A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 38

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 38

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of that distinguished family, and which is still held and prized as one of the archives of the family.

Their only son and child, Dr. J. L. Gordon, was reared upon the home farm in Delaware county until his thirteenth year, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Sharon township, Franklin county. He then entered the schools of Worthington, pursuing the high school course, after which he became a student in the Ohio State University, at Columbus, in 1880. He there pursued a four-years course, completing his literary education in that institution. He then entered upon a business career, accepting a clerk- ship in the Merchants and Manufacturers Bank, of Columbus, where he ap- plied himself diligently for a number of years. However, he never succeeded in acquiring a love for business equal to that already acquired for science. Although throughout his limited business career he had been entirely suc- cessful, he decided to give it up and devote his whole time to scientific re- search, which he had never abandoned during the years which he had spent in business, and in 1891 he began the study of medicine in Starling Medical College, in which institution he graduated in 1894. During his medical course he was a private student of the dean of the faculty, Dr. Starling Loving, through whose kindness he acquired a vast amount of practical experience in his profession. After his graduation Dr. Gordon opened an office and began the practice of medicine, in which success has come to him in recognition of his thorough preliminary training, his skill and ability. He has always been a close and discriminating student, and in 1900 he pursued a post-graduate course in Philadelphia, afterward taking a special course in New York city.

In 1896 occurred the marriage of Dr. Gordon and Miss Miriam A. Slyh, a daughter of Daniel M. and Rosaltha (Griswold) Slyh, representa- tives of an old and highly respected . family of Perry township, Franklin county. Dr. and Mrs. Gordon have one daughter, Eckka Almieda. The Doctor is a member of the Columbus Academy of Medicine (of which he is secretary), the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation ; is a member of the staff of Grant Hospital, of Columbus; and occu- pies the chair of physical diagnosis in Starling Medical College.

Whatever tends to promote the interests of his profession and place before man the key to the mystery of that complex problem which we call life at once attracts the interest and co-operation of Dr. Gordon, and his wide reading and research have made him particularly skilled in the line of his chosen life work.

WILLIAM RIGHTER.

William Righter, who is now living retired at his home in Columbus, his residence being at No. 55 North Grubb street, was born September 22, 1830, in Mifflin county. Pennsylvania. His father, Joseph Righter, was a native of the same county and in 1837 came to Ohio, locating in what was then Franklinton but is now a part of Columbus. He erected a resi-

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dence on Sandusky street and died at his home there in 1849, while his wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Righter, passed away two years previously. In addition to William their children were James, Joseph, Robert, Sarah and Lewis. Of this family Robert Righter took a contract for the construction of the Colum- bus & Xenia Railroad, and was thus identified with the transportation inter- ests of the state. The younger sister, Sarah, became the wife of Allison Green, a farmer of Putnam county, Ohio, where they have resided for more than a quarter of a century. The youngest brother, Lewis, is married and has always resided in Columbus.

When a lad in his 'teens William Righter drove canal horses on the Ohio canal from Cleveland to Portsmouth and since that time he has labored for his own advancement and success. All that he has achieved in life is due to his own efforts. On leaving the canal he entered the employ of the Colum- bus & Xenia Railroad Company, but after a year's service returned to his former work on the canal, remaining there until 1851, when he again became connected with railroad work and at different times has served as brake- man, yard-master and yard conductor. He was in the continuous employ of the Panhandle Railroad Company from 1853 until January, 1900, at which time he was retired by the Panhandle Company under its pension system and is now enjoying a well merited rest. The only time he ever lost from his duties was about six months, and this was the result of an accident which he sustained September 13, 1875, in the Panhandle yards in Columbus, being caught between the cars. His right arm was so badly crushed as to neces- sitate the amputation of the member near the shoulder, but on the following April he resumed work for the company.

Mr. Righter was married, December 21, 1859, to Miss Mary Snyder, and soon afterward he purchased the lot on which his present home is stand- ing. At that time the land was occupied by the oldest brick building erected in Franklinton, it having been the office and residence of Dr. Ball for many years. Mr. Righter caused the old building to be torn down and removed and his present residence was built. The home of our subject and his wife has been blessed with the following named: Harry, who was born in 1867; William, who was born in 1869 and was married to Miss Gallington in 1896; Thomas F., born in 1871 ; and Florence, born in 1873. The family are mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church and are people of the highest respecta- bility, enjoying the uniform regard of many friends. In his political views Mr. Righter is a Republican.

