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

George H. Heifer was an infant when the family made the overland journey from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the winter of 1820. He attended .school pretty regularly until he was fourteen years of age, when he became a clerk in a dry goods store, in which capacity he worked for nine years. In 1843 he entered into partnership with Mr. Pancoast, and 'the firm of Pancoast and Heifer was engaged in a dry goods business in Congress Township until 1847, when Mr. Heifer bought Mr. Pancoast's interest, and continued at the same place for two years more. In 1849 he sold out and came to Akron, entering into general business in this city as senior member of the firm of Heifer and Sechrist. This firm continued until 1867, when Clinton Heifer bought the interest of Mr. Sechrist and the firm style then became Heifer & Son, and no change was made until 1877, when the younger partner became sole proprietor. Mr. Heifer was one of the original stockholders in the Akron Iron Company and he now entered the office of this concern as shipping clerk, a position he filled for twenty-one years. He was one of the first dniggists at Akron, and for many years was an extensive local dealer in coal. He retired from business in 1898.

Mr. Heifer was married (first) to Mary Elgin, who was born in Wayne County, a daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Elgin. Of the five children of this marriage, the only survivor is Clinton E. Mr. Heifer was married (second) to Rebecca Luce, of Wayne County, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Luce. The four survivors of the five children born to this marriage are: William A., Emma (Mrs. Clarence Rudolph) , Edwin W. and Minnie B. (Mrs. Henry Adams). Politically. Mr. Heifer was affiliated with the Republican party from its birth.

GEORGE HEER,* superintendent of the plant of the Wellman, Seaver, Morgan Company, at Akron, is serving in his second year in this capacity. He was born in 1875, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, but was reared and educated at Alliance, Ohio. After leaving school, he served an apprenticeship in the machine shops of the Morgan Engineering Company, at Alliance, following which he was with the Harris Automatic Printing Company, of Niles, Ohio, later with the Lloyd Booth Engineering Company, of Youngstown, for four months, and with the Diamond Match Company, of Barberton, for one year. Mr. Heer then entered the Sterling Boiler Works, where his training was severe and ]>rnc(ical. He remained there imtil September, 1901, when he entered the Cleveland office of his present firm, where he continued three years as an inspector, after which he came to Akron as assistant superintendent, later becoming superintendent of the whole plant, Mr. Heer is a member of the Knights of Pythias. He belongs' to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLIAM A. HELFER,* proprietor of tlie Imperial greenhovises at No. 565 Bowery Street, Akron, is one of the enterprising business men of this city. He was born July 24, 1860, at Akron, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of the late George H. and Rebecca (Luce) Heifer.

The grandparents of Mr. Heifer were the first of the family to come to Oliio. They were natives of Pennsylvania and they crossed the mountains in the winter of 1820 and settled at Millbrook, Wayne County. Grandfather Christopher Heifer was a shoemaker by trade, but he later became a landowner and farmer in Congress Township. Of his six children, the late George PI. Heifer was the second in order of birth.

George H. Heifer was born at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, January 25, 1820. Until 1849 he engaged in mercantile pursuits in Wayne County and then settled at Akron, where he I>6came the senior partner in tlie general mercantile firm of Heifer and Sechrist, which continued until 1867, when Clinton Heifer, the eldest son of George H., purchased Mr. Sechrist's interest. The firm continued Heifer and Son until 1877, when Clinton H. bought his father's interest and still conducts the business. For some twenty-one succeeding years Mr. Heifer was associated with the Akron Iron Company, of which he had long been a stockholder.

George H. Heifer was married (first) to Mary Elgin and they had five children, Clinton E. being the only present survivor. Mr. Heifer was married (.second) to Rebecca Luce, who was born in Wayne County and is a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Luce. Five children were born to the second marriage, the four survivors being: William A.,

