History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 136

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 136

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).

JAMES C. McNEIL, proprietor of Akron Boiler Works, Akron, Ohio ; was born in Onon- daga County, N. Y., May 8, 1836, and is a son of Samuel and Nancy (Cokely) McNeil, who were natives of New York, and emigrated to Ohio about the year 1838, and settled in Coshocton County ; they carried on farming there until his death in 1847, when his widow continued same until 1859, when she came to Akron, to live with James C., and died in 1867. The subject came to Akron in the year 1847, to live with his brother, and attended the pub- lic schools ; at the age of 18, he apprenticed

to the machinist trade, with Webster & Taplin, of Akron, and served until he became of age ; he followed the trade about six years in Cleve- land, with the Cleveland & Mahoning R. R. Co .- three and a half years foreman of shops and two and a half years engineer on railroad- and then returned to Akron, and took charge of the machinery in the Akron Barrel Factory, where he continued for two and a half years. In 1866, the firm of Moffatt & McNeil was formed, and engaged in the manufacture of boilers and boiler plate-work ; they continued four years, when Mr. MeNeil became sole pro- prietor and has continued ever since. In 1880, Mr. McNeil built the present brick shop, 64x96 feet ; he does a large business, and is a practi- cal man ; employs from twenty-five to thirty hands. He was married, in 1859, to Miss Mary Gale, a danghter and youngest child of Justus and Sarah (Hyde) Gale, a prominent family, and a native of Akron ; they have two children, viz. : Grant C. and Sarah G. He has been a Republican since organization of the party, and from 1866 to 1869, was Chief of the City Fire Department.

J. C. McMILLEN, of Baker, Merriman & Co., Akron ; was born in Clarion County, Penn., March 8, 1827, and is the second of a family of four children born to John and Sallie (Max- well) McMillen. Mr. McMillen's parents were natives of Westmoreland County, Penn. ; his father was a farmer, and subsequently, in 1862, moved with his family to Iowa, where the mother died, July 4, 1876. The family then moved to Michigan, where he is now living with a son. J. C. McMillen lived with his parents, assisting on the farm, until he was 18 years of age, when he was apprenticed to a cabinet manufacturer, with whom he remained until he attained his majority ; he continued about three years longer as a journeyman, when he came to Akron and engaged in his trade. Some four years later, he united with others in establishing the Melodeon Company, and has been in company with Baker ever since. Nov. 29, 1853, he married Miss Evaline Reed, a na- tive of Sharon Township, Medina Co., Ohio ; she died Feb. 21, 1858, leaving one child, Laura, now Mrs. Brush, of Michigan. Sept. 19, 1861, Mr. McMillen married Mrs. Fulton, formerly Miss Catharine Schley, a native of Chambersburg, Penn .; three children have blessed this union-Guy, Mary and Emma.

750

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

A. J. McNEIL, boots and shoes, Akron ; is the youngest son of William and Sarah (Pur- sell) McNeil, of Peninsula, and was born Dec. 23, 1850. He lived at Peninsula until 1864, when he came to Akron as clerk in the employ of David Snyder, in the grain and produce busi- ness, continuing for two years. In May, 1866, he became a clerk for Cutter & Howe, of Akron, where he remained until January, 1870. He then went to Indianapolis and clerked in a shoe store, but returned to Akron the next year and entered the employ of his old firm, Cutter & Howe. In company with A. L. Bow- man, he, in 1873, bought the shoe establish- ment of C. R. Howe, and, under the firm of Bowman & McNeil, did business four years. In 1878, was engaged as traveling salesman for Childs, Groff & Co., wholesale boot and shoe dealers, of Cleveland, and continued with them two years. In 1880, was employed by M. T. Cutter as salesman for one year, and in March, 1881, associated himself with his brother, S. C. MeNeil, at 121 S. Howard street. He was married, in July, 1873, to Miss Emma E. Ladd, of Akron. They have one daughter.

