John F. Viall

As printed in 1881

JOHN F. VIALL, undertaker, corner Water and River street, Akron; is a native of Chautauqua Co., N. Y.; was born April 30, 1825, and is the fourth of a family of nine children born to Bennett and Wealthy (Arnold) Viall. They were natives of Vermont and Connecticut, and were married in New York, whither he had gone when a young man, and she with her parents. He farmer there until 1832, when he came to Ohio, and settled in Springfield Township, farming there some two years. He then came to Middlebury and took an active interest in a saw and woolen mill, built by himself and brother Thomas, continuing until the latter's death, after which he continued some three years longer. He then went to Wisconsin, where he remained for two 3'ears, and then returned to Middlebury, and soon after went to Granger Township, in Medina Co., where he followed farming until his death in 1877, aged 84 years. She died in 1845. He married a second time to Mrs. S. Hinckley, who died about four years after her marriage. A third marriage was to Mrs. Rhoda Baker; she survived him about one month. John F. (the subject) lived at home until he was 22. He learned the cabinet-maker's trade with his brother in Middlebury. After three years his brother died, and himself and brother Eli engaged in the furniture business under the firm of Viall Brothei's, and continued about ten years. Subject then sold out and worked for G. W. Barber & Co. twelve years, then worked for Kent & Baldwin, woolen machinery manufacturers, for two 3'ears. He then bought an interest in his brother's cabinet-making business, continuing three years, when the firm became Viall & Replogle, the latter succeeding

Eli Viall, and three years later he sold to Mr. Dewey, and about three years after John F. Viall became sole proprietor, and quit the furniture business and followed the undertaking business since. He was married, Nov. 4, 1847, to Miss Cornelia C. Wheeler, a native of Tallmadge Township. They had seven children, five of whom are living — Francis (now Mrs. Obendorf, of Middlebury), Edwin W. (married, and lives in Middlebury), Laura C. (now Mrs. Charles B. Macey, of Middlebury), Arthur G. and Otis live at home.

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.