USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 33
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Dr. Carpenter is a son of Rev. George Carpenter, D. D., who was a well known Presbyterian divine. The father was born at Liberty, township Dela- ware, Ohio, and devoted fifty years of his life to the active work of the ministry. His influence was not of a restricted order and his labors constituted an effec- tive element in the moral progress of the state. He is now living in Ross county, Ohio, at the age of eighty-two years, and is devoting the evening of life to the conduct of a fruit farm. He married Miss Matilda Gilruth, a native of Ohio, who is still living at the age of seventy-seven years. Her father, the Rev. James Gilruth, was in the war of 1812, being quartermaster of a regi- ment stationed at Fort Gratiot. He was one of the best known Methodist ministers of Ohio and his keen mentality was evenly balanced by his physical strength, he being regarded as one of the strongest men of the county. Mrs. Carpenter has been an enthusiastic worker in the temperance canse and was captain of the first band of devoted women that succeeded in overthrowing the liquor traffic at Washington Courthouse. She wrote an interesting history of this crusade which is now to be found in the state library.
Dr. Carpenter was a student in the public schools of Washington Court- house and afterward attended Wooster University. where he was graduated in 1876 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, while in 1879 he received the Master of Arts degree from the state institution. After studying medicine he was graduated from Hahnemann College at Philadelphia in 1879 and began prac- tice the same year in Columbus. He has met with gratifying success in his pro- fessional labors. He was one of the founders of the Sixth Avenue Hospital in 1896 and is a member of the State and Columbus Homeopathic societies. He makes a specialty of mental and nervous diseases and has attained a high order of skill in that direction. He has been president of the State Medical Society and has been a valuable contributor to medical journals. His articles
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show wide research and comprehensive knowledge of the subjects which he handles and indicate him to be one of the prominent and learned representa- tives of the medical fraternity in Columbus. He is medical director of the Co- lumbus Mutual Life Insurance Company and aside from his profession has some business interests, being vice president of the Security Savings Bank.
In 1880 Dr. Carpenter was married to Miss Carrie L. May, who died in 1895, and in 1897 he was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Ida F. Lindsay, a native of Ohio. Both Dr. and Mrs. Carpenter hold member- ship in the Central Presbyterian church and are largely interested in its work, doing all in their power to promote its growth and extend its influence. Dr. Carpenter is also a stanch advocate of the temperance cause, of every move- ment that tends to nplift humanity, and of clean living in both public and pri- vate life. While not active in politics he feels that the public welfare should be a matter of deep concern to every individual and his influence is ever given on the side of justice, truth and right. He is interested in scientific and his- torical research, is a member of the State Archaeological Society and belongs to the Northwestern Genealogical Society and the Sons of the American Revo- lution. He was appointed one of seven commissioners in the Union of the National Society of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims to organize state and local societies. He is also connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and with the Columbus Club. Always approachable and kindly he is animated by a deep and helpful interest in his fellowmen and is ever will- ing to encourage and assist those who are working toward higher ideals.
WILLIAM TAYLOR MCCLURE.
William Taylor MeClure is actively connected with a profession which has important bearing upon the progress and stable prosperity of any section or community and one which has long been considered as conserving the pub- lic welfare by furthering the ends of justice and maintaining individual rights. In his practice as an attorney the force of a nature which could never be content with mediocrity has been manifest, and he has gradually worked his way upward. ably mastering the involved problems of jurisprudence.
Mr. McClure is a native of Highland county, Ohio, and a son of Martin and Nancy (Duncan) MeClure, who were likewise natives of the Buckeye state. He is descended from Revolutionary stock, his ancestor. William Taylor, having served in the war for independence. Both his paternal and maternal ancestors came from the north of Ireland and settled in York coun- ty, Pennsylvania, while the family, through successive generations have fol- lowed the occupation of farming. Martin McClure, however, turned his at- tention to the real-estate business, which he conducted for many years, but is now living retired at Hillsboro, Ohio. In community affairs he has taken an active and helpful part.
