USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 41
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In 1885 Dr. Courtright was married to Miss Minnie F. Bunker, a native of New England, and they have one son, Ivan S., born November 5, 1886. They are well known socially and have gained many friends during the period of their residence in the capital city. Dr. Courtright is a valued member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, while along professional lines his membership extends to the Columbus Acad- emy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He is actuated in all that he does by a spirit of helpfulness and his professional labors are prompted no less by a laudable desire for financial suc- cess and a love of scientific investigation than by broad humanitarian principles.
DAVID W. BROOKS.
In a review of the history of such a man as David W. Brooks, one is reminded of the words of Lincoln: "There is something better than mak- ing a living-making a life." The varied activity, the honorable principles and the beneficent effects of the work of David W. Brooks made his record an integral part of the history of his native city. His ancestors on coming to America settled at Concord, Middlesex county. Massachusetts. The year was 1836. At a later date the family removed to Woburn in the same county and the annals of that town indicate that they took a prominent part in its public affairs. David Brooks, the immediate ancestor of David W. Brooks, came to central Ohio among the earliest New England pioneers of this portion of the state and assisted in laying the foundation of the fu- ture capital. He became the proprietor of one of the early famous hos- telries of Columbus-the White Horse Tavern, subsequently renamed the Eagle Hotel. It was long a popular hostelry with the travelers and visitors to the city, standing on the east side of South High street between Town and Rich streets, on the site now occupied by the Odd Fellows Temple. It was in this house that David W. Brooks was born February 22, 1828. His mother, who bore the maiden name of Keziah Hamlin, was the first white' female child born in Columbus. It was in this house, owned by his par- ents, that David W. Brooks spent his boyhood days, while the capital was yet a struggling village. The completion of the national pike was an event to which the settlers of those early days long looked forward. To the pro- prietors of taverns along the road it meant much for it furnished a highway for the stage coach, and the passengers and horses were a source of revenue to the owners of the old time taverns. Around the evening fire in the large waiting room, while the logs crackled and the sparks flew, news of the out- side world was passed around to those who chose to listen.
There can be no doubt but that from this source of information and inspiration came to the boy the desire for an education. It was not long
DAVID W. BROOKS
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before the youth was under the charge of a school teacher, a lady from Wareham, Massachusetts. It was seemingly but a short span from school days to married life. The boy becomes a man, assumes his position in the world as such, and is ready to take upon himself his full share of its re- sponsibilities. In the meantime he had learned the printing trade in the office of the Ohio State Journal, and subsequently became a reporter of that paper, his associates in that connection being General James M. Comly and William Dean Howells. In future years he commented upon the great- ness of Mr. Howells, who had achieved distinction in the literary world sec- ond to none in the country.
On the 21st of September, 1850, David W. Brooks was united in mar- riage to Anna Maria Simpkins, and thus through the home a new influence was brought into his life. Mrs. Brooks was born in Philadelphia, Pennsyl- vania, and was descended from a family that produced a number of Luth- eran ministers, one being chaplain in the Prussian army, who came to - America just prior to the Revolutionary war and settled in the Quaker City. Mrs. Brooks was a lady of fine character and of deep religious convictions. In St. Paul's church, within the chancel rail next to the reredos stands a memorial chair placed there, with her name inscribed on brass, which bears silent witness to her character. She believed that in all things God is su- preme, His love is paramount and that when through with life's care and struggles, through Him the individual will enter into eternal rest. It was with such a companion that David W. Brooks traveled life's journey.
For a few years Mr. Brooks was employed in the postoffice, and it was during this period that he showed marked evidence of literary ability, his contributions to a volume, "Ten Years Among the Mail Bags," being his first effort. His writings which later appeared in the Knickerbocker Magazine, published in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were always acceptable and con- sisted of stories and scenes taken from everyday life. Those who were his readers pronounced his work of high order, his imagination being chaste, his diction fine and his style expressive. His writings were always in de- mand and found ready sale to the publishers, yet he did not care to be known as an author, believing that it was no value to a man to be classed with writers. Moreover, he would never allow his name to be mentioned in connection with anything that he had ever written.
