USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 3
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On the 18th of June. 1871, Mr. MeGaw was married to Miss Myra Robin- son, of Athens, Ohio, who died in 1906. leaving a son, W. Ray, who was born in 1872, and is a salesman with the firm of Jones. Witter & Company. Mr.
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McGaw is a member of the Columbus Country Club and of the Masonic fra- ternity. He is fond of outdoor sports, and when leisure permits he indulges in these interests. His mental and physical activity, the only capital which he brought to the starting point of his business career, has enabled him to reach success. Early in his business life he performed all of the duties that devolved upon him, however humble and however small the recompense, conscien- tion ly and industriously. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judg- ment have always been so uniformly recognized that he has enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree and naturally this has brought him such a lucrative patronage that through times of general prosperity and general ad- versity alike he has witnessed a steady increase in his business until today it is one of the most flourishing in its line in the city of Columbus.
FRANK D. FRANCIS.
The members of the firm of The Francis Brothers Company, contractors of Columbus, need no introduction to the readers of this volume, for all who are in any way identified with the history of building operations in the capital city know that this firm has in recent years been a conspicuous one in con- nection with the architectural improvement of the city.
Frank D. Francis, the senior partner, was born July 3, 1879, in Newark. Ohio, his father, Albert Francis, being born May 20, 1853, in Hanover, who, for many years, was engaged in contracting in Columbus, gaining a position of prominence in building circles that was by no means confined by the bor- der of the state. In fact his reputation was such that he was awarded various contracts for the construction of buildings at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. His wife, Mrs. Rosa Francis, was born August 9, 1855, in Linu county, Iowa.
The public schools of Columbus afforded Frank D. Francis his educa- tional privileges and making good use of his opportunities he passed through successive grades until he was graduated in 1895. He then entered the Ohio State University, pursuing a course of electrical engineering, and his knowl- edge in this department of science has constituted an important element in his later business career. After leaving college he entered the contracting business with his father and added to his theoretical knowledge the practical experience that comes in active building operations. In 1901 he was connected with the MeCloud River Company at Mount Shasta, California, and displayed such marked ability that he was made superintendent of construction. In 1902, however, he returned to Columbus, where he joined his brother. Walter H. Francis, in organizing the present firm of Francis Brothers. They have con- structed many of the fine buildings of the Columbus Barracks and numerous important state institution building -. Contracts for other fine buildings in the state have been awarded them, many of the largest and most substantial struc- ture of Columbus standing as monuments to their enterprise and business ability. Both brothers keep in constant touch with the progress that is being
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made in building lines and gain inspiration for their work through member- ship in the Builders Exchange.
On the 20th of May, 1904, occurred the marriage of Frank D. Francis to Miss Eva P. Higginbottom, a daughter of Theodore and Susanna Higginbot- tom, of Muskingum county, Ohio. She is a representative of one of the old pioneer families of that county who settled there in 1808, since which time the Higginbottoms have been extensive farmers and stock-raisers in that local- ity. Mr. and Mrs. Francis reside at 120 North Monroe avenue, and their home is generally celebrated for its warm-hearted and cordial hospitality.
Mr. Francis belongs to the Knights of Pythias and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is at all times interested in the city's welfare and gives earnest and effective cooperation to movements for the pub- lie good, notwithstanding the fact that his business makes heavy demands upon his attention and he is always most loyal to the interests entrusted to his care. His understanding of the business in its scientific principles and the practical training received in early manhood well qualify him to superintend the labors of others and to pass judgment upon the advisability of any course that is questioned in his building operations. He is known as an energetic. reliable business man and the firm of The Francis Brothers Company is prom- inent among the contractors of the capital city.
RICHARD C. ALKIRE.
