USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 39
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Mr. Shupert's life and the history of his locality have been pretty much one and the same thing for more than eight decades, and he has had his part in the growth of the community. His has been a long life of honor and no higher eulogy can be passed upon him than to say that there has never been the shadow of a stain upon his reputation for integrity and unwavering honesty. He has been a consistent man in all he has ever undertaken and his career in all the relations of life has been entirely consistent and without pretense, so that to-day none is held in higher esteem throughout the community.
Franz Liesenhoff
0 PEOPLE that go to make up our cosmopolitan civili- zation have better habits of life than those who came originally from the great German Empire. The descen- dants of those people are distinguished for their thrift and honesty, and these two qualities in the inhabitants of any country will in the end alone make that country great. When with these two qualities is coupled the other quality of sound sense, also a German characteristic, there are afforded such qualities as will enrich any land and place it at the top of the countries of the world in the scale of elevated humanity. Of this excellent people came the late Franz Liesenhoff, for many years one of the well-known business men of Miamisburg, Ohio. He came of the race that pro- duced the famous "Iron Chancellor," the greatest statesman, all things considered, that ever walked this globe. He came of a race that is famous for its original investigations in the problems of civilized life, such men as Goethe and Heckel, to say nothing of a coterie of the greatest musicians of all lands and climes. The Ger- manic blood is found in the veins of the greatest men and women of this and former generations and the Liesenhoff family may well be proud of their descent from such a race. The subject of this brief memoir was easily the peer of any of his fellow citizens in all that constitutes right living and correct citizenship. He was a close and intelligent observer, read much, and took pains to keep himself informed upon current events. He was quiet in demeanor, a thinker, and a man of deeds rather than words. He was essen- tially a man of the people because he had large faith in humanity and was optimistic in his views.
Franz Liesenhoff was born in Dotmund, Westphalia, Ger- many, on March 6, 1833, and his death occurred at his home in Miamisburg, Ohio, on the 12th day of January, 1899, in the sixty- sixth year of his age, loved and respected by all who knew him. He was the son of Franz, Sr., and Henrietta Liesenhoff, who also were natives of Dotmund, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a coal miner, at which he was actively engaged during all his mature years up to the time of his death, which occurred in middle life. He was survived several years by his widow. In religion he was a Catholic and his wife a Protestant. Despite the variance of their church creed, they lived in the utmost harmony,
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and their children were reared also in the different faiths, the boys following their father into the mother church, while the daughters all became identified with Protestant churches. There were thirteen children in the family, of which number the subject of this sketch was the youngest and the only one to come to the United States. Of the others, who all remained in their native land, most of them died young.
Franz Liesenhoff, the immediate subject of this sketch, re- ceived his education in Germany and at the early age of twelve years he started to learn the trade of a tailor, completing his ap- prenticeship at the age of seventeen years. In 1861 he emigrated to the United States, landing at Portland, Maine, where he went into the tailoring business with a partner by the name of Wm. Koeling. A few years later Mr. Liesenhoff came to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained until 1864, when he came to Miamisburg, Ohio, and established himself in business as a merchant tailor. He soon acquired a reputation as one of the best tailors in this section of the State and commanded a trade which extended over a wide radius of territory. It was said that during his active years he clothed practically all the best people in his territory and a cus- tomer once gained was always retained, for he never turned away a dissatisfied customer, his work being only of high grade and his dealings with patrons being characterized by courtesy and evident desire to please that made friends of all who had dealings with him. He was very successful financially and at his death he left a comfortable estate. He erected a large and commodious store build- ing in the heart of the business district of the city and also erected an attractive and comfortable home on Central Avenue. He was universally respected, an evidence of which was the throng of his fellow citizens which attended his funeral services, which were held at the Lutheran church.
