USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 64
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In 1878 Dr. Rarey was married to Miss Frances Scofield, a native of Dela- ware, Ohio, and a daughter of Henry Scofield. They have two sons, Ralph and Donald, and they also lost one son in infancy. Dr. Rarey became a mem- ber of the Groveport lodge of Masons, and is a member of the Columbus lodge of Elks and the Columbus Club. He is always affable and courteous, and is a welcome visitor to those circles of society where intelligence is regarded as a necessary attribute to agreeableness. He stands as a progressive man, hold- ing to high ideals in his profession and accomplishing what he undertakes.
CHARLES P. BAUMAN.
Charles P. Bauman, vice president and general manager of the Winches- ter Milling Company, at Canal Winchester, was born at Lancaster, Ohio, on the 14th of March, 1859. His parents, Charles F. and Johanna Bauman, who were natives of Germany, crossed the Atlantic to the United States and took up their abode in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1855. The father, who was a butcher by trade, followed that business until 1861, and from that time until 1888 was proprietor of a hotel. His demise occurred in 1892, when he had passed the
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eighty-second milestone on life's journey, while his wife survived him until 1906, being seventy-six years of age at the time of her death.
Charles P. Bauman was graduated from the grammar schools of Lancas- ter in 1873, and after putting aside his text-books worked as a hotel clerk for his father for two years. In August, 1875, he secured a clerkship in the gro- cery establishment of A. Bauman in Lancaster, Ohio, and on the 1st of Janu- ary, 1876, became traveling salesman for the house, continuing in that capac- ity until August, 1880. At that time he went to Des Moines, Iowa, where he was engaged as a grocery clerk for one year and for a similar period served as assistant cashier of the Hawkeye Insurance Company. In 1882 he removed to Sioux City, Iowa, and accepted a position as agent for the Standard Oil Company at Fort Dodge, that state. Subsequently he was transferred to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and was made traveling auditor, which position he accept- ably filled until his return east in 1884 to again become a traveling salesman for A. Bauman, of Lancaster, Ohio. In 1890 the business of A. Bauman was incorporated as the A. Bauman Grocery & Baking Company, and C. P. Bau- man served as the vice president and manager of the concern until July, 1896, when he sold out and purchased an interest in the Winchester Milling Com- pany of Canal Winchester, Ohio. The company owns an elevator of fifty thousand bushels capacity, and operates a mill with a capacity of one hundred and fifty barrels daily. In his position as vice president and general manager, Mr. Bauman has contributed in no small degree to the success of the business, for he is a man of keen discrimination, sound judgment and excellent execu- tive ability.
On the 19th of June, 1895, at McArthur, Ohio, Mr. Bauman was united in marriage to Miss Pauline R. Rannells, a daughter of Dr. D. V. and Mrs. L. M. Rannells. They have one son, Paul R., now ten years of age.
In his political views Mr. Bauman is independent, and is now serving as a member of the village council. Fraternally he is connected with the Free- masons, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the United Commercial Travelers, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Lutheran church. His interests are those of a public-spirited citizen and pro- gressive business man who puts forth effective effort in behalf of public prog- ress and at the same time gives due consideration to a constantly growing busi- ness, with the result that his trade and his profits are annually increasing.
HARRY GEIR RIDGWAY.
