The Seiberling Family of Summit County, Ohio

NATHAN SEIBERLING, farmer; P. O. Western Star. More than fifty years ago.

there came among the " Yankees " of Norton Township one of the first of that industrious and thriving German population which now inhabit the township, and who became the successors to the first "Yankee" settlers in that part of the Western Reserve. Mr. Seiberling, to whom the writer alludes, was born April 14, 1810, in Lynn Township, Northampton Co., Penn.; he is a son of John F. and Catharine (Bear) Seiberling; his grandfather was Frederick, his great-grandfather Christian, all natives of Pennsylvania. The Seiberling family are noted for longevity, all the ancestry mentioned living in the early remembrance of our subject. The father of Nathan was a shoemaker and farmer, and, at the time of his death, which occiuTed in his 93d year, was the oldest office-holder in the United States Government, having held the office of Postmaster in his native county for more than sixty years. Our subject worked on the farm and learned the trade of shoemaking in the shop with his father; his school-days were of less than one year's duration, he obtaining his education by closely economizing the spare moments. He was named, Dec. 6. 1829, to Catharine Peter, born June 27, 1811, a daughter of Jacob and Margaret (Moser) Peter, natives of Northampton Co.; in June, 1831, he came to his present home, where he purchased 96 acres in the woods, and began life with a determination which won for him wealth and honor in after years; after working hard all day in the woods, he would return at night with a light heart to his humble home and faithful wife, where, after the frugal meal, he would work until 12 o'clock at night, his wife beside him, whittling out pegs, at shoemaking, for the few neighbors, that he might earn bread for his family's support; but, by industry and frugal living, he became very prosperous, owning, at one time, several hundred acres of valuable land, besides investments in stocks and bonds, all of which he has shared liberally with his large family, fifteen in number, eleven of whom are living, one having died in infancy; two sons and one daughter after arriving at maturity. His sons have become very prominent as inventors and manufacturers of machinery, their farming implements being used throughout the different States and Territories; six sons are represented in this work, with their farming and manufacturing interests. Mr, Seiberling is a stanch Republican; has the office of Justice of the Peace, and, with his family, are members of the Lutheran Church, he and wife having been members of that organization for about fifty-five years.

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

JOHN FREDERICK SEIBERLING, a former citizen of Akron, where he was for many years identified with a number of the important business interests of the city, some of which were directly the result of his own genius and energy, was born March 10, 1834, at Norton, Ohio. He was one of a family of fifteen children (thirteen of whom grew to maturity) born to his parents, who were Nathan and Catherine (Peters) Seiberling.

Mr. Seiberling completed his education at the Western Star Academy, and for two years, from 1856 to 1858, he was in the drug business at Akron. He was, however, of a mechanical turn of mind, and in the latter year went to operating a sawmill at Norton. It was while there that he invented his noted E'xcehior mower and reaper, with the dropper attachment, and in 1861 he established works for their manufacture at Doylestown, which are still in operation. By 1864 the business had sn expanded that extra works were needed, which were erected at Masillon. In 1865 the J. F. Seiberling Company was established at Akron, but in 1869, Mr. Seiberling withdrew and then began" the manufacture of the Emprrc machine, which is so well known all over the country. Mr. Seiberling by this time not only had a perfect knowledge of business conditions and trade relations in every section, but he had command of a large amount of capital, and in 1871 he organized the Akron Strawboard Company, which he conducted until 1887. In 1883 he founded the Seiberling Milling Company and at this time built a six-story brick flouring mill, as well as the Academy of Music Block. In 1889 Mr. Seiberling obtained a controlling interest in the Akron Electric Street Railway. Later he expanded other important interests both in Akron and at other points.

On September 6, 1859, Mr. Seiberling was married to Catherine L. Miller, of Norton. Their family numbered eleven children, nine of whom are still living. They are as follows: Anna A., wife of S. Samuel Miller, of Akron; Frank A., president and general manager of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, who married Gertrude F. Penfield, and resides at No. 158 East Market Street; Charles W., treasurer of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, who married Blanche Carnahan, and resides at No. 76 Fay Street; Cora D., wife of Lewis T. Wolle, of Cambria, Wyoming; Harriet M., wife of LuciiLS C. Miles, of Akron; Grace I., wife of Dr. W. S. Chase, of Akron; Kittie G., wife of Luther H. Firey, of Kansas City; Mary B., wife of Henry B. Manton, of Akron; Ruth J., wife of Ernest A. Pfleuger, also of Akron. The two deceased are John Frederick and Maude M., both of whom died in infancy. Mr. John Frederick Seiberling, the father of these children, died September 6, 1903. His widow still survives, and resides at No. 144 East Market Street.

