Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 96

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 96

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Harry F. Blackburn was reared and edu- cated in his native section, and in 1889 came to Akron, where he was engaged as book- keeper in the roofing business with the firm of Akers & Harpham until 1893. when he entered the First National Bank at Akron, as a clerk. His faithfulness and fidelity soon caused advancement and by 1902 he was made assistant cashier of this firmly estab- lished financial institution. He has other business connections, also being treasurer of the Burt Manufacturing Company, and seere- tary and treasurer of the Akron Manufactur- ing Company.

Mr. Blackburn enlisted in 1893 in Com- pany B, Eighth Regiment. Ohio National Guards, and was promoted from the position of a private through all the ranks to a cap- taincy. At the outbreak of hostilities with Spain, he went out as first lieutenant of Com- pany B, being mustered in May 13, 1898, at Columbus, from which point the regiment

was sent to Falls Church, Virginia, and on July 4th following left for New York city. There the Eighth Regiment took transports for Cuba, reaching the island in time to take part in the closing up of the Santiago cam- paign. After three weeks in Cuba, during which period the company showed the valor justly attributed to American soldiers, it was transported to Montauk Point, reaching there on August 26th. Mr. Blackburn was given a furlough home and was mustered out of the service November 21, 1898. Subse- quently he was appointed regimental adju- tant and held this rank until he retired quite recently, having no cause to feel anything but pride in his military record.

In 1899 Mr. Blackburn was married to Clara Schaeffer, who is a daughter of George (. Schaeffer, of Akron, and they have four children-Grace A., Metta Aleen, Helen and Harryette. With his family Mr. Blackburn is connected with Trinity Lutheran Church. Mr. Blackburn is master of Adoniram Lodge, F. & A. M., of Akron, and is captain gen- eral of Akron Commandery. He is identi- fied with the Blue Lodge, Chapter, Council and Commandery at Akron, and with Lake Erie Consistory and Alkoran Shrine, at Cleve- land. He belongs also to the Knights of Pythias.

CHARLES BOUTON, of the firm of Charles Bouton & Son, proprietors of the Champion Evaporator Company. manufac- turers of the Champion Evaporator for ma- ple, sorghum, cider and fruit jellies and sugar-makers' supplies, at Hudson, was born at Concord. Lake County, Ohio. December 3. 1829, and is a son of Seth and Sallie (Poole) Bouton.

The Bouton family is of French extraction and its founders in America came to the United States with General Lafayette. during the Revolutionary War. Seth Bouton was born in the State of New York and there mar- ried Sallie Poole, who came of English an- cestors. Their surviving children are: Charles, Lyman H., residing at Perry, Jeffer- son County, Kansas; Jane, who married a

CHARLES TUTTLE PARKS

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Mr. Hawkins, and Elizabeth, who married a Mr. McCloughry, both residing at Blue Is- land, Illinois. In 1836, Seth Bouton moved to Boston Township, Summit County, Ohio, and built a log house in the woods between Hudson and Peninsula. Later he and wife removed to Blue Island, Illinois, where both died.

Charles Bouton was seven years of age when he accompanied his parents to Summit County, and he assisted his father to clear up the farm, to the extent of his strength, remaining at home until he was fourteen years of age. . He then went to live with Lawson Waterman, with whom he remained until twenty-two years of age, with Mr. Wat- erman engaging in the construction of canal boats. When he was nineteen years old he was capable of building boats himself. When the excitement spread through the country on account of the discovery of large deposits of gold in California, Mr. Bouton made the trip westward by way of the Isthmus of Panama, but returned in 1854, overcome by home- sickness. He married soon after and re- sumed boat building at Peninsula. Later he bought a canal boat and engaged in boat- ing for five years. He then engaged with his father-in-law in running a dry dock and boat-building, under the firm name of John- son & Bouton-a business that flourished un- til 1873. Mr. Bouton having continued it alone from 1866, when his father-in-law died.

On April 15, 1874, Mr. Bouton came to Hudson and bought the old Mansion House and also started a livery business, conducting the hotel until 1883 and the livery business until 1886. In this year he acquired a financial interest in the business of G. H. Grim & Company, which had commenced the manufacture of evaporators some years previously, and in 1888 the business was in- corporated as the G. H. Grim Manufacturing Company and was so conducted until Mr. Bouton purchased, in 1895. Since then he has operated the business under its present style. Rebuilding and improvement of the plant was made in 1905, and a large amount of business is carried on. the territory extend-

ing from Central New York through a large part of the West.

