USA > Ohio > Richland County > A centennial biographical history of Richland county, Ohio > Part 27
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
The principles of the Democracy received the indorsement of Mr. Ham- mon and he always voted that ticket, yet never sought or desired office for himself. He served for several years as a school director, but otherwise occu- pied no official position. He followed closely the course which he believed to be right and in his business affairs he enjoyed an unassailable reputation, for he was ever just and honorable. Mrs. Hammon proved to her husband a faithful companion and helpmeet on life's journey, and her sound advice and assistance were important factors in his prosperity. She possessed excellent business and executive ability and was one of the world's busy workers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hammon enjoyed the warm regard of many friends and were both widely and favorably known in Richland county.
JOHN W. McCONKIE.
John Walter McConkie, teacher, politician, journalist and insurance solicitor, is the second and eldest living son of William and Rebecca McConkie. He was born in Worthington township, Richland county, Ohio, April 24. 1864. As a youth he was quite reserved and did not give much promise of future greatness, nor did he seem especially devoted to study, but later he developed a strong inclination for books and for learning and for a time was ambitious to become a student at the University of Michigan. During this time he culti- vated a love for political history almost marvelous in that it prompted such wide and comprehensive reading of subjects bearing upon that department of knowledge. He is often to-day consulted upon various points at issue. Language, too, was most carefully studied then, as now, and word analysis, which goes to the origin of words, still finds great favor with him.
259
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
At one time he and Professor J. W. Scott, now of Colorado Springs, Colorado, stood highest in orthography of all teachers then employed in Ashland county, and that, too, at an examination that passed the critical eye of Professor J. E. Stubbs, whose success has since made him famous in the educational world. Mr. McConkie's devotion and close application to study often led him to pore over his books until the small hours of night, and this, in addition to the physi- cal strength required to cultivate and conduct his father's farm (adorned with a log house ripe with age, located by the roadside over which it is said passed a section of General William Henry Harrison's army in his remarkable cam- paign against the Indians) told upon the then strong and vigorous young man and resulted in severe sickness in 1882 and again in a milder form in 1883.
After his recovery, in 1884, having been weakened physically to a consid- erable extent by a severe attack of inflammatory rheumatism that he had suf- fered in connection with other ailments which involved the liver and stomach, he concluded to turn his attention more fully to learning ; so, in connection with James M. Reed, now prominent at the Mansfield bar, and Charlie L. McClellan, deputy clerk of courts for Richland county, he entered Greentown Academy, at Perrysville, where not a few young men and women have found inspiration and hope that have led on and on to higher and broader fields. After a year's study at that institution he began teaching, and at intervals during his academic course he taught in Ashland and Richland counties. In 1889, when Professor Lycurgus L. Ford severed his connection with the above institution by reason of its failure to adopt the more advanced methods of the time, Mr. McConkie promptly sided with that gentleman, who has since grown prominent, and headed a paper strongly testifying to the Professor's worth and ability,- a paper which is still held in grateful appreciation.
Later in the year Mr. McConkie was offered and accepted a position in the public schools of Iowa, and in October he left for that state, where he was granted a first-class teacher's certificate, that he values most highly. There he first observed the practical workings of female suffrage in school affairs. He served successfully under the superintendency of Mrs. A. N. Filson, whose personal ability and worth won for her a third election as the county superintendent in a Democratic county, while she was a Republican. Higher in authority at the state capitol was that noted educator, Henry Sabin, introducing model methods that have since grown very popular and have been widely adopted. During this period and under such inspiration Mr. McConkie was prominent in institute work, and he speaks in enthusiastic terms of praise of those with whom he was thus associated, and particularly
260
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
of the deceased Miss Dora B. Johnston, who ranked high at college and occupied an enviable position in both intellectual and social circles.
