History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 74

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

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Woodson Rice came to this county in the year 1858, having in charge a party of slaves that had been set free, his mission having been to secure for these freedmen proper homes in this free state. During his stay here he recognized the superior advantages of this section as a place of residence and upon his return home he pre- vailed upon his younger brother to accompany him back to Madison county to make their permanent homes. Woodson Rice located at first at Upper Glade, and later, on a farm in the Lilly Chapel neighborhood, where he spent the rest of his life, soon becom- ing recognized as one of the most forceful and influential residents of that section of the county. He married Margaret Lewis, daughter of Tillman and Mary Lewis, pioneer residents of that township, and to this union six children were born, all of whom are still living, those besides the subject of this sketch being Mrs. Alice Corder, of Bigplain. this county ; Mrs. T. A. Smith, of Lilly Chapel, this county; Mrs. S. D. Kumler, of London, this county ; Mrs. W. B. Titus, of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Charles T. Rice, of Greencastle, Indiana.

W. H. Rice received his elementary education in the public schools of this county, supplementing the same by a course at Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, this state, from which excellent old institution he was graduated with the class of 1901, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his attendance at the university, Mr. Rice was a prominent member of the Sigma Chi fraternity, in which popular college society he still retains the liveliest interest. In proper attestation of his scholarship, he received the high distinction of election to the honorary fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, and wears the much-coveted key with becoming dignity. Upon receiving his diploma Pro- fessor Rice straightway entered upon his career of teaching, toward which all his studies had been especially directed, his first work in this connection being as principal of the high school at London, the county seat of his home county. He served four years in that capacity and then went to Chillicothe, this state, where for four years he served with equal distinction as principal of the high school in that city. The London school authorities then called him back, elevating him to the responsible position of superintendent of city schools, upon which important service he entered in 1909 and has ever since been thus engaged. It is not too much to say that in the performance of his important duties. Professor Rice ever has acted with an eye single to the better- ment of the schools of the city of London and in this connection he has given to his labors an earnest and unselfish devotion which has caused him to be known as one of the most zealous and efficient educators in this part of the state. He not only possesses the confidence of the school authorities, but the affection of the little army of students under his direction, as well as the unbounded esteem of the entire community.

On August 17, 1904, W. H. Rice was united in marriage to Nelle Stevens, daughter of Mrs. M. M. Stevens, of Delaware, Ohio, a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, class of 1908, and to this union two children have been born, Dorothy N. and Margaret Lucile. Professor and Mrs. Rice are members of the Methodist church and are warmly inter- ested in all the good works of the city. Mrs. Rice's scholastic training has fitted her most admirably for her position as the wife of the superintendent of the city schools,

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and she is a helpmeet, indeed, to her painstaking and conscientious husband, whose efforts on behalf of the youth of London are proving so beneficial.

Professor Rice is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of the county, naturally being very deeply interested in all matters relating to better government. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at London and is president of the London Chautauqua Association. He stands high in educational circles throughout this part of the state and is a prominent member of the Onio State Teachers Association and of the National Education Association. During his service as superintendent of the schools at London he has been largely responsible for the erection of the splendid new high-school building, one of the finest in Ohio, he having had much to do in planning and equipping the same.

WILLIAM F. SMELTZER, M. D.

Madison county is to be congratulated upon the high standard ever maintained by the medical profession in this county. In the city of London and in the several flourishing villages of the county there are earnest and conscientious physicians, prac- titioners of the loftiest ideals and most faithful regard for the exalted traditions of their noble profession. Among these skilled and painstaking practitioners, few have a wider acquaintance throughout the county or enjoy more fully the confidence of the public than Doctor Smeltzer, of London, the county seat, who since his arrival in this county in 1908 has built up a fine practice.

