Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 113

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926

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Eugene Powell was reared in Delaware, attended the public school and Ohio Wesleyan University. Upon leaving school he went to Conneaut, Pennsylvania, with an uncle, David Powell, a well known manufacturer. He erected the first water works plant in Cin- cinnati, Ohio, and after an absence of two years returned to Delaware. Ohio. He soon after enlisted as a private in the same company with Colonel Crawford, 4th Reg. O. V. I .. for service during the Civil War. He was elected captain, and later was transferred to the 66th Reg. O. V. 1., of which he was made major : he was advanced to lieutenant-colonel, acting colonel, in which capacity he served until near the close of the war, then became colonel of the 193d Reg. O. V. I. After the battle of Antietam, in which he was wounded in the face and neck, he was brevet brigadier-general. Ile was in many of the important engagements of the war, among them: Rich Mountain, Romney, Winchester, Ft. Republic, Cedar Mountain, Winchester, Antietam, Chancellors- ville, Dumfries, Gettysburg, Lookout Moun- tain. Dug Gap. Resaca, New Hope Church, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Savannah. He was in the campaign through the Carolinas and then came north to Washington, D. C .. where he was mustered out. He was offered the commission of major in the regular army of the United States, but declined in order to return to peaceful pursuits. His longest ser- vice was with the 66th Regiment, in which he enjoyed the greatest popularity among officers and men. Owing to temporary physical dis- ability he was about to resign his commission

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at one time, but General Thomas would not have it so, and with the comment that "Powell was too good an officer to lose," sent him to the military hospital at Lookout Mountain. He was peculiarly well fitted for military ser- vice, of commanding presence, being of good physique and handsome features, and a natural born leader of men. When a boy he had or- ganized a military company in Delaware, and a brilliant army career was before him had he wished to enter the regular army at the close of the war. He was modest and un- assuming, and was serupulously neat in his personal appearance, it being noticed that when his regiment came in from a long march. tired and eager for rest. he was never too weary to first make himself tidy.

Upon his return from the front, or soon after, he was appointed by President Johnson as internal revenue collector, an office he filled for several years. He was a Democrat in politics, but always reserved the right to vote as he pleased. regardless of party affiliations. Hle was elected to the Ohio State Legislature in 1871 and 1873. serving his constituents in a most capable manner. He helped organize the Delaware Fence Company, which he man- aged, and was secretary of the Board of Man- agers of the Ohio Penitentiary. He later served as National Bank Examiner for several years. He was a member of the committee which disburses State funds to families of indegent soldiers, under appointment of Goy- ernor Nash, and was appointed by the same governor to the committee that built Memorial Hall, at Columbus.

General Powell was joined in marriage with Miss Louise Falconer, a daughter of Cyrus Falconer. M. D., of Hamilton, Ohio, one of the best known physicians of Southern Ohio. Three children blessed this union : Mary Louise, wife of Captain Mexander T. Ovenshine, Seventh Regiment, U. S. A., sta- tioned at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Eliza- beth, whose death occurred just six weeks prior to that of her father, was wife of Cap- tain Hjalmar Erickson, Seventh Regiment, U. S. A., stationed at Fort Brady, Michigan : and Frederick Falconer is a member of the class

of 1909, Ohio State University. Mrs. Powell is a member of the Broad Street Presbyterian Church, which her husband also attended and supported liberally. She was a member of the Ladies' Christian Union of Delaware, serv- ing as ward visitor; and was one of the original board of trustees of the Children's Ilome, of which she served as secretary ser- eral years, also as president. She continued active in this work until her removal from Delaware, which was looked upon as an irre- parable loss to the city. A woman of culture and refinement, of true Christian character, active in the work of alleviating the sufferings of humanity, she had won her way into the hearts of the people who much regretted hier departure. General Powell was for many years an active member of Wells Post, G. A. R., of Columbus: and of the Loyal Legion.

B ERRY W. WILLEY, M. D., a rising young physician, now in Columbus, Ohio, is a native of Delaware County, born in Troy Township. January 20, 1873. His parents were John and Keziah ( Carter) Willey, and he is a grandson of Samuel Willey, who was an early settler in Troy Township. This pioneer of the family in this section. did not remain here to finish his days, but in the late fifties went west, first to lowa and thence to Mis- souri, where he died.

