USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 66
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Mr. Olmsted was married to Miss Grace MeDermith, a leader in the social circles of the capital city, and they occupy a magnificent home at No. 1415 East Broad street, its tasteful furnishings being all that wealth can seenre and refined taste suggest. Moreover, one of its attractive features is its warm-hearted hospitality, the home being the scene of many delightful social functions.
Mr. Olmsted is identified with various clubs and social organizations and is a prominent member of Benjamin Franklin Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution and of the Ohio Society. He stands at all times for good citizenship, for substantial progress and municipal virtue. The Close connection of the Olmsted family with the upbuilding of central Ohio makes it imperative that extended mention of them be made in this volume. The forebears of Harry Olmstead came at a time when they faced the neces- sity of subduing a wilderness and taking part in the early development of
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the natural resources of the territory. Representatives in later generations were active in formulating the early policy of the state and in promoting its pioneer business enterprise, and now he figures in that intense commercial- ism whereby the present generations handle millions as cooly and easily as our grandfathers handled hundreds. He has become an active factor in the great business interests of Columbus with its ramifying trade interests, and the force of his character and the strength of his ability are shown in his successful control of mammoth interests.
HENRY S. WAITE.
As vice president and general manager of the Case Crane Company, Henry S. Waite is one of the important personal factors in the extended group of the great manufacturing establishments within and surrounding the capital city. Closely identified with each line of work are the names of those who have imparted to it something of their forceful character. Men- tion of any of the great industries of the country brings to mind the person- ality of those who have shaped its affairs. Notable among the makers of the industrial history of Columbus is Henry S. Waite, who was born in Zanesville, Ohio, May 4, 1874. He is a grandson of Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite, of the supreme court of the United States, one of the greatest jurists America has produced. His father, Christopher C. Waite, was born in Toledo and became one of the most widely known railway men of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys and was known as well throughout the various states of the Union. As superintendent he was connected with the Little Miami road in its most prosperous days, and his various railway connections include service as assistant to the president of the Erie road, as vice presi- dent and general manager of the Cincinnati, Dayton & Hamilton, and as president of the Hocking Valley road, which he was bringing to the front by his genius and ability when, on the 21st of February, 1896, he was sud- denly stricken with illness and his brilliant carcer was brought to an un- timely end. His wife, in her maidenhood, was Lillian Guthrie, a member of the prominent Guthrie family of Zanesville, Ohio, where the name has been a familiar and honored one for alnost a century. Mrs. Waite passed away November 1, 1905. In the family were two sons, the elder being Ellison G., who died December 3, 1905.
Henry S. Waite, the older son, completed his education by graduation from Yale University in 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and then became connected with the Hocking Valley Railroad Company, with which he remained until 1900, when he entered into active association with the (then) Case Manufacturing Company. Immediately his superior and facile business abilities attracted the notice of those higher up in the management of this extensive concern and in 1902 he was chosen for the position of secretary and assistant manager, while in April, 1904. further promoted and added responsibilities came to him in his election to the dual position
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of vice president and general manager of the company, which easily takes rank with the greatest of the capital city's vast manufacturing establish- ments. Its regular force of skilled employes is two hundred and fifty, and the establishment makes a specialty of the manufacture of cranes and hoists of various types, which are sold all over the continent. In a position of executive control Mr. Waite shows an intelligent anticipation of possibilities and plans to meet the future demands as indicated by the trend of the times in business circles. He has manifested marked capability in solving intri- cate commercial problems and his enterprise is an advancing force in the great concern, with which he is now associated.
On the 27th of September, 1898, Mr. Waite was married to Miss Mar- garet Stewart, a daughter of E. K. Stewart, and they have two children: Alice, born August 20, 1899; and Christopher C., born August 6, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Waite are members of the Broad Street Presbyterian church and he holds membership relations with the Chi Phi, a college fraternity. the Ohio Club, the Columbus Club, the Arlington Country Club, the Auto- mobile Club, the Columbus Country Club, all of Columbus and the Yale Club and the Machinery Club of New York city.
