USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 30
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Charles E. Justice acquired a public school education and afterward en- gaged in teaching school in Fairfield county for eight years. The hours which are usually termed leisure were by him closely devoted to the study of law until he had mastered many of the principles of jurisprudence and, successful in passing the required examination, was admitted to the bar De- cember 5, 1889, before the supreme court of Ohio. He has since been ad- mitted to practice in the United States circuit court and in following his profession in Columbus has given unmistakable evidence of his ability in his chosen vocation. The court records show that he has won a number of notable cases and also that he confines his attention largely to real estate law. He has not dissipated his energies over the entire field of jurisprudence but has concentrated his forces along one particular line with the result that his ability is continuously increasing. His otlices are located in the Wesley Block where he has remained for almost nineteen successive years.
Mr. Justice is a member of the Columbus Board of Trade and is well known in Masonic circles, having taken the degrees of the Ancient York Rite. He is also a very prominent and active worker in the blue lodge of masonry, and is connected with the Knights of Pythias and in fraternal circles, as in other relations of life, enjoys the warm regard in which he is held.
PROFESSOR FRANK THEODORE COLE.
Professor Frank Theodore Cole, as president of the Colobus University School, is doing a work. the value of which cannot be overestimated. He holds to the opinion of Kant that "the object of education is to train each in- dividual to reach the highest perfection possible for him," and, actuated in all of his work by this ideal, he has made his school one of the leading edu- cational factors of central Ohio.
Professor Cole was born in Brattleboro, Vermont, June 22. 1853, and is descended from one of the old New England families, Thomas Cole, his ancestor, having settled at Salem, Massachusetts, in 1634. His father, Theo- dore Cole, was born at Westmoreland. New Hampshire, May 19, 1813. and when twenty-two years of age went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he shipped on a whaling vessel. In May, 1843, he sailed as master of the Parachute and after making three voyages retired from the sea. It was in August. 1848, that he wedded Miss Livilla, daughter of Captain Wilson and Lucy (Atherton) Gleason. She was born March 21. 1818, and at twenty- five years of age gave her hand in marriage to Captain Cole. She accom- panied him on two long voyages to the Arctic ocean, on one of which he dis-
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covered the Plover Islands on the 15th of July, 1849, but never claimed the title of discoverer. He made several long voyages but following his arrival home on the 22d of March, 1851, decided to give up the sea. He then turned his attention to merchandising and manufacturing at Brattle- boro, Vermont, where he lived for seven years and where his children were born. In 1859 he removed with his family to a farm at Westminster, Ver- mont, and in 1867 changed to city life, settling at Waverley, Massachusetts, where he maintained his home while conducting a produce business in Bos- ton. Later he returned to his old home town of Westmoreland. New Hamp- shire, where he died July 2, 1884. He had previously served as a member of the Vermont legislature during his residence at Westminster and in 1881-2 he represented Westmoreland in the New Hampshire general as- sembly. The questions which were to the statesman and man of affairs of vital import were matters of interest to him and he was able to hold his own in argument with the leading political leaders of New England. He became a stalwart republican at the organization of the party, voting for Fremont in 1855 and continuing as a supporter of the party principles until his de- mise. In his later life he held membership in the Congregational church.
Frank Theodore Cole, the eldest child of the family attended the public schools and prepared for college in the Phillips Andover Academy. Later he matriculated in Williston Seminary at Easthampton, Massachusetts, being graduated therefrom in June, 1873. In the succeeding fall he matriculated in Williams College and was graduated in 1877 with the Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1879 he won the degree of Bachelor of Law from Columbia U'nl- versity at New York city and was admitted to practice in the courts of New York in December of that year.
