USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 46
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schools of his native county by a course of study in the Ohio Northwestern Normal School. Subsequently he was engaged in teaching for several years and also did other kinds of work.
Having lost his parents when a child, Mr. Longsworth was thrown entirely npon his own resources for whatever snecess he might hope to attain and when, after reaching man's estate, he determined upon the practice of med- icine as a life work, he found it necessary to first earn the funds necessary for a professional education. When his untiring labor and careful expenditure had at length brought him sufficient capital. he entered the Ohio Medical Uni- versity and was graduated therefrom in 1904. Locating at once in Columbus, he has since been numbered among the worthy representatives of the medical fraternity here and has already built up an extensive and profitable patronage. In the line of his profession he is connected with the North Side Medical So- ciety and fraternally is a member of the Knights of Pythias.
In 1890 Dr. Longsworth was united in marriage to Miss Lida E. Klinger, a native of Ohio, by whom he has one son. Orr, who is now a high school stu- dent. The members of the family occupy an enviable position in the social circles in which they move, while the hospitality of their own pleasant home is greatly enjoyed by many friends.
JOHN C. FELTON.
John C. Felton, chief deputy of the board of deputy state supervisors and inspectors of election for Franklin county, was born July 7, 1871, within the borders of this county, his parents being John E. and Martha (Bonck) Felton, both of whom were natives of Montgomery county, Ohio. The father was a farmer who, arriving in this county at an early period in its development established his home in Franklin township, where he aided in tilling the soil until the call to arms caused him to put aside his business cares that he might aid in the defense of the Union. He held the rank of sergeant in an Ohio company and made a creditable record as one of the boys in bhie. He died in 1884 and is still survived by his widow.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of country life for John C. Felton during the period of his youth. He was educated in the country schools and at the age of eighteen years embarked in general merchandise with his brother Charles under the firm name of Felton Brothers. After he had attained his majority he was appointed postmaster of Galloway by President Cleveland, who was then serving his first term as chief ex- eentive and Mr. Felton continued in that office for four years, proving prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, although but twenty-one years of age at the time of his appointment. During this time he continued to engage in merchandising. When he retired from office he turned his at- tention to contracting for bridge work and was thus engaged for about eight years. On the expiration of that period he took up the work of general con- tracting and building in Columbus and has here erected a number of homes
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JOHN C. FELTON
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ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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and business blocks which stand as monuments to his skill and enterprise. He is yet connected with the industrial life of the city in this way and is also interested in several mining projects, owning mines in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Hle also has other interests which indicate his wisdom in investment.
Mr. Felton has several times been called to public office and over the record of his official career there falls no shadow of wrong or suspicion of evil. He served on the old board of supervisors for one year and in 1904 was appointed a member of the new board, acting during the last two years of his first term as chief deputy. He was then reappointed in May, 1908, so that he is now serving for the second term.
On the 11th of February, 1899, Mr. Felton was married to Miss Nellie White, of Grove City, Ohio, and they have a daughter, Ruth. Mr. Felton belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is one of the prom- inent young men of Franklin county and has taken an active interest in all public affairs that bear upon the general welfare.
THOMAS J. KEATING.
Modestly inclined in all relations of life, Mr. Keating has, at the bar, through his ability and close application reached the front rank of the legal fraternity, and the consensus of public opinion accords him high place among the lawyers of Columbus. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he came to Ohio at an early age and located in Montgomery county, where his youthfui days were passed on a farm. He availed himself of such educational ad- vantages as country life afforded and completed his general education at Deni- son University, Granville, Ohio, graduating from that institution in 1873 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. His present law partner, Henry J. Booth, was also a student in this college at the same time and many interesting events of their college life together are now pleasant memories with them.