S. C. McNEIL, boots and shoes, Akron ; is a son of William and Sarah (Pursell) McNeil, and was born at Sharon, June 28, 1843. He was ten years old when the family moved to Peninsula, Summit Co., where he grew up. He clerked here for some time, and, in 1862, be- came the partner of Frederick Wood in general store, continuing until about the year 1865, under the firm name of Wood & McNeil. In 1865, he went to Denver, Colo., remaining six months ; then returned to Peninsula, and, in the fall of 1866, purchased a canal-boat, and ran from Peninsula to Cleveland, with stone, lumber, etc., until the fall of 1870, when, in company with Thomas Wood, he engaged in the lumber business under the firm of Wood & McNeil. In March, 1881, he opened a shoe store at 121 South Howard street, with a large stock of new goods, embracing every variety of boots and shoes, and a shop for custom-work. The entire stock was bought at the most favor- able season, direct from the manufacturers for cash, also including the largest stock of trunks and valises in the city. Mr. McNeil has se- cured the services of his brother, A. J. McNeil, who has had fifteen years' experience in the shoe business. He was married, April 24, 1872, to Miss Jennie Beers. daughter of L.

Beers, a pioneer of Boston Township. They have one son and one daughter.

CAPT. THOMAS W. NASH, Recording Clerk, Akron ; is a native of Williamsburg, Hampshire Co., Mass. ; he was born Dec. 7, 1832, and is the fourth of five children born to Hophni and Lovisa (King) Nash. They were natives of Massachusetts ; he was born Jan. 10, 1797 ; his father was a farmer, and he was raised to the same pursuit ; in the fall of 1817, he came to Ohio in company with his cousin, John A. Nash ; he settled in Richfield Town- ship, where he was burned out, after which he moved to Bath Township, of which locality he was one of the pioneers ; he lived in Bath Township, except a few years in his native State, until the fall of 1880, when he retired to Akron, where he now lives. Our subject lived at home on the farm until the year 1861; he received a common school course of study, and taught at home and in Indiana, where he was visiting. Oct. 3, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 29th O. V. I., and served throughout the war, during which time he was several times pro- moted, ranging from Orderly Sergeant to Cap- tain (see record of regiment in this work) ; he was taken prisoner at the battle of Port Repub- lic, and held three months in Libby and Sauls- bury Prisons, after which he was paroled. He returned home in July, 1865, and soon after visited in Livingston Co., Ill., where he pur- chased a farm. Feb. 14, 1866, he married Miss Nettie Culver, a native of Richfield Township, Summit Co., Ohio, and the following month occupied his farm in Illinois, and farmed until the spring of 1873 ; he then moved to Chats- worth, Ill., and became agent for Howe's sew- ing machines, and also taught school. In 1879, he returned to Akron, and has resided there since, and has followed his present business. By the marriage there has been two children, viz., Effie M. and Clyde C.

SUMNER NASH, County Clerk, Akron ; was born in Bath Township, Summit Co., Ohio, May 10, 1836, and is the youngest of five chil- dren born to Hophni and Lovisa (King) Nash, who are spoken of elsewhere in this work. Our subject remained on the farm until he was 20 years of age, receiving a common school and academic course of study ; he then went to Wisconsin, where he took a contract to clear a way through the forest near Plymouth for the Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad, making

751

CITY OF AKRON.

