USA > Ohio > Richland County > History of Richland County, Ohio, from 1808 to 1908, Vol. I > Part 56
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In 1883 Mr. Zartman was married to Mrs. Mary (Beemiller) Hays, a native of Indiana. They now have one child, Zetta Orr, the wife of Charles Ramsey, of Butler, Ohio. Both Mr. and Mrs. Zartman are held in the high- est esteem throughout this community and occupy an enviable position in social circles. Mrs. Zartman is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Zartman is generous in his contributions to its support. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he is not so strict a partisan that he votes for a candidate regardless of his capabilities. On the contrary, he does not hesitate to vote independently at local elections where no party issue is involved, and at all times he is loyal to the best interests of the com- munity. His work has been of the most beneficial character, not only in promoting his individual interests but in enhancing the welfare and progress of the town. No matter how much fantastic theorizing one may indulge in as to the cause of success, it will be found in a careful analyzation of the life work of the successful men, that their progress is due to certain qualities and that among these are close application, unwearied industry and the power to shape the conditions at hand into a unified whole. These characteristics Mr. Zartman possesses in large measure and thereby he has won his prosperity.
SILAS MARION DOUGLASS.
The specific and distinctive office of biography is not to give voice to a man's modest estimate of himself and his accomplishments, but rather to leave the perpetual record establishing his character by the consensus of opinion on the part of his fellowmen. Throughout Richland county Judge Douglass is spoken of in terms of admiration and respect. His life has been so varied in its activity, so honorable in its purposes, so modest in demeanor and so far-reaching and beneficial in its effects that it has become an integral part of the history of Mansfield. In no sense a man in public life, he has nevertheless exerted an immeasurable influence on the city of his residence. That his fellow townsmen have recognized his ability in the legal profession
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is indicated by his elevation to the bench. That they appreciate his personal worth is indicated by his large circle of warm friends. His life record, too, stands in contradistinction to the old adage that a prophet is not without honor save in his own country, for Judge Douglass is a native son of Richland county, his birth having occurred upon a farm in Monroe township, January 1, 1853. His racial characteristics may be said to be rather composite, since his grandfather was a Scotch-Irishman, while his mother was German-French. Samuel Douglass, the grandfather, removed from Westmoreland county, Penn- sylvania, to Ohio in 1829 and obtained a grant of land by patent. His father, John J. Douglass, inherited the farm, and Marion and Augustus Douglass have become in their turn the owners of the land.
No event of special importance occurred to vary the routine of farm life for Judge Douglass in his boyhood days. He spent his youth as did most lads of the period, his time being divided between the duties of the school- room, the pleasures of the playground and the work of the farm. As his years increased he assisted more and more largely in the cultivation of the crops, but when twenty-one years of age he determined to carry out a long cherished ambition of acquiring a more advanced education. He was for a time a student in an academy in Ashland, Ohio, and later at Wittenberg Col- lege in Springfield, while subsequently he matriculated at Heidelberg, in Tiffin, from which institution he was graduated in 1879. While at Heidel- berg he was elected by the faculty of the college as its representative at the state oratorical contest held in Westerville, Ohio, in 1878, a fact which indi- cates that he was then possessed of much of the oratorical ability which has been a factor in his later success at the bar. He obtained his education under some difficulties, it being necessary that he provide the means himself. He did this by teaching school and keeping up with his classes, acting as a tutor in college and assisting in the work of the home farm. His determination to enter upon a professional career led to his becoming a law student in the office of Judge May, of Mansfield, and when he had mastered the fundamental principles of jurisprudence he joined the senior class of the Cincinnati Law School in 1882 and was graduated therefrom in 1883. He was chosen as one of the orators out of a class of seventy-nine to debate the question, "Should trial by jury be abolished?" at the commencement exercises.
