History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 144

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 144

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his bladder perforated by it, endure the torture and systematic derangement it caused and not die, to say nothing of the surgical operation. Nothing but pluck and an extraordinary con- stitution saved him. His surgeons say that he was the coolest and most self-possessed subject they ever witnessed at the operating table. All the years of his life since the 18th of July, 1863, have been weighed down by this injury, the pangs of which are still borne in nerves which never cease to ache.

In the spring of 1873, he was elected a dele- gate to the late Constitutional Convention, and, though suffering terrible agony from his army wound, much of the time of its session, he took a leading part in its deliberations and was one of its most efficient and influential members. He is an ardent Republican, politically, without being partisan, either in feeling or action, and a distinguished champion of protection to Ameri- can industry. His late campaign speeches on the protective policy were conceded to be mas- terly efforts and were widely circulated. As a public speaker he is frank, candid, earnest, elo- quent, never abuses, and always addresses his hearers as if they were intelligent and self-re- specting. He is invariably listened to with in- terested attention.

In November, 1873, he submitted to one of the most remarkable surgical operations in the annals of surgery. His wound had apparently healed. The bullet which caused it was cut in two parts on his sword-belt ring, the smaller As a lawyer, though his education was not what is strictly denominated liberal, was ample for all the requirements of his chosen profes- sion, especially when it is considered that he was endowed by nature with a most vigorous and exceedingly wiry constitution, and a mind whose vigor, tenacity and comprehensiveness compared admirably with his physical organi- zation. What he lacked of ancient classical eru- dition was more than compensated by the care- fulness and thoroughness with which he had mastered the special science that covered the field of his future professional efforts. It was not long after he came to the bar till he took his position permanently in the foremost rank, composed though it was, of the ablest competi- tors. Whatever he undertook to do, he did with all his might, mind and strength, utterly fearless, though by no means regardless of the degree and character of the opposition to be encountered. In his arguments to the court upon questions of law, he was always clear, jury, he was equally clear, systematic, and cogent in his statements of facts deduced from part lodging in the circular abdominal muscle, and was removed by the surgeon at the time of the injury ; the other part passed downward and backward in the abdominal cavity, and lodged on the crown of his bladder and became impacted in the walls of that organ until the fall of 1872, when it penetrated them and be- came loose within. Up to this time it had been a source of great annoyance and bodily infirm- ity, the cause not being suspected even by Gen. Voris. Nov it became most torturing, giving constant and almost unendurable pain, so much so that his friends supposed he must speedily die. His physicians did not suspect the nature of his disorder till early in the sum- ; mer of 1873, too late in the season for a de- sirable operation. He waited, under the advice of his surgeon, until the ensuing fall, when he ; underwent the lateral operation in lithotomy, by which three-fourths of an Enfield rifle shot ; was extracted, weighing one and one-eighth ounces. The great wonder is that he ever sur- ' logical and concise. In his addresses to the vived the first effects of this shot, and then that he should carry it over ten years and have

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the evidence, and his own inferences and con- clusions therefrom ; and in such efforts he often rose to the very highest plane of exalted and refined forensic eloquence. At the com- mencement of his professional career, he occa- sionally fell into a style of oratory somewhat too verbose and ornate, and also into action and gesticulation too continuous and violent ; but increasing years and experience soon ena- bled him to excide such objectionable superflu- ities. In practice, and in his social intercourse with his brethren of the bar, he was always courteous and considerate in regard to the feel- ings of others, however much heated in debate. He was truthful insomuch that arguments made with him orally could be relied upon as implicitly as if reduced to writing. In his de- meanor toward the court, he always recognized its assumed dignity, and accorded correspond- ing treatment. As to deception, chicanery, and trickery of all sorts, he simply despised them, and he equally despised and condemned every professional shyster who practiced or attempted to practice such arts, with a view to thwart the ends of justice.

EDWIN F. VORIS, Akron, only son of Gen. A. C. Voris, was born in Akron, July 31, 1855. He graduated from the High School in 1872, and entered Buchtel College at its opening, graduating June 30, 1875. In the fall of the same year, he entered the Harvard Law School, and graduated in June, 1877, being admitted to the bar at Cleveland, Ohio, in Oct. 8, of that year. June 8, 1878, he went to St. Louis, and the following month was admitted to the bar in Missouri. He practiced and studied with J. M. & C. H. Krum, of St. Louis, until February 1879, when he returned to Akron, and there associated himself with his father, since which time he has continued to practice under the firm name of Voris & Voris. October, 1879, he married Miss Lizzie U. Slade, of Columbus, Ohio.