William F. Smeltzer was born on a farm near the town of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, on March 17, 1873, son of William and Susan (Finlay) Smeltzer, both natives of Canada, the former of whom died in 1889 and the latter, still living in the town of Guelph. Finishing his common school education in the high school at Fergus, Ontario, William F. Smeltzer entered Trinity University at Toronto, arts course, which he attended for two years, after which he entered the medical department of the same university. from which he was graduated with honors in 1901. Upon receiving his diploma, Doctor Smeltzer began his professional career at Bergen, New York, where he remained four years, in the meantime doing post-graduate work in New York City. He then moved to Niagara Falls, where he was engaged in practice for one year, at the end of which time he came to this county. locating in the city of London on April 1, 1908, and ever since has been practicing there, with marked success.

On September 14. 1904. Dr. William F. Smeltzer was united in marriage to Christine Duncan. a native of Canada, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Charlotte. who was born on May 18, 1908. Doctor and Mrs. Smeltzer are earnest members of the Presbyterian church at London and are deeply interested in all good works in that town. They take a proper interest in the social activities of the com- munity ; are regarded as among the leaders in the promotion of all measures designed to better conditions hereabout, and are held in the highest esteem by their many friends, who recognize and do honor to their many excellent qualities.

Doctor Smeltzer is a Republican and though an adopted citizen of this country none takes a deeper interest in good government than he. his influence ever being exerted on behalf of pure politics. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity and is very popular among bis lodge associates, his wide culture giving to his services in that ancient order a value which is highly appreciated by his fellow craftsmen .. The doctor is a member of the Madison County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, in all of which societies he takes a warm interest. He keeps fully posted on all the wonderful advancements in medical science and in 1914 spent six months in Europe. taking valuable post-graduate work in the great

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medical schools of Berlin, Vienna and London. Doctor Smeltzer occupies not only a high place in the regard of his professional brethren in Madison county, but in the esteem of the public generally and is very popular with all who know him.

JAMES HAMILTON.

One of the leading citizens of this county, whose life and personality left a deep impression upon those who knew him as well as upon the community in general, was the late James Hamilton. Though a successful business man, Mr. Hamilton did not give all of his time or attention to the building up of his personal financial pros- perity, but had that quality of good citizenship which prompted him to well-defined activities in all movements having to do with the establishment of the material, intel- lectual, religious and social life of the community.

Born in Livingston county, New York, March 30, 1836, James Hamilton was one of seven children of James and Grace (Nairn) Hamilton, natives of Scotland, who came to America in 1832 on their wedding trip. Locating in Livingston county, James Hamilton, the elder, became a very successful farmer, and trained his son, the sub- ject of this sketch, so well in the ways of progressive farming, that the latter received a silver cup in 1857 as a prize from his county fair for progressive farming. ..

James Hamilton, the younger, was educated in the New York state district schools and at Oberlin College, at Oberlin, Ohio. He came West when he was twenty-one- about 1857, and for a time taught school during the winters and worked on farms . during the summers. He later went into the grain business and conducted a general store, first at Selma, Ohio, for two years and then at Plattsburg, Ohio, for nine years, in which pursuit he was very successful. He then engaged in the grain and elevator business at Newark for two years, and in the spring of 1876 moved to London and there erected the first grain elevator in Madison county. From the very start he did a remarkable business, his elevator being the first to dump grain, which required a day and night force. This business broadened until he owned or had an interest .in about twelve elevators throughout central Ohio. He was a man of large executive business ability, owned much farm land and took great pride in bringing his land up to a high state of cultivation.

In many respects James Hamilton was a remarkable man. In him were com- bined qualities which are essential to every truly successful business man's life. It was his constant aim to be a true man among men. He was truly economical, not as the miser, but as the wise man who knows the power of little things. He did much for the grain trade in Madison county and more for the farmers Many were · the instances in which he advanced money on the growing crops to help worthy men. One earnest man said : "I am not speaking disparagingly of others when I say that James Hamilton did more for the farmers of Madison county than any other ten men in it." Mr. Hamilton was a Presbyterian, inheriting the Scots' love for Presbyterianism, his father and his grandfather both having been elders in the church, and he was generous to all worthy causes, especially to the beneficences of the church.

