History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 161

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 161

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being taken prisoner soon after, he lay at Richmond until that city was taken by the Union forces; he is now residing at Paris Landing, engaged in coopering and carpenter- ing. Mr. Kittinger's wife died March 26, 1870. He is a stanch old Republican, and has been a member of the German Reformed Church for nearly fifty years.

CHARLES F. KOHLER. Akron: the old- est of a family of five sons and one daughter; born Sept. 6, 1855. to Andrew: he of Andrew and Sarah Fisher, daughter of John Fisher. He is of German-English descent. Charles' father was for many years engaged in gene- ral merchandising at Richfield and Jersey Shore, in the State of Pennsylvania, where, in Juniata Co., Charles was born, and received all the educational advantages of his commu- nity: then. after moving to Akron. in the spring of 1870, he completed the high school term and took a course at the Oberlin Commer- cial School, where he received a diploma for proficiency. On the 1st of January, 1879, he accepted the position of Weighmaster and book-keeper at the Summit Mine, formerly the old Steese Mine. He was married, April 10, 1879, to Alice Brittain, daughter of John T. Brittain whose history appears in the bio- graphical department of Springfield Township, of this work. They have one child-Burt B., born Feb. 4, 1880. Charles' only sister. Mrs. Ferdinand Diebold, residing in Cleveland; his oldest brother, John, studying medicine with Dr. Leight: the others are attending school, the father being careful that his children in- prove their educational advantages.

SIMON P. MARSH, teacher and farmer: P. O. Akron. The ancestors of this estimable gentleman wore natives of the State of Penn- sylvania, near Williamsport; his father, George L., was born Feb. 7, 1808, and died April 18, 1870. the son of Adam, a carpenter by trade, who came to Franklin Township, this connty, about 1819, and died in 1862 or 1863. aged about 82 years. George L. received a very limited education on account of the early re- moval of his father to the above-named town- ship, and the prevailing idea of those early times that work was more necessary than edu- cation; his services were, at a tender age, demanded upon the farm. He was married

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to Elizabeth Hane, Dec. 1, 1831; she was born July 20, 1811, and died Nov. 2, 1867. By this union there were six sons and six daugh- ters-George Adam, born Dec. 8, 1832; John Jacob, Dee. 30, 1833; Samuel Christian, Ang. 25. 1835; Nancy, April 4, 1837; Lovina, Jan. 8, 1839: Elizabeth, April 3, 1840: Sarah, April 7, 1842; the two last are dead -the lat- ter, wife of John Myers, by whom she had one child Ida Elizabeth, born June 22, 1862: William Henry, Jan. 22, 1844; Hiram Franklin, Nov. 23, 1845; Simon Peter, April 5, 1848; Harriet, May 3, 1850; and Amanda, Sept. 16, 1852. Mr. Marsh, before his mar- riage. entered 160 acres of land, which he afterward cleared np, and raised the large family mentioned above, ten of whom are still living, all the sons having been teachers. George teaching and farming in Marshall Co., Ind .; William teaching and carpentering in Tallmadge Township; John farming in Stark Co .; the others are residents of Franklin Township; the daughters are wives of the sons of the earliest and most prominent early set- tlers of that township. Simon P. began teach- ing at 16 years of age, having received h s certificate to teach when but 15 years of age: he has now taught his twentieth term of dis- trict school. He was married, Oct. 15, 1872. to Sophia E. Young, born July 21, 1848, in Franklin Township, daughter of Samuel, the son of Abraham Young; her mother was Sarah Shook, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth (Ven- sall) Shook, natives of Pennsylvania, but early settlers of Franklin Township. They have had four children, one dying in infancy : those living are Ellery Leroy, born Aug. 1, 1874; Charles Gilbert, March 1, 1877; and Etta Elizabeth, March 26. 1879. He purchased the beautiful farm upon which he now lives in March, 1874, and, in the spring following, his removal to the township, was elected to the office of Township Clerk. which position he has held to the present time, except the year 1879. He and family are members of the Reformed Church; a prominent Democrat. and an enterprising young man.

