History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 112

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

USA > Ohio > Stark County > History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 112

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HON. JOHNSON SHERRICK. merchant, Canton ; was born Aug. 28, 1841, near Canton, Stark Co. Ohio; his father, Christian Sherriek, is spoken of elsewhere in this work ; our subject grew up and attended school in his native county. working on the farm in the summer and teaching during winters : in 1863. he went to St. Louis and engaged in business, but in a short time enlisted in the marine service, and was detailed for duty as a clerk on a Govern- ment transport ; he was taken sick and after his discharge taught school at Richville, Stark Co .; in 1870, he engaged in the hardware business, firm of Sherriek & Miller, which firm is yet doing business in Canton ; in 1873, as the first Democrat elected from Stark Co. for many years. he went to the State Legislature. was re-elected in 1875 and in 1877. was elected to the State Senate for the district composed of Stark and Carroll Cos., by a large majority , he was a good worker and popular with his fellow members. As Chairman of the Democratic County Central Committee and Delegate to the State Conventions he is highly esteemed by his constituents as a most useful and effective assistant in all campaign work. Oct. 14, 1875. he married Miss Charlotte, only daughter of D. D. Miller, of Wooster, Ohio. a highly accom- plished and respected lady.

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CHRISTIAN SHERRICK, retired farmer, P. O. Canton; was born in Washington Co., Md., Nov. 8, 1812, and is a son of John and Naney (Wyant) Sherrick. Our subject lived at home until 1839, being brought up to farming, and receiving but a limited education in the common schools. In 1839, he came to Ohio, stopping at Dayton, where he engaged for two years in canal boating between that place and Cincinnati, visiting, in the meantime, New Or- leans, remaining one winter in the South, and on returning in the spring to Dayton, resumed boating. In the fall of 1840, he was married to Miss Mary Danforth, of Hamilton, Ohio, after which he returned to Stark Co .. and located on a farm belonging to his father, where he lived two years. and then removed to the okl home- stead farm, residing here until 1873, when he retired, and moved into Canton, and has lived here since. Ilis wife died Dec. 8, 18GG ; they had seven children, of whom six are still living, viz .: Johnson, Elvina, Louisa, Joseph (de- ceased), Jacob D. (physician), Newton, Kan. ; Ida M., now Mrs. William J. Hartzell, of Fort Wayne, Ind., and Alvin B. Mr. Sherrick has always been a Democrat.

JACOB SPIDEL, dealer in leather, hides, wool, etc., Canton ; was born in Cumberland Co., Penn., Oct. 19, 1830, and is a son of Chris- tian and Eliza (Smith) Spidel, natives of Penn- sylvania. In 1836, they came to Ohio, and settled in Green Tp., then a part of Stark. but now in Summit Co., on a farm that was improved to the extent of a log house and a few aeres of cleared land. In a short time after locating on this place, the father died, the mother remaining there until June 19, 1861, when she died. They had six children, five of whom are still living-Eliza, now Mrs. Boden, of Wyandot Co .; Mary A., lives with her ; Ma- linda, now Mrs. Breckenridge, lives in Summit Co .; Jacob (subject), in Canton ; and Christian F., in Summit Co. Jacob was raised on the farm until 17. receiving his education at the district schools : he then apprenticed himself to the tanner's trade ; after serving two years he worked as a journeyman until 1858, when he went into business for himself, buying a tan- nery in Wayne Co., Ohio, where he remained in business until 1864 ; he then sold out, and locat- ed three miles north of Canton, and in 1865, bought a location in Canton, and moved into the city the following year, where he has been

engaged in his present business ever since. He was married, in February, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Hoover, a native of Stark Co .; she died July 20, 1873, and June 8, 1875, he mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Bulger, a native of Penn- sylvania ; they had two children, one of whom is living-Herbert Spencer Spidel. Mr. Spidel is a Republican in polities.

ANDY SCHWERTNER, boots and shoes, Canton. This gentleman is a native of Bohe- mia, Austria ; he was born Oct. 1, 1840. At the age of 13, he apprenticed to the shoemak- er's trade in the city of Vienna, where he worked for five years ; he then traveled in Ger- many, Austria and Switzerland, for one year, after which he remained for one year at home.

