USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 52
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EDWARD LIVINGSTON TAYLOR.
The subject of this review is a well-known and prominent member of the legal profession of the city of Columbus, Ohio. He was born in Frank- lin county, this state, March 20, 1839, and came from a noble ancestry that traces without break as far into the past as the year 1612. The Taylor fam- ily removed from Argyleshire, Scotland, to the north of Ireland about 1612 27
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and settled in Londonderry and its vicinity. More than a century afterward some of its members came to America and located at what was then named Londonderry, in New Hampshire, but which now bears the name of Derry. At this place Robert Taylor was born, April 16, 1759, he becoming the father of David Taylor, and thus the grandfather of our subject, Edward L. Taylor. In 1763 this branch of the Taylor family removed to the province of Nova Scotia and settled at the town of Truro, at the head of the bay of Fundy, and it was there that Robert Taylor was married to Mehitable Wilson, De- cember 6, 1781, and there also David Taylor, the fourth son of this union, was born, July 24, 1801. In 1806 he came with his family to Ohio, making his home for two years at the city of Chillicothe ; but in 1808 he built a house on the west bank of Walnut creek, in what is now Truro township. Franklin county. This was the first frame house constructed in that part of the county, and there he lived until his death. March 28, 1828. David Taylor, his son, continued to live in the same township until 1859, at which time he took up his residence on East Broad street, Columbus, where he died July 29, 1889, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.
On the maternal side Mr. Taylor is descended from the well-known family of Livingston, highly esteemed in many states of the Union where its representatives reside. His grandfather was Judge Edward C. Living- ston, who came from the state of New York to Ohio in 1804 and settled in Franklin county. He was a man of collegiate education, having graduated at Union College, New York, before coming to Ohio. He was a man of high social and intellectual qualities, but, unlike the majority of his family, he had no taste for politics or public office. The tendency of his nature was toward a quiet home life, and the house which he erected on the west bank of Alum creek in 1808 became and remained through his life the center of genial hospitality and social enjoyment. He was not able to avoid all public life, having been made an associate judge of Franklin county in 1821, and was retained until 1829. When the township of Montgomery, which includes the city of Columbus, was organized, in 1807, it was named by Judge Liv- ingston, in honor of General Richard Montgomery, with whom his father had served in the war of the Revolution and with whom he was in service at Quebec when Montgomery was killed.
On the 16th of May, 1836, David Taylor was married to Margaret, the eldest daughter of Edward C. Livingston, and our subject, Edward Liv- ingston Taylor, was the second son of that marriage. He was educated in the best schools and prepared for a college course, which he took at the Miami University, where he graduated in 1860 and at once began the study of law in the office of the late Chauncey N. Olds at Columbus, Ohio.
Just at this time the Civil war broke out and his law studies were sus- pended, he enlisting in a volunteer company as a private soldier. After the termination of his services he resumed his law studies, but in July. 1862, he was commissioned to raise a company, which duty he accomplished in a short time and was assigned to the Ninety-fifth Ohio Volunteer Regiment. He was
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engaged in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, August 30, 1862, where he received a slight wound and was taken prisoner. A few days later he secured his release and served with his regiment in the Army of the Tennessee until the close of the siege of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. During that siege he was seized with fever, which so debilitated him that he was compelled to leave the service and resigned his commission July 5, 1863, and was retired from the army on account of disability. He was admitted to the bar by the supreme court of Ohio in November, 1862, and after the close of the war commenced the practice of his profession at Columbus, remaining in this city ever since.
Mr. Taylor was married to Miss Catherine Noble Meyers, a grand- daughter of Colonel John Noble, late of Franklin county, on July 14, 1864. A family of five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, of whom four are living. The entire time of Mr. Taylor has been taken up in the practice of his profession, and many of the most important legal battles of the day have been those in which he has borne a leading part. He has crossed swords in many cases with some of the leaders of the profession and has never caused his clients to regret his espousal of their cause. Never desirous of public position, he has refused being a candidate for many offices, but has done service in upholding the principles of the Republican party, recognizing the duty of every public man to set a good example to the masses. He has made it a rule of life not to vote for or support unworthy or incom- petent persons when such have obtained a place on his party ticket. This is a cardinal principle with him, as he deems the right of voting the most sacred of the duties imposed on an American citizen.