SAMUEL W. MILLER (deceased): was born in Westmoreland Co., Penn., Dec. 6, 1812, and died Jan. 28, 1881, suddenly, of heart disease; his parents were Jesse and

Elizabeth (Weaster) Miller, both of whom lived to a great age-she about 106 years. They came from Venango Co., Penn., to the farm on which the widow now lives, in Janu- ary, 1865, after having resided in many differ- ent places in their native State, he being a stone-mason by trade, but afterward engaging in farming; his father, Jesse, was a miller by trade, and a school-teacher of considerable prominence. Samuel married Elizabeth Seger June 11, 1833, daughter of John, he of John and Ann (Rhodenbush), she of Jacob and Ann Rhodenbush. They had eleven children, four of whom died in childhood; those living are William J. M., born March 3, 1834; Mary Caroline, Dec. 12, 1836; John H., May 12. 1839; Sarah Ann. Nov. 30, 1841; Eunice C., July 2, 1847: Hannah M .. June 4, 1856: and George W., April 28, 1859. William married Elizabeth Honn, who was born in Philadelphia; they have two children-John L. and Sarah A., who, at this writing, reside in Venango Co., Penn. William, being called here by the death of his father, is contem- plating a removal to this State to assist his mother in the management of the farm; the second is Mrs. James Graham, living in Wood Co., Ohio; the third, to Amanda Gregg; they reside in Akron; the fourth, a Mrs. Samuel Foster, who is a mechanic in the knife-works at Akron: the fifth, a Mrs. Earnest B. Teits, a tailor at Akron. The two youngest are at home. Mr. Miller was a man respected by the people of his community, and, with his wife, members of the church, and gave liber- ally of their means for the support of the cause of religion and the advancement of the people.

SAMPSON MOORE, JR., farmer: P. O. Akron; the youngest of six children-four sons and two daughters-of Sampson Moore. who came from the County Antrim, near Bal- lymena, Ireland, in May 1822. landing at Fairport, Ohio, and going from there to Painesville, Lake Co., Ohio. Sampson, Sr., died nine days after landing at Fairport, and his widow afterward married one James Hall, and, in March, 1826. moved to the farm upon . which the subject of this sketch now lives. The step-father died about two years later, and the mother Sept. 7. 1855. at about 68

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years of age. She was Jane Kerr, a native of Ireland, and daughter of Robert and Mar- garet (Boyd) Kerr, who was a sister of Gen. Boyd, of Revolutionary fame, who died in New York City. The Kerr family was form- erly of Scotland, but moved into Ireland, and, like the Boyd family, became very wealthy and of considerable prominence. Mr. Moore was married, Jan. 10, 1864, to Mary E. Shutt, daughter of Abraham and Catharine (Gregg) Shutt, who were natives of Maryland-the Greggs of Pennsylvania. They have four children-Jane C., born Feb. 21, 1865; Emma T., Nov. 26, 1869; Louisa M., Oct. 17, 1871: and James S., May 26, 1875. The Moores were of English descent, Sampson's grand- father being sent from England to Ireland as legal agent for an estate. James Moore, a brother to Sampson, is probably responsible for the p appearing in that name; he was a jeweler at No. 68 High street, Belfast, and, upon the face of an "old bull's-eye" watch, which he presented to his brother, he used the letters of the name to mark the hour, instead of figures or other characters, and supplying the deficiency in the number of letters. Mr. Moore is a member of the Disciples' Church, a stanch Republican, and a man of considera- ble prominence in the township in which he lives.

