Canton Township (part 48 of 62)

Benjamin Doll, whose name introduces this review, was born in Osnaburg township, Stark county, July 27, 1827, and from that date to the present time has spent the greater part of his life at no great distance from the scene of his birth. The country was by no means fully developed when he was a youth and his earliest practical experiences consisted of hard work in the woods and fields, assisting to clear the home farm, cultivate the soil and harvest the crops. Meantime, as opportunities afforded, he attended the old-fashioned subscription schools of the time and later, when a young man, he thought to acquire a fortune in the far West, whither so many people during 1849-50 had gone in quest of gold. As already stated, he spent three and a half years beyond the Rockies, at the expiration of which time he returned to Ohio, not much better ofif in the matter of worldly wealth, but far richer in the rugged experiences which had a decided influence in developing the sturdy elements of his nature and teaching him the important lessons of self-reliance. On returning to Stark county Mr. Doll engaged in farming, which vocation he has since pursued with marked success, owning at this time a finely situated place of one hundred and fortv-nine acres in Perrv townsliip, besides titlier valuable property, every dollar's worth of which is the result of his own lalK)r and management. Mr. Doll's home lies about two miles south of the business center of Massillon and the farm is admirably adapted to all the crops raised in this section of the state. He has ndt been sparing of his means in making his home beautiful and attractive, as his buildings and other improvements attest, and as an agriculturist he has long ranged with the most enterprising and progressive men of his township in which he lives.

Years ago Mr. Doll was a Whig in politics and while in California he became what was known as a "Know Nothing." Upon the organization of the Republican party he accepted its principles and from that time to the present has been one of its most ardent supporters, although not a partisan nor an aspirant for oflicial honors. He has been quite active in promoting organized efforts for the advancement of agriculture, being a leading member of the Grange, or Patrons of Husbandry.

Mr. Doll's first marriage was solemnized on the 1 8th day of September, 1856, with Miss Catherine Fisher, of Stark county, daughter of Captain Jacob Fisher, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, one of the early settlers of Stark. Mrs. Doll bore her husband eight children and departed this life in 1875, deeply lamented by her immediate family and highly respected by the people of the community. Following are the names of the sons and daughters born o^f this union : Josiah, Flora, Dennison, Losfan, Melville, Cora, Albert and Kent. Two years after the death of his first wife Mr. Doll married his present companion, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ann Jeft'erson. Mrs. Doll was born in Michigan, but since her seventh year has lived in Stark county, being well known and much esteemed by all with whom she is acquainted. Mr. Doll and wife are members of the Baptist church and the sincerity of their profession has always been ak)\e criticism. They are excellent neighlx^rs, loyal in their friendships, and by correct living have won a warm place in the esteem and love of the people with whom they associate.

WILLIAM O. WERNTZ. - As the name implies, Mr. Werntz comes of stanch German lineage in the agnatic branch, and he was born in the village of Osnaburg, Stark county, on the 24th of May, i860, being a son of William and Sarah Ann (Plum) Werntz, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1814. He was there reared to the age of nineteen years and then, in 1833, he came as a pioneer to Stark county, settling in the village of Osnaburg, where he engaged in the buying of live stock, which, in the early days, he drove through to the market in Philadelphia. In Osnaburg was solemnized his marriage to Miss Plum, who was born in Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio, whence she came with her parents to Stark comity when twelve years of age. Her father, Philip Plum, was born in Pennsylvania, and became one of the honored pioneers of Stark county, where he passed the remainder of his life. Mrs. Werntz, who was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church, was summoned into eternal rest on the 226 of October, 1877, her hus!,>an.l survi\ing her by more than a score of years and passing away on the 5th of February, 1889. He was originally a Whig in politics, but later espoused the cause of the Republican party, at the time of its inception, and thereafter he continued an ardent advocate of its principles, while he was a man of inflexible integrity and ever loyal and sincere in all the relations of life.

Old Landmarks

became a teacher in the schools of this county, devoting his attention to this profession for a period of nine years, while he was later superintendent of the Osnaburg schools, being incumbent of this position until 1891, when he came to Canton and began reading law in the office of the firm of Clark & Ambler, later being matriculated in the Cincinnati Law School, in which he was graduated as a member of the class of 3893 and coming forth well equipped for the active work of his chosen profession, as he had been a close and appreciative stude:it and become thoroughly informed in the minutiffi of the law, while his active career at the bar has demonstrated his facility in the application of his knowledge, and he has gained a high reputation as an able advocate and counselor. Mr. Werntz was admitted to the bar of Stark county on the ist of June, 1893, ^"^ forthwith established himself in practice in the city of Canton, where his novitiate was of brief duration, recognition of his ability and devotion to his profession soon being shown, so that he lias gained an excellent clientage of representative character, his practice being of a general character. In politics, while never an aspirant for office, Mr. Werntz has given a stanch allegiance to the Republican party and has been an active worker in its cause in a local way, and he holds membership in the Koontz Memorial church in Canton. Fraternally he is identified with tlie Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In his native town of Osnaburg in 1886, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Werntz to Miss Sally H. Sausser, a well known resident, who died in 1893. Mr. and Mrs. Werntz have one daughter, Georgia Lucille.

J. R. LAWRENCE. - The fatherland is worthily represented Ijy the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this biographical review. Although of foreign birth he is thoroughly American in all his tastes anad tendencies and retains but a faint remembrance of his native heath, having been brought to the United States when about three years of age. J. R. Lawrence was born in Berlin, Germany, in the year 1841 and is one of two children whose parents were Philip and Catherine (Hartz) Lawrence. Philip Lawrence and family left their native land about the year 1844 a^nd coming to the United States settled in Stark county, Ohio, where he spent the remainder of his life as an industrious and fairly successful tiller of the soil.

Of the Lawrence family the subject of this review is the only living representative. He was reared on the home farm in Stark county, received his education in the common schools and when old enough to chose a vocation of his own selected agriculture as the one best suited to his tastes and inclinations. Mr. Lawrence was a young man of aljout twenty when the great Civil war broke out and feeling it his duty to aid the government in its extremity, he enlisted in 1862 in Company A, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry, with which he served with an honorable record for a period of three years. He bore his full share of the hardships and dangers through which his command passed, took part in a number of hardfought battles, including the various engagements of the Atlanta campaign, and had the honor of accompanying General Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, serving a part of the time as a member of the One Hundred and Fourth United States Band. Returning home after the cessation of hostilities, Mr. Lawrence resumed the pursuit of agriculture, which he has since carried on with a large measure of success, achieving honorable repute as an intelligent and progressive farmer and acquiring a fortune of sufficient magnitude to place him in independent circumstances.

Mr. And Mrs. J. R. Lawrencbi

stock purposes and he has spared no pains nor expense in bringing it to the advanced state of cultivation for Avhicli it has long been noted. He is a scientific farmer, making a careful study of the nature of soils and their adaptability to the different crops raised, and he has always reaped abundantly from the time and labor expended upon his fields. By fertilization and judicious rotation of crops he has not only retained the original fertility of his land but greatly enhanced its productiveness and through the instrumentality of modern methods his income has steadily increased with each recurring year. It is not assuming too much to claim for Mr. Lawrence distinctive precedence as a breeder and raiser of fine live stock, a business to wliich he has devoted especial attention for over thirty years. He is among the leading stock men of Stark county and perhaps is without a superior in the state as a judge of the merits of high-grade animals Such as he raises. In cattle his special breed is the shorthorns, of which he now has quite a large herd of very valuable animals, among the numljer being a fine heifer recently imported from Scotland, for which he paid the sum of five hundred dollars. Mr. Lawrence has been the means of introducing a superior breed of live stock among the farmers of his section and is entitled to great credit for his activity in this important branch of industry. Not only has he tal-:en an active interest in raising cattle, but as a breeder of fine Percheron horses he has long enjoyed much more than local reputation. He has made a careful study of this particular breed and wherever his animals have been exhibited they have invariably taken high honors. Their superiority over other breeds has been so apparent as to create a great demand for them, in consequence of which Mr. Lawrence has never experienced any difficulty in disposing of his horses at fancy prices. Indeed the greater part of his income is derived from the sale of live stock, his cattle and horses alone having been the means of accumulating a fortune of such proportions as to wm him a place among the wealthy and enterprising farmers of Stark county.

