Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 36

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 36

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

H. E. ANDRESS, a member of the law firm of Allen, Waters, Young & Andress, with offices in the IIamilton Building, Akron, has been a resident of this city since 1893. He was born in Ashland County, Ohio, and is a son of the late Samuel D. Andress, former- ly an agriculturist in Ashland County.

Mr. Andress spent his boyhood and obtained his early education in the schools of his na- tive county, and later entered Vermillion In- stitute, where he was graduated in 1892. He then read law for two years with W. E. Sla- baugh and in 1894 entered the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated in 1895. During the period in which he was securing his own academic and collegiate training, he taught school, his time in this profession aggregating about five years. For six months after locating at Akron, Mr. An- dress continued to practice alone, and then entered into partnership with F. E. Whitte- more, under the firm name of Andress & Whittemore. This business association con- tinued until 1902, when Mr. Andress became a member of the firm of Allen, Cobbs & An- dress, which later became Allen, Cobbs, Wa- ters & Andress, changing to Allen, Waters & Andress, on the death of Mr. Cobbs in 1905. The present style was assumed November 1, 1906, when W. E. Young became a member of the firm. This combination of legal talent is regarded by the bench and bar of the county as one of the strongest in this section ; their work covers all branches of law and jurisprudence and they have successfully handled many cases of grave importance.

In 1898 Mr. Andress was married to Addie

286

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

L. Montenyohl, who was formerly a popular teacher in the Akron publie schools, and is a daughter of George Montenyohl. They have one child, Virginia.

Mr. Andress is a prominent Democrat and has served as chairman of the Democratie County Committee, and as a member of the Democratie State Central Committee. For four years he served as clerk of the Summit County board of elections, and is a member of the board of Sinking Fund trustees of the city of Akron. ' He is interested in a number of the city's prosperous business enterprises, but the larger part of his time is given to his law practice. lle is one of the directors of the National City Bank and a stockholder in other financial institutions.

Since early life, Mr. Andress has been united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he served on the board of trustees of the First M. E. Church at Akron for some time.

PHILIP B. TREASHI, attorney, was born at Uniontown, Stark County, August 10, 1875, and a few years later came with his parents to Akron, where he has since resided. Ilis preliminary education was received in the public schools and he graduated from the High School in 1895. During his High School course Mr. Treash decided to study law, but desiring to first acquire a broad academic education he studied two terms at Buchtel College, then entered Oberlin College, from which institution he graduated in 1900 with the degree of Ph. B.

Immediately after graduation from Oberlin he took up the study of law, only interrupt- ing that study long enough to earn funds with which to continue. In 1901-1902 he was assistant principal of the Cuyahoga Falls High School. Subsequently entering the law department of Ohio State University, he was graduated in June, 1903. and being admitted to the bar, he chose Akron as his field of work. and became associated with the law firm of Young & Wanamaker until Mr. Wanamaker was elected to the Common Pleas Bench. Af- ter the dissolution of this firm he remained with Mr. Young until November. 1906, since

which time he has practiced alone. Mr. Treash is actively connected with the business development of the city, and is also a lead- ing Republican, at present being chairman of the City Republican Committee. In 1905 Mr. Treash was married to Ida M. Roberts, of Akron. He is a member of the West Con- gregational Church and is serving as its treas- urer. Ile belongs to Akron Tent, K. O. T. M., the Protected Home Circle, the Young Men's Christian Association, and several other or- ganizations.

F. E. WHITTEMORE, of the well-known law firm of Grant and Whittemore, at Akron, was born at Fitchburg. Massachusetts, in 1870. When he was seven years of age his parents located in Akron, where he was reared graduating from the Akron High School in 1887. He then entered Denison University, where he was graduated in 1892, with the degree of Ph. B. He studied law in the office of Marvin, Saddler and Atterholt, of Akron, and was admitted to the bar in 1894. He was with Judge Stuart, in the probate office for one year, which gave him excellent spe- cial training, and he then began the practice of his profession alone, one year later entering into partnership with H. E. Andress, under the firm name of Andress and Whittemore. This partnership continued until 1903, and about nine months later the firm of Grant and Whittemore was organized. It is con- sidered one of the strong legal combinations of the city and handles a large amount of important litigation. Besides attending to his law practice, Mr. Whittemore has duties as a director of the Akron Grocery Company and the Colonial Tire and Rubber Company. For a number of years he served as elerk of the Board of Elections.

