USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 61
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Mr. Siebert's success in business has been accompanied by generous, but quiet, giving to various good causes in his home city. He is one of the found- ers of the Children's Hospital, which occupies a quarter block at the south- east corner of Macmillan and Fair avenues. From the beginning he has been a member of the board of directors of this institution, and is now its president. He is also one of the council or board of control of the First Social Settlement Society, which maintains the Godman Guild House on West Goodale street, and he is a contributor to numerous other charities. He is a member and one of the ve-trymen of St. Paul's Episcopal church. For twelve years or more Mr. Siebert has been a member of the Loyal Legion, which is composed of officers of the Civil war and also now of the Spanish war.
The visitor to the Ohio State University who is interested in the library of that institution as the center of its intellectual life and the nourisher of its scholarship, will find in Orton Hall a splendid and rapidly growing col- lection on German history said to be already the best in the state. This has been designated by the University trusters the "Siebert Library of German History." The founders of this valuable collection were Messrs. William, John and Lonis Siebert. The nucleus of the special library came through William's gift of his excellent private collection, and constant additions are being made under the direction of the department of European History of the University at the expense of the "Siebert Fund," which is maintained by Messrs. John and Louis Siebert for the purpose.
In 1864 John Siebert was married to Mary J. Morris of Cincinnati. Their children are: Henrietta, the wife of Frank Depew, of Wabash, Indi- ana; Alice, the wife of F. C. Shoedinger, of Columbus; and Anne, May and Sn-an. The mother died in 1892. In 1898 Mr. Siebert married Maria Cemuender, of Columbus.
JOHN R. HUGHES.
It is seldom that one who passes the Psalmist's span of three score years and ten remains an active factor in the business world, but John R. Hughes. at the venerable age of righty-two years, is still an alert, enterprising business man, the head of the firm of J. R. Hughes & Company, and is also associated
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with various other business concerns and interests. The story of his life is no- tably interesting, not alone by reason of his continuous connection with busi- ness interests to the present time, but also from the fact that he started out in life on his own account as a farm hand, working for twelve dollars and a half per month, and through his well developed capacities and powers reached a position among the foremost successful business men of the capital city.
Mr. Hughes was born at Felinpueliston, near Wrexham, Denbighshire, North Wales, April 13, 1827, a son of John and Catherine (Davis) Hughes. His educational opportunities were limited to three year' attendance at the local school of his birthplace. He came to America in 1848, when a youth of nineteen years, reaching Granville, Ohio, in the month of May. He was employed for three months in that locality as-a farm hand, his remuneration being twelve dollars and a half per month, but the opportunities of the city proved irresistibly attractive, and, moving to Columbus, he secured a position in the Buckeye Honse, then occupying the present site of the Board of Trade building. Mr. Bush, formerly of Granville, being then proprietor of the hos- telry.
Nine months later Mr. Hughes took up the trade of trunk-making in the employ of George Peters on Long street, and during his three years' service there became thoroughly familiar with the trade in every department. Dur- ing the first two years his wage was ouly about enough to pay his board and enable him to secure the necessary additions to his wardrobe, but he became a proficient workman, and on the death of Mr. Peters assumed the manage- ment of the business, which he conducted on behalf of the widow for a year, after which he purchased the factory. Since that time he has been engaged in trunk manufacture, his enterprise constantly expanding in proportion to the growth of the city and in the extension of the trade interests of Columbus. He remains at the age of eighty-two years still at the head of the trunk com- pany, and in other lines of business activity he is also known. He was one of three who organized the Buckeye Buggy Company. He is a stockholder in different railways centering in Columbus, is the vice president of the Co- lumbus Savings Bank and a director and stockholder in other banks. He has erected some of the finest business blocks in the city. He also owns valuable real estate in other sections of the city, and has long figured as one of the most progressive business men of Columbus, his keen insight, enterprise and laudable ambition carrying him into important commercial and industrial re- lations, while throughout the entire period he has enjoyed the unqualified confidence of his colleagues and associates, who regard his word as good as any bond ever solemnized by signature or seal.
