USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 10
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John J. Simmons, the father of Warren W. Simmons, was born at Homer, Ohio, September 17, 1826, and his environments in youth were those of the pioneer district. He attained manhood and married Miss Mary J. Wise, who was born in Washington, Pennsylvania, and was of Dutch lineage. She was the niece of Governor Wise, of Virginia, and cousin of Judge Wise and the daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Wise.
Warren W. Sinnons was educated in the district schools and in the normal school at Utica, Ohio, where he spent two years. after which he be- came a pupil of the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. For thirteen years he successfully engaged in school teaching and in the meantime carried on general agricultural pursuits in Licking county, Ohio, where he yet owns a model farm of one hundred and thirteen acres. He has been identified with commercial interests since 1893, when he became a traveling salesman for a carriage manufactory, remaining in that connection until 1900. Dur- ing the succeeding three years he was active in the management of the Buck- eye Fertilizer Company, having charge of the agency department with jurisdiction over the territory of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky. In 1903 he became connected with the Central Ohio Building & Loan Company and was elected secretary and general manager, still holding the dual position. He has closely studied the business, the opportunities for its development and the possibilities for success, and in control of its affairs has developed a profitable undertaking. As he has found opportunity and his financial re- sources have permitted, he has made judicial investments in real estate and is now the owner of considerable Columbus property.
On the 11th of May, 1882, Mr. Simmons was united in marriage to Miss Hattie G. Lake, a daughter of Vincent V. and Amy Lake, of Johnstown, Ohio, her father being one of the best known stock-breeders of that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Simmons are the parents of five sons and a daughter: John V., twenty-six years of age, residing in Licking county, who married Essie Harris and has one son and one daughter, Fred and Louise H .; Austin A., twenty- four years of age, who married Olive Dewitt and makes his home at No. 86 Hayden avenue, Columbus; Scott E., twenty-two years of age, who married Winnifred Wickham, now living at No. 86 Clarendon avenue, Columbus; Louise, who died at the age of four years; Park, thirteen years of age; and Rolf. nine years of age, both of whom are still under the parental roof. The family residence is at No. 82 Hayden avenue.
Mr. and Mrs. Simmons hold membership in the West Park Methodist church and take active and helpful interest in its work, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its activities. Mr. Simmons is now serving as a trustee of the church and was for some time the superintendent
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of the Glenwood Methodist Episcopal Sunday school, while his wife is a lead- ing member of the Ladies' Aid Society and is also active in temperance work.
Mr. Simmons votes with the democracy, but the honors and emoluments of office liave no attraction for him. Fraternally he is connected with the Masons and with the Knights of Pythias. He is one of the most straightfor- ward, energetic and successful business men of Columbus, courteous, genial, well informed, alert and enterprising, standing today as one of the leading representativa citizens of the capital city.
CLAUDE T. DEATRICK.
Claude T. Deatrick, state agent at Columbus for the Home Fire In- surance Company of New York, with jurisdiction over the entire state, was born on the 2d of June, 1858, in the city of Defiance, Ohio, so named in honor of Fort Defiance, which was erected by General Anthony Wayne in the later years of the eighteenth century. His father, John Frederick Deat- rick, is a native of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and a son of John Jacob .Nicholas Deatrick, who in the year 1832 left the Keystone state and came with his family to Ohio, settling in Wayne county. He was a woolen manu- facturer, and was the first to engage in that business in the section in which he located. While spending his boyhood days under the parental roof John F. Deatrick learned the woolen manufacturer's trade, and devoted the years of his youth and early manhood to that work, but, thinking to find other pursuits more congenial and profitable, went to Defiance in 1851 and became a law student in the office and under the direction of Colonel David Taylor. He was admitted to the bar in 1858, and has since practiced law in that city, covering a period of more than half a century. He has been accorded a large and important clientele, and moreover is one of the oldest insurance men of the state, having been actively connected with the business since 1856. His enterprise and determination have carried him far beyond mediocrity to a place among the successful business and professional men of Ohio, the force of his character enabling him to set at naught the various obstacles and diffi- culties which bar the path of progress for every individual. The regard and trust of his fellow townsmen has been manifest in his election to the office of mayor of Defiance, in which position he has served for five terms. giving to the city a businesslike administration characterized by needed reform and improvement. He was also deputy United States marshal and has filled other important trusts. In early manhood he wedded Miss Nancy Taylor, a daughter of Judge John Taylor, one of the well known residents of Cham- paign county, Ohio. Her father was a Virginian by birth and became one of the pioneer settlers of this state, where his ability led to his selection for public office. He was one of the early associate judges of Ohio, was also a member of the state senate during the formative period in its history and in journalistic circles was well known as editor and publisher of the Western Dominion. His connection with this field of labor, as well as his activity in
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C. T. DEATRICK
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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political and official circles, made him one of the most widely acquainted men of the state in his time and he numbered as his friends the majority of those who were leaders in public life.