In 1897 Mr. Whittemore was married to Anna G. Clark, who is a daughter of the late George B. Clark, and they have two children -Marian Esther and Robert C. The family belong to the First Baptist Church, which Mr. Whittemore is serving as a member of the official board.

Fraternally he is a Thirty-second Degree

287

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Mason, and belongs to the Blue Lodge, Chap- ter, Council and Commandery at Akron, and to Lake Erie Consistory at Cleveland.

N. M. GREENBERGER, attorney, and Republican candidate for city solicitor of Ak- ron, is one of the prominent younger mem- bers of the bar, and a very popular citizen. Mr. Greenberger has practically spent his whole life in this city, securing his literary education in its excellent schools, and select- ing it as the field of his professional work.

As soon as he had completed his education, Mr. Greenberger entered the law office of Ed- win F. Voris, where he finished his law studies. Hle was admitted to the bar. by the Supreme Court of Ohio, in June, 1902. Ile has been notably successful, having climbed from the bottom of the ladder to his present position entirely through his own efforts. Ilis fellow citizens who honor him as one fitted for high responsibilities, recall when he blacked shoes and sold newspapers rather than be dependent. Later. while traveling for the Brooks Oil Company, of Cleveland, he spent his nights in his hotel, poring over his law books. Energetic and ambitious, he has al- ways taken an active interest in politics and has recently been nominated for city solic- itor on the Republican ticket, over four com- petitors. all of them strong men. ITis friends are confident that he has a bright future be- fore him. both in his profe-sion and in pub- lic life. He is a member of Court Pride. of the Independent Order of Foresters, and of Akron Camp, Modern Woodmen of Amer- ica. also of this city. Ile is located in the Central Office Building, Akron.

CHARLES HI. STAHL. attorney-at-law, at Akron, with offices at No. 518 lIamilton Building, is a prominent citizen and las large financial interests in Summit and other counties. He was born near Winesburg, Holmes County, Ohio, May 18, 1873, and is a son of Charles and Louise (Dodez) Stahl. The father of Mr. Stahl was born in Germany and was a pioneer of Holmes County. Ohio, where he became a man of substance and lo-

cal prominence. Ile held county offices and was long numbered among the leading men of his community. His wife, Louise, was of French extraction, but was born in Wayne County, Ohio.

Charles H. Stahl was reared on his father's farm and attended the country schools, later entering the Ohio Northern University at Ada, where he was graduated with the degree of A. B. Ile then engaged in teaching and for two years was principal of the Winesburg public schools. In 1902 he was graduated with the degree of LL. B. from the law department of the Ohio State University, and in the same year received the A. M. degree from his alma mater. In that year he was also admitted to the bar, and in the following spring he located in Akron and entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has since continued. Politically he is a Democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has many financial interests, being a director in the South Akron Banking Company, in the Ak- ron Realty Company, and in the Beach City Banking Company, of Beach City. Stark County, Ohio.

September 26, 1906, Mr. Stahl was married to Cora B. Snyder, who is a daughter of C. J. Snyder, a prominent business man of this city, Mr. and Mrs. Stahl have one daughter, Margaret Louise, born August 8, 1907.

Mr. Stahl is a Knight Templar Mason and belongs to Akron Commandery, No. 25. and to Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council, of this place. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. He has never given up his member- ship in the Delti Chi college fraternity. hav- ing been one of the charter members of the organization, at the Ohio State University in 1902.

ARTHUR JAMES ROWLEY. formerly city solicitor of Akron and a member of the law firm of Rogers. Rowley & Rockwell of this city, was born December 4, 1868, at Cuya- hoga Falls, Ohio. and is a son of William and Mary J. (Wills) Rowley.

Mr. Rowley is of English ancestry and his grandfather. Enoch Rowley, was the first of

285

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

the family to settle in Akron, where he did in 1848. To the latter belongs the distinc- tion of establishing the first pottery here. He brought a family of seven children from Eng- land, and four more were added after the fam- ily settled here. He died in this city, aged seventy-three years. William Rowley, fath- er of Arthur J., was ten years old when his

parents came to Ohio. He assisted his father in his work as a potter and succeeded him in the business. In 1886 he retired from active business and died in November, 1891, at the age of fifty-four years. Ilis children were: Florence, who died in infancy: Arthur .I .. Maude L., and Zelle 1.

