Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 127

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 127

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He was born in Copley, Summit County, Ohio, May 15, 1858, son of Darius and Eliza- beth ( Wilcox) Weeks. He is descended from sturdy pioncer ancestry on both sides of the family. His paternal grandfather was Lev- ett Weeks, born in Vermont in 1798, who married Celestia Taylor, born in Connecticut, in 1799. Darius Weeks was born in Wads- worth, Ohio, April 7, 1825, and was married at Copley, Ohio, October 1, 1846. to Elizabeth

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Wilcox, who was born at Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, Illinois, May 31, 1827. She was a daughter of John R. and Mary (Kinney) Wilcox. Her father, John R. Wilcox, was born in Salsbury, Vermont, in 1900, entered West Point at the age of eighteen years, fin- ished at the age of twenty-two, and was or- dered to frontier duty at Fort Edwards, Illi- nois. Mrs. Mary (Kinney) Wilcox was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1807. Among the maternal ancestors also was Plinney Wilcox, born in Vermont, son of Mary Remley, also a native of that State.

Frederick H. Weeks was educated in the public schools of Akron, as far as the second year in the High School at the age of four- teen years. In August of the same year F. H. Weeks commenced to work, as back flag- man with the surveying party that located the Valley Railroad from Cleveland to Can- ton. At the age of fifteen he went to Louis- ville, Kentucky, as a city salesman, where he spent four years and then returned to Akron, where he learned the potter's trade, at which he continued to work for four and one-half years. Mr. Weeks then went into the busi- ness of manufacturing stoneware, under the name of Weeks, Cook & Weeks, and two years later, with his brother, bought out the interest of Mr. Cook. The business was continued under the name of Weeks Bros., up to 1890, when F. H. Weeks bought his brother's in- terest and now is sole proprietor of the F. H. Week's potteries, at East Akron, where stone- ware of all description is manufactured.

In 1889, Mr. Weeks took charge of the Hankey Lumber Company as manager and treasurer. In 1898 he acquired the holdings of The Hankey people by purchase but con- tinned the business under the original corpor- ate name until March 1. 1907, when the firm of The F. H. Weeks Lumber Company was incorporated with a capital stock of $100,000, $90,000 paid in. Of this organiza- tion. F. H. Weeks is president, treasurer, and general manager. F. H. Weeks, Jr., is vice-president, and L. R. Dietzold is secretary. This company manufactures sash, doors and blinds and makes interior finishings of all

description. Mr. Weeks is also president of the National Blank Book & Supply Company and the Akron Clay. Company; is a stock- holder in the Crown Drilling Machine Com- pany ; was formerly president of the Builder's Exchange, of Akron; formerly president of the State Builders' Exchange, and is viee president of the Employers' Association of Akron, Ohio.

In February, 1882, Mr. Weeks was married to Bertha A. Hankey, who is a daughter of the late Simon Hankey, who was the founder of the Hankey Lumber Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have two children, F. H., Jr., and Charlotte \. The former was educated in both publie and private schools at Akron, and at Buehtel College and Culver Military Academy. He is vice president of the F. H. Weeks Lumber Company. Miss Charlotte was educated in the Akron schools and at Miss Mittelberger's Preparatory School, at Cleveland.

Mr. Weeks is affiliated with the Masonic and Elk fraternities at Akron. He is liberal in his support of public-spirited measures of various kinds.

DAVID L. PARKER, a citizen and retired farmer of Copley Township, now residing in Portage Township, for many years engaged in teaching school. Mr. Parker was born on his father's farm in Copley Township, Sum- mit County, Ohio, March 4, 1838, and is a son of Richard E. and Martha (Richardson) Parker.

Mr. Parker's paternal grandfather, Luna Parker, was born in New York. He was a contractor on the old Ohio Canal. Richard E. Parker was his eldest son and he was born in Northampton Township. Summit County, Ohio, in 1811, being the first male child born in that township. At the age of twenty- one years he bought a farm in Copley Towship and built a double log cabin. 0:1 April 18, 1833, he married Martha Richard- son, who was born in Vermont. whose parents were natives of Maine. In 1871 Riehard E. Parker and wife retired from the farm and removed to Akron, where both died. They

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had the following children: Henry, Hart- well; David Luna; Mary, who is the widow of II. Harris; Eudora, who is the widow of Wil- liam Trimbell; Phoebe, deceased, who mar- ried C. Low; Perry R .; and Cordelia, who married Charles Stadler.

