Canton Township (part 60 of 62)

Benjamin Fetters, whose name initiates this article, was born on the old homestead farm and early became inured to the manifold details involved in reclaiming the land from the forest and making it ready for the plow. He continued to assist his father in the work of the farm until he had attained the age of nineteen years, having in the meanwhile been accorded such educational advantages as ^^ere to be had through a somewhat irregular attendance in the primitive district school of the pioneer epoch. How often have we read and heard tlie description of these little log; houses, with their rude equipment of puncheon floors, slab benches, wide fire-place and windows supplied with oiled paper in lieu of glass, and yet there is ever pleasure in reverting to these modest institutions, for from them have come forth some of the grandest characters our republic has produced,- - men of perhaps not recondite knowledge but men whose nobility and strength of character have been adequate to leave a perpetual impress on our nation's history in various avenues of usefulness. Their diplomas were signed by the great and wise headmaster. Experience, and their accomplishment has often put the blush to the face of presumptions scholasticism. ]\Ir. Fetters ha? been continuously identified with tl:e great basic art of agriculture from his boyhood to the present, and his entire experience in the line has been practically one of consecutive identification with Pike township. Here is the owner of a w ell improved and fertile farm of one bundled and thirty-five acres, and the same is devoted to diversified agriculture and the raising of live stock, though the latter is made a subordinate feature of the farming enterprise. He has been a man of marked enterprise and energy and lias achieved a gratifying success through his well directed efforts, being recognized as one of the prosperous farmers and thoroughly representative citizens of his native township, in whose advancement and material well being lie has ever manifested a most lively interest. During the war of the Rebellion he was an earnest supporter of the Union cause, and for a time was a member of the home guard and prepared for active service when demanded. In politics Mr. Fetters is a stalwart advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and he has been called upon to serve in many of the minor township offices, while for the long term of twelve years he was continued in tenure of the office of township trustee, which fact indicates better than can mere words that his interposition must have been most satisfactory to hi? constituents. For about a score of years he also served as constable, and lie has also labored effectively in the past as a member of the board of school directors. He and his wife have been for many years zealous and devoted members of the German Baptist church, exemplifying their faith in their daily life.

In Marshall county, Indiana, on the 29th of February, 1859, ^I''- Fetters was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Inzel, who was born in that state, being a daughter of IM. and Elizabeth Inzel^ who died in Indiana. To Mr. and Mrs. Fetters have been born ten children, namely : George, who is a merchant ; Amanda, who is the wife of a !Mr. Buchtel, a farmer ; David, who is in the railroad business ; William: Ella, who is at home; Mary, who is the wife of Homer Brothers, of Pike township; Phoebe, who is the wife of Ira Peters, of Pike township; Benjamin H., who is at home; James Garfield, who is slate roofing at Canton ; and Amos, who died in infancy.

BENEDICT DANNEMILLER. - For many years the subject of this sketch was actively identified with the industrial and commercial interests of Canton and, as a farsighted, public spirited man, stood foremost among his contemporaries in eastern Ohio. He bore a leading part in the material development of this part of the state and during his lifetime exercised as great if not greater influence than any other man in directing attention to Canton as a safe place for the investment of capital. He was also instrumental in locating here a solid and substantial class of people, and in introducing the general system of public improvements which, during the last half century, have done so much to make Canton one of the most important industrial and commercial centers in the commonwealth.

Mr. Dannemiller was a native of France, born on the 22d day of December, 1813, in the province of Alsace, now a part of the German empire. He was the second child and oldest son of Benedict and Magdaline (Bechel) Dannemiller, both parents born and reared in Alsace, where the ancestors of their respective families had lived for years beyond the memory of man. Besides Benedict there were seven other children, three sons and four daughters, all of whom, together with their parents, emigrated to America.

While yet a mere boy the subject became acquainted with a gentleman by the name of Sharios, who owned and operated a cotton-mill in Alsace, which both young Benedict and his father frequently visited. This Mr. Sharios had ser\-ed under General Lafayette in the American Revolution, and in his old age never tired of relating his interesting experiences and thrilling adventures in that far away, but what he considered one of the most highly favored countries upon which the sun ever shown. He entered the arniey as a private, but for meritorious conduct rose to the rank of lieutenant, in which capacity he did valiant service in the cause of hberty for a people whom he afterwards held in profound esteem. Not infrequently would young Dannemiller and his father dine with the soldier and whenever such was the case the lad was sure to turn the conversation to America, of which country and its wonderful resources he was very anxious to lear.n more than he then knew. These talks with Mr. Sharios, together with the knowledge derived from a couple of books relating to the marvelous discoveries of Columbus in the new world, filled the lad's mind with a burning desire not only to learn of the great free land beyond the sea, but to go there as soon as he could arrange his affairs to that end. Quite a number of parties had already left Alsace and settled in various portions of the United States and from certain of these, who had located at a place called Canton, came letters describing at considerable length the advantages which awaited the young man with any ambition whatever to succeed in life.

Finally, when about seventeen years of age, young Benedict obtained his father's consent to seek his fortune in the new world, and on the 9th day of September, 1830, there was put. into his hands sufficient money to pay his passage to his destination, with a small surplus to meet expenses until he could find employment. Before starting, the father admonished his son to write for money with which to return if the new country failed to meet his expectations or if he should at any time become dissatisfied with his venture so far from kindred and home. On the above date, in company with his uncle, Philip Bechel, Benedict Dannemiller bade adieu to the familiar scenes of his childhood and started upon what proved a long and far-reaching destiny. Embarking at Havre on the American ship "Eric," the two reached their destination on the 4th of November following, landing on that day in the city of New

York. Shortly after landing young Benedict found, to his no little embarrassment, that he . would not have sufficient money to pay his way further, accordingly he was obliged to borrow a small sum of his uncle to enable him to reach the town of Canton, situated he knew not how far from the sea coast. Leaving New York, they went by way of Albany, Buffalo and Cleveland and arrived at Canton on the 28th of November, spending nearly twenty-four days on the inland part of the journey. It was while waiting for a canal boat at Cleveland that Mr. Dannemiller earned his first money in this country. A small schooner was being loaded with grain from a warehouse by the wharf and, as help was needed, a man called to young Benedict and putting a shovel into his hands made him understand that his services were required. The lad cheerfully responded and after the boat was loaded the gentleman threw him a small Spanish coin of the value of about eighteen and a half cents. This proved the beginning of his long and eminently successful financial career upon American soil.

His uncle, Mr. Bechel, was a blacksmith by trade and Mr. Dannemiller had worked in his shop about one year before leaving for the United States. Shortly after reaching Canton the two opened a shop, at the corner of South ^Valnut and Tenth streets, where they worked about one year, changing their location at the expiration of that time to the corner of Fifth and Plum streets. After remaining with his uncle until July, 1834, Mr. Dannemiller, on the 14th day of that month, started a shop of his own and during the ensuing twenty-four years carried on a very successful business, spending twenty-nine years in all as an iron worker in Canton. Mr. Dannemiller and his brotherin-law, Jacob Scheiber, invented and manufactured a bar-share plow, which had an extensive sale throughout northern Ohio and I*^diana, and they were also engaged in the manufacture of farm wagons.

On the I3tli of August, 1835, Mr. Dannemiller made application in the common pleas court of Stark county, declaring his intention to become a citizen of the United States, and three years later received his final papers entitling him to all the rights and privileges for which the term stands. To him the year 1838 was peculiarly eventful in that it not only saw him made a citizen of the Republic, but witnessed his marriage, on the 21st day of December, to Miss Barbara Scheiber, who proved his loving companion and faithful helpmeet during the most successful part of his life. Mrs. Dannemiller bore her husband ten children, the oldest and youngest of whom died in infancy, the others were named : Mrs. Clara Deville, William, Mrs. Helena Neuhausel, Augustus, Rosa, Edward, Julius and Mrs. ^lary Mc- Crea. all of whom are living and well settled in life.

Mr. Dannemiller cast his first presidential ballot for General Harrison in the famous "log cabin and hard cider" campaign of 1840 and continued to support the old Whig- party until it ceased to exist, when he became a Democrat, and in 1861 became a Lincoln Republican.

