A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 88

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 88

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

723

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

engineers in the railway service, always reliable, prompt and trustworthy, and he enjoyed the confidence of his superiors in an unusual degree.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Mull located first in Franklinton, and several years before the Civil war they went to Richmond, Indiana, where they remained for a year. On the expiration of that period they returned to Columbus, establishing their home at No. 51 Chestnut street, where they remained until July, 1889, when Mr. Mull purchased the property at No. 271 North Twentieth street, where his widow is still living. They bad two sons, who are now in the railway service: David, who for seventeen years has been an engineer on the Panhandle road, and is now married and resides on Monroe avenue; and John, who is also an engineer for the same company. He is married, and makes his home at No. 428 Hamilton avenue. Another son, Arthur, who is in the service of the Adams Express Company, is married and has one child, Arthur, who was born June 6, 1895. The dates of birth of the three sons are: David, born February 15, 1865; John, born September 23, 1867; and Arthur, born August 25, 1869. The name of Mull has long figured prominently and honorably in connection with rail- way service, and in the capital city the family is widely known, the sterling characteristics of its members winning for them the confidence and friendship of all with whom they are associated.

CHRISTIAN OFFENBARGER.

Among the self-made men of Norwich township who as farmers have attained success through their own unaided efforts is Christian Offenbarger, who was born in the province of Baden, Germany, November 21, 1864. His paternal grandfather, John Offenbarger, spent his entire life there, at- tending school until fourteen years of age, and later following the stone mason's trade, with the exception of the three years spent in the German army. He died in old age prior to the birth of our subject.

Lawrence Offenbarger, the father of Christian, was born in Badell, April 24, 1811, and was a student in the schools of that province until he. attained his fourteenth year. At the age of twenty-one he entered the Ger- inan army, and during the three years of his service participated in the revo- lution of 1848. He wedded Miss Mary Zandt, who was born in Baden June 6, 1814, a daughter of Charles Zandt. The father died in his native place in 1882, and in 1893 the mother came to the United States to make her home with her son Albert in Canton, Ohio, where her death occurred four years later. In their family were the following children : George and William, both residents of Canton; Albert, who came to America in 1880, and also lives in that city; Charles, a resident of Canton; Jacob, of Norwich township, this county; Christian, our subject ; and Henry, of Columbus.

As soon as he had attained sufficient age Christian Offenbarger entered the schools of his native land, where he pursued his studies until fourteen, and then worked as a farm hand at thirty dollars per year. In 1884 he and

724

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

his brother George emigrated to America, sailing from Bremen on the steamer Weilland, which landed them safely in New York after a voyage of nine and a half days, during which they encountered a severe storm which lasted two days. His brother Albert had sent the money to pay the passage of our subject, and he joined him at Canton, where he spent two weeks before coming to Alden, this county, where he worked for a stone mason one year. He was cheated out of his wages, and at the end of a year did not have as much as he had at starting. In the fall of 1885 he commenced work for Richard Jones. of Brown township, receiving only his board in compensation for his labors, but he was out of money and had to accept any occupation which he could find. The following winter was a very severe one. In the spring Mr. Offenbarger found employment with John Renner, and remained with him twelve years. Managing to save some of his wages, he purchased thirteen acres of his present farm in Norwich township, and has since been able to add to it sixteen acres, which he has placed under a high state of cultivation, and which he successfully operates.

In that township Mr. Offenbarger was married, in 1897, to Miss Bertha Switzer. They attend the German Lutheran church; he affiliates with the Democratic party, and has most capably filled the office of supervisor of his township. He is strictly a self-made man, and deserves great credit for the success that he has already achieved in life, while undoubtedly a prosperous future yet awaits him, for he possesses the necessary qualifications to success, being industrious, enterprising and economical.

REUBEN TAYLOR.

Reuben Taylor, a passenger engineer on the Cleveland, Akron & Colum- bus Railroad, residing at No. 226 North Twentieth street, Columbus, was born in England, on the 29th of February, 1860. His parents came to this country from England in 1863, locating in Hudson, Ohio, where the father died about the year 1880, when seventy years of age. His wife survived him, and passed away in Columbus on the 30th of January, 1899, at the age of seventy-seven years. Their children were: Reuben; James, who is in the employ of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company ; -, wife of Andrew Rellick, a passenger conductor residing in Columbus; Mrs. Fannie Aur, who resides in Lorain, Ohio, and whose husband is also a railroad con- ductor; and Mrs. Mary Guritney, who resides in Akron, Ohio, where her husband carries on business as a mechanic.