ELIAS T. O'HARRA.
Elias Thompson O'Harra is a dealer in grain and coal in Lockbourne, and has long been actively identified with the business interests of that place. He was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, November 21, 1847, and is of Irish lineage, his great-grandfather having been a native of the Emerald Isle, whence he crossed the Atlantic to America. John O'Harra, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of Ohio, and Hugh O'Harra, the father, was born in this state in 1797. Having arrived at years of ma- turity, he wedded Ann Corn, who died when their son Elias was only about five years of age, so that nothing is known of his maternal ancestry. The father's death occurred September 9, 1856. In their family were ten chil- dren, and with the exception of two all reached adult age, while those now living are John C., of Pickaway county, Ohio; Margaret, widow of John Markel, of Findlay, Ohio; Mary, who resides with her brother Elias; Jane, wife of D. Elliott, of Alton, Franklin county ; and Thomas, of Findlay, Ohio. William also reached mature years but has now passed away, while Hugh, formerly of Decatur, Illinois, is also deceased.
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Elias T. O'Harra was the ninth in order of birth in this family. He remained at the place of his nativity until fourteen years of age, and then started out to earn his own livelihood. For four years he lived with Joshua Hedges and was given his board and clothing in compensation for his services. In 1866 he entered the employ of Stephen Cromley, and worked by the month for five years. Before leaving home he had attended the com- mon schools, but not content with his educational privileges, he pursued his studies for a year at Delaware, Ohio, after leaving the employ of Mr. Cromley.
Mr. O'Harra next went to Pickaway county and purchased a farm, con- tinuing its cultivation for ten years. In 1882 he disposed of that property and the following year rented a farm. In the spring of 1884 he came to Hamilton township, Franklin county, locating at Lockbourne, where he pur- chased the site of his present enterprise and embarked in the grain business. He remodeled the elevator, putting in new machinery and improving it in many ways. He has since been engaged in the grain business here with the exception of the years 1891 and 1892. In the former year he sold out, but when two years had passed he resumed operations in grain at his old place of business. He now buys and ships grain and also handles coal, and his sales have reached large proportions, bringing to him an excellent income.
Mr. O'Harra was married in Franklin county in 1893 to Miss Delphine Stimmel, who was born and reared in Hamilton township and is a daughter of John and Mary Stimmel, who were early and worthy settlers of that town- ship. Mr. and Mrs. O'Harra now have three children: Frances Lucile, John Hugh and Mary Esther. In his political affiliations he is a Democrat, and for about twelve years served as treasurer of Hamilton township, dis- charging his duties in a most prompt and creditable manner. He is a valued representative of Lockbourne Lodge, No. 232, F. & A. M., being recognized as a loyal follower of its teachings. From the age of fourteen Mr. O'Harra has depended entirely upon his own resources, and therefore deserves great credit for what he has accomplished. His possessions stand as a monument to his enterprise, and his example should serve to encourage others, as it shows the opportunities that lie before young men who are ambitious, reso- lute and determined. He has a wide acquaintance and his well-spent life has gained him the regard of all who know him.
JOSEPH SAUER.
The German element in our national commonwealth has been an import- ant one. The sons of the fatherland having come to the new world have readily adapted themselves to the different conditions, customs and surround- ings, and with a resolution so characteristic of the Teutonic race have worked their way steadily upward, becoming prominent in commercial circles. One of the most successful business men of Columbus is Joseph Sauer, who was born in Kurhessen. Germany, May 6, 1846, a son of John and Mary Ann (Brehl) Sauer. The father was a prosperous farmer and owned a valuable
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tract of land of two hundred and forty acres. Both he and his wife spent their entire days in Germany.
