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 66
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He is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and has held all positions in it that a layman can hold. He is a member of the York Rite and Scot- tish Rite Masons and of the Kiwanis club, in which he has served as various committee chairmanships. He has worked on the Red Cross and cancer drives, has been Boy Scout committeeman and a member of the park board. He is a charter member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce and is past president of the Men's Garden Club.
Mr. and Mrs. Hyman H. Friedland
Hyman H. Friedland was born October 2, 1905, at Altoona, Pa. He was the son of Isaac and Lena Friedland, both natives of Leitva.
When he was still a child the family moved to Cleveland, later to Akron. There he graduated from West High School in 1923. Following this he attended Akron University two years.
In 1927 Mr. Friedland came to Kent and entered the clothing business, moving in 1931 to his present location on South Water St. In 1940 he also established a business at Ravenna.
He was married June 24, 1928 in Altoona, Pa. to Ida Sarah Sil- verstein, daughter of Lena and Julius Silverstein, also natives of Leitva. She was born in Rassania, Leitva, and came to this country at the age of five. She was edu- cated in Altoona grade and high school, graduating in 1925. Their children are Arthur Mayer, Sher- man Hillel and Bernice Udelle. The Friedlands belong to the Beth-El congregation in Akron
Mr. and Mrs. Hyman H. Friedland
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where they now make their home.
Mrs. Friedland is owner of the Style Center, established in September, 1947. Mr. Fried- land is also a partner in the Portage Furniture Sales at Ravenna, being associated with Joseph Nadel.
Fred M. Fuller
Fred M. Fuller was born on his grandfather's farm at Cackler's Corners, north of Kent, June 9, 1872, son of S. S. and Mary (Cackler) Fuller. He was a great, great grandson of Christian Cackler, who settled here in 1804. Fred received his education in Kent's public schools. His first job was in the printing trade with the Kent Bulletin. Following this he served as Kent's assistant postmaster for four years.
He then entered the tin plate and steel business, his life work. He was first associated with the Falcon Tin Plate Co. at Niles. Succeeding steps took him to Chicago and New York with the American Tin Plate Co. Upon consolidation with the Carnegie-Illinois Steel Co., he became general manager of sales, with headquarters in Pittsburgh, which position he held until retirement. While still in Pittsburgh he bought and alloted the old Pioneer Grounds on E. Main St., Kent.
He returned to private life July 1, 1937. He was a 32nd degree Mason, a member of the Duquesne Club, Athletic As- sociation and Field Club, all of Pittsburgh.
Upon his retirement he returned to Kent and actively engaged in civic affairs. He acted as president of the Rotary Club, Library Board, chairman of the City Park Commission and vestryman of the Episcopal church. He gave generously of his time and was best known, perhaps, for his part in the development of the city park along the Cuyahoga River. In his honor, this was named the Fred M. Fuller Park by the Kent City Council in December, 1946. Realizing his contribution to community betterment, the Kent Chamber of Commerce awarded him its annual Public Service Medal in recognition of his work.
He was married to Carrie Yahrling Oct. 30, 1895. She passed away in 1936. His mar- riage to Maroe Hathaway took place in 1938, at which time they came to Kent to make their home. He died Jan. 3, 1955. Mrs. Fuller resides at 201 Linden Rd., Kent.
Wilma Leslie Garnett
Born in Moline, Illinois, Wilma Leslie Garnett moved with her parents, Robert Lewis and Martha (Kane) Garnett, to Iowa, the state in which she was to receive her education. The grade school, high school, and college years were spent in Cedar Falls, Iowa; the uni- versity years were spent in Iowa City, Iowa. From Iowa State Teachers College, she was graduated in 1918 with the B. A. degree; from the State University of Iowa, she was grad- uated with the M. A. degree in 1925 and the Ph. D. in 1939.
