USA > Ohio > Wood County > Grand Rapids > Grand Rapids, Ohio : a souvenir of the past and present. July, 1897 > Part 2
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GRAND RAPIDS, O.
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JAMES McDONNALL
Was born in Thompson township, Deleware county, Ohio, Feb. 2nd 1853; son of Henry and Millinee McDon- nall, who were of Scotch-Irish dis- cent and came to the States from Canada in 1852. The subject of this sketch worked on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when the fam- ily removed to Richfield township, Henry county, where he continued farm work for sometime, and later purchased a well-drilling out-fit. In this latter business he was quite suc- cessful, and did work over a large scope of country. On March 31st, 1884, he married Lillie E. Rowland, daughter of Jacob and Mary Rowland. In 1886 he 'removed to the state of Kansas, where for a time he did a very good business with his well bor- ing machinery; but there are good timesand bad times in that delectable country. In the summer of 1895 Jim figured the matter over and finding that there were several bad times to
each good time, he concluded that Ohio was good enough for him. So he came back to the old home in . Richfield. Soon after he disposed of his farm property, taking in part pay- ment three dwelling properties in Grand Rapids. The same fall he re- moved to this village and embarked in the hardware business. About January, 1896, Mr. McDonnall pur- chased the business property on Front street formerly owned by Israel Pow- ell, and which had been the leading hardware stand of the town for many years. The building has been refitted throughout, and well stocked with everything desirable in a first-class hardware store and tinware establish- ment. He is sole agent for one of the leading paint manufacturies of the United States, and has become head- quarters for paints and oils in this part of the country.
It is safe to say that no citizen of Grand Rapids ever made so many friends in so short a space of time as "Jim" McDonnall has. Always the same genial, straightforward, whole- souled man, his customers always come back, and bring their neighbors with them. Known as prompt pay, discounting all bills, manufacturers and jobbers are anxious to sell him, and he thus secures bargains not otherwise to be had. Mr. and Mrs. McDonnall are plain, every day peo- ple, and the best of neighbors. They have a lovely family of three children, Daisy, Scott J. and Clyde.
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CLAUDE INMAN."
The well known transfer man and ice dealer of the Rapids, is a native of Wood county, being born at Tontog- any, January 8, 1870, and is one of four children born to Norman and Delia (Lamb) Inman. The family removed to Toledo shortly after the birth of our subject, and he was educated in the public schools of that city, and resided there until he was twenty-two years of age. He was variously employed while at 'Toledo, and for a time worked in a feed store, but from childhood has been a great lover of horses, and preferred team- ing to any other employment. In 1892 he came to the Rapids and enter- ed into partnership with John Lamb, in a livery and feed stable business, and continued in that business about one year, when he sold his interest and inaugurated the transfer busi- ness; which has been a success
from the beginning, and to-day, with his large, modern drays and heavy draft horses, he is prepared to handle anything in the line of his business. Up to two years ago it had been the custom in the Rapids for every .man to put up his own ice, whether he wanted much or little, and Mr. Inman wisely concluded that people would be glad to buy ice if they could do so at a reasonable rate; and he, there- fore, began putting up ice on a large scale. The result exceeded his ex- pectations, and the present year, in addition to his family trade, he secur- ed contracts with a number of the heaviest trade consumers.
Mr. Inman, while he has been a resident but little over five years, has made himself one of the most popular citizens of the Rapids. Always pleasant and obliging; always taking an active interest in public improve- ments; possessed of good judgment, and executive ability, he commands the respect of the community at large He is a member of the village council, being elected in '96 by a sweeping majority. He is one of the principal promoters of the Grand Rapids Amusement Company, and was elected superintendent of the company's grounds, Elmwood Park, at the last annual election of officers.
August 21st, 1893, Mr, Inman was united in marriage with Miss Laura, daughter of George and Sarah (Forst) Davis. They own a comfortable home on West Front street, and haye two bright little boys, Floyd and Glenn.
