USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 47
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In 1877 Mr. Claypoole retired and the business was continued under the name of Ide & Will-on. In 1884 Mr. Willson sold his interest to the firm of Belknap, Carpenter & Company. Ira H. Willson, his son, and W.
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E. Carpenter, Mr. Willson's nephew, remained with the new firm, which continued the business until 1904, when it was finally closed out after a long and prosperous career of over forty years.
After severing his connection with the wholesale boot and shoe bus- iness, Mr. Willson became actively engaged in the Buckeye Buggy Com- pany and held the position of treasurer up to the time of his fatal illness. In 1898 he was stricken with paralysis but death occurred from heart failure October 14, 1899. Mr. Willson was a man of remarkable physical power and strong will. He was full of generous impulses and did many acts of charity in a quiet way. He was not satisfied with success for himself alone but was one of the best of friends a young man ever had and many a suc- cessful business man of today owes all that he is to the opportunities opened up and the assistance lent to him by O. F. Willson.
Mr. Willson was a stanch republican and took much interest in the great political que-tions and problems of the day, keeping well informed thereon and supporting his position by intelligent argument. He belonged to the Sons of American Revolution, in which he took great pride. also to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The energies which he put forth in the business world led him on and on and brought him eventually to the goal of substantial prosperity. His business life was one of intense and un- wearied industry, bringing him into close touch with the manufacturing and moneyed interests of the state and country and those with whom he was associated recognized in him a man of high purposes as well as of marked business enterprise and activity.
Mr. Willson's family consisted of his wife and three sous. The eldest, Ira H. Willson, continued in the wholesale boot and -hoe business founded by his father. He married Miss Elizabeth Grace, of eastern Ohio. Alfred Little Wilson, who promoted the Buckeye Buggy Company and was its president during its successful career, married Miss Minnie Inghes daughter of John R. Hughes, of this city. Lucius Somers Willson, the third son, died in 1882 being at that time teller of the Fourth National Bank. The two elder sons are living in this city, both having retired from active business. For twenty-one years, the homestead of the Willson family was on the site of the present Protestant Hospital, opposite Goodale Park. Mis. Willson, who still survives her husband, now owns a commodious and bean- tiful residence at No. 103 Franklin Park West, overlooking Franklin Park. where she and her family reside and all are prominent in the social circles of the capital.
DAVID S. GRAY.
David S. Gray has reached the eightieth mikestone on life's journey, though in spirit and interests he seems yet in his prime. Old age need not suggest as a matter of course idleness or want of occupation, for there is an old age which grows stronger and brighter mentally and morally as the years advance and gives out of its rich stores of wisdom and experience for
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D. S. GRAY
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR. LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS,
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the benefit of others. Such is the record of David S. Gray, who, though now retired from active business cares, is still a busy man, constantly and helpfully interested in movements and measures for the benefit of others. His broad humanitarianism has been manifest in many tangible ways and his philanthropie spirit has found expression, in his cooperation with vari- ous organizations that ameliorate the hard conditions of the unfortunate.
In his business relations Mr. Gray was well known for more than a third of a century as one of the most prominent railway men between the Alleghenies and the Mississippi river. Ile was born February 8, 1829, in the village of Broadkiln-neck, Sussex county, Delaware, and is of English descent. His parents, David and Naomi (Lofland) Gray, were also natives of Delaware and following their removal to Ohio in 1829 the father, who was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal church, was appointed in the course of his ministry to the pastorate at Norwalk, Ohio, in the fall of 1841. David Simpson Gray, then a youth of twelve years, became a pupil in the Norwalk Seminary under Dr. Edward Thompson, later bishop of the Methodist Episcopal church. The educational opportunities of Mr. Gray, however, were somewhat limited and he may justly be termed a self edu- cated as well as a self-made man, for he started out in the business world when but thirteen years of age. In the school of experience, however, he learned thoroughly the lessons of life, learned to make the best use of oppor- tunity and to look beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future. In 1849 he became a resident of Wellington, Ohio, where for two years he was employed as a clerk in a store. Ofttimes seemingly trivial things constitute the turning point in a career and so it was in the case of Mr. Gray. A chance acquaintance with the local agent of the Cleve- land, Columbus & Cincinnati-now the Big Four-Railroad led to his later identification with railroad interests. The agent took a great interest in the young man, instructed him in many matters connected with railroad matters and in 1850, when his friend was transferred, Mr. Gray was given the vacant place at Wellington. He manifested such aptness and thoroughness in the new work that in 1851 he was transferred to Columbus and thus started upon his upward way in railway circles. He made it his purpose to thoroughly master every task assigned him and to study the subject in all of its varied relations. Hle acted as master of transportation of the Louisville & Frankfort Railroad of Kentucky from September, 1852, until February, 1853. Not liking the enviroment he resigned and return- ing to this city, was appointed station agent and general representative at Columbus of the Central Ohio, now the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad.
