History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 130

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 130

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FRANK M. ORR, tin, stove, and hardware merchant; Allianer: was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, July 12, 1838; the son of John and Elizabeth (Adkinson) Orr, who came from

Virginia to Ohio, and located in Harrison Co. His father was a mill-wright by trade, but af- ter coming to Ohio his time was spent prin- cipally in farming. They reared eight chil- dren of whom Frank M., is the only survivor; he got the advantages of a good common school education, and being left to his own resources at 10 years of age, he learned indus- try and economy out of necessity. At 15 years of age he began to learn the tinner's trade in Carrollton, Carroll Co., and in 1856 removed to Canton, where he worked at his trade until 1862. In the spring of that year he moved to Alliance, and set up in business for himself, where he has continued in the tin, hardware, stove and house-furnishing trade ever since. In his business career there existed a partnership until 1873, which termi- nated then by Mr. Orr purchasing the entire business, immediately preceding the panie of 1843; in this he was a heavy loser, but through energy and good executive business taet he surmounted the impending difficulties of trade and has done a flourishing business sinec. In October, 1859, he married Isabel Grim, for whom he had formed an early attach- ment in youth, in Harrison Co. By this union were born cight children, six of whom are liv- ing, viz .- Alice (now Mrs. II. H. Highland), Elmer E., Kittie, Lon A., Wilham J. F., and Edna B. Mr. Orr has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1800, and is a member of the Royal Arcanum.

MORRIS C. PENNOCK, hardware mer- chant and banker; Alliance; of the firm of Wright & Pennock; was born in Chester Co., Penn., May 22, 1830, and is the son of John and Sidney (Chambers) Pennock. The Pen- nock family in this country trace their ances- try back to one t'hristopher Pennock, who was an officer in the Britisharmy, but on em- bracing the religion of the Quakers, he resign- ed his position in the army and came to Pennsylvania with Win. Penn, when the lat- ter came to this continent on his second visit. Christopher Pennock had three sons who were the heads of the various branches of that family now in the United States, The parents of our subject removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1832, and settled about eight miles south of Salem, where they farmed about 10 years, and then moved to the near vicinity of Salem, where they now reside; their ages re-

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spectively being 19 and 74 years; they reared a family of five children, four of whom are living, viz .- Elizabeth, now Mrs. Jos. Davis; Morris C .; Rachel P., now Mrs. C. Bonsall; and Sidney M. They were brought up to farm life, and got a liberal education in the public schools. Morris C. attended a private school in Salem, and for six or eight years he taught school in the winter, and worked on the farm during the summer. In March, 1857, he married Emma E. Wright, daughter of Redmond Wright, of Trumbull Co. They had one child, now deceased. For the pur- pose of learning the hardware business, he accepted a clerkship in an establishment of that kind with Chessman & Wright, of Salem, which he retained until 1862; when a partner- ship was formed between himself and Mr. Al- fred Wright. Their present hardware honse was established, and to it Mr. Pennock gives his undivided attention. In all their busi- ness enterprises they have been greeted with that success which awaits industry and hon- est effort. He is one of the originators of the First National Bank of Alliance, which was organized in 1872, and has been a member of its Board of Directors ever since the organi- zation, and is now the Vice-President. He has also been a member of the City Council, and is president of the Board of Education. Mrs. Pennock, his first wife, died in 1862; and in May, 1868, he married Mrs. A. Keith, nee Colestack; she has one child, Chas. S. Keith, by her first husband, who is engaged in the store.

WILLIAM REYNOLDS, retired train conductor and merchant; Alliance; was born in Monmouthshire, England, Aug. 5, 1821. When he was about 20 years of age his brother John, their father, George Reynolds, and himself emigrated to the United States. They came to Fallstown, Penn., where their father engaged at his trade, that of wire- drawing, as did the subject of these notes; but death called John away ere they had been long in this country. In 1851, our subject engaged with the Ohio & Pennsylva- nia R. R. Co., now the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., as wood contractor while it was being con- structed. As soon as the road was in order for running trains, he was employed as bag- gage master on the train, and was soon pro- moted to conductor, in which capacity he has

been on every grade of train from the gravel or construction train, up to the " Lightning Express," being the conductor on the first Lightning Express, and the conductor on the last trip made by the Lightning Express, which trains were run during a period of heated competition of the " Trunk" Lines. Ile married Margaret J. McDonnal, of Alli- ance, in 1853, formerly of Florence, Pern. Subsequent to their marriage, he settled on a farm and in 1860, they came to reside in town where they have remained ever since. They have one child-Elizabeth Jane. In 1863 he opened a hotel in Alliance, having se- cured a contract for supplying the soldiers who were called thither, this being the headquar- ters of the Provost Marshal for this district. Hle is a gentleman of shrewd business facul- ties and has been several times in the mercan- tile business; when proper opportunity would present itself, he would purchase or sell out his business, and never devoted himself to any special branch of business; with all he has been favored with success. le united himself with the Masonic fraternity in New Brighton, Penn., and with the lodge there, he has sustained his membership for a period of upwards of twenty-five years.