Later, when the economical era was manifest in the Hawkeye state and made itself felt among Iowa teachers laboring for the advancement and growth of its people to an extent not usually appreciated, Mr. McConkie, in connection with L. M. Gerhard, now of South Dakota, and others, left the state. Return- ing to Ohio, he launched boldly in the field of politics, opposing the "tariff reform" ideas of Grover Cleveland, and during the campaign of 1888 he sup- ported most earnestly and enthusiastically the candidacy of Benjamin Har- rison, for whom he entertained a most friendly feeling. In 1889 he again took up teaching, being employed in Knox county, Ohio. In 1890 he was associated with the work of the eleventh census and imbibed somewhat the statistical admiration possessed by Robert P. Porter, then the superintendent of the census.
In 1891 Mr. McConkie again put on the political armor, and as a mem- ber of the county central and executive committees he zealously and earnestly supported William McKinley, who was then the Republican candidate for governor. That this work was effective, is attested by the fact that his pre- cinct at that election showed a net Republican gain of fifty-six. Later, when an attempt was made to lessen the victory by dethroning John Sherman and place J. B. Foraker in the senate of the United States, he did not hesitate to take sides with the great statesman from Mansfield, who was so prominently identified with the financial history of the United States and of the world. With voice and pen he insisted most firmly that honor demanded the re-election of Mr. Sherman and he championed his cause with others in a public speech in the Memorial Opera House in Mansfield, where the friends and neighbors of Senator Sherman met to resent the charge advanced by W. S. Cappeller and others that he was unpopular at home.
The following year, having brought himself to the favorable attention of William M. Hahn, the chairman of the Ohio Republican state executive committee and a resident of Richland county-where politics have always taken a deep root-as well as Senator Sherman, Frank W. Pierson, the chair- man of the local committee, Captain W. S. Bradford and others prominent and influential, he was made a delegate to the Republican state convention that assembled in Cleveland. During this convention, presided over by William McKinley, now twice chosen the chief magistrate of the nation, he success- fully widened his acquaintance. Among fast friendships there formed was one with L. C. Laylin, now the secretary of state, Mr. Laylin at that time being a delegate from Huron county. Three times in presidential years has
261
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
Mr. McConkie been chosen to represent his native county in state con- ventions.
In 1893 he taught again in Knox county, near Fredericktown, where ex-Secretary of the Treasury William Windom spent a part of his early manhood, and it was understood that his devotion to politics would bring a state appointment from Governor Mckinley; but it was decreed otherwise. In 1894 he was invited and accepted a place with the Republican state executive committee, then as now under the leadership of Charles Dick, and participated actively in the contest that resulted in the re-election of Samuel M. Taylor by one hundred and thirty-seven thousand and eighty-six, the largest plurality ever recorded in Ohio. That his services were appreciated during this memor- able contest is evident from the strong letter in his possession from Chairman Dick, testifying to his zeal, industry and capability.
Previous to this, in the campaign of 1893, Mr. McConkie wrote much in support of the Republican party and often have articles from his pen found places in the New York Tribune, Philadelphia Press. Cleveland Leader, Ohio State Journal and the American Economist. The latter, strong and uncompro- mising in its support of the policy of protection, then as to-day, lifting up the hands of William McKinley in the bitter struggle for supremacy, sent out inquiries to leading Republicans asking "Why William McKinley should be re-elected governor of Ohio?" Among those consulted in the Buckeye state was J. W. McConkie, of Richland county, and at the head of the list of those replies we find his ringing, earnest words; and when the future political his- torian glances over the pages of that noted publication for words of inspiration as he writes the life of William McKinley he will see as many as three articles from the pen of Mr. McConkie in one issue. Later the subject of this sketch branched still more strongly into journalism and the list of articles extant from his pen is now a long one.
