History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 114

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 114

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JOIIN H. BRENNER, farmer; P. O. Canton ; the subject of these few lines was born in Lau- caster Co., Penn., his birth occurring Aug. 5, 1821. llis parents, Michael and Susannah Brenner, were natives of the above-named county, where they passed their life on the farm. The early years of young Brenner's life were passed on the farm ; he received a com- mon school education, and after leaving school worked at home on the farm until he was 18 years of age ; his father then dying. the responsi- bility of a farmer rested on John, who at that time was well versed in the management of the same ; he continued to live on the homestead until 1856, when he came to Stark Co., settling in Canton Tp., where he purchased 450 acres of valuable land ; he now lives on the farm where he settled in 1874. When the Farmers' Bank of Canton was organized he was elected its President, holding the position up to the pres-

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ent time, and is one of the five stockholders. In 1867, he made extensive purchases in west- ern lands located in Anderson Co., Kan .; he improved the same and sold at an advanced price ; he has also been engaged in the milling and grain business. In 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Fannie, daughter of Jacob Lintimuth, who was a native of Lancaster Co., Penn .; from that marriage there has been nine children, four of whom are living-Susannah, Fannie, Ada L .. and Amos L. Mrs. Brenner is a member of the German Baptist Church. Mr. Brenner is a Republican in polities and is a strict adherer to his party.

J. CARNES, farmer ; P. O. Canton ; is the seventh in a family of eleven children, born to John and Hannah Keiser Carnes. John was a native of Lancaster Co., Penn .. and came to Stark Co., in 1808 : he settled in Pike Tp. on a farm ; he was engaged in teaming and hanled the first dry goods over sold in Canton ; as he accumulated means, he engaged in the distilling business, and for several years he did a suc- cessful business. John Carnes, the subject of this, was born in Pike Tp., Stark Co .. Ohio, Jan. 1. 1829 ; his childhood was passed on the farın ; he attended the common schools of his neighborhood and acquired a good education ; at the age of 21 he engaged in farming and stock dealing and raising, and continued in the same until 1866, when he disposed of his farm and purchased 455 acres in Canton Tp .. where he now resides ; he has one of the finest farms in the county, and is considered one of Stark County's best and most prosperous farmers. In 1853. he married Miss Esther, daughter of Jacob Miller, of Tascarawas Co .: from that marriage there has been five children, four of whom are living. viz .: Allen A., Upton MI .. Curtis J., and Junius B. Mr. and Mrs. Carnes are members of the Lutheran Church.

OTTO GIESSEN, brewer : P. O. Canton ; was born in Rhine-Bavaria. July 14. 1845; the youngest son of a family of seven children, born to Henry and Elizabeth Giessen. His father is an attorney by profession, and was appointed State Attorney for Rhine-Bavaria ; therefore. occupying position and influence. young Giessen's early manhood was spent prin- cipally in attending school. In 1865, although a mere youth, he emigrated to the United States. landed at New York. and came direct to Cleveland, where he secured a life scholarship

in the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College, and took a course in book-keeping. In the lat- ter part of the same year he began to learn the brewing business with Schmidt & Hoffman, where he remained until the latter part of 1569, having been their foreman for some time before leaving. He accepted a position as foreman of the Gessler Brewery, at Akron, and subso- (mently took an interest in the establishment. which lasted until 1872. In the meantime he visited Europe, and returned after a four months' sojourn. In 1872. be purchased the Graber Brewery, located two and a half miles from Canton, in connection with which are 7 acres of land. February, 1872, he married Julia Angne, daughter of George and Kate Angne of Akron, Ohio. They have four chil- dren - Frederick, Otto, Charles and Homer. Mr. Giessen is a member of the Knights of Pythias.

DAVID E. GERBER. farmer : P. O. Canton, was born where he now resides JJuly 6. 1834. His grandfather, Christian Gerber, came from Pennsylvania to Stark Co., about the year 1810. Ile had a family of several children when he came, and entered considerable land in the southern part of the township, and had his sons located around him as soon as they began for themselves. When his son Elias ar- rived at manhood, he married Maria Richard. She was born in Switzerland. in 1810. and in company with her brother emigrated to the United States in 1827. Elias Gerber retained the old homestead, which is now the property of his sons. He had a family of six children. five living, and of whom David E. is the oldest. Oct. 14, 1558, David E. married Emeline King. daughter of Abraham and Phorbe King. They have had eleven children, nine of whom are liv- ing, viz. : Clara E .. Melissa, Katie, George, Mary, Elva, John, Edward and Jennie. Mr. Gerber owns 131 acres of good land, which has been retained in the family name since his grandfather entered it. Mr. and Mrs. Gerber are members of the Dunkard Church. 1 brother, George, enlisted in the late war and died in Tennessee, from a wound received while participating in the battle of Murfreesboro.

