Biographies
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Source:
† Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens
Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co.
Chicago, Ill -
1908
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RAY F. HAMLIN,
a young but able member of the Akron bar, now serving his
second term as city clerk, in spite of his youth has been
nominated by the Republican party for the important office
of city treasurer. Mr. Hamlin was born at
Akron, Apr. 24, 1881, and is a son of Byron S. Hamlin,
a native Summit County and for forty years a resident of
Akron. He was reared in his native city, where he
attended the public schools, and then took a two-years'
course in the law department of Columbia University at
Washington, D. C, and was graduated from Baldwin University
at Cleveland in 1903. Upon his return to Akron he took
the bar examination and in the same year was admitted to
practice. He was at once appointed city clerk
and thus, from the beginning of his career, has been
recognized as a political factor.
On May 28, 1907, Mr. Hamlin was married
to Mabel J. Gordon, who is a daughter of Fred F.
Gordon, of Akron. He is a member of Woodland
Methodist Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is
connected with the Knights of Pythias and the Odd Fellows.
He and wife are participants in the pleasant social life of
the city, and both are valued for their personal attributes.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 284 |
|
CHARLES
EDWARD HANSON, residing on his finely-improved farm
of 124 acres, in Stow Township, is one of this section's
representative agriculturists. Mr. Hanson was
born Aug. 24, 1856, in Hudson Township, Summit County, Ohio,
and is a son of Richard and Susanna (Briggs) Hanson.
RICHARD HANSON
was born Aug. 10, 1827, in the town of Whapwood,
Lincolnshire, England, and was there married. He came
to his country with his children, and immediately afterward
engaged in the wagon-making business, with his brother
Charles, under the firm name of Hanson Brothers,
later becoming sole proprietor. Subsequently he
purchased a farm in Stow Township, which he cultivated until
his retirement from active farm work, when he removed to
Hudson Township, and there his death occurred in his
seventy-fifth year. Originally a Whig, Mr. Hanson
later became a Republican, but he never aspired to political
office. He was married to Susanna Briggs, who
was born in 1828, and to them there were born the following
children: Charles Edward; Richard and Hewson,
of Stow Township; Thomas Henry, of Hudson
Township; William George and Charlotte, both
of Hudson Township; and Albert David. The
family belong to the Episcopal Church.
Charles Edward Hanson resided in Hudson Township
until he was eleven years old, at which time his parents
came to Stow Township, and here he worked on the farm until
1880, at which time he purchased his present 124-acre tract,
which he has cultivated to the present time. He also
manages twenty-four acres belonging to hsi sister-in-law.
He devotes considerable attention to cattle-raising and has
from twenty to twenty-five head. He ships milk to the
condensing milk factory at Kent, Ohio. Mr. Hanson
recently remodeled his home, which now includes twelve
rooms and a bath, and built his present barns, one being a
combined horse-barn and wagon-house 30 by 60 feet, with
18-foot posts, and the other 58 by 60 feet, with 22-foot
posts, for his stock, and, in addition, has a fine granary,
20 by 28 feet. He keeps his buildings in the best of
condition, and his farm in general presents a fine
appearance.
Mr. Hanson was married to Orrie Stewart,
who was a daughter of Thomas and Catherine Stewart of
Stow Township. She died in 1896, aged thirty-eight
years, having been the mother of six children, namely:
Rose E., Zena, Charles Frederick, Abigail I., Thomas S.
and Eddie, the latter of whom died aged seven years.
In his political views, Mr. Hanson is a Republican,
and he has filled the offices of school director and
supervisor, and been township trustee for sixteen years.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page
824 |
|
BENJAMIN HART,
a representative citizen of Springfield Township, where he
owns a fine, well-improved farm of eighty acres, has been a
resident of the village of Mogador since 1902. Mr.
Hart was born June 5, 1832, and is a son of Jesse and
Freelove (Ives) Hart.
Mr. Hart belongs to an old and honorable pioneer
family of New England stock, his ancestors having been among
the first settlers of Springfield township and among the
very early residents of Summit County, coming here a few
years after the admission of Ohio as a state.
Jesse Hart, father of Benjamin, was born
in Connecticut, in 1773, and died in Summit County, Ohio,
July 18, 1868, aged ninety-four years. When
twenty-eight years of age he married Esther Warner,
in Connecticut, and they had the following children:
Worthy, who was born Mar. 12, 1803; Amy,
who was born Jan. 29, 1805; Esther, who was born Jan.