Mr. Bouton served as township assessor.

On April 5, 1854, Mr. Bonton was mar- ried to Helen A. Johnson, who was born at Boston Village, Summit County, Ohio, and who died May 29, 1872. She was a daughter of Henry Johnson, who was long a prominent man in this section. They had three chil- dren : Lillian, Lawson W. and Clarence R. Lillian, now deceased, married R. K. Pelton, of Cleveland, and they had two children- Mrs. Helen Williams, who has one daugh- ter, Ruth, and Roy. Lawson W. died at Gal- veston, Texas, in 1904, and is buried with his mother, at Peninsula. Clarence R., who is associated with his father in business, mar- ried Oma Coyle and has one child-Dar- lene. He is a member of the Hudson Vil- lage School Board.

Charles Bouton is a Democrat, and he has served both as township trustee of Boston Township and as a member of the School Board. He belongs to Hudson Lodge, No. 510, F. & A. M., his son being also identified with the same body.

CHARLES TUTTLE PARKS, funeral di- rector, located at No. 17 High Street, Akron, also official undertaker for the Harrison Burial Association of Akron, is one of the sub- stantial men of this city. He is a survivor of the great Civil War, in which he served for four years. Mr. Parks was born October 27. 1844, in Summit County, Ohio, a son of George and Ruth (Tuttle) Parks. He was only a schoolboy when he answered the call for soldiers to suppress the Rebellion, enlist- ing April 27, 1861, in Company C, 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served four months. When this regiment went out it was generally believed that a few months would see the end of the war, but this hope was soon dispelled, and after the close of his first term of service, Mr. Parks felt it his duty to re-enter the ranks and continue his service in behalf of the Union. He was a member of Com- pany H, 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for over three years, making a total of four years

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

of army service. Ile bears a token of the siege of Vicksburg in the absence of a fin- ger of his right hand.

After returning from the army, Mr. Parks engaged for some seven years in a lumber business at Wooster, Ohio. In 1874 he opened an undertaking establishment at Wooster, where he remained until 1880. He then came to Akron, and was here connected with the Buckeye works for eight years. Subsequently he took a complete course in the embalming department of the Western Reserve Univer- sity at Cleveland, and then resumed undertak- ing at Akron. He has a modern, well- equipped establishment and has gained an excellent reputation in his line of business.

The Harrison Burial Association of Akron, of which Mr. Parks is official undertaker, has owned its burial grounds for the past six years. The president of the association is John Sowers, county recorder; vice-president is B. F. Clark, ex-county recorder, and its secretary and treasurer is E. J. Jenkins. The organization has a large membership and commands the confidence of the general pub- lic. 1s official undertaker Mr. Parks gives ambulance service both day and night.

Mr. Parks was married in 1865 to Mar- garet Curry, of Wooster, who died in 1891. He was married (second) in 1893 to Leora Allyn, of Akron. Mrs. Parks is also a gradu- ated embalmer, probably the only one of her sex in this vicinity to have taken a course of this kind. Her husband finds her a valuable assistant. Mr. and Mrs. Parks reside at No. 200 Cole Avenue. Politically Mr. Parks is identified with the Republican party. Fra- ternally he is a Knight of Pythias, Odd Fel- low, and Woodman.

A. H. MARKS, who, as vice president and superintendent of the Diamond Rubber Company, occupies a very prominent place in the business world at Akron, belongs to a rather notable body of young men of af- fairs, who are prominent in a number of the great industries of this city. Mr. Marks was born in 1874, at Lynn, Massachusetts.

After completing the High School course

at Lynn, Mr. Marks entered Harvard Col- lege. Later he became associated with the Boston Wire Hose and Rubber Company, with whom he remained for two years as as- sistant chemist. For one year subsequently he was with the Revere Rubber Company, at Chelsea, Massachusetts, as chief chemist, leaving there to come to Akron as vice presi- dent and superintendent of the Diamond Rubber Company. He is identified with other rubber interests, being president of and a director in the Alkali Rubber Company, occupying also the same relations with the Northwestern Rubber Company, of Liverpool, England, and also with the Pan-American Crude Rubber Company.

