History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 112

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196

USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II > Part 112

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Thomas E. Powell received his elas-ieal training at Ohio Wesleyan Univer- sity, from which he graduated in June, 1863. His college course was interrupted by his enlisting in the army in 1862 and serving four months in Maryland and West Virginia. He reenlisted in 1864 in the hundred-day service and went with his reziment to the fortifications in front of Washington. On his return from the war, he commenced the study of law with his father, and in the summer of 1865 was admitted to the bar. William P. Reid, then the leading trial lawyer of Cen- tral Ohio, being favorably impressed with young Powell, suggested that he become a member of a firm of which Colonel Reid would be the head. The part- nership was formed and in a few years its practice was the largest of any county- town firm in Ohio. This firm continued until the death of Colonel Reid in 1879. Mr. Powell's business continued to grow until he was a regular attendant at most of the courts in the central counties of the State. During the past fifteen years be has been engaged in many of the leading civil and criminal cases tried in Ohio. In the celebrated Inskip murder case tried in Logan County in 1878, he was the leading counsel for the defense and saved the lite of his chent to the surprise of all familiar with the facts. He was also leading counsel in the Lou Hauk murder case, tried in Delaware in 1883, and in the George W. Butler murder case, tried in Columbia City, Indiana. He defended and secured the acquittal of Allen O. Myers, in which case the State, fearing that political sentiment in Franklin County would prevent the conviction of the defendant, secured a change of venue and the case was removed to Madison County, where it was tried before a jury composed of Republicans. Although most severely contested, Mr. Powell was completely victorious. In the celebrated W. J. Elliott murder trial, he conducted the defense in the most bitterly contested case ever tried at the Franklin County bar, and he is leading counsel of P. J. Elliott, brother of W. J., whose case is still in court. In the prosecution of Waggoner in Morrow County, Ohio, he represented the State and seeured a conviction of murder in the first degree. He was also engaged in the celebrated Deshler will case, which involved over a half of million of dollars, and which occupied the attention of the Franklin County eourts for ten years. He won his cause and the will was set aside. In the great Church divorce case, he was the principal attorney for the plaintiff and his efforts were crowned with success. He is now engaged in the fierce contests among the creditors of the Ohio & Western Coal & Iron Company, in which millions are involved.

In January, 1872, he married Eliza, the only daughter of Edward Thomson, Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The fruit of that marriage is, Edward T. Powell, Maria T. Powell, Cornelia T. Powell, Raymond T. Powell, Warren T. Powell and Oliver H. Powell.

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Amid his onerous duties, Mr. Powell has found time to give politics some attention. He is, not by birth but by nature, a Democrat, and since the death of Lincoln has acted with the Democratic party. In 1872 he was a delegate to the National Convention which nominated Greeley, and was the presidential elector for his district on the Greeley ticket. In 1875 he received the Democratic nomin- ation for Attorney-General on the ticket with Governor William Allen. In 1879 he placed Thomas Ewing in nomination in the State Convention. In 1882 he did the same for James W. Newman, for Secretary of State. Each of these gentle- men was nominated and the latter elected. In 1882 he was the Democratic nom - inee for Congress in the old Ninth District, and though defeated, ran fifteen hundred ahead of his ticket, carrying his native county, which no Democratic Congressional candidate has ever done, either before or since. In 1883 that old Democratic warhorse, Durbin Ward, selected Mr. Powell to present his name to the Democratic State Convention, which he did in a most eloquent manner. In 1884, he was a delegate to the National Democratic Convention, and at the request of Governor George Hoadly, placed that gentleman's name in nomination for the Presidency. He was also an elector at large on the Democratic ticket. In 1885, he was chairman of the State Democratic Executive Committee. In 1887, he was nominated by the Democrats for Governor, defeating in convention James E. Campbell Though defeated at the polls, he ran between nine and ten thousand votes ahead of his ticket. In 1888, he placed in nomination in the St. Louis Con- vention, Allen G. Thurman. During the last four years the demands of his pro- fession have prevented him giving much attention to politics.