Another brother, Christian II., also enlisted in October, 1862, and served until the close of the war, six months of the time being spent in rebel prisons in the Sonth.

PETER KREIBUILL. farmer; P. O. Canton ; is the second of a family of seven children born

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to Jacob and Fanny (Miller) Kreibuill, who were natives of France. Jacob was engaged in farming from his childhood ; he was a soldier under the French government. In 1839, he came to America, and at once started for Stark Co., Ohio. Ile took up his residence in Wash- ington Tp .; he settled on a farm of 80 acres. After living on the 80-acre farm a few years, he purchased another farm in the same township, and there lived until his wife died ; after that, he went to live with his son, Christian. where he now resides. He is a faithful member of the Mennonite Church. Peter, the subject of this sketch. was born in France April 20, 1836, and when but 3 years old, came to Obio with his parents. The early years of his life were passed on the farm of his father; he attended the com- mon schools of his neighborhood, and acquired a liberal education. He lived at home until he was 25 years of age, he then began farming the homestead, where he remained two years. He subsequently removed to Canton Tp., and rented the farm where he now lives ; for four years he rented, and, in 1869, he purchased 40 acres, and has been making additions until now he owns 101 acres of valuable and well improved land. In 1861, he united in marriage with Miss Mary. daughter of Peter (Fraber, who was a native of France, and came to Ohio about 1856. From that marriage there has been ten children, seven of whom are now living, viz .: Lucinda A., Susanna M., Catharine L., Emma N., Lizzie C .. Harvey L. and Mary A. Mr. Kreibuill has by his industrious habits acquired considerable means.

ADAM KNOBLOCH. brewer. Canton ; was born in Prussia in the year 1843. His parents, Henry and Elizabeth Knobloch, were natives of the same province. Henry was for several years engaged in hotel-keeping. In 1846, he came to America, settling in Stark Co. He was engaged in farming in Plain Tp. for two years, he then removed to Richville, this county, and there remained eight years. In 1856, he came to Massillon and engaged in the grocery business, which business he conducted until 1875 ; during this time he was engaged in the malting and grain business. He is now living a retired life in Canton. Adam, the subject of this sketch, was but three years old when he came to Stark Co .; his childhood was spent on the farm ; he received a common education ; at the age of 14, he commenced to clerk for his

father, and with him remained until 1872; he en- gaged with C. N. Oberlin. of Massillon. as clerk, and with him remained three years. In 1875, he came to Canton and purchased a half-interest in the Union Brewery, and, in 1880, he became sole proprietor. He has since his connection with the same, added a malt house ; now, he is doing business to the amount of 4,000 bar- rels per annum. He is a member of the Ma- sonie Lodge No. 47.

MRS. G. A. LOWMAN, retired, Canton ; whose maiden name was Sarah A. McCormick, was born in Pittsburgh, Penn. ; her parents, John and Sarah (Hays) MeCormick, were na- tives of Scotland, and for several years were residents of the North of Ireland. Mr. Me- Cormick eame to America at an early date, and settled in Pittsburgh, Penn., where he engaged in the wholesale mercantile business ; he was a gentleman of considerable wealth, and did a successful business for several years. They were the parents of three daughters, Mrs. Low- man being the eldest. At the age of 20 she married Dr. Thomas Bonfield, who was a native of Baltimore, Md .; he attended the schools of his native city and served with gallantry in the war of 1812. At the close of the war, he studied medicine, attended and graduated from a med- ical college in Baltimore ; he then came to Canton on a visit, and was persuaded to locate there ; he did so, and for thirty years had a successful practice. Ile died in 1855, at the age of 59 years. From that marriage there were three children, one of whom is living, viz .: Lida, wife of F. A. Snyder, of Omaha, Neb. In 1877, after being a widow for twenty- two and a half years, she married the Rev. G. A. Lowman, who was a native of Morgan- town, W. Va. He died six months after their marriage, at the age of 59 years.