The subject of this review pursued his education in the schools of his native land between the ages of seven and thirteen years. He afterward worked upon the home farm until he had attained his twentieth year, when he determined to seek a home and fortune in America, for he had heard very favorable reports of the opportunities offered in the land of the free. Bid- ding adieu to home and friends, he sailed for New York, where he arrived December 21, 1866. Immediately afterward he went to Lancaster, Penn- sylvania, where he remained for four years, during which time he learned the butcher's trade, and after completing his apprenticeship he was employed for a brief period as a farm hand near Lancaster.
In 1870 Mr. Sauer came to Columbus, where he was employed by Philip Wollner, and afterward by Philip Izels, and others. In 1872 he began busi- ness on his own account, and soon afterward entered into partnership with John Schmidt in the butchering and packing business. They also engaged in smoking meats and at the same time conducted a retail meat market. This partnership was maintained for eighteen years and prosperity attended the efforts of the firm. On the expiration of that period Mr. Sauer purchased his partner's interest and became the sole owner of an extensive business, which has constantly grown in volume until it has assumed a considerable magnitude, making the enterprise one of the most important in this line in Ohio. Mr. Sauer owns the meat market at No. 771 South Third street, known as the Central Market. He employs a large force of men and gives his personal attention to all branches of his business. He is a memebr of the German Butchers' Association, of Franklin county, in which he has served as president and treasurer.
On the 16th of May, 1872, Mr. Sauer was united in marriage to Mag- dalena Berger, of Columbus, a daughter of Joseph and Magdalena (Kar- ger) Berger. She was born in Germany and when one year old was brought by her parents to the United States. She was reared and educated in Columbus and is a lady of superior culture and refinement, taking a great interest, not alone in the management of the family, but also in her husband's success. Their union has been blessed with four children: Henry J., John Adam, Magdalena Louise and Marie Bertha. The parents have provided their children with good educational privileges, thus fitting them for the various duties of life. Their home is located at No. 1381 South High street. The family are members of the Holy Cross Catholic church. Mr. Sauer owns a small tract of land, of seven acres, in the southern part of the city and has erected thereon a fine brick residence. It is built in modern style of architecture and supplied with all the latest improvements and con- veniences which add to the comfort of the home, and is thus a very attractive and desirable property. Mr. Sauer came to America with but little capital. yet he has realized the hope which brought him to the new world and to-day he stands foremost among the prominent business men of his adopted city.
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He has the ability to control extensive commercial and industrial interests, forms his plans readily and carries them forward to the desired culmination. As the architect of his own fortunes he has builded wisely and well and his prosperity is certainly justly merited.
MARTIN A. WINTERS.
Martin A. Winters is one of the oldest and most reliable and efficient passenger engineers on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad and is numbered among the representative men in the railway service who resides in Columbus. He was born October 31, 1855, in Washington county, Penn- sylvania, and his paternal grandfather was a native of Cherry Valley, that county. Joseph Winters, the father of our subject, was born in the same county in 1820, was a blacksmith by trade and died in 1856 from injuries received from the kick of a horse. His wife died soon afterward and they left two sons, Martin and Clark. The latter is a very prominent lawyer of Los Angeles, California.
Martin A. Winters spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his native county and there acquired his education. He has an enviable record as an engineer. He began work on the railroad when only eleven years of age as a water boy on the section. This was in 1866 and he was thus employed for three years, after which he began taking care of an engine at McDonald, Pennsylvania. After a year's service he came to Dennison, Ohio, and worked in the railroad shops for about a year. In 1871 he became fireman on the Pan Handle Railroad, running from Columbus to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, on the pay car, Joshua Griffith serving as engineer. He held that run for three years and then came to Columbus, taking charge of an engine at the roundhouse in the Pan Handle yards. His service in that capacity continued for three and a half years, after which he accepted a position as engineer on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, running a freight engine for some time, after which he was promoted to a passenger engine in 1888. He has since been in continuous service and is regarded as a most reliable and painstaking employe. On the 15th of November, 1891, he sustained serious injuries and at the same time displayed remarkable presence of mind and great skill in bringing his train to a stop and preventing a collision with a freight train. The train was loaded with excursionists from Cleveland, bound for Cincinnati. The order was for Engineer Winter's men to make Columbus on schedule time. The run was being made at seventy miles an hour, down grade. They were nearing Homesville when the right side rod of the engine broke, tearing away everything in reach. In order to stop the train it was necessary to cut the hose between the tender and baggage car and Mr. Winters was equal to the emergency, crawling between the tender and car and performing the task so that the train was stopped and the col- lision avoided. Our subject, however, sustained twenty-six injuries, some of which were very serious. The passengers, on learning of their narrow escape
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from a frightful disaster, secured a purse and presented it to the engineer. Mr. Winters, therefore, is very highly esteemed by the railroad company by reason of his faithfulness and fidelity.
