Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 110

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 110

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FRANK WARNER. residing on the old Warner home place of ninety acres, which is situated in the northwest corner of Green Township, is a leading citizen of his com- munity. Mr. Warner was born July 28, 1867, in Summit County Ohio, in the old log house that formerly stood on his present farm. and is a son of Samuel and Sarah (Thornton) Warner.

Samuel Warner, father of Frank, was born in Coventry Township, Summit County, in 1829. his parents having settled there when they came from Pennsylvania. Samuel was the fifth in a family of eight children, the others being: John. William, Jacob, Adam. Abraham, Solomon and Daniel. Samuel Warner grew up on his father's farm and assisted to clear it of the heavy timber which then covered it, doing the work with teams of

strong oxen. He married Sarah Thornton, who was born in Pennsylvania and died in 1900, aged sixty-three years. After mar- riage, Samuel Warner and wife settled on the present farm, which had belonged to the Thorntons in early days, and found domestic happiness living in the old log house that stood for many years. During the strength of youth and manhood, Samuel Warner was a very industrious man, carrying on his farm- ing and stockraising and also threshing through the country, having one of the old- time horse-power machines, which were then considered entirely adequate. He resides with his son Frank but owns a farm of sixty acres separate from the one under considera- tion. Six of his large family of children reached maturity, as follows. Harriet; Mary, who married Henry Hauff; Ellen, who mar- ried Grant Stahl; William; Frank; and Martha, who married Harvey Rex.

Frank Warner may be said to have spent his whole life on his present farm for here his main interests have always centered. After leaving school he worked for a time in the rubber factories at Akron and the sewer pipe works at Barberton, but shortly returned to the life which makes a man independent, that of a farmer. He has a fine property and he has placed it under an excellent state of cultivation. There is a natural lake on the land which but adds to its value, and the beautiful shade trees around the residence make most attractive surroundings.

Mr. Warner married Bessie Carmany, who is a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Bower) Carmany, and they have two chil- dren, Marie and Gertrude. Mr. and Mrs. Warner belong to the Evangelical Church. Politically, he is a Republican and for three years he served as township constable.

AMI CORVIN GOUGLAR. general farmer and good citizen of Green Township, residing on his valuable farm of eighty acres. which is situated one mile south of East Liberty, be- longs to an old Pennsylvania family which was established in Ohio by his grandfather.

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Ami C. Gougler was born in Green Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, October 8, 1869, and is a son of Samuel and Clarissa (Har- tong) Gougler.

Samuel Gougler was a small boy when he accompanied his father, John Gougler, to Green Township, who settled on the farm which is now owned by Henry Obelen. Later, John Gougler moved to Springfield Township, where he died aged eighty-six years. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812. The children of John Gougler were the following: George. Samuel, Betsey and Elias, all deceased except Betsey, who married Jacob King. Samuel Gougler spent the great of his life in Green Township, his occupation being farming, and before he died, in October, 1903, he divided his large estate of 460 acres, situated in this township, so that each of his five children received a farm. His first wife and their one child died early. His second marriage was to Clarissa Hartong, who still survives, residing at Greensburg, where Mr. Gougler had lived re- tired for six years prior to his demise. The children born to the second union are: Ed- ward, residing in Green Township on his farm; Monroe, also residing on a farm in Green Township: Corella, who married John Foltz; Anna and Clinton.

Ami Corvin Gougler attended the district schools and assisted on the home farm, and has made agricultural work his business in life. Like his sister and brothers, he received his farm from his father. who also ereeted the fine brick house and substantial barn. In February, 1897. Mr. Gougler was married to Clara Renninger. who is a daughter of Frank and Catherine (Reese) Renninger. The Renninger family is an old and well-known one in Coventry Township. The parents of Mrs. Gougler now reside at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Gougler belong to the Evangelical Church.

JERRY J. GARMAN. an honored old veteran of the great Civil War. who is post- master at Inland, conduets a general iner-

chandise business at this point. He was born on the corner where his store now stands, in Greensburg, Summit County. Ohio, Septem- ber 3, 1841, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Husburger) Garman.