WILLIAM A. ROUTSON, master of trans- portation on the Eastern division of I'., Ft. W. & C. R. R .; Alliance; was born Sept. 24, 1841, in Wayne Co., Ohio, and is the second of a family of eight children, born to Samuel and Jane (Morrison) Routson. His father was extensively engaged in the manufacture of stone-ware and sewer-pipe, which business he conducted for many years. William A. received a liberal education, and early in life began to learn the art of telegraphy, and was variously employed as operator and superin- tendent's clerk, at Mansfield for some time. On leaving Mansfield he was given charge of the railroad and telegraph offices at Wooster, where he remained several years; thence to Massillon, and had charge of the railroad office there as freight and ticket agent, until 18:2, when he was promoted to Master of Transportation on the New Castle and Law- rence branches, of the Pennsylvania R. R. In 1875 he was appointed to his present posi- tion, including also the Massillon Branch R. R. His position is one of much responsibility and

trust. During these many years of railroad

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business in the various departments, from the least up to his present position, he has always ben faithful and diligent in the discharge of his duty. In October, 1865, he married Eliza K. Finley, daughter of Rev. Robert M. Finley, a Presbyterian Minister, of Wooster, Ohio. One child is the result of this union- William A., Jr.

HI. R. RUTH, merchant: Alliance; was born in Lancaster Co .. Penn., Jan. 10, 1831, the fifth child of a family of twelve children born to Peter and Kesiah (Regar) Ruth, both na- tives of Pennsylvania. They removed to Ohio and settled in Osnaburg, Stark Co., en- gaging in the hotel business, where they re- mained about fifteen years, and finally re- moved to Columbiana Co., where they died, well advanced in life; he in his 87th, and she in her 80th year. When about 16 years of age, young Ruth engaged as clerk in Minerva for a short period, thence went to Canton where he held a similar position with M. Wik- idall: thence to Osnaburg, and engaged with the Kountz Bros., who are now so favorably and well known as bankers and merchants in New York, Omaha and Denver. In 1853 he established a store of general merchandise in partnership with George Sloan, Sen., in Han- over, Columbiana Co., where he conducted business until 1860, and thence went to Au- gusta, where he was in business three years. He came to Alliance in 1864, and was in the mercantile business a short time when he ac- cepted a position as commercial traveller, and remained in that capacity about ten years. In 1877 he opened a notion and fancy-goods store, and does a prosperous business. He married Hannah Hamilton, Sept. 28, 1854, of Hanover. They have five children, viz- Charles, William, Clifford, Frank and Katie. Of his father's family of twelve children, eight are still living-Elizabeth, married Charles llaines, of Minerva, who is now in the oil trade at Oil City, Penn., since 1860; Mary A., has been twice a widow, her first husband was R. Smith, after his decease she married William Frost; William, married Adaline Kountz, and resides in Denver, Col .: Matilda, deceased, was wife of Henry Shaffer, of Saline, Ohio; Kate is now the wife of Augustus Kountze, senior member of the Kountze Bros. Banking House, New York; Jefferson is a resident of Utali, dealing in agricultural implements;

Emma, unmarried, resides in Hanover, Ohio; Rufus C. is a commercial traveler for a Phila- delphia house for the last six years.