On March 8, 1866, James Hamilton was united in marriage at Plattsburg to Adaline Chamberlain, of Clarke county, Ohio, daughter of Stephen Harriman and Esther (Robb) Chamberlain, of New England ancestry that can be traced back to 1638. To this union four children were born, three of whom are still living, Ralph Chamberlain, Grace Nairn and Mabel Louise. William Lee, a very promising lad, died at the age of sixteen years, in 1891, a junior in the high school.

During the Civil War James Hamilton was a faithful member of the Eighty- sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He died on August 29, 1889, at London, aged fifty-three. He was a model man in his home, being a devoted husband and a

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kind and loving father. His widow, Mrs. Adaline (Chamberlain) Hamilton, was a charming woman, and for years was one of the leaders in the social life of London. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, an organi- zation to which her daughter Grace also belongs, and was actively concerned in the affairs of that patriotic society. Mrs. Hamilton passed away quite suddenly at her home on North Main street and Willis avenue on March 15, 1915. She was born on January 31, 1841, at Lisbon, Clarke county, Ohio, attended the public schools of the county and taught school for ten years previous to her marriage. The domestic life of Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton was one replete with harmony and happiness and their attractive home was a center for much of the social activity of their friends.

In closing this memoir of one of London's most prominent citizens, it is felt that the following lines are not inappropriate:

"Let us weep in our darkness, but weep not for him; Not for him, who, departing, leaves hundreds in tears; Not for him who has died full of honor and years; Not for him who ascended Fame's ladder so high : From the round at the top he has stepped to the sky."

H. P. SPARLING, M. D.

Among the younger professional men of Madison county few are receiving more direct favor at the hands of a discriminating public than Dr. H. P. Sparling, who located at London, the county seat of this county, in 1911. Doctor Sparling is a product of that fine old institution, Starling Medical College, at Columbus, Ohio, and has brought to his practice not only a strict observance of the best and highest traditions of his honorable profession, but the adequate equipment of a thorough acquaintance with the latest discoveries in medical research. and is making a name for himself as a prac- titioner in this county that not only reflects high credit upon his alma mater, but is a most conclusive commentary upon his ability as a physician. During his brief period of residence in this county, Doctor Sparling has made hosts of friends, all of whom hold him in the highest esteem.

H. P. Sparling was born in Washington county, Ohio, on November 23, 1883, son of Dr. F. R. and Carrie C. (Perkins) Sparling, both natives of that county and both of whom are still living, making their home at Marietta, the senior Doctor Sparling now being retired from active practice, after a long and useful career as one of the foremost practitioners of that part of the state. Dr. F. R. Sparling and his wife are the parents of six children, all of whom are living, namely: Frank, of Marietta, Ohlo; Dr. H. P., the immediate subject of this sketch; Wyndham, a medical student at Columbus. Ohio; Florence, who married F. O. Patton. of Marietta; Lulu, who is a teacher in the public schools at Waterford, this state. and Eugene, a student in the high school at Marietta.

Reared in Marietta. H. P. Sparling received his elementary education in the public schools of his home city and after being graduated from the high school entered Marietta College for a supplementary course. upon the completion of which he entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, from which he was graduated in May, 1910. . Upon receiving his degree. Doctor Sparling was honored by being appointed to the position of interne at Mt. Carmel hospital, in which institution he remained for a year. acquiring a variety and character of practical experience in the practice of the healing art which has been a great benefit to him in his personal practice since entering upon the same in 1911, in the city of London, this county.

In 1910, Dr. H. P. Sparling was united in marriage to Stella Murphy, of Columbus,

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Ohio, and to this union three children have been born, Harold Hamilton, William Ridley and Mary Katherine.

