USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 29
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Columbus, where he entered the employ of The Jeffrey Manufacturing Com- pany and gradual advancement has brought him to the position of vice president.
On the 17th of June, 1891, Mr. Hutchins was married to Miss Minnie Garrison Jeffrey, a daughter of Joseph A. Jeffrey. His political allegiance is given to the republican party and he has served as president of the Column- bus Board of Trade. He has found recreation in travel, visiting various points in Europe, south Africa and Australia, as well as on this continent.
ALFRED W. SHIELDS.
Following the cessation of the great Civil war, there came into central Ohio many emigrants from the state of Virginia, as there had previously come between 1800 and 1850, at which latter date the tide of migration al- most entirely ceased. Among these latter migrants was Thomas P. Shields, a Confederate soldier and officer and a practicing physician, who. with his fam- ily. came from Cartersville, Virginia, to Union county, where he began the practice of medicine and soon stood high in publie estimation and filled in- merous public trusts.
Alfred Watkins Shields, the well known young attorney of Communbus, is the son of this Dr. Thomas P. Shields and, like his father, is a man of strong determination in all that he undertakes. He was born in Cartersville. Vir- ginia, on the 3d of April, 1866, and was less than one year old when his parents brought him to a new home in what was yet a relatively new common- wealth. The father, Dr. Thomas P. Shields, of Mill Creek township. was born in Cumberland county, Virginia. On his father's side he is of Irish and Scotch descent, the family having emigrated to this country, locating first in the state of Delaware and subsequently moving to Virginia. His grand- father, John Shields, was an officer (a captain) in the Revolutionary war. His father. David Shields, was raised in Rockbridge county. Virginia, and served in the war of 1812-14. His grandfather on his mother's side was Jo- seph Watkins, of Goochland county. Virginia, who was of Welsh descent and of a Quaker family. His grandmother was Mary Carrington, a sister of Gen- eral Edward Carrington of Revolutionary fame. He was with Washington throughout the Revolution, a member of his staff and an intimate friend of LaFayette. The Carringtons were English and settled in Virginia at an early day.
Dr. Shields, after attending the primary schools in his neighborhood took a course in Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) in Lexington, Virginia, and then attended Jectures in the University of Vir- ginia in Charlottesville, and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. After graduating in 1846 he settled on the farm on which his widowed mother resided and on which he was born, and practiced successfully his profession as physician and surgeon. For many years before the late war, he had been connected with a volunteer military company with rank of captain. This
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company was ordered out early in the war and attached to the Eighteenth Virginia Regiment Confederate States army, which served mostly in the army of northern Virginia. In the winter of 1862 his health became impaired. He resigned his position and received the appointment of surgeon and served principally in the hospitals until the close of the war.
In 1867 Dr. Shields removed with his family to Ohio and settled in Union county, where he owned a large farm. He has practiced his profession sinee June, 1846, and at the present time answers calls in his neighborhood.
Alfred W. Shields spent his youthful days in his parents' home and was given excellent educational advantages, which he wisely improved. After at- tending the common schools he entered the Ohio Central College, where he pursued his studies for a few terms, and then entered the Washington and Lee University at Lexington, Virginia. He completed his education in that historie seat of learning that dates back to what were among the proudest days of the Old Dominion. He was graduated from its law department in June, 1891, under the distinguished statesman, lawyer and jurist, Jolın Ran- dolph Tucker.
Coming to Columbus soon after his graduation, Mr. Shields entered upon the practice of his profession in this eity, and energy and industry, in connec- tion with his native ability, enabled him to build up steadily and surely a re- munerative practice-a practice that is constantly growing, the result of his own application, laudable ambition and strong mental force. His offices are in the Capital Trust building.and he now has a large law practice that is of an important character. He is recognized as a safe counsel and able ad- vocate, who in the presentation of his cases before the courts loses sight of no detail bearing upon his case and gives to each point its due relative promi- uence. He convinces by his concise statement of law facts rather than by word painting and so high is the respeet for his legal ability and integrity that his assertions in court are seldom questioned seriously. Whatever he does is for the best interests of his clients and for the honor of his profession.
