History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 113

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 113

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a road through the timber to the property upon which they first settled. The early life of Ben D. was spent on the farm of his father (now a resident of Mapleton), though later he had the advantages of the public schools, and subse- quently finished his education at the Mt. Union College. Returning from college he spent one year in a store in Osnaburg. In 1861. he ac- cepted the position of teacher in the schools of Canton, in which he continued until Angust of 1862, when he enlisted in the 115th O. V. I. He was with the 115th for about one and one half years, when he was commissioned in the 5th U. S. C. T. In October, 1864, after the Petersburg campaign, he resigned on account of ill health. Returning to Stark County, he remained somewhat inactive until Jannary, 1866, when he received an appointment in the Department of the Interior, and for the follow- ing six years made his home in Washington. D. (. Again ill health obliged him to resign, when he returned to his native county and en- gaged in teaching. In 1875, he was appointed School Examiner of Stark County. In 1880. he became the Republican nominee for the office of Clerk of Stark County, to which office he was elected by a majority of 183 votes, and in February, 1881, he assumed the discharge of the duties of the office. In 1873, Mr. Wilson was married to Miss Victoria M. Cole, who is a native of Michigan.

JOIIN WILLIS, manufacturer, senior mem- her of the firm of Willis, Benskin & Co., Can- ton; was born March 17, 1830, in Belfast, Ire- land. He was one of a family of sixteen chil- dren. When he was 10 years old, his father died, soon after which, or when he arrived at a proper age, he was apprenticed to learn his trade, which he did. by serving five years, and paying an apprentice's fee of £35. In 1852, he left his native land, and came to America, bringing with him a younger brother, whose passage he paid. They made the voyage in the vessel Zion's Hope Capt. Conner-and were seven weeks and three days on the water. Hle first became a resident of New Philadelphia, Ohio, where for one year he worked at the car- penter's trade. He then removed to Massillon, where he was engaged with different firms. among which were the firms of Mong & Snyder. when he first learned to make sash and doors by machinery. and the Russell Reaper Com- pany; with the latter he remained for nine

years, and then came to Canton, and for the next three years he was employed in the Ault- man shops. Then he engaged in business on his own account, and how well he has succeed- ed is evidenced by the extensive business they are now doing. His success has been the result of his own personal efforts, industry and econ- omy, as, when he first arrived in New Philadel- phia, he had but $25 left on which to begin business in a strange land and among a strange people. He is now a member of Canton Lodge, No. 60, A., F. & A. M., of which he has held the office of J. W .; he, however, joined the order in his native country. In September of 1854, he was married to Miss Mary A. Benskin, a native of Margate, England; eight children have been born to them six daughters and two sons.

MARTIN WIKIDAL, retired, Canton ; was born in Moravia, Empire of Austria, Oct. 8, 1800. Of his parents, Ignatius Wikidal and Magdalena Palasheck, he is the youngest son and the only surviving child of a family of twelve children ; having received a good education in his own language in Vienna, Austria, he repaired to France, where he was employed for some six years as clerk in the store of his brother-in-law, John Dryfuss ; he then became a manager in the concern and took charge of the whole business for about eight years ; at the expiration of this time he sailed for America, and, having arrived at New York, he passed on to Canton, Stark Co., Ohio, in June, 1833 ; here he met friends from his native place, who persuaded him to remain and engage in business ; he complied with their request, and for the first six months he con- nected himself with a mercantile firm of Can- ton, during which time he learned the method of transacting business in this country; he then visited New York City, purchased a stock of goods and began business in earnest in the little town. In August, 1834, he embarked in trade in C'anton, and until October, 1868, he remained one of the prominent, influential and leading merchants of the city ; at the latter date he retired to private life, having by his industry and frugality accumulated a hand- some competency. In 1847, he erected a fine business house on the spot now occupied by the Stark County Court House; it was a three story brick with a front of sixty-six feet ; he sold it in 1868, and it was removed to make

