History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 125

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207

USA > Ohio > Madison County > History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions > Part 125

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With the satisfactory transportation conditions which exist in London, it is likely that at some time some keen manufacturer would have seen the advantages to be had from locating at this point. The fact is that when Mr. Green came here no one locally looked at it in that light.

Mr. Green was the principal in organizing the London Grave Vault Company, was its president for a number of years and still retains the largest interest in that company. Mr. Green's wife before her marriage was Florence Josephine Rose, of Canton, Ohio. Both their parents are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Green had three children, as follow : Walter Cameron, Desmond Emerson and Douglass Rose.

All in all, it must be admitted that Charles C. Green is one of the livest and most useful citizens of London and Madison county. No man has done more than he to stimulate an interest among the people in developing the natural advantages of this county. He is a man who is highly respected not only in Madison county, but through- out the state of Ohio, where he has many friends and is well and favorably known.

FREDERICK W. DORN.

That there are those who appreciate the underlying principles of true happiness has been proven time and again by the records of those whose convictions were in favor of the simple life. A chronicle of the life of Frederick W. Dorn should be preserved as an inspiration for his descendants. Reared on the farm and receiving his education in the district schools of Range township, Madison county, Ohio, he grew thoroughly familiar with the vocation which was to become his life work.

Frederick W. Dorn was born on August 3, 1875, in Pickaway county, Ohio, and is the son of Peter and Katherine (Uhrig) Dorn. Confident that success and happiness were to be gained more quickly along the commercial pathway, he, in connection with his father, entered the grocery business, which he followed for four years. Realizing that competition, while the life of a trade, is very often the death of individuality, as well, he returned to a farm near Sedalia in 1900, content to mold his destiny. where most happiness was to be found.

Constant attention to agricultural interests has been rewarded by an increase in property holdings, and today Frederick W. Dorn is the possessor of two hundred and twenty-six acres of land. well improved by good buildings. proper fencing and ditching. The cattle on this farm are of the Shorthorn variety.

In 1899 Myrta E. Pallin. daughter of Samuel J. and Flora A. (Core) Paulin, and a graduate of the Midway high school. was united in marriage to Frederick W. Dorn.

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and they are the parents of five children, who are all at home, namely: Herman Ken- neth, Leland Paul, Russell Dwight, Hugh Maynard . and Delbert LeRoy.

Frederick W. Dorn is a stockholder in the Farmers Bank of Sedalia, Madison county, Ohio, and a strong Republican. His fraternal relations are in the Free and Accepted . Masons and the Knights of Pythias, which lodges hold him in high esteem. He is identified with the Presbyterian church, taking great interest in its affairs, and the name of Frederick W. Dorn is spoken with respect by all who know him.

FLOYD ALKIRE.

Few citizens are so widely known in Madison county, Ohio, as Floyd Alkire, for in his mercantile associations he commands the respect of . every customer and in his private life he is the soul of honor. The name of Floyd Alkire is closely woven into the hearts of his host of admirers, in that he has that rare gift, a beautiful voice and with that voice he possesses the soul of an artist and the execution of a professional. He has always been most liberal with his talent, singing in church and assisting the home people with their numerous entertainments. Floyd "Alkire was born on May 10, 1888, in Pleasant township, Madison county, Ohio, and is the son of William and Nevada (Beatty) Alkire. Four children comprise this family group: Mrs. Essie Claridge, 'of Nashville, Tennessee; Rife, a farmer in Madison county, Ohio; Floyd, a merchant of Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and Homer, of Mt. Sterling.

William Alkire was born on July 20, 1857, in Mt. Sterling, Ohio, and was a prominent Madison county farmer, since retired, and now living on the old home place. The parents of William Alkire, Abraham and Mary J. (Tanner) Alkire, were both natives of Virginia. Nevada Beatty was born on July 29, 1858, at Washington, Ohio.

