Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 137

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 137

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In early manhood Mr. Thompson was mar- ried to Cordelia M. Chamberlain, who was born in Hudson Township, north of Hudson, and is a daughter of Amos and Jerusha (Crane) Chamberlain. Her father came to Ohio from Winchester, Connecticut, before he had attained maturity. William Chamber- lain, Mrs. Thompson's grandfather, emigrated from England to Connecticut, in 1780, and with his wife came to Ohio in 1809. settling on a farm in Hudson Township, where he lived until the death of his wife, when he made his home with his son Amos. The lat- ter married Jerusha Crane, who was born at Saulsbury, Connecticut, and they had ten children as follows: Horace, residing in Northfield Township; Harris, residing on the old John Brown farm in Hudson; Schyler, also residing on the Brown farm; Mark, who died in infancy; Laura, who married Mr. Egbert, and resides in Bedford; Mrs. Jerusha Baldwin, a resident of Akron; Orville, resid- ing at Freedom : Catherine, who is unmarried, residing at Hudson; Cordelia M., who mar- ried Sherman P. Thompson; and Henry, who married Mary Thompson. Amos Chamber- lain had a farm of 288 acres, the larger part of which he cleared himself. The family set- tled in a log house there at a time when wolves and bears were very plentiful.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had five

children, namely : Charles Sylvester, born at Iludson, Ohio, February 18, 1864, died February 6, 1879; Eddie S., born April 17, 1866, died young; Frederick Sherman, born January 4, 1868, was married to Lillian M. Terry, October 18, 1893. who died April 26, 1898, leaving two children-Carroll, born October 24, 1894, and Lynn M., born April 19, 1898; Caroline Estella, born August 28, 1870, died May 28, 1879; and Corda May, born May 8, 1876, who married Carl Case Scott, October 9, 1901, and has two children -Sherman and Dorothy. Their home is within one and one-half miles of Hudson.

Mr. Thompson is independent in politics. Formerly he was identified with the Repub- lican party, but voted with the Democratic party during Mr. Bryan's first campaign, since which time he has been disconnected from both of the leading political organiza- tions. He has never sought political prefer- ment for himself.

EBER HAWKINS,* president of the Board of County Commissioners of Summit County, and a member of one of the old pio- neer families of this part of Ohio, was born in Summit County, April 5, 1840, and is a son of Ira and Phoebe (Jones) Hawkins.

The father of Mr. Hawkins was born near Bridgewater, Vermont, and his mother was a native of the State of New York. She came of a distinguished family of Revolutionary stock and she was the first school teacher in Akron. Tra Hawkins was one of the very carly settlers and for twenty-one years he was superintendent of the Ohio Canal. The latter years of their lives Mr. and Mrs. Hawk- ins spent on their farm in Portage Township. They had four children, namely: R. W., now deceased, formerly a merchant at Au- burn. Illinois: O. P. Hawkins, residing in Kansas: Eber: and Addie. deceased.

Eber Hawkins was reared in Portage Township and obtained his education in the neighboring schools. Shortly after his mar- riage he moved to Akron. but in 1870 located at Richfield. where he was engaged in farm- ing for a time. He subsequently went out on

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the road as traveling representative of the Aultman-Miller Company, with which he continued for twenty-four years. His election to the responsible office of a commissioner of Summit County, took place in the fall of 1900 and he assumed its duties in 1901 and is now serving his fourth year as president of the board.

On April 26. 1865, Mr. Hawkins was mar- ried to Clara Sweet, who is a daughter of the late Richard Sweet, who was an early settler in Richland Township, Summit County. They have three children, namely: Mrs. Janette Farnham, Richard S., residing in Illi- nois, and Nellie, residing at home.

P. C. HUBER .* vice-president of the J. Koch Company, the largest clothing enter- prise at Akron, is interested also in other successful business concerns of this city and vicinity. Mr. Huber was born in Germany, June 5, 1845. and was eight years of age when he accompanied his parents to America. His father established the family home at Clinton, Ohio, and there he was reared and at- tended school. Later he worked on the home farm and in the coal mines, but as his incli- nations lay in an entirely different direction. in 1871 he came to Akron, and entered the employ of George Rosentahl, a clothing mer- chant, in the capacity of clerk. remaining there for six years. For three years subse- quently he was with the firm of Hoffman & Moss. In 1882, in partnership with a brother, Mr. Huber started a shoe store at Doylestown, Ohio, which they operated together for six years. although Mr. P. C. Hnher, after a stay of one year at Doyleston, returned to Hoff- man & Moss and remained with that firm until it sold out to J. Koch & Company.