Mr. Lawrence has long maintained a lively interest in advanced agricultural methods and to this end has taken an active part in agricultural societies, doing all within his power to promote their efficiency ag a means of improving the farmer's condition, materially, socially and morally. Believing farming to be one of the noblest as well as one of the most useful of vocations, he has by his influence and co-operation done as much as any other man in the community to foster high ideals among the tillers of the soil and inspire them with a proper conception of the dignity of their calling. He has always stood for progress and, being a man of broad ideas and enterprising spirit, it is but natural that he should become the leader that he is in all that relates to modern improvements and advanced thought in agriculture. For a number of years he has been a member of the county agricultural board and by reason of his peculiar fitness for the position, he is invariably put in charge of the live stock department when the society holds its meetings. In his political affiliations Mr. Lawrence was originally a decided Republican and for years was an active worker in his party. He defended his opinions intelligently and earnestly and during the progress of campaigns rendered valuable service to the ticket, both as a, judicious counsellor and an active worker. Recently, however, he has refused to be bound by party ties, and is now what may be termed an independent. He is also a strong, uncompromising advocate of temperance reform aiid does all within his power to check the liquor traff.c, which he justly considers the crying evil of the day.

wholesome moral influence of the church as a factor in civilization, he has never seen fit to accept its doctrines and dogmas and he reads and criticizes the Scriptures as he would any other literary production. His moral code includes the axiom "Do all the good you can in this world and live so as to merit the approval of your conscience and the commendation of your fellow man," a most excellent and timehonored rule of life. As a citizen Mr. Lawrence keeps fully abreast the times and discharges his duties as becomes a true lover of his country and his kind.

Mr. Lawrence was married, in the year 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Eschleman, of Stark county, who has borne him eleven children, namely : Lamamora; Abraham L. ; Elsie, wife of Harley Foust: Eva; Ohio; Cora, wife of Ed McFadin ; Chauncey, Jessie, Nettie, Portia and Columbus L

JAY M. COCiAN was born on the old homestead farm, in Bethlehem township, this county, on the 7th of February, 1865, being a son of Loomis and Leah (Young) Cogan, the former of whom was born in Pike township, this county, in 1837, while the latter was born in Bethlehem township in 1840. The father of the subject was reared under the scenes and influences of the pioneer epoch and has consecutively devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits from his youth up. He and his wife now reside on their fine farm in Bethlehem township and are numbered among the honored pioneer citizens of the county. Joseph and Sarah Cogan, the paternal grandparents of the subject, came from Pennsylvania to Stark county in the pioneer days, locating in Pike township, where they continued to reside until called upon to answer the inexorable summons of death. William Young, the maternal grandfather, came to this county at the time when this section was practically represented by a sylvan wilderness, and here he continued to be identified with the great basic art of agriculture until his demise. Several of his sons sdrved with distinction in the war of the Rebellion, and the name is an honored one in this section of the state.

Jay M. Cogan was reared on the home farm and after availing himself of such advantages as were afforded in the district schools he became a student in the normal school, where he so thoroughly applied himself as to become eligible for pedagogic honors, having been a successful teacher in the public schools of the county for a period of five years, three of which were given to such work in the village of Navarre. In 1885 Mr. Cogan came to Canton and entered the law office of John C. Welty, under whose able direction he continued his technical reading and study until 1888, when, upon examination, he was duly admitted to the bar of the state. Thereafter he was associated in the active practice of his profession with his preceptor for a period of two years, at the expiration of which, in 1890, a distinctive recognition of his professional ability and acumen was given in his appointment to a position in the legal department of the C. Aultman Company, manufacturers of agricultural machinery, and in this department he made his services of such value to the company that he was made head of said department in 1897, retaining this incumbency until 1901, when he was advanced to his present office of secretary of the company, having, as a matter of course, the most important administrative and executive duties in his charge, while he has proved in his course the wisdom of the choice which gave him this important preferment. Ever true to the duties of citizenship, and taking a deep interest in all that conserves the welfare of his native county and home city, Mr. Cogan has never sought official preferment, and while he gives his support to the Democratic party in state and national affairs, he is liberal in local matters and is not constrained by strict partisan lines. He has been specially prominent and active in the work of the Fn-st United Brethren church, of which he is a trustee at the present time, as was he also when the organization was but a small mission, with its place of worship in an unpretentious building on Charles street. He was largely instrumental in securing the erection of the present fine church edifice at the corner of Tenth street and South Cleveland avenue, and has never abated his zeal in the work of the church. Mrs. Cogan is likewise a devoted member of this church and in full sympathy and accord with her husband.

In 1887 Mr. Cogan was united in marriage to Miss Loretta M. Williams, daughter of William B. Williams, of Canton, in which city she was reared and educated, and of this union have been born two children - Ruth and Ralph Warren.

GEORGE C. WOODS, D. D. S., is a native of Carroll county, Ohio, where he was born on the 5th of December, 1872, being a son of Isaac B. and Sarah J. (Masters) Woods, of whose ten children the eight surviving are as follows : Mary C, who is the wife of H. E. Tressler, of Canton, Sark county; Ada F., who is the wife of D. G. Orin, ex-superintendent of the public schools of Akron, Ohio, where they still reside; George C, the immediate subject of this sketch, and Elva L., Emma J., L. Pearl, James B. and Verne M., who still remain at the parental home. The father of the Doctor is likewise a native of Carroll county, where he was borri in the year 1840, being a son of George and Catherine (Bardoll) Woods, who were numbered among the honored pioneers of the county. Isaac B. Woods was reared on the old homestead farm and after attending the district schools became a student in the normal school at Malvern, Carroll county, while later he continued his educational discipline in

Harlem Springs College, in the town of the same name, also in Carroll county. After his marriage he purchased eighty acres of land in Harrison township, that county, buying the property of his wife's uncle, Cornelius Baxter, in. whose home she had been reared, her father having died when she was a child. On this farm they have ever since maintained their home, the area of the homestead having later been augmented by the purchase of an adjoining tract of about sixty acres, while the place is one of the model farms of the county, having the best of improvements and being maintained under a high state of cultivation. Mr. Woods also purchased the old Woods homestead from the other heirs, and of this property he retained possession until the spring of 1902, when he sold the property. He has been a leader in the local ranks of the Republican party, in whose cause he has ever taken an active and intelligent interest. He has served as a member of the county central committee of his party and has been otherwise prominent in its work, while he has been called upon to serve in various local offices of trust and responsibility, including that of county commissioner, of which he was incumbent for seven }"ears. In his younger days he was for several years a successful teacher in the public schools.

Isaac B. Woods also has the distinction of being an honored veteran of the war of the Rebellion. He was among the early volunteers from Carroll county, having enlisted in 1861 as a private in Company A, Eightieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he was in active service for three years, within which period he was a participant in a number of the most important and sanguinary battles incidental to that great internecine conflict, including the following engagements : Shiloh, Corinth, Pittsburg Landing, Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and the entire Atlanta campaign, culminating in the famous battle at that point, being discharged just prior to the time when Sherman started forth on his ever memorable march "from Atlanta to the sea." Fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order, in which he has attained the Knight Templar degree, being a member of the commandery at Canton.

Dr. George C. Woods, the immediate subject of this review, was reared on the homestead farm and secured his early educational discipline in the public schools, while it is evident that he made effective use of the opportunities thus afforded, since for four years he was a successful and popular teacher in the district schools of this section. In 1897 he was matriculated in the dental department of the Ohio Medical University at Columbus, where he completed the prescribed course and was duly graduated in the spring of 1900, receiving the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery, and being well equipped for the work of his chosen profession, while he had further fortified himself in the line by working in the office of Dr. Stonebrook, a prominent dentist of Waynesburg, Stark county, during his college vacations. In the spring of 1901 Dr. Woods located in Magnolia, where he opened a well equipped and attractive office, and within the comparatively brief period of his residence here he has built up a remunerative practice, his clientage being of distinctively representative order. The Doctor is stanchly arrayed as a supporter of the Republican party and fraternally is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees, holding membership in Waynesburg Tent No. 29, at Waynesburg. He is a young man of ambition and progressive ideas, a close student of his profession and one whose further precedence is assured.

