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 59

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 59

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).

LORENZO HALL.

L ORENZO HALL,-son of Richard and Sally (Hurlburt) Hall, was born at Bridgeport, Conn., February 22, 1812; common school education; at

MORRILL T. CUTTER.

was married to Miss Percis Aun Mon- roe, of Chicopee, Mass., who died No- vember 23, 1890.

15, at solicitation of directors taking charge of school in his own district, and teaching elsewhere five or six years; followed farming on farm ceded to his great great grandfather in 1639; in 1836 came to Akron, sell- ing, goods for his brother, Mr. P. D. Hall, in store and by peddling in neighboring country towns; returned to Connecticut (the entire distance on horseback), and carried on, farm until the death of his brother Orlando, in 1858, when he became his successor in the mer- cantile business here, as a partner in the well-known firm of Hall Brothers, the oldest continuous business house in Akron, founded by Mr. P. D. Hall in May, 1835. March 26, 1846, Mr. Hall was married to Miss Mary J. Hubbell, of Trumbull, Conn. They have two sons-Frank L., born July 5, 1850, now a member of the law firm of De Forrest, Weeks & Co., in New York City, and Philander D., born January 10, 1854, now, after sev- eral years spent in travel in Europe and California, filling his father's place in the store, Mr. Hall, through impaired circulation of blood, being obliged to submit to the amputation tion of his right foot, May 1, 1887.

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AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

In the light of the present prices, one cent or less per hundred, at retail, the prices above named would seem rather steep, but when the labor of preparing the cards, the slow process of dip- ping, and the extra care in wrapping and packing, coupled with the fact that phosphorus (now worth perhaps 75 cents per pound). then cost $7.50, it is little wonder that the proprietors of Akron's. pioneer match factory, never became millionaires, but, on the con- trary, abandoned the business as nonprofitable in about one year.

THE LOCO-FOCO PARTY .-- Apropos of the loco-foco match, a word as to how the Democratic party of fifty years ago came to be called the "Loco-Foco Party," may be of interest. Tammany Hall, then as now, was the headquarters of the Democratic clubs and societies of New York City. Then, as now, too, there were factions, schisms and exciting controversies among the faithful, for political and official ascendency. One night, in the midst of a heated controversy, when an important vote was about to be taken, the party that was about to be worsted, by a preconcerted movement turned off all the gas, leaving the crowd in total dark- ness, and unable to proceed with the business in hand. At this juncture a member of the opposite faction, who happened to have a bunch of loco-foco matches in his pocket, struck a light, turned on the gas, and the business of the meeting went on. The suc- cessful faction were thenceforth called Loco-Focos-the appel- lation finally attaching to the entire party, to which it tenaciously clung for over twenty years.

THE BARBER MATCH COMPANY .- But it was left to Mr. George Barber, an early resident of Middlebury to found what has since grown to be, not only one of Akron's most prosperous and profit- able industries, but one of the most extensive and complete establishments of its kind in the United States. Mr. Barber commenced making matches in 1845, in a small barn in Middlebury, later, after several removals, occupying the old Rawson & Goodale woolen factory, on the site of the present woolen and felt works in the Sixth ward. These matches were what were known as the block or split match, the splitting, as well as the dipping, being done by hand. It was pretty "hard sledding" the first few years, there then being no railroad communication with the outer world. But labor-saving devices were invented, railroads were built, a demand created, additions were made to the plant from time to time, and later on, under the inspiration of the son, Mr. Ohio C. Barber, the Barber Match Company was formed and the works, in 1871, removed to Akron, proper, on the west side of South Main street, the present plant covering something over five acres of land, with over 100,000 feet of floorage, giving employment to from 450 to 500 men, boys and girls, and with a daily mechan- ical and operative capacity of nearly 100,000,000 of matches.