On February 1. 1907. the J. Koch Com- pany was incorporated with Louis Loch as president ; P. C. Huber, as vice-president ; and S. M. Goldsmith as secretary and manager. Mr. Huber has been identified with the pres- ent business for twenty years and has labored faithfully in its interest before becoming one of its officials.

In 1875. Mr. Huber was married to Anna

Williams, of Wayne County, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Nellie M., who is the wife of William N. Fitch, paymaster for the Dia- mond Rubber Company.

Mr. Huber is a member of Trinity Lutlı- eran Church and for year- has served on its official board. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias, is treasurer of the Uni- form Rank, and trustee of Aetotia Lodge, while he is also a member of the board of directors of both lodges, and has served as chairman. Mr. Huber's standing in the busi- ness world is of such an honorable character that it cannot be assailed.

JULIUS FRANK,* a leading citizen and township trustee of Portage Township, Sum- mit County. Ohio, who is proprietor of the Tip Top Poultry and Fruit Farm, a tract of sixteen acres on Sherbondy Hill. adjoining the old Wooster road, was born February 1, 1850. in Germany, and is a son of John and Elizabeth (Heintz) Frank.

Julius Frank was but seven years of age when his father died, and he was left an or- phan when ten years old by the death of his mother. Of the five children of his parents, two brothers, Charles, an electrician, and William. a shoemaker, live in Germany, while his two sisters. Minnie, who married Angust Waxter. and Carrie, single, came to America. Until he was fourteen years of age, Julius Frank attended school and resided with his guardian, and at this time learned the wood turner's trade, at which he worked for five years in Germany. Until 1879, he traveled as a journeyman at this trade. and in this year came to America, locating first at Pitts- burg, from whener he went to Braddock, Pennsylvania, where for three years he was employed in the Carnegie Steel Works. After his marriage. Mr. Frank conducted a bird store for six months, and then went to Stew- artson, Shelby County. Illinois, with the in- tention of buying a farm, but not liking the country, after four months he settled in Akron, Ohio, and purchased a home on South Bowery Street. For one year he worked at his trade with Baker and McMillan. and for

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several years was in the employ of the Akron . Iron and Steel Company, then becoming em- ployed by the Goodrich Rubber Company, with whom he continued for sixteen years as a rubber turner. In 1898 Mr. Frank pur- chased his present farm, then a tract of four- teen acres, to which he has added two acres, and in the following April located thereon. For the past twenty-two years Mr. Frank has engaged in poultry raising, having started that industry as a side issue, but since settling in the country he has made a specialty of rais- ing Hamburg, Polish and Bantam poultry, which he has exhibited at various poultry shows, where he received premiums, includ- ing the Pan-American Exposition. the St. Louis Exposition, and poultry shows at New York City, Chicago, Washington. D. C., and Cleveland. Mr. Frank also grows a great deal of fruit, especially berries, which he disposes of in the retail markets.

In 1884 Mr. Frank was married to Maria King. who was born at Newton Falls. Ohio. and is a daughter of William King. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank. namely: Otto, who is engaged in teaming. owning his own team: Nelson 1 .. who attends the Ohio Law University. at Co- lumbus. Ohio; and Harry. who will be a grad- nate of the Akron High School in 1908. Mr. Frank has served as township trustee since 1899. having been elected to that office the year after his arrival here. He is a member of the National Union. With his family he attends the German Lutheran Church.

HON. CHARLES W. KEMPEL,* mayor of Akron. serving in his second term, is a progressive and enterprising young man who has mainly made his way in the world and secured public position and esteem through his own personal ability. He was born at Akron, May 22, 1863, and is a son of Adam and Barbara (Gonder) Kempel. The par- ents of Mayor Kempel were born in Bavaria. Germany. and came to America in 1844. in the same year settling in Akron. The father died in this city in 1904. The family con- sisted of twelve children.

Mayor Kempel was educated in the pub- lic schools of Akron and when old enough be- gan to make his own living. Ile was in the clothing business for fourteen years and after retiring from it was engaged in sign-writing, having developed a special talent for thi- work in advancing his clothing interests. From early manhood he has been active in Democratic politics, and in 1903, he was nominated and elected by that party mavor of Akron. So well did he guide the munici- pal ship that his re-election followed in 1905, and it is generally conceded that few cities of its size have a more efficient administration than Akron has at the present time.

