A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 83

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

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WILLIAM GALBRAITH, M. D.

Among those who in early days represented professional life in Franklin county was Dr. William Galbraith, a medical practitioner of Columbus. Few men in this section of the state were more widely known. He traveled throughout the country, ministering to the needs of those who suffered from ill health, and his devotion to his patrons and his labors in their behalf won him the love and gratitude of many a household. There is no more important factor in society than the family physician, and Dr. Galbraith enjoyed the esteem and confidence of all who knew him, and his acquaintance was ex- tremely wide.

He was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, September 28, 1827, and was a little lad of eight summers when his parents took up their abode in Perry township, Franklin county, upon a new farm. The father erected a cabin and began the improvement of his little tract of land comprising twenty acres. Both parents, Samuel and Elizabeth ( MacMinima) Galbraith, were of Scotch- Irish descent, and the sturdy characteristics of their ancestry enabled them to bear with fortitude the hardships and trials incident to establishing a home upon the frontier. Upon their farm they resided until death, the father pass- ing away in the seventy-second year, the mother in the seventy-third year of her age. They were the parents of ten children, namely: Martha, who mar- ried William Hannon, now deceased; Eliza, who became the wife of Rudolph Pheneger; Margaret, who married Albert Hard; Jane, wife of John Bacon; William, of this review; Mary, who became the wife of John Legg; Sarah, wife of Alanson Perry; James, who resides in Stockton, California; Samuel, who married Amy Josephine Huntley; and Robert, who died in childhood, The parents were both exemplary Christian people, holding membership in the Presbyterian church, and the lessons of industry and honesty which they instilled into the minds of their children bore rich fruit later.

Dr. Galbraith acquired his literary education in the public schools and after putting aside his text-books was thrown upon his own resources. He made his way through college without financial aid from his family, pursu- ing a course in Central College, near Westerville, Ohio. He thus fitted him- self for teaching, and in that profession he met with excellent success, per- forming the work of an educator through the winter months, while in the summer season he worked at farm labor. At an early day he did much to advance the intellectual improvement of this section of the state, but prefer- ring to make the practice of medicine his life work, he began reading under the direction of Dr. Goble, of Worthington, who remained his preceptor until he was prepared to enter medical college. He was one of the first students to 43

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matriculate in the Starling Medical College, where he pursued the full course and was graduated with the class of 1855. He then opened an office in Perry township, his old home, and devoted himself to the demands of a large and constantly increasing country practice, which extended over a radius of at least twenty miles. He was a faithful follower of his calling, kept well informed on materia medica and in touch with the most advanced thought and discoveries connected with the profession. He was very successful in combating with diseases prevalent at that day. He possessed a social, genial nature, which was of great assistance to him in his work, for one of the most important elements in the sick room is cheerfulness. His cordial disposition won him friends by the hundreds and a large practice brought to him a hand- some' competence, which he judiciously invested in land, placing the same under a high state of cultivation.

Dr. Galbraith was united in marriage to Miss Georgiana Umbaugh on the 27th of November, 1856. To them were born three children, but the eldest, Margaret Alice, is now deceased. The others are John Howard and George Calvin. The former is a graduate of the Ohio State University, of the class of 1883, was formerly editor in chief of the Daily Times and is now connected with the Columbus Dispatch. He is a fluent writer and is a frequent contributor to a number of the leading publications. George Calvin has charge of the home farm.

In the latter part of his life Dr. Galbraith became connected with the Reformed church. He was a Democrat in politics, and for eighteen years was treasurer of Perry township, in spite of the fact that the township is strongly Republican, his election coming to him as a well merited compliment. indicating his ability and the trust reposed in him by those who knew him best. He passed away March 26, 1899, respected by all who knew him, and thus ended a career of great usefulness, but he left to his family an untarnished name, and the memory of his upright life is in many respects well worthy of emulation. His widow, who still survives him, is also a member of the Re- formed church, with which she has been connected through many years. She takes a deep interest in all that pertains to its work and upbuilding, and is also a leader in the work of the Sunday-school.