In the same month Professor Cole settled in Columbus and entered upon the active practice of law in this city, continuing in, the profession until Jau- uary 1, 1887, after which he devoted two years to commercial interests. In 1889 he entered upon active connection with educational affairs here, estab- lishing the Cohunbus Latin School, which has been continued to the present time although the name was changed to the Columbus University School on it- incorporation. Professor Cole since acting as its president. The Column- bus Latin School was established as a school for boys in 1888, Professor Cole assuming charge in 1889. In 1899 he was joined by Professor Abram Brown, formerly principal of the Central high school and they reorganized the school under the name of the University School of Columbus, with Pro- fessor Brown as principal and Profesor Cole as secretary. After two years Professor Brown returned to his high school work and under Professor Cole's guidance this has become one of the splendid educational institutions of Central Ohio, its graduates being eligible to entrance into any standard col- lege or university. The school was incorporated in 1906.
While Professor Cole has gained distinction as one of the able educators of Ohio, he has become equally well known in other lines and in fact his interest. and activity extend to various fields bearing upon the substantial progress and the progressive citizenship of his adopted state. Recognizing the obliga- tions as well as the advantages of citizenship. he has been a stalwart advocate
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of the political principles which he believes are most conducive to the wel- fare of state and nation, and in 1880 was president of the Garfield and Arthur Glee Club and a director of succeeding clubs in 1884 and 1888. He has served on the city and county committees as representative from the old ninth ward and has never failed to espouse any cause which his judgment sanctions as beneficial to the community at large. From 1880 until 1887 he was a member of the executive board of the Young Men's Christian Associa- tion and for ten years was secretary of the Franklin County Sunday School Union. Hle was first superintendent of the Mayflower Sunday school and was assistant superintendent of the Sunday school of the First Congrega- tional church for twelve years. He believes in the carly training of the child along moral lines as well as intellectual development. regarding such train- ing as the basis of correct growth in later years. Realizing, too, the profound truth that physical development should go hand in hand with intellectual and moral progress he has always been much interested in athletics and was one of the founders and twice served as president of the Columbus Tennis Association and for six years was president of the Columbus Golf Club. He also became a charter member of the Columbus Whist Club.
Genealogy has been to him an engaging study and in 1886 he was the author of the Early Genealogies of the Cole Families in America and also prepared a partial genealogy of the Gleason family. He contributes graphic articles to the Old Northwest Genealogical Quarterly, of which he is now editor. In 1888-9 he was secretary of the disbursement committee for the centennial celebration of the passage of the ordinance erecting Northwest territory when the annual encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic was held that year in Columbus. He is a life member of the Ohio Histori cal and Archaeological Society and of the Old Northwest Genealogical Soci- ety, acting as secretary of the last named since June, 1903. Deeply inter- ested in the great sociological problems of the country he became secretary of the first social settlement of this city, known as the Godman Guild. He belongs to the First Congregational church, and all questions which affect the general interests of society have received his attention and considera- tion. His study of everything has led not so much to theory but to action and his efforts have been resultant factors in attaining achievement along various lines of public benefit.
ISAAC NEWTON SMITH, M. D.
Dr. Isaac Newton Smith, devoting his time and attention to the practice of medicine and surgery in Westerville. with a patronage that is indicative of his skill and capable service, was born in Plain township, Franklin county. Ohio, February 16, 1842. His parents were Archibald and Mary A. (Beach) Smith. The father was born in Sussex county, New Jersey, in 1803. while the mother was a native of Stratford. Connectiont. They were married in Licking county. Ohio, in 1833. having come to this state with
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their respective parents in childhood days. It was in the fall of 1813 that the Smith family was established in Plain township, settling about a mile from the birthplace of Dr. Smith of this review. Thus almost a century has passed since the Smith family of which our subject is a representative became connected with the carly development and progress of this part of the state and as the years have gone by they have borne a substantial part in the progress and improvement of the county. The first to come to the county was the Doctor's grandfather, John I. Smith and his father, John Smith, who was a Revolutionary soldier and who died here May 23, 1814, being the first interred in the Smith burying ground on the Johnstown road.
