A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 11

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 11

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Amor and Julia A. Rees had nine children, five of whom died in infancy and four of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and of whom the sub- ject of this sketch is the only one living at this time. Washington T. Rees was the seventh child and sixth son of his parents in order of nativity, and was three years old when the family came to Franklin county, Ohio. He was brought up to assist in the work of the farm. which he helped to clear and develop, and his earliest recollections of school life bring up a picture of a little log schoolhouse with puncheon seats and slab writing tables. When he was twelve years old a brick schoolhouse was built in his home district and he attended school in it until he was seventeen. Then he became a student at the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, and after remaining there two years he returned home and assisted his father until he was twenty-one years old, when he took up the battle of life for himself. With his father and brother he was interested in a distillery until 1865, when they sold the enter- prise and from that day to this he has been a farmer, industrious, progress- ive and successful.

February 6, 1862, Mr. Rees married Eliza Stimmel, a native of Frank- lin township, Franklin county, and a daughter of Jacob and Mary Stimmel, who were early settlers there. They have had two children. Their daugh- ter Bessie married W. B. Drum, now a resident of Cleveland, Ohio, and they have a son, named Mark Rees Drum. Their son, Ned E., married Julia E. Ditto and has a son named Hubert. He lives on a part of the family home- stead in Hamilton township.

Mr. Rees is an unswerving Republican, who approves of the course of

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

the party in the past, is in accord with its present policy and has full confi- dence in its future, and while he is not an office-seeker, he wields a recognized influence in local politics and works consistently and conscientiously for Re- publican success. He has filled the office of trustee of his township and has been otherwise prominent in public affairs. As a representative farmer he is well known throughout the county, and his fine farm of three hundred acres, which is beautifully situated on Walnut creek, is one of the model farms of the state.

WILLIAM WATTS.

William Watts, one of the pioneer residents of Franklin county, Ohio, was born upon a farm near where he now resides, March 2, 1818, and was the son of John Watts, who was born near Albany, New York. He was married there to Sarah Goethschins, and they came to Franklin county, Ohio, in 1812. Then all the land was cheap in this county, John Watts being offered at that time the land upon which the city of Columbus is now built for one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. With his family he settled in the heart of the woods, built a log cabin and engaged in the clearing of the land. He was a soldier in the war of 1812 and always lived an exemplary life, his death occurring from the kick of a horse. His wife survived him until about the age of fifty years, when she died of consumption, leaving five children,-Nicholas, William, Hiram, Sarah and Catherine.

William Watts was but four years of age when he was so unfortunate as to lose the care of his father, but as soon as able he endeavored to assist his mother, working for neighbors, and he also tried to save some money with which to pay for his education, the schools of that period being sub- scription schools. Eight dollars a month was paid him for his first attempt, the greater part of this being put aside, which finally amounted to enough to enable him to purchase fifty acres of land. Soon afterward he purchased thirty acres more, making a farm which he was able to sell for a good price. He then moved to his present farm, consisting of one hundred acres, which is now valued at one hundred and fifty dollars an acre. He has been very successful in his farming operations and the land shows a fine state of culti- vation.

Mr. Watts was first married to Margaret Chambers, of Franklin town- ship, and eleven children were born to them, a record of whom is given upon another page of this work. For his second wife Mr. Watts married Demaries Johnson, and six children have been born of this union: Frank, who is a farmer and dairyman in this township; Edward, who is a motorman on a street railway in Columbus; Lester, who is also engaged in the dairy business ; Nettie, who is the wife of Charles Holt, a dairyman ; and Chester and Harry, who died when young.

Mr. Watts is an intelligent man who takes a great interest in the ab-

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY

sorbing questions now agitating the political world. He was a Whig until the formation of the Republican party, since which time his affiliations have been with it. He has served many times on the grand jury, has been trustee of his township and has also held the office of supervisor. Both he and his family are consistent members of the Methodist church, in which he takes a deep interest. He is well known through the county which has been his home for so many years and he possesses the respect of all.

GEORGE GEYER.

