USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 36
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In his political views Mr. Romaine was a stalwart republican, active in the work of the party for years. He served several years as a member of the common council, and also served as deputy police clerk. He belonged to Junia Lodge, I. O. O. F. Those who knew him prized his friendship and gave him warm regard, while those with whom he became acquainted through business relations found him a trustworthy and progressive man.
Since her husband's death. Mrs. Romaine has been engaged very ex- tensively in building upon and improving the property which her husband had purchased. She has erected many attractive residences in this city, add- ing to the architectural adornment of Columbus, and has recently completed a fine home for her-elf on Waldeck place.
ALBERT BERNET.
Albert Bernet is second assistant general manager of the American Press Association, also manager of the Columbus branch the American Press Association, one of the most thoroughly systematized enterprises in the entire country. Other business interests also claim Mr. Bernet's attention and have profited by his keen sagacity and his unfaltering diligence. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, February 11, 1865, and is a son of Frank and Barbara ( Weiss) Bernet, both of whom were natives of Germany. They came to America, however, in 1853 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio. The father was a carriage manufacturer, becoming a pioneer in that line of bus- iness in Cincinnati, where he remained until his life's labors were ended in death February 7, 1908.
As a pupil in the public schools of that city, Albert Bernet gained his knowledge of the common branches of English learning but in his boy- hood days faced the necessity of providing for his own support and for some time was employed in the type foundries there. In 1884 he secured a posi- tion as office boy with the American Press Association at Cincinnati and as-ured his promotion by making his services valuable to those whom he represented. Gradually his ability and diligence enabled him to work his way upward and in 1895 he left the Cincinnati establishment to come to Columbus as bookkeeper for the American Press Association here. In 1901 he was promoted to the position of manager and has since aeted in that capacity with thorough knowledge of the needs of the office and ability to meet all of its demands. His work here is by no means an unessential ele- ment in the success of the association and aside from his duties at the head of the Columbus office he is also assistant general manager of the American Press Association. His excentive ability and business discernment are fur- ther demonstrated in his excellent work as the national treasurer of the American Insurance Union. an order having twenty-five thousand members with headquarters in Columbus. He is likewise the chairman of the board of trustees of the Ohio Association of Elks and chairman of the trustees of
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the Columbus Lodge of Elks, while his membership relations extend to the Masonic fraternity.
Mr. Bernet has been identified with the Press Association for twenty- five years and probably knows more public and newspaper men in the state than any other resident of Ohio, having met them all personally. He stands a splendid example of the self-made man for without any of the ad- vantages which arise from college education or assistance from family or influential friends he has worked his way steadily upward. his present im- portant business connections being the measure of his ability and his enter- prise. Throughout his entire career he has brooked no obstacles that could be overcome by determined and persistent effort.
In 1889 Mr. Bernet was married to Miss Laura Mueller. of Cincinnati, and they have four children: Laura, Florence, Albert and Thelma. That Mr. Bernet is a man of broad capabilities is indicated in his varied and ex- tensive business interests. He is at all times approachable and patiently listens to whatever a caller may have to say, always courteous and at all times a gentleman in the truest and best sense of the term. He cares not for notoriety nor is there about him the least shadow of mock modesty. He is a gentleman of fine address and thorough culture, occupying a prominent place in the regard of those with whom he comes in contact as well as in bus- iness circles.
MILTON E. THOMPSON.
Milton E. Thompson was an honored veteran of the Civil war and in his business affairs often displayed the same spirit of bravery and unques- tioned fidelity to the interests entrusted to his care that he showed as a soldier upon southern battlefields. He was a native of Chillicothe, Ohio, and a son of Philip and Mary Thompson, whose family numbered eight children. The father was a pioneer resident of Ross county, Ohio, his father having located there at a very early day. For a long period Philip Thompson continued a resident of that locality, his death there occurring at the very venerable age of ninety-two years.
