Twinsburg Township (part 8 of 38)

He was also at Port Republic, in which his company came out with but fifty men ; at Cedar Mountain ; Chancellersville, where he was slightly wounded by a fragment of shell, and at Gettysburg. They were next sent to New York to quell the riot there, consequent upon the draft. Upon their return the}' were sent to the department of the southwest, and were at Wauhatchie and Lookout Mountain. Dec. 10, 1863, the almost entire regiment re-enlisted, and at the expiration of veteran furlough, joined Gen. Sherman in the Atlanta campaign. Mr. T. participated in all the engagements of that stirring period. He was made Sergeant Major, and for a time commanded Co. H, as Orderly Sergeant. At Atlanta he was commissioned First Lieutenant ; went with Sherman in his -' march to the sea," and, reaching Savanah, he was promoted to Captain, and assigned to Co. A, the post of honor. He was mustered out of the service at Louisville, Ky., June 22, 1865. On his return to Akron he engaged in the lumber and planing-mill business with his father, until 1873, when, upon the death of his father, Charles Miller and son became partners with him, remaining so until 1877, when subject sold out his interest to R. N. Kratz. The firm of Miller & Kratz closed up in 1878, and subject leased the planing-mill and lumber-yard, and conducted the business two years, when he bought it and has since done well in it, employing in the building season from sixty to one hundred men. In 1876, subject was elected Colonel of the 9th 0. N. G., which was afterward consolidated with the 8th Regiment, and he was assigned ten full companies ; it is one of the best-drilled and appointed regiments in the State. He has been an active member of the G. A. R. since its organization, and at the annual Encampment in 1880, he was elected Department Commander. He was married Sept. 1 1, 1868, to Miss Alice Hale, a daughter of J. M. Hale, of Akron. They had four children, viz.: George H., James A., Frank and Elizabeth. His wife died Jan. 11, 1880.

ALBERT B. TINKER, Financial Secretary of Buchtel College, Akron ; was born Jan. 28. 1852, and is a son of Horace and Sophronia (Skinner) Tinker. He is a native of Portage Co., and was brought up on a farm until 18, when he entered (in 1870) Hiram College, teaching during the winters. In the fall of 1873, he entered Buchtel College, and gradue'fV ated in June, 1876, when he retired to the farm, his health being impaired. He taught during the winter until 1878, when he came to Akron, and entered the law office of Green & Marvin, where he studied until 1879, when he was elected Financial Secretary of Buchtel College, a position he has since filled. He was married Dec. 25, 187(i, to Miss Georgie Olin, of Windsor, Ashtabula Co., Ohio.

JAMES B. TAPLIN, Akron. In Clermont, N. H., on Aug. 12, 1812, was born to John and Abigail (Sperry) Taplin. the subject of this sketch, whose poi'trait appears in this work. At the age of 5 years, his parents moved to New Haven, Vt, where he lived three years, at the end of which time, he was taken with them to Franklin Co., N. Y., in which region he lived until about 22 yeai's of age. His 3-outh-time was employed in farming and attending school; the last six months of his school life were passed in the Franklin Academy, at Malone, N. Y. When 20 years of age, he began to learn carpentering, but only worked at that a short time, when he began mill vvrigh ting, and followed that in New Yo\-k State until 1 834. In the fall of 1834, he came to Akron, Ohio, partly by canal, and partly on foot ; he then worked at carpentering for a short time, but followed millwrighting until 1848, during which time he worked on most of the earl}' mills. In October, 1839, he married Miss Rachel Grandy, of Port Byron, N. Y., who had taught for some time in Akron. In 1840-41, he built a large mill in Constantine, Mich., returning to Akron in July, 1841. In compan}'^ with G. D. Bates and Chas. Webster, under the firm of G. D. Bates & Co., he started the Globe Foundry at Akron, in 1848, in a small building, and on a small scale. In some two or three years, Bates retired, and the business was continued l\y the firm of Webster & Taplin, which continued with some changes until 1860, when fire destro3'ed a portion of the work, and the subject retired ; in 1861, the present foundry was built, the firm being Taplin, Rice & Ford, as partnership until 1867, when a stock company was formed, and the business incorporated under the name of Taplin, Rice & Co., which t;ontinues. Of his marriage, there are two sons and a daughter, viz., John L., superintendent of machinery department; Chas. G., book-keeper for Standard Oil Co., Cleveland, Ohio, and Ella, who is still at home. In addition to these, there were three children, two of whom died in infanc}'. and one son, Jas. F., died at 7. The subject is a member of the Congregational Church, and was a member of the Council.

WILLIAM H. UPSON, attorney, Akron, son of Daniel and Polly (Wright) Upson, was born Jan. 11, 1823, at Worthington, Franklin Co., Ohio, where he lived until his 10th 3'ear, when, with his father's family, he moved to Tallmadge Township, this county. At the age of 15, he entered Western Reserve College, Hudson, as a member of the Freshman Class, and graduated from that institution in July, 1842, standing second in his class in scholarship, and delivering the salutatory at its commencement exercises. Directly on leaving college, he began the study of law under the direction of Judge Reuben Hitchcock, of Painesville, Ohio, with whom he remained for the period of two years, when he entered the Law Department of Yale College, where he attended one year. In September, 1845, he was admitted to the bar at Cleveland, and, in January of the following year, began his profession at Akron, where he has continued in successful practice ever since. As general attorney for the Atlantic & Great Western Railwa}' Company (now the N. Y., P. & O. R. R. Co.), and, later, as counsel for its Receiver, his attention for years has been especially directed to railway matters, in the important litigations of which he has been called much into other States, and twice to Europe. In politics he is a Republican. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of this county in 1848, and served in that capacity two 3'ears. He was elected to the State Senate in 1853 ; to the Forty-first Congress from the Eighteenth District, comprising the counties of Cuyahoga, Summit and Lake (usualh' called the Cleveland District), in 1868, by a majority of over 6,000, and was reelected in 1870. He was a member of the Committee on Reconstruction in the Forty-first Congress ; Chairman of the Committee on Private Land Claims, in the Fortj'-second, and a member of the Committees on Elections and Manufactures, in both. He was one of the leaders of the opposition to the measure giving back-pay to members, from its inception. When under cover of a general appropriation bill it was brought before the House for adoption, his moral sense was keen enough to discover at once the wrong sought to be perpetrated, and securing, by persistent effort, a recognition from the Cliair, be denounced it in no uncertain words, and made the motion to strike out the objectionable clause. This was the key-note of opposition to what is known as the " salarygrab ; " others, recognizing the justice of his position, joined him in that strenuous fight against the measure, that gained for him and them the hearty approval and thanks of an undivided country. The old Eighteenth (Cleveland) District was recognized as one of the most important and influential in the nation. Its wealth, its growing and diversified interests and industries, the character of its people, all combined to make the office of its representative one of peculiar honor, responsibility and influence. The trust reposed in him was so well performed that when, upon the close of his second term, he withdrew from political life, its press and people, without regard to* party,' gave him the warmest and most gratifying approval. He was a delegate to the National Convention, at Baltimore, which renominated Abraham Lincoln in 1864, and was a delegate at lai'ge from Ohio to the Convention at Cincinnati, which nominated Rutherford B. Hayes. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of Western Reserve and Oberlin Colleges, and also of Lake Erie Female Seminary, at Painesville, Ohio. He was first President of the Summit Co. Bar Association, and is now a member of the Executive Committee of the State Bar As- ' sociation. On May 20, 1856, he married Miss I Julia A. Ford, of Akron. The}' have two sons and two daughters.

P. UPTNGTON, harness-maker, Akron ; the leading dealer in South Akron in harness, saddles, etc. Came to Akron in 1848, and began at "jour" work ; he followed his trade in this way for about one year, and then began business on his own account. He was born March 3, 1821 , in County Cork, Ireland ; he learned his trade with his father, and received a fair education in his native land. In 1847 - the 3'ear of the great famine in Ireland - he was one of a committee whose business it was to distribute the donations. In 1848, as before stated, he came to Akron, where, after engaging in business on his own account, he continued it without interruption, except during the war, when he spent a time in the trimming department of Mr. Collins' carriage factory. In 1876, he built the store he now occupies, which is 24 feet frontage b}- 55 feet deep, three stories and basement, and located near the corner of Main and Exchange streets ; he also owns considerable real estate in diff^erent parts of the city. He is a member of the order of A., F. & A. M.. and of the following Lodges : Akron Lodge, No. 83 ; Washington Chapter. No. 25 ; Akron Council, Nq. 42 ; and Akron Commandery, No. 25. He was formerly a member of Massillon Commandery No. 4, and, upon the organization of Akron Commandery, he became one of the charter members.

W. R. UPHAM, boot and shoemaker. Middlebury ; was born in Windsor Co., Vt., in 1810, and was brought up on the farm. At the age of 17, he was appi'enticed to his trade, and, after completing same, went to Burlington, Yt., where he worked for one 3'ear, thence to Rochester, N.. Y.', remaining there one year, and, in the fall of 1833, came to Akron. In the spring of 1844, he moved to Middlebury, where he has since resided. He worked at shoe-making until 1850, when he went to keeping hotel in the Temperance House ; also conducted a livery and feed stable until 1856. He then sold matches for six or seven years, traveling in Ohio, Pennsjdvania and Virginia, after which he resumed his trade, and has worked at it ever since. He served as Constable in 1848 ; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1870, but did not qualif}' or serve. He was a Whig in politics, and, upon the organization of the Republican party, adopted its principles. He was married, in 1834, to Miss Susan E. Burns, a native of Albany, N. Y., and ten children have been born to them, seven of whom are living - William Potter (lives at Red Wing, Minn.), Almira (Mrs. Robert Yance, also lives at Red Wing), Elizabeth (now Mrs. George Capell, lives in Detroit, Mich.), Ella (Mrs. James Currans, lives in Middlebury), George (Red Wing, Minn.), Charles (lives in Iowa), Walter Potter (lives at home) ; all are married except George and Walter.