One of the most prominent farmers residing in Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio, is George Geyer, the subject of this sketch. He was born in Bavaria, Germany, November 9, 1825, and was a son of Adam H. and Margaret ( Koerner) Geyer, the former of whom was also a native of Bavaria and served in the German army. By trade he was a wagon-maker, but after reaching America he worked as a gardener, later becoming a resi- dent of Brunswick, New Jersey, where both parents died. The children were John, who died in Ohio, having married Margaret Fifer; Conrad, who married Margaret Smith in New York and finally died in Iowa; Andrew, who married Mina Swartz, located on Long Island; John George, who died at Brunswick, New Jersey; Susan, who married Henry Schweitzer and died in New York; George, who is our subject; and Adam, who married Cath- erine Rocht and resides at Booneville, Indiana.

Until the age of fourteen our subject attended the schools in Bavaria near his home, then engaged in work as a farm hand until 1841, when lie accompanied his parents to America. The long trip was made on a sailing vessel, and the little family had forty-one days of sea life before the welcome harbor of New York was reached. In that city our subject soon found em- ployment, entering an establishment where he learned the baker's trade, which he followed for some time.

Mr. Geyer was married on August 26, 1852, to Miss Mary Koerner. who was born in Germany March 6, 1831, a daughter of John and Susan (Snyder) Koerner. She was six years old when her parents brought her to the United States, the vessel on which they sailed being named Republic, and belonging to the line between Bremen, Germany, and the city of New York. Her parents immediately located in Franklin county and her first school days were passed in Norwich township; and Mrs. Geyer kindly remem- bers her first teacher, Sarah Ann Viddum, as it was this lady who taught her to speak the English tongue. The school sessions were held in a log house with a puncheon floor and a latch string hung at the door. Those were yet pioneer days and the children were not afforded any superior edu- cational advantages.

After marriage our subject with his wife left the great eastern metropolis and started westward, locating in Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio, where he and his brother bought one hundred and sixty acres of land, and

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

this has been his home ever since. Mr. Geyer, assisted much by his esti- mable wife, finally acquired a total of five hundred and seventy acres in Norwich, Prairie and Brown townships, and has been very successful. In 1872 he erected his present commodious and comfortable residence, the for- mer one having been of logs, in dimensions twenty-two by eighteen. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Geyer are: John Adam, a fine young man, who died at the age of twenty-one; Stephen, who lived to be forty-three; George, who resides in Prairie township, married Elizabeth Carl; Veit, who married Mary Rankin; Annie, who married Charles Rankin; Andrew, who married Nettie Eiderman; Sovilla; and John A., who married Bertha Kuhn, and resides in Prairie township.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Geyer are consistent and valued members of St. Jacob's Lutheran church, where they possess the esteem of every one. In his political opinions our subject is a stanch Democrat. The whole family is one known throughout the neighborhood for high character and sterling honesty.

JOHN RATHMELL.

John Rathmell, deceased, was for many years a leading and representa- tive farmer of Franklin county, and was a valued citizen, held in the highest respect by all who knew him. He was born in Madison township, this county, June 29, 1820. His father, Thomas Rathmell, was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the honored pioneer settlers of Franklin county, whither he came about 1816. He was a blacksmith by trade, and followed that pursuit for many years in this locality, but also developed a farm in the midst of the forest. He was of English descent, a representative of a very prominent family of Bolton, England, the Rathmells being actively con- nected with banking interests of that city. In Bucks county, Pennsylvania, he wedded Mary Smith, a native of the Keystone state. Her father was of Pennsylvania German descent, was a blacksmith by trade, and made one of the first settlements in Franklin county. John Rathmell was the eldest of three children, two sons and a daughter.

