A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 37

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 37

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Henry Clay Slyh was reared to farm life, early becoming familiar with the work of the fields as he followed the plow and harrow and later assisted in harvesting the crops. He remained upon the old homestead until 1840, at which time he was twenty-seven years of age. He then started out upon an independent business career, and in 1850 he chose as a companion and helpmate on life's journey Miss Margaret McFarland, but their married life was of short duration, her death occurring in 1852. On the 26th of October, 1853, Mr. Slyh was joined in wedlock to Miss Sarah J. Foley, a daughter of Moses Foley, who was a native of Maryland and came to Franklin county in an early day. He was the proprietor of the old and now historical Four Mile House, located where Camp Chase now stands. He conducted the hotel for a quarter of a century, and there all of his children were born. He was a prominent and influential citizen, taking an active part in public affairs.

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He aided in the grading of the National road from Columbus to Virginia between the years 1836 and 1840. Mr. Slyh also assisted in that work. Mrs. Foley, the mother of Mrs. Slyh, was a native of Ireland, and when a maiden of ten summers was brought by her parents to America. In 1820 she gave her hand in marriage to Moses Foley, the wedding being celebrated in Franklinton, now Columbus. Their children were: James, who was born in 1822, and died in 1849; Caroline, who was born in 1837, and is now the wife of Colmer Smith, a resident of Iowa; Levi, who was born in 1840, and died in 1860; Mary, who was born February 6, 1843, and is now Mrs. Peter Crawford, and resides in Iowa; and Mrs. Slyh. The father, whose birth occurred in 1780, was called to his final rest in 1853, and his wife, who was born in 1784, passed away in 1863.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Slyh have been born seven children : James Franklin, born October 28, 1854, married Miss Lillian Kline, and they have two chil- dren; Charles Jacob, born June 8, 1857, wedded Miss Caroline McLott, by whom he has five children; Martha Ann, born March 1, 1860, is the wife of Thomas Corbin, and they have fourteen children; Virginia, born Novem- ber 10, 1864. is the wife of John E. Moore, by whom she has six children; Lydia, born March 31, 1870, is the wife of John Kuhn, and has one child; William Allen, born July 7, 1873. wedded Miss Ottie Stucky, and they have no children; Henry Clay, born October 5, 1876, and the youngest of the fam- ily, married Miss Lotta Jamine, by whom he has one Son.

Prior to the inauguration of the Civil war Henry Clay Slyh, whose name introduces this record, was engaged in merchandising in Rome, Ohio, for three years, but in 1862 he sold his store and offered his services to the government, joining the "boys in blue" of Company C, of the famous Ninety- fifth Ohio Infantry, in which Colonel James Kilbourne won distinction. In the first engagement in which he participated, that of Richmond, Kentucky, on the 30th of September. 1862, Mr. Slyh was slightly wounded and was taken prisoner. Later he was paroled and was at Camp Chase for five months before being exchanged. With his regiment he participated in nu- merous engagements until after the siege of Vicksburg, when he was com- pelled to go to the hospital, being sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was granted a three-months furlough on account of serious illness and returned to his home. On the expiration of that period he was ordered to report at Albany, New York, and was in the hospital at that point until after the close of the war, when, in November, 1865, he was mustered out of service. He left the military to enter the civil service of his country, and long dis- charged public duties for the benefit of his fellow townsmen. For several years before the war he had been the constable of Prairie township, and upon his return he was again elected to that office, serving in that capacity altogether for twenty-one years. He was a justice of the peace three years just prior to his removal from Prairie to Franklin township, in 1882, and after that time he was elected a justice of the peace in Franklin township, capably serving until he took up his abode in Columbus, in 1886, For ten

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years he has occupied his present home, and is now enjoying a well-earned rest, having put aside all business and political cares. In his public posi- tions he was as true and loyal to his duties as when he followed the stars and stripes through the Contederacy, and over the record of his career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil.

CAPTAIN EDWARD P. VANCE.

