USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 61
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In his political views Mr. Rinehart is an earnest republican, keeping well informed on all of the questions and issues of the day as every true American citizen should do. He is fond of literature, has been a great reader and is an accomplished musician. He was for many years choir di- rector of the Reformed church of Louisville, Ohio, and was also a member of the famous Grand Army band of Canton, Ohio, traveling extensively with that organization. His love of music has been an inspiration toward the cultivation of musical taste in others and has been a feature in the pleasures of his own home.
HARLEY SAGE VALENTINE.
The real-estate business is one that has had a comparatively recent origin as the result of the constantly developing business conditions. In former years if an individual wished to purchase property he made it a point to seek the owner and between them they agreed upon the terms of the sale. In this improved age of town building and development the real- estate dealer is a most important factor and is perhaps contributing in a larger degree than any other class of citizens to the substantial improvement and adornment of the district which he represents. It is to this line of bus- iness that Harley Sage Valentine is turning his efforts, being widely known as a real-estate and loan agent. His birth occurred in Pike Run, Vinton county, Ohio, February 18, 1879, he being the seventh child of a family of eleven children. His father, William H. Valentine, was a native of Pick- away county, Ohio, and did an extensive contracting business in building pikes, levees, etc. He is still living, but his wife passed away January 11, 1888. She bore the maiden name of Lydia Rollins and was a native of Athens, Ohio.
Following the death of his mother. H. S. Valentine left home, being but eight years of age. He was very young to be thrown upon his own resources
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but he early learned to be self-reliant and independent and to make the most of his opportunities. Going to Madison county, Ohio, he there spent most of the time of his youthful years. He afterward came to Columbus and has been identified with its business interests from the age of sixteen years. For some time he carried on general merchandising on Mount Ver- non avenue, trading for stocks of defunct stores. Mr. Valentine made a success of this work and continued in that line until he established a wall paper business on Mount Vernon avenue. During the Louisiana Purchase Exposition of St. Louis in 1904, he leased property and conducted a hotel in that city. He also furnished and leased properties for the purpose of sale, and remained in the metropolis of Missouri until the latter part of the year 1904, when he returned to Columbus and engaged in his present busi- ness in which he has won gratifying success. He has negotiated many im- portant realty transfers and placed many loans, and no one is more intimate with the property that is upon the market nor can quote with more authority the price which is asked for it. He has secured a liberal clientage and is carrying on a gratifying business in both lines. He is now the president of the Favorite Building & Loan Association. He possesses marked persever- ance and, furthermore, a seemingly inexhaustible fund of energy, and ever carries forward to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
Mr. Valentine was married on October 29. 1903, to Miss Minnie B. Hikes, a native of Columbus, and a daughter of John Hikes. The father came from Pennsylvania at an early day and engaged in contracting, and was well known in that line of business. He died in 1905.
Mr. Valentine has been very active in politics being well known as an. organizer in democratic ranks and a stalwart supporter of democratic prin- ciples. He likewise is much interested in temperance and religious work and is a member and one of the trustees of the Evangelical church. He be- longs to the Woodmen of the World and is in hearty symapthy with every movement that tends to uplift humanity and place higher standards before mankind.
D. N. KINSMAN, M.D.
Dr. D. N. Kinsman has been honored with the presidency of the State Medical Society, which fact attests his high standing in professional circles. At the age of seventy-five years he is still engaged in practice, and has made notable progress in his professional work, keeping ever in touch with: the ad- vancement that has, within his memory, largely revolutionized the methods of medical and surgical practice. The place of Dr. Kinsman's nativity is Heath, Massachusetts, his birth having there occurred on the 3d of May, 1834. His parents were Bliss and Betsey (Temple) Kinsman, both representatives of old New England families connected with the colonization of that section of the country almost from the period of its earliest settlement. In the year 1634 the Kinsman family came from England, and in 1636 the Temples, making settlement at Salem. Robert Kinsman, one of the ancestors of Dr.
