USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, Ohio, from the founding of Franklinton in 1797, through the World War period to the year 1920 > Part 76
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"Yet, after all it may be best just in the happiest, sunniest hour of the voyage, while eager winds are kissing every sail, to dash against the unseen rocks and in an instant hear the billows roar over a sunken ship. For whether in midsea or among the breakers of the farther shore, a wreck must mark at last the end of each and all, and every life, no matter if its every hour is rich with love and every moment jeweled with a joy, will at its close, become a tragedy as sad and deep and dark as can be woven of the warp and woof of mys- tery and death.
"A Sigma Nu fraternity brother says of him: 'Ilis death causes an irreparable loss to our fraternity. We could always rely upon George being ever watchful for the interest and advancement of his fraternity brothers. He was a young man of unquestioned integrity and honesty, big hearted and liberal with his friends, and filled with a determination to make a success of whatever he undertook.
".I cannot think I will not say That he is dead-he's but away.'"
The Lantern also had the following to say editorially on the death of the subject of this memoir :
"Death is always sad, but only when it comes among us and takes away one with whom we have been associated in class-room and on campus, whom we have learned to know and love as a friend, do we fully appreciate its awfulness. \ gloom is cast over us now and we can only extend our deepest sympathy to the parents of our departed class-mate, to those whose hearts were bound to his with fraternal ties and to those who knew him best."
The following resolutions were adopted by Beta Nu Chapter, Sigma Nu Fraternity, of Ohio State University :
"Whereas, An omnipotent and allwise Providence has deemed it best to remove from our midst our beloved brother, George G. Foster, and
"Whereas, Beta Nu Chapter, of Sigma Nu Fraternity, has lost one of its sons and con- scientious supporters, and his parents a most devoted and loving son, therefore be it
"Resolved, That Beta Nu Chapter of Sigma Nu Fraternity. extend to the bereaved family its heartfelt sympathy in this the hour of bereavement, and be it further
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"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the family of the deceased; that a copy be spread upon the Chapter records and that they be published in the Delta of the Sigma Nu Fraternity."
"Whereas, We, the members of the law class of 1902 of Ohio State University, have learned with deep regret of the death of George G. Foster, a member of this class, which occurred at his late home in this city October 13, 1900, and
"Whereas, Our departed class-mate and fellow student was a young man who was always loyal to the interests of the O. S. U. He was a faithful student, a kind friend, and one who enjoyed the respect of all who knew him. In his classes and in and around the University he will be greatly missed, but his memory we will always hold in loving remem- brance. Therefore, be it
"Resolved, That in his death O. S. U. has lost one of its most promising students and the class of 1902 one of its most loyal members, and further, be it
"Resolved, That we tender to the relatives of our departed friend and fellow student our heartfelt sympathy in their sad bereavement, and further be it
"Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the parents of the deceased, and also to the newspapers and The Lantern, our college paper, for publication.
ELMA JENNINGS, H. M. PLUM, DAVID T. JONES, Committee."
The Columbus Rifles recorded their deep sense of loss in the death of Sergeant G. Foster, while yet in the first flush of manhood, as follows:
"Sergeant Foster was a young man of bright mind and promise, of sterling character, a genial and sympathetic companion, prompt and conscientious in the discharge of a duty, with always a deep and abiding interest in the welfare of the military company, of which he was a loved and honored member, and ever most willing to lend aid, whether of time or strength, to the furtherance of any project for the betterment of this organization.
"Resolved, That in the death of Sergeant George G. Foster, the Columbus Rifles mourn the loss of a most valuable, efficient and honored member and loved comrade.
"Resolved, That to the parents of the deceased we extend our deepest sympathy.
"Resolved, That these resolutions be spead upon the minutes of the Company and a copy of the same be sent to the family of the deceased.
FRANK E. KALB, JOSEPH H. DYER, WM. H. GOBEY,
Committee."
EDMUND FREDERICK ARRAS. Industry, uprightness and intelligence are charac- teristics which will advance the interests of any man, and will tend to the prosperity to which all aspire. Such are some of the traits of Edmund Frederiek Arras, a well known business man and loyal citizen of Columbus.
