Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 65

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 65

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After ninety-one days on the water, during forty-one of which the passengers never saw daylight on account of the tempestuous seas, the little vessel reported at the Baltimore docks and the news was spread through the city streets that a family would be sold to pay pas- sage money. It was not quite so dreadful a thing then as it would be now, for it was the

custom, and in that way many large land- owners in the vicinity secured their necessary help. It was decided that little Catherine, then a maid of fourteen years, should be the one offered to float the family out of its diffi- culties, and she was sold for enough to cover the shortage, and went with the strange fam- ily who had bought her, to remain until she was twenty-one years of age. However, her sturdy father had no intention of permitting her to remain and fill out the conditions. With the rest of the family he went on as far as Northumberland County, Pennsyl- vania, where he soon secured employment at his trade, that of miller, and as soon as the kind-hearted people among whom he had set- tled learned of little Catherine's fate, they raised by subseription enough money to re- lease her, and a messenger was sent to Balti- more for this purpose. Ile proved unreliable and never returned. A second subscription was then taken up and a reputable citizen took the matter in hand and went to Baltimore and returned the daughter to her afflicted family. This incident is presented as recalling a his- torie custom and also as a bit of family his- tory.

The family had landed at Baltimore in June, 1819, and Mr. Lepper continued to work at milling in Northumberland County, for three years and then they moved to Ohio, where he followed milling at New Lisbon for three years at Milton, Mahoning County, for one year, and at Tompkins Creek, for one year, and in the following year removed to Akron, which was then known as Middle- bury. After working for two years at a mill in East Akron, he came to Springfield Town- ship, and after working one year at his trade at Millheim, he bought twenty-six aeres of land and took charge, at the same time, of the Randolph flouring mill, this being in Randolph Township. This land subsequently passed into the hands of his son Peter, who took it upon himself to pay all incumbrances on it and to take care of his parents as long as they lived.

Peter Lepper was three years old when his parents moved to the farm in Suffield Town-

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ship, Portage County, which was then all dense forest. When twelve years of age he began to make his way independently, find- ing plenty of employment in his own neigh- borhood, assisting in clearing up the wild farms and chopping wood. He worked for three seasons as a driver on the canal, and in 1840, made a trip as cabin boy on the Mis- sissippi River. In the fall following the above trip, he attended school for three months, in Suffield Township, and in the spring of 1841, resumed work on the canal, as bows- man, under Captain Woodward, working sat- isfactorily all through that summer, although only a boy in years. He at last accumulated enough capital to enable him to buy an ax and saw, with which implements he made a good living for the next two years, going from house to house at Akron, chopping and saw- ing wood. Thus he earned enough to buy a two-horse wagon and team and for the next two years he did general hauling. In 1845 he sold his team, and during the next two years he was employed peddling groceries and cigars. About this time, his older sister, who also possessed an independent spirit and good business capacity, started a little grocery store in Suffield Township and induced her brother Peter to enter into partnership with her, he to do the purchasing in connection with his peddling, while she managed the business at home. They were entirely successful in car- rying out their plans.

In 1847 Mr. Lepper bought forty-seven acres in Suffield Township, lying adjacent to the twenty-six acres owned by his parents, and then followed the agreement formerly noted, and as long as the aged parents lived they had a comfortable and happy home with this devoted son. Mr. Lepper followed farm- ing and stockraising in Suffield Township un- til 1853, and also, for fourteen years operated a threshing machine and for thirty years was more or less engaged in selling farm machin- ery and agricultural implements. After a resi- dence of nearly forty years in Suffield Town- ship, Mr. Lepper moved to Springfield Town- ship and purchased his present valuable farm of 255 acres. It is situated conveniently near

to Akron and was formerly known as the Philip Kramer farın. It is acknowledged to be one of the finest farms in Summit County and Mr. Lepper still carries on general farm- ing and sheep raising, formerly being one of the largest shippers in the county. He has made many improvements on his property, erecting his fine home in 1878 and subse- quently his substantial barns and other build- ings. There is an air of solidity about this farm and its surroundings that give on a fair indication of the character of its owner.