Arthur James Rowley was graduated from the Akron Ihigh School in January, 1886, and from Buchtel College, in June. 1890. He then began the study of the law with Charles Cobbs, and the firm of Green, Grant & Sieber, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1892. In the following year Mr. Rowley was elected a member of the Akron Board of Education. In 1895 he was made city solicitor, two years later being re-elected and by a larger majority than any other candidate. Since the close of his second term of office he has applied him- self entirely to his large and growing practice. In 1902 he became a member of the firm of Rogers, Rowley & Rockwell, whose offices are in the Central Savings & Trust Building.

Fraternally Mr. Rowley is an Elk and re- fains membership in his college fraternity, the Delta Tau Delta. He belongs also to the Sum- mit County Bar Association. He stands very high in publie esteem, both as a citizen and professionally.

On October 20. 1897. he was married to Amelia Grether and they have three children : Pauline Barbara, William Arthur and John Grether Rowley, all of whom reside at the family resident, 838 East Market Street.

ALEXANDER II. COMMINS. an attorney. practicing at Akron, is interested in a num- ber of Akron business enterprises. He was born at Akron in 1872. and is a son of the late Alexander II. Commins. After complet- ing the common school course in his native

city, Mr. Commins entered Kenyon College, where he was graduated in 1894, with the de- gree of 1. B. Shortly afterward, he began reading law with Charles Baird. In 1899 he was admitted to the bar, and since has been associated with Mr. Baird in the practice of his profession. He is a direetor in the Cen- tral Savings and Trust Company, at Akron, and is largely interested in real estate through Summit County, particularly in the vicinity of Akron and Barberton. In 1900 Mr. Com- mins was married to Ethel Sheldon, who is a daughter of C. E. Sheldon, president of the Whitman-Barnes Company. Mr. and Mrs. Commins have two children. Ethel Louise and Henrietta.

WATSON E. SLABAUGH, senior mem- ber of the law firm of Slabaugh & Seiberling, has been a resident of Akron since 1886. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, where he attended school until he entered Mount Union College. Mr. Slabangh has been mainly the maker of his own fortunes. At the age of eighteen years he began to teach school, which profession he followed for four years. In the meantime he was preparing himself for a collegiate course in law, and in 1885 he was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. In the following year, he located at Akron, and here he entered into practice with Ed- ward P. Otis, under the firm name of Otis & Slabangh. Later he became a member of the firm of Marvin, Atterholt & Slabaugh, which continued until 1892. From that date until 1898 Mr. Slabaugh practiced alone, and then entered into partnership with Mr. Seiber- ling, under the present firm style. This firm is regarded as one of Akron's most reliable combinations of legal talent, and many im- portant interests are placed in their hands.

Mr. Slabaugh is a director in the Second National Bank and a stockholder in numer- ous other prosperous concerns. While not very active in politics, he has the welfare of the city at heart and has served on many boards which have civie progress as their ob- ject. He is a leading member of the Iligh Street Christian Church.

289

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

Mr. Slabaugh was married (first) in 1884, to Mary Bettes, who died in 1892, leaving one son, Edwin, who is a student in the public schools. She was a daughter of Dr. George W. Bettes, of Randolph, Portage County. Mr. Slabaugh was married (second) in 1895, to Jessie M. Gongwer, who is a daughter of Sam- uel Gongwer. Of this union there are two children, Harold and W. E., Jr.

ELLSWORTH E. OTIS, attorney, junior member of the law firm of Otis and Otis, at Akron, with well appointed offices at Nos. 15- 16 Arcade Building, has been in active prae- tice since 1887. He was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of Resin P. and Catherine (Bair) Otis. Mr. Otis comes of Revolutionary stoek, three members of the family, Robert, Stephen and Edward Otis having served in the Continental army, one of them losing his life in the cause. These patriots were great- and great-great-uneles of Edward P. and Ellsworth E. Otis, of Akron. The parents of Mr. Otis were both born in Ohio. The Otis family came to this state from New England, where it has been prominent from the days of the Revolution. The Bair family came from Pennsylvania and is of German extraction.

