Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 60

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

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prise mention, but has also invested in and promoted other prosperous concerns.

In 1895 Mr. Seiberling was married to Blanche C. Carnahan, and they have four children : Charles W., Jr., T. Carnahan, Lucius Miles and Catherine. They reside at No. 76 Fay street, Akron.

J. V. SWARTZ, who is engaged in a whole- sale confectionery business at AAkron and is located at No. 69 East Mill street, was born in Coventry township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1870, and is a son of the late Alfred Swartz.

When a hamlet, village or town bears the name of a family it is pretty good evidence that this family is one held in general esteem and the Swartz family in Coventry town- ship. gave its name to Swartz Corners, a pleas- ant little place of residence and quite an active business center. John Swartz, the grandfather of J. V. Swartz, came to Summit County as an early settler and became a prominent man in the organization of the various civilizing agencies. His son, the late Alfred Swartz, was born in Coventry Town- ship, in 1844, and died at Akron, in 1899.

J. V. Swartz was reared in Coventry Town- ship and there attended school through the primary grades. He then passed through the Akron schools into Buchtel College. His first business experience was as traveling salesman for S. B. Lafferty, confectioner at Akron, and he continued in this capacity for nine years, when he embarked in the wholesale con- fectionery business for himself. In 1905 he built a three-story brick building at No. 69 East Mill street, with dimensions of 20 by 80 feet, occupying the basement, and the first and third floors, in his business, and having the second floor comfortably arranged as a residence. Mr. Swartz takes a practical part in his business himself and has two other travel- ing representatives, covering a radius of twenty-five miles around Akron. His trade name is a guarantee of the excellence and purity of the goods.

In 1902 Mr. Swartz was married to Caro- line Kolp, a daughter of John Kolp; she was

M. W. HOYE

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born and reared at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz have one son, Forest Swartz. Frater- nally, Mr. Swartz is a member of the Masonic order and belongs also to the United Com- mercial Travelers' Association.

MICHAEL W. HOYE, one of Akron's best known citizens, who is interested in a number of her business enterprises, has been one of the city's faithful and efficient publie servants since 1887, when he was appointed sanitary policeman, with quarters at the City Hall. He is also a veteran of the Civil War. Mr. Hoye was born at Castle Dermott, County Kildare, Ireland, April 22, 1844, and aecom- panied his parents to America in 1847, when they settled at Akron.

Mr. Hoye attended the public schools of Akron, and made himself useful to his father until he was seventeen years of age. He then enlisted, August 28, 1861, in Company K, Nineteenth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infant- ry. He served three years, when the regi- ment veteranized, and Mr. Hoye re-enlisted in the same company. His command was at- tached to the Army of the Ohio and Cumber- land, taking part in every battle that the army engaged in: It was finally mustered out at San Antonio, Texas, October, 24, 1865. Mr. Hoye reached Akron November 28, 1865. making a period of service of four years and three months.

He shortly afterward entered the employ of Abbey & Johnson, manufacturers of stone- ware, with whom he remained for six years. On April 1, 1872, he accepted the foreman- ship of the extensive coopering establishment of C. B. Maurer, and continued at the head of these shops until January 1, 1885. He then became traveling salesman for the Franklin Milling Company, but returned to Akron in the following year to accept the ap- pointment of sanitary policeman and milk inspector of the city. In this position Mr. Hoye has since rendered efficient service to the decided benefit of the public and satis- faction of the citizens generally. He has taken an active part in political campaigns on various occasions, and has been one of the

local leaders of his party. He is interested in the National City Bank, and is treasurer of the Akron Times-Democrat Company.

On October 3, 1867, Mr. Hoye was mar- ried to Isabella Mulligan, who died May 16, 1872, leaving two children-William J. and A. P. On October 14, 1872, he married for his second wife, Mary Cummins, who has borne him five children-Mary, Isabella, Rob- ert, Grace and Julia. Since Mr. Hoye's sec- ond marriage he and his wife have adopted twelve children, making nineteen in all, whom they have reared and educated.

J. T. ENRIGIIT, of the firm of Enright & Hummel, funeral directors and embalm- ers, at Akron, came to this city in 1894, where he has resided up to the present time. He was born at Urbana, Ohio, December 4, 1868, and was there reared and educated.

