Canton Township (part 20 of 62)

Joseph Tyler was born in Thann, Alsace, France, in the year 1789. and there learned the trade of weaving under the direction of his father, and after the retirement of the latter he continued the operation of the mill for a number of years, his educational discipline ha\ing been received in the schools of his native province. In 1824 he was united in marriage to Miss Theresa Stucker, who was born in a village located two miles distant from Thann, and in 1836. accompanied by his family, lsh\ Tyler emigrated to America, having embarked at Havre, on the sailing vessel "Natchez," and having arrived in the port of New Y'ork after a voyage of thirty-two days. From the national metropolis the family came to Canton with as much expedition as possible under t'le primitive methods of transportation then in vogue. From Albany they proceeded by canal to Buffalo, where they embarked on a steamer and came to Cleveland, via Lake Erie, and from the Forest City they proceeded by canal boat to Massillon, Stark county, and thence by wagon to their destination in Canton, where they arrived in the latter part of September, 1836. Here for a time Joseph Tyler was employed in the fulling mill of Jacob Sprankle, and when the property was finally sold he engaged in contracting in mason work, in which he was a capable artisan, and he thereafter was successfully engaged in business along this line until his final retirement, his death occurring on the 19th of April, 1869, in his home, at the corner of Cleveland avenue and Second street. His devoted wife survived him by about a decade, her death occurring on the 20th of No\-ember, 1879, at the age of seventy-nine years and eleven months. Both were communicants of the Catholic church, in which faith they reared their children. They stood exponent of the utmost integrity of character, were folk of broad mental ken, and held the unequivocal confidence and regard of all who came within the sphere of their gracious influence. Joseph Tyler was a stanch Democrat in his political proclivities, and ever maintained a lively and intelligent interest in the questions and issues of the day.

ler we offer brief record, as follows : Catherine, who became the wife of a Mr. Thierry, died in Canton; Joseph removed to the state of Michigan, where his death occurred; Theresa, who became the wife of John Wernet, likewise died in Canton ; Dominic, the subject of this review, was the next in order of birth and the youngest of the children, all of whom were born in France.

In the town of Thann, province of Alsace, France, on the 31st of January, 1820, Dominic Tyler was born, and he was but six years of age at the time of his parents' emigration to America. He secured his preliminary education in the modest schools of the city of Canton, which was at that time but a village, and supplemented this training by a course of study in a private German school, taught by George Hekl, while he also was for a time a student in the academy conducted by Isaac Hartmann, the same having been located on the site of the present Union school building. At the age of fourteen years he began an apprenticeship at the drug business, entering the establishment of C. C. A. Witting, one of the pioneer business men of Canton, and continuing in his employ until 1848. Within this time the subject had acquired a good technical and practical knowledge of pharmacy, and after leaving Mr. Witting he went to the city of Cincinnati, where he was employed in a drugstore for the ensuing three years. He then went to Newport, Kentucky, where he engagetl in the drug business on his own responsibility. The enterprise proved very successful and Mr. Tyler accumulated sufficient to be in a position of indejaendence at the time when he closed out the business, in the autumn of 1862, when he returned to his old home in Canton. In Mav of that same year he had enlisted as a member of the Forty-second Kentucky Volunteers, the regiment being organized for state defense and and being at that time the only organized body of soldiers between the citv of Cincinnati and the headquarters of tiie Confederate general, Kirby Smith, who finally retreated. On several occasions the command was called out to repulse Morgan, the famous raider, but never engaged in battle. Air. Tyler received his discharge in November, 1862, at which time he secured a permit to come to Canton.

As early as 1857 Mr. Tyler had purchased a tract of two hundred acres of valuable land in Canton township, and the same now adjoins the city limits on the south, a fact which implies that its appreciation in value naturally was marked as the city advanced toward metropolitan proportions. He continued to hold this valuable estate in his possession until 1898, when he sold the property, the farm having been operated under his supervision during the intervening years, while he had made the best of improvements on the same. In the meantime he resided in a commodious and attractive residence which he had erected at the corner of South Market and Williams streets, and later resided on North Cleveland avenue, his present home. For a period of fifteen years Mr. Tyler was a stockholder of the Diebold Safe Works. one of the principal industrial concerns of the city, having closed out his interest in the same in 1896. Since disposing of his farm he has li\'ed retired, but he finds in the golden evening of his days a demand for his time and attention in looking after his \*arious real estate and capitalistic interests, for he has not been denied the due rewards of his efforts and is one of the well-to-do citizens of Canton, where he has for so many years maintained his home, being known as a man of marked business tact and sagacity and as one who has never infringed in the slightest degree the high ethical principles which make for strong and noble manhood, so that to him has ever lieen granted the unqualified esteem of all with whom he has come in contact in the various relations of life. In politics he has long been arrayed in the ranks of the Republican party, though his first presi- dential vote was cast in support of Buchanan. He has not been an extreme partisan, and in local affairs, where no national issue was involved, he has shown an independent attitude and has voted for the men whom he considered most worthy and eligible for otTice.

In Newport. Kentucky, in i860, Mr. Tyler was united in marriage to Ivliss Catherine Leftonville, a daughter of Elijah Leftonville, an honored citizen of that place, whither he removed from Virginia in the pioneer days, there passing the residue of his life. Mr. and Mrs. Tyler have but one child, Mary Theresa, who is the wife of William J. Piero, who is engaged in the law business in Canton, being one of the representative citizens of that place.

JOSEPH MEYER was born in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, about the year 181 5. and in 1818 his parents came westward and took up their residence in Stark county, Ohio, where his father took up a tract of wild land, which he eventually reclaimed to a large extent, placing the land under effective cultivation. It is needless to siieak in detail of the arduous toil involved in the connection, for the tales of the pioneer epoch have been often told and the hardships and privations which the early settlers were compelled to undergo have been the sul))ect of narration, though later generations' can scarce realize how much was implied in thus carrying forward the march of civilization. Joseph grew to maturity on the pioneer farm, and early began to assist in the work of reclaiming the land and preparing it for the plowshare, by which it has now been furrowed and re-furrowed lor years, bearing slight resemblance to the sylvan wild which was in evidence when his parents took up their abode. His educational advantages were perforce of limited scope, being such as were to be had in a desultory attendance in the little log schoolhouse, with its slab benches, puncheon floors and yawning fireplace, but for these primitive institutions no apology needs be made, for from them have been "graduated" many of the most eminent men of our great republic; in them was oft begotten the sturdy self-reliance and indomitable perseverance which led to greater things, and it is the glory of our nation that its sons have been and are able to rise from lowly position through their own efforts and to become important factors in the public, civic and industrial life of the republic. Mr. Meyer continued to devote his attention to the great basic art of agriculture, eventually purchasing and improving land of his own and becoming a successful and prosperous farmer of Canton township. A portion of the land which he there acquired is now in the possession of his son and is one of the line farms of the county. In 1846 Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Meyer, a cousin, and a native of Baltimore, Maryland, where their marriage was solemnized. Shortly afterward he returned to Stark county, in company with his bride, and here they continued to reside until the death of Mr. Meyer, which occurred on the nth of July, 1869. During the later years of his life he resided in Canton, and here his widow has ever since maintained her home, being now venerable in years and being honored as one of the pioneer women of the county and as one whose life h^is been animated by the noblest principles and by the deepest human sympathy, so that she has ever retained the friendship of all who have come within the sphere of her gracious influence. Mr. Meyer was a Democrat in politics and was a communicant of St. John's Catholic church, ever taking- a deep interest in its spiritual and temporal affairs, as has also his widow, who is likewise a devoted member of the church.

Mrs. ?kleyer was Ixirn in the parental homestead, on High street, in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, on the 30th of December, 1824, and was there reared and educated, having the best aehantages afforded in the church and private schools of the day, there having" heen no pnhhc school system in that period. She is a daughter of Godfrey and Catherine (Isers) Meyer, the former of whom was born in Baden, Germany, whence, as a young man, he emigrated to America, being accompanied by his brother, .Andrew, both locating in Baltimore, where they became successful business men. Two other brothers. Col. Francis and Ignatius, came to America somewhat later, and the latter of the two came to Canton in an early day and was one of the pioneer teachers of this section of the state, having been a man of fine presence and high scholastic attainments. He died in this city, honored by all who knew him. Godfrey and Andrew Meyer were for many years in the brass foundry business in Baltimore, and there the former died in 1848, his wife passing away in 1844. Of their seven children, the wife of the subject of this memoir is the only survivor.

Joseph anil Catherine (Meyer) Meyer became the parents of five children, namely : Elizabeth O., who is the wife of John F. Blake, of Canton; Edward J., a successful farmer of Canton township; George W., of Canton; Catherine C, who remains with her mother in the homestead; and Henry C, who died in 1894. The family are members of St. John's Catholic church and all of the children have proved an honor to their worthy parents.