After leaving the office of the Ohio State Journal, Mr. Brooks served through appointment as clerk of the county auditor's office and in 1862 was appointed county clerk to fill out the unexpired term of James H. Smith, deceased. Later he was appointed deputy clerk of the supreme court of Ohio and acceptably discharged the duties of these different positions. Up to this time Mr. Brooks did not feel that he had chosen a life work, however, and after careful consideration he came to the conclusion that the mercantile pursuit was best suited to the conditions then existing in the city and prom- ised the largest financial reward. In the year 1860, therefore, the firm of Brooks, Stearns & Company was organized and entered upon a prosperous existence. Afterward, owing to the retirement of Mr. Stearns, who was suc- ceeded by Nathaniel Merion, the new firm of Brooks, Merion & Company,
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wholesale and retail grocerymen, continued the business. With the out- break of the war prices in all lines rose rapidly and gave impetus to their trade as well. This, coupled with good business management, brought prosperity to the firm which built up a reputation for square and honest dealing and secured a patronage largely in excess of any other firm of like business in the city.
It was while engaged in merchandising that Mr. Brooks became imbued with the idea that another banking house could be organized and successfully conducted in Columbus and as a result of this opinion, in Oc- tober, 1869, the bank of Sparrow, Hines & Company opened its doors to the general public at the corner of High and Town streets. It was a private banking institution owned by David W. Brooks, Thomas Sparrow, Oliver P. Hines and James M. Walker, all well known and prosperous men of that day. Mr. Sparrow was a lawyer of state reputation, in whose office Ruther- ford B. Hayes was once a student. Mr. Sparrow was also a Mason of high standing and a man of unassailable business integrity, but he did not long survive, his death occurring about five years after the bank was opened. He was succeeded by David Taylor, a pioneer of this section of the country and a man of large influence in Franklin county. At that time Mr. Taylor was the owner of more land than any other individual in this part of the state, his acreage being in the thousands. The bank continued under this ownership until 1878, when Oliver P. Hines and David Taylor disposed of their interests to C. P. L. Butler and his brother, Theodore H. Butler. In 1869 Mr. Brooks, having retired from mercantile pursuits, became president and manager of the banking house he had organized, which was conducted under the firm name of Brooks, Butler & Company, bankers, until his death. He stood as a prominent representative of the financial interests of the city, carefully controlling the interests of the institution, while at all times his enterprise and sound discernment were recognized and his business probity remained unsullied. Few men have enjoyed in as large a degree the confidence and respect of the entire community as did Mr. Brooks.
Another interesting chapter in the life history of David W. Brooks was his connection with the militia. There is born in the heart of every true American a love of country and a patriotic devotion that will assert itself when occasion arises. The fundamental principles of all government is "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness." We see it in every city and village in the country. It was manifest in the early days in military organizations, almost every community having its local companies. More than sixty years ago about fifty of the youth of Columbus organized for muster and drill, forming a company called the Columbus Lancers, which existed for a num- ber of years. In those days the music of the fife and drum was the in. spiration that aided the boys in keeping up their martial spirits, and D. W. Brooks became fifer of the company James Wetmore playing the snare drum and William G. Deshler the bass drum. When civil war was declared in 1861 William Dennison, then governor of Ohio, called upon the state militia for service and the fifer of the Columbus Lancers enlisted for duty as a private. His time of service was short, however, for he was prostrated
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by sunstroke and for years suffered from its effects. But for this his mili- tary service would probably have extended over a long period, for his com- pany was called home and a large number of them reenlisted in the army of the United States.