DR. W. J. UNDERWOOD, physician, Akron ; was born in Dillsburg, York Co., Penn., 3Iarch 20, 1840, and is the fourth of five children born to Joseph and Hannah (Wells) Underwood. His parents were natives of Penns^dvania, his father being of Quaker descent and his mother of German. His father was a whip-maker, and followed his trade in Dillsburg until his death in 1842. Mrs. Underwood was subsequently married again, but is now a widow and living at Wooster, Ohio. Dr. Underwood lived at home until 1860, acquiring such education as the schools of the neighborhood afforded, at the same time teaching during the winters up to the time of his beginning the study of medicine. In 1860, he began reading with Dr. Ira Day, of Mechanicsburg, Penn., and graduated from the Jefferson Medical College iu Philadelphia in 1864. In 1862, he went out with the 19th Penn. V. M. as medical officer, and after a short period, the regiment being disbanded, he was assigned to the hospital at Chambersburg as Assistant Surgeon. A month later he was transferred to the hospital at Camp Curtin, where he served about two months, being assigned at the expiration of that time to the J 51 St Penn. V. I., with which he served as Assistant Surgeon during the term of that regiment's enlistment. Returning from the army, he completed his studies, graduating as noted above. In the spring of 1864, he came to Ohio and began practice in company with Dr. A. Houtz, in Canal Fulton. This partnership was continued for two years, when it was dissolved. After practicing a year b}' himself, he came to Akron in August, 1867, where he has since been activel}' engaged in the practice of his profession. Dr. Underwood is a member of the Summit Count}^ Medical Society, of the Union Medical Association of Northeastern Ohio, of the Ohio State Medical Society, and of the American Medical Association. In the two first he has served in various official capacities. In December, 1864, he married Miss Harriet, daughter of John J. Shoemaker, Esq., of Harrisburg, Penn. ; she died Dec. 9, 1873 ; three children were born, of whom two only are living - Edward S. and Alfred C. Feb. 28, 1877, he married Mrs. Francis C. Pizzala, of Brookl3^n, N. Y. In 1878, Dr. Underwood was appointed Examining Surgeon for Pensions, an office he now holds. He has also served the city of Akron as Councilman.

ALVIN C. VORIS, Brevet Major General United States Volunteers, whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Stark County, Ohio, on the 27th of April, 1827, the eldest of nine brothers and four sisters, children of Peter Voris and Julia (Coe) Voris, all of whom lived to attain manhood and womanhood ; the first death among them occurred in the summer of 1864, from starvation, in the Andersonville rebel prison pen ; five of these brothers served in the Union Army in the war of the Great rebellion, three of whom lost their lives by reason of that service, and the other two were badly wounded and will carrj^ to their graves broken down and painful bodies in consequence of these wounds. His father was a Pennsylvanian by birth, and, at the age of 16, with his parents, settled in Stark Co., where he continued to live till the spring of 1834, when he moved into what is now Summit Co., then Portage Co. Peter Voris represented Summit Co. in the General Assembly in 1847 - 18, was the \Vhig candidate for the State Senate for the Summit and Portage District in the fall of 1848, but was defeated bj' a combination of Democrats and Free-Soilers ; in 1850, was appointed one of the Associate Judges for his count}", and served in that capacity till the office was abolished by the present Constitution. In 1857, he removed to Illinois, where he died in January, 1880, at the age ol 81 years. Judge Voris always had the confidence of all who knew him, possessed rare intelligence and purity of character, was public spirited, fearless and outspoken with his convictions, and a most sturdy hater of all kinds of meanness. Gen. Voris says of his fatlier that he never heard him utter an oath or obscene expression, that, not only in manners, but in essense, was he an every-day Christian gentleman. Julia (Coe) Voris was a Connecticut Yankee by birth and education, and possessed great force of character, intelligence and grace of manners, was richlj' endowed with those womanly qualities that eminently fitted her for society, and the nurture and moral development of her children; she was a most devoted Christian and was universally respected and beloved. The subject of this sketch says of himself that there was nothing remarkable about his birth or early life, except that he was the first baby in the family, but supposes that he was as good and bothersome, as studious and frolicsome, and heedless and playful as boys in general ; that he was a good scholar and took his juvenile switchings as complacently as any other of the boys, is not denied. He lived with his parents till after he was 18 years old, when he went from home to school, one year at Twinsburg Institute, and the two following years at Oberlin College, Ohio, taking an elective course, teachpublic school, in the winter months, and working for a couple of hours each day at the shoe bench, iu the meantime, to pay for books, tuition and board, for all which he paid as he went along, without being a burden to any one for a cent. In February, 1850, he came to Akron, where he has since resided, and was employed by Auditor Goodhue, in his office, for a few weeks, when he went into the Clerk's (office, under L. S. Peck, Esq., where he serv^ed for two years as one of his deputies. On the new Constitution going into effect, in February, 1852, Charles G. Ladd, an attorney of the Summit Count}' bar, who had been elected Probate Judge, but b}' reason of sickness, of which he died in August following, was never able to get to his office personally, appointed young Voris his Deputy Clerk, which place he filled till the decease of Judge Ladd ; the entire business of the office was thus thrown upon him ; that he opened the office well, and devised proper modes for doing its business and keeping the records, is attested b}^ the fact that they have l)een since followed, and that he correctly and faithfull}' acted for some six mouths as de facto Probate Judge is also attested by the fact that his acts in that behalf have never been legalhquestioned. During all this time, since he came to x\kron, he was a close student of the law, with reference to entering upon its practice, was admitted to the bar in June, 1853, and at once formed a partnership with the late Gen. L. V. Bierce, his law preceptor ; this arrangement continued till 1857. As a young lawyer, he was singularly successful, both in getting business to do and in his manner of handling it ; with the next term after his admission till the outbreak of the rebellion, he was constantly pitted against the strongest lawyers of the Ohio bar ; his great energy, ceaseless industry, courage and thorough preparation of his cases, gave him a recognized standing with the best of them.

Sept. 25, 1853, he married Lydia All3-n, daughter of Israel Allyn, Esq., then residing near Akron, with whom he lived till March 1 6, 1876, when Mrs. Voris died, after a most painful illness of over four years. She was a most devoted wife and mother, and left three children, Edwin^ F., who is an attorney and practicing with his father, and two daughters, Lucy A. and Bessie Coe. Edwin has settled down in life, married a wife, and like his father, is zealoush'^ engaged in raising a family of children.

In 1859, A. C. Voris was elected to represent his count}' iu the General Assembly, which office he held for two years. In which, as a member of the Judiciary Committee, Chairman of Penitentiary Committee, and several important select committees, he was distinguished for his great industry and practical knowledge, which was also true of every matter iu which he engaged. Instead of being a society man, or employing his efforts in mere partisan contests, he directed his attention to the practical business matters before the Legislature, and in which he at once took rank as a leader. He was regarded as one of the ablest men on the floor of the House. He was apt and convincing as a debater, and always ready as a parliamentarian. He was selected Chairman of the Committee of the Whole House when the general appropriation bills were under consideration, because of his sleight at dispatching business, and was complimented with having managed so as to get through in half the time expected to be consumed. Before his legislative term expired, the war of the rebellion broke out. All through the long session of 1861, he took a most decided stand against backing down to the demands of the South, and fearlessly urged resistance to and no compromising with treason or traitors, and fought with all his might, all efforts from whatever source they came, aiming to prostitute the Legislature of the State in the interests of slavery, or the treasonable demands of State Rights as interpreted by the planter States.