Reared on the farm and obtaining the elementary branches of his education from the public schools at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, Floyd Alkire, realizing the value of a broad, comprehensive training, continued his studies in a general course at Defiance, Ohio, and during that period developed a rich baritone voice of wide range, in the school of voice culture. Actuated from principles of the highest moral and intellectual standards, Floyd Alkire, having acquired the most important attributes for permanent success and continued happiness, continued to maintain his high ethical standards and remained on the farm until . 1906. He then entered the Citizens Bank, at Mt. Sterling, Ohio, where he was employed in the capacity of bookkeeper, from which position he resigned in 1907.

Desirous of securing a more extended knowledge of business affairs and gaining a more practical knowledge, from personal observation, for a business location, Floyd Alkire, after his resignation at the bank in 1907, made an extended tour of several of the southern states, including Texas, Tennessee and Arkansas, employing his time in the vocation of bookkeeper at different points, thereby obtaining a more general knowledge of the country and its people, than could have been gleaned from a journey of practically continuous travel.

Convinced that Mt. Sterling, Ohio, offered satisfactory inducements for future developments, Floyd Alkire returned from his travels and in the old familiar town secured employment in the grocery store of G. M. Fisher and served in that capacity until 1911. At that time he decided to enter the commercial field for himself and with his brother, Homer, purchased a hardware store, which carries a large and well-selected stock of hardware merchandise. and through the courtesy and management of these brothers this establishment has attracted a large patronage from the surrounding country.

In 1912 Floyd Alkire was married to Maud Loofbourrow, who was born in 1883.

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in Madison county, Ohio. She is the daughter of Alvin and Mary (Neff) Loofbourrow. To Floyd and Maud (Loofbourrow) Alkire one child has been born, Juanita. Mr. Alkire is a member of the Christian church. He is an independent voter.

Mr. Alkire is affable and popular in all his dealings with the people of this section and willing to lend aid to all deserving enterprises for the best interests of the town and people.

GEORGE M. FISHER.

What can be accomplished with the proper business acumen has been demonstrated by George M. Fisher, of Mt. Sterling, Madison county, Ohio, who, after five years of diligent effort as a clerk in the general merchandise store of Dury & Crabbe, launched his individual business craft and began sailing the commercial seas alone. He was born on September 14, 1861, in Pickaway county, Ohio. Reared on his father's farm, he gained what education was available in the district schools and then became a farm hand for his grandfather, whose land adjoined their own.

Realizing that worthy character is fashioned from the material at hand, George M. Fisher continued as an employee of his grandfather until he reached the age of twenty-five years, he then removed to Mt. Sterling, where he started on his own business career. He is the son of William and Sarah (Mouser) Fisher, to whom eight children were born, five of whom are now living. William Fisher was born on February 29, 1836, and after a long life of diligent effort as a farmer, in Pickaway county, Ohio, he retired from active efforts in the agricultural line in 1911, and died on August 6, 1915. His wife, Sarah, was born on May 25, 1885, in Fayette county, Ohio, and died on February 26, 1886. Both husband and wife were devout in the faith of the Methodist church.

George M. Fisher quickly developed the opportunities afforded him in the capacity of clerk, and at the expiration of five years as an apprentice in the business world, bought a stock of groceries and for fifteen years was a successful merchant, meriting the respect. and esteem of all who knew him. So great a following did he have that others realized the advantage to be gained by such an established trade, and Mr. Fisher sold the business, which had taken him so many years to build, to Fisher Brothers, his cousins.

Thoroughly familiar with the surrounding country where he had spent forty-five years of his life, George M. Fisher decided to broaden his commercial interests in such a way that he might benefit from the large acquaintance he had made, and proved that his judgment was sound by entering the realty business, in which he is still engaged. In connection with his other interests he writes insurance; and that others may profit by what he has gained, during the many years of his earnest endeavor, he has gathered a great deal of data relative to the public library and the Methodist church history of Mt. Sterling, Ohio. He was appointed clerk of the board of public affairs.

In 1892, Katy F. Larey, who was born on November 29, 1864, in Pickaway county, Ohio, became the wife of George M. Fisher. She is the daughter of James and Eliza- beth (Troutman) Larey, both natives of Pickaway county, Ohio. Three weeks after the birth of Katy F. Larey, the mother, Elizabeth Larey, passed away. The father still lives and makes his home with the daughter who was deprived, at so early. an age. of a mother's tender care. No children have come to bless the lives of George M. Fisher and his wife.

