History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 137

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 137

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COL. SIMON PERKINS, of Akron, son of the late Gen. Simon Perkins, of Warren, Ohio, was born at the latter place Feb. 6, 1805, where he remained until 1834, when he came to Akron and settled upon a tract of wild land contain- ing some 5,000 or 6,000 acres, which he pur- chased in 1827. For a number of years prior to his removal to Akron, he assisted his father in the management of various land agencies, and in earlier years had experience in clearing up the wild lands of his native town. His ed- ucation was at the common schools of Warren. In September, 1832, he married Miss Grace I. Tod, daughter of Judge Tod, and sister of the late Gov. David Tod, of Youngstown, by whom he had eleven children ; eight of them are still living. Col. Perkins came of good Puritan and Revolutionary ancestry, being the descendant of John Perkins, who came to America with Roger Williams in 1661. His grandfather was Captain in the war of the Revolution, and his father commanded the forces raised in North- ern Ohio for the defence of the frontier in the war of 1812. His mother was a Doug- lass, descendant of William Douglass, one of a

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Boston colony which founded New London, Coun. After settling in Akron, Col. Perkins devoted himself to the improvement of his property, selling farms to settlers as they were wanted ; raising improved breeds of stock and sheep, employing for a series of years, as Su- perintendent of these farming and stock opera- tions, John Brown, afterward famous in the anti-slavery annals of the country. An event- ful period, financially, in the life of Col. Per- kins was that in which the Cleveland, Zanes- ville & Cincinnati Railroad was constructed to Millersburg. He was President of the road from the first organization of the company un- til it passed into other hands, and in the con- struction and equipment of the same, embarked his private fortune as well as all his energy and weight of character, and ultimately sank in the enterprise his own accumulations and what he had inherited from the estate of his father. In the later years of Col. Perkins' life, he has found congenial employment in superintending the improvement of the grounds of the " Akron Cemetery Association," and whatever of beauty and attraction those grounds now possess be- yond their natural wildness and suitableness are due mainly to the Colonel's good judgment and love of the picturesque. Col. Perkins was never an office-seeker, always feeling probably that the man was more than any office, and that office should seek the man to fill it. Grace Park will always witness to his magnificent lib- erality. It was a gift to Akron before Akron had thought of being a city, and bears the name of his wife. There is no flaw in Col. Perkins' character. It is sterling throughout, and sound to the very core. His business integrity and the purity of his private life have always been above suspicion.

JUDGE STEPHEN H. PITKIN, lawyer, Akron ; is a son of Rev. Caleb and Anna (Hen- derson) Pitkin, and was born Oct. 5, 1810, in Old Milford, Conn. When he was 7 years old, his father removed to Ohio, and settled in Charleston Township, Portage Co., where he preached to the church at Charleston Center until 1827, when he went to Hudson, and was one of the founders of Western Reserve Col- lege, its Vice President and financial manager- was its Vice President until his death, which occurred about 1864. Subject worked on a farm in Charleston Township until he was 17 years of age, when he entered Western Reserve

College, from which he graduated in June, 1834. In the following October, he went to Fulton Co., Ill., where he engaged in teaching, and at the same time entered upon the study of the law, and was admitted to the bar in the spring of 1836. He entered upon the practice of his profession at Lewiston, the county seat of Fulton Co., Ill., and practiced under Stephen A. Douglas, who was his personal friend. He was elected County Surveyor of Fulton Co., and Probate Judge of that county in 1838 ; served two terms-four years. He remained there until 1852, in active practice, when he re- turned to Hudson and took charge of the home- stead, and assumed the care of his aged parents ; his mother is still living, aged 97 years. In 1862, he was elected Probate Judge of Summit Co., to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Judge Dodge ; was re-elected, serving until February, 1870. About the year 1872, he resumed his profession, and has been in ac- tive practice ever since. In January, 1871, he was elected Secretary of the Summit Co. Agricultural Society, holding same nine years, and was President of the society for 1880. He was married in October, 1854, to Miss Julia Lusk, of this county, who was sister of the wife of " Old John Brown." She died Oct. 7, 1873. They had five children, two of whom are living-Julian H., Superintendent of C. Aultman & Co.'s Works, Canton ; Mary, wife of Abner Caldwell, of this township. He was married a second time, Sept. 24, 1879, to Miss Helen B. Bell, of Cuyahoga Falls.