After leaving school, Mr. Enright went to Chicago and became connected with the un- dertaking firm of Lawrence Foley & Sons. He remaining with that concern for three years, learning all the details of the business. The holding of the World's Fair offered many business opportunities to young men in Chi- cago, and during the period of its existence, Mr. Enright filled a lucrative position in the Custom House department. In 1894 he came to Akron and went into the undertaking busi- ness for himself, continuing alone until Jan- uary 1, 1907, when J. B. Hummel became his partner, and since then the firm style has been Enright & Hummel. Mr. Hummel was born in Akron, October 15, 1878, and is a son of Valentine Hummel. The latter was born in Bavaria, Germany, and has been a resident of Akron for over forty years. He was one of the first German teachers in this city. For the past thirty-eight years he has been organ- ist at St. Bernard's Catholic Church. In 1902 Mr. Hummel married Barbara Willenbacher, and they have two children: John II. and Laurence V.

On May 8, 1899, Mr. Enright was married to Catherine HI. Doran, who was born in Ak- ron, Ohio. They have three children --- James, Francis and Mary. Mr. Enright is a

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member of St. Vincent de Paul's Church. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus, the Catholic Mutual Benevolent Association, the Catholic Knights of Ohio, the Ancient Order of Hibernians and the Modern Woodmen. Mr. Hummel is a member of St. Bernard's Church organization. He belongs to Com- mandery No. 6, Knights of St. John, and to the Bavarian Society of Akron. Mr. Enright and Mr. Hummel have well arranged and convenient quarters at No. 159 South High street. They are equipped to handle funerals in every detail.

LUTE H. MILLER, gardener and dairy- man, residing on his well-cultivated farm of eighty-six acres, situated in Copley Township, was born on this farm, March I, 1871, and is a son of Charles C. and Mary Ann (Phil- brick ) Miller.

Charles C. Miller, father of Lute H., was born at Akron, December 11, 1832. His father. Ansel Miller, came from Vermont to Ohio, in 1819, locating at Akron, which was then a settlement consisting of a few houses. The outlook apparently did not please Ansel Miller, as he went back to the East, and did not return until he could find work in the building of the canal, during which period he bought the farm in Copley Township. In November, 1860, after the marriage of his son, Charles C., he came to live on the farm, where he died in 1879, aged eighty years. He was married at Akron to Lucy Hawkins, who came to Ohio with her parents, from Vermont. She died in 1838, leaving two sons: Charles Carroll and James Nelson, the latter of whom died in infancy.

Charles Carroll Miller grew up in the vil- lage of Akron, and attended the sessions of school held in the old stone building known to all the older residents of the city. His literary education was completed in Cleve- land. He then became bookkeeper in a store in Akron, on the canal, but being of an enter- prising nature and wishing to see something of the world, he shipped, in 1848, on a whal- ing vessel, with the expectation of going around Cape Horn to California and visiting to $14.55; in 1901, 180 premiums, amount-

the gold fields; but after two years of sea- faring life he gave up the idea and returned to Akron, bringing with him some souvenirs, such as whale's teeth, which his son still pre- serves. He then went to Michigan to assist his uncle in clearing a farm. While there he was married and at once came back to Summit County, and settled on the farm his father had purchased, where he died in Sep- tember, 1897.

On August 7, 1860, Charles C. Miller mar- ried Mary Ann Philbrick, who was born in the State of New York and who, when nine years of age, accompanied her parents to Ionia County, Michigan. The long journey was made by wagon to Buffalo, by water to Detroit, and by ox-team to the pioneer farm on which settlement was made. There, on that farm, the parents, Daniel and Mary (Gould) Philbrick died. Mrs. Miller still survives. Charles C. Miller and wife had the following children: Frank E., who died in infancy ; Lottie A., who married M. Weager; Ansel P., Lute H. and Carl E.

Lute H. Miller was educated in the dis- trict schools of Copley Township, and the High School at Copley Center, and later taught school for two years in Northampton Township. In 1892, with his brother Ansel, he began operating the home farm, and they continued together until 1901, when Mr. Miller purchased his farm from the other heirs. He runs a dairy with fourteen cows, but his main industry is gardening, his suc- cess which is shown by the long list of pre- miums that he has received for some years past for his choice vegetables, which he raises under glass. He has recently built a brick and cement-lined silo-the first of its kind in this section. His early lettuce and rhubarb, grown under glass, sell at fancy prices. He also makes a specialty of raising poultry. He began to exhibit the products of his farm in 1899, when he was awarded four premiums at the county fair, and he has exhibited each year since that time, and his premiums have amounted to a considerable sum. In 1900, he received twenty-seven premiums, amounting

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ing to $64.00; in 1902, forty-eight premiums, amounting to $38.00; in 1903, sixty-two pre- miums, amounting to $47.40; in 1904, sev- enty-seven premiums, amounting to $59.90; in 1905, eighty-six premiums, amounting to $59.05; and in 1906, seventy-seven pre- miums, amounting to $61.40.

