History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 106

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060

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GEORGE COOK (deceased). Mr. Cook was born near Clinton, Summit Co., Ohio, Feb. 2, 1827, and died at his home in Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, May 3, 1879. In his youth he en- joyed the limited facilities offered by the com- mon schools of his native place, and gained thereby a good practical education. At an early age he was thrown upon his own resources and made his start in life by learning the wagon- maker's trade, which he worked at in Green- town. Ohio, until 1849, and early gave token of his future advancement. About the year 1849, in company with C. Aultman, Jacob and Lewis Miller, Col. Ephraim Ball and others, he came to C'anton and established on a small scale a mower and reaper manufactory. In 1865, the company became a stock concern, of which Mr. Cook was a heavy stockholder and director. For many years he served as Assistant Super- intendent and was universally esteemed and respected by the employes. Beginning with nothing but the sterling qualities of honesty and industry, he gradually amassed a hand- some competency. He also served faithfully and efficiently in his position as director of the Aultman, Miller & Co. manufacturing es- tablishment, of Akron Ohio. The Akron Iron Co., the First National Bank of Canton and the Valley Railroad, all commendable public enter- prises, received his sanction and the impetus of his benevolence. He was a pronounced tem- perance man and in politics a Republican ; for over a score of years he was interested in the welfare of the society connected with the First Baptist Church of Canton, and for many years served as a member of the Board of Trustees of same. About two years before his death, he was baptized into this church, and from that time became deeply interested in its spiritual welfare ; he officiated as Deacon, and honored that relation to the church as he had done all others in life. For his high spirit of benevo- lence he was well known, for besides his smaller benefactions, he contributed $30.000 to the erection of the beautiful church edifice, thus leaving a memorial, the benefits of which can be enjoyed by the whole community. His de- sire to benefit humanity and his great sympa- thy with the unfortunate, were marked traits in his character. Mr. Cook married Dec. 5, 1857. Mary, a daughter of Samuel Weary, of Marlborough, a noble, devoted, generous, Chris- tian woman, who still resides in Canton. Three

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sons and three daughters were born, five of whom are living.

DR. S. A. CONKLIN, physician, Canton ; is a native of Washington Co., Penn., and was born Feb. 10, 1841. Ile was brought up on the farm, receiving his education in the district schools and early began teaching during the winter months. At the age of 20, he attended Millsboro Normal School, receiving a certificate from it in 1862, after which he taught school, and in 1863, graduated from Duff's Commercial College, at Pittsburgh. He commeneed read- ing medicine in 1864, with Dr. John Kelley, of Claysville, Washington Co., Penn., and in the spring of 1867, graduated from the Medical Department of the Western Reserve College, located at Cleveland, Ohio. Previous to his graduation, he practiced two years at Belle Vernon, Fayette Co., Penn., his circumstances not permitting his continuous attendance at college. After graduating, he continued prae- tice at Belle Vernon some five or six years, and then, in 1873, came to Canton, where he has sinee practiced. Ile is a member of the Ameri- can Medical Association ; of the Union Medi- eal Association, of Northeastern Ohio, and of the Stark County Medical Society, of which he has served as Secretary. He is also a member of the Board of Education-eleeted in 1880, and in 1881 was appointed Clerk of Board. In 1881. he was elected a member of the Board of Health by the City Council. He was married June 2, 1868, to Miss Laura Bugher, of Fay- ette Co., Penn. They have three children, viz. : Harry, Lulu and Robert.

