Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 87

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 87

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The grandparents of James J. Wright were born and married in England. His father. Ilon. Thomas Wright, formerly a member of the Ohio State Legislature, was born after the family settled in Tompkins County, New York. Thomas Wright, Jr., married Eliza- beth Henderson, who was born in Springfield Township and was a daughter of an old pio- neer family, James and Elizabeth (Smith)

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Henderson. She died in 1902, aged seventy- two years.

James F. Wright is one of a family of six children. He was educated in the district school and the Akron High School, going from there to Mount Union College, after which he taught school for some two years in Coventry and Springfield Townships. His life, however, has been mainly devoted to farming. For some time he managed his father's farm, but later purchased property, which he has continued to improve to the present time.

On September 10, 1875, Mr. Wright was married to Mary J. Steese, who was born in Green Township, and is a daughter of George and Esther (Faust) Steese. Her parents eame to Ohio from Pennsylvania. Both are deceased, the father reaching the age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Wright have three chil- dren : Esther Elta, who married Robert Manson, resides at AAkron, and they have one child, Finley Manson; Bert 1., residing at Akron, where he is assistant draughtsman for the firm of Taplan and Riee, and Myron E., who is stenographer and bookkeeper for the Welsh Paper Mill Company, at Cuyahoga Falls.

Mr. Wright is one of the leading Repub- lican politicians of Summit County. For a number of years he has served as a member of the party executive committee of this pre- einct, has attended numerous county conven- tions as a delegate, and in 1906 he was elected alternate to the State convention. He has also served in local offices, and for some ten years has been a member of the School Board.

Fraternally, Mr. Wright is an Odd Fellow, belonging to Summit Lodge, No. 50, Akron. Both he and wife are members of the German Reformed Church.

GEORGE W. SHRIBER, general farmer and trueker, residing on . a well-cultivated farm near Loyal Oak, Norton Township, was born at Orrville. Wayne County, Ohio, No- vember 23, 1855, and is a son of Emanuel and Elizabeth (Crites) Shriber.

Emanuel Shriber was a farmer and also a carpenter and George W. was reared to agri- cultural pursuits. His education was ob- tained in the country schools. For fourteen years after marriage, Mr. Shriber lived on his farm in Ashtabula County, Ohio. After the death of his father, which took place in September, 1895, Mr. Shriber returned to Wayne County, and continued to reside on the home farm in Baughman Township, un- til March, 1902, when he came to Summit County and settled on his present farm. His land is well adapted to the growing of vege- tables and small fruits and he engages largely in this industry, in addition to general agri- cultural work.

Mr. Shriber was married to Clara E. Frase, who is a daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Frase. She was reared in Chippewa Town- ship, Wayne County. Mr. and Mrs. Shriber have had six children, namely: Carrie E., Bert Alvin, Carl C., George Neil, Howard Frase and Glen Russell. Mr. Shriber's chil- dren have been well edueated. the three older ones all becoming teachers. The eldest daughter, who is principal of the High School at Carrolton, the county seat of Carrol County, is a talented lady and widely-known edu- cator. She attended the High School at Mar- shallville, Ohio, spent one year at Jefferson, Ohio, and completed her liberal education at Wooster University. Bert Alvin, the eldest son, is successfully engaged in the practice of dentistry at Akron. For four years he en- gaged in teaching. He is a graduate of the Marshallville Iligh School, and studied his profession at the Western Reserve University at Cleveland. . He married Blanch Woods, who is a daughter of Dr. A. T. Woods, of Loyal Oak, Ohio. Carl C., the second son, attended the Marshallville High School and completed his education in the summer ses- sions at Wooster University, for three years teaching through the winters.

Mr. Shriber and family belong to Grace Reformed Church at Loyal Oak. in which he is an elder. He is a man of upright ehar- aeter and the family is a representative one of Norton Township.

RESIDENCE AND BARN OF REUBEN B. BAUGHMAN, NORTON TOWNSHIP

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REUBEN B. BAUGHMAN, a representa- tive citizen and leading farmer of Norton Township, resides upon a well-improved and finely-cultivated farm of ninety aeres, which is situated one mile soutli and west of John- son's Corners. He was born at Hametown, Summit County, Ohio, July 12, 1850, and is a son of John C. and Elizabeth (Barkhamer) Baughman.