S. E. PHINNEY, merchant, Akron; is a son of Calvin and Emeline (Martin) Phinney ; his father was born in Massachusetts, and his mother in Vermont. His father came, when a boy, to Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, where he lived until his death in about 1870. He was for many years a merchant at Dover, meeting with fair success. S. E. is the oldest of five chil- dren, and was born at Dover, Ohio, Oct. 25, 1838. He employed his time until 20 in ac- quiring a good common school education and assisting in his father's store. He was for two years clerk in the store of Edwin Phinney, of Bath, this county. In September, 1860, he came to Akron and was employed as clerk with F. McNaughton & Co., in the dry goods busi- ness, four years. In 1865, he was employed by the Government as clerk for the Superintendent of Railroad Repairs, and traveled throughout

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the South and West. He returned to Akron in 1867, and became the partner of S. G. Bardorf in the shoe business, continuing in that house until a year after the death of his partner, when he sold out, and was in the employ of Cutter & Howe for three and a half years. In 1870, he opened a shoe store in Hanscom's Block, and has been in that business ever since in the corner room, No. 101 Howard and Mar- ket streets. His store includes a full stock of all goods in his line, and a repair shop. Oct. 30, 1868, he married Miss Nellie G. Abbey, of Akron, daughter of H. S. Abbey. They have two children.

HENRY PERKINS, Akron ; son of Simon Perkins, was born in Akron, on the old home- stead, April 8, 1842. He attended the public schools until he attained his 20th year, when he became clerk in the Quartermaster's Depart- ment, under his brother, Simon, Jr., who ranked as Captain and Assistant Quartermaster for the Army of the Cumberland, and followed the fortunes of the army until the close of the war. On his return, he accepted a clerkship with the Cleveland Rolling Mill Co., having charge of the Lake Shore mill office for a period of five years. In 1870, he became Secretary for Tap- lin, Rice & Co., and has had charge of the business department of the office ever since. Oct. 20, 1868, he married Miss Emma White, of Cleveland, Ohio ; one daughter is the result of the union. He is Superintendent of the Congregational Sabbath School, and Deacon in the church.

AUGUSTUS D. POWER, foreman black- smith department in Anltman, Miller & Co., Akron ; a son of Hiram and Hester (Parker) Power; was born at Angusta, Ky., April 14, 1831. When about 2 years old, the fam- ily removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father died in 1834, and the mother, with fam- ily, removed to Norwalk, Ohio. Here subject grew up, and, at the age of 20, entered upon the blacksmith's trade at Norwalk, at which he worked, except two years, until 1864. He then went to Meadville, Penn., and, in the employ of the A. & G. W. R. R., was made foreman of the blacksmith department in 1865 in the company's shops at Kent, Ohio. In 1870, he came to Akron, and at once entered the employ of Aultman, Miller & Co. as foreman of the blacksmith department, consisting of three shops employing sixty men. He was married, March

21, 1855, to Miss Jane L. Rule, of Norwalk, Ohio. They have two daughters. He is a member of the M. E. Church, of which he was chorister until 1877. He studied vocal music, and was leader of the choir at the several places where he has lived.

J. H. PETERSON, dentist, Akron, Ohio ; who began the practice of dentistry in Akron in 1854, and who now ranks as a pioneer mem- ber of the profession of Summit County, was born July 9, 1830, in St. Johns, New Bruns- wick. He is the second son and fourth child of a family of eight children born to John and Elizabeth (Laidley) Peterson, the latter of Scotch ancestry, and the daughter of Robert Laidley, a Captain in the British service in 1784. John Peterson was a native of Bath, Me., and, during the war of 1812, he entered the service of the United States, sailing from Boston in his own ship. He subsequently became a resident of St. Johns, N. B., where he was obliged to take an oath to become a loyal citizen, so long as he might remain a resident of the place. He afterward removed to Buffalo, N. Y., where he engaged in land speculations, by which means he lost his fortune. He then removed to Portage County, Ohio, where his family grew to their majority, and chose for themselves a business or profession. The Doctor first tried the study of medicine, but gave it up, and completed a course in the study of dentistry with Dr. B. T. Spellman, of Ravenna, Ohio, after which he spent one year in Cleveland in practice, and then at the date above stated removed to Ak- ron. In his residence of almost thirty years, the Doctor has progressed step by step as the science of dentistry has advanced to an impor- tant place among the sciences. While he has held a position among the first professional men of Akron, he has also devoted much of his time to other duties and social affairs. Polit- ically he was first a Democrat, then a Free-Soiler, and finally a Republican ; with the latter party he has been identified for many years. During the war of the rebellion, he was Secretary of the Republican Central Committee of Summit County. He is a member of Akron Lodge, No. 83, and of Washington Chapter, No. 25, of the order of A., F. & A. M. He is also a member of the Masonic Relief Association. Nov. 29, 1856, he married Miss Caroline Van Evera, a native of Cherry Valley, N. Y., but a resident of Akron at the time of their marriage. Three