Reared in the city of his nativity, C. T. Deatrick was a pupil in the pub- lic schools of Defiance until seventeen of age, when he joined his father in the insurance business and the following year was given charge of the busi- ness, the partnership relation between them existing until 1898. Careful study and thoroughness in all that he did brought him comprehensive knowl- edge of insurance interests and his ability was manifest in the constantly growing patronage of the office. At length the Home Fire Insurance Com- pany of New York, believing that Columbus would prove a desirable point from which to operate, selected Mr. Deatrick to establish an office in this city in 1898, and he now has sole charge of the operations of the company in Ohio, a company for which his father was the first representative in 1859. C. T. Deatrick has been associated with the corporation for thirty-three years and it is uniformly conceded that he occupies one of the most important in- surance positions of the state and discharges his duties therein with marked ability. In fact the company leaves the management of its interests in Ohio to his discretion and has entrusted him with other important commissions. After the memorable fires in Baltimore and San Francisco he was dispatched to these cities to safeguard and protect the interests of the Home Fire Insurance Company in the adjustments which followed, and his service in this connec- tion was characterized by equity, beneficial alike to the company and its clients.
During the past eleven years Mr. Deatrick and his family have been residents of Columbus, in which city they have gained many warm friends. In 1882 he married Miss Hattie E. Osborn, a daughter of Captain Ransom P. Os- born, of Napoleon. They have four children: Laura, the wife of Robert S. Carnes, of Memphis, Tennessee; Robert S., who is engaged in the insurance business with his father, being a representative of the third generation with the same company; Nellie; and Claude T., Jr. Something of the nature and character of Mr. Deatrick's recreation interests is indicated in the fact fact of his membership in the Ohio Field Club and that he is one of the grand officers of the Ancient and Honorable Order of the Blue Goose. He is also a Mason and has attained the Knight Templar degree. Modestly in- clined, he does not sound his own praises but the substantial qualities of his life and work have gained for him the admiration and respect of his fellowmen and the substantial rewards of faithful and superior service.
ORVILLE McCOY SPENCER.
Orville McCoy Spencer, now secretary, treasurer and general manager of the Coe-Spencer Lumber Company of Columbus, was at one time a news- boy on the first train that ran over the Hocking Valley Railroad to Lancaster, Ohio. He became identified with industrial interests at the age of fifteen years
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and his gradual advancement has resulted from the possession of those quali- ties which in the business world have always been considered meritorious and worthy of recognition. A native of Muskingum county, Ohio, he was born January 17, 1856. His father, Evi Spencer, was a native of the same locality and became well known as a lumberman, operating a portable saw- mill. He continued in that business for many years and at length retired on account of ill health. In 1867 he removed to Columbus, where his re- maining days were passed, his death occurring in 1869. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Su-an Newkirk, was a native of northern Ohio and re- moved to Columbus with her parents in early girlhood. She long survived her husband, passing away in 1891, more than twenty years after his death. The Spencer family came from New Jersey to Ohio in the early part of the nineteenth century and representatives of the name have since been prominent in various lines of life. Three brothers of Evi Spencer were soldiers of the Civil War.
Orville McCoy Spencer was a youth of eleven years when the family re- moved to Columbus. Hle pursued his education in the public schools of Ohio and. as stated, became a newshoy on the first Hocking Valley Railroad train to Lancaster, Ohio. In his early youth he assisted his father in operating a portable sawmill and subsequent to his father's death he obtained employ- ment in a box factory. Later he secured a position in a basket factory north of Goodale park, beginning there at the age of fifteen years. In 1875 he was employed as office boy by the Door, Sash & Lumber Company and was succes- sively promoted through various positions, remaining in the employ of that concern for fifteen years. The plant occupied the present site of the plant of the Coe-Spencer Lumber Company. In 1890 Mr. Spencer joined Mr. Coe in organizing the Coe-Spencer Lumber Company. and they began business in the old Lovejoy plant but left that location to lease the plant of the Door, Sash & Lumber Company, where Mr. Spencer continues to the present time, Mr. Coe having retired in 1903. In the previous year the Coe-Spencer Lumber Company was incorporated with Mr. Spencer as secretary, treasurer and gen- eral manager. They conduct a general retail lumber business and also have an extensive planing mill in connection. This is one of the leading and repre- sentative houses of this character in the city, and their business is now large and profitable. Mr. Spencer is most methodical in all of his work, and sys- tematic in everything that he undertakes. To this quality and his indefa- tigable energy his success is attributable.
