Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 97

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

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manages the home farm; Margaret Leora, re- siding at home; and John Clarence, residing at Barberton, is purchasing agent for the Sterling Boiler Works.

Politically, Mr. Frank is a Democrat and he has been active in public affairs for many years. Prior to removing from Stark County, he was a trustee and treasurer of Lake Township, and since coming to Portage Township has been its clerk for two terms. In 1906 he was elected county con- missioner, a just tribute to Mr. Frank's promi- nence in this section. Ile holds membership with Buckley Post, Grand Army of the Re- public. With his family, he belongs to the West Congregational Church at Akron.

ARTHUR W. SCUDDER, postmaster at Fairlawn, resides on his well-improved farm of eighty acres, in Portage Township, where he is a well-known and much respected citi- zen. He was born in Copley Township, Sum- mit County, Ohio, November 1, 1844, and is a son of Walter and Catherine M. (Stimson) Scudder.

Walter Scudder, father of Arthur W., was born in the State of New York, where he was reared, educated and married. In the spring of 1844, with his wife and two children, he started in a two-ox wagon, for Ohio. He lo- cated at Copley Center. where he followed his trade of shoemaker for many years. He then purchased a farm near Montrose, but not hav- ing heen accustomed to an agricultural life, in three years he sold his farm and returned to Copley Center, where he resumed work at his trade. In 1854 he again tried farming, purchasing a farm of 118 aeres, south of Copley, on which he lived until 1883. when he sold out and removed to Akron, where he died in 1896. Mrs. Seudder died on the farm south of Copley, in July, 1868. They had four children : Thurlow, Emogene, Arthur W. and Carlton R. The eldest son was a sol- dier in the Civil War, serving three years as a member of Company H, 104th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, after which he was janitor for Grace School at Akron, for many years. At the time of his death, he left many

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friends to mourn his loss. Emogene married A. C. Francisco, residing at Copley. Carl- ton R. is a resident of Barberton.

Arthur W. Seudder was reared in Copley Township and attended the district schools. When but nineteen years of age he left home to enter the Federal army, enlisting for three years in Battery A, First Ohio Light Artil- lery. His contract was dated February 14, 1864, and he served until the close of the war, and was honorably discharged at Cleveland, Ohio, reaching home July 31, 1865. He was with Sherman's army in its march to the sea and took part in the siege of Atlanta, where his battery was used for skirmishing purposes. He was a brave soldier, as his record testifies and never evaded a duty. He had thus performed a man's part in life be- fore he had reached man's estate.

Mr. Scudder then returned to the home farm and attended one term of school, and during the winter of 1865-6 he taught school. His marriage followed, to Maria 1. Stirk, who is a daughter of Henry Stirk, formerly of Pennsylvania, but later of Wayne County, Ohio. They have four children, namely : Carlton H., who married Mary Porcher, owns a general store at Boneta, Medina County, and has two children -- Grace and Thurlow Frederick; James Thurlow, who married Harriet Quirk, has one son, Quirk Thurlow, purchased his father's store in February, 1907, and is assistant postmaster at Fairlawn ; Orville E., who married Viva Baxter, resides at Akron, where he is manager of the North Howard Street Mission. being inelined toward a religious life : and Mary Belle, who married Clyde E. Orton.

After their marriage, in 1868, Mr. and Mrs. Seudder went to live in a small house situated on his father's farm, but in the spring of the following year, they moved to a farm in Wayne County, and later to a farm near Lodi. In 1870, Mr. Scudder bought a farm in. Medina County, not far from Chatham. About one year later he sold this farm and moved to Copley, where he lived until May. 1872. when he bought his present farm. A man of excellent business judgment, he has al-

ways been able to make his enterprises paying ones. For a number of years he operated three milk depots at Akron, having at one time twenty-six head of cows. In 1891 he moved to the pleasant little hamlet then known as Fair- view, and it was through the efforts of Mr. Scudder that the place was renamed, Fair- lawn, there being another Fairview in the State. He went into a mercantile business in the village and was the first postmaster, which office he retains, although he is no longer in business. He operated the store now owned by his son, at Boneta, for a time, as well as the one at Fairlawn.

Mr. Seudder is a member of Buckley Post, No. 12, Grand Army of the Republic. Both he and his wife come of military ancestry. His grandfather, R. R. Stimson, was a soldier in the War of 1812, enlisting August 28, 1814, as a fifer in Capt. Jenks Pullen's com- pany, First New York militia, and was dis- charged November 1, 1814. Joseph Fox, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Seudder was con- missioned a captain in Col. David Henley's regiment of Continental troops, June 29, 1777, in the Revolutionary War, and later was transferred to the Sixteenth Massachu- setts and afterwards to the Ninth Massachu- setts Regiment.

