A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 10

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 10

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After his marriage Mr. Taylor located upon his present farm, then com- prising one hundred and forty-seven acres of land, which had been deeded to him by his father. He took up his abode in an unpretentious log cabin and lived therein for about six years, after which he burned the brick and built his magnificent country seat, his home being one of the finest in this section of the state. He has been very successful in his farming operations and everything about the place indicates his thrift and careful supervision. Fine buildings stand upon his land and are surrounded by well tilled fields, which yield to him a golden tribute. In politics he is a Democrat and for twenty- one consecutive years has served as justice of the peace. He is a member of the Baptist church and the principles of Christianity have permeated his career, making his life record one that has awakened admiration and respect and is well worthy of emulation.

JOSEPH MYERS.

Joseph Myers was born in Circleville, Pickaway county, Ohio, Novem- ber 18, 1819, and died July 31, 1878, the community thereby losing one of its valued and representative citizens, a man who had been honored and respected by all who knew him. He represented an old family of Pennsylvania, his father, Mathias Myers, having been born in the Keystone state, whence he emigrated to Pickaway county, Ohio, at an early period in its development.

Mr. Myers, of this review, became a resident of Franklin county in 1850. He was a bridge contractor and built almost all the old wooden bridges in the county. As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life he chose Miss Sarah J. Needles, their marriage being celebrated on the 6th of January, 1851. The lady is a daughter of William D. Needles, who was a leading and influential farmer of Madison township, Franklin county. He was born near Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 20th of January, 1799, and died in Columbus, on the 6th of January, 1866, from the effects of a fall on his own doorstep. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Collins, was born near Lancaster, Ohio, November 20, 1802. They became the parents of ten children : Sarina, who died in infancy ; Emily ; William D. : Mrs. Myers ; Delilah Ann; Matilda A .; Mary Eliza ; Rebecca C. : Elmira Miria and Melvina S., twins.

Mrs. Myers is the only living child of her father's family. She was educated in the district schools of Madison township and spent her girlhood days in Franklin county, where, in 1851, she gave her hand in marriage to Joseph Myers. Their union was blessed with twelve children: Alonzo, the eldest, now living in Truro township. married Lizzie Hickman, and they have three children, Seymore, Edith and Daniel. Winall P., a resident of Truro township, married Katie Lyda, and they have two children,-Clarence R. and Viola May. Paulena died in infancy. Mary is the deceased wife of John Rohr, a farmer of Madison township. and they have three children,-Elmer De Witt. Joseph D. and Florence Alice. William D., deceased, married Mat-

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tie Friend, who died four years later, leaving no children. Joseph Clinton is engaged in the livery business in Columbus, Ohio. James Hubert married Abbie Southard and has four children,-Norma, Ira Jay, Marie Drexell and Helena Jane. John Fletcher is now deceased. Viola Jane is the wife of Mr. Nau and resides on Oakwood avenue, in Columbus, with their two children, Walter Lee and Flora Alice. Eli is upon the home farm. Ira has also passed away. Leland R. is now visiting in California, but his home is in Truro township.

Mrs. Myers has traveled quite extensively, having made one visit to California and been west three other times, while in 1893 she spent some time at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Since seventen years of age she has been a member of the Methodist church and has taken an active part in its work. When she and her husband first located at their present home the roads were an old form of corduroy, being made of logs. The first schoolhouse in which she pursued her studies was a log building, and amid the wild scenes of the frontier she was reared, spending her youth on a farm which was being reclaimed from its wild condition for purposes of civilization. She has watched with interest the progress of events as the years have gone by and is still numbered among the honored early settlers.

EMERY J. SMITH.

The ancestry of the Smith family to which the subject of this sketch belongs can be traced back to David Smith, who was born in Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. At the time of the great Wyoming massacre the members of his father's family were all killed save himself. With David Landon, a boy of about his own age, he was carried into captivity ; but on the expiration of six months they ran away and succeeded in reaching their old home. David Smith, having arrived at years of maturity, wedded Sarah Murphy and after- ward emigrated to Ohio. He purchased a large farm bordering on what has since been called Yankee street in Galena, Delaware county. There he brought up his eight children,-David, Daniel. John, Alva, James, Chester, Sarah and Denurza.

