Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 87

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 87

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Mr. Smith is a native of Hamilton, born on the 6th of August, 1867, a son of Thomas G. and Lou (Hermann) Smith. He was reared and educated in his native city. For a few years after leaving school he was em- ployed in various avocations, though he never chose a profession. In 1889 he was appointed on the police force, and in recog- nition of his clerical ability he was assigned to duty as clerk to Mayor John Dirk. His services were so satisfactory that he was continued in that position through the ad- ministration of Mayor L. M. Larsh, and two years during the administration of Mayor Charles S. Bosch. This service led up to the time of his assuming charge of the Globe Theater, as previously intimated.

Mr. Smith is active and energetic in his chosen calling and deservedly popular with all classes of citizens. He is an affable and courteous gentleman, generous and open- hearted, a lover of innocent sports, and, withal, an intelligent and influential citizen of high standing in the community.

Tom A. Smith was united in marriage, on the 29th of May, 1889, to Miss Emma D. Dirk, of Hamilton, and a daughter of Mayor John Dirk, deceased. Her father was also a native of Hamilton, born in 1848, and a prominent citizen-soldier in the Civil war -mayor, constable, councilman, and died a

member of the board of managers of the Ohio penitentiary. appointed by Governor Mckinley. Mr. and Mrs. Smith are the parents of two sons, Clyde Dirk and Tom Cody. Mr. Smith is a prominent member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, a past exalted ruler of Hamilton Lodge, No. 93, and a member of the grand lodge of the United States.

JAMES N. KIMBALL.

The subject of this review is a repre- sentative of one of the old and highly re- spected families of Butler county and in- herits many of the sterling qualities for which his ancestors were long distinguished. James N. Kimball, of Middletown, is a na- tive of this county and the son of Dr. Ed- ward and Mary J. Kimball, the former born in Salem, Massachusetts, and the latter in the county of Butler, where her parents set- tled as early as the year 1800. Edward Kimball was brought to Ohio when four years of age, grew to maturity and was educated in Butler county, and later gradu- ated from the Cincinnati Medical College. after which he practiced for a number of years at Blue Ball, removing from that place to Monroe. where he spent the remainder of his life, dying in 1892. at the ripe old age of eighty-two years.

Mary J. Stewart, who became the wife of Dr. Kimball, was, as already stated, the daughter of one of Butler county's pioneers, her father having entered land in Lemon township at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and it is a fact worthy of note that the old homestead remained in the Stewart

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name until transferred to the Kimballs in engaging with the large and important con- January, 1903, a period of one hundred and three years. Two years after the death of her husband Mrs. Kimball changed her abode to Middletown, where she continued to reside until called to the other world, which event occurred May 4, 1902, when she was seventy-nine years old.

Dr. and Mrs. Kimball were the parents of ten children, of whom the following sur- vive: Alonzo, a veteran of the Civil war; Fannie S., living in Middletown; Webster. an insurance agent, of Middletown; Harry C., whose home is in Dayton, this state; Laura E., and James N., of this review, who is the tenth in order of birth.

James N. Kimball was born on the old homestead in Lemon township, February 28, 1867, and received his education in the pub- lic schools of Monroe, having been gradu- ated from the high school of that place in the year 1887. He remained with his par- ents until 1890, when he severed home ties and accepted a position with the P. J. Sorg Tobacco Company, of Middletown. He en- tered the employ of this large con- cern in a minor capacity, but in six months was promoted to first assist- ant bookkeeper, and from that position, five months later, rose to head bookkeeper, which important position he still holds. When the factory was purchased by the Con- tinental Tobacco Company, he acted in the twofold capacity of bookkeeper and stock- clerk. He is an accomplished accountant and thoroughly reliable business man, and kind and obliging in his relations with the .public. Mr. Kimball possesses clerical abili- ties of a high order and his manifold duties are so systematically arranged as to cause him little trouble or inconvenience. Since

cern with which he is now identified his record has been honorable and upright, never having swerved from the strict path of rectitude, but always proving able to dis- charge worthily the duties and responsi- bilities devolving upon him. He has la- bored faithfully and earnestly to promote the success of the company, subordinating every other consideration to this one object, and the confidence reposed in him attests the high esteem in which he is held by his superiors.