JOSEPHI WIGLEY, of the firm of Hunt & Wigley, general contractors at Akron, is an old established resident of this city. He was born in Staffordshire, England, in 1859, and came to America in 1882.

Mr. Wigley had attended school and had also learned the building trade in his own eountry before emigrating, and after settling at Akron he worked at his trade exclusively until 1886, when he went into general eon- traeting. The firm of Wigley Brothers for a number of years was the leading one of Sum- mit County. In 1901, Mr. Wigley formed a partnership with W. Il. Hunt, under the style of Hunt & Wigley, which continues. The firmn does general contracting, building, pav- ing, sewer building and like work. The fine pressed brick building they erected in Akron in 1907. is two stories in height, dimensions

HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

of 100 by 47 feet, and is one of the ornaments to the section of the city in which it stands. The firm leased it to the Clinton Milling Com- pany for a term of five years, with the priv- ilege of renewing the lease.

Mr. Wigley was married in 1899, to Agnes Cooper, of Akron, and they have two chil- dren: Florence Agnes and Edward John.

Mr. Wigley is a member of the Episcopal Church. Politically, he is a Republican and takes an active interest in city affairs.

WILLIAM F. HAUPT, one of the repre- sentative citizens of Loyal Oak, was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, Febru- ary 19, 1848, and is a son of Christian and Elizabeth (Edelman) Haupt.

The parents of Mr. Haupt were both na- tives of Northampton County, and both died there, the father in 1853 and the mother in 1876.

Christian Haupt was a farmer during all his mature years, he departed this life at the age of forty-two. William F. being then only five years of age, was reared and educated in his native county, where he lived with his widowed mother until he was eighteen years old. In 1865 he came to Norton Township. Soon after he learned the stone-mason's trade, and followed that occupation for a number of years, after which he took up farming.

In 1869 he was united in marriage to'Ellen Cecelia Lerch, daughter of Peter and Rebecca (Schweitzer) Lerch. Mrs. Haupt was also a native of Northampton County. Pennsylva- nia, born August 4, 1848. Her parents em- igrated to 'this state (Ohio) in the spring of 1849, making the journey in wagons, and lo- cating in Copley Township, Mrs. Haupt be- ing only nine months old at the time. Two sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Haupt- Howard W. and Clinton F .- both residents of Akron.

William F. Haupt was one of the three or- ganizer- of the Norton Mutual Fire Associa- tion, in the interest of which he worked some of his time for six years as agent and dircet- or, without compensation. Many meetings were held at his residence until it was fully

organized, and is now the only surviving charter member. The said association has now an insured capital of $4,000,000. He is identified with the Lutheran Church of Loyal Oak, has held church and township of- fices and is in every way a worthy and reliable citizen and is now living a retired life.

HORACE G. CANFIELD, who conducts a job printing establishment at Akron, was born November 19, 1830, and has resided in this city since 1842, when his parents came here from Medina, Ohio. In boyhood, Mr. Canfield attended school but the larger part of his education he secured in the printing office, he beginning to set type in his father's establishment, before he was eight years old. He is a printer by inheritance, both his father and grandfather having been practical print- ers. His father, Horace Canfield, settled in Cuyahoga Falls in 1833, where he established the newspaper, the Ohio Review, and later had papers at Cleveland, the Cleveland Com- mercial Advertiser, and Medina, The Watch- tower, coming to Akron, in 1842, where he published his last paper.

Horace G. Canfield learned the printer's trade from the ground up, and has made a specialty of job printing.

He was foreman of the Beacon from 1855 to 1866, at which time he purchased a one- third interest, Mr. S. A. Lane also purchas- ing a third interest. Shortly after A. L. Paine and D. J. Long purchased the remain- ing third of Messrs. Beebe and Elkins. The firm name was then changed to Lane, Can- field & Company. Thinking Akron about large enough to support a daily paper, he is- sued the Daily Beacon with S. 1. Lane as editor, H. G. Canfield. business manager. and Paine and Long in charge of the job and news departments. This was the first success- ful launching of a daily newspaper in Akron. Under the above-described management it flourished until it was sold out about four years later.

