Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 126

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

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In 1890, Mr. Hemington was married to Mellie C. Knepper, of Beach City, Ohio, and they have two daughters: Freda Catherine and Nellie Winnifred. Mr. Hemington is a member of the First Disciples Church. Fra- ternally, he is a Knight Templar Mason, and he belongs to the Protected Home Circle.

WILLIAM H. ROOK, mechanical engi- neer for the American Sewer Pipe Company, at Akron, was born January 8, 1866, at Mecca. Trumbull County, Ohio, and accompanied his parents to Akron in childhood.

William H. Rook bears his father's name. The latter was born at Boston, Massachusetts. During his active years he worked as a ma- chinist and now lives practically retired, at AAkron.

William H. Rook, Jr., has been a resident of this busy and beautiful city for a period covering thirty-seven years, almost his whole lifetime. After finishing school, he entered the machine shops of Taplin & Rice, where he learned the trade, showing a particular ap- titude for the same, and remained with that concern for some twenty years. Since sever- ing his relations with the above firm, he has been connected with the American Sewer Pipe Company in his present capacity. He is a

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stockholder in several of Akron's leading en- terprises, and belongs to that body of progres- sive and enterprising young business men who have had much to do with the developing of this city along manufacturing lines.

Mr. Rook is identified with both the lower and the higher branches of the Odd Fellow's fraternity.

GEORGE WELLINGTON DICKINSON, general farmer, residing on his finely-culti- vated, well-improved estate, which contains 138 acres, 100 of which he has under the plow, is one of the sterling citizens of this part of Summit County. He was born in Northamp- ton Township, Summit County, Ohio, July 5, 1849, and is a son of Alexander and Harriet (Faylor) Dickinson.

In the days of the great-grandfather, the name was spelled Dickerson and the family lived on Long Island and was driven from there by the British during the Revolutionary War. The name of the great-great-grand- mother was Mary Hamilton, who was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. Their son, John Dickerson, was born August 20, 1782, at Millville, Connecticut, and was five years old when his mother died. Later, he went into partnership with an associate, in the shoe business, at Charleston. South Carolina. He had married Sabrina Cone, who was born at Middletown, Connecticut, January 19, 1778, and died in Northampton Township, Summit County. January 25, 1862. Her father was an officer in the Revolution War. It was the intention of John Dickerson to send for his family to join him but the only message ever received was that he had been drowned.

After satisfying herself that her husband no longer lived, the widow of John Dickerson went to New York. On September 15, 1834, her son, William Dickerson, the grandfather of George W. Dickerson, left Watson. Now York, for Ohio, and after many adventures through stormy weather on Lake Erie, reached Fairport. He was accompanied by his family and there secured a wagon and drove to the home of William Coleman, at Shalersville. The family remained with this

hospitable family for a week and then came on to Northampton Township, their son Riley at that time owning a place near Northamp- ton Center.

Alexander Dickerson, son of William and father of George W., was born at Watson, New York, May 1, 1828, and died May 3, 1902. He followed agricultural pursuits all his active life. He married Harriet Faylor, who was born in Brimfield Township, Portage County, Ohio, October 15, 1827, and died July 7, 1904. Of their seven children, five grew up, namely: George Wellington; He- mon, residing in Stow Township; Mary Jane, who is the widow of Calvin Hunt, residing in Boston Township; Edwin Riley, residing in Boston Township; and Julia, who married Charles Trumphour, residing in Northamp- ton Township. The parents of this family were good, worthy, virtuous people, who were valued members of the Disciples Church.

George W. Dickinson remained on the home farm until he was twenty-one years of age, after which he rented a farm in Boston Township, which he operated for a year, and then worked as a teamster for a railroad com- pany and also for an uncle, for several years. After his marriage, in 1872, he bought his first farm in Boston Township, which he re- tained for three years, and in 1878, he came to his present place. In partnership with his brother Heman, he invested in 300 acres, which they later divided. Mr. Dickinson raises hay, wheat, corn and oats and markets a part of each crop. He keeps ten head of cattle, thirty head of sheep and four horses. His farm is one good to see, its perfect order and careful state of cultivation satisfying (ven the eye of the stranger. Mr. Dickinson has met with some misfortune, having lost a large amount in 1884, when his barn with forty-eight head of cattle, six horses and all its other contents were destroyed by fire. In 1891. he put up his present substantial barn building, with dimensions of 40 by 68 feet, with eighteen-foot posts. In 1905 he built his tool house, a snug little structure 20 by 40 feet. wherein everything has its proper place. In 1881, the comfortable and attractive thir-

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teen-room residence was erected. Mr. Dick- inson has the reputation of being one of the most progressive farmers of the township, one who believes in the use of improved machin- ery and the adoption of sensible, modern methods of agriculture.

