Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II, Part 28

Author: Taylor, William Alexander, 1837-1912; S.J. Clarke Publishing Company
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: Chicago-Columbus, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.
Number of Pages: 835


USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 28


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In 1871 Dr. Green was married to Miss Lena Dailey, a native of Licking county, Ohio, and unto them were born five children, but Bernie and Lida M .. the two eldest are now deceased. The others are Nellie J., Lennie D. and Ivan L. Dr. Green is a member of the Masonic lodge. chapter and council, while in professional lines he is connected with the Columbus Medi- cal Society and the North Side Medical Society. He has become well known in Columbus and is gaining many friends here.


GEORGE B. THOMPSON.


The capital city numbers George B. Thompson among her prominent attorneys, a position to which he has attained through his own well directed efforts, for wealth and influence avail little or naught in this profession. Snecess at law is dependent entirely upon the intellect as manifest in close and careful analysis, logical deductions and correct application of the legal principles. Mr. Thompson is ons of Ohio's native sons, his birth having,


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occurred in Scioto township, Pickaway county, January 3, 1862, his parents being Thomas and Frances E. (Pratt) Thompson, who were also natives of Scioto township. The father, who devoted his entire life to farming, lived and died in Pickaway county. His paternal grandfather was Thomas Thompson, a Scotch-Irishman who removed from western Pennsylvania to Ohio about the time the state was admitted to the Union, and cast in his lot with the pioneer settlers of Pickaway county who were reclaiming the wild, unimproved region for the purpose of cultivation. It was not long after this that Elias Pratt, the maternal grandfather of George B. Thompson, arrived from Virginia and thus on both the paternal and maternal sides the subject of this review is descended from old families closely associated with Ohio's history throughout the period of its statehood.


Farm life early became familiar to George B. Thompson as he assisted in the work of the fields through the periods of vacation. During the school seasons he pursued his education and after leaving the district school beeaine a pupil in the State Normal School at Terre Haute, Indiana. also spending one year in the Ohio State University. He was further identified with edneational pursuits as a teacher, following the profession in the northern part of the county for several years. In 1896 Mr. Thompson was elected dlerk of the court of Pickaway county and was reelected in the year 1899, serving altogether for seven years, holding over for one year as his successor. elected in 1902, did not qualify for the office. In the meantime he began rending law and was admitted to the bar in 1905, since which time he has practiced in Columbus. He also studied law at Ada (Ohio) Law School where he received the degree of Bachelor of Law. He has continued in active practice in the capital city for more than three years, being now a member of the firm of Thompson & Slabangh. What he is doing in his profession shows that his preparation was thorough and that he never enters the courtroom without being well qualified for defense as well as attack. His practice is continually increasing in volume and importance as the public recognizes his ability to handle important litigation. Mr. Thompson is a valued member of various Masonic bodies being well known as a Knight Templar Mason. He is recognized as a genuine gentleman of unfailing courtesy, and prompted by a commendable ambition he is working his way steadily upward at the bar.


JAMES H. BUTLER.


Carlyle has said that "biography i- the most profitable and the most interesting of all reading." One can scarcely consider the life record of a successful man, whose advancement has been honorably achieved. with- out feeling inspired to emulate his example and follow the methods he has taken to win snecess. There is much of interest in the history of James H. Butler to him who desires to profit by the lessons of life and make the most of his opportunities. Mr. Butler is now associated with various busi-


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ness concerns which are factors in the commercial development and conse- quent prosperity of Columbus, as well as elements in his individual success. Hle was born in Wheeling, West Virginia, October 1, 1854. where his father, Edward Butler, a native of Virginia, is living at the advanced age of eighty-four years. The Butler family, however, were among the pioneer residents of the Old Dominion state, and in his early manhood Edward Butler wedded Miss Lucy Fenton, a native of Virginia, where her people had located at an early date.


