Summit County, Ohio - Chapter 20: Statistics, 1908 (part 24 of 27)

The father of Mr. Hoffman was born at Manchester, Ohio, and now resides in Portage Township, Summit County, of which he is a trustee. After working for a quarter of a century in the Buckeye .^hops as a blacksmith, he retired to his farm.

which he worked for twelve years. In 1903, in association with I. S. Myers, the present county tieasurer, he formed the Excelda Stone Company, which has grown to be a very important business concern of this city. They have im- I'ortant work under construction at the present time and all of it, both in appearance and .substantial character, is most creditable.

In 1897, Mr. Hoffman was married to Miuine J. Warden, who is a daughter of John W^. Warden, of Akron, and they have one son, Glenn W. Mr. Hoffman is affiliated with the ^lethodist Episcopal Church. He belongs to the American Insurance Union. Personally he is a man of stable character and aptly represents the class that is known as Akron's .sterling citizens.

F. W. BUTLER, manager of the stoneware department of the Robinson Clay Product Company, and also president of the Akron Smoking Pipe Company, is one of Akron's leading business men and has been a resident of this city since boyhood. He was born at W'orcester, Massachusetts.

Mr. Butler came to Akron in 1866 and completed his education in the High School of this city, after which he entered the employ of the old mercantile firm of Hall Brothers, with which he continued for four years. Subsequently. Mr. Butler became bookkeeper in the First National Bank, still later teller, remaining with this financial institution for nine years, during which time ho acquired an interest in the E. H. Merrill Pottery Company, and this connection became of sufficient importance to cause his resignation as teller and to V)ecome secretary and manager of the latter business. He continued to ])erform the duties of these positions until the E. H. Merrill Pottery Company was absorbed by the Robinson Merrill Pottery Company, when he Viecame manager of the stoneware department of the new firm. Mr. Butler remained with the concern after it became the Robinson Clay Product Company, and since 1900, has been manager of the stoneware department of this large industry. He is interested in other Akron enterprises and commands the consid-

In 1879, Mr. Butler was married to Grace A. Merrill, who was a daughter of E. H. Merrill. Mrs. Butler died in 1888, leaving three children : li. Karl, Merrill W., and Fred W. The two older sons of Mr. Butler are interested in real estate in Cuba, owning a jDlantation in that island. The youngest son is employed in the shipping department of the Robinson Clay Product Company.

AUGUSTUS 0. OPLINGER, a leading citizen of Norton Township, residing on his valuable farm of fifty-six acres, T\'as born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, November 25, 1848, and is a soii of Nathan and Sabina (Deiter) Oplinger.

This section of Ohio is much indebted to Pennsylvania, for from that State have come manj^ of the most solid, substantial and reliable people, whose thrift and industry have brought prosperity. Among this class were the parents of Mr. Oplinger, who came overland to Ohio, settling for a short time, in 1850, at Wadsworth, Medina County, but shortly afterward purchasing a small farm in NTorton Township, west of Loyal Oak. When Augustus 0. Oplinger was about fifteen years of age, his father sold that farm and going a little further west, bought a tract of fiftyeight acres, but subsequently this farm also was sold and the family moved to the village of Loyal Oak, where both parents died. They had seven children, all of whom are now living.

Augustus 0. Oplinger has been a resident of Norton Township ever since his parents settled here. He has made farming and dairying his main interests, but from the age of twenty-two to that of twenty-five years, he worked at the carpenter's trade. For some twenty years he operated rented land, but in 1894 he bought his present farm, which, under his excellent management has proved very remunerative. He does general farming and dairying and also gives attention to the growing of small fruits. Although the farm claims the larger part of his time, Mr. Oplinger has served his fellow citizens efficiently as a member of the township School Board.

Mr. Oplinger married Isabella Houser, who is a daughter of Stephen and Mary Houser, and they have a family of thii-teen children, all of whom survive, proving the sturdy stock from which they came. They are : Horace, residing at Akron, married Emma Koch and has one child, George William; Edward, who married Anna Flannigan, has two children, Mary and James; Dora, who married Russell Phelps; Frank, who married Sadie Chance, has one child, Lillian; Robert, residing at Loyal Oak, who married Virgie Stripe, has two children, Marion and Doris; Charles, who married Cassie Messner, has one child, Charles: and Arthur, James, Walter, Frederick, Bessie, Mabel and Raymond, all at home.

Mr. Oplinger and family belong to the Reformed Church and from the age of twentyfive he has been one of the officials. He formerly served as treasurer of the Norton Insurance Company, and has served on the Board of Directors for a period of eighteen years. At present he is serving as treasurer of and for six years has been a director in the Norton Cyclone Association.

DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GOODRICH, founder of the B. F. Goodrich Company (Akron Rubber Works), the largest rubber factory m the United States, wa.s born in Ripley, New York, November 4, 1841. He was educated in the schools of Fredonia, New York, and Austinburg, Ohio, and was graduated at the Western Medical College, Cleveland, Ohio, in February, 1861. About this time he entered the army as hospital steward of the Ninth New York Volunteer Cavalry, and was promoted to as.sistant surgeon in the spring of 1862, in which capacity he served until September, 1864. being for a part of the time in charge of the hospital at Aquia Creek. On the close of the war he engaged in real istat^^ business in New York Citv. In 1870 he came to Akron, and with Colonel George T. Perkins, George W. Grouse, of Akron, and H. W. Tew, of Jamestown, New York, he established in Akron the first rubber factory west of the Allegheny Mountains, under the firm name of Goodrich, Tew & Co., later changed to B. F. Goodrich & Company. The business slowly grew and prospered until in 1880 a co-pai'tnership was formed and the business incorporated under the name of the B. F. Goodrich Company, with a capitalization of $100,000.00, and with Dr. Goodrich as president, Alanson Work, vice-president, and Colonel George T. Perkins, secretary and treasurer. The company was engaged in the manufacture of fire hose, and other rubber goods. Later a second company for the manufacture of hard rubber goods was organized, and styled The Goodrich Hard Rubber Company, with the Doctor also as it.s president. The growth of the company was continiious from, that time on, and the capital was increased from time to time, as the demands of the business required, until at present the capitalization of the company is $10,000,000. The present product of the company consists of a full line of soft rubber goods such as belting, hose, packings, druggist sundry goods, golf balls, tennis balls, automobile and bicycle tires, carriage tires, molded goods, mats, boots and shoes. The factory buildings cover an area of sixteen and a half acres of floor space, on fifteen and a half acres of ground, and the works give employment to 3,300 people.

Dr. Goodrich remained president of the company until 1888 - the time of his deaths v.'hen he was succeeded by Colonel George T. Perkins. He was a public-spirited citizen of high intelligence, and in his founding of this giant industry, proved one of the greatest benefactors that Akron ever had. He was a member of the Akron City Council for the years 1880 and 1881, the first year being its president.

Dr. Goodrich was married, November 4, 1869, to Miss Mary Marvin, daughter of Judge Richard P. Marvin, of Jamestown, New York. Of this union there were three children - Charles C, born August 3, 1871, who is now general superintendent of the B. P'. Goodrich Company; Isabella, and David j\I. Dr. Goodrich died at Manitou Springs, Colorado, August 3, 1888.

CHARLES C. GOODRICH, general superintendent of the B. F. Goodrich Company, of Akron, which controls the largest rubber factory in the United States, and whose goods are known all over the civilized world, is a native of Akron, and a son of B. F. Goodrich, from whom the company takes its name. He was educated in the public schools of Akron, at St. Paul's School, Concord, New Hampshire, and at Harvard Univereity, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. In February, 1895, Mr. Goodrich returned to Akron and began business life as a clerk in the oiUce of the B. F. Goodrich Company. His ability and application have since carried him steadily to the important position of general superintendent of tliis immense industry.

Mr. Goodrich is prominent in Masonry, having attained the Thirty-second Degree. He belongs to all the Masonic bodies at. Akron, and to the Mystic Shrine, at Cleveland. He was reared in the Episcopal Church and is junior warden of the Church of the Savior, at Akron.

FREDERICK H. WEEKS, president, treasurer and general manager of The F. H. Weeks Lumber Company, with plant situated at No. 570 South Main street, Akron, is one of the city's leading business men, interested m a number of its important enterprises.

He was born in Copley, Summit County, Ohio, May 15, 1858, son of Darius and Elizabeth (Wilcox) Weeks. He is descended from sturdy pioneer ancestry on both sides of the family. His paternal grandfather was Levett Weeks, born in Vermont in 1798, who married Celestia Taylor, born in Connecticut, in 1799. Darius Weeks was born in Wadsworth, Ohio, April 7, 1825, and was married at Copley. Ohio. October 1. 1846, to Elizabeth

AVilcox, who was born at Fort Edwards, now Warsaw, Illinois, May 31, 1827. She was a daughter of John E. and Marj^ (Kinney) Wilcox. Her father, John R. Wilcox, was born in Salsbury, Vermont, in 1900, entered West Point at the age of eighteen years, finished at the age of twenty-two, and was ordered to frontier duty at Fort Edwards, Illinois. Mrs. Mary (Kinney) Wilcox was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, in 1807. Among the maternal ancestors also was Plinney Wilcox, born in Vermont, son of Mary Remley, also a native of that State.

Frederick H. Weeks was educated in the public schools of Akron, as far as the second year in the High School at the age of fourteen years. In August of the same year F. H. Weeks commenced to work, as back flagman with the sun'eying part}'^ that located the Valley Railroad from Cleveland to Canton. At the age of fifteen he went to Louisville, Kentucky, as a city salesman, where he spent four years and then returned to Akron, where he learned the potter's trade, at which he continued to work for four and one-half J ears. Mr. WeeliS then went into the busiress of manufacturing stoneware, under the name of Weeks, Cook & Weeks, and two years later, with his brother, bought out the interest of Mr. Cook. The jjusiness was continued under the name of Weeks Bros., up to 1890, when F. H. Weeks bought his brother's interest and now is sole proprietor of the F. H. Week's potteries, at Ea?t Akron, where stoneware of all description is manufactured.