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children have been born to them, two girls and one boy. Of the Doctor's three brothers, the youngest, William, entered the service of his country during the war of the rebellion. He was wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, from the effects of which he died, and his body now lies in the National Cemetery, with a Govern- ment tombstone marking his last resting-place. George K., the brother next older than the Doctor, was a civil engineer of some note, and was with John C. Fremont on his exploring trip to California. The eldest brother, Daniel C., went in an early day to the gold regions of California, and was one of the first company of .miners that ever located at Sutler's Fork.

ROBERT S. PAUL, surveyor, Akron ; is a native of Summit Co., Ohio ; was born in Cuy- ahoga Falls Oct. 3, 1842, and is the fourth of seven children born to Hosea and · Ellen (Gam- ble) Paul. His parents were natives of North- field, Vt., and County Down, Ireland. His mother came to this country when a child with her parents to Colebrook, N. H., subsequently moving to Canaan, Vt., where she married Mr. Paul, who was then Postmaster there. In 1834, they came to Wadsworth, Medina Co. Mr. Paul had early studicd and worked at survey- ing, and at Wadsworth taught school. In 1835, he moved to Cuyahoga Falls, where he lived until his death, May 29, 1870. Mrs. Paul is still living on the old homestead in Cuyahoga Falls. Robert lived at home until he was 20 years old, completing in the meanwhile a course in the high schools of Cuyahoga Falls, and teaching in Stow and New Portage. He worked at times with his father at civil and mining engineering. In 1862, he surveyed the narrow guage road for the Brewster Coal Company. In August, 1862, he was assigned for duty with the Topographical Engineer Corps under Col. J. H. Simpson, in the Army of the Cum- berland, where he served until 1865. Upon his return from the army, he attended the col- lege at Lebanon, Ohio, for a year. He then went to the oil regions and followed his pro- fession there about eighteen months. Ile also followed his profession in Cleveland for two years, where he spent a year in the Pennsyl- vania Polytechnic College. He then came to Akron, and soon after was appointed County Surveyor, to fill out the unexpired term of his father. He has since filled the position save one term, during which time he was employed

as Chief Engineer of the Ohio & Toledo Rail- road. July 25, 1872, he married Miss Sarah M. Romig, a native of Indiana. By this mar- riage, there have been six children, five of whom are living, Ellen, Ada, Laura, Martha (deceased), Mary and Edward. Mr. Paul is President of the County Surveyors' Association, and is serv- ing his second term. He was elected in 1881, as Secretary and Treasurer of the Ohio Insti- tute of Mining Engineers, making him a recog- nized authority on these matters.

W. H. PAYNE, boat-builder, Lock No. 2, Ohio Canal, Akron ; was born in Colombia, Lorain Co., Ohio, Aug. 10, 1822, and is the youngest of three children born to Willis and Rhoda (Bronson) Payne. He was a native of Connecticut, and emigrated to Lorain County when a young man, about the year 1816 ; while there he married Rhoda Bronson, a daughter of Herman Bronson, one of the pioneers of Boston Township. After his marriage, he came to Akron, where he died in 1836 ; she died in Boston Township in 1879. W. H., the subject, lived with his grandfather, Herman Bronson, from childhood until he was 20 years old, and received a common-school education. He was married Feb. 22, 1845, to Miss Julia Jaynes, a native of Vermont, who came here with her parents when young. After his marriage, he worked with his step-father, Jacob Barnhart, in his boat-yard in Boston Township, and in other similar establishments until 1864, when he came to Akron and bought out W. B. Storer's boat-yard, located at Lock No. 3, and continued the business for six years. He then sold out, and in 1873 established his present yard and has followed the business of boat- building ever since. During the six years he was in Akron, he built forty-two boats, and since beginning the business, he has built about one hundred and twenty-five boats. By his marriage, four children were born to him, of whom three are living, viz., Martha E., now Mrs. George Scott, of Akron ; Anna L., at home; Charles II., who married Miss Martha Storm, of Knox Co., Ohio. He lives at home and conducts the business originally established by his father.