In October, 1896, Mr. Marks was married to Florence B. Whitney, and they have one child. Robert Whitney. Mr. and Mrs. Marks belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is connected with a number of social or- ganizations, among them being the Portage Country Club, of Akron; the Union Club, of Cleveland; the Hermit Club, of Cleveland, and the Eastern Yacht Club, of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Fraternally, he is a Mason.

ALBERT E. ROACH, who fills the im- portant office of paymaster for the B. F. Good- rich Company, of Akron, has been a resident of this city for the past quarter of a cen- tury and is a well-known and highly regarded citizen. He was born at Twinsburg, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Moses N. Roach. The Roach family came to Ohio from Vermont in the person of James Roach, grandfather of Albert E., and was one of the earliest settlers at Twinsburg. Moses N. Roach was born in 1829, at Twinsburg, where he died in 1886, having spent almost his whole life at that place.

Albert E. Roach was reared at Twinsburg, attended Bissell Institute, and took a course at the Western Reserve Seminary, at West Farmington, after which he went into the railroad business. For ten years he was con- nected with the Valley Railroad, and for nine years with the C. A. & C. Railroad. In 1900 he entered the office of the B. F. Goodrich

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Company in his present capacity, which is New Brighton, Pennsylvania: Charles A., one of great responsibility, entailing the ac- curate handling of large sums of money for the army of employes, incidentally adding greatly to the business of Akron and to the comfort of many of her citizens.

On May 13, 1885, Mr. Roach was married to Agnes M. Meikle, the ceremony taking place at Unadilla, Nebraska. They have three children-Ethel M., Elizabeth M. and Al- berta. Mr. Roach and family are affiliated with the Universalist Church. For the past fifteen years Mr. Roach has been secretary of 1kron Lodge, No. 83, F. & A. M., and be- longs also to the Chapter and Council at Ak- ron. His social relations are with the Ma- sonic Club and he was one of the promoters of the Portage Path Canoe Club.

CHARLES A. WEIDNER, purchasing agent of the Falls Rivet and Machine Com- pany, at Cuyahoga Falls, has been identified with this important industry for many years. Mr. Weidner was born at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, Ohio, June 29, 1857, and is a son of Jacob F. and Caroline (Hess) Weidner.

The father of Mr. Weidner was born in Wertemberg, Germany, January 18, 1827. and was only eight days old when he was bereft of his mother. He was reared under the careful but strict supervision of his father and was taught the trade of cooper. In 1849 he emigrated to America, and after spending one year in Cleveland, came to Cuyahoga Falls, in March, 1850. Here he went into a cooperage business which, during the Civil War, was a very thriving one. and which he carried on as long as it was profitable, retiring some years prior to his death, December 8, 1900. He was active at one time in politics and served on the City Council. On August 9, 1853. he was married to Catherine Anna Hess, at Vermillion, Ohio, who was born in Hessen, Germany, July 13, 1832, and was brought to America by her parents when four years old. There were five children born to this marriage, namely: Elizabeth. now de- ceased, who was the wife of E. E. Pierce. of

whose name begins this sketch; Mary C., who married F. D. Vogan, residing at Cuyahoga Falls; George F., residing at Columbus, and Nellie G., who married C. E. Wilsdorf, resid- ing at Cleveland. The mother of this family died April 8, 1905. Both she and husband were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he was treasurer for many years.

Charles A. Weidner was educated in the common and High Schools at Cuyahoga Falls. In 1875 he entered the employ of the Falls Rivet Company, where he remained about ten years, and then for several years was otherwise engaged, in 1887 re-entering the employ of the same company. For the past fourteen years, Mr. Weidner has been connected with the offices of this company, and for the past three years he has been pur- chasing agent, a position which carries with it large responsibilities, and the holding of which indicates the high degree of confidence placed in him by his employers.

Mr. Weidner married Elsie C. Smith, who is a daughter of William M. Smith, of Cuya- hoga Falls, and they have one son, Harry C. In politics Mr. Weidner is a Republican, and for ten years he served as city clerk.

E. A. LAWTON, superintendent of the Akron Water Works Company, has been a resident of this city for a period covering forty years. He is of New England birth, born at New Bedford, Massachusetts, Septem- her 30, 1836, and was reared and educated in his native place. When nineteen years of age Mr. Lawton went to Cleveland, Ohio, where he secured work as a machinist and lake engineer. He remained in that city for about twelve years, coming then to Akron and entering the employ of the Brewster Coal Company as locomotive engineer, and thus continuing for thirteen years. In 1880, he became superintendent and engineer of the Akron Water Works Company, a responsible position in which he has continued until the present time. Mr. Lawton is a very capable man in his line. Since locating at Akron he

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has sought to fulfil the duties of a good citi- zen and has worked for improvements of a public nature, aiming to advance the general welfare. For four years he was a member of the City Council from the Fifth Ward.