15, 1808; Patience, who was born Apr. 10, 1809; and
Welcome, who was born Feb. 19, 1811. The mother
of these children died Mar. 28, 1811. Jesse Hart
was married (second) also in Connecticut to Freelove Ives,
Sept. 15, 1811. She was born in Vermont and died in
Summit County, Ohio, Nov. 7, 1863. The children of
Jesse and Freelove Hart were: Louisa, who
born Au. 2, 1812, married Homer Root; Jesse,
who was born Apr. 27, 1813, married Rachel Richards;
Phoebe, who was born Sept. 17, 1816, married Otis
Merriman; George who was born Oct. 22, 1818, married
(first) Eliza Nelson, and (second) Mrs. Lizzie (Hile)
Bean; Elizabeth who was born Oct. 18, 1821, married
John Hixon; Amos, who was born Apr. 28, 1824, died from
an accident, when two years of age; Harriet, who was
born Aug. 27, 1826, married (first) William Chapman,
and (second) John Smith; Sarah who was born Aug. 1,
1828, married (first) Joseph Conrad, and (second)
Robert Fisher; and Benjamin, who was born June 5
1832, the youngest of family of fourteen children.
In 1812 Jesse Hart left Connecticut with his
family and made the journey in Summit County, Ohio in
covered wagons, bringing along many household treasures, and
probably as did many other early settlers his cows and
horses. He settled on what became known as the Hart
homestead in Springfield Township, west of Logtown,
where the remainder of his life was passed. He found
only a small portion of the land cleared, heavy timber
covering the balance, and it required years for himself and
sons to cut down this timber, blacken and then grub out the
stumps and place it all under cultivation. His
experience was that of other pioneer settlers, a little
easier in his case because he possessed more ample means
than many others. His older children, however, were
all daughters and years passed before his sons could
materially assist in the heavy labor. He first erected
a log house of fair dimensions and in this the family lived
and increased for ten years. About 1822, he erected a
substantial brick house, in which he lived until he died and
which still remains on he farm in habitable condition.
In all that went to promote the civilization of this section
and to advance the welfare of the community in which he had
been an early pioneer, Jesse Hart was a man to be
depended upon. He lived to witness wonderful changes
in the country to which he had come so early, and on which
he left an impress on account of his sterling character.
The Hart connections are found all over this section,
almost all of his children having married and left
descendants.
Benjamin Hart was born in the brick house above
mentioned and resided in it until 1892. His education
was obtained in the early district schools near his home and
he enjoyed one term's instruction at a private school in
Mogadore. He continued to cultivate the patrimonial
farm until 1892, when he passed it on to his children and
grandchildren and at last the old place was sold, but it is
still called the old Hart homestead. In 1892,
Mr. Hart moved from the old farm, which contained 150
acres, to a farm of eighty acres, which he purchased of
R. L. Ewart, and that farm he occupied and operated
until he moved to Mogadore, in 1902.
On November, 15, 1855, Benjamin Hart was married
to Mary L. Meacham, who is a daughter of Benjamin
and Prudence (Force) Meacham. Benjamin Meacham
was born in Connecticut, came as an early settler to Summit
County, and lived in both Tallmadge and Springfield
Townships. The mother of Mrs. Hart died when
she was two years old, but her father survived some forty
year. The children born to Banjamin and Mary L.
Hart were the following: Alice, Clara, Mary L., Sarah
L., Wilbur Judd, and Raymond. Alice who
married Clark Woolf, resides in Springfield Township,
and they have three children, May, Mahlon and
Bessie. Clara, deceased, married Edward
Daugherty, and at death Dec. 12, 1886 left two sons,
James Benjamin, who has become a prominent citizen of
New Berlin, and Irvin Garfield, who is a successful
dentist residing at New Berlin. May L., who
married Homer L. Hudson, Oct. 7, 1882, died Sept. 7,
1883, leaving one daughter, Clara Louise; Sarah
L., was married Aug. 27, 1885, to Amos K.
Douglass and they have four children, Rosamond, Ray
Hayes, Ethel and Helen. Wilbur Judd Hart
was married June 3, 1890, to Viola Funt, and they
have eight children, Jennie, James, Edith, Clara,
Gertrude, Irvin (deceased), Elwood, and Florence V.