In September, 1861, the demand for men became so urgent for the army that he felt it his duty to go to the war himself, and enrolled himself as an enlisted man in the 29th O. V. I., but, without solicitation on his part, Gov. Dennison appointed him a Second Lieutenant for the recruiting service, under which he was mustered into the United States volunteer service on the 2d of October ensuing, for the organization of a regiment, to which he applied himself with such zeal and effect that, in the organization of the 67th Ohio, to which his men were assigned, he was entitled to a Lieutenant Colonelcy of the regiment, and would have gone into the field as its Colonel, if he had said so ; but having had no previous military training, he chose to go as its Lieutenant Colonel. His regiment went into the field in Western Virginia, Jan. 19, 1862. He was its chief instruct- or from the date of its organization, Dec. 18, 1861, drilling and teaching men and officers, at such intervals as active service in the field permitted. On the 16th of March following, he became its commanding officer. On the evening of the 22d of the same month, he took his regiment into its first fight, against a reconnaissance of Stonewall Jackson, before Winchester, Va.. which was, in fact, the opening of the first battle of Winchester, one of the most obstinatel}' fought infantry' battles of the war. the brigade to which the 67th Ohio was attached being ordered out to repel this attack, which was on our picket lines, to the south of Winchester. Lieut. Col. Voris turned out his command so rapidl}' that he took the lead of all our troops, and, in one hour from the time he got his orders, was four miles from camp, and pushing the enem}', his being the first Union troops in the fight. He, with his men, held the front the entire night, and kept the advanced position toward the enemy next morning till ordered to support a battery of artillery', which he did under a brisk fire from the enemy's batteries, till the infantr}' battle opened, when he was directed " to pitch in ; " not very definite orders, as the enemy were' then three-fourths of a mile off, and extended over a wide front, and mainly obscured by woodland and hills. He led his men at a double-quick, against a terrible fire of shot and shell directU' in his front, and right for the point where the infantry fighting appeared to be fiercest, and formed his men immediately to the left of Col. Tyler's brigade, which was lying on the gi'ound in front of a rebel brigade, within point-blank range, the latter being thoroughly protected by a stonewall fence. Both sides kept up an incessant fusilade of small arms, neither daring to advance on the other, with the advantage all on the side of the enemy. The 67th formed obliquel}' on the head and from of the wall, and not more than 150 feet from the right flank of the rebel brigade, from which it got a deadly fire, without being able to do much execution in return. He held this position but for a short time, and, not securing the desired results, undertook to place his men so as to deliver an enfilading fire from behind the stone wall. While making this movement, he was shot in the right thigh, getting a very painful though not dangerous wound. The Color Sergeant hesitating, Lieut. Col. Voris seized the colors, and, supported by two men, under each shoulder, notwithstanding his wound, called on his men to follow him, and, placing them in such position that this wall afforded no protection to the enemy, they opened a most destructive fire upon them. Two or three volleys caused the rebels to waver, when he ordered a charge upon them, which was executed with such impetuosit}' that the enemy broke in great disorder, and the 67th dashed through their lines with a yell that was plainly heard above the din of the battle. Tyler's brigade soon followed suit, and the whole left wing of Jackson's army was thrown into a disordered retreat. Gen. Voris deservedly thinks this one of the very best public acts of his life. Seeing that the stone wall was as good as a fort for the enem}-, and that no decisive movement could be made against them till they were dislodged from it, he, of his own motion, pitched into them on their flank, a movement that was decisive of the onl}^ Union victor}^ ever gained over Stonewall Jackson. He was promoted to the colonelc}' of his regiment July 18, 1862, and served with it in the most arduous enterprises in Eastern and Southeastern Virginia, till the end of that year. Among the thrilling incidents of the year, he had the ill luck to be shipwrecked, with six companies of the 67th Regiment, off Fortress Monroe, Va.. en route to re-enforce Gen. McClellan on the Peninsula. This was described by an eye-witness as follows : " In the middle of the night, the waves tumbled the old barge at a fearful rate, and soon all hands were aroused by the startling cry that the line towing the barge had parted, and that she was going to the bottom. To us on the steamer this was terrible intelligence for half our regiment. Its Lieut. Colonel, Adjt. Girty and several line officers were on the wreck. As the barge broke from the steamer, its rudder was crushed to atoms, leaving the craz}' craft entirely at the mercy of the waves. We could see, through the darkness, that the upper deck had broken down, and every indication showed that the craft was really going to pieces. The steamer was swung round as rapidly as possible, to give help. As we passed round, we could see fragments of the wreck floating by. Xhe shrieks of the frightened ones on the barge were truly distressing to us. For a long time, we could get no intelligence that gave us any hope, it being impossible to get near the vessel. Fi- nail}', we heard the clear voice of Col. Voris, giving orders and urging the men to be quiet. He tried to soothe them by saying that ' all would end well, if they would let him boss the concern.' By the wa}', the Colonel says that bossing that ricket}' old barge in a storm is worse than fighting Stonewall Jackson. By great exertion, the boys were able to cast the anchor of the barge, and in a little, time a hawser was fastened to the wreck, and the steamer came to the rescue. Such a scramble to get otf never was seen on dry land. One poor boy, in his over haste, jumped overboard and was drowned, and five others were severely wounded. Col. V. was the last man to leave the wreck, directing the delivery of his men till all were safe, before he thought of himself. He came on board the steamer in rather an un-officerlike plight, bare-headed, in shirt sleeves, with naught but shirt, pants, vest and shoes in the line of dress ; all his other fixens went with the barge ; " and in that undress he reported to Gen. J. A. Dix, the next morning, for new supplies for his men.

In January, 1863, he was transferred with his command to the Department of the South, where he participated in the siege operations befoi'e Charleston, S. C, till the close of that 3'ear. He commanded his regiment in the disastrous assault on Ft. Wagner, the night of the 18th of July, in which he was very severely wounded, and was sent north in a few days after to nurse his wound. In less than sixty days after he got this wound, he reported back to his command for duty, and shortly after was in the trenches before Charleston.

When the expedition was about to start from Hilton Head to attack Charleston, Col. Voris, with his regiment, was ordered to report for duty to Grov. Saxton, at Beaufort, S. C, to aid him in his civil administration. He did not relish Provost Marshal and other fancy work while a great enterprise was on foot, and went at once to Gen. Hunter, who had command of the department, and inquired of him if he really intended to capture Charleston. Being answered in the affirmative, he told Gen. Hunter that he was making a fatal mistake in leaving his (Voris') regiment out ; that there was not a man in tlie ranks of the 67th Regiment whose pockets were not full of locofoco matches with which to burn the cursed rebel city. Col. Voris carried back in his pockets an order to

In the spring of 1864, he was assigned to duty with his regiment in the movement up James lliver, Va., against Richmond, under Gen. Butler, and thenceforth was identified with the Army of the James till the close of the war. On the 9th and 10th of May, 186-1, with less than 2,000 rifles and eight pieces of artillery, he successfully fought and repulsed confederate Gen. Ransom with four times as large a force, some ten miles below Richmond. In this engagement, he was specially conspicuous for gallantry and ability, and gained a brilliant victory, the first success for Gen. Butler in his advance on the confederate capital. On the night of the 9th, when it became apparent that there would be a renewal of the fight the next morning, and (Col. Voris had sent for re-enforcements) Gen. Gilmore, to whom Col. Voris had sent for re-enforcements, directed his Adjutant General to send him assistance, but not to send them under command of an officer senior in rank to Col. Voris, that he wanted the way left clear for him to fight with the enemy without interference from a superior officer. Gen. A. H. Terry said of this engagement, that if he had 10,000 such men as Col. Voris and the 67th 0. V. I., he could take Richmond with them. For this fight Col. Voris was recommended for promotion as Brigadier General of Volunteers ; but political reasons in his Congressional district prevented so well-earned ad\'ancement. He was then suffering from his Ft. Wagner wound, and was so prostrated by the fatigue and anxiety of the day, that he had to be helped to camp. Again, on the 20th of the same month, he fought the enemy at the V>^in Bottom Church, on the Bermuda Hundred front, re-taking our picket line, from which our troops had been forced ; at the same time taking confederate Gen. Walker prisoner. He still keeps Gen. Walker's sword as a trophy of that affair. The 16th of June following, while in command of the picket line, as general officer of the day, he took the line of rebel works, by which Gen. Butler had been bottled up on the Bermuda Hundred, taking quite a number of prisoners, and several heavy guns in the enterprise.

At Deep Run, on the left bank of the James, below Richmond, in August next, he led the skirmish line in an attack on the enemv's lines, protected by temporary field works, which were carried with so much impetuosity that the rebels could fire but one volley, but so destructive was it, that one-third of the attacking force was killed and wounded ; before they could re-load their pieces, our boys were clubbing them over their heads with the butts of their rifles. In an engagement on the 13th of October ensuing, he commanded a brigade of colored troops ; also below Richmond, where he urged his dusky soldiers to remember that now was their time to wipe out many an old score. If what the boys say is true, he told the contrabands to give their old oppressers h - 1. Again, on the 27th and 28th of October following, he commanded a brigade of white troops on the Charles City road, in an attack upon the outworks for the protection of Richmond ; and in the latter pai't of the next November, he commanded a division against an attempt of the enem}- to turn our flauk on the north side of the James. On the 2d of April, 1865, he led the charge on Fort Gregg, Petersburg, Va., and after having been in the ditch of the fort up to his neck in mud and water for nearl}' half an hour, he climbed up on its walls by the aid of a ladder made by the boys with their guns with bayonets fixed, and thrust into the walls one above the other, being the first Union officer on the fort. This was the last fort taken by storm of the confederate works surrounding Richmond and Petersburg, after being most tenaciously defended, at a loss of full}' one-fourth of the garrison in killed. At Appomattox he was in the fight at the last ditch, and got a receipt for that day's work from a fragment of a shell on the left arm. He was breveted a Brigadier General in 1864, and a Major General of Volunteers in the year following, " for distinguished services in the field," as the order appointing him recites.

Upon the close of hostilities, he was assigned to command the politico-military district of South Anna, Va., embracing a territory of triangular form, one angle at Richmond, the other two in the crown of the Blue Ridge, extending each way more than a hundred miles ; the duties of which were both of a political and military sort, including the supervision of all that relates to civil and militarj' administration. He was for more than six months as absolute a satrap as ever governed, there being no other governing power except by and through the military, not a single civil, police or political officer being recognized except by and under the military authorities. The colored people just emancipated had to be especiall}- cai-ed for and protected, all the interests of societ}- looked after and conserved, the prejudices and cruelties of the sj'stem of slaver}- resisted and eradicated, a new system of labor organized, the mutual distrusts of the whites and negroes allayed, and confidence created between the late slave-owners and the freedmen.