In 1860, he came to the United States, and worked four years at his trade in Pittsburgh. He then engaged in the produce business, ship- ping to that city. In 1865, he came to Canton, making his entry on a farm wagon, and soon after began work at his trade, in a small store, which be rented. The outlook at this time was certainly not favorable-a young man, far away from his native land, and without friends or money, are circumstances before which many would despair, but by his indomitable energy and perseverance, he made his business success- fnl; and instead of the little 8x10 of a few years ago, he now owns and occupies the com- modious brick store, No. 43 East Tuscarawas street, 21x80 feet, and carries one of the largest stoeks in the city. He is also completing a brick block containing two large storerooms, on East Tuscarawas street, the upper two stories serving as an addition to the American Hotel. May 14, 1867, he married Miss Christina Rich- ard, a native of Carroll Co., Ohio. Of their eight children seven are living, viz .: Frank, August, Irwin, Flora, May, Walter and Ida. Though but a few years have elapsed since Mr. Schwertner came to Canton a strange boy, and without money or friends, he has, by his own exertions and foresight, been successful in build- ing up a prosperous trade, and establishing a reputation for industry, integrity and business ability, of which he may well feel proud, and the commodious brick buildings which he has erected, stand alike a beauty to the city, and a monument to his success. Verily it may be said, that to these self-made men are onr beau- tiful Western cities indebted for their rapid

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growth and prosperity, which have made them the wonder and envy of the world.

LEONARD R. TRESSEL, Agent for the Connotton Valley R. R .. Canton : was born in Carroll Co., Ohio, Sept. 3. 1839. lle is the youngest of ten children born to Mathias and Catharine ( llarsh ) Tressel ; he received a good common school education, and spent some time at a select school in Malvern. October. 1561, he enlisted in Co. A. 80th O. V. 1 .. and served three years. Among the many engagements in which he participated. we may mention that of luka. Miss .. the five days' fight at Corinth. and many scrimmages until they got in the rear of the army at Vicksburg : Ft. Gibson. Raymond and Jackson. In the last-named place sixteen of his company were wounded in the feet and legs, and there he too received a serious wound, a ball passing through his left foot. He was there taken prison and kept about two weeks at Jackson, then sent to Libby Prison. where he was kept for a time and paroled because of the serious condition of his wound. He was sent to the hospital at Annapolis, Md .. where he re- mained about six weeks and was then sent to Indianopolis, Ind .. on detached duty. and was discharged October, 1861. Returning to Mal- vern he engaged in mercantile and railroad business, the former he discontinued. and re- mained in the employ of the Cleveland. Pitts- burgh & Wheeling Railroad Company. and re mained with them until the Connotton Valley Railroad began to be operated. when he en- gaged with that company and was appointed Freight and Ticket Agent at C'anton. coming here in May. 1880. He married Agnes Fishel March 24. 1868. They have four children. viz .: Lottie. Jane. Maggie and Bertie.

EDWIN T. THOMPSON. Agent for the P' .. Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co., Canton ; was born in Carrollton Aug. 20. 1813. llis father, John Thompson, was born in Pennsylvania, and re- moved to Ohio with his parents when quite young. lle settled in Centerville, now Carroll- fon, in 1836. He married Margaret E. Geiger, who was born in Eppinga. Baden. Germany. Her parents emigrated to the United States in 1819, When within a short distance of Baltimore they were caught by adverse winds and carried back near to the coast of Africa. After a voy- age of about six months they landed safely at Baltimore, Md. A party of emigrants. Mr. Conrad (. Geiger with others, hired teams from

Baltimore to Pittsburgh, Peun .: there the women and children of the party were left in a cabin while the men set out on foot and came to Stark County. Ohio, entered land, returned on foot to Pittsburgh and brought their families to their various selections in Stark County. and proceeded to improve their farms. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have had four children, viz .: Samantha, Oscar ( deceased ). Edwin T. and Conradine The subject of these notes, Edwin T .. is the third child and only surviving son of their family. He received the ordinary public school education and in early manhood worked at the carpenter's trade with his father. He entered the employ of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co. in the spring of 1861, at Mansfield, where he learned the art of telegraphy with O. HT. Booth. Mr. Thompson has been continuously in the employ of the Railroad Co. ever since at various points along the line from Plymouth. Ind .. on the west. to Salem, Ohio, where he worked for the railroad nine years, and in May. 1877. he was appoint- od agent for the company at Canton, and has had control of that station ever since. At Ft. Wayne, Ind .. he married Esther A. Barr, No- vember 1867 she was a daughter of John Barr, formerly of Allegheny City, Penn. They have two children : John B and Alice E. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonic fratern- ity. Perry Lodge at Salem, Ohio.