WILLIAM E. SHERLOCK belongs to that loyal class of American citizens who, while gaining individual success, also promote the public prosperity, and he has conferred honor and dignity on the city of his home not less by his well ordered business enterprises than by his upright personal career. The Novelty Iron Works, of which Mr. Sherlock is president, were originally owned by P. P. Bush, who was succeeded by the firm of Nobles & Sherlock, of which the junior member was he whose name appears above, while they had initiated their operations in a small foundry in Eighth street, where they conducted business until 1885, when they purchased the plant of the Novelty Iron Works from Mr. Bush and continued to be associated in the operation of the same until the death of Mr. Nobles in 1889. Mr. Sherlock then purchased the interest of his honored and deceased partner and later Charles Elmer and H. E. Sherlock were admitted to partnership, and the enterprise was thereafter conducted under the firm name of Sherlock, Elmer & Sherlock until the death of Mr. Elmer, which occurred in 1895. In the meanwhile the tract occupied previously by the lumber yards of James WeaA'er & Company had been purchased by the firm, whose plant was extended to cover the entire tract, thus utilizing about two acres of ground, located on Tuscarawas, Seventh and Eighth streets. Still later the site occupied by the Campbell Lumber Company was also secured and the fine plant still farther enlarged, so that its buildings and grounds now occupy about four and a half acres, while the structures are of substantial order and well designed for the uses to which they are applied, each depart-, ment of the works being equipped with the best mechanical devices and accessories, while its operations are assigned to competent artisans in the various lines. In 1892, owing to the expansion of the business and the imperative demand for broader executive and capitalistic reinforcement, it was found expedient to organize a stock company, and this was effected by the incorporation of the Novelty Iron Company under the laws of the state of West Virginia, while later articles of incorporation were also secured under the laws of Ohio. The present executive corps of the company is as follows: William E. Sherlock, president; D. R. McCallum, vice-president ; and Henry E. Sherlock, secretary and treasurer. The plant of the company was destroyed by fire in March, 1902, but was immediately rebuilt, with better buildings and the finest modern equipments throughout. The company manufactures under the trade-mark name of "Our Own," the finest type of boilers for hot water heating and for steam motive purposes, and the annual output is a large one aqd is constantly increasing, while the products of the concern are sold in the most diverse sections of the Union. The company maintains branch establishments in New York city, Philadelphia, Washington, Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Louis and San Francisco, which fact indicates to how thorough an extent the national trade territory is covered. The president of the company came to Canton in 1879 and entered the employ of C. M. Miller, proprietor of the Pioneer foundry, and he remained with this concern until he started in business on his own responsibility, while it may properly be said that he is the architect of his own fortune, his advancement having been the result of technical and business ability and the consecutive application of his energies to a definite purpose.

William E. Sherlock was born in a suburb -of the city of Boston, Massachusetts, on the 31st of October, 1851, being a son of John M. and Elizabeth A. (Robson) Sherlock, the former of whom was born in the Old Bay state, while the latter was a na'tive of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county. New York. The father of our subject was a merchant tailor by vocation, and for a time was identified with navigation interests on the Great Lakes. He died in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, in 1901, having attained the age of seventy-three years, his wife having been summoned into eternal rest in the ^ame city in 1891, at which time she was sixtythree years of age. They became the parents of seven children, of whom three are living at the present time. Philip Sherlock, the grandfather of the subject, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, whence he came to the United States in his early manhood, locating in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, and passing the residue of his life in that state.

When William E. Sherlock was a child his parents removed from Massachusetts to Kingston, Ontario, where he was reared to maturity, having the advantages afforded by the excellent public schools of that attractive Canadian city, where also he learned in his youth the trade of molder. Later he was employed as a journeyman in various portions of the United States. At the time of attaining his legal majority he was residing in Shortsville, Ontario county. New York. On the 29th of January, 1884, in Kingston, Canada, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Sherlock to Miss Mabel C. Barrie, daughter of Robert and Fannie Barrie, of that city, the family being of Scottish lineage, and they became the parents of six children, all of whom are living except Elizabeth A., who died at the age of one week. The others are as follows : William E., Jr. ; Jessie E., Fannie M., Robert E. and Phyllis L. In politics Mr. Sherlock gives his allegiance to the Republican party, and fraternally he is identified with the Masonic order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

ELLIOTT M. JEROME is a native son of the Buckeye slate, having been born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 9th of November, 1S50, and being a son of James and Isabelle (Elliott) Jerome, of whose six children he is one of the two survivors, his brother John being a representative member of the bar of Stark county, and retaining his residence in the town of Minerva. The father of the subject was born in Bethany, West Virginia, in the year i8ig, his father, who was of Frencl^. lineage, having removed to that place from the eastern part of the state of Maryland, where the original American progenitor took up his abode in the colonial epoch of our national history, having emigrated hither from France and having undoubtedly been one of the Huguenots who fled their native land to escape the persecutions incidental to the revocation of the edict of Nantes. James Jerome was reared to maturity in West Virginia, where he learned the carpenter's trade, and as a young man he went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was married, and where he remained until about 1845, when he came to Carroll county, Ohio, where he purchased a i'arm of one hundred and sixty acres, al)out six miles east of the village of Minerva, Stark county, and there he continued to be actively engaged in agricultural pursuits until .'865, when he sold his farm and took up his residence in Minerva. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster of the village, of which office he continued incumbent for the long period of twelve years, under the administrations of Presidents Grant, Hayes and Garfield. During a portion of this time he also acted as mayor of the town, and later was again elected to this cliief administrative office, in which he served for a total of sixteen years, a circumstance whose significance is at once evident, as showing the high esteem in which he was held in the comnuinity, and also indicating his di.stinctive executive ability, since his administrations were models of wise policy and proper economy. lie was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, and locally took an active part in furthering its cause. While residing on his farm in Carroll county he served for many years as justice of the peace. He was a worthy member of the Presbyterian church, in which he was a zealous worker, having held various official positions in the same. For a full lialf century prior to his death he. -was an apprei and honored member of the Masonic fraternity. He died in February, 1902, in the fullness of years and well earned honors. His wife preceded him into eternal rest, her death having occurred in December, 1898. Siie was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1823, being a daughter of George Elliott, who was of Scotch-Irish extraction, and who emigrated to the United States from the north of Ireland.

Elliott M. Jerome was reared on the old homestead farm in Carroll county, and was educated in the public schools of the county,, and at the college at Harlem Springs, Ohio. In 1867 he entered the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, in whose service he continued, in the capacity of station agent, and for a portion of the time as telegraph operator, for the long period of sixteen years, during the greater portion of wdiich he was station agent here in Minerva. In 1883 Mr. Jerome accepted a position with the Union Express Company, becoming its agent in the city of Akron, this state, where he remained two years. In 1886 he returned to Minerva, and here again, served as station agent for the Pennsylvania Railroad until 1893, when he resigned his position to accept that of cashier of the Bank of Minerva Company, which incumbency he has. ever since retained, wdiile through his able and discriminatng methods as an executive and financier the success of the bank has been materially advanced, and it is known as one of the solid financial institutions of this section of the state, the deposits having^ increased in the past four years from one hundred and nine thousand dollars to three hundred and twentyfive thousand. Mr. Jerome has ever been stanchly arrayed in support of the Republican party, and he has been called upon to serve in offices of local trust and responsibility. For ten years he was a member of the town council of Minerva, while for four years he wasincumbent of the office of township treasurer of Paris township, a fact that indicates his per- sonal popularity and the coufulence reposed in him by the people of the community, since the pohtical complexion of the township is strongly Democratic. He and his wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and he is a member of its board of trustees. Fraternally he is identified with Tubal Lodge No. 551, Free and Accepted Masons, of Minerva ; Alliance Chapter No. 83, Royal Arch Masons, of .Alliance; Canton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar; Grand Lodge of Perfection No. 14, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, of Canton; and Al Koran Temple of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine, in the city of Cleveland. He takes a deep interest in the noble and time-honored fraternity, and has held various offices in the different bodies with which he is affiliated. He is also a member of Minerva Lodge No. 122, Knights of Pythias.

On the 2ist of March, 1873, Mr. Jerome was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Clemans, who was born in Paris township. Stark county, being a daughter of the late Abram Clemans, who was one of the influential farmers of this section, and who passed his declining years in Minerva. To Mr. and Mrs. Jerome have been born five children, of whom four survive, namely : Percy, who is employed in the office of the secretary of the Young Men's Christian .Association in New York city, was graduated, in the s])ring of 189S, in the Springfield Training School, at Springfield, Massachusetts, and soon afterward accepted his present position ; James, who is a civil engineer by profession ; Bessie, who remains at the parental home, was graduated in the New England Conservatory of Music, in the city of Boston, and is an accomplished musician ; and Helen, who received instruction in vocal music under an eminent private tutor in New York city, has Ijeen for a number of years, with her sister Bessie, engaged in the Presbyterian church in Minerva, having a voice of particularly fine timbre and fine cultivation.

THOMAS J. TAYLOR. - The name of the Diebold Safe & Lock Company is a familiar one throughout the length and breadth of the Union, and its products are to be found not only in the most diverse sections of this country but also in the majority of foreign lands, and through the magnificent enterprise of this concern the name of Canton has also been given still further celebrity, for here are located the great manufacturing works of this company. It is our privilege at this time to take briefly under review the career of the superintendent of this corporation's works, wliile he has been advanced to this office within but little more than a decade's association with the concern, which fact ofters the best evidence of h's ability and of the appreciative estimate placed upon the same and upon his services. Mr. Taylor arrived in Canton on the 4th of July, 1890, and it is needless to say that the attractions and diversions of the anniversary of our national independence were adequate to occupy his attention for that day, but within the same month he entered the employ of the company noted, in the capacity of draughtsman, being thus engaged for a period of three years, at the expiration of which he was promoted to the office of chief engineer, retaining this incumbency seven years, and then being shown a farther mark of appreciation, since at the annual meeting of the board of directors in January, 1901, he was chosen for his present responsible and exacting office of general superintendent, in whicli he has made a record creditable to himself and one that has inured to the benefit of the conipany in every way.

