USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 53
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As his business in the courts grew, connecting him with the most im- portant litigation tried in his district, Mr. Vorys also became well known in political circles. Lancaster is a democratic stronghold and Mr. Vorys early espoused the cause of the republican party. That he steadily grew in popu- larity with his fellow townsmen and enjoyed to the full extent their confidence and warm regard is indicated by the fact that in 1884 he was elected by a large majority to the office of city solicitor and that he discharged the duties most satisfactorily is indicated in his reelection in 1886, his term continuing until 1888. He has since continued an active factor in political circles and in the year 1900 was appointed by the governor of the state to the office of superin- tendent of insurance, continuing therein by reappointment until December, 1907, when he resigned in order to take up the work of promoting the can- didacy of William Howard Taft for the presidency. That his efforts were effective and that he drew around him an able corps of assistants was indicated in the nomination of Mr. Taft and his subsequent election as the chief execu- tive of the nation. In all of this work Mr. Vorys displayed marked under- standing of conditions existing in the political field, combined with ready tact in coordinating forces and bringing out the full party strength for the Ohio nominee.
On the 5th of February, 1891, Mr. Vorys was united in marriage to Miss Jeanny M. McNeill and to them have been born four interesting sous: Webb
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I., John M., Arthur M. and Hermann. While Mr. Vorys has spent mich of his life in Lancaster, his native city. he is widely known throughout the state and during the past year has maintained an office in the new First National Bank building of Columbus. He has a wide acquaintance among the promi- nent political leaders of the country and has gained distinction as one whose qualities of leadership enable him to control intricate interests, bringing order ont of chaos and so coordinating forces as to seenre the full party strength. Those who know him socially find him a most genial and companionable gen- tleman, tactful at all times, with deference for the opinions of others, and yet on all occasions firm in support of his own honest convictions. Endowed by nature with strong intellectuality, he has so used his talents that his life record has been marked by a steady rise.
H. C. KIOUS, M.D.
Dr. H. C. Kious, engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery in the capital city, was born in Franklin county, near Columbus, April 11, 1855. He belongs to one of the old and honored pioneer families of Ohio, represented here since territorial days. His father, John Kions, was also born in this county, as was the grandfather, Solomon Kious. It was the great-grandfather, William Henry Kious, who came from Virginia to this locality when Ohio was still under territorial government. His younger brother came at the same. time and settled near Mt. Sterling, while William Henry took up his abode in Franklin county. A century has since passed. working a wonderful transfor- mation, for at that time the Indians far outnumbered the white settlers, as the representatives of our race had scarcely penetrated into the wilderness to claim and improve the natural resources of the state. Agriculture is the vanguard of all business development and the Kious family through a long period was closely associated with farming interests and contributed in large measure to the improvement of the state in that department of activity. The carlier rep- resentatives of the name here cleared away the forests and prepared the land for the plow, while later generations continued the task of tilling the soil and enhancing its productiveness. They were also prominent in county affairs, taking an active and helpful interest in many things pertaining to the welfare of the community. John Kious followed farming in this county in early life but in 1859 sold his interests here and removed to Monticello, Illinois. At the outbreak of the Civil war he joined the Second Illinois Cavalry and was killed in the second battle of Holly Springs, when but thirty seven years of age. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Ford. was a daughter of George Ford and was also descended from the MeMillans. Both the Ford and McMillan families were of Irish and Scotch descent. Mrs. Kious long survived her hus- band and died in 1884, at the age of fifty-nine years.
Acquiring his early education in the public schools Dr. Kions afterward attended Worthington Academy and the Ohio Wesleyan University at Dela- ware. He then read medicine with Dr. J. F. Baldwin as his preceptor and
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afterward entered the Long Island Medical College at Brooklyn, New York, where he was graduated in 1882. The following year he began practice in Co- lumbus and has since engaged in an active prosecution of the profession al- though for some years he was not a resident of this city.