On May 20, 1848, Mr. Lepper was married, at Hartsville, Stark County, to Cather- rine Sausaman. This estimable lady was born September 25, 1818, and died on this farm July 9, 1896. Her death was a great affliction to her sorrowing family, for she had been a loving, faithful wife and kind mother. Her parents were Isaac and Cather- ine (Jarrett) Sausaman. Her father was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, in 1842 moved to Stark County, Ohio, where he fol- lowed his trade of saddler for many years and then bought twelve acres of land in Suf- field Township, Portage County. He had nine children, two of whom survive.

Peter Lepper and wife had seven children born to them, as follows: John H., residing at Brittain, Summit County, where he con- ducts a large grocery, married Anna Kling, who is a daughter of George Kling and they have these children: George, Winnifred Mar- garet, Benjamin Franklin, Kittie Lillie and Daisey Ruth; Louisa, who is her father's housekeeper and devoted attendant; Benjamin Franklin residing on his large sheep ranch in Montana, has made a great success of sheep- raising and has resided in the West for twenty- five years; Margaret A., residing on a farm in Portage County, married Henry Swartz and they have had six children: Lillian, de- ceased, Sylvia, Lois, Ruth, Louise and Frank ; Mary Elizabeth and Jefferson, twins, the latter of whom was married (first) to Ottie Smith. daughter of Orrin Smith, who died January 1, 1890, leaving one son, Howard, and (sec- ond) to Maria Adams, daughter of Horace Adams. They have one daughter, Edith, and

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they reside near New Springfield; and Cather- ine, who married Frederick Hawk, residing in Portage County, and they have seven children: Frederiek, Helen P., John, Earl P., Clair, Irene, and Eva.

During fourteen years in Springfield Town- ship, Mr. Lepper was a valued member of the Summit County Agricultural Society, of which he was president for two years, vice- president for two years and for eight years was superintendent of the horse department. During the time he was president he spent the available funds in such a way as to meet with the approbation of all concerned. With K. J. Ellet, he set out the fine poplar trees which give such needed shades on the fair ground, without any compensation. For several years he took a great interest in Fountain Park and has always been willing to contribute liberally to various public improvements. Politically, he is a Democrat and has been elected to al- most all the local offices, although never seek- ing them, and has served as township trus- tee and assessor. In 1890 he was elected ap- praiser of real estate in Springfield Town- ship and served as township trustee, super- visor and as a member of the School Board for many years, in fact until he refused to serve longer. On one occasion he was select- ed as his party's candidate for Representa- tive to the General Assembly and although he was not elected, his personal popularity re- duced the normal Republican majority from 1,500 to 380 votes. Ile has been prominent in political life for a long period and his judgment is often consulted by the party leaders in his locality.

Mr. Lepper is a member of Akron Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 83, and of Akron Comman- dery, K. T., No. 25. Ile is one of the old- est members of that lodge, having entered the fraternity at Kent, Ohio, in 1861. He is a charter member of both the Pomona and the Tallmadge Grange. In his religious life Mr. Lepper belongs to the Reformed Church and formerly was a deacon in that body. He is a man of kind heart and generous impluses and in his treatment of others, on his journey through life, has never forgotten the time

when he was a poor boy with no future to look forward to except one made by himself. His generosity and sympathy have cost him many thousands of dollars, but he still has faith in human nature and still plays the part of a philanthropist on many occasions. Few residents of Springfield Townhip are more generally esteemed.

WILLIAM P. BARKER, senoir member of the firm of W. P. Barker and Son, at Cuya- hoga Falls, engaged in heavy blacksmith work for the big machine shops, and sub- contracting work for the United States Govern- ment, came to this city in 1845, and it has been his real home ever sinee. Mr. Barker has been a great traveler through the United States, but in all his wanderings has not found a section more to his liking than the one to which he was brought by his English father, sixty-two years ago. Mr. Barker was born in Yorkshire, England, on August 3, 1841, and is a son of Jonathan and Mary Bar- ker.

Mr: Barker's mother died when he was a child, he being the youngest of her sixteen children. The father, a weaver by trade, de- cided to come to America to better his busi- ness prospeets, and brought with him his sur- viving children, namely : Elizabeth, who died unmarried; Anna, deceased, who mar- ried George Irvington; Sarah, who married J. C. Daly, residing at Medina; and William P. Jonathan Barker worked for a time in the fork factory at Cuyahoga Falls, after which he bought a horse and wagon and for many years traveled through the country as a tin peddler, retiring several year prior to his death, which occurred in 1877, when he was aged seventy-seven years.