Doctor Sparling is a Mason, as well as a member of the Odd Fellows and of the Eagles; also a member of the Madison County Medical Society, the Ohio State Medical Society and the American Medical Association, in the affairs of all of which he is deeply interested. He is an earnest student and his activities in these several medical societies have attracted to him the most favorable notice of his elder confreres. Doctor Sparling is a Republican and gives a good citizen's attention to the political affairs of his home county, being deeply interested in all movements tending to the elevation of the standards of civic administration. He and his wife take a warm interest in the social life of the city of London and are extremely popular in a large circle of friends, all of whom hold them in the highest esteem. The doctor is giving his most devoted service to the practice of his profession and commands the entire confidence of the many families into whose households he enters in the high relation of medical adviser and physician.

HARFORD B. WELSH.

Having attained a high position at the bar of the Madison circuit court, before which he practiced law for some years; being honored by the public in his election to the responsible and important position of prosecuting attorney, which service he rendered so satisfactorily as to gain for him a re-election, Harford B. Welsh is now making an equally gratifying record in the financial life of the community, his present service as cashier of the Peoples Commercial and Savings Bank, of London, this county, and his prominent connection with other banking interests in this state, having demonstrated his fine capacity for business, as well as for the law and the public service.

Harford B. Welsh was born on a farm in Paint Township, this county, on August 12, 1878, son of E. B. and Emma E. (Smith) Welsh, both natives of Muskingum county, this state, and both of whom are still living on the home farm in Paint township, where they are regarded as among the leading citizens of that part of the county. They are the parents of six children, those besides the subject of this sketch being Smith, deceased; John C., of Columbus, Ohio; A. G .. of Deer Creek township, this county ; Joseph E .. a student in the University of Michigan, and Ray, who is at home.

Reared on the farm, Harford B. Welsh received an excellent public school educa- tion, having been graduated from the high school at Washington C. H. in 1896. following which he entered the University of Ohio and was graduated from the law department of that fine old institution in 1899. Soon after receiving his diploma, Mr. Welsh was admitted to the bar of Ohio and entered upon the practice of law in London, the county seat, making distinct progress in the esteem of the people and in the confidence of both the bench and the bar from the very start. In 1906 he was elected prosecuting attorney for Madison county and was re-elected in 1908, serving two consecutive terms, 1907-11. with much satisfaction to the public. Upon retiring from public office he resumed his practice and was thus engaged until January 1, 1915, at which time he became cashier of the Peoples Commercial and Savings Bank of London, in which capacity he is now serving very satisfactorily. not only to the directors of the bank, but to the customers of the same. Mr. Welsh is one of the directors of this bank and also is a director of the Citizens Bank, of Gambier, Ohio.

On June 11, 1908, Harford B. Welsh was united in marriage to Alma Schurr. daughter of John Schurr, of Paint township, this county, and to this union one child has been born, a daughter, Mary Louise. Mr. and Mrs. Welsh are members of the Methodist church and take an earnest interest in all good works. Mr. Welsh is a Republican and is looked upon as one of the leaders of the party in this county. He is

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a Mason and has attained to the commandery in that order; also is a member of the Knights of Pythias and of the Odd Fellows. He is treasurer of the Madison County Humane Society and is much interested in the affairs of that excellent organization. Mr. Welsh is held in high repute generally throughout the county and enjoys the con- fidence of the entire community.

CHARLES A. WILSON.

After twenty-six years of faithful service as a teacher in the public schools of his home county, Charles A. Wilson was called by the people to serve them in another Important capacity. In this latter form of service he performed the duties laid upon him with equally scrupulous regard for his obligation to society and was re-elected to serve a second term. This elective office was that of sheriff of the county of Madison, to the duties of which Sheriff Wilson gave his most diligent and intelligent atten- tion. Upon his retirement from public office he returned to the noble ranks of the county teaching corps, but the people again called him to another form of public service and he performed the duties of this new office, that of county treasurer, with such high regard for the requirements of the important position that he was elected to serve a second term and is now thus engaged, doing well his duty to the public. which has thus repeatedly expressed the high measure of its confidence in his fine ability and absolute trustworthiness.

