Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 125

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 125

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).

Dr. Hongh's boyhood was passed in at- tending the common schools and the Atwater

Academy, after which he learned the pot- ter's trade. This he followed until he enlisted for service in the Civil War, in October, 1861, entering Battery D .. First Ohio Regiment of Light Artillery. fle served three years and two months, being honorably discharged at Columbus, October 17, 1864. During twen- ty months of this time he served as hospital steward. Following his army service, Mr. Hough entered the Charity Hospital Medical College, which now bears the name of the Col- lege of Physicians and Surgeons, where he was graduated in 1866. For a period of ten years he practiced his profession at Mogadore, and then came to Cuyahoga Falls, where he has continued in practice ever since. Ile has been more or less identified with the develop- ment of this place into the prosperous center it now is.

Dr. Hough was married (first) June 13, 1867, to Annie Elizabeth Golby, who was a daughter of William and Mary Golby, natives of England. who came to Cleveland. Ohio, in the winter of 1855-6. Mrs. Hough died July 6, 1899, leaving one son. - William Con- die, who was born in 1869. On October 17, 1900. Dr. Hough was married (second) to Sarah Johnson.

Politically, Dr. Hough has never been very active, but he has always taken a deep inter- est in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is past commander of Crane Post at Mogadore, and is now a member of Eddy Post, at Cuyahoga Falls. He belongs to Star Lodge, No. 187. F. & A. M., in which he served four years as master, and he is past grand of Howard Lodge, I. O. O. F.

For four years Dr. Hongh was trustee of of the Cleveland State Hospital under Presi- dent Mckinley's administration, and for the past twenty years he has been company sur- geon at this place of the B. & O. R. R., and is serving as such at present.

JACOB W. BENNAGE, a substantial busi- ness man of Bath Township, proprietor of the well known Bennage sawmill, was born in Bath Township. Summit County. Ohio, and is a son of John and Mary (Whitted) Bennage.

995

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Jacob Bennage, grandfather of Jacob W., came to Middlebury, now East AAkron, Ohio, from Union County, Pennsylvania, and for many years conducted a pottery, but later purchased a farm and moved to Bath Town- ship, where he died. His son. John Bennage, was a young man when the family came from Union County. Pennsylvania. and like his father he died in Bath Township. His wife, who was a native of North Carolina, died in Akron.

Jacob W. Bennage was reared in Bath Township, and on attaining his majority re- moved to California, where he lived for four year-, engaged in threshing and hay baling. On his return to Bath Township he embarked in the lumber and sawmill business, and this he has continued to the present time, in April, 1907. opening his present mill, in which are employed eight men. Formerly Mr. Bennage operated two mills, when he employed about thirty assistants. Mr. Bennage has purchased several farms for their timber, which. after clearing, he sold: and from 1899 until 1905 he lived in Akron, where he was successfully engaged in the lumber business.

Mr. Bennage was married, first. to Emma Alman, who is now deceased. and they had one child : Elvin. His second marriage was to Nellie Chase, and to this union there have been born two children: George and Mar- gery.

ALBERT J. BREWSTER. who has been associated with the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Com- pany ever since he has been in business, was born in Summit County, Ohio. in 1871, and is a son of James G. Brewster. a leading citi- zen of this section.

Albert J. Brewster was educated in the pub- lie schools and at Buchtel College, following which he took a course in bookkeeping and -tenography, immediately afterward entering the offices of the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Com- rany. He has numerous other interests of a business nature. being a stockholder in sev- oral of the leading industrial concerns of Summit County.

In 1890, Mr. Brewster was married to J.

Evelyn Barder, who was born at Akron, Ohio, and they have four children, namely: \1- bert J., Evan Barder, Jane Elizabeth and Marian.

Mr. Brewster is connected with a number of fraternal and social organizations. He is act- ive also in giving support to movements of publie importance to his city and section. and takes an interest in all matters pertaining to good citizenship.

WILLIAM A. JOCKERS. a general farmer, in Boston Township, was born in the house in which he lives. August 4, 1873, and belongs to an old German family that once owned vast estates in Germany. which, in case litigation now going on should prove favorable, may be restored to the present gen- eration.