Among the many loyal supporters of the Methodist church, the name of George M. Fisher stands as a synonym for esteem and nobility of aim, and in the Knights of Pythias lodge he is recognized as a worthy brother, loyal to the precepts of the order.

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BERTHA COOVER AND ESTA COOVER HARVEY.

By Mary F. Clark.

These two remarkable women, daughters and only children of Allison Jerome and Harriet (Porter) Coover, were born on November 13, 1860, and June 19, 1862, respect- ively, at the Coover homestead, three and one-half miles west of London, on the Spring- field road. Here they lived, enjoying country life, its schools and pastimes, until May. 1876, when the family moved to London into the familiar home on North Main street. They graduated from the London public schools, Adah Bertha in 1878, and Esta Willa in 1880, each with the highest honors of her class. Bertha taught the year following her graduation, in the schools of London, and was preparing for a college course when Mrs. Coover's health, never robust, became seriously impaired. The sisters devoted them- selves to the care of their loved and honored mother until death claimed her, May 17, 1895. The father's health, also, failed during this time and he followed the mother, January 15, 1900.

The family life of this little circle was a most beautiful and happy one. There was much love and great peace in the home and, by precept and example, the girls were trained to be kind in their estimates of others, broad in their judgment, and most friendly in their relations to all of God's creatures. Friendliness seemed to be their predominating characteristic, since there can be no higher proof of friendship than that which implies a willingness to take trouble, to make sacrifices, to be obliging and generous to one's friends. Jeremy Taylor speaks of friendship as "the greatest love and the great usefulness of which brave men and women are capable." St. Basil says: "A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy, reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness, gathers love." These sisters merited and enjoyed the respect, approval and love of the entire community. Respect, because of their sterling qualities; approval of their good deeds; and love, because they were so human, so sympathetic and so cheery. Their coming into an assembly was as the coming of the sunshine.

While they were eminently reformers and worked heartily with and for any more- ment that was for the betterment of mankind and the world, yet their keen interest in humanity was so genuine that they could and did differentiate between the sin and the sinner. The anomaly of their attacking a practice. yet retaining friendly relations with the person, was often a result of this ability.

Since their interests were so democratic, they belonged to many organizations: The Farmers Institute, several social and literary clubs, the Good Templars and, later, the Woman's Christian Temperance Union, the Ohio Society of the Daughters of 1812. the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Farmers Club, the Health and Welfare League, the Daughters of Rebekah and the Woman's Elective Franchise Association. In all these organizations both took prominent parts, serving on committees, as officers and as delegates to state and national bodies.

Neither was a member of any church, but they affiliated most closely with the Universalist, loving. as Bertha expressed it, "its beautiful philosophy and rational teaching."

Both sisters served as members of the London board of education, Bertha from 1895 to 1898, Esta from 1908 to 1911, inclusive. During all the years of their service neither missed a meeting, regular or special, and both were unusually faithful and efficient in the discharge of their duties. Their father, also, had served the community in a like capacity.

The sisters traveled much together, both in this country and in Europe, and, with their wonted comradeship, gave freely and graphically of their experiences and impres- sions to interested friends. Such was their capacity for enjoyment, that their cup of

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ESTA

BERTHA

COOVER SISTERS

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happiness was as filled to the brim with the beauties of a field flower in the pastures of Madison county as by the glories of a sunrise in the Alps.

Bertha was county chairman of the woman's day of Home-Coming Week of Madison county's centennial year, in July, 1911, an honor which she appreciated more than any other ever conferred upon her. The lovely spirit of unity in which the women of Madison county co-operated was a tribute to her tact, her courtesy, and efficient leadership.

