Canton Township (part 31 of 62)

Dr. King married, on December 30, 1895, Myra Mitchell Stone, daughter of Levi and Phoebe Stone, of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Of this union there are two children living', George Lincoln, Jr., born March 23, 1900, and Phoebe Mitchell, born May 9. 1902, It is worthy of mention in this connection that in all critical or delicate operations ]\Trs. King is the Doctor's actiA'e and able assistant, she has developed marvelous skill in this direction and Dr. King depends on no one else for assistance when the operation is of sufficient moment. They have a very beautiful honif on Alliance's best residence street, at 749 South Lhiion aA-enue.

BENJAMIN A. ESTEP. - One of the well known and highly honored citizens of Stark county, where he passed practically his entire life, was the late Benjamin Anderson Estep, who died on the 7th of August, 1882. He was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, being a son of Henry and Abigail (Anderson) Estep, the latter of whom was a native of Ireland, whence she came to America when young, being accompanied by two sisters, one of whom died en route and was buried at sea. Henry Estep was engaged in the tanning business for a number of years, and his son Benjamin learned the trade under his direction, having received a common-school education in New Franklin, Stark county, and Winchester, Columbiana county, Ohio, in each of which places his parents had resided, having taken up their abode in this section of the Buckeye state in the pioneer epoch and having here passed the remainder of their lives. Later in his career Benjamin A. Estep was employed as a carriage painter, by his brother Isaiah, who conducted a carriage shop in the village of Paris, this county, and who died in California in the year 1900. Another brother, Ephraim J., was a prominent attorney of the city of Cleveland for many years, being also well known in Canton and vicinity, and he likewise died in California, aJTOut five years ago.

About the year i860 Benjamin A. Estep entered the employ of his father-in-law, Rudolphus Martin, who was engaged in the dry goods business at Paris, Stark county, and with him he continued to be associated for a number of years, after which he assumed the position of tra\eling salesman for the ^Martin Bros, (his brothers-in-law), and later on purchased the business, devoting his attention to this line of work until his death, which occurred on the 7th of August, 1882, as has been already noted. In politics he gave a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, and fraternally he was identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, hav- ing originally affiliated with Brown Lodge, in Minerva, this county, and later becoming a niemlicr of Eagle Lodge, in Canton. Though never imbued with political ambition in a personal way, he yielded to the importunities of his party friends and became candidate for the office of clerk of Paris township, being elected and serving with marked ability and discrimination.

On the 6th of January, 1857, !Mr. Estep was united in marriage to ]\Iiss Amanda H. ]\Iartin, who was born in Xavarre, Stark county, Ohio, and who was reared and educated in the village of Paris, this county, being a daughter of Rudolphus Martin, who \\as one of the honiired ])ioneers and representative business men of that place, where his death occurred. ]\[r. and ^Irs. Estep became the parents of five children, concerning whom we enter brief record, as follows: }ilaude E. is the wife of Arbine C. Heiner, of Canton, and they have two sons, Ernest.' who married Miss Marie Gkoddy, and James M. Blanche, who l)ecame the wife of Julian King, of Canton, died in this city in 1895, leaving one child, Bernice. who is now the wife of Walter A. Albaugh, of Canton. ]Mabel died in infancy. \\'illiam died in 1898. in Canton, at the age of thirty yeans. George Dwight still retains his residence in Canton.

OLIVER P. TRAXSUE, general manager of one of the leading industrial enterprises of the city of Alliance, - that conducted under the corporate title of the Transue & \Y\\\- iams Company, is a native of the city in which he now maintains his home, having been born on the loth of December, 1865, and being the second in order of birth of the four children of Frank and Amanda (Aultman) Transue, the other three children lieing as follows : Minnie, who is the wife of Frank Kingsljurv, an employe of the company mentioned above: Charles R., who is foreman in the establishment of this

Frank Transue was born in Xorth Benton. Mahoning ci;)unt}-. Ohio, on the 17th of June, 1842, being of French and German lineage. A\dien he was a boy his parents remo\'ed to Alliance, and here he was reared to manhood, learning the trade of machinist in the Xixon works, and later entering the shops of the Xew York, Pennsylvania & Ohio Railroad at Kent. Ohio, where he was employed for some time, after which he was employed for a period in Oil City, Pennsylvania, in the center of the oil regions of that state. He then returned to Alliance, where his m;u"riage was solemnized shortlv afterward, and here he engaged in business on his own responsibility, associating himself with Jonathan Craft, under the firm name of Craft (!t Conrpany. They engaged in the manufacture of threshing-machine teeth, and Mr. Transue was general manager of the lousiness. Later Mr. Craft disposed of his interest in the enterprise, lieing succeeded ]i_\' Dr. .\rmstrong, while the firm title was now changed ti> Transue iK- Armstrong. Shortly after the new alliance was formed the firm augmented the scope of the enterprise, doing a general dropforging business, which continued to increase in extent and importance under the eft'ecti\-e management brought to bear. In 1889 the firm sold the business to the Whitman-lvirnes Company, of Canton, and for a numljer of years thereafter the father of our subject lived practicaliv retired from active business, finally identifying himself with the company of which the subject of this sketch is general manager and being at the present time president of the company. In politics he gi\-es a stanch allegiance to the Republican party and he and his wife are communicants of the Methodist church, in which faith they reared their children.

cei\ecl hi? educational discipline in the public schools, completing- a course in the local high school. At the age of sixteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship as a niacliinist in tlie sliops of the firm of which his father was a member, and there he learned the business in all its details, becoming an expert workman and also gaining a comprehensive knowledge of the executive functions of the enteiprise. In i8S6 he was tendered a position in the shops of the Wliitman-P.arnes Company, of Canton, as general superintendent, and this offer he accepted. He was incumbent of this responsible office in the autumn of 1893, at which time the companv remo\'ed its business to Akron. OhiiK whither he \yent in the same capacity as before, and he there remained as general superintendent of the ne\v plant until the latter part of the year i8<j3, when he resigned his eifhce and came to Alliance, where he entered into partnership with Silas J. Williams and engaged in the lousiness of drop forging, under the firm nani.e cjf Transue iS; \\ illiams. Tlie technical aljility, energv and progressi\-e methods brought to Ijear made tlie enterprise a success from the start and the increase in the business led to the formation of a stock ccmipany, which was incorporated in 1897, under the title of The Transue & Williams Compan\". and with the folldwing executive corps: I'rank Transue. president; Silas J. Williams, \-ice-president. and Oliver F. Transue, general manager. The imlustry has shown an almost phenomenal expansion and the lousiness is estal.)1ished u]ion the firm basis of conmiercial integrity and most able management, so that is certain to continue cumulative in returns tmder normal conditions of trade. The works have been kept in operation night and day for many months in order to meet the demands placed upon tlie same, and tlie concern n(.)w represents one of the important industrial enterprises of the Buckeye state. Mr. Transue gives his entire attention to the business and is known as one of the alert and capable young Inisiness men of his native city, wiiile he is popular in both business and social circles. In politics he gives an ttnequixocal support to the ])rinciples and policies of the Republican part}', in whose cause he takes an active interest, though he has never sought public office of any description.

On the 19th of July, 1886, was solemnized the marriage of ]\Ir. Transue to Miss Grace Fisher, of Alliance, a daughter of Charles i'isher, and of this uninn have lieen Ixjni t\\(3 cliildrcn, Ruth F, and Alargaret-.