Mr. Seiberling wa. a man who was honorable, prompt, and true to every engagement. Throughout his career of far-reaching usefulness he remembered with a generous heart those who had not been so fortunate, and in quiet benevolence brought much cheer to those who needed it. For many years he was a member and a trustee of the Trinity Lutheran Church.

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

JOHN F. SEIBERLING, Akron; oldest son of Nathan and Catharine (Peters) Seiberling, was born March 10, 1834, in Norton Township, this county, where he spent his youth, having common and high-school advantages. In 1856, he came to Akron, and for two years engaged in the drug business. He returned in 1858 to Norton Township, and there ran a saw-mill for some two years, and, while working in the mill, became interested in the improvements of mowing and reaping machines, and, lacking favorable opportunities, constructed a machine which he brought out in 1859. In 1860, he experimented with this machine and named it the "Excelsior." In 1861, he took out his first patent — the main feature being the " dropper," which was the first made or conceived. From 1861, he gave his whole time and attention to the business, going to Doyleston, Ohio, where he established a manufactory which is still in operation. He experimented every season, and, in 1861, he invented the side-brace bar coupling, and, in 1862, the horizontal folding finger'-beam. He was the first to discover the adjustable reel, which he did in 1870, or thereabouts. In 1875, he brought out the empire table rake, and in 1880, the singlewheel reaper. * * * He worked at Doylestown, until 1864, when he went to Massillon, where he established a manufactory, remaining one year. In October, 1865, he came to Akron and organized the firm of J. F. Seiberling & Co., for the manufacture of the " Excelsior," from which firm he withdrew in 1869. In 1871, he organized the Akron Straw Board Company, located at Middlebury of which he is still a member, now being the President and Treasurer of the same; to this, by means of his own inventions, he has added several new improvements. In 1875, he commenced the building of the "Empire," a new machine with new features, which was invented by him during the time not engaged in manufacturing. The commendable features of the "Empire" are numerous, but it is especially valuable because of its strength and durability (the years being inclosed, and all the parts made of iron), and the new principle making light draft and little noise. The present capacity is 5,000 machines per year, which meet a ready sale. In 1880, he purchased the old "Excelsior" works, and the business is controlled by himself, he being President and general manager. In September, 1859, he married Miss Catharine L. Miller, of Norton Township, and of this union there were nine children, all of whom are living, their names being as follows: Anna E., Frank A., Charles W., Cora D.,

Hattie M., Grace I., Kittle G., Mary B. and Ruth. The subject of this sketch has been a member of the School Board; he is a member of the English Lutheran Church, and is now Trustee.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

MILTON A. SEIBERLING, a substantial citizen and successful agriculturist, residing on a small farm of five acres, which is located in Norton Township on the Center road, owns a very valuable farm of 111 acres, which lies on the Llamet-own road, near Sherman. Mr. Seiberling belongs to a prominent old family of Summit County, and he was born on the farm which is the property of his brother, Gusta\ais Seiberling, November 20, 1850. His parents were Nathan and Catherine (Peters) Seiberling.

The parents of Mr. Seiberling were both born in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, where they were reared and attended school. Shortly after their marriage they came to Norton Township. Summit Gournty. where they lived long and virtuous lives; and when the father died at the age of eighty years, and the mother, aged eighty-four, there were many outside their large family who grieved to lose them from the community in which they had been long noted for their kindness and charity. They were the parents of fifteen children.

Milton Seiberling was reared on the home farm in Norton Township, and, after completing his education in the country schools, he immediately began active farming operations. He remained on the home farm for about four years after his marriage, and then purchased the farm which is occupied by his son-in-law, Robert Helmick, and started at once to make improvements. He removed a house from another farm to the new location, remodeled it, and built a substantial barn, and then set out orchards and a grove of maple trees, and continued improving until his property was equal in value to any of like size in the neighborhood and more attractive than any. On that farm Mr. Seiberling continued to reside, carrying on farming and stock-raising, until in the spring of 1898, when he retired from hard work and settled on his present tidy little place, which it gives him only needful exercise to manage. Mr. Seiberling has always been considered one of the most prosperous farmers of Norton Township on account of his progressive methods and the great interest he always took in his work.

