Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 119

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 119

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

GEORGE ADAM SHOOK, whose excel- lent farm of eighty-seven acres is situated in Coventry Township. about six miles south of

the center of Akron, is one of the representa- tive agriculturists of this section. Mr. Shook was born June 19, 1837, on his father's farm in Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of David and Catherine (Hanse) Shook.

The Shook ancestors came to Pennsylvania, from Germany, in the day of the great-grand- father of George Adam, and settled in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. There the family prospered and became one of prominence. The grandfather, David Shook, was born in Pennsylvania, where he married and later, with his family, moved to Niagara County, New York, settling on a farm near Lockport. That he meditated coming to Ohio was shown by the interest he took in this section, visit- ing it on horseback when it was but a wilder- ness all through Summit County. However, he never settled here, and his last days were passed in Niagara County, New York.

David Shook the second, the father of George Adam, was born in Pennsylvania and was one of the younger members of a fam- ily of fourteen children. He was a boy when his parents moved to Niagara County, New York, and remained there until his older brother, Philip Shook, moved to Portage County. Ohio. Shortly afterward, David went on a visit, but was so well pleased that he remained with Philip, assisting him in clearing up his wild farm, until his own marriage, after which he acquired a small farin in Stark County. He lived there through the death of his first wife and after his second marriage, but in 1852 he removed to a farm in Michigan, where he died, aged sixty-two years.

In Stark County, Ohio, David Shook was married to Catherine Hanse, who was born near New Berlin, Ohio, and died in August, 1838, aged twenty-three years, leaving but one child, George Adam. The father mar- ried (second) a Miss Holben, also of Stark County, who survived him, and they had the following children: Jonathan, David, Cath- erine, John, Elias, William and Reuben.

George Adam Shook was left motherless when he was fourteen months old, and he was

RESIDENCE OF JOHN BREITENSTINE, NORTON TOWNSHIP

949

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

taken to the home of an aunt, Mrs. Mary Rauch, who reared him in Mahoning County, Ohio, until he was fourteen years of age, per- mitting him to attend the district school while supporting himself by work on her farm. However, Mr. Shook did not feel independent until he had earned fifty dollars by himself and paid this sum to the Rauch family, this being sufficient to cover all the expense he had ever caused them. He had now started out for himself and as his work was farm labor he lived at various homes in the neighbor- hood, remaining with the Sluss family for three years. Not being satisfied with the edu- cation he had been able to obtain in the dis- trict schools, he arranged to attend the Ran- dolph select school, later took a course in Greensburg Seminary, in Summit County. and still later, enjoyed one term at Mt. Union College. During the time he was thus ac- quiring a really superior education, he was in- dustrious and reliable and always found good homes where he worked on the farm during the summers. When he was about eighteen years of age he began to teach. school and taught through fifteen winters, mostly in Stark. Summit and Wayne Counties, in 1864 teaching one term at the reservoir in Coven- try Township, and occasionally teaching sum- mer terms.

Mr. Shook continued to teach until 1877. having also carried on farming during the larger part of the time. He had secured an interest in a farm near Uniontown, in Lake Township, Stark County, and later purchased the whole farm and lived there for six years. After retiring from the educational field, Mr, Shook bought a grist-mill at Uniontown, which he operated for three years, and then sold it to David and Samuel Ritter, after which he rented a farm for a few years. In 1881 he bought his present property from Jacob Sellers and moved on this place in the spring of 1882. It was well improved prop- erty when he purchased it and he has kept up its condition. Later he bought a tract of timber land, in Green Township, which he still owns in partnership with his son-in-law,

William H. Wagoner. For twelve years after settling on this place Mr. Shook was engaged in the threshing business and also success- fully ran a sawmill for a time with Mr. Wag- goner. He carries on general farming, mak- ing his land pay for all the attention he gives it, and keeps good stock and uses improved machinery.

On March 17, 1861, Mr. Shook was mar- ried to Elizabeth Mutchler, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Godfrey and Judith ( Meiers) Mutchler. Her parents came from Germany and were mar- ried in Stark County, Ohio, this being the second marriage of her father. There were five children born to this union, namely: Eva, Elizabeth, Mary, Magdalena and Rosina, who is deceased. Mr. Mutchler had married first in Germany, Christina Gasz, who left three children: Dorothy, Christina and Bar- bera. Both parents of Mrs. Shook died at New Berlin.