Teaching has been her profession since 1914, when she began by teaching in grade schools and later in high schools in Iowa. Since that time, she has been in teaching, super- visory, administrative work in private schools, colleges, universities in seven states. In 1937, Miss Garnett accepted an invitation to teach in the Department of English, Kent
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State University, in which department she holds the rank of professor. Twice on leave of absence, she has worked for the United States Government, first in the United States Office of Education in 1953 and next for the International Cooperation Administration in 1955-1956. The second as- signment was to educational work in Cambodia.
Miss Garnett is a member of Trinity Cathedral, Cleve- land; she holds memberships in the American Association of University Women, Pi Lambda Theta, Delta Zeta, American Association of University Professors, D.A.R. and Akron Women's City Club. She is listed in AMERICAN SCHOLARS, WHO'S WHO IN AMERICA, INTERNATIONAL WHO'S WHO, and LEADING AMERICAN WOMEN, as well as in WHO'S WHO IN EDUCATION. As teacher, writer, lecturer, she has lived in Kent, Ohio.
Robert L. Garrett
Robert L. Garrett was born in Cleveland, Ohio, Jan. 17, 1907, son of Lincoln and Mary (O'Beirn) Garrett. With his parents he came to Kent in boyhood and secured his education in the Kent schools, graduating from Roosevelt High School in 1925. When not engaged in school duties, he worked with his father who was in the contracting business, a total of 15 years. After that he spent 12 years with the Twin Coach Co. in their service sales and delivery department. In this time he covered every state in the Union and a part of Canada.
In September, 1942, he purchased the hardware store of J. C. Gigger, operating it until 1952, when he sold it to the Keller Electric Co.
In 1950 he bought a 300 acre farm in Ravenna and Shalersville townships and with his son, Lawrence, did general farming but specializing in beef cattle. In 1954 he sold this farm and the next year built and now operates an 18-unit motel on State Route 5, between Kent and Ravenna, with his son as partner. This motel is the first built in this locality.
On Jan. 19, 1929, he married Miss Florence Renouf, daughter of Dr. J. N. Renouf. To them one son was born, Charles Lawrence, Dec. 1929.
In November, 1950, Mr. Garrett was elected mayor of Kent, serving in the years 1951 and 1952.
He belongs to the Kent Congregational church and to the Masonic lodge.
Lincoln Garrett
Lincoln Garrett was born at Hawks Station, Ohio, Oct. 14, 1862, being the son of William and Eliza (Doles) Garrett. He attended home schools until he reached the age of 12 when he started work with a bridge construction company in West Virginia. He learned the business and had his own bridge contract at the age of 21. His work carried him to various places, being located for a time in Cleveland, after which he came to Kent in 1907.
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Here he spent the remainder of his life in the contracting business. This included three years with the Everett-Moore Syndicate, in which time be built the Gorge Power House in 1913 and 1914. He also did much construction work on the old A.B.C. Traction line, Akron to Cleveland. In 1920 he built the first addition of ten filters at the Akron Water Works plant north of Kent. He also paved several streets in Kent and in other towns. He constructed the sewer and water systems in Sunbury, Ohio; also sewer systems at Silver Lake and Hudson, Ohio. At Cuyahoga Falls he constructed sewers that were difficult because of extensive rock forma- tions.
On Feb. 16, 1895, he married Mary A. O'Beirn. They had one son, Robert L. Garrett of Kent. Mrs. Garrett died Nov. 7, 1917.
On Feb. 4, 1919, Mr. Garrett married Sara McGrath who died in August, 1949.
In 1928 he was first to develop Longmere Ave., building 12 houses over a period of a few years.
He was a member of the Congregational church and of the Masonic order.
Emmett F. Garrison
Emmett Franklin Garrison was born May 26, 1879 at Suffield, Ohio. He was the son of Doctor Edward F. Garrison and Addie (Moody) Garrison. He was one of two children.
