Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 102

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 102

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Bridge Glen, which became a very popular public resort, and during Mr. Loomis' man- agement a pavilion costing $3,500 was erected. From the time of its organization until his death Mr. Loomis was president of the Falls Savings and Loan Association. In politics he was a Republican, and no man was ever better qualified for civic office, but the only office he would accept was that of councilman. For many years he was connected with Howard Lodge of Odd Fellows.

On June 3, 1864, Mr. Loomis was married to Jane Curtiss; who was a daughter of Chaun- .cey Curtiss, of Canandaigua, New York, and they had five children, three of whom reached maturity, namely: Lillian M., born March 21, 1865, who died August 31, 1898; Byron H., who was born September 18, 1868; and Irving L., who was born August 21. 1571; Mrs. Jane Loomis, mother of these children, died May 26, 1895.

Byron II. Loomis was reared and educated at Cuyahoga Falls and has been connected with his present enterprise during the whole of his business life. He is secretary and treas- urer of the Loomis Hardware Company.

Irving L. Loomis, who is president and gen- eral manager of the Loomis Hardware Com- pany, like his brother, passed through the Cuyahoga Falls High School and then en- tered the present business, working for five years in the tinshop. On March 23, 1895, he was married (first) to Mabelle Campbell, a daughter of C. A. Campbell, of Hudson. She died November 7, 1897, leaving one son, Carl C. Mr. Loomis was married (second). No- vember 24, 1898, to Clara L. Nelson, who is a daughter of Chester Nelson, of Tallmadge. Mr. Loomis belongs to Star Lodge, No. 187, F. & A. M., and to the Knights of Pythias, in which he is past commander, being also a member of the Uniformed Rank of Cuyahoga Company, No. 84.

F. H. MASON, first vice-president of the B. F. Goodrich Company, at .\kron, has been a resident of this city for twenty-eight years and is prominently and officially connected with many of the important business enter-

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prises which have made its name known in all parts of the world. Mr. Mason was born in 1852 at Littleton, New Hampshire.

In early life the parents of Mr. Mason re- moved to Vermont, where he was reared and educated, but young manhood found him in the oil fields of Pennsylvania, and later on in the mining regions of California. There he gained a large amount of practical knowledge, combined with beneficial experience. In 1879 he came to Akron and entered the works of the Goodrich Company as a general employe, but was shortly made foreman, then assistant superintendent and later superintendent and general manager. On January 1, 1907, he suc- ceeded B. G. Work as first vice-president of this company. He owns stock in a number of other successful enterprises, and is presi- dent also of the Bridgewater Machine Com- pany, and is on the directing board of the Thomas Phillips Company.

In 1876 Mr. Mason was married to May L. Dexter, of Bangor, Maine, and they have two daughters: Mrs. H. K. Rayman, whose hus- band is connected with the B. F. Goodrich Company: and Mrs. Frank C. Howland, who is connected with the Thomas Phillips Pipe Company, of Akron.

Mr. Mason is a member of the First Congre- gational Church at Akron.

JAMES LYONS, one of the venerable resi- dents of Northfield Township, Summit Coun- ty. Ohio, who, despite his years, is known as one of this section's most capable and ener- getic agriculturists, was born in 1834, in Aber- deenshire. Scotland, and is a son of James and Martha (Sangster) Lyons.

Mr. Lyons remained on his father's farm until reaching his majority, when he emi- grated to America, and settled in Bedford, Ohio, being employed there for two years on the Cleveland and Pittsburg Railroad. Since that time he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. In 1864 he came to Northfield Township and purchased his present fine farm of 160 acres, of which he cultivates about 100 acres, keeping two men constantly and extra hands during harvest time. In the past he

has paid particular attention to dairying, milking on an average of twenty-five cows and shipping milk to Cleveland, but because of the difficulty so universally experienced in securing competent farm help in these days, he has decided to give up dairying, and, there- fore, keeps but sixteen cows, giving his en- tire time to feeding cattle for the market.

Mr. Lyons was married to Betsey Freeman, who is a daughter of John Freeman, of Solon, Ohio, and who was born on the voyage from Scotland to America in 1836. Of this union there have been born four children: Ann (deceased), who was the wife of Fred Aldrich, of Cleveland, and has two children: Ellen, who is the wife of Leon Kellogg, reared five children; (one, Hazel, died in September, 1907, in her thirteenth year); George, the only son of his parents, died in 1900, aged twenty-cight years; and Margaret, who is the wife of Frank Gossman, of Macedonia. They reared four children : Bertha, Ralph, Jennie and an infant, deceased.