NICHOLAS EMMONS VANSICKLE, to- bacco merchant, Akron ; one of seven chil- dren, was born in Germantown, N. J., No- vember 10, 1816, to Henry and Mary (Em- mons) Vansickle, both of whom were na- tives of New Jersey. In 1825, they moved to Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N. Y., where the sub- ject of this sketch engaged in farm labor and blacksmithing with his father, walking two miles to school three months per year. In May,

1837, by canal, they moved to Ohio, settling in Bath Township on a farm. After settling in this State, our subject learned to make cloth, and from 1838 to about 1845, with his brother- in-law, Jacob Allen, was engaged in the cloth business, during that period being one of the proprietors of the City Woolen Factory, now occupied as the City Mills. In September, 1844, he married Miss Margaret Mathew, of Akron. Of this union there are two children, Ella (now Mrs. E. R. Grant, of Norton) and Dora (now Mrs. N. H. Bassett, of Cleveland). In 1848, he removed to Bedford, Ohio, where he kept a hotel on the old stage line from Cleve- land to Pittsburgh, for a short time, after which he engaged in the railroad business, at which he has been very successful, having built con- siderable portions of several roads. In 1861, he returned to Akron, and for some years fol- lowing, was employed in the public works of this place. In 1871, he built twenty miles of the Tuscarawas Valley Railroad. In 1875, he bought his present tobacco store on Market street.

He has taken an active part in the Agricultural Society of Summit County, having been a member of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Di- rectors of the same. He was formerly a mem- ber of the City Council. He is a stanch Republican, because of which fact he was several times burnt out during the three years he was in Hannibal, Mo. (from 1857 to 1860), the last time at a loss of $30,000, in railroad contracts and buildings.

H. C. VIELE, County Treasurer, Akron ; was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Oct. 29, 1841, and is the second in a family of five children born to Hiram and Abbie M. (McFar- land) Viele. He was a native of Pittstown, Renssalaer Co., N. Y., and was born Sept. 5, 1813. His father was a farmer and he was brought up on a farm until he was 20 years old, when he engaged as a clerk in the stove trade busi- ness at Rochester, Monroe Co., and two years later he became a partner in the business, in which he continued for five years ; he then lived a year in Washington Co., when the family came to Akron (1842), he engaged as a clerk and book-keeper in the Stone Mills and continued there until 1868, when he opened a flour and feed store, in which business he remained un- til his death, July 25, 1874. He was married to Miss Abbie M. McFarland Oct. 17, 1838.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

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She is a native of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. Of their five children, three are living, viz., H. C., Mary I. and Fannie G. Mrs. Viele is living on the old homestead. Our subject re- ceived his education in the schools of Akron, and at the age of 16, began clerking in the Stone Mills with his father for eight or nine years. He then became the agent for the Merchants Union Express Co., and after one year he entered the office of the C., Z. & C., now C., Mt. V. & C. R. R., and served two or three years, when he be- came a partner with his father in the flour and feed business, and after one year he was ap- pointed County Recorder to fill the vacancy of Granville Thorp, deceased. He next served as a clerk in the County Treasurer's office, and continued as such until 1878, when he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Clerk, and was re-elected to the office in 1880. Oct. 16, 1873, he married Miss Libbie F. Maek, a native of New York. They were married at her home, at Flat Bush, Long Island. By the marriage there is one child, viz., Fannie Mack.

GEORGE VIALL, Treasurer Middlebury Clay Co., Akron (Sixth Ward); is a native of Middlebury (Sixth Ward of Akron), and was born March 12, 1834; is the only child of Thomas C. and Mahala (Atwood) Viall, who were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and when young came to Ohio with their parents. He built a woolen and saw mill in Middlebury which he conducted until his death in 1834. She settled with her parents in Springfield Township, where her father owned 1,000 acres of land. They were married in 1832. After the death of her husband in 1834, she was again married in 1840, to Nathaniel Munson, and in 1845, they moved to New York, but returned about 1850. He was a tanner by trade, and followed the business in Middlebury. He died in New York while on a visit to his relatives about the year 1865. She is still living, and makes her home with her son, Leroy Munson, in Tallmadge Township. George Viall lived at home with his mother until he was 19 years of age, receiving a common-school education. At the age of 19 he engaged in the grocery business at the old forge north of Middlebury. He followed the business some eighteen months, and then sold out and bought a canal-boat, following boating for three summers, when he again embarked in the grocery business in Mid- dlebury, which he continued for three years,