At Cleveland, Ohio, Mr. Lawton was mar- ried to Mary Cox, who died in 1894. The surviving children are the following: Han- nah Ida, residing at home; Alfred, who is a locomotive engineer employed on the Pan- ama Canal; Emma, who is the wife of John Engelhardt, of Atlanta, Georgia; Edward, who is a member of the Cleveland Fire De- partment; Lottie, who married John Dona- hne, residing in Chicago; Charles, residing at Akron, and Abbie, who married John Metz- ler, in the employ of the Diamond Rubber Company. Mr. Lawton is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

FRED E. SMITH, president of the South Akron Banking Company, has been a resi- dent of Akron for the past thirty years, and is prominently identified with many of her leading interests. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, September 4, 1857, came to Akron in 1877, and in point of service is the oldest banker still active in the business in this city.

Mr. Smith was reared in Portage County through boyhood and attended the common schools and later the Akron schools and Hi- ram College. When eighteen years of age he started out on the road as salesman and collector for a Cleveland firm, traveling for three years over Ohio and the northeastern States. He then came to Akron, where he was connected with a millinery store for three months, and then was engaged for three years in a real estate and insurance business with John H. Auble. Since then Mr. Smith has been continuously connected with the bank- ing business. For thirteen years he was vice president and cashier of the Second National Bank. The South Akron Bank was organized in May, 1906, and Mr. Smith has been its president since. The banking institutions of Akron have an established reputation throughout the State, and the South Akron

Bank is no exception, Mr. Smith's name lend- ing it assurance of stability and fidelity. On account of the confidence felt by his fellow- citizens, he is frequently called upon to act as receiver, and satisfactorily performed the duties of this position for the Aultman-Mil- ler and other companies.

In 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Addie E. Tuttle, who is a daughter of Seth Tuttle, who, for forty years was identified with the Taplen Rice Stove and Furnace Company. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have three children, viz: Jessie M., who is the wife of H. M. Eaton, residing at Akron, and Howard R. and Ger- trude M., who are students in the Akron High School.

Mr. Smith belongs to numerous fraternal, benevolent and business organizations, and has been frequently elected treasurer of the same. He takes a patriot's interest in public affairs and has often been honored by elec- tion to positions of trust and responsibility. He has served both as city treasurer and as a member of the board of Education, also as county treasurer. Personally, he is a man held in very high esteem. His public spirit has helped the city and his benevolence has frequently prompted him to extend a help- ing hand to those less fortunate than him- self.

FRED G. ZELLER, a prominent stock farmer of Northampton Township, where he owns 186 acres of land, and has 150 under cultivation, was born at Fremont. Ohio, No- vember 19, 1881, and is a son of George and Lenora (Sharp) Zeller.

George Zeller, residing on a fine farm of ninety-five acres, in Portage Township, was . born in Stark County, Ohio, March 19, 1852, and is a son of William Zeller, who came to Akron. Summit County, in 1860. He was a saddler by trade and followed this for a number of years in both Greentown and Uniontown, Ohio. He married a daughter of William Wise, of Stark County, and she died in 1888, aged sixty-two years. William Zeller died March 2, 1907. aged eighty-two years. He had acquired considerable property

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS

and presented his grandson, Fred G., with his farm, when the latter was twenty years of age. George Zeller worked on his father's farm until he was twenty-four years old and then entered the Buckeye shops at Akron, where he worked for some years as a steam- fitter. In 1895 he resumed farming, pur- chasing the property on which he has resided ever since. In 1896 his barn was destroyed by fire, and in 1897 he replaced it by one of the most substantial structures in Portage Township, with dimensions of 70 by 40 feet, with 18-foot posts. George Zeller carries on a general farming line, raising wheat, corn and oats, keeps a dozen head of cattle and ships his milk to Akron. Formerly he raised hogs quite extensively, but does not take much interest in this industry at present.

George Zeller married Lenora Sharp, of Akron, and they have had three children, the two survivors being: Fred G. and Clara, the latter residing at home. Mr. Zeller, like his father, has been a supporter of the principles of the Republican party, since he reached maturity.