Jacob Garman was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and when a young man came with his parents to Ohio. He set- tled in what is now Green Township, Sum- mit County, then a part of Stark County, but later removed to a hotel that stood on the present site of J. J. Garman's store. This hotel was destroyed by fire in 1841. Mr. Garman was a skilled carpenter, and helped to build the brick hotel near the Little Reser- voir, which is still standing. He spent his latter years on a farm near Greensburg, where he died at the age of seventy-six years. Mr. Garman was married to Elizabeth Husburger, who was a daughter of John Husburger, and she survived her husband for some time, dy- ing at the age of seventy-seven. They were the parents of eight children: William ; Mar- garet, who married E. Foster; Harry; Jerry J .; Frank, who died at the age of nineteen years; Catherine, who married John Souers; Samuel, who died when seventeen years old; and Jacob.

Jerry J. Garman spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and attended school, first in the old log district schoolhouse. and later a >mall brick school-house. At the age of eighteen years he went to Canton and com- menced work in the Aultman Harvester Com- pany, but at the outbreak of the Civil War, in 1861. he enlisted in Company F. Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Captain Wallace, and served throughout the war. Through- out the long and bitter struggle Mr. Garman served his country faithfully and cheerfully, and his gallantry in action soon won him the rank of sergeant and later that of captain. the rank he held when the war ended. At the close of the war Captain Garman enlisted with the rank of sergeant in Troop M. Second United States Cavalry, and served three years in this company. After having served in the military of his country for so long a time

A. P. JAIIANT

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Mr. Garman then returned to civil life and began work for the Union Pacific Telegraph Company. He put in the first office equip- ment at Cheyenne. Utah. which was installed in a tent. After three years spent in the em- ploy of this company he returned to Greens- burg, and for some time afterward worked in the Buckeye Works at Akron, also at Canton, Ohio. In 1870, he settled at Greensburg, where he has since remained. for the first five years condneting a hotel, and then embark- ing in the mercantile business. On May 12, 1897, Mr. Garman was appointed postmaster at Inland by the late President McKinley.

Mr. Garman was married in July, 1870. to Leah Harsherger, and they have two chil- dren: Mayme, who married John Halder- man, of Akron; and Kirk, who married Ger- trude France, of Akron. The latter has two children, George and Mary. Mr. Garman is a Republican.

A. P. JAHANT, proprietor of the Jahant Electric Company, whose plant is located at No. 121 South Howard Street, belongs to an old French family which has been estab- lished in Summit County for a period of 100 years. He was born in Akron, in 1881.

1. Jahant, the father of A. P. Jahant, was born in 1845, in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Fran- cis Jahant, who was one of the very early settlers here, coming to this county directly from France. He brought all his effects with him and engaged in farming as a means of livelihood. At that time Canton was a small village and Akron still smaller. A. Jahant was a boy when he came to Akron, where, for many years he was engaged in the manu- facture of furnaces.

A. P. Jahant was reared and educated in his native city, and his interests remain cen- tered here. From boyhood he has been in- terested in experimental electricity, gradu- ally acquiring the knowledge which enables him to safely and efficiently harness this mysterious element. He organized the Ja- hant Electric Company, of which he is sole

owner. He deals in all kinds of electrical appliances and does electrical contracting and repairing.

Mr. Jahant was married September 4, 1907, to Miss Lena M. Henry, of Akron, Ohio.

Mr. Jahant is a member of St. Vincent's Catholic Church and he belongs to the order of Knights of Columbus.

JAMES T. FLOWER, proprietor of the Flower Mantel Company, of Akron, was born in this eity in 1865, and is a son of the late James Flower, who was formerly a prominent merchant here, where he settled in 1837. James Flower was born in Sheffield. England, and died at Akron, in 1877.

James T. Flower was reared at Akron and obtained his education in the schools of his native city, after which he started to learn his present business, entering the employ of the Akron Cabinet Company. Later he em- barked in business for himself, continuing until 1896, when the Flower Mantel Company was organized. After fourteen months, Mr. Flower bought the interest of his partners and since that time has been sole proprietor and is the leading mantel dealer at Akron. He deals also in tile and marble flooring, and keeps a fine stock continually on hand at his place of business on South High Street.

In 1889, Mr. Flower was married to Ella Rothrock, who was born in Copley Township, Summit County, Ohio, and they have three children : Esther E., James T. and Rachel S. With his family, Mr. Flower belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal Church.

Politically, Mr. Flower is a Republican and in 1901 he was elected a member of the School Board on which he has served ever since. He is a Royal Arch Mason and belongs also to the Knights of Pythias.

