USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 34
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William A. Smith, the eldest son of Ezbon H. Smith, was born March 1, 1872, and in the acquirement of an education attended the common schools and an academy. Subsequently he followed the profession of teaching in Ashland county for a period of seven years, imparting clearly and readily to others the knowledge that he had acquired. He then became identified with the carpen- ter's trade, which he had mastered without any outside assistance and is a successful contractor, builder and architect, now pursuing a course in drafting in the International Correspondence School of Scranton. He is an adept in his line of activity, turning out fine desks and cabinet work and is numbered among the progressive and successful young business men of the community.
On the 9th of June, 1897, William A. Smith was joined in wedlock to Miss Florence Doty, a daughter of James Doty, of Ruggles township. She passed away, however, on the 24th of June, 1902, and Mr. Smith now makes his home with his parents. His political allegiance is given to the democracy and he is now serving as clerk of the village, having held the position for three years. Like his father, he favors all measures instituted to advance the general welfare. His religious faith is indicated by his membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. An enthusiastic automobilist, he finds his chief source of recreation in motoring and is well known and popular in social circles.
HENRY H. KAGEY.
The old brick residence which Henry H. Kagey occupies was built about 1830 and is therefore one of the old landmarks of the county. If it could speak it could tell many an interesting tale concerning the early pioneer times and the changes which have since been wrought, bringing the county from pioneer conditions into a state of advanced civilization and prosperity. The farm which is owned and occupied by Mr. Kagey comprises eighty-eight acres on sec- tion 10, Mifflin township, on the Black Fork. His birth occurred August 4, 1844, near his present home and in the same township. His parents were Martin K. and Nancy (Charles) Kagey. The father was born in Shenandoah county,
%. 9%. Ragey
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Virginia, in 1801, and came to Ohio with his two brothers, Isaac and Samuel, about 1827, at which time he took up his abode on the Black Fork. All three brothers remained residents of this locality throughout their remaining days, Martin Kagey being the last to pass away, his death occurring in 1884. He had nearly three hundred acres of land at one time but later disposed of some of this. He cleared much of the property and put it under a high state of cultivation, being recognized throughout the community' as an enterprising, progressive agriculturist. His wife's birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and in early womanhood she came to this county with her parents, John and Mary Charles. Her death occurred when she was sixty-nine years of age.
In the family of that worthy couple were seven children: Ann L., who made her home with her brother Henry and passed away August 13, 1906, at the age of seventy-seven years; John C., who died in Finley, Ohio; Christian, who died on the old home farm in Mifflin township; Samuel, who spent his last days on his farm in the same township; Daniel, who enlisted in 1864 in the One Hundred and Second Ohio Volunteer Infantry and died of smallpox at Tullahoma, Tennes- see, while serving his country ; Martin V., who was a lumber merchant and died in Ashland; and Henry K., of this review.
The last named was reared on the old home farm, acquired his education in the district schools and worked in the fields when not busy with his text-books. In early life he turned his attention to carpentering, which he followed in young manhood, while subsequently he resumed the occupation of farming, in which he had been reared and to which he has since given his attention. He has eighty- eight acres on section 10, Mifflin township, bordering the Black Fork, and one mile north of the village of Mifflin on the Olivesburg road. His farm is now well improved and returns to him a substantial annual income. The old brick residence which he occupies formerly belonged to the old mill property but Mr. Kagey and his sister purchased it and connected it with the farm. In all of his business affairs he is energetic and is also a man of unfaltering integrity. He holds membership in the Lutheran church of Mifflin and his good qualities are .well known to his fellow citizens.
At one time Mr. Kagey owned eighty-one acres of land in addition to his present farm of eighty-eight acres, but in 1907 he deeded both farms to the Wittenberg College at Springfield, Ohio, which was certainly a generous gift and worthy of commendation. His sister Ann, who lived with him, died August 13, 1906. Their inheritance was never divided and jointly they deeded all landed possessions to Wittenberg College, which is a Lutheran institution.