Mr. Taylor is a native of merrie old England, having been born in the town of T\ladeley, Shropshire, on the 6th of July, 186.?, and there he was reared to man's estate, receiving his educational training in private institutions. Upon leaving scliool he secured a clerical position in the office of the freight and passenger department of the Great Western Railway, while later he took up the work of draughting, in which mechanic art he became an expert, devoting his attention to the same as a vocation consecutively until he was advanced from that department of w(;rk by the company with which he is at present employed. Mr. Taylor came to the United States in 1889, arriving in the city of New York in April of that year, and thereafter he visited various sections of the Union in search of a satisfactory location, and one in which he could put his abilties to the best use, and he finally en tour came to Canton as noted, while his subsequent career has been duly outlined in the preceding paragraph. In politics his views since coming to America are in harmony with the principles and policies advanced by the Republican party, while his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, he holding membership in the First church in Canton.

In this city on the 24tli of December, 1890, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Taylor to Miss Anna J. Williams, who was born at Madeley, Shropshire, England, where she was reared, being a daughter of .Alfred Williams, who is now hving retired in this city, coming to America in 1888, and located in the city of Canton, he having been a cabinetmaker by vocation during the major portion of his active career. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have five children, namely: Cyril. Dorothy Jerrine, Harold W., Ivatharine, and Raymond James.

In conclusion we incorporate a brief record concerning the genealogy of the subject. His father, Charles Taylor, was a skilled metal worker in Shropshire, England, and he was of the fifth generation of the family to have been born in the town of Madeley, and there his death occurred in 1889, at tlie age of fifty-eight years. His father, wlio likewise bore the name of Charles, was an active participant during the entire Crimean war, as were also four of his brothers, one of whom later emigrated to the United States, where he passed the remainder of his life. The maiden name of the subject's mother was Ann Cooper, and she is still living, maintaining her home at Kidd's Grove, in south Staffordshire, England. Charles and Ann (Cooper) Taylor became the parents of ten children, of whom six are yet living, and of the number ihe subject and his younger brother, .Albert A., who is an artist by profession, residing in East Liverpool, Ohio, are the only representatives of the family in America. Charles, Martha, Eliza and Mary still remain in Eno-land.

MRS. MARY A. COOK. - A business woman of marked ability, a resident of Canton from tlie time of her birth to the present time, and a representative of one of the honored pioneer families of Stark county, it is but consistent that Mrs. Cook, widow of the late Augustus Cook, be accorded specific recognition in this publication.

Mrs. Mary A. (Robin) Cook was born in the family home, which was at the time the last house on North Cherry street in Canton, and was here reared to womanhood, having received her educational discipline in the parochial and public schools. Her father conducted a grocery on the site of the present City National Bank, and as a girl, when not attending school, she assisted him in the store, so that she has had exceptional training in the line of practical business, while her knowledge has been put to effective use, as will appear in this context. On the 4th of October, 1880, she was united in marriage to Augustus Cook, who was born in New York city, in 1844, and who became a resident of Canton about 1870, and here passed the remainder of his life, having been for eighteen years in the employ of J. O. Palmer, in the carpet business. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Cook took up their residence on North Market street, where they remained until 1898, when they removed to the present home of Mrs. Cook, at 2105 North Cleveland avenue, where he died on the 29th of April, 1899. Ii^ politics he' was an uncompromising Democrat, and his religious faith was that of the Catholic church. He was a communicant and worthy member of St. John's church, and was identified with the Catholic Mutual Benefit Association. Mr. Cook was a man of inflexible integrity and held the respect of all who knew him. Of the children of this union the following record is entered : Henry died in childhood; Dorothy J. is the wife of George M- Walters, of Canton, and Eva died in infancy.

After her marriage Mrs. Cook engaged in "the hair-dressing business in Canton, at 419 North Market street, and seven years later she expanded the scope of her successful enterprise by the addition of a stock of millinery, and the two departments have since been continued, while she has built up a most gratifying business, catering to a large and representative patronage. She has been consecutively in business here for seventeen years, and was the first to engage in the hair-dressing business in the city, having acquired her knowledge of the art through the instruction of a traveling representative of the same. At the inception of her business Mrs. Cook showed her wisdom by effectively advertising hen enterprise, and the result was that within the first three weeks she had netted a very satisfactory profit. Later on she took a more complete course in the art of hair-dressing, and she is now thoroughly competent in the line, her establishment being one which would be a credit to a metropolitan community. After the death of her mother, in 18S0, Mrs. Cook purchased the old home farm, of forty-three acres, on North Cleveland avenue, and a portion of this she has since sold for building lots, still retaining twenty-six acres, on which is located her own attractive home. She has been a devoted communicant

George Robin, father of Mrs, Cook, was born in the town of Hombour, in the province of Loraine, France, on the 23d of April, 1804, and there he was reared and educated, learning the trade of stone-cutting in his youth. There also was solemnized his marriage to Miss Anna Fultz, and there were born to them two sons, John and Jacob, John, who was a clerk in mercantile establishments in Canton and Massi lion in the early days, was a man of fine education, having completed his scholastic discipline in Europe, whither he returned for the purpose after the emigration of the family to America, and he was thoroughly conversant with seven different languages. When he started on his return to the United States he was accompanied by his paternal grandmother, but she died on the voyage and was buried at sea, being seventy-six years of age at the time. He was also in a critical condition while en route, having an abscess on his hip, but he finally reached his home, where his health confirmed delicate for some time. He finally accepted a position as bookkeeper in the store of Graham & Weaver in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was incumbent of this position at the time of his death, in 1859. Jacob, the younger brother, who likewise was born in France, died in Canton, in 1864, having here been united in marriage to Louisa Furnace.

About 1839 George Robin, in company with his wife and the two sons mentioned, emigrated from France to the United States and took up their abode in Stark county, the voyage being of more than fifty days' duration. They sailed from Havre, France, and landed in New \'ork city, thence proceeding by rail to Buffalo, by steamboat on Lake Erie to Cleveland, thence by canal to Massillon and overland to Canton. Mr, Robin established his home on Plum street, between Third and Fourth streets, in a small brick house. He afterward secured a house on North Cherry street, paying for the same by contract work for the original owner, and there the family resided until 1852. In 1850, in company with a party of Canton men, Mr. Robin started for California, where the gold excitement was then at its height. He left his wife with three small children, and she protested greatly against his departure, and after reaching Wellsville, Ohio, he turned back and rejoined his family. Later in the same year, however, he accompanied another party on the long and weary overland trip to the Pacific coast. While en route across the plains they were attacked by the Indians, and the greater number of the party were killed. Mr. Robin escaped and pushed forward, finally reaching his destination, having endured manifold hardships and dangers. He remained in California two years, and was ill during the greater portion of the time, though for several months he was able to actively search for gold, being moderately successful in his efforts. He started for home by way of the isthmus route, and while on shipboard was attacked with scurvy, from which he partially recovered before reaching his home. The products of his labors in the gold fields he invested in the property where the City National Bank now stands, and there he engnged in the grocery business. Later he sold this property to Christian Oberly and retired from business, removing to a home at what are now Nos. 417-419 Market street. He then bought the forty-three-acre farm, on North Cleveland avenue, which his daughter, Mrs. Cook, subsequently purchased, as has already been noted, and he also became the owner of twelve acres on the west side of the city, a portion of which he platted into city lots, of which he disposed for building purposes. He died at his home, 417 North Market street, on the 2 1 St of January, 1870, at the age of sixtysix years, and his loved and devoted wife passed away January 22, 1880, at the age of seventy-three years, both having been devoted members of St. John's Catholic church, while the father was a Democrat in politics. They became the parents of four children, mention having already been made of the two sons, and the others were Mrs. Cook, subject of this review, and Margaret, who is the wife of Conrad Appel, of Colorado. Mrs. Cook has a wide circle of friends in her native city, and is known as a woman of gracious presence and marked refinement.

