USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio, Vol. II > Part 73
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On the 15th of June, 1875, Mr. Cameron married Miss Laura .1. Irwin. of Cleveland, and they have one son. Roy Macdonald, who was born in 1883 and i- now receiving teller in his father's bank.
FREDERICK BEAUMONT SHELDON.
Frederick Beaumont Sheldon, assistant to the president of the Hocking Valley Railway Company, and al-o chief engineer of that line, was born in Manche-ter. England, January 27, 1853, and is the oldest in a family of four sons and two daughters, who were also born at the family home of their parents, Stephen and Roth (Beaumont) Sheldon. The entire family came to the United States in April, 1870, and the parents passed away in St. Louis, Missouri. after residing there for many years. The other ment- hers of the household wore: Arthur L .. now a resident of Lancaster. Ohio; Mr-, Edith S. Hanly. living in Frankfort, Kentucky: Alfred. of New Or- leans; Stephen B., living in St. Louis, Missouri; and Annie M., who some years ago returned to Manchester, England. where she still makes her home.
In the endowed grammar schools of his ative country Frederick B. Sheldon pursned his education and in November, 1870, when a youth of fourteen years, entered the railroad service in connection with the engineer- ing corps, making the preliminary surveys for the Arkansas Central Rail- road. From 1871 until May 28, 1872. he was dranghtsman for that line and on the 1st of June, of the latter year, he became connected with what
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in Virginia in 1816 and in 1832 came to Columbus, traveling "overland" as was the custom in those days-the phrase designating travel by conveyance instead of by the waterways. His wife, a native of Ireland, came to America when six years of age with her father, who served as a soldier of the Mexican war, acting as a member of the company commanded by Captain M. C. Liley. Owen T. Turney, an uncle of Father Clarke, was captain of the first Irish military company recruited in this city and served throughout the period of the Civil war as a paymaster of the United States army. John D. Clarke was a well known huber merchant and contractor, who was prominently identi- fied with the early history of Columbus.
In his youthful days Father Clarke became a pupil in St. Patrick's school and from the beginning gave great promise. When he had completed the course in that institution he entered the University of Notre Dame, Indiana. and in 1874 he won three degrees on the completion of the commercial, scien- tifie and classical course. He also studied theology and philosophy at Notre Dame and completed his studies in these and other lines preparatory for the priesthood at St. Aloysius Seminary in Columbus.
Having thus qualified for holy orders, Father Clarke was in December. 1879, ordained by the Rt. Rev. C. H. Borgess, bishop of Detroit, for the see of Columbus, which had been made vacant by the death of Bishop Rosecrans. During four years following his graduation Father Clarke was a professor in the University of Notre Dame. He returned to Cohimbus in 1874 and founded the Catholic Columbian with Bishop Rosecrans as editor-in-chief. He most ably conducted the paper as manager and editor until 1885, when he disposed of the Columbian so that he might devote himself to parish work, having been appointed pastor of the Holy Family church in November, 1884. His labors here were at once so efficient and the growth of the church numerically and spiritually so substantial that in 1892 he was made irremovable rector of Holy Family church.
For a number of years Father Clarke served as a member of the Bishop's Council. He has always been interested in the movements for the uplifting of his fellowmen and for three terms he served as president of the Catholic Total Abstinence Union of Ohio. He was al-o appointed dean of the Cohim. bus district at the synod of 1902 and has filled many other official positions in the church.
ELMORE JUDSON SWERER.
For a quarter of a century Ehore Judson Swerer has been a factor in the business circles of the capital city, where he is now well known as manager of the Ohio State Savings & Loan Association. The family of which he is a member is probably of German origin, and early representatives of the name removed from New Jersey to Ohio, where they located in pioneer times. As early as 1800 the family was known in this state. Three years passed before the state was admitted into the Union and for some years thereafter many
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evidences of frontier life were extant here, the Indian population far exceed- ing the number of white settlers, and the great forest traets were yet covered with a native growth of trees which gave shelter not only to the red men but to many wild animals. The great-grandfather and grandfather of Mr. Swerer were residents of Preble county, Ohio, and took an active and helpful part in converting the region into a district of improvement containing all the elements of an advanced civilization.
