Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 43

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 43

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He has devoted the last fourteen years to this line of business and has done much to develop and improve the west end of the city.

ITis time has been entirely taken up with his own projects and he has never engaged in real estate brokerage. The Indian monument standing on West Market Street was erected by him on July 4, 1905, to commemorate the spot where the old Indian trail crossed the watershed, in the days when the Connectient Yankees first came into The Western Reserve. The above date is exactly a century since the United States commissioners met the repre- sentatives of all the Indian tribes then living between the Portage Path and the Mississippi River, at Toledo, and purchased from them for $20,000 their rights in this immense tract of land. The title of the United States to this vast domain then became perfect, and purchasers of land at Portage Park, west of the Portage Path, have the assurance that they not only have a good legal title to their land, but a perfect moral title as well. This cannot be said of the land lying east of The Portage Path, as the Indians were driven west by the settlers, and they made their last stand at the line formed by The Cuyahoga River, the Portage Path and The Tuscarawas River.

In 1895 Mr. Kasch was married to Miss Augusta Wallraff, a lady who was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Akron. They have one son, Allan Wallraff Kasch.

Mr. Kasch is a member of the Arlington Street, or "Old Forge" Congregational Church, and for sixteen years has been iden- tified with its Sunday School, during the mo t of this time being the superintendent. He is a man of great energy and remarkable business foresight, and these qualities, com- bined with the virtues of honesty and per- sonal integrity, have contributed to his busi- ness success. He is one of Akron's first advo- eates of political independence in local affairs, and does not hesitate to urge the election of men for office whom he believes best fitted for the positions, regardless of his personal feel- ings or party lines.

CHARLES H. LAHR, auditor of the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company, Akron, has been identified with the railroad

HARVEY BALDWIN

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interests of this city throughout almost the entire period of his business career. He was born at Norton Center, Summit County, Ohio, in 1873, and is a son of William H. Lahr.

William H. Lahr was born at Norton Cen- ter in 1850 and for a number of years was a leading farmer of Norton township, where he now lives retired. His father, John Lahr, was one of the early settlers of the township and the family has always been one of more or less prominence in this section.

Charles H. Lahr was reared on his father's farm and after completing the High School course at Norton Center, came to Akron, en- tering the office of the J. F. Seiberling Com- pany, where he remained a short time. IIe then entered the employ of the Akron Street Railroad .Company, from 1892 until Janu- ary 1, 1907, serving as cashier of that cor- poration. At the date last mentioned he be- came auditor of the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company, in which he is a stock- holder.

In April, 1900, Mr. Lahr was married to Elizabeth May Seeger, who is a daughter of Jacob Seeger, of Akron. They are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Lahr is affili- ated fraternally with the Elks.

HARVEY BALDWIN, president of the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company at Akron, for many years was one of the city's most active business men, and is identified still with a number of its leading enterprises, although he has been retired from active participation in business life for fully twenty-five years. Mr. Baldwin was born August 29, 1822, at Gosh- en, Connecticut, and is a member of a family which has been one of importance there since the time of the early settlements. He is a son of Erastus and Lueretia (Austin) Baldwin.

In 1844 Mr. Baldwin came to Ohio, locat- ing first at Hudson, and in 1857 at Middle- bury, where he engaged in the match business and the manufacture of stoneware. Ile later entered into the sewer pipe industry, with which he has been identified ever since. He is a director in the Permanent Savings and Loan Association, of which his brother. the late

Joseph A. Baldwin, was president, and is also on the directing board of the Central Sav- ings and Trust Company.

In 1855 Mr. Baldwin was married (first) to Cordelia Mather, who died soon after. In 1859 he was married (second) to Margaret L. Hawn. By the first marriage he had one daughter, Delia Louisa, who is the wife of George W. Ruckel, of Akron. Mr. Baldwin resides in a handsome mansion at No. 797 East Market Street.

Under appointment from Governor David Tod, Mr. Baldwin served for seven years as a justice of the peace, and he was also for some time clerk of the Board of Infirmary Directors. He has been a resident of Akron since 1857, and is one of its best known and most highly respected citizens. An ample fortune and plenty of leisure have served to broaden his life, and he has taken advan- tage of many opportunities to advance the moral and material interests of the city. He has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows for more than a half cen- tury.

