A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 103

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

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John Clark, whose name introduces this review, was reared on the old family homestead near Dublin, amid the wild scenes of frontier life. He received a limited education in the common schools, and early assisted in the work of clearing the land and preparing it for the plow, giving his father the benefit of his services until he attained his majority. He then left home, and, like most young men who start out upon a business career, secured a companion and helpmeet on the journey of life. He married Miss Catherine Urtan, the wedding being celebrated when he was twenty-five years of age. She is a daughter of John Urtan, one of the early settlers of Franklin county, who came to Ohio from Virginia. About a year after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Clark removed to Delaware county, Ohio, settling on a tract of wild land, where they lived for four years. . He erected a cabin and cleared about thirty acres of the land, but afterward returned to Perry township, and subsequently he bought a small farm in Union county, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for four years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Perry township, where he has since remained, having for thirty-four years lived upon his present farm. He owns two hundred and sixty acres of valuable land out in Perry township, and the rich, alluvial soil returns splendid crops for the care and labor bestowed upon it.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Clark has been blessed with ten children, namely : Nancy, Maria, Milton, Holmes, Emma, Uriah, Josie, Martha, Emily and Dudley, the four last mentioned being the only ones living. The parents hold membership in the Christian church, and Mr. Clark has been a lifelong Democrat; he cast his first presidential vote for Martin Van Buren.

He is now well preserved for one of his years. There is a particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the honored and venerable gen- tleman whose name initiates this review, since his mind bears the impress of the historic annals of the state of Ohio from the early pioneer days, and from the fact that he has been a loyal son of the republic and has attained to a position of distinctive prominence in the county where he has retained his residence until the present time; being now one of the revered patriarchs of the community.

DANIEL M. SLYH.

Daniel M. Slyh is a worthy representative of an honored pioneer family of Franklin county, and is the second child of Jacob and Emeline (Lakin) Slyh. He was born in Clinton township May 8, 1830, and his early educa- tion was obtained in the primitive schools common in the county. His father was a prosperous man and was ambitious to give his children good practical education. Daniel Slyh was therefore sent to Otterbein University, where he pursued his studies for two terms and diligently applied himself to the mastery of the English branches of learning. During the time not spent in the school room he aided in clearing his father's land and developed it into highly cultivated fields. It was during the period of his early marriage that

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the arduous task of cutting down the great forests of Ohio and making their places cultivable fields was carried on, and in other work Mr. Slyh has borne his part. He chopped and hauled hundreds of cords of wood, which was dis- posed of on the Columbus market, often for a mere pittance. He can well remember when there were no houses north of Gay street in the capital city, and has cradled wheat in the fields within the present site of Fourth and Fifth avenues and High street. For this laborious work he was well fitted by nature, being endowed with a strongly knit frame, which gave him immunity from the exhaustion of hard and incessant labor. He remained under the parental roof until twenty-three years of age, and then made preparations for a home of his own by his marriage, on the 3d of November, 1853, to Miss Rosalthe, a daughter of Martin and Mary. (Osborne) Griswold, who located in Blen- don township, Franklin county, in 1808. After his marriage he located upon a farm of two hundred and fourteen acres in Perry township, given him by his father. At that time the land was but partially improved. After long years of hard toil he brought it to its present highly cultivated condition. Here he yet resides, spending the evening of his life within sight of the scenes that have been familiar to him throughout his entire career. He has long been recognized as a representative citizen of the community, aiding in all movements which his judgment informs him are for the public good. He l'as never been an aspirant for office, yet he has been officially identified with township affairs.

To Mr. and Mrs. Slyh and his estimable wife have been born seven chil- dren, five of whom are yet living, namely : Ida Mary, wife of Hiram Richards, of Perry township; Clarence H., a merchant of North Columbus; Miriam, wife of Dr. John Gordon, a prominent physician of North Columbus; Almeda E., wife of W. H. Baker, of Trenton, Missouri; and Etta R., who since her mother's death has presided over her father's home. In 1895 Mr. Slyh was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who passed away on the 15th of March. She was born in Illinois April 10, 1835, and during her childhood came with her parents to this county. She possessed many excellent qualities of mind and heart, being a devoted Christian and a loving and tender wife and mother. She held membership in the Episcopal church throughout the greater part of her life, and Mr. Slyh is also one of its communicants. Long has he been numbered among the leading and influential agriculturists of Franklin county. His career has been one of honest industry, and his labors have resulted in bringing to him a gratifying competence.