Mr. McConkie possesses great command of the English language, and often his articles along political lines are pointed to a remarkable degree. In 1896 William McKinley, under the leadership of Marcus A. Hanna. having won the nomination for president over strong and powerful combinations, there was presented a campaign of unusual activity. Mr. Hanna being in charge of the Republican end, with William M. Hahn, of Mansfield, for the second time in control of the speakers' bureau. Mr. McConkie was invited into a broader field and participated somewhat in the contest that resulted in a signal Republican victory. It was quite generally believed that Mr. Mc- Conkie would receive recognition by the national administration, but to the disappointment of his friends he was forgotten; and when advancement
262
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
seemed probable in the census bureau Congressman W. S. Kerr, whom he had supported and helped into public life, stood in the way while professing warmest friendship. This form of conduct extended in other directions, oper- ating often to the detriment of those worthy and deserving; and this, together with the selfish, grasping nature developed, led to the defeat of Mr. Kerr in the convention that followed. President Mckinley having been renominated at Philadelphia, and Marcus A. Hanna, whom Mr. McConkie had supported with pen and might in the ever memorable Ohio senatorial contest of 1897-8 that sustained, as he believes, the honor of the Republican party and sent Mr. Hanna to the senate of the United States, the successor of John Sherman, who had elected to enter the cabinet of William McKinley, being again in control of the national executive committee, this time with Henry C. Hedges. of Mansfield, as chief of the speakers' bureau, Mr. McConkie, whom fortune seems to lead into the fight rather than where remuneration is to be had, was invited and for eight weeks he participated most actively in the campaign that resulted so decidedly for the Republican party. That Mr. McConkie possesses political instinct is evident from the accuracy with which he forecasts results
in both state and nation. In fact, one of the strong features in his makeup is the reading of public sentiment, and he looks to see it better understood and recognized in its higher advanced condition. Will his expectations be realized? Possibly so when the jar of politics bring men to a full realization of the situation and when deceit and treachery shall mean political death always and everywhere,-an era when it is to be hoped party platforms will say what they mean and mean what they say and when wider, broader opportunities shall encourage the honest legitimate efforts of men and women too.
Mr. McConkie, being a nephew of Professor John McConkie, has imbibed somewhat of the educational spirit that characterizes that gentleman, as well as the dead wife and aunt, for whom he cherishes the highest regard. His close association, too, with the splendid daughters that have blessed that union, and particularly with Bessie, the younger, and their splendid brother, who is winning fame and position, has served to broaden and widen the field that makes womanly instinct shine with a brighter luster. That Mr. Mc- Conkie's personal and political acquaintance is very large is evident from the demands upon his time : and that he enjoys and appreciates the value of a well chosen library is understood from the volumes in his possession, notably and distinctly along statistical and economic lines ; and that he has even found time to study the American trotter in a development not yet complete, is apparent when we see him with Harvest King, or better still with the grand- daughter of Greenlander, the world's champion two-mile trotter, built, we
263
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
might say, for strength and action, and again when we gaze upon the lifelike forms in his possession of The Abbott and Crescens, who have made the closing hours of the nineteenth century ever memorable in the annals of the American turf. At some future time Mr. McConkie may present something relative to the high degree of intelligence possessed by the American horse, and the dog, whose instinct and good judgment often make him a fitting companion.
GEORGE W. GEDDES.
No man was ever more liked in Richland county and no man ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the public than George W. Geddes, while none ever better deserved such esteem and confidence. In his lifetime the people of his state, recognizing his merit, rejoiced in his advancement and in the honors to which he attained, and since his death they have cherished his memory. It is an important public duty to honor and perpetuate as far as possible the memory of the eminent citizen-one who by his blameless and honorable life and distinguished career reflected credit not only upon his city and state but also upon the whole country. Through such memorials as this at hand the individual and the character of his services are kept in remembrance, and the importance of those services acknowledged. His example in whatever field his work may have been done thus stands as an object lesson to those who come after him, and though dead he still speaks. Long after all recollection of his personality shall have faded from the minds of men, the less perishable record may tell the story of his life and commend his example for imitation.
George W. Geddes was born in Mount Vernon, Ohio, July 16, 1824, and a few years later accompanied his parents on their removal to Richland county. As the family was in limited financial circumstances, he was early forced to earn his own living, and the splendid position to which he attained was an indication of his merit and splendid ability. His life illustrates the possibili- ties that lie before the young men of ambition, determination and upright character. After acquiring a common-school education Mr. Geddes spent a few years as clerk in a store, and during his leisure hours and at night he pursued a course of study, including the law. He finally entered the law office of the Hon. Columbus Delano, under whom he completed his prepara- tory reading, being admitted to the bar in July, 1845.
