USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 48
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CHARLES C. SCHACHT.
Charles C. Schacht, who now owns and operates a valuable and well-im- proved farm of about eighty-four acres in Madison township, is a native of Germany, his birth there occurring in 1860. His parents John and Elizabeth (Niemann) Schacht, were also born in the fatherland, and the former passed away in 1866.
When eight years of age Charles C. Schacht accompanied his mother and stepfather on their emigration to the United States, the family home being
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established in Franklin county, Ohio. The father worked by the day on a farm just outside of Columbus for three and a half years and on the expira- tion of that period rented a tract of land, in the operation of which he was successfully engaged for about twenty-five years, when he purchased the farm on which he has since made his home.
Charles C. Schacht remained under the parental roof until the time of his marriage and subsequently rented his father's farm for a year. He then bought a tract of fifty-six and a half acres, on which he made his home for twelve years and afterward purchased his present place in Madison township, comprising about eighty-four acres of rich and productive land. There is an attractive and commodious residence on the place, as well as all necessary out- buildings for the shelter of grain and stock, and Mr. Schacht is widely recog- nized as a prosperous, progressive and enterprising agriculturist of his com- munity.
In 1893 Mr. Schacht was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bachman, whose birth occurred in Franklin county in 1866. They now have the follow- ing children: Raymond E., Mabel E., Louella N., Freda H., Carl W. and John F.
Mr. Schacht gives his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. He has resided in this county from early childhood and is therefore largely familiar with its upbuilding and substantial development, es- pecially along agricultural lines, with which he has been connected through- out the entire period of his manhood.
ROSTON MEDBERY.
Among the younger men to whom the future holds out brilliant prom- ises by reason of what he has already accomplished in the business world, is Roston Medbery, a dealer in real-estate, with offices located in the Brun- son, one of the modern office buildings on High street, Columbus. His birth occurred August 6, 1883, his parents being Josiah and Alice (Roston) Medbery, both representatives of well known and prominent families of this part of the state. At the usual age the son entered the public schools and passed through successive grades from the primary to the high school after which he entered the Ohio State University and was there graduated in 1904 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. He at once entered business. selecting real-estate· as a promising field, since which time he has pursued his work successfully and added to his personal energy and diligence is his boundless faith in the growing and expanding values of realty in and around the capital. He has thoroughly informed himself concerning every subject bearing upon real-estate interests and few men have so intimate knowl- edge of the property upon the market and its valuation. He is thus enabled to capably care for the interests of his clients and to assist them in making judicious investment or sale.
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Mr. Medbery is also widely known for his well cultivated taste in general literature and his researches along special lines of inquiry and investigation. He was elected a member of the Old Northwest Genealogical & Historical Society, one of the most stately and exacting literary associations in the coun- try, and soon brought the enthusiasm of youth into his work in that organ- ization. Added to his enthusiastic interest was his practical labor, in consideration of which he was made the treasurer of the society and has been regularly elected at its yearly meetings. He is looked upon by those who know him as a young man who will accomplish results despite all obstacles or difficulties that may arise and his cooperation is thus a valued factor, whether in business, literary or society circles.
FRANK T. BARTHMAN.
As a contractor, Frank T. Barthman has contributed not only to his own individual success but also to the substantial improvement of South Co- lumbus. He is a native of Franklin county, born February 19, 1858, a son of Valentine Barthman, who was born in Germany, March 20, 1818. The father emigrated to the new world in 1840 and located in Baltimore, Mary- land, where he made his home for six years, following his trade of shoe- making. Subsequently he spent two years in Frederick, Maryland, and it was during his residence in that city that he was united in marriage to Miss Marietta Hayes. It was in the same year, in 1848, that he came with his young bride to Ohio, traveling by stage to Wheeling, West Virginia, by the Ohio river to Portsmouth, Ohio, whence they journeyed by stage to Marion township, Franklin county. Here Valentine Barthman engaged in garden- ing and during his leisure hours made shoes for the neighbors. For sixty years he was engaged in gardening but in 1908 retired to private life, now making his home at No. 178 West First avenue, Columbus. He has wit- nessed many wonderful changes since he located in Columbus, which at that time was a village, surrounded by an unsettled and undeveloped section of country, and which is today one of the beautiful and enterprising cities of the east. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Valentine Barthman have been born eight children, namely: William, who is a painter and decorator of Cleveland, Ohio; Alice; Charles and George, both deceased; Eva, the deceased wife of H. H. Alkire; Carrie, the wife of P. B. Hinkel, who resides on Seymour avenue in Colum- bus; Frank T., of this review; and Edward, who also makes his home on Seymour avenue. The wife and mother died in 1885.
