USA > Ohio > Allen County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 9
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > A portrait and biographical record of Allen and Van Wert counties, Ohio, v. 2 > Part 9
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244 .
BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
RANK J. GLEASON-It is with marked satisfaction that the biogra- pher adverts to the life history of one who has attained success in any vo- cation in which he has directed his thought and action, and such a life, whether it be one of calm, but consecutive endeavor, or one of meteoric accomplishment, must ever serve as both lesson and incentive. The subject of this review is distinctively one of the representative business men of Van Wert, and has directed his efforts toward the goal of maximum suc- cess, and there is particular interest attaching to his career from the fact that he is a native of the city where he has attained a position so much to be commended, and, perhaps, envied.
Frank J. Gleason was born in Van Wert on the 31st of May, 1842, being the son of Joseph and Harriet (Brown) Gleason, whose individual history is noted in detail under special heading in this publication. He was reared to manhood in the city of his birth, re- ceiving his preliminary education in the pub- lic schools, which in his youth were far differ- ent from the excellent system now in vogue, as, at that time, Van Wert was but just emerging from its status as a pioneer village. He first attended school in a little log building which stood on the present site of the Spencer house, and then went to the new school building lo- cated on the McKin corner of Main and Wash- ington streets, and finished up his scholastic training in the school building on the corner of Linn and Woodland avenues. After leav- school our subject entered into an association with his brother, Abram B., and rented the saw-mill which was owned by their father, paying him a stipulated price for each thous- and feet of lumber turned out from the mill. This fraternal partnership existed until 1893, when our subject retired from the firm, whose successor was the Gleason Lumber company, and he thien effected the purchase of the |
People's mills, a finely equipped plant for the production of flour, and these mills he has since conducted upon his individual responsibility, having pushed the enterprise forward to a point of most successful business operation.
When our subject and his brother began their business career in the saw-milling indus- try their financial resources were represented in the sum of $1.25, and they engaged in custom sawing and also bought logs-our subject operating the engine and his brother acting as sawyer. The latter was finally elected sheriff of the county, whereupon Frank J. assumed the entire management of the saw-mill, super- vising all detail .. That success attended the efforts of the young men was shown in the fact that when they retired from the business our subject was the owner of a fine stock farm of 163 acres in the county and valuable property in the city. In connection with the business eterprise, to which reference has already been made, Mr. Gleason still continues his connec- tion with the stock farm, and has some of the finest standard-bred horses in this section of the Union. He has in training twelve horses. eight of these being young, and the other four having secured records, which are herewith noted: Blue Bell, 2:191: Joe Hooker, Jr., 2:243 ; Abbie H., 2:263; and Asliwood, a two- year-old, with a record of 2:223. He is also owner of some exceptionally fine brood mares, which are in keeping at Sunset stock farm. Another fine individual owned by our subject is Billie Davis, sire of Sunset, 2:152, said record being made at the age of three years. On his stock farm Mr. Gleason also keeps a fine herd of Jerseys and a flock of very valua- ble Shropshire sheep.
In politics our subject renders stanch alle- giance to the democratic party, and fraternally lie is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.
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FRANK J. GLEASON.
245-246
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MRS. MARY E. GLEASON, DECEASED
247-245
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
On the 24th of May, 1866, Mr. Gleason was united in marriage to Miss Mary Elvira Slade, who was born near Troy, N. Y., on the Ist day of February, 1842, the daughter of Erastus Slade, and to this union three chil- dren were born, viz: Harry M., to whom indi- vidual reference is made immediately following; Bertha M., wife of Clyde A. Purmort, and Grace E., at home. The devoted wife and mother was summoned into eternal rest on the 26th of January, 1892. In religion she was a devout member of the Presbyterian church and was a noble christian woman, whose death was deeply lamented far outside the sacred pre- cincts of the honie.
ARRY M. GLEASON .- Successs in any line of occupation in any avenue of business, is not a matter of spon- taneity, but is the legitimate result of individual effort, and of the proper use of the means at hand. The improvement of oppor- tunity and the exercise of sound judgment are alike essential to the accomplishment of any man's designs. Wisdom is the proper adapta- tion of means to noble ends. In view of this fact the study of biography becomes valuable, and its lessons of practical use. The subject of this sketch is one of the able, progressive and representative young business men of the city of Van Wert, and there is eminent con- sistency in according him attention in this connection.
