USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 40
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In early life he had considerable taste for military affairs, and for many years was an active member of a then famous mounted company. called the
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Franklin Dragoons. This company had served through the war of 1812. under Captain Joseph Vance, and for many years after the war the com- pany organization was maintained. Abram McDowell succeeded Captain Vance in command of the company, and his successors in turn were Robert Brotherton, Joseph McIlvain, Philo H. Olmsted and David Taylor, who was elected captain in 1824 and served in that capacity for three years.
He was first married, in September, 1826, to Nancy T. Nelson, by whom he had two children : Eliza, who was married to the late Samuel Sharp; and Robert N., now living at Upper Sandusky. In July, 1831, he was married to Margaret Shannon, who died soon after her marriage, and in May, 1836, he was married to Margaret Livingston, the oldest daughter of Judge Edward C. Livingston. Six children have been born of this marriage: David; Edward L .; Mary C., now the wife of Thomas Hibben; Henry C .; Martha, the wife of Samuel Lee; and Margaret L.,-all of whom are now living.
CHARLES SELBACH.
The spirit of self-help is the source of all genuine worth in an individual and is the means of bringing to man success when he has no advantages of wealth or influence to aid him. The life record of Mr. Selbach illustrates its power and shows in no uncertain manner what it is possible to accomplish when perseverance and determination form the keynote of a man's life. Depending upon his own resources and looking for no outside aid or support, he has risen from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the busi- ness world, and to-day he enjoys a well merited rest.
A·native of Germany, Mr. Selbach was born in Elberfelt, Prussia, in April, 1835, and is a son of Frank W. and Matilda (Shade) Selbach. The father spent his entire life in Germany, where he died in 1856, and the year 1858 the mother and her children emigrated to the United States. She landed at New York, accompanied by nine sons and two daughters, Charles, who was a member of the army, having been left behind. Her chief interest in life was to secure good advantages for her children and this determined her to leave her native land and bring her boys to America, where they would be exempt from army service. From New York she came direct with her family to Columbus, where a permanent location was made.
Charles Selbach was educated in the schools of his native country and there learned the trade of bookbinding with his father. When he had com- pleted his apprenticeship he entered the army and served faithfully for three years, on the expiration of which period he came to the United States, join- ing the family in Columbus. Soon he secured a situation in the employ of Foster, Jones & Company, bookbinders, with whom he continued through the years 1857-8. He spent a short time in St. Louis, working at his trade, but returned to the capital city and in 1861 enlisted in the service of his adopted land, as a member of Company G, Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, under
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General George W. Smith. After being mustered into the United States service he was ordered with his regiment to Virginia and took part in many of the skirmishes and battles of that part of the country, serving faithfully for two years and three months, on the expiration of which period he became ill. He was then taken to a hospital, where he was cared for several months, after which he was honorably discharged on the surgeon's certificate for dis- ability.
Returning to Columbus, Mr. Selbach engaged in the bookbinding busi- ness for M. C. Lilly. In 1865 he embarked in the grocery trade on his own account and successfully conducted the store for eighteen years.
In 1862 Mr. Selbach was united in marriage to Maria W. Jaeger, of Columbus, a daughter of Frederick Christian Jaeger. She was born in Germany and was brought to America by her parents when in her third year. Mr. and Mrs. Selbach had four sons and two daughters: Ernest F., Julius B. and Albert K. are the living. They lost two daughters and one son.
In his political views Mr. Selbach is a stanch Republican. During his stay in St. Louis he visited two or three slave sales. His uncle at that time was editing a Democratic paper and was a stanch supporter of the Democ- racy. Mr. Selbach had thought of affiliating with the same organization, but the scenes which he witnessed at two of the auction sales were such as to cause him to resolve never to cast a Democratic vote in favor of enslaving a human being. Thus he became a stalwart Republican and has never wavered in his allegiance to the principles of the grand old party. Socially he is identified with the Grand Army of the Republic. With a capacity and experience which would enable him to fulfill any trust to which he might be chosen, he has never sought to advance himself in office, but has been con- tent to do his duty where he could and leave the self-seeking to others. Viewed in a personal light, he is a strong man, of excellent judgment, fair in his views and highly honorable in his relations to his fellow men.
