USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio > Part 99
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that he worked for two years at harness-making and shoemaking for Joseph Tozer, of Worthington. At the end of that time he was still in debt to the amount of two hundred and fifty dollars on notes which he had given for obligations incurred by his father, but nothing daunted he opened a harness shop, to which he added a shoe shop in the following year, 1863, which he bought of Hiram Judson. He has continued the business from that time to this with good success. When he began he had no money with which to buy leather for use in his work, and during the first season he repaired har- nesses with parts of older harnesses and with such stray pieces of leather as he could pick up. He bought a lot and built his present brick block in 1879, and has occupied it since December, that year. Since 1871 he has done a successful livery business in connection with his manufacturing enterprise.
From his childhood Mr. Wing has been a constant attendant at church and Sunday-school services. In 1860 he and Mrs. Wing became communicants of the Episcopalian church. When they moved to Dublin, in 1868, they united with the Christian church of that place, in which he has since held several offices, notably that of trustee, of which he was the incumbent for some years, and of which Mrs. Wing was a member until her death, which occurred October 10, 1870. Mr. Wing was married, April 1, 1860, to Miss Amanda Boord, who was born at Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, July 17, 1842, a daughter of Thomas Boord, who was a native of Maryland. His present wife, whom he married December 6, 1872, was Miss Amelia Wittich. born in Circleville, Ohio, March 31, 1843, a daughter of Frederick and Catherine (Herzog) Wittich. Mr. Wittich was a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, and Mrs. Wittich was of French birth. By his first marriage Mr. Wing had children as follows: Charles Melville Wing married Dora Nicholson and is a merchant at Dublin, Ohio. Frank died at the age of two years; Minnie at the age of three years; and Florence in infancy. His children by his second wife were the following: Verna, who died in infancy; Iva, who is a member of her parents' household : Celinda, who married George Chapman ; and George WV., who lives with his father.
Mr. Wing has a creditable war record, having enlisted at Dublin, Frank- lin county, Ohio, May 2, 1864, as a private in Company E, One Hundred and Thirty-third Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served faith- fully one hundred days, receiving honorable discharge at Columbus, Ohio, September 15, 1864. During his term of service he was stationed at Fort Powhattan, Virginia, and June 16, 1864, was in a warm engagement at a point between Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. His company commander was Captain Hegner and his regimental commander was Colonel Innis. He keeps alive the associations of war times by membership in Cicero Davis Post. No. 514, Grand Army of the Republic, at Dublin, and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, identified with both lodge and encamp- ment.
Politically he is a stanch Republican and the confidence in which he is held by his fellow citizens is indicated by the fact that he has by repeated
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election been a member of the town council of Dublin for seven years. A man of much public spirit he has always given his support to such measures as he has deemed promising of good for his township, county and state. Well informed concerning national affairs and enthusiastic for the success of Republicanism, he is an active and efficient worker in local politics.
JEREMIAH COSGRAY.
Among the prominent agriculturists of Washington township, Franklin county, Ohio, is Jeremiah Cosgray, the subject of this sketch. He was born on August 20, 1853, near Waynesburg, Greene county, Pennsylvania. The grandfather of Mr. Cosgray was named James Cosgray, who in infancy was brought to America from Ireland by his parents, who located in Greene county, Pennsylvania, where he was reared and learned the trade of shoemaker and also followed farming. After the death of his first wife he came to Ohio and about 1868 removed to Washington township, Franklin county.
The father of our subject was named Jeremiah Cosgray and was born in Greene county, Pennsylvania, February 2, 1820, and grew up on the home farm, receiving a common-school education. On August 19, 1841, he was united in marriage to Miss Susan Kiger, who was born August 13, 1824, near Newtown, Pennsylvania, a daughter of John Kiger, of German descent. In the fall of 1865 the father of our subject came to Ohio and located on a farm in Jerome township, in Union county, this place being now owned by James Sweeney. Later he moved to what is now the William Graham farm in Washington township, and thence to the Charles Mitchell place in this town- ship. At that time he decided to invest, and bought fifty acres now owned by his son Moses, his death occurring May 12, 1897. While residing in Penn- sylvania both parents of our subject connected themselves with the Baptist church, but after coming to Ohio they attended the Christian church. In politics he was a Democrat and well and favorably known throughout the township.