In 1889, Mr. Weeks took charge of the Hankey Lumber Company as manager and treasurer. In 1898 he acquired the holdings of The Hankey people by purchase but continued the business under the original corporate name until March 1. 1907, when the firm of The F. H. Weeks Lumber Company was incorporated with a capital stock of nOO,000, $90,000 paid in. Of this organization, F. H. Weeks is president, treasurer, and general manager. F. H. Weeks, Jr., is vice-president, and L. R. Dietzold is secretary. This company manufactures sash, doors and blinds and makes interior finishings of all description. Mr. Weeks is also president of the National Blank Book & Supply Company and the Akron Clay, Company; is a stockholder in the Crown Drilling Machine Company ; w^as formerly pr&sident of the Builder's Exchange, of Akron ; formerly president of the State Builders' Exchange, and is vice president of the Employers' Association of .ikron, Ohio.

In February, 1882, Mr. Weeks was married to Bertha A. Hankey, who is a daughter of the late Simon Hankey, who was the founder of the Hankey Lumber Company.

Mr. and Mrs. Weeks have two children, F. H., Jr., and Charlotte A. The former was educated in both public and privat-e schools at Akron, and at Buchtel College and Culver Military Academy. He is vice president of the F. H. Weelcs Lumber Company. Miss Charlotte was educated in the Akron schools and at Miss Mittelberger's Preparatory School, at Cleveland.

Mr. Weeks is affiliated with the Masonic and Elk fraternities at Akron. He is liberal m his support of public-spirited measures of various kinds.

DAVID L. PARKER, a citizen and retired farmer of Copley Township, now residing in Portage Township, for many years engaged in teaching school. Mr. Parker was born on his father's farm in Copley Township, Summit County, Ohio, March 4, 1838, and is a son of Richard E. and Martha (Richardson) Parker.

Mr. Parker's paternal grandfather, Luna Parker, was born in New York. He was a contractor on the old Ohio Canal. Richard E. Parker was his eldest son and he was born in Northampton Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1811, being the first male child bom in that township. At the age of twentyone years he bought a farm in Copley Towship and built a double log cabin. On April 18, 1833, he married Martha Richardson, who was born in Vermont, whose parents were natives of Maine. In 1871 Richard E. Parker and wife retired from the farm and removed to Akron, where both died. Thev had the following children: Henry, Hartwell ; David Luna ; Mary, who is the widow of H. Harris; Eudora, who is the widow of William Trimbell; Phoebe, deceased, who married C. Low; Perry P.; and Cordelia, who married Charles Stadler.

David Luna Parker attended school first in the log school house near his home, but later the Granger Institute, beginning to teach school at the age of nineteen years, and he continued in the educational field until he was forty years of age, his last school being taught at Copley. During this long period he paid some attention to farming and also ful-nished stone and built a number of bridges and culverts for Summit County. He spent about two years introducing improved and advanced school books through the county. Mr. Parker is able to look back over many happy years in the school room and he is remembered with much kindness by his pupils.

In November, 1859, Mr. Parker was married to Ellen S. Averill who is a daughter of Benjamin and Louisa (Harvey) Averill. They have four children, namely: Charle.s H., Allen, Nettie and Eugene. Charles H. married Minnie Lockert, and they have two children: Elta, who married Benjamin Lockert, and Nellie. Allen married (first) Grace Randall and had three children: Ethel, Junen and Evan, and (second) Maggie Kinch, and three children have been born to this marriage: Vera, Viva and Clarence. Nettie married Walter Palmer, and they have two children: Harry and Helen. Eugene married Cora Squires, and they have two children, Roy and William.

In political preference, Mr. Parker is a Republican and he has served in numerous township offices. For twelve years he was assistant secretary of the County Agricultural Society and he belongs to the Grange, which was organized over twenty years ago, he being a charter member.

Service, at Akron, since 1901, is one of the alert, enterprising and progressive young men of this city. Mr. Walters was born at Akron, Ohio, in 1876, and is a son of Thomas Walters, a former well-known and highly considered citizen.

Thomas Walters was born in Wales, Feljruary 4, 1846, and died at Akron, in February, 1906. He came to this city immediately after completing four years of service iu the Civil War, having been a member of Company E, 193rd Regiment. Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, during his first enlistment of three montlis, and of Battery E, Pennsylvania Volunteers, for the three years and more which covered his second enlistment. He was an iron worker and he enjoyed the distinction of having worked the first bar of iron ever made in the works of the Akron Iron Company. He remained superintendent of the mills of this company, until 1889. when he accepted a similar position with the Cheny Valley Iron Company, at Leetonia, Ohio.

Charles H. Walters was employed in clerical work at Akron for a time after completing his schooling, and then engaged in a real estate business for several years. In 1901 he was elected secretary of the board of Public Service, his efficiency in this office being" generally conceded. He has been a very active worker in the Republican party and is a representative young American in his energy and business initiative.

B. AV. ROBINSON, president of the Robinson Clay Product Company, also of the Second National Bank, both of Akron, is one of the city's native sons who have done yeoman service in advancing her manufacturing and financial intere.sts, and adding materially to the volume of business which places her among the foremost cities of her size in the United States in point of enterprise and prosperity. He was born, as has been already intimated, in Akron, the year of his nativity being 1860. His father was William Robinson, a native of Slaff'ordshire, England, who on coining to America, settled first in East Liverpool, Ohio, whence he came to Akron iu 1856. Here William Robinson became a pioneer in the manufacture of pottery and sewer pipe, and was one of the stirring business men of Akron in his day.

B. W. Robinson, with whom this sketch is more closely concerned was reared in his native city, and after graduating from the Akron High School, supplemented his school' studies by a term at Oberlin College. His first business experience was gained as bookkeeper for Whittmore, Robinson & Co., with whom he became connected in 1878; and with the exception of two years - from 1884 to 1886, when he was with the Akron Milling Co. - he has been connected with the pottery and sewer-pipe manufacturing interests. Through his force of character and acknowledged ability as a business man he has risen from a subordinate position to the presidency of the Robinson Clay Product Company, as well as to that of the Second National Bank. The former concern is the largest of its kind in the United States, if not in the world, they being the sole owners of nine factories, six of which are located in Akron, one at Canal Dover, one at Midvale, and one at Malvern. They also control a number of incorporated companies scattered over the United States, among which latter may be mentioned the Eastern Clay Goods Co., with office at Boston, Mass. Mr. Robinson is a member of the Portage Countrj- Club. He is also an active member of the First Presbyterian Church, serving usefully on its board of trustees.

He was rriarried in 1893 to Miss Zeletta M. Smith, of East Liverpool. They have six children - Helen, Paul, William, Stuart, Ruth, and Zeletta.

McCONNELL ]\IOORE. one of the highlv respected retired residents of Cuyahoga Falls, who has made this city his home since 1885, was born November 9, 1836, in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Hugh and Fanny (Shryock) Moore.

to Scotland and Ireland, but has been American through a number of generations. John Moore, gi-eat grandfather of the subject of this sketch, was born in 1749. He was of Scotch-Irish blood, coming to this country directly from Ireland and settling in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, near New Alexander. The exact date of his death is at present unknown, but it occurred some time before the burning of Hannastown by the Indians. He had four childi'en, namely : William, born in 1773, who died in 1832. in Butler County, Pennsylvania, married Mary Conway; James, born in 1774, married Catherine Chambers, and died in 1846; Mary, who married Thomas Dickie.

William and Mary (Conwaj')' Moore were the parents of children as follows: Jane, born in 1798, who married Thomas McCurdy; John, born in 1801, married Matilda Mc- Afee, died in 1881; Hugh, born in 1803, married Fanny Shryock, died 1889 ; James (dates of birth and death not given), married Margaret McAfee,

Hugh Moore, who married Fanny Shryock, had the following children : John S., born August 23, 1826 ; died August 19, 1870, married Elizabeth Gibson ; William, born February 24, 1828, died December 25, 1864, married Elizabeth Conrad; James, born March 3, 1830, married Eliza Henry; Lavena. born December 8, 1832, died August 26, 1870, married Barnard Hendrick; Thomas Harper, born November, 1834, married Nancy Mc- Clery; McConnell, born November 9, 1836, married Elizabeth Mildrcn ; Sarah Jane, born January 22, 1839, married Samuel Nicholson; Margaret Ann, born September 25, 1841, married John Adams; George H., born November 8, 1843, married Annie Thomas: Samuel Curtis, born March 8, 1846, died February 17, 1854.

The Shryock family originated in this country through a Leonard Shryock, who came, it is thought, from Prussia, between 1720 and 1730, one of whase grandsons was the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch. The said maternal grandfather.

(born in 1776, died 1859) , married Jane Conway, and had children - Margaret, who married Thomas Harper; Fanny who married Hugh Moore ; Eliza who married John Hindman ; Sarah who became the wife of Andreas Wilk ; Lena, who married Thomas McElvain ; John, who mai'ried Eliza Dickson ; Daniel married Elizabeth Lincoln; Jane married ,Peter Hyskell.

William Moore, the paternal grandfather of McConnell Moore, was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, where his whole life was spent. Hugh Moore, father of Mc- Connell Moore, was born in the same county in 1806, and died in 1900, in Sugar Creek Township, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, to which section he probably removed about the time of his marriage. Hugh Moore and wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. They had a family of ten children born to them, nine of whom reached maturity, as follows: John and William, both deceased; James, residing at Johnstown, Pennsylvania; Lavinia, deceased; Thomas H., residing at Los Angeles, California: IMcConnell; Sarah Jane, who is the widow of Capt. Samuel J. Nickerson, of Indiana, Pennsylvania; Margaret Ann, who is the widow of John Adams, of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania; and George H., of Rimersburg, Pennsylvania. The mother of Mr. Moore survived to the age of eighty-three years.

