Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 48

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 48

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).

Mr. Bradley married Henrietta Le Moine. who was a daughter of Noah Le Moine, of Stow Township. They had three children : Ora D., who is engaged in cultivating the home farm; W. Earl and Clara M., who re- side at home. Mrs. Bradley died Septem- ber 27, 1899, in the faith of the Disciples Church. In polities Mr. Bradley is a Demo- crat. He is an active member of the local Grange, in which he has held official posi- tion.

ARTHUR J. WEEKS, proprietor of the extensive chemical pottery manufacturing plant sitnated at No. 926 East Market Street, Akron, has been a resident of this city for a quarter of a century. He was born in Cop- ley Township, Summit County. Ohio, in 1847, and is a son of Darius Weeks, and a grandson on the paternal side of Leavitt Weeks, who came to Summit County with his two brothers as early as 1815. Settling on a farm in Copley Township. Darius Weeks resided there all his

life, with the exception of a few years, which he spent in mercantile business. He married Elizabeth Wilcox, daughter of Major John R. Wilcox, a graduate of West Point, who was stationed at Fort Edwards, Warsaw, Illinois, where Mrs. Weeks was born. Her grand- father Pliny Wileox settled on the farm on which the Raymond House is now located, just across the road from the old home of John Brown in Akron. Darius Weeks had three sons and two daughters. namely: Ar- thur J., whose name begins this sketch: Vir- ginia, wife of William H. Whitmore, of Ak- ron ; Celestia A., wife of O. E. Robinson, of St. Louis, Missouri; Frederick H .. who is en- gaged in the lumber and pottery business in Akron, and Charles D., also engaged in the pottery business, and a resident of Akron.

Arthur J. Weeks was reared mainly on his father's farm in Copley Township. After completing the district school course, he spent two years in Willoughby College, and then became a student at Bethany College, in West Virginia, where he took a course in civil en- gineering. Here he became a member of the Delta Tau Delta Fraternity. Subsequently he was connected with the construction of the Wheeling & Lorain Railroad, and of the Val- ley Railroad, on the latter of which he was a division engineer. He then went to Evans- ville, Indiana, where he was engaged for seven years in a wholesale business. Returning at the end of this period to his native county, he embarked in the pottery business in Akron in partnership with his brother, F. H. Weeks. and Joseph Cook. After three years the Weeks brothers bought Mr. Cook's interest. and three years later Arthur J. Weeks sold his interest in the concern to F. H. Weeks and purchased the F. W. Rockwell plant. which he has been since engaged in operating. Here he manufactures all kinds of pottery. but makes a specialty of chemical pottery. His business, carried on along careful and conservative lines, gives employment to from thirty to forty men, and is now ranked among the important industries of the city. Mr. Weeks has always been activelv interested in the public affairs of Akron, and on numerous

358

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

occasion has been elected to civic office, always proving himself equal to the demands made upon him in such official capacity. His fra- ternal connections include the Odd Fellows and the beneficiary order of the Royal Arca- num.

In 1874 Mr. Weeks was united in marriage with Lovina Humbert, who bore her husband three children: Edmund A., Lulu L., and Arthur J. (deceased). Edmund A. Weeks, who was a student of Buchtel College and a graduate of the Western Reserve Medical Col- lege, is a physician residing in Akron. Luhu, who also attended Buchtel College, is the wife of M. A. Knight, son of Dr. Knight of Buch- tel College, and also, like the subject of this sketch, is engaged in the pottery business. Mrs. Weeks died July 31, 1907.

WILLIAM McFARLIN was one of AAk- ron's prominent business men for a long pe- riod, during which he was either at the head or officially connected with many of the most important interests of this section. For some years prior to his death he was president of the First National Bank of Akron, and was also treasurer of the National Sewer Pipe Com- pany, of Barberton, Ohio.

Mr. McFarlin was born January 16, 1843, at Bath, Ohio, and was one of the family of four children of Moses and Elnora ( Wood- ruff) McFarlin. He was educated at the Brooklyn Normal School and the Akron High School, after which he was en- gaged in teaching until April, 1863. He then entered the Union army as chief elerk for Colonel Crane, who had charge of the military railroads in the Department of the Army of the Cumberland. He served in this capacity until October, 1865. In the follow- ing spring he accepted the position of teller in D. P. Eberman and Company's Bank at Akron. In 1867 he became teller and as- sistant cashier of the First National Bank of Akron, being made cashier in January, 1878. From 1871 until August 1, 1891, Mr. MeFarlin was secretary and treasurer of the Akron Gas Company. On the organization of the Portage Strawboard Company, in 1882,

he became its secretary and treasurer, and served as such until its merger with the Amer- ican Strawboard Company in 1889. Other large corporations in which he was a promi- nent factor were: the National Sewer Pipe Company, at Barberton; the Creedmoor Cart- ridge Company, at Barberton ; and the Akron Woolen and Felt Company. In all these organizations he proved himself a man of the quickest business perceptions, and was cred- ited with sound judgment and broad views of the business field.