William Taylor MeClure attended the district schools in his boyhood days and afterward continned his education in the South Salem Academy
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and elsewhere. Although reared on the home farm and carly familiar with its duties and labors, he believed that he would find other pursuits more congenial and in early manhood took up the profession of teaching, which he followed for some years. The legal profession, however, appealed to him as more attractive and, coming to Columbus, he took up the study of law in the office and under the direction of the firm of Watson & Burr, with whom he continued for several years. In 1886 he was admitted to the bar but for ten years thereafter remained in the office of his former preceptors. For sev- eral years, however, he has practiced alone, giving his entire time to his profession, his ability gaining him a growing clientage of an important character. He has an extensive practice in commercial litigation. Well read in law, he is largely able to base his argument upon thorough knowledge and familiarity with precedents and to present a case upon its merits, never fail- ing to recognize the important point at issue and never neglecting to give a thorough preparation to each case. ITis pleas have been characterized by a terse, decisive and lucid presentation rather than by flights of oratory, and they carry force before court and jury from the fact that it is recognized that it is his aim to secure justice and not to enshroud the case in a sentimental garb of illusion which will thwart the principles of right and equity. He has been identified with the Columbus Street Railways for several years. has been in the organization directory a number of times and is a member of both the Ohio State and Franklin County Bar Associations.
In 1886 Mr. McClure was married to Miss Ada Bailey and they have two daughters, Margaret and Isabelle. Both Mr. and Mrs. McClure have many friends here and enjoy the hospitality of many of the attractive homes of Columbus. Mr. MeClure in matters of citizenship takes an active and helpful interest, withholding his cooperation from no movement or measure that is destined to benefit the city along substantial lines and municipal development. Hle is also interested in historical and archaeological study.
JUDGE JOHN NEIL MCLAUGHLIN.
Judge John Neil Mclaughlin, a life long resident of Ohio, spent his last days in Columbus. He was identified with the history of the state as an interested witness for almost nine decades and as an active participant in many events which marked local progress and improvement. He was born in London, Madison county, Ohio, February 29. 1816, and therefore when eighty-four years had been added to the cycle of the centuries he had just celebrated his twenty-first birthday. He came of Scotch-Trish ancestry, the family being founded in Washington county, Pennsylvania, at an early date. It was there that the birth of Robert MeLaughlin, father of Judge MeLaugh- lin, occurred. In early life he removed to Madison county, Ohio, where he married Miss Barbara Toops. A carpenter by trade, he was connected with building operations in Ohio and afterward in the city of New Orleans, where he passed away in 1829, his death being occasioned by injuries sustained in a fall. His widow afterward became the wife of Henry Coleman and removed
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to Indiana, where her death occurred in 1885, when she was eighty-five years of age.
Judge MeLaughlin was but a small boy at the time of his father's de- mise and at the age of eight years he went to make his home with relatives in Ross county, Ohio. There he attended school, the "little temple of learn- ing" being a log building with puncheon floor, while the desks were made of slabs cut off from the side of saw-logs. He pursued his studies during the winter months but in the summer season worked on the farm. How- ever he applied himself diligently to the acquirement of an education as opportunity offered and thus managed to gain a fair education, which served as the foundation of his later acquired knowledge. In the course of years he became a well informed man through his reading, his research and his retentive memory. He made his initial step in the business world when six- teen years of age as an apprentice to Mr. Ustick, a tailor at Bloomingburg, Ohio, and became a thorough master at that trade, which he followed for a number of years in Bloomingburg, Washington Courthouse, New Holland, Frankfort and other places. He became a warm personal friend of Judge Edward F. Bingham, of McArthur, Vinton county, who was later chief justice of the supreme court of the District of Columbia and who induced him to locate in McArthur in 1855. There he carried on business until 1861, when President Lincoln appointed him postmaster of the village and he continued to serve in that capacity until 1885, with the exception of one year under the administration of President Andrew Johnson. After retir- ing from the office of postmaster he was elected probate judge of Vinton county on the republican ticket and sat on that bench for three years. He was for twenty years a faithful official of the public, discharging his duties with marked capability and loyalty. Over his official record there fell no shadow of wrong nor suspicion of evil and he retired from office as he had entered it-with the confidence and regard of all concerned. In 1891 he removed to Columbus and established his home at No. 663 Franklin ave- nue, where he spent his remaining days in the enjoyment of well earned rest.