James, of the foregoing list, married Melinda, the eldest daughter of Marshall and Polly Black, of Orange township. Delaware county, and they had two children,-Marshall and George. The mother died in 1852, and the father afterward married Betsy Blanchard, the widow of Edwin Blanchard and a daughter of Levi and Polly Rose, of Granville, Ohio. They had one child, Levi R. Smith.

Marshall Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Sunbury, Dela- ware county, Ohio, November 5. 1837, and in early life began merchandis- ing in his native town. He also successfully managed a farm. In 1895 he removed to Westerville and soon afterward became the president of the Bank of Westerville, succeeding his eldest son, Emery J. Smith, in that position.

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The latter had established the business in 1886 and had successfully managed it until 1895. Marshall Smith is a thirty-second-degree Mason and an enthusi- astic member of the Order of the Eastern Star.

On the 14th of February, 1861, at Granville, Ohio, Mr. Smith married Miss Elvira Abbie Thrall, and they have had the following children : Emery J., who was born January 16, 1862; Hugh E., born August 6, 1863; Will- iam A., May 29, 1867: and Marshall A., May 23, 1869. All were born on a farm near Sunbury, Ohio, and are now engaged with their father and uncle, L. R. Smith, in the manufacture and sale of fertilizers. This company was organized in 1895. under the name of The Ohio Farmers' Fertilizer Com- pany, with a capital stock of five hundred thousand dollars. Employment is furnished to two hundred and fifty men. The plant is located in Colum- bus, covers twelve acres and has a capacity of seven hundred and fifty tons a day. The output for 1895 was two thousand tons, but in 1900 was twenty- five thousand tons, and shipments were made to twelve different states. The machinery and apparatus are most modern and of the most highly approved patterns. The demand for the products of the factory is increasing so steadily that additions are constantly being made to the plant, and the output is con- tinually increasing. The present officers are: Emery J. Smith, president ; Levi R. Smith, vice-president : William A. Smith, secretary; Marshall Smith, Sr., treasurer ; and Marshall Smith, Jr., assistant treasurer. The offices of the company are located in the Shultz building on North High street, where a large staff of employes carry on the office work with perfect system.

Emery J. Smith. the eldest son, acquired his education in the Ohio Wes- leyan University, at Delaware, this state, and June 2, 1886, was united in marriage with Miss Hannah Jane Hardy, at the home of her uncle, the Rev. I. V. K. Seeley, a mile north of Westerville. She was educated at Shepard- son College, a school for young ladies at Granville, this state. They now have six children, namely: Joy Hardy and Elvira Thrall, twins, born April 8, 1889; Wayland Marshall, born June 4, 1891 ; Niles Emery, born February 5, 1895; Donald Hugh, born November 12, 1896; and Ernestine Jane, July 20, 1900. All were born at Westerville, Ohio. In the spring of 1901 Mr. Emery J. Smith, with his family, removed to Columbus and now resides at 755 Dennison avenue. He is a member of Blendon Lodge, No. 339, F. & A. M. ; of Horeb Chapter, No. 3. R. A. M. ; and Mount Vernon Commandery, No. I. K. T.

Hugh E. Smith, the second son, was educated in Sunbury, Ohio, and in early manhood became his father's partner in his dry-goods store, but left that enterprise in order to go to Columbus, where he has since been engaged in the real-estate business, being recognized as one of the leading financiers of this city. He married Miss Ina Z. Gunter, at the home of her father, William Gunter, of Oswego, Indiana. August 15, 1888. She was educated in Shepardson College, and now has three children: Lois Elvira, born Octo- ber 9, 1889; Paul Alden, March 1, 1895; and Lloyd Ovid, July 23. 1899.

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William A. Smith, the third son, is a graduate of the high school of Sun- bury, Ohio, and attended a commercial college at Cleveland. Immediately after leaving that institution he became the cashier of the Farmers' Bank at Sunbury, where he remained for a number of years, until he became the cashier of the Bank of Westerville at Westerville, this state, in which capacity he is still serving. The other officers are: Marshall Smith, Sr., president ; and Emery J. Smith and David Seeley, vice-presidents. He was married to Miss Weltha Pinney, at the home of her father, Perry Pinney, four miles south of Westerville, and they now have three children: Marian Elvira, born October 13, 1897; Mildred Clorinda, March 15, 1899; and Eleanor Frances, June 2, 1900.

