Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 69

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 69

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Michael and Mary (Ashway) Stump, the grandparents of Hiram, came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in wagons, with their five chil- dren, crossing the river at Pittsburg, by way of the ferry. They settled in Tuscarawas Township, Stark County, Ohio, in the dense woods, and here two more children were born. Nine years later, while assisting a neighbor to raise his house, Michael Stump was arci- dentally killed by a log falling on him. His widow. who was left in straitened eircum- stances, reared her children as best she could. She lived to the advanced age of ninety-two years.

When he reached manhood John A. Stump returned to Pennsylvania, where he learned the cabinet-making and carpenter trade with his uncle. John Stump, with whom he worked three years, during which time, in 1832, he was married. One month after his marriage he took his young wife baek to Stark County, Ohio, to his mother's home. In 1833 they came to Franklin Township, Summit County. and located on the present farm of Hiram Stump, he purchasing eighty acres of section 13, school land, from the Government. On this farm, which had been partly improved, had been erected a log house and barn, but in 1845, Mr. Stump erected a brick residence, and a substantial barn was built by him in 1851. Here Mr. and Mrs. Stump spent the remainder of their lives, his death occurring at the age of seventy-nine years, and hers in her sixty-sixth year. In politieal matters Mr.

Stump was a Democrat, and he served his township for some terms as trustee. The name of the lady Mr. Stump married was Mary Grove, and they became the parents of five children : Alpheus, who died January 2, 1907, aged sixty-nine years; Eliza, deceased, who was the widow of Eli Stout, who died in the army; Hiram; Mary Margaret, who died at the age of four years; and Lucinda, who died in infancy.

Hiram Stump was reared to manhood on the home farm, from which the longest period he has ever been absent was a six-weeks' visit, in Pennsylvania.

While attending the district school, where he had good teachers, he helped to clear the home farin from stones and brush, and when he began farming it was with the scythe, the cradle and other crude implements, before the introduction of modern farm machinery. Although Mr. Stump has retired from active work on his farm he still oversees general operations. Like his father, he is a Demoerat, and for nine years in suecession served as township trustee. Ile is a member of the Re- formed Church at Manchester.

On April 13, 1876, Mr. Stump was united in marriage with Emma Swigart, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and is a daugh- ter of Samuel Swigart, and to this union one child was born, Loma Belle, who married Rolla A. Stump, son of Nathaniel Stump.

Mrs. Stump's father, Samuel Swigart, and mother, Anna Grubb, were the second couple to procure a marriage license after the forma- tion of Summit County, the date being June, 1840.

ISAAC NERHOOD, a representative farm- er and dairyman of Coventry Township, and the owner of ninety-eight acres of fine farming land, located about five miles south of Akron, was born on his father's farm in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, November 18, 1854, and is a son of Amos and Barbara Ellen (Lan- dis) Nerhood.

Jaeob Nerhood, the grandfather of Isaac. was a native of Pennsylvania and a soldier from Snyder County in the War of 1812-14.

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His death occurred in middle life on his farm in Snyder County. Jacob Nerhood married Hannah Rigel, who died in 1877, aged eighty- five years. They had seven children: John; Daniel; Amos; Sarah, who married Isaac Musser; Sophia, who married Fred Haynes; Eliza, who married Jacob Snook; and Leah, who was the first wife of Isaac Musser.

Amos Nerhood, father of Isaac, was born on his father's farm in Pennsylvania, where he grew to manhood, lived the life of a farmer and died in August, 1883, aged sixty-six years. He married Barbara Ellen Landis, who was born in Jnanita County, Pennsyl- vania, where her father had been a pioneer. She died in 1902, aged eighty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Nerhood had nine children, as fol- lows: Elizabeth, who was the wife of Edward Yetter; John Jacob, who resides in Pennsyl- vania; Lucy Ann, who was the wife of A. Romig; Melinda, who married Emanuel Page, resides in Snyder County, Pennsylvania; Daniel, who lives in Pennsylvania; William Howard, who lives in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania; Isaac; Joseph, who lives in Coventry Township; and Hannah Louisa, who died at the age of three months.

