History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 155

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 155

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was the idol almost worshiped by her children, who delighted in her brilliant, cultured intel- lect, her ready wit and her finely drawn con- clusions; they rejoiced in her independence of thought and action, and her pitying scorn for what was wrong, and that she dared to live a life of non-conformity to the vain customs of the world. Of herself she seldom spoke or thought; for herself she seemed not to have ever lived. It was love and ministry unceas- ing for husband, children and grandchildren, that made her appear like an angel of light in her own household. She was calculated to lead each member of her family in thought and action; even the strongest were leaning upon her comparatively unimpaired faculties, when she was suddenly called away. The surviving members of the family are Miss Salome S. Wetmore, who is a resident of the village; Mrs. Louise, wife of Capt. H. S. Wet- more, of South America; and William Shep- ard Wetmore, of the firm of Frazer & Co., merchants, of Hong Kong and Shanghai, China.

J. F. WEIDNER, cooper, Cuyahoga Falls; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Jan. 18, 1827. His father, Michael Weidner, was a farmer, and passed his life in his native land. The subject of this sketch was only 8 days old when his mother died, and, as is usual in such

cases, he grew to maturity without that kind and watchful care that none but mothers know how to bestow. He learned the trade of cooper, and, in 1849, emigrated to America for the purpose of acquiring a position in the world that he considered was beyond his reach while in the " Fatherland." Coming to Ohio, he passed one year at Cleveland, and, in March, 1850, became a citizen of Cuyahoga Falls, where he has since resided and worked at his trade. His industrious habits, coupled with his business integrity, has given him a com- petency, and here he has, as it were, realized the dreams of his youth. He was married at Vermillion, Ohio, Aug. 9, 1853, to Miss Cath- arine Hess. She was boru in Hessen, Ger- many, July 13, 1832, and came to America when 4 years old. Their happy and prosper- ous union has been blessed with five children -Elizabeth C., Charles A., Mary C., George F. and Nellie G. The eldest married Mr. E. E. Pierce, and resides at New Brighton, Penn. ; Charles married Miss Elsie Smith, and resides at Cuyahoga Falls, where he is interested in the manufacture of pot-rivets. Mr. Weidner, wife and two eldest daughters are members of the M. E. Church, of which he is Treasurer, and takes an active part in its prosperity, hav- ing been connected therewith over twenty years. He is a Republican.

NORTHAMPTON TOWNSHIP.

JOHN A. BOTZUM, Buckeye. Jolin George Botzum, father of this gentleman, was born in Germany in 1796. He was the son of John Botzum, who was a native of Germany, and the parents of one son (John G.), and two daughters. John G. was married to Miss Catharine Draga- ser, in 1819. She was a native of the village of Urmmerspach, Germany, where she was born in 1796. Her parents moved to Poland when she was 7 years of age, leaving her with her mother's brother in Germany. She never saw her parents afterward, and continued to reside with her relatives until her marriage with Mr. Botzum. They were the parents of the follow- ing family of children : Michael, born in 1820 ; Catharine, in 1821, and died in 1825 ; Susan.

born in 1823; Nicholas, in 1825 ; George, in 1827 ; John, in 1829, and died in 1834 ; Adam, born in 1830 ; Catharine, in 1832; John A., in 1834, and Conrad in 1836. All of these chil- dren were born in Germany, except Conrad. In 1836, Mr. Botzum and family left their na- tive village, and went by ox team to the sea- board, where they took passage on the vessel Princeosa for the United States, arriving at New York on the 17th of July of the same year. Here they met an agent, who, after some talk, persuaded Mr. Botzum to go to South America, where he was told a fortune awaited him. Be- fore they had completed arrangements for the voyage, however, Mr. Botzum learned from the anthorities that it was a plan to get himself and