On November 30, 1871, Mr. Seiberling was married to Fayetta Johnson, who is a daughter of Joseph Johnson, who was born and reared in Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Seiberling have three children: Minnie, who married Harman Dague, resides at Doylestown and has three children — Ethel. Florence and Roy; Martha, wife of Robert Helmick, who operates her father's farm, and who ha had two children — one who died in infancy; and Gertrude, the younger; and Ruth, residing at home. Mr. Seiberling and family belong to the Lutheran Church. He is a member of the beneficial order of Pathfinders.

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

MILTON A. SEIBERLING, farmer; P. O. Sherman; son of Nathan Seiberling, whose interesting history appears in another place in this work, was born Nov. 20, 1850, and received a common school education, at the same time rendering his father valuable assistance in his business until his marriage, Nov. 30, 1871, to Fyetta E. Johnson, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann (Hartzell,) afterward a

Mrs. Messinger. Mrs. Seiberling was born in Norton Township, but her parents were natives of Pennyslvania. They have two children— Minnie Letitia, born April 15, 1873; Mattie May, Jan. 28, 1875. Mr. Seiberling is an enterprising young man, industrious and frugal in his habits, pleasing and courteous in his manners, and highly esteemed by the people of the community in which he lives. He and wife are members of the Lutheran Church.

As printed in the source². Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Frank A. received his first school training in the building then used for school purposes which stands adjacent to the Congregational Church on the.south. After he had completed the first year's course in the Higli School, he entered Heidelberg College at Tiffin. He remained there two years, retiring at the end of his junior year in order to be of assistance to his father, who had just started the manufacture of the Empire harvester. The young man's collegiate training proved useful in the official 'business' which grew out of this industry', and in 1884, when the Seiberling Company was organized, Frank A. became secretary and treasurer. Other large industries, companies and corporations with which he has been identified, either as stockholder or as official, are the Akron Twine and Cordage Company, the AVerner Printing and Lithographing Company, Superior Mining Company, Canton Street Railway Company, Zanesville Street Railway Company, Akron Street Railway Company, Manufacturers' Mutual Fire Insurance Association, the Thomas Philips Company, and the National City Bank. His main attention is now given to the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, of which he is president and general manager, the other officers being: L. C. Miles, vice-president; G. M. Stadleman. secretary; C. W. Seiberling, treasurer; and P. W. Litchfield, superintendent. The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, with which Mr. Seiberling has ben identified since 1898, was organized in that year. They are engaged in the manufacture of rubber goods, their specialties being solid and pneumatic carriage and automobile tires, bicycle tires, rubber horse shoes, rubber tiling, golf 'balls, moulded rubber and rubber specialties. There is no portion of the civilized world where the.se goods do not find ready sale.

On October 12. 1887, Mr. Seiberling was married to Gertrude F. Penfield, of Willougbby. Lake County, Ohio. He and his wife are the parents of five children: John Frederick, Irene Henrietta, Willard Penfield. James Penfield and Gertrude Virginia.

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

CHARLES W. SEIBERLING, treasurer of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, at Akron, and a business man who is largely interested in many successful manufacturing enterprises of this city and vicinity, was born in Norton Township, Summit County, Ohio, not far from Western Star, January 26, 1861, and is a son of John F. and Catherine L. (Miller) Seiberling.

John F. Seiberling was born at Norton, Ohio, March 10, 1834. In the spring of 1861 he moved with his family to Doylestown and thence in 1865 to Akron, with the business interests of which city he was prominently identified until the close of his long and fruitful life. From operating a sawmill at Norton, where he pursued the studies and experiments which resulted in the invention of the agricultural machinery with which his name is still connected, he removed to Doylestown, where better conditions prevailed for the erection of works and manufacture of the inventions which had sprung from his fertile brain. Later for Hke business reasons, he came to Akron, soon after calling his eldest son, Frank A., who is now president and general manager of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, from college to assist in further developing his plans. In 1871 he organized the Akron Strawboard Company, in 1883 he founded the Seiberling Milling Company and in 1889 he gained a controlling interest in the Akron Electric Street Railway. His death took place at Akron, September 3,