THOMAS JOHNSTON.

Thomas Johnston, deceased, was one of the early born citizens of Frank- lin county, bis birth occurring in Hamilton township. December 7, 1811. His parents, Thomas and Elizabeth (Stewart) Johnston, were both natives of Pennsylvania, the former born January 23, 1777, the latter December 30, 1782, and in that state they were united in marriage October 14, 1801. In

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IS05 they migrated to Ohio, locating in the forest of Hamilton township, this county, where the father purchased land. He first built a barn, in which the family lived until a residence could be erected, and to the improvement and cultivation of his land he devoted his energies until called to his final rest, December 6, 1829. After his death his widow continued on the farm, where she reared her family. Of the thirteen children born to them five reached adult age, namely : William, Frank, Thomas, Edmund and Samuel, all now deceased. The father entered quite a large tract of land from the government, and became one of the prosperous and influential citizens of his community, representing his district in the state legislature for a time.

In the midst of pioneer scenes Thomas Johnston grew to manhood on the home farm, and early became inured to the arduous task of clearing the wild land and converting it into productive fields. On the 19th of December, 1839, he led to the marriage altar Miss Eliza Brobeck, a daughter of William and Rebecca ( Baker) Brobeck, who were born, reared and married near Staunton, Virginia, and at the time of their emigration to Ohio had six chil- dren : Philip and Mahala, deceased; Eliza; Joseph; Rebecca, deceased; and Sarah. In this country three others were added to the family circle, namely : William; John, deceased; and George. It was in 1825 that the Brobeck family came to Ohio, and after spending a year in Clinton county moved to Perry township, Franklin county, locating on the land now owned by James T. Miller. The parents both died of cholera in September, 1852, within twenty-four hours of each other, at about the age of sixty-five years, both being born in the same week. Mr. Brobeck was a member of a Virginia regi- ment in the war of 1812, and in religious belief was a Methodist, while his wife was a lifelong member of the Lutheran church.

After his marriage Mr. Johnston located on a farm in Perry township, which had been partially cleared and upon which a log cabin had been erected. He inherited three hundred acres of land from his father's estate, and became one of the most successful and leading agriculturists of his community, as well as one of its most highly respected citizens. He was an active and promi- nent member of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as elder for more than a quarter of a century, and his life was ever in harmony with his pro- fessions. His death occurred December 4, 1877. His widow still survives him. She was born in Virginia, and was eight years old when brought by hier parents to this state. A most estimable lady of many sterling qualities, she has a large circle of friends throughout Franklin county, who appreciate her sterling worth. Of her two children, the younger, Sarah E., died in childhood.

William A. Johnston, the only son of Thomas and Eliza ( Brobeck) Johnston, and the only male representative of the family in Franklin county, was born in Perry township March 12, 1841, and was educated in the com- mon district schools and Miller Academy at Washington, Ohio, but after one year spent at the latter institution his eyes became so seriously affected by study that he was foced to leave school. Since then he has successfully

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engaged in farming on the old homestead. He was married April 2, 1862, to Miss Millie, daughter of Thomas Legg, a pioneer of this county. By this union were born three children, namely: Ada L., wife of N. F. Pheneger ; Harlan L., who married Dora Lisk, of Lima, Ohio; and Gertrude, wife of Charles R. Slyh. The family is one of considerable prominence in this com- munity.

LOUIS HEINMILLER.

Formerly a well known resident of Columbus, Ohio, Louis Heinmiller, now deceased, is well remembered as a fine German scholar and a successful business man as well as an honest public official. He was born in Columbus in 1838, his death occurring September 5, 1899, when he was sixty-one years old.