JACOB S. LEHR, farmer; P. O. Canton. The subject of these few lines was born in Berks Co., Penn., May 18, 1826, and is the ninth in a family of sixteen chikIren born to Samuel L. and Elizabeth (Hallabaugh) Lehr, who were natives of the Keystone State, where Samuel was engaged in the milling, millwright and carpenter business. In 1828, he came to Stark Co., settling on a farm in Osnaburg Tp., where he lived until he died ; he was engaged in contracting and building, and built many of the industries of Stark Co. He died in 1858. aged 75 years ; his faithful companion lived to

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reach the ripe age of 85 years. Jacob, the subject of this short sketch, came to Ohio with his parents in 1828, he being at that time but 7 years of age. He remained at home on the farm until he was 18 years of age : he received a common school education, and at the age of 18 he went to Canton, and apprenticed himself to the blacksmith trade ; he served an appren- ticeship of three years ; he then began business for himself in Mapleton. this county, where he remained eight years. Having a desire to be- come a land-owner, he made a purchase of 80 acres of land in Osnaburg Tp., where he lived nine years, working the farm and at his trade during this time. In 1867, he removed to Can- ton Tp., and settled on a farm of 110 acres, where he now resides. In 1852. he was united in marriage to Miss Mary MI , daughter of Peter Schwartz, of Osnaburg Tp. She died in 1868. at the age of 37 years; she bore him four children, viz .: William, of Marshall Co .. Ind .: Charles, on the homestead; Lamaan, wife of George Zellers, of Osnaburg, and Malinda, wife of Isaac Zellers. of Osnaburg. Mr. Lehr is a consistent member of the Lutheran Church, and a Democrat in politics.

JOSEPHI C. MILLER, farmer: P. O. Canton; was born in Wayne Co .. Ohio, Oct. 23. 1842. His parents were Jacob and Lena (Kindlespar- ker) Miller, and were among the early settlers of Wayne Co. They were natives of the State of Pennsylvania, and came from Somerset Co. to Wayne Co., Ohio, about the year 1820. They reared to maturity a family of ten children. of whom Joseph C. is the fourth. He was reared to the various pursuits of farm life. and re- mained at home until of age. At the outbreak of the late war, he responded to the call of the country for men; but six weeks after his enlistment, he was taken seriously ill. and was discharged from further service. June 5. 1861, he married Sally Kurtz ; she is a daughter of Stephen Kurtz, who was one of the pioneer set- lers of Lawrence Tp., Stark Co. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have two children-Franklin and Ira. In 1866, they rented the farm where they now live, and four years later they purchased 118 acres, at $8.750. They began for themselves without much means, but have secured and made a beautiful and pleasant home by con- stant application and hard work on the farm ; it is now in an excellent state of cultivation, besides being underlaid with a valuable vein of

coal, of good quality, which he has been mining for the last eight years. Within the last three years he has put on improvements in the way of residence and barn, at a considerable expense. which are as commodious as any in the town ship.

J. E. MISIILER, farmer : P. O. Canton ; is the sixth in a family of thirteen children born to Henry and Nancy (Eberly) Mishler, who were natives of Center Co .. Penn .. where Henry was engaged in the milling business. In 1839. he came to Ohio, settling in Suffield Tp., Por- tage Co .. on a farm, where he lived until 1851. when he removed to Canton Tp .. where he engaged in farming ; he remained a resident of Canton Tp. up to the time of his death. Both he and his wife were devout members of the Church of Christ. J. E. Mishler, the subject of these few lines, was born in Lancaster Co .. Penn .. March 20. 1835. When but four years old. he came to this State with his parents ; the early years of his life were passed on the farm . he attended the common district schools, and acquired a good education, and when but 17 years of age he began teaching, and for several years he taught in Summit and Stark Counties. At the age of 22, he engaged in farming, and in 1367 he purchased a farm of 185 acres, and has lived on the same ever since. In 1870, he was called to the ministry. fo take charge of the Canton branch of the River Brethren Church. and has for the past eleven years been a faith- ful and diligent worker. In 1858, he married Miss Mary A .. daughter of Christian Brilhart. who lived but a short time after their marriage; in 1860, he married for his second wife. Miss Nan- cy A., daughter of Jonathan Forkler, of Stark ('o. From the last marriage there have been six children, five of whom are living, viz. : Ellen. Harvey, Emma, Willie and Laura.

JACOB MYERS. retired. C'anton ; was born near Carlisle. Penn .. Sept. 11. 1820. His parents, John and Jane Smith Myers, wore natives of Pennsylvania, where John worked at the blacksmith's trade up to the time of his death, which occurred while our subject was quite young ; soon after his death. Mrs. Myers came to Ohio and settled in Columbiana Co .: she was obliged to work in order to maintain her fatherless children : she married for her second husband Henry Freed, of Columbiana Co .; shortly after this they came to Stark Co .. where she lived a short time, then she removed

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to Iowa, where she died in 1880, aged 80 years. Jacob was left fatherless when but 3 years old and without means; he lived with his mother until he was able to earn his own liveli- hood ; then he was placed among strangers ; at the age of 17. he was apprenticed to the shoe- maker's trade ; after he finished his trade, he commenced working and for three years he carried on a shop in Canton ; he then removed to lowa and took up a farm and there remained tout years ; he subsequently returned to Stark Co .. and settled on a farm where he resided until 1868, when he bought 100 acres three miles south of Canton, where he now resides. In 1841, he married Miss Catharine, daughter of Alpheus Brown ; she died in 1868, leaving four children, viz .: Sarah, Lucinda, Alfred J. and Mary P .: in 1870, he married Polly, the widow of Jacob Rowland, of Canton. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Disciples' Church.

