USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 45
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Biggert have been born five children: Mary Susan, born January 5, 1873; Samuel Thomas, born August 31, 1874; Rebecca Jo- sephine, born September 8, 1876, and died at the age of eighteen years; Sebastian, who was born October 14, 1878, and was married September 12, 1900, to Tracy Grossman, their home being now in Galloway; and Blanche Olive, who was born April 10, 1889. Mr. Biggert has always taken an ac- tive interest in politics and has ever adhered to Democratic principles. He has served for many years as school director, was trustee of his township for three years and for four terms served as township treasurer. In 1892 he was elected county commissioner for one term, and in all these positions he has discharged his duties with promptness and fidelity, thus winning the high commendation of his constituents.
JAMES S. BRITTON.
The population of the city of Columbus, Ohio, contains among its cit- izens many men of means who have settled here in comparative retirement, after an active life upon the farm. Among those of this class is the highly respected subject of the present sketch, whose residence in Columbus dates from 1884. Mrs. Britton was born in Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio, October 20, 1822. His parents were Benjamine and Eliza- beth Grace Britton, the former a native of Frederick county, Virginia, bors September 14, 1779. Soon after marriage, in 1811, he removed to Norwich township, becoming a farmer on the west bank of the Scioto river in Ohio, and remained in that locality until his decease. He was a good man, a minister of the Christian church, devoting fifty-one years to the preaching of the gospel, riding a circuit in pioneer days. He died Sep- tember 26, 1860. The mother of our subject was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, January 20, 1780, and died March 26, 1846. Her father was a native of Ireland, but the paternal ancestors came from England, first settling in Pennsylvania.
James S. Britton spent his boyhood on the farm in Norwich township, for a short time receiving instruction in a subscription school, later attending a private school, where he received a fair education. He remained with his father on the farm, until the time of his marriage, after which he settled on a farm in Norwich township, near Hilliard, where he engaged in farming until 1860. At that time he removed to Hilliard and opened a general store. Mr. Britton made a success of this undertaking, conducting the store in con- nection with farming, and dealing in hogs and cattle. In 1884 he disposed
369
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of his store, but retained the farm and removed to the city of Columbus, Ohio, where he has since resided.
The first marriage of Mr. Britton was to Miss Virginia Saunders, a daughter of Miskell Saunders, of Franklin township, her death occurring in February, 1896. She was a devoted Christian woman, beloved by all. Mr. Britton was married, a second time, to Miss Melvilta Barbee, an accomplished, cultured lady, a daughter of James Barbee, of Franklin county.
In his political opinions Mr. Britton has always been a Democrat and has always been a strong advocate of the prohibition of the liquor traffic. He has never sought office, although he served one term as a justice of the peace. For thirty years he has been a consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal church, where his many admirable traits of character are recog- nized. The beautiful home of the family, located in one of the best residence portions of the city, was erected fifteen years ago, and there Mr. and Mrs. Britton delight to dispense a generous hospitality.
Some years ago Mr. Britton donated to the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware a farm and the property where he resides, the whole value of which is thirty thousand dollars, with the intention of endowing a chair in said university to be named for Mr. Britton, and conveyed the property to the university, reserving a life estate for himself and his wife in the residence property. This is only one of the many acts of benevolence by Mr. Britton known to the writer of this sketch. He has helped to educate a number of young men and young women and contributed largely to the erection of churches.
EDWARD N. COBERLY.
For almost two decades Edward Newton Coberly has been engaged in general merchandising in Georgesville, and is also proprietor of a well-im- proved farm in Pleasant township. He was born in Madison county, Ohio, on the 7th of August, 1853, but during his infancy was brought by his par- ents to Franklin county. The family is of English ancestry and was founded in the new world at an early period of its development. The grandfather, William Coberly, was born in Virginia, was a farmer by occupation, and on removing to Ohio located in either Ross or Madison county. When the war of 1812 was in progress he enlisted as a private, but on reaching Frank- linton learned that peace had been declared. He was twice married and died in Madison county, near Walnut Run.