The beginning of Mr. Dannemiller's remarkable business- career was in the year 1852, when the Pennsylvania railroad was being constructed through Stark county. The first train into Canton created great excitement and its thunderous noise hailed the advent of a new and better era, an era attended with momentous consequences in that it has witnessed a material growth and prosperity of which the wisest and most sanguine of the fathers never imagined. Prior to the advent of the road all the grain raised in this part of the county was hauled to Massillon, or Navarre, these towns being the two most important shipping points on the old Ohio canal. The coming of the road changed this by bringing a fine market nearer home and such far-seeing business men as Mr. Dannemiller were not slow in takingadvantage of the situation. Closing his shopin 1858 the subject turned, his attention to thebuying and shipping of grain, erecting a warehouse on the lot now occupied by the McLain Manufacturing Company. Disposing of this property subsequently to Mr. Ball, he purchased the southeast corner where the Ft. Wayne railroad intersects Eighth street, and erected thereon a much larger warehouse, which is still standing. In this building hecontinued the grain business quite extensively for many years and became one of the largest and most successful shippers in this part of thestate. In addition to his operations in grain Mr. Dannemiller soon embarked in other commercial enterprises, buying, in June, 1869, thewholesale grocery house of Thomas Kimball & Bros., whose place of business was the room now used by the United States Express Company. The Kimballs also owned a warehouse on Piedmont street, which passed into the possession of the subject when he made the purchase referred tO' above. When Mr. Dannemiller succeeded the above firm he took in as partners his two sons, William and Augustus, the three founding the well-known and popular wholesale grocery firm of B. Dannemiller &- Sons, the leading establishment of its kind in the city at that time and ever since. After occupying the original quarters three years, the constantly increasing patronage of the firmnecessitated a building of enlarged proportions, accordingly the business was moved' to the building on the corner of North Market and East Tuscarawas streets, now occupied by W. E. Homer and the Farmers Bank. As originally constituted the firm lasted until 1 876, at which time the two younger sons, Edward' and Julius, were admitted to partnership, the business the meanwhile continuing to grow in magnitude and importance until it again becamenecessary to have a building of sufificient capacity to meet the requirements of the trade. In due time the large and imposing brick build- ing on the corner of Fifth and Market streets was erected and when completed it was thought large enough to answer all the purposes of the firm for many years to come. The Dannemillers began handling coffins as a specialty in 1876, and to this line of trade is their success from that year largely due. So rapidly did the business increase that it soon outgrew the capacity of the block on Fifth and Market, thus making another move essential in order to keep pace with the constant demands for the vari- ous lines of goods handled. Accordingly in the spring of 1891, the firm moved into the massive brick structure on the corner of Sev- "Cnth and Cherry streets, which is most admirably located for wholesale purposes, being in such close proximity to the railroad that cars 'can be loaded and unloaded from one side of the building.

The Dannemillers are not only the largest and most important wholesale firms in Canton, "but in the volume of business annually transacted the house is second to no other establish- Tnent of the kind in the state, ranking indeed with the leading wholesale houses in the larg- -est cities of the Union. From the beginning the career of the firm has been marked by continued and almost unparallelled prosperity and this time it is not only one of the most successful partnerships in the country but also one of the oldest. The different members are men of high business qualifications 'and their standing in commercial circles lias made them Avidely and favorably known throughout the United States, especially in Ohio and adjacent commonwealths. April i, 1902, the concern was turned into a stock company of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars paid-in cash capital.

As a broad-minded, far-seeing man of affairs, Benedict Dannemiller had few equals and no superiors. Ripe judgment, scrupulous integrity, with a profound knowledge of busitiess and a deep regard for the ethics of commercial life, were among the predominant traits which added luster to his name, while his energy and well-defined purposes led him to embark in large enterprises with the assurance of reaping success in the end. His long and illustrious career won for him a conspicuous place among the leading business men of his day and the commanding position he occupied in the affairs of his adopted city earned for him a reputation which is now the common heritage of the people with whom he mingled. Feeling the infirmities incident to advancing age and becoming somewhat weary under the weight of the business which he had so long and so ably conducted, Mr. Dannemiller, in 1887, divided among his children his personal and real estate and retired to the peace and quiet of private life. He was reared in the Catholic faith and as long as he lived his life was made to conform to the sublime teachings and beautiful precepts of the Holy Mother church. During his long residence in Canton he was one of the most active members and liberal supporters of the St. Peter's congregation, having donated large sums of money for the erection of the different church buildings, besides other bequests of a relig'ious and benevolent character. Mr. Dannemiller's last bequest to his parish was in the form of a large, clear-toned bell, presented in memory of his wife, who for many years was a faithful and devoted communicant of the same congregation with which he was identified. This bell was placed in the beautiful tower of St. Peter's church and its sweet tones are like benedictions upon the head of the donor, whose upright walk and conversation were instrumental in winning many to the higher life.

In all that constitutes sterling manhood and true citizenship, Mr. Dannemiller was a splendid example. Although of foreigTi birth, he was intensely American, his love for his adopted country being on a par with his affection of family, kindred and friends. While never swerving in his loyalty to the institutions under which he achieved such marked success, he ever retained a warm feeling for the land of his birth and in 1876 it was his privilege to visit the familiar scenes of home and childhood. While there he met a number of his former playmates and companions, but the majority of those whom he had once known were scattered over various parts of the earth or sleeping the last quiet sleep which knows no waking. But few changes, however, had taken place in the general appearance of the old home and surroundings when compared with the remarkable changes which he had witnessed after becoming a resident of a new and rapidly growing country.

Mr. Dannemiller was public spirited in all the term implies and, as already stated, used his wealth to a good purpose in improving and beautifying the city of his adoption. The various buildings which he erected and other improvements made at his instance stand as monuments to his enterprising and progressive ideas, while the wholesome influence he exerted among his fellow men is a more enduring epitaph than the most eloquent panegyric carved on marble or granite. Mr. Dannemiller's life was fruitful of beneficent results in many ways and when it went out, on the 24th day of April, 1897, the city of Canton lost one of its most estimable and useful citizens and the state a broad-minded man of affairs, to say nothing of the deep bereavement of his immediate family and the keen personal loss sustained by the many hundreds who called him friend. His life was a shining example of moral rectitude under all circumstances and his career, from the penniless stranger tO' one of the proudest positions in the business and social world, furnishes man}' lessons which may be profitably read by the young and rising generation. He went to his rest as a shock fully ripened for the garner, and while his body

HERMAN S. KAUFMAN was born in the family homestead, on South Market street, in what was then the village of Cantoji, on the 31st of March, 1844, being a son of Peter and Catherine (Wiltz) Kaufman, both of whom were born about the year 1800. Peter Kaufman was born in the western portion of Prussia, where he was reared and educated, remaining in the fatherland until about 1818, when he emigrated to America and took uphis residence in the city of Philadelphia. His father, who passed his entire life in Prussia, served in the army of Napoleon. The father of the subject became a tobacco manufacturer in Philadelphia, and shortly after his marriage, which occurred in the year 1822, he removed to Pennsylvania, where he remained for the ensuing three yeais, after which he passed one year in Economy, that state. He then came to Ohio and located in Columbiana county, where he resided until 1828, when he came to Canton, which continued to be his home until his death. He here established and was editor and publisher of the Vaterlands Freund unfl Geist der Zeit, the first German newspaper in the town, and he also published an annual almanac which attained high popularity in this section of the Union, the same being kno\vn as Peter Kaufman's Western Almanac. Of his labors in these connectionsmention is made in the series of articles by John Danner appearing in this volume. Thenames of his paper and almanac are familiar to the old settlers throughout the state. At a later period Mr. Kaufman published Der Deutche in Ohio, a paper with which he continued to be identified until within a short time

Catherine (Wiltz) Kaufman, the mother of the subject of this sketch, was born in a small town on the Rhine, and her parents were members of the Society of Friends. The family immigrated to America in 18 16 and settled in Philadelphia, where was solenniized her marriage to Peter Kaufman. She died in Canton in 1893, at the venerable age of ninetyfour years, while both she and her husband were well known throughout the country and were numbered among the sterling pioneers of Canton. They became the parents of nine children, concerning whom we enter the following brief record : Lydia is the widow of Professor Henry J. Nothiiagel and resides in Columbus, Ohio; Herman (first) died at an early age; Walter died at the age of eighteen years; Peter R. was a valiant soldier in the war of the Rebellion and met his death during the siege of Vicksburg; Louisa M. is the widow of Charles Rehlen and resides in East Cleveland, this state; Alfred died at the age of twenty-seven years; Maria M. is the wife of M. M. Herbst, of Canton; Herman (second) died in infancy; and Herman S. is the immediate subject of this sketcli.

Herman S. Kaufman received his preliminary educational training in a private school conducted by Professor Lang, on North Plum street, Canton, said thoroughfare being now known as McKinley avenue. He later became a student in the public schools, and was graduated in the high school as a member of the class of 1862. In the spring of that year he tendered his services in defence of the Lfnion, whose integrity was in jeopardy through the rebellion of the southern states. He enlisted as a private in Company I, Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was organized at Camp Chase, in Columbus, and the command was thence ordered to West Virginia and assigned to guard duty in the vicinity of Clarksburg and Parkersburg. Pie continued in the service until the expiration of his term of enlistment, being mustered out, at Delaware, Ohio, in September, 1862. Mr. Kaufman then returned to Canton, where he was employed in his father's office until the early spring of the following year, w hen he again entered the military service, in the cjuartermaster's department, and was on duty in the south for the greater portion of the ye;ir, returning home in December, 1863, after receiving his lionorable discharge. In tlie early part of 1864 he entered upon an apprenticeship at the machinist's trade in the shops of C. Aultman & Company in Canton, while in the spring of the same year he became a member of Company C, Ohio National Guard, which was commanded by Colonel Ephraim Ball. His command passed three or four months at Tod barracks, in the state capital, being there assigned to guard duty. After his return to Canton he decided to not continue his apprenticeship, and accepted the position of bookkeeper for R. C. Kimball, a merchant of Canton, retaining this position one year, and thereafter he was incumbent of various clerical offices for varying intervals.