During the Civil War Mr. Canfield served in Company F, 164th Regiment, Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, for 100 days, his regiment

RICHARD FREEMAN PALMER

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being stationed through this time, at Fort Cocoran. Ile is a member of Buckley Post, Grand Army of the Republic Akron Lodge, No. 83, F. & A. M., and Nemo Lodge, I. O. O. F.

On October 12, 1857, Mr. Canfield was mar- ried to Jennie Galbraith, and they have four children, namely: Etta M. and Hattie G., both residing at home; Jessie W., who is chief clerk and stenographer in the office of the State Fire Marshal, at Columbus; and Dr. Charles H., residing at Island Pond, Ver- mont, where he is in the Government service as a meat inspector.

Politically, Mr. Canfield is now a Democrat, having been formerly a Fremont and Lincoln voter. For forty-five years he has been iden- tified with the Masonic fraternity, and he has earned the "fifty-year badge" as a member of the Odd Fellows, and is captain of the degree staff in the auxiliary order of Rebecca. Mr. Canfield has a little private museum in which he has collected a number of old family treasurers, among which is his great-grand- father's diploma, issued in 1772, by Yale Col- lege, and a tiny shoe which was once worn by his great-great-grandmother. Ile is one of Akron's best known citizens.

RICILARD FREEMAN PALMER, who for some years has lived at Akron retired from active participation in business, was formerly identified with some of the city's large industrial enterprises, and owns a large amount of real estate within its boundaries. Mr. Palmer was born at Akron, Ohio. March 13. 1840, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Freeman) Palmer.

Joseph Palmer was born in England and came to Akron in 1836. He was a millwright by trade and the work that brought him to this section was the building of the locks in the Ohio Canal. Later he assisted in build- ing the Cascade mill. and was identified with that mill for eighteen years. In 1854 he moved to a farm in Medina County, on which he lived until the death of his wife. He then returned to Akron, making his home with his son. Richard.

Richard F. Palmer was little more than a school-boy when he found occupation as a driver on the canal, and he continued to work a- such until he was eighteen years of age. About that time he entered the high school, where he remained until President Lincoln's call. in IS6I, for 75,000 troops, when he en- listed for service in the Union Army. He was for three months a member of Company G, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being stationed during this time mainly in West Virginia. For the following two years he ran a station- ary engine and then, in February, 1555. re- enlisted. entering Company I, 188th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During this second term of service, which covered a year. he was lo- cated in Tennessee and Kentucky. After be- ing mustered out of the army the second time. Mr. Palmer then bought a canal boat and operated on the canal for some three years. In 1872 he found employment in the office of the Akron Iron Company, remaining there two years. Ile then entered the employ of Aultman. Miller & Company, becoming their general agent. with headquarters at Titlin, Ohio, being in their employ for twenty-seven years. Since 1897 Mr. Palmer has lived re- tired from active busines; life, but he has many congenial interests to occupy his atten- tion.

Mr. Palmer was married June 9, 1862. to Frances E. Field, who is a daughter of Asa Field. Mrs. Palner died April 26. 1898. leaving three son- and an adopted daughter. The eldest son. Frank L .. is a resident of Pitts burg. J. Dwight, residing in Akron. i- one of the city's representative men and has just been elected a member of the City Council. J. Asa, the third son. is secretary of the Burt Manufacturing Company. of Akron. Mar- garet. the daughter by adoption. is the wife of Willis Bacon, an attorney of Tiffin, Ohio.

Mr. Palmer has always taken a landable interest in the public matters concerning the development of his city. Years ago he served on the City Council, in 1871 and 1872. At present he is a member of the Summit County Court House Building Commission. ju-t completing the erection of a $400.000.00

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court house. For many years he has been prominent in Masonry and is the present emni- nent commander of Akron Commandery, and served seven years as prelate. He has twice been commander of Buckley Post, G. A. R.

PRESTON D. STRATTON, the founder and Past Supreme President of the benefi- ciary order of the Protected llone Circle, with offices in the Everett Building, Akron, was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, Decem- ber 28, 1852.

Mr. Stratton had an early agricultural training and country schooling, but com- pleted his education at Mt. Union College, leaving sooner than he had proposed, on ac- count of the death of his father, following which he taught school for six terms. It was in 1886 that he originated the central idea and wrote out the plan for the Protected Ilome Circle., organizing at Sharon, Pennsyl- vania, with an initial membership of twenty- nine persons. Mr. Stratton would scarcely be blamed if he evinced some pride at the growth of the order, it now having a membership of more than 65,000. The organizaton has paid out during its twenty-one years of existence, more than $4,000,000, in death benefits, and has a reserve fund of $1,000,000. In addi- tion in 1894, the order erected a fine temple at a cost of $50,000, which with equipment is now worth $100,000. This magnificient structure is located at Sharon. Mr. Stratton served for eight years as Supreme Secretary and for seven years as Supreme President and is now Past Supreme President in charge of the work in the State of Ohio.