AVilliam H. Heifer was educated in the Akron schools and subsequently entered the Akron Iron Companj', where he learned the practical details of the business and became a skilled workman. Later he became shippingclerk, and remained with the company for five years as general foreman of the polishing depai'tment. He then went into the retail coal trade, which he followed from 1885 until March 1, 1897. In the meantime he had permitted his natural inclinations to dominate his future business career, from boyhood having been interested in the growth of flowers and plants. He sold his coal business in 1895 and erected his modern greenhouses which are situated at Ko. 565 South Bowery Street. He soon found himelf forced, in order to meet the demands of his trade, to greatly enlarge his capacity, and he now has six houses and does the largest business in his line in Summit County, giving constant employment to four .skilled men. The business includes the growing of cut flowers and plants, fine decorating being a specialty. Baskets, bouquets and designs are made to order and weddings, parties and funerals are supplied. On June 23, 1893. Mr. Heifer Avas married to Hattie May Rothrock, who died JanuarA' 1, 1902. She was a daughter of William H. and Sarah (Messer) Rothrock, prominent residents of Akron. Politically Mr. Heifer is identified with the Republican party but he has never sought political honors. Fraternally he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and to the Woodmen. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which his late wife was also identified.

CHARLES B. CARR, M. D.,* physician and surgeon, has been a re,*ident of Barberton since 1890, and can almost lay claim to being one of the oldest inhabitants, as the town was then being just laid out. Dr. Carr was born July 25, 1861, in East Union Township, Wavne County. Ohio, and is a son of David F.'and Sarah E. (Boydston) Carr.

The father of Dr. Carr was a farmer and stockraiser and the boyhood of the future physician was spent in learning the details of agriculture, while securing a good primary education in the local schools. Later, after a literary course at Smithville, in Wayne County, he entered the university at Wooster. His inclination and ambition being in the direction of medicine as a profession, he made the necessary preparation and then entered the Ohio Medical College at Cincinnati, where he was graduated in 1890. He came to Barberton July 14, of the same year, which fact makes him the oldest physician in point of service, in the town, having practiced here continuoasly ever since, with the exception of the years 1893 and 1894, when he practiced at Youngstown. His reputation as physician and surgeon has cai-ried his name all over Summit Count}', and he is often called into consultation at distant points. He is a member of the American Medical Association and of the Summit County Medical Society. For some seven years he served as surgeon for the Erie Railroad. On February 14, 1904, Dr. Carr was married to Mary H. Morgan, of Shreve, Ohio, who is a daughter of John Morgan, a well-known citizen. They have two sons, Charles B. and Otis Paul. . Dr. Carr owns a large amount of valuable property at Kenmore, where he has a beautiful summer home, in which he has resided since 1905, and he is making preparations to build residences on his lots in this section.

PERRY DELAZEN HARDY,* the owner of 106 acres of fine farming land in Nortliamjrton Township, who has been prominent in the agricultural, educational and political affairs of this section of Summit County for many years, w'as born in Northampton Township, Summit County, Ohio, April 11, 1834, and is a son of Nathaniel and Rebecca (Reed) Hardy.

Nathaniel Hardy, the grandfther of Perry D., was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, in which he lost a leg. He came from New York State to Northampton Township, Ohio, at an earlv dav, and lived here retired for the rest of his life being a peusioner. Nathaniel his son, father of Perry D., was born in Massachusetts, October 11, 1798, went to Western New York as a child, and when sixteen years old came to the vicinity of Old Portage, Summit Count}', Ohio,, where his first emplojment was farming. Later he assisted in building several locks on the Ohio Canal, and after the completion of that waterway, erected, and for many years conducted a hotel and small store at Yellow Creek Basin, now known as Botzum Station. Mr. Hardy subsequently engaged in farming, purchasing 250 acres of land in Northampton Township, east of the Cuyahoga River. iVfter cultivating it successfulh' for many years, he sold it to his sons, AVilliam and Noi'ton R. For a long period Mr. Hardy served as justice of the l^eace and was active in ridding the township of many disreputable character and practices. Mr. Plardy was married in 1824 to Rebecca Reed, who was born June 11, 1805, at Delaware, Ohio, and to them were born eight children : Caroline, who married Jasper Drake ; William ; Norton Rice ; Perry Delazen ; Mary, who married (first) Champion Belden and (second) Hiram vVyres, and resides in Akron ; Harriet, who is the widow of Henry Hall, of Akron ; Clarissa, who is the wife of Charles AValters of Cuyahoga Falls; and Nathaniel, Jr. Of this family Caroline and AVilliam are deceased. The father of these children died December 4, 1866, his wife having passed away July 11, 1865.