JOHN F. MILLER, a general farmer, re- siding on his valuable farm of forty-eight aeres in Portage Township, was born at Wadsworth, Medina County, Ohio, July 29, 1844, and is a son of George and Rebecca (Baughman) Miller.

Jacob Miller, the grandfather of Jolm F., was one of the earliest settlers in Medina County, locating at Wadsworth in 1816, and purchasing a farm one mile east of the vil- lage. In journeying from Pennsylvania, Mr. Miller and family passed through. Middle- bury, then the infant Akron. They stayed for one year at Canfield, Mahoning County. before pursuing their journey farther west. Jacob Miller, anxious to secure good land, ex- amined its quality in several sections before purchasing. Ile was offered a farm for $3 per acre, which is now in the very heart of Akron, on the site of the Perkins publie school. He was not satisfied, however, and went on to Medina County. where he invested his money. The maternal grandfather of

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John F. Miller came also from Pennsylvania. locating between Wadsworth and Doyles- town.

George Miller was born in Pennsylvania, and was a boy when his parents came to Ohio. His older brother, John Miller, went into partnership with John Pardee, in a mercan- tile business at Wadsworth, which was one of the earliest enterprises there, and when the brother died, George assumed his inter- ests and continued in partnership with Mr. Pardee for some time. A few years later he bought a farm on Silver Creek, near Wad -- worth, on which he lived for a few years, selling it at a later date. In 1853 he bought 240 acres, and on a part of this property John F. Miller now lives. George Miller carried on farming and stockraising on this land quite extensively. In 1856 he built the substan- tial stone house which is still standing. Hle was a very just man, and divided his land so that all his children were provided for. He made three farms of the 240 acres he owned in Portage Township, and the old Miller homestead in Wadsworth Township he left to the heirs of his daughter, Mrs. Springer. There he died, four days after his 80th birth- day. George Miller married Rebecca Baugh- man and they had four children: Sarah. Paul, Martha and John F. Sarah, residing in Portage Township, married Solomon Kop- lin. Paul has been a resident of California since 1860. Martha, now deceased, was mar- ried, first to Dr. F. F. Falk, who died at Western Star, aged twenty-eight years. She married. second. Frank Springer. The mother of the subject of this sketch died in 1868 on the home farm.

John F. Miller was eight years old when his parents came to Portage Township, and. although he has spent some time away from here, on various occasions, thi- has always re- mained his home residence. For two years in early manhood he followed railroading and mountain teaming along the Pacific coast, but for many years he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits on his fine property here. This land is well improved. and its value may be estimated from the fact that

Mr. Miller recently sold twelve acres of it, for which he received $1,000 per acre, the pur- chaser being W. B. Miller, of Akron. Mr. Miller also owns another farm of sixty-four acres in Medina County, Ohio.

In October, 1868, Mr. Miller was married (first) to Charity Brouse, who died in Febru- ary, 1892. They had four children: Elton Harry, Paul and Laura, of whom Laura died when aged fourteen months. Elton Miller, who resided on the farm in Wadsworth town- ship, which is owned by his father and sons, was accidentally killed there September 13, 1906, by an accidental explosion of the steam pipes in a saw mill. He married Nellie Blackford. Harry Miller is foreman of the shipping department of the Quaker Oats mills at Akron; Paul Miller assists on the home farm. On October 20, 1897, Mr. Mil- ler married (second) Mrs. Christeen (Mohn) Palmer.

For twenty-five years Mr. Miller was identi- fied with the Prohibition party, and then united with the Democratic party. For four years he served as trustee of Portage Town- ship. Ile has long been a prominent mem- ber of the West Congregational Church at Akron. In 1904 he and his wife took a trip to California, where he revisited scenes made familiar to him in his first trip. On the way they visited the exposition then in progress at St. Louis.

HIRAM and HAYES WHEELER BREWSTER, uncle and nephew, residing on the old Brewster estate, which extends through both Coventry and Springfield Townships, and was settled in 1811. are representatives of one of the old, prominent and wealthy families of Summit County.

Hiram Brewster, who lives retired from business activity, was formerly an extensive farmer, coal producer and active business man. He comes of New England ancestry, but was born on his present farm, June 8, 1835, and is a son of James G. Brewster, and a grandson of Stephen Brewster, who was the founder of the family in Ohio.

