History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 146

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 146

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of the Fourth Circuit of Ohio, and began his duties as such in February, 1897. To accept this office, he was obliged to resign as judge of the Court of Common Pleas, after a term of 'service longer than that of any other judge in that district. He has since ably served as Cir- cuit judge.

Judge Sibley has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 1856, and has always taken a prominent part in church work. In 1884 he was a lay delegate to the General Conference. That body, in 1888, provided for the appointment of a constitution- al commission to consist of three bishops, sev- en ministers and seven laymen, and Mr. Sib- ley was one of those appointed. He was on a like commission selected in 1896. He was a delegate to the Second Ecumenical Method- ist Conference held at Washington, D. C., in October, 1891, before which gathering he delivered an address upon the subject of "Mar- riage and Divorce Laws." The speech was published in full in the report of the proceed- ings of the conference. By request of the ed- itor, he afterward wrote an article on "The Grounds for Divorce" for the Methodist Re- view, discussing the subject in some wholly new lights. He has been writing upon ques- tions of church laws for many years, and in 1894, published a small volume on "The Or- ganic Law of the Methodist Episcopal Church," which has been highly commended in critical notices. In the Methodist Review for July, 1895. the judge published an article. entitled "A Doctrine of Civil Liberty." He has also published a book on "The Right to, and Cause for, Action,"-a strictly profession- al work. His versatility is evidenced by his lecture on the violin, which has been delivered at Mountain Lake Park, Maryland, De Funiak Spring, Florida, Chautauqua, New York, and other places. He has lectured on the sub- ject .- "How Civil Law Came to Be." and is often called upon for speeches and addresses. He has given time to the study of theology, history, philosophy, sociology, and economic problems, and takes a deep interest in all that pertains to the laboring classes, and the im-

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provement of their condition. His opinions coincide with those of Professor Ely and other political economists of the new school, who advocate putting under government owner- ship "natural monopolies." His private and professional library is one of the best in the city.

Judge Sibley was united in marriage, April 22, 1858, with Esther A. Ellis, of Ra- cine, Ohio, by whom he has three children. At its commencement in 1878, Marietta Col- lege conferred upon him the degree of M. A., and in 1895. Claflin University of Orangeburg, South Carolina, conferred upon him the hon- orary degree of LL. D. Both of these hon- ors came without solicitation on his part, and were unexpected tributes to his qualities as a man and abilities as a lawyer. He is a Knight Templar, and belongs to the G. A. R. and Loyal Legion. Although an unswerving Republican, in politics, many Democrats have been among his warmest supporters in his ju- dicial campaigns.

HARLES H. TURNER is a member of the largest dry-goods firm of Ma- rietta,-Turner. Ebinger & Co., wholesale and retail dealers, their es- tablishment being located at No. 165 Front street. This business was established by S. R. Turner, father of the subject of this sketch.

S. R. Turner moved from Connecticut to Marietta. Washington County, Ohio, in 1848. and purchased the store of Captain Wells, on the site now occupied by .A. L. Richard's drug store. He operated a general store there under the name of S. R. Turner. Later, he moved to the corner of Front and Ohio streets. now occu- pied by the First National Bank Building, where he conducted his business until 1862, in which year the bank bought the property. The store was then moved to a building on the site of the one now occupied by the Zeitung news- paper office. In 1865. F. S. Turner, son of S. R. Turner, took an interest in the business, the

firm name becoming S. R. Turner & Son. In 1871, the father purchased the building at No. 165 Front street, which now forms a part of the present large store. Charles H. Turner was taken into the partnership at that time, the firm name being changed to S. R. Turner & Sons. The building was then go feet deep and three stories in height; at the present time it is 150 feet deep, the front part of the building only, being three stories. In 1881, H. J. Ebin- ger took a partnership interest, and the firm name became S. R. Turner & Co. In 1893. W. Il. Ebinger became a partner, and in 1901. J. F. McGee took an interest in the company. The firm name continued unchanged until the death of S. R. Turner, whose estate retained an interest. He died in 1897,,at the age of 83 years. The present firm name of Turner, Ebin- ger & Company was then adopted and has since continued. Owing to the successful methods employed, and fair dealing, the business has gradually increased until now it is fully double that of any other store of its kind in the city. The store is excellently arranged and equipped, and is a model of completeness, with every facility for expeditiously caring for the exten- sive patronage. The office is located on one side and back about 100 feet from the front en- trance, and in the rear of it is a stock room. 70 feet deep. Arc, incandescent and gas lights are all used in the store. The first floor is fully stocked with a strictly up-to-date line of general dry goods, the second floor is devoted to ladies' waists, wrappers, muslin, underwear. etc., and on the third floor is the cloak and ready-made- suit department, and also the duplicate stock and drapery department. There are 22 sales- men, including the members of the firm, two office girls, and two boys, as parcel carriers, delivering by bicycle.