Perry Delazen Hardy received his education in the piimitive log schoolhouse of his district, and was reared on the home farm. Early in life his energy and tenacity of purpose earned for him the nickname of "Commodore Perry," and this was later changed to that of "Old Zach," after General Zachary Taylor, the hero of the Mexican War. During the Civil AA^ar Mr. Hardy was very active in raising bounty money and securing recruits for the Union Army, and served as constable for several years, during which time by his vigilance he succeeded in ridding the township of a gang of toughs known as the "Norwegians." For eiafht or nine vears he served as school director of District No. 9, being for one year president and the remainder of the time clerk, was township trustee for four years, and ex-ofhcio member of the Board of Education, securing after a long fight, a schoolhouse, for his district of the township. ilr. Hardy remained on the home farm until 1858, when he purchased fifty-five acres of farming land in Northampton Township, to which he has added from time to time by purchase until now he owns about 106 acres. He marketed large quantities of hay and wheat and did a large dairy business, his milk being sold at the cheese factory, but he has now retired from active pursuits and is renting his property. For thirty years he was engaged in selling agricultural implements, traveling through Ohio, Pennsylvania and New York, and during all this time did a large business on his own account.

In 1854 Mr. Hardy was married to Elizabeth A. Lanphier, who was a daughter of Albert Lanphier, of Coddingberg, Ohio, and to this union there M^ere born nine children, six of whom grew to maturity, as follows: Ida S., born October 2, 1855, who was married October 1, 1888, to AVilliam Darrow, of Hudson; Harry B., born November 1, 1857, who resides in Portage Township; AA^illis Perrjr, born December 12, 1865, wa.s maiTied September 18, 1887, to Ida Lilley, and lives in Cleveland, Ohio: Nellie B., born July 2, 1869, M'ho is the wife of AA'illiam AA'alters of Northampton Township; Myrtle I., born December 18, 1871, who is the wife of Dennis Clements of Akron; and A^'inton M., who was born January 1, 1874, and resides in Akron. The mother of the.se children died April 11, 1907, after a long and painful illness. She had borne her suffering with patience, and passed away in the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church. !Mr. Hardy completed a new home to replace the one totally destroyed by fire in 1905, in which he lost his violin, bass viol and several other stringed instruments. From boyhood he had been a lover of music and was vei'v proficient on the violin, often playing at dances in the early days. He is known to be one of Northamp-

(iOTTLIEB A'ONGUNTEN,* one of the self-made inen of Copley Township, Summit County, Oliio, the products of whose fine 138-acre truck farm find a ready sale in the markets of Akron, was born in April, 1858, in Switzerland, where his father followed agricultural pursuits all of his life.

^Ir. ^^ongunten lost his parents when a boy of twelve or thirteen years of age, and Avhen nineteen years old he came to America, locating at once in Wayne County, Ohio, where he worked at the shoemaker's trade, an occupation which he had learned in his native country. Two years later he retiUMied to Switzerland, but in a few months he again came to America, bringing with him his three sisters and one brother. He worked at odd jobs in AVayne County until his marriage, wlien he removed to Ashtaliula County, Ohio, purchasing a small farm. which he later sold in order to rent a much larger property. After living there for ten years ^Mr. Vongunten and his family came to Summit County, where he purchased ten acres of land located in Portage Township, but in October, 1901, he came to his present property, buying at first ten acres, the balance being purchased in 1906. On this fertile tract, the old Sackett farm, Mr. Vongunten has carried on truck farming to the present time and his onions, celery and other small vegetables are of the finest grown in the county. He has always made a point of thoroughly cleansing his produce before putting it on the market, and for this purpose keeps large vats of running water, through which everything passes before leaving his hands. His success is due to his own industry and earnest efforts, and be is respected and esteemed as one of the representative agriculturists of Copley Township.