Captain Edward P. Vance is meeting with very gratifying success in busi- ness in Columbus, where he is conducting a drug store. He is also the owner of considerable property, and possesses a resolute spirit which enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. Perhaps he is most widely known in connection with military affairs, for he has long been prominent in the state militia and as a veteran of the Civil war. He was born on the 5th of April, 1849, in Blendon township, Frank- lin county, and is a son of Joseph C. Vance. No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of life for him in boyhood. Much of his time was passed in the acquirement of an education in the common schools, but on the 5th of May, 1864, when fifteen years of age, he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting as a member of Company C, One Hun- dred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hundred days' serv- ice. The regiment was assigned to the First Division of the Tenth Army Corps, and was at Bermuda Hundred and in the military movement around Richmond and in western Virginia. In September or October of the same year the company was mustered out. Although so young, he was a sturdy boy and never shirked his duty, being always found faithful to the flag and the cause it represented.

In the fall of 1865 Captain Vance entered the Western Military Insti- tute, at Dayton, Ohio, but his parents, fearing that he would adopt army life as a profession, withdrew him from that institution after his third term and he returned home. Subsequently he and his brother George, who is now deceased, purchased a drug store in Westerville, Ohio, and successfully con- ducted the establishment until August, 1899, enjoying a large trade. In 1892, however, Mr. Vance came to Columbus and erected his present busi- ness block at the southwest corner of Wilson avenue and Oak street. Here he established a drug store, conducting both mercantile interests until 1899, when he disposed of his business in Westerville. He has a well appointed store, complete in all its departments. He carries a large stock of goods and his moderate prices and honorable business dealing have secured to him a patronage which is constantly increasing.

The Captain has never ceased to have an interest in military affairs, and in 1877 he joined Company C, of the Fourteenth Regiment of Ohio National Guard. He was commissioned first lieutenant of the company on its organization and some months later was made its captain, serving in that capacity for five years, during which time he was one of the most important

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factors in military matters in this part of the state and was largely instru- mental in securing the nomination of Colonel George D. Freeman, who proved one of the most popular regimental commanders in the service. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American war, in connection with Colonel Free- man and others, he organized a regiment for the service and was commis- sioned by Governor Nash as adjutant general of the state, but the troops were never called out. He now holds membership in James Price Post, . G. A. R., of Westerville, and socially he is connected with Westerville Lodge, K. P., of which he served as treasurer at one time. He also belongs to Blendon Lodge, No. 339, A. F. & A. M., to Westerville Chapter and to Columbus Council.

On the 7th of July, 1885, Captain Vance was united in marriage to Miss Lillian Newcomb, of Westerville, and a daughter of James Newcomb, one of the prominent residents of the county. Mrs. Vance is well known in Columbus, being actively associated with its business interests, having the best millinery establishment in the city, located at No. 123 South High street. Both the Captain and his wife are widely and favorably known and have a large circle of friends. The same resolute spirit which prompted his enlistment in the army at the early age of fifteen years has been manifest throughout his entire career and has been an important element in his success.

JOHN F. PERRY.

Long continuance in the employment of a corporation is unmistakable evidence of ability and fidelity in the discharge of duty. Firms or com- panies employing large forces of men do not retain in their service those who are not capable and reliable, and no words of praise which the biog- rapher might write would be as strong in commendation of Mr. Perry as the statement of the fact that for thirty years he was connected with the Street Railway Company of Columbus. He is numbered among the native sons of Franklin county, his birth having occurred upon a farm near Dublin, on the 24th of October, 1836, and he died at his home at No. 42 East Ful- ton street, in the capital city, January 23, 1901. His father, William Perry, was born September 4, 1810, and passed away on the 4th of January, 1863, while Mrs. Susan Perry, the mother of our subject, was born September II, 18II, and died on the Ioth of December, 1900.

John Fletcher Perry spent his boyhood days at his parental home, and in early manhood was apprenticed to the blacksmith's trade, which he thor- oughly mastered in every detail. At the time of the Civil war, however, he put aside all business and personal considerations in order to aid in the sup- pression of the rebellion. He was one of the first to respond to President Lincoln's call for volunteers in 1861, and joined the "Hard-Marching Regi- ment," the Seventeenth Ohio, which was sent to Virginia, doing service there until after the expiration of his term, when, in October, 1861, the troops were mustered out. In Plain City, Ohio, he resumed work at his trade, and

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thirty years ago he came to Columbus, where he at once entered the employ of the Street Railway Company, with which he was connected at the time of his death. He was the oldest employe in point of continuous service with the corporation, thirty years having come and gone during his association with the company.