He called together both white and colored people at their county seats, and publicl}' and together kindly tried to instruct them as to their new relations, urging fair dealing, justice and humanit}' in their future intercourse, and upon terms of impartial equal rights. To protect the late slaves, and especially the infirm, old and little ones from ill-treatment and want, he found it necessary to make and publish orders prohil)iting all sorts of personal violence, and turning off" such infirm and helpless ones without adequate provision for their present support ; and, in default of which provision, he directed adequate assessment to be made and collected by military power. He absolutely put a stop to the devilish practice of flogging colored people, and permitted no penalties to be inflicted on them that were not visited upon white people for like grade of offenses. So considerate was he in the administration of his public duties, that he never had a matter appealed from his orders or decrees to depart ment headquarters during the whole time he was in command of this district, though every class of disputed right came before him, common to community from murder down. His Department Commander said of him that his was the only district in the State that did not make him trouble. Gen. Robert E. Lee was a resident of his district, and under his command for several months after the surrender. The Charlottesville Datl>j Chronicle wrote concerning his administration, when he left the district, that " Gen. Voris has conducted himself in command here in the kindest and most considerate manner, and has shown himself an energetic, faithful and just otlicer. He leaves with the best wishes of our people." The colored people found in him a most valued friend and protector.

As illustrative of his wa}' of putting things, we narrate the following incidents : When he went first to Charlottesville, Va., to organize for the civil administration of Albemarle Co., and parol and amnesty those who had been in open rebellion against the United States, he was interviewed b}' a delegation of citizens as to what relations the freedmen would thenceforth sustain. To whom he replied, that the freed men were citizens of the United States, and, as such, possessed equal rights with all other Virginians ; that the Greneral Government would protect them as such ; that he would do all in his power to reconcile and harmonize any antagonisms and distresses existing between the two races ; but that they would be required to adjust their intercourse with them on terms of reciprocal equality of rights. A fier}' planter, not relishing this equalit}^ doctrine, spoke up, " I tell ye what it is, if mj' niggers don't do as I say, I will flog them." Gen. Voris instantly replied, " In that case, if I was your nigger, I would take your life, Sir." The Episcopalian Rector of the same place, and afterward a high dignitary in his church, came to him to get indulgence from the military authorities to omit from the prayer of their church service, the President of the United States and all others in authority, etc., alleging, as a reason, that such prayer would be insincere, and that his congregation could not, with their present feeling, join honestly in it. " Let us see," said the General, " Is it because they look upon the President and those in authority as still being enemies ?" It being admitted that this was substantialh' their feeling, he replied, " I am not much of a Christian, and ma}' not appreciate the gravity of the situation, nor do I know how your church people regard the New Testament Scriptures ; but if you mean to set them a truly Christian example, I would advise you to do as Christ commanded, ' Love your enemies, and pray for them which despitefull}' use you and persecute you,' instead of coming to the military authorities to get excused from obeying the commands of Almighty God."

As a soldier he never shirked dut}- or exposure. He always shared with his men their hardships, dangers and privations, and never asked of them what he would not do himself So prompt was he in the execution of whatever he had to do that the boys called him '' Old Promptly," a name certainh' not inappropriatel}' applied. All through the war, in case of sudden danger, he was always first in place for action with his men. His watchfulness

He was greatl}- beloved by his men, who, at the close of the war, gave him one of the finest presents given to any officer during the war, a magnificent sword, belt and sash, costing nearly a thousand dollars ; evei'y man of his old regiment contributing toward its purchase. A leading Ohio daily paper in referring to this present, said : " A worthy gift from one of the best regiments ever mustered into the service to one of the best soldiers that has entered the field." He always saw to it that his men had every thiiig the commissariat and quartermaster's departments could furnish, and ever stood up for the just rights of every enlisted man ; was a strict disciplinarian, requiring exact and prompt performance of duty from men and officers alike. He looked most carefuU}' after the honorable character and standing of ever}' man and officer in his command, not onh' as soldiers, but as men and American citizens. Not a man under him but felt alwa5S free to approach him at all proper times, on terms of pleasant intimacy, nor ever felt that any grievance would be slighted by him, merel}' because he was a private soldier. He was proud of his men. We quote from his report for the War Department regarding the meritorious part the 67th 0. V. I. had taken in the war. After having given the various campaigns and actions in which it had participated, he says : The good order always observed b}' the 67th, the fidelity with which it discharged all its duties, and the fortitude with which it met all its vicissitudes, amid shipwreck on the sea, heat, cold and storm by land, and hate in an enemy's country, are worthy of as high place in the archives of the country as its most glorious deeds on the battle-field, than which no regiment can claim more glorious. I cannot close without saying I am proud, proid, PROUD of the glorious, triumphant, bully 67th."

We quote the following from the editorial columns of a leading Ohio paper, as showing in what estimation he was held by his superior officers as a soldier : " Every General under whom ^''oris has served has esteemed him highly as brave and discreet. Gen. Teny, one of his corps commanders. sa3-s Col. Voris, in every action in which he has been engaged, has exhibited fine (lualities as a soldier, and on sev- eral occasions has been conspicuous for capacity and courage." The editorial notice of him b}' the leading Ohio papers are fairly represented by what George A. Benedict, editor of the Cleveland Herald, published concerning iiis record : " Among civilians appointed to the service, not a recipient has proved himself more worthy the trust than Gen. Voris. He has sliown industry, perseverance, discretion, talent, and an utter fearlessness of danger." His regiment won a great reputation in the war, much of which was due to the efforts and leadership of Gen. Voris. He is not onl3' a brave man in danger, but possesses tliat higher order of courage in an eminent degree - the courage of his convictions. He thoroughly believes in the policy of frank, honorable, fair dealing in all things. He was mustered out of the service in December, 18G5, after having served in the arm\' fifty and a half months, and then returned to Akron and engaged in the active labors of his profession, but under great difficulties, owing to the disability occasioned by his Fort Wagner wound.

In November, 1873, he submitted to one of the most remarkable surgical operations in the annals of surgery. His wound had apparently healed. The bullet which caused it was cut in two parts on his sword-belt ring, the smaller part lodging in the circular abdominal muscle, and was removed by the surgeon at the time of the injury ; the other part passed downward and backward in the abdominal cavity, and lodged on the crown of his bladder and became impacted in the walls of that organ until the fall of 1872, when it penetrated them and became loose within. Up to this time it had been a source of great annoyance and bodily infirmit}', the cause not being suspected even by Gen. Voris. Nov it became most torturing, giving constant and almost unendurable pain, so much so that his friends supposed he must speedily die. His physicians did not suspect the nature of his disorder till early in the summer of 1873, too late in the season for a desirable operation. He waited, under the advice of liis surgeon, until the ensuing fall, when he underwent the lateral operation in lithotom}^, by which three-fourths of an Enfield rifle shot was extracted, weighing one and one-eighth ounces. The great wonder is that he ever survived the first effects of this shot, and then that he siiould carry it over ten years and have his bladder perforated by it, endure the torture and systematic derangement it caused and not die, to say nothing of the surgical operation. Nothing but pluck and an extraordinary constitution saved him. His surgeons say that he was the coolest and most self-possessed subject they ever witnessed at the opei'ating table. All the years of his life since the 18th of July, 1863, have been weighed down by this injury, the pangs of which are still borne in nerves which never cease to ache.

In the spring of 1873, he was elected a delegate to the late Constitutional Convention, and, though suffering terrible agon}- from his army wound, much of the time of its session, he took a leading part in its deliberations and was one of its most efficient and influential members. He is an ardent Republican, politically, without being partisan, eitber in feeling or action, and a distinguished champion of protection to American industry. His late campaign speeches on the protective policy were conceded to !je masterly efforts and were widely circulated. As a public speaker he is frank, candid, earnest, eloquent, never abuses, and always addresses his hearers as if they were intelligent and self-respecting. He is invariably listened to with interested attention.

As a law3'er, though his education was not what is strictly denominated liberal, was ample for all the requirements of his chosen profession, especially when it is considered that he was endowed by nature with a most vigorous and exceedingly wiry constitution, and a mind whose vigor, tenacity and comprehensiveness compared admirably with his phj'sical organization. What he lacked of ancient classical erudition was more than compensated by the carefulness and thoroughness with which he had mastered the special science that covered the field of his future professional eflforts. It was not long after he came to the bar till he took his position permanentl}- in the foremost rank, composed though it was, of the ablest competitors. Whatever he undertook to do, he did with all his might, mind and strength, utterly [ fearless, though by no means regardless of the I degree and character of the opposition to be encountered. In his arguments to the court upon questions of law, he was always clear, logical and concise. In his addresses to the jury, he was equally clear, S3'stematic, and ! cogent in his statements of facts deduced from the evidence, and his own inferences and conclusions therefrom ; and in such efforts he often rose to the ver}^ highest plane of exalted and refined forensic eloquence. At the commencement of his professional career, he occasionally fell into a style of orator}- somewhat too verbose and ornate, and also into action and gesticulation too continuous and violent ; but increasing years and experience soon enabled him to excide such objectionable superfluities. In practice, and in his social intercourse with his brethren of the bar, he was alwaj^s courteous and considerate in regard to the feelings of others, however much heated in debate. He was truthful insomuch that arguments made with him orally could be relied upon as implicitly as if reduced to writing. In his demeanor toward the court, he always recogaized its assumed dignity, and accorded corresponding treatment. As to deception, chicanery, and tricker}'' of all sorts, he simply despised them, and he equally despised and condemned every professional shyster who practiced or attempted to practice such arts, with a view to thwart the ends of justice.

