History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 125

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104

USA > Ohio > Summit County > History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio > Part 125

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JOIIN S. CLEMENS, foreman gearing de- partment of Aultman, Miller & Co., Akron ; a native of Stark Co., Ohio, was born Aug. 30, 1832, and is the oldest son in a family of three children born to Daniel and Leah (Cameron) Clemens, natives of Stark Co. His (subject's) grandfather, Nicholas Clemens, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and came from Pennsylvania

to Stark Co. previous to that war. At the age of 19, subject was apprenticed to learn blacksmithing at Paris, in Stark Co., where he worked until 1857, when he entered the employ of Aultman, Miller & Co., at Canton, as a blacksmith. He remained here until 1864, when, at the opening of the company's shops at Akron, he came here to take charge of the blacksmithing department, and was foreman of that department until 1869, when he was made foreman of the gearing department, which he has made very efficient. He was married in November, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth Flickmyer, of Paris, Ohio. They have two sons ; a daugh- ter died in childhood.

JOEL R. CARTER, of Carter & Steward, millers, Akron, a son of Joel R. and Mary (Dyer) Carter, was born in Devonshire, En- gland, March 13, 1841. His father was a miller, and when but a boy he began to learn the mill- ing business. He worked in the City Mills of London, England, about five years, and in 1865, he came to the United States and to Akron. He entered the present mill, where he worked for Robert Turner one year, and, in 1868, bought a fourth interest in the firm. He be- came half-owner in 1873, with Mr. Steward, firm Carter & Steward. In February, 1869, he was married to Miss Jane Rhodes, daughter of John Rhodes, of Cuyahoga Falls. There has been born of this marriage one son and one daughter. Mr. C. came here without capital, and by his own exertions has become one of Akron's stanch business men. His parents still reside in England, where his father has followed milling all his life, at Dotten, twelve miles from Exeter.

JOHN COOK, deceased, was born April 18, 1818, in Bavaria, Germany. On leaving school in his native country, he learned the trade of stone-mason, at which he worked until he came with his parents to the United States in 1839. He came at once to Akron, and found employ- ment in the ÆEtna Mills, where he soon became foreman in the packing department. He went overland to California in 1850. encountering many perils and hardships. He remained there two years in the provision business, and re- turned home via Panama route. In 1855, he started a grocery on Market street, and by close application to business built up a large and lucrative trade-was one of the largest dealers in Akron, and for several years the

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business partner of Jacob Dussell. When his sons John J. and William H. Cook grew up, he took them into partnership, which lasted until his death, Dec. 1, 1880. He was raised a Cath- olie, and at the organization of the German Catholic Church became a member, and was for many years a trustee and liberal supporter of it ; later in life was a member of the St. Vin- cent's Church. He was Councilman two years, and took an active interest in public affairs. He was married October 17, 1843, to Miss Mary Bilz, of Akron. She was born in Ger- many, Dee. 5, 1821, and came with her parents to the United States in 1836, and were among the early residents of Akron. Subject has two sons living-William H. and John J .; oldest son, Francis, died when he was but two years old.

DR. ISRAEL E. CARTER, retired, Akron, was born in Concord, N. H, April 8, 1810, where he lived in the vicinity until 1836. He began the study of medicine in 1831, and at the same time supported himself by teaching school during the winters. He graduated in June, 1835, from the Ver- mont Medical College at Woodstock, and came to Ravenna, Ohio, in May, 1836 ; being in poor health, he found he could not stand regular practice, so took up the study of den- tistry with Dr. M. T. Willard, of Concord, N. H., in 1835, and after coming to Ravenna began its practice. He did a successful business then from 1836 to 1843. when he came to Akron and located here permanently. He remained in active practice here until his election as County Treasurer in 1862, holding the office until 1867, being elected each time by the Repub- lican party. He was Mayor of the incorporated village of Akron in 1848 and 1849, and mem- ber of the School Board two terms. Owing to failing health, he has retired from active busi- ness. He was married July 4, 1840, to Miss Mary L. Williamson, of Ravenna. Three chil- dren by this marriage are living-Frances L. (Mrs. T. D. McGillicuddy); William HI., book- keeper ; and Charles E. His wife died June 19, 1862, in her 43d year. He is a charter member of Summit Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F., organized in 1845, and has always been an active and zealous member of it; was Deputy Grand Master one term.