ALBERT F. ELLETT was l)orn in the house in which he now resides, in section 23, Lexington township, on the i/th of February, 1857, being a son of Elias and Elmira CSarish) Ellett, of whose thirteen children nine are still living, namely : Mary, who is the widow of Rev. James I-. Philips and who resides in the city of Cleveland; \\'illiam K., who is a prominent citizen of .Alliance, this county; Catherine, who is the wife of William AI. Santee, of Snode Station, Mahoning county ; Sarah, \\-ho is the wife of Rev. Homer Eddy, o.f Johnsonsburg, Pennsylvania; Adoniram J., who is a resident of the city of Alliance ; Jennie, who is the wife of Charles Parkinson, of Rushsylvania, Logan count}-, Ohio: Samuel P., who resides in Alliance; Elias J., who resides in Berlin Center. Mahoning county, and Albert who is the immediate subject. of this sketch. Tlie Ellett family is one whose history has long been identified with American annals, the original progenitors in the new world hav-ingcome from Germany and settled in Xew Jersey in the pre-Re\-ohitionar}- epuch. Elias Ellett, father of the subject, was born in Salem county, that state, on the 20th of January, 1812, tlie place of his nativit}- having been in the inimecliate vicinity of the historic Alloway creek. His father, James Ellett, was likewise born in New Jersey, and he became a promi- iient farmer and gardener of Salem connty, where he died when his son HHas was but twelve years of age. He left a family of ten children and ihc exigencies of the case dernanded that some of them liecome dependent on their own resources, in order to provide for the niaintenruice of the other members of the family, including the widowed mother, and thus it became the portion of Elias to enter the of a gardener in the locality, and he recei\'ed in reci)n)])ensc for his services eight dnllars per month, while he contributed his earnings to the snjiport of the family, continuing to 1)6 thus employed until he had attained his nineteenth vear, while his educational pri\ileges were such as wei'e afforded by a somewhat desultory attendance in the common schools of the locality and period. In 1834 occurred !iis marriage, .-uid in if^'^S, in company with his wife and two children, he emigrated to Malioning county, Ohio, locating near the village of Bunker Hill, where he ])nrchased a small ti'acl of land, u])(in which he continued to reside about two years at the expiration of which he disposed of the property and came to Stark county, where he pmxhased the farm now owned and occupied by his son Albert, of this sketch. The place comprised ninety acres and a portion of the land had been cleared, though much of the nati\-e timber was still standing intact, while manifold stumps still decorated mucli of the cleared section, so that it was evident that no sybaritic task was involved in bringing the tract under effective cultivation. .\ small log house of the primitive type had been built on the farm, and this continued to be the family home for a number of years. In connection with his farm work Mr. Ellett also engaged in the meat business, and he ran the first meat wagon ever utilized in catering to the demands of the residents of the present city of Alliance, the same having- been then a small village known by the name of Williamsport. while he thus devoted his attention to the butchering business during the summer months. He was a man of progressi\-c spirit and initiative power, and was quick to grasp opportunities and to secure the maximum returns from the same. Thus he early Ijegan to purchase horses throughout this section of the state, and drove them over the mountains to New Jersey, where he found usually a very profitable market for the same. During the winter months be followerl this line of enterprise until 1879, ;ui<l with the advent of the railroad he utilized the same in the shipjiing of his horses. In 1870 he left the farm in charge of his son Adoniram and removed to Alliance, where he gave his entire attention li) his fnitchering business for the ensuing three years, establishing there a well equipped market. In 1873 he was elected street commissioner of Alliance, in which capacitv he served two years, at the expiration of which he returned to the farm, which thereafter continued to be his home until he was called' from the scene of life's endeax'ors, on New Year's day of the year 1895, being at the time nearly eightv-three vears of age and having the unequix'ocal esteem of ;dl who knew him. for he had ordered his life on a high plane of integrity and honor and had lalxired to goodly ends. He was an uncompromising advocate o\ the principles of the Republican party from the time of its formation until bis death, and was incumbent of the various township offices of trust and responsiliility. He was a devoted and zealous member of the P>a]itist church, in which he served as deacon for many years, his wife likewise having been a member of the cluu-ch and prominently concerned in its work up to the time of her demise, which occurred on the 31st of December, 1850. Subsequently be consummated a second marriage, being united to ]\Trs. Rebecca J. Fogg, whose maiden name was Barnes, and they became the parents of one son, Henry B., who is now a resident of the city of Danville, Illinois.

Albert i\ Ellett was reared to maturity on the old homestead farm on which he was born and which is now his place of residence, while his educational privileges were those offered by the public schools of the locality and period. On his twenty-first birthday anniversary he departed with his father for New Jersey, with a carload of horses, and upon arriving in the state in which his ancestors had settled so many years ago, he hired out to a farmer of Salem county and there remained one year, at the expiration of which he returned to his home in Stark county, and shortly afterward again returned to the east with another carload of horses, his father accompanying him, while this was the last shipment ever made by the latter. After his return home the subject remained on the home farm for one season, and thereafter was employed for six months on the construction of the East-end division of the Pittsburg & Fort Wayne Railroad. He then became associated with his brother Samuel in the meat-market business in tlie city of Alliance, being identified with this enterprise about two years, while for a short period thereafter he was in the employ of W. M. Reed, a dealer in agricultural implements in that city.

On the 19th of October, 1882, Mr. Ellett was nnited in marriage to Miss Clara TT. Santee, who was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, being a daughter of William M. Santee, a prominent farmer near Snode Station, that county, and shortly after this important event in his career Mr. Ellett removed to the old home farm, of which he had the practical supervision n]> to the time of his father's death, after A\hich he rented the property from the administrators for two years and then purchased the place. Here he has since been most successfully engaged in general agricultural pursuits and the raising of a considerable amount of excellent live-stock, while he is recognized as one of the progressive and scientific farmers of the countv and as a man whose word is as good as his bond, while no citizen in the community is accorded a greater measure of popular confidence and regard. Tn politics he has ever been a radical Republican and has taken a deep interest in the party cause. In 1897 he was elected township trustee, of which ofifice he was incumbent for three years, while his name has been prominently mentioned in connection with the office of countv comnfissioner, in which his interposition could not prove other than of value to local interests. He and his wife hold membership in the Baptist chvuxh, and fraternally he is identified with the Royal Arcanum, holding membership in \'i\-ian Council No. 349, at Alliance. . To Air. and Mrs. Ellett were born foiu' children, and the three surviving still remain at the parental home. The names of the children are here entered in the order of their birth: Eucius C., Ralph E. (deceased), (ilcnn \V. and Olive R.

J1-:SSE W. TEETERS. - Elisha Teeters. father of Jesse \V., and for many years a leading business man. successful financier and ]irom!nent citizen of Alliance, was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, in the year 1814, the son of John and Mary (Cook) Teeters. He grew up on the home farm and in addition to tilling the soil assisted, when a young man, to run a coal bank which his father owned and operated. He followed the latter line of work for a number of years, and it fell to him to market the greater part of the output of the mine, wliicli he clid ])y means of wagons and oxen, frec|uently drixing as many as five yoke of oxen to each load of coal. In 1S35 Elisha Teeters married Miss Eliza Webb, and a little later moved to a quarter section of land in Lexington township. Stark county, which was purchased by his father from the government in 1826. When Mr. Teeters set up his domestic establisliment on this place there was but one acre of the one Imndred and sixty cleared, and he immecUately hent all of his energies to the improvements of the rest, a task which was accomplished in due time, after much hard work and the expenditure of a great deal of physical force. ^Meanwhile he purchased additional land to the amount of thirty-two acres and hy industry, thrift and good management becanie one of the leading farmers of his township, which reputation he sustained as long as he gave personal attention to agricultural pursuits. After living on the original homestead until 1866. he removed to a place of eightyfour acres adjoining the limits of Alliance on the mirth, wliere he lived for a numljer of years, finally changing his residence to the brick dwelling east of the cemetery, which he made his home until his death, on the 17th day of June, 1899. Elisha Teeters was the real founder of Alliance, as it was by him that the original plat of the city was made in 1851 on part of an eighty-acre tract of land south of the Pennsylvania <& Fort Wayne Railroad, and extending from what is now Union avenue to Liberty street. Through his influence and material aid a nuniber of improvements were inaugurated and carried to successful completion, and he also tcwk a prominent part in establishing and maintaining several public institutions, including among others the First National Bank, in which he was a heavy stockholder and director and with which he continued identified until his death. It is needless to dwell at large u])on the active business life of Elisha Teeters or to attempt to estimate his influence u]ion the material prosperity of the city and ciminuinity. in which he was for so many years a potential factor, as the limits of an article of this character forbid more than a passing reference. .Vt otie time Mr. Teeters met with se\'ere business reverses, but later he recovered from his financial embarrassment, retrieved his fortune and died a wealthy man. For a number of years he served as trustee of the Fairmount Children's Home, having been one of the first men appointed to that important position, and he held it as long as he lived, discharging his duties ably and conscientiously and proving one of the Ijest friends and most useful oflicials the institution ever had. The family of Elisha and Eliza Teeters consisted of ten children, the following of whoin are living: Jesse W., of this review; Rachael, widow of James .Vmerman. of Alliance; Isaac, a resident of Oakley, Kansas; Rosa J., wife of C. C. Edson, of Kansas City, Missouri ; Charles R., of Goodland, Kansas; Laura E., now Mrs. \\'. K. Fogg, of Alliance; and Elisha P.. who lives in the city of Cleveland.

Jesse ^^". Teeters was born on the old homestead in Lexington township. Stark county, Ohio, June 5, 1836, and he spent his early life like the majority of country lads, working in the fields during- the springs, summer and early fall months and attending' the public schools of winter seasons. He was a youth of sixteen when his father mo\'ed lo .Mliance to look after business interests there, and from that time until his thirtieth year the management of the farm fell to him, and right nobly did he assume the responsibility and discharge his varied duties. He soon demonstrated unusual capacit}" as an agriculturist, adopted the most appro\-ed methods of tilling" the soil, and achieved not only an enviable reputation as an enterprising, progressi\-e man, but continually added to his material means until becoming the possessor of a fortune sufliciently ample to render him financially independent.

On June 28, 1866, .Mr. Teeters and ]\Iiss Addie Brosius. of Washington township, Stark county, daughter of the late Amos and Esther Brosius, were united in the bonds of wedlock, and shortly thereafter the subject purchased tlie old Teeters homesteafl in Lexington township, where lie Ii\-ed and prospered until 1901, In October of the latter year he sold the farrn and removed to Alliance, where he owns a beautiful home, in which he is Hving a hfe of retii-ement, having accumulated a suf^ciency of this world's goods to- make the remainder of his days free from the care and anxiety which beset the lot of individuals less fortunate. Mr. and Mrs. Teeters are the parents of one child, a daughter by the name of Mabel, who is now the wife of Lbka h. Lamborn, a newspaper man of Alliance, holding the position of manager of the Alliance Leader Publishing Company.

