William Smith Williams

As printed in 1892

WILLIAM SMITH WILLIAMS, President and Secretary of the Shale Brick Exchange, of Canton, Ohio, was born near this city, April 23, 1835, and is a son of (george and Mary (Smith) Williams. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and became a resident of Stark Countv in ISIO. But few industries were open to the early settlers at that date, and his vocation was principally farming and the manufacture of brick. Industrious, honest and enterprising, he was soon looked upon as a valuable acquisition to the band of pioneers.

Our subject spent the first twenty years of his life on a farm, acquiring his education in the public.schools of Canton. When a young man, he served as a Lieutenant in a militia company, called the Canton Light Guards, and was afterward made Captain of the Canton Battery. Possessing a superior mathematical mind, his inclinations only turned to the department of civil engineering and its kindred branches, and while in the High School he paid especial attention to his favorite science. With this preliminary preparation, he fitted himself for his profession by his own efforts, by private study and by practice in the field. His first engagement was as Assistant Civil Engineer of the southwest branch of the Pacific Railroad, running from St. Louis into the Indian Territory. In 1858, he was admitted to the Bar in Ohio, and in Missouri in 18.59, having previously read law under the late Judge G. W. Belden, of Canton.

In the spring of 1861, Mr. Williams entered the service of the Government as Lieutenant in an independent battery of artillery, and was engaged in the battles of Scarey Creek and Hawk's Nest in Western Virginia. In November, 1861, he was commissioned by Gov. Dennison to raise another battery, which was known as the Third Ohio Independent Battery, with which Mr. AVilliams served as Captain, making for himself a highly creditable military record. He participated in the battles of Shiloh, Corinth, Raymond, Champion Hills, siege of Wicksburg, Clinton, Kcnesaw Mountain, siege of Atlanta, Legget's Bald Knob, Ezra Church, Jone.boro and Lovejoy Station. For a part of the time he was Chief of Artillery of Gen. Logan's Staff, Third Division, Seventeenth Army Corps, and subsequently occupied the.same position on the staff of Gen. M. D. Legget. After the fall of Atlanta, the artillery of the Seventeenth Corps was formed into a brigade, and Capt. Williams was assigned to the command of it as Chief of Artillery. This brigade com[)raised all the artillery of the Seventeenth Army Corps, and served as such until mustered out in December, 1864. During his whole military career, he distinguished himself as a brave soldier and an excellent and intrepid officer. His superior qualifications for the position, together with his gentlemanly bearing and courteous manner, rendered him one of the most popular officers in the corps. He is a member of the society of the Army of the Tennessee, and has been honored with the office of Vice-president. He is also a member of the INIilitary Order of Loyal Legion.

In politics, the Captain is a stanch Republican. Shortly after his return from the army, he was appointed County Survey-orof Stark County, serving one term, and subsequently was City Engineer of Canton for several years. In 1872, he was appointed Resident Civil Engineer of Public Works of the State of Ohio. In the years 1872 and 1873, he was Inspector of Railroads for the State of Ohio, under Commissioner Walcot, and again in 1876 and 1877, under L. G. Delano.

In 1884, Captain Williams began experimenting in the manufacturing of paving brick from sale, the first manufactured west of the Ohio River. The works are located west of the Valley Railroad. He has energetically prosecuted the work, and his discoveries in the manufacture of paving brick from sale have developed one of Canton's most important industries. The sale brick is of a superior quality, and when vitrified is capable of resisting a greater pressure than granite. In connection with this, Capt. AVilliams also manufactures a very superior quality of fire brick. The excellence of these two kinds of brick is so well established and the orders come in so fa.st that it is with diflScultjthe demand is met. The capacity of the works is over three million bricks annually. Our subject is now President and Secretary of the Shale Brick Exchange, of Canton, and is one of the most prominent and influential business men of the city.

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

Avenue, is a fine brick residence, surrounded with extensive grounds. The fine lawn is adorned with njan3' native trees, and also with some beautiful pines. Capt. Williams is a gentleman of fine scholarl_y attainments and occupies a prominent rank among the leading civil engineers of the State. He is thoroughly devoted to his department of industry, and his military and professional record alike entitle him to high regard as a patriot and a citizen.

OHN Y. REINOEHL, who is a veteran of I ! the late war, with an honorable record for d) bravery and devotion to the cause of his._JJ country, won in some of the hardest fought battles in the Rebellion, is a very successful farmer, one of the foremost in his line of business in Tuscarawas Township. He is a native of this county, having been born January 10, 1842, to William and Louisa (Bowman) Reinoehl, natives of Lebanon County, Pa.

The father of our subject, in company with his parents and other members of his family, emigrated to this county in 1831, and located in Lawrence Township, where thejcontinued to reside until 1804. The elder Mr. Reinoehl when arriving here had not much mone-, but he was well endowed with the energy, perseverance and capacity for hard work that serves a man oftentimes better than money. In 1854, he came to this township, where lie was residing at the time of his decease, which occurred in 1873.

Only two children were comprised in the parental family, our subject and his sister Maiy. The former was reared to mature years in this section, and though on the outset subjected to the manjinconveniences of opening up a new country, aided his father in clearing up a good farm, which was supplied with good buildings and well-equipped with practical machinery. He received a limited education in the district schools, and although never ntlonding college, was of studious habits, and being a close observer, obtained a practical knowledge that has served him to good purpose.

In August, 1862, John W. Reinoehl enlisted in the Union army becoming a member of Company E, One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Infantry, beingmustered ill as a private, and during his period of service fought under Gens. Gilmore, Burnside and Schofield. He participated in the first battle of Knoxville, and at the light at Franklin received a fracture of the skull, from which injury he was confined in the hospital for three months. On receiving his honorable discharge at Columbus, in June, 1865, our subject returned home and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.

Miss Susan Groff, who was born in Lancaster County, Pa., June 7, 1843, became the wife of our subject June 6, 1867. She is the daughter of Benjamin and Anne Groff and. to them have been born four children: Emma, Edwin, Ella and Elmer. Mr. Reinoehl has always taken an active interest in school affairs and has been selected to fill the office of School Director for several years. In politics, he cases his vote and influence in favor of Republican candidates, which party he believes to be in the right. He is a conscientious member of the Brethren-in-Christ Church, and is always ready to do another a kindness and to extend his help and sympathy to all in trouble. His estate, which comprises one hundred and ninety'-six acres, is exceedingly fertile land and is provided with well-equipped farm structures that are complete in their arrangements.and well stocked with good grades of animals.

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.