Under the above circumstances it can be seen that William P. Barker had fewer oppor- tunities of obtaining an education than is the case with children of the present day; in fact, he went to school regularly for but one year. When he was fourteen years of age he went to Windsor, Ontario, Dominion of Canada, where he was apprenticed to his brother-in-law, George Irvington, and learned

WILLIAM F. STROBEL

GEORGE H. STROBEL

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the horseshoer's trade. He continued to work there for two years, when he came back to Cuyahoga Falls and worked for one year at blacksmithing for John and Robert Allen. In 1863 he accompanied John Allen to Red- wood, California, where Mr. Allen opened a blacksmith shop. After working in this shop for about a year, Mr. Barker joined a party of three and went with them to Arizona, and thence to Montana. He walked 1,800 miles that winter, going from Montana to Los An- geles, back to Arizona, around by Salt Lake City, and then back to Montana. Mr. Bar- ker worked at his trade during favorable sea- sons and prospected during the rest of the time. He reached Cuyahoga Falls about two years after the close of the war, and then em- barked in his present business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, J. C. Daly. A few months later he bought Mr. Daly's interest and continued to work alone for about a year, when he was again seized with a desire to travel.

On this occasion, Mr. Barker went to Min- nesota, where he remained for a year engaged in lumbering and trapping. Then returning to his old home, he reopened his shop and continued in business until 1896. He then took a gold prospecting trip to Alaska, but was forced to return home on account of ill- ness, after an absence of sixteen months, dur- ing which time he experienced hardships which almost terminated his life. He soon recuperated, however, under home care, and resumed business at his present place, which he had built before starting for the far North- west. His shop is a one-story brick building 107 feet long and 50 feet wide in the north end and 36 feet in the south end. For the past twenty-five years he has been engaged as above indicated, and fully one-half of the work of the plant goes to Alliance. Since 1895 his son, William H. has been his part- ner.

Mr. Barker was married to Charlotte Lyons, who was born probably in New Jersey, and is a daughter of John Lyons. They have had ten children, all of whom are still living as follows: Mary, Amelia, Sarah, William H.,

George, John, Samuel and Susan, twins, Harry and Fred.

Mr. Barker is a good citizen in all that pertains to keeping the laws and exerting an influence in the direction of morality and business integrity, but he has united with neither of the great political parties, casting his vote independently.

GEORGE STROBEL AND WILLIAM STROBEL, owners of 125 acres of valuable farming land, which is favorably situated in the southwest corner of Coventry Township, are the sons of William and Lovina (Cor- many) Strobel.

Their grandfather, Lorenzo Strobel, was a native of Germany, from which country he came to America in about 1840, in a sailing vessel, the journey consuming six weeks. Continuing his journey to Summit County, Ohio, he settled on Sherbondy Hill, near Ak- ron, which was at that time a mere village. For a few years he lived in the woods, follow- ing weaving, an occupation which he had learned in Germany, and then removed to a farm in Coventry Township, that is now owned by his grandsons. There he died in 1900, aged eighty-eight years, his wife hav- ing passed away when 75 years old. To Lorenzo Strobel and his wife Margaret there were born six children, namely: Elizabeth, who married George Miller; William ; Sophia, who married John Filler; John; Hannah, who married George Haas; and Lawrence, who died in childhood.

William Strobel grew up on his father's farm, and experienced all the hardships of pioneer life. When a young man he learned the shoemaker's trade with a Mr. Hoskins, but did not follow it to any great extent, giv- ing more of his attention to farming. About 1867 he purchased the farm of his father, which was mostly cleared by this time, and here he met his death, being killed by a run- away team December 23, 1874. He was mar- ried to Lovina Cormany, a daughter of George Cormany, who came to Manchester, Ohio, from Pennsylvania, and here became a prom- inent agriculturist and large landowner.

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Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wil- liam Strobel, namely: George, the subject, with his brother, William, of this article; John, who married Nellie Hardin, and resides at Akron; Anna, wife of Ellsworth Hall, and a resident of Norton Township; William, mentioned above; and Elizabeth, who died at the age of eight years.