William Coberly, the father of our subject, was the youngest child of his father's first marriage. He was born in Madison county in 1823, was reared to farm life and pursued his education in the district schools, but his privileges in that direction were quite meager. His mother died when he was a child and he went to live with an uncle, Job Coberly, in Madison county, with whom he remained until he attained man's estate. He married Margaret Gardner, who was born in Franklin county in 1827, a daughter of
370
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Edward Tiffin and Sarah ( Hall) Gardner, the latter born in Virginia in 1801. Mr. Gardner was connected with the family of Governor Tiffin. After his marriage the father of our subject resided for one year in Madison county and then came to Pleasant township, Franklin county, where he purchased a small farm east of Georgesville. He died February 4, 1890, but his wife is still living on the old homestead. Both held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was a stanch Republican, unswerving in his support of the principles of the party. The children of this worthy couple were: Edward N .: William Parker, who married Minnie Gardner and is living in Pleasant township: Sarah, who died at the age of six years; Margaret, who died in infancy; and Thomas W., who is upon the home place.
In Pleasant township Edward Newton Coberly was reared, spending his youth upon the farm, and in the district schools acquired his education. As soon as old enough to follow the plow he began working in the field's, and from the time of early spring planting until crops were garnered in the autumn he aided in the work of cultivating and improving his father's land. His preparation for a home of his own was completed on the 26th of March, 1878, by his marriage to Melissa Scott, of Pleasant township. She was born in the old town of Georgesville, January 19, 1853, a daughter of William and Martha ( Upp) Scott. They now have two children. Edward Dwight and Marie Hazel. The son is now attending the Ohio State University and the daughter is a student in the Columbus high school.
After his marriage Mr. Coberly removed to Georgesville, where he en- gaged in teaching the district schools for ten years. He then turned his attention to merchandising and since 1882 has conducted his general store, carrying a large line of goods, for which he finds a ready sale, having a large patronage. He is also the owner of a farm of one hundred ten and three- fourths acres in Pleasant township, and is a dealer in coal. "Keep out of debt" has been his motto in business matters, and he owes no man he cannot pay on demand, and was never in a suit at law, either as plaintiff or defend- ant, and has never sent a collector to any patron of his store. His various business interests are well conducted, and his enterprising spirit enables him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes. In politics he is a staunch Republican, and during President Garfield's administration he capably served as postmaster of Georgesville. During his long residence in the county he has formed a wide acquantance, and the fact that many who have known him from boyhood are numbered among his best friends is an indication that his career has ever been an upright one.
HERMAN F. SCHIRNER.
Prominent in the musical circles of Columbus is Herman Frederick Schirner. As his name indicates, he is a representative of that nation which has given to the world its finest musical compositions. The love of music is
371
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
characteristic of the German people and is one of the dominating elements in its culture. Mr. Schirner of this review has done much to promote the love of this great art and to improve the musical tastes of the people with whom he is associated as a resident of Ohio's capital city.
A native of the duchy of Saxony, he was born near the home of the re- nowned composer Liszt. Bach was a native of that locality, his birth having occurred at Weimar, and in the community resided many famous pupils who were instructed by Liszt. The Duke of Weimar encouraged musical education in that locality and made it one of the musical centers of the country. There the father of our subject engaged in merchandising, and Herman F. spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that favorite locality, acquiring his educa- tion from private teachers, having the best masters. He continued in Ger- many until twenty-two years of age, when, in 1856, he bade adieu to friends and native land and crossed the Atlantic to America. The following year he accepted the position of professor of music in the Seminary of Worthington, Franklin county, Ohio, and in 1860 became the superintendent of the musical department in the Wesleyan Female College, at Delaware, where he remained for three years, also teaching German. In 1863 he began teaching music in Columbus and has since been a very prominent factor in the musical circles of this city. He spent the summer of 1875 in the Fatherland. It was his intention to sail on the steamer Schiller, which was lost off Scilly island. His brother and his wife and a friend were among the passengers on that ill- fated vessel, and had it not been for illness, which prevented his sailing, Professor Schirner would also have embarked on that steamer. He, how- ever, sailed on the next steamer and did not learn of the wreck until he had arrived in England. From that country he made his way to his native land and pleasantly spent the summer amid the scenes of his boyhood, renewing old acquaintances with the friends of former years. Professor Schirner's great love of the "art divine" is one element in his success as a teacher, and combined with this in his excellent ability to explain to his students the ele- ments and principles of music. For twenty-five years he has given his ser- vices gratuitously for benevolent purposes, aiding in many concerts that have been given for charity, and he was specially helpful in this way during the war, when entertainments were given for the purpose of raising funds for the benefit of the "boys in blue" at the front.