Captain Richard B. Crawford

CAPTAIN RICHARD B. CRAWFORD. - Distinguished as a soldier and civilian and filling worthily high official positions, few men in Massillon have so stamped the impress of their individuality upon the community as has Capt. R. B. Crawford, a veteran of the late Civil war. and late a commissioner of Stark county.

hallowed by story, song and historical association, but, under the oppressive rule of Britian, kept from assuming its proper place among the nations of the earth. He was born on the 30th day of October, 1834, in county Fermanagh, the son of Michael and Ann Crawford, both natives of the same part of the country, as were their ancestors before them, Michael was the son of George Crawford, who li\ed and died in his native country, and Mrs. Crawford was a daughter of Richard Bracken, long a prominent citizen of county Fermanaglv and for a number of years its treasurer. Tlie subject's father died in Ireland and there sleeps with his ancestors ; the mother departed this life in England and lies buried in the cemetery at St. Helens.

The childhood and early youth of Captain Crawford were spent amid the quiet beauty of his native place and he remained there until about sixteen years old. Some years previous one of his uncles emigrated to America and returning to Ireland on a visit, detailed to the lad the many advantages which the land beyond the sea afforded young men with any ambition to rise in life. By this and other persuasive arguments he induced the boy to accompany him lo the United States, a movement which radically changed the entire course of the latter's life. Young Crawford and his relative arrived at the former's home in Carroll county, Ohio, on a Saturday night, and the following ]\londay the boy started to school under conditions to which he was a stranger, but to which, with his native vivacity and aptitude in taking advantage of circumstances, he soon adapted himself. He continued to attend the public schools, preparatory to taking a course in pharmacy. By reason of ill health he was obliged to forego his desire to become a druggist, but when sufficiently recovered he came to Massillon and apprenticed himself to learn the trade of carpentry. After serving his time and becoming efficient in his chosen calling he found work at remunerative wages in this city and continued liis trade with success and profit until the firing on h'ort Sumter disarranged his plans and effectually changed the nature of his employment. Mr. Crawford was among the first of Stark county's loyal young men to respond to the President's call for volunteers. In 1862 he enlisted in Company A, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, entering the service as a private, but six days later was made second lieutenant and as such discharged his duties until promoted first lieutenant in the summer of 1863, but was in command of his company from January i, 1863, until they were mustered out in 1864, at the expiration of their term of service. He served with distinguished gallantry until wounded almost to the death, when he was obliged to retire from the scene of conflict. Captain Crawford was with his command in all the campaigns and hard-fought battles in which it took part and under all circumstances proved himself a brave and intrepid .but cool and collected officer. He participated in many noted engagements, his regiment being part of the famous "Fighting Westerners," the Army of the Cumberland, that took such a promment part at Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, and the numerous engagements incident to the Atlanta campaign. At Missionary Ridge he commanded the consolidated companies A and F of his regiment and his fearless conduct in the face of danger, leading his command up the ridge at Signal Hill, inspired his men with renewed zeal and valor in the gallant charge that made that battle forever memorable and added greater laurels to themselves. The distinguished honor of planting the first Federal colors on the ridge, as seen from Generals Grant and Thomas's positions at Orchard Knob, belongs to his regiment, as verified by documents now in his possession, bearing the signature of that and great and good man, General George H. Thomas. The subject was among the first over the Confederate works, at the side of his orderly sergeant, Daniel Ritter, of Massillon, who was the first man over the enemy's works, the latter being killed at the side of Color Sergeant J. G. Lloyd. Both these heroes now lie in the national cemetery at Chattanooga. Captain Crawford was with the force sent to the relief of General Burnsidc at Knoxville and later took part in the battles of Louden, Kingston, Dandridge and Blaine's Cross Roads, re-enlisting at the last named place. He also shared with his comrades all the honors of war in the Atlanta campaign, and received a severe gunshot wound in the right leg at the battle of Pickett's Mills. He lay for some time unable to move and while in this helpless condition a Confederate regiment charged over his body, much to his discomfort and danger. At the battle of Stone River he was severely wounded in the chest but in due time recovered from the injury. He was with his command through all its varied experiences, except while in the hospital or on detached duty, but after receiving his wound at Pickett's Mills was no longer fit for active service. He was discharged in June, 1864, at Chattanooga, Tennessee, having earned a reputation for bravery and gallantry of which any soldier might well feel proud.

Recently Captain Crawford was appointed by (Governor Nash a member of the commission to locate and mark the positions of the Ohio regiments at the battle of Mission Ridge, and to select and erect a suitable monument to Ohio's heroes who fell during this engagement, only those who took part in the battle being eligible to such service. The commission visited the battle field in the fall of IQ02 and performed the duty assigned in a praiseworthy manner, the occasion bringing vividly to mind the terrible conflict in which the members took part so many years ago.

building material, etc., buying out the establishment owned and operated by the gentleman with whom he formerly learned his trade. The enterprise proved financially successful and under his able management the business prospered until 1873, when the entire establishment was destroyed by fire. As soon as possible thereafter a company was organized under the firm name of the Massillon Contracting and Building Company, of which the Captain became general manager. The shops were rebuilt upon a much larger scale than formerly and the business increased greatly, the establishment eventually becoming the leading enterprise of the kind in the city. Captain Crawford continued to manage the company's affairs until appointed by President Arthur postmaster of Massillon, when he sold out his interest in the business so as to give his entire time to the duties of the office. He proved an able and obliging public servant, discharging his official functions with credit to himself and satisfaction to the people for a period of four years and two months, at the expiration of which time he turned his attention to other matters. The Captain has long been an influential factor in local politics and for a number of years has been one of the trusted leaders of the Republican party in Stark county. He has done much to promote the interest of the party and not a little of its success in city, county, state and national campaigns has been due to his wise counsel and judicious leadership. In the year 1887 he made the race for sheriff, and no doubt was fairly and honestly elected but by reason of a technicality was counted out by thirty-seven votes. Shortly after this he was appointed assistant sergeant at arms of the Ohio state senate, in which capacity he served until 1895. when he resigned, although importuned by the members of that body to continue in the position.

commissioner, a position for which his sound judgTnent and excellent business training peculiarly fitted him. So well did he discharge his duties as custodian of the people's most vital interests that he was chosen his own successor in 1898, and continued in the ofiice until the expiration of his second term in September, 1902. During the administration of the board of which he was a member much important business was transacted and a number of public improvements inaugurated and carried to successful completion. Not the least among the various enterprises projected was the letting of tlie contract for a woman's building at the county infirmary, to cost the sum of forty-six thousand dollars, the credit for which is largely due the efforts of the Captain, who especially championed the measure.

Captain Crawford is a wide-awake, progressive man of fine business abilities and has succeeded well in whatever he has undertaken. In the broadest and best sense of -the term, he is a self-made man ; coming to this country a poor boy and obliged to rely entirely upon his own efforts for advancement, he went about the matter with a will and the position which he today occupies in the world of affairs is the legitimate result of wisely directed energy, supplemented by correct principles and integrity that has ever been above reproach. In the main he has been successful in temporal things, owning a beautiful home on East Main street, not far from the business center of the city, besides other city property. He is a zealous member of the Loyal Legion and the Grand Army of the Republic, and maintains an active interest in everything relating to the old soldiers. He has also been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows since 1856.

Captain Crawford has been twice married, the first time on the 21st of October, 1858. to Miss Margaret Jane Clark, a beautiful and accomplished lady born in Stark county. Ohio, the daughter of James and Margaret Clark.

Her father was a native of Ireland. Slie Ijore her hus1)and one daughter, Ella J., and died August 19. 1862. The Captain's second marriage was solemnized on the 13th day of November. 1866. with Eliza, daughter of John and Mary W'ertzbaugher. a union blessed w ith five children : George Thomas is secretary of the Tuxtepec Development Company, of Columbus, Ohio: Richard B.. Jr.. is conducting a life and fire insurance agency in this city and doing a prosperous business : John M. is connected wnh the Standard Horseshoe Nail Company of New Brighton, Pennsylvania; W. Harry, a graduate of the law department of the Ohio State University, is assistant secretary of the Diebold Safe and Lock Works, Canton, Ohio ; and .Mary A., a young lady of superior intellectual attainments and culture, departed this life on the 26th of March. 1898, in her seventeenth year.