Reuben Taylor spent the days of his childhood and youth in Hudson, Ohio, and in Franklin county, and his education was obtained in the public schools. In 1877, when seventeen years of age, he entered the railway serv- ice of the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus road in the capacity of brakeman, and after one year he secured a position as fireman, continuing in the service of that company until 1881, when he was made an engineer. For nineteen years he has filled that position, and has one of the best records of any engin-

725

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

eer on the road. With a full realization of the responsibility which devolves upon him, he exercises extreme care and good judgment in the discharge of his duties, and is most trustworthy and faithful. He is a member of Division No. 34, of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.

On the 27th of May, 1882, Mr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mary Higgins, of Akron, Ohio. Her father, James Higgins, was a native of England, and on the Emerald isle was married, his wife, Mrs. Mary Hig- gins, being a native of that country, where her birth occurred in 1832. Cross- ing the Atlantic to the new world, they located at Niagara Falls, in Canada, whence they emigrated to the United States. The father died in 1886, at the age of sixty-five years, but the mother is still living and makes her home in Akron, Ohio. Two of their children were born ere their emigration to America, namely: Elizabeth, who became the wife of Richard Lewis, and resides in Akron, Ohio; and John, who died in Cleveland, Ohio, in Septem- ber, 1900. The first one born in this country was Bridget, whose birth oc- curred at Niagara Falls, and who is now the wife of Philip McLane. The next of the family was Thomas, who died at Rootstown, Ohio, in 1897. Sarah, who was born in Freedom, Ohio, is now the wife of Burtis Hildrebiddle; and Belle is a young lady living in Cleveland. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor has been blessed with three children: William, born March IS, 1883; Charles, born June 3, 1885; and Nona Belle, born October 15, 1894. The family are members of the Catholic church, being communicants of St. John's cathedral of Columbus. In his political affiliations Mr. Taylor is a. Republican. Starting out in life for himself at an early age, whatever suc- cess he has achieved is due entirely to his own efforts, and for it he deserves great credit.

EUGENE E. DUTOIT.

Eugene E. Dutoit was born at the family residence at the corner of Main and Front streets in Columbus June 21, 1850, and is of French lineage. His grandfather, Eugene Dutoit, Sr., in whose honor our subject was named, was born in France in 1780, and on emigrating to America made his way across the country to Ohio, locating upon a farm in what was then the suburb of Dayton. He was a man of affluent circumstances, making judicious invest- ments in realty and had large property interests in Dayton and in other portions of the country. He engaged in dealing in real estate and in look- ing after his investments. He died at his home in Dayton, in 1864, at the age of eighty-four years, and his wife passed away two years later, when also eighty-four years of age.

Philip Dutoit, their son and the father of our subject, was born in France March 11, 1818, and when a young boy accompanied his parents to the new world. In early manhood he came to Columbus, about the year 1835, and here he worked at the trade of blacksmithing, following that business for many years. In 1848 he was engaged in the business of wagon-making on

726

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

Cherry street. near High street, and made the first wagons that went over- land to California from this place. On the 6th of October, 1839, in Colum- bus, he married Miss Phoebe M. Pope, who was born in the capital city March 4, 1823. His death occurred at the family home at the corner of Main and Front streets on the 20th of October, 1855, and his widow afterward became the wife of Arthur Haney, their marriage being celebrated in Columbus April 6, 1857. By her first marriage she had the following children : Alfred, who was born February 18, 18.11, and died on the 21st of the same month; Charles L., born January 30. 1842. and is yet living in Columbus; Mary L., who was born July 7, 1844, and died December 19, 1851; Auriel, who was born November 29, 1846: Eugene E., the subject of this review: Philip H., born October 1, 1851, and died June 29, 1853; and Ida C., who was born February 10, 1854, and died June 10, 1855. By her second marriage Mrs. Haney had three children: William C., who was born February 15, 1858; Arthur G., who was born March 27, 1861 ; and Catherine A., who was born October 11, 1863, and died August 11, 1869. The mother passed away at her home in Columbus January 1I, 1879.