Reared in Franklin county, his education was obtained in the primitive log school house, supplemented by study in Central College, Blendon. Later he engaged in teaching through the winter months, while in the summer season he followed farming. At one time among his pupils was Susan Frank, and on the 16th of January, 1845, they were married. She was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, December 3, 1825, and is a daugh- ter of Jacob Frank, who was born, reared and died in the same county. He was a miller by trade and followed that occupation throughout his busi- ness career. His father was a native of Bavaria. Mrs. Rathmell's mother, whose maiden name was Julia Hersh, was also born in Pennsylvania. By her first marriage she had six children, the youngest of whom, Mrs. Rath- mell, was only about fifteen months old at the time of the father's death, and she is the only one now living. Her mother afterward became the wife of Amor Rees, and they had four children who reached mature years, but

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Washington T. Rees is now the only one who survives. Mrs. Rathmell was only five years of age when brought to Ohio, the family locating in Fairfield county. They made the journey by wagon and were seventeen days upon the way, stopping at the old-fashioned taverns for the night and to obtain supplies. She lived in Fairfield county for ten years, when the family removed to Franklin county, locating in Hamilton township. Her education was acquired in log school houses, furnished with split-log seats, while a slab placed upon pins inserted into the wall served for desks.

After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rathmell they located on the farm where the widow now resides, and there the husband engaged in agricultural pursuits throughout his remaining days, placing his land under a high state of cultivation and thereby acquiring a gratifying income. The home was blessed by the presence of eight children: Thomas J., who married Crissie Vause, is a farmer of Hamilton township, and they have three children,- Allyn, Leonard and Florence; Julia A. is the wife of Michael Brantner, a farmer of Hamilton township; John R., a practicing physician, married Edith Beach, who was born at West Jefferson, Madison county. Ohio, a daughter of Dr. John Noble Beach, who was for forty years a practicing physician there, but is now deceased; Dr. Rathmell is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University at. Delaware, and the Starling Medical College, and is now medical practitioner at Chattanooga, Tennessee. His wife was one of his classmates in the Ohio Wesleyan University, of which she, too, is a graduate. Their children are Maude E. and John Beach. Frank, the next member of the Rathmell family, an attorney of Columbus, married Emma Felch, of that city, and they have one daughter, Margaret Helen; Jennie is at home with her mother; Mattie is the wife of C. H. Tingley, a grain mer- chant of Columbus, and they have three children, Herman, Lucy and Edwin Cowen; Hattie is the wife of Lewis L. Rankin, an attorney of Columbus, and they have three children, Stanley, Bertha and Allen; and Ollie is a teacher and resides at home.

In his political views Mr. Rathmell was a Democrat until the inaugura- tion of the Civil war, when he espoused the cause of the Union and became a Republican. He was a well-read man, keeping informed on all the issues of the day, political and otherwise. Before his marriage he was a member of the Presbyterian church, but afterward became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and took a very active part in its work, serving as a class- leader, steward and superintendent of the Sunday-school for many years. He withheld his support from no measure or movement which he believed would prove of general good along material, social, intellectual or moral lines. In manner he was kindly, and at all times honorable and upright, and he therefore enjoyed the high regard of those with whom he came in contact. He passed away October 24, 1885, his remains being interred in Walnut Hill cemetery. Mrs. Rathmell, however, still resides on the old homestead, which comprises one hundred and six acres of land and is oper- ated by her son Thomas. She has been a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church since 1842, and hers has been an earnest, consistent Christian life.

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

JUSTIN PINNEY.

Throughout his entire life Justin Pinney has made his home in Franklin county. He possesses those characteristics which make a forceful man in the affairs of life and is therefore a valued citizen. He holds tenaciously to his honest convictions and it is doubtful if he ever weighed an act of his in the scale of policy or shaped it to gain public favor. His pleasing personality and his sterling worth have made him one of the most highly esteemed men of his community and the circle of his true friends is extensive.

