Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 53

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 53

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Mr. Fisher was married to Augusta Weber, of Cleveland, Ohio. She is a member of the Episcopal Church. Politieally, Mr. Fisher is a. Republican and has held local offices.

JAMES CHRISTY, formerly one of the most public-spirited and successful business men of Akron, was the head of the firm of James Christy & Sons, manufacturers of leather, and dealers in leather, hides. furs and findings, was born in Springfield Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, and died in Oc tober, 1904. He was educated in the district schools and worked on his father's farm until sixteen years old. Then for three years he enjoyed the advantages offered by a privato school at Middlebury. He afterwards taught two terms of school, but gave up teaching in 1841 to enter into business with his brother- in-law. James Sawyer, establishing a tannery

on North Howard Street, which was operated under the firm name of Christy & Sawyer. They later added a shoe manufactory and a store, and continued in business until 1851. In the following year Mr. Christy entered into a partnership with his brother, John H. Christy, which continued until 1879, when Mr. Christy took his two sons, James Jr. and Will, into partnership. The style of the firm then became James Christy & Sons. Their specialty was the manufacture of harness leather.

In 1850 Mr. Christy, like many of his neighbors, made the overland journey to California, returning by way of the Isthmus of Panama. Forty years later, when seventy years of age, he again visited the Pacific coast, and made a leisurely return journey through many of the far western States, not- ing with interest the wonderful changes which this space of time had brought about. In polities he was identified with the Repub- lican party, but never accepted office outside his city. He served for five years as a mem- her of the Akron city council.

In October, 1849, Mr. Christy was mar- ried to Janet Warner, of Akron, who died in March, 1903. Of their six children the following survive: Alice, who is the wife of Jolın E. Metlin; James and Will, who are prominent business men of Akron, and Net- tie, who resides at the family home, No. 160 Fir Street.

James Christy, Jr., is proprietor of the wholesale and retail leather, saddlery and hardware company, which is established at No. 142 South Howard Street, Akron. Will Christy is president of the West Hill Land Company, the Akron People's Telephone Company, the Hamilton Building Company and the Central Savings and Trust Company, the largest savings bank in Akron, and vice- president of the Northern Ohio Traction and Light Company, and the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.

PITILIP R. SCIINABEL, a partner in the Western Reserve Robe and Tanning Com- pany, of Cuyahoga Falls, was born at Munroe

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Falls, Summit County, Ohio, May 10, 1876, son of Charles W. and Jennie E. (Clayton) Schnabel. His paternal grandfather was Philip Schnabel, who was born in Hessen, Germany, in 1825. Emigrating to America in early manhood Philip settled at Cuyahoga Falls, residing on the thoroughfare now known as Fourth Street. His wife, in maid- enhood Martha E. Lapp, was born in Ger- many, May 10, 1820.

Charles W. Schnabel, father of the sub- ject of this sketch, and son of the Philip above mentioned, attended school in the Big Springs school honse at Cuyahoga Falls and later continued his studies at Munroe Falls. He remained on the old homestead until his marriage, at which time he purchased a prop- erty at Munroe Falls, where he lived for eleven years, being employed there in a paper mill. He married Jennie E. Clayton, who was a native of Tallmadge, Summit County, Ohio, and a daughter of Richard Clayton. Mr. Clayton, who was born in Wales, was a coal miner by occupation and resided at Tall- madge, where his widow now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Schnabel have been the par- ents of three children, namely: Philip R., whose name begins this sketch; Harry C .. who died at the age of eighteen months, and Milo Clayton, residing with his parents, who is a graduate of the Cuyahoga Falls High School, Class of 1907.

Philip R. Schnabel was reared and edu- eated in his native city, graduating from the Cuyahoga Falls high school in 1893. After assisting his father on the home farm for sev- eral years. he was appointed mail carrier, be- ing one of the first rural carriers in the State. Ile remained at this occupation for eighteen months, and then became assistant postmas- ter at. Cuyahoga Falls, which position he filled up to 1903, a period of six years. For sev- eral years subsequently he was associated with his father in the live-stock business. breeding and selling cattle. Ile then entered the employ of the company in which he is now a partner, as a taxidermist. Possessing a strong taste for this kind of work, he had. even in his boyhood, acquired considerable

skill as a taxidermist, and entered into it be- cause it was congenial. He holds a permit from the State Fish and Game Commission, which is dated 1903. The Western Reserve Robe & Tanning Company was established in the fall of 1904 by IIon. J. C. Jones of To- ledo, and Charles J. Appleby, the latter a tanner of twenty-five years' experience. The company's plant at Cuyahoga Falls was es- tablished for the manufacture of fur gar- ments, including fur robes, coats, gloves and mittens, the company tanning their own skins and making a specialty of taxidermy. Mr. Schnabel purchased Mr. Jones's interest in the firm on March 1, 1907. The factory is located in a convenient section of the town- on North Front Street-and each year its importance grows.and its output increases.

