USA > Ohio > Richland County > A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio > Part 16
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HON. WILLIAM WOODBURN SKILES.
The history of a state as well as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that of its repre- sentative citizens and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride; and it is in their character. as exem- plified in probity and benevolence, kindly virtues and integrity in the affairs of life, that we are ever afforded worthy examples for emulation and valuable lessons of incentive.
To a student of biography there is nothing more interesting than to examine the life history of a self-made man, and to detect the elements of
Mr. Siecles
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character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life many of the companions of his youth who at the outset of their careers were more advantageously equipped or endowed. The subject of this review has through his own exertions attained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of the west, and with signal consistency it may be said that he is the architect of his own fortunes, and one whose success amply justifies the application of the somewhat hackneyed but most expressive title, "a self-made man."
The life record of Mr. Skiles had its beginning in Stoughstown, Cum- berland county, Pennsylvania, his natal day being December 11, 1849. His parents were John G. and Sarah J. (Martin) Skiles, who were also natives of the Keystone state and were of Scotch and Irish lineage. They had seven children, namely : Mrs. Mary Caroline Cramer, William W., George M., John Clark, Mrs. Jennie Smith, Mrs. Valletta Bell and Mrs. Burgetta Crum. About the year 1854 the parents became residents of Richland county, Ohio, establishing their home upon a farm near Shelby, where the father followed agricultural pursuits throughout his entire life. His labors were ended in death in the autumn of 1893, and the community mourned the loss of one of its valued citizens. The mother still survives and has passed the seventy- seventh milestone on life's journey.
William Woodburn Skiles was reared on the old home farm and in the district schools began his education, where by close application to his studies he became qualified to teach in the schools in which he had formerly been a student. A laudable ambition prompted him to gain more advanced education, and with his earnings in the schoolroom he met the tuition and expenses of a course in the preparatory department of the Baldwin University, at Berea, Ohio. Teaching through the winter season, he was thus enabled by the practice of care and economy to continue his studies in the university throughout the remainder of the year. Great self-denial was required in order that he might pursue his school course, but he never faltered in his determined and honorable purpose and was graduated on the completion of the regular course with the class of 1876. Throughout his college days and business career he has been closely associated with his brother, their histories being so inseparably inter- woven that to write of one is to give an account of the labors of the other. Together they began the study of law in the office of Matson & Dirlam, a prominent law firm at Mansfield, and after two years of study, in which he became familiar with many of the principles of jurisprudence and to some extent with the practical work of the courts, Mr. Skiles of this review was admitted to the bar, in the fall of 1878. His brother was admitted at the 10
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same time, and then the law firm of Skiles & Skiles was organized and an office was opened in Shelby, where together they began their careers as legal practitioners. They have been continuously associated in practice since that time, the labors of the one supplementing and rounding out the labors of the other. Both have risen to high rank in their profession, and, while they have conducted a large general practice, they have made a specialty of railroad litigation, their knowledge of railroad law being very comprehensive and exact. In this rank of jurisprudence they have been particularly successful and have gained a reputation which extends throughout the state, having conducted many railroad damage suits of great importance. To the firm of Skiles & Skiles many a man owes a debt of gratitude for the conduct of legal proceedings, whereby he has been compensated for injuries sustained. An- other important element in their success is undoubtedly the fact that they never enter upon a case which has not real merit. Their devotion to their clients' interests is proverbial. It is the theory of the law that counsels are to aid the court in the administration of justice, and no member of the pro- fession in Richland county has been more careful to conform his practice to a high standard of professional efforts than W. W. Skiles. He has never sought to lead the court astray in the matter of fact or of law, nor would he endeavor to withhold from it a knowledge of any fact bearing on record. Calm, dignified, self-controlled, free from passion and prejudice, he gives to his clients the service of great talent, unfaltering industry and profound learning, yet never forgets that there are certain things due to the court, to his own self-respect and above all to justice and to righteous administration of the law which neither the zeal of an advocate nor the pleasure of success permits him to disregard. He is recognized as a close student, well versed in the law, and above all he is honest and sincere.
Shelby in a large measure owes its growth, promotion and progress to him whose name introduces this review. He is a man of resourceful business ability whose labors have proved effective along many lines. His contribu- tions in time, money and labor toward the upbuilding of the city have been extensive and his business affairs have contributed not alone to his individual prosperity but have also been an important factor in promoting the general welfare. He is the president of the Citizens' Bank and the Shelby Electric Company, is a director of the Shelby Water Company, a director of the Ball-Bearing Umbrella Company and of the Shelby Stove and Foundry Company, and was also a director of the Steel Tube Company from the time of its inception until 1898, when the offices were removed to Cleveland, Ohio.