On the 7th of October, 1853, Mr. Hughes was married to Miss Brady E. Evans, who resided near Granville in Harrison township, and who passed away in 1890. There were three children, a son and two daughters of this marriage: Frank I .. , Mrs. Kate V. Hislop and Mrs. Minnie B. Willson.
Politically Mr. Hughes is a republican, but his extensive business inter- ests have left him little time for active participation in political affairs. He was, however, one of the commissioners appointed to superintend the con- struction of North High street, and in a private capacity has greatly pro-
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moted the interests of the city. In fact there are few who have done more for the advancement of Columbus and its substantial growth and improve- ment during the last fifty years. Mr. Hughes is a member of the Third Avenue Methodist church, and has contributed generously toward its sup- port, giving most liberally to charitable and other needed and worthy insti- tntions. His benevolence, however. is of a most unostentatious character, but the memory of his kindliness is cherished in humble homes and in human hearts.
WILLIAM OLIN HENDERSON.
William Olin Henderson, practicing at the bar of Columbus with a large and important clientage as the senior partner of the firm of Hender- son, Livesay & Burr, was born in Liberty township, Union county, Ohio, October 28, 1850, his birthplace being the home farm of his father, James Allen Henderson, about three mile northwest of Raymond. The Hender- son family is of Scotch origin, and this branch of it settled in Harford county, Maryland, near Baltimore, at an early day. There Francis Hender- son and Abigail, his wife, established their home. They had three children: Archibald, Andrew and a daughter whose Christian name is not known, but who became the wife of James Caruthers. Archibald lived and died in Bal- timore, leaving a large family. Andrew removed westward to Kentucky, and his son Andrew, the grandfather of William Olin Henderson, went from the Blue Grass state to Ohio in 1838. He had married Sallie Mckenzie, whose father, Alexander McKenzie, was Scotch by birth, and was kidnapped from Scotland when but four years of age. He remembered there only an aunt.
James A. Henderson was born in Lewis county, Kentucky, and in Octo- ber, 1838, was brought to Ohio by his parents, who took up their abode on a farm, where he remained engaged in agricultural pursuits until elected auditor of Union county, when he removed to Marysville in December, 1858. There he resided until his death, which occurred March 10, 1891, when he was sixty-five years of age. Following his retirement from office, he was engaged in the retail dry-goods business for several years and afterward suc- cessfully conducted a hardware store for a number of years. He wedded Mary Josephine Phifer, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, and with her parents removed to Logan county, where they spent their remaining days. The death of Mrs. Henderson occurred February 1, 1863.
In the common schools of Union county, William O. Henderson pur- sued his early education and afterward attended the graded and Union schools of Marysville, prior to entering Yale College, from which he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1874. He taught school for nearly two years before entering the university, spending one year as a teacher in the Union school at Marysville. Following his graduation he taught for nearly three years in Episcopal Academy of Connecticut, at Che- shire, Connectient, an old and well established church school under the juris-
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diction of the diocese of Connecticut. There he devoted his time largely to teaching mathematics, and he also read and studied law, having registered as a student of law in July, 1874, in the office of Hon. James W. Robinson, of Marysville, Ohio. Successfully passing the examination before the circuit court at Lima, Ohio, July 30, 1877, he was then admitted to practice in the courts of the state. Resigning his position in the academy. he came to Colum- bus, September 17, 1877, to enter upon the practice of his chosen profession here, and on the 1st of October opened on office in partnership with George O. Hamilton, then practicing in Marysville. The firm name of Hamilton & Henderson was assumed and a location was seenred in the Converse build- ing on East State street. Mr. Hamilton was a nephew of Dr. John W. Ham- ilton, a noted surgeon, and a cousin of Dr. William D. and Charles S. Ham- ilton, of this city. The firm of Hamilton & Henderson was dissolved on account of the failing health of Mr. Hamilton, who died in 1882. Mr. Hen- derson then continued alone in practice until 1883, after which he was asso- ciated for one year with William E. Guerin, under the firm style of Guerin & Henderson. Thereafter he was alone until July, 1889, when he joined Hon, Richard A. Harrison and Hon. Joseph Olds, long leading members of the bar of Ohio, in the well known firm of Harrison, Olds & Henderson, which continued until it was dissolved by mutual consent in June, 1902. Mr. Henderson was once more alone until August. 