Mr. Pinney was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 27, 1839. His boy- hood was passed in the city and in the public schools he acquired a good prac- tical education. Under the parental roof he remained until 1859, at which time he entered the service of the Little Miami, Columbus & Xenia Railroad Company as brakesman, in which capacity he creditably served for more than a year, when, owing to his splendid record, his adaptability and his trust- worthiness, he was promoted over others who had been much longer in the service and made freight conductor. Mr. Pinney was upon the road at the time the Civil war was begun. The call for troops roused his patriotic spirit and he at once volunteered, joining Company B of the Columbus Videttes under Captain Henry Thrall. This was at the first call for seventy-five thou- sand troops to serve for three months. Mr. Pinney was mustered in as a private and almost immediately the company was assigned to the Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and transferred to the seat of war, then in the vicinity of Washington, D. C. He participated in the battle of Bull Run July 21, 1861. This engagement was fought by the regiment after its term had expired, and be it said to the everlasting honor and credit of the men in the ranks that when the officers appealed to them to remain every man assented and did brave duty upon the field of action.

Mr. Pinney with his command afterward returned to Columbus, where he was mustered out, and the day following he was given charge of a train upon the road where he had previously been employed. He was subsequently tendered a captain's commission to command a company already recruited, and upon appealing to the officers of the road as to what he should do they informed him that his remaining on the road was a military necessity and that if he accepted the commission they would have him detailed for service on the road, as his aid in that direction was indispensable to the company. During the war, therefore, he remained with the corporation and in the interim took the train load of soldiers from Columbus to Dayton at the time of the Vallandingham riots to suppress the same, and marched at the head of the troops to the scene of the disturbance. During the entire period of the war he stood close to the company as its most trusted agent, and to his care were entrusted the most delicate duties, in the performance of which he invariably made a good record for himself. He followed railroading for twenty-one vears, being engaged for fifteen years on the Little Miami, now 6

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

the Cincinnati division of the Panhandle road. He afterward worked under J. F. Miller, of the Indianapolis division, in various capacities, such as yard master and assistant superintendent, being thus employed for four years. He then took a passenger run on the Cincinnati Southern from Cincinnati to Chattanooga, filling that position for two years. He was then tendered a position on the West Shore road out of New York city, as passenger con- ductor, but on account of his mother's illness he decided to remain and care for her during the last years of her life. Accordingly he settled in Sharon township upon a farm; here he has since engaged in the dairy business, meet- ing with good success in this undertaking.

Mr. Pinney has been twice married. He first wedded Miss Maggie Beattey, the wedding taking place in Columbus April 10, 1862. On the 17th of June, 1881, he married Miss Ida T. Webster. They have no chil- dren of their own, but are rearing two adopted children-Ida, a daughter of his brother Nathan, and Henry Gordon, who takes the name of his foster father. In Masonic circles Mr. Pinney has a state-wide reputation. He belongs to New England Lodge, No. 4, A. F. & A. M., and has been grand master of the grand lodge of Ohio for six years. He has taken the royal arch and council degrees and has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish rite. He is dimitted from Ark Lodge, No. 270, I. O. O. F., of Worthington, and belongs to H. C. Burr Post, No. 711, G. A. R., of Worth- ington, while for two years he was commander of Elias J. Beers Post, No. 575. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party upon all questions at issue before the people and has been an active member of the party since its organization, doing all in his power to insure its success. For a number of years he has served as township committeeman and on a number of occasions has served as a delegate to the county and state conventions. Wherever he is known, in business life, in social circles or in politics, he is a man of his honest convictions, fearless in defense of what he believes to be right, and his worth is widely acknowledged. He is resolute in carrying out a course of action which he believes is for the best without counting the cost or the consequences. He is clear and incisive in his speech, logical in his reasoning, is quick to decide, never neglects the call of duty even though it is irksome and unpleasant. Would that the country had more such men! He is a true friend, an obliging neighbor and a good citizen, whose upright life and honorable character are indeed worthy of commendation and emu- lation.

EBER H. HARMAN.

