USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 20
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The vast throng that attends is an impressive feature of the show. Sometimes thirty thousand people are there. They see the exhibits typical of the new era that came in with the harvesting machine and the newer day of the automobile that rolls by the mound of a perished race. The thousands today see greater speed and more pure-bred horses of various strains, and cattle and sheep of finer quality than the visitors of pioneer days saw.
The medley of the county fair is a Noah's ark of sights and sounds set in a surging sea of humanity. The stentorian notes of the pop- corn vender : the music of the merry-go-round; the cries of the balloon man : the bellowing of cattle; the strident "Yip-ee!" of the driver lean- ing forward in his sulky and urging his horse to strain still harder; a medley of squeals, toots, bleats, whoops, and cackles-these are the sounds of the fair.
In the faster pace of modern Coshocton life has come the new fire protection succeeding the old hose-cart volunteer days and the older bucket brigade. A combination truck-hose, chemical and ladder- is installed in the Fire Department building in the heart of the city, at Walnut and Eighth streets. Harry Fink is chief; J. I. Tracewell, captain ; Isaac Ralston, driver; Thomas McDermott, assistant; these firemen work in conjunction with the volunteer service of forty mein- bers of whom Frank Lightell is the Chief. There are three horses. An improved alarm system has been installed with electric call-boxes distributed over the city. This is tested daily.
The speed in starting to a fire is shown by the test when, on the stroke of the gong, the men upstairs slide down on the pole and jump to their places on the truck, while the horses, already released by the alarm which has automatically opened the stall doors, place themselves under the harness which drops on them with a snap, and the street doors fly open, ready for the start-and all this in ten seconds. A
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mile run in the summer uphill through Cambridge Street to the city limits was covered in three minutes and forty seconds from the mo- ment the alarm was turned in.
With the development of pictorial advertising in the metal-sign industry of Coshocton the city has welcomed the advent of decorative artists, painters and lithographers. That there is talent here in other than the commercial field is shown in beautiful studies that belong to pure art, which after all is in nowise different from the experience of Royal Academy painters whose work has been used to advertise soap, illustrate books and magazines, and for wall-paper designing.
The mural painting by Arthur Wm. Woelfle in the courthouse perpetuates the historic scene of Bouquet's treaty with the Indians. In this oil the painter lives permanently in Coshocton memory. He has chosen his subject-a primeval expression of justice in this region -with a fine instinct for its historical value and fitness in the modern temple of justice. The work is a departure from the familiar style of decorative design wherein an artist's motive is traced in fair women and diaphanous draperies.
In the list of Coshocton men who have won distinction elsewhere are names widely known over the country. Three states have chosen Coshocton governors-Governor Stone of Iowa, Governor Eaton of Colorado who attended the West Bedford school, and Governor Coe Crawford of South Dakota, now U. S. Senator, who taught school in Coshocton County
Iowa has honored several citizens from our county, including Josiah Given, Justice of the Supreme Court; James Matthews, Chan- cellor of the Iowa State University; Cato Sells, U. S. District Attorney.
Other Coshoctonians who have attained prominence include Jo- seph Burns Crowley, Congressman from Illinois; Lester Still, judge in the Superior Court, State of Washington; W. S. Crowell, consul to Amoy, China; the Rev. Dr. Ezra Fisk, lecturer and writer.
A year ago Charles F. La Serre was accredited United States Vice-Consul General to the Kingdom of Portugal, an appointment purely on merit, in keeping with the principle of the State Department to lift this branch of the government above politics. Mr. La Serre is a representative of a distinguished family that traces its ancestry
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back to the eighth century, through genealogical history of the peers of France, and thirteen hundred years ago to Spanish ancestry asso- ciated with the fortunes of the Princes of the House of Anjou.
