USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 50
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States army in the war of 1812. The Sprague family is of English descent, representatives of the name removing from Rhode Island to Delaware county, Ohio, during the pioneer epoch in the history of this state.
Edward S. Culver in pursuing his education attended the public schools of his native county and the high school of Delaware while later he became a student in Huron College at London, Ontario. On leaving college in 1901 he came directly to Columbus and entered business life, later associating with the Ralston Steel Car Company. In the intervening eight years he has worked his way steadily upward until he is now secretary and treasurer of this company, which is one of the most important industrial concerns of the city, its trade interests reaching out to various parts of the country, while the volume of business now enjoyed enables the house to furnish employment to a large force of workmen and thus contribute directly to the prosperity of the city.
On the 3d of January, 1905, Mr. Culver was married to Miss Estelle Courtright, who was born in Carroll, Ohio, a daughter of Winfield Scott Courtright, a banker of Columbus, being president of the Union National Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Culver have two children, Edward Stanley, born in this city October 21, 1907, and Mary Elizabeth. The young couple are prom- inent socially and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city is cordially accorded them. They hold membership in the Episcopal church and Mr. Culver ranks with the enterprising young business men whose friends have firm faith in a progressive future for him.
DR. WILLIAM M. GANTZ.
Dr. William M. Gantz, a successful practitioner of dentistry, who is now serving as mayor of Westerville, was born in Derby, Pickaway county, Ohio, July 5, 1875. His paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Gantz, removed from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Franklin county, Ohio, at an early day, taking up their abode near Grove City. Theodore G. Gantz, the father of our subject, was born at Grove City, this county, and is now a resident of Delaware county. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Rebecca Dalby and who was a native of Harrisburg, Franklin county, passed away in Westerville, November 27, 1903, when seventy-four years of age.
When nine years of age William M. Gantz accompanied his parents on their removal to Grove City, Franklin county, where he remained until 1891, when he came to Westerville. His boyhood days were spent on the farm and he attended successfully the district schools, the public schools of Grove City and the Westerville high school, of which he is a graduate. Sub- sequently he pursued a four years' course in Otterbein University and then entered the Ohio Medical University, being graduated from the dental de- partment of that instituion in 1902. Locating for practice at Worthington, he there remained for a year and a half and on the expiration of that period came to Westerville, which has since remained the scene of his activities.
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Dentistry may be said to be almost unique among other occupations, as it is at once a profession, a trade and a business. Such being the case, it fol- lows that in order to attain the highest success in it one must be thoroughly conversant with the theory of the art, must be expert with the many tools and appliances incidental to the practice of modern dentistry and must possess business qualifications adequate to dealing with the financial side of the profession. In all of these particulars Dr. Gantz is well qualified and therefore has attained prestige among the able representatives of the dentistry in Franklin county.
On the 1st of September, 1906, Dr. Gantz was united in marriage to Miss Mamie Groves, of Lafayette, Indiana, by whom he has one child, Al- freda Kathryn. In his political views he is a stanch republican and is prom- inent in the local ranks of the party. Since the 1st of January, 1908, he has served as mayor of Westerville and is giving a public-spirited and progressive administration. In Masonry he has attained high rank, being now past master of the Master Mason's lodge, past high priest of the chapter and a member of the council. He is likewise past chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and is identified with the ladies' auxiliary of that fraternity as well as of the Masonic order. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he is serving as super- intendent of the Sunday school. He is a lover of manly outdoor sports and for eight consecutive seasons played on the football teams of the high school, Otterbein University and the Ohio Medical University. His interests are wide and varied, showing a well rounded character, and the value of his serv- ice in community affairs is widely acknowledged, while the concensus of public opinion accords him prominence in his profession.
JAMES S. BATTERSON.
James S. Batterson, president of the Batterson Decorative Company of Columbus, was born in this city on the 28th of February, 1846. His father, Eli Batterson, a native of New Jersey, came to Columbus in the early '30s and followed the trade of carpentering. Subsequently he became engaged in the manufacture of pumps and was thus connected with business interests until the time of his retirement, when he purchased a place near Clintonville, where he spent his remaining days. A Baptist in religious faith, he was very prominent in church and Sunday school work and was a strong advocate of the temperance cause. When he was called to his final rest in 1894, at the age of eighty-four years, the county mourned the loss of one of its re- spected and worthy pioneer settlers. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Blauvelt and was born in New York, was of Dutch descent. Her demise occurred in 1899 when she had attained the age of eighty-four years.