Emmett received his education in the Kent Public School and graduated from High School in 1896. He later entered Western Reserve Academy at Hudson where he graduated in 1903.
Mr. Garrison entered the employe of The City Banking Co. (now The City Bank) in 1903 as a Teller and became Secretary and Treasurer in 1918. After 51 years of service he retired from active service with the bank in May, 1954.
Mr. Garrison was married in 1905 to Miss Bertha Felger. To them was born one son, Edward E. Garrison.
Mr. Garrison is a member of Rockton Lodge of which he is Past Master, Chapter, Akron Council R. & S. M., B. P. O. Elks, and Rotary Club.
Maxwell L. Garrison
Maxwell Graham Garrison was born April 12, 1851, on a farm near Kent, the son of James and Hannah (Walker) Garrison. His father, a Pennsylvanian, came here when four years of age. The mother was a Stow resident.
Mr. Garrison was one of a family of four brothers and two sisters, William J., Dr. Charles A .; Dr. Edward F. Garrison; Alice Garrison Grubb; and Frances Garrison Minnick.
Mr. Garrison was educated in the country schools and attended Mt. Union College, later transferring to Hiram. Leaving college he studied law with D. L. Rockwell, Sr., being admitted to the bar in 1876. He then became a resident of Kent. When the City Bank was organized in 1881 Mr. Garrison became its cashier, remaining with the bank for many years.
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In 1918 he became president of the institution holding that position until the bank holiday in 1935.
He took a leading part in civic affairs, being city treasurer four terms and Portage County treasurer for four years. He was also a member of the county board of exam- iners, and was on the Kent Sinking Fund commission. He be- longed to the Masons, Eastern Stars and Christ Church Episcopal, where he was vestryman and a warden.
Mr. Garrison was married July 10, 1873 to Sarah L. Peck, daughter of Rufus and Sarah (Lappan) Peck. To them were born five children. These were: Ruth Garrison Callahan, now deceased; Charles E. Garrison, now deceased; Iliff W. Garrison, Carnegie, Penna .; Bessie Garrison Reed, now de- ceased; Guy J. Garrison, deceased.
Mrs. Garrison died May 16, 1928, and Max Garrison passed away Oct. 23, 1936. Surviving him were seven grand- children and a number of great-grandchildren. The grand- children were Margaret, Dwight, Max and Clarence Garrison of Flint, Mich., Robert Callahan of Detroit; and Sara Reed Strayer and James Reed of Kent.
William Getz
William Getz was born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, December 19, 1860, son of Jacob and Catherine (Sheetenhelm) Getz. His parents were born in Germany, but after coming to America settled on a farm in Tuscarawas County. Jacob Getz was a stone mason by trade, and engaged in contracting as well as farming. He died in Tuscarawas County in 1874, and his widow survived until 1897.
At an early age William Getz moved with his family to a farm on the present Horning Road. He attended the district schools, the high school at Kent and graduated from Buchtel College at Akron in 1887. He was a charter member of the "Lone Star" Fraternity. By practical experience he learned the hardware business, and on October 17, 1887, with his brother John G. he established the firm of Getz Brothers at Kent, dealers in general hardware, paints and oils. He was the senior partner in the business until his death. Since then the firm has become Getz Brothers, Inc., with stockholders Harold M. Bluestone, President; G. L. Smith, Vice President; Wm. H. Getz, Secretary and Treasurer, and Wm. R. Blue- stone.
