Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 75

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 75

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Joel Myers was reared in Springfield Township and attended the district schools. Ilis main business in life has been farming, stock-raising and manufacturing brooms. He was married May 30, 1869, to Elizabeth Schnee, who is a daughter of John and Han- nah (Young) Schnee. They were natives of Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and were of German extraction, Great-grandfather Sehnee having come from Germany to America on the good ship Phoenix, in 1746. Mrs. Myers was born within a half-mile of the old Myers homestead in Pennsylvania, in 1852, and accompanied her parents to Springfield Township in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have had eight children: Lydia, John, William F., Frederick, Ira, Robert, J. Park and an infant, the babe and John being deceased. Lydia married Charles Boltz and they live in Bath Township and have three children: Edith, aged sixteen years; Harley, aged twelve years, and Irma, aged eight years. William F. married Dottie Martin, who died August 23, 1907, her infant son dying on the previous day. She is survived by her bereaved husband and little Eva, three years old, who will find a home with her grand- parents. Frederick married Amanda Sny- der and they have a bright little three-year- old son, Floyd, and reside at Akron. Ira, who was born in 1881, operates the home farm. Robert, who is a graduate of the Bath High School, is successfully teaching the Maple Valley, the largest country school in Summit County, where he has fifty-two pu- pils. J. Park resides at Cleveland, where he is employed as a bookkeeper.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myers lived on the Myers home place until 1875, where Mr. Myers carried on farming in the summer and engaged in making brooms in the win- ter. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Myers purchased the present place, in which they settled in

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the following year. He has made many im- provements here, including the building of a substantial barn in 1881. The commodious frame residence in which the Myers family reside, was built by a Mr. Meridith and was the first frame one ereeted in Bath Town- ship. The Meridiths were great entertainers and were somewhat given to frivolity, and on many occasions country dances were held in the big rooms of the upper portions of the house. Prior to coming to this farın, Mr. Myers bought one of eighty aeres in Indiana, but sold it before moving to it. This is one of the old, substantial and representative families of this section.

COL. THOMAS E. MAJOR, who is now engaged in general farming and dairying, in Boston Township, was born in Paint Town- ship, Highland County, Ohio, September 19, 1849. and is a son of Rev. Thomas and Sarah (Righter) Major.

Thomas Major, the colonel's great-great- grandfather, was born in Ireland, County Londonderry, and in early manhood emi- grated to America, settling four miles north- west of Norristown, Pennsylvania. He was accompanied by a son. John. John Major learned the tailor's trade and later became proprietor of the Blue Ball tavern, near Val- ley Forge, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. He married Jane Adams, who was born near Norristown, and who died June 14. 1813, aged fifty-four years. He died June 17. 1819. aged over sixty-one years.

Thomas Major, son of John and grand- son of Thomas, the original settler, was born in Pennsylvania, and passed the larger part of his life in Noriton Township, Montgom- ery County. where he died December 5. 1823. aged forty years, two months and twenty-one days. He followed the trade of shoemaker. He married Catherine Curry, who died Febru- ary 27. 1863, aged eighty-one years. Her whole life was spent in Pennsylvania. Her father, James Curry, was born September 25, 1755, in Montgomery County. His services in the Revolutionary War may be briefly summed as follows: "Volunteered in Captain

Archibald Thompson's rifle company in 1775; was a member of Captain John Hamil- ton's company, Major John Berry's battalion, in 1776; member of Captain Stephen Por- ter's rifle company, in 1776; adjutant to Gen- erals Potter and Heiston, 1776-1777; served as express rider for General Washington. in 1777, and in 1778, while encamped at Val- ley Forge; member of Captain Pitts' eom- pany, Colonel Thompson's regiment, in 1777; adjutant to General Potter and Colonel Moore, 1777-1779. He was pensioned as cap- tain."

The father of Captain Jamies Curry was also James Curry, who eaine to America from County Londonderry, Ireland, and became an officer also in the Patriot army in the Revo- lutionary War. He settled one mile west of Norristown. where he engaged in farming. He died April 8. 1788, and was buried at Norton Church cemetery, where many of the ancestors of Colonel Thomas E. Major lie. When the Pennsylvania Legislature met at Philadelphia. Colonel Curry served as clerk of that body. Like other members of his own and the Major family. he lived and died in the faith of the Presbyterian Church. Revolutionary records give much space to the loyalty and bravery of both Colonel and Cap- tain Curry.