Richard C. Alkire, who since 1901 has lived retired in Columbus, is a worthy representative of one of the oldest and most prominent pioneer families of the Buckeye state. He was born on a farm in Franklin township, Franklin county February 25, 1833, a son of Jesse and Margaret (Courtney) Alkire. His maternal grandfather was the first nail cutter in Columbus. The paternal great- grandfather of our subject, John Alkire, was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, while the paternal grandfather, Emannel Alkire, served in the war of 1812. The latter was born in Lewis county, West Virginia, and came to Franklin county Ohio, in the fall of 1827, settling on the banks of the Seioto river, in what at that time was a wilderness. Here he established a home and reared a family of twelve children, eight sons and four daughters, Jesse Alkire being one of the number. He was born in West Virginia, December 19, 1807, and accompanied his parents on their removal to Ohio, when a young man of twenty years. He was a public-spirited man, filling the office of justice of the peace of Franklin township for thirty-two consecutive years, and he lived to a ripe old age. He married Miss Margaret Courtney, who was born in Colum- Ons, March 15, 1811, and she could remember when the homes here were wide- ly scattered, and of seeing stumps along High street and on the site where the state house now stands. Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Alkire became the parents of six children: Richard C., of this review; Sarah, wife of William Nichols, a resi- dent of Columbus; Kemper, also of this city ; and three who are deceased.
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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R. C. ALKIRE
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MRS. R. C. ALKIRE
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTED. LEHOY AND T'.OFK FO 4.DE HON8.
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Richard C. Alkire received his education in the district schools and re- mained under the parental roof until he had reached the age of twenty-seven years, when he began farmning on a tract of rented land. After a time he purchased twenty acres and subsequently bought and sold various tracts, mak- ing a handsome profit on his investments in this way. He became the owner of a good farm of one hundred and twenty-eight acres in Delaware county. which he operated for four and a half years and which he subsequently traded for town lots in Bowling Green, Wood county, whither he removed in 1890, spending two years there. Later he spent four years in Worthington, subse- quent to which time he removed to Grove City. During this time he accumu- lated quite a competency through his investments in farm lands, so that in 1901 he felt justified in putting aside all business interests and living retired. Accordingly he took up his abode in Columbus, where he now ocenpies a nice residence and is spending his days in honorable retirement.
Mr. Alkire was married June 3, 1860, to Miss Amanda Watts, who was born in Franklin township. November 2. 1840, a daughter of William and Margaret (Chamber) Watts who were pioneer settlers of Franklin county, and in whose family there were eleven children, of whom five still survive, namely: Amanda, now Mrs. Alkire; Albert, a resident of Cohunbus; William, who lives in Jackson township; Milton, also of Columbus; and Jennie, the wife of James Haddy, also of this city.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Alkire has been blessed with seven chil- dren: Annie, the wife of John Hoover, a resident of Grove City, Ohio: Carrie, at home: Everett J., who lives in Bowling Green, Ohio; Wilbur, at Westerville; Minnie A., the wife of John Morresey, an attorney of Columbus; Alden, at home: and Emma M., the wife of R. H. Oliver, also of Columbus.
Mr. Alkire is a stalwart supporter of the democratic party and for several years served as trustee of Jackson township. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. The work instituted by the grandfather and carried on by the father was continued by the son for many years and thus representatives of the family through three generations have been prominent in the upbuilding and progress of Franklin county, re- claming it for the uses of civilization. Mr. Alkire has seen Columbus grow from a small village and rejoices in the work that has been accomplished along vari- ous lines, and his own labors have been no unimportant factor in bringing about the advantages and conveniences that are today enjoyed.
WILLIAM HALL PHIPPS.
While much has been said against corruption in public office and the rule of parties by political bosses, it is a well known fact that in the great majority of cases men of ability and fidelity are filling the positions of pub- lie trust. for public opinion is too strong to be disregarded and the com- munity is up in arms at once if it has the slightest reason to suspect infi- delity on the part of any government official, whether he occupy a local,
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state or national position. The consensus of public opinion has been most favorable concerning the public services of William Hall Phipps, now state inspector of oils.
Ile was born in Caldwell, Ohio, August 16, 1864, and is descended from an old family of English lineage, tracing his ancestry back to Jed- ediah Phipps, who on coming to the new world settled in Massachusetts and at one time was the owner of lands that included the battle-field of Bunker Hill . He also took part in that engagement which, though it was not an American victory, served to show the British the strength of American arms and to arouse this nation to a sense of what the British meant to accomplish. The grandfather of our subject was the owner of a plantation on the Dela- ware river and afterward removed to Pittsburg and then came to Ohio.