Isaac Nerhood attended the district schools of his native locality, when opportunity of- fered but the greater part of his youth was spent on the home farm, at hard work. At the age of twenty-two years he went to Bell- vue, Sandusky County, Ohio, where he worked on various farms for about four years, and then located in Summit County, where he worked in J. P. Kepler's saw mill and at farming for a period of fourteen years, also during that time doing some carpenter work. Having accumulated enough capital he purchased a small piece of property in Springfield Township, a tract of thirty-eight acres, which he secured from Mr. Austin Spicer, but after three years he sold this place and bought his present property, from Edward Kepler, his brother-in-law. This is con- sidered one of the best farms in this section of the township, and here Mr. Nerhood carries on general farming and dairying, keeping for the latter purpose a herd of about fourteen

cattle. The large, nine-room frame house was built by J. P. Kepler, while the barn was crected by John Stroman, an early owner. Coal has been found on the land in large de- posits and much has been already mined.

On March 29, 1892, Mr. Nerhood was united in marriage with Clara Melinda Kep- ler, who is a daughter of J. P. Kepler and granddaughter of John Kepler, a well known pioneer of East Liberty. Mr. and Mrs. Ner- hood have one child, Harvey Elmer, who was born on Decoration Day, 1899.

In political matters Mr. Nerhood is a Re- publican, but he has never cared for, nor sought public office. With his wife he attends the Reformed Church, to which faith the family has always adhered. Mr. Nerhood is one of Summit County's self-made men, hav- ing worked his way from a boyhood of hum- ble circumstances to be a man of substance, solely through his own efforts.

JOHN WILLIAM KING, the owner and operator of an excellent farm of eighty acres, situated in Green Township, was born on his present property in Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 15, 1878, and is a son of Jacob and Elizabeth (Gougler) King.

William King, the grandfather of John W., was born in Wittenberg, Germany, and as a boy of sixteen years came to America and set- tled in Pennsylvania. He was married in Pennsylvania to Magdalena Stroub, who was born in Germany. When a child of thirteen years she came to America, penniless, and was hired out to work for strangers for three years and was married young. They became the parents of ten children. After marriage Wil- liam King removed to the northern part of Coshocton County, Ohio, where he became a substantial farmer and good citizen.

Jacob King, father of John W., was born on his father's farm in Coshocton County, Ohio, January 20, 1837, and went to the old Millcreek Township log school-house for about three months each year in boyhood, then the Greenburg Seminary, and the Spring Moun- tain College, the latter a Methodist institution, thus obtaining an excellent education. For

OTIS K. VIALL

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about one year he taught school in Whitley County, Indiana, and the next six years were spent as an Evangelical preacher, being on the Stark County circuit. Two years of this time were passed at West Austintown, Mahon- ing County, Ohio, two years in Stark County, and the last two years at Fairview, Pennsyl- vania, where he preached in German. When only seventeen years of age Mr. King had en- gaged in the mercantile business at Warsaw, Ohio, but gave this up in order to attend school. Later he spent many years in farm- ing, having acquired 458 acres of land, which he divided among his children. He is now one of the highly esteemed retired citizens of Greensburg.

At the age of twenty-three years, Mr. King was married to Elizabeth Gougler, and to this union there were born four children, all of whom live in Green Township, namely : Mary, who married Henry Oberlin ; Saman- tha; Emma, who married Jacob Boettler; and John William.

John William King attended the district schools, and was reared to agricultural pur- suits. He secured his property from his father, and its present fine condition proves his ability as a farmer. Mr. King erected his large house, barn, and other buildings after taking possession.

On January 14, 1900, Mr. King was mar- ried to Minnie B. Shaffer, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Samuel and Louise (Good) Shaffer, residents of Summit County. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. King: Harvey, Maude and Clyde. In political matters Mr. King is a Republican, while fraternally he is connected with the Grange and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

OTIS K. VIALL, funeral director, whose business is located at No. 919 East Market Street, Akron, was born at Akron, in 1874, and is a son of John F. and Cornelia C. (Wheeler) Viall.

