USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 115
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Andrew J. Gantz is indebted to the common schools of the county for the educational privileges which he enjoyed in his youth. He received his train- ing at farm labor on the old homestead and on attaining his majority began farming on his own account on rented land. He completed his arrangements for a home in 1859, by his marriage to Miss Sarah B. Olney, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a daughter of Lewis Olney, now deceased. Her father was for many years one of the well known farmers of Delaware county. He was a son of Discovery Olney, who was born on the ocean within sight of
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the United States, his parents being on their way from England to the new world. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gantz was celebrated in Franklin county and they began their domestic life on a portion of the old homestead farm, where they resided for three years, when our subject purchased two hundred acres of land-his present home. He afterward added sixty-two acres, and at a later date he sold one hundred acres, so that the place at the present time comprises one hundred and sixty-two acres. Here he has since resided with the exception of seven years, and is regarded as one of the wide- awake and progressive agriculturists of the community. In 1891 he removed to Westerville, where he remained until 1898, during which time his son Eddison had charge of the home farm. Everything about the place is neat and thrifty in appearance, indicating the progressive and practical methods of the owner.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Gantz has been blessed with seven chil- dren, and the family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. They are as follows : Leslie L., who was born February 9, 1860, and is on a sheep ranch in Natrona county, Wyoming; Estella, who was born May 27, 1861, and is the wife of Albert Clapham, a farmer of Blendon township; Lewis A., who also owns a sheep ranch in Wyoming, the clip of 1901 being two hundred thousand pounds; Seffie S., who was born January 29, 1863, and is the wife of Professor William B. Alwood, professor of horticulture, entomology and mycology in the Virginia Polytechnic Institute; Eddison T., who was born May 22, 1864, and is now engaged in the raising of sheep on a ranch in Natrona county ; Grace G., who was born April 22, 1873, and is the wife of Willard J. Longshore, of Cincinnati, who is now in the railway mail service; and C. Stanton, who was born December 24, 1874, and is now in the Alaska gold fields.
In his political views Mr. Gantz is a stanch Democrat, and has served for two terms as trustee in his township, although it is a Republican stronghold. He and his wife holds membership in the Presbyterian church, of which he has been an elder for many years, and they also belong to Blendon Grange, No. 708, Patrons of Husbandry, being the only two living charter members of the lodge. Their acquaintance in Franklin county is extensive and forms the only limit to their circle of friends. Having always resided in the county, Mr. Gantz is familiar with its history from the days of its early development and has watched the wonderful transformation which has occurred, the intro- duction of railroads, telegraphs and telephones, the building of towns and the establishment of enterprises. He feels just pride in what has been ac- complished and has ever done his part in the work of public improvement.
JAMES M. POSTLE.
A prominent farmer of Franklin county, Ohio, is James M. Postle, the subject of this sketch. He was born on March 31, 1851, a son of Smith and Keturah (Fountain) Postle. He was sent to the district schools and
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remained at home until he was twenty years old, when he purchased a saw- mill which was located on the tract of ground which he now owns. He went to work clearing off the timber, in one summer furnishing one thou- sand three hundred cords of wood to the brick yard. This yard furnished two- thirds of the brick for the asylum.
Mr. Postle was married on April 15, 1874, to Miss Anna Irwin, of West Jefferson, Ohio, a daughter of John and Lavina Irwin.
After marriage our subject remained one year at home, in the meantime building his fine brick mansion, which was ready for occupancy in the fall. For some six succeeding years our subject undertook the management of a sawmill on the Ohio river, returning then to the farm, which comprises sev- enty-five acres of excellent land. In 1896 our subject went into the dairy business, and now furnishes, on an average, one hundred gallons of milk per day, this business having been continued for the past four years. His stock is of Jersey and Durham breeds, and the business is very profitable.
Mr. Postle is a member of the Methodist church, in which he is a trustee. Although an active and ardent Republican, he is no office-seeker, although his name has been mentioned many times in connection with some of the local positions. His family consists of his estimable wife and two children, Myrtle, who is at home, and Clarence, who is connected with the Panhandle Railroad. He is a man much respected in 'the community and has many friends.
