Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 95

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Dr. Conn was married in 1869 to Helen Kingsbury, who was born at Medina, Ohio. They have four children: Ellwood K., Maud J., Mary A. and Helen E. The family home is at No. 740 South Main Street. Politically Dr. Conn is a Republican.

W. L. KELLER, M. D., physician and sur- geon at Akron, was born in 1872, at Alliance, Ohio, and has been a resident of Akron for the past five years, during which time he has built up a large practice and gained the friend- ship and confidence of many of his fellow- citizens. Dr. Keller attended the schools of Alliance and, after graduating from the Al- liance High School, entered Mt. Union Col- lege, where he was graduated B. S., in the class of 1896. For the succeeding five years he taught school, in the meanwhile directing his reading and study to medicine, and subse- quently he entered the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1901. For two years before com- ing to Akron he practiced in Jefferson Coun- ty, Ohio. Dr. Keller may be found at his well-appointed office at No. 335 South Main Street. He is a member of the Summit Coun- ty, the Sixth Councilor District, and the Ohio State Medical Societies. In 1902 Dr. Keller was married at Canton, Ohio, to Edith E. Mc- Conkey, who is a daughter of Dr. W. J. Mc- Conkey, residing on North Walnut Street, Canton. Fraternally, Dr. Keller is a Mason. He belongs to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

LOUIS J. WISE, M. D., Perhaps no city in Ohio has a more notable body of medical men than has Akron, they being, as a whole, educated and enthusiastic men of science. Among these, Dr. Louis J. Wise occupies a leading place and, although one of the younger members of the profession, has been exceedingly successful as a practitioner.

Dr. Wise was born in 1878, in Suffield, Ohio. After completing the public school course there he entered Notre Dame Univer -. sity at South Bend. Indiana, and subsequent- ly Starling Medical College, from which he

was graduated in 1901, with his medical de- gree. He practiced for a short time at St. Joseph, Portage County, Ohio, and then came to Akron. He belongs to the leading medi- cal organizations of the state, including the Summit County Sixth Councilor District, and the Ohio State, and is also a member of the American Medical Association. Dr. Wise belongs also to the Summit County Physi- cian's club. Dr. Wise is a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. He belongs also to the Knights of Columbus and to the Cath- olic Mutual Benefit Association.

FRED HUNSICKER, who is carrying on agricultural operations on his fine farm of 160 acres in Northampton Township, Summit County, Ohio, was born March 2, 1874, in Akron, Ohio, and is a son of John Jacob and Rebecca (Fritz) Hunsicker.

John Jacob Hunsicker was born in 1842 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and there re- ceived his education in the common schools. When about sixteen years of age Mr. Hun- sicker came to Loyal Oak, Ohio, and there learned the trade of carpenter, which he fol- lowed until his last illness. He was a Thirty- second Degree Mason, and was a charter mem- ber of the first Lodge of Odd Fellows in Ak- ron, being presented with a medal just be- fore his death as being one of the four oldest Odd Fellows in that city. Mr. Hunsicker was a Republican, with independent inclinations. He married Rebecca Fritz, a daughter of Solo- mon Fritz, who was a native of Clarion Coun- ty, Pennsylvania. Four children were born to this union, and three of these grew to ma- turity: Horace, who is a member of the Pouchot-Hunsicker Company, married Flora E. Yost, a daughter of Charles Yost, of Akron, where he resides; Sadie C., who is the wife of L. E. Smith and resides at Greentown, Ohio; and Fred. John Jacob Hunsicker died in 1904, aged sixty-two years. His widow, who lives in Akron, is fifty-eight years old. She is a member of Grace Reformed Church of Akron, believing in the faith in which her husband died.

Fred Hunsicker received his education in

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the common and High schools of his native locality, and as a young man learned the trade of lithographer, which he followed for fifteen years. He then gave it up, resigning the position of foreman of the commercial en- graving department of the Werner Company, which he had held for three years. In 1904 he engaged in farming on his present tract, of which he cultivates about 100 acres, rais- ing wheat, oats, corn and hay, each of which crops he markets a portion. He keeps on an average of twenty-four head of cattle, which he fattens and butchers himself for private customers, whose demand is greater than he can accommodate. He has always been indus- trious and hard-working, and his farm pre- sents one of the best appearances in this sec- tion of the township.

