USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 14
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ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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president : and Arno Eberlein, secretary and treasurer. Mr. Bush is also a director of the Hocking Valley Railway and the Sunny Creek Company and a trustee of Mercy Hospital. He is a member of the National Manufacturers Association, the Duquesne Club of Pittsburg and the Engineers Club of New York city, besides the Ohio Club. Columbus Club and the Arlington Country Club.
In June, 1894. Mr. Bush was married in Columbus to Miss Flora Sheldon, a daughter of Robert E. Sheldon of this city, and they have four children : Prescott Sheldon. Mary Eleanor, Margaret Livingston and James Smith.
Mr. Bush pos-esses untiring energy, is quick of perception, forms his plans readily and is determined in their execution, and his close application to busi- ness and his excellent management have brought to him the high degree of prosperity which is today his. His life has been characterized by a resolute purpose, and early in his career he became imbued with a laudable ambition to master each task that was assigned him and progressed until he is today at the head of one of the most extensive manufacturing concerns of Columbus.
JAMES C. MeGREW.
James C. MeGrew, who was formerly extensively interested in real-estate has been an important factor in beautifying Columbus, the city of his resi- dence, in which he takes a just pride. Mr. MeGrew comes of Scotch-Irish descent and is a descendant of the old Stewart family, who removed from England to Scotland. whener the family was founded in York county, Penn- ylvania, about 1726 or 1727. He was born in Smithfield. Jefferson county, Ohio, June 20, 1821. a son of Finley B. and Aleta (Carr) MeGrew, the former a native of Pennsylvania. He came to Ohio when a young man of twenty-one years, and engaged in the mercantile business in Smithfield, thus continuing until 1846, when he retired to private life. His death occurred when he had reached the age of seventy-five years, while the mother, who was born in Baltimore, Maryland, died at the comparatively carly age of thirty-two years. Their family munbered six children and James C. of this review is the only survivor.
James C. MeGrew was reared in Smithfield and acquired his education in the public schools of that city. At the age of seventeen years his father purchased a mill and put him in charge of the same. He later made a trip to New Orleans on a flatboat which was built by the father and which carried to the latter city eight hundred barrels of flour. After eight years the father disposed of his mill and invested the money in a farm in Jefferson county and the son then assumed its management. He was a lover of fine stock and devoted much of his time to the raising of good grades of cattle and sheep. He also speculated in land to some extent and this proved the nucleus of his later real-estate operations. In 1869 Mr. McGrew removed to Franklin county and in partnership with a Mr. Hoffman purchased sixty-six acres of
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land, which has since been platted and subdivided and is now known as the Hoffman & McGrew addition to the city of Columbus. In 1872 Mr. MeGrew was one of a party of men who bought Camp Chase and helped to improve it. In 1876 he disposed of his farm land in Jefferson county and gave his entire time and attention to platting and selling lots in his addition to the city. At that time the city was unimproved east of Parson avenue except the south- east side of Broad street and the north side of Main street. Franklin Park at that time had not been laid out and the ground near Mr. MeGrew's present home was a swamp. Mr. McGrew has done much toward the improvement of these unsightly vacancies and although much of his work has been done at a financial loss to himself, he now looks back with a sense of satisfaction to the fact that he has had a part in this splendid work. For many years his eyes gave him much trouble and although for the past few years he has been totally blind he still looks after his own property interests and buys and sells to some extent. He possesses a cheerful disposition and although he is now eighty-seven years of age he displays excellent judgment and keen foresight in managing his business affairs.
