EDWARD C. BANKER, M. D.     Dr. Edward C. Banker, surgeon, was born Oct. 11, 1895 in Topeka, Kansas, a son of John Philip and Maryh (Fueger) Banker.  His father, who was a native of Pennsylvania, went to Kansas when a young man and engaged in ranching, finding cattle raising a profitable occupation.  His demise occurred in Colorado in 1926.  The mother of  Dr. Banker was born in Iowa and now resides in Colorado Springs.  To Mr. and Mrs. John P. Banker, were born nine children, seven of whom survive:  Charles, Harry, William, Mrs. Florence Bayles, Fred and Edward C. Banker, twins, and Miss Amy Banker.
     Mr. Banker attended the public schools of Topeka and his classical course was completed in the University of Kansas, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1909.  He was next a student in the medical department of the University of Chicago, from which he was graduated in 1913, and for two years, thereafter served as an interne in Akron City Hospital.  In 1915 he opened an office in the city and has established a large practice during the intervening period.
     Dr. Banker was married Apr. 17, 1915, in Akron to Miss Cecelia Walsh, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Walsh.  Dr. and Mrs. Banker have a family of three children - Edward C., Jr., who was born in Akron in 1916; Mary Helena, who was born in 1919; and Robert Joseph, born in 1924.
     Dr. Banker is a communicant of the Roman Catholic church and holds the fourth degree in the Knights of Columbus.  He is also connected with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Portage Country, Kiwanis and Automobile Clubs, the Summit County and Ohio State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association.  His interest centers in his profession and through concentrated effort and the wise use of the talents with which nature endowed him he has steadily advanced toward the goal of success.  Dr. Banker considers Akron a desirable place of residence and has proven a valuable addition to its citizenship.
Source:  Akron and Summit County, Ohio 1825-1928 - Vol. III - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago & Akron.  The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1928 - Page 807

FRANK T. BROOKE.    Frank T. Brooke, who has won well earned laurels in color photography, ranking as one of the eminent representatives of the art in America, maintains a studio in Akron that in its equipment is scarcely surpassed anywhere.  Thoroughly artistic in nature and with most accurate and intimate knowledge of the art which he represents, he could command a princely income in carrying on his business in other cities, but his love of Akron has caused him to refuse flattering offers elsewhere and continue here, and Akron ahs shown her appreciation of the excellence of his work by giving him an extensive patronage, a large part of his business coming from the mammoth rubber and tire manufacturing business interests of Akron.  The Brooke Studio, located in the Peoples Bank building, is the last word in photography.  Conversant with every phase of the art, Mr. Brooke has secured the latest improved equipment and in both plain and color photography has won a reputation that is one of notable distinction.
     A native of Brighton, Sussex, England, he was born Oct. 9, 1886, and is a son of George Francis and Hannah (Shaw) Brooke, who have spent their entire lives in England.  The father was graduated in mathematics and penmanship from Linden Grove College in England, remaining a student there for seven years, and later he devoted his life to the lines in which he had specialized. He was considered one of the most expert and skilled penmen of his time and his writing could hardly be distinguished from the finest steel plate work. He won recognition wherever his work was exhibited in competition anywhere, and even in his later years his penmanship gained favorable comment by all who saw it.  The father passed away in 1925, at the age of eighty-three years, and the mother is still living at the age of seventy-eight years, making her home in Leeds.  Their family numbered five children: Mrs. Edith Helen Wharton, Florence Louise, now the wife of Frank Appleby; Mrs. Lillian Hannam; Charles Norbury; and Frank T.