GEORGE PROEHL, farmer; P. O. Akron; was born April 9, 1822, to George and Chris- tine (Boedchel) Proehl, who were natives of Saxe Altenburg, Germany; his father was a grain-dealer in that country, dying when the subject of this sketch was at a very tender age, probably about 1825, at about 50 years of age. George is the youngest of six chil dren, all of whom are dead except an older sister, who still resides in their native coun- try. He received his education under the compulsory laws of the country, was a soldier from 1842 to 1846, serving the required time as a regular; then went on the reserve force for two years, after which he received his freedom. In the fall of 1848, he came to America, shipping from Bremen to New York, where he landed after a forty-three days' voy- age; he immediately came to Akron, where he worked the first ten years at his trade, that of stone-cutting and masonry. In 1858, he pur-

chased the farm upon which he now lives, moving to the same in the spring of 1859, and has been working at his trade and farming since that time. He was married, July 1, 1849, to Louisa Loose, who was born May 21, 1825. to Gottfried and Elizabeth Loose, who were also natives of Saxe Altenburg, Ger- many. She came to America without her par- ents in the year of her marriage. They have had eight children; one died in infancy; the oldest, Louis J., born July 18, 1850; George, March 8, 1852; William, May 14, 1854; Maria Matilda, April 18, 1856; John Frank- lin, Aug. 8, 1861: Emma, Aug. 17, 1864, and Sarah Ida. Jan. 29, 1867. Louis is a grad- uate of the college at Lebanon, Ohio; also, in 1879, graduated from the Ohio Medical Col- lege at Cincinnati, and is now practicing with Dr. Underwood, in the city of Akron. George, Jr., married Amanda Burgner; William mar- ried Allie S. Vandersall Dec. 7, 1879, by whom he has one child-John Martin, born Sept. 6, 1880; he is engaged in farming in Coventry. Maria M. is the wife of John R. Davis, who is teacher of a graded school started by himself at Brecksville; he is also a graduate of Lebanon, Ohio. They were mar- ried April 18, 1880. Mr. Proehl and family are members of church, and he a liberal sup- porter of religious and educational privileges.

ISAAC ROMIG, farmer; P. O. New Por- tage; is a son of Jesse Romig, a native of Le- high Co., Penn., who died in 1867, in his 85th year; he was the youngest of five children- four sons and one daughter, all of whom are dead. Isaac was born in Wayne Co., Ohio, March 14, 1827. Jesse came from his native county to Wooster in the fall of 1826, where he lived four years, then removed to Thomp- son Township, Seneca Co., where he died. He was the father of thirteen children, all of whom lived until after 21 years of age: there are at present two sons and five daughters liv- ing, our subject next to the youngest. Their residences are as follows: John, a farmer in Marshall Co., Ind .; Susannah, widow of Michael Kern, Thompson Township, Seneca Co .; Polly, widow of Samuel Shirk, living in the State of Michigan; Juliana, a maiden liv- ing with the last-mentioned; Catharine, wife of John Good, a farmer of some official prom-

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inence in Stark Co., Ind .: Martha, wife of George Collier, a farmer in York Township, Sandusky Co., Ohio. Our subject received a very limited education, attending the district school about six months, his time being occu- pied upon the farm with his father until 20 years of age, after which he worked by the month for a time. In February 1850, he was married to Lucy Ann Good, daughter of Ad- am Good. By her he had two children, she dying in June, 1855, in Stark Co., Ind., whither they had gone shortly after marrige. His second marriage was to Mary Good, in December, 1856, a cousin to his first wife; by the latter marriage there were eight children, two of whom died in childhood; those living are Sarah Matilda, born March 21, 1851, now the wife of Robert Paul, the present County Surveyor, living in Akron; Mary Magdalene, born Oct. 23, 1853, the wife of Moses Werley, a carpenter and cabinet-maker in Wadsworth, Ohio. Emma L., born Aug. 28, 1862; Hiram F., Aug. 31, 1865; George W., July 4, 1868; Clara A., Oct. 6, 1871; Charles N., Sept. 12, 1875; Archie H., Aug. 16, 1878. Mr. Romig has been a member of the School Board of his township, taking an active interest in the education of his family; his business is grain and stock raising. He and family are mem- bers of the Grace Reformed Church. After ten years' life in Indiana, and meeting with many reverses in trying to secure a home, he sought a new field in Summit Co., Ohio, were, after many trials and hardships, he has, by diligence and perseverance, secured one of the most beautiful homes in Coventry Township.