Mrs. Galbraith is a daughter of George Umbaugh, who was one of the early settlers of Franklin county, coming to Ohio when this section of the state was upon the western frontier. He was born in Frederick county, Mary- land, and was married in Washington, D. C., to Elizabeth Gregory, of his own state. In 1834 they came to Ohio, making the journey in a one-horse wagon. They first settled in Circleville, Ohio, and there Mr. Umbaugh fol- lowed his trade of carpentering until 1842, when he came to Columbus, set- tling on the commons near Fifth street. He then became identified with the building interests of the capital city, but later purchased a farm of sixty acres in Perry township and devoted a portion of his time to its cultivation and improvement.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Umbaugh were born eight children, as follows :

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Charles Henry, now deceased; Georgiana, widow of Dr. Galbraith; William H .; Mary Jane; Margaret E., who died at the age of seven years; John W .; Ellen C .; and Ann Eliza. The eldest son served as a soldier in the Civil war and was wounded at the battle of Murfreesboro, the injuries there sustained causing his death. The father of this family died in August, 1886, at the ripe old age of eighty-four years. He held membership in the Evangelical church and did all in his power to promote the temperance and spiritual welfare of the people among whom he lived. His wife still survives him and is now in the ninety-fourth year of her age. Mr. Umbaugh was a man of sterling purpose and upright character and passed away after a useful and honorable career.

JOSHUA GRIFFITH.

Joshua Griffith is the oldest engineer now in active service on the Penn- sylvania road, having for twenty consecutive years been in charge of the train between Columbus and Dennison, while for thirty-nine years he has been a representative of the railroad service, winning the commendation and approval of his superiors by his faithful service and his capability.

Mr. Griffith was born August 15, 1837, in Remsen, New York, but his parents were natives of north Wales whence they came to this country with their respective families in early life. They were married in New York in 1830 and in 1842 became residents of Newark, Ohio. Joshua Griffith, Sr., the father of our subject, died October 12, 1877, at the age of eighty years and the mother passed away April 14, 1888, at the advanced age of ninety- three, both being residents of Newark, Ohio, at the time of their demise. Joseph, the oldest child, was born June 6, 1831, and was married in 1856 to Miss Elizabeth Woolett at Newark, Ohio; Benjamin, born August 7, 1833, is married and resides in Athens, Ill., John, born June 13, 1835, is married and lives in Newark, Ohio, and for twenty years prior to 1888 he was an engineer on the Panhandle railroad; Joshua is the next one of the family ; and Eleanor, the one daughter, was born August 15, 1839, and was married February 22, 1859, to James Vandigriff at Newark, Ohio. Her death occurred in that place November 3, 1897.

At an early period in the development of the Buckeye state Joshua Grif- fith of this review became a resident of Ohio, and before the public school system had been established he pursued his education in a log cabin situated two and a half miles north of Newark. He was afterward a student in the McKinney school. His father was a farmer and he too was early trained to the work of the fields and meadow. On one occasion he was given the task of removing a fence from corn stalks and set corn on fire from which the fence caught fire. For this act his father attempted to punish him, and Mr. Griffith feeling the injustice of the act, left home, going to Utica, Ohio, four- teen miles north of Newark. There he secured employment in a gristmill, in the capacity of fireman, remaining there for sixteen months. About that

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time he became acquainted with some railroad men, and believing that he would prefer railroad service he went to Newark, Ohio, where he obtained work at wiping engines, receiving a dollar for every engine for wiping. He was thus employed for a year and a half. Next he was employed at Newark by what is now the Pittsburg, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. In September, 1855, he was engaged in digging ditches for the railroad and afterward was again engine-wiper and then night foreman. In September, 1857, he was made fireman on an engine. He served in that capacity for some time and during the period made many trips to the state-house up Third street, hauling stone to be used in the construction of the capitol building. In Sep- tember, 1860, he was promoted to the position of engineer and continued as such until July, 1861. Thus he was forty-five years in the railroad service.