In the fall of 1853 Mr. Gray was appointed master of transportation and later general freight and commercial agent of the Central Ohio, in which he continued until January, 1864, when he was elected general superintendent of the Union Railroad Transportation Company, uow the Star Union Line of the Pennsylvania Company. Each forward step brought him a broader outlook and wider opportunities and his habit of thoroughly mastering every duty in principle and detail gave him such comprehensive and intimate knowledge of the business that his promotions logically fol-
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lowed. In February, 1869, he was elected second vice president and general manager of the Pittsburg, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad Company and its leased lines and in 1870 he resigned as general manager but continued as second vice president in charge of the general freight and commercial relations of the company. In 1872, on the organization of the Pennsyl- vania Company and the removal of headquarters to Pittsburg, he resigned as vice president and assumed the former relations with the Star Union Line as western manager, having charge of the through freight line traffic of the Pittsburg, Columbus, Cincinnati & St. Louis of the Pennsylvania Company west of Pittsburg.
On the death of George B. Edwards, eastern manager, Mr. Gray was appointed manager of the Star Union Line east and west of Pittsburg. He was also appointed general agent of the Pennsylvania Company, charged with special duties, and when the Central Traffic Association was formed he refused a salary of eighteen thousand dollars in connection with the office of commissioner, as he did not wish to leave Columbus and remove to Chicago. He was universally recognized as one of the best informed men in the west on the commercial relations of railway lines. Upon the formation of the Joint Traffic Association-a union of eastern and western trunk line railways engaged in competitive through line traffic-in Janu- ary, 1896, with its headquarters in New York, Mr. Gray was elected by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company and the Pennsylvania Company as their representative on its board of managers, in which position he continued until the association was dissolved in 1900. In January, 1901, having passed the age of three score years and ten and having been more than a half century in railway business life, Mr. Gray retired from active railway service but has never ceased to take an active interest in railway affairs and there are today few if any more thoroughly informed concerning the prob- lems and opportunities of railway management than he. Aside from his railway interests he became prominently known in financial circles in Columbus. He was chosen president of the Clinton National Bank soon after its organization at High and Chestnut streets and on the organization of the Hayden-Clinton National Bank in 1901 he became its vice president. the merger of the Clinton and Hayden Banks being brought about by Mr. Gray and Mr. Hayden.
Mr. Gray has been twice married, his father, the Rev. David Gray, offi- ciating on both occasions. On the 27th of December, 1858, he wedded Mary Louise Jackson, and four days after the birth, February 29, 1860, of twin children, who died in infancy, the mother passed away, March 3, 1860. On the 12th of October, 1865, he was married to Eugenia Doolittle, of Columbus, and unto them were born four children, Louise, David, Mel- drum and Eugene.
