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Biographies
Source:
History of Summit County,
with an outline sketch of Ohio
Edited by William Henry Perrin.
Illustrated.
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers,
186 Dearborn Street
1881
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1881 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX
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Coventry Twp. -
HOUSTON KEPLER, farmer; P. O.
New Portage; is a son of Jacob Kepler who was born
about 1797, in Center Co., Penn. His father was
John, a native of Bucks Co., Penn., but moved with his
family to Green Township, in 1802. The early ancestry
were from Switzerland. John and a valuable
horse were instantly killed at a cider-press by being struck
with a heavy lever which became detached. Jacob
remained with his father until 18 years of age, when he
began working for himself, returning, however, at harvest
time, to assist his father. At about 25 years of age,
he was married to Susan Marsh daughter of Adam
Marsh an early settler of Franklin Township.
Jacob was always a hard-working man, with a great desire
for the acquisition of wealthy, which he afterward
possessed. In 1822, he settled on the farm where his
son Houston now lives, which at that time was a vast
wilderness, but, by clearing and grubbing, he became the
possessor of more than 1,100 acres of land in Coventry
Township. They had thirteen children - four sons and
nine daughters; six are living - two sons, both represented
in this work; and four daughters - Mrs. Thomas Baughman,
Mrs. Henry Wise, Mrs. Andrew Oberlin and Mrs. Solomon
Reninger. Huston was born Aug. 25, 1839; he
stayed with his father on the farm until his marriage, which
occurred Apr. 2, 1863, to Catharine Foust, daughter
of Abraham and Catharine (Hillygoss) Mauery, natives
of Pennsylvania. In 1850, the Foursts came from
near the southern line of the State of Wisconsin, whither
they had gone, a short time before, from their native State,
to Green Township, where they purchased the place known as
the "Old Foust Farm." The old people there died - the
father on his birthday, Oct. 20, 1875, aged 66 years; the
mother, Aug. 18, 1872, aged 56 years. Houston has four
children - Clara Alice, born Feb. 24, 1864; Laura
Jane Aug. 11, 1867; Maggie Elizabeth, Oct. 13,
1872; and Nelson Eugene, May 16, 1877. He was
elected Clerk of the township in the spring of 1864, which
position he held for six successive terms, and two terms
thereafter was Treasurer one year, and for the last fifteen
years has held the office of Justice of the Peace, and
eleven years member of the School Board, taking an active
interest in the progress of education. His life upon
the farm in more especially devoted to the raising of grain,
the products of his farm being from twelve to fifteen
hundred bushels of wheat alone. He and family are
members of the Reformed Church, and liberal givers to the
cause of religion and the building of churches.
Source: History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio -
Edited by William Henry Perrin. -
Illustrated. -
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street - 1881 - Page 884 |
Franklin Twp.
-
JAMES M. KERSTETTER, general store,
Nimisila. Among the self-made business men of
Manchester is the subject of this sketch; he was born in
Green Township, Summit Co., Ohio, Mar. 17, 1851; his parents
were old settlers of the county; he was the oldest of three
children; he was raised on the farm, and, when 11 years old,
he went with his parents to Manchester; his education was
such as the common schools of the village afforded, and his
business career was begun with a clerkship with
Kerstetter & Housman. He went into business for
himself in 1871; he is now keeping a general store, and all
he has he obtained by his tact, industry and economy.
He was married in 1868 to Isabel Benner, a native of
Franklin Township; they have one daughter - Olive M.
His business career is one of remarkable success, he having
comparatively nothing when he started.
Source: History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio -
Edited by William Henry Perrin. -
Illustrated. -
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers,
186 Dearborn Street -
1881 - Page 1027 |
Hudson Twp. -
LUTHER F. KILBOURNE
History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio - Edited
by William Henry Perrin. - Illustrated. - Chicago: Baskin &
Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn Street - 1881 -
Page 833 |
Bath Twp. -
GEORGE KIRK, Bath. Michael
Kirk, the grandfather of this gentleman, removed with
his family from the Keystone State to Stark Co., Ohio, in
1817; his son William was at this time about 22 years
of age, and the year following was united in marriage to
Miss Maria Miller, a native of Pennsylvania. From
this union there were eleven children, viz., George,
Margaret, Rufus, Albert, Bazil, Ezra, Rebecca, Maria, Clara,
Lodema and Melissa. Mr. Kirk always
followed farming and stock-raising, a business he was
eminently fitted for, and one he was very successful at.
He died Feb. 24, 1870. He had been a good and useful
man, and a respected and honored citizen; his wife survives
him and resides at Freeport, Ill. George Kirk
received a common-school education, and remained at home
working for his father until he had reached his majority; he
then, for two years, worked for his father at $100 per
annum, and at the expiration of that time he, in company
with his father, took a trip throughout Indiana, Illinois
and Iowa. While in Iowa, Mr. Kirk purchased 125
acres of land in Cedar Co. After an absence of some
months they returned to Stark Co., this State, where for a
period of four years George was variously employed.
He was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Shisler,
March 26, 1846; this lady was born in Lancaster Co., Penn.,
July 18, 1826; they have been blessed with seven children,
six of whom are yet living, viz., Seth, Lilla, Frank, Ira
L., Miller S. and Cora; the one deceased was
named Ralph. In 1846, Mr. Kirk came to Bath
Township and located on the farm he now owns. There
were but few improvements on the place, and he has by
his industry and good taste so improved it that it is second
to none in the township. He deals quite extensively in
sheep, which he has been very successful in handling; he
also has paid considerable attention to the raising of
Durham cattle, and has at the present time some fine
specimens of this valuable breed upon his farm; it can truly
be said of him that he is one of the most practical and
successful farmers and stock-raisers in Bath Township.
He is a Republican of the stalwart kind and has filled many
offices in the township with much credit to himself and
lasting benefits to those for whom he labored. He and
wife are members of the Evangelical Association, and, though
passing into the "sear and yellow leaf," their years sit
lightly upon them. They are located in a pleasant and
comfortable home in a community where they are respected and
and beloved, and where the record of their well-spent lives
can never be effaced.
Source: History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio -
Edited by William Henry Perrin. -
Illustrated. -
Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical Publishers, 186 Dearborn
Street - 1881 - Page 1018 |
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