A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 114

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 114

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).

In 1850 Mr. McCune married Miss Catharine Lumley, of Columbus, a daughter of Edward Lumley, who came from Wales, about 1832, and located at Granville, Ohio. Mrs. McCune died in 1859, leaving several children. Their son, Edward Lumley McCune, was educated at the University of Ten- nessee and was admitted to the bar in 1877, since when he has practiced his profession in the city of Columbus, with much success. He was elected a member of the city board of education in 1900 and is a prominent Mason. John Prouty McCune, their second son, was graduated at Yale College in 1878 and was connected with his father's business until 1895, and is now the president of the Newark Machine Company, of Newark, Ohio. He is a thirty-third-degree Mason and a past grand commander of the Knights Tem- plar of the state of Ohio. Another son, William Pitt McCune, formerly in business at Columbus with his father, died in Dakota in 1888. Mr. McCune's sons are men of first-class ability who are making a more than creditable suc- cess in life.

In 1889 Mr. McCune married for his second wife Mrs. Eveline M. Mills, of Columbus, a daughter of Edward Gares, a merchant of Groveport, Frank- lin county, who has borne him two children, named Evaline and Jonas Ferson McCune.

Mr. McCune was reared politically as an old-line Whig and has been a member of the Republican party since its organization, but his tastes have ruled against his taking an active part in public affairs. He has for many years been a helpful member of the Second Presbyterian church. He passed the greater part of the year 1886 in European travel and since his retirement from active business has spent most of his time at his beautiful home on Woodland avenue ..

DANIEL CLOTTS, M. D.

Among the younger representatives of the medical and legal fraternities in Franklin county is Dr. Daniel Clotts, of Jefferson township, whose pro- fessional skill and ability have gained him prestige, winning him the promi- nence which comes only from merit. He was born in this township, Novem- ber 25, 1865, his parents being Daniel and Barbara A. (Souder) Clotts. His father, a native of Shaferstown, Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, was born December 26, 1821, and is one of the eight children of Joseph and Barbara (Boyer) Clotts. Only two of the number are now living .- Daniel and Susanna, the latter the widow of Samuel Louder, of Franklin county. The grandfather was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, in 1790, and in his childhood days his father died. His mother afterward married again, and Joseph Clotts was reared by a family of the name of Benedict. On at-

935

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

taining his manhood he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed up to the time of his death. After his marriage to Miss Boyer he resided with his family in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, until 1831, when he came to Ohio and purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land, upon which his son, Daniel Clotts, Sr., now resides. Some years afterward he bought an additional tract of sixty acres. Upon his arrival in the county he took up his abode in a log cabin which had been built by the former owner, but the land was wild and unbroken, and while the grandfather followed his trade of shoe-making his sons, then old enough to work on the farm, cleared the land and cultivated the crops. His death occurred November 30, 1845. In pol- itics he was a stalwart Democrat, giving an unswerving support to the prin- ciples of his party. He was also a faithful member of the Lutheran church and did all in his power to promote its growth, and for many years served as treasurer and elder. His wife was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, about 1790, and was a daughter of John Boyer, of the old Pennsylvania Dutch stock. Her death occurred in May, 1863. This worthy couple were honored pioneer settlers of Franklin county. They walked the entire dis- tance, three weeks being required to make the trip, from their home in Shaferstown, Pennsylvania, to Franklin county. Their household goods were loaded upon a wagon, and thus in a primitive manner they journeyed west- ward and became the founders of what is now one of the prosperous and val- uable families of this section of the state.

Daniel Clotts, Sr., the Doctor's father, was reared at home and in early life attended the German school, but when he was quite young the Ger- man school was abolished and an English school was established in its place. He did not attend after that time but gave his attention to the work of the farm, of which he took charge at the age of twenty-two years, operat- ing the place on the shares, receiving one-third of the crops. After his father's death the will called for a division of the property and each of the three sons received sixty acres of land, while the mother was to receive one-third of the crops during her lifetime. She made her home with her son Daniel. In September, 1863, he was united in marriage to Miss Barbara A. Souder, a native of Jefferson township and a daughter of Jacob Souder, who came from Virginia to Franklin county, Ohio, with his parents at an early day. Mr. and Mrs. Clotts became the parents of four children, namely : Daniel; Emma, the wife of George B. Schott, who is operating her father's farm; Chambers I., deceased; and Linda M., at home. The father of this family is a worthy representative of the sturdy pioneers of Pennsylvania Dutch stock, and his perseverance, combined with his good business judgment, has enabled him to win prosperity. He has at various times added to his home place until his farming lands now comprise four hundred and sixty-five and a half acres, and he is accounted one of the successful agricultuists of his com- munity. In politics he is a stanch Democrat, but has never been an office seeker.