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place for the present building. Among the local positions occupied by him may be men- tioned : a Member of the Canton City Council, a stockholder in the P., F. W. & C. R. R., a Director in the Canton City Bank, being its President for a number of years ; he is also at present a stockholder in the Valley Railroad, between Cleveland and Canton. On Aug. 23. 1834, he married Fredricka Schaefer, daughter of Philip Schaefer, an early settler of Stark Co .; this union resulted in the birth of ten children, six living ; Louis Wikidal is engaged in farm- ing near Topeka, Kan .; William Wikidal in the late war served in the 10th O. V. I. in the Quartermaster's Department, and is at present a member of the firm of Bucher, Gibbs & Co., plow manufacturers, Canton, Ohio ; Edward Wikidal is a rubber goods merchant of Cleve- 1 land, Ohio ; Emma is Mrs. John B. Bucher, of Canton ; Clara married Robert S. Shields, a member of the Stark County Bar, and Julia is Mrs. Fred Hurxthal, of Cleveland. Dur- ing his long mercantile career, Mr. Wikidal has ever been noted for his industrious habits, close attention to business and sterling integ- rity. The great principle of his life has been to do right, and such was his disapproval of dishonesty that whenever he found any one crooked in business transactions he would rather lose a small amount than engage in litigation ; notwithstanding the long period in which he was a leading merchant of Canton he - never brought suit against any one ; neither was he ever sued ; his business life has been a model example in all those essential elements of success which are so frequently lacking among selfish and unprincipled business men. The old gentleman is now in his 81st year, and as a result of having been temperate and moral in his habits, he is enjoying good health ; he has been a citizen of Canton for almost half a century, and is held in high esteem by the com- munity as one of its most successful and hon- orable business men. Formerly a Whig, he has been a Republican since the organization of that party.

WILLIAM S. WILLIAMS; Canton, soldier and civil engineer ; was born near Canton, Ohio, April 23, 1835. His parents were George Williams and Mary Smith. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and became a resident of Stark Co. as early as 1816. But few industries were open to the early settlers of

that date, and his vocation was principally farming and the manufacture of brick. I- dustrious, honest and enterprising, he was soon looked upon as a valuable acquisition to the band of pioneers. William S. spent the first twenty years of his life on a farm, receiving his education at the public schools of Canton. When yet a young man, he served as a Lieu- tenant in a militia company called the C'anton Light Guards, and was afterward made Cap- tain of the Canton Battery. Possessing a su- perior mathematical mind, his inclinations early turned to the department of civil en- gineering and its kindred branches, and. while in high school, he paid special attention to his favorite science. With this preliminary prepa- ration, he fitted himself for his profession by his own personal efforts ; by private study, and by practice in the field. His first engagement was as AAssistant Civil Engineer of the South- west Branch of the Pacific Railroad. running from St. Louis into the Indian Territory. In 1858. he was admitted to the bar in Ohio, and in Missouri in 1859, having previously read law under the late Judge G. W. Belden, of Canton. In the spring of 1861, he entered the service of 1 the Government as Lieutenant in an independ- ent battery of artillery, and was engaged. among others, in the battles of Scarry Creek and Hawk's Nest, in Western Virginia, being Chief of Artillery on the staff of Gen. Frank P. Blair. In November, 1861, he was commis- sioned by Gov. Dennison to raise another bat- tery, which was known as the 3d Ohio Inde- pendent Battery. with which Mr. Williams served as Captain, making for himself a highly creditable military record. Ile participated, among others, in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Raymond, Champion Hills, siege of Vicksh urg, Clinton, Siege of Atlanta, Ezra Church, Jones- boro and Lovejoy Station. He was, for a part of the time, Chief of Artillery of Gen. Logan's staff, 2d Division, 17th Army Corps, and sub- sequently he occupied the same position on the staff of Gen. M. D. Legget. After the fall of Atlanta, the artillery of the 17th Corps was formed into a brigade, and Capt. Williams was assigned to the command of it as Chief of Ar- tillery, and served as such until mustered out of the service in December of 1864. During his whole military career, Capt. Williams dis- tinguished himself as a brave soldier and an excellent and intrepid officer. His superior

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qualifications for his position. together with his gentlemanly bearing and courteous manners. rendered him one of the most popular officers in the corps. Ile is a member of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, of which he has been honored by the office of Vice Presi- dent. In polities, he is a Republican. Shortly after his return from the army. he was ap- pointed County Surveyor for Stark Co .. and served one term. and was subsequently for several years City Engineer of Canton. In 1872. he was appointed resident Civil Engineer of Public Works of the State of Ohio, which position he still occupies. In the years 1872-73 and 1876-77. he was Inspector of Railroads for the State of Ohio, respectively. under the Commissioners Walcot and L. G. Delano. On Jan. 17. 1872, he married Anna. daughter of the late Dr. Frederick Hurxthal, of Massillon, and has one son Frederick Williams. Capt. Williams is a gentleman of fine scholarly at- tainments, and occupies a prominent rank among the leading civil engineers of the State. Hle is thoroughly devoted to his department of industry, and his military and professional rec- ord alike entitle him to high regard as a patriot and a citizen.