In March, 1867, Mr. Kaufman entered the employ of the Russell Company, one of the leading manufacturing concerns of Massillon, this county, and was there employed as bookkeeper for two years, at the expiration of which he went to Cleveland, where he was employed in the Ohio National Bank for a long period of fourteen years, gaining a thorough knowleijge of the business in all its details and rising to a position of responsibility. He then removed to El Paso, Texas, where he remained eight years as cashier of the First National Bank. In 1890 he returned to Canton and became a member of the executive corps of the City National Bank, of which he has been cashier for the past twelve years, his able and discriminating services having proved a potent factor in insuring the Ijuilding up of this soHd and popular financial nistitution, while he is highly esteemed in busmess circles and is recognized as one of the able financiers and representative citizens of his native place. He has been treasurer of the Canton board of trade for the past eleven years and ever manifests a lively interest hi all that tends to promote the progress and general welfare of the city and In politics he is an independent Republican. He is a member of El Paso Lodge No. 130, Free and Accepted Masons, at til Paso, Texas, and also of El Paso Comma ndery No. 18, Knights Templar.

In the city of Cleveland, on the 5th of October, 1869, Mr. Kaufman was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Williams, a daughter of Thomas H. and Anna (Bender) Williams, both of whom \\ere born in the state of Virginia, while they were for a number of years residents of Stark county prior to their removal to Cleveland, both being now deceased. ]\Irs. Kaufman was born in Ohio, and her educational training was received in the public schools of Massillon. Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman are the parents of four children, all of whom remain beneath the home roof, tiieir names being as follows: Mary Josephine, Alfred William, Charles Augustus and Walter Herman.

JOSEPH S. SAXTON. - In its original forni the family name of the subject was spelled Sexton, but for several generations the name has been used in its present form. The ancestors of Joseph S. Saxton were originally from England and came to America at a time long prior to the war of the Revolution, but there is no definite knowledge as to where they settled. The most reliable information obtainable w'ould indicate that it was at Westfield, Connecticut, as it is of record that George Sexton came to that place from England, and died in 1690. The family name is met with frequently all through the eastern states and it is thouglit that members of this family were among the early settlers of the New England states.

The subject's great-grandfather, George Saxton, who lived in Maryland, was married in Frederick county, that state, to Miss Sarah Harlan, of near Frederick, where they both died. Sarah Harlan's great-grandfather was George Harlan and her grandfather was James Harlan. About 1736 or 1740 James Harlan and wife left Chester county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Maryland or Virginia. They were members of the Friends church and appear to ha\-e borne a prominent and honorable part in the settlement of that part of the country in which they resided. James Harlan died in Frederick county, Maryland, and the names of his children were as follows: John, George, James, Jacob, Stephen, Moses, Philip, Elizabeth and Hannah. Of these children, John, the f;ither of IMrs. Sarah Saxton, was born in Chester county, Pennsyh-ania, in 1710. and married ^lartha Ashby. Sarah was born in Frederick county, Maryland, which was afterward cut off and named Washington count}'.

The descendants of these Harlan ancestors are many and have become scattered through all the states and territories of the Union. They inherited the spirit of venture, perseverance and enterprise and assisted in the opening and settlement of Viiginia, Kentucky, Arkansas, Texas, Indiana, Illinois, ^Missouri. Michigan and many sections of the great west. The name is a familiar one in the public mind, many members of the family having held exalted and honorable positions in state and national affairs during many years of our country's history. Among them may be mentioned Hon. John M. Harlan, associate justice of the supreme court of the United States, Major Sellis Harlan, who lost his life at Blue Lick, Kentucky, in August, T782, and Hon. James Harlan, lor many years a representative in congress from Kentucky. It is also a matter of record that several members of this family took part in the strug'gle of the colonies for independence.

James Saxton, the grandfather of James S. Saxton, was born February i, 1768, at Frederick, Maryland, and upon attaining mature years learned the trade of nail making. In April, 17S5, he removed to Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, where his death occurred on the 21st of December, 1845 or 1848. He was a man of strong character and was reared in the faith of the Methodist churcli, of which he was long a faithful and consistent member. He was married in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, in 1 791, to Miss Hannah Ashbaugh, the daughter of William Ashbaugh. She died at Huntingdon July 14, 1822. Their children are briefly mentioned as follows : ( i ) John, born September 28, 1792, at Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, married, August 3, 181 5, Margaret Laird and died at Canton, April 16, 1871. (2) George, born November 11, 1793, died September 22, 1 8 19, at New York city. (3) Rebecca, born December 10, 1795, married October 18, 1 83 1, Qiristian Perghtal, and died i, 1865. (4) Ruth, born January 17, 1798, died in March, 1798. (5) Joseph, born March 22, 1799, married Mary Abercrombie, and died at Washington, D. C. He acquired great repute as an inventor, scientist and maker of clocks, among the latter being the clock in the tower of Independence Hall, Philadelphia, and he was also the maker of United States weights and measures. (6) Penniah, "born September i, 1801, died March 12, 1872 On the 26th of September, 1822, she became the wife of Mordecai Barry, whose death occurred July 29, 1823. (7) Wilson Lee, born October 24, 1803, died September 25, 18^ - . (8) James, Jr., born October 4, 1805, died February 7. 1873. He was three times married, his first wife, to whom he was united December 15, 1828, being Mary Ann Fochler, his second, Catherine Fochler and the third, Emily Brotherline. (9) Joshua, born December II, 1807, married, July 15, 1S34, Margaret Hemphill and died February 7, 1890. (10) Catherine, born January 30, 1810, died February 27, 1828. (11) William A., born January 19, 1817, died July 9, 1895. On the 28th of April, 1859, he was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Abercrombie, whose death occurred August 13, 1879.

John Saxton, the father of the subject, was reared to manhood in his native place and attended the subscription schools of the period. He was of a studious disposition and by close application was enabled to acquire a fair business education. In youth he commenced to work at the printing trade and in 181 5, accompanied by his young wife, he came to Canton, Ohio, she making the trip on horseback in front of him. Here he established himself in the printing business and issued the first paper ever printed in Canton, it being called the "Repository." He was long and prominently identified with the publishing interests of this city and bore an influential part in many movements contributing to the upbuilding of the city and county and the advancement of many of its interests. His death occurred at Canton on the i6th of April, 1871. His wife, whose maiden name was Margaret Laird, was born at Huntingdon. Pennsylvania, December 13, 1792. and passed away March 28, 1858. They were the parents of tiie following children, all born at Canton: James A., born May i, 1812, died March 14, 1887; John L., born November 6, 1817, died July 6, 7836; William, born November 12, 1818, died December 25, same year; Hannah J., born May 13, 1820, and died February 22, 1895 ; slie married Thomas Goodman; George R., born July 3, 1823, died August 25, 1883; he married Kate B. Shorb; Joshua A., born October 9, 1826, died October 10, of the same year; Joseph S., the subject; Thomas W., born October 9, 183 1, and

Joseph Simmons Saxton was born in an old house on the site where now stands the McKinley hotel, the date of his birth being the 7th of October, 1829. At the age of six years he commenced his education by attendance at a private school taught by Mary Atwood, for which his quarterly tuition was two dollars and a half. The first sessions of this school were held up stairs in a building situated on the east side of the public square. Young Saxton was fond of sewing and frequently took such work to school with him, among his work being a patch quilt. He was of a quiet and studious disposition and made good progress in his studies, so that when he quit the school room he had acquired an excellent knowledge of the common English branches. In 1844, in company with his brother James, he embarked in the hardware business, locating in a two-story brick building on East Tuscarawas street owned by F. A. Snyder. Then for four years he was employed as a clerk by his brother. In 1850 the business was removed to South Market street and at that time the subject entered the printing office of bis father, who at that time was the editor and published of the Repository. At this time he was but sixteen 3'ears old and by the terms of the contract entered into with his father he was to receive a portion of the profits of the business. However, finding that his father needed all the money he could command, young Saxton drew only what money was actually required by him to cover his living expenses, thus proving his filial devotion. There was a book store in connection with the printing office and in this the subject also worked at times. He retained his connection with the printing office but one year and then resumed his position as clerk in the hardware store conducted by his brother. In 1856 Conard Schwedges and the subject were admitted as partners in the business and \.w years later the subject and John F. Raynok purchased the stock. They possessed in i eminent degree those qualities so essential ' success and for sixteen years continued tl business with profit, selling out at the end ( that time to Pontius & Essick. Mr. Saxtc next engaged in the fire insurance business, which he later added life insurance, and has sin^ been successfully engaged in these lines. H business transactions have demonstrated fina cial ability of a high order, and his care throughout has been characterized by sour judgment, keen discernment and concentratic of purpose which have enabled him to carry successful issue the enterprises to which h energies have been addressed.