LEONARD BETZ.-- -Unfortunately there is available at the present time but little specific information concerning the ancestry of the subject, for botn his parents died when he was a mere child and he had never secured any definite genealogical record in his later years. Leonard Betz was of German lineage, as the name clearly indicates, and the original American representatives of the family took up their abode in Pennsyhania in_ the early colonial epoch. Leonard was born in Northumberland county, that state, on the 28th of December. 1828, being a son of Henry Betz, who was undoubtedly a native of the Keystone state, where he was reared to maturity and where he was married, the maiden name of his wife having been Long. Henry Betz went forth as a soldier in the war of 181 2, and it is certain 1>eyond peradventure that he met his death while thus serving his country, and while he was thus absent, and -Aithin a short time after leaving his home, his wife ga\'e l)irth to their son. Leonard, who was never seen i)y his father, and who was soon left to the care of his widowed muther. She returned to the home of her pareiUs after the death of her husband, and when the subject of this memoir was a lad of seven years she assigned him to the charge of a Mr. Dodridge, in whose home Mr. Betz was reared, his foster father having been a valiant soldier in the war of the Revolution. He was the owner of a good farm, located about seven miles distant from Allentown, Lehigh county, and there young Betz earh' became familiar with the strenuous work of agriculture, working assiduously and availing himself of the somewhat primitive educational advantages which were afforded him in the common schools of the locality. He had an alert mentality and a retentive memory and was thus able to profit by these opportunities to a greater degree than the average farmer boy of the locality and period. When he was twelve years old his mother, died, and he thereafter continued with ]\Ir. Dodridge until tlie death of the old gentleman, who was a tailor bv trade and who devoted more or less attention to work in this line, in connection with the operation of his farm. Thus Mr. Betz was enabled tn partially learn the trade under the direction of his kind old master, and later he practically completed an apprenticeship at the trade and became a skilled workman. He followed this vocation as a ji>in"neynian ni TVnnsyl\-ania for a numl)er of years, and while thus engaged he was married, in the town of Longswamp. Lehigh county, on the T3th of October. 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Steffy. They soon afterward took up their residence in Berks county, and after an interval removed thence to Adanistown, Lancaster county, they maintained their home for a period of nine years. Mr. Betz being there successfully engaged in the work of his trade. His health finally became so seriously impaired that he was compelled to abandon his trade for a time, and for a few vears he conducted a hotel in Aclamstowii. From that place they removed to Schaefferstown. Lebanon county, where Mr. Betz conducted a successful business as a dealer in butter, eggs and other farm produce, continuing in this line of enterprise for about a decade, at the expiration of which, in the fall of 1857, he came with his family to Canton. In the following spring he purchased property at the corner of Cherry and East Tuscarawas streets, and made excellent improvements on the house and grounds, so that the home was made a comfortable and attractive one. ^Ir. Betz engaged in the produce business in the Cassidy block, handling butter, eggs, poultry, etc., on an extensive scale and becoming one of the leading business men of the town, which then had a population of about one tliousand. After the destruction of the Cassidy buildmg by fire he removed to Piedmont street, wdiere he continued in the same line of business for a number of years, practically up to the time of his death. He eventually expanded the scope of his enterprise, handling- pro^'isions and later making improvements on his building and there installing a stock of groceries, so that his establistiment represented one of the leading mercantile concerns of the town, while h\ his honorable methods and unflagging energy he succeeded in building up a profitable enterprise, he ever holding the implicit confidence and esteem of all who knew him. In politics Mr. Betz was an uncompromising Democrat, but he never sought the honors or emoluments of public ofiice. He was a zealous and consistent member of the German Evangelical church, and in all the relations of life he was true and loyal, ha\ing a high sense of his stewardship and guiding his course according to the highest princi]iles of integrity and honor. He became tlie owner of a good farm in Stephenson county, Illinois, and there he resided for a short time, believing that the out-door life would jirove of benefit to his somewhat fragile health. He e\'entually disposed of this property and thereafter resided at his home in Canton until his death, which occurred on the 7th of September, 1869. He was distinctively kn-al to the Union cause during the Rebellion, and at the time of Morgan's celebrated raid through Ohio and Indiana, when the local excitement was intense, he had in his possession eight horses, which he promptly turned over to the volunteers who set forth in pursuit of the doughty raider.

Of the children born to Leonard and Elizabeth Betz brief record is entered as follows : Caroline, born on the 22d of February. 1835, Ijecame the wife of Israel Meyers, who came here from Pennsylvania, and she died in Canton in 1863. They had three children: John Leonard died in infancy, John Henry, now a blacksmith in Canton, and L)-man Eugene, who died when about one year of age. Sarah, born September 20, 1836, was married, in 1859. at Canton, to John Heckman. and they became the parents of two children. Ixith ()f whom are now deceased. Emeline. born September 7. 1838, was first married to F. Ream, by whom she had one child, now ^Irs. Alice Lichtenwalter, who is now a widow with two daughters and two sons. She later married Daniel Maser. whom she also survives, and maintains her home in Canton. Henry, who was born on the 7th of April, 1841, went forth in defense of the L'nion as a member of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and while in the service was taken ill, being brought to his home by his father. He had previously married Charlotte Glass, and his death occurred in Canton in 1870: he had four children, of whom three are living, Cora, now Mrs. Clark: Laura Betz. and Leonard, who married a ^liss Cassidy, of Canton. George, born on the loth of ^larch. 1843, died in Canton, in 1882, and is survived by his wife (nee Kate Emrick) and two of their children,, Mary, now Mrs. Eckhart. and Elmer, who married Rosa Deckert. John, born on the 25th of December, 1845, married Sarah

Royer, and lie died in Canton, in 1880. Mai'y Elizabetli. born July i, 1854, was the wife of Gottlieb Eicher, of Canton. She died January 5, 1901. leaving two children, Bertha, who married \\'illiam Schrock, and Leonard, unmarried, both residing in Columbus, Ohio.

Elizabeth (StefTy) Betz was born in Lehigh count}', Pennsylvania, on the 9th of November, 1809, being a daughter of Frederick Steft'y. who was likewise a native of Pennsylvania and a representative of one of the early pioneer families of the state, being of German extraction, as the name indicates. His wife, whose maiden name was Polly Smith, was born in the Keystone state, being a daughter of Melchor Smith, and both passed their entire ii\'es in Pennsylvania. The daughter, Elizabeth, was reared under the conditions of pioneer days, her early educational discipline ha\ing been received in a primitive log schoolhouse, and she was able to attend school about one month in each year, her services being demanded at home during the greater portion of the time, while she became adept in spinning, knitting and weaving- home-spun cloth, from which the most of the family clothing was manufactured. She still had in her possession at the time of her decease a Ijedspread which was spun and woven by her mother, and it is needless to say that she highly prized this relic of the pioneer days, particularly by reason of its association -with one whose life was one of utmost devotion and self-abnegation. Mrs. Betz had the distinction of being the oldest inhabitant of Cantun at the time of her death, which occurred April i, 1903, and in her venerable age her memory remained peculiarly alert and she retained her mental and physicial vigor to a most remarkalile degree. This honored pioneer lady contributed much of the data utilized in the compilation of this sketch and her reminiscences of the early days in Pennsylvania and Ohio were replete with interest and shijuld have been recorded fullv in a way not possible in a compilation of this pro\'ince. When young she became a member of the German Reformed church, but after her marriage she identified herself with the German Evangelical church, of which she ever remained a consistent member, having been an active worker in the same until the infirmities of advanced age rendered this impossible. She was a woman of gentle and kindly nature, and, in the golden evening of her long and worthy life, she was sustained and comforted by an unwavering Christian faith and by the love and devotion of her children and a wide circle of friends to whom she had become endeared during the long years of her r-isidence in Canton. Of Mrs. Sarah Heckman, who co-operated with her mother in supplying the subject matter for this sketch and memoir, it is but consistent that more specific mention be made in these concluding paragraphs. She was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, and was reared to maturity in the old Keystone state, her educational discipline being secured in the schools of Adamstown and of Lebanon county, and during the greater portion of her early years she devoted the major portion of her time to assisting in the household duties of her home. She accompanied her parents on their removal to Canton, in 1847, and here, on the 13th of November, 1859, she was united in marriage to John Heckman, a native of Canton, having been born in the parental homestead at the corner of Cherry and East Tuscarawas streets, on the 19th of April, 1838, a son of John and Ehzabeth (Houtz) Heckman. the former of whom was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, whence he made the trip to Ohio on horseback in the early pioneer days, remaining a short time and then returning to Pennsylvania. A few years later he again came to Ohio, and located in Canton, where was solemnized his marriage to Elizabeth Houtz, who was born on the old Houtz farm, a portion of which is now within the city limits of Canton, the family having settled here in a very early day. John Heckman, Jr., was reared in Canton, where he had such educational advantages as were afforded by the common schools of the day, and here he learned the trade of chairmaker and painter, to which he devoted his' attention until about 1890. lia\ing been successful in his efforts and being known as one of the worthy and honored citizens of his native place. He is now living retired from active business. In politics he accords an unequivocal support to the Republican party. Mr. and Mrs. Heckman had two children, both of whom are dead, William Alfred and Leonard Harvey, the former dying at the age of fourteen and the latter at the age of six vears.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN RAFF was born in the village of Navarre, Paris township, this county, on the 15th of April, 1837, being a son of William and Mary Raff, who were pioneers of the county and who removed to the city of Canton when he was a child of four years, here passing the residue of their lives. He received his early educational discipline in the Canton schools, the now populous and attractive city being then little more tlian a country village, and at the age of sixteen years he here entered upon an apprenticeship at the printer's trade, a discipline which has been consistenth- termed equivalent to a liberal education. He learned the trade under the direction of Archibald McGregor, who was a prominent figure in the affairs of the county at that time, and aljout the time of his majority Mr. Raft' made the overland trip to what is now the city of Denver, Colorado, the gold excitement in that state being then at its height, while the locality was on the veritable frontier of civilization. In Denver Mr. Raft" associated himself with anotlier young man in the establishment of a newspaper, the same being one of the first to be published in that place, and later he joined his two brothers, William and Daniel, in prospecting for gold in that region, the three locating a number of claims and being fairly successful in their quest for the precious metal. His brother continued to be identified with mining and prospecting for several years, but the subject disposed of his interest in the line and enlisted in a regiment of Colorado cavalry, engaged in battling with the Indians when necessity demanded and also in warding off the attacks of the bands of border ruffians who infested the state at the time. He continued in the miHtary service until the expiration of his term of enlistment, after which, in the summer of 1864, he returned to his old home in Canton, where he was married on Christmas day of the following year, shortly after which, in company with his bride, he went to Trenton, New Jersey, and near that city became associated with his two brothers previously mentioned, in th.e milling business, an enterprise with which he continued to be identified for the ensuing five years. At the expiration of this period he disposed of his interests in the mill and returned to Canton, where he entered into partnership with his father-in-law in the same line of business, the firm having one of the finely equipped flouring-mills of this section of the state and building up a large and profitable business. Witii this important industry ]\Ir. Raff continued to be identified until he was summoned from the scene of life's activities, his death occurring on the 17th of March. 1880. He was a man of impregnable integrity, kindly and courteous in all the relations of life, sagacious and progressive in his business methods and fond of the ideal associations of his home, where the intrinsic nobility of his character shone with its utmost refulgence, cheering and brightening all who came within its genial and grateful iniluence. He was a devoted husband and father, and to those nearest and dearest to him his memory will ex'er rest "like the bene- diction that follows after prayer." Though without any ])er.sonal ambition in a political way, he was a standi Democrat of the Douglas school and was well fortified in his convictions in this line as in all others. He was baptized in the Lutheran church and continued tO' attend its services throughout his life, his views l^eing in harmony with the tenets of this faith, while his widow has been a devoted member of the church from her youth up.

