Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 109

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

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ELEVATOR B.

MOODY & THOMAS MILLING COMPANY.

MOODY & THOMAS MILLING COMPANY, PENINSULA

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

until almost twenty-one years of age, and then spent ten years working by the month, after which he came to his present farm, which he purchased of his sister. This property he has managed very successfully, and in addi- tion has bought a number of timber tracts which he has cleared and sold. Mr. Foster has had accident and sickness to contend with, and has overcome many difficulties which would have completely discouraged a less brave and cheerful man, but in spite of all these drawbacks he has prospered.

On December 31, 1876, Mr. Foster was married (first) to Polly Maria Carter, who died October 4, 1904, after many years of in- validism. Two children were born to thi- marriage, namely: Martin Monroe, residing at Cleveland, married Blanche Strickler; and Edna Anna, residing in Bedford, who married George Strickler and has two children, Nettie and William. Mr. Foster was married (sec- ond) to Rosanna Schuerman. who was born in Germany.

In politics Mr. Foster is a Republican.

CHARLES E. THOMAS, vice president and secretary of the Moody & Thomas Mill- ing Company, at Peninsula, and treasurer of both Boston Township and Peninsula cor- . poration, is a leading citizen of this section of Summit County. He was born in Olm- stead Township, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, March 14, 1861, and is a son of George C. and Rhoda M. (Burrington) Thomas.

George C. Thomas was born in Bangor Township, Franklin County, New York, and died in 1902, aged seventy-eight years. In early manhood he came to Cuyahoga County, Ohio, and worked for a number of years in a sawmill. then rented a mill and also pur- ehased a farm in Middlebury. Later he dis- posed of his first farm and bought the farm in Olmstead Township on which his son. Charles E. was born. Here he also conducted a flour mill. In 1881, in partnership with his son Oscar. under the firm name of George Thomas & Son. he purchased the Peninsula mill. which he operated until 1885. when the property was purchased by Moody & Thomas.

Mr. Thomas then retired to his farm in Olin- stead Township, where the remainder of his life was spent. He was a man of local con- sequence, a Republican in his political faith, and for years held township offices. He inarried Rhoda M. Burrington, who died in 1887, aged fifty-five years. She was a con- -istent member of the Presbyterian Church. They had four children: Oscar, residing at Peninsula; Hattie, who married George Yes- berger. residing in Olinstead Township; Charles E., and Edna, who married Sumner Ryder, residing at Cleveland.

Charles E. Thomas was educated in the district schools of Olmstead Township. At the age of eighteen years he went to Cleve- land and entered into a flour and feed busi- ness with Chandler R. Moody, under the firni name of Moody & Thomas. Ile made his home at Cleveland until the firm purchased the Peninsula mill in 1885, since which time he has resided at Peninsula.

The Peninsula Mills stand on the west bank of the Cuyahoga River, where there is a natural fall of about six feet. Taking ad- vantage of this, Harmon Bronson, in 1832, tunneled through the rock and secured a good water power of considerable volume without building a dam. This mill, erected in 1832, remained standing until 1902. In 1849 the mill came into the possession of 1I. V. Bronson, son of the founder, who op- erated it until 1863. when it was sold to Pomeroy & Fisher, who operated it for three years. Afterwards it changed hands several times until, in 1872, it was bought by W. F. & C. E. Bois, who sold it in 1881 to George Thomas & Son.

In the following year it was completely remodeled, the new firm putting in a full line of rollers. this being the first mill in Northern Ohio to adopt the roller system. In 1885. as noted above. Moody & Thomas secured the mill and operated it continuously until 1902. when. as their large and inereas- ing trade had outgrown the capacity of the old mill. it was razed and the present fine structure took its place. This fine mill, with it- modern equipments. was ready for opera-

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tion by the beginning of 1903. At this time the firm erected a concrete dam across the neck of the peninsula, increasing the fall of the stream to nine feet, in this way securing ample power to operate the new plant. A corporation was also formed to succeed to the old partnership, the officers being: C. R. Moody, president and treasurer, and C. E. Thomas, vice president and secretary. In addition to the Peninsula property, the com- pany owns a large warehouse and elevator at Cleveland, where an immense business is done in flour, feed, baled hay and straw, and from there the product of their mill is dis- tributed all over the city.