HENRY J. CHURCH, merchant, Akron. Calvin Church was born in East Haddam,

Conn., in 1794, where the Church family set- tled on their arrival from England, in the lat- ter part of the seventeenth century. The early members of the family were in the war of the Revolution, and he was in the war of 1812, and Adjutant in the Ohio militia. He settled in Rome, Ashtabula Co., Ohio. in about 1804. Miss Susan Crowell, whom he married, was a sister of Judge Crowell, of Cleveland, Ohio. The Crowell family came from Connecticut about the same time that the Church family did, and were among the first pioneers of Rome. Ohio. Both families were strong churchmen of the Episcopal faith, and Bishop Chase preached in his grandfather William Crowell's kitchen. as early as 1819. The descendants have been Episcopalians ever since. To Calvin Church were born seven children, of whom the subject of this sketch is the youngest. His wife died in her 73d year, in 1876, and he in his 63d year, in 1856. Henry J. Church was born at Thompson, Geauga Co., Ohio, on April 16, 1845. In December, 1858, two years after his father's death, he came to Akron, where he en- tered the employ of Henry & Oberholser, as clerk, attending school during the winters for six years, at the end of which time he became salesman, with Oberholser, Keller & Co., con- tinuing for five years, when he received an in- terest, which, at the end of one year, he sold out. April 20, 1870, the copartnership of Wolf, Church & Beck was formed, and they did a large wholesale and retail business in dry goods. In 1878, Mr. Beck retired, and the firm dropped his name, being Wolf & Church. Their business rooms are at Nos. 200 and 202 East Market street, being 100x37 feet dimen- sions, with basement and second story. They employ eleven men and two ladies as clerks, salesmen and book-keepers. On May 6, 1868, he married Miss Mary H. Sanford, daughter of D. G. Sanford, of Akron ; she bore him six chil- dren. five living. He was confirmed in the Episcopal Church in 1869, as was also his wife. For ten years he has been Superintendent of the Sabbath school. He is a member of Sum- mit Lodge, No. 50, I. O. O. F., and has been its presiding officer, and was one of the charter members of Akron Lodge, No. 547, whose or- ganization he was among the first to suggest.

THOMAS W. CORNELL, Akron ; was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., Jan. 8, 1820, raised on a farm, and, at 22, with but little capital, com-

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menced in life for himself. He was for some time in a brewery in Auburn, N. Y. He came to Cuyahoga Falls in December, 1855, where he bought a distillery, which he conducted seven or eight years. In 1863, he came to Akron, Ohio, and became one of the original stockholders of the First National Bank at their first meeting, being elected President, which position he has since retained. The original capital stock was $100,000, and the deposits have reached to $250,000. Since 1865, he has been President of the Akron Gas Works.

REV. W. W. CASE, Pastor of First M. E. Church, Akron ; is a son of William and Polly (Hempsted) Case, natives of Rensselaer County, N. Y., and was born Dec. 13, 1838. His father was a farmer, and he was brought up on a farm until 17 years of age, when he commenced teaching, and at 19 became Superintendent of Schools of Dunkirk, N. Y. During the year 1858, he was converted, and soon after entered the ministry under the auspices of the M. E. Church, laboring for the first five years in Western New York. In 1864, he was trans- ferred to the Wisconsin Conference, and filled successively the pulpits at Edgerton, Beloit, Milwaukee (latter place three years), and then at Fond du Lac. He was transferred to the Cincinnati Conference in 1875, and stationed at Mt. Auburn Church, Cincinnati, for three years, and was then transferred to First M. E. Church of Akron. He is a member of the Examining Committee of Mt. Union College ; has been a member of the Board of Management of Law- rence University, and of Phoenix Literary So- ciety of that institution.

