Arthur R. Shaw

As printed in 1908

ARTHUR R. SHAW,* a prominent citizen of Johnson's Cornere, and half owner of a farm of sixty-three acres, situated in Norton Township, on which are located the famous Pebble Rock stone quarries, was born August 10, 1866, in the very house in which he now lives. It is an historic old mansion, built by one of the pioneers more than 100 years ago. His parents were George and Haretta (Douglas) Shaw. George Shaw was born in Medina County, Ohio, April 13, 1835, and was seven years old when his parents brought him to Johnson's Corners. His father, Joshua T. Shaw, came to Ohio from New York, when he was a young man, and in the old home mentioned above the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of Arthur R. Shaw died. There were three children born to George Shaw and his wife: Georgia, who died in infancy, Arthur R., and Bert. For three years during the Civil War, George Shaw was a soldier and was leader of a brigade band. He survived all the dangers and herships of that stormy time, and died at his home, June 20, 1902. His widow still survives.

Arthur R. Shaw was reared at Johnson's Corners and acquired a common school education. For several years in early manhood he followed farming and then traveled one year as a representative of a grocery house, for a time dealt in real estate and then turned to developing his quarries, which he owns in partnership with his brother Bert Shaw. The farm formerly contained 120 acres, fifty-seven having been sold in the spring of 1907. The Pebble Rock quarries are widely known, the output being very large. The Shaws have in-.stalled a gas engine and crusher, and give employment to fifteen men. They have excellent transportation facilities, having built a siding running down to the Belt Railroad line and their facilities are such that they can ship on four lines. They are energetic and progressive business men. Mr. Shaw was married to Inza C. Miller, who is a daughter of A. W. Miller, of Akron, and they have had six children, of whom George, the eldest, lived but one year. The survivors are: Stanley, Hattie, Arthur, Esther and Leslie M.

GEORGE li. HELFER,* formerly a well known business man of Akron, was born January 25, 1820, at Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, and was a son of Christopher and Lydia ( Helman ) Heifer.

The parents of Mr. Heifer were born in Pennsylvania, the mother being of Scotch, and the father of German ancestry. In 1820 they moved to Ohio and settled in Congress Township, Wayne County, where Christopher Helfor followed the trade of shoemaker. In 1840 he turned his attention to farming and bought property in Congress Township, where he spent the ret of his life. His children were: Mrs. Royce Sommerton, George H., Mrs. Stephen Collins, Mrs. Parker Campbell, Daniel and Mrs. Jo.seph Sharp.

George H. Heifer was an infant when the family made the overland journey from Pennsylvania to Ohio in the winter of 1820. He attended.school pretty regularly until he was fourteen years of age, when he became a clerk in a dry goods store, in which capacity he worked for nine years. In 1843 he entered into partnership with Mr. Pancoast, and 'the firm of Pancoast and Heifer was engaged in a dry goods business in Congress Township until 1847, when Mr. Heifer bought Mr. Pancoast's interest, and continued at the same place for two years more. In 1849 he sold out and came to Akron, entering into general business in this city as senior member of the firm of Heifer and Sechrist. This firm continued until 1867, when Clinton Heifer bought the interest of Mr. Sechrist and the firm style then became Heifer & Son, and no change was made until 1877, when the younger partner became sole proprietor. Mr. Heifer was one of the original stockholders in the Akron Iron Company and he now entered the office of this concern as shipping clerk, a position he filled for twenty-one years. He was one of the first dniggists at Akron, and for many years was an extensive local dealer in coal. He retired from business in 1898.

Mr. Heifer was married (first) to Mary Elgin, who was born in Wayne County, a daughter of Walter and Elizabeth Elgin. Of the five children of this marriage, the only survivor is Clinton E. Mr. Heifer was married (second) to Rebecca Luce, of Wayne County, who is a daughter of Jonathan and Elizabeth Luce. The four survivors of the five children born to this marriage are: William A., Emma (Mrs. Clarence Rudolph), Edwin W. and Minnie B. (Mrs. Henry Adams). Politically. Mr. Heifer was affiliated with the Republican party from its birth.

As printed in Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens (1908). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.