Mr. Arras is a native of the Buckeye State and is descended from two sterling old families of the central part of the State. His paternal grandfather, Johann Nicholas Arras, was a pioneer of the city of Dayton, but later in life removed to Columbus, while the maternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch, Frederick Jaeger, was one of the very early settlers of Columbus and the owner of considerable real estate in the south- ern section of the city.
John D. Arras, father of the gentleman whose name heads this review, was born in Columbus and became one of her well known business men. He founded and owned the Columbus Awning & Tent Company, which he conducted successfully for over twenty years. He was a Scottish Rite Mason, attaining the thirty-second degree in that Order. He was active in civic affairs. His death occurred December 21, 1907, highly respected by all who knew him. He married Clara H. Schneider, a native of Columbus, and the granddaughter of Frederick Jaeger, the Columbus pioneer.
Edmund F. Arras was born at Dayton, Ohio, July 7, 1875. There he spent his carly boyhood and attended the public schools, also studied in the Central High School of Colum- bus. He then entered the law department of Ohio State University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1895. At the time of his graduation he was under age and therefore ineligible for admittance to the bar, so he took post-graduate work in the Uni- versity in 1896, and on July 7th of that year, his twenty-first birthday, he was duly admitted to the Ohio Bar and while yet a very young man won his spurs in the local courts in a most creditable fashion.
Mr. Arras was private secretary to the late Judge Eli P. Evans, of the Franklin
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County Common Pleas Court, and the friendship formed between them during that assoeia- tion continued until the death of the judge in 1908.
While in college, in the year 1891, Mr. Arras established a rental ageney in Columbus and he has continued this business sueeessfully to the present time, developing and expand- ing it until it is now a large and well known eoneern, under the title of the Arras Rental Ageney with offiees on the second floor of the Huntington National Bank Building. He is managing agent for a number of large estates and corporations.
Mr. Arras is a member of the Broad Street Presbyterian Chureh, is the superintendent of the Sunday School of that ehureh and has long been active in church and Sunday School affairs of the city, county and State. He is president of the Federated Adult Bible elasses of the State.
He is a member of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, the Columbus Advertising Club, the Kiwanis Club of Columbus, the Franklin County Bar Association, the Ohio State University Alumni Association, the Columbus Automobile Club, and a member of the Business Men's Gymnasium Club.
He is a member of Humboldt Lodge of F. & A. M., Seioto Consistory 32 degree, of the Aneient Accepted Seottish Rite, Royal Areh Mason in Ohio Chapter, Royal and Select Masters of Columbus Couneil and a member of Aladdin Temple Aneient and Accepted Order of Nobles of the Mystie Shrine.
On July 12, 1897, Mr. Arras was united in marriage with Elizabeth Phila MeDer- ment, a daughter of James M. MeDerment, one of the leading business men of Columbus in the early days of the city's industrial development, and for a number of years treasurer of the Grand Lodge of Ohio of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
THOMAS SPARROW BROOKS. A history of the Brooks family shows that they are people who have ever been characterized by industry, thrift, foresight and honesty in dealing with their fellow men, and when, with these qualities are coupled the attributes of sound sense, taet and fortitude, which people of their blood universally possess, there are afforded sueh qualities as will enrich any land and place it at the top of the countries of the world in the seale of elevated humanity. The State of Ohio has been fortunate in having so many of this and other old families of like qualities settle within her border.
One of the best known members of the Brooks family of the present generation in Columbus is Thomas Sparrow Brooks, a well known business man, who represents the third generation of his family in this eity, his aneestors having been among the founders of the Capital City.
Mr. Brooks was born in Columbus on September 23, 1863. He is a grandson of David Brooks, the Columbus pioneer, and son of the late David W. and Maria (Simpkins) Brooks. He grew to manhood in his native eity and here received his education in the publie schools. When eighteen years of age he entered the employ of the old banking house of Brooks, Butler & Company, of which his father was the ranking member and guiding genius.