RILEY ROOT, farmer; P. O. New Portage; is the youngest of eight sons, one daughter being younger; he was born June 30, 1807, his parents being Reuben and Sarah (McMil lin) Root, natives' of Canaan, Conn., but came to Coventry Township in the winter of 1818, and engaged in farming, at time when the city of Akron consisted of only three log cab- ins, Cleveland and Canton being the nearest markets. The subject of this sketch received a very limited education, his time being em- ployed in farming and at odd jobs of clearing. He was married, Sept. 27, 1827, to Lucinda Manning, who was born Jan. 29, 1812, to John and Sophia (Cogswell) Manning. They have

had five children-Fannie, born Jan. 11, 1828, married Jan. 24, 1847, to Orson Moore, and died Jan. 19, 1875; Orpha, born Dec. 27, 1829, married, July 1, 1852, to John Meredith, a resident of Bath; Harriet, born Sept. 21, 1833, married Sept. 2, 1852, to N. C. Minor, a resident of Johnson's Corners; William, born Dec. 27, 1835, married, Oct. 6, 1859, to Rosetta Bunker, who died Oct. 23, 1872; he re-married March 20, 1873, to Mary Ann Smith (McCune); Olive, born Sept. 1, 1839, married, Nov. 10, 1859, to Charles Ingersoll. They have lived on their preseent homestead for forty-four years, clearing up all the land and making progress with the times. Mr. Root was, in his younger days, an expert with the rifle, having at one shot killed two deer, and on several occasions two turkeys; he has been an honest and industrious farmer all his days, and, with his noble wife, is a member of the M. E. Church.

FRANKLIN E. RENINGER, farmer; P. O. Akron; is a son of Solomon Reninger, deceased, born Sept. 26, 1830, in the State of Pennsylvania, and came to Coventry in the spring of 1831, he a son of John and Mary (Spotts) Reninger. Mr. Reninger was a man of many pleasing characteristics, and his death, which occurred April 1, 1870, after nearly fifty years of life among the people of Coventry, was greatly lamented by the people of many years' acquaintance. His wife, who is still living, is Lovina Kepler (see sketch of Kepler family). Franklin was born July 10, 1855; being second son of a large family, his educational advantages were limited; how- ever, he has taken an active part in the differ- ent enterprises of the township. He was mar- ried, June 22, 1874, to Catharine Ries, born May 25, 1858, to Henry, a son of Nicholas Ries, who were natives of Hesse-Cassel, near Unter-Haun, Germany; he came to America in 1845, in his 17th year. Her mother was Elizabeth Brehm, daughter of Conrad and Elizabeth (Karr) Brehm, natives of Bavaria, Germany; she came to this country in 1846, in her 14th year. By this marriage there were three children born-Lizzie, Dec. 18, 1875; Clara, Oct. 5, 1879; and one who died in infancy. Mr. Reninger carries on gene- ral farming and stock-raising; is a member of

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the Coventry Center Cornet Band, and Clerk of School Board, taking a lively interest in the advancement of education.

