Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 34

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 34

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GEORGE C. KOHLER was born at Akron June 26, 1869. He attended the High School in Akron and Buchtel College, and in 1885 went to Williston Seminary, East Hampton, Massachusetts, graduating there three years later. He then went to Yale College and graduated from that University, returning to Akron and entered upon the study of law in the office of Kohler & Musser, and was later admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court at Columbus. Ile was a member of the Board of School Examiners in the city of Akron for several years and was appointed by the Su- preme Court a member of the board of the examination of applicants for the admission to the bar. He became a member of the law firm of Musser, Kohler & Mottinger, and is

now a member of the firm of Kohler, Kohler & Mottinger, attorneys, of Akron, Ohio.

HENRY W. HOWE, son of Captain Rich- ard Howe, was born in Bath, 1828. Ile came to Akron with his parents and was educated in the Akron public schools, and afterwards attended the Oberlin College, where he grad- uated in 1849. He read law with James S. Carpenter and became his partner and prac- ticed with him, until the judge's eleetion to the bench in 1856. Mr. Howe was a mem- ber of the Akron Board of Education. For many years last past Mr. Howe has devoted his entire time to agricultural matters, living upon his farm in Northampton Township. He is a prominent member of the Grange, and is a close and careful student of impor- tant questions, and has largely directed his attention, his writing and addresses to the subject of agriculture.

LORENZO DOW WATERS was born in Carroll County, Ohio, 1855, and when four- teen years of age, eame to Akron with his parents. He attended the publie schools here until 1872, at which time he entered Buehtel College, where he studied for three years. In 1877 he beeame a student in the office of John J. Hall, Esq., and upon his admission to the bar in 1879, became a partner of Mr. Hall, by the firm name of Hall and Waters. Mr. Wat- ers was mayor of the city of Akron. 1883 to 1885, and was re-elected, serving in all four years. At the end of his term Mr. Waters then resumed his praetice of law on his own account. He was popular as an office holder, and his discharge of the duties of mayor were highly satisfactory.

HON. CHARLES DICK was born in Ak- ron November 3, 1858, and was educated in the Akron schools. Mr. Diek marked out for himself a business life, and commenced as elerk in a hat store. He then heeame book- keeper for the Citizens' Savings and Loan As- sociation. Later he was chief bookkeeper for the Empire Reaper and Mower Company. In 1881 he formed a partnership with Lueius C.

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Miles, under the name of Dick & Miles, in a general grain and commission business. Mr. Dick was elected auditor of Summit County in 1886 and was re-elected in 1889. This office he filled with great credit to himself, and made many friends by his prompt and agree- able manner in doing business. About this time Mr. Dick took a prominent part in the politics of Summit County ; he became chair- man of the Republican Executive Commit- tee, and so efficient was he in the perform- ance of his duties that he became a member and chairman of the State Executive Commit- tee. He has held that office for a number of years, successfully carrying the Republican party to victory in this state in many succes- sive campaigns. He was one of the close friends of William MeKinley, as well as of Mark Ilanna. Upon the death of Mark Hanna, Mr. Dick was elected United States Senator, which office he now holds, and the duties of which he has performed to the sat- isfaction of his constituents and with great credit to himself.

ARTHUR S. MOTTINGER, born at In- . the peace in Akron Township in the spring land, Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 14, 1873. He attended the district school and completed a course at Uniontown High School, graduating in 1892. He then taught in district and village school at Summit, Ohio, for several years, entering Hiram Col- lege in the fall of 1895, and graduating from that institution in 1899, having completed the collegiate course, including one year of legal work. October 29, 1899, he came to Akron and took up the study of law with the firm of Musser & Kohler. He was admitted to the har in the January term of 1901, and re- mained in the employ of Musser & Kohler un- til January, 1905, when he was taken into the firm of Musser & Kohler. the firm being Musser, Kohler & Mottinger. In June, 1906, this firm was dissolved, Mr. Musser retiring from the firm, and Judge J. A. Kohler taking his place. since which time the firm has been known as Kohler, Kohler & Mottinger. Mr. Mottinger was married August 9, 190, to Cassie M. Lawyer. of Burton, Ohio.

