The Myers Families of Summit County, Ohio

PHILIP MYERS, retired farmer; P. O. Lake, Stark Co. is the son of Michael and Agnes Myers, who were among the first settlers in Green Township, settling there in 1812. They were natives of Center Co.,Penn., where Michael was engaged in blacksmithing, which business he had followed for several years. Owing to the newness of the neighborhood in which he settled, he was obliged to abandon his trade for some time, and turned his attention to farming; he purchased 100 acres of land, cleared it, and resided upon it to the time of his death, which occurred in 1847; his wife died in 1852. The subject was born in Center Co., Penn., February, 1809, when but 3 years of age he was brought to Green Township, Summit Co. He remained on the farm assisting his father until he was 21 years of age, when he settled on 88 acres of land, which he now owns in connection with another valuable farm and some town property, all in Springfield Township. In 1831, he was united in marriage to Rosana Buchtel, daughter of Peter Buchtel. There were ten children, seven of whom are living — Urias, Rebecca, Thomas Jefferson, James M., Malinda, Susan and Jenning. Mrs. Myers died Nov. 27, 1880, aged 70 years. Mr. Myers has voted with the Democratic party since its organization.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

MICHAEL MYERS, farmer; P. O. Uniontown; born in Center Co., Penn., Nov. 11, 1811; the oldest son of Hemy and Elizabeth (Bushong) Myers, who removed to Green Township when Michael was about 18 months old. They settled on the farm now owned by him, and resided there until they died. When the subject of this sketch was young, the facilities for acquiring an education were very limited; he never went to school in his life, being compelled to labor early and late upon the farm. May 26, 1840, he was married to Miss Rebecca Ann Grotz, who was born Sept. 5, 1817; she was the daughter of Abraham and Mary (Kuhn) Grotz; her grandfather, John Kuhn, was a soldier in the American army during the Revolutionary war, and died July 3, 1845, while a resident of Green Township, at the advanced age of 88 years. Abraham Grotz was married to Mary Kuhn while they were both residents of Pennsylvania; he followed his trade as a matter in Bloomsburg for many years, but removed to Green Township about the year 1834. He was the father of eleven child-en — Eliza, married William Coggeshall, and died in 1853; Julia Ann, married James Lacoth; David, died while a resident of Green Township; Rachael, now Mrs. George Bidleman, of Green Township; John, now a resident of Pennsylvania; Maria, now Mrs. Norris Coifman, of Ashland; Abraham, died in 1858; Rebecca Ann, now Mrs. Michael Myers; Matilda, died in 1842; Louisa, now IVIrs. John B. Myers, of Green Township; and Eroeline, died in 1842. Abraham Grotz died Aug. 4, 1848, aged 72 years and 8 months; his wife died March 22, 1856, aged 73 years and 9 months. Michael Myers and wife are both members of the Reformed Church at Millheim; he owns 129 acres at the present time; they were the parents of two children; Byron, their only son, born March 7, 1843, died Jan. 10, 1859, aged nearly 16; and Mary Lovina, their only daughter.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN B. MYERS, farmer, P. 0. Uniontown; born in Green Township Jan. 18, 1818; the son of Henry and Elizabeth (Bushong) Mjers. The Myers family were of Germanic extraction, but probably from Switzerland. The grandfather of Michael was Isaac, who lived in Union Co., Penn., near Straubstown; Isaac had a son named Jacob, who married a Miss Ream, she was an exemplary Christian; they had eight children: Phillip, Jacob, George, Henry, Christopher, Michael, Barbara and Catharine. Michael was born March 1, 1765, and resided on his father's farm until 19 years of age, and then, in 1784, married Agnes Buchtel, who was born Dec. 1, 1765. About the year 1805, Michael