Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 73

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 73

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

high in the esteem of the community and are known from one end of the township to the other.

All his mature life, Mr. Snyder has taken an interest in seeing his neighborhood ad- vance with the rest of the world and he has willingly done his share in developing it. He has been liberal in his contributions to schools, churches and public-spirited enter- prises of various kinds, while he is noted for his many acts of benevolence which he never discusses. For the past fifteen years he has served as township assessor, and in keeping his records he has preserved the ages of all the taxpayers in the township, finding it to sum up at present to 18,671 years. He is a faithful and efficient official.

THE COLUMBIAA CHEMICAL COM- PANY. manufacturers of soda ash, caustic soda and sulphate of ammonia, with exten- sive works located at Barberton, is one of the most important industries of Summit County. The plant of this great company covers more than fifteen aeres, and the factories are en- tirely of modern construction and equip- ment. The location of the plant is on the old Baughman farm, which was devoted to agriculture for many years. The company owns also some 300 acres of land, from which source are obtained a large part of the material consumed in the manufacture of their products. The trade field is not confined to the Pittsburg Plate Glass Company, al- though that mighty corporation uses the bulk of their goods. Employment is given to from 400 to 500 men and boys, many of the former being expert chemists.

The Columbia Chemical Company was or- ganized and ineorporated in Pennsylvania in 1899, beginning operations in 1900. Its capi- tal stock was placed at $1,500.000. The works of this company were built at Barber- ton, but the main offices of the company have always remained at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. The officers of the Columbia Chemical Com- pany are all men of experience, enterprise and large capital. They are: W. L. Clanse, president : William D. Hartupee, vice presi-

dent; Charles W. Brown, secretary; Edward Pitcairn, treasurer, and H. A. Galt, general manager, the officers making up the Board of Directors.

EPHRAIM STUMP, a highly respected re- tired resident of Franklin Township, residing on his farm of nineteen aeres near Manches- ter, which is particularly valuable on account of several fine veins of coal having been opened on it, was born on the old homestead north of Manchester, Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 28, 1842, and is a son of Jacob and Catherine (Sorrick) Stump.

John Stump, the grandfather of Ephraim, was born in Pennsylvania, from whence he came to Ohio, settling west of Manchester, in Franklin Township, Summit County, locat- ing on a farm which was but partly cleared. In 1841 he replaced the original log cabin with a stone house, which is still standing, it being about the only one left of the many stone houses of the '40's. Wild game was plentiful in those days, and Mr. Stump has in his possession some turkey feet, the birds having been shot in 1850. by his grand- father. The Indians had not yet left this loeality, and Mr. Stump recalls numerous in- teresting experiences with them. Here John Stump and his wife, Elizabeth (Grove) Stump. lived for the remainder of their lives. They had eight children, four sons, namely: Jacob, David, John and Levi; and four daughters, namely: Catherine, who married William Kauffman; Eliza, who married Samuel Grove; Mary, who married P. Myers, and Sarah, who married J. W. Swigart.

Jacob Stump was about ten years old when the family journeyed from Pennsylvania to Ohio. In his youth, when not engaged in farming. he frequently filled the family larder with game. After his marriage he settled on a farm near which the Brewster mines were later opened, although this did not take place until after his death. He married Catherine Sorriek, who was a daugh- ter of Adam and Elizabeth (Raber) Sorriek, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Five

GEORGE W. HART

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children were born to this marriage, as fol- lows : Ephraim, Matilda, who married George Donnenwith; Nathaniel, William, who is deceased, and Amos, who died in in- fancy. Jacob Stump died at the age of sixty- seven years and the death of his widow fol- lowed a few years later.

Ephraim Stump had but limited educa- tional opportunities, as his services were re- required on the home farm, where he ehopped wood, picked stones and threshed rye. From his sixteenth year until he was married he worked his father's farm, and thereafter operated rented farms until 1873, when he purchased his present farm in Manchester, a tract of nineteen aeres, from the Hamm heirs. He located on this place in 1884, and until 1903 was engaged in agricultural pur- suits. In that year coal was discovered on his property, which has since been mined by the Beachwood Company of Cleveland. the ontput of the mines being from 300 to 400 tons daily. Mr. Stump is now living in quiet retirement. In his political views he is a Democrat and supports that party's ean- didates on every occasion, but he has never cared for publie life nor held office. His fraternal connection is with the Knights of Maccabees.