Tn March. 1882, Mr. A'ongnnten was married to Anna Hein, also a native of Switzerland, who came to America as a girl of twenty years, her parents haviu^ died some years jjreviously. Ten children have been born to Mr, and Mrs. A^ongunten, namely: Fred, who conducts a dairy, married Mary AA'ith, and ha.s one child - Ruth Anna; Edward; Mary, who married P. Dockus, has one child - Mabel Anna; Christ; Emma; Elizabeth ; Ernst ; Clara ; AA'illiam, and Herman. AA^ith his family Mr. A^ongunten attends the Apostolic Christian Church.

CHARLES E. PERKINS,* chief engineer of the i^ublic works at Akron, is a graduate of the School of Mines of Columbia College, New York, and has had many years of practical experience in his line of work. He was born May 7, 1850, at Akron, and is a son of Col. Simon Perkins, one of the early settlers of this region. Charles E. Perkins was educated and trained in his specialty in the AVcstern Reserve College, the Polytechnic Institute, at Troy, New York, and later at Columbia College. Upon his return to Akron he was made city engineer and served as such from 1878 to 1877 inclusive. From 1S7N until IS.S:!. be conducted an agricultural wareliduse business at Akron. In October, 1883, he was elected county surveyor, and was re-elected in 1883 and again in 1889. He stands at the head of his profession in Akron and fills the most responsible position, in his line, in the gift of his fellowcitizens. On January 14. 1880, Mr. Perkins was inarricd to May Adams, who is a daughter of Frank Adams, of Akron.

JOHN S. BARLET,* one of the representative citizens of Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, who in addition to farming twenty acres of fine land, has been in the auctioneering business for the past thirty years, was born December 5. 1848, in Lebanon County, Pennsylvania, and is a son of AVilliam and Harriet (Sonnon) Barlet. AA'illiani Barlet was a native of Pennsylvania, and there learned the trade of lime burner. On December 9, 1862, he brought liis family to Ohio, and the train on which lliey traveled was frequently side-tracked to allow Ibe train-loads of soldiers udiug to the front to pas-s. The family came immediately fi'om Canton to Green Township, where Mr. Barlet rented a farm from Jaeolj King for five years, and then purchased a home at Greensburg, where he died at the age of seventy-six years, his wife having passed away in 1895 when sixty-seven years old. Mr. Barlet wa.s married to Harriet Sonnon, also a native of Pennsylvania, where all their children except the youngest were born. These were: Lydia, deceased, who wa.s the wife of F. Winkelmau ; John .Samuel ; Harriet, who married a Mr. Perry; Ellen, who married Benjamin Allman ; and .Jennie, who married Newman Smith.

John Samuel Barlet attended the old frame district school in his native locality, and remained with his jaarents until his marriage. Wlien a young man he became a very successful auctioneer, and this occupation he has followed for the pa.st thirty years, having had charge of most of the important salefi in this section of the State. In addition to his own twenty acres of land. Mr. Barlet rents fifty-five acres more, and engages in general farming. For the past ten years he has been overseer of the grounds of the Highland Park Camp Meeting Association. In 1869, Mr. Barlet was married to Emma Dickerhoof, wlio is a daughter of William Dickerhoof, an old Civil War veteran and pioneer of Summit County, who was killed on a railroad. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Barlet, namely: Eflfie May, who married Charles Leonard, of the O'Neil Boiler Works, Akron, has one child - Harold ; Harvey, foreman of the Akron Linoleum Works, is married and has two children. Myrtle and Dorothy; Lloyd, a farmer and auctioneer in busine.ss with his father, married Catherine Stark; and Ward, foreman of the Diamond Rubber Works at Akron, who married Lovina Fes- .«ler.

J. DWIGHT PALMER,* one of Akron's native sons and prominent bvisiness men, wa.~ born in this city in 1867, a son of R. F. Palmer. He was reared in Akron and graduated from the High School in 1886. For .some time after leaving school, Mr. Palmer traveled for his health, mainly through the New England States, but when prepared to enter into business life, he returned to his native city and shortly afterward became connected with the collection department of the Aultman-Miller Company, with which he continued for eighteen years. On .severing his relations with that firm he decided to remain in the collection business, in wJiich lie had become experienced, and in December. 1904. he es1.ablished the J. D. Palmer Collecting Agency, which he has successfully operated ever since. Mr. Palmer is a prominent factor in local politics, being a leading Iiepublican, and at the present writing, has just received the nomination for councilman, from the Second Ward. He has every qualification for a first-class city official, being public-.spirited, judicious and popular. In 1897, Mr. Palmer was married to Jeannette Groesel, who is a daughter of G. A. Groesel, of Akron, and they have two sons: Roland F. and George A. Mr. Palmer is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, in which order he has advanced as far as the conunandery.