DAVID R. SUMMY, M. D.
Dr. David Rittenhouse Summy is a skilled physician and surgeon of Columbus, Ohio, whose knowledge of the science of medicine and surgery is broad and comprehensive and whose ability in applying its principles to the needs of suffering humanity has gained him an enviable reputation in professional circles. He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1853, a son of Peter H. Summy, who spent his entire life there, following the profession of a civil engineer for forty years and serving as the city engineer of Lancaster for some time. He died in 1888, at the age of sixty- six years. The paternal grandfather, John Summy, was also a native of Lancaster county, where he engaged in farming throughout his active business life. dying there at the age of forty-four years. The Doctor's mother was in her maidenhood Miss Susan Graeff, a daughter of Mathias Graeff. of Lancaster county, who served all through the war of 1812, and died in 1886,
DAVID R. SUMMY.
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at the advanced age of ninety-three years. At the time of his death he was still very active in body and mind, having never been ill a day in his life. By occupation he was a farmer.
Dr. Summy's literary education was obtained in the State Normal School at Millersville, Pennsylvania, and in Franklin & Marshall College, at Lancaster. He commenced the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. S. T. Davis, of the latter city, and later entered Jefferson Medical College, of Philadelphia, where he was graduated in 1883. In 1888 the Doctor came to Columbus, Ohio, and has since been in charge of the Hartman Sanitarium as the superintendent and surgeon, and also conducts a training school for nurses. The sanitarium is one of the most important institutions of the kind in the United States, having five regular physicians, students and a large staff of attendants. Its patients come from all parts of the United States and Canada, and are given the very best care and attention.
Dr. Summy was married, in Pennsylvania, to Miss Sarah E. Shindle, of Lancaster county, a daughter of Michael Shindle, whose ancestors have made their home in Lancaster county for several generations. Of the three children born to the Doctor and his wife, the only son died in infancy. The daugh- ters, Mina Belle and Pearl Graeff, are still living.
As a surgeon Dr. Summy has been successful, and his abilities are widely recognized. As a citizen he is ever ready to do his part toward advancing the interests of his adopted county, and he has therefore many friends who esteem him highly.
JOHN Q. LANDES AND MAHALA C. LANDES.
Few men have been more prominent in public affairs in Franklin county than John Q. Landes, an esteemed and valued resident of Jackson township. He was born in Madison county, Ohio, July 27, 1831. His father, John Landes, was born in Augusta county, Virginia, June 30, 1799, and the grand- father was born in the Old Dominion in 1757. He was a cabinetmaker and painter by trade, and in 1804 he settled in Ross county, Ohio. Subsequently he came to Franklin county, locating within the present limits of Columbus and afterward taking up his abode on a farm which he purchased in Hamil- ton township. There he resided for twenty years, when he sold out and retired from active business. He was a soldier in General Hull's army at: the time the British invaded Detroit, and was present when Hull surrendered that important post to the enemy, and thus he became a prisoner.
John Landes, the father of our subject, was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life in Franklin county. He married Nancy Houck, who was born in Centerburg, Knox county, Ohio. Her father, Jacob Houck, was a well-to-do farmer, owning seven hundred acres of land, upon a part of which the village of Centerbury now stands. He died about 1842. After their marriage the parents of our subject removed to Madison county, Ohio, and Mr. Landes took charge of the Eli Gwyn stock farm, upon which he 21
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remained until 1833, when he came to Hamilton township, Franklin county, locating on a rented farm. He resided on various places in that township until 1853, when he purchased and removed to a farm in Jackson township, making it his home until his death. He was a well-educated man and in 1845 was elected associate judge of Franklin county, filling the position with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents until 1850, when he was retired on account of a change made in the state constitution. He had pre- viously been employed on a stage-coach line for four years, from Columbus to Mount Vernon, and from Columbus to Chillicothe, Ohio.
