Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc., Part 25

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Akron > Fifty years and over of Akron and Summit County : embellished by nearly six hundred engravings--portraits of pioneer settlers, prominent citizens, business, official and professional--ancient and modern views, etc.; nine-tenth's of a century of solid local history--pioneer incidents, interesting events--industrial, commercial, financial and educational progress, biographies, etc. > Part 25

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DR. ELIAS W. HOWARD.

Congress in 1876. June 16, 1840, Dr. Howard was married to Miss Eliza- beth Chittenden, of Middlebury, who bore him two sons-Dr. Henry C., who died April 23, 1887, aged 44 years, 10 months and 14 days, Frank D., manufacturer of agricultural imple- ments, still residing with his mother. Dr. Howard died August 9, 1890, aged 74 years, 3 months, and 25 days.

THE "AKRON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION."

So successful was this initial course of popular lectures- evincing that the people would relish more of the same sort-that at a meeting of the association; held March 3, 1866, a resolution was passed, formally adopting the title of the "Akron Library Associa- tion," and instructing the secretary to duly prepare and have recorded the necessary papers of incorporation, which was accord- ingly done.

In addition to the quite extensive reading room already established, in the room now occupied by Newton Chalker, Esq., a circulating library was now determined upon, and a committee, consisting of David L. King, Stephen H. Pitkin, William H. Upson, Charles B. Bernard, James H. Peterson, Julius S. Lane and George W. Crouse, was appointed to prepare a constitution and by-laws, which were duly reported and adopted on the evening of June 11, 1866, the first section thereof being as follows:

" SEC. I. The Association shall be known as the 'Akron Library Associa- tion,' having for its object the diffusion of useful knowledge and the acquirement of the arts and sciences, by the establishment of a library of scientific and miscellaneous books, for general circulation, and a reading room, cabinet, lectures and such other measures as may be deemed expedient."

The annual membership fee was fixed at $2.00, the following eight persons paying $2.00 each, and subscribing their names to the constitution, on the night of its adoption: Julian H. Pitkin,

175

UNSTINTED LIBERALITY.

David L. King, Stephen H. Pitkin, William H. Upson, Charles B. Bernard, James H. Peterson, Julius S. Lane, Samuel A. Lane, George W. Crouse.

CHARLES A. COLLINS,-born in Richmond, Berkshire County, Mass., July 26. 1816; father dying August 4, 1817, removed with mother to Tioga County, N. Y., in 1827; in both Massachusetts and New York, working on farm summers and attending district school winters. In 1830 removed with mother to Ohio, settling in Tallmadge, where he served an apprenticeship with his brother-in-law, Mr. Amos Avery, at carriage making; in 1838, in partner- ship with Mr. James M. Hale, under the firm name of Collins & Hale, established a carriage manufactory in Middlebury, now Akron, Sixth Ward. Mr. Hale retiring in 1841, Mr. Collins continued until the burning of the shops in 1860, when, in com- pany with Mr. John E. Bell, works were established in May's Block (now Clarendon Hotel), corner South Main'and Exchange streets. In Feb- ruary, 1870, C. A. Collins & Son erected shops corner Main and Church streets, where the business is still carried on by the Collins Buggy Company, of which Mr. Charles A. Collins is president and Mr. George A. Collins manager. January 16, 1839, Mr. Collins was married to Miss Louisa Hine, of Tallmadge, who has borne him seven children, four only now living-George A., of Akron ; Mrs. Josephine A. Kent, of Kent; Charles E., of Cleveland; and Nettie E., now Mrs. C. D. Hatch,of Cleveland.

CONY.

CHARLES A. COLLINS.

While a resident of Middlebury Mr. Collins served for many years as member of Village Council and on Board of Education ; was also Mayor of Akron in 1862 and 1863 and mem- ber of City Council 1877-1879, the first year as president pro tem.

