The Palmer Families of Summit County, Ohio

WILLIAM L. PALMER, farmer; P. 0. Northfield; was born Nov. 4, 1820, in Windsor, Hartford Co.. Conn., to Hezekiah H. and Abigail (Taylor) Palmer. His father was born Jan. 19, 1781; his mother in Buckland, Mass., Jan. 12, 1792. They were married May 29, 1811. To them were born a family of eight children — Julia A., Eraeline, Abigail T., William L., Horace H., Henry T., and two deceased. The Palmers are of old Connecticut stock, who came over in the Mayflower. Some of our subject's ancestors were soldiers in the war of the Revolution. The father of our subject first came West to this State, locating in AVilloughby, in 1822, where he lived a short time, but, because of the prevalency of ague, he returned with his family and lived on the Holland Purchase in New York for some time, and then returned to his native county and State. In 1831, he came out and selected 160 acres at the Center of this township. Returning, he brought out his family in June, 1832, by canal from Albany, N. Y., and with the family settled in the woods, which in a short time was transformed to productive fields. Upon this tract the elder Palmer lived until his death Oct. 7, 1863; that of his wife occurred Dec. 10, 1875. He was a man of hardy constitution, a worthy citizen and a Jacksonian Democrat. William L. was reared among the early pioneer surroundings of the township; deer and wild game were plentiful. His first ideas of the fundamental principles of " book learning '' was obtained in a log school which stood on the site where the town pump now stands. Nov. 15, 1849, he was married to Amelia Whitney, born in Uniontown, Stark Co., Oct. 6, 1827, daughter of William and

Hannah (McNaughton) Whitney, both natives of Vermont. Her father was born Feb. 22, 1795; her mother in Rutland Aug. 25, 1795. He was a son of William Whitney, and she a daughter of Daniel McNaughton. Mrs. Palmer was of a family of eight children, five living — Louisa, Helen, Harriet, Parmelia and Mrs. Palmer. Since Mr. Palmer came to the township he has been a constant resident. Has served several terms as Justice of the Peace, and is at present fulfilling the duties of that office. He was seven years Postmaster, and bore well his part as a citizen and a neighbor. He has but one child, Helen, still at home. His nephew, William Palmer, has resided with him since a mere child, and recognizes no other place as home.

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

EMELINE BLISS, of Northfield Center. — In a work of this character the pioneers deserve more ' than passing mention. To those sturdy men and women of a time now historical the present owes a debt of gratitude which is only augmented by the increase of years, a debt of whose significance future generations will be prepared to more adequately estimate. To the life work and influence of the venerable lady whose name heads this sketch the community of Northfield Center is inestimably indebted. Here her whole life has been passed, and the good she has done will live after her. Her work of love in the community will form an imperishable monument to her memory.

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

C. H. PALMER, who is identified with a number of Akron's greatest business enterprises, is still in the.vigor of middle age, having been born in 1850, in old Middlebury, now- Akron, and is a son of Albert and Ann Elizabeth (Hoyc) Palmer.

Stephen Palmer, the grandfather of C. H., was one of the earliest manufacturers of this section. He established a farming mill factory which his son, Albert Palmer, continued to operate until about 1850, in which year he went to Tennessee, where, for a time he was engaged in the same business. In early manhood, Albert Palmer was a school teacher. He still survives, and resides at Akron, having reached his eighty-third year, while his wife has rounded out her seventy-seventh.

C. H. Palmer was educated at Kingsville Academy. He was only twelve years old when he was sent out on his father's wagon, to sell matches, and thus from boyhood he has been connected with the great corporation now known as the Diamond Match Company. From the humble position of match boy, Mr. Palmer, through diligence and industry worked his way up, step by.9tep, through the different grades of service until he now occupies the responsible positions of vice-president and general superintendent of the Diamond Match Company, as well as a director in the same. Mr. Palmer is largely interested in many other flourishing enterprises of this prosperous city and section. He is president and director of the Granite Clay Company; treasurer and a director of the Akron Smoking Pipe Company; a director of the First National Bank of Akron; a director of the Barberton Savings Bank, at Barberton, and other concerns of less magnitude.