Mr. Schnabel married Edna Whittlesey. a daughter of J. H. Whittlesey, of Stow. Mr. Schnabel was reared in the Methodist Epis- eopal church. His wife is a Catholic.

A. WESLEY HAWKINS, proprietor of the Akron Lumber Company, who is lo- cated at No. 569 South Main Street, Akron, is one of the city's successful men of affairs. Hle was born in Portage Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1854, and is a son of Nel- son C., and a grandson of John Hawkins. who was one of the very first settlers in Por- tage Township.

Nelson C. Hawkins was born on his father's pioneer farm in Portage township, Summit County, in 1824, and died in 1891. He a- sisted his father in developing the land from its native wilderness, but did not devote his entire life to agricultural pursuits. For twenty-five years prior to his death. he was employed by the firm of Aultman. Miller & Company. In political sentiment he was a Republican, and during some years he served as a trustee of Portage Township.

.1. Wesley Hawkins was reared and edu- cated in Portage Township, and worked for about one year for the mercantile firin of HIall Brothers, at Akron, following which he was in the county recorder's office for a short time. He then took a complete commercial

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course in O. S. Warner's Business College. During the succeeding year he kept books for the firm of Oviatt & Warner, dealers in agricultural implements, when Mr. Oviatt organized a company for the manufacture of threshing machines and farm wagons, of which Mr. Hawkins became secretary, serv- ing eleven months as such at IIndson. He then returned to Akron and went to work for the firm of Aultman, Miller & Company, for a short time, subsequently serving two years as bookkeeper for Jahant & Grey. After- wards he became bookkeeper for the Akron Lumber Company, which was operated by the Diamond Match Company. After eight years' connection with this company, Mr. Hawkins, in association with J. Il. Dellen- berger, in 1891, bought the plant, since which time, the firm has done a large whole- sale and retail lumber business, operating a planing mill and manufacturing sash, doors and blinds.

In 1876 Mr. Hawkins was married to Clara A. Smetts, a daughter of the late George W. Smetts, who was a postal railway clerk, residing at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Hawkins have two sons, George W. and Charles W., the former of whom is book- keeper for the firm of Rohrbacher & Allen. at Akron, the latter being employed in the of- fice of the Akron Lumber Company. Mr. Hawkins and family belong to the Congrega- tional Church.

Mr. Hawkins is a Thirty-second Degree Mason, belongs to all branches of the Odd Fellows and is also a Knight of Pythias. While not particularly active in politics, he has always shown his interest in public af- fairs and has served as a member of the City Council.

CITARLES HIERBERICII, secretary and treasurer of the Depositors' Savings Bank Company, at Akron, has spent the greater part of his life in this city, but is a native of Germany. Early in life he was brought to America and was reared and educated in Akron.

After completing his education, Mr. Her-

berich entered the employ of the American Hard Rubber Company, and was connected with the shipping department for seven years. He then became a member of the firm of D. Herberich & Company, dealers in general insurance and real estate, of which he is at present the secretary. He is a stock- holder in a number of corporations and has been secretary and treasurer of the Deposit- ors' Savings Bank since its organization. The other officers of this financial institution are: Carl Dietz, president, and A. H. Mallison, vice president. The bank was open for busi- ness April 15, 1907, with a capital stock of $50,000, and it has been successful from the start, its officers inspiring general confidence.

In 1902 Mr. Ilerberich was married to Ve- ronica. Storz, who is a daughter of Georg Storz, now deceased, but formerly a substan- tial citizen of Akron. They have two chil- dren, Grace and Richard. Mr. Herberich is a member of the First German Reformed Church, which he served on the board of trustees for four years. Hle belongs to the beneficiary order of the Royal Areanum and to the Liebertafel Club.

CLYDE K. FOWLER, local agent for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, and for the United States Express Company, at Cuyahoga Falls, has been a resident of this place for the past seven years, coming here first as a telegrapher. He was born at Char- don, Lawrence County, Ohio, July 23, 1875, and is a son of Seymour S. and Celia J. (Clark) Fowler.