Mr. Gleason is a native son of the city of Van Wert, having been born here on the 18th of August, 1867-the son of Frank J. and Mary Elvira (Slade) Gleason, to whom indi- vidual reference is made elsewhere in this vol- nine. Our subject received his preliminary ed- ucation in the excellent public schools of this city, continuing his studies therein until 1883, when he entered the Bryant & Stratton Busi-
ness college, at Chicago, where he completed a four-months course, securing a thorough theoretical knowledge of business forms and methods, after which he returned home and put his acquirements to practical test by de- voting his attention to office work. In this line of endeavor he was engaged until 1893. when he accepted the position as book-keeper in the People's mills, where he has since served, dis- charging the exacting duties of the same with signal capability and fidelity, and being recog- nized as an expert accountant and one of the most discerning young business men in Van Wert city.
Mr. Gleason was united in marriage, on the 16th of April, 1890, to Maude Winifred Hester, who was born in Van Wert, on the 6th of Oc- tober, 1872, the daughter of U. H. Hester, a well known commercial traveler. To this union two children, Hannah Floy and Robert, were born. Hannah Floy was born August 27, 1892, but survived only until November 15, 1893, and Robert was born April 7. 1895.
In his political adherency, Mr. Gleason is an uncompromising democrat. In his fraternal relations our subject is prominentiy identified with the Knights of Pythias.
BRAM BROWN GLEASON, a prom- inent business man of Van Wert and an ex-county official, was born in the county of Van Wert, April 10, 1840, a son of Joseph Gleason, a notice of whom ap- pears elsewhere in these pages. Mr. Gleason attended the schools of Pleasant township in his youth, and while not educated in the sense in which that term is usually accepted, he has by long years of business contact with his fel- low-men in different capacities become the possessor of a vast fund of practical knowledge, such as schools and colleges fail to impart. When but fifteen years of age he began work-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
ing in a saw-mill and grist-mill, where he found employment until his twenty-first year.
On attaining his majority, Mr. Gleason accepted the position of head sawyer and gen- eral manager with the proprietor of the afore- said mill, at a compensation of $1.25 per day. and continued as an employee until 1866, his wages in the meantime having been greatly in- creased by reason of his efficiency. In the year last named, in partnership with his brother, Frank J. Gleason, he purchased the mill, greatly increased the capacity, and added machinery for planing lumber, and operated it jointly with his brother until 1893, doing an extensive business in the interim. In 1893, Mr. Gleason took as partners his son Earl Gleason and F. H. Carper, thus forming the well known firm, the Gleason Lumber company, the subject retaining a half-interest in the en- terprise, which has become one of the largest and most successful of the kind in Van Wert county.
In 1868 Mr. Gleason beca me interested in real estate, especially farm lands, and he now owns over 500 acres in the county of Van Wert, the greater part of which is well im- proved. He became connected with the Van Wert County bank May 25, 1869, as a stock- holder and director, and in March, 1883, be- came identified with the First National bank of Van Wert, with which he has since been connected in an official capacity. This is one of the most substantial institutions of the kind in Northwestern Ohio, and not a little of its prosperity is due to the wise council and sound financial foresight of the subject, who is one of the most prominent and capable officials of the institution. In addition to the business enterprises referred to, Mr. Gleason is inter- ested in the Ohio Live Stock & Land company, and the Van Wert Natural Gas company, and for a period of five years was connected with the Eagle Stave company; he was for the
same length of time a prominent factor in the Van Wert Stave company, and to him is largely due the credit of establishing the first building and loan association in Van Wert, a successful financial enterprise, of which he was for some years president. These associations have found in Mr. Gleason an active promoter. and he has served as a director of the same since their organization.
, In 1869 Mr. Gleason was elected, as a democrat, sheriff of Van Wert county, which position he filled most acceptably for two terms, having been re-elected his own suc- cessor in 1871. In the matter of internal im- provements Mr. Gleason early took the initia- tion, and he was one of the chief promotors of the C., J. & M. R. R., of which he served as a director until it was changed from a narrow to a broad-gauge road; and all other enterprises, having for their object the material advance- ment of the county have found in him a liberal patron. Financially Mr. Gleason's saccess has been commensurate with the activity and ability displayed in the various enterprises, and his standing in business circles, both local and beyond the confines of his city and county, is most enviable. He possesses marked business ability, is thoroughly familiar with every detail of the different enterprises with which he is identified, and manages his affairs with a tact and skill which mark him as a man of superior judgment. His has, indeed. been an active and honorable career, and while he has been successful in the business world, he is highly esteemed in the community for strict integrity and the display of true manly qualities.