J. W. THOMAS, JR.
J. W. Thomas, Jr., whose ability as an architect is demonstrated in his work on many important structures not only in Columbus but in Newark and throughout the surrounding country, is now following his profession as junior partner of the firm of Howell & Thomas, with offices at Nos. 700-2 Columbus Savings & Trust building. He was born at Wilkesbarre, Pennsyl- vania, November 8, 1876, while his father was born in Schuylkill county. that state. Auguist 14, 1842. The paternal grandfather, a native of Wales. emigrated to the United States in 1835.
J. W. Thomas of this review completed the high school course at West Pittston, Pennsylvania, and later attended Wyoming Seminary at Kingston, that state. In 1902 he entered the University of Pennsylvania, where he took a special course in architectural designing, graduating in the class of 1904. He gained practical experience in his profession by his connection with the well known architectural firms of McCormick & French and Cass & Gilbert in the east, while in 1908 he came to Columbus and formed a partnership, doing business under the firm style of Howell & Thomas at Nos. 700-2 Columbus Savings & Trust building. They have planned and executed a number of important structures in this city, including the fine residences of William H. Jones and H. S. Bronson. They have also done considerable work in Newark, executing the contracts for the Arcade, the store of Hammil & Baedel, the Stimson apartments and the Advocate build- ing, while they have also done some clever work in landscape architecture. chief among which is the estate of E. H. Everett of Newark. In his labors
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Mr. Thomas ever works toward high ideals, is true to the terms of a con- tract and is highly esteemed in business circles.
Mr. Thomas is an honorary member of the Builders Exchange and is a member of the Society of Architrets of Columbus, the Pen & Pencil Club and the Humboldt Lodge of Masons, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. While his residence in the city covers but a brief period he has already gained a wide circle of friends, his social qualities being such as make him popular among those with whom he is brought in contact.
PHINEAS BACON WILCOX.
Phineas Bacon Wilcox, the only son of Seth Wilcox and his wife Molly Bacon, was born September 26. 1798, on his father's farm, "Forty Rod Hill," near Westfield, Connecticut. His ancestors were of Saxon origin, located at Bury, St. Edmonds, Suffolk county, England, one of whom emigrated to America and settled in Middletown, Massachusetts, in 1675.
Young Phineas at the age of sixteen left the farm of his father and entered Cheshire Academy. Connecticut, and then attended Middlebury Academy, Vermont. He entered Yale and was graduated with honor in the class of 1821, at the age of twenty-three. Soon after receiving his diploma, he married Sarah D. Andrews, of Wallingford, Connecticut, who was a sister of Samuel C. Andrews and a cousin of the wife of the late Judge Joseph R. Swan. The new couple started on their bridal trip to the "Ohio country," arriving after a perilous trip over practically unbroken wild and dangerous country.
Pleased with the prospect of Columbus, P. B. Wilcox began the study of law with Judge Orris Parish in a small frame building located on the southwest corner of High and State streets. He was a close and diligent student and was admitted to the bar in 1824. He at onee entered the lists against such "old lawyers" as David Scott, Joshua Folsom and Gustavns Swan. He soon enjoyed a large practice in Franklin. Madison and Delaware counties, through which the bench and bar of that day rode circuit on horse- back, with saddle-bags and legging -. Having mastered the intricacies of the Virginia military land titles, he became eminent as a "land lawyer." He was also distinguished as a chancery lawyer, which practice he preferred. Ile wa- a master of counnon law pleading, being familiar with all the learn- ing and subtleties of the old English law special pleas, and a constant student of English common law.
In 1833 he published his work. "Ohio Forms and Practice," and an en- larged edition of it in 1848. This book was the standard on law and equity, practice and pleading, both in the state and United States courts, until the adoption of the code of Civil Procedure in 1853, and after that was in uni- versal use under the old practice. In 1849 when the matter of a new consti- tution and code was in agitation he published a pamphlet entitled, "Tracts
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P. B. WILCOX
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on Law Reforin," adopting the following motto: "We know already the worst of what IS-we know not the worst of what MAY BE." Like many lawyers of the old school, he could not abide the new code; but upon its adoption, accepted the situation and in 1862 published his "Practical Forms Under the Code of Civil Procedure," a work similar to his "Ohio Forms and Practice," under the old system.