Rev. Thomas Major, father of Colonel Thomas E. Major, was one of six chil- dren, and was born September 19, 1811. He was educated in the common schools and learned the carpenter's trade in Philadelphia, which he followed there until he came to Ohio. He married in that city, Sarah Righter. who was born August 29. 1808. and died September 18, 1884. She was a dangh- ter of John Righter. She was converted to the faith of the German Baptist Church when she was nineteen years of age. under the preaching of the famous Harriet Livermore, who was the only woman for whom the Pres- ident of the United States ever requested ad- journment of Congress, which he did in or- der that she might be given an opportunity to address that body. For fifty years thereafter Mrs. Major was a preacher in the German Bap-

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tist faith, and, in 1840, both her husband and father took up the same work. They had three children, namely: Samuel, who was born February 23, 1847, graduated from Del- aware College, and at the time of his death in 1894 was superintendent of schools at Hillsborough, Ohio; Thomas E. and Annie M., the latter of whom was born December 13, 1852, married Aaron Johns, and resides at Washington, D. C., with her husband.

After marriage, Rev. Thomas Major and his wife came to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he bought a farm, subsisting by its cultivation, as neither he nor his wife accepted any re- muneration for their ministerial work. Some- time between 1847 and 1849 they removed to Highland County, where they lived until their retirement from active life. For a nun- ber of years before his death Rev. Major resided at Greenfield, Ohio, but after the death of his wife he made his home with his daugh- ter in Washington city, where he passed away April 17. 1888. During his residence in Highland County he carried on his agricul- tural work on his 135 acres. The ministerial labors of Thomas Major and wife were a heavy drain upon their time, resources and sympathy. Each Sunday they held from one to three services, often traveling a distance of from ten to fifteen miles over poor roads to meet those who eagerly gathered to listen to them. Their joint efforts resulted ultimate- ly in the building of a church at what was then called New Lexington, in Highland County. They have long since gone to their final reward, but the influences of their worthy, virtuous, unselfish lives go on and on.

Thomas E. Major attended the public schools of Paint Township and the Southwest Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio. While he was living on the farm his parents received some literature sent by Harriet Livermore, and among the books there chanced to be an old Pitman manual of phonography. What a find this was to the eager, ambitious farmer boy, and to mastering its contents he applied himself every moment that he could secure from the farm duties, which were heavy on

account of the frequent absences of his father. On January 7, 1870, he received an appoint- ment as clerk in the office of the Comptroller of Curreney in the Treasury Department at Washington, a position he could never have aspired to without a knowledge of the art of stenography. He satisfactorily filled positions of this nature in different departments of government work for a number of years and beeame recognized as one of the best stenog- raphers in the service, so much so, that on the recommendation of Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, C. E. Conant, he was invited to become the private secretary of General B. F. Butler. He entered upon the duties of this position in April, 1875, and remained in the most intimate and confidential relations with this sollier-statesman until the latter's death in 1893. During the period that General Butler was governor of Massachusetts Mr. Major served as the governor's private secre- tary and also with the rank of colonel on his staff.

While thus closely associated with General Butler, Colonel Major became acquainted, and on terms of friendship with many of the lead- ing men in publie life, men of large affairs and weighty deeds. He studied law during this time, and not only overlooked the steno- graphie work, but also assisted General But- ler in his professional labors. In 1895 he was admitted to the bar of Suffolk County, Massachusetts, and practiced his profession in the city of Boston until 1901. Failing health warned him to give up office work and hence his removal to the healthful air and simple life of the farm. He purchased 208 aeres in Boston Township. and here, far removed from the complex problems of politics and law, he oversees his agricultural operations, and has recovered an excellent state of health. He makes a specialty of dairying, sending his milk to the cheese factory at Richfield.

On April 16, 1873, Colonel Major married Virginia. P. Berkley, of Washington, D. C .. and they have three children: Sarah Avan- elle, who married Dr. Joseph W. Proctor, re- siding at Malden. Mass: Sylvia Pearl. residing at Malden, and holding an important posi-

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tion in the office of the Massachusetts Com- missioner of Corporations, at Boston; and Selwyn Berkley, who resides at home with her parents. Mrs. Major and her daughters are artists of acknowledged ability.

