USA > Ohio > Ashland County > History of Ashland County, Ohio > Part 39
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THOMAS H. MOORE.
Thomas H. Moore is one of the youngest attorneys of the Ashland bar yet his years do not seem a barrier to his progress and his reputation is such as many an older man might well envy. His industry is so unfaltering and his preparation of cases so thorough that he presents his case in the strong, clear light of reason while his adaptation of the principles of law is accurate and logical. Mr. Moore is well known in Ashland for it is his native city, his birth having here occurred September 29, 1884. He is a son of W. C. and Bessie E. (Morgan) Moore, and spending his boyhood days in his parents' home, his time was largely occupied with the duties of the schoolroom as he acquired his education in the public and high schools of Ashland, being graduated therefrom with the class of 1902. His more specifically literary education was obtained in the Ohio State University at Columbus where he spent four years, and in the Ohio Northern University he completed his law course and after a year's study
won his legal degree. He was graduated from the Ohio State University with the Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906 and received his Bachelor of Law degree in the Ohio Northern University with the class of 1908. He had entered that school in order to coach the foot-ball team and while thus engaged he gave a portion of his time to supplementing his knowledge of the law by further study there. His preliminary law studies were under the preceptorship of C. J. Kenny of Ashland, who directed his reading during the winter of 1906.
Following his admission to the bar on the 21st of June, 1908, Mr. Moore entered into a partnership with Maurice Semple and together they have since practiced under the firm style of Semple & Moore. While the attorneys are young men their ability is pronounced and within a brief period they have
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gained for themselves a creditable position at the Ashland bar and met with gratifying success, while their future looks extremely bright and promising.
Mr. Moore gives his political allegiance to the democracy and is interested in its growth and success but does not seek to figure prominently in any public light save through professional connection where a laudable ambition is prompt- ing him to put forth earnest, zealous and conscientious effort for the attainment of success at the bar. A gentleman of genial manner and unfailing courtesy, he has a host of warm friends in his native city.
JOHN WELCH.
John Welch has a wide reputation as a sheep breeder of Jackson township, and his success has made it possible for him to become interested in many commercial enterprises, thereby becoming one of the most salient factors in the business life of the community. He was born February 7, 1830, in Orange township, within a short distance of the farm on which he now resides, which at that time was part of Richland county. He descends from an early pioneer family of this part of the state, and its early members have been identified with the development of the country since the year 1600. In that year his paternal ancestors came from Ireland, settling in South Carolina but, on account of their opposition to the system of human slavery, they soon left that state and took up their abode in Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. Ephraim Welch, the father of the subject of this record, married Jane McAdoo and they came to Orange township from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1828. The year previous Mr. Welch visited this township alone and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land, which was then thickly covered with forests. After clearing off part of the land in readiness for cultivation and erecting a log cabin he returned for his family and in the spring of 1828 they made the journey to their new nome, traveling most of the way on foot. He was a man of great courage, having both a stalwart constitution and at the same time strong determination. Upon settling on his undeveloped land, he resolved to succeed and that his energies' were attended by success is apparent from the fact that at his death, which occurred April 1, 1873, he owned eight hundred acres of excellent land, all of which was well stocked and highly improved. Mr. Welch, who was born in October, 1800, after a long and prosperous career, passed away full of years, while his wife, whose birth occurred in 1808, entered into rest in June, 1888. Mr. Welch was widely known throughout the state as a breeder of sheep, being the first to introduce the Spanish Delaine variety into this section of the country. His importation he secured from the first flocks brought to this country and he soon became an adept in breeding the animal and was one of the most successful sheep owners in this part of the country. To him and his wife were born six children, three of whom survive, namely: John, Rankin F. and Catherine, widow of Daniel V. Bailey, who now resides in Troy township.
