USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Memoirs of Lucas County and the City of Toledo > Part 10
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heavy artillery. He served with his command in a variety of places, participating in the defenses of Washington and in the memorable campaigns of Sheridan. He experienced active service at Cold Harbor, Va .; before Petersburg and Richmond; in the assault on Petersburg; in the battle of Cedar Creek, Va., and in the fall of Petersburg and Richmond, April 2, 1865. For fidelity to duty, and because of his marked executive ability, he was appointed quartermaster and served in this capacity in many im- portant branches of the service until his discharge from the army at the close of the conflict, in June, 1865. As quartermaster he furnished supplies to General Sherman's and Sheridan's commands as they passed through Petersburg on their final return from their triumphant invasion of the South to Washington, and was complimented verbally by General Sheridan for the prompt and efficient manner in which he had supplied his army with provi- sions. For his faithful and exceptionally meritorious services wher- ever assigned he was recommended for promotion by the quarter- master-general shortly prior to the evacuation of Richmond and Petersburg, and was recommended by General Grant for the posi- tion of assistant quartermaster-general, but, because of the confu- sion incident to Lee's surrender and the assassination of President Lincoln, the commission was not issued. During its period of service his regiment lost 267 men, two of whom were officers, and two died in the hands of the enemy. Mr. Flower received a pension for disabilities incurred in the service. He came to Ohio immediately after the cessation of hostilities, and early in the spring of 1866 associated himself with his father-in-law, the late George W. Reynolds, in the Reynolds Flour Mills at Maumee, in which he retained his interest until 1873, when the firm retired from the milling business. But about five years previously the firm had established a commission house in Toledo, under the name of George W. Reynolds & Co., of which Mr. Flower assumed the general management in 1873. The above firm was continued until 1876, when Mr. Reynolds retired, and soon afterward the firm of S. W. Flower & Co. was formed, its principal business being that of dealing in seeds, especially clover seeds. The busi- ness has grown steadily and has been remunerative, is still car-
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ried on, and during Mr. Flower's last illness was very ably con- ducted by Charles S. Burge, the other member of the firm. S. W. Flower was an honored member of several patriotic and fraternal organizations, belonging to the ancient and honorable order of Free & Accepted Masons, which he joined shortly after attaining to his majority, at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y .; Ohio Post, No. 107, Grand Army of the Republic; Anthony Wayne Chapter, No. 739, Sons of the American Revolution, and the Toledo Produce Ex- change, of which he was an active member for over thirty years, and of which he served as president for a term. His ances- tors were not only patriotic and highly honorable, but were also of a decided Christian character. His grandparents, parents and stepfather were all Christian people. His most intimate friends were Christian people. He gave his heart to God in early man- hood, and ever afterward his daily life was strictly in accord with the tenets of the Christian faith. He carried his religious prin- ciples into his business, and often said that if he succeeded in commercial pursuits it must be along the lines of strict honesty, integrity and the fundamental teachings of the Lowly Nazarene. He prospered in the seed business because he handled good seed, and the firm of which he was the head became known far and wide as one that could be depended on to buy and sell on the prin- ciple of the strictest honesty. He loved to converse on religious topics, especially those pertaining to personal religious life and experience. Being of a modest and retiring nature, he often felt troubled that he did not feel as keen religious emotions and per- sonal assurances as some Christian people experienced or pro- fessed. He was both conservative and progressive. While cling- ing to the old doctrines, and always loyal to the church, he took a broad and statesmanlike view of the Kingdom of God, and did not deem it necessary to follow the old and beaten path if a better way presented itself. In the Christian church he found the suitable field for the practical exercise of his Christian faith and principles. In the spring of 1867 he united with the Metho- dist Episcopal church at Maumee, in the affairs of which he was very active until he took up his residence in Toledo, in 1874, when he transferred his membership to St. Paul's Church of that
