USA > Ohio > Union County > History of Union County, Ohio; its people, industries and institutions > Part 56
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Ernest G. McCann, the general manager and vice-president of the Robin- son & Curry Company, lumber dealers of Marysville, Ohio, was born Septem- ber 18, 1865, at Plain City, Union county, Ohio. He is the son of Sims and Sarah L. (Colwell) McCann. His father died when he was thirteen years of age, his mother having passed away when he was only four years old. Since the death of his father he has shouldered his own way along the path- way of life.
After the death of his father Mr. McCann went to live with Eli Jones and worked on the farm of Mr. Jones until he was nineteen years of age. He attended the public schools and received a good common school education and when he was nineteen entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, Ohio, where he spent two years. He then taught school one year in Madison county, Ohio, after which he entered the employ of the Robinson & Curry Company as assistant bookkeeper. Upon the retirement of Colonel Curry a year later, he was made head bookkeeper and held this position for ten years. During this time he mastered every detail of the business and upon the death of C. L. Robinson, Mr. McCann was elected by the directors as vice-president and general manager of the company and has since held this important position.
The Robinson & Curry Company was organized and incorporated in
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1891 and now has the following officials: President, W. C. Fullington ; vice- president and general manager. E. G. McCann; secretary, Charles O. Ora- hord. The directors of this company are W. C. Fullington, Col. W. L. Curry, Mrs. C. L. Robinson, E. G. McCann and Charles Orahord. The company deals in lumber and all kinds of building supplies and has built up a large trade in Marysville and the surrounding vicinity.
Mr. MeCann was married September 21, 1889, to Eva E. Tway, a daughter of H. H. and Mary Tway. Mrs. McCann was born in Logan county, Ohio. To this union has been born one son, L. Tway MeCann, who was born June 27, 1890. The son is a graduate of the high school at Marys- ville and after spending two years in the State University of Ohio, became the traveling salesman for a wholesale lumber company with headquarters at New Orleans.
Mr. McCann and his wife are members of the Episcopal church and are deeply interested in everything pertaining to its welfare and advance- ment. Mr. MeCann is one of the trustees of his denomination at the present time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias and the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks. Politically, he has always been identified with the Republican party, but on account of the demands of his business affairs he has not had the time to take an active part in political matters. Mr. MeCann's hobby is along the line of fine horses and at the present time he is president of the Marysville Matinee Club, an organization which in- eludes a number of Marysville men who are interested in breeding fine horses. Mr. McCann is a man whom to know is to admire. for he has led an exem- plary life in all things. He has sought to do his duty in all of his relations with his fellowmen and is a man of honor, public spirit. charitable impulses and unswerving integrity and enterprise.
LOU W. HAZEN.
A man who started in a very small way in Marysville, Ohio, and has built up a prosperous business within the past ten years is Lou W. Hazen. the proprietor of a flourishing book and stationery store. His whole career of forty years has been spent in Marysville, where his father was a prominent business man for many years.
Lon W. Hazen, the son of Fred F. and Sarah ( Derby ) Hazen, was born in Marysville. Ohio, February 24, 1875. His parents were natives of Ohio and New York, respectively, and reared a family of five children :
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Fred D., of Chico, California; Herbert, deceased : Lou W., of Marysville; Eldra E., of Chico. California, and Mabel, deceased.
Fred F. Hazen was reared in Cleveland, Ohio, and came to Marysville early in life and established a cheese manufactory which he conducted for awhile and later conducted a wholesale confectionery and cigar business until his death in 1895. His widow passed away in March. 1907, at the age of fifty-five. Both were members of the Congregational church.
The paternal grandparents of Lou W. Hazen were natives of New Jersey and early settlers at Munson, Ohio, in the Western Reserve. They died there in middle life, after rearing a large family of children, Fred F .. Winfield L., Fayette. Annette. Electa and Elizabeth.
The maternal grandparents of Lou W. Hazen were natives of New York state and early settlers in Cleveland, Ohio. Grandmother Derby is still living at Seattle, Washington, at the advanced age of ninety-six. Mr. Derby and his wife reared a family of five children, John. May. Ida, Julia and Sarah, the mother of Mr. Hazen.
