USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 48
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With just pride, however, they saw him promoted, although they realized that they were about to lose his genial personality and kindly words of cheer
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and advice; not only pertaining to church matters, but to affairs of public concern that make for the good of the entire community.
During the closing days of 1903 and the opening months of 1904, the press of the little city on the Upper Ohio, voiced again and again the high es- teem in which the whole community held him as a man in the truest and noblest sense, and the good wishes that would follow him back to the city of his nativity and to his new dignity. On the 19th of December, 1903, Pope Pius X named him Bishop of the Diocese of Coluurbus, and in due time the rescript of nomination and selection to the bishopric came to the unassuming young priest from the hands of His Holiness. In his own parish church at Steubenville he was consecrated Bishop with simple, but solemn ceremonies, on the 25th day of February, 1904, after which he came to Colmnbus to put on the vestments and insignia of his new office, and take up. as the fourth Bishop in the succes- sion, the responsible duty of administering the affairs of the diocese. Since the hour of his arrival he has been ably promoting its religious and educational interests.
LEWIS L. RANKIN.
The life work of Lewis L. Rankin has been so clear cut in its expression and so honorable in its purposes that the progressive steps which mark his de- velopment are easily discernible. An analyzation of his work indicates that his salient characteristic is a quiet persistence in all that he undertakes, and the wide measure of his success, nnostentatiously and easily attained, demonstrates the excellence of this quality in his nature. He is today classed with the ablest lawyers of the Columbus bar, while his powers of organization have been mani- fest in the development of certain business interests which have been promoted by hin.
Born on a farm in Mifflinville, Mifflin township, Franklin county, Ohio, on the 4th of August, 1860, Mr. Rankin there remained until eleven years of age, when his parents removed with their family to Columbus, where he con- tinned his education in the city schools. Passing through consecutive grades, he was graduated from the Columbus high school in the class of 1879 and greatly broadened his own knowledge in teaching. to which profes-ion he de- voted his energies in Hamilton township. In 1880, so rapid was his progress in his chosen profession, that he was elected president of the Franklin County Teachers' Association and in 1882 was chosen for the superintendency of the public schools at Canal Winchester. After a term of three years in that posi- tion Mr. Rankin turned his attention to the law and when he had completed a course of study under an excellent preceptor was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio in 1885. His training as a teacher brought to him that poise and self-reliance necessary to all practical achievements. It is an essential of successful legal practice, for the lawyer must be capable of taking a fair com- prehensive and impartial view of every subject. that he may prepare for de- fense as well as attack. His knowledge of the law, his careful preparation of cases and the ability with which he handled the points in litigation enabled
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Mr. Rankin quickly to take high rank among his fellow practitioners and he soon enjoyed a splendid reputation as a strong and wise counselor. This he still maintains and is considered one of the safest attorneys in the capital city, his clientage growing year by year.
He is not easily discouraged or driven from the end that he has in view, but while his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial he never forgets that he owes a still higher allegiance to the majesty of the Inw. He is never abusive of adversaries but maintains ever a calm and courteous demeanor toward his opponents, the court and the witnesses, but it does not follow that he is ready to surrender his own or his client's rights. On the contrary he is most persistent in looking after the interests entrusted to his care and the many favorable ver- diets which he has secured indicate that his methods are forceful and com- mendable. His ability has carried him into important professional relations and his name figures prominently upon the court records of the capital city.
In business circles also Mr. Rankin has played a large part since coming to Columbus and his holdings are large and profitable. The organizer of the Buckeye State Building and Loan Company, which came into existence in 1895, he performed a vast amount of hard work in bringing into harmonions relations all the details necessary to make the enterprise the success that it is today. In 1898 Mr. Rankin erected the block in West Gay street that the com- pany now occupies. This is but one of varions business interests which have claimed his attention.