After completing his collegiate work Mr. Keating took up the study of law at Dayton, Ohio, and there remained until admitted to the bar. Soon aft- erward he removed to Columbus and since 1878 has been a resident of this city. Here he and Mr. Booth early formed a law partnership and later they united with George L. Converse, member of congress for this district, under the firm style of Converse, Booth & Keating. After many years, during which this firm occupied a position of distinction at the bar, the partnership was dissolved and that of Booth & Keating was again formed, while later George S. Peters was admitted under the firm name of Booth, Keating & Peters, which became favorably known all over the country. On the 1st of January. 1909, William R. Pomerene became a fourth member of the firm. This firm is now counsel for several railroads centering at Columbus and counsel for the city street railway lines as well as some of the interurban lines.
In the educational work of the profession Mr. Keating has taken a lively interest and was one of the founders of the law school which was eventually
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taken over by the Ohio State University, serving for some years as a member of its faculty. Mr. Keating is also interested in some of the business enter- prises of the city being president of The James Ohlen & Sons Saw Manufac- turing Company, president of The Ohio Building & Loan Company, and in- terested in other industrial and financial institutions.
He is also a member of the Columbus Board of Trade; while in strictly professional relations he is a member of the Franklin County Bar Association and the Ohio State Bar Association. His social nature finds expression in his membership in the Columbus, Columbus Country and Ohio Clubs. While in college he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
In 1878, Mr. Keating was married in Dayton, Ohio, to Miss Clara B. Seely, daughter of William M. Seely, a prominent business man of that city and member of one of the leading families there. Mr. and Mrs. Keating have become parents of five children, of whom four are yet living: David T., now associated with his father in the practice of law : Harvey T., Ethel and Grace. all residing at the family home at No. 1317 East Broad street. Mr. Keating has always been a lover of music and has given his children musical educations. His daughter, Miss Ethel Keating, since completing her studies, has always been in great demand as a piano soloist and accompanist. In November, 190S, she appeared as the piano soloist with the Theodore Thomas Orchestra of Chi- cago in Memorial Hall and received a great ovation. David T. Keating, the eldest son, was the piano accompanist for the Ohio State University Glee Club during his term at college. Edward Keating, the youngest son, whose death in 1907 created profound and general sorrow, although making no profession of innsie was extremely gifted in musical lines, and while in college was one of the leading members of the mandolin and guitar club of the State University. He had few equals as a cellist and his work won nich favorable comment. Literature as well as music forms one of the attractions of the Keating home. A fine library is here found containing works of the famous writers of all ages. Here in the companionship of mien of master minds. Mr. Keating spends much of his leisure.
RALPH ECKLEY WESTFALL.
Ralph Eckley Westfall, making steady progress at a bar which min- bers many able members, is one of those lawyers whose devotion to their clients' interests has become proverbial and in all of his work in the courts he has displayed original thought as well as keen discrimination concerning the relations of the principles of law to the facts at issue. He was born in Minerva, Stark county, Ohio, August 3, 1868, and is a son of James and Helen (Eckley) Westfall. Both the Eckley and the Westfall families were numbered among the pioneer settlers of Ohio, the Westfalls coming from Port Jervis, New York, and settling in this state. The great-grandfather was Abraham Westfall, who on the 3d of May. 1779. was appointed a lieuten- ant in a regiment for frontier service. On the 11th of May, 1780, he was
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appointed captain and on the 20th of May, 1782, was again commissioned captain in one of two regiments for the defense of the New York frontier. His active support of the colonial cause entitles Ralph E. Westfall to membership with the Sons of the American Revolution to which he belongs. The family came originally from Germany, settling in America prior to colonial days while the three brothers who were the founders of the family on this side the Atlantic all served in the Revolutionary war.