In addition to the fraternal relations exist- ing between him and so many of his fellow- citizens, in the order he founded, he is actively associated in other fraternities, being a Past Grand in the order of Odd Fellows. a member of the National Union, Ben Hur, K. & L. of Honor, and of the Forester -. Mr. Stratton has always been recognized as a good citizen since locating at Akron, and he was selected for the head of the Law and Order League, serving as its president during its term of usefulness. Ilis political sympathies are with

the Republican party. 1. he is a fine speaker, his voice was frequently heard dur- ing the campaign preceding the first election of President MeKinley.

In 1877, Mr. Stratton was married to Mary E. Protheroe, who is a daughter of Francis Protheroe, the latter of whom was born in Wales and came to America and settled in Goshen Township, Mahoning County, in young manhood. Mr. and Mrs. Stratton have three children: Florence E., who is a graduate of the College of Commerce, at Sharon, Pennsylvania, is her father's private secretary and stenographer; Delbert P., who is assistant manager of the billing department of the B. F. Goodrich Company, is a graduate of the Akron Iligh School; and Raymond F., is a student.

Mr. Stratton is one of the leading members of the Baptist Church at Akron, in which he is a deacon, and is also president of the Men's club.

WILLIAM A. DICE, a practical farmer of Franklin Township, who operates an exeel- lent tract of seventy-four acres, was born Oe- tober 27, 1859, on the old Grill farm north of Clinton, Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Jeremiah and Caroline (Dissinger) Dice.

Jeremiah Dice was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Michael Dice, a substantial farmer of Franklin County. There were nine children in Michael Dice's family, but Jeremiah was the only one to come West, he settling north of Manchester, Franklin Township, when about twenty-one years of age. On first engaging in farming here he rented land, but later purchased two fine farms which aggregated about 250 acres, and here he died in 1904, at the age of seventy-three years; his widow, who survives him, is seventy-two years old. Jeremiah Dice was married in Franklin Township, to Caro- line Dissinger, who is a sister of Dr. Dissinger, of Canal Fulton, and daughter of John Dis- singer, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania by wagon and settled north of Manchester on a farm now owned by William A. Dice and

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other heirs. On this property Mrs. Dice was born. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Dice, namely: John; Mary, who mar- ried M. Waltz; William Albert; Alma, who married L. W. Baughman; Elton; Emma, who married Thomas Sours; and Marvin, all living in Summit County, Ohio.

William A. Dice spent his boyhood days on the old home place north of Manchester, at- tending District School No. 1, and working at farming. Ile purchased a part of his present farm from Henry D. Dailey, and has here carried on general farming very successfully. Ile is a Democrat in politics, and has shown interest in the success of his party in this seetion.

On November 12, 1881, Mr. Dice was mar- ried to Elizabeth Dailey, who is a daughter of Henry D. and Mary (Rhodes) Dailey, early settlers in this section. Henry D. Dailey, who was the original owner of W. A. Dice's pres- ent farm, which he helped to clear. died at the age of seventy-eight years, while his widow, who survives him, is in her eighty- second year. Mr. and Mrs. Dice have two children: Henry, attending Wooster Col- lege, who taught school for five years in the county, and is engaged to teach in the grammar grades in 1907: and Hazel, also a student at Wooster College, who will teach at Barberton, Franklin Township.

WALTER R. WOLFSPERGER, electrical contractor, with offices at No. 575 East Exchange Street, AAkron, has been established in business for himself in this city for the past six years, prior to which he was connected with the electrical work of a number of the largest institutions in this section. He was born in 1878, at Canal Fulton, Stark County, Ohio.

Mr. Wolfsperger was educated in the public schools at Canal Fulton, where he lived until fourteen years of age, and earned his first money by working in the coal mines in Stark County. In 1893. he came to Akron and for about five years was more or less continuously employed in the shops connected with the various rubber industries. In 1897, he went

to Massillon, where he was connected with the Massillon Light, Heat & Power Company until 1900, when he returned to Akron and for the succeeding eight months, did the elec- trieal work for the B. F. Goodrich Company. Ile was then employed by an electrical con- tractor up to 1901, when he embarked in business for himself. Mr. Wolfsperger's skill has been exercised in behalf of a number of the large institutions of Akron. lle has done the electrical work for some years for Buchtel College, in its Women's dormitory, the resi- denee of E. R. Held, the Crisp Block, the Bergen Iron Company's new plant, the Baker- McMillan plant, and a number of others. Mr. Wolfsperger's business has inereased 600 per cent over the first year, a record which tells' its own story.