ties and cording the timber. He next drove stage between Oshkosh and New London. In the Spring of 1857, he took charge of a hard- ware store in Oshkosh, for E. H. Barber, and the following summer he returned home and took charge of the farm which he managed and taught school during the winters until 1862. Aug. 6, of that year, he enlisted in the serv- ice, and was assigned to the 115th O. V. I., and served three years ; he enlisted as a pri- vate and was successively promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. In 1863, he was detailed to relieve Lieut. John Eadie, in command of the military forces at Dayton during the election. In 1864, he was placed under Maj. Willet, and served as Assistant Inspector of Railroad De- fenses, which position he held until the close of the war. In July, 1865, he returned home, and in September following bought a farm in Liv- ingston Co., Ill. March 8, 1866, he married Miss Rebecca M., daughter of John A. Means, of Summit Co., Ohio ; after the marriage, he occupied his farm in Illinois, and lived there until 1868, when he returned to Summit Co., where his wife died July 18, 1869. They had one child, M. Maud. He managed his father- in-law's farm for two years ; in the spring of 1872, he engaged as agent for G. G. Baker & Co., manufacturers of lightning rods, etc., and traveled for them in Illinois until the following winter, when he returned to Summit Co., and was appointed Deputy County Clerk by John A. Means, which office he held until the term ex- pired ; he then served as Deputy for George W. Weeks, and in the fall of 1878 he was elected County Clerk on the Republican ticket, and entered the duties of the office Feb. 10 follow- ing. June 23, 1874, he married Miss Linnie A. Cross, of Columbus, Ohio.

THOMAS NORTON, retired, Middlebury ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., April 16, 1806, and is a son of Peter and Elethina (Thompson) Norton, natives of Farmington, Conn. There is a record of the Norton family running back through nineteen generations, and the Ameri- can branch of the family trace their ancestry through the same line. The earliest of the name-Lord Norville, of France-was an officer under William the Conqueror, and went into England in 1066. A genealogical chart of the family is kept at Cambridge, Mass .: " Norville is a corruption of the French term Nordville, North-ville, or North town, and Nor-ton or

Norton was subsequently adopted." Peter Norton, the father of our subject, was a farmer, and, in 1806, moved to Smithfield, Trumbull Co., Ohio, where he worked for his uncle, Luther Thompson, who settled there four years previous. In 1809, Mr. Norton moved to Tall- madge, Summit Co., and purchased fifty acres of timber land, on which he settled and lived for several years. In 1812, he was drafted, but, owing to family affairs, his son Almeron went in his place, serving a short term. In 1813, the family settled on the place where Thomas (subject) now lives, Mr. N. having bought 200 acres of wild land, upon which he lived until his death, Aug. 23, 1822. He was Treasurer of Tallmadge Township for many years. Mrs. Norton afterward married Elisha Farnam, and died Nov. 24, 1844. The subject lived with his mother until her death, and remained on the place, which now belonged to his brother Almeron. In 1851, his brother died, and subject bought out his brother's heirs, thus becoming the owner of the old homestead. He has always followed farming. He was married, Jan. 10, 1847, to Miss Hannah M. Coney, a native of Stark Co., Ohio, who was born April 13, 1812, and is a daughter of James and Nancy (Hamlin) Coney, he a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Stark Co. a young man, and she a native of Virginia, who came to the same county with her parents. Subject has one child-Martha M. (now Mrs. Theodore Johns, boot and shoe dealer, Des Moines, Iowa). Theodore Johns was born in Middlebury, Summit Co., Ohio, March 23, 1845, and is a son of John and Nancy (Grant) Johns, he having been born on the line between Dela- ware and Maryland, and she in New Jersey. They were married in Philadelphia, and lived in New Jersey until about the year 1832, when they came to Middlebury, where he carried on shoemaking. About the year 1852 he moved to Akron, and, in 1855, to Des Moines, Iowa. He there opened the shoe business, which he con- ducted until 1874, when he retired, and his son Theodore took his place, continuing with the old firm name. He (Theodore) was married to Martha M. Norton (daughter of Thomas Nor- ton) June 2, 1873. They have had two chil- dren, one of whom is living, viz., Nettie.