Marshall A. Smith, the youngest of the four sons, was graduated at the Sunbury high school and then became an equal partner with his father in the dry-goods business. He was married, October 16, 1893, to Cora May, a daughter of Newton Smith, of Columbus, and their marriage has been blessed with three children : Harold A., born July 24, 1896; Hurtha Marcia, January 6, 1898; and Marjorie Elvira, December 26, 1899.

The members of the Smith family have been important factors in the business activity of Sunbury, Westerville and Columbus. They are all men of good business ability, of keen discrimination and sound judgment, of enter- prise and energy, and in the legitimate lines of business they have won suc- cess and attained positions of prominence in industrial and financial circles.

CHARLES G. WOLF.

Charles G. Wolf, who is serving as a passenger engineer on the Big Four (Limited) train, was born in Germany on the 14th of August, 1858. His father, Jacob Wolf, came to this country from Germany in the year 1864, bringing with him his family. A location was made in Delaware county, Ohio, and the father spent his remaining days in the new world, his death occurring in 1896, while his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Wolf, is still living at Dela- ware. The record of their children is as follows: Fred C. Wolf, who resides with his family at Mount Vernon, Ohio, is the owner of the Brick Kiln Com- pany ; Jacob, who is married and lives in Dayton, Ohio, is a passenger engineer on the Big Four Railroad; Emanuel is a freight engineer on the same road and maintains his residence in Delaware; Benjamin is married and lives in Springfield, Ohio, where he is in the shipping department of a wholesale house ; George is living in Columbus; Mrs. William Reece resides upon a farm in Texas; Mrs. Immel makes her home in Texas; Mrs. Heller resided in Dela- ware until her death, in 1898; and Mrs. Watson, also of Delaware, died while visiting in Texas.

Charles G. Wolf is a self-made man who has depended entirely upon his own resources for a living since he was fourteen years of age. At that time he began working in a brick-yard in Delaware, and at the age of six-

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

teen he secured a position in the Big Four Railroad shops of that city. He began firing on the road in 1876, and so capably served that he was promoted as freight engineer in 1879. In 1885 he was made a passenger engineer and has since occupied that position. For the past ten years he has had preferred runs, being the engineer on the limited train from Columbus to Cincinnati. In 1880 he became a member of Division No. 175, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

Mr. Wolf was married, in 1884, to Miss Estella Fruchey, of Delaware, Ohio, and their only child, Carl C. Wolf, born in 1885, is now a student in the high school of Columbus. Mrs. Wolf's father, Isaac Fruchey, and her mother, Mrs. Amanda Fruchey, are yet residents of the capital city. The former was born in Franklin county and the latter is a native of Pennsylvania. During the Civil war he served as a member of Company K, Fourteenth Ohio Infantry. Her uncle, William Parrish, was also in the same regiment, and died at Corinth, Mississippi, while four of her father's brothers "wore the blue" as members of the Federal army. Her maternal grandfather, Mr. Parrish, is now living in Henry county, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty- four years.

Mr. Wolf and his wife hold membership in the Presbyterian church and are people of the highest respectability, enjoying the warm regard of many friends. He belongs to Columbus Lodge, F. & A. M., and to Ohio Chapter, R. A. M. In politics he has ever been a stalwart Republican. Through the past decade he has resided in Columbus and now owns and occu- pies an elegant residence at No. 389 Hamilton avenue.

CURTIS C. WILLIAMS.

The name above is suggestive to the citizens of Columbus of such per- sonal characteristics as go to make the honorable lawyer and just judge, and of such a creditable record as only such a lawyer and judge can win. Curtis Chandler Williams was born at Hanoverton, Columbiana county, Ohio, Aug- ust 13, 1861, and is of Scotch-Irish and Welsh extraction. According to the family records his great-grandfather, in the paternal line, lived to the extra- ordinary age of nearly one hundred years. Joseph B. Williams, the grand- father, was a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and wedded Mary Gilson. He became an early settler of Columbiana county, Ohio, and was an active and successful business man. His son, Dr. R. G. Williams, the father of the Judge, was born in Columbiana county, in 1837, and married Elmira Frost, a daughter of William A. Frost, one of the pioneers of the county and a native of the Keystone state. His wife bore the maiden name of Beulah Chandler. After a long and successful career as a druggist. Dr. Williams is now living a retired life in a pleasant home in Alliance, Ohio.

Judge Williams obtained his primary education in the public schools and later attended the high school at Alliance, where he was prepared for college. His higher education was acquired in Mount Union College, at Alliance, where

CURTIS C. WILLIAMS.