Stephen Brewster was born at Groton, Con-

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nectient, and probably could trace his ances- try back to the landing of the Mayflower colonists. He married Lydia Bellows, also of Groton, who had been a childhood play- mate and school mate, and they had the fol- lowing children born to them: James G .; Mrs. Lucinda Murray ; Hannah, who married David Dunbar; Charlotte, who married Mar- tin Howell : Alexander, and Hiram. The lat- ter died in 1813 and his grave is marked by a stone still standing on the farm.

Stephen Brewster was a carpenter and mill- wright and he probably followed his trade at Groton until short after the birth of his elder children, when he moved to the State of New York, doubtless with the idea of secur- ing a permanent home in an agricultural ro- gion, but not finding what he desired there. in 1811. he came to Ohio, securing 160 aeres in Summit County, at a very low rate. from the Connecticut Land Company. The Brew- sters came as early pioneers to this seetion. making the long journey in covered wagons. as at that time no railroads had been built or canals constructed. Their way often led over different roads, through unbridged streams and dense forests, but at last they reached their destination. At that date there had been not a single house erected between their wild farm and Akron, which was then but a village, with no appearance of ever be- coming the home of more than 42,000 souls, and all their surroundings were of the wild- e-t description. A little log cabin was soon constructed in the midst of the forest, and the appearance of human beings in these dense woods caused the deer to run in herd-, like flocks of sheep, at the sound of the ax on the heavy timber. Game was so plentiful and so easily obtained that the family never was in danger of starvation until they were able to raise grain in the rich land which quickly responded to their efforts of cultivation, but they went through many of the inevitable hardships which belonged to pioneer life. On this farm both Stephen Brewster and wife died. he at the age of eighty-eight. and she aged seventy years.

James G. Brew-ter. father of Hiram, was

born in 1797, at Groton, Connecticut, and was vet young when the family came to Summit County. He had few educational advantages and his early life was completely filled with the hard work of clearing the farm and put- ting it under cultivation, the fact of his he- ing the eldest son placing heavy responsibili- ties on him. These circumstances probably assisted in developing a strong and sturdy character, for Mr. Brewster was known far and wide for his integrity. foresight and sound business judgment. Ilis active years were given to farming and improving the part of his father's estate which he had in- herited, and to which he added until he owned 320 acres, situated on both sides of the publie highway. He died in June, 1842. He was married in Columbiana County, Ohio. to Martha Hassen, who was born in Pennsyl- vania and accompanied her parents to Colum- biana County, where the family was a promi- nent one among the pioneer settlers. They had five children: Stephen, who married Charlotte Meech (both deceased) ; Jonathan H. and James G., twins, both now deceased. the latter of whom married Mary Davey: Hiram; and George, who married Maria L. Kent, and died May 25, 1907.

Hiram Brewster. who is the only survivor of the above mentioned family, was reared on his present farm, and. with the exception of a period of three months, which he spent with his brother Jonathan, in Florida, during 1906, he has never resided elsewhere. Ile went to school in a frame building which had succeeded the old log one, remains of which still stood, and others of its kind can still be found through this section. There he secured a good, common-school education. which has served him well through years of active business life. Mr. Brewster has a well- improved place, and he assisted in building all the houses and barns which are necessary here for the earrving on of the work on 750 acres, which, with his nephew. Hayes Wheeler Brewster, he operates. Although no longer active in extending its interests. Mr. Brewster is a member of the firm of the Buckeye Sewer Pipe Company, and is also a stockholder in

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the Summit Sewer Pipe Company. Mr. Brewster has been interested more or less for years in the developing of coal lands. He has never taken any very lively interest in poli- tics, absolutely refusing to hold local offices, and has contented himself with merely per- forming those duties which appeal to him as a good citizen. Hiram Brewster never mar- ried.

Hayes Wheeler Brewster, who is associated with his unele, ITiram Brewster, in the man- agement and operation of about the largest farın in Summit County, is one of the best- known agriculturists of Coventry and Spring- field Townships. Mr. Brewster was born on the farm on which he has spent his whole life, the old Brewster homestead. June 25, 1876, and is a son of Stephen. a grand-on of James G. and a great-grandson of Stephen Brewster, who settled on this land in 1811.