Aside from his connection with the P. J. Sorg branch, Mr. Kimball is a factor of no little consequence in the general business and industrial interests of Middletown, every enterprise calculated to advance the city, materially or otherwise, receiving his support and hearty co-operation. He is a young man of excellent standing, unwaver- ing in behalf of whatever he considers right or for the public good, and he upholds his honest convictions at the sacrifice of every other interest. Conscientious in the dis- charge of the duties of citizenship, his aim has ever been to shape his life according to the highest standard of excellence and that he has succeeded in this laudable ambi- tion his present position in business circles and in the social world sufficiently attests. Fraternally, Mr. Kimball is a member of the Modern Woodmen and the National Union, and in religion subscribes to the Cal- vinistic creed, belonging with his wife to the First Presbyterian church of Middle- town. A Republican in politics and well in- formed relative to the leading questions and issues of the day, he is not a partisan nor has he ever sought office or any kind of public distinction, being first of all devoted

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to his business and, as already indicated, early educational advantages being necessa- making all other objects secondary thereto.

Mr. Kimball's domestic life dates from 1892, in which year he was united in mar- riage with Miss Louise Ball, of Butler county, a young lady of much more than ordinary culture and refinements, a gradu- ate of the Amanda high school and for some time bookkeeper at the Wren Paper Mill. This union has been blessed with one child, a daughter by the name of Mary Josephine, whose birth occurred on February 24, 1893.

SOLON T. HARWOOD.

In the respect that is accorded to men who have fought their own way to success through unfavorable environment we find an unconscious recognition of the intrinsic worth of a character which can not only en- dure so rough a test, but gain new strength through the discipline. The gentleman to whom the biographer now calls the reader's attention was not favored by inherited wealth or the assistance of influential friends, but in spite of this, by perseverance, industry and wise economy, he has attained a comfortable station in life.

Solon T. Harwood is a native of the Old Dominion state of the Union, having first seen the light of day near Richmond, Virginia, where he was born October 21, 1850, the son of James A. and Georgella Harwood. The emigrant ancestors of the Harwood family were originally from Eng- land, and in the subject are exemplified many of the sterling attributes which characterize the natives of the "merrie little isle." The subject was reared in his native state, his and modes of operation and thus became

rily somewhat limited. However, what he lacked in book learning was made up by habits of keen observation and careful think- ing, so that upon attaining mature years he was fairly well equipped for life's battles. His first employment was in connection with the tobacco industry and he has ever since been identified therewith. He started in as a tobacco sorter in the employ of Crump & Christian, of Richmond, Virginia, in 1868, in whose employ he remained about one year, when he accepted employment as box brander and shipping clerk for T. C. Wil- liams & Company, of Richmond, remaining there also for a year. He next became ship- ping clerk and manager of the press room for David Baker, Jr., remaining with him about two years, and was then for about the same period with S. W. Wise, manufac- turer of plug tobacco, at Richmond. His next employer was James B. Pace, with whom he remained for nine years in the ca- pacity of foreman of the twist tobacco de- partment. In 1877 he went to Quincy, Illi- nois, and became manager of the casing de- partment for Harris, Beeby & Company. remaining with that firm until 1879, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and for a short time was manager of the casing department for Charles Allen. Going then to Coving- ton, Kentucky. he became an employe of Lee & Smith, in the same capacity as for- merly, remaining with them until about Jan- uary, 1881, when he came to Middletown, and entered the employ of P. J. Sorg & Company, as manager of the press room. During his various removals and changes from one factory to another, Mr. Harwood had been observant of the various methods

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thoroughly conversant with the business in all its details, so that when, in 1883, Mr. Sorg found it necessary to select a super- intendent for his factory he had not far to seek, as he had long recognized in Mr. Har- wood a man well-qualified to fill the position. The subject ably filled this position until January. 1885, when another company was formed known as the P. J. Sorg Company, the subject becoming a member of the new organization. Under the new regime he still retained his old position of superintend- ent of the factory, so continuing until 1898, when the plant was sold to the Continental Tobacco Company. So efficient had been the performance of his duties under the former organization, he was now continued as superintendent of the factory and was also made assistant resident manager, in which dual capacities he is still serving.

