History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 124

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 124

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der for two years, which was known as Yost & Snyder, when his partner dropped ont, Mr. Yost continuing the business alone until after the war, when he took in Mr. Garver as part- ner for three years; after this dissolution, he took in his brother William, they adding the tanning business, who continued with him until 1877, when another change was made, to George Yost & Co .; in 1880, he purchased the "Co." interest; since that time, the busi- ness has been carried on by the sons of our sub- ject, under the firm name of Yost Bros. Mr. Yost has since been engaged with Mr. Jones in the tannery. March 11, 1855, Mr. Yost was united by marriage to Elizabeth F. Ben- nett, who was born May 8, 1844, in Kent, England; she was a daughter of Thomas and Fannie (Judd) Bennett. Mrs. Yost came to this country with her mother in 1846. Mr. Yost has had ten children born him, viz., H. B., G. W., Mary F., E. Arletta, Everett, Sarah E., Ervin, Edward, Charles and Henry, nine living: Sarah E., deceased. In business, Mr. Yost has always been conscientious and up-

right in all his dealings with his fellow-mon, and an honest workman. He and wife are members of the M. E. Church; he is also a member of the I. O. O. F., having passed through the subordinate degrees to the en- campment. and in politics is a Republican.

OTTO E. YOUNG, attorney at law, Mas- sillon; Prosecuting Attorney of the city of Massillon for 1880 and 1881; was born in this city Nov. 29, 1857, son of Michael and Rosa (Minich) Young. Michael Young was born in Alsace in 1821; came to Ohio in 1836, and located in Massillon in 1840. Mrs. Young, the mother of our subject, is a native of Prus- sia. The fruits of the union are five children, viz., William, Flora, Charles, Otto E. and Ida. Otto was educated in this city, and, after his graduation in 1876, he began reading law with Anson Pease; was admitted to the bar May 10, 1880, and elected City Solicitor three days after his admission (in the spring of 1980), and has fulfilled the duties of the office with credit to himself and with evident satis- faction to the people.

PERRY TOWNSHIP.

IRA M. ALLEN, Superintendent of Roach School, Massillon; was born May 11, 1821, in Rensselaer Co., N. Y. He is the third son in a family of six children of Caleb and Huldah (Dawley) Allen, natives, the former of Rhode Island, and the latter of New York. Up to fifteen years of age he lived on a farm and attended a common school. He then spent two years in Skaneateles Academy, New York, and at IS began his career as a teacher in Ontario, County, in the same State, for four years. In 1842, he came to Stark Co., Ohio, and for three years was engaged in teaching the public schools at Kendal and vicinity. There he gathered together the nucleus, which was afterward to prove the crude though potent beginning of the system of township central high schools in Ohio. He remained in this connection for some seven years, with the exception of a part of a year spent in a select school in Canal Dover, Ohio. He was

employed in 1849 as a teacher in the ok Canton Academy, previously under the charge of the late John McGregor and his son Arch- ibald, the latter now editor of the Stark County Democrat. Upon the organization of the Canton Union School, Mr. Allen was made Superintendent and served as such three years. In 1854, he became Superintendent of the Char- ity Roach School, in which connection he re- mained for ten years ; for five years subse- quently he was engaged in farming. In the fall of 1569, he was elected Treasurer of Stark County, and filled the office for two years. From 1871 to 1878, he was variously employed, part of the time as Superintendent of the Press Works of Canton. In April, 1878, he was again chosen Superintendent of the Charity Roach School, which position he yet holds. For twelve years or more he has served on the County Board of School Exam- iners, and while residing in Canton, from

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1869 to 1878, was one of the examiners of that city. In May, 1844, he married Ella Olivia, daughter of Senator John Graham of this county. Of five children by this union, four are living. His only son, John C. Allen, is a commercial agent and was for several years connected respectively with the Center Bridge Works, and with Russell & Co. Em- ma S. is the wife of Luitpold Sollman, a busi- ness man of New York City. The two other daughters reside at home, the elder of them being assistant in the Charity Roach School. For nearly forty years Prof. Allen has been prominently identified with the educational interests of the county, having been intimately associated with men of 'eminent rank in the profession. Deprived in his youth of anything more than an academic course, he is entirely self-educated. In politics, he is Republican: in religious belief, a Presbyterian.

