Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 58

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086

USA > Ohio > Clark County > Springfield > Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th > Part 58

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DR. H. H. SEYS was born in Ogdensburg, N. Y., October 13, 1830. He was the son of Rev. John Seys, a Methodist mission- ary, and was one of a family of twelve. Dr. Seys graduated from the University

same year. He served in several impor- tant positions during the Civil War, where he gained a wonderful store of experience, both surgical and general, and it was always a pleasure to hear him relate some of his experiences, which he could do both eloquently and graphically. However great the value of Dr. Seys' services to his country in time of war, they could not possibly compare with those which he rendered this community in times of peace as city health officer. He was appointed to this position in 1888 and still retained it at the time of his death, June 17, 1904. Single-handed and alone he has more than once in the face of criticism and opposi- tion stood between this city and positive disaster. By reason of his overpowering personality, his habits of discipline incul- cated during his army life, and his strenu- ous methods of dealing with dangers, seen and unseen, he has saved this community many precious lives and untold treasure. Nature certainly did unite in him all of the qualities that made an efficient health officer.

DRS. BUCKINGHAM-Time and space will permit only the briefest mention of such splendid representatives of the profes- sion as Drs. Buckingham, senior and junior. The former had one of the larg- est practices of any Clark County phy- sician, especially in obstetrical work. The latter succeeded Dr. Seys as health officer, and his untimely death but a few months later came as a great shock to the community. Dr. John Buckingham was a typical professional gentleman, well worthy of the respect of all who knew him.

DRS MCLAUGHLIN AND SENSEMAN-Of the men outside of the city who have

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been prominent members of the county society, Drs. Mclaughlin and Sense- men of Tremont are the most conspicuous. The former was six feet and one inch tall and weighed over 300 pounds. He was at one time president of the society and vice president of the Ohio State Society. The minutes of the society show that these two men were frequently appointed dele- gates to both the state and national asso- ciation meetings.

There are now in Springfield about eighty-five physicians, and in the county, outside the city, about twenty-five more.

PRESENT SOCIETY.

The county society is now in the most prosperous condition in its history, hav- ing about seventy-two members. The change in the spirit of the profession is shown in the fact that graduates who are reputable men, of all schools of medicine, are eligible to membership. The present

officers are: President, C. M. Heistand; first vice president, A. H. McIntyre; sec- ond vice president, D. K. Gotwald; sec- retary, Thad Mclaughlin; treasurer, S. R. Hutchings; executive committee, E. F. Davis, H. H. Austin and R. B. House.

HOSPITAL.

Perhaps the greatest impetus the pro- fession of this community has ever had has been in the establishment of the City Hospital, one of the most complete and best equipped general hospitals operated by any city in the state. The capacity of the hospital, including the "contagion" building, is 100 beds. There is in con- nection a training school for nurses, un- der the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Hart- sock. There are at present twenty-two pupil nurses, and three graduate nurses connected with the institution.

Representative Citizens.

GOV. ASA SMITH BUSHNELL, who was once the chief executive of the great Commonwealth of Ohio, in passing out of life left behind him a record of public serv- ice and private virtue which places his name among the distinguished citizens of the state.

Mr. Bushnell was born September 16, 1834, at Rome, Oneida County, New York, and was a son of Daniel and Harriet (Smith) Bushnell. He belonged to one of the prominent colonial families of New England and was descended from Rev- olutionary stock. His grandfather, Jason Bushnell, a native of Connecticut, served in the War of the Revolution, and died at Lisbon, Connecticut, full of years and honors. Daniel Bushnell, father of the governor, was born at Lisbon, February 7, 1800, and died at Oberlin, Ohio. For a number of years he resided in New York, but came to Ohio in 1845, settling first at Cincinnati and later at Oberlin. On March 9, 1825, he married Harriet Smith.

The only college from which Governor Bushnell graduated was the common · school, and he was sixteen years old when he began his business career in Spring- field. After an experience of three years as a salesman in the mercantile establish-

ment of a local firm, he became bookkeeper for Leffel, Cook and Blakeney, and was later with Warder, Brokaw and Child. In the fall of 1858, he entered into partner- ship with Dr. John Ludlow, in the con- duct of a drug store, and for the succeed- ing ten years continued to be interested in that business. Subsequently he became a partner with Warder, Mitchell and Company, which later became the Warder, Bushnell & Glessner Company, manu- facturers of mowers and reapers. In 1886 Mr. Bushnell became president of that company and to his business ability has been attributed much of its remark- able success. He was financially inter- ested in many other large business en- terprises and was president of the First National Bank at Springfield and of the Springfield Gas Company. If he had no other claim to fame, his success in busi- ness life would have made him notable, even in the day when the captains of in- dustry are numerous. He was a man of great decision of character, combined with a quickness of comprehension that made it possible for him to view a business field and realize its possibilities with a quick understanding that inspired confidence in his associates.

