USA > Ohio > Portage County > Portage heritage; a history of Portage County, Ohio; its towns and townships and the men and women who have developed them; its life, institutions and biographies, facts and lore > Part 62
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he returned to Kent. In Aurora he was a member of the fire department, serving as captain. In 1950 he entered the real estate business and was employed in the maintenance department of Kent State University.
He belongs to Ricksecker Lodge, F.&A.M., being past master there. Both he and Mrs. Boosinger are past patron and matron of Jas. A. Garfield chapter, Eastern Star at Aurora. They are members of the Kent Methodist church.
Paul Harvey Bottorff
Paul Harvey Bottorff was born December 1, 1889 on a farm in Bowen, Illinois. He was the son of John Franklin and Minnie D. (Cubbage) Bottorff. When he was nine years old the family moved to Monroe City, Mo. to operate a farm. He secured his education in the local schools there, graduating in 1909. He then attended business college for a year at Hannibal, Mo. During this time and until 1916 he worked with his father on the farm, being also dealers in livestock, shipping mainly to St. Louis.
In 1916 he entered the employe of the C.B.&Q. Railroad as brakeman, later becoming a conductor and remaining with the road until 1921 when he came to Kent. He first worked for the Webb & Henderson restaurant on North Water St. and later on Lake St., when he purchased the interest of Mr. Henderson, continuing there until 1926. He then acted as steward at the Elks Club until 1930, when he went to the Eagle Club for four years. In 1935 he was ap- pointed state Sales Tax Examiner in the administration of Gov. M. L. Davey, but in 1937 he went to work for the C. L. Gougler Machine Co. where he remained until 1945. In that year he contracted with the city of Kent for the disposal of garbage, the contract still being in effect.
On June 6, 1936, Mr. Bottorff married Iva V. Johnson of Kent. There were two sons by a previous marriage-Floyd Southern, deceased in April, 1937 at the age of 25; and Harry Frank.
Mr. Bottorff belongs to the Masonic order, being in Rockton Lodge, No. 316, Kent; thirty-second Degree Mason with Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Canton; Shriner in Tadmor Temple, Akron. He also belongs to B.P.O.E. Elks, No. 1377, Kent and is Past Worthy Pres. F.O.E. No. 1204, Kent. Mrs. Bottorff is a member of the Emblem Club No. 57, Auxiliary of the B.P.O.E.
Percy H. Boucher
Percy H. Boucher was born January 21, 1890, in Jersey City, N. J., the son of Daniel and Jennie (Davis) Boucher. He was one of five children.
Percy received his education in the public schools of Jersey City.
He began his business career with the Borden Company of New York City as a sales representative in that area. In 1910 the company transferred him to Ohio where he repre- sented the firm for fourteen years. In 1924 he bcame associated with the Summit Wholesale Grocery Company of Akron.
In 1935 he joined Governor Davey's administrative staff in Columbus where he served four years as Supervisor of Foods for the State Institutions.
During Robert L. Fitzgerald's administration as sheriff of Portage County, he was a deputy sheriff, supervising the school safety patrol program.
He was employed by the C. L. Gougler Company during World War II.
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In April, 1949, he joined Division 4 of the State High- way Department, Ravenna, in the capacity of personnel of- ficer, which position he held at the time of his death, July 7, 1955.
He was three times elected to Councilman-at-large. In 1947 he resigned that position when Mayor Frank F. Dangler, Jr., appointed him Safety Director. He had an avid interest in city, state, and national affairs with a keen sense of duty and responsibility to the citizens he represented.
He was a member of the Methodist Church, Rockton Lodge No. 316 F. and A. M. in Kent, the Portage Grotto club, Portage County Historical Society, and Kent Grange.
On December 22, 1912, Mr. Boucher was married to Josephine L. McCormick, daughter of Mrs. Carrie McCormick of Jersey City, N. J.