Mrs. S. R. Turner, mother of Charles II .. died a few months prior to the death of her husband in 1897. They were parents of the following children: F. S .: Edward .A., of Chicago, president of the Link Belt Machinery Company : Charles 11. : and Kate, of Marietta. Charles 11. Turner married Miss Ramsey and has two daughters: Hope, and Mary, who is

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attending Smith College. Religiously, the sub- ject of this sketch is a member of the Baptist Church, of which his father was a member for many years. For ten years Mr. Turner has been secretary of the Marietta Reading Club, and has been president of the Merchants' Asso- ciation since its organization.

h ON. WILLIAM H. LEEPER is a na- tive of Amesville township, Athens County, Ohio, and was born March 9, 1850. His parents, Ilezekiah and Catherine ( Mowrey ) Leeper, are now deceased.

Hezekiah Leeper was born May 22, 1824, in Guernsey County, Ohio, near Cambridge, and when he was a child his parents removed to Hocking County, where he was reared, and grew to manhood. He was a business man and farmer. After his marriage, he moved to Mis- souri, and from 1846 to 1850, conducted a saw and grist mill at Chillicothe, Missouri. In 1852, he removed to Morgan County, Ohio. where he carried on farming for two years, and then embarked in the mercantile pursuits. He sold his store, and was engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1888. at the age of 64 years. He married Catherine Mow- rey, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, and their union resulted in the following off- spring : James F., a physician of McConnels- ville, Ohio: Caroline, the wife of John Gi. Car- ter, a farmer of Morgan County, Ohio: Jane, the wife of Neil MeClenahan, of Albany, Ath- ens County, Ohio : Ellen, wife of Harmon Dew. of Athens County, Ohio; and William H. Hezekiah Leeper was an active worker in the Republican party, and held various offices.

elected clerk of the courts of Morgan County on the Republican ticket. This office he filled with acceptability for two terms, during which. time he read law under William B. Crew, of McConnelsville, Ohio, now on the Supreme. bench of Ohio. April 3. 1881. he was admitted to the bar, by the Supreme Court of Ohio, and in September of that year, he purchased an in- terest in a large mercantile concern at Water- ford, Washington County, and moving to that place, where he took an active part in politics. In 1887 he was elected Probate Judge of Washington County, which office he filled very acceptably for two terms. At the expiration of this period, Judge Leeper entered into a law partnership with Ellenwood & Smith, one of the leading law firms of Marietta, and the busi- ness was then conducted under the firm name of Ellenwood, Smith & Leeper. At the No- vember election in 1897, he was elected Rep- resentative to the ;3rd General Assembly of Ohio.

While Judge Leeper's time, of late years, has been devoted to official and professional duties, he has given some attention to other matters. He assisted in the organization of the Citizens' National Bank. of Marietta, and was elected a member of its first Board of Directors. He has also been, for several years, a director of the Dime Savings Society of Marietta, and was a member of the Board of Education, and its president for a number of years. For sev- eral years, Judge Leeper has been a member of the City Board of School Examiners, and of the Board of Trade. In addition to this, he has always been extensively interested in farm- ing, and is well informed on agricultural mat- ters.

On December 26. 1872. Judge Leeper was united1 in marriage with Sarah Jane Carpenter, of Athens County, a daughter of Squire Car- penter, who was a member of the 62nd Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and was killed in the battle of Fort Wagner. Their children are as follows : Minnie (., the wife of George S. Alexander, who resides in Spencer, West Virginia, where Mr. Alexander is superintendent of the Carter

William H. Leeper was but two years old when his parents moved to Morgan County. Ohio, where they settled on a farm in Homer township. He received his education in the common and academic schools, and took a course in the business college at Zanesville, Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1800. He taught school three years, and in 1873. was . Oil Company : Charles F., who is now taking

W. G. WAY.

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a law course at the Ohio State University; Marie Blanche, who is studying art and litera- ture at home under a private teacher; and William F., who attends the Marietta High School.

