USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 73
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DANIEL WILLIAM MCGRATH.
Daniel William McGrath is a general contractor of Columbus, numbered among those whose work has set the standard in building lines in the capital city. He was born in Livingston county, New York, September 15, 1854. His father, Patrick McGrath, was born in Ireland in 1829, and when a young man of twenty years came to America in 1849. He settled in Madison county, Ohio, on his removal from the east and there engaged in farming for many years. Eventually he removed to Franklin county, where he took up his abode in 1892, his death occurring in Columbus in 1904. He was then about sev- enty-five years of age and his demise terminated a life of intense and well di- rected activity. In 1853 he wedded Miss Mary Maher, who was also a native of the Green Isle of Erin, and on crossing the Atlantic became a resident of Canada. Her death occurred in 1902.
The public schools of Madison county, Ohio, afforded Daniel William McGrath his educational privileges and when not busy with his text-books he worked in the fields, assisting in the labors of the home farm until eighteen years of age, when, deciding that he would find other pursuits more congenial and profitable to him than the work of the fields, he began an apprenticeship at the bricklayer's trade, coming to Columbus in 1874. In this city he worked at his trade for ten years, during a portion of which time he was construction foreman. In 1884 he entered the contracting field on his own account and has become the most extensive builder of the city. Among the more conspic- uous of the structures which he has erected are the Wyandotte building, the buildings for King, Gilbert & Warner, the Columbus Iron & Steel Company, the Buckeye Malleable Iron Works, the Spahr building, the Outlook building, the Brunson building, the Schultz building, the First National Bank building, the American Savings Bank building, several of the structures of the Ohio State University, the Lazarus building and the Mount Carmel Hospital.
On the 17th of April, 1883, Mr. McGrath was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane Hunter, a daughter of William and Mary (Gallagher) Hunter.
D. W. MCGRATH
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They have six children: Edward Hunter, Francis Joseph, John A., Marie, Lillian and Anna. The family residence at No. 1575 Niel avenne is one of the finest homes in North Columbus.
Mr. McGrath is a member of the Board of Trade and the Builders' Ex- change, being interested in all that pertains to the city's development so that he cooperates in the measures of these organizations to promote the growth and substantial development of the capital. In his social relations he is con- nected with the Ohio Club, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Knights of Columbus. He is a member of St. Francis Catholic church and is independent in politics. He has attained an enviable measure of pros- perity and his life record is a splendid example of the self-made man, showing what may be accomplished when one has determination and energy. Starting out in life without the assistance of influential friends or any pecuniary ad- vantage, he has worked his way steadily upward until he occupies a prominent position in business circles, enjoying the unqualified confidence of the general public and the admiration and respect of his contemporaries and business asso- cates. He early learned to retain that which is essential, to discard the non- essential and to improve every opportunity for advancement, knowing that the world judges a man not by what he is capable of doing but by what he does.
CHARLES N. ALLEN.
Charles N. Allen, deceased, was born in Denton, Maryland, on the 7th of September, 1824, his parents being Joseph and Rebecca (Tucker) Allen, who were natives of Maryland. In May, 1834, they removed to Wheeling, West Virginia, and in the following year took up their abode in Freeport, Ohio. Charles N. Allen was one of a family of five children and in 1836 was sent to Wheeling to learn the printer's trade. Removing to Freeport in 1838, he there worked for two years with his father, who was a tailor by occupation. From 1842 until 1845 he resided at Meadow Farm near Zanesville, Ohio, while the year 1847 found him in Cincinnati. On the 10th of May of that year he enlisted for service in the Mexican war as a member of Company I, Fourth Ohio Infantry, and was honorably discharged in Cincinnati in 1848. Subse- quently Mr. Allen worked as a printer at Cadiz and in December, 1849, re- turned to Freeport, Ohio, where he published a paper called the Stillwater Val- ley. In 1850 he went to West Chester, Butler county, Ohio, there publishing the West Chester Times until April, 1851, when the plant was destroyed by fire. Afterward removing to Cadiz, he purchased the Cadiz Sentinel in part- nership with Messrs. Giles and Blaine, and in 1852 bought the interest of his partners, conducting the paper until September 1, 1865. At that date he began the publication of the Steubenville Gazette, which he continued until 1875, when he sold out. He was elected justice of the peace in 1876, and in April, 1880, began publishing the Bellaire Democrat, with which he was connected until 1884, when he came to Columbus, Ohio, and was appointed superin- tendent of printing and librarian at the penitentiary by Governor Hoadley.