Mavor Kempel was married to Nellie M. Bushnell. who is a daughter of T. Bushnell. They have a pleasant home at No. 111 Beck avenue. Fraternally, Mayor Kempel is as- sociated with the Elks, the Knights of Co- lumbus, the Woodmen, the Maccabees, the Protective Home Circle and other societies. He is a member of the Catholic Church.

EDWARD D. COX .* the owner and opera- tor of a tract of 100 acres of excellent farm- ing land in Norton Township. was born Sep- tember 9. 1860, in Franklin Township, Sum- mit County. Ohio, and is a son of Christopher and Mary (Chisnell) Cox. Christopher Cox was born in Fayette County. Ohio. from whence he came to Green Township. Summit County. at the age of nineteen years. Leav. ing home with five dollars in his pocket. he walked most of the way to his sister's home in Green Township, where he worked one summer on the farm and taught two winter terms in the district school. After his mar- riage Mr. Cox engaged in farming. his first property heing in Green Township. on which he operated for two years, and after a like pe- riod spent on another farm in the same town- ship. removed to Franklin Township, and purchased the old Ludwig farm. Being a hard-working. industrious man. he soon be- gan to accumulate property and at the time of his death. March 20. 1903. his holdings aggregated over 1.100 acres. Mr. Cox was married in Green Township to Mary Chis-

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nell, whose death occurred in August, 1889. Of this union there were eleven children, ten of whom still survive.

Edward D. Cox was reared and educated in Franklin township, where he resided until his marriage, since which time he has lived on his present farm in Norton Township, on which he has erected good substantial build- ings. About thirty aeres of the farm were cleared by Mr. Cox himself. He engages in general farming and stock-raising and is con- sidered one of the good, practical agricultur- ists of the township and a valued and public- spirited citizen. On December 4, 1884, Mr. Cox was married to Leora High, who is a daughter of Alem High and sister of U. G. High. county treasurer of Summit County. To Mr. and Mrs. Cox there have been born nine children, eight of whom survive, namely : Grace, who attends a summer school at Ada, Ohio, and teaches school in the winter terms; Gertrude: Ethel; Blanche, who died at the age of twelve years: Ferne: Gladys; Florence; Raymond; and Mary.

JOHN MEMMER,* senior member of the insurance firm of John Memmer & Son, at Akron, has been an active business man of this eity since 1861. He was born at Suffield. Portage County, Ohio, June 14, 1839. and is a son of David and Margaret (AArchart) Memmer.

John Memmer was reared on the paternal farm and obtained his education in the dis- trict sehools and in the private school taught. by Professor Fitzgerald, at Cleveland. Dur- ing this time he became well acquainted in that city and followed his school term by clerking in a grocery store and in a confec- tionery store for some five years. On March 1. 1861, he came to Akron and established a business which he followed for seven and a half years, opening up a confectionery store at No. 137 Howard Street. In 1868 he in- augurated his present business and for almost twenty-five years his establishment on the cor- ner of Main and Market Streets was the home of large insurance interests. Since admitting his son, George W., to partnership the firm

style has been, John Memmer & Son. They dlo a large business in fire, life and accident insurance and Mr. Memmer has other inter- ests, including membership on the directing board of the Central Savings & Trust Com- pany, of Akron. He is president of the Akron Odd Fellows Temple Company.

On August 22, 1880, Mr. Memmer was married to Louisa Boyer, who was born at ('leveland, Ohio, and died at Akron, Decem- ber 29, 1904. They had five children, as fol- lows: Laura, now deceased; Nellie M., also de- ceased; Ida May, who is the wife of Alex- .1 der W. Maynes, of Akron; George W., junior member of the insurance firm of John Memmer & Son; and Louise, wife of Mr. E. 1. Palmer. The handsome family home is located at No. 410 East Market Street. Mr. Memmer has always been actively interested in politics and has served on the City Council of Akron. IIe is an Odd Fellow and a Ma- son, holding membership in the latter order in the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Command- ery. He is one of the best known residents of the city of Akron.

