James Viall

As printed in 1881

JAMES VIALL, Superintendent Hill Sewer Pipe Co., Akron (Sixth Ward); is a native of Akron, Summit Co., Ohio. Was born Jan. 15, 1828, and is the sixth of nine children born to James and Sarah (Hubbard) Viall, natives of Vermont, where they were married, after which they came to Ohio (about 1822) and settled in

Summit Co. Here he followed for a time charcoal burning, and later he became a contractor on the canal. After its completion, he engaged as bridge-builder, and built many of the bridges in this county. He died in February, 1837; his wife lived in the vicinity until her death, in the summer of 1880, at the age of 84 years. James (the subject), lived at home until 22 years of age, receiving but a limited education at the district schools. In 1841, he went on the canal, following the same until 1865, the first two years as driver, and in 1843 — then but 15 ears old — -began as steersman, continuing as such as long as he remained on the canal, running between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. He embarked, in 1865, in the manufacturing of stoneware, buying the business of Wm. Owens, which was located in Springfield Township, and has conducted the same ever since. About the year 1876, he sold a half-interest to George Markle, under the firm name of Viall & Markle. He also became interested, in 1865, with J. B. Woods, in the mining and manufacturing of clay, which he has since continued, and which has been incorporated into the Middlebury Clay Co. In March, 1873, lie, in company with Mr. Hill and others, incorporated the Hill Sewer Pipe Co., of which he is Superintendent. He was also engaged for several 3'ears, with Moses J. Huggins, in the grocery business in Middlebury, and for a time were the only representatives in that line in the place. He was married, Jan. 29, 1850, to Miss Mary Davis, a native of Middlebury, and daughter of Benjamin and Mary Davis — the former deceased, Mrs. Davis still living with her daughter, aged 86 years. Mr. Viall served as Councilman several terms in Middlebury before its incorporation. He has always been Republican in politics.

W. W. WARNER, abstracter of titles, etc., Akron; was born in Springfleld Township, in this county Feb. 28, 1848, and is the eighth of nine children born to John and Mary (Ettie) Warner. His parents were natives of Connecticut, and came to Oliio about 1839 and settled in Portage Township, Summit Co., Ohio. His father was a worker in iron, and was principally engaged as foreman after coming to Ohio. Aug. 6, 1863, he was drowned in the Cuyahoga River at Cuyahoga Falls. His mother died Dec. 3, 1859. Mr. Warner lived at home until the death of his father, when he went to live with Mr. Charles Curtiss, working on his farm

Is for a 3'ear, when, Mr. Curtiss selling out, young Warner remained with the purchaser of the farm. After a year, he went East, finishing the education begun in the district schools and those at the " Falls," in the Quaker City Business College of Philadelphia. After an absence of two yeai'S, he returned to Cuyahoga Falls and engaged as book-keeper for Hanford & Yeamans, and Hanford Brothers, who succeeded the former. The following year, he came to Akron and served as Deputy Recorder for James A. Lantz, and later, for Mr. Thorp, continuing some two years in all. In 1871, he began the business of preparing abstracts of titles. In 1874, he added the feature of real estate and loan agency to his business, forming a partnership with E. C. Ruggles, under the firm name of Ruggles & Warner. Two years later, the partnership was dissolved, Mr. Warner continuing the business alone to the present. April 15, 1869, he married Miss Annie M. Yeamans, a native of Philadelphia; she died Oct. 27, 18 —, leaving two children — Arthur Lee and Harry Albert, who were twins. Oct. 25, 1877, he married Miss Alice G. Littleton, a native of Cleveland. There is one child by this marriage — (george Littleton.

AARON WAdONBR, Auditor, Akron; was born on his father's farm in Franklin Township, Sept. 19, 184:4. His early years were spent on the farm, and in the schools of the neighborhood, until the fall of 1862, when he enlisted in the army, joining Company B, 6th 0. V. C. Soon after his enlistment, he was appointed Corporal, and later, a Sergeant, finally reaching the rank of Second Lieutenant in command of the company. He was mustered out as Second Lieutenant in 1865. This regiment was with Sheridan in the Potomac Army, took part in the battle of the Wilderness, on the raid to Richmond, at Appomattox Court House, and all the engagements of the army. At Aldie he was wounded, and for several months was disabled for active service. Returning from the army, he came to Akron and engaged as salesman in the dry goods establishment of Overholser, Keller & Co. After serving in this capacity for some eighteen months, he engaged as their book-keeper, continuing for four and a half years, when the firm dissolved. In 1872, he entered the City Bank as Teller, continuing there until 1880. In the fall of this year, he was elected on the Republican ticket as Auditor, entering upon his duties in the following November. April 30, 1868, he married Miss Amanda Smith, a native of Summit County; by the marriage there have been born two children, viz.: Mabel Blanche and George Edward.

As printed in History of Summit County, with an outline sketch of Ohio (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.