USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 1
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Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio
William Alexander Taylor, S.J. Clarke Publishing Company, Clarke, S. J., Publishing Company, Chicago
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY 5724 OF
COLUMBUS
AND
FRANKLIN COUNTY, OHIO.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER TAYLOR.
ILLUSTRATED
-
VOL. II.
Chicago-Columbus: THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING CO. 1909 CHR
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY 536363
ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. 1912
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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GIDEON F. CASTLE
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BIOGRAPHICAL
GIDEON F. CASTLE.
Gideon F. Castle, in point of priority the oldest practicing lawyer at the Columbus bar, his identification therewith covering more than forty-six years, was born in Miami county, Ohio, on the 4th of November. 1829. His parents were John HI. P. and Margaret (Tabler) Castle, both of whom were natives of the state of Maryland but became early residents of Ohio, arriving in the year 1815, at which time the father secured a quarter seetion of land in Miami county, upon which he and his family resided for many years. In the early '50's, however, he disposed of his property in this state and went west, locating in Greene county, Illinois, where he continued to make his home until his demise.
The early experiences of Gideon F. Castle were those of the farm boy of the period. He attended the country schools during the winter months and alter- nated those periods of education with work upon the home farm. In 1853 the opportunity to secure a more advanced education emme to him and he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he pursued a scientific course and was graduated with the class of 1857. On leaving college he took up the study of law with M. H. Jones, of Piqua, Miami county, and was admitted to the bar on the 4th of June, 1860, entering upon active practice in July of the same year at Toledo, Ohio.
For two years Mr. Castle practiced in that city and then in 1862 came to Columbus, where he opened a law office, which he has since maintained. All of the members of the bar of that date in Columbus have passed away with the exception of Judge Herman B. Alberry, who at that time was probate judge of Franklin county. Mr. Castle, therefore, is entitled to the distinction of being the oldest surviving legal practictioner in the capital city. As stated, in 1863 he opened his law office, accupying the same building in which he is still lo- cated-at No. 1111/2 South High street. He has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking and the only times that he has consented to become a candidate was when nominated on two occasions in the '60s for the office of prosecuting attorney when the democratic vote outnumbered the republican two to one.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF COLUMBUS
Mr. Castle is a member of the Ohio State and Franklin County Bar Asso- ciations, becoming a member of the latter in 1859. He has always confined his attention strictly to the practice of law, declining to become connected with any outside interests. He is a vigorous, robust man, enjoying perfect health, and the success of his carlier years make it possible for him now to choose only such law work as he desires to undertake. He is, therefore, following his pro- fession at his ease, nor does he expect to retire, for indolence and idleness are utterly foreign to his nature, and the legal profession finds in him a warm devotee.
J. J. MAGRUDER, M. D.
The medical profession demands a high order of ability and consei- entiousne-, in the performance of duty. Possessing the requisites of the successful physician, Dr. J. J. Magruder is enjoying an extensive and profit- able practice in Columbus. He was born in Somerset, Ohio, December 10, 1847, and is a son of Dr. E. R. Magruder, a native of Maryland, who became a resident of this state in 1833. He had studied medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and practiced in Somerset, Ohio, from the time of his removal to the Buckeye state until his death, in 1877. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary MeKinney, was a native of Pennsylvania and died in the same year in which her husband's death occurred, only two week- intervening between the dates at which they passed away.
Dr. J. J. Magruder spent his boyhood days in his father's home and was sent to the public schools and later had the advantage of instruction in St. Vincent's College at Wheeling. West Virginia. Whether natural pre- dilection, environment, or deliberate choice had most to do with shaping his business career it is impossible to determine, but at all events he entered upon a work, in which he has displayed good ability. He read medicine with his father, and continuing his studies in the east was graduated from the Long Island Medical College at Brooklyn, New York, with the class of 1872. He then joined his father in active practice but after a short time became connected with the army as acting assistant surgeon, continuing in that position until 1875. He was on duty most of the time in New Mexico. In 1875 he returned to his native city, where he engaged in practice until 1879, when he went to the Athens (Ohio) Asyhun as first assistant physi- cian. He remained there for a year and then again located at Somerset, where he practiced continuously until 1891, since which time he has been a member of the medical fraternity of Columbus. He has been chief of staff of St. Anthony's Hospital since it was founded, was physician at St. Mary's Academy, also at St. Vincent's Orphans' Home and at Notre Dame Academy. He is accorded a liberal private practice, and his understand- ing of the complex problems that continually confront the physician is manifest in the excellent results which attend his efforts to restore health and prolong life.