Immediately following his graduation Judge Douglass entered upon the practice of law, opening an office in Mansfield in July, 1883, associated with John A. Connelly, who was city solicitor. His experience was that of most young lawyers. He had to build up a clientage gradually, but when legal business was entrusted to him he displayed in the courts the ability to care- fully control it and to solve intricate legal problems. He was also called to some local offices, serving as mayor of Mansfield by appointment for six months, after which he was elected city solicitor and filled the office for two terms. During his practice he has conducted important litigation in the fed- eral and state courts with gratifying success, winning well earned fame and distinction. He has much natural ability and is never contented until he has mastered every detail of his cases. He believes in the maxim, "There is no excellence without labor," and follows it closely. He is never surprised by
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some unexpected discovery by an opposing lawyer, for in his mind he weighs every point and fortifies himself as well for defense as for attack. He con- vinces by concise statements of law and facts rather than by word painting, and so high is the respect for his legal ability and integrity that his assertions in court are seldom questioned. Whatever he does is for the best interests of his clients and for the honor of his profession, and no man gives to either a more unqualified allegiance or riper ability. Recognition of his legal powers came to him not only in an increased clientele but also in his election to the bench in November, 1896, when he was chosen judge of the fifth judicial circuit, comprising the counties of Richland, Ashland, Wayne, Stark, Tus- carawas, Muskingum, Perry, Morgan, Coshocton, Holmes, Licking, Knox, Delaware, Fairfield and Morrow. On the bench his course has been in har- mony with his record as a man and a lawyer-distinguished by unswerving loyalty and a masterful grasp of every problem presented for solution. In September, 1900, at the annual meeting of Ohio circuit judges, he was elected chief justice of the Ohio circuit court.
Judge Douglass was married October 10, 1883, to Miss May Weagley, the eldest daughter of Captain William Hilary and Eleanora Weagley, of Bell- ville, Ohio. Theirs has been a most congenial, happy companionship and largely an ideal married life. Unto them have been born four children : Stephen Augustus, who was born September 12, 1884; Eleanor May, born March 27, 1886; Marion Hilary, a little blue-eyed, sunny-haired girl, who was born April 29, 1894, and died March 17, 1897; and Marion Drexal, born June 12, 1896.
Judge Douglass belongs to a college fraternity, the Alpha Gamma Chapter of the Beta Theta Phi. He also holds membership in Monroe Lodge, No. 224, I. O. O. F .; Madison Lodge, No. 56, K. P., and Mansfield Lodge, No. 56, B. P. O. E. He is a stalwart Jacksonian democrat, who believes in and has advocated, by speech and pen, the supremacy of the nation, the autonomy of the states, local self-government, a tariff for revenue only and the free and unlimited coinage of both gold and silver as basic or primary money. His wife is a member of the First Presbyterian church and, while not identified with any religious organization, Judge Douglass is a believer in the spirit of Him who came to teach the brotherhood of mankind and the fatherhood of God. Strongly domestic in his tastes, he is devoted to the welfare of his wife and children. He was reared under United Presbyterian influences, where all reading was discouraged except that of the most solid and somber character. Denied in youth those books which give so much pleasure to childhood, he has seen that there is no lack of such in his own home and, while careful in the selection of literature for his children, he is resolved that they shall get all the pleasure possible out of good reading. His own literary taste finds expression in history, biography, essays and treatises of divers sorts. Fond of all manly, outdoor sports, he enjoys a ball game and a horse race, and especially a tramp in the woods, and he finds recreation and pleasure in the cultivation of flowers. The breadth of his nature and kindly spirit is indicated in the statement that he often makes that life is too short to harbor bitterness toward one's fellowmen. Nature and culture have vied in making
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him an interesting and entertaining gentleman, while the principles that have governed his life have developed in him a character which commands the highest respect. The public entertains for him warm admiration for his ability and, never content with the "second best," he has continually passed on to those things which broaden nature, which uplift thought and make life full and complete in its higher interests.
GILBERT SWANEY.