John F. Viall was born in Chautauqua

County, New York, April 30, 1825, and was brought to Ohio by his parents, Bennett and Wealthy (Arnold) Viall, when five years of age. They settled in Springfield Township, Summit County, among the pioneers. John F. Viall learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which he followed until 1866, at which time he engaged in undertaking. Later he was in partnership with his son, under the firm name of Viall & Son. He married Cornelia C. Wheeler, and their surviving children are: Frances, who married William Orendorf, re- siding at Akron; Laura, who married C. B. Macey, residing at Noblesville, Indiana: Ed- ward W., a resident at Noblesville; and Otis K., of Akron. Both John F. Viall and his wife have passed away. He was a man of business honesty and enterprise, and he made the first coffins kept in stock in the city of Akron, an innovation at that time. He was a stanch Republican politically but was never disposed to be a politician. A number of the minor offices of the township he held because he was elected to them, but he sought no polit- ical honors. For many years he was secre- tary of the Middlebury Cemetery Association.

Otis K. Viall, upon completing his school education, became associated with his father in the undertaking business, and since the latter's death has had sole charge of it. He is a graduate of the Champion College of Em- balming at Springfield, Ohio, and also of the Boston College of Embalming, of Boston, Massachusetts. His firm style is Otis K. Viall, funeral director and embalmer. He keeps in readiness all the paraphernalia inci- dent to his business, and has an establishment which is modern in every particular. He is superintendent of the East Akron Cemetery Association.

In 1895 Mr. Viall was married to Daisy Shoemaker, who is a daughter of the late Cy- rus Shoemaker, one of the old families of Northampton Township. They have one son, Earl Victor, who is a student of promise in the public schools. Mr. Viall and his wife belong to the Disciples Church. Fraternally he is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias.

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

CHARLES BIRGE WETMORE, whose finely improved farm of 100 acres is situated in Stow Township, is one of the representa- tive men of this section. He was born on his present farm in Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, September 14, 1848, and is a son of Silas and Mary (Birge) Wetmore.

The Wetmore family was founded in America some time during the Sixteenth cen- tury, by three brothers, Seth, Chauncey, and one whose name has been forgotten, who came from Wales. Seth Wetmore settled in Con- necticut, and from him the Wetmores of Stow Township have descended. He had two sons: William and Titus. William Wetmore was elected the first justice of the peace of Stow Township, when it was yet a part of Portage County. In August, 1804, he was appointed clerk of the court, and removed to Ravenna, but not being satisfied with the empty honor of his position he resigned and came back to Stow Township, settling on the farm now owned by Charles B. Wetmore. The first township election was held at his home. Ile built the house now owned by the heirs of Orison M. Moore, cultivated 200 acres of land, and in every way was one of the leading men of his section. In his latter years he served as judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Judge Wetmore was married to Anne Ogden, and to them were born four children: William, Ed- win, Clarissa and Henry.

Edwin Wetmore, grandfather of Charles B., received a part of his father's farm at the time of the latter's death, and for many years was engaged in business with his son Silas, whose death preceded his own by one year. For a long period he was a justice of the peace in Stow Township, having an office on his farin. In politics he was an ardent Whig in early life, later becoming a Republican. Mr. Wet- more died December 25, 1872, aged over seventy-four years. His first wife was Polly Wetmore, a cousin, who died August 11, 1843.

Silas Wetmore, father of Charles B., grew to manhood on his father's farm, and through- out his mature life was connected in business with his father, the partnership being dis-

solved by his death in 1871. He was a Whig and Republican, and during the Civil War was very active in securing men and means for the cause. He was a trustee of Stow Town- ship, for a number of years. With the excep- tion of Edwin Wetmore, who was a Methodist in his early years, the Wetmores have always been identified with the Christian Church, in which Silas Wetmore was deacon. He was married to Mary Birge, who was born in Con- necticut and came to Ohio with her father, Dr. Simeon Birge, when ten years old. Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Wetmore: Charles Birge, and Edwin S., both of whom reside in Stow Township.

Charles B. Wetmore was reared on the home place, and his education was secured in the district schools and the High School at Cuya- hoga Falls. After a visit of one year's dura- tion, in the West, he returned, in order to take charge of the farm, when his father be- came ill, and here he has resided ever since. Mr. Wetmore has demonstrated his ability as a capable farmer, and raises large crops of wheat, potatoes and corn, and has a silo 14x30 feet. He keeps on an average, twenty cattle, and ships his milk to the Co-operative Cream- ery of Stow Township, of which he is one of the large stock-holders, and which he was instrumental in founding.

