Akron, Ohio is the county seat of Summit County, located in northeastern Ohio along the Ohio and Erie Canal and later the Cuyahoga River, and was founded in 1825 by Simon Perkins and Paul Williams. It developed rapidly due to its strategic position at the summit of the canal system—hence “Summit” County, organized in 1840—and was incorporated as a village in 1836 and as a city in 1865. The city became a major manufacturing center, most notably the global hub of the rubber and tire industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, earning it the title “Rubber Capital of the World.” Originally part of the Western Reserve, Akron attracted New England settlers and later large immigrant populations. For genealogical research, Akron offers extensive records including land deeds, probate files, naturalization documents, industrial employment records, church and cemetery registers, and a rich collection of city directories and local newspapers, housed at the Summit County Archives, the Akron-Summit County Public Library, and the Ohio History Connection. Native peoples in the region before Euro-American settlement included the Erie and later Lenape and other displaced tribes.
Herman E. Retzlaff, born in Germany on August 28, 1857, was the son of Michael Retzlaff, who immigrated to the United States in 1861. The family settled in Daviess County in 1874 after eleven years in Akron, Ohio. Following his father’s death in 1878, Herman completed his education in Akron and later took up farming upon reaching adulthood. He currently resides on a farm in Sheridan Township, where he continues to engage in agricultural activities.
Sarah Mann, born into slavery in 1861 on a Virginia plantation, recounts her life as the daughter of Frederick Green and Mandy Booker. Following emancipation, she married Beverly Mann in 1880 and moved with other ex-slaves to Silver Creek, then to Wadsworth, and finally to Akron in 1883. A dedicated church member and believer in the Bible, she shares a modest home with her family. At over seventy years old, Mrs. Mann reflects on her past with dignity, while her husband’s passing has left an imprint on her life.
J. W. Garman, born on June 30, 1858, in Akron, Ohio, is an accomplished businessman serving as the cashier of the Citizens Bank of Willow Springs, Missouri. After early ventures in the drug business and medical studies, he became the bank’s cashier in 1892, overseeing significant growth. Garman is active in local organizations and has held various political offices, showcasing his commitment to public service. He is a self-made man with various business interests and a family, including two daughters with his wife, Rose E. Coughlin.
Richard Z. Johnson, born on May 21, 1837, in Akron, Ohio, is a prominent attorney in Idaho’s legal community. Educated at Yale’s Law Department, he began his practice in Minnesota before moving to Idaho. Johnson’s significant contributions include serving as attorney general, member of the territorial council, and shaping Boise’s educational policies. Known for his systematic approach and oratory skills, he has built a successful law practice and owns valuable real estate in Boise. He is deeply committed to public welfare and serves as president of the Idaho State Bar Association.
Harry A. Adams was born on April 30, 1861, in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. After a public school education, he married Minnie Bell Helfer in 1889. He engaged in the drug business before becoming president and manager of the Adams, Reed Rattan Co. in Canal Dover. Moving to Cleveland in 1905, Adams focused on real estate development as vice president and treasurer of The Adams Realty Co., while holding various directorships and memberships in local organizations.
Otis Richmond Cook, born in Cleveland on October 16, 1875, was the son of Colonel Benton and Jennie Shattuck Cook. He attended local public schools and married Gertrude Ione Bacon in 1896, with whom he had a son, Joseph Arthur Cook. Cook worked as a general representative for B. F. Goodrich and Firestone before managing Kelly-Springfield Tire Co. He was involved in various Masonic organizations and enjoyed motoring and baseball in his leisure time.
Gus H. Hanna, born in Cleveland on April 7, 1857, was the son of William F. and Bertha Kochi Hanna. He received eight years of common school education and attended Buchtel College for two years. A Democrat and iron worker for 20 years, Hanna was elected national vice president of the Bridge Structural Iron Workers of America in 1896. He organized and led Cleveland’s Street Cleaning Department from 1901 until 1910 and again from 1912, notably implementing a street flushing system and holding several U.S. patents.
Max Hilman, born in 1875, was a notable merchant educated at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He married Helen Schwab in 1906 and had two children. Hilman served as manager and vice president of Emerson Elm Manufacturing Company for twelve years. Since 1908, he has held vice president and treasurer positions at The Lindner Company in Cleveland, The Wadsworth Company in Akron, The Wadsworth Stone Company in Cleveland, and The Gruby Company in Logansport, Indiana. He is an active member of various local clubs and chambers of commerce.