Eber Hyde Harman, who holds the responsible position of state examiner of stationary engineers in the third district of Ohio, comprising seventeen counties, is a native of this state, his birth occurring in Fairfield county in 1868. His father, Amos T. Harman, was born in Pickaway county in 1837,

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and was a son of Jacob Harman, who came from Pennsylvania to Ohio at a very early day and settled in Pickaway county. The latter was a merchant, who was extensively engaged in buying and selling produce, which he rafted down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to New Orleans. For twelve years Amos T. Harman was one of the leading merchants of Rushville, and on dis- posing of his interests there in 1873 came to Columbus and accepted a posi- tion as a traveling salesman, being still on the road. He served in the militia in the Civil war, and while a resident of Fairfield county held the office of township treasurer for some time during early manhood. He married Miss Martha E. Hyde, and to them were born two children,-Eber Hyde, our subject, and Mrs. J. C. Pugh. Mrs. Harman is a daughter of Dr. Simon Hyde, of Rushville, who was born in Massachusetts, and studied medicine in the east. On coming to this state he located first in Franklinton, Frank- lin county, before Columbus was founded, but owing to the conditions here he moved to Fairfield county, where he enjoyed a large and lucrative practice for many years, dying there in 1866, when about seventy-five years of age.

Mr. Harman, of this review, was educated in the public schools of Columbus and at a commercial college, and then took up the occupation of locomotive fireman for three years, and for the past eight years that of a stationary engineer. In 1898 he passed the required United States civil-serv- ice examination for engineer in the federal building, and was appointed to that position by Secretary Gage, but did not accept it. He received his present appointment in 1900 from G. M. Collier, the chief examiner of sta- tionary engineers for the state of Ohio, under Governor Nash, and at once entered upon the duties of the office, which he is now discharging in a most creditable and satisfactory manner. He was chosen for that position owing to his ability as an engineer, and his term is for three years. He is one of the most prominent and popular members of his profession in the city, has been chosen as a delegate to state conventions of stationary engineers, and is a charter member of the Buckeye Association, No. 38, of the National Asso- ciation of Stationary Engineers, of Columbus, of which he was vice-presi- dent two years and secretary for three years, resigning the office at the end of that time.

In his political affiliations Mr. Harman is a stanch Republican, and takes an active and commendable interest in public affairs. Fraternally he is a member of the Independent Order of Foresters and of the Masonic order, and religiously is a member of the Methodist church. He is a wide-awake, energetic young business man, who has been found true to every trust reposed in him, and justly merits the high regard in which he is held.

NORMAN WOODRUFF.

Norman Woodruff is a representative of one of the pioneer families of Ohio, and throughout his entire career he has been connected with agricult- ural pursuits. His life record demonstrates the potency of industry in the

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

business world, and his indefatigable energy and resolution have enabled him to win a place of affluence in Franklin county. He was born in Fair- field county, Ohio, November 13, 1832, and is a son of Brace and Eliza (Cooper) Woodruff. His great-grandfather, Wiard Woodruff, was a native of London, England, and his father was at one time lord mayor of the city. His mother bore the maiden name of Eunice Wiard. When a young man Wiard Woodruff came to America, and through more than a century represen- tatives of the name have been found in New England. There is well authenti- cated tradition that the family were attending church in Burlington, Ver- mont, on Sunday, September 11, 1814-the day on which the battle of Platts- burg occurred,-and with their neighbors went out upon a hillock to watch with breathless suspense the progress of the naval engagement then occurring on the lake, and witnessed the brilliant victory of the American fleet that checked the invasion of the British forces from Canada and caused them to make an immediate retreat. In the fall of 1815 or the spring of 1816 the grandfather of our subject emigrated to Ohio and took up his abode in Fair- field county, where he spent his remaining days.

Brace Woodruff, the father of our subject, was born in Burlington, Ver- mont, in 1804, and when a lad of twelve summers accompanied his parents to the Buckeye state. He was a son of Wiard and Ruth (Brace) Wood- ruff, both of whom were natives of Connecticut, whence in early life they removed with their respective parents to Vermont and were there reared and married. At the time mentioned they came to Ohio, locating in Fairfield county, where they remained until called to their final rest. They had eight children, who reached mature years, namely: George, Brace, Rice, Mabel, Hulda, Sally, Alma and Laura. As they attained to adult age the father gave to each of his sons eighty acres of land and his daughters a similar amount or its equivalent in money. The grandfather was a blacksmith by trade and his sons cleared and developed his farm.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 11

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