From the time he was old enough to work John Welch was busy upon his father's farm, engaging in various agricultural duties, the summer season finding
MR. AND MRS. JOHN WELCH
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him in the fields while during the winter months he acquired his education in the log schoolhouse of the neighborhood. This institution was of the most primitive kind and Mr. Welch will not soon forget its appearance and the experiences which he enjoyed within its walls while he sat upon its split log seats. The schoolroom was twenty-four feet square and on many occasions was compelled to accommodate above one hundred pupils while there was but one teacher to give instruction in the various branches then taught. Having acquired the limited training of this institution, he settled down in earnest, engaging in the field cultivation and stock raising interests of his father's farm, upon which he re- mained until he was twenty-four years of age. At that period of his life he was united in marriage and began his domestic career upon one hundred acres of land owned by his father and which was to be deeded to him at the expiration of five years, providing he proved himself capable of taking care of it. Anxious to secure the property he applied himself industriously to its cultivation and at the expiration of the allotted period, the land was his. The industry and enterprise, however, which he has thus far manifested, is strongly in evidence of the fact that at any rate he would have had valuable land of his own, inas- much as, since he began farming on his own account, he has accumulated seven hundred and forty acres of well improved land, which constitutes one of the finest farms in this part of the country. At the same time his pecuniary interests have been widened into other fields and he is concerned in coal lands in southeastern Ohio, is a stockholder in the Cleveland Southwestern & Columbus Railway Company and in addition is influentially interested in the control of a number of other enterprises. He has been an intensely active man throughout his entire career and even now, in his eightieth year, he has the keen judgment of youth, together with the alertness and vigor of one many years his junior and daily busies himself in the management of his extensive interests. During his long season of active life, among other things, which have commanded his particular attention, is sheep raising and he always kept on hand flocks of the Delaine variety, numbering six or seven hundred head. Grain has also engaged his attention and he has raised some of the largest crops of the finest wheat ever produced in this part of the country and on a number of occasions harvested such a yield per acre of that cereal as enabled him to hold the banner for productiveness. Throughout his life in all of the enterprises with which he has been connected he has pursued his way on the principle that whatever is worth doing is worth doing well and to this attitude he largely attributes the success of all his undertakings.
On December 6, 1853, Mr. Welch wedded Miss Rebecca Robertson, daughter of Samuel and Alice (Elliott) Robertson, residents of Sullivan township, her father, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and her mother of Jefferson county, Ohio. Both the Robertson and Elliott families were of Scotch descent and very prominent in affairs of their respective localities. To Mr. and Mrs. Welch have been born four children, two of whom survive, namely : Vernon H., who resides on a farm adjoining that of his father; and Alice B., now the wife of Dr. W. H. Reinhart. The other two children who reached maturity were Bernin E. and LeClare S.
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Politically Mr. Welch is a republican, always strong in the advocacy of the principles of his party and loyal to its candidates. He cast his first vote for John C. Fremont, candidate for the presidency in 1856, and has ever since cast his ballot for republican candidates. He has had a wide circle of illustrious friends, among whom were James A. Garfield and William McKinley, with whom he stood firm and afforded them much assistance during their political contentions. On many occasions he has been invited to become a candidate for office, particularly for county commissioner but has repeatedly declined, al- though in regard to local elections he has always taken a deep interest and for several terms served as a member of the board of education. On December 6, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Welch celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of their marriage. Few families have wielded a greater influence throughout the community than that of Mr. Welch and he is highly respected and esteemed for the moral, social, educational and financial benefit he has been and still is to the community.
B. J. URBAN.
B. J. Urban, engaged in general farming and stock raising in Milton town- ship, Ashland county, is a self-made man, his success coming to him as the direct result of indefatigable energy and untiring perseverance. He is, moreover, a prominent figure in public affairs and stands for all that is progressive in the political, educational and moral life of the community. His birth occurred in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, June 26, 1836, his parents being Jonas and Margaret (Johnson) Urban, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where the former was born December 26, 1814, and the latter April 26, 1813. Jonas Urban came to Ohio April 5, 1854, and settled at Massillon, Ohio, where he obtained employment as a day laborer. He was thus engaged until the Civil war broke out, at which time he enlisted as a member of the One Hundred and Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. With this regiment he saw much active service and was in many hotly contested engagements, the most severe being that of Franklin, Tennessee, at the time of General Hood's defeat. His two sons, Jacob and Joseph, served with their father in the same regiment and all were honorably discharged and returned home after a term covering three years. After the close of hostilities Jonas Urban did not again resume his agricultural pursuits, but continued to live a quiet and retired life until his death, which occurred February 7, 1899. In 1834 he had married Miss Margaret Johnson, and unto them were born seven children, of which our subject is the eldest. The others are: Jacob M., born October 11, 1838; Joseph, born in 1841 and died in 1884; Mary Ann, born in 1843 and died in 1907; Amos, born in 1846; Susan, born in 1847; and Margaret, born in 1849.
B. J. Urban received his early education in Pennsylvania and completed his studies at Greenburg, Ohio. After two years spent in the latter place and before he had reached the age of twenty-one years, he took the initial step in his independent business career as a school teacher. He continued in this pro- fession until his marriage in 1866, when he purchased the old homestead farm
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of Mr. Charles, his father-in-law, where he has since resided. Here he conducts general agricultural pursuits and in addition devotes some time to stock raising. His farm consists of one hundred and sixty acres which are under a fine state of cultivation, and in return for the time and attention expended upon them they yield rich harvests that bring to their owner a gratifying income.