Two children were born, Arthur Franklin, born May 8, 1915, a graduate of the Ohio State University, now residing at Birmingham, Michigan; Robert Alan, born January 16, 1919, a graduate of the University of Rochester, now residing in New York City. Both sons served in World War II. There are five grandchildren.
His leisure hours were spent in the study of financial and political enterprise. His creative ability and love for the fine arts of painting and drawing afforded him much en- joyment as a hobby.
He lived his philosophy of life-to be a good citizen and a friend to all.
Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Frank Bowen
Cyrus Frank Bowen was born in Van Wert County, Ohio, near Ohio City, on June 27, 1893. He was the son of Oscar and Dora (Cox) Bowen. He attended the schools at Ohio City, completing the eighth grade. After that he worked with his father in cement work until he was eighteen.
In February, 1910, he married Miss Grace Agler of Glenmont, Ohio. To them one son was born, Hugh, Feb. 28, 1911. Mrs. Bowen died in October, 1912.
Mr. Bowen then "followed the harvest", working in Iowa, Min- nesota and the Dakotas. In 1912 he came to Kent and secured em- Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus Frank Bowen ployment in the Erie shops, work- ing in various capacities-with the wrecking crew and the Erie yards. In 1916 he was em- ployed as engineer at the William Bros. mill, remaining for a year. Then he became an engineer for the Firestone Tire Co. in Akron, coming back to Kent as a boiler maker for the Erie.
In 1919 Mr. Bowen formed a partnership with James and William Caldwell and started the Quick Service Welding and Machine Co. in the basement of the old Shattuck Chair
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factory on North River St. From there they moved to West College Ave. and August Dussell bought the Caldwell interests. In 1928 they built their present building on East Summit St. and in 1950 Mr. Dussell sold his interest to Hugh and- Frank, Jr. This is the largest and oldest repair shop in the county, doing welding and repair work of all kinds as well as sharpening and repairing lawn mowers.
On June 20, 1916, Mr. Bowen was married to Inez F. Stull of Lexington, Ohio, daughter of Rudolph and Caroline (Rinehart) Stull. To them four children were born-David J., Lois E. (now Mrs. Fred Gombert); Grace E. (now Mrs. William Hindershied); and Frank S. Jr.
Dr. George A. Bowman
Dr. George A. Bowman, Kent State University's presi- dent, is a man of wide educational experience and training.
As a skilled administrator, Dr. Bowman is president of a university with over 6,000-plus full-time students, a faculty of 350, and a physical plant worth $25 million.
A native of Galion, Ohio, Dr. Bowman received his bachelor's degree from Adelbert College at Western Reserve University. During World War I he was with the U. S. Navy Engineers.
He has a master's degree from Columbia University and has studied at Ohio University, Ohio State University, Harvard University, and the University of Chicago. Bowling Green State University awarded him doctor of laws degree in 1945.
President Bowman's teaching experience began in a tiny one-room school-house in South Bloomfield township, Mor- row County, Ohio. He later was teacher, principal and super- intendent of schools in the village of Edison, Ohio.
Following the war, President Bowman went to Zanesville where he served as principal. It was here he met and married Edith Duncan, also a teacher.
From Zanesville, he went on to succeedingly higher positions as superintendent of schools in Chillicothe, Marion, Lakewood and Youngstown.
He came to the University as president in July 1944, when enrollment was down to a low of 891.
He holds membership in a large number of professional organizations. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Kent, Akron City Club, and the Ohio Society of New York. His hobbies include gardening and golf.
Evelyn L. Bradshaw
Evelyn Lily Bradshaw was born August 9, 1900, in Kent, being the daughter of John C. Bradshaw and Lily (English) Bradshaw. She was one of two children. The mother was a de- scendent of the Rymals of Hamilton, Canada, of which Joseph Rymal was a member of Parliment for twenty-five years.