II. W. WERTS, of H. W. Werts & Co., manufacturers of carriages, Canton ; is a native of Lehigh Co., Penn., and was born March 29. 1832; his parents were Jacob and Mary (Wagoner) Werts, natives also of Pennsylvania. II. W. was brought up to farming, receiving his education at the district schools, and at the age of 16 years he was apprenticed to the trade of carriage-making. at Wadsworth, Medina Co., Ohio, the family having moved to that place in 1846. His father died there, and his mother moved to Michigan, where she died, in 1878. After serving a three and a half years' appren- ticeship. Mr. Werts worked as a journeyman with C. A. Collins, of Middlebury. Ohio. for eight years, and in 1859, came to C'anton, and established his present business. He started in partnership with David Stebbins in a small way, continuing some five years, when Mr. W. became the sole proprietor. Later, he admitted D. J. King as a partner, which firm continued seven years, when Mr. Werts again became sole proprietor, and has so continued to the present time. He makes a specialty of carriages, and ships goods to all parts of the country, even West to California. Dee. 6. 1859. he was mar-

ried to Miss Frances Mason, a native of Mid- dlebury. Ohio. He is a Republican in politics.

JOSEPH WEAVER. lumber and mannfact- urer. Canton : was born in Plain Tp .. this county, Dec. 27, 1833 ; and is a son of Joseph and Margaret (Sweigart) Weaver. Joseph. Sr., was a native of Plain Tp., and was born in 1808 ; his wife came from Pennsylvania with her parents when quite young. His father. Valen- tine Weaver, was a native of Virginia, and re- moved to Ohio in 1806. He entered 300 acres of land in Plain Tp .. and as his sons grew up he gave them each a piece of land. He was a farmer, and confined himself to that business, and died upon the place of his settlement. Joseph, Sr .. was also a farmer. and resided on a part of the old homestead, and a part of the time kept a hotel, and was also a Justice of the Peace. He was thrown from his horse, receiv- ing injuries from which he died. in October, 1833 ; his wife died some eight years later. Joseph. Jr., was young when his mother died, and lived with an unele until he was 16. when he was apprenticed to Henry Bemenderfer, of Canton. to learn the carpenter's trade, continu- ing with him until he became of age. when he took a trip to lowa, and bought some land in that State. After some eight months' absence. he returned to Canton. and worked at his trade until 1868. when he became a member of the firm of Willis, Benskin. Weaver & Kaily, manu- facturers of sash, doors, blinds, etc .. in which business he continued three years, when he sold his interest, and went into the lumber business, which he has followed ever since. In the fall of 1879 he added manufacturing, making a full line of building material. Mr. Weaver is a Republican in politics, was Council- man for 1873 76. and has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for twenty years. Dec. 14. 1858, he was married to Miss Susan Lawrence, a native of Lancaster C'o., Penn., who came to Canton with her parents. William and Mary (Stock) Lawaence, in ]>37. They were natives of Philadelphia. Six children have been born to Mr. Weaver, four of them are living, viz .: Allen. Edward. Ralph and Frank.

JACOB T. WELTY. retired farmer ; Canton: was born in Maryland, November. 1815. His father, Christian Welty. came with wife and four children to Stark County in 1835. Jacob was the oldest of the children, and had re-

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eeived a thorough academie education in his native State. After coming to Ohio he de- voted much of his time to teaching school and civil enginering for several years. In February, 1842, he married Phianna Klinker. She was a daughter of Jacob Klinker. of Pennsylvania, who had removed to New York thence to Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, in 1839. Mr. Welty turned his attention to farming after he was married, and has sinee conducted that business extensively, owning about 600 aeres in Stark County. In 1877, he removed to Canton and superintends his farms from here. Mr. and Mrs. Welty reared three children, viz .: Almon C., Ella N., now Mrs. David Nailor of Sturgis, Mich., and John C.

