USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 49
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The district schools afforded to Alvah J. Pray his early educational priv- ileges. He pursued his studies in his native town, and afterward attended high school, subsequent to which time he entered the Polytechnic School of Engineers at Troy, New York. When his course was completed he turned his attention to railroad construction work, and became one of the civil engi- neers of the Duluth & South Shore, Inter the Duluth & Winnepeg, and after- ward of the Northern Pacific railroad companies. He left the last named in 1892, and became connected with the Southern Pacific Railroad Company as assistant mechanical engineer of construction in connection with street rail- way construction in San Francisco. Ile left that service on account of ill health, and finally, becoming convinced that there was more money in com- mercial lines, he entered the employ, as traveling salesman, of the Magnolia Metal Company, of New York, with which company he remained for two years. On the expiration of that period he became connected with the West- inghouse Company as representative of the meter department, and is now district sales agent for that company at Columbus. Extending his efforts into other fields, he has become an officer of the Ohio Brass & Iron Manufactur- ing Company, is vice president of the Northern Hotel Company, and central Ohio manager of the Studebaker Automobile Company. He is a man of ex- cellent business discernment, who in every relation of life has ably and faith- fully performed the duties that have devolved upon him, and upon such a foundation has builded his present prosperity. As his financial resources have increased he has made judicious investments in property, and is now the owner of extensive realty holdings in Columbus, his residence being one of the finest in this city.
In 1891 Mr. Pray was united in marriage to Miss Laura E. Trowbridge, who was born in St. Paul, a daughter of Charles Trowbridge. Her uncle, Hon. J. Russell Jones of Chicago, was an ambassador in Belgium during the administrations of Presidents Grant and Lincoln. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Pray have been born two children: Russell Honore, born in St. Paul, March 8. 1892; and Guinevere Helen, who was born in San Francisco, May 23, 1894. Both are now students in the North high school.
Mr. Pray is a member of the Ohio Club, of the Columbus Country Club, the Buckeye Club and Columbus Automobile Club. He is very prominent and popular in the different social and fraternal organi- zations with which he is connected. He is a thirty-second degree Mason and a Shriner, is a member of the Elks, of the United Commercial Travelers and of the United Commercial Travelers Club. He was the leader in the move- ment that succeeded in the erection of the clubhouse at 26 West Goodale street for Columbus Council, No. 1, of the United Commercial Travelers in this city. He has always taken a very active interest in politics, and is a stalwart advocate of republican principles. In the fall of 1907 he was chairman of the financial committee of the republican organization here. He was the national president of the Commercial Travelers Taft League, giving his services and much time throughout the campaign in behalf of President William II. Taft. He is also vice president of the Cleveland Commercial Travelers Life & Acci- dent Insurance Company and is state vice president of the Illinois Commercial
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Men's Association of Chicago. Citizenship has never been to him an idle term. On the contrary it means loyal support of all that he believes to be for the welfare of city, state or nation, and his influence therefore is a strong element in support of the principles which he believes to be right. He was honored by Hon. Robert H. Jeffries, then mayor . by being appointed one of the members of the first park and boulevard commission of the city, later being elected by the board as secretary, and us such served withont compensation, many long hours being devoted to a study to which he had given much thought, and as a direct result of these services with others the city now has a complete and detailed report from the hands of the commission, which Mr. Pray hopes to some day see cousinnated and carried out. His life record commands the respect and confidence of all who know him, and it indicates clearly his force of character and ability.
EDWARD WELLINGTON SWISHER.
Edward Wellington Swisher, of Columbus, now living retired, derives his income from important and extensive interests, but for many years figured as one of the prominent merchants and manufacturers of the city. He is recog- nized as a man of well balanced capacities and powers, whose strong character has always inspired confidence in others. while at all times he has shown mature judgment concerning his own ability and of the people and circum- stances that have made up his life's contacts and experiences. Starting in the business world without any vaulting ambition to accomplish something spe- cially great or wonderful he has followed the lead of his opportunities, doing as best he could anything that came to him, seizing legitimate advantages as they urose. He has never hesitated to take a forward stop when the way was open. Although content with what he attained as he went along. he was always ready to make an advance. Fortunate in possessing ability and charac- ter in inspiring confidence in others, the simple weight of his character and ability carried him into important relations in larger interests, and for a long period he figured as one of the most active and prominent business men of the capital city.