On September 2, 1890, William Getz married Miss Julia Stewart, who was born in Franklin Township, Portage County, January 19, 1865, daughter of Thomas C. and Ade- line (Hart) Stewart. Her father was a native of Ravenna Township, Portage County, Ohio, and her mother, of Ver- mont. Her paternal grandparents, William and Elizabeth (Clemens) Stewart, were of Scotch ancestry. Her maternal grandparents, Homer and Mary (Knowlton) Hart, were natives of Vermont, and early settlers of Portage County. Mr. and Mrs. William Getz had the following children: Elnora, a trained nurse, now retired; Margaret, a stenographer; Mary, wife of Harold Bluestone, and the mother of a son, William Robert; and Kathryn, who died when fourteen years old. Mrs. William Getz was educated in grammar and high schools, and is a member of the
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Congregational Church. William Getz was a trustee of the Congregational Church, member of the school board and an officer of the Home Building and Loan Co., now the Home Savings & Loan Co. He identified himself in every possible way with movements for the improvement and general welfare of his home community. He took part in the prohibition movement and was vice president of the Better Roads Committee. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Kent. Mr. Getz died August 5, 1913.
Joseph C. and Carrie Gigger
Joseph C. Gigger was born in a log cabin near Uniontown, Stark County, Ohio, Sept. 28, 1874, son of Henry and Clara (Tritt) Gigger. At an early age he moved to a farm in Franklin Township, near Kent. His education was received at Kent's South and Central schools, after which he spent one year in Hiram College. Later, he graduated from Hammel Business College in Akron. Meantime he had worked on the farm and in the Erie Shops and had taught school one year in the No. 7 District, Brimfield town- ship. On completion of his edu- cation he went into the hardware business in Kent, March 4, 1901, which he conducted with success for more than 40 years. He re- tired from this in 1942.
Mr. Gigger was married in July, 1905, to Carrie M. Myers. Mrs. Gigger passed away in June, 1938. In September, 1939, Mr. Gigger was married to Elizabeth Hay- maker of Ravenna, a descendent of Franklin Township early set- tlers. She died Feb. 10, 1944.
Joseph C. and Carrie Gigger
Mr. Gigger was interested in various other business activities and was a director of the Kent City Bank over 21 years. He is a member of the Congregational Church.
Carrie Myers Gigger was born at Meadville, Pa., Oct. 21, 1872, daughter of Henry and Rebecca Jane (McCoy) Myers. The family came to Kent in 1903, where she married Joseph C. Gigger July 26, 1905.
She graduated from Allegheny College, Meadville, and the Meadville School of Music. She was a teacher in both the public schools and the Pennsylvania School of Art and Music, also giving private lessons.
Mrs. Gigger was a woman of untiring energy, interested in her home and family and a wide variety of civic activities. One of these was the organization of the predecessor of the Kent Welfare Association, being first general chairman and doing much of the pioneer work. During World War I she was active in the Grey Ladies organization and other bodies. As a member of the Congregational church she taught Sunday school classes and worked in the church circles. Her memberships also included the Kent Coterie, the D.A.R. group and the West End Recital Club.
One of the joys of living after her family had grown was the regular winter trip with her husband to Cocoa, Florida.
Surviving the Giggers are two daughters-Mrs. F. A. Rohaley of Kent; and Mrs. Fred Althouse of Salem.
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Burtland J. Gilcrest
Born September 14, 1879 in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, he was the son of Thomas Jefferson and Hannah Jane (Brittain) Gilcrest, both members of pioneer Summit County families.
Descended of a family of millers and millwrights, Mr. Gilcrest spent his childhood in a home adjoining the Western Reserve Mill operated by his father and grandfather. Located on the Little Cuyahoga River on Mogadore Road, the mill site is now occupied by the A. C. and Y. Railroad.
Mr. Gilcrest received his early schooling at the White Grocery school at Brittain. He attended Akron Central High School for one year.
As a boy Mr. Gilcrest worked in the potteries of East Akron. Except for a year spent on a sheep ranch in Montana, his whole life has been spent in celery farming in this area. He began farming in Hartville in 1902. In 1908 he moved to a farm at Lawndale, west of Akron. In 1914 he bought his present farm on the western edge of Kent. The family home was located at 1001 W. Main Street.