Mr. Liesenhoff was twice married, first to Lucetta Mienholt, to which union were born three children. The only daughter, Lena, died in infancy and the two sons, Edward and Carl, came to join their father in this country in 1864. The former is now a merchant tailor in Miamisburg, where he is numbered among the successful business men. He was married to Miss Anna Brigham, of Carlisle, Ohio, and is the father of three children, a son, Frank, who married Minnie, the daughter of Rev. Mr. McDaniel, of Yel- low Springs, Ohio, and is the father of three sons, Edward, Jr., Clarence, and Paul; and two daughters, Elsie and Hazel. The other son, Carl, who is engaged in the same business at Middletown, Butler County, Ohio, was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Bor-
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ger, of Middletown, Ohio, and has one son, Carl, Jr., who married Miss Gail Boxwell of Middletown and has one son, Robert Clay- ton. On July 10, 1864, Mr. Liesenhoff married, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Sophia Lenkensdorfer, who was born at Steinau, near Frank- fort, in Hesse Nassau, Germany, on March 16, 1839. She is a daughter of Urban and Maria (Greiley) Lenkensdorfer who also were natives of Hesse Nassau. The father, who was a cabinet- maker by vocation, spent his entire life in his native locality, and died there at the age of sixty-three years .. He was a member of an old and well-known family of his community and was himself a man of substantial means. He was prominent in local public affairs, being a member of the school board and holding other offices of responsibility. He was a veteran of the war of 1812-15, having fought at the battle of Waterloo. His wife, who was the daughter of a prominent miller of Hesse Nassau, died several years before her husband's decease. They were Protestants in their religious faith. Of their ten children, Mrs. Liesenhoff is the youngest. Besides herself, four brothers and two sisters came to the United States, all married and had children, and all are now deceased, Mrs. Liesenhoff being the only survivor. She received a good education in the excellent schools of her native land and on her fourteenth birthday, Palm Sunday, she was confirmed as a member of the Lutheran Church, of which she has ever since been a faithful and devoted member. In 1859, at the age of twenty years, she came to the United States, landing at Castle Garden, on May 21. She came at once to Cincinnati, where she lived un- til her marriage to Mr. Liesenhoff. She proved a true helpmate to her husband, much of his subsequent success being due to her encouragement and her good judgment and common sense. Mr. and Mrs. Liesenhoff became the parents of two children, namely: Albert, born in 1865, died in infancy. Emma Helene, who was born in Miamisburg, and who received a splendid education, be- ing a graduate of the high school with the class of '84, is a member of the Monday Night Club, and a valuable member of the local library board. For twenty-five years she has been a faithful and efficient teacher in the Lutheran Sunday school. She is the wife of Clayton O. Shupert, who is a successful merchant in Miamis- burg. He was born here and secured his education in the local schools. His parents, George and Mary (Troxell) Shupert, were also natives of Montgomery County, the father being still a resi- dent of Miamisburg. During his active years he was engaged in farming and tobacco growing and is yet, at the age of eighty-five years, a remarkably active man.
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Franz Liesenhoff was a Democrat in his political views and took an intelligent interest in public affairs, though never a seeker after public office. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to the blue lodge at Miamisburg, and was also a mem- ber of the German Harugari lodge. A man of sterling character and unchallenged integrity, Mr. Liesenhoff stood "four square to every wind that blew," his genuine worth being universally rec- ognized throughout the community which had been honored by his citizenship. He was a liberal contributor to the Lutheran Church and charitable work, but in this, as in everything, he was entirely unassuming and avoided display, giving merely out of the fullness of his heart. He was, indeed, a man among men and his death was a distinct loss to the community.
Victor Jones Allen
O ATTAIN a worthy citizenship by a life that is always honored and respected even from childhood deserves more than mere mention. It is no easy task to resist the temptations of youth and young manhood and plant a character in the minds and hearts of associates that will remain an unstained figure for all time. One may take his place in public life through some vigorous stroke of public policy, and even re- main in the hearts of friends and neighbors, but to take the same position by dint of the practice of an upright life and without a craving for exaltation and popularity, is worthy of the highest praise and commendation. The late Victor Jones Allen, one of the sturdy citizens and substantial business men of Akron, Ohio, who was well known throughout this section for several decades, was a man respected and honored, not because of the vigorous training of his special talents, but because of his daily life, each day hav- ing been one that was above criticism and passed upon in the light of real, true manhood. Strong and forceful in his relations with his fellow men, he not only made his presence felt, but also gained the good will and commendation of both his associates and the general public, ever retaining his reputation among men for integrity and high character, no matter how trying the circumstances, and never losing that dignity which is the birthright of a gentleman. Conse- quently, although he has passed to a higher plane of action, he will long be remembered in the circles in which he moved and over which his influence was like sunshine on a field of ripened wheat.