In 1876, in Columbus, he married Miss May Swartz, who died in October, 1896, leaving the following children : Joseph, Frank, Martin, Mary, Katie, Herbert and Bernard. On the Ist of October, 1897, Mr. Winters was again married, his second union being with Miss Julia Swartz, a sister of his former wife. By this union there is one son, Allison A. Her father, Peter Swartz, who was a stonemason by trade, died in 1870. His wife, Mrs. Julia Swartz, was born in 1827, in Germany, came to the United States in 1850, and in 1852 gave her hand in marriage to Peter Swartz. Since that time she resided in Columbus until her death, January 14, 1901. Mr. and Mrs. Swartz became the parents of seven children, the first two bearing the name of George, and the others are: Henry, William, Mary, Kate and Julia. For a quarter of a century Mr. Winters has resided in Columbus and dwells at No. 606 St. Clair avenue, where he located soon after coming to the city. He is a man of sterling worth, very faithful in business and among all with whom he is acquainted he enjoys high regard.
EDWARD S. JONES.
Edward S. Jones was born in Mineral Spring, Ohio, April 25, 1867, and is one of the eight children whose parents were Samuel and Sophia (Clark) Jones. The father was born near Mineral Spring, in Adams county, December 21, 1826, and was a son of Mathew and Jane ( Thurman) Jones, who were natives of New England and came to Ohio from Pennsylvania. The father of our subject was reared on the home farm and after his mar- riage he engaged in farming on his own account. His labors were attended with a high and commendable degree of success. At one time he was the owner of three hundred and twenty-seven acres of valuable land near Mineral Spring, and he continued his active operation of the farm until about 1893, when he retired from business life and took up his abode in Mineral Spring, where he is still living. His wife was also born on a farm in that locality, the Clark homestead adjoining the Jones farm, so that in childhood the parents lived as neighbors. The date of her birth was in January, 1838, and her parents were James H. and Jane Clark, natives of New England, whence they went to the Keystone state and later came to Ohio. Her father was a farmer and merchant. The mother of our subject acquired a good edu- cation and for a number of years prior to her marriage was a teacher in the public schools. She was also a fluent and entertaining writer and during the Civil war was a correspondent for various publications. Through her writing she became one of the well known women of her day. Her death occurred in 1868, when her son Edward was but ten months old. Of her eight children, seven are yet living, namely: Jennie, the wife of J. N. Holt, a teacher in the public schools near Peebles, Ohio; Mathew J., also a teacher
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at Fawcett, Ohio; Sarah, the wife of Henry Jobe, a farmer of Greenfield, Ohio; John W., who is superintendent of the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Columbus ; Paul K., an agriculturist living at Peoria, Illinois; Dahlgren, a farmer of Peebles, Ohio; and Edward. After the death of his first wife the father was again married, in November, 1869, his second union being with Mrs. W. H. Calloway, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Toler. She is still living with her husband at Mineral Springs. They have six children : George W., a merchant of Stockport, Ohio; Samuel S., a farmer of Peoria, Illinois; Lilly, wife of Arthur Tucker, a carpenter of Peebles, Ohio; Alice, wife of Frank Ellison, an agriculturist of Peebles; Agnes, widow of George Treftz, of Peoria, Illinois; and Ella, who is with her parents.