JOHN G. BECK, farmer, Navarre: was born Aug, 11, 1807, in Wurtemberg, Germany, son of John George Beck and Anna M. Dill- man. to whom were born three children- two sons and one daughter. Our subject emi- grated to America with his parents when he was a mere lad. His father John George, was a soldier under Napoleon, and was with his army at the burning of Moscow, and crossed the Alps: his brother was in the same command, but was frozen to death while cross- ing the Alps on that memorable retreat. The parents of our subject died when he was very young : he was then early in life thrown upon his own resources. He learned the tin and coppersmith's trade which he followed in Lancaster Co., Penn .. for several years. Was married in May, 1849, to Lydia Cross, who was born in Essex Co .. Eng., and emigrated with her parents to Lancaster Co., Penn .. in 1843. Her parents were Joseph and Hannah (Miller) Cross, who had ten children: seven of the number came to years of maturity. Father was a cabinet-maker and upholsterer, and was a member of the Society of Friends or Qnakers. He died honored and respected in 1863, aged 82; his wife died in Angust. 1874, in her 87th year. The family was patriotic, as four-the sons of Joseph Cross -were soldiers in the late war, and whose names were. Joseph A., William, John and

James. John was wounded the first day of the battle at Nashville, and afterward died of his wounds: William died in service of dropsy; James raised a company in Lan- caster Co., Penn., and was chosen Captain of the same, and served his full term. He is now a clerk in the War Department in Wash- ington. D. C. Joseph is now in Lancaster City. Penn. Maria resides in Navarro, Beth- lehem, wife of William Johnson. Mr. and Mrs. Cross were Methodists. Mr. Beck came to Ohio in 1850, locating in Navarre, Bethle- hem Tp., where he worked at his trade, and dealt in tin and copper for several years. Moved to his present place of residence in 1868, having a farm of 1013 acres in the southeast quarter of Sec. 32. Has a large stone residence situated on an eminence. overlooking the plain below. making it one among the most desirable locations of the township. Since his location here has given his attention to farming. having acquired what he has by patient industry and econ- omy. Has four children- George H., John E .. Emma L. and Adelaide M. All of the family are members of the Lutheran Church.

SOLOMON BROWN, farmer, Canton; was born Feb. 2. 1804. in Schuylkill Co., Penn. His parents were John Balsar Brown and Christina Scholl, both natives of same county. Nine children were born them, viz .: Joseph. Solomon, Catharine, Moses, Rebecca, Diana, Elias and James. The grandfather of Solo- mon was George Brown, a native of Germany, who served as groom for Washington, in the war of the Revolution. He located in Schuylkill County when the country was sparsely populated. He had three children horn him- John Balsar. Maria and Elizabeth. Christina was the daughter of Peter Scholl, to whom six children were born- Jacob, Leonard, Peter, Henry. Adam and Christina. Jacob and Leonard served in the war of 1812. Solomon emigrated to Ohio in 1819, locating with his parents four miles south of Canton, upon 233 acres of land. part of which his father had traded for land in Pennsylvania. He died in 1828 and was among the highly esteemed citizens of his time, and a member of the Lutheran Church. Solomon remained on the homestead until after the death of his

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father, after which he took care of his mother. April 6. 1828. he married Elizabeth Hines. who was born in York Co., Ponn., in 1805, daughter of Jesse Hines, whose wife's maiden name was Fry. In 1833, he located on the farm he now owns; he purchased 160 acres at a cost of $6 per aere: but about twenty acres of which was cleared. Of eight children born five are living- Sarah, married Daniel Yonkman, and resides in Kansas: Maria, wife of Absolom Spunhour, of Orville. Wayne Co., Ohio: Cecelia, married Daniel Deckard; Re- becca. Harriet, George and Jesse, in this township. Mr. Brown is a member of the Lutheran Church.