Seymour S. Fowler, father of Clyde K .. was born in Massachusetts, and when about seventeen years of age, went to Michigan, where he was engaged in a lumber business for some years. He then moved to Sheridan, Ohio, where he was occupied as an auctioneer and insurance agent, going thence to Ravenna and later to Akron, where he was connected with the Akron Machine Company for eleven years. For the past six years he has been in the piano business at Massillon, Ohio. His wife, Celia, died October 16, 1902, aged fifty-six years. She was a consistent member

SA.

RESIDENCE OF MILTON H. WARNER, COVENTRY TOWNSHIP

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of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which religious body Mr. Fowler also belongs. Of their six children, four grew to maturity, namely: Clark B., residing in Pennsylva- nia; Caroline, who married Charles W. Can- field, and resides at Chardon; Nellie, who married Wilbur F. Bliss, residing at San Diego, California, and Clyde K.

Clyde K. Fowler attended the public schools at Chardon, and at the age of seven- teen years learned telegraphy at Ravenna, where his parents were then residing. He has been employed solely in railroad work, for the first five years being with the C. & P. Railroad, and since then with the Baltimore & Ohio Company. Ile has been located in different sections of the State, and because of his expert manipulation of the keys, has been many times placed in responsible posi- tions.

Mr. Fowler was married in 1896 to Eliza- beth E. MaeLaughlin, a daughter of George and Rachael MaeLaughlin, of Alliance, Ohio. They have two children, Ruth E. and Harold G. Mrs. Fowler is a member of the Congre- gational Church. Politically, he is a Repub- liean. He belongs to Pavonia Lodge, No. 301, Knights of Pythias. Mr. Fowler has recently purchased a comfortable home. at Cuyahoga Falls. Although he has been phy- sically handicapped sinee the age of fourteen years, when the accidental discharge of a gun shattered his right hand, he has overeome all disadvantage resulting therefrom, and in his line of work has been successful ..

MILTON H. WARNER, owner of the Hillside Fruit and Dairy Farm, which con- sists of sixty-five aeres of some of the most pro- ductive land in Coventry Township and is favorably located within one-half mile of the corporation limits of Akron, is one of the prominent and substantial men of this sec- tion. Mr. Warner was born on his father's farm in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, August 1, 1859, and is a son of Solo- mon and Matilda E. (Ritter) Warner.

Mr. Warner's grandparents were Henry and Elizabeth (Kepler) Warner, who were

born in Pennsylvania. In 1835 they came to Ohio, settling first at Canton, but later they came to the farm in Coventry Township, Summit County, which is now owned by Wil- liam Ferris. When they came to this neigh- borhood as pioneers, the whole region was a wilderness, and before they could build their first log house, a clearing had to be made in the forest. After Henry Warner had pro- vided a comfortable home in Ohio, he was joined by his aged father, Adam Warner, who survived until almost the age of ninety-nine years. Henry Warner died aged seventy-six years and his widow when three years older. They reared a sturdy family of eight chil- dren, six of whom are still living. They were John, Adam, Jacob, William, Samuel, Abra- ham, Solomon and Daniel. Jacob Warner, of this family, served as a 100-day soldier in the Civil War, and William Warner served three years, both receiving an honorable dis- charge at the close of their terms of service.

Solomon Warner, father of Milton HI., was born in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, June 22, 1837, and still survives, re- siding with his son, Milton H., his only child. He was married May 27, 1858, to Matilda E. Ritter, who was born in Springfield Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, October 28, 1837, and died April 24, 1888. For many years, Solomon Warner followed the thresh- ing business.

Milton H. Warner, their only child, was reared on the old home place. He attended the district schools and later spent a short time in the Smithville ITigh School. When about seventeen years of age he began to work in the mill of Brewster Brothers, at Pleasant Valley, where he remained for twelve years, when he went to East Akron and worked for eighteen months in the Seiberling mill, re- taining his home, however, at Pleasant Valley until 1897. He then moved to his present farm, which he had bought from the Austin Spieer heirs, in 1895. This land has always been considered fertile and has been made ex- ceptionally productive under Mr. Warner's excellent methods. He makes a specialty of dairying, keeping sixteen head of cattle and

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five head of horses, and of fruit-growing, es- pecially berries. He finds a ready market for all his produee at Akron. The improve- ments on the farm, including the commodi- ous fourteen-room residence, and substantial barn and other buildings, have all been made by Mr. Warner. Mr. Warner is also con- nected with the Norton Mutual Fire and Cy- clone Insurance Company and has written some of the largest polieies in this locality.