On November 29, 1870, Mr. Stump was united in marriage with Louisa Smith, who is a daughter of Daniel and Eliza (Diehl) Smith, and to this union there were born three children, namely: Bertie, Clarence and Frederick. Bertie married William Sissler, and they have three children: Gerrold, Don- ovan and John. Mr. and Mrs. Stump are consistent members and liberal supporters of the Reformed Church.

GEORGE W. HART, who, for twenty vears was a highly respected resident of Cuyahoga Falls, and formerly a snecessful agriculturist of Stow Township, was born at Middleburg, Summit County, Ohio, July 12, 1832, and died at Cuyahoga Falls, December 15, 1900. He was a son of Colonel John C. and Margaret (Sterling) Hart.

The Hart family originated in England

and came to Connecticut among the early colonists. Rufus Hart, the grandfather of George W., was born at Goshen, Connecticut, in 1771, and in 1795 he married Esther Cot- ter. In 1802 he moved to Genesee County, New York, and in May, 1815, to Middle- bury, Ohio, which is now the Sixth Ward of Akron, which city was then represented by less than a half dozen log cabins, the whole surrounding country being then covered by a heavy forest growth. As an officer in the War of 1812, he participated in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane, and the burning of Buffalo.

Colonel John C. Hart, father of George W., was born at Cornwall, Litchfield County, Connecticut, April 17. 1798, and was only fourteen years of age when he joined Captain Stone's company of cavalry. He was in his father's regiment at various points and bravely faced hardships with the veterans at the evacuation of Fort George. He continued in the service until the elose of the war, and then accompanied his father to New York and subsequently to Ohio. When he was twenty-one years old he left the paternal roof and started ont to seek the proverbial for- tune, incidentally to find employment. He was of robust constitution, and the mere fact of being obliged to walk a hundred miles or so probably did not discourage him to any great degree. When he reached Steubenville he hoarded a lumber raft and floated a dis- tanee down the river; from that point he walked to Cineinnati, and from there made his way to St. Louis. For about two months he worked in a mill in that eity and later engaged in the manufacture of brick at a small place where malarial conditions pro- vailed to such an extent that he was taken ill with ehills and fever, and his adventures abroad were brought to a close. He managed to return home. and when he regained his health purchased a farm of fifty acres just south of Middlebury, and there passed the rest of his active life, dying August 20, 1880. Ile always remained interested in military affairs and late in life he raised a regiment of cavalry of which he was elected colonel.

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On February 23, 1831, John C. Hart was inarried to Mrs. Margaret A. Sterling, and they became the parents of the following children: George W., John S., Charles S., Hiram, Elizabeth and Fannie A. The last mentioned married Clinton Ruckel. Hiram died from disease contracted in the Civil War.

The late George W. Hart was reared and edueated in his native township and attended the local schools, in the meanwhile assisting on the home farm. After his marriage he settled on a farm of 160 aeres situated in Stow Township, where he resided until he retired to Cuyahoga Falls in 1880. He made his main interest dairying and sheep grow- ing. He was a man of sterling character, strong in the advocacy of what he believed to be right, but just in his dealings with all men. For many years he was a vestryman of St. John's Episcopal Church at Cuyahoga Falls. In his political life he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and was a man particularly well fitted for publie office, but his ambitions were not in that direction. He served as township commissioner and al- ways, took an interest in the public schools. He was connected with the Masonic frater- nity, belonging to Star Lodge, No. 187, at Cuyahoga Falls.

On August 18, 1853, George W. Hart was married to Anna H. Beardsley, who was born in Middlebury (Akron) July 18, 1832, and is a daughter of Talman and Temperance (Spicer) Beardsley. To this marriage six children were born, the two who reached ma- turity being: Emma F. and Clarissa. The latter married R. D. Morgan, and resides at Cleveland. Mrs. Hart and her daughters are members of the Episcopal Church.

Talman Beardsley, father of Mrs. ITart, was born December 23, 1799, in Delhi, Dela- ware County, New York, and accompanied his father's family to Lieking County, Ohio, in 1810, and to Middlebury in 1818, where he worked for a short time in a foundry, and then bought a farm which is the present site of the Leggett school. He disposed of that property and bought another in Coventry

Township on which he lived for thirty years. He became a leading citizen in this part of Summit County, was a prominent Repub- lican, and served many years as a justice of the peace and also as township clerk. His parents were Daniel and Hannah (Bailey) Beardsley.