JOHN DECKAR, farmer; P. O. Canton; was born in Canton Township Jan. 21. 1529. and is a son of Daniel Deckar, one of the pio- neers of Stark County, born Nov. 15, 1796. in Center Co., Penn. He married Catharine Brown. daughter of Balsar Brown, who was likewise an early settler in the county. The Deckar family are noted tor their longevity, the father of the above. now abont eighty tive years of age. retains very much of the vigor of his early years, and thinks nothing of walking six miles to visit his son, or to go to Canton. He has been a resident of the county nearly sixty-five years. To him have been born John, Rebecca, Mrs. Michael Frederick, of Canton: Amas, in Canton: Hannah, Mrs. Michael Yohe, who resides in Indiana; Jane, Mrs. Ephram Richards, in Canton; and Renben on the homestead. John remained at home until 23 years of age. Feb. 2. 1550, he mar- ried Caroline Miller, born Feb. 18, 1832, in this township, daughter of George Miller, who was one of the early settlers in this township. Subsequent to his marriage, he purchased a small farm in Canton Township, upon which he lived until 1867. when he moved to this township, purchasing 95 acres which he has improved very much, erecting new buildings throughout. Has four children Cyrus. Mary M., Bradley C. and Charles. Was formerly Democratie, but since the Know-Nothing party ceased to exist he has been a Repub- lican.

JOHN FREEMAN. farmer; P.O. Massillon. Is a native of Essex Co .. N. J .. born Jan. 16. 1810. the oldest of a family of six children who

came to years of maturity. His parents were David and Susanna (Little) Freeman. The former a native of Massachusetts, having a family of seven sons. David being the young- est of the number. The Freemans are of English and the Littles of French descont. The father of Susan being a Frenchman. At the age of IL. our subject had the misfortune to lose his mother, his father marrying again. This union was not a satisfactory one to John, who never lived at home afterward, but worked out, and made his home among strangers. his father reaping the fruits of his labor. At the age of 16, he bought his time and from then was his own man. He came West to Ohio in 1826, with a man by the name of Wells, with whom he lived several years, being industrious and watchful, he was soon after made foreman for his employer, romain- ing in Jefferson Co., Steubenville, until 19 years of age, when he came to Stark County, and married about the year IS39. His wife was Mary Scott, born in IS12, in Scotland, daughter of John and Elizabeth Scott. who came to this township when the country was comparatively now. Mr. Freeman subse- quently purchased land of his father-in-law. and has since been a resident of the township. The following are the children: Elizabeth, wife of Ambrose Whipple; Mary. Mrs. George Ingold. in Plain Township: Jonnett, wife of James Whipple: Susan resides in Rice Co .. Kan., wife of John Baily: Agnes. in this township. wife of Jacob Deweese: Anne, married Gabriel Swihart, of this township: Delia. Mrs. Swinehart. in Wayne Co., Ohio; Arletta, married Lester Nave: John and Orrin. in this township. Mr. Freeman has about 300 aeres of land and is a prosperous farmer. He and wife are members of the Baptist Church His mother was a Presbyterian: his father was not a member of any church: was a soldier in the war of IS12.

JOHN P. FLOOM. farmer: P. O. Canton; was born June 28, 1826, on the Alleghany Mountains, in Cambria Co., Pou .. the fifth child of a family of ton children, born to Francis X. Floom and Annio Ake. He was born in Baden December, 1791. and emigrated to Bucks Co .. Penn .. when a young man. He was a cooper and brewer by occupation.