McConnell Moore was reared in Armstrong Countjr and obtained his education in the district schools. For several years he was connected with mercantile pursuits at Brady's Bend, later had charge of oil interests at Oil Creek, after which he entered a rolhng mill at Pittsburg for several years. He returned to Brady's Bend in the capacity of ore inspector for the Brady's Bend Iron Company, remaining with that concern for seven years, and was also interested in the oil fields for himself. In 1872, Mr. Moore became manager of a fire brick business owned by his brother-in-law, E. J. Mildren, at Bla<-klick Station. Indiana County, Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1885, when he caino toCuyahoga Falls. Mr. Moore resumed his mercantile interests for a time but subsequently accepted the position of time-keeper .at the Rivet and Machine Works, where he remained until April 15, 1907, when he retired. He owns a fine residence on Bailey Road, north of town, and a valuable farm of fifty-one acres, which is managed by his son Charles.

In 1861, McConnell Moore was married to Elizabeth Mildren, who was born in Penzance, Cornwall, England, in 1842, and is a daughter of Jacob L. Mildren, formerly of Brady's Bend. Of the thirteen children born to this marriage, twelve reached maturity; as follows : Fannie Jane, who married B. B. McConnaughey, of Homer City, Pennsylvania; A. Kate J., now decea.sed; Edward J., residing at Cleveland; Melda, who was a victim of the great Johnstown flood; Lavinia, residing at Cuyahoga Falls, who married F. J. Creque; Charles M., residing on the home farm ; Alice, who married John Young, residing at Muskegon, Michigan; Leroy M., residing at Newark, New Jersey; Frank R., residing at Cuyahoga Falls; Ralph R., residing at Cuyahoga Falls; Richard L., postmaster at Cuyahoga Falls; and Dora, who married Rev. C. A. Coakwell, a minister of the Disciples Church, residing at Lennox, Iowa.

Mr. Moore has always been identified with the Republican party. For fifteen years he served as a member of the Board of Education of Cuyahoga Falls and during the larger part of this time he was clerk of the board.

Ralph Moore, the second youngest son of Mr. Moore, is one of Cuyahoga Falls' most enterprising young business men. He was born in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, September 8, 1878, and his education was secured there and in this city. After completing his school course he turned his attention to the jewelry business and subsequently studied optics, and in both occupations he has met with the most gratifying success. He commenced his studies with B. F. Phillips, at Cuyahoga Falls, going from there to Cleveland, where he had expert teaching in the many technical points of his work, and after he became pro- ficient he entered the employ of the Webb C. Ball Company, of Cleveland. After several business ventures, more or less satisfactory, Mr. Moore took a complete course in the Philadelphia Horological College, and from this institution received his diploma ii\ optics. Following his graduation he took charge of a store of Bygate & Son, of Pittsburg, later was with A. E. Siedle & Company of that city, where he was watchmaker, engraver, and optician. Later he was in business at Port Huron, Michigan, which city he left on account of climatic conditions, and in Februai'v, 1905, he embarked in a business at Cuyahoga Falls, which has grown to remarkable proportions in the past two years, necessitating a change of quarters and fine facilities. Mr. Moore is a member of St;u' Lodge, F. & A. M., No. 187, and of Pavonia Lodge, No. 301, Knights of Pythias.

MRS. SUSANNAH SNYDER, widow of John G. Snyder, has resided on her present farm of 178 acres, situated in Coventry Township, ever since her marriage and the comfort and conveniences amid which she lives, are largely due to her years of frugality and good management. Mrs. Snyder was born ia Green Township, Stark County, Ohio, and is a daughter of George and Catherine (Marsh ) Kepler.

The Keplers came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. George Kepler was born in the latter State, and in boyhood accompanied his people to Stark County, the party con- ."^isting of the family of .John Kepler, hi.< father, and that of Andrew Kepler, his uncle. There were no railroads in those days and every one who left home with his belongings, traveled by wagon and frequently used an ox-team. The Keplers settled near together in the wilderness which they found, but all were men of energy and indastry, and soon made clearings and erected comfortable homes. The grandfather of Mrs. Snyder reared a large family and lived far into middle life. His death was caii.-^i'd by an accident.

George Kepler, father of Mrs. Snyder, was one of the older membei-s of the family and he assisted his father very materially througn the pioneer liardships which they had to encounter. After he reached manhood he married Catherine Marsh, who had also accompanied her parents from Pennsylvania. The latter were Adam and Susannah Marsh, who also settled in vi^hat was then Green Township, Stark County, but which is now Franklin Township, Summit County. The K(-plers removed from Green Township, where they originally settled, to Coventry Township, locating on a farm on which Mrs. Snyder lives. It was then covered with a heavy growth of timber. George Kepler, who was a man of great industry, built a log house and barn. He died when only thirty years of age, but had almost completed the clearing of the place. He was not long survived by his wife, who died aged twenty-eight years, both falling victims to typhoid fever. Six children were left orphans, namely: Susannah, Adam, Solomon, Alfred, Mary and William. Alfred and Mary are now deceased.

Susannah Kepler was three years old when her parents settled in Coventry Township, and she lived on the present home farm until they died, when she returned to Green (Franklin Township) and made her home with her maternal grandfather, Adam Marsh. On January 3, 1856, she was married to John George Snyder, who was a son of Michael and Barbara Snyder, who had come to Ohio from Germany, after their marriage, and who died in Summit County. They had five children, namely: John George; Michael, now doceased; Eve (deceased), who married J. Daily; Frederick; and Julia Ann, both deceased, the latter of whom married D. Steele.

John George Snyder was born in Germany, January 13, 1827. He came to America when he was eleven years of age, and lived at home mitil his marriage. Ho always carried on farming and became a man of local prominence, one who Ava.« - frequently selected by the Democratic party to serve in township offices. Such duties were always performed with honesty and fidelity. He died February 21, 1901. A family of ten children were born to John George Snyder and wife, as follows: Mary, who married M. Loutzeuheiser; Savilla, twin sister of Mary, who married John Dice and has two children - Bertha, wife of C. Snyder, and Irving; William, who died aged nineteen years; Solomon, who married Cordelia Dearling, and resides at Stoutsville; Huston E., who married Celesta Bauchman, and has one child, Wallace; Albert, a clergyman, and president of a college, residing in North Carolina, who has three children, George R,., Charlotte and Beatrice; Charles A.; Harvey A., a practicing physician at Barberton ; Ella, who married M. Asdale-, residing with her mother; and Emma Elvira, who died aged four months. Mr. and Mrs. Snyder gave their children the best educational advantages in their power, and encouraged them in their efforts to obtain a thorough schooling. While but three members of the family entered into professional life, all are intelligent and well-informed members of the communities in which they live, four being graduates of the Tiffin scliools. Mrs. Snyder has lived in the old home ever since her marriage and owns it, together with her children. It is a well-improved property and has always been carefully cultivated. Mrs. Snyder has a wide circle of friends. She is a valued member of the Reformed Church, attending services at Barberton.

EUGENE F. CR.\NZ, a pros^perous farmer and highly esteemed citizen, of Bath Township, was born in Holmes County. Ohio, August 1, 1863, son of AVilliam F. and Mary (Drushel) Cranz. William F. Cranz was a native of Germany, born in 1820. who came to this country in 1834. with his father's family, they landing at Baltimore. They settled in Holmes County, where William's father followed the occupation of a Lutheran preacher, his residence being at Winesburg, that county.

William F. Cranz in 1843 married Mary Drushel, who bore him eleven children, nine of whom are still living. In 1863, twenty years after his marriage, he removed to Bath Township, Summit County, where he and his wife subsequently died. They were worthy people who conscientiously performed their share of life's duties, and left behind a good name that shall long endure.

Mary Drushel was the daughter of Henry Drushel, who came from Mt. Pleasant, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, to Holmes County, Ohio, with his wife and large family about the year 1829, and with his father, John Drushel, who came some years earlier, bought a large tract of choice land, the most of which is still held by their descendants. This John Drushel was a soldier of the Revolution, and was in the battles of Bunker Hill, Long Island, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and at Valley Forge.

Mary Drushel was eleven years old when her grandfather died, in 1837, at the age of eighty -seven, but she clearly retold stories of the Revolution as told to her by her grandfather. One of these, which in after years her children were always fond of hearing, was as follows:

By trade John Drushel was a blacksmith, and during some of the campaigns in New Jersey, General Washington's horse became very lame, owing to being improperly shod. He ordered the horse reshod with no better results. By some means the General learned that John Drushel was a blacksmith, and ordered that he be brought forward, and after questioning him in regard to his trade, said to him : "Shoe that horse so that he doesn't go lame, or I will hang you up." After the job was done an orderly mounted the horse rode off at a brisk trot. No lameness was noticeable, and General Washington put his hand on John Drushel's shoulder and said "Did you think that I meant what I said?" To which he replied: "I thought you intended that I should do my best, sir." From that time John Drushel was the shoer of General Washington's horse, and some years later

Eugene F. Cranz was but one month old when he accompanied his parents to Bath Township, so he may almost be said to have resided here all his life. He received a good education, after leaving the district schools, attending Copley Center High school, then a year at the Normal school, at Lebanon, an-1 afterwards a year and a half at the Ohio State University, at Columbus, Ohio. For five yeai-s after leaving college he taught school and also, before the death of his parents, carried on the home farm f9r some time. After their death he bought out the other heirs, except one sister, who owns a part of the homestead farm, and has since re- - sided on the propertj', making a specialty of dairying. The farm he now owns was first settled by Jason Hammond, who came from Connecticut, in 1810, and was in the Hammond family for three generations luitil purchased by Mr. Cranz's father of Irwin Hammond in 1863. Mr. Eugene F. Cranz has named the farm, Mt. Tom Farm, after a hill of that name included within the limits of tho property.

An independent Democrat in politics, Mr. Cranz has served eflicienth' for twelve years on the School Board, has been town trustee for five years, and in 1903 was a candidate for the State Legislature, but because of his party being in the minority he made no canva.ss for election." He is a prominent member of the Grange, having been secretary of Pomona Grange, Summit County, for ten years, and master for three years. He has also served the Ohio State Grange in minor offices for four years, at present being an assistant secretary. "

Mr. Cranz was married, in 1893, to Miss Nettie Parker, of Hinckley Township, Medina County. Her father was Oliver H. Parker, a carpenter and prominent bridge builder of Summit and Medina Counties. He and hi^ wife are the parents of six children - Liiman P., Grac-ia E., Doris E., Damon D.,

Harmon F., and Paul H. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cranz are members of the Congregational Church in which also they are useful workers. They and their family are among the most respected residents of the township.