Mr. Hunsicker was married to Sarah Jane Stevenson, who is a daughter of Thomas Frazer, and Rachel Stevenson, of Akron. Four children have been born to this union, name- ly: Thomas Jacob, Horace Irving, Hiram Robert, and one who died in infancy. Mr. Hunsicker is a Republican in politics. but he has never been an officeseeker. With his family he attends Grace Reformed Church, of Akron.

LAWRENCE HALTER, proprietor of the City Laundry, has been actively engaged in business here since December, 1898, coming from Chicago, where he had filled a respon- sible position with a large manufacturing con- cern. Mr. Halter was born in 1867, in South- eastern Missouri, where he was reared and educated. passing his life up to twenty years on a farm.

In February, 1888, Mr. Halter came first to Akron, where he formed many pleasant ties during his residence of sixteen months, when he was employed by the Goodrich Company. He then returned to St. Louis, which he had previously visited and where he entered the street railway service, going then to Phila- delphia, where he was employed in the same line of industry, and from there to Chicago. In the last named city he entered the manu- facturing firm of Morgan & Wright, starting

in the shops and working up until within three years he was made foreman of the me- chanical molding department, in which ca- pacity he continued therefor three years longer.

In 1898, when Mr. Halter returned to Ak- ron, he purchased a small place at his pres- ent location and at first carried on a hand laundry. This he has developed until he has now one of the best equipped laundry plants in the city. Mr. Halter is established in the building at No. 637 South Main Street, where he has a frontage of 20 by 110 feet, with rear dimensions of 28 by 90 feet. He makes use of the best laundry methods known and has installed all kinds of improved machinery. He is interested in other business enterprises and is a director in the German-American Building and Loan Association.

In 1894 Mr. Halter was married to Lottie J. Bernard, of Akron, and they have five children: Lottie L., Herbert B., Helen, Ger- trude and Beatrice. Mr. Halter and family belong to St. Mary's Catholic Church. He is a member of the order of Knights of Colum- bus, the Pathfinders, and of the German club. Politically, he is a Democrat. Mr. Halter is numbered with the city's successful citizens.

T. J. STEBICK, vice-president of the I. S. Myers Company, clothiers and leaders in this line at Akron, was born in this city in 1872, and is a son of George Stebick, who was born in Germany and has been a respected resident of Akron for more than thirty years.

T. J. Stebick was reared and educated in his native city and at the age of fifteen years entered the employ of Ganvard & Myers, and has been identified with this house ever since. The original firm was succeeded by I. S. Myers & Company, and February 17, 1904, it was incorporated as The I. S. Myers Company. the officers of which are: I. S. Myers, presi- dent and manager; T. J. Stebick, vice-pres- ident; J. W. Brown, secretary; and M. F. Rhodes, treasurer.

Mr. Stebick is a member of St. Bernard's Catholic Church. He belongs to the order of

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

Knights of Columbus and to the Forresters. His standing both socially and in business is very high and he is justly regarded as a good and representative citizen of Akron.

GERALD S. WORK, department mana- ger of the widely known B. F. Goodrich Company, of Akron, manufactures of rubber tires, was born in this city in 1880, a son of Alanson Work. He was reared in Akron, his literary education being completed at St. Paul's school, Concord, N. H., and at Yale College, where he spent one year, leaving the college in June, 1900. In the same year he entered the office of the B. F. Goodrich Com- pany and in the following January became manager of the company's Department No. 1. Mr. Work is a prominent figure both in the business and social world of Akron. He is a inember of the Akron Club, the Portage Country Club, the Walton Fish and Gun Club and the Automobile Club of Akron. Few are more ready than he to lend their aid in sup- port of any practical movement for the ad- vancement of the material prosperity and so- cial elevation of the community.

ALBERT ALLEN was long one of the leading and successful business men of 1k- ron. He was born March 12, 1827, in Cov- entry Township, Summit County, Ohio, and was a son of Levi and Phebe (Spicer) .Allen.

The parents of Mr. Allen had settled in Coventry Township in 1811 and he grew up amid pioneer surroundings. Instead of turn- ing his attention to agricultural pursuits when he reached his majority. he learned the millwright's trade and worked at the same for nine years. In 1856 he was given the contract for converting the old Perkins woolen mill into a flouring mill and when it was completed he was retained in the employ of the firm of Perkins & Company. Later, in partnership with Alexander HI. Commins, he bought the Stone mill, and under the firm name of Commins & Allen a large amount of business was done. Mr. Commins died in 1880, leaving his entire estate in the hands of Albert Allen, his will being such that Mr.