Victor J. Allen was born on Broadway, Akron, on August 22, 1840, and except for a brief residence in the city of Cleveland, his entire life was spent in this city. His death occurred in Akron on September 3, 1901, after an illness of four months. Mr. Allen was the son of David and Beulah (Jones) Allen, and the grandson of Nathaniel Allen, who served in the Revolutionary War, being killed in battle. His early education was received in the common schools of his native city. At the age of twenty years he went to Cleveland, and while there became a member of the famous Cleve- land Grays. On the 2d day of May, 1864, he enlisted in defense of his country, to serve one hundred days, and was mustered into the United States service at Cleveland on the 5th of May, as a private of Capt. Thomas Paddock's Company A, One Hundred and Fif-
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tieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. William H. Hay- ward commanding, his company being what was formerly known as the Cleveland Grays. This regiment was composed of eight companies from the city of Cleveland, one from Oberlin and one from Independence, and rendezvoused at Camp Taylor, near Cleveland. After muster the regiment left immediately for Wash- ington, D. C., where it was ordered to garrison Forts Lincoln, Sar- atoga, Thayer, Bunker Hill, Slocum, Totten, and Stevens, forming part of a chain of fortifications surrounding the national capital. This important duty was fully and strictly performed, thereby enabling General Grant to draw from the former garrison of these forts the reinforcements he so much desired in his movements through the Wilderness toward Richmond. The One Hundred and Fiftieth remained in these forts during the whole term of service, and participated in the fight before Washington with a part of Early's rebel corps, July 10 and 11, 1864. During its term of service the regiment was rigidly and effectively drilled and at its muster out had reached a point of military efficiency which fit- ted it for any emergency. It was mustered out of service at Cleve- land on August 23, 1864. Mr. Allen contracted jaundice while in the service and was confined in a hospital in Washington, but at all other times he was with his command and performed faithful and meritorious service. He afterwards became identified with the Grand Army of the Republic, holding membership in Buckley Post No. 12, at Akron.
After the war Mr. Allen returned to Akron and engaged in the milling business, becoming associated with his uncle, Jacob Allen, and W. A. Palmer and Frank Allen, under the name of the Allen Mills Company, which became one of the largest and most successful milling concerns in this part of the State. In 1895 the mills were sold and Mr. Allen became connected with the Diamond Rubber Company, with whom he remained until his death, at which time he had charge of the office work. In his own make-up there were exemplified those sterling Yankee characteristics in- herited from his parents, both of whom were natives of Connecti- cut, and his business career was never clouded by any act of a questionable character. He was a business man through and through, and to Milton Henry, now deceased, was credited the statement that he considered Mr. Allen one of the best business men of Akron in his day. He was proud of Akron and confidently looked forward to its growth and advancement to the front rank among her sister cities of this State. He took a deep interest in every movement which promised to work to that end and in many
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ways he contributed to the city's prosperity. He was specially in- terested in the welfare of Buchtel College and other educational interests and stood stanchly for every moral and civic reform. In these efforts he was entirely unostentatious, caring not for pub- lic applause, but doing his part simply from a sense of duty and privilege.
