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"Akron"
by
Jon David Miller
About Jon's life in Akron
Jon
is a native of Akron, Ohio, and descended from both
Ohio Shawnee and early settlers of Ohio from the
east coast.
He is
related to the historic Shawnee chiefs, Puckeshinwau,
Cheeseekau and Tecumseh, through Tecumapease, Chief
Puckeshinwau's daughter and
Tecumseh's sister
with whom he was very close. Tecumseh is famous for
his oratory skill in traveling among native
tribes encouraging resistance to settlers and
preservation of Indian lands.
Another ancestor, born in 1809, was the first
settler birth in what is now a part of Akron before
it was founded. Over the more than two centuries,
family members have been significantly involved in
the local lumber, farming and rubber industries.
Jon
began singing
professionally as a teen in the 1960's. His folk
music group performed at local events including for
the WAKR-TV "Road Show". Since then he has
performed in a variety of venues in many states, and has been
a songwriter for nearly 60 years.
Jon was the wandering
minstrel at Quaker Square when it opened in 1975. He
performed at several of the early "First Night
Akron" New Year's Eve celebrations, and has appeared
at many area coffeehouses, night spots, festivals
and other events.
His education began in
Akron Public Schools, where he was later
a substitute
teacher for 9 years. He also served 10 years as a
local basketball referee. Jon incorporates
educational elements as a songwriter and
storyteller. He has performed at many schools,
colleges and libraries.
Jon was instrumental
in the growth of interest in natural and organic
foods in the Akron area. He was one of the
founders and leaders of Akron's Cooperative Market
that had a 30-year history, finishing with
establishing nine community gardens around town.
He has also
distributed organic produce, written books on
holistic natural health, served as a consultant in
holistic health centers and spoken on the subject
at colleges, health conferences and meetings in
multiple states.
Jon has been a music
minister for many years, has served as a church
youth ed director and has officiated numerous
weddings at a variety of area locations, including
Stan Hywet, The O'Neil House, The Perkins Stone
Mansion, The Civic Theatre, Akron Art Museum,
The Tangier,
churches, halls,
parks and so on.
Through
involvement in many organizations and activities
over the years, Jon has connected with many of
Akron's well-known personalities in business,
government, music, art, sports and health.
"Akron"
Copyright 2025. All rights
reserved.
(click the title to play the video)
The song "Akron"
reviews the city's history and many of its
features. This song is presented in
commemoration of the 200th anniversary of
Akron's founding in 1825. Akron grew with
additional settlers, construction projects and
the consolidation of local villages as the Ohio
and Erie canal was completed and brought
prosperity to the
area.
(lyrics below)
Akron
Between the Cuyahoga and the
Tuscarawus to the south,
Rich with animals, trees and
streams,
Native people lived for centuries
With
their families, skills and dreams.
Then pioneers from Connecticut
settled the land,
Cutting lumber for homes in the
hills,
Raising their crops and
families,
Barns, churches, schools and
mills.
Along the Ohio and Erie canal,
With wood, bricks, hardware and
gables,
Our
city grew from smaller towns,
With houses, hotels, wagons, and
stables.
(Chorus)
With the changing needs of
industry,
From making lumber, cereal and
tires for cars,
To
airplanes, blimps and polymers,
Then on into space
for the stars.
(Chorus)
Pro
bowling, golf and baseball, soap box
derbies and a zoo,
Marathons, museums, support groups,
parks and plays
"Hall of Fame" inventors, artists
and musicians,
A
great orchestra, concerts and
ballets.
(Chorus)
Chorus:
Akron
is a wonderful town, with tremendous
trees, crooked rivers too;
Good
folks living among the hills enjoying
what we do.
Jon David Miller
singer-songwriter,
storyteller & sage
"a breath of fresh
thought"
original
music, stories & philosophy
330-920-9820
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