While Mr. Gray has retired from active business life, he is still identi- fied with many enterprises and is widely known for his generosity and benevolence, his practical charity and devotion to civic virtue and good cit- izenship. He has been a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Wes- leyan University at Delaware, Ohio. the past quarter of the century and has
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been president of the board for sixteen years. He is also president of the board of trustees of the Columbus Home for the Aged, acting in this capacity since its organization, has been a member of the board of trustees of the Protestant Hospital since its organization and president of the board for the past ten years. He was one of the organizers of the Associated Charities of Columbus and has been a member of its board of active managers and pres- ident of the board the past five years. He is also a member of the board of trustees and president of the Woman's Educational and Industrial Union. He early learned to correctly value life's contacts and experiences, to recog- nize the obligations as well as the opportunities of life and throughout his entire career has a hand down reaching that he might assist others less fortunate. His broad philanthropy has been of a most practical character and while his efforts have been prompted by well formulated plans. the re- sult of careful consideration, he has always been a man of action rather than of theory. . .
CHARLES BURLEIGH GALBREATHI.
Charles Burleigh Galbreath, state librarian since 1893, is a native of Colombiana county, Ohio. His birth occurred upon the home farm in Fair- field township, February 25. 1858. He is descended from Quaker meestry, early represented in the south. In the year 1804 representatives of the name removed from Guilford Courthouse, North Carolina, to the newly admitted state of Ohio, which was dedicated to universal freedom. They were active anti-slavery advocates before the Civil war, and in business lines they were tillers of the soil, representatives of the family in many generations follow- ing agricultural pursuits. Tracing the ancestry back to a more remote period it is found that there is a connningling of Scotch and Irish blood in the veins of those from whom they trace their lineage.
The early environment of Charles B. Galbreath was that of the farm and his time was divided between the duties of the schoolroom, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the fields. He was seventeen years of age when he began teaching in the rural schools, but desiring to continue his own education he entered the Lisbon high school, from which he was gradnated in June, 1879. In the following September he matriculated in Mount U'nion College, completing a course there by graduation with the class of 1883. Four years afterward his alma mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. Immediately following his graduation he received appoint- ment to the superintendency of the public schools of Wilmot, Ohio, where he remained until 1885, when he resigned to become superintendent of the schools of East Palestine, Ohio, there continuing for a period of eight years during which time he largely raised the standard of the schools, in- angnrating many new and improved methods which have constituted valu- able elements in the advancement of its public-school system. Although unanimously reelected for two years more he resigned to become a member
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of the faculty in Mount Hope College, while later he was elected to the presidency of that institution. He was school examiner of Columbiana county from 1885 until 1893, and he holds a life certificate from the state board of examiners. While teaching he frequently did institute work. and during his residence in East Palestine he was for two years the editor of the Reveille, now the Reveille Echo.
In 1893 Mr. Galbreath was elected state librarian by the library com- mission created by the seventy-second general assembly. Since entering upon the duties of his present position a number of changes have been in- angurated in the management of the state library. It is now open on equal terms to all citizens of the state. A system of traveling libraries has been organized and these collections of books have been sent to patronizing com- muuities in every county of Ohio. Among all the states of the Union, Ohio leads in the number of traveling libraries issued. Within the period of his administration the number of vohunes in the state library has about trebled. He is a member of the Ohio Library Association, the American Library Association, and the National Association of State Librarians. Of the last named organization he was president in 1900.
Under the direction of Colonel Ethan Allen, of New York, Mr. Gal- breath, in 1897, organized the Cohimbus branch of the Cuban League of America, of which he was secretary. This league, which was organized for the purpose of aiding the Cubans, had two thousand members in Columbus and was active in the advocacy of armed intervention just before the Span- ish-American war.
Mr. Galbreath is author of the following books and articles that have appeared in print: "Sketches of Ohio Librarians:" "First Newspaper in Ohio;" "Daniel Decatur Emmett, author of Dirie;" "Sanmel Lewis, Ohio's Militant Educator and Reformer;" "Alexander Coffman Ross, author of Tippecanoe and Tyler too?" "Benjamin Russel Hanby, author of Darling Nelly Gray;" "Will L. Thompson, author of Gathering Shells from the Sea- shore;" "The Religion of John G. Whittier;" "Shall the State Kill?" "Our Japanese Question :" "Mongolian Immigration and the British Colonies:" and "Song Writers of Ohio." Ile has written other sketches and has con- tributed to library and educational journals.