Ellsworth E. Otis was liberally educated, at- tending both Wittenberg College and Wooster University prior to entering the law depart- ment of the University of Michigan, where he was graduated in 1887. His elder brother, Edward P. Otis, was already established in the practice of law at AAkron and Mr. Otis imme- diately entered into partnership with him, under the firm name of Otis and Otis. This firm has continued up to the present time and has become well known all over Summit County. In a city where legal talent is espe- cially conspieious, the firm has won many hard-fought battles, and both members are numbered with the able men of the profession.

On June 27, 1894, Ellsworth E. Otis was married to Mary Louise Guth, who is a daugh- ter of Jacob R. Guth, an old resident of Akron. They enjoy a beautiful home at No. 642 East Market Street. Politically Mr. Otis is identi-

fied with the Republican party, but only as a good citizen, anxious to promote the pros- perity of his community and the country gen- erally. He is connected fraternally with the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias, and is secretary of the local chapter of the Beta Theta Pi, his college fraternity. For many years he has been a member of the Lutheran Church.

EDWARD P. OTIS, senior member of the prominent law firm of Otis and Otis, at Ak- ron, with offices in the Areade building, was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, and is a son of Resin P. and Catherine (Bair) Otis. Ile comes of Revolutionary stock, three mem- bers of the family, Robert, Stephen and Ed- ward Otis, having served nobly with the Con- tinental army, one of them losing his life in the cause of freedom. These militant patriots were great- and great-great-uncles of Edward P. and Ellsworth E. Otis, of Akron. The name of Otis has always been identified with military valor, statesmanship and professional prominence. The family settled early in Ohio and in this state both the parents of the sub- ject of this sketch were born.

Edward P. Otis prepared for Oberlin Col- lege in the local schools, and after attending the college for a while, taught school prior to entering Wittenberg College, in 1877, where he remained until graduation in 1882. He immediately began the study of law in the office of Nealy and Patrick, at New Philadel- phia, and during 1884-5 he attended the Cin- cinnati Law School, in June of the latter year being admitted to the bar. Mr. Otis located at Akron in August, 1885, and was associated in a law practice for two years with W. E. Slahaugh. He then formed a partnership with his younger brother, Ellsworth E. Otis, the firm of Otis and Otis coming into existence in 1887. During its continuance of two dec- ades it has made its ability felt at the bar of Summit County, and has been engaged in much of the most important litigation of this section.

On September 21. 1887, Mr. Otis was mar- ried to Jessie L. Wolfe, who is a daughter of

290

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Henry Il. Wolfe, of Springfield, Ohio. He has one daughter, Catherine Louise. The beauti- ful family home at No. 65 Adolph Avenue is often the scene of many pleasant social functions, Mrs. Otis being a gifted musician and a patroness of the leading musical events of the city. Both Mr. and Mrs. Otis are mem- bers of the Lutheran Church. Politically the former is a Republican, but is too much en- gaged in his profession to be willing to accept political honors. Fraternally he is a Free Mason, and is also president of the local chap- ter of his college fraternity, the Beta Theta Pi. He has shown his interest in the growth and development of Akron, as becomes a public- spirited citizen, and has helped to promote her educational and religions interests, for a num- ber of years having been a member of the board of directors of Wittenberg College.

GEORGE W. ROGERS, attorney, and credit man with the Goodyear Tire and Rub- ber Company, at Akron, was born at Akron, Ohio, in. 1875. Ile is a son of John Rogers, and a grandson of James Rogers, both of whom survive, honored residents of this city. He was reared in his native city and after graduating from the Akron High School. en- tered Buchtel College, which he left in order to enter upon the study of law with the well- known law firm of Baird & Voris. One year later this firm was dissolved, after which Mr. Rogers remained for a time under Mr. Baird's instruction, later becoming a student with Oviatt, Allen & Cobbs. In March, 1899, he was admitted to the bar and engaged in the practice of his profession at Akron, thus con- tinuing until April, 1902, when he accepted his present position.

In. 1895, Mr. Rogers joined Company B, Eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guards, and in 1898 when war was declared against Spain, went out as a member of that Company. He was mustered into the United States service at Columbus, May 13. 1898, and a few days later went to Washington, D. C., where the regi- ment remained in camp at Camp Alger until the fifth day of the following July. It was then transported to Cuba. where it was on

duty for six weeks, and then returned to America, landing at Montauk Point. Mr. Rogers was given a furlough of sixty days which he spent at home, and was then mus- tered out, in November, 1898. During this brief military experience he was corporal of his company.