     Having acquired his preliminary education in the primary schools of Sussex, Frank T. Brooke continued his studies in St. Thomas Academy, where his course was equivalent to that of a high school course.  He afterward entered upon an apprenticeship to the three and four color process of printing and photography, serving a full term.  He was keenly interested in the work and became capable of producing the highest type of work of this character ever turned out.  Following the completion of his apprenticeship he continued with his employers, the Waddingtons, Ltd., of Leeds, Yorkshire, for three yeas and three months and was made superintendent of their vast plant.  Hearing much, however, concerning the opportunities of the new world, especially in his particular field of labor, he decided to try his fortune in the United States and on the second day after his arrival was told to apply for a position with the Werner Company.  He made application to Paul Werner, and having been asked for his credentials, he demonstrated what he was capable of doing and was immediately employed, becoming one of the most important men in that organization.  He was placed on color work and was soon given all of the most exacting work of this description accorded the firm, receiving assignments over employees of much longer connection with the house.  Owing to an injury which his father had sustained he returned to England at his mother's entreaty after applying to Paul Werner for a leave of absence, which was immediately granted.  On reaching his old home at Manchester, however, he found that his mother was needlessly worried over the father's injury and after six weeks he again crossed the Atlantic.  He returned to Akron and resumed his former position with Mr. Werner for a few years and then accepted a most flattering offer from the Sunset Publishing Company of San Francisco, California.  His work was so superior to that of any previous work of this character that had been done for the company owing to the fact that he possessed the artistic touch, that he was made mechanical superintendent of the plant and remained there for eight years.  In the meantime his skill became recognized over a wide territory and he was constantly solicited to accept other positions elsewhere, but he remained faithful to his employers, who showed their appreciation of his superior skill by offering him a fifty per cent interest in the color photography work if he would enter into a partnership relation.  Feeling that he could do equally well on his own account, he refused this offer and at an urgent demand made upon him to return to Akron he came back to this city in 1922 and established his present business.  Here he has one of the finest studios of the kind in the country, supplied with the latest improvements and equipment, and his work has gone into every section of the country.  Some of it which was sent to Washington was there pronounced the finest ever turned out.  Mr. Brooke has among his patrons a number of the leading rubber and tire manufacturing concerns as well as the leading mercantile establishments of the city and his patronage has now reached extensive proportions.
     On the 30th of June, 1919, Mr. Brooke was married to Miss Nellie Fischer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. August Fischer, prominent residents of Akron.  Their eldest son, Harold, died in infancy.  Their son Russell was born in Akron, Sept. 28, 1922.
     Mr. Brooke gives his political allegiance to the republican party and his religious faith is that of the Episcopal church.  He belongs to the Fraternal Order of Eagles and naturally is connected with the National Photographers Association.  His standards not only in photography but in every relation of life are of the highest and in his chosen field he speaks with authority, his work everywhere receiving the endorsement of those most capable of judging.
Source:  Akron and Summit County, Ohio 1825-1928 - Vol. III - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago & Akron.  The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1928 - Page 726

ERNEST A. BROWN.    The manifold branches of trade and community and the complexity of business life in the present age make it almost essential that those who would attain success must have thorough and systematic business training, and by reason of this condition there have been established at various place in the country institutions of learning that are prepared to give the young efficient instruction in business methods and procedure.  It is in this connection that Ernest A. Brown has become widely known, for through seventeen yeas he has been the president of the decades ago.  Under his direction many students acquired Actual Business College of Akron, which was founded three knowledge that has enabled them now to hold outstanding positions in commercial and financial circles and Mr. Brown is widely recogized as a leader among educators.  In every way he keeps in touch with the spirit, the thought and the progress of the times and his progressive methods are manifest in the school.
     Mr. Brown was born in Logan, Ohio, May 28, 1884, and is a son of Albert M. and Salome (Welty) Brown, who were also natives of Ohio, where the father has spent his entire life, devoting many years to public school teaching but now living retired.  The mother has passed away.  In their family were five children:  Joseph and Jesse, both residents of Logan; Jennie, living in Barberton, Ohio; and Mrs. Emma Hyatt, of Oak Hill, Ohio.