When age gave to Judge MeLaughlin the right of franchise he be- came a stalwart advocate of the whig party and cast his first presidential vote for William Henry Harrison in 1840. He continued a whig until the organization of the republican party when he joined its ranks and was ever loyal to its principles.
In 1834 Judge Mclaughlin was married to Miss Emily Gunning, of Fayette county, Ohio, and they became the parents of three sons and two daughters: Robert, now living in Albany, New York; Susan, of Columbus; William and James, both deceased; and one who died in infancy. Miss Susan MeLaughlin has for some years been one of the best known school principals of Columbus, being at the head of the Sullivant school, on East State street from 1877 until 1907. Before this she was principal of the Spring street school. The first school she taught was the Mound street school. Beginning in 1864 she taught until 1907. In her girlhood days she attended the public schools of Bloomingburg until she reached the age of fourteen and then entered
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the Female College at Natchez, Mississippi, from which she was graduated in her seventeenth year. She then returned to the north to visit the family of her friend, Judge Bingham, who had removed to Columbus. At that time a vacancy occurred in the Mound Street school and Miss MeLaughlin secured the position, remaining there for a few years after which she was made principal of the Spring Street school and in 1877 was transferred to the Sullivant school. Her work has been of a most important character and has constituted an effective and valuable element in the promotion of the public-school interests of this city.
Judge MeLaughlin continued a resident of Columbus until his death in 1903. Thus passed from life one of the honored early residents and promi- nent citizens of the state. He had lived to witnes, a remarkable change, for in the period of his youth there were no railroads. telegraphs or telephones. He was born when James Madison was president of the United States and lived to see many changes in the political principles and organization of the leading parties. Ile lived to see the country emerge victoriously from three important wars, while to describe what has occurred in the material develop- ment and upbuilding of the United States would require volumes. Judge MeLaughlin always stood as an advocate of progress and improvement and was always interested in what the country accomplished, while in his home community his efforts were always given to the side of upbuilding, of justice and of right.
FRANK T. CLARKE.
Frank T. Clarke, who has held the office of city prosecuting attorney and justice of the peace but is now giving his individed attention to a grow- ing and important law practice, was born in Columbus in 1863, a son of John D. and Margaret (Turney ) Clarke, the father having passed away in 1886 while the mother, long surviving, departed this life May 8, 1908.
Frank T. Clarke obtained his education in the parochial schools of Columbus and in Notre Dame University at Notre Dame, Indiana, from which he was graduated with the class of 1884. He studied law in the office of his brother, William J. Clarke, and upon admission to the bar in 1886. became associated with him in active practice for a short time, or until William J. Clarke removed westward to Utah. Frank T. Clarke has since been alone in the prosecution of his practice and the zeal with which he has devoted his energies to his chosen calling, the careful regard evinced for the interests of his clients and an assiduons and unrelaxing attention to all of the details of his cases have brought him a large business and made him very successful in its conduct.
In 1891 he was elected city prosecuting attorney and discharged his duties with a singleness of purpose that none questioned. He remained in the general practice of law until 1901 when he was chosen justice of the peace and served until 1904. He now gives his attention to his professional duties and his handling of his case is always full, comprehensive and ac- curate, while his analysis of the facts is clear and exhaustive. He belongs
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to the Franklin County Bar Association and gives his political allegiance to the democratic party. His official service has ever been in the nature of his profession and he was as faithful in the discharge of his duties therein as he has been in adhering to a high standard of professional ethics.
JOHN HAWORTH MACKIE.