He was prosecuting attorney for Franklin county from 1834 to 1836, an wrote numerous forms for indictments, etc., which were long in use by his successors. He was reporter of the supreme court of Ohio; in 1842 reporting the tenth volume of Ohio Reports, where his knowledge of law and re- markable accuracy and terseuess of statement are conspicuous. His note upon "assurances of title" in the case of Foote vs. Bennet, page 317 of the tenth volume, was considered a most able and perspicuous exposition of that abstruse subject, and received unusual encomium from Chancellor Kent.
He was United States commissioner for the district of Ohio for many years, which office he resigned about the year 1858 rather than be made the instrument of remanding a fugitive slave to bondage. His law library was large and varied, containing many English reports, which were his delight and pastime. For many years it was "the library of the west," and was con- stantly resorted to by judges and lawyers, who were always welcome, cs- pecially the younger men to whom he was at all times a kind and sympa- thetic friend and willing adviser. Rare discussions, intermitted with wit and wisdom, were often had in "the old library" at his residence on South Third street, when Ewing, Stanberry, Hunter. Goddard, Lane, Swayne and others met there.
Although he was a fine classical scholar, especially in Greek, which he kept up through life and a student of the civil law and history, yet he was preeminently a lawyer, a COMMON LAW lawyer, devoting his life to the study of law as a science, which he loved for itself, and considering the practice of the law as the highest and most ennobling of callings, above all petty tricks and mercenary purposes-a grand and noble profession, to be pursued, not for personal ends, but for the good of his fellowman. It was once said of him by his personal friend, Judge Buruet, that he lived upon Coke and the Bible. With politics he had nothing to do. He was a stanch whig and afterward a decided republican.
While P. B. Wilcox became an expert and able lawyer of much erudi- tion he held peculiar ideas, none the less commendable because seldom found. One of these was that no man should accumulate a fortune largely in excess of his needs, and to this principle he consistently held during his entire lifetime. A few years after being admitted to the bar, he made a public profession of religion and united with the Trinity Episcopal church of Columbus, Ohio, under Rev. William Preston, where he was active for many years as a vestryman.
His character was once summed up by one who knew him well, as follows: "Ile was a man of high character and personal integrity, of great benevolence and charity, a fine type of a conscientious Christian lawyer, at- tending with great diligence and fidelity to the cases of his clients when, in
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his opinion, they had a just cause; but discouraging litigation for the mere sake of litigation or procrastination, and utterly refusing to lend himself or his great legal attainments to any unjust cause, however large the fee or tempting the glory."
He died March 25, 1863, at his residence on Third street, in the city of Columbus, Ohio, in his sixty-fifth year, leaving his widow who survived him until January 2, 1873, and two children, General James A. Wilcox and Anna Maria, wife of Robert Ellis, of New York.
JOHN K. BOWMAN.
The name Bowman is a prominent one in Franklin county for repre- sentatives of the family have resided here since its earliest pioneer history, and Jolin K. Bowman, whose name introduces this sketch, is a worthy representa- tive of the name. The paternal grandfather, Jacob Bowman, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1813, and was there married March 23. 1837, to Miss Mary Lehman, who was likewise a native of that county, born in 1812. They removed to the Buckeye state in 1843, making a permanent location in Madison township. Franklin county, where they purchased a farm, on which their son. Benjamin F. Bowman, now makes his home. In 1846 Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bowan became identified with the Mennonite church, and three years later he was elected deacon, while in 1853 he was or- dained to the ministry of that denomination, in which capacity he served until 1879, when he was made a bishop of the church. He spent his entire life on the farm on which he first located when removing to this state, and reared a family of eight children, to each of whom he gave a tract of land. But three of the number now survive: Samuel; Benjamin F., who resides on the old Bowman homestead: and Mary.