George and William Strobel are now en- gaged in general farming, although for two years they carried on poultry raising, and for a like period George and his brother John conducted a confectionery store at Barberton. They reside on the old homestead, where George was born August 25, 1866, and Wil- liam April 23, 1871. Both are good, practi- cal agriculturists, public-spirited citizens, and stanch Democrats in politics, William hav- ing served on the school board, and as town- ship supervisor in 1904-5-6. For some time both brothers were connected with the Good- rich Rubber Company at Akron, and William spent one year on the Akron street car lines, while George was for a year with the Webster, Camp and Lane Machine Company. They were reared in the Lutheran and Reformed faiths. William Strobel is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters, No. 356, Court Pride, in which he has passed the chairs, and of the Knights of Pythias, Akron Lodge. No. 603.

HARVEY E. STEIN, a representative farmer of Bath Township, who owns 155 acres of excellent land, was born May 23, 1863, in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Leiby) Stein.

Harvey E. Stein remained at home until fourteen years old, assisting his father in his general store, and then went to Guilford Township, Medina County, Ohio, where he worked for about two years as a farm hand. He then spent one year in the coal mines of Norton Township, Summit County, after which he engaged in farm work in Granger Township, Medina County, for one and one- half years. At the end of this time Mr. Stein came to Bath Township, where he was em- ployed by C. P. Heller for five and one-half

years and by Edward Jones for two years. After his marriage he settled on a rented farm for several years, and in 1900 purchased his present property from the heirs of Edward Heller. Here he has since been engaged very sucessfully in general farming and stock- raising, and has made a specialty of breeding imported horses.

In 1888 Mr. Stein was married (first) to Dora Heller, and (second) to Amanda Hel- ler, who were born in Copley Township, Sum- mit County, Ohio, daughters of Edward and Julia (Dutt) Heller.

JAMES ALBERT SMITH, who owns 104 acres of some of the best land in Bath Town- ship, which is situated in School District No. 12, one-half mile north of the Smith or Medina road, has owned and resided on this property since 1896. He was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 22, 1856, and is a son of Housel and Susan (Moore) Smith.

When James Albert Smith was an infant, his father moved first to Bath Township, pur- chasing a farm of ninety-four acres, in its eastern part, on which the family lived for a short time and then went back to Springfield Township. James Albert was twelve years old when his father returned to Bath Town- ship and settled on the farm he now owns, which he subsequently purchased from the other heirs. Both parents died on this farm, the mother surviving until April 17, 1907. They had eight children, two daughters and six sons, as follows: Emanuel C. and John Newton, both residing at Akron; James Al- bert of Bath Township; Robert, residing at Montrose; Sarah L., who married James Ed- gar; Charles Henry, residing at Peninsula; George, residing in Coshocton County; and Maggie L., who married Cyrus Fields, of De- troit, Michigan.

Until he was twenty-one years of age, James Albert Smith resided at home and then learned the stone-mason trade, at which he worked for seventeen years, during thirteen of this period, living at Copley. For the past eleven years he has engaged in general farm-

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ing and is numbered with the successful men of this section.

On December 28, 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Elta Barber, who is a daughter of Solomon and Harriet (Wright) Barber. Solomon Barber was born in Stark County, Ohio, and accompanied his father in boyhood to the farm in Bath Township, on which Newton Hackett lives. The mother of Mrs. Smith was born at Lima, New York, and in her widowhood, lives with Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Her parents were Richmond and Betsey (Egbert) Wright. They came to Akron when Mrs. Barber was a babe and be- came well-known residents. Mr. and Mrs. Barber were married at Independence, Cuya- hoga County, Ohio, and they had twelve chil- dren, eight of whom survive: William, re- siding at Minneapolis; Leonard, residing in Oregon ; Sylvenes, deceased at the age of twenty-five years; Elta; Belmont, who is de- ceased; Belle, residing at Youngstown, is the wife of DeForest Richards; Theron, residing at Brown Valley, Minnesota; Minnie, de- ceased, married Peter IFanson; James, resid- ing at Youngstown; Emily, deceased, mar- ried Louis Molton, residing at Warner, South Dakota; Thomas, residing at Roches- ter, Minnesota, and Paul, residing in South Dakota. The father of Mrs. Smith died Au- gust 29, 1901.

Mr. and Mrs. Smith have four children: Pearl, who married Harry Robinson, has three children, Albert, Victor and Jessie; Bessie, who married Ervin Snyder, has one child, Celesta; and Ethel and Ruth.