DR. M. M. CATLIN, physician, Can- ton ; is a native of Herkimer Co., N. Y., and was born Aug. 15, 1846. He was brought up on his father's farm. Soon after his father's death, which occurred when he was but 9 years old, he hired out, for his board and clothes, going to school during the winter months ; and also received a course at the West Winfield Acad- emy, taking the first prize for declamation. He continued on the farm until the age of 17, when he enlisted in Co. D, 46th N. Y. V. V. I., and served two years, participating in all the principal engagements during his term, among them, the Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Petersburg, the capture of Richmond, and was at the sur- render of Lee at Appomattox. After his return from the army, his health not being good, he took up the study of medicine in the fall of

1865, with Dr. Nathan Spencer, of East Win- field, N. V., and in 1868 he graduated from the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College. A few months later he commeneed practice at Brookfield, N. Y., where he remained about three years, and then moved to Massillon, Ohio, in 1871 ; he came on a tour of inspection, and was so well pleased that he conelnded to remain. He practiced four years at Massillon, and then moved to Canton, where he has since remained. Hle is a member of the American Institute of Homeopathy, and of the Homeopathic Medi- cal Society of Northeastern Ohio; of the latter he has been Secretary for two years. He was married Jan. 27, 1869, to Miss Rozella D. Clark, a native of Brookfield, N. Y. ; they have three children, viz. : Grace, Homer and Mary.

PETER CHANCE, lawyer, Canton; is a native of Harrison Co., Ohio, and was born in 1835. He is a son of Perry and Lavina (Reuble) Chance ; his father was a native of Pennsylva- nia, and his mother of Virginia; his grandfather, Benjamin Chance, settled on the Ohio River, and ran the first white man's ferry between Wheeling and Wellsville, at a very early day ; subsequently removing to Harrison Co., where he (lied ; his maternal grandfather, Reuble, was one of the pioneers of Harrison Co., Ohio ; his parents were married there, and engaged in farming their some years ; they came to Stark Co. in 1827, settling in Lexington Tp., where his father eleared the land upon which Alliance now stands; he sold to parties who subsequently laid out the city, and removed to Washington Tp., farming there for some fifteen years, and then moving baek to Lexington, where the remainder of his days were passed. Of a fam- ily of ten children our subject is the sixth child. Ife passed his earlier years upon the farm, and at the age of 19 went to learn the blacksmithi's trade, working at it for four months, when, by the premature discharge of a eannon, he lost his left hand, which prevented his further work at that calling. He soon after came to Canton and began attending a seleet school, and soon after began teaching, together with the duties of Deputy Sheriff under George M. Webb, Sheriff, continuing for four years. In 1852, he was elected Recorder of Stark Co., and in 1855 was re-elected, serving in all six years; while Recorder he was appointed Mayor of Canton by the Council, and the following spring elected by the people, serving three terms. After his term of

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office as Recorder had expired, he was connect- ed with the Ball Mannfacturing Company, as Clerk for two years, and for four sessions was Sergeant-at-Arms of the Assembly, at Columbus. Prior to his election as Recorder, he had made the study oflaw a specialty, reading with Dunbar. In 1862, he was elected Sheriff of the county, and subsequently served a second term, during which time he was admitted to the bar. After his term of office as Sheriff had expired, he was engaged at farming in the township for a num- ber of years, subsequently becoming connected with the Canton Bridge Company, as Treasurer, which association lasted two years. lle then opened a law office in Canton, to the practice of which he has since given his attention. Mr. Chance, in all of the numerous offices to which he has been selected, has administered the duties with honor and fidelity : he has also been Treasurer of the city, and was one of the organ- izers of the Gas Company, and has been Presi- dent and Secretary of that organization. Ile was united in marriage in 1853 to Miss Ellen Scott, of Philadelphia, Penn. ; they have seven children-Walter S .. a lawyer, formerly in prac- tice in Canton, is now in the Custom House in Philadelphia : George W., with the Russell Co., Canton ; Norman H., a jeweler in Canton ; Jennie May, P. Wade. Perry Robert and Lo- renzo Whiting. Mr. Chance had three broth- ers, two now living-llenry Chance, known as the " Buckeye Broadaxe." a prominent lecturer on temperance, and a resident of Wood to., Ohio : Jesse Chance, a carpenter and farmer of Eaton Co., Mich. : and Perry Chance, a school teacher, who was a graduate of the Medical College of Cleveland, and a practicing physi- cian; he was in the service, and while there contracted a disease which was the canse of his death, several years after, while a resident of Minnesota.

