History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 135

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 135

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

744

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

aptness for the Scotch dialect, which he speaks " like a native"-if occasion requires it. He was a member of the Town Council in 1842-43, and is now the only survivor of those bodies.

CHARLES MILLER, manufacturer, Akron; was born in Upper Nazareth Township, North- ampton Co., Penn., Nov. 29, 1815 (a more com- plete history of whose family appears under the head of Norton Township). The first nine- teen years of his life were spent on the farm and in receiving a very meager education ; the following spring, he went to learn the car- penter and joiner's trade with one Charles Glass, hiring for two years, which he served with the exception of about three months ; his salary was board, washing and mending, with a few tools at the expiration of his apprentice- ship; the cause of his not serving the full time was on account of a hard master, and being compelled to do a great deal of work after night. During the time of his apprenticeship, he was engaged on the Beaver Meadow & Haz- leton Branch Railroad, from Beaver Meadow to Mauch Chunk, which was at that time one the first railroads in the State. In the spring of 1838, he came to Guilford Township, Medina Co., where he followed his trade until late in the fall, when he returned to Pennsylvania, and worked at White Haven, which was at the head of the Lehigh Canal; later he returned to North- ampton Co., remaining there until in 1843, when he again came to Ohio, stopping for a time in Wayne Co. He worked at his trade and engaged in farming until in 1857, when he entered into a partnership with Abraham Krotz in the sale of farming implements for C. M. Russell & Co., of Massillon, in which they con- tinued two years; the partner appropriating the money obtained from sales and dying on his way home from Illinois where they had been operating, left Mr. Miller in almost destitute circumstances when the indebtedness was paid up. In 1861, after John F. Seiberling began the manufacture of the Excelsior, at Doylestown, Mr. Miller acted as general agent, operating in a large territory and selling, himself, nearly half of the machines manufactured by that company. In 1863, he purchased a quarter interest in the Seiberling patents, and subse- quently was compelled to expend hundreds of dollars in the purchase of other prior inven- tions to make their patents valid. In 1865, he having prior to that time formed a partnership

of several of Akron's prominent business men and purchased the ground for the manufacture of the Excelsior Mower and Reaper, they built the works of that company on Broad street in the city of Akron. John F. Seiberling after- ward became connected with the firm which stood until in 1875, when they made an assign- ment, at which time Mr. Miller was the owner of $65,500 in stock, besides having loaned the firm several thousand dollars, which has been almost a total loss. In 1879, he, in connec- tion with his sons, purchased the chain works of a Mr. Matherson, at Cuyahoga Falls, and moved the same to Akron, having purchased the Schevere works where they are now exten- sively engaged in the manufacture of all kinds of chains and running from sixty to eighty men. He was married in February, 1843, to Hannah Bechtel, daughter of Abraham Bechtel ; by this marriage there have been four sons and three daughters-Emma Elizabeth, Henry D., Aman- da Ann, Harvey F., Levin J., S. Samuel, Cora O .; four are married and residents of Akron- Emma E., now Mrs. Frank Reifsnider, he a traveling salesman for the rubber works in Cleveland ; Henry, married to Miss Minnie Sigley ; Amanda, now wife of Mr. Kratz, su- perintendent at the Thomas Planing Mill ; Harvey, married to Miss Mary Hayes. Levin J. is engaged in business in the West. Mr. Miller has been a man of great energy and business ability, and the manner in which he has adjusted the great losses which he has suf- fered has made him many warm friends in his declining age.

JUDGE ULYSSES L. MARVIN, lawyer, Akron; is a son of Ulysses and Elizabeth (Bradley) Marvin, and was born March 14, 1839, in Stow Township, this county, where his youth was spent until the age of 15, when he began painting with his father during the sum- mer. His education was received, in addition to the public schools, in Twinsburg Institute, and Franklin Institute, at Kent, teaching in the meantime from the time he was 16 years of age. In 1858, he entered the law office of H. R. Foster, at Hudson, and the next spring came to Akron and completed his studies with Hon. Sidney Edgerton, and was admitted to the bar May 2, 1860. In 1861, he became Principal of the Union School of Kent, where he married Miss Dorena, only daughter of Hon. David Rockwell, of that place, Nov. 27, 1861. In

745

CITY OF AKRON.