Mr. Dutoit, of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of his native city, and in the year 1867 he enlisted in Company B, of the Thirtieth United States Regulars, then stationed at Columbus, and his regi- ment did duty in guarding and protecting the Union Pacific Railroad, which was being constructed through Nebraska, Wyoming and Utah, and had a number of skirmishes with the Indians. In 1870 Mr. Dutoit left the service and returned to his home in this city, after three years absence. I11 1872 he entered the employ of the Piqua Railroad Company as brakeman, serving in that capacity for four years, after which he spent seven years with the Norfolk, Western & Hocking Valley Railroad, first as brakeman and afterward as conductor. While serving in the former capacity, in 1880, he had then ends of the fingers on his left hand cut off, while coupling cars, but he soon resumed work and was later made conductor, serving in that position until his retirement from the service of the railroads. During the past five years he has been in the employ of the Columbus Street Railway Company as' motorman and is one of the most trustworthy men on the road.

On the 7th of August, 1870, Mr. Dutoit was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Fleming, at the latter's home in Columbus. Her father, James Fleming, was born in 1835, and passed away in April, 1879. Their living children are: Mrs. Dutoit; Mrs. Sarah Romosier and Mrs. Julia Kohn, both of Columbus; and Isaac, who was born and yet lives in this city. Those who have passed away are Franklin, David, Elizabeth and Mrs. Mary Dutoit. Unto our subject and his wife have been born eight children: Will- iam F., who was born May 12, 1871, and is a conductor on the Ohio Central Railroad; Edward L., who was born May 10, 1873, and died August 13, 1893; Albert E., who was born August 15, 1875, is now a conductor on the Hocking Valley Railroad; Franklin, who was born February 18, 1877, and is a brakeman in the service of the same railroad; Charles P., who was born

727

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

January 27, 1883, and died June 12, 1884; Elmer E., born January 26, 1885, is a student in the high school; Stewart, born June 26, 1887, is also attend- ing school; and Eugene E., born June 15, 1889, died May 2, 1890. A grand- son, Harry Fleming, who was born April 22, 1877, is also living with Mr. and Mrs. Dutoit.

Our subject is a charter member of Beaver Tribe of the Red Men, Live Oak Lodge, No. I. For twelve years he has also held membership rela- tions with Hollingsworth Lodge, No. 100, of the Order of Railway Con- ductors. The greater part of his life has been passed in his native city and lie has here a wide acquaintance, being particularly well known in rail- road circles.

NATHAN W. DULIN.

From an early age Nathan William Dulin has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, and his life record illustrates what may be accom- plished through determined purpose and earnest effort. He was born July 7, 1839, on the old family homestead in Washington township, Franklin county, but at an early age was left an orphan. His grandfather, Lewis Dulin, was a native of Virginia, and about 1810, with his wife and children, he came to Ohio, making the journey on horseback. He located in Chilli- cothe, and about 1850 removed to Delaware county, where he made his home with his daughter, Mrs. Lucinda Latham, until his death. His wife also died at the home of their daughter.

Lawson Dulin, the father of our subject, was born in Virginia in 1800, and during his early boyhood accompanied his parents to the Buckeye state. He was married near Chillicothe, his wife being a native of Ohio. They located in Washington township, Franklin county, on a farm of one hundred and sixteen acres, which has since been divided into four farms, the pres- ent owners being Travey Latham, Hiram Judson, Mr. Shyer and Seymour Latham. The father of our subject died on his farm in 1845, and his wife passed away in 1852. Their children were: Lucy, who died at the age of twenty years; Nancy, wife of William Michaels, of Muncie, Indiana; Cath- erine, deceased; Ann, who became the wife of David Latham, and died in Washington township; Sarah, deceased; Susan, wife of William Wilcox, her death having occurred in Union county, Ohio; Nathan W .; and Asa, who was a member of the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and died in Tennessee in 1862, during his service.

