USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 63
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Alexis Keeler was educated in the public schools of Cincinnati, pursuing his studies to the age of seventeen or eighteen years. He then learned car- pentering with his father and followed the trade continuously until 1857, when he became a collector of water rents in his native city and was thus em- ployed until after the outbreak of the Civil war. When the country became involved in warfare he espoused the cause of the Union and joined the boys in blue of the One Hundred and Thirty-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with the rank of first lieutenant. He served in the Army of the Potomac in the vicinity of Washington and was mustered out in the fall of 1864. He then returned to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the insurance business until 1870.
In that year Mr. Keeler removed to Columbus and was elected sergeant at arms in the general assembly, being chosen for that office by acclamation for two terms. He then became state agent of the Connecticut Life Insurance Company, which he represented until 1873, when he was elected a member of the first metropolitan police force of Columbus. He brought into use the first uniforms of the city and the first regular drill in the department and such was the efficiency of the police force during his connection therewith that there were only two burglaries in an entire year. When Mr. Keeler retired from his-
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position as chief of police he became traveling salesman for the Drummond Tobacco Company, which he represented upon the road until 1896, securing a liberal patronage for the house and building up a business which made his services very valuable to the company. He next became inspector under Elmer Miller, surveyor of customs and so continued until his death, January 27, 1909. Much of his life was spent in official service and every duty reposed in him was faithfully performed. He remained in the railway mail service from 1881 until 1886 and was superintendent of the transfer of mails in the Union depot at Columbus. In all that period he only made five errors.
In 1857 Mr. Keeler was married in Cincinnati to Miss Alvina Steelman, who died in 1898, leaving a son, Edwin A. Keeler, who is well known in in- surance circles. In 1901 Mr. Keeler was again married, his second union be- ing with Lizzie Perry, a daughter of Major Alban Perry. Mr. Keeler was a member of the United Commercial Travelers and of the Grand Army of the Republic and in all of his life displayed the same loyalty to his country which he manifested when he followed the old flag on southern battle-fields. Over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil, his public service being at all times capable and commendable.
EARL W. EUANS, M.D
Dr. Earl W. Euans, physician and surgeon of Columbus, was born in Urbana, Ohio, on the 15th of January, 1871. His father, John W. Euans, was likewise a native of Urbana and represented an old family of this state, his father, Samuel Euans having come from Virginia while his moth- er was from New Jersey. John W. Euans devoted the years of his early man- hood to farming and afterward became a traveling salesman who won popu- larity over the route on which he traveled. At the time of the Civil war, how- ever, he put aside all business and personal considerations and responded to his country's call. He served during the war in the Eighty-sixth and One Hundred and Thirty-fourth Regiments. For some time he held the rank of first lieutenant but faithful and meritorious conduct on the field of battle won him promotion to that of captain and he was thus honorably discharged. His death occurred January 28, 1908, and he is still survived by his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunter Euans, a native of Urbana.
Dr. Euans of this review acquired his education in the schools of New York city, whither he had gone when a boy of twelve years. He sold papers on the streets of that city and did other work which he could secure that would aid in supporting himself. Ever energetic and industrious he started out in the business world when fifteen years of age in the office of a Wall street bank- ing house and there his fidelity and capability won him promotion until he was made assistant cashier when only eighteen years of age. Later he was ap- pointed New York representative of an European house and occupied that re- sponsible position for five years but thinking to find the practice of medicine a more congenial pursuit than participation in the business affairs of the metrop-
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olis he came to Columbus and took up the study of medicine, being graduated from the Ohio Medical University in 1897. He then was interne in the Pro- testant Hospital for one year after which he began general practice and has been quite successful. If a minister is reserved and distant we think it is because he is engaged in the contemplation of things beyond our ken; if a lawyer is brusque and crabbed, we consider it a mark of genius; but the pub- lic demands that a physician shall be always genial and cheerful, and in this respect Dr. Euans is certainly well qualified, for he possesses a cordial dispo- sition and an optimistic nature. Moreover he has made close study of the sci- ence of medicine and has gained comprehensive knowledge of his profession, while his careful analyses and sound judgment are manifest in his careful application of its principles to the special needs of his patients.