In 1895 Thomas S. Brooks beeame identified with the Casparis Stone Company, and he has sinee been connected with this well known eoneern. He was secretary and treas- urer of the company for some time and at this writing is discharging the duties of treasurer and viee-president.
Taking an interest in eivie affairs, Mr. Brooks has always tried to do his full duty as a publie-spirited eitizen, and he is now a trustee of the Columbus Publie Library. He is a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Ohio State Arehæologieal and His- torieal Society, and of the Columbus Club.
In 1887 Mr. Brooks was united in marriage with Miss Alice Morton, daughter of the late John S. Morton, a prominent business man and for a number of years president of the Sunday Creek Coal Company. To Mr. and Mrs. Brooks two daughters have been born Marion Morton Brooks, who married Major Edwin R. Sharp, jr., and Katherine Allien Brooks, who married Attorney Thomas Hoyt Jones, son of Judge Thomas A. Jones, of the Ohio Supreme Court.
D. STALEY CREAMER. While splendid sueeess has come to D. Staley Creamer, member of the Ohio Board of Administration and former state treasurer, he has ever been
D. S. Crramer
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actuated by the spirit of Lincoln in his sentiment: "There is something better than making a living-making a life." Beginning in a comparatively humble position in life he has made his way to a place of substance and honor entirely through his own efforts and yet he has not considered his private interests only, but rather has given greater consideration to the public welfare, for which he has ever been ready to make sacrifices.
Mr. Creamer, who has long been one of the well known citizens of Columbus, is of the third generation of his family which has been in Ohio for considerably over a century. The first Creamer to locate in this State was David Creamer, sr., a native of Maryland, who came to Belmont county, Ohio, in 1803, the year this State was admitted to the union. From the original owner he purchased a grant for a quarter section of land lying in Bel- mont county, which he cleared up and put under a good state of cultivation, and there he continued farming until his death in his ninety-third year, and was buried on his own farm, and the old Creamer homestead is still in the family, having been handed down from father to son. It is still in an excellent state of improvement and productiveness, having been carefully managed all these years.
David Creamer, sr., married Elizabeth Staley, who was a native of Ohio, and was also of a pioneer family of this State. Their son, David Jackson Creamer and father of David Staley Creamer, was born on the old home farm on August 26, 1829. He inherited the farm and lived on it all his life, being known as one of the leading agriculturists of his community, and there his death occurred on January 20, 1911. He married Amanda Masters, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, the daughter of Zadock Masters, a pioneer of that county. Her death occurred when her son, the subject of this sketch, was about eight years old.
D. Staley Creamer, son of David J. and Amanda (Masters) Creamer, was born on the old home farm in Belmont county, Ohio, September 3, 1858. There he grew to manhood and assisted with the general farm work when a boy during the erop seasons, and in the winter time he attended the common schools. He began his public career before he was a voter. His first "political" work was done during a campaign in the winter of 1879, when he drove a sleigh in his township, hauling voters to the polls in the interest of his friend and "political saint," Ross J. Alexander, who was making the race, on the Demo- cratic ticket, for congressman.
Mr. Creamer's first office was that of school director, then he was township clerk. By that time he was becoming well known and was given a place on the township's Demo- cratic committee. Then for three years, from 1873 to 1875, inclusive, he was manager of the Belmont Agricultural Association, which work added to his popularity and made him the logical candidate of his party, which at that time was a minority party by over one thousand votes, for a worth-while office, and in 1892 he was nominated to lead, what was by his friends regarded as a forlorn hope, the race for county recorder. His popularity, wide ac- quaintance and his untiring work resulted in his election. After he had held the office one term, his record was so clean and commendable that he was re-nominated and again elected in 1894. Upon leaving the recorder's office he engaged in the real estate business in St. Clairsville. the county seat of Belmont county, and in 1901 be bought a half interest in the St. Clairsville Gazette, which he later sold.