. John Baughman, the grandfather of Ren- ben B., came to Norton Township when his son. John C., the youngest of the three chil- dren, was four years old, the other being Joel C. and Mrs. Susanna Waltenberger. At that time the family name was spelled in the old German way-Bachman-the change be- ing made to the present orthography by John C., when he came to man's estate. John Bach- man, or Baughman, was a cabinetmaker by trade and settled first in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, but it is probable that he did little else than farming after coming to Nor- ton Township. John C. Baughman was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated in Wayne and Summit Counties, Ohio. He married Elizabeth Bark- hamer, who was reared in Franklin Town- ship. She was a daughter of John Bark- hamer, who walked the whole distance from Pennsylvania and bought a tract of wood- land in Franklin Township, Summit County, on which he lived for the remainder of his life. For many years he was a justice of the peace.

The parents of Renben B. Banghman went to housekeeping in Norton Township and as he had learned the carpenter trade he worked at it and subsequently became a well-known contractor and carried on a large wholesale lumber business. In addition to his earpen- ter, contraeting and lumber interests, Mr. Baughman dealt in land and acquired 308 1-3 acres of farming land, and owned also a store property at Hametown. The Barberton Chemical Company plant is located on land which was onee his farm. He died in Sep- tember, 1898. He is survived by his widow and the following children: Reuben B. Isaac James; Arvilla, who married William

II. Nice, of Barberton; Calista B., who mar- ried Huston Snyder, living on the old home farm; and Clara E., who married Clyde O. Rasor. Three children are deceased, name- ly: Amanda, Emma and Cora.

Reuben B. Baughman was reared in Nor- ton Township and attended the district schools. His attention has been given to farm- ing and his fine property shows that he is snecessful as an agriculturist. He raises grain and enough stoek for his own use.

Mr. Baughman married Martha Jane Wise, only child of Michael and Martha (Myers) Wise. The Wise family is a very old and prominent one in this township. For many years Michael Wise, who resides at Johnson's Corners, served as a justice of the peace, and few men are better known in this section than 'Squire Wise. Mr. and Mrs. Banghman have had four children-Loma Blanche, who died aged four years; Lloyd W. is a bookkeeper for the L. S. & M. S. Railroad, residing at Cleveland : Clarence C., who died at the age of eighteen years; and John R., residing at home.

Mr. Baughman is a man who takes an in- terest in the welfare of his community and as a prominent man has frequently been se- leeted by his fellow-citizens for office. He served two terms as Township treasurer, and since 1904 he has been a member of the School Board. He belongs to the Reformed Church.

L. D. CASTLE, general manager of the Pittsburg Valve and Fitting Company, an important industry which has been located at Barberton, since 1902, is a practical ma- chinist, who has had a large experience in different parts of the country. Mr. Castle was born at Frederiek. Maryland, but in his childhood, his parents moved to Charlestown, Jefferson County, Virginia.

Mr. Castle was educated at Charlestown, and when eighteen years of age. he moved to Connectient, locating at Bridgeport, Fairfield County. There he had an opportunity to study mechanical drawing, and he also served an apprenticeship of three years to the ma-

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chinist's trade. For two years he worked as a journeyman machinist and then became foreman of the Eaton, Cole and Burnham Company's shops, and while serving as such was offered the superintendency of the Kelley and Jones Company, of New York, which he accepted. Previously he declined the offer of assistant superintendent with the former company. The Kelly and Jones Company, two years later, removed their plant from New York to Greensburg, Pennsylvania, where they built larger works, and Mr. Castle re- Inained with them until prepared to go into the organization of the Pittsburg Valve and Fitting Company.

This important business eoneern of Bar- berton was organized in 1901 at Pittsburg, by L. D. Castle and M. J. Alexander. For one year the partners operated a pattern shop at Pittsburg, but as the scope of their busi- ness was enlarged, it was considered advisable to build the necessary large works at another place, Barberton offering a suitable location. The officers of the company are the follow- ing capitalists and experienced men in this line of work: William D. Hartupee, presi- dent, residing at Pittsburg; M. J. Alexander. secretary and treasurer, residing at Pittsburg. and L. D. Castle, general manager, residing at Barberton. The board of directors includes these names: Alexander R. Peacock, Charles W. Brown, William D. Hartupee, M. J. Alex- ander. L. D. Castle, Joseph H. O'Neill and Kenneth K. MeLaren. The company own- eighty aeres of land, seventy-five of which was purchased from the Huntsburger heirs and five acres from the Barberton Land Com- panv. Employment is given to 900 men and the pay roll is a very heavy item. The products of this plant are standard brass and iron valves and iron pipe fittings, for use in con- nection with steam, water, oil and gas. They sell through jobbers, their trade territory be- ing the United States and foreign countries. The business was incorporated under the laws of New Jersey, with a capital stock of $1,000,- 000. They run three foundrys, a grey iron, a malleable iron and a brass foundry.