HENRY SHAFFER, farmer and shipper of moulding sand; P. O. Alliance; was born in Washington Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1834; the fourth of eight children born to Samuel and Mary (Berger) Shaffer, whose sketch appears in this work. His parents moved to Alliance when he was quite young. He went out to his uncle Jonathan Shaffer's, where he lived three years. When about 16 years of age, he began to learn the carpen- ter's trade with James K. Blackburn, and fol- lowed that business until 1856, in the mean- time having contracted and built many farm buildings. Dec. 24, 1855, he married Eliza- beth Chance; they have one child, Franklin HI. Mrs. Shaffer is a daughter of Perry and Lovina Chance, of Alliance. For two years he was running a saw-mill, and in 1858 he rented a small farm and turned his attention to farming, which lasted only that season. Having lost all his crops by the severe and memorable freeze in June, 1858, he became disgusted, and secured a position on the l'., F't. W. & C. R. R., as a brakeman, but was soon placed in charge of a freight train; then promo- ted to conductor on a passenger train between Ft. Wayne and Chicago, having his residence in the latter place, from 1861 to 1866. They returned to Alliance, when he quit railroad work, where he has remained since. lle purchased a small farm of 43 acres, on which is found valuable beds of moukling sand, for

which there is a good demand in the mould- ing establishments all over the country, from Pittsburg east, to Indianapolis and Chicago in the west Mr. Shaffer has been a member of the Masonic Siternity since 1866. He has been a Director of the Alliance & Lake Erie Railroad, and for two years Superintendent of said railroad, and one of its promoters.

JOHN SEFERT, meat market; Alliance; was born in Canton Tp., Ohio, July 17, 1832. He is the oklest son of ten children born to Michael and Sally (Wills) Sefert. They came to Stark Co., about 1828, when much of it was yet in its natural condition. Their child- ren are-John, George, Carolina (deceased), Sarah, Michael, Christian, Heury, Washing- ton, Cora and Alice. Having spent his early manhood on his father's farm, John engaged

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in the butchering business in Waynesburg four years, when he removed to Alliance and opened up the same business here which he closed out in a year to take a position on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., where he was em- ployed ten years, nine of which he was con- ductor. He then resigned his railroad posi- tion, and started again in the meat market in Alliance, which he has continued ever since. Nov. 13, 1854, he married Anna Griffith, a daughter of Jacob Griffith, of this county. They have had nine children, viz .- Carolina, Ilulda E., George H., William E., Franklin (deceased), Mary A., Salome B., Emma A., and one died in childhood. Mr. Sefert is a quiet, industrious citizen, and has been a member of the Masonic fraternity for the last sixteen years.

RALPH SCRANTON, deceased, was born in Atwater, Portage Co., Ohio, August 12, 1812. In youth he learned the cabinet-mak- ing business in Ravenna, and worked at his trade in Deerfield for ten years. In 1846 he purchased a small farm in Lexington Tp., Stark Co., and carried on his trade in connec- tion with his farming. They sold out in 1850, and removed to the farm where his widow now resides In the fall of 1835, he married Eliza- beth Pickering. She was born in Dorchester, Eng., Oct. 23, 1814, a daughter of Joseph and Annie Pickering, who with their seven children, emigrated to the United States in 1830; came direct to Deerfield, Portage Co., Ohio, where they located and remained until their death. To Mr. and Mrs. Scranton were born ten children, nine living, viz .- Lovina, Irving, Edwin E., Pamelia, Harrison, Albert, Louisa, Alline and Rosetta. Mr. Scranton died April 10, 1867. Two of their sons par- tieipated in the late war-Irving and Edwin E. The former was, at the time of the out- break of the rebellion, a resident of Iowa, and enlisted in the 16th la. V. I., was seriously wounded by gunshot at the battle of Pitts- burg Landing, from whence he was discharged because of disability.

EDWIN E. SCRANTON, railroad agent; Alliance ; was born March 2, 1840, while his parents resided in Deerfield, and is the third child of the family. He was educated at the Public Schools, and at Mt. Union Col- lege, where he took a course extending over two years. For two years he taught school in

the counties of Stark and Portage. He en- listed in the late war, Oct. 28, 1861, in Co. B., 65th O. V. I. On July 1, 1864, he was pro- moted to First Lieutenant, and steadily rose in favor in his regiment. Jan. 1, 1865, he was promoted to Regimental Adjutant, and Nov. 30, was mustered out, with the rank of Cap- tain. His war record is in every respect highly honorable, and so far as escape from injury is concerned, was exceedingly fortu- nate, considering that he participated in four- teen of the most prominent battles of the whole campaign; among which we may mention the engagements at Shiloh, Stone River, Chicka- mauga, Mission Ridge, through the Atlanta Campaign, Franklin and Nashville, besides many skirmishes. On his return from the army, he farmed two years, then disposed of his interests in that line and for the greater part of his time since was in the employ of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Co., engaged in office work at Alliance, until the spring of 1881, when he engaged with the Lake Erie & Alli- ance R. R. Co. lle attends to general office work, and is agent for said company at Alliance. Feb. 28, 1866, he married Hannah, daughter of Robert and Abigail Wood. They have five children-Melville, Clarence, Lau- rin, Evelina and Edison E. Mr. and Mrs. Scranton are members of the M. E. Church. He has been for two years a member of the City Council, and served three years on the Board of Education of Alliance, and for two years Assistant Superintendent of the Sunday School.