Erman J. Ridgway, publisher of Everybody's Magazine, New York, is from this section, and holds a Coshocton County teacher's certificate. Throughout the land Coshocton is heard from. Her rep- resentatives are on the bench, the rostrum, the stage, in the music world-prominent in the professions and in the business affairs of larger fields. In Columbus a Coshocton County Society organized a few years ago, and in Pittsburg a Coshocton colony has assembled in social functions at the home of Vice-President Marsh of the Standard Underground Cable Company who came to this county for his bride. Among these is cherished the "ola nome feeling" for Coshocton, the sentiment that endures in loyal hearts, as expressed in the lines of C. D. Brooke whose ability to furnish gems does not stop at his jewelry counter-
Where the rivers meet and mingle In a long and fond embrace, And the rugged hills are wrinkled Like an ancient warrior's face, Looking out upon fair valleys With their yellow tasseled corn,
Here in days agone and misty Was an infant city born.
In the silent leafy forest Rang the ax notes loud and clear ; From the willows by the river Peeps the wond'ring startled deer, As the crashing forest monarchs Strike the earth with sullen roar ; And the Red Man turns with sorrow From the land he'll know no more.
Like the slug in heart of roses Leaves destruction in its train, On this battlefield of nature
Are the blackened trunks of slain ;
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And the plowshare hides forever From the skulking Indian gaze Well-known spots of trail and campfire In the waving fields of maize.
Silent, swiftly, as the river, Years glide on with steady pace, And a village named Coshocton, Christened by an alien race In the language of that other Vanished toward the setting sun, Leaving but this foster mother To the stronger, mightier one.
Old the settlers grew and feeble, Drooping forms and hair snow-white, One by one laid down their burden, Passed from twilight into night. Leaving sturdy sons and daughters To perpetuate the name Of the city founded by them, And to bring Coshocton fame.
When the war clouds gathered thickly In the distant, sunny South, And brave men were called to battle, Face the sword and cannon's mouth, Then this Indian foster mother Showed her foes that hearts of steel Dwelt within her sons' blue jackets On those bloody battlefields.
Now throughout this grand old nation And afar on foreign soil You will see the name Coshocton On the products of her toil ; And from stacks so tall and stately Out upon the morning air
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Flow the tangled smoky tresses Like an Indian maiden's hair.
And the witchery never leaves you Once you call Coshocton home ; Ever there remains a longing Clinging closely while you roam, To her absent sons and daughters Seems to whisper "Come to me;" And while memory doth linger Hearts will ever turn to thee.
CHARLES F. GOSSER.
BIOGRAPHICAL
CHARLES F. GOSSER.
There is perhaps in Coshocton no better representative of the spirit of the age than Charles F. Gosser, a young man of broad outlook, of keen discernment and of sound judgment, who realizes that one must be thorough and efficient and at the same time must possess a progressiveness that enables him to keep pace with the onward march that is manifest in the business world. While meeting with well earned and well merited success, he has at the same time contributed in substantial measure to Coshocton's com- mercial and industrial development and not the least of his important acts in this connection was in securing the establishment in the city of what is now one of its most important productive concerns-the Pope-Gosser China Company. A native of Coshocton, he is a son of George and Anna Gosser, the former born in Alsace-Loraine, France, and the latter in Carroll county. Ohio, in 1833. The father was eight years of age when in 1840 he came to the United States with his parents and for many years he remained a resi- dent of Coshocton. In the public schools of this city Charles F. Gos-er pur- sued his studies until he completed the course by graduation in the class of 1885, being at that time seventeen years of age. Immediately afterward he made his initial step in the business world as an apprentice to the watch- maker's trade under William Burns, the jeweler. He could never be con- tent with mediocrity in any line nor with superficial knowledge of any busi- ness to which he directed his attention. This quality prompted him to gain a thorough knowledge of watchmaking and to this end he attended the Horological Institute, where he completed a course in practical and theoret- ical horology in 1892. The following year he purchased a half interest in the jewelry business, in which he still continues, being now junior partner of the well known firm of Burns & Gosser. They carry a large and well selected line of watches, diamonds and jewelry and in this department re- ceive a liberal support from the public. They also have an optical goods department and their increasing trade in this connection again aroused Mr.
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Gosser's disposition to be thorough in his knowledge of the subject. He therefore went to New York, where he pursued a complete course in two optical schools, receiving diplomas from both. He also took a course in metal engraving under the most proficient instructors in the country.