Gilbert Swaney, who since 1902 has been manager for the Farmers & Merchants Banking Company of Lucas, was born in this village July 19, 1855, and is popular among his fellow townsmen not only in business but also in social circles. He is a son of Samuel and Mary (Leiter) Swaney, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. In the year 1836 the paternal grandfather came from the Keystone state to Richland county, Ohio, and in the early '50s Samuel Swaney arrived in this county, where he entered business circles as a merchant, continuing in that line for several years. Later he was engaged in the tanning business, at which time white oak bark was used for tanning purposes. He was a man of industry and enterprise. Grandfather Leiter, the father of our subject's mother, was a cousin of Joseph Leiter, the Chicago millionaire. Samuel Swaney gave his political allegiance to the republican party and had firm faith in its principles. In religion the father worshiped with the Presbyterians and the mother with the Lutherans. After the death of Mrs. Swaney the father married again, his second union being with a sister of his first wife. There were two chil- dren of the first marriage: G. Swaney, of this review; and Mary, who is now deceased. Unto the second marriage there were born five children, but three died in infancy, while the others are: D. E., a resident of Mansfield, and Myrtle, the wife of Ed Smart, of Madison township, this county. The death of the father occurred in 1890, when he had reached the age of sixty-nine years.
Gilbert Swaney, in starting out in life on his own account, began work as a farm hand and later accepted a clerkship, being thus engaged for sixteen years, his long continuance in business standing as incontrovertible evidence of his fidelity and trustworthiness. In 1902 he became manager for the Farmers & Merchants Banking Company at Lucas, and as its cashier has made a popular officer, while his enterprise, keen sagacity and diligence con- stitute an important element in the success of the business. The other officers of the company are: A. J. Solomon, president; and H. F. Smart, vice presi- dent. This bank is now recognized as one of the safe, reliable institutions of the county and is an institution of much value in business circles in the village.
In 1894 occurred the marriage of Mr. Swaney and Miss Amanda Fox. who was born in Lucas in 1869, and is a daughter of Benjamin and Malinda Fox. Her father was a native of England, while her mother was born in
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the state of Ohio. She is still living, but Mr. Fox has passed away. Their family numbered four children. Both Mr. and Mrs. Swaney attend and sup- port the Lutheran church, and he exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. Having always lived in Lucas, he is well known here and his life record has ever been an open book which all may read. He has been true to high ideals in his relations with his fellowmen and commands the confidence and good will of all with whom he is associated.
JAMES H. SECRIST.
Among the substantial agriculturists of Richland county is numbered James H. Secrist, who owns and operates a valuable tract of land comprising one hundred and thirty acres, situated on section 31, Monroe township. He is a native son of the county, his birth having occurred January 10, 1847. His parents, David and Jane (McClay) Secrist, were also farming people. The father was born in Pennsylvania, August 28, 1815, while the mother was a native of Ireland. The former accompanied his parents to Ohio from the Keystone state in 1827, he being then a lad of twelve years, and one of a family of nine children, all now deceased. He was a shoemaker by trade and also owned and conducted a farm in Richland county. His family num- bered seven children, as follows: Sarah Jane, deceased; Nancy K., the wife of Jacob Snyder, of Clark county, Illinois; George W., who has also passed away; James H., whose name introduces this review; Mary, the wife of Con- rad Clever, of Michigan; John C., a resident of Bellville, Ohio; and David, deceased. The wife and mother of this family passed away in 1853 and the father was married a second time, this union being with Hannah Hunter, by whom he had a son and daughter: Louise S., the wife of Julius Rush, of Butler, Ohio; and Charles F., a resident of Richland county. The father passed away May 7, 1886, while the wife and mother survived for a long period, her death occurring April 7, 1904.
James H. Secrist, the immediate subject of this sketch, was reared to farm life and also learned the shoemaker's trade during his youth. He re- mained under the parental roof until twenty-four years of age and then started out upon an independent business career by working at his trade for a time. He later operated rented land, during which time he acquired a sum sufficient to enable him to invest in property, becoming owner of sixty- seven acres, which he conducted for two years. He then disposed of that property and purchased land in Clark county, Illinois, making his home in that state for six years, after which he returned once more to Richland county and bought sixty acres of land, on which he made his home for twenty-twc years. He then sold that tract and purchased his present farm, this compris ing one hundred and thirty acres, situated on section 31, Monroe township. He is here engaged in raising the various cereals adapted to the soil and climate and each year harvests good crops as a reward for the care and labor
J. H. SECRIST AND FAMILY.
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he bestows upon the fields. He has improved the place with good barns and outbuildings for the shelter of grain and stock and everything about the place is kept in good repair, denoting the thrift and energy of the owner.
