A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 56

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

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Mr. Ellis is a Republican in every legitimate sense of the name, hie reveres the history of the party, is proud of what it has done, is fully in accord with its present policy and firmly believes that all its great promises will be fulfilled. He is a Knight Templar Mason and has been greeted a Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret Ineffable degrees of the Scottish Rite, and his connection with the order dates from 1891, when he was made a Master Mason. He was for some years an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He has been an important factor in the development of his township. Hardly an important public improvement has been made in his time without his sanction and many have been started at his suggestion. He is a good organizer, a man not afraid of responsibility, and a reliable, cautious handler of his own money and other men's.

ALBERT GALLATIN BYERS.

Much is written in these days of the widening of individual opportunity, but examples are sometimes given us where the individual finds his oppor- tunity by seeking properly for it. In the life record of that good man, Albert Gallatin Byers, the subject of the present sketch, may be discovered an in- stance of this kind.

He was born in Uniontown, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1826, and died, after a life dedicated to the noble work of helping the helpless, on November 10, 1890, at the age of sixty-four years. He received his edu- cation in Madison College, Pennsylvania. Bereft of a father's care in 1847, he removed with his mother to Portsmouth, Ohio, and two years later, when the gold excitement was at its height, he joined a party and crossed the plains to California, where he remained until 1851. While there he received the sad news of his mother's death, which occurred in 1850, and this was a severe blow, as he was a devoted son.

Returning from California, Mr. Byers engaged in the practice of medi- cine at Ironton, Ohio, for two years, but did not have his heart in the work, feeling a call to "doctor" the soul rather than the body. He had been reared a Presbyterian, but his tender heart could never quite accept the Calvinistic doctrine, and upon his mother's grave he consecrated himself to the life of a minister, choosing the tenets of the Methodist church, though his religion was so true that it required no name to associate with it. Dr. Byers delighted in his ministry, and his success in persuading young men to turn from their evil ways was remarkable. Until the breaking out of the Civil war Dr. Byers was constantly busy about his Master's business, and at that time he found a place among the first volunteers of his state. He was made the chaplain of the Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served for eight-

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een months; but the hardships proved too much for his delicate constitution and he was reluctantly compelled to return to his home in Circleville. Re- cuperating for a year, he accepted a call to what is now the Third Street church in Columbus and served one year and a half, when he was elected, in 1865, to serve as the chaplain at the Ohio Penitentiary, and here his real life work began. For six years he faithfully filled this trying position, dur- ing a year or two of which time, at the earnest solicitation of the members of the board of state charities, organized in 1867, he served as secretary of the board, without salary, in addition to his work as chaplain of the peni- tentiary. At the end of this period he became convinced that he could better assist in prison and charity work on the outside than upon the inside of the prison walls, and accordingly resigned his position as chaplain of the Ohio Penitentiary.

Now began a time of stress for Dr. Byers, for he devoted his whole time to the work of the board of charities and his whole soul and strength to the unfortunates of every class, his constantly expressed regret being that he could accomplish so little. Never consulting his own comfort, he labored unceasingly until at last his friends began to realize that his strength was becoming exhausted in his care for others. His last public work, which was the crowning act in a long series of exacting duties, was at the National Conference of Charities and Correction in the city of Baltimore, of which conference he was the president. His enfeebled condition was apparent to all, and a quotation from his last address gave pain to his hearers, as they could not but realize the probable truth of his words. Dr. Byers said : "I do not know that I shall ever meet you again, that is, in our earthly con- ference. I have been unwell for some time and it is probable that when the next meeting comes I shall not be there. If so, I rejoice to know that it will not in any way affect the work. There was a time when one dropping out might have made a difference; not now." From this conference Dr. Byers came home exhausted and never recovered from the nervous prostration which followed, and from that time gradually failed. Many times during the years of toil and discouragement Dr. Byers seemed to see the hand of Providence manifested so clearly that he would go forward encouraged, assured that he was doing right. In testimony to the value of his work we may quote a few of the many tributes that have been written by those who were acquainted with the conditions existing in the benevolent and the penal institutions of the state and with his work in connection with them.