The father of Mr. Jockers was born in Baden, Germany, and died October 31, 1899, in Boston Township, aged seventy-two years. He came to America when seventeen years old and carried a peddler's pack for a period of eighteen months after landing in the United States. He spent four months at Buf- falo and the rest of the time until 1879, at Cleveland and in its vicinity. and then came to Boston Township and settled on the farm now the property of his son. William A. He Icarned brick-making at Cleveland and later engaged in a business in this line for him- self, giving employment to twenty men and turning out a fine quality of finished brick. He furnished the brick for many buildings. in- eluding that used in the erection of the White Sewing Machine Building. at Cleveland. Prior to coming to Boston Township he sold his brick business. purchasing 104 acres when he came to this section. eleven of which he sold. Ile identified himself with the Repub- lican party and for several years while in Cleveland, served in the city council and also belonged to the fire department. in its early days. Hle married a second cousin, Margaret Lockers, who was brought to America from Germany when one year and six months old. She died on her birthday, August 6. 1899. aged sixty-six years. Of their eleven chil-

996

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

dren, five grew to maturity, namely: John, residing in Boston Township; Mary, who married Nelson Wood: Lisbie, who married (first) George Herman, and (second) Calvin Ilill, residing at Cleveland: Hattie, who mar- ried (first) George Curtiss. and (second) John Boughton: and William A.

William 1. Jockers obtained his education in the common schools. His life has been an agricultural one, and when his father's estate was divided, he received eighty-six aeres. On his excellent farm he raises hay, corn, wheat, cats and potatoes, the latter crop always doing well and producing so that he is able to sell 300 bushels. He usually keeps about nine head of eattle.

Mr. Jockers married Annie Woda, a daugh- ter of John Woda. of Breekville, and they have three children: Florence Mary, Mar- gery Anna and William Ralph.

Mr. Jockers is a very intelligent, thought- ful man and he has given a great deal of calm consideration to publie questions. In local matters he exereises his judgment as to what candidate shall receive his vote, but in na- tional affairs. he inclines toward the Socialist party as offering a clearer solution of the great problems of the country than does any of the others.

FREDERICK N. SHAFFER, one of Akron's substantial eitizens and honorable business men. is the junior member of the firm of Christy & Shaffer, leading dealers in saddlery, shoe findings and hides, both whole- sale and retail, with quarters at No. 142 South Howard street. Mr. Shaffer was born at Western Star. Medina County. Ohio, in 1867.

Mr. Shaffer's life until the age of twenty years, was spent on the home farm and in attending the country schools. Ile then went to Akron. where he secured work with W. C. Kittleberger and thoroughly learned the har- ness and saddlery business and remained for twelve years. In 1899, he became a member of the present firm. then under the style of James Christy. Jr., & Company, a change in name later taking place, and this connection has lasted until the present. Mr. Shaffer has

grown up in the business, learning all its practical details and has its management well in hand. The firm does a large local business and keeps one representative on the road.

In 1889, Mr. Shaffer was married to Elta M. Eberhard, of Western Star, and they have three children: Grace M., Raymond C. and Gladys E.

Mr. Shaffer is a stockholder and a director in the Dime Savings Bank and a stockholder and director in the Aladdin Rubber Company. As a good citizen, he has other interests, of more or less importance, connected with eivie advancement and public-spirited enterprises.

JOHN BUCHTEL was one of the early residents of Summit County, accompanying his parents to the neighborhood of Coventry as early as 1830. Ile was born in Myers Township, Center County, Pennsylvania, No- vember 6, 1797, and was a son of Peter Buch- tel.

His parents located first in Stark County, Ohio, later in Green Township, and still later in Coventry Township. Summit County, this being about 1818. The country was then a wild region, with only here and there a cabin erected by some courageous settler near the banks of a stream. Peter Buchtel was a pio- neer of the old type and died at Tremont, Ohio.

John Buchtel's early years were filled with the hard labor incident to clearing up a pio- neer farm. He was married in Green town- ship, January 18. 1821, to Catherine Rich- ards, and they had five children, three daugh- ters and two sons. The family was partly reared in the log cabin in which John Buch- tel and wife commenced housekeeping. After thirteen years of residence in Green township. Mr. Buchtel sold his farm there and bought another, in Coventry Township, on which he resided for forty-one years. In 1875, Mr. Buchtel gave up all active pursuits and with his wife removed to a small farm just north of Akron, where Mrs. Buchtel died in 1882. aged seventy-eight years. Mr. Buchtel then retired to the home of his son, Hon. William Buehtel, where he died at the remarkable age

ALBERT A. KOHLER, M. D.