In 1899, Mr. Wolfsperger was married to Louise Anna Shopbell, who was born at Mas- sillon, Ohio, and they have two children, Rhea and Walter. Politically, Mr. Wolfs- perger is a Democrat. Fraternally, he is connected with the order of Eagles, and is also a member of the White Anchor Relief Association.

SIMON P. LUDWICK, a substantial eiti- zen and well-known agriculturist of Summit County, who owns and operates a farm of seventy-eight acres in Franklin Township, was born in an old log house in Franklin Township, Summit County, Ohio, October 28, 1844, and is a son of Samuel and Mary (Dick) Ludwick.

George Ludwick, his grandfather, and a na- tive of Pennsylvania, was one of the early set- tlers of Franklin Township, and entered the farm now owned by Frank Cox, which he eleared from the woods. There his death oceurred, as did also that of his wife. Among the children of George Ludwick was Samuel, the father of Simon P. He was also born in Pennsylvania, and was brought to Ohio by his parents, the remainder of his life being spent farming in Franklin Township. Mr. Lud- wiek purchased the old home farm and re- placed the old log house with one of stone, which is still standing, and here he died in

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about 1855, at the age of fifty-three years. Samuel Ludwick married Mary Dick, daugh- ter of Samuel Dick and she survived her hus- band one year. Mr. and Mrs. Ludwick had eleven children, as follows: George, residing in Michigan; Eve, who married Solomon Se- crist; Barbara, who married Isaac Snyder; Rachel, who became the wife of Martin Grill; Mary, who married Daniel Haring; Samuel; Rebecca, who married Il. Snyder; Simon Peter; Jemima, who married H. Surfass; Anna, and Amos. Of the foregoing, Eve, Barbara, Mary, Rebecca, Anna and Amos are deceased the last mentioned passing away in his fourteenth year.

Simon P. Ludwick received a somewhat limited education, his parents dying when he was still a lad. However, he made the best of his opportunities and being an ambitious youth, he managed to secure a meager educa- tion. His young manhood was spent in working on the neighboring farms, and when eighteen years of age he started to do thresh- , ing, becoming a partner with his brother Samuel in this business on reaching his twenty-first year. He was also associated with Martin Grill and other partners, and for one year had charge of the business alone, operating the old style horse-power machine. After fourteen successful seasons spent in threshing, Mr. Ludwick, in 1875, purchased his present farm from the George Baughman heirs, and replaced the old buildings below the hill with his present large eight-room frame house, substantial barns and new outbuildings. Mr. Ludwick is one of Summit County's self- made men, and as such is honored and es- teemed by all who know him. He has always been industrious, but in later years has found time for travel, and has visited brothers in Il- linois and Michigan.

In March, 1872, Mr. Ludwick was married to Lucetta Baughman, daughter of George Baughman, and six children were born to this union: Samantha; Mirtie, who married Calvin Stump; Percy; Lottie, who died at the age of two years; Leeman; and Bertha. Mr. Ludwick, with his family, belongs to the

Reformed Church. In political matters he is a Democrat.

SOLOMON KEPLER, residing on his well-improved farm in Green Township, is one of the large land-owners of this section, his possessions amounting to over 400 acres, which are situated in both Green and Frank- lin Townships. lle was born August 28, 1840, on his present farm in Green Town- ship, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Jacob A. and Christina (Hushberger) Kepler.

Jacob A. Kepler was born near East Lib- erty, Ohio, to which place his father, Andrew Kepler, had come from Pennsylvania as a pioneer, and where his death occurred. Jacob A. Kepler grew to manhood on his father's farm, but after his marriage removed to a farm on the east side of Turkeyfoot Lake, where he erected a log cabin in the wilderness, Here Mr. Kepler cleared a farm of 200 acres, and this was his home for the remainder of his life, his death occurring at the age of sixty- two years. Mrs. Kepler survived her hus- band for a long period, being eighty-one years old at the time of her death. Jacob .1. Kep- ler was married to Christina Hushberger, who was a native of Pennsylvania, and to them there were born eight children, four of whom grew to maturity, namely: Elizabeth, who is the widow of J. R. Neal; Adam; Sophia, who married II. Swaggert, and Solomon.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 97

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