ALPHEUS BALTZLY was born on the parental homestead farm in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, on the 25th day of August, 1850, being a son of John and Lydia (Miller) Baltzly, both of whom were likewise born in Tuscarawas county. John Baltzly is a son of John and Elizabeth (Baker) Baltzly, who were born in Pennsylvania, whence they emigrated to Ohio in an early day and became numbered among the pioneers of Tuscarawas county, their home farm being in the immediate vicinity of the present village of New Philadelphia, where they passed the remainder of their lives, having had a family of two sons and seven daughters, of whom one of the sons and one of the daughters are still living. The maternal grandparents of the subject of this sketch were Zachariah and Gertrude (Hostetter) Miller, both of whom were natives of the old Keystone state of Pennsylvania, whence they came to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, in company with their respective parents. The former was a son of Henry and Barbara (Seese) Miller, natives of Pennsylvania, who passed the closing years of their lives in Tuscarawas county. Gertrude (Hostetter) Miller was a daughter of Joseph and Susan (Seaver) Hostetter, both of whom died in Tuscarawas county, whither they came from Pennsylvania, as has already been noted.

ject, removed from Tuscarawas county to Stark county, and located on the farm now owned by the former, and here he continued to be engaged in agricultural pursuits until, with advancing years, he finally retired from active labor, passing the evening of his life in Beach City, where he died on the 5th of May, 1889, at the age of sixty-eight years, his widow still maintaining her home there and being .now seventy-one years of age. Of their nine children only three are now living. The father was a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, and was called upon to serve in the office of township trustee, while he also was an efficient member of the school board for many years. He became the owner of two hundred and fiftysix acres of land in this township', and was one of the influential and honored citizens of the community. He held membership in the Lutlieran church, as does also his widow.

Alpheus Baltzly, whose name introduces this sketch, was reared on the homestead farm, and secured a common-school education, and he eventually became the owner of two hundred and twenty-one acres of the old homestead farm, where he has ever, since continued to be actively engaged in diversified agricultural pursuits and in the raising of a fine grade of live stock, having one of the best improved and most prolific rural estates in this section, and being known as an energetic and farsighted business man, and as one whose word is as good as any bond ever issued. He is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Republican party, but has never sought political preferment. He has, however, given most effective service as a member of the school board, and has also been trustee of his district, whicli was specially organized. Mr. Baltzly has been twice married. In 1871 he was united to Miss Annie Casebeer, who was born in Tuscarawas county, being a daughter of James Casebeer, and of this marriage two children were born, Florence and .A.nnie. Mrs. Baltzlv was summoned into eternal rest in 1879 and on the 25th of November, 1880, the subject wedded Miss Maggie Suter, who was bom in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, a daughter of Henry and Catherine Suter, and this union has been blessed by six children, namely : Harry, John, Walter, Milton, Helen and Esther, the last named being deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Baltzly are consistent and valued members of the United Brethren church.

WILLIAM E. YOUNG is of Scotch extraction in the agnatic line, his grandfather, John Young, having been a native of the land of hills and heather, whence he emigrated to the United States when a young man, locating in Pennsylvania, where he passed the remainder of his life. In Allegheny county, that state, was born William Hall Young, father of him whose name initiates this paragraph, and there he was reared and educated, devoting his active life to the machinist business, and being a man of sterling character. He died in his native coTinty in 1892, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, whose maiden name was Jane Ann Peters, was of French and German ancestry, and she likewise died in Allegheny county, in 1886, at the age of seventy-one years. They became the parents of five children, of whom four are living at the present time, the subject having been the fifth in order of birth. He is a cousin of Major General Samuel B. M. Young, of the United States army, the latter's father, John, having been a brother of William H., father of the subject.

William E. Young v.as born in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, on the 12th of January, 1S54, the old homestead in which he first saw the light of day having long been in the possession of the family. His early educational discipline was received in the old-time township school, and he states that he v.-as there "graduated" at the age of sixteen years, and' that the term quoted was one unknown in such institutions at that time. Upon leaving school he enterec! upon an apprenticeship at the blacksmith trade in the city of Pittsburg, serving four and one-half years, and becoming a skilled artisan in the line. Thereafter he was for three years an apprentice marine engineer on the Mississippi river, rising to the position of chief engineer on packet boats, and he continued to follow this vocation about eight years, at the expiration of which he was placed in charge of the forging department of the steel works of Hussey, Wells & Company, of Pittsburg, retaining this incumbency for five years, and then continuing with the concern for an additional six years as master mechanic of the entire plant, which is an extensive one. In 1889 he came to Canton as master mechanic with the ' Canton Steel Company, and three years later he Avas promoted to the office of assistant superintendent, while in 1900 there came still \ farther recognition of his ability and effective j service in his being chosen to his present office oi superintendent. He has a thorough knowl- ! edge of all details of the manufacturing and keeps a constant supervison of the same, and while he maintains a strict discipline his management is such as to retain to him the confidence and good will of the minor employes as well as of the officials of the company. In ' politics Mr. Yotmg is a stanch advocate of the principles and policies of the Democratic party, and he has taken an active and commendable interest in public affairs of a local nature, while he has been called upon to serve in various offices of trust. He represented the fourth ward in the city council for four years, was for an equal period a member of the board of education, and three vears served 1 as a member of the board of health, being well known and distinctively popular in his home ; city, and being here recognized as a straightforward and capable business man. He and his family attend the First Baptist church. !

In Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the 21st of May, 1878, Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Catherine M. E. Young, the two families being not related though of the same name. She was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, being a daughter of Lieutenant Samuel Breck Young, who was born in the state of Vermont, where the family was established, prior to the war of the Revolution, representatives of the same having served with distinction as soldiers of the Continental line. Lieutenant Young was an officer in the war of the Rebellion, and his wife, whose maiden name was Emeline Swope, was a niece of Bucher Swope, a distinguished citizen of Pennsylvania, and prosecuting attorney for the eastern district of that state. Mr. and Mrs. Young have six children, namely : Paul, who is engaged as a steel roller in the Canton Steel Company's plant, in Canton, married Miss Ida Rose; and Emily J., Donald B., John B., Ruth A. and James H. remain at the parental home.

HOMER F. COOPER was born on the parental homestead, in the immediate vicinity of the town of Knoxville, Jefferson county, Ohio, on the 25th day of July, 1863, being a son of Henry F. and Sophia (Ekey) Cooper, to whom were born four children, all of whom are living except Ophilon V.,who died at the age of thirtyone years. The tliree surviving are as follows : J. Howard, who owns the old homestead farm in Jefferson county ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of John Moore, of Bergholz, that county ; and Homer F., the immediate sul^ject of this sketch. Henry F. Cooper was likewise a native of Jefferson county, this state, having been born in the village of Knoxville, m the year 1829, and being a son of John Cooper, who was of Scotch lineage, and who was numbered among the early settlers of jeft'erson county. The father of our subject was reared on the homestead farm, received such educational advantages as were afforded in the district schools of the locality and period, and after his marriage he purchased the old homestead, which comprised one hundred and eighty-five acres, where the subject of this sketch was born. There he continued to reside until the hour of his death. In politics he was a stanch supporter of the Republican party from the time of its organization, and for a number of years he efficiently filled the office of justice of the peace, being one of the influential citizens of the community. He was a signally devoted and consistent member of the Methodist Plpiscopal church, in which he held the office of class leader for many years. Sophia (Ekey) Cooper, the mother of the subject, was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, near the town of Richmond, in the year 1830, being a daughter of Ezekiel Ekey, who was of Irish descent. After the death of her husband the mother bravely assumed the responsibility of rearing her children and assuming the management of the home farm until such time as her sons were able to lift this burden from her shoulders. She was summoned into eternal rest in 1888, loved by all who knew her and secure in that deep Christian faith which brightened and glorified her beautiful life: she was a devoted member of the Methodist Episcopal church.

Homer F. Cooper, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to maturity on the homestead farm and received a good common school education, while he and his brother early assumed much of the responsibihty of managing and carrying on the work of the home farm. After the marriage of their two sisters the brothers purchased the former's interests in the farm, and later, when his brother wished to remove to the west, the subject purchased also his interest in the estate and thus assumed full control of the farm. After his mother's death ]\Ir. Cooper, being unmarried and somewhat in debt, sold the home to his brother, who had in the meanwhile returned from the west, and he then took up his residence in the village of Kensington, Columbiana county, where he engaged in the general merchandise business, in which he there continued until 1893, when he sold the business to his brotherin-law, John Moore, and then removed to the city of Canton, Stark county, where he engaged in the wholesale retail coal business, of which he disposed in the spring of 1900, and then engaged in the tea and coffee business in the same city, gradually merging the enterprise into a general grocery business, which he successfully conducted until the 1st of October, 1 90 1, when he closed out the same and took up his residence on his present fine farm, a portion of which was inherited by his wife, while he purchased the remainder from Mrs. Painter, his mother-in-law, then recently widowed. The farm constitutes one of the finest landed estates in the county, being under most effective cultivation and having the best of buildings, including a commodious and attractive brick residence, while the area of his holdings is over six hundred acres, the same being eligibly located in Sandy township. In politics Mr. Cooper has ever given a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, in whose cause he has taken an active interest. During the last campaign of the lamented President Mc- Kinley the subject was a member of the famous Canton Troop, whose duty was to meet the various delegations and escort them to the residence of the President in Canton. Since 1889 Mr. Cooper has been a njember of the Presbyterian church, and while residing in Canton he ser\'ed as trustee and treasurer of the church. Fraternally he is identified with Sandy Valley Lodge No. 725, Knights of Pythias. He is progressive and energetic in his farming operations, as has he been in all fines of enterprise with which he has been identified, and he holds the unequivocal confidence and esteem of the people of the community.

united in marriage to Miss Violet E. Painter, the only child of the late Jacob W. Painter, who was one of the most honored and influential citizens of Sandy township, and of whom individual mention is made in following paragraphs. Mrs. Cooper is likewise a devoted member of the Presb\'terian church and is a lady of gracious presence and distinctive refinement. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper have no children.