On December 31, 1872, Mr. MeFarlin was married to Julia Ford Henry, who was one of a family of seven children born to her parents, Milton W. and Abigail ( Weeks) Henry, of AAkron. Her father was a native of Massachusetts, but subsequently engaged in a mercantile business in this city, where he died March 16, 1886. Mr. MeFarlin died November 8, 1894. His widow survives and resides at No. 61 Fir street, Akron. They had three daughters -- Anna, Bessie, wife of E. H. Fitch, manager of the Diamond Rub- ber Company of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Laura.

J. GRANT HYDE, a leading business citi- zen of Clinton, Ohio, who is manager of the Clinton Milling Company, was born in Bris- tol Township, Trumbull County, Ohio, Sep- tember 6, 1872, and is a son of Charles P. and Clara M. (Hunter) Hyde.

Charles P. Hyde was also born in Bristol township, and there he has resided all of his life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits, and owning an excellent property. Ile was married to Clara M. Hunter, who was born at Niles, Ohio, and to them four children were born: Joseph Grant; John. of Trumbull County ; Mary E., who married S. T. MeBrier ; and Clara E., who is single.

J. Grant Hyde was reared on his father's farm, and after graduating from the public schools of Bristol township at the age of eighteen years, he began teaching school, at which occupation he continued for eleven years, during which time he attended Mount Union College, at Alliance, Ohio, for four

MINER JESSE ALLEN

391

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

years. Mr. Hyde then engaged in the mill- ing business at Niles, having a half interest in the George F. Sager and Company mills for about one year and one-half. In April, 1903, with Mr. Sager he came to Clinton, where they purchased property and estab- lished the present mill. They conducted this business together until September, 1905, when it was incorporated into a stock company, George F. Sager being elected the first presi- dent and Mr. Hyde manager, a position which he has held to the present time. Thomas MeBrier is the present president. The capac- ity of the mills is 100 barrels of flour and twenty tons of feed daily, and among their best known products are the "Clinton Best" flour and the "Fancy Blended." A branch office is situated at No. 63 West Market street, which is in charge of S. T. McBrier.

In October, 1905, Mr. Hyde was married to Maude H. Mahan, who was born at Bris- tol, Trumbull County, Ohio, and is a daugh- ter of Joseph Mahan, a son of one of Trum- bull County's early pioneers. Mr. Hyde is a Republican in politics, and fraternally is connected with Western Star Lodge No. 21. of Youngstown, and the Knights Templar of Warren. With his family, he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is a direc- tor in the Clinton Savings Bank and presi- dent and director of the Clinton Bell Tele- phone Company.

MINER JESSE ALLEN, prominently identified with the American Cereal Com- pany, is one of Akron's substantial citizens whose large interests make him a notable factor in its business life. Mr. Allen was born November 11, 1829, in Coventry Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Levi and Phebe (Spicer) Allen.

Jesse Allen, the paternal grandfather of Miner J., was born in 1770, in Litchfield County, Connecticut, and eame to Ohio in 1811, purchasing a large tract of wild land in Coventry Township, Summit County. He reared a family of ten children. The maternal grandfather, Major Miner Spicer, was also a native of Litchfield County, Connecticut, and

came on horseback to Summit County, Ohio, in 1810, buying 260 acres of land in what is now Portage Township. He settled here with his family in 1811. During the War of 1812 he served as a major of militia. Major Spicer married Cynthia AAllyn, who traced her an- cestry back to Lieutenant Governor Jones, who was the first governor of the New Haven Colony.

Levi Allen was born February 10, 1799, in Tompkins County, New York, and was the seeond child of his parents. He was twelve years of age when he walked from there to Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, driving the cattle and sheep with which his father proposed to stock the new farm. He assisted in elearing and developing the land until his majority, when he purchased land for himself on which he resided until 1868. Ile then retired to Akron, where he died May 11, 1887. On December 10, 1823, he was married to Phebe Spieer, who was a daughter of Major Miner and Cynthia (Allyn) Spicer, and they had the following children: Levi, Miner S., Albert, Miner J., Walter S. and Cynthia. Mrs. Levi Allen died January 10, 1879.