On the 7th of October, 1851, Joseph : Saxton was united in marriage with Miss Ha riet A. Banner, sister of John A. Banner, ( Canton. She was born July 15, 1830, and to tl union with the subject have been born the fc lowing children : Anna Laura, born Septen ber 25, 1852, died Becember 23, 1853; Jol M., born July 25, 1857, is tumiarried and hv^ in Pueblo, Colorado ; Charles C, born Januai ig, i860, married, January 19, 1887, Kitt Van Kruren, and also resides at Pueblo, Cc orado; Helen B., born April 8, 1862, was ma ried, October 2.S, 1887, to Apperton H. Ba' pitt; William G., born June 7, 1867, occupii the position of teller in the First Nation Bank of Canton.

Religiously Mr. Saxton is a member of tl Presbyterian church and at one time served ; treasurer of the congregation to which he b' longed. Politically he was formerly a Whii but upon the organization of the Republics party he allied himself with it and has sin< been a stalwart supporter of its principles. F has never been an office seeker, but has ev( used his influence to induce his party to plac upon the ticket tlie names of men morally an mentally qualified for the positions to be filled. A man of unswerving integrity, his high standing in the community is second to that of no other citizen.

NORMAN C. RAFF, of Canton, was born January 29, 1857, in the city of Canton, and is the son of the late Judge George W. Raff. He attended the Union public school, and the Canton Academy, graduating from the academy in 1876. He then entered VVooster University, where he was graduated with honors in the class of 1880. While at Wooster he was a member of the Phi Kappi Psi fraternity and of the Irving Literary Society. In his sophomore year he took what was known as the "Sophomore Prize" and at the end of his junior year he took the second "Junior Prize" for an original declamation, while in his senior year he received first honors as a debater in the college inter-society contest, in addition to taking the honors o'f his class. After graduating he remained at Wooster for several months, assisting the grand treasurer of the Ivnights of Honor in managing the business of his office, and in July, 1881, he went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, and took a position as bookkeeper in the Central Bank of that place, owned by Raynolds Brothers. His advancement was so rapid that in less than three years he had risen to the position of cashier. Not long afterwards the Central and First National Banks of Albuquerque were merged in one, and he was made cashier of the joint concei'n, which bore the name of The First National Bank. In October, 1885, he accompanied his parents and brother on a visit to California, returning to Albuquerque in January, 1886. In April, 1886, he resigned his position as cashier in order to give his attention to several mining interests, which he owned at Kingston, New Mexico, intending afterwards to engage in the study of the law, but soon after reaching Kingston he was induced to take the management of the Percha Bank, as cashier. Later, after disposing of his banking interests in New Mexico, Mr. Raff established the Bank of Indian Territory at Guthrie, Oklahoma, at the time that territory was opened to the public by the government. This bank was one of the first establishments of the kind in the territory, and of it Mr. Raff was president and practical owner. In 1 89 1 Mr. Raff returned to Canton, and after a short stay in this city went east and became associated with Thomas Edison, the inventor, in connection with some of that gentleman's inventions. This called Mr. Raff to Chicago, where general offices were then located, during the World's Fair year. One year later the offices were removed to New York city. Mr. Raff was at the head of the company which brought out Mr. Edison's kinetoscope, vitascope and other moving picture machines, and which also had much to do with the introduction of Mr. Edison's phonograph. After these machines had been thoroughly introduced and the business fully organized throughout the country, and he had completed the object of his original association with Mr. Edison, Mr. Raff turned over the business and entered into a general bond and high-grade investments business at No. 63 Wall street, New York city, in which he is still engaged.

On the death of his brother, Edward S., Mr. Raff became, under the will, executor of the estate, and frequently is called to Canton to attend to the business in this connection.

JAMES H. ELLER is a native of Monroe county, Ohio, and was born at Malaga, Ohio, on the 3d of July, 1838, his parents having devoted the major portion of their lives to agricultural pursuits and having been in moderate circumstances. The subject received only a limited education. He passed his boyhood days in Monroe and Belmont counties, assisting his parents in the farm work and attending the country schools as opportunity afforded, while lie also served an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade. He was preparing to enter educational work in a private school, but turned from this plan in order to assume the higher duties which came with the President's call for volunteers to assist in defending the union against the rebellious South. In the month of August, 1 86 1, in Monroe county, Mr. Eller enlisted, for a term of three years, as a private in Company E, Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was promoted to sergeant soon after entering the service, the regiment being in command of Colonel George Crook, who was later made brigadier general of volunteers and who attained distinction through his gallant record in this great fratracidal conflict. The regiment was assigned to the Army of West Virginia, and later on was attached to the Fourteenth Corps of the Army of the Cumberland and participated in many of the notable and sanguinary engagements of the war. Later on the regiment was detached from the Fourteenth Corps and served the remainder of time in the Eastern Army, the subject having taken part in the battles of Corinth, South Mountain, Antietam, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and many other engagements of minor importance, while he served as color sergeant in all of the above named engagements, being incumbent of this office at the time of receiving his honoral)le discharge, at Harper's Ferry, in September^ 1864. He was in active service somewhat more than three years and was ever found at I lie post of duty and ever ready to discharge all labors devolving upon him, his record being one which will redound to his credit as long as the nation is mindful of the brave boys in l)]ue through whose efforts its integrity was thus perpetuated.

operations in the line being in the counties of Monroe and Belmont, and there he remained until 1884, when he came to Canton and accepted the position of foreman for the Canton Steel Roofing Company, with which concern he remained until the spring of 18S7, when he started in his present line of enterprise on a modest scale, his original place of business being the barn on his residence premises, on East Tuscarawas street. Later he leased ground from the Markling estate and thereon erected temporary shops and in 1891 he purchased the site of his present well equipped plant, at the corner of Gibbs and East Fifth streets, where he has succeeded in building up an excellent business and one which is the result of well directed effort on his own part, since his capitalistic investment at the inception of the enterprise was only three hundred dollars. In addition to his business plant Mr. Eller is the owner of an excellent residence property at 1005 West Tuscarawas street, where he has maintained his home for the past six years. He is a stanch Republican in his political proclivities, having been identified with the party from the time of attaining his legal majority, and his religious faith is that of the Methodist Episcopal church, in whose spiritual and temporal work he takes a deep and active interest, being at the present time a member of the board of trustees of the First Methodist Episcopal church of Canton, of which his wife likewise is a devoted member. Fraternally Mr. Eller vitalizes his interest in his old comrades of the Civil war by retaining membership in the Grand Army of the Republic, being identified with McKinley Post No. 25, while he also holds memtership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

In 1867 Mr. Eller was united in marriage, in Monroe county, to Miss Elizabeth Sloan, who died eighteen months later, and in 1877 he was married to Miss Melissa Claudy, a daughter of Judge Robert Claudy of Somer-

EDWARD J. MEYER was born in Canton township, Stark county, on the 9th of April, 1858, being a son of Joseph and Catherine A. (Meyer) Meyer, the former of whom died at the age of fifty-eight years, while the latter is still living in Canton, venerable in years and loved and revered by a wide circle of friends. In the memoir of the honored father of the subject, appearing on other pages of this work, is incorporated most interesting genealogical data, and to this sketch we would refer the reader for information patently germane to the personal career of our subject. Joseph Meyer passed his entire life in Stark county, though he completed his educational discipline in Emmittsburg College, Maryland, in which state his father had been an influential citizen prior to his emigration to Ohio. He devoted his entire life to agricultural pursuits in Stark county, owning fifteen hundred acres of land and maintaining the active supervision of this large estate, which he devoted to diversified farming and to the raising of high-grade stock, including fine horses, so that the subject early became familiar with the line of industrial enterprise in which he has attained so marked precedence.

Edward J. Meyer secured his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools and thereafter continued his studies in the college at Louisville, this county, while in 1871 he was matriculated in his father's alma mater, Emmittsburg College, Maryland, where he remained three years. That the best of advantages were afforded him in the pursuit of his education is thus certain, while he supplemented the training secured at Emmittsburg by entering Dufif's Commercial College, at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he completed the prescribed course and was duly graduated' as a member of the class of 1S76, being thus well fortified for the practical duties and responsibilities of life. After leaving school Mr. Meyer located on a farm on the Fulton road, west of Canton, where he made his home for a period of three years, at the expiration of which he effected the purchase of the Meyer's- Lake property, two miles northwest of Canton, said property having been a portion of the landed estate of his grandfather, in whose^ honor the lake was named. When the subject assumed control of the property the lake, though of ample dimensions, was lacking in attractiveness, being surrounded by marshy banks and being little more than a stagnant pond. He at once set himself to the task of improving the shore, removing the tangled and decayed vegetation from the bed of the lake, and developing it into an attractive sheet of water. Here he erected the Lakeview hotel, and transformed the property into a most idyllic summer resort, and one whose attractions have been greatly appreciated by the people of Canton, from which city thousands goeach year for a day or season of recreation and rest. It was largely due to the efforts of Mr. Meyer that the lines of the electric street car system of Canton were extended to this popular resort, thus rendering it easily accessible, and that at a cost within the means of even the poorest individuals, so that from a humanitarian standpoint, aside from personal enterprise, his labors proved singularly effective. Mr. Meyer conducted the resort most successfully for an interval of four years and then disposed of the property. In 1883 he purchased his present magnificent estate, which comprises three hundred acres of most productive land, the major portion of V\'hich is available for cultivation, though he, as a matter of course, utilizes many acres in connection with the breeding of his horses, in which line he conducts business upon a very extensive scale.