On August 11, 1897, Mr. Miller was mar- ried to Amy B. Arnold, who is a daughter of Charles F. and Rosina (Burr) Arnold, and they have had three children, namely : an infant, now deceased, Ross O. and Gayl R. Politically Mr. Miller is a Republican and he has served as township trustee, being elected on that ticket. He belongs to the National Protective Legion. Mr. Miller is one of the progressive men of his community. He has made a scientific study of everything relating to the industries in which he is en- gaged, and he keeps well informed in regard to modern methods and new discoveries. In large part this explains his remarkable suc- cess.

JOSEPH YEAGER, vice-president and treasurer of the C. II. Yeager Company, at Akron, one of the leading dry goods enter- prises of this city, the phenomenal growth of which has been a noted commercial achieve- ment here, is an old and experienced mer- chant who has associated his sons with him for some years. Mr. Yeager was born at Newton Falls, Trumbull County, Ohio, in 1847.

Mr. Yeager was reared in his native place, and was engaged in a mercantile business there for a number of years. IIe then re- moved to Conneaut, Ohio, where he did an extensive business and operated a department store for seven years. Seeking a wider field, as his sons had reached maturity. Mr. Yeager selected Akron, coming to this city July 1, 1906. Here he bought out the old firm of Dague Brothers, which was one of the oldest in Akron. The Yeagers have made the acquisition one of the largest, neatest, best stocked and most modern stores of this section. They are centrally located at No. 82 Main Street, where they occupy over

50,000 square feet of floor space. The public has been quick to recognize the opportunities they offer, and the success of this venture has been already assured.

On April 25, 1872, Mr. Yeager was married to Eliza Jane Goldner, of North Jackson, Ma- honing County. He and his wife are the parents of three children, namely: R. G., who is manager of the C. H. Yeager Company at Akron; John L., who is manager of the suit department of the C. H. Yeager Com- pany ; and Chloe Estelle, who reside, with her parents. C. Il. Yeager is president of the C. H. Yeager Company and he has a department store at Sharon, Pennsylvania. Mr. Joseph Yeager is a member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Eastern Star, the Elks and the Macca- bees. Ile belongs to the Congregational Church. Both sons belong also to the Elks, and R. G. Yeager is also a Mason.

JAY HORACE HAWKINS, one of Cop- ley Township's substantial citizens, residing on his well-improved farm of sixty-two acres, is a leading farmer of this section, and a mem- ber of the Summit County Agricultural So- ciety. He was born on his father's farm in Portage Township, Summit County, Ohio, November 29, 1866, and is a son of Nelson and Esther (Sherbondy) Hawkins.

The Hawkins family is of Vermont stock, Mr. Hawkins' grandfather, John Hawkins, coming to Ohio from that state and settling in Summit County when it was still a wilder- ness. His family consisted of six daughters and three sons, Nelson being the youngest son. Nelson Hawkins' life was passed near his birthplace, in Portage Township, where he was engaged in carpenter work and con- tracting, and also in farn.ing. He married Esther Sherbondy, whose father, Peter Sher- bondy, was one of the first settlers in Sum- mit County. Mr. Hawkins died on his farm in Portage Township at the age of sixty-six years. His widow survived to the age of seventy-six. They had four children: A. Wesley, who is engaged in a lumber business at Akron; Walter N .; Ella B., who married M. B. Shoemaker: and Jay Horace.

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Jay Horace Hawkins is known as one of Copley Township's progressive and successful farmers. He had good educational advan- tages in his youth, attending first the country schools, then the public schools of Akron, and later a business college in that city. For eight years he was clerk in a clothing and shoe store. After his marriage, in 1891, he spent one more year at Akron and then moved to the old home place, which he farmned until 1904, when he purchased his present farm from his father-in-law, John Moore. He owns a portable sawmill and for the past ten years has given a large part of his attention to the lumber business, employing twelve men.

On December 9, 1891, Mr. Hawkins was married to Jennie G. Moore, who is a daughter of John and Nellie (Chamberlain) Moore. He has two children-Howard Paul and May Gracia.

Politically Mr. Hawkins is a Republican. He is a man of sterling qualities, and is recog- nized by his neighbors as a representative citizen. In 1907 he was appointed a mem- ber of the Fair Board of the County Agricul- tural Society to fill the vacancy caused by the death of John Moore.

