A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 75

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

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 75

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EDWARD COURTRIGHT.

Edward Courtright, who is identified with the business interests of Gal- loway, Franklin county, represents one of the honored pioneer families of this portion of the state. His grandfather, Howard Courtright, located upon a farm near Groveport at an early day and there spent his entire life, his attention being given to agricultural pursuits. Jesse Courtright, the father of our subject, was born at Groveport, about the year 1820, and spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of farmer lads. For many years he engaged in teaching school and he also learned surveying, which he followed through a long period. He was county surveyor for three or four terms and proved a capable and efficient officer. He married Miss Mary A. Brown, who was born in Jackson township, Franklin county, about 1822, a daughter of Will- iam Brown, a native of Ireland, who, when a young man, came to the United States, locating in Jackson township. For several years after his marriage Jesse Courtright resided in Jackson township, but about 1859 removed to Prairie township, taking up his abode south of Galloway, where he spent his

EDWARD COURTRIGHT.

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remaining days, being called to his final rest in the year 1870. In the latter years of his life he gave his attention exclusively to agricultural pursuits. In his political affiliations he was a Democrat. His wife, who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, died in 1885. Their children were Sarah, who married Thomas Horn, now deceased, of Columbus; Martha; John, who married Minta Vernatta, and is now a surveyor of Columbus; William, who was married and died in 1897; Jesse, who is upon the home farm; Edward of this review; Samuel, who wedded Leona McGill, is also living on the home farm; Newton and Milton, twins, the former of whom married . Jennie Ditum, while Milton married Rela Byrum, now deceased. .

Edward Courtright. was born on the old homestead farm in Franklin township, October 16, 1853, and at the age of seven years accompanied his parents on their removal to Prairie township, where he pursued his education in the district schools, laying aside his text-books at the age of twenty years .. His first teacher was his sister Sarah. He completed his studies when twenty years of age. During that time he had remained upon the farm and then he" entered upon an independent business career by trading in horses, vehicles,. buggies, harness and other commodities of that character. He is now enjoy- ing a very extensive business in Galloway, his patronage constantly and steadily increasing. He also has extensive farming interests, owning a valu- able tract of land in Prairie township, another farm in Vinton county, Ohio,. and one in Scioto county, besides valuable real estate elsewhere in the county .. He deals in real estate and has an excellent knowledge of land values.

In March, 1880, Mr. Courtright was married to Miss Lillian Lavely, of. Prairie township, a daughter of Henry and Jemima ( Bukey) Lavely. They now have two children, Mary and Florence. After their marriage they located' in Galloway, Mr. Courtright erecting his present residence in 1882. His wife is a member of the United Brethren church. In his political affiliations our subject is a stalwart Democrat and he is a man of strong will and steadfast nature, having earned the distinction of being what the world calls a self-made man. He started out in life upon his business career empty-handed. He asked for no financial assistance, merely craving the opportunity to test his ability in the business world. This he soon found and his capable manage- ment, unfaltering perseverance and indomitable will have enabled him to. work his way steadily upward until now he occupies a very enviable position among the substantial citizens in Franklin county.

GEORGE DYER.

George Dyer is numbered among Ohio's native sons, his birth having occurred in Columbiana county on the 6th of February, 1851, and is now living in the city of Columbus. His father, Joseph Dyer, died at the family homestead in Canton, Ohio, in the year 1887, when sixty-two years of age. His wife, Mrs. Mary Dyer, is still a resident of that city. The family left Columbiana county in 1867, taking up their abode in Canton. The father 39

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was a brick mason by trade and became interested in the Diebold Safe Com- pany, in Canton. In the family were five sons and three daughters: Jacob, the eldest, was born in 1853 and was also connected with the Diebold Safe Company; Joseph, born in 1855, was foreman in the molding department in a foundry in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and died in that city in 1886; Henry, ' who was born in 1860 and was in the employ of the Diebold Safe Company, died at his home in Canton, Ohio, in 1887; John, born in 1865, also worked for the same company; Maggie is now married and resides in Pittsburg; and Elizabeth and Sophie are both married and are living in Canton.