Subsequently the annual membership fee was increased to $3.00, entitling the member and his family to the privileges of the library and reading room during the time for which he had thus paid, and an amendment adopted by which the payment of $50.00, at one time, constituted the person thus paying, a life member, entitled to such privileges in perpetuity, without further payment, and in case of the decease of such life member, the privilege to descend to the survivor, husband or wife, and minor children, such privilege, as to such minors, to cease on attaining their majority.

The first officers of the Association, under the charter, were: William H. Upson, president; Stephen H. Pitkin, vice president; Charles. B. Bernard, corresponding secretary; James H. Peterson, recording secretary; George W. Crouse, treasurer; David L. King, Julius S. Lane, Julian H. Pitkin and Israel P. Hole, directors.

As an indication of the popular feeling in regard to the project, on being made known to the public that a considerable sum of money was immediately desirable for the purchase of a library commensuråte to the public needs, life memberships, at fifty

176

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

dollars each, were taken to the number of at least one hundred within the first three or four years, besides the large list of yearly memberships at three dollars each.

The funds thus raised, together with the surplus, (when there was a surplus), from the annual lecture courses, enabled the Association to at once establish a highly creditable circulating library, and one in which all the people of Akron, during the inter- vening quarter of a century, have ever justly been proud.

TUDGE STEPHEN H. PITKIN,- born in Old Milford, Conn., October 5, 1810. At 7 years of age came with parents to Ohio, settling in Charlestown, Portage County, remov- ing to Hudson in 1827, his father, Rev. Caleb Pitkin, being one of the found- ers of Western Reserve College, Stephen being one of its earliest students, graduating in June, 1834, the following October going to Fulton County, Ill., teaching and studying law, being adınitted to the bar in 1836; was elected County Sur- veyor and in 1838 elected Probate Judge, holding the office four years ; in 1852 returned to Hudson, taking charge of home farm and the care of his aged parents ; in 1861 was elected Probate Judge of Summit County, serving eight years ; member of Vil- lage Council in 1864; served on Akron School Board several years ; was secretary of Summit County Agricultural Society from 1871 to 1880 and president for 1880; was presidential - elector for the Eigh- teenth Congressional District in 1868, voting in the Electoral College for Ulysses S. Grant for President and Schuyler Colfax for Vice-President. He was married in October, 1834, to Miss Julia Lusk, of Hudson, a sister of the first wife of John Brown, of Harper's Ferry fame. Mrs. Pitkin died October 7, 1873, two of their five

JUDGE STEPHEN H. PITKIN.

children only surviving-Julian H., now living in Chicago, and Mary A., wife of Mr. Abner L. Caldwell, of Portage township. September 24, 1879, Judge Pitkin was again married. to Miss Helen B. Bill, of Cuyahoga Falls, who still survives, the Judge himself dying February 25, 1882, at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 20 days.

SURPLUS SOLDIERS' BOUNTY FUND.

In later years, as money was needed to replenish and increase the books and periodicals, it was from time to time liberally con- tributed by our citizens, besides which, on the recurrence of the question as to what should be done with the surplus soldiers' bounty fund in the hands of Treasurer Charles B. Bernard at the close of the war, it was, by general consent, turned over to the Association, in December, 1869, on the adoption of the following resolution, and the execution of the accompaning bond of indemnity to the custodians of said fund:

"Resolved, by the directors of the Akron Library Association, that the president and secretary of said Association be and are hereby authorized to sign a document presented to them by a committee consisting of John R. Buchtel, J. Park Alexander, George W. Crouse and Charles B. Bernard, which document is in the following words, to-wit:

177

AKRON LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

WILLIAM T. ALLEN,-born in Montreal, Canada, September 16, 1814; at 8 or 9 removed with par- ents to Hudson, N. Y .; on death of father, at 14, removed with mother to Albany; common school education; read law and admitted to the bar in Albany, but did not enter into prac- tice; engaged with Ralph P. Myers in the dry goods trade in Albany, the firm of Allen & Myers removing to Akron in 1844; a year or two later changing to the stove business, soon afterwards, with others, establishing- the Akron Stove Company, which, after a successful career in Akron, for many years, removed to Cleve- land, under the corporate name of the Cleveland Stove Company. In addition to holding a continuous directorship in the companies named, Mr. Allen conducted a stove store upon his own account, in Fort Wayne, Ind., from 1857 to 1864; also for a time, in connection with Mr. James M. Hale, under the firm name of Allen & Hale, carried on a machine shop at Lock Seven;

later becoming stock holder, director and treasurer in the Web- ster, Camp & Lane Machine Com- pany, and a stockholder and director in the First National Bank, of Akron. Mr. Allen was a member of Village Council in 1853; Mayor in 1854; mem-

DR. JAMES H. PETERSON.

DR. JAMES H. PETERSON,-was born at St. Johns, New Bruns- wick, July 9, 1830; removing in early life with his parents to Buffalo, N. Y., and afterwards to Portage County,

WILLIAM T. ALLEN.

ber of City Council, 1870, '71, '72, '73, '74, '75, '81, '82, '83 and '84 and several years Chairman of its Finance Com- mittee. July 31, 1852, at Milwaukee, Wis., Mr. Allen was married to Miss Laura McCartey, a native of Romu- lus, N. Y .. then teaching music in Akron, Mr. Allen dying November 13, 1886, aged 72 years, 1 month and 27 days.

Ohio. Here, on entering his major- ity, with such education as the schools of the vicinity afforded, he began the study of medicine, finally changing to dentistry, completing his course of study with Dr. B. T. Spelman, of Ravenna. Practicing one year in Cleveland, in 1854, he came to Akron, where he has been in contin- uous and successful practice ever since, at the same time devoting much time to other matters-busi- ness, political, social, etc., officiating as secretary of the Republican Union Central Committee of Summit County during the war; is a member of Akron Lodge No. 83 and Wash- ington Chapter No. 25 of A. F. and A. M., and of the Masonic Relief Association. November 29, 1855, Dr. Peterson was married to Miss Caro- line Van Evra, of Akron, a native of Cherry Valley, N. Y., who has borne hini three children-Carrie M., now wife of Charles W. F. Dick, present Auditor of Summit County; John Edward, now a member of the pro- duce firm of Dick & Peterson, and Grace C., student in Conservatory of of Music at Oberlin College.

178

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

" Whereas, there remains in the hands of Charles B. Bernard, as Treas- urer of a committee consisting of John R. Buchtel, George W. Crouse, J. Park Alexander and the said Charles B. Bernard, styled 'Portage Township Recruiting Committee,' a balance of money contributed by citizens of Portage township to fill the quota of said township, at the last call of the President of the United States; and

" Whereas, a large number of the subscribers to said fund have requested and directed said Bernard, acting as treasurer of said committee, to pay over said balance remaining in his hands to the directors of the Akron Library Association, an association having for its object the improvement and general good of the citizens of Akron ; and

" Whereas, the balance of said committee, consisting of John R. Buchtel, George W. Crouse and J. Park Alexander, have requested and directed, in writing, the said treasurer to pay over said balance, now amounting to over three thousand dollars [exact amount $3,211.26] to said Akron Library Associ- ation,

"Now, Therefore, Know All Men by these Presents, that the Akron Library Association, of the City of Akron, Summit County and State of Ohio, an Association incorporated under the laws of said State, in consideration of the donation to said Association of said sum of money, do hereby obligate and promise to use said money for the purchase of books for said Associ- ation, and for such purposes as will carry out the objects of said Associa- tion, and said Association further binds itself to pay to any subscriber to said fund his pro rata share of said balance remaining in said treasurer's hands and paid over to said Association, and to save harmless from all costs damages and claims, said Committee and said Bernard as treasurer of said Committee, by virtue of any claim which may be set up by any subscriber to the fund aforesaid.