^Ir. Teeters' interest in the public affairs of his city and county has been long and marked and at dilTerent times he has been called to positions of honor and trust, in all of which he demonstrated not only resourceful business capacity, but a conscientious fidelity to duty that won the confidence and esteem of his fellow citizens. He served several, terms as assessor of Lexington township, and for a number of years was a member of the agricultural board of Stark county, a position to which he was but recently re-elected, and for which his long and successful experience peculiarly fit him. Like all good citizens with the best interest of the community, state and nation at heart, Mr. Teeters is a politician, not in the narrow, restricted sense in which the term is generally understood, but in tb.e large sense of discharging his obligations to the body politic as an intelligent member thereof. He is a Democrat, in all the word implies, and while warm and enthusiastic for his party's success and an able adviser in its councils and a zealous worker, he is not Ijitterly partisan nor offensive in his political methods. In the fall of 1902 he was nominated for the oftice of county commissioner, but by reason of the overwhelming- majority of the opposition in the district failed of ^ election, though running two thousand votes ahead of his ticket. On the death of his father Mr. Teeters was appointed to fill the latter's unexpired term on the Ixjard of trustees of the Fairmount Children's Home, and he still holds the position to the satisfaction of all concerned. He is a heavy stockholder in the City Savings Bank of Alliance, and his wife sustains the same relation to the First National Bank, considerable of the surplus means of the family being invested on these institutions. Mr. Teeters, with his faithful wife, belongs to the Christian church, in which he now holds the position of deacon, and he gives liberally of his means to support the congregation in Alliance, also contributes to the spread of the gospel in other parts of the country and in lands bevond the seas.

WTLLLAM MORGAN REED, cashier of the First National Bank of Alliance, and one of the best known and most infiuential financiers in this section of the state, is a nati\-e of Columbiana county, Ohio, and the se\enth in a family of se\cn children, whose parents were William .and Rhoda (Barton) Reed. William Reed was born in New Jersey in 1797, the son of Noah Reed, whose ancestors were among the old and highly respected families of that ci ininii mwealth. h^.arlv in the nineteerith centur}', about the year 1S05. Noah Reed migrated to eastern Ohio and ])urchased land near the present site of Salem, Columbiana ci)unt\'. from which in due seaswn he developed a farm. He experienced the usual ^-icissitudcs and hardships of the pioneer period, spent his life as an honest, industrious filler of the soil, reared a family and died many A'ears ago where he originallv settled, leaving to his descendants an hcinorable name, which they have since worthily upheld. William Reed was a lad of eight years when his parents took u]) their residence in Ohio. He was reared i>n the homestead near Salem, and in early life ser\-ed an ai^prenticeshi]) at the shoemaker's trade, which vocation he followed during the greater part of his active years, and he died in Columbiana county in 1865. By his first wife, Rhoda Barton, who died in 1847, he had seven children, five of whom are Hving, namely: Ruth, who married Joseph Mc- Cauley, of Lima; Rebecca, now Mrs. C. K. Greiner, of Alliance; Aveline also lives in this city; Mar>', wife of D. Runnells, whose home is in Alliance; and William M., the subject ot this review. Some time after the death of the mother of these children Mr. Reed married Margaret Sharpnack, who survived him several years, the union being without issue. In his early life William Reed was a zealous Democrat, and he continued his allegiance to that political party until the birth of the Free-Soil party, when he gave his support to the latter organization. Still later he became a pronounced Republican, and continued as such the remainder of his days, always manifesting a lively interest in political affairs, but never aspiring to office. In religion he was a devout member of the Methodist church, and as a neighbor and citizen his life was singularly upright and just.

William Morgan Reed was born on the family homestead near Salem, Columbiana county, Jjinuary 6, 1836, and there remained until his sixteenth year, meantime enjoying the advantages of a public school education. When only, thirteen years old he entered the employ of a dry-goods merchant at Salem, and after spending three years in that town resigned his place to accept a similar position in a mercantile establishment at North Benton, where he remained during the ensuing two and a half years.

In 1855 Mr. Reed, with two other parties, engaged in the mercantile business at Belvidere, Mahoning county, the firm thus constituted being known as M. W. Reed & Company, and it lasted until 1858, when the subject disposed of his interest and. returning to Benton, formed a partnership with Mr. Greiner, his former employer, under the style of Greiner & Reed. This relationship continued until 1866, at which time Mr. Reed sold out and went to Philadelphia, where he became associated with Mr. Caldwell in the general provision business, in connection with which the firm also conducted a fish market, which, like the other line of trade, commanded a large patronage. In the spring of the following year Mr. Reed severed his connection with the firm of Reed, Caldwell & Company, and, winding up his business in Philadelphia, came to Alliance, Ohio, where, in January, 1868, he purchased an interest in a warehouse which had previously been operated by Messrs. Nixin and Pettit, succeeding the former gentleman. After doing a successful grain business until the summer of 1869, the firm of Pettit & Reed ceased to exist, the latter buying out his partner and admitting his brother. Charles Reed, thus forming the firm of Reed Brothers, which lasted about six months. At the expiration of that time Mr. Pettit again became a member of the company which, under the name of Reed, Pettit & Reed, not only did a large and flourishing grain business, but also eng^aged quite extensively in the wholesale grocery Ifade. Charles Reed dying in March, 1870, the style of the company was again changed to Pettit & Reed, and as such continued until the fall of that year, when Mr. Pettit withdrew, leaving the subject sole proprietor. W'ith this change terminated the wholesale branch of the business and during the seventeen years following Mr. Reed devoted his attention exclusively to the interests of the warehouse, building up one of the largest and most successful grain trades in this part of the state. Upon the organization of the First National Bank of Alliance, in 1887, Mr. Reed was made a director of the institution, and in August following, when Leroy D. Brown resigned as cashier, he succeeded to the latter position and has discharged the responsible and exacting duties of the same to the present time.

tinanciers in eastern Ohio, being regai'ded as an authority upon all matters coming within his province. His career throughout has been eminenth' successful, and his influence in monetary and commercial circles has had much to do in shaping- and controlling business policies in Alliance and giving the city its present high financial standing among the leading trade centers of the state.

Mr. Reed's domestic relations are of the most pleasant and agreeable nature, being a married man and the father of two children, whose names are Mabel and Rhoda, both still members of the home circle. Mrs. Reed was formerly Miss Sarah A. Hartzell, the daughter of the late James Hartzell, of North Benton.

WILLIAM W. GILSON. - The Gilson family is an old one, its history in this country dating from the early annals of Pennsylvania and Ohio, in both of which commonwealths the name appears in connection with events and experiences of much more than ordinary import. Among the earliest pioneers O'f Columbiana county, this state, was a man by the name of Gilson. who came from Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, and entered a section of land m what is now Knox township, for which he subsequently received a patent, bearing the signature of James Madison, fourth President of the LTnited States. Later he divided this land among his four sons, one of whom was Major Gilson, a gallant soldier of the war of 1 812 and a commissioned officer, as the title indicates. The Major took possession of his share of the land, improved it and bore an active part in the development of his locality, having Ijeen a man of considerable prominence and to no small degree a leader among his neighbors and fellow citizens. To him belongs the credit of erecting one of the first frame buildings in the county of Columbiana, and the structure attracted such wide attention that people came long distances to gaze upon the wonderful modern innovation. Major Gilson married and reared a family, among his children being a son of the name of Joseph, who was born on the original homestead in Knox township in the year 181 6. Reared amid the spare settlements of what was then the frontier, he grew up a strong, rugged man, with a capacity for nnich hard work and an independence of mind that made him not only resourceful, but in the main successful in all of his undertakings. He was strictly an agriculturist, and took little part in public affairs further than to vote for the Democratic party, of wliich he was a stanch supporter, and to lend his influence to all worthy enterprises for the general welfare of his township and county. His father, the Major, was a zealous member of the Presbyterian church, the old church at the village of Homeworth having been established through his agency, and of this church Joseph afterwards became a leading member, serving it for many years in an official capacity.

In his young manhood Joseph Gilson married Miss Mary A. McLaughlin, whose Scotch- Irish ancestors came to America in the time of the colonies and settled in Pennsylvania. Several of the McLaughlins served with distinction in colonial struggles for independence and Mrs. Gilson's grandfather was subsequently killed while fighting the Indians near his home in Pennsylvania. Some time after his father's death Joseph Gilson purchased the old homestead of the heirs and spent the remainder of his life on the same. Of the children that originally constituted the family of Joseph and Mary A. Gilson only two survive, namely: The subject of this feview and Jennie G., now the wife of W. A. Curry, of Columbiana county.

the years of nianhrxxl on the home farm, enjoying meanwhile tlie advantages of tlie puhhc sch(.«jls. Finishing the common l)ranclies, he entered Mt. Union College, and after taking a course in that excellent institution he began his business career as a traxeling salesman lor agricultural implements for the rirm of Coates, Gra}- & Company, which he represented for several years on the road. Later he severed his connection with the aljo\-e and accepted a similar position with D. j\l. Osborn & Company, manufacturers of agricultural machinery, remaining in the employ of the two firms for something like fifteen years, during which time lie traveled extensi\-ely over the United States, commanded a large trade and established a worthy reputation as salesman and enterprising !)usiness man.