The spirit of enterprise which suffers no defeat and recognizes no bar to progress finds exemplification in the life record of Harry Geir Ridgway. the president of the Ridgway Company, wholesale dealers in mechanical and electrical machinery and supplies. He was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1872. His father. Charles Ridgway, was a native of England and came to America in 1850. He was a pattern maker by trade and along those lines engaged in manufacturing, conducting his business in Pittsburg, Penn-
HARRY G. RIDGWAY
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sylvania, where he continued as an active factor in industrial circles until his death which occurred in 1875. The only interruption to his business career came when he served as a soldier of the Union army in the Civil war. He was known as a substantial citizen faithful to the trust reposcd in him and the qualities of an upright, honorable manhood were his. He was de- scended from an old Welsh family from the north of Wales in which coun- try his father was a noted minister. Mrs. Catherine (Geir) Ridgway, the mother of our subject was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and died in the year 1894. She was of German lineage and her father was a wholesale grocer and property owner of Pittsburg, well known in business circles there. To the public school system of Pittsburg, Harry Geir Ridgway is indebted for the early educational privileges he enjoyed. He pursued his studies there to the age of twelve years when he started out in life on his own account and has since been dependent entirely upon his own resources. He was first connected with the Union Switch & Signal Company, now a part of the Westinghouse Company's holdings. It was from this beginning that the Westinghouse Manufacturing Company sprung. Mr. Ridgway was first em- ployed as an office boy and was promoted rapidly so that at the time he severed his connection with the business he was a member of the organiza- tion forces of the Westinghouse interests. Upon him devolve the duty of establishing and directing systems wherever new offices and plants were opened. It was a position of much responsibility as well as one demanding superior ability and that he gave continued satisfaction throughout his vari- ous promotions is indicated by the fact that he remained with the business until 1905. He had for four years previous been located at Manchester, Eng- land, in supervision of the interests of the company at that point. As the years passed his ability was broadening through his continued and varied experiences and his sojourn in Europe was especially beneficial to him as he had to introduce American methods of manufacture and organization there and it taught him how to best get in touch with the trade. It required much hard work, patience and study but all of the business problems which confronted him he successfully solved. In 1905 he came direct to Columbus and organized the Ridgway Company of which he became president and general manager. Since its inception the business has enjoyed a phenom- enal growth. They sell to the wholesale trade all kinds of mechanical and electrical machinery and supplies and to some extent carry an emergency stock but most of the supply is obtained direct from the factory. This com- pany represents the Western Electric Company, the Ames Iron Works of Oswego, New York, and numerous other concerns. The business has reached a large figure and in its control Mr. Ridgway has demonstrated the fact that his constantly expanding powers have brought him to a point where he de- serves classification with the substantial business men of the capital city. In addition to his connection with the Ridgway Company he is the president and general manager of the New Process Metal Company of Columbus, man- ufacturing all kinds of bearing metals. He also has other interests in east- ern cities and has won a position in commercial and industrial circles which many a man of twice his years might well envy.
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On the 4th of July, 1900, Mr. Ridgway was married to Miss Ida Snyder of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a member of Palatine Lodge, A. F. & A. M., of Manchester, England, and is interested in athletic sports and all manly outdoor exercise. Mr. Ridgway likewise has a creditable military record. In early manhood he became a member of the Pennsylvania State Naval Reserves and was made an ensign, but resigned that position to join the reg- ular army, enlisting in the Seventeenth United States Infantry as a private. He took part in the Spanish-American war in 1898 and saw considerable active service while thus defeating American interests. He has traveled quite broadly for his business connections in Europe took him not only to England but also to France, Germany and St. Petersburg. He has gained the knowledge, experience and culture which only travel can bring and reminiscences of his journeys enrich his conversation and make him a most entertaining companion. While he does not neglect the social interests of life, however, his attention is chiefly given to his business affairs, and his unfaltering application, unabating industry and enterprise that never flags have been the qualities which have gained for him the gratifying measure of success that is today his.
CHARLES A. COOPERRIDER, M. D.
Charles A. Cooperrider, M. D., who holds the professorship of diseases of children in the Starling-Ohio Medical College, was born in Brownsville, Licking county, Ohio, June 12, 1862, the family having been founded in that county in pioneer times by his grandfather, Emanuel Cooperrider, who came from Pennsylvania. The father, George Cooperrider, was born in Licking county in 1818, and his life record covers the intervening years to 1905, when he was called to his final rest. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mar- garet Trout, was a native of Somerset, Ohio, and in her girlhood days a play- mate of Phil Sheridan. She died in 1903 and is still survived by her entire family of nine children, eight sons and one daughter. One brother, Dr. Joel Cooperrder, is a practicing physician of Brownsville, under whose direction Dr. Charles A. Cooperrider studied medicine for a year, after having pursued his literary education in the public schools and in the Capital University, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1886. He followed his preliminary professional reading by study in Cincin- nati, and was graduated from the Medical College of Ohio in 1890.