SOAVARAS GOUGLER,* a highly respected citizen and successful farmer, residing on an excellent property of 140 acres in Coventry Township, not only owns this valuable farm but also a tract of twenty-five acres which is situated across the line in Springfield Township. Mr. Gougler was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, May 30, 1850, and is a son of Daniel and Phoelie (Arnold) Gougler."

Daniel Gougler was born in Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and was a .son of Tilden Gougler, whose wliole life was passed in Pennsylvania, where he died at the age of eighty years. His children were: Samviel, Susan, Peggy. George, !Mrs. Stoll, Bivy, Daniel, Jacob, Sarah and Mary. Daniel, the seventh member of the above mentioned family, grew up on the farm, and learned the blacksmith trade. He married Phoebe Arnold, who was bora in Snyder County, and in 1870 they came to Ohio, settling at "Greensburg for one year, and then nioviilg to near East Libei-ty, where Mr. Gougler died March 15, 1887, aged fifty-nine years. His widow survives, having reached the age of seventy-four years, and lives on the old homestead near East Liberty. The children of Daniel Gougler and wife were: Sowaras; Louisa, who married Frank Miller; Jacob; Jackson; jMaria, who married Julius Gearhart; and Calvin. The whole family, with the exception of Jackson, who lives at Kent, are residents of Summit County.

Sowaras Gougler received his education in the district schools of Snyder County and was about twenty years of age ^^-hen he accompanied the family to Ohio. He attended school for a short time afterward. He engaged in farming and teaming, driving a team for two years and ten months for Steas & Company, after which he returned to work on the farm.

On November 23, 1876, Mr. Gougler was married to Mary Bettler, who died October 14, 1902, aged forty-seven years. She was a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Tritt) Bettler. Mr. and Mrs. Gougler had six children, namely: Frank, who married Susan Spreggle, has three children - Park, Pearl and Dayton - and he lives on a part of his father's land; Elmer; Emma: Daniel; Lulu, and Clara Leona, the last mentioned of whom died aged six months.

Mr. Gougler rented his present farm before he purchased it. In partnership with his brother-in-law, Joseph Bettler, he bought 140 acres, and in 1890, Mr. Gougler bought Mr. Bettler's interest. The house was standing, and this was remodeled and improved and the whole farm was gradually pvit into as fine shape as it is today. Mr. Gougler has resided right here for the past thirty years and can count all his neighboi"s as friends. He is a Democrat in his political views, but has never taken any very active part in politics.

F. II. ADAMS,* cashier of the First National Bank of Akron, has been identified with this financial institution for a long period and for the past eleven years has filled the responsible office of cashier. Mr. Adams was born at Akron, Summit County, Ohio, in ISSo, and is a son of Franlc Adams, who came to Akron as early as 1838 and who still survives, being a representative pioneer citizen.

F. H. Adams was reared in this city, where his father was one of the early manufactx;rers, and his education was secured in the excellent schools for which Akron has an established reputation. iVfter leaving school, the young man went to Mexico, where he remained for one year interested in mining. He returned to Akron for a short time and then became connected with a large manufacturing concern at Fort Wayne, where he remained for two years. He then returned to Akron in order to become bookkeeper in the First National Bank, with which he has been associated ever since. He is interested also in otlier prospering enterprises at Akron and is recognized as one of the city's able business men. In 1891, Mr. Adams was married to Frances Robinson, who is a daughter of William Robinson, who was the pioneer manufacturer of sewer pipe at Akron. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are members of the First Presbyterian Church of this city. His social connections include membership in the Portage Country club.

JOHN F. DICE,* one of Summit County's good, practical farmers, who resides on an excellent farm of ninety acres, located in Franklin Township, w'as born May 9, 1856, near Manchester, Summit County, Ohio, and is a son of Jeremiah and Caroline (Dissinger) Dice.