James Westfall, father of Ralph E. Westfall. was a native of Stark county, Ohio, and became a practicing physician. He served as a surgeon in the Union army during the Civil war and continued in the active work of his profession up to the time of his death. which occurred in 1879. He was well known and successful, keeping in touch with the profession in its onward march. His wife, a native of Carroll county, Ohio, is still living. She is a daughter of General Ephraim Eckley, a pioneer of Carroll county, who be- came one of the honored and influential residents of the state, serving in the state legislature a number of terms. also in the state senate, while for three terms he represented his district in congress. He likewise won military dis- tinetion, becoming a colonel of the Eightieth Ohio Infantry in the Civil war, while at the close he was brevetted brigadier general. He died March 29, 1908, at the very venerable age of ninety-six years, after leaving the impress of his individuality and his lofty patriotism upon the legislative and military history of the country.
Ralph E. Westfall was a public-school student in his native town until his graduation from the high school with the class of 1887. He afterward pur- sued a course in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware and was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1891. He was afterward in engineering service in railroad work in the northern part of Ohio and in 1892 came to Columbus, where he entered the United States pension office. After a year and a half of service there he resigned to take up the study of hw in the office and under the direction of Judge W. J. Gilmore, formerly supreme court justice. He was admitted to the bar in June. 1895, and entered upon netive practice, de- voting his attention in the beginning of his legal career to general law but since specializing in the line of corporation law. He has a large clientele among the banking institutions and yet continues to some extent in general civil practice. Aside from his profesional interests he is a director of the Walkover Shoe Company and he is a member of the Franklin County and Ohio State Bar Association.
On the 29th of June. 1905, Mr. Westfall was married to Winnifred Cun- nin, of Marion, Ohio, and they have one son, James Cunnin Westfall, born in May, 1906.
Mr. Westfall is a member of the Ohio Club, of the Nisi Prius Club of Cleveland, the Phi Kappa Psi. a college fraternity, and the Masonic lodge. He was formerly identified with the Ohio National Guard and his religions faith is indicated by his membership in the Presbyterian church. His only political service was limited to two years in which he acted as assistant attorney general of Ohio under General Ellis. His ambition has never been in the line of office holding but on the contrary he has concentrated his energies upon his
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professional duties and has gained more than local distinction as a prae- titioner of civil law. He finds recreation in golf and travel and is an inter- esting, entertaining and enltured gentleman, with an extensive and constantly increasing circle of friends He is keenly alive to the interests and oppor- tunities of the day and his alert, enterprising spirit has made him not only a successful lawyer but a leader in public thought and action in the capital city.
WARREN E. LANGDON.
Warren E. Langdon, who is prominent in the commercial circles of the city as a public accountant, is a descendant of an illustrious family, the mem- bers of which figured influentially in the affairs of Europe and this country, among his ancestors being a prince of England and Robert Bruce, while others served in the American army during the Revolutionary war of 1776. His great-grandfather Langdon, came from London, England, to Cincin- nati, this state, and settled there when Fountain Square was a frog pond. He purchased mich land in the center of the present site of that city, which he held while Cincinnati was in its building, and for which in later years he received an immense sum. The maternal grandfather passed away in this country when thirty-three years of age, while both grandmothers are still living.
Warren E. Langdon was born in Fayette county. Ohio, on August 4, 1881, and is a son of Frank E. and Alice ( Honse) Langdon. His father was born near Cincinnati, May 20, 1854, and his mother in Fayette county about. the year 1864, the couple having been united in marriage September 4, 1880. The elder Mr. Langdon in 1879 removed to a farm near Cincinnati, where he engaged in general agricultural and stock-raising until 1889, during which year he removed to Wilmington, where he established himself in the milling Isiness, in which he is now engaged.