The Peninsula mill and elevator are two buildings in one and stand on a stone foun- dation. The dimensions of the mill house are 38 by 48 feet, three stories above the basement. The elevator part is 38 by 24 feet, while the wheat bins have a capacity of 25,000 bushels. The power for the wheat mill is furnished by a 48-inch Little Giant water-wheel, and the power for the elevator and feed side by a 36-inch wheel of the same make. The construction is such that the power of these wheels can be united at any time. The mill machinery is all of the latest and most modern type, heating is done by a steam system and power transmission is so arranged that by throwing clutches in or out, any part of the mill can be stopped and started without affecting the rest.

In addition to his large interests as above stated, Mr. Thomas owns a fine stock farm of 140 acres, which he purchased in 1905 of Horace Beers. He has about one-half of the farm under cultivation, but makes a specialty of raising Duroc red swine. He also raises horses and cattle for market, keep- ing about twenty-one head of cattle at all times. He personally supervises operations but has two trained men to look after his farm and stock business. It is a fine prop- erty and his industries there would be an ample fortune for a man without additional enterprises.

Mr. Thomas married Georgia Johnson, who is a daughter of Adair H. Johnson, a

well-known resident of Peninsula. They have had three children, the two survivors being Amy and Henry. Mrs. Thomas is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In politics Mr. Thomas is an ardent Re- publican and on many occasions has been elected to office on that ticket. He has fre- quently served as trustee of Boston Town- ship, and for a decade has been treasurer both of the township and of the town. He belongs to Rising Sun Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M., of Richfield; also to General Sheri- dan Lodge, K. P., of Hudson; to the Elks, at Akron, and to the Maccabees at Peninsula.

HENRY MYERS, residing on his valuable farm of 159 acres, situated in Hudson Town- ship, is a representative citizen of this sec- tion and is a man who in a large degree com- mands the respect and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1832, and is a son of Philip and Margaret (Brode) Myers.

The father of Mr. Myers was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Myers, who was born at New- ark, New Jersey. The grandfather had two brothers in the Revolutionary War, both of whom were killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Philip J. Myers owned a farm of some 300 acres in Northampton County and subse- quently operated a store in Luzerne County. Henry Myers has one brother and four sisters. The former resides in the old home neighbor- hood. His sisters are: Mrs. Christiana Lutsey, residing at Green Bay, Wisconsin; Mrs. Maria Spade, residing at Dorrance, Luzerne County; Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, re- siding at Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Priscilla Jones, residing in Slocum Township, Luzerne County.

When he was about twenty-one years of age, Mr. Myers went to Shalersville, where he was clerk in a hotel for three months, and then bought a farm adjoining his wife's prop- erty in Freedom Township, and engaged in farming. For two years, while living in Lu- zerne County, he was fireman on the railroad,

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and he was the first fireman and his brother George was the first engineer that ever ran a train over that part of the Pennsylvania system. He subsequently sold both farms and came to Hudson, and bought a farm of 102 acres for a son who was educated in the Western Reserve College. In 1902, he sold his own farm of seventy-two acres.

On June 20, 1857, Mr. Myers was married to Ruth Ann Woodruff, with whom, in 1907, he has had the privilege of celebrating their Golden Wl'edding. Mrs. Myers was born at Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut, and is a daughter of Col. Daniel Woodruff, who served as an officer in the War of 1812, as coast guard in Connecticut. A cannon ball fired during that time is preserved in the family, its mission to the fort having been the killing of Col. Woodruff and his brave men, which fortunately it did not accomplish. He lived to establish a home first in Hud- son and later in Freedom Township, to which he moved in the spring of 1840, where he died in 1855. He married Sarah Ann Mills, who was born in Connecticut. Colonel Woodruff was county surveyor of Portage County, before Summit was divided from Portage. Mrs. Myers is the only living cousin of John Brown, of immortal fame. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have one son, Daniel Woodruff. He was born in Freedom Township, and was a student in the Western Reserve College be- fore it was moved to Cleveland. Daniel W. Myers was married (first) to Lelia J. Bediant, and they had four children : Maud Eliza and Mabel Anna, twins, and Marian and Daniel Woodruff, Jr. Mr. Myers was married (second) to Carris P. Downing, and their one little daughter, Margaret Janette, died aged three months and one day.

Henry Myers is a Republican in politics and has served as supervisor of his district. He is a member of the Congregational Church at Freedom, and is a liberal supporter of church and educational movements.