EDWIN F. VORIS, Akron, only son of Gen. A. C. Voris, was born in Akron, July 31, 1855. He graduated from the High School in 1872, and entered Buchtel College at its opening, graduating June 30, 1875. In the fall of the same year, he entered the Harvard Law School, and graduated in June, 1877, being admitted to the bar at Cleveland, Ohio, in Oct. 8, of that year. June 8, 1878, he went to St. Louis, and the following month was admitted to the bar in Missouri. He practiced and studied with J. M. & C. H. Krum, of St. Louis, until February 1879, when he returned to Akron, and there associated himself with his ftither, since which time he has continued to practice under the firm name of Voris & Voris. October, 1879, he married Miss Lizzie U. Slade, of Columbus, Ohio.

NICHOLAS EMMONS VANSICKLE, tobacco merchant, Akron ; one of seven children, was born in Germantown, N. J., November 10, 1816, to Hemy and Mary (Emmons) Vansickle, both of whom were natives of New Jersey. In 1825, they moved to Ithaca, Tompkins Co., N. Y., where the subject of this sketch engaged in farm labor and blacksmithing with his father, walking two miles to school three months per year. In May,

1837, by canal, they moved to Ohio, settling in Bath Township on a farm. After settling in this State, our subject learned to make cloth, and from 1838 to about 1845, with his brotherin-law, Jacob Allen, was engaged in the cloth business, during that period being one of the proprietors of the City Woolen Factory, now occupied as the City Mills. In September, 1844, he married Miss Margaret Mathew, of Akron. Of this union there are two children, Ella (now Mrs. E. R. Grant, of Norton) and Dora (now Mrs. N. H. Bassett, of Cleveland). In 1848, he removed to Bedford, Ohio, where he kept a hotel on the old stage line from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, for a short time, after which he engaged in the railroad business, at which he has been very successful, having built considerable portions of several roads. In 1861, he returned to Akron, and for some years following, was emploj'ed in the public works of this place. In 1871, he built twenty miles of the Tuscarawas In 1875, he bought his store on Market street. an active part in the Agricultural Society of Summit Count}', having been a member of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Directors of the same. He was formerl}^ a member of the City Council. He is a stanch Republican, because of which fact he was several times burnt out during the three j-ears he was in Hannibal, Mo. (from 1857 to 1860), the last time at a loss of $30,000, in railroad contracts and buildings.

H. C. VIELE, County Treasurer, Akron ; was born in Washington Co., N. Y., Oct. 29, 1841, and is the second in a family of five children born to Hiram and Abbie M. (McFarland) Viele. He was a native of Pittstown, Renssalaer Co., N. Y., and was born Sept. 5, 1813. His father was a farmer and he was brought up on a farm until he was 20 years old, when he engaged as a clerk in the stove trade business at Rochester, Monroe Co., and two years later he became a partner in the business, in which he continued for five yeai's ; he then lived a year in Washington Co., when the family came to Akron (1842), he engaged as a clerk and book-keeper in the Stone Mills and continued there until 1868, when he opened a flour and feed store, in which business he remained until his death, July 25, 1874. He was married to Miss Abbie M. McFarland Oct. 17, 1838.

She is a native of Salem, Washington Co., N. Y. Of their five children, three are living, viz., H. C, Mary I. and Fannie G. Mrs. Viele is living on the old homestead. Our subject received his education in the schools of Akron, and at the age of 16, began clerking in the Stone Mills with his ftither for eight or nine years. He then became the agent for the Merchants Union Express Co., and after one year he entered the office of the C, Z. & C, now C, Mt. V. & C. R. R., and served two or three years, when he became a pai'tner with his father in the flour and feed business, and after one year he was appointed County Recorder to fill the vacancy of Granville Thorp, deceased. He next served as a clerk in the County Treasurer's office, and continued as such until 1878, when he was elected on the Republican ticket as County Clerk, and was re-elected to the office in 1880. Oct. 16, 1873, he married Miss Libbie F. Mack, a native of New York. They were married at her home, at Flat Bush, Long Island. By the marriage there is one child, viz., Fannie Mack. GEORGE VIALL, Treasurer Middlebury Clay Co., Akron (Sixth Ward); is a native of Middlebury (Sixth Ward of Akron), and was born March 12, 1834 ; is the only child of Thomas C. and Mahala (Atwood) Viall, who were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and when young came to Ohio with their parents. He built a woolen and saw mill in Middlebury which he conducted until his death in 1834. She settled with her parents in Springfield Township, where her father owned 1,000 acres of land. They were married in 1832. After the death of her husband in 1834, she was again married in 1840, to Nathaniel Munson, and in 1845, they moved to New York, but returned about 1850. He was a tanner by trade, and followed the business in Middlebury. He died in New York while on a visit to his relatives about the year 1865. She is still living, and makes h^r home with her son, Leroy Munson, in Tallmadge Township. George Viall lived at home with his mother until he was 1 9 years of age, receiving a common-school education. At the age of 19 he engaged in the grocery business at the old forge north of Middlebury. He followed the business some eighteen months, and then sold out and bought a canal-boat, following boating for three summers, when he again embarked in the grocery business in Middlebury, which he continued for three years, then sold out and opened business in Akron, where he did business three years longer. He then sold out and commenced the manufacture of stoneware in Middlebury, continuing for eight years. He sold out and went into general merchandise in Middlebury, and after nine years again sold out. He was one of the incorporators of the Middlebury Clay Co., of which he is Treasurer, and has also served as Secretary. He has served two terms in the Middlebury Council. He was married Aug. 24, 1857, to Miss Maria Reepsomer, a native of Trumbull Co., Ohio. They have had three children, one of whom is living, viz., Nannie L., also an adopted child, Edward Carl.

JOHN F. VIALL, undertaker, corner Water and River street, Akron ; is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y. ; was born April 30, 1825, and is the fourth of a family of nine children born to Bennett and Wealthy (Arnold) Viall. They were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and were married in New York, whither he had gone when a young man, and she with her parents. He farmed there until 1832, when he came to Ohio, and settled in Springfield Township, farming there some two years. He then came to Middlebury and took an active interest in a saw and woolen mill, built by himself and brother Thomas, continuing until the latter's death, after which he continued some three years longer. He then went to Wisconsin, where he remained for two 3'ears, and then returned to Middlebury, and soon after went to Granger Township, in Medina Co., where he followed farming until his death in 1877, aged 84 years. She died in 1845. He married a second time to Mrs. S. Hinckley, who died about four years after her marriage. A third marriage was to Mrs. Rhoda Baker ; she survived him about one month. John F. (the subject) lived at home until he was 22. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade with his brother in Middlebury. After three years his brother died, and himself and brother Eli engaged in the furniture business under the firm of Viall Brothei's, and continued about ten years. Subject then sold out and worked for G. W. Barber & Co. twelve years, then worked for Kent & Baldwin, woolen machinery manufacturers, for two 3'ears. He then bought an interest in his brother's cabinet-making business, continuing three years, when the firm became Viall & Replogle, the latter succeeding

Eli Viall, and three years later he sold to Mr. Dewe}', and about three years after John F. Viall became sole proprietor, and quit the furniture business and followed the undertaking business since. He was married, Nov. 4, 1847, to Miss Cornelia C. Wheeler, a native of Tallmadge Township. They had seven children, five of whom are living - Francis (now Mrs. Obendorf, of Middlebury), Edwin W. (married, and lives in Middlebury), Laura C. (now Mrs. Charles B. Macey, of Middlebury), Arthur G. and Otis live at home.

C. VOGT, carriages, Akron. Though identified with the manufacturing interests of Akron for but a few 3-ears, he has already established quite an extensive business. He is the son of John and Susan M. (Seltzer) Vogt, and was born in Rhine Province, Germany, in 1846. In 1852, his people emigrated to the United States and settled in Springfield Township, Summit County. There he worked on his father's farm until he was 15 years old, and then he spent one 3'ear in the mines. He began to learn his trade in 1865, after which he spent three 3'ears with E. A. Collins as finisher for him. He then spent one year in Tallmadge. In 1874, he began business in Akron on his own account ; his capital was small, and competition lively, but with a determination to succeed he pushed along, and in 1880 built this present manufacturing establishment, which is located on the corner of Main and Middlebur}- streets. South Akron, and is of the following dimensions : 22 feet front by 136 feet deep, three floors, and blacksmithing and trimming-shop in the rear. The ground floor is the wood-working room, the second is used as a repository and office, and the third is devoted to painting and finishing. Mi\ Vogt has taken quite an intei'est in political affairs, though he has been no officeseeker ; however, he was pressed into the service so far as to have served four years as a member of the City Council from the Fifth Ward. This was b}' the courtesy of his Democratic friends. He was married in 1869 to Miss Mar}' E. McDonald.

JAMES VIALL, Superintendent Hill Sewer Pipe Co., Akron (Sixth Ward) ; is a native of Akron, Summit Co., Ohio. Was born Jan. 15, 1828, and is the sixth of nine children born to James and Sarah (Hubbard) Viall, natives of Vermont, where the}' were married, after which they came to Ohio (about 1822) and settled in

Summit Co. Here he followed for a time charcoal burning, and later he became a contractor on the canal. After its completion, he engaged as bridge-builder, and built many of the bridges in this county. He died in February, 1837 ; his wife lived in the vicinity until her death, in the summer of 1880, at the age of 84 years. James (the subject), lived at home until 22 years of age, receiving but a limited education at the district schools. In 1841, he went on the canal, following the same until 1865, the first two years as driver, and in 1843 - then but 15 ^ears old - -began as steersman, continuing as such as long as he remained on the canal, running between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He embarked, in 1865, in the manufacturing of stoneware, buying the business of Wm. Owens, which was located in Springfield Township, and has conducted the same ever since. About the year 1876, he sold a half-interest to George Markle, under the firm name of Viall & Markle. He also became interested, in 1865, with J. B. Woods, in the mining and manufacturing of clay, which he has since continued, and which has been incorporated into the Middlebury Clay Co. In March, 1873, lie, in company with Mr. Hill and others, incorporated the Hill Sewer Pipe Co., of which he is Superintendent. He was also engaged for several 3'ears, with Moses J. Huggins, in the grocery business in Middlebury, and for a time were the only representatives in that line in the place. He was married, Jan. 29, 1850, to Miss Mary Davis, a native of Middlebur}', and daughter of Benjamin and Mary Davis - the former deceased, Mrs. Davis still living with her daughter, aged 86 years. Mr. Viall served as Councilman several terms in Middlebury before its incorporation. He has always been Republican in politics.