In 1831, Talman Beardsley married Tem- perance Spicer, who was a daughter of Major Minor and Cynthia (Allen) Spicer. Major Spicer was a native of Connecticut and a sol- dier in the War of the Revolution. He was a very early pioneer in Summit County, where he acquired large tracts of land. He donated the land on which Buchtel College now stands, it formerly having been his pri- vate burying ground. He was twice mar- ried. Mrs. Beardsley being a child of his first union.

The children of Talman Beardsley and wife were: Anna H. (Mrs. Hart) ; Emily, Mills and Avery, all of whom are deceased; and Avery, second, residing at Adrian, Mich- igan. The family were reared in the Uni- versalist faith. Talman Beardsley died July 18, 1891, surviving his wife by but three months, her death having taken place March 22, earlier in the same year. Mrs. Hart was reared at Akron and was one of the first students of the Akron High School when it was under the direction of M. D. Leggett.

F. LAHMERS, M. D., physician and sur- geon, at Barberton, has built up a large and lucrative practice during his residence here of nine years, and he has also become one of the leading citizens of the town. Dr. Lah- mers was born in Tusearawas County, Ohio, August 23, 1872, and is a son of Charles Lahmers, for many years a substantial farmer of that county. His boyhood was spent on his father's farm, and his early education acquired in the country schools. Later he attended the Normal College at New Phila- delphia, and subsequently Scio College, at Seio, Ohio, for one year, his collegiate course extending from his seventeenth to his nine- teenth year, after which he hegan to teach school in the vicinity of his home. During

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the three years he was so engaged, he began to read medicine, and in 1894 was prepared to enter the Baltimore Medical College, where he was graduated in 1898.

Dr. Lahmers immediately located at Beach City, Ohio, where he practiced medicine for six months, then coming to Barberton. In 1907 he took a post-graduate course in the New York Post-Graduate Medical School. His reputation as to professional ability ex- tends beyond the town, and his practice re- quires the larger part of his time and atten- tion. Nevertheless he finds time to show in- terest in matters pertaining to the general welfare of the community, and formerly served as health officer.

In the spring of 1899, Dr. Lahmers was married to Florence C. Peters, who is a daugh- ter of Dr. H. J. Peters, of Ragersville, Ohio. He is a member of the Reformed Church, having been reared in that faith. He is con- nected with several medical organizations, and with the fraternal orders of Elks, Mac- cabees and Pathfinders.

JOIIN W. WHITE, manager of the White Lumber Company, which is engaged in a retail lumber and repair business, and also does general contracting, with a plant on the corner of Case and River Streets, Akron, is one of the old and reliable business men of this city, one who has watched its growth for the past forty years. He was born in 1854, at Brooklyn, New York.

Mr. White was thirteen years of age when he came to Akron, and in boyhood began to work in the box factory of Ohio Barber, where he remained employed for thirteen years. Later he was with the Aultman-Mil- ler Company for fifteen years. In 1891 he embarked in a lumber business, and since that date has been manager of the White Lumber Company. He is interested also in real estate and does a good business in the buying, building and selling of houses. In 1876 Mr. White married Kate Johnston, a daughter of Thomas Johnston, who was for- merly a large manufacturer of sewer pipe at Akron. Mr. White is a member of Grace

Methodist Episcopal Church, and for thirty- five years he has belonged to its official board. He is a man widely known and re- spected.

CLARK A. SACKETT, a leading citizen of Tallmadge Township, residing on his farm of 136 acres, was born on this farm in Summit County, Ohio, May 15, 1837, and is a son of Clark and Laura (Aiken) Sack- ett.

The Sackett family is an old colonial one of New England. Benjamin Sackett, the grandfather of Clark A., died in Connecti- cut. His children were as follows: Simeon, who lived and died at Canfield, Mahoning County, Ohio; Myron, who died in Connec- ticut; Salmon, who died in Summit County ; Moses and Benjamin, who lived in Connecti- cut; Clark and Aaron.