In matters of education Mr. Skiles has always taken a great interest and
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the schools find in him a warm friend, ever ready to support any movement calculated to promote their efficiency. For the past seventeen years he has served as the president of the Shelby board of education, and no higher tes- timonial of his able service could be given. He holds membership in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias fraternity and various beneficiary orders. In his political views Mr. Skiles is an ardent Republican and has labored earnestly to promote the growth and success of the party. He has been a member of the Republican state central committee and has' borne a conspicuous part in many campaigns, yet his labors have never been performed with the hope of rewards of an official nature. With a capacity and experience which would enable him to fulfill any trust to which he might be chosen he has never sought to advance himself in office, but has been content to do his duty along other lines and leave political honors to others. In May, 1900, however, there came recognition of his ability and his fidelity. The most hotly contested nominating convention ever held in the district resulted in his selection for congressional honors. The con- vention first met at Wellington, but was unable to agree upon a candidate. Later the convention adjourned to meet at Norwalk, where ballot after ballot was taken until two thousand had beeen registered, with no change in the result. It was then that the friends of Mr. Skiles put forth his name as a candidate. The following is taken from the Shelby Republican of May 24:
"On the twenty-one hundredth ballot a recess was taken. The delegates were becoming sick and discouraged. The hour was 1:30 Saturday morning and it looked very much as if the convention would be compelled to adjourn to the city of Mt. Vernon to continue their labors. At this juncture Morrow county advised the Richland delegation that in case they voted for Mr. Skiles again they would come and settle the matter. Richland county, acting on this promise, cast her forty-seven votes for W. W. Skiles. Ashland followed with twenty-two votes, Huron gave Mr. Skiles twenty-nine votes, and when Morrow county was called there was a breathless stillness throughout the hall. This was only momentary, for almost instantly nearly half the Knox county delegation was up pleading, imploring, remonstrating with the Morrow county men to hold fast and not go to the Richland county man. All was turmoil, confusion. For five minutes Morrow county refused to give her vote, but at last the chairman of the delegation arose and announced that Morrow county cast her twenty-four votes for Skiles, and the great conven- tion was at an end!"
When Mr. Skiles returned to his home after the convention he received the most enthusiastic reception ever accorded to a citizen of the town. All
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of the business houses were decorated and the various business concerns with which Mr. Skiles is connected closed their works, and their employes, together with many other citizens, marched to the depot to receive their fellow towns- man. There were altogether fifteen hundred in line, and with bands of music they escorted him to his home. The demonstration was without regard to political affiliations : it was one freely accorded by the men and women of Shelby to one whom they had long known and whom they thoroughly re- spected. The election the following fall made him a member of the house of congress.
In 1877 Mr. Skiles was united in marriage to Miss E. Dora Matson, of Shelby, and they now have two children,-a daughter and son,-Zante and Aubrey M. The former is a graduate of the Shelby high school, has been a student in the Ohio State University and was afterward graduated at the Comnock School of Oratory (Northwstern University) in Chicago, while the son is now a student in Northwestern University, Chicago.
Personally, Mr. Skiles is a strong man, of excellent judgment, fair in his views and highly honorable in his relations with his fellow men. He is a man of very strong convictions, and his integrity stands as an un- questioned fact in his career. He has always been a student, and the scope and amplitude of his knowledge render him a charming converser. He is in full sympathy with all the great movements of the world about him, and watches the progress of events with the keenest interest. Though severe at times toward men and measures deserving criticism, he is nevertheless a generous friend and a warm advocate of those who are battling for the right and of principles and policies for the public good.
CHRISTIAN WELTY.
Christian Welty, who is now living a retired life, was for many years identified with the agricultural interests of Richland county. He was born in Washington county, Maryland, April 18, 1814.
The subject of this review spent his early years upon a farm, and at the age of eighteen was apprenticed to learn the trade of house-builder and joiner, receiving twenty-four dollars per year as the compensation for his services, and the privilege of spending two weeks in the harvest fields. At the expiration of his term of apprenticeship he had saved twenty dollars. He also earned ten dollars more by performing little services for his neighbors, and with this capital of thirty dollars in his pocket he started from Washing-
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ton county, Maryland, on foot for Ohio. After visiting relatives in Carroll and Stark counties, Ohio, he began work as a journeyman carpenter in Massillon. Remaining there for a few months he then determined to see more of the world and made his way down the Ohio canal and Ohio river to Cincinnati, where he found employment at building steamboats. During the first summer he replenished his funds and procured a small kit of tools. He then resumed his travels, intending to meet the expenses of his trip by working upon the way. He left Cincinnati in the autumn and went to New Orleans and then to New York by way of the Atlantic route, and from the eastern metropolis proceeded to Philadelphia and Baltimore. Later he crossed the mountains to Cleveland, returning to Cincinnati and went on down the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to Natchez, where he spent the second winter in work at the carpenter trade. He returned the following year to Massillon, Ohio, having worked at most of the principal places en route. In 1837, he arrived in Monroe township, Richland county, and for twelve years he followed carpentering here. Times were dull, prices low and profits small. He made only about one hundred and fifty dollars per year. Quite a number of the houses and barns that were erected by him are still standing as a monu- ment to his handiwork, for he was very thorough in all his labors and his contracts were executed in a first-class manner.