JACOB H. TRUMBO.
Jacob H. Trumbo, a well known farmer and stock-raiser of Plain town- ship, was born on a farm where he now resides, June 22, 1861. His father, Davis Trumbo, was a native of Pendleton county, Virginia, born in 1804, and when a young man he came to Columbus, Ohio, where he learned the trade of carpenter and cabinet-maker. He attained a high degree of skill along these lines and for a number of years he followed his chosen occupation through- out this section of the country. He married Miss Susan Swickard, who was. born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in 1816, and about 1826 accompanied her parents to Franklin county. Her father, Daniel Swickard, settled in Plain township, on Rock Fork. Later he purchased a farm in New Albany, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of eighty-three years. Soon after his marriage Davis Trumbo settled upon a farm where his son Jacob now resides and through several years worked at his trade, hiring the greater part of his farm work. Upon that place he spent the remainder of his life and in 1881, at the age of seventy-nine years, was called to his final rest. Politically he was an old-time Democrat, and in religious faith he was con- nected with the Baptist church of the old school. His wife died October 5, 1892. They became the parents of nine children, of whom five are yet living, namely : Morgan S .; Hepsey, wife of Edward McMillan; Mary A., wife of
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A. M. Lough; Rosetta, the wife of Charles Click; and the subject of this re- view.
Jacob Homer Trumbo has been familiar with agricultural pursuits throughout his entire career, for in his boyhood he worked in the fields from the time of the early spring planting until crops were harvested in the autumn. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges, and after his father's death he assumed the management of the home farm, which he oper- ated for his mother until she, too, was called away. About 1890 he purchased the interest of one of the heirs in the old homestead and later purchased an- other portion. He now owns all of the home place except seventy-five acres belonging to his sister, his possessions aggregating two hundred and eighty- three acres. He has devoted his attention to farming and stock-raising and has been very successful. Many excellent improvements are found upon the place and all the accessories and conveniences of a model farm are there to be seen. The owner is progressive and practical in his methods and his labors bring to him a good return.
On the 21st of September, 1893, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Trumbo and Miss Millie Hursey, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a daughter of Simon Hursey. They now have one child, Homer Arden. In the community they enjoy the hospitality of the best homes and the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Mr. Trumbo exercises his right of fran- chise in support of the men and measures of the Democratic party, but has no time or inclination for public office, preferring to give his time and at- tention to his business affairs, in which he is meeting with a gratifying degree of prosperity.
NOAH SWICKARD.
The name of Swickard is a familiar one in Franklin county, for when this portion of the state was still largely unimproved and the work of develop- ment and progress was still a task of the future, Daniel Swickard, the grand- father of our subject, sought a home in Black Lick, where he remained for several years. He then took up his abode in Plain township, where his re- maining days were passed, his time and attention being given to agricultural pursuits. Through a half a century John Swickard, the father of our sub- ject, who was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, August 25, 1806, was a leading and active member of the United Brethren church. He exer- ted a strong influence for good among his friends and neighbors and lived an upright and consistent Christian life. He married Elizabeth Baughman, also a representative of one of the early and honored families of the county, and unto them were born seven children of whom six are yet living.
The fourth of this number is Noah Swickard, whose birth occurred November 12, 1836, in Plain township on the farm now occupied by J. W. Swickard. Like the other children of the family, he was trained to habits of industry, economy and honesty, was educated in the district schools of the
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neighborhood and was trained to the practical work of the farm from the time when he was old enough to handle the plow. Such was his childhood and youth. In July, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Lucy A. Kashner, a native of Plain township, and a daughter of Jeremiah and Christina (Rig- gle) Cashner, who came to Franklin county when the work of improvement was still in its primitive condition, their former home having been in Penn- sylvania.