Mr. and Mrs. Shook had the following chil- dren : Clara E., who married William Wag- goner; 'Henry E., who married Emma Heim- haugh; Erwin J., who married Amelia Dietz; and Anna, who married Edward C. Eippert. Mr. Shook and family belong to the Luth- eran Church. His children are all well edu- cated and all four have been teachers. In politics Mr. Shook is a Republican and he has served both as township trustee and as as- sessor.

JOHN BREITENSTINE, one of Norton Township's most substantial citizens, who owns 378 acres of land in this and Frank- lin Township, a part of which is particularly valuable because of coal beds. has been a resident of Summit County since he was eight years of age. Ile was born in Chip- pewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio. January 14, 1847, and is a son of Jacob and Lydia (Kellar) Breitenstine.

The parents of Mr. Breitenstine were reared in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, but were married in Wayne County, Ohio. Jacob Breitenstine was born in Germany and

950

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

was fifteen years old when he accompanied his father, John Jacob Breitenstine, to America and later to Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio. The family later all removed to Franklin Township, Summit County, where the grandparents died when over eighty years of age. Jacob Breiten- stine assisted his father in paying for the farm of eighty acres in Franklin Township. He was a smart man in the sense of being educated and of good judgment, and for some years he practiced law. He lived to the age of eighty-four years. He married Lydia Kellar who lived to the age of eighty- three. They had eight children, six of whom reached maturity.

John Breitenstine is one of the township's self-inade men. He was the eldest of the eight children of the family, and as soon as he was old enough, he took the management of the farm, as his father was engaged in his professional work. When twenty-one years of age, he went to work at the County In- firmary, but two years later he resumed farming and this has been his main occupa- tion since. Mr. Breitenstine bought his present farm in 1888 and has erected all the substantial buildings here. It was formerly owned by Dr. Samuel Bargess. A valuable coal bank was opened on this farm in 1840, and it has been worked ever since with little sign of giving out.

On August 27, 1869, Mr. Breitenstine was married to Sarah Surfass, who was born and reared in Norton Township and who is a daughter of Cornelius Surfass. They have six children: Harvey, who is married, re- sides with his family in Norton Township; Harry, also married, is engaged in the thresh- ing business in Norton Township; Milton follows the trade of plastering; Mattie mar- ried Logan Fletcher; Newton and Sadie re- side at home with their parents. Mr. Breit- enstine and family belong to the Reformed Church. Although he is one of the largest landowners and most independent men of this section, he has made his property all himself, using good judgment in his invest-

ments and being industrious and frugal. He is one of the township's best-known men.

A. J. STELZER,a leading general merchant at Akron, dealing in dry goods and fancy groceries, at Nos. 619-621 North Howard Street, has been a resident of Akron for the past twenty years, and is one of her best- known citizens. He was born in 1875 at Cleveland, Ohio.

When Mr. Stelzer was a child one year old his parents moved to Canton, Ohio, where he lived until the age of ten, when family sickness terminated his school days and prac- tically threw him upon his own resources. Ile came to Akron and entered a grocery store owned by his uncle, J. A. Rulmer, with whom he worked for one year, later was with John Keoberle for eighteen months, going from there to James Diehm. He continued with the last-named business man for seven years and then became connected with the Inman Brothers in a general mercantile business, where he remained for six years. In April, 1903, Mr. Stelzer bought out C. Reusch, who was conducting a store at the present loca- tion, 619-21 North Howard Street, and since that time has carried on a large and very sat- isfactory business. He occupies two rooms, one 21 by 60 feet in dimensions and the other 15 by 22 feet, both of which are well stocked. He owns also a commodious wareroom in the rear. He is known as the leading North Hill merchant and his trade is so large that he requires the assistance of five employes.

On October 20, 1898, Mr. Stelzer was mar- ried to Edith Mason, who was born at East Akron, and they have two daughter: Mildred J. and Gretchen M. With his family he be- longs to the North Hill Methodist Episcopal Church. He is identified with the order of Maccabees.