Jacob L. Bowman, the father of J. K. Bowman, was born on the old homestead farm in Madison township, October 9, 1844, and received a com- mon-school education. He remained with his father until the time of his marriage, which occurred in December, 1869, when Miss Elizabeth Kalb be- came his wife. To them were born two sons, John K. and Joseph J. Fol- lowing their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob L. Bowman began their domestic life on a farm in Madison township, which is the present home of their elder son, John K., of this review. Mr. Bowman made farming his life work, and became a successful and prosperous man, highly esteemed in the community in which he made his home. He was reared in the faith of the Mennonite church, and lived in harmony with his professions. His political faith was that of the republican party.
John K. Bowman, the immediate subject of this review, was reared to farm life, assisting his father from the time of early spring planting until the crops were harvested in the late autumn, while during the winter months he pursued his studies in the common schools of Reynoldsburg. After complet- ing his education he engaged in teaching for two years, but this served only
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as an initial step into his business career, for at the end of that period he abandoned the profession, and in 1894 engaged in the bicycle business, in which he is still engaged. He has since added a stock of automobiles, and also carries on general agricultural pursuits. He is energetic and enterpris- ing in his work, and each branch of his business is proving a profitable source of revenue to him.
Mr. Bowman chose as a companion and helpmate for the journey of life Miss Irma Francisco, whom he wedded December 20, 1902. A republican in principle and practice, he always gives loyal support to the party. He is a Methodist in religious belief, while in fraternal relations he is identified with the Masonic order. The work instituted by the grandfather and carried on by the father is still continued by John K. Bowman, and as the result of well directed labor and carefully managed affairs, he is meeting with gratifying. success in his undertakings.
HI. B. BLYSTONE, M.D.
Dr. II. B. Blystone, serving as a member of the city council, has been connected with the medical fraternity of Columbus for only a brief period but has had broad experience in connection with the medieal department of the United States Government in Panama and South America and his ability is widely recognized by the profession and the general public. He was born at Miller's Station, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1875. Going to Buffalo in his boyhood days he there pursued his education and was later graduated from the high school of Cambridge, Pennsylvania, with the class of 1892. He also spent one year in Pennsylvania State College and thus liberal educa- tional advantages well qualified him for the arduous and responsible duties which come in the business world. In his high school days he had devoted some time to the study of medicine and drugs and after completing his edu- cation he secured employment with the Humantor Drug Company, with which he continued until 1894 making gradual advancement in his business career as he familiarized himself with the properties of drugs and their manu- facture. Ambitious to engage in business on his own aecount, when his in- dustry and careful expenditure brought him sufficient capital, he purchased a drug store in Cambridge Springs where he condueted business until 1898. The following year he came to Columbus and entered the Ohio Medical Uni- versity thus supplementing previous training, for the profession, which he had obtained as a student in the Physicians & Surgeons College at Baltimore, Maryland. He took the full course here making every effort to thoroughly qualify himself for the profession and was graduated from the Ohio Medical University in 1903. He was then appointed by the Wabash Railroad as sur- geon in the construction department and acted in that capacity until Octo- ber 2, 1903, when he resigned and came to Columbus to take the position of district physician for the city by the appointment of Mayor Jeffreys, He thus served until October, 1907, when he passed the Civil service examination
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for physician in the war department, was assigned to the isthmian canal de- partment and went to the Empire Hospital in the empire canal zone. Later he went to the Tivoli Hotel, at Panama, and afterward at Gatuns Hospital at Colon. Subsequently he was sent by the government down the coast of South America in the capacity of acting quarantine officer and was later promoted to be district physician of that division, while a later promotion made him health officer to the Porto Bello district. On the 28th of March, 1908, he received from the president of the Republic of Panama a commission as of- ficial sanitarium officer for the coast from Colon to Columbia with permission of the United States government. His duties as quarantine officer were onerous and conditions were unhealthy owing to the fact that it was a wild region in which malaria and other diseases were prevalent. His health became II- dermined and he left Porto Bello on a thirty days' sick leave.