Mr. Wetmore was married to Adeline Kelly, who is a daughter of John Kelly, a resident of Cuyahoga Falls, and to this union there have been born four children: Arthur S., who resides in Stow Township; Ida, who married Rev. D. W. Besaw, pastor of the Stow Corners Disciples Church; Jennie, who is the wife of Boyd Winch, of Akron; and Henry, who lives at home.

Mr. Wetmore is an independent Republican in politics. He has served as township trus- tee for twenty years and also has served as a member of the School Board. He and family belong to the Disciples Church at Stow Corners, in which he is an elder.

JAMES A. STETLER, a well known agri- culturist, formerly of Springfield Township, but now residing in Uniontown, was born in

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Union County, Pennsylvania, May 5, 1840, son of William and Salome (Reichley) Stet- ler. He is a descendant of John Stetler, who came to this country at an early date from Germany, settling near what is now New York City.

The next in ancestral line, Conrad Stet- ler, son of John, resided for a time in New Jersey, where he married. Ile afterward re- moved to Union County, Pennsylvania, where he became a wealthy farmer, owning 1,000 acres of fertile land in the heart of Dry Val- ley. Among his children was John (II), born in 1792, who married Elizabeth Rough- ert, daughter of Anthony Roughert, a native of Bucks County. This John Stetler, who was the grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was a Whig in politics, taking an active in- terest in public affairs, and a deacon in the Albright church. He died September 9, 1868; his wife in October, 1876. They were the parents of nine children : William, Daniel, Mary (married Thomas Pursel ) , John, Isaac, Charles, Thomas, Andrew and Elizabeth.

William Stetler, son of John and father of James A. Stetler, was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, October 10, 1816. He was educated in the district schools, and remained on the farm until reaching the age of fifteen years. After working for some three years in a brick yard, he obtained employment on the construction of the public dams on the Susquehanna, at which he continued for five years, during the winters being occupied in shoemaking. He also ran a boat from Northumberland to Philadelphia. In 1846 he became superintendent of wood-work on the dams, which position he filled until 1848. In the fall of that year he removed to Summit County, making the journey in a covered wagon over the mountains, and by way of Pittsburg. Settling in Green Township on a farm now owned by his son James, he lived there until about 1891, when he moved to Stark County. He returned, however, and is now making his home with his son, the sub- ject of this seketeh. Formerly a Whig in politics, he beeame a Democrat in 1844. Mr.

Stetler is now ninety-one years old, but is well preserved for a man of his great age. He has always been a man of much personal foree, and has held at different times various town- ship offices. He is a member and strong sup- porter of the Methodist Church, giving to it freely of his ample means, acquired by a long life of industry. His marriage to Salome Reichley took place November 2, 1838. She was born in Union County, Pennsylvania, February 10, 1815, a daughter of William and Mary (Sausaman) Reichley, lifelong resident of that county. Her father was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was at Cleveland, within hearing distance of the battle, when Perry obtained his great naval victory over the British flotilla under Commodore Barclay. Mrs. William Settler died in February, 1904, at the advanced age of eighty-nine years and one week.

James A. Stetler was the only child of his parents, and was eight years old when they settled in Summit County. In his youth he attended the old log school-house, with its slab benches, and was later sent to a good select school, where he improved his oppor- tunities for gaining further knowledge. In the meanwhile his industrial education was not neglected, as he was early initiated, on his father's farm into the various methods and operations pertaining to agricultural life.

On September 2, 1860, he was married to Lovina Koons, who was born in Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania. November 29, 1841. Her parents-Henry and Esther (Rough) Koons-were natives of Pennsyl- vania, and for many years farmers in Norton Township, Summit County. Mrs. Stetler was about ten years old when she accompanied her parents to this State. She has borne her hus- band four children: William H., Charles E., Marvin T., and Clarence O. : all of whom have been given a sound practical education. Wil- liam H. Stetler, after attending the common schools, completed his literary studies in the Academy at Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio. IIe followed farming in Green Township for a number of years, but now resides in Akron. He married Rose Belle Haggerty, and has

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three children: Roscoe, who married Mary Weise; llarry, and Lucille. Charles E. Stet- ler, after passing through the common schools and graduating from Mogadore High school, became a student at Buchtel college. He be- came a practical telegrapher, and afterwards a commercial traveler, in which business he is now engaged. He married Ada Rhodes, and now resides in Dayton, Ohio. Marvin T. Stetler was educated in the Mogadore High School and at Uniontown Academy. He is now a resident of Kansas City, Missouri. He married Maud Morton, and has two children -Warren and Russel. Clarenee O. Stetler graduated from the Academy at Uniontown, and later as an accountant and bookkeeper from the Business College at Akron. He re- sides in Delaware, Ohio. He married Minnie Harmon.