George Dyer, whose name introduces this review, has a very excellent record as a railroad employe. He entered the service as a brakeman on a freight train on the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad September 13, 1877, and was thus employed for a year and a half. Subsequently he was brakeman and baggageman on a passenger train for six years, and after- ward conductor on a local freight for one year and since that time has been passenger conductor. He ran on the same train between Columbus and Hud- son, Ohio, for seventeen consecutive years, no injury ever being sustained by the passengers under his care. He is one of the largest men that wears a conductor's uniform in the Pennsylvania Company, being five feet, eleven and a half inches in height and weighing two hundred and sixty pounds. He has a most genial nature and kindly disposition, and these qualities render him a favorite with the regular patrons of the road.

Mr. Dyer was married, in Millersburg, Ohio. November 27, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Teisher, and is the father of five children,-four boys and one girl. The family have been residents of Columbus for sixteen years, their home being at No. 818 Kerr street.

WILLIAM S. ADAMS.

Among the progressive and energetic farmers of Perry township, Frank- lin county, Ohio, is numbered William S. Adams, a native of this state, whose birth occurred in Pickaway county February 25, 1838. His parents were James and Julia Ann (Toy) Adams, natives of Delaware and Virginia, respectively, and pioneers of Pickaway county, Ohio, the Toy family having been founded there almost a century ago. In 1833 James Adams pur- chased one hundred and one acres of timber land in Perry township, this county, but did not locate here until 1840, when he erected a log cabin and began to clear and improve his property. He was not long permitted to enjoy his new home, however, as he died in 1844, leaving a widow and six children. the youngest being only four weeks old. Being a woman of courage and fortitude. Mrs. Adams managed to keep the family together upon the farm, which she rented until her sons were old enough to carry on the place, but from the rent she did not derive enough to support herself and chil- dren. She was a hard worker and by her industry managed to properly rear her family. She was devoutly religious, being a member of the Methodist

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Episcopal church the greater part of her life, and died in that faith July 23, 1888, at the age of seventy-seven years. Of her seven children, Charles, the eldest, died in childhood. Mary, deceased, was the wife of Lewis L. Newbury. Addison is a resident of Columbus, Ohio. William S. is next in order of birth. Martha is the wife of Ezra Preston, of Illinois. Charles Wesley enlisted in 1861, during the Civil war, in Company D, Fifteenth United States Regiment, and was in active service two years, when he was discharged on account of illness and returned home to die in 1863. Rachel is Mrs. Fellows, of Findlay, Ohio.

William S. Adams was only two years old when brought by his parents to this county, where he was reared, his education being obtained in the common schools of his home district. He early became inured to hard labor by aiding in the work of the farm, and is now the owner of the old home- stead comprising seventy-six acres of land, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation and improved with good buildings.

In 1864 Mr. Adams enlisted in the one-hundred-day service, becom- ing a member of Company E. One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, and participated in all the engagements in which the regi- ment took part, being honorably discharged at the close of his term of enlist- ment. Politically he affiliates with the Republican party, and gives his sup- port to all worthy enterprises which he believes calculated to advance the social, moral or material welfare of his township and county.

On the 25th of October, 1871, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Miss Lina Domigan, of Columbus, and they became the parents of four children, namely : Charles S., Sarah J., Mary T. and Walter L. Fraternally Mr. Adams is a member of White Bear Tribe, I. O. R. M.

William Domigan, father of Mrs. Adams, was for many years one of the most prominent and influential citizens of this, his native county. His parents were from Pennsylvania and located here some years prior to his birth, which occurred July 14, 1812, in Franklinton, where he was reared, receiving a good practical education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one he married Miss Sarah Armstrong, by whom he had eight chil- dren, three still living, namely: Sarah A., wife of Walter L. Turner; Will- iam H., a resident of Columbus ; and Lina, wife of our subject. The deceased were Jane Eliza, Irvin, Harriet, Orville and Emaline. The mother of these children died December 9. 1870, and for his second wife Mr. Domigan mar- ried Lydia Dobbins, of Hilliard. His death occurred October 6, 1884.