The children born to the parents of our subject were: Mrs. Maria Lati- mer, deceased, who resided in Delaware county, Ohio; Benjamin, who died in Washington township; Sarah Ann, who married Martin Myers and lives in this township; Moses, who married Janet Postle and also lives in this town- ship; Burbidge, who married Malissa Artz and lives in Pulaski county, Indi- ana; Jeremiah, who is our subject; Mary Jane, who married Cyrus Fresh- water and lives in Union county ; Rebecca, who is married to Simpson Norris and resides in Norwich township: Peter, who married Mary Allen, lives in Pulaski county, Indiana; and John, who married Temperance James and resides in Idaho, Ohio.
Until he was ten years old our subject lived with his parents in Penn- sylvania and attended school there, accompanying them when they came to Ohio, and continued at school until he was eighteen. He was accustomed to life on a farm and when he married and began to face life for himself and
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wife he was prepared by this training to expect success. On November 12, 1874, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Graham, a daughter of Will- iam Graham, and they located in Jackson township, Union county, upon a tract of forty-two acres which Mr. Cosgray purchased in 1875. After four years here our subject sold this place and tried renting land, taking the Mitchell farm in Washington township for three years, later the Frank Davis farm, in Perry township, for about ten years, finally locating on his present place, consisting of seventy-two and one-half acres. This place Mr. Cosgray has improved by erecting excellent buildings and planting orchards until it is one of the most attractive and valuable in the township.
In May, 1892, Mr. Cosgray suffered the loss of his wife. She had been a devoted member of the Methodist church and was a good woman, who was esteemed by many friends. She left the following family: Oliver, who mar- ried Lucy Chapman and resides in Washington township; Amina; Jessie, who married Earl Boyer and lives in Trenton, Missouri; Adelbert, who died an infant ; Eugene; William, who also lives in Trenton, Missouri; Benjamin; and Mary, who died when four years old.
Our subject is a stanch Democrat, active in the ranks of his party. He attends the services of the Methodist church and socially is connected with the Red Men. The family is much respected in the neighborhood where their name has been known so long.
JACOB MECARTNEY.
Jacob Mecartney, a prominent farmer of Hamilton township, residing on section 23, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, four miles south of the city of Lancaster, on the 29th of March, 1826, and is the fourth child and second son of John and Maria ( Machman) Mecartney. The father was also born in the Keystone state, was of Scotch descent and died in his native county. By trade he was a cabinetmaker and carpenter and he also followed farming. His early political support was given the Whig party, and he after- ward joined the ranks of the Republican party. For many years he served as county auditor of Lancaster county, and he was a prominent and influential citizen, widely known as the "Dutch lawyer" of his county. He was an excel- lent scribe and wrote many wills. Of the Mennonite church he was a mem- ber, and died in that faith at the age of seventy-seven. His wife, who was also a native of Pennsylvania, passed away when about sixty years of age. Of their family of three sons and three daughters, all reached adult age and three are now living, namely: Amos, a resident of California; Maria, wife of David Huber, of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania ; and Jacob.
The last named was reared and educated in the county of his nativity, and attended the common district schools. In 1851 he went to Illinois, where he engaged in herding cattle through the summer. In the fall he returned to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, but the following year came to Franklin county, Ohio, where, in connection with C. S. Herr, he operated the Samuel
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Johnson farm in Hamilton township for two years, his eldest sister acting as their housekeeper during that time. Mr. Mecartney subsequently purchased sixty-nine acres of land on the Chillicothe road in Hamilton township of Frank Johnson, and cultivated his land until the following autumn in con- nection with sixty-five acres which he rented. He then sold his land to Mr. Lindsay. and purchased the farm upon which he now resides. There were few improvements upon the place and he lived in a little log cabin until that primitive home was replaced by a frame residence. Subsequently he erected his present large brick house at a cost of three thousand dollars. There are over one hundred thousand brick in the house, all of which he burned himself. His home is modern in its appointments and equipments, and is one of the desirable residences of the county. He has upon the place a mammoth barn, fifty by eighty-nine feet, which cost him two thousand dollars, he furnishing the tim- ber, which was upon the farm. His place comprises one hundred and forty- four and a half acres, the greater part of which is under a high state of culti- vation. the well-tilled fields yielding to him a good return. In 1895 his home was burned to the ground, but though he suffered a great loss' thereby he immediately replaced it with his present fine residence.