Evelyn received her education in the Kent Public School, Kent Normal Training School and graduated from Kent Public High School in 1918. She entered and graduated from Actual Business College of Akron.
Miss Bradshaw entered the employe of The City Bank on November 11, 1923, doing secretarial work. She later became a teller and then transferred to the loan department as a tell- er. In January, 1955, she was made Assistant Sec .- Treas.
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Miss Bradshaw is a member of Kent Congregational Church, Olive Chapter No. 53, Order of Eastern Star of which she is a Past Matron, White Shrine of Akron, Womans Club of Kent and Kent Sorosis.
Forrest Baker Bryant
Forrest Baker Bryant was born in Brookville, Ohio, March 6, 1876, the son of Luther M. and Minerva (Baker) Bryant. He was reared on a farm and attended schools in Brook- ville, graduating from the Brookville High School in 1894. Later he attended the Academy at Westerville, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1895. He then attended Otterbein College from which he was graduated in 1899 with an A. B. degree.
After receiving his degree he was appointed principal of the Shiloh, Ohio, high school and served during the school year of 1899-1900. He then was appointed superintendent of the Shiloh schools, which position he held for the next two years. In 1902, he was appointed superintendent of schools in Richwood, Ohio, which position he held until 1907 when he resigned to become superin- tendent of the schools in Eaton, Ohio, where he remained three years. From 1910 to 1914 he was superintendent of the schools of Wellsburg, W. Va., but resigned this position to enter business in Brookville, Ohio, necessitated by a death in the family.
Educational work, however, again called, and in 1915 he was appointed superintendent of schools in Kent. He held this position until 1920 when he resigned to become presi- dent and manager of the Kent Lumber Company.
In 1922, he entered the real estate and insurance business, in which he continued until 1947 when he sold his insurance business to the Atkinson Agency, and since that time he has given his time exclusively to real estate sales, management and appraisals.
He promoted and organized the Post Apartment Com- pany and in conjunction with Alva Post and A. L. Coffeen erected the Post Apartments on Woodard Avenue in 1925. Later he formed an association with A. L. Coffeen and erected about fifty homes in Kent.
While serving as an educator, Mr. Bryant taught in summer schools at Wooster and Kent State. He also did post-graduate work in Wooster College and Columbia University.
He was at one time school examiner in Union County, Ohio, and also was teacher institute lecturer in West Virginia, while in school work in that state.
Since coming to Kent, Mr. Bryant has taken an active interest in all civic activities. He helped to promote the bond issue and the building of the new Roosevelt High School and was chairman of the finance committee in the first Kent Welfare drive. He is a member of the Masonic Blue Lodge, Akron Council, Chapter, Eastern Star, the Wranglers' Club, the National, State and Portage County Real Estate Boards, the society of Residential Ap- praisers, the Kent Chamber of Commerce, Men's Garden Club, and the Kent Methodist Church. He was a charter member of the Kent Rotary Club.
Nature and the out-of-doors are Mr. Bryant's hobbies and he spends much of his spare time working in his lawn and garden.
In 1899, Mr. Bryant married Dorothy Grueing, who passed away December 1, 1951. They have one daughter, K. Helen Bryant, who taught for a number of years in Cleveland and Shaker Heights schools and is now Mrs. Hadley A. Hill of Syracuse, New York.
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Earl R. Burgner
Earl Raymond Burgner was born in Cleveland, August 18, 1905. He was the son of Clyde S. and A. Blanche (Harter) Burgner. He was educated in the schools of Cleveland and Loyal Oak, Norton township, Summit County, Ohio, where the family went.
He came into Portage County in 1922 to work for his uncle, Earl Harter, in Atwater. He also worked at Alliance for a year, selling automobiles.
On August 16, 1924, he was married to Edith A. Hartung of New Milford, daughter of Levi and Sarah L. Hartung of Mars, Penna. To them one son was born, Richard Wayne, May 10, 1925.
