History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 175

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 175

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zer. He was married, Sept. 30, 1854, to Sarah Serfass, daughter of Andrew and Sarah (Hawk) Serfass; her grandparents were Law- rence and Barbara Serfass, and John and Susannah (Hahn) Hawk, all natives of the eastern part of Pennsylvania, principally Car- bon Co. They have had four children, two of whom are living-Lorinda L., born Dec. 1, 1855, died July 10, 1862; Ann Adelia, Sept. 2, 1859, died July 4, 1862, of that dreadful disease, diphtheria; William D., June 4, 1863; Fietta E., Dec. 25, 1865. Joseph has resided in Norton Township since 11 years of age, and held the most responsible offices- that of Treasurer, Trustee, and, in 1880, was Real Estate Assessor, giving satisfaction to the landholders and receiving the sanction of the County Board. He is a liberal sup- porter of religion and education; is a member of the School Board, and he and family are members of the Lutheran Church and Sabbath school.

JOHN C. BAUGHMAN, farmer; P. O. Johnson's Corners; was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., March 2, 1827, and came with his par- ents, John and Agnes (Conrad) Baughman, an older brother and one sister, to Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., where they resided four- teen years, the father working at cabinet-mak- ing, the two sons clearing and tending a small piece of land which they had purchased. In the fall of 1844, they moved to the now Stein- bring farm, which he purchased and farmed until 1856, afterward selling the same to his son, John C., and returned to Wayne Co., where his wife died: he then lived alone be- tween four and five years, when he left his home and lived with his children until his death, which occurred in 1872, at the home of our subject. By close application, Mr. Baughman has acquired a good education, although attending school but a short time; at 20 years of age, he began working at the carpenter and joiner's trade, having, previous to that time, acquired some knowledge of the the trade. He is now, in connection with his farming, engaged in contracting and building, and is quite extensively engaged in the lum- ber business. He was married, July 29, 1849, to Elizabeth Barkhamer, daughter of John and Dorothy (Flickinger) Barkhamer, natives

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of Pennsylvania, the father settling in Frank- lin Township about 1815. They have had eight children, five of whom are living Ruben B., born July 12, 1850; Isaac J., Oct. 10, 1851; Arvilla, April 1, 1855; Callista, Jan. 21, 1863; Clara E., Aug. 21, 1875; those de- ceased are Amanda E., born Nov. 2, 1856, died Oct. 29, 1860; Emma, born April 3, 1861, died March 27, 1863; Cora, born June 11, 1865, died Sept. 24, 1870. Ruben B., married to a Miss Wise, farming east of Johnson's Corners; Isaac J., to Mary Minor, he a medi- cal student with Dr. Rockwell; Arvilla, a Mrs. William H. Nice, residing in Wadsworth, he a teacher. Mr. Baughman has held the offices of Township Treasurer and Trustee; was a candidate for Infirmary Director, and received the nomination for County Treasurer by the Democratic party, but declined the nomination. They are members of the Reformed Church.

JOSEPH BURGESS, farmer and coal miner; P. O. Johnson's Corners; was born in Lancashire, England, about forty miles from Liverpool, and six miles from Manchester, Dec. 10, 1820. He is a son of Samuel, who died at 49 years of age; he of John Burgess. Joseph received three months' schooling, for which he paid a tuition of 6 cents per week. At 73 years, he began learning, with his father, the trade of weaving silk, cotton and fancy flower work, by which he was able to earn his father about $3 per week. His mother was Ann Simpson, a daughter of Robert Simp- son, who lived to 94 years of age, and a brother to James Simpson, noted in the manufacturing circles of England. The par- ents of our subject died-the mother when he was but 10 years of age, the father when he was 14. At 19 years of age, he was made a member of the organization of Odd Fellows; at the same age, after working twelve hours a day, would attend the night school. He gained valuable information in the business of mining in England, among other practical points which have been conducive to his suc- cess. In the spring of 1848, he came to America; worked in the States of Pennsylva- nia and Rhode Island until in the spring of 1849, when he came to the farm upon which he now lives, and began opening the coal-bank known as the Bartgess bank, which he rented

for seven years, then bought, subsequently selling to Mr. Bartgess. He has now just completed, with his brother-in-law, the open- ing of a valuable bank of coal two miles west of Massillon, having leased 60 acres, 40 of which, after prospecting, proves a vein aver- aging from four to four and a half feet of superior quality. The firm name is Sonn- halter & Burgess. He was married to Catha- rine Sonnhalter Jan. 29, 1856, by whom he has three living children-Thomas, Samuel and George, all lving at home; a little girl was drowned in infancy. Mr. Burgess has for the last thirty-three years been a subscriber to the Boston Investigator-being a man of lib- eral views, but of strict honesty and integrity in all business transactions, and having the confidence of the people who know him.