Politically he had long been a Republi-

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can leader before he was honored with election to the chair of governor of Ohio. In 1885 he was made chairman of the Re- publican State Executive Committee; in 1886 he was appointed quartermaster gen- eral on the staff of Gov. J. B. Foraker; and in 1887 he was nominated as a candi- date for lieutenant governor, an honor he declined, as he did a nomination for gov- ernor in 1889. In 1891, Mr. Bushnell ardently supported McKinley, and in 1892 he was sent as a delegate to the Republi- can National Convention, serving subse- quently many times as such. In May. 1895, the nomination for governor came to him without solicitation on his part, and his election by a larger majority than was ever before given a candidate for the office, with one exception, was a grand testimonial to the confidence felt in him by his fellow-citizens. As the fortieth gov- ernor of Ohio, he was inaugurated Jan- uary 13, 1896, and was re-elected in 1897. History records the achievements of his administration and it accords him a lead- ing place among a long line of brilliant statesmen and true patriots.

In September, 1857, Mr. Bushnell was married to Ellen Ludlow, daughter of Dr. John and Elmina (Getman) Ludlow. The late Dr. John Ludlow, who for many years was president of the Springfield Bank, was one of the valued and honored citi- zens of Springfield. He was born in Clark County, Ohio, in 1810, and was a son of Cooper Ludlow, who was a pioneer from New Jersey. In 1835 he married Elmina Getman, who was born in Herki- mer County, New York, and they had three children, namely: Ellen, who is the widow of the late Gov. Asa S. Bushnell; Frederick, who died January 18, 1906;

and Charles, who resides at No. 148 East High Street. His son, Charles R. Lud- low, is connected with the First National Bank at Springfield. An extended sketch of Dr. John Ludlow will be found in this work.

Governor Bushnell and wife reared two daughters and one son, viz: Fanny (Mrs. John F. McGrew), Harriet E. (Mrs. H. C. Dimond), and John L. Mrs. Bushnell occupies one of the most beautiful homes of Springfield, her residence being sit- uated at No. 838 East High Street.

John L. Bushnell, the only son of the late Governor Bushnell, is one of Spring- field's most prominent citizens. He is president of the Champion Construction Company, and of the Springfield, Troy and Piqua Railway Company, and second vice president of the First National Bank, and attends to his large business interests at offices located in the Bushnell Block, · which is the finest office structure in this city.

During a period of the Civil War the late Governor Bushnell saw hard service in the army, and was captain of Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, leading it on many victorious fields. He subsequently became a comrade in the Grand Army of the Re- public, and its interests always com- manded his attention. He belonged to the higher branches of Masonry, had at- tained the 32nd degree, and was one of the few who have received the 33rd de- gree of the Scottish Rite. He was noted for his abundant charities, which were the natural outcome of a kind and generous nature. The needs of the poor and afflicted always appealed to him and, both as a high public official and as a private

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citizen, it was his pleasure to lighten bur- dens and to give comfort and cheer in every possible case.

For many years he was a communicant and for forty years a vestryman of Christ Episcopal Church, and probably within that body alone was known the extent of his private benevolence. The beautiful Parish House that was presented to the church as a memorial of her husband by his devoted widow, Mrs. Asa S. Bushnell, was thus a most appropriate gift, and it was given and received as a fitting tribute to one who, as the rector of the church de- clared, "drew to himself the love and friendship of a whole city; who knew no class distinction, and who was the friend of every man, irrespective of his worldly possessions."

This chapel was dedicated by Right Reverend Bishop Vincent, bishop of the Southern Diocese of Ohio, and was pre- sented by Mrs. Bushnell to the vestrymen of Christ Church on April 24, 1907, the touching presentation speech being made by John L. Bushnell, the only son of the late Governor Bushnell. The cost of this chapel was $15,000. It is designed for the use of the pastor, the Women's Guild and the Sunday school and is elaborately fitted with every modern comfort and conven- ience.