Mr. Powell has always taken an active interest in educational matters. He clings to his Alma Mater, and his eldest son is now a student there. He was trustee of the Ohio Wesleyan Female College until that institution was incorpor- ated with the Ohio Wesleyan University, since which time he has been a trustee of that institution. He was one of the organizers of the Deposit Banking Com- pany of Delaware, and of the Delaware Chair Company, of Delaware, and a director in each. He is now a large stockholder in the Columbus Land Associa- tion, which owns between three and four hundred acres of land just east of the city and which has a paid-up capital of one-half a million of dollars. He is the only resi- dent director, the others being John C. Bullitt, Mr. Drexel, and other wealthy citi- zens of Philadelphia.

Mr. Powell moved from Delaware to this city in 1887, and is devoting himself to the rapidly increasing business of his profession. His associates in the firm are, Selwyn N. Owen, lately Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Ohio, Thomas H. Ricketts and Samuel L. Black. The firm of Powell, Owen, Ricketts & Black, has as large a law business as any firm in Ohio.

PHILIP H. BRUCK

[Portrait opposite page 480.1

Was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 6, 1845, and is the son of John P. Bruck and Margaret Bruck, nee Ell. His parents are natives of Bavaria and came to the United States in the thirties. His father, who was a cabinetmaker by trade, lived in New York for a few years and then removed to Columbus, where he resided until his death in 1883.

Philip H. Bruck was educated in the public schools of Columbus, and grad - uated from the Highschool in 1861. That same year he entered a drug store as an apprentice, and in the fall of 1861 he became proprietor of the store. In

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1866 he formed a partnership with Herman Braun, under the firm name of Braun & Bruck, which continued until 1887. Mr. Bruck was actively engaged in the drug business for twentysix years, and at the time of his retirement had three establishments, two retail and one wholesale and retail, now H. Braun, Sons & Company. In 1864 he enlisted for the onehundred days service in Company H, One Hundred and Thirtythird Ohio Infantry, under Captain Williams.

Mr. Bruck is a Democrat, and as such has taken an active interest in political affairs. During 1880-82 he represented the eighth ward on the Board of Educa- tion. In 1884 he was appointed by Governor Hoadly a member of the Ohio Board of Pharmacy for three years, during which time he was Secretary of the Board. In 1886 he was elected a member of the Board of Police Commissioners. The following year he was unanimously nominated for Mayor, overcame a large majority cast for General Walcutt two years before, and defeated his opponent, D. F. Pugh, by 1,100 majority. In 1889 he was indorsed in his administration by a reelection by 1,700 majority over General Walentt. The National Encampment of the Grand Army of the Republic. and the Centennial Exposition were held in Columbus during his administration, and much of their success was due to his energy and untiring exertions.

Mr. Bruck is a member of the McCoy Post, Grand Army of the Republie ; Colum- bus Lodge 30, F. A. M. : Syrian Temple, N. M. S. ; Humboldt Verein and Columbus Männerchor. He has been identified with the Mannerchor (of which his father was a charter member) for more than twentyfive years, and served as its tem- porary director for several years. He acted as Fest Director at the first Sänger- fest held in Columbus, in 1878, of the Central Ohio Sängerbund. He is also a member of the Columbus Club and the Board of Trade. Besides being a director of the Columbus Machine Company and the Evening Post Printing Company, he is interested in a number of other Columbus enterprises.

Mr. Bruck's administration as mayor was characterized by upright and businesslike methods. He fathered the midnight closing ordinance, and made earnest endeavors to drive professional gamblers from the city. In 1891 Mr. Bruck was elected to the lower branch of the State Legislature, of which body he is still a member.

He was married in 1869 to Mary Lennox, daughter of James Lennox. They have two sons and two daughters: J. Philip, James, Mary and Beatrice Bruck.

FREDERICK JAEGER

[Portrait opposite page 496.1

Was born in Columbus, Ohio, on October 5, 1835. His father, Christian Frederick Jaeger, was a native of Heilinrode in Hesse Cassel, Germany, and was the son of Rev. John J. Jaeger, a minister of the German Reformed Church. His mother, Henrietta (Brauer) Jaeger was born in Germany on January 28, 1799, and died in Columbus on February 10, 1868. His parents emigrated to America in 1834 and located in Columbus towards the latter part of that year. Fuller details concern- ing Mr. Jaeger's parents appear in the sketch of his father's life which is pub- lished in Volume I of this work.