Colonel Major resided at Boston until 1884 and taught shorthand in the Boston evening classes in the High School for several years, having the reputation of being one of the most expert stenographers of the day. In 1884 he established his home in Malden, one of Boston's most agreeable suburbs, and while living there served on the School Board as its chairman ; also as a member of the Board of Park Commissioners, and in other public capacities. While living there he also took an active interest in the order of Knights of Pythias, was past chancellor of the Malden lodge and served on the judiciary committee of the Grand Lodge. He is a member of Ris- ing Sun Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Richfield, and has taken the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees. Politically, he is an ardent Republican ; personally, a cultivated gentle- man.

LYNN WORDEN, a prominent citizen of Bath Township, proprietor of the well-known place of business, which, in a large measure, supplies the needs of households for miles around, known as the Worden Grocery Store, has been established here sinee 1897. It is lo- cated about two and one-fourth miles north of the Smith road, on the county line highway which divides Medina from Summit. Mr. Worden was born in Hinkley Township. Medina County, Ohio, April 23, 1860, and is a son of Hiram and Melissa (Bissell) Worden.

The father of Mr. Worden was born at Broome, Schoharie County, New York, and accompanied his parents to Richfield Town- ship, Summit County, in boyhood, and later removed to Hinkley Township, Medina County, where both he and wife died.

Mrs. Worden was born at Granger, Medina County. Olio.

Lynn Worden was reared in Medina County, attended the country schools and remained at home until about nineteen years of age. and

then went to Medina village, where he worked three years. For several years he was tele- graph operator for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, working in various places. He married Anna Spencer, who is a daughter of Abijah and Mary Spencer, old residents of Bath Township, who formerly owned the farm which belongs to Mr. and Mrs. Worden. Two children have been born to Mr. Worden and wife, namely: Ethel M. and Esther. The family belong to Moore's Chapel, Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1897, when Mr. Worden established his store at its present location, he had it made a postoffice, which, on account of the intro- dnetion of the rural mail delivery service, was discontinued July 31, 1903. Mr. Worden takes a great deal of interest in all matters pertaining to his end of Bath Township and since 1898 he has served on the School Board.

JOSEPH DANGEL, superintendent of the American Hard Rubber Company, at Akron. is a thoroughly experienced man in the rub- ber industry, and a leading business citizen. Mr. Dangel was born in Germany, Decem- ber 19. 1860, and remained in his own coun- try until he was twenty years of age.

Equipped with an excellent education, Mr. Dangel came to America to enter into busi- ness, locating first at Butler, New Jersey. where he entered the plant of the Butler Hard Rubber Company, beginning at the bottom, in order to learn the business in all its de- tails. From Butler one year later he went to Hoboken with the Universal Rubber Com- pany, and in the following year he was in the employ of the Keystone Rubber Company, at Morrisville, Pennsylvania, where he remained from 1883 until 1887. In the latter vear he came to Akron, being connected with the Goodrich Hard Rubber Company, which had just been organized. In 1898 the Goodrich Hard. Rubber Company became the Akron factory of the American Hard Rubber Com- pany, and Mr. Dangel was made superintend- ent of the plant, having its whole operation under his charge.

Thus his interests have been centered in the

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rubber business from the beginning of his business life, and he has advanced from one position to another with the sureness that marks his ability. He is also a stockholder in several other enterprises which are pros- pering. In addition to his absorbing business responsibilities, Mr. Dangel has somehow found time to show an active interest in civic affairs, being elected conneilman-at-large in 1903. In this capacity he has served as chairman of the Finance Committee of the City Council, proving a competent and val- uable official.

In 1887 Mr. Dangel was married to Amelia Schafer, residing in New York, but a native of Germany. They have five children: Emily, an accomplished young lady, who has just graduated from the Sacred Heart Acad- emy ; Lena D., who is a graduate of St. Mary's school; Marie D., who is a student at the Sacred Heart; and Rosa and Joseph, Jr., who are students at St. Mary's. Mr. Dangel is a prominent Catholic, one of the leading mem- bers, and a trustee of St. Mary's Catholic Church since its organization in 1887. He belongs to the Knights of Columbus and to other Catholic organizations of a benevolent character.

