Canton Ohio

The Waitley family in the United States

The Waitley family in the United States

“Marian Drew Waitley’s ‘The Waitley Family in the United States’, self-published in 1956, documents the lineage and historical narrative of the Waitley family, tracing back to John S. Waitley, an early ancestor from Scotland. This book leverages details from a 19th-century biographical history specific to several Iowa counties to shed light on John S. Waitley’s life, including his migration from Massachusetts to Ohio and his role as a Free-will Baptist Church minister. The narrative explores his family connections, notably a disputed link to Josiah Bartlett, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and outlines the broader familial contributions and movements across the United States, all while addressing discrepancies in historical and genealogical records regarding familial relations.”

Biography of Fred A. Sowers

Fred A. Sowers, a notable figure in Wichita’s history, was born in Ohio in 1839. A distinguished member of the Kansas bar and pioneer newspaper man, he actively participated in the Civil War and later moved to Leavenworth to practice law. Sowers founded the Wichita Beacon, the city’s first daily newspaper, and became a respected figure in real estate and civic affairs, including serving on the city council and board of education. He had two wives, with his second marriage producing three children, two of whom are successful professionals.

Slave Narrative of David A. Hall

David A. Hall, born on July 25, 1847, in Goldsboro, NC, recounts his life as a slave and his journey to freedom. His mother worked as a cook, and he faced limited educational opportunities but learned basic reading and writing. After the Civil War, a soldier named Kuhns helped him find work. Hall lived in Canton, Ohio, where he dedicated 70 years to the milling industry. Married with four children, he remained active in his church and noted societal changes, advocating for community and personal improvement.

Slave Narrative of William Williams

William Williams was born into slavery on April 14, 1857, in Caswell County, North Carolina. He learned his father’s identity, Thomas Williams, only after the Civil War. Sold at age three, he remembered little of slave life, although his father was a cobbler. After the war, both parents worked small farms while he undertook various jobs. Williams recounted the harsh conditions of slavery, including lack of education, poor living standards, and strict overseers, and later migrated to Canton, Ohio, where he has lived since 1884.

Slave Narrative of Susan Bledsoe

Susan Bledsoe, born on August 15, 1845, in Gilee County, TN, recounts her life as a slave on a plantation. She describes her family dynamics, work in the fields, and interactions with overseers, portraying a mix of harsh realities and moments of joy among slaves. Her memories include singing and dancing after work, receiving better food than in later life, and her eventual freedom celebration. After emancipation, she worked on the plantation and married Wade Bledsoe, later moving to Canton, Ohio, to live with family.

Biography of William Munks

William Munks, a prominent figure in the history of Puget Sound, is recognized as a veteran, pioneer, and the first white settler of Fidalgo Island. Born in Ohio, he enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Mexican War and later participated in Indian wars and various military campaigns. After years of trapping, mining, and trading, he settled on Fidalgo Island in 1859, where he cultivated a successful farm and operated a mercantile store. Munks’ contributions to the region are lasting, as he is also a long-serving postmaster and holds significant land holdings in the area.

Biography of Earl J. Andrews

Earl J. Andrews, born on November 16, 1882, in Wilmington, Ohio, was a distinguished architect who revolutionized construction practices in Cleveland. After completing his education in Marion, Indiana, he began his career in carpentry and opened his architectural business in 1905. Known for specializing in high-grade residential homes, Andrews built around 60 houses near Wade Park, consistently delivering projects on time. He was actively involved in various community and professional organizations while enjoying recreational activities like bowling and baseball.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas P. Ballard

Thomas P. Ballard, born April 27, 1854, in Canton, Ohio, was educated at Amherst College, earning his A.B. in 1876 and A.M. in 1879. He had a diverse career, serving as a school superintendent and principal, working in publishing, and later as a social worker. He transitioned into real estate in Cleveland in 1906. Ballard participated actively in various organizations, including serving as trustee for multiple institutions and holding leadership roles within the Cleveland Real Estate Board and Civic League. He was married twice and had two sons.

Biographical Sketch of William Louis Day

William Louis Day was born on August 13, 1876, in Canton, Ohio. He was the son of William Rufus and Mary Elizabeth Day. Day graduated from Williston Seminary in 1896 and earned his LL.B. from the University of Michigan in 1900. He married Elizabeth E. McKay in 1902 and began his legal career that year. He served as city solicitor from 1906 to 1908 and as U.S. attorney for the Northern District of Ohio from 1908 to 1911, before becoming a U.S. district judge in 1911.