removed from Union Co. with his wife and family to Center Co., Penn., where they remained about seven years. Michael followed his trade as a weaver for many years, but found this occupation injured his health, and commenced getting out millstones which was a very remunerative business, but one day a small piece of the stone flew into his eye; he was obliged to discontinue work for six months; meeting with a second accident of this kind some time afterward, he abandoned the business and commenced blacksmithing in a small way, learning the trade as he went along, until finally he was a master mechanic as some of his pieces of handiwork will testify to-day. He excelled in whatever he undertook. His love for music was manifested in the variety of instruments he was able to play, such as the flute, cornet, drum and fife. About the year 1813, he removed with his family to Ohio and settled in Green Township. Michael was the father of eight sons and five daughters, viz., Henry, Michael, Jacob, Christopher, Joseph, John, Philip, George, Sophia, Elizabeth, Barbara, Mary and Susan; only three are now living; they are residents of Springfield Township— Phillip, George, and Mary, now Mrs. Spade. Henry, Michael, Joseph and John died near their father's Ohio home; Jacob and Christopher removed to Indiana and died there; Susan, died at 16; Sophia, died in early life after marrying Benjamin Pontius; Barbara, married a Mr. Bowers and died in Uniontown; Elizabeth, married a Mr. Buchtel, and died in Wood Co., Ohio. Michael seemed always to have the welfare of his children at heart; and in precept and example he was a Christian. He died Aug. 5, 1841, at the residence of his son George in Springfield Township; his wife died at the home of her son Michael. It is related by John B. Myers that some two weeks previous to the death of his grandfather, the aged pioneer entered the shop of his grandson, who was working at the forge and affirmed that he had just seen a spirit which brought the tidings that he would soon pass to another world. Henry Myers, father of John B., was born in Pennsylvania about the year 1788; Elizabeth Bushong, his wife, was born the same year and they were married several years previous to the time the Myers family removed to Green Township. Five of Henry's children reached main-ity, viz., Michael, born in 1811, now a resident of Green Township; Henry, born in 1815, and died in 1857, while a resident of Akron: John B., subject of this sketch, born Jan. 18, 1818; Elizabeth, born Jan. 9, 1822, and married John Hammill; Jonathan, born Nov. 12, 1825, now a resident of Green Township. Hem-y was a blacksmith by trade, and lived on the farm now occupied by his son Michael; he was a member of the Reformed Church, as was also his wife; she died June 10, 1864, and he survived her over ten years until Dec. 6, 1874. John B., his son, was when a mere boy apprenticed to learn his father's trade, and worked at the forge early and late; consequently he had no time left to acquire an education; he never went to school in his life; at the age of 15 he had the entire control of his father's shop, in which he worked until 25 years of age; he then purchased 72 acres of land, and has since then been a farmer, owning at the present time over 100 acres, upon which the village of Myersville is located. He was married, Nov. 16, 1843, to Louisa Catharine Grotz, daughter of Abraham and Mary (Kuhn) Grotz; she was born Dec. 9, 1824; they are both members of the Reformed Church at Uniontown. The Myers family held their first annual re-union and picnic Satmxlay, Sept. 6, 1879, and the second one on Sept. 4, 1880.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOEL MYERS, residing on his 100 acres of valuable land which is situated on the old Smith road, in Bath Township, was born in Springfield Township, Summit County, Ohio, April 15. 1848, and is a son of Sarnuel and Mary (Paulus) Myers.