This farm was likewise a portion of his grandfather's estate, and at the time our subject purchased it was the property ot his brother Henry. In 1889 J\Ir. Meyer erected his large and finely equipped training station, the same being one hundred and fifty feet in length and eighty feet in width, in the extreme measures, while it is two stories in height and surmounted in the center by a fine tower, which rises to a height of sixty feet. The building is semi- Gothic in architectural style, and was designed throughout by Mr. Meyer, while it is doubtful whether there is a finer structure of the sort in the Union. The barn proper is encircled by a covered track, practically enclosed within the building and a tenth of a mile in length, the same being for training- purposes during the winter months and in inclement weather, while a short distance in the rear of the stables is a fine half-mile track, which is one of the best private tracks known to western turfdom. Mr. Meyer is an enthusiastic horseman, and there are few, if any, better judges of the good points in the noble animal to whose breeding he has so sriccessfully given his attention. He was the owner of "Black Cloud," the fastest Mambrino stallion in the world, with a record of 2:17^. Concerning the more notable horses on this fine farm a decade ago, a publication issued at that time spoke as follows :

"Black Cloud" was purchased and taken from Kentucky to Michigan by General Custer, and after the death of the General was the object of prolonged litigation. He made his record of 2:1714 in the great champion stallion race in Chicago in 1882. Another noted horse owned by Mr. Meyer is the famous "Bud Crooke" with a pacing record of 2 :isH- He is the fastest pacing entire son of "George Wilkes," and the third fastest entire son in the world of the mightiest stallion the world ever knew. "Bud Crooke's" sire, "George Wilkes," held a world record (2 :22) ; "Bud Crooke" holds a world record, and "Bud Crooke's" son "Hontas Crooke," holds a world record - something never before known in the history of horses - three world's records held by one breed of horses. Another stallion with a running record of 1 :44i4 is "Wanba." He was bred by Charles W. Bradley, of Richmond, Kentucky.

Mr. Meyer also has upon his farm the great-greatgranddaughter of the horse his grandfather rode to Starli county from Baltimore, Maryland, in 1S17, when he came west to purchase his land, for which he paid eleven dollars per acre. The horses have been kept and bred on the farm ever since, and are very highspirited and fine anirrials. The training barn is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, in the country. There is nothing lacking, and in some departments the barn is almost palatial. Under a large oak tree standing near the residence of Mr. Meyer, Beaver Cap, the famous chief of the Wyandottes, at one time had his cabin. A large spring rises out of the earth near the tree.

Prior to going into the trotting and pacing horse breeding, he bred and raced runners, among which were Emma Abbott, Wanba, Seymour, What Not, and many others which became noted on the turf. ]\Ir. Meyer, together with his brother, George W., and iVis sisters, Mrs. John Blake and Celeste, gave twenty acres of land in the incorporate limits of Canton for the site of the present magnificent plant of the Deuber-Hampden Watch Manufacturing Company, which was indeed a donation of magnitude and incalculable advantage to Canton. Among the other interests and properties acquired by Mr. Meyer was the Yohe Hotel, one of the old and well-known hotels in Canton, situated on the corner of Korth Market and Third streets, which he purchased in March, 1903. He at once began remodeling the property and transformed it into a first-class, up-todate hotel. This hotel he re-named the St. Edward. The hotel has sixty rooms, with all modern improvements, such as elevator, steam heat, and electric lights. The hotel has a fine collection of oil paintings, being the only hotel in Canton to boast of anything of the kind.

Mr. Meyer is a man of fine administrative ability and business sagacity, as if evident from the pronounced success vvhich has attended his efiforts, and he is regarded as one of the representative horse-breeders of the Union and as one of the most influential and successful business men of Stark coiintv, while his course has ever been ordered along the undeflecting line of integrity and honor, so that he has retained the confidence and high regard of all who know him. In politics he gives a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party. He \\as twice nominated by his party for the office of county commissioner and also for county treasurer. He is thoroughly public-spirited in his attitude and all worthy enterprises projected for the conservation of the best interests of his county and state are certain to receive his earnest co-operation and support. Fraternally he is identified with the Canton I.x)dge No. 68, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, in Canton. Upon his farm Mr. Meyer has one of the most spacious and beautiful residences in this section of tlie state, tiie house being constructed of brick and being thoroughly modern in all its appointments, though its nucleus is the residence erected by his paternal grandfather in 1822, the place then being one of the finest in the state, as is it now under its modernized form.

On the 2ist of December, 1881, Mr. Meyer was united in marriage to Miss Helen C. Patton, who was born in Canton, being a daughter of Thomas Patton, who was likewise born in this city when it was a mere pioneer hamlet, his parents having been numbered among its first settlers. He was for many years prominently engaged in the mercantile business in Canton, where he passed the evening of his life in retirement from active labors, his death occurring in T898. Mr. and Mrs. Meyer have one son, Joseph E.

PRESTON HOPPES was born September 29, 1847, s"cl is a son of William and Sarah (Lee) Hoppes, of whose nine children six still survive, namely : Mary, whose home is in Alliance, where she still enjoys a life of single blessedness; Adeline, also unmarried and likewise a resident of Alliance; Rebecca, wife of Samuel B. Tea ; Valeria, widow of William Fitzpatrick, with her home also in Alliance; Preston, whose life career will be further detailed in this brief record, and Louisa, who is the wife of William Busby, of this, Washington, township. Those deceased are Abigail, who died, aged forty-eight years, in 1900, and William H., who was shot in the Civil war.

William Lloppes, the father of the above named family, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in i8o8i a son of Jacob Hoppes, a very prominent farmer of his community and also a veteran of the war of 1812. William Hoppes was reared to the blacksmith's trade in Berks county, Pennsylvania, where he worked until 1841, when he came to Stark county, Ohio, and located on what is now known as the Richard Lee farm, but which was then the property of Mr. Hoppes" fatherin-law, and worked at his trade in connection with farming about, one year. In 1842 he purchased the present Hoppes homestead, which is now owned by Preston Hoppes' two maiden sisters. Soon after makmg this purchase Mr. Hoppes erected a modern dwelling, in which he resided until his death, which occurred in his ninety-third year, in the faith of the Lutheran church and in politics a Republican. He was one of the best known horse dealers in his section of the cour.try, as he entered into the trade in the pioneer days and drove his animals through to the Eastern markets until the advent of railroads, which he utilized until his seventy-fifth year.

Mrs. Sarah (Lee) Hoppes was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, about 1S14, and was a daughter of Jeremiah Lee, who was distantly connected with the Lincoln family and the ancestors of Gen. Robert E. Lee. With the family of Daniel Boone, grandfather Lee and Richard and William Hoppes walked all the way from Pennsylvania to Stark county, Ohio; they then returned to the Keystone state, but came back to Ohio in covered wagons with their famihes, in 1841, and made permanent settlement. Here the mother died at the age of sixty- four years, in 1878.

Preston Hoppes was reared to agriculture in the home place and acquired his education in a structure now used by him as a wagon shed. He continued to work during the summer seasons on this farm until within four years of his marriage, during which period he worked on a railroad. In 1874 he was joined in matrimou)' with Miss Louisa Maudrue, who was born in Maximo, Ohio, a daughter of Joseph Maudrue, whose life record is given in full on another page of this work. After his marriage Preston Hoppes settled on his present farm, which was then the property of hi? father and which comprises sixty-nine acres, besides which he owns a farm of thirty-eight acres three miles to the west. ]\Irs. Louisa (Maudrue) Hoppes passed away in 1884, the mother of two children, Lucius J. and Bertha. Lucius J. is married to Zula Hoiles, who has borne him two children, William and Leonard, while Bertha is still single and resides with her father, who remains a widower. The father and Lucius J. are now farming the old homestead, while the daughter manages the household.

Lucius J. Hoppes was one of the brave boys who volunteered for the Spanish-American war and served in Cuba with Company K, Eighth Ohio Infantry. That the martial spirit pervaded is also shown by the fact that William H. Hoppes, a brother of Preston Hoppes, served in Company K, One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and lost his life in the battle of the Wilderness. Mr. Hoppes and his son Lucius are Republicans in politics, but neither has ever sought an office. The family hold a very high position socially, and the name is honored wherever it is known.