F. J. ROCKWELL, attorney-at-law, Akron, was born in Akron, Ohio, February 19, 1878, and has always resided in this city. His lit- erary education was acquired in the public schools, including the High School, from which he was graduated in 1895, and at Buch- tel College, where he was graduated in 1899. lle studied law with the firms of Atterholt & Marvin, Rowley & Bradley, and Rogers, Row- ley & Bradley, and was admitted to the bar in 1902. Ile immediately entered into part- nership with Messrs. Rogers, Rowley and Bradley, and is now a member of the suc- cessful law firm of Rogers, Rowley & Rock- well.

ERNEST C. HOUSEL, son of Martin J. and Amanda C. Housel, was born in Middle- bury (now East Akron). Summit County, Ohio, August 18, 1868. Hle attended the Ak- ron public schools, read law in the office of John J. Ilalland, and was admitted to the bar, October 3, 1889, since which time he has been engaged in the practice of law in the city of Akron. He was elected justice of of 189F. and served in that capacity for the term of three years. Ile was a member of the Akron Board of Education from 1902 to 1905. Ile was appointed a director of public safety for Akron, in January, 1906, to serve for the term of four years. Mr. Housel was married, December 28, 1892, to Emma E., daughter of Robert and Jane Caine, and has one daughter, Elinore E.

CHARLES BAIRD, a well known attor- ney of AAkron, was born in this city March 25, 1853, a son of Robert and Helen Baird. His father was a native of Scotland. born in Kin- cardineshire, in 1818, who came in 1843 to America, settling in Akron, where he fol- lowed the trade of blacksmith for many years. He was a strong anti-slavery man and free- soiler, and later one of the most faithful ad- herents of the Republican party. He was married in Akron to Helen Knox Moir, a na- tive of Forfar-hire. Scotland, and daughter of Charles and Mary (Gordan) Moir. She

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died in Akron in February, 1891, at the age of seventy-oue years. They were the parents of five children-William, Isabel, Charles, Mary and Helen.

Charles Baird acquired his elementary edu- cation in the common schools, being later graduated from the Akron Iligh School. He then spent a year in classical study at Buch- tel College, after which he entered the law of-

fice of Upson & Ford, under whose mentorship . there have been born children as follows: Al- vin Voris. December 3, 1882; Helen Eliza- beth, August 30. 1884; Betsey Coe, June 11, 1886; Charles, October 15, ISSS; and Kath- arine. November 19, 1890.

he studied closely until his admission to the bar, November 2, 1875. Ile then entered into partnership with Judge Upson, under the firm name of Upson & Baird. Mr. Ford entering the firm in 1877, its style became Upson, Ford & Baird, and it was so continued until March, 1883, when Mr. Upson was called to the Supreme Bench of Ohio. The firm was then dissolved and Mr. Baird practiced alone until 1891, at which time he formed a partner- ship with Edwin F. Voris, under the firm name of Baird & Voris, which connection lasted until June, 1895. Mr. Baird now has a large and lucrative law practice and gives spe- cial attention to corporation law, in which branch of his profession he has been very successful.

Mr. Baird has taken an active part in the organization and development of some of 1k- ron's important industries. He was one of the incorporators of the Portage Straw Board Company, and also one of its directors, until it was consolidated with the American Straw Board Company. He also assisted, in 1880-81. in the organization of the Diamond Match Company, and was one of the incorporators of the Goodrich Hard Rubber Company, in which he has also been interested as a director and stockholder. He has taken a prominent part in the organization and development of the town of Barberton. and is interested as an officer, director, or stockholder, in various other important enterprises. both local and foreign. Ile has also been concerned as ad- ministrator or executor in the administration of several of the largest estates ever admin- istered in Summit County. notably the Com- mins e-tate, in 1888. and that of Thomas W.

Cornell, of which he was appointed one of the executors in 1892. As an attorney Mr. Baird practices in the courts of Illinois, In- diana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, New York and Ohio, and also in the federal courts.

Mr. Baird was married, February 10, 1882, to Miss Lucy Allen Voris, a daughter of Gen- eral A. C. Voris, of Akron, of which union

JAMES MADISON POULSON was born March 27, 1842, near Holmesville, Holmes County, Ohio. In his boyhood he attended the district schools and was early trained to agricultural work. For several years before attaining his majority he taught winter school, working on a farm during the sum- mer». He supplemented his education by at- tending a private school in Fredericksburg for several terms, and. after studying for a year in Hayesville Academy, he entered, in 1865, Princeton, New Jersey, College, from which he was graduated in June, 1868. In the same year he became a student at the Colum- bia College Law School at New York, and was graduated therefrom in May, 1870. On May 12, 1869, he was admitted to the bar in New York city, on examination. In August, 1870, he came to Akron, and was admitted to the bar of Summit County on September 9th fol- lowing. He soon after entered into partner- ship with Mr. John J. Hall, which was con- tinued until January 1, 1877. He was elected on the Democratic ticket prosecuting attorney for Summit County in October, 1874, and efficiently performed the duties of that office for two years-from January 1, 1875, to Jan- uary 1, 1877. Ile has since been engaged in the general practice of his profession and has been very successful. Mr. Poulson was mar- ried September 28. 1875, to Miss Helen F. Smagg, only daughter of William Smagg, of Akron.