The same year Dr. Cooperrider located in Columbus, where he has since been engaged in general practice. For ten years he was connected with the Ohio Medical University in the department of physical diagnosis and diseases of children, and is now professor of diseases of children in the Starling-Ohio Medical College. He is also serving on the staff of physicians of the Protestant Hospital and adds greatly to his knowledge by the interchange of thought and experience among the members of the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Association, the American Medical Association and the Amercan Academy of Medicine.
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In 1892 Dr. Cooperrider was married to Miss Ella Bell, a native of Browns- ville, Ohio, and they had two children, Edith and Charles. The wife and mother died in January, 1900, and in 1904 Dr. Cooperrider was again married, his second union being Miss Helen M. Tippett, a native of Columbus and a daughter of Samuel C. Tippett, a pioneer Methodist minister of this city. Mrs. Cooperrider was a teacher in the East high school before her marriage. Dr. and Mrs. Cooperrider are widely and favorably known in this city, and the hos- pitality of many of its best homes is cordially extended them. His genial manner and unfailing courtesy render him personally popular, while his pro- fessional skill has gained him creditable success in his chosen vocation.
J. W. MARKLEY.
J. W. Markley is one of the most successful business men of Westerville, and his achievements are due entirely to his persistency of purpose, his intel- ligent direction of his labor and his undaunted enterprise. He early learned the fact that there is no royal road to wealth, but that hard work and keen dis- crimination constitute a sound foundation upon which to build prosperity.
Mr. Markley was born on a garden farm just outside the city limits of Cincinnati, Ohio, December 14, 1852. He came to Westerville in 1869 and supplemented his early educational advantages by study in the Otterbein Uni- versity. Two years later he returned to Cincinnati, where he engaged in the commission business with his father for two years and then ran a general store at Mt. Carmel, remaining a factor in commercial circles in that city until 1880.
In that year he came to Westerville to visit his brother, O. L. Markley, and, believing that he saw a favorable opportunity in the business world, he purchased the grocery store of J. F. Snoddy at the northwest corner of State and College streets. Here he has continued in business for almost three decades, or since the 4th of October, 1880. He conducted his grocery trade originally in a small frame building, and at first had but a limited stock. How- ever, he pleased his patrons by his courteous treatment, his strict regard for business integrity and the well-selected line of goods which he carried and soon his trade increased to gratifying proportions. His success justified his erection of his present two-story brick building in 1888. This is a double store, forty by one hundred and twenty-eight feet, and long since he has ceased to deal exclusively in groceries, having added other lines of goods, until he now has a well-appointed general store, which he has carried on for ten years, employing always five clerks and sometimes seven. The business is now large and profit- able, and is the most important commercial enterprise of the town. Mr. Mark- ley also figures prominently in financial circles, having been president of the First National Bank of Westerville since its organization in April, 1905. This was established upon safe, conservative lines and its business policy has com- mended it to the confidence and support of the public.
In 1874 Mr. Markley was married to Miss Sallie Hopper, who was born in Clermont county, Ohio, in 1853. They have two daughters: Ada, the
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wife of Charles Frankham, an attorney of Columbus; and Josephine, at home. Both daughters are graduates of Otterbein University.
The family attend the United Brethren church, in which Mr. Markley takes most active and helpful interest, contributing generously to its support and serving as one of the church ushers for a quarter of a century. Since the age of twenty-one years he has been a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a worthy exemplar of the Masonic fraternity. In pol- itics he has been a lifelong republican, has served as a member of the village council and as a member of the board of education. He is likewise a member of the board of trade, and is a public-spirited man who neglects no opportunity for advancing the interests of his locality. His strict integrity and honorable methods in business commend him to the confidence of all; his pleasant man- ner wins him friends; and he is one of the popular and honored residents of Westerville.