WILLIAM H. WANAMAKER.

William H. Wanamaker, of Columbus, was born January 24, 1867, in Pickaway county, Ohio. His patrnal grandfather was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, and at an early period in the development of the Buck- eye state took up his residence upon a farm in Pickaway county, where he spent his remaining dave. His son, James Wanamaker, the father of our

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subject, was born March 29, 1845, in that county. The mother of our sub- ject, Mrs. Lucinda Wanamaker, was born in the same county February 18, 1848, and their children were as follows: Annie L., the wife of William Fisher, a grocer of Columbus : Florence M., the wife of Lewis Hay, a farmer of Pickaway county; Mary L., who wedded William Reeder, a mechanic of Columbus; and Almeda. The father of these children was a member of the One Hundred and Fifty-fifth Ohio Regiment of Volunteers during the Civil war, and his son-in-law, William Reeder, served with the Fourth Ohio Volunteers in the Spanish-American war.

William H. Wanamaker, of this review, received good educational priv- ileges, supplementing his early mental training by a course in the college at Ada, Ohio, in which institution he was graduated. He entered the railway service in April, 1892, as a brakeman on the Pennsylvania road, being on the Indianapolis division. In January, 1898, he was promoted to the position of conductor and has since been in continuous service. He is always found at his post of duty and is a most reliable and trustworthy representative of the road. He not only enjoys the confidence of those under whom he serves, but has won friends among the traveling public by reason of his uni- form courtesy, consideration and attention.

On the 16th of October, 1890, in Pickaway county, Ohio, Mr. Wana- maker was united in marriage to Miss Jennie H. Rice, a daughter of Anthony C. and Susannah Rice. Her father was born in Pickaway county February 24, 1831, and died at his home there July 10, 1897. His widow still sur- vives him and now makes her home with her daughters. The sisters of Mrs. Wanamaker are Mrs. John M. Thatcher, of Circleville, Ohio; Mrs. Henry C. Renick, who died at her home in Circleville December 13, 1895; and Mrs. Alex Renick, of Springfield, Ohio. The paternal grandfather of Mrs. Wanamaker was a native of Vermont, and, emigrating westward, became one of the pioneer settlers of Pickaway county. He aided in the development of the agricultural interests there and after being long identified with farming pursuits his life's labors were ended in death. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Wanamaker are: John E., who was born January 29, 1892, in Circleville, Ohio; Ralph H., born in Piqua, Ohio, April 11, 1896; and Charles W., who was born in Columbus March 6, 1898. In 1897 the family came to the capital city, where they afterward resided, their home being now at No. 703 Hoover street. Mr. Wanamaker is a member of the Masonic fraternity and in his life exemplifies the spirit of the order.

JAMES P. ANDERSON.

Before the days of street railways, omnibus lines were important institu- tions in Columbus, Ohio, as they were elsewhere, and the Columbus Transfer Company, which is the legitimate successor of one of the leading lines in the days before the war and during the '6os and early 'zos, is an important local adjunct to travel at this time. The manager of this concern is James P.

JAMES P. ANDERSON

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Anderson, who has given his whole active life to the business except during a few years, when he was prominent in connection with circus enterprises.

James P. Anderson was born at Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio, in 1841, and his father was John Anderson, a native of Scotland, who became promi- nent as a farmer in that county. After some years' connection with the local omnibus line at Wheeling, West Virginia, he was, in 1864, appointed by the receiver of the Kinsman street railway of Cleveland, Ohio, superintendent of that line and managed it successfully until 1866, when it was finally cleared from indebtedness and was returned to the control of the company which had previously operated it. In 1866 he came to Columbus and took charge of the old omnibus line with which Dr. Hawk was identified as the directing spirit, which then covered the whole city except High street, which had a short street railway line. After Dr. Hawk sold out the enterprise to the Columbus Transfer Company Mr. Anderson was for twelve years a partner with B. E. Wallace, of Peru, Indiana, in the ownership and management of the Great Wallace Shows, his interest in which he eventually sold to Mr. Wallace, who has continued the enterprise to this time.

