Childs of New York City, who is famously known for his commission by Woodrow Wilson for a Princeton campus building. Seiberling, Co-Founder of the Good Year Tire and Rubber Co. and Edward S. Childs, Tri-Acres is listed on the Department of the Interior as a Historic Landmark. A Historic Ownership
Charles Willard Seiberling Family (1913-1923)
Mr. Seiberling (1861-1946), the third child of John F
rederick and Catherine Miller Seiberling, was the Vice President and co-founder of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He was affectionately known as the “Heart of Goodyear,” and he was well known for his many civic interests, including the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts of Akron. Charlie possessed lifelong interests in education, health services, the welfare of children, and the needs of the underprivileged. He married Blanche Carnahan of Findlay (1873-1932) in 1895, and they had four children: Charles W. Jr., Theophilus Karnaghan (“T.K.”), Lucius Miles, and Catherine Miller. He was the younger brother of Frank A. Seiberling, who built Stan Hywet at the same time. They shared some of the same craftsmen brought in from Europe. Seiberling’s mansion was the second largest mansion in Akron at the time, behind Stan Hywet. He lived in Tri-Acres until 1922, when he sold it to Michael O’ Neal. He then decided to relocate farther out in the country, purchasing an old dairy farm property in Northfield. He commissioned the Akron architectural firm Good & Wagner to design his new home. It was completed in 1924 in the rural-French style, and known as Old Acres. He died unexpectedly in his sleep in 1946 at age 85. He is buried at Macedonia Cemetery, alongside his wife Blanche, his son Charles Jr., and his son Theophilus. The Michael O’Neil Family (1923-1953)
Michael O’Neil (1850-1927) was born in Clonakilty, County Cork, Ireland. As a child he immigrated with his parents to America, settling in New York City for 21 years. He moved to Lancaster, Ohio and then purchased Akron’s Tri-Acres mansion in 1923. He began his career in the mercantile business, which eventually became the M. O’Neil Company in 1877, Akron’s regional department store. The O'Neil's department store featured large display windows along the front and sides of the massive store where seasonal displays were set up for viewing by the public. These displays were the main feature of downtown Akron during the holiday season. O’Neil’s was acquired by May Company in 1912 for $1 million. The main location of O’Neil’s remained in business as O’Neil’s Department store until 1989, when it became May Company. In 1915, he set up the General Tire and Rubber Company with his son William. Mr. O’Neil was a leading citizen of Akron, giving time to civic and charitable endeavors. He was married to Patience Maher of Cleveland, Ohio in 1884. They had six children: William, A.F., Thomas F., Cyril, Mary and Mrs. Hugh Garvey. Michael O’Neil died in 1927. The family donated the mansion to the Mary Knoll Franciscan Monks in 1937. Mary Knoll Franciscan Monks (1937-1953)
The property was donated by The O’Neil’s for use as the Mary Knoll Junior Seminary. Mary Knoll Fathers and Brothers (1911) are a Catholic Foreign Mission Non-profit organization that are now based in Mary Knoll, New York. The Unity Church (1953-1993)
The property was purchased from the monks and used as a church until 1993. The Warther Family has since restored the doors to their original position, exposing the original front porch area. Other alterations other than the front door have been a barely discernible addition to the east wing (date unknown), and a brick infill of a portion of the one-story “garden room” on the west wing, and the removal of a fountain at the rear of the room. The Warther Family has also restored the garden room to closely resemble its original condition, including the beautiful original marble floor. Much of the original woodwork which had been painted has been restored. While removing a parking lot added by the church and restoring the lawn area, the fountain was discovered to have been back-filled with gravel and covered by the parking lot which was removed. The fountain and pond have since been restored, and are now home to beautiful Koi fish. The Robert W. Warther Family (1988-Present)
In 1988, the property was purchased from the Unity Church by Robert W. Warther. There was a pending contract to purchase Tri-Acres and have it TORN DOWN. Warther purchased the property in the eleventh hour and continued to rent it to The Unity Church until their new church was built in 1993. Warther continues to restore the property. Tri-Acres was listed with the Department of the Interior as a Historic Landmark on May 6, 1993. "The mansion, with its rich history and its structural strength and integrity, has become the symbol of our company. Just as this historic mansion has endured the changing climates and catastrophes of nature, so has our company remained steadfast since 1976 through times of economic woes and prosperity."