H. S. Fullerton wrote: "What Dr. A. G. Byers does not know about the unfortunates of Ohio is not worth relating. An intimate acquaintance of twenty-four years justifies me in saying here that the people of Ohio can never realize the efforts nor appreciate the work of Dr. Byers in his labors to better the conditions prevailing among Ohio's insane, poor and criminal class."

Rev. Fred H. Wines said: "Dr. Byers was a man of the same mental constitution as the martyr president; and every amusing anecdote, every

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original joke in which he indulged himself, was the outward sign of his profound sense of the intolerable burden of human wretchedness, and his anxiety to lighten the gloom with which the thought of it overwhelms the soul. This very quality endeared him to his friends. In his home, in his state and in this conference he was loved as few men are ever loved, admired as few men are ever admired, and trusted as few men are ever trusted."

"There's not a string attuned to mirth But has its chord in melancholy."-Hood.

Hon. W. P. Letchworth writes of the Doctor: "It was his sympathy with the erring and his elevating influence over them that made him so suc- cessful in reform work and added to his great usefulness in connection with the Ohio State Board of Charities."

Extract from an address by General R. Brinkerhoff: "I want to say that Ohio, which, I think you will agree, stands abreast of any state in the Union in connection with her benevolent and penal institutions, owes more of that advance to him than to any other one man, or any other ten men, or any other hundred men!"

Dr. Byers was married December 7, 1852, to Miss Mary A. Rathbun, of Cheshire, Gallia county, Ohio, who, with seven children, five sons and two daughters, survives him. After his death, in 1890, one of the sons, Joseph Perkins Byers, took up and has since continued his father's work as secretary of the Ohio Board of State Charities. He had been associated with his father in the office for several years before his death.

TRACEY WILCOX.

Tracey Wilcox was born in Connecticut, and during his boyhood was brought by his parents to Ohio. He is a son of Simeon Wilcox, who was the founder of the family in Franklin county, having come from Connecticut to the Buckeye state with an overland company in 1803. He settled in Sharon township, where he established a home for his wife and children, who had accompanied him from the east. Here he entered a tract of wild land, upon which he built a cabin, and after thus providing shelter for those dependent upon him, he began the arduous task of clearing and improving a farm. As the years passed, however, the wild forest land was cleared and was transformed into richly productive fields. He also extended the boun- daries of his property until he was the owner of valuable real-estate holdings. By his first marriage he had six children, namely: Warren, Tracey. Gideon, Violet, Harriet and Cena. His second wife was Mrs. Hannah Wilcox. By this marriage he had one child, Seeley.

Tracey Wilcox, whose name introduces this record, was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life. The family removed to Franklin county when it was almost an unbroken forest, the sound of the woodman's ax as wielded

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by the pioneer being an indication of future prosperity, when the forest trees would be replaced by waving fields of grain. He assisted in the arduous labor of clearing the land and developing the fields, and thus gained a practical experience in farming, so that he was well equipped for carrying on business along that line on his own account. After arriving at years of maturity he was joined in wedlock to Miss Chestina Taylor, and they became the parents of three children, namely : James M., Candice and Sophia. After the death of his first wife Mr. Wilcox married Mrs. Priscilla Malbone, and they be- came the parents of six children: Chestina, John, Sophrona, Ann, Tracey and Washington W., all of whom are now deceased with the exception of W. W. and Chestina, the last named being the wife of John L. Wiswell.

Mr. Wilcox was a representative citizen, prominent in public affairs, his opinions carrying much weight among his fellow men. For many years he served as justice of the peace, discharging his duties with marked fairness and impartiality. In his business affairs he was energetic, determined and accumulated a good property, becoming one of the well-to-do citizens of his community. His wife was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and in politics he was first an old-line Whig, but afterward became a Repub- lican. His death occurred in 1841, while his second wife passed away in 1853.

BENJAMIN S. BOWSER.