Lon W. Hazen was reared in Marysville and graduated from the local high school in 1894. After the death of his father he started in the news and stationery business in a very humble way and has gradually built up his business until he now has the largest book and stationery store in Marysville. He is a capable and efficient business man and by his courteous manner and desire to please his customers, he has built up a very flourishing business.
Mr. Hazen was married April 19, 1905, to Theresa Pike, who died in January of the following year. On August 27, 1912, Mr. Hazen married Harriet E. Lee, the daughter of Martin B. and Martha (Davis) Lee.
The father of Mrs. Harriett Hazen died in March, 1913. and her mother is still living. Mrs. Hazen was the only daughter born to her parents. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Hazen were William Lee and wife.
Mr. and Mrs. Hazen are earnest members of the Congregational church and have always taken an active part in its welfare. Mr. Hazen is a member of the board of trustees of his denomination at the present time. Fraternally, he is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, the Royal Arch Masons and the Royal and Select Masters. He also holds his membership in the Marysville Lodge of Knights of Pythias. In politics he has always given his support to the Democratic party. He was elected clerk of Marys- ville in 1902, and was the first Democratic clerk to be elected in twenty-four years. At the present time he is filling the position of township and village treasurer and administering the duties of this important office with strict
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fidelity to his fellow citizens. Mr. Hazen has proven himself a man of fine business ability. He carries a large stock of goods and has as neat and attractive a store as can be found in any town in the state the size of Marys- ville. He is highly esteemed as a citizen and well merits inclusion among the representative men of his city and county.
WALTER JEWELL.
The "Pleasant Hill" stock farm, located about three miles north of Marysville, contains one hundred and seventy-three acres of the finest land in Union county. It is within the boundaries of Paris township and located on one of the splendid gravel roads for which that township is noted. On this farm is an attractive rural homestead, a large and conveniently arranged house, well furnished and provided with all the modern conveniences and comforts necessary to make life pleasant. The barns and farm build- ings, the facilities for the proper care of the stock and products of the farm, are commodious and well arranged for the purpose designed. Altogether this is a model farm and is a splendid illustration of what can be accomplished by judicious management and the application of intelligent energy. "Pleas- ant Hill" is an appropriate name for this model farm.
The fortunate owner of this farm is Walter Jewell, a brief review of whose life furnishes an interesting subject for this sketch. Mr. Jewell is a native of the Keystone state. He was born in Greene county, near Waynes- burg, Pennsylvania, October 18. 1874. He is the son of John and Margaret (Iins) Jewell, who were also natives of that county and state, having been born on the same farm that was the birthplace of our subject. John Jewell was the son of Thomas and Abigal ( Rose ) Jewell. That the Jewell family were not of the migratory sort is evidenced by the fact that three generations were born and reared on the same farm in Pennsylvania. Thomas Jewell, the paternal grandfather of our subject, was born on this same farm. Thomas was the son of Jonathan and Patience Moore Jewell, all of them farmers and among the pioneers of Pennsylvania. John R. brought the family to Ohio and after living for a short time in another part of the state they came to Union county, where they have continued to live. There were four children in this family, namely: Merchant, deceased; Walter, subject of this sketch; Blanche married J. F. Wood and has two children, Helen and Mary; Maud. living at home.
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Walter Jewell started his education by attending the Costell school, in Morgan township, Greene county, Pennsylvania. Then he took up advanced studies at Westland, Pennsylvania, and completed the course in that school. While not in school he was doing his share of the work on his father's farm and became accustomed to the rugged outdoor life so conducive to physical development. At the age of twenty-one he rented part of his father's farm and engaged in farming on his own account. Then he came to this county and bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres and went to work on it, improving the farm and adding other acres from time to time, until now he is the owner of the splendid farm which has already been described. That his farming is of the up-to-date kind, and that he has made a success of the business, is evidenced by the appearance of the farm and his prosperous home surroundings.