Mr. Geddes then opened a law office in Mansfield and continued to engage in practice at the bar or on the bench until his death. He was not
264
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
long in gaining a large clientage and his ability won recognition in 1856 by his election to the office of judge of the court of common pleas of the sixth judicial district. After serving a term of five years he was re-elected in 1861, without opposition, and served a full second term, after which he retired and resumed the practice at the bar. Two years later he was once again elected a common-pleas judge for the full term of five years and again discharged his duty in a manner most highly acceptable to the people. When this period also had ended he once more took his place among the lawyers of Richland county and enjoyed an extensive legal practice, being connected with the most important litigation held in the courts of his district.
Many public honors were conferred upon Judge Geddes. He was a recognized leader in the Democracy and became a candidate of his party for supreme judge in 1871, without his solicitation. He was a prominent candi- date for the nomination for governor in 1877 and at the Democratic con- gressional convention in 1878, after a contest of five days, and when twelve hundred and fifty ballots had been cast for the candidates before the con- vention, Judge Geddes was induced to accept the nomination and thus recon- ciled the differences. With reluctance he did so and was elected as a Demo- crat, receiving fifteen thousand, six hundred and seventeen votes against eleven thousand and thirty-nine cast for General S. O. Jones, the Republican candi- date. He was re-elected to the forty-seventh congress by a vote of eighteen thousand, five hundred and twenty against twelve thousand, six hundred and fifty-three for his Republican opponent. The district was again changed, this time being composed of Ashland, Huron, Lorain and Richland, with a Repub- lican majority of twenty-one hundred, but Judge Geddes was re-elected to the forty-eighth congress by a majority of more than sixteen hundred votes. To the forty-ninth congress he was again chosen, serving for four consecutive terms.
Judge Geddes made his first speech in the council chamber of the nation on the 22d of April, 1879, against the use of federal officials and military at the polls. The speech attracted not only the attention of the house, but also of the entire country and gave prominence in that political proficiency and usefulness to which Judge Geddes afterward attained, for he served as chair- man of the committee on war claims during the forty-eighth and forty-ninth congresses, and was again nominated by acclamation for the fiftieth congress, but declined to become a candidate.
In 1848 the Judge was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Lemon, of Ashland county, who died in September. 1878. They had three sons: Sam- uel Lemon, James I. and George M. The first has passed away. James is
265
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
now successfully engaged in merchandising at Joplin, Missouri, while George is connected with Shield & Banner, a newspaper published at Mansfield. The Judge was again married in December, 1880, his second union being with Mrs. Amelia Gass, the widow of the late Colonel Isaac Gass. Judge Geddes was always deeply interested in the cause of education, for which he had a sin- cere love. He was ever a close and discriminating student, analytical in his study and sound and logical in his reasoning, and his distinction as a repre- sentative of the bar was well merited. He was also an ardent Democrat, unswerving in his advocacy of the principles of his party. He was a delegate to the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church held in Balti- more in 1876, and was for many years one of the trustees of the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, Ohio, and of Mount Union College, at Mount Union, Ohio. He was of stern integrity and honesty of purpose and despised all unworthy or questionable means to secure success in any undertaking or for any purpose, or to promote his own advancement in any direction, whether political or otherwise. Not even the tongue of calumny ever uttered a word to the contrary, nor did the malevolence of detraction dare to assail his private reputation. He was an earnest and consistent Christian. It is our duty to mark our appreciation of such a man-a man true in every relation of life, faithful to every trust, a statesman diligent in the service of his country and seeking only the public good.
JOSEPH HAVERFIELD.