The status of woman in the political and econonomic world aroused the deepest interest of these sisters. In her autobiography, Bertha says, "In the belief of equal political rights for men and women in which I was brought up, I found my deepest sympathy. Here, too, I did my best work. In February, 1895, I joined the Woman's Elective Franchise Association, which had just been organized. I served as secretary, president, and treasurer of this body, and often on committees. I was elected to the important office of state corresponding secretary of the Ohio Woman's Suffrage Associa- tion, serving for nine years. I attended all the state conventions during that time and most of the board meetings. I made some reputation as a speaker, being often on for an address at state conventions, speaking for resolutions before political con- ventions and various organizations, and before both branches of the Ohio Legislature at Columbus. It was my privilege to act as state delegate from Ohio to several con- ventions of the National American Woman Suffrage Association. In Chicago, I believe the year 1907, and at Buffalo in 1910, I served on the resolutions committee with Henry B. Blackwell as chairman. The first year after his death, I not only served on the committee, but was chosen its chairman in 1911 at Louisville, Kentucky. In the sum- mer of 1908 I acted as national press chairman of the association for nine weeks, dur- ing the absence in Europe of the regular chairman. I also assisted in editing Progress, the national organ of the suffrage movement at that time." Thus modestly is set forth a work extending over years of close application, of sacrifice of time and strength, and of a very great and exhausting toil, such as comes to her who is driven by her ideals. Bertha's interest and success in this work was Esta's interest and success as well; for in all things the sisters worked together. If one seemed to have stepped to the front to occupy some position of trust and labor. the other, in the background, was loyally upholding the worker's hands, attending to the details, performing the clerical work, and . in every way clearing away the hindrances, that the other might do the more efficient work. This bond of co-operation and singleness of purpose, was mani- fested in the two in a remarkable degree. It had existed from infancy and was broken only by Esta's death, which occurred, after a few hours' illness, on the morning of December 5, 1912. Her husband, Elmer E. Harvey, to whom she was married on Decem- ber 22, 1896, survives her. Bertha's health, always a little precarious, failed under the shock of this great grief and, although she made heroic efforts to regain her interest in her wonted enterprises, life, as she pathetically remarked, "had lost its zest and could not be made to feel worth while any longer." She gradually failed and on February 5, 1915, the portals opened to let this last member of the Coover family rejoin her dear ones. The bodies of the sisters rest in quiet Kirkwood beside their father and mother. Madison county, blessed already by the leavening influence of these beautiful lives, will have reason. as the years go on. to realize more and more how much this whole devoted Coover family loved this community, for, truly, "their works do follow them."

The will by which Bertha Coover left the Coover lands and money to Madison county was an expression of her father and mother and sister's wishes, also. In this, as in every plan and thought throughout their lives, the sisters and parents were as one. They had discussed as a family, while in health, the needs of the community and how those needs could best be met. The Coover residence and its twelve acres of land on North Main street was given to Madison county as a site for a county hospital,

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a sanitarium, an old ladies' home or other similar benevolent institution as the county commissioners may deen best. One hundred and seventy acres of land, including the old home place, was given to be occupied by the county as an experiment farm. Seven thousand dollars were given to the Federation of Women's Clubs of London, to buy, furnish and equip a building for a club house. (This has already been purchased on North Main street.) The organizations to which Bertha and Esta belonged, in which they were interested, or which may be for the general welfare of the community, are to use the club house as a meeting place under proper restrictions. The Ohio State Woman's Suffrage Association received one thousand dollars. The London Woman's Elective Franchise Association ; the London Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolu- tion ; Madisonia Lodge No. 725 of the Daughters of Rebekah; the Universalist church; Trinity Episcopal church; Methodist Episcopal church; First Presbyterian church; and Lutheran church of London were also remembered.

Thus passed from our community these two rare and sweet-souled women. Measured by years their time with us was short, but in the hearts of the people they will live; and the good they have done, by their lives and by their thoughtful and loving bequests, will bring to them that immortality which comes to him who loves and serves his fellow man.

THE COOVER SISTERS AN APPRECIATION. By Sallie Dooris.

From the breezy, wholesome life of a country home, they came with their parents to the village of London in 1876. Two slender slips of girlhood, somewhere in their teens, possibly sixteen and fifteen years of age. Bertha, tall and willowy, a brunette, with wide-open brown eyes. Esta, the younger, flower-faced and slender; with pink coloring, blue eyed, flaxen-haired. Just the two girls, without other sister or brother.