August, 1862, he enlisted as a private in the the 115th O. V. I., and served as a clerk in the office of Judge Advocate, at Cincin- nati, until August, 1863, when he was com- missioned as 1st Lieutenant in the 5th U. S. Colored Infantry, and as a part of the 18th Army Corps participated in the Peninsular campaign of 1864. In the attack on Peters- burg and that campaign, he commanded the skirmish line at the Burnside mine explosion. During the siege of Richmond, he was pro- moted to Captain, and was wounded while leading his company at New Market Heights, Sept. 29, 1864, which disabled him for two months, when he returned to his command and was assigned to duty as Adjutant General on Gen. Shurtliff's staff, was sent to Ft. Fisher, then to Raleigh, N. C., and was at the sur- render. He was brevetted Major at the close of the war for gallant and meritorious serv- ice, and made Judge Advocate on the staff of Gen. Paine, serving as such until mustered out of the service in October, 1865. He then returned to Kent and opened a law office, and two years later removed to Akron, forming a partnership with J. J. Hall for eighteen months. In the fall of 1869, he was elected Probate Judge, serving until February, 1876; since then he has been in practice of law first as the firm of Foster, Marvin & Grant, now the firm of Marvin, Grant & Foote.

EDWIN H. MERRILL, of E. H. Merrill & Co., manufacturers of stoneware, Akron, is a son of Abijah and Abigail (Scott) Merrill, and was born Feb. 9, 1808, in Painesville, Ohio, where he went to school in winter, and began his trade of potter with his father when but a boy, growing up with the business. In 1830, when he was 22 years old, he came to Spring- field Township, working successively for Fisk and for Purdy, when he bought out Fisk. (The pottery and sewer-pipe business is one of the most extensive of Akron and Summit County, and receives full notice in the chapter devoted to the industries of the city.) After he bought out Fisk, his father's family came on (about 1835), and they began the manufacture of beer bottles, by machinery invented by subject, and upon which he had secured a patent. They remained in Springfield until 1847, and had in the meantime began the manufactory of to- bacco pipes by machinery. They then moved to Middlebury, and made principally beer

bottles, tobacco and water pipes-making 300,000 bottles per year. They also invented a machine for making stone pumps, which they manufactured for a time. In 1854, they (Mer- rill Brothers), invented a machine for making sewer-pipe, and began their manufacture, under firm of Merrill, Powers & Co., the brothers owning one-half interest. They did well until 1857, when the panic came, and their principal buyers of Chicago could not sell, and having a large amount on hand, were forced to sell at reduced prices. About the same time, subject bought his brother's interest in the bottle fac- tory, which he continued until 1860, when it was destroyed by fire, with total loss. He then came to his present place, 404 South Main street, and purchased the building now in use, where he has done a good business. The firm was Merrill & Sons, and they em- ployed a force of some thirty men and boys. He was married, in 1838, to Miss Emily Glea- son, of Bedford, Ohio. They have two sons and one daughter living. Henry E. is a mem- ber of the firm; William G. is in the pottery business in Virginia; Grace, now Mrs. F. W. Butler, who is a member of the present firm. In February, 1880, William G. re- retired from the firm of Merrill & Sons, and F. W. Butler became a partner, and the firm was changed to E. H. Merrill & Co.

CYRUS MILLER, merchant, Akron, Ohio ; was born in 1831, in Allegheny Co., Penn. At an early age he was left an orphan, and that portion of his life was spent in the homes of different families, as chance might offer and as his services were counted as compensa- tion. He had no opportunities of gaining an education, and at the age of 14 he began as a driver in the coal mines at Chippewa, Ohio, he having for some years previous to this been a resident of the State. He continued at driv- ing in the mines for about five years, and then he spent three years in mining. He then ac- cepted the position of shipper for Mr. David Morris, who was engaged in the shipment of coal from Girard, Trumbull Co., to Cleveland. For about nine years he was engaged in ship- ping, when he purchased a hotel in Girard, of which he spent the following eight years as landlord and proprietor. His last change, little over ten years ago, was to come to Akron, and with a capital of $500, engage in the grocery trade. With this small amount as a beginning,

746

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

he has built up a business that ranks among the leading mercantile houses of the city, as, in the year 1880, the aggregate sum of his sales was $80,000. His place of business is located at No. 142 South Howard street. Mr. Miller is a quiet, unassuming man, who has given his whole attention to his business, and though he began a poor boy, and was left dependent upon his own resources, he holds a position among the business men of Akron of which he may justly be proud. In 1849, he was married to Miss Delilah, daughter of John Wilson, of Stark Co., Ohio.