A representative farmer of Norwich township and an honored veteran of the Civil war who loyally defended the Union in her hour of danger, Benjamin S. Bowser, well deserves representation in this volume. His grandfather, Jacob Bowser, was probably a native of Pennsylvania, and re- moved to Perry county, Ohio, where both he and his wife died. They had four sons and three daughters: Henry, who died in Perry county, Ohio; Jacob; Daniel, who died in Montgomery county, Illinois; John, of Montgom- ery county, Illinois ; Mrs. Polly Wilkins, who died in Perry county, Ohio; Catherine, who became the wife of James Hamilton, and died in Marion county, Ohio; and Eliza, who became the wife of James Craig, and died in Franklin county, Ohio.

Jacob Bowser, the father of our subject, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1808, and was there reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life. The nearest school was three miles from his home, and he received but a limited education. He married Rachael Hamilton, who was born on Jonathan creek, in Perry county, Ohio, in 1808, and for a few years thereafter they resided in their native county, coming thence to Brown township, Franklin county, where the father purchased a farm, upon which he resided until his death, in 1847. His wife died June 1, 1881. They were members of the Camp- bellite or Christian church, and Mr. Bowser was an old-line Whig in his political affiliations. They had six children: Henry, who died in Colum- bus, went to California at the time of the gold excitement there, enlisted in

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the Second California Cavalry during the Civil war, served for three years, and was wounded by the Indians on the frontier. Edward, who spent seven years in California during the early mining days, is now living near Marion, Ohio. Elizabeth became the wife of David Lattimer, and died in Columbus. Alvina, wife of Charles Dautel, died in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1866. Ben- jamin is the next younger. John, who served for more than two years in the Twelfth Ohio Cavalry during the Civil war, died in Norwich township.

Benjamin S. Bowser was born in Brown township, Franklin county, July 6, 1844, and the days of his boyhood and youth were spent on the home farm, while to the district schools he is indebted for his educational privi- leges. At the age of seventeen he enlisted, in August, 1862, as a member of Company A, Ninety-fifth Ohio Infantry, under Captain Stewart and Colonel McMillan. He served four months, was in the battle of Richmond, Kentucky, and was honorably discharged at Columbus. He then returned home, remaining for a year, but on the 2d of February, 1864. re-enlisted as a member of Company D, Twelfth Ohio Cavalry, under Captain Sells and Colonel Ratliff, serving until honorably discharged, November 14, 1865. His regiment was attached to the Fourth Corps and participated in the bat- tles of Mount Sterling, Cynthiana, Marion, Salisbury, North Carolina, Wythe- ville and Saltville. At the latter place he was for four days and four nights without anything to eat. He aided in carrying from the field his captain, who had been wounded. At Mount Sterling the regiment lost forty men in killed and wounded in eight minutes' fighting.

When the country no longer needed his services Mr. Bowser returned home and resumed farming. After his marriage he resided for three years on the home farm in Brown township, and then located on his present farm of fifty-three acres, where he has a comfortable residence, substantial barns and outbuildings, a good orchard and all modern improvements. He was married December 29, 1869, in Norwich township, to Miss Mary E. Scho- field, who was born in that township December 26, 1847, a daughter of Jesse and Mary (Winegardner ) Schofield. Their children are Laura A., now the wife of William Carroll, of Zanesville, Ohio; Margaret, who died in infancy ; Elizabeth, wife of Lewis I. Perry; Stella, who died in infancy; Elnora, who is teaching school at Hilliard; Walter R .; and B. Otis.

Mr. Bowser is a charter member of John A. Spellman Post, G. A. R., of Hilliard, and formerly served as its commander. In politics he is an ear- nest Republican, and for seventeen years he served on the school board, efficiently promoting the cause of education.

JOHN S. HENDERSON.