In 1882 Mr. Rankin was married to Miss Hattie Rathmell. A great sor- row came to them in 1908 in the death of their son. Stanley F. Rankin, who was drowned at Friendship, Maine. He had graduated with high honors from the North high school of this city and from the Ohio State University and had just completed a course in the Harvard Law School, when he passed from this life. Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are well known socially. having many warm friends in Columbus. In religions circles he is most active and in all the things that go to make for good citizenship he is well equipped. He is also on the alert as to the business interests of the city of his adoption and to the moral tone of the community.
HERBERT M. PLATTER, M. D.
Dr. Herbert M. Platter was born at Lockbourne, Franklin county, Ohio, June 18. 1869. His father, John C. Platter, whose birth occurred at Bainbridge, Ross county, Ohio, July 8, 1831, came to Franklin county in 1858 and conducted a grocery business in Lockbourne until 1869. In that year he located on a farm in Hamilton township, where he has since re- sided. being recognized throughout the community as a respected and vener- able citizen. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Munson Clark, was born in Hamilton township. Franklin county, in 1835. Her father, Dr. Jeremiah Clark, was a pioneer physician of this county and also served as a member of the legislature.
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Dr. Herbert M. Platter supplemented his preliminary education by a three years' study in Ohio Wesleyan University and then, having determined upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he entered the Starling Med- ical College, from which he was graduated in 1892. After spending a year as interne at St. Francis Hospital he began the practice of his profession in Columbus, where he has since remained. He is a member of the Academy of Medicine, the State Medical Association and has been connected with the board of health for nine years. He was likewise assistant secretary of the state medical board at the time of its organization in 1896.
In 1900 Dr. Platter was united in marriage to Miss Laura Israel, a native of Washington county, Ohio, by whom he has a daughter and son. Katherine and Harold. Fraternally he is connected with Columbus Lodge, F. & A. M., and the Scottish Rite.
TIENRY ARCHER WILLIAMS.
Henry Archer Williams, one of the leaders of the republican party of Ohio and prominent as a representative of the Columbus bar, was born in Cincinnati. December 4, 1864. He is a son of the Rev. Charles H. and Harriet (Langdon) Williams, now residing at Parkersburg, West Virginia. The father has for many years been connected with the ministry of the Methodist Protestant church.
In the public schools of Springfield, Clark county, Ohio, Henry A. Wil- liams pursued his education until he was graduated with honors from the high school of that city and later entered Wittenberg College at Springfield, where he won first honors on his graduation in 1885. at which time the de- gree of Bachelor of Arts was conferred upon him, while in 1890 he received the honorary degree of Master of Arts from his alma mater. When his more specifically literary education was completed he took up the study of law and in March, 1887, received the appointment as commission clerk in the exeentive office from Governor Foraker. This was his initial step toward political prominence. Having in the meantime been admitted to the bar, he located for the practice of law in Columbus in May, 1890, and although it is proverbial that advancement in the law is slow. yet he was steadily build- ing up a good clientage and had won for himself favorable notice when on the 1st of March, 1895, he was appointed first assistant proseenting attorney of Franklin county, serving for one term in a most satisfactory manner. He then resumed the private practice of law in Columbus and has often been connected with matters of usually important litigation. His practice also calls him into the courts of many of the connties of the state, the United States courts of the district and the supreme court at Washington, and in crossing swords with others in forensic combat he has proved himself an opponent worthy of their steel.
All through the years Mr. Williams has remained an active and stalwart champion of the republican party and in 1900 he was appointed by President.
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HENRY A. WILLIAMS
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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Mckinley, with whom he was on the most intimate and friendly terms, as supervisor of the I'nited States census for the counties of Franklin, Fairfield and Licking, in which capacity he performed his work well and faithfully. He was called to official service in the city in 1908, when appointed a trustee of the public library by Mayor Bond. Mr. Williams is one of the state leaders of the republican party and has for many years been prominent in both the local and state councils. On repeated occasions he has acted as chairman of the republican executive committee of this county and his powers of organization and his keen outlook into every situation has made him a most forceful and competent party leader. He was secretary of the Taft national burean, of which Hon. Arthur I. Vorys was chairman and which to a very marked extent secured the nomination and election of Hon. William HI. Taft, republican candidate for president in 1908. He is now chairman of the republican state executive committee and was therefore in command of the national and state campaign in Ohio in 1908.