In 1883 Dr. Kious was married to Miss Jennie Lavender, a daughter of J. F. Lavender, of Delaware, in which city Dr. Kious formed her nequaintance when both attended the Ohio Wesleyan University. The same year he removed to Delaware, and there remained until 1892 when he returned to Columbus, where he has since engaged in practice. Dr. and Mrs. Kious have one daughter, Ruth. Their home is a hospitable one and its good cheer is greatly enjoyed by their many friends. From the age of twenty-one years Dr. Kious has been a member of the Masonic fraternity but has never sought to figure prominently in any public light. He has given his attention to his practice, performing his duties with a sense of conscientious obligation, yet keeping well informed on all questions of general interest.
CHARLES J. LAU'ER.
Charles J. Lauer, chief of the Columbus fire department and a native son of this city, was born June 26, 1855. His parents, Charles and Catherine (Sackman) Lauer, were natives of Buffalo, New York, and of Diesburg, Ger- many, respectively. The family was founded in Columbus in 1833 by the grandfather, Jacob Lauer, who for some years was identified with the business interests of the capital city as a grocer and also conducted a saloon in the rear of the American House, now the Emerson. He was for many years one of the prominent German residents of the city and frequently acted as administrator of estates for his fellow countrymen who knew him as a plain, intelligent and straightforward business man whose life was creditable alike to Diesburg, the city of his nativity, and to Columbus, long the city of his residence. Shortly after retiring from business, in the year 1890, he died suddenly, while walking on Front street, at the age of eighty-six years.
Charles Lauer, the father of Charles J. Lauer, largely spent his youthful days in Columbus, being reared in the capital when its size and interests led to its classification with the villages of the west. For a long period he had the contract with the railways entering Columbus for carrying the mails from the stations to the Columbus postoffice. He entered upon this task in 1855, so con- tinning until November 28, 1871, after which his widow superintended the work and met the requirements of the contract until it was turned over to the government in 1892, so that for thirty-seven years Mr. and Mrs. Lauer were in charge of this important service. The father was also a member of the old volunteer fire department of Columbus. His widow survived him for more than a third of a century and passed away February 6. 1906.
In the public schools of this city Charles J. Lauer acquired his education and between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one years he drove the mail wagon to and from the stations in the exercise of the government contract held by the
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family. After attaining his majority he was employed by the government as assistant transfer clerk at the Union station for two years and then became a mail clerk on a run between Columbus and Cincinnati, so continuing until the 1st of October, 1881. In the spring of 1882 he opened a livery stable in Co- Inmbus and conducted the business with success until the 1st of April, 1899. On the 24th of April of the same year he was made chief of the city fire depart- ment by J. W. Dusenberry, director of public safety, and is occupying the position to the present time, covering an entire decade, during which period his service has won very favorable criticism. He was also a prominent member of the city council for three terms, beginning in 1889, during which period his labors and influence constituted a potent element for municipal improvement, reform and progress.
On the 18th of May, 1881, Mr. Lauer was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie B. Wheat of Columbus and they have two children, Raymond W. and Charles J., Jr. In his fraternal relation- Mr. Laner is a Redman. He has also taken high rank in Masonry and is now a member of the Mystic Shrine. Much of his life has been devoted to public service and his record has at all times been characterized by unfaltering devotion to the general good.
MARCUS G. EVANS.
Among the men prominent in political as well as legal circles in Colum- bus is Judge Marens G. Evans, one of the common pleas judges of the local subdivision of the judicial district. in which connection he has proven his worth through rendering decisions that are strictly fair and impartial. Recog- nizing the fact that good government depends largely upon the exercise of franchise in the support of principles and in the election of competent officials, he has labored earnestly and effectively to support the republican platform, be- lieving that its elements will best con-erve the interests of the commonwealth and the national welfare.
Ilis great-grandfather, Richard Evans, who was born in 1764, was an ardent whig. He became one of the early pioneers of Ohio, removing from Kentneky and establishing his home at Hillsboro, Highland county, at a period when Ohio was still under territorial rule. He became a prominent and in- fluential factor in the carly history of his adopted county and served as asso- ciate judge of the court of common pleas from 1805 until 1811. He died in 1855.