On December 7, 1872, Mr. Diekinson was married to Alice Enos, who was born Decem- ber 19, 1853, at Syracuse, New York. From the age of two years to eleven, she lived in Michigan, and in 1870, she came to Boston Township. She is a lady of education and re- finement. Mr. and Mrs. Diekinson have four children : Nellie, who married Park Knapp, residing at Ravenna; Arthur, residing at home; Jessie, who married Ernest Cargould; and Alice. The family belong to the Disci- ples Church. Politically, Mr. Dickinson is a Republican.

ALFRED E. McKISSON, trustee of Rich- field Township, resides on his valuable farm of fifty-two acres, which he devotes to general agriculture, and also operates considerable ad- jacent land which he has rented for a number of years. Mr. McKisson was born in North- field Township, Summit County, Ohio, Janu- ary 29, 1859. His parents were Arthur and Jane (Kettlewell) McKisson.

Arthur MeKisson was born in Northfield Township. Summit County, May 29, 1831. His educational opportunities were very lim- ited, as his father died when he was young, and he was early called on to assist his half- brother, James, to clear the farm. When he was seventeen years of age he went to work for Lucian Bliss, of Northfield, and continued in the lumbering business for fifteen years. In 1871 he engaged in farming and dairy- ing, renting land for the purpose near Brecks- ville, five years later moving to Twinsburg, and later to Richfield, in the latter place work- ing again at lumbering for five years, as fore- man, for C. L. Newell. He also worked four years as foreman for Ralph Farnum, in the same industry. Prior to retiring from busi- ress activity, he operated the Newell Broth- ers' farm, at Brecksville. During the early part of the Civil War he endeavored three dif-

ferent times to pass muster and become a soldier in defense of the Union, but he was re- jected. IIe is past overseer of the Summit County Pomona Grange, Patrons of Hus- bandry.

On February 22, 1854, Mr. MeKisson was married to Jane Kettlewell, who is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Kettlewell. Mrs. Mc- Kisson was born in England, May 10, 1832, and was an infant when she was brought to America. Of the eight chil- dren born to the above marriage, six survive, namely: William J., residing at Brecksville, Ohio; Alfred E .; Annie, who married Witt Fonts, residing in Stark County; Francis, re- siding at Macedonia; Jennie, who is the widow of Robert Mitchell, residing in Richfield; and Horatio S., residing at La Grange, Ohio.

The MeKissons are Maryland people and the great-grandfather, Samuel McKisson, as well as the grandfather, also Samuel MeKis- son, were both born in that State. Grand- father MeKisson served in the War of 1812. For his second wife he married Susanna Boerntrigger, who was the mother of Arthur McKisson, and the grandmother of Alfred E.

Alfred E. MeKisson attended the schools of Northfield Township until the age of thirteen years, when he started out to make his own way in the world, a courageous thing for a boy of his years to attempt. He found work with neighboring farmers and was employed by the month until 1880, when he was prepared to buy his present farm. For a number of years he has rented the Lockert farm of 115 aeres, which adjoins his own. He keeps on an av- erage. twenty-five head of cattle and cultivates the land not needed for pasturage, about eighty acres, raising mainly wheat and po- tatoes. Mr. McKisson still finds profit in growing sheep. keeping some forty head. His milk all goes to Cleveland. He has a fine apple orchard of three acres, which he also considers a paying investment. He is an in- dustrious man, a careful and intelligent farmer, and is prospering.

Mr. McKisson married Elizabeth R. Edgell, of Richfield Township, and they have three children : Roy E., Lillie and Bessie.

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Politically, Mr. MeKisson is identified with the Republican party and is somewhat active, on numerous occasions having been sent as a delegate to various important conventions. He is serving in his first term as township trustee, and for a long period he has been a member of the township School Board. He is mueh interested in everything looking to the advancement of the agricultural welfare of this section and long ago united with the Richfield Grange. He is past grand of Chip- pewa Lodge, No. 675, Odd Fellows, at Brecks- ville.