ALVIN D. BETZ, farmer; P. O. Norton Center; was born in Huntingdon Co., Penn., July 19, 1826; son of Abraham, he of John Betz; his mother was Sarah Beyer, daughter of David Beyer. Alvin received a limited education, assisting his father on the farm until 16 years of age, then engaged exclusively in farming: was married May 20, 1846. In the fall of 1849, he moved to Pacific, Colum- bia Co., Wis., where he purchased land and resided about twelve years in the State of Wisconsin and one year in Minnesota, he holding a claim on the Winnebago Reserva- tion; having disposed of his property in the West, he purchased the old homestead upon which he now lives. Twelve children were born to them, ten of whom are living-Sarah J., Jerusha C., Mary S., John Charles Fre- mont, Clara E., Ira David, Archie Oliver, Hazwell Abraham, Alvin E. and Laura E. Jerusha C., now Mrs. Charles Seiberling: Clara E., Mrs. Joseph May, both living in Iowa; Sarah J., Mrs. John L. Serfass: Charles, married Susan Cassell; both are living in Summit Co. Mr. Betz is a prominent man and office-holder in the Summit Grange, No. 1283, of which he is the founder, and very proud of it, as it is the most flourishing grange in the county. Mr. Betz is an enthu- siastic supporter of all religious denomina- tions, and all enterprises for the advancement of education, and a good moral atmosphere throughout the county. He is engaged in the

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breeding of thoroughbred cattle and hogs, a general farming, and bee culture. He and wife are connected with the Mutual Protec- tion Association of Columbus, Ohio. The fa- ther of our subject settled in Wadsworth Township, Medina Co., from the State of Pennsylvania, in about 1822, where they lived until in 1847, when they moved to the farm now occupied by the son.

AARON BETZ, farmer; P. O. Loyal Oak: is the second son of a family of five sons and two daughters, and was born June 2, 1835. His father was John, born in March, 1808, died Feb. 1, 1863; he of John, born in 1773, and died in 1852. They settled in Chippewa Township, Wayne Co., Ohio, from Pennsylva- nia, about 1821. His mother, who is still liv- ing, was Rebecca Beyer, born Jan. 27, 1807, daughter of David, born Sept. 7, 1763, and Sarah (Crum) Beyer; her grandfather was William Crum, born April 5, 1731, died Oct. 10, 1790; her grandmother was Mary (Crum) Crum, born Dec. 5, 1746, died June 26, 1798. They had four children-Mary, Sarah, Abra- ham, William. Aaron remained on the farm until his enlistment, in 1861, in Co. C, Akron B. L. I., P. C. Hard, Captain, but was the same year honorably discharged on account of disability. He re-enlisted, however, in 1862, and served in Quartermaster's Department, 7th Division, Army of the Ohio, at Cumberland Ford, Ky., when he was again honorably dis- charged. He then remained at home in charge of the farm, his parents being aged, and three other sons being in the army, and his oldest brother in Wisconsin. He was married, Ang. 20, 1863, to Catharine Banghman, born Oct. 24, 1835, and daughter of David and Elizabeth (Blocker) Baughman. They have ten children-Bertha R .. Mary E,. George W., Florence L., Susan C., John D., Sarah E., Charles O., Fred E., Rocse Ellen. Mr. Betz is engaged in grain-raising and feeding stock; has held the office of Township Trustee two terms, and a member of the School Board. He is also a member of the Norton "Subordi- nate Grange, of which he is a prominent office-holder.

NORMAN BLOCKER, farmer; P. O. Loyal Oak: was born March 8, 1835, to Eli and Mary (Myers) Blocker, who were natives of the State

of Maryland; his father, Eli, was born in 1807, and died in 1845. Although his death occurred in early life, he had suffered all the trials of an early pioneer life, in clearing up the farm where his son now resides. His first settlement in this State was in Wadsworth Township, Medina Co., but, subsequent to his marriage, he moved to Norton Township, where there were five children born unto them, two of whom are living. Norman, the second of the family of children, received but a lim- ited education in the district school, his help being required, at 10 years of age, by his wid- owed mother in supporting the family and tending the farm, where he has been engaged since. His mother is still living, in her 75th year, as hale and hearty as twenty years ago. Norman was married, Nov. 9, 1861, to Mary Elizabeth Betz, daughter of John and Rebecca (Byers) Betz, natives of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Blocker was born July 5, 1839. They have had four children, three of whom are living David E., born March 21, 1863; Lillian G., June 8, 1864, died Sept. 18, 1864; Ermina Amelia, Sept. 2, 1865; and Samuel Allen, Nov. 13, 1875. Mr. Blocker has at heart the furtherance of all good enterprises and prin- ciples, the improvement of stock and agricult- ure, and the promotion of the principles of the Republican party.