GEORGE BEECHER KAUFFMAN.
George Beecher Kauffman is president of the Kauffman-Latimer Com- pany, and a representative of the directorate of various corporations. His business ability has gained him a position of prominence in commercial cir- cles, and through steady progress from the outset of his career he has won the prominent place that he now occupies as a representative of mercantile interests in Columbus. He was born in Lancaster, Ohio, September 19. 1855. His father, George Kauffman, was a native of Baltimore, Maryland.
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and also engaged in the drug business. In the year 1818 he made his way westward to Ohio, settling first in Lancaster, where he opened the second drug store in the town. As the years passed the extent and importance of his business interests and connections made him well known throughout the state, and Lancaster counted his life history as a valuable asset in her com- mercial development. His death occurred in 1865. He married Henrietta Beecher, a native of Connecticut, and a cousin of Henry Ward Beecher. She became a resident of Lancaster in 1821, and is still living at the very advanced age of ninety-one years.
George B. Kauffman, pursuing his education in the public schools of Lancaster, became a high school student and subsequently attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, from which institution he was grad- uated in 1875 with the degree of Bachelor of Science. He made his first independent step in the business world in Columbus, where he purchased what was known as the City Hall Drug Store, on State street. Previous to this time he had been employed in his father's drug store for six years, and thus gained the necessary experience which served as n foundation upon which to build the superstructure of his later success. Following his re- moval to Columbus he formed a partnership under the name of Kauffman, Latimer & Rising, and the business was conducted under partnership ar- rangement on East Spring street until 1888, when it was incorporated under the name of the Kauffman-Latimer Company. The business has enjoyed a steady growth and is today one of the leading wholesale drug houses of the city. Its trade interests cover Ohio, West Virginia, western Virginia, castern Kentucky, east Tennessee and eastern Indiana. The house is represented on the road by fourteen traveling salesmen in the sale of a complete line of drugs, druggists sundries and drug store supplies. The business was insti- tuted along lines which awakened public confidence, and therefore secured a liberal patronage. Aside from his interests as president of the Kauffman- Latimer Company, Mr. Kauffman is well known in business circles, being the director of the Capital City Bank and a director and treasurer of the American Druggists' Fire & Insurance Company, of Cincinnati. He has also been dean of the college of pharmacy since the establishment of the Ohio State University and is now active in college work.
In 1877 occurred the marriage of Mr. Kauffman and Miss Eunice Hughes, of Delaware, Ohio, and they now have two daughters and three sons: Margaret, who was born in 1879 and is the wife of John M. Barringer; Henrietta, who was born in 1881 and is the wife of Charles Cunningham, of Toledo, Ohio; Myron Beccher, who was born in 1887 and is now a senior in the Ohio State University: George Hughes, who was born in 1889 and is a member of the junior class of the State University; and Linus, who was born in 1891 and is a cadet in Racine College, of Racine, Wisconsin.
Mr. Kauffman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Ohio Club. He is connected with several college fraternities, including the Phi Gamma Delta, the Phi Chi, and the Sigma Psi. His political al- legiance is given to the republican party but he manifests only a citizen's
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interest in politics. He is widely known as one of the prominent pharmacists of the state and has been honored with the presidency of the State Associa- tion of Pharmmeists. He was also one year president of the American Con- ference of Pharmaceutical Faculties, and has been editor of the Midland Druggist, a monthly herald to the drug trade published in Columbus. He is likewise a director of the company owning that paper. Throughout his entire career Mr. Kauffman has been connected with the line of trade in which he embarked when he entered business life and his continuance therein, without the diffusion of his energies over a brond and varied field, undoubtedly constitute- one of the strongest elements in his success.