Becoming weary of the road, Air. Gilson aljandcjued that line of lousiness and engaged in contracting at Alliance. On the organization of the City Savings Bank, in 1892, he was elected its cashier, and he has since filled the position with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of everybody connected with. the institution, the meanwhile establishing a distinguished reputation as a business man and financier. Air. Gilson's career as a financier has been a continued success, and he is today not only one of the best known bankers of eastern Ohio, but his influence in monetary circles has made him an authority upon all matters relating thereto.

Air. Gilson is a married man and the father of four children, only one of whom survives, - Nita. now the wife of Harold C. Stratton, of Alliance. Mrs. Gilson, formerly Miss Mary AIcLeran, of Mt. Union, is a lady of beautiful character and refined tastes, popular in the social circles of the city and a faithful member of the Presbyterian church. Air. Gilson also subscribes to the same religious creed, and since 1870 has been an elder in the church at Alliance. He is active in all lines of work under the auspices of the church, is also a liberal contributor to charitable institutions, religious and secular, and lends his influence to all agencies for the social and moral advancement of the community. In politics he is pronounced in his allegiance to the Democratic party, but he has never aspired to official position, preferring the active business life he leads and the title of private citizens to any honors within the power of the people to bestow.

Ail enterprises looking to the material improvement of the city of his residence find in Air. Gilson an earnest advocate and influential patron. He has been active in public aft'airs and at the present time is president of the board of water works trustees. His life has been busy, if not eventful, and his honorable career in the institution with which he is now identified constitutes a high tribute to his character for integrity and financial responsiblty.

EDWIN MORGAN, the fifth in order of birth of the six living children of the late and highly honored citizen of Alliance. Thomas R. Morgan, Sr., founder of the great industry of the Morgan Engineering Company, was born in the city of Alliance, Stark county, Ohio, on the 30th of Alarch, 1872, and his educational discipline was secured in the public schools of his native city, the Peekskill Alilitary Academy, at Peekskill, New York, and the University of Liege, Belgium. At the age of sixteen years he became identified with the works of the Alorgan Engineering Company, in which he passed a portion of his time for the ensuing two years, a\ hile thereafter he devoted his entire attention to acting as assistant tO' his father, and he continued in this capacity until the time of the latter's death, in 1897. Two years later the subject severed his active connection with the company, though he retains a financial inferest in the great corporation whose magnificent success is due to the efforts of his talented and distinguished lather. He is one of the pmminent and popular young- men of Alhance, and takes a deep interest in all that tends to conserve its welfare, having served as a member of the city council, in which connection he rendered most effective service, and he is also president of the board of puljlic safety. In politics he accords a stanch allegiance to the Repubhcan party, in whose local contingent he is known as an active and zealous worker, and is now a member of the county executive committee. He is an admirer of good horses, and has a carriage team which holds a matinee recortl of 2 :20. Fraternally ]Mr. r^Iorgan is identified with Alliance Lodge Xo. 467, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and Lone Rock Lodge No. 23, Knights of Pythias, while he is also a member of the L'lii formed rank of the latter order, being affiliated with Yellow Cross Commandery No. 85. Lie further extends his fraternal relations by holding membership in Court of Alliance No. 1 5 16, Independent Order of Foresters. He is captain and commissary of the Eighth Regiment. Ohio National Guard, being a member of Col. Edward Vallrath's staff, and he is also adjutant of the Eighth Regiment, Uniformed Rank Knights of Pythias, on the staff of Colonel Shew.

On the 9th of September, 1893, Mr. Morgan was united in marriage tO' Miss Flora Knowles, a daughter of Oliver H. and Margaret (Battershell ) Knowles, of Alliance, her father being a prominent carriage manufacturer of the city. Mr. and Mrs. Morgan have one child, Oliver K., who was born on the 25th of August, 1894.

HENRY W. WERTS. - As the name indicates, the subject was of German descent, but at what period the family was first represented in America is not known, though it must have been at quite an early period, in the time of the colonies. From the most reliable information at hand, his ancestors, on coming to this country, appear to have settled in Pennsylvania, m various parts of which state the name W'erts is still familiar, all bearing it ha\- ing undoubtedly sprung fnim the same parental stock. Jacob Werts, father of Henry W'., was born in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and, like his ancestors for several generations, obtained a livelihood by tilling the soil. He married in his native state Miss Mary Wagner, and a number of years ago moved his family to W'adsworth, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his days, his wife dying shortlv after his demise, in Bronsoii, Michigan.

Henry W. Werts was bom March 29, 1832, in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, and when a bo}' remo^-ed with his parents to \Vadsworth. Ohio, near w hich place he lived on a farm until a youth of eighteen. Leaving home, he went to Akron, where he learned carriage making with C. A. Collins, a well-known manufacturer of that city, and after becoming an efficient workman followed his trade at dift'erent places until his removal to Canton, in the year 1859. On coming to this city he established a shop of his own. and in due time achieved an enviable reputation as a tuanufacturer of the well-known carriages that bore his name, the Werts vehicles in a few years taking precedence of any other make on the markets of eastern Ohio. Later they became widely known throug^hout this and other states, and the demand for them grew to such an extent that' Mr. \\'erts was obliged to enlarge the capacity of his establishment and greatly increase his force of workmen in order to meet the same. By reason of the high grade of his vehicles his financial success was most encouraging- and within a comparati\'eh- few years his sales had so augumented as to make him financially indei>endent. He continued to operate his works, however, until 1884. when he disposed of the business and with an ample fortune retired to private life to spend the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of the fruits of his toil and thrift. As a manufacturer Mr. Werts easily ranked with the most enterprising and progressive of his contemporaries, and to him as much as to any one man is due the credit of establishing for Canton the high reputation it has since sustained as an important industrial center.

Mr. Werts, on the 6th day of December, 1859, was married, in the city of Akron, to Miss Frank A. Mason, whose father. Elijah Mason, a native of Lebanon. Connecticut, came west when a yovuig man and settled at Hudson, Ohio, where he established a newspaper of which, for a number of years, he was editor and proprietor. Subsequently he remo\-ed to Akron (then Middleburg) and became prominently identified with the city's interests, taking an ?vctive part in its material development and serving a series of years as- justice of the peace and postmaster, besides filling other positions of trust and profit. The maiden name of Mrs. Elijah Mason was Charlotte Gillett, a native of Wolcottville, Connecticut, of which city her uncle was the original settler and founder. The Gilletts were among the oldest families of Connecticut, the name appearing in the early annals of the colony, and for many years after the war for independence it was a household \\ord in many parts of the state, many bearing it having risen to important public statum in their respective locations. Col. James Mason, father of Elijah, was a native of England; he came to America in the time of the colonies, settled in New England, and when the Revolutionary war broke out joined the American army and bore a distinguished part in the struggle until independence was achieved, having held a- colonel's commission in a Connecticut reginient.

Of the domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Werts little need be said, for fear of trespassing upon sacred ground, but suffice it to say that their relations were ever mutually agreeable and that their pleasant home, at No. 112 North Market street, was the abode of a free-handed, openhearted hospitality which made it a favorite resort for the best society circles of the city. ^Ir. Werts was essentially the architect of his own fortunes, and few men of his day were as widely known and as sincerely respected, and in his death, which occurred at the family residence on the 5th day of May. 1891, the city lost one of its most enterprising and publicspiriteel citizens, and to those who knew him a friend whose loyalty was never questioned, whose character stood above reproach and whose life, measured by the true standard of excellence, was fraught with substantial good and laroe l:)enefits to his kind.

JOHN C. ALLEN. - The death of the subject of this memoir, on the 8th of October, T890, deprived the city of Canton of one of its representative and honored citizens and able and progressive business men, - one of distinctive individuality and gracious personality and one who made his life a power for good, ever standing "four square to every wind that blow.-." ?^lr. Allen was born on the old homestead farm of his maternal grandfather, in Jackson township, this county, and on the Fulton road, the date of his nativity having Ijeen December 2^, 1848, while he was a son of Ira M. and Ella O. (Graham) Allen, the former of whom was born in the state of New York and the latter in Bedford county. Pennsyhania. her father having been one of the early pioneers of Stark county. L'a ^L Allen was a man of fine scholastic attainments and was for many years a successful teacher in the public schools of Stark county, having been principal of the Canton schools at the time of the birth of the subject. He died in the city of Canton in 1S97. and his widow still maintains her home here, having attained the venerable age of ninetyseven years. They became the parents of five

John C. Allen received his early educational discipline in the public schools of Alassillon, this county. At the age of sixteen years he secured a position in the manufactory of the Russell Company, in Massillon, becoming their salesman in Des Moines, Iowa. After about a year he returned and became their shippingclerk and bookkeeper, and he there remained until his father was elected county treasurer, when he became his clerk. He then became a student in the law office of the firm of Lynch & Day, in Canton, continuing his technical reading one year and in the meanwhile deciding that a business career could be more to his liking than that involved in the practice of the law. He accordingly purchased an interest in the Canton Wrought Iron Bridge Company, in whose interests he served as traveling representative until 1876, in August of which year was solemnized his marriage. After, withdrawing from the bridge company he liecame interested in coal-mining enterprises and also established himself in the insurance business in Canton, representing the Equitable Life and other important and leading life and fire insurance companies, while he became one of the most successful and prominent underwriters in this section of the state, building up a large and important business, while he also had various capitalistic interests, being a stockholder in the Kenton and Warwick stone quarries. These varied associations placed full demands upon his time and attention until his death, in 1890, and he gained prestige as one of the able, alert ancl progressive business men of the county, having indefatigable energy and marked initiative powers. He was a man of magnetic personahty, was widelv read and a vigorous and original thinker, having definite opinions and convictions and being ever ready to defend the same, while he a\ as a pleasing and entertaining conversationalist and possessed of the most at- tracti\'e social qualities, his friends being <h"awn to him by inviolable ties. In politics he accorded an unfaltering allegiance to the Republican party and his religious views were most liberal, his stand in this line being practically agnostic, tliough he was ever tolerant of the belief and faith of others and had a deep reverence for the true spiritual verities. Fraternally he was identified with the Masonic order, in which he rose to the Knight Templar degree.