Samuel Myers accompanied his father, Jacob Myers, from Snyder County. Pennsylvania. The family settled near Uniontown, Springfield Township, in 1805, in fact the greater part of that village is built on the old Myers farm. Sanniel was at that time a strong lad of twelve years and he learned the stone-mason trade, at which he worked on the construction of the old canal. He died on the farm in Springfield Township in 1883. He married Mary Paulus, who was born in Jackson Township, Stark County, Ohio, and died in 1868, the mother of ten children. Samuel Myers married a second time and had two more children.

Joel Myers was reared in Springfield Township and attended the district schools. His main business in life has been farming, stock-raising and manufacturing brooms. He was married May 30, 1869, to Elizabeth Schnee, who is a daughter of John and Hannah (Young) Schnee. They were natives of Snyder County, Pennsylvania, and were of German extraction, Great-grandfather Schnee having come from Germany to America on the good.ship Phoenix, in 1746. Mrs. Myers was born within a half-mile of the old Myers homestead in Pennsylvania, in 1852, and accompanied her parents to Springfield Township in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have had eight children: Lydia, John, William F., Frederick, Ira, Robert, J. Park and an infant, the babe and John being deceased. Lydia married Charles Boltz and they live in Bath Town.ship and have three children: Edith, aged sixteen years; Harley, aged twelve years, and Irma, aged eight years. William F. married Dottie Martin, who died Augu.st 23, 1907, her infant son dying on the previous day. She is survived by her bereaved hu.stand and little Eva, three years old, who will find a home with her grandparents. Frederick married Amanda Snyder and they have a bright little three-year-old son, Floyd, and reside at Akron. Ira, who was born in 1881, operates the home farm. Robert, who is a graduate of the Bath High School, is successfully teaching the Maple Valley, the largesTt country school in Summit County, where he has fifty-two pupils. J. Park resides at Cleveland, where he is employed as a bookkeeper.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Myers lived on the Myers home place until 1875, where Mr. Myers carried on farming in the summer and engaged in making brooms in the winter. In the fall of 1874 Mr. Myers purchased the present place, in which they settled in the following year. He has made many improvements here, including the building of a substantial barn in 1881. The commodious frame residence in which the Myers family reside, was built by a Mr. Meridith and was the first frame one erected in Bath Township. The Meridiths were great entertainers and were somewhat given to frivolity, and on many occasions country dances were held in the big rooms of the upper portions of the house. Prior to coming to this farm, Mr. Myers bought one of eighty acres in Indiana, but sold it before moving to it. This is one of the old. substantial and representative families of this section.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HARVEY A. MYERS, a well known farmer and stock dealer of Norton Township, was born on the excellent farm of eighty acres on which he now resides, December 29, 1853, son of Alpheus and Salome (Myers) Myers.

Alpheus Myers was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, July 10, 1818, and in boyhood accompanied his father, Henry Myers, to a farm near Wooster, Ohio. Tjater, TIenr\- Myers, with all his family except Alpheus, removed to Indiana, where he died. Alpheus Myers came to Sunnnit County April, 1846, where he purcha.sed the 80-acre farm now owned and operated by his son, Harvey. He later bought the Sherman farm of 140 acres,.and during the Civil War he further increased the extent of his property by purchasing a farm of 100 acres situated across the road from where he lived and which was called the Mazier farm. In addition to these farms he owned one of 140 acres in Missouri. He also drilled and found coal and opened the mine, known as the Myers mine in Wad.worth Township, Medina County. He was a man of excellent business qualifications, and during the Civil war made a large amoinit of money in buying and shipping horses for the government. He was a highly respected citizen of Norton Township and died March 1, 1878. His death was the result of an accident. He was about to make a bu.sines3 trip to the west and also visit his aged mother. While waiting at the Wadsworth station, engaged in cofiversation with a friend, he accidentally stepped in front of a moving train and was instantly killed.

Alpheus Myers married Salome Myers, who survived him many years, dying in October, 1900. They had six children, the youngest of whom, Owen, died October 7, 1905. The others were as follows: William H., residing in Akron; Mary, wife of Isaac Tinsman, and a resident of Akron; Lavina, who married Solomon Kraver, and resides in Medina County; Josepha, residing in Medina County, who married (fir.st) Septimius Siberling, and moved to Iowa, where he died, and (.second) Jacob Slamker, whom she survives; and Harvey A., of Norton Township.

Harvey A. Myers was reared in his native place and has always resided on this fine, old farm, where he successfully carries on general farming and stock-dealing, making a specialty of cows. He attended the district schools during his boyhood, and is a man of Tnuch general information, keeping himself abreast of the times, as the modern farmer has to do to enjoy a full measure of prosperity.

Mr. Myers married Alice B. Miller, a daughter of Frank Miller, of Norton Township, and they have a family of eight children, namely: Frank, married and re.siding in Akron; Fred, who married Emma Weaver and resides at home with his parents; Sadie, who is the wife of Charles Messner, and ha? one child, Florence; Mattie, who married William Helmick, and has one child, Floy; Hattie. who married Elmer Hall and has one child, Harold; and Elsie, Vernie and Chloe. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have their children settled around them, or still remaining under the home roof, and have never yet been called on to part with any of them. The family is one well known all through Norton Township.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

HENRY MYERS, residing on his valuable farm of 159 acres, situated in Hudson Township, is a representative citizen of this section and is a man who in a large degree commands the respect and enjoys the esteem of his fellow citizens. He was born in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, October 19, 1832, and is a son of Philip and Margaret (Erode) Myers.