Dr. Smith resided on the old homestead farm for thirty years. He had supplemented his early education by a year's study in the Johnstown high school and at the time of the Civil war he enlisted in the National Guard in 1863. The following year he was mustered into the United States service as a member of Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-third Ohio Volun- teer Infantry, with the one hundred day men and participated in the engage- ment at Bermuda Hundred. On the expiration of his term of enlistment he returned home and was again connected with general agricultural pur- snits for some years. He began preparation for the practice of medicine as a student under the direction of Dr. G. W. Holmes, of New Albany, Ohio, who remained his preceptor for three years. In October, 1873, he matric- ulated in the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, from which he was graduated in February, 1875.
Following his graduation Dr. Smith went to Lehigh, Iowa, where he practiced for a year and then returned to New Albany, Ohio, where he con- tinued in practice for eighteen years. Since October. 1894, he has been a resident of Westerville and is here accorded a growing patronage, having the professional support of many of the best families of the town. His abil- ity is pronounced, enabling him to cope with intricate problems relative to the restoration of health. His labors have been effective in this direction and he well deserves the liberal support which is accorded him.
On the 20th of January, 1881, Dr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Eveline Strait, a daughter of George R. and Minerva Strait, of Wester- ville, and to them were born two children but one died in infancy. The sur- viving son is Ralph W., who was born October S. 1889. and was graduated from the high school of Westerville in 1908, now attending the Otterbein University.
Dr. Smith from the age of twenty-one years has been a loyal advocate of the republican party and served as treasurer of his native township, which, however, is the only public office that he has ever filled. In 1868 he went to Utica, Livingston county, Missouri, where he heard Carl Schurz make his famous speech. In 1867 he became a member of the Methodist church and his life has been in conformity with its teachings. He was made a Mason in New Albany in 1872 and is a member of Blendon Lodge, No. 339, A. F. & A. M., of Westerville, also of the chapter and the Eastern Star of Wester- ville. He has served as commander of James Price Post, No. 50. G. A. R .. and is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution. being identified
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with the Columnbus chapter. The growth of these societies is a matter of deep interest to him and he gives loyal aid thereto. His time, however, is largely taken up with his professional duties and he never neglects an op- portunity to aid his fellowmen through his professional skill even when he knows that his service will not bring pecuniary reward.
EDMUND FREDERICK ARRAS.
Edmund Frederick Arras, well known in business circles of Columbus as a rental agent, his interests in this connection having now reached exten- tensive proportions, was born in Dayton, Ohio, July 7, 1875. The family is of German lineage, and Johann Nicholas Arras, the grandfather of our subject, was one of the pioneer settlers of Dayton. John D. Arras, the father, was born in Columbus and for twenty-one years was proprietor of the Columbus Tent & Awning Company, in which connection he conducted an extensive business. He was well known in commercial circles and he was also a trustee of the Spiritualist church at the corner of Sixth and State streets. He mar- ried Clara II. Schneider, a native of Columbus. Her parents, however, came from Germany in company with the great-grandfather of our subject, Fred erick Faeger, who was one of the pioneers of the capital city and owned a large portion of the land in South Columbus. The death of John D. Arras occurred December 21, 1907, but his wife is still living.
At the usual age Edmund F. Arras began his education in the public schools of Dayton and subsequently was a high-school student in Columbus. After leaving high school he acted as private secretary to Judge Eli P. Evans, who was for twenty-five years judge of the common pleas court, and Mr. Arras was closely associated with this learned gentleman until the latter's death, which occurred February 9, 1908, the Judge exerting a great influence over his life. For some time he was a student in the law department of the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated in 1895, although he was but twenty years of age and too young to be admitted to practice. The following year he took a post-graduate course in law and was admitted to the bar the day following his twenty-first birthday.
In the meantime, however, in 1891 Mr. Arras established a small rental ageney and conducted the business while attending college. He practiced law for four years after completing his course and at the same time continned his rental agency, which grew so rapidly that he abandoned the law practice altogether in 1900 to attend to a business which demanded his entire time and energies. In this way he manages much property, having the largest rental agency in the city. in fact controls more business than any other five agencies combined. He is agent and manager for a number of large inter- est-, including the William A. Neil estate, the .A. H. Hildreth estate, the M. M. Green estate. the Gilbert C. Hoover estate. the Norfolk & Western Rail- way Company, the Green-Joyce Company, the Ximena Home Building Com- pany and the Hoster Columbus- Associated Breweries Company.