WILLIAM ACER NOBLE, foreman C .- B. Dep't., Akron ; a son of Theron and Lydia Dow (Acer) Noble ; was born Dec. 1, 1851, and is a

759

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

native of Pittsburgh, Penn. When a year old, family removed to Akron, where his father had lived before. Subject was educated in Akron in the public schools, and, at 16, was appren- ticed to the trade of machinist, in Taplin, Rice & Co.'s foundry, where he remained three years. He then went to Florida, where he re- mained two years, and, in 1873, returned and entered the employ of Taplin, Rice & Co., un- til the spring of 1876, and, in December of that year, engaged with Aultman, Miller & Co. as a mechanic, and, Sept. 1, 1877, was made fore- man in cutter-bar department, which embraces three rooms and employs fifty men. He was married, in October, 1877, to Miss Kate Big- elow, of Mansfield, Ohio ; one daughter living. Mr. N. and wife are members of the Episcopal Church ; is Republican in politics. His father was born in New York, and came to Akron about 1835, and was one of the first Auditors of this county. He was a tanner, but followed milling, and ran the old Black Mill in Middle- bury several years. Afterward, he owned the Cascade Mills ; died Sept. 20, 1877, aged 73 years.

EDWARD OVIATT, Akron. Edward Ovi- att, son of Marvin and Mary (Foot) Oviatt ; was born on May 19, 1822, at Hudson, Summit Co., Ohio. He spent a part of his time on a farm during his youth, and attended school at the Richfield Academy at Granville, and Western Reserve College, during a portion of his minority. In May, 1842, he came to Akron, entering the Hon. D. K. Cartter, now the Pres- ident Judge of the District of Columbia, for purpose of studying law, where he remained four years, and until Cartter removed to Mas- sillon. In September, 1844, he was admitted at Medina as a practitioner at the bar in the State Courts, and, in November, 1856, at Cleve- land, as a practitioner in the courts of the United States. He practiced law alone until July, 1865, when he formed a partnership with Hon. S. W. McClure, which lasted until May, 1870, the latter having been elected as one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas. He continued the practice alone till September, 1876, when he formed a partnership with George G. Allen, who had, a short time before that, been admitted to the bar, and with whom he still continues, under the firm name of Oviatt & Allen. He was one of the members of the Board of Education of the city for sev-

eral years ; was City Attorney from 1854 to 1862, and Prosecuting Attorney for this county from 1865 to 1869 inclusive, having been almost unanimously nominated by the Repub- lican party early in September, 1864, and, on the day of his return from the 100 days' serv- ice, leaving Akron as a member of Co. A, 54th Battalion O. N. G., but, on arriving in camp at Cleveland, in the organization of the 164th Regiment O. V. I., Col. John C. Lee command- ing, he was appointed and served as Color Bearer of the regiment until his return home, the regiment having been located on Arlington Heights, Va., during the entire summer. He started in life without capital, and, for whatever of success in business he may have acquired, it was gained by industry and economy. On Sept. 8, 1847, he married Anna M. Wads- worth, daughter of Frederick Wadsworth, who bore him one daughter-Emma, now the wife of Calvin Edgerton, a lawyer residing in San Francisco, Cal. His wife died Ang. 9, 1854. Dec. 5, 1855, he married Frances A. Lansing, of Saratoga Co., N. Y., who bore him two children-Olivia F., wife of George G. Allen, and Edward Alling, the three above named being his only children. An ardent Republican, but not ambitious for office or po- litical preferment, he has devoted his time and energies to his profession, seeking a reputation for fidelity and trustworthiness in business, rather than political honors. He adopted the rule early in life to owe no man anything pecu- niarily, and if a debt was contracted in the purchase of real estate or otherwise, he lost no time or opportunity in meeting the obligation, and to this principle he gives the credit for much of his success in business.