Allen had the disposition of all the prop- erty without bonds. The firm name of Com- mins & Allen was continued until the busi- ness was merged into the F. Schumacher Milling Company, in 1886. Mr. Allen be- came vice-president of this company and one of its directors and continued his interest un- til his death, which occurred September 25. 1888, when he was over sixty-one years of age.

Mr. Allen never married. His only sister, Cynthia Allen, cared for his home, and young life was introduced in the person of his niece, Minnie E. Allen, who subsequently became the wife of Henry M. Stone, now a resident of Denver, Colorado. At the time of his death, Mr. Allen's large estate was shown and its wise provisions made public. To his devoted sister was given a large portion, while educational institutions and religious bodies were remembered with the justice of a con- scientions man. Like all other members of his family, he was devoted to the interests of the Disciples Church.

F. DATON VOGAN, of the prominent business firm of Tifft & Vogan, carriage deal- ers and also dealers in all kinds of agricul- tural implements, at Cuyahoga Falls, is num- bered with the representative men of this place. Mr. Vogan was born at Princeton. Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, March 18. 1856, and is a son of Joseph E. and Clarissa (Allen) Vogan.

Joseph E. Vogan was a native of Venango County, Pennsylvania, and at the time of his death a resident of Newcastle. He was a member of the fire department in that town and it was in answering a call of duty that he was accidentally killed. He was a stanch Republican, and for a number of years had held the position of policeman and street com- missioner. Fraternally he was connected with the United Workmen. He married Clarisra Allen, who died in April, 1905, when within a few days of being seventy-two years of age. They had two children, namely: F. Daton and Olive. now deceased, who married Albert Lindsey, of Youngstown.

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F. Daton Vogan spent his boyhood in New- castle, and then went to Youngstown, where he learned the trade of horse-shoer, after which he returned to Newcastle and formed a partnership with William Evans, under the firm name of Evans & Vogan, and they op- erated a blacksmith shop for some years. Sub- sequently, Mr. Vogan sold out and in 1881 he came to Cuyahoga Falls and entered into business with Robert Tryon, now of Akron, under the firm name of Vogan & Tryon. This connection lasted several years, when Mr. Vogan bought his partner's interest and conducted the business alone until 1885, when he added buggy dealing to his other busi- ness, continuing to prosper as formerly. On January 26, 1896, he entered into partner- ship with Smith D. Tifft, and together they have established the largest house of its kind in this section of Ohio. Both partners are capable business men and possess the quali- ties which command the confidence of the buying public.

Mr. Vogan married Mary C. Weidner, daughter of Jacob Weidner, of Cuyahoga Falls, and they have two children-Florence M. and Kathryn Ruth. Mrs. Vogan is a de- voted member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which religious body Mr. Vogan was reared by his parents. Politically he is a Republican, but with him business comes first and he has found no time to accept po- litical office. He is a member of Star Lodge, No. 187, F. & A. M.

OHTIO C. BARBER, president of the First National Bank of Akron, was born at Akron, April 20. 1841. and is a son of George and Eliza (Smith) Barber.

George Barber was born January 27. 1805 in Hartford. Connecticut, but was reared in Onondaga County, New York. where he learned the coopering business. When about twenty-one years of age, he came to Ohio, in the capacity of peddler of clocks, his main idea, however, being to select a favorable lo- cation for his business, and this he found at the village which was then known as Middle- bury. He worked as a cooper until 1847, and

then embarked in the match manufacturing business, being one of its pioneers in this ter- ritory. Business facilities were then far from perfect and, although Mr. Barber's enterprise was eminently successful, he decided to enter into another line for a time, and embarked in hotel-keeping. One year later, however, he resumed his match manufacturing, which he continued as long as he found it profit- able. This business may be described as the nucleus of the great combination of capital now known as the Diamond Match Company, of which his son, Ohio C., is the president. On April 1, 1835, George Barber was mar- ried to Eliza Smith, who was born at Canton, Ohio, January 15, 1817. Of their eight chil- dren. but two survive: Ohio C. and Mrs. John K. Robinson. The death of Mr. Barber occurred April 12, 1879.