Nathan W. Dulin was only thirteen years of age when he was left an orphan. He went to live with Lewis Hard, of Sharon township, and though he was not sent to school, he was taught to spell by an invalid daughter of Mr. Hard. He had gone to school for a limited period between his fourth and fifth years, but his educational privileges were very limited. After leaving Mr. Hard he lived with different farmers for a year, and then went to live with Alonzo Hard, a son of Lewis Hard, with whom he remained

728

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

until fifteen years of age. Subsequently he was employed as a farm hand until his enlistment in the Civil war. In 1861 he joined Company C, Regiment, but did not serve out his time. In 1862 he became a private of Company B, Eighty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was on duty a part of the time at Camp Chase, and took prisoners to Vicksburg from that point. On the expiration of his term of service he was discharged at the state house in Columbus, returning then to Washington township, where for a short time he again worked as a farmhand, but in 1864 he once more joined the Union army, becoming a member of Company F, Eighty-eighth Ohio Vol- unteer Infantry, with which he remained until the cessation of hostilities.

Mr. Dulin was married in 1865 to Miss Harriet Latham, of Washington township, a daughter of Moses Latham, and later he purchased twenty-five acres of land, on which they lived for two years, after which they spent a short time on her father's farm. Subsequently Mr. Dulin sold his property, and after renting land for two years purchased a home in Washington town- ship, and conducted a small store at Sandy's School-house for seventeen years. He then remained at Hilliard for a few months, after which he purchased his present farm of forty acres. He has made many changes on the place, adding improvements, repairing buildings and placing the land under a high state of cultivation.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Dulin have been born seven children: Alonzo, who died in childhood; Franklin, deceased; Estella, who has engaged in teaching school for four years; Susan, deceased; Lewis, of Columbus; Emma, a school teacher; and Beatrice, at home. Mr. Dulin and his family attend the Methodist Episcopal church. He votes with the Republican party, and is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, as well as an industrious and energetic business man.

CHARLES AUBERT.

The men of prominence in Ohio who trace their lineage to France are much smaller in number than those of English and German ancestry, but Ohio has no citizens who are more able and progressive than those of French extraction. This is true of Frenchmen and men of French descent in busi- ness life and in the professions. The grandfather of Charles Aubert was named Claudius Postian Aubert. He was a drummer boy in Napoleon's vast army that crossed the Niemen in 1812 toward Moscow to commence war with Russia because the Czar opened his ports to British goods, and was with Napoleon's army in that decisive combat-the battle of Waterloo-on the 18th of June, 1815. against the English and Prussians under Wellington and Blucher. He came with his family to Ohio in the pioneer days of this part of the country. Charles Aubert, the father of Charles Aubert, of Columbus, was then about eight years old. Claudius Postian Aubert located on land in Hamilton township, Franklin county, and remained there until his death. After his father's death Charles Aubert, Sr., made a successful start in life-

729

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

for himself and in due time acquired a large and valuable farm, now known as the Aubert farm, and considerable capital in money, and devoted much attention to real-estate and money loans. He married Miss Elizabeth Reiselt, a native of Germany, who became a prominent farmer in Hamilton township. His son, Claudius P. Aubert, a brother of the subject of this sketch, was graduated at the Ohio Normal University in 1887 and is the prin- cipal of the public schools at Port Townsend, Washington.

Charles Aubert, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, was born in Hamilton township, Franklin county, September 20, 1866. He received his primary education in the public schools and was graduated at the Ohio Normal University in 1887. After that he taught in the public schools of Franklin county until 1895 and also occupied the chair of Latin in the Ohio Medical University at Columbus from 1892 to 1895. He read law meanwhile under the direction of Donaldson & Tussing, a prominent law firm of Colum- bus. He was admitted to the bar in 1895 and immediately entered upon the practice of his profession, in which he has been increasingly successful. Not only has he become popular as a lawyer but also as an active worker in the cause of the Democracy, and he has been several times tendered nomination for offices of responsibility, but has declined it in order to give his undivided attention to his professional work. His work as an educator is one of which any teacher might well be proud, and during the period of his work in the- schools he was not only prominent in county institutes but became well known in state and national educational bodies, in whose state conventions he took a prominent part. He was married, in 1897, to Miss Marie Renner, a daugh- ter of John Steven Renner, a prominent farmer and extensive land-owner of Franklin township.

WILLIAM HART.