WILLIAM ALLEN MCCLELLAN, who is engaged in a general contracting and manu- facturing business at Akron, with plant lo- cated at No. 273 Water Street, was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio,

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT. COUNTY

December 30, 1838, and is a son of William McClellan, who settled in Springfield Town- ship in 1818.

The MeClellan family has long been one of prominence in Summit County and its name frequently appears on the old records which tell the story of how Springfield Township was changed from primeval condi- tions to its present fertility and civilization. William McClellan married Jane Fite and they had three children, namely: Robert A., Elizabeth Jane, who married Urias Cramer, residing at Wichita, Kansas; and W. A., re- siding at Akron.

W. A. Mcclellan was reared on the home farm, where he remained until the age of twenty-one years, in the meanwhile obtain- ing his education in the schools at Mogadore and at Westminster College, New Wilming- ton, Pennsylvania. For several years prior to coming to Akron, in 1864, he taught school during the winter seasons, but after reaching this city he learned the carpenter trade, at which he has worked ever since. In 1872, he began contracting and may be called the dean of the contracting guild in this city. For twenty-seven years he has operated his own factory on Water Street, and many of the most substantial buildings of Akron have been erected under his supervision. He is a stockholder and director in the People's Sav- ings Bank, of Akron, and he own 2,300 acres of land in Cuba. He has ever been a man of personal enterprise and is numbered with the city's capitalists.

On June 28, 1871, Mr. McClellan was mar- ried to Alice R. Russell. Fraternally he is a Mason and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chap- ter and Commandery at Akron, and for years was treasurer and a director of the Masonic Temple.

J. D. SLATER, a thoroughly representative business man of Akron, president of the Lim- bert-Smith Plumbing Company and superin- tendent of the Star Rubber Company, has been a resident of Akron for the past twenty- three years, but he was born at London, Eng-

land, and was eight years old when his par- ents came to America.

Mr. Slater was reared and educated at New- ton, Kansas, where he resided until the age of twenty years, when he came to Akron For eight years thereafter he worked in the Smith Chemical plant, for the next six years was employed by the Aultman-Miller Com- pany, and then embarked in business for him- self. In partnership with J. W. Miller he organized the Faultless Rubber Company, of which he was superintendent until December 15, 1906, when the plant was removed to Ash- land, Ohio, Mr. Slater selling his interest in it at this time. Returning from a winter in California, in March, 1907, he re-entered the business field at Akron. In association with II. A. Hine, J. W. Miller, D. B. Duff, of Cleveland, S. E. Duff, of Beaver, Pennsyl- vania, and others, he organized the Star Rub- ber Company, an organization still in its in- fancy, but with every indication of healthy growth and lasting importance. A fine plant has just been erected near that of the Fire- stone Rubber Company, on a tract covering three and one-half acres. The company is capitalized at $100,000, and its officers are: S. E. Duff, president ; J. W. Miller, vice presi- dent; H. A. Hine, secretary and treasurer; and J. D. Slater, superintendent. The busi- ness of the Star Rubber Company is the man- ufacturing of druggists' sundries in the rub- ber line. Mr. Slater has other interests and is president of the Limbert-Smith Plumbing Company, also an important business enter- prise of Akron.

In September, 1895, Mr. Slater was married to Sarah A. Hall, a lady born and reared in Akron, a daughter of John W. Hall. Mr. and Mrs. Slater have one son, Ernest C. Slater.

JAMES W. ORR, treasurer and manager of the Christy Steel Company, at Akron, has been associated with large manufacturing concerns in this city ever since he left col- lege. He was born at Akron, and is a son of William A. Orr, a prominent journalist of this city.

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James W. Orr prepared for an active busi- ness life by attending the public schools until he was graduated from the Akron High School, and later the Hammel Commercial College. He secured employment first with D. H. McBride & Company, and second, with F. D. Kridler, remaining one year with each firm, and then became bookkeeper for the Franz Building Company for two years, for three subsequent years was associated with the Barberton Pottery Company, and later with the Sterling Boiler Company, and came from the latter to the Christy Steel Company as treasurer and general manager. Step by step Mr. Orr has steadily advanced until he has secured very substantial standing among the business men of. this great manufactur- ing city.