CHARLES CRANZ, Secretary of Wads- worth Coal Co., Akron ; is a son of Daniel and Wilhemina (Renz) Cranz, and was born Feb. 13, 1817, in Wiesenbach Village, Wurtemberg, Germany. He was educated in his native country, and spent two years as an apprentice in a drug store. At the age of 17 he came to the United States with his parents, arriving in Baltimore in July, 1834. They journeyed by team to Wheeling, Va., when the river proved too low for navigation. and they continued on their journey by land to Holmes Co., Ohio, where the father, who was a Lutheran minister, had letters of introduction to parties. He resided there until his death in 1876, in his 87th year, having continued preaching until the age of 82. Subject worked on a farm in

Holmes County two years, when he started out for himself, securing a clerkship in Nashville, Holmes Co., for a short time, when he went to Canton and became a clerk in a hardware store for six years. In 1842, he came to Akron, and together with F. A. Schneider (firm of C. Cranz & Co.), opened the first hardware store in the city ; while in business, donated arms to " Old John Brown." Continued for about ten years, when Mr. C. bought out his partner, and in 1865, E. B. Schneider became a partner, re- maining as such until 1875, when subject sold out to him. Mr. C. was one of the original stockholders and incorporators of J. F. Seiber- ling & Co., and was consecutively Director, General Agent, Secretary and Treasurer, and upon the failure of the company became one of the assignees by request of the creditors and stockholders. He is at present Secretary of the Wadsworth Coal Co. In September, 1845, he was married to Miss Margaret D. Schneider, daughter of F. A. Schneider, of Akron. They have four sons and one daughter, viz., Charles, Jr., and Frank are in the mines of Arizona ; Harry, clerk in a hardware store in Omaha, Neb .; William S., a student in Lehigh Univer- sity, and Emma R., is the wife of Thomas K. Perkins, of Akron.

FRANK D. CASSIDY, lawyer, Akron ; is a son of William P. and Caroline M. (Kohler) Cassidy, and was born Jan. 29, 1849, at Penin- sula, Summit Co. His father was a carpenter and joiner, and moved to Akron about the year 1853 ; was a native of Blair Co., Penn., and was born in October, 1811. He was of Irish descent, his great-grandfather coming to Penn- sylvania from Ireland, and the larger portion of the family still living in Blair County, where the elder Cassidy laid out the town of Newry, named for their native town in Ireland. The father of subject was for fifteen years foreman in the factory of W. B. Doyle & Co., of Akron, and died in June, 1878. leaving two sons and one daughter-Frank D. (subject); James H., physician at Sharon Centre, Medina Co., and Mary E., wife of D. G. Steese, of Akron. In 1869, he (subject) became assistant bookkeeper in the Akron Fron Co., remaining one year, and then went to Cleveland and accepted the posi- tion of assistant book-keeper in a wholesale coal concern, which he held for three years, when he became a partner in the firm of Steese & Co., coal dealers and shippers, continuing until

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1875, when he returned to Akron, and for some time assisted his father in the management of his real estate business, In 1877, he began the study of the law with Edgerton & Kohler, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1879, and has been in practice here ever since. He was married Dec. 30, 1878, to Miss Sarah J. Francis, a daughter of Joseph Francis, Sr. They have one child-Carrie M.

