A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 9

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 9

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Samuel P. Wright, their only son and eldest child, was born in Sun-

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bury, Delaware county, Ohio, March 20, 1843, and in 1846 was brought by his parents to Franklin county where he pursued his education in the public schools and assisted in the work of the home farm until the inauguration of the Civil war when his patriotic spirit was aroused by the attempt of the rebellious south to overthrow the Union. He enlisted in May, 1864, when twenty-one years of age, becoming a member of the boys in blue, of Company C, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for one hun- dred days' service. He was soon transferred to the seat of war, the com- mand being first located at Parkersburg, West Virginia, and afterward at- tached to General Butler's army. He saw active service during his entire term and was honorably discharged at its close in August, 1864.

Samuel Wright was married on the 26th of February, 1868, to Miss Leora A. Mock, who was born in Franklin county in 1848, a daughter of Joseph and Minerva (Innis) Mock, early settlers of the county. Her father was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, being a son of Michael Mock, a native of Pennsylvania, who at an early day came with his family to Frank- lin county, Ohio, locating in Clinton township, upon a farm. He was among the first settlers in this portion of the state and secured his land from the government. Not a furrow had been turned nor an improvement made thereon, but he cleared and improved the fields and in the course of time his labors were rewarded by bounteous harvests. There he lived through the remainder of his days. In his family were the following children: Mich- ael, Elizabeth. Catherine. Jacob, John, who remained in Pennsylvania, Samuel, Joseph and Mary. Joseph Mock was a young lad when he came to Franklin county with his parents. He married Miss Minerva Innis, a daughter of the Rev. Henry and Isabel (Pegg) Innis. The young couple began their domestic life upon a farm and spent their remaining days in Franklin county. Mr. Mock served for three months in the Civil war as a member of Company A, of the One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was then honorably discharged. In the family were six children, namely: Me- lissa L., the deceased wife of L. S. Wood; Clifford, who died at the age of twelve months; Leora A., the wife of S. P. Wright; Henry A., who married Eliza Swartz and is now deceased; Ida, the wife of J. V. Harrison ; and Charles E., who married Rebecca Martin. The father of this family died on Sep- tember 23, 1885, at the age of sixty-seven years, his birth having occurred in 1818. His wife was born in 1819 and died in 1879. Both were members of the Methodist Episcopal church, being long identified with that organization, and their lives were consistent with their profession. Mr. Mock was a stanch Republican and took an active interest in political affairs, doing all in his power to advance the work of his party.

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wright has been blessed with ten chil- dren, of whom eight are living, as follows: Minerva M., the wife of E. G. Burwell: Mary A., the wife of Armie Burwell; Emerett N., the wife of L. E. Rhodes ; Leora L., the wife of C. W. Miles ; Carlisle and S. Leroy at home ;

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Earl C. and Williard F., at home; Ida R. died December 31, 1898, at the age of thirteen years ; and Joseph M. died in 1869 two days after birth. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wright have membership connection with the Methodist Epis- copal church, to which the latter has belonged since twelve years of age He is a member of Henry C. Burr Post, No. 711, G. A. R., of Worthington, Ohio. His farm comprises one hundred and thirty-six acres of land all of which is under a high state of cultivation and the many fine improvements thereon are in keeping with the progressive spirit of the age.

ALVIN LEE NICHOLS.

Prominent among the business men of Grove City is numbered A. L. Nichols, a general merchant of that place. No one is better known in this vicinity, for his entire life has been spent here, and all his interests from boyhood have been closely associated with this locality. In business affairs he has met with excellent success, and by the energy and zeal he has mani- fested he has won the confidence and esteem of the public.