Feeling that his duty was to his country, Mr. Griffith then enlisted as a member of Company C, Twenty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, but was in Camp Chase until September, 1861, when the regiment, under command of Colonel Fuller, proceeded by steamboat to St. Charles and thence by rail to Missouri. He participated in numerous engagements, and in October. 1861, was made engineer on a Missouri river boat. Later he was returned to his regiment, which was badly cut to pieces in its attempt to relieve Colonel Mul- ligan at Lexington, Missouri. Mr. Griffith had many exciting and interest-

ing experiences in the army. The following account appeared in 'a news- paper many years later : "Away back in 1862, while Joshua Griffith of this city, an old time locomotive engineer, was in the army, the Confederates, in order to prevent the Unionists from obtaining possession of a locomotive, piled cord-wood around it and burned it until it was unfit for use. Mr. Griffith, who saw the engine, looked it over and gave the opinion that he could put it in running order. He was told to go ahead, and in short time he had the old engine in good running order and it was the means of perform- ing valuable service for the north. About nine years ago Mr. Griffith put in a claim for his work on the old engine, and on Monday of this week he received a check from the government for one hundred and six dollars and fifty cents. Thus, after a lapse of thirty-eight years does Mr. Griffith receive his reward."

After being wounded Mr. Griffith was discharged and returned to New- ark, Ohio, where he resumed work as an engineer; but in September, 1862, he re-enlisted as a member of Company I, of the One Hundred and Twenty- ninth Ohio Infantry, in which command he participated in several battles at the front. He was again discharged on account of wounds, but for the third time enlisted and became the color-bearer of his regiment, the One Hundred and Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, his place being in Company C. During the time of this third enlistment he was in West Virginia, and the last battle in which he participated occurred in Maryland Heights, near Harper's Ferry, that state, on the 6th of July, 1864, after which he returned to Newark, Ohio.

In September, 1865, Mr. Griffith was again given an engine and has been

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in continuous service in the capacity of an engineer on the same railroad, now called Pan Handle Railroad. He runs a local freight engine; he has run this train twenty years, from that time to the present. He can relate many interest- ing experiences in his life upon the road, and no man in actve railroad service on the Pennsylvania line is more widely or favorably known. He is indeed popular and extremely trustworthy. For a pastime he indulges in hunting and fishing, in which sports he has superior skill. He is sixty-four years old, but looks much younger.

On the 2d day of November, 1870, in New Philadelphia, Ohio, he then being a resident of Dennison, he was united in marriage to Miss Ella Marsh. He resided there for many years, but for the past twenty years has been a resident of Columbus. He has two children, the elder being Harry Benjamin, who was born October 4, 1871, and is a telegraph operator residing in Denni- son. He was married August 9, 1898, to Miss Eva Mears and they have a little daughter of a few months. The other child, Grace, was married Novem- ber 21, 1898, to Fred Stocker, a telegraph opreator residing in Dennison, Ohio.

There is in the life of every man who has been faithful to duty through a long period a lesson of great value which should serve as an incentive to others, and in this regard the history of Mr. Griffith is not lacking. His has indeed been an honorable career characterized by fidelity to every trust reposed in him.

FRANK L. OYLER.

A new chapter has been added to the history of America within the last two years; again the historian has been called upon to relate the deeds of valor and of bravery of the loyal sons of the nation. The Spanish-American war was unique in history on account of the spirit which prompted it. Not in Amer- ica and probably not in the world had there ever been before a war waged in the interests of humanity by a people who had no connection with those for whom they fought, save the human tie of brotherhood. Lieutenant Oyler was among those of Ohio's sons who, at the president's call, joined the United States army and went forth to battle for humanity and the right. He was born December 4, 1868, in Columbus, where he yet makes his home, and his parents, Samuel and Lucinda Oyler, are still living in this city, both being natives of Newark, Ohio.

