USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 106
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dising in Gahanna, where he has erected the largest building in the town, It is two stories in height, with a large hall above, and is fifty-six by twenty- four feet in dimensions.
In 1878 the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Ella Belt, a native of Licking county, Ohio, and a daughter of James P. and Margaret ( Baker) Belt. They became the parents of five children, of whom four are living: Estella L., Lois M., William A., and Washington A. The third child, Frank L., is now deceased. The eldest is the wife of George W. Nicholson, of Col- umbus. Lois is a student in that city and William A. will complete the course in the Gahanna high school in 1901. . The cause of education finds the Doctor a warm friend and he is providing his children with excellent advantages in that direction. He has served as a member of the school board and has held other offices. In politics he is a stanch Republican and his varied business interests indicate his ability for he has carried all forward to successful com- pletion.
WILLIAM HOUSE.
One of the pioneer residents of Franklin township, Franklin county, Ohio, who watched the growth and development of his section from almost a wilder- ness to its present flourishing state of cultivation, was the late William House, the subject of this memoir. He was born on his father's farm, in this town- ship and county, January 27, 1816, in a log cabin on a little clearing in the woods. His parents were Richard and Sarah ( White) House, the former a native of Maryland, the latter of Loudoun county, Virginia. Richard House was born in 1777, and when but a youth came to Franklin county, Ohio, about 1809, taking up his residence in this township. He came of sturdy Dutch stock and lived to a good old age. The mother of our subject was a daughter of another old settler, named Samuel White, who had served in the Revolu- tionary war. He was one of the earliest pioneers of Franklin county and possessed five hundred acres of land, all of which he succeeded in clearing excepting about ten acres. He also lived to the age of about eighty. The mother of our subject was one of a pair of twins, in a family of six children, and lived to be about sixty-six years of age, always being proud of her Scotch descent. The parents of our subject reared four children in the little log house, he being the only surivivor, the others being George; Nancy Ann, who mar- ried James Vanderburgh and later Robert Riordan; and John, who died when but twenty-one years old.
William House was reared in the primitive surroundings of the time and vicinity, growing into sturdy manhood upon his father's farm and enjoying all of the educational advantages provided at the district school. On Febru- ary 14, 1843, he married Miss Julia Moler, a native of Tiffin, Ohio, born there September 22, 1825, a daughter of Rollin and Susan ( Ransburgh) Moler, both natives of Maryland. They reared a large number of children,-John, Daniel, Sarah Ann, Julia Ann, Rollin G., Eliza, Maria, Hannah, Henry and
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Cornelia; but Mrs. House, the wife of our subject, was the only survivor. She was five years of age when she came to Franklin township with her par- ents. She grew to womanhood in her native place, attended the district school and later the city schools in Columbus. After marriage she went to house- keeping in a cabin of logs located on the farm where their present beautiful residence is located, but when the family increased Mr. House built a larger cabin of the same useful material, where they remained comfortable until circumstances caused the erection of the new brick mansion. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. House: Sarah, who died in infancy; Emily, who inarried William Miller, a resident of Columbus, and has three daughters- Gertrude, Clara and Pearl; Rollin, deceased, who married Lovina Bender and had two children,-Grace and George,-now residents of Columbus; Virginia D., deceased ; William D., born June 23, 1859, who attends to the farm ; James H., who married Annie Haines, since deceased, and has two children,- Richard and Cora; and Nellie Blanch, who married Clark Allen and has two sons, William and Charles W., who reside on farms in Jackson township.
Mr. House was a successful farmer and stock-raiser, dealing extensively in cattle and hogs. His farm of one hundred and eighty acres he placed in a fine state of cultivation, with most attractive surroundings near his resi- dence. His own duties were lightened for some years by his son Will- iam, who attended to much of the work.
Politically, Mr. House was a Whig in earlier years and voted for Gen- eral Harrison in 1840, after which time every Republican candidate for the high office of president received his ballot. He was very frequently called upon to hold office, being at one time township trustee. In 1840 he became a member of the Methodist church, after which time his allegiance never failed. He was ever one of the substantial men of Franklin county who did his duty to country, church and family. He died February 17, 1901, at the age of eighty-five years, and his wife departed this life only a few days previously, February 4, at the age of seventy-five years, and thus the social relations of the community were severely affected.