John Q. Landes, whose name begins this review, acquired a good com- mon-school education in early life, later was a student in the Capital Uni- versity and subsequently pursued his studies for a year in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. He was married, September 27, 1855, to Miss Sarah J. Lewis, and to them were born the following children : Nancy C., born May 18, 1857; John B., born May 4, 1860; Jacob E., who was born September 7, 1862, and died in 1873; and Alwilda J., who was born October 2, 1865.
Mr. Landes was again married, February 2,. 1894, to Mrs. Mahala C. Duff. She is a daughter of William W. Burchnell, whose father was born in Germany and came to America about two months previous to the birth of his son William W., and located in Maryland. A year later they removed to Virginia. His father was a Lutheran minister and resided in Virginia until his death. William W. Burchnell was a potter by trade and success- fully engaged in business along that line in London, Madison county, Ohio. Mrs. Landes is proud of her ancestors, having descended on her mother's side from the Hull family, being a distant relative of General Hull above spoken of. Her grandfather, having served in the war of 1812 as minute- man, was an eye witness when Molly Pitcher was shot and hung suspended from a bridge. Mrs. Landes had a brother who served in the Mexican war and had two brothers and two brothers-in-law who served in the war of the Rebellion ; anl also had a cousin who served in the Spanish-American war.
In the widest sense of the term Mr. Landes, of this review, is a repre- sentative citizen of Franklin county. On the 2d of May, 1864, he mani- fested his loyalty to his country by enlisting for one hundred days' service in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was made sergeant and continued at the front until the close of his term. In politics he is a Democrat, but is not strongly partisan. Although he votes for the men and measures of the Democracy at state and national elections, at local elections where no issue is involved he votes independently. He filled with credit the office of justice of the peace for six years; was for four years mayor of Grove City and Harrisburg, and for five years was township clerk. For ten years he was a school director, has been a member of the township board of education, and for two years was a member of the board of education of the city of Columbus, ever discharging his duties so as to merit the confidence and trust reposed in him. Thirty-four years ago he
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was initiated into Mt. Sterling Lodge, F. & A. M., and has since been a worthy follower of the beneficent teachings of the order, his membership being now in Magnolia Lodge, No. 20. His wife is a lady of superior education and refinement and for eighteen years was a popular and successful teacher in the schools of Pickaway county. In manner she is genial and is an enter- taining conversationalist. Of the Methodist Episcopal church she is an exemplary member and to its support both Mr. and Mrs: Landes contribute liberally.
DR. E. O. MCCOLLUM.
Dr. E. O. McCollum is a young physician of fine professional attain- ments engaged in practice in Linden Heights. He is devoted to his profes- sion, is a close student of materia medica and keeps in close touch with the best thoughts of the ablest minds of the medical fraternity. Although his practice covers but a few years it has given him an excellent standing with the people of the community and his patronage is stead.ly and constantly increasing.
Edmund O'Dell McCollum is a native of Kentucky, his birth having occurred at Independence, in Kenton county, January 8, 1869. His parents were Elijah J. and Elizabeth C. (Thomasson) McCollum. The father was a native of Kentucky and a son of John McCollum, who was one of the pio- neers of Kenton county, that state, then known as Campbell county. He aided in opening up the way for civilization and resided in that pioneer dis- trict until 1849, when his life's labors were ended in death. He became a prominent farmer and the owner of an extensive tract of land. He donated the land which is now the town site of Independence and also gave the land on which was erected the courthouse of Kenton county. The McCollum family is of Scotch lineage, the original ancestors having been Highland Scotch, and from the country where the heather makes purple the hills came the first of the name to America, settling in Virginia. The Doctor's father was reared in Kentucky, and after arriving at years of maturity he married Elizabeth C. Thomasson, who was born in Campbell county and is a repre- sentative of an old Pennsylvania family, some of whose members removed to the Blue Grass state at an early day. The father died December 19, 1884, but the mother still survives. They were the parents of seven chil- dren, namely: Willie, Nellie, Atwood, Johny and Sammy, all deceased ; C. W., a practicing physician of Erlanger, Kentucky; and E. O., whose name introduces this record.