JACOB SHAFFER, treasurer and secre- tary of the Alliance Bagging Co .; Alliance; was born in Washington Tp., this county, July 3, 1828. He is the son of Samuel and Mary M. Shaffer, who is referred to elsewhere in this work. His boyhood was spent in his father's store as clerk while he was yet quite young, in which capacity he continued many years. On attaining his majority he entered into partnership with his father in the mer- cantile business; they established a general store of merchandise, besides handling pro- duce largely. They also took in as partner one A. C. Hanger, the firm name being S. Shaffer & Co., which was dissolved in 1857. Our subjeet then embarked in the dry goods trade with Mr. Keplinger for about three years. In 1862 a partnership was formed be-

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tween himself and Mr. Elv, in the mercan- tile business which lasted until 18;2. In the meantime he and Mr. Ely had taken an in- terest in the bagging manufactory, and ore long Mr. Shaffer joined the latter establish- ment, and has been an active member of the firm ever since. He was married to Emeline Stanley in March, 1848. She was a daughter of L. B. Stanley, of Mahoning Co. They have six children, viz .- Minerva ... , Emma S., Alonzo T., Frovilla, Charles C., and Henry C. Mr. Shaffer is one of those unassuming, quiet business men, who watch their own business interests without courting a superficial popu- larity. He has been elected, and served sov- eral years as member of the Alliance Town Council.

GEORGE SEFERT, meat market; Alli- ance: was born in Canton, Ohio. March 3, 1834; the second son of ten children born to Michael and Sally (Wills) Sefort. He was brought up to farm work in youth, and when about 16 years of age, he went to Wheeling, Va., where he was engaged in the glass-blo x- ing business about five years. Returning to this county he engaged in farming and stock- dealing with his father, who was largely en- gaged in driving live stock. In 1858 he opened a meat market in Waynesburgh, and the following year moved to Minerva, where he continued his business until 1862. On Feb. , of that year, ho enlisted in the 38 0. L. A. of the late war, and was assigned to duty as Sergeant, and afterward was promot- ed to Orderly Sergeant, then to 2d Lieu- tenant, and then to Senior Ist Lieutenant, in which capacity he served to the close of the . Alliance-and opened the second store ever war, having participated in many of the impor- in this place. Ile was early identified with the United Brethren Church, of which he was Trustee for many years, but subsequently uni- ted himself with the M. E. Church, which de- nomination granted him a license to preach, but being of a reserved and retiring turn of mind, he never entered on ministerial duties. He was a man of good business ability, and did much for the general welfare and devel- opment of Alliance. In partnership with his son Jacob, be built the provision warehouse now owned by Jacob Lower, and conducted business there several years. He was cho-on Township Trustee, which office he held for many years. Mr. anul Mrs. Shaffer were par- ents of nine children, eight of whom lived to tant battles of the war, among which we men- tion the engagements of Raymond, Miss., Jack- son, Miss., Champion ilills and Seige of Vicksburg. He then returned home and re- fruited soldiers for six months, and again joined his regiment which was then at t'airo, Ill., but soon advanced to Georgia, participa- ting in the Kenasaw Mountain engagement, Chatahoochee River, and Atlanta, on the 22d of July, 1864, where Gen. McPherson was killed. Ilis regiment was then sent back to Nashville, Tenn., where they remained until the close of the war. Ilis war record has been of a character to reflect lasting credit. September, 1865, he came to Alliance and es-

tablished his present business, and has in con- nection with it, engaged extensively in live- stock dealing ever since. He married Bar- bara Weaver, of Osnaburg Tp., March 28, 1858, and there were born to them two child- ren-Amelia and Charles.