THOMAS HART.
This well known citizen of Franklin township, Franklin county, is the subject of the following sketch. He was born April 28, 1847, on the home- stead farm of his parents, Theadore and Catherine A. (Walton) Hart, a sketch of whose lives appears upon another page of this history. He was reared upon that homestead, attending the district schools for his education and remaining at the parental home until his marriage, when he located upon a tract of land near Green Lawn and began farming for himself. As a farmer boy he had always been very successful, and his present fine farm shows that he thoroughly understands agricultural matters. For five years he followed agriculture in Jackson township previous to location at his present place, where he has about fifty-five acres, devoted to general farming. In 1900 he
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purchased the John Brown farm of one hundred and twenty-seven arces in Jackson township; and besides this property he also owns a half interest in thirty-seven acres of the old Dennison farm near Greenlawn cemetery.
At the age of twenty-three years Mr. Hart was married to Miss Sarah Jane Lott, a native of New Jersey, where she was reared until about sixteen years of age, when he came to Franklin township. She was one of a family of eleven children, and now has the satisfaction of having two sisters and a brother living in the same township. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have no children of their own, but have adopted a little child by the name of Raymond Bertrand, who came to their loving care when he was but seventeen days oid.
Mr. Hart has taken an active part in the deliberations of the Republican party, and he and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist church, in which he is a trustee and is highly valued on account of his efficiency and readiness in the performance of religious duties. He is well known and highly respected throughout the township.
WILLIAM CLINE.
One of the oldest settlers and a prominent farmer of Franklin county, Ohio, is William Cline, who was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, August 9, 1832. He was a son of Conrad and Martha Rebecca ( Heaton) Cline, both of them natives of the Keystone state. They settled in Franklin county in 1833, residing one year in Columbus and then removing to the farm upon which our subject now resides. Conrad Cline was one of the pioneers of the county and he and his family endured all the privations which attended the settling of the new home. Nothing can bring the life of that yesterday to the mind so well as do the tales from the pioneer's own lips. The rude log huts in the wil- derness, the struggles with savage animals and wild nature, the deprivations and unavoidable home-sickness, and then the overcoming of all these conditions, make tales well worthy of attention. All of these experiences came into the lives of the parents of our subject, but they lived out their four-score and ten years, dying at the age of eighty-four years. The family consisted of three children, our subject being the only son, his two sisters being Mary Jane, the wife of Charles White, of Franklin township; and Anna, the wife of Richard Vanderburg,-both of whom are deceased.
William Cline was but one year of age when brought to Franklin county, and here he grew to manhood. His schooling was that obtainable in the country and was often interrupted by the necessity of beginning work as soon as the seasons were far enough advanced for agricultural labor. In those days no machinery was to be had, many of the present implements had not been invented, and the threshing of the grain was accomplished by the tramp- ling of horses upon the wheat, which was spread in a small circle upon hard ground. Until his marriage he remained with his father, later engaging in general farming upon a part of the estate. He now owns two hundred and
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sixty-four acres of some of the finest land in the Scioto valley. He rents a part of it and the rest is under the care of his two sons.
Mr. Cline was married in Franklin township, November 4, 1858, to Miss Lydia Briggs, the only sister of Henry Briggs, whose sketch appears upon another page of this work. The death of Mrs. Cline took place November 8, 1888, leaving three children and the bereaved husband. The children are : Anna, the wife of Nelson Breninger, of Texas; Lester, who married Lydia Moore, of Franklin county and resides at home; and Willard, who married Lizzie Huffman and is also at home.
The political opinions of Mr. Cline favor the Democratic party, and he has always taken a great interest in its success. He has faithfully served the township as trustee for eleven years, and has many times filled the minor offices. In all the county there is no one more thoroughly respected than our subject. He has done much for the development of the section in which he lives, and has taken intense interest in the improvements which have been wrought since his advent so many years ago.