On the 7th day of September, 1880, at Covington, Kentucky, Mr. Harwood was united in marriage with Miss Louise Kaeltz, of that city, and the union has been blessed by the advent of one son, Edwin S., born in June, 1881. Edwin received his prelimi- nary education in the graded and high schools of Middletown, which was supple- mented by a full course in the Cincinnati Business College. He is now assistant man- ager of the Luhman & Wilbern Tobacco Company's plant. at Middletown, Ohio, which is also owned by the Continental.

Socially Mr. Harwood is a member of the order of Knights of Pythias, belonging to the lodge at Middletown, and in his daily life he exemplifies the beneficent principles of this noble order. Though a member of no church he is a liberal supporter of all movements having for their object the up- lifting of mankind and the advancement of

the interests of the community, morally, ed- ucationally or materially. In politics he is fice. Without much outside assistance, the success he has achieved is due largely to his own efforts. Strong determination, persist- ence in the pursuit of an honorable purpose, unflagging energy and careful management -these are the salient features of his career, and his life stands in unmistakable evidence that success is not a matter of genius, as held by some, but is the outcome of earnest and well-directed effort.

CHARLES E. GAUMER.

Charles Edmund Gaumer, editor and proprietor of the Daily Signal, Middletown. and one of the popular and influential journalists of Ohio, is a native of Cham- paign county, this state, and dates his birth from November 28, 1876. His ancestors came to America prior to the war for in- dependence and were among the substantial German settlers of Pennsylvania, the ante- cedents of the branch of the family to which he belongs having located in the vicinity of Allentown and borne a conspicuous part in the developments of that section of the Key- stone state. Dr. Thomas M. Gaumer, the subject's father, was a distinguished physi- cian and practiced his profession for a num- ber of years until engaging in the publica- tion of the Democrat at Urbana, Ohio. Through the medium of this paper Dr. Gaumer became widely known throughout the state as an able, forceful writer and dur- ing his editorial experience he wielded a strong influence for the Democratic party and had much to do in formulating its

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policies, directing its campaigns and lead- Bulletin, a weekly Democratic paper which ing it to victory in a number of hotly con- soon obtained a wide circulation and became a power in the political circles of that city and throughout a large section of the coun- try. After issuing the Bulletin for two years he sold out and in 1901 purchased the Daily Signal at Middletown, Ohio, which he has since published and which, under conserv- ative management, has been made to take a prominent position among the leading dailies of the state. tested struggles. He possessed great force of character, made his presence felt in what- ever circles he moved. and excelled in all of his undertakings. He achieved eminence as a physician and surgeon, as well as a journalist and politician, and adorned his profession by a number of years of success- ful practice. He was a leading spirit in establishing the new Epileptic Hospital at Gallipolis, served as a member of its first board of trustees, and in many other ca- pacities looked after the progress and wel- fare of this excellent institution. The maiden name of Mrs. Dr. Gaumer was Eliza- beth M. Cone. She was a native of Mus- kingum and bore her husband three children, the subject of this review being the first of the family.

Charles E. Gaumer spent his childhood and youth in Urbana and received his edu- cational training in that city. graduating from the high school in 1894. His father dying a few months before the completion . of his scholastic course, young Gaumer took charge of the father's paper and from that time until his graduation was obliged to divide his time between his studies and the management of the office. He discharged his exacting duties in a very efficient man- ner and the day following his graduation took sole charge of the Democrat, which he continued to publish until 1899, during which time the circulation was increased many fold and the paper became one of the most prosperous and influential local sheets in the state of Ohio.