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family to that far-off country, where they would be sold into slavery. This decided him in his course, and, in a short time, we find the family aboard a flat-boat on their way to Albany. From there they went by canal to Buffalo ; thence by the lake to Cleveland, Ohio. Here the family were compelled to stop for a time, owing to sickness in the family. After a short time, they took passage on an open flat-boat on the canal for Niles. From there they went to Ghent, in Bath Township. Here Mr. Botzum obtained work at 50 cents per day, digging a mill race. They remained at this place two years, and, while the father was at work so hard, his good wife found time to go into the wheat fields of the farmers of that neighborhood, and glean, as did Ruth of old. The first season her gleanings, when threshed, amounted to eight bushels of nice wheat. After a stay of two years at Ghent, they removed to Niles, and, after four years, purchased a farm, upon which they ever afterward resided. Mr. and Mrs. Botzum were members of the Catholic Church, and would often walk great distances to attend church. In 1839. they walked to Canton, Ohio, to attend church at that place. They were frugal, indus- trious people, and respected by all who knew them. John A. Botzum was raised upon a farm, receiving but a limited education. When about 18 years of age, he went to Cleveland, and, for about a year, was engaged as clerk in a mercantile house. He then returned home, and, until 1858, was variously employed. He then engaged in mercantile pursuits at Botzum Station, where he has since remained, and, dur- ing that time, has been prominently identified with the growth and prosperity of that place. He has been quite an extensive dealer in lum- ber, live stock and real estate, and, when the Valley Railroad was building, took the contract for grading one and a half miles of the road, near Botzum Station. The man he contracted with proved worthless, and Mr. Botzum lost, in this undertaking, over $5,000. Mr. Botzum was married to a Miss Stout, a native of Northampton Township, this county. She is the daughter of George and Eliza (Woolford) Stout, appropriate mention of whom is made in another part of this work. Mr. and Mrs. Botzum are the parents of two sons, to whom they have given superior advantages for obtaining educations. Mr. Bot- zum is a self-made man, in the fullest sense of the word. He is a good and useful citizen, and

has the respect and confidence of the entire community.

A. G. BILLMAN, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Akron ; was born near Wooster. Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 18, 1833. He is a son of Henry and Maria (Best) Billman, and grandson of David and Mary (McDonald) Billman, and great-grandson of John and Julia (De Caveren) Billman. The last two were natives of Prussia, and John was one of the regular soldiers there. Becoming tired of the service, he ran away and shipped on board a vessel bound for the United States, where he arrived in safety. Soon after his arrival the war between the colonies and Great Britain broke out, and Mr. Billman immediately offered his services in behalf of the colonies to Gen. Washington. Owing to his previous experience he was commissioned Cap- tain, but by bravery was promoted to Colonel. He served through the whole eight years. participating in the battle of Lexington, the campaign of Virginia, and was with Gen. Washington at Valley Forge, where, in connec- tion with the rest of the troops. passed one of the most severe winters of suffering ever known in the history of war. He was wounded three times, but never quit the service. After the close of the war. he married Julia De Caveren, and was made overseer of " Hamilton's Planta- tion" in Virginia, four miles from Gen. Wash- ington's. At the end of four years he had saved sufficient money to purchase a large farm of unimproved land, but, in time. turned it into a plantation. In 1818, he sold this property and purchased a large farm near Bal- timore, Md .. and, in 1819, his death occurred. His eldest son David moved to Lancaster Co., Penn., soon after his father's death. and lived there until about 1825, when he was induced by Gen. Bell, whom he had served under as pri- vate in the war of 1812, to remove to Wavne Co., Ohio. He purchased a large tract of land near Wooster. He died here in 1866. His third child was Henry Billman. who is the father of the subject of this sketch. He was born in Lancaster Co .. Penn., and married his wife, Maria Best, in Allegheny Co. He came with his parents to Ohio in 1825, and, in 1845, came with his family to Northampton Town- ship, Summit Co., and purchased the farm on which his son Alexander now resides. He was one of the few men who commanded the respect and esteem of every one, and of him could be