BARNABAS PHINNEY.
For many years this gentleman was prominently identified with the agricultural and business interests of Franklin county, Ohio, his home being on a farm in Clinton township, where he died on the 28th of January, 1899, honored and respected by all who knew him. He was born in Lee, Berk- shire county, Massachusetts, April 3, 1813, and when four years of age moved to New York state with his parents, Calvin and Thankful ( Bassett) Phinney, residing there until the removal of the family to Medina county, Ohio, more than sixty years ago. In 1838, at the age of twenty-six, he came to Frank- lin county, and located in Clinton township, where he continued to make his home throughout the remainder of his life. On his arrival here he purchased sixty acres of land, three of which are still retained by his widow as a home place. He was married on the 2nd of November, 1843, to Miss Mary S. Smiley. No children were born to them but they reared three from child- hood, namely : Nellie Smiley; Barney Smiley; and Libbie Cruder, now Mrs. Arnold.
Mr. Phinney was a man of good business ability and did not confine his attention solely to agricultural pursuits, but became interested in other enter- prises, including the construction and carrying on of the toll road from Column- bus to Worthington, being treasurer of the company for a number of years. He also held stock in the Electric Street Car Company that built the line be- tween those cities. In his political views he was a Republican, and at the polls always exercised the privileges of citizenship. He was a regular attendant at the Presbyteran church of Worthington, of which he was a trustee for many years, and was a liberal contributor to all religious denominations and to any other worthy public enterprise. As a gentleman he was widely and favorably known, and was highly respected by a host of friends.
BARNABAS PHINNEY.
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Colonel William Smiley, the father of Mrs. Phinney, was a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, born June 5, 1789, and in early manhood came to this state. At Greenville, Ohio, he was married in 1817 to Miss Nancy Penning- ton, a native of Virginia, and they became the parents of eleven children, nine of whom were born in Franklin county, namely: Ryan, deceased; Lu- cinda, deceased wife of George P. Whip; George E., a resident of Clinton township, this county; John, of Sharon township; Richard M., of Clinton township; Theodore and William, both deceased; James, a resident of Illi- nois; Sarah Jane, deceased; Robert; and Mrs. Phinney. During the Civil war Robert enlisted for three months at the first call for troops, and while in the service was taken ill with smallpox at Philadelphia, where he died and was buried. The father of this family departed this life September 27, 1873, and the mother died March 24, 1885, at the age of eighty-three years, four months and fourteen days.
Before 1820 Colonel Smiley became a resident of Franklin county and purchased land in Clinton township, upon which North Columbus is now located. By trade he was a carpenter and followed that occupation during the greater part of his life, but he also operated the Whip mill, now known as the Weisenheimer mill, for a good many years and the Wilcox mill at North Columbus. He was an active and energetic business man and dealt largely in mill products. Politically he was a Democrat, and on one occasion was the nominee of his party for the office of representative, but was defeated at the polls. For about thirty-five years he served as constable in Clinton township, and also held the position of township treasurer. In early life he ran many races with the Indians, and at the age of sixty-five could outrun or outwalk any man, old or young, in Franklin county. He served with distinction as captain in the war of 1812 under General Harrison, and later received a pen- sion in recognition of his services. In religious belief he was a Universalist, while his wife was a devout and active member of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was greatly respected by all who knew him, and justly merited the high regard in which he was held.
JOSEPH F. JONES, M. D.
One of the young men who is rapidly winning a place among the success- ful physicians and surgeons of Columbus is Dr. Jones, who was born in Fayette county, Ohio, in 1872. a son of Dr. J. F. Jones, of New Martinsburg, this state. The father is a graduate of the State Medical College, at Cincinnati, and for a number of years has engaged in practice in New Martinsburg, where the son was reared and educated, completing the high school course there. Later he entered the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he pre- pared for teaching, but, becoming imbued with the desire to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began study under the direction of his father and subsequently matriculated in the Starling Medical College, of Columbus, in which he was graduated in the class of 1898. When the course was com- 55
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pleted he became house physician in St. Francis Hospital and acceptably served in that capacity for two years. He then began private practice and is now well established in a good business. An earnest and determined purpose-without which there is no success in life-is the keynote of his advancement, and a laudable ambition prompts hint to advance steadily until he is now occupying a very creditable position, being ranked as the equal of many men in the profes- sion who have much longer been connected with it.