I. S. MYERS, county treasurer of Summit County, elect, is president of the I. S. Myers Company. one of the leading clothing houses

at Akron, in which city he has maintained his home for about a quarter of a century. He was born in Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1862, and is a son of Peter and Mary (Stump) Myers.

Peter Myers was one of the early settlers in Stark County, just across the line of Sum- mit County. In 1860 he moved to Green Township, Summit County, of which town- ship he later became a prominent citizen, serv- ing as one of its trustees. He was a self-made man and was very highly esteemed. The inother of I. S. Myers was a daughter of John Stump, who came with his wagons across the wild country from Pennsylvania, and settled in Franklin Township, Summit County, in 1832. He was one of the newly-settled re- gion's most reliable and substantial men.

I. S. Myers remained on the home farm, assisting with the farm work and in the mean- tice acquiring a good education in the local schools, where he began teaching at the age of seventeen, when he came to Akron and en- gaged as a clerk in a clothing store until 1893. He then embarked in a clothing busi- ness for himself, under the firm name of Myers, Ganyard & Stump, which firm con- tinued for one year, when Mr. Stump sold his interest and the firm name became Ganyard & Myers, until 1900, when Mr. Myers bought his partner's interest. In 1902 the firm of the I. S. Myers Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $55,000, with I. S. Myers as president. This is an extensive business and its method are along modern line. 1 branch store is operated at Wadsworth, which is also doing well. The firm deals in clothing and manufactures hats, having both a large wholesale and retail trade, and gives constant employment to from twenty-eight to thirty people. A marked feature of its management is that all employes who have continued with the firm for a certain length of time, have a financial interest in the company, this liberal policy resulting in a better feeling and more satisfactory results than seem to prevail in many large concerns where different methods are followed. The Wadsworth store is a fine concrete structure, 114 by 80 feet in dimen-

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sions, while their Akron establishment is a three-story building, 30 by 100 feet, with a basement. Mr. Myers is also the owner of a plant for the manufacture of concrete bloeks.

In the fall of 1905 Mr. Myers was elected to the important office of county treasurer, and a better selection could scarcely have been found. He is a man of great business faculty, has proven himself an able financier in his own affairs, and commands the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens for his personal high character. He assumes the duties of the office in September, 1907.

In 1887, Mr. Myers was married to Mary Sisler, of Manchester, who is a daughter of the late John Sisler. They have one daughter, Ruth, who is a student at Painesville, Ohio.

Mr. Myers belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks, both at Akron.

G. E. GARDNER, M. D., an experienced physician and surgeon, who has been engaged in practice at Barberton since the autumn of 1905, coming to this place from a field of successful professional work in Wayne County. was born near Danville, Knox County, Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary (Breekler) Gardner.

Dr. Gardner spent his boyhood on his fath- er's farm and obtained his primary education in the country schools. His inclinations did not lead him in the direction of an agricul- tural life and as soon as the opportunity of- fered he began the study of medicine, reading for two years with Dr. Black, a physician lo- cated in the village of Democracy, near Dan- ville, and two years more, with Dr. William Balmer, at Mt. Vernon, during this time also attending the Normal School at Danville. Dr. Gardner entered Starling Medical College, where he was graduated April 5, 1891. His high medical standing brought him the ap- pointment of house physician of St. Francis Hospital, at Columbus, where he served one year, and this was followed by a year at St. Anthony's Hospital. He thus gained what every young medical man desires, hospital practice and experience, before entering upon regular professional work.

In May, 1893, Dr. Gardner took up his practice at Doylestown, Ohio, where he re- mained until 1905, when he came to Barber- ton. In 1896 he was elected county coroner of Wayne County, on the Democratic ticket, and served two years in that office. He has met with a hearty reception at Barberton, has gained the confidence of the community and has a satisfactory professional connection. ITis offices are located on the corner of Baird and Fourth Streets, Barberton.

On September 29, 1897, Dr. Gardner was married to Abbie M. Trotter, who is a daugh- ter of Joseph Trotter, of Doylestown, Wayne County. They have two children, Mary and Geraldine. Dr. Gardner and family belong to St. Augustine Catholic Church. He is a member of the Knights of Columbus, of the Elks, of the Knights of St. John, and of the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.

HARVEY A. SNYDER, M. D., physician and surgeon, at Barberton, was born in Cov- entry Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of John G. and Susanna (Kepler) Snyder.