James Lyons is one of Northfield Town- ship's prudent, observing and public-spirited citizens, and stands deservedly high in the es- teem of his fellow-townsmen. Although never an office-seeker, he is a stanch Republican and has served several terms as supervisor. With his family he attends the United Presbyte- rian Church.

T. L. FIRESTONE, proprietor of the Em- pire Hotel, the leading hostelry at Akron, has been a resident of this city for the past thirty- eight years. He was born at Fredericksburg, Wayne County, Ohio, in 1846, where he lived until twelve years of age, when his mother died and he went to live with his uncle at Newark, Ohio.

His education was completed in the New- ark schools and at the age of seventeen he entered the Federal army. His first enlist- ment for six months was in Company E, 129th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which regi- ment was raised at Cleveland. After the close of his first enlistment he remained at home for two weeks and then re-enlisted. entering Company H. 102d Ohio Volunteer Infantry,

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for a term of three years, and served until the close of the war. During his first period in the army he was a member of Cox's Divi- sion, Burnside's Corps. He was present when Cumberland Gap was taken, in 1863, and went through the entire Knoxville campaign. Dur- ing his second period he was in the Twentieth Army Corps, and his service was mainly in Tennessee and Alabama, the command to which he was attached following and inter- cepting the Confederate, General Hood, when- ever it was possible. During the first enlist- ment he served as a private, and during the second held the rank of corporal. He was honorably discharged August 12, 1865.

After Mr. Firestone returned home he learned the turner's trade, at Fredericksburg, and - after coming to Akron, in 1869, he worked as a turner, being connected for ten years with the W. B. Doyle Company. For one and one-half years he was employed by the Simon Hankey Company, and later, for the same period, by the Baker-McMillan Com- pany. In 1882 he returned to his old home in Fredericksburg, where he engaged in a lumber business and planing mill for eight and one-half years, and subsequently worked with the Gobeille Pattern Company, of Cleve- land, for one year, and with the firm of Slater and Taft for one year. Mr. Firestone then returned to Akron and was associated with Andrew Jackson in a lumber business, later was with the Akron Gymnasium Company for a year, and was with Hiram Henry for one and one-half years. After retiring from that line of work, Mr. Firestone went into the hotel business, for ten years having charge of the Windsor Hotel. In June, 1906, he took charge of the Empire Hotel, the leading one at Akron.

In 1874 Mr. Firestone was married to Nellie Hanson, who is a daughter of Peter Hanson, and they have one son, G. Forrest. The lat- ter was born at Akron in 1876, and after graduating from the Akron High School, spent one term at Buchtel College, and three years in the law department of the University of Michigan, graduating at the latter institu- tion in 1898. Since then he has been in the

active practice of law at Akron and is a mem- ber of the Summit County Bar Association. In 1904 he was married to Ruth E. Loomis, who is a daughter of H. E. Loomis, of Akron. He belongs to the Delta Tau Delta college fra- ternity, is a Knight Templar Mason and a member of the Odd Fellows.

T. L. Firestone is a valued member of Buckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic.

THOMAS PORTER RITCHIE, a repre- sentative agriculturist of Stow Township, who resides on his 110-acre farm, was born on his present property in Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, November 27, 1859, and is a son of George Grier and Katherine (Shannon) Ritchie.

William Ritchie, the grandfather of Thomas P., was a native of County Donegal, Ireland, and died in 1825, when compara- tively a young man. He left a widow, for- merly Isabella Grier, and in 1834 she came to America with her children, settling first in Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, and later removing to Boston Township, where she died. In Ireland Mr. Ritchie's family belonged to the Church of the Cove- nant, but after coming to America they be- came members of the United Presbyterian Church. Five children were born to William Ritchie and his wife, namely: William, Martha, Margaret, George G. and Alexander.