Isaac, the great-grandfather of Judge Marcus G. Evans, was always a strong and influential advocate of human liberty and stood as an unequivocal defender of his political views at a time when party feeling ran very high. He was born in Kentneky in 1789 and emigrated with his father into the wilder- ness of Highland county, Ohio, with the early pioneers. He became a large land proprietor near South Salem, Ross county. Ohio, removing to that section in 1827. He was an ardent abolitionist of a most practical kind and on his
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place maintained a station of the famous underground railway, through the medium of which so many slaves found their way to freedom.
His son, Dr. John Baxter Evans, the father of Judge Evans, was born in Hillsboro, Highland county, in 1817 and, determining upon the medical pro- fes-ion as a life work. he pursued a course of study in the Starling Medical College ut Columbus, from which he was graduated. He, too, was deeply in- terested in the vital political questions and prior to the organization of the republican party was identified with the whig party but promptly transferred his allegiance to the former and was ever after an enthusiastic and zealous worker in its cause.
Dr. Evans was united in marriage to Miss Lucinda Wilson, May 26, 1842, and they became the parents of five children, one of whom died in infancy and one at the age of five years. Of the five, Marcus G. Evans was the fifth in order of birth, the place of his nativity having been Frankfort, Ross county, Ohio, where he received his preliminary educational discipline in the public schools, after which he attended South Salem Academy for one year, and the Miami University at Oxford, this state, one year. He then matriculated at the Uni- versity of Wooster, Ohio, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1877, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Ile forthwith put his re- quirements to the practical test. being elected superintendent of the Union schools at Frankfort in the fall of 1877. He retained this position for one year, and in connection therewith pursued the study of law but. desiring to devote his entire attention to qualifying himself for the practice of his chosen pro- fession, he declined reelection and began u technical reading of law in Chilli- cothe, under the efficent preceptorage of his brother. Judge William Edgar Evans, who has served for a full decade on the common pleas bench in Ross county.
Following his admission to the bar Judge Evans entered upon active prac- tice in 1880, successfully prosecuting his profession until the fall of 1892, when he sought the wider field offered in Columbus, becoming a resident of this city. Throughout his professional career he has held to high standards and had been a resident of Columbus but a brief period ere he had succeeded in build- ing up a successful practice of general scope. By hard work, by zeal in the interests of his clients, by ardnous and unrelaxing attention to the details of his cases he gained a large legal business and was very successful in its conduct. His briefs always showed wide research, careful thought and the strongest reasons which could be urged for his contentions and the ability which he displayed in his practice led to his promotion to the bench.
In October, 1892, Judge Evans was married to Miss Stella Margaret Nel- son, a daughter of James Nelson, of Columbus, and unto them were born four sons, one of whom died in infancy. The eldest, James Baxter Evans, was born December 27, 1896, and is now in school. Morton N. was born in 1898 and Richard H. in 1900. Judge and Mrs. Evans occupy a prominent social posi- tion and his position is equally favorable in political and legal circles, Always an ardent republican he has been an active worker in clubs and other organiza- tions to promote the interests of the party and to secure successes in political campaigns. He never allows partisan bias or personal prejudice, however. to
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interfere with the faithful performance of judicious duty or permits any other element to enter as a variable disturbing force into the judgment which he is called upon to give in discriminating between the rights of litigants.
RICHARD ELLIS JONES.
Richard Ellis Jones, president of the R. E. Jones & Sones Funeral Di- reeting Company, was born in the city of Liverpool, England, August 10, 1853. James E. Jones. his father, was of Welsh lineage. His mother, Rosamma (Henry) Jones, died during the early boyhood of her son Richard. The father continued his residence in England, where he conducted business as a con- tractor and builder, until after the arrival of our subject in America, and he. too, crossed the Atlantic and in 1872 settled in Newark, Ohio, where he was connected with building operations for many years. He afterward removed to Shawnee, Ohio, where he conducted a lumber business, and through his well-directed activity and careful management obtained gratifying success. He long survived his wife, passing away September 5, 1902.