In 1876, Mr. Palmer was married to Marion Peckham, who wa.s born, reared and educated at Middlebury, and who is a daughter of Thomas H. Peckham, one of the earlier.st settlers at Tallmadge, Summit County. Mr. and Mrs. Palmer have one son, Thomas A., who is manager of the Barberton branch of the Diamond Match factory, and vice-president and a director of the Granite Clay Company. He was educated at Case's School of Applied Science. Mr. Palmer is a member and one of the trustees of the First Church of Christ, at Akron.

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

WILLIAM N. PALMER, a.assistant general.superintendent of the Diamond Match Company, at Barberton, was born at Middlebury, now Akron, Ohio, December 9, 1855, and is a son of Albert and Ann Elizabeth (Haughey) Palmer.

Albert Palmer, father of William N., was born at Lyons, New York, in 182.S, and is a son of Stephen Palmer, who brought his family to Akron in 1837. The latter was a manufacturer of farming mills and when his father died, Albert Palmer continued the business. Albert Palmer and his wife both survive, after a happy married life of fifty-eight years, he having reached his eighty-fourth birthday, while.she is seventy-seven years of age.

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

RICHARD FREEMAN PALMER, who for some years has lived at Akron retired from active participation in business, was formerly identified Mith some of the city's large industrial enterprises, and owns a large amount of real estate within it.s boundaries. Mr. Palmer was born at Akron, Ohio, IMarch 13. 1840, and is a son of Joseph and Eliza (Freeman) Palmer.

Joseph Palmer was born in England and came to Akron in 1836. Pie was a millwright by trade and the work that brought him to this.section was the building of the locks in the Ohio Canal. Later he assisted in building the Cascade mill, and was identified with that mill for eighteen years. In 1854 he moved to a farm in Medina County, on which he lived until the death nf his wife. He then returned to Akron, making hi home with his on, Richard.

Richard F. Palmer was little more than a school-boy when he found occupation as a driver on the canal, and he continued to work as such until he was eighteen years of age. About that time he entered the high school, where he remained until President Lincoln's call, in 1861, for 75,000 troops, when he enlisted for service in the Union Ai-my. He was for three months a member of Company G, 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, being stationed during this time mainly in West Virginia. For the following two years he ran a stationary engine and then, in February, 1885, reenlisted, entering Company I, 188th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. During this second term of service, which covered a year, he was located in Tennessee and Kentucky. After being mustered out of the army the second time, Mr. Palmer then bought a canal boat and operated on the canal for some three years. In 1872 he found employment in the office of the Akron Iron Company, remaining there two years. He then entered the employ of Anltman, Miller & Company, becoming their general agent, with headquarters at Tiffin, Ohio, being in their employ for twenty-seven years. Since 1897 Mr. Palmer has lived retired from active business life, but he has many congenial interests to occupy his attention.

Mr. Palmer was married June 9, 1862, to Frances E. Field, who is a daughter of Asa Field. Mrs. Palmer died April 26. 1898, leaving three sons and an adopted daughter. The eldest son, Frank L.. is a resident of Pittsburg. J. Dwight, residing in Akron, is one of the city's representative men and has just been elected a member of the City Council. J. Asa. the third son, is secretary of the Burt manufacturing Company, of Akron. Margaret, the daughter by adoption, is the wife of Willis Bacon, an attorney of Tiffin, Ohio. Mr. Palmer has always taken a laudaV)le interest in (he public matters concerning the development of his citv. Years ago he ser'ed on the Citv Council, in 1871 and 1872. At present be is a member of the Summit County Court House Building Commission.,ju:t completing the erection of a $400,000.00 court house. For maay years he has been Ijrominent in Masonry and is the present eminent commander of Akron Commandery, and served seven years as prelate. He has twice been commander of Buckley Post, G. A. R.