David Luna Parker attended school first in the log school house near his home, but later the Granger Institute, beginning to teach school at the age of nineteen years, and he continued in the educational field until he was forty years of age, his last school being taught at Copley. During this long period he paid some attention to farming and also furnished stone and built a number of bridges and culverts for Summit County. He spent about two years introducing improved and advanced school books through the county. Mr. Parker is able to look back over many happy years in the school room and he is remembered with much kindness by his pupils.

In November, 1859, Mr. Parker was mar- ried to Ellen S. Averill who is a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Harvey) Averill. They have four children, namely: Charles H., Allen, Nettie and Eugene. Charles H. married Minnie Lockert, and they have two children : Elta, who married Benjamin Lockert, and Nellie. Allen married (first) Grace Randall and had three children : Ethel, Junen and Evan, and (second) Maggie Kinch, and three children have been born to this marriage: Vera, Viva and Clarence. Nettie married Walter Palmer, and they have two children: Harry and Helen. Eugene married Cora Squires, and they have two children, Roy and William.

In political preference, Mr. Parker is a Republican and he has served in numerous township offices. For twelve years he was assistant secretary of the County Agricultural Society and he belongs to the Grange, which was organized over twenty years ago, he being a charter member.

CHARLES H. WATTERS, who has been the efficient secretary of the board of Public

Service, at Akron, since 1901, is one of the alert, enterprising and progressive young men of this city. Mr. Watters was born at Akron, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of Thomas Watters, a former well-known and highly considered citizen.

Thomas Watters was born in Wales, Feb- ruary 4, 1846, and died at Akron, in Feb- ruary, 1906. He came to this city immedi- ately after completing four years of service in the Civil War, having been a member of Com- pany E, 193rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Vol- unteer Infantry, during his first enlistment of three months, and of Battery E, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the three years and more which covered his second enlistment. He was an iron worker and he enjoyed the dis- tinction of having worked the first bar of iron ever made in the works of the Akron Iron Company. He remained superintend- ent of the mills of this company, until 1889. when he accepted a similar position with the Cherry Valley Iron Company, at Leetonia, Ohio.

Charles H. Watters was employed in cleri- cal work at Akron for a time after completing his schooling, and then engaged in a real estate business for several years. In 1901 he was elected secretary of the board of Pub- lie Service, his efficiency in this office being generally conceded. He has been a very active worker in the Republican party and is a representative young American in his energy and business initiative.

B. W. ROBINSON, president of the Rob- inson Clay Product Company. also of the Second National Bank, both of Akron, is one of the city's native sons who have done yeo- man service in advancing her manufacturing and financial interests, and adding materially to the volume of business which places her among the foremost cities of her size in the United States in point of enterprise and pros- perity. He was born, as has been already in- timated, in Akron, the year of his nativity being 1860. His father was William Robin- son, a native of Staffordshire, England, who

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on coming to America, settled first in East Liverpool, Ohio, whence he came to Akron in 1856. Here William Robinson became a pioneer in the manufacture of pottery and sewer pipe, and was one of the stirring busi- ness men of Akron in his day.

B. W. Robinson, with whom this sketch is more closely concerned was reared in his na- tive city, and after graduating from the Akron High School, supplemented his school studies by a term at Oberlin College. IFis first business experience was gained as book- keeper for Whittmore, Robinson & Co., with whom he became connected in 1878; and with the exception of two years-from 1884 to 1886, when he was with the Akron Mill- ing Co .- he has been connected with the pot- tery and sewer-pipe manufacturing interests. Through his force of character and acknowl- edged ability as a business man he has risen from a subordinate position to the presidency of the Robinson Clay Product Company, as well as to that of the Second National Bank. The former concern is the largest of its kind in the United States, if not in the world, they being the sole owners of nine factories, six of which are located in Akron, one at Canal Dover, one at Midvale, and one at Malvern. They also control a number of incorporated companies scattered over the United States, among which Jatter may be mentioned the Eastern Clay Goods Co., with office at Bos- ton, Mass. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Portage Country Club. lle is also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving usefully on its board of trustees.

He was married in 1893 to Miss Zeletta M. Smith, of East Liverpool. They have six children-Helen, Paul, William, Stuart, Ruth, and Zeletta.

McCONNELL MOORE, one of the highlv respected retired residents of Cuyahoga Falls, who has made this city his home since 1885, was born November 9, 1836, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Hugh and Fanny (Shryock) Moore.