At different times throughout a long and useful career David W. Brooks was called upon for service in some public or semi-public capacity, and the aid which he rendered was ever of a practical character that accom- plished beneficial and far reaching results. He was appointed by Governor Bishop a trustee of the Columbus Asylum for Insane and confirmed by the senate in January, 1878. On the organization of the board, which was composed of E. J. Blount and David W. Brooks, of Columbus, Joseph P. Smith of Circleville, George W. Morgan of Mt. Vernon, and Benjamin Myers of Ashland, he was made secretary and continued as such until he resigned. He was active in the work while a member of this body and in- augurated a system of keeping accounts in the asylum, which is still in op- eration. Mr. Brooks was also called upon to serve as police commissioner of Columbus and during that period manifested most active and helpful inter- est in the moral welfare of the city. The older inhabitants of the capital will remember the calaboose or station house located back of the Central Market House on Fourth street. The city then had a population of forty or fifty thousand. This station house had long been a disgrace to the city, was entirely too small and inadequate for the purpose intended and pre- sented most uncleanly and unsanitary conditions. In it, however, the crimi- nals were crowded, the small room in the second story being for the men and boys, while the first floor was used for the unfortunate women. The build- ing was about forty feet square and two stories high. Across the narrow street, upstairs, a large room in the Central Market House served as police court, and to this the prisoners were conducted for trial. After two or three years of strenuous and at times discouraging work Mr. Brooks, with the aid of Rev. A. G. Byers, a member of the State Board of Associated Charities, and the Hon. DeWitt C. Jones, a lawyer who was also a member of the city council at that time, succeeded in having an ordinance passed through the council to purchase land and build a prison. The structure was commenced in the spring of 1878 and was the embodiment of what is today called prison reform. The corner stone was laid December 18, 1878, and the building was completed and occupied January 1, 1880. It was pronounced the most modern structure in the central west and was visited by men from the east who were interested in prison reform. The Ohio State Board of Charities, consisting of Governor Richard M. Bishop, John W. Andrews, A. G. Byers, secretary of the board, all of Columbus, Roeliff Brinkerhoff, of Mansfield, Joseph Perkins, Cleveland, and M. D. Carrington, Toledo, Ohio, endorsed it as a board in the following statement: "We would call attention to the new city prison recently built at Columbus, as the best in Ohio and probably equal to any in the United States. It is well worthy of the attention of city authorities generally as suggesting the true plan upon which they should be constructed." In his address at the open- ing of the city prison Mr. Brooks made several suggestions along reform
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lines which have since been adopted by the state. He advocated a truant officer and one has been employed since 1890; also an intermediate peni- tentiary for young criminals and a juvenile court which has lately been established with Probate Judge Samuel L. Black presiding. Mr. Brooks, after thorough study and investigation of the subject, advocated reform measures in prison work and these ideas have since come into gen- eral use.
The life record of David W. Brooks covered almost sixty-two years. His first wife had died March 19, 1866, and he had afterward wedded Emma L. Brooks, of Worcester, Massachusetts, who died February 17, 1889. His death occurred January 31, 1890. Throughout the entire period of his married life he had lived at the old family home on East Rich street, into which he took his first wife as a bride in 1853. It was here that all of their children were reared. The homestead was called Rose Hill on account of the many rose bushes and other beautiful shrubbery that adorned the lawn, making the place a continuous delight through the summer months. The homestead remained in possession of the family until a few years ago, when, owing to the rapid progress of building in that locality, it was di- vided into lots and disposed of for other homes. From this place the re- mains of David W. Brooks were carried to their last resting place. He was a member of St. Paul's church and of Mount Vernon Commandery, Knights Templar, of Columbus. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Charles O'Meara, of Trinity Episcopal Church, and thus was brought to a close a life of great activity and general usefulness. It is not from the few con- spicuous deeds of life that the blessings chiefly come which make the world better, sweeter, happier, but from the countless lowly ministries of the everydays, the little faithfulnesses that fill long years. While Mr. Brooks achieved success and prominence in business and thus contributed to the material growth and development of Columbus, it was perhaps his services for the public and the genial spirit which he displayed in his relations with his friends that will make him longest remembered.