J. II. PENDLETON, Vice President, Second National Bank, Akron City ; was born in Litch- field Co., Conn., Feb. 1, 1810, and was the eldest of eleven children born to Ward and Sallie (Cook) Pendleton, who were natives of Connecticut, and

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came to Ohio in 1819, in a covered wagon. They settled in Stow Township, Portage Co., now Sum- mit Co., where they bought wild land, upon which they built a cabin, and proceeded otherwise to improve their purchase. His death occurred here March 5, 1865 ; his wife died a few years pre- vious, June 6. 1860. J. H. lived at home until he was about 20 years of age, with limited op- portunities for receiving an education. At the age of 20, he engaged as a clerk in a general store owned by Stowe & Wetmore at Cuyahoga Falls. He continued with them until about 1835, and traveled for them through Northern Ohio selling goods. He then, in company with his brother, opened a general store at Bruns- wick, Medina Co., and, after one season, re- moved the business to Franklin Mills, in this county, where he remained until about 1840, when the business was sold, and he engaged in business with B. F. Hopkins, conducting flour and saw mill, also woolen factory (as Center Manufacturing Company) and general merchan- dise store. About 1847, the business was dis- solved ; and, in 1850, Mr. P. went to Cincinnati, where he was engaged in the construction of railroads until 1860, with headquarters at Cin- cinnati and Dayton. He then returned to Ak- ron, and, in 1863, upon the organization of the Second National Bank, he became Vice Presi- dent of it, a position he has held ever since. He has served as Trustee of Buchtel College several terms. He is a member of the Episco- pal Church, in the affairs of which he has taken an active interest. Mr. P. has been three times married-first in 1832, to Miss Julia Corp ; she died July 5, 1833 ; second, in November, 1834, to Miss Sybil Fletcher ; she died May 29, 1841 ; third, Sept. 13, 1842, to Miss Eunice M. Post, a native of Summit Co. They have one child, viz., Nellie A.

LOUIS J. PROEHL, physician, Akron, Ohio ; is a native of Akron, Ohio ; he was born July 18, 1850, and is the eldest of seven children, born to George and Mary Louisa (Loose) Proehl ; they were natives of Saxon-Altenburg, Ger- many, and were born near Leipsic, the famous battle-ground of Napoleon. He came to the United States in the fall of 1848, and settled in Akron the same year. In the spring of 1849, Miss Loose came to Akron (she was acquainted with Mr. Proehl in the old country). They were married July 1, 1849. He first employed himself at chopping wood, and then became a

helper at the Empire House. In the spring of 1849, he began work at his trade (stonemason), and continued at the same until 1858, when he bought a farm in Coventry Township, and occu - pied the same the following spring, where he has lived since, working at his trade in the summer. By the marriage there have been seven children, viz., Louis J., George A., William F., Tillie M., John F., Emma and Ida. Our subject lived at home until the spring of 1864. He then apprenticed with his father, working during summers and attending school during the winters, until he was 20 years of age, when he began teaching during the winters, and contin- ued until the spring of 1873. He then entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, graduating from the same in August, 1876, after which, he entered the Ohio Medical Col- lege at Cincinnati, attending.one course of lect- ures, and read with Dr. W. C. Jacobs, of Ak- ron, until the fall of 1878, when he returned to the college, and graduated from the same in the spring of 1879. He then came to Akron, and has practiced his profession there since, occu- pying an office with Dr. W. J. Underwood. He is a member of the Summit County Medical Society, and the Union Medical Association of Northeastern Ohio.

C. H. PALMER, Superintendent of the Bar- ber Match Company, Akron ; began to work for this company in 1864, at printing labels on a hand press and making the boxes, the Com- pany being at that time located at Middlebury. In 1866, he took charge of the shipping depart- ment-printing the labels, making the boxes. covering the cases and doing the billing ; and now on account of his faithfulness and gen- eral knowledge of all the different departments, he has been called upon to fill the high and re- sponsible position which he now occupies. His father was Albert Palmer, son of Stephen M., who were natives of Lyons, Wayne Co., N. Y. They came to Middlebury in 1836, at which time the father of our subject was but 11 years of age. His grandfather started the first fan- ning-mill manufactory in this part of the coun- try, under the firm name of Palmer & Stafford, the latter a brother-in-law ; they did an exten- sive business for a few years when they dis- solved partnership, the latter subsequently be- coming extensively engaged in a stencil manu- factory in the city of New York. The father of our subject after the death of Stephen M., in

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1849, in connection with his brothers Charles and Henry, carried on the business for several years, when they moved to Goodlettsville, Tenn., where they remained until near the outbreak of the Rebellion, when they dissolved partner- ship and returned to the North. The mother was Ann Hoy, daughter of James and Shedrick (Furgeson) Hoy, who is still living. The sub- ject of this sketch was married, Oct. 4. 1876, to Mary Ann Peckham, daughter of Thomas Peck- ham, a former partner in the firm of Barber & Co .; he is now one of the traveling agents. Mr. Palmer by his marriage has one child, Thomas Albert, born July 4, 1877. He is a stanch Republican politically ; a member of the K. of P., Royal Arcanum and of the K. of H. He and wife are members of the Disciples' Church, greatly respected and loved by all who know them.