THE DIAMOND MATCH COMPANY .- The Barber Match Company is now a component part of the larger corporation-The Diamond Match Company-with other quite extensive works in different sections of the country, of which company, with its principal offices in Chicago, Mr. Ohio C. Barber is president, and Mr. John K. Robinson, also a native Akronian, is treasurer and manager.

THE WEBSTER, CAMP & LANE MACHINE COMPANY .- In May, 1848, the late George D. Bates, Charles Webster and James B. Tap- lin, under the firm name of G. D. Bates & Co., started the "Globe

465

INDUSTRIAL AKRON.

Foundry," on the southeast corner of North Main and Tallmadge streets, and engaged in the manufacture of stoves and milling and other machinery, on a small scale. Two or three years later Mr. Bates retired, Webster and Taplin continuing until 1855, when Mr. William Camp was added to the company, under the firm name of Webster, Taplin & Co., this firm, a year or two later, engaging, to a limited extent, in the production of the "Akron Mower," being therefore the pioneers in what has since grown to be Akron's greatest industry.

`HARLES WEBSTER, - born in

Litchfield, Conn., September 3, 1810; when three years old moved with parents to the city of Hartford ; educated in city public schools; learned the carpenter's trade; after working several years in Connecticut and Massachusetts, came to Ohio in 1835, settling in Akron, working at trade and millwrighting on several of Akron's early flouring mills until 1848, when, in connection with the late George D Bates, and Mr. James B. Taplin, he started the Globe Foundry and Machine Shop, since incorpora- ted into the Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company, in which Mr. Webster was a large stockholder, and for many years its president. While active in all public enterprises, Mr. Webster was never an office seeker, though twice honored with a seat in the village council-1849 and 1862. April 30, 1833, Mr. Webster was mar- ried to Miss Martha A. Atherton, of Hartford, Conn., eight children hav- ing been born to them, one of whom, only, is now living-Isabella P., born in Akron, June 15, 1838, and inarried September 20, 1865, to the late Alden Gage, cashier of the Bank of Akron, who died November 12, 1875,

CHARLES WEBSTER.

their only child, Martha, dying at eight months of age. Mrs. Gage was again married, to Col. David W. Thomas, December 18, 1885. Mr. Webster died September 15, 1890, aged 80 years and 11 days.

In 1860 the shops were destroyed by fire, after which Mr. Tap- lin retired, selling his interest to Mr. Lorenzo B. Austin, the firm name then being changed to Webster, Camp & Co. In January, 1869, Mr. Julius S. Lane took an interest in the business, and on February 1st, 1869, a stock company was organized under its present title-The Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company- with an authorized capital of $100,000, of which company for many years Mr. Charles Webster was president; Mr. William T. Allen, treasurer; Mr. Sanford M. Burnham, secretary; and Mr. Julius S. Lane, superintendent.

In addition to general machinery, a specialty is made of Lane's Band Friction Hoist, and other heavy machinery for mining and haulage purposes. The present officers of the company (1891) are: John McGregor, president and treasurer; Stephen H. Pitkin, secre- tary and general manager, and James W. Chamberlin, superin- tendent. Men employed, 150 to 200.

TAPLIN, RICE & COMPANY .- Mr. James B. Taplin, the founder of this company, a carpenter and millwright, settled in Akron in

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AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

1834. On withdrawing from the firm of G. D. Bates & Co., as above stated, in connection with Mr. Alvin Rice, a practical moulder, and Mr. Hobart Ford, under the firni name of Taplin, Rice & Ford, in 1861 established similar works a short distance south of the Union Depot fronting on Broadway. In 1867 a stock company was organized, and in addition to general machinery, mill gearing, etc., began the manufacture of stoves, their extensive variety of cooking and parlor stoves, ranges, heaters, etc., finding a ready market in every portion of the great West, several consign- ments of their celebrated Climax heaters having recently been made to China. Present officers (1891): James B. Taplin, presi- dent, and Henry Perkins, secretary and treasurer. Capital stock $150,000. Hands employed, 150.