In 1840 Mr. Welty was united in marriage to Miss Mary Crawford, who was born in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, in 1819, but in early girlhood was brought to Monroe township, Richland county, Ohio, by her parents, David and Lucy (Applegate) Crawford. Her father was one of the first settlers of the township. He was a man of high moral purpose, strictly tem- perate in all his habits, and his upright life was well worthy of emulation. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Welty were born five children, four sons and a daughter. The two older sons, John and Henry, were volunteers in the Union service during the Civil war and died from disease contracted at the front, one serv- ing for fifteen months, while the other was a member of the army for nearly three years. Mary is wife of D. F. Tucker, a prominent and wealthy farmer of Monroe township. James resides on the old homestead: and Cary, the youngest member of the family, is also an agriculturist of Monroe township. After the death of his first wife Mr. Welty again married, in 1884, his second union being with Mrs. McCully, the widow of John McCully and a daughter of William McCreary. By her first marriage she had three children : Amanda, the wife of G. P. Brown, of Allegheny City, Pennsylvania ; James M .. a rail- road conductor, who was killed in the yards in Chicago, Illinois, and Alice V.,
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the wife of D. F. Shafer, the principal of the Hedges Street public school at Mansfield.
Mr. Welty became identified with farming interests of Richland county in 1846 when he purchased an eighty-acre farm. A few years later he bought forty acres additional and afterward added to this an eighty-acre tract, so that in 1861 he was using two hundred acres of land. About that time farm produce brought excellent prices and he was enabled to save considerable .money. As the years have passed he has anually augmented his income through his indefatigable industry and business sagacity. He has thus become one of the substantial citizens of this community and the capital he has ac- quired enables him to live retired. He is one of the stockholders of the Mansfield Savings Bank and is a member of the banking executive com- mittee.
In early life Mr. Welty gave his political support to the Whig party and on its dissolution joined the ranks of the new Republican party. At various times he has filled nearly all the township offices and has ever been found true and faithful to the trust reposed in him. For six years he was a justice of the peace, and his rulings were strictly fair and impartial. For two years he was the township clerk. His first presidential vote was cast for William Henry Harrison. He is a broad-minded man whose knowledge, though self- acquired, is comprehensive, for he has always been a great reader and has ever kept well informed on the questions of general interest, political or otherwise. For half a century he has been a member of the Lutheran church, and for a similar period has been affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Honor and integrity are synonymous with his name and his word is as good as his bond.
DANIEL SPAYDE.
Daniel Spayde is a retired farmer of Butler and a representative of one of the pioneer families of Richland county. He was born in Jefferson township, this county, near Bellville, September II, 1836, and is of German lineage, his great-grandparents having been the founders of the family in America. His grandfather, John Spayde, was born in the Keystone state and in early life followed coopering, but later he engaged in farming and also devoted a part of his time to the manufacture of potash in Richland county at an early day. He was a member of the Lutheran church and died on the old homestead farm in this county, when about seventy years of age. His
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son, William Spayde, the father of our subject, was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and when a lad of fourteen years came to Richland county, where he spent his remaining days. In early life he learned the cooper's trade and for about fourteen years conducted a shop in Bellville. Politically he was a Republican and religiously was connected with the Evangelical church. His death occurred in Bellville, when he had attained the age of seventy-seven. His wife was in her maidenhood Catherine Huston, a daughter of William Huston, who was a native of the Emerald isle and came to the United States when a young man. He was married in Pennsylvania and afterward removed to Richland county, Ohio, carrying on agricultural pursuits near Bellville, where he died at about the age of eighty-six years. He, too, belonged to the Evangelical church. His daughter, Mrs. Spayde, was born in Pennsyl- vania, and during her girlhood came to Ohio. She was a member of the Evangelical church and died in that faith in Bellville, at the age of sixty- three years. In the family were eight children, six of whom are still living.
Daniel Spayde, whose name introduces this record, was reared on the home farm and assisted in the work of the cooper's shop until twenty years of age, when he was married and entered upon an independent business career by renting a farm in Worthington township. He operated that land until 1859, when he purchased his present farm and for many years he con- tinued to cultivate his fields in connection with the stock-raising business; but since 1880 he has lived retired. He was at one time the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land, but a portion of this he has since divided among his children.
Mr. Spayde was married September 11, 1856, the lady of his choice being Miss Nancy J. Secrist, a daughter of Michael Secrist and a sister of Mrs. B. F. Oberlin .. They now have five children : Clayton, a farmer of Worthington township; Albina, the wife of Albert Mishey, a farmer and insurance agent ; Alberta, the wife of Charles McGinley ; Samuel C., a farmer of Worthington township; and Ethel M., at home.