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He also served as justice of the peace in Columbus for three years, was chair- man of the state democratic central committee and was ever an active and in- fluential factor in local and state politics.
Fraternally Mr. Allen was connected with the Masons, while his religious faith was indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His demise occurred in Columbus, Ohio, in 1896 and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He was widely recognized as a prominent newspaper man of the state and the success which crowned his undertakings was but the merited reward of his well-directed labor and talent. His upright and honor- able career won him the respect and admiration of all with whom he was asso- ciated and therefore, though more than a decade has passed since he was called from this life, his memory is still cherished by those who enjoyed his compan- ionship and friendship.
Mr. Allen was married twice. He first wedded Miss Elizabeth Fleming and subsequent to her demise was again married, on the 19th of July, 1864, his second union being with Caroline Timmons, a native of Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio. Her parents, Forney and Elizabeth (Lacey) Timmons, natives of Ohio, were born in the years 1817 and 1818 respectively. The father passed away in Harrison county, Ohio, in May, 1886, while the mother lived to attain the age of eighty years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Allen were born nine children, three of whom survive: Caroline Elizabeth and Thurman G., both residents of Columbus, Ohio; and Lucy, the wife of George Smart, of Cleveland, Ohio. The son is now secretary of the Allen Manufacturing Company of Columbus and also acts as salesman. Fraternally, he, too, is a Mason.
Caroline Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Charles N. Allen, is a graduate nurse of the Protestant Hospital, leaving that institution in 1894. She did valuable service in her professional capacity during the Spanish-American war, being located at Lexington, Kentucky, and at Columbus. In 1901 she took up tuberculosis work and for two years was visiting district nurse, and now has charge of the visiting for the Columbus Tuberculosis Society. In addition to the skill and ability which she has attained in her profession by training and experience she also possesses that spirit of kindly helpfulness and tender solicitude which at once quiets and soothes the sufferer. The circle of her friends is almost coextensive with the circle of her acquaintances and all who know her entertain for her the warmest esteem and regard.
JACOB FELBER.
The name of Jacob Felber is now found on the roll of the honored dead of Columbus. He was for many years a respected and worthy resident of the city, occupying a prominent position in business circles by reason of his enter- prise, well-directed activity, and unquestioned business probity. While Ger- many, France and England, perhaps, furnished a larger number of citizens to the new world than has Switzerland, none have been more loyal to the in-
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terests of their adopted land than they who have come from the land of the Alps.
Jacob Felber was among the number who were born in Switzerland, his natal year being 1840. He spent the first twelve years of his life in the place of his birth and then came to America in 1852, locating first at Kenton, Har- din county, Ohio. In 1859 he came to Columbus, where he learned the baker's trade and from that time until his death was engaged in business interests of that character. He was first located at the southest corner of High and Cherry streets, learning the trade under the direction of O. H. Lattimer. His efficiency and faithfulness won him promotion, and ambitious to engage in business on his own account he improved his opportunities and saved his earnings until his industry and careful expenditure justified his embarkation in business for himself. He became a partner in the bakery and confectionery business under the firm name of Krause & Felber, which relation was maintained from No- vember, 1866, until June, 1868, when George W. Coleman purchased the in- terest of the senior partner and the firm style of Coleman & Felber was then assumed. Mr. Coleman died very suddenly in 1892 and Mr. Felber conducted the business, which was carried on under the old firm style of Coleman & Fel- ber, until our subject's death. Mr. Coleman's interest was inherited by his wife and children, while later Mr. Felber's interest became the property of his heirs.
In the meantime, however, in February, 1889, Mr. Coleman and Mr. Fel- ber became interested in the Busy Bee Candy Kitchen, the most extensive res- taurant in the city and in the state. The candy kitchen embraced seven stores, including the main establishment at Nos. 43 to 54 north High street. Thus the subject of this review greatly extended his interests until his. business af- fairs were of large magnitude and brought to him a gratifying annual return. He used his opportunities to the best advantage and was quick to note each chance for advancement and development. His business set the standard for other enterprises of similar character, and through the careful management and business foresight of Mr. Felber this interest took a leading place in com- mercial circles.