Wilbur Judd Hart is engaged in farming in Tallmadge
Township. Raymond Hart, the youngest member of
the family, conducts a meat-market at Mogadore. On
Oct. 14, 1900, he married Mrs. Maggie (Flick) Kline.
Benjamin Hart has been a life-long Republican and
was a strong supporter of the policies of the late
Governor Pattison. He has always been a vigorous
fighter for the cause of temperance and lives up to his
convictions. He has never used intoxicants nor
tobacco, and in the vigor of his seventy-five years may be
read an excellent and convincing temperance lecture.
Mr. Hunt is one of the prominent and substantial
men of the part of Summit County, not only on account of his
material possessions, but for the sturdy qualities and
sterling attributes which have marked the family name.
The years have touched him kindly, silvering his hair but
leaving his heart young. In the friendly clasp of his
hand and the hearty sound of his voice is a cheer that
speaks of a well regulated life, a clear past and a hopeful
future.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 657 |
|
GEORGE W. HART,
who, for twenty years was a highly respected resident of
Cuyahoga Falls, and formerly a successful agriculturist of
Stow Township, was born at Middleburg, Summit County, Ohio,
July 12, 1832, and died at Cuyahoga Falls, Dec. 15, 1900.
He was a son of Colonel John C. and Margaret (Sterling)
Hart.
The Hart family originated from England and
came to Connecticut among the early colonists.
Rufus Hart, the grandfather of George W., was
born in Goshen, Connecticut, in 1771, and in 1795 he married
Esther Cotter. In 1802 he moved o Genesee
County, New York, and in May, 1815, to Middlebury, Ohio,
which is now the Sixth Ward of Akron, which city was then
represented by less than a half dozen log cabins, the whole
surrounding country being then covered by a heavy forest
growth. As an officer in the War of 1812, he
participated in the battles of Chippewa and Lundy's Lane,
and the burning of Buffalo.
COLONEL JOHN C. HART, father of
George W., was born in Cornwall, Litchfield County,
Connecticut, Apr. 17, 1798, and was only fourteen years of
age when he joined Captain Stone's company of
cavalry. He was in his father's regiment at various
points and bravely faced hardships with the veterans at the
evacuation of Fort George. He continued in the service
until the close of the war, and then accompanied his father
to New York and subsequently to Ohio. when he was
twenty-one years old he left the paternal roof and started
out to seek the proverbial fortune, incidentally to find
employment. He was of robust constitution, and the
mere fact of being obliged to walk a hundred miles or so
probably did not discourage him to any great degree.
When he reached Steubenville he boarded a lumber raft and
floated a distance down the river; from that point he walked
to Cincinnati, and from there made his way to St. Louis.
For about two months he worked in a mill in that city and
later engaged in the manufacture of brick at a small place
when material conditions prevailed to such an extent that he
was taken ill with chills and fever, and his adventures
abroad were brought to a close. He managed to return
home, and when he regained his health purchased a farm of
fifty acres just south of Middlebury, and there passed the
rest of his active life, dying Aug. 20, 1880. He
always remained interested in military affairs and late in
life he raised a regiment of cavalry of which he was elected
colonel.
On Feb. 23, 1831, John C. Hart was married to
Mrs. Margaret A. Sterling, and they became the parents
of the following children: George W., John S.,
Charles S., Hiram, Elizabeth and Fannie A.
The last mentioned married, Clinton Ruckel. Hiram
died from disease contracted in the Civil War.
The late George W. Hart was reared and educated
in his native township and attended the local schools, in
the meanwhile assisting on the home farm. After his
marriage he settled on a farm of 160 acres situated in Stow
Township, where he resided until he retired to Cuyahoga
Falls in 1880. He made his main interest dairying and
sheep growing. He was a man of sterling character,
strong in the advocacy of what he believed to be right, but
just in his dealings with all men. For many years he
was a vestryman of St. John's Episcopal Church at Cuyahoga
Falls. In his political life he was a stanch supporter
of the Republican party and was a man particularly well
fitted for public office, but his ambitions were not in the
direction. He served as township commissioner and
always, took an interest in the public schools. He was
connected with the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Star
Lodge, No.187, at Cuyahoga Falls.
On Aug. 18, 1853, George W. Hart was married to
Anna H. Beardsley who was born in Middlebury (Akron)
July 18, 1832, and is a daughter of Talman and Temperance
(Spicer) Beardsley. To this marriage six children
were born, the two who reached maturity being being:
Emma F. and Clarissa. The latter married
R. D. Morgan, and resides at Cleveland. Mrs.
Hart and her daughters are members of the Episcopal
Church.