The vast majority of successful men have made Immble beginnings in the business world but through the merit system have worked their way up- ward, proving their worth in the faithful and able discharge of the duties that have devolved upon them. Such has been the history of John Haworth Mackie now the president and manager of the Columbus Sporting Goods Company, in which connection he is controlling one of the extensive commercial inter- ests of the city. He was born in Covington, Kentucky, December S, 1871. His father, Andrew Mackie, was born and reared in Blair Cottage, Stirling- shire, Scotland, and thence made his way to America, settling at Covington, where for many years he owned and operated a glass manufactory. He died in 1873 and the following year his wife, who bore the maiden name of Ellen Hlaworth and was a native of England, also departed this life.
Following the death of his parents Joli H. Mackie went to live with an aunt and uncle in Cincinnati, Ohio, and was educated in the public schools of that city. continuing his course until he became a high-school student. He had to abandon his text-books, however, as it was necessary for him to go to work and he accepted a position as office boy. He rose rapidly, however, his promotions following in quick succession until he became manager of the sales department of a large corporation in the same line of business in which he is today engaged. Believing that he saw an advantageous opening. en- abling him to carry on business on his own account, in January, 1904, he purchased the controlling interest held by J. C. Sherwood in the Columbus Sporting Goods Company, the store then being located at No. 267 North High street. Mr. Mackie's previous experience well qualified him for a position of exeentive control and he was elected president. In November, 1905, he re- moved to his present spacious quarters at No. 235 North High street; occu- pying a building with a depth of one hundred and ninety-seven and a half feet and a width of thirty-two feet with basement under the entire store. They carry a complete modern stock of sporting goods, said to be the largest this side of New York city. They have a large wholesale department represented on the road by three traveling salesmen, and since Mr. Mackie assumed control the business has been increased over forty per cent. Every department has been developed in accordance with modern ideas of trade and they now carry a large stock of guns, ammunition, athletic supplies, base ball. foot ball, basket ball and bowling equipments. They have a large college trade and Mr. Mackie's personal acquaintance with athletics gives him great prestige. He has himself been well known as an all-round athlete, has made a record as a sprinter and as a professional rifle, shotgun and pistol shot. He also displays
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JOHN H. MACKIE
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONB.
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marked skill as a boxer, wrestler and bowler, and his interest in athletics enables him to keep in touch with the trade and the desires and demands of the public. He also has other business connections of considerable import- ance which are bringing to him gratifying and merited success.
In 1895 Mr. Mackie was married to Miss Bertha May Cahill, of Cin- cinnati, a granddaughter of Hon. John K. Green, a well known political leader and state senator. Mr. and Mrs. Mackie have one son, John K. Green Mackie, born July 18, 1896.
Mr. Mackie is a member of the Ohio and several other clubs. He belongs to the Masonic blue lodge at Cincinnati; Mount Vernon commandery, K. T .; Scioto consistory, S. P. R. S .; and Aladdin Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. His religious faith is that of the Episcopal church. He is un enthusiast on motor- ing and has made many long trips in his car. His life has been one of intense and well directed activity, crowned with well deserved success, and his record may well serve as a source of inspiration to others, showing what may be ac- complished when ability is coupled with determination.
DR. ROBERT WALLACE STEVENSON.
In a history of those men whose lives have been influencing factors in the progress of the state, who have aided in fashioning civilization and pro- moting the intellectual and moral development from which character springs, Dr. Robert Wallace Stevenson was prominent. His life was given to educa- tional work and not only by instruction but by example he aided in shaping the lives and formulating the principles of hundreds who came under his care. It is a widely acknowledged fact that the most important work to which a man can direct his energies is that of teaching, whether it be from the pulpit, from the lecture platform or from the schoolroom. Its primary object is ever the same-the development of one's latent powers that the duties of life may be bravely met and well performed. The intellectual and moral nature are so closely allied that it is difficult to instruct one without in a measure influencing the other, and certainly the best results are accomplished when the work goes hand in hand. It was to this work of thus instructing the young that Dr. Stevenson devoted his time, energies and thought. Devoting the weekdays to the cause of secular education, he continued his teaching in the Sunday schools on the Sabbath and at all times exerted that unconscious but nevertheless strongly felt influence which left its impress for good upon the lives of so many.