Jacob W. Painter, the father of Mrs. Cooper, was born in Pike township. Stark county, Ohio, on the loth of Islovember, 1829, being of stanch German lineage, his great-grandfather having emigrated from the fatherland to Pennsylvania in an early day, being accompanied by two of his brothers, one of whom located in New England and the other in Pennsylvania, while the name now has representatives in the most diverse sections of the Union. Jacob Painter, grandfather of Jacob W., was a man of influence in Pennsylvania, where he was engaged in farming, and where he also operated a gristmill, while he also served as jvidge of the court of common pleas and was several times a representative in the state legislature. He was a Whig in politics and was a member of the Lutheran church. Jacob W. Painter was a son of Joseph and Sarah A. (Wynn) Painter, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania, whence they came to Stark county, the father having located in Sandy township as a pioneer of the year 1829, and here Jacob W. was reared under the conditions naturally implied, while he made such use of the educational advantages afiforded him that he became eligible for pedagogic work, being a successful teacher in the district schools of this and Carroll county, while later he taught in Illinois. After his marriage he purchased a portion of the present homestead farm, and in addition to becoming one of the most successful farmers of this section he also operated the coal mines on his farm, from which enterprise he secured large returns, becoming one of the wealthy and influential men of the county. He was a prominent member of the Christian church, and in politics he supported the Republican party, of whose principles and policies he was a stanch advocate, though he never sought oflicial preferment, the only position of the sort of which he was ever incumbent having been that of land appraiser, to which office he was elected in 1870. He was an appreciative and valued member of the Masonic fraternity, and in all the relations of life was true to the highest principles. He met his death as the result of a pitiable accident, being killed by a train at the Waynesburg crossing of the Pennsylvania Railroad, on the 22d of August, 1901, while the entire community felt the loss as a personal one, and to those nearest and dearest to him. the blow came with crushing force, for to them had been shown the tenderest side of his strong and ideal nature.

On the 24th of December, 1861, Mr. Painter was united in marriage to Miss Nancy A. Miller, who was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, and who became the mother of two children, Joseph, who died April 10, 1865, and Violet, who is the wife of the subject of this review. Mrs. Painter died on the loth of December, 1865, and in 1867 Mr. Painter married Miss Susan Leyda, who died October i, 1898.

JOHN R. ELSON was born in the village of Magnolia, which lies on either side of the line between Stark and Carroll counties, the date of his nativity having been April 3, 1865. He has been practically identified with the milling business from his boyhood days until the present, since at an early age he began to assist in various lines of Avork about his father's mills during the summer months, while during the wiinter seasons he prosecuted his studies in die public schools of his native place, eventually equipping himself more fully for the active responsibilities of life by completing a course of study in the commercial department of that well known institution, Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio. He left college at the age of eighteen years, and since that time his entire attention has been given to the work of the fine milling plant in which he is now interested as a stockholder in the operating company. About the year 1890 he and his elder brother, Richard R., began to receive a percentage of the profits of the business, having proved themselves worthy of this kindly consideration on the part of their father, and in 1900 the enterprise was duly incorporated as a stock company, under tlie title mentioned above, the stock being held entirely in the hands of the family, and our subject being chosen as head miller under the provisons of the re-organization. Of this position he lias since remained incumbent, and his thorougli knowledge of the practical details and all mechanical accessories utilized make him especially well fitted for the important charge, and it may be said that no portion of the Avork of operation escapes his careful supervision and scrutiny, so that the high reputation of the mills is not permitted to suffer in the least, but their prestige is being advanced through the co-operation and harmonious management of the interested principals of the company. Mr. Elson, like his father and brothers, is a stanch advocate of the cause of the Republican party, and his interest in public affairs of a local nature has been insistent and helpful. He has served several terms as a member of the village council of Magnolia, and for nine years has been incumbent of the office of treasurer of the school board of the town. He is one of the prominent and capable young business men of the county, and is well deserving of tlie success which is his, for it has not been acquired without forceful effort, each of his father's sons having early learned to honor honest toil, in whatever sphere of action. Our

On the 24th of April, 1S89, Mr. Elson was united in marriage to Miss Margaret E. Skeels. who was born in Carroll county, being the daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lotz) Skeels, residents of Canton, Stark county, where Mr. Skeels is a prominent contractor. Mrs. Skeels died in 1S87, and Mr. Skeels afterward married Mrs. Lena Getchell. Mr. and Mrs. Elson have had three interesting children, Alwilda R., died in January, 1896; A. Catherine and Fredrika E., who lend brightness and cheer to the family circle, the home of the subject being one of the finest and most attractive modern residences in Magnolia, and having been erected by him in 1898.

HENRY BOWMAN was born on - his present farm, in Sandy township, on the 5th of February, 1840, being a son of John and Lydia (Whitmer) Bowman, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, where he was born in the year 1802, and when he was seven years of age his parents removed thence to Stark county, Ohio, being numbered among the earliest settlers of Pike township, where he was reared to maturity under the pioneer conditions and environments, the family home being a primitive log cabin, while educational advantages were notable for their absence rather than anything else, but he was endowed with an alert mentality and made the best use of the opportunities afforded in the little log .school house, which he attended at varied intervals. As a youth he was for a time engaged as fireman on an Ohio river steamboat, and after his marriage he purchased the farm now owned by the subject of this review, in section 20, Sandy township, erecting a log cabin and forthAvith instituting the work of reclaiming the heavily timbered land to the uses of cultivation. He was a man of marked energy and industry, and endowed with excellent business acumen, so that he was not denied a due measure of success as the result of his efforts, and he lived to see the development of the county from almost a veritable wilderness to a populous and prosperous division of a great state, while his own farm was so improved under his direction as to become one of the best in the county. He resided on this homestead until his death, in 1886, being cared for with true filial solicitude during his declining days by his son, Henry, subject of this review, who had become the owner of the home place. He and his wife were both devoted members of the I-utheran church. The latter was born in Bethlehem township, Stark county, and her death occurred in 1879, at which time she was seventy-seven years of age. She was a daughter of Benjamin Whitmer, who was numbered among the first settlers in Bethlehem township, where he reclaimed a good farm and became one of the influential men of the community, and where he died at an advanced age. John and Lydia (Whitmer) Bowman became the parents of eight children, namely : Mary, John and Samuel, who are now deceased; Henry, the subject of this review ; Hannah, who is the wife of Riley Newhouse; Eli, who is a representative farmer of Sandy township ; and Lydia, who died young. Sarah was the wife of VVm. Bonbrak, who died in Indiana; John died in California; and Samuel, who was a soldier in the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war, was taken prisoner at the battle of Chickamauga and died in Andersonville prison.