Spending his youth as a member of his father's household, James H. Butler was sent as a pupil to the public schools of Wheeling. West Virginia, and therein mastered the different branches of learning as taught in con- secutive grades. After leaving school he became manager of the Singer Sewing Machine Company in Zanesville, Ohio, where he remained for fifteen years in that position. He also represented the company in Colum- bus, coming to this city in 1888, at which time he took charge of its interests here. On severing his connection with that firm he became secretary and treasurer of the Security & Investment Company, conducting a brokerage business in security loans ou real estate, stocks and bonds, and is also presi- dent of the Progress Publishing Company, and these two interests make heavy claims upon his time and energies, since his business in both lines is constantly growing and constitutes an important factor in commercial and financial circles of the city.


In 1880 Mr. Butler was married to Miss Rettie E. Simons of Cambridge, Ohio, a daughter of John Simons, who was engaged in the foundry business at that place. Their children are Byrle B., now the wife of Karl G. Agler, and James Egar, who is pursuing a law course in the Ohio State University. Mr. Butler is well known in the Ohio and Columbus Country Clubs, in which he is numbered as a valued member, and also belongs to the First Baptist church, in which he is serving as a trustee. The principles which have actuated him in all of his relations with his fellowmen are such as establish confidence and regard in every land and clime. He has based his business conduct upon the rules which govern strict and unswerving integrity, nor has he ever believed that snecess in business is the result of genins. but recognizes it for what it is, the result of experience and industry.


FRED S. HATCH.


Fred S. Hatch, who has made steady progress toward the front rank of the legal fraternity since his admission to the bar in 1880, has practiced continuously in Columbus since 1894. He was born at Lyndeboro, New Hampshire, March 5, 1859. a son of Charles G. and Elizabeth (Blanchard) Hatch. The father was a successful carriage manufacturer of the old Granite state, where he died in 1901. His widow still survives. Their ancestors were among those who fought for American liberty in the Revolutionary war, both families being represented at the battle of Bunker Hill. while


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the paternal and maternal grandfather were participants as well in the battle of Lexington. The Hatch family was likewise represented in Brad- dock's Indian war.


In the common schools of New Hampshire, Fred S. Hatch acquired his literary education and afterward read law in the office of Wadleigh & Wallace of Milford, New Hampshire, one of the most successful law firms in the state. Under their direction he continued his studies from 1876 until 1880 and had the benefit of thorough and systematic training. The senior partner was United States senator and the junior partner is now chief justice of the supreme court of that state.


Admitted to the bar in 1880, Mr. Hatch began practice in New Hamp- shire but subsequently removed to Kansas, where he followed his profession until 1894. In that year he came to Columbus, where he has since resided, giving his attention to general law work. He has been very successful in this field of labor and is widely known for his fidelity to his clients. His prepara- tion of cases, too, is very thorough and he presents his cause in forceful, logical manner. He belongs to the local bar association and has been acting police judge a number of times.


Mr. Hatch is married and has three children, Stanley W., Margaret I. and Arline C., all at home with their parents at No. 1035 Highland street. In religious belief Mr. Hatch is a Unitarian, while in fraternal relations he is connected with the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias. the Royal Arca- num and the Masons. Politically he is a stalwart republican and has always taken a deep and counnendable interest in polities but has never sought nor desired office for himself. In his professional career he has been actuated by a laudable ambition and in all of his work has displayed the closest conformity to a high standard of professional ethics.


GEORGE JANTON, JR.


The name of Janton has figured prominently on the pages of business history in Columbus for many years and has come to be recognized as a synonym for commercial probity and successful undertaking. Many dec- ades have passed since George Janton, Sr., arrived in Columbus and took advantage of the opportunities which led him to financial independence. Here he reared his family, his son, George Janton, Jr., being born in this city, while in its public schools he acquired his education. When but a boy he assisted his father in the soap factory and learned the business, be- coming a partner with him and remaining as a factor in the management and control of the industry up to the time of his death. He was thorough and systematic in all he undertook and his work brought him a measure of success that was gratifying.


Mr. Janton was married in Covington, Kentucky, to Mrs. Emina (Schaeufele) Shriner. the widow of Henry L. Shriner, who was a native son of Columbus and was engaged in the shoe business until his death. which


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GEORGE JANTON. JR.


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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY


ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.