Clark Sackett, father of Clark A., was born at Warren, Connecticut, in 1793. He was still a young man when he joined a colony of pioneer settlers who came with their pos- sessions to make early settlement and secure homes in Summit County, driving their ox- teams through forests where they had to cut a path. They purchased lands of the great Connecticut Land Company, which, at that time, had control of the lands of a large part of the Western Reserve. Clark Sackett was a true pioneer, accepting all the hard-hips incident to establishing himself in a new country, and through his industry and ster- ling virtues, becoming a man of substance and prominence. He lived to advanced age. He first secured 100 acres of land in Tall- madge Township, to which he later added seventy-five acres, lying just west of his first purchase. He put up a log house which stood for a number of years, but was later replaced by the substantial residence which is occupied by his son, Clark A. A portion of the old house Mr. Sackett utilized to house his bees, as he took a great deal of interest in the bee industry for many years. He cleared all his land, and also assisted greatly in promoting the civilizing agencies of this section.

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In 1816 Clark Saekett was married (first) to Cynthia Preston. He was married (sec- ond) to Laura Aiken, and (third) to Jane Pierce. The mother of Clark A. Sackett, Laura Aiken, was born in 1800, at Norwalk. Connecticut, and was married in the fall of 1822. She was six years old when her father, Asher Aiken, removed to Vernon, Ohio. There were the following children born to Clark and Laura Sackett: Iliram, who died in Tallmadge Township, married (first) Eliza Treat, and (second) Mabel Fenn; Cyn- thia, who married Luther Heath, is survived by children residing at Genesee, New York, and also a son, Theodore, residing at Cuya- hoga Falls; Edwin. residing at Genesce, New York, married Susan Pierce; Amelia, de- ceased, who married the late Dr. George Chapman, of New York; Benjamin, who died in infancy; Benjamin (2), who died in in- faney: Clark A., residing in Tallmadge Township; Charles, who married Flora Treat, and Darins.

Clark A. Saekett attended the local schools and subsequently taught three terms, after which he engaged in farming and in operat- ing a threshing machine. He owns a valu- able farm of 136 aeres on which he carries on a general line of agriculture, meeting with the success which has placed him among the substantial men of his section. Politically, he is a Republican and has always been a loyal supporter of the Government. During the Civil War he served through an enlist- ment in Company D. 164th Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was mustered in at Cleveland. The services of this company were utilized around the city of Washington and when they were no longer needed, the regiment was honorably discharged at Cleve- land.

Clark A. Sackett was married (first) to Kate Ashmun, who was a daughter of M. Ashmun. He was married (second) to Lot- tie Austin, who was born at Newton Falls, Ohio. and is a daughter of Enos and Sarah (Sackett) Austin. The father of Mrs. Sack- ett was born in 1809. at Warren. Ohio, and died at Youngstown, in 1886. The mother

of Mrs. Sackett was born in 1820, at Can- field, Mahoning County, Ohio, was married in 1840, and died at Youngstown, in 1883. Enos Austin and wife had three children, two daughters and one son, the latter of whom died in infancy. The daughters are: Phidelia, who married Frank Stiles, a resi- dent of Youngstown, and Mrs. Sackett. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Sackett were Myron and Orpha (Dean) Saekett. the for- mer of whom was born at Warren, Conner- tient, and the latter at Cornwall, Connecticut. This branch of the Saekett family can be traced to Simon and Isabella Sackett, mem- bers of the Pilgrim colony.

Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Clark A. Sackett taught for a number of years, first in the public schools of Youngstown and later in the Blind Asylum, at Columbus. She is an accomplished lady. Both she and her sister were teachers, the latter for a period of twenty-five years. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sack- ett belong to the Congregational Church at Tallmadge, in which Mrs. Sackett is the or- ganist. Mr. Sackett has served in a number of public positions, and has been both super- visor and trustee of Tallmadge Township.

CHARLES H. SWIGART, one of the best known and most popular citizens of Franklin Township, the talented teacher of music in the rural schools, was born on the old family homestead in Summit County. Obio, January 9. 1863, and is a son of Jo- seph and Sarah (Haring) Swigart.

The Swigart family is an old settled one of this section of Ohio. Joseph Swigart, the great-grandfather. having brought the family from Pennsylvania. George Swigart, the grandfather, was born in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and was a boy when his par- ents made the long overland journey. set- tling first near Canton, but removing later to Canal Fulton, where Joseph Swigart se- cured the farm now owned by Isaiah Swi- gart. On that farm the great-grandfather died at the age of forty-eight years. George Swigart married Elizabeth Daily and they spent their lives in Franklin Township.