Stephen Brewster, son of James G., mar- ried Charlotte Meech and they had four chil- dren. namely: Ephraim, who is established in the far West; Hlayes: Stephen, who is also in the West; and John. The father of Mr. Brewster died in January, 1887, but the mother survived until December. 1903.

Hayes Wheeler Brewster was married in October. 1899, to Susan Dodd. who is a daugh- ter of Daniel and Catherine (Griffith ) Dodd, well-known residents of Summit County. They have two children, a son and daughter, Hiram and Charlotte.

Mr. Brewster, in the management of the large family estate, displays the judgment and capacity for business which has marked the Brewster family, and which has made them so long prominent factors in all that concerns this section. Hle takes an active interest in publie matters that concern the general wel- fare. but. like his uncle, has always had a distaste for publie office. IHis interests al- ways having centered here, he stands as one of the section's truly representative men.

LOUIS SEYBOLD, treasurer and manager of the Akron Germania Company, with of- fices at No. 148 South Howard Street, Akron, has been a resident of this city for the past

thirty-two years, coming here from his home in Bavaria, Germany, where he was born in 1856.

Mr. Seybold was educated in the excellent schools of his native land, and at the age of eighteen years he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, hoping to find more favorable opportunities for advancement here than in Germany. Shortly afterward he came to Akron and se- cured employment in the rubber works, and later engaged as elerk in a grocery store. This was all preliminary to his real work, for Mr. Seybold's abilities were recognized as soon as he became acquainted with men of promi- nenee in the community, who were seeking intelligent and reliable assistance. He short- ly became a member and then a director of the old German Harmonie Society, at the same time interesting himself in polities to some degree, and was also engaged to write a few editorials for the German newspaper published by Mr. Werner. An acquaintance thus established led to his further continuance with the paper, of which he subsequently be- came editor and proprietor. With the excep- tion of a few years. when otherwise employed, Mr. Seybold has since continued in his edi- torial position, and also owns the controlling interest in the Germania Company. He wields a facile pen and has devoted elose study to publie questions and is a wise adviser to his army of readers,

In 1879, Mr. Seybold was married to Louisa Doppstaedter, who was born at Ash- land, Ohio. They have eight children, namely: Clara, who is secretary of the Ak- ron Germania Company; Carl, who is adver- tising manager of the same company : Louis, who lives in the city of Chicago; Elsie, Edith, Paul and Margaret, all of whom reside with their parents.

Mr. Seybold is a man of musical talent and social tastes, and is a popular member of the Odd Fellows, the Elks. the German club. the Liebertafel. Turn Verein, the German Rifle club. the Pilsener club, and the Akron San- gerbund, and an honorary member of the German Military Society.

IION. GEORGE W. CROUSE

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HON. GEORGE W. CROUSE, a promi- nent resident of Akron, whose portrait ac- companies this article, is now enjoying a life of ease, after having been one of the city's most effective business men for many years. He is identified with such great industries as the Buckeye Mower and Reaper Works, the Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Com- pany, The B. F. Goodrich Company, (AAkron Rubber Works). The Thomas Phillips Com- pany Paper Mills, the Akron Iron Company. the Woolen & Felt Company, the Diamond Match Works, the Stove Works, the Selle Gear Works and many other successful con- cerns.

Mr. Crouse is a native of Summit County. born at Tallmadge, November 23. 1832, and is a son of George and Margaret II. ( Robin- son) Crouse. He is of German and Irish ancestry. His grandfather fell in battle in the War for Independence. The family ap- peared in Ohio at a very early day, and it was in Summit County, on a farm he had de- veloped from the forest, that George Crouse reared his family of ten ehildren.

George W. Crouse assisted in the clearing and cultivation of the above mentioned farm until he was seventeen years of age, while securing a fair common-school educa- tion. He continued to spend the summers in farm work, but was occupied in teaching through the winters for the next five years, in the meantime making so good an impression on his fellow-citizens that in 1855 he was proffered the position of deputy county treas- urer, with office at Akron, and until 1858 he also performed the duties of deputy county auditor. Ile was then elected county auditor, and was re-elected in 1860, but before his second term expired he was called upon to fill out the term of county treasurer. Al the important interests connected with these offices were placed under his control while he was still a young man, and the manner in which his every duty was performed but added to the esteem in which he was already held.