Judge Leeper has always been an active working Republican since he became a voter, and has shown his loyalty to that party by financial contributions, and as a campaign speaker. Ile is a thirty-second degree Mason, a member of Alladin Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Columbus, Ohio; and also a member of the K. of P. and I. O. O. F. Religiously, he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

Probably no man is better known in Wash- ington County than Judge Leeper, and his rep- utation as a lawyer is by no means confined to this county. He is an earnest speaker, is pos- sessed of sound judgment and keen perception, and is ranked among the foremost citizens of Marietta.

G. WAY, one of the oldest and most prominent attorneys-at-law of Marietta, Ohio, is the senior member of the law firm of Way & Hancock, with office in the St. Clair Building, Winfield Scott Hancock being the junior partner. Mr. Way was born at Marietta. July 22, 1842, and is a son of Joshua Way.

Joshua Way was born in Maryland in 1809, and was a boy when he removed with his parents to Belmont County, Ohio. He came to Marietta in 1828 or 1829, and was engaged in carriage manufacturing until 1852, when he removed to Monroe County, where he followed farming until his death, January 28, 1897. He married Lucinda Bishop, a daughter of Nathaniel Bishop. She was born in Marietta, August 30, 1814, and died April 20, 1882. They were the parents of six chil- dren as follows: C. B. and George A., de- ceased; W. G., the subject of this biography; Thomas A., residing in Monroe County, Ohio; J. E., an attorney, of Shelby County, Ohio; and Clara R. ( Harmon), of Monroe County, Ohio.

W. G. Way was educated mainly in the schools of Monroe County, Ohio, and took up the study of law in 1867 with Wylie II. Oldham, a prominent attorney of that day. He was admitted to the bar in 1869, and con- tined in connection with his former preceptor, Mr. Oldham, until the latter's demise in 1875. He then practiced alone until June, 1900, when Mr. Hancock became his partner.' They have a very large practice.

Mr. Way was united in marriage with Eleanor Patetrson, of Columbus, Ohio, while he was a member of the Ohio State Legisla- ture, to which he was elected in 1871. He is a Democrat, in politics, and served three terms as city solicitor. He was also trustee of the Washington County Children's Home. He was formerly active in various fraternal or- ders. Religiously, he is a member of the Con- gregational Church. He is also a member of the executive committee of the Marietta Read- ing Club. He has been the president of the Dime Savings Society for many years.

E. VAN DERVOORT is the prop- rietor of the "Colonial Book Store." and also vice-president of the Dime Savings Society, of Marietta, Ohio. He was born in New York, and reared in New England. During the Civil War, Mr. Van Dervoort served in Company B. 14th Reg. Conn. Vol. Inf., participating in some of the hardest-fought battles. He received a severe wound in the left leg at the battle of Freder- icksburg.

For several years. Mr. Van Dervoort was engaged in the manufacture of stamped ware, at Cambridge, Massachusetts, and upon coming to Marietta he engaged in the dry-goods busi- ness on Front street. He sold out and engaged in his present line of business, in November, 1896. Ile carries a large and full stock of books, periodicals, stationers' supplies, etc .. and regularly employs five people to assist him in the store. This store is 100 feet deep, and the goods are displayed in a neat and artistic manner. Mr. Van Dervoort has a large num-

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

ber of patrons, and every one receives prompt and courteous attention. He is a man of good business methods, and is quite deserving of the success which has attended his efforts.

Mr. Van Dervoort resides in his home on Second street. He is a member of the Marietta Literary Club, and belongs to the First Con- gregational Church.

HE STRECKER BROTHERS COM- PANY. The company, which is lo- cated in Marietta, Ohio, manufactures harness, saddles, etc., and does a job- bing trade in saddlery goods of every description. It is the largest concern of the kind between Pittsburg and Cincinnati. It occupies the four-story building at Nos. 117- I19 Putnam street.

The Strecker Brothers Company was estab- lished in 1881, and incorporated in 1900, with a capital stock of $100,000, having the following officers : C. F. Strecker. president ; B. F. Streck- er. vice-president and treasurer : and W. S. Plumer, secretary. These gentlemen, together with A. H. Strecker and Charles S. Schaal. constitute Board or Directors. The business was begun in a small way, and has enjoyed a steady and rapid increase. The company now employs eight traveling representatives to cover the territory of Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Vir- ginia, Maryland, Kentucky and Eastern Vir- ginia.