FRANK N. PATTERSON.
Frank N. Patterson, one of the prominent leaders of the republican party in Ohio, serving for the second term as senator from this district, was born in Hayesville, Ohio, December 28, 1863. He attended the University of Wooster but did not graduate, and taking up the study of law, qualified for the bar and entered upon active practice in 1890. As the years passed he made substantial
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progress in his profession and in 1894 was elected prosecuting attorney of Ashland county. Along with those qualities indispensable to the lawyer-a keen, rapid, logical mind plus the business sense and a ready capacity for hard work-Mr. Patterson brought to the starting point of his legal career certain rare gifts-eloquence of language and a strong personality. An excellent presence, an earnest manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and the ability to correctly apply its principles are factors in his effectiveness as an advocate, and because of his ability he is now accorded a large and distinctively representative clientage.
It is a notable fact that the members of the legal fraternity have been more prominent in public affairs than any other class in the community, and the reason of this is not far to seek. The ability and training which qualify one to practice law also qualify him in many respects for duties which lie outside the direct path of his profession and which touch the general interests of society. Thoroughly conversant with the political problems, issues and situations of the present day, Mr. Patterson has been accorded leadership in republican circles and has twice been called to the office of state senator, being now one of the most active and earnest members of the upper house of the Ohio assembly. His experience and standing as a lawyer make his advice and counsel valuable in the enactment of important legislation.
Mr. Patterson was married in 1892 to Miss Mary Shauwecker and they have one child, Ada. The parents are well known in Ashland and Mr. Patterson also has a wide acquaintance among the prominent statesmen and political leaders of Ohio. As a lawyer and lawmaker his record is indeed commendable.
SAMUEL S. WALKER.
Samuel S. Walker, who devotes his time and energies to the pursuits of farming and stock-raising in Montgomery township, is widely recognized as an authority on high grade stock. He was born near Ashland, Ohio, February 13, 1848, a son of Daniel and Mary (Swiggard) Walker, both of whom were natives of Pennsylvania and were born in 1815 and 1818 respectively. When a lad of twelve years Daniel Walker accompanied his father to Ohio, walking the entire distance from Pittsburg to Ashland. He located in Wayne county, where he remained for a long period and subsequently came to Ashland county, continuing a resident here throughout the remainder of his life. He engaged in farming and stock raising and for forty years was also a local preacher, going from place to place and expounding the Gospel in a manner that could not fail to make a deep and lasting impression on his hearers. Through his well directed energy and capable management he accumulated a fine property and was long numbered among the most substantial, respected and public-spirited citizens of the community, while his labors as a minister of the church of God constituted an important element in the moral advancement of this section of the state. His political allegiance was given to the republican party. Unto him and his wife were born the following children: Mrs. Sarah Jane Wells;
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Mrs. Susan Shroll; Samuel S., of this review; Cyrus, deceased; Daniel; and Elmer E.
In 1883 Samuel S. Walker, whose name initiates this review, removed west- ward and for three years successfully carried on agricultural pursuits and stock-raising in Iowa, where he had purchased a farm. He then sold the property to excellent advantage and, returning to Ohio, remained in this state for a few months, after which he bought a farm near Topeka, Kansas, and was there engaged in business as a stockman for eight years. On the expiration of that period he again sold out with profit and returned to Ashland county, Ohio, where he has since continued to reside. He has a valuable and well improved farm of seventy acres in Montgomery township and in addition to the work of the fields has made a specialty of raising, buying and selling hogs, cattle and horses. He owns a fine pair of horses worth at least eight hundred dollars, also a bull valued at five hundred dollars and has other high grade animals, though at pesent he is not dealing in stock so extensively as formerly. He has no superior as a judge of animals in this locality and has an offer to go to Massachusetts to take charge of a stock farm at a salary of a hundred dollars per month.
As a companion and helpmate on the journey of life Mr. Walker chose Miss Margaret Smith, a daughter of Henry Smith, who was a native of Pennsylvania. By this union there is one son, Samuel S. Walker, Jr., born December 15, 1900, who is being educated in Ashland.