In West Virginia, in 1875, Mr. Mecartney was united in marriage to Miss Jemima V. McCloch, a native of that state, and they became parents of five children : Alice L., wife of Grant Swindle, of Madison township, by whom she has two sons. Arthur and Paul; Mary A .. at home: Frank, an attorney at Columbus; Alexander C., who married Emma Dumont, and resides on the home farm; and Fannie; who died in infancy. Mr. Mecartney is a Prohibitionist in his political views, and also favors some of the prin- ciples of the Republican party. He at one time served as road supervisor, but has never been an office seeker. He has long taken an active part in the work of the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has been a member for a half-century, and is now serving as trustee and steward.
CONRAD BORN.
The firm of Born & Company, of Columbus, Ohio, is one of the best in the city, having at its head thoroughly competent men, who understand all of its details and who are capable of meeting any emergency that may arise. The proprietors are Conrad, C. Christian and C. Edward Born, the business having been started in 1859 by Conrad Born. Their brewery is at No. 565- 579 South Front street.
Conrad Born, the subject of this review. is the senior member of the above named company, and was born in the city of Columbus in September. 1844. He is the son of Conrad and Mary Ann ( Rickley) Born, the former of whom was a native of Germany, where he spent his youth, coming to the United States when a young man. He married the sister of Samuel S. Rickley, an old citizen and the president of the Capital City Bank of Colum-
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CONRAD BORN.
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bus. Mrs. Born died in 1878, when sixty-one years of age, having been born in Switzerland in 1817.
Conrad Born was educated in the public schools of Columbus, passing through the high school course, and then went to Cincinnati, St. Louis and Chicago, where he entered a brewery, there gaining the practical knowledge needed in his future business career. But in 1864 he returned to assist his father, soon afterward becoming a member of the firm, C. Born & Son. This enterprise was started in a small way, soon growing to such proportions that additional buildings were required, new machinery had to be bought and additions were made, until at the present time the plant has become one of the largest establishments in the state, with a capacity of one hundred thou- sand barrels annually. The firm enjoys a large local trade besides shipping large quantities of its products into the states of Pennsylvania and Indiana, also to various parts of Ohio. The business requires the labor of one hundred and twenty men and eighty horses. In 1894 new bottling works were erected, sixty-two and a half by one hundred and eighty-seven feet, of substantial brick, and the building is supplied with highly improved machinery and all the modern improvements used in this business. A side track connects with the various railroads, thus affording superior facilities for shipping.
In 1869 Mr. Born married Miss Lena Moarlein, who is a daughter of Christian Moarlein, a well known brewer of Cincinnati. Their union has been blessed with one son, C. Christian, who is a member of the firm. The third member of the firm, C. Edward, is a nephew of Conrad Born and one of the substantial business men of Columbus.
Politically Mr. Born is a stanch Democrat, but is not an office-seeker. Socially he is a very prominent Mason, having attained the thirty-second degree. He is a director of the Ohio National Bank, is popular and is held in high esteem by not only his intimate acquaintances but also by his busi- ness' associates.
JAMES P. KALB.