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In 1875 Dr. Magruder was married to Miss Margaret O'Neill, a native of Zanesville, Ohio. They became the parents of nine children, all of whom are yet living, with the exception of one son. Jesse J., who was killed in a street railway accident when twelve years of age. Dr. Magruder is a mem- ber of the Knights of Columbus, and in professional lines is connected with the Columbus Academy of Medicine. the State Medical Association, and the American Medical Association. He is very highly respected as a man and citizen, as well as physician, possessing those sterling traits of character which in every land and clime awaken confidence and regard.
JUDGE LORENZO D. HAGERTY.
Judge Lorenzo D. Hagerty, an active member of the Colmubus bar since 178. his attention also being given at times to official duties and to the pro- motion of commercial interests, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, No- vember 11, 1852. His father was one of the leading cattle-raisers in the state in his day, and his publie sales of shorthorns many years ago were not only features in the business of Ohio but were also often attended by buyers from various sections of the middle west.
The early removal of the family to Licking county enabled Judge Hagerty to attend the public schools there, and when a mental review of the business world led him to the conclusion that he preferred the practice of law as a life work. he began preparation for the profession under private in- struction and eventually entered the law department of the University of Michigan. He completed his studies there by graduation and was admitted to practice in 1877. The following year he came to Columbus, where he has since remained. and soon after opening his office here he was named as United States commissioner, a position of sufficient emolument to make it desirable to a young lawyer who was just starting upon his professional ca- reer and had to depend upon his own resources. For a number of years he filled the position satisfactorily to the government and with credit to him- self. The excellent record which he made led to his further advancement in the field of political service. He was named by the governor of the state as a member of the state board of pardons and aided in disposing of several of the most celebrated criminal cases in Ohio at that date. Becoming an intlneneing factor in local politics, his fellow citizens twice elected him to the office of probate judge of Franklin county, and his administration of the office was able, fair, judicions and eminently satisfactory to the litigants who come into that court in the settlement of estates and other surrogate matters.
Since his retirement from public office, Judge Hagerty has devoted his attention to the practice of law with a good clientage. His ability in the profession is widely acknowledged and the able work which he has done in the courts and as a counselor insures him continued success as he is con- stantly winning new clients. He is also interested in numerous plans of local improvement and with him municipal progress has always been a sub-
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ject of enthusiasm. He is president of the Crystal Ice Company and is connected with other enterprises of moment in the business life of the com- munity, his sound judgment and keen discrimination being features in their prosperity.
Judge Hagerty is equally well known in social and club circles. He is a member of the Board of Trade and belongs to the Elks lodge and In- dependent Order of Odd Fellows and the Red Men. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Columbus, the Columbus Country and the Arlington Country Clubs, and was one of the incorporators of the Olentangy Club. serving for many years on its official board. His life record has been characterized by continuons advancement in every line in which he has directed his efforts, and he occupies today an honorable and enviable position, both professionally and socially.
W. L. DICK, M.D.
Dr. W. L. Dick is well known as a medical educator, while in general practice he has given proof of his ability in the able manner with which he has met and solved difficult professional problems. He belongs to that class of men whom the world knows as self-made because their advancement is attributable to their own efforts when fate and circumstances gave them no advantage at the outset of their careers. Dr. Dick was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, March 27, 1860. His father, Johnson Dick, was a native of the same county and died in the year 1874. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Susan R. Green, was a native of Virginia and died in 1889.
Dr. Dick is indebted to the public school system of his county for the carly educational privileges he enjoyed. He determined to enter one of the "learned professions" and studied alone for two years, in the meantime acquiring through his own efforts the sum necessary to meet his tuition and other expenses of a college course. He then entered Starling Medical Col- lege and was graduated with the class of 1888. For more than twenty years thereafter he has followed his profession, opening an office in Columbus in the year of his graduation. He did not consider his studies finished. how- ever, but has always remained a faithful and carnest student, knowing that the researches of science are continually bringing to light valuable aids to medical and surgical practice. He has kept in touch with the best medical literature and has also further continued his study in the post-graduate med- ical college. Becoming connected with the Ohio Medical University he con- ducted the first recitation in anatomy in that institution and for twelve years he taught anatomy and orthopedic surgery in the Ohio Medical University but resigned his position and went to Oregon, thinking to continue his pro- fessional carcer on the Pacific coast. Ill health. however, caused his return and he has since engaged in general practice in Columbus. He was for- merly surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company but resigned his
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position on going west; however, on his return he was reappointed and con- tinues in that professionol connection to the present time.
In 1894 Dr. Dick was married to Miss Bertha Grierson. a native of Wheeling, West Virginia. He belongs to Humboldt lodge, A. F. & A. M., the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Woodmen of the World, while in more strictly professional relations he is connected with the Columbus Academy of Medicine. the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Early in life he displayed the elemental strength of his career. Reared on a farm to the age of twenty-two years he worked hard by day and studied by night that he might enter a field of labor giving him broader opportunities than the work of the farm. That he made wise choice of a pro- fession is indicated by the success that has attended his efforts since he became connected with the medical fraternity.