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MATTHEW CANFIELD READ was born August 21, 1823, in Williamsfield, Ashtabula County, Ohio. When he was about twelve years old his parents removed to Mecca, Trumbull County, where he attended the dis- triet schools, working a part of the time on a farm. Resolved to secure a better education, he attended successively the Western Reserve Seminary, at Farmington, and the Grand River Institute, at Austinburg, and then, in 1844, entered the Western Reserve College. From this institution he was graduated in 1848, afterwards receiving from it the de- gree of A. M. He taught school for a while, and began the study of law under Chaffee A. Woodbury, at Jefferson. On the close of his law studies he became editor of the Hudson Family J'isitor, and about the same time he taught for a year in the grammar school of Western Reserve College. After this he prac- ticed law for a while in Hudson. During the Civil War he was employed as general agent of the Western Department of the United States Sanitary Commission, and at its close hecame deputy revenue collector. He then obtained the congenial position of geologist on the Geological Survey of Ohio. For sev- eral years he was lecturer on zoology and practical geology in the Western Reserve Col- lege, and he had charge of the archeological exhibits of Ohio at the Centennial Expositions at Philadelphia and New Orleans. He has also spent some time in the investigation of mineral lands for private parties. Mr. Read has served in the local offices of township clerk, justice of the peace, mayor, etc., in all proving an efficient public servant.

HON. WILLIAM H. UPSON, now living retired at Akron, after a long and distin- guished public life, was born January 11, 1823, in Franklin County, Ohio. In 1832 he removed with his parents to Tallmadge, Sum- mit County.

At an early age he displayed the native abil- ity which in later life contributed to his pro- fessional success, for he was but nineteen years old when he was graduated from the Western

Reserve College. Ile then read law with Judge Reuben Hitchcock, at Painesville, aft- erwards spending one year in the law depart- ment of Yale College. In September, 1845, he was admitted to the bar, and in January of the following year entered upon the prac- tice of his profession at Akron. For many years he was in partnership with Hon. Sid- ney Edgerton and Christopher P. Wolcott, and stood at the head of his profession in Summit County. He was elected the first president of the Summit County Bar Associa- tion, and was a member of the Executive Com- mittee of the State Bar Association. In March, 1883, Mr. Upson was appointed by Governor Foster, judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, and served until December. In 1884 he was elected judge of the Circuit Court, and in 1886 was re-elected for the full term of six years.

Judge Upson has always been a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, and for years stood very near to the head of the organiza- tion in the state. His first public office was that of prosecuting attorney, in which he served Summit County from 1848 to 1850. He was a member of Ohio State Senate, 1854-5. In 1868 he was elected to Congress from the Eighteenth District, serving until 1873. His party delighted to honor him, and in 1864 he was sent as a delegate to the Republican National Convention, which renominated Abraham Lincoln. He was also a delegate- at-large to the convention which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes, in 1876.

From Judge Upson's return to private life until his retirement from the practice of his profession he took a conspicuous part in every- thing pertaining to the development of Akron and Summit County. For many years he has been a trustee of the Western Reserve College, Oberlin College and the Lake Erie Female Seminary.

On May 20, 1856, Judge Upson was married to Julia Ford. a daughter of Hon. James P. and Julia A. (Tod) Ford, of Akron, whose family consisted of seven children. Mrs. Up- son's father was born in New York state, Jan- uary 28, 1797, and in early manhood became

HON. WILLIAM H. UPSON

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a resident of Summit County, where the re- mainder of his life was spent. He was ap- pointed by Governor Bartley, associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas, for Summit County, and filled this position until ill health forced him to resign, in 1849; his death took place less than two years later, January 2, 1851. Ilis wife was a daughter of Judge George Tod, of Youngstown, Ohio. Judge Upson and his wife have four children, name- ly: William Ford, a practicing attorney in New York city, with residence in Glen Ridge, New Jersey ; Henry Swift, a resident of Cleve- land, engaged in the practice of medicine; Anna Perkins, wife of Colonel G. J. Fieberger, U. S. Engineer Corps, now professor of en- gineering at the U. S. Military Academy, West Point, New York; and Julia Ford. Judge Up- son resides with his family on East Market Street.