On tile 25th of Decemter, 1865, Mr. Raff was united in marriage to IVIiss Elizabeth Davis, who was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, whence her parents removed to the city of Philadelphia when she was a child. In the Ijeautiful old "City of Brotherly Love" she was reared to the age of twelve years, and there she secured her preliminary educational training in select schools and afterward continued her studies in the public schools. When she was twelve years old her parents came to Canton, Ohio, and liere she attended a select school taught by Mrs. Saxton, Mrs. McKinley, widow of the late lamented President and loved citizen of Canton, having been one of her schoolmates, while their frienrlship remained inviolate during all the intervening years. Mrs. Raff is a daughter of Zachias M. and Sarah (Essig) Davis, both of whom are now deceased, the closing years of their lives having been passed in Canton where they held the highest esteem of all who knew them. The father passed awa\' in i8(S7 at the age of seventy years, having long been one of the representative business men of this city, while liis wife was summoned into eternal rest in i8<)3. at' the age of seventy-six years. Of the five children born to Mr. and Mrs. Raff lirief data is as follows: Clara Mabel died at the age of five years ; Herbert, who is engaged as chemist and in constructing and operating cemfent mills in various parts of the United States, married Miss Edna Cox and they have two children, Richard D. and Catherine E. : Rav Melville, secretary of the

Gold Hill Mining Company, of Canton, resides at the maternal home, as do also the two younger children. Howard Lee and Helen May. The family residence is one of the many attractive homes which grace the city of Canton, is located on Logan avenue and is the center oi, gracious and refined hospitality.

known as one of the most progressive and energetic business men and worthy citizens of Canton, where his death occurred on the 13th of April, 1902. He was a native son of tbe fair Emerald Isle, having been born in Mountrath, Queens county, Ireland, on the I4tli of January. 1848, a son of Henry and Jane (Sawyer) IMelbourne. both of whom were bom in that same county, of stanch Irish lineage, and there the former passed his entire life, his death occurring in Mountrath, in igoo. at the age of seventy-four years. He was a man of prominence in that locality, where his interests were of varied nature, since he was engaged in farming and milling and also in the mercantile business. His widow still lives in ]\Iountrath. having attained the age of seventy-four years, and there also reside her two daughters. Mesdames Lizzie Kerr and Jane Ellis. John S. Melbourne was reared in his native county, receiving his educational discipline in the schools of Mountrath. while as a voutli he aided his father in the work of the farm and mill, gaining excellent ideas in regard to practical business methods. In 1869. upon attaining his legal majority, he set forth to seek his fortunes in .\nierica. where he felt convinced he would find superior advantages for the gaining of, definite success through individual efforts. He sailed from Oueenstown and in due course of time laufled in New York city, where he remained onI\- a short time, coming thence directly to Canton, for the jiurpose of joining his cousin, John ^Meredith, through whose solicilation and advice he had been induced to come to the United States. His cousin was a stone-cutter by trade and lie persuaded the subject to engage in the same hne of business with him. Mr. Melbourne accordingly learned the trade and for a number of years he was associated in business with Mr. Meredith. In 1870 his marriage occurred, and within the same 3^ear he engaged in contracting and building on his own responsibility, and in this line he ultimately attained marked precedence, having secured many important contracts and having erected many fine private and public buildings in this locality, as well as in other sections of the state. He enjoyed the liighest reputation for reliability and for utmost fidelity to the terms of contract, and upon his entire business career there rests no shadow, for he was true to himself and thus true in all- the relations of life, having the power of a self-respecting and noble manhood. - an exalted power, no matter what may be a man's station in life. His first individual contract was in the erection of the Ogden hotel, in Canton, now known as the Barnett hotel, and among other important buildings erected by him mav be mentioned the following: The city hall, the market house, the Central engine-house, the First Methodist Episcopal church, the Meyer block, the Garfield avenue school building, the stone work of the great plant of the Deuber- Hampden Watch Company. He also erected and owned the Melbourne hotel, which he rented until a short time prior to his decease. His energy was untiring and he was indefatigable in his efforts, alert, vigorous and full of initiative power, so that to him success came as a natural sequel. He continued in active business up to the time of his death, and when he was called from the scenes of life's endeavors the community realized the loss of a valuable citizen, an upright business man and one whose integrity was beyond cavil. In 1889 Mr. Melbourne was one of the organizers of the

Canton & Malvern Fire Brick Paving Company, of which he became the principal stockholder, and he continued to be identified with this enterprise for a period of about thirteen years. In 1889 he erected a beautiful and commodious modern residence at 191 7 West Tuscarawas street, taking up his abode in the same in January. 1890. and there he continued to make his home until the close of his life, while his widow still resides in this fine residence which her lamented husband took so great pride and satisfaction in providing, for his home life represented the most ideal phase of his life, and mutual devotion made the same one of utmost consecration on his part and that of his wife, who was his true companion and helpmeet and upon whom falls the heav}' burden of berea\-ement. To her, however, must there e\er be a measure of recompense and solace in the memory of the noble life of intimately linked with her own, and the "dear, dead days beyond recall" have not failed to leave their benediction, though she is denied the "touch of a vanished hand and the sound of a voice that is still." Mr. Melbourne was thoroughly alive to the duties and responsibilities of citizenship, and took an active interest in public aft'airs, having given an uncompromising allegiance to the Republican party. He was reared in the faith of the established church of England and retained his membership in the Episcopal church after coming to the United States, ever showing the highest reverence for the true spiritual verities. On the 2d of Jnne. 1870. in Canton, was solemnized the marriag^e of Mr. Melbourne to Miss Mary C. Latimer, who was born in this city, her place of nativity having- been the building now occu])ie(l by the Homer Clothing Company. This building, which is a veritable lan.dmark, was erected in 1819, by John Sterling, who was the first husband of Mrs. Elizabeth (Sailor) Gitchell. who was the maternal grandmother of Mrs. IMelbourne. After at- tending- the public schools of Canton for three years, within which time one of her teachers was Miss Anna AIcKinley, a sister of the late lamented President McKinley. Mrs. Melbourne contmned her educational discipline in a select school conducted by the Misses Kate Saxton and Mary Hazlett, and here she completed her academic course. Her father, Robert C Latimer, was born in Osnaburg, this county, on the 14th of May, 1820, from which fact it becomes patent that she is a representative of one of the early pioneer families of Stark county. Her uncle. George Latimer, was the first white male child born in the county. Roljert C. Latimer remained on the pioneer farm until he had attained maturity, and when a young man located in Canton, where he was engaged in the carriage manufacturing business until his death, which occurred on the' 26th of August, 1864. He was a man of upright character and became one of the representative business men of the city in the early days. His wife, whose maiden name was Cordelia Gitchell, was born on the nth of May, 1827. in the same building in which her daughter, Mrs. Melbourne, was later ushered into the world and to which reference has already been made. Cordelia (Gitchell) Latimer was a daughter of Levi and Elizabeth (Sailor) Gitchell, the latter having been the widow of John Sterling, previously mentioned in this context. Levi Gitchell was a native of Scotland, whence he emigrated to America, taking up his residence in Canton in the early pioneer epoch, when the i)lace was but a straggling village in the midst of the primitive forest. Here he became a prominent merchant, being associated with his wife in carrying on the general store established by her previous husband in the old building to which reference has lieen made. Mr. (litchcll died in Canton, in 1833. He was a man of many social graces and was a great favorite in the social circles of the town, as was also his wife, who was a woman of gracious refinement. They became the parents of three children, namely : Cordelia Ann. mother of Mrs. Melbourne; Samuel, who is an honored pioneer resident of Canton, having atained the age of seventy-four years; and Remus, who died at the age of eighteen years. Elizabeth (Sailor) Gitchell was born in AVashington county, Pennsylvania, on the 6th of June. 1786, and her death occurred in Canton on the 21st of April, 1864, both she and her husband being laid to rest in Westlawn cemetery. In Pennsylvania she was married to John Sterling, and in 1806. only two years after the admission of Ohio to the statehood, they came to Stark county, the journey being made on horseback, while Mrs. Sterling's two little daughters rode on the horse with her, being strapped securely at her back. Mr. Sterling entered a tract of government land, upon a portion of which the present city of Canton now stands, and here, in addition to becoming the pioneer merchant of the town, he also operated a tannery, the same being located on the present site of the depot of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, while his general store was located at the corner of what is now East Tuscarawas street anil the public square. He here continued in active business until his deatli, in 1823. His children were as follows : I'anny. who made a romantic marriage at the age of fourteen years, becoming the wife of George Binkley. died at the age of thirty-three years, leaving thirteen children; Eliza, who became the wife of Daniel Dewalt, died in Canton, her home being located on the public square, and she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Henry Bowen, of South Cleveland avenue; Maria, who became the wife of David Rowan, also died in Canton; Margaret, the wife of John C. Hart, died in East Akron, Ohio: Marinda and Matilda were twins, and the former, who liecame the wife of John Smith, died in New Philadelphia. Ohio, while the latter, Mrs. George Kirk, died in Cleveland;

Jolm married Mary Ann Todd and his death occurred in Canton ; Jacob, who married Jane Moffet, is a resident of Canal Dover, Ohio; Catlierine died in childhood, as did also Samuel.