1903, when he was joined by Theodore M. Livesay, forming the firm of Henderson & Livesay. Later Karl E. Burr was admitted to the firm, which still exists. They engage in general practice, but have a large amount of corporation work, chiefly as representatives of railroad interests. The firm of Harrison, Olds & Hender- son was local counsel for many years for the Big Four Railroad Company, a large part of the legal work for which devolved upon Mr. Henderson. The present firm of Henderson, Livesay & Burr are solicitors for The Pittsburg, Cleveland, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad Company. Since 1906 Mr. Hen- derson has been general counsel for the Sunday Creek Company, which is one of the largest coal companies operating in Ohio and West Virginia. His clientage is of an extensive and important character, which fact indicates that he stands in the foremost rank among the able lawyers of the Columbus bar.
On the 14th of October. 1886, Mr. Henderson was married to Miss Sarah Wilcox Ellis, a daughter of Robert and Maria (Wilcox) Ellis, the wedding being celebrated at Wallingford, Connecticut, where she was residing tem- porarily, although her home was in Columbus. Her father was a merchant in the capital city at an early day and was widely known to its old settlers. Her mother was the sister of General James A. Wilcox and daughter of Phineas B. Wilcox, both of whom were prominent lawyers of Columbus in the carlier days. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson reside at No. 50 Sonth Third street in the old homestead of P. B. Wilcox, which is one of the oldest in the city. It has been their place of residence since their marriage. It is permeated by a spirit of courteous and cordial hospitality, making it the center of a cul- tured society circle.
In his political views Mr. Henderson is a republican, but has never been active as a party worker, save to assist his friends. In 1902, however,
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he was a candidate for nomination for judge of the supreme court. In March, 1907, he declined appointment as United States district judge, and in the fall of 1908 he was presidential elector for the twelfth congressional district on the republican ticket, casting his vote for William H. Taft, between whom and Mr. Henderson there has long existed a warm friendship. The ambi- tions of Mr. Henderson are not in the line of politics or office holding. He has preferred to confine his attention entirely to the practice of law; and, in a profession where advancement depends solely upon individual merit and ability, occupies a position of distinction. He was from 1884 until 1890 a member of the standing committee of the supreme court for the examination of applicants for admission to the bar, and for three years was chairman of the committee. He has held membership in the Ohio State Bar Associa- tion since 1889 and for many years has been identified with the Franklin County Bar Association. He was at one time a member of the Disciples church, and afterward became a communicant of the Trinity Episcopal church of Columbus, of which he served for a period as vestryman. For many years he has been a member of the Columbus Board of Trade, has served on various committees, and for one term was its first vice president. A popular and prominent member of the Columbus Club, he was for six years chairman of its house committee and for many years has been its first vice president and one of its directors. He is president and one of the directors of the Arlington Country Club. is a member and director of the Castalia Tront Club, with its clubhouse near Sandusky, Ohio, is a director of the Western Golf Association and was, in 1908, and now is president of the Ohio Golf Association. This indicates something of the nature of his recreation, and he is also extremely fond of fishing. In college he was an oarsman and foot ball player. He also belongs to the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity at Yale.
With a well developed physique which served as a foundation for his mental growth, he has steadily progressed in lines demanding strong intel- lectual force and activity, and his position in his profession has given him honorable distinction as a member of the Columbus bar.
JUDGE JOHN ELBERT SATER.