During the years 1901 and 1902 Mr. Shields was assistant director of law under Mayor John N. Hinkle and acquitted himself most becomingly. In political allegiance he is a democrat-the result of earnest study of the system of government and conscientious convictions. He is also a member of Joseph Dowdall Lodge, No. 144, K. P., of Columbus and of the Episcopal church. He was married to Almeda H. Houstle, of Columbus, Dec. 1, 1897.
JAMES T. HOLMES. JR.
James T. Hohnes, Jr .. attorney at law of Columbus, was born in Urichs- ville, Ohio, February 20. 1868, a son of Abrahamn R. and Mary (Milone) Holmes, both of whom were natives of Ohio. The father has been United States postoffice inspector for the division comprising Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky since 1885. with the exception of one year during President Har- rison's administration. In early life he began the study of law but the out-
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break of the Civil war prevented him continuing his preparation for the bar as he sacrificed his professional interests to aid his country and became a first lieutenant of the Fifty-second Ohio Vohinteer Infantry, thus serving from 1862 until 1865. Ile has been equally loyal to his country in civic official capacities, serving as auditor of Tuscarawas county from 1879 until 1885, at which time he was made United States postoffice inspector. He has since continued in this position with an untarnished record and he makes his headquarters at Cincinnati.
James T. Holmes, Jr. was educated in the common and high schools of New Philadelphia, Ohio, being graduated therefrom in 1886. He taught school for one year and was employed in the postoffice at New Philadelphia for two years. In 1889, however, he came to Columbus and entered the Ohio State University as a law student, continuing the course until 1892. In October of that year he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has engaged steadily in active practice, securing a large and important clientage. His ability is recognized by those who have employed his professional serv- ices or who have met him as an opponent in the courts where it is found that he has prepared for defense as well as for attack. His deductions are always logical and his conclusions based upon an intimate knowledge of the law and correct application of its principles to the points at issue.
On the 24th of December, 1897, Mr. Holmes was united in marriage to Miss May F. Givens, of Columbus and they have one son, Abraham Allen. Mr. Hohnes is a member of the board of trade while in professional lines he is connected with the Franklin County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. All through his life he has been actuated by a spirit of progress. regarding no position as final but rather as a point from which he can work up to higher things. In his profession he has made a creditable record. being recognized as one of the strong members of the Columbus bar.
LINN BENTLEY.
Linn Bentley, conducting a commission business in pig iron and coke as a member of the firm of Fieser & Bentley, was born in Gallipolis, Gallia county, Ohio. December 10. 1851. The family is of English lineage. His father. Aholiab Bentley, was a native of Pennsylvania and wedded Mrs. Mary Ann MeCauley in 1830 and to them were born two sons: Morrison A. nud Corwin. Mrs. Bentley died in 1836. Mr. Bentley. in the year of 1840, married Miss Jane Linn. a danghter of Mr. John Linn, of Higgins- port, Ohio, and to this union were born five children, namely: Laura Jane, who married Charles P. Lloyd. of Portsmouth. Ohio: Mary Ellen, who mar- ried Richard M. Lloyd, also of Portsmouth : Linn, who married Rachel Alice Clare, of Portsmouth; Benjamin, who married Miss Lizzie Crandall of Jack- sou, Ohio: and Franklin, deceased.
In the public schools of Portsmouth, Ohio. Linn Bentley began his education, which was supplemented by study in the Ohio Wesleyan Uni-
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versity. He left school in 1868 to engage in the banking business in Ports- mouth and was thus connected until 1871, when he went to Madison Furnace, Ohio, where he engaged in the manufacture of charcoal pig iron. . There he carried on business for a fourth of a century, or until 1894, when he removed to Columbus and established a pig iron commission business under the firm style of Miller, Wagoner & Bentley. This was afterward changed to the Miller, Wagoner, Fieser & Company, and the last change in the part- nership, which occurred in 1902. led to the adoption of the present style of Fieser & Bentley. Mr. Bentley's long experience in manufacturing lines well qualify him for the conduct of a commission business, and his interests in this regard are now large and valuable. He has worked earnestly and persistently year after year, has sought his success in honorable lines, and as the result of his diligence and integrity now occupies a high place in the regard of his fellow townsmen. He is also the vice president of the Dollar Building & Loan Association of Columbus, Ohio.