HERBERT A. PRUNER, Palmer & Pruner, artificial stone, Akron ; is a native of Dundas Co., Ontario, and was born July 5, 1849, receiv- ing a common-school education. At the age of 16 years, he came to Cattaraugus Co., N. Y., where he worked on a farm for two years, when he returned to Canada, remaining there one year, and then went back to New York. For two years he was employed in a cheese factory in Chautauqua Co., and then returned to his old employment in Cattaraugus Co., where he remained two years. About the year 1873, he went into the shops of the N. Y., P. & O. R. R. at Randolph, in the blacksmithing department, but again returned to the farm. In April,

753

CITY OF AKRON.

1878, he came to Akron, and was employed by S. Matherson, in chain works at Cuyahoga Falls for one year, when he returned to New York. In October, 1879, he came back to Akron, and, in January, 1880, became a mem- ber of the firm of Palmer & Pruner, manufact- urers of artificial stone. (See Mr. Palmer's sketch.) He was married, March 24, 1880, to Miss Belle Le Vere, of Akron. He started without capital, and, until the age of 21 years, gave his earnings into the hands of the family.

HARRY A. PALMER, Palmer & Pruner, artificial stone, Akron, Ohio, is a son of William and Sophia (Brock) Palmer, and was born July 16, 1851, in Somersetshire, England. The fam- ily came to the United States in 1852, when he was but 8 months old, and settled in Tallmadge Township on a farm, where he was brought up until he was 15, when he went to work in a paper mill at Cuyahoga Falls, remaining about one year, and then became engineer for his brother-in-law at Mansfield, in Richland Flour- ing Mills. Two years later, mills were burned down and firm removed to Ashland, and he was again employed as engineer. In 1870, he went to Shelby and ran an engine about one year and then returned to Tallmadge in 1872, and took charge of a farm. In the fall of 1873, he went to Onarga, Ill., and Jan. 1, 1873, was married to Miss Mary C. Risser, of Ashland, Ohio. He bought a fruit farm near Onarga, Ill., and did well for two years, and in 1876, bought a farm in Edinburg Township, Portage County, where he farmed two years. In 1878, he went to Ashland, as engineer in the mills, until Sep- tember 1879, when he came to Akron and bought the right of manufacture and sale of artificial stone in Summit County. Jan. 10, 1880, he formed a partnership with Herbert A. Pruner, and opened a manufactory at 203 North Howard street. The following is given as a matter of scientific interest: · Artificial stone has been in use probably as long as any other building ma- terial, and is unquestionably one of the lost arts. In conformation of this, history informs us that the Moors long ago manufactured a durable artificial stone, specimens of which may yet be found at Gibralter, which have with- stood successfully the storms of ten centuries. The Coliseum at Rome is a sample of artificial work by the ancients. The Cisterns of Solo- mon, near the city of Tyre, are of still more ancient origin, yet these immense stuctures are

almost complete in their preservation. The noted Small Cob, together with a large number of scientific men, is of the opinion that the Pyramids were built of artificial blocks, manu- factured upon the ground from the sands of the surrounding plains, by some cunning proc- ess that perished with the builders. Some of the largest and most permanent harbors and government works in the European countries, the great aqueducts of Central Europe, together with the Seagirt railroad station, and piers of the great bridge at New York, are instances where artificial stone is used almost entirely and with the best of success. Business blocks that are not surpassed in beauty and grandeur in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and many of the principal cities of the United States, are constructed entirely of this material. The great advocates of this building material are the eminent chemists and engineers of English fame, together with Maj. Gen. Gilmore, corps of engineers United States Army, whose engineer- ing skill has given him a world-wide fame. Many different processes have been invented, yet all have met with more or less difficulty in trying to obtain a solid, durable stone. Under the patent process which Messrs. Palmer & Pruner now control in this county, these diffi- culties have been overcome, and they are now manufacturing a quality of artificial stone, per- fect in appearance and adapted to all classes of work where natural stone or any other building material is used. Being of a hydraulic nature, it will harden and improve in solidity under water, it resists the action of steam, acids, and other disintegrating influences as well as our best building stone. The Boston Journal of

Chemistry says that artificial stone is as safe and durable as natural stone, that its chemical nature is such that it becomes almost as hard as granite, and that there cannot be a doubt that it will subserve all the desirable purposes for which that material is employed. In some of our larger cities this stone is fast supersed- ing the use of other building material, and is being extensively used for walks, trimming brick buildings, lawn vases, fountains and or- namental work of all descriptions. The sand in this location is particularly adapted to making this stone, it being coarse, sharp and siliceous. Ornamental work can be furnished at about one-half the cost of natural stone and will stand fire much better.