"In witness whereof said Akron Library Association has caused these presents to be signed by its president and secretary, by a resolution of the directors passed December 11, 1869.

[Signed] A. L. CONGER, Secretary."

GEO. P. ASHMUN, President.

Down to this time, 1870, the Association had occupied the room now occupied by Newton Chalker, Esq., on the west side of , Howard street, which was now found to be altogether too small for the uses of the Association, and a committee was appointed to secure more commodious quarters. At this time two large new buildings were approaching completion-the Academy of Music, on East Market street, by John F. Seiberling, Esq., and Masonic Temple, corner Howard and Mill streets, by Capt. Aaron P. Baldwin, both of which localities found spirited advocates among the life members of the Association.

Liberal propositions were made by both parties, and the rivalry waxed warm and somewhat bitter, but was finally termi- nated by the friends of that locality purchasing from Capt. Baldwin, for the sum of $3,500, the rooms under consideration in the second story of the Masonic Temple building, and making a free gift of the same, by deed, to the Association-an arrangement which, in view of the subsequent tendency of business in that direction, and of the location of the postoffice in the same building about the same time, has been generally very satisfactory indeed.

FREE CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

In the meantime, in 1869, cities of the grade of Akron had been empowered to establish and, by taxation, maintain free libraries and reading rooms, and on April 14, 1873, a committee consisting of Edwin P. Green, Sidney Edgerton and John R. Buchtel, was appointed to confer with the City Council on the subject, and after

179

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

DR. DANIEL ARNOLD SCOTT,- eldest son of James and Harriet Pennington (Arnold) Scott, was born at Cadiz, Harrison County, May 4, 1821; educated at Cadiz schools, being at one time a pupil of the late Bishop Simpson ; read medicine with Dr. William F. Poole, and was a grad- uate of both the Eclectic and tlie Allo- pathic schools of medicine. June 15, 1842, was inarried to Miss Mary Burnett Phipps, of Smithfield, Jeffer- son County, who bore him three daughters-Harriet Rebecca, Emma Virginia, and Mary Bell. In 1848, Dr. Scott came to Akron, successfully practicing his profession here till his sudden death from heart failure, Janu- ary 23, 1890, in several instances minis- tering to five generations in the same family. Though repeatedly declin- ing political preferment, Dr. Scott was an efficient and conscientious member of the Akron Board of Health from 1886 until his death. He was a prominent member of the Masonic Order, holding the office of Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Ohio for two terms, High Priest of Washington Chapter, No. 25, R. A. M. for 14 consecutive years, was a member of the Grand Chapter of the United States, and a member of Akron Commandery, No. 25, Knights Templar, from its organ- ization. As husband and father,

DR. BYRON S. CHASE.

DR. BYRON S. CHASE,-born in Jamaica, Vt., January 9, 1834 ; raised on farm ; educated in common schools and Chester Academy ; at 21 engaged in sale of maps, in Michi- gan ; later studying medicine with his uncle, Dr. E. W. Howard, in Akron, graduating at Ann Arbor, Mich.,

DR. DANIEL ARNOLD SCOTT.

tenderly affectionate; as a citizen, modest, warm-hearted and sincere; as a physician, honest, faithful and sympathetic, Dr. Scott was truly beloved by all who knew him. He died at the age of 68 years, 8 months and 19 days.