The subject of this review acquired his education in the public schools of Columbus, and on the 26th of November, 1886, he became connected with the military service of the state, enlisting as a private in Company B, Fourth Regi- ment of the Ohio National Guards. He was afterward made corporal and later sergeant. On the 2d of August, 1892, he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company B, and on the 23d of May, 1893 was made first lieutenant. With his command he served throughout the Spanish-American war. On the 15th of May, 1898, he started for Chattanooga with his regi-

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ment, which remained in camp at that place until July 22, when it was ordered to Newport News. After five days there passed the regiment embarked for the front on the transport St. Paul, arriving at Porto Rico after two and a half days, although the troops did not disembark until five days after leaving the American port. They landed at Orroyo and remained in camp for one day and two nights when, under the command of Brigadier General Haynes, they marched to Guayama, five miles distant. There they fought the Spaniards for one and a half hours and only five of the American troops were wounded. The Spaniards were driven from the place into the mountains and when they returned were again pursued. Company B' was the only company that marched across the entire island. After the termination of the war the command returned to New York, arriving on the 29th of October and landing on the morning of November 3d. On the evening of that day they left for Washington, where the troops were reviewed by the president on the follow- ing day. They then proceeded to Columbus, the city assuming its gala dress to welcome home the heroes who were received amidst general rejoicing and were banqueted by the ladies of the city at the Auditorium. The regiment was then placed on waiting orders and was mustered out January 5, 1889.

Lieutenant Oyler was married in 1893 to Miss Martha J. Howard. Their only child, Belle, was born January 5, 1894. Mrs. Oyler is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Howard, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Her fa- ther was a lieutenant in the Civil war, and her mother had a brother who also aided in the preservation of the Union.

Lieutenant Oyler is a Republican, giving an earnest support to the party. His entire life has been passed in the city which is yet his home and he made a wide acquaintance. That many of his warmest friends have known him from boyhood is an indication that his career has been in every respect worthy of respect and confidence.

JACOB BIRD.

Jacob Bird has for more than half a century been a resident of Franklin county, whither he came in 1849, taking up his abode in Sharon township, where he purchased sixty-nine acres of land and began farming. He was born in Pennsylvania, February 22, 1815, his parents being Albertus and Rebecca (Woolever ) Bird, who had a family of nine children.

The subject of this review spent his early life in his native county of Northumberland, and when a youth accompanied his parents to Knox county, Ohio, the family locating upon a farm, where he grew to manhood. After arriving at years of maturity he wedded Miss Kesiah Craig, who was born in that county December 3, 1817, their marriage being celebrated on the 9th of March, 1836. She is one of the oldest living of Ohio's native citizens. Her parents were both of Knox county. Her father. James Craig, was born in the Keystone state and came to Ohio when the Indians were yet numerous. He built a log cabin, which was the first home erected in Mt. Vernon. The

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journey from Pennsylvania had been made with a team and wagon, and he also brought with him a drove of sheep. He was a farmer by occupation, and in Knox county he entered large tracts of land, which he afterward developed and improved. There he made his home throughout his remaining days, taking an active part in reclaiming the wild country for purposes of civilization. He had been one of the founders of the Republic, for after the inauguration of the war of the Revolution he unhitched his horses from the plow where he was working in the fields and went at once to the seat of war, taking part in many engagements which resulted in winning independence for the American people. His wife, prior to her marriage, bore the name of Esther Ann Cavin. They became the parents of ten children, two of whom were born in Pennsylvania, and came with the parents to Ohio. Mrs. Bird, however, is now the only surviving member of the family.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Bird continued to reside in Knox county for a number of years, and in 1849 came to Franklin county, securing a tract of wild land in the midst of the forest, where there were no roads and where the work of progress and improvement had not yet been begun. Mr. Bird at once erected a log cabin, into which he moved his family, then con- sisting of his wife and four children, namely: James, who died when five years of age; Phebe, who became the wife of Walter Burwell; John; and Jemi- mah, wife of William Stevens, who is now in Indian Territory. After the arrival of the family in Franklin county the following children were born : David; Mary, who wedded Presley Field and is living in Abilene, Texas; Lavina, wife of Benjamin Spengler, of Columbus; Jacob, who died when eighteen months old; Nancy J., wife of John L. Ballinger, of Columbus; Chauncey, who resides in Goff, Kansas; William M., who is living on the old homestead; and Martha Ellen, widow of Silas Dague.