At the time of the Civil war Mr. Spayde was found a loyal citizen who valiantly espoused the cause of the Union and on the 25th of September, 1861, he joined the army, becoming a private of Company E, Third Ohio Cavalry, with which he served as transportation master for eighteen months. He was discharged October 11, 1864, after serving for three years, one month and ten days. He had two horses shot from under him, but he escaped uninjured. He participated in the battles of Nashville, Pittsburg Landing, Shiloh, Corinth, Stone River and Chattanooga; and whenever the starry flag led the way into
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battle he faithfully followed, loyally defending this emblem of the Union. He is now a member of Samuel Bell Post, No. 536, G. A. R., and also belongs to the Knights of the Golden Eagle, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. In 1880, on account of failing health, he rented his farm and came to Butler, where he has since made his home. His business interests were carefully conducted and brought to him a comfortable com- petence. He has been found worthy of trust in all of life's relations and enjoys the warm friendship of a large circle of acquaintances in his native county. In politics he is a Republican, and for six years has served as a township trustee and at present is serving as deputy sheriff.
THOMAS B. RAMSEY.
Among those who devote their energies to farming and stock dealing is Thomas B. Ramsey, of Worthington township. He was born in the neigh- boring county of Knox on the 26th of April, 1840, his parents being John and Eliza (Brown) Ramsey. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1812. He was only three years of age when brought to Richland county by his parents, Andrew and Isabelle (Halferty) Ramsey, both of whom were natives of the Keystone state, the former born in Westmoreland county. They settled upon a tract of timber land in Worthington township and Andrew Ramsey erected a log cabin, in which the family began life in true pioneer style. As the years passed his property became a highly improved farm and continued to be his place of residence until his death, which occurred when he was eighty-five years of age. His wife passed away when eighty-six years of age. His political support was given to the Democracy and both were members of the Union church. In his business affairs Mr. Ramsey at- tained a practical and gratifying degree of success, becoming the owner of two hundred acres of valuable land.
John Ramsey, the father of our subject, spent almost his entire life in Richland county, excepting a period of twelve years passed in Knox county, just across the line. He, too, made farming his life work and at one time became the owner of five hundred acres of land, which he divided among his children, thus enabling them to gain a good start in life. He cultivated the fields through the summer months and during a number of years engaged in teaching in the winter seasons, having charge of one school for thirteen terms. He also dealt in stock and during the Civil war engaged in buying and shipping horses for the government. His carefully conducted business
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affairs brought to him prosperity and he gained a place among the substantial citizens of Richland county. The Democracy received his earnest allegiance and on that ticket he was elected and served as a justice of the peace for twenty-four years, his rulings being strictly fair and impartial. He was also a school director for several years and for two terms was a county commis- sioner. His wife was born in Knox county, Ohio, her parents being pioneers of that portion of the county which adjoined Richland. John Ramsey died at the age of seventy-seven, his wife when about seventy-eight years of age. .In their family were four children: Isabelle, who became the wife of Jacob Spohn and died at the age of thirty-four; Thomas B .; Andrew, a retired farmer living in Butler; and Albert J., who carries on agricultural pursuits in Worthington township.
On the home farm Thomas B. Ramsey remained until thirty years of age, when he married and settled on one of his father's farms in Ashland (county, Ohio. Three years later he sold that property and from his father purchased one hundred acres of land upon which he now resides. His time and energies have been devoted to farming and stock-raising; and as he is familiar with best methods of conducting both lines of his business and is a man of marked energy and strong purpose he has won well-merited success.
Mr. Ramsey married Miss Mary B. Hosfield, who was born in Ohio and in early girlhood came with her father to Richland county. She died at the age of twenty-three years, leaving two children: William T., a farmer and teacher of Jefferson township: and Anna Mary, the wife of John Kunkle, of Butler. For his second wife Mr. Ramsey married Mrs. Mary R. Harter, ncc McBride, a native of Monroe township, Jackson county, and a daughter of Jackson and Susan (Douglass) McBride. Her father was born in Richland county and for eleven years engaged in teaching in connection with the prose- cution of his farming interests. His father was Alexander McBride, a native of Maryland. The son gave his political support to the Democracy and socially was connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while religiously he was connected with the United Presbyterian church. He died at the age of thirty-two years, while his wife, long surviving him, reached the advanced age of seventy. She, too, was a member of the United Presby- terian church. Her mother, Mary E. McCurdy, was born in Ireland. By the marriage of Thomas Ramsey and Mary McBride two children have been born, namely : Jessie Weinona and Leo Benton. Mrs. Ramsey's first husband was Benjamin Harter, by whom she had a son, Walter S. Harter, a tinner
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