Mr. Secrist established a home of his own by his marriage on the 23d of March, 1871, to Miss Lucinda Snavely, a daughter of Joseph and Sarah (Good) Snavely, both natives of the Keystone state. Mrs. Secrist was born in 1852 and was one of a family of nine children. Both parents are now de- ceased, the mother having passed away in 1898, while the father survived for a few years and died in 1904.
The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Secrist has been blessed with seven chil- dren, as follows: Verda J., the wife of J. M. Pollock, a resident of Richland county ; David A., also a resident of this county ; Jason O., at home; Sarah M., who is deceased; two who died in infancy; and Rhoda, the wife of Lester Riblet, of Richland county.
Mr. Secrist gives his political support to the republican party and for four years served as supervisor, while at the present time he is acting as school director. His fraternal relations are with the Patrons of Industry. He and his wife attend and support the Congregational church. With the exception of a few years spent in Illinois, Mr. Secrist has always lived in Richland county and both he and his wife are highly esteemed, the hospitality of their own pleasant home being freely accorded to their many friends and acquaintances.
B. F. MINNEAR.
B. F. Minnear, a well known hotel proprietor of Lexington, Ohio, was born in West Virginia, January 27, 1845, his parents being George and Lucinda (Clarke) Minnear, the former born in Virginia, October 20, 1806, while the mother's birth also occurred in that state on the 1st of March, 1822. They are both now deceased. Their family numbered thirteen chil- dren, namely : William H. B., who has passed away; Malinda Jane, the wife of J. N. Pritchard, of West Virginia; B. F., of this review; Hiram Z., who is also deceased; Zachariah T., who resides in West Virginia; Philadelphia C., who makes her home in Pennsylvania; David N., who has also passed away; Sarah A., the wife of Samuel Currie, of Pennsylvania; Mary A., who became the wife of Adam Jackson and makes her home in West Virginia; Gustave E., living in Ohio; Laura L., the wife of F. Dodd, of West Virginia; Ida Belle, the wife of James Sharp, also of West Virginia; and one who died in infancy.
When not yet eighteen years of age B. F. Minnear enlisted for service in the Civil War as a member of Company G, Fifteenth Virginia Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Sidney F. Shaw. The period of his service covered two years and nine months and he participated in many hotly contested bat- tles, including the engagements at New River Bridge and Cloyd Mountain, Virginia; Martinsburg; Winchester; Cedar Creek; Fisher Hill and Peters- burg. He also witnessed the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. He was
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fortunate in that he was never wounded, and he was honorably discharged on the 29th of June, 1865.
Returning to West Virginia, Mr. Minnear worked at common labor for six years, subsequently being engaged in mining for eight years. On the expiration of that period he conducted a grocery and restaurant for four years, and in 1882 opened a retail liquor store at Columbus, Franklin county, Ohio, which he conducted for three years. In 1885 he located at Johnstown, Ohio, where he conducted a grocery for eleven years, and in 1896 came to Lexington, where he has since been engaged in the hotel business. Pur- chasing a fine home, he remodeled it into a twenty-two room hotel and has since conducted the hostelry with an enviable and well merited measure of success, being widely known as one of the substantial and public-spirited citizens of the county.
In 1878 Mr. Minnear was joined in wedlock to Miss Maggie B. Gordon, whose birth occurred in West Virginia in 1861, her parents being Minor A. and Fannie Gordon, both now deceased. She was one of a family of six children, the record of whom is as follows: John, who has passed away ; Arthur, of West Virginia; Sally, who likewise makes her home in West Vir- ginia; Fannie, of Ohio; Hattie, also residing in the Buckeye state; and Mrs. Minnear. Unto our subject and his wife have been born seven children: Claude R., deceased; Flowie G., the wife of Harvey Smart, of Ohio; Norval M., at home; Floyd, who has also passed away; and Beulah, Paul and Mabel, all of whom are still under the parental roof.