At a very early age Mr. Domigan became actively interested in political affairs, his inclination being toward a political life. Originally he was a Whig, but in later years affiliated with the Democratic party. As a political worker he was shrewd and untiring and wielded a strong influence in both local and state politics. For several terms he was a member of the city council of Columbus, and held the office of sheriff of Franklin county two terms of four years each, his last term being served during the period of the Civil war. As an officer he was brave and efficient in the discharge of

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duty, and it is said of him that he was one of the best sheriffs the county has ever had. He also held other public positions of minor importance, in all of which he displayed the same fidelity to the discharge of each and every duty. During his first term as sheriff he had charge of the execution of two criminals, a white man named Clark and a colored woman called Esther. These executions took place on the old prison hill where the arsenal is now located. Mr. Domigan was a man of wide acquaintance, being known by almost every one in the county, as well as a large number throughout the state. He was very popular and highly respected.

CHRISTOPHER P. LINHART, M. D.

Talent and acquired ability have no greater opportunity than in the medical profession, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation or a more thorough understanding of great scientific principles. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determina- tion to fully utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the humane conservator of man's most highly prized possession-health; and it is a profession into which one should not enter without a recognition of the difficulties and obstacles to be overcome and the responsibilities involved. One of the eminent representatives of the medical fraternity of Columbus is Dr. Linhart, nor is his reputation limited by the confines of the city, for his skill has won recognition in the profession and gained for him the pat- ronage of the people outside of the city with which he has more closely allied his interests and labors.

The Doctor is a native of Pennsylvania, his birth having occurred in Pittsburg, Allegheny county, in January, 1861. He is a son of Phillip and Eliza (Hottman) Linhart, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania. The father was a farmer by occupation and in 1863 came to Ohio, taking up his residence upon a farm in Hancock county, where he and his wife spent their remaining days, the father passing away in 1894 and the mother in 1895. The Doctor was only two years of age when the parents came to Ohio and his early education was acquired in the common schools of Han- cock county, after which he entered a select school in Findlay, Ohio. Sub- sequently he studied telegraphy in the office of the Baltimore & Ohio Rail- road and after filling positions as an operator for a time he began reading medicine under the direction of Dr. Allen Chilcote, of Bloomingdale, Ohio, of which city the Doctor's father was the founder. Later he matriculated in the medical department of the Western Reserve University, of Cleveland, Ohio, and was graduated with the class of 1882. Later to still further pre- pare for his profession he pursued a post-graduate course. While he did not at once step into a large practice there was no dreary novitiate awaiting him. He opened his office and his successful ministrations and conduct of several cases demonstrated to the public that he possessed skill and ability.

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Accordingly his business grew and his advancement has been continuous until to-day he stands among the most successful and eminent members of the medical fraternity in Ohio. In March, 1883, he was appointed house physi- cian at Lakeside Hospital and was also demonstrator of anatomy in that institution. He afterward became assistant in Dr. Ketchem's office on Euclid avenue in Cleveland and later went to New Jersey, where he was physician, educator and director in the German gymnasium in the Young Men's Christian Association at Newark. On leaving that city he went to New York, where he took a special course on diseases of the ear, nose and throat, and became operator and clinical assistant at the Manhattan Eye and Ear Hospital.

In 1898 Dr. Linhart was appointed physical educator at the Ohio State University, which position he still holds, also maintaining an office in the Vendome Hotel, where a part of his time is spent in special practice. He has carried his researches far and wide into the realms of medical science, and has not only studied the methods of treating disease but of preventing it, and makes this a large part of his practice. He is a member of the Alumni Association of Lakeside Hospital, also a member of the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Asso- ciation and the American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society. While the greater part of his time and attention are devoted to his profes- sional duties, he finds opportunity to enjoy some of the social pleasures of life and is a prominent Mason, belonging to the chapter and consistory in New York. He is also identified with the Mystic Shrine and is a member of the Columbus Whist Club.

