USA > Ohio > Delaware County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Morrow County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 10
USA > Ohio > Union County > Memorial record of the counties of Delaware, Union and Morrow, Ohio > Part 10
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0 R. WILLIAM FREDERICK WHITE .- Holding marked pres- tige among the professional men of Union county, enjoying high popularity, and maintaining a representative position as identified with the business life of Marysville, it is manifestly consistent that in this connection attention be directed to the more salient features in the life history of him whose name initiates this review.
Dr. White is a native of Toronto, Can- ada, where he was born November 1, 1855, a son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Hull) White, the former of whom was born in Germany, the latter in the Dominion of Canada. The mother is deceased, but our subject's venerable father is still living, his home being near London, Ontario, where he conducts a fine farm. In his early man- hood he studied the science of architecture
and became quite renowned for his ability in this line. He was a child of about twelve years when his parents came to America and took up their residence in the New World province of the English throne. They came from Nurtlingen, Germany, having a large family of boys, most of whom now re- side in the vicinity of Niagara Falls. The father of our subject has been a man of no little prominence in the Canadian dominion, being a staunch Reformer and having taken a somewhat active part in public and semi- public affairs. His children were nine in number, of whom two died in infancy and of whom six are still living. We offer the following brief record in regard to those who lived to attain maturity: Tillie, who became the wife of Dr. G. H. Gilbert, of Cleveland, Ohio, is deceased; David is a resident of Canada, where he is engaged in farming; Anna is the wife of Dr. Ira Patterson, of Detroit, Michigan; William F. is the subject of this review; Charles A. is a physician of Cleveland; Carrie remains at the old home; Addie is the wife of Dr. D. C. McTaggert, of Bryan, Ohio.
Our subject was reared on the paternal farmstead and received his literary educa- tion in the public schools of Canada and in the normal school at St. Thomas, Ontario, where he graduated in 1871, the youngest member of his class. He at once turned his attention to teaching in the public schools, which vocation he followed success- fully about three years, when, in 1875, he went to Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he matriculated in the medical department of the famous university of that State, remain- ing one year, after which he entered Pulte Medical College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he graduated with the class of 1877. This professional training had been but the prac-
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tical carrying out of plans which the Doctor had formulated in his boyhood days, and he thus realized his ambitions. Indeed, he began his medical studies when but sixteen years of age, pursuing a course of reading under the direction of Dr. Leonard Luton, of St. Thomas, Ontario, one of the distin- guished physicians of the dominion. The ambition and enthusiastic energy of our subject is shown in the fact that this line of study was followed in connection with the onerous duties incidental to his work of teaching.
After his graduation at Pulte, Dr. White located at Nevada, Wyandot county, Ohio, where he displayed his "shingle" with due solemnity and entered upon active practice, remaining there for a period of six years and securing a representative support in his pro- fessional efforts. Within this time there entered into his life a new element, and one that was destined to have a marked influ- ence upon his career in the way of devotion and encouragement. He met, wooed and won Miss Lula Agnew, the daughter of J. K. and Jennie (Bibbler) Agnew, their nup- tials being celebrated October 1, 1878.
James K. Agnew, father of Mrs. White, was an attorney by profession, but never followed this vocation by reason of enfeebled health. He was for some years cashier of the Nevada Deposits Bank, receiving this official preferment at the time the bank was organized. He served during the war of the Rebellion and was retired with the rank of Lieutenant. He enlisted with the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was subsequently consolidated with the Fifty-first regiment. He was in active ser- vice during the entire term of conflict and was mustered out, at Columbus, as First Lieutenant. He died February 12, 1874, 5
being at the time only thirty-eight years of age. He left surviving him a widow and four daughters. The eldest daughter, Lula, is the wife of our subject; Nina is the wife of J. A. Williams, cashier of the Nevada De- posits Bank; Esther is at home with her mother, as is also the youngest daughter, Marie. Mr. Agnew was an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party, and had served as Mayor of the city of Nevada. He was intimately identified with the Presbyter- ian Church, with which his widow, who is still a resident of Nevada, is still connected. Mr. Agnew was a cousin of Dr. D. Hayes Agnew, of Philadelphia, one of the most celebrated physicians in the Union.
Reverting to the fact that Dr. White re- mained in practice at Nevada for about six years, we find that at the expiration of this time he removed to Marysville, leaving a large and lucrative business, which he estab- lished by reason of his high professional ability, his honor and his fidelity, -attributes which never fail of objective appreciation. During these years of active labor the Doctor had been devoting himself to special study and investigation in regard to diseases of the eye, ear, nose and throat, and to the most approved methods of treating such disorders. This special work had never been made to take the precedence of his general practice, however, until he located in Marysville, when he announced himself as ready to give special attention to such classes of disease. The propriety of specialism in medical prac- tice has engrossed the attention of many of the greatest minds in the profession, and to-day this phase of practice is recognized as expedient and as ultimately imperative. Dr. White has been particularly successful in his special work, has studied carefully and conscientiously and finds that in connection
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with his general practice this special feature comes in for manifest appreciation on the part of those afflicted. With a view to keeping fully abreast of the advances made in this particular branch of the medical sci- ence, he has taken special post-graduate courses of study in the Eye and Ear Poly- clinic, at Chicago.