Robert Latimer, grandfather of Mrs. Melbourne, was born on a farm near Sewickley, Pennsylvania, on the 3d of June, 1777, and in that state she was reared to maturity and there married Anna \\'att, who accompanied him on his removal to Ohio. He was a grandson of Arthur Latimer, who was born and reared in England, whence he came to America in 1736, being a widower and being accompanied by his live children, namely: Robert, James, George (great-grandfather of Mrs. Melbourne), Susan and Sarah. George Latimer married Margaret Potter, who died in Osnaburg. Stark county, on the 12th of May, 1810, her tombstone being the oldest marker in \^'estlawn cemetery, in Canton. The various members of the Latimer family were and are identified principally with agricultural pursuits. Robert and Anna (Watt) Latimer became the parents of ten children, namely : Benjamin, who died in Sharon, Pennsylvania; George, who was the first male white child born in Stark county, Ohio, and who was the father of Dr. J. P. Latimer, a representative physician of Newark, Ohio ; Parkinson died in Massillon, this county; John is also deceased, ne\ er having married ; Margaret, who' became the wife of John Sellers, died in Massillon; Sarah, wife of William Sellers, died in Canton ; Maiy died at the age of twenty-two years, unmarried, as did also Martha; Rachel, the wife of Peter Gallagher, died in the state of Illinois ; and Robert C. was the father of Mrs. Melbourne, wife of the subject of this memoir. Robert C. and Cordelia (Gitchell) Latimer became the parents of four children, concerning whom we incorporate the following brief record : Elizabeth died at the age of seventeen years; Mary C. is the widow of the subject;

To Mr. and Mrs. Melbourne were born four children, namely: Frank J., who was born on the 19th of December, 1871, married Miss Jennie Gibbs, of Cleveland, and now resides in Canton; Beatrice J., born October 19, 1872, completed the course in the Canton high sciiool and remains with her mother in the beautiful home; Corwin, born in 1874, died at the age of three months; and Grace G., born March 8, 1884, remains at the maternal home, being a student in the private school of Miss Beckingham five years and is now a graduate from that school. Mrs. Melbourne is a member of the First Baptist church, in whose affairs she maintains a deep and active interest, and she has ever held a prominent place in the best social activities of the city in which her entire life has been passed, her home having been a center of gracious and refined hospitality.

AUGUSTUS DANNEMILLER is a native son of Canton, Ohio, having Ijeen born in the old homestead on North Market street, on the 27th of April, 1846, jjeing a son of Benedict Dannemiller, one of the representative business men of Canton for many years. Of him individual mention is made on another page of this work, and to the article in question reference may be made for further ancestral data in regard to the son. Augustus received his early educational discipline in the public schools, and when but twelve years of age he began to assist in the work of his father's grain elevator, continuing to attend school at intervals. Li 1869 Benedict Dannemiller established himself in the wholesale grocery l)usiness in Canton, and the subject and his brother William were given an interest in the enterprise at the time, while later the other two brothers, Edward and lulius, also became identified with the husiness as members of the firm. In April. 1902, tiie business was reorganized and was duly incorporated under the laws of the state, under the title of the Canton Grocery Company, and at this time Augustus Dannemiller was made president and general manager of the concern. The trade territory of the company is of wide scope and is constantly expanding under the effective methods brought to bear, antl has representation in sections where competition is most active and where only true merit and reliability could obtain recogiiition of so notable a character as is accorded to the house. The company have commodious and well equipped quarters and carry full and comprehensive lines of staple and fancy groceries, provisions and grocers' supplies, while a large corjjs of traveling men represent the concern throughout its trade territorv. I'he interested ]irincipals are thoroughly experienced in their line tif industry and are so intimately conversant with the intrinsic values of lines handled as to enable them to purchase and supply stock upon the most expedient terms and with particular facility. These facts are most clearly demonstrated l)y the notable success in catering to the large wholesale patronage, the business in all departments being thoroughly systematized. Tn addition to his interests in this concern Augustus Dannemiller is also a member of the directorate of the ]"'irst National Bank of Canton.

Tn politics Mr. Dannemiller is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party. 1^'raternally he is identified with the Bene\-olent and I'mtective Order of Elks. He is known as a public-spirited citizen and representative business man of his native city, and the success which has attended his efforts is shown in the definite ])recedence and prosperity recorded in his career.

Francis Thierry, who was an honored citizen of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Dannemiller have si.x children, namely : Catherine, w"ho still remains at the parental home; Augustus F., who is second lieutenant in the Twentyninth United States Regular Infantry in the Philippines: Mary, at home; Robert, who is a student in Notre Dame University, at South Bend, Indiana; and Frank and Julienne, who remain at the parental home.

DENVER C. HUGHES. - One of the able young representatives of the bar of Stark county is Denver C. Hughes, who is engaged in the practice of his profession in Canton, w'here he is also incumbent of the responsible position of city solicitor. On both sides of the agnatic line he is identified with old and honored families of the ]3uckeye state, both the Hughes and Shre\-e families having also been concerned with the annals of the nation since the early colonial epoch.

Denver C. Hughes is a nati\'e son of Holmes count v. ha\ing been burn in Washington township, on the ist of November, 1870, and Ijeing a son of John S. and Lavenia (Quick) Hughes, of whose children the following is a brief record : Charles Wellington, born Jinie 24, 1858, is a resident of Eleanor, Pennsylvania; Carrie Edith, born February 14, i860, is the wife of Dr. Edgar J. March, who is engaged in the practice of medicine in Canton, and they ha-\-e two children, Chandos and Thorald ; Bert, born June 22, 1861, is a resident of .Stark county, and Denver C. is the immediate subject of this sketch. Ezram Hughes, grandfather of Denver C, was born in Harford county, Maryland, in 1798, and was there re;u"C(l ancl educated, the family ha\ing long been established in that commonwealth. In 1815 he came to Ohio, locating in Wayne county, where he remained until 1824, when ho removed to Holmes countw where he en- tered eighty acres of wild land which he eventually reclaimed into a valuable farm, and tliere he passed the residue O'f his life, his death occurring ni 1871. In 1826, at Shreve, Wayne county, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Rosanna Shre\'e, who was born in Fayette county. Pennsylvania, on the 15th of October, 1810. and of whose ancestral line definite record will be made in following paragraphs, the history of the Shreve family in America being peculiarly interesting. Of this union were born the following children, all being natives of Holmes county: Mary, who married* John N'ance and who still resides in Nashville; Hannah, who died in 1840, at the age of eleven years ; Margaret, who is the wife: of John McMillen, of Nashville; John S., who is the father of the subject; Thomas W., who maried Alary Greenawald and who resides in Toledo, Ohio ; Judson, who married Mary Josephine Ivendall and who died in Nashville, Holmes county, in 1895; Louis D., who married Ellen Drake and now resides in LaGrange county; Eliza, who is the wife of Paul Drake, of Nashville, Ohio, and Franklin, who married Emma C. Melott and who resided near Nashville. The mother of these children died in 1878.

John S. Hughes, father of the subject, was born near Nashville, Holmes county, Ohio, on the 2d of September, 1833, and was there reared and educated, grow'ing to manhood on the old homestead. In his early manhood he devoted his attention to teaching in the district schools for a number of years, and since that time he has been consecutively identified with agricultural pursuits. In 1900 he removed to Stark county and now resides on his fine farmstead, five miles west of Canton, on the Massillon road. On the 8th of October, 1857. he was united in marriage to Miss Lavenia Quick, who was born in Holmes county, Ohio, on the 8th of October. 1857, being a daughter of Cordelius Quick, who was one of the honored pioneers of that county, whither he came from his native state of Pennsylvania. Of the children of this union mention has already been made. In politics John S. Hughes is a stanch Republican and both he and his wife are worthy members of the Methodist Episcopal church.