754

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

GEORGE K. PARDEE, lawyer, Akron: is a son of Hon. Aaron and Evaline (Eyles) Par- dee, and was born March 1, 1839, in Wads- worth, Ohio, where he was brought up, and where he lived until 1862, when he enlisted as a private in Co. K, 42d O. V. I., Gen. Gar- field's regiment. He took part in the battle of Chickasaw Bluffs, where he was wounded by a musket ball. He was Second Lieutenant, and for gallant services was promoted to Adjutant of the regiment. He was also at Young's Point, Grand Gulf, Thompson's Hill, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, siege of Vicksburg, Jackson, Miss., and in the Red River cam- paign and other engagements of his regiment ; finally promoted to Captain of Co. D. He re- turned to Wadsworth, and kept a dry goods store for three years, during which time he com- pleted his study of the law under his father, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. He commenced practice in the courts of Medina until 1875, when he removed to Akron. where he has been in active practice since. He was admitted to practice in the United States Court in 1878. He was married, in December, 1860, to Miss Caroline C. Hard, daughter of Cyrus Hard, of Wadsworth. Four children have been born to them, viz., Karl A., Lionel S., Julia and William E. His father's family consisted of five sons and three daughters-William E. was an attorney, and died April 6, 1866 ; Henry C., attorney, at Medina ; Almira S., wife of John G. Houston, of New Orleans ; Judge Don A., attor- ney and United States Circuit Court Judge at New Orleans ; George K. (subject); Fanny, de- ceased, was wife of P. B. Wilkins ; Ella N., wife of Dr. Wallace A. Briggs, of Sacramento, Cal., and Sutliff E., attorney at Wadsworth, Ohio.

CHARLES E. PERKINS, Akron ; sixth son of Col. Simon Perkins ; was born in Akron, May 7, 1850 ; attended public school, and made further preparations at Hudson College ; and, in about 1868, he entered the Troy Polytechnic Institute, where he pursued the engineer's course for three years, taking both a civil and mining course. On his return to Akron, he was elected City Engineer of Akron, continuing six years, the first year acting as assistant, and the last five being in the West. In the spring of 1878, he opened an agricultural warehouse on Canal street, where he has since conducted business with good success. He handles all kinds of

agricultural implements, carriages, wagons, scales and feed. In January, 1880, he married Miss May Adams, daughter of Frank Adams, of Akron.

COL. GEORGE T. PERKINS, banker, Ak- ron, son of Col. Simon Perkins, was born in Akron May 5, 1836. His education was ac- quired in the schools of Akron and at Marietta College. In April, 1861, he enlisted as private soldier in the 19th O. V. I., and at the organi- zation of Co. B was elected its Second Lieut- enant, and participated in the West Virginia campaign. In August, 1862, he re-enlisted in the 105th O. V. I., and was promoted to the rank of Major. He was with the army of Gen. Sherman and Gen. Thomas in the Atlanta cam- paign. In 1864, he was made Colonel of the gallant 105th Regiment, and was its com- mander until the close of the war, being mus- tered out at Washington in June, 1865. On his return to Akron, he became Secretary of Taplin, Rice & Co., and held that position until July, 1870, when, at the organization of the Bank of Akron, he became its President, con- tinuing in that office until 1876, when, at the demise of Mr. Alden Gage, Mr. Perkins became Cashier. He is also Secretary of B. F. Good- rich & Co., of the Akron Rubber Works.

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 136

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