While in Plain City, in October, 1862, Mr. Perry was united in mar- riage to Miss Martha J. Hager, a daughter of James E. Hager, who was born at Newmarket, New Hampshire, and when a boy accompanied his par- ents to Vermont. When a young man he came to Ohio with his parents, the family locating on a farm near Dublin, in Franklin county. He mar- ried Miss Cornelia Ferguson, a native of New York, the wedding being celebrated at Dublin on the 14th of October, 1840. Mr. Hager died July 20, 1854, but was long survived by his wife, who passed away on the Ist of April, 1885. Their children were: Martha J., born July 5, 1845; Sarah D., born August 16, 1846; John, who was born October 7, 1848, and is now residing in Plain City; Laura, who was born February 17, 1850, and is now deceased; Armenas, who was born July 20, 1852, and is now married and resides on a farm near Paulding, Ohio; and William, who was born August II, 1854, and is now deceased. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Perry there were born seven children, three of whom are yet living. Irvin M., the eldest, was born in 1865, and was married November 4, 1885, to Miss Clara Carroll, by whom he has four sons,-Irvin, Howard, Russell and Walter. John Raymond was born August 3, 1878, and Ethel N., on the 9th of March, 1883. The daughter and the son Raymond are still living with their mother.

Mr. Perry was an active and influential member of Wells Post, G. A. R of Columbus, and through a long period held membership in the Town Street Methodist church. He took an active interest in its work, and withheld his support from no movement or measure calculated to prove of general good along material, intellectual and moral lines. In 1897 he suffered from an attack of asthma, combined with stomach trouble, and for several weeks was confined to his bed. He never afterward fully recovered his health, and on the 16th of November, 1900, he was again taken ill, the disease terminating his life on the 23d of January, 1901. \ His worth as a man and citizen was widely acknowledged by all who knew him. He was a man of pleasing personality, genial, sympathetic and helpful, and his friends were many and steadfast. Mrs. Perry, with her children, still reside at the family home- stead on East Fulton street.

BERNARD PUMPELLY.

On the 8th of February, 1901, there passed from this life an honored and esteemed resident of Columbus, Bernard Pumpelly, who through many years had made his home in the capital city and was well known to many of its residents as a man of sterling worth. His birth occurred in Oxford

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county, Maine, about 1822, and he came with his parents to Ohio in 1839, set- tling at Amelia, Clermont county. When the question of slavery involved the country in hostilities, owing to the attempt of the south to sever all alle- giance with the national government, he offered his services to the latter. His patriotic spirit was aroused and he joined the Eleventh Ohio Cavalry, being for three and a half years numbered among the "boys in blue" who aided in sustaining the honor of the old flag. He saw active service on western battle-fields, and was always found at his post of duty, faithfully performing the tasks that devolved upon him as a defender of the Union. When the war was over he returned to his home with a most creditable military record. In 1874 he came to Columbus, where he engaged in the shoemaking business, following that pursuit for a number of years, with excellent success. He was widely known in industrial and commercial cir- cles, and as a man of unquestioned reliability and worth he commanded the respect of all with whom he came in contact.

On the 22d of October, 1857, Mr. Pumpelly was united in marriage to Miss Mary Whitaker, and they became the parents of five children, four daughters living, who, with the mother, yet survive the husband and father. The daughters are Mrs. L. C. Mithoff, Birdie, Nellie and Daisy, who are still with the mother. The family hold membership in the First Univer- salist church of Columbus, and enjoy the high regard of many friends.

GIDEON R. MILLER.

During the period of early development in Franklin county Gideon R. Miller, now deceased, was brought by his parents to Ohio. He was born on the banks of the Potomac, in Hardy county, Virginia, March 25. 1825, and was the third in a family of six children whose parents were John and Tabitha Miller. The father was a native of Virginia, and in the year 1825 came with his wife and children to the Buckeye state. In addition to Gid- eon the other members of the family were Jacob, Henry, John, Ann and Mar- garet.