Ohio C. Barber as early as the age of six- teen years became associated with his father in the match business, in 1862 assuming en- tire management. In 1868 the business was organized as the Barber Match Company. with George Barber as president, Ohio C. Bar- her as secretary and treasurer and John K. Robinson as general agent. In 1881 the great corporation known as the Diamond Match Company came into existence, through the combination of twenty-eight match com- panies, its capital then being $6,000,000. Ohio C. Barber was the first vice president and was made president in 1888. Mr. Barber has been and still is deeply interested in many great enterprises, representing wide and varied interests. He has always been one of the most enterprising citizens of Akron, and, with all his vast outside interests, has never been indifferent to her welfare. On October 10, 1865, Mr. Barber was married to Laura L. Brown, and they have had two children, one of whom, Anna Laura, still survives.

HORACE HUNSICKER, treasurer of the Pouchot-Hunsicker Company, one of Akron's large business enterprises, was born at Ak- ron, Ohio, in 1870, and is a son of John Jacob Hunsicker. a carpenter and builder, who came, in 1862. to Akron, where he died

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

in 1904. Horace IIunsicker was reared and educated at Akron and in boyhood started to learn the first principles of the carpenter's trade, which, however, he never completed. After spending several seasons on the farm, he entered the employ of the firm of Jahant & Weber, where he continued for eight years. When the company of Morgan & Pouchot was organized, he became a member of that firm, which was succeeded by the Pouchot- Hunsicker Company. He has been treasurer of this organization ever since he became a member of the original firm. His business acumen and enterprising methods have been just so many assets to the concern. Person- ally, he is a man of honorable life and of high social standing.

On March 4, 1896, Mr. Hunsicker was married to Flora E. Yost, of Akron, and they have two children-Edna Rebecca and Sarah Alberta. Mr. Hunsicker is a member of Grace Reformed Church. Fraternally, he is a Mason.

DAVID C. LONG, a general farmer and dairyman, who resides on his first-class farm of forty-four acres, which is situated near Fairlawn, in Portage Township, came to Summit County in 1867. He was born in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, February 8, 1849, and is a son of Samuel and Magdalena (Arnold) Long.

David C. Long spent his boyhood in Penn- sylvania, where he was partly educated, and he attended a select school in Green Town- ship, after reaching Summit County, his par- ents living there for one year. His father then purchased the farm on which Mr. Long resides, moving onto it in 1873. The father died on this farm in September, 1892, his wife having passed away in 1874. They had eleven children, of whom David C. was the seventh son.

In 1879 David C. Long was married to Lydia Staver, who is a daughter of Rev. Elias Staver, an Evangelical minister located at Greensburg. Mr. and Mrs. Long have had four children: Ralph, who died at the age of thirteen years; Leo, residing at Akron, who

married Clara Robinett, and Harry and George, both valuable assistants to their father. Mr. Long and his family belong to the West Side Congregational Church at Ak- ron. He takes an active interest in public matters and lends his aid and influence in promoting the best interests of the township of which he is a representative citizen. In politics a Republican, Mr. Long served as as- sessor of Portage Township for four years and at present is one of the township trustees.

JOHN W. WALSH, whose fine estate of ninety-five acres can scarcely be excelled in Summit County for beauty of location or ex- tensive improvements, has here made stock- raising a science and farming a hobby. Mr. Walsh was born in Cuyahoga Falls Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, August 18, 1854, and is a son of William and Rose (Car- lin) Walsh.

William Walsh was born in County Cork, Ireland, came to America in 1848, and died at Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, March 23, 1904, aged seventy-six years. In Ireland he learned the trade of shoemaker, which he intended to follow after locating in the United States, but circumstances diverted him to the paper- making industry, which he followed for some forty years at the Falls, being an active man up to the time of his death. He married Rose Carlin, whom he survived. her death taking place January 23, 1901, when she had attained the age of seventy-five years. They had eight children, namely: Mary, who married Jacob Donaldson, residing at Cuya- hoga Falls; John W., Richard E., who is de- ceased; Rose A., residing with her brother, John W .; Thomas F., Isabelle A., deceased; Cornelius M., who is connected with the Walsh Milling Company, and Margaret E., residing with her brother, John W. The family was reared in the Roman Catholic faith.