The father of Mr. Myers was born in Northampton County, Pennsylvania, and was a son of John Myers, who was born at Newark, New Jersey. The grandfather had two brothers in the Revolutionary War, both of whom were killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. Philip J. Myers owned a farm of some 300 acres in Northampton County and subsequently operated a store in Luzerne County. Henry Myers has one brother and four sisters. The former resides in the old home neighborhood. His sisters are: Mrs. Christiana Lutsey, residing at Green Bay, Wisconsin; Mrs. Maria Spade, residing at Dorrance, Luzerne County; Mrs. Elizabeth Jones, residing at Scranton, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Priscilla Jones, residing in Slocum Township, Luzerne County.

When he was about twenty-one years of age, Mr. Myers went to Shalersville, where he was clerk in a hotel for three months, and then bought a farm adjoining his wife's property in Freedom Township, and engaged in farming. For two years, while living in Luzerne County, he was fireman on the railroad, and he was the first fireman and his brother George was the first engineer that ever ran a train over that part of the Pennsylvania system. He subsequently sold both farms and came to Hudson, and bought a farm of 102 acres for a son who was educated in the Western Reserve College. In 1902, he sold his own farm of seventy-two acres.

On June 20, 1857, Mr. Myers was married to Ruth Ann Woodruff, with whom, in 1907, he has had the privilege of celebrating their Golden Wedding. Mrs. Myers was born at Farmington, Hartford County, Connecticut, and is a daughter of Col. Daniel AVoodruff, who served as an officer in the War of 1812, as coast guard in Connecticut. A cannon ball fired during that time is preserved in the family, its mission to the fort having been the killing of Col. Woodruff and his brave men, which fortunately it did not accomplish. He lived to establish a home first in Hudson and later in Freedom Township, to which he moved in the spring of 1840, where he died in 1855. He married Sarah Ann Mills, who was born in Connecticut. Colonel Woodruff was county surveyor of Portage County, before Summit was divided from Portage. Mrs. Myers is the only living cousin of John Brown, of immortal fame. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have one son, Daniel Woodruff. He was born in Freedom Township, and was a student in the Western Reserve College before it was moved to Cleveland. Daniel W. Myers was married (first) to Lelia J. Bediant, and they had four children: Maud Eliza and Mabel Anna, twins, and Marian and Daniel AVoodruff, Jr. Mr. Myers was married (second) to Carris P. Downing, and their one little daughter, Margaret Janette, died aged three months and one day.

Henry Myers is a Republican in politics and has served as supervisor of his district. He is a member of the Congregational Church at Freedom, and is a liberal supporter of church and educational movements.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

T. S. MYERS, county treasurer of Summit County, elect, is president of the I. S. Myers Company, one of the leading clothing houses at Akron, in which city he has maintained his home for about a quarter of a century. He was born in Green Township, Summit County, Ohio, in 1862, and is a son of Peter and Jlary (Stump) Myers.

Peter Myei-s was one of the early settlers in Stark County, just across the line of Summit County. In 1860 he moved to Green Township, Summit County, of which township he later became a prominent citizen, serving as one of its trustees. He was a self-made man and was very highly esteemed. The mother of I. S. Myers was a daughter of John Stump, who came with his wagons across the wild country from Pennsylvania, and settled in Franklin Township, - Summit County, in 1832. He was one of the newly-settled region's most reliable and substantial men.

I. S. Myers remained on the home farm, assisting with the farm work and in the meantime acquiring a good education in the local schools, where he began teaching at the age of seventeen, when he came to Akron and engaged as a clerk in a clothing store until 1893. He then embarked in a clothing business for himself, under the firm name of Myers, Ganyard & Stump, which firm continued for one year, when Mr. Stump sold his interest and the firm name became Ganyard & Myers, until 1900, when Mr. Myers bought his partner's interest. In 1902 the firm of the I. S. Myers Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $55,000, with I. S. Myers as president. This is an extensive business and its method are along modern line. A branch store is operated at Wadsworth, which is also doing well. The firm deals in clothing and manufactures hats, having both a-large wholesale and retail trade, and gives constant employment to from twenty-eight to thirty people. A marked feature of its management is that all employes who have continued with the firm for a certain length of time, have a financial interest in the company, this liberal policy resulting in a better feeling and more satisfactory results than seem to prevail in many large concerns where different methods are followed. The Wadsworth store is a fine concrete structure, 114 by 80 feet in dimensions, while their Vkron establishment is a three-story building, 30 by 100 feet, with a basement. Mr. Myers is also the owner of a plant for the manufacture of concrete blocks.