Reared under the parental roof, Gideon Miller acquired his educa- tion in the public schools of the neighborhood, and in early life learned the machinist's trade, becoming an expert workman. For many years he was employed in the foundry of John L. Gill, of Columbus, and his long service in that establishment indicated his excellent workmanship, his close appli- cation and his fidelity to duty. He also worked a few years for Andrew Emmick. Whatever success he achieved in life was the result of his own well-directed efforts. He worked his way upward by determined purpose, unfaltering energy, and as a result of his labors he acquired a comfortable competence.

In the year 1850 Mr. Miller was united in marriage to Miss Harriet H. Pope, of Columbus. She was born in Washington county, Ohio, August 23. 1833, and her parents were both natives of Virginia, but died in Colum-

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bus during the early girlhood of their daughter. Her father loyally served his country in the war of 1812. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Miller have been born nine children. Robert F., born February 1, 1851, died April 21, 1875. Gideon H., born March 1, 1853, died April 18, 1875. Cora, born October 15, 1856, was married October 14, 1875, to Tobias Engle, and their chil- dren are Clayton, Thomas, Raymond, Hattie and William. Addie, born August 16, 1858, was married August 11, 1880, to Frederick Rau, and died May 30, 1895, leaving two sons, Edward, who was born in 1888, and Harry, born in 1891, who now reside with their grandmother, Mrs. Gideon Miller, at No. 385 Fulton street. John, born May 6, 1862, died October 6, 1889. Mary, born October 27, 1864, died November 10, 1873. Mar- garet J., born December 19, 1867, was married May 5, 1885, to Carl Bouser, and their children are Carson, born in 1888, Gideon, in 1892, and James, in 1894. Gideon, born April 24, 1870, died February 1, 1875. Daisy, the youngest of the family, was born July 1, 1876.

In the year 1855 Mr. Miller erected at No. 385 Fulton street the resi- dence which is still occupied by his widow. He was a man of sterling char- acter, of unquestioned probity and of marked fidelity to duty. He was very firm in support of his honest convictions, and his life was in harmony with his belief in the Methodist church, in which he held membership. He also belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and his sterling qualities made his an untarnished name, while his record, both public and private, will bear close scrutiny.

DAVID MULL.

Throughout his entire life David Mull was a resident of Columbus, where he was widely and favorably known. His birth occurred March 9, 1844, in the family residence at the southwest corner of Broad and Gift streets. He acquired his early education in the schools of Franklinton, now Columbus, and when in his 'teens began firing on a railroad engine. He was thus employed when, in 1862, he enlisted in the One Hundred and Thir- teenth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers for service in defense of the Union. He was wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, Georgia, having been shot through the right wrist, and the member was so badly injured that it necessitated the amputation of the hand. He was therefore discharged and returned to his home in the north.

On the 21st of October, 1873, Mr. Mull was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Poole, a daughter of George W. Poole, who, as well as his wife, was a native of Pennsylvania. Her parents came to Ohio in 1848, but did not locate in Columbus until thirty years later. Their children were as follows: Arthur and Emanuel, both of whom are farmers living in Ore- gon; Jeremiah, who entered the Union army during the Civil war and died in a southern prison; Thornton, who served in a regiment of Ohio cavalry during the war of the Rebellion, and is now deceased; Barney, who is living