SAMUEL STEFFEE, farmer; P. O. Sum- mit: was born Jan. 2, 1819, to Adam, a son of Leonard Steffee who were natives of Hunting- don Co., Penn., where they resided, and were engaged as tillers of the soil. The father of our subject died in 1878, in his 84th year. Samuel's mother was Sally Stroup, daughter of Adam and Eve Stroup, who were also natives of the State of Pennsylvania. He ob- tained his education, which is moderate, by carefully utilizing the spare moments which he had from labor, the whole time that he spent in school being but one-half day. his father having moved into Venango Co. as one among the first settlers, and when the schools were more than five miles distant. He as- sisted his father on the farm until about 21 years of age, when he engaged at the charcoal works, at which employment he was engaged nearly thirty years. He was married about 1844. to Margery Allen, daughter of Gen. George Allen, who was one of seven brothers engaged in the war of 1812, but returned home at the close of the war, having passed safely through many hair-breadth escapes with the Indians. By this mar- riage there were seven children, four of whom are living- Thomas. Louisa, Narcissa and Samuel. The three oldest are married and living-Thomas, in Coventry Town- ship; Louisa, wife of Charles Carpenter, in Portage Township; Narcissa, wife of John Nichols, a farmer in Copley; Samuel, at home. His second marriage was to Sarah Jane Manross (Manson), daughter of George and Sarah (Burdick) Manross, who were natives of York State: she, by her first mar- riage, had five children-Louis, Robert, Eu phemia, Mary T. and George Washington, all living, the four oldest married; by her mar- riage to Mr. Steffee she has two children- Jesse and Elmira. Jesse Manross, who was a relative or Mrs. Steffee's, was also engaged in the war or 1812, and captured by the Indians, with whom he lived a short time, sharing the life of a prisoner with other comrades among the Indians, but finally made a very narrow escape. Mr. Steffee came to Coventry in the

spring of 1865, where he has since been a prominent Republican and grain-raiser, also taking part in all the different enterprises of his township.

AUSTIN A. SPICER, farmer and coal- dealer; P. O. Akron; son of Avery Spicer, whose history appears in the part devoted to the city of Akron; was born Feb. 27, 1834, and spent his early years in securing a good common-school education sufficient to qualify him for teaching, which he engaged in while traveling through the States of Michigan and Illinois in the year 1855, and a part of 1856. In the year 1857, March 19, he was married to Julia A. Lantz, born Nov. 22, 1835, to Jacob and Elizabeth (Albert) Lantz, the mother being a native of Hagerstown, Md., the father of the State of New Jersey, but among the early settlers in the southern part of Springfield Township, this county. They have four children-Julia May, born July 5, 1859, and died Sept. 15, 1860; Ernest, Albert K., Lizzie Beatrice. Mr. Spicer, in the year 1860, went to California, where he intended making his future home, and engaged in min- ing for a time, but, on account of the death of his daughter, he returned to Coventry and engaged in the stock business and farming. Since 1875, he has been engaged in the coal business, mining from his own farm, and in running a coal-dock in the city of Akron, where he is now doing business. Mrs. Spicer has an old German Bible, printed in 1727, and handed down to her from her great-grand- mother: also several other relics of antiquity.

ELIAS L. THORNTON, farmer; P. O. Akron: son of David Thornton, who came from the land of his nativity, Snyder Co., Penn., to Coventry Township in 1836, his father, John Thornton, following in 1839. Elias, the subject of this sketch, was born April 25, 1850, on the farm where he now re- sides, receiving, in his earlier life, a very lim- ited education, on account of not being able to understand the English language, so that the success with which he has met is due to his own energy and business tact. In about the year 1870, he began running a restaurant, belonging to his father, in the city of Akron, in which business he continued about two years, the latter half of the second year for

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himself, having purchased the business of his father, who died April 23, 1874, since which time Elias has had charge of the large farm contained in the old homestead, in addi- tion to a 53-acre lot adjoining, which he pur- chased a few years ago. He has, also, in con- nection with his large farming interests, em- ployed men as blacksmiths and harness-mak- ers in shops on his own farm, and extensively engaged in the lumber business, furnishing from his own land timbers for the different coal mines in Coventry Township, and, in partnership with the Swartz brothers, pur- chased several acres of timber land near Man- chester, Franklin Township, which was fur- nished in ties to the railroad company. In the early part of the centennial decade, he en- tered into partnership with the Motz brothers, at Uniontown, in the tannery business, which

they continued for about two years, when they sold the stock and retired from the business, retaining the real estate, which they hold jointly at the present time. He has charge, on the old homestead, of one of the finest pleasure-grounds in Summit Co., it being finely located on the reservoir, where can be found the best of boating and fishing, and having every modern convenience, makes it a most popular summer resort. He is now building a store-room on his farm adjoining the mines, for the purpose of supplying the farmers and mining trade. He was married, Sept. 7, 1875, to Alice Stahl, danghter of Benjamin and Catharine (Sholley) Stahl, formerly of the city of Akron. They had three children: two are living-Dora Belle and Grace Leona.