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REV BENNARD DUPOY
Was born at Kentville, Ontario, in 1850. Son of Charles and Maria DuPoy. He attended the common schools until about fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to learn the trade of an iron moulder. He worked at this trade for some three years, when becoming dissatisfied he run away and came to the States. His first location was at Mansfield, Ohio, where he stayed about twelve years. His first situation was in a shoe store, where he learned the shoemakers trade, working during the day and studying at night to better his educa- tion, which had been sadiy neglect- ed. Here, also, he hrst began to read law. At 1875 he had made good pro- gress and accumulated some means. At this date he married Mary, daugh- ter of Rev. Charles F. Kunnut.In 1879 he removed to Adarie, in the same county, where he opened a small general store and also engaged in the practice of law. In 1884 he removed
to Greenwich, Huron county, O., and entered the ministry of the Christian Union church. The congregation being weak financially, he largely supported his family by clerking in the general store of Healey & Parker. His next location was at Van Wert, Ohio, where he remained two years and then removed to Shafers Station' Mercer county, O. Here he again opened a general store. Here he had the great misfortune to lose his wife. His next call was to the Bowling Green, Ohio, Circuit, where he re- mained two years, and married Miss Orma Conklin. He next went to Marseilles, Wyandot county, Ohio, where he remained three years. He then removed to a farin which he had purchased in Henry county, Ohio, where he remained two years, still engaged in the work of the ministry. About two years ago Mr. DuPoy came to the Raplds and purchased the furniture and undertaking busi- ness of C. C. Judson. He also enter- ed into partnership with W. K. Evans in the agricultural implement busi- ness. He also helped to organize the DuPoy M'f'g Co., and of which he has been president since its organiza- tion. The company engaged in the manufacture and sale of a combined fanning mill, separator and elevator, which meets with the highest praise wherever introduced. Mr. Du Poy purchased a fine residence on Second street, and also a business property on Main street. He carries a large stock of furniture, draperies, wall papers, carpets, and in short, every- thing to be found in a first class furni- ture and outfitting establishment, save hardware and crockery goods. Meis a graduate of the School of
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Embalmers, and his undertaking establishment is much superior to those usually found outside the large towns. He is assisted in trade by bis son, Will. Mr. DuPoy is a clear and eloquent speaker, an indefatigable worker, and both as man and minis- ter commands the esteem of the entire community .
FEATURE ENGRVIN
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Portraits Upon
Portrait Studio
Finest work
ALLA Edgar WarRer L'and Gallery
Satin
ilk and
Opposite Laskey's store, Front street. Another advance-Photos by the new Electric Flash Light process. Instan- taneous. Photos now day or night.
Portrait Enlarging and Copying in all its phases. Schools, Reunions, etc.,
right in line. Let me know about them,
MRS. RUTH THOMAS.
. A sketch of the business enterprises ot Grand Rapids would be quite in- complete without reference to the millinery and dressmaking establish- ment of Mrs. Thomas. With a ripe experience of all that partains to the toilet of a well dressed lady, whether of make-up or material, Mrs. Thomas is sure of success in pleasing her many patrons of the town and vicin- ity. The fact that she gives the same courteous attention and painstaking to the moderate wants of the poor as to the more renumerative orders of the wealthy and well-to-do classes is known and appreciated.
Unlike the great majority of mil- liners, Mrs. Thomas does not restrict her buying to the four seasons; on the contrary, her purchases are made almost weekly throughout the year. And her jobbers have orders to for- ward at once anything new and de- sirable in the line of millinery goods. She is a regular attendant at all the trade openings, both at Ft. Wayne and Toledo and closely observes the latest and most stylish effects. She carries a full line of the latest in ma- terial, shades and shapes of hats, bon- nets, toques, tams and misses and childrens headwear. An elegant line in all shades and materialof rib- bons, flowers, feathers, metalic and other trimmings, and all else pertain - ing to a high-class up-to-date mil linery establishment,
In addition to millinery, Mrs. Thomas carries a line of Ladies', Miss- es' and Children's Furnishing Goods which must be seen to be appreciated. As a modiste, Mrs. 'Thomas has received high praise as a grace- ful designer and for neat, and durable work. Prices always reasonable.
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JOHN HUFFMAN.