Talman Beardsley, father of Mrs. Hart,
was born Dec. 23, 1799, in Delhi, Delaware County, New York,
and accompanied his father's family to Licking County, Ohio,
in 1810, and to Middlebury in 1818, where he worked for a
short time in a foundry, and then bought a farm which is the
present site of the Leggett school. He disposed of
that property and bought another in Coventry Township on
which he lived for thirty years. He became a leading
citizen in this part of Summit County, was a prominent
Republican, and served many years as a justice of the peace
and also as township clerk. His parents were Daniel
and Hannah (Bailey) Beardsley.
In 1831, Talman Beardsley married
Temperance Spicer, who was a daughter of Major Minor
and Cynthia (Allen) Spicer. Major Spicer was
a native of Connecticut and a soldier in the War of the
Revolution. He was a very early pioneer in Summit
County, where he acquired large tracts of land. He
donated the land on which Buchtel College now stands, it
formerly having been his private burying ground. He
was twice married. Mrs. Beardsley being a
child of his first union.
The children of Talman Beardsley and wife were:
Anna H. (Mrs. Hart); Emily, Mills and Avery,
all of whom are deceased; and Avery, second, residing
at Adrian, Michigan. The family were reared in the
Universalist faith. Talmon Beardsley died July
18, 1891, surviving his wife by but three months, her death
having taken place March 22, early in the same year.
Mrs. Hart was reared at Akron and was one of the
first students of the Akron High School when it was under
the direction of M. D. Leggett.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 593 |
|
IRA L. HART,
who resides on his well improved farm of eighty-seven acres
in Springfield Twp., is one of the best known farmers in the
township and a representative member of one of the oldest
families of this section. He was born in Summit Co.,
Ohio, Oct. 8, 1861, and is a son of George W. and
Rebecca (Myers) Hart. He is a grandson of
John D. Hart, who came to Summit Co. from
Pennsylvania, at a very early date which has not been
preserved, but at that time there were few other settlers in
this region. John D. Hart made his
first permanent settlement where his grandson, Ira now
resides. A log cabin had been built on the land by a
former tenant and in that rude but sufficient abode this
worthy pioneer and his wife rounded out their lives.
John D. Hart was a soldier in the war of
1812, and he was a son of the John Hart
whose name is appended to the Declaration of Independence.
John D. Hart's family included four
daughters and two sons who reached mature age, namely:
Mrs. Margaret Gillen, Mary A., who married
John A. Myers and died in Springfield Twp.;
Rebecca, who married Abraham
Rodenbaugh, and spent her life in Springfield Twp.;
Jane, deceased, who survived her husband
Benjamin Clay; John, who
died in 1900, aged eighty years, and who married
Margaret Hawk, and George W.,
father of Ira L., who died in 1898.
John D. Hart and his wife died soon after
the close of the Civil War, and were buried in the cemetery
of the Presbyterian Church at Springfield. He owned a
farm of ninety acres at that time.
The parents of Ira L. Hart were both born
in Springfield Twp., Summit Co., Ohio. The mother,
Mrs. Rebecca Hart, died when Ira L.
Hart was about seven years of age. Her
husband survived her until Apr. 10, 1898, when he died at
the age of sixty-six years. They had eight children,
the three survivors being: Arilda J., who
married O. J. Swinehart, residing at
Springfield Lake; Luther E., residing at
Akron, but owning a farm in Springfield Township, who
married Minerva Ritzman, daughter of
Samuel Ritzman, and Ira L.,
whose name begins this sketch. After marriage,
George W. Hart and wife started housekeeping in the
old log house which still stands on the farm, and his life
was mainly devoted to agricultural pursuits. He was
one of the organizers of Pomona Grange, Patrons of
Husbandry. He owned a farm of sixty acres which he
placed under good cultivation and he built an excellent
barn, of which his son now makes use. The old home was
comfortable and neither he nor his wife desired any other.
They were quiet, virtuous, godly people, members of the
Presbyterian Church, and estimable in every relation of
life. Their remains lie in the Presbyterian cemetery.
Mr. Hart was a patriotic citizen and served
in the Union army during the Civil War.