James A. Stetler is now the owner of 303 acres of farm land in Summit County-147 aeres in Green Township and 156 acres in Springfield. He moved to the latter township after a residence of thirty years in Green. He lived in Springfield twenty-five years. Fifteen aeres of his farm there consisted of a valuable deposit of vitrified elay, which for a number of years he was engaged in excavating, with the result of developing it into a valuable and important industry. In 1904 he left his Springfield farm and eame to Uniontown to assume the care of his aged father.

Mr. Stetler is a Democrat in polities, and has served in the offiees of trustee, justice of the peace, treasurer, assessor, and township elerk. His first presidential vote was cast for Gen. George B. McClellan. He and his wife are earnest and active workers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which he has served as trustee. He is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Apollo Lodge, No. 61, of Akron, also to the Encampment No. 18, also of Akron; and to the Patrons of Husbandry, being past State deputy master of that order, and a leading member of Lodge No. 1323.

Mr. and Mrs. Stetler have always been numbered among the respected and honored residents of the county, and it is the universal wish that their days may be still further pro-

longed in the land in which Providence has cast their lot.

WILLIAM E. ETLING, owner and pro- prietor of the Etling Coal and Ice Company, of Barberton, has been interested in this line of business since 1903, and has been a resident of this city since 1896. Mr. Etling was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 21, 1876, and is a son of Abraham and Ada (MeIntire) Et- ling.

William E. Etling was reared on the old home farm in Wayne County, on which his parents still reside. Until he was nineteen years of age lie alternated working on the farm and going to school, and then learned the carpenter trade, coming to Barberton for that purpose and entering the employ of Charles Lutz. After four years of instruc- tion and practice with Mr. Lutz, Mr. Etling started into contraeting for himself, for the first three years doing contracting only, then for two years engaged in contracting and deal- ing in coal, and since the spring of 1905, when he bought out the Barberton Ice Com- pany, has added ice to his business interests. He also handles cement and lime and with his three teams does a large amount of team- ing, giving employment to from three to twelve men according to the season. Mr. Et- ling owns his own buildings and bought the land on which the are standing when it was vaeant property.

Mr. Etling married Jennie G. Santrock. who was reared in Wayne County, and is a daughter of John A. Santroek, and they have had four children, namely: Edna, who died aged eleven months and fifteen days; Mabel; Elmer W. and Esther Lueile. Mr. Etling is a member of the Odd Fellows.

C. H. MORTON, president of the Ohio and. Pennsylvania Base Ball League, with offices in the Central office building, at Akron, was born in Asthabula County, Ohio, October 12, 1854, and is a son of Rev. A. D. Morton.

C. H. Morton inherits a name which has been a very prominent one in this Nation's history. The name of his great-grandfather,

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John T. Morton is appended to that immortal document, the Declaration of Independence. His father is a son of John Morton who was a member of the same branch of the family which produced those statesman, the late Hon. Oliver P. Morton, formerly governor of In- diana, and Hon. Levi P. Morton, who was vice-president of the United States. Mr. Mor- ton's father, Rev. A. D. Morton, at one time was presiding elder of the Akron District of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which re- ligious body he was long a distinguished min- ister.

C. H. Morton's early life was passed on the shore of Lake Erie and in Cleveland, and after completing his education he entered into the grocery business in which he continued until failing health warned him that he would be obliged to seek more of an out-door exist- ence. He had been interested in base ball prior to this and had been a player of some merit before entering into the sport in a busi- ness way. For the past sixteen years he has been the manager of different ball teams, and is now serving in his third year as president of the Ohio and Pennsylvania League of profes- sional players, a body which has won many triumph on the Diamond. Their success in no small degree has resulted from the excel- lent management of Mr. Morton.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 69

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