On the 10th of March, 1884, was celebrated the marriage of Jacob Felber to Miss Barbara Caroline Bond, a native of Hocking county, Ohio. Unto them were born seven children, three sons and four daughters: George Clayton, who died in 1907; Clara, now Mrs. John H. Murry; Frank, connected with the Felber Biscuit Company; Mary J .; Elizabeth, who married M. Stone; Charles H., deceased ; and George, deceased.
The death of the husband and father occurred in Columbus, December 15, 1900. He had built a fine home on Bryden road, where his wife still resides. He was a quiet and unassuming man but was widely and favorably known in business circles and was, moreover, an active and helpful member of the Third Street Methodist Episcopal church. He attained the thirty-second degree in Masonry and belonged to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Everywhere in our land are found men who have worked their own way from humble be- ginnings to leadership in trade and commerce and to the management of finan- cial affairs. It is one of the glories of our nation that it is so and it should be the strongest incentive and encouragement to the youth of our country. Such
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was the life record of Jacob Felber who could justly be called a self-made man and who was, moreover, a man honored, respected and esteemed wherever known and most of all where he was best known.
SAMUEL COATE JONES.
Samuel Coate Jones, a practitioner at the Columbus bar, is preeminently a man of affairs and one who has wielded a wide influence, not only in pro- fessional lines but in shaping public policy in connection with many interests which have contributed to general development and improvement. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, near Pleasant Hill, January 21, 1854. His father, Samuel B. Jones, was also a native of Miami county, following the occu- pation of farming and becoming a prosperous, substantial and well-known agri- culturist. He served as justice of the peace for many years and died in June, 1890, a much respected and worthy citizen. His wife, in her maidenhood, Rhoda C. Coate, was also born in Miami county, her people coming from Eng- land to Ohio at an early date in the history of this state. Mrs. Jones still sur- vives and is now eighty-three years of age.
On the home farm Samuel C. Jones was reared and through the summer months aided in the labors of the field, while in the winter season he attended the district schools until nineteen years of age. He afterward enjoyed the ben- efit of instruction in Antioch College for two years and on the expiration of that period he went to. Ann Arbor, Michigan, and matriculated in the State University there, devoting a year to the study of engineering. In 1878 as a civil engineer he aided in laying out the narrow gauge line between Dayton and Toledo known as the Dayton, Covington & Toledo Railroad, being thus busily employed until the spring of 1879. During this time he was devoting every available moment to the study of law and was admitted to the bar on the 9th of April, 1879. He was at that time a resident of West Milton, Miami county, where he opened a law office and became the first attorney for the railroad which he had formerly represented as a civil engineer. While living at West Milton he served as a memebr of the school board and also as mayor of the town, but thinking to find better opportunities for professional advancement he left that place in 1883 and went to Troy, Ohio. In the fall of the following year he was elected prosecuting attorney of Miami county and that the discharge of his duties was prompt and capable is indicated by the fact that he was continued in the position by reelection for six years.
In 1891 Mr. Jones became a resident of Columbus and here served for one term as a member of the city council, being elected in 1893. He declined re- election at the close of that term and was then elected one of the professors in the law school which had been organized, being thus identified with educa- tional interests for two years. During all this time he was practicing law, and while he continued in general practice he has largely specialized in corpora- tion law, is now attorney for many corporations and has been receiver for many concerns. He ranks high in his profession, enjoying the uniform regard of
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bench and bar, as well as of the general public. He has also served in official positions, being the first mayor of Grandview, a village near Columbus, to which office he was elected in May, 1906. In November, 1907, he was re- elected and is now the chief executive officer of that village.
Mr. Jones has been married twice. In 1878 he wedded Emma M. Kellog, who died in 1888, leaving four children : Victor Waite, born in 1880 and now an employe of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company; Blaine K., born 1882, at present with Rogers & Rutherford, serving in the capacity of local security man ; Fern Dimple, the wife of Bertram F. Allen, auditor of Eldridge Higgins & Company; and Hubbard B., born 1888, now with D. C. Beggs Company. On the 1st of December, 1898, Mr. Jones was again married, his second union being with Mamie T. Henterscheid, of Columbus.
