Individual Details

Census-shared

Wendell living with VL and Edith.

Biography

When Valentine L. Ney was a mere child his parents removed from Canton to the farm four miles south of the city, and there he attended the district schools during the winter terms until he had attained the age of seventeen years, while during the summer seasons he assisted in the work of the farm. At the age of sixteen he entered upon an apprenticeship at the carpenter trade, having early manifested a distinct mechanical genius, and he soon became an expert artisan in the line, and for a long term of years devoted his attention to work as a journeyman and a contracting builder, having erected several hundred houses in this section of the state, principally in Stark county, where he attained a high reputation as an able and trustworthy contractor. In the meanwhile he became the inventor of several useful devices in a mechanical line, and in attempting to secure patents on the same was involved in litigation, which was carried on for about four years, he finally winning out. In 1892 he formed a co-partnership with Robert Ostermeier, then engaging in business as architects in Canton, as the firm of Ney & Ostermeier, continuing for two years. In 1893 Mr. Ney organized the V. L. Ney Manufacturing Company, for the manufacture of his inventions. He becoming treasurer of the company and continuing so to the present and it is largely due to his able efforts that the concern has attained so great a success, its products now finding a ready demand in the most diverse sections of the Union. Mr. Ney is also largely interested in city real estate in the north end. which he is rapidly improving, When the improvements are completed he will have one of the finest properties in Canton. In politics Mr. Ney has ever been staunchly arrayed in support of the principles and policies of the democratic party, though he has never desired the honors or emoluments of political office. His first vote was cast for William Allen for governor of Ohio, at the time of his nomination for a second term. He united with the Reformed church when fourteen years of age, while his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On the 28th of October, 1890, Mr. Ney was united in marriage to Miss Edith Holm, daughter of George and Catherine (Buchtel) Holm, of Canton, and of this union two children have been born, Wendell, who is eight years of age. and Valeda, aged five years at the time of this writing.