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denomination. By changes of residence he became an attendant upon the services of other churches, having been for a number of years a member of St. John's Methodist Episcopal Church, and frequently attending, with Mrs. Flower, the church of her choice, the Episcopal, at Trinity or St. Mark's. Among young people he was an especial favorite, contributing to their enjoyment in all possible ways and assisting them by kindly advice and example. Nearly all his life he was a highly successful teacher of Bible classes in Sabbath schools; and his Christian activities, especially the study and teaching of the Word of God and his many unos- tentatious benevolences, became to him real means of grace; and he always counted them among the happiest experiences of his life. For several years prior to receiving the summons to the Church Triumphant, Mr. Flower was unable, because of severe afflictions, to attend religious services in the church. But in all this time the sacred fire of his deep and abiding faith never died out on the domestic altar of his home. Morning and evening reading of the Scriptures and prayer were regularly maintained, and frequently in the household worship he strengthened his body and soul by receiving the Holy Eucharist, in sacred commemora- tion of his dying but risen and ever-living Lord. Possessed of an intellect with the ability to grasp things of a permanent value, he had a judicial mind which gave weight to his opinions, and a beautiful Christian spirit which made him as fair with those who differed from him as with those whose views were strictly in accord with his own. Men trusted him because of their profound faith in his integrity; they followed him because he possessed the qualities of leadership; they loved him because he was an humble follower of Jesus; and those who knew him best loved him most. He was hospitable and charitable to an extreme degree, thoroughly enjoying the companionship of friends and delighting in aiding those in humble circumstances to better their conditions. His last months on earth were marked by suffering and weakness best known to those who so long and faithfully ministered to him both by day and by night; but he endured it all with true and unflinching Christian fortitude, fully believing that, this painful life ended, there would be for him, through the merits and mercy
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of his crucified Redeemer, the bliss, the fruition of a glorious immortality and eternal life; and as he neared the end he looked back over his long and exceptionally useful life of nearly fourscore years, a large part of which had been cheerfully given to the service of the Kingdom, he patiently awaited the approbation of the Master-"Well done, thou good and faithful servant." He joined the "silent majority" Nov. 13, 1908, and all felt that a leader whom it was thought could not be spared had been called home to a well-earned reward. There is a vacancy in many hearts that will never be filled by another, and many a man will perform the duties of life more faithfully and conscientiously because of the influence of his quiet, unostentatious, yet forceful, life. He has departed this life, but his memory will forever remain green in the affection and respect of those who love and revere goodness. Stevens W. Flower was twice married. In September, 1865, was solemnized his marriage to Miss Frances B. Reynolds, an adopted daughter of the late lamented George W. Reynolds, for several years associated in business with Mr. Flower, and one of the most influential and respected citizens of Lucas county, who then and for many years resided at Maumee. Frances (Reynolds) Flower was taken ill in July, 1866, and gradually failed until the last days of December of the same year, when God called her home, and her body was laid away in beautiful Riverside Cemetery, at Mau- mee, amidst a vast concourse of sorrowing friends and acquaint- ances, only about fifteen months after their marriage. On Oct. 8, 1874, Mr. Flower was happily united in marriage with Miss Ellen Burge, of Maumee, and in the following November they removed to Toledo. Ellen (Burge) Flower was born in Bamp- ton, Devonshire, England, April 21, 1847, and died in her home in Toledo, April 24, 1903, after a happily wedded life of twenty- nine years. Mrs. Flower was a woman of rare excellence of mind and heart, one of those characters that leaves its impress upon every life it touches. Kind and sympathetic, she was ever ready to contribute to the comfort and good cheer of all who came within the sphere of her influence, finding her greatest happiness in earnestly endeavoring to make others happy. More than any other one characteristic that molded her life was her utter unsel-
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fishness, and she exemplified the Christian virtues in her daily walk and conversation. Her well-rounded Christian character and sweet, loving and gentle disposition endeared her to all and made her life a constant benediction. A woman of perfectly transparent character, a devout Christian, having a positive experience of sal- vation by Divine Grace through faith, sympathetic, useful and beloved, she lived in fear of the Lord and died a peaceful and happy death. Almost her last conscious words were the beautiful benediction of the Lord's prayer: "Thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."