Mr. Warner was married December 18, 1884, to Ida C. Grotz, who is a daughter of John and Almira (Martin) Grotz. The ma- ternal grandmother of Mrs. Warner, Rebecca Way, was the first white child born in Suf- field Township, and the family is an old and prominent one of this section. Mr. and Mrs. Warner have two sons, Harry J., residing at home, assisting his father, and Edgar S., who is connected with the Goodrich Rubber Com- pany. Mr. Warner and family belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the spring of 1907, Mr. Warner was elected a member of the Summit County Agricultural Society. Fraternally he belongs to Summit Lodge, No. 50. of the order of Odd Fellows, and is also a member of the Encampment. His portrait is presented on an adjoining page.

ALBERT H. MALLISON, one of Akron's leading citizens now retired from active busi- ne-s life, is a member of a prominent pioneer family, and a son of the late Albert G. Malli- son, who came to Akron in 1832.

Mr. Mallison's father came to Summit County in the capacity of a civil engineer, and was associated with Captain Howe in the surveying and laying out of about 300 aeres of land which is now in the central part of Akron. He did a large amount of surveying in this section, and many of the old recorded papers of conveyance, have his name at- tached. He was a native of Connecticut, born in 1797, and he died at Akron, in 1879.

In 1843 he was married to Cornelia G. Washburn, who was born in Ohio. and died in 1875. Of their family of three children there are two survivors-Eveline, who mar-

ried H. G. Moon, a retired citizen of Akron, and Albert H.

Albert H. Mallison attended school in Ak- ron when the present busy city was a village and he has seen all of its wonderful develop- ment. Until 1890 he was engaged in farm- ing, and still retains farming interests. At that date he platted his farm, which has been largely sold in town lots, and is one of the most desirable residence portions of the city. Mr. Mallison is identified with the banking interests of Summit County. In addition to being vice president of the Depositors' Sav- ings Bank, he is a stockholder in the Second National Bank of Akron and also in the Cuyahoga Falls Bank of Cuyahoga Falls. His beautiful home, at 513 Wooster Avenue, is situated within half a dozen rods of the spot where he was born.

On March 16, 1875, Mr. Mallison was mar- ried to Aliee M. Miner, and they have four children, namely: Edith M., who married Joseph HI. James, a professor in the Carnegie Institute, at Pittsburg; Celia R., wife of W. E. Hardy, who is connected with the Dia- mond Rubber Company, of Akron ; . Blanche J., who was a member of the graduating elass at Buchtel College in 1907, and Albert G., who is a third-year student at the West- ern Reserve University. Mrs. Mallison is a member of the Universalist Church.

Mr. Mallison has ever taken a good citi- zen's interest in publie matters. Politically a Republican, he has served on numerous oceasions in office, both in the city of Akron and in the county. He was a trustee for three terms of Portage Township, assessor for two terms, and for three years served as a member of the Akron School Board. He is liberal in his donations to charity and in his support of benevolent institutions.

FRANK T. MOLONEY, cashier and treas- urer of the Cuyahoga Falls Savings Bank, treasurer of the Walsh Paper Company and also of the Cuyahoga Falls Board of Trade, occupies a prominent position in the business life of this city. Mr. Moloney was born at Chicago, Illinois, November 16, 1873, and is

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a son of John J. and Mary A. (Smith) Mo- loney.

John J. Moloney was born in Ireland and after the death of his father, accompanied his mother to America, about 1843. He was seventeen years of age when he enlisted for service in the Civil War, entering the Nine- teenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in which he served for three years, during which time he was twiee wounded and other- wise injured. He and wife have spent the most of their lives in Chicago, where he has followed earpenter work. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Frank T. Moloney has been identified with the banking business ever since he completed the Iligh School course in his native eity. He was in the employ of the Commercial National Bank of Chicago for eleven years, beginning as a messenger boy, and he was gradually advaneed until 1903, when he became connected with Euclid Park National Bank of Cleveland, as general bookkeeper. He remained there until 1905, when he came to the Cuyahoga Falls Savings Bank. He is one of the executive committee of the Cuya- hoga Savings Society.

Mr. Moloney married May Belle Van Hart. of Cincinnati, and has one child, a daughter, AAdella. Mr. and Mrs. Moloney are members of the Congregational Church.