James P. Kalb, who devotes his time and energies to agricultural inter- ests in Madison township, Franklin county, was born on the farm where he yet resides, his natal day being March 16, 1846. His paternal great-grand- father was George Kalb, who was born in the state of Maryland and became the founder of the family in Ohio, where he located at a very early day. Here he entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from the government. secur- ing a tract which now forms a part of the old family homestead at Chillicothe, Ohio. It was then covered with a natural growth of forest trees which stood in their primeval strength, and there in the midst of the woods he began the improvement of a farm, his first home being a rude log cabin, consisting of only one room. He was among the honored pioneers of Franklin county who aided in paving the way for the civilization of the future residents.
John Kalb, the grandfather of our subject, was born in the state of
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Maryland and during his boyhood accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio where he was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life. He was a pump manufacturer and shoemaker and also engaged in the manufacture of cider, following those various pursuits in order to provide for his family. His first barn was built of hewn logs and was considered the best of the kind in the county at that time. He married Miss Mary Kieffer, also a native of Maryland, and unto them were born eight children, namely: Elisha, John, George, Jeremiah, Isaac, Anna, Mary and Susan. The father of this family continued to carry on business in Franklin county until his death, and was then laid to rest on the old family homestead.
Isaac Kalb, the father of our subject, was born in Madison township, on the 17th of July, 1817, and acquired his education in the old-time log school houses common at that time. He received only about two months' schooling in each year and during the remainder of the time he assisted his father in clearing and improving the home farm. On the 9th of February, 1843, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Brown, who was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, June 9, 1823. They became the parents of four chil- dren, two sons and two daughters, the eldest being James P., of this review. Mary E. is the wife of John Beggs, a resident farmer of Putnam county, Ohio, and they have six children. Theodore D. married Laura Alice Needles, and he, too, is engaged in farming. Anna Belle is the wife of John Leidy, a farmer of Madison township and they have two children.
James P. Kalb, whose name introduces this record, acquired his educa- tion in the district schools of Madison township and during the summer months worked in the fields and meadows, being thus employed until he was twenty-one years of age, when he began farming on his own account. The following year he was married to Miss Delilah Miller, a daughter of John Miller, a farmer who resided in Truro township, Franklin county. His wife bore the maiden name of Maria Kile and she was born in Madison town- ship on the IIth of December, 1817. Mr. and Mrs. Miller became the par- ents of four sons and three daughters, namely: William, Milton, Oliver, Clarissa, Serena, Rachel and Mrs. Kalb. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children, but two of the number died in infancy. Mamie, the eldest living, married Clinton A. Stevenson, a farmer of Madison town- ship, and they are the parents of four sons and one daughter, Howard Blain, James' Kalb, Clinton W., Theodore Dewey and Lois May. Katie, the wife of Edwin Fickle, of Madison township; and Roxie P., Laura Belle and Theo- dore W. are all under the parental roof. The farm upon which he and his family reside is a part of the old homestead, but since coming into possession of the property he has added one hundred and forty-nine acres, located near Brice, Ohio. His entire life has been given to agricultural pursuits and he is' thoroughly conversant with the various and best methods of farming. For twenty years he has been a prominent and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he has served as trustee and class-leader. He has been school director since he attained his twenty-second year, has been
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a member of the school board for eighteen years and the cause of education finds in him a warm friend who does much to advance its interests. He was also elected to fill the office of chattel assessor of Winchester precinct. Madi- son township, for two terms, and was elected land appraiser of Madison town- ship for the year 1900. In politics' he is a Republican where matters of national importance are involved, but at local elections where there is no issue before the people he does not consider himself bound by party ties. He is a member of the Grange Lodge, No. 194, and was elected its first master. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive and is well known for his sterling worth and fidelity to duty.
JOSEPH KRUMM.
Among the representative and highly respected citizens of Truro town- ship is Joseph Krumm, a native of Franklin county, whose birth occurred in Mifflin township March 1I, 1839. His father, Martin Krumm, was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, and on coming to the new world took up his resi- dence in Franklin county, Ohio, about 1818. His first purchase consisted of forty acres of land in Mifflin township, to which he subsequently added a tract of fifty acres, and to the improvement and cultivation of that farm he devoted his time and attention for half a century. He was about eighty years of age at the time of his death.