ARMIN SICHERMAN, M. D., one of Akron's leading physicians and surgeons, whose well-equipped offices may be found in the Hamilton Building, and whose surroundings all indicate the presence of a man of scholarly tast&s, was born in 1865, in Hungary.

From the schools of his native land. Dr. Sicherman entered the college of Eperjes,. Imperio-Royal LTniversity of Vienna, Austria, where he was graduated. Following the clo.se of his univer.siity career, he spent two years in the general hospital at ^^ienna. During the term of his medical studies he gave one year of service in the regular army. From Vienna, Dr. Sicherman came to America, reaching Akron in March, 1893, and this city has remained his field of labor ever since. He has won the confidence of his fellow-citizens, in his profession, and their esteem and friendship, in personal relations. He ls a memlter of the Summit County, the Ohio State, the Union Medical and the American Medical Associations, and he belongs to the Summit County Medical club. He is also a member of the Masonic fraternity. Dr. Sicherman was married in 1900, to Rose Loewy, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and they have two sons, ^lerryl and Karl. He belongs to the Hebrew congregation, at Akron.

COL. GEORGE TOD PERKINS, president of the B. F. Goodrich Company, and of the Akron Rubber Company, and formerly president of the Second National Bank, of Akron, is one of the leading men of this city, where he was born. May 5, 1836. He is a son of Colonel Simon and Grace Tngersoll (Tod) Perkins, separate notice of whom may be found in this volume.

lege. In 1859 he went to Youngitown, where he was associated with his uncle, Davirl Tod, later Governor of Ohio, as secretarj'- of the Brier Hill Iron Company. In April, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company B, Nineteenth Regiment, Ohio ^'oluntee^ Infantry, and was elected by the company to the rank of second lieutenant. During his enlistment he served in West Mrginia. In 1862 he re-enlisted, becoming major of the 105th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry ; he was made lieutenant-colonel, July 16, 1883, and colonel, February 18, 1884, and was mustered out at Washington, June 3., 1865. Colonel Perkins' service included many of the most serious battles of the whole war, notably Perryville, Kentucky, where two of his captains and foi'ty-seven of his men were killed ; Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Mission Ridge, Kenesaw Mountain and the siege of Atlanta, were among his other experiences. He commanded his regiment in the "March to the Sea," with General Sherman, and was one of the gallant officers who won and received deserved promotion.

Colonel Perkins then I'eturned to Akron and entered into business, from 1887 to 1870. being secretary of Taplin, Rice & Company. In the latter year he became president of the Bank of Akron, continuing from 1870 to 1878. and then served as cashier of the same until the consolidation of that institution with the Second National Bank, in March, 1888, of which latter bank he was president for some years. As mentioned above. Colonel Perkins has other important business interests. In 1900 he presented to the city of Akron seventy-six acres of land for park purposes - to be known as Perkins Park.

On October 6, 1865. Colonel Perkins was married to Mary F. Rawson, and they had three children, the one surviving being Mary, who is the wife of Charles B. Raymond, of Akron. Colonel Perkins has a beautiful home at No. 90 North Prospect Street.

81 1-2 acre farm in Boston Township, and also owns the well-known Mackey place, which contains sixtj^ acres, with a fine residence and farm buildings attached, also a valuable silo. He was born in Pike Township, Coshocton County, Ohio, May 8, 1853, and is a son of James D. and Mary (Porter) Noland.

The father of Mv. Noland was Lorn in Coshocton County and in childhood accompanied his parents to Indiana and later to Iowa, but returned to his native comity, where the rest of his life was passed. He died in 1903, aged eighty-seven years. In politics he was a Democrat and he served in almost all the local offices of his township. He married Mary Porter, who died in 1884, aged fifty-three years. She was a member of the DiscijDles Church. Of their eight children, James Pierce was the eldest.

Until he was twenty j-ears of age, James P. Noland remained on the home farm, in the local schools having good educational advantages. He then went to Painesville, Ohio, where he entered the employ of Storrs & Harrison, nurserymen, and after two yeare of practical experience there, formed a partnership with his brothers, W. A. and C. C, under the firm name of Noland Bros. Together they conducted a nursery business at M'est Carli.sle, Ohio, for three yeai".-?. After Mr. Noland's marriage, in 1886, he took up his residence with his wife's parents in Boston Township, and put out a lot of nursary stock that same spring. The sixty acres which compose the Vowles farm, together with the IMackey farm, gives him a large acreage and ail .-eotions of the whole estate is made to produce to its limit. Mr. Noland raises corn, wheat, hay and oats, but his main business is raising nursery stock of all kinds and he has the distinction of being the most extensive grower in Summit County. From the age of thirteen years Mr. Noland has given this line of business clo.se attention, and he is not an indifferent acceptor of just what the land will produce, but a scientifically educated tree, plant and flower developer, one who, seeming- ly. can briii^ forth any variety from the fertile land that he choose.'<. He is an indefatigable -n-orker. a keen observer of all climatic conditions and also an excellent business num. Mr. Noland has originated a number of choice varieties of flowers and fruit. He has been very successful with strawberries, his main producers being the Bubach, the Senator Dunlap, the Haviland, the William Belt, Samples and Yant, and the Noland, the latter a large, firm, berry that he originated himself. He raises many raspberries and blackben-ies, all of the kind easiest to ship. He has now on his place, 60,000 Norway spruces, a specialty, standing from four inches to eight feet, designed for the Christmas demand, while his fruit stock include all the varieties which will stand the climate. He calls attention to a very fine species of crab apple, large, of fine flavor and handsome color, which ho originated himself. He has an abundance of roses and flowering shrubs of all kinds and in almost all seasons of the year he is surrounded by a perfect wealth of natural beauty. On March 9, 1886, Mr. Noland was married to Mary Vowles, who is a daughter of Levi and Jane? Vowles. of Boston Township.

THE FOSTER FAMILY. Among the well-known and respected families of Northfield Township, the Foster family, which has been established here since 1841, is now represented by three members - two brothers and one sister.

Lyman Fo,~ter was born at Bangor, Elaine, in 1805 and died in Northfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1875. Lyman Foster's wife, Minerva Everest Foster, was born in Essex County. New- York, in 1808, and died in Northfield Township. Sunnnit County. Ohio, 1892.

In the spring of 1841 Lyman Foster, wife, and family of six children started for Ohio. Taking canal boat at Albany, they arrived at Buffalo three weeks later, from there they took the steam-boat to Cleveland, from which place they made their way to Northfield Township by canal and overland. They were met at the canal boat by Zadae Everest, brother of Minerva Foster, wlio took them to her father's home (William Everest's) in Macedonia, Northfield Township. Remaining a short time with them, they then rented some land of Gabriel Curtis and commenced the battle of farming for a livelihood. By hard work and good management they were fairly prosperous and very soon purchased land where tlieir present liome has been for the past fifty-four years. This home is now occupied by L. R., A. L. and Z. M. Foster. Two children were added to the family, being born in Macedonia, making eight children iii all Avho lived to reach their majority.

The records of the children are as follows: Orlando H. Foster, born in Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1830, married in 1861 Mrs. A. R. Willard (now decea.sed), of Ravenna, Portage County, Ohio; he died at Macedonia in 1862, leaving no children.

LeRoy Foster, born in Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1831, married Maria Stevens of Princeville, Peoria Countv, Illinois, in 1859. She died in 1862 leavnig one child. Ora M., who became the wife of T. D. ]McFarland, of Hudson, Ohio, in 1885. She died in 1892 leaving one child, Doris Marie. T. D. McFarland died in 1907. Doris Marie now makes her home with her grandfather, L. R. Foster.

Andrew J. Foster was born in Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1833, married Mary A. Taylor, of Twinsburg, Summit Countv, Ohio, in 1860, died at Fo-ter City, Michigan, in 1896. She died at the home of L. R Foster in 1903: no children living.

Amanda Elizabeth Foster, born at Warrensburg, Warren County, New York, in 1835, married James H. Clark, of Northfield Township in 1859. To them three children were born, one now living, Mrs. F. M. Vaughn, of Cleveland. Mrs. Clark died at Macedonia in 1865. Mr. Clark died at Cleveland in 1903.

Sarah Jane Foster, born at Greenwicli, AVaihington County, New York, in 1839, married Rev. William Campbell, of Northfield Town.ship, in 1862. To them two children were born: William, Jr., and Lillian, all of which now live at Minneapolis, Minn.

Amelia M. Fo.ster born in Macedonia, Summit County, Ohio, in 1844, married B. D. Hammond, of Smithfield, Jefferson County, Ohio, in 3863, died in 1887 at Wichita, Kansas, leaving six children : Foster, Myrtle, Daniel, Thorne, Lyman, and Tracey.

Lyman Foster and wife were active members' of The Free- Will Baptist Church of Macedonia and brought up their family in strict, New England Evangelical codes; were up-todate Americans, Republicans in politics. The whole family was interested in the underground railroad. At one time eight negroes were concealed in a straw'-stack at the barn. The Foster family sang as a choir in church for many years.

At the present time the three living members of the family at the old homestead and the granddaughter of L. R. Foster, Dons Marie McFarland, are active members of the Christian Science Church of Macedonia.

ROSWELL KENT, once one of the leading business men of Akron, was well and widely known as a merchant and as a member of the manufacturing firm of Irish, Kent and McMillan, later Irish, Kent and Baldwin, and subsequently Kent, Baldwin and Company. He was born May 18, 1798, at Leyden, Massachusetts, and accompanied his parents to Hudson, Ohio, in 1812.