Mr. Orr was reared a Catholic and is a con- sistent member of St. Mary's Church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, one of the most influential fraternal organizations in America.

JOSEPH E. WESENER, a resident of Akron for more than sixty years, and for a large part of that time a prominent factor in its business world, was born May 7, 1827, at Frankfort, Pennsylvania, and is one of a family of twelve children born to his parents, who were Christopher and Charlotte Wesener.

The Wesener family settled at Canton, Ohio, in 1840, and there Joseph E. Wesener was employed as a clerk until 1846, when he came to Akron, making the trip on horseback. He resumed clerking here, and by 1850, he had accoumulated enough capital to become a partner with the late Allen Hibbard and Gibbons J. Ackley, in a general mercantile business, their place on Howard street be- ing known as the Old Green Store. In 1851, they lost by fire, and in the following year Mr. Wesener embarked in business for himself. Ile later admitted Cornelius A. Brouse and David Wahl to partnership. and continued in the general mercantile line, with some specialties, until 1878, when Mr. Wesener retired from this firm.

In 1880, in partnership with Albert C. Loh- man, he opened up a dry goods business in the Academy of Music Building, where the Everett Building now stands, and they con- ducted the leading store of its kind in Akron until 1882, when Mr. Wesener sold his in- terest. For over forty years Mr. Wesener was one of the prominent wool-buyers in this part of Ohio. He became a man of large capital and has been a generous distributor of the same. He formerly owned considerable valuable real estate, including a beautiful summer home and a fine farm adjacent to Akron, which have all been disposed of.

Ever since becoming a resident of Akron, Mr. Wesener has been anxious to promote her best interests. In early days he was an active member of the fire department, one of the most important organizations a town could have, when much wood was employed in its construction, and he can recall 100 nights when he responded to the alarm and that on eighteen occasions he was seriously burned. He has been a liberal contributor to both pub- lic and private benevolent objects, gave gen- erously to the Memorial Chapel, and pre- sented the tower bell and clock to the First Congregational Church.

On September 8, 1849, Mr. Wesener was married (first) to Philura Spalding, who died July 6, 1852. She was a daughter of Judge Rufus Spalding. The three children of this union all died in infancy. Mr. Wesener was married (second) to Anna J. Hopkins, who died January 1, 1876. On September 5, 1876, Mr. Wesener was married (third) to Alphonsine D. C'e Chevier. They have four children : Joseph E., Mary A., Anna C., de- ceased, and Henry Huntington. The beau- tiful family home is situated at No. 22 Nelson Place. Mr. Wesener lived for over fifty years at No. 129 North High Street, the former home of Judge Spalding.

Politicaly, Mr. Wesener is a Republican. In 1851 he served on the Board of Infirmary directors of Summit County, and in 1855 and 1856, he was village recorder, but for many years past he has taken no active in-

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terest in politics. The family belong to the Episcopal Church.

JOHN B. CAMPBELL, president and manager of the McNeil Boiler Company, at Akron, has been identified with Akron en- terprises and interests since 1873. He was born at Clinton, Summit County, Ohio, in July, 1864, and is a son of John D. Camp- bell.

Mr. Campbell bears a distinctive Scottish name and is of Scotch parentage, his father having been born in the Highlands. The latter eame to Summit County about 1832, and subsequently was superintendent of the old Chippewa coal mines. He now lives re- tired, at the home of his son, John B., having reached the age of seventy-five years.

J. B. Campbell completed his education in the Akron High School and then became an employe of the Akron Sewer Pipe Company, for one year. He then came to the McNeil Boiler Works, where, from rivet driver he worked up, step by step, until he has become president and general manager of this large industry. He is interested in other business enterprises, and is a member of the board of directors of the Akron Base Ball elub.

On September 15, 1886, Mr. Campbell was married to Margaret M. Berger, who is a daughter of Alexander Berger. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are members of the First Pres- byterian Church at Akron.

Fraternally, Mr. Campbell is a 32nd de- gree Mason, an Odd Fellow and an Elk.

JACOB LAUBY, general farmer and trucker, who cultivates seventy-one aeres of land in Green Township, was born on his father's place east of Greensburg, Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, April 27, 1851, and is a son of John A. and Elizabeth (Steib) Lanby.