Politically Mr. Walker is a stalwart republican and is a citizen whose time and means can always be counted upon to further any movement or measure instituted to promote the material, intellectual or moral development of his native- county. The spirit of enterprise and steady progress which has ever been manifest in this section of the country finds exemplification in him and in his business life he is watchful of opportunities and through the improvement of the advantages which have come to him he has made a creditable place in business circles.
JUDGE H. L. McCRAY.
Judge H. L. McCray, for thirty-nine years a representative of the Ohio bar and for twenty-two consecutive years a representative of the profession in Ashland has, by his ready capacity for hard work, his keen, rapid, logical mind, his eloquence of language and strong personality, gained a place as one of the able attorneys of this county. A native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, Judge McCray was born March 17, 1846, a son of William and Rebecca (Crow) McCray, natives of Ireland and Washington county, Pennsylvania, respectively. The father, born on the Emerald isle in 1814, came to the United States in his boyhood days with his parents, who located at Fairfax Court House, Virginia, where he was reared. In his young manhood he went to Washington county, Pennsylvania, where he was married and maintained his home until 1847. In that year he came with his family to Ohio, settling in Huron and a short time
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afterward he removed to Ashland county, locating in Ruggles township where he was identified with farming interests up to the time of his death which occurred when he was eighty-one years of age. Both he and his wife were consistent members of the Disciples church and people of the highest respecta- bility, enjoying the warm regard of all who knew them. Mrs. McCray sur- vived her husband only four days.
Spending his youthful days on his father's farm, Judge McCray devoted his time largely to the acquirement of a public school education and to the mastery of a course of study in Savannah Academy. He engaged in teaching for eight years and it was in this way that he met the expenses of his higher legal education. Taking up the study of law he read under the direction of his elder brother, T. Y. McCray, of Wooster, who at that time was prosecuting attorney of Wayne county, Ohio. Judge McCray continued his studies under his brother's direction until his admission to the bar on the 6th of July, 1870, and for two years practiced in partnership with his brother. In 1872 he be- came a member of the Ashland bar and after practicing here for two years removed to Loudonville, where he continued in successful practice for thirteen years. In 1887 he returned to Ashland and in 1888 was elected to the common pleas bench. Some months prior to the time when popular suffrage called him to the judgeship he was appointed to the bench by Governor J. B. Foraker, following the resignation of the former incumbent, but when, a few months later, the regular election was held, he was then chosen to the office. He served for a term of five years and his decisions indicated strong mentality, careful analysis, thorough knowledge of the law and an unbiased judgment. Maintaining his self control even under the most exasperating conditions and . showing that broad-mindedness which comprehends the details of a situation quickly, he possessed, moreover, a comprehensive knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence and thus met success in the discharge of the multitudinous delicate duties which devolved upon him as he occupied the bench. . Since his retirement from office in 1893 he has devoted his attention to active law practice and is an able barrister to whom is accorded an extensive clientage. An excellent presence, an earnest, dignified manner, marked strength of character, a thorough grasp of the law and ability to accurately apply its principles are features in his effectiveness as an advocate.
On the 9th of September, 1870, Mr. McCray was married to Miss Emrietta V. Shaw of Medina county, Ohio, and unto them have been born six children, four of whom are now living: Benjamin W., an attorney in partnership with his father; Harry A., routing agent in the Hess & Clark plant; Charter O., an attorney of Cleveland, Ohio; and Grace E., teaching in the Canal Zone schools in the Isthmus of Panama.
During the period of his residence in Ashland, Judge McCray has at all times been actively and helpfully interested in public affairs and for the past twelve years has served on the school board and is a stalwart champion and promoter of the cause of public education. While residing in Loudonville he served for four years as mayor of that town. He is a member of the Colonial Club, also of the Commercial Club of Ashland, and well known in fraternal circles. For more than twenty years he has been a member of the Masonic
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lodge and belongs to Mansfield Commandery, K. T. For thirty-six years he has been identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and for thirty- two years has been a member of the Knights of Pythias Lodge. He has worn his professional honors with becoming modesty and the consensus of public opinion places him in a foremost position in the ranks of the legal fraternity where success depends upon the rare combination of talent, learning, tact, patience and industry. Possessing these qualities he justly merited the honor which was conferred upon him by his elevation to the bench and the gratifying success which has come to him in his private practice.