Louis Heinmiller was the son of Conrad and Elizabeth ( Bonafelt) Hein- miller, who came to this city about 1833, from Germany, their native land. They were people of worth, living to be eighty-three and sixty-two years of age, respectively. Mr. Heinmiller was educated in the public schools and when of proper age entered another school, that of the printing office, also becoming a pupil at night school. He was both industrious and ambitious and in time became the foreman of the Myers Printing House, of this city, retaining this responsible position from 1865 to 1881. During eight years of this time he was engaged in translating into German all of the state papers upon public institutions,-a work of great magnitude.

A Democrat in his political views, Mr. Heinmiller took great interest in the public affairs of his city and county. He was elected sheriff, October 29, 1881, and served for two terms. For four years he was a member of the city council, 1885-89. from the eleventh ward, and was also a member of the Democratic county and city committees.

The marriage of Mr. Heinmiller took place in 1860, the lady of his choice being Miss Eliza Wilson, a native of Connecticut, who had come to this city with her parents in 1849. She was a daughter of John Jameson and Lydia (Snyder). Wilson, natives of Hartford, Connecticut. The Wilson family originally emigrated from Pennsylvania to Connecticut and settled in Hartford, where John Wilson, the great-grandfather of Mrs. Heinmiller, was a teacher and entered into service in the Revolutionary war. Her grand- father, Robert Wilson, was a lieutenant of the militia company in the war of 1812, and was a surveyor. Her father. J. J. Wilson, was a stationary engin- cer by profession, attending closely to his line of work until his death, at the age of eighty-one years, in 1896.

The family of Mr. and Mrs. Heinmiller consisted of seven children, as follows: William, Henry and Albert, grocers on Mound street and active members of the Democratic party: Frank H., at home; Anna E., the wife of Charles Beck, of Columbus: Henrietta, the wife of William Wien- man. of Columbus; Ida Frances, the wife of Delmer Harrington, of Colum-

LOUIS HEINMILLER.

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bus; and Myrtle May, the wife of Frederick Sniff, of the same city. The entire family is one well known and highly respected in Columbus. For twenty-one years' one brother of Mr. Heinmiller was chief of the city fire department, two others being John and William Heinmiller, in business in this place. Mrs. Heinmiller still resides in the pleasant residence built by her husband in 1865, on one of the beautiful streets of the capital city of Ohio.

WILLIAM L. PINKERTON, M. D.

William L. Pinkerton, who is successfully engaged in the practice of medicine in Galloway, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, on the 2d of February, 1840, and traces his ancestry back to the green isle of Erin. His great-grandfather, a native of that land, sailed from Londonderry to the new world and became a resident of Pennsylvania, where his remaining days were passed. He had three sons, one of whom was William Pinkerton, the grand- father of our subject. He was born in Pennsylvania and there acquired his education. Removing to West Virginia, he located near the line between Ohio and Pennsylvania, and there he engaged in teaching school for several years. He was married just across the Maryland line to a Miss Littig, and several years later he removed to Ohio, afterward taking up his abode in Vinton county, where he spent his remaining days, dying when between forty and forty-five years of age.

John White Pinkerton, the father of our subject, was born in West Vir- ginia, and married Miss Susan Burroughs, of the Old Dominion. They lo- cated in Ohio county, where the mother died in 1841. The father afterward came to Ohio, and died in Vinton county in 1843. Their children were: Amanda, who became Mrs. De Garmo, and died in West Virginia; Mary C., wife of William Birkey, of Franklin county; Thomas Benton, who for thirty years has been engaged in teaching school, as principal, in Monclova, Lucas county ; and William L.

