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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio
Containing Biographical Sketches of
Prominent and Representative Citizens,
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the
Presidents of the United States.
Chicago - Chapman Bros. -
1892
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JOHN W. HARTZELL.
Canton is the home of a large number of enterprising
business men, whose sturdy ambition and keen foresight have
been the means of promoting the material welfare of the
city. Their labors have resulted in the advancement of
the place, until it now ranks among the best cities of the
State, a city of wealth and commercial standing, no less
than educational and religious prominence. A list of
the prominent men must necessarily include the name of
Mr. Hartzell, who, although still a young
man, has attained to success in his chosen profession.
Born in Adams County, Pa., Dec. 4, 1852, our subject is the
son of Henry and Mary L. (Johns) Hartzell,
natives of the county in which his eyes first opened to the
light. In the spring of 1853, they removed to Ohio and
located in Stark County, where the father carried on the
trade of plasterer and brick mason, his farm being six miles
south of Canton. The mother passed from earth in 1875,
and his father closed his eyes to the scenes of time in
1892. They were worthy and upright and their children
hold their memory in reverence.
The parental family consisted of five sons and one daughter,
as follows: John W., Charles H., James D.,
Elden E., Franklin, and Frances K.,
wife of Joseph Howerstock, of Stark County.
The one in whom we are particularly interested in about six
months old when he came to Stark County with his parents,
and his education was received in the country schools.
He learned the trade of plasterer and brick mason with his
father, in whose employ he worked until eighteen years old.
Later, he worked for parties in Ft. Wayne, Ind., and other
places. Since 1880, he has been doing contracting on
his own account, and has his residence and shop at No. 276
Navarre Street, in Canton. In the erection of many of
the finest buildings of the city, he has been interested,
and among others took the contracts on the Dannemiller
Block, the Liberty Schoolhouse, the residences of J.
Eberhardt. and C. Sherrick, the
Odd Fellows' building, and numerous other structures.
His position is one of prominence among other contractors of
the city and county, and he has gained an enviable
reputation as a reliable workman.
The pleasant home in which Mr. Hartzell
resides, and which he purchased by means of his unaided
efforts, is presided over by his amiable wife, to whom he
was married in 1876. She was Miss Ida M.,
daughter of Christian Sherrick, and is a
lady whose many noble attributes of character have won for
her the regard of all her acquaintances. Three
children have blessed the union: Nora L., William
A., and Clarence S. Mr. and Mrs. Hartzell are
prominent members of the Wesleyan Methodist Episcopal
Church, and contribute generously of their time and means to
the aid of all worthy projects. Politically, he is a
Prohibitionist.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 402 |
J. F. Hess |
JACOB
FREDRICK HESS, Germany has furnished the Buckeye
State with many estimable citizens, but she has contributed
none more worthy of mention, or whose none more worthy of
mention, or whose career has been such a complete success in
every way, than the subject of this sketch. HE has
inherited all the thrift, energy and perseverance of his
Teutonic ancestors as well as their great honesty and
openheartedness. He is at present senior member of the
firm of Hess, Snyder & Co., manufacturers, and is one
of the far-seeing, practical business men of Massillon.
He was born in Kandern, Baden, Germany, on the 28th of
August, 1834, and remained in his native country until about
twelve years of age, when he was brought to America by his
parents.
His father, Jacob F. Hess, who was also a native
of the Old Country, was a minor by occupation and was
employed in the iron mines of Germany for many yeas.
The numerous advantages to be derived from a residence in
the United States, and particularly in Ohio, where many of
his countrymen had made homes, were brought to his notice,
and he decided to trust himself to Neptune's tender mercies
and seek a home for himself in the New World. In 1846,
he came with his family to America and made his way to Ohio,
where he settled in Massillon, He entered the coal
mines and this was his principal occupation until his death
in 1853. He was married in his native country to
Miss Catharine Bomerlin, a native of Baden, and she was
his faithful helpmate and counselor until his death.
She received her final summons in Massillon in 1884.