Lewis C. Swerer, the father, was born in Preble county, Ohio, and devoted his life to the practice of law, becoming a well known attorney. He was also a veteran of the Civil war, serving with the Fifth Ohio Cavalry in the rank of first lieutenant. He was very active in his military experiences. participating in many of the hotly contested battles, long marches and hard campaigns in Mississippi and other southern states. For a number of years he resided in Missouri and was a prominent participant in the political circles of that state. His death occurred in 1881, while his widow still resides in Columbus. Mrs. Swerer hore the maiden name of Teresa Jaqna and was a representative of an old Huguenot family of France, who left their native country at the time of the expulsion of all who followed that religious faith. Coming to America the family was represented in the colonial army during the Revolutionary war, and a monument erected in Pennsylvania which commemorates its Revo- lutionary soldiers contains the names of several of the Jaqua family. To this family also belonged ex-Governor Gray, of Indiana, who was an unele of E. J. Swerer. He was very prominent in diplomatie circles and died in the city of Mexico during the administration of President Cleveland.
Elmore J. Swerer was born on a farm near New Paris, in Preble county, Ohio, February 4, 1861, and when a lad of eight years accompanied his par- ents on their removal to Mexico, Missouri. in 1869. There he was educated as a student in the public and high schools, pursuing his studies to the age of fifteen years, when he started out in business life on his own account, seeur- ing the position of assistant cashier in a large mercantile house at Mexico. Missouri. He applied himself diligently to the mastery of the duties that devolved upon him and was successively promoted through various positions. eventually becoming cashier. He has been a resident of Columbus since 1883 and was employed as bookkeeper by varions concerns until 1891 when, believ- ing that he saw an opportunity for the establishment of a successful business enterprise, he organized the Ohio State Savings & Loan Association, of which he became the manager. He has continued as manager, and under his guid- auce the business of the company has assumed mammoth proportions, now being in what is known as the two million dollar list. There are six hundred and forty associations of this kind in the state, of which twenty-five are con. trolling a business amounting to over two million dollars. The Ohio State Savings & Loan Association is a leader in modern methods and is ready always to adopt any new and feasible ideas that promise a successful outcome. This company makes loans to buy and build homes in Columbus, Ohio, and has a remarkable record for the safety of its investments. The business has passed through two general financial panics and yet has continued on its way in a steady progression which has made the Ohio State Savings & Loan Asso-
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ciation one of the strongest organizations of this character in the Buckeye state.
In 1895 Mr. Swerer was married to Miss Ora Zinn, of Franklin county. and they are now the parents of two daughters and a son: Mand, Marie and Elmore J. Mr. Swerer belongs to the Ohio Club and to varions Masonic bod- ies. He is also ex-president of the Franklin County Building & Loan League. and a member of the executive committee of the State Building & Loan Asso- ciation League. He is likewise one of the original members of the old Jack- son Club, and his interests embrace a connection with various measures and movements which have for their object the welfare of the city and the progress of the state at large. Ile is a man of broad mind and public spirit who rank- today not only with the successful business men but also with the leading and valued citizens of Columbus.
STARLING SULLIVANT WILCOX. M. D.
Starling Sullivant Wilcox, M. D., son of James Andrews Wlicox and Lucy Madison Sullivant; grandson of Phineas Bacon Wilcox and Joseph Sullivant, and great-grandson of Lucas Sullivant, founder of Columbus, was born the 29th of June, 1865, on Third street within the shadow of the capitol. Fortunate is the man who has back of him an ancestry honorable and dis- tinguished, and happy is he when his lines of life are cast in harmony there- with. Dr. Wilcox, in person, talents and character, is a worthy representative of his race.