Mr. Minnear is a republican in his political views, giving stanch support to the men and measures of that party. He still maintains pleasant relations with his old army comrades through his membership in the Grand Army Post at Mansfield. Perhaps no one business enterprise or industry indicates more clearly the commercial and social status of a town than its hotels. The wide-awake, enterprising villages and cities must have pleasant accommoda- tions for visitors and traveling men, and the foreign public judges of a com- munity by the entertainment afforded to the strangers. In this regard the hotel of which Mr. Minnear is proprietor is an index of the character and advantages of Lexington, for the hostelry will rank favorably with those of many a larger place, and its genial proprietor neglects nothing that can add to the comfort of his guests.
CHARLES HORN.
Charles Horn has the distinction of being the pioneer cigar manufacturer of Mansfield, but has done a work of even more far-reaching importance and benefit in the introduction into the county of many fine varieties of stock and poultry. In this way he has done much to improve the grade of stock raised in this part of the state, and general prosperity has thereby been advanced, as prices have been correspondingly increased. He is now largely living
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retired in Mansfield and well deserves the rest that has come to him after long years of active, well directed and honorable labor.
Mr. Horn was born in Huron county, March 7, 1841, a son of William and Eleanora (Greenfelter) Horn, both of whom were natives of Germany, the former born in 1805 and the latter in 1814. They were married in 1837 and became the parents of ten children, including Charles Horn of this review, who was educated in the district schools of Sandusky county, and spent his early life with his father on a farm. At the age of nineteen years he left home and entering commercial circles became the purchasing agent for Phinney, Osmer & Company, who were in the wholesale lumber and stave business. This business he followed for three years, when with the capital he had acquired through his industry and enterprise he began the manufacture of cigars in Fremont, Ohio, and continued there for two years. He also carried on a similar business in Bucyrus for five years and in 1870 came to Richland county, locating in Mansfield where he began the manufacture of cigars, con- ducting the business with success until 1885. He was the originator of the celebrated Cash cigar, which was the leader of the ten cent cigars and made for him an extensive reputation, while it proved a profitable adjunct to his business. This cigar is still upon the market and finds a ready sale.
After closing out his cigar and tobacco business, Mr. Horn purchased a farm in Franklin township, comprising two hundred and forty acres of land and of this he still owns one hundred and sixty acres, after disposing of eighty acres of the tract. Upon this farm he and his family resided for nineteen years and he became known as one of the most progressive stock-raisers in this part of the state. He made a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Jersey cattle, Shropshire sheep, Chester White hogs and choice poultry and he also engaged extensively in raising seed wheat. He succeeded in producing some new varieties of poultry and is still interested in this line of business. Mr. Horn has always been a thorough believer in advertising and through that medium and by his good judgment and careful management he developed a business of large proportions, becoming an extensive breeder and shipper. His sales extended over the territory as far east as Maine and west as Okla- homa. He bred as high as three hundred hogs yearly and found a ready sale for all the stock produced upon his place. He brought into Richland county the first Jersey calf and it was a curiosity to all. People would frequently drive to or past his place in order to see for the first time this little Jersey wonder. All of his stock was registered and no farmer of the community has kept better bred stock than Mr. Horn and in the business he met with well merited success.
On the third day of July, 1866, Mr. Horn was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Taylor, who was born December 16, 1843. They are the parents of five children : Edwin L., Leonora B., Charles W., Anna, and Alphonse, who died. when but five years of age. The family are members of the Episcopal church. of which Mr. Horn is also an attendant. Socially he belongs to the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternities. His political support is given to the democratic party, but he has never sought nor held office, preferring to con-
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centrate his energies upon his business affairs, which capably directed, have brought to him gratifying success as well as a deserved reputation as one of the leading stock-dealers of this part of the state.
JOHN W. GRIEBLING.
John W. Griebling, residing on his pleasant farm on section 1, Troy township, is a native of this county, having been born in Washington town- ship, March 10, 1859, the son of Jacob and Anna (Remy) Griebling, both of whom were natives of Germany, where the father was born in 1830, and the mother in 1827. Seeking the larger opportunities which the new world afforded, the father came to America in 1848 and located in Washington town- ship. He later disposed of his property and purchased a farm in Troy town- ship, where he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1887, in his fifty-eighth year. The mother survived him a number of years, passing away in 1905. They were the parents of seven children, of whom two died in infancy. The others are: John W., of this review; Fred A., who resides at Mansfield; and George G., Henry and Emma, all of whom now reside in Troy township.
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