The Moore family traces its ancestry back

to Scotland and Ireland, but has been Ameri- can through a number of generations. John Moore, great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1749. He was of Scotch-Irish blood, coming to this country di- rectly from Ireland and settling in Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, near New Alex- ander. The exact date of his death is at pres- ent unknown, but it occurred some time be- fore the burning of Hannastown by the In- dians. He had four children, namely : Wil- liam, born in 1773, who died in 1832 in Butler County, Pennsylvania, married Mary Conway; James, born in 1774, married Cath- erine Chambers, and died in 1846; Mary, who married Thomas Dickie.

William and Mary (Conway) Moore were the parents of children as follows: Jane, born in 1798, who married Thomas McCurdy; John, born in 1801, married Matilda M .- Afee, died in 1881; Hugh, born in 1803, mar- ried Fanny Shryoek. died 1889; James (dates of birth and death not given), married Mar- garet McAfee.

Hugh Moore, who married Fanny Shryock, had the following children: John S., born August 23, 1826; died August 19, 1870, mar- ried Elizabeth Gibson; William, born Feb- ruary 24, 1828, died December 25, 1864, mar- ried Elizabeth Conrad; James, born March 3, 1830, married Eliza Henry ; Lavena. born December 8, 1832, died August 26, 1870, married Barnard Ilendrick ; Thomas Harper, born November, 1834, married Nancy Mc- Clery ; McConnell, born November 9, 1836, married Elizabeth Mildren; Sarah Jane, born January 22.

1839. mar- ried Samuel Nicholson; Margaret .Inn, born September 25, 1841, married Johu Adams; George H., born November 8. 1843, married Annie Thomas; Samuel Curtis, born March 8, 1846, died February 17, 1854.

The Shryock family originated in this country through a Leonard Shryock, who came, it is thought, from Prussia, between 1720 and 1730, one of whose grandsons was the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The said maternal grandfather,

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(born in 1776, died 1859), married Jane Con- way, and had children-Margaret, who mar- ried Thomas Harper; Fanny who married Hugh Moore; Eliza who married John Hind- man; Sarah who became the wife of Andreas Wilk; Lena, who married Thomas McElvain ; John, who married Eliza Diekson; Daniel married Elizabeth Lincoln; Jane married Peter Hyskell.

William Moore, the paternal grandfather of McConnell Moore, was born in Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, where his whole life was spent. Hugh Moore, father of Mc- Connell Moore, was born in the same county in 1806, and died in 1900, in Sugar Creek Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to which section he probably removed about the time of his marriage. Hugh Moore and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of ten children born to them, nine of whom reached ma- turity, as follows: John and William, both deceased; James, residing at Johnstown. Pennsylvania; Lavinia, deceased; Thomas H., residing at Los Angeles, California: MeCon- nell; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of Capt. Samuel J. Nickerson, of Indiana, Pennsylva- nia; Margaret Ann, who is the widow of John Adams, of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania ; and George H., of Rimersburg, Pennsylvania. The mother of Mr. Moore survived to the age of eighty-three years.

McConnell Moore was reared in Armstrong County and obtained his education in the dis- trict schools. For several years he was con- nected with mercantile pursuits at Brady's Bend, later had charge of oil interests at Oil Creek, after which he entered a rolling mill at Pittsburg for several years. He returned to Brady's Bend in the capacity of ore inspec- tor for the Brady's Bend Tron Company, remaining with that concern for seven years, and was also interested in the oil fields for himself. In 1872, Mr. Moore became man- ager of a fire brick business owned by his brother-in-law. E. J. Mildren, at Blacklick Sta- tion. Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1885. when he came toCuya-

hoga Falls. Mr. Moore resumed his mercan- tile interests for a time but subsequently ac- cepted the position of time-keeper at the Rivet and Machine Works, where he remained until April 15, 1907, when he retired. He owns a fine residence on Bailey Road, north of town, and a valuable farm of fifty-one acres, which is managed by his son Charles.