Frank T. Barthman received his education in the district schools of Franklin county and remained on the home farm until he attained his majority, when he engaged in farming on his own account until 1888. In that year he removed to Columbus and engaged in market gardening, his products finding a ready sale on the city market. After several years thus spent, in 1900, he took up contracting, to which he has since devoted his time and attention. Besides his residence he owns considerable other realty
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in this section of the city. He is also a director of the South Columbus Build- ing & Loan Association and also of the South Columbus Improvement As- sociation.
Mr. Barthman was married November 23, 1887, the lady of his choice being Miss Caroline Reeb, a daughter of John Adam and Margaret Reeb of this city. They have two interesting daughters. Elsie Reeb, who at the age of seventeen years, graduated from the high school, is a talented musician and at the present time organist of the Emanuel Lutheran church. Meda Marie is thirteen years of age. The parents are members of the Emanuel Lutheran church, in which Mr. Barthman is serving as an elder, while his wife is also an active worker in the church. She is also a member of the Dorcas Society.
The political allegiance of Mr. Barthman is given to the republican party. Public-spirited to a large degree, Mr. Barthman is very methodical and accurate as to the details of his business and shows splendid judgment in the treatment of his employes and with all with whom he comes in con- tact, so that he commands the respect and admiration of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
HARRY C. ASHBAUGH.
Harry C. Ashbaugh, manager of the Columbus White Lead Company, was born at East Liverpool, Ohio, September 23, 1869. His great-grand- father, a native of Germany, took up his abode in Pennsylvania after emi- grating to the new world and for many years conducted a stage coach line in that state. The grandfather, Henry Ashbaugh, whose birth occurred in East Liverpool, Ohio, in 1826, was one of the early pioneer farmers of that section of the state. John H. Ashbaugh, the father of our subject, who was born in East Liverpool, Ohio, in January, 1845, entered the army as a drummer boy at the age of fifteen, his services covering a period of three years. He was engaged in the manufacture of pottery throughout his active business career and was called to his final rest in 1907. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Margaret Mumford, is a daughter of one of the pioneers of Salineville, Ohio, who is still living, having now attained the age of almost one hundred years. Unto John H. and Margaret (Mumford) Ashbaugh were born four children, namely: May, the wife of Charles A. Gibson, an oil dealer of Springfield, Illinois; Stella, the wife of L. D. Logan, of Toronto, Canada; William, deceased; and Harry C., of this review.
The last named attended school at Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, until thirteen years of age and then entered upon his apprenticeship as a pottery decorator, which trade he followed successfully for nine years. On the ex- piration of that period he went to Peoria, Illinois, there establishing an art studio which he conducted until 1893. Throughout the succeeding four years he was engaged in the bicycle business, afterward removed to Chicago and was one of the first to manufacture a successful bicycle enamel. Through
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this connection he became interested in the paint business and in 1904 came to Columbus, organizing the Columbus White Lead Company. The firm is doing a flourishing business in special interior finishes of Mr. Ashbaugh's invention and is widely recognized as a most prosperous commercial concern of the city. Mr. Ashbaugh's connection with any undertaking insures a prosperous outcome of the same, for it is in his nature to carry forward to successful completion whatever he is associated with. He has earned for himself an enviable reputation as a careful man of business, and in his deal- ings is known for his prompt and honorable methods, which have won him the deserved and unbounded confidence of his fellowmen.