The name of John Stewart Henderson is deeply engraved on the pages of the history of Franklin county in connection with educational interests., He did much to advance school work, and many men who have attained state and national prominence acknowledge their indebtedness to him for

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what he did when they were under his instruction in the school room. He represents one of the pioneer families of Franklin county, being a son of Robert Cooper Henderson, who came to Ohio at a very early period in the development of this portion of the state. The grandfather, Matthew Hender- son, was of Scotch-Irish descent, the family having been founded in America during the colonial days. Matthew Henderson married a Miss Kearsley, who was of Scotch lineage. Their son, Robert C. Henderson, was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, and prior to his marriage came to Ohio, locat- ing in Franklinton, now a part of Columbus. He was a cabinet-maker and followed his trade after coming to Franklin county until his marriage. After that event his time and energies were devoted to agricultural pursuits upon their farm three miles south of the court house. He arrived here about 1815. He was married in Franklinton to Miss Mary Stewart, a daughter of John and Ann ( Heer) Stewart, of a pioneer family. Three children were born of this union: Margaret, born September 26, 1820, and died on the 8th of July, 1845, in the twenty-fifth year of her age; John S., of this review; and Joseph, born November 29, 1824. The mother passed away about ten years after her marriage, on the 27th of July, 1828, and for his second wife Mr. Henderson chose Miss Sarah McComb, of Truro township, by whom he had seven children, namely: Rebecca, who died in 1850, at the age of eight- een years; Mary, who died in 1895, at the age of sixty-three; Jonathan, who died in childhood; William, who died in the army, at the age of twenty- eight years; Matthew, who resides in Columbus, Ohio; Ellen, who died at the age of thirty-five years; Daniel, who was born in 1841 and died in 1885. Robert C. Henderson was a Presbyterian in religious belief and took an active part in the work of the church. He was a strict disciplinarian and closely followed the teachings of his denomination. His membership was in Dr. Hoge's church, of Columbus. Both his first and second wives were also identified with the same organization. In his political views he was a Republican, and he died on the old homestead in March, 1858, when about seventy-four years of age, while his second wife passed away in 1846, at the age of thirty-eight. In his business affairs he was very prosperous. The cause of education found in him a warm friend, and he gave to his chil- dren good advantages in that direction, that they might be fitted for life's practical duties. He was a pioneer in the temperance movement, being one of the first to refuse to permit the use of liquor in the harvest field and at log rollings. He was strong and fearless in what he believed to be right, was well informed on the questions and issues of the day, and wherever he went he commanded the respect and confidence of those with whom he was associated.

John Stewart Henderson, his second child, was born on the old family homestead, February 12, 1823. He was reared upon the home farm and his education was acquired in the district schools of the neighborhood and sup- plemented by a course of study in the select school in Columbus. Thus he prepared himself for teaching, which profession he followed for a number

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of years in the public and normal schools, after which he filled the chair of mathematics in Central College, accepting the position in 1846 and continuing therein for three years. About 1849 he was called to the chair of mathematics and philosophy in what was then known as the Farmers' College, but is now Belmont College, at College Hill, near Cincinnati, and for seven years he ac- ceptably discharged the duties of that position until ill health forced him to resign. He was honored with the degree of master of arts. He was a most capable educator, having the ability to impart readily, accurately and con- cisely to others the knowledge he had acquired. He had strong sympathy. with and for his pupils and always retained their confidence and regard. Among those who were under his instruction and have since attained promi- nence were Benjamin Harrison, president of the United States; Bishop John M. Walden, of the Methodist Episcopal church; Rev. George Dart; and George L. Converse. On account of ill health, he gave up his educa- tional work and returned to Franklin county, settling on a farm in Perry town- ship, which he had inherited from his mother. There he made his perma- nent home. On the 29th of December, 1847, Professor Henderson was married to Miss Mary E. Johnson, a daughter of William and Roxey John- son, natives of North Mansfield, Connecticut. To them were born six chil- dren, but only two are now living, namely: Estella May, the wife of Robert J. Shoemaker, of Perry township; and Glennie Olive. Those who have passed away are Ervin S .; Estin H .; Mary Emma, who died at the age of eighteen years; and one who died in infancy. The elder daughter, Estella May, was married October 10, 1889, to R. J. Shoemaker, and they now have five children,-Florence J., Earl H., Ross W., Ralph M. and Carroll B. Both Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker hold membership in the Methodist Episco- pal church.