Both parents were of the good old German Protestant stock,
and were classed among the representative citizens of Stark
County. Their entire family of five children grew to
mature years and three are now living. The children
were as follows: Christine (who became Mrs.
Snyder) died near Albion, Calhoun County, Mich.;
Catherine died in Massillon; J. F., our subject;
Philip, a skilled mechanic, in the employ of Hess,
Snyder & Co., and Leonard, a partner in the firm
of Hess, Snyder & Co.
Our subject's boyhood days, until nearly twelve years
of age, were passed amid the beautiful scenery of the River
Rhine, and his playmates were of his own nativity. In
the spring of 1846, the family went to Havre de Grace by way
of Brazil and Paris, and made the journey in a large wagon,
or what was termed in the United States in early days as a
"prairie schooner," drawn by four horses. They took
passage at Havre de Grace on the steamer "South Carolina,"
and forty-nine days later landed at New York. They
then came up the Hudson River to Albany, where they took the
Erie to Buffalo, thence by steamer to Cleveland and by canal
to Massillon.
The little schooling our subject received had been in
the German language, and after reaching this country he
picked up the English language without an instructor.
All the knowledge he received in this way was by application
and observation, but being naturally very apt and studious
he became unusually well posted on all subjects.
Almost as soon as he reached Massillon, he entered the coal
mines and there worked for six years, after which he was
apprenticed to learn the tinsmith trade with Patridge
& Co., with whom he remained one year, then went with
James Jacoby, remaining with him from 1852 to 1857.
In the spring of the latter year, he started for California
by way of the Isthmus, and after reaching San Francisco
remained there a short time engaged in his trade in order to
replenish his purse. With two others, he then went
North to the Cisq2ue Mountains, Oregon, where he began
prospecting and mining in placer digging for over three
years, in which he met with considerable success. He
lived in regular miner's style, and when not engaged in
mining was hunting wild animals that everywhere abounded.
Indians were frequently seen but they were very peaceable
and friendly, and he visited several Indian camps along the
coast. While engaged in mining, our subject also ran a
blacksmith shop in connection, and miners would come from
four to six miles to have their tools sharpened. They
were at time obliged to go quite a distance for provisions
and supplies. At one time, when it was Mr. Hess'
turn to go for provisions, the snow was ten feet deep and
the place where he was to get his supplies was eight miles
away. Not having any snow shoes, he made a pair from
hoops taken from a tub, covered them with canvas and had
very little trouble in making the trip. Newspapers
were seldom seen in those days, but when they were received
were read and re-read many times. He paid $1 a paper
for two years when they could be bought for fifty cents a
piece.
In the fall of 1860, he returned to Massillon, Ohio,
stopping on the way a short time at Mexico and Aspinwall,
Panama. After reaching Massillon, Mr. Hess
followed his trade, and in partnership with a Mr. Smith,
began dealing in stoves, etc., on South Erie Street.
This partnership lasted about three years, when Mr. Hess
started in business for himself on North Erie Street, and
later his brother Leonard became his partner, and
they conducted the business under the firm name of J. F.
Hess & Brother from 1866 to 1882. They added
plumbing and gas fitting, and in a few months were doing the
most extensive business of any firm in the city. They
built the brick block Nos. 9 and 11, and Mr. Hess now
owns that. They also started a stove foundry at the
corner of Erie and North Streets, and continued both
enterprises until 1882, when they sold their tin store to
Snyder & Schworm, and their plumbing and gas fitting
department to Knapp & Dillon. In 1882, they
formed a partnership with Snyder Bros. under the name
of Hess, Snyder & Co, and they now carry on the
manufacture of hot air furnaces, cook and heating stoves, as
well as a machine and repair shop. They have met with
remarkable success and have the largest enterprise of the
kind in Massillon. Aside from this, Mr. Hess is
the owner of considerable real estate in the city, and has a
very comfortable and pleasant home on Oak Hill, where he
owns several acres and has a beautiful yard and drive.