1902 Dr. Euans was married to Miss Cora T. Davis, a daughter of David Davis, a well known coal operator of Coshocton. Dr. Euans is a member of the Alpha Kappa Kappa, a Greek letter fraternity, but otherwise has no mem- bership interests outside of strictly professional lines. He is a stockholder of the Grant Hospital, is a member of the Columbus Academy of Medicine, of the State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. He was also one of the organizers of the Northside Medical Society, of which he is treasurer, and he is a member of the Northside Chamber of Commerce.
LEWIS HENRY SCHWARTZ.
Lewis Henry Schwartz, a well known farmer of Madison township, was born on the 30th of November, 1868. The father, Peter E. Schwartz, whose birth occurred in the province of Darmstadt, Germany, July 18, 1826, accom- panied his parents on their emigration to the United States in 1837, being at that time a lad of eleven years. After an ocean voyage of fifty-eight days the family landed in New York, traveled by canal to Cleveland and from there to Columbus by the same means of transportation, the whole journey requiring three months and fourteen days. After a short stay in Franklinton the par- ents bought a farm five miles south of Columbus, which Peter E. Schwartz assisted in clearing. Throughout his active business career the latter engaged in agricultural pursuits and was well known and highly esteemed as one of the worthy and honored pioneer residents of the county. He was a trustee of the Lutheran Cemetery Association at Obetz Junction for more than thirty- five years, and was active in all the business enterprises in his community. For seventy years he was a faithful member of St. Paul's Lutheran church at High and Mound streets. His demise occurred at his old home southeast of Columbus on the 15th of June, 1908, when in the eighty-second year of his age.
In 1852 Peter E. Schwartz had wedded Miss Elizabeth Koebel, by whom he had thirteen children, of whom two sons died in childhood. The surviving members of the family are as follows: Jacob, Michael, Samuel, George and Joseph, all residents of Columbus or vicinity ; L. H., of this review; Mrs. Wil-
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liam Wean, of Columbus; Mrs. Augustus Hensch, of St. Marys; Mrs. William Klamforth, of Groveport; Mrs. Hoefer, of Toledo; and Mrs. F. S. Runyon, who likewise makes her home in Columbus.
L. H. Schwartz obtained a district-school education and always remained under the parental roof, assisting and caring for his father and mother in their declining years. On the 16th of Decembr, 1896, Mr. Schwartz was united in marriage to Miss Tillie C. Marshall, who was born August 8, 1868. The record of their children is as follows: Dale E., born March 3, 1898; Lewis Glenn, August 3, 1900; Ray Emanuel, November 11, 1902; Anneta May, November 23, 1904; Martha Elizabeth, November 17, 1906; and Flora Rebecca, who was born October 10, 1908.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Schwartz has given his political allegiance to the men and measures of the democracy. He is a member of the Lutheran church and is serving as one of its deacons. His entire life has been passed in this county, and his fellow townsmen know that his career has been characterized by fidelity to duty and by honor in all his relations with his fellowmen.
ROBERT A. MAGLY.
Robert A. Magly, general manager of the Bessie Ferro-Silicon Com- pany of Columbus, was born at Cincinnati, Ohio, on the 11th of March, 1876. The father, Peter J. Magly, whose birth occurred in Germany, August 3, 1851, was but an infant when brought to the United States by his parents, the family home being established at Cincinnati, Ohio. There he was reared and educated and in 1878 came to Columbus as chief clerk of the pension department. He was prominent in local politics, serving as deputy director of public improvements and secretary of the board of - elec- tions. At the present time he is engaged in the fire insurance business and is a director of the Teutonia Building & Loan Association. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Melinda Helmbock, is a daughter of Adam Helm- bock, who was of German descent.