WILLIAM A. SEARL, M. D., one of the founders and medical director of Fair Oaks Villa, a sanitarium for the treatment of ner- vous disorders at Cuyahoga Falls, is a gen- tleman of broad experience in this line of medical practice, and as such is well known to the profession all over the state. Dr. Searl was born at Ellicottville, Cattaraugus County, New York, March 25, 1864, and is a son of Alonzo and Jessie (Vaughn) Searl. TTis father is still a resident of Cattaraugus. County, New York, where he was engaged in farming and lumbering for many years prior to his retirement. Arza Searl, the doc- tor's grandfather, was a pioneer settler of Western New York, coming from New Eng- land. The family, including the doctor's one living sister, are identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

William A. Searl attended the common and

high schools in his native town, and prepared for college with Dr. Stephen Spencer, from whose tutorship he entered the medical de- partment of Buffalo University. After one year's study there he entered the Alexis Hos- pital, where his duties were such as now fall to an interne, although at that time there was no organization of the hospital work that exactly corresponded to the present system. With the added experience thus gained he en- tered the medical department of Wooster Uni- versity, where he was graduated in 1890. For three years subsequently he was engaged in general practice in Cleveland, later becoming assistant physician at the Cleveland State Hospital, and then going to Yankton, South Dakota, where he was superintendent of the Yankton State Hospital.

In July, 1894, Dr. Searl came to Cuyahoga Falls, and in association with Dr. A. B. How- ard, established Fair Oaks Villa, for the treat- ment of nervous and mental diseases. For the first four years Dr. Howard was in charge of the sanitarium, and then Dr. Searl had the management until 1904, when Dr. H. I. Cozad became associated with him. The build- ing, which is a large, elegant brown stone structure, steam heated and illuminated by electricity, was originally ereeted and occupied by the wealthy Newbury family, who were among the notable pioneer settlers of Cuya- hoga Falls. It is particularly well adapted to the purpose to which it is now applied, the surroundings, atmosphere and internal econ- omy of the institution having a domestic and home-like flavor very favorable to the class of patients herein treated. and which is doubt- less responsible in part for the very success- ful results which have been attained. Dr. Searl is a member of the Summit County and Ohio State Medical Societies, the Academy of Medieine, the Medical Library Association of Cleveland, and the American Medical Psycho- logical Association. In polities he is a Repub- lican. IIe is a Free Mason, belonging to Star Lodge. No. 187. F. & A. M., of Cuya- hoga Falls and to Lake Erie Consistory.

Dr. Searl was married, at Cleveland, to Anna Dalrymple of that city. He and his

HENDERSON STEELE

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wife are the parents of three sons: Howard A., Miller V., and William A. With his fam- ily the doctor belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church, which he is serving officially as a member of the Board of Stewards.

HENDERSON STEELE, whose recent death, at the age of sixty-two years, removed one of the best known and most highly re- spected citizens of Cuyahoga Falls, was born in Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, November · 15, 1845, son of Isaae and Mar- garet C. Steele.

His paternal grandfather was Isaac Steele, who was a son of Adam Steele. Adam was a pioneer farmer of Fayette County, Penn- sylvania, and also fought for American in- dependence in the Revolutionary War. Af- ter the war he moved with his family to Stow Township, Summit County, Ohio, where he died in July, 1811, aged about six- ty-seven years. He was buried in Hudson Cemetery.

His son. Isaac. grandfather of the direct. subjeet of this sketch. upheld the military traditions of the family, participating in the War of 1812. He had first come to Stow Town- ship in 1804, but had returned to Pennsyl- vania, where he remained until 1820, except during the period of his military service. Re- turning to Stow Township in the year last mentioned. he located here permanently. his death occurring here in 1845. He was one of the sturdy agriculturist of the county, and a man well respected. He married, in Penn- sylvania. Betsey Galloway, and they had six children-John, Isaae, Mary, Eliza, Anna and Margaret.

Henderson Steele was reared on the home farm in Stow Township, of which he subse- quently became the owner, and to which he added seventy-four aeres. In his latter years he eeased to operate this property himself, renting it on shares to two men, one of whom carries on general farming and the other eon- duets the celery garden. consisting of four- teen aeres. Dairying is also carried on largely on the farm, fourteen eows being kept. for this purpose, and the milk being shipped to

Akron. On the farm is some excellent stock. In the spring of 1906 Mr. Steele retired from active work and purchased a home in Cuya- hoga Falls, where he died.