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June 20, 1819, he married Annie Ake, who was born in Berks Co, Penn., Feb. 21, 1802, daughter of Peter Ake and Magdalena Case. Mr. Floom came West to Stark County in 1833, and settled in Perry Township, pur- chasing a small piece of land on the south- east quarter of Sec. 11. His means were lim- ited, but being industrious and frugal he added to his first purchase at different times, as his means would allow, until he aequired 90 acres. For several years kept public honse, at the same time carried on his farm- ing. His death oeeurred Oct. 22, 1859. The children born him who came to maturity were Joseph, John P. and Mary L. Joseph was a physician and practiced his profession at Louisville, Nimishillen Tp., for several years, now deceased. Mary L., wife of John Whip- ple, and resides in Jersey Co., Ill .; John P. was raised on the homestead to farming pur- suits. At an early age he left home and for five years was engaged in Russell's Shop on wood work: the business being too confining and impairing his health, he abandoned his mechanical pursuits, locating on the home- stead farm in 1852, where he has since re- mained. In 1868, married Mary Spirnagle, a native of this county. Her parents dying young she knows but little of them. Three children-Edwin B., Otto B. and Ama E., are the names of the children born him. Mr. Floom might be termed a genius, of the mechanical order, having planned several inventions. Has a fine ear for music, which he exeentes nicely on his favorite instrument, the violin. The family are members of the Catholic Church.

WILLIAM HOLLINGER, farmer; P. O. Massillon; born in Franklin Co., Penn., May 9, 1824, being the fourth of a family of seven : children. His parents, John and Catharine! Hollinger, were natives of the Keystone State. Abraham Hollinger was the grandsire of William; he was a native of Germany, and emigrated to Pennsylvania. He had four sons and two daughters-Abraham, Jacob, William, Isaac, John, Barbara, and one name| not known. Jacob was 9 years of age when his parents came to this State, locating in ! Perry Township, and purchased 46 aeres of land. He died shortly after his arrival in , now living, are John, in Canton Township;

this county, leaving the family of children in charge of his wife. Of the number who grew up were Polly, Mrs. M. W. Babb, now of Defiance County; Samuel has settled in Nebraska, and engaged in farming: Josiah, in Perry Township; Peter, Hiram, Joseph, and Lucinda, deceased. His mother died in August, 1874, aged 72. William remained at home until April 15, 1855, when he became the husband of Martha, daughter of John Armstrong. She was born in Tuscarawas Township on the southwest quarter of Sec. 25, in 1834. For two years after his marriage he lived on land of Jacob Umbenhower. In April, 1859, he moved on the farm he now owns, having saved $1,200, which he invested in land, buying at first 60 aeres, which belonged to Dwight. He now has 82 acres, of land which is favorably located, with ele- gant house and barn thereon, all recently erected, the house being one of the finest farmhouses in the township. Has seven chil- dren, who are William H., Ada F., Harry, Lizzie N .. Minnie M., Emmet H. and Eveline. Ada is now teacher in the Union School ac Massillon, and is a lady of artistic taste. Children unmarried and at home.

DAVID KOONTZ, farmer, Massillon; was born June 13, 1813, in Huntingdon Co., Penn .. the fourth of a family of thirteen chil- dren. His parents were Jacob and Mary (Obenhour) Koontz. He was a native of Virginia, son of Peter Koontz, whose birth- place was England, and had two children, Jaeoh and Polly. Mary was a daughter of Harmon Obenhour, a native of Germany. Jacob Koontz, the father of David, emigrated to Ohio by wagon, in the year 1815, and set- tled in Nimishillen Township, where he rented land for several years, remaining here until after the death of his wife, then moved to Plain Township, where he lived two years, then came to Perry; this continued to be his residence until his death, which oceurred while on a visit to Indiana, during war times. The children born him were John, Susie, Jacob, Daniel, William, Lydia, Mary, Betsy, Barbara, Frederick, Christina. Sallie and Har- rison, all of whom lived to manhood and wo- manhood, except Harrisou. Of the number