A native of Franklin county, Mr. Nichols was born in Jackson township November 2, 1859, and is a son of William and Sarah (Alkire) Nichols, the former a native of Lewis county, West Virginia, the latter of Franklin county, Ohio. His paternal grandfather was Philip Nichols, a native of Virginia. The maternal grandfather, Jesse Alkire, came from West Virginia to Ohio at a very early day, and became one of the pioneers of Franklin county. He located in the forest of Franklin township, and there cleared and improved a farm. When about sixteen years of age he took up his residence in this county, where he worked at his trade as a plasterer, and also owned and operated a mill at Grove City for a number of years. Politically he was a supporter of the Democratic party, and as one of the leading citizens of his community he was called upon to fill several local offices, serving as township trustee and a member of the school board for some time. He died July 19, 1900, hon- ored and respected by all who knew him. His wife is still living and makes her home in Grove City. In their family were two children: Alvin Lee, our subject ; and Alice, at home with her mother.

Alvin L. Nichols was reared in his native township, and began his edu- cation in the public schools of Grove City. Later he attended business col- lege for some time, and pursued a course at the normal school in Lebanon, where he was fitted for teaching. At the age of sixteen he turned his atten- tion to that profession, his first school being in Jackson township, and for ten years he continued to engage in teaching in Truro, Franklin and Jackson townships, the last three years being employed in the Grove City school. Before laying aside that pursuit he embarked in merchandising at Grove City, and has conducted a general store at that place for sixteen years, his father being a partner in the business for a time. Mr. Nichols has also been inter- ested in the lumber business, at one time operating three sawmills, in which

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were sawed the lumber for the trestle on Big Run, about one-fourth of a mile long. He has owned an interest in other business enterprises, including the canning company of Grove City, which during the busy season furnishes employment to eighty hands. He is also a member of the Grove City Fair Association, of which he was president two years, and is one of the most prominent and influential business men of the place.

In June, 1890, Mr. Nichols married Miss Nora Cruces, and to them have been born four children, namely: Pearl, Lorene, Mabel and Beatrice. The parents are both members of the Presbyterian church and in the social circle of Grove City occupy an enviable position. Mr. Nichols' popularity has been shown by his election to important official position. He served as mayor of the city for two years and during his administration did more in the way of improvements than had been accomplished in the ten years pre- vious. As a member of the city council he took an active part in advancing the interests of the place, and has always given a liberal support to any enter- prise for the public benefit. He also served as clerk of Jackson township seven years, township treasurer two years, and is now a member of the school board of Grove City, and the Democratic candidate for county treas- urer. Politically he has always been a stanch supporter of the Democracy, and for eight years he held the office of postmaster of Grove City. Frater- nally he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is the patentee of a tally sheet used in the election pre- cincts throughout Ohio known as the Nichols talley sheet, and has also copy- righted a school register, with many new and interesting features. In all his undertakings he has prospered thus far, his excellent success being but the logical result of his careful and correct business methods, and he now occupies an enviable position in business, political and social circles.

CLARK WORTHINGTON.

Clark Worthington was born January 3, 1855, on the old family home- stead in Pleasant township, which is still his place of abode. His father, Robert Worthington, an own cousin of Governor Worthington, of Ohio, was born near Doylestown. Bucks county, Pennsylvania. November 9, 1813, and there remained until he had attained his majority. His privileges and oppor- tunities were few, for his father died when the son was but seventeen years of age, and Robert Worthington was then bound out to Thomas Kilbourne, of that county, remaining and working upon his farm until he was twenty- one years of age. He also studied surveying to some extent. On attaining his majority he started for Ohio, traveling part of the way by stage and cars and walked the remaining distance. He was accompanied by John Mad- lock, a youth of his own age. On reaching his destination Mr. Worthington secured employment on the farm of John Stump, of Pleasant township, where he remained for a year, receiving eight dollars per month in compensation

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for his services. He then went to Clinton county and worked for four years, driving a team and there he received from thirteen to fifteen dollars per month. He afterward returned to the home of Mr. Stump and married his daughter Ann, the marriage being celebrated March 12, 1839. She was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, and there remained until thirteen years of age, when with her parents, John and Catherine (Walters) Stump, she came to Pleasant township, Franklin county, Ohio, where she grew to womanhood.