Fred G. Zeller was educated in the schools at Akron. He has been engaged in agricul- tural pursuits ever since he took possession of his farm, which he operated first as a dairy farm. He realized, however, that there was more money to be made on his land in stock- raising and now gives the larger part of his attention to buying ealves, pigs and sheep. which he fattens for market. His main crops are hay, oats, corn and wheat. He is an enterprising young man with modern ideas and progressive methods and occupies a recognized position among the agricultur- ists of his section.

Mr. Zeller married Emma Gartley, who is a daughter of Samuel Gartley, of Cuyahoga Falls, and they have one daughter, Esther Lenora, born July 31, 1906. In politics. Mr. Zeller is somewhat independent. with a lean- ing toward Republicanism.

JOHN W. FRANK, county commisioner of Summit County, and one of its leading citi- zens, resides on his valuable and well-im-

proved farm of 200 acres, situated in Portage Township. Mr. Frank was born near the vil- lage of Uniontown, Lake Township, Stark County, Ohio, November 29, 1838, and is a son of George Jacob and Eva (Weimer) Frank.

The parents of Mr. Frank were both born in Germany, the father in Wurttenberg and the mother in Alsace-Loraine. George Jacob learned the cabinet-maker's trade and also that of house carpenter. When he reached military age, he entered the German army and served out his necessary term and was in Alsace-Loraine when he was discharged. It was there he met the lady who became his wife, and after their marriage they settled near her home and continued to live there until 1837, when they came to America, bringing their five children. One daughter died at Havre. France, while the party was awaiting the sailing of their vessel. It took them a long time to reach Buffalo, New York, from which point they went to Cleveland and then on down the canal to Stark County, where George Jacob Frank bought a farm of eighty acres, the same on which John W. Frank was born.

John W. Frank remained on the home farm until he was seventeen years old and then entered on an apprenticeship to the car- penter's trade. He also learned cabinet mak- ing, following this business for eight years. His mother died in 1870, and in 1872, the father sold the farm and subsequently lived until his death, in 1884, with his son, George Frank, at Uniontown. On the breaking out of the Civil War, John W. Frank started on his way to Indiana. where he anticipated find- ing work at his trade, and as he happened to be at Wabash, he attended a great war meet- ing held there that night. and when he reached Marshall County, his intended des- tination, he found war excitement prevail- ing. He worked there for several months. however, but on September 10. 1861. he fol- lowed the example of the majority of the young men of the neighborhood. and enlisted in the Ninth Illinois Cavalry. made up from

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both Indiana and Illinois, Mr. Frank belong- ing to an Indiana organization.

Almost immediately after enlisting, Mr. Frank was appointed corporal of his com- pany, and during his fifteen months of service he performed every duty with cheerfulness and bravery. The cavalry was called on to do a great deal of scouting in Arkansas, and many of the regiment took sick at Helena, Mr. Frank among the number. Three boat- loads of sick were sent up the Mississippi River to Keokuk, Iowa, landing there ten days later, Mr. Frank, at this time being un- able to walk. Ile was prostrated for ten weeks in a hospital, his brother George assist- ing in his nursing for seven weeks, and finally taking him home, where good care finally re- stored him to health. He was honorably dis- charged at Keokuk as orderly sergeant hav- ing received several promotions.

Mr. Frank came to Akron in 1863 and worked several month at his trade, and from his marriage in October, 1863, until the fol- lowing spring, he lived in Uniontown. At this time his wife, who was a very capable young woman and for many years a teacher, took charge of the Uniontown schools, teach- ing through the summer, while Mr. Frank be- came bookkeeper for a merchant in this vil- lage. In the fall of 1864 they returned to the Frank farm and lived there for the following eight years, in the spring of 1873, moving to the farm on which they now live. At that time, Mr. Frank bought 116 acres, which he devoted to general farming, but as he gradually added more land he went into stock- raising. For many subsequent years he dealt largely in sheep, feeding and shipping, at times as many as 500 head. He is one of the township's most substantial men and useful citizens.

On October 27, 1863. Mr. Frank was mar- ried to Margaret F. Thompson, who is a daughter of Jacob Thompson. She was horn in Stark County, Ohio, but was reared at Springfield Lake, Summit County. Mr. and Mrs. Frank have four children, namely : Elta Lorena, residing at home; Charles Wal- ter. township elerk of Portage Township,

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 96

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