After acquiring his education in the schools of this city, James S. Bat- terson entered the quartermaster general's office, where he remained for a year and a half. Subsequently he became an employe of Randall, Ashton &
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Company, a book and stationery firm. In the '70s, in association with E. O. Randall, he established the first wall paper business in Columbus and, owing to his excellent management and keen discrimination, the enterprise proved a success from the beginning. The partnership was discontinued in 1888 and from that time until 1903 when the business was incorporated, Mr. Batterson was sole owner. He is the oldest representative of this branch of activity in Columbus and his long experience, combined with his executive ability and progressive spirit, has ever kept him among the foremost in his line of business.
In 1872 Mr. Batterson was united in marriage to Miss Jane E. Jones, a native of Columbus and a daughter of William Jones, an old resident of this city. They have become the parents of eight children, all of whom still survive. One son, Clarence W., is associated with his father in business, being secretary and treasurer of the company.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Batterson has given his political allegiance to the republican party but has no desire for the honors nor emoluments of office, preferring to give his time and energies to his private business interests. His religious faith is indicated by his mem- bership in the Baptist church, while fraternally he is connected with Mag- nolia Lodge, A. F. & A. M. and Ohio Chapter, R. A. M. Having always been a resident of Columbus, the fact that many of his best friends are those who have known him from his youth to the present time is an indication that his life in its various phases has been in harmony with upright prin- ciples and manly action.
WILLIAM MONYPENY.
There are found many men whose industry has won them success-men who by their perseverance and diligence executed well defined plans which others have made-but the men who take the initiative are comparatively few. The vast majority do not see opportunity for the coordination of forces and the development of new and extensive and profitable enterprises and therefore must follow along paths which others have marked out. In William Monypeny, however, the initiative spirit was strong. He realized the possi- bility for the combination of forces, and wrought along the line of mammoth undertakings until his name became a synonym for business activity and prosperity in Columbus. He instituted many business concerns which have been elements in the city's growth, and in all of his relations to trade and commerce he stood as a man of unimpeachable business integrity, as well as enterprise.
Mr. Monypeny was born in county Armagh, Ireland, October 10, 1829, a son of Charles and Sarah Monypeny. He came to America in 1848 when a young man of nineteen years, and at once entered the employ of John Kugler, one of the pioneer millers of Ohio, then conducting business at Milford, near Cincinnati. There Mr. Monypeny learned the miller's trade and afterward re-
WILLIAM MONYPENY
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moved to Lockbourne, where he conducted a grain and distilling business. Thinking to find still broader opportunities for advancement in Columbus he came to this city in 1863, and for years was extensively connected with the grain trade, owning a warehouse on the west bank of the Scioto river just north of Broad street, on the site now occupied by the electric light plant. He was a man of indefatigable energy and of keen insight into business affairs, and he had the ability to bring into unified connections many different busi- ness elements. He became connected with various leading business concerns of the city, in all of which his sound judgment and keen discrimination con- stituted factors in successful management. He became the vice president of the First National Bank, was later its president and largest stock.er, and afterward became president of the Reorganized National Bank of Columbus. He likewise occupied the presidency of the Columbus Machine Company for many years, and was president of the Columbus Electric Light & Power Com- pany. In the later years of his life he retired from active business, giving his supervision merely to his invested interests. At the time of his death he was the president of the Monypeny-Hammond Company, wholesale grocers, having been one of the original partners of the firm of Monypeny, Hammond & Company, which was organized in 1888. This business was incorporated in 1895, and from that time until his death Mr. Monypeny continued as its president. He was likewise a director of the Central Ohio Savings Bank. He formulated his plans carefully and carried them forward to successful completion. Not only did he contribute to the city's prosperity in commercial lines but also added much to its adornment in the erection of many of the finest business blocks here. In all that he did he manifested a progressiveness that was tempered by safe conservatism, and his sound judgment was indicated in the excellent results which attended his labors.