then sold out and opened business in Akron, where he did business three years longer. He then sold out and commenced the manu- facture of stoneware in Middlebury, continuing for eight years. He sold out and went into general merchandise in Middlebury, and after nine years again sold out. He was one of the incorporators of the Middlebury Clay Co., of which he is Treasurer, and has also served as Secretary. He has served two terms in the Middlebury Council. He was married Ang. 24, 1857, to Miss Maria Reepsomer, a native of Trumbull Co., Ohio. They have had three children, one of whom is living, viz., Nannie L., also an adopted child, Edward Carl.

JOHN F. VIALL, undertaker, corner Water and River street, Akron ; is a native of Chau- tanqua Co., N. Y .; was born April 30, 1825, and is the fourth of a family of nine children born to Bennett and Wealthy (Arnold) Viall. They were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and were married in New York, whither he had gone when a young man, and she with her parents. He farmed there until 1832, when he came to Ohio, and settled in Springfield Town- ship, farming there some two years. He then came to Middlebury and took an active interest in a saw and woolen mill, built by himself and brother Thomas, continuing until the latter's death, after which he continued some three years longer. He then went to Wisconsin, where he remained for two years, and then returned to Middlebury, and soon after went to Granger Township, in Medina Co., where he followed farming until his death in 1877, aged 84 years. She died in 1845. He married a second time to Mrs. S. Hinckley, who died about four years after her marriage. A third marriage was to Mrs. Rhoda Baker ; she sur- vived him about one month. John F. (the subject) lived at home until he was 22. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade with his brother in Middlebury. After three years his brother died, and himself and brother Eli en- gaged in the furniture business under the firm of Viall Brothers, and continued about ten years. Subject then sold out and worked for G. W. Barber & Co. twelve years, then worked for Kent & Baldwin, woolen machinery manu- facturers, for two years. He then bought an interest in his brother's cabinet-making busi- ness, continuing three years, when the firm became Viall & Replogle, the latter succeeding

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Eli Viall, and three years later he sold to Mr. Dewey, and about three years after John F. Viall became sole proprietor, and quit the fur- niture business and followed the undertaking business since. He was married, Nov. 4, 1847, to Miss Cornelia C. Wheeler, a native of Tall- madge Township. They had seven children, five of whom are living-Francis (now Mrs. Obendorf, of Middlebury), Edwin W. (married, and lives in Middlebury), Laura C. (now Mrs. Charles B. Macey, of Middlebury), Arthur G. and Otis live at home.

C. VOGT, carriages, Akron. Though identi- fied with the manufacturing interests of Akron for but a few years, he has already established quite an extensive business. He is the son of John and Susan M. (Seltzer) Vogt, and was born in Rhine Province, Germany, in 1846. In 1852, his people emigrated to the United States and settled in Springfield Township, Summit County. There he worked on his father's farm until he was 15 years old, and then he spent one year in the mines. He began to learn his trade in 1865, after which he spent three years with E. A. Collins as finisher for him. He then spent one year in Tallmadge. In 1874, he be- gan business in Akron on his own account ; his capital was small, and competition lively, but with a determination to succeed he pushed along, and in 1880 built this present manufact- uring establishment, which is located on the corner of Main and Middlebury streets, South Akron, and is of the following dimensions : 22 feet front by 136 feet deep, three floors, and blacksmithing and trimming-shop in the rear. The ground floor is the wood-working room, the second is used as a repository and office, and the third is devoted to painting and finish- ing. Mr. Vogt has taken quite an interest in political affairs, though he has been no office- seeker ; however, he was pressed into the service so far as to have served four years as a mem- ber of the City Council from the Fifth Ward. This was by the courtesy of his Democratic friends. IIe was married in 1869 to Miss Mary E. McDonald.