In 1899 Dr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Florence M. Clark, a daughter of John P. Clark. Socially the Doctor is connected with the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Knights of Pythias fraternity. His social qualities render him popular, and by the profession and the laity he is held in high esteem.
MOSES COSGRAY.
Among the highly esteemed residents of Washington township, Franklin county, Ohio, is Moses Cosgray, the subject of this sketch, who resides upon a finely cultivated and improved farm near Dublin. He was a son of Jeremiah and a grandson of James Cosgray, whose sketches appear in another part of this history.
Our subject was born near Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania, September II, 1848, and was reared upon a farm. His educatonal advan- tages were very meagre, as at that time the sessions of the district school were limited to four winter months, and he was never able to attend for more than two of these. At the age of seventeen he came with his parents to Ohio, endeavoring after locating in this state to pursue his studies, but with no great amount of success. Mr. Cosgray grew up a fine, sturdy specimen of farmer boy, and at the time of his marriage was well acquainted with all of the details necessary for the management of the farm. At the age of fifteen he first began earning his own money, his wages being fifteen dollars a month, including board. He assisted his family until he was twenty-five years old, at which time he began his own happy domestic life.
Mr. Cosgray was married October 23, 1873, to Miss Janet Postle, the estimable daughter of John and Rebecca ( Bridges ) Postle. She was born near Columbus, Ohio, June 15, 1850, and received a part of her education at Olen- tangy, Ohio, passing the years between sixteen and nineteen at Richwood. Her parents died died when she was but six yars old and she was reared by her cousin, Emory Bridges.
Our subject located on his present place after marriage, renting it of his father for two years, later purchasing it. The farm comprises fifty-five acres, which he has improved to a high degree, having erected commodious and comfortable buildings, put in tiling and planted orchards. He now owns one of the most attractive and productive places in the neighborhood. His means were very limited at the time of his marriage, but he possessed energy and perseverance and was ably assisted and supported by his capable wife.
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He has engaged in general farming and stock-raising and has been very suc- cessful in both lines.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Cosgray are Rella, who was educated for a teacher at Worthington; Ada, who is Mrs. Joseph Baker, of White county, Indiana; Carrie, who died at the age of three; Lela, and Michal. The family is connected with the Christian church of Dublin, where they en- joy the esteem of every one. Mr. Cosgray has long been an active member of the Democratic party and has served his township on the school board.
HUGH E. JONES.
The subject of this sketch has the unique distinction of having been born on the high sea, and for the first time saw the light of day on a vessel which belonged to his father, off the English coast, March 11, 1826, and is the son of Evan and Ellen (Jenkins) Jones, natives of Wales. His father, who was the owner of a small vessel which plied between Liverpool and other ports, died when Hugh was eleven months old, and when he was four years old his mother married John Jones. She lived to a good old age and died in Wales, and was the mother of two daughters and four sons, all of whom were the children of her first husband. Hugh E. Jones, the youngest of her six children, remained with his mother in Wales until he was ten years old, when he became a cabin boy on board a vessel sailed by his uncle, Harry Jones, and was thus employed until he was seventeen years old, during which time he sailed around the cape and visited Africa and China and many other parts of the world. In 1843 in the vicissitudes of his sea-faring life, he was made a prisoner and sent to Hong Kong, China, from which port he escaped on a British ship, commanded by one Captain Jackson, and he was landed in Mexico, whence he made his way by way of the Gulf of Mexico and the great American rivers to Cincinnati, Ohio, starting with twelve men under his supervision, only three of whom lived to reach their destination. He spent a year in Cincinnati, working in a distillery and on river boats. From Cincinnati he came to Franklin county, Ohio, where he was employed for about six years in the distillery of Amor Rees. After that he worked about seven years in Marion county, Ohio, for a distiller named Jacob Stoutzenberger. While in Franklin county he had secured a farm to which he now returned and which he improved and lived on until the present time. It consists of one hundred and fifty-six and a half acres and is regarded as good property, and under Mr. Jones's management has afforded him a good living and yielded him material profit. In 1888 he sold his stock at auction and visited Great Britain and Europe, stopping in London, Paris and other great cities, his itinerary covering a period of five months. Returning to Franklin county, he resumed farming and met with success until his recent retirement.