John Willey, father of Dr. Willey, was born in Troy Township, May -23, 1837, and was engaged all his life in agriculture. In 1900 he removed to Orange Township, where he engaged in farming. During the Civil War he was a member of Company C. One Hun- (red and Forty-fifth Regiment, O. N. G., and served in defence of Washington, being dis- charged with his company. He was a men- ber of the I. O. O. F. Lodge at Westfield, Mor- row County, and held in it the rank of Past Grand. In politics he was a Republican and at different times served on the township board, being a member of it at the time of his death,

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which occurred June 13. 1907. His wife. Heziah, was a daughter of Hugh Carter, who was one of the first settlers in Trow Township. Seven of their children attained maturity. namely: Dora, wife of Joel Inskeep. of Troy Township: Allie, wife of Charles Weiser, of Troy Township: James Willey, of Morrow County : Hosea, who is a resident of Manlius, Illinois: Nancy, wife of Thomas Singery, of Lancaster, Ohio; Perry W., whose name ap- pears at the head of this article: Josephine. wife of Ernest Rousch, of Columbus, Ohio. The mother of the above mentioned family resides with her son, the subject of this sketch. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as was also her husband.

Perry W. Willey was graduated from the Delaware High School in the class of '94. He then entered the Starling Medical College at Columbus, from which he was graduated in 1897. He began the practice of his profes- sion at Lewis Center and there continued it successfully for a number of years. In 1904 he was elected coroner, and was subsequently re-elected to that office after serving one year of his second term on account of his removal to Columbus, January 15. 1908. This move he resolved on in order to obtain a wider field for the exercise of his talents. Here he has a fine office with a thoroughly up-to-date equip- ment, and it is a safe prophecy, in considera- tion of his record up to the present time, that he will make his mark in his new field of en- deavor. His practice is general and he is care- ful to keep in touch with the progress made in each branch of his profession. Dr. Willey is a member of the State and County Medical Societies, of the American Medical Associa- tion, and also of the Mississippi Valley Medi- cal Association. He is a frequent contributor of medical papers which he is called on to read before one or another of said societies. He is a member of lliram Lodge, No. 18, F. & A. M. ; Lewis Center, No. 636. K. of P'. of which he is Past Chancellor, being now representative to the Grand Lodge, in which capacity he has served several times before : also of the Pythian Sisters, and of the Fra- ternal Order of Eagles. . Serie No. 207. Column- bus. The Dector belongs to Lewis Center

M. E. Church, to which his father formerly belonged. In politics he is a Republican, but has served in no public office save that of coroner, as already mentioned. The location of his present office is at No. 1385' Summit Street, Columbus.

R OBINSON BROS. SHERWIN S. ROBINSON, furniture dealer and funeral director of Ostrander, Ohio, was born in this county on what is known as "Three Oaks Farm." three miles north of Ostrander, on July 19, 1868. He is the eltlest son of Rubens W. and Hat- tie Watson Robinson, and a grandson of John Robinson, the artist and sculptor, who came to this country from London, England, in 1832, and settled in this county in 1833.

The subject of this sketch spent his boy- hood days on the farm and received his edu- cation in the Ostrander public schools. On November 26. 1896, he was united in mar- riage to Mary E. Bell. a daughter of William and Margurette Smart Bell. She was born at Macomb, Illinois, June 28, 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Robinson have two daughters, Elizabeth L. and Winifried. They are members of the Presbyterian Church. Politically, Mr. Robin- son is a Prohibitionist, public-spirited and enterprising: fraternally, he is a member of Ostrander K. of P. Lodge, No. 348, and of the Woodmen of the World, Delaware Camp.

On January 1. 1897. Sherwin S. Robin- son, now the senior partner of Robinson Bros., succeeded J. H. Millison by purchasing his furniture and undertaking establishment. In the autumn of 1901. Harry W. Robinson, who was in Alaska at that time, purchased a half interest in the business and thus gave the pub- lic the firm of Robinson Bros., who conduct one of the leading furniture and undertaking establishments of the country. This store has the record of furnishing as many homes annually as any other furnishing house in this and adjoining counties. The firm has had the satisfaction of furnishing a good many homes outside of this State.