VINTON E. RUDY.
Vinton E. Rudy, a successful merchant and prominent citizen of Savannah, was born in Orange township, Ashland county, Ohio, on the 26th of July, 1864, his parents being Isaac L. and Susan (Karth) Rudy. The father, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, took up his abode in Millersburg, Holmes county, Ohio, in 1840, and during his early manhood taught German in the schools of that county. The year 1857, witnessed his arrival in Orange township, Ashland county, while the lady whom he afterward made his wife came to this county with her parents in 1850. Isaac L. Rudy was a shoemaker by trade but subse- quently engaged in agricultural pursuits and was a most prosperous and enter- prising citizen of the community. His demise occurred on the 31st of May, 1885, but his widow still survives.
Vinton E. Rudy assisted in the labors incident to the cultivation of the old homestead farm until eighteen years of age. He supplemented his preliminary education, obtained in the district schools, by a course at Ada Normal College and while a student in that institution he engaged in teaching during the winter terms. After leaving college he taught in the county schools and also at Nankin for a period of four years, while during the succeeding four years he was a teacher in the public schools of Savannah and for two years was at the head of a select class in vocal music at the Academy. While engaged as an instructor he published a work on arithmetic entitled "Mensuration Applied," which had a large sale and is still on the market, being used as a text-book or supplementary work in connection with the text-books. .On severing his connection with educational interests in 1901, Mr. Rudy became identified with merchandising at Savannah in partnership with W. O. Whitmarsh, conducting a general store for two years. Subsequently he was connected with the hard- ware business for one year and was then busily engaged in agricultural pursuits in Clear Creek township for five years. On the expiration of that period he again took up merchandising in Savannah, purchasing the interest of his former partner, Mr. Whitmarsh, and has since been a successful representative of this line of activity, his reasonable prices and honorable business methods in- suring him a growing and profitable patronage. He has also dealt in real estate to some extent improving property, etc., and has likewise traded in horses, meeting with a gratifying measure of prosperity in all of his undertakings.
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On the 18th of June, 1885, Mr. Rudy was united in marriage to Miss Harriet Alberson, a daughter of William C. and Lydia (Bowlby) Alberson. The Bowlbys made their way from Virginia to Ohio at an early day and William C. Alberson, who removed from Harrison county to Ashland county in 1838, was a representative of a prominent and influential family in this section of the state. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Rudy have been born four sons and a daughter, namely: Fred B., Martha Alice, Harry A., James Russell and Howard O.
In his political views Mr. Rudy is a stanch republican and has been an active worker in the local ranks of his party. He has served both as township and town clerk for several years and in 1908 was a candidate for the legislature but could not overcome the strong democratic majority in this county. He has been a delegate to county, district and state conventions and has ever been a stalwart champion of public improvements, doing everything in his power to advance the interests of the community along material, intellectual and moral lines. Both he and his wife are devoted and consistent members of the Presby- terian church and are active Sunday school workers. He is held in high regard and esteem throughout the county in which his entire life has been spent and stands as a typical representative of the business life of the times, alert and enterprising, watchful of opportunities and recognizing and improving ad- vantages as they come.
GUY B. MURRAY.
Among those who figure prominently in the financial circles of Nova, Troy township, this county, is Guy B. Murray, who is now officiating in the respon- sible position of cashier of the Nova Banking Company, which is one of the leading institutions of the kind in the county. Mr. Murray is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred May 1, 1876. His parents were Hugh and Jennie (Shidler) Murray, both natives of Orange township, this county, where his father is a well known agriculturist and stock-raiser.