CLYDE O. HAINES.
There have been rare instances when men have suddenly come into wealth, but in the great majority of cases the individual is forced to win his prosperity by earnest, self-denying labor, by unfaltering energy and capable management. The latter course is undoubtedly the better one in that it devel- ops man's energies and powers and teaches him to know himself and his capa- bilities. Clyde O. Haines through gradual stages of development has worked his way steadily upward until he is now in control of a profitable business as secretary of the White-Haines Optical Company. He was born at Alliance, Ohio, November 8, 1868, a son of John C. Haines, who for some years con- ducted a merchants tailoring business there, but is now retired. The family is of English lineage and arrived in America in the early part of the seven- teenth century, landing at Philadelphia. They were thus numbered among the founders of the colony as English settlements began to be made in the new world. The mother of Clyde O. Haines was in her maidenhood Rebecca Rit- ter, a native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of John Ritter, a farmer of Ohio. They had eight children, six sons and two daughters, namely: William R., Ada E., Alvin D., Charles F., Harriett D., Clyde O., L. B. and L. G.
Clyde O. Haines in pursuing his education attended the public schools of Mount Union, Ohio, the high school at that place and the Mount Union Col- lege. Subsequently he entered a dry-goods store as a clerk, and was thus em- ployed in Mount Union for two years, after which he went to Alliance, Ohio, where he continued in the same line of business until his removal to Columbus in January, 1888. Here he entered the jewelry store of Barnitz & Nune- macher, with whom he remained for eight years. On the expiration of that period he began business on his own account at No. 53 North High street under the firm name of Haines & Oberer, conducting a jewelry and optical business. After four years at that location Mr. Haines opened an optical store at No. 52 North High street. where he continued for a year, after which he organized
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the White-Haines Optical Company, with offices at No. 72 North High street. While located there a disastrous fire occurred in 1907. In the previous Octo- ber the firm had separated their wholesale and retail departments, the whole- sale being removed to Long and High streets. After the fire the retail depart- ment purchased the H. Cole Company's optical department at No. 82 North High street, where business has since been conducted. Their patronage is ex- tensive and growing constantly, and they occupy a foremost place in the ranks of those who have similar enterprises in Columbus.
In June, 1900, Mr. Haines was united in marriage to Miss Ruth Feni- more, of this city, a direct descendant of James Fenimore Cooper, the well- known American novelist. Her father, John C. Fenimore, was a commercial traveler, who became one of the principal organizers of the United Commer- cial Travelers Association. Mr. and Mrs. Haines have become the parents of one son, Howard Fenimore, born in Columbus October 5, 1901. Mr. Haines is prominent in Masonry, having attained the thirty-second degree in the con- sistory, while of the Mystic Shrine he is also a member. He belongs likewise to the Ohio Club and to the Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal church. Those who know him socially find him a genial, cordial gentleman, and he has won warm friendship and high regard not only in social, but also in business circles.
WELLMAN L. WOLCOTT.
Wellman L. Wolcott has been a resident of Franklin county from early manhood, or for more than a third of a century, and as the years have gone by has rejoiced in what has been accomplished in the county along the lines of substantial improvement and material and intellectual progress. He was born in Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 10, 1853, and is a descendant of Henry Wolcott, the first of the name in America, who arrived at the time of the Puritan settlement in New England. Among his ancestors was also numbered Oliver Wolcott, Governor of Connecticut, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence; also Oliver Wolcott, Jr., an early governor of Connecticut and secretary of the treasury during the presidency of General Washington.
