Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 133

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 133

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William D. Bauer was educated in the schools of his home vicinity, and was reared on the farm now owned by Ed Laubaugh, whenee his parents had removed when he was about six years old. In 1895 he located on his present property, where he has carried on gen- eral farming with much success to the present time.

In 1887 Mr Baner was married to Phobe Stimson, who is a daughter of Robert Stim- son, of Copley Township, and they have eight children : Warren F., Celia L., Blanche May. Joseph R., Grace F., Nellie B., Elva P. and Floyd O. Mr. and Mrs. Bauer are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church of Loyal Oak.

MILLER G. MOORE, who holds the re- sponsible position of division superintendent with the Northern Ohio Traction Company, with headquarters at Cuyahoga Falls, was

born at Anthony, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, July 20, 1872, and is a son of John H. and Martha (Everett) Moore.

John H. Moore was born in New Jersey, where he has always lived an honorable use- ful life. By trade he is a blacksmith and conducts his own business. For some years he has been a justice of the peace, and he is now serving as postmaster at Middle Valley. His three children are: Miller G .; Georgia, who resides in Norwich, New York; and Frank, residing at Garwood, New Jersey.

After completing the common school course in his native place, Mr. Moore learned tele- graphing, which he followed in connection with railroad work, for two years. He has been connected with transportation lines ever since he was fourteen years of age. Mr. Moore began in a humble way and understands the business in all its details. He has filled posi- tions similar to his present one both in Cleve- land and Detroit, and came to Cuyahoga Falls in June, 1902. He has charge of the A. B. C., Kent and Ravenna and Barberton lines, and has control of about 125 'men, with seventy- five or eighty miles of track under his juris- diction. His thorough technical knowledge and reliable character, make him a valuable part of the great system which he represents.

Mr. Moore was married at Detroit, Michi- gan, to Marie Common, a daughter of James Common, of that city, and they have two children, Melba and Doris. The family be- long to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Moore belongs to Court Bagley, of the order of Foresters, of Detroit, of which he has been chief ranger ; and he is also a member of the National Union. He is an Independent in politics.

DAVID E. HILL, one of Akron's old and prominent citizens, was born at Gowanda, Cattaraugus County, New York, May 25, 1825. coming of sturdy English-Scotch an- cestry. He was eighteen years old when he came to Middlebury, Ohio. During his early years at Middlebury, Mr. Hill worked in a machine shop and then became associated with others in the manufacture of the old-

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fashioned fire engines. From 1847 until 1849 he represented the firm of McMillan & Irish, on the road, selling woolen machinery, in the spring of the latter year first becom- ing interested in what is now the Akron Sewer Pipe Company, which was the pioneer of the great industry. Mr. Hill was the or- ganizer and leading spirit of the American Sewer Pipe Company, which has an annual output of 5,000 car loads, or 60,000 tons. His influence on the business life of Middle- bury was pronounced and his standing was high in business circles as long as he remained an active factor in the business life of the community.

On June 5, 1848, Mr. Hill was married to Harriet Louise McMillan, who is a daughter of the late Reuben McMillan. They have had three children, namely: David W., born March 15, 1850, who married Grace Perkins McCurdy, of Akron, September 6, 1877, and died January 30, 1880. leaving one child, Eva C .; Cora T., born July 10, 1852, who died February 6, 1874; and George R., born April 3, 1855.

All his life, Mr. Hill has been a thoughtful and intelligent watcher of public events. He has been identified with the Republican party ever since its organization, and almost since his majority, has been an incumbent of office, serving Summit County in some capacity, long and well. He served either in the Coun- cil or on the School Board of the village of Middlebury, until its annexation to Akron, in 1872, and from 1862 to 1868, he was county commissioner, and was elected a mem- ber of the City Council of Akron, from the Sixth Ward, for the years. 1875-76-77 and 1878.

THOMAS RHODES. one of Akron's much esteemed retired citizens, residing at No. 610 West Market street, was born in 1826, in Lancastershire, England, and was about seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. The father of Mr. Rhodes settled in Sharon Township, Medina County, Ohio, where the son was reared, and under his brother's tutelage, mainly educated.

Mr. Rhodes followed farming and stockrais- ing in both Medina and Summit Counties, giving especial attention to the growing of sheep. After a busy and successful agricul- tural career, Mr. Rhodes erected the beautiful residence in Akron which has since been his home.