GEORGE W. WILL.
George W. Will, who is numbered among the prosperous and enterprising agriculturalists of Madison township, is a native of Ohio, his birth having oc- curred in 1860. He acquired his education in the common schools and throughout his entire business career has been successfully connected with ag- ricultural interests. His first farming was done in Illinois, but six years ago he returned to this state and purchased his present place of eighty-four and one- half acres in Madison township, which he has since improved and cultivated. He is a self-made man, who has worked persistently and earnestly for the suc- cess which has come to him for, although he started out in life empty-handed. he has gained the prosperity which is the reward of untiring perseverance and executive ability.
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In 1885 Mr. Will was united in marriage to Miss Ardella Tussing, who was born in Ohio in 1864. Their children are as follows: Cora A., Edgar H., George T. and Robert, all of whom are attending school.
Politically Mr. Will is independent, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Reform church. He is likewise identified with the Grange, and has won the respect and esteem of all with whom he has come in contact in business or social relations.
ROBERT R. JOHNSTON.
The history of Westerville would be incomplete and unsatisfactory with- out mention of Robert R. Johnston, who has resided here for only two years but had previously been a resident of Columbus for twenty-eight years. He has had broad experience in business life and in all of his different connec- tions has proved competent and reliable. He is now at the head of the Westerville Creamery Company. He was born near Newark, in Perry county, Ohio, December 2, 1848, a son of Joshua and Mary Johnston, who re- moved to Muskingum county, Ohio, when their son Robert was but eight years of age. He had two brothers who were soldiers of the Civil war. Josiah W., who enlisted from Zanesville as a member of the Eighteenth Regulars, was taken prisoner, afterward paroled and died in the service at Nashville. M. B. Johnston was a member of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, was wounded at Mun- fordville, Kentucky, during the Morgan raid, and now resides at Beverly, Ohio.
Robert R. Johnston was reared in Muskingum county, Ohio, to the age of twenty years and pursued his education in the public schools of Zanesville, while in that city he also learned the confectioner's trade, becoming quite ex- pert in that business. He afterward went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at his trade for five years. He was the youngest of eight children and lost his mother when quite young. Early thrown upon his own resources, the success that he has achieved is the merit of tribute of his industry and enterprise.
On the 16th of January, 1872, Mr. Johnston was married to Miss Joseph- ine Kirk, of Zanesville, after which they removed to Columbus, where they resided for twenty-eight years. In 1906 they came to Westerville, where they now reside. In the capital city Mr. Johnston was engaged in the bakery and catering business and was quite successful in that undertaking, becoming well known to the trade there, but after more than a quarter of a century he sold his interests in Columbus and came to Westerville, joining his son in the creamery business. Mr. Johnston had established this enterprise six years be- fore and it was being managed by his son. A stock company was now organ ized and the business was extended, creameries being established at Centerburg, Richwood and Magnetic Springs as well as Westerville. The company has also inaugurated a condensing plant and an ice plant in the creamery at West- erville and supplies the town with ice. The business is now one of the impor- tant industries of this part of the country and its trade has reached extensive proportions, bringing a gratifying and substantial financial return.
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Mr. and Mrs. Johnston became the parents of but one child, William B. Johnston, who is now manager of the Westerville Creamery. He was born in Covington, Kentucky, December 4, 1872, but the most of his life has been spent in Columbus from the age of seven years. He was in school there until sixteen years of age, when he entered business life as a clerk with the Bancroft & Sheldon Dry Goods Company, which he thus represented for five years. On the expiration of that period he began business on his own account, establish- ing a general store at Bradford Junction. He conducted the business there successfully for some time but in 1900 sold out and came to Westerville, where he took charge of the creamery established by his father. The business was ill- corported on the 4th of March, 1906, under the name of the Westerville Creamery Company. After building a plant the business was started, receiving nine hundred and fifty-two pounds of milk the first day, while at the present time thirty thousand pounds are received. This indicates in a measure the growth of the business, which is now capably managed, the facilities having been increased to meet the growing demands of the trade. The creamery is conducted after the most approved methods, the utmost care being given to cleanliness and sanitation and the product of the plant, because of its excel- lence and superiority, finds a most ready sale on the market.