Among the prosperous and successful agriculturists of Norwich town- ship, Franklin county, Ohio, is numbered William Hart, who was born here on the 9th of September, 1861, and having lost his parents when only three months old he was taken to the home of Moses Hart, by whom he was reared, remaining with him until reaching manhood. He obtained a good practical education in the public schools, which he attended until twenty-one years of age, and during his youth aided his foster father in clearing and cultivating the home farm, thus becoming thoroughly familiar with the occupation which he has chosen as' a life work.

On the 18th of November, 1885, in Norwich township, Mr. Hart was united in marriage with Miss Jennie Weeks, a daughter of John and Mar- garet (Hart) Weeks, and a granddaughter of Moses Hart. By this union were born six children : Stella J., William F., Margaret B., Ruth M., Jacob G. and Grace Edna, all at home.

After his' marriage Mr. Hart located upon his present farm of two hundred and seventy-five acres, which he has converted into one of the best

730

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

farms of the locality, being supplied with all the conveniences and accessories of a model farm of the twentieth century. Besides his valuable property he owns ten acres of the old Hart homestead, and is successfully engaged in general farming. He is an honored member of the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges at Hilliard, and is a stanch supporter of the Republican party and its principles. In the spring of 1897 he was elected trustee of Norwich township, and is now serving his second term, having been re-elected in the spring of 1900. He is a wide-awake, energetic and progressive business man, and his success in life has been worthily achieved.

GEORGE PORSCHET.

The subject of this sketch, one of the most industrious and enterprising agriculturists of Norwich township, now owns and operates the old home- stead formerly belonging to his paternal grandfather, Martin Porschet, a native of Germany. In that country the latter was married to Katy Haine, and there their only child, the father of our subject, was born. The grand- father served some time in the German army and received his discharge in 1800. In 1840 he came to the United States, accompanied by his little fam- ily, and landed in New York. After spending a short time in Union county, Ohio, with George Haine, a brother of his wife, he came to Franklin county and purchased thirty acres of woodland in Norwich township, which he at once commenced to clear and improve, erecting thereon a log cabin. For many years he was engaged in the arduous task of transforming the wild land into rich and fertile fields, and died upon that place in 1866. His wife survived him until 1885, when she departed this life when past the age of seventy years.

Mr. Porschet, the father of our subject, was a mere boy when brought by his parents to the new world, and in Norwich township grew to man- hood. In early life he learned the shoemaker's trade, which he followed in connection with farming. In Norwich township he married Miss Lena Arnold, also a native of Germany. She came to the United States alone when a young lady. After his marriage Mr. Porschet located on the home farm, and in 1880 added forty acres' to the original purchase. He died August 24, 1900, and his wife passed away in 1885. They were active members of the German Lutheran church, and God-fearing, consistent Chris- tians. In politics the father was a Democrat. Their children were: Powell, a resident of La Rue, Marion county, Ohio; John, of this county; Michael, of Union county; George, our subject; Dora, wife of Frederick Koener, of Prairie township. this county ; Eva, wife of Henry Coleman, of Union county ; Fred, who died in January, 1898; Henry, of Union county; Barbara, wife of George Roush, of Marysville, Ohio; and Charles, of Union county.

George Porschet, of this review, was born December 26, 1864, on his present farm, and was there reared to agricultural pursuits, while attending the district schools from the age of six to sixteen years through the winter

731

CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.

months only. On the 28th of August, 1886, in Norwich township, he was united in marriage with Miss Caroline Pusecker, who was born in Prairie township, this county, in 1870, a daughter of Charles and Margaret Pusecker. By this union were born six children, as follows: Louis C., born March 7, 1887; William F., September 18, 1888; Carrie Marguerite, June 12, 1890; Charles, May 30, 1897; Alma, August 23, 1894; and George E., June 19, 1899. All are living with exception of Charles, who died in infancy.

After his marriage Mr. Porschet located in Franklin township, this county, but at the end of six months returned to Norwich township. For three years he worked in the stone quarries, and on retiring from that busi- ness rented a farm, which he operated until 1894, when he located on the old homestead. Here he has since successfully engaged in general farming and stock raising. He is a communicant of the Lutheran church and a sup- porter of the Democratic party. For four years he has filled the office of school director, and takes a deep interest in any enterprise calculated to advance the moral, educational or material welfare of his township and county.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 88

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