H ENRY PERKINS, -- born in Akron, April 8, 1842; educated in Akron public schools; in 1861 entered the service as clerk under his brother, Captain Simon Perkins, Jr., assistant quartermaster for the Army of the Cumberland, following the fortunes of the army through the entire war. On his return home served as clerk in charge of the Lake Shore office of the Cleveland Rolling Mill Company for five years; in 1870, became secre- tary and treasurer of Taplin, Rice & Co., whose extensive Machine and Stove works are elsewhere noticed, both of which positions he still holds. Mr. Perkins is prominent in Masonic circles,

joining Akron

Lodge No. 83, F. & A. M., in 1872; in 1877, became a charter member of Adoniram Lodge No. 517, afterwards becoming its Master; in 1875 became a Royal Arch Mason and member of Washington Chapter No. 25; in 1877 became a Knight Templar in Akron Commandery No. 25; entered the Grand Commandery in 1884, and elevated to the highest office in its gift; in 1878, took the several degrees in the A. and A. S. Rite, Ohio Consis- tory, and is now a member and 111111- ister of the State of the Northern Ohio Consistory. October 20, 1868,

HENRY PERKINS.

Mr. Perkins was married to Miss Emma White, of Cleveland, then and now one of the finest and most popu- lar singers in Northern Ohio. They have one child, Miss Lillian White Perkins, born January 12, 1868, still residing with her parents.

THE BUCKEYE REAPER AND MOWER WORKS .- Largely through the influence of Hon. John R. Buchtel, a native of what is now Summit county, a branch of the already popular Buckeye Works of C. Aultman & Co., of Canton, was established in Akron in 1864, but under the separate and distinct corporate title of Aultman, Miller & Company, of which, at the present time (1891), Hon. George W. Crouse is president; Hon. Lewis Miller, general super- intendent; Ira Miller, secretary; and R. H. Wright, treasurer.

These works, with a floorage capacity of over 700,000 square feet, are. among the very best class in the world, the most of the devices from which their various machines are made being the invention of Superintendent Miller himself. These works employ an average of 800 men and have turned out this year (1891) 10,000

467

HARVESTING MACHINERY.

self-binder harvesters, and 16,000 self-rakes, droppers and mowers- 26,000 machines in all. The capital stock of the company is $1,- 000,000. Surplus $1,500,000.

IRA M. MILLER,-eldest son of Lewis and Mary V. (Alexander) Miller, was born in Canton, Ohio, August 24, 1856, removing with parents to Akron in 1864; educated in the public schools of Canton and Akron and at the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware ; after grad- uating from the latter institution, entered the employ of Aultman, Mil- ler & Co., manufacturers of the cele- brated Buckeye mowers and har- vesters, fully described elsewhere, and of which extensive corporation he is now the able and efficient sec- retary, being also pecuniarily and officially connected with several other business enterprises in Akron and elsewhere. October 19, 1886, Mr. Miller was married to Miss Cora Wise, daughter of Jacob and Jennie S. (Stadden) Wise, of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are the parents of one daughter-Margaret, born July 20, 1887. Family residence, 605 East Market street.

IRA M. MILLER.

JOHN FRANKLIN SEIBERLING.

J JOHN FRANKLIN SEIBERLING, -born in Norton, March 10, 1834 ; educated at Western Star Academy ; 1856-58 druggist in Akron ; 1858, '59, while running saw mill in Norton, invented "Excelsior" mower and

reaper, with "dropper" attachment; in 1861 established works at Doyles- town (still running); in 1864 started similar works in Massillon; in 1865 organized the J. F. Seiberling Com- pany in Akron; withdrawing from company, in 1869 commenced build- ing his now popular "Empire" machine ; in 1871 organized the Akron Straw Board Company, in the Sixth ward, successfully conducting same until its sale in 1887; in 1883 organized the Seiberling Milling Company, erecting the six-story brick flouring mill described else- where; in 1889 exchanged Acad- emy of Music block for controlling interest in Akron Electric Street Railway ; has numerous other industrial mining and financial inter- ests in Akron and elsewhere; has been a member of School Board, and for many years trustee of English Lutheran Church, and is among the most benevolent and liberal of Akron's many public-spirited citi- zens. Married September 6, 1859, to Miss Catharine L. Miller, of Norton. They are the parents of nine children, all living : Anna E., Frank A., Charles W., Cora D., Hattie M., Grace I., Kittie G., Mary B. and Ruth.