JOHN C. WELTY, attorney, Canton ; was born Sept. 10, 1852; he is the youngest of three children of Jacob T. and Phianna Welty, whose sketch appears above. The subject of these notes got a good publie school educa- tion and entered Bethany College, Virginia, in 1869; the following year he entered Mt. Union College and took a classical course. In 1873, he began the study of law with Judge S. Myers, of Canton, and at the fall term of the District Court at Canton in 1875, he was admitted to the bar. He opened an office in Canton and entered upon the practice of his profession, and was admitted to practice in the Federal Courts in 1878. He was elected City Solicitor in 1877, and re-elected in 1879, and re-elected in 1881, which office he now holds. Oct. 11, 1877, he married Miss Gra- ham, daughter of Charles H. Graham, of l'hila- delphia, and grandaughter of the Hon. Mr. Graham, who was the first State Senator from this district.

W. H. WYANT, Canton; who has for a number of years been in the employ of the Government in various capacities ; is a native of Washington Co., Penn. In 1836, his parents moved from his native county to Jefferson Co .. Ohio, he at that date being about 1 year of age. In 1845, they removed to Stark County and settled in Paris Township. Then his father, John Wyant, became a useful and respected member of the community. He was by trade a blacksmith, in which business he became en- gaged and which he conducted for many years. lle had been honored by such local offices as were within the gift of his friends, and for many years previous to his death, which occurred in

1872, he was a warm supporter of the cause of religion. and had identified himself with the M. E. Church. W. Il. was one of a family of eight children. His early life was spent in the home of his parents. Subsequently he became interested in and learned the art of photog- raphy, in which he engaged as a business and which he continued until 1864. In 1865, he entered the Government as Assistant Revenue Collector, the duties of which offiee he continued to discharge under this appointment for five years. Since the close of his duties as revenue collector, he has contined in the employ of the Government, filling the various offices of Inspect- or, Gauger and Storekeeper, and is at present, engaged in the discharge of the combined duties of the two latter. In polities, he is a Republican, and during the war of the rebellion he enlisted in the 100 day serv- ice. Ile is a member of Nimisilla Lodge, No. 39, I. O. O. F., and has passed all the chairs in the subordinate lodge in this order. For the past seven years he has been Secretary of Canton Lodge, No. 60, A., F. & A. M. He is also a member of the M. E. Church. July 3, 1857, he was married to Miss Anna E. Withrow, whose parents were among the old and prominent pioneers of Jefferson County, thio, of which she is a native. Their family comprises four children, the oldest of which, Frank M., who is now about 22 years of age, has been connected with the First National Bank of Canton since his 11th year.

DANIEL WORLEY, clergyman, edueator and Legislator, ('anton; was born Feb. 28, 1829, in Harrisburg, Penn. His father, Thomas Worley (now deceased), was a descendant of the early Moravian settlers of York, Penn. Of a family of seven children, three are living - one son, Prof. F. M. Worley, is now teaching as Principal of one of the public schools of Harrisburg, Penn .; and Richard Worley, another son (now deceased), was occupying the position of Principal of the High School in the same city. Our subject was the oldest in the family, and, after receiving the advantages of the common schools and Academy at Har- risburg, he entered Pennsylvania College at Gettysburg, and completed a thorough elas- sical course, graduating therefrom in Septem- ber, 1850. Having the ministry in view, he re- paired to Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, with the intention of studying theology. While

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doing so, he accepted and filled the position of tutor two years, with such satisfaction that he was prevailed upon to take a permanent posi- tion as Professor of Mathematics and Natural Science, which chair he occupied for eleven years. The institution became one of the lead- ing universities of the State. Prof. Worley will long be remembered by many of the lead- ing business and professional men, who were formerly his pupils, as one of the most success- ful and best edueated teachers in the State. In 1852. having completed his theological studies under the instruction of Prof. Lehman, now President of Capital University, he was licensed. and, in 1855, ordained a minister of the Lutheran denomination. In 1863, he re- signed his professorship, and took charge of an academy in Greensburg, Penn., for one year. In the following year, he was called upon to take charge as Superintendent of the Public Schools of Canton, Ohio. Ile held the position for a period of eleven years. He took this po- sition when the schools were in an unsatisfactory condition, but, by intelligent classification and judicious management, he brought them up to a high state of efficiency and usefulness. At the close of his labors in the public schools, he retired from public work, about a year after which he started a private school with good success. In the fall of 1877, he was nomi- nated and elected by the Democratic party as Representative from Stark Co. to the Legisla- ture by a majority of abont one thousand. After serving out his term, during which he was elected Chairman of the Committee on Public Schools and on Codification of School Laws, he returned to Canton, and resumed teaching. While in the Legislature, he was recognized as a strong advocate of all measures

