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Summit County,
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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 |
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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.
† Centennial History of Summit County, Ohio
and Representative Citizens -
Publ. by Biographical Publishing Co. -
Chicago, Ill - 1908~Page 332 |
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Coventry Twp. -
ELMER HOUSEL, Weighmaster at Sweitzer
Shaft, Akron; is a son of Martin, born Nov. 20, 1794,
in Westmoreland Co., Penn., and died Sept. 30, 1856, in his
63d year; he is a son of Jacob Housel.
Martin was one of the first settlers in Coventry
Township; his first wife was Charlotte Brewster, a
sister to Alexander Brewster whose sketch appears in
another place in this work. By this marriage there
were three children - Hiram, Jacob and Lydia;
second marriage, to Margaret Viers, by whom he had
twelve children, eight of whom are living; they were as
follows: Charlotte, Sarah, Martin, Liverton, Harrison,
Nancy, Martha, James, Alice, Elmer (the subject of this
sketch), Benjamin and Oscar. All are
married - Charlotte, wife of C. L. Goodwin,
engaged in prospecting coal; residence, Girard, Trumbull
Co., Ohio; Martin, a millwright in Middlebury;
Harrison, mail agent on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
Railroad; Martha, wife of James Kilfoyle who
is connected with the railroad at Niles, Ohio; James,
foreman in sewer-pipe company at Middlebury; Benjamin
a carpenter in Northfield, Cuyahoga Co., Ohio; Oscar,
carpenter in Galesburg, Ill. Our subject was born Feb.
25, 1846; attended school and worked on a farm until 16
years of age, when he went to Girard, Ohio, where he worked
in a flouring ill eleven years, then engaged in the coal
business in different parts of the Mahoning Valley,
continuing in the same business, principally, until the
present time. He was married, Oct. 3, 1871, to
Rachel A. McCartney, daughter of A. W. and Mary
(Dunlap) McCartney, fo Girard, Ohio. They have
three children - Guy, born June 16, 1873; Mary,
Feb. 28, 1876; Elizabeth, Jan. 17, 1879. In
November, 1880, after the opening of the new shaft of an
extensive coal mine on the Sweitzer farm, he accepted
his present position - that of Weighmaster.
Source: History of Summit County, Edited by William Henry
Perrin. Illustrated. Chicago: Baskin & Battey, Historical
-1881~ Page 884 |
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HOWER - See also the following:
The HOWER OATMEAL MILLS -
and -
AMERICAN CEREAL COMPANY |
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CHARLES H. HOWER - third son of
John H. and Susan (Youngker) Hower, was born in Akron
Aug. 31, 1866; was educated in Akron public schools and at
Oberlin College; at 17 commenced traveling for the oatmeal
firm of Hower & Co., which, though probably the
youngest "drummer" upon the road, he successfully followed
until the incorporation of the Hower Company, in
January, 1888, in which company he was a stockholder,
director and treasurer until the transfer of the plant to
the American Cereal Company, in June 1891, in which company
he is also a stockholder; was one of the incorporators of
The Akron Reed and Rattan Company, elsewhere written of, and
its secretary and treasurer. Sept. 27, 1887, Mr.
Hower was married to Miss Nellie E. Long,
daughter of Mr. Elias Long, (late of Akron, now of
Tacoma, Wash.,) who was born in Copley Dec. 6, 1868.
Mr. and Mrs. Hower have one child - Helen M.,
born July 23, 1888.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of Akron
and Summit County, by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 - Page
506 |
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HARVEY Y. HOWER - eldest son of John H. and Susan
(Youngker) Hower, was born in Doylestown, Wayne county,
Oct. 16, 1855 educated in Doylestown and Akron public
schools, and at Smithville Normal Academy; on completion of
studies worked in shop and field for J. F. Seiberling
& Co., of the old Excelsior Works, and two years in the
Buckeye Works of Aultman, Miller & Co.; in
spring of 1879, with other members of family, took an
interest in the oatmeal business of Robert &
Turner & Co., in 1881 buying out Mr. Turner, and
with his father and two brothers, Otis M. and Charles H.,
organizing the firm of Hower & Co., incorporated as
"The Hower Company," January, 1888, with Harvey Y.
Hower as its vice president, and is now a stockholder in
the American Cereal Company, in which the Hower
Company was merged in June, 1891, and its local manager of
the Hower Mill; is also a stockholder of the Akron
Reed and Rattan Co. November 29, 1877, Mr. Hower
was married to Miss Helen M. Stone, sister of City
Marshal S. M. Stone, born in Lock Haven, Pa., June
25, 1856. They have four children - John Frederick,
born Oct. 21, 1879; Harvey Burt, born June 2, 1881;
Lloyd Kenneth, born Mar. 30, 1863; Louie Stone,
born Oct. 12, 1885.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit
County, by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 - Page 505 |
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JOHN H. HOWER - born in Stark county,
Feb. 22, 1822; educated in common schools; from 18 to 30
working on farm summers and teaching winters; five years in
trade and two years in pottery business in Doylestown, Wayne
county; original member of Excelsior mower and reaper firm
at Doylestown, retaining his interest therein until 1875;
one of the organizers and vice-president of the J. F.