WILLLAM N. WOOD, general farmer in Boston Township, residing on a valuable es- tate of 332 aeres, 150 of which are under cul- tivation, was born in Boston Township. Sum- mit County, Ohio, July 11, 1862, and is the only son of Thomas and Julia ( Wetmore) Wood.

Thomas Wood, than whom there was no more highly considered eitizen of Boston Township, at the time of his death, in 1900, aged seventy-two years, was born in Ireland, and was seven years of age when his parents brought him to America. The family lived at Sheboygan, Michigan, until he was about twelve years of age, when they canie to Bos- ton Township, where the grandfather of Wil- liam N. Wood worked in a mill. Thomas Wood learned to build canal boats and en- gaged in the business on his own account for some years, from which he embarked in a lumber business, which he continued for forty years. Ife possessed great business enterprise, operated two or three sawmills, bought stand- ing timber and cut it, and acquired timber land both in Boston and Northampton Town- ships, at one time owning for one mile along the Cuyahoga River. He was held in the highest esteem by his fellow citizens. He was a member of Meridian Sun Lodge, No. 266, F. & A. M., of Richfield. He married Julia Wetmore, who resides at Peninsula since her widowhood. She was born at Silver Lake, in Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, where her father, Hon. William Wetmore, was one of the early settlers.

William N. Wood attended school at Penin- sula until he was eleven years of age. He was a boy of unusual brightness of mind, and. inspired with a desire to travel, he left home without asking his parents' consent, rightly judging that it would be withheld, and made his way to Chicago. His smiling face and en- gaging personality enabled him, with no pre- vions experience of city life. to secure a posi- tion as bellboy in the Palmer House. Ile was so obliging and attentive to guests of that somewhat famous hostelry, that his tips from the capitalists who frequently make it their home, were so generous during his stay of four months, that he had enough money with which to buy a horse, on which he started back home, which he reached in safety. hav- ing paused at several points on the way to trade horses with other travelers. After this little excursion into the world. the youth qui- etly attended school until he was fifteen years of age and then worked several years for his father, driving a team, having always been fond of horses. He purchased a team of his own and continued to use it in his father's lumber business, until 1897, when he turned his attention more especially to speeding Forses. For some years he owned and took an interest in racing many fast horses in dif- ferent classes, traveling over considerable ter- ritory and becoming well known in the sport- ing world. In the meanwhile, the home farn was under rental, with the exception of sev- eral years when Mr. Wood conducted opera- tions on it, but for the past five years it has heen under his careful and successful super- vision. He keeps about forty head of cattle, selling his milk to the Peninsula Creamery, and raises hay, corn, oats and wheat. He feeds all but his wheat.

Mr. Wood married Olive Lee, who is a daughter of Edward Lee, of Richfield Town- ship. They have one son. Thomas H. Mrs. Wood is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Peninsula.

Mr. Wood votes with the Republican party in National affairs, but independently in local matters. Mr. Wood's genial personality, open hospitality and his many sterling qualities of

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mind and heart, have won him a wide circle of warm friends wherever he has been.

HENRY BLACKWELL, the efficient su- perintendent of Factory No. 1, of the Robin- son Clay Product Company, at Akron, came to this city in 1873, when fifteen years of age, having been born in England, in 1858.

Ever since locating at Akron, Mr. Blackwell has been identified with pottery interests, first entering the pottery works of Spafford & Rich- ardson, of East Akron, and continuing with the firm of Cook and Richardson, and later with Cook & Fairbanks. For the following twelve years, Mr. Blackwell was with the F. H. Weeks Company, and for the past twelve years he has been in charge of Factory No. 1 of the Robinson Clay Prod- uet Company. From his years of practical ex- perience, Mr. Blackwell has become thor- cughly efficient in the position to which his knowledge and abilities have advanced him, and the products of this factory continue to meet the high grade of excellence which long since made the name of this great manufac- turing house one of importance in the pottery world.

In 1881, Mr. Blackwell was married to Emma Richards, of Akron, and they have one son, Edmund R., who has been afforded the best educational advantages Akron has to offer. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwell belong to the First Presbyterian Church of Akron.

GEORGE P. HOFFMAN, part proprietor of the Excelda Stone Company, general con- tractors at Akron, and dealers in and manu- facturers of all kinds of plain and ornamental cement stone, is a leading business man of this city. Mr. Hoffman was born at Akron in 1872, and is a son of B. F. Hoffman.