Mr Swisher was born in Newark, Ohio, in Jaumary, 1852. His father, David Swisher, n native of Licking county, Ohio, was at one time engaged in harnessmaking, while later he conducted business as a wholesale dealer in notions. Ile is still living in the eighty-first year of his age, and possesses remarkable strength and vitality for one of his years. In May, 1908, he spent one month in a hospital. where Dr. Stimson, of Newark, removed prostrate glands. practically saving his life by the operation. Mr. Swisher is the oldest man in the world to survive such an operation, which at best is a very hazar- dous one. In early manhood he married Miss Minerva Switzer, a native of Licking county, who died in 1893.
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The public schools of Newark afforded Edward W. Swisher his ednea; tional privileges, and, manifesting special aptitude in his studies. he was grad- nated from the Newark high school when fourteen years of age. Immediately afterward he became a factor in the business world, learning the cigarmaker's trade, but after thoroughly mastering this, became a journeyman. When but sixteen years of age he went npon the road as a traveling salesman for a Chi- cago house, and the following year, feeling that his practical training and experience justified him in engaging in business on his own necount. he began the manufacture of cigars under his own name. Starting on a small scale, the business gradually grew, forcing him to increase the number of his employes and enlarge his facilities in order to meet the demands of his trade. This was practically the nucleus of the extensive Swisher cigar business in this coun- try. In manufacturing he never sacrificed quality for quantity, but gave to his purchasers full value received, and along the legitimate lines of trade de- veloped an enterprise of extensive proportions. In 1884 he admitted his brothers, Harry and John, to n partnership under the style of E. W. Swisher & Brothers, which name was continued until 1891.
In 1883 Edward W. Swisher removed to Columbus, but still conducted the business at Newark for eight years thereafter, or until the firm was dis- solved in 1891. Coming to the capital city he creeted a factory at Nos. 338- 342 West Broad street and established business under the name of the E. W. Swisher Cigar Company. The venture proved extremely successful, the shop being equipped with not only all the latest improved machinery for turning out its product, but also having its own lighting and heating plants and its own water works with hot and cold water pumps. Mr. Swisher not only in this connection manufactured cigars, but conducted subsidiary interests, whereby he controlled the entire output of the factory save the growing of his own tobacco. He manufactured his own cigar boxes and organized and sys- tenitized the best cigar fuetory in the United States. He bought humber in carloads for cash, and this was used in the manufacture of boxes, five acres of ground between his two planing mills being leased so that he had ample room for storing himber and the product manufactured therefrom. This made him a competitor instead of a customer of box manufacturers, and con- stituted a factor in the success of his business.
Mr. Swisher was invited by the trusts to join an organization to promote prices, but he did not care to do this, for he was not only opposed to the method, but as it wus had a profitable business under his own control, shipping his goods all over the United States. At length a company of capitalists sought to buy him out and he asked them a fancy price, which he did not believe would be accepted. It was, however, and he thus pased from the control of an enterprise of mammoth proportions, which he had built up. and which was then furnishing employment to between five and six hundred people. While in active business his trade increased so rapidly that he could not get enough employes to manufacture or handle the output. He made the sale in 1902, and at the urgent insistance of the purchaser he became a mem- ber of the advisory board of the new concern and also treasurer of the com- pany, but when they sold out in 1904 he retired from active life. Aside from
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his manufacturing interests he became associated with other business concerns, which have profited by his cooperation and sound judgment. He is vice president and director of the Columbus Public Service Company and director of the First National Bank. He has other and varied interests which not only constitute sources of individual revenue, but are also elements in the city's busi- ness development.