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he was graduated with the class of 1883. Subsequently he engaged in teach- ing and was for two years superintendent of schools in northern Ohio. He then read law, beginning the study of his profession in the office of Converse, Booth & Keating, of Columbus. In 1886, in the capital city, he was admitted to the bar and entered upon practice. In 1891 he was elected prosecuting attorney of Franklin county, on the Democratic ticket, and in 1894 was a candidate for re-election, but was defeated by one hundred and nine votes in a county which that year gave a Republican majority of twenty-three hun- dred. He was nominated for the office of common pleas judge in 1897 and received five hundred votes more than were given for the state ticket and was elected. His administration of the high office to which he has been called has been in every sense admirable. He has proven himself a consci- entious, careful and just judge, who respects the law and the people and, with a proper appreciation of the responsibilities resting upon him, gives due con- sideration to all rights and interests involved in every case tried in his court.

In 1893 Judge Williams was united in marriage to Miss Margaret Owen, of Columbus, and unto them have been born two daughters and a son, namely : Elmira Anne, Margaret Iola and Curtis C., Jr. The Judge is a thirty-second- degree Mason, also a Knight Templar and a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also is well known and popular as a Knight of Pythias, Odd Fellow, Elk and Red Man, being identified with these various organizations. There is no movement tending to the advancement of the public weal to which he does not lend his encouragement and substantial help.

JOHN PETZINGER.

No better illustration of the characteristic energy and enterprise of the typical German-American citizen can be found than that afforded by the career of this well known farmer of Truro township. Coming to this country with no capital except his abilities, he has made his way to success through wisely directed efforts, and he can now look back with satisfaction upon past struggles.

Mr. Petzinger was born in Germany June 15, 1832, and is a son of Adam Petzinger, a carpenter and farmer, who spent his entire life in that country. His paternal grandfather was John Petzinger, who served nine years in the German army. Our subject is the third in order of birth in a family of five children, the others being Philip, Adam, Mary and Christine. Four of the number are still living.

In his native land John Petzinger learned the carpenter's trade, and also became familiar with the duties which fall to the lot of the farmer. In 1854. at the age of twenty-two years, he crossed the broad Atlantic, and from 'New York came direct to Columbus, Ohio, where he had an uncle living. On his arrival here he found employment with a Mr. Carlyle, a carpenter, and later worked a year and a half for his uncle. Subsequently he did odd jobs for a while, and then hired out to a Mr. Grey as a farm laborer, remaining

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in his employ for two years and a half. He was then employed by Matthew Brown for two and a half years, when he again spent one year with Mr. Grey. The following year he worked for John E. Kile, for the same length of time for Harris Johnson, and in 1864 for William Bulen.

Mr. Petzinger then purchased eighteen acres of land in Truro township, where he now resides, and on this place he has built a log house, making it his home until he cleared his small farm. The following year he was able to buy sixteen and a half acres adjoining his place, and a year later bought thir- teen acres, for which he paid one hundred dollars peracre. In 1878 he pur- chased the John Schaff farm of fifty-three and a half acres, paying for the same, one hundred and three dollars per acre. From John McGuffey he pur- chased one hundred and nine acres of land, for which he paid eighty-four dol- lars per acre, and two years later bought thirty acres from the same person for seventy-five dollars per acre. His farm, which now comprises two hun- dred and thirty-eight acres, is all under a high state of cultivation, while the improvements found thereon are estimated to be worth twenty-eight thousand dollars. His life affords an excellent example to the young, in that he com- menced life here without money, but having a determination to succeed he industriously applied himself until he has acquired a handsome property. He now devotes his time and attention to the collection of his rents and to the operation of his land.

Mr. Petzinger was married, in Columbus, in 1861, to Miss Eva Weaber, also a native of the fatherland. They have become the parents of eight chil- dren, all of whom are still living, namely: John C., who married Mary Pfantz, and has one child, Clara: Louisa, who married John Pfantz, and has four children,-Eva, Charles, Harry and Walter: Charles: Mary; George; Kate, who married William Bickel and has three children,-Lydia, Mary and Herman; Adam; and Philip. They also have eight grandchildren,-Eva, Charles, Harry, Walter, Clara, Lydia, Mary and Herman. The family hold membership in the German Lutheran church, to which Mr. Petzinger is a liberal contributor and in the work of which he takes an active and prominent part. In national politics he supports the men and measures of the Democ- racy, but at local elections votes independently of party ties. For one year he filled the office of road supervisor and was school director two years. He is well known throughout his adopted county, having many warm friends within its borders, and by all is held in high regard for his sterling character and worth.