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William, in Schuyler Co., Ill .; Frederick. in Minnesota; Sallie, who married Peter Nunne- maker; Christina, the wife of B. Smith, now of Michigan, and David. David was raised to agricultural pursuits and remained with his father until 23 years of age, after which time he engaged in different occupations for several years. February, 1839, married Annie Essig, born in Stark County, 1819, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth ( Weaver) Essig. After- ward lived seven years in Pike Township, then resided seven years in Bethlehem, when he disposed of his land and located in this town- ship, near Richville, where he lived until 1872. then located on 50 acres near the city limits, where he has settled for life. Wife died in 1874; she bore him six children- Alphens, Newton, Louisa, Jacob, Franklin and Calvin. Alpheus and Calvin reside in Albia, Monroe Co., Iowa. Newton and Jacob, in Norton Tp., Medina Co. Louisa, married Mr. Hoberstock. He has been a member of the Disciples' Church about forty years. In former years he was Democratic, but since Buchanan's time has been in the Republican ranks.

DR. J. L. LEEPER, physician and farm- er, Navarre; was born Aug. 27, 1515, in Nor- folk, Va., son of William and Eleanor (Louthers) Leeper, he (William) being a son of James, who was a native of Ireland, whose ancestors were natives of France, who left that country in consequence of religious persecu- tion. Eleanor was a daughter of Alexander Louthers, who were natives of Ireland. Will- iam Leeper, the father of our subject, moved with his family from Norfolk to Brooke Co., Va., about 1801, and came to Ohio in 1818, locating, first in Carroll County, and clearing up a farm, but was a machinist by trade: he was in the war of 1812, and at the battle of Fort Meigs assisted in burying the dead at River Raisin: he died in Carroll County in 1855, having raised three children-James L., William A. and Martha J .; William A. lives on the old homestead, in Carroll County: Martha J., wife of Hon. William Adair, of Carroll County, who was the framer of the Adair Liquor Law; and our subject, who was raised a farmer, and married, July 4, 1537, Sophia N. Dickey, born in Marietta, in 1820, daughter of Solomon Dickey. Dr. Leeper

came to this county in May, 1840, and settled, first, in Navarre, where he lived until 1870, engaged in the practice of medicine: while here at Navarre, he carried on a drug store for fifteen years; located in Perry Township in 1878, and has remained, where he owns 200 acres of land; one child has been born to him, George C .; all the family, on both his mother's and father's side, were Presbyterians, whilst he is a Methodist; was an old-line Whig, but never sought office; is at present a Prohibi- tionist: also a member of the Patrons of Hus- bandry.

SAMUEL F. LONAS, farmer; P .. O. Massil- lon; is a native of Bethlehem Township; is the third son and fifth child born to his parents. who were John W. and Leah Lonas, who were early settlers in that township. For a more extended notice of the family, the read- er is referred to the sketches of some of the older members of the family. Our subject was reared to agricultural pursuits, remaining at home until his marriage, with Miss Stoner, which occurred April 9, 1568; she ( Fianna) was born in Tusearawas Township, in 1547, daughter of Jonathan Stoner, one of the stanch farmers of that township; after his marriage, he farmed, renting land of his fa- ther three years, then purchased land, and remained on the same two years; then pur- chased 105 acres on Sec. 30, situated in the west part of Perry Township, where he has sinee resided, having it well improved and choice buildings thereon, and is a successful farmer: he has five children-Sarah W., Ollie R., Era J., Charles M. and Frederick. Mr. Lonas is a member of the German Reformed Church.