In 1883 Mr. Swisher was united in marriage to Miss Susan MeKinley, of Harrisburg, Ohio. He belongs to the Columbus Country Club, to the Benevo- lent and Protective Order of Elks, and has become a Knight Templar Mason. He votes with the democracy, but has never sought nor desired office. He is very fond of horses and is president of the Columbus Driving Association, which holds grand circuit races yearly at Columbus. He is also one of the stewards of the grand circuit and president of the Gentleman's Driving Asso- ciation. He is progressive in his citizenship, supporting many measures for the good of Cohnabns, and his enterprise and ability have made himt one of its leading citizens. His nature is social and his disposition cordial, and, while he has at all times commanded the respect and admiration of his business col- leagues and associates, he has also enjoyed the warm friendship of those who have come within the closer circle of his acquaintance.
J. LAWRENCE PORTER.
J. Lawrence Porter is secretary and general manager of the Fidelity Building, Loan & Savings Company, and also its attorney. This company owes its success to his efforts and his executive power, and it is today one of the leading institutions of this character in the state. The life record of Mr. Por- ter began at Clarksville, Pennsylvania, February 19, 1876. His father, George W. Porter, is now retired and resides upon a farm in Morrow county, Ohio. His wife bore the maiden name of Malinda Rose. Both are natives of Penn- sylvania and the strains of Scotch, Irish and German blood flow in their veins.
In the country schools of Morrow county J. Lawrence Porter obtained his early education. The family had removed to that county in 1877, and after he had mastered the common branches of learning he attended high school at Marengo, Ohio. Coming to Columbus in the fall of 1892. he here took up the study of law in the office of Thompson & Ulrey, with whom he remained until admitted to the bar in 1895. He then formed a partnership with D. B. Ulrey, which continued until 1902 and was afterward Uhrey. Wil- dermuth & Porter until the election of Mr. Wildermouth as police judge. At that time D. C. Badger became head of the firm, and a few months later Nr. Porter severed his connections therewith.
In the meantime he was carefully solving financial problems. In 1894 he organized the Globe Building & Loan Company, of which he was assistant general counsel until 1900, when he severed his connection therewith and made an investigation of like concerns throughout the country. As the result of his investigation he organized the Fidelity Building. Loan & Savings Com-
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pany, of which he became secretary, general manager and attorney. A capital of a million dollars was subscribed, and three years after the organization Mr. Porter increased this capital to five millions. Since 1902 he has given his attention principally to the conduct of the business, but still continues the practice of law to some extent, confining his efforts in this direction, however, to corporation law. He is a nmn of forceful purpose, who carries forward to mnecessful completion whatever he undertakes.
On the 24th of September. 1897, occurred the marriage of Mr. Porter and Miss Carrie H. Kirk, a daughter of Joseph aud Carrie F. Kirk, of Knox- ville, Tennessee. They reside at No. 1423 Summit street in a property which Mr. Porter purchased five years ago. His political allegiance is given to the democracy, and for sine time he was active in the ranks of the party, but does not have time now for participation in its work. He has made steady progress in his business career as the result of his native talents and his ac- quired ability. He is making good use of his time and opportunities and has established an important financial enterprise in the business whose affairs he now capably controls.
FRANKLIN EWING MARTIN.