Mr. MeGrew was married May 7, 1844, the lady of his choice being Miss Jennie C. Kimball, who was born in Jefferson county, Ohio, in November, 1822. She is now deceased, her death occurring in 1901. Her paternal grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary war and was standing near General Warren at the battle of Bunker Hill when the latter was killed by a shell, a piece of which shot off a part of Mr. Kimball's thumb and also broke the lock of his gun. Following this experience Mr. Kimball spent the winter at Valley Forge, living on roots and such herbs as he could find. He removed to Ohio with ox teams and at that time his son, who afterward be- came the father of Mrs. McGrew, was a little lad of nine years and walked almost the entire distance from New Hampshire to Jefferson county, their destination. the year 1802 witnessing their arrival in this place. There the son grew up and made several trips in a flatboat down the Ohio river. He reached New Orleans with a load of flour during the war of 1812. Selling his product, he was induced to invest his money in a small boat and to en- gage in the struggle against the English. He was captured and taken to New Orleans, from which city he walked to Wheeling. West Virginia. At au- other time he brought up some lumber, which he floated down the river to Natchez, Mississippi, but when he had covered about half the distance he was taken sick with yellow fever and after recovering disposed of his lumber and purchased an Indian pony, which he rode home. He made several trips afterward and one time returned home by the way of Cincinnati, and passed through Madison county, where he could have purchased any amount of land at two dollars per acre. He was a good farmer and owned one of the finest farm properties along the Ohio river. He was a Universalist in religions faith and numbered among the prominent pioneers of Jefferson county.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. McGrew was blessed with six children. namely: Annie T .. , who has a private school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Josephine, who is deceased; William, at home: Mary. the wife of Henry Hogg. of Wellington, Ohio: Elizabeth, the wife of John Benson, of New
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York; and Edith, who is engaged in teaching in the Garfield school of Column- bus.
Mr. MeGrew has always given stalwart support to the republican party and is a member of the Hickite branch of the Society of Friends, now called Unitarians. He is well known as a pioneer of Columbus and Franklin county and as a most industrious and useful man, whose probity is an un- questioned element in his career. His energy has often been at the service of his community and he has the love and respect of all with whom he is associated. He is charitable in his estimation of others and is beloved by all with whom business or social relations have brought him in contact.
CLAUDE MEEKER.
The history of Claude Mecker seems to be that of an orderly progression under the steady hand of one who is a consistent master of himself and whose organism is harmonious and always evenly balanced. His judgment and even paced energy have carried him forward to the goal of success and he is today controlling an extensive business as a stock broker and investment banker. In former years he was closely associated with journalism, his labors in that line constituting a forceful element in formulaing the policy and mold- ing the destiny of this state. A native of Columbus, he was born in 1861 and comes of an ancestry honorable and distinguished, extended mention of his father, the Hon. George W. Meeker, being made on another page of this vol- ume. In early life he studied engineering, but withdrew from that field of activity to enter journalistic circles, where he soon rose to prominence. He was first employed as a reporter on one of the Columbus papers and later occupied a similar position in connection with the Cincinnati Enquirer, with which he was associated for fifteen years. There his abilty gained him rapid promotion and as political editor, reporter and special correspondent he developed un- usual ability and talent. His popularity as a reporter was evidenced by the people of Cincinnati who. at a celebrated church fair, voted to him a mag- nificent gold cane as the most popular reporter of the city. In addition to his duties in connection with the Cincinnati Enquirer he became special cor- respondent of the New York World. His most important work, perhaps, was done in the capacity of political editor, his writings constituting a force in promoting public opinion which found expression at the ballot box. His arguments were strong. his exposition clear and his reasoning logical. and studying each question he discussed from every possible standpoint, his views were the result of mature judgment and a clear comprehension of the situation in its various relations. His writings not only made powerful appeal to the general populace but also to the thoughtful, studious reader, for he presented his arguments in the clear and convincing light of reason and common sense.
It naturally followed that Mr. Meeker won recognition as a leader in politi- cal circles and did effective campaign work, becoming widely known as a per- suasive orator on the democratic platform. He delivered many able addresses
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when James E. Campbell was candidate for governor in 1889 and hi- labors were undoubtedly one of the forces that obtained success for his party in that campaign. Governor Campbell attributed his election in large measure to Mr. Meeker's reports for the Cincinnati Enquirer and, upon entering office. ap- pointed Mr. Mecker his private secretary, in which capacity he served from 1890 until 1892. The following year he received appointment from President Cleveland to the position of United States consul at Bradford, England. and most creditably represented his country at that point until 1897. Returning in the latter year to America he joined his brother in organizing the firm of Meeker Brothers, investment brokers, and has since figured prominently in financial circles of the city. Their annual volume of business is today equaled by that of no similar house in the capital. their success finding basis in their indefatigable energy, careful systematization of their work and their thorough understanding of the market and financial condition of the country.