EDWARD P. LAUBACH,* residing on his excellent farm of 135 acres, which is situated on the Wadsworth-Akron highway. one-half mile east of Loyal Oak, in Norton Township, was born in this Township, Feb- ruary 24. 1868, and is a son of Edward and Lavina (Dewatch) Laubach. Edward Lau- bach was roared and married in Pennsyl- vania, and came to Norton Township accom- panied by his wife and two children. He settled at the village of Loyal Oak when his son. Edward P., was a few months old. mov- ing from the farm of 145 acres, and placing it under rental while he engaged in the operating of a sawmill in the town. His mill was twice burned to the ground and each time he rebuilt it. The structure still stands, but Mr. Laubach sold it prior to removing to Akron, where he now lives retired.

Edward P. Laubach has always lived in Norton Township, with the exception of two vear- which he spent in Fulton County, his parents having resided there from 1890 until

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1903. He was educated in the common schools and has made farming his chief occu- pation. In the spring of 1895 he settled on his present farm, which he has since con- tinued to operate. It is fine, tillable land and yields good returns for the labor ex- pend on it. On October 24, 1894, Mr. Lau- bach was married to Fretta E. Bauer, a daughter of Joseph D. and Sarah E. Bauer, and they have two children, Mahlon George and Maud. Mr. Laubach and wife belong to the Reformed Church at Loyal Oak, in which he fills the office of deacon. He is one of the township's honorable men and most suc- cessful farmers.

HON. ERNEST L. FILLIUS,* mayor of Hudson, ex-county commissioner of Summit County, and head of the firm of Fillius & Company, at Hudson, is a prominent citizen who is well and favorably known all through this section. Ernest L. Fillius was born in Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 20, 1856, and is a son of Philip and Anna (Keyes) Fillius.

Philip Fillius, the grandfather of Mayor Fillius, accompanied by his tliree sons. John, Jacob and Philip, came from Baden-Baden, Germany, and reached Cleveland, Ohio. in 1832. with considerable capital. They were looking for a suitable investment and had the opportunity of buying land which now is worth thousands of dollars on Euelid Avenue, for $18 an aere, but to them it looked too light for farming purposes. They remained at Cleveland for two years. looking around in the meantime, and in 1834 the grand- father bought 600 aeres of land in Hudson Township, Summit County, on which he continued to live during the rest of his life.

Philip Fillius the second, son of Philip and father of Ernest L., married Anna Keyes, who had come from Germany in her youth. There were nine children born to this union, all of whom still survive, pro- elaiming a vigorous ancestry. Their names and places of residence are as follows: Mrs. Katherine Corbett, residing at Bethany. Mis- souri: John. residing in San Francisco: Mrs.

Elizabeth Thomas, residing at Kansas City, Kansas; Philip, residing at Reading, Califor- nia; Mrs. Josephine Nesbitt, residing in Northfield Township; Jacob, residing at Den- ver, Colorado; Mrs. Ella Sherman, residing at Augusta, Michigan; Charles, residing at Warren, Ohio; and Ernest L., of Hudson.

Ernest L. Fillius takes justifiable pride in the fact that he is what may be termed a self- made man. It fell to him, as the young- est member of the family, to remain on the home farm, southeast of the city of Hudson. and to care for his parents. He lived at home but began working on the outside when fourteen years of age. in the meanwhile attending the district school as opportunity offered. In 1890 he came to Hudson and his advent into the milling business was due to a rather unusual circumstance. He was called on to sit on a jury in a damage suit. where the plaintiff, a miller, sought redre -< for damages to the mill-raee, and in proving his case it was necessary to show his profit on a barrel of flour. This brought the subject to Mr. Fillius's attention and convinced him that there was money in the milling busi- ness. Consequently he laid his plans for several years and the result was the establish- ing of the firm of Fillius & Company. the ownership of the business being invested in Ernest L. Fillius and the estate of H. H. Chamberlain. The old mill standing on the present site was torn down and a modern building of briek took its place, which is equipped with the best improved machinery. Fillius & Company are merchant millers and wholesale and retail dealers in flour. feed. hay, grain. coal. brick, hollow brick. cement. salt. sewer pipe and drain tile.

Mr. Fillius has been a prominent factor in polities for the past fifteen years serving al- most continuously in office for that period. He has served in the Town Council and later was elected county commissioner on the Dem- oeratie ticket, serving one term. but a- the county is normally largely Republican, he was defeated for re-election. Ile was elected treasurer of Hudson Township and later mayor of Hudson and held both offices for

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several terms, and at present is completing his third term as mayor. His administra- tion has been marked with many forward strides for Hudson and in every way he can point to a creditable record. He was also put forward by the Democratic party as its candidate for sheriff and came nearer than any other of his organization to overcome the Republican majority.