999

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

of ninety-seven years and two months. For more than a half century he was a consistent member of the Evangelical Church. From the period of the Civil War, he had been an earnest supporter of the Republican party.

ALBERT A. KOHLER, M.D., one of the leading professional men of Akron, of which city he has been a resident since 1870, was born September 12, 1863, in Snyder County, Pennsylvania. He is the son of Andrew and Sarah (Fisher) Kohler, who came to Akron in 1870. Andrew Kohler here fol- lowed his trade as a millwright until 1881. He then engaged in a grocery bu-iness, con- ducting it until his death, which took place December 31, 1885. He was a man of good standing in the world of trade and a valued citizen of Akron. £ He served as a member of the City Council, taking an active part in the management of civic affairs. In re- ligion he was a Lutheran, fraternally a Ma- son and an Odd Fellow. He married Sarah Fisher, who also was a native of Pennsyl- vania, and their family consisted of seven children, namely: Charles F., who is en- gaged in business at Wabash, Indiana; Mar- garet, who married F. L. Deibolt and resides in Cleveland; John, who is engaged in min- ing in Nevada; William, who is deceased; Albert A., whose name begins this article; Warren A., a business man of Lecsburg, In- diana; and James L., who is in the grocery trade at Cleveland, Ohio.

Albert A. Kohler acquired his literary education in the public schools and at Buch- tel College, graduating from the latter insti- tution in 1887. While in Buchtel College he became a member of the Greek letter fra- ternity, Phi Delta Theta. He began the study of medicine under Dr. Thomas Eb- right, and in the fall of 1887 entered the medical department of the Western Reserve University, at Cleveland, where he was graduated in 1890. He immediately located in Akron, where he has become a successful and prominent physician and surgeon. His offices are at No. 608 and 610 Hamilton Building.

Politically Dr. Kohler is a Democrat, and from 1890 until 1894 he served as health officer of Akron. After a lapse of six years he was reappointed in 1900, and has filled that office continuously since. He is a mem- ber of the Summit County Medical, the Sixth Consular District, Ohio State, and the Ameri- can Medical Societies, and he also belongs to all the Masonic bodies up to and includ- ing the Commandery at Akron and the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite, at Cleveland, Ohio. He is also a member of McPherson Lodge, Knights of Pythias, of Akron. Dr. Kohler was married, November 27, 1894, to Alice C. Slade, a daughter of William H. Slade of Columbus, Ohio. Their pleasant home is at No. 703 South Union Street.

TODD CHARLES FOSTER, one of Bos- ton Township's most substantial farmers, owns an estate of 308 acres, and belongs to an honored old pioneer family of this section. Mr. Foster was born September 28, 1861, in Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Edwin Francis and Elizabeth (Deiceman ) Foster.

Pardon Foster, the paternal grandfather, was born in the State of New York, where he grew to manhood and before leaving home to better his fortunes, learned the trade of cabi- net-making and carpentering which included a knowledge of ship building. In 1831, he came to Boston Township, where he con- structed the first canal boat that ever went down the waters of the Ohio Canal. This boat was followed by the building of many others. When he gave up this work he retired to a farm he had purchased near Brandywine, in Boston Township, where he lived to the unusual age of ninety-two years. He married Nancy Coulson, whose age exceeded his by four years. They were the parents of a large and robust family and their descendants have inherited in large degree, the health which accrued to them through clean, temperate and virtuous living.

Edwin Francis Foster was nine years old when he accompanied his parents to Boston Township. He was afforded the best educa-

1000

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

tional advantages to be secured in the territory in which his home was located and through a thorough course of study, became a qualified civil engineer. For a long period he taught school in Northfield and Bedford Townships, and was also a competent teacher of vocal mu- sic. After his marriage, when twenty- seven years of age, he engaged in farming, in Boston Township and carried on agricultural pursuits until the elose of his life, which came in 1903, when he was eighty-one years of age. He was a natural mechanic and the use of tools came to him without instruction. It was a pleasure to him, even in advanced age, to be called on to fashion some domestic utensil or to repair some damage. The task would be done in a manner creditable to an instructed workman.