At the usual age Guy B. Murray was enrolled as a pupil at the common schools of the neighborhood, and having completed his studies there he was matriculated as a student at the Ohio Northern University, from which insti- tution he was graduated, on completing a scientific course, with the class of 1896. After his graduation he returned to his father's farm, where for several years he engaged in agricultural pursuits, but eventually leaving the farm he became a partner of his brother, Harold F. Murray, in the steam-heat- ing business. He took an active part in the affairs of this business, until the organization of the Nova Banking Company in the summer of 1907, when he became identified with the institution and was chosen as its cashier. The bank opened its doors on December 4, 1907, with a thoroughly modern banking equipment, and on that occasion Mr. Murray assumed the duties of his position. An institution of this kind was recognized as a necessity in the commercial life of the community, and from the day of its founding it has transacted a paying
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business, the bank being thoroughly reliable and organized under the banking laws of the state of Ohio, with a capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. While the institution is to some extent liberal in its business methods, yet the directors are opposed to undue and unsafe speculations and the investments which are made are known to be absolutely safe and will insure the safety of the capital of the depositor. Mr. Murray, being a man of conservative business judgment, is well qualified for the position in which he is now acting.
While he is a firm believer in democracy and a supporter of the democratic party, he is not active in public affairs although he takes a keen interest in public issues and makes it a point to keep well informed upon the questions of the day. Although he is not affiliated with any lodges, societies, or churches, he is an upright, moral young man and is always willing to lend his support to every effort having for its object the betterment of the conditions in the community.
GEORGE SMITH.
George Smith, who for many years has been successfully identified with the agricultural interests of Montgomery township, was born in Germany in 1830, a son of John and Mary (Hershler) Smith, who were also natives of the fatherland. The father passed away when his son George was but seven months old and in 1848 the latter crossed the Atlantic to the United States, taking up his abode in Ashland county, Ohio. He was first employed by the month as a farm hand for six years, on the expiration of which period he purchased a tract of eighty acres going in debt for the greater part of it. By careful expenditure and close economy he was in due time enabled to fully discharge the debt and then sold this farm and bought another of one hundred and ninety- four acres. At the end of six years he also sold that place and bought the farm in Montgomery township where he now resides, the property comprising one hundred and thirty-five acres of rich and productive land. All days in his career, however, have not been equally bright and he has met with reverses that would have disheartened many a man of less resolute spirit. The second year after starting out in business life a disastrous fire occasioned the total loss of his property, there being no insurance on the same. With undaunted courage he set to work to retrieve his lost possessions and the years have witnessed his steady progress until he is now numbered among the most substantial, influential and respected citizens of the community.
In 1856 Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Johanna Amoerze, whose birth occurred in Germany in 1835. Unto them were born twelve children, namely : Mary C .; Henry ; C. L .; Mrs. Annie Taugaman; John F., who was edu- cated in Berea and is now superintendent of the high school at Lodi; Mrs. Louisa Young; Mrs. Clara Hershy ; Augusta ; David W., who was educated in Columbus University and is now an engineer on the Hocking Valley Railroad; Edward L., a graduate of a business college at Cleveland, Ohio, who is now chief clerk for the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad at Cleveland; Daniel A .; and Emma.
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All received their preliminary education in the common schools of Ashland, and when they attained maturity Mr. Smith gave each of his children five hundred dollars.
Since age conferred upon him the right of franchise Mr. Smith has given his political allegiance to the democracy and for two terms capably served as infirmary director. In religious faith he is a Lutheran. Although now in his eightieth year, he is still vigorous and active in mind and body and his useful and honorable career stands as a splendid illustration of what may be accom- plished by persistent, untiring and persevering effort. The hope that led him to leave his native land and seek a home in America has been more than realized. He found the opportunities he sought, which, by the way, are always open to the ambitious, energetic man, and making the best of these he has steadily worked his way upward. He has now been a resident of this county for more than three score years and has long been widely recognized as one of its most pro- gressive and public-spirited citizens.
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