After his marriage Robert Worthington purchased one hundred and twenty-five acres of wild land, now owned by Charles E. Worthington, and in the midst of the forest he erected a cabin home sixteen by eighteen feet. It was built of hewed logs and contained two rooms, the house being heated by a fireplace, over which the meals were also cooked. He cleared and devel- oped his farm and was familiar with many of the struggles and hardships incident to pioneer life. The work of cutting away the forest trees and pre- paring the soil for cultivation, however, he lived to see, the entire district in which he located being transformed into one of the best farming portions of Ohio. Quick to note and improve opportunities he made the most of his advantages and became very successful. In 1857 he removed to his farm of one hundred and twelve and a half acres at Pleasant Corners, for which he paid six dollars and a quarter per acre. As the years passed, however, he added to his landed possessions until his accumulations comprised five hun- dred and twenty acres. His business and executive ability was superior and his enterprise and keen discrimination enabled him to advance steadily upon the path to prosperity. Upon the homestead at Pleasant Corners he remained until his death, October 24, 1888, and was actively associated with the culti- vation of his land until that time. He took an active interest in politics, being a stalwart Democrat, and for several years he served as trustee of his township, while through a long period he acted as school director, but would never consent to become a candidate for a county office. He was reared in the faith of the Society of Friends, but was liberal to all churches, giving freely of his means in support of the various denominations and for charit- able purposes. His wife held membership in the Methodist Episcopal church, and survived her husband about thirteen months. He was a useful citizen in his neighborhood, had the marked regard of many friends and the deep love of his family, for he was a tender and considerate husband and father. Mr. and Mrs. Worthington became the parents of six children: Jane, now the wife of Maurice Bradfield, who is living near West Jefferson, Ohio; John W., who married Harriet England, and served as a soldier in the Civil war and died on the home farm; Mary C., who became the wife of Jacob White, and died at Pleasant Corners, in 1900; George W., who married Sarah Ann Smith and lives in Pleasant township; Sarah, who became the wife of Will- iam Rush, and died in Pickaway county, Ohio; and Clark, of this review.

When our subject was in his third year his parents removed to Pleasant Corners, and when he had attained the usual age he entered school there,

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continuing his studies until twenty years of age. During the summer months he assisted in the work of the home farm. At Pleasant Corners, on the 21st of February, 1878, he married Miss Josephine Wade, of Pleasant township, a daughter of Abner and Annie (Gorrell) Wade. For eleven years after their marriage Mr. Worthington remained with his father and at the latter's death took possession of the farm, which was his share of the estate. He built his present home in 1892 and has a very fine homestead which stands in the midst of highly cultivated fields.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Worthington have been born seven children, namely : Grace, now the wife of Harry E. Cardiff, of Ashville, North Carolina ; Elmer C., who was killed by lightning at the age of fourteen years; Mary C .; Hat- tie M. : Leona : Carmen McDowell ; and Reva Nell. The parents hold mem- bership in the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Worthington is serving as trustee and treasurer. In politics he is a zealous advocate of the Democ- racy, and for six years has served as trustee of Pleasant township. He was re-elected in the spring of 1901, for another term of three years, and his public duties have ever been discharged in a manner highly satisfactory.

EMILIUS O. RANDALL.

Emilius Oviatt Randall, a lawyer, professor and editor, was born at Richfield, Ohio, October 28, 1850, the only son of David Austin and Harriet Newton (Oviatt) Randall. His mother was the daughter of Captain Heman Oviatt, who emigrated from Connecticut to Hudson, Ohio, in 1800. Her grandfather served in the continental troops, while on the paternal side, two great-grandfathers, John Randall and Patrick Pemberton, fought in the Rev- olutionary war.

Emilius Randall was brought to Columbus when but a few weeks old and it has been his home ever since. His education was begun in the public schools of Columbus, and he was prepared for college in Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, entered Cornell University in the fall of 1870, and graduated in the literary course of that university with a degree of Ph. B., and later pursuing a two-years course, post-graduate, there and also in Europe.