Robert A. Magly acquired his preliminary education in this city, being graduated from the Central high school with the class of 1893. The year 1897 witnessed his graduation from the Ohio State University, in which institution he had taken special courses in chemistry and metallurgy. Sub- sequently he accepted a position in the office of the Miller-Wagoner-Fieser & Company of Columbus, there remaining until April, 1898. At that time he went into camp with his regiment, the Seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving at Camp Alger, Virginia, until mustered out of service at the con- clusion of the Spanish-American war. Returning to Columbus, he resumed his former position and in January, 1899, was sent to New Straitsville as chemist of the Bessie furnace. Later he once more returned to the Colum- bus office, the firm name having been changed to Fieser & Bentley, where he remained until 1905, when the partnership was dissolved, owing to the
R. A. MAGLY
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expiration of leases. Subsequently the Bessie Ferro-Silicon Company was promoted for the operation of the Bessie furnace and Mr. Magly was made the general manager of the concern. During his administration he has been successful in practically eliminating labor troubles at the works and has done much to better the condition of his employes. He has, moreover, made some remarkable records on quick blast furnace repairs, having accomplished in two weeks that which had formerly taken from one to two months. His suc- cess in winning the good will and hearty cooperation of his men has been the most striking feature of his management of the company's affairs.
On the 17th of May, 1898, Mr. Magly was united in marriage to Miss Nellie G. Wood, a daughter of Luther S. and Melissa Wood, the former hav- ing been one of the prominent business men of Columbus. Unto our sub- ject and his wife has been born one son, Robert W., now nine years of age.
Fraternally Mr. Magly is a Mason, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Christian Science church, of which he was president in 1908. He is likewise local representative of the state publication committee of Christian Science. Interested in all manly outdoor sports, he was prom- inent in athletics during his college career, made an enviable record on the baseball team and served as captain in the Ohio State University Battalion. He resides in a commodious and attractive home at No. 1664 South High street and is widely recognized as one of the substantial and public-spirited citizens of Columbus.
EPHRAIM W. SEEDS.
Ephraim W. Seeds, manager of the Seeds Grain & Hay Company, is one of the enterprising and energetic representatives of commercial interests in Columbus, doing with all his might what his hand finds to do. He was born August 13, 1849, in Pickaway county, Ohio, about twelve miles southwest of the capital city. His father, Cyrus Seeds, was born in Pickaway county in 1826 and became a pioneer farmer of that locality. He was the son of William Seeds, a native of Belfast, Ireland, who in early life came to America, settling first in western Pennsylvania, after which he removed to Ohio, arriving in this state about 1800, before Ohio was admitted to the Union. He found the dis- trict largely unclaimed and unsettled by white men, but the Indians still roamed through the forests and pitched their tents by the side of the streams that would afford them fishing, while the wild game of the forests also supplied their meals. After coming to Ohio, William Seeds killed many bears and deer, thus replenishing his own larder from time to time. He bore all the hardships and privations of pioneer life as he carried on the work of developing a farm and providing for his family in the frontier region. His father-in-law, James Seeds (his wife was of the same name and a distant relative) was an Irish conscript soldier of the Revolutionary war, serving for about one year in the English army, then deserting to the patriot forces, he served to the close of the war, when he settled in the forests of western Pennsylvania in company
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with a number of young men who had been forced into the English service at the same time and followed him into the American army. In the maternal line, Ephraim W. Seeds also comes from an ancestry represented in the Revolution- ary war, his great-grandfather, Humphrey Beckett, having been a member of the patriot army in the struggle for independence. He spent the latter years of his life in Franklin county, and died and was buried in Dublin, Ohio. His son, Wiley H. Beckett, was a pioneer farmer of this state who came from Penn- sylvania. He was the father of Isabel Beckett, who became the wife of Cyrus Seeds and the mother of our subject.