In 1895 William B. Johnston was united in marriage to Miss Ethel Ma. son, who died in 1905, leaving two children, Laura and Roberta. In 1906 Mr. Johnston was again married, his second union being with Nellie Martin, by whom he has one son, William Lawson.
Previous to 1908 William B. Johnston was a member of the board of public affairs of Westerville and both father and son are members of the Board of Trade, while the latter is a director. They are also both members of the Masonic fraternity and the son is affiliated with the Knights of Pythias. They are both widely recognized as men of excellent business ability, capacity and enterprise and their success has been achieved along most honorable and credit- able lines. They are also advocates of the republican party and in all matters of citizenship are progressive, lending their aid and influence to many mea- sures for the public good.
MORRIS ADELBERT HAYWARD.
Centuries ago the Greek sage, Epicharmus, said: "Earn thy reward: The gods give not to sloth." The truth of this admonition has been verified in all the ages which have run their course since that time, and with an appreciative understanding of the spirit of this instruction Mr. Hayward has labored dili- gently during the years of his manhood, and through his determined pur- pose and capabilities has gained substantial recognition in business circles, being now senior partner of the firm of M. A. Hayward & Sons, wholesale lum- ber dealers of Columbus. He was born in Springfield, Ohio, January 28, 1849. The Hayward family is of Welsh lineage but was established in Ameri- ca at a very early day and the grandfather, Abraham Hayward, served as a sol-
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dier in the war of 1812. The father, Abram Ogden Hayward, was a native of Morris county, New Jersey, and when a boy followed the tow-path on the Mor- ris canal. Later he became a pioneer lumberman of Springfield, Ohio, estab- lishing. a business there in 1846 and continuing to deal in lumber as a retail merchant until his demise in 1874. He was a man of considerable local prom- inence whose opinions were received with interest by his many friends, for they knew him to be a gentleman of sound judgment and reliable mind. He was particularly active as a member of the Baptist church, and his influence was ever given on the side of right, justice and truth. He married Lucretia Brace, of western New York, a descendant of General Leavenworth, of Syra- cuse, that state, and of Captain Arvin Rice, of Revolutionary war fame. The death of Mrs. Hayward occurred in 1903.
Mr. Hayward of this review, acquired his education in the public schools of Springfield, Ohio, and in Wittenberg College. of that city, where he re- mained as a student to the age of eighteen years. Previous to this time during the periods of vacation he had received business training in his father's lum- beryard and he drove the first regular lumber team in Springfield, Ohio. After completing his education he became regularly employed by his father in busi- ness, and bent every energy to mastering the business in principle and detail. In 1871 he was admitted to a partnership and the relationship was continued up to the time of his father's death in 1874, after which Morris A. Hayward continued the business alone until 1883. In that year he sold out his retail business and concentrated his energies upon the wholesale lumber trade, re- maining in Springfield for five years. In 1888 he came to Columbus, where he has continued an active factor in trade circles to the present time, his record being considered a valuable asset in the commercial history of the city. His close application, unabating energy, and industry that never flags, have con- stituted the salient forces in the gradual expansion of the business, which is now of considerable magnitude. On the 1st day of January, 1907, he ad- mitted his two sons, Allen O. and Herbert M., into partnership, under the firm style of M. A. Hayward & Sons. The company represents several large operators as general sales agents, being thus connected with Kentucky and Arkansas firms, and also the W. D. Young Company, of Bay City, Michigan. The business is controlled by the output of the mills, but annually handles a large amount of lumber, its sales returning a gratifying figure. Mr. Hayward is regarded as an authority on lumber in this county, is thoroughly familiar not only with the financial value of timber, but with its properties for different building purposes, and at the same time keeps conversant with the condition of the market.
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