On the 2d of August, 1876, Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Feather, who was born in Stark county, this state, being a daughter of Uriah R. Feather, a of the old Keystone state, his birth having occurred near the city of Philadelphia, on the 7th . of August, 1821. His father was a part owner of a school for boys near the city and was one of the well-known and able educators of Pennsylvania. He removed to Ohio when his son Uriah was a child and located on a farm near Canton, whence he later removed to another farm in Stark county, where he passed the residue of his life. Uriah R. Feather received excellent educational advantages and became a man of fine erudition, while he was for many years a successful and popular teacher in the schools of Stark county. He finally accepted a clerkship in a dry-goods store in Canton. He then' formed a partnership with Charles R. Cilasser, they having stores in Canton and Uniontown. and later he became associated with his cousin, Levi Schaefer, in the establishing of a dry-goods store in this city, while they also maintained several branch stores in various parts of the county. Mr. Feather withdrew from this line of enterprise when he was elected county treasurer, and he was thereafter ch.osen as his own successor on two occasions, thus serving three terms and giving a most able and acceptable administration of the fiscal affairs of the county. He was distinctively one of the representative citizens and successful and public-spirited business men of the citj- of;

Canton. He was one of the principal stockholders in the City National Bank, having been one of its organisers, while he had valuable real-estate holdings in Canton and elsewhere in the county, having laid out three additions to the city and thus having contributed materially to its substantial growth and upbuilding-. His attractive old homestead is still standing, being located at the corner of Cleveland a\enue and F'eather street, the latter thoroughfare having been named in his honor. The present brick building replaced the original frame dwelling, which was of the colonial style of architecture, with massive Doric pillars ornamenting its facade. Mr. Feather was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities from the time of the organization of the party, and he wielded marked influence in local affairs of a public natiu'e. He married Miss Elizabeth Holl. a daughter of Daniel Holl, concerning whom more specific mention is made in the sketch of his .son, John H., appearing on other pages of this work. Mr. Feather was summoned into eternal rest on the 8th of February. ]888, having been an earnest and zealous member of the Lutheran church. His wife survived him by a number of years, her death occurring in August, 1896, at the age of sixty-nine years. She was a woman of noble and gracious character, gentle and kindly in all the relations of life and ever seeking to be helpful to others, making no discrimination in the matter of social precedence or mere temporal success, and thus having sincere affection and regard of rich and poor alike, for in her daily walk and conversation she exemplified her deep Christian faith, - a faith tliat made faithful in thought, word and deed. She was an active and zealous worker in the Lutheran church and her life was' one of distinct spiritualitv and consecration. She was tlie mother of three children, namel}' : John, who died in infancy ; Frances R., of Canton, and Mary E., widow of the subject of this memoir. John Feather, grandfather of Mrs.

Allen, was a colonel of a regiment of militia during the war of the Revolution, and he died at the home of his adopted daughter, Mrs." FLirriet Llarter, in Plain township. Stark county. Ohio. Mrs. Allen resides in the city of Canton, and is surrounded by a wide circle of devcUed friends, taking a prominent part in the social life of the community, while she is a de\oted and active member of the Lutheran chiHxh, but her religious views are broader than the tenets of any one church. Of her two children it ma\- ht said that John F. is engaged in business in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, while Stuart I. is at the time of this writing a student in Canton, Ohio. John F. was educated at the University of Cleveland, Ohio. After leaving there he went to California and entered Belmont Military Academy, but fbout a vear after he was admitted to this institution he met with the misfortune to have his left arm shattered by the accidental discharge of his gun, necessitating amputation. T!ie heroism and self-possession displayed l)y t!ie young man on this occasion was remarked upon by one of the famous surgeons of America, who performed the amputation, as being the most marvelous e\'er witnessed by him during his thirty-three years experience as a surgeon. This misfortune, together with other occu''rences, changed the plans he had formeil as to a course at Flarvard ITniversity and he returned home and read law for a period and is now connected with the legal department of the Fidelity Title and Trust Company of Pittsburg, Pennsvlvania.

ROBERT S. ELLISON was born in the town of Philippi, West Virginia, on the 29th of November, 1831, this being prior tO' the separation of that state from the Old Dominion, and his death occurred in the city of Canton on the 1st of May, 1898. He was a son of Zachariah Ellison, who was a direct de- scendant of Gideon Ellison, one of the members of the William Penn colony of Friends, or Onakers, who came to America from Eng'land in 1680 and \Aho settled in New Kent county, \'irof;nia. The descendants, many of whom remain trxlay members of the Society of Friends, are now found widely disseminated through the middle and western states. The parents of our subject settled on a farm near Philippi, Barbour county. West Virginia, the family homestead being- located on a high hill overlooking the town and commanding a fine view of the surrounding coimtr\'. In later years the spot being- historically notable as being the exact place, during tlie early part of the war of the Rebellion, where the Union fcjrces planted their cannon to shell the town. Zachariah Ellison became seriously opposed to the institution of human slavery as existing in the Old Dominion, and this led to his leavingthat section in the year 1832 and removing to Portage county, Ohio. Flis wife carried the -ubject of this memoir in her arms, he being an infant of about one year at the time, and she rode on horseback during the long and weary o\-erland journey, there being no roads then constructed for the accommodation of vehicles. They located on a tract of wild land in Portage county, where the father improved a good farm, and there he and his wife passed the residue of their lives, honored by all who knew them and being consistent members of that noble organization with which they were identitied by birthright, the Society of Friends. They became the parents of ten children, of whom Robert S. was the ninth in order of birth, and of the number two are living at the present time.

Robert S. Ellison was reared under the sturdy discipline of the pioneer farm and his early educational privileges were such as were afforded in the common schools of the locality. At the age of nineteen years he entered upon an apprenticeship at the shoemaker's trade, in which line he became an expert workman. He continued to follow the same for a few years in Ohio and then returned to his birthplace, at' Philippi, West Virginia, where he engaged in the manufacturing of boots and shoes. There, on the 9th of April, 1861, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Sarah H. Cool, daughter of William and Catherine Cool, of that place, wdiere she was born and reared, the date of her birth having been November 10, 1838. After the close of the Civil war Mr. Ellison again came to Portage county, Ohio, locating in the village of Atwater, on the western reserve, where he opened a shoe store, remaining in business there eighteen years. Afterward he came to Canton, Stark county, where he devoted several years to his trade and to the perfecting of his patent iron shoe lasts, which are now in use not only throughout the United States and Canada, but also in the West Indies and other foreign countries. The well equipped factory is being conducted for the estate by his two sons, who are numbered among the reliable and able business men of the city and who are fully maintaining- the high prestige of the honored name which they bear. Mrs. Ellison survives her husband, as do also the one son and one daughter. The latter, Mrs. Ola E. Caldwell, is the wife of William D. Caldwell, of Canton ; Claude C. has charge of the business; Wylie D. died July 16, 1903. Mr. Ellison was a typical Virginian, very tall in stature and genial and kindly in his intercourse with his fellow men, while his name is known to shoe dealers in every state in the Union, standing as a synonym of the most exalted integrity and honor. He greatly lightened the labors of those engaged in the manufacture and repairing of shoes through the invention of his useful and valuable devices, and it is gratifying to know that his success in temporal affairs was of pronounced order. He was public-spirited and benevolent, but was altogether unassuming, taking men at their real valuation and being tolerant in his judgment. He was a niemljer of the Society of Friends by birthright, his widow being a member of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Canton. In politics Mr. Ellison gave his allegiance to the Democratic party from the time of attaining his majority until he was called from the scenes of life's labors, and fraternally he was identified with the Knights of the Maccabees. His home life was ideal and to those who were nearest and dearest to him in the sacred precincts of the home must remain a measure of compensation for his love in the memory of his noble and kindlv life.