Dr. Clotts remained under the parental roof through the period of his

936

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

minority, attending the common schools and the Gahanna high school, being graduated in the latter with the class of 1883. The following year he began his career as a teacher, following that profession through the winter seasons, while in the summer months he carried on agricultural pursuits. In the winter of 1884-5 he took up the study of medicine and the following spring again taught a term of school. Through the succeeding winter he was a student in the Eclectic Medical Institute, of Cincinnati, and through the winter of 1886-7 he was again connected with educational interests as an instructor. In the winter of 1887-8 he once more attended lectures and was graduated with the class of 1888.

Not long afterward Dr. Clotts located in Newark, Ohio, and began the practice of his chosen profession, there remaining for three and a half years. In the fall of 1891 he removed to Columbus, Ohio, with the intention of taking up the study of law, to which he had devoted considerable time for one year, but after a month spent in the capital city he moved to the farm upon which he is now located, although he had been admitted to the senior class. He then continued the reading of law at home until October 14, 1897, when he was admitted to the bar, and for some time thereafter his attention was divided between the practice of law and medicine, but at a more recent date he put aside the latter to some extent and now devotes the greater part of his time to the law, having a large and constantly growing clientage. He also superintends his farm.

While residing in Newark Dr. Clotts was united in marriage, on the 12th of March, 1890, to Miss Hattie A. Brown, a daughter of Edward C. Brown, a prominent farmer of Marion township. They now have two children, -Daniel Leon and Edward Carlisle. Mrs. Clotts belongs to the Lutheran church. He is associated with the Ohio Central Eclectic Medical Association and the National Eclectic Medical Association. In politics he is a Republican. One of the rising young professional men of the county, his ambition, deter- mination and energy are such as to win for him gratifying success in either branch of professional life which he chooses to follow.

GEORGE J. KARB.

Among the prominent business men of Columbus none are more closely identified with the growth and best interests of the city than George J. Karb, who has made his home here for forty-two years,-the entire period of his life,-a period in which the growth of Columbus has been continuous and along reliable and substantial lines. For many years he has been known for his sterling qualities, his fearless loyalty to his honest convictions, his sturdy support of municipal progress and his clear-headedness, discretion and tact as a manager and leader. His business connection is that of president and manager of the Central Ohio Oil Company.

Mr. Karb was born in 1858, a son of George Karb, who was a native of Germany and came direct to Columbus from the fatherland in the year 1844.

GEORGE J. KARB.

937

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

He was then a young man, who had enjoyed good educational privileges in Germany ; and in this city he established a brokerage business, which he con- ducted throughout the remainder of his life, dying here in 1893, at the age of eighty-two years. He maintained his active connection with business affairs until called to the home beyond. In the Lutheran church he held membership. In early manhood he married Elizabeth Bauer, who was also a native of Germany, and died in 1896, at the age of seventy-four.

George J. Karb acquired his education in the grammar schools of this city and in a business college. He then entered a drug store and ultimately qualified as a pharmacist before the state board. In 1874 he became asso- ciated in the drug business with Fred William Swartz, at the corner of Fifth and Main streets, where he remained for ten years, when he established a store of his own on the corner of Fourth and Main streets. At that place he carried on business successfully for fourteen years, or until 1898, when he sold out and took charge of the business of the Central Ohio Oil Company as president and manager, having in the meantime been a stockholder in the enterprise. This company owns and controls extensive works in Columbus, employs a large force of mien, and its business extends into many sections of the state. Mr. Karb is also a member of the board of trade, is a director of the Ohio Savings & Loan Association, and a stockholder in the Ohio National Bank and the Market Exchange Bank.