Frederick Jaeger, the subject of this sketch, received his education in the public schools and at the Capital University of Columbus. After engaging in a few minor occupations, he in 1856 took up the ice business, in which be has been engaged from that time to this present. He has also dealt largely in real estate and stocks, many of his investments yielding him handsome profits Mr. Jaeger

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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.

was a Democrat in politics ; of late years he has pursued an independent course. He was a member of the City Council for three terms, commencing in April, 1863, and was also one of the first City Park Commissioners, serving for nine years. He is a member of the Odd Fellows, and is interested in many business enterprises. He has always taken an active part in any movement looking to the advance- ment and prosperity of the city, and did much towards securing the permanent location of the State Fair at Columbus. He was married on March 4, 1869, to Louise Philippine Herancourt. They have three children : Christian F., Fred- erick and Henrietta Louise.

JERRY P. BLISS

[Portrait opposite page 512.]

Was born in Columbus, Ohio, September 14, 1854, and is the son of Charles and Deborah (Shead) Bliss, About 1814 his grandparents settled on a farm of 320 acres where he now resides. The lot on which his mother was born was the scene also of his own and children's birth, so that Mr. Bliss and his family have been identified with the South Side from a very early day. He was educated in the public schools and attended one at the corner of Third and Mound streets until he was thirteen years of age. While going to school, he helped support his mother by selling papers and by gathering bouquets from her flowerbeds and sell- ing them on the streets and places of public resort. Thus at this early age he man- ifested that spirit of energy and enterprise which has since characterized his career. On leaving school, he served two winters in the Ohio Senate as a page, carning in wages and perquisites over six hundred dollars, with which he relieved his home of an indebtedness incurred by helping an uncle who failed. He also worked in the old steam brickyard and at the bench as a chairmaker and carver. In 1870 he worked on a farm for ten months and then on the railroad as a newsboy for three months. He next secured a position in the general office of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, which he held until 1876, when he went into the ticket office at the Union Station. He represented the Indiana, Bloomington and Western Railway, and soon achieved a widely known and well deserved reputation in that branch of the service. While in the railroad business he advanced a large snm of money to a friend in the baking business, who, through poor management, was soon on the verge of failure. In order to protect himself, Mr. Bliss took charge of the business and since August, 1888, has conducted it himself. In June, 1891, he gave up railroading in order to give all his time and energy to his bakery, which he considerably enlarged and fitted out with all the latest devices and inventions applicable to the baking business, so that today he has the most thor- oughly equipped plant in Columbus. He introduced many innovations, the most prominent of which was the abolition of night and Sunday work and requiring all baking to be done in the daytime.

Mr. Bliss has dealt considerably in real estate, from which he has realized handsome returns. His first speenlation in this line was when he was eighteen years old, and he cleared over fifteen hundred dollars on an actual cash outlay of sixtysix dollars. In politics he is a Republican and has, by rendering long and disinterested service to his party, won a high place in the councils and esteem of his party friends. In the south end, whose interests and improvements he has done more to advance than any other man by securing for it proper recognition from the municipal authorities, he has a large number of supporters in both par- ties. This was evidenced at the recent election by his selection as a member of

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the Board of Public Works, to which he was elected by a majority of 2,758 votes - the largest majority ever given any person of either party in Columbus. In 1888, he was the first delegate selected in Ohio to represent the thirteenth distriet in the national convention at Chicago which nominated Benjamin Harrison. Although a strong effort was made to thwart his selection, yet he secured 37 dele- gates ont of a possible 38 in the district convention. He was a candidate for post- master and received strong support from all classes, and was the only applicant endorsed by all the newspapers of Columbus. But his wellknown friendship and support of Ex-Governor J. B. Foraker rendered him obnoxious to Senator Sher- man, who refused to endorse his candidacy, thereby defeating him.

Mr. Bliss is prominent in secret and fraternal societies and is a member of .Junia Lodge, 1. O. O. F .; Goodale Lodge, F. & A. M .; Temple Chapter, Royal Arch . Masons; Mount Vernon Commandery, No. 1, K. T .; Algonquin Tribe, Red Men ; Joseph Dowdall Lodge, K. of P., and Junia Hussars: also . a member of Town Street Methodist Church.

He was married on September 15, 1874, to Adelia Rodgers. Their family consists of Irene, Van Seltzer, Bertha Minerva, Frederick Herbst, Hattie and Deborah.