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The above portrait was made some years ago, and is hardly a fair re- presentation of the well known horti- culturist of Grand Rapids township. He was born in York county, Penn- sylvania, January 22, 1849; being the fitth son of John and Nancy ( Wire ) Huffman. The year following the birth of our subjeet the family re- moved to Wood county, Ohio; buy- ing land on the south bank of the Maumee river, in what is now Grand Rapids township. John Huffman, Sr., died in 1864, leaving his wife and a family of twelve children. Nancy Huffman dled August 12, 1880. All but one of the children are living at this date. Our subject attended the common schools and worked on the farm until he was sixteen years of age, when he learned the trade of car- penter and builder. Later, he accepted employment in the flouring mills of Isaac Groff and learned the miller's
trade, still later; he became superin- tendent of the Purdy saw and planing mills. In 1887 he purchased the land and planted his now famous istand nurseries and vineyard, and in 1889 he supplemented these by the pur- chase and improvement of that por- tion of the .Howard estate located upon the river east of the village. Here, in a lovely grove of young hickories, he built his home, and here, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, and enjoying one of the most beautiful prospects on the Maumee, he now resides.
August 17, 1871 he was united in marriage with Miss Emina, daughter of Alfred and Eliza Mains. They have but one child, Floyd D., now a 1 young man of 24, who is the editor and proprietor of the Grand Rapids Triumph, and the publisher of this work.
Referring to Mr. Huffman's fruit business, he has about 6,000 grapes, 2,000 blackberries, 2,000 raspberries, 1,000 currants, an acre of strawberries and about 1,000 peach, pear, plum, apple and quince trees, all carefully selected, choice fruit. He is also a considerable manufacturer of grape wine, his average annual output being about 1,000 gallons. Persons desiring a mature and pure wine for medicinal or family use should consult Mr. Huffman before buying. He is sell- ing a very cholce wine as low as fifty cents per gallon. Merchants and others desiring large or small quantities of choice fruits, in season, should address John Huffman, Grand Rapide, Ohio.
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GRAND RAPIDS, O.
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HARRY A. DAVIS
Was born in July, 1868, at Detroit, son of D. D. and Mary (Austin) Davis. Mr. Davis, Sr., being usually in the employ of large corporations necessitated rather frequent removals from point to point, so that our subject spent his younger days and received his education partly in Detroit and in Omaha and Cedar Rapids, Neb. (At this date Mr. D. D. Davis is the auditor of the "Clover Leaf" R'y.) At an early date Harry became em- ployed in clerical work, and which he continued, mostly in R. R., offices, up to a few years ago when . he ac- cepted the superintendency of the Paddock & Hodge [Clover Leaf] ele- vators at this point, and since which time he has been a citizen of the Rap- ids. On Sept. 11th. 1896, he married Anna,daughter of Jacob and Katarine Heeter, who are among the most highly respected citizens of the com- munity. At this date Mr. Davis is the lessee of the elevators, which have
MRS. ANNA DAVIS.
been fitted with every modern appli- ance, and are first-class in every par- ticular. Three thousand bushels of grain can be handled daily .
This rapid handling of grain over the old way of waiting and hand work will be a great riving of line 10 ' farmers and others, particularly in handling corn; and a saving of time means a saving of money. With these facilities Mr. Davis will be able to compete very closely with Toledo prices.
Mrs. Anna [ Heeter] Davis is well known to the 500 families who re- ceive their mail at Grand Rapids, where she has been post-mistress for the past four years and has conducted the business of the office in so super- ior, pleasant and obliging a manner as to command the admiration of the entire public, irrespective of party affiliation.
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LEWIS BORTLE
Was born in Oct. 1830. in Wayne county, Ohlo, son of Lewis and Sarah Bortle. Lewis Bortle, Sr., came to Wood county with his family in 1832; the family consisting of Allen, John, Levi, Jeremiah, Henry. Sarah and Lewis, the latter, our subject, being at that date less than two years old. Lewis, Sr., had a patent from the U. S. government for the north- west quarter of section 19 of what is now Grand Rapids township, and which included a part of what is now known as the John Katon farmn. Here he built a cabin and proceeded to wrest from the untrodden wilder- ness a living for himself and family. At that date it Is safe to say that there were twenty Indians to every white man In this neighborhood, and the young Lewis could talk Indian about as soon as he could talk his
mother tongue. It is said that before he was old enough to shoot deer and other large game he would occasion- ally trade to the Indians some KOO- KOOSH or PE-NICKS for such delicacies of the wilderness as SIS-SE-PAH. KET. or WASH-CUSH and MUCK. WAH With the exception of one summer in Mich- igan, Lewis Bortle, Jr., has been a resident of this neighborhood for 65 years. In the early day be and his brother Levi were the noted hunters, and made considerable money trap- ping wolves and shooting bear and deer. At the age of twenty.three Lewis learned the trade of chair and Cabinet maker, which at that date was one of the most important In the country, everything in that line being made by hand. Later, in '57, when eastern factory work began to come in, he became a carpenter and joiner . On April 24, 1856 he married Miss Susan Harris.