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upon a farm in Brown county, Ohio; Middleton, who was the owner of the Poole block in Columbus, and died in 1882, while his wife, Mrs. Nancy Poole, passed away November 24, 1897, leaving two children, Frank and Mrs. Carry Andricks, both of whom are living in Columbus; Lucinda, the wife of Francis Hartman, who resides upon a farm in Wood county, Ohio; Veloria, the widow of Thomas Doyle, who died at their home in Columbus April 20, 1896; Celina, now the wife of Andrew Houp, a resident of Toledo, Ohio; Cynthia, the wife of R. Schillings, of Cleveland; and Irene, the wife of Ezria Searles, also of Cleveland.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Mull was blessed with but one child, Laura J., who on the 28th of April, 1895, became the bride of Charles Kellar, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, April 1, 1873, and is a son of Lewis H. and Ellen Kellar, both of whom are natives of Franklin county. the former born March 11, 1845. They now reside in Columbus, and their children are: Mrs. Laura McDowell, Charles M., Mrs. Irene Bram, Emma, Eva ( who died in 1883) and Daisy. Charles Kellar and his wife reside with her mother, Mrs. Mull, in the latter's beautiful residence at No. 780 West Broad street. They have an interesting little daughter, Helen, who was born March 26, 1898, and is the life and light of the household. Mr. Mull died after a lingering illness, in the year 1896. He was in the service of the school board as truant officer for several years, and was a citizen having deep regard for the best interests of the community. His sound judgment enabled him to determine with accuracy the value of a movement or measure proposed in connection with the capital, and he gave to all interests which he believed would prove of benefit his hearty co-operation. These qualities, combined with a genial nature and sterling worth, made him a valued resi- dent of the community and occasioned his death to be deeply regretted by many friends as well as by his immediate family.

DAVID EVANS.

The little rock-ribbed country of Wales has furnished her full quota of American citizens. Included in this number is David Evans, who was born in Wales in 1837, and was brought to America when only a year old by his parents, Arthur and Mary Evans. Three of their children,-Arthur, George and Mary,-also were of the party that crossed the Atlantic in 1838; and another sister, Elizabeth, was added to the family after their arrival in Columbus.

In the schools of this place David Evans acquired his education. He was reared to manhood here and throughout his entire life has been a resi- cent of Franklin county. When the country became involved in Civil war his sympathies were with the Union cause and his patriotic spirit prompted his enlistment, so that he became a member of the Ninety-fifth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, under command of James Kilbourne. He remained at the front until after the cessation of hostilities, took part in many of the san-

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guinary battles which led to the preservation of the Union, and was once slightly wounded.

In 1870 was celebrated the marriage of David Evans and Miss Emily Brooks, a native of Columbus and a daughter of David Brooks. Her father died in 1848. He was using varnish, which caught fire and thereby he was so badly burned that his death resulted soon afterward. David Brooks came to Ohio from Princeton, Massachusetts, in 1819, and located in Columbus. He owned and conducted the Hotel Eagle, on High street, during the early days of the city and was widely known, being a popular host. He married Miss Keziah Hamlin, who died in 1878. They were the parents of ten children. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been born three children: Mary L., who is now a successful teacher in the public schools of Columbus; Herbert, an electrician living in Texas; and Eugene, who is now a student in the high school of Columbus.

For the past two years Mr. Evans has been connected with the city health department and is a capable and efficient officer. He holds membership in McCoy Post, No. 41, G. A. R., of Columbus, and thus maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades. Having resided in this city through two-thirds of a century, he has a very wide acquaintance, and the fact that many who have known him throughout this period are numbered among his warmest friends is an indication that his career has ever been an honorable and commendable one.

JOHN L. GORDON, M. D.

The concomitants of professional success are not many. Strong men- tality, keen discrimination, industry and close application-these are the ele- ments which insure advancement and win prosperity, and without them the professional man cannot hope to rise above mediocrity. That Dr. Gordon is regarded as one of the leading physicians of Columbus is evidenced by his possession of these essential qualifications.

The Doctor was born upon a farm in Delaware county, Ohio, September 14, 1862, a son of John L. and Martha (Gooding) Gordon. His paternal grandfather, John Gordon, was a native of Virginia and was of Scotch lineage, his ancestors having come from the land of hills and heather and cast in their lot with the early settlers of the Old Dominion. Dr. John L. Gordon, the father of our subject, was born in Richmond, Virginia, in the year 1821, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1826. He practiced medicine for a number of years in Auglaize county, and in 1875 took up his abode at his present home in Sharon township, Franklin county, where he is now living in quiet retire- ment, having laid aside the more arduous duties of the medical profession. He wedded Martha Gooding, a native of Delaware county, Ohio, and a daugh- ret of George and Phoebe (Williams) Gooding, a stanch New England family, whose ancestors came from England, bringing with them the coat of arms

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 37

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