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Occurred in 1888. By that marriage there was one child a daughter, Emma, who died three years ago. Mrs. Janton was a danghter of Charles and Min- nie (Schille) Schaeufele, who came from Germany to the United States in early life. Her father was a mechanic and devoted his time and attention always to mechanical pursuits. Mrs. Janton still survives her husband and makes her home in Columbus, where she is widely known, occupying an enviable position in social circles.


The death of Mr. Jauton occurred December 4, 1897, in Denver. Cola- rado, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health. He had a wide acquaintance in this city, having always resided here, and those who knew him spoke of him in terms of praise because they recognized in him those qualities of manhood which promote consideration for the rights of others. In all of his business career he was straightforward and energetic and showed marked forces of character at all times. The news of his death was received with a feeling of -incere sorrow by all with whom he came in contact. He had been a devoted son. a loving husband, faithful friend, and in citizen- ship his influence was always found on the side of reform and progress.


WALTER H. MARTIN.


Walter 11. Martin, of the firm of Mahony. Martin & Cooke, real estate and mortgage loans, was born in Columbus, February 13, 1864. His father, John H. Martin, was also a native of this city, a fact which indicates that the family was established here when Columbus was a village in the pioneer period of its existence. The grandfather, Thomas Martin, came from Penn- sylvania in 1818. Reared in the place of his nativity, John H. Martin eventually engaged in the saddlery and hardware business and continued in that line for many years, or until his death in 1880. He married Amanda M. Moore, a native of Franklin county, where her parents settled in 1807. coming to Ohio from Windsor, Connecticut. Her ancestors had become residents of the new world in 1620, at which time representatives of the family came from England and took up their abode in Windsor.


At the usual age Walter II. Martin entered the public schools and mastering the branches taught in the suece -- ive grades was promoted until he became a high-school student and later attended the Ohio State I'ni- versity. Ile made his initial step in the business world in 1880. when he entered the Commercial Bank, better known as the Sessions Bank. It was incorporated into the Commercial National Bank in 1881. Entering the institution as a clerk, he remained there for eight years, during which time he served in various capacities, resigning in February, 1888. to engage in the real estate business with W. A. Mahony. He has now been in this business for twenty-one years and the firm remained Mahony and Martin until twelve years ago, when D. P. Cooke was admitted to a partnership under the style of Mahony. Martin & Cooke. The firm rank- among the foremost in real estate circles in Columbus, its relations being of a most


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extensive and important character. Mr. Martin, moreover, has been a director of the Commercial National Bank since 1897 and is interested in various other enterprises. It is safe to say that none have wider or more accurate knowledge concerning real estate conditions in Columbus and in the conduct of his business affairs he has always been actuated by a desire to improve the city along lines of substantial growth and upbuilding.


On the 30th of March, 1897. Mr. Martin was married in St. Paul, Minnesota. to Miss Alice M. Robbins, daughter of Daniel M. Robbins of that city. They reside at No. 69 Miami avenue, Mr. Martin having erected their residence in 1897. Socially he is connected with the Columbus, Arling- ton Country and Columbus Country Club -. He is also a member of the Board of Trade and has been a co-operant factor in many of its movements for the benefit of the city. His principal recreation is golf. He has no strong political preference and in fact believes that an independent course is often profitable because of the machine made condition existing in politics at the present time. He has bean treasurer and trustee ex officio of the First Congregational church for twenty-three years and his influence is always found on the side of right, justice, truth, reform and progre --. His business career has been characterized by steady progress which results from well defined and carefully executed plans accompanied by the landable ambition to gain honorable success.


JOSEPH ATWOOD HARTLEY.