Mr. Foster left two fine farms to his family, aggregating 400 aeres, one of these he held rented and on the other he cultivated the natural products of this elimate. In his early political views he was an Abolitionist and Whig and immediately identified himself with the Republican party on its formation. Until the end of his life he retained his vigor of mind and was a great reader, keeping hin- self thoroughly posted on all publie matters and discussing these questions with a thor- ough knowledge of the principles involved.

In 1846, Edwin Francis Foster married Elizabeth Deiceman, one of the pupils attend- ing his school. She was a maiden of seven- teen years at that time, a cherished daughter of William Deiceman, of Northfield Town- ship. She died in 1881, aged fifty-two years. Of the ten children born to this union, six reached mature years, namely: Coulson, re- siding in Hudson Township; James, who is deceased; Amelia, who married Robert Miller, residing in Portage County; Nancy, who married Hiram Mowen, had one daughter, Ethel; Todd C., residing in Boston Township; Grant, residing in Northfield Township; and Henry, residing in Bedford Township. The parents of this family were worthy members of the United Brethren Church and reared their children as became Christian people.

Todd Charles Foster was reared in his na-

tive township and attended school in the briek school-house in Boston. He remained with his father, assisting on the home farm, until he was twenty-one years old and for the next seven years followed various occupations, engaging in farming and teaming and also worked one year at plumbing, in the mean- while picking up valuable information along many lines, a great deal of which he has practically applied since taking charge of his present large property. During the above- named period, Mr. Foster was receiving excel- lent wages for his work and was providently saving them, and when he was able to secure his present estate, in 1889, he was prepared to invest $1,000, in the same. This payment of capital left him with just $15, and, as he adds, "a shovel, an axe and a hoe." Mr. Fos- ter does not add, as he well might, that he had other equipments, including the habit of fru- gality, an enterprising and industrious spirit and a natural endowment of judgment and common sense.

When Mr. Foster came here he purchased 108 acres, which had an unfinished house standing on it. This house he completed himself, even doing the painting, rooming off and plastering. The other substantial buildings which give his place such an air of completeness and thrift, were either totally built by him or entirely remodeled. We have no record of Mr. Foster learning the carpenter trade, but he is evidently one in skill, as a number of the farm buildings give testimonial. He is an adept in all kinds of mechanical work and is independent of the wagonmaker and the blacksmith, having his own workshop, which he built himself, where all kinds of tools are kept, and where Mr. Foster may generally be found in the inelem- ent weather when farm work cannot be suc- cessfully, carried on. He is so busy and in- terested that fair or fonl, he finds no time hang heavily on his hands.

Subsequently, Mr. Foster added 128 acres te his first purchase, and all his land is made to return its full value. In looking over even his ploughed fields, no stones or noxious weeds can be found. only the mellow soil

1001

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

which responds to his careful, scientific culti- ration. He raises crops of all the cereals, wheat, oats and corn, a large amount of hay and many potatoes. He supplies a large amount of the milk sent to Cleveland, from his neighborhood, and also feeds considera- ble young stock. Mr. Foster has found it profitable to make a specialty of raising tur- keys and sells his choice birds for breeding purposes at $5.00 apiece. He has some five head of horses for the farm work. Mr. Fos- ter has every reason to take pride in his beau- tiful estate, his stock and machinery, having the consciousness of having earned them all through his own energy and enterprise. Be- fore leaving the subject of this fine farm, mention must also be made of his two apple crchards, his 300-tree pear orchard, and his plum orchard. There are berries of all kinds grown in great quantities and beside mar- keting bushels of the same, in 1906, his capa- ble wife used 800 pounds of sugar in pre- serving the remainder.

On December 19, 1889, Mr. Foster was married to Jessie B. McGee, who is a daughter of William and Marjorie (Martin) McGee, who was born December 6, 1865. Her grand- father, William McGee accompanied his par- ents from Ireland when a boy of nine years, and lived into old age, in Lawrence township, Washington County, Ohio. There the father of Mrs. Foster was born, and died March 19, 1871, on his thirty-fourth birthday. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving in the Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He married Marjorie, daughter of John Martin, and Mrs. Foster was the eldest of their three children. Mr. and Mrs. Fos- ter have had eight children. seven of whom survive, namely : Anna Elizabeth, born March 19. 1892;

Charles E .. born March 26, 1895; George William, born Au- gust 23. 1898; Nellie Marjorie, born October 25, 1901; Lottie May, born August 8, 1903; Harvey John, born November 16. 1905; and Alice Etliel, the pet of the family, born June 13. 1907. The eldest daughter may be re- garded a> an exceptionally bright young lady. She graduated from the grammar

school when but sixteen years of age, having a high average in all her studies. Mr. Fos- ter is giving his children every educational and social advantage in his power and there is great promise of their developing into the the finest specimens of manhood and woman- hood.