He received his early education in the public schools of Columbus, at- tending Sullivant school and Central high. Later he acquired a more ex- tended literary education in the east, graduating at Exeter, New Hampshire. Deciding upon the practice of medicine as a life work, he studied under Dr. Starling Loving and graduated with honor from Starling Medical College in the class of 1888. In the following year he further promoted his knowledge and efficiency by a post-graduate course in the city of New York, being also appointed assistant surgeon to Chambers Street Hospital. In 1890 he was appointed assistant surgeon to the National Military Home for Disabled Vol- unteer Soldiers, which position he ably filled for four years, being at the end of his term of service appointed temporary chief surgeon pending his return to private practice.
On Wednesday, the 25th day of April, 1894, Dr. Wilcox was married to Sarah Mountgomery McCoy, only daughter of Major Milton McCoy and Katherine Krouse, both from the oldest families of Chillicothe, Ohio. Two sons have been born of this union, James Milton and Starling Sullivant. After his marriage, the Doctor began the practice of medicine in Columbus. Ohio. In 1896 Dr. Wilcox was appointed to the chair of genito-urinary dis- cases, Starling Medical College, which he ably filled until the death of his beloved wife, November 14, 1899, soon after which he tendered his profes- sional skill to his country and was ordered to the Philippines as surgeon with
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DR. STARLING S. WILCOX
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.
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rank of first lieutenant. While on foreign service he was promoted to the rank of captain and later was ordered to the Columbus barracks for duty, pending his voluntary discharge from the United States Army. Upon the expiration of his service he resumed his professional duties in Columbus, in- cluding his professorship in Starling Medical College and was reappointed to the same chair when Starling and Ohio Medical Colleges merged.
In all of his varied professional relations he has shown himself to be a man of ability, always conforming strictly to the higher ethics of the medical fraternity. In 1906, realizing the importance of further perfecting him- self, he took a second post-graduate course, in Philadelphia. Upon his return he was the first of his profession in Columbus to give practical demonstration of the advantages of electrical illumination in the examination of the blad- der and in the diagnosis of diseases of the kidney and allied organs.
He is a member of the Columbus Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association. Dr. Wilcox is interested in all that pertains to the welfare and progress of the city, but the demands of his chosen profession leave him little time for active participation in public life. He is the author of a medical treatise upon the subject of his chair in Storling-Ohio Medical College: is genito-urinary surgeon to the Ohio peni- tentiary, to the State Free Dispensary, and to Saint Francis Hospital, meet- ing his class in the same amphitheatre, where he himself witnessed elinics furnished by his alma mater. Ile is also on the staff of Grant Hospital, a model institution of exact surgery. He has performed efficiently and well the difficult duties which devolved upon him and has gained the success which comes as a merited reward to earnest application and able performance.
FRANK M. RAYMUND.
Frank M. Rayinund, one of the active and able attorneys that Fairfield county has furnished to the Franklin county bar, was born in Carroll, Ohio. November 30. 1866. and is a son of Dr. Bernard and Naney A. (Lane) Ray- nund. His father was born in Bavaria, Germany, and about the year 1837 came to the United States, locating in Cincinnati. He was a graduate in medi- cine of the University of Munich and had been a teacher in the same institu- tion, while during the cholera epidemic in Munich he acted as one of the government physicians. Following his arrival in America he practiced medi- cine for some years at Lancaster. Ohio, and his death occurred in 1882. His wife, a native of Pennsylvania, accompanied her parents on their removal to Fairfield county, Ohio, during the first half of the nineteenth century and her death occurred in Akron, this state, in May, 1907.
Frank M. Raymund mastered the elementary branches of English learn- ing in the public schools of Fairfield county and afterward attended the Ohio State University, where he pursued his studies to his graduation with the class of 1888, in which year the Bachelor of Arts degree was conferred upon him. He studied law in the office of Wells. Guthrie & Lee of Los Angeles, California,
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who were the possessors of the largest library west of Chicago, and having ac- cess thereto he greatly broadened his knowledge through his extensive reading. In 1890 he was admitted to practice in the courts of California but almost immediately afterward came to Columbus and was admitted to practice in Ohio. He located for professional service in Columbus and as the years have gone by has met with flattering success. Diligent and thorough in research and readily understanding the relations of cause and effect. he has argued many cases be- fore the courts and lost but few. Soon after his arrival in this city he entered the law office of L. J. Critchfield. with whom he remained until May 1, 1897. when the well known law firm of Crum, Raymund & Hedges was organized and still continues.