HARRY W. ROBINSON, of the firm of Rob-

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insen Brothers, furniture dealers and funeral directors, is the son of Rubens W. and llattie Watson Robinson, whose biographical sketch appeared in the History of Delaware County, published in 1880, who at that time, were liv- ing on the home farm known as "Three Oaks Farm," three and one-half miles north of Os- trander. This farm is now owned by Mr. Robinson's mother, who resides in Ostrander, his father having died on the 30th of April. 1897.

The firm familiarly known as Robinson Bros. is located on the corner of Second and North Streets. Ostrander, in a large two-story frame building, which they purchased in Sep- tember. 1901. and remodelled to suit their purposes. It is divided into three apartments. The first floor, which is 30 x 75 feet, is given up to furniture and is filled with everything pertaining to a first-class home furnishing es- tablishment ; the second floor. 30 x 50 feet, is the carpet. rug and drapery department. . \ large stock of wall paper is also carried. Ad- joining these rooms on the first floor, is their undertaking parlor, which is modernly finished and where they carry a complete line of under- taking supplies. a line of caskets which is seldom found outside of the city undertaking parlors, covering a wide range, from the ordin- ary caskets to the most beautiful hand-carved solid mahogany and quartered oak state caskets. This firm especially prides itself in its funeral furnishings, having every modern convenience pertaining to this line of work. which classes them among the leading under- takers of the county. Both members of the firm are State licensed embalmers and di- rectors.

Harry W. Robinson was born on the farm in this county, April 19, 1872; he is the third child of a family of three children-Sherwin S .. Bessie A. and Harry W. Bessie died No- vember 30, 1900. Ilarry W. Robinson re- ceived his education in the public schools, and at the age of 20 graduated from the N. P. A. H. and Business College at Delaware. After this he spent some three years in the telegraph and express office on the Big Four Railway. While at home on a vacation from

London, Ohio, Madison County, in the sum- mer of 1896, he met Miss Gertrude Latham, of Delaware, a young lady of nearly 16 sum- mers, who was also visiting at the home of his parents, and, as Mr. Robinson explains it, "Dan Cupid was there, too."

In the fall of 1896 larry resigned his po- sition and engaged with Prof. Lewis L. Le- May in connection with the N. P. A. II. & Business College at Delaware, Ohio. The fol- lowing year, on account of his father's con- tinued poor health, he returned home, where he remained until after his father's death.

Late in the fall of 1897. when the first reports of the discovery of gold in Alaska were made known. Harry Robinson organized a party of six to start for the Northern Gold Fields, the following February, 1898. The party was composed of J. J. Cone. F. J. Leeds, J. F. Ilaas, Fred Travis and Julius Herdegen. Harry Robinson and Mr. Cone left Ostrander on the afternoon of February 15th for Chi- cago, where they met the balance of their party at the Tremont Hotel, and here they more fully made their arrangements, taking into their party two old gentlemen from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan-F. W. Ellis and S. D. Eldred, who afterward proved of much value to the party when it came to boat building.

The party of eight left Chicago on the 17th for St. Paul, via the C. M. & St. P. Ry .. ar- riving at 7:30 A. M., the 18th, and leaving at 1:30 P. M., for Seattle, Washington, via the Great Northern Railway. After over three days' continuous travel across the plains. through and over the Rocky and Cascade Mountains, they arrived in Seattle at 4 P. M. on the 21st, having at times traveled hundreds of miles through a seemingly uninhabited country except for an occasional rancher's cabin, a tribe of Pawnees, or cattle to break the majestic solitude.

The party spent seven days in Seattle, with a view to purchasing their outfits, as every man going into the Klondike was obliged to take with him an outfit of clothing and pro- visions that would last one year. The cloth- ing, outside of common wearing apparel, con- sisted of moccasins for the feet. made by the

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Indians, usually from moose hides, which are made large enough to slip on over from one to six pairs of socks, as the weather some- times requires it; snow shoes, ice creepers. snow glasses, several pairs of German socks, and a Parka, which fits like a gown, covering the body from the top of the head to the feet. and is very warm. The provisions were as condensed as it is possible to make them, in the way of beef extracts, milk, cream, sacha- rine tablets, for sweetening. etc. ; dried or evaporated fruits and vegetables of all kinds put up in heavy canvas sacks and canvas- covered boxes, as nearly water-proof as it was possible to prepare them. In order to save paying the heavy duty on all goods taken from the United States into the British territory, the party decided to go to Vancouver, British Columbia, and purchase their outfits. Leav- ing Seattle on the 27th for Vancouver, via the S. & I. Railway, they arrived at their desti- nation at 4:30. At Surnas, on the Dominion line, the Canadian custom officers boarded the train, and examined all baggage and collected duties.