On the 24th of November. 1887. in Springfield, Ohio, Mr. Williams wedded Miss Elizabeth Lorena Thomas and they have three children : Morris Hollidny, thirteen years of age; Langdon Thomas, ten years of age; and Gordon Holliday, who has attained the age of seven. A companionable nature and genial disposition have made Mr. Williams a favorite in social as well as legal and political circles. He is a member of the Beta Theta Pi, a college fraternity, has been college secretary and member of the na- tional board of trustees. He also belongs to the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution and of the Benjamin Franklin Chapter of the State Society. He became a charter member of the State Society, organized in 1889, and of the Benjamin Franklin Chapter, organ- ized in 1895, and has served as state secretary, treasurer and vice president, while of the chapter he has been vice president and president. His orations before the society's ammal banquets are gems of oratory and as instructive as eloquent. Mr. Williams likewise belongs to the Masonic fraternity, has attained the thirty-second degree of the Scottish Rite and is a member of the Mystic Shrine, while his religious views are indicated in his membership in the Eastwood Congregational church.
J. A. STOUT, M. D.
Dr. J. A. Stout. advancing in lines of life demanding keen mentality and unfaltering application. is now accorded a liberal patronage und has gained recognition as an able and necessful physician and surgeon. Hle was born in Pickaway county, Ohio, near Circleville, February 8, 1863. His father, Jacob J. Stout, was a native of the same county. while his grandfather, Jacob Stout. came to Ohio from Pennsylvania in the early '30s and settled in Pickaway county. There he followed farming, and his son and namesake devoted his energies to the same pur-uit. continuing an active representative of agricultural interests until his death, which ocenrred July 1. 1891. In early manhood he
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had wedded Elizabeth Wanamacher, who survived him until 1903, when she also passed away.
In the country schools Dr. Stout obtained his preliminary education, and later attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio. He after- ward engaged in teaching in his native county for several years but, thinking that he would find other professional labor more congenial and profitable, he took up the study of medicine in the Starling Medical College, from which he was gradnated in 1889. Immediately after he began practice in Columbus, devoting one year to service as house physician in St. Francis Hospital. Thus to his theoretical training he added broad and varied practical experience, and was well equipped for the onerous duties of the profession of medicine and surgery. He has been connected with the medical department of St. Anthony's Hospital since its organization, wns for five years physician of the Franklin County Children's Home and is a member of the Columbus board of health. He belongs to the Columbus Academy of Medicine and to the Ohio State Med- ical Society.
Dr. Stout is moreover interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the enpital city, and cooperates in many movements for the general good. He has been a member of the board of education for six years, and for one year served as its president. In his frateril relations he is connected with Columbus Lodge, No. 30, A. F. & A. M., with Capital Lodge, I. O. O. F., and with the Modern Woodmen of Amerien, filling all the chairs in the Odd Fellows Lodge. His political allegiance is given to the democratic party, but he never allows partisanship to interfere with his support of any project or measure that he deems beneficial to the city at hrge.
RT. REV. BISHOP WATTERSON.
John Ambrose Watterson, D.D., was born in Indiana County Pennsyl- vania, in 1844. He was educated nt St. Vincent's College, in his native state, and at St. Mary's College and Seminary, Maryland, his ordination to the priest- hood taking place in 1868. He held the chair of classics at St. Mary's College, later the chair of theology, and was elected president of both the College und the seminary. Rev. Watterson was consecrated second bishop of Columbus in 1880.