ROBERT L. WATSON.
Robert L. Watson, a manufacturer's agent, handling a general line of building materials, has developed a business of large proportions, yielding him a gratifying financial return annually. Ages ago the Greek sage Epichar- Inus said. "Earn thy reward: the gods give naught to sloth," and the truth of this admonition has been verified in all the ages which have run their conrse since that time. Recognizing the fact Robert L. Watson has been persistent, energetic and diligent and stands today as one of the successful business men of Columbus. He was born November 12, 1863, in Jefferson county, West Virginia. His father, Bartholomew Watson, also a native of West Virginia, served as a Confederate soldier throughout the entire four years of the Civil war, and in times of peace devoted his attention to gen- eral agricultural pursuits. He was a son of Thomas Watson, who was born in West Virginia in 1808, his father having settled in that state, then a part of the Old Dominion, about the beginning of the nineteenth century. The mother of Robert L. Watson was in her maidenhood Mary C. Smith, a daughter of John F. and Susan Smith, natives of West Virginia.
Robert L. Watson pursued his education in the district schools and re- mained on the home farm until twenty-one years of age, during which time he assisted in the work of field and meadow. His first occupation after leaving the parental home was in connection with the roofing business at Cincinnati and in 1886 he became a member of the firm of Smith & Watson. that connection continuing for two years. On the expiration of that period he accepted a position as traveling salesman for the HI. W. Johns Manu- facturing Company, manufacturers of asbestos, with whom he remained for a year, his territory covering central Ohio, eastern Indiana and northern Kentucky. He was next employed by the Central Pressed Brick Company of Cleveland. representing the house in southern Ohio and Indiana, remain- ing with them until 1895. He then came to Columbus and entered business as manufacturer's agent, handling a general line of building materials. He
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has since secured an extensive and growing patronage until his business has now reached considerable magnitude. Among the huportant structures for which he has furnished materials are the Toledo & Ohio Central depot, the Union depot, the Biological building of the Ohio State University, where he supplied both brick and tile roofing, and the School of Mines. He also supplied the brick and terra cotta for the Capital Trust building. the terra cotta for the Columbus Savings & Trust building, the faced brick for the Brunson building and the tile roofing and fire proof doors of the American Savings Bank building. He was also the pioneer salesman, handling enamel brick for exterior finish in the Central states. Ile repre- sents the Northwestern Terra Cotta Company, the Tiffany Enamel Brick Company, the Akron Roofing Tile Company, the Thorp Fire Proof Door Company and the R. I. W. Paint Company. He is a member of the Build- ers' Exchange and politically is a democrat where national questions are involved, but casts an independent local ballot. He stands today as one of the alert. wide-awake business men of Columbus, accomplishing what he undertakes by his determination, capable management and undaunted energy.
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JOHN W. BROWN
Jolm W. Brown is probably the oldest business man in Columbus still ae- tively connected with commercial and industrial lines, for, though now in his eightieth year. he is president of the Columbus Mill & Mine Supply Company. the president of the John W. Brown Manufacturing Company and a director in the City National Bank. Honored and respected by all there is no man who occupies a more enviable position in financial or commercial circles or more fully merits the esteem of his associates, not alone by reason of the success he has achieved but owing rather to the fact that his record has at all times been characterized by the most straightforward dealing and honorable bu-i- ness policy.
Mr. Brown was born in Pittsfield. Massachusetis. June 11, 1829. His father. James Brown, was also a native of Pitt-field, born in 1800. The family came originally from Rhode Island while Abraham C. Brown, grandfather of our subject, was a farmer of Berkshire county. Massachusetts. The mother. Mrs. Mary HI. Brown, was a daughter of Thomas and Anna Green, the former a consin of General Nathaniel Green, of Revolutionary war fame, the two cousins having been partners in the foundry business in Rhode Island at the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary war. The honse in which Mrs. Brown was born is still standing at Dalton, Massachusetts, and is one of the fine old Colonial homes of that day. There her girlhood days were passed and in early womanhood she gave her hand in marriage to James Brown, who was an own consin of Ossawatamie Brown.