Politically, Mr. Foster is identified with the Republican party and he has served as supervisor of the roads in Boston Township but he is no seeker for office. His aim is to be a good citizen and with this in view, he gives attention to public matters and casts his ballots intelligently.

MICHAEL and JAMES CONWAY, broth- ers, and prominent farmers of Boston Town- ship, are the 'sons of John Conway, who was lorn in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1819, and died in Boston Township, in the fall of 1881, aged sixty-two years.

John Conway was reared on a small farm in his native land and came to America in 1848, bringing his wife and an infant daugh- ter, Catherine, who lived to the age of twenty- six years. The Conway family settled first at Fall River, Massachusetts, where John Con- way worked for three years in a foundry, com- ing from there to Hudson, Ohio, where he worked for three more years, in a cheese fac- tory. In 1860, he bought the Richardson farm in Northampton Township, 174 acres, on which he lived for eighteen years, and then purchased the John Douds farm of 262 acres, situated in Boston Township. Here he carried on general farming and dairying, and before any cheese factory had been estah- lished in his neighborhood. made a great deal of fine cheese on the farm. He was a very in- dustrious man and a good manager. In poli- tics, he was a Democrat.

John Conway married Julia Martin, in Ire- land, where she was born in 1827, and is a daughter of Michael and Catherine Martin. She resides with her sons and is a well-pre- served lady. one who takes part in the domes- tic life in the home and enjoys social inter- course. She is a consistent member of St. Mary's Catholic Church at Hudson. Of the

1002

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

twelve children born to this marriage, six reached maturity, as follows: Catherine, above mentioned; Walter, residing on the homestead in Northampton Township; Mi- chael, residing on the Boston Township farm, was born at Fall River, Massachusetts, No- vember 14, 1852; James, associated with his brother Michael, was born at Hudson, Ohio, in June, 1855; Mary, who married Lawrence Sullivan, residing in Boston Township; and John, residing at Moundsville, West Virginia.

Michael and James Conway have remained on the present farm ever since their late father purchased it. They cultivate about seventy acres, carrying on mixed farming and grow hay, corn, wheat and oats. They have a fine silo, with dimensions of 16 x 30 x 30 feet. Their apple orchard of 150 trees produces abundantly. They also do a large business in dairying. The new railroad cut through this section took off nineteen and one-half acres from the farm, necessitating the removal of the house and barn to a new location and the drilling of a new well. The property is a valu- able one and the brothers have it under a fine state of cultivation.

The Conway brothers are both identified with the Democratic party but arc inclined to do considerable thinking on public matters for themselves. Both are members of St. Mary's Catholic Church. They are good citi- zens and men who enjoy the respect and con- fidence of their fellow-men.

J. F. HEMINGTON, of The IIemington Company, dealers in furniture, carpets and stoves, has been a resident of this eity for six- tren years and stands very high among its leading business men. He was born in 1869. at Madison, Ohio, but was taken in childhood to West Richfield, Summit County, where he was reared and educated.

When seventeen years old, Mr. Hemington came to Akron, and for a number of years following was interested in a meat business, first, for three years, on the corner of Spruce and Exchange streets. in this city, later at Lincoln, Nebraska, for one year, at Hudson, Ohio, for one year and again at Akron, for

eight months. He then entered the employ of L. A. Barmore, on Main street, who was the pioneer furniture man here, with whom he continued for eight years. Removal was then made to Howard street and Mr. Barmore was succeeded by the Kirk Company, Mr. Ilemington becoming vice president and gen- eral manager of the new organization. After four years and nine months, he sold his in- terest and for one season he was out on the road as traveling salesman. Being recalled on account of the precarious state of his father's health, he gave up his position and cared for his aged parent until the latter's death. Mr. Hemington then engaged in a carpet, furni- ture and stove business at No. 356 South Main street, for one year, removing then to bis present location at No. 72 South Howard street. Ile carries a large and well chosen stock and does a good business.

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 125

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