The diocese was for eighteen months withont n Bishop, and during that period was under the administration of Very Rev. N. A. Gallagher, who hnd been appointed as Metropolitan by Archbishop Purcell. During this interval Rev. M. M. Meara continued rector of the cathedral and was assisted in 1879- 1880 by Rev. J. Kulin. Rev. L. W. Mulhane and Rey. F. M. Woesman. Rev. A. D. Clarke was also stationed at the Cathedral from 1879 to 1884. not as assistant Chaplain. but as Chaplain of the Catholic prisoners confined in the penitentiary.
Dr. Watterson was consecrated Bishop on Sunday, August 8, 1880, with the most elaborate and solemn ceremonies in keeping with the great spiritual
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responsibilities he was assimning. His reception at the door of the Cathedral was imposing and impressive. At the consecration Most Reverend John B. Pur- cell of Cincinnati, and Right Rev. Bishops Fitzgerald of Little Rock, Toebbe of Covington, Chatard of Indianapolis and Dwenger of Ft. Wayne, were within the sanctuary, and sixty-five priests and many seminarians were present.
JOSEPH A. MURPHY. M. D.
Joseph A. Murphy, physician and surgeon of Columbus, comes of an an- cestry having a most creditable military record. His great-grandfather, Martin Murphy, a native of the north of Ireland, crossed the Atlantic at the time of the Revolutionary war and served with the American forces. His son, John Murphy, grandfather of Dr. Murphy, was born in Ohio and became a soldier of the war of 1812. Joseph J. Murphy, the doctor's father, was a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, and when the country became involved in civil war, he enlisted under the stars and stripes, serving in the One Hundred and Forty- eighth Ohio and the Twentieth Ohio Regiment -. He was with Sherman on the celebrated march to the sea, and after the close of hostilities was mustered out at Columbus. For many years he followed farming, and is now living retired in Vinton county, Ohio, at the advanced age of eighty-four years. Since the organization of the republican party he has been one of its stanch advocates, and though he never sought nor desired office he has served as township treas- urer and has been a much respected citizen of the community in which he has made his home. He married Caroline Martindale, who was born in Meigs county, Ohio, in 1827. They have now traveled life's journey together for sixty-one years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time passed by.
Dr. Murphy was born in Vinton county, Ohio, July 20, 1868, and after attending the public schools engaged in teaching for one term but regarded that merely as an initial step to other professional labor. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work he entered the Columbus Medieal Col- lege from which he was graduated in 1890 and then located for practice in the capital city. The same year he was appointed resident physician at the Worthington Fresh Air Home and had charge there during the three sun- mers of its existence. In 1899 he was appointed physician of the Hare Or- phans Home, and acted in that capacity for five years. In 1903 he was ap- pointed jail physician, and in the following year was appointed to fill out the mexpired term as coroner. In 1904 he was nominated for the office, was elected and by reelection was continued in the position to the 4th of January, 1909, at which time his term expired. The demands of his private practice are also considerable. so that his life is a busy one, and his patients have full confidence in his professional ability. He belongs to the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Asso- ciation.
On the 23d of December, 1891. Dr. Murphy was married to Miss Blanche O. Thompson, of Columbus, a daughter of Harvey M. Thompson, who served
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in the Eleventh Ohio Infantry in the Civil war and was wounded at Lookout Mountain. Dr. and Mrs. Murphy have five living children: Harlan M., Jos- eph A., Helen B., Cordelia and Caroline. They also lost one son, Earl C., who died March 11, 1895, at the age of four years. The parents are members of the Congregational church, and Dr. Murphy belongs to the Knights of Pythias fraternity and to Humboldt Lodge, No. 476, A. F. & A. M., while in the Scottish Rite he has attained the thirty-second degree. He is in hearty sym- pathy with the purposes of the craft, and finds frequent opportunity in his profession to exemplify its basic principles of mutual helpfulness and brotli- erly kindness.
GEORGE FRANCIS MOONEY.