DR. D. N. KINSMAN
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Kinsman, did valuable service in protecting the frontier against Indian in- vasion, and was equally aggressive in his opposition to the bread tax insti- tuted by Governor Andrews, as he considered this an unnecessary and unjust policy on the part of the executive. Because of his opposition he was im- prisoned, but the record of his Indian service soon won him release and gained for him high honors. The township of Kinsman, in Trumbull county, Ohio, was the gift of the government to this family for public serv- ices. Bliss Kinsman, born in Heath, Massachusetts, May 1, 1801, main- tained his residence there throughout his entire life covering the intervening period to the 16th of July, 1874, when he was called to his final rest.
At the usual age Dr. Kinsman began his education in New England, benefiting by the excellent public-school system of Massachusetts. He also received instruction in the Deerfield Academy, of that state, and further- more spent his youth in a home the atmosphere of which inculcated intellect- ual development and culture. In his youth he enjoyed the friendship of John G. Holland, the New England poet, author and magazine editor, who, however, was several years the Doctor's senior. Dr. Kinsman had great ap- preciation for the literary merits of his friend, and relates with interest stories of the humorous manner in which he portrayed in rhyme the foibles and unique traits of local characters during the early days when he was beginning to attract the notice of the literary world.
Dr. Kinsman left New England in 1856, and has since been a resident of Ohio. For seven years he engaged in teaching school in Circleville, and his labors in that direction furnished him the means that enabled him to meet the expenses of a college course in preparation for the practice of med- icine. Determined upon that calling as a life work, he was graduated from the Ohio Medical College with the class of 1863, and opened an office in Circleville, where he remained until 1866, when he went to Lancaster. He was for seven years a member of the medical fraternity of that city and in 1873 came to Columbus, where he has since continued, having for thirty- five years been connected with the medical fraternity here. Now, in the evening of life, he still follows his chosen calling in response to the requests of many who have long been his patrons. For eight years he was chief-of- staff of the Protestant Hospital, and served as health officer of Columbus from 1893 to 1897.
Dr. Kinsman was married in 1851 to Miss Isabel Stevens, a native of Ohio, who died in 1893. Unto this marriage were born three daughters and a son. Dr. Kinsman has long been prominent in Masonry, taking the de- grees of the blue lodge in Circleville in 1857. He has been the presiding offi- cer in lodge, council and commandery, and for twenty-five years was master of Enoch Lodge of Perfection. He has been a member of the supreme council of the Scottish Rite since 1885 and has received the thirty-third degree- an honor which is only accorded in recognition of merit, of faithful, efficient service in Masonry, and of unfaltering exemplification of the principles of the craft. His political allegiance has long been given to the republican party, and he served as live stock commissioner for several years, also held the office of health officer, in which position he commanded the respect of the
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entire community by the faithful and intelligent discharge of his duties. He was president of the Columbus Medical Society in 1882 and of the first Columbus Academy of Medicine, while additional professional honor came to him in his election to the presidency of the State Medical Society. For thirty-four years he was a teacher in the Starling Medical College and in the Ohio State University, and as practitioner, educator, and citizen he holds high rank in the regard of his fellow townsmen and for his associates in pro- fessional lines. His entire life work has been marked by orderly progression, prompted by his interest in the scientific phase of his work and by his broad humanitarianism that has been manifest in his helpful and hopeful spirit.
LUCIAN LIVINGSTON.