Miner J. Allen, the direct subject of this sketch, was engaged in farming in Coventry Township, where he was reared and educated, until 1867, when he came to Akron to as- sume the duties of local, and also traveling, grain buyer for the firm of Commins & Al- len. In 1884 he invested in a one-fifth inter- est in the Akron Milling Company, which was merged two years later into the F. Schu- macher Milling Company. Later this organ- ization was merged into the American Cereal Company, and Mr. Allen is still connected with this great corporation, being one of its direetors.

Mr. Allen was married June 1, 1876, to Frances C. De Wolf, a daughter of Samuel and Margaret ( King) De Wolf, of Trumbull County, Ohio. Mrs. Allen's grandparent- were Joseph and Sarah (Gibbons) De Wolf. the former of whom was a Revolutionary sol- dier. Mrs. Allen ean trace a clear ancestral line to early colonial days, members of her

392

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

family residing at Wethersfield, Connecticut, as early as 1664. Mr. and Mrs. Allen have five children, namely: Albert Mark, Miner W., Margaret P., Christine C., and Frances De Wolf. The family home is at No. 30 Bowery Street. Mr. and Mrs. Allen are mem- hers of the First Disciples' Church at Akron. They have always evinced a deep interest in educational matters, and Mrs. Allen was one of the first two ladies to be elected a member of the Akron Board of Education. In earlier years Mr. Allen was interested in politics, but since taking up his residence at Akron he has been too closely engaged in business to give much time to political affairs. His pub- lie spirit, however, has often been proved and he stands high in the estimation of his fel- low citizens.

GEORGE PHILIP SCHNABEL, who has operated a fruit farm at Cuyahoga Falls, since 1892, is a well known citizen and belongs to a highly respected old family of this place. Ile was born at Liverpool, Medina County, Ohio, December 5, 1852, and is a son of John George and Johanna Christina (Kurtz) Schnabel.

The parents of Mr. Schnabel were both born in Germany, in the town of Weims- burg, the father on April 1, 1829, and the mother in 1818. The former died in Jan- uary, 1900; the mother survived her husband six years, dying in 1906. They came to America in 1846, settling first at Liverpool, Ohio, where John George Schnabel followed his trade of shoemaking for seven years. In 1854 he came to Cuyahoga Falls, where he continued to work as a shoemaker for the rest of his life. Of his eight children, the following six grew to maturity: Katherine, who married Frederick Eberly, residing at Akron; John, who died in the army, during the Civil War, having served three years in the Sixth Ohio Battery; Eliza, who married George Brewster, residing at Findlay, Ohio; Elizabeth, who married Elmer R. Brewster and resides in Akron ; Christina, who married William A. Williston, residing at Cuyahoga Falls; and George Philip. John George

Schnabel and wife were quiet, worthy, indus- trious people, kind and neighborly in. their relations with others, and consistent mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

George P'. Schnabel was educated in the schools of Cuyahoga Falls. After he had com- pleted the Iligh School course, he learned the trade of shoemaking under his father and Samuel Wills, and continuing with the latter until he went out of business, after which Mr. Schnabel went into business for himself with his father. After they retired from this business, George P. Schnabel op- erated a store for Bowman & McNeil of Ak- ron, for eighteen months, when he purchased it. After conducting it for himself for three years, he sold out to George ilanson. In 1892, Mr. Schnabel started his fruit farm, acquiring five acres on Portage street, which he has put into a fine state of cultivation. Under his intelligent care all kinds of fruit adapted to the climate flourish, but he has made specialties of grapes, strawberries and German prunes, devoting about one acre to strawberries. He raises about eight tons of grapes and disposes of all his products at Akron, receiving the highest market priee on account of their superior quality. Under his way of conducting it the business has proved very profitable. In 1904 he erected his comfortable home-an eight-room, two- story residence, conveniently located on the farm.

Mr. Sehnabel married Martha C. Harris, who is a daughter of Henry C. Harris, of Orrville, Ohio, and they have four children, namely: 1. Garfield, a practicing physician, residing at Tucson, Arizona: Walter HI., a stockholder in and secretary of the Nute Foun- dry Company at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; and Harriet F. and May B .. both residing at home. The family is a representative one of the city.