JAMES VIALL, Superintendent Hill Sewer Pipe Co., Akron (Sixth Ward) ; is a native of Akron, Summit Co., Ohio. Was born Jan. 15, 1828, and is the sixth of nine children born to James and Sarah (Hubbard) Viall, natives of Vermont, where they were married, after which they came to Ohio (about 1822) and settled in

Summit Co. Here he followed for a time char- coal burning, and later he became a contractor on the canal. After its completion, he engaged as bridge-builder, and built many of the bridges in this county. He died in February, 1837 ; his wife lived in the vicinity until her death, in the summer of 1880, at the age of 84 years. James (the subject), lived at home until 22 years of age, receiving but a limited education at the district schools. In 1841, he went on the canal, following the same until 1865, the first two years as driver, and in 1843-then but 15 years old-began as steersman. continuing as such as long as he remained on the canal, running be- tween Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He embarked, in 1865, in the manufacturing of stoneware, buying the business of Wm. Owens, which was located in Springfield Township, and has con- ducted the same ever since. About the year 1876, he sold a half-interest to George Markle, under the firm name of Viall & Markle. He also became interested, in 1865, with J. B. Woods, in the mining and manufacturing of clay, which he has since continued, and which has been incorporated into the Middlebury Clay Co. In March, 1873, he, in company with Mr. Hill and others, incorporated the Hill Sewer Pipe Co., of which he is Superintendent. He was also engaged for several years, with Moses J. Huggins, in the grocery business in Middle- bury, and for a time were the only representa- tives in that line in the place. He was married, Jan. 29, 1850, to Miss Mary Davis, a native of Middlebury, and daughter of Benjamin and Mary Davis-the former deceased, Mrs. Davis still living with her daughter, aged 86 years. Mr. Viall served as Councilman several terms in Middlebury before its incorporation. He has always been Republican in politics.

W. W. WARNER, abstracter of titles, etc., Akron ; was born in Springfield Township, in this county, Feb. 28, 1848, and is the eighth of nine children born to John and Mary (Ettie) Warner. His parents were natives of Connec- ticut, and came to Ohio abont 1839 and settled in Portage Township, Summit Co., Ohio. His father was a worker in iron, and was principally engaged as forgeman after coming to Ohio. Aug. 6, 1863, he was drowned in the Cuyahoga River at Cuyahoga Falls. His mother died Dec. 3, 1859. Mr. Warner lived at home until the death of his father, when he went to live with 'Mr. Charles Curtiss, working on his farm

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for a year, when, Mr. Curtiss selling out, young Warner remained with the purchaser of the farm. After a year, he went East, finishing the education begun in the district schools and those at the "Falls," in the Quaker City Busi- ness College of Philadelphia. After an absence of two years, he returned to Cuyahoga Falls and engaged as book-keeper for Hanford & Yeamans, and Hanford Brothers, who succeeded the former. The following year, he came to Akron and served as Deputy Recorder for James A. Lantz, and later, for Mr. Thorp, con- tinuing some two years in all. In 1871, he be- gan the business of preparing abstracts of titles. In 1874, he added the feature of real estate and loan agency to his business, forming a partnership with E. C. Ruggles, under the firm name of Ruggles & Warner. Two years later, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. War- ner continuing the business alone to the pres- ent. April 15, 1869, he married Miss Annie M. Yeamans, a native of Philadelphia ; she died Oct. 27, 18-, leaving two children-Ar- thur Lee and Harry Albert, who were twins. Oct. 25, 1877, he married Miss Alice G. Little- ton, a native of Cleveland. There is one child by this marriage-George Littleton.

AARON WAGONER, Auditor, Akron ; was born on his father's farm in Franklin Township, Sept. 19, 1844. His early years were spent on the farm, and in the schools of the neighbor- hood, until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the army, joining Company B, 6th O. V. C. Soon after his enlistment, he was appointed Corporal, and later, a Sergeant, finally reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant in command of the company. He was mustered ont as Second Lieutenant in 1865. This regiment was with Sheridan in the Potomac Army, took part in the battle of the Wilderness, on the raid to Richmond, at Appomattox Court House, and all the engagements of the army. At Aldie he was wounded, and for several months was dis- abled for active service. Returning from the army, he came to Akron and engaged as sales- man in the dry goods establishment of Over- holser, Keller & Co. After serving in this ca- pacity for some eighteen months, he engaged as their book-keeper, continuing for four and a half years, when the firm dissolved. In 1872, he entered the City Bank as Teller, continuing there until 1880. In the fall of this year, he was elected on the Republican ticket as Auditor,

entering upon his duties in the following No- vember. April 30, 1868, he married Miss Amanda Smith, a native of Summit County ; by the marriage there have been born two chil- dren, viz. : Mabel Blanche and George Edward.