Mr. Jones, of this review, remained at home until his sixteenth year and began his academic education in North Liberty, Ohio, completing his studies there in 1886. He began his career as a teacher immediately fol- lowing his graduation, but later continued his studies at the National Nor- mal University, at Lebanon, where he was graduated in 1893, with the. degree of Bachelor of Science. He holds a common-school life certificate granted by the Ohio board of school examiners in December, 1894. Through the three succeeding years he was superintendent of schools at West Union, Ohio, and for a period of three years held the superintendency of the schools of Coffeyville, Kansas. For one year he occupied a similar position in Nel- sonville, Ohio, and in 1899 was appointed to his present position as super- intendent of the Home for the Aged and Infirm Deaf. His sympathy, his consideration and his obliging manner, as well as his business and executive ability, well qualify him for his duties.
On the 7th of November, 1895, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss Louise Blair, of Havana, Kansas, a daughter of John Calvin Blair, a promi- nent retired farmer of that place. Mrs. Jones was educated in the public schools of Kansas and in her early life finished her academic instruction. At the age of sixteen she began to teach, and for five years continued in the profession in the township schools of Montgomery county, Kansas, and four years in the city schools of Coffeyville, that state; she is an accomplished lady of refinement and culture. Their marriage has been blessed with one child, Madaline, and her birth occurred March 7, 1899. Little Madaline died at Central College, Ohio, July 25, 1900. Mr. Jones supports the Repub- lican party by his ballot, and socially he is connected with Star Lodge, No. 117, I. O. O. F., of Coffeyville, Kansas. He also belongs to Valley Lodge, No. 124, K. P., of Nelsonville, and is a member of the Presbyterian church. For several years he devoted much of his leisure time to reading medicine, and on the Ist of November, 1899, he entered the Ohio Medical University, at Columbus, in which institution he will graduate in April, 1902. He is a man of broad humanitarian principles, and it is in harmony with his nature that his life has been given to the benefit of his fellow men along educational lines and in his present position as it will be after he enters upon the practice of medicine.
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THOMAS MOORE HESS.
Thomas Moore Hess, deceased, was for a number of years a representa- tive farmer and valued citizen of Franklin county. He was born on the old Moore homestead in Clinton township July 25, 1825, being the eldest son of John Moses and Elizabeth (Moore) Hess. His mother died at his birth, and he was left to the care of his maternal grandmother, who also died when he was yet an infant. He was then taken to the home of his aunt, Mrs. Katy Oller, of Delaware county, Ohio, with whom he remained until his father's second marriage, which occurred when he was five years old. He then remained with his father in Clinton township until he went to the home of his grandfather Moore, in Indiana, where he attended the public schools until fifteen years of age.
On the expiration of that period he returned to his father's home and began work on the farm, assisting in the cultivation of the fields until the spring of 1849, when he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ann Ruther- ford, of Delaware county, Ohio, who died in 1850, leaving a son, Henry R., now a prominent citizen of Clinton township. After the death of his first wife Mr. Hess was again married, his second union being with Amanda Kin- near, a daughter of Samuel and Ellen (Hill) Kinnear, pioneers of Franklin county. By this marriage there were two children: Ellen, now the wife of Charles Woodrow, of Champaign county, Ohio; and Nora Adell, wife of Peter Ramlow.
Throughout his entire life Mr. Hess manifested a deep interest in the welfare of orphan children, a fact which probably arose from his own experi- ence. He gave to four different orphan children a home from early child- hood until they had reached self-sustaining years. He was a man of great kindness and broad sympathy and was very popular with his neighbors and friends, numbering the latter by the score. His death was therefore uni- versally regretted. Whatever was of interest and value to the public he cheerfully espoused, giving liberally of his means to all worthy enterprises. He was a very successful farmer, his labors bringing to him a handsome competence and he accumulated a large landed estate. He died suddenly of heart failure on the 28th of May, 1889, and his remains were interred in the Union cemetery opposite North Columbus, where a suitable monument has been erected to his memory.
NELSON GRANT.
After a long and useful career as a farmer Nelson Grant has laid aside all his business cares, and is now living a retired life in Grove City. He is a native of Franklin county, born in Jackson township April 1, 1826, and was reared in that township, pursuing his studies in an old log school house. At the age of nineteen years he assisted in taking a drove of stock to Balti- more and Washington, driving them across the country, and on his return
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