DAVID L. CARTMILL, telegraph oper- ator, New Portage; born at Annapolis, Parke Co., Ind., Feb. 12, 1845, to Jacob and Eliza (Atchinson) Cartmill, and was the third of four children. The father died when David was but 5 years of age. At about 10 years of age, he came to New Portage and began working to educate himself, which, by his energy, he succeeded in doing. He began working, in 1860, in the pottery, where he continued for about eight years, and at the expiration of that time, on account of the injury to his health, he abandoned the business, having, in the meantime, devoted his evenings to the study of telegraphy, which he subsequently adopted as a business, and, after working at several different places, was given charge of the office at New Portage, on the N. Y., P. & O. R. R., formerly the A. & G. W., where he has been for the last thirteen years. He was married, March 4, 1872, to Miss Hattie

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Hettrick, who was born March 20, 1850, to John and Mary Jane Hettrick. They have one child-Harley Edwin, born March 28, 1874; they are also raising a little niece, Mary May, born June 10, 1874. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity at Wads- worth, member of the School Board, and, with his wife, a member of the M. E. Church, in which he is one of the Trustees. The follow- ing is a brief account of the tragic death of his uncle: In the year 1825, on the 9th of September, a civil, quiet man named Johnston fell in with young Cartmill (an uncle of the subject of this sketch) as he was carrying the mail from Freeport to Coshocton, and, when night came on, the two stopped at a tavern kept by Mrs. Sarah Booth, which was on the Coshocton road. The next day, they contin- ned their journey together, and, after going about three miles, came to a spring of cold, clear water, where Johnston paused to get a drink, while Cartmill went on up the hill. The sharp report of a gun and a scream of terror burst simultaneously upon the ear of Johnston, who hastily ran on and found the poor boy weltering in his own blood and so near dead that he could not speak. Circum- stantial evidence appeared against Cartmill's companion; consequently, he was confined in the New Philadelphia Jail, which was a log building standing on the ground now occu- pied by the public offices. He was finally proven innocent, and the murderer of the boy, a young man by the name of Funston, proven guilty by the identification of a $10 bill known to have been in the possession of the mail-boy. He was tried, convicted, and, on the 30th day of December, was taken to the place of execu- tion, where he paid the penalty of the law for the commission of one of the most dastardly deeds ever chronicled.

DR. M. M. DICKSON, Johnson's Corners; a son of Robert Dickson, who was a native of Dumfrieshire, Scotland, emigrating to this country at 21 years of age, and locating in York Co., Penn., in 1819. died in 1860. His mother was Susanna McCall, who died in 1849, at 46 years of age: she a daughter of Matthew and Ann (Logue) McCall. The great-grand- father of our subject. Matthew McCall, came from Ireland to this country in about 1770. and

engaged in the war of the Revolution during the whole time. The Doctor was born near York, Penn., March 23, 1828; his parents soon after (probably in 1829) settled near Zanesville, where they engaged in farming, our subject residing in that vicinity until about 24 years of age, when he located in New Portage, where he remained, completing his studies and practicing for two years, when he settled permanently in the village of his pres- ent location. In his early youth, he learned the potter's trade while at home, which served him in educating himself in after life, he re- ceiving a diploma from the Cleveland Medi- cal College in the month of February, 1855. He enlisted in the 74th O. V. I. as Assistant Surgeon, which position he held two years, then was made Surgeon of the regiment until the close of the war; he joined the army at Stone River, being present subsequently at the battles of Chickamauga and Chattanooga, where the regiment remained all winter, being exposed to great suffering; then at Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge. After the re- enlistment of the regiment, they started from Ringgold, being present at Buzzard's Roost, Resaca, and many other battles and skirmishes in their march of 150 miles, which occupied twenty-one days. They were in the 14th Corps, under Gen. Thomas; also in Sherman's march to the sea. After remaining in Savannah for a time, they crossed the Savannah River and marched up through South and North Caro- lina to Martha's Vineyard, where Johnston's army surrendered to Sherman, which ended that campaign. They then participated in the review of "Sherman's bummers," at Washing- ton; they were then sent to Louisville, with the intention of going into Texas to look after Kirby Smith, but returned to Cincinnati, where they were mustered out of service and returned home about the Ist of August, 1865. He was married, June 14, 1854, to Sylvina Irvin, daughter of John and Clara (Merton) Irvin. who were residents of Zanesville. By this marriage there were seven children, three of whom are living-Chalmers M., born April 25, 1855; Gertrude C., July 28, 1866: Robert Theodore, June 25, 1871; the remaining four died in infancy. Chalmers M. is a graduate of the Michigan University at Ann Arbor. and