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In 1897 Mr. Arras was married to Miss Elizabeth P. MeDerment, of Co- lumbus, a daughter of one of the prominent pioneers of Columbus, James M. MeDerment, who for more than thirty-five years conducted a wholesale and retail feed business on West Broad street. He was a prominent Odd Fellow, being for years state treasurer of that organization. Mr. and Mrs. Arras are well known socially, having many friends in this city. Mr. Arras takes an active interest in those movements and measures which tend to uplift hu- manity, is president and one of the directors of the Universalist church and is superintendent of the Sunday school. He is also president of the Men's League of that church and gives loyal assistance to many plans for the moral progress of the community. He is a member of the Board of Trade and is serving on the real-estate committee of that organization. During his course in the university he was president of the Horton Literary Society and was class historian of the law department. He has always been interested in litera- ture and intellectual development and, while preeminently a successful busi- ness man, his desire for financial progress has never excluded a healthful interest in those things of life which indicate a well balanced character.
G. T. HARDING, JR., M. D.
G. T. Harding, Jr., a successful representative of the medical frater- nity in Columbus, was born in Caledonia, Ohio, March 11, 1878. His father. G. T. Harding, is a native of Morrow county, Ohio, and for thirty- seven years has been a practicing physician at Marion, Ohio, entering upon his professional career after his graduation from the Cleveland Homeopathic Medical College. His personal traits of character, aside from his professional qualities, make him a most highly respected resident of Marion. He is of English lineage, descended from an old family of Devonshire, England, that was founded in America by Stephen Harding, who arrived in 1647 at the age of twenty-three years and became a member of the Roger Wil- liams Colony, at Providence, Rhode Island. The family was represented in the Revolutionary war by those whose patriotism promoted military defense of American interests. The great-great-grandfather, Amos Tryon Harding, established the family in Ohio, settling in Morrow county in 1820. He had a family of nineteen children and removed to this state from Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania. His son, Charles Alexander Harding, grandfather of Dr. Harding of this review, followed the occupation of farming, a pur- suit to which all the male members of the family gave their attention, until Dr. G. T. Harding, Sr., made a departure and entered upon a professional career. He married Phoebe E. Dickerson, a native of Morrow county, Ohio, her people coming from southwestern Pennsylvania in the late '30s and settling in Morrow county near Blooming Grove, becoming factors in the early agricultural development there.
Dr. G. T. Harding, Jr .. of Columbus, is next to the youngest of a family of eight children, two of whom died in childhood, his eldest brother, Warren
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G., being well known in the public life of Ohio and editor and publisher of the Marion Daily Star. He has been twice elected senator from the Fourteenth senatorial district, and served as lieutenant governor during the adminis- tration of Governor Herrick, his influence being a potent element in shaping his party's policy and promoting the progress of the commonwealth.
Dr. Harding pursued his education in the public schools of Marion, to which city the family removed during his childhood days, and there he passed through successive grades to his graduation from the high school with the class of 1895. later spending one year in Battle Creek college, subse- quently matriculating in the University of Michigan, from which he was gradnated with the M. D. degree in 1900. He afterward spent a few months in association with his father in general practice then taking a position in the Columbus State Hospital on the 1st of October, 1900, where he acted as first assistant physician from 1902 until 1905, when he resigned and went to Washington, D. C., as superintendent of a sanitarium there. On the 1st of April, 1907, however, he resigned and returned to Columbus to establish his office, entering npon active practice as a specialist in the treatment of diseases of the nervous system, a department to which he has devoted much study and research, so that he is largely enabled to speak anthoritatively concerning the various phases of nervous disorders. In 1904 and 1905 he was assistant in the department of nervous diseases in the Ohio Medical Uni- versity, and belongs to the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the State Medi- cal, and American Medical Associations and the American Medical Psychologi- cal Association.