Seiberling Company, of Akron, in 1865; in 1879 bought an
interest in the Turner Oat Meal Mill, purchasing
Mr. Turner's interest in 1881, and, with his three sons,
forming the Hower Company, (fully described
elsewhere), officered as follows: John H. Hower,
president Harvey Y. Hower, vice-president; M.
Otis Hower, treasurer. Mr. Hower is also
one of the corperators and president of the newly organized
Reed and Rattan Company, and also largely interested
in several of the other leading industries of the city.
Married, in 1852, to Miss Susan Youngker, of
Doylestown, three children, only, as above, having been born
to them. In early manhood a Democrat in politics,
Mr. H. has been an ardent Republican since the
organization of that party, the family being zealous members
of the English Lutheran Church, of Akron, of which Mr. H.
has officiated as trustee for many years.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of
Akron and Summit County, by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 - Page 457 |
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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 & Company6, 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 |
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MILTON OTIS HOWER - second son of
John H. and Susan (Youngker) Hower, was born in
Doylestown, Wayne county, Ohio, Nov. 25, 1858; removed with
parents to Akron in1866; educated in Doylestown and Akron
public schools; one of the incorporators of The Hower
Company, oatmeal manufacturers, corner Cherry and Canal
streets, and secretary of same from its organization, until
merged in The American Cereal Company, in June, 1891, of
which company he is a stockholder; is also a stockholder in
the Akron Reed and Rattan Company; member of Akron Board of
Trade; director of Akron Light, Heat and Power Company, and
active in the promotion of all private and public
enterprises. Mr. Hower was married Nov. 16,
1880, to Miss Eugenia Bruot, daughter of James F.
and Rosalie (Gressard) Bruot, of Akron.
They have one child, Grace, born Sept. 23, 1881.
Family residence, 204 South Forge street.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of Akron
and Summit County, by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 - Page
505 |
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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 |
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HOWER OATMEAL
HILLS - What was formerly the Pearl Mill, corner of
Canal and Cherry streets, was converted into an oatmeal
mill, in the latter seventies, by Mr. Robert Turner,
a practical miller, the present proprietors, the Hower
Company, succeeding to the business in 1880. The
officers of this corporation are: John H. Hower,
president; Harvey Y. Hower, vice-president; M.
Otis Hower, secretary, and Charles H. Hower,
treasurer, the three latter being sons of the former.
Large additions have been made to the works, increasing the
capacity from about 2,000 pounds, in 1880, to nearly 30,000
pounds of bulk and package cereal goods, in 1888, for which
a rapidly increasing sale is being found in every portion of
the United States.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of
Akron and Summit County, by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 - Page 457 |
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JUDGE NOAH M. HUMPHREY, - born in
Goshen, Connecticut, June 18, 1810; educated as farmer's boy
during minority; in September, 1833, came to Ohio, entering
law office of Humphrey & Hall in Hudson, studying three
yeas, teaching school winters; admitted to bar, in Medina,
Sept. 5, 1836; began practice with Van R. Humprey and
Harvey Whedon, under firm name of Humphrey,
Humphrey & Whedon, charged a year later (on appointment
of Van R. Humphrey to president judgeship), to
Humphrey & Whedon. September 24, 1840, was married
to Miss Velina Hannum, of Brecksville, settling in
Richfield in addition to legal work, teaching, farming,
dealing in stock, etc.; in 1852, '53, represented Summit
county in State Legislature; in 1854 elected probate judge,
removing to Akron in Spring of 1855; re-elected in 1857,
serving six years. Mrs. Humphrey dying Sept.
24, 1855, on Jan. 12, 1859, Judge Humphrey was again
married, to Mrs. Elizabeth Young, daughter of the
late David Allen, of Akron; in Fall of 1862, removed
to Taylor's Falls, Chisago county, Minnesota, where he has
since continuously resided, and where he has received many
honors, both from the people and the government, being
now postmaster of that city. Of the two children of
Judge Humphrey, Laura M., born Jan. 31, 1842, is now
Mrs. D. A. Caneday, and Marcus F. C. born Aug.
23, 1844, died at his home, in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Apr.
18, 1885.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County,
by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 ~Page 945 |
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VAN R. HUMPHREY was one
of the old time judges and lawyers. He was presiding
judge and held court in Ravenna, Akron being then a part of
that jurisdiction. He was a very portly man, affable and
genial. He was skilled in the old common law practice,
and when the civil code went into effect in 1851. all those
old common law forms were abolished and Judge Humphrey
never could reconcile himself to the new modes of practice and
constantly made war upon the new proceeding. He was a
very able lawyer and continued in practice up to the date of
his death, which occurred at Hudson, in Summit County.
He was effective, both before the court upon questions of law
and in arguing cases to the jury.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County,
by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 ~Page 831 |
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The
HUMPHREY TURBINE COMPANY
- South Broadway, manufacturers of hydraulic and power
transmitting machinery, etc.; incorporated June 15, 1889;
capital, $50,000; officers: John Humphrey, president;
Oscar H. Coolidge, vice president and treasurer;
George L. Humphrey, secretary; Arthur G. Humphrey,
business manager; hands employed, 15.
Source: Fifty Years and Over of Akron and Summit County,
by Ex-Sheriff Samuel A. Lane -
Akron, Ohio: Beacon Job Department - 1892 ~Page 505 |
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