The American ancestors of the Shreve family were of English and Dutch birth, were Quakers in religion and were dwellers in the colony of Rhode Island and also on Long Island, whence they emigrated to New Jersey, where, at an early period in its history, they purchased large tracts of land and became known as planters. Many of their descendants are still to be found in New Jersey and New York, and the simple and noble faith of the Society of Friends has continued to find many adherents in the family to the present day. The following qutation is from a genealogical work compiled by L. P. Allen, of Greenfield, Illinois : "The ancestry of the Shreve family emerges from tradition when the annals of Plymouth, Massachusetts, and Portsmouth, Rhode Island, at an early date after the landing of the Mayflower, record the name of 'Sheriff.' December 7, 1641, at Plymouth. Thomas Sheriff was a complainant in the action of trespass, and twenty-five years later. December 10, 1666, he was grantor in a conveyance at Portsmouth. An, inventory of his estate was filed at Portsmouth June 11, 1675. In those vicinities, then, he must have lived and died. He was very probably born before 1620, and his wife, Martha, not later than 1635. His death occurred May 29, 1675, when he was aged fifty-five years or more, while she survived at least sixteen years, marrying a second and third time, respectively Thomas Hazard and Lewis Hues. The traditional ancestry of the Shre\'e family is very interesting and entertaining, as presented by the late Samuel H. Shreve, civil engineer of New York city, who, during the latter years of his life, devoted much time and labor to the studv of the ancestrv of the family. In 1883 he wrote as follows: 'I have been interested in the subject of the Shreve family for some years and have embraced every opportunity to add to my stock of information, from the time Caleb Shreve, who settled at Mount Pleasant, Mansfield township, Burlington county, New Jersey, I am satisfied that what I have is authentic. Previously to that it is traditional but I believe mainly correct. The first Shreve of whom I have any account was Sir William Shreve, who came from the southeastern part of Europe, - some say Greece, others hint at Turkey, in both of which countries, especially in the latter, the name of Sheriff was not uncommon, but borne only by Mohammedan families. I can not fix the time of Sir William. He married Elizabeth Fairfax (tradition says Lady Elizabeth, but I always suspect titles, etc., in family traditions) and had a son William, who married a young lady of Amsterdam by the singular name of Ora Ora, or Oara Oara, the daughter of a wealthy nobleman. 1 have no doubt of Oara being an ancestress of the family. After their marriage, the story of which is quite romantic, they came to Portsmouth, Rhode Island. They had positively, two sons, Caleb and John, and probably a third, who left no descendants. We are now able to make a guess at the date of Caleb's birth, from an old deed still in the family. The deed is from John Cooke, of Portsmouth, in the colony of Rhode Island, to John Shreve, of the same town, and conveys three- fourths of all his right and property at Shrewbury, New Jersey. Deed is dated January 9, 1676-7; on the back is a transfer from the same John Shreve to his beloved brother, Caleb Shreve. Caleb Shreve received warrants for land from tlie East Jersey proprietors as early as 1676. He was certainly of age at this time, and it would be safe to assume that his birth occurred about 1650 to 1655. Allowing thirty years to a generation, we would have the date of the birth of Sir William 1590. which is confirmed by the traditions that he was born in the latter part of the sixteenth century. * * * I do not think that Caleb Shreve ever lived on Long Island, but he married there Sarah, daughter of Derick or Deidrick Areson, of Flushing. I do not know the date of his marriage nor when he removed to Shrewsbury township. New Jersey; both events occurred probably about 1680. His name is spelled in various ways, but by himself always Shreve. He lived on Narumsunk, now miscalled Rumsom Neck. He served as grand juror in the years 1692-3-4. Before coming to Burlington county he resided in Freehold, New Jersey, for a few years, probably removing there from Narumsunk about 1692. He purchased Mount Pleasant, in Mansfield township, the old homestead that has been in the possession of the family ever since, in April, 1699, and moved there immediately. A portion of the house in which Caleb Shre\'e lived is still standing. I do not known whether the first Caleb was a Friend or not. I am inclined to think he was. He was rich enough to provide handsomely for his sons, except Benjamin, befort his death. He left Benjamin by his will the homestead and considerable other property. Of his sons, Benjamin; Caleb; William, who was a colonel in the state service; Israel, colonel in the Second New Jersey Regiment, Continental line; and Samuel, who was a lieutenant colonel in the state service, all took a very acti\-e part in the Revolutionary war. Caleb, who was often called Colonel, though I do not know he had any commission, with a few militia resisted the British at Crosswick, and in a personal encounter lie shot the British officer. Israel Shreve received his first commission in 1775 and was in the attack on Quebec. In 1776 he was made colonel of the Second New Jersey and was in active service throughout the war. He was a man of noble character and a pure patriot, of whom all the Shreves may well be proud, and who was an honor to his state. Israel's son John was a lieutenant in his father's regiment. His son Henry M. distinguished himself in improving the western steamboats and clearing out the Red river raft. Shreveport, Louisiana, was nained after him. He commanded a battery at the battle of New Orleans. My grandfather was a captain and saw active service during the Revolutionary war. There were also two or three others of the family who were soldiers, so that, notwithstanding their Quaker blood, the family was well represented among the American patriots. The ancestry of Thomas Sheriff, of Rhode Island, may be traditional, but the early records of the province show conclusively that he had eight children and was a property owner when he died. As late as 1737 the members of the family that remained in the vicinity retained the name Sheriff, while Caleb, who married and emigrated to New Jersey, adopted the form Shreve.' "

Caleb Shreve, son of Thomas Sheriff (or Shreve) of Rhode Island colony, was born about 1652, and was married to Sarah Areson about 1680, as before noted, and he died in Burlington county. New Jersey, in 1741. He and his wife became the parents of seven sons and three daughters, and through the youngest of the children, Benjamin, the lineage is traced to Denver C. Hughes, the immediate subject of this sketch. For several generations the descendants of Benjamin remained in the vicinity of the old homestead, and the genealogical records of this branch have been more carefully kept than those of other branches of the family, representing the descendants of his brothers and sisters. Benjamin Shreve was born June 9, 1706, and on February 23, 1729. he married Rebecca, daughter of Richard French, the ceremony being performed in the Friends' meetinghouse, at the upper end of Springfield township, Burlington county, New Jersey, and he died in the old homestead, devised to him by his father's will, as already noted, in the year 1 75 1. Benjamin and Rebecca Shreve became the parents of six sons and two daughters, and

William Shreve was born in Burlington county. New Jersey, on the 4th of August, 1737, and there he married Miss Anna Ivins, while more than twenty years after her death he married Mrs. Ann Reckless. He died in 1812, in his native county. In September, 1776, he became first major of the First Regiment, in Burlington, and in March of the following year was made lieutenant-colonel of the same, while he was promoted to a full colonelcy in April, 1778, Little has been definitely ascertained as to his career prior to the war of the Revolution. After that period he was a man of business, and at one time was the owner of a number of seagoing vessels. It appears that during his military career he was a widower. His second wife w-as the w'idow of Joseph Reckless and a daughter of Joseph and Hanna Woodward. While he was absent with the army the British plundered, burned and destroyed his property, including all buildings and entailing a loss of more than thirteen hundred pounds sterling. This property was located in Burlington county. New Jersey, and its destruction occurred in June, 1778. After the close of the war he was engaged in mercantile pursuits in [Mansfield, New Jersey, but in 1782 disaster overtook the enterprise and he and his wife assigned all their real and personal estate in trust for his creditors, a fact that showed the exalted honor of the man. It is evident that he accumulated a competency before his death. He became the father of four sons and three daughters, and of this fifth generation the direct line to ]\Ir. Hughes was through Richard, the third child and second son.

Richard Shreve was born in Burlington county. New Jersey, September 25, 1760, and in 1783 he married Margaret Newbold, of Philadelphia. He died in Bloomfield township,

Crawfortl county, I'ennsyhania, September 12, 1822. He was captain of a troop of liglit horse during the latter part of the Revohition. He emigrated to Pennsylvania soon after the war and became one of the early settlers and prominent citizens ol Crawford county. During the war of 1812, three of his sons took part m guarding the fort at Lake Erie, at the time of the campaign of Commodore Perr)-. He became the father of nine sons and four daugliters, and the third son. Thomas, was the maternal great-grandfather of Mr. Hughes.

Thomas Shreve, the first representative of the family m Ohio, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, July 2'/, 1787, and there married Mary Wigle, and he died in Clinton township, \\'ayne county. Ohio, on the 4th of July, 1857. He lived for several years when a boy, in the home of his uncle. Thomas Xewbold. in the city of Philadelpliia, and then returned to the parental home and learned the milling business, continuing in the one mill until T821, when he removed with his wife and family to Wayne county, Ohio, where he l^ecame the owner of a grist and saw-mill and about twenty-five hundred acres of land, becoming a prominent and intiuential citizen. The town of Shreve was named in his honor and he was its first postmaster, keeping the office at his residence. He represented ^^'ayne county in the state legislature one term, being a man of fine physique and marked intellectuality. He and his wife became the parents of ten children, Rosana, the grandmother of !Mr. Hughes, being the eldest, her birth having occurred in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, on the 13th of Octol^r 1810, while of her marriage and children mention has pre\iously been made in this context. Mr. Hughes represents the ninth generation of the Shreve family in America.