On the 21st of July. 1903, Dr. Harding was united in marriage to Miss Elsie Weaver, a daughter of J. C. and Elsie Dana (Townsend) Weaver, of Perry county, Ohio. Dr. and Mrs. Harding now have two sons, George Tryon, born May 26, 1904; and Warren G., born November 2, 1905. From his youth Dr. Harding has been a member of the Seventh Day Adventists. His time and attention are chiefly given to his professional duties, and he is regarded as a rising representative of the medical fraternity in Columbus with prospects of a bright future.
GOV. ANDREW L. HARRIS.
In a history of those meu whose lives have been a credit and honor to the state which has honored them, it is imperative that definite consideration be paid Gov. Andrew L. Harris, for as lawyer and judge, as legislator and parliamentarian, he has done effective and valuable service for the common- wealth. The career which the American people hold in highest regard is that of the man who works his way upward from humble surroundings, prov- ing the worth of his character and ability in positions which are a sure test. As a farmer boy his youthful days were passed in his native town, and his close application in every position which he has filled and his honesty of purpose have carried him into important relations to the public.
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It was on the 17th of November, 1835. in Butler county, Ohio, that An- drew Lintner Harris was born, while his youthful days were passed upon the farm in Dixon township, Preble county His grandfather, Joseph Harris, was a native of Ireland and in 1797 crossed the Atlantic to America, taking up his abode in Cincinnati. Soon after the close of the war of 1812 he re- moved to Butler county, Ohio. His son, Benjamin Harris, father of the Gov- ernor, was born in Cincinnati, March 3, 1803. and on the 3d of April, 1829, married Miss Nancy Lintner, of Butler county. They became parents of seven children bnt Gov. Harris is now the only survivor. The father passed away in 1872, while the mother's death occurred in 1881.
Gov. Harris spent his early boyhood day- on the home farm and attended the district school through the winter seasons. Availing himself of the op- portunity to acquire a college education. he entered Miami University in 1857 and was graduated from that institution in 1860, after which he re- turned to the farm and subsequently began the study of Inw. Constrained by the spirit of patriotism, he ceased his preparation for the bar after the out- break of the Civil war and joined Company C of the Twentieth Ohio Vohun- teer Infantry as a private. The smoke from Fort Sumter's guns hud scarcely cleared away at the time of his enlistment, which occurred on the 17th of April, 1861, and through gradual stages of promotion he was advanced until he became captain of his company. At the close of his first term he recruited Company C of the Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was commis- sioned captain in 1861, while in 1863 he became major and later in the same year was promoted to the rank of colonel. In 1865 he was made brigadier general by brevet. His military record covers all of the experiences meted out to the soldier who engages in active warfare. Within the period of his service he participated in many important engagements among which were the battles of Monterey, Shaw's Ridge, McDowell. Franklin, Cedar Mountain, the second battle of Bull Run. Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. On that hotly contested battlefield in Pennsylvania he led his brigade and his command was the first to enter the town. He was severely wounded both at McDowell and at Gettysburg but remained with the army until the close of hostilities and his loyal and brilliant military service has constituted the tide of his legislative and executive functions.
When the war was over General Harris returned to the farm and took up agricultural life, but still suffering from his wounds, which somewhat in- enpacitated him for manual labor, he turned his attention to the study of law, was admitted to the bar and has since practiced his profession successfully save for the periods when his time has been fully occupied by his official du- ties. In the practice of law he displayed a keen, analytical mind and logical deductions. His preparation of cases is thorough and exhaustive. his sequence correct and his citations of law and precedent at all times accurate. At dif- ferent times he has been called from professional duties to serve his fellow citizens in public office. In 1865 he was elected to the state senate and was one of the working members of that body during the four years in which he occupied the position. In 1875 he was elected probate judge of Preble
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