W. W.^ WARNER, abstracter of titles, etc., Akron ; was born in Springfleld Township, in this count}-, Feb. 28, 1848, and is tlie eighth of nine children born to John and Mary (Ettie) Warner. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and came to Oliio about 1839 and settled in Portage Township, Summit Co., Ohio. His father was a worker in iron, and was principally engaged as forgeman after coming to Ohio. Aug. 6, 1863, he was drowned in the Cuyahoga River at Cuyahoga Falls. His mother died Dec. 3, 1859. Mr. Warner lived at home until the death of his father, when he went to live with Mr. Charles Curtiss, working on his farm for a 3'ear, when, Mr. Curtiss selling out, 3^oung Warner remained with the purchaser of the farm. After a year, he went East, finishing the education begun in the district schools and those at the " Falls," in the Quaker Citj^ Business College of Philadelphia. After an absence of two yeai'S, he returned to Cuyahoga Falls and engaged as book-keeper for Hanford & Yeamans, and Hanford Brothers, who succeeded the former. The following year, he came to Akron and served as Deputy Recorder for James A. Lantz, and later, for Mr. Thorp, continuing some two years in all. In 1871, he began the business of preparing abstracts of titles. In 1874, he added the feature of real estate and loan agency to his business, forming a partnership with E. C. Ruggles, under the firm name of Ruggles & Warner. Two years later, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Warner continuing the business alone to the present. April 15, 1869, he married Miss Annie M. Yeamans, a native of Philadelphia ; she died Oct. 27, 18 - , leaving two children - Arthur Lee and Harry Albert, who were twins. Oct. 25, 1877, he married Miss Alice G. Littleton, a native of Cleveland. There is one child b}' this marriage - (xeorge Littleton.

AARON WAdONBR, Auditor, Akron ; was born on his father's farm in Franklin Township, Sept. 19, 184:4. His early years were spent on the farm, and in the schools of the neighborhood, until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the army, joining Company B, 6th 0. V. C. Soon after his enlistment, he was appointed Corporal, and later, a Sergeant, finally reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant in command of the company. He was mustered out as Second Lieutenant in 1865. This regiment was with Sheridan in the Potomac Army, took part in the battle of the Wilderness, on the raid to Richmond, at Appomattox Court House, and all the engagements of the army. At Aldie he was wounded, and for several months was disabled for active service. Returning from the army, he came to Akron and engaged as salesman in the dry goods establishment of Overholser, Keller & Co. After serving in this capacity for some eighteen months, he engaged as their book-keeper, continuing for four and a half years, when the firm dissolved. In 1872, he entered the City Bank as Teller, continuing there until 1880. In the fall of this year, he was elected on the Republican ticket as Auditor, entering upon his duties in the following November. April 30, 1868, he married Miss Amanda Smith, a native of Summit County ; by the marriage there have been born two children, viz. : Mabel Blanche and George Edward.

DR. JOHN WEIMER, physician, Akron ; is a native of Alsace, France, and was born Aug. 23, 1813. His father was a farmer. Our subject received an academic course of study, and at the age of 19 set out for America. On his arrival he felt the necessity of being able to speak the language of the new land. He engaged his services to a Yankee family, with whom he remained several months ; then entered a store in Buflfalo, N. Y., as clerk, and after about three months, while in Ohio on business, he met Dr. Underwood, of Baltimore, Stark Co., and arranged with him to read medicine, under his instructions, which he began to do in the latter part of the year 1832 ; two years later, he read one year at Canton with Dr. Breisacher, and in April of 1836, he began to practice at Uniontown. In 1847, he removed to Akron, where he has practiced since. The Doctor is a member of the Summit Count}- Medical Society. In September, 1839, he married Miss Catharine Christy, a native of Springfield Township, Summit Co., Ohio. She died in January, 1875. There were four children and but one is living, viz., Mrs Valentine Hay, of Somerset Co., Penn. Dec. 25, 1879, he married Miss Mary C. Miller, a native of Stark Co., Ohio.

CHARLES WEBSTER, President of the Webster, Camp & Lane Machine Company, Akron, was born in Litchfield, Connecticut, Sept. 3, 1810, and is a son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth (Knowles) Webster, natives of Hartford, Conn. When Charles was 3 years old his parents removed to Hartford, where they lived some twenty-three 3'ears. His education was confined to a limited attendance at the district schools. At the age of 16, he (subject) was bound to the carpenter's trade until of age. After this he worked one year in a manufactorj'^ of window blinds. He then followed his trade until 1835, having established his residence in Massachusetts. He was married, April 30, 1833. to Miss Martha A. Atherton, a descendant of the Rev. Hope Atherton, who came over in the Mayflower. The fruit of this marriage was eight children, but one of whom is now living - Isabella, Mrs. Gage, of Akron. In

City Of Akrok

1835, Mr. W. came to Ohio with his family in a one-horse wagon, in company with Charles Merriman and famih'. The}' left Dalton, Mass., May 5, 1835. and were fifteen days on the journe}', arriving at Matteson on the 20th. He worked for a time on a hotel for Mr. Merriman, after which he visited Akron, settling on a tract of land belonging to Merriman. He built a cabin on it, but the following spring he moved to the then village of Akron, where he has ever since resided. He worked at his trade, and at millwrighting until 1848, when on the 15th of May, in company with Gr. D. Bates and James Taplin, he formed a partnership under the firm name of Gr. D. Bates & Co., which continued until 1869, when a stock company was formed, of which Mr. Webster is President. Their business is the building of stationary engines and boilers, and mining, milling and pottery machinery, also of general machine work. Mr. Webster has been identified with this business ever since its establishment in 1848. When he came to Ohio, he was in veiy limited circumstances, and has accumulated his means by his own industry.

T. a. WILLIAMS, of Williams & Abbott, stoves, tinware, etc., Middlebury (Sixth Ward) ; was born in Durham, England, May 2, 1843. In 1846, his parents, Rev. Michael and Mary (Wilkinson) Williams, came to America, and resided successively in New York City, Paterson. N. J., Johnstown, Penn., Alexandria, Ind., Pittsburgh, Penn., New Castle, Penn., when they remained at the latter place several years. While there the subject went to Johnstown and learned the tinner's trade, and, at the beginning of the late war, enlisted in Co. K, (Johnstown Zouaves) 3d Penn.V. I. ; served three months, when the command re-enlisted for three years, and again, at the close of the term, as veterans. In the first enlistment for three years, his command became Co. A, 54th Penn. V. I. In the re-enlistment as veterans, Mr. Williams was commissioned as First Lieutenant of his company. He participated in the battles of the first Bull Run, Petersburg, New Market, Lynchburg, Winchester, Antietam, Cedar Creek, Fishei''s Hill, at Appomattox, and all other engagements of his command. He was in the army from the first battle of Bull Run to the surrender at Appomattox ; was wounded twice in the battle of Lynchburg, and was confined some two weeks in hospital, when he rejoined his regiment ; was again wounded at Winchester, but kept with his command leather than go into a hospital. His regiment was taken prisoners a few days before the surrender, and were afterward paroled. They were in full view when the surrender took place. He was discharged at Harrisburg, and afterward came to Ohio, his father being on a circuit at the time in Twinsburg Township, Summit Co. T. Gr. (subject), lived in Twinsburg, and, about 1866, went to Cleveland and worked at his trade, serving as foreman of Parrish & Knight's shop for four years. He then engaged in business for himself at Atwater, Portage Co., and one year later came to Middlebury, where he engaged in business and has since liA'ed. He was married, in 1878, to Miss Julia A. Koon, a native of Springfield Township. By this marriage they have three children, viz., Maud D., May and Archibald. His parents came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, and his father has preached in Ohio since, until recently. He and his wife now live at New Philadelphia, Ohio, retired.

S. C. WILLIAMSON, Probate Judge, Akron ; was born in Randolph, Portage Co., Ohio, Aug. 18, 1837, and resided there until 1854, when he entered the preparator}^ school at Hudson, Ohio, and, in 1860, graduated from the Western Reserve College. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in Co. G., 19th 0. V. I., and served three months, when he re- enlisted (October, 1861) in the 18th U. S. I. He was appointed Sergeant, and served in this capacity until the battle of Stone River, where he was wounded and was confined to the hospital for three months. After a leave of absence of several months, having been promoted to the rank of Second Lieutenant, he was assigned to duty at Detroit and Grrand Rapids as mustering and disbursing officer, and subsequently was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant, and, in 1864, he was ordered before the Retiring Board at Wilmington, Del., and retired with the rank of First Lieutenant, and was next ordered to Missouri on duty in the Provost Marshal General's Department, serving as assistant until the closing of the office ; he was then assigned to duty as Post Adjutant and Inspecting Officer at Benton Barracks, and later, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., as Assistant Commissioner of Musters, where he served until January, 1867, when he was commis- sioned Captain of the 42d U. S. I., and was stationed with the regiment at Hart's Ishmd and Madison Barracks, N. Y., until the consolidation of his regiment with the 6th at Fort Gibson, Indian Territory, where he was placed on waiting orders, and resumed the reading of law with Tibbals & McKinne\', completing a course interrupted by the war, and was admitted to the bar in 1870, and began practice in company with F. S. Hanford, and after a year or two practiced alone. In the fall of 1875, he was elected Probate Judge on the Republican ticket, and was re-elected in 1878.