In 1876, Mr. Rhodes was married to Sarah B. Garside. Ile and his wife are leading members of the West Hill Congregational Church. Prior to the Civil War, Mr. Rhodes was prominently identified with the Abolition party and was well known to many anti-slav- ery leaders. being a great admirer of William Lloyd Garrison.

October 2, 1862, Mr. Rhodes enlisted in Company .1. Seventy-second Regiment, O. V. I. He took the place of his brother who had been drafted. He served till July 30, 1863, and was honorably discharged at a camp twenty miles in the rear of Vicksburg.

CHARLES P. HELLER, who is carrying on extensive farming operations on his ex- cellent tract of 148 acres situated about three- quarters of a mile west of Bath Centre, Bath Township, Summit County, Ohio, has served as assessor of this township for the past five years, and is one of the most influential Re- publicans of his section. Mr. Heller was born October 1, 1855, in Guilford Township, Me- dina County, Ohio, and is a son of Levi and Elizabeth (Dutt) Heller.

Levi Heller, who was a native of North- ampton County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated, removed to Medina County, Ohio, a short time after his marriage, and there cultivated a seventy-seven acre farm until his death in 1865. He married Elizabeth Dutt. who survived him until 1893, and to them was born one child. Charles P.

Charles P'. Heller was but nine years of age when his father's death occurred, and when he was thirteen years old he took full charge of the farm in Medina County, where he and his mother lived alone. In 1881 this farm was sold, and Mr. Heller and his mother removed to his present home in Bath Town- ship. where he erected a fine home in 1882.

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Here he has carried on successful agricul- tural operations to the present time. He has been prominent .in the ranks of the Repub- lican party in this section, having been a member of the Summit County Republican Executive Committee for several years, served four years as a member of the Bath Town- ship School Board, and was president thereof for two years, and since 1902 has served in the capacity of assessor, filling that position to the satisfaction of all concerned. In 1883 Mr. Heller was united in marriage with Mary Strunk, who is a daughter of William Strunk, of Wadsworth, Ohio. Mr. Heller is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the Masonie order.

ALONZO SMITH, a prominent farmer and representative citizen of Summit County, Ohio, who is engaged in operating an excel- lent farm of 121 aeres in Franklin Town- ship, was born December 26, 1846, north of Middlebranch, Stark County, Ohio, and is a son of George E. and Sarah (Crist) Smith.

George E. Smith was born in Westmore- land County, Pennsylvania, and when a boy of twelve years came to Ohio with his parents, settling about seven miles north of Canton. He grew to manhood on the home farm, and in his youth learned the tanner's trade, which he followed for some years, conduct- ing a tannery north of Middlebranch, Stark County. In 1859 he purchased a farm near Canton, where the rest of his life was spent. his death occurring in his eightieth year. Mr. Smith married Sarah Crist, who died at the homestead at the age of eighty-seven years. Owing to a fire accident when a child he lost the fore part of both feet, which much inter- fered with his ability to walk. At his death Mr. Smith owned 1,132 acres of choice land in Stark and Summit Counties, as follows: Eighty acres in Canton Township near Ful- ton ; ninety acres in Plain ; 268 in Lake; 160 in Nemeshellen, and 190 in Perry Township, south of Massillon, and in Summit County he owned 344 aeres. They were the parents of eight children, namely: Sarah Ann. who was the wife of Israel Bixler; Susan, who was

the wife of Christ Wingerd; Christian, who went West and has never been heard from; Andrew H., who was a soldier in an Ohio regiment during the Civil War; Benjamin II., who was also a soldier during the Civil War, and now resides at Canton; Joel, who lives in Stark County; Alonzo; and Philo, of Canton.

Alonzo Smith was reared on the home farm, and for one year worked at the plaster- ing business in Canton. In 1872 he pur- chased his present farm from John Genine, and here he has continued to reside. Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, of which he is treasurer. He is agent for the Norton Mutual Fire Associa- tion for Franklin Township. In December, 1867, Mr. Smith was married to Harriet H. Longabaugh, and to them were born five children : Phidello, who married Maude Neff; Rahama, who married Dr. Harper; John, who conducts a general store; Orlando; and Sadie, who married Bert Purdy.