GEORGE S. MAY, lawyer, Akron, Ohio ; was born Jan. 31, 1851, and is a son of Horace and Eleanor (Stow) May, the latter of the same family of Mr. Stow, the founder of Stow Town- ship. His (subject's) father was born in Caz- enovia, N. Y., July 6, 1811, and came to Akron in 1837, where he engaged in general mercantile business ; having stores at Lock 1, one in North Akron, and a branch at "Slankertown." By prudence, economy, and a general adapta- tion to the business, he was successful, and retired on account of failing health in 1856, having accumulated a competency, which he managed with care until his death, in August, 1867. Mr. M. was always at the front in all enterprises of a public nature, and did much to establish the commercial and political impor- tance of the town. A man of sterling worth, and with the reputation of being an excellent business man, he had the respect and confidence of all who knew him. Those who have listened with interest to his stories of business experi- ences of Akron in the early times, will remem- ber with what pride he would boast of never having paid a debt a day after it was due in his life. His social qualities drew about him a host of friends and intimate acquaintances, and his home was always filled with company. Among others, Hon. B. F. Wade, R. P. Ranney, Judge V. R. Humphrey, were life-long friends, and always found a welcome with Mr. May. Subject was but 16 years old when his father died, and at the solicitation of Mr. Wade, took up the study of the law in the office of Edger- ton & Kohler, where he remained until his ad- mission to the bar, Sept. 2, 1872. In October following, he made a trip to the Old World, visiting the larger portions of Continental Europe and Great Britain, spending one year in the Law Department of the University of

Heidelberg, Germany. He returned home in 1874, and began the practice of law in Akron, where he has since remained. He was mar- ried Sept. 30, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth S. Rogers, of Boston, Mass. She died June 10, 1877, leaving two daughters.

REV. HENRY F. MILLER, Akron ; a son of John S. and Ann (Forer) Miller ; was born in Athens Co., Ohio, Aug. 22, 1829. His youth was spent on a farm, and, at the age of 18, he entered the Ohio University at Athens, and graduated in the class of 1853. He then be- came Principal of Transylvania University at Lexington, Ky., remaining one year. He taught in Meigs Co., Ohio, two years, and in Pome- roy two years. In 1859, he entered the minis- try of the Universalist Church, and removed the next year to Madison, Ind., where he became Pastor of a church until 1863. He was then sent as general army agent to look after the sick and wounded soldiers in the Southwest, and distribute sanitary stores and attend to other charitable work, under the auspices of his church, with headquarters at Louisville, Ky. In July, 1865, he returned to Madison and was appointed by the Northwestern Con- ference of the Universalist Church General Financial Secretary to raise an endowment fund for Lombard University at Galesburg, Ill., and succeeded in raising $100,000 in two years, He was appointed to a like work for the build- ing and equipment of Smithson College at Logansport, Ind. He resigned the position in 1869, and was elected general agent of the Ohio State Convention, Universalists, for the found- ing of an institution of learning in Ohio, and in pursuance of this object, during same year, he made the acquaintance of John R. Buchtel, of Akron, and enlisted him in behalf of the enterprise. The result was the founding of Buchtel College, a history of which is given elsewhere. He continued in management of its finances until the building was erected and opened for the admission of students. He con- ceived and carried to success the idea of hav- ing Hon. Horace Greeley deliver an address at the laying of the corner-stone, which gave the college considerable prestige. Since 1871, with somewhat broken health, Mr. M. has divided his time between the work of the min- istry and business pursuits. He was married, in 1853, to Miss Apphia Brown Cable, of Athens, Ohio. Of this marriage there were seven chil-

747

CITY OF AKRON.

dren, five of whom are living-Henry E. was edu- cated in the Akron schools, and is now farming in Medina Co .; Clinton D. is proprietor of the " 99-cent " store of Akron ; Paul R., a student of the Class of 1881, in Buchtel College ; Mattie C. and Ernest still reside at home. Subject's parents were born in New Jersey, and settled in the woods of Athens Co., Ohio, in the carly part of 1829.

C. H. MYERS, boots and shoes, Akron ; is a good representative of the boot and shoe trade of South Akron, and, in fact, one of the leading dealers in the city. In speaking per- sonally of some of the promoters of Akron's business industries, his name is worthy of more than a passing mention. He was born Dec. 6, 1852, in Middlebury, or what is now known as East Akron, and is the son of Charles F. and Elizabeth (Swope) Myers, the former a native of France, and a carpenter and architect by trade. When C. H. was about 10 years old, his father moved to the country and engaged in farming. About seven years of. the life of C. H. was spent at hard work on the farm, when his people removed to Akron again, which move gave him a better opportunity of getting an education, both of a commercial and literary nature. After leaving school he spent about one year in the gearing department of the Buckeye Reaper Works. With the money earned by himself in this way he took a thor- ough course and graduated at the commercial college of Akron. After leaving college, he spent one year on the road as traveling sales- man for a hardware house. He then began clerking for Mr. E. P. Holloway, with whom he remained till the spring of 1876, when he and C. A. Holloway, also an employe of E. P., engaged in the boot and shoe trade under the firm name of Holloway & Myers, and so con- tinued to do a very prosperous business until the spring of 1881, when he purchased the interest of Mr. Holloway, and is now conduct ing the business alone in the old successful way. In the spring of 1877, he was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of Albert and Mary (Braenton) Corney. She was born May 11, 1854, in Bridgeport, Conn., and, when a child, came to Cuyahoga Falls with her parents. She lived there about twelve years, when her people removed to Akron. They were married by the Rev. Henry Baker. They are both members of the First M. E. Church of Akron ;