In 1890 was celebrated the marriage of Claude Meeker and Miss Eliza- beth Parks, a daughter of Dr. J. M. Parks, of Hamilton, Ohio, who was a dis- tingnished physician of the Miami valley and esteemed equally high as a man and citizen. He died in Hamilton in 1890 at the venerable age of eighty years. The three children of Mr. and Mrs. Meeker, Marjorie, Campbell and Marion, were all born in England, during his service as consul at Bradford. The parents attend the Episcopal church and Mr. Meeker holds member-hip with the Knights of Pythias, the Masons and the Elks. He is a man of at- tractive social qualities, always courteous and kind, and has just appreciation for the social amenities of life. That he views the world from the broad standpoint of liberal culture, wide study, and extensive research into those problems which are to the man of affairs of deep import both to the coun- try and the position which he fills today in the regard of his fellow citizens. especially in Columbus, where he is best known, is the merited tribute to his personal worth.
G. J. DE VILBISS.
G. J. De Vilbiss, superintendent of motive power for the Hocking Valley Railway, has made that steady progress in his business career whch results from energy intelligently applied and from the mastery of every task entrusted to him. He has done with thoroughness and promptness every duty that has devolved upon him and step by step has worked his way upward to a position of responsibility. He was born July 29, 1875, in St. Joe, Indiana. His father, Alexander De Vilbiss, was also a native of that place and there wedded Mar- garet Dilley. The removal of the family to Butler, Indiana, enabled G. J. De Vilbiss to pursue his education in the schools of that city, where he passed through successive grades until he became a high school student, and was graduated with the class of 1892. He afterward attended the Fort Wayne School of Mechanics, specializing in mechanical engineering, and at sixteen years of age he began his apprenticeship with the Wabash Railroad, but in the
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meantime studied engineering. He remained with the Wabash until 1899 and was promoted to the position of foreman and general foreman. Leaving that place he accepted the position of general foreman at Battle Creek. Mich- igan. for the Grand Trunk Railroad, remaining there until 1903, when he entered the service of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad as master mechanic at Newark. Ohio. In February, 1907, ha removed from Newark to Columbus, becoming the superintendent of motive power for the Hocking Valley Rail- road Company. His interest in his work and his persistency of purpose have been «trong elements in his success. He has been a close student of everything. bearing upon railroad interests and has made an excellent record for a man of his years, being recognized as one of the progressive young men in the railroad service.
On the 17th of October, 1908, Mr. De Vilbiss was married to Miss Anna S. Gimbey, a daughter of Edward S. and Nellie Gimbey, of Columbus, the father being for many years a locomotive engineer. Mr. and Mrs. De Vilbiss now have an interesting little son, Thomas Edward, two years of age, and they make their home at 1277 Bryden road. Mr. De Vilbiss gives his political al- legiance to the republican party, but his time and attention have always been fully occupied with business affairs so that he has had no opportunity, even if he desired, to seek public office. He belongs to the English Lutheran church, is a member of the Board of Trade and also belongs to the Ohio Club. He is a young man of enterprise and determination, working his way steadily upward by his business ability, while in every relation of life he commands the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
HAROLD EDWIN DUSENBERRY.
Harold Edwin Dusenberry, a prominent representative of real estate and brokerage interests in Columbus, was born February 10, 1877, in Guyandotte, West Virginia. His father, Robert F. Dusenberry, was a native of New York city and carried on business as a commission merchant. He represents an old family of Peekskill, New York. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and did active service at the front. He wedded Mary A. Wentz, a native of Virginia and a daughter of Michael Wentz, who was a farmer.