In the public schools of Pittsfield. Massachusetts. John W. Brown pur- sued his education and also spent one year in a private school but at the age of sixteen years he put aside his text-books that he might make a start in the busi-
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JOHN W. BROWN
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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ness world, entering upon an apprenticeship in a general store at Pittsfield, where he remained as a trusted employe until twenty years of age. He then came to Columbus in 1849 to enter the store of his uncle, A. C. Brown, whose establishment was then at the corner of High and Friend streets, now Main street. The store was soon afterward removed to the present site of the Neil House. A failure was predicted because this was "too far up town." Their neighbor, John Butler, pioneer grocer of Columbus, also moved up town and purchased the site at Gay and High streets, for which he paid one hundred dollars per front foot-a price that was considered rninous by the great major- ity. John W. Brown remained with his uncle until 1852 and the following year was employed by the Central Ohio Railway Company, as superintendent's clerk in charge of the ticket department. In 1854 he was made general ticket agent and remained with the road until the Central Ohio was sold to the Balti- more & Ohio system and he became general passenger agent of both lines, with headquarters at Columbus. Subsequently he was offered the position of general passenger agent of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad Com- pany, with headquarters at Indianapolis, where he remained for nine years but in 1880 returned to Columbus to become identified with its industrial interests. organizing the Columbus Rubber Company, which later became the Columbus Mill & Mine Supply Company. Mr. Brown was elected the first president and still retains that position. The enterprise was soon placed upon a paying basis and the business has been constantly developed along safe, substantial lines, bringing a good financial return and contributing also to the commercial pros- perity of the city. In 1890 he organized the John W. Brown Manufacturing Company for the purpose of m infacturing vehicle lamps and the enterprise has become the largest of its kind in the United States. He has continuonsly been its president and remains a factor in its control. He has never regarded any detail as too unimportant to claim his attention, and his careful supervision and close application have figured prominently in the success of the enterprise, which is today one of the most important productive concerns in the city. He is likewise a promoter of the City National Bank.
On the 11th of December, 1851. Mr. Brown was married to Miss Sarah Lonisa Wing. a danghter of William and Eketa (Spellman) Wing. Her mother removed from Granville, Massachusetts, to Granville, Ohio, with the first settlers at the latter place. Her father came to Ohio from Hartford, Con- nectient. in 1818. and settled in Granville, becoming prominently connected with building operations in pioneer times. He was the contractor of the Ohio canal from Newark to Baltimore and also had the contract for excavating what is now Buckeye Lake. He was also for twenty years secretary and treasurer of the Central Ohio Railway Company and his business interests reached ex- tensive proportions and proved elements in the growth and upbuilding of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Brown have been born the following named: Carrie Wing, the wife of Dr. T. C. Hoover, of Columbus; Frank N., treasurer of the Cohunbus Mill & Mine Supply Company; Will F., secretary of the company; John B., secretary and treasurer of the John W. Brown Manufacturing Com- pany : and Walter T., also connected with the Columbus Mill & Mine Supply Company.
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In his fraternal relations Mr. Brown is a Mason and his life has exempli- fied the beneficent spirit of the craft. He attends the Second Presbyterian church and gives his political support to the republican party. He has been in active business life for nearly sixty-two years, nearly all of which time has been passed in Columbus and he owes his success not to any fortunate com- bination of circumstances but to his close application and unfaltering industry. For over forty years he has resided at No. 271 East Town street. While he has achieved success, working his way steadily upward to a prominent position in business circles, his efforts toward advancing the material interests of Columbus are so widely recognized that they can be considered as being no secondary part of his career of signal usefulness.
GEORGE J. KARB.
The official service of George J. Karb has brought him prominently before the people of Columbus and Franklin county and the consensus of public opinion accords him good will and honor by reason of what he ac- complished in office. In business circles he is equally well known and his ability and enterprise have won for him an equally ereditable name in com- mercial circles.
One of the native sons of Columbus, he was born February 15, 1858, and the public schools of the city afforded him his educational privileges. he also received thorough training in one of the excellent business colleges of which Columbus boasted even at that day. When a mere youth he en- tered the drug trade and after some time spent as an employe passed a most creditable examination as a pharmacist. His first independent venture was in the same line and for ten years he succesfully condneted a well appointed drug store at the corner of Fifth and Main streets. He then removed to Fourth and Main streets, where he conducted a growing and profitable bus- iness until 1898, when he withdrew from that field of commercial activity and took charge of the affairs of the Central Ohio Oil Company as treasurer and manager. In this connection he is closely associated with the development of the natural resources of the state and with the marketing of products handled by the company. His name has long since come to be an honored one on connnercial paper and he is recognized as a forceful factor in business cir- cle-, with diverse interests that are bringing to him substantial returns and at the same time are constituting elements in the general business develop- ment of the city. He is now a director of the Ohio Savings & Loan Asso- ciation and a director of the Ohio National and the Market Exchange Banks. He is likewise a member of the Columbus Board of Trade and everything that tends to promote the business activity or broaden the commercial out- look of the city is of interest to him and in many case- receives his active aid and cooperation.
It was on the 10th of January, 1884, that Mr. Karb was married in Columbus to Miss Kate M. Van Dine of this city. They are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church and are prominent in social circles. Mr. Karh is a
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