Mr. Gleason entered into the marriage rela- tion in the city of Van Wert, February 6, 1862. with Lucretia J. Fox, who was born in Colum- biana county, Ohio, daughter of Jacob and Catherine (Zimmerman) Fox. Two children resulted from the union-Lofnis E., a partner of his father, and Mittie E., who married Dr.
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JULIUS A. GLEASON.
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
W. T. Chambers, a well known dentist of Denver, Colo. Mrs. Gleason died April 1, 1867, since which time Mr. Gleason has made his home with her people and with his son.
J ULIUS ALONZO GLEASON, of Van Wert, Ohio, second son of Joseph and Harriet (Brown ) Gleason, was born in Manchester township, Ontario county, N. Y., June 9, 1834. When about three years of age his parents removed to Van Wert county, Ohio, locating, at first, six miles south- west of the village of the same name, near the road leading to Willshire. Among his earliest recollections are some incidents of the trip by wagon from Van Wert village to the new home in the unbroken forest. A road had to be opened for the wagons by cutting logs and small trees out of the way. Sleeping the first night of their arrival in the wagons, the next day temporary "shanties" were made of poles covered with branches, which were used until cabins could be built of logs, and covered with split boards for shingles, when sleeping quarters were made more comfortable. The education of young Julius began with rudi- mental instruction received from his mother and sister at home and from attending a little "play-school " kept by his Uncle Stephen Gleason's eldest daughter-so that at the time of the removal to Van Wert in 1839 he could spell and read moderately well. Afterward, he attended the village schools (generally only during the winter season) until he attained the age of about sixteen years, when, having ob- tained a fair knowledge of the common branches, his school education terminated. Having early acquired a practical knowledge of penmanship, he was of valuable assistance to his father in the office of county recorder, which office was held by Joseph Gleason for several terms. He also assisted in the man-
agement of the hotel of which his father was proprietor for about fifteen years after the re- moval of the family to the village in 1839. During the early part of this period he re- members of parties of Indian hunters being encamped near by. They were generally civil enough, except when they had imbibed too much "fire water," at which time they be- came quarrelsome, but their quarrels were gen- erally among themselves.
Joseph Gleason, the father, having leased the hotel property and embarked in the lum- ber business, found the services of his son, Julius, valuable in the manufacture of lumber, and for many years the latter assisted in oper- ating the saw-mill, generally as engineer. Becoming imbued with a desire to see a little more of the world than had yet come within his ken, young Gleason made a somewhat ex- tended trip westward, proceeding via Chicago to the Mississippi, arriving at Fulton, Ill., July 23, 1857. Then finding employment at Lyons and Clinton, Iowa, as stationary engineer, he . remained in that vicinity until September, when he made a voyage up Fever river to Galena, Ill., thence by railroad to Dubuque, Iowa, where he worked for about three weeks, after which, taking passage on an up-river steamboat to Winona, Minn., he proceeded by stage to Rochester and Oronoco, in the same state, where he visited S. B. Clark, an old friend of his boyhood. Remaining in this vicinity, employed on a farm for a few weeks, he returned to Van Wert, Ohio. Here he re- sumed work in his father's saw-mill as engineer. and afterward associated as a partner in the business with his brother, Andrew J., and his father.
In January and February, 1858. young Mr. Gleason was employed in the office of the county recorder. March 3d he joined the I. O. O. F. lodge, located at Van Wert, and later the encampment branch of the same
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
order, in which he still holds membership. During this period he took a great interest in musical affairs-as choir leader and in assisting to organize a glee club, etc., having also con- siderable practice in that line at home with brothers and sisters. About this time, on set- tling with his father, he received a deed for a building lot in west Van Wert, on which he afterward built the residence now occupied by himself and family. Having passed the re- quired examination, he taught a four months' term of school in the district two and a half miles southwest of Van Wert during the win- ter of 1859-60. In January, 1861, he took an agency for a work on Odd Fellowship and made a tour through central New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, canvassing for the same, and, returning westward, arrived at Van Wert early in August, 1861.