On the 5th of February, 1854, Mr. Monypeny was married to Miss Maria Brunson, a daughter of William Brunson, a native of England, who became a resident of Ohio in the early days when there were no records here and when the work of development and upbuilding seemed scarcely begun. He settled in Clermont county, where he engaged in the milling business. His wife bore the maiden name of Maria Lake. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Monypeny were born five children, of whom three are living. Charles, the eldest, born at Lockbourne in 1855, was educated in the high schools of Columbus and was engaged in the grain business until his death in 1881. He had been married in 1877 to Miss Ann Aiken. William Monypeny, the second son, wedded Miss McGrew, of Washington, D. C., and resides at home, managing his father's estate. Mrs. Sallie Beckwith resides in New Hampshire. George B., who married Miss Margaret Babcock, of Columbus, is now deceased. Perrin B., of the Mony- peny-Hammond Company, wholesale grocers, married Miss Margaret Hickok of Columbus.
The death of Mr. Monypeny occurred October 12, 1900, and the city lost one of its representative and honored citizens. He was modest and retiring in disposition, but those who knew him best were impressed with his intense sincerity, his steadiness of purpose, his kindly spirit and warm heart. He did much for charity but in so doing followed the admonition, "Let not your left
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hand know what your right hand doeth." His benevolent work was always free from any spirit of ostentation or display, and yet no man responded more freely or generously to the call of the poor and needy. He was especially inter- ested in a home for the aged on East Broad street. He donated the ground for that institution and superintended the building of the home. Both he and his wife gave to it their helpful support, largely making it what it is today. Both Mr. and Mrs. Monypeny held membership in the Trinity Episcopal church and took an active interest in its work. His life was characterized by the true spirit of Christianity, recognizing the brotherhood of mankind and the obli- gations that the individual owes to those with whom he comes in contact. He read extensively and his fine library contained the works of the noted authors of ancient and modern times. He spent many of his most pleasant hours in the companionship of his books, and his mind was being continually enlarged and broadened by his study. A man whom to know was to respect and honor, he left the impress of his individuality upon the material development of the city, was prominent in its commercial and financial interests and labored for the good of his fellowmen in many ways.
JOHN DUN.
John Dun, who for many years was actively engaged in agricultural pur- suits in Franklin county, is now living retired in a beautiful home in Co- lumbus, merely giving supervision to his extensive landed and invested in- terests, from which he derives a gratifying annual income. Mr. Dun was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1835, a son of George W. and Louisa (Emery) Dun, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Philadelphia. The father emigrated to the new world when a young man of twenty-five years and made a location near Philadelphia, where he con- ducted a store. In 1838 he removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, and engaged in business there for many years, but the last years of his life were spent in re- tirement, his death occurring two miles from that city. His family num- bered seven children but only four of the number now survive, namely: Mrs. Helen Smart, of Chillicothe, Ohio; John, of this review; George, a resident of Sabina, Ohio; and Mrs. Eugenia Blackford, a resident of Columbus.
John Dun, the immediate subject of this review, received a common- school education and remained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-four years, when, in 1859, he began farming on a tract of three hundred and ten acres near Dublin. He kept adding to his landed holdings from time to time until he now owns seven hundred acres, all well improved. He made his home on the farm and was actively engaged in its operation until 1904, in which year he took up his abode in Columbus in a beautiful home, which he erected. He still retains possession of his land, however, and the rental supplies him with a gratifying income. He is also the owner of two apartment buildings in Columbus, one of which is located on Oak street, while the other is situated on Main street.