On the 8th of February, 1876, Mr. Bentley was married to Miss Rachel Alice Clare, of Portsmouth, a daughter of James D. Clare, who was a manu- facturer of pig iron and the owner of two furnaces, Madison and Bloom. His death occurred in December, 1898. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Bentley has been blessed with five children: Sarah Irma, the wife of Jay Galligan, of Loveland, Colorado; Jennie Linn, the wife of Captain Miletis Garner, of the Ohio National Guard; Linn Clare, deceased; Robert A., now attending Kenyon College: and Paul, a clerk in the Union National Bank of Co- Imbus.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Bentley is a Master Mason, while his religious faith is indicated in his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. His life has been one of diligence and activity, and throughout his entire career he has possessed that determination of character which has enabled him to overcome all obstacles and difficulties and work his way steadily upward. He has never made a false or mistaken move in business and his career illustrates the idea of learning one business and following it to the exclusion of all others.
LEROY PARKER.
Leroy Parker, anditor of the Guanajuato Reduction & Mines Company and president of the Ohio AAndit Company, his meritorious service in both connection- winning him wide recognition as a leading business man of Columbus, was born in the Boston navy yard, March 29, 1869. The mil- itary history of the family is a most creditable one. His great-grandfather, William H. Parker, was a captain in the Virginia Line during the Revolu- tionary war. His grandfather. Foxhall A. Parker, was a commodore in the United States navy and was offered command of the German navy at the time of its reorganization years ago but declined to accept. His son and namesake. Foxhall A. Parker, Jr .. was born at the Brooklyn navy yard and
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entered the naval service as a midshipman, after which he passed through the regular course of promotion until he became a commodore. He had command of the Rappahannock and of the Potomac during the last two years of the Civil war. His brother, Dangerfield Parker, is a brigadier gen- eral in the United States army, while another brother, William H. Parker, was a distinguished officer in the Confederate navy.
Foxhall A. Parker, Jr., married Miss Caroline Donaldson, a great-great- granddaughter of General Timothy Pickering, who served as adjutant to General Washington in the Revolutionary war. She died in 1877. Com- modore Parker had formerly wedded a Miss Mallory, who died in 1860, and who was the daughter of Captain Mallory, of Columbus, Ohio. The death of Foxhall A. Parker occurred in 1879, when he was serving as superin- tendent of the naval academy at Annapolis, Maryland. His entire life was devoted to naval service, either in active duty at the front in the time of war or as instructor in the service in training others for a similar career.
Leroy Parker largely acquired his education in St. Paul's school at Con- cord, New Hampshire, and after putting aside his text-books he took up the profession of accountant, being thus employed first in the city of Baltimore, while later he went to Texas, where he remained for twelve years. In 1903 he came to Columbus, found an excellent opening, took advantage of it and has since made substantial and continuous progress until he now occupies an important position in the business world, being today widely known as the auditor of the Guanajuato Reduction & Mines Company and the presi- dent of the Ohio Audit Company.
In 1900 Mr. Parker was married to Miss Lena Colburn, of Wyoming. Illinois, and they have three daughters. Ida Shepard, Mildred and Flor- ence Grosvenor Hanson. Mr. Parker belongs to Goodale Lodge. A. F. & A. M., and his social nature finds expression in the Columbus Country Club and the Columbus Riding Club. He is also a member of the Ohio Society and of the Benjamin Franklin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revo- lution. With the blood of patriotic ancestry flowing in his veins, it is not strange that he has in his nature a strong patriotic strain that is manifest in a commendable interest and helpfulness in everything pertaining to the welfare of his adopted city.