While Mr. Anderson was in Europe Adam Forepaugh died and James A. Bailey purchased the great circus enterprise which Mr. Forepaugh had built up and required a manager for the concern, and he telegraphed Mr. Anderson to return to America and take the show in hand, and Mr. Ander- son managed it successfully for five years. After Mr. Bailey assumed con- trol of the Buffalo Bill Wild West, Mr. Anderson represented Mr. Bailey's interest in that concern for four years, until 1898, when he returned to Colum- bus to become the manager for the Columbus Transfer Company.

Mr. Anderson is a thirty-third-degree Mason and is personally acquainted with prominent Masons in all parts of the country and with many in Europe. He was married while a resident of Wheeling, West Virginia, to Miss Esther Jane Packer, a daughter of Isaac Packer, proprietor of the Union Hotel of that city, and has three children : James, a plumber of Columbus; Anna, who married P. J. Cassidy, of Columbus; and Sally, who is a member of her parents' household.

MRS. RACHEL H. LYONS.

Mrs. Rachel H. Lyons has long resided in Columbus and is a repre- sentative of one of the pioneer families of Franklin county. She is a daugh- ter of Robert Hosack, who was born in Ulster county, New York. Her paternal grandfather came from Scotland to America and founded the family in the new world. He was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, served with Washington during the memorable winter at Valley Forge, and at the capture of Stony Point he was chosen to act as one of the storming party under General Wayne. His death occurred in the Empire state. He had two sons, Robert and Thomas, and three daughters, Elizabeth, Jane and Catherine, and with the exception of Robert all remained in New York and 20

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are now deceased. Robert Hosack became a millwright by trade. In New York he was married to Miss Anna Merritt, whose father was a native of Westchester, that state, and who came to Ohio at an early day, some years prior to the removal of the parents of Mrs. Lyons, and located upon a farm in Huron county. Throughout his entire life he carried on agricultural pursuits and he died at Ravenna, Ohio, a few years prior to the Civil war. In his family were six daughters and five sons, and one of the sons, Horace Merritt, served in the war of 1812.

In the year 1838 Robert Hosack came with his family to Ohio. His first home was on the corner of High and Mound streets, in Columbus, and Mrs. Lyons can recall the blasting that was done there at the time the family resided at that place. Later the father erected a residence on East Town street, beyond Seventh street, and subsequently he made his home on East Town street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. At the time of his death, which occurred in 1871, he was living at the corner of South High and Hosack streets, in the residence which he had erected. He passed away in his eightieth year, and his wife died in 1885, at the old home on South High street, in her ninety-second year. Through a considerable period Mr. Hosack had charge of the starch factory on that street and was also a promi- nent business man of Columbus in the early days. Unto him and his wife were born three daughters,-Jane, Rachel and Chloe Ann. The first named became the wife of John H. Chambers, but has been a widow for several years. She removed from Columbus, on the 6th of November, 1900, to Estherville, Iowa, where she is now living with one of her sons. She has three children. Chloe, the youngest daughter, became the wife of Joseph Foss, of Columbus, and both are now deceased. Her only surviving child, Mrs. Karch, is living in this city. Mr. Hosack was employed in the con- struction of several of the public buildings, including the first courthouse, lunatic asylum and county infirmary, and lived to see the new courthouse erected.

Rachel Hosack, the second daughter. spent her girlhood days at her parents' home. and while the family resided on East Town street she was married to John J. Lyons, of Columbus, the wedding being celebrated in 1850. Mr. Lyons was born in Hampshire county, Virginia, and during his early boyhood accompanied his father to Hocking county, Ohio, where he remained until, as a young man, he came to Columbus. He served his coun- try as a soldier in the Mexican war. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lyons were born seven children. One son, Alvin H., whose birth occurred in 1855 and who is a farmer by occupation, is the only one living. He was married, in 1885, to Miss Martha Brown, and they have two children: Alice, born in 1886; and Henry, born in 1888. The son and his family are residing with his mother in their pleasant home at No. 1956 South High street. The family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, Mrs. Lyons having pre- viously been connected with the congregation which worshiped in the old church located on East Town street, where the public library building now

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stands, and among her early pastors were Rev. Moody and Rev. Trimble. She can recall many interesting incidents connected with life in Columbus during the early days. She resided in the city from the time of its early development and is very widely known here, her earnest Christian character and her sterling worth gaining her the love and friendship of all with whom she has been brought in contact.

ANDREW C. EMMICK.