After his marriage Mr. Swickard resided for a year under the parental roof, and in August, 1860, removed to a house on his father's farm, where he resided until the spring of 1861. He then took up his abode on what was known as the Grove farm. It was also the property of his father. He there continued his agricultural pursuits until 1865, when he purchased sixty acres of what was then known as the Priest farm, making it his home until 1872. In that year he sold that property and purchased his present farm, compris- ing eighty acres. He is a progressive, enterprising agriculturist and his labors have resulted in bringing to him a comfortable competence.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Swickard have been born six children, of whom four are yet living, namely : Orlando M., of Plain township; Marshall O., a hos- pital nurse, now in the Philippines; Zoda E., wife of Charles E. Doran, of Plain township; and Ralph L., at home. The parents hold membership in the United Brethren church and are deeply interested in its work. Mr. Swick- ard is now serving as one of the trustees and as class-leader, and he does all in his power to promote the work of the church along its various lines of usefulness. The Democracy finds in him a supporter, and he keeps well informed on the issues of the day, but has never been an office-seeker. His worth as a citizen is widely recognized, for, while he does not take an active part in politics, he gives his aid and influence to all measures for the general good. He and his family enjoy the uniform regard of all who know them and have many warm friends in the community.
JOHN WESLEY SWICKARD.
John Wesley Swickard was born November 20, 1842, on the farm where he yet resides, it being the homestead of John and Elizabeth (Baughman) Swickard, his parents. The name of Swickard is a synonym for activity in agricultural lines and for honesty and fair dealing in all business trans- actions. Our subject was early taught the value of labor and the necessity for probity in the affairs of life. He pursued his education in the district schools, and on the Ist of May, 1864, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances E. Benedict, a native of Plain township, and a daughter of Nicholas Benedict. one of the early settlers of Morrow county, Ohio. Mr. Swickard then took up his abode on the home farm, which he operated on the shares until 1870, when he purchased a tract of land of forty-five acres adjoining on the west the farm belonging to his brother Peter. While erecting build- ings there he rented a farm near the Forest Hill school, removing to his new
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home about Christmas time in 1870. There he remained until the spring of 1874, when he returned to the old homestead and took charge of the same, his parents remaining with him up to the time of their demise. After his father's death he purchased the home place, and has since continued to reside there. As the years have passed, however, he has extended its bounds until he now has one hundred and eighty-one acres, all under a high state of culti- vation. The place is improved with all modern accessories and conveniences that constitute a model farm, and through the past six years he has made a specialty of the raising of registered stock, including horses, cattle, hogs and sheep. These he sells for breeding purposes, and he has done much to improve the grade of stock throughout the community, and has thus been a benefit to his county, for as stock is improved its value for the market is nat- urally enhanced.
In 1887 Mr. Swickard was called upon to mourn the loss of his first wife. On the 30th of August, 1888, he was again married, his second union being with Rosella Hamaker, a native of Plain township and a daughter of Henry Hamaker, who was also born in the same township. Her grand- father was Esquire Daniel Hamaker, one of the early settlers of the county, who came to Ohio from Pennsylvania, a well-known and influential man of his day. He took an active part in the early development of this portion of the state. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children : Verna G., Iva G., Jennie M., Harrison Mckinley, Ota B., Neva M. and Lyda. The family circle yet remains unbroken by the hand of death. Mr. Swick- ard and his family attend the United Brethren church, in which he holds mem- bership. For about eight years he has served as trustee and has contributed in large measure to the growth and advancement of the church. He exercises - his right of citizenship in support of the men and measures of the Republican party, but his time has never been devoted to seeking office, as he prefers to give his time and attention to his business affairs. Through his career as a farmer and stock-raiser he has provided amply for his family, and has gained for himself a position among the well-to-do and substantial residents of the community.
FREDERICK N. SINKS.