HON. JOHN H. THOMAS. The death of John H. Thomas, which took place at his home on East High Street, Springfield, January 23, 1901, removed from this city a man whose business success, public spirit and sterling character, identified him for all time with the agencies which contributed largely to the upbuilding of

this section. Mr. Thomas was born Oc- tober 4, 1826, at Middletown, Maryland, a son of Jacob and Sophia (Bowlus) Thomas.

After satisfactorily completing the pub- lic school course, Mr. Thomas entered Marshall College, at Mercersburg, Penn- sylvania, where he was graduated with the class of 1849. He then turned his attention to the study of law, entering the office of Hon. S. W. Andrews, at Colum- bus, Ohio, and, in 1851, that of William White, then the leading attorney at Springfield. For two years after admis- sion to the bar, he continued to practice law at Springfield, and was then chosen county recorder, a rather unusual token of appreciation, as Mr. Thomas had so re- cently become a resident of Clark County. In the meanwhile this section was just awakening to the possibilities afforded in the direction of manufacturing, and Mr. Thomas was one of the first to take ad- vantage of the situation. He entered into partnership with P. P. Mast and they founded the well known agricultural im- plement firm of Thomas and Mast, and upon so sound a foundation, that it weath- ered the storms of financial depression in 1857, continued to grow in importance, and within a few years ranked with the largest in the state. Mr. Thomas re- mained a member of this firm until 1872.

In 1874, after two years of rest, Mr. Thomas re-entered the manufacturing field in partnership with his two sons, William S. and Findlay B. They erected the large plant which stands on South Limestone Street and there The Thomas Manufacturing Company began, which still continues the extensive manufacture of all kinds of agricultural implements,

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having established a reputation second to none in the specialties of hay machinery, harrows and grain drills. William S. Thomas is president of the above men- tioned company, as well as its treasurer, and Findlay B. is also associated in the business of manufacturing farm imple- ments.

For very many years, the late John H. Thomas stood as one of Springfield's most public-spirited citizens. He served on the City Council with marked useful- ness and was chosen a member of various civic boards, at the time of his death be- ing a member of the Snyder Park Board. He was a stanch member of the Demo- cratic party and was held in such esteem by its leaders that in 1868 he was nomi- nated for Congress and still later was made the Democratic standard-bearer for the United States Senate against Hon. Calvin S. Brice. The duties of every office he held were performed with the ability and capacity which marked the management of his private affairs.

In 1854, Mr. Thomas was married to Mary Bonser, who was the youngest daughter of Hon. Jacob Bonser, of Chilli- cothe, Ohio, and they had four children, namely : William S., who is president of the Mad River National Bank of Spring- field and of The Thomas Manufacturing Company; Findlay B., who is prominent also in the business life of Springfield; Nellie, who is the wife of Judge A. N. Summers; and Mabel, who is the wife of L. P. Matthews. Mr. Thomas was a member of the Presbyterian Church and was always a liberal supporter of its many charitable enterprises. His private philanthropies were numerous and one of these, a notable one, may be mentioned-

the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital, which was a joint gift to the city for the benefit of its sick and afflicted, from Ross Mitchell and John H. Thomas.

CHARLES NELSON LEFFEL, pro- prietor of the C. N. Leffel saw-mill of New Carlisle, has been a resident here since 1899, and is recognized as one of the substantial business men of the village. He was born December 24, 1869, on a farm in Champaign County, Ohio, and is a son of Frederick and Elitha (Long) Leffel.

Frederick Leffel, a native of Clark County, was the eldest child of William Leffel, who settled near the Black Horse Tavern at a very early period. His early boyhood days were spent on the farm and he later operated a water-power saw-mill and also a threshing machine. He was first married to Mary Slusser, also a na- tive of Clark County, who died in Cham- paign County, Ohio. Six children were born of this union, but one of whom is living, Margaret Ann, who is the wife of David Poorman. His second marriage was with Elitha Long, a daughter of John Long, who came to Ohio from the east. Three children were born of the second union, namely: Carry, who married Charles Berry, of St. Paris, Ohio; Charles Nelson, subject of this sketch; and George Franklin, of New Carlisle. The second wife died in Champaign County, Ohio. Frederick Leffel sold his mill in Cham- paign County and, coming to New Car- lisle, purchased the mill which our sub- ject now operates. His death occurred here in 1906, when he was seventy-five years of age.