In 1861 Mr. Bortle began work for Geo. Laskey, but shortly afterwards the Rebellion broke out, and at the first call for volunteers be enlisted in the 21st Ohio After the three months campaign he returned to the employ of Mr. Laskey and re- mained till 1866, when he and B. F. Kerr purchased the Laskey stock. 'This partnership continued until 1875 when Mr. Bortle sold his interest to Mr. Kerr. The next three years Mr. Bortle spent in collecting accounts of the Kerr & Bortle business, and at April 3rd 1878, he opened his present business. It may be said without fear of contradiction that Lewis Bortle is a self-made man. With no advantages of education or commer- clal training until after he was thirty years of age, he has long been recog-
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nized as a sound, practical business man. He has owned his business property from the beginning, and having but little expense and always buying for cash, he has been able to well at a very low margin. He carries a large and first-class stock of every- thing to be found in a general store. He has plenty of capital for the con- duct of his business, thus being able to take advantage of bargains at all times. At this date he has upon his farm, south-west of town, eighty acres of growing grain.
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CHARLES PATTON, Contractor and Builder.
Few men in this vicinity have as many acquaintances as genial Charley Patton, or "The Judge," as he is
called. He was born April 7, 1856, at Colton, Henry county, O., is a son of David and Elizabeth (Gramling) Patton, who were early settlers of that region. Charley worked on the farm in the summer. and attended the district school in the winter, until he was eighteen, when he learned the . carpenter trade, and in which he has been a conspicious figure ever since. On the 24th of November. 1877 he married Jennie Manor, and their union to this date has been blessed with eight children, five of whom are Jiving: Maud M., Nellie, Roy, Ethel and Faith. Mr. Patton, while he makes Grand Rapids his business headquarters, is a resident of Lucas county, where he enjoys the unbound- ed confidence of his neighbors, and is serving them as Justice of the Peace, and general adviser in all im- portant matters. He is an ardent Republican and is serving his second term as Central Committeeman of Providence township. He is a mem- ber of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 289, F. & A. M., of Turkey Foot Lodge No. 529, I. O O. F .. of Rapids En- campment No. 240, I. O. O. F., and of Canton Alpine No. 26. As a con- tractor and builder his reputation for first-class, conscientious work is such that he frequently has gangs of men at work in various parts of the coun- try at the same time.
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GRAND RAPIDS, O.
AZOR THURSTON
Was born on the farm, in Oxford town- ship, Erie county, Ohio, January 6, 1861, son of Asher and Mahala (Mon- tross) Thurston. Shortly after his birth the family removed to Wood county, and soon after purchased land in section 10 of what is now Grand Rapids town- ship. Our subject worked on the farm in summer and attended the district school in winter until he was fourteen, when he came to the "Rapids" and took a 4 years course in the graded schools. In 1879 he entered the Ohio State Univ- ersity. Columbus, and took a course in chemistry. In 1883 he entered the University of Michigan, where he took
the course in pharmacy and continued analytical chemistry.
In 1885 he opened his drug business in the Rapids, and from that day to this has met with the splendid success which he so richly deserves. On Oct. 14, 1886, Mr. Thurston married Lulu A., daughter of Dr. Justin N. and Ann E. (Ashley) Mead.
In 1888 he formulated the now cele- brated Thurston's Pills, his purpose being to produce a mild but efficient substitute for the harsh, drastic, sicken- ing and debilitating mixtures of the official and Standard Formularies. His success is a matter of history, as the Thurston's Pills are today known and
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appreciated over a large section of the United States and the Dominion of Canada. As a tonic, laxative and alter- ative they are unequaled; giving tone and vigor to the alimentary tract and to the entire nervous and muscular system. There's no griping, no sickening or debilitating effect. They clear the com- plexion, brighten the eyes. and impart a general condition of health and vigor.
questionable integrity could only pro- duce an article of the highest merit. A very fair illustration of the character of Mr. Thurston is found in the construc- tion of his new building, completed in August of last year. He first made up his mind as to what he wanted, and then looked for architects of such stand- ing that there would be certainty of having his ideas executed in the best
INTERIOR OF THURSTON'S PHARMACY.