Walter Jewell was married, June 6, 1903, to Bertha Shirk, daughter of George B. and Catherine ( Mitchell) Shirk, both of whom were born and reared in Greene county, Pennsylvania. They had five children: Minnie, who married Mr. Phillips ; Bertha, wife of Mr. Jewell; Lilly, who married Mr. Adleman; Etta, who married C. Edgar; George, who is living on the home farm. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have one son, George R. He is not a member of any secret or fraternal order, nor of any church. In his political relations Mr. Jewell is a supporter of the Democratic party and is interested in its success, but he devotes more time to his business of farming and stock raising than he does to politics. Hence the signal success he has made of his business.
CHARLES A. MORELOCK.
The Morelock family have been identified with the history of Union county since several years before the Civil War, and during this long period of time have taken an active part in everything pertaining to the educa- tional, moral, material and religious history of their county. Charles A. Morelock, the present auditor of Union county, is a worthy representative of this sterling family and has spent his entire life in this county. The Morelock family are of German descent, the first members of the family coming from Germany to the United States in the latter part of the eighteenth century.
Charles A. Morelock, the son of J. J. and Candace (Converse) More- lock, was born in Plain City, Ohio, February 13, 1863. His father, who was
CHARLES A. MORELOCK
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a son of Michael and Anna M. Morelock, was born in Pennsylvania, and his mother was a native of the same state. Michael Morelock was born in Maryland and his father was born on the way across the ocean from Germany to the United States.
J. J. Morelock was reared in Pennsylvania and when a young man came to Ohio and located in Union county. He was a journeyman tanner and walked the entire distance from his native state to Union county, and here he found employment as a tanner with Asa Converse. It so happened that Mr. Converse had a daughter, Candace, and eventually Mr. Morelock and his employer's daughter were married. J. J. Morelock was a man of great energy and ability and within a few years purchased his father-in-law's business at Plain City. About 1864 he disposed of his interests in Plain City and moved to Marysville, the county seat of Union county, where he joined with G. L. Sellers in the purchase of a tan yard. A few years later Mr. Morelock purchased his partner's interest in the tanyard and operated the business alone until 1873, when he disposed of it at a good profit. In 1880 he and his son, Charles .A., made a trip across the ocean to England, Scotland, France and the borders of Belgiam and purchased fine horses with the intention of going into the breeding of high-class horses. They pur- chased a number of horses of different breeds, imported them into the United States and Mr. Morelock continued in the breeding of high grade horses until his death, October 20, 1894. His widow is still living in Marys- ville.
Charles A. Morelock was one year of age when his parents moved to Marysville. He completed his education in the public schools of Marysville and when about nineteen years of age went into the business with his father, who, at that time, was engaged in the breeding of horses. His father died when Charles A. was twenty-one years of age and he then assumed charge of his father's farm and business interests in Marysville. Mr. Morelock owns one hundred and seventy-six acres of fine land in Paris township, the More- lock block in Marysville and other business properties in the city. He is vice-president of the Commercial Savings Bank in Marysville and one of its directors and heavy stockholders.
Mr. Morelock was married September 1, 1888, to Eva S. Ferris, who was born at McArthur, Vinton county, Ohio, March 1, 1864. She is the daughter of Rev. H. H. Ferris, and is now deputy auditor of Union county. To this union one son has been born, Asa F., who was born August 31, 1889.
(38)
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After graduating from the high school, Asa F. Morelock entered the State University of Ohio and graduated in the mechanical engineering course in that institution. He is now a contractor and has a brilliant future before him.
The Morelock family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church and Mr. Morelock is a member of the official board of his denomination. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and has been trustee of his lodge at Marysville for several years. Politically, he has always been identified with the Democratic party and has held various offices in Marys- ville. He has been a member of the city council and also a member of the school board. In 1912 he was elected auditor of Union county by a majority of twelve hundred and ninety-two and was re-elected for a second term by a majority of nine hundred. These figures are more striking when it is known that the Republicans have a normal majority of eight hundred in Union county. His wife is assisting him in the duties of the office as his deputy and under their administration the office is being carefully and conscientiously managed.
HENRY R. LEE.