Our subject has a brother and sister living in Vancouver, British Co- Inmbia, the former being II. A. Jones, president of the Vanconver Steam Tug Company and one of the largest real-estate owners of that city. The sister is the wife of Captain Lawrence Kirkham, a retired sea captain.
Richard E. Jones pursued his education in the schools of Liverpool, and when nineteen years of age became a resident of Granville, Ohio, where he ap- prenticed himself to learn the carpenter's trade. In course of time he became a journeyman nnd in the spring of 1874 made his way to Columbus, where he began working at his trade, assisting in the construction of many buildings in the city. He was thus identified with building pursuits here until March. 1877, when he left the city under contract with the government to construct Fort Custer in Montana. He was there for eleven months immediately after the massacre in which General Custer was killed. He helped constrnet the caskets in which the remains of General Custer and other officers were returned to the east.
Following his sojourn in the northwest, Mr. Jones returned to Colmmibns and in 1878 was married to Miss Mary .A. Cadawallader, of this city, who died December 27, 1897. They had one son. Bertram G. Jones, born May 17, 1879. now associated with his father in business for the past four years.
Following his return to Ohio, Mr. Jones established a humber and gen- eral hardware business at Corning, this state, under the firm style of Jones Brothers, and so continued in business there until 1884. He was one of the active and influential residents of the city. He served as mayor of the town and was president of the first council. He also assisted in the incorporation of Corning and did active and beneficial service in behalf of the municipal interests and the general improvement. In 1884 he returned to Columbus. where he entered the undertaking business as successor to J. M. Stewart and
R. E. JONES
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ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS
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as junior partner of the firm of Webb & Jones. At the end of the first year he purchased Mr. Webb's interest and continued the business alone until he incorporated it under the name of the R. E. Jones & Son Funeral Directing Company, his son being given a half interest in the business in 1904. This is one of the oldest established houses of the kind in the city and has one of the finest equipped undertaking parlors in the world. He has the patronage ci all of the best families of the city and his business is extensive.
Mr. Jones is, moreover, vice president and one of the directors of the American Savings Bank Company, now The Central National Bank, and has various other interests. He was formerly the president of the State Funeral Directors & Embalmers Association and was accorded the unusual honor of being elected for two successive terms, serving in 1896 and 1897. Since that time no other incumbent has filled the office twice until Mr. Jones' son was accorded the same honor. Mr. Jones has been actively interested in many measures relating to the public good. He was appointed a trustee of the Boys Industrial School, at Lancaster, by Governor Bushnell in 1899 and was reap- pointed by Governor Nash, serving until he resigned in order to accept a po- sition on the state board of embalming examiners. He is a member of the Cohnabus Board of Trade, and his cooperation has been given to various move- ments that have been beneficial as factors in the city's growth and development.
Mr. Jones has been married a second time, having in 1899 wedded Miss Nellie, daughter of William and Mary Jones, of Columbus. In addition to his home he owns considerable valuable real estate in the city. He is a mem- ber of several fraternal and social organizations, including all the Masonic bodies. He is a past commander of Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 1, K. T., has attained the thirty second degree of the Scottish Rite, is a charter member of Aladdin Temple of the Mystie Shrine and has been a trustee of the Masonic Temple since its erection. He also belongs to the Knights of Pythias, is a past noble grand of the subordinate lodge of Odd Fellows and also a member of the encampment. He was one of the original members of the Columbus Country Club and those who meet him in social relations find in him a genial, courteous gentleman, who has genuine appreciation for true worth in others and who in every relation of life is true to the duties and obligations that de- volve upon him.
HENRY BEECHER DIERDORFF.