Ira L. Hart was born in the old family
residence which still remains standing on the farm. He
obtained his education in the district schools. He and
his brother Luther worked some years for
their father, after which they purchased the
Henderson farm. After the father's death they
returned, Ira L. receiving a small portion
of the estate, to which he subsequently added by purchase
until he now owns a fraction over eighty-seven acres.
Formerly he was largely interested in growing potatoes for
the Akron market, but now carries on mixed farming and
raises small fruit. In 1903 he completed his fine
modern residence, of eight rooms, which, in architecture and
convenience, is one of the handsomest in Springfield
Township. All his surroundings show thrift and good
management. In a large measure, Mr. Hart is a
self-made man, having acquired his popularity through
industry and frugality. On Dec.
22, 1885, Mr. Hart was married to Ida B. Traster,
of Springfield Twp., and they have three children, namely:
Jessie, Willard and Dawn,
all residing at home. The family belong to the
Presbyterian Church at Springfield.
In politics, Mr. Hart is a Democrat.
In the spring of 1901 he was elected township treasurer, and
subsequently served efficiently four years and four months
in this responsible office. He is a man of liberal,
broadminded views on public matters, and is interested in
all that promises to be of benefit to his locality.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 703 |
|
K. H. HAYS,
secretary of the Akron Cultivator Company, with which
enterprise he has been identified since 1890, was born at
Manchester, Ohio, in 1862, and is a member of an old and
representative family of that section.
After leaving the Manchester schools, he entered the
Ohio Northern University and later attended Oberlin College,
following which he taught school for eight years. He
then came to Akron and entered the office of the Akron
Cultivator Company, of which for the past eight years he has
been secretary. He has proved the affirmative in his
own east of the much discussed question as to whether a
college man makes a good business man. In 1888, Mr.
Hays was married to Francis Everhard, who died in
1903, leaving one daughter, Marguerite. He was
married (second) in 1906 to Lena Wilson, a native of
Akron. Mr. Hays is a member of the First Church
of Christ, and is one of its board of elders.
Fraternally, he is connected with the order of Maccabees.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 332 |
|
CHARLES P. HELLER
who is carrying on extensive farming operations on his
excellent tract of 148 acres situated about three-quarters
of a mile west of Bath Centre, Bath Township, Summit County,
Ohio, has served as assessor of this township for the past
five years, and is one of the most influential Republicans
of his section. Mr. Heller was born Oct. 1,
1855, in Guilford Township, Medina County, Ohio, and is a a
son of Levi and Elizabeth (Dutt) Heller.
Levi Heller, who was a native of Northampton
County, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated,
removed to Medina County, Ohio, a short time after his
marriage, and there cultivated a seventy-seven acre farm
until his death in 1865. He married Elizabeth Dutt,
who survived him until 1893, and to them was born one child.
Charles P.
Charles P. Heller was but nine years of age when
his father's death occurred, and when he was thirteen years
old he took full charge of the farm in Medina County, where
he and his mother lived alone. In 1881 this farm was
sold, and Mr. Heller and his mother removed to his
present home in Bath Township, where he erected a fine home
in 1882.
Here he has carried on successful agricultural
operations to the present time. He has been prominent
in the ranks of the Republican party in this section, having
been a member of the Summit County Republican Executive
Committee for several years, served four years as a member
of the Bath Township School Board, and was president thereof
for two yeas, and since 1902 has served in the capacity of
assessor, filling that position to the satisfaction of all
concerned. In 1883 Mr. Heller was united in
marriage with Mary Strunk, who is a daughter of
William Strunk, of Wadsworth, Ohio. Mr. Heller
is a member of the Knights of the Maccabees and of the
Masonic order.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 1065 |
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CHARLES HENRY †
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 513 |
|
ROSWELL HOPKINS,
residing on his valuable farm of 100 acres, which is
situated in Bath Township, owns a second farm of 156 acres,
in the same township, and in addition to farming, has been
interested in the lumber business since boyhood.
Mr. Hopkins was born in the house in which he resides,
Summit County, Ohio, in 1872, and is a son of Roswell and
Emily (Briggs) (Case) Hopkins.