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

J. DWIGHT PALMER, one of Akron's native sons and prominent business men, wa. born in this city in 1867, a son of R. F. Palmer. He was reared in Akron and graduated from the High School in 1886. For.some time after leaving school, Mr. Palmer traveled for his health, mainly through the New England States, but when prepared to enter into business life, he returned to his native city and shortly afterward became connected with the collection department of the Aultman-Miller Company, with which he continued for eighteen years. On.severing his relations with that firm he decided to remain in the collection business, in wJiich lie had become experienced, and in December. 1904. he es1.abolished the J. D. Palmer Collecting Agency, which he has successfully operated ever since. Mr. Palmer is a prominent factor in local politics, being a leading Iiepublican, and at the present writing, has just received the nomination for councilman, from the Second Ward. He has every qualification for a first-class city official, being public-.spirited, judicious and popular. In 1897, Mr. Palmer was married to Jeannette Groesel, who is a daughter of G. A. Groesel, of Akron, and they have two sons: Roland F. and George A. Mr. Palmer is a member of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons, in which order he has advanced as far as the commandery.

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

LEWIS S. PALMER, one of Stow Township's leading citizens and large landowners, was born in Green Township, Summit County, Ohio. October 29, 1857, and is a son of.Josiah and Margaret (Stephens) Palmer.

Jacob Palmer, the grandfather, Avas a na- five of Conneoticut. In 1833 he moved with his family to Virginia, where, with a brother, he purchased 500 acres of land. The untimely death of a son. about this time, disheartened Mr. Palmer, and he.old his interest in the 'virginia property and removed to Maryland and from there to Stark County, Ohio. Hi? son, Josiah Palmer, who became the father of Lewis S., was born in Connecticut, in 1824, and was twelve years of age when he came to Ohio. In 1853 he purchased a small farm in Green Township, but later removed to Springfield Township, where he carried on farming from 1869 until his death, in 1895, when he was aged seventy-one years. He was a Democrat in poUtics, and on numerous occasions his fellow-citizens elected him to office. Mr. Palmer was married to Margaret Stephens, who was a daughter of Jacob Stephens, of Jerseyshore, Pennsylvania, and to them were born eight children, namely; Albert, who died at the age of twenty-four years; William, who resides in Springfield Township; Cecelia Jane, deceased, who was the wife of Charles McColgan, of Stow Township; Catherine, deceased, who married David Brubaker, of Barberton, Ohio; Charles, who resides in Lake Township, Stark County; Lewis S.; Thomas who is a resident of Springfield Township; and Marcus, who is deceased. Mrs. Palmer died in 1884, at the age of fifty-nine years, in the faith of the German Reformed Church, in which her husband was a deacon. Lewis S. Palmer was educated in the common schools of Green Township, and until he was twelve years of age lived on the home farm. He then accompanied the family to Springfield Township, and he assisted in cultivating the home farm until 1880, when he engaged in farming on his own account on a tract east of Monroe Falls, which he purchased in 1903. In addition to this farm, which consists of 107 acres, he owns a tract of thirty,acres, which he bought in 1884, and the Singleton farm of 148 acres, in Streetsboro, which he secured in 1898. Two of these farms he rents, having fifty-two acres under cultivation on his own account. In 1874-5, when the Valley Railroad was under construction. Mr. Palmer worked as a foreman for E. A. McChesney. In the spring of 1899 he purchased a portable sawmill, which he has operated throughout this section, sawing on an average of 500,000 feet annually, and since 1892 he has operated a threshing machine, giving three men employment. Mr. Palmer is a Democrat in politics, and although he is not inclined to have political aspirations, he has served his tow-ship as assessor. He belongs to the order of Eagles at Kent. Among his most cherished possessions is an old musket, which one of his paternal ancestors carried in the Revolutionary War.