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truly said he was one of nature's noblemen. At the time of his death he was a member of the M. E. Church. Alexander G. Billman was reared principally on the farm, and in youth he received a good education. He was married, Feb. 21, 1861, to Eliza Hartman, daughter of the Rev. Peter Hartman, of Wayne Co., Ohio, and to this union there were born the following family-George, Frank, Arthur, one that died in infancy, and Blanche G. Mrs. Billman was born Feb. 11, 1839. Mr. and Mrs. Billman are members of the M. E. Church, and Mr. Billman is a Republican in politics. He owns 207 acres of well-improved land, which has been in his family ever since it was a forest.

MARY A. BUTLER, the danghter of Joseph Wallace, was born in Franklin Township, Port- age Co., Ohio, Feb. 22, 1841. On the 22d of February. 1841, she was united in marriage with Jackson Bean, son of Henry Bean, and by him had three children ; Charles A., Frank W. and Alanson J. Mr. Bean was a widower with two children at the time of his marriage with Miss Wallace. His occupation was anc- tioneering. He died July 10. 1869, and Feb. 6, 1874, his widow married Henry Butler, who was a widower with four children. To this union there were born three children ; Fronie, Byron E. and Maud L. By the death of her first husband Mrs. Butler and her children were left 78 acres near Old Portage. At present she lives on a farm of 56 acres which was given her by her father. Mr. Butler is a Democrat, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church.

L. II. COX, proprietor of stone quarry, Cuyahoga Falls ; was born in Northampton Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Sept. 24, 1837. He is one of the following children born to Leon- ard and Lydia (Thompson) Cox : Lyman H .. Lenora M .. Frances, deceased, and LeRoy. Mr. Cox died July 7, 1862. Lyman H. Cox passed his youth and early manhood on the farm, receiving a good common-school educa- tion. When he was 21 years and 11 days old he commenced life on his own responsibility. He was married Ang. 6, 1861, to Ann M. Fitts, daughter of Roswell Fitts, and by her has one son, Fred, born Dec. 8, 1865. Mrs. Cox was born April 8, 1836. In 1866. Mr. Cox came to his present place and purchased f acres. This tract of land is underlaid with the best quality of building rock in Summit Co. For a better description of this rock see the history of

Northampton Township in another part of this work. This quarry is undoubtedly one of the best in the county. Besides this property, Mr. Cox owns a half interest in the old homestead which consists of 100 acres in the western part of the township. Mr. Cox is a member of Lodge No. 187, A., F. and A. M., and he is a Greenbacker in politics.

WILLIAM CARTER, farmer ; P. O. Cuya- hoga Falls ; is a son of William and Jane (Car- ter) Carter and grandson of Jared Carter. His father was a native of Middletown, Conn., and was born Feb. 13. 1792. June 16, 1814, he married Chloe Wadsworth, and by her had five children as follows : Maria E., born May 30. 1815 ; Sarah. born June 7, 1818 ; Mary, born Jan. 7. 1820 : Emily. born Oct. 31. 1822. and Amelia, born Jan. 31, 1835. The mother was born March 10. 1794; she died Oct. 17. 1826. Mr. Carter was a bricklayer by trade ; he came to Northampton Township at a very early time, and. being a master of his trade, received plenty of employment. The first brick building in the village of Cuyahoga Falls was built by him. as was also the jail at Akron, and many other of the best buildings in the county. His second wife was Jane Carter, to whom he was married in Northampton Township, Oct. 17. 1834, and by her had the following family : William (the subject of this biography), born Sept. 26, 1836; Patty, born July 25, 1838 ; Mahala, born Oct. 11, 1842. and Helen, born April 23, 1845: Patty married Wallace Har- rington, and Mahala married Fred Harrington. brothers. Mr. Carter died April 24, 1876. William Carter, Jr., passed his youth and early manhood on the farm; he was married Nov. 19, 1863, to Martha Pardee, daughter of Harry and Fanny (Benedict) Pardee, and to this union were born two children-Eleanor F. born in 1864, and Harry, born in 1865. Mrs. Carter was born Sept. 16, 1838. Our subject's mother is yet living on the old Carter homestead, which consists of 72 acres. The Carters are among the old pioneers of Summit County, and are also among the leading citizens.