George Grier Ritchie was born in London- derry, Ireland. in February, 1823, and was eleven years old when the family came to America. With his brother. Alexander, who now resides at AAkron, he purchased the farm now owned by Thomas P. Ritchie, then a tract of 200 acres. Later he became the pur- chaser of this property and added, from time to time, until he was the owner of 312 acres. Mr. Ritchie was engaged in sheep raising principally until the cheese industry became more, profitable. when he engaged in dairy farming. and at one time kept as many as fifty cows. Ile was a Prohibitionist and a great Abolitionist, and. although physical infirm- ity prevented him from serving in the Union ranks during the Civil War, he gave $500 to

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

the cause. George G. Ritchie married Kath- erine Shannon, who was born in Holmes County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Thomas Shannon. Six children were born to this un- ion: Maria, who married Charles Ritchie, of Weyauwega, Wisconsin; Thomas Porter; W. Shannon, who resides at Corona, California; James, who resides in Stow Township; Mary, who married Will Sauder, of Ravenna, Ohio; and George, who resides at Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Ritchie is a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, while her children are con- nected with the United Presbyterian.

Thomas Porter Ritchie grew up on the homestead, and was educated in the common schools. With the exception of two years spent on an Iowa farm, he has always resided here, and he now raises hay, wheat, oats and corn, on about fifty acres. He keeps nine cows, and is also engaged in dealing in calves, which he buys all over the country, shipping them to Cleveland. Mr. Ritchie is a Democrat in politics, but he has never sought office.

Mr. Ritchie was married to Carrie Deming, who is a daughter of George Deming, of Du- rant, Iowa, and they have six children, name- ly: J. Clayton, Leland A., Carlton W .. George Deming, Nathan L. and Clark G.

E. S. DAY, vice-president of the National City Bank of Akron, and a prominent busi- ness citizen here of thirty years standing, was born in 1852. at Binghamton, New York, and to his native state he owes his liberal edu- cation.

Prior to coming to Akron. in 1877. Mr. Day was interested in business at Bingham- ton, and since coming to this section has been engaged in the wholesale liquor business, in point of years being the oldest merchant in the city. He has done an extensive business in dealing in real estate and is a large prop- erty owner. For the past five years he has been vice-president of the National City Bank, and he is on the directing board of the Cen- tral Savings Bank. TIis other interests here are varied and numerous.

In the state of New York Mr. Day was mar- ried to Lizzie Foster. and their children are:

Rose, who married Will Christy; and Maud, who married George Memmer.

Mr. Day is a good citizen in all that the word implies. He has been closely identified with the material growth of Akron and her enterprises and has always been concerned in promoting her best interests. He is a mem- ber of the Masonic fraternity.

B. G. WORK, president of the B. F. Good- rich Company, of Akron, which controls one of the largest manufacturing plants in this section of the state, was born in the state of New York, in 1868.

Mr. Work's boyhood, up to twelve years, was spent in his native place, and there his pre- liminary education was secured. In 1880 he came to Akron and subsequently attended Williston Seminary, at Easthampton, Massa- chusetts, and then entered Yale College. After completing his education he took up practical work with the Goodrich Company, starting in as a clerk and climbing step by step until he became superintendent of the plant and served as such for twelve years, when he succeeded Mr. Corson as vice president, and on January 1, 1907, he succeeded Col. George T. Perkins as president.

In June, 1900, Mr. Work was married to Marian Sawyer, of New York city, and they have one son, Bertram.

EDWARD RUSSELL PECK, one of the well known and highly esteemed residents of Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, who owns a fine farm of 125 acres, was born Oc- tober 7, 1836, in Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of William Hall and Lydia (Bradley) Peck.

Rufus Peck, the grandfather of Edward Russell, was born in Newtown, Connecticut, but in his later years removed to Streetsboro, Ohio, where he resided until his death, March 6. 1848. He married Sallie IIall, and to them were born the following children: Chloe, who married Abel Dibble: Lyman, born Decem- ber 26, 1801; William Hall, born July 23, 1803; John N., born March 15, 1805: Nancy P., born July 20, 1809. married George

AMOS A. ROTHROCK

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Bradley; Clara, boru March 1, 1810, mar- ried (first) Jacob Mayhew, and (second) John Foster; Sarah Ann, born May 30, 1812; Rus- sell, born October 7, 1814; Henry, born June 17, 1817; Nathan, born July 17, 1819; and Horace, born March 2, 1822.

William Hall Peck was born in Newtown, Connecticut, where he learned the trade of carpenter, but on coming to Ohio, in 1834, he purchased a farm in Hudson Township, on which he resided until his death. He was a Democrat in politics, and was a captain in the state militia. Mr. Peck was married to Lydia Bradley, who was a daughter of Stephen Brad- ley, and they had four children: Sarah Ann, who married E. S. Beardsley, of Cleveland, Ohio; Stephen, born in 1834, who died in 1869; Edward Russell; and Joseph, who died in Cleveland. Mrs. Peek passed away in 1869 at the age of sixty years.