Charles N. Leffel was educated in the

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public and high schools of St. Paris. At the age of nine years he began devoting his spare time to work in his father's mill and has since made milling his life occupa- tion. He operated a saw-mill in Memphis, Tenn., for about ten months, and in 1889 he came to Clark County and operated his father's mill at New Carlisle until 1906, when he purchased it and has since been engaged in business for himself, employ- ing eight men in the mill, which is sit- uated on the P. & E. division of the Big Four Railroad.

Mr. Leffel was first married in 1888 in Champaign County, Ohio, to Elizabeth Apple, a daughter of James and Susan Apple, and to them was born one child, Blanche May. His second marriage was with Pearl Mitchell, a daughter of Wal- ker and Sallie Mitchell, and of this union were born three children-Catherine, Charles Frederick, and Marietta. Mr. Leffel and family reside in their com- modious home on Church Street. Politi- cally. Mr. Leffel is a Democrat; frater- nally he is connected with the I. O. O. F. No. 505, of New Carlisle.

THOMAS WILLIAM RUNYAN, one of Pleasant Township's prominent citi- zens, has resided on his present farm of 427 acres, situated three and one-half miles south of Catawba, since 1871. Mr. Runyan was born in Pleasant Township, Clark County, Ohio, May 26, 1837, and is a son of George and Catherine (Jones) Runyan.

The Runyan family is one of the old and substantial ones of this section. It was established here by Joseph and Eliza Runyan, the grandparents of Thomas W.,

who came to Ohio from Kentucky and set- tled near Asbury Chapel. The country was still full of Indians and they were actively hostile, the settlers frequently having to seek safety in the block-house which had been erected for that purpose.

George Runyan, father of Thomas W., was born in Kentucky in 1808. He was about eight years old when his parents came to Clark County, and here he was reared. He married a daughter of George Jones, of Pleasant Township, and they had the following children: Ann, Elizabeth, Eli, Josiah, Thomas, William, Lucinda, George Washington and John W. The eldest daughter of this family married Michael Wiet and their surviv- ing children are: James, Mary, Cather- ine, Frank, Lucinda, Asa and Millie. Elizabeth, the second daughter, was mar- ried March 25, 1852, to John Page and their children are: Joseph, Charles, Isaac and John W. Eli Runyan married Jane Wilkinson and their surviving chil- dren are: Jane, Mary Ann, Lizzie, Ella and Georgia. Georgia Runyan mar- ried Ashby Allender and they have five children and reside at Springfield. Josiah Runyan, who was born in 1834, died July 31, 1907. He married Elizabeth Hend- ricks and they had two children, Oscar and George. Oscar married Alice Smith and they have one daughter, Glennie. George married Carrie Patterson and they had two children, Bruce and Lewis, who were reared by their grandfather, their father having died when they were young. Lucinda Runyan was born March 20, 1840, and resides at Catawba. George Wash- ington Runyan was born February 17, 1843, and died January 13, 1862, from the results of an accidental burn. John Run-

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yan was born April 16, 1849. He mar- ried Frances Ropp, a daughter of Jacob and Isabel Ropp, of Pleasant Township, and they had two children, twin sons, Forest M. and Foster M., the latter of whom survives. He was accidentally pois- oned.

Thomas William Runyan attended the district school in his boyhood and has al- ways taken a prominent place in his com- munity. He was reared on the home farm but also learned the blacksmith trade. In a shop which he has near his home, all the large amount of blacksmith work re- quired to be done on his large estate, is attended to. He continues to be actively engaged in general farming and is assisted by his son, Charles E., and his son-in-law, Minor Hardman.

Mr. Runyan was married February 25, 1858, to Phoebe Ann Demory, and they had two children, Charles E. and Hattie. Charles E. Runyan married Luella Mc- Clintock, and they have had four children, Stella, Ethel and Russell still surviving. Stella married Edward Mccullough. Ethel married William Sanders, and they have had three children, Helen L., Maurice C., and Martin Lee, deceased. Russell Runyan lives at home. Hattie, the only daughter of Thomas W. Runyan, was born May 29, 1863. On December 29, 1881, she was married to Minor N. Hardman, and they have three children, Charles O., who was born November 19, 1882, holds a re- sponsible position in the Mad River Bank at Springfield; Annie M .; and Ralph O., who was born December 25, 1894.