JOHN F. CLARK, Secretary Canton Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Canton ; is a native of Washington Co., Penn. He was raised on the farm where he lived for twenty-seven years; he conducted his father's stock business, and on becoming 27 he removed to lowa, where he farmed on his own account, in Lee Co .. for about six years. In August, 1864, he came to Canton, Ohio, and engaged as local agent in the fire and life insurance business. In 1876, he, with others, organized the present Canton Mu- tnal Fire Insurance Company, of which he

became the Secretary, and after about seven months he was elected President; in June, 1879, he resigned his position, and became Secretary, holling that office at the present time. In 1856, he married Miss Pamela M. Alexander, a native of Washington Co .; by the marriage there have been born four chil- dren. Mr. Clark is a Republican, and was a member of the first convention that party held in his native county. He is also a member of and closely associated with the Presbyterian Church.

W. A. CREECH. Treasurer Peerless Reaper Company. Canton. This gentleman came to Stark Co., Ohio. in 1871. locating at Alliance, I where he became book-keeper for the Alliance Rolling Mill Company, and in 1875 he came to Canton, and served as Deputy Auditor, and was appointed Auditor in 1879. About the same time he was elected Treasurer of the Peerless Reaper Company, and accepted the lat- ter position, appointing a deputy to act in his place as Auditor; he has continued his position as Treasurer since.

W. B. DEWEES, hats. caps and gents' fur- nishing goods. Canton ; is a son of George M. Dewees, who was well known all over the county as a man of fine education and a superior artist and mechanic. Hle came to Stark Co. from Pennsylvania, about 1859. locating in Osnaburg Tp., where he continued to reside until his death. lle took a great interest in politics, and was a superior banner painter, in which line he was not excelled ; he was also a fine engraver, and possessed wonderful mechan- ical genius. The subject of this sketch was born in Pennsylvania, and since the age of 14 has been engaged in active mercantile life. He came to Stark Co. in 1860 and in 1862 came to Canton and engaged as clerk for R. C. Kimball, in the dry goods line, remaining with him for about four years; he next engaged in the grocery business, with a partner ; subse- (quently returning to the dry goods business, at which he continued with different parties until 1867, when he purchased the stock of Miller, in the hat and cap business in Opera Block ; subsequently removing to the Eagle Block, where he remained until 1868, when he removed to his present location. Ilis stock has been increasing each year, until, at the present time, it comprises a magnificent line in all of its de- partments, and is as full and complete as ean

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be found in any house in any of the larger cities. Mr. Dewees is a popular business man. an enterprising and valuable citizen. He was united in marriage in 1859 to Miss Elizabeth Lape. of Pennsylvania. They have three chil- dren living-William W., Sadie and Lizzic.

GEORGE DEUBLE, jewelry. Canton. The pioneer jeweler of Canton is a native of Schuylkill Co .. Penn. His father, George W. Deuble, was a native of Baden, Germany. as was also his mother. Their first locating in the United States was in Philadelphia. from whenee they removed to Schuylkill Co. Penn .. where their two sons were born. our subject and an older brother. Martin. In 1832. the family became residents of Stark Co. The father en- gaged in the jewelry trade in Canton. which he conducted until 1851. when he retired. and the business was conducted by the sons until the death of Martin. which occurred in 1875. since which time it has been in the hands of the pres- ent proprietor. So much of his life has been spent in Canton in connection with different social societies as to have made him well known. He and family are members of the German Re- form ed Church. his wife being the daughter of the Rev. P. Herbruck. Pastor of the German Reformed Church of Canton, and one of the old- est and best known ministers of the city. Mr. Deuble has been organist in this church since he was fifteen years old. He is also a member of the order of A., F. & A. M .; is a Democrat. and. in the spring of 1881. he was made a mem- ber of the School Board of Canton. He is in every way worthy to be identified with the mer- cantile or social interests of a city. and his present good reputation is proof of the esteem and confidence of the community.