Edward Russell Peck was reared in Hudson Township, and. in 1863, he purchased the home farm, on which he resided several years. In 1860 he bought his present property, a tract of 125 aeres, on which he has since car- ried on general and dairy farming, and in 1894 erected a fine residence. He is known as one of the township's good, practical farm- ers, and as a citizen his reputation is beyond reproach.

Mr. Peck was married to Maria V. Talcott, daughter of Hezekiah and Betsey Talcott, residents of Stow Township, and their chil- dren are the following: Nora, who married J. D. Ritchie, lives in Akron ; William H., born September 20, 1869, resides at home; and Gertrude L., who is the wife of Warner Huchison, resides in Chicago.

AMOS A. ROTHROCK, farmer and town- ship trustee of Portage Township, spent twenty-nine years as an educator, teaching with much success in different sections. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, November 3. 1851, and is a son of Samuel and Cath- arine (Stauffer) Rothrock.

The parents of Mr. Rothrock were both horn near Lebanon. Pennsylvania, but were married in Stark County. Ohio. In 1853

they moved to Copley Township, Summit County, where Samuel Rothrock bought a farm of 160 acres. On this place he died in 1870. Ilis widow survived until 1901.

Amos A. Rothrock was reared on the farm in Copley Township. He was a studious boy and in the local schools prepared himself for teaching. Before he entered upon his uni- versity career, he had already taught the dis- triet schools for nine winters, devoting his smimmers to work on the farm. Ile then en- tered Otterbein University, near Columbus, Ohio, where he completed his education June 11, 1885. Four years of training at college had prepared him for a prominent place in the educational field. and when he was of- fered the superintendency of the Mogadore schools. ho accepted and remained for one year. After an interval of one year at. Dover Academy he spent another year at Mogadore. He then taught for two years at West Rich- field. one year in the Akron High School, and two years in the Copley High School, and then spent two more years at Mogadore. A period of twenty-nine years is a long time, but it has been a season of great enjoyment to Mr. Rothrock and of inestimable benefit to those who have come under his instruc- tion, and it is with pleasure that he sees so many of his old pupils occupying positions of responsibility and prominence in different walks of life.

In 1901, Mr. Rothrock retired from edu- cational work and moved to his finely-im- proved farm at Fairlawn, just west of Akron. He then resumed farming for the first time since his youth. He takes an active interest in local affairs, the greater part of his life having heen passed in this section, perhaps all of it, with the exception of a year during which he was principal of Dover Academy, which is situated within 100 miles of Chi- cago, Illinois. He is known to all his fel- low citizens and has a wide cirele of friends. Politically he is a Republican and is now serving his third term as township trustee.

In 1892 Mr. Rothrock was married, first, to Ada Swigart, of West Richfield, and they had one son. Stanley. who was born in Por-

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tage County, Ohio, October 17, 1898. Mrs. Rothrock died in February, 1904, and Mr. Rothrock was married, second, in April, 1905, to Harriet E. Stone. He is a member of the Woodland Methodist Episcopal Church of Akron. He is a man of sterling charac- ter and in every sense a representative citizen.

J. FRANK TEEPLE, one of Akron's well known business men, who does a large real es- tate and collection business, with offices in the Walsh Block, was born in Franklin Town- ship, Summit Couty, Ohio, in 1866, and is a son of Aaron Teeple, who was a substantial citizen of that section.

J. Frank Teeple was mainly educated in a select school at Copley, and this was supple- mented by a business course under O. S. War- ner, after which he became interested in the grocery line, in which he continued for six- teen years, during nine of these for other parties and seven years for himself. After selling out his grocery interests, Mr. Teeple started a collection agency and also went into the real estate business, having a valuable allotment on West Market Street. He handles a considerable amount of his own property, and among his fellow citizens is considered a man of his word and of most excellent busi- ness judgment.

In February, 1892, Mr. Teeple was mar- ried to Minnie M. Howes. He is a first-class citizen and takes an active part in all local affairs, lending his influence in support of public-spirited measures on all occasions. He is a Knight of Pythias and a member of the Modern Woodmen.

A. W. BENNAGE, a leading business citi- zen of Akron, and a member of the firm of George A. Botzum Company, dealers in dry goods and ready-to-wear garments, has been a resident of this city for a quarter of a cen- tury and belongs to an old pioneer family of the county. He was born in Bath Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, in 1861, and is a son of John and Mary (Whitted) Bennage.