Mr. Hess married, in1862, Miss Catherine
Stahl, a native of Navarre, Ohio, and the daughter of
Frederick Stahl. The following children have been
born to this union: Ida, now Mrs. Frank Snyder,
and is a salesman for Hess, Snyder & Co.;
Emma, Albert, Anna, Dora and Maude, the
five last named at home. All the children have had the
best school advantages Massillon affords, and are bright and
quick at learning. Mr. and Mrs. Hess are
members of St. John's Evangelical Church and are liberal
supporters of the same. Mr. Hess has always
been a stanch Republican and believes in protection for
American citizens. His first vote was for John C.
Fremont.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 311 |
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LEONARD
HESS, a member of the firm of Hess, Snyder &
Co., and superintendent of the stove erecting
department, is not only one of the prominent business men of
the place, but is one of the county's most agreeable and
social citizens. (For sketch of his father, Jacob
F. Hess, see sketch of his brother, J. F. Hess).
Our subject was born in Kandern, Baden, Germany, on the 22d
of November, 1840, and came here with his parents when six
yeas of age. He was the youngest of five children, but
as his parents removed to different school districts after
locating in Stark County, his school days numbered about
eighteen months altogether. He was naturally bright
and ambitious, readily acquired a knowledge of the English
language, and became well posted on all subjects of moment.
When Thirteen years of age, he began earning his own
living, and was with Hon. George Harsh for one year.
After this he worked for Joseph Davenport in the car
works for three years, and then was with Russell & Co.,
for eleven years. During this time he took up the
mechanist's trade, and being a natural mechanic and genius,
he became foreman the last two years of his stay with that
company. He became a partner with his brother J. F.,
and opened a tin shop and gas and plumbing business.
Our subject had charge of the gas-fitting and plumbing in
connection with stoves and house-furnishing goods, and this
continued until 1882. The company built a block, but
our subject sold his interest in it, and in 1881 started
business under the firm name of Hess Bros., the same
continuing for two yeas. They then embarked in their
present business, and Mr. Hess took charge of the
machinist department. This business has increased in a
remarkable manner since its inception, and they carry on the
manufacture of hot-air furnaces, cook and heating stoves,
and also a machine and repair shop. They turn out from
eighteen hundred to two thousand stoves a year, and three
hundred furnaces, and are doing a very extensive business in
this line. Mr. Hess owns two good farms in
Perry Township, one of one hundred and fifty acres, and the
other of forty-eight acres, both near town. He has
good buildings on his land, and carries on agricultural
pursuits himself, raising grain and stock. He also
owns an attractive residence in Massillon, as well as other
real estate in the city. Hr is a self made man, and
all that he has accumulated in the way of this world's goods
ahs been the result of honest toil on his part.
Our subject selected his wife in the person of Miss
Christina Shriver, a native of Massillon, and their
nuptials were celebrated on the 15th of February, 1862.
Her father, Herman Shriver, was an early settler her,
and one of the most extensive farmers of this section.
Four children have blessed the union of our subject and his
wife, and are as follows: Fred, a bookkeeper in
the office; Clara, now Mrs. Claus, who resides
with her father; Laura and Robert at home.
These children are all well educated, and are bright and
enterprising. Mr. Hess has been a member of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows for twenty-two years, and
in politics, is a stanch advocate of the Republican party.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 437 |
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J. J. HOOVER. It is an
undeniable truth that the life of any man is of great
benefit to the community in which he resides when all his
efforts are directed toward advancing its interests and when
he lives according to the highest principles of what he
conceives to the right. Such a man is Mr. Hoover,
the editor of the Massillon American, a paper
published in the interests of the section in which he
resides, irrespective of party. He was born in Blair
County, Pa., Nov. 5, 1849, but his father, Samuel Hoover,
was born in Cumberland County, Pa., and by trade was a
hatter. He became a resident of Williamsburgh, Pa., in
which place he not only followed his trade but discharged
the duties of Postmaster and also taught school. In
1857, he removed to Hollidaysburgh, having been elected to
the position of County Treasurer for one term, and afterward
discharged the duties of Deputy for several terms. The
last year of the Civil War, he served his country in the Two
Hundred and Thirteenth Pennsylvania Infantry until the
cessation of hostilities, after which he became the editor
of the Hollidaysburg Register. This he disposed
of after editing it for a number of years, and in December,
1870, he came to Massillon, and in connection with his son,
James Johnson Hoover, became the proprietor of the
Massillon American. In 1888, he retired from
journalistic work, and the paper has since been conducted in
a most praiseworthy manner by its present editor.