Among the representative farmers and respected citizens of Union county, one whose life history is eminently worthy of a place in a work of this character, is the gentleman whose name heads this article. He has passed to his reward, but his memory and beneficent influence has made an impress upon the community which will remain for all time, owing to the fact that he performed well his part in the sphere of life in which he was placed, and led a life that was exemplary in every respect. He set an example worthy of emulation by the younger generation, in that he was a leader in his locality in all matters pertaining to its upbuilding and advancement. As a consistent and progressive citizen he endeavored to do good in all lines as he labored for his own advancement and that of his family. The memory of such a man is well worthy to be cherished by his family and friends.
Henry R. Lee was born September 22, 1849, and died May 24, 1914. He was the son of Addison and Mary ( Bellville ) Lee. Addison Lee was born in Virginia and came to this county with his parents, Thomas and Anna (Good) Lee, at an early period. Thomas Lee settled in the woods in Lees- burg township, cleared out a farm and built a home in these woods and lived and labored there for the remainder of his days. Here he reared his large
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family of twelve children, Addison, Robert, Jacob, Thomas, Morton, Eliza, Sarah, Nancy, Jane, Margaret, Martha and Louisa.
Addison Lee was reared on a farm and continued to work on the farm during his early years. After he was married he started out to farm for him- self, beginning with small capital and in a small way. The first year he operated his farm with one horse and other equipments of similar inadequate character. But he was possessed of a capital of energy and industry which was unlimited and employed it to the fullest extent. The result was that he became a successful farmer, adding other acres to his original farm and at the time of his death he was one of the largest land owners in the county. His family consisted of the following named children: Joseph, deceased; William; John, deceased: Henry R., the subject of this sketch; Jane, who married Mr. Hildreth: Alice, deceased, who was the wife of Mr. Myers, and one who died in infancy.
Henry R. Lee received his early education in the country schools in Paris township and afterward finished his studies in the Darby school. Dur- ing all his school period he lived at home on the farm and did his share of farm work when not attending school. At the age of thirty years he com- menced farming for himself on fifty acres of land. August 24. 1881, he was married to Sarah Simpson, daughter of Joseph and Jane (Grist) Simp- son, and to this union two children were born, namely: Emma, who mar- ried Clarence Westlake and has one child, Ada, deceased, and Dewey M., who is attending school.
Joseph Simpson. the father-in-law of Mr. Lee, was born in England and came to America when he was only sixteen years old. He came with his parents, who settled in Pennsylvania, where they remained for some time and then came to Delaware county, Ohio. Joseph Simpson came to Union county and here he lived and reared his family. Of this family Sarah (Simpson) Lee, the widow of Mr. Lee, is the only one living: the others, George and Joseph, are dead. John and Thomas are half brothers of Mrs. Lee.
Henry R. Lee was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and was counted among the most active and influential members of that order. In politics he was an advocate of the principles of the Democratic party but had no aspirations for office or political honors. Other than as a member of the school board he never accepted a public office. While not affiliated with any particular church Mr. Lee was a believer in the faith taught by all the churches and was an advocate of every cause that had for its object the uplift of humanity and the moral welfare of the community.
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During his life Mr. Lee accumulated quite a competence and was one of the largest land owners in the county. His farm of four hundred and fifty acres. on which there is a fine home, is located on the Marion pike, where his widow still resides. It is one of the finest farm homesteads in the county and is a splendid testimonial of the intelligent management of Henry R. Lee.
JOSEPH J. BRANNAN.
Marysville boasts of no man with a wider business experience than Joseph J. Brannan. Born in this county, he left it at the age of sixteen to make his own way in the world and it was not until 1905 that he finally returned to his county to locate permanently. For a quarter of a century he was engaged in various enterprises elsewhere and during all of these years he prospered with credit to the county which gave him birth. For the past ten years he has been living in Marysville and here he expects to spend the remainder of his life.
Joseph J. Brannan, the son of George and Mary (Jordan) Brannan, was born at Pharisburg, Union county, Ohio, August 22, 1852. His parents, who were both natives of Muskingum county, Ohio, reared a family of twelve children : Margaret, deceased, the wife of Chester Skeels; Julia, deceased, who was the wife of George Courtwright, a soldier who died in the Civil War; Thomas M., of Columbus, Ohio; Nancy J., who died single in 1912; Salena A., the wife of Amos P. Coon, of Wheeler, Illinois; John. who died in the army during the Civil War : George, of Fort Scott, Kansas; Joseph J., of Marysville; and four who died in early childhood.