PETER P. TRUMP, retired, Canton; whose portrait appears in this history. as a represent- ative pioneer. is a native of Adams Co., Penn,, and was born March 2. 1803. the third in a family of seven children born to John and Elizabeth (Jacobs) Trump. the former was a native of Germany, and came to the United States with his parents when he was but 6 months old. Ile was raised on a farm, and early moved to Adams Co., where he conducted a farm and saw mill, and also kept a hotel. About the year 1810, he visited Ohio, making the trip on horseback, and again in the next year he made a similar trip. During these visits he entered 160 acres of land and bought 320 acres, paying for the latter $1 per acre. In 1812. he moved with his family to this county, and settled on his 320 acre farm, which was located two miles cast of Canton, and was partially improved. In ISIG, he bought a place, two miles north of Canton, on which was a saw-mill. Later he built a grist mill, which

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he conducted until 1824, when he retired to Canton. Some years later his wife died and he lived with his son, on the farm near town, until death two years after. Both he and his wife died at the age of 70 years. Our subject lived at home until he became of age, working on the tarm and tending in the mill. His education was limited to the schools of the period, which were poor. He received the mill farm alter be- coming of age. and was married, March 12, 1824, to Miss Mary Ream, a native of Colum- biana Co., and came to Stark, with her parents. about the year 1806. After his marriage he took charge of the farm and mill, and about the year 1845 or 1846, built a grist-mill of three run of stone. which is yet in operation. After having engaged in different kinds of bus- iness, he and Alexander Hurford bought and improved the St. Cloud Hotel. which they now own. He bought the lot and erected the build- ing on the corner opposite St. Cloud Hotel. Mr. Trump has also been identified with the

banking interest of Canton, and in company with Messrs. Whiting, Harter and Wikidal, formed the Canton Savings Deposit Bank, with which he was connected for a number of years. He has taken an active part in securing to the city several of the manufacturing establish- ments now in operation. His first wife died in 1865 ; there were nine children, of whom only four are living-Jacob and Henry. in Canton ; Eli, in Hardin Co., and Harriet, now Mrs. Kirkpatrick, of Denver, Colo. In April, 1866, he married Mrs. George Williams, formerly Miss Mary A. Smith. a native of Hagerstown, Md. She came to Ohio. in 1830. on a visit to her brother, and some years later married Mr. Williams.

A. (. TONNER, Revenue Collector, Canton : was born in Center Co., Penn., April 7, 1836. He is the only son of a family of nine children horn to John and Lydia (Kreamer) Tonner. His father was born in Pennsylvania, February, 1812, and was for many years a resident of Center Co., where he was almost continuously identified with the management of county affairs ; was also engaged in mercantile busi- ness, and in 1863 he came to Canton and ac- cepted the position of Secretary for the manu- facturing concern of C. Aultman & Co., which position he held until the time of his death, which occurred April 7, 1873. The subject of these notes, entered Dickinson College in youth,

and at the age of 17, when he left college, was a member of the senior class. Several years were spent in the mercantile business at Belle- fonte, where he entered upon the study of law, in the office of Adam Hoy, and in 1860 was admitted to the bar. He removed to Washi- ington, D. C., in the latter year, to enter upon his duties as Assisstant Examiner in the Patent Office. to which he had been appointed. Sept 19, 1862, he received his commission as Consul General to Central America. and made every preparation for going, but through fear of the ungenial character of the climate. to which he was about to proceed, he re- signed his commission and remained in the Patent Office until 1865. He came to Canton, in 1866, and purchased the Union Mills, which he operated for two years, when he sold out and became President of the Canton Mal- leable Iron Company, which position he held until they sold out in 1872. Since then he has been engaged in the real estate business, was appointed Revenue Collector of the Eighth and Fifth Divisions of the Eighteenth District, which position he now holds. Sept. 6, 1866, he married Miss Millie Glenn. They have two children-John A. and Ida G.

DANIEL TONNER. Canton. is a native of Center Co .. Penn., and was born in December, 1818 : he was raised on a farm, and also taught school. In 1846, he went to Illinois, and en- gaged in teaching. and the mercantile business. in Plainfield. Will Co. In 1859, he came to Canton. Ohio, and did the corresponding for C. Aultman & Co .. and has continued with the company since, of which he has become a stockholder, and, in 1881, elected one of the Directors. June 27. 1850. he married Miss Margaret P'. Pennington. a native of Center Co., Penn., her great-grandparents being among the pioneers of Pennsylvania Valley, of that State. Mr. Tonner is Republican in politics, an advo- cate of temperance, and a Methodist in his religious views.