In the fall of 190a Mr. Myers was elected to the important office of county treasurer, and a better selection could scarcely have been found. He is a man of great business faculty, has proven himself an able financier in his own affairs, and commands the confidence and esteem of his fellow-citizens for his personal high character. He assumes the duties of the office in September, 1907.

In 1887, Mr. Myers was married to Mary Sisler, of Manchester, who is a daughter of the late John Sisler. They have one daughter, Ruth, who is a student at Painesville, Ohio.

Mr. Myers belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Elks.' both at Akron.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANCIS MYERS, representa- 1* five to the state legislature from Suml,P mit county, and an active business man of Mogadore, Springfield township, and senior member of the well-known pottery firm of Myers & Hall, is a descendant of a worthy German family, which dates its transplanting in this country a century and a half ago. His father, Joseph Myers, was a native of West Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa., and a son of Christian and Magdalene (Hoover) Myers, representative agriculturist, of the "old Keystone state." He grew up a farmer lad, and, although his scholastic training was necessarily limited to the opportunities of the time, acquired a common-school education of more than average breadth. Tiring of farm life he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for some years, and afterward engaged in mercantile business for himself, opening a country store in which he carried a general line of merchandise. He continued this business for ten years with considerable success. In 1838 he emigrated to Wayne county, Ohio, thence to Springfield township, in Summit county, where he spent the remainder of his days. During his business career he amassed a comfortable fortune and was one of the highly respected citizens of his county. He took an active interest in local affairs and was an earnest political worker, although he never aspired to holding any office. He was an intense abolitionist and an ardent temperance man, and in those exciting days, when the agitation of the slavery question was uppermost in the public mind, his home was one of the most important in a long chain of "Underground railroad stations."

In 1825, in Lancaster county, Pa.,' he married Miss Susan Winger, daughter of Joseph 'inger, a worth)' neighbor and large farmer, whose right to his acres extended back to the year 1741, seven generations of Wingers having been reared on the homestead. The founder of the Winger family was Christian Winger, who came from Switzerland to America in 1727. There were born to Joseph and Susan Myers the following children: Louisa, wife of Jacob Mishler; Maria, wife of Samuel Shoemaker — Mrs. Shoemaker is now deceased; Francis W., the subject of this biography; Amos; John; William; Joseph and Meno, who is the wife of John Longnecker. There were also born two sons, Isaac and Michael, who died in infancy.

Hon. Francis Myers also claims Pennsylvania as his birth state, having been born in Earl township, Lancaster county, December 4, 1830. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's estate, and during his early life, whilst there, at intervals received the rudimental education common with many of the farmers' lads of those days. His education being very limited as to courses of training under tutors, he can be freely classed as a self-educated man. At the age of eighteen he entered as an apprentice to learn the trade of a potter in a factory in Springfield township, Summit county, and his business life has been spent in that particular calling.

Mr. Myers celebrated his marriage with Miss Lydia M. Mishler, a native of Springfield township, Summit county, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Palmer) Mishler. They were married in September, 1852, and to this union has been born live children — three died in infancy; the eldest living is Maria Louise, wife of Dr. W. C. Steele, residents of Berlin. Stark county, Ohio. She was educated in the common schools, also was a student at the academy at Smithville, Ohio, and also Akron

Buchtel college. She received a training in instrumental music and was one of Summit county's honored teachers. Grace Eugenie resides at home. She is a graduate of the Mogadore high school and graduated at Findlay college in music, at Findlay, Ohio. She has been a successful teacher in instrumental music also.

Hon. Francis Myers has been all his life a devoted to his belief in political liberty. He cast his first presidential vote for Gen Winfield Scott in support of the old-line whig party, and at the birth of the republican party, when Gen. John C. Fremont was the champion of that political faith, he espoused those sterling principles of republicanism.