Samuel II. Phipps, the father of William Hall Phipps, is a native of Pittsburg and seventy years ago became a resident of Caldwell, Ohio. He is a veteran of the Civil war, having served as major in the Eighty-second Ohio Regiment. He has also been active in politics and in 1850 cant- paigned southern Ohio with Garfield. He has been active in various matters of progressive citizenship and his inthienre has always been on the side of progress, reform and improvement. In his earlier years he was a college professor but now resides upon a farm at Reinersville, Ohio. He weddrd Mary Miller, a native of Caldwell, Ohio, of which section her parents were pioneer settlers. The family is of Scotch-Trish lineage. Her father was the oldest Mason in the world at the time of his death, which occurred when he was a centenarian, his affiliation with the Masonic fraternity having covered eighty-one years.
William Hall Phipps was reared on his father's farm and attended the district school to the age of eighteen years, when he went to Ada. Ohio, matriculating in the Northwestern Ohio University, where he devoted three years to study. He then took up the study of law in the office of D. S. Spriggs, of Caldwell, and after thorough preliminary reading was admitted to the bar in June, 1889. He then located for practice in Paulding. Ohio, devoting his attention to general practice, although specializing to some extent in real-estate law. He still retains an office in that city.
Mr. Phipps first entered actively into politics in 1885 as secretary to the republican central committee of Morgan county, serving until 1887. He became chairman to the county central committee of Paulding county in 1893 and so continued until 1897, when he was made chairman of the executive committee of the same county, filling the position until 1902. He was also a member of the state executive committee from 1899 until 1903. and has been a member of the state central committee for the past five years. occupying the position at the present time. He has likewise, since 1908. been secretary of the state executive committee and has done effective and beneficial work for the interests of the party. In the affairs of state. as taken aside from the extraordinary conditions of warfare. there are demanded men whose mental ken is as wide and whose generalship is as effective as those which insure successful maneuvering of armed forces by the skilled commander on the field of battle. The nation's welfare and prosperity
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may be said to hinge as heavily upon individual discrimination and ex- ecutive ability in the one case as the other. It requires a master mind to marshal and organize the forces for political purposes and produce the best results by concerted effort. Such a leader is found in W. H. Pipps, who may well be called one of the commanders of the republican party of Ohio. He has been a delegate to the republican conventions on several occasions, ranks high in party councils and has a wide acquaintance among the dis- tinguished political leaders of the country. On the 19th of May, 1908, he was appointed state oil inspector and is now filling this position.
On the 14th of August, 1890, Mr. Phipps was united in marriage to Miss Nora K. Cooper, of Batesville, and they now have one daughter, Helen. Mr. Phipps is an automobile enthusiast and much of his leisure is spent in his motor car. He is a member of the Ohio Club and of the Buckeye Re- publican Club. He attends the Presbyterian church and holds member- ship relations with the varions Masonic bodies, having attained the thirty- second degree of the Scottish Rite, while he is also a member of Antioch temple of the Mystic Shrine.
GEORGE L. RUGGLES.
George L. Ruggles, who is now living retired in Columbus, was for many years successfully connected with the business interests of this city. His birth occurred in Boylston, Massachusetts, on the 10th of November, 1843. his parents being Brigham and Charlotte (Maynard) Ruggles. The family is of English descent and the first representative of the name to come to America located near Boston, Massachusetts, about 1637. Brigham Ruggles, the father of our subject, who was born in Massachusetts in 1784, was connected with agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. At one time. having determined to establish his home in the west, he sold his interests in the old Bay state but was persuaded not to make the removal and therefore spent his remaining years in Massachusetts, passing away at the age of seventy-eight years. His wife, whose natal day was Feb- ruary 21. 1800. was called to her final rest in October, 1888. Unto this worthy couple were born four sons, of whom George L., is now the only survivor.