The Doctor was eighteen months old at the time of his mother's death, and was left an orphan when three years of age. He went to live with John B. Wilson, by whom he was reared until he was nineteen years of age. In that time he pursued his education in the common schools and became familiar with the various duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He had a good home, being regarded as a member of the family. When a young man of nineteen years he came to Ohio and secured a position as teacher in district No. I, of Prairie township, Franklin county. He remained there during the winter of 1859-60, and also through the succeeding winter. On the 22d of April, 1861, prompted by a spirit of patriotism, he responded to his country's call for aid to crush out the rebellion in its incipiency, and joined Company B, of the Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Captain James H. May and Colonel I. H. Morrow. He served until June 20, 1864, when he was honorably discharged by reason of the expiration of his three years' term of service. He participated in the engagements at Rich Mountain, Perry-

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ville and Stone River, the last named occurring during the winter of 1863-4. Subsequently he was on detached service under Colonel A. D. Street, of the Seventy-second Indiana, and was also with the Third Ohio, Seventy-sec- ond Indiana and the Eighty-eighth Indiana. He was almost continu- ously engaged in skirmishing. He participated in the battle of Sand Mountain, in Alabama, and kept up a running fight for almost five days. With thirteen hundred others he was captured near Rome, Georgia, and taken to Atlanta, where he met his uncle, Samuel Pinkerton, who was in the Confed- erate service as a chaplain. Mr. Pinkerton knew he was at that point and sent for him. The uncle came and asked to see the young man, who besought him to aid him in making his escape. He also complained of hunger. and the uncle replied that he would get him something to eat, but Mr. Pinkerton said that if he could not get something for his comrades he did not want it. He was sent from Atlanta to Knoxville, thence to Belle Isle, where he remained for two weeks, and thence he was paroled to Camp Chase, Columbus, arriving there in July, 1863. His regiment took part in the Holmes county raid at Fort Fizzle, where the Amish had resented the draft. He afterward assisted in the capture of Morgan, and was sent with his regiment to Nashville. Soon afterward he went into the Sequatchie valley, at the time the army was gath- ering for the battle of Chattanooga, his regiment being engaged in guard duty along the railroad. In the winter of 1863-4 they were on the Tennessee river near Kellogg's Landing, and later he was sent to Chattanooga, where he did guard duty until June, 1864. From there he was sent home to be discharged at Camp Denison, on the 20th of June.

In July following Dr. Pinkerton went to Helena, Arkansas, to act as guard on a cotton plantation, and there he remained until Christmas time. He then returned home, where he continued until the spring of 1865, and was engaged in teaching school in Franklin towship. He spent the summer of 1866 at work upon a farm in Franklin township, and in August of that year he married Miss Emily Demorest, of that township, a daughter of Gilimus and Lucinda ( Peterson) Demorest. Her great-grandfather was a blanket weaver under LaFayette's command in the time of the war of the Revolution. Unto our subject and his wife were born five children : Charles G .. who mar- ried Ida C. , and is living in Galloway; Louis L., who died in childhood; Mary Ione, the wife of J. J. Doyle, of Columbus; Isaac B., who died in childhood; and Edith, at home.

After his marriage Dr. Pinkerton engaged in teaching in Franklin town- ship, in the winter of 1866, and spent the summer months of 1867-8 on the home farm. In the meantime he devoted his leisure hours to the study of medicine, and in the spring of 1869 he went to Delaware, Ohio, where he read medicine under the direction of Dr. T. B. Williams. He was a student in the Starling Medical College from 1869 until 1871, being graduated in March of the latter year. In June of that year he began practice in Oswego, Kansas, and in 1873 he returned to Ohio, for the climate of the west did not agree with his wife's health. In July of the same year he took up his abode

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in Galloway, where he opened an office, and in March, 1875, he went to Broad- way, Union county, Ohio, where he remained for a year. On the expiration of that period he came to Galloway, where he has since made his home, enjoy- ing a large practice. He is a member of the Cincinnati, Ohio, Medical Society, and is a physician of skill, whose well-directed efforts have brought to him a good return for his labors.

In 1900 the Doctor was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 6th of February, in the faith of the Methodist church, of which she had for some years been an active and consistent member. The Doctor belongs to the church, and is serving as steward. In politics he is a stalwart Republican. For a number of years he has been a member of W. H. Elliott Post, G. A. R., and he formerly belonged to Libby Post at Georgesville, of which he was commander. He also holds membership relations with Prairie Lodge, No. 662, I. O. O. F., and with Madison Lodge, No. 221, F. & A. M. The Doctor is a well-known citizen of Franklin county, and takes a commenda- ble interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community along the lines of substantial progress and intellectual development.