Im H. Outhaus
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EDMUND H. OSTHAUS
Edmund H. Osthaus .- Toledo is proud to claim as one of her citizens Edmund H. Osthaus, the artist, whose work has made him famous on both sides of the Atlantic. Mr. Osthaus was born at Hildesheim, Germany, Aug. 5, 1858. He pursued his studies at the Royal Academy at Duesseldorf, under Christian Johann Kroe- ner. His master, while a great painter of landscape, frequently turned his brush to the representing of animals, and from him, no doubt, Mr. Osthaus received his first inspiration, for, while his brush possesses equal facility in the painting of landscapes and figures, he is perhaps better known as a painter of hunting dogs. Not only by virtue of his early training, but also in consequence of his love of the chase, Mr. Osthaus is admirably equipped to excel in his particular field of art. He is a frequent exhibitor in the exhibits of the American Water Color Society, the Society of Western Artists, and the other important exhibitions of the coun- try, and at the various museums in Chicago, St. Louis, Indian- apolis, Pittsburg, Cincinnati, etc. Mr. Osthaus was one of the founders and incorporators of the Toledo Museum of Art, and has always been one of its most active trustees and supporters. So well does Mr. Osthaus understand what he paints that for many years he has been one of the judges in the various national field trials. Recently, following the trial of the Continental Club in North Carolina, the New York Herald, in an article devoted to the work of Mr. Osthaus, included the following interview with Todd Russell, of the Kennel Department of Outing: "'Today,' said Mr. Russell, 'the specialist has a recognized position which gains him credit within limits, and possibly causes him to be looked at as narrow from the broader viewpoint of general work. It is a pleasure, therefore, to find a man, a painter, who, while restricting his subject matter to a limited field, is nevertheless master of the technique of his craft. Edmund H. Osthaus not only is a good dog painter-he is a good painter who paints dogs.
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His drawing is admirable, and his ability to execute a particularly vivid portrait of an animal is something that always attracts the trained craftsman who knows from experience that this kind of work, unusual as it is, calls for a very special kind of mastery of the difficult points of the art. The best man in any work is apt to be the one who brings to it the greatest amount of personal interest. Mr. Osthaus does his dog work from love of that part of the game, and he is fortunate in being so able in its portrayal. His personal friends have seen many landscapes by him that are admirable in composition and color. For this reason they are annoyed sometimes that he restricts himself to but one public field-that of painting dogs. Sometimes, however, they are pleased, for the lucky one who has an 'Osthaus' of his favorite animal is not only qualified thereby to rank among sportsmen 'who know,' but has a constant reminder of how that dog really looked and was. That is good portraiture, and would be were the subjects gods or men or little red apples. As it is, the result of Mr. Osthaus' work as a painter of dogs has been, for all dog men, the perpetua- tion of the real type of excellence in each breed as he paints it. To the practical dog man there could be nothing of greater value, and its historical interest in days to come can hardly be esti- mated.' "
It. It. Cray
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WILLIAM HENRY CRAY
William Henry Cray, deceased, is remembered as one of the leading merchants of Toledo during a period of nearly a quarter of a century, throughout which time he was engaged in the hard- ware business. Mr. Cray was a native of the Empire State, having been born in Auburn, N. Y., May 27, 1830, and he was the only son of George Washington Cray, a native and influential citizen of the same place. The father was identified with business interests as a shoe merchant in Auburn throughout his active career and was enabled to retire with a competence several years prior to his death. Of his children they were three in number-Martha, Emily and William H., to whom this memoir is more particularly dedi- cated-each of whom have lived their allotted time and passed from the scenes of life's activities. William Henry Cray received his scholastic training in the excellent schools of his native Auburn, and upon reaching the age of maturity became the valued assistant of his father in conducting his mercantile establishment. He re- mained thus employed until the tocsin of war was sounded in the dark days of the early sixties, when the blood of a patriotic ances- try coursing through his veins was aroused and he offered his services to his country. He became a member of Company C, of the Seventy-fifth New York infantry, in which his valor and patri- otic conduct was recognized by promotions until he was com- missioned captain of his company. The history of that fighting regiment in detail would tell the story of Captain Cray's military career, for amid the smoke of battle, on the tiresome march, and in the more quiet precincts of the bivouac, he was ever found at his post, faithfully performing the duties assigned him. He re- mained in the military service until victory had perched upon the banners of the Union and then, like thousands of other heroic souls, he returned to private life and took up the threads of a peaceful career. Being attracted to the city of Toledo by its fine business opportunities and its home inviting features, he located there soon