Andrew Culbertson Emmick has passed the psalmist's span of three- score years and ten, and throughout the entire period he has been a resident of Columbus, being one of the eldest of the native sons of the city. He now resides at No. 43 North Fifth street, and is a venerable and highly respected gentleman, well worthy of mention among the representative men of Franklin county. He was born February 18, 1826, and traces his ancestry back to John Emmick. his great-grandfather, who in 1773 crossed the Atlantic from Germany to America. Some years later, feeling it necessary to return to his native land, he took passage upon an eastward bound vessel, but ere the voyage was completed he was called to his final rest. His son, John Emmick, Jr., the grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany in 1763, and was therefore ten years of age when he came with his father to the United States. He served in the war of 1812 under Captain William Griffith and Colonel R. M. Johnson. At the battle of River Raisin, near Monroe, Michigan, he was one of six selected by the captain of the company to cross the river on stringers after the bridge had been destroyed by the Indians. He was sub- sequently captured by the red men between the river and Detroit, and by them was tied to a tree, but before he could be burned or tomahawked he was rescued by the American soldiers under General Lewis Cass. He was not seriously injured, although his clothing was "full" of bullet holes. In after years General Cass was a frequent visitor at his home.

Mr. Emmick married Miss Katy Bulon, a daughter of Alexander Bulon, who was then living near Poughkeepsie, New York. A wagon-maker by trade, the grandfather of our subject followed that pursuit in Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton, Ohio, at various times. Both he and his wife were drowned while near the mouth of the Maumee river in a skiff, on the 29th of June, 1828. Their children were as follows: Frederick, Margaret, John, Katy, David, Eliza, Hannah. Alexander and James. The following dates of birth have been preserved: John, born in 1798; David, in 1807; Mar- garet, in 1810; Alexander, in 1813; Hannah, in 1814; and Jane in 1818. Margaret became the wife of John Cowdrick, at Dayton, Ohio. and in 1822 removed to New Jersey, but the family afterward returned to this state, locating in Miami in 1830. and there Mrs. Cowdrick died. Katy became the wife of David Sargeant, and died at Three Rivers, Michigan. Hannah is the widow of a Mr. Cross, of Maumee, Ohio. David, who was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, January 6, 1807, was brought to Ohio by his

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father in 1810, and was married to Jane Morgan, a relative of the famous Confederate General Morgan, in the year 1832.

John Emmick, the father of our subject, was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1798, and in 1819 became a resident of Columbus, Ohio. For nine years previously he had resided in Cincinnati, this state, and there followed his trade of wagon-making. After locating in the capital city he established a shop on the southeast corner of Main and High streets, where the Southern Hotel now stands. There he carried on business until the year 1831, when he located at the northeast corner of Pearl and Main streets, where he remained until his death, in the year 1841. He had been mar- ried in Columbus, May 23, 1823, to Miss Isabel Culbertson, a daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Culbertson. She was born in Franklin county, Penn- sylvania, in 1797, and came to Franklinton, Ohio, with her grandfather, Colonel Robert Culbertson, in the year 1805. He removed to this state with a large family of children and grandchildren and brought with him horses, cattle and household effects. In Franklin county he pre-empted land on which the different members of the family were located. While with his im- mediate family he resided on property which he purchased in Franklinton. A wealthy citizen, he did much to improve and upbuild the little town. His death occurred in Franklinton in 1821, at the age of eighty-three years. Before coming to Ohio he had served his country in the Revolutionary war. His son, Andrew Culbertson, the maternal grandfather of our subject, mar- ried Jane Parks, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. With the Colonel they came to Franklinton and Andrew settled on a farm on which the present starch factory is now located. Their children are Elizabeth, Mary, Isabella, Robert, Samuel and Rebecca. Of this number Elizabeth was married to Andrew Dill in 1820, and Mary became the wife of William Shannon in 1825. Both of these gentlemen were justices of the peace and were prominent and influ- ential citizens of their day. The next daughter, Isabella, became the mother of our subject; and Rebecca, the youngest daughter, married Nathaniel W. Smith, a jeweler, while Robert Culbertson distinguished himself by service in the war of 1812.

The children of John and Isabella (Culbertson) Emmick are Elizabeth, Jane, Andrew C., John, Rebecca, Mary, Esther, Anna and Isabella. The first named was married in 1847 to John Robinson, a painter by trade, who died in 1881, since which time Mrs. Robinson has resided with her brother Andrew.