He is a member of the Third Avenue Methodist Episcopal church and of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. He gives his political allegiance to the republican party and keeps well informed on the issues which divide the two great political organizations. Along professional lines he is connected with the Franklin County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association, and for three years he served as the president of the Prosecuting Attorneys' State Association. His habits of life have contributed largely to his success. In his boyhood lessons of industry were early impressed upon his mind and he has always followed the admonition of the old Greek sage Epicharmus who said: "Earn thy reward, the gods give not to sloth." Realizing that industry is as much an essential to success in the law as in industrial and commercial pursuits, he has always prepared his cases with profound care, diligently search- ing every author that he might be fortified in every point of law bearing upon his case. He is regarded as a formidable opponent by the profession, while the general public respect him as a safe counselor and able advocate.
ALEXANDER STITT.
The self-made and successful men of the past generation, like those of the present, found that their experiences were none the less strenuous than those of the present day, nor were their final successes less pleasurable to themselves and their friends. This is true when applied in most of the instances and was especially so to the late Alexander Stitt and his friends and family.
He was born in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, October 5, 1828. At thirteen he moved, with his father, to Rich Valley, Indiana, and took charge of the farm while his father, Archibald, superintended the work on a section of the Wabash & Erie Canal. At the age of seventeen he came to Columbus and worked for James McKee in the grocery business on Broad street and boarded at the old Buckeye Hotel. After three years he returned to Wabash, Indiana, and entered the dry-goods business and continued until 1875. Returning to Columbus with his wife and three children, he took Thomas Stitt's interest in the Stitt, Price & Company, contractors and dealers in building materials on North Scioto street. The old limekiln stood on the site of the Buckeye Trans-
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fer & Storage Company's building. While in the building material business Mr. Stitt took the contract for furnishing stone for paving North High street in 1877. He continued in this business until 1898, amassing a competence for himself and family, and retired from active business at the turn of the cen- tury. He passed away February 9, 1901. His ability to remember faces and names was remarkable. He was most generous, charitable and considerate, and would always help anyone who was in trouble if it was in his power.
He had little opportunity to secure an education in his youth, but as he came in contact with the world he picked up a practical education almost un- consciously to himself and always kept abreast the progress of the times.
On January 20, 1853, Mr. Stitt was married to Mahala Miles, a native of Preble county, Ohio, born June 11, 1833, and to them were born three chil- dren, as follows: Walter Preston, who died in Columbus; Effie Jane, now Mrs. Ephriam L. Harris, of Columbus; and Edwin Eugene, also a resident of Columbus. Mrs. Stitt resides at 1727 Franklin Park, South.
LUELLEN D. LAMPMAN.
For many years Luellen D. Lampman was closely identified with impor- tant business interests of Columbus. He is a man of keen discrimination and sound judgment, and his executive ability and excellent management have brought him a large degree of success, so that he is now enabled to live prac- tically retired, giving supervision only to his realty interests, from which he derives a good annual income.
Mr. Lampman was born in Cleveland, Lesueur county, Minnesota, Decem- ber 8, 1859, being the first white male child born in the county. His parents, Nathaniel B. and Emma Mary (Reed) Lampman, were both natives of Oneida county, New York. The father was a surveyor and civil engineer. In 1856 he removed to Minnesota and there followed his profession throughout the remainder of his active business career. In 1902 he came to Columbus and made his home with his son until his demise in March, 1908, when he had reached the age of seventy-six years. The wife and mother preceded him to the home beyond, her death occurring in 1898, when she was sixty-six years of age. Luellen D. Lampman is the eldest in a family of six children, the others being: Clinton P., a resident of Chicago, Illinois; Linden L., who is sheriff of Williams county, North Dakota; Howard R., a resident of Willis- ton, North Dakota; Mrs. Emma Lou Abbott, of San Diego, California; and Brooks J., deceased.
Luellen D. Lampman acquired his early education in the common schools of his native county and later attended school at St. Peter, where he was a class- mate of Governor Johnson of Minnesota. Subsequently he entered the Uni- versity of Minnesota at Minneapolis, while later he took a business course in the C. C. Curtice Business College of that city. Thus qualified for the responsible and arduous duties of a business life, Mr. Lampman secured a position as bookkeeper in Minneapolis. After a short time, however, he went
L. D. LAMPMAN
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west in 1878 and spent two years on the plains as a cowboy. On the expira- tion of that period he returned home and assumed the management of a country store owned by his father.