Lucian Livingston, a prosperous agriculturist of Marion township, is a native son of this county, his birth having occurred on the farm where he still resides, on the 4th of May, 1856. His great-grandfather, who was a Nova Scotian refugee, advocated the cause of the colonists at the time of the Revolution and consequently his property was confiscated. As a recompense the American government gave him six hundred and forty acres of land in Ohio, the Franklin County Infirmary being now located upon one hun- dred acres of the tract. Edward C. Livingston, the grandfather of our subject, whose birth occurred May 23, 1783, left Johnstown, New York, in 1806 and took up his abode on a farm in Franklin county, Ohio. He erected the first frame house in this county, it being constructed of black walnut. Both his son, Robert N. Livingston, and grandson, Lucian Liv- ingston, were born in that dwelling but in the '70s it was destroyed by fire, being at that time still in a good state of preservation and occupied by a tenant. The destruction of the pioneer residence, which was greatly lamented on account of its historic associations, occurred during the absence of the occupants and was occasioned by the old wood fireplace. Edward C. Livingston was a well educated man for his day and served for several years as judge of the common pleas court in Franklinton, now Columbus, at the same time making his home upon his farm. His demise, which occurred on the 13th of November, 1843, was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. In 1806 he had wedded Miss Martha Nelson, who was born May 11, 1785, and by whom he had eight children.
Robert Nelson Livingston, the father of Lucian Livingston, was born February 17, 1825. and completed his education at Marion University. Throughout his active business career he was connected with agricultural pursuits, spending his entire life on the farm on which his father had located in 1806 and which is now owned and occupied by his son Lucian The deed to the property was signed by Thomas Jefferson. In his political views Robert N. Livingston was a stalwart democrat and served in various positions of public trust and responsibility, including those of school director, township clerk and trustee. He was widely recognized as a substantial,
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upright citizen and one whose judgement could be relied upon in all matters of general interest. He joined the Presbyterian church at the time Dr. James Hoge, who remained its pastor for more than fifty years, became the first minister of the congregation. On the 10th of May, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Eunice Adgate Knowles, whose birth occurred in the state of Vermont, February 8, 1825. Unto them were born four children, two of whom are now living, namely: Lucian, of this review; and Margaret Crosby, whose natal day was June 13, 1860.
Lucian Livingston obtained his education in the public schools of Columbus, and like his ancestors, has devoted his time and attention to the pursuits of the farm, in which he has gained a gratifying and well merited measure of success. The property on which he resides has now been in possession of the family for more than a century and there stands on the place the old smokehouse of hewn timber which was erected by his grand- father. It is boarded with black walnut and the nails used in its con- struction were made by hand at the blacksmith shop. As a mute reminder of pioneer days and experiences it is highly prized by Mr. Livingston and he takes excellent care thereof.
On the 18th of September, 1899, occurred the marriage of Mr. Liv- ingston and Miss Mary E. Kerns and by this union there is one son, Lucian Logan, born November 3, 1901. who is now a student in the public schools. of Columbus.
A stanch democrat in his political views, Mr. Livingston takes an active and helpful interest in public affairs and has served as township clerk for three terms and also as clerk of the school board. He is a worthy and honored representative of a family that has been actively and successfully connected with the agricultural interests of this county for more than a hundred years and has gained a host of warm freinds throughout the com- munity in which his entire life has been passed.
STERLING B. TAYLOR, M.D.
Aside from his profession, Dr. S. B. Taylor is well known in his relation to public interests, having served as a member on the city council for several years. He has exercised his official prerogatives in support of many measures of progress and reform, and that he is devoted to the general good is indicated by his frequent election to office.
A native of Nashville, Tennessee, the doctor was born May 6, 1869, a son of Waller and Pattie (Barner) Taylor, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. The Taylor family is an old one of that state, and it was in the period of its frontier history that the Barner family were there established, the maternal grandfather of Dr. Taylor having early made his home there. He was the owner of several steamboats on the Mississippi river, and was one of the pioneers in that line of business in the country. Waller Taylor re- moved from the south to Evansville. Indiana, where for many years he car-
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ried on business as a shoe merchant, his death occurring in 1904. He sur- vived his wife for more than a third of a century, for she passed away in the 12th of May, 1869.