Mr. Smith belongs to the beneficiary or- ganization known as the Knights of the Pro- tective Legion.

CHARLES HATCII, superintendent of the Ohio Canal between Cleveland and Na- varre, Ohio, who has been identified with this waterway during all his business life, was born at Peninsula, Summit County, Ohio, in 1855. His father, Asa D. Hatch, who was a native of Vermont, removed from that State to Pennsylvania, where he operated a saw- mill for about twenty years. He served over

three years in the Civil War as a member of Company D, Battery F, Second Regiment Ohio Volunteers, and survived the war thir- teen years, dying in 1878.

Shortly after the death of his father, Charles Hatch bought a boat which he oper- ated on the Ohio Canal until 1884. He then entered the employ of the State of Ohio, as foreman of a State boat on the canal, which position he continued to fill until 1902, when he became superintendent of the Ohio Canal from Cleveland to Navarre, with his office at Lock No. 1. He takes an active interest in politics and for years has been a member of the Summit County Republican Executive Committee. In 1878, Mr. Ifatch was mar- ried to Fannie Hardy, who was born in Sum- mit County, Ohio, and they are the parents of three children: Stella E., who married D. E. J. Williams; Asa D., and Harold H., all residents of Akron. Mr. Hatch is a Mason, an Elk, and a Maccabec and belongs also to the Sons of Veterans. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

NORMAN WARE, highly esteemed retired citizen of Norton Township, residing on his valuable farm of sixty-three acres, situated at Johnson's Corners, was born on the old Ware home place, near Hometown, Summit County, Ohio, February 24, 1840, and is a son of Israel and Mary (Lautzenheiser) Ware.

Israel Ware came to Ohio from Pennsyl- vania and settled in Norton Township at a very early day, marrying into a Norton Township family, and purchasing the farm that is now occupied by Forrest Swain. On that farm his eight children were born, four of whom are deceased, one of whom was killed in the battle of Jackson, Mississippi, July 12, 1863, and there both he and his wife died.

Norman Ware was reared on his father's farm and assisted in its care and development. He attended the country schools and re- mained working on the homestead until 1884, when he purchased his present farm, on which he carried on a general line of agri-

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culture until he retired from hard work. His second son then assumed his responsi- bilities in the management of the property.

In 1864, Mr. Ware married Louisa Waltz, who was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, but was reared in Norton Township, Summit County. Her parents were David and Lydia (Baughman) Waltz, old settlers. Her father was born in Penn- sylvania and came to Medina County when a young man, and after marriage moved to

Summit County. Mrs. Ware is one of a family of thirteen children. Mr. and Mrs. Ware have two children : Roy D. and Loman, the latter of whom is the home farmer. Roy D. Ware resides at Johnson's Corners and is employed in the Sterling Boiler Works, at Barberton. He married Nellie Sharp and they have two children: Earl and Lloyd.

Politically, Mr. Ware is identified with the Democratic party. Ile has served as a member of the School Board of Norton Town- ship and also as township treasurer. He is one of the reliable, representative men of his seetion and is a consistent member of the Re- formed Church.

GEORGE P. IIEINTZ, a prominent citi- zen of Bath Township, a member of the School Board and a leading farmer, resides on his well-improved farm of eighty-seven acres, which lies in School District No. 10, on the Croten House road, running north from the old Smith or Medina road. Mr. Heintz was born on the corner of Brown and Exchange Streets, Akron, where the family then resided, October 24, 1845, and is a son of John and Sophia (Keck) Heintz.

John Heintz, the father, was born, reared and married in Germany and came to America in 1834, living for six months at Cleveland, then coming to Akron. At Cleve- land, he engaged in butchering and after reaching Akron he worked both as a butcher and as a cooper, having learned the latter busi- ness in his native land. Later he owned a small slaughter house and marketed his meat through Akron. Subsequently he moved to Summit Hill, Coventry Township, where he

first bought sixty acres, to which he later add- ed fourteen acres of the old Witner farm. He died in Coventry Township in 1903, aged ninety-one years. His first wife, the mother of George P. Heintz, died when the latter was five years of age, and John Heintz married Mrs. Margaret Bolick for his second wife. She died in 1900.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 65

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