Henry Bowman, to whom this sketch is dedicated, was reared on the farm which is now his home, and he early began to lend effective aid in its reclamation and cultivation, his services in this line being in such demand that his educational training as a boy was cut down to the minimum, the longest period during wliich he attended school in any one year being thirty -three days, while the early "institution of learning" which was accessible to him was the log school house with its primitive equipment of puncheon floor, slab benches, etc. He continued to assist in the work of the farm until there came the clarion call to arms, when the Union was attacked by the southern Confederacy, whose guns thundered against the walls of old Fort Sumter. Mr. Bowman manifested the loyalty and patriotism of a true son of the republic, and on the 12th of October, 1861, at the age of twenty-one years, he enlisted as a private in Company K, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being mustered in at Camp Meigs. This regiment was commanded by Colonel Stanley Matthews, who later became the distinguished chief justice of the supreme court of the United States, while Charles Muller was captain of Company K. The regiment was assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, and participated in many of the most memorable engagements of the great conflict. From Camp ]\Ieigs the command proceeded into Kentucky, where they did much skirmishing, thence going to Nashville, and later into the Cumberland mountains, whence they followed General Bragg through Tennessee and Kentucky to Louisville, where several skirmishes occurred. They continued in pursuit of Bragg and fought at Cedar Plains and Perryville, Kentucky, and later returned to Nashville, where they remained until December, 1862, when they were sent to Stone River, taking part in the spirited engagement at that point, Mr. Bowman being there injured by the explosion of a shell, but was not long incapacitated for duty, as is evident when we re-\'ert to the tact that he was in action in the important battles of Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Ridge. The regiment went into winter quarters at Shell Mound, and in the spring of 1864 again went forth to do valiant service in some oi the most hotly contested battles which marked the further progress of the war. The hst of the more important battles in which Mr. Bowman thus participated included the following : Tunnel Hill, Ringgold, Resaca, Rocky Face Ridge, Buzzards' Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Peachtree Creek, Pine-top Mountain, Atlanta and Jonesboro, having been in front of Atlanta when General McPherson was killed. Later, while en route to Athens, Alabama, their train was wrecked and Mr. Bowman was thrown violently to the ground, and was seriously injured in the back, being incapacitated for active duty of any sort for some months. He was never wounded in n technical sense during all his long and arduous term of service, though he was badly lacerated by the explosion of the shell at Stone River, as before noted. Mr. Bowman received his honorable discharge at Pulaski, Tennessee, on the 17th of November, 1864, and his military record is one which will ever redound to his honor as a patriot and a and loyal soldier. Soon after his discharge the subject returned home, and as his parents were well advanced in years he assumed charge of the home farm, to whose improvement and cultivation he has ever since devoted his attention. In 1880 he purchased the property from his father, and the following summer he erected his present commodious and substantial barn, while his large and attractive residence was erected in 1886. The other permanent improvements are of the best order, and his place may well be considered one of the model farms of the county, the same comprising one hundred and sixty acres of fertile and productive land, in connection with whose effective cultivation Mr. Bowman devoted no little attention to the raising of high grade live stock, including horses, of which he had at all times fine specimens, taking pride in keeping everything about the farm in the best possible order. On the active conduct of the farm and moved to Magnolia. He is a stockholder in the Magnolia Mercantile Company, m the village of that name, and is a member of its directorate. In politics he gives an unwavering allegiance to the Republican party, and he and his wife are zealous members of the United Brethren church. Fraternally he is one of the popular and honored comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, holding membership in Sandy Valley Post No. 433, of which he is past commander. On the 24th of December, 1869, Mr. Bowman was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth. Farber, who was born just across the line in Rose township, Carroll county, being a daughter of the late Peter Farber, who was one of the honored pioneers of that township. Mr. and Mrs. Bowman are the parents of five children, namely : John F., who is engaged in the general merchandise business in Magnolia, as a member of the Magnolia Mercantile Company; Ann, who is the wife of Dr. Benjamin F. Richard, of Richards, Pike township; Frank P., who is associated with his father in operating the homestead farm ; Margaret M., who resides in the village of Magnolia; and Mary A.,, who remains at the parental home.

HENRY H. CHAMBERLAIN, M. D., is descended from New England ancestry on the paternal side, but in what state the family originally settled is now a matter of doubt. The Chamberlains are of Quaker origin, and for many years the name was prominent in the history of that religious body. George Chamberlain, the grandfather, was born in one of the eastern states, but in an early day moved to Columbiana county, Ohio, where he lived the life of an honest, industrious tiller of the soil until called to the other world. His son, John Chamberlain, was born in Liverpool township, Columbiana county, in September, 1835, and w-as also a farmer by occupation. He mar- ried, in his native county. Miss Mary Etta Dixon, whose father, Joseph Dixon, was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, as were his ancestors for several generations before him. Mr. Dixon was one of the leading citizens of his community, whom to know was to honor and respect. The pathetic incident is related of him, that when an old man of eighty he was stricken with paralysis, which resulted in the absolute impairment of his power of speech. Having a presentiment of his approaching death, and knowing of no other way to impart the knowledge to his family, he worked the chair in which he was sitting close to the grate, and taking the fire shovel, formed the ashes on the hearth into the shape of a grave. His departure followed soon after this silent prophecy, and he was attended to the grave by a large concourse of relatives and friends, to whom he left as a heritage a name which is still held in deep veneration. His wife was a Miss Lydia Richardson, daughter of Joseph Richardson, to whom a reference is made in the sketch of Dr. Orter on another page of this work.

After his marriage John Chamberlain engaged in the pursuit of agriculture in the county of Columbiana, and continued to live and prosper there until his death, in the year 1890. He was a man of sterling integrity and genuine worth, and had a kind word for everybody with whom he came in contact. An earnest Christian, he exemplified his faith by a life void of offense to God and man, and as a Republican upheld the principles of his party with the same earnestness of purpose as he conducted his religious and secular interests. Mrs. Chamberlain is still living, and so well preserved are her bodily powers that she is frequently taken for a much younger woman than slie really is. To tliis excellent couple seven children were born, namely: Henry H., whose name heads this article; Elmer Elsworth, of Pittsburg. Pennsylvania; Willis W., residing in East

Liverpool, Ohio; Clara died at the age of six years; Leroy died in infancy; Lydia is now Mrs. John Betz; and Ira, who lives with his mother at the old home in tlie county of Columbiana.

Dr. Henry A. Chamberlain was born August 22, i860, in East Liverpool, Ohio, and spent the years of his childiiood and youth on the old homestead. His was a studious nature, and from the tinie of entering the district schools until the age of sixteen he made rapid progress in his studies, meanwhile supplementing the knowledge thus acquired by reading all books and papers that came to his hands. In his sixteenth year he was sufficiently advanced to secure a teacher's license, and from that time until twenty-two he devoted the winter seasons to educational work in his native county. Deciding to devote his life to the calling in which so many of the world's great men have attained distinction, the medical profession, he at once formulated plans for preparing himself for his life work. Entering the Eclectic INIedical Institute at Cincinnati, Ohio, he applied himself diligently to study and research until his graduation in 1884, after which he began the practice at Paris, Ohio, where his abilities soon won him recognition as a capable physician and surgeon. In due time he succeeded in building up a large and substantial business, which continued unabated during the eight years he remained at the above place.

Leaving Paris, Dr. Chamberlain went to Venango county, Pennsylvania, but not being especially pleased with the outlook there, withdrew at the end of one year and moved to the larger and much more promising field of eastern Ohio, selecting Canton as the place of his future course of action. Since locating in this city he has rapidly come to the front as a representative of his particular school, and now has a large practice, which is as successful financially as it is professionally. He maintains an abiding interest in and familiarity with the advances made in the sciences of medicine and surgery, and his professional attainments, of a high order from the beginning, are constantly being enlarged by close study and painstaking original research. He is a member of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Ohio, and avails himself of every opportunity this organization affords in the way of widening his scope of usefulness as a healer of diseases.

In his political adherency the Doctor is a stalwart Republican, casting his first vote for William AIcKinley for congress, and Jater supporting that distinguished statesman for governor, and twice for the presidency. His religious views are in harmony with the Calvinistic creed, and for some years he has been an active member of the Presbyterian church, at the present time affiliating with the First church of that denomination in the city of Canton.

Dr. Chamberlain was married at East Liverpool, Ohio, in the year 1885 to Miss Laura W. Smith, daughter of W. S. Smith, of Columbiana county, a union blessed with one son, Wilson S., a fine youth of fifteen years. The Doctor and his estimable wife are devoted church workers, to which interest they contribute liberally both in a tangible way and in the matter of vigorous inlluence. They are also popular in the best society circles of the city, and enjoy the esteem of all with whom they mingle, socially and otherwise.

ALBERT A. OLDHAM. - He to whom this brief sketch is dedicated occupies the responsible executive position of secretary and treasurer of the Bonnot Manufacturing Company, a representative industrial concern of the city of Canton, being also a stockholder of the corporation and a member of its directorate, and he is recognized as one of the able young business men of the city, having t!ie jirogressive spirit so characteristic of the age. Since a detailed description of the enterprise with which he is thus prominently identilied is given in the review of the life of the president of the company on other pages of this volume, it will not be required that the resume be repeated at this point, so we may proceed at once to a consideration of the more salient points in the career of Mr. Oldham.

Albert A. Oldham is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in the village of Parma, Cuyahoga county, Ohio, on the 24th of July, 1869, and being a son of Albert PL and Josephine (Hodgman) Oldham, the former of whom was born near the city of Montreal, Canada, being of English ancestry, while the year of his nativity was 1843. I^^ ^''^s followed the vocation of locomotive engineer during his active career, and it at the present time thus employed on a railroad, maintaining his home in Canton. His wife, whose ancestors and parents were of the Younker sect in their religious faith, was born in the old PTodgnian homestead af Parma, this state. Of this union were born five children, of whom all are living at the present time. It may be said that the first representative of the Oldham family in America was the great-grandfather of our subject, who emigrated from England to the dominion of Canada in an early day, and there passed the residue of his life.