In 1849. Mr. Jones was married in Marion county, Ohio, to Miss Mary Miller, and has two sons and three daughters. Their daughter, Dorliska,
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is the wife of James Evans, of Missouri, and their son, Parley, lives in Nodaway county, that state. Theron is a well known real estate man of Columbus, Ohio. Flora married James Simpson and Rosa married William Simpson and they live at Lima, Ohio. Politically Mr. Jones is a Democrat and he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of his township, which he served for twelve years as trustee and many years as school director. His public spirit is such that he has been in every way a useful and helpful citizen. His life has been a busy and industrious one and more eventful than the lives of most men in Franklin county, and it is to be regretted that he could not be induced to go more fully into details concerning his younger days and his experiences as a sailor on many seas and in many ports.
MICHAEL DERRER.
A beautiful farm of one hundred and ninety-three acres of land near the city of Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin township, is owned by the subject of this sketch; and here he and his family reside in comfort, with every sign of prosperity around them.
Michael Derrer was born in Bavaria, Germany, September 20, 1836, where he lived until he was sixteen years of age. At that time he joined the number of young men who came to this country to better their fortunes, bringing with him no wealth but health, energy and honesty of purpose. After a short time spent in New York he came to Columbus and here engaged in anything that promised remuneration, but asserts that he saved no money until after his marriage. This took place in 1859, when Miss Elizabeth B. Wolleben, a native of Saxony, Germany, became his wife. He then located upon land which is now embraced in Camp Chase, raised a crop of corn and sold it to the government. He remained on that tract until 1865, which was owned by John G. Holloway, of Henderson, Kentucky, and he bought a farm five miles east of Columbus, where the family lived until the spring of 1869, when he sold and soon bought fifty acres on his present location. Being very successful in both farming and dairying, the time came when he was able to add four hundred and forty acres to the fifty and now he has a tract of land that is very valuable. He freely gives credit to Mrs. Derrer for her industry and capable management of the affairs of the household.
A large and intelligent family has grown up about Mr. and Mrs. Derrer, -Minnie, Annie, Lizzie, George, Frances, Jonas, Nettie, Franklin and Lydia, deceased, and Nellie, now twenty years old. The youngest son of Mr. Derrer married Leila Roberts and lives at home.
Mr. Derrer is a member of no political party, reserving the right, free from the party whip, to cast his vote for the men he conscientiously believes will be the best for the country, and in this position he is upheld by his sons, they relying upon his judgment. The family is a pleasant one, much es- teemed in the neighborhood.
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ERNST REINKENS.
One of the prominent old residents of Franklin township, Franklin county. Ohio, is the subject of the present sketch. He was born in Prussia, September 17, 1833, and was the son of Louis and Mary ( Wulner) Reinkens, both of them being natives of the same place. They came to America in 1856, locating at Schenectady, in the state of New York, where Mr. Reinkens died at the age of seventy-six years.
Our subject, Ernst Reinkens, left home at the age of nineteen. years and learned the brushmaker's trade, serving his time at the same. In 1857 Mr. Reinkens came to Franklin county, Ohio, and here rented a farm which he cul- tivated for seven years, and then bought the land upon which he now resides. This place was without buildings of any kind, Mr. Reinkens erecting all of the commodious structures, houses, barns and outbuildings, also fencing the whole tract, until now there is no more conveniently appointed place in the locality. Mr. Reinkens has successfully cultivated his land and it shows his care.
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