JOHN FRANKLIN FERGUS.
John Franklin Fergus, attorney at law, secretary and counsel for the Park Savings Company and interested with David E. Huston in the real estate and building business, is thus prominently associated with the enter- prise and upbuilding of Columbus. He was born in Miami county, Ohio, March 8. 1863. a son of John Shannon and Susan (Black) Fergus, both of whom came of Scotch-Irish ancestry. His great-grandfather, Francis Fergus, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. Five brothers of the name came to this country and at the outbreak of the war with England three of
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them remained advocates of the Tory cause and returned to their old home. Francis Fergus, however, espoused the cause of independence and fought for the liberty of the nation. James Fergus, his son and the grandfather of our subject, became a resident of Miami county, Ohio, in 1807 and was recognized as a man of force, wielding a wide influence. He left the impress of his individuality upon the legislative history of the state, serving for two terms as a member of the house and for one term as a member of the senate. He. also filled the office of county commissioner and figured prominently in inilitary affairs. His acquaintance was most wide and it is said that he could call the name of every man in Miami county at that time. His business interests were those of the farm and he successfully managed his agricultural pursuits while capably discharging his official duties as a loyal representa- tive of the public interests. John Shannon Fergus, father of John Franklin Fergus, also followed the occupation of farming and his life was one of quiet retirement. He never sought to figure in public life but devoted his attention to agricultural labors and thus provided for his family. Both he and his wife have now passed away, Mrs. Fergus, however, having spent her last days in Columbus.
Upon the old home farm John Franklin Fergus was reared and at- tended the district schools, mastering those branches of learning that usu- ally constitute the public school curriculum. He also took four years of special work in the Ohio State University and then taught school for two years. Again entering the State University he was graduated in the first law class which completed the course in that institution, the year of his graduation being 1892. There were thirteen members of this class who. en- tered the June, 1892. examination and won the first eight places among eighty-eight applicants for admission to the bar. The same year Mr. Fergus began practice and has since continued in the neighborhood of Goodale and High streets, doing much active work in connection with the courts while his ability in other lines has led his cooperation to be sought for the fur- therance of their interests. He became counsel in 1895 for the Park Build- ing Loan and Savings Company, now the Park Savings Company, and in 1898 was elected its secretary, filling the dual position to the present time. This organization has never lost a cent since Mr. Fergus became secretary. His associate officers and the directors of the company are among the most prominent men of the north side. In addition to his duties as secretary and counsel for the company, Mr. Fergus does an office practice and is interested with David E. Huston in the conduct of a real estate and building enterprise which has grown to extensive proportions. His business judgment is sound and his keen sagacity enables him to penetrate far into the possibilities for success so that he gives his labors along lines that lead to progress and prosperity.
On the 18th of June, 1889. Mr. Fergus was married to Miss Ella May Addison, a sister of Louis G. Addison, a prominent attorney of Columbus. and they have five living children: Clara Sue, Corwin Addison, Edward Shannon, Mary Frances and Carl Franklin. Mr. and Mrs. Fergus are mem- bers of the King Avenue Episcopal church and in church work they are deeply and helpfully interested. For two terms he served as a member of
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the Columbus board of education and matters of general interest elicited his attention and received his hearty cooperation whenever his judgment sane- tioned the course pursued. In Masonry he has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, and while his brethren in the fraternity find him an exemplary representative and Columbus knows him as a loyal and patriotic citizen, neglectful of no opportunity for public service, he yet gives his time and attention chiefly to his business affairs and is accomplishing good results in the labors which now claim his attention.
WALTER E. M. RANCHOUS, M. D.
Dr. Walter E. M. Ranchons, a popular and successful medical practi- tioner of Columbus, was born in Sciotoville, Scioto county, Ohio, July 8, 1870, his parents being F. F. and Emily (Marshall) Ranchous. The father, a na- tive of Portsmouth, Ohio, and a prominent brick manufacturer, passed away in Jannary, 1907, while the mother, a native of Scioto county, was called to her final rest in February, 1907.