Mr. Kent was educated in the best schools of his day. He became industrially interested at Akron, then Middlebury, in 1820, when he established a general store for his brother and Capt. Heman Oviatt. In 1826 he bought the business and conducted it himself until his retirement. When the firm of Irish, Kent and McMillan ;was formed for the manufac- Unx' of woolen machinery, he became its second member, and during the changes in the course of years, remained a member. His name is associated with many of Akron's early enterprises and his assistance was given to a large number of its public-spirited eti'oi'ts. The Sixth Ward Kent school building, one of the finest educational edifices of the city, was named in his honor.

In 1826 Roswell Kent was married to Eliza Hart, who was a daughter of Joseph and Annie (Hotchkiss) Hart, A'ho settled at Middlebury in 1807. Mrs. Kent was born in 1808, and was the first white child born in the present limits of Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Kent had seven children, of whom three grew to maturity - Ekka K. (deceased), who was the wife of Findley McNaughton ; Russel H., and Flora K., who was the wife of T. S. Page.

Russel H. Kent, the only surviving son of the late Roswell and Eliza (Hai-t) Kent, w-ho is secretary and treasurer of the Summit China Company, was born September 26, 1841, in Akron, Ohio. His education was secured in the common schools of Akron, after which he became associated with The Kent and Baldwin Company, of which his father was the head. In 1879 the Akron Stoneware Company was organized, which was succeeded in 1900 by The Summit China Company, and Mr. Kent is still identified with this enterprise. Mr. Kent was married to Miss Mary Melissa Brewster, who is a daughter of the late Alexander and Margaret Ann (Kinney) Brewster. Mr. and Mrs. Kent reside at No. 398 East Buehtel Avenue.

Alexander Brewster, w'ho was one of Summit County's prominent pioneer citizens, was born September 10, 1808, at Augusta, Oneida County, New York, and died at Akron in May, i899. In 1812 the parents of jNIr. Brewster came to Summit County and settled as pioneers in the wilderness of Coventry Township. There father and son developed a fine homestead farm, and together they worked at the carpenter's trade, although Alexander later gave his attention entirely to agricultural pursuit-i. Ill 1848 a vein of coal was discovered on his land, but not being a practical miner, he did little to develop it until after his return from the California gold fields, in 1852. He soon found it more profitable to engage in mining than in farming, and after successfully operating on his own land, in 1865 he organized a stock company, under the title of the Brewster Coal Company, with a capital stock of $100,000. Of this organization, Mr. Brewster became president and hi.s two sons, Alfred A. and Austin K., were associated with him, the former as general agent, and the latter as secretarj- and treasurer. This company is still active in the coal fields and for years, during Mr. Brewster's management, mined 300,000 tons of coal annually. He was a man of fine business judgment and became one of Akron's most substantial citizens.

CHARLES HENRY STROMAN, mie of Springfield Township's substantial citizens and leading agriculturalists, resides on his farm of 115 acres, and owns other land, thirty-eight and one-half acres being situated in Coventry Township. He was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, May 14, 1854, on his father's farm, a mile and a half south of his jDresent home, and is a son of John and Rosanna (Raber) Stroman.

John Stromal! was born in Pennsylvania and he accompanied his. parents, Charles and Rebecca Stronian, who settled in Green Toiwuship. Summit County, but later removed to Incliana. The grandfather of Charles H. Stromal! died on his farm there, after which the grandmother returned to Ohio and lived the remainder of her life in the vicinity of her children. These were: Gemima. Matilda, Lucy Ann, Rebecca, Barbara, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary Ann, Samuel, John and Charles, the latter two remaining residents of Summit County. John Stroman married Rosanna, daughter of Henry Raber, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. They had two children, Charles H. and Lovina. The latter married

John P. Kepler. She is deceased. John Stroman sold the farm where Charles Henry was born and bought the latter's present farm in 1856. He also owned 100 acres in Coventry Township. John Stroman died in 1884 at tl\e age of fifty-eight years. His widow died in 1894, aged sixty-eight years.

Charles Henry Stroman was two years old when his father purchased and moved to the farm on which he has spent fifty-one years. He secured his education in the district schools and has devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits. For some five j'ears he rented the present farm and then purchased it and has made many improvements here.

In 1900 Mr. Stroman was married to Nora Ellen Taylor, who is a daughter of Henry and Amanda (Ringer) Taylor, of Coventry Township. Henry Taylor was born in Ireland and accompanied his parents to America and they still survive, living at Kistler, Penn- SA'lvania. The mother of Mrs. Stroman was born at Royalton, near Cleveland, Ohio, and died in 1889, aged forty-eight years. Mr. Taylor resides at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Stroman have one little daughter, Amy Mola, who was born in 1901.

Mr. Stroman is a Democrat in his political views, but he is broad-minded enougli to see merit in men outside the ranks of either party and usually votes for the man he believes best qualified for office. He is a member of Summit Lodge, No. 50, Odd Fellows, at Akron.

FLORENZO F. FENN, a citizen of Tallmadge Townshij) and the oldest living representative of the Fenn familv. was born -lanuary 17, 1828, in Tallmadge, Ohio. His parents. Fowler F. and Esther (Law) Fei!i!, were born in ^Milford, Connecticut, and after their marriage in 1818 came to the Western Re- .serve, Ohio, and located in Tallmadge in 1820. Tallmadge w-as at that time a dense forest. His fan!! was in the eastern part of Talln!adge, and his father, Benjamin Fenn, Florenzo F. Fenn's grandfather, occupied a farm half a mile west of the center. As ilr. Fenn's father made hi:; home with tiie grand- father while preparing a home of hi::; own, it involved a walk of two miles and a half each way through a wilderness of trees and brush. Mr. Fenn's father once encountered a panther that bounded from one side of the path to the other, screaming like mad. He armed himself Avith a club and reached his home safely. After that incident he was careful to start for home before dusk.

They built their own log cabin and the firet tree cut for it was felled by his wife, lie cutting off the larger part. Although frail in body, Mr. Fenn's mother was a helpmate in every sense of the word. She paid a subscription of $50.00 to the church by spinning flax and weaving linen. They were blessed with five children : Nathan W., who died at two; Lucinda S., still living at eightj'-six; Henrietta L., who died at twenty-one; Nathan W. (second), who died at twenty-one; and Florenzo F., the youngest, the subject of this sketch, still living. His mother died when he was thirteen months old, at the age of thirtytwo. He Avas reared by his mother's sister, Abigail A. Law, whom his father afterward married, in 1830. She was the mother of three children : Edward P., who died at the age of two years ; Esther E., who died at the age of twenty-three years; and Edward P. (second), who died at the age of forty-one. She was a devoted and loving mother, and lived to the good old age of ninety-three years, spending the last years of her life in the home of Florenzo F. Fenn.

When Mr. Fenn was nine years old, at a time when he most needed the loving care and watchfulness of a father, his father was taken away, at the age of forty-four. ]\Ir. Fenn attended school until seventeen years of age, when he went to Hudson and learned the carpenter's and joiner's trade. He also attended the preparatory department of Western Reserve College, which was in Hudson at that time. He, however, did not continue his studies, as his health would not permit. In the year 1854 he was married to Julia Eunice Treat. Her parents, Andrew Treat and Marietta Newton 'Treat, were born in Connecticut, and lived there until thev were married in April, 1823, at which time they left their home for the adventures of a new country. Tliey made the journey in a one-horse wagon, which for a time was the only wagon in the neighborhood and was used for all purposes - to go to mill, to meetings, to weddings and funerals. It is still preserved by Mr. Fenn, and is a curiosity which attracted considerable attention at the Tallmadge Centennial held in 1907, when a large up-to-date automobile stood "beside it, showing the progress of events. Mr. Treat bought land on the southeast road in Tallmadge Township and settled on the same. By industry and frugality he became the largest land owner and one of the wealthiest citizens of Tallmadge. He cleared acres and acres of land by hand, chopping magnificent trees down in windrows and burning them - trees that w'ould be a fortune to any one owning them now. They built on the land he had cleared and lived there all their lives. Mrs. Treat dying in 18S7, aged eighty-three years and Mr. Treat in J8S8, aged eighty-seven years.

They had two children, Joseph A. and Julia E. Treat. Julia, who was the wife of Florenzo F. Fenn, secured her grammar education in Tallmadge. At the age of fourteen went to Cleveland to school, and later to New Haven for special study in music. She was married at the age of twenty-one and spent the remainder of her life in Tallmadge, her death occuring in November, 1901, when she had attained the age of sixty-eight years. She was a woman of estimable character, a devoted mother, and beloved by all who knew her. She was the mother of eight children: Frank and Florenzo. Everton Newton, Julian; Marietta A., Andrew Edward, Elbert Dwight and Julia. Frank and Florenzo died in infancy, Julian at the age of three and a half years, and Marietta at thirty years of age. The other four arc still living and reside in Cleveland. Since Mr. Fenn's marriage he has spent most of his yeans in farming, and has always taken an interest in the affairs of the town.ship. He and his wife joined the Congregational Church in their youth and were active members ever afterward. He has been a lueniber of Tallmadge Grange and Sunnuit County Hortic-ultural Society for years. He lias always supported the candidates of the Republic^'i party, and during the Civil War was a member of Company D, lG4th Regiment of Ohio A'olunteer Infantry.

In his youth Mr. Fenn was not blessed wilh good health, and his friends feared an early death from consumption. Many of those he has outlived, and, although he has passed four score years, he bears Lheir weight better than many do the half century. He continues to be actively interested in all that concerns the public life of his neighborhood and country, keeps thoroughly posted and in touch with modern thought along many lines, and enjoys social converse and family reunions. Mr. Fenn is a descendant of Governor Law, once governor of Connecticut. Also he and his wife are both descendants of Governor Treat.

RANSOME MILTON SANFORD was born in Hudson Township, Summit Countv, Ohio, on the old Buck farm, May 26, 1830. and is a son of Garry and Emily (Richard- .son) Sanford, and Ls probably one of the besl-known men of Hudson Township. There are few buildings standing in Hudson that he ha.s not either constructed or repaired, and in large part, the same may be said over much of Hudson Township.