SIMEON DICKERMAN, farmer and dairy- man ; P. O. Cuyahoga Falls ; was born in Nor- ton Township, Summit Co. (then Medina Co.) Ohio. June 22. 1824. He was one in a family of six children, born to Clement C. and Almira M. (Ormsby) Dickerman. The names of these children are Gilbert C., dead ; Simeon, Orlando,

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Henry, Asenath and Chloe, dead ; Henry mar- ried a Mrs. Renn, of Pennsylvania; Asenath is the wife of Charles P. Gardner, and lives in Minnesota ; Orlando married Elizabeth Pear- son, sister of our subject's wife, and lives in Medina Co., Ohio. The parents were married in Norton Township, Jan. 11, 1821. Clement C. Diekerman came to Medina Co., Ohio, at the early period of 1816, and his first location was in Norton Township, now in Summit County. Mr. Dickerman was a poor, but hard working citizen. His death occurred March 21, 184-, leaving a widow and family to mourn his loss. His widow is yet living with her son Simeon, at the advanced age of 81 years. Simeon Diekerman passed his early career on the farm assisting his mother in the care of the family, receiving but a limited chance for an education. On the 9th of October, 1850, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary A. Pearson, daughter of Arza and Achsah Pearson, old settlers in York Township, Medina Co., Ohio. After his marriage, Mr. Dickerman still continued to re- side on the old place in Norton Township, until the spring of 1852, when he moved to Akron, and for one year engaged in teaming. The next year he engaged in the grocery business in that city and so continued for about four years. In 1858, he came to his present place and engaged in farming and sheep-raising. He soon discontinued this and engaged in his pres- ent pursuit, in which he has ever since been engaged. Mr. Diekerman owns 300 acres of excellent land, 192 aeres of which are in North- ampton, and the balance in Boston Township. To his union with Miss Pearson, there were born the following family : Henry A., born Nov. 23, 1856, died Nov. 16, 1865 ; Lydia A., born Aug. 26, 1863, and Charles E., born Dec. 20, 1866, died Sept. 5, 1874. Mrs. Dickerman was born in Rutland Co., Vt., April 18, 1831. Mr. and Mrs. Dickerman are among the best connected families in the township, and are good and hospitable people. Mr. Dickerman is a stanch Republican in politics, and he and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

EDWIN FOLK, farmer ; P. O. Cuyahoga Falls ; is a son of John and Mary (Fulwiler) Folk, who were natives of Pennsylvania. John Folk was born in 1796, and Mary his wife was born in 1798. This couple were the parents of ten children-Catharine, Mary, Sally, Jesse,

Edwin, Hannah, John, Daniel, Polly and David. The three last were born in Ohio. All these children are living. In 1833, this family came to Mahoning Co., Ohio, where he commenced farming and weaving, the latter being a trade he had learned years before. Mrs. Folk died July 20, 1865. Mr. Folk is still living making his home with relatives in Trumbull Co. Ed- win Folk was born in Pennsylvania, Feb. 25, 1826. He came with his parents to Ohio in 1833, and, in his youth, received a common- school education. His people were very poor on their arrival in Ohio, like a good many other pioneer families. An incident in their life is here worthy of mention, and one that shows what people were sometimes compelled to do to keep from starving. At one time they cleared one acre of timber-land for three bushels of shelled corn. When 19 years of age, Edwin, like the rest of his brothers, was given his time, and for a number of years farmed and followed the carpenter's trade. He was married, Ang. 26, 1849, to Rebecca J. Ilart, daughter of Samuel Hart, and by her had four children- Minnie S., born June 17, 1851, and who is now the wife of Rev. O. O. Osborn, and resides in Michigan ; Ida J., born Jan. 16, 1855, now the wife of Griffith G. Roberts, farmer, and resides in Northampton ; Charles E., born June 17, 1860, died Sept. 29, 1861 ; and Ella M., born May 3, 1863. Mrs. Folk was born May 1, 1829. Mr. Folk is a hard-working. industrious man. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church, and he is a member of the Lutheran Church.