WILLIAM NIESZ. farmer ; P. O. Canton ; was born in Canton Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, May 28, 1822. He is the oldest son of Rev. John and Mary (Young) Niesz ; George Niesz, his grandfather. with his family, came to Stark Co. in 1805; they settled south of Canton and there the father of our subject was reared to manhood, having been about 6 years old when they arrived here ; he, John Niesz, mar- ried Mary Young, and to them were born nine children, viz .: Elizabeth E., wife of W. S. Titus, of Michigan ; William; Mary, wife of S. S. Bard, of Logansport, Ind .; Jacob JJ .; George W .; Barbara, who resides in Logans- port, Ind .; John K. : Benjamin F., of Den- ver, Col., and Sarah, wife of Elam G. Smith, of Newtown, Ind .; the mother of these has been deceased many years, but their father was again married and died in 1872, leaving a widow, who resides with John K. John Niesz united himself early with the church and was engaged in the work of the ministry for a long time, and was one of the early and active preachers in this vicinity dur- ing the early growth and settlement of the county. The subject of these lines was the oldest son, and was principally engaged, in early manhood, in the care of the farm. In December, 1844, he married Delilah Roush, and settled on the farm where he now resides ; they had six children, viz. : Mary, deceased wife of Henry A. Cavnah ; John F., Jacob N., Uriah,

Artie and Delilah ; Mrs. Niesz died in January, 1854; he then married Annie E. Niesz, who died in January. 1864, leaving four children, viz .: Frank B., Henrietta. wife of Cornelius Foust ; William S .. and Sarah B. Mr. Niesz has a well improved farm of 160 acres, where he enjoys the comforts incident to an indus- trious and temperate eareer. lle is a member of the United Brethren Church, and of which | he is leader and trustee of the congregation ; he has also been a member of the society of Patrons of Husbandry, and the Stark County Horticultural Society for several years.

CHRISTIAN NIESZ, farmer; P. O. Canton ; was born in this township Jan. 27, 1912. His father, George, and mother, Mary (Weaver) Niesz. were natives of Pennsylvania, and with their six oldest children came to Stark Co., Ohio, about the year 1805. They settled about four miles south of Canton, which was then an unbroken forest. Through the day Mr. Niesz would work at clearing his farm, and in the evenings and night time, for years, did the blacksmith work of the neighborhood. striving to support his large family, which was increased by three children, who were born after coming here, whereby he broke down his health and died when Christian was about 10 years old. The widowed mother kept her large family to- gether three years, when the messenger of death summoned her away from her earthly charge. This left a large family of children, who were scattered about the country with strangers. When about 17 years of age, Christian began to learn the tanner's trade, with James Hazelett, of Canton, where he re- mained about four years. The business did not result in a pecuniary success for young Niesz, so he abandoned it for the chair-making business, and under agreement with his em- ployer was to get 50 cents per set for framing common chairs, the usual amount being one set of six chairs per day, but in two weeks practice Mr. Niesz was able to make double that number, or one dozen chairs per day, which resulted in jealousy of his employer at his ability to earn $1 per day, when 50 cents was considered a fair day's wages. He worked at the chair bnsi- ness about seven months, then, on his own ac- count, embarked in the manufacture of saddle- trees, which was in every respect a success. He purchased property in Ashland with the inten- tion of establishing a chair factory there ; but

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being advised by his young wife to turn his at- tention to farming, and for which he had a natural adaptibility. abandoned his idea of chair manufacturing. He was married to Julia. daughter of Jacob Smith, of Canton, in March, 1835. They have two children-Elizabeth. now wife of Isaac Doll; and Harriet, now wife of Joseph Maxwell. Mr. and Mrs. Niesz are now well advanced in years, and are enjoying the luxuries of a well spent life; having begun with little they have now a competeney of this world's goods. They came to their present farm in 18144, which was at that time in timber and brushwood. untouched, but is now one of the neatest farms of this township.