Reared in the place of his nativity, Wellman L. Wolcott completed his education in the Pennsylvania State Normal School and at Towanda, Penn- sylvania. He was afterward a successful teacher in New York and Pennsyl- vania before his removal to Ohio, and when he came to this state he took up his abode in Perry township, Franklin county. He was then a young man, and in the intervening years has been closely associated with the progress and the development of the county along many lines. He had been here but a short period when he was elected justice of the peace of Perry township, being called to the office when only twenty-three years of age. That he served capa- bly and that his decisions were strictly fair and impartial was shown by the fact that he was reelected. receiving all excepting twenty votes cast at the
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election, but during his second term he resigned and removed to Columbus. He engaged in the real estate business for himself, and has since followed that pursuit. Moreover, he is recognized as a writer and poet of ability and is the author of the poem entitled "Old Pioneer," which appears in the historical section of this volume.
Mr. Wolcott was married to Miss Elvira Wills, the wedding being cele- brated in Franklin county in 1875. She is a daughter of David and Sarah Wills and a granddaughter of William Armstrong, who participated in mili- tary affairs against the Indians. Her people at one time owned the land where the city hall now stands, and were very prominent and influential in this com- munity. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott have been born four children: Carrie Bell, David Harold, Alida Alene, and Walter Layton, all of whom are at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Wolcott are widely and favorably known here and both are descended from prominent families, having back of them an ancestry honor- able and distinguished. Mr. Wolcott has always been a broad, liberal and deep thinker and his literary interest and culture have made him a favorite in social circles where intelligence is received as a passport into good society.
JOHN DUFFY.
John Duffy, who for many years was successfully engaged in the gro- cery business in Columbus, is now living retired in a beautiful home in this city, surrounded by a host of warm friends and by all the comforts that go to make life worth living. Mr. Duffy is a native of County Tipperary, Ire- land, born in June, 1840, and is one of ten children, of whom three are now living, the parents being Dennis and Margaret Duffy. The mother died in Ireland and subsequently, in 1847, the father came with his family to America and, landing in New York, worked for a time at railroading in Oneida county, that state. He later came to Columbus, where his death occurred.
John Duffy, whose name introduces this review, is the eldest of the liv- ing members of the family, his two sisters being Mrs. Annie Burns and Mrs. Marie Mara, both widows, residing in Columbus. The son was a little lad of seven years at the time of the emigration of the family to the new world. He acquired his education in the schools of the Empire state and in 1854, when a youth of fourteen years, came to Columbus, Ohio. His first work here was in the employ of Peter Hayden, in a chain pump establishment, his com- pensation being the meager sum of a dollar and fifty-six cents per week. After a year thus employed he secured a position as bell boy in the old Amer- ican Hotel, working there six years. During this time he saved a little money and was anxious to engage in business on his own account. Wishing to gain a knowledge of the grocery business, he offered to drive a grocery wagon, giving his service gratis. He was thus engaged for a year and a half and in 1861, feeling that he had gained the desired knowledge and experience to successfully conduct an enterprise on his own account, he
JOHN DUFFY
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opened a grocery store at the corner of Third and Long streets, where he remained for twenty-three years. Although he began on a small scale, the volume of his trade increased until he was the owner of an important estab- lishment. In 1884 he disposed of his stock of goods and retired to private life. He has, however, for some time speculated in realty, buying, improving, and selling property, and in this way has made a handsome profit. He owns a beautiful modern home in Columbus and therein takes extreme pleasure in entertaining his numerous friends.
Mr. Duffy was married in 1868, the lady of his choice being Miss Mary Dolan, who was likewise a native of the Emerald isle. They have five liv- ing children, namely: Mary, the wife of Urick Sloane, of Columbus ; Thomas J., William D., George D. and Helen B., all at home. They also lost two children.
A democrat in principle and practice, Mr. Duffy has served in the office of assessor. He is a communicant of the Columbus Catholic cathedral, taking an active and helpful part in the various lines of church work. At the time of the erection of this house of worship Mr. Duffy served as one of the building committee and assisted in the location of its present site and also contributed generously toward the building of the church. He is now the only surviving member of that committee. He is a pub- lic-spirited citizen and takes a deep interest in all matters which tend toward the development and improvement of the city of his residence He is a kindly, genial gentleman, being to all people equally affable, whether they are poor or have wealth.
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