MRS. CAROLINE JANE McCULLOUGH EVERHARD was born at Massillon, Ohio, September 14, 1843. Her Scotch-Irish ancestors on the paternal side settled in the latter part of the eighteenth century in that part of eastern Ohio which is now Jefferson county. They were large landholders, taking a prominent part in the development of the commercial interests in that section, in municipal affairs and in church organization. Her father, Thomas McCullough, a trusted associate and lifelong friend of James Duncan, the founder of Massillon, came to the infant place in 1838. In 1840 he was married to Nancy Warriner Melendy, of English ancestr}-, of the Perry family, from near Brattleboro, Vermont. A most cultivated woman, she was firm in her faith and adherence to the principles which have so unfailingly and distinctively marked our Puritan ancestors. The daughter, who early manifested the decided and distinctive traits of a strong character, was fortunate in having the careful guidance of a wise and thoughtful mother, most conscientious and conservative, with the high ideals, pure and lofty motives which notably characterized the New England mothers. Hence it may be that, although Ohio born and bred, Mrs. Everhard seemed, in her life and character, to hold a place side by side with the foremost of New England's noble women, yet she had that broad charity and liberality of thought which is claimed as a development of the western life. She inherited in large measure the sturdy traits of her parents, which made their lives such an influence in the commercial, religious and social life of Massillon in its early formative period, where they were among the pioneers. After completing the course of instruction in the Alassillon high school under the foremost educators of the state, she wasplaced in Brooke Hall, Media, Pennsylvania, Miss M. L. Eastman principal, graduating valedictorian in 1862. November 7, 1865, in St.-

Timothy's Episcopal church of Massillon, she was married to Henry Hewit Everhard. To them were born tliree children - Ethel Rebecca (Mrs. Charles A. Schmettau, of Toledo), Melville McCullough (located at Massillon) and Marion (Mrs. S. B. Johns, of Brooklyn, New York). A devoted mother, her children were given her personal care and training. No pains or labor were spared, no sacrifice was too great to aid in their development. An ardent student, to her the companionship of books was very real, and the accumulation of her large and valuable library was as the gathering of friends. Fond of travel, her published letters were filled with vivid description and most entertaining incident. She was one of the founders of the U. C. D. Club and was always active and interested in the work of the literary or study clubs of the town. By special request she served for several years on the examining board for teachers. Her withdrawal from the board called forth many expressions of regret. Her mother died in 1877. The loss of a brother in early life left her an only child, and at the death of her father, in 1885, she assumed much of the care and responsibility of the inherited estate and was chosen to fill positions that he had occupied. She was the first woman to be made a bank director in the state of Ohio. In 1886 she was appointed by the judge of the court of common pleas trustee of the Charity Rotch School to fill the vacancy caused by the death of her father, the first instance in Ohio' of the appointment of a woman to a place of trust that required bond. She was made president of the board and served in that capacity until her death. She was also appointed by the court a member of the visiting board of the public institutions of the county, including the jail, infirmary and children's home. With her keen sense of justice she was an enthusiastic worker for equal suft'rage. She organized the Equal Rights Society in Massillon and Canton, and was an active worker in the state and national associations. She served for some years as president of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Associatiem. It was principally due to her efforts,, assisted by Mrs. Katherine B. Claypole, as secretary, that the school suffrage was secured for women in Ohio. As an officer of the national association she appeared during their conventions at Washington before the congressional committee appointed to consider the question of equal suffrage. A fine parliamentarian, a woman of commanding presence, she presided with grace and dignity. She was prompt and accurate in the conduct of business, just and considerate in the treatment of her co-laborers and always a popular officer. She was vicepresident of the board of trustees of the McClymonds Public Library from the time of its organization. Her trained mind and cultivated literary taste made her a valuable member also of the book committee. As president of the ^^'oman's Cemetery Association she gave much time to the fm^therance of that work. From childhood an ardent friend of dumb animals, she promoted the work of the Massillon Humane Society, of which she was an efiicient officer from its beginning. Her earnestness and enthusiasm were an incentive and inspiration to others. Naturally a reformer, she was ever ready and anxious to right wrongs ; a humanitarian in her efforts to help the oppressed and strengthen the weak. Called to public work beyond her strength, she entered upon it as a duty, labored most conscientiously, striving eminently to be just, consistent and firm in her con\'iction that in the home, the church and the state man and woman should work side by side. Her death, April 14, 1902, after a short illness, was felt to be a public calamity. She was a woman of marked individuality, keen insight, ready wit ; a strong personality, with untiringenergy, intolerant of deceit or meanness ; an earnest seeker for truth and light, accepting no dogmas, inculcating morals founded on principle not superstition, combining with strength and force of ch.aracter a touching love of nature and tender humanity.

JACOB M. HOWENSTINE. - The subject's parents, George and Christina (Sickafoose) Howenstine, were both natives of Pennsylvania, the former having been born in Franklin county and the latter in Westmoreland county. Both were of stanch German lineage, the respective families having been identified with the history of the old Keystone state from the early colonial epoch. After their marriage the parents removed from Pennsylvania to Ohio, and in 1823 they took up their abode on the farm now owned by our subject, the same being then covered with the native timber and bearing slight semblance to its present condition, as one of the finely improved farms of one of the most attractive sections of a great state. These worthy folk here continued to reside during the remainder of their long and useful lives. The mother of the subject died when nearly eighty years of age, and her husband passed away in his eightyninth year, both having died on the old homestead. j\Ir. Howenstine was a Republican in his political proclivities and both he and his wife held the faith of the J\Iethodist Episcopal church. They became the parents of nine children, of whom si.x were living at the time of the father's death, namely: William S., deceased ; John S. ; Margaret, who became the Avife of Christian Henry, died in Indiana ; Catherine is the widow of Jesse Hissim, and resides in South Whitley, Indiana ; Harriet, who became the wife of S. P. W'ilson, died near Louisville, this county; Samuel S., Sarah and Lyman are deceased; and Jacob M. is the immediate subject of this review.

now lives, on sections 1 1 and 12, Pike township, on the 8th of December, 1851. and here he was reared to maturity, being indebted to the district schools for the early educational advantages which were his, while he wa.Kcd strong in physical vigor in assisting in the work of the farm, to which he began to contribute his quota while a mere boy. At Sparta, Pike township, on the 6th of October, 1872, Mr. Howenstine was united in marriage to Miss Alice Sanford, who was born in Illinois, on the 4th of June, 1853, being a daughter of James and Jane (Russell) Sanford, 1x)th of whom are living. To the union of the subject and his estimable wife has been born one son. Homer C, who is now at home.

Mr. Howenstine is essentially publicspirited in bis attitude, and has ever shown a lively interest in all that has touched the general welfare and in political matters he is stanchly arrayed in support of the Republican party. That he holds the high regard of the people of his native township is evident when we revert to the fact that for eight consecutive years he was incumbent of the office of township trustee, in which capacity he did much to further the legitimate improvement of public utilities in the township and county. In the autumn of 1895 he was elected a member of the directorate of the county infirmary, of which position he was incumbent for two terms, having been chosen as his own successor in the autumn of 1898. His interest in education has been of a hel]jful order, and for fifteen years he has been a most progressive and efiicient member of the board of education of Pike township, while lie has been chairman of this body since 1899. He is a member of tlie Methodist Episcopal church, to whose spiritual and temporal work lie contributes liberally in a financial way and also by personal influence and active interposition, his wife likewise being a member of the church. Fraternally he is identified with the Junior

Order of United American Mechanics, of which he has been an ofificer in the state council of Ohio, and he also holds membership in J. C. Luper Tent No. 49, Knights of the Maccabees, at Sparta. The fine farm of Mr. Howenstine comprises one hundred and nineteen acres, is devoted to diversitied farming and stock growing, and is equipped with an attractive and substantial residence and other excellent buildings, everything about the homestead being kept in the best of repair and order, and the operations being conducted according to those scientific principles and true business methods which have as great potency in this line of industry as in any other field of human endeavor and -achievement.

ALFRED P. YOUNG was born on the paternal homestead, in Pike township, on the ^th of October, 1847, being the fifth in order birth of the ten children - eight sons and two daughters - of George J. and Harriet ( Parker) ^'oung, wdio took up their residence on a farm in this township shortly after their marriage, and here passed the remainder of their lives, retaining the respect and esteem of all who knew them. The father attained the age of seventy-seven years, his wife ha^-ing preceded him into eternal rest, her death occurring at the age of sixty-four. George J. Young was a man of sterling character, industrious and energetic and endowed with excellent administrative ability, so that he not only improved a good farm and brought the saine under a high state of cultivation, but was also able to so manage his affairs as to attain a high degree of prosperity. He was a Republican in his political faith and both he and his wife were consistent members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Of their children nine are living at at the present time.

of field and meadow and gaining that practical knowledge of methods and agricultural economics which has enabled him to make a definite success of the noble and basic vocation of husbandry. He recei\'ed his early educational training in the public schools of the locality and period, and made good use of the advantages thus afforded him, thus laying a secure foundation upon which to rear the superstructure under the direction of that wise headmaster, Experience. He gave evidence of the intrinsic loyalty and patriotism of his nature at the time of th.e war of the Rebellion, when at the age of eighteen years, in February, i860, lie enlisted as a private in Company F, One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served until the close of the war, the regiment going to the front and being assigned to the Army of the East, under command of General Thomas. After victory had crowned the Union arms and the perpetuity of the nation was assured he received his honorable discharge, at Nashville, Tennessee, whence he returned to his home in Pike township and prepared to win the victories which peace ever has in store, - victories no less renowned than those of war, if the same fidelity to duty be manifest. Mr. Young retains an active interest in his old comrades in arms, whose ranks are so swiftly being decimated by the one invincible foe, death, and is a member of B. T. Steiner Post No. 511, Grand Army of the Republic, at Pierce.