Harry C. Gammeter, born on February 27, 1870, in Akron, Ohio, was an inventor and businessman. After receiving education in public schools and colleges, he traveled extensively for seven years to study manufacturing. He recognized the need for a business duplicating machine, leading to the creation of the Multigraph machine with H. C. Osborne in 1902. Gammeter’s ventures included serving as a mechanical expert and director at various companies, alongside being active in community organizations and recreational activities. He was married with two children.
Edward Manoe Herron, born in Donegal, Ireland, on March 22, 1857, was a prominent contractor and accomplished grainer. After receiving his education in Ireland and Cleveland, he married Matilda Elford Emery in Akron, Ohio, in 1883 and had three sons. As a politically independent figure, he was a key member of Geo. H. Herron & Co. and recognized as one of the best grainers in the U.S. He also engaged with the School of the Prophet in Ireland and enjoyed hunting for sport.
William Koehl, born on August 22, 1883, in Akron, Ohio, was an architect who received his education at various institutions, including the University of Ottawa. He married Alma Keidel in 1909 and had two sons. Koehl gained early architectural experience in Akron and Cleveland before partnering with A. C. Wolf from 1911 to 1913, after which he established his own architectural practice in the Park Building.
Hermon A. Kelley was born on May 15, 1859, in Kelleys Island, Ohio. The son of Alfred Stow and Hannah Farr Kelley, he earned degrees from Buchtel College, Harvard Law School, and Goettingen University. He married Florence Alice Kendall in Cleveland on September 3, 1889, and had three children. Kelley practiced law with the firm of Hoyt, Dustin, Kelley, McKeehan Andrews and served as the first assistant corporation counsel for Cleveland. He was also a trustee at Buchtel College and the Cleveland Museum of Art, and a member of several clubs.
Alonzo Eugene Hyre, born June 1, 1860, in Basil, Ohio, was educated in various Ohio public schools and Buchtel College, where he earned a B.S. degree. He married Sarah Emma Cadwallader in 1886 and had two sons. Hyre edited a Republican newspaper for twelve years and was active in politics, serving as cashier of the U.S. Internal Revenue office under McKinley. He helped establish and has been the secretary of The Cleveland Chamber of Industry. His career included significant contributions to local journalism.
William Henry Hunt was born on January 28, 1868, in Warren, Ohio. He received a public school education and married Mary Fairchild Sanford in 1912. Hunt held numerous leadership roles, including chairman of the Municipal Art and Architecture committee and president of various associations, such as the National Brick Manufacturers Association and the Ohio Face Brick Association. He served as president of the Cleveland Life Insurance Co. and was involved in community organizations like St. Luke’s Hospital and the Civil Federation of Cleveland. His hobbies included travel.
Dudley S. Humphrey, born on May 19, 1852, in Townsend, Ohio, was educated at district schools and Buchtel College. After managing the family estate post his father’s death in 1876, he co-founded a seed business with his brothers in 1884. In 1893, he established a successful popcorn retail business in Cleveland and later expanded into candy production. By 1901, he acquired and operated Euclid Beach Park, transforming it into a leading summer resort. Humphrey also contributed to community development through his work with the Ohio Good Roads Association.
Arthur Adelbert Stearns, born on July 18, 1858, in Olmsted, Ohio, was an accomplished attorney and educator. He graduated from Buchtel College and Harvard Law School, earning an honorary LL.D. He held various business roles, including partnerships from 1884 to 1909. An active member of the legal community, he served as secretary and later president of the Cleveland Bar Association and was a trustee of Buchtel College. Stearns authored notable legal texts on suretyship and had three children.
Alfred George Tame was born in Cleveland on February 7, 1869. He graduated from Buchtel College in 1890 and worked in journalism before starting as a bookkeeper at the Old Arcade Bank in 1893. He continued with the bank through its transition to the Euclid Ave. Trust Co. and became treasurer of the Cleveland Trust Co. in 1906. Tame was a veteran member of Troop A, a Republican, and affiliated with several clubs and the Chamber of Commerce. He married Clara Armstrong in 1894 and had four children.
H. S. Odbert, born on August 18, 1875, in Youngstown, Ohio, began his career in retail coal in 1889. He worked with Starret Bros. Construction from 1892 to 1898, aside from a year in his father’s coal mines. Since 1898, he has been involved with The H. S. Odbert Coal Co. and its mining interests, becoming president in 1910 after his father’s death. Odbert is active in several organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce and various clubs.
Walt Zelten was born on February 5, 1930, in Akron, Ohio, and moved to Tacoma, Washington, with his family in 1942. He completed his education in Tacoma and served in the Army during the Korean War. A dedicated veteran, he was a lifetime member of the Ray C. Roberts VFW Post #969. Walt passed away on May 26, 1997.