SAMUEL SHAFFER, deceased; was born in eastern Pennsylvania, in 1803; the sec- ond child of a family of thirteen children born to William Shaffer. William Shaffer came to Ohio with his family in 1814, and lo- cated in Washington Tp., Stark Co., where he entered considerable land. His numerous family of children all lived to maturity, and he and his wife remained in the same place until their demise, which occurred many years ago. Their sons all settled in Ohio, but some of their daughters removed to the west with their families. Samuel married Mary Barger, Sept. 20, 1825. She was daughter of Christian Barger, a minister of the United Brethren Church, who came with his family from Pennsylvania early in the spring of 1825, and settled at Harrisburg. Stark Co. Ile labored in the good canse for about three vears in the pioneer settlements, when the Master called him from earthly scenes. Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer pursued their farming voca- tion about two and a half miles southwest of Mt. Union, until by rheumatism he was dis- abled in one leg, being then less able to in- dulge in active work of the farm, and still re- taining his usual energy, he was determined to do something; so he opened a grocery at his residence, which he conducted for about three years. In 1841 he moved to Freedom-now

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maturity, viz :- Jacob, Henry, Samuel (was a | conductor on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R., on which he sustained fatal injuries at Massillon,) Isaac, Sarah, Susan, Sophia and Lucinda. Mr. Shaffer died Feb. 7. 1877. Mrs. Shaffer is left in very comfortable circumstances, and is remarkably hale for one of her age, and es- pecially for one who has cared for so large a family. and borne the burthen and withstood the trials of pioncer life. was brought up. When about 19 years of age, he began to learn the carpenter's trade, and continued in that business about eight years. In February, 1851, be accepted a clerkship in a dry goods store, and followed that vocation for various employers for a pe- riod of six years. In 1862 he entered into the employ of the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago R. R. Co., at Alliance, and in No- vember, 1863, was appointed freight and REUBEN SHIDLER, proprietor of livery stable; Alliance; was born in Paris Tp., Stark Co., Ohio, July 3, 1837. His father David, and his mother, Lydia (Fryfogle) Shidler, were both natives of Pennsylvania, and removed to Ohio when young. The Shidler family were among the early settlers of Paris Tp. Our subject is the fourth of a family of nine children, six sons and three daugliters. His boyhood was spent on the farm, but when about 14 years of age, his father removed his family to Homeworth, and there engaged in the steam saw-mill business, remaining un- til their demise. Young Shidler engaged in ticket agent of the Company at this station, and has remained here ever since. He mar- ried Sarah Ann Greenawalt, Nov. 1, 1850, of Montgomery Co., Penn. They have three children living, viz .-- S. Edgar, Zoe F., and Carrie B. During these years of service, where there is a great deal of responsibility, Mr. Shimp has invariably been equal to the task and is kind and sociable under all cir- cumstances; at all times willing and prompt to oblige and accommodate the patrons of the railroad, or any who may call on him in any capacity. With business reputation above sus- picion, he holds the friendship and universal the lumber trade, which he continued for a ! indorsement of the business men of Alliance.

GEORGE G. SMITH, physician and sur- himself to the care of it for about three years, geon; Alliance; was born in Trumbull Co.,

time; when he purchased a farm and devoted but on the beginning of the oil excitement in Pennsylvania, he repaired thither, but re- turned in a short time and sold his farm, and engaged in the hotel business at Homeworth for three years. In April, 1870, he came to Alliance, intent on establishing a dray-line, which he concluded, on his arrival, would not be a paying arrangement. He leased a small stable, and in partnership with Albert Reed, turned his attention to the livery business. Soon thereafter he purchased a lot and erect- ed his present stables. The partnership rela- tion of the firm was dissolved by Mr. Shidler purchasing the interest of Mr. Reed in the stable in March, 1881. He married Hattie King, of Columbiana Co., in 1858. Their only child is William W., now with Mr. Se- fert.

Ohio, Jan. 31, 1837. His parents were Phil- ander and Martha (Freer). Smith, of New York, who removed to Ohio about 1833, and settled in Trumbull Co. They reared eleven children. Mr. Smith was by occupation a mill-wright. After a common-school educa- tion, the Doctor set out in life for himself. He came to Alliance when a mere youth and entered into the employ of Drs. Wilson & Armstrong, in the capacity of drug-clerk. He became interested in the study of med- icine and while clerking, spent his leisure hours in study, consequently his employers became at the same time his preceptors. He was in very limited circumstances, as he was depending entirely on the resources of his own labor, to furnish means of support and education; in consequence of which the completion of the medical course was somewhat retarded. Ile accepted a clerkship in a drug store in Janesville, Wis., where he remained one winter; thence to Cincinnati, where he held a similar position, and while there Medical College. In 1859 he removed to Michigan, and began the practice of medicine

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History of Stark County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 130

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