The great majority of men feel that it is enough to attain a fair measure of success in one line but Mr. Gosser, although yet hardly in the prime of life, has manifested his ability and demonstrated his power in several fields of business activity. As a member of the advisory board of the Merchants' Electric Light and Power Company he was prominently identified with the establishment and construction of Coshocton's system of hot water heating from a central station,-an enterprise which was regarded by the publie as a mno-t hazardous one but which time has proven to be one of the city's greatest and most appreciated public utilities, while to its owners it yields a fair remuneration. Mr. Gosser was actively associated with the installa- tion and management of the mumicipal electric light plant and later added the central heat plant. However, he retired from the electric light com- pany in 1903 to promote and e-tabli-h the Pope-Gosser China Company, of which he is now the secretary and treasurer and one of the principal stock- holders, devoting his attention largely to the management of its interests. Since the organization of the board of trade of Coshocton he has been most active in its work, serving from the beginning as director and vice presi- dent, while later he was honored with the presidency. In all of his official capacities he has labored indefatigably to secure new industries for Coshoc- ton and it was through his efforts that the present china manufacturing company was formed. It has only been since a comparatively recent date that the ceramic art has been developed in the United States, prior to which time the finest articles of this character came from France, Germany, England and other old world countries. In more recent years, however, the skill of American artisans and artists has brought the product of their own kilns to such a high degree that it is now no longer necessary to go abroad for wares of the finest texture and of the most artistic mold and decoration. Evi- dence of this is seen in the output of the Pope-Gosser China Company, con- sisting of plain and decorated semiporcelain dinner and toilet ware. Al- ready the new company has won for it-elf a prominent place in industrial circles and the business has become one of the most important industries of the city. The plant was constructed for its present use. The building is of brick, three hundred and fifteen by ninety feet, and three stories and base- ment in height in the main portion and two stories in the other part. The plant is thoroughly equipped with the most improved modern machinery for manufacture of this character. The officers of the company are: I. Bentley Pope, president ; William Burns, vice president; and C. F. Gosser, secretary and treasurer. This constitutes a strong combination, for the president is a man of world-wide reputation as a practical potter and decorator, while Mr. Go-ser is recognized as a man of marked executive ability and enterprise in business cireles.
Politically he is a democrat but without desire for office. He was reared in the faith of the Pre-byterian church and his fraternal relations are with
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the Mason-, the Knights of Pythias and the Elk>. Coshocton is proud to number him among her native sons. for he has made for himself a prom- inent place in business circles as one whose force of character and keen in- sight into complex situations enables him to bring to successful completion whatever he undertakes.
1. RIPPL.
A. Rippl is an enterpri-ing and progre -- ive citizen. well known in bu -- iness circles in West Lafayette and Coshocton county as a manufacturer of wood. iron and steel novelties for advertising purposes. and although he has thus been identified only since the summer of 1906 he has already built up an extensive patronage and gained a wide reputation.
Mr. Rippl is a native son of the county. born in Bakersville, October 18. 1867, a son of Joseph and Maria ( Buster) Rippl, both natives of Gier- many, the latter of Wurtemberg. The father emigrated to the United States in 1847, at which time he located in Coshocton, where he worked at the wagonmaker's trade, having learned the same in his native land. After spending three years in that eity he took up his abode in Bakersville. con- tinuing to work at his trade until the time of his death. Ile was killed in 1893 by a tree falling on him and had reached the advanced age of -eventy- five years. The mother passed to her final rest two years previons or in 1891, when she was sixty-five years of age. Their family numbered five chil- dren. as follows: George, a resident of Black Band, Ohio: F. J .. of Coshoc- ton ; Mrs. Elizabeth Krantz, who makes her home in Canal Dover. this state; A., of this review: and Clara, of Alliance, Ohio.