Andrew Emmick, whose name introduces this record, acquired his edu- cation in the select schools of the day, for there were no public schools in Ohio at the time of his boyhood. Under the direction of his father he learned the wagon-maker's trade, and had followed that pursuit for about a year when his father died. He continued his labors along that line through the succeeding six years, being in the employ of the Ohio Tool Company, of Columbus. He then went into the service of the Columbus Machine Com- pany, for which he acted as a pattern-maker for ten years, and on the expi-

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ration of that period he accepted a similar position in the employ of Ambos & Smith, where he remained for nine years. He next established business for himself, opening a foundry and machine shop on Olentangy creek, near where the plant of the Pipe Foundry Company is now located, carrying on his enterprise there from 1879 until 1887, when he retired from active business.

In 1849 Mr. Emmick was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Elliott, who died a year later, and their only child, Isabella, passed away when a year old. Mr. Emmick afterward married Mrs. Gusta Bishop, of Tioga county, Pennsylvania. For a quarter of a century he was a prominent member of Central Lodge, No. 23, I. O. O. F., and exemplifies its benevolent and fra- ternal teachings in his life. For a half century he has resided at his present home, and is one of the most honored of the old citizens of Columbus. His entire life having been here passed, he is widely known and is familiar with the history of the city from the days of its early development.

MATTHIAS LOY, D. D.

The subject of this sketch is the peer, if not the superior, of any man in our city and county with regard to religious and theological influence, and that influence of the most beneficial and salutary nature. Known to but comparatively few in our city, but most highly respected by every one that has had the pleasure of his acquaintance, he has been, and still is, a power in the Lutheran church of America whose influence has not been limited to the ecclesiastical organization whose honored and trusted member and leader he has been for many years.

Dr. Loy was born of German parents in Cumberland county, Pennsyl- vania, March 17, 1828. In early childhood he lost his mother and then received an entirely English education. But, though in consequence his pref- erence has always been the English language, he appreciates and loves the tongue of his ancestors and uses it with great readiness and skill. He learned the trade of compositor,-an accomplishment that has stood him in good stead frequently in his manifold labors as editor and author. Being troubled with rheumatism, an affliction that has been clinging to him more or less, he had to give up his vocation and look out for a more suitable call- ing. Thus God led him to the study of theology, an occupation for which he is pre-eminently fitted. He obtained his classical and theological educa- tion at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Columbus, Ohio, but may be termed a self-made man in more than one respect. In 1849 he received a call as pastor of the German-English Lutheran congregation at Delaware, Ohio.

In 1860, at the age of only thirty-two years, he was elected the presi- dent of the Evangelical Lutheran synod of Ohio and other states, generally known as the Joint Synod of Ohio. This position he held continuously till 1878, when he declined a re-election on account of failing health; but in 1880 he was prevailed upon to accept the presidency again and held it till

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1894, when the synod, because of its rapid growth, concluded to choose a president whose whole time should be devoted to the duties of his office. Dr. Loy continually had been doing the work of more than one man besides. In 1864 he was made the editor of the Lutheran Standard and he filled this important position in the most acceptable manner for more than twenty-five years, when, at his urgent request, the synod very reluctantly relieved him of this onerous work. In 1865 he was called as professor of theology for the seminary, and as professor of mental and moral sciences for the college to Capital University, Columbus, Ohio, which position he still holds. In 188I he established and until 1886 edited the Columbus Theological Maga- zine, as an exponent of true Lutheranism over against Calvinizing tendencies that were endeavoring to gain admission into the Lutheran church of Amer- ica in general and into the Synod of Ohio in particular. Among the men that bore the brunt of battle in this lamentable but necessary controversy Dr. Loy easily stands in the foremost rank. In the same year, 1881, he was also chosen the president of Capital University and held this office until 1890, when, again at his urgent request, he was relieved, but appointed dean of the faculty, which position he has graced with his enviable tact up to the present year, 1900. In 1899, his seventy-first birthday, and at the same time the fiftieth anniversary of his ministry, was appropriately celebrated by the insti- tution whose ornament he has been for more than thirty-five years, amid the heartiest participation and congratulations of the whole synod. Notwith- standing his ill health, and in some respects his frail body, Dr. Loy has done a work that seldom falls to the lot of one man.

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 38

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