The father of Mr. Hoffman was born at Manchester, Ohio, and now resides in Portage Township, Summit County, of which he is a trustee. After working for a quarter of a century in the Buckeye shops as a blacksmith, he retired to his farm.

George P. Hoffman attended school at Akron and in youth learned the plumber's trade at

which he worked for twelve years. In 1903, in association with I. S. Myers, the present county treasurer, he formed the Excelda Stone Com- pany, which has grown to be a very important business concern of this city. They have im- portant work under construction at the pres- ent time and all of it, both in appearance and substantial character, is most creditable.

In 1897, Mr. Hoffman was married to Min- nie J. Warden, who is a daughter of John W. Warden, of Akron, and they have one son, Glenn W. Mr. Hoffman is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the American Insurance Union. Personally he is a man of stable character and aptly rep- resents the class that is known as Akron's sterling citizens.

F. W. BUTLER, manager of the stoneware department of the Robinson Clay Product Company, and also president of the Akron Smoking Pipe Company, is one of Akron's leading business men and has been a resident of this city since boyhood. He was born at Worcester, Massachusetts.

Mr. Butler came to Akron in 1866 and completed his education in the High School of this city, after which he entered the employ of the old mercantile firm of Hall Brothers, with which he continued for four years. Sub- sequently. Mr. Butler became bookkeeper in the First National Bank, still later teller, re- maining with this financial institution for nine years, during which time he acquired an interest in the E. H. Merrill Pottery Com- pany, and this connection became of sufficient importance to cause his resignation as teller and to become secretary and manager of the latter business. He continued to perform the duties of these positions until the E. Il. Mer- rill Pottery Company was absorbed by the Robinson Merrill Pottery Company, when he became manager of the stoneware department of the new firm. Mr. Butler remained with the concern after it became the Robinson Clay Product Company, and since 1900, has been manager of the stoneware department of this large industry. He is interested in other Akron enterprises and commands the consid-

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MR. AND MRS. AUGUSTUS O. OPLINGER AND FAMILY

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« ration of his fellow-citizens as a man of abil- Ity and business honor.

In 1879, Mr. Butler was married to Grace A. Merrill, who was a daughter of E. H. Mer- rill. Mrs. Butler died in 1888, leaving three children: H. Karl, Merrill W., and Fred W. The two older sons of Mr. Butler are interested in real estate in Cuba, owning a plantation in that island. The youngest son is employed in the shipping department of the Robinson Clay Product Company.

Mr. Butler is a member of the Portage Country club.

AUGUSTUS O. OPLINGER, a leading citizen of Norton Township, residing on his valuable farm of fifty-six acres, was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Novem- ber 25, 1848, and is a son of Nathan and Sabina (Deiter) Oplinger.

This section of Ohio is mueli indebted to Pennsylvania, for from that State have come many of the most solid, substantial and relia- ble people, whose thrift and industry have brought prosperity. Among this elass were the parents of Mr. Oplinger, who came over- land to Ohio, settling for a short time, in 1850, at Wadsworth, Medina County, but shortly afterward purchasing a small farm in Norton Township, west of Loyal Oak. When Augustus O. Oplinger was about fifteen years of age, his father sold that farm and going a little further west, bought a traet of fifty- eight aeres, but subsequently this farm also was sold and the family moved to the village of Loyal Oak, where both parents died. They had seven children, all of whom are now liv- ing.

Augustus O. Oplinger has been a resident of Norton Township ever since his parents settled here. He has made farming and dairving his main interests, but from the age of twenty-two to that of twenty-five years. he worked at the carpenter's trade. For some twenty years he operated rented land, but in 1894 he bought his present farm, which. under his excellent management has proved very remunerative. He does general farm- ing and dairving and also gives attention to

the growing of small fruits. Although the farm claims the larger part of his time, Mr. Oplinger has served his fellow citizens effi- ciently as a member of the township School Board.

Mr. Oplinger married Isabella Houser, who is a daughter of Stephen and Mary Houser, and they have a family of thirteen children, all of whom survive, proving the sturdy stock from which they came. They are: Horaee, residing at Akron, married Emma Koch and has one child, George William; Edward, who married Anna Flannigan, has two children, Mary and James; Dora. who married Russell Phelps; Frank, who married Sadie Chanee, has one child, Lillian; Robert, residing at Loyal Oak, who married Virgie Stripe, has two children, Marion and Doris; Charles, who married Cassie Messner, has one child, Charles; and Arthur. James, Walter, Fred- erick, Bessie, Mabel and Raymond, all at home.