Harold E. Dusenberry, reared under the parental roof, acquired his educa- tion in the public schools and in Marshall College at Huntington, West Vir- ginia, and at Chicago. When his education was completed he crossed the threshold into business life, becoming connected with large jobbing interests and the brokerage business. He gained valuable experience concerning busi- ness methods, and later located in Columbus for the conduct of a real-estate and brokerage business, in which he is still engaged.
On the 3d of December, 1907, Mr. Dusenberry was united in marriage to Miss Anna Elizabeth Koontz, of Columbus, a daughter of J. E. Koontz, who at the present time is a representative of real-estate interests in this city. The Koontz family is of Swiss lineage. Mr. and Mrs. Dusenberry are well known
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in the capital city, where they have won many friends and occupy an enviable position in social circles. He is a young man of marked business enterprise and firm determination that enables him to carry forward to successful com- pletion whatever he undertakes. In his business he is enjoying a constantly growing clientage and his interests are now important and extensive.
FRANCIS BOARDMAN FOSTER.
Francis Boardman Foster, deceased, was well known in republican circles in Ohio, for throughout the period of his manhood he was an active, earnest and effective worker in the ranks of the party. The later years of his life were passed in Columbus, to which city he removed from Norwalk, Ohio, on the 19th of October, 1895, to become connected with the commissary department of the Columbus Stone Company. He was born in Norwalk, April 18, 1839. and was indebted to the public school system of that place for the educational privileges he enjoyed. Early in his business carcer he became connected with the grain business. His father, John HI. Foster, had built the first grain ele- vator at Norwalk and was prominently connected with the trade at that point. He was a native of the state of New York and in carly manhood had married Miss Nancy M. Boardman, whose birth occurred in Seneca county, New York. At the time of the Civil war John H. Foster responded to the country's call for troops and served as a major of the Third Ohio Cavalry, while one of hi- sons was an adjutant in the army. The father was also a pronounced repub- lican and one of the most ardent and enthusiastic workers in behalf of the party. Both he and his wife were widely and favorably known in Norwalk. where they long resided. They reared their family in Norwalk, Ohio, and a- stated, Francis B. Foster there became connected with the grain trade in early manhood and for twenty-four years was associated with that business there. meeting with good successs in his undertakings. As stated, he came to Colum- bus on the 19th of October, 1895, becoming a factor in the business life of this city in connection with the commissary department of the Columbus Stone Company. of which his son-in-law was manager.
It was on the 3d of October. 1861, that Francis B. Foster was married to Mise Flerilla Ann Beebe, a native of Concord. Pennsylvania, and unto them was born a son and daughter: John Buckingham, sporting editor of the New York Evening Telegram of New York city; and Mary Louise, wife of William O. Taylor, vice president and general manager of the Casparus Stone Company of Columbus.
Mr. Foster was a member of the Plymouth Congregational church. to which his widow also belongs. When age conferred upon him the right of franchise he became a stanch advocate of republican principles. It was a time of deep political interest and excitement and, keeping thoroughly informed on the questions of the day, he joined the new party which was formed to pre- vent the further extension of slavery, and which became the defense of the Union in the dark days of the Civil war that followed. He remained an active
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F. B. FOSTER
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY -
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILOEN FOUNDAT"
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supporter of its principles throughout his entire life, and his opinions carried considerable weight in its councils, although he was not a politician in the -+use of office seeking, caring nothing for political preferment as a reward for party fealty. He died February 5, 1905, respected and honored by all who knew him, for in every relation of life he had given proof of his personal worth. He had many friends, both in Norwalk and Columbus, and they shared with his family in their deep grief at his passing.
DENNISON DREW BYERS.