Officially, Mr. Myers has served for almost five years in the responsible capacity of chairman of the county election board, resigning this office in 1895, when he was called to represent his county in the state legislature. There were seven candidates in the field for this office before the county nominating convention that year, but Mr. Myers received on the first ballot a large majority of the votes of the delegates, a gratifying mark of the honor in which he is held throughout the county. His record as a legislator has but further exemplified his fine personal and executive qualities, and his service in this capacity has given the utmost satisfaction to his constituency. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mishler, the parents of Mrs. Myers, were people of sterling integrity and worth, were early and respected pioneers of Stark county, were prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits, and noted for their zealous work in the church. Socially, the subject of our sketch is a member of the K. of P. lodge, Mogadore, No. 482. He and wife are ardent supporters of the Disciples' church at Mogadore, and have always been prominent in the upbuilding of this particular society as well as the Sunday-school.

Officially in the church Mr. Myers has been both an elder and deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been honored residents of Mogadore for almost one-half a century, and their sterling lives have been as monuments to their general worth as citizens.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

F. W. MYERS, stoneware manufacturer, Mogadore; is the son of Joseph and Susan (Winger) Myers, who were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where they were engaged in farming. In 1838, they removed to Wayne Co., Ohio, settling on a farm; in 1876, removing to Mogadore. The subject was born Dec. 4, 1830, in Lancaster Co., Penn. He attended district schools, and, at the age of 1 5, left home for the pm-pose of obtaining a better education. At the age of 18, he was apprenticed to the potter's trade; after serving his apprenticeship, he continued at the trade for several years. In 1864, he began business at Mogadore, on a small scale, pm-- chasing a shop which he afterward enlarged to those now standing. He, in company with A. W. Hall, are doing an extensive business, employing from forty-five to fifty men. The pay-roll amounts to $1,600 per month. In 1852, he was married to Lydia Mishler, daughter of Joseph Mishler. There were five children, two of whom are living, viz., Maria L., wife of Dr. Steele, of Mogadore; and Grace Eugenia. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Myers is a Republican.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

FRANCIS MYERS, representa- 1* five to the state legislature from Suml,P mit county, and an active business man of Mogadore, Springfield township, and senior member of the well-known pottery firm of Myers & Hall, is a descendant of a worthy German family, which dates its transplanting in this country a century and a half ago. His father, Joseph Myers, was a native of West Earl township, Lancaster county, Pa., and a son of Christian and Magdalene (Hoover) Myers, representative agriculturist, of the "old Keystone state." He grew up a farmer lad, and, although his scholastic training was necessarily limited to the opportunities of the time, acquired a common-school education of more than average breadth. Tiring of farm life he learned the tailor's trade, which he followed for some years, and afterward engaged in mercantile business for himself, opening a country store in which he carried a general line of merchandise. He continued this business for ten years with considerable success. In 1838 he emigrated to Wayne county, Ohio, thence to Springfield township, in Summit county, where he spent the remainder of his days. During his business career he amassed a comfortable fortune and was one of the highly respected citizens of his county. He took an active interest in local affairs and was an earnest political worker, although he never aspired to holding any office. He was an intense abolitionist and an ardent temperance man, and in those exciting days, when the agitation of the slavery question was uppermost in the public mind, his home was one of the most important in a long chain of "Underground railroad stations."

In 1825, in Lancaster county, Pa.,' he married Miss Susan Winger, daughter of Joseph 'inger, a worth)' neighbor and large farmer, whose right to his acres extended back to the year 1741, seven generations of Wingers having been reared on the homestead. The founder of the Winger family was Christian Winger, who came from Switzerland to America in 1727. There were born to Joseph and Susan Myers the following children: Louisa, wife of Jacob Mishler; Maria, wife of Samuel Shoemaker — Mrs. Shoemaker is now deceased; Francis W., the subject of this biography; Amos; John; William; Joseph and Meno, who is the wife of John Longnecker. There were also born two sons, Isaac and Michael, who died in infancy.

Hon. Francis Myers also claims Pennsylvania as his birth state, having been born in Earl township, Lancaster county, December 4, 1830. His boyhood days were spent upon his father's estate, and during his early life, whilst there, at intervals received the rudimental education common with many of the farmers' lads of those days. His education being very limited as to courses of training under tutors, he can be freely classed as a self-educated man. At the age of eighteen he entered as an apprentice to learn the trade of a potter in a factory in Springfield township, Summit county, and his business life has been spent in that particular calling.