H. H. TRUMP, abstracter of titles, Canton ; is a native of Stark Co., Ohio : he was born in Plain Tp., in the year 1840. In the spring of 1848, he came to Canton with his parents, and has resided here since. In 1858, he engaged as a clerk in a jewelry store in Canton. In 1861, he entered a grocery house; and in 1863. he became book-keeper and teller in the Savings Deposit Bank. and next as Cashier of the Ex-

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change Bank, from where he entered the City Bank. all of Canton. In 1872. he became Secretary of the Cauton Wrought Iron Bridge Co .. and held the position one year. He then for two years revised and corrected the general indexes of the County Records Office. In 1875. he opened the abstract office, and has followed the business since. In 1866. he mar- ried Miss Mary Allinder. a native of Pittsburgh, Penn. They have four children. viz .: Harry A .. Percy P., Guyan I. and Richard 1. Mr. Trump's father. P. P. Trump. is spoken of else- where.

JAMES S. TONNER. druggist. Canton ; is a native of Center t'o., Penn .: he was born on a farm. and lived on same until 1855. He re- ceived a district school course of study, and taught a number of terms during the winters. His brother. Thomas Tonner, was a partner in the firm of Ball. Aultman & Co., of Canton. Ohio, and through him James. S. arranged for a situation with the firm, and came to Canton in 1855. The next day or two the firm's build- ings burned down. and James S. wout West, but in August following he was sent for, and returned to Canton, and entered his duties as book-keeper for the firm. I'pon the formation of a Stock Company, C. Aultman & Co., Mr. Tonner became Treasurer, and cominned in that position until January, 1870. when he withdrew. and during the summer he engaged as Secretary and Treasurer with (. Russell & Co., which position he held about seven years. In 1880, he engaged in his present business. In 1858. he married Miss Kate Kuhn. a daughter of Dr. Henry Kuhn. a pioneer of Tiffin. Ohio, of their five children : two are living -Harry and Bessie.

JUDGE J. W. UNDERHILL. lawyer. Can- ton : was born in Greene Co .. N. Y., Oct. 6, 1818. and is the second in a family of three chil dren born to Nathaniel and Anna (Webber) Underhill, who were natives of Westchester and Greene Cos .. N. Y. He was a Quaker, and mar- ried " out of meeting"-that is. she to whom he was wedded was not of the Quaker faith. The family came to Ohio in 1827. and settled in Kendal, now a part of Massillon. They lived in that vicinity until death ; he dying in September, 1833. and she about the year 1873. at the advanced age of 82 years. Our subject lived at home until the death of his father, after which he went east to New York State,

where he lived with his uncle and attended school. and assisted on the farm. After three years he returned to Massillon, where he at- tended school further. and also taught school, his circumstances not allowing him to continue his education. In 1810. he began reading law with Samuel Pease, of Massillon, and was ad- mitted to the bar in October. 1842 ; he began practice in Massillon, in company with H. B. Hurlbut, now of Cleveland, and after about one year the firm of Folger & Underhill was formed which continued several years. when he formed a partnership with F. M. Keith, and, after a few years it also was dissolved, and he remained alone until he came to Canton. in 1861, having been elected Probate Judge the previous year. to which office he was three times re-elected, holding the position twelve years in succession. After this. he formed a partnership with John Long ( Underhill & Long) which continued in Canton until 1877. He then practiced alone until 1879, when he substantially left the law, and. as a Direct- or and Member of the Executive Com- mittee, gave his attention (receiving and dis- bursing the Canton Subscription Fund) to the Cleveland, Canton, Coshocton & Straightsville R. R. Company, but. in 1881, when a change of control of the road took place, he resigned. Judge Underhill was elected in 1855 to repre- sent Stark d'o. in the State Legislature. He has been a Republican in politics ever since the or- ganization of the party, and was always of strong anti-slavery proclivities. He was married Nov. 2, 1842, to Miss Henrietta Widgeon, a native of Ohio. They had three children, viz .: Arthur J .. who married Miss Henrietta Tonner ; Eliza R., now Mrs. W. A. Lynch, and Clara, now Mrs. II. C. Fogle. They all live in Canton. During the war. Judge I'nderwood was Chairman of the Military Committee of the county, and actively supported all war measures.

A. VIGNOS, Postmaster. Canton ; is a native of Louisville, Stark Co., and was born in 1838. llis parents were Joseph and Theresa (Frantz) Vignos, both natives of France, near Belford, and settlers in Louisville about 1830, where Mr. Vignos engaged in the business of hotel-keep- ing. But little of incident occurred in the early life of our subjeet, but in 1861, when the war of the rebellion broke out, he enlisted in l'o. 1. of the 19th O. V. 1 .. as company musi- cian, for a three years' term of service. Capt.