J. THOMAS JERMAN.

The story of the lives of the persons who are to have prominence in this biographical sketch begins in Montgomeryshire, Wales, where Thomas Jerman lived and died. Thomas Jerman had children named Thomas, Mary and Richard. Thomas died in Wales, Mary married and died there, and Richard, who was born in Montgomeryshire August 18, 1818, gained a limited education and by hard work and economy saved enough money to bring him to the United States, and he and Andrew Briggs sailed from Liverpool to New York, whence they came direct to Columbus, where Rich- ard Jerman arrived with a cash capital of only a half a dollar. He secured work in a foundry on the west side of the city and married Elizabeth Evans, widow of David Evans, whose husband had left her at his death a wooded farm in Brown township, which she was unable to cultivate and who had come to Columbus and was supporting her five children by washing. On this farm Richard Jerman and his wife moved after he had gone out to it and made a small clearing and built a one-room house of round logs, which covered a ground space of fifteen by twenty feet, and after he located there he continued to work at Columbus until he could partially clear the farm

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and put it under cultivation. After that he devoted himself entirely to farming with such success that he increased the size of the farm to one hun- dred and eighty-three acres and prospered well upon it. For a time after they moved there they had no table and with the children of the family Mr. and Mrs. Jerman stood around a large box while they ate. This, however, was but one of their experiences of primitive life in the Ohio woods and they laughed at it and other similar experiences in after years. Mr. Jerman died on the farm September 3. 1886. deeply regretted by all who had known him. In politics he was a Republican and in church affiliation a Methodist. His wife died there June 30, 1887.

Mrs. Jerman was born and married in Wales and came to America with her husband, David Evans, and four children, and their baby in arms died soon after they reached Columbus. She had five children by Mr. Evans, as follows: David died at Columbus, Ohio. Richard, who was a member of Company C, Fortieth Regiment. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed at the battle of Lookout Mountain, Tennessee. Eliza married Thomas Herbert, of Brown township. Evan died in infancy. Edward was born in Colum- bus, three months after the death of his father. He fought for the preserva- tion of the Union as a member of the First Ohio Cavalry and survived until August, 1900, when he died at Saint Francis Hospital, Columbus.

J. Thomas Jerman, son of Richard Jerman by his marriage to Mrs. Evans, was born at Columbus in 1843 and was five years old when his par- ents moved to Brown township, where he grew to manhood. He attended school in the log school house near his pioneer home and as soon as he was old enough began to assist his father in clearing, improving and cultivating the farm, and was thus employed until September 3, 1864, when, not yet quite twenty-one years old, he enlisted at Columbus in Company B, One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one year or during the war. The regiment went to Nashville, Tennessee, thence to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, thence to Manchester, Tennessee, thence back to Murfreesboro, where Mr. Jerman participated in a memorable battle, and from there to Franklin, Tennessee. and thence to Clifton, Tennessee, from which place he returned to Columbus, Ohio, at the expiration of his term of service, after having participated in a good deal of hard marching and fighting. But he had not yet had enough of war, and, going to Raleigh, North Carolina, he participated in operations under General Sherman, and was later detached with his regiment and sent to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he was mustered out of the service and sent home, when he resumed farming.

November II, 1870, Mr. Jerman married Miss Mary M. Burt, a native of Brown township and a daughter of Edward and Anna ( Benner ) Burt. For a year after his marriage he was a member of the household of his father-in-law, then for three years he worked a rented farm and at the expira- tion of that time located on his present farm of fifty acres, mostly improved, in Norwich township, to which he has since added a farm of forty-two acres.

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He has acquired also a farm of fifty-eight and one-half acres in Brown town- ship. He is an influential Republican and a public-spirited citizen, and has been for many years a school director and is now filling that office. together with that of trustee of his township. Mr. and Mrs. Jerman have had five children, as follows: Nettie, who married Jesse Elliott, of Brown town- ship; Richard, who is a member of his father's household; William, who was born May 15, 1879, and has acquired a good education in the district schools in Norwich township, is working his father's home farm and has already made himself known as a stanch Republican; Charles, who is now at school; and Ruth.