beginning practice with Dr. Howard in Akron ; in 1862, entered the army as assistant surgeon of 16th Regt. O. V. I .; in June, 1863, was transferred to 53rd Mississippi (colored) Regt. as surgeon, serving till close of the war, acting on operating board at Chicka- saw Bayou and during the siege of Vicksburg. At close of the war resumed practice in Akron, continu- ing with marked success until his death, February 23, 1878, at the age of 44 years, 1 month and 14 days. Janu- ary 26, 1863, Dr. Chase was married to Miss Henrietta Sabin, daughter of the late Joseph W. and Prudence (Brown) Sabin, born in Akron Decem- ber 17, 1842, who bore him four chil- dren-William Sabin, born December 9, 1866, now city editor Akron Daily Beacon and Republican; Charles Hibbard, born June 2, 1869, now clerk for the E. H. Merrill Stoneware Com- pany; Martha, born November 25, 1874, and Byron Samuel, born Octo- ber 12, 1877; Doctor and Mrs Chase also having adopted and raised a nephew, Sabin Ford, son of Hobart and Martha (Sabin) Ford, now in the employ of The Diamond Match Com- pany, at Ontonagon, Mich.

180

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

several interviews with a corresponding committee from the Council, consisting of Councilmen Milton W. Henry and William T. Allen and City Solicitor Edward W. Stuart, on December 30, 1873, the committee reported that they had tendered to the Council all the books and property of the Association, with a perpetual lease of its rooms, on condition that the city would establish a Public Library, for the free use of all its citizens who might choose to avail themselves of its privileges, which proposition had been accepted.

HON. SIDNEY EDGERTON, - born in Cazenovia, N. Y., August 17, 1819; thrown upon his own resources at eight years of age, he managed to secure a fair common school education ; at 17 began teach- ing ; at 18 entered Wesley Seminary at Lima, N. Y., where, after spending two terms, he was employed as teacher ; in April, 1844, came to Ak- ron, a stranger with but $3.00 in his pocket ; entering the office of Judge Rufus P. Spalding as a law student, in the Winter season teaching in Tallmadge Academy ; in 1846 gradu- ated from Cincinnati Law School, and admitted to the bar in that city, opening a law office in Akron ; in 1852 elected Prosecuting Attorney, serving four years ; in 1858 elected to Congress and re-elected in 1860, serv- ing four years ; in 1863 was appointed by President Lincoln Chief Justice of Idaho, transporting his family and effects from Omaha to Bannock City in wagons; in 1864, traveled on horseback to Salt Lake City (sleep- ing on the ground), thence by stage to the Mississippi, en route to Wash- ington, where, by a bill prepared by · himself, he secured the organization of Montana, of which he was made Governor by President Lincoln. Getting the territorial machinery into running order, he tendered his

HON. SIDNEY EDGERTON.

resignation February 23, 1865, which was accepted in July. Returned with family to Akron in January, 1866 and resumed the practice of law. Mr. Edgerton was married to. Miss Mary Wright, of Tallmadge,. May 18, 1849, who bore him nine. children-four sons and five daugh- ters, seven of whom are still living. Mrs. Edgerton dying August 3, 1883 ..

This action was approved and the committee authorized to execute the lease, on the part of the Association, the proposition being formally accepted by the Council, by resolution adopted January 5, and by ordinance passed January 26, 1874. The lease was conditioned upon the payment of the then existing indebted- ness of the Association; that said library should be free to all the citizens of Akron; that the Boardof Control should consist of two members of the Association, one member of the Board of Educa- tion, and two members of the Council, the lease to run three years, with a stipulation that "at the expiration of the term of said lease, said Library Association agrees to convey said property to said city, by perpetual lease, provided said city shall have complied with the conditions herein expressed, on its part, and provided, further, that said city shall faithfully care for said library, under said perpetual lease, and maintain the library for the free use of the inhabitants of said city and the members of this Association."

181

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

TULIUS SHERMAN LANE,-eld- J est son of Samuel Alanson and Paulina (Potter) Lane, was born in Akron, November . 19, 1841 ; educated in Akron public schools; learned the machinist's trade at the Newark Machine Works and with Webster, Camp & Co., in Akron; in 1866 was elected chief engineer of the Akron Fire Department, in charge of its first steamer, "City of Akron, No. 1." In 1867, occupied the position of chief engineer of the Lake Superior Com- pany's iron mines, at Ishpeming, Mich .; in 1868, returned to Akron, as superintendent of the newly organiz- ed Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company, which position he success- fully filled for 17 years, having mean- time invented "Lane's Band Fric- tion Hoist" and other valuable mining devices, now so largely in vogue in the mining districts of the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. 'Since 1885 Mr. Lane has been the general superin- tendent of the M. C. Bullock Manufac- turing Company, of Chicago, mining machinery, including the celebrated Bullock Diamond Drill, being a specialty. August 21, 1867, he was married to Miss Julia E. Pitkin, daughter of the late Rev. Caleb Johnson Pitkin, at Cerro Gordo, Il1.