In political sentiment. Mr. Moloney is a Republican. He is prominent in Masonic eireles, belonging to Union Park Lodge, No. 610, A. F. & A. M., of Chicago; York Chap- ter. R. A. M., No. 148, and Al Sirat Grotto, of Cleveland.

GEORGE H. WORRON, president of the Star Planing Mill and Lumber Company, with plant at. No. 55 Cherry Street, Akron. has been a resident of this eity for a quar- ter of a century and has a wide cirele of business as well as personal friends. He was born in County Kent, England, in 1854. In 1856 the parents of Mr. Worron came to America and settled at Utica, New York. The subject of this sketch was reared in that sec- tion of the country, and after he had com-

pleted his schooling, at the age of fourteen years, he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1882 he eame to Akron and entered the em- .ploy of the D. W. Thomas Company, con- traetors and builders, and becoming foreman, remained with that firm for about fifteen years. Hle then organized The Star Plan- ing Mill Company, with a capital stock of $25,000, and a finely-equipped plant. The business is the manufacturing of sash, doors, blinds and general interior finishings, and in connection the company conducts a lumber yard, and also do a general contracting bu-i- ness.

In 1882 Mr. Worron was married to Alice S. Hunsieker, who is a daughter of Peter Hunsicker of Johnson's Corners. He is a member of the English Lutheran Church. Ilis fraternal connections are with the Odd Fellows and the Maecabees.

HARRISON THEODORE ROETIIIG. a successful business man at Cuyahoga Falls, proprietor of a meat market on Front Street, was born at Cuyahoga Falls. Summit County, Ohio, September 19, 1869, and is a son of Ferdinand Julius and Sarah J. (Faze) Roe- thig.

Ferdinand Julius Roethig was born at Krakow, Austrian Hungary, February 24, 1825, and when he was five years old his father died and his mother took him to Ger- many. She possessed means and he was edu- eated at Leipsic, where he later learned the trade of tinner and copper-mith. He was one of the young men who rallied under the banner of the Hungarian patriot. Louis Kos- suth, whose fortunes he followed for three years. After the defeat of their great leader, at Temesvar, on August 9, 1849, the mem- bers of the regiment to which Mr. Roethig be- longed. including himself, eseaped to the United States, and here he fell baek on his trade as a means of support. For a year he worked at New Orleans, and then aseended the Mississippi to St. Paul. From that city he went to Chicago, and worked there at his trade for one year, and then coming to Cuva- hoga Falls. Here he followed his trade for

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many years, a part of the time for himself and partly in the shops of L. W. Loomis and Parks & Gillette. After coming to Ohio he enlisted for service in the Civil War, but was stricken with illness at Massillon, which caused his discharge. He died April 17, 1886, eight years before his old commander.

On August 30, 1852, Ferdinand Julius Roethig was married to Sarah J. Faze. who survives him and resides at Cuyahoga Falls. She was born at Manchester, Carroll County. Maryland, February 24, 1832, and accom- panied her parents to Cuyahoga Falls, when she was five years of age. Her family came in wagons and were three weeks making the trip. Her father, Peter Faze, was born in Germany and came to America with his par- ents when five years of age. He was a paper-maker and was accidentally killed in a paper mill in April, 1852, when aged fifty- nine years. There were nine children born to Ferdinand J. Roethig and wife, namely: Ferdinand J., deceased; Julia Sarah, who married C. W. Moon, both being now de- ceased : Charles B., residing at Syracuse, New York; William Washington, residing at Cuyahoga Falls, and Edward Loon, Lillian, Alfred Herman and Harrison T., all resi- dents of Cuyahoga Falls. All of the above family was reared in the German Lutheran faith.

Harrison Theodore Roethig was educated in the common and High Schools at Cuya- hoga Falls, and then learned the butchering business with Smith Tifft, with whom he re- mained for ten years. He then went to work for his brothers, William and Edward Roe- thig, who were doing business under the firm name of Roethig Bros., remaining with them for another ten years. In February, 1901, he opened his own market. lIe has a clean, sanitary place, puts up his own ice and does a large part of his own butchering. He deals only in first-class meat, carrying all the sta- ple delicacies in his line. He is essentially a man of business, and although he votes with the Republican party, he takes no active part in political affairs, devoting his time ex- clusively to looking after his constantly in-

creasing interests. Mr. Roethig married Bertha L. Holden, who is a daughter of James Holden, of Kent, and they have one son, Lowell H.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 53

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