Always interested in farming activities, Mr. Gilcrest was a member of the Kent Grange, the Farm Bureau and the Summit Growers Market in Akron. He was active in or- ganizing the Summit Growers Market, a cooperative market- ing association which was the principal outlet for his product. He remains one of its original stockholders.
In 1952 Mr. Gilcrest concluded fifty years of celery farming. Although farming methods have changed during his lifetime, throughout the years Mr. Gilcrest has given employment to hundreds of schoolboys during the summer months. For many Kent boys, "working on the muck" has been their introduction to the world of work. Although no longer actively engaged in farming, Mr. Gilcrest maintains an interest in the farm which is now operated by his son, Carl.
On February 12, 1908 Burt Gilcrest was married to Lettie Ringer of Hartville. Four children were born to them: Helen, the wife of Paul R. Roller, a radio officer in the U. S. Navy; Harry, an industrial arts teacher in the Orange Township High School, Cuyahoga County, Ohio; Carl, a science teacher at Kent Roosevelt High School and a farmer; and Jean, a fifth grade teacher in the Aurora, Ohio schools. Mrs. Gilcrest died February 23, 1950. There are ten grandchildren: Anne, Judith and Burt Roller; Roger, Sarah and Lettie Gilcrest; and Hannah, Thomas, Terry and Jack Gilcrest.
Charles L. Gougler
Charles L. Gougler was born June 6, 1890 in Akron, the son of William H. and Pauline (Drexel) Gougler. The family moved to Kent when he was eight years old. He left South school at the age of 14 and started working at the Erie car shops as a machinist apprentice. He enlisted in the navy and was honorably discharged in 1915. After working in various machine shops he started his own shop in the rear of his residence on Rockwell street.
From this point his outstanding ability and aggressiveness drove him rapidly forward. In 1923 he acquired his first plant on North River street. By the time the second world war was well advanced he owned and operated so many plants on North River street that the city government changed the name to "Gougler Avenue" in his honor.
The C. L. Gougler Machine Company was the first company in Portage County to win
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the much-coveted Army-Navy "E" for excellence.
His zeal and industry made The C. L. Gougler Machine Company the largest "job" shop in Ohio, a position which is currently maintained by the officers that Charley Gougler trained to succeed him.
He belonged to many organizations including the Elks, Rotary Club, Portage Country Club and The City Club and contributed both time and money to charitable and com- munity projects.
He died on October 18, 1952 at Pasadena, California.
He was married on June 20, 1916 to Mary Agnes Sawyer of Kent who died in 1954.
Charles L. Gougler is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Jayne Morris of Twin Lakes.
Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Graham
Thornton Gillmer Graham was born Jan. 30, 1889, in Lee, Mass., the son of Robert Frazier and Elizabeth (Gillmer) Graham. He was educated in the Lee public schools, at Mount Hermon school, Mt. Hermon, Mass., and at Princeton University, from which he was graduated in civil engineering in 1914.
In August, 1914, he entered the employ of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Akron. In February, 1917, he transferred to the Falls Rubber Co., at Cuyahoga Falls, and in 1918 be- came factory manager of the Inland Rubber Co., Chicago. In 1921 he was appointed factory manager of the Mason Tire & Rubber Co. in Kent.
In November, 1925, he joined the B. F. Goodrich Co., Akron, as production superintendent of the tire division. In 1926 he was pro- moted to assistant works manager and in 1927 was made works man- ager. In the following year he was elected a vice president of the company and continued in that capacity until he retired at the age of 64, on Jan. 30, 1953.
He has been closely associated with many civic and welfare ac- tivities. In the early '30s he was chairman of the Summit County Relief Committee and later Chair- man of the Ohio Relief Commis- sion.
Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Graham
Mr. Graham was married to Jessie Milne Currie, daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Kerr) Currie, on Oct. 25, 1916. They have three children. These are Robert Currie; Janet Kerr (Mrs. Wm. Bullock); and Charles Thornton. There are ten grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Graham have lived at 412 West Main St., Kent, since 1921. He is president and director of the City Bank; vice president and director of the Williams Bros. Co .; and director of the Ferry Machine Co., all of Kent. He is also director of Navaco, Inc., of Dallas, Texas, and president of the board of trustees of the Akron City Hospital.
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After retirement the Grahams continued active in the affairs of the community. He owns a 300 acre farm, Ebony Meadows, located five miles north of Kent, where he has a fine herd of registered Aberdeen-Angus cattle.
Mr. and Mrs. Mitch E. Granc
Mitch E. Granc was born in Kent, July 30, 1911. He was the son of Edmond and Barbara (Hyczewska) Granc. The father was a native of Ciecanow, Poland, and his mother came from Pechcin, also in Poland.
He first attended St. Patrick's School in Kent, after which he attended Roosevelt High School. At an early age he was a paper delivery boy for the late Fred Bechtle over a period of six years. He was then employed by H. C. Longcoy at his packing house, for three and one half years. In 1932 he went into the employe of Peter Stembor where he remained for 15 years. During World War II he was employed by the C. L. Gougler Machine Co. and also worked for the Herman Machine Co., Tallmadge for two years as superintendent of the second shift. Later, he was steward at the Elks Club for three years.
On Nov. 30, 1946, he was married to Ann Peterson of Brimfield, daughter of Theodore and Victoria (Ambrose) Peterson. Her father was a native of Leda, Lithuania and the mother came from Radiun, Lithuania. To the Grancs three children were born. They are Beverly Ann, now Mrs. Paul Vesselinovich; David Mitchell and Dennis Michael.
In 1947 Mr. Granc purchased the 64-acre farm called Green Oaks near the Akron Waterworks Reservoir and Pippin Lake. He raised beef and broilers, then became engaged in digging and processing peat moss from his farm. He sup- plies this not only to individuals and institutions locally but throughout the Lake Erie area and parts of Pennsylvania. The acreage of 24 acres containing peat is registered with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Mines, on which yearly reports of operations are made.
Mr. and Mrs. Granc are members of Immaculate Conception Church, Ravenna, and of the Ravenna Grange. Mr. Granc is a member of the B.P.O.E. and Men's Garden Club of Kent.
Buell Graven
Buell Graven was born July 26, 1914, the son of Don and Fannie Graven. His mother's maiden name was Fannie Parsons. The parents were the third generation of both families in Ohio.
Buell graduated from Kent State University in 1938. He was active in campus activities and athletics. In wrestling he was undefeated in collegiate competition and won the interstate collegiate title in 1936, 1937 and 1938, the A.A.U. title in 1936, 1937 and 1938, and the outstanding wrestler's award in the 1936 A.A.U. Tournament. He was an Olympic finalist in 1936. He was awarded the Manchester Cup in 1936 at Kent State University. He is a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity, Blue Key, National Honorary Society, Varsity "K", and The Kent State University Alumni Associa- tion.
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Mr. Graven was married in 1939 to Florence Shader of Kent. They have four children, Patricia and Susie, daughters, and Robert and Richard, twin sons.
Mr. Graven was a charter member of the Kent Junior Chamber of Commerce. He is a member of the Kent Chamber of Commerce, and the Kent Congregational Church.
Mr. Graven was Kent chairman of the Polio Fund Drive in 1946, and Kent chairman of the Red Cross Fund Drive in 1956. He was chairman of the Portage County Red Cross Fund Drive in 1957.
Mr. Graven is a member of the Portage County Real Estate Board, The Ohio Associa- tion of Real Estate Boards, The National Association of Real Estate Boards, and The Na- tional Institute of Real Estate Brokers. He is serving his fourth term as President of the Portage County Real Estate Board.
David H. Green
David H. Green, son of Thomas and Rose (Jones) Green, was born in Kent, Sept. 19, 1873, and was educated in the Kent public schools.
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