Denver C. Hughes was reared on the old homestead farm in Holmes county. Ohio, and his educational discipline in his youth was receixed in the public schools of tlie locality, where he made such use of the adxantages afforded as to become personally eligible for pedagogic honors, and for seven years he was numbered among the successful and popular teachers in his county, while through his efforts in this line he earned the money with which to defray the expenses of his collegiate course. Fie was matriculated in Mount Union College, in the city of Alliance. Stark county, in 1888. and was there graduated as a member of the class of 1893, "i"'! while carrying forward his college work he registered himself as a law student in the office of Housel & Webber, a prominent law firm in the city of Canton, and simultaneously carried on his technical studies with such devotion and discrimination that he secured admission to tiie bar in the same year that marked his graduation. Shortly afterward he entered the lawdepartment of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor and was graduated in this famous institution as a member of the class of 1895. ^^' ceiving the degree of Bachelor of Laws. Soon afterward he opened an office in Canton, and later entered into a professional partnership with AX'illiam H. Snyder, this association obtaining until the deatli of the latter, in 1898. Later ]\'Ir. Hughes became a member of the firm of Case. Monnot. Whitacre & Hughes, from which ]\Ir. Case withdrew in 1900, since I which time the subject has been associated in practice with Mr. Monnot. under the firm name of Monnot & Hughes. They have retained a representative clientage and Mr. Hughes has been concerned in no small amount of important litigation since initiating his professional labors in Canton, while by his devotion to bis work and by liis unmistakable ability as an advocate and counselor he has gained a high reputation among his professional confreres and the respect and confidence of the public. \\'hile a resident of Holmes county he was candidate on the Republican ticket for repre- sentau\'e in the state legislature, but met defeat through normal political exigencies. In 1 90 1 he \\as elected to his present olHce as city solicitor of Canton, in which he is giving most capable arid satisfactory service to the municipality, having been re-elected in 1903 for another term of two years. In politics he accords an unequivocal allegiance to the principles and policies of the Republican party, and he has been an active worker in its cause. Fraternally he is identified with McKinley Lodge No. 431, Free and Accepted Masons : Canton Lodge No. 589, Knights of Pythias ; Oliver Wendell Holmes Council No. 41, Junior Order of United American Mechanics ; Canton Council No. 60, Royal League, and the Greek-letter fraternity, Alpha Tau Omega, of Mount L'nion College.

On the 25th of November, 1S96, Mr. Hughes was united in marriage to IMiss Loretta Moore, who was born in Holmes county. Ohio, a daughter of Bryson and Mary (Esselburne) Moore, and they are the parents of one son, Charles Victor, who was born on the ist of November, 1897.

ADAM EISENHAUER was born on a farm near the town of Randolph, Portage county, Ohio, in the year 1847, ^"d there grew to maturity under the beneficent influences of the great fundamental industry of agriculture. He received a good education in the common schools and remained in his native county until he had reached the age of nineteen years, when he came to Canton, where his first employment was m connection with the operation of a dray wagon for John Werndt, and later he secured employment in the freight department of the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad in this city, where he rose to a responsible position, remaining with this company until his death, which occurred on the 5th of July, 1896. He was ever courteous and obliging, genial and kindly in his intercourse with his fellow men, and he commanded unequivocal esteem in the community in which he lived and labored for so many years. In politics he gave his allegiance to the Democratic party, and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church, his membership being in the parish of St. Peter's church in Canton, while his life was in harmony with his profession of faith.

John Eisenhauer, father of the subject of this memoir, was born in Germany, as was also his wife, and both died on their old homestead in Portage county, Mr. Eisenhauer having been a tailor by trade and having followed this vocation until the time when he engaged in farming in Ohio, whither he came upon his emigration from the fatherland.

In the city of Canton, on the 4th of July, 187S, Adam Eisenhauer was united in marriage to Miss Katie Adrian, a daughter of Franz Adrian, of this city. She was born in Germany, whence her parents came to the United States when she was a child, locating in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where she was reared and educated, having been seventeen years of age at the time of her parents' removal from that city to Canton. Mr. and Mrs. Eisenhauer became the parents of one daughter. Lulu, who is now the wife of Charles Harding, and they reside in the home of her mother. Mr. Harding being engaged in the store with the subject. During the lifetime of her husband Mrs. Eisenhauer attended St. Peter's church, though she was reared in the Protestant faith.

After the death of her honored husband Mrs. Eisenhauer opened a small grocery in the home of her father, on East Lake street, later removing to a store at the corner of Lippert and Gibbs streets, where she continued business until April, 1900, when she purchased her present property, at the corner of Lake street and Cutter avenue, where she has since continued successfully in the same line of enterprise, having an attractive and well equipped grocery, in whicli are handled the best hues of :staple and fancy groceries, table delicacies, etc., ivhile the trade is of the most representative character. She has shown marked discrimination and business capacity, and is popular with lier man\- customers and in the social circles in which she moves, being a woman of gracious presence and one whose self-reliance and earnest efforts have gained her unqualified commendation in the city which has so long been her home.

ANTHONY GRESSER was born in the kingdom of Wurtemburg, Germany, on the 6th of April, 1856, being a son of Joseph and Johanna (Raiber) Gresser, both of whom were likewise born in that attractive kingdom of the fatherland, whore they were reared and educated, the father being a stone-cutter by trade and vocation. In 1869, in company with three of their children, they set forth for the United States, to join their son Charles, who had previously emigrated hither and located in Canton, this county. They embarked at Hamburg, on the ship "Silesia," this being the maiden trip of that vessel, and they landed in New York city on the 5th of July, 1869. Their son Charles had come two years earlier and had secured employment in Canton, where the family were thus re-united. Here the father of the subject continued to work at his trade until 1889, when he retired from active labors, his death here occurring on the 17th of February, 1891, at which time he was seventy-three years of age. His cherished and devoted wife passed away on the i6th of November, 1880, at the age of sixty-six years. Of their children we incorporate the following brief record : Mary is the wife of Martin Gabel, of Canton ; Charles is engaged in the Aultman works in this city ; Lizzie is llie wife of John Duerr, of Canton; and .-\nthony, the immediate subject of this sketch, is the youngest of the children.

Anthony Gresser was reared to the age of thirteen years in his native place in Germany, and he there attended the excellent schools until the emigration of the family to America. After locating in Canton he continued his studies in the parochial schools for three years, his instructor for two years of this period having been Miss Lizzie Bour, who was at the time a teacher in the German parochial school of St. Peter's churcii. After leaving school Mr. Gresser secured emplojment in a local paper factory, where he was engaged for eight years. In 1875-6 he was a clerk in the grocery store of Philip Karme, in South Market street, and at the expiration of these two years he passed a year as an employe of a safe works. Thereafter he rendered efficient service for five years as an employe in the cutter-bar department of the works of the C. Aultman Company, the extensive manufacturers of threshing machines in Canton. He then secured a clerkship in the grocery establishment of the firm of Lee & Menegay, on South Market street, and in 1888 he became associated with his brother-inlaw, John Duerr. in the conducting of a grocery business in a building a few doors distant from his present place of business, which is located at 820 South Market street. In i8gi the partnership was dissolved, the subject purchasing Mr. Duerr's interest, and he thereafter individually continued the enterprise until 1893, when he admitted to partnership Charles Menegay, in whose employ he had formerly been, as noted above. On the ist of January. 1900. Mr. Gresser again secured full conlm! (if the business, by purchasing his partner's interest, and within the present year, 1903. he has made extensive repairs and alterations on his store, having removed to more commodious buildings, two doors north of his original headquarters, and here he has a model and attractive modern sit ire with the best of facilities and with a select and comprehensive stock, adequate to meeting all demands on the part of his large and appreciative patronage. In politics Mr. Gresser is aligned as a stalwart Democrat, though he has never sought or desired public office of an}' description, and both he and his wife are communicants of St. John's church, Roman Catholic. Fraternally he is identified with the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the Knights of St. John, the Schwaben Verein, the Order of Heptasophs and the Order of Eagles, wliile he also holds membership in the Grocers' League, of Canton.

In his home city, on the 29th of June, 1880, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Gresser to Miss Mary E. Socie, who was bom in Holmes county, Ohio, of French parentage, and of this union have been born six children, namely : Clara, who is the wife of Charles Becherer, of Canton ; Joseph and John, who remain at the parental home; Henry and Anthony, Jr., who are attending school in the city; and Paul, who is five years of age at the time of this writing.

JOHN A. LIECHTY. - The family of which the subject of this review is a representative had its origin in Switzerland and is of French descent. His father, Jacob Liechty, a native of Switzerland, was born September II, 1822, and some time in the early 'sixties came to the United States and located at Canton, Ohio, near which city he was for several years a tiller of the soil, having been reared to agricultural pursuits. On February 11, 1864, he married, in Stark county. Miss Elizabeth Rich, who was also born in Switzerland, her native place being Ceshlach, where her birth occurred on the 2d of Sei)tember, 1846. She was the daughter of Joseph and Barbara (Ramseyer) Rich, the former dying in his native country in 1853. the latter subsequently immigrating to America with some of her children, others having preceded her to the United States, while several members of the family afterwards followed her to the new home across the water. Mrs. Rich located in Marshallville, Ohio, thence moved overland to Iowa where she died, the widow having subsequently married a man by the name of Joseph Zehr. Mrs. Rich's parents were John Ramseyer, born at Eckenweil, Canton Bern, Switzerland, in- 1776, and Barbara Kauffman, who was born in the year 1777 at Ft. Andrew, in the province of Alsace, at that time French territory but now a part of the German empire. These ancestors of the subject spent their married life in Switzerland, i\lrs. Ramseyer dying in 1844, her husband in 1853.