MILTON H. VIRDEN, M. D.

A physician and pharmacist, Milton H. Virden is one of the rising young representatives of the medical fraternity of Franklin county, carrying on busi- ness at the corner of Fifth and Cleveland avenues, in Columbus, where he lias a well-appointed pharmacy and office. He is a native of Marion, Marion county, Ohio, born in 1859, his parents being Theodore W. and Sarah Virden, both of whom were natives of the state of Delaware. The former came to Ohio about 1835, when fifteen years of age. He was a farmer by occupa- tion and one of the substantial and respected citizens of Marion county. During the period of the Civil war he took an active part in raising money .with which to encourage enlistments in the northern army. To him and his wife were born eight children, seven sons and one daughter. The father died in 1899, at the age of eighty-four years, and the mother passed away in 1870, at the age of fifty-seven.

In the public schools of Marion county, Ohio, Dr. Virden pursued his elementary education. He possessed studious habits and devoted himself assiduously to the mastery of the branches forming the curriculum in the common schools. He made the best of his opportunities and became a good English scholar before entering the normal school at Lebanon, Ohio, in which institution he pursued his studies for four years. He took both literary and scientific branches in the Lebanon Normal Extension, a replete curriculum, but just before completing the four years' course he was taken ill and had to leave the school a few days before the time of graduation. On recovering his health he entered the Eastman's Business College. of Poughkeepsie, New York, in which he was graduated with the class of 1881, winning a diploma upon the completion of the pharmaceutical course. The same year he secured

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employment in the drug store of Dr. J. M. Wood, of Larue, Ohio, where he remained for some time in the capacity of prescription clerk. He afterward purchased a half interest in the business from his employer, and the partnership was continued until the store and its contents were destroyed by fire, which unfortunately occurred a few days after the insurance had expired, entailing a total loss.

Subsequently Dr. Virden established himself at the same place and con- ducted his enterprise for three years, meeting with a very gratifying degree of success. On the expiration of that period he sold out. In 1890 he began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. William Shira, a prominent and well-known physician of Larue, and in 1891 he matriculated in the Ohio Medical College, being one of the nine students who were in the school in the opening year. There he pursued the regular course and graduated in 1894. Immediately afterward he opened an office on Front street, in Columbus, where he successfully practiced for a year, and then removed to his present location on Fifth and Cleveland avenues, where by assiduous attention to his professional duties he has built up a lucrative and constantly growing practice. In 1899 he erected a store building, which he stocked with a complete assort- ment of drugs and other such goods usually found in a first-class establish- ment of the kind, and that branch of his business is also proving profitable.

The Doctor was married to Miss Louie Burke, formerly of Urbana, Ohio, and unto them has been born a son, George Leon, now a bright young lad of ten years. The Doctor is a member of the Academy of Medicine, of Columbus, and belongs to various fraternal organizations, holding member- ship with Lodge No. 32, B. P. O. E., of Marion, Ohio, with Champion Lodge, No. 105, K. P., of Columbus, and the Olentangy Tribe of Red Men. He is a social, genial gentleman, interested in all that pertains to the welfare of the capital city, and he has a large circle of warm friends, his friendship being best prized by those who have known him longest.

HENRY KINER.

Prominent among the energetic, far-seeing and successful business men of Ohio is the subject of this review. His life history most happily illustrates what may be attained by faithful and continued effort in carrying out an earnest purpose. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points in his success, and his connection with the agricultural interests of Franklin county have been a decided advantage to this section of the state, promoting its material welfare in no uncertain manner, while bringing to him a financial return that numbers him among the wealthy men of his community. He has justly won the distinction of being what the public term a self-made man.

Henry Kiner was born December 10, 1838, in the old family homestead in Franklin county. and is the only surviving child of Casper and Elizabeth ( Mock) Kiner. His father was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and there formed the acquaintance of and married Miss Mock, a daughter of

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 103

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