MARVIN GIBBS, farmer ; P. O. Buckeye ; was born in Tuscarawas Co., Ohio, July 13, 1832. He is a son of Charles and Isabelle (Steele) Gibbs, who were parents of the follow- ing family : Margaret, James (dead), Mary A., Marvin, John S. (dead), Warren (dead), and one that died in infancy unnamed. The father was a native of Virginia, and was born in abont 1799. He was a farmer, and was reared on a farm. He married Isabelle Steele in 1825 ; she was born in 1801. Mr. Gibbs came to Tus- carawas Co., Ohio, in about 1825, and after a residence there of eleven years, came to North- ampton Township, Summit Co., Ohio, and settled on the farm now owned by our subject. At the time of their settlement in Northampton, there was no clearing whatever on their place, and being a man of very little means, Mr. Gibbs was compelled to go in debt for it. He

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was a hard worker, and an honest, upright man in his dealings with men; and, at the time of his death, the place was cleared of all incum- brances. Mr. Gibbs died July 28, 1869. His widow still survives him, and resides with her son, Marvin, on the old homestead. Marvin passed his youth and early manhood on the farm. Was married Feb. 19, 1861, to Amanda E. Burgan, and her parents were among the pioneers of Sharon Township, Medina Co., Ohio. To this union there was born one son, Charles N., born in 1865. Mr. Gibbs is a Democrat in politics, and his mother is a member of the M. E. Church. The homestead consists of 85 acres of well-improved land.

HARRINGTON FAMILY. Job Harring- ton was born in Bennington, Vt., March 9, 1792. He was a son of Richard Harrington, who was of English descent. During the fall of 1814, Job Harrington and Susan Hartle, who was born in Georgetown, Penn., Jan. 27, 1796, were married. To this union there were born the following : John, born Feb. 2, 1818 ; George, born Aug. 20, 1819 ; Seth W., born June 13, 1821 ; James, born Nov. 17, 1823 ; Clarissa, born June 8, 1827 ; Warren A., born July 18, 1829 ; Alvin, born July 17, 1831 ; William, born July 11, 1833 ; Fred L., born Oct. 14, 1835 ; Wallace, born April 27, 1837, and Newton S., born May 22, 1840. John married Calista Prior and lives in Iowa ; George married Clarissa Turner, but has since moved to Michigan and died ; Cla- rissa married Alvin A. Wheeler ; Warren has never married ; he went to California in 1853, and has never returned ; Alvin died in child- hood ; William married Chloe Carr; Wallace married Patty Carter, a sister of Fred L.'s wife ; Newton served in the late war and died from diseases contracted while in his country's serv- ice ; Seth W. married Freelove Jones, daughter of Rees and Jane (Wright) Jones, on the 12th of November, 1846, and by her had the follow- ing family : Ethelbert S., born April 17, 1848, died March 3, 1852 ; Robert W., born Oct. 25, 1857 ; J. Athaliah, Oct. 7, 1853 ; Delbert R., born Feb. 7, 1857 ; Grace N., born Nov. 30, 1865, and J. May, born April 2, 1868. The mother of these was born in Northampton Township, Sept. 6, 1824. Seth Harrington died Oct. 23, 1876. He joined the M. E. Church when 16 years old, and always remained in it. He was active in his duties for the advancement of edu- cation and religion. He taught school quite a