The thundering of rebel guns against Fort Sumter had now aroused a loyal and respon- sive protest in his heart and he was not slow in offering his services in defense of the nation's honor, enlisting as a member of company H, Fifteenth Ohio volunteer infantry, September 7, 1861, and receiving official preferment as second sergeant of his company, which he had assisted in recruiting, to serve " three years or during the war"-among its members being some of his intimate friends and neighbors, his brother, Andrew J., being included. Septem- ber 13 they boarded a train eastward, proceed- ing to Mansfield, where the Fifteenth was or- ganizing under Col. M. R. Dickey of that place. After organizing, the regiment was transported by railroad via Columbus to Camp Dennisou, near Cincinnati, and thence, after being armed and equipped, via Cincinnati, Ohio, and Covington, to Lexington, Ky., and thence via Frankfort to Louisville.
On the morning of October 11 the started southward on the Louisville & Nashville rail- way. At Lebanon Junction, twenty-eight
miles south, a bridge had been destroyed and they were hindered two hours waiting for an engine from the south. At Nolin Station, nine miles south of Elizabethtown, they went into camp late in the evening of October 11; re- maining in camp here until December 9, they proceeded southward and arrived at Munford- ville, on Green river, December 11, 1861. They remained here, taking the usual round of camp dnties, until about February 15, when they marched via Bowling Green, Ky., and to Nashville, Tenn., arriving March 2, 1862. Continuing their march from here (as a part of Bnell's army), they reached Columbia, Tenn., March 20. April I they continued the march westward toward Savannah and Pittsburg Landing, arriving in time to take part in the battle of Shiloh on April 7, and in the follow- ing up of the rebel army toward Corinth, Miss., where they arrived about May 5; Corinth be- ing taken May 30, they remained encamped near there until June 10, when the army moved eastward and arrived at Iuka, Miss .. on the rith, and at Tuscumbia, Ala., June 15: on the 22d it crossed the Tennessee river near Florence, and, marching eastward through northern Alabama, arrived at Stevenson July 13, and on the 18th went into camp near the- mouth of Battle Creek. Tenn., remaining in camp there until August 23, when they learned that Bragg's army had cut their communica- tions and got in their rear, heading for Louis- ville, Ky. August 23, 1862, their cracker line being in the hands of the enemy, they were allowed to forage from the country they passed through, and green corn, apples, peaches, fresh meat, honey, etc., were found in abun- dant quantities to supply their wants. The march was across the mountains via Tracy City, Altamonte, Manchester and Murfrees- boro, to Nashville, where they arrived Sep- tember 9, 1862; continuing the march north- ward, they reached Munfordville, Ky., Sep-
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OF VAN WERT COUNTY.
tember 22, and the next two days made forced marches of twenty-four miles each day, via Elizabethtown, to West Point, on the Ohio, reaching Louisville, Ky., September 26. Mr. Gleason here received his commission as sec- ond lieutenant, to date from May 26, 1862. October I the Fifteenth marched from Louis- ville, via Shelbyville and Frankfort, thence via Lawrenceburg and Willisburg, to the bat- tlefield of Perryville. October 11, but was not actively engaged in this battle, being held in reserve.
October 12th they marched, via Harrods- burg, Danville, etc., to Crab Orchard, after- ward countermarching toward Munfordville and thence via Bowling Green to Nashville, arriving there November 7, 1862. November 19, Lieut. Gleason was detailed in command of the pioneer detachment of the regiment and was on detached service in the pioneer brigade and pontoon train until January 29, 1864, when he rejoined the regiment.
Lieut. Gleason commanded the regimental pioneer company from April, 1864, during the Atlanta campaign and the battle of Nashville, December 15-16, 1864; was promoted to first lieutenant March 18, 1864, and captain Jan- uary 18, 1865. He was on detached service as assistant provost marshal at San Antonio, Tex., October 21, 1865, and was honorably discharged with his regiment at San Antonio, Texas, November 21, 1865, and after this he returned to his home at Van Wert, where he recruited his health, which had become some- what seriously impaired. Of the business career of Capt. Gleason sufficient mention is made in connection of the sketch of his brother, Andrew J., with whom he associated himself under the firm name of J. A. Gleason & Bro., and at this point it is sufficient to say that they are identified with one of the leading industries of the city, and that our subject is one of Van Wert's representative men.
In politics Capt. Gleason exercises his right of franchise in the support of the men and measures of the republican party, and by that party was elected auditor of Van Wert county and served a term of two years from November, 1872, until November, 1874. In his fraternal relations the captain is identified with the G. A. R., and has been a member of the I. O. O. F. since 1855. Mr. Gleason has maintained a lively interest in all that pertains to the advancement and substantial up-build- ing of Van Wert, and has been a leader in securing to the city its effective public school system, having devoted no little attention to matters germane to educational facilities.