JOHN H. CAMPBELL, lawyer, Akron ; is a son of John and Matilda (Ervine) Camp- bell ; was born Nov. 9, 1848, in Wayne Co., and when an infant, the family moved to Hancock Co. He lived there on a farm until 1861, when the family moved back to Wayne Co. He be- gan teaching in 1868, and in 1870 graduated in Mt. Union Commercial School ; in the fall of 1871. he entered the Law Department of the Michigan University, from which he graduated March 26, 1873, and was admitted to the bar at Wooster in June, 1872. In April, 1873, he came to Akron, and began practice, and Janu- ary, 1875, became a member of the firm of Edgerton, Kohler & Campbell, until August, 1876, when the firm was dissolved, and he has been alone since. He is now located in Math- ews' block, over No. 127 South Howard street. In October, 1870, he was married to Carrie E. Oswald, of Wayne Co. They have three sons. His father (John Campbell) was born in Greene Co., Penn., Oct. 29, 1810, and came there with his father, George Campbell, in 1822 ; his father dying three years thereafter, John virtually be- came the head of the family, and worked on the farm until the youngest child was 21 years old. January 21, 1842, he married Matilda Ervine, of Baughman Township, of that county. John H. is his only son.

NEWTON CHALKER, lawyer, Akron. James Chalker was born in Southington, Ohio, his parents being natives of Connecticut, as were also those of Miss Eliza Hyde, whom he married, and whose birthplace was Farmington, Trumbull Co., Ohio. His ancestors settled in Saybrook, Conn., in about 1640, and his parents moved to Ohio in about the year 1805, as also did hers. To James and Eliza (Hyde) Chalker, at Southington, Ohio, on Sept. 12, 1842, was born the subject of this sketch, Newton Chalker, who spent his early youth at his native home, on a farm, until he was 15 years of age, a year previous to which time he entered the Western Reserve Seminary of Farmington,

continuing with his studies there until he was 20, teaching in the district schools, in the meantime, from the age of 16. In June, 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 87th O. V. I., his term expiring in October of the same year. In the spring of 1863, his 21st year, he entered Alle- ghany College, at Meadville, being assigned to the freshman class ; taking a classical course, he graduated in June, 1866. In the fall of the same year, he was elected by the Trustees of Dixon Seminary, at Dixon, Ill., Principal, which position he filled for one year, when he was elected Superintendent of the Darlington Union Schools, Wisconsin, filling that position for the same length of time. In August, 1868, he entered the Law Department of the University of Albany, N. Y., graduating there in June, 1869. Shortly after his graduation, he opened an office for the practice of law in Cameron, Mo., where he remained five years. On Aug. 14, 1874, he came to Akron, where he has practiced law ever since.

CHARLES S. COBBS, City Solicitor, Akron, was born near Alliance, Columbiana Co., Ohio, July 7, 1853; and lived on a farm until 18 ; he entered Mt. Union College in the fall of 1872, and graduated in July, 1877. He then became Superintendent of the Malvern Union Schools, continuing two years, studying law in the mean- time. May, 1879, he came to Akron and entered the law office of J. J. Hall. studying until his admission to the bar in May, 1880, at the session of the Supreme Court at Columbus, Ohio, atter which he located in Akron, and has been in active practice since. In April, 1881, he was elected City Solicitor, on the Republican ticket.

JAMES CRISTY, tanner, Akron. James, oldest son of Patrick and Eliza (McMoran) Cristy, was born Feb. 4, 1820, in Spring- field Township, this county, where he lived on a farm until he attained his majority, attending district school in his earliest school days, and select school at Middlebury from the time he was 16 until he reached his 19th year. At the age of 20, he began teaching, in which he engaged for two terms. Soon after he was 21, he came to Akron, where he soon estab- lished a tannery on North Howard street, in company with one James Sawyer, who was his partner, running it under the firm name of Cristy & Sawyer, until 1851, when the part- nership dissolved. The year following, he and his brother, John H. Cristy, fitted up a small