GEORGE NEHIER, stockholder and Manager of Stark Mills, Canton ; was born in Wurtem- berg, Germany, in the year 1836. His father, George Neher, was a native of the latter named place, where he was engaged in contracting and building, which business he carried on success- fully for several years. As be advanced in years, he engaged in the milling business, and in this was engaged up to the time of his death. George, the subject of this sketch, received the advantages of a good education. and when but 10 years old he had advanced sufficiently in his studies to enable him to enter the language school of his native city ; here he remained until his was 14 years old. His father had in- tended he should become an architect, and it was for this purpose he was pursuing his studies. But. at the age of 14. he was his father's assistant, and one year later he appren- ticed himself to the miller's trade, serving an apprenticeship of three years ; he then, in order to perfect himself in his trade, traveled exten- sively through many of the European countries. In 1857, he came to America. and came to Columbiana Co., Ohio, where he worked by the month on a farm for eight months. He then obtained employment at his trade, and remained in the mill for four and a half years. He sub- sequently purchased a mill property in Will- iamsport and there remained four years ; he then removed to Allegheny City, Penn .. and en- gaged in the manufacture of glue : this busi- ness he conducted but a short time, as he was glued out (using his own words). March, 1880, in company with J P. Rouch, Harvey Ellison and John Webb, they purchased the Stark Flouring Mills, situated two miles south of Canton. At the time the company was organized. he was

put in as Manager and Superintendent. He was united in marriage to Miss Susan Faulk, of Columbiana Co. From that marriage there have been seven children.

MICHAEL SARVER (deceased). Canton ; was born in Westmoreland Co., l'enn., Jan. 1 f, 1835. His parents were John and Margaret (Kepple) Sarver, both natives of Pennsylvania. After a thorough public school education, young Sarver entered the Mount Pleasant Col- lege, where he took a course of study for several years. He began the study of the law under the direction of Hon. Edgar Corwin. of Greensburg. Penn .. and in 1860 was admitted to the bar. Ile thereupon opened an office in Greensburg, and practiced his profession until 1865, when, in consequence of failing health, he was unfitted for the close office duties necessary to his profession ; and. with a view of recruiting his health. he came to Stark Co .. Ohio, and purchased a farm of 125 acres, adjoining the corporation of Canton. Hle married Eliza .1. Anderson, Sept. 27. 1859, daughter of Cun- ningham M. Anderson, of Pennsylvania. To Mr. and Mrs. Sarver were born six children, five of whom are living. viz .: Mary M., Harry D., John ML, William E. and Edith C. In 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Sarver, with their family, removed to Santa Barbara. Cal .. where they resided three and a half years. In the mean- time, Mr. Sarver became much interested in the mammoth grape vine, which has been described in story, and has been one of the chief attrac- tions of its native place. Space forbids any- thing like full details of Mr. Sarver's course with this great natural curiosity, of which he became the owner, while in Santa Barbara. For several years the vine showed signs of decay beyond recovery. whereupon Mr. Sarver set about seetionizing it, and preparing it for exhibition during the centennial year at Phila- delphia. The work of seetionizing and taking the vine up was begun Aug. 17. 1875 ; it was out in sections, so that it could be set up again in its natural position. The main branches near the trunk are marked alphabetically ; many of the large branches were so interlocked that it was impossible to separate them ; these were bolted together where they crossed each other, and cut in sections of eight feet and a half in length. The sections are connected by means of dowels and irons, so that they can be connected on a trellis averaging eight, sixteen.

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twenty-four or thirty-two feet, as required, in their original or natural position. The trunk is left whole, and is about ten feet long ; its diameter. three feet from the ground, is four- teen inches, and nearer the ground its diameter is eighteen inches, or fifty-six inches in eireum- ference. Its foliage covered a space equal to 10.000 square feet, its product was often esti- mated at 7,500 clusters, averaging about one and a half pounds each, or nearly 12,000 pounds of grapes annually, which were maturing and ready for use from August to January. On the day of shipment from Santa Barbara to Philadelphia, Mr. Sarver was offered for this curiosity the sum of $10,000. which he refused. Although Mr. Sarver was in delicate health. his ambition was equal to the occasion. and by his indomitable courage and will-power, his exhibition of the vine was really a grand suc- cess, having netted $5.000. At the close of the Centennial Exposition he returned to his home in Canton to recuperate from the toil and (x- eitement which had almost exhausted him physically, with a purpose in view of putting his curiosity on a general round of exhibitions.' but his exhausted and weak physique failed to rally, and his life of activity closed in death March 18. 1877. The great natural curiosity, in which Mr. Sarver was so much interested. is still the property of the family. and in a good state of preservation, and may be said to be the most singular natural curiosity in Can- ton.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 114

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