On the 4th of September, 1866, Mr. Glea- son was unted in marriage to Margaret Clark, who was born at Allentown, in Allen county, Ohio, on the ist of May, 1838, being the danghter of Samuel M. and Lydia (Daugherty) Clark, and whose home has been in Van Wert from her infancy; the offspring of this union has been two children: Willard E., who is second lieutenant of company C, of the Sixth infantry. United States army, being now sta- tioned at Fort Thomas, Ky., and being a grad- uate of West Point; and Walter, who holds a position as book-keeper of the Van Wert Natural Gas company. On the 22d of April, 1881, Mr. and Mrs. Gleason adopted a found- ling female child, supposed then to be two months old, whose parents and name are yet unknown, but to whom they gave the name of Nora Marie. Mr. and Mrs. Gleason and daughter, Nora Marie, are members of the First Methodist church of Van Wert.
The Gleason family have been conspicu- ously identified with the history of this section of the Buckeye state from the early pioneer epoch, and any compilation purporting to give even slight details in regard to those who have occupied representative positions in connection with the material progress and substantial de-
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BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
velopment of the city of Van Wert, would be manifestly incomplete and incongruous were there a failure to advert to this well known and honored family. On other pages of this vol- ume the publishers have gladly given space to very complete records touching the lives of the several members of this family, and at this point much satisfaction is felt in directing attention to one of its representatives, whose business career has been marked by scrupulous honor and integrity and whose loyal service in defense of the nation has been voluntary and unstinted.
EORGE W. TOLAN, of the Van Wert Marble & Granite company, Van Wert city, Ohio, was born in Carrollton, Ohio, in July, 1849, a son of James and Elizabeth (Crabbs) Tolan, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania June 8, 1806, and was a son of James Tolan, who came from Scotland in an early day and lo- cated in Washington county, Pa., where he was married.
James Tolan, the father of George W., was the eldest of a family of eight children, grew to manhood in Pennsylvania and there learned the shoemaker's trade, which he fol- lowed until 1850; then engaged in the marble business in Carrollton, Ohio, and there fol- lowed it until he caine to Van Wert, in 1864, where he continued in the marble business until 1887, at which time he retired. He mar- ried in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1830, Miss Eliza- beth Crabbs, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in ISTI, and to this union were born nine children, as follows: Thomas J., deceased; William; D. H. ; Isaac, deceased; Andy; Mary A., M. D .; James; George W., our subject, and Hattie A., now the widow of John Dunlap Irvin. Mr. Tolan was quite well to do when he retired from business. In politics
he was a democrat, and while living in Carroll county he served one term as county sheriff, and as postmaster of Carrollton under Presi- dent Pierce. His death took place November 4. 1891, and that of his widow December 3. 1894, and it is needless to say that their loss was deeply felt by the community in which they so long lived. James Tolan was a gentle- man of great public spirit, conscientious in all respects, high-toned and honorable, and de- votedly attached to his family and friends. He lived a life of strictly moral character and was truly christian-like in all his acts.
George W. Tolan resided with his parents in Carrolton until twelve years of age, when he went to Delphos, Ohio, where he served five years under his brother, Thomas J., as an ap- prentice at marble cutting. He then passed a year and a half in Lima, Ohio, as a journey- man, and in 1869 came to Van Wert and worked at journey work for his father until 1872; he next passed six months in Cincinnati and eight months in Louisville, Ky., working at his trade, and then returned to Van Wert and remained here until 1878; he next worked in Saint Louis, Mo., for eight months; in Lit- tle Rock, Ark., three months; in Carthage, Mo., four months; then again in Saint Louis until 18So, when he returned to Van Wert and worked for his father until 1887, following with a four years' job in the shop of Rice Bros. At the conclusion of this engagement, Mr. Tolan and George W. Sidle united in the marble business as equal partners in Van Wert, still carry on their trade with uniformi suc- cess, and now handle about $6,000 worth of work each season. Mr. Tolan is also and ex- pert sign painter and letter draftsman, which art materially assists him in tombstone and kindred classes of sculpture. In politics he is a sterling democrat, and socially he is a genial. whole-souled gentleman. (See sketch of G. W. Sidle.)
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