In fraternal circles Mr. Karb is prominent and widely known. He is a Knight Templar Mason, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and also belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Red Men and several other fraternal societies, and is identified with the Olentangy Club. He has long been recognized as a leading and influential supporter of the Democratic party, and takes a very active interest in politics. Many official honors have been conferred upon him. He was elected a member of the city council from the Fifth ward in 1887 in a Republican district of the city, and in 1889 was elected a police commissioner, in which capacity he served so acceptably that in 1891 he was nominated and elected mayor, being continued in that office by being re-elected in 1893. He was very popular during his administration, and his appointments were unusually satisfactory. During his terms many needed municipal improvements were secured, principally the electric street railways, the intersecting sewer, the viaduct and the workhouse. As mayor of the city it devolved upon him to entertain the Duke of Veragua on his visit to Columbus, and he certainly highly sustained the honor of Ohio in the way in which he performed this service.

In 1886 Mr. Karb was united in marriage to Miss Kate Van Dine, of Columbus, a daughter of Jacob Van Dine and a niece of the celebrated Dr. Seltzer. In church relationship they are Lutherans. They occupy an envia- ble social position, the hospitality of many of the best homes of Columbus being extended to them. The career of Mr. Karb has ever been such as to

938

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

warrant the trust and confidence of the business world, for he has ever con- ducted all transactions on the strictest principles of honor and integrity. He owes his success alone to his own efforts, and his career proves that prosperity depends not alone upon circumstances, but upon the man.

WHITNEY STRAIT.

Whitney Strait is a very successful business man of Franklin county, and fine property in the capital city as well as in Plain township is the substantial evidence of his enterprise and unflagging industry. Although many would claim that success results from chance, from fate or from inheritance, the life record of such men as Mr. Strait proves conclusively that prosperity may be acquired through individual effort and that it will come as the direct result of labor when guided by sound business judgment.

Upon the farm where he now resides Mr. Strait was born, February 20, 1853, his parents being Dennis B. and Ann (Farber) Strait. His grand- father. Abraham Strait, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, March 5, 1791, and was there reared. Although he never learned the trade, he possessed superior mechanical ability and ingenuity and for a number of years worked at the forge in his native county. In 1839 he came to Ohio with his family, settling one mile south of Albany, and in 1855 purchased the cld David Smith farm in Plain township. The house, which was recently destroyed, was the oldest in that portion of the county, and in it he made his home up to the time of his demise, which occurred in 1861. His ballot supported the men and meas- ures of the Democracy. He took an active interest in educational affairs and was a warm friend of the public schools. His penmanship was particularly fine and brought him considerable renown. Throughout the community where he lived he was greatly esteemed by all who knew him.

Dennis Strait, the father of cur subject, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, May 20, 1824, and after attaining his majority he located upon the old family homestead, having purchased one hundred acres of land here a year prior to his marriage. As time passed he made judicious investments of his capital and became the owner of eleven hundred acres of land. His success was due largely to his sheep and cattle raising business, for he was' an excellent judge of stock, thoroughly understanding the best methods of caring for them and his results were attended with a high degree of prosperity. He voted with the Democratic party and in 1860 was elected on its ticket to the office of county commissioner, serving for a term of three years, after which he was re-elected, in 1863, and again in 1876. In 1866 he was appointed county auditor and served out an unexpired term. He also filled various township offices and at the time of his death was serving his second term as justice of the peace. His official record was entirely irreproachable, for he was most loyal to duty and was prompt and efficient in discharging the trusts reposed in him. He belonged to the Masonic fraternity and was one of the well known and prom- inent men of the county. His death occurred April 2, 1891. His wife, who

939

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, September 22, 1832, was a daughter of Caleb and Eliza (Larue) Farber. She came to. Ohio with her brother Samuel, who is now deceased. The year of their arrival was 1849, and on the 20th of November, 1851, she gave her hand in marriage to Dennis Strait. She sur- vived her husband and resided with the subject of this review until her death April 6, 1901. In their family were five children: Whitney; Cordelia, the wife of Boivin Ranney, of Columbus; Ann E., the wife of Lewis Brooks, of Plain township; and two who have passed away.

The pleasures and duties of youth came to Whitney Strait as to other boys. He was reared at home and gained a common school education. As a com- panion and helpmate on life's journey he chose Miss Ella Rhodes, the wedding being celebrated on the 30th of September, 1880. The lady was born in Lick- ing county, Ohio, a daughter of William J. Rhodes, who took up his resi- dence in Franklin county in 1892, but is now deceased. He was a prominent farmer and dealer in wool and successfully carried on both branches of his business. His death occurred in June, 1900. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Strait has been blessed with four children, of whom two are yet living, -Ona Marie and Gloria.