Milton E. Thompson was reared in the place of his nativity, was in- debted to the public-school system for his educational privileges, and after starting out in business life he still retained his residence in his native town. About thirty-eight years ago he became connected with the Hocking Valley Railroad in the capacity of engineer, and in 1884 he removed to Columbus. At that time he was engineer on the passenger train running between the capital city and Athens and he thus served throughout his remaining days, being one of the most trusted and reliable employes in the service of the company. He seemed to realize fully the responsibility that devolved upon him and was most careful and painstaking in making his runs. That he enjoyed the full confidence of the company is evidenced by the fact that he continued in their service for so many years.
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Ere entering the railroad employ Mr. Thompson defended the interests of his country on the battlefields of the south, having at the age of seventeen years become a member of Company D, Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer In- fantry. He took part in a number of important engagements and skirmishes and on one occasion was wounded. He also accompanied Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, which proved how weak was the Confederacy, showing that the troops had been drawn from the interior to protect the border. When the war was over he returned home with a creditable mili- tary record and throughout his business career was identified with railroad interests. He died February 23, 1902, and was buried in Green Lawn cem- etery.
Mr. Thompson was married in Chillicothe in 1867 to Miss Ophelia Mer- ritt, a daughter of William C. and Cynthian (Sisson ) Merritt. Their family numbered six children. The father, William Merritt, was associated with M. M. Green and others in constructing the Hocking Valley Railroad and for years was roadmaster on that line. He made his home in Lancaster. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson was blessed with three children: May, the wife of Richard H. Schoonover, a professor in Ohio Northern Uni- versity at Ada, Ohio; Frances, the wife of Charles B. Kearsley; and Harry M., cashier at Columbus for the Traveler's Insurance Company.
In his fraternal relations Mr. Thompson was a Mason and was also a member of Wells Post, G. A. R. His political support was given to the re- publican party, which was the defense of the Union during the dark days of the Civil war and has always been the party of reform and progress. While he did not seek to figure in public life, his entire business career was char- acterized by uniform fidelity to the trust reposed in him and because of this he deserved to receive the respect and good will of those who knew him. Since her husband's death Mrs. Thompson has made her home in Columbus. where she had many warm friends.
BENSON G. WATSON.
Benson G. Watson. senior member of the firm of Watson, Stouffer, Davis & Headley, of the Columbus bar, has been engaged in practice in this city since 1897, and has been retained as counsel for the defense or the prosecution in many important cases tried in the state and federal courts of this city.
He was born at New Salem, Fairfield county, Ohio, March 17, 1870, his parents being William J. and Martin C. (Wiseman) Watson, natives of Vir- ginia and Massachusetts respectively. His father was a farmer and amid the scenes and environments of rural life Benson G. Watson spent his boyhood days. His public-school education was supplemented by study in the Ohio State University, from which he was graduated in 1896 with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, and, determining upon the practice of law as a life work. he pursued a law course in the Ohio State University, also entering the
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office of Huggins & Sowers, under whose direction he continued his prepara- tion for the bar. In 1897 he was admitted to practice, and his ability was evidenced in the fact that his former preceptors admitted him to a partner- ship under the firm style of Huggins, Sowers & Watson. He thus engaged in practice for three years, after which he withdrew from that partnership and practiced alone for some time. In 1907. however, the firm of Watson, Stouf- fer, Davis & Headley was established, with Benson G. Watson as the senior partner. He is a member of both the Ohio State and Franklin County Bar Associations, and his ability is widely recognized by the profession as well as the general public. In his cases he prepares for defense as well as attack, and he always presents his canse in a strong. clear light of common-sense and close reasoning. He never loses sight of any point which bears upon his case, and at the same time he gives dne prominence to the important point upon which every decision finally turns.