Joseph Atwood Hartley is widely known in business circles as the vice president of The Duun-Taft Company, retail dealers in dry good -. He is also well known in musical circles and has extended acquaintance in other direc- tions that indicate the attractive qualities of his manhood and his prin- ciples. He was born in New York city. May 5, 1862. The Hartleys are of English lineage, although the family was founded in America in colonial days and representatives of the name were participants in the Revolutionary war. Joseph W. Hartley was a native of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and became a prominent wholesale dry good- merchant, being connected with William G. Dunn, the founder of the Dunn-Taft Company at Bellefontaine, Ohio. Later in the '50s he removed to New York city, where he engaged in the wholesale dry goods business as a member of the firm of Wentz, Hartley & Company until 1872. This was a prosperous concern but, disposing of his interests in the cast, Joseph W. Hartley removed to Lincoln, Nebraska. where he engaged in the banking business and continued his residence until his death in 1899. He wedded Mary Atwood, a native of Baltimore, Ohio. who died in 1905. The Atwoods are a prominent old American family, represented by several participants in the Revolutionary war.


Joseph Atwood Hartley, son of Joseph W. and Mary Hartley, was a lad of about ten years at the time of the removal of his parents to Nebraska, where he pursued his education in the public schools. After leaving the


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high school at Lincoln he entered the University of Nebraska, which he left in the sophomore year, being at that time sixteen years of age. He then came to Columbus and entered the employ of William G. Dunn & Company, retail dry-goods merchants, as a collector but soon took the posi- tion of bookkeeper and credit man. When the firm of Dunn, Taft & Com- pany was organized Mr. Hartley was admitted to a partnership and in 1908, when the business was incorporated, he was chosen vice president and so continues to the present time. He devotes his entire business energies to this concern and his labors are an element in its success. The firm is conducting an extensive retail dry goods business with large and rainifying trade relations reaching ont to various sections of the country. Their sales are growing from the fact that they always satisfy their customers, adver- tise judicionsly and are at all times honorable and reliable in their dealings.


Mr. Hartley is a member of the Wesley Methodist church, is serving a- its treasurer and one of its trustees, is an carnest worker in various depart- ments of the church activity and is well known in commection with its musical service. Prominent in Masonry, he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite. He belongs to the Columbus Country Club and to the Ohio Club and in polities is a republican but takes no active part save to support his principles by his ballot at the polls. His chief source of recrea- tion is automobiling. Throughout his entire life he has steadily gained over those things which bar the path to success and his development has Leen along honorable lines, for he has never been willing to gain pros- perity by lowering the standard of his manhood ju the employment of any underhand business methods.


JONAS A. HEDGES.


Jonas A. Hedges, well known in business circles in Columbus, was born in Urbana, Ohio, March 12, 1851. His father. Hamilton Hedges, was a native of Champaign county, Ohio, and in the year 1906 came to Columbus, where he died at the age of eighty years. For twenty-one years he had held the office of township assessor and was prominent in the community where he resided. His wife was a native of Martinsburg, Virginia. Her father established his home in Champaign county, Ohio, in the early '40s and at the time of the Mexican war enlisted in defense of American interests. He was a man who stood high in public esteem, being widely and favorably known in Urbana and that section of the state. His death occurred near that city in 1872.


In the public schools of Champaign county, Jonas A. Hedges pursued his early education and afterward attended the Urbana Academy and Colonel Bryant's Business College in Columbus. His first employment was that of a brakeman on the Erie Railroad and later he engaged in teaching in the schools of Champaign county. Subsequently he came to Columbus, where he entered the employ of the Mutual Life Insurance Company, but the wide-


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spread financial panic of 1873 militated against the business and he resumed teaching in Champaign and adjacent counties. In 1878 he was appointed by the county commissioners to the position of deputy treasurer, owing to the fact of some obvious errors or irregularities in the office and there he assisted in straightening out the tangle. The following year be engaged with the street railway company of Columbus, having charge of a large gang of men and also keeping payroll. As bookkeeper he entered the employ of the Door, Sash & Lumber Company, while subsequently he was book- keeper and credit man in the dry goods store of Weisman & Martens. Grad- ually he was making progress in business life and in 1884 he assisted in organizing the Columbus Bridge Company, with which he was associated for one year, when he sold out and became connected with the Union Coal Company, his identification therewith covering three years. He afterward bought an interest in the Weisman store, which he retained for three or four years and then for twelve years acted as an independent auditor. While so engaged he attracted the friendly notice of Dr. S. B. Hartman and in 1899 became connected with the Peruna Drug Manufacturing Company as cashier, an office equivalent to that of treasurer in other establishments. He has since been one of the company's trustees and confidential officers. Ile has likewise been a factor in the establishment and successful control of other business concerns. He aided in organizing the Ohio State Savings & Loan Company, was its president for ten years and is still one of its directors. He is likewise the president of the Lawrence Printing Company.