George Brannan was married a second time to Elizabeth Ann McCul- lough and to this second union five children were born: Rosaltha, deceased. who was the wife of Thomas Weatherholt; Emma, who died single; Ida, the wife of Andrew Irwin, of Wheeler, Illinois; Chester, of Oklahoma : and Marion, of Wheeler, Illinois. George Brannan was a farmer and had the reputation of clearing more heavy timber from the land of Union county than any other man. He left Ohio in 1865 and moved to Jasper county, Illinois, and from there went on west to Joplin, Missouri, where he died at the age of eighty-four years, four months and fourteen days, at the home of one of his daughters. His first wife died in 1858 in middle life. His second wife died in 1904. He and both of his wives were ardent members of the Meth- odist Episcopal church.
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The paternal grandparents of Joseph J. Brannan were natives of Penn- sylvania of Scotch-Irish descent. They were pioneer settlers of Muskingum county. Ohio, and made that their home the remainder of their lives. They reared a family of several children, George, Joseph, John, Mrs. Jackson and others whose names are not recorded. The maternal grandparents of Joseph J. Brannan were natives of Muskingum county, Ohio, and lived there all of their lives. Mr. Jordan and his wife reared a family of five children, Mary, Adamı, James, Josephus and Mrs. Blackstone.
Joseph J. Brannan was reared the life of a farmer's lad in Union county and received such education as was afforded by the district schools of his home neighborhood. When he reached the age of sixteen he left home and started out to seek his fortune in the wide world. He first went to Jasper county. Illinois, and then to Piatt county in the same state and lived there until his marriage. In 1873 he returned to Ohio and located on a farm near Pharisburg, where he farmed for six years. For the next eighteen years he traveled on the road for the F. C. Austin Company, selling rock crushers and road-making machinery. After that he became identified with the Fleming Manufacturing Company, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, remaining with them for two years. After leaving this company, he became connected with the Ault- man Company, of Canton, Ohio. After three years service with this com- pany, he joined the selling force of the National Drill and Manufacturing Company, of Chicago, Illinois, and was employed with them for two years. The next four years he spent in the employ of the Galion Iron Works Com- pany, of Galion, Ohio, and in 1905 he came to Marysville, Ohio, where he has since resided. He became interested in the real estate and loan business in 1912 in partnership with J. Walter Kennedy and the firm known as Ken- nedy & Brannan rapidly built up a large business in real estate, loans and insurance. Mr. Brannan sold out his interest in the firm November 9, 1914. Mr. Brannan is a man of wide experience and is a very entertaining con- versationalist. It is probably safe to say that he has traveled more miles than any man in Union county, has met more people and has had more varied experiences and gained more knowledge of human nature than any man in the county.
Mr. Brannan was married December 16, 1872, to Eliza Orsborne, the daughter of Jackson and Catharine (Conkling) Orsborne. Mrs. Brannan's father died six months before she was born and her mother passed away two weeks after her birth. Mrs. Brannan was the only child of her parents. Her
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father worked on a canal boat in the early history of the state and was drowned in the canal. Mr. and Mrs. Brannan have four children, Bertha Amelia, Adessa May, Zella Eliza and Blaine A. Bertha A. is the wife of Charles Grauman, a farmer of Allen township, and has two adopted children, Richard and Frederick. Adessa May is the wife of Leonard B. Pooler, of Marysville, and has two children, Cleta May and Clayton. Zella E. is the wife of Otto M. Burson, of Marysville, and has four children, Lydia, How- ard. Catharine and Paul. Blaine A. married May Kline and is now a moulder in the Regal Brass Factory in Marysville. Blaine has two children, Ruth and Joseph.
Mrs. Brannan is a native of Ohio. Her mother was a cousin of the celebrated Roscoe Conkling of New York. Her mother's name was Susan. Catherine Conkling had a sister, Melinda Boudle, who died leaving a family of five children, David, Ida, Ethel, Virgil and Anna.
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