After his marriage Mr. Strait located upon a farm adjoining his father's property and assisted his father in the management of the home place up to the time of the latter's death, after which the property was divided and our subject received four hundred acres of land as his patrimony. He is a most progressive farmer, yet practical withal, and his labors are bringing to him an excellent financial return. He also follows stock-raising and finds this a profitable source of income. In Columbus he owns valuable realty, including three double houses on Galloway avenue, and a large flat building on Twentieth and Toronto streets. His investments have been judiciously made, being such as augment his business affairs and increase his capital. He is one of the most energetic, resolute and progressive young business men of the county, having the ability not only to plan but to successfully execute whatever he undertakes. His political support is given the Democracy, and, while he keeps well informed on the issues and questions of the day, he has never sought office, preferring to devote his time and energies to his varied business affairs, which are bringing to him gratifying success. However he was elected to the office of trustee of Plain township in 1901. Reliable in all trade transactions, he has strict regard for the ethics of commercial life and he enjoys the unqualified confidence and regard of those with whom he has been associated.

CLINTON H. VANCE.

Clinton H. Vance is one of the progressive young business men of Frank- lin county, successfully engaged in farming in Blendon township and at the same time conducting a successful business as the manager of the Buckeye Phos- phate Company. He represents a family prominent in the history of this por- tion of the state, for the name of Vance has been long and inseparably con-

940

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

nected with the annals of Franklin county and its members have taken an active and important part in public affairs that have promoted the welfare and ma- terial advancement. He was born in Blendon township, July 22, 1866, and is a son of Joseph and Margaret J. Vance, who are represented on another page in this volume. He pursued his elementary education in the common schools and for a short time was a student in the high school of Columbus, but the death of his father and brother cut short his educational privileges, as the management of the home farm and property devolved upon his young shoulders. He was only sixteen years of age at the time of his father's demise and he assumed the control and operation of the old homestead. His business and executive ability were soon manifest, and from that time to the present he has occupied a commendable position among the enterprising and successful young business men of Franklin county. In 1893 he rented the Louis Huffman farm of two hundred acres, and there removed his family, having in the meantime been married. It has since been his place of abode and he has operated it in connection with the old homestead. In 1895 he purchased the J. W. Several farm of seventy acres, just across the road on the west, and through the past ten years during a greater part of the time he has supervised the operation of between four and five hundred acres of land. At the same time he has engaged in feeding stock on an extensive scale, being one of the leaders in this line in the township. In February, 1900, he extended the field of his operations by incorporating the Buckeye Phosphate Company, wholesale dealers in animal fertilizers. Business is carried on in Columbus, where the company handle Buckeye Bone Meal, the Complete Fertilizer, the Buckeye Special Blood and Potash Mixture, the Buckeye Wheat-Makers, Super-Phosphate and Extra Super-Phosphate. All these have been carefully analyzed so that the farmers may know at once what ingredients they contain and whether the mixture is suited to the soil. A high degree of success has attended the new enterprise, for the products which they place upon the market are of great value to the agricultural community.

Mr. Vance is a member of Westerville Lodge, F. & A. M., and also belongs to the Westerville Presbyterian church, being both widely and favor- ably known in social and church circles. His business' ability being of a superior order has enabled him to pass upon the highway of life many who started out ahead of him, and the chief elements of his prosperity are his close application to business, his capable management and his fidelity to the ethics of commercial life.

Mr. Vance was married, January 1, 1891, to Miss Lulu Landon, a daugh- ter of Mordecai Landon, and they now have a daughter, Fern L., who was born September 1I, 1893. It will be interesting in this connection to note something of the family history of Mrs. Vance. Her father, Mordecai Lan- don, was born in Lycoming, Pennsylvania, November 26, 1826, and is the only surviving child of Daniel and Eleanor (Shotts) Landon, whose family numbered seventeen children. His father was born in Lycoming county, Penn- sylvania, in 1798, was there reared and married and afterward purchased a

941

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

small farm, upon which he resided until 1827, when he came to Ohio, locat- ing in Franklin county. Here he purchased one hundred and fifteen acres of land, constituting the farm upon which William C. Goldsmith now resides. It was then an unbroken wilderness and he cut the first stick of timber felled in the forest. Making a clearing, he erected a hewed-log house and then began cutting away the trees in order to raise a crop to supply him with the necessities of life. As the years passed he placed his land under a high state of cultivation and resided upon the farm until 1852, when he sold that prop- erty and purchased one hundred and thirty-one acres lying partially in Frank- lin and partially in Delaware counties. Upon that place he continued to make his home until his death, which occurred about 1882. He was a Repub- lican in his political affiliations and served as constable of his township for forty years, while for a number of years he was also township trustee. He held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His wife was born in Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and her father was a physician who came from Holland to America.

