USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 120
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In the year following his marriage Captain Hempstead removed to Iowa, but after a year returned to Ohio, taking up his abode in Delaware county in
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1868. There he engaged in the operation of a saw-mill, manufacturing and selling lumber under contract. He has since followed that business and has met with a high degree of success in the undertaking. In 1883 he took up his abode in Westerville, where he has since resided and carries on his business operations in Delaware county. He takes a very active interest in politics as a supporter of the Republican party, is influential in its councils and has done much to promote its welfare and growth, yet has never been a politician in the sense of office seeking. However, in November, 1895, he was elected justice of the peace, in which position he has served continuously since, his opinions being fair and impartial and thus winning for him the commendation of all concerned. He is a member of the James Price Post, No. 55, G. A. R., which he aided in organizing, and also assisted in instituting the McCoy Post of Columbus and four or five posts in Iowa; while in the Hawkeye state he served as post commander. Mr. Hempstead's actions during his life have been such as to distinctively. entitle him to a place in this publication, and although his career has not been filled with thrilling incidents, probably no biography published in this book can serve as a better illustration to young men as to the power of honesty and integrity in insuring success.
SAMUEL G. SMITH.
There has been no development in the way of popular culture during the half-century just passed greater than that which has been achieved in music. Musical schools and conservatories have been established in our great educational centers of the great west which are as ably conducted and as efficient as the older institutions of the kind in the long-favored east. One of the best of the more recent of these is the Capital School of Oratory and Music, which was opened at Columbus, Ohio, by Professor Samuel G. Smith and Professor Frank S. Fox, A. M., in 1896, in a modest way, and the growth of which has been so remarkable that at the commencement in 1900 more than twelve hundred pupils were present.
Professor Samuel G. Smith, musical teacher and author, who has been instrumental in building up the flourishing institution referred to, is a native of Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1851, and received his primary education in the public schools of his native county, and after- ward studied at academies at Elderton and at Elder's Ridge. He pursued his musical studies at the Boston Conservatory, and studied under Dr. Fred- erick Root, of Chicago, and at the Cincinnati College of Music. and took several special diplomas. He began teaching in Pennsylvania, and met with success at different places in that state, and was connected with the Church Choral Union of New York city in 1885 and 1886, and was in charge of musical instruction at the Normal University at Ada, Ohio, for six years. The influence and reputation of the Capital City School of Oratory and Music are extending, and the institution has evidently entered upon a career of per- manent growth and usefulness.
S. G. SMITH.
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Professor Smith has achieved reputation as an author and composer in. no smaller degree than as a teacher. He has published through the John Church Company "Class and School," for schools, institutes and classes, use of which is authorized in the public schools of Pennsylvania and which is used extensively in other states. Another of his popular works is "The School Room Songster," a juvenile class-book for public schools. His "Apollo Song Book," a collection of music for public schools and singing classes, has sold very largery. "The Old Stone House," words by Mrs. S. G. Smith, music by Professor Smith, has been received by lovers of home songs with much favor, and Professor Smith's song, "My Mountain Home," is a popular offering.
Professor Smith's father, Isaac Smith, a Pennsylvanian, saw three years' service in the Civil war as a member of a Pennsylvania regiment; his grand- father, Henry Smith, fought for his country in the war of 1812-14; and his great-grandfather Smith braved death in defense of American liberty in the war of the Revolution. Professor Smith's grandmother, Elizabeth Schutt, was born into a pioneer family in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, and was. a woman of many virtues and great strength of character, and Isaac_Smith, Professor Smith's father, owed much to her good teaching and influence. His wife was Miss Susannah George, a native of Armstrong county, Penn- sylvania, whose father, Jacob George, was a Federal soldier in the war of the Rebellion. Professor Smith married Miss Cecilia Larghner, of Venango county, Pennsylvania, daughter of Michael O. Larghner, of Mariahsville, and a lady of much musical and literary culture, who has written the words to several popular songs, and is in many ways an able assistant to her husband. They have six children, named as follows in the order of their birth: Tal- mage, Margaret, James, Mitchell, Byron and Geraldine.