Mr. Crouse, who was one of the county of- ficials at the outbreak of the Civil war, in

his official capacity and as a private citizen did all that lay in his power in support of the Union cause. Ile was very active in se- curing recruits, and saw that they were well provided for by obtaining favorable action from the Board of County Commissioners. Finally, he himself onlisted, entering Com- pany F, 164th Reg., Ohio Volunteer Infan- try, for the 100-days' service; he received his honorable discharge in 1864. After the war, upon the organization of the Commandery of Ohio, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, he became a Third De- gree member, and today is the only member of the Commandery of this degree. Natu- rally he takes pleasure in wearing the tri-color button. The Soldiers' Memorial Chapel at Akron, one of the most beautiful structures in the city, was secured mainly through his efforts.

In 1863 Mr. Crouse was made secretary of the Akron Board of Trade, and subsequently became very active in encouraging the loca- tion of manufacturing industries in this city. lle became in the same year financial mana- ger for C. Aultman & Company, of Canton, in the erection of a branch factory here, and later was the financial manager of what is named as the initial manufacturing plant of what is now one of the greatest manufactur- ing centers of the State-the great Buckeye Mower & Reaper Works. When a stock com- pany was formed in 1865, Mr. Crouse was first secretary and treasurer and later its very able president. There can scarcely be named any important business enterprise at Akron, of substantial standing, that has not in some way benefitted by his assistance or advice. In 1870 he helped to form the Bank of Akron, and was a director and officer of that bank until 1890, when he became president of the City National Bank, and served as such until 1893. For a period he was proprietor of the Akron Beacon.

Politically, Mr. Crouse is closely affiliated with the Republican party, and his efficiency has been recognized by his successive elections to important stations. In 1872 he was elected county commissioner. in 1885 he was elected

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to the State senate, and in 1886 he was elected to Congress, from the Akron distriet, in all these honorable positions bearing himself with dignity and showing himself thoroughly capable. In civic affairs Mr. Crouse has also always taken a deep interest, and has served as a member of the City Council, and as president of the Board of Education. He is one of the trustees of Buchtel College, to which institution the Crouse Gymnasium was one of his gifts.

Mr. Crouse was married October 18, 1859, to Martha K. Parsons, a daughter of Edward and Clementine (Lingsley) Parsons, and they have four daughters-Martha P., Julia MI., Mary R. and Nellie J .- and one son, George W., Jr., who is a prominent manufacturer of Akron. The family home is located at No. 263 East Mill street.

JOHN FRANKLIN WEYGANDT, a suc- cessful farmer and substantial citizen of Port- age Township, owns a residence adjoining the grounds of the Akron Country Club, on the old Portage path, which was the boundary line in early days, between the United States and the Indian Nations. Mr. Weygandt was born in Ashland County, Ohio, September 24, 1840, and is a son of Jonathan and Miriam (Baughman) Weygandt.

Jonathan Weygandt in boyhood accom- panied his father, Henry Weygandt. from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Wayne County, Ohio, who bought a farm in Chip- pewa Township, which he cleared up, being of the earliest settlers. In later years, he would often tell of how he used to make the trip from Chippewa Township to Akron, to the old stone mill, with an ox-team, being two days on the road. He removed to Ashland County, Ohio, after his marriage, and lived on a farm that his father owned, and which, with his brother Eli, he cleared and developed into a good piece of agricultural property. He resided there from 1838 until 1853 and then moved to Copley Township, Summit County, where he purchased sixty-nine acres; but one year later he moved to Portage Town- ship and bought a farm of 136 acres. On

this the family lived until 1864, when Mr. Weygandt sold out to Joseph E. Wesener and moved to Illinois, where he bought 200 acres of land. Both Jonathan Weygandt and his wife died in Illinois.

In April, 1895, John F. Weygandt sold his farm of eighty-five acres, in Illinois, and re- turned to Summit County, where he was subsequently married, after which he settled in Macon County, Illinois, and lived there for thirty-one years. In 1895 he came back to Summit County and purchased his present place, erecting a fine residence and substantial farm buildings.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 43

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