JOHN DANNER, manufacturer of revolving book and goods cases. Canton : was born in Canton March 10, 1823, and is a son of Jacob and Anne (Slusser) Danner, natives of Penn- sylvania. the former of whom came to Ohio about the year 1812 with his parents, who were also natives of Pennsylvania. He was raised on the farm in Pennsylvania, and learned the gun- smith's trade, and. upon coming to Ohio. engaged in that trade in Canton. He was a great hunter. and. it is said, killed the last wolf in Stark Co. He died in 1844 ; his widow, at the age of 79 years, is still living with her daughters in Can- ton. John (subject) was raised in Canton, and at the age of 13, became a clerk for Martin

Wikidal. and remained with him four years ; then went to Massillon, where he was similarly employed. until at the end of five years, he en- gaged in clothing business on his own account for four years, and then removed to Canton, continuing in the same business most of the time, until 1876. when he sold out. He is of an inventive turn. and has taken out letters patent on some twenty or more inventions of his own in the past fifteen years, among which are patents on sleeping-cars, now embodied in the Woodruff and Pullman Cars. He patented the Revolving Book and Goods Cases in 1874, and has since made several improvements. Since 1876. he has devoted his entire attention to its mannfacture, largely increasing it. until at the present time. he sells goods in every State and Territory in the Union and in foreign countries, employing some twenty-five skilled workmen. Mr. D. has served a number of terms on the School Board and in the City Council, and has been Whig and then Republican in politics ; has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1842. and taken an active interest in its affairs. He and his wife are the only two original mem- bers of the Baptist Church now left, which was organized in 1849. lle was married Oct. 4, 1847, to Miss Theresa A. Millard, a native of Pennsylvania. Her father was first cousin to Millard Fillmore, Vice President of the United States, under Zachary Taylor. By this mar- riage there were seven children. six of whom are living-Mary, Alice, Hattie (now Mrs. Campbell. of Canon City. Col.). Esther, John Millard and Almina.

4. M. DAVIS. of B. M. Davis & Co., millers, Canton ; is a native of Chester Co., Penn., and was born Ang. 2, 1817. His father, Zaccheus Davis, was a miller, and Z. M. was brought up to the same business. living in his native conn- ty until 1852. From 1843 to 1852. he was on the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad (now Pennsylvania Central) as fireman and engineer. In 1852, he came to Canton, Ohio, and run on the Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad (now P., Ft. W. & C. Railroad) for five years. In 1857, he rented a mill seven miles north of Canton, and operated it for four years, after which he removed to Canton. and run a mill just south of the city for James A. Saxton two years, when. in company with David Lind, he built the Buckeye Mills of Canton. They continued in the business about three years, when Mr. D.

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sold out and built hi- present mill, known as the "Snow-flake Mills. " having five run of buhrs. and has continued in the business ever since. his son Zeb. being his partner Mr. Davis has served on the Canton School Board for six years. lle was married in January. 1841. to Miss Sarah Essick. a native of Chester C'o .. Penn. They have five children. viz. : Ann E. (now Mrs. B. F. Raff. of C'anton), Zebula (a miller). Annetta. Lillie G. (a teacher). and C'ora. also a teacher. Mr. Davis is a Democrat in politie -.