In 1894 Mr. Watson was married to Miss Katharine Beery, a native of Columbus. They are members of the First Congregational church, and Mr. Watson belongs to Goodale Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Scioto Consistory of Scottish Rite, and Aladdin Temple of the Mystic Shrine. He is a member of the Chi Phi college fraternity of the Ohio University, the Ohio Club, the Riding Club and the Cohunbus Golf Club-associations which indicate something of the nature of his interests and pleasures. His friends find him always a genial. courteous gentleman, who has true appreciation for the social amenities of life. and while never too busy to be courteous, neither is he too courteons to be busy.
JAMES EDWARD MeKENNEY.
James Edward MeKenney, an attorney at the Columbus bar, was born in Bourneville, Ross county, Ohio, August 1, 1872. His father, John E. Me- Kenney, a native of Virginia, came to Ohio at the close of the Civil war and angaged in the practice of law. Ile also served as justice of the peace for half a century, discharging his duties with marked impartiality and fairness, but at the present time is largely living retired. He married Martha Carron. a native of Virginia, and the daughter of a Baptist minister. Her death of- enrred in 1904. One of her ancestors was Colonel John H. Vaughn, who served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. A half-brother of Mr. Mcken- ney's paternal grandfather, Major J. H. MeKenney, was the president and general manager of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company.
James Edward MeKenney began his education in the district school and afterward attended the Bourneville high school, from which he was graduated in 1890. Subsequently he became a student in the Ohio Wes- levan University of Delaware, and then entered the ministry as a member of the Ohio conference, becoming assistant to the Rev. P. A. Baker of the Third Street Methodist church at Columbus in 1895. The following year he left this state and removed to Nebraska, being stationed at different times in pastoral work at Lincoln, Hastings, Sutton and Trumbull. He remained
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JAMES E. MeKENNEY
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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there for six years or until 1902, when he returned to this state and engaged in preaching the gospel at East Columbus and other points. He acted as minister for the congregation at Linden Heights for three years and is still a member of the Ohio conference although in 1904 he was admitted to the bar, since which time he has engaged in the active practice of the law. He engages in a general civic law practice and has been accorded a large clientage, which is constantly growing in volume and importance. He is still active in church work and preaches nearly every Sunday, although he accepts no regular charge.
On March 23, 1898, Mr. MeKenney was married to Miss Mollie A. Hill. of Columbus, and unto them have been born a son and danghter, Harold Wharton and Dorothy Louise, born in 1900 and 1904 respectively. Mr. Me- Kenney is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Aside from the practice of law, however. he gives his attention principally to church work and he believes that there is no dividing line between his profession and his religion.
J. W. WELLONS. M.D.
Dr. J. W. Wellons, a popular and successful physician of Columbus, mak- ing a specialty of diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. was born in Barnes- ville. Ohio, October 1. 1862. His father. Granville S. Wellons, a native of Somerton. Ohio, is a graduate of the Medical College of Ohio and has been a successful practitioner of medicine in Barnesville for over forty years. At the time of the outbreak of the Civil war he offered his aid to the government and served throughout the entire period of hostilities a- surgeon in the Ninety-first Ohio. When peace was restored and the supremacy of the Union had been established he took up his abode in Barnesville, where he has resided continu- ously since, but on account of his advanced age now confines his professional activities to a little office work. He was a member of the pension board for eight years and for several terms has served on the city council. his public duties ever being discharged in prompt and efficient manner. The mother, who bore the maiden name of Anna J. Griffin, was a native of Virginia and a representative of an old family of that state. Her demise occurred in 1880, when she had attained the age of forty-three years.
Dr. J. W. Wellons acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of his native town and in the years 1879 and 1880 attended the Ohio State University. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he studied the profession under the direction of his father for one year and subsequently entered the Medical College of Ohio, from which institution he was graduated in 1884. From that time until 1893 he was successfully en- gaged in general practice at Barnesville and then decided to specialize in dis- eases of the eye, ear, nose and throat. studying along those lines in New York and Philadelphia. The year 1903 witnessed his arrival in Columbus and since that time he has here been engaged in practice along the line of his specialty.