Companions from babyhood, only something like a twelve-month difference in their ages, they ought have been twins. They were twins in sisterly love, in tastes, studies, occupations. It would be hard to say which was the elder. At school, Bertha was just a step or two ahead; but Esta caught up so fast, they kept. well together. Together they read the same books, sang the same sweet melodies; in all things one was the complement of the other.

It is such a little way from girlhood to womanhood, and the time in crossing over so swift, that, ere one knew, the sisters had reached the line where life broadened and the outlook on things became more real, more earnest. The girlish tastes gave way to womanly interests; and the welfare of humanity was one that occupied their thoughts.

As the years passed, marriage sought and found the younger sister; but Bertha's nature seemed so rounded out and perfect, there was neither time or thought for matrimony. There are such women. Had she married and been the mother of chil- dren, she would, as in all other conditions, filled well her sphere of usefulness and motherhood. The Father of all had other uses for her.

Prohibition was a paramount topic in their parents' home. The daughters entered heart and soul into the spirit of the work. So, too, in agricultural affairs. Though they had left the farm, it was crops and herds and soil values that kept the house-fires alight and the two sisters, with keen enthusiasm, were members and workers in farm- er's clubs, reading essays, singing their sweet ballads at harvest festivals, getting signatures for road improvements and in all things co-workers with their parents.

Universalism as a religion appealed to them. In the church at London, they were found Sunday after Sunday in the choir. They visited the sick and aged and com- forted the sorrowful. In the intellectual ventures of the town they had their share and did their part well.

Their parents were tended and cared for by loving watchfulness, and, when laid

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side by side in their last, long sleep, the sisters' lives grew, if anything, a little nearer and dearer and Bertha became a member of her sister's and brother-in-law's home, Feeling handicapped in their multifarious work by the lack of the ballot,. they worked indefatigably for the cause of suffrage for women.

It is hard to write of such women as Bertha Coover and Esta Coover Harvey, So much ought to be said one feels unequal to the obligation of saying all adequately. The sudden passing of Esta, in 1912, was a blow from which Bertha never rallied. Life's cares and interests, hitherto shared with her sweet sister, became a sorrowful burden, too heavy to bear, and two years later, gladly, thankfully, she joined "the choir invisible." She was the last of her line.

Having no needy relatives or immediate descendants, the bulk of the Coover fortune was devised to London and Madison county. What may be called "the joint will" of the sisters was expressed in part, as relating to London and the county, as follow : "In the name of the Benevolent Father of all, I, Adah Bertha Coover, of London, Madison county, Ohio, do hereby make my last will and testament.

"Item 4 .- I give and devise to Madison county, Ohio, for the uses and purposes hereinafter stated, the following described real estate. * * . The same to be man- aged and controlled by the county for the following public uses and purposes; primarily, as a site for a county hospital; but if the commissioners should at any time find and decide that it would be for the best interests and welfare of the county to use a part or all of said premises as a site for an old ladies' home or for a sanitarium or other similar benevolent institution or institutions, then in that event it may be used by the county for any or all of such purposes."

Item 5 provides that certain farm lands are to be used by the commissioners of Madison county for establishing and equipping an experiment farm. * .

. Item 8 .- I give and bequeath the sum of seven thousand dollars to the London Federation of Women's Clubs, of London, Ohio, to be used to purchase, furnish and equip a building for a club house for the said the London Federation of Women's Clubs; provided, that one room in said club house be set apart and used as a relic room, under the supervision of the Daughters of the American Revolution; and provided further, that the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. the Woman's Elective Franchise Associa- tion, the Humane Society and other organiations for the general welfare may also use said club house, as a meeting place, by paying to the said the London Federation of Women's Clubs a reasonable compensation as their respective proportionate shares for the upkeep of said premises."

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 125

Author: Chester E. Bryan Publication date: 1915 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1207

Author: Chester E. Bryan
Publication date: 1915
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1207