Samuel Hoover was married in 1845 to Miss
Elizabeth Phillips, a native of the Keystone State, who
was called from life while a resident of Trumbull County.
She became the mother of six children, all of whom were
reared to maturity in Pennsylvania.
James Johnson Hoover's early life did not differ
materially from that of the average boy, for he obtained
sufficient exercise to strengthen and develop his physical
being, while his mental qualities were enhanced by
attendance at the common schools. The Massillon
American, a nine-column folio, is a spicy, breezy sheet,
and from its columns may be gleaned items of interest and
value to all, no matter what the business may be in which
they are engaged. The editorial department is ably
conducted. The printing is done by steam, and the
establishment is well equipped to turn out all kids of job
work on short notice and in a creditable manner.
In 1875, Mr. Hoover was married to Miss
Jeannette Ricks, a native of Maryland, who died in 1883.
She left, beside her husband, two children to mourn her
loss: Lyndon and Charles Maxwell. Mr.
Hoover's second union took place in November, 1887,
Miss Charlotte Smith, daughter of the late N. J.
Smith, a prominent farmer of Perry Township, becoming
his wife. They have two children: Harold S.,
and Helen. He and his wife are respected
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he is genial
and whole-souled, and of a generous disposition.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio - Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892
~ Page 372 |
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HENRY
HOUTZ is well known and honored in Stark County, not
only as a representative of the family whose name has been
connected with this portion of Ohio from the very earliest
days of its settlement to the present, but for the part he
has taken in its development and for his worth as a man and
a citizen. He is one of the prominent and wealthy
farmers of Canton Township, where he has a well-regulated
farm of eighty-five acres on section 2. He is a native
of the county, born here in pioneer times Dec. 24, 1843, on
his father's homestead on section 23.
He of whom we write from early boyhood has been engaged
in agricultural pursuits and has borne an honorable part in
developing the farming interests of this township, and now
is the proprietor of an excellent farm. He received
the rudiments of his education in the district school, but
gained the greater part of his knowledge by reading and
experience. When twenty-three years of age, he began
life for himself, and Sept. 10, 1865, was married to Miss
Susannah L. Brenner who was born Sept. 11, 1844, in
Lancaster County, Pa. They became the parents of one
child, a daughter, Mary who married Albert Eigher
and resides in Canton.
After his marriage, Mr. Houtz of this sketch
rented land for a time, and after living for five years on
the old Brenner homestead came to this section in
1874, where he purchased land, and the following year built
his present large brick residence and barn, the latter of
which is 75x44 feet in dimensions. His estate is
pleasantly located just two miles from the Court House and
is in a good condition as regards its tillage and
productiveness. Mr. Houtz is a man of
progressive ideas and good business ability, to which is
added an amount of energy which carries his enterprises
forward rapidly, and which has increased his worldly
prosperity. He is engaged in mind farming and enjoys a
high personal standing throughout the county, and has many
true friends among his fellow-citizens, with whose interests
his own have been identified for so long a period.
Politically, our subject is a Republican, but in all
local issues votes independently. In an early day, he
operated a threshing-machine on the ground that is now
occupied by buildings in the heart of Canton, and has thus
been an eye-witness of the wonderful development of this
section, which he has aided to bring about by hard labor.
He has always displayed a zealous interest in the welfare of
his township, and his honesty and truthfulness have never
been questioned, and in all business transactions his word
is a good as his bond.
Source: Portrait &
Biographical Record of Stark County, Ohio -
Chicago - Chapman Bros. - 1892 -
Page 470 |
NOTES:
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