Albert A. (Oldham was reared to the age of six years in his native village, and his parents then removed to Akron, this state, where he attended the public schools until 1881, when the family came to Canton, and here he completed a course in the high school, being graduated as a member of the class of 1S86. After leavin sch.ool he entered tine em]iloy of the Peerless Reaper Company, in the capacity of bookkeeper, remaining with this concern until its business was suspended, in 1891. Pie then entered the employ of the Bonnot Manufacturing Company, and about the year 1899 he was promoted from the position of bookkeeper to that of assistant secretary and treasurer, while in the fol- lowing years he was made the chief incumbent of this office, in which capacity he has since continued to render most effective service. In pohtics Mr. Oldham is a stanch supporter of the Repubhcan party, and its principles, and both he and his wife are zealous and valued members of the United Bretlirai church, and he is at the present time superintendent of the primary department of its Sunday school.

On the 6th of April, 1892, Mr. Oldham was united in marriage to Miss Ella G. Singer, daughter of Christian and Elizabeth (Kinsch) Singer, of Canton, w'hexe she was reared and educated, and they have one son, La:urence E.

WILLIAM R. KURIZ is one of the leading and prominent citizens of Minen'a, Stark coimty, Ohio, not only from the fact of his long residence there, but also from the exercise of those qualities which inevitably gain for any man the respect and esteem of his associates. He is a native son of the Buckeye state, having been born in Columbiana county on the 9th of November, 1866, the son of William and Sarah (Elliott) Kurtz. WiUiam Kurtz was also a resident of Columbiana county, Avhere he was reared and obtained his education. He was early initiated into the mysteries of agriculture and followed that calling until 1893, when he left the farm and removed to Minerva, where he has since lived in retirement, enjoying the ease and comfort which he has so richly earned by his previous years of toil. A man of decided religious convictions, he is a faithful and consistent member of the IMethodist Episcopal church, and while a stanch Republican in politics, he has never been an officeseeker, preferring to devote his time and energy to the honorable pursuit of agriculture rather than to the duties and emoluments of public office. Mrs. Kurtz passed into the silent world in 1890. To these parents were bom the following named children, six of whom still survive: John E., a jeweler residing in Minerva; Frank D., at home; Jesse N., who is associated in business with tlie subject ; Rose E. and Laura L., at home; William R., the subject, and Charles W., deceased.

W'illiam R. Kurtz was reared under the parental roof, and acquired his education in the common schools of the neighborhood, supplementing this by attendance at the high school of Minerva. At the age of twenty years he formed a partnership with VV. J. Yengling in the dry-goods business at Minen'a. After continuing in this line for two years he disposed of his interests and went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he accepted a position with Joseph Home & Company in the retail dry goods - business. Mr. Kurtz spent ten years in a clerical capacity with Joseph Home & Company and with Boggs & Buhl, of Allegheny, Pennsylvania, with the exception of two years in the employ of J. S. Patterson & Sons at Findlay, Ohio. In 1898 Mr. Kurtz returned to Minerva and organized the firm of Kurtz Brothers, associating himself with his brother, Jesse N. They at once met with encouraging success in their business enterprise, and in the intervening four years have built up a large and satisfactory business. In September, 1901, they opened a branch store at Salineville, this state, in which they have also met with a satisfactory patronage. Courteous and afifable, and evincing a desire to please their customers, they have won for themselves the confidence of the business world and a commensurate share of the public patronage.

On the 5th of March, 1900, William R. Kurtz was united in marriage with Miss Helen Burk, of Detroit, Michigan, an intelligent and highly cultured lady, who has proved to her husband a helpmate in the truest sense of the word. Religiously Mr. Kurtz is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he holds the position of treasurer. Politically he is a stanch Republican, but takes no very active.- part in matters political. The qualities which -have made him one of the prominent and successful business men of Minerva have also brought him the esteem and good will of his fellow citizens, for his career from the beginning has been one of well directed energy, strong determination and honorable methods. Endowed by nature with strong powers of mind, and possessing the energy to direct his faculties in the proper channels, he early became a man of resourceful capacity, as the able management of his business affairs abundantly testifies.

RICHARD R. ELSON was born in the village of Magnolia, Carroll county, Ohio, on the 8th of March, i860, being a son of Augustus R. Elson. His boyhood days were passed amid the surroundings of the parental home, and his early educational advantages were such as were afforded in the public schools of the lo- -cality, while this discipline was later supplemented by a course of study in Duff's Business in the city of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. -As a lad he began to lend such assistance as "was within his power to the work in his father's flouring mills, the rise of which important in- has been duly described in the foregoing paragraphs, and he continued to he identified the enterprise under the direction of his father until he had become familar with all the practical details of the business, having "grown up in the business," as the colloquial expression will indicate the progress made. In 1890 he and his brother John were admitted to a partnership interest in the milling business, which was continued imder the firm name of A. R. Elson & Sons until the year 1900, when a -stock company was formed and the business incorporated under the laws of the state, as the A. R. Elson Company, the interested principals heing all members of the family, while at the time of organization the subject of this sketch was chosen secretary of the company, in which capacity he has since continued to serve wiith signal discrimination and ability, doing much to further the progress of the enterprise, which is one of the most important and most popularly appreciated industries in this section of the state. In politics Mr. Elson has ever been a stanch advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he is known as one of the energetic and broad-minded busmess men and public-spirited citizens of the conmiunity, while he was called upon to serve three terms a.s treasurer of Magnolia, Stark county, giving a most capable administration of the fiscal affairs assigned to his charge.

On the 25th of August, 1892, Mr. Elson was united in marriage to Miss Iva Moffett, who was born in Rose township, Carroll county, being a daughter of Samuel Si. Moffett, who was likewise born in that county,, of sterling Irish lineage, and who is a prominent and influential farmer and stock grower of this locality. Mr. and Mrs. Elson have two children, Loren and Mack A.

JOSIAH B. EBERLY was born on the homestead farm, in Bethlehem township, this county, on the nth of September, 1856, being a son of Joseph and Catherine (Bretz) Eberly, the former of whom was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, while the latter was born in Tuscarawas township, Stark county, being a daughter of John Bretz, who was one of the prominent and influential pioneer citizens of that township, and who served for a number of years as a member of the board of county commissioners. The father of the subject devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits, becoming the owner of a fine farm in Bethlehem township, having located upon the same in 1843, ^"^^ there his death occurred in 1887, at which time he was eighty-one years of age. In politics he was originally a Democrat, later espoused the cause of the Whig party, and after the organization of the Repubhcan party transferred his allegiance to the same, and ever afterward continued a stanch advocate of its principles. He Avas a birth-right member of the Society of Friends, and his religous views ever continued to be in harmony with the teachings of this noble body of Christians. He was three times married, and of the hrst union, to the mother of the subject, three sons were born, Josiah B. being the only survivor, his two brothers having sacrificed their lives on the altar of their country's righteous cause, in the war of the Rebellion, one having been a member of the Eighteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, while another was a member of the Thirteenth Indiana Regiment of Volunteer Infantry. By the last marriage three children were born, and all are now deceased. The mother of the subject died in 1858 at the age of forty years, having been a member of the German Reformed church.

Josiah B. Eberly was reared on the old home farm, and after securing his rudimentary educational training in the district schools he continued his studies in the high school at Smithville, and later was matriculated in Mount Union College, near the city of Alliance, where he made the best possible use of the excellent advantages afforded him, and soon put his scholastic knowledge to practical use by engaging in pedagogic work, having been for twelve years one of the eminently popular and successful teachers in the public schools of his native county. In 1881 Mr. Eberly located on his ])resent farm, which comprises one hundred and thirty acres of most fertile and productive land, while the place has the best of permanent improvements, and is one of the valuable and attractive farm homes of this locality. Mr. Eberly is one of the progressive farmers of the county, directing his efforts according to scientific principles, and with marked discrimination, while he is known as one of the public-.spirited citizens of the community and as a man of fine intellectual endowments. He exercises his franchise in support of the principles and policies of the Republican party, but has never sought the honors or emoluments of public office. Fraternally he is identified with the lodge of the Knights of Pythias in Beach City, and formerly he was identified with the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, while he has been a prominent factor in the ranks of the Patronsof Husbandry, and has the distinction of being, at the present time master of the Stark County Grange of that order.

On the 23rd of September, 1880, Mr. Eberly was united in marriage to Miss Minerva Knepper, who was born on the home farm in Stark county, being a daughter of the late Godfrey Knepper, an honored pioneer of Stark county. Of this imion have been born five children,, namely: Benjamin G., who rendered valiant service as a soldier in the Philippines during the late war, being corporal of his company,, and who is now a fireman in the emplo)^ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company; Grace M., E. May and Charles D. still remain at the parental home, and Elmer died at the age of six months.

WALLEN M. BEATTY was born on the farmer he now owns, in Rose township, Carroll county, on the 19th of September, 1846, being a son of William F. and Rachel (Miller) Beatty, to whom were born three children, the two survivors being the subject and his sister Mary, who is the wife of Sands B. KimmeU of Mineral Point, Tuscarawas county.