EDGAR D. MINER.

Among the well known representatives of agricultural interests in Ham- ilton township, Franklin county, is Edgar D. Miner, who is living on the old family homestead on section 35. where he owns and operates one hundred and seventy acres of land. He was born on this farm March 9, 1854. a son of Thomas Davidson and Maria (Swisher) Miner. The father was born in Vermont, and became one of the early settlers of Franklin county, Ohio, but

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

died in 1856, when our subject was only two years of age. The mother was born in this county in 1813, a representative of one of its honored pioneer families, and her death occurred in her seventy-ninth year. Both parents had been previously married. By his first union the father had four daughters, three of whom are now living: Mrs. Asenath Bortel, Mrs. Fanny Shedd, of Columbus, Mrs. Elvira Sloosen, of New York. By her first marriage Mrs. Miner became the mother of four daughters and five sons, and by her second marriage she had two sons, Edgar D. being the older. His brother died in 1877, and he is therefore the only representative of the family living.

Mr. Miner remained on the old homestead until twenty-three years of age, and during that time attended the district schools and assisted in the work of the farm. He then removed to Lockbourne, where he remained for two years, and also spent two years in Shadeville. On the expiration of that period he removed to Pickaway county, where he resided for six years, en- gaged in farming. In 1887 he returned to the old homestead, where he has since resided, devoting his energies to general farming. He has here one hundred and seventy acres of rich and arable land, the greater part of which is under a high state of cultivation and the place is improved with all the accessories and conveniences of the model farm.

Mr. Miner was married in Hamilton to Anna Brantner, a native of Ham- ilton township, who died leaving a daughter, Florence, who is still with her father. For his second wife Mr. Miner chose Emma Chittum, who was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, but was reared in Franklin county. They now have five children: Neva A., Mary, Harry, Anna and Ethel, all at home.

In his political affiliations Mr. Miner is a Republican, and is actively inter- ested in the growth and success of his party. Although the township is Dem- ocratic, he was elected a trustee in 1899, and is now filling that position, dis- charging his duties with promptness and fidelity. He is a member of the Masonic Lodge of Lockbourne, and belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. Of one of the oldest and most honored pioneer families of the county he is a worthy representative. His career has been an active and useful one, in which his well directed efforts, guided by straightforward principles, have secured to him a gratifying competence.

WASHINGTON T. REES.

That sturdy and patriotic Pennsylvania stock which has proven so val- uable an element in the citizenship of the west contributed to a considerable extent to the production of Washington T. Rees, who lives on section 26, Hamilton township, Franklin county, Ohio, and is one of the leaders in pub- lic affairs in that township.

Mr. Rees was born six miles northeast of Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, February 22, 1837, a son of Amor and Julia A. (Hersh) Rees. Amor

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Rees, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, was married in that state to Mrs. Julia A. Frank, nee Hersh, and came to Ohio about 1831 and located in Fairfield county. In 1840 he settled on the farm in Hamilton township, Franklin county, Ohio, now owned by Washington T. Rees, and he died there in 1865, in the sixty-third year of his age. Politically he was a Whig until the Republican party was organized, and after that he worked heart and soul with the Republicans and became known throughout the county as an influential man in the party. When he came to Hamilton township and set- tled in the woods but little had been done except by nature to provide for his future wants and those of his family, and nearly everything was yet to be done that a devoted and industrious pioneer could lay his hands to. He not only developed a good farm, but as a patriotic citizen was instrumental in advancing the material and political interests of his county, and he died re- gretted by all who had been familiar with his life and works. His father, John Rees, of Welsh descent, was born, lived and died in Pennsylvania. Julia A., the wife of Amor Rees, was born in Pennsylvania, of German par- entage and could speak in German. She was a model wife and mother and nobly bore her part of the hardships of pioneer days in Ohio. She died in Columbus, Ohio, at the age of sixty-four years. The only surviving member of her first family of children, by Mr. Frank, is Mrs. John Rathmell.

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 10

Author: Lewis Publishing Company Publication date: 1901 Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1156