N. B. ABBOTT

[Portrait opposite page 520.]

Was born in Middlebury, Connecticut, on February 10, 1835. His parents were poor and at the early age of eight years he was sent out to earn his living on a farm. He worked for his board, clothes and winter schooling until sixteen years of age. He finished his education in the winter of his sixteenth year at the Highschool of Watertown, Connecticut, worked on a farm the following summer, and then entered on a four years' apprenticeship to learn the trade of carpenter in New Haven, Connectient, receiving the meager salary of 25, 30, 35 and 10 dol- lars per year and his board for the four years. Having learned architectural drawing at the New Haven night school, he decided to become an architect and was employed for one year at that profession in Hudson, Ohio. His health fail- ing on account of too close application to business, he decided to engage in an outdoor business. He went to Waterbury, Connecticut, and engaged in building by contract. He afterwards removed to Watertown in the same State and carried on the building business until 1861.

When the war broke out, he enlisted in the Twentieth Regiment, Connecti- cut Infantry, and served three years in the war. He participated in the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, receiving a slight wound in the latter battle. Mr. Abbott went west with the Twelfth Corps, afterwards the Twentieth, and was in the entire campaign from Nashville to Chattanooga, from Chattanooga to Atlanta, from Atlanta to the sea and from Savannah to Washington. Enlisting as a private, he was promoted through all the intervening grades up to First Lieu- tenant, and he finished the service after the battle of Bentonville as Adjutant of the Regiment. The war over, he again took up the business of building. He abandoned this at the end of a year, and locating in Brooklyn he engaged in con- tracting for street work. He carried on asphalt paving in Brooklyn and for many years has been engaged in laying that species of pavement throughout the country. In 1876 he took up his residence in Columbus, where he has built sev- eral of the largest sewers and paved about fifty miles of streets with various kinds of pavement. This work has cost the city about three millions of dollars.

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The Ohio Paving Company, of which he is President, does a business of about a million of dollars annually and also manufactures the Hallwood paving block. The field of their operations embraces the principal eities of the United States, and the demand for the Hallwood paving blocks has become so great that the Company now has eight factories employed in producing them. Mr. Abbott has stated that during twentyfive years of business life he has paid out for labor alone over three million dollars. He has always been a manager of large operations and has established a reputation for energy, push and superior work.

HENRY W. KNIGHT

[Portrait opposite page 528.]

Was born in Margate, Kent County, England, on October 22, 1838. His father, William Edward Nash Knight, and his mother, Mary Ann Phamplett, were mar- ried on July 25, 1830, and their family consisted of ten children. His father was a surfman and gained his livehhood by wrecking, diving and fishing. This had been the occupation of his ancestors, both paternal and maternal, for generations. Mr. Knight received but little schooling owing to the straitened circumstances of his parents, and at an early age was obliged to go to work. His three oldest brothers were apprenticed as seamen when mere youths and sailed almost wholly to Pacific ports. Being in California at the time of the discovery of gold, they abandoned the sea and went prospecting for gold. Fortune favored them and they were soon able to return to England with a large sum of money. When the brothers returned home in 1853, they found Heury W. Knight working in a bake- shop for the meager sum of sixpenee per week. Having concluded to return to California they decided to take him with them and all three landed in New York on October 19, 1854, and immediately proceeded to Iberia, Ohio, where they ar- rived on October 24. Henry W. was placed at work for a Doctor Mills on the latter's farm, caring for a large flock of sheep. He continued at this occupation until the spring of 1855, when his brothers brought him to Columbus to learn a trade. He was apprenticed for three years to John Rushmore (whose place of business was on the corner of Wall and Rich streets), to learn the blacksmithing trade. Although his wages were small, yet by elose economy and by working after hours, sawing wood and making fishnets, he managed to save a little money. At the end of the three years he had a misunderstanding with his employer about his wages and he went to work for A. P. Trummer, who ran a shop on the corner of Mound and Front streets, where Phillip Kinnell's tool and ax works are now situated.