Dr. Stevenson was one of Ohio's native sons and his record was ever an honor to the state. His birth occurred on a farm near Zanesville in Mus- kinguin county, July 1. 1832, and, as his name indicates, came of Scotch an- cestry, displaying throughout his entire life many of the sterling traits of character which are attributes of the people of this land of liberty, poetry and song, of religious and educational zeal. His father, James Stevenson, was a son of Thomas Steven-on, who came of an ancestry driven from
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Scotland to Ireland until Ulster county. where they settled, was more Scotch than Irish. From the Emerald Isle he emigrated with his family to America and became a resident of Muskingum county, Ohio, and prominent not only in the early material development of that locality but also an active factor in the work of the Presbyterian church, in which he served as a ruling elder. Near the Stevenson home was established the home of the Wallaces, also a Scotch family, prominent in the early life and progress of Muskingum county. James Stevenson wedded Elizabeth Wallace, who was born in this country in 1803, a daughter of the Rev. Robert Wallace, whose birth occurred in Ireland but who acquired his education in Scotland, being a graduate of the college of Glasgow. His ancestry reaches back to Sir William Wallace, Scotland's martyred hero, and the same sturdy and indomitable love of poli- tical liberty that inspired a Bannockburn manifested itself in his posterity's love of religious liberty when the persecutions of the Stuart kings of Eng- land drove eighteen thousand Covenanters to seal their fidelity to their re- ligious faith with martyrdom. The first man burned at the stake was a Wallace and then the family and relatives removed to Ireland. Rev. Robert Wallace had two brothers: John, who was appointed to an official position on the Isle of Man, where he afterward died; and David. who came to America with Robert. The Rev. Robert Wallace settled first in Philadelphia and studied theology under Dr. Wylie, of the Reformed Presbyterian church, after which he became an active minister of the gospel. Removing west- ward to Muskingum county, Ohio, he organized many churches there and in Licking county and on horseback made his trips to these various churches to preach the gospel to their congregations. He purchased a farm near Nor- wich, Ohio, organized three churches in that locality and remained their pastor for thirty-three years, or until his death at the age of seventy-six years. A strong opponent of slavery, he lectured and preached against the practice all over the country and fearlessly continued this work. although his life was oft times in danger. His home became a station on the famous underground railroad and his grandfather's activity in this direction undoubtedly influenced Dr. R. W. Stevenson, who in later years evinced the strongest regard for the rights of the negro in the efforts that led to wiping out the color line in the schools of Columbus.
One who knew Dr. R. W. Stevenson well said: "He was trained by his parents to a strict religious life and early became a member of the Re- formed Presbyterian church. His grandfather and three of his uncles were ministers of the gospel. The boy gave promise of more than ordinary ability for much usefulness. Ilis aptitude to learn, his brightness of intellect and high regard for integrity, honesty and religious duty, his great energy. his influence and popularity with the people and especially the youth, induced his parents and grandfather to set him aside for the ministry. From his boyhood Robert was noted for his energy and merry life. Every one liked to be where he was. Preachers gave him great amusement when they did not say things just right or made remarks ont of place. All such parts of sermons lie was sure to remember and from them make amusing comparisons and deduc- tions." Judging from later years, these criticisms were undoubtedly char-
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acterized by a pleasing, kindly Innor rather than by entting wit or sarcasm. In his later years he displayed charity of judgment, which in genial natures grows with advancing years. Reared in a pioneer country home of Ohio, he enjoyed the freedom of the farm and assisted as well in all of its work. The intellectual vigor which he displayed in carly life made his parents share his ambition for educational opportunities and after he had completed a course in the country schools he was sent to college at New Concord, Mus- kingmm county, Ohio. At the close of his junior year his brilliant attain- ments were so marked and his influence so great that Dr. Sanmel Findley, president of Madison College in Guernsey county, Ohio, besought him to finish his senior year in that institution, knowing that it would be the means of drawing others to the college. Dr. Stevenson, then determined to go to Madison and was there graduated in 1854, when twenty-two years of age, with a high record for scholarship, His reputation as a profound student, together with his marked and attractive personality, led many schools to seek his services as a teacher when his college course was completed.
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