From 1878 to 1890 Mr. Randall gave his attention to merchandising and literary pursuits in Columbus, and in the intervals of business read law under the direction of Frank C. Hubbard, of the Columbus bar. He was admitted to practice by the supreme court of Ohio, June 5, 1890, and was graduated at the law school of the Ohio State University in 1892 with the degrees of LL. B. and LL. M. He is a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon and Phi Delta Phi college fraternities. In 1892 he was made instructor of commercial law in his legal alma mater and professor of commercial law in the same institution in 1895.

Mr. Randall has received so many honors and appointments from his

E. O. RANDALL.

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fellow citizens and legal associates that there is no doubt of the esteem in which he is held. On the 14th of May, 1895, he was appointed reporter of the supreme court of Ohio by the judges of that court, and he has edited and published twelve volumes of the decisions of the court. He was elected the president of the Columbus Board of Trade for the year 1887 and was a mein- ber of the board of education of Columbus from 1887 to 1889, declining a re-election. He is also a member of the board of trustees of the Columbus Library, having been first elected to that office in 1884 by the city council and re-elected every two years since that time, and is also a member of the American Bar Association, the American Library Association, American Historical Association, Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and the Ohio State Bar Association. In February, 1893, he was appointed by Governor Mckinley a trustee of the Ohio State Archaeological and Historical: Society, to which position he was reappointed by Governor Bushnell in Feb- ruary, 1896, and has acted as the secretary of that society since February, 1894, also editing six volumes of that society's publications. He is the author of several monographs on literary and historical subjects.

In politics Mr. Randall is a Republican. He was a member of the com- mittee of seven chosen by the Columbus Constitutional Convention in Janu- ary, 1891, to draft the charter of the present municipal government of the city ..

Mr. Randall's preparation for practice at the bar was far superior to. that of the average lawyer. His literary attainments were broad and high; his judgment was mature; his experience in affairs large and varied; he knew much of business and of men; he was familiar with the practical side- of life through the intercourse of business and trade. This accumulation of experience was invaluable and gave him at once a standing at the bar which young lawyers without such aids attain only after years of effort and struggle. He is patient and a thorough student of the problems of law, his mind being trained to study and investigate is satisfied with nothing less than a clear understanding of the principles and the philosophy of constitutional and statute law. He is widely known as a lecturer, is a ready and entertain- ing speaker and is especially successful as an after-dinner orator, and is as gifted with his pen as with his tongue.

Mr. Randall was married, October 28, 1874, to Mary, a daughter of John H. and Catherine A. (Granger) Coy, of Ithaca, New York, and they have three children, Rita, a daughter, and two sons,-David Austin and Sherman Bronson Randall.

DENNIS J. CLAHANE. .

The subject of the present sketch, Dennis J. Clahane, is a prominent business man and public official of the city of Columbus, Ohio. He was born in this city in 1851, a son of James and Mary (Hanlon) Clahane, both of whom were born in Ireland, having emigrated from that country to America when young. They married in Boston, Massachusetts, where they resided until 1846, when they came to Columbus, Ohio. Here Mr. Clahane pur- 5

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chased a small tract of vacant property on what is now West Broad street, which later became very valuable, and upon this he located and here reared his family. His death occurred in 1893, his wife surviving him until 1898. Both of them had been devout and consistent members of the Holy Family Catholic church and they left a large circle of mourning friends, who had respected them during life and will long cherish their memory.

Our subject, Dennis J. Clahane, received his education in the excellent public schools of his native city, graduating at the high school with credit. He then entered the store of his father, who was engaged in the grocery business, and remained in his employ until 1892, at which time he formed a partnership with his brother, John E., under the firm name of D. & J. Clahane, retail and wholesale grocers, at 295-7 West Broad street, Colum- bus, Ohio, which continues at the present time. The firm has built up a fine business and have an extensive patronage.

Mr. Clahane is a progressive and enterprising man and works faithfully for the best interests of the city, of which he is pardonably proud. He was instrumental in the organization of the Hanover Pressed Brick Company in 1892, and upon the organization of the same he was made its president, which responsible position he holds at the present time. The business has grown to vast proportions and is now reckoned among the important indus- tries of the city.