Franklin Ewing Martin, attorney at law in Columbus, his native city, was born in 1883 and represent- one of the old and honored families of the capital. From an early period in the development of Columbus the Martins have been residents here and their influence has ever been on the side of progress and improvement. Almost a century has passed since his grand- father. William T. Martin, arrived in this city, which was then little more than a hamlet on a frontier which still bore many evidences of Indian oc- enpancy. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, April 6, 1788, and spent the period of his boyhood and youth in the Keystone state. This was the formative opoch in the history of the republic. The revolutionary war had just closed and the people of the country were endeavoring to adjust themselves to a new form of government. It was also the period in which the old and picture-que dress of colonial days-the powdered wig, the ruffled shirt and the knee trousers, were giving way to a style similar to that of the present age. In fact it was a transition period in American life and William T. Martin became numbered among those who aided in fashioning the civili- zation of Ohio-then the far west. In 1814 he married Miss Amelia Aschome and early in the following year came with his young wife to Columbus. hu early life in Pennsylvania he engaged in teaching school and also learned and followed the carpenter's trade in that state. He was one of the pioneer teachers of the capital city, following the profession in 1816 and 1817, where he presided as "master" over a little school of pioncer children who met in a log church belonging to the Methodist society. William T. Martin was a man of quiet, placid nature and of most upright character. He served as justice of the peace from 1820 until 1848, having in the meantime become
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V. T. MARTIN
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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a lawyer and in the practice of his chosen profession he attained considerable prominence. He was again called to public office in 1831 when elected county recorder and by reelection was continued in that position for fifteen years or until 1846. In 1851 he was chosen associate judge of the comnon pleas conrt, serving until the following year, when the office was abolished. Hle was also at one time clerk of the penitentiary and for a number of years was secretary and trustee of the Greenlawn Cemetery Association, so continuing up to the time of his death. From 1824 until 1827 he served as mayor of Columbus and aided in shaping the policy of the city during its early period. Viewed through the perspective of the years. it is seen that he bore a most important and active part in the affairs of the embryo city. leaving his im- press for good upon its business development. In 1858 he published a history of Franklin county and no one was better qualified to prepare a work of this character because of his intimate and accurate knowledge of early events. He died in 1865 and thus passed from the scene of earthly activities one to whom the county owes a debt of gratitude for what he did in her behalf. His wife long survived him, passing away January 16, 1885, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. her birth having occurred Angust 21, 1790.
Benjamin Franklin Martin, son of William T. Martin and father of Franklin Ewing Martin, was born in Columbus in 1819 and his life record covered the intervening years until April 18, 1904. He was educated in the public schools of this city and in Blendon Academy and, like his father, was several times called to publie office, in which connection he did faithful and efficient service for his fellow townsmen. He was clerk of the council from 1840 until 1857 and during this time studied law under Judge F. J. Mathews, being admitted to the bar in 1847. In 1850 he became prosecuting attorney of Franklin county and served for four years. He was a member of the law firm of English & Martin for twelve years and in this connection enjoyed an extensive clientage that connected him with much of the important work of the courts during that period. In 1865 he was appointed by President Jolmson to the position of collector of internal revenue for the seventh dis. triet of Ohio and served for four years. He was also appointed by Governor Young as one of the trustees for the blind asylum and was a member of the sinking fund commission in Franklin county for five years. His official service was most connnendable. for he was public-spirited and patriotic and gave loyal devotion to every interest that was entrusted to his eare. He bo- came one of the charter members of the Franklin County Bar Association and was one of the organizers of the Magnolia lodge of Masons. He was also identified with the development of railroad interests in Ohio. serving as a di- rector of the Columbus & Xenia Railroad Company up to the time of his death. He married Cecelia Workman, who was born in Lancaster, Ohio, in 1851 and is still living. She is a piece of Thomas Ewing and also a cousin of the prom- inent Sherman family of this state.
Franklin E. Martin was educated in the public schools and Columbus Latin School. from which he was graduated in 1898. He also attended the Ohio State University and as a student in the law department completed a course in 1905, when he won the degree of Bachelor of Law.
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On the 18th of January, 1907. Mr. Martin was married to Miss Mary Bole Scott, of this city, and they are well-known in social circles here. Mr. Martin is a member of the Arlington Country Club, of the Chi Phi and of the Phi Delta Phi, the former a college and the latter a law fraternity. He is also a member of the Old Northwestern Genealogical Society. His own ancestral history is one of which he has reason to be proud and the excellent work which was begun by his grandfather in the pioneer days of Columbus and was continued by his father is now being carried on by him.
WILLIAM ALONZO SNOW.
William Alonzo Snow, a leading shirt manufacturer of Columbus, was born in Southwick, Massachusetts, December 15. 1855, a son of James and Sarah E. ( Wetherbee) Snow. His father, who was a direct descendant of John Snow, came originally from Scotland. and was one of the first to intro- duce Masonry in the city of Boston. He was born about the year 1825. Dur- ing the Civil war he served for four yearrs with the Thirty-fourth Massachu- setts Volunteer Infantry, was in many engagements, and during the rest of his life was prominent in Grand Army circles. In his earlier years he was in the leather business in Maine, his native state, and later came west, locating in Cleveland, where he remained for a short period engaged in the shirt man- ufacturing business, and subsequently removed to Columbus, where he con- dneted the same enterprise for a number of years. Owing to reverses he gave up his business and went to Philadelphia, where he patented a belt fastener, which he manufactured and sold there until he departed this life in 1894. His wife still survives and is residing in the east.