In 1880 occurred the marriage of Mr. Spencer and Miss Mary Metters, a native of Columbus. They have three sons: Raymond, who was born in 1886 and is a draftsman for the Columbus Heating & Ventilating Company; Edwin, who was born in 1889 and is engaged in business with his father; Irvine, who was born in 1899 and is attending school. The family attends the Congregational church. Mr. Spencer is a member of the Board of Trade. and is interested in all that pertains to the advancement and improvement of business conditions here. He is fond of fishing, but, while he enjoys that pastime, he has always made his business his first consideration, realizing
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that upon his own efforts has depended his success. He is today enjoying well merited prosperity, and is widely and favorably known in business cir- cles of the city.
MALCOLM A. KARSHNER.
Those who study the signs of the times cannot but be impressed with the fact that it is the young men who are molding the destiny of the country in its varied political, military and commercial relations. This may be due to several reasons, one being the fact that educational advantages are superior to those of a generation or more ago and thus the young man is equipped by school training for work for which his father had to prepare in the more difficult school of experience.
Malcolm A. Karshner is today well known as one of the republican leaders of Columbus and is making his influence felt in state affairs. In all of his political work he brings to bear the same spirit of enterprise and pro- gressiveness, which are the dominant factors in business life and is as careful in matters of political control as he would be in the management of a com- mercial or industrial concern. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born in Lancaster, July 12, 1877, his parents being George W. and Clara Karshner, the former a popular and well known traveling salesman. At the usual age he entered the public schools of Columbus and, passing through consecutive grades, made a creditable record in his high-school work, which was termin- ated by graduation. Further educational opportunities were afforded him and. entering the Ohio State University, he was graduated from the phar- macal course in 1894. He then entered business ranks as an employe in a drug store and was thus busily engaged for a few years. He left the drug business, however, to enter the service of the Columbus Gas Company, where he continued for a year after which he was appointed by Governor Nash a clerk in the Ohio penitentiary. He resigned in 1902 to become secretary to Mayor R. H. Jeffrey and in 1900 he was chosen a member of the republican state central committee, of which he is now secretary. He also has connec- tions with the financial interests of Columbus as the secretary of the board of directors of the Central National Bank.
By the consensus of public opinion he is accorded a position of prom- inence in republican circles and in his efforts to further the interests of his party he brings to bear a keen discrimination and a careful analysis that en- ables him to thoroughly understand existing conditions and to assimilate and coordinate forces. The democracy has recognized something of his strength in political service and those who are active in political ranks know that he has done much tangible work to further the adoption of the principles which he believes are most conducive to good government.
On the 15th of May, 1898, Mr. Karshner was married to Miss Julia Pinney and they are well known in the social circles of the city. Mr. Karsh- ner is a member of the Elks and the Knights of Pythias lodges and no func-
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tion of either of those orders is complete or entirely enjoyable without his presence. He is known in military circles as a member of Battery H, First Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery. Bright, affable, he is a man of wide ac- quaintance and popularity and his friends-and they are many in both par- ties-have no hesitancy in predicting for him continuous progress in a political career.
ROBERT H. JEFFREY.
Robert H. Jeffrey, prominent as a representative of the younger circle of business men in Columbus and one who has received expression of popular approval and regard in his election to the highest municipal office within the gift of the people, serving as mayor when but twenty-nine years of age, was born in Columbus on the 21st of December, 1873. He laid the foundation of his education when a pupil in the Douglas school, while later he pursued a preparatory course for the University School and spent two years in study in Dresden, Germany. He completed his preparation for college in the Colum- bus Latin School and at the age of seventeen years matriculated in Will- iams College, where he remained to his graduation. For several months after he had completed his course there he worked in the coal mines of Ohio and Illinois in order to learn the practical application of mining machinery. He then returned to the drafting department of the Jeffrey Manufacturing Com- pany and in afternoons attended law school at the Ohio State University. He was also for a time a student in the Columbus Business College. On entering into active connection with the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company he became an order clerk and later was purchasing agent. In the latter capacity he visited Hawaii. Samoa, New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania in the interests of the rapidly growing trade of this great establishment.
Mr. Jeffrey is a son of the well and widely known Joseph A. Jeffrey, head of the great manufacturing plant that bears his name, but the fact that he was born and reared in the midst of fortuitous environment did not spoil the boy but rather impressed him with his responsibilities and his duty toward his fellowmen. On his return from abroad he was made assistant manager of the works, employing over two thousand men, and this position he held through the period in which he also served as mayor of the city, neglecting his duty in neither capacity. He possesses splendid executive ability and keen discrimi- nation and was therefore able to capably control municipal and manufactur- ing interests at the same time and in each line securing beneficial and far- reaching results.
It was in the spring of 1903 that Mr. Jeffery was nominated by the re- publicans of Columbus as their candidate for mayor, and after a strenuous campaign he was elected over John M. Hinkle by a majority of more than thirty-five hundred. He gave to the city a businesslike and progressive admin- istration and then at the close of his first term declined a reelection, although his party would gladly have again nominated him for the office. He is one of
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the most active members of the Columbus Board of Trade, served as its president in 1902 and previous to that was chairman of the committee on manufactures. He is a young man of wonderful capacity and energy. His education is com- plete along many lines and at the early age of thirty-five years he has made a record which many a much older man would justly esteein a great distinction.