Henry Beecher Dierdorff. an apprentice to the machinist's trade at the age of fifteen years, since which time he has been dependent entirely upon his own resources, is now occupying the responsible position of general superintendent with the Jeffrey Manufacturing Company and has given to the world varions important inventions. His life record began in Seville, Medina county, Ohio. on the 29th of Jannary, 1851. and he comes of Holland ancestry, although his great-grandfather and his grandfather, Jonas Dierdorff, were both of American birth. Ihis father, Henry Dierdorff, was born in York county, Pennsylvania,
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January 6, 1815, and during his early life followed the occupation of farm- ing, while later he was employed by the railway company. He married Cor- nelia Terboss, a native of New York, born in March, 1822. Her death oc- curred in November, 1866, while the father survived for about fourteen years, passing away on the 3d of November, 1880.
Henry B. Dierdorff spent the first eleven years of his life in the county of his nativity and attended the country schools. He then came to Columbus with his parents and entered the public school on Second avenue-a one-room build- ing-while later he continued his studies in the North building on Long street. At the age of fifteen years he entered the employ of the Franklin Machine Works as an apprentice to learn the machinist's trade, remaining with the com- pany for about six years, during which time he became an expert workman, thoroughly familiar with the business in principle and detail. He afterward spent one year as extra steam engineer in what are now the Pennsylvania rail- road shops. About 1870 he removed with his father to Missouri but after a short time spent in the west returned to Columbus and acted as foreman in various shops. In 1880 he was in charge of a shop, building mining machinery on contract for the Jeffrey, Company. In April, 1884, he be- came connected with the Jeffreys Manufacturing Company as foreman of their machine shops, which position he filled for four years and was then appointed superintendent of the entire plant. This is one of the important industrial concerns of the city and his position is therefore one of large responsibility. He has also devoted much of his time to the development of coal mining ma- chinery and has done much to develop the use of electricity in wire practice. The Jeffreys Company was the first to perfect the chain coal cutting machine and they are the largest builders of mining machinery in the United States. Much credit is due Mr. Dierdorff for his many inventions in this connection, for his skill and mechanical ingenuity have originated a number of devices which are now in general and successful use.
On the 22d of August, 1871, occurred the marriage of Mr. Dierdorff and Miss Charlotte Miller, a daughter of Max and Rosina Miller, natives of Alsace- Lorraine. They came to America in 1853, settling in Chillicothe, Ohio, whence they removed to Columbus about 1856. Their children are: Irving, who died in 1892 at the age of twenty years; William, who is foreman of the machine shops of the Jeffreys Manufacturing Company; Joseph F., superintendent of production of the Jeffreys Manufacturing Company; Percy Cyrus, in the sales department of the above mentioned company; and Myrta, the wife of C. S. Jackson, of Newark. The family residence is at No. 309 Wilber avenue and its hospitality is greatly enjoyed by their many friends.
Mr. Dierdorff belongs to York Lodge, A. F. & A. M., to Mount Vernon Commandery, K. T., to Capital Lodge, I. O. O. F., the Congregational church. the Ohio Club and the Engineers Club of Columbus, of which he was one of the charter members. He was reared in the faith of the republican party. his father having been a life-long republican and ardent supporter of the abolition movement. His own study of the questions and issues of the day has led him to the belief that the best interests of the country are conserved through this party and he therefore gives to it loyal support. His business career has been
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charnoterized by unfaltering diligence and unabating industry and success has come to him through his close application and his ability in handling men. He is one of the widely known inventors of the United States, his skill in this direction gaining him preeminence, while his many admirable characteristics have gained him not only the respect of his fellowmen but almost a brotherly affection from those with whom he comes in frequent contact.
HENRY D. TURNEY.
Henry D. Turney, whose enterprise and energy have for years made him well known in the business community of the capital city, is now president of the Columbus Gas & Fuel Company and of various other corporate interests which have direct bearing upon the substantial development and improvement of the localities in which they are operated. Intelligent anticipation of possi- bilities has been one of the forceful elements in his success, making him a leader and not a follower in the world of business activity.
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