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after the close of the hostilities, and there he maintained his resi- dence during the remaining years of an exceedingly active life, his death occurring Sept. 9, 1890. As before stated, he became engaged in the hardware business, and in this line of endeavor he achieved marked success, building up an extensive establishment in Toledo and established his son Edwin in one of a similar kind in the city of Cleveland. He gave his undivided attention to his business interests, never caring to enter the maelstrom of a political career, but he took an intelligent interest in all questions of public nature and gave an unswerving allegiance to the men and measures of the Republican party. On Oct. 11, 1863, Capt. Cray was married to Miss Mary Josephine Henderson, a daughter of James and Mary E. (Munson) Henderson, prominent citizens of Auburn, N. Y., and of this union there were born five children, of whom more specific mention may be made as follows: Mary and Emily, twins, are de- ceased; George is a resident of Toledo; Edwin resides at Cleve- land, Ohio, where he is engaged in the hardware business; and William Walter is a resident of Toledo, being engaged with his brother George in the management of the hardware business, and he is also a prominent member of the Chamber of Commerce and of the Toledo Business Men's Club. James and Mary E. (Munson) Henderson, parents of Mrs. Cray, were both natives of the State of Connecticut, and after their marriage they located in Auburn, N. Y., where the father was engaged in the dry goods business for a number of years, later selling out and removing to New York City, where he engaged in business for some time. He retired from active participation in affairs several years prior to his death and returned to Auburn, where he resided the remainder of his life. After his death Mrs. Henderson came to Toledo and made her home with her daughter, Mrs. Cray, until she passed into the great beyond in 1880, at the advanced age of eighty years. Mrs. Cray, the widow of the subject of this memoir, resides in the beautiful family residence, which is pleasantly located at No. 2344 Monroe street, Toledo. She is a member and regular attendant of the First Congregational Church, in which her husband also had membership.
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PHILIP HURT STRAUSZ
Philip Hurt Strausz, M. D., deceased, for a period of sixteen years a very successful practicing physician in the city of Toledo, was born at Winchester, Va., May 1, 1861, the son of Alexander and Anna (Young) Strausz, the former of whom was a native of Hungary, born at Budapest, Feb. 8, 1829, and the latter was born at Washington, D. C., May 1, 1837. The father was educated for the profession of architect and civil engineer, but before he could complete his studies his native land was in the throes of a revolutionary movement and the young Hungarians were impelled by irresistible influences to cast their fortunes upon one side or the other in the impending conflict. Mr. Strausz gave his services to the cause of freedom and entered the revolutionary army, in which he was first assigned to the position of corporal, and later was promoted to that of lieutenant. But the cause for which he fought was unsuccessful in the ensuing struggle, and with many others he was taken prisoner by the government forces at Vilagos. As a punishment for participating in the rebellion he was sentenced to serve for a period of ten years as a private soldier in the Austrian army in Italy and Bohemia, but while en route to the former coun- try he succeeded in making his escape, and reaching his native land was safely concealed for a time by his friends. Later, he went to Hamburg, and from that place journeyed to London, Eng- land, in 1850. The following year he sailed for American shores, and landing in Boston, Mass., he presented to Edward Everett a letter of introduction which had been given him by Philip Hurt, Esq., of Hargate Manor, Staffordshire, England. Through the aid of Mr. Everett he secured employment with an architect in Boston, but the position was not a very lucrative one and he later found employment with the United States coast survey in Wash- ington. While thus employed he was appointed a member of the, committee to welcome Louis Kossuth, the leader of the Hungarian revolution, to America. On Dec. 12, 1851, he began work as an