WILLIAM RALPH LODGE. secretary and manager of The Silver Lake Park Com- pany, vice-president and a director of the Cuyahoga Falls Savings Bank, and interested in a number of other successful business enter-

951

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

prises, is one of the best-known men of Sum- mit County. He was born at Cleveland, Ohio, June 6, 1874, and is a son of the late Ralph Hugh and Julia A. (Plum) Lodge.

There are few residents of Stow Township who do not recall with the kindest memories the late Ralph Hugh Lodge, the larger part of whose life was devoted to developing Sil- ver Lake Park, a property he acquired during the childhood of his son, William Ralph. Na- ture had done much, in her own wild way, for this region, but to the Lodges must be at- tributed the remarkable changes which were brought about in a comparatively few years. While the natural beauties have been retained every device of modern invention has been added and the result is an ideal summer re- sort to which thousands of people come from every part of the country, gladly returning year after year.

William Ralph Lodge attended the com- common and High schools of Cuyahoga Falls and then entered the preparatory department of Oberlin College, with the intention of completing the whole college course. In the meanwhile he became interested in his fath- er's enterprise of developing Silver Lake Park, and after seven terms at Oberlin, de- cided to return home and give his father as- sistance, which, on account of the increas- ing responsibilities attending the huge enter- prise, was greatly needed. Few men were better equipped for handling details as well as planning improvements than was the late Mr. Lodge, but the work went on so rapidly and in so many directions that even he was not able to properly attend to it. The young man then came to share his father's burdens. He had also the capacity, but his ideas of business were more modern than were those of his father, and for some time the systema- tized methods of the son surprised the older man. William Ralph Lodge practically re- organized the whole business, opened an of- fice and installed a typewriter, purchasing the machine with his own money, which he had earned by selling ice to campers about the lake. He opened up books for the accounts

formerly kept by his father laid away in his active brain, or on slips of paper in his pocket. At first these changes were innovations that the older Mr. Lodge scarcely approved of, but ere long he saw their value, and thence was brought about a perfect confidence which al- ways existed thereafter. Since 1894, William Ralph Lodge has largely had control, al- though he continued to work under his fath- er's direction for the following six years, but since 1900 he has had the active management on his shoulders. Until the death of his father, however, Mr. Lodge sought and val- ued his parent's advice and counsel. He had much to do with promoting the park, acquir- ing a number of tracts of land to accommo- date the rapidly growing business. One of the most important undertakings was the nego- tiating and building of the railroad connec- tion with the C. A. & V. C. Railroad, and bettering the terminals of the trolley lines connecting with the resort.

Silver Lake Park, with its buildings and other improvements, represents an investment of about $200,000. Every piece of work is done substantially, with a view to the future. The present beautiful pavilion could not be replaced for less than $50,000. The perfect sewerage system was put in under most diffi- cult conditions, a part of it being laid under the lake and the Cuyahoga River, being thir- teen feet below the surface. This engineer- ing work had to be done during the winter season when the river was frozen, entailing a stupendous expenditure. With his other duties, Mr. Lodge has always had charge of the advertising by which people, societies, churches and other organizations learn of the comfort, pleasures and advantages offered by this unique resort, and a conception may be formed as to the amount of business to which it is necessary for Mr. Lodge to give personal attention, when it is stated that during the 100 days of the season. an average of 2,000 people are entertained daily. Regular em- ployment is given 150 workers in different de- partments.

Mr. Lodge is also interested in other pros-

952

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

pering enterprises, leading the busy life of the modern man of capital and affairs. He is vice-president of the Cuyahoga Falls Savings Bank and one of its directing board; is vice- president and a director of the Success Dish- washing Machine Company, of Wooster, Ohio, of which he was one of the organizers, and is chairman of the Co-operative Creamery Company, at Stow Corners.

Mr. Lodge married Marie Antoinette Ells- worth, who is a daughter of Edward Ells- worth, of Stow Township. They have two sons, William Ellsworth and Edward Ells- worth. Mrs. Lodge is a member of St. John's Episcopal Church at Cuyahoga Falls.

In political sentiment Mr. Lodge is a Re- publican and has served as a delegate to coun- ty conventions. He gives generous assistance to his friends in various campaigns, but has no political ambition for himself.

CRANNELL MORGAN, vice-president of the Hardware Supply Company, at Akron, treasurer of the Wise Furnace Company, and interested financially in a number of other local business enterprises, was born at Somer- ville, New Jersey, in 1871, where he was reared and obtained his education.