The Columbus Capital School of Oratory and Music is located in the Young Men's Christian Association building, and its quarters are amply large, elegantly appointed and adequately lighted and ventilated The tuition fees are within the reach of all pupils of push and enterprise, the instruction is scientific and thorough. Graduates are made the recipients of diplomas, and many of them have won enviable reputations as entertainers and teachers.
JOHN J. LENTZ.
In no profession is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life, or of the under- lying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Un- flagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice ; and is one into which none should enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch
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on the falchion of every person who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the diametrical result of capability and unmistakable ability. Possess- ing all the requisite qualities of the able lawyer, Mr. Lentz stands foremost among the leading practitioners of Columbus.
He was born January 26, 1856, in Belmont county, Ohio, and on the paternal side he is of German lineage, but his mother was a native of America. Prior to the age of fifteen years he received only the meager advantages afforded by the district schools. He then entered the high school at St. Clairs- ville, walking to and from the institution daily, a distance of five miles. There under the training and inspiration of James J. Burns, afterward state school commissioner, he developed that mastery of mechanics which later won for him distinction among classmates in the universities. At the age of seven- teen he became a teacher and ultimately was appointed superintendent of the Mainville graded schools, occupying that position at the time he attained his majority. His salary earned thereby paid his tuition in college. He was graduated in the National Normal University, of Lebanon, Ohio, in 1877, and entered the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in the fall of the follow- ing year. With the exception of one year spent at Wooster University, he there remained until he was graduated, with the degree of bachelor of arts, in 1882. He was attracted to Wooster by Walter Q. Scott, who became his personal friend, and while there Mr. Lentz won the second prize in the oratorical con- test. In addition to pursuing the literary course at Ann Arbor he attended the law lectures of Thomas M. Cooley and his associate professors. In the summer of 1882 Mr. Lentz traveled in the south and in the fall of that year matriculated in the law school of Columbia College, in New York city, where by completing two years' work in one he was graduated in 1883. While there he enjoyed the personal friendship of Professor Dwight, who offered his influence to secure Mr. Lentz a position in the metropolis, but the latter's admiration for his native state brought him to its capital, he having been favorably impressed with the city in passing through it when going to and from college.
While at Ann Arbor Mr. Lentz formed the acquaintance of Miss Bertha Moeller, also a student who afterward became a teacher of belles lettres and natural science in St. Catherine's Hall, of Brooklyn, New York, the well known Episcopalian school for young ladies. In 1884 Mr. Lentz and Miss Moeller were married. In October of the previous year he had been admitted to the bar, and in December, 1883, entered into partnership with the Alberys, which connection was maintained until 1885. In April, 1887, Judge Charles K. Nash proposed a partnership, which would have honored a much older man than Mr. Lentz, and thus the friendship of another distinguished man has been and is his good fortune.
In politics Mr. Lentz is a Democrat. He became one of the organizers of the Thurman Club, was its president during the year 1888 and is now its chief officer. He is aggressive in his stand for high public principles and has made an impression for good in both state and local affairs, but has steadily
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refused political honors, preferring to devote himself entirely to his profession. He is the originator of the idea of the "Old Roman" banquet in Columbus on the occasion of Judge Thurman's seventy-seventh birthday. He is one of the board of examiners of teachers for the city schools, a position bestowed unsolic- ited upon him by the board of education, and in that capacity he served for five years. In 1883 he was brought prominently before the state convention for the position of governor without his consent and received a large com- plimentary vote. In 1896 he was nominated for congress by the Demo- crats and elected to represent the twelfth or capital district by a majority of forty-nine votes, although the national Republican ticket carried the district by two hundred and eighty-four votes. Mr. Lentz thus defeated D. K. Watson, who was the candidate of the opposing party. In 1898 he was renominated and again elected to congress, defeating the Hon. E. N. Huggins by seven hundred and twenty-two votes. In 1900 he was again nominated and made the race for congress, but was defeated by the Hon. Emmett Tompkins, a Republican, by eighteen votes, although President Mckinley carried the district by seven hundred and thirty-five votes. It will therefore be seen that Mr. Lentz ran ahead of the national ticket seven hundred and seventeen votes, thus' show- ing his personal popularity. He is a good speaker and has in many campaigns delivered addresses in behalf of the party principles and candidates throughout Ohio, New York and other states. He is logical, clear and forceful and his utterances never fail to impress his hearers and in many cases carry con- viction.