C. FREDERICK LUTHY.
C. Frederick Luthy is president of The Columbus Hardware Company, an enterprise that is today one of the oldest hardware jobbing concerns be- tween Pittsburg and Chicago. He was born August 30. 1846, in Canton Berne, Switzerland, and in 1852 was brought to America, the family home being established at Winesburg, Holmes county, Ohio. Subsequently a re- moval was made to Millersburg. Ohio, and on arriving at years of maturity and acquiring a good public school education, Mr. Luthy there established himself in business as a retail hardware merchant. He conducted the enter- prise successfully for a period of thirty-five years, enjoying a constantly growing trade which made his undertaking a profitable one. While at Millersburg. Mr. Luthy was one of the organizers of The Millersburg. Or- ville & Wooster Telephone Company. He also held the office of school director for a long period of years. As a member of the common council and as chairman of the waterworks committee he gave to that little city one of the best water supplies in Ohio. Mr. Luthy was also trustee of the county Children's Home and has always been interested in this work.
In 1894 he joined with others in organizing The Stuber, Luthy & Gregg Company, wholesale dealers in uotions, tinware, etc. in the city of Columbus. This business was conducted for a number of years very profitably with Mr. Luthy as president and general manager. In 1902 Mr. Luthy reorganized The Kilbourne-Jones Company, under the name of The Columbus Hard- ware Company and has since been president of this concern. He is regarded as a valuable addition to the business circles of Columbus and of Central Ohio. His long connection with the trade interests of Millersburg has brought him a wide acquaintance and his reputation preceded him to this city.
In early manhood Mr. Luthy was married to Mis Losiabelle Mills, of Harrison county, Ohio, a daughter of Elias Mills, who carried on general agricultural pursuits near Morefield in Harrison county. The family was established in Maryland during the early period of the colonization of the new world and at the time of the Revolutionary war most of the male mem- bers of the family enlisted in the Continental Army. Unto Mr. and Mrs.
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I.uthy have been born three children. Charles Mills, the eldest, born Novem- ber 19, 1876, in Miller-burg, Ohio, is now associated in business with his father as the secretary and general purchasing agent of The Columbus Hard- ware Company. He attended the public schools of his native city, also the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and likewise pursued a course of in- struction in a commercial college at Minneapolis, Minnesota. Thus well equipped by educational training for the practical and responsible duties of a business career, he joined his father on the organization of the present bus- iness. In 1900 he was married to Miss Pearl M. Snider of Millersburg, a daughter of Isaac D. Snider. Clyde I. Luthy, the second son, died in in- fancy. Kenneth F. Luthy, the third son, was born March 7, 1886, com- pleted a course in Kenyon College and is now engaged in business in New York city.
Mr. Luthy is a Knight Templar and member of the Mystic Shrine. His son Charles M. is also well known in Masonry, belonging to all the dif- ferent ramifications of the order. Both father and sons are stalwart deno- crat -. laboring effectively and earnestly for the interests of the party. Charles M. Luthy is prominent in state polities and has an enviable reputa- tion as a campaign orator. His voice has been heard in many parts of Ohio and of other states in defense of the eternal principles of the democratic faith Hle is also a member of the Broad Street Methodist Episcopal church and his life has always been actuated by high and honorable principles and characterized by manly condnet. He has made for himself a creditable name in business circles and at all times has been loyal to his belief in his asso- ciation with political, fraternal and moral interests.
RT. REV. JAMES J. HARTLEY.
The present bishop of the diocese of Columbus, the Rt. Reverend James J. Hartley, is a native son of the capital city. born in 1858. Here he spent his youth, began the acquisition of the education, that fitted him for his present high station, and pursued his early ambition to the full meed of success.
At the age of twenty-four, in 1882, he was ordained to the priesthood, and thereafter given charge of a church in the city of Steubenville, where his soul and energies were devoted to the full discharge of all the duties which from time to time, and often in sudden stress, devolved upon him. By his sincerity and open-heartedness he not only won the love of his own parishioners. but the respect and admiration of all, regardless of creed or condition, with whom he came in contact. Perhaps no minister of any denomination ever excited deeper regret, when the breaking of long knit associations came with his call from the relatively humble parish church to the head of a great diocese. Not only his parishioners but the whole community felt the loss of his presence.
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