Charles A. Wilson was born on a farm in Pleasant township, this county, on February 16, 1864, son of Absalom N. and Elizabeth T. (Alkire) Wilson, the former of whom was a native of Virginia and the latter, of this county. Absalom N. Wilson was a son of Robert Wilson. also a native of Virginia, member of an old colonial family, descendant of a Wilson who emigrated from Scotland the seat of the family having been located south of Edinburgh. The Wilson and the Alkire families have been prominent in the affairs of Madison county for three generations, the parents of County Treasurer Wilson having been held in the very highest regard in this whole community, to the better interests of which they so long were so ardently devoted. Absalom N. Wilson was a substantial farmer of Pleasant township, in the affairs of which township he for many years exerted an influence for good which is not forgotten to this day. His sound judgment on matters of local concern gave to his

opinions a weight which his neighbors learned to rely on and he often was called apon to adjust local disputes by arbitration. his decisions in such matters rarely being disputed. He and his wife were the parents of six children, namely: John R., of Mt. Sterling, this county; George W., deceased; Henry C., of Mt. Sterling; Elizabeth, now deceased, who married John F. Robison, of this county ; Hannah J., wife of Wilson Bayler. of Columbus, Ohio, and Charles A., the immediate subject of this sketch. The mother of these children died in June, 1869, and the father, in 1883.

Reared upon the home farm in Pleasant township. Charles A. Wilson received his education in the excellent schools of Mt. Sterling and when seventeen years of age began teaching school, a devoted form of public service which he continued for a period of twenty-six years, teaching both in the schools of this county and in Pickaway county. He also engaged in farming, following this latter vocation in the vacations of his school work, and became known not only as one of the most substantial farmers in his neighborhood. but as one of the most successful teachers in Madison county. Mr. Wilson is a Republican, for years having given his most earnest attention to the political affairs of Madison county, and in 1901 was elected sheriff of the county. He executed the duties of this office so faithfully that he was honored with a re-election in 1903. Upon the completion of this second term, Mr. Wilson returned to teaching and was thus further engaged until the time of his election to the office of county treasurer

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in 1909. In this latter office he acquitted himself with such faithful regard to the public service that he was re- elected in 1911 and is now serving his second term in this important public office.

On September 1, 1886, Charles A. Wilson was united in marriage to Josie Bragg, of Range township, this county, daughter of Theodore Bragg, and to this union nine children have been born, namely : Virgie L., who married James Byers, of Columbus, Ohio, to which union four children have been born, Margaret, Wilson, James and Johanna ; Absalom N., who died at the age of sixteen years; Marcia Love, who mar- ried F. A. Sheets, of London. this county. to which union one child has been born, a daughter. Rachel Ann; Hazel, who married Frank Stone, of London to which union oue child has been born, a daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth; Clark A., who died at the age of one year, and Geneva, Emma Charlotte, Theodore Roosevelt and Elizabeth, who are still at home with their parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are members of the Christian church at Antioch and their children have been reared in that faith. Mr. Wilson is a Mason and also a member of the Knights of Pythias, In the affairs of both of which orders he is much interested. He is widely known as one of the "wheel horses" of the Republican party in Ohio and in 1914 was a candidate before the state primaries for the nomination as candidate for state treasurer on the Republican ticket. He came out such a close second in this interesting contest that his friends are quite certain the future holds in store for him other and higher honors. No man in Madison county is held in higher regard than he and the absolute confidence the public reposes in him has been amply testified by his repeated elections to positions of trust and responsibility in the administration of the civic affairs of the county.

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History of Madison County Ohio: Its People, Industries and Institutions, Part 74

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

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