Thomas William Runyan is the oldest member of Catawba Lodge No. 349, Odd Fellows, to which Minor N. Hardman and Charles E. Runyan also belong. The lat-

ter is also a member of the Knights of the Golden Eagle No. 4, at Catawba, and also of the Rebecca organization. The whole family is more or less identified with the leading interests of this com- munity.

HON. FRANCIS M. HAGAN, an emi- nent member of the Springfield Bar, for- merly judge of the Common Pleas Court of this county, was born June 10, 1844, in Mad River Township, Clark County, Ohio. His parents were Hugh and Ann Furay Hagan. The Hagan family has been known in Clark County since the days of Denny Hagan, the grandfather of Judge Hagan, who was of Scotch-Irish blood and came from North Ireland to Amer- ica in 1798, settling first in Pennsylvania, in 1815, and afterwards in Clark County, Ohio, where he resided until his death in 1825. .

Hugh Hagan, father of Judge Hagan, was born June 3, 1803, in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was twelve years of age when he accompanied his par- ents to the great wilderness which oc- cupied almost all of Southern Ohio. He married Ann Furay, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, October 3, 1816, and died September 22, 1892, Hugh Hagan having died November 5, 1879. They were people of sterling character, intelli- gent far beyond their neighbors, and with them it was a duty to give to their children all the educational opportunities the un- settled condition of the country at the time afforded. Through the maternal line Judge Hagan traces his ancestry to both Ireland and France, with a strain of Ger- man blood.

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The early education of Francis M. Ha- gan was the best offered by both public and select schools in his locality, supple- mented by attendance at Antioch College. He was a bright, ambitious student, but ill health interferred with his collegiate career, and he was forced to give up his books before graduation. For a number of years his occupation was teaching in the public and select schools, and he at- tained a high rank as an instructor. Dur- ing this period he prepared himself for the bar, to which he was admitted in 1873. In the spring of 1874 he opened up an office at Springfield, and this city has been his home ever since.

In 1879 he was elected city solicitor of Springfield, and was re-elected to that office in 1883, although the city has always been strongly Republican in state and na- tional elections, his administration of that office proving to be most acceptable to all classes of his fellow-citizens, irrespective of party. In 1890 he became judge of the Common Pleas Court of Clark County, Ohio, succeeding the Hon. Charles R. White, and serving with the greatest efficiency until the election of his successor, the Hon. John C. Miller. Upon his retirement from the bench he resumed his private practice. During a period of some years he was a partner in the practice of law of Hon. A. H. Kunkle, now judge of the Com- mon Pleas Court of this county. Judge Hagan has always been a zealous and in- fluential Democrat. In 1887 he was ap- pointed postmaster at Springfield, Ohio, by President Cleveland, and served in that capacity for several years. He has been called to fill many other offices of trust and responsibility. He has long been a member of the

Clark County Historical Society. From 1885 until 1890 he served as a trustee of the Mitchell-Thomas Hospital of Spring- field, and in the latter year was elected president of the Springfield Board of Trade. From 1892 until 1893 he was president of the Clark County Bar Asso- ciation, and for a number of years was one of the trustees of the Associated Char- ities. In collaboration with Judge A. N. Summers, Judge Hagan prepared the spe- cial civic code under which the City of Springfield was governed for more than a decade, and from 1904 to 1907 was one of the trustees of the sinking fund of said city.

He was chairman of the general com- mittee having in charge the centennial of the City of Springfield in the year 1901. At all times he has been a progressive, public-spirited citizen, ready to lend as- sistance and encouragement to all and every laudable movement for the general welfare.

Mr. Hagan is a man of wide and exten- sive reading and has carefully studied so- cial, economic and political questions. He has made many addresses along these lines and at pioneer meetings. He has been a leading member of the Literary Club of Springfield since its organization, about fifteen years ago, and in that period has prepared and read to the club papers on various subjects, among which were: "Influence of the Dutch on American Civil and Religious Liberty"; "Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson, a study"; "The Single Tax"; "American and European Municipal Government Contrasted"; "Balzac"; "James Madi- son"; "The Striker and the Law."

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Century history of Springfield, and Clark County, Ohio, and representative citizens 20th, Part 58

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co. Number of Pages: 1086

Author: Rockel, William M. (William Mahlon), 1855-1930, ed
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Biographical publishing co.
Number of Pages: 1086