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having won a profitable and ever growing patronage in recognition of his skill and ability. Through his membership in the Academy of Medicine, the State Medical Association and the American Medical Association he keeps abreast with the progress that is continually being made by the profession and he is widely recognized as a worthy representative of his calling. He was surgeon for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad at Barnesville for several years and in 1890-1 was medical examiner for the relief department of that road.
Dr. Wellons has been married twice. In 1886 he wedded Miss Nora Hunt, a native of Barnesville, who passed away in 1888. In 1891 he was again mar- ried, his second union being with Eleanor Elizabeth McCartney. who was also born in Barnesville and by whom he has two children, namely: Charles, whose birth occurred June 27, 1893; and Annie Eleanor, whose natal day was January 23, 1897.
Following in the political footsteps of his father, Dr. Wellons has cast his ballot in support of the men and measures of the republican party and while living in Barnesville served as a member of the school board for two terms. In 1885 he joined Friendship Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at Barnesville, and is now a member of Goodale Lodge and Temple Chapter at Columbus. His fraternal relations likewise connect him with the Knights of Pythias of this city and he is a member of the Ohio Club. He is known as one worthy of the trust and confidence of his fellowmen, not only in professional circles but in private life as well, and Columbus accounts him a valuable addition to the ranks of her medical fraternity.
ROBERT FULTON BODA.
Robert Fulton Boda, engaged in the automobile business and manager of a popular garage in Columbus and at the same time well known for his ability as a salesman of that class of vehicle, is a native son of this city, his birth having occurred in 1886. His father, Lee Milton Boda. was born in Springfield, Ohio, in April. 1858, and early in life was apprenticed to the machinists' trade. After becoming a journeyman he followed that ocen- pation for some years but finally gave it up to enter the newspaper business in this city, later becoming interested in theatricals, at present manager of the Valentine circuit of the Southern Theater of Columbus. He was united in marriage in 1879 to Anna Harris, who was born in Columbus in 1859, and they have two sous: Lee Harris and Robert Fulton.
In this city Robert Fulton Boda was reared. at the usual age entering the common schools, where he successfully passed through the successive grades and took three years of the high-school course, but. heing restless to seek his fortune in the business world and ambitious to become independent and self-sustaining, he did not avail himself of proferred higher educational advantages but at once entered the commercial arena, selecting out of its many callings the automobile business, which is both fascinating and lucra- tive and at the same time compatible with his liking. Since affiliating him-
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self with the enterprise he has become familiar with the many makes of ma- chines and their construction, his experience thus far obtained serving him in judging the merits of the several kinds and classes of automobiles and en- hancing his ability ns a salesman. His garage is a popular one and the busi- ness acumen which has already attained for him a great measure of success as it ripens by larger experience will doubtless enable him to rise to a position of added prominence in the business circles of the city.
On August 5, 1908, Mr. Boda wedded Miss Lydia Jackson Wilson. a popular young woman of Columbus, possessed of those qualifications which not only make home life happy but will also prove invaluable in the future in their efforts to obtain the means necessary to the enjoyment of life. Mr. Boda has already become popular in his business and his genial disposition, ability and honesty have won him many friends and his commercial relations are not only pleasant but in the highest sense promi-ing.
FRANK D. DILDINE.
Frank D. Dildine, who since 1903 has conducted a general merchan- dise establishment in Canal Winchester, is a worthy representative of one of the honored and respected pioneer families of Franklin connty. He was here born January 25, 1872, and is the youngest in a family of six children born of the marringe of Robert Finley and Mary Ann ( Whaley) Dildine, the former born in 1832 and the latter in 1834. The father was a pioneer of Madison township and made farming his life work. He was a teacher of vocal music for about a half century and in this connection was known throughout Franklin county. He was a democrat in his political views and affiliations and was a public-spirited und influential citizen of his community. He served as township clerk for forty years and for many years was a mem- ber of the school board, the cause of education finding in him a warm. and helpful friend. In early life he also engaged in teaching but his last years were devoted to general agricultural pursuits and this claimed the major portion of his attention throughout his business career. He owned a well improved farm of one hundred and forty acres in Madison township, but disposed of this about a year prior to his demise, which occurred January 23, 1904. the county thus losing one of its highly honored and esteemed citizens. His family numbered six children, Mrs. Laura Blackwood, Mrs. Mary B. Corwin, Ione Il., Robert Grant. Mrs. May D. Burlinger and Frank D.