WILLIAM J. POWELL, general farmer, cultivating 125 acres of valuable land in Northfield township, is a son of William and Sarah (Baum) Powell. He is a great-grand- son of George Powell, who was born at Ber- lin, Germany, and who. during the times of Napoleon, when the country was in an un- settled condition, became involved in polities, and, with other revolutionists, prepared to flee to America. He succeeded in getting his wife and children on board of a sailing vessel and then, being hard pressed, endeavored, with some companions, to escape to the ship on a floating log, in which attempt he was drowned. His son, Henry Powell, grand- father of William J., came from Germany with his mother and two sisters. He was sold in New Jersey to work out the passage money for the family, he then being eight years of age. He lived up to the agreement and re- mained with his owner until he was twenty- cne years old, when he married Rachel Fow- ler and they subsequently came to Mahoning County. William Powell, the father, was born in New Jersey and emigrated to Malon-

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ing County, Ohio, with his father, when six years old. He lived there until he was eight- een, and then came to what is now North- field, Summit County. In 1840, he married Sarah Baum, and settled on her homestead farm of fifty acres, to which he added until he owned 125 acres. On this land he carried on general farming and sheep growing. He voted with the Republican party, but never sought office. He died in 1868. He was leared in the Society of Friends, but as there was no religious organization of that body in this locality, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. His death occurred in 1868.

Thomas Baum, the maternal grand- father of Mr. Powell, was born in 1798, in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and in 1801, was brought by his parents to Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio. He subsequently married Mary Perkey, and they had the fol- lowing children: John, deceased. served in the Civil War: Sarah. the mother of Mr. Powell, born June 1, 1824; Mary, now de- ceased: Martha. who is the widow of U. R. Horner. of Akron; Elizabeth, who married David Silver, of Jennings County, Indiana; and James M., who resides at East Toledo.

To William and Sarah Powell were born five children, of whom the following now sur- vive: Louisa, widow of Elihu Griswold. re- siding at Akron; Harriet E., who married Andrew J. Kelty, of Bedford; Mary R., resid- ing at home with her mother; and William J., whose name begins this sketch.

William J. Powell grew up on the farm which he now cultivates, and was thoroughly trained in agricultural work. He raises on 125 acres, wheat and potatoes for market, giving twelve acres to wheat and three to potatoes, and grows hay, corn and oats for feed and dairy business, keeping about twenty-five head of cattle. The milk from his cows, all of excellent breed, is shipped to Cleveland. His apple orchard is in fine producing condi- tion. Mr. Powell looks well to his buildings and his immense barn is of 30 by 90 feet, with eightcen-foot posts. He farms alông

modern lines and meets with excellent suc- cess.

Mr. Powell married Margaret R. Nesbitt, who is a daughter of the late James Nesbitt, formerly county commissioner, and a promi- nent citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Powell are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Politically, Mr. Powell is a Re- publican, and for six years has been a mem- ber of the Republican County Executive com- mittee. He served for seven years on the School Board and one year as a member of the Council at Macedonia. He has since been elected councilman for a term of two years.

THE BAUM FAMILY. The immigrant ancester of this family was George Baum, Sr., who was born in Germany, November 17, 1754, and who, when seventeen years of age, sailed for America with a brother. The lat- ter died on ship-board and was buried at sea. The ship must have met with tempestuous weather, or have been a very slow sailor, as it is recorded that the voyage lasted six months. He landed at Philadelphia in the year 1772, when public affairs were in more or less of a ferment owing to the troubles with England which were in a few years to bring on the Revolutionary War. In accordance with a not unfrequent custom in those days, his services had been sold to a man for three years to pay his passage. In 1783 he was married to Mary Higgin, a native of Pennsyl- vania. In 1801 he moved to Ohio. settling in Columbiana County, where he purchased 160 acres of land of the government. at $1.25 per acre, which land is now the site of the city of Salem. The nearest grist-mill was then at Marietta, about sixty-five miles away, the route being through the woods, and it used to take him from three to four days to make the trip. leading his horse, which car- ried the grist. On each occasion he was obliged to camp at least two nights in the woods.