On June 1, 1906, Mr. Creamer took office, under appointment by Governor Patterson, as state fire marshal, and in that year he removed to Columbus. He held that office for one term of two years. In April, 1908, he received the nomination of the Democratic state con- vention for state treasurer, and was elected at the ensning election. That his record was entirely satisfactory to his constituents and all concerned is seen from the fact that he was re-elected in 1900. While state treasurer he wrote every line of the law, which was sub- sequently enacted, which provides for the letting out of the state's moneys to the highest bidder, which law has saved $1,797,606.75 to the State in interest. And the Democratic national convention at Baltimore. Maryland, in 1912 adopted as a plank of its platform the principles of the Ohio law to be applied to the federal government's moneys.
Mr. Creamer's term as state treasurer expired on January 13, 1913, and in March, 1915, Governor Willis appointed him a member of the Ohio Board of Administration, which board has charge of the administration of the affairs of all State institutions, twenty-two in number, and which board is the most important in the State government, it being strictly non-partisan, and entirely removed from the influence of politics. His record in this respon-
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sible position has been equally as creditable as it was as state treasurer. He has discharged his duties as a public servant at all times in an able, faithful and conscientious manner, and has shown himself to be exceptionally well qualified in every respect for the trusts reposed in him.
Mr. Creamer was married to Gertrude R. Fowler, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, the daughter of Charles and Rebecca Fowler. Mrs. Creamer is a woman of rare accomplishments and is active and influential in civic and benevolent work. She has served on the board of the Crittenden Home. She is a member of the various women's clubs of Columbus and other organizations, and is a Daughter of the American Revolution.
To Mr. and Mrs. Creamer the following children have been born: Lorena Verdell, who married James A. McClure, of Columbus; Effie Marie died when four years old; David Harold, who was graduated from North High School, with the class of 1917, is now a student in Ohio State University; Genevieve is the youngest.
Mr. Creamer is a member of the Masonic Order and the Presbyterian Church. He is well known and highly respected by all classes.
FREDERICK J. HEER. Among the business men of Columbus who have appreciated present-day conditions and opportunities is Frederick J. Heer, president of the F. J. Heer Printing Company. He has profited by his ingenuity and persistency in the business world as a result of the favorable conditions existing in the locality of his birth where he has been contented to spend his life, rather than seeking uncertain fortune in other and remote fields. Whatever he has addressed himself to he has made a success, being a man of energy, correct principles and public spirit.
Mr. Heer was born in Columbus, October 14, 1858, son of the late Jacob and Caroline (Sweitzer) Heer, natives of Germany, from which country they emigrated to the United States in early life and took up their future abode in Columbus, where they became well cstablished as a result of their thrift and perseverance. Jacob Heer was born in Bavaria in 1830 and came to America in 1848, the year that so many of his countrymen sought free- dom in the new world. He landed at the port of New Orleans and there worked for sev- eral years, later went to St. Louis and lived there and in other cities of the Middle West a number of years, finally locating in Columbus in 1856. He was a machinist by trade and was employed by the Columbus Machine Works for many years. His death occurred in this city June 9, 1903, at the age of seventy-three years. His wife, Caroline Sweitzer, was born in Rheinish Bavaria, from which country she came to America with her parents when she was about fifteen years old, the Sweitzer family locating in Columbus in 1857. Her death occurred August 6, 1914, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Frederick J. Heer grew to manhood in his native city and here he attended school. His education in the schools was limited for he went to work in a printing office when only twelve years of age. He learned the printing business from the ground up, adding to his knowledge in the great school of experience. It was in 1871 that he began an apprentice- ship with the old Columbus Gazette, where he served both in the composing and press rooms, thoroughly mastering the two trades. In 1878 he took a position with the Lutheran Book Concern print shop as foreman, which position he held for a period of fourteen years. In 1892 he was elected assistant manager of the concern and in 1899 was made manager, continuing in the latter responsible position until 1907. In all these positions he discharged his duties ably, conscientiously and faithfully, as his long tenure would indicate.
Desiring to launch out in business for himself, Mr. Heer, in 1907 resigned as manager of the Lutheran Book Concern and incorporated the F. J. Heer Printing Company, of which he has been president ever since, and which he has built up into one of the leading printing and publishing houses in central Ohio. His plant is well equipped, everything modern and complete, and high-grade work is turned out rapidly and promptly. Only highly skilled workmen are employed and everything is managed under a superb system.