The life and attainments of Judge John Elbert Sater show what possi- bilities lie within the grasp of the American youth. Left an orphan at the age of ten years and almost wholly dependent upon his own resources, he stands today as one of the able representatives of the judiciary of Ohio, being now United States judge for the southern district court of Ohio. Few men in any community have a more striking record of progress along the road of distinction than Judge Sater, more especially in view of the fact that he was the architect of his own fortune. Eagerly embracing every opportunity that led to advancement. he was a college graduate at twenty-one years of age and the same year a school superintendent. Later he was chief clerk to
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the Ohio state school commissioner at twenty-seven years of age, and at thirty years of age was admitted to the bar, since which time his record has been one of signal success, characterized by steady advancement in a calling where wealth and influence avail little or naught. but where success must depend upon the effort and the ability of the individual.
Judge Sater is a native of Crosby township, Hamilton county, Ohio, born January 16, 1854, his parents being John J. and Nancy (Larason) Sater, likewise natives of this state. The ancestry of his parents can be traced back to the days of the Revolutionary war and to the colonial days in New Jersey, Maryland and Pennsylvania. For generations they were connected with agricultural pursuits, and the father of Judge Sater also followed the same calling.
The youthful days of Judge Sater were spent on the home farm, but as previously stated he was early thrown upon his own resources through the death of his parents. Eager for an education, he attended the public and select schools and fitted himself for college. He made his home on the farm of an uncle, Joseph Sater, one of the prominent citizens of Hamilton county, who at the age of eighty-four years still takes an active interest in the affairs of the day.
After taking the necessary preparatory work, Judge Sater entered Miami Univeristy in 1871, and in 1873, owing to the temporary closing of that institution, he matriculated in Marietta College, from which he graduated with honors in 1875, winning the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Three years later his Alma Mater conferred upon him the Master of Arts degree. Turn- ing his attention to the profession of teaching. he became superintendent of the schools of Wau-eon, and in 1881 held the chief clerkship under the state commissioner of common schools. He also filled the office of school examiner while at Wauscon and subsequently was accorded a teacher's life cer- tificate for Ohio. He displayed marked ability in that profession, and was offered the principalship of the high schools of Toledo, but declined. He also refused a similar position at Cleveland, for he wished to enter upon other professional relations. While in the school commissioner's office he took up the study of law under the direction of Judge J. H. Collins, attorney for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. After thoroughly mastering many of the principles of jurisprudence he was admitted to the bar in 1884, and im- mediately entered upon active practice, meeting with flattering success. His first case came from the Columbus Coffin Company through its president, J. F. Hatcher, who also gave him his last legal business before he went upon the bench. He beenme recognized as one of the leading lawyers of the state. sound, clear-minded and well trained. The limitations which are imposed by the constitution on federal powers are well understood by him. He is at home in all departments of the law from the minutiæe in practice to the greater topics wherein is involved the consideration of the ethics and the philosophy of jurisprudence and the higher concerns of public policy. He is felicitous and clear in argument, thoroughly in earnest, full of the vigor of conviction, never abusive of his adversaries, imbued with highest courtesy and yet a foe worthy of the steel of the most able opponent. He continued
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in private practice of law until March 18, 1907, when he was appointed United States district judge for the southern district of Ohio by President Roosevelt, taking his place upon the bench on the 25th of March of that year. No action having been taken by the United States senate upon the appointment, he was reappointed May 30, 1908, and was confirmed by the United States senate on March 1, 1909.
Other official service outside the direct path of his profession has been done by Judge Sater, and in all public relations he has manifested an unfal- tering devotion to the general good. In 1885 he was elected a member of the board of education, and was twice reelected, but resigned in November, 1899, in order to give his undivided attention to the law. In 1892 he was elected a member of the charter convention to draft a charter law. He sub- mitted a minority report from a special committee, containing the sliding scale feature which was incorporated into the law by the legislature. In 1889 he was appointed city solicitor by Mayor Swartz, but declined the appoint- ment. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Columbus Public Library in 1888, 1889. and from 1905 until 1907, inclusive, and was presi- dent of the board during the latter years.