Mr. Lentz is recognized as.an active factor in the public life of Columbus. He is a member of the board of trade and the Columbus Club and is also identified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows, the Fraternal Mystic Circle, the National Union and the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity. Schooled under such men as Theodore W. Dwight, Thomas M. Cooley, Walter Q. Scott and James G. Burns, and associated in his profession with such men as Judges Nash and Albery and aided by his own indomitable energy, untiring industry, it is not strange that he has risen in a few short years to the front rank of his profession.
ORLOFF W. SCHUELLER.
Orloff W. Schueller, a pharmacist of Columbus, who represents one of the old and prominent German families of the state, was born in the capital city June 1, 1861, and is a son of the late Dr. Schueller and Helen (Wirth) Schueller. The father was a native of Baden, Germany, but when a young man crossed the ocean to the new world. On landing on the Atlantic coast he at once resumed his westward journey, taking up his abode in Columbus, where he became one of the principal, business men of the city. For many years he was prominently connected with the drug trade and was highly esteemed far and wide among his German friends. He died December 3, 1899, and the city therefore lost one of its most prominent business factors.
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His estimable wife, who still survives him, resides in Columbus. She is the mother of three children.
Orloff W. Schueller was educated in the public schools of his native city, and on the completion of his literary course he entered his father's store, where he acted in the capacity of clerk until his eighteenth year, when he was employed by W. J. Ranney, a druggist, with whom he remained for twelve years. He was afterward connected in the capacity of salesman with various drug firms in Columbus until. 1895, when he entered into partnership with his brother, Waldo K., and established the Schueller Pharmacy at No. 1932 South High street. They now have a well appointed store, supplied with a fine line of drugs, and its neat and tasteful appearance, combined with the honorable business methods therein followed, has secured to the firm a liberal and constantly growing patronage, whereby their income is annually aug- mented.
In June, 1895, was celebrated the marriage of Orloff W. Schueller and Miss Sarah Stumbaugh, of Marion township, Franklin county, a daughter of John Stumbaugh, who belongs to an old and prominent family of this portion of the state. Our subject and his wife reside upon a little farm of thirty-five acres on the Groveport road, which is well improved with an attractive residence and substantial outbuildings. Their home is celebrated for its gracious hospitality, which is enjoyed by a large circle of friends. Mr. Schueller is a valued member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His long connection with the drug trade well qualifies him for the business to which he now gives his energies, for he has a most comprehensive knowledge of drugs and their medicinal qualities. His success in business has been won through determined purpose, his resolute will and fidelity to duty enabling him to steadily work his way upward until he now occupies an enviable position. among the reliable and substantial citizens in the capital city.
LEWIS SCHLEGEL.
Lewis Schlegel, one of the best known engineers on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, on the 27th of March, 1861. His father, Christian Schlegel, was born January 6, 1815, and during the greater part of his business career followed farming, but ten years before his demise became proprietor of a hotel in Eaton, Ohio, conducting it up to the time of his death, which occurred in Wayne county, on the 8th of December, 1900. He was a man of prominence in his county, having marked influence in public affairs. He married Christina Schwitzer, also a native of Coshocton county, Ohio, and a daughter of Neal Schwitzer, a farmer, who was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, and came to this country in the year 1845. locating on a tract of land in Coshocton county. The parents of our subject were married in New Bedford, Ohio, in the year 1855, and unto them have been born the following named : Eliza, who died in 1861, at the age of five years ; Noah, a retired merchant living in Canton, Ohio; Mary; Lewis; Jacob; Will-
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iam; Emma; John; Christian; Neal; Harold; and Elmer, who died in 1877. With the exception of the first and last named all are yet living.