he has been a member for the past fourteen years. One child has been born to them- Gracie, who was born on March 30, 1878, and died on March 4, 1880.

J. A. MYERS, foreman of the shipping de- partment at Aultman, Miller & Co.'s, Akron ; is a son of David B. and Elizabeth (Moller) Myers-she a native of Wayne Co., Ohio, he of Germany, but he came to Ohio with his wid- owed mother when about 6 months old ; she married, in Cleveland, a Mr. Green, and moved to Independence, where she still lives, at the advanced age of 83 years. David, the father of our subject, moved from Wayne Co. to La- Porte Co., Ind., where he lived thirteen years, when he returned to Ohio in 1864, and resided at Canal Fulton and Clinton until 1868, when he came to Akron, where he now resides. He had three children-J. A., the eldest, born Jan. 15, 1847 ; Nancy, a Mrs. Henninger, and Etta, a maiden. The subject of this sketch received a very limited education, and, at twelve years of age, went into a drug store, in which busi- ness he continued until 1866, making rapid ad- vancement in the knowledge of the business. He then worked with his father, who was a car- penter by trade, until Oct. 27, 1867, when he accepted the second position in the shipping department, where he is now employed, serving nine years in that capacity, after which he ac- cepted his present position. He was married, Sept. 12, 1869, to Emma Clark, born Dec. 29, 1848, in Sheffield, England, but came when 1 year old to this country with her parents, Sam- uel and Sarah Clark, who were farmers in Springfield Township, both of whom are now deceased. By this marriage there are five children-Clarence Arthur, born July 1, 1870 ; Edna May, July 9, 1872 ; Daisy Emma, April 3, 1875; Myrtle Grace, Oct. 27, 1877 ; Ches- ter Albert, April 6, 1881. Mr. Myers is a stanch Republican, greatly interested in educa- tion. a liberal supporter of churches, and he, with his family, are members of the Evangel- ical Association.

FATHER THOMAS F. MAHAR, Akron ; was born in Scranton, Penn., Sept. 28, 1851. In 1866, he entered St. Louis College at Louisville, Stark Co., Ohio, and remained three years. having been for four years previous a student in St. Mary's College. In 1869, he went to Rome, Italy, where he began his eccle- siastical studies in the American College, con-

748

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

tinning until 1875, when he came to Cleveland, Ohio, and was made Assistant Pastor in St. John's Cathedral, serving until Aug. 1, 1880, when he was sent to the pastorate of St. Vin- cent's Church of Akron. He received the degrees of Ph. D. and D. D. at Rome, Italy. He is the oldest son living born to Thomas and Ann (Hart) Mahar, both of whom were born in the United States and are now residents of Cleveland, where the husband superintends a rolling-mill.

RUDOLPH A. MAY, of the firm of May & Fiebeger, Akron, dealers in stoves and tinware, also galvanized iron cornices, etc. Mr. May, of this firm, was born in Bohemia, Austria, April 3, 1847, and is the fourth of six children born to Anthony and Rosialia (Dreythaler) May, natives of Bohemia, Austria. Anthony May came to the United States in 1848, and in 1850, his wife and one child, (the three other children having died), came also to Akron, where he had been working. Mr. May first worked in the woolen fac- tory, and in 1851, he engaged in the grocery busi- ness, which he followed until his death in 1855. Mrs. May soon after married Mr. Joseph Fiebe- ger, who was also a native of Austria. They live now in Akron. Rudolph A., the subject. lived at home until he was 14 years old, when he went to Columbus, where he worked at silver-plating. Some months after he appren- tieed to the tinning trade, receiving wages after the first year ; he lived in Columbus two years, and then returned to Akron, and a year after- ward formed a partnership with J. B. Cramer (firm Cramer & May), continuing until 1880, when the firm dissolved and was succeeded by the present one of May & Fiebeger. He was married Sept. 9, 1874, to Miss Susan R. Rhodes, a native of Portage Co., Ohio. They have three children-Mary M., Lewis R. and Nellie L.