JOHN WOLF.

JOHN WOLF,-born in Selb, Bav- aria, Germany, January 25, 1837, attended German schools till 14 years of age ; in 1851 came to United States, clerking in store in Aurora, Ind., until September, 1853, when he came to Akron ; here he clerked two

BENEWCT FLACHI.

JULIUS SHERMAN LANE.

They have six children - Henry Marquette Lane, born at Ishpeming, Mich., May 14, 1868; Pauline Eliza- beth, born at Akron, November 20, 1869; Frank Pitkin, August 19, 1871 ; Albert Alanson, September 22, 1873 ; Florence Maria, December 3, 1876; and George Comfort, October 28, 1882.

years for George T. McCurdy and seven years for Milton W. Henry, when, in 1862, he became a member of the firmi of M. W. Henry & Co, con- tinuing there until 1869, seven years. In Spring of 1870 formed a partner- ship with his half-brother, J. Martin Beck, and Mr. Harry.J. Church, under the firm name of Wolf, Church & Beck, establishing a dry goods store in the Academy of Music building, remaining there five years, when they removed to the southeast corner of Main and Market streets, where Mr. Wolf still remains. Mr. Beck withdrawing in 1878 and Mr. Church in 1886, Mr. Wolf is now sole pro- prietor and one of the leading and most prosperous of Akron's many enterprising and successful mier- chants. October 25, 1864, Mr. Wolf was married to Miss Mary Anna Howe, daughter of Captain Richard Howe, one of Akron's pioneer set- tlers. They have two children - Charles R., born November 2, 1869, and Harry H., born May 28, 1874. Mr. W. was one of the founders and is still a stockholder and director of the Citizens' Savings and Loan Associa- tion, and also a stockholder and director of the incorporated firm of Taplin, Rice & Co.

182

AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

The Library ordinance, as revised and codified July 1, 1886, is as follows:

SEC. 279. The City of Akron shall maintain, at the public expense, the library deeded and conveyed to said city by deed from the Akron Library Association, of the date of January 15, 1877.

SEC. 280. In accordance with the terms of said deed a Board of Control for said library shall be and is hereby provided, to be constituted in the fol- lowing manner: It shall consist of six members-resident electors of said city.

SEC. 281. The members of said board shall be chosen by ballot, by a majority of all the members of the City Council, who shall annually at the first meeting in May, choose two members of said board for the term of three . years. All members shall serve for said term and until their successors are duly chosen.

SEC. 282. Said Board of Control shall make its own by-laws, and hold its meetings at such times as they may decide upon, and shall have the power to make such rules and regulations for the care of said library as they deem necessary faithfully to carry out the terms of said deed. That the board shall have power to appoint a librarian and such other officers as they may require for the proper care of the library, and shall report seni- annually to the Council the condition of said library.

SEC. 283. All moneys used by said board for library purposes shall first be appropriated for such use by said City Council, and no expenses shall be incurred, chargeable to the city, other than as covered by appropriations made therefor by the City Council.

SEC. 284. The use of said library shall be free of all charge to the inhab- itants of said city, the life members of the Akron Library Association and their families, except such fines as may be imposed for the infractions of the rules regulating the use of the same:

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905 Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department Number of Pages: 1228

Author: Lane, Samuel A. (Samuel Alanson), 1815-1905
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Akron, Ohio : Beacon Job Department
Number of Pages: 1228