After coming to Franklin county Mr. Bird engaged in the operation of a sawmill for a time, but later cleared his farm and made his home thereon throughout his remaining days. He was a member of the Methodist church and took a very active interest in religious work. As a citizen he was inter- ested in everything pertaining to the welfare, promotion and progress of the community and heartily co-operated in all measures for the general good. His death occurred May 26, 1886.

SAMUEL BURWELL.

In pioneer days when Ohio was just emerging from its primitive con- dition to take on the equipments and adornments of civilization, when its wild lands were being transformed into richly cultivated fields and the domiciles of the red men were being replaced by the cabins of the early settlers, Samuel Burwell took up his abode in Franklin county, becoming one of the pioneers of Mifflin township in 1833. There he secured one hundred acres of land and became identified with agricultural pursuits. His father, John P. Burwell, was a native of Connecticut, and in 1833 came with his family from Wayne

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county, Ohio, to Franklin county. He had six children, four of whom became residents of this county, and one son, Daniel Burwell, resided in Columbus for some years before the father located in the county in 1833. He was a tinner by trade. The other children who came to this locality were Samuel, Joseph and Elizabeth, the last named becoming the wife of Christopher Rob- bins. All are now deceased, however. Samuel Burwell was a native of Pitts- burg, Pennsylvania, born in 1802, and was married in Ohio to Nancy David- son, a native of Marietta, this state. They became the parents of the fol- lowing children, who reached years of maturity, namely: Walter; Eliza, who is the widow of Michael Osborn; Armstrong, who died about ten years ago; William, of Blendon township; and Rebecca. The father of this family and his wife have also departed this life.

Walter Burwell was born December 4, 1825, in Wayne county, Ohio, and on the 5th of September, 1858, he married Phoebe Ann Bird; thus uniting two of the old pioneer families of the community. They had three sons,- John P., James S. and Jacob, but the last named died October 19, 1900, at the age of twenty-seven years.

BERNARD W. MEYER, M. D.

The acquaintances of Dr. Meyer-and the circle is an extensive one- speak of him as a physician of marked ability, worthy of the trust and patron- of the public. He is a native of Covington, Kentucky, born March 21, 1864. His parents were Bernard H. and Lima (Midden) Meyer, natives of Han- over, Germany, whence they came to America in 1850, locating in Cincinnati, Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated in 1853. Mr. Meyer was was a merchant tailor by trade and followed that business in pursuit of a fortune for many years. By his marriage he had nine children, seven of whom are yet living.

The Doctor spent his boyhood days in his native town until his twelfth year when his parents removed to Delaware, Ohio, where he continued his studies in the public schools and was graduatel in the high school of that town under the tutelage of Professor Campbell, a popular and prominent educator of the central portion of the state. During his high-school days he also studied German and subsequently received private instruction in that tongue from Professor Davies, a teacher of languages in the Ohio Wesleyan Universi- ty, so that he is now proficient in the language of his ancestors. He was eighteen years of age at the time of his graduation after which he began working at the tailor's trade and followed that without interruption until he began read- ing medicine in 1890, his preceptor being Dr. Z. Movn, a prominent physician in Columbus. Subsequently he matriculated in the Ohio Medical University in 1893, pursuing a three-years course, the year of his graduation being 1897. He then opened an office in Cynthiana, Kentucky, where he remained for a year and a half. In 1899 he came to Columbus and established him- self in practice on Mount Vernon avenue. He remained at that place until

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the fall of 1900, when he removed to the corner of Fifth and Cleveland av- enues. While practicing in Kentucky he was a member of the Kentucky Midland Medical Association. He is a physician of excellent standing, a con- servative, practical practitioner, who is in close touch with the best thought of the day in systematic and therapeutical knowledge. He is devoted to the medical science as a life work, having had a strong predilection for it from early boyhood. Dr. Meyer enjoys the respect and esteem of his fellow men in social life as well as in professional circles and is well worthy of mention among the representative citizens of Columbus and Franklin county.

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 83

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