In 1924 Mr. and Mrs. Burgner operated a restaurant, grocery store, waiting room and took care of passengers and freight for the Northern Ohio Traction Co. at Atwater, on the line running to Alliance. They sold this in 1927 and came to Kent where in March, 1928, he purchased a restaurant on Lake St. Later he took over an automobile agency, selling Dodge and Plymouth cars with quarters located on Columbus St. In 1936 he bought the first "wrecker" in town and since then the place has maintained the largest one in the county.
On December 7, 1943, he enlisted in the navy, serving in the Seabees in the Pacific and Okinawa areas. He received his discharge Dec. 17, 1945, with the rank of Boatswain's Mate, First Class. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church.
Mr. Burgner died Jan. 18, 1956, being accidentally electrocuted while removing a wrecked car.
Lewis L. Burkhart
Lewis L. Burkhart was born in the village of Stryker, Williams County, Northwestern Ohio.
Received grade and high school education in the Stryker Public Schools. Received a B.A. from Defiance College, a B. S. in Education from Defiance College and an M. A. in School Administration from Western Reserve University. Now studying for the doctorate at Ohio State University.
Started teaching career in Malvern, Carroll County, Ohio. Later taught in Willoughby, Lake County, Ohio. Started ad- ministrative career as local executive in Russell, Geauga County. Later was local executive in Solon, Cuyahoga County, Ohio for several years. Superintendent of Schools in Kent since August 1952.
Married to Mary Louise Logan, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Logan, Malvern, Ohio. Have six children, five boys, David, Timothy, Paul, Daniel, Mark, and one girl, Mary Lyssa.
Member of The Kent First Methodist Church and The Kent Rotary Club. Active in many civic and church groups. Member of Kent Welfare Association and Kent Recreation Commission. Member of the State Board of Managers of the Ohio Congress of Parents and Teachers, in charge of Special Education. Done considerable speaking and writing for the Ohio Congress of Parents and Teachers all over Ohio.
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Dr. and Mrs. Herman D. Byrne
Herman DeWitt Byrne, known as "the Senator", has dedicated his life to education. Now a professor of Political Science at K.S.U., he has served as a public school teacher, a high school principal, a superintendent of county schools (Portage County), and as Ohio state inspector and supervisor of high schools. Dr. Byrne has a diploma from Indiana State Teachers College, an A.B. degree from Indiana State University, and his M.A. degree from the Uni- versity of Chicago where he held a graduate fellowship and was elected to Phi Delta Kappa. After a year of post-graduate work at Columbia University Dr. Byrne entered Akron Law School where he received his L.L.B. degree and is presently a member of the board of trustees. He has also earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Cleveland Law School.
Born in Georgetown, Indiana, November 11, 1887, Dr. Byrne came to Kent in 1920 to teach at Kent State Normal School and was married the following year to Dr. and Mrs. Herman D. Byrne Effie Edith Schreckengost of Sebring. They have five children, Hope Byrne Kubiak, Robert De Witt Byrne, William Dodge Byrne, James Temple Byrne and Beverly Byrne Carson, and fifteen grandchildren, all living in the Kent community.
Dr. Byrne served in the Ohio State Senate two terms where he introduced legislation which helped K.S.U. materially to attain its present status. The Senator has belonged to the Methodist Church, Kiwanis, Elks, Eagles, American Legion, Kent and Portage County Chambers of Commerce, National Educational Association, and Delta Upsilon Fraternity. He is listed in the Directory of American Scholars, Who's Who in Government, and the Inter- national Who's Who.
Pascal A. Carlozzi
Pascal A. (Pat) Carlozzi was born July 10, 1904, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was educated in the Cleveland schools and attended Kent State University in 1922-24. He then re- ceived his B.S. and M.A. in Education from Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He then attended Cleveland Law School, graduating with the Class of 1934, and was admitted to the practice of law the same year.