On June 17, 1868, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Ella Shepard, of Cleveland, where she was born, the daughter of Wil- liam and Jeannette (Pearson) Shepard. Her father was a native of Connecticut and her mother of Vermont. They came in an early day to Ohio, settling at Cleveland, of which city his father was one of the first settlers and a prominent business man. They were the parents of three children, namely: William; Ella, Mrs. Allen, and Dr. Nathaniel M. To Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born the following children: Frank P., vice-president of the Commercial Printing Company, of Akron; Jeannette, wife of Dr. E. W. Barton, of Ak- ron; Louis D., who is at home; Winnifred, wife of Clyde S. Pelton, who is connected with the Perfection Spring Company, of Cleve- land.
Religiously, the members of the family belong to the First Congregational Church of Akron, of which they are regular at- tendants and to the support of which they contribute liberally. Socially, Mrs. Allen is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, she being eligible to membership in this exclusive or- ganization from the fact that her paternal grandfather, Phenis Shepard, served in the Revolutionary War.
In the public issues and questions of the day, Mr. Allen took an intelligent interest, but his political activity was confined to his exercise of the right of franchise, where he took an independent attitude, especially in local elections, where he invariably voted for the men whom he believed to be the best fitted for office. His is the story of a life whose success was measured by its usefulness -a life that made for good in all its relations with the world. Al- ways calm and dignified, never demonstrative, his life was, never- theless, a persistent plea, more by precept and example than by spoken word, for the purity and grandeur of right principles and the beauty and elevation of wholesome character. To him home life was a sacred trust, friendship was inviolable and nothing could swerve him from the path of rectitude and honor.
Cyrus Miller
T IS a pleasure to investigate the career of a successful self-made man. Peculiar honor attaches to that indi- vidual who, beginning the great struggle of life alone and unaided, gradually overcomes unfavorable envi- ronment, removes one by one the obstacles from the pathway of success and by the master strokes of his own force and vitality suc- ceeds in forging his way to the front, winning for himself a posi- tion of esteem and influence among his fellow men. Such is the record, briefly stated, of the late Cyrus Miller, for a number of years one of the substantial business men and representative cit- izens of Akron, Ohio, to a brief synopsis of whose life and char acter the reader's attention is herewith directed in this memoir. His life and the history of this locality during a period of nearly thirty years was pretty much one and the same thing, and he lived to see and take a part in the latter-day growth of the community. He was a progressive man in the broadest sense of the term and earnestly and unstintingly gave his support to every movement or measure for the betterment or upbuilding of the city. His was a life of honor and trust and no higher eulogy can be passed upon him than to say that his name was never coupled with anything disreputable and that there never was the shadow of a stain upon his reputation for integrity and unwavering honesty. He was a consistent man in all he ever undertook and his career in all the relations of life was utterly without pretense. He was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him, and the city of Akron could boast of no better or more enterprising citizen.
Cyrus Miller, who at the time of his death, which occurred on July 6, 1899, was vice-president of the Akron Wholesale Grocery Company, was born in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, in 1831. At an early age he was left an orphan and the first years of his youth were spent in the homes of different families as chance of- fered, where his services were counted as compensation for his maintenance. The result was that he had no opportunity for se- curing an education and at the early age of fourteen years he ob- tained employment as a driver in the coal mines at Chippewa Falls, Ohio, having come to this State some time previously. He was thus employed for about five years, just at the age when he should have been rounding out an education. He then went into
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the mines as a miner, at which he was employed for three years, at the end of which time he accepted a position as shipper for David Morris, who was engaged in shipping coal from Girard, Trumbull County, to Cleveland. His services proved eminently satisfactory to Mr. Morris, with whom he remained about nine years. He then purchased a hotel at Girard, to the management of which he de- voted his attention during the following eight years. About 1870 Mr. Miller disposed of his hotel interests and, with about five hun- dred dollars in cash, came to Akron and engaged in the grocery business. He had up to this time had many discouraging and dis- heartening experiences, but had been a keen observer of business methods, so that when he entered into business he had pretty defi- nite ideas of his own as to the policy he would pursue. So correct was his conclusion on these things, that from the beginning he was prospered in his business affairs, and from time to time was com- pelled to enlarge his stock and store facilities, until at length the opportunity seemed ripe for him to launch out in a broader field of business activity. He became one of the promoters and organ- izers of the Akron wholesale Grocery Company, of which he was chosen vice-president. The notable success which has character- ized this company through the years since its organization was to a large extent due to the personal efforts of Mr. Miller, who de- voted himself indefatigably to the business. A man of sound bus- iness ability, ripe experience and shrewd judgment, his counsel was held in high regard by his business associates, and during the years of his active connection with the company he was one of its most important members.