EMPIRE REAPER AND MOWER WORKS .- In 1865 works of the J. F. Seiberling Company were established in Akron, opposite Union Depot, for the manufacture of Excelsior reapers and mowers, the

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AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

special feature of the reaper being the self-dropping attachment invented by Mr. John F. Seiberling in 1858. Extensive shops were erected and a large business established, but during the financial crisis of 1873 the affairs of that corporation passed into the hands of assignees for liquidation.

Some time previously, however, Mr. Seiberling had with- drawn from the company, and had commenced, on a small scale, the manufacture of an improved machine of his own invention, which he called the "Empire."

On the sale of the old Excelsior plant, Mr. Seiberling became the purchaser, christened it the "Empire Works," organized a stock company under the title of J. F. Seiberling & Co., with John F. Seiberling as president; Frank A. Seiberling, secretary and treasurer; and Charles W. Seiberling, superintendent; capital stock $600,000. The company employ 300 hands, and have this year (1891) turned out 7,000 machines, about half-and-half self- binding harvesters and mowers.

JEREMIAH A. LONG, - born at J Albany, N. Y., April 10, 1837; common school education; at 14 clerk in lumber yard ; 1855 came. to Akron, teaching school eleven terms, with varied employment during vacations; 1864 to 1869 book-keeper for Aultman, Miller & Co .; 1869 appointed secretary and treasurer of Akron Iron Company, which has quadrupled its capital and business under his management; is also vice- president of the Falls Rivet and Machine Company, at Cuyahoga Falls. Though not himself in the army, Mr. Long was active and liberal in securing enlistments, pro- viding bounties for recruits and fur- nishing sanitary supplies during the late war. Republican in politics, though not an office-seeker, Mr. Long, besides service on Central Committee, was Akron's first city clerk, 1865-67, and member of City Council froni 1867 to 1869. November 10, 1859, Mr. Long was married to Miss Mary A. Falor, daughter of the late George A. Falor, one of the pioneer settlers of Coventry township, Mrs. Long being a most active promoter of all the benevolent enterprises of the day. Thirteen children have been

JEREMIAH A. LONG.

born to Mr. and Mrs. Long, seven of whom are living: Ludie B., married to Henry A. Robinson December 18, 1889 ; Celia R., married to Harry J. Stambaugh, March 23, 1887; Binnie A., John H., George A., Mary A. and Lloyd G.

THE AKRON ROLLING MILL .- These works, owned and operated by the Akron Iron Company, in the south part of the city, were established in 1866. The present officers (1891) are Hon. Lewis Miller, president; Jeremiah A. Long, secretary and treasurer; Capt. Aaron P. Baldwin, general superintendent, and Edward B. Miller, assistant superintendent. These mills employ some 400 men and are run day and night, the excellence of their product for commercial and agricultural purposes, creating for it a ready sale, while their great specialty, hot polished shafting, has attained a high degree of popularity among machinists and manufacturers .. Capital stock $400,000.

469

THE RUBBER GOODS TRADE.