Mr. Raymund laid the foundation for a happy home life in his marriage on the 9th of September, 1891, to Miss Sarah E. O'Kane, a danghter of Heury O'Kane, a prominent and popular insurance man of the capital city. Mr. and Mrs. Raymund have one son, Bernard. They hold membership in the First Congregational church and enjoy the hospitality of many of the leading homes of this city. Mr. Raymond belongs to the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and in more strictly professional lines is connected with Franklin County Bar Asso- ciation. Ile is interested in all matters of progressive citizenship. in the va- rions questions of vital import to society and the individual, but makes the practice of law his real life work and his devotion to his clients' interests is proverbial.
MERRILL U. RICKETTS.
Merrill U. Ricketts who, since his admission to the bar in 1895. has prac- tired law in Columbus, his clientage constantly increasing in volume and im- portance, was born September 14, 1868, in Lancaster, Ohio. His father, Rev. James S. Ricketts, a native of Perry county, Ohio, came to the capital city in 1888 and was engaged in the real estate business until 1906, when he re- turned to his Perry county farm, on which he now reid -. For twenty years prior to the establishment of his home in Columbus, he was a native represen- tative of the Methodist ministry and occupied various charges in southern and central Ohio. After coming to this city he organized the King Avenne Methodist Episcopal church, and later the Firth Avenue Methodist Epis- copal church, and wa- partienlarly active and prominent in promoting the work of his denomination in this city. At the time of the Civil war he espoused the Union cause and aided in the defense of the federal govern- ment. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Helen M. Goodspeed, is also living. Her family were from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and were prominent in Athens county, Ohio. She is a descendent of Roger Goodspeed, who came from England in 1835. The Ricketts are of an old Virginia family. the grandfather of M. U. Ricketts removing from the Old Dominion to this state.
In the public schools M. U. Ricketts mastered the elementary branches of learning and afterward attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, from which
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he was graduated with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1893. He afterward pursued a two years' course in the Ohio State Law School, and won the Bach- elor of Law degree on his graduation in 1895. He was one of the honor mem- bers of his class in the Ohio Wesleyan University and was elected a member of a college fraternity which was organized in 1893, drawing its member- ship from the best students in the classes from several colleges. He was also elected as representative of his class in the interstate oratorical contest, but did not take part on account of ill health. During his senior year in college he was editor of the Transcript and was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega and the Phi Delta Phi. Admitted to the bar in 1895, he began practice in Co- lumbns, where he has since continned, and while he is engaged in general practice, he also specialized in the department of real estate law, wherein his comprehensive knowledge has in considerable measure enabled him to speak authoritatively.
On the 2d of Inne, 1897. in Columbus. Mr. Ricketts was married to Miss Daisy M. Riggle, a daughter of Joseph Riggle, now of Toledo. In politics he is a republican and although not an active worker in party ranks in Colum- bus, he is serving as city solicitor at Worthington, where he has made his home for the past five years. His social nature, which made him popular in col- lege, has also gained for him many friends during the period of his residence . in the capital city.
LORENZO M. BAKER.
Lorenzo M. Baker i- numbered among the prominent citizens of Colum- bus, condneting what is at the present time one of the finest photographie galleries in America and now operated by his son. Dnane HI. Baker, and John S. Schneider. Lorenzo M. Baker was born in Copenhagen. New York. April 20. 1834. a son of Lorenzo and Emily (Canfield) Baker, the former a general merchant of Copenhagen for many years. They had a family of two sons and a danghter: Lorenzo M .. of this review; N. Duane: and Adeline.