The paternal grandfather of Mr. Sanford never left Connecticut and lived continuously in the old family home, which was built 120 years ago, and which is still occupied by a descendant. The father of Mr. Sanford came from Bridgewater, Connecticut, to Rootstown, Portage County, Ohio, in September, 1.S19, and seven years later to Hudson Town.ship. He was married in 1S22, and located in the southeastern corner of Hudson, where he h'ved until 1833, when he bought the farm where T. B. Terrv'^ now TTves. He cleared up that property and died there -Tune 7, 1R45. He married Emily Richardson, who survived until 1R70. her death taking nlace near .Mcron. Thev had the following children: A habe that died: Lorenzo, born in 1S24. ro=iding at

Bridgeport; Perry L., who died in Pennsylvania; Henry M., who died at HutLson; Ransome M.; Emily, who died, aged eighteen yeai-s; Marcus, who died aged fifteen years; Electa, born in 1839, who married Abel Underbill, residing neai- Akron ; Harlan P., who died aged three years; and Sarah Jane, who died in childhood.

Ransome M. Sanford was three years old when his parents moved to what is now the Terry fai'm. He went to the district schools during boyhood and when seventeen years of age he learned the carpenter's trade at Newton Falls, where ho remained at work for several years, although he always made the old farm his home a,s long as his mother retained the property. He has been one of the leading builders of this section, and can point to many substantial and handsome structures to testify to has ability. Although he is over .sevent.y-«even years of age, he is still working at his trade. For thirteen years he worked for Seymour, Strait & Company, engaged in building cheese factories.

On November 19, 1856, Mr. Sanford was married to Mary Harmon, who was born at Aiu'ora, Ohio. The fifty-fii-st anniversary of their wedding has but recently been celebrated. They have four children, namely: Harmon, deceased, who married .Jennie Doyle, also deceased, left two sons, two daughtere and a grandchild; Edward, residing at Columbus, married Clara Stover, and they have one son, Edward; Charles R., residing at Hudson, married .Jennie Dodge; and Burt Sheldon, residing at Hudson, married Ruth H. Ehy, and they have one .«on. Lawrence Eby. ]Mr, Sanford votes with the R'^publican party.

JOHN L. COMSTOCK. one of Richfield Township's retired farmers and substantial, puhlic-^spirited citizens, residing on his farm of 103 acres, wa.s born near his present farm, in Summit County. Ohio. September 13, 1842, and is a son of .Mien and Lydia (!Miller) Comstock.

renuiiued until about the time of his marriage, when he purchased farming land iu Richfield Township. During the whole of his active life he engaged in farming and stockdealing. He died in 1856, aged forty years, leaving an estate of 340 acres to his family. He married Lydia Miller and they had nine children, namely: John L., Myron R. and Orrin M., Rosaline C, Laura J., Julia M., Wai-ren E., George E. and Allah E. All are now dead but Rosaline C. and John L.

John L. Comstock obtained a district school and academic education and his occupation since has been farming. When his father's estate was settled he purchased 103 acres of the homestead farm, on which he continued to carry on general farming and bred shorthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep, until he retired from active life in 1902. His land is well situated and very fertile, producing excellent crops of potatoes, wheat, corn, hay and oats. He kept usually about twenty-five head of cattle. Mr. Comstock cai'ried on opei'ations along modern lines and made use of the best machinery. He was one of the first agriculturists of this neighborhood to see the value of silos and has two on his farm, with dimensions of 12 by 12 and 27 feet deep. His buildings are kept in complete repair and they are substantial and sufficient for the needs of a first-clas.? farm. Mr. Comstock has his farm under rental.

Mr. Comstock married Elizabeth Killefer, who died in 1900, aged fifty-eight years. She was a consistent member of the Congregational Church. They had three children, namely: Allen L., residing at Waynesville, Ohio; and Harley M. and Warren E., both residing at Cleveland. In political sentiment Mr. Comstock is a Republican. He is not a politician, but he has .served in township offices as occasions seemed to demand. He taiight school two seasons and was director in his district for about forty years in succession, and for many years was president of the Board of Education. He is a member of the Congregational Church and has been one of the tru.stees.

IIAR\'EY LANCE, who resides on his well-improved farm of eighty-five acres of excellent farnnrig land, situated in Norton Township, Summit County, was born in Chippewa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, Mai'ch 20, 1S48, and is a son of George and Eliza Jane (Richards) Lance.

The founder of the Lance family in Ohio was Abraham Lance, the grandfather of Harvey, who came by wagon from Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, when his son George was a child of two years, and settled on a tract of 152 acres in Chippewa Townshijj, Wayne County, on which he died, aged eighty-two years.

George Lance was reared to manhood on the above mentioned farm and succeeded to its possession. He disposed of a portion of this farm, and the remainder comprises the farm of his son Harvey. George Lance married Eliza Jane Richards, who was born in AVayne County, Ohio, and was a cousin of John R. Buchtel, who was the founder of Buchtel College at Akron. To the above marriage eleven children were born. George Lance died March 5, 1881, aged sixty-four years, and was survived V)y his widow until January 5, 1887, her age being sixty-nine years.

Harvey Lance was reared on the old farm settled by his grandfather, and attended the schools in his neighborhood during the period of boyhood. Farming has always been his occupation. In 1879 he was married to Flora Kepler, and they have had five children. Those surviving are: Cleber Leroy, re.«ading in Medina County, Ohio, a machinist, married Bessie Bear, and they have one child, Gladys Opal : Jesse Richard, residing on the home farm : and Alyrtle May, residing at home, Tho.se deceased were: Gertrude, who lived but five days, and Roland Earl, who died aged eleven months.

Mr. and Mrs. Lance resided at Johnson's Corners for two years following their marriage. Mr. Lance having purchased a farm there which he subsequently sold to Norman Ware. In the .spring of 1883 they settled on the farm they now occupy, and in August.

And Represent Atre Citizens

IbbT, they built their present comfortable residence. Both ilr. and Mrs. Lance are religious people, I\Ir. Lance being a member of the Disciples Church and Mrs. Lance and the children of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

S.VLEiM KILE, president of the Kile j\Ianufacturing Company, and one of Akron's firmly established business men, was born in 1839, in Canada, but was reared in Ashtabula County, Ohio, where his parents located in 1848. He was one of a family of eleven children.

Mr. Kile attended school during boyhood as opportunity offered, and early became intered in the lumber basiness. For forty years he engaged in the manufacture of sucker rods for use in the oil regions, and he continued his lumber operations in Ashtabula and Trumbull Counties until 189.T, when he came to Akron. At that date they moved the bending works from AVest Farminglon to Akrnn establi.«hing the Thorpe and Kile Company here, for the manufacture of shafts and poles, the firm name later being changed to Kile and Ford. In the winter of 1902-.3 he sold out to the Pioneer Pole and Shaft Company, and in a.5.sociation with his sons. George and William Kile, established the Kile Manufacturing Company, for the manufacturing of hoops, staves and sucker rods. This company has one of the finest bend sawmills in this section, which ha? a capacitv for ontting about .3.000.000 feet of lumber per year. The mill has over 100 names on its pay roll and keeps fifteen teams busy. In addition to the plant at Akron, Mr. Kile and his son George have a plant at Barberton for the manufacture of insulators and electrical supplia=!. He is interested also in other Akron enterprises, being a .«tockhoIder in the Pioneer Pole and Shaft Company and in the People's Saving? Bank.

In 1862, Mr. Kile was married to Carolina Heath, and they have a family of six children, namely: Orra, who married E. E. Northway. who is secretary of the Standard Tool Comnany. of Cleveland; George H. and AVilliam L.. who are associated with the Kilo

Manufacturing Company; Flora, who married Dr. Hillman, residing at Akron; Mary .!., who married W. H. Lantern, of Shreve, Wayne County, Ohio; and Sai-ah G., who married Dr. Underwood, residing at Akron. For a period covering thirty years, Mr. Kile has been an Odd Fellow. From the age of . twenty-three years he has been a member of the jNlethodist Episcopal Church and for thirty-three years was superintendent of a Sunday School. He is president of the Board of TriLstees of the Woodland Methodist Episcopal Church, and is also president of the Board of Trustees of the Young Men's Christian Association; also a member of the Board of Trustees of Mount Union College Alliance, Ohio. In 1904 he was sent as a delegate from his church to the General Conference at Los Angeles, California, and while in the far West spent two months visiting various points of interest, including the National Park. In September 1907, he was again elected a member of the General Conference to meet in Baltimore in May, 1908. He is a man of stei-- ling character and bears his years lightly. Both his personal and business reputation are unblemi-shed.

GEORGE W. WUCHTER, one of Tallmadge Township's well known citizens, resides on his farm of thirteen and one-fourth acre.?, which is widely known as a fine stock farm, having much more than a local reputation. Mr. Wuchter was born in Norton Township, Summit County. Ohio. August 26, 1848, and is a son of AVilliam and Aurilla (Cahow) Wuchter.

The father of Mr. Wuchter came to Ohio from Penn.sylvania, with his father. .John Wuchter, who in early days lived at Stowe Corners. Later he moved to Norton Township, where he owned land and he became a man of substance. He died in 1867, aged seventy-three years. He wa? twice married. Two .sons were born to him and his wife, Mary, namely. William and Eli. The latter lived and died in Norton Township, where liis widow still resides.

he accompanied his pai'eiits to Norton Township, where he lived many years, finally selling his faiin and moving to Johnson's Corners. He died May oO, 1898, aged seventyfive years. He married Aurilla Caliow, who survived until 1905, dying in her seventieth yeai". Her father brought his family from Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, to Summit County, Ohio, by means of a wagon and an ox-team, and lived to see his fortunes so increased that he could have used any mode of transportation back again that he desired.

From the old homes in Pennsylvania, both the Wuchter and Cahow families brought many articles of household utilitj-, and George W. Wuchter owns and highly prizes a chair that has been in the Cahow family for over 150 years. The children of William and Aurilla (Cahow) Wuchter were: George W., residing in Tallmadge Township; Mary, who married Ephriam Marsh, residing at Dixon, Tennessee; Aurilla, who married Joseph Knecht, residing in the State of Washington; Helen, who married Burt Dilsworth, residing at Barberton ; Eli, who married Calista Flickinger, residing at Johnson's Corners; Lottie, who married Charles Heller, residing at Barberton; Lydia, who married Frederick Tincum, residing at Fairlawn ; and others who died in infancy.