Mr. Morgan was an employe of William Bingham & Company. in the hardware line, at Cleveland, for the first ten years of his business career, starting at the bottom of the ladder and learning all the details of the business. For two years he represented that firm on the road, and then came to Akron as manager of the Ohio Glass and Hardware Company for Cleveland parties. Later Mr. Morgan organized the Morgan and Bunnell wholesale and retail company in the same line, continuing business for eight years. In 1904 the Hardware Supply Company of Ak- ron was organized, absorbing the Morgan and Bunnell Company and the Standard Hard- ware Company, and Mr. Morgan has been vice-president of this concern from the be- ginning. In 1895 Mr. Morgan was married to Bertha Weber, of Cleveland, and they have one son. Webb C. Mr. Morgan is a member

of the Portage Country club, and the Auto club. His business and social connections are both numerous and he is personally a very popular citizen.

CAPTAIN FREDERICK K. REAM, one of the best-known citizens of Northampton Township, residing on his well-improved farm of forty acres, was born in Germany, Feb- ruary 2, 1826, and is a son of Christopher and Katherine (Stockel) Ream.

The parents of Captain Ream were natives of Germany and the mother died prior to the family exodus to America, in 1830. The father survived until 1869, being sixty-eight years old at the time of his death. Fred- crick K. Ream was the only child of the first marriage. The father's second marriage was to Mrs. Katherine Schrader, a widow with three children, and two more were born to this union. For some years after reaching the United States Christopher Ream engaged in farming in the vicinity of Cleveland, and then purchased a farm near Royalton, Ohio, which he operated during the rest of his life.

Frederick K. Ream attended school at Royalton, and remained at home until he was sixteen years of age, when he decided to go out into the world and take care of himself, and he remembers now with amusement, that all he caried with him was one extra shirt and a clean handkerchief. At that time he was a sturdy youth and had a pleasant, win- ning manner that brought him friends and he soon secured work with a farmer near Peninsula, with whom he lived two years, dur- ing which time he was very industrious, but received for his labor little except his board. Ile next secured a position as driver on the canal and was promised five dollars a month salary, which was satisfactory to him when the bargain was made, and he worked hard from June until November. drawing but three dollars of the twenty-five dollars coming to him and doubtless laying great plans con- cerning the expenditure of this sum. These all came to naught, however, as his employer

953

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

left the neighborhood without making any settlement.

Later he made a better bargain, by which he received twenty dollars a month, with board, and he continued here until 1852, Mr. Folger was educated in Portage Coun- ty. Until June 26, 1882, he had railroad of- fice experience, and afterward entered the Bank of Akron, at Akron, Ohio, as book. keeper, later becoming assistant cashier, and still later, cashier of the Second National Bank of Akron. This position he resigned, January 1, 1894. in order to beeome treas- urer of the B. F. Goodrich Company, and when he purchased a canal boat of his own and thus acquired the title by which he has been known ever since. For many years Captain Ream did a good business on the canal and continued to operate his own ves- sel as long as he remained on the water. IIe is well remembered by other captains and a number of his old associates recall their sea- sons of work together. Captain Ream had . has held this office from that time until the the reputation of keeping the neatest and best present. conditioned vessel among them all. His On October 15. 1883. Mr. Folger was mar- ried to Lola R. Russell. of Streetsborough, Portage County. Ohio, and they have three daughters. viz .: Florence. Elizabeth and Mary Joy. quick eye enever failed to note the slightest seratch on the varnish and the merest dis- figurement made by the moving of freight or from other causes, and it was a familiar sight when the skipper himself appeared with paint Mr. Folger is a Thirty-second Degree Ma- son. pot and brush. repairing all damages. When his boat went out of commisison at the close FRANK S. BALES. dairyman and farmer, owns eighty-four and one-half aeres of land in Northampton Township, which is exceed- ingly valuable, as it lies within the corpora- tion limits of Cuyahoga Falls. He was born in Lawrence County. Pennsylvania, Deeem- ber 31, 1871. and is a son of John and Jane (Miller) Bales. of the season. it was as clean and fresh as when it went in. Captain Ream continued to run his boat until 1865, when he bought a farm in Northampton Township, now known as the Ilerbruek farm, which he sold in 1875, and settled on the one on which he has resided ever since. For some years he has had it under rental. At one time he owned con- siderable property in Akron. but has sold seven of his houses, retaining but one. Prior to November 10. 1905, Captain Ream had enjoyed the usual health afforded to those of his years, but at that time he suffered from a partial paralysis which has greatly ineon- venienced him and distressed his friends. His intelleet. however, is elear, and a visit to Cap- tain Ream is very enjoyable as his reminis- censes reach far back and his stories of life on the eanal touch an important epoch in local history.