In the district schools Ephraim W. Seeds began his education and after- ward continued his studies in Antioch College at Yellow Springs, Ohio. He entered the milling business at the age of twenty-two years, in connection with the firm of C. & J. W. Seeds & Company, with whom he remained a year and a half. On the expiration of that period he went to Liberty, Indiana, where he engaged in the milling and grain business for seven years. On the expira- tion of that period he came to Columbus, in 1880, and became a member of the firm of Seeds & Scott. In 1892 the business was reorganized under the name of the Seeds Grain Company, and in 1906 was incorporated as the Seeds Grain & Hay Company, of which Mr. Seeds of this review is manager. He is thus giving his efforts to the work of construction and administrative direc- tions in business lines, building up an enterprise of large and profitable pro- portions which constitutes a valuable feature in the business activity of the city, as well as a remunerative source of income to the owners. Gradually the business has outdistanced any similar enterprise in Columbus, being today the most important of this character in the city.
On the 28th of October, 1874, Mr. Seeds was united in mariage to Miss Frances C. Beaver, of Liberty, Indiana, a daughter of Dr. David and Elizabeth Beaver. Unto them have been born two sons, Karl B., who is a graduate of Columbus high school and pursued a special course in the Ohio State Univer- sity ; and Edgar W., who had similar educational privileges. Both are now connected with the Seeds Grain & Hay Company.
Mr. Seeds is a member of the Board of Trade and has been identified with its various movements for the upbuilding of Columbus and the promotion of its business enterprises. He is also a member of the Ohio Club and of the First Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belongs. They are both deeply interested in the church work connected with its various activities, and Mr. Seeds was instrumental in securing the present site and erecting the house of worship owned by the First Methodist church. He was for many years one of the church trustees and has always been a liberal contributor to its support. Always interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his fellowmen, he became one of the founders of the Ohio Medical University and acted on its board of trustees for fifteen years, while for ten years he was its treasurer. He was also one of the founders of the Protestant Hospital and is still a member of its board of trustees. Mrs. Seeds has always shared in the beneficent work of her husband, being secretary of the Ohio Conference Organization of the Woman's Home Missionary Society. She has been a delegate to the national conventions for many years, and also one of the national assistant secretaries,
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is active in the work of the Deaconess Home and is a member of the Protestant Hospital board. Both Mr. and Mrs. Seeds enjoy the highest respect and good will of all who know them, because their lives are not self-centered, nor have they ever measured the world by the inch rule of self. Broad minded, with a ready recognition of their obligation to others, they have done helpful work in advancing the public progress in moral and beneficial lines, and Mr. Seeds has proven in his busines career that success and an honorable name may be gained simultaneously.
DANIEL H. SOWERS.
Daniel H. Sowers, whose practical intelligence in his profession, as well as in the daily affairs of life, combined with his genial qualities and high order of mentality, have won him the respect and high regard of older members of the bar, as well as those more nearly allied to him in years and length of expe- rience, has practiced in Columbus since 1891. His birth occurred in Cham- paign county, Ohio, October 14, 1867, his parents being Samuel K. and Eu- nice E. (Blose) Sowers, the former a native of Pennsylvania, while the latter was of Virginia parentage. His paternal ancestors were among the first Ger- man settlers of this country and Christopher Sauer, for so the name was then spelled, published the first German Bible in the United States, it being brought from the press- at Morristown, Pennsylvania.
Samuel K. Sowers devoted his life to the occupation of farming, and Dan- iel H. Sowers was therefore reared in a rural environment, early becoming familiar with the duties and labors of the home farm, while in the district schools he acquired his preliminary education. Ambitious to enjoy further educational opportunities, he afterward entered the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the class of 1889. He followed the acquirement of his more specifically literary educa- tion by the study of law in the office and under the direction of Colonel T. E. Powell, of Columbus, and was admitted to the bar in March, 1891. The same year he began practice in the capital city, where he has since remained, and as the years have passed has gained a substantial position as a lawyer of consider- able breadth of learning, of force in argument and of unfaltering loyalty to the interests of his clients. He has been connected with much important liti- gation, and while it is universally recognized that advancement at the bar is slow, he has nevertheless been accorded a liberal clientage and one which has brought substantial return.