John A. Lauby was born in Germany, and there learned the weaving trade. IIe came to America in 1839, settling near Canal Fulton, Ohio, but two years later removed to Green Township. Summit County, where he con-

tinued to follow his trade until his death in November, 1867. In his native country he was married to Elizabeth Steib, who died in 1898, and they had the following children: John G .; Caroline, deceased, who was the wife of S. Yeariek; Henry, who is deceased; Levi ; Jacob; and Louisa, who married J. Hum- bert.

Jacob Lauby was eleven years old when he came with his parents to his present home in Green Township, then a wild tract of land on which was situated a log house, with three windows. This property he helped to clear and has cut down white oak trees that meas- ured five feet across the stump. He attended the district sehool, and when he reached man- hood, he learned' the mason's trade, which he followed for some time, during which he as- sisted to build eight sehool-houses and many dwellings in this section.

Until his marriage, he resided at home, but since then has been engaged on his own aeeount, having purchased his property from his father's other heirs. He carries on gen- eral farming and raises early vegetables for a trucking business, finding ready sale for all he can produce, at Canton. He has replaced all the original buildings on the farm and has made many improvements.

In March, 1883, Mr. Lauby was married to Mrs. Ellen Goodyear, who was born at Green- town. Stark County. Ohio, and is the widow of Charles Goodyear. She had one daughter, Pearl, who married M. Marker of Barberton, Ohio, and they have three children, Marie, Ray Benton, and Daisy Belle. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Lauby : Dora. Aliee, and Walter Edwin. The former married Thomas Gross, and they have one child, Roy Edwin. Walter Edwin is a school teacher. In politics, Mr. Lanby is a Dem- oerat. With his family, he attends the Lu- theran Church.

JOIIN A. WARNER. residing on his ex- cellent farmi of fifty aeres, which is situated in Coventry Township, is a member of one of the pioneer families of this section. He was

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born in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, December 5, 1847, and is a son of AAdam K. and Elizabeth (Renninger) Warner.

Adam K. Warner was born in Pennsyl- vania and was brought to Ohio in infancy by his parents, Henry and Mary Warner, who settled at a very early day in Coventry Town- ship. For a number of years they lived in the same old log house, which had been their earliest home. On one occasion the other members of the family returned to find the aged father sleeping his last sleep, in his old arm chair. He was the father of eight stal- wart sons, all of whom became leading men in Summit County, and all survive, with the exception of Adam K. and Daniel. They were named as follows: John, Abraham. Solomon, William, Samuel, Daniel, Adam K. and Jaeob. Two of the above, William and Jacob, served in the Union army during the Civil War and are members of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Adam K. Warner assisted his father and brothers to elear off the farm and with the latter attended the old log school-house where they learned to read and write. In early manhood he was married to Elizabeth Ren- ninger, who was born in Coventry Township and died here in 1895, aged sixty-six years. She was the eldest of eight children born to her parents, John and Mary Renninger, who journeyed to Ohio from Pennsylvania, with an ox team. They settled in the woods in Coventry Township and, like other early set- tlers, cut down many dollars' worth of valu- able timber in clearing up their land. John Renninger died on his farm in advanced age. Ilis widow died at the home of a daughter, Mrs. Weaver, at Loyal Oak. The Renninger children were: Elizabeth, Catherine, Rebec- ca, Mary, Susan, Solomon, George and John. They have numerous descendants and it is a pleasant custom with them to hold family reunions at stated times. Adam K. Warner died in 1897, aged' seventy-two years. The children of Adam K. Warner and wife were: Henry, who is deceased: John A .; Mariah. who married D. Rothrock : Jane, who married

R. A. Messner; Levina, who married Frank Bowers; and George and Frank.

John A. Warner attended the district school in boyhood and was well grounded in reading, writing and arithmetic, the founda- tion stones of all book learning, but he be- gan hard work on the farm when but twelve years old, even then being able to handle a plow very effectively. Although he has car- ried on farming for many years, he has a natural talent for working with machinery, and when he was nineteen years of age he learned wagon-making and conducted a shop of his own at East Liberty, until 1874. He then turned his attention to the threshing bus- iness, and he operated a threshing machine and a steam sawmill up to recent years. He was one of the early threshers traveling through this section and was a very capable and successful one. In 1894 he purchased his present farm from George Shutt, sinee when he has carried on general farming and has done many dollars' worth of improving on his valuable property.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 110

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