Walter E. M. Ranchous attended the public schools of his native county and subsequently, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, became a student in the medical department of the University of Cin- cinnati, from which he was gradnated on the 9th of April, 1897. Immediately afterward he came to Columbus and has since been successfully engaged in the practice of his profession here, being widely recognized as a physician of skill and ability.
In 1904 Dr. Ranchous was united in marriage to Miss Bertha May Buch- man, a native of Columbus. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and keeps in close touch with the progress of his pro- fession through his membership in the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the State Medical Association, the American Medical Association, the Mississippi Valley Medical Society and the Pan American Congress, the International Society for the Prevention and Cure of Tuberculosis and the American Asso- ciation for the Advancement of Science. He is likewise identified with the Nu Sigma Nu, a college fraternity, and though still a young man, has already attained an enviable position in the profesional as well as social circles of Columbus.
JERRY DENNIS.
Investigation into the life record of Jerry Dennis shows that during his seventeen years' connection with the Columbus bar he has manifested many of the sterling attributes of the able lawyer in whom devotion to his clients' interests and fidelity to the majesty of the law in its purpose to secure justice, are well balanced forces. Born in Pickaway county, Ohio, November 24, 1866, he is a son of David and Margaret ( Hess) Dennis, both of whom are
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natives of Ohio. The father followed farming as a life work but felt that his duty to his country was paramount to all else at the time of the Civil war and joined the Union army. His cap was pierced by three bullets near Vicksburg, Mississippi, and he was captured at Atlanta, Georgia, after which he was taken to Andersonville prison where he was incarcerated for nine months. At the close of the war he was honorably discharged and resumned agricultural pursuits, still maintaining his residence in Pickaway county.
Jerry Dennis was reared on the home farin, working in the fields dur- ing the periods of vacation and mastering the branches that constituted the public school curriculum when school was in session. He was afterward graduated from the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, with the class of 1889, at which time the degree of Bachelor of Science was con- ferred upon him. He engaged in teaching school for several years in his native county and was principal of the high school of Derby, Ohio. for three years. With the desire to become a member of the legal fraternity he be- gan reading law with Judge Festus Walters, of Circleville, Ohio, as his pre- ceptor and afterward entered the Ohio State University from which he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Law in 1892. The following year the Master of Law degree was conferred upon him. In June following his graduation he was admitted to the bar and has since been engaged in general practice in Columbus. He is a member of the Ohio State and Franklin County Bar Associations and accorded a clientage that attests his ability and indicates the fact that he has long passed the point of mediocrity and has steadily climbed the hill to fame in the legal profession.
On the 22d of December, 1906, Mr. Dennis was married to Miss Bess Ryland, of Columbus, Ohio, and they have one son, Paul Ryland. Politically Mr. Dennis is an earnest republican and in 1890 served as census enumerator of Monroe township, Pickaway county, but otherwise has never held office, preferring to devote his energies to his professional duties. Fraternally he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and those who meet him socially recognize in him a man of genial, friendly spirit and re- gard his good will as worthy to be won.
CHARLES E. JUSTICE.
Charles E. Justice, a member of the Columbus bar, specializing in the department of real estate law, was born in Perry county, Ohio, January 11, 1860, his parents being James R. and Cathrin (Pletcher) Justice, the former a native of North Carolina and the latter of Ohio, Seven brothers of the Justice family, natives of Ireland, were driven from that land through political persecution and went to Holland. After twenty years they returned to the Emerald Isle and thence sailed for America. At the time the colonies attempted to throw off the yoke of British oppression three of them enlisted in the defense of American interests and two of them were never heard from
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again. The paternal grandfather of Charles E. Justice loyally served as a soldier in the war of 1812 and died at the age of ninety years.
James R. Justice, the father, was an educator, devoting his entire life to school work, but in 1884 was killed by accident. His wife still resides in Columbus. She is a representative of a family of German origin that for many years numbered its members among the residents of Pennsylvania.
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