The last named was reared on the home farm and acquired a common- school education. In the spring of 1863 he began farming for his father but in the fall of the same year entered school, remaining as a student until June.1864. Subsequently he was employed on a farm for nine months. driving an ox-team and hanling timber during the winter of 1864-5. The 9th of April. 1865. witnessed his arrival in Springfield, Ohio, and. having a little capital, he began selling a book entitled "Chronicles of the Rebellion." He met with fair success in this undertaking but was taken sick with scarlet
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fever before he could deliver the volumes and on recovering from his illness found it rather difficult to dispose of them. He also sold a lithograph of the Emancipation Proclamation. Afterward he again gave his attention to farming for one month and then started to walk to Springfield. Ohio, eight mlies away. After convalescing from a two months' illness he taught school for one month. Resigning his position as a teacher, he went to work for George W. Hastings, the editor of the Springfield Republic, as a subscrip- tion solicitor and during his connection with the paper. from December, 1865, to April, 1866, he increased the circulation by three thousand. Mr. Hastings then purchased a book bindery and in June, 1866, sent Mr. Ruggles on the road to sell blankbooks and stationery-such as is used in county and state offices. Our subject was thus engaged until 1869 and on the 20th of January of that year came to Columbus, accepting a position with Siebert & Lilley, who were also manufacturers of blankbooks and stationery. He remained with that company until their plant was destroyed by fire in 1892, and in March of that year he established the Ruggles Gale Company, of which he continuously served as president until July. 1906. when he sold out and retired from active business life. For about fifteen years he was thus at the head of an important commercial enterprise of Columbus and is widely recognized as a most substantial, public-spirited and enterprising citizen. Brooking no obstacles that honest effort could overcome, he steadily worked his way upward until, leaving the ranks of the many, he stood among the successful few. He was one of the organizers of the South Side Business & Improvement Association, served as its president for two years, and was also a director of the Columbus Board of Trade for two years.
Mr. Ruggles has been married twice. On the 1st of February, 1871. he wedded Miss Emma S. Buck, a native of Portsmouth, Ohio, who passed away in June, 1875. By this union there were born two children: Ferdi- nand A., who is a clerk in the department of construction and repair at the navy yard in Manilla; and Elmer W., who is deceased. On the 8th of Sep- tember, 1879, Mr. Ruggles was again married. his second union being with Mary A. Platt, who was born in Columbus. January 16, 1848. her parents being Calvin A. and Lucy (Lynch) Platt. who were natives of Vermont and pioneer settlers of this city. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Platt were born nine chil- dren, three of who still survive, as follows: Mrs. Lanra Shilling, a resident of Springfield, Ohio; Mrs. Sarah Harker, living in Cincinnati, Ohio: and Mrs. Ruggles. Unto Mr. Ruggles and his second wife have been born three children : Louise, the wife of Dr. Walter E. Newcome, of Cleveland. by whom she has one son, Morse R .; Calvin B., of Seattle, Washington; and George M .. who died in infancy.
In his political views Mr. Ruggles is a stanch republican, while his re- ligious faith is indicated by his membership in the First Congregational church, with which his wife is also identified. He has a small table which has been in possession of the family since 1700. its top being inlaid with a silver plate on which are inscribed the names of its owners and the date of their birth. as follows: Rev. Benjamin Ruggles, 1700; Benjamin Ruggles, Jr. 1726: Lemnel Ruggles, 1750: Grighamn Ruggles. 1784. Subsequently
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it fell to the lot of a brother of our subject, Charles B. Ruggles, who died childless and thus the heirloom came into possession of George L. Ruggles, who prizes it very highly. Both he and his wife are widely and favorably known throughout the city, having won the unqualified confidence and re- gard of all with who they have come in contact throughout the long period of their residence here.
SAMUEL H. MARVIN.
Samuel H. Marvin, general agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insur- ance Company, is a thoroughgoing business man whose advancement has come to him, not because of family influence or the favoring opportunities of inheri- tance. but because his ability has enabled him to cope with important and complex business problems. He was born in Tolland, Connecticut, May 8, 1845, and is a son of Ira Kilbourne Marvin and a grandson of Harvey Marvin.