Mr. Myers celebrated his marriage with Miss Lydia M. Mishler, a native of Springfield township, Summit county, a daughter of Joseph and Mary (Palmer) Mishler. They were married in September, 1852, and to this union has been born live children — three died in infancy; the eldest living is Maria Louise, wife of Dr. W. C. Steele, residents of Berlin. Stark county, Ohio. She was educated in the common schools, also was a student at the academy at Smithville, Ohio, and also Akron

Buchtel college. She received a training in instrumental music and was one of Summit county's honored teachers. Grace Eugenie resides at home. She is a graduate of the Mogadore high school and graduated at Findlay college in music, at Findlay, Ohio. She has been a successful teacher in instrumental music also.

Hon. Francis Myers has been all his life a devoted to his belief in political liberty. He cast his first presidential vote for Gen Winfield Scott in support of the old-line whig party, and at the birth of the republican party, when Gen. John C. Fremont was the champion of that political faith, he espoused those sterling principles of republicanism.

Officially, Mr. Myers has served for almost five years in the responsible capacity of chairman of the county election board, resigning this office in 1895, when he was called to represent his county in the state legislature. There were seven candidates in the field for this office before the county nominating convention that year, but Mr. Myers received on the first ballot a large majority of the votes of the delegates, a gratifying mark of the honor in which he is held throughout the county. His record as a legislator has but further exemplified his fine personal and executive qualities, and his service in this capacity has given the utmost satisfaction to his constituency. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Mishler, the parents of Mrs. Myers, were people of sterling integrity and worth, were early and respected pioneers of Stark county, were prosperously engaged in agricultural pursuits, and noted for their zealous work in the church. Socially, the subject of our sketch is a member of the K. of P. lodge, Mogadore, No. 482. He and wife are ardent supporters of the Disciples' church at Mogadore, and have always been prominent in the upbuilding of this particular society as well as the Sunday-school.

Officially in the church Mr. Myers has been both an elder and deacon. Mr. and Mrs. Myers have been honored residents of Mogadore for almost one-half a century, and their sterling lives have been as monuments to their general worth as citizens.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

F. W. MYERS, stoneware manufacturer, Mogadore; is the son of Joseph and Susan (Winger) Myers, who were natives of Lancaster Co., Penn., where they were engaged in farming. In 1838, they removed to Wayne Co., Ohio, settling on a farm; in 1876, removing to Mogadore. The subject was born Dec. 4, 1830, in Lancaster Co., Penn. He attended district schools, and, at the age of 1 5, left home for the pm-pose of obtaining a better education. At the age of 18, he was apprenticed to the potter's trade; after serving his apprenticeship, he continued at the trade for several years. In 1864, he began business at Mogadore, on a small scale, pm-- chasing a shop which he afterward enlarged to those now standing. He, in company with A. W. Hall, are doing an extensive business, employing from forty-five to fifty men. The pay-roll amounts to $1,600 per month. In 1852, he was married to Lydia Mishler, daughter of Joseph Mishler. There were five children, two of whom are living, viz., Maria L., wife of Dr. Steele, of Mogadore; and Grace Eugenia. Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Disciples' Church. Mr. Myers is a Republican.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

WILLIS MYERS, a native of Streetsboro township. Portage county, Ohio, prominent farmer and an ex-soldier of the Civil war, was born on the farm on which he now resides, February 13, 1841, received a good common-school education, and was reared to the pursuit of agriculture.

Stephen Myers, grandfather of Willis, was born in Wheeling, Va., whence he moved to Beaver county. Pa., where he married Catherine Graham, and to this union were born nine children — Stephen, John, Adam, Jacob, William, Charles, Daniel, Frederick and George. About 1838 he brought his family to Portage county, Ohio, settled in Streetsboro township, within a mile of the place where Willis Myers now lives, and cleared up a farm of 160 acres from the forest, but later moved, and cleared up another farm of sixty acres, and on this he passed away his remaining years, dying in 1864, at the patriarchal age of 105 years. He was a very intelligent man, was educated in Germany, and a great student of the Bible.