On October 15, 1902, Mr. Rogers was mar- ried to Anna G. Baner, a daughter of Jacob Baner, of Akron, and they have one son, Har- old G. Mr. Rogers is a member of the Royal Arcanum, and of the organization of United Spanish War Veterans.

LOUIS D. SEWARD, attorney. and a lead- ing member of the Akron bar, was born at AAkron, Ohio, in 1852, and is a son of the late Colonel Dudley Seward, who was a distin- guished officer in the Civil War.

Colonel Dudley Seward came to Akron in 1840, where he entered into business and be- came a factor in politics. Prior to the Civil War he served as sheriff of Summit County. Hle was one of the first men to offer his life and services at the beginning of the war and was promoted for gallantry to be colonel of the Second Ohio Cavalry, serving all through as such. After the war he was a captain in the Eighth Regiment, United States Cavalry, and brevet major in the United States army, receiving his appointment in the United States army for gallant and meritorious serv- ice at Monticello, Kentucky. He did good service in the West during the Indian trou- bles. At the time of his death, in 1881, he was on the retired list of the army.

Lonis D. Seward was reared and educated in Akron, and read law in the offices of Edger- ton & Kohler and of H. C. Sanford. In 1876 he was admitted to the bar, and has been in active practice ever since in his native city. He has been active in polities since early man- hood, is at present serving in the City Coun- cil, and was mayor of Akron from 1886 to 1888, a period of great prosperity and advance- anent for this municipality.

In 1890 Mr. Seward was married to Kath- erine Johnston, who is a daughter of W. G. Johnston, of Akron, a prominent citizen, who

LOUIS D. SEWARD

293

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

has just completed a six-year term as a mem- ber of the State Board of Public Works. Mr. and Mrs. Seward have one daughter, Martha, who is attending school. Mr. Seward is a Knight Templar Mason, and is well known in the fraternity. Ile is one of the trustees of the East Akron cemetery, and he is a stockholder in various successful business en- terprises of Akron.

CHARLES S. COBBS, formerly a leading member of the Akron bar, and for twelve years a partner in the prominent law firm of Oviatt, Allen and Cobbs, of this city, was born July 7, 1853, near Alliance, Columbiana County, Ohio, and died at his home in Akron, January 27, 1903. He was a son of Walker and Hannah (Morris) Cobbs.

On the maternal side, Mr. Cobbs came of distinguished ancestry. His forefathers in- eluded Robert Morris, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; Jonathan Morris, who married Mary West, sister of the great painter, Benjamin West; and Jonathan, Benjamin, William, Joseph and Samuel Mor- ris, all of whom served in the Revolutionary War. The Morris family professed the peace- ful principles of the Quaker faith, but in time of publie stress, they proved their loyalty even to the extent of taking up arms. Jonathan Morris was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Camden, August 16, 1780, and was kept a prisoner on Ediso Island, off the coast of South Carolina, during the remainder of the war. William Morris was taken prison- er on board an American privateer, and later was inearcerated in Dartmouth Prison, Eng- land. He made his situation known to his unele, Benjamin West, who was then in Lon- don, who first interceded with the king, and later succeeded in bribing the guards, secur- ing William's release in this way. The latter escaped and returned to the United States. In the War of the Rebellion there were five mem- bers of this family in the Union army; one of them, J. Morris Johnston, fell at Murfrees- boro. Tennessee. Another, Benjamin F. Mor- ris, was wounded and subsequently captured at Macon. Georgia. The Morris family has

also been prominent in the paths of peace in various parts of the reunited country, and many of their blood have won laurels in pro- fessional careers.

Charles S. Cobbs completed his education at MIt. Union College, where he was graduated in 1877. During the two succeeding years, while studying law, he engaged in teaching school, and for the larger part of this period, was superintendent of the Malvern Union schools. Immediately after his admission to the bar, in 1879, he located in Akron, where his legal ability quickly became recognized, and in the spring of 1881 he was elected eity solicitor. In this office he served two full terms, declin- ing a re-election, and henceforth devoting himself entirely to practice of his profession. On March 9, 1891, he entered into partnership with the late Edward Oviatt and George G. Allen, under the firm style of Oviatt, Allen and Cobbs-a strong combination, which for years handled a large part of the important litigation in Summit County. In addition to his work as a member of this firm, Mr. Cobbs was retained by various corporations and was local attorney for the Valley Railway Com- pany.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 36

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