Professor Schirner was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Schrader, a native of Columbus and a daughter of August Schrader, who for many years occupied a position in the city engineer's office as draftsman and archi- tect. He has been liberally educated, enjoying the privileges of a course in the University at Berlin. His death occurred in 1893, when he had attained the age of eighty-two years. Three children have been born unto the Profes- sor and his wife, two sons and a daughter : Oliver E., who is employed in the Hayden Clinton Bank; Otto Herman, who is employed in the Deshler Bank; and Dorothea Amelia, who is in school. The family is one of prominence, occupying a leading position in social circles. Professor Schirner is a member
372
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of the Humbolt Verein, the leading musical and literary society of Columbus, and for many years was a member of the Maennerchor. For three years, from 1863 to 1866, he was the organist in the Second Presbyterian church and afterward served the Universalist church in that way. He now attends the services of the Independent church, and in politics he is somewhat inde- pendent, but usually votes with the Republican party. A man of scholarly attainments and broad culture, he has done much to improve the musical tastes of the city and to spread the knowledge of that art "which is the universal language of mankind."
JONATHAN E. PARK.
Jonathan E. Park is now living retired after long years of connection with the agricultural interests, his home being in New Albany. He is num- bered among the native sons of Franklin county, his birth having occurred in Blendon township, on the 18th of May, 1831, his parents being Ezekiel and Elizabeth (Crist) Park. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the war of 1812. He went to the front and was probably killed in battle, for nothing was ever heard from him again. His widow then reared her children and about 1828 came with her family to Ohio, locating in Licking county, where she spent her remaining days. The father of our subject was born in Ken- tucky, in 1808, and during his early childhood his parents removed to Vir- ginia, settling in the Shenandoah valley. After his father's death he became the main stay of the family and in early life assumed the burden of caring for his mother and the younger children. After his mother's death he came to Franklin county and purchased ninety acres of land in Blendon township, constituting the farm now owned by Jonah Crist. It was then an unbroken forest tract, and, clearing away the trees, he built a log cabin and continued the further work of developing and improving his farm. He completed his arrangements for a home by his marriage and then provided for his family through his agricultural pursuits. He resided upon his pioneer farm until 1845, when he went to Plain township to assume the management of a farm belonging to his father-in-law, Abraham Crist. He had married Elizabeth Crist and unto them were born eleven children, namely: Jonathan E., Mary A., the wife of Levi Swickard, a farmer of Plain township; Samuel W., an agriculturist of the same township; Abraham C., who follows farming in Mifflin township; Sarah J., now the widow of Jacob Searfoss, of Plain township; Charlotte E., widow of Owen Nutt, and a resident of Genoa town- ship, Delaware county; William F., who follows farming in Blendon town- ship; David P., an agriculturist of Plain township; Amanda A., the wife of John Ogden, a blacksmith of Gahanna, Ohio; Saphrona E., who became the wife of Hosea Carpenter, a farmer of Plain township; and Caroline E., the widow of Martin Cubbage, a farmer of Blendon township. In 1863 the mother of this family died and later in the same year the father married Mrs. Henderson, with whom he removed to Harlem, Delaware county.