J. H. WISE, deceased, was a native of Green Township, Summit Co., Ohio. Ho was born March 24, 1821. His father, George H. Wise, was a merchant of Greentown. Our subject was raised in his native township Dec. 14, 1853. He married Miss Catharine Middlekauff, a native of Hagerstown, Washington Co., Md. At the time of the marriage, and for five years thereafter, he was engaged in the mercantile business in Greentown, with his brother-in-law. In 1858, he sold out his interest in the business and came to Akron, superintending the farm he had bought just north of the city. In 18G1, he engaged as agent for the United States Express Company at Akron, and continued in that employ for four years, and next clerked in the Buckeye Works; he was interested in and became Secretary and Treasurer of the Akron Straw Board Company, but sold his interest after one year, after which he served as assignee for a number of concerns. By the marriage, there were three children, all since deceased. Their son, W. W., was Quartermaster of Co. L, 2d 0. V. I., and died in the service of his country at Ft. Scott, Kan. Mr. Wise died March 30, 1877. Mrs. Wise has concontinued her residence in the old homestead in Akron.

ANDREW WILSON,* a descendant of a family of martyrs. The late Andrew Wilson, of Stow Corners, was a man of sterling worth and integrity, withal a just man in all his relations. He was born Oct. 23, 1799, at Acworth, N. H., and as he was known to state, he lived during the life-time of Washington, Washington dying^the 14th of December, 1799. Mr. Wilson, with his father's family, moved from Acworth, N. H., to Guernsey Co., Ohio, in 1815, in an ox-wagon, driving their stock before them.

Their nearest neighbor was three miles distant, and they were obliged, on one occasion, to carry a fire-brand the three miles to start a fire. He left his father's home in the wilderness, bought his time until he became of age, and came to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1819, and was employed with Judge Kingsl)ury in the grading of the streets around the public square, and in clearing the forests in the county roads, when Cleveland was but a hamlet with but a score of houses. On two occasions he returned to New Hampshire, walking all the way there and back again to Cleveland in mid-winter. He considered the soil of no consequence, which he could have purchased at $3 per acre, in the heart of the town, but instead purchased a large farm a few miles east, in Warrensville, paying more for it - believing it to be the best investment - where he resided for forty-two years, cleared olf the native forest, built buildings, and made a beautiful home. He held many offices of trust and honor. He married in 1829, Miss Lurancy Thomas, of Hudson, formerly from York State, and reared a family of eleven children, of whom eight survive him. In 1866, he sold his farm, and located at Stow Corners, Summit Co., where he resided to the time of his death. His was a famih^ of noble lineage. As far back as 1606, the family of John Wilson and many others in Scotland were Presbyterians and come-outers from the Church of England, and were subjected to many mart3Tdoms and persecutions for religion's sake. It is related of the family that there was a grandmother and granddaughter, both by the name of Margaret Wilson, who were bound to stakes at low water tide in the sea, and were permitted to perish at high tide with others who would not recant, and thus died in their faith. The name Margaret has been perpetuated, in commemoration, in each generation down to the present. The familj' subsequently emigrated to Londonderry, Ireland, and from there to this country, in 1718, and located with others in New Hampshire, and named the town Londonderry, after the city of their adoption in Ireland. In William Cullen Bryant's recent history of the United States, page 138, Vol. Ill, we quote the narrative of their history. He sa^^s :

"The emigration of some Scotch Presbyterians to New Hampshire, in 1718, while Shute was Governor, w^as of much importance. The people who undertook tobetter their condition in America, were descendants of the colonists who had been transferred by James the First to the North of Ireland, where their condition, from penal laws against Protestants and from local taxation, had become intolerable. Arrived first in Boston, they dispersed in various directions; but sixteen of the families holding together, settled upon lands a few miles northeast of Haverhill, in New Hampshire. The disputed title of the land gave them some trouble, but under the Governor'' s protection they remained upon the spot of their choice, and, being joined from time to time by other families, they called their place Londonderry in 1723. Their minister, MacGrregor, informed Gov. Shute how offensive it was to them to be confounded with the Irish, against whom they had fought always in the defense of Protestantism; but the New Hampshire people were jealous of the new-comers, who went into quiet possession of the soil at a time when their own lauds were threatened with litigation. The Presbyterians did the province the good service of introducing the manufacture of linen by the .spinning-wheel and the cultivation of the potato. The vegetable was first planted at Andover, whose inhabitants began by boiling the balls instead of the bulbs, wondering when the result was served up at their simple tables, that a potato was considered an esculent. The prosperity attending the new colonists led other people to petition for grants of land."

Andrew Wilson's grandfathers, for six generations in direct descent, were named John Wilson. His own grandfather, John Wilson, was an original settler at Londonderry, N. H., and his own father was a triplet, and was so small that he was placed in a quart cup at birth, but subsequently grew to be a very large man, and was known as "Big John Wilson," to distinguish him from another family, who were known as "Little Wilsons.'" "Big John Wilson's '' family consisted of twenty-one children, all living to grow up and meet together at one time. Andrew Wilson was one of the oldest sons. The family descendants are now numbered by the hundreds, and are scattered from New Hampshire to Oregon. He lived a serene and happy life, and died at the ripe old age of 81 years and 2 months, Dec. 23, 1880. He was a stanch Whig and Kepublican in politics during life. In later ^^ears a member of the Disciples' Church where he resided. His wife passed on before him in 1856 to the reward of a faithful life. Some years later, Mr Wilson married for the second time, Mrs. Nancy Lindse}', a sister of his first wife, who survives him." Andrew Wilson's children were : first, Harriet, who married Austin B. Burdick, and resides at Grand Rapids, Mich.; Nancy W., married Lansford W. Perry, of the lumber firm of Woods, Perry & Co., Cleveland, Ohio ; the first son, Emery, died in infancy ; Julie E., married William H. Hower, junior partner of the firm of Hower & Son, dry goods, Cleveland, Ohio ; died Aug. 25, 1871, aged 37 years, leaving one child, a daughter. Birdie E. Hower ; Andrew J., farmer and blacksmith, a soldier for three years, on the Union side in the great rebellion ; married Miss Laurie Lindsay, and resides on his farm in Stow. Hiram Y. resides in Cleveland, and is a member of the lumber firm of Fisher, Wilson & Co. ; married Miss Alma Fisher. Abbie A., married E. C. Simpson. Chief of the Akron Fire Department (see biography) ; also connected as foreman of the machine department of the Buckeye Mower & Reaper Works, and resides in Akron. John W. was accidentall}' killed by the fall of a tree at his home, then in Warrensville, Ohio, at the age of 15 years ; Solon N., lumber dealer at Akron, where he resides (see biography) ; Mary Z., married Daniel Tuttle, and resides at Grass Valley, Cal.; Mattie L., married Harpin A. Botsford, a brother of Solon N. Wilson's first wife ; resides at Cleveland, Ohio.

JOHN J. WAGONER, President Wadsworth, and Manager Franklin Coal Companj-, Akron ; was born in Franklin Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Dec. 17, 1832, and is the fifth child in a family of nine children, born to George and his second wife Rebecca (Sowers) Wagoner. They were natives of Cumberland and Lancaster Counties, Penn. George Wagoner was a farmer. He came to Ohio in 1812, and settled near Canal Fulton, in Stark Co.. where he lived about four years, during which time he lost his first wife. Her maiden name was Sarah Rhodes. By the marriage, there were four children. In 1816, he came to Franklin Township, where he bought some wild land, which he improved, and lived upon until his death, on April 23, 1873. The deceased was a member of the Lutheran Church, in the affairs of which he took an active interest. He served his township as Treasurer for sixteen consecutive 3'ears ; was well known and respected by all. Mrs. Wagoner, his second wife, survives him. She is living on the old homestead, and is now (1881) past 77. She is a daughter of Henry Sowers, Sr., who settled in Frank lin Township about the year 1814. He was a blacksmith, and followed his trade in Manchester. John J. Wagoner received a commonschool course of study. At the age of 19, he began teaching in East Liberty, and tlie following spring he came to Akron, where be engaged as a clerk with J. D. & J. M. Edson, with whom he remained until 1855, when he formed a partnership with John Sisler, and conducted a general merchandise business at Manchester, this county, until 1862, when he sold his interest and returned to Akron, where, in the following October, he engaged in the mercantile business with iMr. Jacob Wise, and later became first a partner, and, upon the formation of a stock company, the Secretary and Treasurer of the J. F. Seiberling Company, of Akron, manufacturers of the Excelsior Reapers and Mowers, which position he held until 1874, when he withdrew, and purchased an interest in the Wadsworth Coal Company, of which he became President. In February, 1880, his son, C. F. Wagoner, purchased the Franklin Coal Mine, of which his father is General Manager. Nov. 8, 1855, he married Miss Catharine Weaver, a native of Fi'anklin Township. By the marriage, there are two children, viz., Charles F. and Carrie May.