Mr. Rippl acquired his education in the common schools and spent the period of his boyhood and youth under the parental roof, during which time he worked in his father's establishment. In 1884 he took up the study of telegraphy and when he became proficient in that line secured the position of operator with the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Railroad Company at Massillon, and later at Canal Dover. After a period of eight year-, however, he abandoned that business and returned to Bakersville and entered his father's wagon shop. He soon installed machinery and in 1895 began the manufacture of wooden novelties. Ilis business grew and Mr. Rippl event- ually decided to locate in a larger place, where he might enjoy better rail- road facilities. The West Lafayette Manufacturing Company hearing of Mr. Rippl's intentions purcha-ed his plant and made him manager of the concern. However, owing to dis-atisfaction in regard to the agreement made. Mr. Rippl resigned. He then entered the employ of the II. D. Beach Com- pany but after a brief period thus spent he returned to his old home in West Lafayette and in the summer of 1906 built his present factory at a cost of about four thousand dollars. He then began the manufacture of wood, iron and steel novelties for advertising purposes and has now built up a large trade, having cleared his plant of all indebtednes -. He ha- based his busi-
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ness principles and actions upon strict adherence to the rules which govern economy, industry and unswerving integrity. and has reached a prominent position in the business circles of Coshocton county.
Mr. Rippl was married on the 19th of November, 1893, the lady of his choice being Miss Jennie Taylor, who was born in Tuscarawas county. this state, June 2, 1869, the only child of Richard and Rebecca (Phillips) Tay- lor. who are now living retired in Bakersville, the father having attained the age of sixty-five years, while his wife is one year his junior. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Rippl has been blessed with six children : Mary, Joseph, Waive, George. Ruth and Harold.
Mr. Rippl is a democrat in his political views, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the German Reformed church, and his wife holds membership in the United Brethren church. His fraternal relations are with the Masonie lodge, No. 175. at New Comerstown, the Knights of Pythias at Bakersville: and Bakersville Camp, No. 5216. M. W. A. Ilis life has been one of continuous activity, in which has been accorded due recog- nition of labor, and today he stands among the successful business men of West Lafayette and Coshocton county.
S. R. McCORMICK.
S. R. McCormick, a prosperous and well known agriculturist of Keene township, was born on the farm where he now resides on the 28th of Febru- ary, 1865. his parents being William and Mary Ann ( Lockard ) McCormick. The father's birth occurred in Ireland in 1830 and in 1842 he accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, making his home here until the time of his demise in 1884. The mother of our subject is a native of Coshocton county and is still living, having now attained the age of seventy years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. William McCormick were born five children, namely: Melville, a resident of Keene township; S. R., of this review ; M. H .. who is living in Coshocton : and Robert and Lloyd. who have passed away.
S. R. McCormick supplemented his preliminary education by a high- school course and when seventeen years of age entered a store in the capacity of clerk. being thus engaged for two years. He then erected an elevator at Fresno and was successfully engaged in its operation for three years, on the expiration of which period he sold out and bought the farm of two hundred and forty acres in Keene township on which he has since resided. He has placed many substantial improvements on the property and in addition to the work of general farming makes a specialty of handling registered stock, principally delaine sheep. Alert. energetic and enterprising. he has met with prosperity in his undertakings and is widely recognized as one of the repre- sentative and progressive agriculturists of the community.
In 1882 Mr. McCormick was united in marriage to Miss Columbia Daugherty, whose birth occurred in Adams township, May 13, 1864. her
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parents being Nathan and Elizabeth ( Powell) Daugherty. The father, born in Jefferson county, Ohio, February 28, 1830, passed away on the 1st of May, 1908, while the mother, whose birth occurred in AAdams township, January 7. 1832, was called to her final rest in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Daugherty had three children, two of whom died in infancy. Unto our subject and his wife were born six children: Clyde. E., at home; Nellie, who is a graduate of the Keene high school and is still at home; French, a resident of Bureau county, Illinois; Stacy; Walter, deceased; and Rollin.
Mr. McCormick gives stalwart allegiance to the men and measures of the republican party, has served on the board of education for two terms and has also held the office of assessor. He is identified with the Grange, No. 1602, at Keene, while his religious faith is indicated by his membership in the United Presbyterian church, with which his wife is also affiliated. Both Mr. and Mrs. McCormick are widely and favorably known throughout the county in which they have spent their entire lives, the circle of their friends being almost coextensive with the circle of their acquintances.
MRS. OLIVE (MAXWELL) WOLFE.