T. W. LERCH, blacksmith, Canton; was horn Oct. 11, 1841, in Nortumberland Co., Ponn., the oldest of a family of twelve ehil- dren, born to George W. and Eve (Kluse) Lerch, both natives of Northumberland County; they emigrated to this township in the spring of 1851. Our subject was raised at home, and learned the blacksmith's trade of his father. Ang. 9, 1862, donned the blue, and went forth to battle for his country, serv- ing until June 5, 1865, when he received an honorable discharge; he participated in twen- ty-one different engagements: Fort Mitchell,

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Knoxville, Cumberland Gap. Resaca. Dallas, Eutaw Creek. Atlanta, Columbia. Nashville, Franklin, Old Town Creek and Wilmington were among the more prominent engagements; with the exception of a sliglit wound in the hand, and a few bullet-holes in his clothing, he returned home safely; his regiment was the 104th O. V. I., Company E: upon return- ing home, he resumed his trade. In 1869, he married Sarah Kocher, born in Pennsylvania, daughter of Edward and Levina ( Beck) Koch- er: since his marriage, he has been engaged at his trade, carrying on business on his own account. at Lerchville. this township, and is doing a good business; his parents are yet living; his father was born Aug. 18, 1818, son of Jacob Lerch, who had six children born him, four sons and two daughters; Eve (Kocher) Lerch was born in 1819, and bore her husband twelve children, Thomas W. be- ing the eldest; eleven children are living, Jacob is a minister of the Reformed Church, of which his parents and T. W. are members: has five children-George E .. John W., Charles H., Elby F., Ellis S. and a babe unnamed; the family is Republican.

MRS. SARAH A. MILLER, farming: P. O. Canton: was born Sept. 15, 1829, in West- moreland Co., Penn; her parents were Boyd and Nancy (Long) Ward, both natives of Northumberland County: they were members of the Associate Reformed Church. Mr. Ward died 1856: his wife in 1840; ten children were born them, viz .: John, Mary, Nancy, Thomas, Rebecca, William, Henry, Edward. Sarah and Amos. Nancy was a daughter of Willian Long, whose children were Henry, Jane, Elnora and Nancy. Boyd was a son of Boyd Ward, who had two sons, Boyd and William. Dec. 28, 1853, Mrs. Miller was united by marriage to Daniel B. Ralston, born Dec. 5, 1826, in Lancaster Co., P'enn .. son of Paul and Eliza Ralston: removed West, to Stark County, locating in Canton Township, in January, 1854, where they lived three years. Mr. Ralston, in 1862, Ang. 20, went forth to defend the stars and stripes, enlisting in Company E, H5th O. V. I .; he died at Cincinnati. in the hospital, Jan. 21. 1863. Six children were born him -- Boyd, Henry, Caroline, Catharine, Elizabeth and

George, the two latter are deceased: Caroline married Aaron Race: Catharine. Henry Reese, both of this township. Jan. 5, 1865, she married George Miller, who was born Jan. 1. 1800, in Cumberland Co., Penn .; of a family of six children born to George Miller, who served in the Revolutionary war, and was Gen. Washington's hostler: he was a Methodist of the John Wesley type. his house being ever open for the reception of ministers, or to hold meetings: in early life he was a Democrat, but later in life, became affiliated with the opposite party; he died Nov. 16, 1870, aged 70 years 5 months and 15 days, leaving one son, George, Jr., who resides with his mother. Mrs. Miller has SO acres of land, and still holds to the religious tenets of the old Scotch Church of her parents, known as the Associate Reformed.

WILLIAM RITTER, farmer: P. O. New- ton, Jasper Co. ; was born in Stark County; son of Daniel Ritter, one of the pioneers of the county. William was raised in Perry Town- ship, and to farming pursuits: was married to Martha Shoemaker, and afterward settled near Richville, in Perry Township, removing to Iowa about the year 1856. and has since been a resident of that State, being located near Newton, Jasper Co., where he is engaged in farming. Several children have been born to him - Melvin, Luther, William, Ann, Charles, George and Harry; Melvin is a rail- road man, being employed on the Pittsburgh & Fort Wayne Railroad, where he has run an engine several years: the remainder of the children are in Iowa.

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 124

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