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Mr. Dun was married October 18, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Davis, who was born in Franklin county in 1842, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (Sells) Davis. Her father was born in Ross county, this state, April 15, 1812, and came to Columbus when a lad of thirteen years. His father was a scout and was captured and held prisoner by the Indians for several weeks, but he eventually made his escape but was always held in the highest esteem by the savages from the fact of his shrewdness in escaping. The Davis fam- ily owned large tracts of land in Franklin county and were prominent among its early settlers. Both Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Davis lived to advanced ages, the former passing away when he was eighty-seven years old, while the latter died at the age of eighty-three. Their family numbered twelve children but only five are now living, as follows: William, Charles and Lewis, all residents of Franklin county; Lucinda, the wife of William Garden, a resi- dent of Sabina, Ohio; and Mrs. Dun.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Dun has been blessed with five children: George W., John and Davis D., all of whom reside in Columbus; Mary, the wife of Ward B. Pearly, a resident of Montclair, New Jersey; and Charles, deceased. The mother is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church.
Mr. Dun has always supported the men and measures of democracy and has filled all the offices of his township and he has also served in the office of county road commissioner, doing all in his power toward the improve- ment of the public highways. He finds his greatest social enjoyment at his own fireside, where his wife and intimate friends know him to be a delightful companion. He has now passed the seventy-third milestone on life's journey and the rest which he is enjoying is well merited. His residence in Franklin county covers almost a half century and therefore few men have more intimate knowledge of its history or of events which have left their impress upon its annals.
HARRY M. CLARK.
From among the ranks of quiet, persevering, yet prominent citizens- prominent on account of what he has done in commercial circles-there is no one more deserving of mention in a volume of this character than Harry M. Clark. He is today the vice president of the Clark, Davis & Poore Com- pany, owning and conducting an extensive wholesale millinery establish- ment, and to this position he has worked his way steadily upward, his ad- vancement coming to him as the recognition of his capability and well di- rected energy.
Harry M. Clark was born January 22, 1863, in Belleville, Ohio. His paternal grandfather, Thomas Clark, was one of the pioneer settlers of Rich- land county, this state, and died in Mansfield at the age of seventy-one years. The father, Elijah Clark, was born November 9, 1810, in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, and in 1817 became a resident of the Buckeye state. He was identified with the early development and progress of Ohio
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and was for many years a merchant of Belleville. He served as postmaster under President Jackson and for four years was county recorder of Richland county, removing to Mansfield when elected to that office. His political service, his business enterprise and his social qualities all make him a citizen of worth, and his death, therefore, was the occasion of widespread regret when he passed away in 1877 at the age of sixty-seven years. In early man- hood he wedded Margaret Robinson, who was born April 15, 1825, near Belleville, Ohio, her father having been one of the pioneer settlers of that locality. Her death occurred in 1895.
Harry M. Clark was a public-school student in Mansfield, who, complet- ing the work of the successive grades, was graduated from the high school. He also pursued a normal course and after completing his education he be- came connected with the dry-goods business as a salesman in the store of Moses Black, with whom he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he became an employe of J. H. Davis in the millinery business in Mansfield, and after a year came to Columbus in 1882 and entered the services of Souder & Bright, predecessors of the Clark, Davis & Poore Com- pany. In 1886 a change in partnership led to the adoption of the firm name of Souder, Bright & Brother, which was continued until 1894, after which the business was carried on under the name of J. L. Bright until 1899. In that year the wholesale department was purchased by Clark & Davis and G. T. Macauley and the firm name of The G. T. Macauley Company was as- sumed. Under that style they conducted the business for seven years, when the Clark, Davis & Poore Company was organized. The house is today the larg- est wholesale millinery establishment in central Ohio, and the business is grow- ing rapidly, having already assumed extensive proportions. As the years have passed Mr. Clark has increased his business efficiency and enterprise through the careful performance of each day's duties that brings further strength and inspiration for the labors of the ensuing day. He possesses good executive ability and discrimination and is seldom if ever at fault in matters of busi- ness judgment. Aside from mercantile interests he is now secretary and treasurer of the Northern Hotel Company.
On the 30th of June, 1885, Mr. Clark was united in marriage to Miss Emma F. Irwin, a daughter of Cyrus and Harriet Irwin, of Columbus. Mrs. Clark possesses marked literary taste and is well known as an elocutionist. She is also active in church work and in social circles. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Clark have been born the following children: Winfield S., twenty- three years of age, who is a high-school graduate and also a graduate of Kenyon College with the class of 1905, and who is engaged in business in Oklahoma; Russell E., twenty years of age, also engaged in Oklahoma; and Harriet M., who died at the age of seven years. The family residence at No. 1590 Neil avenue is one of the substantial homes of that locality.