Dr. Snyder had the advantage of country rearing, remaining through boyhood and youth on his father's farm in Coventry Town- ship. After completing the common school course, he taught three terms in his native township and then entered Heidelberg Col- lege, at Tiffin, and was graduated in the clas- sieal department in 1896, when he resumed educational work. For two years he served as school superintendent at Bonner's Ferry, Idaho, and for the same length of time filled the same office at Kirkland, Washington. Prior to going to Washington, Dr. Snyder had commenced his medical studies in the Pacific Coast Medical School, now known as the Hahnemann Medieal College, during this period teaching medical Latin in the institu- tution. In 1903, he entered the senior class of the Cleveland Medical College, and was graduated in the spring of 1904. Prior to lo- cating at Barberton, he served as an interne at the Huron Street Hospital, Cleveland, where he gained valuable experience. He is

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an active member of the Northern Ohio Medi- cal Society.

Dr. Snyder's fraternal connections are with the Masons, the Knights of Pythias and the Modern Woodmen, and is examining physi- cian for the latter organization.

On September 5, 1907, Dr. Snyder was married to Bessie Banning of Stow Corners, a daughter of J. H. Banning, a resident of that place.

H. B. MANTON, treasurer of the Robinson Clay Product Company, with which he has been identified ever since leaving school, was born in Summit County, Ohio, in 1867, and is a son of the late James B. Manton, who was one of the founders of this industry.

M. B. Manton was reared and educated at Akron, graduating from the Akron High School in 1886, immediately becoming book- keeper for plant No. 4, of the Robinson Brothers Company. In 1891, he was made secretary of the Crown Fire Clay Company, at Canal Dover, Ohio, which office he held un- til 1894, when he came to the main office and held official postition in the different de- partments. When all the plants were merged under the style of the Robinson Clay Product Company, in 1902. Mr. Manton was made treasurer. He is interested in other enter- prises and is a director of the Second National Bank.

In 1892 Mr. Manton was married to Mary B. Seiberling, and they have two children: Margaret and Harriet. Mr. Manton and family belong to the First Presbyterian Church, of which he is a member of its Board of Trustees. He belongs to the Portage Country club.

H. H. GIBBS, secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager of The Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company, and secretary and treasurer of The Summit Sewer Pipe Company, at Akron, has been a resident of this eity since he was ten years of age. He was born at East Liver- pool, Ohio, in 1861, and is a son of Henry A. and Eliza (Parker) Gibhs.

The late Henry. A. Gibbs was born in Cou- necticut, October 4, 1834, and while he was a boy, after several removals, his parents set- tled at East Liverpool, Ohio, where Henry attended school and worked in the pottery shops, first assisting his father and later mak- ing the manufacture of pottery the main busi- ness of his life. At the time of his death he was associated with a number of Akron's lead- ing business enterprises and was a man of large means which he had accumulated hon- estly through the avenues of trade. In 1862, Henry A. Gibbs enlisted in the 115th Regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until the close of the war. During his term of service, while siek in a hospital, a mistake was made in the administration of his medi- cine on one occasion which produced gastric troubles from which he never recovered and which. in all probability hastened his death. He was an honored member of Buckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic, at Akron. He was connected with the Odd Fellows at East Liverpool. Mr. Gibbs was a resident of Akron for about thirty-six years, during a part of this time being employed in the Whit- more-Robinson factory. Later, when he found that the William Shenkle property was ahout to prove a failing investment. he showed his business acumen by purehasing the prop- erty, with his sons, and until his death the business was operated as the Ohio Stoneware Company.

On March 8, 1856. Mr. Gibbs was married to Mrs. Eliza Parker, a young widow and a resident of East Liverpool, who had two chil- dren: George Parker, who is president and general manager of the Ohio Stoneware Com- pany. and Mrs. Charles Chapman, of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs had two sons, E. H. and H. H.

H. H. Gibbs was reared and educated at Akron and when he entered into business it was in the capacity of bookkeeper for the Strawboard Company. with which he re- mained one year and for two years was as- sociated thus with the Akron Coal and Tron Company, of Buchtel. Ohio. In 1882. he

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became bookkeeper for the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company, of which he is now so im- portant a part, and great credit is due him for the strength which has been introduced into this business organization. He is vice- president of the Central Savings and Trust Company; is a director in the Permanent Savings and Loan Company ; a director in the Cleveland-Akron Bag Company, which was consolidated with the Akron Paper Company, of which he was one of the prime movers. In July, 1889, Mr. Gibbs, with other members of the family, organized The Summit Sewer Pipe Company.