DR. JOHN WEIMER, physician, Akron ; is a native of Alsace, France, and was born Aug. 23, 1813. His father was a farmer. Our sub- jeet received an academic course of study, and at the age of 19 set out for America. On his arrival he felt the necessity of being able to speak the language of the new land. He en- gaged his services to a Yankee family, with whom he remained several months ; then en- tered a store in Buffalo, N. Y., as clerk, and after about three months, while in Ohio on bus- iness, he met Dr. Underwood, of Baltimore, Stark Co., and arranged with him to read med- icine, under his instructions, which he began to do in the latter part of the year 1832; two years later, he read one year at Canton with Dr. Breisacher, and in April of 1836, he began to practice at Uniontown. In 1847. he removed to Akron, where he has practiced since. The Doctor is a member of the Summit County Med- ical Society. In September, 1839, he married Miss Catharine Christy, a native of Springfield Township, Summit Co., Ohio. She died in Jan- uary, 1875. There were four children and but one is living, viz., Mrs Valentine Ilay, of Som- erset Co., Penn. Dec. 25, 1879, he married Miss Mary C. Miller, a native of Stark Co., Ohio.

CHARLES WEBSTER, President of the Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company, Akron, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, Sept. 3, 1810, and is a son of Samuel HI. and Elizabeth (Knowles) Webster, natives of Hart- ford, Conn. When Charles was 3 years old his parents removed to Hartford, where they lived some twenty-three years. His education was confined to a limited attendance at the dis- trict schools. At the age of 16, he (subject) was bound to the carpenter's trade until of age. After this he worked one year in a manufactory of window blinds. He then followed his trade until 1835, having established his residence in Massachusetts. He was married, April 30, 1833, to Miss Martha A. Atherton, a descend- ant of the Rev. Hope Atherton, who came over in the Mayflower. The fruit of this mar- riage was eight children, but one of whom is now living-Isabella, Mrs. Gage, of Akron. In

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1835, Mr. W. came to Ohio with his family in a one-horse wagon, in company with Charles Merriman and family. They left Dalton, Mass., May 5, 1835. and were fifteen days on the journey, arriving at Matteson on the 20th. He worked for a time on a hotel for Mr. Merriman, after which he visited Akron, settling on a tract of land belonging to Merriman. He built a cabin on it, but the following spring he moved to the then village of Akron, where he has ever since resided. He worked at his trade, and at millwrighting until 1848, when on the 15th of May, in company with G. D. Bates and James Taplin, he formed a partnership under the firm name of G. D. Bates & Co., which continued until 1869, when a stock company was formed, of which Mr. Webster is President. Their business is the building of stationary engines and boilers, and mining, milling and pottery machinery, also of general machine work. Mr. Webster has been identified with this business ever since its establishment in 1848. When he came to Ohio, he was in very limited circumstances, and has accumulated his means by his own in- dustry.

T. G. WILLIAMS, of Williams & Ab- bott, stoves, tinware, etc., Middlebury (Sixth Ward) ; was born in Durham, England, May 2, 1843. In 1846, his parents, Rev. Michael and Mary (Wilkinson) Williams, came to America, and resided successively in New York City, Paterson. N. J., Johnstown, Penn., Alexan- dria, Ind., Pittsburgh, Penn., New Castle, Penn., when they remained at the latter place several years. While there the subject went to Johns- town and learned the tinner's trade, and, at the beginning of the late war, enlisted in Co. K, (Johnstown Zouaves) 3d Penn. V. I .; served three months, when the command re-enlisted for three years, and again, at the close of the term, as veterans. In the first enlistment for three years, his command became Co. A, 54th Penn. V. I. In the re-enlistment as veterans, Mr. Will- iams was commissioned as First Lieutenant of his company. He participated in the battles of the first Bull Run, Petersburg, New Mar- ket, Lynchburg, Winchester, Antietam, Cedar Creek, Fisher's Hill, at Appomattox, and all other engagements of his command. He was in the army from the first battle of Bull Run to the surrender at Appomattox ; was wounded twice in the battle of Lynchburg, and was con- fined some two weeks in hospital, when he re-

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 144

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