Disposing of the office, in 1899, to his brother. Mr. Gaumer went to Monticello, Illinois, where he engaged in publishing the

Mr. Gaumer comes from a family that has long been active in the Democratic party and, like his predecessors, he too has won a prominent and influential position in its councils, and through the medium of his able editorials has done much to strengthen its interests and promote its success wherever he has wielded the pen. As a writer, he is polished and trenchant ; thoroughly informed in the history of political parties, he brings to his aid a well-disciplined mind. a memory of men and measures seldom at fault, and, though ordinarily calm and genial in the use of his pen, he is at no loss when the subject requires those keener thrusts which tell upon the position and vitality of an antagonist. Essentially dignified and fair in discussing the live issues of the day, he has little pa- tience with what is popularly termed "yel- low journalism," and such papers as come under this head he either ignores altogether or dissects with the merciless analysis which utterly vanquishes the contestant. ,Since taking charge of the Signal Mr. Gaumer's ambition has been not only to make it an influential political sheet and the reflex of party sentiments in this part of the state, but also to raise it to the standard of a credit- able family paper whose columns shall vi- brate with the public pulse and through the

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medium of which all the news of the day shall be given in a terse and attractive form. He has an office well-equipped with the ma- chinery and devices necessary to do first- class work, and his paper is in every respect a model of typographical art and a credit to the enterprising spirit in the sanctum. With a constantly increasing circulation and a liberal advertising patronage, it has already proved the source of a handsome income and, judging by past success, it is destined to grow in strength and influence with the passing years, and to retain in the future the proud position it has already won in the great Democratic party, of whose principles and doctrines it claims to be a fair and im- partial exponent.

Fraternally Mr. Gaumer is identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fel- lows, the Modern Woodmen and the Royal Arcanum, and religiously is a Presbyterian. belonging, with his wife, to the church in Middletown. He has a pleasant home and a happy and mutually agreeable family cir- cle, including a wife and two children. The former before her marriage, on the 7th day of September, 1898, was Miss Alletta Lan- dis, of Champaign county. The children are a daughter, Lois, born November 3, 1899. and a son by the name of Edmund, whose birth occurred on January 29, 1901.

S. D. LOGAN, M. D.

Professional success results from merit. Frequently in commercial life onę may come into possession of a lucrative business through inheritance or gift, but in what are known as the learned professions advance-

ment is gained only through painstaking and long-continued effort. Prestige in the heal- ing art is the outcome of strong mentality, close application, thorough mastery of great underlying principles and the ability to ap- ply theory to practice in the treatment of diseases. Good intellectual training. thor- ough professional knowledge and the pos- session and utilization of the qualities are attributes essential to success that have made the subject of this review eminent in his chosen calling and he stands today among the scholarly and enterprising physi- cians in a county noted for the high order of its medical talent.

S. D. Logan is a native son of the old Hoosier state, having been born on the 4th of January. 1854, in Clinton county. Indi- ana. He is the son of David and Elizabeth (Morgan) Logan, the latter having been- a cousin of the noted General Morgan of Civil war fame. The subject's parents were early settlers of Clinton county, Indiana, and there the father gained considerable promi- nence as a leading citizen and was for many years a minister in the Methodist Protestant church. He died on the 13th of October. 1884. The subject was born and reared upon a farm and was early taught the les- sons of industry and thrift. He was given the advantage of attendance at the district school and, later, at a high school. After his graduation from the latter. he was granted a license to teach and was so en- gaged for some time. He subsequently en- tered the employ of the Monon Railroad Company as a member of the engineering corps, remaining so employed until October. 1882. The science of medicine had long fascinated him and his leisure moments had been employed in reading along that line.

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At this time he definitely decided to make the medical profession his life work, and, with this end in view, he entered the Eclectic Medical Institute, at Cincinnati, Ohio, in which he was graduated June 7, 1887. Upon receiving his degree he located at College Corners, Indiana, and was there engaged in the practice for three years. Feeling that his opportunities were necessarily restricted there, he, in January, 1890, came to Middle- town, Ohio, and has since been engaged here in the practice, with a success most gratify- ing. He now stands admittedly in the front rank of Butler county's professional men, possessing a thoroughly disciplined mind and keeping in close touch with the trend of modern thought relating to the noble calling to which his life and energies have been de- voted. He has ever maintained his high standing, never descending beneath the dig- nity of his profession nor compromising his usefulness by countenancing any but legiti- mate practice.

