Charles E. Wise

As printed in 1908

CHARLES E. WISE, who owns 160 acres of fine land in Franklin Township, which lies along the dividing line from Green Township, is one of the representative farmers of this section, and one of its substantial and reliable men. He was born on the farm of his grandfather, in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, December 29, 1865, and is a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Kepler) Wise.

Daniel Wise, the grandfather of Charles E., was born in Snyder County. Pennsylvania, and was a son of Peter Wise, whose whole life was pas.sed in Pennsylvania. His children were: Peter, John, Jacob, William, Daniel, Samuel, Betsey, Catherine and Lydia, all now deceased except Betsey, who married Peter Miller.

Daniel A'Lse was the first of the family to come to Ohio, and he walked all the way to Summit Countv from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He located in Green Township among the early pioneers and began to clear land, and when opportunity offered, worked at his trade — that of stone-mason. After a time he was joined by his brother Samuel, who made the long journey with a horse and wagon. The brothers married sisters, Samuel espousing Catherine, and Daniel, Sarah Raber, both being daughters of Henry Raber, a pioneer farmer in the locality. At one time Henry Raber owned 1,000 acres of land in Summit County, and he gave each >of his children a farm. In early times he carried his wheat by wagon, to Cleveland, where he sold it for from forty to fifty cents a bushel. He died on his original homestead farm of 160 acres, when almost ninety years of age.

After his marriage, Daniel Wise gave the larger part if his attention to farming. He died in Green Township, owning at that time three farms, aged eighty-two years, and his widow died within three days of one year later. Daniel and Sarah Wise had the following children: John D.; Henry, father of Charles E.; Louisa, who married John Neal; Daniel, residing in Illinois; Frank and Calvin, both residing in Green Township; and Sarah, now deceased, who married L. Preere.

Henry Wise was reared on his father's farm in Green Township, assisting from boyhood in the heavy work which was made necessary by the wild condition of a large part of his father's property at that time. For a short period he attended the old log school-house and sat on the rough benches which were considered perfectly suitable in those days, but he had time to acquire no more than the rudiments of knowledge. From 1861 to 1863 he was engaged in drilling oil wells at Oil City, Pennsylvania, but with that exception, his whole life was spent in Summit County. For a time he resided south of Barberton, but later moved to the north of that town, where he died November 25, 1905, aged sixty-two years. He married Elizabeth Kepler, who was born and reared in Coventry Township, Summit County, Ohio, and is a daughter of Jacob and Susan (Marsh) Kepler, both of whom survive. They had four children: Charles Elmer, Olive, Harvey A., and Ida A., all now living, except the youngest, who died aged four years. Ida A. married Martin Ling.

Charles Elmer Wise was born while his parents lived in the house now owned by Huston Keppler, which was the home of his maternal grandfather. In a short time they moved to Franklin Township and located on the farm where Harvey Wise now lives, and where the three other children were born. It was on that farm that Charles E. Wise lived until his marriage, in the meanwhile obtaining his education in the district schools. For one year following his marriage, Mr. Wise farmer for his father-in-law at Norton, removing from there to a farm in Franklin Township, where he remained until 1891, when he settled on his present place which he secured from his father. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Wise operates a portable sawmill. He has added to the original farm acreage and has much improved the property. In 1893 he built his substantial barn all of his buildings are kept in good order, his farm machinery is sufficient for his needs, and his surroundings indicate thrift and good management. In addition to this Waluable property he owns the residence site at No. 76 Fay street, Akron.

In February, 1888, Mr. Wise was married to Cora A. Miller, who is a daughter of Jacob J. and Theresa Miller, and they have one son, Walter A. Mr. Wise is a good citizen, but he takes no very active interest in politics.

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.