Mr. Schlegel of this review acquired his early education by attending the district schools in Coshocton county during the winter season and during the summer months he assisted his father in the work of field and meadow. In 1880 he became a stationary engineer and that served as an introduction to railroad work. He began as a fireman on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, running between Columbus and Hudson, Ohio, for nearly three years. He was then promoted to engineer and in 1892 was placed in charge of a passenger train, since which time he has been in continuous service, remaining with the same railroad company since accepting the position of fireman. He has a clean record, one which is very commendable.
On the 6th of November, 1884, at Wolf creek, in Holmes county, Ohio, Mr. Schlegel was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Baugh, a daughter of Emanuel Baugh, who died in 1884, at the age of eighty years. Her mother is still living and is now in her seventy-fifth year. She is a native of the fatherland. The brothers and sisters of Mrs. Schlegel are: Eliza, wife of Peter Baugh, a resident of Kilbuck, Ohio; Dora, wife of Charles Smith ; Belle; and Fred. Mr. and Mrs. Schlegel began their domestic life in Orville, Ohio, establishing their home at that place in December, 1884. In July of the follow- ing year, however, they removed to Brink Haven, in Knox county, Ohio, and in April, 1887, removed to Mount Vernon, Ohio, where they erected the resi- dence which they still own. On the 30th of May, 1889, they took up their abode in Millersburg, Ohio, and in January, 1891, went to Hudson, Ohio, but in September, 1896, returned to Mount Vernon, where they continued until June 15, 1900, when it seemed advisable to become residents of Columbus, where they are now residing, their home being at No. 479 Lexington avenue. Their children are: Frank, who was born August 29, 1885, and died June I, 1886; Junietta, who was born April 24, 1889; and Leo Brant, born April 24, 1894. The family are members of the German Reformed Lutheran church and Mr. Schlegel has been a member of Little Miami Division of the Brother- hood of Locomotive Engineers since 1888. Since 1895 he has held member- ship relations with the Masonic lodge at Hudson, Ohio, and in his political affiliations he is a Democrat.
ISAAC ZELLERS.
Among the citizens of Franklin county, Ohio, once active and prominent but who have now passed from the stage of life, there was' none who was more highly regarded when living or who is more sincerely regretted than Isaac Zellers, who was born in Lebanon county, Pennsylvania, May 27, 1826, and died in Franklin township, November 1, 1897. In 1840, when Mr. Zellers was fourteen years old, his parents, Valentine and Maria Zellers, brought him to Franklin county, where he completed his studies begun in Pennsyl- vania and perfected his knowledge of practical farming. In 1857, when about
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thirty-one years old, he married Miss Catherine Selbert, a native of Franklin county, Ohio, and a daughter of John and Catherine ( Shaffer ) Selbert. Mrs. Zeller's parents were born and married in Germany and had five children, all of whom lived to manhood and womanhood.
After his marriage, Mr. Zellers located on the farm which is now the home of his family. It was at that time new and mostly unimproved and he devoted his life to making it an attractive homestead and productive farm. By industry, integrity and perseverance he made a creditable success of life, and was honored as a progressive citizen and a Christian man. Mr. and Mrs. Zellers had nine children, all of whom were born at the family homestead and all of whom are living. Gustavus, John, Ada and Josephine are mem- bers of their mother's household. Cora married Albert Clickenger, of Frank- lin county, Ohio. Emma is the wife of Scott Hively, of Huntington, Indiana. Mary, the second daughter, is the wife of Jacob Tinnapple, of Norwich town- ship. Elnora is in the government service in South Dakota. Frank, the youngest daughter, is also a member of her mother's household.
CHAUNCEY P. LANDON, M. D.
Dr. Landon, the subject of the following brief sketch, was one of the most widely known physicians in the early medical faculty of central Ohio. His ancestry is Revolutionary on both sides of the family, his mother being Tryphena Hewitt, of the branch of the English Hewitts, Hewits, or Hueitts, resident at Worcester, Massachusetts; his father, Edward Landon, whose English lineage traces from the Langdons and Langtons of Magna Charta history.
