Simon Johnson

As printed in 1892

IMON JOHNSON, Superintendent of the "Water Works of Alliance, has the honor of being a native of this county'. He was born November 12, 1825, and is a son of Simon and Mary- K. (White) Johnson. The Johnson ancestors were members of the Society of Friends, and the maternal grandfather was a Baptist minister. The parents of our subject emigrated to the Buckeye State in 1823, locating in AVashington Township, Stark County. There were then but four families in the township, a few Indians were still in the county, and wild game of all descriptions roamed in the forest. In the midst of the timber, Mr. Joiinson hewed out a farm and followed agricultural pursuits throughout the greater part of his life. About three years prior to his death, he removed to Alliance.

Our subject is one of a family of four sons and five daughters. In the usual manner of farmer lads, he was reared to manhood. He attended the public schools of Jit. Union and was the first student to recite a lesson to Prof. Hartshorn, of that school. He also attended Marlborough Academy and further pursued his studies in Salem, after which he taught school for one term in Washington County, Pa. He then followed farming until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 3d of April, 1851, Miss Jane Teeters becoming his wife. Unto them were born five children; J. Howard; Rosetta and L. M., both deceased; Mary K. and William W. The last-named resides in Chattanooga, Tenn. Mary, the only daughter, was appointed an operator in the Bell Telephone office, of Alliance, on its introduction here, and subsequently became general manager, being the only lady' manager of the concern in the State.

For eight years after his marriage, Mr. Johnson was a resident of Knox Township, and during three years of that time served as Justice of the Peace. In 1859, he came to Alliance. He had a contract to supply a large amount of wood to a company, and got out eight thousand cords. During the war, he bought horses and de.alt in stock. In 1861, he was elected Mayor of Alliance, and held that office for two years, when he was elected Justice of the Peace, serving three years. He was then re-elected Mayor for two years, after which he traveled for the Forest City- Insurance Company as General Agent for five years. Once more he was elected Mayor, and held the office for three successive terms, or six years, having served altogether in that position for a decade. He was then employed by the Water Works Committee as Managing Agent, holding that position until JUI3', 1890, when he was elected Superintendent, which position he now fills. In 1866, he embarked in the insurance business, which he continued until becoming Superintendent of the Water Works, when he turned over the business to his son, John II., who now conducts it and has one of the best agencies in the State.

PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPinCAL RECORD.

In his social relations, Mr. Johnson is a, member of the Masonic fraternity and the Knigiils of Honor. Himself and wife are members of the Disciples Church. He is held in the highest regard throughout the community, and has the confidence and good will of all. That he is quite popular is shown by his repeated re-election to the office of JIavor, and this fact also indicates the promptness and fidelity with which he discharged the duties of his office.

EORGE W. MEYER is the agent for the [l[ (— estate belonging to the Meyer heirs, and:( resides at his pleasant home about a mile from the cit of Canton. He was born on the old homestead in this county, March 2, 1863, and is the fourth in order of birth in a family of five children. The pai'ents, Joseph and Catherine Meyer, were bob natives of the city of Baltimore, Md. The former was born in 1812, and with his father, Andrew Meyer, came to Stark County, Ohio, when a boy. Pie was reared upon a farm, and after attaining to man's estate, returned to Baltimore, where he was married. With his bride, he then came again to Stark County and settled on a farm near Jlcyer Lake, the old homestead which his fatiier had located. Here he carried on general farming and was one of the principal sheep raisers in this part of the country, owning as many as seven hundred head of sheep at one time, lie was successful in his business dealings, and as his financial resources increased, he made judicious investments in land near Canton, purchasing one tract of two hundred and twenty'-five acres, which he owned at the time of his death. Healso bought a home and fifteen acres of land in Canton, and there resided until called to his final rest in 1869. He had previously sold some of his town lots, but Mrs. Meyer still resides at the old homestead at No. 151 West Tuscarawas Street. The house is surrounded by commodious grounds, comprising an acre and a half, on whlchstand some of the natural oaks of the forest. Mr. Meyer was a man of great force of character, and of keen foresight, and won excellent success. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat, and was a member of the Catholic Church.

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

Our subject began his education in the city schools of Canton, and was afterward a student in Emmitsburg, Md., for four years. In company with two of his brothers, he purchased one hundred and sixty acres at Meyer Lake, which he improved and transformed into a summer resort, one of the finest in the State. They there erected a boat-house and billiard halls, laid out a race track, and added many other attractions and improvements. A street-car line has been built from the city' and runs to the lake, a distance of about two miles. The farm of two hundred and twenty-five acres, which was purchased by the father of our subject, has been platted and laid out by the Meyer heirs into one thousand lots, very desirable for residences. A number of homes have already been erected. The lots are offered at reasonable prices and are in every way suitable for pleasant homes. George Meyer is sole agent and manager of the estate.

The Meyer heirs have been very liberal in aiding in the upbuilding of the enterprises calculated to improve and benefit the community. They donated the twenty acres of land upon which has been built the Dueber Watch Works, which furnish employment to from fifteen hundred to two thousand men and women. They have also given liberally to other manufacturing industries and donated the land for the Me3-cr Park, which extends from Adams to South Street.

In the y-ear 1887, George W. Meer was married to Miss Helen Shriver, one of the fair daughters of Canton, which is the lady's native city\ They have a beautiful home on his farm one mile west of the city, comprising one hundred and twelve acres of choice and highly improved land. Their home is one of the Dcatest and most substantial country residences between Canton and Massillon, and its hospitable doors are ever open for the reception of their friends, who are many.

As printed in Portrait biographical record of Stark county, Ohio. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unit (1892). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.