Mr. Heer became a director of the Central Building & Loan Company in 1890 and has been its president since 1908. Its pronounced success has been due principally to his able management and wise foresight.
The subject of this sketch has also been very active in civic affairs and has given freely of his time and means to advance the welfare and general interests of his home city. He was a member of the board of trustees of the Ohio Medical College at the time that institution
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was taken over by the Ohio State University, and at that time he was the only member of the board who had served in that position from the organization of the college. He was a member of the board of education from 1886 to 1903, and since 1902 he has been a member of the board of trustees of the public school sinking fund commission. He has also been a member of the board of trustees of the public library since 1902, and for a period of thirty years he served as treasurer of the Lutheran church synod of Ohio and other states; he was also treasurer of St. Paul's Lutheran Church for a period of twenty-five years.
Mr. Heer has also been prominent in Democratic politics, and has been treasurer of the State Democratic Executive Committee for twenty-five years. He was president of the city council in 1914 and 1915. He is a member of the Columbus Athletic Club and the Olentangy Club, also belongs to the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. Heer married Pauline K. Beck, a native of Columbus, daughter of the late William Beck, who was an extensive contractor and builder of this city. The union of our subject and wife has resulted in the birth of five children, named as follows: Esther, now Mrs. D. H. Ebinger; Walter F., manager of the great sportsman's magazine, "The Hunter-Trader- Trapper," which is published by his father; William C., who is assistant manager of the F. J. Heer Printing Company ; Edith is at this writing (1918) a student in ( Ohio State University ; and Ruth is attending the public schools.
Mr. Heer is deserving of a great deal of credit for what he has accomplished in the face of the obstacles that confront every ambitious boy who starts out in life unaided to carve out a fortune. He is regarded as one of the most influential public men of Columbus, and he has discharged his duties most faithfully as a public servant in all the positions with which he has been entrusted. He is known as a loyal, earnest, and high-minded gentleman, who has the interests of his home city much at heart, and he is popular with all classes.
PELATHIA WEBSTER HUNTINGTON. This vital, progressive age is one that de- mands of men a distinctive initiative power if they are to attain success and in addition to this power is required, self-reliance, determination and consecutive application in the pursnit of a definite purpose. All these attributes were exemplified in the career of Pelatiah Web- ster Huntington, who gained success and prestige in the business world and who was dis- tinctively the architect of his own fortunes. Appreciative of the attractions and advantages of the city of Columbus he here found it possible to gain a position as one of its leading financiers and substantial men of affairs, and he always enjoyed unmistakable popular esteem in the section of Ohio which he elected to make his home and the scene of his well-directed endeavors.
Mr. Huntington was born in Norwich, Connecticut, July 2, 1836, the son of Benjamin and Margarretta Dunlap (Perit) Huntington. He was a descendant of the ninth generation of Christopher Huntington, who, in the year 1659, with his brother Simon and their asso- ciates, purchased from Uncas, chief of the Mohegan Indians a tract of land nine miles square at and near the headquarters of the Thames river in Connecticut. From that trans- action resulted the removal, in the spring of 1660, of some thirty families from Saybrook, Connecticut, and these located in the valley of the Yantic river, a tributary of the Thames. The settlement thus established was the beginning of the town of Norwich. The two brothers, Christopher and Simon, were the founders of the families which from an early period became widespread and influential in the state of Connecticut, and have since dis- persed throughout the United States, many of them becoming leaders in their respective localities in various walks of life, prominent in business, professional and public life.
Christopher Huntington was the first town clerk of Norwich, and for a period of one hundred and sixty-five years that office passed uninterruptedly from father to son in the line there represented. Benjamin, the father of Pelatiah W., succeeded to it in 1825, and hield the office until it was abolished.
In early life Benjamin Huntington was engaged in mercantile pursuits. Subsequently he became treasurer of the Norwich Savings Society, one of the oldest and strongest financial institutions of New England, continuing in that position for more than thirty years and until his death. He always made his home in Norwich, where he died at a very advanced age, without disease, in his eighty-fifth year.
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