The grandparents of Mr. Hopkins, Isaac and
Susannah (Harrison) Hopkins, were natives of
Connecticut, from whence they moved to the State of New
York, and removed from there to Summit County, Ohio,
locating in Bath Township, Sept. 10, 1814, where the
grandfather later bought a farm on which they lived the rest
of their lives. Roswell Hopkins, Sr., was born
in Bath Township, and resided here until his death. In
1860 he went into the lumber business, in partnership with
William Barker, and they operated a sawmill and
bending works. Mr. Hopkins sold his interest at
a later date and commenced to operate the sawmill near
Ghent, which his son still conducts, this old mill
having been in use over seventy-five years. He married
Mrs. Emily (Briggs) Case, who is also deceased.
Roswell Hopkins, son of Roswell, was reared on
the home property, and ever since leaving school he has been
engaged in the lumber business. In 1905 he bought the
planing mill and lumber interests of former Sheriff
Barker, and moved the mill to its present location on
his own land, one mile west of Ghent. Here he has
large lumber yards and does a great amount of business.
Mr. Hopkins married Ossie Pierson and
they have seven children, namely: Cecil, Ruth, Helen,
Anna, Paul, Juanita, and Howard. Mr.
Hopkins is one of the leading citizens of his community
and is interested in all that pertains to its welfare.
He is a member of the township Board of Education.
Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and the
Maccabees.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 677 |
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John H. Hower |
JOHN H. HOWER until recent years one
of Akron's most notable captains of industry, formerly
president of the Hower Oatmeal Mills, owing to his
early and close identification with the industrial growth of
the city has been often called the father of its
manufacturing interests. He was born at New Berlin,
Stark County, Ohio, Feb. 22, 1822, but was reared in Summit
County. He is one of a family of five children born to
his parents, who were Jesse and Catherine (Kryder) Hower.
Jesse Hower, who was a wheelwright by trade, died in
1829, when this section was still a wilderness. He was
a son of Jacob Hower, who was of German parentage.
John H. Hower had comparatively few educational
advantages in his boyhood, owing to the poor schools
existing. When he was seven years old his father died,
and he subsequently found it necessary to become
self-supporting at an earlier age than is customary with
more favored youths. Learning the trade of painter, he
followed it after he was eighteen years of age, in Summit
County during the summers, teaching school, both English and
German, during the winters. When about thirty years
old he embarked in a mercantile business at Doylestown,
Wayne County, Ohio, where he remained for some years.
In 1861, he organized the Excelsior Mower and Reaper
Company, in Doylestown, Ohio, to manufacture the invention
of J. F. Seiberling, the inventor of the dropper,
etc., on the reapers, for whom Mr. Hower procured the
patents for a good remunerative interest. The great
demand for the machines soon outgrew the capacity of the
plant. The Excelsior factories, established here
through Mr. Hower's influence and by means of his
personal exertions, formed a sort of industrial nucleus
around which gathered other new and varied industries.
The large royalties which they received from other
manufacturing concerns, both in this and other states,
amounting to nearly $500,000 were reinvested here, and
helped largely to give that strong impulse in the direction
of manufacturing activity, which found its logical outcome
in the widespread and substantial business prosperity which
we behold here at the present time. As Mr. Hower
was one of the first to build a manufacturing plant in Akron
of the kind above mentioned, the title of "father of the
industry," so frequently applied to him, seems peculiarly
appropriate. Some of the largest works of this kind in
the city were built by his influence and for a long period,
during his ripest years of business activity, he was closely
associated with the initiation and subsequent progress of
many of Akron's most successful industrial enterprises, and
finest of homes. In 1865 he assisted in the
organization of the J. F. Seiberling Company, of
Akron, of which he became vice president.
In 1879 Mr. Hower bought an interest in the
Turner Oatmeal Mill, and in 1881 he became the owner of
the plant. Then, with his sons, Harvey Y., M. Otis,
and Charles H., he organized the firm of Hower &
Company, which was incorporated in January, 1888, as the
Hower Company, this being merged in June, 1891, with
the American Cereal Company. On the incorporation of
the Hower Company the board was made up as follows:
John H. Hower, president; Harvey Y. Hower,
vice president; M. Otis Hower, secretary; and
Charles H. Hower, treasurer. Mr. Hower was
also one of the incorporators of the Akron Reed and
Rattan Company, of which he was elected president.
In 1852 Mr. Hower was married (first) to
Susan Youngker, who was born near Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania, and who died at Akron in 1895. Their
family consisted of the three sons mentioned above, who,
besides being associated with their father, have been
prominent in many other lines of business enterprise.