Mr. Henderson was a prominent and influential citizen of Franklin county during the years of his residence in the same. For a number of years he served as township clerk, and was ever in sympathy with the movements and measures which contributed to the general good. He was a ripe scholar, a close student and kept in touch with the best thoughts of the day. He had been reared in the Presbyterian faith, but after locating in Perry township he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and for many years was superin- tendent of the Sunday-school and teacher of the Bible class. After his death he was succeeded in his church positions and services by his daughter Glennie. He was also an indefatigable worker in the Sunday-school, believing thor- oughly in Christian education as a preparation for life's duties. Benevolent and kind, he gave freely of his means to the cause he loved so well and to charitable work, and the poor and needy were never turned from his door empty-handed. A good citizen, a kind neighbor, a loving and affectionate husband and father, in him were harmoniously blended all those qualities of mind and heart which constitute a highly developed and commendable man- hood. He was strictly temperate and his influence was ever on the side of right, the true, the good and the beautiful. He passed away November 20,

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1892, and his death was the occasion of deep regret throughout the com- munity. Mrs. Henderson still survives her husband. She was born in North Mansfield, Connecticut, January 16, 1829, and when fifteen years of age came to Ohio with her brothers and sister. When a maiden of twelve she became identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which she has ever been a loyal and consistent member, and her Christian life has been a source of influence as well as a benediction to her family and friends. She devoted many years as a teacher in the Sunday-school, beginning when only fifteen years of age, and continuing until a short time ago.

This running review of the history of the Henderson family affords but a slight indication of their moral worth and social influence, but, such as it is, it is submitted to the candid consideration of the future.

JOHN STELZER.

Long years have passed since Mr. Stelzer became a resident of Franklin county, and his home was on the old Selzer road in Mifflin township. He was born in Columbus on the 15th of October, 1834, and was of German lineage, for his father, Andrew Stelzer, was born in that country, whence in early manhood he crossed the Atlantic to the new world, taking up his abode in Ohio's capital. Here he married his second wife. He was a farmer by occupation, and his home was upon a forty-acre tract of land in Crawford county, Ohio, where he carried on agricultural pursuits for twelve years, then returning to Franklin county, where he located in Mifflin township. On the farm which he there improved he made his home until his death, which occurred in 1871, and he was then laid to rest on the old homestead. He held membership in the Lutheran church at Columbus, and in politics was a Republican from the organization of the party. He was well known and his sterling qualities gained for him the respect and good will of his fellow men. He wedded Mary Ann Fichtner, a native of Germany, but when thirty years of age she came to America, making her home in Crawford county, Ohio, where she was married. She was called to her final rest at the age of sixty-eight years. Andrew Stelzer became the father of five children, of whom John is the eldest by the second marriage. There was one child, Mary F., by his first marriage, which was celebrated in Germany.

When the subject of this review was two and a half years old his par- ents removed to Crawford county, and when he was a youth of fourteen he returned to Franklin county, here remaining until the time of his death. He pursued his education in the old-time log schoolhouses of pioneer days, and during the summer months assisted in the work of the home farm, re- maining under the parental roof until his marriage, December 9, 1858, Miss Barbara Krumm becoming his wife. They first located upon the farm where he spent his remaining days, their home being in a log cabin, in which they resided for eighteen years, when Mr. Stelzer erected a fine brick residence. He made many other substantial improvements upon the place, so that it

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became one of the most valuable farms in that section. In addition to farm- ing he engaged . in the coal business and the sale of that mineral greatly increased his income. His landed possessions aggregated forty acres, all of which he placed under a high state of cultivation, and the well-tilled fields yielded to him a good return.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Stelzer was blessed with ten children. Emma M. and Clara died in early childhood, and Henry died at the age of five years. The others are Frank, Anna F., M. Elizabeth, Julietta, Flora A., Martin and Amelia.

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 56

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