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is now practicing medicine at Port Clinton, Ohio, and building up a successful practice. The Doctor is thoroughly interested in the education of his family, and has been success- fully engaged in mercantile pursuits at the village in which he now lives.

URIAH EBBERT, farmer; P. O. Western Star; was born June 10, 1823; son of Isaac, who was born Jan. 30, 1800, and still living in Sharon Township, Medina Co .; he of John. His mother was Maria (Lamb) Ebbert. Isaac moved, with his wife and two children, to Lawrence Township, Stark Co., in the spring of 1823, where they lived more than thirty years, then moved to Sharon Township in the spring of 1859. The subject of this sketch says that he got his education riding horses around the barn floor tramping out grain, hauling saw-logs, chopping timber, grubbing, and in all manner of hard work on his father's farm, where he remained until his marriage, Nov. 14, 1847, to Catharine Kel- ler. born Feb. 15, 1826, daughter of Philip and Catharine (Shook) Keller, who were natives of Center Co., Penn., but settled in Jackson Town- ship, Stark Co., about 1815. They had one child-George, born July 21, 1848, and died Aug. 6, same year. They moved to their present home in the spring of 1860, where he has fol- lowed farming and stock-raising. In the fall of 1870, the John Beese Coal Company opened up a mine on his farm, where there were sev- eral acres of coal, the vein averaging about four and a half feet, of fine quality, and where they mine several thousand tons annually. He and wife are members of the Reformed Church, in which he has served as Deacon for many years, and worked in the Sunday school; is a liberal patron of all charitable enterprises.

JOHN HARTER, farmer; P. O. Johnson's Corners; is a son of Jacob Harter, who was a soldier of 1812, and whose history appears in this work under the head of Coventry Town- ship. He was born Aug. 28, 1822, in Frank- lin Township, near Manchester. His educa- tional advantages were such as could be ac- quired in those early pioneer days, in a wooded country, his father settling at a very early date, and purchasing 100 acres of heavy timber land at $4 per acre, in what was then known as the Hinckley Tract. In 1844, our

subject left the home of his father and worked at different places until in 1845, when he started to Galena, Ill., performing most of the journey on foot; after stopping for a time in Galena, he went to Dubuque, Iowa, where he attended a mill for a few months, then went up the river to the pineries in Wisconsin, re- turning in the fall of 1847, on a raft, from Black River, Wis., down the Mississippi to St. Louis, then to his home in Summit Co. He was married, Sept. 20, 1848, to Elizabeth Baugh- man, daughter of Theobald and Mary (Will- helm) Baughman. He engaged immediately in farming, living the first five years on the old Bartgess farm in southern Norton; then moved to the farm which he now occupies, purchasing the same from his father-in-law, about 1857. By his marriage with Elizabeth Baughman, eight children were born unto them-George, Oliver, William (who died after arriving at maturity), Theobold, Eli, Otis, Melvina and Mary. Three sons and one daughter are married, Theobold now living near Millersburg, Holmes Co., Ohio; George and Oliver now residing in Fayette Co., Ill .; Melvina, the wife of Wilson Waltz, residing on the Harter farm. Mr. Harter is a promi- nent man in Norton Township, having held the various offices of trust, both in the town- ship and in the German Reformed Church, of which he and family are members.

MRS. E. W. HARTZELL, farmer; P. O. Norton Center; is the widow of the late Aaron Hartzell, who was born April 23, 1827, to Isaac and Anne Maria (George) Hartzell, who were natives of Northampton Co., Penn. His grandfather, John Hartzell, a son of Philip Hartzell, and of English descent, settled in Northampton Co. about 1740, where their posterity resided for more than a century. John was an officer in the Revolution, and was appointed an Esquire at 21 years of age, in which capacity he served fifty-three years. The subject of this sketch was born Feb 25. 1843. She is a daughter of Thomas Wood- land, who was born May 15, 1803, in Kent, England, to Richard and Sarah (Umpage) Woodland. The Woodland family are heirs to several millions of a legacy left by the Umpage family. Her mother was Martha Woodward, born March 27, 1807, in London.