Not in the desultory manner that renders effort without result, but with steady persistence has Joseph Haverfield carried on his work, and to-day he is numbered among the substantial farmers of Weller township. At the time of the Civil war he put aside all personal considerations and loyally served his country as a defender of the Union, after which he returned to the farm and has since devoted his attention to agricultural pursuits, with excellent results. He was born on the farm where he now resides, February 28, 1831, his par- ents being James and Mary (Allen) Haverfield. The father was probably a native of Harrison county, Ohio, born January 17, 1784, and there he was reared to manhood. On the 6th of November, 1806, he married Miss Allen, and amid the wild scenes of the frontier they began their domestic life, estab- lishing a comfortable home for their family. James Haverfield served through the war of 1812 and after his return came to Richland county, in 1814, enter- ing from the government the farm of eighty acres that is now owned by his son Joseph. Here he built a log cabin in the midst of the forest and began
17
1
266
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
the work of clearing the land and preparing it for cultivation. Throughout his remaining days he carried on agricultural pursuits. For many years he served as a justice of the peace, and his dealings were ever fair and impartial. He was one of the well known and highly respected men of the county, and his death, which occurred in 1851, was deeply mourned, the community losing one of its valued citizens.
Joseph Haverfield, whose name introduces this review, spent his youth upon his father's farm and was early trained to habits of industry and economy that have proved a substantial foundation upon which to rear the super- structure of his manhood's success. His education was obtained in the com- mon schools, and after his father's death he and his brothers conducted the home farm. On the 26th of April, 1855, he chose as a companion and help- mate on life's journey Miss Louisa McMillan, a native of Richland county and a daughter of Alexander McMillan, one of the pioneer settlers of Weller township. In the meantime his older brothers had married and left the home place and so at the time of his marriage he brought his bride to the old homestead and resumed farming. During the succeeding five years at different times he purchased the interest of the other heirs and the farm became his own.
But the war cloud gathered over the nation, and feeling that his duty was to his country he left the plow and took up the rifle. It was on the 25th of August, 1861, that he offered his services to the government, enlisting in Company M, Second Ohio Cavalry. Soon afterward the regiment was sent to the front, going first to St. Louis, Missouri, and thence to Fort Leaven- worth, where they remained until the spring of 1862, when they went to Fort Scott and afterward to Carthage, Missouri, Little Rock, Pea Ridge, the Boston mountains and into Indian Territory as far as Fort Gibson. Mr. Haver- field's services were of a very arduous nature, consisting largely of an attempt to keep the guerrillas in subjection. After eighteen months he returned with his regiment to Columbus, where they were given fresh horses and new sup- plies and went up the Ohio to Maysville, thence across the river into Kentucky and proceeded to Danville and. Crab Orchard. He was in Kentucky when Morgan made his raid into Ohio, and the Second Ohio and other troops were sent in pursuit of the Rebel leader, who was thus advancing upon the north. They afterward went to Cumberland Gap, to Knoxville, Tennessee, and to Lenore Station, where Mr. Haverfield for the first time engaged in a pitched battle. He participated in the siege of Knoxville and thence returned to Cumberland Gap under General Burnside, the Union troops capturing two thousand Rebels who then held the gap. Later they proceeded to Straw-
JA Donglan
267
CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY.
berry Plains, winning a victory at that place, and afterward participated in the battles of Blaine's Cross Roads and Blue Springs. Not long after that engagement most of the regiment re-enlisted, but Mr. Haverfield felt that his family now needed him more than his country, but he was, however, put on detached duty at Knoxville, where he remained until the term of his enlist- ment had expired, when he was mustered out, on the Ioth of September, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio. He had two brothers, John and Allen, who were also in the service, and the family was thus well represented in the struggle which preserved the Union entire.
After his discharge Mr. Haverfield returned to his home and gladly resumed the work of the farm, for his wife and his sister Jane had done the plowing and mowing during his absence, and he willingly released them of this self-imposed task. He has since devoted his energies to the cultivation of his land and now has a well improved farm, which yields to him a golden tribute in return for the care and labor he bestows upon the place. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Haverfield has been blessed with nine children, seven of whom are yet living, namely : Alexander M., a resident of Benson, Nebraska ; James A., who is conducting the home farm; Elizabeth A .; Emma, the wife of Frederick Johnston, a carpenter and builder of Ashland county, Ohio; Cynthia, the wife of O. F. Stull, of East Mansfield, Ohio; Nettie, a teacher in the public schools; and Rhoda, the wife of Edward Pugh.
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.