Dr. Blystone then returned home to Columbus and as his health did not improve he had his leave extended. He afterward resigned and his resigna- tion was accepted by the government but in so doing they hold the appoint- ment open for one year in case he wishes to return. He has now opened an office in Columbus, where he is engaged in practice. His experience has been broad, his ability is pronounced and his success seems assured.
In 1894 Dr. Blystone was married to Miss Edith Mitchell, a daughter of Frank Mitchell, an old resident of Columbus, and they have many friends in this city. Dr. Blystone belongs to Humboldt lodge, A. F. & A. M. and is also a Scottish Rite Mason. Interested in politics on the 6th of July, 1908, he was elected as a member of the city council and is proving a capable official, studying closely the needs of the city and laboring in the lines of municipal reform and improvement.
HERBERT S. BRADLEY.
Herbert S. Bradley, while ranking in point of years among the younger members of the Franklin county bar, enjoys a practice which is not only lucrative but in the widest sense of the term enviable. One of Ohio's native sons, he was born across the line dividing the counties of Franklin and Pickaway, his birth occurring in Madison township of the latter county on the 21st of August, 1863. The public schools of the locality afforded him his educational privileges and later he came to Columbus, where he read law in the office of J. William Baldwin, a distinguished attorney of the Franklin county bar. His thorough preliminary reading was followed by his admission to the bar on the 4th of May. 1886. He turned his attention in the beginning of his legal career to that field of the civil practice that has to do with the settlement of large estates. Such a practice is always desirable and clearly indicates the position of the lawyer in public regard. Within the last twenty years he has been connected with some of the largest properties left in Co- lumbus, the Brown and Franklin estates being among the most noteworthy. In this work he has not only filled the letter of the law but has administered
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the property so well that his services have given the utmost satisfaction. The records show that within the time that he has been engaged in the profession no man in Columbus has handled so much property or disposed of it to better advantage. He is thoroughly conversant with real estate law in principle, detail and precedent and his service is therefore of marked benefit to a large clientage.
Aside from professional relations Mr. Bradley is prominent and popular in the Columbus, the Arlington Country, the Wyandotte, the Marshalsea and the Crab Lake Clubs. He is also a member of the Independent Order of, Odd Fellows and the Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks. In social and political, as well as in club circles, he is affable, entertaining and vivacious and numbers his friends by the score where business or social relations have brought him into contact with his fellowmen.
HARRY SYLVESTER STRONG.
While the prosperity of a city may depend upon the number, extent and importance of its industrial and manufacturing interests, its beauty is attributable largely to its architects, who if they become eminent in the pro- fession, must have the power to combine utility with the artistic in the pro- duction of beautiful homes and substantial business structures. In this connection Mr. Strong is making a creditable record, although one of the younger members of the profession in Columbus. He was born in Berlin, Ohio, October 22. 1881, and comes of an old New England family. His grandfather. James Strong, was born in that section of the country and was a grandson of one of the colonels of the Revolutionary war who enlisted in the Connecticut line. The family is of English origin and was founded in America about 1706. James Augustus Strong, father of Harry S. Strong, was born in Burlington, Iowa, in 1846 and in 1852 was brought to Ohio by his parents, who settled in Jackson. There he was reared and for many years engaged in business as a shoe merchant. About 1875 he removed to Berlin, Ohio, where he continued in the shoe business for a number of years but is now living in Columbus at No. 714 Delaware avenue. He married Corrinda Buzzard, a daughter of Jonathan E. Buzzard.
The removal of the family from Berlin to Columbus enabled Harry S. Strong to pursue his education in the public schools of this city until he was graduated from the North high school with the class of 1898. The busi- ness world with its unlimited opportunities was then before him and in choice of a profession which he wished to make his life work, he determined upon that of architecture and entered the employ of C. A. Stribling, with whom he remained for two years, studying architecture from both the prac- tical and scientific standpoints. He then went to Denver, where he spent one year in the office of Gore & Walsh and later was connected with architect firms in Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and New Orleans. In 1904 he re- turned to Columbus and took charge of the office of Marriott & Allens, there
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