Mr. Castle was married in New York City

to Carrie L. Fuller, and they have two chil- dren, namely: Louis H., who is connected with a bank, in Boston, in which city he re- sides with his family, and George Fuller, who is a student in the Barberton schools.

Mr. Castle is a member of the order of Elks.

GREGORY J. GONDER, a substantial citizen and leading business man at Barber- ton, conducting a store at No. 345 Second Street, in the Gonder Block, devoted to wall paper and painters' supplies, was born at Ak- ron, May 29, 1853, and is a son of Joseph and Catherine (Steinbecker) Gonder.

Joseph Gonder, a son of Joseph Gonder, was born in Germany, and eame alone to America in boyhood, settling at Akron, where he was joined two years later by his father, who established the business in 1835. The three brothers, Gregory J., William H. and Joseph, all learned the painting trade.

Gregory J. Gonder grew up at Akron and began to assist his father when only twelve years of age, in the old shop which was lo- cated on East Market Street, Akron, and after he became his father's partner the business was continued at Akron, Mr. Gonder not set- tling at Barberton until September, 1906. Ile still runs a shop in the basement of the Windsor Hotel, but his main business is car- ried on in the Gonder Block, which fine three-story brick building. 24 by 100 feet in dimensions, he erected in 1904. He gives employment to nine men and does general contraeting in painting.

Mr. Gonder was married at Akron to Emma M. Edwards, who is a daughter of John Edwards, and they have had three ehil- dren, the one survivor being the eldest. Greg- ory R., who is associated with his father in business. He married Mary Condon. The other children of Mr. and Mrs. Gonder were: Susan, who died aged two years. and Howard, who died aged seventeen years. Mr. Gonder is an active member of the Baptist Church at Akron. Fraternally, he is connected with the Knights of Pythias.

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CHARLES B. TRYON, farmer, residing in the village of Macedonia, was born on a farm he owns, situated in lot 2, Northfield Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, July 22, 1855. His parents were Jesse and Ruth (Gibson) Tryon.

Jesse Tryon, father of Charles B., was born at Wethersfield, Connectieut, September 15, 1819, and was twelve years of age when he came to Ohio with his parents. They settled in Cuyahoga County, and he was educated in an old log school house near his father's farm. After he was married, Jesse Tryon came to Summit County and bought the farm on which his son Charles B., was sub- sequently born. It contained originally, for- ty-nine aeres, to which Jesse Tryon added until he had 158 acres, and on this land he raised many cattle and sheep. He became identified with the Republican party and served in township offices. He married a daughter of Asa Gibson. She was born in New Jersey and died in Ohio, in 1896, aged seventy-six years. She was a member of the Baptist Church. Three of their four children grew to maturity, namely: Jennie R., de- ceased. who married V. B. Murphey, also de- ceased : Charles B., and Zettie R., who mar- ried C. A. Bissell, residing at Antwerp, Ohio.

Charles B. Tryon remained on the home farm through childhood, youth and into mid- die age. developing the property and carry- ing on both farming and dairying for many years. Prior to the spring of 1907, when he retired to a pleasant home in the village of Macedonia, he looked after all his farm in- dustries himself. but these he has largely dele- gated to his son, who resides on the farm, in the substantial old house which was built by his grandfather, sixty years ago. The barns have been enlarged and other building‹ added, Mr. Tryon always having taken con- siderable pride in his surroundings. There are kept twenty-five head of Holstein eattle on the farm. milk being shipped to Cleve- land. Hay, corn and oats are raised for feed, and wheat and potatoes for sale.

Mr. Tryon married Della Robinson, who is a daughter of Sidney Robinson, of Miehi-

gan. and they have had three children: Pearl, deceased, who married Z. A. Housell, of Northfield: Fred, who was born August 14, 1880, residing on the farm, married Delia Baldwin and has three children, and Treva. residing at home.