The year 1866 witnessed the marriage of Mr. Urban and Miss Elizabeth M. Charles, whose father, Joseph Charles, was one of the pioneer settlers of Ashland county. Their family consists of two sons and two daughters, namely : Florence Emily, Jennie E., J. Charles and H. Marshall. All attended the district school, while the latter, H. Marshall, attended school at Columbus, Ohio. After graduating he was connected for four years with the Pennsylvania Central Railroad Company at Pittsburg as civil engineer, and at the expiration of that time became connected with the National Tube Company of West Virginia, with which he continued for two years. He then accepted a position with the Tennessee Coal & Iron Company at Birmingham, Alabama, the connection contin- uing to the present time. The wife and mother passed away in 1906, and in 1908 Mr. Urban was again married, his second union being with Margaret Kurtz. His church relations are those of the United Brethren church, of which he has served as a trustee for thirty-two years. A stanch democat, he was elected on that party ticket for township trustee, which office he occupied for some time, and was also a school director, the cause of education finding in him a stalwart champion. He is well known throughout this section of the county as a man of sterling character and worth, having the confidence of the entire community, for in public office he has always been true to the trust reposed in him; in business he has made an unassailable reputation and in private life has gained the warm personal regard of a host of friends.
JACOB FULMER.
Jacob Fulmer, a pioneer of the county, now in his ninety-fifth year, and one of the best known men in Nova and Troy township, where for over three-quarters of a century he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising, is a native of Columbia county, Pennsylvania. He was born August 4, 1815, a son of John and Hannah Fulmer, who came by wagon to what is now known as Ashland county in 1832. The town of Ashland was at that time but a small village and when they arrived here they stopped over night and in the morning pursued their way to Orange township and settled in what then was a woodland district with a small log cabin for a dwelling. There they decided to remain and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land. Upon gaining possession of the tract Mr. Fulmer at once set to work to clear off the property. At that time they had few neighbors, and they were so widely separated and ·were so busily engaged in clearing off their own lands that the one could not depend upon the other for much assistance, and consequently each one had to apply himself to his own task and make his way the best he could. Owing to their industry and frugality they soon were in comfortable circumstances,
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and upon the farm spent their entire lives. In their family were five sons and three daughters, the surviving ones being Daniel, who resides in Nova; William, who lives in Hillsdale, Michigan ; and Jacob.
Jacob Fulmer was but seventeen years of age when the family came to Ohio. It was in the district schools of his native county that he acquired his education and upon arriving in this county he at once went to work with his father in clearing the land. He remained on the home place until he was mar- ried, when he settled on a farm in the northeastern part of the township on the . old county line, remaining there until about 1869, then removing to Nova, where he has resided to the present time. He was always progressive and enterpris-
ing and ever ready to inculcate new ideas into his work. He has the distinction of having bought the first mowing machine in Orange township. At one time he paid considerable attention to sheep-breeding and for many years was well known throughout the state as a wool grower, but later he withdrew his atten- tion from this enterprise and devoted his time to general farming. The first dwelling constructed upon his farm was built in 1844 out of black walnut, and the structure is still standing and is well preserved. In those days there was much of that kind of timber on the premises which he was obliged to cut down and burn in order to make room for his fields, and consequently vast quantities of lumber which would have been worth thousands of dollars today were de- stroyed. There were no railroads in that part of the country during the greater part of Mr. Fulmer's career and he, with other farmers, was obliged to haul his grain to the markets of Elyria and Milan, the journey there and back often consuming. more than three days.
On the 24th of January, 1839, Mr. Fulmer was united in marriage to Miss Catherine Fast, a daughter of George Fast, of Orange township, who was a native of Pennsylvania and one of the early settlers of this county. To this union were born five children, namely: Susannah, Sarah, Lucinda, George and Enos, all of whom are deceased. Their mother departed this life May 7, 1854. On August 3, of the same year, Mr. Fulmer wedded Miss Elizabeth Champeney, of Bennington, Vermont, who at the time of her marriage was living in New York state. She passed away September 24, 1908, leaving her husband and two children, namely : Augusta Elizabeth Black, and Jacob N. who is in business in Nova, while his sister resides at home with her father.
Mr. Fulmer cast his first vote in 1836, for Martin Van Buren, and has never missed voting during presidential elections since. After the organization of the republican party, however, he voted that ticket and was loyal to its princi- ples until 1896, when he cast his vote for William J. Bryan and a second time for the same candidate in the year 1900, again changing his politics in 1904, when he cast his vote for Theodore Roosevelt,: In 1908 he again favored the democratic party and again voted for William J. Bryan, of whom he is a great admirer. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged and of which he is a liberal supporter. Although Mr. Fulmer is in his ninety-fifth year he is still active, being able to do outdoor work and, his memory being clear, he is able to recall with great vividness the events of the past and can recount the happenings of seventy-five years ago with as great accuracy as though they had happened but yesterday. He is genial and
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companionable, always glad to see his friends and entertain them in his home, and perhaps no man is better known throughout the county than he, and his cordial greeting makes him a friend with all with whom he comes in contact. He has lived a busy as well as an upright life and is now honored, respected and venerated by all who know him.