After his marriage Jacob Liechty settled at Leo, Indiana, where he lived some years and then changed his abode to Marshallville, Ohio, still later moving to Sterling, this state, where himself and wife spent the remainder of their days, the former dying April 5, 1895, the latter on the 17th day of November, 1900. They were quiet, estimable people, highly respected by their neightors and friends and their memory is cherished by the people of the different communities in which they resided. They reared a family of seven children, the subject of this review being the first in order of birth.

John A. Liechty was born near the town of Leo, Allen county, Indiana, December 13, 1864, but at the age of two years was taken to Marshallville, in the county of Wayne, where his parents remained for a limited period. He grew up on his father's farm, about two' miles east of Sterling, in the county of Wayne, early became accustomed to the varied duties of agriculture and of winter seasons attended the public schools, in which he made rapid advancement. Realizing the need of more advanced training than the common schools could impart, Mr. Liechty, at the age of twenty, entered the \Vestern Reserve Normal School at Waclsworth, where he pursued his studies for some time, with the object in view of becoming- a teacher. Beginning his career as an edu- cator, he continued the same until 1897, teaching two years in the schools of Medina county, three years in Wayne and five years in the count}' of Stark, closing his services as principal of Prairie College in the latter county.

Retiring from the teacher's profession, Mr. Liechty purchased an interest in the Harrison Avenue Feed Company, of Canton, and to this line of business devoted the ensuing years, during which time he also completed a commercial course in the Canton Actual Business College, giving his nights to study and graduating in the summer of 1901. In January of that year he became bookkeeper and assistant manager of the Artificial Ice Company, of Canton, which position he still holds, discharging the duties of the same in a manner satisfactory to all parties concerned in the enterprise.

On December 24, 1891, in Orville, Ohio, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Liechty and Miss Isadora Snavely, daughter of Amos and Mary (Martin) Snavely, a union blessed with three offspring, namely : Laura, Grace and Evaline. Politically the subject is what may be termed an independent, as he refuses to vield allegiance to any particular party, preferring to exercise his own judgment as to the principles he upholds and the men and measures he supports with his ballot. Being an educated man and widely informed relative to public measures and party issues, he has pronounced convictions and hesitates not to defend the soundness of his opinions whenever it becomes necessary to do so. In every relation of life Mr. Liechty is known as an honest, incorruptible man. who has ever tried to do his duty as he sees and understands it and wherever he is known his word has all the sanctity of a written obligation.

J. ROYAL SXYDER is a native son of Stark county, having lieen born on the old homestead farm of his srrandfather, in Osnaburg township, on the nth of February, 1876, and being a son of John J. Snyder. \\"hen he was five years of age his parents removed to the village of Paris, this county, where he secured his early educational training in the public schools, after which, in 1895, he was matriculated in ]Mount L'nion College near the city of Alliance, this county, where he graduated as a member of the class of 1899, having completed the classical course. In 1898 Mr. Snyder received the scholarship prize, having the highest average grade throughout the entire course of any of his class. That he made good use of the advantages afforded him in a scholastic way is evident when we advert to the fact that when he was but fifteen years of age he proved himself eligible for pedagogic honors, and for several years he was a popular and successful teacher in the district schools, and through the medium of his efforts in this line he earned the funds with which to defray the e.xpenses of his collegiate course.

In 1898 j\lr. Snyder was appointed deputy county treasurer under Thomas H. Smith, who was then in charge of the county's fiscal affairs, and in the autumn of 1901, as candidate on the Republican ticket. Mr. Snyder was elected to succeed ]\Ir. Smith in the office of treasurer, his opponent in the race being Edward S. De- Ford, of Minerva. He continued to serve as deputy until assuming the duties as treasurer. on the 1st of September, 1902. Not only by reason of his native ability, but also on account of his technical experience in the office, Mr. Snyder is particularly well equipped to administer the affairs of the county and he is proving an able and painstaking executive, thoroughly justifying the choice of the electors of the county. In the spring of 1903 he was renominated by his party for the treasurership, and will undoubtedly be again the choice of the electors. He has been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican ]>arty from the time of attaining his majority.

and has been an active worker in its local ranks, while it was his privilege to cast his first presidential vote for the martyred President McKinley, Stark county's most distinguished citizen. In a fraternal way Mr. Snyder is identified with the Masonic order, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics. He is a member of the Evangelical church, in whose faith he was reared. He is one of the progressi^-e and popular young men of his native county and is well entitled to the ofirce of which he is incumbent, while his election to the same gives evidence of the estimate placed upon him by the people of the county.

WILLIAM VOLZER is a native of Germany and a brother of Christian Volzer, a well-known citizen of Canton to whose biography on another page of this work the reader is respectfully referred for the facts concerning the Volzer family history. The subject was born March 18, 1845, '" Wittenburg, and there spent his childhood and youth, attending until his fourteenth year the schools of his native city. At that age he entered a printing, office, but after working four years in the same resigned his place to become clerk in a hotel in the city of Stuttgart, which position he filled until 1865. when he bade farewell to the fatherland and came to the United States, his older brother. Christian, having preceded him by some years in this country.

Mr. Volzer took passage at Hamburg, December 13. 1865. on the steamer "Saxonia" and after an une\-entful voyage of fourteen days landed in New York city, from which place he came direct to Canton, where his brother was then living. Shortly after his arrival in this city he accepted a position in a paper mill, but not being pleased with that kind of labor he soon abandoned it and entered the employ of

C. Aultman & Company, in whose shops he worked during the three years following. Leaving the Aultmans, he spent the ensuing two and a half years with the Ball Manufacturing Company and at the end of that time engaged with the Diebold Safe & Lock Company for a limited period, after which he was for two years in the employ of the Russell Company machine works.

Severing his connection with the last named firm, Mr. Volzer turned his attention to house paintnig, which calling he followed about two years, the meantime purchasing property on Habsel street, where, in 1877, he opened a sample room, conducting the business in an apartment adjoining his residence. In 1881 he bought valuable property on South Cleveland avenue, adjoining the Ft. Wayne railway track, and transferring his business to the same continued to run a sample room until taking the agency of the Raymond Brewing Company, of Wheeling, West Virginia, a year or two later. He remained with this company about seven years, during four of which he was manager of its interests at Meyer's Lake. While thus engaged, Mr. Volzer erected what is known as the "Casino," on the north shore of the lake, which in due time became a favorite resort, and about the same time accepted the local agency of the Moerlein Brewing Company of Cincinnati, which he still holds.

In 1902 Mr. Volzer, with several other parties, organized the Stark Brewing Company at Canton, in which he is now the chief stockholder; the enterprise was pushed rapidly forward and, backed by well-known and reliable business men. its success from the beginning was more than conjectural. Providing good buildings and supplying the same with every facility for the manufacture of a high grade of beer, the company, in July, 1903, began operations on quite an extensive scale and at this writing the business, already large and lucrative, promises to meet fully the high expectations of the pro-

Mr. X'lil/er, in 18O9. was imited in marriage willi Miss Anna Spies, of Wheeling, West Virginia, daughter of Franz and Frances Spies, natives of Germany. Air. and Mrs. Volzer arc the parents of nine children, whose names are as follows: Aloyes; Rose, wife of Frank Lindacher, of Canton; Lillie, who married Henry Bobsen, also of this city; Frank married Clara Weisert, is the father of a daughter, Grace, and makes his home in Canton ; Cora, Herman, Albert Clarence and Laura are unmarried and still under the parental roof. Mr. X'olzer and family are members of the St. Mary's Catholic church and active in all kinds of religious and charitable work under the auspices of the parish. Politically the subject is a Republican, but not a very active politician, being too much engrossed with business affairs to find time to devote to party matters. He is connected with several benevolent organizations, among which may be noted the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association, the St. Peter's Society, Swabian Society, Beneficial Aid Societ\- and the German Benevolent Union, in addition to which he also is an honorary member of the Militarv and Grand Annv Bands of Canton.

CHARLES E. TLNKLER, chief engineer of the Canton Bridg'e Company, is a native of Stark cmint}-, Ohio, born in the city of Massillon on the 20th day of November, 1861. His father, Charles H. Tinkler, was a soldier in the Civil war, serving from 1861 until the close of the struggle and participating in many of the most noted battles in \'^irginia, in one of which, the bloody engagement at Chancellorsville, he received a gunshot wound through the right lung. He married Mary Hassler, alsO' of Stark county, and in 1887 removed to Cleveland where he lived during the ensuing sixteen years while holding a position in the railway mail service. The subject's paternal grandparents came from England a number of years ago and settled on a farm near Alassillon where the grandfather spent the remainder of his life, the grandmi'lher subsequently removing to Michigan, in which her death occurred at the advanced age of ninety-six.