THE AKRON RUBBER WORKS .- In 1870 the manufacture of fire hose and other rubber goods was commenced in Akron by Dr. Benjamin F. Goodrich, Harvey W. Tew and others, the com- pany being incorporated in 1880, under the title of the B. F. Goodrich Company, with a capital of $200,000, since increased to $750,000. In the meantime the original works, located on Rub- ber street, west of South Main street, south of the Ohio Canal basin, have been greatly enlarged, and the manufacture of fine hard rubber goods added to the business, under the separate corporate name of the Goodrich Hard Rubber Company, with a capital of $300,000. Officers of the former company: George T. Perkins, president; George W. Crouse, vice president; Richard P. Marvin, Jr., secretary; Henry C. Corson, treasurer ; Frank H. Mason, superintendent; of the latter company, George T. Perkins, president ; Henry C. Corson, vice president and treasurer ; Richard P. Marvin, Jr., secretary; George Pellinger, superin- tendent. About 700 skilled workmen are employed and the quality of the goods turned out is second to none manufactured in the United States.

DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOODRICH,-born in Ripley, N. Y., November 4, 1841 ; educated in schools of Fredonia, N. Y., and Austin- burg, O .; graduated at Western Medi- cal College, Cleveland, February, 1861; entered the army as hospital steward of 9th N. Y. V. C .; promoted to assist- ant surgeon in Spring of 1862, serving till September, 1864, part of time in charge of hospital at Aquia Creek ; 1865 engaged in real estate business in New York City ; 1870, with H. W. Tew, of Jamestown, N. Y., established first rubber factory west of Allegheny Mountains at Akron, under firm name of B. F. Goodrich & Co .; June, 1880, stock company-the " B. F. Good- rich Company"-was organized with Dr. Goodrich as president, Alanson Work, vice president, and Col. George T. Perkins, secretary and treasurer ; later a second company for the manufacture of hard rubber goods being organized, styled the "Good- rich Hard Rubber Company," with the Doctor also as its president. [See liistory of works elsewhere]. Dr. Goodrich was married to Miss Mary Marvin, daughter of Judge Richard P. Marvin, of Jamestown, N. Y., Nov- ember 4, 1869, and died at Manitou Springs, Col., August 3, 1888. He was an intelligent and public-spirited citizen and member of Akron City

DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOODRICH.

Council for the years 1880, '81, the first year as its president. Dr. Good- rich was the father of three children -Charles C., born August ,3 1871, now in Harvard College; Isabella, pupil in Miss Porter's School, Farm- ington, Conn., and David M., a pupil in St. Paul's School, Concord, N. H., Mrs. Goodrich, at present, residing in Cambridge, Mass.

. AKRON KNIFE WORKS .- As the demand for reapers and mow- ers increased, and their manufacture became a leading industry in the United States, separate establishments for the manufacture of knives, sickles, guard plates, sections, spring keys, etc., became a necessity, resulting in the founding in Akron, in 1868, by the Whit- 1112 11 & Miles Manufacturing Company, of extensive shops

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AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

COL. A. L. CONGER

MRS. A. L. CONGER.

COL. ARTHUR LATHAM CONGER,-born in Boston, Ohio, February 19, 1838; common school education; in boyhood worked on farm and in brick-yard; boated on canal two years; taught school two years; July, 1862, enlisted in Company G, 115th, O. V. I., on organization being elected second lieutenant, and successively promoted to first lieutenant and captain, serving nearly three years in the Army of the Cumberland, mostly on detached duty, assistant adjutant general and provost marshal at Coving- ton, Ky., member of Court Martial, assistant inspector of railroad defenses and recommended by General Thomas as captain and commissary of sub- sistence. At close of war, engaged in farming, meantime, November 1, 1864, having been married to Miss Emily Bronson, youngest daughter of Hiram Volney and Ruth L. (Ranney) Bronson, who was born in Peninsula, May 7, 1843, and whose portrait is herewith given. In 1866, Captain Conger was elected treasurer of Summit County, and re-elected in 1868, ably serving four years, also officiating as treasurer of the city of Akron and Portage township, Mrs. Conger acting as deputy during entire term; in 1870 became a stock- holder and director in the Whitman & Miles Manufacturing Company, and its vice president in 1876, and is. now president of the Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, the most extensive manufacturers of reaper and mower knives in the world; is president of the Akron Steam Forge Com- pany, of the Diamond Plate Glass Company, of Kokomo and Elwood, Ind., and of the Hartford City (Ind.) Glass Company, and pecuniarily and officially connected with several other industrial enterprises in Akron and elsewhere, one of the most important of which is the American Tin Plate Company, at Elwood, Ind., organized September 10, 1891, with a capital of $300,000, of which Col. Conger is the president. Col. Conger has also served on County, State and National Republican Committees, twice chairman of State Central Com- mittee, once chairman of State Executive Committee and eight years mem- ber of National Committee; is also prominent in Grand Army and local military circles, being department commander of G. A. R. in 1884, and colonel of Eighth Regiment, O. N. G., from July 1881 to July 1888. Colonel and Mrs. Conger are prominent members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Four children have been born to them -Kenyon Bronson, Arthur Latham Jr., and Latham Hubbard, living, and Erastus Irving, deceased.