John W. Walsh obtained his education in the common and High Schools of Cuyahoga Falls, after which he spent seven years in the Hanford Brothers' paper mills. At the end of this time he entered the regular army, be-

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coming a member of Company E, Second U. S. Infantry. He remained in the service for five years, being successively under the command of General Miles, General Wheaton and General Howard. He reached Idaho, in August, 1877, and for one year was engaged in the campaign against the Nez Perce In- dians. After leaving the army Mr. Walsh continued to live in the West for five years more. He went to Washington and there em- barked in a saw-mill business which he ex- panded into a flourishing industry, requiring him to employ a foree of twenty men. This business he continued until 1889, when his thoughts turned to the East and to the sec- tion in which he was born, resulting in his coming back to look over the business situa- tion here. Ile has never sinee left this fa- vored part of the country.

Shortly after his return to Cuyahoga Falls, Mr. Walsh purchased an interest in the Cuy- ahoga Paper Company, which later became the Walsh Paper Company, and he continued to manage this business until May 19, 1902. In the meantime he had purchased the Howe farm, his present estate, and resided in the old homestead until the completion of his magnificent residence, which, without donht, is the finest rural home in Summit County. The building of this home was commenced in 1899 and was completed in 1901. It is solidly constructed of briek and its stately ex- terior is matched by its fine interior finish and rich furnishings. Every modern com- fort and convenience made possible by the use of money and the exercise of good taste, have been introduced to make this a home in every sense of the word. The house has a beautiful setting, including a wide, grassy lawn, noble shade trees and flowering shrubs. There is about the entire place a harmony of details that is pleasant to contemplate and must have been a joy to plan.

On this beautiful farm is to be found a herd of some of the finest cattle in Summit County. They include Aberdeen, Angus and Holstein, with a few Jerseys. Mr. Walsh owns a Polled-Angus bull, a splendid speci- men, which took the prize at the Summit

County fair in 1905. He makes farming only a side issue, enjoying it more as a hobby than as an occupation for profit. He has two silos and raises his own feed. Mr. Walsh here also is able to indulge his love of fine dogs and owns a number of blooded Shepherd and French bull dogs, of the best strains. It is scarcely necessary to add, in a work which belongs especially to a section in which he is so well known, that Mr. Walsh is a genial, companionable man, big-hearted and gener- ous, benevolent and charitable. Although he is an admirer and strong supporter of the present Chief Executive of the Nation, he was reared a Democrat and still adheres to the old principles of that party. IIe is a mem- ber of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Cuya- hoga Falls.

WILLIAM M. METZLER. assistant geu- oral superintendent of the Diamond Rubber Company, at Akron, was born in this city in 1860, and is a son of the late Christopher Metzler, who was born in Germany and who came to Akron in 1840. For a number of years Christopher Metzler was turnkey at the Summit County Jail, and for eighteen years he was a mail carrier. He was a widely re- -pected citizen. Ilis death occurred in 1881.

After finishing school William M. Metzler. with the healthy sentiment which inspires American youths to seek to become self-sup- porting, entered the Merrill Pottery Works, where he continued one year. He then was with the Baker MeMillan Company for three years, going from their employ to that of the Buckeye Mower & Reaper Works, where he remained for three years. He then spent seven years with the B. F. Goodrich Com- pany. For the five following years he was with the Eastern Rubber Company, at Tren- ton, New Jersey, as superintendent, and then returned to Akron, where he became assistant superintendent of the Diamond Rubber Com- pany, a position he held until 1904, when he was advaneed to assistant general superin- tendent. Mr. Metzler has climbed to his pres- ent responsible position step by step, show- ing industry and capacity at every point, and

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is a typical successful business man of the day, one well up in technical knowledge as well as trained along executive lines. He has other business interests and is a stockholder in the Northwestern Rubber Company, of Liverpool, England.

In 1881 Mr. Metzler married Rosa Jones, who was born at Kent, Ohio, and they have four children, namely: David A., who is assistant superintendent of the Alkali Rub- ber Company; William J., who is general foreman of the hose room of the Diamond Rubber Company; Mary, who is a student in the Akron High School, and Ethel, who is a student in the Sacred Heart Academy. Mr. Metzler and family belong to St. Vincent's Catholic Church. His fraternal associations are with the Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association.

HARRY F. BLACKBURN, assistant cash- ier of the First National Bank of Akron. was born in Hudson, Summit County, Ohio. in 1871, and is a son of Thomas Black- burn, who located at Hudson in 1856, where he now lives a retired life. His former occu- pation was farming.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 95

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