akron Auto Garage Com- pany, with a capital stock of $25,000. The president and manager of the company is An- drew Auble, and Frederick C. Wood is secre- tary and treasurer. Scarcely any business is showing a more healthy growth than is the automobile.

In 1896 Mr. Wood was married to Clara Brown, of Sharon Center, Medina County, and they have two children: Charlotte Josephine, and Frederick Southmayd. The name of Southmayd came from the youth's seventh great-grandfather, Rev. John Southmayd, who was presented with a home by the citizens of Waterbury, Connecticut, in recognition of his services in the Pequot War.

Mr. Wood has been active in politics since early manhood and he was elected treasurer of Boston Township when twenty-one years of age, serving two terms. For four years he was postmaster at Peninsula, serving under the late President Mckinley, and being reap- pointed by President Roosevelt, resigning the office when he came to Akron. He is still in- terested in public affairs, but holds no office, devoting the main part of his time to busi- ness. At present, with Mr. Auble, he is erect- ing a fine brick and cement building, 110 feet by 70 feet, on Buchtel Avenue, to be utilized as a garage.

Fraternally, Mr. Wood belongs to the Ma- sonic fraternity, the Modern Woodmen, and is a council member of the Knights of Pythias. For a number of years he has been connected with the Episcopal Church of Our Savior, and is serving on the board of vestry- men. Recently, with Rev. Atwater and Frederick Work, he planned and carried out a most delightful trip. The gentlemen took fifty Sunday school pupils whom they had formed into a quasi-military organization, to Washington city, where the party called on President Roosevelt, whose pleasure at seeing the lads in Rough Rider costumes, probably

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equaled their pride in the same. The whole trip will long be remembered by all who took part in it.

THE KELLER BRICK COMPANY, of Portage Township, manufacturers of wire-cut building brick, and shippers of the same to all parts of Ohio, consists of three brothers, namely: William F., Frederick W. and Charles, all practical business men and val- uable citizens. This business was established in 1890 as a partnership and was thus con- tinued until December 12, 1900, when it was incorporated and has since been known as the Keller Brick Company. The officers are: Frederick W. Keller, president, and William F. Keller, secretary and treasurer. The plant is equipped with the most modern machinery for the making of brick, and its capacity is 40,000 daily. Coal is the fuel used, and em- ployment is given to thirty experienced work- men.

William F. Keller was born December 7, 1862, at Berlin, Germany, and is a son of Gottfried and Elizabeth (Haller) Keller. The father was born in Berlin and died at Wooster, Ohio, in 1899, aged sixty-five years. He emi- grated to America in 1865 and, after living for some years in the State of New York, went to Canada, where he followed his trade of mason and quarryman. In 1887 he set- tled at Wooster, Ohio, and continued to work at his trade during the rest of his active life. He had thirteen children, of whom the three sons already named, Frank, and two daugh- ters, are living, namely: Mary, who married James Lennon, residing at Akron; and Kath- erine, who married Harry Ingersol, also re- siding at Akron. Seven children died young. The three brothers who are in business to- gether-Frederick W., Charles and William F .- were married to three sisters. Frederick W. married Sarah M. Seigfried; Charles mar- ried Jennie Siegfried, and William F. mar- ried Hattie L. Seigfried.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 100

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150