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tannery on the same street, which they ran un- til 1856, when they built the present one, con- tinning as partners until 1879, when the firm dissolved, leaving subject proprietor, who then took in, as partners, his sons James, Jr., and William, under the firm name of James Cristy & Sons. They are doing a good business at the present time, manufacturing leather, buying and selling leather, hides, furs and leather find- ings, and making a specialty of harness leather. In 1841, he started in business at this place with but $500, and whatever of success he has attained is the result of his own labor, energy and perseverance. In politics he is a Republi- can, having been such since the organization of the party. A member of no church, he attends the Congregational, and gives it his support. For several years he has been a member of the City Council. His father, a native of New Jer- sey, was of Irish descent, and his mother, a Scotch lady, was born in Scotland. In 1812, they came to Stark County from Northumber- land Co., Penn., settling in Springfield Town- ship, this county, two years later, purchasing 30 acres of land of Judge Hinckley, for whom the father of our subject was land agent. Our subject was one of nine children, of whom but three are living-himself, a brother and Mrs. Sawyer, widow of his former partner. His father died in 1864, being in his 74th year, and his mother's death occurred in 1872, in her 83d year. Subject was married October, 1849, to Miss Jennie Warner, of Akron, Ohio, and of this union five children were the issue, all of whom are living.

ALEXANDER H. COMMINS (deceased). His father, Jedediah D. Commins, was born in the town of Charlotte, Vt., on the 9th day of July, 1790 ; in 1814, he was united in marriage with Sophia Field, of Wethersfield, Windsor Co., Vt. They soon after removed to Western New York, where they resided until 1832. At that date he came to Akron ; here he found but few improvements, but being a keen lover of nature, he selected for his home the most desirable site adjacent to the village, and erected a residence on Fir street, ever since re- tained by the family. Mr. Commins opened the first drug store in the village, and for many years was the leading druggist of the town ; he was a very careful and precise merchant, sustaining his credit through the panic of 1837, which wrecked all the other merchants of

that period except his friend P. D. Hall. He espoused the principles of Democracy, and at once became a leader of his party in this sec- tion. Among the first he saw the advantages which would arise from the organization of a new county with Akron as its center, and, with unceasing efforts. he gave time and influence to that end ; he was sent as a lobby member to the Legislature, and to his labors with that body we are indebted largely for the organization of Summit County. But this was not his only measure of beneficence ; he originated the idea of a rural cemetery, and secured the passage of a bill authorizing corporations to purchase lands for such purposes, and put his beautiful theory into operation in the purchase of 40 acres for the Akron Rural Cemetery, probably the first of its kind in the State. That he was denied the discipline of school training did not discourage a mind which could draw a lesson from every object of nature. He gathered, studied and classified a fine collec- tion of insects, minerals and flowers. He was an excellent botanist and a thorough student of nature ; he was familiar with the best works of French and English literature ; he greatly ad- mired Shakspeare, and could repeat many pas- sages from memory, and could read the French language with ease. He was a highly esteemed and influential citizen, who labored earnestly for the public weal as foremost champion of every good work. He died in 1867, respected by all. Alexander H. Commins, oldest son of Jedediah D. Commins, was born at Lima, Liv- ingston Co., N. Y., June 21, 1815 ; at 17, he came with his father to this locality, and ere- long entered the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, where he spent some time in laying the foundation for his future usefulness. On leaving college, Mr. Commins entered the drug store of his father, and for several years de- voted his talents to that business. In 1845, with Col. Simon Perkins, he became interested in the woolen mills of Akron ; he continued in the manufacture of woolen goods for a period of ten years, and, in 1856, converted it into a flouring-mill ; he at this time formed a partner- ship with Jacob and Jesse Allen, which lasted until 1866. In company with Albert Allen, in 1867, he purchased the old stone mills, which have since been known as the Commins & Allen Mills, on account of the large and important additions made to the original structure by