In 1878 Charles W. Seiberling, the second son of the late John F. Seiberling, completed the public school course at Akron, and then entered Oberlin College. At that institution he pursued a two-year eclectic course, and then returned to Akron in order to assume the duties of foreman of his father's extensive works where the Empire Reaper and Mowers were manufactured. On the incorporation of the J. F. Seiberling Company, in 1884, Charles W. was elected a director and subsequently became superintendent of the works. In 1896, in association with his father, Mr. Seiberling became interested in the organization of the India Rubber Company, of which his father was elected president, and he became its secretary. He continued with this company for two years in this capacity, and then resigned in order to accept a similar position with the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. This company, with which Mr. Seiberling has been identified since 1898, was organized in that year. It is engaged in the manufacture of rubber goods, especially solid and pneumatic carriage and automobile tires, bicycle tires, rubber horseshoes, rubber tiling, golf balls, moulded rubber and rubber specialties. The officers of the company are as follows: F. A. Seiberling, president and general manager; L. C. Miles, vice-president; G. M. Stadleman, secretary; C. W. Seiberling, treasurer; and P. W. Litchfield, superintendent. The goods of this company find a market all over the world. Mr. Seiberling has not confined his attention to the enterprise mention, but has also invested in and promoted other prosperous concerns.

In 1895 Mr. Seiberling was married to Blanche C. Carnahan, and they have four children: Charles W., Jr., T. Carnahan, Lucius Miles and Catherine. They reside at No. 76 Fay street, Akron.

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

FRANCIS SEIBERLING, attorney-at-law, and a member of the law firm of Slabaugh & Seiberling. at Akron, with offices in the Everett Building, was born September 20, 1870, at Des Moines, Iowa, and is a son of Nathan Septimus and Joseva (Myers) Seiberling.

Nathan Septimus Seiberling, father of Francis, was a son of Nathan Seiberling, who was one of the early pioneers of Summit County. Nathan S. Seiberling, at the age of eighteen years, enlisted for service in the Civil War, in March, 1865. for one year, and was a member of Company D, 198th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was honorably discharged, May 8, 1865, at the close of hostilities. He married Joseva Myers, who was a daughter of Alpheus Myers, one of the earliest settlers in Norton Township. Both the Seiberling and Myers families came to Summit County in the days when it was a wilderness and both assisted materially in the development of its resources and in bringing about civilizing influences.

When but three years of age, Francis Seiberling suffered the loss of his father, who died in early manhood. His mother thea returned to her old home in Norton Township, this county, where he was reared to the age of twelve year.. He then went to Medina County and completed his course of study at the Wadsworth High School. He entered Wittenberg College, Siringfield, Ohio, in the fall of 1888, where he remained two years, and then entered Wooster University, where he was graduated in 1892, with his degree of A. M. He immediately began the study of law in the office of Marvin, Saddler & Atterholt, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1894. He practiced his profession for about one year alone, and then entered into his present partnership, under the firm name of Slabaugh & Seiberling. Mr. Seiberling's interest, in politics is merely that which he has in common with every good citizen.

On June 16, 1897, Mr. Seiberling was married to Josephine Laffer, who is a daughter of James M. Laffer, one of the pioneer druggists of Akron. He and his wife have two children, Eleanor and Josephine. Mr. Seiberling is a member of the Lutheran Church and belongs to its board of trustees. Fraternally he is a Mason.

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

WILSON F. SEIBERLING, a general farmer, residing on a part of the old Seiberling homestead farm, which is situated on the Norton Center road, just east of Western Star, was born on this farm, in Summit County, Ohio, September 24, 1876, and is a son of Gus and Julia (Kulp) Seiberling, the former of whom was one of the county's prominent men.

Wilson F. Seiberling was reared and educated in Norton Township and attended school at Wetern Star, completing his education at the Norton Center High School. From that time to the present he has given his attention to general farming and to the raising of fine horses. He settled on his present farm immediately after his marriage, and has continued to develop and improve the land ever since.

On November 29, 1899, Mr. Seiberling was married to Kittle Marnin, who was reared in Chippawa Township, Wayne County, Ohio, and is a daughter of William Marnin. They have had two children, a babe that died in infancy, and Marcella Gertrude.

Mr. Seiberling, like other members of this old Summit County family, is a member of the Lutheran Church.

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