FRANK C. FARWICK, of the West End Notion Company, Canton, hails from far-away Germany, where his birth occurred on the 17th day of August, 1871, being the son of Frank and Lizzie (Schriever) Farwick. He was brought to the United States when a mere child and grew to mature years in Newport, Kentucky, in which city his parents located after reaching this country, and in the public schools of which he received his educational training. On quitting school young Frank Farwick found employment in the Deuber watch case works at Newport, and when the company, in 1888, moved its plant from that city to Canton, Ohio, he was given the position of inspector, the duties of which he discharged until 1897. During the period of great business depression, when the factory was running but three or four days a week, Mr. Farwick peddled odds and ends from house to house, and his success in this kind of business finally led him to form a partnership with J- J. Aurerdrum in the general notion trade. They began business by investing a modest sum of money in notions, and each witli his pack would take a street and sell from house to house, in this way making a thorough canvass of the residence portions of the city. They purchased their stock from the wholesale house of W. A. McCrea and prosecuted their sales with such energy and success that by February, 1897, they were able to locate a stand ol their own, selecting for the same a small room, fourteen by twenty-seven feet in size, on West Tiiscarawas street, just opposite their pi^eseut place of business. Borrowing about five hundred dollars with which to purchase goods, they stocked their room with a fine line of notions, but the success of the enterprise proved so encouraging that within the short space of three months they found it necessary to seek more commodious quarters in which to conduct their large and constantly growing business. Accordingly, they removed at the end of the above time to No. 1221 West Tuscarawas street and took possession of a room twenty-seven by sixty feet in area, which they have since occupied under the name of the West End Notion Company. Laying in a largely increased stock of all kinds of notions, these energetic young men gave new life and impetus to the business, and from that time to the present it has continually grown in magnitude and importance until their store is now the leading establishment of the kind of the city. Meanwhile they added the storeroom next door, which was connected with the main apartmeiit by an open passage in the rear, and subsequently at the end of the third year it was necessary to enlarge the capacity of their quarters, which they did by the addition of a third room. The business continuing' to increase until the three rooms were insufficient, an addition fifty by thirty feet was afterwards made to the rear of the building, thus affording' ample space for the immense stock of notions, dr\- goods and hardware - which the firm handles, the last three lines having recently been added to the business. The growth of this enterprise from such an humble beginning, and that too in so short a space of time, bespeaks for the proprietors energy, judgment and business qualifications of a very high order, and such as few young men of their ages possess. To Mr. Farwick's untiringindustry, progressive spirit and fine executive abihty is due a large measure of the success which- has attended the business from its inception. He is highly esteemed in commercial ^-ircles. is well regarded by the public and it is a compliment worthily bestowed to claim for him a place in the front ranks of Canton's most enterprising and successful young business men.

Mr. Farwick was married, May 17, 1893, in Canton, to Miss Laura M. Boeshart, a nati\-e of Stark county, the union being blessed with children as follows: Nobert L., eight years old ; Arthur, aged seven ; Gerald, deceased; IMargaret, a miss of three years; and ^Mildred, a young lady whose earthly experience at this writing covers a period of six mouths. Mr. Farwick is a Republican in politics, but is much more of a business man than a politician. He is Catholic in religion, and with his family belongs to St. Jnhn's church, Canton.

THOMAS F. SNYDER, mechanic, educator and at the present time editor of the Craftsman, one of the leading papers of eastern Ohio, devoted to the subject of organized labor, is a native of Stark county, born in the city of Canton, where he now lives, on the nth day of February, 1871. John C. Snyder, his father, was born in Germany and at the age of twenty-six came to the United States and settled in Alliance, where he worked for a number of years as a wagon-maker. Catherine Neiberd, wife of John C. Snyder and mother of the subject, was born and reared near Salem, Ohio, and at this time is living at Canton, her husband having died in the year 1891.

After attending the public schools of his native city until the age of thirteen, Thomas F. Snyder learned the moulder's trade and followed the same in Canton and elsewhere until his twenty-fifth year. Having always been a reader and thinker, he became interested in educational matters, and feeling the need of more thorough mental discipline than was afforded b}' his limited experience in the common schools, he entered, in 1898, Dennison University, \\here he pursued the higher branches of learning for a period of one year. Leaving college, he took up the study of medicine, but not finding the profession to his taste he abandoned it after a few months and engaged in the work of the university extension. In this capacity he traveled over a large part of the eastern states, lecturing and organizing circles, and the years Nvhich he devoted to this mo\'ement were among the most pleasant and profitable of his life. The Avork brought him in contact with the best class of people, such as students, teachers and men and women of much more than ordinary culture, and the experience proved highly educational to him in many ways. Resigning this position after three years' faithful serAice, he returned home and entered the employ of the Aultman Manufac^ turing Company, with which he remained the three years follcHving.

From an early age Mr. Snyder has been greatly interested in the labor movement, and he has studied the subject in its ever}- relation most carefully and critically. A warm friend and earnest advocate of organized labor, he decided while in the employ of the Aultnian Company to establish a paper which should be an exponent of its principles and through the medium of which the thoughts of the best writers on sociological and kindred subjects might be given publicity. Meeting with hearty encouragement on the part of his friends and co-workers, he finally launched the enterprise and in due time the first number of the Craftsman made its appearance, its reception by laboring men and by the public in general being very flattering. For some months he issued the Craftsman while attending to his other duties, but the patronage continuing to increase,, he finally, in October, igo2, resigned his position and since that time has devoted his entire attention to the paper, which under his able management has become not only a reflex of the thought of organized labor in Canton, but to all appearances a permanent fixture in the domain of state journalism. Mr. Snyder is a clear, concise writer, and his familiarity with the labor movement in its every phase and bearing enables him to speak in relation to the matter as one ha^'ing authority. The Craftsman is a neat, well-edited sheet, filling a longfelt want in this city and, judging from the hearty reception of the first number and its continued growth in public favor, the indications are that it will prove quite successful as a business enterprise, to say nothing of its influence and helpfulness as an educational force among- the classes it is especially designed to l^enefit.

In addition to his duties as editor Mr. Snyder is accredited business agent for about forty labor unions in Canton alone, and his ability and marked influence in those organizations is said to have successfully averted many strikes and adjusted all difilculties resulting therefrom irt a manner eminently satisfying to all parties concerned. Mr. Snyder's popularity extends beyond the sphere to which his specific work is confined, and his every relation with the people is that of a man whose aims have always been correct and whose integrity has ever been above adverse criticism. In politics he supports measures and principles which in his judgment best conserve the public good, and he casts the ballot regardless of party ties, lieing in the most liberal sense of the term an independent. He believes in religion and recognizes in the church a powerful agency for the good of society and the state, but has little use for the cold, dead formalism characteristic of manv creeds and thinks the numerous lines of partition wiiich now separate God's people should be swallowed up in a more liberal and a more universal faith. Formerly he was a member of the First Baptist church of Canton, but at the present time he is not identified with any congregation, though contributing liberally to religious and charitable institutions and using his best endeavors to promote the universal brotherhood of man upon one common plane of opportunity.

THOMAS JEFFERSON MILLER, director of the Stark county infirmary and holding an important clerical position with one of the leading business houses of Canton, is a native of this city, born at the family home. 729 South [Market street, on June 21, 1863. His fatlier, Joseph ]\liller, A\as a renns}ivanian, grew to maturitv in his natixe state, recei\'ed a gyod eilucation in the public sch(iols of the same and until coming to Ohio folliiwed agriculture for a livelihood. About the year 1848 he changed Iiis residence to Stark county, and for sometime thereafter was employed in the shojjs of C. Anltman & Company, where finally he rose to the responsible position of superintendent. He was an energetic, capable business man of fine executive ability, enjoyed the confidence of the large and wealthy firm and stood high in the esteem of the people of his adopted city. He married, in Canton, Miss Elizabeth Eckert, a native of Pennsylvania who came to this city in childhood with her father, John Eckert, the union resulting in the birth of nine children, namely: Ada, deceased wife of Conrad Shade: ^Irs. Rena Richardson, of Canton; George F., of New York city: Charles, Henry and Kate died in their infancy; Thomas J., of this re\-iew. and Joseph H., assistant superintendent of the Bucher & Gibbs Plow Works, Canton. Joseph Miller died in this city in 1869, at the age of forty-five: his wife sur\ived him a considerable length of

The early life of Thomas INIiller was spent in Canton and after attending- the public schools until his sixteenth year he secured employment in the C". Aultman it Company shops, where he held a position during the ensuing nine years, the meanwhile completing a full business course by attending of nights the Canton Commercial Colleg'e. At the expiration of the time noted he severed his connection with the -Vultm.'in Company and engaged with Charles Rumpf, proprietor of the Globe Clothing House of this city, but after remaining a short time behind the counter he resigned his clerkship to accept a position with Charles N. Vicary. in whose employ he continued about one year. In 1898 Mr. Miller accepted a position in the clothing store of \V. E. Homer, where he has since remained, his line of duty lieing very nnportant, much oi the responsil)ility of the business resting u[)on him. He lias discharged his every obligation faithfully and well, and possessing keen perception, matiu'e judgment and business abilit)- of a high order, has made his services indispensible to his employer, whose interests he gTiards as carefu.lly as if they were his own. From 1894 to 1900 inclusive Mr. Miller served as trustee of Canton township and in 1902 he was elected director of the Stark county infirmary, which responsil)le trust he still holds, his term of ofike expiring- in the year 1904. In his political adherence Mr. Miller is a Republican, and of recent years he has manifested quite an active interest in local and state af¥airs, having rendered his ])art\- valuable service in a number of campaigns. Religiously he was reared in the Methodist church, to which faith he still subscribes, lieing with his ^vife a regular attendant of the First Methodist church of Canton.

enthusiastic worker in the same ; he holds membership with McKinley Lodge No. 431, Free and Accepted Masons; Lodge No. 11, Knights of Pythias, atid Washington Council, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, in all of which he has been honored with important official station.