A. J. DOI'DS. dentist. Canton, was born Nov. 17. 1537. in Stark Co .. Ohio. and is a son of David B. and Mary Ann (Essig) Douds. natives of Franklin Co., Penn .. where they married. and came to Ohio in 1835. set- tling in Lake Tp .. where they followed farming. He was also a plasterer. He died in 1873. and she in 1875. A. J. was brought up on the farm nutil 17. when he went into the shops of C. Aultman & Co. at Canton. remaining two years. lle took an early interest in dentistry. and at 19 he became a student of Dr. G. S. Beatty. now of Akron. continuing with him about one and a half years. when Beatty sold out and moved away. He then began practice on his own account. and three years later took a course of lectures in the Pennsylvania Dental C'ollege. Philadelphia, graduating in 1-61. after which he resumed his practice in ('anton. continuing it ever since. He is the oldest practitioner in the city. and. with one exception. the oldest in the county. After graduating he enlisted in Co. A. 19th O V. I. and. after serving some eight months. was transferred to Hospital Steward. bnt being in bad health. was discharged in 1862. May 5. 1863, he was married to Miss Almira Fringer. a native of Fayetteville. P'enn. They have had six children, five of whom are living. viz. : Frank. Jessie. Herman. Georgiana, Rebecca, Homer (dead). Mr. Douds is a mem- ber of the State Dental Society, and the North- ern Ohio Society. of which he has served as Secretary.

DIEBOLD BROTHERS. grocers. located at No. 47 East Tuscarawas St .. Canton : com- menced business Jan. 1. ]>S1. and are now doing an extensive trade. Their stock is large. and embraces everything in the grocery and provision trade, and is well and conveniently displayed in one of the largest salesrooms in the city. C. M. Diebold is a native of Ohio.

and. previous to his mercantile venture. was as- sociated with his father in the Diebold Safe Works of Canton. William HI. Diebold is also a native of Ohio ; was connected in business with his father. and subsequently a commercial traveler for a ('incinnati house, until he became connected with his brother in the grocery trade. Mes-rs. Diebold Bros. have been edu- eated for business life. and possessing. as they do. enterprising and progressive views. are bound to make their business life a success.

H. C. ELLISON. banker. C'anton : is a de- scendant of one of Stark County's early pioneer .. He is the son of John and Mary (Vanghn) Ellison. and the grandson of Samuel Ellison. The latter settled in Marlborough Tp. about the year 1-10. the former at that date being about 10 years old. and. after arriving at man's estate. he continued to reside in Marloo- rough Tp .. and was one of the three gentlemen who founded the town of Marlborough of that township. H. C. is a native of Marlborough. where he remained until he was 14 years old. when he went to Alliance, where he was afterward for a time engaged in business. In Is62. he enlisted as a private in Co. F. 115th (). V. 1 .. for a three- years terms of service-Capt. A. J. Ware and Col. T. C. Boone. He was promoted to the rank of Adjutant, and served as such about thirty months of the term of his service. June 30 1-65. he was bilistered out and returned to Alliance, where for a time he was engaged in the dry goods trade in the capacity of sales- man. and was engaged in this business until elected by the Republican party to the office of Auditor of Stark County for a two years term. At the close of his first term of service a> Auditor. he was re-elected to the same office for a term of three years. Return- ing to Alliance, be accepted the position of Cashier of the First National Bank of that city. and remained there until in May of 1579. when he came to C'anton to organize the Canton City Bank, which was then a private banking house of a $50,000 paid-up capital. In August, 1550. received a charter. and changed to National banking, under the name of the City National Bank, and increased their capital to $100.000. Mr. Ellison still continuing as Cashier. Ife is a member of the Massillon Commandery, No. 4, A .. F. & A. M .: also a member of the G A. R.

HENRY EVERHARD, retired farmer : P O. Canton : was born in Washington Co., Penn ..