Politically, Mr. Tryon is identified with the Republican party and for twenty years has been a member of the School Board of Northfield Township. He was one of the prime movers in securing the incorporation of the village of Macedonia and at present is a member of the village council. He is the secretary of the Twinsburg German Coach Horse Company, which owns the imported German coach stallion, Olof. With his wife he attends the Methodist Episcopal Church and contributes liberally to its support.

IRA L. HART, who resides on his well- improved farm of eighty-seven acres in Springfield Township, is one of the best- known farmers in the township and a rep- resentative member of one of the oldest fam- ilies of this section. He was born in Sum- mit County, Ohio, October 8, 1861. and is a son of George W. and Rebecca (Myers) Hart. He is a grandson of John D. Hart. who came to Summit County from Pennsyl- vania, at a very early date which has not been preserved, but at that time there were few other settlers in this region. John D. Hart made his first permanent settlement where his grandson Ira now resides. A log cabin had been built on the land by a former tenant and in that rude but sufficient abode this worthy pioneer and his wife rounded out their lives. John D. Hart was a soldier in the War of 1812, and he was a son of the John Hart whose name is appended to the Declaration of Independence. John D. Hart's family included four daughters and two sons who reached mature age, namely: Mrs. Margaret Gillen, Mary 1 .. who married John A. Myers and died in Springfield Township; Rebecca, who married Abraham Rodenbaugh. and spent her life in Spring- field Township: Jane, deceased, who survived her husband. Benjamin Clay: John. who died

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in 1900, aged eighty years, and who married Margaret Ilawk, and George W., father of Ira L., who died in 1898. John D. Hart and his wife died soon after the close of the Civil War, and were buried in the cemetery of the Presbyterian Church at Springfield. He owned a farm of ninety acres at that time.

The parents of Ira L. Hart were both born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio. The mother, Mrs. Rebecca Hart, died when Ira L. Hart was about seven years of age. Her husband survived her until April 10, 1898, when he died at the age of sixty- six years. They had eight children. the three survivors being: Arilda J., who mar- ried O. J. Swinehart, residing at Springfield Lake; Luther E., residing at Akron, but owning a farm in Springfield Township, who married Minerva Ritzman, daughter of Sam- uel Ritzman, and Tra L., whose name begins this sketch. After marriage, George W. Hart and wife started housekeeping in the old log house which still stands on the farm, and his life was mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was one of the organizers of Pomona Grange, Patrons of Hushandry. He owned a farm of sixty acres which he placed under good cultivation and he built an excel- lent barn, of which his son now makes use. The old home was comfortable and neither he nor his wife desired any other. They were quiet, virtuous, godly people, members of the Presbyterian Church, and estimable in every relation of life. Their remains lie in the Presbyterian cemetery. Mr. Hart was a pa- triotic citizen and served in the Union army during the Civil War.

Tra L. Hart was born in the old family residence which still remains standing on the farm. Ile obtained his education in the dis- triet schools. He and his brother Luther worked some years for their father, after which they purchased the Henderson farm. After the father's death they returned, Tra L. receiving a small portion of the estate, to which he subsequently added by purchase until he now owns a fraction over eighty- seven aeres. Formerly he was largely in-

terested in growing potatoes for the Akron market, but now carries on mixed farming and raises small fruit. In 1903 he completed his fine modern residence, of eight rooms, which, in architecture and convenience, is one of the handsomest in Springfield Township. All his surroundings show thrift and good management. In a large measure, Mr. Hart is a self-made man, having acquired his pop- ularity through industry and frugality.

On December 22, 1885, Mr. Hart was mar- ried to Ida B. Traster, of Springfield Town- ship, and they have three children, namely: Jessie, Willard and Dawn, all residing at home. The family belong to the Presbyte- rian Church at Springfield.

In politics, Mr. Hart is a Democrat. In the spring of 1901 he was elected township treasurer, and subsequently served efficiently four years and four months in this respon- sible office. He is a man of liberal, broad- minded views on public matters. and is in- terested in all that promises to be of bene- fit to his locality.

ALBERT R. HENRY, secretary and treas- urer of the Paul & Henry Construction Com- pany, and member of the firm of Paul & Henry, of Barberton, is one of the prominent citizens and a representative business man of this community. Mr. Henry was born in Butler County, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1866. and is a son of Milton and Margaret (Reed) Henry.