The early life of Dr. McCollum was passed upon a farm within the state of his birth, and in the public schools he obtained the rudiments of his edu- cation, completing his training in his home locality when he was seventeen years of age. He then spent a year in the Danville Normal School, at Dan- ville, Indiana, after which he began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. U. G. Senour, a prominent physician of Independence, Kentucky, who
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acted as his preceptor and prepared him for college. He then matriculated in the Medical College of Ohio, now known as the medical department of the University of Cincinnati, and spent three years in earnest study, being grad- uated with the class of 1892. Subsequently he took a post-graduate course in the institution, for he had no desire to engage in professional work without a thorough preparation and a firm belief in his own ability and power. This came from a full realization of the importance and responsibility which attaches to the physician.
After leaving college Dr. McCollum located at Winton Place, a suburb of Cincinnati, where he opened an office and for five years successfully engaged in practice. In 1897 he came to Linden Heights, in Franklin county, where he has since enjoyed a liberal patronage, his business growing as he has demonstrated his ability to successfully cope with the intricate problems that continually meet the physician. No two cases which come up for treatment are exactly the same, for the usual physical conditions of the patient influence the trend of the disease in illness. The complications are therefore continually different, and it requires sound judgment and ksen discernment, as well as careful diagnosis, in the treatment of disease.
Dr. McCollum was united in marriage to Miss Florence May Shelby, of Covington, Kentucky, on the 6th of September, 1892, and their union has been blessed with two children-Elizabeth Evelyn and Gladys Thelma. The Doctor anl his wife have many friends in Franklin county, the circle being limited only by the circle of their acquaintance. Prompted by a laudable ambition and a deep interest in his. work. Dr. McCollum is advancing steadily in his profession and to-day occupies a position which many an older prac- titioner might well envy.
MORGAN J. THOMAS.
The beauty of a city depends largely upon its architecture, and to those who design and construct its buildings is due the credit for the position it holds in this direction. Among those who have done much work that adorns the streets and avenues of Columbus is numbered Morgan J. Thomas, who is well versed in the details and interests of this branch of industry and is advancing rapidly toward a prominent position in his chosen calling, hav- ing already secured an extensive and lucrative business. He is prepared at all times to execute orders with ability and promptness and his business is carried on with that courtesy and fair dealing that ever marks the success- ful business man.
Morgan J. Thomas was born in Wales December 5, 1865, and is a son of David O. and Ann ( Jones) Thomas. In 1865 the parents and their chil- dren crossed the Atlantic to the United States, landing at New York, from which place they came direct to Ohio, locating in Licking county, where the father followed the occupation of a farmer. He and his wife still reside there.
The subject of this review was but an infant when brought to the new
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world and upon the pioneer homestead he was reared, early becoming familiar with all the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist, as he assisted his father in the cultivation of the fields. In the winter months he pursued his education in a primitive stone schoolhouse of the time. While the branches pursued were few they were well mastered,-this probably being not only because the students were fond of their work but also because the master believed in the adage, "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Leaving the schools, he was apprenticed to learn the carpenter's trade at Newark, Ohio, under Daniel E. Jones, and after completing the regular term he remained with Mr. Jones for six years, a most trusted and capable employe. He became an expert workman and after his removal to Columbus in 1889 found no difficulty in obtaining employment, working for different parties on public buildings and private dwellings until 1896, when he began contract- ing and building on his own account. He has erected many of the fine resi- dences of Columbus, doing all of the work from garret to cellar, and many of the store buildings and business blocks also stand as monuments to his enter- prise. He is a skillful mechanic and has the faculty of controlling and manag- ing men to good purpose,-essential elements in the successful conduct of a business and much to be admired.
In 1891 Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Laura Watkins, of Newark, Ohio, a daughter of James and Eleanor Watkins, and they have a pleasant home at No. 1040 West Broad street. In his political sentiments Mr. Thomas is a stalwart Republican and does all in his power to promote the growth and secure the success of his party. In the spring of 1898 he was elected a member of the school board of the fourteenth ward and in 1900 was re-elected for a second term of two years. In thorough sympathy with the public- school system of the land, he gives his endorsement to all measures and move- ments which he believes will promote the efficiency of the schools and advance their usefulness. Fraternally he is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a young man of strong purpose, of keen discernment and able management, and these factors will insure success in his business career.