SENEY A. DECKER, attorney-at-law, at Barberton, is a leading member of the Sum- mit County bar and has been established in this city since May, 1903, having convenient offices in the Barberton Savings Bank build- ing. He was born in Seneca County, Ohio, March 11, 1875, and is a son of Samuel and Lovina (Noel) Decker.

Mr. Decker was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools. He was an ambitious boy and made the most of his opportunities and secured a certificate per- mitting him to teach, before he had completed his own education. For five years he taught country schools and then attended IIeidel- berg College, at Tiffin, Ohio, for two years, following this by the study of law in the of- fice of Platt & Black, leading attorneys at Tif- fin. After two years of study there he at- tended the Ohio Normal University, at Ada. for eight months. and on December 6, 1902, he was admitted to the bar. His close devo- tion to study had somewhat impaired his health. and he returned to the home farm. where he remained until the following March, when he located for practice at Attiea. From there, six weeks later, he came to Barberton, where he found he was not deceived in believ-

ing that a field of business was awaiting him.

On February 19, 1905, Mr. Decker was married to Minnie Leininger, who is a daugh- ter of Isaac and Elizabeth Leininger, of Flat Rock, Seneca County, Ohio. Mr. Deeker is fraternally connected with the Elks and the Eagles. His professional ability has brought him many business friends while the agree- able personality of himself and wife has led to their welcome admission into the most select social circles of Barberton.

CHARLES C. BENNER, attorney, of Ak- ron, Ohio, was born in Manchester, Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 27, 1870, son of Simon and Caroline (Slaybaugh) Benner. His parents, both of whom are now deceased, were natives of Franklin Township, this county.

Simon Benner was a farmer and dealt in stock. Born January 17, 1846, he died Au- gust 22, 1884. His wife was born July 21, 1844, and died January 7, 1890. They had nine children, as follows: Elda F., wife of Frank Warner, of Barberton; Clinton A., at- torney at Cleveland; Melvin L., who owns and conducts a ranch at Sidney, Montana; Charles C., subject of this sketch; Otto M., who died in 1877, aged five years; Irvin R., a dentist of Barberton ; Gertrude M., single, a resident of Akron; Wallace J., a physician of Cleve- land, Ohio; and Howard C., auditor for the .Etna Insurance Company, who resides in Cleveland. The parents were members of the MI. E. Church. Simon Benner was a Demo- crat, and though not in any sense a politician. he held the office of justice of the peace in Norton Township.

Charles C. Benner was reared on the farm and acquired his literary education in the dis- triet and High Schools of Copley and Norton Townships. He attended the law school of the Northern Ohio University, at Ada. Ohio. and finishing his law course in the office of Baird and Voris, of Akron, Ohio, was ad- mitted to the bar June 8, 1893. at Columbus. He immediately opened an office at No. 12 East Market Street, where he has since re mained, having met with a mo-t gratifying

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degree of success. He was police prosecutor from 1897 to 1901.

On September 29, 1897, Mr. Benner was married to Gertrude F. Foster, a native of Akron, and a daughter of Martin B. and Sarah (Clark) Foster. In politics Mr. Ben- ner is an Independent Democrat.

Fraternally he belongs to the Elks, being Past Exalted Ruler, a charter member of the local lodge, and a life member of the Grand Lodge of the United States. Ile is also a charter member of Akron Lodge 603, K. of P., a member of Adoniram Lodge 517, F. & A. M .; Washington Chapter, R. A. M., No. 25; Akron Council, R. & S. M., No. 80; Akron Commandery, K. T., No. 25, and Lake Erie Consistory, Ancient Accepted & Scottish Rite of Free Masonry, of Cleveland. He was captain of Company B, Eighth Regiment, Ohio Na- tional Guard, for four years, 1894-1897. Ile is a member of the Portage Country Club and a trustee of the City Hospital of Akron.

HON. WILLIAM BARNABAS DOYLE, until recently a prominent member of the Sunnit County bar, formerly mayor of AAk- ron, and editor of the present volume, was born in the city of Akron, in the old Doyle homestead. at (old) No. 150 South High Street, April 19, 1868. His parents were Wil- liam B. and Mary Maud ( Lantz) Doyle, and he is a lineal descendant of Felix Doyle, who came to America from the North of Ireland very early in the eighteenth century, and made a home for himself in the wilderness, where a son, whom he named Barnabas, was born.