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hydraulic draughtsman in the party of Lieut .- Com. Richard Wain- wright, the father of Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright, of battleship Maine celebrity. He continued in the work of the coast survey for a number of years, and at the beginning of the Civil war was promoted to acting assistant engineer, in which position he served until 1865, when he resigned to try his fortune in private life. During the war he served under Admiral David D. Porter, and it fell to him to lay the plans for the naval activities in the siege of Vicksburg. Later he had charge of a hydrographic party, on the Hudson river and also on the coast of Maine, until Novem- ber, 1864, when he was ordered to serve as assistant engineer on a survey of the San Juan river in Nicaragua. After the close of the war he located at Wilmington, N. C., where he engaged in the milling business, and after being thus employed for about ten years he removed to Irondale, W. Va., and there built a blast furnace. After conducting this for a few years he sold his interests and decided to spend the remainder of his days in peaceful retire- ment. He went to Palatka, Fla., where he became a member of the household of his son, who is the subject of this review, and upon the removal of the latter to Toledo the father accompanied him hither and continued his residence here until his death, June 4, 1905. Politically, he was a staunch adherent of the platform expressions of the Republican party and for a time while residing in Palatka, Fla., he very acceptably filled the position of county superintendent of schools. Fraternally, he was a member of the Masonic order. On Feb. 19, 1854, Mr. Strausz was married to Miss Anna Young, daughter of Noble and Anna (McWilliams) Young, of Washington, D. C., and of this union there were born six children : Philip Hurt, deceased, whose name introduces this review ; Alexander, Jr., of Manila, Philippine Islands; Louise, Minna and Julian, all of whom are deceased; and Harry, who is a dentist in New Orleans, La. Dr. Philip H. Strausz, to whom this memoir is more particularly dedicated, received his pre- liminary education in the schools of Wilmington, N. C., and later continued his studies in the State university of West Virginia. Completing a course in medicine at Bellevue Hospital, New York City, graduating in 1885, he afterward attended post-graduate lec-
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tures in Tulane University at New Orleans, La., and served one year as interne. He then entered upon the independent practice of his profession in the nation's metropolis, but after a short time removed to Palatka, Fla., because of ill health, and in that city continued the practice until 1891, when he came to Toledo. Here he successfully followed his profession until cut down by death in the midst of a very successful career, his demise occurring Aug. 9, 1907. He made a specialty of diseases of the stomach and in treating ailments of that nature was the first physician to intro- duce the practice of washing the stomach; and he was also among the first to recognize the value of the lymph treatment. When the yellow fever epidemic was raging in the city of Jacksonville, Fla., in 1888, he offered his services and as a volunteer physician devoted his time and talents to the wiping out of that dreaded scourge. He served for a time as a member of the Florida State Medical Examining Board, and upon the Republican ticket, which represented his political faith, he was elected alderman in the city of Palatka, which position he satisfactorily occupied for two terms. Fraternally he was a member of both the Masonic and the Knights of Pythias orders, and in the domain of his profes- sion he held membership in the American Medical Association. His name was enrolled upon the membership list of St. John's Episcopal Church, and his zeal in the cause of Christianity is shown by the fact that he served as vestryman of the religious organization to which he belonged. Socially he was a member of the Toledo Yacht Club. On Feb. 10, 1888, Dr. Strausz was married to Miss Lida Virginia Davis, daughter of James A. and Virginia (Vance) Davis, of Morgantown, W. Va., and of this marital union were born two children-Carroll and Virginia- both of whom are students in the Toledo schools. The parents of Mrs. Strausz are natives of Morgantown, W. Va., the father having been born Sept. 22, 1831, and the mother Jan. 21, 1837. James Davis, the father, attended the public schools of his native place, and in early manhood learned the trade of cabinet-making. He later engaged in the furniture and undertaking business at Morgantown and he was thus employed until 1905, when he re- tired from business and removed to Toledo, in which city he
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and his estimable wife have since resided. Politically he is a Republican and his fraternal connections are with the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows. Mrs. Davis is the daughter of Addi- son and Mary Ann (Sturgiss) Vance, of Morgantown, W. Va., and her mother was a cousin of Abraham Lincoln.
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