HON. SAMUEL J. SWARTZ.

In no other phase of life can a man better demonstrate his fealty to his country and his loyalty to its interests than in the political arena, for therein is invested the vitality of a nation's power, the mainspring of its internal machinery and the keynote to its progress and prosperity. Ohio is recognized as one of the strongest Republican states in the Union, and among her patri- otic citizens who have been closely identified with the party is Judge Samuel J. Swartz, of Columbus. He has served in important official positions with marked ability and fidelity and has been a recognized leader in the capital city in formulating the policy of the party for this portion of the state. He is a man who believes that the highest duty of every American citizen is to give his time and energies to public interests, and he carries out this prin- ciple in life by taking an active part in political work, and is a firm believer in the trite saying, that "eternal vigilance is the price of liberty."

A brief glance into the personal history of Judge Swartz elicits the fact that he is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born on the 8th of February, 1859. He was early left fatherless, for at the time of the Civil war his father responded to the call of the country, and, joining the Union army, was killed at the battle of Shiloh. Reared in his native county, the son attended the common schools until sixteen years of age, when he became a student in the Fairfield Union Academy, at Pleasantville, Ohio, and later he matriculated in the Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio. After completing his literary course he came to Columbus and has since been identified with the interests of the capital city. He entered the employ of a wholesale house, with which he remained for several years, for a part of the time representing its interests upon the road, but commercial life was not entirely congenial to him and he resolved to enter upon a professional career. He prepared for the bar as a student in the law office of Converse, Booth & Keating, and in due course of time was admitted to practice. With a thorough preparatory training and strong determination to succeed he entered upon his chosen work and soon gained a foremost position among the younger members of the bar. He steadily worked his way upward and gained a distinctively representative clientage, which connected him with some of the most important litigation

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tried in the courts of the district. He prepared his cases with great thor- oughness and planned for the defense of every possible point of attack. His arguments were strong, the points he made following in logical sequence and demonstrating the force of his reasoning. He was appointed by the gov- 'ernor to fill a vacancy in the police judgeship, which he did with honor and credit, and after a few months, at the spring election of 1897, he was elected by popular ballot to the same office for a term of three years. The com- pliment was more marked from the fact that the balance of the ticket was defeated.

For some time Judge Swartz has been recognized as one of the leading representatives of the Republican party in Columbus. He has marked ability as an organizer, is an untiring worker and possesses the power of harmoniz- ing forces and utilizing the strength of the party to the best advantage. He was instrumental in effecting the organizations of the Ohio League of Repub -. lican Clubs and has served as its secretary. His fellow citizens gave evi- dence of their appreciation of his worth and public spirit when in the spring of 1899 he was elected on the Republican ticket to the mayoralty for a term of two years. His administration, business-like, progressive and practical, won him strong commendation. He is an approachable gentleman, genial and with unfailing courtesy, and he enjoys the warm regard of a large circle of friends. Over the record of his public career there falls no shadow of wrong and in professional life he also sustains an enviable reputation.

JOSHUA W. BROTHERS.

For more than a half-century Joshua W. Brothers has resided in Frank- lin county, and as his life has ever been a useful and honorable one, he well deserves representation in this volume. He is engaged in the manufacture of harness at Lockbourne, where he is numbered among the enterprising business men. A native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, he was born March 7, 1826, and is a representative of one of the old families of Mary- land. The grandfather, Joshua Brothers, was a native of Westminster, Mary- land, and was of German lineage. A farmer by occupation, he had extensive landed interests, and was one of the substantial citizens of his community. He valiantly served his country in the war of the Revolution, and lived for many years to enjoy the freedom of the republic, his death occurring at the advanced age of one hundred and one. His son, William Brothers, the father of our subject, was born in Westminster, Maryland, made farming his life work, and died about 1838. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Brothers, died about 1854. They were parents of seven children, five of whom reached years of maturity.

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 75

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