Jeremiah Dice, who was a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio as a young man, and for some years was engaged in work on various farms in Franklin Township. He subsequently purcha.sed the farm now operated by John F. Dice, and at tlie time of his death, Fcliruarv 28, 1904, in his seventv- seventh year, he was considered a man of ample means. Shortly after coming to Ohio, Mr. Dice was married to Caroline Dissinger, daughter of John Dissinger, one of the early pioneers of this section, and a native of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Dice, who was born in Ohio, survives her husband. Seven children were born to Jeremiah and Caroline Dice, namely : John Fra'tiklin ; Mary, who married I\I. Waltz; William; Alma, who married J. Baughman ; Elton ; Emma, who married Thomas Sauers; and Alarvin.

John F. Dice received his early educational training in the district schools of his native township, and here he has spent his entire life in agricultural pursuits. In association with his mother he owns the home farm of ninety acres, and his careful cultivation has largely increased its value. On January 31. 1877. Mr. Dice was married to Savilla Snyder, who is a daughter of George and Susan (Kepler) Snyder. Two children have been born to this union, namely: Bertha, who married Clarence Snyder, residing in Akron ; and Irving, who also makes his home at Akron. Mr. Dice is a member of the Reformed Church, of which he is now sen'ing as treasurer. In political matters Mr. Dice is a Democrat, but he has never aspired to public office, preferring to give his time and attention to his home interests. He is fraternally connected with the Maccabes.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TRACY,* capitalist and a leading citizen of Barberton, is vice-president of the Rubber Product Company, of this place, a large and important industry, and has been for many years identified with the strawboard interests of this section of Ohio. Mr. Tracy was one of the original settlers at Barberton, coming to this point in 1879 when the town was founded. Mr. Tracy was born in Parkman Township, Geauga County, Ohio, December 10, 1840, and is a son of Evander and Almeda Tracy. The father of Mr. Tracy was born in the State of New York and the mother in Trumbull county. Ohio. Evander Tracy was an earlv settlor in Trumbull Countv.

Benjamin Franklin Tracy was reared on a farm in his native county, where he resided until 1879. Through boyhood he attended school there and when a young man was married in the same county. When Mr. Tracy left his farm he went first to Akron and then, for a time to Barberton, where" he subsequently acquired much land. Mfr. Trac3^ about this time entered the employ of the Seiberling Straw Board Company, gathering straw for Mr. Inman, who had the contract for that work. After two years in that line he took charge of the straw department of the Straw Board Company, at New Portage. In 1884 he moved to Circleville, where he organized a straw board company, remaining there eight years, during which time he had charge of the straw department. In 1892 he returned to Barberton and after the American Straw Board Company took charge of the New Portage Straw Board Company, he became superintendent of all their twentyfive different mills. After settling permanently at Barberton, Mr. Tracy erected the fine structure known as the Tracy Block, three stories in height, 96x100 feet in dimensions, constructed of brick. The city offices are all located in this block. Mr. Tracy was married to Sarah White, and they have one son. Jay W. The latter also resides at Barberton and is associated with his father in an extensive real estate business. He married Stella Richards and they have one child, Harriet. Mr. Tracy is a member of the Masonic fraternitj'.

BERT RODENBAUGH, M. D..* one of Summit County's rising young medical practitioner, who is serving as health officer of Barberton, Ohio, was born at Thomastown, Summit County. Ohio, in August. 1874. and is a son of N. J. and Nellie (Wagoner) Rodenbaugh. the former a retired school teacher and farmer of Summit County, Dr. Rodenbaush has one brother, Harrv, and one sister, !Mabel, who married Tliomas Stahl. Dr. Rodenbaugh attended the comniou schools of Tljomastown and Buclitel College for five years, and' after spending several years in the pottery works at Akron, Ohio, he entered the Ohio Medical University at Columbus, and after a four years' course was graduated therefrom in 1902. He immediately located at Barberton, where he engaged in practice alone for a short period, then forming a partnerehip with his uncle, Dr. N. F. Rodenbaugh, with whom he has since been tissociated. They are surgeons for the Sterling Boiler Company, the Columbia Cereal Company, the American Sewer Pipe Company, the Diamond Match Company, the Diamond Machine Shop and the Pittsburg Valve Company, all of Barberton. In September, 1905, Dr. Bert Rodenbaugh was elected health officer of Barberton, on the Republican ticket. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World, and the State and county medical societies. In January, 1905, Dr. Rodenbaugh was married to Grace Robinson, who was born in Youngstown, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Rodenbaugh reside at their residence, situated at No. 602 West Beard Avenue, Barberton.