CHARLES PARISETTE, merchant, Akron. There are probably few, if any, of the business men of Akron whose life has been so full of ad- venture as that of the subject of this sketch. He was born November 19, 1836, in Wesel on the Rhine, Rhine Province, Prussia. Until he was 14 years of age his life was spent most of the time in school. He was then appren- ticed by his father to learn the grocery busi- ness, the terms being that he must serve three years' time and pay $100. The old gentleman was for 49 years in the civil and military service of his country. Is at present living in New York City, though he and his wife, who was a Miss Mary Banhaus, and a native of Prussia, were at one time for about three years, resi- dents of Akron. When our subject had finished his term of apprenticeship, he entered the em- ploy of the firm whom he had served, at a salary of $50 for his first year's service. He remained there until he was 21 years old, and then emigrated to America. He remained in New York for about 13 months, engaged as a grocery clerk, and then sailed for California. Once landed there, however, it was not long un- til he thought of the mines, and the wealth that possibly awaited him. Joining a company he was soon in what has since proved the richest mining district in the world, as he was one of the first seventy-six men who pitched their camp and began prospecting on the site of Virginia City. The cabin built and occupied by himself and partners was erected only about 200 yards from the mouth of the great Com-

stock lode. He remained in Virginia City about three months, when the Indian war broke out between the miners and Piute Indians. The organization of miners was under the com- mand of Maj. Orsbry. The Piutes soon made it so warm for them that mining was out of the question. July 3, 1860, the terrible and deci- sive battle was fought at Pyramier Lake. Maj. Orsbry and his son were killed, with many others. Probably none would have escaped, had not the Indians been anxious to capture the horses, and therefore were careful not to shoot them. This desire on their part was the means . of Mr. Parisette's escape. He had a splendid horse, and though surrounded by the yelling painted demons, he watched his opportunity, and broke through them and gained the Carson River, across which he swam his horse and rode for the mountains. He did not escape, how- ever, without some severe arrow wounds, one of which was in the right hand and proved to be very painful. His only course now was to work his way to San Francisco, which he did, via the Hanes pass. Arriving at San Francisco he remained quiet until the recovery of his hand, when he again started for the mines. This time, however, he took good care to keep as far away from the Piutes as possible. He spent some time in the gold mines of what was known as Dry Town, where he made some money. Winter coming on, he and his partners went to San Francisco, and not caring to lie idle, they enlisted in the First Cal. V. I. for three years, thinking about three months would wind up the war of the rebellion. In- stead of this, he found himself booked for three years of hardships and privations. Their regi- ment numbered 1,600 men, and was known as the First Column of California. It was placed on duty most of the time in the West, and served its country in that mode of warfare known as bush-whacking, or fighting the Indi- ans. At one time Mr. Parisette's bunk-mate was so careless as to fall somewhat in the rear of the command, and when found, he was com- pletely skinned, a deed that had been done by the Apaches. Mr. Parisette was an excellent shot and at one time wore the company badge for two years in succession. At last he was discharged at Las Cruces, New Mexico, on Angust 31, 1864. He was one of a company made up to cross the plains on their way to New York City, which they did, making the

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journey in two months and fourteen days, though this included a few days' time spent at Ft. Larned, Kansas, to join in a buffalo hunt. In this hunt he used a Springfield rifle, and killed a number of buffalo. Arriving in New York, he stopped for a time with his brother, and then came to Akron in the fall of 1864. On December 25, of 1864, he began as salesman for N. Wagnor, groceryman, with whom he re- mained for about one year and three months, when he entered the employ of the old grocery- man, John Cook, with whom he remained until 1870. He then bought the property where he now does business corner Main and Exchange streets, South Akron, and engaged in the grocery business on his own account. His business has been growing year by year, till now his aggregate sales per annum are about $40,000. He is a live, energetic business man and has established this extensive business by his own energy and good financiering. He is a member of Granite Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 522. In 1867, he was married to Miss Susan Selzer, a native of Bavaria. Five children have been born to them, all of whom are girls.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 137

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