Referring to the domestic life of Mr. Miller it is learned that he was happily married on October 22, 1890, to Miss Lizzie Stocke. the daughter of Lawrence and Mar}- Ann (W'ayner) Stocke, the father an employe in the Diebold Safe XVorks of Canton. Two children have been born to this union, a daughter by the name of Gladys Catherine and a son. Edgar Ebert.

THOMAS J. IlIDWELL was born in Boli\-ar, on the 19th of January, T862. being a son of Matthew and Elizabeth (Lenhart) Bidwell. Matthew Bidwcll was born in the of Trenton, Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in the year 1820, his parents having been numbered among the pioneers of that section of the state. As a boy he began driving the melancholy mules on the tow-path of the canals, and eventually he was given charge of a canal boat, and he folhjwed this line of work until his death, which occurred in 1864, when our subject was but two years of age. Elizabeth (Lenhart) Bidwell was likewise born in Tuscarawas county, the place of her nativity having been the town of Canal Dover, and she is still living at Bolivar. They became the parents of four children, namely. Sadie, who is the wife of Benjamin Rennels, of Bolivar; John W., who is a resident of Mineral City, Tuscaraw-as county, this state; Joseph, who resides on a farm near Toledo, and Thomas, the immediate subject of this sketch.

family became separated. As a child the subject was reared by his mother in the town of Bolivar, Tuscarawas county, and there it was his privilege to attend the public schools until he had attained the age of sixteen years, after which he engaged in teaching in the district schools, successfully following the pedagogic profession for a period of five years and in the meanwhile de\-otmg his attention to continuing his own studies, by which means he rounded out his education in a practical way. He then, became associated with his brother Jolm W. in the establishing of .a confectionery business in the village of Bolivar, Tuscarawas county, and continued to be identified with this enterprise until 1886, when he came to the city of Canton, where for four years he was engaged in the commission business, under the firm name cjf W J. Tiidwell it Company. He then withdrew from this line of trade and engaged in the insurance business herp, and eventually was appointed to his present position as district manager for the Aetna Life Insurance Company, of Hartford, Connecticut, his jurisdiction including Stark county, and he has shown marked energy and discrimination in , handling the work assigned to him, securing the co-operation of able subordinate agents and greatly expanding the scope of the company's underwriting in this section of the state.

In politics Mr. Bidwell has ever' accorded an uncompromising allegiance to the principles and policies of the Republican party and has taken an active interest in its cause. He served two terms as assessor of his ward, and for six years he was incumbent of the office of trustee of Canton township, while in 1903 he was nominated and elected to the office of citv treasurer of Canton. He and his wife are valued members of Trinity Reformed church, and fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

On the 7th of January, 1883, Mr. Bidwell was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Burgert, who was born in Holmes county, this state, but who Avas a resident of Coshocton, Ohio, at the time of her marriage. She is a daughter of Tobias and Lydia Burgert, who came to Ohio in the pioneer days. He is now dead, w hile the mother lives in Holmes county, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Bidwell have two children : Florence, who was born in Bolivar on the 4th of September. 1885, and who is a member of the class of 1904 in the Canton high school ; and Raymond, who was torn in Canton, on the 23d of April, 1884, and who is likewise a student in the high school, as a member of the class of IQO^.

HEi\RY N. FIRESTONE, altbongh young in yeans, is a worthy member of his family, and is of the fourth generation of the family 'n this county. He was born in Plain township, December 15, 1866, on the farm on which he now lives and which is owned by him. His father was Hiram Firestone, who was also bnrn on the same farm and lived upon it up to the time of his death, in August, i88r, at the early age of forty-two years. His wife, the mother of the subject, was in her maidenhood Maggie ]\IcDowell, sister of H. C. McDowell, an acconrplished business man. capitalist and extensive agriculturist of Plain township, a sketch of whose career will be found in another part of this volume. One of the sisters of the subject was Nettie Firestone, now Mrs. C. A. Boettler and another was Mary E. Firestone, now Mrs. Edwin S. Correll. Mrs. Maggie (McDo\\-ell) Firestone died on the old home farm in November, 1S89, at the age of fiftytwo years. The Firestones, McDowells, Boettlers and Corrells were among the early settlers and pioneers of the countv. ai>d are noted for their enterprise, thrift and probity. The ]ia- ternal grandfather of Henry N. Firestone was Henry Firestone, a native of Colnmbiana county, Ohio, who, some seventy years ago, located upon the farm now owned and occupied by his grandson. He cleared and improved the place and cultivated it up to the time of his death, being fifty-six years of age when he died. Those who knew him describe him as an intellectual, honest, sagacious man, who took special pride in his family and never wearied of doing all in his power to advance the interests of the community of which he was an important part.

Henry N. Firestone was reared upon the ancestral homestead, which lie now owns and occupies. His early life differed little from that of other boys of the period, except, perhaps, that he was much more studious and ambitious than the average of his age. He was e.specially solicitous regarding the cultivation and. development of his mind and was earnest in all of his studies. He attended the public schools and mastered all of the branches taught in those institutions of learning before he had attained the age of sixteen years. He then attended the Dennison University at Ohio, for two years and later took a business course at the Capital City Commercial College of Columbus, Ohio. So well did he improve his time and talents in each of these institutions that his preceptors admitted that few youths had passed under their care better equipped to engage in the battle of life than Henry X. Firestone.

On January 28, 1892, Mr. Firestone was united in marriage, at the home of the bride's parents in Plain township, to Miss Cora Smith, one of the most worthy, estimable and accomplished young ladies in that part of Stark county. Her parents were I\Ir. and Mrs. H. M. Smith, who have resided in Stark county a number of years, though Mrs. Firestone is a native of Bethalta, Illinois, After marriage ^Ir, and Mrs. Firestone established themseh-es at housekeeping on the old home place. They are the parents of three children, viz : Leto M., Jliram H. N. and Alaxine M., who are all handsome, well formed, intelligent children and give promise of adding new luster to the worthy name they bear.

Politically Mr. Firestone is a Republican, active and energetic in the interests of the party. His zeal is due not to any personal ambition to become an ofiicial, but Ijecause he believes in good government and considers a Republican administration more conducive to it than any other. The only taste of official life he ever had was one term in the office of township assessor. He is a member of Middlebranch Tent No. 383. Knights of the INTaccabees, and of the Junior Order of United American Mechanics.

One does not expect to find anything particularly note\\'orthy in the career of a young man, thirty-six years of age, who was born on a farm and has resided upon the same place all his life: but the exemplary life led by the subject of this sketch from his birth to the present time, the active, progressive career of his fatlier and his grandfather, the prominence of the family and of the families to which he is related, entitle h.im to definite consideration in a work of this kind. Aside from this, his own native virtues commend him to public notice. An ol)edient son to his parents during their life lime, he is now a true husband, an indulgent parent, an enterprising citizen and a man of real manly merit in every walk of life. Mr. Firestone has acquired a splendid reputation as a dairyman, his butter being considered the ne plus ultra in that line. He has had many noted patrons, ha\ing furnished butter to William McKinley while the latter was governor of Ohio and also during his residence in the White House at Washington. Among Mr. Firestone's present patrons are Mrs. McKinley, Justice Day and many other prominent citizens of' Canton and A'icinitv.

MATTHE\V CALDWELL was born in the family home in James street, in the city of Dubhn, Ireland, in December. 1826, being a son of John and Catherine Caldweh. John Caldwell was born in county Rosconnnon, Ireland, and learned the trade of shoemaker and also that of tailor. After his marriage he renvned to the city of Dublin, where he continued* to follow his trade until his death, whicli occurred about the year 1847. 'i'* wife also passing- away in that city. Both were devoted communicants of the Roman Catholic church, in whose faith they carefully reared their children, the mother having entered into eternal rest while the subject of this sketch \\as an infant. They were the parents of four children, and of the number the subject is now the only survivor. His sister Ann, the wife of \\'i]liam Bmwn, came with her huslxnul and our subject to America, and ]\Ir. and Mrs. Brown passed the remainder of their lives in Troy, New York. Two of their sons, David, who died in the cit\- of Albany, Xew York, and another one, who resides in Amsterdam, that state, became priests of the Catholic church.