WILLIAM J. O'NEIL, president of the Akron Pneumatic Tire Company, which has found a productive business field in this city, is a native of Akron, where he was born Au- gust 16, 1862. Ile is a son of the late Owen

393

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

O'Neil, who came to Akron about 1845, and engaged here in the oil business for a number of years, subsequently selling out to the Stand- ard Oil Company.

After leaving school, Mr. O'Neil became cashier and bookkeeper for Cyrus Miller, a grocer, later becoming associated in an official position with the Akron Wholesale Grocery Company. He then entered the employ of the B. F. Goodrich Company, which he served six years as bookkeeper and nine as cashier. Mr. O'Neil then severed his connection with that company in order to assist in the organ- ization of the Akron Pneumatic Tire Com- pany, incorporated for $25,000, which manu- factures pneumatic tires, the Greenwald Ex- tensible Tread Tire and the Internal Protector Reinforced Tube-Non-skid Tread. It controls also the manufacture of the Non-Puncturable Tire, one of the greatest inventions known in the automobile trade. Mr. O'Neil is a inein- ber of St. Vincent's Church at Akron.

A. ADAMSON, who is proprietor of one of the largest machine-shops and foundries at Akron, has been prominent in this indus- try here for the past twenty-one years. ITe was born in Scotland, in November, 1861, and was brought to America by his father, when he was nine years of age.

Mr. Adamson resided in Western Pennsyl- vania until he was seventeen years of age and then moved to Portage County, Ohio, where he was employed as an engineer in mines until 1885. He then came to Akron, where he served an apprenticeship as a ma- chinist with the firm of Webster, Camp and Lane. remaining six years with that com- pany. Then, in partnership with J. W. Den- mead he started a machine-shop of his own on the present site of the Doyle Block. This partnership continued for eight months, when Mr. Adamson bought out Mr. Denmead's in- terest, and continued the business at the same place for five years. He then built a brick block on West Exchange street, with dimen- sions of 50 by 100 feet, utilizing it exclu- sively as a machine-shop. Since then he has added to the original building. it being now

two stories in height and 100 feet square. He has also built a foundry plant with dimen- sions of 60 by 100 feet and has equipped it with the best foundry machinery in this sec- tion of the State. The products of these works are all kinds of rubber machines and molds, this being the largest mold manufacturing plant in the world. Employment is given to eighty workmen and the distribution of wage money is very large.

In 1881 Mr. Adamson was married to Flora E. Burnett, and they have two children, C. F. and Vera L. C. F. Adamson is consult- ing engineer, with offices in the Hamilton Building. Vera L. has recently completed her third year at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Mr. Adamson has been particu- larly blessed in his children, both possessing talents of a superior order. He is an elder in the First Disciples Church at Akron. Fraternally he is a Mason.

GEORGE HELMSTEDTER, a promi- nent eitizen and one of the largest landowners in Coventry Township, resides on his well-im- proved farm of 100 acres, owning about 366 aeres in all, with property in Franklin town- ship and four residences in Barberton. IIe was born June 18, 1849, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany, and is a son of Jacob and Eliza- beth (Baduna) Helmstedter.

The parents of Mr. Helmstedter were both natives of Hesse-Darmstadt, where there were farming people. The father died when his son George was six months old. The mother survived until 1863, dying about six months before George Helmstedter left Germany for America. Her first marriage had been to a Mr. Jones, who left her with two children, Adam and Elizabeth. Two were born of her second marriage, Catherine and George.

George Ilelmstedter grew up on the home farm and attended school until he was thir- teen years of age. Ile then apprenticed him- self to a blacksmith, paying the sum of $45 as a premium. and worked for two and one- half years learning the business, but receiv- ing nothing in return but his board. Two of his companions, Peter Frederick and Peter

394

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Flariet, determined to emigrate to America and join an uncle who was then living in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, and it was easy to persuade the orphan boy, who had just lost his mother, to join them. George was then but sixteen years old, and his friends were each seventeen, and together they crossed the Atlantic ocean and made their way to Massillon, Ohio. Peter Flariet was of a more adventurous disposition than the other boys and he soon left them and drifted west and was entirely lost sight of. Peter Frederick, however, became a well-to-do farmer, and George Helmstedter accepted the offer of the uncle on the Stark County farm, who offered him work for six months and wages of $6 a month. This looked like affluence to him and he accepted the offer, and faithfully earned his money.