Robert H. Jeffery was united in marriage to Miss Alice Kilbourne, the only daughter of Colonel and Mrs. James Kilbourne, and they reside in a beautifully appointed home at Bullitt Park. Alive to the issues of the day, to the great questions affecting the welfare of the country, to business opportuni- ties and to the need for active, energetic workers in every line, Mr. Jeffery has and is leaving the impress of his individuality upon public thought and feel- ing and continuing at the same time a most important factor in the industrial development of the city.
ELBERT C. MORTON.
Elbert C. Morton, who since 1892 has successfully practiced law in Columbus as a member of the firm of Arnold, Morton & Irvine, was born on the 22d of August, 1866, near Cadiz, in Harrison county, Ohio, which county became famous as the home of General John A. Bingham and his facile pro- tege, General George Armstrong Custer, the ill-fated hero of Little Big Horn. The youthful days of Elbert C. Morton were spent in the home of his parents, William H. and Addie (Close) Morton. The father was for many years a prominent educator, and was connected with all of the important educational movements in his section of the state.
The son pursued his education in the schools of Cincinnati, and was graduated from both the Woodward high school and Chickering Instituto of that city. Before he left school he decided on a legal profession, and en- tered the office of Hon. R. D. Marshall, of Dayton, Ohio, who was among the ablest men and most brilliant attorneys of his time in the Ohio valley. After thorough and comprehensive preliminary reading, Mr. Morton was admitted to practice before the supreme court of Columbus in 1889. He did not im- mediately enter upon the full work of the profession, but became confiden- tial secretary to C. C. Waite, president of the Hocking Valley Railway, and in that connection his legal knowledge was of much value. Since 1892 he has been continuously in the practice in Columbus as a member of the firm of Arnold, Morton & Irvine, who are practically the same age, and all promi- nent in profesional, business and social life, and highly esteemed as citizens. They have an extensive clientage, and the nature of their legal interests places them in the foremost rank among the successful and prominent at- torneys of the city.
In 1894 Mr. Morton was married to Miss Flora Searle, of Columbus, and they have two bright and interesting children : Elbert Searles and Helen. Mr. Morton is a member of the Columbus and the Arlington Country Clubs, while in inore specifically professional lines he is connected with the State
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and Franklin County Bar Associations. Gifted by nature with strong men- tality, he has, through his natural and acquired ability, gained a place among those who have made the bar of the capital a notable one.
ALEXANDER CHALMERS BRYCE.
Careful analyzation of the life record of Alexander Chalmers Bryce indi- cates that the steps in his orderly progression are those which conform to the rules that have ever guided enterprise and determination. Watchful .of opportunities pointing to success, he has improved chances to which others have seemed oblivious and seems to have made no false moves in his business career. On the contrary he has guided his steps where mature judgment has led the way and seems to have reached at any one point of his business record the full possibility for successful accomplishment at that point. He is known in Columbus as the president and treasurer of the Bryce Brothers Company, clothiers and men's outfitters, and in other trade centers he figures in equally prominent relations.
Mr. Bryce is a native of Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, born March 16, 1852, and possesses many of the sterling characteristics of his Scotch ancestry. His father, William Bryce, was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, and went to Canada as a young man. Taking up farming as a life work, he met with prosperity, gaining a gratifying measure of success as the years passed on. Ile wedded Mary Chalmers, a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and both are now deceased, Mr. Bryce having passed away in 1888, while his wife survived until 1904.
The youthful days of Alexander C. Bryce were passed on the home farm and his education was acquired in the district schools to the age of fifteen years. He then made his entrance in the business world as a clerk in a dry- goods store at Sarnia, Ontario, where he remained for two years. But think- ing he might have better opportunities for rapid advancement across the border, he made his way to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was employed in the same line of business until 1875. He then became traveling salesman out of Cincinnati for a clothing house and in 1888 removed to New York city, from which point he went upon the road as a traveling salesman for the same concern which he yet represents. All this time, however, he main- tained his residence in Terre Haute, Indiana, up to the time of his removal to Columbus, September 11, 1897.
In the meantime Mr. Bryce had been extending the scope of his under- takings. In addition to his duties as a traveling salesman he took up other work, opening a clothing store on his own account at Rockville, Indiana. The venture was a success from the start. In 1886 he also opened a store at Terre Haute, Indiana, where he was then living, and in 1888 he sold his interest in the Rockville store. In January, 1894, he purchased a clothing store at Logansport, Indiana, which was conducted in his own name for two years, and all this time he continued as the owner of the Terre Haute store.
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