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them. During the period of copartnership of Mr. Commins with Mr. Albert Allen, mutual friendship and confidence became so strong that Mr. Commins so fashioned his will that his es teemed partner was given entire control of his large business and estate until the heirs should reach their majority, and, in case of the death of their mother, he should become the guar- dian of his children and executor of his will, and all without bonds (de bonis non). This partnership continued with the most cordial re- lations, until his death, Aug. 17, 1880. Mr. Commins was raised in the Presbyterian Church, but later in life gave his support to the Episcopal Church. He inherited many of the admirable traits of his father, having ex- cellent business capacity ; an extensive reader, he was well informed on all current topics. He, like his father, was a stanch Democrat, and although he never sought office, had those qual- ities which stamped him as a leader of his party in this county and distriet, hence he was nominated for many positions of honor and trust. Oct. 8, 1860, he was united in marriage to Miss Addie H. Starks, of Buffalo, N. Y .; of this marriage nine children were born, seven of whom are yet living Mr. Commins was a pub- lie-spirited citizen, whose loss was deeply felt.

GEORGE W. CROUSE, manufacturer, Akron. George W. Crouse, manufacturer of reapers and mowers, at Akron, Summit Co., Ohio, was born November 23, 1832, at Tall- madge, same county. He is the son of George Crouse, a native of Pennsylvania, and Margaret H. (Robinson) Crouse, of Irish descent. His boyhood was passed on a farm, during which period he acquired such knowledge of the En- glish branches as, at the age of 17, enabled him to teach school in a creditable manner, which occupation he engaged in for a period of five years. Ambition, which country school-teach- ing and farming could not satisfy, having en- tered " the chamber of the gifted boy," he com- menced looking about him for more congenial employment, and so it happened that, in 1855, he came to Akron with no other capital than energy, integrity, common sense and determi- nation to aid him in securing such a position as he desired. Arriving here, he very soon found employment under the County Auditor and Treasurer, as accountant and pemman, in both of which he excelled. He held these positions for three years, during which time he became

so familiar with the work of each, and had also extended his acquaintance so favorably, that, in the fall of 1858, he was elected County Aud- itor, being only 25 years of age, and, at that time, the youngest officer ever elected in the county. He held this office during the follow- ing two years, and was then re-elected, but, be- fore the expiration of his second term, a vacan- ey occurred in the office of County Treasurer. which the County Commissioners appointed him to fill. This led to the resignation of his office as Auditor. His conduct in these offices had become so favorably known throughout the county that he was solicited to accept a respon- sible agency for the Atlantic & Great Western Railroad Co., the road having been completed as far as Akron. The ageney being local, he accepted, and conducted both the business of his county office and that of his new engage- ment with great care and efficiency. About the 20th of August, 1863, he connected him- self with the firm of C. Aultman & Co., being financial manager of their branch concern at Akron. In co-operation with J. R. Buchtel, he superintended the erection of the new build- ings of the same, at the same time attending wholly to the financial management of the branch house. In the summer of 1865, it was re-or- ganized as a stock company, under the firm name of Aultman, Miller & Co., of which, as a stockholder, Mr. Crouse was elected Secretary and Treasurer, his duties being to manage the finances and dispose of the goods. The first year of its existence, the company manufact- ured 2,900 machines. Under the able manage- ment of its executive officers, the business so rapidly increased that, in 1880, the machines manufactured were 12,000, the gross sales amounting to $1,800,000. The capital invested is $1,000,000, the business giving employment to over 400 men. Decidedly successful, this company has returned a dividend each year to its stockholders. Mr. Crouse has done his full share in achieving a well-merited suecess for the " Buckeye Mower and Reaper." His qual- ities of industry and rare ability have caused him to be much sought by his townsmen for local offices. A member of the City Council, he has served as its President ; member and President of the Board of Education, he has been three years a County Commissioner. and Chairman of the County Central Republican Committee. He is a member of the Protestant

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 125

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848- Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey Number of Pages: 1104

Author: Perrin, William Henry, d. 1892?; Graham, A. A. (Albert Adams), 1848-
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Chicago, Baskin & Battey
Number of Pages: 1104