After completing his contract with his em- ployer, Mr. Helmstedter went to Millersburg in Holmes County, where he worked during the winter for l'eter Myers, who paid him $7 per month. In the spring he started to work at his trade at Riehville, near Mas- sillon, where he remained for six months. He then entered the employ of John Frank, at Berlin, and afterwards worked for the Frank Brothers for four years. He carefully saved his money and although he received but a comparatively small wage at any place, in the aggregate, it amounted to a considerable sum. About this time he married and for four years he worked his father-in-law's farm on shares, a farm located in Manches- ter, which Mr. Helmstedter now owns. In 1876 he bought ninety-six acres of his pres- ent farm and later added the rest, buying ninety-seven acres from the Carmenter estate in Coventry township. That is a fine place well improved, with large house and barns and he obtains a good rental for it as he does for the well-improved farm near Manchester. All his property is well improved and kept in good repair. He has achieved a gratifying success and has acquired all his property hon- estly, and in a way that is open to any other quiet, industrious, saving young man.

On October 24, 1872, Mr. Helmstedter was

married to Lavina Row, who is a daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Harton) Row. They have had seven children, namely: Rose Jane, who died aged two and one-half years; Arty Arvilla, who married Dustin Weaver and has four children-IIomer, Charlotte, Nellie and Leo; Anice, who married George Painter, and lias three children-Jennie, Clarence and Ica; and Frank, Wesley, Levi and Lena Viola. Mrs. Ilehnstedter was born in Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, and her parents were among the early pioneers of that section. Her father died in February, 1892, aged eighty-one years, and her mother in 1896, aged eighty-two years. They had eleven children, namely: Leah, Polly, and Susan, all deceased; Sarah, who married Fred Wey- rick; Jacob; Elizabeth, who married George Carmenter; Rebecca, who married H. Clack- ner; Lavina, Amanda, Levi, and an infant, all deceased.

Mr. Helmstedter and his family belong to the Evangelical Church. In polities he is a Republican. When he landed on the shores of America his money capital consisted of $15 in gold, a coin worth $10 and five one dollar gold pieces. This money he kept for a number of years, and used the larger coin at a time when just that amount was lacking to pay on a farm he was buying. He still has several of the smaller coins which he brought from Germany. His life has been a busy and interesting one. In spite of all disadvantages he has acquired more than in- dependence, and has gained the friendship and regard of a wide circle of acquaintances. He has helped develop the resources of his section and lived to enjoy the results.

JACOB ADLER, president of the Ameri- can Scrap Iron Company, the largest concern of its kind in this section of the country, is also the proprietor of the Akron Brass & Bronze Company, another important concern in the commercial life of Akron, and is also interested in many things which make this city a place of note. Mr. Adler was born in far off Russia, where he lived until he was nine years of age.

AARON TEEPLE

397

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

From the age of nine to that of fourteen, he resided in Sharon, Pennsylvania, during which time he learned the English language. In 1891, when he had reached his fourteenth year, he came to Akron, and for two years was employed here in the Diamond match factory. He then entered into his present business, and finding it remunerative, in 1903 assisted in the organization of the American Scrap Iron Company. It was incorporated with a capital stock of $50,000, with Jacob Adler as president ; Max Holub as vice presi- dent and Robert Chalmers as secretary. The business is of more importance and of greater extent than the average citizen has any con- ception of, and includes a trade in second- hand machinery. Their yard is situated at No. 30 North State street, Akron. The Ak- ron Brass & Bronze Company, of which Mr. Adler is at the head, gives employment to a goodly number of workers.

On January 25, 1898, Mr. Adler was mar- ried at Akron, to Ray Rosenbloom. He and his wife are the parents of three children -- Bernard, Sylvia and Selma. Mr. Adler takes an interest in politics, to the extent of being concerned that good men get into office. He belongs to the order of Maccabees and to the Sons of Peace, and is liberal in the support of various religious organizations. As a citi- zen and business man he enjoys the respect and esteem of those with whom he comes into contact and is a worthy representative of a country which has sent many good citizens to America.

AARON TEEPLE, a well known and high- ly respected Akron citizen, who for a number of years has been closely identified with the agricultural and horticultural interests of the county, and whose residence is at No. 24 South Portage Path, was born in Franklin Township, in 1841, and is a son of John and Dorothy (Miller) Teeple. His father, a native of Newark, New Jersey, came to Summit County before its organization, purchasing a traet of 160 acres in the wilderness, on which he built the indispensable log cabin. After long and ardnous labor he cleared his land

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 48

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