Biographical Sketch of Lather Day

Lather Day, born on May 9, 1879, in Canton, Ohio, was a lawyer and the son of William R. and Mary E. Lebaufu Day. He married Ida McKinley Barber on June 24, 1903, and they had two daughters, Katherine and Ida. Day practiced law for six years in Canton before joining the firm Goulder, Day, White, Garry Duncan in November 1910. He was actively involved in various organizations, including the Psi Upsilon Fraternity and local country clubs.

Biographical Sketch of Homer McDaniels

Homer McDaniels, born in Stark County, Ohio, in 1854, was the son of Augustus and Amanda Stier McDaniel. Educated in public schools, he learned the carriage trimmer trade and became one of the organizers of the Canton Spring Co., serving as vice president for twelve years. He moved to Cleveland in 1894, where he managed the Sheriff St. Market Storage Co. and served as treasurer of various companies. An active member of the refrigerating industry, he presided over major associations and was involved in local Republican politics. He had seven children with his wife, Mary A. Cobaugh.

Biographical Sketch of Burt A. Miller

Burt A. Miller, born in Canton, Ohio, on March 17, 1871, was the son of William K. and Sarah Burwell Miller. He attended Cornell University and Cincinnati Law School before marrying Jane Rabe in 1899. After the Spanish-American War, Miller organized the surety business in Cuba and Puerto Rico, creating the legal framework for operations there. He served as vice president and manager for the Southwestern Surety Insurance Company and held various memberships in local organizations, including the Cleveland Rotary Club.

Biographical Sketch of Charles Russell Miller

Charles Russell Miller, born on October 1, 1858, in Canton, Ohio, was a prominent lawyer and community leader. He attended Canton High School and Canton Academy, marrying Alice Evelyn Rose in 1883. A member of the law firm Weed, Miller & Rothenberg, he served as a presidential elector in 1896 and held various military and leadership roles, including commander-in-chief of the U.S. War Veterans. Active in numerous organizations, he also authored “Law of Conditional Sales” in 1884 and presided over the Cleveland Bar Association in 1913.

Biographical Sketch of John Klee

John Klee, born in Germany in 1860, was a skilled builder and contractor who immigrated to the United States and settled in Canton, Ohio. After working as a carpenter for seven years, he established his contracting business in 1889, during which he constructed four churches and 120 buildings and residences. Married to Emma Haldeman in 1900, he had four children and was active in the Cleveland Carpenters and Contractors Association. His community involvement included participating in prayer meetings and Sunday School.

Biographical Sketch of Edward W. Kingsbury

Edward W. Kingsbury, born on January 15, 1870, in Newark, Ohio, was the son of Wilson Webb and Mary Ellen Little Kingsbury. He received his education in Newark and Canton, eventually becoming a bookkeeper. Kingsbury worked as a commercial traveler for The Scandinavia Belting Co. for four years before managing their Cleveland branch starting January 1, 1913. He moved to Cleveland in 1904 and was a member of Elks Lodge No. 18 and various Commercial Travelers Associations.

Biographical Sketch of Arnold E. Williams

Arnold E. Williams, born on March 12, 1877, in England, was a notable lake coal shipping agent. He received his education from a high school and business college in Canton, Ohio. His career included positions as an agent for various coal companies and as a director of the Northern Lakes Steamship Company. He also managed the Triton Steamship Company. A 32nd degree Mason and Noble of the Mystic Shrine, Williams was affiliated with several clubs, including the Euclid, Athletic, Tippecanoe, and Cleveland Tennis Clubs.

Biography of August Bauman

August Bauman, born in New York City in 1859 to German immigrant parents, emerged as a key business figure in Neodesha, Kansas, where he has spent over three decades. He initially worked as a clerk before establishing a successful grocery business with his brother and later founded the Bauman Grain Company. Alongside his commercial pursuits, Bauman served in various civic roles, demonstrating a commitment to public service and community improvement. His integrity and business acumen have earned him considerable respect in Neodesha.

Biographical Sketch of Fringer, Herman J.

Herman J. Fringer, born in 1845 in Pennsylvania and raised in Ohio, arrived in Fort Dodge in 1867. Initially serving as a Quartermaster’s clerk, he opened a drug store in 1872 with a stock valued at $4,000. He held various public roles, including postmaster, County Clerk, and Probate Judge, with multiple terms in the latter position. Fringer was also a Notary Public and a member of the Knights Templar Lodge. His career reflects a commitment to both commerce and public service in Dodge City.