The last named received his education in Groveport. completing the high-school course by graduation in 1888, when a youth of sixteen years. Ife then spent one year in a commercial college at Columbus, subsequent to which time he acted as bookkeeper for three years for the firm of Miles, Bancroft & Shelden, of that city. Leaving their employ he then spent one year in California and returned to Canal Winchester in 1895. He then began work for Mr. Corwin in the grocery business in Canal Winchester and thus continued until 1903. when he purchased the business of his employer
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sr.l since that time has conducted a successful enterprise. Since purchasing the grocery business he has added a complete line of builders' and shelf hardware and fresh and salt meats. He buys his own live stock and does his own slaughtering, so that his meats are always fresh and are in great demand. In fact he has a model store and has built up an excellent business, his patronage being drawn not only from the residents of Canal Winchester but from the entire township. He is original and progressive ir. his methods of business. gives close attention to each detail. and this is undoubtedly the secret of his success.
Mr. Dildine was married October 18. 1899. to Miss Mary F. Lehman and their union has been blessed with two sons and a daughter: Robert L .. who was born October 20. 1900: Mary Catharine, who was born October 18. 1902: and Francis, who was born June 14. 1904. Mr. Dildine was reared in the faith of the democratic party but is largely independent in his views. voting for the men whom he deems best fitted for office regardless of party ties and affiliations. Making good n- of his talents and opportunities Mr. Dildine has worked his way upward from a humble position to one of pro -- perity. He is progressive in business and high quality and moderate prices have built up a large patronage and made his mercantile enterprise one of the best known in this section of the state.
PERCY JEROME BRIGGS.
Perey Jerome Briggs is the senior partner of the firm of Briggs & Barrere, wholesale and retail dealers in coal. He was born in Columbus. November 27. 1877. and is descended in the paternal line from one of oldest families of New England. The early representatives of the family in Ameri- ca lived in the Berkshire hills of Massachusetts. later moving to the state of Maine. Several members of the family participated in the Revolutionary war. The grandfather of our subject was one of the first United Berthren ministers in Columbus and from an early day the name of Briggs has fig- ured in connection with the history of this city.
Jerome C. Briggs, the father of our subject, was born at Delta, Ohio. but during his childhood the family returned to New England. where his early education was acquired. In 1867 the family again came to Ohio and he attended Otterbein University at We-terville. He was afterward employed by William G. Dunn & Company. now the Dunn-Taft Company, dry goods merchants, and was later with Yeatman Anderson in the paper mill busi- ness and subsequently with Souder & Bright in wholesale millinery. He next became connected with the Ohio State Journal and was with that paper for abont fourteen years as secretary. treasurer and general manager, so con- tinning until 1859 and contributing in large measure to the financial suc- cess of the enterprise. On severing his connection therewith he engaged in the manufacture of cigars. in which he continued until 1905. He is now local agent at Columbus for the Eastern Securities & Finance Company of New York.'
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He has ever been known as a man of unquestioned integrity and of un- selfish motives and in his own family has been a devoted husband and father. He wedded Elizabeth MacBeth, who died in 1908. She was of Scotch de- scent. Her grandfather came from Scotland in 1790 and located in Ohio, then a part of the Northwest Territory. Her father was one of the pioneer merchants of Franklinton and owned the first harness store in the county. Later he owned and operated a grist mill on Big Darbey creek. He was a representative of the old school gentlemen and a prominent and influential resident here at an early day. He died in 1899 at the venerable age of eighty- nine years.
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