On August 18, 1880, Mayor Fillius was married to Irene Carson, who was born at Galesburg, Michigan, where her people lived prior to her marriage, although originally they were from Ohio. They have two chil- dren, Florence and Helen. The former married George Patterson, residing at Cleve- land, and they have one child. The latter resides at home and is bookkeeper for the mill company. Mr. Fillius is a member of the Hudson lodge of Knights of Pythias.

ARTHUR R. SHAW,* a prominent citi- zen of Johnson's Corners, and half owner of a farm of sixty-three acres, situated in Norton Township, on which are located the famous Pebble Rock stone quarries, was born August 10, 1866, in the very house in which he now live. It is an historic old mansion, built by one of the pioneers more than 100 years ago. llis parents were George and Haretta (Doug- las) Shaw. George Shaw was born in Me- dina County, Ohio, April 13, 1835, and was seven years old when his parents brought him to Johnson's Corners. His father, Joshua T. Shaw, came to Ohio from New York, when he was a young man, and in the old home mentioned above the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of Arthur R. Shaw died. There were three children born to George Shaw and his wife: Georgia, who died in in- fancy, Arthur R., and Bert. For three years during the Civil War, George Shaw was a soldier and was leader of a brigade band. He survived all the dangers and harships of that storiny time, and died at his home, June 20, 1902. His widow still survives.

Arthur R. Shaw was reared at Johnson's Corners and acquired a common school edu- cation. For several years in early manhood

he followed farming and then traveled one year as a representative of a grocery house, for a time dealt in real estate and then turned to developing his quarries, which he owns in partnership with his brother Bert Shaw. The farm formerly contained 120 acres, fifty-seven having been sold in the spring of 1907. The Pebble Rock quarries are widely known, the output being very large. The Shaws have in- stalled a gas engine and crusher, and give employment to fifteen men. They have ex- cellent transportation facilities, having built a siding running down to the Belt Railroad line and their facilities are such that they can ship on four lines. They are energetic and progressive business men. Mr. Shaw was mar- ried to Inza C. Miller, who is a daughter of A. W. Miller, of Akron, and they have had six children, of whom George, the eldest, lived but one year. The survivors are: Stanley, Hattie, Arthur, Esther and Leslie M.

GEORGE H. HELFER,* formerly a well known business man of Akron, was born Jan- uary 25, 1820, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Christopher and Lydia ( Hel- man) Helfer.

The parents of Mr. Helfer were born in Pennsylvania, the mother being of Scotch, and the father of German ancestry. In 1820 they moved to Ohio and settled in Congress Township, Wayne County, where Christopher Helfer followed the trade of shoemaker. In 1840 he turned his attention to farming and bought property in Congress Township, where he spent the rest of his life. His children were: Mrs. Royce Sommerton, George H., Mrs. Stephen Collins, Mrs. Parker Campbell, Daniel and Mrs. Joseph Sharp.

George HI. Helfer was an infant when the family made the overland journey from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the winter of 1820. He attended school pretty regularly until he was fourteen years of age. when he became a clerk in a dry goods store, in which capacity he worked for nine years. In 1843 he en- tered into partnership with Mr. Pancoast. and the firm of Pancoast and Helfer was engaged in a dry goods business in Congress Township

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until 1847, when Mr. Helfer bought Mr. Pan- coast's interest, and continued at the same place for two years more. In 1849 he sold out and came to Akron, entering into general business in this city as senior member of the firm of Helfer and Sechrist. This firm con- tinued until 1867, when Clinton Helfer bought the interest of Mr. Sechrist and the firm style then became Helfer & Son, and no change was made until 1877, when the young- er partner became sole proprietor. Mr. Helfer was one of the original stockholders in the AAkron Tron Company and he now entered the office of this concern as shipping clerk. a pos- ition he filled for twenty-one years. He was one of the first druggists at Akron, and for many years was an extensive local dealer in coal. He retired from business in 1898.

Mr. Helfer was married (first) to Mary Elgin, who was born in Wayne County, a daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Elgin. Of the five children of this marriage, the only survivor is Clinton E. Mr. Helfer was mar- ried (second) to Rebecca Luce, of Wayne County, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Luce. The four survivors of the five children born to this marriage are: William A., Emma (Mrs. Clarence Rudolph) , Edwin W. and Minnie B. (Mrs. Henry Adams). Politically, Mr. Helfer was affili- ated with the Republican party from its birth.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 137

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