George Francis Mooney, secretary and general manager of the Washington Brewing Company, has manifested in his business career much of the spirit of the initiative, for he has instituted new plans and methods, the value of which time has proven. The successful business man is the one who does not follow the paths that others have marked out. but who can adjust himself to circumstances und utilize every opportunity to the best advantage. Mr. Mooney, well known for what he has accomplished in the upbuilding of an important and successful industry, was born in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1867. His father. John B. Mooney, was a native of Ireland, and in 1858 arrived in Steubenville, where he became a pioneer contractor. He built all of the tunnels in that locality, and as a railroad mason worked on the Stenbenville & Indiana Rail- road, now a part of the Pennsylvania system. ITis labors were splendid speei- mens of engineering, and he became widely known in that connection. He continued in active business for many years, but in 1873 retired to enjoy the fruits of his former toil, spending his remaining days in well earned and hon- orable rest at Steubenville, where he passed away in 1903. He was a splendid example of the self-made man whose spirit of enterprise and diligence enabled him to make steady progress in the business world. He married Margaret MeConnick, a native of Wheeling, West Virginia, who died in the spring of 1903.
George F. Mooney began his education at the usual age, passing through conseentive grades in the primary and grammar schools of Steubenville, Ohio. to the age of thirteen years. Possessing nich natural musical talent which had been developed through training. he afterward taught music for a number of years. In 1880 he entered the retail liquor trade in Columbus, and has since been well known in business circles of the city. In 1888 he opened a place where the Clinton building now stands, conducting it until 1896. For three years during his connection with the wholesale liqnor trade he was employed as a salesman, and afterward accepted the agency of the brewery as its man. ager. He next bought the agency of the Pabst Brewing Company, and repre- sented its interests here for six years, while on the 15th of November, 1905, he assisted in the organization of the Washington Brewing Company, of which
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he became secretary and general manager. Its organization was largely attrib- utable to his efforts. He superintended and personally carried out the con- struction of the plant and the selection of machinery. The brewery is a mar- vel of its kind, employing the latest improved devices in manufacture and at all times holding to a high standard in the quality of its product. The growth of the business has been so rapid as to seem almost phenomenal, and the trade is now represented by a large annual figure. Mr. Mooney has always been active in the organization of liquor interests for the betterment of conditions in the trade, and for several years has been a member of the executive board of the Ohio state liquor league. For three years he was vice president of the Iroquois Company, and was one of the factors in its organization.
On the 15th of May, 1886, occurred the marriage of Mr. Mooney and Miss Margaret Bauermeister, of Columbus, and they have one son, J. Frank Mooney, who was born in this city in February, 1890. He is a graduate of the North high school, and is now a student in the Winona Technical Institute at Indian- apolis, Indiana. The father belongs to the United Commercial Travelers, the Elks lodge, No. 37. and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He was also one of the original members of the old Jackson Club, and participated in the organization of the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club, of which he is now serving on the board of governors. He takes delight in hunting, fishing and boating, and finds therein his eltief source of recreation and rest. He is an excellent example of the progressive and rising young business man who has always followed a free and independent course, planning his own advancement and accomplishing it in the face of opposition and competition, which are always features in a business career.
ALVAH JOSEPH PRAY.
A notably successful business record is that of Alvah Joseph Pray, manu- facturers' agent, who is now conducting an extensive and prosperous business but came to Columbus empty handed in 1896. His strict integrity, business conservatism and judgment are uniformly recognized, and he has enjoyed public confidence to an enviable degree, so that naturally this has brought him a lucrative patronage and he has made continuous advancement in business lines.
A native of Minnesota, Mr. Pray was born in Afton, April 25, 1869. In the paternal line he comes of Scotch ancestry, although the family was founded in New York at an early day. His father, Ephraim H. Pray, was born in Essex county, New York, and served as a soldier of the Civil war. He wedded Miss Helen M. Haskell, who was the third white child born in Minne- sota. Her father settled there when it was almost an unbroken wilderness, few white people having penetrated within the borders of the state. As the years advanced he became a prominent factor in the public life there, and served as senator of Minnesota. The Haskell family was represented in the war of 1812, and Mrs. Pray is also descended from those who fought for na- tional independence, and is now a member of the Daughters of the Revolution.
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