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England, and is still living; the father died a few years ago at his home in Wooster, Ohio, where he was a very prominent man during his many years' residence at that place, as the history of the family appears in a more com- plete form in the Wayne Co. work. Mrs. Hartzell was married, Dec. 6, 1866, to Aaron Hartzell, at her home in Wooster; the follow- ing March, they moved to Akron, where he engaged as general manager and traveling agent for the J. F. Seiberling Manufacturing Company for three years; afterward, in con- nection with Charles Cranz, John J. Wagnor and Mr. Perkins, purchased the mine now owned by the Wadsworth Coal Company, he acting as Secretary and Treasurer. He soon after disposed of his coal interests, and, in May, 1871, built the storeroom at Norton Center, and engaged in general merchandising with Dr. Dickson until December, 1873, when they purchased the store building at Johnson's Corners of the Barnes brothers, where they carried on business until December, 1874, when he returned to Akron on account of the death of their little son, he assisting in the settlement of the business of the J. F. Seiber- ling Company after their assignment, and, after the formation of the new company in the works formerly occupied by rake company, he was book-keeper and traveling agent. At St. Louis, while representing the company on a Western trip, he was stricken down with paralysis Jan. 10, 1877, and died Sept. 8, 1878, after having received every attention that money and friends could give. They moved on the farm where the widow now lives March 7, 1877. Two children were born to them-Charles Woodland, born Nov. 14, 1868, died April 15, 1874; and Bessie, born Oct. 18, 1876. Mr. Hartzell was a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. Lodge, No. 51, of the city of Akron; a member of the Reformed Church, to which he was a liberal giver, as well as to the college of that denomination at Tiffin, Ohio, where he received a liberal edu- cation.

DR. JOHN HILL, farmer; P. O. Western Star; whose portrait appears in this work, was born Oct. 26, 1823, in Sussex, England. His father was named John, as was his grandfa- ther also. The mother, Harriet Wickham,

was a native of the County of Kent, England. They emigrated to America in the year 1828, from the now sunken port of Rye, in the English Channel, landing in New York after a wearisome voyage of six weeks. They en- gaged in farming near Utica, N. Y., where they remained until in the spring of 1832, when they removed to Orange Township, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, purchased a farm and resided there until about 1843, when he sold his purchase and set out for Tazewell Co., Ill., where he re-engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death. The subject of this sketch left home when but 15 years of age, and worked at odd jobs for the five years follow- ing, giving his earnings to his father, who, at the expiration of that time, removed to the West. John then began attending school, re- ceiving a limited education; however, he en- gaged in teaching a few terms. In the fall of 1847, he began the study of medicine with Dr. Alexander Fisher, at Western Star, and, in the fall of 1848 and 1849, he attended lectures at the Cleveland Medical College. In 1850, he started upon a traveling expedition, first to California, where he lay sick for six months in the city of Sacramento. He remained in that State until in May, 1853, when he took passage for Australia, being seventy days on the voyage. In May following, he left that country for London, England, arriving there in September of the same year. After stop- ping for a short time there, he shipped for New York, landing late in October following. Early in December, he went to Cleveland, where he again entered the medical college for the years 1854 and 1855. Although urgently requested by the Faculty of that institution to accept a diploma, he objected upon sufficient reasons, and, in the fall of 1855, entered the Jefferson Medical College at Philadelphia, receiving a diploma from that institution in March, 1856; returned to Western Star, stopped a short time, then en- gaged in the practice of medicine in Sharon Township, Medina Co., where he remained nearly a year; was then, in March, 1857, married to Catharine Pardee, daughter of Ebenezer and Almira (Brace) Pardee. By this union there have been six children born- Harriet Almira, born June 22, 1858, died Oct.

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30, 1878; John E., born Aug. 2, 1859, now engaged in business in the city of Akron; Martha B., born Jan. 2, 1861; Brace P., Aug. 12, 1865; Josephine Elizabeth, March 28, 1875; and an infant son, Jan. 4, 1881. Mr. Hill was elected County Commissioner in 1870, and, having so faithfully discharged the duties of that office for nearly nine years, he was elected, by the voters of Summit Co., in 1879, to a term in the Legislature of Ohio. He is a man of great natural ability and force of character, honest and pure in his business and social relations, commanding, by the pur- ity of his principles, the respect and honor of all the people with whom he is connected.

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History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio, Part 175

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