After staying in Vancouver 11 days pur- chasing their outfits, the party sailed for Skag- way, Alaska, on the ocean steamer Centennial. a large English vessel, built in 1862. There were three women and 362 men aboard, des- tined to Fort Wrangle, Skagway and Juneau. While crossing Queen Charlotte's Sound, they were in a severe hail and wind storm, lasting for eight hours: every passenger was sick in- cluding several of the ship's crew. Upon the upper deck were 85 dogs, which the rocking of the vessel seemed to effect very much in the same way as it did the first-class pas- sengers. In narrating the story, Mr. Robin- son said they all made noises similar and of- fered a liberal donation to the fish.

At 12 o'clock noon they passed into Dixon Strait, where the vessel was protected by the inland route: many interesting things were seen at Wrangle, which is a port and an Indian Camp of the Siwash Tribes. Near the wharf are a number of "totem poles," the Indians' God, that they worship. Some of the poles were newly carved with gruesome heads and

images, while others were decayed and moss- covered, which have evidently been standing through many summer suns and wintry bliz- zards. Some have panels let in, encasing the ashes of the dead chiefs. Large game abounds ; there were 15 fresh-killed deer hanging in front and on the sides of one Indian's cabin.

The party arrived at Skagway, March 15th, and after a delay of three days, they got their papers through the Custom House. which was in the United States territory. Upon looking over the trail leading from Skagway through the Porcupine Canyon to the summit of the Rocky Mountains, which was over and through the White Pass, it was found impossible to draw a sled with a team, as the party had anticipated doing. The warm Chinook winds and warm sunshine had melted the snow and exposed the many rocks and bowlders that only a few days before had been covered with snow, in such a way that only a pack train, or man on foot could travel, with any degree of safety. So facing these con- ditions there was but one thing to do; em- ploy a man with a pack train and pay him the price of five and one-half cents per pound to "pack" the outfits to the summit or boundary line between Alaska and the Dominion of Canada-a distance of 22 miles, which all the way was very dangerous, being through deep canons, and over and between great rocks and holes in the ice. There were 36 mules and burros in the pack train, each carrying from two to three hundred pounds on their back, one mule following another. Usually the man in charge of the mules would ride at the head of the pack, the head mule, with a bell around his neck, and the rest following as closely as they could walk, single file. There were hun- (reds of mules being thus used on the trail ; horses were of little use for packing in this way, as a misstep usually meant a broken leg.

Reaching the Summit on March 21st with their outfits, they found plenty of snow and the trail in good condition for sledding. Here dogs were put into use for hauling the out- fits, usually from two to seven dogs in a team. driven tandem fashion and drawing from 400 to 800 pounds. Oftentimes one could look

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ahead for a mile and see that single file of mov- ing feet onward pushing to the promised land ; first a dog team pulling until their tongues were hanging from their months: next a man with a rope passing around his body and either end attached to a sled, loaded with bacon and beans, pulling until their eyes were bulging from their sockets; then another man with his partner, a good faithful dog. the truest and staunchest friend a man ever had in the north country-pulling their burden together. each knowing it contained their rations, and each willing that the other should have his share- some men cursing and some in good humor. Such were the daily scenes for several weeks. covering the entire trail from the Summit of the Rocky Mountains to the head waters of Lake Bennett, which is a fine body of water, as it lies in one beautiful long stretch between the mountains. There are on its shores mag- nificent pine forests, which extend away up into the clouds and in its clear mirror scores of snowy peaks are reflected.