In his political views Mr. Ashbaugh is a republican, but does not con- sider himself bound by party ties if he believes that the candidate of another party is better fitted for the office in question. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. He owns a com- modious and attractive residence at No. 236 Northwood avenue and is a well known and popular citizen of Columbus.
WILLIAM J. BYRNE.
William J. Byrne, who is now living retired, was formerly actively and successfully connected with the business interests of Columbus as a member of the firm of Green, Joyce Company. His birth occurred in this city in 1860, his father being John Byrne, a native of Ireland.
William J. Byrne obtained his education in the common and high schools of his native city and in 1876 entered upon his business career as an employe in the wholesale dry-goods house of Miller, Green & Joyce. When twenty-one years of age he was made manager and buyer of his department, and in 1888 secured an interest in the business, with which he was continu- ously connected until the time of his retirement in 1907. In 1881, however, the name of the firm was changed to Green, Joyce & Company and in 1903 the style became Green, Joyce Company. Being a man of sound judgment, keen discrimination and excellent business ability, Mr. Byrne contributed in large measure to the success of the concern and in fact it was his close and unrelaxing attention to business that eventually broke down his health and necessitated his retirement.
On the 7th of October, 1885, Mr. Byrne was joined in wedlock to Miss Mary Joyce, a native of Columbus, who was educated in the schools of Brown county, Ohio. Their children are three in number, namely: John Joyce, who is a graduate of the Ohio State University; Harry Ryan, a student at Dartmouth; and Francis Joyce, who is pursuing his studies at New Rochelle, New York, and expects to graduate at Amherst.
In his business affairs Mr. Byrne has won the title and deserves the praise implied in the term "a self-made man," for he started out in life empty-handed and advanced to his present position through personal merit, resulting from close application, untiring diligence and unfaltering persever-
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ance. His friends and neighbors, those among whom his entire life has been passed, recognize in him a gentleman of splendid manhood whose marked characteristics have ever been such as command respect and good will.
LEWIS SELLS.
To what man who passed his boyhood in the middle west during the last quarter of the nineteenth century is the name of Lewis Sells unfamiliar? It was a name which stood to him as a synonym of wonder, pleasure and admiration, for it represented to him the display of all that is interesting and enticing in show life. Such was his relation to the public. Those who knew him in private life found him an entertaining, genial and courteous gentle- man, whose friendship they valued and to whom they gave good will and high esteem. He was born in Columbus, November 12, 1841, and died in this city, September 5, 1907, in his sixty-sixth year.
The pioneer history of Franklin county would be incomplete without mention of the Sells family, for it was in the latter part of the eighteenth century when representatives of the name located within its borders and for years there were few other residents in that district. From that time to the present the family have been connected with the material development and substantial progress of the county. Lewis Sells always claimed Columbus as his home and, though much upon the road, passed the winter seasons here. His early education was acquired in this city, although later he spent a num- ber of years in Cleveland, attending school there and also pursuing his studies in Hiram College. When his education was completed, he became connected with the auctioneering business, but in 1871 he turned his attention to the show business in connection with his brothers, Ephraim, Allen and Peter, all now deceased. Their father traveled with them the first year, but owned no interest in the business. They began with one tent and a few side-show fea- tures and traveled in wagons. It was in 1872 that they organized, investing altogether about thirty-five thousand dollars, which represented their savings and all that they could borrow. Their first performance was given in Colum- bus, Apil 27, 1872, and the receipts were fifteen hundred and forty dollars, although it was a wet day. They felt therefore that they faced a brilliant future. It required all the following morning to get packed and hitched up and they started from Columbus for Circleville, showing also at Chillicothe and Bainbridge. For three or four weeks their receipts grew smaller and smaller and when their money was exhausted Ephraim Sells returned to Co- lumbus to borrow more in order to keep the business going. Three years elapsed before they had another day's business equal to the opening day in Columbus.