number of terms, and also held various township offices. He left a large circle of friends to mourn his loss. James Harrington married Lydia M. Hawley, daughter of Richard and Esther (Gorman) Hawley, on the 7th of March, 1850. To this union there were born the following : Amoret A., born Dec. 30, 1850, died Feb. 21, 1864 ; Ezra J., born Dec. 10, 1854 ; Wilfred J., born May 11, 1858, and Cora M., born Aug. 6, 1861. The mother was born Feb. 28, 1832. Mr. Harrington owns 70 acres of land, on which he resides in Northampton. Fred L. Harrington married Mahala Carter, Oct. 10, 1866. She is a daughter of William Carter, a sketch of whom accompanies this work, and was born Oct. 11, 1842. This union was blessed with four chil- dren-Charlie E., born Feb. 24, 1869 ; Burt C., born April 19, 1872 ; Frank L., born Dec. 13, 1874, and Myron E., born May 22, 1877. This family resides on the old Harrington home- stead, which consists of over 100 acres. Job Harrington, the father and grandfather of the foregoing named individuals, in 1812, started on foot from Bennington, Vt., to Tallmadge Township. Summit Co., Ohio, where he arrived the same year, having traveled all the distance on foot. On his arrival, he purchased a farm for his parents, and the next year, 1813, his parents came there, and, building them a log cabin in the heart of the wilderness, commenced life there. In 1815, Job and his wife purchased and moved on the farm now owned by Fred L., in Northampton, and there remained until their respective deaths. Mrs. Harrington died Nov. 9, 1849. Mr. Harrington's second wife was Mary M. Paige, to whom he was married Nov. 30, 1851. She is yet living and resides in Cuy- ahoga Falls. Mr. Harrington died March 24, 1869. He early became identified in the lis- tory of Northampton Township, by the active part he took in advancing the best interests of his township and county. By his generous dis- position and kind actions toward the Indians, he made life-long friends of them, and they re- garded their white friend as a most good and noble chief. The first four years after his arrival in Northampton, Mr. Harrington was unable to work, owing to ill-health. His whole life in Ohio was one filled with the stern real- ities of a pioneer's life, in which innumerable hardships presented themselves. By the time he had begun to realize the comforts he had seenred by his hardships, his life labors ceased,

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and he was laid away at rest in the grave ; a rest that he had denied himself in life. Mr. Harrington was regarded as among the best citizens Northampton ever had, and his descend- ants are among the first families in the town- ship.

JOHN HOVEY, farmer ; P. O. Buckeye. Among the old and time honored residents of Northampton Township, is the subject of this biography. He was born in the District of Montreal, in the Province of Lower Canada, June 1, 1814. He is the son of Abiel and Martha (Hardy) Hovey, who were parents of the following family : Amos, Ira, Aurelia, Mary, Abiel, James, John, Martha, Silas and Paulina. Of these, only James, John and Silas are now living. The parents were natives of Massa- chusetts. They came to what is now known as Boston Township, Summit Co., Ohio, in 1819. and settled first on the farm now owned by Thomas Woods. After living here and endur- ing the hardships of a pioneer's life two years. Mrs. Hovey died. His widow survived him until 1837, when she too died. John Hovey was reared on a farm, and not having the school advantages in those early days that we of the present have, his education was limited. He was married, June 18, 1835, to Maria Chamber- lain, daughter of Ephraim and Deborah (Schoon- over) Chamberlain, who emigrated to North- ampton Township, Summit Co., Ohio, from New York, in 1820. To this union there were born five children-Nelson A., Simeon E., Aurelia, Harvey T. and Ephraim C. Of these, only the oldest and youngest are living. Nelson mar- ried Mary Howland, and lives in Old Portage. Ephraim married Lovisa Allen, and lives in Northampton Township. Mrs. Hovey was born in September, 1813, and is one in a family of six. Mr. Hovey's whole life has been passed in farming and lumbering. He now owns a farm of 76 acres of well-improved land, and is a stanch and unflinching Republican in politics.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 155

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