S. N. WILSON, lumber dealer and contractor, Akron ; was born in Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, Oct. 19, 1843, and is the sixth of eight children born to Andrew and Lurancy (Thomas) Wilson. Our subject was brought up on the farm. He received an academic course of study ; also attended one year at Oberlin, which place he left to enlist in the 150th 0. V. I., in which command he served about four months, and was at Washington, D. C, when attacked by the rebel Gen. Early. He returned home from the army, and took the management of the home farm, owning a place on becoming of age, when he went to Kent, and conducted the lumber business three years. He then came to Akron, where he has conducted the business since. Jan. 15, 1868, he married Miss Alice E. Botsord, a native of Middlebury, now Akron, Ohio. She died Jan. 14, 1870. June 20, 1872, he married Miss Nannie C. Albertson, a native of Millersburg, Ohio. They have three children, viz., Lena L., Ralph B. and Ross A.

B. F. WHEELER, grain buyer, Akron; was born in Salem, Mass., June 9, 1808, and is a son of Oliver and Hannah (Ashby) Wheeler, who were natives of New Hampshire and Massachusetts, and were married in Salem. He removed to Rochester, N. Y., about the year 1817, and, some ten years later, to Cattaraugus

Co., where he engaged in cabinet manufacture, in connection with his trade of millwright, and lived there until his death, in about 1856. Mrs. Wheeler then removed to Akron, Ohio, and lived with her son, B. F. Wheeler, until her death, in 1865. Our subject lived at home eleven years ; he then went into a drug store for two years, after which he went to Rochester and clerked in a dry goods store for six years. He then returned to Cattaraugus Co., and worked at the cabinet business for a time. He was married, July 11, 1829, to Miss Eliza Miles, a native of Vermont, and, in 1836, he moved with his family to Ohio, and settled at Franklin Mills, now Kent, Portage Co. In the spring of 1840, he moved to Akron, and worked at painting several years, and then engaged in the grocery business, being the second in that line in the place. He was located where the Empire House now stands, and followed the business some ten 3'ears. After clerking for his son-in-law a few years, he went into the grain trade. During the war, he bought and shipped grain, and, after its close, he engaged as buyer for Mr. F. Schumacher, and has continued in that capacity ever since. Mr. Wheeler was formerl}' a Democrat, and. upon the enactment of the Fugitive Slave Law, he became a Free-Soiler, then a Whig, and finally a Republican, upon the organization of that party. His wife died in 1844 ; she was the mother of five children, three of whom are now living - Sarah, Mrs. John Starr, of Akron ; Julia, Mrs. M. Simpson, of Michigan, and Henry F. Mr. W. was again married, October 30, 1845, to Miss Catharine F. Butts, a native of Columbiana Co., Ohio. Three children is the result of this marriage - OUie L., now Mrs. W. H. Thompson, of Meadville, Penn.; Minnie E., now Mrs. M. R. Hayne, of Akron, and Harry E., of Akron. In 1851, Mr. W. joined Summit Lodge, No. 50, I. 0. 0. F., and has been an active member ever since ; has been Permanent Secretary of his Lodge for the past fifteen years. He is a Past Grand and a Past Patriarch, and was Representative to Grand Encampment three times. He has been an active worker in the temperance cause for over half a centur}' , and was the first man in " old Cattaraugus " to attempt to raise a house without the use of liquor.

gland, and was born Nov. 15, 1834. He lived at home, engaged in different kinds of labor, until he was 23 years of age. His education was wholly' original, never having attended school a da}' in his life, except Sabbath school. At 23, he began, in a small way, trading in green grocei'ies at his house, and also using a wagon in same business, which he continued several years, when he went to work in a brickyard, and, in 1862, he came to America, to accomplish which he borrowed one-half of his passage money. He landed in Quebec, Canada, and soon located in Toronto, where, for a time, he worked as a hostler. He then went to Meadville, Penn.. and worked on the Broad Gauge Railroad, and, in the summer of 1863, came to Akron, where he has since lived. He first commenced work in the potteries by the day, and afterward began teaming ; next ran an omnibus for awhile, and finally engaged in his present business. In the summer of 1880, his stable was burned, and, the following fall, he erected his present brick stable, 1125 Market street, which is 35x100 feet, and two stories high. He keeps from nine to twelve horses in livery, and six at teaming and jobbing. In the summer of 1849, he was married to Miss Esther M. Cooper, a native of Staffordshire, England. There have been nine children, six of whom are living - Henry, Elizabeth (now Mrs. James White, of Akron,) Greorge, Albert Edward and Francis. Mr. Wilson has always been Republican in politics.

ALANSON WORK, Vice President of Akron Rubber Works, Akron. Alanson Work, Sr., was a native of Connecticut, and moved to Illinois. He was one among the first of the Anti-slavery men. He was imprisoned, in 1841, for helping slaves to escape, the sentence being for twelve years, l)ut he was pardoned out after three years, and with one George Thompson, went as a missionary to Africa. Alanson Work, Jr., was born at Quincy, 111. on March 1, 1842, and when he was about 5 years old his parents moved to Middletown, Conn., thence to Hartford, where he attended public schools until he was 17, spending one year in Trinity College. When 19, he was employed in the Metropolitan Bank of New York, and continued seven years. In 1868, he moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and, as partner in the firm of Chamberlain, Gibbs & Co., engaged in building railroad bridges and railroads, for two years, and when he went to Rhode Island and took a contract to rebuild the bridges on the Providence & Wooster Railroad, putting up fourteen double track bridges in about one year. Next he took charge of a fire engine manufactory, at Providence, R. I. He was Superintendent of the Allen Fire Department Supply Co. for five years, and during that time took out several patents on fire engine supplies, one now adopted by tiiC United States, being Work's Patent Coupling. Januaiy 1, 1879, he became Vice President and Superintendent of the Akron Rubber Works, where he has since been employed. He was married, in 1865, to Miss Henrietta Lane, of Brooklyn, L. I. She bore him seven children.

JOHN WOLF, merchant, Akron. Christopher Wolf, physician, a native of Bavaria, was the father of John Wolf, and died thi'ee 3-ears after the birth of our subject, leaving him with no means other than sucli as his own ingenuity might invent. John was born in Town Selb, Bavaria, Jan. 25, 1837. He attended German schools until he was 14 years of age. In 1851, he came to the United States, reaching Aurora, Ind., in December ; at this place he clerked in a store until 1853, in September of which 3'ear he came to Akron, and here clerked nine years, two of them with G. T. McCurdy, and seven for M. W. Henry. In 1862, he became a partner in the firm of M. W. Henrj' & Co., which partnership continued seven years ; he sold out in 1869. In the spring of 1 870, he became a member of the firm of Wolf, Church & Beck, in the Academy of Music building, remaining there five years, when they moved to their present place, and have since done a large wholesale and retail dry goods and notion business. Oct. 25, 1864, he married Miss Anna Howe, of Akron, daughter of Richard Howe, one of the pioneers of Akron. He is a Director of the Savings & Loan Association, and was one of the members of the firm of Taplin, Rice & Co., and a director and stock-holder in the same.

WILLIAM WATERS, foreman puddling department Akron rolling-mill, Akron ; son of John and Ann (William) Waters ; was born in Monmouthshire, South Wales, Dec. 27, 1823. At 14, he entered a rolling-mill as helper in the British Iron Works of Monmouthshire, and worked at different places as puddler. In 1846, he came to the United States, and located at Troj-, N. Y., where he worked in a rollingmill some three 3'ears, and then came to Poraeroy. Meigs Co., Ohio, and was employed in the same manner four years. He then moved to New Castle, Penn., remaining until 1860, and moved thence to Niles, Trumbull Co., Ohio, until 1864, returning to New Castle, remaining until 1867, in each of these places being employed in rolling mills. In April, 1867, he came to Akron, and, at the opening of the mills here engaged as puddler, until December, 1869, when he was made foreman of that department, a position he still retains, having now about ninety men in his department. Oct. 3, 1843, he married Miss Ann Rodrick, of Monmouthshire, South Wales. He has eight children living, viz., Eliza, Thomas, Lewis, Ann, Mary, Kate, John and James. He has been a member of the M. E. Church for twenty years.

LORENZO D. WATTERS, lawyer, Akron, son of Hiram and Elizabeth (Croninger) Watters, was born Oct. 4, 1855, in Carroll, Fairfield Co., Ohio. When he was 14 3'ears old, his parents came to Akron, where he attended public schools until 1872, when he entered Buchtel College, at its opening, remaining until 1875, when he spent one year with his father in the construction of a mill. In the spring of 1877, he entered the law office of J. J. Hall, for the purpose of studying the profession, and was admitted to the bar March 17, 1879, when he at once formed a partnership with Mr. Hall, and has since been in active practice under the firm name of Hall & Watters. He is one of Akron's best lawyers.

JAMES WILDES, Akron ; son of Patrick and Mar^' (Grough) Wildes was born in Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 25, 1838. His parents were born near Dublin, Ireland ; when James was but a child they came to Portage Co., near Ravenna. Patrick was Superintendent of the Pennsylvania & Ohio Canal from Breakneck to the junction of the Ohio Canal at Lock 1, and for about four 3'ears James assisted him, after which he went to California by the Panama route, and remained about four 3'ears. He worked in the gold mines for some time, and afterward in the copper mines of Calaveras Co. He returned b3' water route in July, 1864, and located with his father on a fruit farm in Berrien Co., Mich., near St. Joseph, remaining a year, after which he came to Kent and entered the employ of the Atlantic & Great Western