The building, which is owned by the Strecker Brothers, is 48 by 100 feet in dimen- sions, consists of four stories and a base- ment, and has a floor space of about 25,- 000 square feet. About 60 men are em- ploved in the building. many of these being skilled mechanics. The first floor is occupied mainly by saddlery, hardware, harness, sole leather and commodious offices, and each floor is connected with the office by a fine telephone system. The second floor is mainly used for the stock room for riding saddles, whips, horse blankets, robes and dusters. There is also a large room for collars on that floor. On the third floor, riding saddles are manufactured,

and boxes for packing harness are made there. The harness stock-room is also on this floor. The fourth floor is lighted from all four sides, is equipped with machinery for the manufac- ture of harness, and contains also a harness store room.

The above firm contemplates the erection of a six-story building in the rear of their pres- ent quarters, as their room is not sufficient for the demands of their rapidly increasing busi- ness.

OHN A. GALLAHER, a prominent member of the Washington County bar, is a well-known citizen of Mari- etta. He was born near Moundsville, in Marshall County, ( West ) Virginia, and is a son of Silas Gallaher, Silas Gallaher was a farmer, and died some years ago. His wife died in August, 1901, at the age of 80 years. With the exception of John A., all of the children live in West Virginia.

John A. Gallaher spent five years in Mari- etta College, and graduated in the class of 1860, with Professor. Martin R. Andrews, T. B. Bosworth, and Seymour J. Hathaway. all of whom are residents of Marietta. Mr. Gallaher taught school in Marietta from 1869 until 1872, and then went to Cincinnati, where he spent several months in a law office. and took a par- tial course at the law school. He was admitted to the bar in 1873. He then went to Bellaire, Belmont County, Ohio, and there practiced un- til September, 1900. On removing to Marietta, he located in the St. Clair Building, where he devotes his time to a large general practice. He is a lawyer of fine ability, and much of his at- tention is given to corporation work. Mr. Gal- laher has become very well known in legal cir- cles, although he has been practicing but a com- paratively short time in Marietta, and he is ranked among the leading citizens of that place.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Laura Woodbridge, of Marietta, and they have two daughters .- Elizabeth, who has been teaching school in New York: and Maria W., who is attending Marietta College. In politics Mr. Gallaher is a Democrat, and

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served as the first city solicitor of Bellaire. He is a trustee of Marietta College, and a member of St. Luke's Protestant Episcopal Church. He belongs to the Masonic order.

R EV. J. R. NICHOLS. D. D., pastor of the First Congregational Church of Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, is a native of Watkins, Schuyler County, New York, where he was born in 1854, and is a son of John H. and Es- ther A. ( Townsend ) NicheIs.

John H. Nichols was born in Schuyler County. New York, and came of sturdy New England stock, from the region of Lake Cham- plain. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife, whose parents were from Massachu- setts, is still living in Schuyler County. Nine children blessed this union, as follows: A. H., who is engaged in the wholesale produce busi- ness in New York City : Martha ( Goltry ), who lives near the old home: Mrs. L. A. Randall. of Rochester, New York; Henry T., who is engaged in the wholesale produce business in New York, in partnership with his brother. . 1. H .: Charlotte, who lives with her mother : Mrs. Jeanette Robson, the widow of Rev. Se- ward Robson ; J. R., the subject of this sketch, Charles W., a contractor and builder, of Wat- kins, New York; and L. L., a physician and surgeon of New York City.

Rev. J. R. Nichols, whose name opens these lines, was educated at Starkey Seminary and Oberlin College, graduating from the latter in- stitution in 1879. He was graduated from Ob- eriin Seminary in 1883, and during his stay there, was a special instructor in the academy. From 1883 to 1887, he held a pastorate at Garrettsville, Ohio, and for the following four years, he was pastor of a church in Cleveland. Ohio. From 1801 to 1897 he had charge of a church at Medina, Ohio, and in 1897 he re- moved to Marietta. During that year he re- ceived the degree of D. D. from Marietta Col- lege. He has since had charge of the Congre- gational Church in that city, and under his pastorate and supervision much good work

has been done, and the congregation has in- creased greatly. Rev. Mr. Nichols is a man of dignity and scholarly attainments, and is possessed of many personal attributes which win for him the love and sympathy of those who are associated with him in his work.

In 1881 the subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Nellie E. Hawley. of Mankato, Minnesota, and they have had five children, namely: Ruth G .; Helen H .; John Herbert ; Florence May ; and Marian, who died in June, 1900.

Rev. Dr. Nichols is a trustee of Marietta College. He resides in the church parson- age. at No. 300 Fourth street, Marietta.