Mordecai Landon was reared under the parental roof, acquiring his edu- cation in the common schools. On the 15th of April, 1851, he married Miss Catherine P. Phillips, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, and a daughter of William and Helen ( Bishop) Phillips. Her father was a son of Aaron Phillips and was a native of New York, whence he came to Ohio with his parents when a young man, the family being among the early settlers here. Mrs. Phillips was also a native of the Empire state and was a daughter of John Bishop, who came to Ohio at the same time of the Phillips emigration. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Landon located upon the home farm, his time being given to the operation of that portion of the farm lying in Delaware county and which he rented. After five years he purchased a small portion of the farm in Franklin county and built thereon a home of his own, making it his place of residence until 1900, when he removed to his present home in order that he might be nearer his children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Landon have been born seven children, of whom six are living, namely : Ella, the wife of Bernard Pierce, of Westerville; Dora, wife of Preston Brown, also of Westerville; Lora, wife of Leonard Phelps, an agriculturist of Blendon township; Newell, a farmer of Delaware county ; Minnie, wife of Dell Ballinger, a farmer of Delaware county ; and Lulu, wife of Clinton H. Vance. In his political views Mr. Landon is a stanch Republican, and for three years he served as trustee of Blendon township. He belongs to Rainbow Lodge, I. O. O. F., to the Episcopal church, and in his life he exemplifies the principles of the one and the teachings of the other.

ANDREW J. GANTZ.

There is particular satisfaction in reverting to the life history of the gentleman whose name introduces this review, since his mind bears the im- press of the historic annals of Franklin county from the early pioneer days

942

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

and from the fact that he has ever been a loyal son of the Republic. From the time of his birth he has retained his residence in the county, which is yet his home, and thus through more than two-thirds of a century he has witnessed its progress and development and has co-operated in many movements for the general good. His grandfather, Andrew Gantz, was a native of Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania, where he lived and died. He operated a mill and distillery, also engaged in farming and became a wealthy and influential citi- zen of his district. The parents of our subject were Adam and Catherine (Binnick) Gantz. The father was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, about 1800, and was there reared to manhood upon the home farm. After his marriage and the birth of his first child he came with his little family to Ohio, in 1826, locating in Jackson township, Franklin county, upon a farm which his father had purchased about two years previous, while on a trip to Ohio looking for some land for his sons. The tract comprised two hundred acres, for which the regular government price of a dollar and a quarter per acre was paid. It was Virginia military land. Upon the farm which he here developed and improved Adam Gantz made his home until his death, which occurred in 1872. He was an active and energetic man, and during a useful and honorable career he added continuously to his landed possessions until at the time of his death he owned seven hundred acres, and in the mean- time had given to each of his sons a tract of land as they had attained their majority. He was an ardent Democrat, and for several years served as township treasurer and trustee, while for two or more terms he was township appraiser of real estate. He discharged his duties in a manner above question and was highly esteemed for his many sterling qualities. In his early life he was an active member of the Lutheran church, but as there was no church of that denomination in Ohio at that early day he united with the Presbyterian church in which he served as an elder for many years. In his family were fourteen children, of whom nine are yet living, namely : Andrew J .; Theodore, an auctioneer living in Westerville; Nathan, a farmer of Piqua. Ohio; George, who is engaged in the real estate business in Col- umbus ; Albert, a farmer and dairyman living on the home farm in Jacksor township; Catherine, the wife of Daiwalt Machlin, a farmer at Pleasant Corners, Franklin county; Lydia, wife of Mr. Welsh, a resident farmer of Clay county, Illinois ; Nancy, wife of William Watt, an agriculturist of Grove City, Franklin county ; and Adeline, wife of Thomas Barbee, a farmer of Grove City.

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 114

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