Mrs. Olive (Maxwell) Wolfe is a representative of the farming interests of Coshocton county and one of its native daughters, for her birth occurred within its borders, September 23, 1857. Her parents were William and Mary (Highy) Maxwell. Her father was born in Heath. Massachusetts, while her mother's birth occurred in this county. William Maxwell arrived in Coshocton county when about seven or eight years of age and was here reared amid the wild scenes and environments of pioneer life. For many years he continued to carry on farming in this locality, remaining an active factor in the work of the fields until his life's labors were ended in death in March, 1893. His widow survived him for about twelve years and passed away in August. 1905. They were the parents of seven children, namely : Mrs. Max- well; Montgomery, who is living in this county; Lucy, the wife of Everett Boyd, also of this county; George, who likewise makes his home in Coshocton county; and three who are deceased.
In her father's home Olive Maxwell was reared and was trained to the duties of the household, while in the public schools she acquired her educa- tion. In 1879 she became the wife of George L. Wolfe, who was born in Ox- ford township in 1836. His parents were Jacob and Elizabeth (Leighninger) Wolfe. The father was born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1802 and was brought to Ohio by his parents in 1806 when the state sheltered many more red men than white inhabitants. Its forests were uncut, its land uncultivated, and it seemed that the work of civilization had scarcely been begun in its borders. Here Jacob Wolfe was reared and aided in the arduous task of developing a new farm. Having attained his majority he married Miss Elizabeth Leighninger, a representative of one of the old families of Oxford township and they became the parents of four children: Margaret,
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Sarah. Hiram and George. The mother died in August, 1879. The father, Jacob Wolfe, was a member of the Baptist church and an earnest consistent Christian gentleman whose honesty was never questioned. He was more- over a most industrious citizen and in his old age worked as though he was still in the prime of life. He was one of the oldest residents in Oxford town- ship at the time of his demise.
Ilis son, George Wolfe, was reared in this county, attended the public schools and early became familiar with the task of tilling the soil and caring for the crops. Throughout his entire life he carried on farming and he met with good success in that undertaking. In early manhood he married Anna Foster, a native of England, and unto them were born three children: Elmer J .. Aurelia D., and one who died in infancy. The death of Mrs. Anna Wolfe ocentred in 1877 and her remains were laid to rest in White Eye- cemetery. Later Mr. Wolfe wedded Olive Maxwell. as previously stated. and unto them was born a son, Irvin M., who is yet at home. He is a graduate of the West Lafayette College, where he pursued a scientific course and is now operating the home farm. Everything about the place is indicative of his careful supervision and practical methods. The father, George Wolfe. was a most energetic agriculturist and owned a beautiful farm in the midst of which he erected a fine residence. He also placed thereon the various barns and outbuildings necessary for the shelter of grain and stock and he kept good grades of cattle and horses, while in the work of the field- he won success by his practical methods. His political allegiance was given to the democ- racy. but he preferred to enjoy the pleasures of home rather than to partici- pate actively in the work of office holding. He died July 17. 1908, leaving a widow and one son to mourn his loss, his remains being interred in Wag- ner cemetery. Mrs. Wolfe and her son still reside upon the home farm, which is a valuable and attractive property and constitutes one of the pleas- ing features of the landscape.
S. HILTON BUKER, M.D.
Having carefully prepared for the practice of medicine and surgery, Dr. S. Hilton Buker located in Spring Mountain in 1887 and since that time has continually demonstrated his ability and skill as is manifest by the large and lucrative practice which he today enjoys. He was born near Otsego, Muskingum county, Ohio, February 11, 1865, a son of Decatur and Lucy (Barnard) Buker. The family history dates back to 1492, in which year representatives of the name removed from Turkey to England, whence they emigrated to America about 1700. The paternal grandfather, Israel Hilton Buker, was born in Maine, in 1756, and enlisted for service in the Revolutionary war at the age of eighteen years and was associated with Lafay- ette, by whom he was presented with a sword. He was discharged in 1783 as sergeant of the Third Massachusetts Regiment. his discharge papers being signed by George Washington and now on file in the national capital. The
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