In 1882 he came to Ohio and made a location at Nelsonville, Athens county, where he entered the employ of the Nelsonville Plaining Mill Com- pany. He was thus engaged for a year and a half, when, ambitious to enter business on his own account, in 1884 he bought an interest in a coal enterprise, afterward conducted under the firm name of Juniper Brothers & Lampman. They handled the Hocking Valley and Sandy Creek valley coal and developed number of coal mines. Later the firm was incorporated under the name of The Hocking Coal Exchange & Mining Company, of which Mr. Lampman was elected president. The business developed from a small beginning to an enterprise of extensive proportions, enjoying large annual sales.
While residing in Nelsonville, Mr. Lampman also took an active part in public affairs. At different times he served on the city council and was al- ways interested in public improvement and was instrumental in having the streets of the city paved. He feels that he owes much of his success in life to P. W. Huntington, who was president of the Huntington National Bank of Columbus, and was a pioneer in the banking business of Columbus. In his early business experience and when Mr. Lampman was often forced to meet financial crises, Mr. Huntington not only gave advice and counsel, but also gave substantial aid to him. These acts of kindness were highly appreciated by Mr. Lampman, for the old adage that a friend in need is a friend indeed proved true in this case.
In 1902 Mr. Lampman took up his abode in Columbus, where he owns and occupies a beautiful modern residence. In 1906 he disposed of his min- ing interests and since that time has merely given supervision to his realty interests in this city, whereby he derives a substantial income each year. His success in life is well merited, for it has come to him through honorable busi- ness methods and by close application to each and every undertaking.
Mr. Lampman was married in 1880 to Miss Alice M. Welch, who was born in 1860, in Nelsonville, Ohio, a daughter of Captain John F. and Sarah (Min- ton) Welch, both of whom were natives of the Buckeye state. Their family numbered six children, of whom five are living, namely: Elizabeth, the wife of Dr. Charles Junkerman, of Columbus; Dr. Charles E., a resident of Nelson- ville, this state; Minta, the wife of Robert A. Doan, of Columbus; Mrs. Lamp- man ; and Dr. Harry, a practicing physician of Chillicothe, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Lampman has been blessed with a daughter and son, May E. and Forbes B., both at home.
Politically a republican, Mr. Lampman gives stalwart support to the party and has ever taken a deep interest in everything that tends toward the advance- ment of his home locality and the country at large. Popular in social and fraternal organizations, he is identified with the Elks and belongs to the Co- lumbus Riding. Buckeye Republican and the Ohio Clubs. He is likewise a director of the Security Savings Bank. He is a man in public life, not in the sense of office seeking, yet he has nevertheless exerted immeasurable influence in the city of his residence; in business life as a financier and promoter of ex-
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tensive industrial enterprises; in social circles by reason of a charmng person- ality and unfeigned cordiality ; in politics by reason of his public spirit and de- votion to the general good, as well as his comprehensive understanding of many of the questions affecting state and national welfare.
ALFRED TAYLOR SCHROCK.
Alfred Taylor Schrock, identified with the farming interests of Franklin county, is living in Blendon township on the farm which was his birthplace and has always been his home. Here he first opened his eyes to the light of day on the 5th of July, 1853, his parents being George W. and Rachel (Ins- keep) Schrock. The father's birth occurred in Romney, West Virginia, De- cember 12, 1804, while the mother was born at Green Spring Run, Maryland, - December 1, 1811. They were married at her home and made the journey by wagon to Franklin county in 1835, a few weeks after their marriage. As Mr. Schrock's financial resources were then quite limited, he rented a tract of land but later bought the property and spent his remaining days upon it, while at the present writing it is the property of his son Alfred. There as the years passed by he carried on general agricultural pursuits, bringing his fields under a high state of cultivation and as time went on he prospered and purchased other property until he became the owner of about five hundred acres of valuable land situated in Sharon and Blendon townships. He was considered one of the wealthy farmers of this vicinity and, moreover, was an exemplary man, whose life was characterized by industry, thrift and integrity. He was an ac- tive, influential and helpful member of the Presbyterian church and he gave . his political support to the republican party, which elected him to several local offices. He died upon the old homestead farm on Christmas day of 1877, while his wife, surviving him for about two years, passed away September 2, 1879.
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