Frederick N. Sinks is among the younger representatives of the bar of Columbus. He was born in 1872, in the city which is still his home, a son of George W. Sinks, who was a native of Clermont county, Ohio, and has been for about twenty years the president of the Deshler National Bank, and a most prominent and honored figure in financial circles. When a young man of twenty years he came to the capital city and accepted a clerkship in the National Exchange Bank, where his fidelity to duty, close application and business ability won him promotion. He became its cashier, and con- tinued his connection with that institution until he resigned in order to accept the presidency of the Deshler Bank, an institution which grew out of the
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former. His business methods are safe, conservative and entirely trustworthy, and the institution of which he is now the head owes its success in a very large measure to his efforts. He was united in marriage to Miss Eloise Preston, a daughter of Samuel D. Preston, who came to Franklin county from Montpelier, Vermont, when nineteen years of age and opened the first private school in Columbus. Many of Columbus' well-known men of to-day received their first instruction from him. He married Miss Catherine Clark, of Montpelier, Vermont. For many years Mr. Preston was a leading mer- chant of Columbus, contributing materially to its advancement. His early death removed a valuable citizen and an energetic, public-spirited man.
Throughout his entire life Frederick N. Sinks, whose name introduces this review, has been a resident of Columbus. His preliminary education was acquired in the public schools, and he later attended the Columbus Latin School. Added to this training he received the advantages afforded within the classic walls of old Yale, in which institution he was graduated in 1894, with the degree of bachelor of philosophy. Thus, with a splendid literary and scientific training to serve as a foundation upon which to rear the super- structure of professional knowledge, he began preparation for the bar by entering the law school of the Ohio State University, at the same time being a student in the law office and under the direction of the firm of Nash & Lentz, the former being the present chief executive of Ohio. In January, 1900, he was appointed private secretary to Governor Nash. His equipment for the bar is unusually good. He has enjoyed exceptional educational ad- vantages, is naturally of strong mentality, and added to these are firm deter- mination, a laudable ambition and tireless energy.
In June, 1899, Mr. Sinks was united in marriage to Miss Katharine Thurman, a daughter of Allen W. Thurman, of Columbus, and a grand- daughter of the late Hon. Allen G. Thurman. The Sinks family is identi- fied with the Universalist church. Our subject and his wife have spent their entire lives in Columbus, and are well known in the city among its prominent and influential people, ranking high socially, while Mr. Sinks has already gained an enviable position in professional circles and undoubtedly will win greater success in the future.
WILLIAM S. POSTLE.
William S. Postle, who carries on general farming in Prairie township, was born on the old farm homestead which is still his place of residence, on the 23d of March, 1849. When he had attained the usual age he entered the district schools and therein pursued his education through the winter season, while in the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm with his brothers. He afterward spent one year at Delaware pursuing his education, and is a graduate of the Iron City Commercial College, at Pittsburg. After putting aside his text-books he became connected with the lumber, tile and sawmill business, but during much of his life he has fol-
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lowed farming, and is to-day the owner of a valued tract of land of three hundred acres. He began with only seventy-five acres, which he inherited. He spent some time in North Dakota, where he owns an entire section of land. He has a beautiful home in Prairie township and the place is under a high state of cultivation and improved with all modern accessories and con- veniences. The fields of waving grain indicate that the land is kept in a pro- ductive condition through the judicious use of fertilizers and through the rotation of crops. Everything about the homestead is neat and thrifty in appearance.
Mr. Postle was married at Fort Stephenson, North Dakota, in 1889, to Miss Elizabeth Bartell, who was born in Ohio and was reared in the Buckeye state, but went with her parents to North Dakota and pre-empted a half section of land there. She also occupied the position of matron in the Indian school at Fort Stephenson, and had previously been a seamstress in that institution. Her father was Henry Bartell. Returning to Ohio, Mr. and Mrs. Postle took up their abode in Prairie township, where they still reside and where they have many warm friends. They hold membership in the Methodist Episcopal church at Alton, and Mr. Postle is serving as steward and treasurer. He votes with the Republican party, but has never sought office, preferring to give his time and energies to his business affairs, which claim all of his attention and in return give to him a good income.
MICHAEL O'HARRA.