Thomas Baum. son of George and Mary Baum (and maternal grandfather of William J. Powell. of Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio). was born in Westmoreland

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County, Pennsylvania, June 20, 1798. In 1801 he accompanied his parents to Salem, Columbiana County, Ohio. Here he subse- quently married Mary Perkey. In 1821 he became a resident of Northfield Township, Summit County, where he purchased a farm for three dollars per acre. This farm was located about eighteen miles from Cleveland, and is now known as the G. T. Bishop farm. Here his death occurred, December 24, 1862. His wife had preceded him to the grave, dy- ing on her fifty-eighth birthday, June 28, 1855. They reared a family of six children - John, Sarah, Mary, Martha, Elizabeth, and James M. The record of these children is, in brief, as follows:

John enlisted in the 111th Regiment Ohio, Volunteer Infantry, in Williams County, Ohio, and served nearly three years. He died in that county November 16, 1865. Sarah became the wife of William Powell, of North- field Township, where she now resides. Mary married a Mr. White, of Jennings County, Indiana. Martha, who is the widow of Mr. Horner, resides in Akron, Ohio. Elizabeth is the wife of David Silver, of Jennings County, Indiana.

James M. Baum, the remaining member of the above-mentioned family, was born on Christmas Day, 1833. He was educated in the district schools, and assisted his father in clearing and developing his land. In 1872 he located in Section1 33, Ross Township, Wood County, Ohio, where he is now engaged in general farming and gardening, having a well improved farm of some forty acres. He also devotes a part of his attention to fruit raising. Being located but a short distance from Toledo, he finds a ready market for his produce, and has been quite successful. He is numbered among the prosperous and repre- sentative citizens of his locality.

GEORGE R. IIILL, vice-president of the American Sewer Pipe Company, and inter- ested in other commercial enterprises, is one of Akron's leading business citizens. He was born at Akron, Ohio, and is a son of David E. Hill. who was the pioneer manufacturer of

sewer pipe in America. The late David E. Hill was born in the State of New York and came to Akron in 1848, when the village was known as Middlebury. Here he established himself in business and after many experi- ments succeeded in manufacturing a drain- age pipe which was the very first article which proved of real utility in handling sewerage. He was the founder of the Akron Sewer Pipe Company and subsequently of the Hill Sewer Pipe Company, and at the time of his death, in August, 1901, was one of the leading man- ufacturers and capitalists of Akron.

George R. Hill was reared and educated at Akron and from boyhood has been con- nected with the manufacture of sewer pipe. He was an early assistant of his father and succeeded to many of his interests. The American Sewer Pipe Company has thirty- seven plants, three of these being in the Akron district; the one located at Barberton is the largest plant of its kind in the world. From small beginnings the business has grown to enormous proportions. In 1884, Mr. Hill was married to Alice A. Hinman. He is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church and also of its vestry. He is a Thirty-second De- gree Mason.

JOHN CRISP & SON, a leading business firm at Akron, engaged in general contract- ing and dealing in all kinds of building ma- terial, is a prominent factor in the commercial life of this city. John Crisp, the founder of the firm, was born in England and learned his trade in London. When he emigrated he lived for about one year at Hamilton, Can- ada, and then came to Akron.

In 1876 the firm of Crisp Brothers was es- tablished at Akron, and it continued in busi- hess here for twenty years. Then John Crisp withdrew on acount of being elected a mem- ber of the Board of City Commissioners, on which he served for four years. In August, 1901, the firm of John Crisp & Son was or- ganized, composed of John Crisp and his son, Edmond F. Mr. Crisp was married at Han- ilton. Canada, to Susan Akell, and they had three sons: Edmond, Lee and Roland. Mr.

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ABNER E. FOLTZ, M. D.

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AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Crisp is a Knight Templar Mason and is a member of the board of directors of the Em- ployers' Association. With his whole family, he is affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Edmond F. Crisp was born at Hamilton, Canada, and was one year old when his par- ents came to Akron, where he was reared and educated, graduating from the Akron High School. IIe immediately went into the office of Crisp Brothers, and then took a course in a business college in this city. Later he learned his father's business, from the ground up, and when taken into partnership, was thoroughly familiar with the work as an arti- san, and perfectly competent to handle it in a busine-> way. Among the first buildings erected by the firm of John Crisp & Son, was the First National Bank building, and this was followed by the brick work for the Co- tonial Salt Company, the Wellman Seaver Morgan Company's plant, the Gothic flats, the Long & Taylor building, the shipping build- ing for the B. F. Goodrich Company. and many more of size and importance.

In June, 1905. Edmond F. Crisp was mar- ried to Frances Wilson, who is a daughter of John Wilson, a wealthy pioneer settler at Akron. Mr. Crisp belongs to the Knights of Pythias and is a captain in the Uniformed Rank. He is associated with the Masons and other organizations and is vice-president of the Builders' Exchange.