From 1924 to 1926 Mr. Carlozzi was associated with his brother in the automobile business. He has worked as a sales- man, tool designer and school teacher up to 1945. In that year he moved to Kent where he established the Pat Carlozzi, Inc., Oldsmobile-Cadillac agency.
Mr. Carlozzi has taken an active part in community af- fairs, having served as president and director of the Kent Kiwanis Club, the Kent Chamber of Commerce and the
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Portage County Auto Dealers Association. He was chairman of the Kent Red Cross drive and charter member of Kappa Mu Kappa, first fraternity on the Kent State University campus.
At this time Mr. Carlozzi is serving as director of the Twin Lakes Country Club and the K.M.K. House Corporation. He is a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and many other social and business organizations.
Mr. and Mrs. Carlozzi are the parents of Carl Carlozzi and have two grandchildren.
Raymond H. Cheetham
Raymond H. Cheetham, son of John and Isabella (Brown- lee) Cheetham, was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1894, where he received all his schooling. He and Gwendolyn Evans, also of Cleveland, were married in 1921 at North Presbyterian Church, Cleveland, where both were active in church work.
Mr. Cheetham started to work for the Ohio Bell Tele- phone Co. in 1921 at Cleveland and has been its Commercial Manager in Portage County from 1942, to date being in charge of the Kent and Ravenna business offices.
Just prior to coming to Kent he had been living for fifteen years in Cuyahoga Falls, where he had served as presi- dent of the Welfare Board for several years, and was vice- president of the Rotary Club. In 1948-1949 Ray became presi- dent of the Kent Rotary Club and during his year as presi- dent the Kent Rotary Club received its first Governors Award for outstanding service.
Ray Cheetham is perhaps best known for his hobby which is gradening. He organized the Men's Garden Club of Akron in 1937 and was its first president and in 1947 organized the Men's Garden Club of Kent. He received national prominence when elected as a National Director of the Men's Garden Club of America and also during the time, he was president of the Ohio State Gladiolus Society. He has written many articles on gardening published in national magazines and has judged in several state and national flower shows. Both he and Mrs. Cheetham are members of the Congregational Church in Kent where he holds the office of Deacon.
Mr. Cheetham is Poet Laureate of the Men's Gardens Clubs of America, Central Region.
Ernst Victor Christenson
Ernst Victor Christenson was born in Sweden, December 13, 1886, and received his education in his native country.
He served three years in the Swedish Army Combat En- gineer Corps, coming to the United States in 1909 and going first to Joliet, Illinois.
In 1917 Mr. Christenson came to Akron, Ohio, and start- ed in the general contracting business for himself. World War I again saw him in the armed forces, this time in the 37th Division under the U. S. flag. In 1918 he returned and resumed his contracting business in Akron.
From 1942 to 1945 during World War II, he was vice president and general manager of the Carter-Christenson Mfg. Co. of Dover, Ohio, fabricators of landing barges for the United States Army. Following the cessation of hostilities he re-located his construction business in Kent, Ohio, continuing
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to the time of his death.
Mr. Christenson was married in 1909 to Miss Julia W. Anderson. To them were born three children; Henry Victor of Silver Lake; Alice Viola, deceased; and Harry William of Kent.
He was a member of the Bethany Lutheran Church, Vasa Lodge North Star Society, and the Swithord Order.
Mr. Christenson passed away March 23, 1956.
Henry Victor Christenson
Henry Victor Christenson was born August 24, 1910, in Joliet, Illinois, being the son of Ernst V. and Julia W. (Anderson) Christenson.
His parents came to Akron and he attended schools in the Akron district, graduating from the Springfield High School. Later he attended the Hammel Business School and Akron University. He also attended Auburn Polytechnic Institute.
In 1942-1943 he was Procurement Manager for the Carter-Christenson Mfg. of Dover. In World War II he joined the United States Navy Construction Battalion but was later assigned to regular duty as navigator. He saw service in both the Atlantic and Pacific areas, being discharged in November, 1945. Following his discharge he joined his father as partner in the Christenson Construction Co.