In 1883, Mr. Gibbs was married to Elanor Lucretia Baldwin, who is a daughter of the late Joseph A. Baldwin. Mr. Gibbs is a mem- ber of the First Congregational Church.

JOHN WINFIELD ESSIG, one of the en- terprising young agriculturists of Green Township, where he is cultivating 140 acres of excellent farming land, was born on his father's farm in Plain Township, Stark County, Ohio, November 7, 1880, and is a son of John A. and Julia (Oberlin) Essig.

Adam Essig, the great-grandfather of John W., secured land from the Government, in Stark County, Ohio, and his son, Jacob E. Essig, the grandfather, settled on it as one of the early pioneers. The children of Jacob E. Essig were: Sarah, John A., Ida, Simon, Curtis, Charles and two who died in infancy. Sarah married H. Bender, of Michigan and Ida married Calvin Firestone, of Stark County.

John A. Essing was born in Plain Town- ship, Stark County, Ohio, and has been en- gaged in agricultural pursuits all of his ma- ture life. He now resides on his 148-acre farm in Jackson Township, Stark County, and he is also a part-owner of the farm operated by his son John W., his daughter Bertha also having an interest in this prop- erty. Mr. Essig was married to Julia Ober- lin, who is a daughter of John Oberlin. He came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, when Mrs. Essig was six months old, and died in this sec-

tion. Eight children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Essig, namely: Henry B., of Green Township, married Clara Swartz; Bertha, residing with her brother, John W .; L. Etta, who married H. A. Hartong, resides at Zion City, Illinois; John Winfield ; Magda- lena, living at home; and Walter J .; Nancy O .; and William S.

John Winfield Essig received a common school education, and was reared to agricul- tural pursuits. In the spring of 1904, with his sister, Miss Bertha Essig, he came to their present home, which their father had bought of the Samuel Wise heirs, and here he has carried on general farming and as he is enter- prising and industrious, his land has proved very productive. In political matters Mr. Essig is a Democrat. Both Mr. Essig and sister belong to the Lutheran Church.

SAMUEL HARING, a highly respected citizen of Green Township, who is engaged in general farming, owns 147 acres situated about one mile south of East Liberty. He was born December 2, 1844, in Green Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Louis and Margaret (Kepler) Haring.

Louis Haring came from Pennsylvania to Ohio with his parents in boyhood and they settled in the woods of Green Township. Here he grew to manhood and married Mar- garet Kepler, who was a daughter of Andrew Kepler, who came to Green Township in 1809, where one of his brothers had settled one year before, Mr. Kepler and his brother being the first settlers in what is now known as Green Township. They entered 320 acres of land lving one mile north by one-half mile east and west, and this they divided length- wise, Andrew taking the east half, and on this the remainder of his life was spent. The Keplers were friendly with the Indians, who often came to the home of Andrew for food, for which they gave him lead, which they found around Turkeyfoot Lake. The old log barn which was erected by Andrew Kepler is still standing, and is still in use and in good condition, being one of the oldest

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barns in Summit County. After marriage Louis Haring and his wife went to housekeep- ing on a farm one and one-half miles south of the present farm of Samuel Haring, and here were born all of their seven children, all of whom are now deceased with the exception of Mrs. Leah Bittler and Samuel.

Samuel Haring came to the farm which he now owns when ten years of age, and here he has practically been located ever since. He now carries on general farming and stock- raising, and has a well-improved, fertile prop- erty. Mr. Haring was married to Rebecca A. Wise, who was born in Green Township, and is a daughter of William Wise, one of Summit County's early pioneers. To Mr. and Mrs. Haring there were born eleven children, namely: Parvin, who lives in Akron; Orvin, who lives at Manchester, Ohio; Hattie, who married Solomon Kepler of Green Town- ship; Minnie, who married J. O. Wagoner of Akron; Samuel, who lived at Turkeyfoot Lake; Ida C., who married George Cesdorf : Celia who died at the age of twenty-one years ; William, who lives at home; Cassie, who mar- ried Samuel D. Wolt: Hiram, living in Franklin Township; and Clara A., who mar- ried Nelson Miller.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 109

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