The subject of this sketch received his educational discipline in the parochial anil city schools of Dublin, and there he learned the shoemaking trade, in which he ser\'ed the seven years' apprenticeship which was then customary, becoming- a thoroughly skilled workman. He continued to follow his trade in his native city until ]84(), when, in company with his sister and her husband, he embarked in Dublin, on the TOth of August, on the sailing sbi]-) "Catherine," which did not drop anchor in the port of New York city mitil thirty-three days later. On the voyage cholera broke out on board the ^-essel, and thirty-three persons succumbed to its ra\-ages. one entire familv being thus wijied out. After his arrival in New York city i\Ir. CaKlwell accompanied his sister and her husband to Trov, that stat'*^ where he worked at his trade for one year, within which time he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown. About this time V. R. Kimball, a tanner and shoemaker in Canton. advertised for three bootmakers, and ]\Ir. Caldwell learned of this opening through a former employer in Troy, and this led to his coming to Canton, where he remained in the employ of ]\Ir. Kimball for about eight years, after which he continued in the employ of Thomas Murray, a former foreman of ^Ir. Kimball, for about the same length of time, and thereafter he worked for Joseph Richards. About the year 1852 Mr. Caldwell purchased a plat of land, sixty-six b}' two Inmdred feet in dimensions, extending from Cleveland avenue back to Court street, and here he established a small shop, fronting on the former thoroughfare, where he began business on his own responsibility. He later moved the shop back on to Court street, and here he has ever since continued to be engaged in the work of his trade, except for a brief interval during the panic of 1873, when he was employed in the Cleveland shops of the firm of Savage & Stearns, of Cleveland. INlr. Caldwell has controlled a representati\'e patronage from the start, and he is known and honored by the leading people of Canton, many of whom have been his patrons for years, while he is known as a man of unimpeachible integrity and marked intellectual acumen. Though advanced in vears he retains remarkable plivsical and mental vigor and his genial and kindly face is greeted with distinctive pleasure by his hosts of friends in the city and county in which he has made his home for so man}- years. .\!ioul 18S8 he erected his present comfortable and attractive residence on the lot purchased in i8:;2. the building facing Cleveland avenue and being most eligibly located. In ])olitics ^{v. Caldwell is a stanch advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, in whose support he lias been arrayed from the time of becoming' a naturalized citizen, liaving cast his first presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas. He is a zealous and valued member of St. John's church, Roman Catholic, as is also his cherished and devoted wife, who has been to him a true companion and helpmeet. To them have been born six children, namely : Arthur, who is now a resident of the state of Texas ; Johanna, who remains at the parental home, as does also Katy; William D., who is a representati\e business man of Canton, where he is engaged in the dry-goods business, and v,ho married "Miss Ola E. Ellison; and Annie, who remains with her parents.

HERIMAN F. RENZ was born in the kingriom of W'urtemberg, Germany, on the 6th of Noveml)er, 1867, the name which he bears having been identified with the history of that section of the empire for many generations. His parents, Louis and Caroline (Sitzler) Renz, were both born and reared in Wurtemberg, where their marriage was solemnized and where nine of their children were born. The father serx-ed in the German army during' the period prescribed by governmental regulations. Becoming convinced that in the United States lietter opportunities would lie afforded his children for the rUtaining ut success in life, in 1872 he and bis devoted wife severed the ties which Ijound them to home and fatherland and emigrated to America, whither bad pre\'iouslv come their daughter Caroline, in company with her husband, Joseph Meyers. The family arrived in due course of time in the city of New York and thence came westward to Ohio, locating in the city of Cleveland, where the father of our subject secured employment at his trade, that of carriage blacksmith, and in the Forest City of Ohio he C(^ntinued to reside until bis death, which occurred on the ist of ^Jay, 1872. at which time he was fifty-six years of age. His wife entered into eternal rest on the 2d of March, 1887, at the age of sixty-six years. Of their ten children, eight are living at the present time and all are well established in life. In politics Mr. Renz was a stanch Republican from the time of becoming a naturalized citizen, and both he and his wife were devoted members of the Baptist church, being folk of sterling worth and unassumingcharacter and making the best possible provision for their children, though, as the family was a large one and the inci.ime small in proportion, tlie sons were early compelled to assume individual responsibilities, self-reliance and definite effort being thus quickened into being, so that the discipline ])r(ned rather an impetus than a handicap.

Herman F. Renz was a child of but four }'ears at the time of his parents" emigrati(^n to .\merica, and his boyhood days were passed in the city of Cleveland, where he attended the pu1)lic schools until he had attained the age of twelve years, since which time he has been self-supporting. At the age noted he secured employment, in an humble capacity, in the works of the L'pson Nut Company, of Clex'eland, his (jbject being to learn the traile oi machinist. He serxed a thorough ap]jrenticeship and early manifested a distinctive aptitude for mechanics, so that his advancement has liecome the natural result <if his ability and fidelity. That his efforts were appreciated is best shown in the fact that he remained continuiiusly in the emplov of this concern ft^r the long period of fourteen years, within which he become known as a thoroughly skilled mechanic, having charge of the forging department of tiie institutiiin during the latter portion (if his connection therewith. In September, i8!)3. ]\fr. Renz came Id Canton and assumed bis present positidn ;is superintendent of the win'ks of the Canton Saw Company, of whch he later became a stockholder, ami he has done much to further the success of the enterprise through his technical and executive ability, while be has the confidence and good will of both the officers and employes of the company. Mr. Renz is essentially a business man and permits no division of interests, though he is loyal to the duties of citizenship at all times and takes a proper interest in all that concerns the general welfare. Until within the past few years he gave his support to the Democratic party, but his study and observation of the trend of public affairs led him to differ with the organization in the matter of its financial policy, and wth the courage of his convictions he transferred his allegiance to the Republican party, of which he has since remained a supporter.

In the city of Cleveland, on the 25th of September, 1889, Mr. Renz was united in marriage to Miss Anna Angel, who was born and reared in that city, being a daughter of Henry and Katy (Lentz) Angel, both of whom are now deceased,' her father having been at one time a member of the board of police commissioners of Cleveland. The subject and his wife have one child, Harry Angel, who was born on the 28th of July, 1892.

ALBERT T. BOWMAN, V. S., is the son of George M. and Lucy (Thomas) Bowman, the father a gallant soldier of the great Rebellion and at the present living in Columbus, this state. George ]\L Bowman was born and reared in Paris township, .Stark county, and at the youthful age of fourteen years entered the service of his country as a member of an .-irtillery company with which he shared the fortunes and vicissitudes of war until the star of rebellion went down at Appomattox. For some years after the war he followed painting and later came to Canton, where for a quarter of a century he labored as a machinist in the Wrought Iron Bridge Works of this city. In 1893 he was appointed guard at the Ohio state penitentiary, Columbus, in which capacity he continued for a period of six years and at the expiration of that time returned to Canton, where he resided during the two years following. Lie was then made captain of the Ohio penitentiary hospital, which important position he '^till holds. Mrs. Lucy Bowman bore her hus- Ijand two children and departed this life at Canton in the year 1890. Eva, wife of Charles Herman, of Canton, is the older of the two children, th.e subject of this sketch being the second in order of birth. Subsequently, 1893, Mr. Bowman entered the marriage relation with Miss Jennie Henderson, of this county, a union without issue. George M. Bowman is a stanch Republican in politics and as such has long been a factor of no inconsiderable influence in the councils of his party. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of Maccabees and the Grand Ai"my of the Republic and in religion is a member of the Christian (or Disciple) church. His father, Albert Bowman, was born and raised in tlie county of Stark and sjient his life within its borders as an honest, industrious tiller of the soil. He died a number of years ago, as did also his wife, who before her marriage bore the family name of Rash, Iwth being descendants of early pioneers.

Dr. Albert T. Bowman was born March 18, 1874, in Canton and received his elementary education in the city schools. The training thus acquired was afterwards supplemented by a special course in a private institution of learnir.g, after whicli he took up the study of \eterinary medicine and surgery with Dr. L. D. Blanchard, of Canton, under whose able instructions he continued for a period of two years. Actnatcd by a commendable desire to enlarge his professional knowledge, he subsequently because a student in the celebrated Ontario Veterinary College at Toronto, Canada, one of the largest .-md most thorough institutions of the kind on the American continent, and there he prosecuted his studies and prac-

On receiving his degree Dr. Bowman began the practice of his profession at Canton in partnership with his former preceptor, Dr. Blanchard, the firm thus constituted continuing during the eight years following. On the first of November, 1899, the subject opened an office of his own and since that time has built up a large business, as successful pecuniarily as it has been professionally. As a veterinarian Dr. Bowman stands in the front rank, with few equals and no superiors. He brought to his chosen calling a mind thoroughly disciplined by rigid professional training and large practical experience under the direction of some of tlie ablest professors of the day, and it would indeed have been strange had his career been otherwise than successful. He has studied with the greatest care every authority bearing upon \eterinary practice, which with his own researches and investigations has enabled him to make progress such as the ordinary veterinarian knows little about. He has reduced his treatment to a splendid science, and by reason of the success that has attended his efforts, as well as on account of the remedies which he has disco^-ered, his reputation has spread far beyond the confines of the city in which he lives. When the Spanish- American war broke out Dr. Bowman was one of the first young men in Canton to tender his services to the government, enlisting April 26, 1898, in Company I, Eighth Ohio Volunteers. He accompanied his command to Cuba, took part in the Santiago campaign and after the surrender of that stronghold was appointed veterinary surgeon of the quartermaster's department, with orders to proceed at once to Tampa, Florida. He took charge of the several corralls at that place and discharged his duties scientifically and satisfactorily until November, 1898. Receiving an honorable discharge at the clo.se of the war, he returned hcmie an<l resumed his practice, which, as already stated, has steadily increased in volume and importance to the present time. The Doctor is a member of the Santiago and Spanish-American War Veteran Societies and takes an active interest in their deliberations. He is also identified with the Free and Accepted Masons, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks fraternities, in all of which he has been honored with high official stations. Politically he is a Republican of the most orthodox type, and devotes much of his time to the party's interests both as an adviser in its councils and as a worker with the rank and file.