ABNER E. FOLTZ M.D., physician and surgeon and oculist at Akron, has been in active practice in this city for more than thirty years. He is a veteran of the Civil War and has more than a local reputation as a poet and professional author. Dr. Foltz was born in 1840, in Wayne County, Ohio.

Ile obtained his literary education at Sharon Center, Medina County, and he and his four brothers served together in the sam" company, in the Civil War. They enlisted about August 6, 1862. in Company I. 102nd Regiment. O. V. I., and remained in the army until the close of the war. during the larger part of this period being on detached

duty. Dr. Foltz is a valued member of Buck- ley Post, No. 26, G. A. R., and also of the National Union.

After completing his literary education, Dr. Foltz began the reading of medicine. He spent six months in the medical department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and in 1868 was graduated from the medical department of the Western Reserve College. In 1869 he took a post-graduate course at Jef- ferson Medical College. after which he was engaged in practice for one year, at Ashland, Ohio, and then came to Akron.

Dr. Foltz was married in 1869, to Frances C. Bowen, who is a daughter of the late Dr. William Bowen. one of the early physicians of Akron. They have one son, Esgar Bowen, who is associated with his father in medical practice. Dr. Esgar Bowen Foltz completed the High School course at Akron, was subse- quently graduated A. B. from Buchtel Col- lege. and later from the medical department of the University of Cincinnati. He has also a diploma from Christ Hospital. where he practiced for eighteen months. He is a close and earnest student of his profession.

Dr. A. E. Foltz is a member of the County. State and Northeastern Ohio Medical socie- ties, and Dr. Esgar belongs also to the Ameri- can Medical Association. A clinical chart. prepared by Dr. A. E. Foltz is in use all over the world and he also designed the opticians chart and is the designer and patentee of what is known as the Wizard Hinge.

CHAUNCEY B. LANE. a prominent citi- zen of Twinsburg Township, resides on his valiable farm of 175 acres, on which, with only temporary periods of absence, he has spent his whole life. He was born on thi- farm. in Summit County, Ohio, January 14. 1844, and is a son of Channey and Phebe W. ( Bailey ) Lane.

Chauncey Lane was born at Killingsworth. Connecticut. August 31. 1803. and died in Ohio in March. 1885. He was a son of Philip Lane, whose whole life was passed in Connec- ticut. The family was established in New England by three brothers. Joseph, John and

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Robert, who came from England in 1670. Luman Lane, brother to Chauncey, was the first of the family to come to Summit County, reaching here November 2, 1820. In Novem- ber, 1828, Chauncey Lane came to Twinsburg Township, walking through the snow already fallen in the woods, and bought 100 acres of land, a part of Chauncey B.'s farm, on which just enough clearing had been done to make possible the building of a log cabin, which was subsequently replaced by a com- fortable home. In 1837, Chauncey Lane was married to Phebe Worthington Bailey, who was born at Groton, Connecticut, January 20, 1811, and died in 1885, when nearly seventy- five years old. Her parents were Asher and Abigail (Smith) Bailey, and her grandfather was Samuel Smith. She accompanied her brother to Geauga County, in 1836, settling in the town of Munson and came to Twins- burg to teach school. The two survivors of their family are: Caroline A., who is the wife of Hon. William Fowler, who was mayor of Redlands, California, and a very promi- nent citizen ; and Chauncey B., of Twinsburg Township.

Chauncey B. Lane was reared on the home place and was afforded much better educa- tional advantages than were enjoyed by many youths of his acquaintance. He was given academic training at the Bissell Institute at Twinsburg, and was but eighteen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil War. At Camp Chase he entered Company D), Eighty-fourth Regiment, O. V. I., and served through his first three months of en- listment, mainly in Eastern Virginia and Maryland. In August, 1864, Mr. Lane re- enlisted, entering Company H, 177th Regi- ment, O. V. I., in which he served until the close of the war. He participated in many battles and skirmishes, weary marches and tiresome and dangerous guard duty, travel- ing over a large extent of the southern coun- try, and received his honorable discharge at Greensboro, North Carolina.

After the close of his military service, Mr. Lane went to Michigan, where he purchased & tract of eighty acres, but shortly after sold

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 133

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