HENRY B. SPERRY, manager of the fire brick department of the Robinson Clay Prod- uet Company, of Akron, Ohio, having also a leading interest in several other prominent business enterprises of this city, was born at Tallmadge, Summit County, Ohio, Novem- ber 1, 1863. Ilis parents were Ira P. and Clarissa (Carlton) Sperry. The father, the Hon. Ira P. Sperry, was born in Watertown, Conn., November 24, 1817, and came to Tall- madge with his parents when an infant one year old, they being among the first settlers of that place. Ile received a common school education, and from the age of fourteen to that of seventeen was employed as a black- smith's apprentice. From seventeen to twenty he served an apprenticeship to the carriage- ironer's trade. He then spent a year in school at Cuyahoga Falls. He then worked two years for William C. Oviatt as carriage ironer, at the end of which time he purchased an in-

terest in the concern, which, under different partnership relations, he successfully carried on for nearly a third of a century. In 1870, with his brother, Dr. Willis Sperry and Mr. Samuel J. Richie, he established extensive sewer-pipe works, which, in connection with his son, George P. Sperry, he successfully con- ducted for a number of years. An early anti- slavery man, Mr. Sperry, in 1858, was elected on the Republican ticket as Summit County's representative to the State Legislature, ably serving two years. On September 27, 1841, he was married to Miss Clarissa Carlton, of Portage County. Of this union were born six children-Willis C., Charles O., Mary A., George P., Francis L., and Henry B.

Henry B. Sperry acquired his education in the schools of Tallmadge, including the high school, and at the Western Reserve Academy at Hudson, Ohio. When a young man he became associated with his father in the sewer-pipe business, in 1884 being sent to Chicago as assistant to William M. Dee, the manufacturing agent of the company in that city. He then spent two years traveling in the interest of the Union Sewer Pipe Com- pany, after which he spent five years in the sewer-pipe business at Huntingdon, Pennsyl- vania. Mr. Sperry then purchased the silica brick plant of J. Park Alexander, which he operated for about thirteen years thereafter, or until 1904. In that year he formed his present connection as manager of the fire brick department of the Robinson Clay Prod- uet Company. The silica plant of The Rob- inson Clay Product Company was designed and constructed under the supervision of Mr. Sperry, who is also the inventor of a machine for stripping the mold from the silica brick. Mr. Sperry's other business interests include the presidency of the Baker McMillan Com- pany, of Akron, enamelers and wood-turners, and proprietors of the Akron Spirit Level Works. Mr. Sperry is a 32d degree Mason, belonging to the Blue Lodge at Cuyahoga Falls, the Chapter and Commandery at Ak- ron, and Lake Erie Consistory of Cleveland ; also to the Masonic Club.

Ile was married in 1890 to Miss Helen B.

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Alexander, a daughter of J. Parl Alexander, one of Akron's prominent citizens. Of this union there were four children-George Alex- ander, John Alexander, Robert Alexander, and Helen Alexander.

ALFRED AKERS, president of "The Ak- ron Brick & Tile Company" and of "The Ak- ron Vitrified Clay Manufacturing Company," · besides holding a large interest in the firms of "Akron Supply Company" and "Akers & Harpham," has been a prominent representa- tive of business interests in this city for many ycars.

Alfred Akers was born in England in 1849, and at an early age served his apprenticeship to the tinsmith's trade in that country, and at the age of eighteen years came to America and settled in Akron in 1869.

Mr. Akers was married at Tallmadge, Ohio, to Lottie Cowley, and they have five children -Addie May, Walter Thomas, Alice, Charles B., and Grace-all of whom are living, and now married, with the exception of the lat- ter, who resides at home.

After following his trade for two years, em- ployed by "Jahant Brothers" and "Cramer & May." he started into business for himself, which he conducted alone until 1881. The partnership of "Akers & Harpham" was then formed, and is continued to-day, having been developed into the city's largest and oldest sheet metal and roofing establishment.

In 1890 Mr. Akers bought the controlling interests of the "Akron Brick & Tile Com- pany." which he still retains, and which is one of the leading shale brick factories of Ak- ron. In 1892 he was one of the organizers of the "Akron Supply Company," which has built up a large business in the wholesale and retail trade in builders' supplies. In 1901 he was one of the organizers of "The Akron Vit- rified Clay Manufacturing Company," which has a large clay plant at Tallmadge, Ohio, for the manufacture of sewer pipe and drain tile and fireproofing, the product of which plant is handled by representatives in the large eastern cities, i. e., Pittsburg, Philadelphia. New York, Boston, etc.