ELMER J. WORST.
Elmer J. Worst, a manufacturer of medical specialties, who is also promi- nent in educational work, is a native of Troy township, this county. He was born December 22, 1848, a son of George and Margaret (Martin) Worst, both natives of Wayne county, Ohio, where they were reared and united in marriage, their arrival in this state having occurred in 1848. At that time the region now comprising Troy township, in which they located, was in primitive condi- tion, overgrown with forests and containing but here and there small patches of developed land and their first work, upon settling, was to construct a dwelling house of logs which, needless to say, had but little furnishment, not even being supplied with a cooking stove and Mrs. Worst was compelled to practice the culinary art outside of the cabin, using a white oak stump as a stove, upon which to prepare her food. The land, little by little, was cleared off and placed under cultivation and upon this farm they resided for six years, when they sold the property and purchased another tract of land located about a mile and a half north of the first farm and this tract, although it was not thickly overgrown with trees, had a great deal of undergrowth and was overstrewn with fallen logs, but through his energy and industry Mr. Worst soon put the land into tillable shape and remained upon it for four years. At the termination of that time he sold the farm and returned to Wayne county, where he remained for fifteen years and, again returning to this county, located on a farm six miles north of Ashland in Orange township, where he resided until death terminated his activities in 1897. In addition to engaging in farming pursuits he was also a clergyman of the German Baptist church and for a period of forty years conducted a useful ministry throughout the neighboring region.
Elmer J. Worst was reared on his father's farm and acquired his educa- tion in the public schools and in the Smithville high school and, upon completing his studies, engaged in teaching for a living, which vocation he followed for three years, in the meantime taking an interest in the work of the home farm, upon which he engaged in the bee and chicken industry. In 1877 he came to this city and established himself in the grocery business with which he was identified for five years. At the termination of this period he disposed of lis interests and spent five years traveling throughout the west and south, finally returning to this place and engaging in the proprietary medicine business, in which he has met with splendid success, holding a number of patents among which is an improved vaporizer, the sale of which has added much to his finan- cial worth. He organized the E. J. Worst Manufacturing Company, and under three separate organizations is manufacturing the vaporizers, wool fat prepara-
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tions and pure herb tablets. He is a man of excellent business judgment and during the years he has been engaged in this line of work he has made rapid strides and his growing popularity promises a great future for his business. His financial relations have been so favorable as to enable him to become con- cerned in a number of other enterprises, among which is the Ashland Savings Bank, of which he is a stockholder.
Mr. Worst is a republican politically, being well versed in the principles of his party, and, always anxious to see it attain success, he is enthusiastic dur- ing campaigns in behalf of its candidates. He takes a profound interest in educational matters and is treasurer of the Ashland University, being a member of the prudential committee of the college and also of the board of trustees, and his influence in educational circles is widely felt throughout the district. He belongs to the Progressive Brethren church and being a man whose character is molded by the high ideals of his faith he commands the respect of the entire community and justly deserves mention as one of Ashland's honored citizens and representative business men.
JOHN EDWARD KAUFFMAN.
John Edward Kauffman, the vice president and superintendent of the plant of the Kauffman Manufacturing Company, in which connection he holds important relations with the business development and growth of Ashland, his native city, was born December 14, 1871, of the marriage of Jacob J. and Anna Eliza (Willis) Kauffman. The father was born in Stark county, Ohio, June 21, 1829, and was a son of Solomon Kauffman, a native of Pennsylvania, who, at an early date, removed from that state to Stark county, Ohio, establishing his home there on a farm. After devoting some years to general agricultural pur- suits he turned his attention to the grain business in Canton, Ohio, and was iden- tified therewith in his later years, being accounted one of the representative residents of that locality.
Reared under the parental roof, Jacob J. Kauffman at the age of twenty- one years went to Hancock county, Ohio, and obtained employment in a general store in the town of Newstark. That he proved capable and worthy is indicated by the fact that in 1860, he was admitted to a partnership in the business which was then conducted under the firm name of Ream & Kauffman. Constrained by the spirit of patriotism at the time of the outbreak of the Civil war, Mr. Kauffman responded to the country's call for aid, enlisting in the Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, with which he served until the close of hostilities. When the war was over he returned to Ashland and was married. He then formed a partner- ship with his father-in-law, J. D. Willis, and engaged in the stove and tinning business under the firm style of Kauffman & Willis, this relation being main- tained until 1875, when Mr. Kauffman founded the present extensive manufac- turing business, still conducted under the Kauffman name. The beginning, however, was very small and was then confined to the manufacturing of bed springs. A year later S. W. Beer was admitted to the partnership under the
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