Joseph Krumm aided his father in the farm work until he attained his majority, and then rented the farm and operated it on his own account for one year. During the following four years he worked for his brother-in-law, Henry Gesick. In the meantime the Civil war had broken out, and in 1864 he enlisted at Columbus in Company F, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was first ordered to Parkersburg and later to New Creek, Virginia. The regiment next went to Washington, D. C., and from there proceeded down the Potomac river to City Point, being under the command of Generals Grant and Butler. They participated in the engagement between Petersburg and Richmond, and were then ordered to Fort Powhattan. While there Mr. Krumm was taken ill and sent to Fortress Monroe, where he was confined in the hospital for a time.
On receiving an honorable discharge he returned to his home in this county, and entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company to oversee the making of ties and other timbers for railroad use, having charge of one hundred men, and remaining with the railroad company two years. It was during this time that Mr. Krumm married Miss Minerva Woodruff, a native of Franklin county, and a daughter of Brace Woodruff. They made their home in a little cabin while he was with the railroad company. On leaving the employ of that corporation Mr. Krumm operated two rented farms, one of which belonged to H. M. Carper, the other to Robert Trimble. Sub- sequently he bought Mr. Carper's farm, paying for the same fourteen thou- sand dollars, and after owning it eight years sold the same to Joseph Bern-
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hardt for twenty-one thousand dollars. He next purchased the H. C. Taylor farm in Truro township, which he now occupies. It contains one hundred acres, all of which is under excellent cultivation, and in its operation he is meeting with well deserved success. Mr. and Mrs. Krumm have had eleven children, eight of whom are now living : Noble, Myrta, Robert, Lulu, Blanche, Lyda, Emma and Bessie. Those deceased were William, Joseph and Rolley.
By his ballot Mr. Krumm supports the men and measures of the Repub- lican party, and for twenty years he most creditably filled the office of school director, resigning the position at the end of that time. For thirty years he has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and has given freely to its support. In his social relations he is a member of the Inde- pendent Order of Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic, having been connected with the latter order for fifteen years. Having started out in life for himself with no capital and only about three months' schooling, Mr. Krumm deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved. He has ever made the most of his opportunities, and his success is due entirely to his own well-directed efforts. In the operation of his farm and sawmills he has employed as many as fifty men, and his life illustrates what can be accom- plished through industry, perseverance, good management and a determina- tion to succeed.
WILLIAM M. SWONGER.
Among the well known and enterprising representatives of farming inter- ests in Franklin county is numbered William M. Swonger, who resides in Truro township. . He is a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and that among his friends are many who have known him from boyhood is an indica- tion that his career has been an upright and honorable one. His father, John Swonger, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1809, and was a farmer by occupation. In the year 1852 he came to Franklin county, Ohio, locating in Truro township, on Big Walnut creek, where he rented the Taylor farm. There he remained for five years and then removed to the George Needles farm, where he spent five years. On the expiration of that period he took up his abode on the John Dysart farm, where he continued to make his home for two years. Removing to the town of Reynoldsburg, Ohio, he went from there to a farm on Big Walnut creek, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in 1861. He married Margaret McIntyre, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, about 1828, and they became the par- ents of nine children, four sons and five daughters, one of whom died in infancy ; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Henry Lyda, resides at Brice, Ohio; Margaret, wife of William Lyda, is living in Madison township; Henry wedded Miss Jennie White and is a farmer near Brice: Samuel married Katie Long and makes his home in Columbus, Ohio: Jane is the wife of William Bernard a resident of Fairfield county, Ohio; William is the subject of this review; Eva Ann is the wife of William Moore, a resident of Jefferson township; Caroline
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is the deceased wife of James Looker ; and Katie is the wife of Edward Pugh, a resident of Union county. On both the paternal and maternal sides Will- iam Swonger is of German lineage. His paternal grandfather was born in Germany, which was also the birthplace of Elizabeth McIntyre, the maternal grandmother, who came to Franklin county about the year 1856, and here died at the very advanced age of ninety-six years.
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