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where he owned 206 acres of land. They died aged about eighty-two years. Their children were fifteen in number and those who survive are: Mrs. Caroline J. Cormany, Mrs. Catherine D. Grill, Mrs. Susan S. Kep- ler, Mrs. Elizabeth P. Surfass, George A., Ilenry, Jacob. Hiram and Daniel. Those deceased were: John. Joseph. David, Anna, Sarah and Margaret.

Joseph Swigart was born on his father's farm in Franklin Township, which is now owned by Aaron A. Swigart. He married Sarah Haring, who was also born in Frank- lin Township, where she still survives, liv- ing on the old homestead. Joseph Swigart died in 1895, aged seventy years. He had two children: Aaron A. and Charles Hiram.

Charles Hiram Swigart attended the dis- triet schools and supplemented the instruc- tion so obtained by a period in the graded schools of Manchester and Clinton, complet- ing his education with two years' attendance at the Normal University at Ada, Ohio. Gifted with musical talent, Mr. Swigart has spent quite a large amount of time and money in developing and perfecting it, and has done a great deal of musical instructing. ITe has also taught school in various sections. Ife owns a one-half interest in the old home- stead place of 201 acres, which he and his brother operate together, and he also carries on general farming on the old Diehl farm.

On April 19, 1894, Mr. Swigart was mar- ried to Hattie May Diehl, who is a daughter of William and Eliza (Diehl) Diehl. They have two children, Hallie and Gladys.

Mr. Swigart is a member of the Lutheran Church. He belongs to the order of Mac- cabees.

MADISON WALTZ, a successful agricul- turist of Franklin Township, where he is operating the old Dice property, was born November 2, 1855, at Sharon, Copley Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Elias and Lucetta (Kintz) Waltz.

David Waltz, the grandfather of Madison, was one of the early settlers of Wayne County, Ohio, where he followed the trade

of a gunsmith. He died at Wadsworth, aged eighty-six years. He was married three times. llis first marriage was to a Miss Baughman, and all but one of his sixteen children were born to the first union.

Elias Waltz, father of Madison, was born and reared near Wadsworth, Wayne County, Ohio. Like other members of his family, he was musically gifted. He became an in- structor on the violin and a member of the famous Waltz Band, a musical organization which was made up of Elias Waltz and two of his brothers, with nine cousins, who were brothers. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he entered the army as a musician. He was prostrated with typhoid fever shortly after- ward and died in the South, where his burial took place, being then in this thirtieth year. Ile married Lucetta Kintz, who died in 1866, aged thirty-six years. They had eight children, namely: Sylvester, residing at To- ledo. Ohio; Madison. Wilson, residing in Summit County: Luvander, residing at Ak- ron. and four who died young.

Madison Waltz began to attend school at. Sharon, where his father was there operating an old-fashioned "up and down" sawmill. and from that place went to his grandfather Kintz's farm, in Wayne County. After his father's death he accompanied his mother to Hametown, where she soon died, leaving him an orphan when ten years of age. Ile was bound out to Ben Richel, north of Johnson's Corner, with whom he remained a short time. and for six and one-half years was with C. F. Meese. During this time he had little or no school advantages. For five years thereafter he worked as a hired man on different farms in that section. and after his marriage he conducted the David Pow farm for a short time. In 1881 he located at Akron, where he followed teaming and was in the employ of the owners of the stone mill for five years. The following four years were spent in car- penter work. with his brothers. Sylvester and Luvander. Mr. Waltz then engaged in con- tracting on his own account. which he fol- lowed until 1903. in which year be removed to his present place, the property of his wife's

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mother and the heirs of Jeremiah Dice. Al- he has served in various church offices. Mr. though Mr. Waltz spent a number of years Loeb is a member of the Masonic lodge, of the Royal Arcanum, the National Union and the Elks club. in the city, he by no means forgot how to farm, and was credited in the Akron papers of 1907 with having the finest wheat field in Summit County.

On December 25, 1878, Mr. Waltz was united in marriage with Mary A. Dice, who is a daughter of Jeremiah and Caroline E. Dice. One child has been born to this union, Delbert Ellsworth, who resides at home and assists his father. Mr. Waltz is a Democrat in politics. He and his wife and son attend the Reformed Church, of which they are lib- eral supporters.

LOUIS LOEB, president of the J. Koch Company, which is the largest clothing house at Akron, has been a resident of this city for almost forty years and is a man of promi- nence in its commercial life. Mr. Loeb was born in Germany, in 1853, and remained in his own land until he was seveteen years of age. securing there a good education.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 73

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