The Doctor was born in Athens, Ohio, and received his collegiate edu- cation at the Ohio University in that place. For some time he was connected with the Athens Messenger, published by the late Senator Van Voorhis, being associated in this newspaper work with the late Governor John Brough. Later he entered the study of medicine, and was graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, with the class of 1849.
One of Dr. Landon's brothers, the Rev. Oliver Perry Hazard Lan- don, was a minister in the Methodist church; the other. Dr. George H. Landon, was a doctor both of divinity and of law. In partnership with the latter, Dr. Chauncey P. Landon began the practice of his profession in Wes- terville, Ohio, and for nearly half a century was prominent among the physi- cians of the state. He was one of the founders and charter members of the Central Ohio Medical Society, and one of the early members of the Ohio State Medical Society, enjoying the distinction of being twice called to the presidency,-an honor accorded to no other physician in the history of this organization. An added compliment was expressed in his selection to preside at the joint meeting of the American Medical Association and the Ohio State Medical Society at Cleveland, Ohio, in 1883. He was' repeatedly selected delegate to the American Medical Association, and was an honorary member
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of the Columbus Academy of Medicine for some years previous to his death. Dr. Landon contributed several valuable theses to medical literature and was one of the earliest and most zealous promoters of the state board of health and the state board of medical registration in Ohio.
In politics Dr. Landon was first a Whig, later an "old-line" Republican. An ardent patriot, a magnetic and eloquent public speaker, he was recognized as a valued and devoted supporter of his party and its principles. Both as recruiting officer and in active service he rendered able assistance to the Union cause in the war of the Rebellion. Associated with Dr. Emerson E. White, of Columbus, he stood as the Republican candidate for representa- tive to the state legislature at a time when a Democratic nomination was tantamount to an election. For nearly a score of years Dr. Landon was a member of the state board of agriculture and of the Franklin county board of agriculture. He was surgeon of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and the Grand Army of the Republic is the only organiza- tion other than those of the medical profession in which he held membership. Although a generous contributor to church interests and philanthropic enter- prises, he never became a member of church.
Dr. Landon was a man of marked individuality, of liberal and independ- ent thought, fearless in the face of opposition, tireless in devotion to the pub- lic good.
His death occurred at the family residence in Westerville, Ohio, Decem- ber 29, 1899. He left a widow, formerly Miss Clara Slaughter, and four children : Hal D. Landon, Washington correspondent of the Cincinnati Com- mercial-Tribune; the late Karl E. Landon, state correspondent of the Cin- cinnati Enquirer ; Miss Rowena H. Landon, teacher of languages in Central high school; and Mrs. Converse, widow of the late ex-Congressman George L. Converse.
KARL EDWARD LANDON.
Karl Edward Landon, late the state political correspondent of the Cin- cinnati Enquirer, was recognized at the time of his death as one of the most prominent members of the newspaper profession in Ohio. He was the second son of Dr. Chauncey P. Landon, was born at Columbus, Ohio, January 8, 1867, and died August 16, 1900.
Endowed with rare natural ability and indomitable purpose, Mr. Lan- don added to his native gifts of mind and character the broad culture which grows from thorough education, wide reading and association with distin- guished men. He was a man of handsome presence, magnetic personality and fine social qualities, yet of unvarying dignity of bearing; and, while numbering his friends by the legion, he gave his confidence to the few.
Mr. Landon's face was a familiar one at both state and national conven- tions, his last work out of Ohio being at the Republican national convention in Philadelphia, in June, 1900, which he attended as one of the quartette of politi-
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cal writers familiarly known to the newspaper fraternity as the "Enquirer's Big Four," the other three being Hon. Willis McBride and "Colonel" Sam Johnson, of Washington, D. C., and Mr. J. B. McCarty, of New York. No other newspaper men in the state enjoyed more largely than he the friendship and confidence of representative men in state and national. affairs.
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