Dr. Taylor pursued his education in the common schools of Kentucky and Indiana and in Bethel College. He afterward studied medicine and was graduated from the Starling Medical College in 1890, while in 1893 he com- pleted a course in the New York Polyclinic. He then commenced practice in Columbus, making a specialty of surgical work and since 1891 he has lec- tured on anatomy in the Starling and the Starling-Ohio Medical Colleges. At the present time he is lecturer on rectal diseases in the latter and is rectal surgeon for the St. Francis and Grant Hospitals. In surgical work he has at- tained more than local prominence, his ability being such that his opinion is largely regarded as authority in the line of his specialization.
Dr. Taylor is now surgeon for the Ohio National Guard and is well known in political circles as a stalwart advocate of republican principles. On the 4th of May, 1893, he became a member of the city council, twice served as its president pro tem and rendered signal aid in municipal affairs by his ad- vocacy to many measures the value of which time has proven. He recently resigned as councilman at large owing to his election to the position of super- intendent of health. He displays a progressive spirit in his work in behalf of the city's interests, never countenancing the useless expenditure of money but at the same time endorsing those interests which tend to work for the city's substantial upbuilding and which constitute matters of civic virtue and civic pride.
On the 23d of October, 1908, Dr. Taylor was united in marriage to Miss Mayme Pickett, of Bellaire, Ohio.
R. FRANK ALSPACH.
R. Frank Alspach, local manager and general agent for the state of Ohio of the Birdsell Manufacturing Company, was born at Thornville, Perry county, Ohio, April 21, 1856. His father, Jeremiah Alspach, was also a native of Perry county and a son of one of its earliest pioneer settlers. R. Frank Alspach was educated in the common and high schools of his native place and was also a student at Jacksontown, Ohio. He remained with his father on the home farm until 1885, when he became engaged in the hardware and implement business at Upper Sandusky, continuing in that line of activity for five years. During the succeeding two years he was employed as traveling salesman for the Huber Manufacturing Company, and subsequently was con- nected with Nichols & Shepperd of Battle Creek. Michigan, as their represen- tative at Columbus and also as traveling salesman. In 1904 he was appointed by the Birdsell Manufacturing Company as their local manager and general agent for the entire state, having under his management over two hundred branch agencies throughout Ohio, with offices at No. 410 North High street. He is one of the best known and highly esteemed representatives in his line,
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and his executive ability and excellent management have brought to the con- cern with which he is connected a large degree of success. The Birdsell Man- ufacturing Company of South Bend, Indiana, is extensively engaged in the manufacture of clover hullers and farm vehicles, being one of the largest con- cerns of the kind in the United States.
Mr. Alspach was united in marriage to Miss Mary C. Pontius, a daugh- ter of Adam Pontius, a well known hardware merchants of Upper Sandusky, who is also prominent in political affairs and for a number of years served as sheriff of Wyandot county. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Alspach have been born three children. Lula Evelyn, a graduate of the Upper Sandusky high school. For several years she has been an instructor in the Ohio State School for the Deaf in Columbus. Gladys E. is the wife of H. G. Shawaker, secretary of the Buckeye Saddlery Company of Columbus. Fred C., who passed away at Up- per Sandusky, Ohio, December 7, 1901, when seventeen years of age, was a member of the sophomore class in the high school and one of the city's most popular and promising young man. He was an exceptional student, an ac- complished violinist and a mutual favorite with his schoolmates and compan- ions. He was energetic and painstaking and displayed all the prime elements of a successful and useful career. A lover of athletic sports, he was one of the most phenomenal boy shots in the country, having won numerous medals when but twelve years of age. At the time of his demise memorial exercises were held by all the schools of the city and a highly eulogistic summary of his life was made in an address by Professor F. E. Brooke.
Where national questions and issues are involved Mr. Alspach gives his political allegiance to the democracy but at local elections casts an independent ballot. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church, and he also belongs to the National Union, the United Commercial Travelers and the Commercial Travelers of Utica. He resides at No. 857 Oak street and is widely recognized as one of the representative and progressive business men and citizens of Columbus.
EMIL WALTER HOSTER.