LEROY W. TUSING.
Leroy W. Tusing, a son of G. WV. Tusing, was born in Violet township, Fairfield county, Ohio, December 10, 1847, and is now engaged in farming and sheep-raising in Truro township, Franklin county, Ohio. He began his education in the district schools of this county and later supplemented his early mental training by study in the high school at Pleasantville, Ohio. This was followed by a course in Duff Commercial College, of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and then he entered upon an independent business career by teaching school in Fairfield and Franklin counties, a profession which he fol- lowed for eight years with good success, winning an enviable reputation by reason of his ability in that line. During the period of school vacations he
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aided his father on the home farm. After his marriage he engaged in teach- ing during the winter for two years and then turned his attention to farming on his own account, operating sixty acres of land belonging to his father's estate. Since that time he has added to his property a tract of two hundred and seventy-five acres in Franklin county. He has cleared the timber from one hundred and fifty-five acres, has erected all of the buildings upon the place and made all the improvements there found. He has one of the best developed farms in the community, the richly cultivated fields giving indica- tion of his careful supervision and his progressive methods. He keeps the land in a productive condition by the rotation of crops and his bountiful har- vests bring to him a good income. He also owns one hundred and fifty acres of farming land in Union county, Ohio, but this he rents, and he has sixty-seven acres in Texas, also fifty-five town lots in Laporte, Texas, besides he has an interest in the Crown Mountain gold mine of Dahlonega, Georgia. His farming interests are well conducted and the energy and enterprise which have characterized his career have been the means of bringing to him gratify- ing success.
On the 16th of November, 1869, Mr. Tusing was united in marriage to Miss Louisa Roades, a daughter of Joseph Roades, and unto them have been born five children, three sons and two daughters. Len W. married Cora Palmer, of Licking county, Ohio, whose father, William Palmer, was an enterprising agriculturist there, and they are the parents of two children,- Fred and Bryan. Nannie, the second member of the family, is the wife of Collins Oldham, a farmer and dairyman of Truro township, Franklin county, and they have two sons and two daughters,-Cyril, Zola, Grace and one boy unnamed. Clauda is the wife of Charles Nessley, an enterprising farmer living in Fairfield county, Ohio, by whom she has one child, Ralph. Thur- man assists his father on the old homestead. Grover is pursuing his educa- tion in the schools of Brice.
Mr. Tusing is a member of the Primitive Baptist church, with which he has been identified for twenty-eight years. To its support he has con- tributed liberally and has done all in his power to promote the work and interests of the church. He also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and at national elections he is a Democrat. but in affairs concerning merely the township and county, where no political issue is involved, he votes inde- pendently of party ties. He is a man of well known reliability in business and in the community where he resides he has many warm friends.
HUGH H. CARR.
Hugh H. Carr, a member of the firm of Nichol & Carr, Columbus, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, near Greencastle, his natal day being May 20, 1852. He is a son of Hugh and Sarah ( McAnaly) Carr. The former, a native of Ireland, came to America in early childhood and after his marriage located upon a farm near Greencastle in Franklin county, Penn-
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sylvania, devoting his attention to agricultural pursuits until the death of Mrs. Carr, in 1877. His wife was a native of the Keystone state, and there his father, Hugh Carr, died in 1892.
Hugh H. Carr spent his childhood in his native county and enjoyed the benefits of a common-school education. He afterward became apprenticed to Henry Stoner, under whose direction he learned the carpenter's trade, and on the completion of his term of service worked as a journeyman for some time. The year 1876 witnessed his arrival in the capital city, where for two years he was in the employ of others. On the expiration of that period he returned to Pennsylvania, where he remained from 1877 until 1886, when he once more became identified with the interests of Columbus as a contractor and builder. His labors have since been an important factor in the improvement of the city, and fine private residences, business houses, churches and some of the public buildings stand as monuments to his skill, his enterprise and his honorable business methods.
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