John Myers, son of Stephen and father of Willis, was a native of Beaver county, Pa., and was about thirteen years old when brought to Ohio by his parents. He first married, in Geauga county, Amelia Hagen, who bore him one son, Frederick, and then passed away. His second marriage was with Nancy Tucker, a daughter of John and Catherine (Nieman) Tucker, the former of whom was a pioneer of Franklin township. Portage county, where he cleared up a fine farm, but later removed to Streetsboro township, where he purchased and cleared up another farm on which he passed the remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of ninety-one years. John Myers was the original settler on the farm now owned by Willis, which he brought out from the woods and on which he built a saw-mill. He was a hard-working, honest man, was a democrat in politics, and died at the age of seventy-one years.

Willis Myers, on attaining his majority, enlisted, August II, 1862, at Cuyahoga Falls, in the Ninth Ohio battery of artillery, to serve three years, or during the war, and was honorably discharged at Chattanooga, Tenn., June 16, 1865, with the rank of corporal. He took part in all the marches and campaigns in which his regiment was engaged and endured all the hardships of a soldiers' life, performing his duties cheerfully and promptly, and received his promotion for meritorious conduct on the battle field. It may here be mentioned that Frederick Myers, half-brother of Willis, as alluded to above, was also a corporal, served in company F, Thirteenth Michigan cavalry, in the three years' service, and was wounded in battle. After his discharge from the service.

he returned to the old homestead, and married, March 25, 1868, Miss Ellen Miner, who was born March 8, 184= in Goshen, Ohio, a daughter of John and Mary (Hornish) Miner. Mr. Miner was a farmer of Columbiana county, of American birth, but of English descent, and his wife, Mary, was of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock. They were the parents of eight children,, who were named Joseph, John, Thomas, William, Samuel, Lucinda, Matilda and Ellen. Of the sons, Thomas served in a Michigan regiment during the Civil war, Samuel was in the Sixth Ohio cavalry and was wounded in the battle of the Wilderness, and Joseph and William were in the Ohio infantry. The father of the family died in middle age. After marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Myers settled on the old homestead, and their union has been blessed with the following children: John, James, George, Jesse D., Frank, Edith, Mamie and Sylvia. In politics Mr. Myers was formerly a republican, but is now a free-silver democrat. Fraternally he is an ex-member of A. H. Day post. No. 185, G. A. R., of which he was junior vice-commander, and was a member of Brady lodge. No. 183, I. O. O. F., both of Kent. Socially Mr. Myers and family stand very high, and personally he is greatly respected for his strictly moral character.

As printed in the source³. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

C. H. MYERS, boots and shoes, Akron; is a good representative of the boot and shoe trade of South Akron, and, in fact, one of the leading dealers in the city. In speaking personally of some of the promoters of Akron's business industries, his name is worthy of more than a passing mention. He was born Dec. 6, 1 852, in Middlebury, or what is now known as East Akron, and is the son of Charles F. and Elizabeth (Swope) Myers, the former a native of France, and a carpenter and architect by trade. When C. H. was about 10 years old, his father moved to the country and engaged in farming. About seven years of the life of C. H. was spent at hard work on the farm, when his people removed to Akron again, which move gave him a better opportunity of getting an education, both of a commercial and literary nature. After leaving school he spent about one year in the gearing department of the Buckeye Reaper Works. With the money earned by himself in this way he took a thorough course and graduated at the commercial college of Akron. After leaving college, he spent one 3-ear on the road as traveling salesman for a hardware house. He then began clerking for Mr. E. P. Holloway, with whom he remained till the spring of 1876, when he and C. A. Holloway, also an employe of E. P., engaged in the boot and shoe trade under the firm name of Holloway & Myers, and so continued to do a very prosperous business until the spring of 1881, when he purchased the interest of Mr. Holloway, and is now conducting the business alone in the old successful way. In the spring of 1877, he was married to Miss Catharine, daughter of Albert and Mary (Braenton) Corney. She was born May 11, 1854, in Bridgeport, Conn., and, when a child, came to Cuyahoga Falls with her parents. She lived there about twelve years, when her people removed to Akron. They were married by the Rev. Henry Baker. They are both members of the First M. E. Church of Akron;

he has been a member for the past fourteen years. One child has been born to them — Gracie, who was born on March 30, 1878, and died on March 4, 1880.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.