The public schools of Fayette county and Wilmington afforded Warren E. Langdon his preliminary education. On September 4, 1897, he went to Los Angeles, California, where he pursued a course of study in the high school and upon returning to Wilmington, in 1899, he spent one year in the college there, at the expiration of which time he pursned a course of study in the Nelson Business College and was graduated as a bookkeeper and stenographer. His first step in the business world was as a bookkeeper for the Charles H. Moore Oil Company, in which capacity he served for two years, and in the meantime he has acquired considerable practical experience. In 1904, confi- dent of his ability as an expert accountant, he entered that business with the American Audit Company. and was so successful that in 1905 he owned an interest with F. E. Webner & Company. public accountants, with which firm he continued until Angust 2. 1906, when he entered into business for himself. his assistant being Professor B. A. Peters. His business is one of the most prosperous in the city, and through his enterprise, aggressiveness and ability it has spread throughout the entire state, and is witnessing a steady growth.
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Mr. Langdon does regular work for the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company, the Kilbourne & Jacobs Manufacturing Company, the American Cash Register Company, and in fact for nearly all of the largest firms here. His constantly increasing patronage gives the business a bright future, and it is at present one of the most lucrative and influential financial enterprises in this part of the state. Mr. Langdon is a stockholder in the two first named companies. Other interests with which he is affiliated are The Columbus & Hocking Clay and Brick Manufacturing Company, of which he is assistant treasurer, and The Blumer-Sartain Packing Company, of which he is secretary.
On the 5th of June, 1907, Mr. Langdon was united in marriage to Ethel Cowgill, one of whose ancestors, Mrs. Ellen Cowgill, with five small children, came to this country on the same ship with William Penn. Mr. Langdon is a member of the American Association and the Ohio State Association of Public Accountants, the Ohio Club, the Free Masons and the Modern Woodmen of America, and he also belongs to the Fourth Avenue Church of Christ, of which he is an active member and liberal supporter. He is a man of exceptional busi- ness discernment, enterprising and aggressive, and is a valuable asset to the business circles of the city.
PRESTON WAYNE LUPHER.
Preston Wayne Lupher, vice president and general manager of the Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Company, was born in Venango county, Pennsylvania, September 20, 1856. His father, Wesley Lupher, was a farmer of that county, and represented one of the old families there. He wedded Margaret Martin, also a native of that county and a daughter of John Martin, who carried on general agricultural pursuits in Venango county. His father, who also bore the name of John Martin, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, and fought in the battle of Princeton, New Jersey. The family lived in that locality at the time, and his wife helped to run the bullets which were used by the Amer- ican soldiers.
Preston W. Lupher was a publicschool student in Oil City, Pennsylvania. and after completing his education turned his attention to the oil business, in which he engaged in the employ of others for about six months. He then started out in the same line on his own account, conducting business in Clarion county, Pennsylvania, and afterward in Bradford, Pennsylvania. He was very successful in that undertaking, operating under the firm name of Lupher Broth- ers, which partnership has existed for over thirty-two years, and still continues, his associate being Cyrus A. Lupher. On leaving Bradford Mr. Lupher removed to Pittsburg, where he continued in the oil business and also did contract work in drilling wells for other concerns. Later the brothers joined T. N. Barns- dall in the purchase of the interests of the Logan Natural Gas & Fuel Com- pany. establishing the head office at Pittsburg. This purchase was made in January, 1898. For a time the main office was located at Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania, but in 1902 a consolidation was effected whereby their interests were
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merged with the Union Natural Gas corporation, Preston W. Lupher since act- ing as vice president and general manager of all their companies for the state of Ohio. His business is now one of notable prominence and importance, and in a position of administrative direction and executive control he is managing affairs of wide extent.
When Mr. Lupher came to Columbus in April, 1902, the business was re- moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to this city, and under his guidance has increased from ninety thousand to three million, six hundred thousand dollars annually. The company owns what is rated as one of the most valuable nat- ural gas properties in the United States. Individually Mr. Lapher has worked steadily upward, starting in business in a humble capacity, while today he is considered one of the authorities in the oil and gas business of the country. He has managed the construction work, the building up of the towns, and su- pervised the erection of the entire plant nt Columbus through its course of construction. He knows just what are the demands of the business for ite successful conduet. and is enabled to speak authoritatively upon all matters connected with the oil and gas business.