In 1861, McConnell Moore was married to Elizabeth Mildren, who was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, in 1842, and is a daugh- ter of Jaeob L. Mildren, formerly of Brady's Bend. Of the thirteen children born to this marriage, twelve reached maturity; as follows: Fannie Jane, who married B. B. McCon- naughey, of Homer City, Pennsylvania; A. Kate J., now deceased; Edward J., residing at Cleveland; Melda, who was a victim of the great Johnstown flood; Lavinia, residing at Cuyahoga Falls, who married F. J. Creque ; Charles M .. residing on the home farm ; Alice, who married John Young, residing at Mus- kegon, Michigan; Leroy MI., residing at New- ark, New Jersey; Frank R., residing at Cuy- ahoga Falls; Ralph R., residing at Cuyahoga Falls; Richard L., postmaster at Cuyahoga Falls; and Dora, who married Rev. C. A. Coakwell, a minister of the Disciples Church, residing at Lennox, Iowa.

Mr. Moore has always been identified with the Republican party. For fifteen years he served as a member of the Board of Educa- tion of Cuyahoga Falls and during the larger part of this time he was clerk of the board.

Ralph Moore, the second youngest son of Mr. Moore, is one of Cuyahoga Falls' most en- terprising young business men. He was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, Sep- tember 8. 1878, and his education was secured there and in this city. After completing his school course he turned his attention to the jewelry business and subsequently studied op- ties, and in both occupations he has met with the most gratifying suecess. He commenced his studies with B. F. Phillips, at Cuyahoga Falls, going from there to Cleveland, where he had expert teaching in the many technical points of his work, and after he became pro-

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ficient he entered the employ of the Webb C. Ball Company, of Cleveland. After sey- eral business ventures, more or less satis- factory, Mr. Moore took a complete course in the Philadelphia Horological College, and from this institution received his diploma in optics. Following his graduation he took charge of a store of Bygate & Son, of Pitts- burg, later was with A. E. Siedle & Com- pany of that city, where he was watchmaker, engraver, and optician. Later he was in busi- ness at Port Huron, Michigan, which city he left on account of climatic conditions, and in February, 1905, he embarked in a business at Cuyahoga Falls, which has grown to re- markable proportions in the past two years, necessitating a change of quarters and fine facilities. Mr. Moore is a member of Star Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 187, and of Pavonia Lodge, No. 301, Knights of Pythias.

MRS. SUSANNAH SNYDER, widow of John G. Snyder, has resided on her present farm of 178 acres, situated in Coventry Town- ship, ever since her marriage and the comfort and conveniences amid which she lives, are largely due to her years of frugality and good management. Mrs. Snyder was born in Green Township, Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of George and Catherine (Marsh ) Kepler.

The Keplers came to Ohio from Penn- sylvania. George Kepler was born in the latter State, and in boyhood accompanied his people to Stark County, the party con- sisting of the family of John Kepler. his father, and that of Andrew Kepler, his uncle. There were no railroads in those days and every one who left home with his belong- ings, traveled by wagon and frequently used an ox-team. The Keplers settled near to- gether in the wilderness which they found, but all were men of energy and industry, and soon made clearings and erceted comfortable homes. The grandfather of Mrs. Snyder reared a large family and lived far into mid- dle life. His death was caused by an ac- cident.

George Kepler, father of Mrs. Snyder, was one of the older members of the family and he assisted his father very materially through the pioneer hardships which they had to eu- counter. After he reached manhood he mar- ried Catherine Marsh, who had also accom- panied her parents from Pennsylvania. The latter were Adam and Susannah Marsh, who also settled in what was then Green Township, Stark County, but which is now Franklin Township, Summit County. The Kop- lers removed from Green Township, where they originally settled, to Coventry Town- ship, locating on a farm which

Mrs. Snyder lives. It was then covered with a heavy growth of timber. George Kepler, who was a man of great in- dustry, built a log house and barn. He died when only thirty years of age, but had al- most completed the elearing of the place. He was not long survived by his wife, who died aged twenty-eight years, both falling vietims to typhoid fever. Six children were left or- phans, namely: Susannah, Adam, Solomon, Alfred, Mary and William. Alfred and Mary are now deceased.

Susannah Kepler was three years old when her parents settled in Coventry Township, and she lived on the present home farm until they died, when she returned to Green (Franklin Township) and made her home with her maternal grandfather, Adam Marsh. On January 3, 1856, she was married to John George Snyder, who was a son of Michael and Barbara Snyder, who had come to Ohio from Germany. after their marriage, and who died in Summit County. They had five children, namely: John George: Michael, now de- ceased : Eve (deceased), who married J. Daily: Frederick; and Julia Ann, both de- ceased, the latter of whom married D. Steele.