     The other member of the family is Ernest A. Brown, who after attending the public schools of Logan spent one year as a student in the Ohio State University, while later he pursued his college course in Columbus, Ohio.  He then entered upon the profession of teaching in connection with the public schools but after a year thus passed became a teacher in the Canton Business College, where he remained for a year.  He came to Akron on the 1st of August, 1907, and entered into active connection with the Actual Business College, which at that time had only a few students and now has an enrollment of between four hundred and fifty and five hundred.  A keen student of business administration and practice, he has carefully built up his college, keeping courses of study and training always in gear with improved business methods.  Through constant endeavor to increase the effectiveness of business training Mr. Brown has had the satisfaction of seeing the Actual Business College made an early member of the National Association of Accredited Commercial Schools for which rigid standards of training are laid down and supervised by the United States Bureau of Education at Washington.  In this school every branch of learning may be pursued that has to do with actual business management, control or service and today its students are filling important clerical, secretarial or executive positions in various parts of the country.
     On the 13th of October, 1906, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Millie I. Guthrie, a daughter of James M. and Elizabeth Guthrie, of a prominent family of Logan, Ohio.  They have two children: Jane Guthrie, born in Akron, Mar. 30, 1919; and Donald Ernest, born June 13, 1921.  Both are attending school.  The family residence is on Overwood road, Fairlawn, Ohio.  The parents are members of the First Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Brown is identified with the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Akron and also has membership with the Kiwanis Club, the Fairlawn Country Club, the Akron Automobile Club and the Akron Chamber of Commerce.  He is interested in all that has to do with the city's development and with the advancement of municipal standards, and he has contributed in large and effective measure to the public good through the conduct of the institution of which he has long been the head and in which he has ever maintained the highest standards of service and of excellence.
Source:  Akron and Summit County, Ohio 1825-1928 - Vol. II - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago & Akron.  The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1928 - Page 15

FRANK BUTLER.     Enterprising, determined and capable, Frank Butler has become a forceful figure in insurance circles of Akron and is recognized as one of the city's leading business men.  He was born Sept. 21, 1879, in Rochester, New York, and his parents, Ralph and Mary A. (Sayles) Butler, were also natives of that state.  His father was born in Elmira and the mother's birth occurred at Painted Post.  Ralph Butler engaged in the practice of law at Rochester for many years.  Later he established his home in Pittsburgh and became secretary and general manager of the Central Accident Insurance Company, which he organized.  Death summoned him in 1907 but his widow now resides in Elmira, New York.
     Frank Butler, their only child, was reared in the Empire state and completed a course in one of the high schools of Rochester.  His studies were continued in the University of Michigan, from which he received the degree of LL.B. in 1900, and after his admission to the bar he located in Cleveland, Ohio, where he followed his profession for a number of years, building up a lucrative practice.  In 1913 he became connected with the Fidelity & Deposit Insurance Company and maintained his headquarters in Boise, Idaho, for three years.  He was appointed branch manager at Syracuse, New York, in 1916, and filled the position until 1918.  At that time he located in Akron and for five years was identified with the Herberich, Hall & Harter Company, being employed as manager of the casualty and surety bond department.  For three years thereafter he sold insurance on his own account and was next manager of the surety department in the service of the Seibert-Berry Agency of Akron.  At the end of one and a half years he resigned his position and since February, 1927, has been president of the Butler-Amer Agency.  The firm writes all kinds of insurance and also handles surety bonds.  Mr. Butler knows every phase of the insurance business and a large list of satisfied policy holders attests the confidence of the general public in the ability and integrity of the company which he controls.
     In Cleveland, Ohio, Dec. 8, 1913, Mr. Butler was married to Miss Martha C. Swanger, a daughter of L. C. Swanger of that city, and they have become the parents of one child, Peter.  He was born at Boise, Idaho, Jan. 18, 1915, and is attending the Rankin school in Akron.  Mr. Butler is a thirty-second degree Mason and Shriner and a worthy exemplar of the order.  He is esteemed by his business associates and conscientiously discharges the duties and obligations of citizenship.  His residence is at 987 Copley road.*|Source:  Akron and Summit County, Ohio 1825-1928 - Vol. II - Illustrated - Publ. Chicago & Akron.  The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. - 1928 - Page 230
* House is still there in 2022