In 1852 Captain Ream was married to Katherine Stockel, who died June 30. 1904. leaving no issue.

WALTER A. FOLGER, treasurer of the B. F. Goodrich Company, at Akron, was born July 13, 1858, at Mantua, Portage County, Ohio.

The father of Mr. Bales followed the trade of stonemason at New Castle, Pennsylvania. but as he died when Frank S. was a child, the son has but few recollections of him. After death. Frank S. went to live with a maternal unele. Sylvester Miller, who took the place of a father to him. and to whom he, in turn, is giving filial eare in his old age. When thirteen years old Mr. Bales eame to Northampton Township. where he worked for the substantial farmers of this section for some three years. then spent a year in the lumbering districts of Michigan, and after his return, in 1895, he rented the Allen farm for one year. and the Sperry farm for three years. In 1898 Mr. Bales purchased his present place. seventy acres of which he cul-

954

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

tivates, the remaining being in timber or used as pasturage. He keeps about twenty head of cattle and for seven years has conducted a milk route, selling about forty gallons daily in Cuyahoga Falls. He raises hay and wheat, but his main crop is corn. He has two cir- cular silos, each ten feet deep and thirty feet high. Mr. Bales keeps all his buildings and surroundings in fine condition, and as he is a man of progressive ideas, he has supplied himself with all kinds of agricultural imple- ments to facilitate his work. His substantial barn, 40 by 72 feet in dimensions, with 20- foot posts, he built in 1903.

Mr. Bales married Lillie Robinson, who is a daughter of Andrew Robinson, of North- ampton Township, and they have three chil- dren: Addie, Howard and Leona.

Mr. Bales is a self-made man and takes just pride in the fact that his possessions have been acquired through his own industry and good management.

ERNEST C. BUETCH. a prominent citi- zen of Coventry Township, of which he served as treasurer for many years, resides on his well-improved farm of seventy-four acres. Mr. Buetch was born October 11, 1855, in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob and Mary (Richler) Buetch.

The father of Mr. Buetch was born in Ger- many and grew up on his father's farm there. In 1853, when about twenty years of age, Jacob Buetch came to America, locating shortly afterward in Ohio, and in 1854 he came to the farm which his son Ernest C. now owns. The land was then covered with tim- her, but with the assistance of his sons, it was all cleared off. The comfortable residence in which Mr. Buetch lives was built by his father. Jacob

Buetch was married in Coventry Township to Mrs. Mary Richler, who was the widow of John Richler, and their only child was Ernest C. By her first marriage, Mrs. Buetch had six children, namelv: John, Jacob, August; Mary, who is the widow of Jacob Grethers: Barbara, who

is the widow of John Zitterly; and Louisa, who married John Keppler. Two of the sons were killed in the army during the Civil War, while August died after coming home from the effects of yellow fever, contracted while he was in the service of his country. Jacob Buetch died on this farm August 19, 1895, having survived his wife since May 14, 1885. They both were most worthy people, kind, hospitable, frugal and industrious.

Ernest Buetch was mainly educated in the district schools of Coventry Township and had one winter's schooling at Akron. As he grew old enough he had to help his step- brothers in the work of clearing up the farm, and on the death of his father this property came into his possession. Since 1878 Mr. Buetch has made a feature of threshing, and in partnership with his son, owns an outfit, and together they do a large amount of busi- ness in this line. For about eight years Mr. Buetch operated a sawmill in addition to carrying on a general agricultural business.

On May 14, 1881, Mr. Buetch was married to Sarah J. Renninger, who is a daughter of Solomon and Lavina (Keppler) Renninger, the latter of whom is deceased. They have two children : William F. and Emma Lavina The former is associated with his father in the threshing business and resides at home. He married Berdella Verick.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 119

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