This Barnabas became the father of ten children, among whom were Barnabas Doyle, Jr., and Thomas John Sylvester Doyle.

Thomas J. S. Doyle, grandfather of the subject of this sketch, married Anne Taylor, who was born at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Feb- ruary 12, 1797, and who died in Akron De- cember 12, 1882. Their children were: Wil- liam Barnabas (1), Thomas John, and Mary A., the last mentioned of whom became the wife of Hon. James Ferguson, of Chambers- burg, Pennsylvania.

William Barnabas Doyle (1) was born in Franklin County, Pennsylvania, in a valley of the Blue Mountains called Path Valley, March 5, 1825. When thirteen years old, he was apprenticed for three years to learn the trade of cabinet-maker, which he mastered. At the age of seventeen, filled with a spirit of adventure, he turned his steps toward the West; in 1842 arriving in Akron practically penniless, and having walked the entire dis- tance on foot. He soon found employment at his trade, however, and in time became a master cabinet-maker. After several years he gave up that business, and became a member of the firm of Doyle & Chamberlain, dealers in cattle and meat. Later he engaged in agri- culture on a large farm which he had pur- chased in Coventry Township. In August, 1865, with John H. Dix and Daniel Farnum, he purchased the lumber and manufacturing business of S. G. Wilson and originated the firm of W. B. Doyle & Co. Of this business, he subsequently became the sole owner and conducted it alone until his death, which took place in Akron, August 6, 1890, when he was sixty-five years old. Ile was a stanch sup- porter of the Republican party, but neither held nor sought office. In 1863 he was cap- tain of the Coventry Company of National Militia, organized under the act of April 14, that year, but the company was not called upon to go to the front.

Mr. Doyle was married October 30, 1855, to Miss Harriet Sage, of Monroe County, New York, who died November 6, 1862, leaving one child, Dayton A. Doyle. On June 9, 1867, Mr. Doyle married Mary Maud Lantz of Akron, who died February 11, 1874, leav- ing three children-William B. Doyle (2), Della May Doyle Wilcox, and Dean Lantz Doyle. In 1877 Mr. Doyle married again, and of that union there was one daughter, Anna.

William Barnabas Doyle (2), son of Wil- liam B. and Mary Maud (Lantz) Doyle, whose nativity has been already given, was educated in the Akron public schools from 1874 to 1883; in the Western Reserve Academy from 1883 to 1886. where he graduated after com-

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pleting the classical course; he received his higher educational training at Amherst Col- lege from 1886 to 1890, and was graduated as a member of the class of 1890. In Janu- ary, 1891, he was elected a director and treas- urer of the AAkron Electrical Manufacturing Company, but resigned to enter Harvard Law School in October, 1892. He spent three years at Harvard and graduated in June, 1895, receiving the degree of LL. B. from Harvard University. In 1895 he was again elected a director and treasurer of the electri- cal company, positions which he continued to hold until recently. In October, 1895, Mr. Doyle was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio. at Columbus, and immediately commenced the active practice of his profession in his native city. He served as mayor of the city of Akron for the years 1901-1903, having been elected on the Re- publican ticket April 1, 1901. He was invited by the League of American Municipalities to read a paper on "The Municipal Situation in Ohio" at its annual meeting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in August, 1902. This paper was afterwards printed by several legal journals. In June, 1903, he was granted the degree of Master of Arts by Amherst College, for researches in Municipal Government.

Upon quitting the office of mayor he re- sumed the successful practice of law in Akron until February, 1907, when the trustees of the Carnegie Technical Schools of the Carnegie Institute in Pittsburg invited him to take the chair of Contract Law in their school of Ap- plied Seience. As he felt himself especially fitted for work of that nature, he accepted the invitation and will hereafter reside in Pitts- burg.

Mr. Doyle was married on September 14, 1899, to Franees Louise Wilcox, of AAkron. They have five children: Mary, Enid, Kath- leen, Wilhelmine and William B. Doyle, Jr. The last named was born November 15, 1907.

Mr. Doyle is a member of the Beta Theta Pi college fraternity, and was for two years chief of the New England district. In July, 1906, he was elected president of the national convention of the fraternity, held at Denver,

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 34

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