In 1900 John H. Hower married, for his second
wife, Rebecca Ralston, a daughter of William
Ralston of Massillon. Mr. and Mrs. Hower
reside in a beautiful home at No. 356 Buchtel Avenue.
Mr. Hower is a charter member of Trinity Lutheran
Church, and served as a member and trustee from its
organization in 1870 to 1879. In politics he was in
his earlier years a Democrat, but has been identified with
the Republican party since its organization.
Harvey Y. Hower, eldest son of John H. Hower
and Susan (Youngker) Hower, was born Oct. 16, 1855, at
Doylestown, Wayne County, Ohio. He was educated in the
public schools of Doylestown and Akron, and at Smithville
Norman Academy, and then entered the employ of J. F.
Seiberling & Company, first in their shops and later as
a traveling representative. This was followed by a two
years' business connection with Aultman, Miller &
Company. In the spring of 1879 he became interested
with his father in the manufacture of oatmeal and cereals,
and became a partner in 1881, when the business of Robert
Turner & Company passed into the hands of the Howers.
He was connected with his father and brothers in the
organization of the firm of Hower & Company, whose
business location was the corner of Canal and Cherry
Streets, Akron. On Nov. 29, 1877, Harvey Y. Hower
was married to Helen M. Stone, who was born at Lock
Haven, Pennsylvania, June 25, 1865/. They have four
children - John Frederick, Harvey Burt, Lloyd Kenneth
and Lewis Stone.
M. Otis Hower, second son of Mr. Hower, was
born in Doylestown, Wayne County, Ohio, on Nov. 25, 1859.
He received his education in the Akron schools and at
Buchtel College, after which he joined his father in the
cereal milling business until the transfer to the Cereal
Milling Company. He remained with that company in the
different capacities of general manager, director, etc.,
until 1901, when he embarked in various succesful
enterprises.
Charles H. Hower, third son of John H. and
Susan (Youngker) Hower, one of the incorporators of the
Hower Company, and since June, 1891, a stockholder in
the American Cereal Company, is also one of the
incorporators and a stockholder in the Akron Reed and Rattan
Company. He was born Aug. 31, 1866, at Akron, Ohio,
and completed his education at Oberlin College. When
seventeen years of age he became a traveling representative
of the oatmeal firm of Hower & Company, and meeting
with success, remained so engaged until the incorporation of
the company as above detailed. On Sept. 27, 1887, he
married Nellie E. Long, who was born at Copley,
Summit County, Ohio, Dec. 6, 1868. He and his wife are
the parents of one child - Helen M.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 413 |
|
MILTON
OTIS HOWER, one of the foremost business men of
Akron, was born in Doylestown, Wayne County, Ohio, Nov. 25,
1859, son of John H. and Susan (Youngker) Hower.
His early ancestors in this country were of German
origin. Removing with his parents to Akron in 1866, he
was educated in the Akron Public Schools and Buchtel
College, paying particular attention to those studies best
calculated to equip him for a successful business career.
With his father and two brothers he was associated in the
organization of The Hower Company, oatmeal millers,
of which company he was elected secretary. This
company was, in June, 1891, merged with the American Cereal
Company, and Mr. Hower was one of the directors,
later filling the position of vice-president and chair-man
of the Executive Committee. His active business
connections have extended until he is now a leading officers
in some of the most important business enterprises of Akron
and elsewhere. He is president and general manager of
The Akron-Selle Company and The Akron Wood Working Company;
vice-president of The Central Savings & Trust Company;
president of the Lombard & Replogle Engineering Company;
president of the Jahant Heating Company, president of the
Bannock Coal Company; president of The Akron Hi-Potential
Company, of Barton; president of the Akron Skating Rink
Company and The Automobile Club. He is also a director
of The Akron Gas Company and the Home Building & Loan
Association, and is active in the promotion of all private
and public enterprises, having for their object the moral or
material advancement of the community.
Mr. Hower was married, Nov. 16, 1880, to Miss
Blanche Eugenia Bruot, daughter of James F. and
Rosalie (Gressard) Bruot, of Akron. Of this
marriage there are two children, Grace Susan Rosalie
and John Bruot. Mr. Hower resides in the old
Hower homestead, NO. 60 Fir Street, one of the largest
and most commodious residences in the city. He is an
independent Republican and noted for his fight against
corruption and graft in any party.
†
Source:
Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio and Representative
Citizens - Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. - Chicago,
Ill. - 1908 - Page 692 |
|