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Aug. 6, 1803, and is a son of Henry and Mary M. (Hewett) Everhard, natives of Pennsylvania. Henry, Sr., learned the potter's trade, and when he came home from his apprenticeship he en- listed under Gen. St. Clair to fight the Indians, and was one of the few who escaped from St. Clair's memorable defeat. He worked at the pot- ter's trade at different places until 1809, when he removed to Ohio, and settled in Plain Tp., Stark Co .. where he built a saw and grist-mill. lle died there in 1849. his wife having died twenty years before, when he married Mrs. Dager ; she also died a few years previous to his death. Henry, Jr., lived at home until he was 25 years of age, and was brought up on the farın. enjoying the usual log cabin school facili- ties. He was married in June. 1828, to Miss Rebecca Slanker, a native of Maryland ; she died about 1866. By this marriage there were seven children. five of whom are living -- Lewis, lives in Manchester : Maria, now Mrs. Wir- rich, of Massillon ; Henry, also in Massillon ; Martha A., lives in California ; Sarah C., now Mrs. Williams, in California. After the death of his wife he retired to Massillon, where he lived about three years ; he there married Mrs. Housley, and then moved to her home in Illinois ; after remaining one and a half years, they returned to Canton. where they have since resided. Mr. E. was a Whig, and afterward a Republican, and a member of the Lutheran Church ever since he arrived at maturity.

GEORGE EBERSOL, retired farmer ; P. O. Canton ; was born in Franklin Co., Penn., May 31. 1812, and is a son of Henry and Mary E. (Waltman) Ebersol, natives of Pennsylvania, where they were married, and where she died, in 1813. leaving two children. Ile married again to Caroline Lineroad, in 1814, and re- moved to Ohio in 1818 by wagon, and settled in Columbiana Co., where he lived until 1828, ; of Millersburg. when he moved into Stark Co., and settled in Bethlehem Tp. le was a cabinet-maker by trade, and worked at the business, and also followed farming. In 1852, he removed to Huntington Co., Ind., where he followed the same business some years, and then retired to Roanoke. He died in 1876, at the advanced age of 92 years ; his wife died one year later. They had eight children, of whom six are living. George (subject) lived at home until 1831, re- ceiving a common education, when he left Bethlehem Tp., and went to Carroll Co., and

engaged in farming and stock-raising, and also was largely interested in sheep raising. He was married in November, 1834, to Miss Eliza- beth Abrahams, a native of Cumberland Co., Penn., who came to Ohio with her parents in 1819. After their marriage they remained in Carroll Co. until 1865, when he moved into Stark. buying an interest in a farm two and a half miles south of Canton. After several changes in farms and residences, he retired to Canton in 1876, where he has since lived. By their marriage they had eight children, five of whom are living. viz .: John M .. Canton ; George L., Stark Co .; A. M., at home; Lonisa, now Mrs. Lineroad ; Mary Elizabeth. now Mrs. Henrigh, Mahoning Co. Mr. Ebersol was a Whig, but is now Republican in politics, and has been a member of the Lutheran Church for more than forty years, and taken an active interest in its prosperity.

J. C. ELSASS, of firm of Elsass & Bour, furniture, No. 11 Tusearawas street, Canton ; is a native of Stark Co .. and a son of Peter and Dorothy (Schaffer) Elsass, who were natives of Alsace, France. They emigrated to America about 1830, locating in Stark Co. Ilis father died in 1876, and his mother is still living in Canton. Our subject was born in Waynesburgh, and was in the employ of his father in the shoe trade there until 21 years of age. lle then went upon his father's farm, upon which he remained for several years. In 1868, he re- moved to Canton and engaged in the meat business, continuing at that about five years. He then embarked in his present business, and has since continned at it. In 1879, he associated with him as partner Mr. J. A. Bour, under the firm name of Elsass & Bour, which partnership has continued until the present time. Mr Elsass was married in 1873 to Miss Cora Strain, They have two children- Charlie and larry. This business house was established by J. C. Elsass in 1873, and in 1879 Mr. J. A. Bour became a member of the firm. Messrs. Elsass & Bour carry an exten- sive stock of furniture, complete in every par- ticular, and are known as honorable and trust- worthy business men.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 106

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1060

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892? ed
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1060