In Pike township, on the 28th of December, 1869. Mr. Young was united in marriage to Miss Jane Buchman, a daughter of Henry and Mary (Whitehead) Buchman, honored pioneers of Pike townsliip, where the death of each occurred. Mrs. Young was born on the parental farmstead, in this township, on the 26th of September, 1850, and was here reared and educated, being a woman of kindl}' and gracious presence and one who has proved a true helpmeet to her husband. Tliey became the parents of two sons, Edward H., who is now at Canton, and Homer, who died in childhood. The home farm of the subject comprises sixty-nine acres of most fertile land, and its productivity is maintained at the highest standard, through the discriminating methods employed in its cultivation, while the permanent improvements are of the best order, bespeaking thrift and progressiveness on the part of the owner.

In politics Mr. Young has ever accorded a stanch allegiance to the Republican party, and has been an active worker in its ranks, while recognition of his peculiar eligibility for positions of public trust and responsibility has led to his consecutive retention in the oflice of township trustee since 1895, a fact whose significance is prima facia, showing the confidence and regard in which he is held in his native township and the satisfactory character of his administration of official duties. Fraternally he is identified with J. C. Luper Tent No. 49, Knights of the Maccabees, at Pierce, and also with the Junior Order of United American

GEORGE VV. HINES was born on the 23d of January. 1S40, his birth taking place in Pike township. Stark county, Ohio. His father, Washington Hines, was born in York, York county, Pennsylvania, July 4, 181 1. His mother, whose maiden name was Christina J. Hockensmith, was also a native of the Keystone state, having been born near the banks of the beautiful and far-famed Juniata river, in 181 5. Subsequently they remo\ed with their respective families to Stark county, Ohio, and there, about 1837, they were united in marriage. Shortly after this event the young couple settled in Pike township, this county, and there passed the rest of their lives. Washington Hines passed away in October, 1883, and his wife in September, 1894. They were the parents of eleven children, of whom the subject was the second in the order of birth.

The subject was reared upon tlie home farm and is indebted to the common schools for his mental discipline, receiving a fairly good education. He was of a studious disposition and attained a sufficient proficiency tO' entitle him to a teacher's certificate, after obtaining which he taught one term of school in 1869-70. Mr. Hines learned the carpenter's trade and followed that occupation for about nineteen years. He was a careful and conscientious workman and was constantly kept busily employed in the building line. With the exception of his carpenter work Mr. Hines has all his life followed the pursuit of agriculture and his entire life thus far has been spent in Pike township. That he stands high in the estimation of the citizens of his locality is evidenced by the fact that for the long period of fifteen years he held the office of justice of the peace, administering the affairs in a thoroughly impartial and satisfactory manner. Hehas ever taken a deep interest in educational matters and for nine years served on the board of education. He has also held a commission as notary public since 1897.

During the later months of the war of the Rebellion, when the result seemed to be hanging in the balance, ]\Ir. Hines volunteered his services to aid in the suppression of the insurrection, enlisting, in 1864, in Company F, One Hundred and Sixty-second Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The term of his service was four nionths, but, though the period was comparatively brief, yet in that short time Mr. Hines saw some arduous service and nobly bore his share of the hardships and privations which were a soldier's lot, having at last the satisfaction of feeling that his efforts had not been altogether in vain, but that once more- Old GTory waved over a reunited people and liberty, in its- fullest sense, was an established', fact.

Mr. Hines' farm consists of fifty-nine acres -of as good and productive land as can be found in Pike township. He believes thoroughly in the dignity of his calling antl spares neither time nor expense in keeping his place in every respect up to a high standard of excellence. His improvements in the way of buildings, fences and other accessories of an up-to-date farm bespeak the presence of an intelligent and wideawake farmer, whde his induence as a citizen, interested in whatever is calculated to promote the material interests of the community, marked him as public spirited in all the ternt implies.

In Pike township, November 7, 1869, Mr. Hines was united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Jane M. Steiner, a daughter of the late Jacob and Elizabeth Steiner. Mrs. Hines is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in W'estmoreland county. She is a lady of wide reading, marked intelligence and force of character and has proven to her husband a helpmate in the truest sense of the word.

JOHN SCHRANTZ. - The ancestors of the subject have been numbered among the sturdy German emigrants \vho gave so great impetus to the industrial de\elopment and civic progress of the old KcA'stone state. His father, Michael Schrantz, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared to the age of sixteen years, when he drove a tean> to Stark county. He married Miss Sarah Mohler, in 1840, who was likewise a native of that county. Here Michael Schrantz reclaimed and improved the farm and continued his residence liere until 1880, when he removed to a farm in Jackson township, where both he and liis wife passed the residue of their lives, honored ;by all who knew them and distinguished for those attributes of character which make for strong and noble manhood and womanhood. The father died at the age of sixty-eight years and his widow lived to attain the age of seventy, both having been dexoted members of the German IBaptist church. They became the parents of nine children, of whom the subject of this review was the eighth in order of birth, and of the number one son and one daughter are still living.

John Schrantz was born on the farm which is now his home, the date of his nativity having been September 18, 1854, and it is interesting to here record the fact that this place has continuously been his home during his entire lifetime. He grew to manhood under the sturdy and invigorating discipline of the farm, finding the work and experience of value to liim in more ways than one, while he has never faltered in his allegiance to the noble art of husbandry, of whose independence and \'italizing powers he has been fully appreciative. His fine farm comprises sixty-six acres, is maintained under effective cultivation, is improved with excellent buildings, good fences, etc., and gives unmistakable evidences of thrift and prosperity.

Mr. Schrantz has not confined his interest to the forwarding of his own success merely, but has ever been known as thoroughly publicspirited in his attitude. He has been a stanch adherent of the Democratic party, in whose cause he has taken an active interest. In 1898 he was elected to the office of township trustee, and that his efforts in the connection met with popular approval and endorsement was significantly shown in his re-election to the office in the spring of 1902, so that he is now incumbent of the same. He also served one term as township assessor, whose somewhat delicate functions he exercises with that discrimination and fairness which forbade antagonism, while he was for many years a member of the school board of Lake township, also serving in this capacity in Plain township, his interest in educational affairs having been insistent and constant. He is a member of the New Berlin

Grange, Patrons of Husbandry, wliile he and his wife are prominent in tlie social life of the community, having a host of warm friends, to whom the hospitality of their pleasant home is ever extended.

1876, Mr. Schrantz was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Good, who was born in Plain township, this county, on the loth of May, 1858, a daughter of Abraham and Elizabeth (Witwer) Good, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where their marriage was solemnized and whence they came to Ohio about the year 1848 and located on a farm in Plain township, this county, where the father devoted the remainder of his life to agricultural pursuits, being one of the honored citizens of the community. He died on the i8th of June,

1877, ^t the age of fifty-six years, his widow being now seventy-nine years old. They became the parents of thirteen children, of whom six are yet living, Mrs. Schrantz having been the seventh in order of birth. To the subject and wife have been Ixjrn six children, namely : Olivia, who is the wife of Hiram Wehl, of Lake township. Stark county, Ohio ; Ira, w4io died at the age of ten years ; and Pearl, Grover, Florence and Claude, who remain at the parental home.

HON. JOHNSON SHERRICK. - Among Canton's prominent citizens, few, if any, have had a more active and successful career than lias the Hon. Johnson Sherrick, who is a native son of old Stark, and who for over thirty years has been closely identified with the commercial, financial and public interests of this city. Mr. Sherrick was born on a farm near the city of Canton, on August 28, 1841, the son of Christian and Mary (Danforth) Sherrick. His grandfather was John, a native of Washington county, Maryland, and who was one of the pioneers of Stark county. He married, in his native state, Nancy Wyant, and with his family came to Ohio in 18 16, settling in Stark county, near the present city of Canton. Christian, father of the subject, was born in Washington county, Maryland, on November 8, 18] 2, and was but four years of age when his parents made the long and tedious journey from [Maryland through Pennsylvania into Stark county. He remained with his father in Stark county until 1839, when he went to Dayton, Ohio, and engaged in packet canal boating between Dayton and Cincinnati ; he also visited New Orleans, spending a winter in the .south. In the fall of 1840 he married Mary Danforth, of Hamilton, Ohio, and soon afterwards returned to Stark county. He then located on one of his father's farms, where he resided for two years, and then removed to the old Sherrick homestead. In 1873 ^^^ retired from active life, and removing to Canton, resided here until his death, in 1892. His wife died in 1866. Seven children were born to Christian and ]\Iary Sherrick, as follows : Johnson, the subject; Louisa married Charles Spangler, of Stark county; Joseph died at the age of twenty-four years; Elvina, unmarried; Jacob D. resides in Seattle, Washington ; Ida married W. J. Hartzell. resides at Ballard, Washington, and Ahvyn B., who resides in- Canton.