GEORGE A. SMEAD,* a leading business man of Akron, is located at No. 65 South Main Street, where he is proprietor of the largest art and wall-paper store in Northern Ohio. He was born in 1882, in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, but was practically reared and educated at Akron. Mr. Smead has been identified with his present line of business ever since his entrance into the industrial world. For two years he was with" M. D. Brouse, following which, for three years he was in the wall-paper department of M. O'Neil, and for three years managed the wallpaper store of C. G. Oliver. In June, 1906, he Ijought the business and conducts the largest wall-paper store in all this section of the State, carrj'ing all grades of paper, and of the simplest to the most expensive and exclusive designs. In connection therewith he also carries on an art department, in which he handles only works of real merit, ^lany visitors go to his establishment to see the exquisite wall hangings and choice works of art always on exhibition. In 1903, Mr. Smead was ' married to Elta M. Biltz, who died June 9, 1903, leaving two little sons: Elmer E. and Chester Ray. Mrs. Smead is greatly missed, both in her home and in social circles, where she was a favorite. ^Ir. Smead is a member of the Wooster Avenue Methodi-st Episcopal Church. Fraternally, he belongs to the Knights of Pythias, the Royal League, and the Pi'otected Home Circle.

GEORGE V. BILUOW,* president of the Akron Paving and Plastering Company, of Akron, was born in 1854, at Kendallville, Indiana, but he was reared and educated in Williams County, Ohio.

In young manhood, Mr. Billow learned the plastering trade and after removing to Mansfield, Ohio, he was engaged in contracting in plastering, for twenty years, and then he came to Akron, where he did the plaster work on the Post Office, and also work of this kind on many buildings in Cleveland. He did the plaster work on the Hamilton Building and at this time, in 1900, he moved his family to Akron, where he took contracts for plastering the First National Bank, the Library Building, the new Summit County Court-Hou.se and other large buildings.

In 1901, Mr. Billow, in partnei'ship with George W, Carmichael and George J. Shaffer, organized the Akron Paving and Plastering Company, locating at No. 262 South Broad- \vay, and this enterprise is already numbered with the important industries of the city.

In 1S75, Mr. Billow was married to Alice Bell, of Mansfield, Ohio, who died in 1883, leaving three children, namely: Paul, who is a student in the medical department of the Univei"sitv of Wisconsin, at ]\Iadi.*on; George 15., residing at Evansville, Indiana; and Grace, who married C. K. Reamer, residing at Akron. Mr. Billow was married (second) .Tuly 22, 1885, to Mary McGray. of Holmes County, Ohio, and thev have the following children : Herbert, Alice, Fern, May M., John, Kathryn and Dollie M. Mr. Billow and family are connected with the Methodist Episcopal Church.

WILLARD N. FITCH,* who fills the important office of paymaiiter for the great army of employes coimected with the Diamond Rubber Company at Akron, was born in 1872, in Medina County, Ohio, where he obtained a good, common school education and remained until he was twenty years of age.

In 1892, Mr. Fitch came to Akron and for one year worked for the Akron Grocery' Company, after which he was with his father for a short time in an insurance business. Following this he entered the employ of the

B. F. Goodrich Company and eighteen months later became foreman of a special department of the Diamond Rubber Company, a position he filled until 1897. when he became time-keeper. In 1900, Mr. Fitch was made paymaster and as such has entire charge of the pay rolls of this company, handling annually vast sums of money and disbursing the same which is mainly spent in Akron.

In 1898, Mr. Fitch wtis married to Nellie M. Huber, who is a daughter of P. C. Huber, of the Jacob Koch Company. They have two sons, James Huber and Robert Philip. With his family, Mr. Fitch belongs to Trinity Lutheran Church. He is a member of the Diamond Rubber Relief Association.