In 1878 Mr. Hedges was married to Miss Carrie Lofland, a daughter of Perley Lofland, the oldest living contractor in the city and a most highly respected citizen. By this marriage there is one son, Perle Hamilton Hedges. Mr. Hedges has attained high rank in Masonry and is a member of the Mystic Shrine. He was a member of the school board of Columbus for two years and has always been interested in its educational progress. He has never sought political office but, like a good citizen, takes a keen interest in public affairs and, keeping well informed on the questions of the day. endorses such measures as he believes will prove beneficial factors in the work of general advancement. For twenty-one years he was connected with the election and registration board of the city.


JUDGE GILBERT H. STEWART.


Judge Gilbert Holland Stewart. lawyer, jurist and educator. who since 1873 has practiced at the Columbus bar, was born in Boston, Massachusetts, March 15, 1847. a son of Alonzo and Isabella (Ireland) Stewart. When he was five years of age his parents removed with their family to East Cam- bridge. Massachusetts, where he resided until July. 1867, and then became a resident of Galion. Ohio. In the public schools of Cambridge he pursued his education until he completed his course by graduation from the Cam- bridge High School with the class of 1864. He then entered Harvard Col-


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lege as a member of the class of 1868, remaining within the classic walls of that old institution until the middle of his junior year, when he matricu- lated in the Harvard Law School where he studied for one term. In 1889 Harvard University conferred upon him the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and subsequently he. further continued his law course in East Cambridge, Mass- achusetts, and in Galion, Ohio, and in May, 1869, was admitted to the bar at Columbus, then locating for practice in Galion, where he remained until he came to Columbus, where he has since resided.


In the private practice of law Judge Stewart has been accorded a liberal clientage and in 1884 was elected one of the judges of the circuit court of Ohio for the second circuit and on the expiration of his term of four years was reelected for a term of six years. In 1892 and in 1893 he was elected chief justice of the circuit court of Ohio and at the close of his second term declined renomination and resumed the practice of law in Columbus on the 9th of February. 1895. Judge Stewart prepared and edited the Ohio Cita- tion Digest and is the author of a work on Legal Medicine, having also pre- pared an article on the History of the Circuit Court of this state, which appears in the publication known as the Bench and Bar of Ohio. As an educator in the path of his profession he has gained more than local promi- nence, from March, 1884, until May, 1907, having been professor of medi- cal jurisprudence at the Starling Medical College of Columbus, and he has been professor of law at the Ohio State University Law School since Feb- rnary, 1904, occupying the chair of Federal Practice.


Aside from professional relations, Judge Stewart has figured in connec- tion with the public interests of the city, serving as a member of the board of edneation from 1880 until 1882, while in the spring of 1884 he was elected a member of the city conneil, resigning that position, however, upon his election to the circuit court in the fall of the same year. In 1897 he was president of the Columbus board of trade and in 1898 president of the Ohio State Board of Commerce, in which connection he aided in solving com- plex problems concerning the business conditions of the city and state. Judge Stewart was married June 22, 1875. at Worthington, Ohio, to Miss Claro Landon Ogden. a daughter of the eminent educator, Professor John Ogden.


R. GROSVENOR HUTCHINS.


R. Grosvenor Hutchins, vice president of the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1869. a son of the Rev. Dr. R. G. Hutchins, who for ten years was pastor of the First Congregational church of Columbus. In the early '70s the family removed to this city, the father accepting the pa-torate here proffered him, and in the public schools R. G. Hutchins. Jr .. acquired his early education, which was after- ward supplemented by several years' study in the public schools of Minne- apolis. He entered upon his collegiate comse at Oberlin, Ohio, where he continued until his graduation. Mr. Hutchins came direct from Oberlin to




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