Mr. Christenson was married to Miss Francis W. Timber- lake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tolbert Timberlake of Dan-
ville, Kentucky.
He is a member of the Church of Silver Lake, Wendell Willkie Post 19 American Legion and the Fairlawn Country Club.
His hobbies are photography and the collection of Royal Dalton Toby mugs and figurines.
Louis A. Ciccone
Louis Arthur Ciccone was born June 20, 1892 in St. Detemtrio, province of Aquilla, Italy. He was the son of Angelo and Marie (Visca) Ciccone.
He attended local schools until he was fourteen, when he went to Germany where he was employed in steel mills.
In 1909 he came to the United States, arriving at the port of New York, from which he came directly to Kent. Here he was employed as a tinner and roofer for about four years. In 1913 he entered into a partnership with his brother Steve and they started a grocery store on Franklin Ave. Later, he purchased a grocery and filling station on Cherry St., which he operated for three years.
On Dec. 27, 1920, Mr. Ciccone married Anna Katherine Ubri. To them four children were born. These are Louise Theresa (now Mrs. Raymond Spain); Albert Angelo; Gene- vieve Mary (now Mrs. Clarence Doty); and Rudolph Robert.
In 1924 he bought a grocery store at the corner of Har- ris and Pine streets, Kent, which he operated until his death Sept. 29, 1949.
Mr. Ciccone was naturalized Nov. 13, 1928, at Ravenna, and Mrs. Ciccone was natural-
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ized Nov. 7, 1935, at the same place.
Mr. Ciccone was a member of St. Patrick's Church, Kent, the Christopher Columbus Society, and the Eagles.
Charles Francis Clark
Charles F. (Frank) Clark was born in Kent, July 13, 1892, son of Charles Milton and Mary Agnes (Conlan) Clark. Mr. Clark's ancestors were natives of Wales and Mrs. Clark's ancestors came from County Mayo, Ireland.
His early education was received in St. Patrick's Parochial and DePeyster schools in Kent. At the age of 14 he started to work for the Seneca Chain Co. as heater boy over a period of two years. Following this was two years as call boy for the Erie Railroad Co. His next job was as car inspector for two more years when he received injuries which incapacitated him for two more years.
Mr. Clark then moved to Cleveland where he was em- ployed by the Adams Express Co. until 1918.
On Feb. 3, 1913 he married Margaret Ruth Allardt of Clevleand, and in 1918 returned to Kent, where he was em- ployed at Kline's grocery for three years. Following this was a connection with the Western & Southern Insurance Co. for two years.
In September, 1918, he was appointed to the Kent Volunteer Fire Department and held that post until a full time fire department was organized and he became the senior driver, full time, holding it until he retired June 1, 1942, on account of poor eyesight. During this time he organized a finger printing system for the police department, leaving 1200 records on file. He was the first qualified finger print expert in the county.
He was elected justice of the peace, assuming the position Jan. 1, 1948, and serving until the office was abolished Jan. 1, 1954. Mrs. Clark died Dec. 27, 1953.
Mr. Clark now spends his winters in Tucson, Arizona.
Mr. and Mrs. R. Varney Clay
Mr. and Mrs. R. Varney Clay
Mr. Clay was born in Cleveland Nov. 14, 1889. He was the son of Oliver Perry and Ina Pitkin Clay, both of Middlebury, Vermont. He received his early education at University School in Cleveland, later in a preparatory school at Asheville, N. C. He then went to Taft School then to Yale Univer- sity, majoring in business admin- istration. After that he entered the employe of the M. A. Hanna Co. in Cleveland with which his fath- er was associated. He remained there until he entered the army as a private in World War I, Nov. 27, 1917. His regiment went over- seas, taking part in actions in the Meuse, Argonne, Montfaucon and
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