The family is of Scotch-Irish origin, although the progenitors of the fam- ily in America came to this country from England in 1836, settling at Weath- ersfield. Connecticut, while representatives of the name were among the founders of the city of Hartford. Connecticut. Throughout all the inter- vening years the family has been represented in the Charter Oak state. The grandfather. Harvey Marvin, married Clarissa Kilbourne and the birth of Ira Kilbourne Marvin occurred there in 1797 and his life history covered the intervening years to 1880, when he passed away. He married Julia. daughter of Judge Young, of Connecticut, who was a contemporary and friend of Henry Clay. Judge Young was also instrumental in procuring the building of the government road extending from Washington, D. C., to Springfield, Illinois, of which Main street of Columbus is part. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ira K. Marvin were born eight children: Samuel H., Maria, Julia, Sybil, Hannah, Lucy, Clara, and Edwin E. The only ones now living are our subject and Edwin E. Marvin, the latter clerk of the U. S. district court of Connectient for forty years.
Samuel H. Marvin was educated in the common schools, which he at- tended to the age of fourteen years. after which he performed the work of field and meadow upon his father's farm until twenty-one years of age. The first seven and a half years after leaving school were spent by him in hauling wood to market with an ox-team. The family was very poor and was largely dependent upon him for support. He worked diligently and persistently, knowing few idle moments but the lessons of industry, enterprise and un- faltering perseverance which he then learned have proved important factors in his later success. As stated, he continued on the old home farin until twenty- one years of age.
He was married in October, 1871, in Bristol, Connecticut, to Miss Angie Bartholomew, a daughter of the famous clock manufacturer of that name. At that time Mr. Marvin became engaged as salesman in the sewing machine business and was later general agent and manager for western Ohio, with
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headquarters at Urbana. At that place he afterward turned his attention to dealing in horses and continued in that line of business until 1888, when he became connected with life insurance business. He came to Columbus in 1889 as representative of and district manager for the Mutual Life Insur- ance Company of New York, and in June, 1892, was appointed general agent of the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company of Milwaukee, in which connection he still continues. He has built up an extensive in- surance business, having a clientage which makes his position a most remun- erative one.
In his political views Mr. Marvin is a stalwart republican and is well informed on the questions and issues of the day, although he never seeks nor desires political office. The rules which govern his conduct and make him a man among men are indicated in the fact that he is a member of the Broad Street Methodist Episcopal church. He also belongs to the Wyan- dotte, the Columbus and the Columbus Country Clubs.
In 1893 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died in October of that year. They had previously lost a son, Percy, who died in 1891, at the age of eighteen years while a student in the Ohio State Uni- versity. Two daughters survive: Elizabeth, the wife of B. D. Clement, who is associated with her father in the insurance business; and Edna, who is a graduate of the Columbus high school. The family residence it at No. 721 Bryden road.
Mr Marvin is a man of sterling worth, who early learned to correctly value life's opportunities. Although in his youth he was denied many of the privileges and advantages which other boys enjoy he has lived to attain prosperity through his own well directed, earnest and honorable methods and has been generous in assisting others. contributing liberally to char- itable objects, while the poor and needy have found in him a friend. Re- membering his own carly struggles he has also been ever ready to aid others who are attempting to work their way upward.
HENRY O'KANE.
Henry O'Kane, president of the O'Kane Insurance Agency Company. in this connection bends his efforts to constructive work and administrative direc- tion that have resulted in the development of an enterprise of large proportion and important interest. He was born in Reynoldsburg. Franklin county, Ohio. August 1. 1843. The family is of Scotch-Irish lineage, coming to Amer- ica from the north of Ireland. Leaving that section of the Emerald isle in 1789 the grandfather of our subject established his home in North Carolina and afterward removed to Rockingham county, Virginia. He was a man of considerable prominence in his native country, nor was he unknown to local fame in the land of his adoption.
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