373
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
She survived her marriage fifteen years, and after her death Mr. Park returned to Plain township, Franklin county, making his home with his son, Samuel, on the old Crist farm. He lived to the age of eighty-three years and never had occasion to employ a physician in his own behalf. He gave his political support to the Democracy and for many years was justice of peace in Delaware county. Connected with military affairs he served for years as captain of the state militia. He was a gentleman of commanding presence and was said to be among the strongest men ever in the county. He enjoyed the respect and regard of all with whom he was associated and was an active worker and licensed exhorter in the United Brethren church, doing all in his power to advance the cause of Christianity among his fellow men.
Jonathan E. Park, whose name introduces this record, remained on the old family homestead and became familiar with all the duties and labors of the agriculturist. His preliminary education, acquired in the public schools, was supplemented by study in Otterbein University, at Westerville. He was a member of the first class, was present at the founding of the school and carried a banner at the time of the fiftieth anniversary of its estab- lishment, held in Westerville, in 1897. At that time he was the only man present who had witnessed the founding of the institution a half century before.
On the 22d of September, 1853, Mr. Park was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Rex, of Summit county, Ohio, a daughter of Jacob Rex, a prominent agriculturist of that community. The young couple began their domestic life upon a portion of a farm in Plain township which he still owns and occupies, he and his father having purchased ninety acres of land some months previous. They divided the property, our subject becoming the owner of forty-five acres, and about a year and a half later Mr. Park of this review purchased an adjoining thirty-acre tract of land on which was good build- ings and substantial improvements. He then took up his abode upon the new place and resided there for a quarter of a century. He then purchased his present home farm and continued there until November, 1900, when he re- moved to New Albany, where he is now living a retired life. He had acquir- ed two hundred and forty acres of land, one hundred acres of which he has given and sold to his son, but retaining possession of one hundred and forty- four acres which is well improved and yields to him an excellent income.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Park have been born five children, of whom four are yet living, as follows : Lewis E., of this township; Augustus E., a commercial traveler of Columbus, Ohio; Lovett E., a practicing physician of Basil, Fair- field county, Ohio, whose reputation extends to many adjoining counties; Ida M., wife of H. G. Youngker, of Wayne county, Ohio; and Lucy A., de- ceased wife of John Frank Clymer. The mother of this family died January T, 1884, and the same year Mr. Park was joined in wedlock to Estella L. Kitsmiller, who had formerly been a Miss Carpenter. By this marriage there were two children, Maud E., at home, and William Jonathan, now deceased.
Mr. Park is in sympathy with the temperance movement, believing in
374
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
closing the liquor traffic, and he embodies his views on the question in his sup- port of the Prohibition party. He holds membership in the Radical United Brethren church, is one of its trustees and has been class leader, steward and secretary of the quarterly conference. He served for one torm as trustee of his township, but has not been an office seeker, preferring to devote his ener- gies to his own business affairs. He owes his success in life entirely to his own efforts and all that he has has been acquired through farming and stock raising. He began life empty-handed and through close attention to business, honorable methods and untiring perseverance he has advanced steadily to a position of affluence, being now numbered among the substantial citizens of his community.
FERDINAND SIEGEL.
The subject of this sketch is one of the leaders of the Democratic party in Columbus and vicinity, his large acquaintance and unbounded popularity giving him an influential following, while his shrewd judgment of men and affairs make his counsel of value in all important movements. . In business affairs he also takes foremost rank as a successful lawyer, and is associated in practice with his brother. Frank A.
Mr. Siegel was born in Troy, Ohio, in 1856, a son of Ferdinand Siegel, Sr., who was born in Baden Baden, Germany, in 1812, and as a boy was a friend of General Sigel, living only nine miles apart in their native land. The father of our subject was a student in both English and German in the Lyceum of his birthplace. Coming to the new world, he, in 1843, located in Troy, Ohio, where he made his home until locating on a farm in Putnam county, in 1860, where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1888. He took a great interest in local affairs, served as township trustee or several terms, and was a member of the school board for a quarter of a century. Politically he was a supporter of the Democratic party, and religiously was an earnest member of the Presbyterian church. In Dayton, Ohio, he mar- ried Miss Mayt Akre, also a native of Baden Baden, Germany, who died in 1872, at the age of forty-nine years.