Mr. Palmer was married to Almeda E. Swinehart, who is a daughter of Levi Swinehart, a prominent citizen of Stow Township. Eight children have been born to this union, as follows: Nelson, Maude, Bertha, Blanche, Chauncey, Ira, Coy and Elmo. Chauncey died agee ten years.

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

HARRY A. PALMER, Palmer & Pruner, artificial stone, Akron, Ohio, is a son of William and Sophia (Brock) Palmer, and was born July 16, 1851, in Somersetshire, England. The family came to the United States in 1852, when he was but 8 months old, and settled in Tallmadge Township on a farm, where he was brought up until he was 15, when he went to work in a paper mill at Cuyahoga Falls, remaining about one year, and then became engineer for his brother-in-law at Mansfield, in Richland Flouring Mills. Two years later, mills were burned down and firm removed to Ashland, and he was again employ'ed as engineer. In 1870, he went to Shelby and ran an engine about one year and then returned to Tallmadge in 1872, and took charge of a farm. In the fall of 1873, he went to Onarga, Ill., and Jan. 1, 1873, was married to Miss Mary C. Risser, of Ashland, Ohio. He bought a fruit farm near Onarga, Ill., and did well for two years, and in 1876, bought a farm in Edinburg Township, Portage County, where he farmer two years. In 1878, he went to Ashland, as engineer in the mills, until September 1 879, when he came to Akron and bought the right of manufacture and sale of artificial stone in Summit County. Jan. 10, 1880, he formed a partnership with Herbert A. Pruner, and opened a manufactory at 203 North Howard street. The following is given as a matter of scientific interest: Artificial stone has been in use probably as long as any other building material, and is unquestionably one of the lost arts. In confirmation of this, history informs us that the Moors long ago manufactured a durable artificial stone, specimens of which may yet be found at Gibralter, which have withstood successfully the storms of ten centuries. The Coliseum at Rome is a sample of artificial work by the ancients. The Cisterns of Solomon, near the city of Tyre, are of still more ancient origin, yet these immense structures are almost complete in their preservation. The noted Small Cob, together with a large number of scientific men, is of the opinion that the Pyramids were built of artificial blocks, manufactured upon the ground from the sands of the surrounding plains, by some cunning process that perished with the builders. Some of the largest and most permanent harbors and government works in the European countries, the great aqueducts of Central Europe, together with the Seagirt railroad station, and piers of the great bridge at New York, are instances where artificial stone is used almost entirely and with the best of success. Business blocks that are not surpassed in beauty and grandeur in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and many of the principal cities of the United States, are constructed entirely of this material. The great advocates of this building material are the eminent chemists and engineers of English fame, together with May. Gen. Gilmore, corps of engineers United States Army, whose engineering skill has given him a world-wide fame. Many different processes have been invented, et all have met with more or less difficulty in trying to obtain a solid, durable stone. Under the patent process which Messrs. Palmer & Pruner now control in this county, these difficulties have been overcome, and they are now manufacturing a quality of artificial stone, perfect in appearance and adapted to all classes of work where natural stone or any other building material is used. Being of a hydraulic nature, it will harden and improve in solidity under water, it resists the action of steam, acids, and other disintegrating influences as well as our best building stone. The Boston Journal of Chemistry says that artificial stone is as safe and durable as natural stone, that its chemical nature is such that it becomes almost as hard as granite, and that there cannot be a doubt that it will substi-ve all the desirable purposes for which that material is employed. In some of our larger cities this stone is fast superseding the use of other building material, and is being extensive used for walks, trimming brick buildings, lawn cases, fountains and ornamental work of all descriptions. The sand in this location is particularly adapted to making this stone, it being coarse, sharp and siliceous. Ornamental work can be furnished at about one-half the cost of natural stone and will stand fire much better.

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