The parents of Mr. Henry moved to New Castle, Pennsylvania, when he was ahout one year old, and he was reared and educated in that place, completing the High School course. In 1891, just about the time the business awakening reached Barberton, Mr. Henry came to this place, accompanying the Stirling Boiler Works as bookkeeper. and manager of the clerical foree, and he re- mained with that organization until 1900, when he entered into partnership with John Paul, in the coal business and in city contraet work, ineluding paving, ete. The extensive vards and offices of this firm are located at Bolivar Road and Baird Avenue, where they

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have about an aere of land. Paul & Henry are contraetors and builders in stone work and sewer work, and make a specialty of heavy hauling and moving. Much of the extensive work required by the Diamond Match Company is placed in the hands of this firm. They did all the stone work on the school houses here, the abutment at the gorge, at Akron, over the Cuyahoga River, and also all of the stone work for the Pitts- burg Valve Company's buildings. Employ- ment is given to from 150 to 225 men. In May, 1907, the firm entered into the manu- facture of artificial ice, in a newly constructed building. Paul & Henry is a separate organ- ization from the Paul & Henry Construction Company. The latter is incorporated at $20,000, and do nothing but grading, eon- erete work and masonry. John Paul is presi- dent of that branch. The former company does some construction work but is mainly interested in eoal and ice. Both members of the above companies are practical engineers and are prominent in industrial circles at Barberton, and equally prominent as citi- zens.

Mr. Henry was married in 1904 to Martha MeMichael. He is an active and interested member of both the Masons and the Elks.

WALTER A. WHITE, who has been iden- tified with the mateh industry sinee 1868, is superintendent of the Diamond Match Company, at Barberton. Mr. White was born at Brooklyn, New York, December 28, 1855, and is a son of James P. and Keziah (Hunt) White.

When Mr. White was eleven years of age, his parents removed to Akron, Ohio. During the Civil War his father, a ship earpenter, had worked for the Government at Brooklyn, and after he eame to Akron he devoted him- self to building canal boats. He was a good workman and met with material suecess. He lived to be eighty-six years of age, dying from the effects of an accident. April 3. 1907. His widow still survives, aged seventy-seven years.

Walter A. White completed his education at Akron, in 1868 beginning to work for O.

C. Barber in the match business, at first only during the summer vacation, but later taking regular work and attending night school. Step by step he has risen in the business, from its huinblest position to that of one of the most important on its working force, each year becoming more valuable to Mr. Barber and his associates, both on account of his effi- ciency as well as fidelity.

On December 24, 1883, Mr. White was married to Alice Westcott, and they have two children, namely: Ethel C., who married Oris Tiehnor, has one child; Walter H., and Howard W. Mr. White has two brothers and one sister: John, proprietor of the White Lumber Company, at Akron; James, in a lumber business at Detroit, and Anna, who married Charles Akers, who is a hardware and real estate dealer at Akron.

Mr. White is a prominent member of the Elks.

W. II. SILAW, a representative agricul- turist of Northfield Township, residing on his valuable farm of 112 acres, was born in Washington Township, Licking County, Ohio, September 3, 1853, and is a son of llarvey F. and Rebecca (Helphrey) Shaw.

The father of Mr. Shaw was born in New Jersey and there learned the trade of stone- mason. He came to Washington Township, Utica village, Licking County, Ohio, in young manhood, acquired a farm and carried it on together with work at his trade. He died in 1870, aged forty-eight years. He married a daughter of George Helphrey, and they had the following children: Annabel, W. H., Laura, Simon L., Frank, Arthur and Cor- bett. The mother of the above family still survives, aged seventy-eight years. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Berea, Ohio.

W. H. Shaw attended school in Washing- ton Township. Utica village, and was fifteen years of age when his parents moved to Clin- ton, Henry County, Missouri. selling the old farm. The father died in Missouri and three years later, upon her return to Licking Coun- ty, the mother purchased a second farm.

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W. H., as the eldest son, took charge and re- mained at home until his own marriage. For three years following he rented a farm in the same township, later purchasing property there on which he continued to reside until 1901, when he came to his present location, buying eighty-nine acres at first, and subse- quently increasing to 112 acres. Of this he has about fifty acres under cultivation, on which he raises wheat. hay, corn and oats and many potatoes. Ile has a valuable silo 14 by 14 feet and 26 feet high. He keeps twenty-five head of fine Durham and Hol- stein cattle, and disposes of his milk to the Brooks Creamery Company. He makes poul- try raising profitable and understands how to reap benefit from all portions of his domain.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 87

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