In 1877 Mr. Steel. in partnership with his brothers, Thomas and St. Clair, started in the lumbering business under the firm name of Steele Brothers. Purchasing a portable sawmill, they operated it all through this sec- tion of the State, Mr. Henderson Steele hav- ing charge of the business for many years. For a quarter of a century the firm also did an extensive threshing business. In 1906 the firmi was incorporated as The Steele Brothers Hardwood Lumber Company. The company buys the standing timber and sells the rough lumber locally. Mr. Steele's death occurred suddenly at his home, on Sunday evening, September 29, 1907, and was due to heart failure. His end was peaceful, and on the morrow the community of Cuyahoga Falls knew that a good man and sterling citizen had passed from among them.

In 1885 Mr. Steele was married to Mrs. Emily J. (Malone) Carr, who was the widow of William L. Carr, of Northampton Town- ship. and a daughter of Thomas H. and Lucy 1. (Riee) Malone.

Thomas H. Malone was born in Stow Township. November 20, 1815, and died February 4, 1852. In his younger days he taught school, and at the time of his death he was overseer of the Ohio Canal. having succeeded his father in that position. The greater part of his life was spent at Akron. He was a son of Patriek Malone, who came to America from Ireland with his parents when about five years old. They settled in Stow Township.

Mrs. Steele's maternal grandfather was Lewis Riee, a Revolutionary soldier, whos gun, used in the cause of American free- dom, is still preserved in the family. He owned a farm in Northampton Township, and was also a physician of prominence in his day. Mrs. Steele's mother was born May 15, 1817, and died September 15. 1898. Mrs. Steele had two brothers who served in the Civil War-James M .. born December 18.

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1843, who died October 25, 1902, and Vin- cent, born November 7, 1847, who is a resi- dent of Cuyahoga Falls.

Mrs. Steele was born at Akron, January 17, 1846, and was educated in the schools of that city. By her marriage with Mr. Carr she had two sons-Frank B., a resident of Cleveland, and Claude L. of Reading, Penn- sylvania. Of her marriage with Mr. Steele there is one son, Lester H., who was born February 21, 1887. He is now a bright stu- dent in Buchtel College, having previously graduated from the Cuyahoga Falls High School and Hammel's Business College. Mrs. Steele is a member of the Episcopal Church, while her husband was reared in the Presby- terian faith.

In politics Mr. Steele was a Democrat, vot- ing for the candidates of that party in Na- tional elections, but in local politics some- times placing the man before the party when in his opinion there was sufficient reason. Though he never sought public office, he took a warm interest in the cause of education, and had served as school director. He was also for six years a township trustee. His fellow citizens knew that whatever matters were entrusted to his hands would be well taken care of. He was a prominent member of the I. O. O. F., holding membership in Howard Lodge, Cuyahoga Falls, and he was laid to rest by that body.

ISAAC SHANNON MCCONNELL, who cultivates a valuable farm in Northfield Town- ship, was born in Coshocton County, Ohio, December 14, 1854, son of John and Jane L. (Shannon) McConnell.

The grandparents of Mr. McConnell came to America from County Donegal, Ireland, when their son John was a child of eight years, settling in Coshocton County, Ohio. There John McConnell remained until 1864, when he came to Northfield Township, Sum- mit County, and here, in the course of time, through his industry and good management, he acquired 367 acres of land, which he and his sons farmed in common. He was a high- ly respected man and lived a long and useful

life, dying March 6, 1905, when almost eighty years of age. He married Jane I ... Shannon, who died March 30, 1896. They had the fol- lowing children : John, deceased ; Isaac, whose name begins this sketch; George A., resid- ing in Northfield Township; Hervey A., a present justice of the peace in Northfield Township -; Dr. LaGrande, deceased; James and Albert, deceased; Sarah, who married H. R. Royden, of Northfield; and Charles, of Magnolia, Colorado.

Isaac S. McConnell was ten years old when his parents moved to Northfield. With the exception of nine summers, during which period Mr. McConnell worked at cheese-mak- ing, he has followed farming ever since old enough to handle farm implements. In the spring of 1894 he came to his present farm, of which he became the owner at the time of his father's death. It contained originally 156 acres, but sixteen have

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 75

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