Dennison Drew Byers, secretary and general manager of the Ohio Audit Company, was born in Columbus, September 2, 1871. His father, Dr. Albert Gallatin Byers, died November 10. 1890. His mother, in her maidenhood Mary Ruthbun, is a native of Chesshire, Ohio, and is still living. She became the wife of Dr. Byers December 7, 1852. Reared under the parental roof D. D. Byers pursued his education in the public schools and in the Central high school, from which he was graduated in 1889. His father died soon after- ward and the subject of this review entered upon his business career in the office of Colonel Church, car accountant for the Pittsburg, Cincinnati. Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. He occupied a clerical position there until 1890, when the office was moved from Columbus to Pittsburg and owing to his father's serious illness Mr. Byers left the position. Later he secured a clerical position in the auditor's office of the Columbus, Shawnee & Hocking Railroad, after- ward the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Valley Railroad. This constituted an important step in his life, for from that position he was rapidly promoted, finally becoming bookkeeper and later traveling auditor, while subsequently he was promoted to the position of auditor and acted in that capacity until failing health caused by overwork prompted him to resign in the latter part of the year 1898.
On the 1st of January, 1899, Mr. Byers entered the employ of the Hall- wood Cash Register Company in Columbus in the accounting department and during the last four years of his connection with that company had charge of the treasury and accounting departments. In May, 1905, however, he re- signed to engage in business as an expert accountant and so continued until January, 1907, meeting with snecess in the undertaking. At the earnest solici- tation of Willis G. Boland and Isaac D. Pugh he accepted the position of deputy treasurer of Franklin county on the 1st of February, 1907, and so continued until the 1st of September following when the term of his superior officer ex- pired. He then returned to his former business as expert accountant, but after one month was solicited to join forces with the Ohio Audit Company and in January, 1908, was made secretary and general manager of the company. This i- one of the best and largest concerns of the kind in the city. having a most +ficient corps of accountants. The experience which Mr. Byers gained dur- ing the connection with the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Valley Railroad wa- probably the most important of his career. as during that time he did audit
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work for two receiverships. He also had valuable experience with the Hall- wood Cash Register Company which was then engaged in a legal contention with the National Cash Register Company of Dayton. The business of the Ohio Audit Company has shown a very perceptible growth since Mr. Byers became connected therewith for he had become well known as an expert ac- countant in Columbus and business men had every reason to feel that service- of this kind obtained from the company would be of the highest class. They deal with industrial and municipal corporations, installing business systems. examine banks for stockholders and audit the books of different companies. They had charge of the examination of the books of the Columbus Railway & Light Company for the city in the spring of 1908 and have done much other important work in this connection.
On the 21st of November, 1900, Mr. Byers was married to Miss Blanch Miller, of this city, a daughter of Frank HI. Miller, who for years has been identified with the pig iron industry. Mr. and Mrs. Byers have one son. Drew Miller, born November 30, 1902. The parents are members of the Methodist Episcopal church. Mr. Byers possesses marked musical talent and for nine- teen years has been widely known as a singer in various churches of the city. while for a long period he was connected with the Orphens Club. a men's musi- cal club, and he is also a member of the Ohio Club and the Board of Trade. He possesses, moreover, much mechanical ingenuity and maintains a shop in his basement for his own recreation. The three lines to which he has given his attention-auditing, mechanical and musical-have all witnessed his skill and success. He gives hearty encouragement to everything connected with the art of music and at the same time is loyal in matters of citizenship, supporting many measures for the general good. A man of unswerving integrity and honor, one who has a perfect appreciation of the higher ethics of life. he has gained and retained the confidence and respect of his fellowmen and is justly accounted one of the leading residents of the capital city with whose interests he has always been identified.
GEORGE W. MEEKER.
On the roll of Ohio's honored dead appears the name of George W. Mecker, writer and journalist, well known also as one who molded public thought and action in political fields. Endowed by nature with keen intel- lectual force he studied closely all the grave problems which confronted the individual in his business, social, political, economic and moral relations and in his discussion of public questions seemed to arrive at the very essence of the subject. His labors in connection with any undertaking were resultant factors promoting progress and reaching definite conclusions. He knew that honor and fame were but relative terms and he never sought his own advancement at the sacrifice of the publie good, but was actnated in all that he did with the lofty and patriotic desire for the welfare of his city and state and an enumera-
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