Mr. Lupher was married July 7. 1904. to Miss Grace G. Lynch, of New- ark, Ohio. His son by a former marriage, Morton Sylvester Lupher, was born in Richbury, New York. December 13, 1881. Their daughter, Ann Preston, was born in Columbus. The family home is a beautiful residence at No. 920 Bryden road. Mr. Lupher is a member of the Ohio Club and the Board of Trade, and has attained high rank in Masonry, having taken the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite, also crossing the sands of the desert with the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. His success is due to hard work and natural ability. His life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recognition of labor until today he is numbered among the substantial citizens of Columbus. He has prospered from year to year and has conducted all business matters carefully and successfully, and in all his acts displays an apti- tude for successful management.
OSCAR F. WILLSON.
The growth and greatness of a city do not depend so much upon the machinery of government or even upon the men who fill the offices as upon that class of citizens who establish, promote and control honorable and success- ful business enterprises. It is the business activity which is the real feature of a city's development and advancement and in this connection Oscar F. Will- son was well known, having been one of the prominent pioneer business men of Columbus, carrying on business in this city from 1857 until his death in 1899.
Mr. Willson was born in the town of Coventry. Orleans county, Ver- mont, near the Canadian line, May 14, 1827. His parents were Ebenezer and Lucy Ide Willson, both of whose families, of English ancestry, were among the early settlers of New England and whose descendants fought in
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the various wars. They assisted in the capture of Quebec and later in the Revolutionary war fought on both land and sea for the Independence of the colonies.
Mr. Willson acquired a good education at the academy at Brownington, Vermont, a school that was of more than local renown and which sent forth many men to positions of trust and prominence throughout the whole conn- try and which was at that time presided over by Dr. Twilight of honored memory. After completing his education Mr. Willson came to Ohio in 1852. The journey in those days was a much more difficult undertaking than it is now. The railway was not continuous and part of the journey was made by boat-from Buffalo to Cleveland. Mr. Willson came to Colum- bus for the purpose of studying dentistry under the late Dr. Ide, who was a nephew of Mr. Willson's mother. On account of trouble with his eyes, Mr. Willson was obliged to give up the study and his career was thus changed from a professional to a business one.
The first position that he filled was that of purchasing agent for the Central Ohio Railway, now a part of the Baltimore & Ohio, which was then being built. Mr. Willson remained with this rond several years enjoying the fullest confidence of the company and during that time, among other things, purchased all the ties used in the construction of the road.
While holding this position Mr. Willson was married, February 22, 1854, to Miss Sarah M. Swisher. a daughter of Joseph and Dorothy Swisher, pioneers of Licking county, Ohio. The father of Mrs. Willson was a prosper- ous farmer for the greater part of his life but during his last years lived a retired life in Pataskala, where he and his wife both died.
In 1855 Mr. Willson removed to Aurora, Indiana, but only remained a short time and returned to Columbus. After his return to Columbus, he was associated with Mr. Abbott in the hardware business for a time but was called from there to the management of a large manufacturing business which Dr. Ide and Mr. Denig were then establishing: the manufacturing being done by the prisoners of the Ohio state prison. The breaking out of the war seriously interfered with this business as its sales were largely in the south. It being necessary to find employment for the convicts Mr. Willson conceived the idea of manufacturing certain goverment supplies. This was done with great financial advantage until the expiration of the prison contract, thus making a great snecess out of a threatened failure.
During the short interval that elapsed after the termination of this con- tract and the establishment of the business which was to constitute so large a part of the life work of Mr. Willson, he was associated with J. & W. B. Brooks, wholesale grocers. In 1864, in company with James Claypoole and Dr. W. E. Ide he established the first wholesale boot and shoe business in the city under the firin name of Claypoole & Willson. This business, under several changes of name, extended over a period of forty years. Its first location was on the site of the present Great Southern Hotel.
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