On October 1, 1859, Mr. Knight was married and continned working at his trade nntil 1860, when he received an offer to accompany as horseshoer, a party of men who were about to take a large number of horses across the plains to Cal- ifornia. As the wages offered were much larger than he was receiving, he went, leaving his wife in charge of her parents. After a trip of ninety days they ar- rived in California, where Mr. Knight obtained employment at his trade in a small place about twenty miles from Stockton. He soon gave this up to go in search of his brothers, who were working a claim about sixty miles distant. After a tedions journey full of hardships and peril through the mountains, he found them. In a very short. time he had purchased an interest in their elaim, but the returns not meeting his expectations he abandoned this, and for the next seven years traversed the gold regions of California and Idaho looking for wealth. Bad luck, however, seemed to follow his footsteps and in the winter of 1868 he gave up

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prospecting. He obtained employment from a man by the name of Sidney Man- ning as a pieksharpener, and then his fortunes began to mend. The following summer he bought out Mr. Mauning, who desired to return to his home in Ohio, and ran the shop himself. In a short time his earnings were so large that he was enabled to return to Columbus, where he has ever since resided.

Soon after his return from the gold country Mr. Knight, in connection with his brother, began to take contracts for the construction of publie sewers. Their partnership lasted until the death of his brother in July, 1887, since which time Mr. H. W. Knight has carried on the business alone. Mr. Knight's knowledge of the sewer system of Columbus is perhaps the most complete possessed by any citizen of Columbus. In addition to his business as contractor he has dealt largely in real estate, from which he has realized large returns. He is also the inventor of several very valuable sanitary appliances, which it is his intention to soon put upon the market Ever since his return from California Mr. Knight has lived on Broad street at his present home, which he purchased with a part of the proceeds of his western venture. His family consists of two sons and one daugh- ter.

MAURICE EVANS,

[ Portrait opposite page 570.]

The wellknown florist residing on East Main Street, was born in Carno, Mont- gomeryshire, North Wales, on March 2, 1821. His parents were Evan and Eliza- beth (Reynolds) Evans. His mother died when he was quite young; his father was a wellknown shoedealer of the shire until he emigrated to this country in 1851. Mr. Evans comes from an ancient and historie family and his relatives still occupy the old castle in Montgomeryshire that has been in the family for many centuries. He was educated at the parish school of Carno and at the age of fifteen went to learn the trade of wagonmaker, but he was more inclined to the cultivation and growth of fruits and flowers, which he has made a life study. In 1845 he left his native land for America and came direct to Columbus, traveling the whole distance by water, as the railways had not yet entered Columbus. For six years be worked on the present Capitol building when it was being erected. He has occupied his present residence on East Main Street since 1855, and has built up a large and prosperous florist business. His grounds and greenhouses are noted for their rare and beautiful floricultural and horticultural exhibits, in which Mr. Evans takes great pride. His floral displays at the State fairs have always been much admired for their beauty. At the Ohio Centennial Exposition in 1888, he earned off thirteen hundred dollars in first premiums for floral dis- plays, having imported many rare plants for this special purpose.

In 1846 Mr. Evans was united in marriage to Ann Reynolds. There have been born to them five children, four of whom are now living, namely : Maurice, Mary E., Edward and Margaret A.

NELSON OBETZ

[Portrait opposite page 608.]

Was born in Delaware County, Ohio, February 2, 1853; his parents were Henry and Sarah Obetz. His father was born in Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania, and was of German deseent. When nine years of age he came to Ohio, in 1835, by the over- land ronte. Sarah Obetz, mother of Nelson Obetz, was born in Germany and

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came to this country when seven years of age. Her maiden name was Sarah Hensel.

Nelson Obetz received his scholastic training at Lebanon, Ohio, and his medical education at Starling Medical College under the preceptorship of Doctor Starling Loving. He graduated in medicine in 1879. In April of that year he opened an office at 333 East Main Street, where he has been located up to the present time.

Doctor Obetz is a Democrat in politics, and under Governor Hoadly's administration was resident trustee of the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. At the present time he is demonstrator of anatomy at Starling Medical College ; physician to the Franklin County Infirmary, and the Franklin County jail ; examiner for the Prudential Insurance Company, and also examiner for the Fidelity Mutual Life Association of Philadelphia. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias. On October 21, 1885, he was married to Edith Amie Lesquereux, granddaughter of Professor Leo Lesquereux.

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History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume II, Part 112

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co Publication date: 1892 Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co. Number of Pages: 1196

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1196