George W. Wuchter attended the district schools of Norton Township, where he grew to manhood. His occupation has been along agricultural lines and he has become a man of note as a raiser of fine stock. He resided for four years in Green Township, and for a time in Coventry Township, and cnme to Tallmadge Town.=!hip in 1879. In 1881 he purchased the farm on which he has resided ever since, which he has va.stly improved and brought to a high state of cultivation. Mr. Wuchter has made a specialty of raising Berk- .ehire hogs, but Bas stock of all kinds, from imported strains, which he has exhibited at agricultural expositions all over the country, including Buffalo, New York, Detroit. Michigan, the State Fair at Columbus, Ohio, at Wheeling, West Virginia, and other points, and he has taken many preminms. To see his tine stock bearing otf the coveted blue ribbon is no new sensation to him. Visitors of note frequently are the guests of ilr. Wuchter, as his farm has an established reputation, but i^robably no more distinguished ones were ever entertained here than on the occasion when President Roosevelt and Vice I'resident Fairbanks spent an enjoyable half hour with him, while awaiting the train to convey them to the funeral of the late Mrs. McKinley. The visit impressed President Roosevelt so pleasurably that on his return to Wa-shington he hastened to write a letter to Mr. Wuchter, giving expression to his sentiments, and enclosing an autograph-pliotograph of himself. With a great deal of pride, Mr. W\icliter displays these tokens of the great executive's appreciation, and has both neatly framed.

On November 7, 1871, Mr. Wnclitcr wa< married to Sarah Hines, who was born in Carroll County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Thomas and Sarah (Henderson) Hines. The father of Mrs. Wuchter died in the army during the Civil War. He was a member of Company F, 85th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The mother of Mrs. Wuchter died when she was four years old. Mr. and Mrs. AVuchter have had the following children: William, residing on Buchtel Avenue, Akron, married Mary Klinger, and they have one daughter, Ruth: John M., married Allie Kline, of Akron, residing at home; Bes.«ie, who married John M. Smith, residing at Akron; Lola A., who married Frederick W. ICirk, residing at Youngstown ; Arline S.. who married Jacob Kuhn. residing at Akron, has one daughter. .\ldn ; and Russell F.. residing at home.

No history of Summit Comity would be in any wav comnlete w-ithout extended mention of the Howe family, which has been so prominently identified with its growth and develo]-)ment through several generations. An honored representative of this family is found in Henry Willett Howe, residing at Tra, Northampton Township. He was born in

Richard Howe was born in St. Mary's County, Maryland, March 8, 1799. He had but meager educational advantages, as his father died when he was quite young. At the age of ten years he accompanied his mother to Ohio, settling in Franklin County, but hef second marriage deiirived him of a home. After leaving his mother, he went to live with Lucas Sullivan, a large landowner and a surveyor, and soon made hLs way into the confidence and esteem of his employer, who provided him with books, which, in those days, were of considerable cost. The boy appreciated what w'as being done for him and studied hard by the light of the evening fire, acquiring a good knowdedge of the elemental facts of learning and also of surveying and engineering, and had his home with Mr. Sullivan until he became of legal age. He then secured work as an engineer in the construction of the Ohio Canal, and while in pursuance of his duties he became well acquainted with William H. Price, the leading engineer on the construction work of the Erie Canal.

This acquaintance developed into friendship and Mr. Price, recognizing the mechanical ability of Mv. Howe, and wishing to assist him, gave him a book containing pencil drafts of work used in the building of the Erie Canal, locks and other mechanical contrivances which had, as yet, never come under Mr. Howe's observation. This book was of inestimable benefit to him. For a period covering thirty years, Mr. Howe was in the employ of the state of Ohio, the connection beingsevered by his resignation in the spring of 1850. in order to visit California. This wa.s the period of the gold fever, and a compaiiy of enthusiasts had been organized to cross the great plains to the golden land, and Mr. Howe was elected captain of this company. He started on the long journey with the horse and sulkey that he had used in his work on the canal, both being well seasoned, and subsequently arrived in California with the liur.-e .still alive.

^Vt Sacramento, California, Mr. Howe engaged in a commission business with Samuel A. Wheeler, under the firm name of Wheeler, Howe & Company, he having known Mr. Wheeler in Ohio. He ibuilt a warehouse at Lock No. 1, Akron, wliich he had rented to Mr. Wheeler, who subsequently died in California. Other members of the original party from Ohio either died, fell sick or became discouraged and, as all the responsibility fell on his shoulders, Mr. Howe wisely closed out his interests at Sacramento. Soon after he entered into the employ of the United States government, and much of his work in the way of surveying and engineering proved of the greatest value for years afterward. He ran the base line from Mt. Diablo south to the Pacific Ocean and from that line all lands of the southern half of the state of California are still sui-veyed. He also laid out and superintended the construction of a mining race for the washing of gold, but finally became w'earied of the crude civilization of the far West and longed for the comforts of home, consequently he sold his intere-sts and returned to Ohio. The return journey was made by way of Panama, where he contracted fever, from which he suffered for two years. To name all the important work .subsequently done for his native state and particularly for Sunnnit County in the way of his profes- .sion, would fill many pages. He w'as widely known and is still recalled by the older generation as a man of remarkable vitality and ability. He continued to engage in professional duties up to the time of his death. For two years he had charge of Nugent's section of the canal construction, while Mr. Nugent was serving in Congress. He superintended the change in the connection of the lower end of the canal with the Ohio River. In 1825 ])(> bought 400 acrcis of land wliere Tra Station on the Valley Railroad is now located, and he also owned eighty acres on Summit Lake, in South Akron. The Howe school building at .\kron was named in honor of Richard Howe and his son. Henrv Willett Howe, the latter of whom \va.- ti lueiuber of the sclioul board for six yeai-s, dating from 18(i2. liichard Howe was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. He was a AVhig in politics, but no active politician. He died Mai-ch 19, 1872.

liichard Howe married Roxanna Jones, who died February 14, 1875. She was a daughter of Sylvanus Jones, who was a minute man in the Revolutionai-y War, married a daughter of Captain Alden Sears, who was a descendant of Priscilla and John Alden, and they settled at Bristol, Ontario County, New York. There j\Li-s. Howe was born January 18, 1805. She taughf school in Bath Town- .«hip. Summit County, prior to her marriage. There were seven children born to this union, namely: Henry Willett; Charles Richard, who is deceased; Nathan J., who is deceased; Emily Barrett, who married James Ingersoll, residing at Chicago, Illinois; Mary Ann, who married John Wolf, residing at Akron; and two others w-ho are deceased. Both Richard Howe and wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in the First ^Methodist Episcopal Church at Akron appears a beautiful memorial window in honor of J\Irs. Howe. For fifty yeai-s she was an active worker in church and Sunday school, a lovely Christian woman.

Henry AVillett Howe attended the public schools at Akron and also was instructed in his earlier years in select schools chosen by his wise and careful mother, and there he was prepared for Oberlin College, where he was graduated in 1849 in the classical course, with the degrees from this institution of A. B. and M. A. For about two years after the close of hLs collegiate cour.se he took charge of his father's contracting business while the latter was in California, and then entered upon the study of law with Judge James S. Carpenter. In 1854 he was admittrd to the bar and entered into a law partnership with .Tudge Carpenter, under the firm name of Carpenter & Howe, this a.ssociation lasting until Jxidge Carpenter went on the bench, when Mr. Howe continued to practice alone. Tt was while attending to lesal work in connection with certain patents that he became interested in agricultural implements, and subsequently engaged in the manufacture of the same under the firm name of Hawkins & Howe, a partnership which lasted for ten years. In 1870 Mr. Howe bought a manufacturing property at Richfield and entered into partnership with a Mr. Hinman, the firm being Howe & Hinman, which engaged in the manufacture of spokes, handles of all kinds, axles and manufactured lumber, and as his manufacturing business increased Mr. Howe gradually dropped his law practice, thereby regaining the health which close professional work had endangered. After a successful period, he sold his manufacturing interests, and in 1881 he settled on his present farm, which originally contained 200 acres, but has been reduced to 100. For a long time Mr. Howe rented out the larger part of his estate, but in late years he has developed an active interest in raising fine stock. His father brought the first 'blooded Durham stock into Summit County.

Mr. Howe has been closely connected with all the progressive movements made in this section during the last half century, in educational circles and has been a more or less prominent factor in politics. Originally a Whig and an Abolitioni.?t, he identified himself with the Republican party, but has never been a seeker for political preferment. He ser\'ed three years as a member of the Akron city coimcil, and in 1852 he was elected a member of the Board of Education at Akron and served six years as its secretary without compensation. He w-as one of the officials at the laying of the corner stone of the first granunar school of any size and was practically its superintendent. For six years he was county and city examiner of teachers. For about twenty yeai-s he served also as a justice of the peace, both in Richfield and Northampton Townships.

Mr. Howe married Isadore C. Bell, who is a daughter of Edwin Bell, of Portland, Connecticut, and three of their four children still sun'ive: Edwin, who is station agent at Ira; Frank Richard, residing at Darrnwville, Sum-

C. F. Chapman

Ill 1887 Frank R. Howe bought a small job printing press, making his office in a building on his father's farm, in what is now the posloffico building. His early work was the printing of supplies for school teachers and he carried on his 'business under the style of the Howe Publishing Company. After his marriage he started a more ambitious business at Darrowville, under the name of the School Publishing Company, which he still continues. His office is equipped with two large cylinder newspaper pres.ses, two job presses, a power pajDer cutter, folder and binder, all of which are run by a gasoline engine. His publications include a small newspaper. The Enferfainment, which issues specialties for Friday afternoon exercises at the public schools and thousands of amateur plays. A postoffice has been established at 'Darrowville, Mr. Howes' brother-in-law, Edward Shirely, being po.?tma.ster. Frank R. Howe married Nina Danforth, who is a daughter of Milton Danforth, of Darrowville.