On the Ist day of December. 1886. Dr. Logan was married to Miss Augusta L. Mason, who was born in Brookville, Indi- ana, June 5, 1853, the daughter of William P. and Rebekah (Stalcup) Mason. This union has been a most felicitous one and has been blessed by the birth of three children. namely : Warren D., born September 12, 1888; Howard M., born May 20, 1890, and Mildred V., born July 8, 1894. Religiously the subject and his family are affiliated with the Methodist Episcopal church, of which they are live and active members. Frater- nally Dr. Logan belongs to the Order of United American Mechanics and the Pro- tected Home Circle, while in politics he votes in harmony with the Democratic party, though the demands of his profession

preclude the possibility of his taking a very active part in public affairs. He has been financially successful and has made a num- ber of business investments which promise to make good returns, among which are the Jerome Canyon Copper Company and the Clune mines, both in Arizona. As a means of rest and recreation, the Doctor has long been fond of the game of checkers and has, by his successive victories over other leading players, earned the title of champion checker player of Ohio, and he has also had the pleasure of beating the champion of Indi- ana. The Doctor is possessed of strong so- cial qualities, which have in a large way aided him in his professional career and have marie for him many warm friends. There are few men of Middletown who stand higher in the esteem and regard of those who know them and a biographical history of this section would be incomplete were there failure to make mention of him.

W. T. SHIPE. M. D.

Prominent among the successful medical men of Butler county is the well-known and popular physician and surgeon whose name furnishes the caption of this review. Be- longing to the younger generation of his profession, he has already won the esteem and confidence of the people in his field of practice, not alone by reason of the eminent ability displayed in his chosen calling, but also on account of his candid mien, gener- ous nature and freedom from duplicity and deceit. Dr. W. T. Shipe, of Middletown. is a native of Clarke county, Virginia, and

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the son of Andrew and Jennie ( Bromby) Shipe, both parents born and reared in the Old Dominion state, the father a farmer by occupation, as were his ancestors for several generations before him. The Doctor was born on March 23, 1867, and spent his child- hood and youth on the farm, assisting his father with the cultivation of the same as soon as old enough to be of service and of winter seasons attending the district schools of the neighborhood. After acquiring a knowledge of the common branches, he en- tered a normal school at Harrisonburg, Virginia, where he pursued his studies for about three years and subsequently became a student of Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania, the scientific course of which institution he completed in due time.

Having decided to make the medical pro- fession his life work, the Doctor, in the fall of 1891, entered the Baltom Medical Col- lege, where he prosecuted his studies and research with great assiduity until the spring of 1894, when he was graduated with an honorable record, standing among the first in the class of that year. By reason of meritorious work as a student, he was ap- pointed, immediately after receiving his de- gree, to a position in the hospital connected with the college, in which ca- pacity he continued one year, during which time he became familiar with the practical duties of his profession under the direction of some of the most distinguished medical men of the day. At the expiration of the period noted he returned to the state of his birth, where he practiced with encouraging success during the five years following, after which he took a post-graduate course in the Post-Graduate Medical College, of New York city. where he made a special study of

diseases peculiar to the nose and throat. Finishing the above course, the Doctor sought a larger and more favorable field of practice in Middletown, Ohio, where he lo- cated in the year 1899, since which time he has built up a large and lucrative prac- tice and risen to a high place among the leading physicians and surgeons of Butler county.

Bringing to his life work a mind thor- oughly disciplined by severe professional training. Dr. Shipe was not long in establish- ing a remunerative practice, and by his skill in the treatment of diseases, which formerly baffled the skill of old and experienced medi- cal men, in due time won much more than a local reputation. Although a young man, he is considered not only one of the best in- formed physicians of Middletown, but as a practitioner familiar with the nature of prevalent diseases and the ability to apply successfully his wide and varied knowledge particularly in his special lines of treatment, he easily ranks with the eminent men of his profession in the southwestern part of the state. The Doctor is a close and critical student and, taking advantage of every op- portunity to increase his knowledge and ef- ficiency, keeps himself conversant with the leading professional thought of the times. Familiar with the ideas of the world's great minds through the medium of their writings, he delights to exchange opinions with his professional brethren. in addition to which he devotes a part of the leisure at his command to original research and scien- tific investigation. He has a well-equipped office and uses in his practice only the latest and most approved devices and appliances.' He is a member of several medical societies and organizations, in the deliberations of

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 87

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149