for the education of the masses ; for the devel- opment of the resources of the State, and the protection of the liberties of the people. While at Capital University, he received the nomination of the Whig party for Representa- tive to the Legislature, and in the following year the nomination for Congress. This was in the waning days of the Whig party, and he. of course, suffered defeat. In Canton he has, at different times, served as member of the City Council and Board of Water-Works. In his politicaf career as a candidate and officer, he bas, both publicly and privately, wielded a strong influence over the people ; and, although firm in his convictions and fearless in his de- nunciations, he has never descended to the arts and devices of the political trickster. From the time he was ordained, in 1855, he has not been derelict to his ministerial vows, but has always officiated as Pastor of some flock, and has devoted himself to the profession, building up weak congregations ; restoring shattered and disbanded organizations ; everywhere preaching the Gospel, and performing the duties of a missionary. During the time he lived in Columbus. he edited the Lutheran Standard for nine years. This was the organ of the Joint Synod of the Lutheran Church, and, amid all the changes of the times incident to the war, he preserved its circulation, and proved himself an able editor and writer. He served also during one year as Principal of the High School at Columbus. On the 2d of November. 1852, he married Henriette, daughter of Prof. William Smith, President of Capital Univer- sity, and a clergyman of the Lutheran Church. Of two children born to Prof. Worley, but one -- a boy, Willie R .- is living.

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CANTON TOWNSHIP.

MARTIN BACHTEL, retired ; P. O. Canton. David Bachtel, the father of our subject, and the first white settler in Stark Co., was born in or near Ilagerstown, Md. His early life was spent on the farm, where he lived until 1801, when he left his native place to seek a home in the West. After a long and wearisome tramp, he arrived in Columbiana Co., this State, where he remained until the fall of the same year, when he pushed on to Stark Co .; he was obliged to clear a road or passage for fifteen miles, and the hardships he underwent cannot be told with any degree of certainty. Ile settled on 160 acres of land, then covered with heavy and dense forest ; he put up a small shanty, and cleared 4 aeres of ground. He then returned to Columbiana Co., and was there married to Elizabeth Sheely, who was a native of Adams Co .. Penn. Soon after their marriage, he re- turned to Canton Tp .. and there he toiled until he cleared his farm. He and his wife were members of the German Reformed Church. He died at the age of 55 years ; his widow reached the ripe age of 93 years. Martin, the subject of these few lines, was born on the farm where he now resides March 13, 1809. His childhood days were spent on the farm ; he at- tended the schools of his neighborhood, and acquired an education such as the schools in that early day afforded. lle lived at home with his parents until he became of age ; he then purchased the old homestead, and has remained on the same ever since, with the exception of four years he lived in Canton engaged in hotel keeping. In 1836, he married Miss Margaret, daughter of John and Elizabeth Winterrode, who was a native of this State. From that marriage there have been eleven children, eight of whom are living, viz .: Jacob. David. John. Daniel, Margaret, Ellen, Martin and Elizabeth. Mr. and Mrs. Bachtel are members of the Ger- man Reformed Church.

JACOB BOWMAN, farmer; P. O. North In- dustry ; is the eighth in a family of nine chil- dren born to Jacob and Hannah (Klinger) Bow- man, who were natives of Northumberland Co .. Penn., where Jacob was engaged in farming. In 1812, he came to Ohio, settling in Pike Tp ..

Stark Co., on a farm of 160 acres, which was covered with a dense forest : he cleared the farm, and lived on the same up to the time of his death. He was a man universally esteemed for his sterling integrity and honesty. He and his wife were both members of the Lutheran Church. He died in 1863, aged 84 years ; his widow died in 1872, aged 88 years. Jacob, the subject of this sketch, was born in Stark Co., Jan. 28, 1823 ; his childhood was spent on the farm, interrupted but slightly by educa- tional pursuits, as facilities of that kind were seanty and of an inferior order in the region of his home. He worked on the farm until he was 21 years of age ; then he purchased a farm of 80 acres in this county ; he, one year later re- moved to Crawford Co., this State, and settled on a farm of 240 acres, and there lived sixteen years ; he returned to Stark Co., and purchased a farm of 274 acres in Canton Tp., where he now resides. In 1844. he married Louisa, a daughter of Lewis Runyon, of Jefferson Co .. Ohio ; from that marriage there have been six children. three of whom are living, viz. : Be- linda, Mary J. and J. R. Mr. Bowman is a stalwart Republican, and during the war was the only Republican in Chatfield Tp .. Crawford Co., who dared to cast his vote.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 113

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