Mr. Howe joined the Odd Fellows at Akron when a young man, where he also became a IMason. During his residence in Richfield Township he imited with the Richfield and Pomona Grange and for fourteen years he was secretary of the Summit County Grange. In 1850 he a.s.sisted in organizing the first agricultural fair of Summit County and in the same year was elected a director and for eight years continued to be identified with this enterprise, either as a director or as secretary. In his religious views Mr. Howe is extremely liberal. Personally he is a man of fine presence. Time has treated him kindly as may be seen Ijy his clear eyes, which do not require the help of gla.sses, his erect stature and the vigor of every faculty.

late Edgar T. Chapman, who was an early settler and later one of Akron's most prominent citizens. In early days he was postmaster of jMiddlebury and later was extensively engaged in the .stone-ware manufacturing industry.

C. F. Chapman was reared and educated in Middlebury, now East Akron. After leaving school he learned the pottery bu.siness and worked at the stone-ware trade for twelve years. In August, 1881, he became connett?d with the Akron Iron Company, at Buchtel, Ohio, where he remained until August, 1884. He then became associated with the Akron & Hill Sewer Pipe Company, which in March, 1900, was merged into the American Sewer Pipe Company, since which time he has been local manager. His long experience in this line has made him a very efficient man for the position. He has, besides, other business interests and is one of the representative busine.s.s men of Akron.

In 1887, Mr. Chapman was married to Mary A. Parker, who is a .step-daughter of the iate Henry A. Gibbs, of Akron. He and his wife had one son, Parker E., a bright, engaging youth, who died in September, 1903, aged fourteen years. Mr. Chapman is connected with various civic bodies^ being an active citizen, and fraternally lielongs to the Odd Fellows and the Royal Arcanum.

GEORGE E. LANCE, general farmer and dairyman, residing on his valuable farm of 106 1-2 acres, situated in Northampton Township, w-as born in Summit County, Oliio, May 22, 1866, and is a .son of "William and Theodo.sia S. (Harvey) Lance.

The Lance familv came from Pennsvlvania to Ohio. George Lance, the grandfather of George E., accompanied his father; the pioneer, to "Wavne County. Land that he cleared there still remains in the family. William Lance was born in Wavne County, attended the district schools and ensaged in farming. Durins the Civil War he frequently drove cattle to Pittsburg for the use of the army. In the sprinq- of 1866 he came to Northampton Township, remaining but a few months, when he went to .\kron. and for five yeare worked iu the rolling mills in that eity. From there he went to Doylestovvn, Wayne County, later to Medina County, and then baek to Akron, where he lived for about one year before his death, which occurred July 22, 1889, at the age of fifty-two years. He was a man of quiet tastes and sought no political office, but supported the Republican party. William Lance married Theodosia S. Harvey, who still survives. She is a daughter of Ebcr Harvey, of AVayne County, who emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1857. The following children were born of this marriage: George E., Theodore, Charles, Raymond, Ernest, Clyde, Bessie and Bertie. The mother of this family resides in Northampton TownshiiJ. She is a member of the Disciples Church.

George E. Lance attended school through boyhood wherever the family home was located and remained under the household roof until his marriage. For the first six following years he worked in the Diamond Match factory at Akron, and since then has been engaged in farming. In 1896 he I'entcd a farm in Nort],iamj:)ton Township for three years and then bought his present place. Here he cultivates about sixty acres, paying especial attention to wheat and corn, and pastures seven cows, selling his mdlk to the creamery at Peninsula. In early manhood George E. Lance was married to Emma R. Stinson, who is a daughter of Wesley and Kate Stinson, of Litchfield. Ohio, and they have six children, namely: Edna, who married William Sapp, of Northampton; and Claude, Irvin, Guy, Arthur and Frieda, residing at home. The family belong to the Disciples Church at Everett, Mr. Lance being one of the trustees. He is a member nf the order nf Maccabees, at Penin.=ula.

.VLBERT H. BILL, M. D.. physician and .«urgeon at Cuyahoga Falls, is one of the leading profes.sional men of this place, where he was born .Januarv 26, 18.'i1 . He is a son of Henry W. and Harriet E. (Butler) Bill.

can be easily traced to the great-grandfather, Solomon Bill, who was a great scholar. He taught navigation and higher mathematics in a Connecticut seat of learning. John Bill, grandfather of Dr. Bill, was born at Middletown, Connecticut, and was a son of Solomon and Mary (Sizer) Bill. He died at Charlestown, Portage County, Ohio, in 1844, aged seventy-five years. He married Fannie Roger.s, who died before he came west in 183;l He was a strong Baptist and a very devout man. It is remembered how he maintained Bible reading and family prayers in his home. From him many of his descendants inherited their gift of song.

Henry W. Bill, father of Dr. Bill, was born at Middletown-, Connecticut, where, in early life he started in the machine busine.-s. The destruction of his plant by fire caused him to turn his attention to the West, and about 1833 he accompanied his brother, Asa G., to Cuyahoga Falls. They began business together on the river, opposite the plant of Turner, Vaughn and Taylor, i;nder the firm name of A. G. Bill and Brother, establishing a foundry and machine business, and built it up until it was the largest of its kind in that part of the country, running their plant night and day.- They manufactured paper mill machinery mainly, and during the time they were in business they, with others, started the first .steam paper-making plant in Cleveland. They were the inventors of the first barrel-making machines. The brothers were associated in business for many years, but finally, Llenry W. withdrew. He was a very well known man. Nature had gifted him in music and he was at home with almost any in- .strument, playing the bugle and clarinet with skill. These instruments he played in the old pioneer Portage Countv band. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch ; his wife was a Congregationalist. He died aged seventy-four vears. Henry W. Bill and wife had (wo children, viz.: Alice B., who is the widow of George Dow, residing at Cuyaho.qa Falls : and .Albert H.

And Representatre Citizens

iiied under the direction of Dr. C. M. Fitch, of Chicago, IllinoiiS, after which he entered Rush iledical College, where he was graduated in 1875. Since then he has been engaged in general practice at Cuyahoga Falls. Dr. Bill married Isabella Fitch, who is a daughter of Dr. C. M. Fitch, a noted physician and surgeon, of Chicago, and they have one son, Kenneth, who graduated in 1907 at the Cuyahoga Falls High School. Mrs. Bill is a member of the Congregational Church. Politically, Dr. Bill is a Republican. He is very prominent in fraternal circles, especially in the order of Knights of Pythias. He has passed all the chaii"s in Pavonia Lodge, is past deputy grand chancellor of the Twenty-fifth District and has the Grand Lodge rank. He has several Pythian offices in the Uniform Rank and is assistant regimental .surgeon. He is connected also with other organizations.

ULYSSES F. HOURIET. In the death of Ulysses F. Houriet, which occurred June 28, 1904, Summit County, Ohio, lo.st a young man of brilliant parts, one whose business success and pei-sonal popularity had made his name a familiar one all througli Northeastern Ohio. He was born at Canal Fulton, Stark County. Ohio, May 25, 1868, and was a son of Floriant and Catherine (Miller) Houriet.

The Houriet family came to America from Switzerland. In that land of magnificent mountain scenery, Floriant Houriet was born at St. Imier. Canton of Bern, March 17. 1834. LTis father, Victor Houriet, Avas known in his native land as a jeweler of great skill. Victor married Zeline Flotron, a member of the celebrated Flotron watch-making firm of Switzerland, and the name of that family may yet be .seen engraved on the case of many fine, old Swiss watches of a half century ago. Three children were born to Victor Houriet and wife, namely: Emil. who became a prominent watch-maker and jeweler at Charleston, Illinois : Floriant. residing at Kenmore. Summit County: and Paul, of IVIassillon. Ohio, whose tastes led him in the direction of mechanics.

In 1848 Victor Houriet eminrnfed to America with his family, investing in farming land near Utica, New York, where he lived until 1852. He then sold his proi^erty there and removed to Wayne County, Ohio, purchasing a farm near Mt. Eaton. Before making his third and last trip to Switzerland Victor Houriet had engaged successfully in business in America, and had become attached to the land where he saw his sons prospering, but he could not reconcile himself to the thought of dying in any place beyond the shadows of his native mountains. When he bade his last farewell to his family he asserted that he would never again cross the ocean, and his premonition proved true, for his death followed soon after this return to his native land. His wife had died in 1876 at the home of her son. Floriant, at Canal Fulton.

Floriant Houriet was fourteen years old when he came to America, and he well recalls the long passage of forty-four days' duration. He has never gone back to the little Swiss village, of which he has a picture, which was given his father, and which he treasures highly. The schools of Switzerland and Oermany are justly noted for their efficiency. He was thoroughly in.strueted in both countries, and when he came to the United States had command of three languages. He no longer had time to go to school, but iip to 1858 he worked steadily on farms in Ohio, going then to Illinois, where he continued to farm until the outbreak of the Civil AVar. He then returned to Ohio in order to enter the army from that state. In 1861 he enlisted for three months in the Twentv-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, becoming a member of Company H. the survivors of which still proudly call it "McKinley's Regiment." Mr. Ilouriet was a young man well informed on public questions and during liis residence in Illinois had heard Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas discn-s the public matters, and had been much impressed and had made up his mind concerning his choice of leaders.

ability, after a service of eighteen months. During this period he was detailed to carry messages to General Rosecrans, his command of the German language making him very useful in this capacity. He participated in a number of 'battles before he was disabled and on all occasions bore himself as a brave and faithful soldier. After his return to Ohio he worked in a coal mine at Canal Fulton, Init found this too hard labor, and, therefore, embarked in a grocery business at Canal Fulton, which he continued to operate with success until 1883. During this period he had been buying small tracts of land within the corporate limits of the town, which land he still owns. In 1903 he came to Kcnmore, and in 1903 he purchased the residence in which the family resides, an elegant home, where the late Ulysses Houriet resided at the time of his death.