Mr. Sowers is a member of the Ohio State and Franklin County Bar Asso- ciaitions, and is not unknown in public service outside the strict path of his profession. In 1900 he was honored with the presidency of the Columbus Board of Trade and in the same year, through appointment of Governor Nash, he became a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Hospital for Epilep- tics, and through reappointment by Governor Harris is still serving in that capacity. He was also president of the board of public safety during the
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administration of Mayor Robert H. Jeffrey, and in all of these connections he has rendered faithful service in furnishing the interests which he has repre- sented. While the practice of law is his real life work, he is not averse to enter- ing upon business enterprises at the proper time and under proper conditions ; is now a director of the National Bank of Commerce and has other connections.
On the 7th of June, 1898, Mr. Sowers was married to Miss Elizabeth Desh- ler, a daughter of William G. Deshler, one of the pioneer bankers of this city. They have one son, David. Mr. Sowers is a vestryman of St. Paul's Episcopal church, and is never unmindful of his duties in relation to the material, intel- lectual and moral progress of the community. He is a valued and popular member of the Columbus Club, the Columbus Country Club, the Columbus Gun Club, the Arlington Country Club and the Columbus Automobile Club, and belongs also to the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, while in Masonry he has attained the Knight Templar degree in Mount Vernon Commandery. These associations indicate much of the nature of his interests and recreation. During the eighteen years of his residence in Columbus he has made steady advance in public regard, as he has given proof of his worth as an individual and citizen, while his professional ability is carrying him into important pub- lic relations.
FRANK S. RAREY, M. D.
Dr. Frank S. Rarey, from his boyhood days cherishing the ambition to become a member of the medical fraternity, has been engaged in practice in Columbus since 1892, and the record which he has made shows that his choice of profession was a wise one. Native talent and training seemed to well adapt him for his chosen calling, and he has gained recognition as one of the most able physicians of the capital city.
Dr. Rarey is numbered among the native sons of Franklin county, his birth having occurred here on the 19th of March, 1855. He represents one of the oldest families of this section of the state, his father, Leopold Rarey, and his grandfather, Charles Rarey, having both been natives of the county where the great-grandparents of Dr. Rarey settled in pioneer times. Few homes had been established in this section of the state when they took up their abode in Madison township. They were farming people of German descent, and they bore an active and helpful part in extending the frontier and adding to this hitherto undeveloped region the evidence of modern civilization. Leopold Rarey, like other members of the family, followed the occupation of farming up to the time of his death, which occured in 1864. He was long survived by his wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Stage and was a native of Penn- sylvania. She lived to a venerable age, passing away in 1902. John S. Rarey, an uncle of Dr. Rarey, attained very wide fame as a horse trainer. A green, country boy, born in Franklin county, he yet seemed to have almost super- human control over horses. Going to England he there gained great fame by training Lord Dorchester's horse Cruiser, which had killed many men and was
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looked upon as absolutely dangerous and untamable. Lord Dorchester after- ward presented him with Cruiser and he brought him back to Franklin county, where he was well taken care of until his death. There has been, per- haps, no more successful trainer of horses in all the world than was John Rarey.
Dr. Rarey pursued his education in the Groveport schools and in the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, after which he entered upon his business career in connection with the drug trade in Groveport. He likewise devoted some time to teaching school prior to 1881, when he was appointed a clerk of the Ohio penitentiary, and thus served until 1890. He had early determined, however, to become a member of the medical profession, and had read and studied along those lines from his boyhood days. When his industry and care- ful expenditure had made it possible for him to prepare for his chosen voca- tion, he entered the Starling Medical College, from which he was graduated in 1892. In that year he opened an office on East Main street, where he has since remained. He has been very successful, this being due not only to his careful and thorough preparation, but also to his keen interest in his work from the scientific standpoint and in the spirit of humanitarianism which guides him in all that he does. He never hurriedly discards the old and time-tried meth- ods of practice, the value of which has been proven, and yet he is also quick to adopt any new remedial agency which his judgment sanctions as worthy in general practice. His office is well equipped with modern appliances and his reading and research are continued year by year, so that he keeps abreast with the progress being continually made by the medical fraternity. He belongs to the Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the National Medical Association.
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