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Rakestraw and Col. S. Beatty. He remained with bis regiment until Sept. 16. 1862. during which time they participated in the battle of Shiloh. When they were before Corinth, he was taken with typhoid fever, and he, with others, was laid in one corner to die. He did not realize where he was until he found the man lying beside him to be a corpse. Recovering somewhat, he obtained a furlough and returned home. Securing the commission of recruiting officer. he raised a squad of men and joined the 107th O. V. 1., three years' service. At the or- ganization of the regiment. he was made Cap- tain of Company Il. They were ordered from Cleveland to Kentucky, and from there to Vir- ginia, where, at Fairfax Court House, they joined Sigel's Corps. July 1. le lost his right arm in the battle of Gettysburg. and, not until three days after he was shot. did he have an oppor- tunity of having the arm amputated and the wound dressed. Sept. 1. he again joined his regiment, which lay at Folly Island. He was promoted to the rank of Major, and, on the 22d of February. 1864. he took command of the regiment. and held it until Sept. 30. 1864. when he resigned. and left the service. His resigna- tion was the result of his at last realizing the dangers about him. An accident. by which he barely escaped Josing his left and only remain ing arm, caused him to resign while he might yet have the physical ability to support himself, but no hraver man. nor more honorable soldier ever enlisted from Stark Co. to aid in the suppression of the rebellion. Feb. 25, 1866, Mr. Vignos was married to Miss Phobe L. Devinney, a native of Stark Co. Eight children have been born to them. named as follows: Henry J .. Charles A .. Loretta R. (died Jan. 12. 1881). Blanche L .. Alice M .. Alfred A .. Hefen and Paul G. Shortly after his marriage. Mr. Vignos removed to Iowa Co., Iowa. but, in 1869, he re- turned to Canton, where for the next nine years he had a pretty hard time in the support of him- self and family. A partial reward was at last given him. when the citizens, in 1878. interested themselves in obtaining for him the position of Postmaster of the Canton Post Office, the duties of which office he entered upon on May 16, 1868. G. W. VAN VLECK. M. D .. eclectie physi- cian, Canton ; was born at Syracuse, N. V .. Oct. 18. 1823, the son of Henry Van Vleck. who was a relative of Martin Van Buren. Our subject obtained his early education in Onon-

daga County, N. Y., and when about 14 years of age he entered Cortland College, but before he graduated, his health gave way, and to re- eruit his health he went to sea with his uncle, James Van Vleek, who was captain of a mer- chantman sailing from New York City. After six months sea-faring life, his health was suffi- ciently restored to allow him to resume his studies, which he did in the Columbia College, of New York City. Erelong his health failed him again, and again he returned to sea, this time in the ITnited States Navy, his uncle having secured for him the position of messen- ger boy, but was finally promoted, and there he remained three years.' During his service in navy. he devoted his leisure time to the study of medicine, and treated himself for consump- tion. with which he was seriously affected. Through the advice of his father, he resigned his position in the navy to pursue the study of medicine un:ler Dr. Bigelow. He attended lectures at the Seneca Medical College, in Genova, also in the Eclectic Medical College, in Syracuse. where he graduated in 1848. He then opened an office in his native town. where he practiced a short time, and in 1846 he re- moved to Kalamazoo County, Mich., where he practiced until the spring of 1848, when he re- moved to California and practiced there until 1850, when he came to Ohio. Several succeed- ing years he spent in traveling and lecturing, and then located at Pittsburgh, Penn. ; thenee to Cincinnati. where he received another diploma from the American Eclectic Medical College, and in which institution he held the Professor- ship of Theory and Practice, and of Materia Medica for three years. He came to Alliance in June. 1879. and opened a drug store in 1880, which he conducts in connection with his prae- tice. His practice is steadily increasing, and he is frequently called in consultation with physicians of other schools of medicine.

BEN D. WILSON. County Clerk. Canton ; was born in 1837. in Osnaburg Tp., Stark Co., and is the son of Robert and Charity (Elson) Wilson. Her father was John Elson, a Captain in the war of 1812. from Western Virginia. He, with his wife subsequently came to Stark Coun- ty. and both now lie buried in Osnaburg Town- ship, as does also the grandparents of our sub- ject, who became residents of Osnaburg Town- ship as early as 1811. The country was so new at that date, they were obliged to clear and cut

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 112

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