The primary education of Ferdinand Siegel, Jr., was obtained in the pub- lic schools of Putnam county. Later he attended the Troy high school and Eastman's Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, graduating at the latter institution in 1875. He then successfully engaged in teaching school in Putnam county until 1880, when he came to Columbus and commenced the study of law with the firm of Collins & Atkinson. On his admission to the bar in 1882, he at once opened an office in Columbus, and has since success- fully engaged in general practice at that place. Here he was united in mar- riage to Miss Matilda Koch, a daughter of Peter and Jacobina S. ( Becher) Koch, both natives of Germany. Her father died in October, 1899, aged eighty-nine years, her mother in 1893, aged sixty-nine. The latter was the oldest milliner in Columbus, having been in continuous business for forty years. Both were highly respected and esteemed by all who knew them,
375
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Mr. and Mrs. Siegel have two children: Marguerite, aged nine years; and Lester, aged five.
As a Democrat Mr. Siegel has taken a very prominent part in political affairs, and as a speaker and writer in both English and German his influ- ence has been felt throughout the state. He has written much for the Democratic press on the money and tariff questions, and many of these ar- ticles have been copied and used by the national committee, including two addresses on the money question in 1896. Mr. Siegel is a thorough believer in the principles of bimetallism, and is the president of the Gold and Silver League of Central Ohio, one of the largest political organizations in the state. He has corresponded largely with most of the prominent senators, congressmen and public men, and stands deservedly high in political circles. He has never asked for office, however, but seeks to advise and move opinion as a private citizen.
WILLIAM H. BARBEE.
William H. Barbee, deceased, through the years of his identification with Franklin county, enjoyed the highest respect of his fellow citizens by reason of his sterling worth, strict integrity and honorable dealings. His devotion to the public welfare also made him a valued factor in public life, and by his death the community was deprived of one of her best citizens.
A native of this county, Mr. Barbee was born in Jackson township, April 26, 1841. His father, William Barbee, was born in Virginia, and when a small boy came to Franklin county, Ohio, where during the years of his manhood he followed the occupation of farming. He married Eliza Rowles, a native of Maryland, and to them were born eight children, six sons and two daughters, all born in Jackson township.
Of this family William H. Barbee was the eldest son. He was reared to manhood in his native township, and the education he acquired in its pub- lic schools was supplemented by a course of study at Otterbein University. His school days over, he embarked in the stock business, which he followed many years, being one of the leading stock dealers of Grove City, where he made his home, and he also engaged in farming with good success.
In Fairfield county, Ohio, Mr. Barbee was married, in 1864, to Miss Martha R. Leib, a native of that county and a daughter of Joseph and Clarissa (Allen) Leib. The father was also born in Fairfield county, and was a son of Joseph Leib, Sr., who on coming to this state from Pennsylvania at an early day located there. Her mother was a descendant of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame. She was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, and was a daughter of Levi Allen, who located in Muskingum county at an early day and followed the occupation of farming. Mrs. Barbee is the seventh in order of birth in a family of nine children, four sons and five daughters, all of whom reached years of maturity. She was reared in the county of her na- tivity and was fitted for the teacher's profession in the schools of Lancaster,
376
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
after which she successfully engaged in teaching in the schools of Fairfield and Perry counties for three years. With the exception of a few years spent in Columbus, she has made her home in Grove City since her marriage, and here she is surrounded by a large circle of friends and acquaintances who have for her the highest regard. To Mr. and Mrs. Barbee were born two daughters: Clara Eliza, the elder, is now the wife of E. C. Wagner, of Grove City. Annabel is the widow of Dr. Frank Obets and has a little daughter, Frances Ruth. Dr. Obets was born in this county, and was edu- cated for his profession at the Starling Medical College, Columbus, and also at other schools. He became a prominent physician of Columbus, where he was successfully engaged in practice for some years.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.