At the close of the first season the poor business of the show was attributed to the newspapers punning upon the name of Sells and also to the fact that they had no elephant, so before starting the next season they billed the circus under the name of Paul Silverburg and also purchased an elephant. They
LEWIS SELLS
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had great posters made, intending to feature the elephant as a drawing card; but in March, while en route from Philadelphia to Columbus, the elephant died. On the 27th of June of that year, when they were on their way to Owen- ton, Kentucky, they passed through a toll bridge where their advance agent had put up one of their posters of the elephant and several of the teams, not being accustomed to seeing the elephant, became frightened at the picture and ran away. As the season advanced they saved a little money, which was sent home to a local bank, but in October of that year, while at Guthrie, Kentucky,. Mr. Sells saw by a paper that the bank which contained their savings had failed. They immediately closed their show for the season and drove home, disgusted with the name of Silverburg and concluding that the name of Sells was good enough. In the ensuing winter they succeeded in buying another elephant on credit and were more fortunate with this than with their first possession of that character. The animal not only lived, but they also lived to pay for it and from that time on they enjoyed better success. They con- tinued to travel by wagon, however, until 1878, after which they transported their entire circus by rail. While success attended them in the main, all days were not equally bright and disaster occasionally met them. In October, 1882, while they were going to London, Kentucky, they met with one of the worst railroad wrecks in circus history, the second train telescoping the first train while they were running down a mountain side near Paintlick. A number of people were killed, together with many horses and animals, while some of the most vicious animals became loose, including a fine Bengal tiger. They suc- ceeded in recapturing some of the animals, however, and gathering together what was left of their show, they continued their performance on to the end of the season.
In the fall of that year Allen Sells withdrew from the firm and removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he owned and managed a hotel until his death in March, 1894. Ephraim, Peter and Lewis Sells continued the business through the ensuing nine years and though at times they suffered losses through cyclones, railroad wrecks and other difficulties, they continued the business wih fair success. In the fall of 1891 they sailed for Australia and spent one year in that country. The death of Ephraim Sells occurred in 1898, after which Peter and Lewis Sells continued the partnership and enjoyed a gratify- ing measure of prosperity until 1904, when Peter passed away, leaving Lewis Selis as the last survivor of the original partnership. Soon after he, too, re- tired from the business and spent his remaining days in Columbus.
Mr. Sells was a man of great ability and ready wit and was very adept in reading human nature, a faculty which proved to him of value on many an occasion. During the early years of the show business it was housed on Main street between Grand and Washington avenues during the winter months, but as the city grew it was compelled to move, so they took up a new home on the banks of the Olentangy river at King avenue, which district later became known as Sellsville and was the winter quarters of the circus for years. After the death of his brothers, Lewis Sells sold the show at public auction, one-half interest being purchased by James A. Bailey and the other half by Ringling Brothers, but later Mr. Bailey disposed of his interest to Ringling Brothers,
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who are still the proprietors. Mr. Sells was alway a lover of the great white tent, which represented to him his active business life, and the day before his death he prevailed upon his friends to let him take what he thought would be his last look at the area of canvas which was so familiar to his eye. He went to see Buffalo Bill's show and grew so weak that he was removed home with difficulty, expiring the following evening. As the years passed success at- tended the efforts of Mr. Sells and his enterprise, energy and untiring activity proved the basis of his prosperity. He had keen insight into business situa- tions and his close study of the special line of activity to which he directed his efforts enabled him to give to the public those things which were most attractive and therefore he won a liberal patronage. As he prospered, he made judicious investments and at his death left a goodly property.