DR. THOMAS MCEBRIGHT, physician, Akron ; was born April 14, 1824, at Carlisle, Penn. He is the youngest of eight children born to George and Barbara (Brunner) Mc- Ebright. His parents were natives of Pennsyl- vania ; moved in 1833 to Wayne Co., Ohio, where his father, though a tanner by trade, de- voted his attention to farming. Here both lived until their death, living to an advanced age. Dr. McEbright lived on the farm until the age of 16 years, when he entered the Ohio Wesley- an University, continuing his studies at inter- vals until 1848, teaching district and select

schools in the meantime to support him in col- lege. He finally abandoned his college course, before completion, on account of his health. He at one began reading medicine at Wooster, Ohio, with Dr. T. H. Baker, and graduated at the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, Ohio. He began practice at Nashville, Ohio, where he remained seven years, going from there to Millersburg. In 1861, he went from the latter place to the army as Surgeon of the 8th O. V. I., remaining with the regiment two years. Resigning, he returned to Millersburg, and soon after raised the 59th Battalion, con- sisting of five companies, which, upon the call for 100 days' men, was attached to the 166th Regiment. Dr. McEbright was made Colonel, but preferring to act as Surgeon, at his request, Gov. Tod appointed Col. Blake to succeed him, and commissioned Dr. McEbright as Surgeon. He soon after rose to the position of Brigade Surgeon, and in this position was detailed as Chief of the Operative Board at the battles of Antietam, Winchester, Wilderness seven days' fight, Rich Mountain, and the other engagements up to Gettysburg. In the fall of 1864, he was mustered out with his regiment and returned, coming to Akron to resume his practice, where he has since been engaged. Dr. McEbright is an active society man ; a member of the Sum- mit County Medical Society ; was one of its founders, and among its earliest Presidents. He is a member also of the Union Medical So- ciety of Northeastern Ohio, the State Medical Society, and the American Medical Association, serving in different official capacities in the two former. In June, 1853, he married Miss Nancy, danghter of Judge Thomas Liggett, of Millers- burg, Ohio. They have had five children, only two of whom are now living : " Kit," who re- ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts, at the Cornell University, at the age of 19; she has also received the same degree at the Buchtel, and is now completing a French course at St. Marie De Monoir, Canada. Carrie, the younger daughter, is attending school in her native city, Akron.

WILLIAM MCKINNEY, Sheriff, Akron ; was born in Franklin County, Ohio, Dec. 29, 1833, and is the youngest of five children born to Cineum and Abigail (Patterson) MeKinney ; he was butcher by trade, and dealt largely in stock ; he died in 1834. Mrs. MeKinney after- ward married Mr. Luther R. Prentiss, a farmer

749

CITY OF AKRON.

of Cuyahoga County, where she lived until her death, about the year 1855. Mr. Prentiss is yet living in Cuyahoga County, aged 78 years. Our subject lived with his mother until he was 16 years of age, when he was apprenticed to shoemaking and served three years, after which he followed his trade in Twinsburg, and in Iowa and Kansas for three or four years. In 1860, he returned to Twinsburg and opened a shop ; in 1862, he left his shop in his brother- in-law's care, and enlisted in Co. G, 115th O.V. I., serving until the close of the war ; he was first appointed Corporal and afterward promoted to 2d Sergeant; in 1863, he was detailed with Lieut. Nash to take charge of a block-house at Luverne, near Nashville, and, upon the transfer of Lieut. Nash; the Sergeant was left in com- mand, and so remained until Dec. 5, 1864, when the place was captured by Forest; they were held prisoners, and, in March following, were moved to Black River, near Vicksburg ; here the Sergeant escaped the guard and went to Vicksburg, where he took a hospital boat to St. Louis, and, from there, returned home, his weight being eighty pounds ; after remaining home about a month, he went to Camp Chase, where he received his discharge, and returned to Twinsburg, where he resumed shoemaking, which he continued there until 1871, when he was appointed Postmaster by President Grant, and held the office until Jan. 1, 1881. In the fall of 1880, he was elected Sheriff on the Republican ticket, and entered upon the duties of his office in January following. Feb. 8, 1853, he married Miss Sarah A. Carver, a na- tive of Twinsburg, and a daughter of George W. Carver, whose father was one of the pioneers of that Township; by the marriage, there has been born six children, of whom three are liv- ing, viz. : Clara, Perry and Paul.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 135

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