Mr. Akers is still actively engaged in busi- ness and with his sons, Walter T. and Charles B., and F. M. Harpham, son of his deccased partner, is joint owner of the above com- panies, the business of which they conduct together.

COL. ARTHUR LATHAM CONGER, formerly president of the Whitman and Barnes Manufacturing Company; president of the Akron Steam Forge Company, of Ak- ron ; and also president of the Diamond Plate Glass Company, of Kokomo and Elwood, Indiana; president of the Hartford City, In- diana, Glass Company; and for years closely identified with the American Tin Plate Com- pany, of Elwood, Indiana, was one of the shrewdest financiers and remarkably success- ful business men that ever engaged in great industrial enterprises, in this part of Ohio. He was much more than a business man, how- ever, having distinguished himself in the Civil War, and having been a leading factor in the political life of his state.

Arthur Latham Conger was born at Boston, Ohio, February, 19. 1838, and up to date of his enlistment in the Union Army, in 1862, he had remained a resident of Summit County, working on his father's farm and in his brick-yard, then turning his attention to boating on the canal, and just as easily, two years later, becoming a school teacher. In whatever direction he turned his attention he met with corresponding success. In July, 1862, he enlisted in Company G, 115th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, of which he was elected second lieutenant, and before the expiration of his three years of service he had been suc- cessively promoted to the ranks of first lieu- tenant, captain and then assistant adjutant general and provost-marshal, at Covington, Kentucky, a member of court martial, assist- ant inspector of railroad defenses, and was recommended by General Thomas as captain and commissary of subsistence.

After the war had closed and there was no longer need for his services in defense of his country, Colonel Conger returned to Summit County and resumed farming. In the mean-

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while he becanie interested in politics, and in 1866 he was elected treasurer of Summit County, and served in that office for four years, officiating also as treasurer of Portage Township and of the city of Akron. He sub- sequently served as a member of the County, State and National Executive Committees of his party, was twice chairman of the Repub- lican State Central Committee and once chair- man of the Republican State Executive Com- mittee, and for eight years was an active and able member of the Republican National Com- mittee. In 1870 he first became connected with the Whitman and Miles Manufacturing Company, as a stockholder and director, and six years later became president of that com- pany. Identification with other important industries followed. and he crowned his busi- nes career by becoming the president of the American Tin Plate Company, which was or- ganized at Elwood, Indiana, in 1891, with a capital of $300,000.

On November 1, 1864, Colonel Conger was married to Emily Bronson, who is a daughter of the late Hiram Volney and Ruth L. (Ran- ney) Bronson. Mrs. Conger survives her dis- tinguished husband and resides at Irving Lawn. They had four children, namely : Kenyon Bronson, Arthur Latham, Latham Hubbard and Erastus Irving. Colonel Con- ger died in Des Moines, Iowa, February 25, 1899.

Colonel Conger always took a deep interest in the Grand Army work and in military af- fairs; in 1884 he was made commander of the Akron Post, and from July, 1881, until July, 1888. he served as colonel of the Eighth Reg- iment. Ohio National Guard. He also served on the staff of Gen. Asa S. Bushnell of Ohio. IIe was a man who won admiration for his business genius and personal affection for the loyal. generous, considerate way in which he treated both friend and foe.

In Boston Township stands a beautiful monument which was uncovered on July 4, 1889. which will ever serve to keep green the memory of Colonel Conger and that of his beloved wife. It is of Westerly granite, the base stone weighing over five tons, which is

surmounted by two small base stones, on the upper end of which stands the three-foot square pedestal. On the front is this inscrip- tion: "Presented to Boston Township, by Arthur Latham and Emily Bronson Conger, to commemorate the bravery and patriotism of the soldiers who served in the War of the Rebellion-1861-65, erected July 4, 1889." The names of the 141 soldiers of Boston Township who served are then inscribed, and four of the greatest battles in which they par- ticipated are given, namely : Nashville, Five Forks, Cedar Creek and Appomattox. On the sur-base stands a tapering square shaft of nearly 26 feet, surmounted by a beautifully carved capital, with a Grand Army badge ex- ccuted on the side, the whole being sur- mounted by the finely-proportioned figure of a soldier, six feet and six inches in height, in fatigue uniform, standing at parade rest. The entire structure is a work of art and it reflects not only the taste but the patriotism and lib- erality of its donors and is above money value to the citizens of Boston Township. Its cost was more than $3,000. The presentation speech was made by Kenyon B. Conger, the unveiling by the second son, Arthur L., while the third son, in the uniform of the Grand .Army of the Republic, acted as orderly of the dedication procession.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 60

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