Mr. Clark is a member of the Board of Trade and is interested in the work which has been promulgated by that organization for the promotion and business advancement and activity in Columbus. He was for eleven years secretary and treasurer of Columbus Council, No. 1, of the United Com- mercial Travelers, and he belongs to the Magnolia Lodge of Masons. His
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religious faith is indicated in his membership in the King Avenue Methodist Episcopal church, which his family also attend. Integrity, activity and energy have been the crowning points of his success and his connection with business interests here has been of decided advantage to Columbus as well as a source of individual profit. He has made an untarnished record and un- spotted reputation as a business man and in all places and under all circum- stances he is loyal to truth, honor and right, justly valuing his own self- respect as infinitely more profitable than wealth, fame and position.
E. C. MADDEN.
Among her younger representatives of the legal fraternity in Columbus is numbered E. C. Madden who, however, has gained creditable success in the practice of law. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, and is a son of George W. and Anna (McIlvaine) Madden, who are likewise natives of this state. The father has engaged in merchandising in Zanesville for many years, still making his home there.
Reared in that city, Mr. Madden pursued his education in the public schools until he had mastered the work of the successive grades and became a high-school student. He was graduated from the Ohio State University in 1903 on the completion of a law course and he also pursued a course of mechanical engineering, winning his diploma from that department. In 1903 he was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio and has since followed his profession, gradually working his way upward in the difficult and ardu- ous profession of the law where advancement depends entirely upon individual merit.
He is a member of Phi Delta Phi, a legal fraternity, and is well known in social circles, having many warm friends in the capital city.
ARCHIBALD H. HUSTON.
Archibald H. Huston, president and general manager of the Buckeye Transfer & Storage Company, is a native of Zanesville, Ohio, and a son of Archibald M. Huston. He, too, was born in this state and became a prominent factor in business circles as a banker, railroad promoter and contractor. He built the Atlantic & Lake Erie, now the Toledo & Ohio Central Railroad, from Bucyrus to Athens and was one of the early coal operators of the state, being the first to develop mining interests in Sunday Creek Valley, Moxahala dis- trict and in Muskingum county. In 1882 he removed to Columbus, where his death occurred. The family was of Scotch origin, the ancestors coming by way of the North of Ireland to America prior to the Revolutionary war. In both the paternal and maternal lines ancestors of our subject were partici- pants in the struggle for independence. The early representatives of the Hus-
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ton family were of the Presbyterian faith, but later they divided and the branch to which Archibald H. Huston belongs became Methodists.
In the common schools of Zanesville Archibald H. Huston pursued his education through successive grades and in Columbus attended the high school, from which he was graduated in 1885, being honored with the presi- dency of his class. He then entered the traffic department of the Star Union line, since amalgamated with the Pennsylvania lines, and in that connection was located at Fort Wayne, Indiana, from 1885 until 1891, and at Akron, Ohio, from the latter date until 1897. He was agent of the Union line and traffic department of the Pennsylvania lines, covering the competitive terri- tory in northern Ohio. In 1897 he removed to Columbus, where until the fall of 1903 he acted in the same capacity with the Pennsylvania lines in charge of the competitive territory of southern Ohio and a part of West Vir- ginia and Kentucky. He resigned, however, at the last-mentioned date in order to give his entire time to other enterprises, in which he had become in- terested. He has been instrumental in organizing and financing a number of different business concerns, including a Transfer & Storage Company at Fort Wayne, Indiana; a combination of grocery companies at the same place; the Ashland & Wooster Railroad Company ; the Ohio Valley Furniture Company ; the Buckeye Transfer & Storage Company, which he organized in 1902; and several other minor corporations. His activities have thus been of an impor- tant character, his fertility of resource enabling him to extend his efforts into various fields, while his labors have been attended with gratifying results, showing his capability in organization and management. He is a firm be- liever in the future greatness of Columbus, giving proof of this belief in his investments in centrally located property.
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