The late John Bennage was a son of Jacob Bennage, who settled near Mogadore, about

1828. During the early business life of John Bennage, he was engaged in the manufactur- ing of stoneware, but after settling in Bath Township, he engaged in farming. He had ten children, and eight of these still sur- vive.

1. W. Bennage was reared and educated in Bath Township and remained on the home farm until he was twenty years of age, when he went into the lumber business, and bought and cut timber through Ohio and Michigan, and manufactured lumber for twenty-three years. He was in partnership with W. F. Averill, under the firm name of Bennage & Averill for seventeen years. In 1904 Mr. Bennage became associated with George A. Botzum, in the establishing of the firm of the George A. Botzum Company, which occupies a prominent place in the commercial activities of Akron.

In 1880 Mr. Bennage was married to Sarah Averill, who was born in Copley Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, and is a daugh- ter of William Averill.

Mr. Bennage is one of Akron's representa- tive citizens and has been identified with many of the movements which have encouraged her growth and increased her prestige.

JAMES B. PAULUS, general farmer and dairyman, residing on his farm of eighty acres, situated in Stow Township, was born in Suffield Township. Portage County, Ohio. April 10, 1853, and is a son of William and Rebecca (Brouse) Paulus.

The Paulus family came originally to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and the grandfather of James B. settled in Portage County, a little east of Mogadore, at a place called Horse- heaven, and there William Paulus was reared and there followed the trade of blacksmith. For forty years he served acceptably as a justice of the peace and from his business and the just emoluments of office, he accumulated a competency and retired at the age of fifty vears. Politically, he was a Democrat. Fra- ternally, he was a Mason. He married Re- becca Brouse, who was born in Stark County, and they had the following children: Mary,

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deceased, who was the wife of George Geth- man, residing at Kent; Urias, who died in the army during the Civil War, having enlisted at the age of seventeen years; Isaac, residing at Canton, Ohio; James B. and Jane, twins, the latter of whom married Louis Newbar, of Akron; Jefferson, residing at Kent; Chloe, who married Daniel Swartz, residing in Suf- field Township, Portage County. The father of the above family died in May, 1895, and the mother in December, 1905, the former aged seventy years, and the latter, seventy- nine years. The mother of Mr. Paulus was a consistent member of the Lutheran Re- formed Church.

James B. Paulus grew up on the home farm and until fifteen years of age, more or less regularly attended the district schools, then hired out at farm work by the month. When he was twenty years old he rented a farm in Suffield Township, which he operated for two years, when he married, and in 1875, came to Stow Township, Summit County. He pur- chased his present farm of Horace Moon, and has all of it under cultivation, together with fifty-five additional acres, which he rents. He raises his own grain and hay, and for some ycars devoted a great deal of space to pota- toes. He runs a dairy business with four- teen cows, disposing of his milk at Kent, and he also keeps about five head of horses. Mr. Paulus has done a great deal of improving on this property. He found no better accommo- dations than an old log cabin and in the first year he built a part of his present comfortable residence, which he completed in 1904, in the meanwhile erecting substantial barns and putting up good fences.

Mr. Paulus was married to Caroline Hively, who died July 15, 1907. She was a most es- timable lady, a devoted wife and mother and a kind friend to all who brought their trou- bles to her. She was the mother of six chil- dren. namely: Charles, deceased: Ada, who died aged twenty-three years; Edwin, who died aged fourteen years : Willard, residing at home: Theresa, deceased. who married Henry Brown: and Edna, residing at home.

In politics. Mr. Paulus is identified with the

Democratic party. He is not an office-seeker, but consents to serve in local positions when called upon, and for many terms has been township supervisor.

JACOB LAPP, proprietor of the Lapp cooperage plant, located at No. 1120 East Mar- ket Street, is a representative citizen of Ak- ron, where he has lived since 1870. He was born in 1843, at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Mar- garet Lapp.

The father of Mr. Lapp, who was born in Germany, emigrated to America, and in 1840 settled at Cuyahoga Falls, where he carried on a cooperage business. Of his seven children the six survivors are as follows: John and Jacob, both residing at Akron; Louisa, wife of Ezra Spellman, of Akron; Elizabeth, wife of William Eves, residing at Akron ; William, a resident of Akron ; and Hattie (Mrs. Doug- lass), also residing at Akron.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 102

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