Though handicapped from his childhood by the lack of an edu- cation, Mr. Miller had, by much reading and keen observation, become well informed on a wide range of topics, and was an inter- esting and intelligent conversationalist in any company where he happened to be. Despite the splendid record which he had made in material matters, he was entirely unassuming in his demeanor and his relations with his associates and employees were most kindly and considerate at all times. Possessing marked domestic tastes, Mr. Miller was extremely fond of his home and in the com- pany of his own family he derived his greatest pleasure and sat- isfaction, devoting himself to the happiness and comfort of his wife and children.
On November 29, 1893, Cyrus Miller was united in marriage to Lucinda L. Wilson, a native of Wayne County, this State, and the daughter of William and Jane (Roe) Wilson, the mother a na- tive of England. Both parents are now deceased and are buried
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at Clinton, Ohio. They were the parents of the following children: William J .; Ludeama, the wife of George Bullach; Arvilla, the wife of Daniel Kittinger; Martha, deceased, was the first wife of George Bullach; Lucinda J., Mrs. Miller.
To Mr. and Mrs. Miller were born two children, namely: Rhea M., a student in the Akron high school, and Mary V., who is in the public schools. Religiously, Mr. Miller subscribed to the creed of the Universalist Church, to the support of which he contributed liberally of his means. In every relation of life he was found true to every trust and no one knew him but to respect him. Person- ally, he was genial and companionable, enjoyed the company of his friends, and by them was held in the highest esteem. In busi- ness circles his abilities and high qualities were generally recog- nized, so that he ever commended the confidence and good will of all.
Theodore Dwight Paul
NE of Ohio's representative and well-known citizens was the late T. Dwight Paul, of Akron, whose life was well spent in activities that seemed to exercise to the full his unusual abilities; a life that carried with it the lesson that one whose capacity, while not of the very greatest, may yet do great work by close devotion to the work. He was a busy man, an industrious man. He attained a place of high degree and compelling importance in the locality in which he was a constant quantity-one of the kind that make up the front rank, the kind that can be relied on, a good workman in the world's affairs, a splendid specimen of the many that do the real, hard work of the world in places of passing importance and do it well. It was the kind of life that does not attract attention for its unusual bril- liance or any picturesque or erratic qualities, but the kind out of which the warp and woof of the substance that goes to make up the continuous achievement of humanity is made.
Theodore Dwight Paul was a native son of the old Buckeye State, having been born at Cuyahoga Falls, Summit County, Ohio, on July 21, 1849, and his lamented death occurred at his home, No. 148 Charles Street, Akron, on October 7, 1912. His parents were Hosea and Ellen (Gamble) Paul, natives of the State of Vermont. The father was also a civil engineer-in fact practically all the male members of this family have followed that vocation, some of them attaining to considerable eminence in their chosen calling. Hosea and Ellen Paul were the parents of the following children: Harrison, George, Mary, Robert, Hosea, Jr., Dwight and Edward. All of these boys became civil engineers. Hosea Paul, Sr., who was born at Northfield, Vermont, on April 6, 1809, came to Cuya- hoga Falls, Ohio, in 1834, and became a leading citizen of the com- munity having served as justice of the peace and mayor. He lo- cated several of the first railroads in this section, and was county surveyor for many years. During 1863-64 he served as an assistant engineer in the engineer corps of the Army of the Cumberland, where he endured many extraordinary hardships and performed much effective service, his death, in 1870, being hastened by the hardships which he thus endured. He was noted for his rugged honesty and for his outspoken opposition to slavery and intemper- ance, at a time when it required courage to publicly express such sentiments.
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