One of the finest flat buildings of the city, on West Broad street, was erected by Mr. Clahane, in 1898. It is modern in every way, an ornament to the locality. In conjunction with this most valuable piece of real estate Mr. Clahane is the owner of other property and deals in holdings for others. In 1898 he erected his beautiful residence, which is both convenient, with all the improvements of the latest utility, and attractive both outside and within.

The marriage of Mr. Clahane took place in 1896, Miss Ethel Dennis, a daughter of Hugh Dennis, an old and prominent citizen, becoming his wife.

Mr. Clahane has always taken a very active part in all political matters, is a strong Republican, and in 1897 was made chairman of the Republican executive committee. From 1888 to 1892 he served as a member of the city council, of which he was president one year. In May, 1900, Mayor Samuel J. Schwartz appointed him to the position of sewer commissioner, which posi- tion he has filled acceptably ever since. He is a genial, whole-souled gentle- man, a progressive citizen and an honest and efficient official.

LORENZO TAYLOR.

Lorenzo Taylor is numbered among the native sons of Franklin county, his birth having occurred July 28, 1828, upon the farm where J. Buren Taylor now resides. He is one of eight children whose parents were Anthony W. and Melinda (Trumbo) Taylor, but only three of the number are yet living. namely : Lorenzo, J. Buren and Rose F., the last named being the wife of

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Robert Wille, a retired business man of Worthington, Franklin county. The father was born in Hardy county, Virginia, July 16, 1797, and was a son of Caleb C. Taylor, a well known teacher of the Old Dominion who spent his last days in Missouri. Anthony W. Taylor was reared under the parental roof and in early life learned the tanner's trade. About 1818 he came to Ohio, locating in Cincinnati, where he followed his trade for a year, after which he returned to Virginia, and in 1820 he was united in marriage to Miss Melinda Trumbo.

Two years later, in 1822, he came to Franklin county, Ohio, with his wife and one son, and here purchased a farm of one hundred acres in Plain township, the place being now occupied by his son, J. Buren. Casting in his lot with the early settlers, he lived in true pioneer style, his home being a log cabin fourteen by sixteen feet, standing in the midst of the virgin forest. About six years later he erected a more pretentious hewed-log house of two stories, it being then considered one of the best residences in this locality. On the old home he then established a tannery and continued business along that line for several years. In his farming operations he was likewise suc- cessful and was known as an excellent business manager. His investments were judiciously made and he became the owner of one thousand acres of land, which in later life he largely divided among his children. He passed away March 4, 1883, in his eighty-sixth year. The pike on which his home was located and which was begun prior to his death is named in his honor, being called the Wayne Taylor free pike. In politics he was a Jacksonian Democrat and kept well informed on the issues of the day, but refused all offices. His life was partially given to Christian work, however, for he was a minister in the old school Baptist church and filled the pulpit for more than half a century, riding on horseback through this section of the country in the early pioneer days in order that he might proclaim the gospel to the set- tlers living upon the frontier. He never received a dollar for his church work, but did it through love of the cause and his fellow men. His wife, who was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, July 28, 1800, was a daugh- ter of John Trumbo, a farmer and slave holder of Rockingham county, where he spent his entire life. Mrs. Taylor died April 24, 1874. She, too, was a member of the Baptist church and an earnest Christian woman whose many excellent characteristics gained her uniform regard and esteem.

The boyhood days of Lorenzo Taylor were quietly passed upon the home farm and in the common schools near by he pursued his education. He assisted his father until his marriage, which occurred June 24, 1858, Miss Martha E. Whitsell becoming his wife. She is a native of Truro township, Franklin county, and a daughter of Daniel Whitsell, who emigrated from the vicinity of Chambersburg. Pennsylvania, about 1800, and took up his abode in Ross county, where he remained until after his marriage, when he came to Franklin county. Two children graced the union of Mr. and Mrs. Taylor, but only one is now living, Herman W., who married Carrie E. Har- ward and now operates the home farm.

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A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Part 9

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