Pennsylvania and Virginia blood has always animated good pioneers and progressive citizens. Of such ancestry is the well-known citizen of Ham- ilton township, Franklin county, Ohio, whose name is the title of this bio- graphical sketch. Michael O'Harra was born in Hamilton township Novem- ber 19, 1832, a son of Arthur and Maxa M. (Fisher ) O'Harra. His father was a native of Marion county, Ohio, and was there reared and educated. He came to Franklin county in his young manhood and worked by the month until he got a foothold in life. After his marriage he located on a farm in Hamilton township, which he cleared and on which he lived out the remainder of his days. In politics he was a stanch Republican, and he was not without influence in the councils of his party ; was elected and re-elected trustee of Hamilton township until he filled the office for sixteen years; was an active member of the Presbyterian church, and in all the relations of life was useful and helpful. He died at the age of seventy-four years and one month, deeply regretted by all who had known him. His father, Hugh O'Harra, of Scotch descent, was a native of Pennsylvania and an early settler in Ohio. Maxa M. (Fisher ) O'Harra, mother of Michael O'Harra, was a daughter of Michael Fisher, and was born in Franklin county, Ohio, and was there reared and educated. She died in 1864, aged sixty-four years. Her father came early to Ohio from Virginia and settled in Franklin county, where he became the owner of much land and was a prominent and influential citizen.
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Arthur and Maxa M. ( Fisher) O'Harra had eight children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood and five of whom are living at this time. Of these, Michael O'Harra was the fourth in order of nativity. The boy was brought up to the life and labors of pioneer farming and attended school in a primitive log school house with puncheon seats and rude desks of split slabs and planks, in which, as compared with the instruction afforded in the public schools of to-day, the teaching was not less crude than were his sur- roundings. When he grew up he devoted himself to farming, and in 1865, after his marriage, located on the O'Harra homestead and lived there nine years, until 1874, when he moved upon his present farm, on which he erected a modern residence in 1886, a good and sightly brick structure, which, with its surrounding outbuildings, constitutes a part of the improvement on a fine farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres, and near which is a beautiful grove known as O'Harra's Grove.
Mr. O'Harra was married at the age of thirty-two, March 16, 1865, to Isabel Simpson, a native of Ohio, who has lived in Franklin county since she was seven years old, when her parents, Robert and Mary Simpson, settled in Hamilton township, where she was reared and educated. Michael and Isabel (Simpson) O'Harra have had two children: Harry, who died in infancy ; and May, who is the wife of Dr. F. J. Collison, a practicing physician of Columbus, Ohio, who has a drug store at the corner of Town and Sixth streets.
Mr. O'Harra is an original Republican, who voted for Lincoln in 1860 and has upheld the principles of his party ever since. While active in politi- cal work, he has steadfastly refused to accept such offices as have been prof- fered him by his fellow townsmen. He is a member of Capital Lodge, No. 334, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, of Columbus, and is a member of Capital Encampment. While not a member of any church, he has always been a liberal supporter of Christian worship.
JAMES W. REASON, M. D.
Dr. James William Reason, a prominent and successful physician of Hilliard, has spent entire life in Franklin county, his birth having occurred on the old family homestead in Brown township on the 9th of December, 1868. His paternal grandfather, Robert Reason, accompanied by his wife and family, emigrated from Scotland to America at an early day and settled in Virginia, where he followed farming throughout the remainder of his life.
John Robert Reason, the Doctor's father, was born in Richmond county, Virginia, July 15, 1831, and was one of a family of three sons. He was quite small when his father died, after which his mother married again. At the age of sixteen he came to Ohio to make his home with an uncle in Urbana, and remained with him until reaching manhood. He received but a limited education, but his training at farm labor was not so meager. On leaving his uncle he came to Franklin county, and in Brown township was united in
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marriage with Miss Anna O'Harra, who was born in the city of Columbus in 1833, a daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann. ( Wynkoop) O'Harra. After his marriage Mr. Reason returned to Champaign county and engaged in gen- eral merchandising in the town of Texas for about three years, at the end of which time he purchased a farm of forty acres in Brown township, this county, where he has since made his home. In his political views he is inde- pendent, and both he and his wife are earnest members of the Methodist Epis- copal church, and are held in high regard by all who know them. Their children are Mary Alice, superintendent of an Indian school in Chemawa, Oregon ; Charles C. and Nettie E., both at home; James W., our subject ; and John Frederick, a teacher.
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