Johnson Sherrick was educated in the common schools, attending the Canton high school, and taught schixjl during several winters. In 1863 he engaged in business in St. Louis, Missouri, but a short time thereafter he enlisted in the marine service of the federal government, and was detailed for duty on a government transport. He was discharged from service after a severe spell of sickness for disability, and returning to Stark county he taught school in 1S65. During the years 1866 and 1867, he held a position in the hardware stores of C. C. Snyder, at Canton, Miller & Byers, at Wooster, Ohio, and Whitnev & Gaines, at:

Loudonville, Ohio. In 1870, together with Louis Miller, he engaged in the hardware business in Canton. Four years later Mr. Miller sold his interest in this business to D. D. Miller, of Wooster, Mr. Sherrick's father-in-law, but about eight years after he purchased his father-in-law's business and conducted the business himself under his own name until 1887, when he formed the Canton Hardware Company, which was corporated with Mr. Sherrick as president and treasurer. This position he held until January, 1903, when he retired from the business. This company is one of the largest in the hardware line in northern Ohio, and will remain as a monument to the industry, enterprise and fine business ability of its founders. For a number of years Mr. Sherrick has been prominent in financial and banking circles in Canton. He was for several years vicepresident of the City National Bank, and m 1890 he was elected president of the First National Bank, a position he held until his resignation. He is still largely interested and a member of the board of directors of this bank, which is one of the strongest institutions of the city. He was one of the founders of the Nye Manufacturing Company, and was president of that company for a length of time. He was also one of the founders of the Canton Pottery Company. He served as a director of the Board of Trade of Canton for many years^.

In 1873 Mr. Sherrick was elected from Stark county as a member of the Ohio legislature, being the first Democrat elected from the county jn many years. He was re-elected in 1875 ^"<i i" '^^77 ^\'^s elected to the Ohio senate from the district composed of Stark and Carroll counties. Fie served as chairman of the Democratic county central committee and has frequently been a delegate to the Democratic state conventions. He served a term as president of the Canton board of education and also served a term in the city council.

On October 14, 1875, Mr. Sherrick married Charlotte, only daughter of the late D. D. Miller, of Wooster, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Sherrick are experienced travelers, they having traveled over this country and Europe extensively. In 1889 they spent a portion of the winter in the Bermuda Islands; in 1S94 they visited England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Switzerland and France; in 1896 they spent the winter in the city of Mexico and the surrounding country, traveling through Mexico, and returning home by way of California; in 1900 they visited Egypt, ascended the Nile, traveled through the Holy land, Syria, Damascus, Jerusalem, ' Turkey, visiting Constantinople, Greece, Italy and France; in 1903 they traveled through Spain, the northern part of Africa, visiting Tangier, Morocco, Algiers, Italy, Austria, Hungary, German)-, Holland, Belgiumi and Switzerland. From each of these countries and places visited Mr. Sherrick sent letters home to the local papers which were published and read with great interest and pleasure by their friends and acquaintances, and by the public in general.

FREDERIC HECKMAN is a native son of the old Buckeye state, having been born on the parental farmstead, in Green township. Summit county, Ohio, on the 25th of October, 1856, and being the second in order of birth of the six children of Joseph and Elizabeth (Myers) Heckman. the former of whom was born in Summit county, Ohio, and the latter in Summit county, Ohio. The father of the subject was a man of sterling character and ever held the unequivocal confidence and esteem of all who knew him, and while his life was not \\x&\ upon an exalted plane, it was one which typified the maximum of honor and usefulness. He died on the 2d of October, 1S99, at his home, in the fullness of years and well earned honors. His loved and devoted wife is still

Frederic Hecl<man was reared nnder the sturdy discipHne of the homestead farm, and liis ])rehminarv eckicational training was received in the district schools of the locality. He was appreciative even as a hoy, and his nmhition for the attainment of a more liheral education was earh- quickened. Thus he continued his studies in the high school at Uniontown, Stark county, under the tutorage of Professors Benjamin F. Carl and John R. Davis, and through liis own efforts largelv supplied the means which enal)led him to continue his educational work. He was for a time a student in the Ohio Normal University, at Ada. and in 1888 he was matriculated in the normal department of Mount Union College, near the city of Alliance, this county, where he was graduated as a memher of the class of i8yi, while in 1895 he was graduated in the commercial department of the same institution. He thereafter completed the scientific cotirse in his alma mater, and in 1897 recei\'ed from ]\Iount Union College the degree of Bachelor of Science. In the intervals of his collegiate work he continued to Ije actively engaged in teaching-, his initial efforts in this line having been made when he was twenty-two years of age, and his particularly efifective pedagogic labors have been in the schools of Portage, Summit and Stark counties, where he has held positions of high trust and exacting" responsibility. Professor Heckman was for seven years principal and superintendent of the public schools at Peninsula, Summit county, and in July, 1899, he came to Hartville, Stark count v. vhere he was duly installed as principal of the Lake townslnp high school and superintendent of the public schools of the township, in which dual office he gave most ajjle administration, doing much to further the efficiency of the work and to improve and systemize the system. He retained this incumbency until IVIay, 1902, since which time he has devoted his attention to farming. He is the owner of a well improved and valuable farm of one hundred and eighteen acres, in Lake township, which property he rents, while he still maintains his home in the attractive town of Hartville. In politics the Professor accords a stanch allegiance to the Democratic party, and he takes a lively interest in the questions and issues of the hour, being a man of strong convictions and one who is amply fortified in his opinions, as he has ever continued a close student,- \\-hile his reading has covered a wide held, his powers of absorption and assimilation enabling him to profit to the fullest degree from his study and investigation in any realm of thought or action. He and his wife are both zealous members of the Reformed church, in which they are active workers and in which he has been a teacher in the Sunday school for many years. Fraternally he is identified with the Knights of the Maccabees, being a member of Hartville Tent No. 382.

On the 28th of March, 1891, Professor Heckman was united in marriage to Miss Ellen F. Harley, who was born in Lake township, this county, being a daughter of Daniel and Anna (Kauffman) Harley, honored citizens of the county and representatives of the pioneer stock. Mrs. Heckman is a woman of gentle refinement and gracious personality and has taken a deep interest in the work of her husband, in which line she has been most helpful to him in many ways. They became the parents o-f two sons and two daughters, but both of the sons, John W. and Stanley H., are deceased. The daughters are Mabel A. and Grace E., aged respectively ten and one years (1903).

figured in tiie early history of Maryland. Mis father, Henry Everhard, of German lineage, Avas born in the former commonwealth, and served with distinction in the war of 1812. ^^''hen a young man he married Rebecca, daughter of Daniel Slanker, a nati\e of INIaryland and a man of considerable prominence in his The family moved to Stark county, Ohio, where Mrs. Everhard died on August 18, 1866. Mr. Everhard operated for a time the grist mills north of Canton, formerly owned by his father and known as the Everhard Mills.

Henry Hewit Everhard was Ijorn on a farm, about six miles north of Massillon, ]\Iarch 15, 1837. He received his preliminary education in the district school of his neighborhood, and in the Massillon high school, and later he prepared for and entered Kenyon College, of Gambier, Ohio, which course was cut short by the breaking out of the Civil war. Feeling it his duty to go to the defense of his countr)', he entered service as a private. Company E, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio \ olunteer Infantry, July 24, 1862. He was promoted to first sergeant July 30,' 1862, commissioned first lieutenant October 17, 1863, and captain September 14, 1864. The regiment organized at Camp Massillon, Ohio, and immediately moved into the field of active service, the war de- ])artment noting the regiment as having been in o\-er fifty operations, skirmishes, sieges and battles, the most prominent engagements being the siege of Knoxville, Tennessee, the campaign against Atlanta, Georgia, the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and was jiiustered out of service June 12. 1865.

During Mr. Everhard's military career, Avhich included the most important vears of the Avar, he saw much active service, but was fortunate in escaping injury or capture, and was not absent from duty a single day on account of illness or disability. He left his company with the good will of his men and the confidence and esteem of his superior officers.

Immediately after the close of the war Air. Everhard returned to Massillon and engaged with Warthorst & Company in developing the' large stone quarries previously opened by the firm. \Vith the exception of about four years, during which time he opened a quarry southwest of Massillon, and conducted a wholesale grocery business in the city, he has been identified with the Warthorst quarries. The firm has been lately dissolved, and the business reorganized and incorporated as The Everhard Company, of which Mr. Everhard is the president and chief stockholder. The company's business consists in the manufacture of grindstones, block antl_ dimension stone, furnace dried sand, pressed facing brick, and hollowr rod drilling and prospecting- machinery, employs one hundred and fifty to two hundred men daily and its tonnage of annual shipments is very large. Mr. Everhard is known in financial circles as a stockholder and vice-president of the Union National Bank of Massillon.

November 7, 1865. Mr. Everhard married Caroline McCullough, daughter of Thomas McCullough, one of the founders of the city of ]\[assiIlon. Three ciiildren were born to them. Ethel Rebecca, Melville McCullough and Marion. Mrs. Everhard died April 14, 1902.

Mr. E\-erharcl is represented by his fellow citizens as a man in every way worthy of the high measure of esteem which he commands, and that his character and integrity are above reproach is generally conceded in the community in the alYairs of which he has borne such an active part. Firmness and tenacity of purpose are among his most pronounced characteristics. His standard of conduct has always been high, and to the bgst of his ability he has endeavored to realize in his own career the ideal man and citizen. As soldier, business man, or in social circles his life has been an example of the wisest and best in American manhood.