CURTIS CHAMBERLAIN is the well known auditor of Washington County, Ohio. He was born at Har- mar, Washington County, in 1863, and is a son of Judge L. W. Cham- berlain.

He was reared in Marietta, where he re- ceived an academic education, and began his business life in 1882. He became assistant postmaster under Postmaster S. L. Grosvenor, and served as such until April, 1884. On April 21 of that year, he went to Colorado, where he was engaged in mining and other pursuits un- til 1800. Then he returned to Marietta, and resumed his former duties. under Postmaster E. R. Alderman, and during one term of President Cleveland, under Henry Roeser. Mr. Chamberlain became a candidate for postmas- ter under President McKinley, but M. M. Rose received the appointment. lle was elected county auditor on the Republican ticket, in 1800, and assumed the duties of that office, Oc- tober 15, 1900, succeeding W. A. Patterson. Ile is now a candidate for renomination. Mr. Chamberlain has served most faithfully as county auditor, and much confidence is placed in his ability. He is conscientious and pains- taking, and discharges his duties in a most creditable manner.

The subject of this sketch was united in marriage with Carolyn M. Pugh, a daughter

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of Thomas Pugh, of Marietta. The Pugh fam- ily is one of the well-known families of Wash- ington County. Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain have one daughter, Frances W. Politically Mr. Chamberlain is a Republican. Religiously he is an attendant of the Congregational Church, of which Mrs. Chamberlain is a mem- ber.

J. RICHARDS, the principal phar- macist and retail prescription drug- gist in Marietta, Washington County, Ohio, is a native of Marietta, and was born in 1850. He is a son of Thomas Richards, a native of England.

Thomas Richards was killed before Atlan- ta, during the Civil War. His widow lives in Marietta, and is 73 years old. She was born in Liverpool, England. Her children are as follows: A. J., the subject of this sketch ; El- len ; Margaret ; and Edward T., a retail drug- gist at 23rd street and Cottage Grove avenue, Chicago, Illinois, and a graduate of the Chi- cago College of Pharmacy, who was born in 1865, and was practically reared in A. J. Rich- ard's store.

A. J. Richards commenced business life with Buell & Brother in 1870. Five years la- ter he began business for himself and has con- tinted in active duty ever since. He has been longer engaged in the retail drug business in Marietta than any other man. and was first located on Green street, near Second. In 1895 he removed to his present three-story building, where he utilizes all of the three floors and the basement. The store is 40 feet deep, and is supplied with an elevator and all modern con- veniences. The first floor is provided with pre- scription accommodations, a full line of drugs and pharmaceutical supplies, and also a soda fountain. On the second floor is a laboratory, and the third floor and basement are used for storage. The building is located at No. 10.4. Front street, which is considered the best lo- cation in the city for a business of this kind. Mr. Richard's long experience in the drug bus- iness, and his knowledge of drugs and all their uses, place him at the head of those in his pro-

fession here, and he is considered one of the expert chemists in this section of the State.

Mr. Richards married Sadie Eggleston, who was born in Philadelphia, and was reared in Marietta. They have one daughter, Anna M. Richards, who is a graduate of Marietta College.

Mr. Richards was a member of the Board of Education for two terms, and is now treas- urer of Marietta township. and of the town- ship school funds. Socially he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and Royal Arcanum lodges. He prefers the Protestant Episcopal Church.

5 C. LORD, who is an extensive oil producer and one of the most enter- prising business men of Marietta. Ohio, is general manager of the Cum- berland Oil Company. Mr. Lord was born at Limerick, York County, Maine, in 1858, and there was schooled and grew to manhood.

He came to the oil country in 1876, and shortly afterward settled in Elk City, Clarion County, Pennsylvania, where he worked first as a driller and tool dresser. He followed this for several years, and then engaged in the gro- cery business at Dallas City, Mckean County, Pennsylvania, also continuing in the oil bus- iness until 1884. He removed to Clarion. Pennsylvania, where he became largely inter- ested in the oil business together with J. A. Cadwallader, of Titusville, Pennsylvania. Still retaining his oil interest, Mr. Lord returned to Maine, and remained there about eight years. during which time. he built several gas plants and waterworks in Maine cities, which he still owns. The corporation is known as the Mousam Water Company, and the concern is under the management of George F. West, of Portland, Maine. This company supplies three towns-Kennebunk, Kennebunk Port and Wells, and does a profitable and progressive business.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 146

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490