Emil Walter Hoster, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Hoster Realty Company, was born in Columbus, Ohio, on the 30th of September, 1884, his father being George J. Hoster. He obtained his educa- tion in this city, being graduated from the high school in 1902, while subse- quently. he attended private schools for a time. In 1905 he entered upon the duties of his present position as secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Hoster Realty Company, having since been numbered among the prosper- ous and progressive citizens and business men of this city. He likewise has other investments here and the name of Hoster is well and favorably known in business circles throughout Columbus.
On the 1st of January, 1906, Mr. Hoster was united in marriage to Miss Helen Hall, a daughter of Albert and Jennie Hall, who reside at No. 1155
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Fair avenue in Columbus. Mrs. Hoster is a member of the Art Association, is active in the work of the Diet Kitchen and very popular in society. She is an expert horsewoman and motorist and is a lady of refinement and culture.
Mr. Hoster belongs to St. Paul's Episcopal church and his name is like- wise on the membership rolls of the Columbus Club, the Columbus Country Club, the Arlington Country Club, the Columbus Automobile Club and the Co- lumbus Riding Club. He is fond of motoring, golf, baseball and horses and has won many trophies by reason of his skill as an equestrian. Both he and his wife have traveled abroad extensively. They are lovers of literature and have a fine library in their home at No. 80 North Twenty-second street. which is one of the most handsome residences in East Columbus. The young couple are prominent and popular socially and the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
F. M. RANCK.
F. M. Ranck, who by the consensus of public opinion deserves classifi- cation with the energetic and progressive business men of Westerville, owns and conducts a drug store there, is also an insurance agent and justice of the peace. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born at Kingston, Ross county, May 8, 1853, and is a son of Peter and Eliza (Jones) Ranck. The father's birth occurred near New Holland in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, while the mother was born in Vinton county, Ohio. In 1858 they removed with their family to Delaware county, settling near Westerville, where both died. They led the life of quiet, farming people, meriting the good will and trust of those who knew them by reason of their many sterling traits of character. Their family numbered five sons and a daughter.
F. M. Ranck was only five years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to the farm in Delaware county and there the days of his boyhood and youth were passed. After obtaining a public-school education he worked in the fields until twenty-eight years of age and then on the 17th of April, 1881, removed to Westerville, where he has since lived. He carried on general farming until 1880, after which he took up carpentering, serving a three years' apprenticeship at the trade with his brother. After his removal to Westerville he worked for a short time at the Everall tile works and then became janitor of the Otterbein University, where he remained from the 1st of June, 1881, until 1888. In the latter year he was appointed assistant postmaster under William Rowe and so served for six months or until Grover Cleveland was defeated for the presidency. He next entered the real-estate and insurance business and also became agent for the Singer Sewing Machine Company, being thus engaged until July 1, 1893. At that date he became superintendent of the courthouse of Franklin county, where he remained for a year and a half. He then reentered the real-estate and insurance field and also carried on an abstract business until February, 1896. when he was appointed postmaster during President Cleveland's second term. He served
F. M. RANCK.
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in that position in most acceptable manner for four years and one month, capably administering the affairs of the office, after which he retired and again opened a real-estate and insurance agency and abstract office. In this he has gradually built up good clientage and in 1900 he further extended the scope of his activity by establishing his present drug store. He has se- cured a liberal patronage in this connection and is now numbered among the substantial residents of the town.
While promoting his individual interests Mr. Ranck has also been active in support of many progressive public measures and has labored untiringly and effectively for the general welfare. He has been called to several local offices, serving for two terms as clerk of the town and for four terms as a member of the council. He is now filling the office of justice of peace and was chief of the board of county deputy supervisors of elections from 1891 until 1896. He has always been a democrat, giving stalwart support to the party and is a member of the Jefferson, Jackson, Lincoln League. He is also a member and treasurer of the Franklin County Democratic Club, and from 1884 to 1889 was a member of Company C, Fourteenth Regiment Ohio National Guard, being on active duty during the memorable riots at Cincin- nati in March and April, 1884.
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