On the 6th of February, 1884, at Topeka, Kansas, Mr. Sells was married to Miss Rhoda J. Cross, of Springfield, Ohio, who was a daughter of Robert Stephen Cross, who was born and reared in Enon, Ohio, his father owning extensive tracts of land in this state. Mrs. Sells is also a granddaughter of General John Keifer. By this marriage there was born a daughter, Mary Keifer Sells, who is yet with her mother. Mr. Sells was well known and promi- nent in several fraternal organizations. He belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and in Masonry attained the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, while he was also a member of the Mystic Shrine. In manner he was cordial, and his af- fability, genial spirit and kindly disposition were qualities which made him a favorite with all with whom he came in contact.
LAWRENCE OAKLEY DAWSON.
One of the most notable things manifest in the business world at the present day is the fact that young men are largely controlling the trade in- terests and shaping commercial and industrial progress. Among this num- ber in Columbus is Lawrence O. Dawson, secretary and manager of the Onyx Paint Company. In all his business relations he manifests a spirit of deter- mination that enables him to carry forward to successful completion what- ever he undertakes. He formulates his plans readily and the results which attend his efforts show that he is both practical and far-sighted. He was born in Essex county, Ontario, September 25, 1879. He is of English lineage, his great-grandfather coming from England and settling in Essex county, Ontario, where he followed the occupation of farming. The same pursuit has been the source of livelihood for the family through many gen- erations. Solomon Dawson, father of our subject, was a native of Essex county and devoted his life to the tilling of the soil, becoming a prosperous and well-to-do man. He is now living at Muskegon, Michigan, at the age of sixty-three years. He wedded Mary Hannah Quick, also a native of Essex county, Ontario. She is also living, as is her mother.
In the public schools of his native county Lawrence O. Dawson pursued his education until he had completed the work of the grammar grades. He
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became a high-school student in Armada, Michigan, and was there graduated with the class of 1896. He had accompanied his parents on their removal from Canada when ten years of age and he worked on his father's farm to the age of nineteen years, when, thinking to find other pursuits more con- genial and profitable than the labors of the field, he removed to Detroit and entered the employ of the American Paint & Glass Company, which he rep- resented as assistant bookkeeper for six months. He was then given charge of the books, and after a year's connection with the business was made secre- tary of the company, and after three years was entrusted with the dual duties of secretary and treasurer. He continued with that house until the spring of 1906, when he sold his interests, and in the fall of the year removed to Columbus. Here he purchased an interest in the Onyx Paint Company, of which he became manager and secretary and during the two succeeding years he has been largely instrumental in the upbuilding of the trade. The com- pany does a strict jobbing business in paints, oils and varnishes and employs several traveling and local salesmen. Since Mr. Dawson has taken charge he has reorganized the business and stimulated it by his spirit of enterprise and determination. He will brook no obstacles that can be overcome by a firm purpose and persistency and is now an active factor in the control of a pros- perous and growing business, the company doing twenty-five per cent more business under Mr. Dawson's management than in previous years.
On the 19th of June, 1907, was celebrated the marriage of Lawrence 0. Dawson and Miss Arvilla Belle Day, of Armada, Michigan, and they have one son, Earl Selwyn, born June 24, 1908. Mr. Dawson is a member of the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club and is a gentleman of genial manner and cordial disposition. He is never too busy to be courteous nor too courteous to attend to the demands of his business. Early realizing the value of unremitting industry and unabating energy, he has through the employment of those agencies gained a place of distinction in commercial circles, today occupying a position which promises well for larger successes in the future.
BENJAMIN S. LEHMAN.
Benjamin S. Lehman is a retired agriculturist residing on his farm in Madison township. He acquired his education in the schools of Canal Win- chester, Franklin county, Ohio, and lived on a farm until he had attained the age of twenty-six years. At that time he went to California and for twelve years was successfully engaged in raising cattle in that state and also in Nevada. On returning to Franklin county he purchased the farm in Madison township, on which he still resides and was actively connected with agricultural pursuits until the time of his retirement. He is widely recog- nized as one of the substantial, public-spirited and enterprising residents of the community and has gained the regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.
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