Lorenzo M. Baker received an education such as is afforded by the com- mon schools and after putting aside his text-books he engaged as a clerk in a general store at Rome. New York, and there continued until 1854, when, at the age of twenty years, he arrived in Columbus. He occupied an official posi- tion at the state penitentiary mutil 1862, in which year he was elected post- master at Camp Chase. When his term of office had expired he opened a daguerreotype gallery on High street, near Main street, and with the advance of the profession. changed to photographs and conducted business in the same location for twenty years. He then changed his place of location to the old Metropolitan block. now known as the Eberly block. On the 25th of January. 1892, that building was destroyed by fire and Mr. Baker then opened a fine gallery on High and State streets, where he continued until retiring from active business. In 1878 Mr. Baker associated with him in business his son,
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Duane Henry, and John Samuel Schneider and through their combined efforts the enterprise developed into one of the finest art galleries in America. The son, like the father. possesses excellent executive ability and much artistic tuste, which well qualify him for the conduct of a concern of this character and it has now become one of the leading photographie studios of national repute.
Lorenzo M. Baker was married to Miss Samantha E. Nye, whom he sur- vives with two of their four children. Mr. Baker is a Mason, prominent among the brethren of the order. While he was never active in public affairs, he is always deeply interested in the welfare of his home city and is prominent and popular among his many friends. Gifted by nature with strong intel- lectual force, he developed his latent talents and powers and in working toward the ideal, used the practical means at hand. His purposes are ever kindly, his sympathy unbounded and all who know him feel honored by his friend- ship.
GEORGE D. FREEMAN.
No history of Columbus would be complete without extended and per- sonal reference to Colonel George D. Freeman, whose military service and business activity have made him one of the prominent figures of the capital city. There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect so uniformly accorded him and it is a well known fact he has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right between himself and his fellowmen, nor ever faltered in the performance of any public duty. Colonel Freeman is descended from Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather. William Freeman, having served with the Continental army in the War of In- dependence. His father, Usual W. Freeman, served with distinction in the New York militia during the war of 1812 and was recognized as one of the prominent civil engineers of the country in his day, in which capacity he was a factor in platting all that part of New York city north of Canal street. He married Margaret Christy, and the year 1833 witnessed their removal from New Jersey to Ohio, the family home being established at Ovid. Franklin county, where the birth of George D. Freeman occurred on the 11th of An- gust. 1842. The public schools afforded him his educational privileges but the system of public instruction had not then reached the high standard which characterizes it today and his opportunities were accordingly some- what limited. This also resulted from the fact that he was but six years of age at the time of his father's death, and at the age of eleven it became necessary that he provide not only for his own support, but also aid his mother in maintaining the family. Ambitious for an education, however, he later attended night school and throughout his life has been not only a broad reader but also a student of men and events and the years have brought him wide general information. In his early boyhood he secured a position in the studio of D. D. Winchester then a leading artist in Columbus, and left that position to become a page in the Ohio house of representatives through
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appointment of Nelson H. Van Vorhees, the speaker of the first legislature. The general assembly was then sitting at Odeon, Ol the last session prior to the occupancy of the present capital. duties in that connection were ended Mr. Freeman secured a situa dry-goods house of Headly & Eberly, with whom he continued tl: cessive promotions which came in recognition of his ability, until he was admitted to the firm as junior partner. His business caree characterized by a steady progress which naturally follows the es one's powers through the exercise of native talents in the active life. From the outset he was diligent and persevering and was in the resolve to make his service of value to his employers, knowing a course would ultimately bring success. Gradually, therefore, li step by step and on becoming a partner in the mercantile house & Eberly bent his energies to executive control and administrativ and in later years became the senior partner of the firm of Freem: & Norton, successors to Headly & Eberly. The house took ran leading dry goods establishments of the city, controlling an ext profitable trade. Mr. Freeman was connected with that business when he withdrew and joined the firm of Halin, Bellows & Bntles dealers, while later changes in the partnership led to the adoption style of Freeman, Halm & McAllister. The efforts and judgm Freeman proved effective factors in the successful conduct of thi ment and later he turned his attention to other fields of activity in ization of the George D. Freeman Mantle Company, engaged in facture of mantles and interior furnishings. He has thus been c ciated with commercial and manufacturing interests of Columbus, contributing to the general business activity and prosperity of the there also accrued to him substantial benefits.
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