Upon reaching this lake, one begins to look for a favorable and cosy spot. one that will make him feel as though he were at home, for here he must stay until he has whip-sawed enough lumber out of the rough tree to make a boat of sufficient size to carry from two to five passengers and their outfits. Mr. Robin- son and his party hand-sledded their outfits down Lake Bennett to an island, now known as "Dead Man's Island," as there were three men who lost their lives near there. by break- ing through the ice, and who were later buried on the island. To the left of this island the party made their camp, six of them in the party-Travis and Herdegan had dropped out, as a great many others had done. There, day after day, they converted themselves into miniature saw-mills. To one who has never had any experience in whip-sawing. the work is very laborious. On April 10th they finished cutting lumber for boats. Mr. Eldred and Mr. Ellis built them-two in number-each large enough for three passengers and their outfits. As the ice had not left the lake yet. the party spent their time in hunting, there being much game. The ice froze to a depth of eight feet.

and when it thaws it becomes honey-combed and is very treacherous to travel over. On April 12th. near Mr. Robinson's camp, three men were seen on the trail and were warned that the ice was unsafe. Not taking heed, they were soon through the ice and struggling for their lives. One of them was rescued by the Robinson party and two of them drowned -Mr. Burns from Kansas and Mr. Richards from Frenchtown, Montana. The bodies were recovered and buried on the island in rude coffins or boxes made from lumber which was whip-sawed.

On May 28th the lake seemed clear of ice and on this memorable day hundreds of boats on Lakes Bennett, Linderman and Taggish. were launched with their precious loads. We say precious, because after one has packed and pulled, carried and rolled a sack of dried apples or beans over glaciers, mountain tops and snow banks for six months he begins to feel an attachment for it, and this was what the parties had been waiting nearly six weeks for : and now the way was opened from Lake Lin- derman to the Bering Sea, nearly 3.000 miles, and over water as treacherous as a boat ever traveled, as wrecks were scattered at not in- frequent intervals all along the rente. Some- times the boats were broken in equal parts. which meant total destruction to the outfit. and oftentimes death to its occupants, whose final resting place was usually marked by a post squared on all sides, with the name of the unfortunate man written upon one side with a lead pencil.

Upon reaching Cariben Crossing, a nar- row at the lower end of Lake Bennett, the party found an ice-jam in the gorge and blockading the way for several hours. The next morning the channel was clear, allowing all boats to pass. When the ice broke loose in the gorge it swamped and wrecked a man's boat-that of a Jew-who was single-handed. and who lost his entire outfit, which so dis- enheartened him that he took his own life.

On June ist the party arrived at Taggish Post. another police headquarters. the business of whose occupants it was to inspect all boats and contents and confiscate all goods that were

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being smuggled. While in camp at the mouth of White River, on the night of June ist, a party of Siwash Indians attacked the pros- pectors while in their boats five miles up the river, shooting one and killing him instantly. but only inflicting a flesh wound on the other. who made his way to the shore and back to the month of the river, where the other members of their party were in camp, and related his experience. A party was formed of a dozen prospectors and two police from Taggish Post to go in search of the Indians, whom they found near the scene of the shooting the even- ing before. The Indians, six in number, were sitting aroud their campfire. The police crept upon them covering them with their rifles be- fore the Indians discovered them. The entire band were marched ahead to Taggish Post. where three of them were convicted of the shooting and taken to Dawson City in July. During the following winter one died from the close confinement and the other two were hanged in March.

They told a rather grewsome story in re- gard to this execution that may sound rather improbable, but which was vouched for by re- sponsible parties. It was the first hanging that was ever performed at Dawson City and the hands of one of the Indians were not securely strapped. When the drop was made. he freed his hands and reached above his head, grasped the rope and drew himself up. Whereupon one of the attendants grasped him around the body, and hung on until life was extinct.

On June 4th the party arrived at the treach- erous and dangerous White Horse Rapids. where many boats were wrecked and lives lost and men were driven insane. On the after- noon of June 3rd three men lost their lives by striking a large rock which lies in the middle of the canon, about 20 rods above the rapids. About ten rods below the rapids is another rocky projection where 35 boats were wrecked in one week's time. Miles Canon is just above White Horse Rapids, and the river flows through a narrow avenue between perpen- (licular granite walls. Through this gorge the boats were driven at a terrific speed.

On June 12th. while in camp for the night. Mr. Robinson took a pan and panned his first pieces of gold from a bar at the mouth of Big Salmon River, which specimens he still has.

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Century history of Delaware County, Ohio and representative citizens 20th, Part 113

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company Number of Pages: 926

Author: Lytle, James Robert, 1841- [from old catalog] ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing company
Number of Pages: 926