471

CAR AXLES, BELTING, ETC.

south of the Buckeye Works, as a branch of the original . separate manufactory of that class of goods, the Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, of Fitchburg, Massachu- setts. Similar branches at St. Catharines, Ontario, Syracuse, New York, and Canton, Ohio, are all consolidated under the title of The Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Company, with a capital of $2,000,000, of which corporation the present officers are: President, Colonel Arthur L. Conger; vice president, George E. Dana; treas- urer, Charles E. Sheldon; assistant treasurer, W. W. Cox; chair- man, George Barnes; secretary, James Barnes; general superin- tendent, J. A. Bining. The Akron works employ about 200 men, its annual product, amounting to over half a million of dollars, finding a ready market in every part of the United States, as well as in England, France, Germany, and other foreign countries, where American-built reapers and mowers are being rapidly intro- duced.

THE AKRON STEAM FORGE COMPANY .- This establishment, founded in 1865, was at first located at the southeast corner of South Broadway and Quarry streets, but being cramped for room, was, in 1873, removed to its present location, embracing some ten acres of land, in the northeast portion of the city, known as the "Old Forge"-the pioneer wrought or bar-iron manufactory of the Western Reserve being established at that point, by Asaph Whittlesey, of Tallmadge, and Aaron Norton and William Laird, of Middlebury, in 1817, as detailed in another portion of this work.

The present company was incorporated in 1879, with an authorized capital of $100,000. In addition to every description of general forging, Hammered Car, Truck, and Driving Axles, and Shafting, are specialties of this concern, for the prompt produc- tion of which the works are supplied with the very best of modern tools and machinery. Present officers: Col. Arthur L. Conger, president, John McGregor, secretary and treasurer, and Charles Rawson, superintendent. Hands employed, 40.

THE AKRON BELTING COMPANY .- This company was incorpor- ated in 1885, its present officers being: George W. Crouse, presi- dent; Alfred M. Barber, vice president; Sumner Nash, secretary and treasurer; Webster Thorp, superintendent. Leather belting, from the lightest used to the very heaviest required, all of superior 'quality, is manufactured by this company. Plant 90 x 100 three- story brick, 138, 140 North Main street. Authorized capital, $35,- 000. Hands employed, 22.

THE SELLE GEAR COMPANY .- This is a comparatively new enterprise in Akron, located in a new and handsome four-story brick shop, with boiler and engine room attached on Chestnut Street, between South High and Broadway, a few rods north of the Akron Iron Company's rolling mill. Their specialty is the manufacture of the Selle Platform Truss Gears, for omnibuses, three spring wagons, trucks, etc., a large sale for which in all parts of the country has already been established. The company was incorporated September 25, 1886, with an authorized capital of $100,000. Present officers: George W. Crouse, president; Frank M. Atterholt, vice president; William C. Parsons, secretary and treas- urer; Charles Knapp, superintendent. Operating force, from 40 to 50 men.

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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