BOSTON TOWNSHIP.

HIRAM V. BRONSON ; Peninsula ; is a son of Harmon and Molly (Hickox) Bron- son, who were natives of Waterbury. Conn. Harmon was born Dec. 18, 1774 ; his wife Dec. 17, 1777. They were united in marriage Dec. 18, 1795, and. with his father's family, came to | Ohio in 1809. Harmon settled in Cleveland with his family, while his father went on to Columbia, Lorain Co., where he resided until his death in 1816. Harmon Bronson was by trade a carpenter, and was occupied in this business during his residence in Cleveland, the place at that time scarcely meriting the name of village. Upon the breaking-out of the war of 1812, he sent his wife and family to Connec- ticut, but they only reached a town in New York State, however, when their money was exhausted, and she remained there all winter, working in a hotel ; and, at the close of the war, she took a presented opportunity to ride back to Cleveland in a lumber wagon. In 1815, Harmon removed to Lorain County, where he engaged in farming, remaining there until 1821, and then returned to Cleveland. He remained there but a short time. however, moving to Boston Township and locating at Peninsula, where the remainder of his days were passed. He became a large land-owner, and was largely

interested in developing the business interests of the township. He erected the first saw and grist mill at that place, which he successfully conducted for some years. His death occurred upon the anniversary of his birth and mar- riage, Dec. 18, 1853. His wife died Feb. 18, 1858. Hiram V. Bronson was born in Cleve- land in 1811, and came with his parents to Peninsula in 1824, where he has since resided. Upon the death of his father, he succeeded him in his milling and various enterprises. Ile has been an active participant in all public enter- prises ; has striven to promote all measures condueing to the best interests of the com- munity, and has been instrumental in securing for Peninsula such advantages as will last as long as does the community. He has served as Justice of the Peace, and as Assistant United States Internal Revenue Collector for four years, and as Postmaster for eight years. He is now pleasantly situated, retired from active life, but always finds time to lend a helping hand to any enterprise which tends to promote the wel- fare of the community with which he has been so long identified. To the fund of reminis- cences and historical facts which he has gath- ered during his life of nearly 70 years, the historian of Boston Township is chiefly in-

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debted for the material of his sketch. Mr. Bronson was united in marriage, in 1835, to Miss Ruth L. Ranney, a native of Ohio, and daughter to Comfort and Betsey (Hubbard) Ranney, pioneers of Boston Township, a more complete sketch of whom will be found else- where in this department. Of the children born to Mr. and Mrs. Bronson, Lucy, born May 1, 1838, married P. H. Dudley, C. E., Dec. 12, 1871. Mr. Dudley is the inventor of the " dyna- graph "-a car so constructed that by passing over a road he can give an accurate chart, showing its exact condition as to the rail, road- bed, natural resistance, speed, amount of coal and water used by engine, grade, etc. This is one of the most intricate and valuable inven- tions of modern times. Mr. Dudley's first car was constructed for the Victorian Government for the railways of Australia. He is now con- stantly employed in examining the railroads of this country, and can be found most of the time with his family in his car, which is fitted out with elegant appointments. Mr. Dudley is also the inventor of an electric clock, which is making a sensation in scientific circles. Emily V., born May 7, 1843. was married to Hon. A. L. Conger, of Akron, Nov. 1, 1864. Mr. Conger is one of Akron's most prominent citizens, of whom an extended sketch will be found else- where in this work. Harmon, born Aug. 15, 1846, has traveled extensively, and is a prom- ising young business man, at present living in Philadelphia, engaged in business connected with the electric clock of Mr. Dudley's inven- tion.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 161

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