William Alonzo Snow worked on a farm during his boyhood days, ac- quiring his edneation in the village schools, and when a lad left home and went to Westfield, Massachusetts, where he learned several trades, which he followed for a short time. Later he started in the tobacco business, in which he engaged for a period of four years, and at the expiration of that time he came to Ohio, joining his father in the shirt manufacturing business in the year 1877 and remaining with him until he failed. He then started in the same enterprise for himself, and has since established himself in one of the most prosperous enterprises, which is at the same time the oldest of the kind in this state. When he commenced this business he had neither means nor influence, but being possesed of good lasiness qualifications and perseverance and being thoroughly familiar with the manufacture of shirts he soon made his way and became popular in the trade, so that now he is in the foremost ranks of the business circle- of the city.
On Jannary 1, 1889, Mr. Snow was nuited in marriage to Miss Fannie May Graham, the couple having the following children: Mrs. D. H. Brun- ning: Mrs. A. W. Galbreath; and Graham A., who is connected with a bank in Spokane, Washington.
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Aside from his shirt mannfactory, Mr. Snow has other business interests, being director of a copper mine and also vice president of the Copper World Extension Mining Company. Among the fraternal organizations with which he is affiliated are the Knights of Pythias and the Woodmen of the World; and he is also a member of the Methodist church, of which he is a liberal supporter. He is a member of the Board of Trade and one of the most enter- prising business men of the city. He owes his snecess to his innate resources and principally to his perseverance, excellent business judgment and good management.
ROLLIN FREDERICK CRIDER.
Rollin Frederick Crider i- connected with the profession which has im- pattant bearing upon the progress and stability of every community, for it conserves the rights and privileges of the individual and discriminates in all matters of justice and equity. Devoted to the interests of his clients and always endeavoring to uphold the majo-ty of the law, Rollin F. Crider has -ceured a Luge and gratifying clientage. Ile was born at Greenville, Darke county. August 26, 1859, and is n son of Frederick Crider, who was likewise a untive of that locality. The father carried on business as a dry-goods merchant for a number of years and was a well known and prominent citizen of his locality. where he died in 1862. He married Rebecca Jane Porter, who still survives and is now the wife of John L. Winner, a merchant, banker and legislator of Granville, Ohio. He was born in Franklin, Warren county, Ohio, November 19, 1816. His father, I-aac Winner, was married in Philadelphia to Miss Mary Powell, of New Jersey, and in 1816 they removed to Ohio. For about four years prior to his father's death John L. Winner worked at the cooper's trade, and in April, 1836, he removed to Darke county. There he became prominent in both business and political circles. In November, 1837. he mar- ried Miss Charlotte Clark, a daughter of John Clark, of Warren county, Ohio. For five years thereafter he engaged in the grocery business, for eight years was proprietor of a hotel, and afterward conducted a drug store, prospering in all of these different lines. In 1853 he turned his attention to the banking business in connection with Colonel J. W. Frizzle, and was thus associated un- til May, 1865. He afterward became a stockholder in the Farmers National Bunk, and in January, 1866, wus chosen its cashier, remaining in that posi- tion of executive control until January, 1872. In April, 1873, he opened the Exchange Bank of Granville, which he conducted until his death in 1880. His wife died August 12. 1863, leaving a daughter, Hattie, who died April 1. 1867, at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Winner afterward wedded Mrs. Jane Crider, the widow of Frederick Crider, of Greenville, and a daughter of John Wallace Porter, of Maryland. Mr. Winner was prominent in political as well as business circles. He was elected to fill out an unexpired term in the state legislature, there representing Parke county from 1857 until 1851. In 1874
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