Judge Sater wedded Miss Mary L. Lyon, of Wauseon, and has three children. His church relationship is with the Congregational denomina- tion. He is an enthusiastic worker in the Masonic bodies, is a thirty-third degree Mason and has been a member of the board of trustees of the Masonic Temple since its organization. He also belongs to the Knights of Maccabees and to the Knights of Pythias, while in more specifically social lines he is connected with the Columbus Club, the Ohio Club and the Country Club. Thus an outline is given the history of Judge Sater, whose progress has been conserved through close application and laudable ambition. He stands to- day as one of the most eminent lawyers and capable jurists of the state, and his years of usefulness will probably yet be many.
LINCOLN KILBOURNE.
Lincoln Kilbourne was born October 19. 1810, in Worthington, which town was founded by his father in the northern part of Franklin county -- the seat of a Connectient colony piloted into central Ohio at the beginning of the nineteenth century by his father. James Kilbourne, whose name was intimately connected with the early growth and development of Franklin county. His mother. before marriage, was Cynthia Goodale, a daughter of Major Nathan Goodale, a Revolutionary soldier of great distinction, and a sister of Dr. Lincoln Goodale, who presented to Columbus the beautiful park on the north side which bears his name.
Lincoln Kilbourne received his education in the Worthington Academy, of which his father was founder and president. For reasons that were oh- vious enough in those days his education was finished when he was but a little past his fifteenth year and he entered upon an apprenticeship for a
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Insine- career as a clerk in the store of his uncle, Dr. Goodale. He de- veloped traits similar to those of his father, who was apprenticed to a trade at about the same age and before reaching hi- majority had not only mastered it but was manager of the establishment.
Lincoln Kilbourne began as clerk in 1825; in 1835, upon the retirement of Dr. Goodale from business, he became an equal partner in the establish- ment under the firm name of Fay & Kilbourne, the senior partner being Cyrns Fay, his brother-in-law. Thus they continued in business for another half century. They conducted what was in that day known as a general mer- chandise business, which included nearly everything in dry goods, groceries, Imrdware, produce, agricultural supplies, etc. Through the constant and ener- getie efforts of Mr. Kilbourne, the house became one of the principal business concerns of Columbus. The business in fuet was so bulky and diversified as to become embersome and difficult to handle. Moreover the specialization of business was beginning to develop, and Mr. Kilbourne was attracted thereto because of the advantages it offered, notwithstanding the house had already reduced many of its lines and wholly cancelled others. Accordingly the partnership was dissolved, or rather the stock was divided. Mr. Kilbourne receiving as his portion the hardware department and Mr. Fay the dry goods and cognate lines. The latter removed his share to the corner of High and Chapel streets, "Mr. Kilbourne continuitig at the old location.
Shortly after the reorganization, a new firm, Kilbourne & Kuhns, took the place of the old one. This firm continued in prosperous business until 1868, when it was changed to Kilbourne, Jones & Company, with which Mr. Kilbourne continued during the remainder of his life, pa-sieg away on the 13th of February, 1891. At the time of his demise he had been almost sixty-seven years in active business life, and during that time lind seen Cohn- bus grow from a log-cabin village into a large, progressive and growing city. and he always kept step to the drum-beat of progress and was in constant harmony with newer times. A contimon- business life from the age of fifteen to eighty-one nt the same -tand is an experience in bn-ine -- that is but seldom recorded.
There scemed little change in him during the last forty years of his life. save the whitening of his hair and beard; he was at all times the same polite, dignified. urbane and slightly reserved gentleman, never effusive, never abrupt in speech or manner. He knew the gentleman of the old school by contact. and the gentleman of the old school was not extinct in Comum- bus during his life time. His punctuality and attention to business was a half century proverb in his case-indeed, the proverb covered three score of years, and during this length of time, he seldom missed going to his office. save when absent from the city on business, and he looked after the affairs that came into the department of his activity. The day before he was called hence, he was at his desk us usual.
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