The wonderful success of the Thurs- ton's Pills induced the formulating and manufacture of the other well known Thurston Remedies.
To those intimately acquainted with Mr. Thurston, the splendid success of his remedies is a foregone conclusion. His thorough knowledge of drugs and their compounds, his mastery of chemis- try, organic and inorganic, and his un-
possible manner. Such architects he found in the well known firm of Geo. F. Barber & Co., of Knoxville, Tenn The result is the building of which exterior and interior views are herewith given. This building is 30x75 feet, with two stories, 14 and 12 feet, and basement, 8 feet. The foundation is upon the solid rock 8 to 10 feet below the surface, and contains more than fifty cords of stone.
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The front is of rock-faced, pressed brick of granite shades, from the celebrated Findlay Hydraulic-Press Brick Co. The side walls are of first-class common brick, and 18 inches in thickness. The front win- dows are of French plate; the front of show window being 6x10 feet, with corresponding half circle above, and the sides are 4x6 feet with corresponding squares above. The floors are all double, the sub- floors being tongued and groved the same as the top; the surface floors are of two-inch strip maple, dressed and polished after laying. The vestibules are tiled. The ceil- ing is of stamped steel, decorated in tints. The furniture is all in quartered oak, and in every part made expressly to Mr. Thurston's order. It is the crowning feature, and attracts the close attention of every admirer of fine work who visits the establishment. The fur- niture was manufactured by Mr. James Schlappi, of Delta, Ohio, in competition with the leading concerns of Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit and Toledo, and the designs, execution and finish are a rey- elation to buyers in more pretentious quarters. The lower story contains sales room,laboratory and library. The laboratory is large in size and complete in every detail. It must be seen and examined by the expert chemist to be appreciated. The library contains one of the largest purely private collections of standard medical, scientific and tech- nical works to be found in the country, and is constantly being added to.
All of which, as we have said, is an illustration of Mr. Thurston's character. Solid, sound, safe; no shams, no guess- work; nothing but the best is good
THURSTON'S PHARMACY.
enough Thus, in purchasing any of the Thurston Chemical Company Rem- edies you may be sure of tried and prov- en formularies, pure drugs and expert compounding.
A peculiarity of Mr. Thurston is that every order made by him for drugs bears stamped across its face the warn- ing: "All goods shipped must conform strictly to the Ohio Pure Food Law, or they will be returned at shipper's ex- pense."
We will now mention a few facts which are uncontrovertible evidence of the professional standing of Azor Thurs- ton. The first is that leading physicians in various parts of the country, whose reputations depend upon the unvarying purity and strength of the drugs used, bave their fluid extracts specially
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manufactured by Mr. Thurston. The price is the same, and the name is a guarantee of standard goods, Again, as an analytical chemist, he is consulted upon matters of the greatest import- ance. As an authority, he has been interrogated by the compilers of the latest standard dictionery as to the de- finition ot certain technical terms per- taining to chemistry. As an author, he is a valued contributor to several of the pharmacal and chemical journals, and his tabular chart ef alkaloids and alkaloidal salts, giving physical and chemical properties, physiologic action, doses and antidotes, received the highest ·commendation, and is to-day in use in leading schools of pharmacy.
Mr. Thurston is an active mensber of The American Pharmaceutical Associa- tion The Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association and The American Chemi- cal Society. Here, also, we may men- tion that he is a subscriber to all of the Jeading pharmacal and chemical jour- nals, such as The Parmacentical Era. The Western Druggist, and Merck's Report, of all of which he has complete, bound volumes to date; The American Druggist, The Analyst (London), and The Journal of the American Chemical Society; of which he has a goodly number of complete, bound volumes. He, also, has a complete set, bound, of the Proceedings of the American Phar- maceutical Association. In short, he has in these journals alone, a library of goodly proportions and of inestimable value to his profession .
Socially, and as a citizen, Mr. Thurs- ton is held in the highest estima tion. Le is at this date Master of Grand Rapids Lodge No. 289, F. & A. M., Treasurer of Turkey Foot Lodge No. 529 I. O. O. F .; a member of Rapids
Encampment I. O. O. F. and Ist Lient- enant of Canton Alpine No. 26. Pat- riarchs Militant. He is the village treasurer, and has served as such for many years.
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