Mr. Oplinger and family belong to the Re- formed Church and from the age of twenty- five he has been one of the officials. He for- merly served as treasurer of the Norton In- surance Company, and has served on the Board of Directors for a period of eighteen years. At present he is serving as treasurer of and for six years has been a direetor in the Norton Cyclone Association.

DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOOD- RICH, founder of the B. F. Goodrich Com- rany (Akron Rubber Works), the largest rubber factory in the United States, was born in Ripley, New York, November 4, 1841. He was educated in the schools of Fredonia, New York, and Austinburg, Ohio, and was gradu- ated at the Western Medical College, Cleve- land. Ohio, in February, 1861. About this time he entered the army as hospital steward of the Ninth New York Volunteer Cavalry, and was promoted to assistant surgeon in the spring of 1862, in which capacity he served until September, 1864. being for a part of the time in charge of the hospital at Aquia Creek. On the elose of the war he engaged in real estate business in New York City. In 1870

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he came to Akron, and with Colonel George T. Perkins, George W. Crouse, of Akron, and H. W. Tew, of Jamestown, New York, he es- tablished in Akron the first rubber factory west of the Allegheny Mountains, under the firmi name of Goodrich, Tew & Co., later changed to B. F. Goodrich & Company. The business slowly grew and prospered until in 1880 a co-partnership was formed and the business incorporated under the name of the B. F. Goodrich Company, with a capitaliza- tion of $100,000.00, and with Dr. Goodrich as president, Alanson Work, vice-president, and Colonel George T. Perkins, secretary and treasurer. The company was engaged in the manufacture of fire hose, and other rubber goods. Later a second company for the manufacture of hard rubber goods was or- ganized, and styled The Goodrich Hard Rub- ber Company, with the Doctor also as its presi- dent. The growth of the company was con- tinuous from. that time on, and the capital was increased from time to time, as the demands of the business required, until at present the capitalization of the company is $10,000,000. The present product of the company consists of a full line of soft rubber goods such as belting, hose, packings, druggist sundry goods, golf balls, tennis balls, automobile and bicycle tires, carriage tires, molded goods, mats, boots and shoes. The factory buildings cover an area of sixteen and a half acres of floor space, on fifteen and a half acres of ground, and the works give employment to 3,300 people.

Dr. Goodrich remained president of the company until 1888-the time of his death, when he was succeeded by Colonel George T. Perkins. He was a public-spirited citizen of high intelligence, and in his founding of this giant industry, proved one of the greatest bene- factors that Akron ever had. He was a mem- ber of the Akron City Council for the years 1880 and 1881. the first year being its presi- dent.

Dr. Goodrich was married, November 4, 1869, to Miss Mary Marvin, daughter of Judge Richard P. Marvin, of Jamestown, New York. Of this union there were three

children-Charles C., born August 3, 1871, who is now general superintendent of the B. F. Goodrich Company; Isabella, and David M. Dr. Goodrich died at Manitou Springs, Colorado, August 3, 1888.

CHARLES C. GOODRICH, general super- intendent of the B. F. Goodrich Company, of Akron, which controls the largest rubber fac- tory in the United States, and whose goods are known all over the civilized world, is a native of Akron, and a son of B. F. Goodrich, from whom the company takes its name. He was educated in the public schools of Akron, at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hamp- shire, and at Harvard University, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. In February, 1895, Mr. Goodrich returned to Akron and began business life as a clerk in the office of the B. F. Goodrich Company. His ability and application have since carried him steadily to the important position of gen- eral superintendent of this immense industry.

Mr. Goodrich is prominent in Masonry, having attained the Thirty-second Degree. He belongs to all the Masonic bodies at. Akron, and to the Mystic Shrine, at Cleveland. He was reared in the Episcopal Church and is junior warden of the Church of the Savior, at Akron.

In April, 1895, Mr. Goodrich was married to Mary A. Gellatly, of Orange, New Jersey.

FREDERICK H. WEEKS, president, treasurer and general manager of The F. H. Weeks Lumber Company, with plant situated at No. 570 South Main street, Akron, is one of the city's leading business men, interested in a number of its important enterprises.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 126

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