John George Snyder was born in Germany, January 13, 1827. He came to America when he was eleven years of age, and lived at home until his marriage. He always carried on farming and became a man of local promi- nence, one who was frequently selected by

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the Democratic party to serve in township offices. Such duties were always performed with honesty and fidelity. He died February 21, 1901. A family of ten children were born to John George Snyder and wife, as follows : Mary, who married M. Loutzen- heiser: Savilla, twin sister of Mary, who mar- ried John Dice and has two children- Bertha, wife of C. Snyder, and Irving; Wil- liam, who died aged nineteen years; Solomon, who married Cordelia Dearling, and resides at Stoutsville; Huston E., who married Ce- lesta Bauchman, and has one child, Wallace; Albert, a clergyman, and president of a col- lege, residing in North Carolina, who has three children, George R., Charlotte and Beatrice; Charles A .; Harvey A., a practicing physician at Barberton; Ella, who married M. Asdale, residing with her mother; and Emma Elvira, who died aged four months. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder gave their children the best educational advantages in their power, and encouraged them in their efforts to obtain a thorough schooling. While but three mem- bers of the family entered into professional life, all are intelligent and well-informed members of the communities in which they live. four being graduates of the Tiffin schools.

Mrs. Snyder has lived in the old home ever since her marriage and owns it, together with her children. It is a well-improved prop- erty and has always been carefully cultivated. Mrs. Snyder has a wide circle of friends. She is a valued member of the Reformed Church, attending services at. Barberton.

EUGENE F. CRANZ. a prosperous farmer and highly esteemed citizen, of Bath Township, was born in Holmes County, Ohio, August 1, 1863, son of William F. and Mary (Drushel) Cranz. William F. Cranz was a native of Germany, born in 1820, who came to this country in 1834. with his father's family, they landing at Baltimore. They set- tled in Holmes County. where William's father followed the occupation of a Lutheran preacher, his residence being at Winesburg. that county.

William F. Cranz in 1843 married Mary Drushel, who bore him cleven children, nine of whom are still living. In 1863, twenty years after his marriage, he removed to Bath Township, Summit County, where he and his wife subsequently died. They were worthy people who conscientiously performed their share of life's duties, and left behind a good name that shall long endure.

Mary Drushel was the daughter of Henry Drushel, who came from Mt. Pleasant, West- moreland County, Pennsylvania, to Holmes County, Ohio, with his wife and large family about the year 1829, and with his father, John Drushel, who came some years earlier. bought a large tract of choice land, the most of which is still held by their descendants. This John Drushel was a soldier of the Rev- olution, and was in the battles of Bunker Hill, Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and at Valley Forge.

Mary Drushel was eleven years old when her grandfather died, in 1837, at the age of eighty-seven, but she clearly retold stories of the Revolution as told to her by her grand- father. One of these, which in after years her children were always fond of hearing, was as follows:

By trade John Drushel was a blacksmith, and during some of the campaigns in New Jersey, General Washington's horse became very lame, owing to being improperly shod. He ordered the horse reshod with no better results. By some means the General learned that John Drushel was a blacksmith, and or- dered that he be brought forward, and after questioning him in regard to his trade, said to him: "Shoe that horse so that he doesn't go lame, or I will hang you up." After the job was done an orderly mounted the horse rode off at a brisk trot. No lameness was noticeable, and General Washington put his hand on John Drushel's shoulder and said "Did you think that I meant what I said?" To which he replied: "I thought you in- tended that I should do my best, sir." From that time John Drushel was the shoer of Gen- eral Washington's horse, and some years later

ARMIN SICHERMAN, M. D.

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helped to make the famous carriage exhibited at the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and now sacredly kept as a National treasure and relic.

Eugene F. Cranz was but one month old when he accompanied his parents to Bath Township, so he may almost be said to have resided here all his life. He received a good education, after leaving the district schools, attending Copley Center High school, then a year at the Normal school, at Lebanon. and afterwards a year and a half at the Ohio State University, at Columbus, Ohio. For five years after leaving college he taught school and also, before the death of his par- ents, carried on the home farm for some time. After their death he bought out the other heirs, except one sister, who owns a part of the homestead farm, and has sinee re- -sided on the property, making a specialty of dairying. The farm he now owns was first settled by Jason Hammond, who came from Connecticut, in 1810, and was in the IIam- mond family for three generations until pur- chased by Mr. Cranz's father of Irwin Ham- mond in 1863. Mr. Eugene F. Cranz has named the farm, Mt. Tom Farm, after a hill of that name included within the limits of the property.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 127

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