Our subject was alone in his professional work until 1890, when he associated with himself Dr. H. A. Rodebaugh. This asso- ciation continued until May, 1891, when Drs. White and Rodebaugh becanie identi- fied with the introduction of the Keeley cure for inebriety into Ohio, the third coadjutor in this enterprise being Mr. S. N. McCloud, the present postmaster of Marysville. An institution for the treatment of dipsomania, according to the Keeley method, was opened in Marysville, and for some time our subject and his associates gave their attention to car- rying on this creditable work. Dr. White finally resigned his active connection with the operation of the institution and resumed his general practice in partnership with Dr. C. D. Mills, with whom he is still associated.
Aside from his professional endeavors, the Doctor is identified with certain import- ant enterprises of Marysville, being a stock- holder in each the Davis Chair Company, the Robinson & Curry Manufacturing Com- pany, and the Bank of Marysville. In 1892 he disposed of his interest in the Keeley in- stitute, and in September of the following year he became greatly interested in a new method of treatment for tuberculosis; find- ing, upon careful investigation, that the method had pronounced and unmistakable merit, he identified himself with the enter- prise and fitted up suitable quarters in Co- lumbus, for the bringing of the same before the public and for the treatment of consump-
tion and allied disorders. The treatinent has proved its efficiency in cases where the test has been of the severest order, and the results have transcended the most sanguine expectations of the promoters. Satisfied of the wide field of benefice and usefulness which the treatment would fill in the behoof of suffering humanity, Dr. White effected the organization of a stock company in June, 1894, and this company has been duly in- corporated under the title of the Pulmonary Chemical Company, the official headquar- ters being located on North High street, Co- lumbus, where our subject has the general superintendance of the operations. Some marvelous cures have been effected, and the projectors have unlimited confidence that their method offers a permanent cure for the dread disease, consumption, in a large pro- portion of cases. To enter into details con- cerning the treatment would be both incon- gruous and impossible in this connection, but a few words as defining the natural and scientific methods employed may not be malapropos. The specific remedial agency is that offered by a continuous inhalation of an antiseptic, balsamic atmosphere, which brings about an inhibition of the growth, propagation and dissemination of the bacillus tuberculosis, and which, being taken into the circulation through the medium of the lungs, ramifies into all parts of the system, reaches diseased tissues wherever located and aids nature in regaining control and perfecting a cure, -all that any system of medication can claim to do. The salutary change ef- fected in patients undergoing treatment is evidenced in many symptomatic indications: a marked increase in appetite, cessation of enervating perspiration, allaying of cough, restoration of refreshing slumber, ease of expectoration, alleviation of chest pains,
yours Truly Gro Ht Jones
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and the resumption of deep and grateful res- piration, etc. All this is attended with a gradual disappearance of the bacillus from the sputum.
Dr. White visits the institute about twice each week. For the benefit of those who are unable to attend the sanitarium, from financial or other reasons, a home treat- ment has been prepared.
Our subject is an ardent Republican and is at the present time a member of the city Common Council. Fraternally, he is iden- tified with Palestine Lodge, No. 158, A. F. & A. M., and with Marysville Lodge, No. 100, Knights of Pythias. In the Masonic order he has advanced to the thirty-second degree of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. He is also a member of the Musical Society of Marysville, of the Married Peo- ple's Choral Union, and of the Literary So- ciety.
Dr. and Mrs. White have two children: Carroll, aged fourteen, and Rietta, aged nine (1894). In 1892 the Doctor erected a very handsome modern residence on West Fifth street, and here he and his wife dispense the most grateful hospitality to their large circle of friends.
EORGE W. JONES is one of the representative and leading citizens of Delaware county, Ohio, having in many ways been identified with its interests and with those enterprises which are calculated to prove of public benefit. He now owns and occupies a fine farm near Radnor, and two of his most noticeable characteristics are made manifest in his care for the same, -industry and enterprise. As he is so widely and favorably known in this community, we feel assured that this record
of his life will prove of interest to many of our readers, and gladly give it a place in the history of his adopted county.
Mr. Jones was born in Licking county, Ohio, August 24, 1839, and is a son of David and Elizabeth (Evans) Jones, natives of Cardiganshire, South Wales, the former born in 1808, the latter in 1807. The father was a blacksmith and followed that trade in his native land for some years, when he determined to try his fortune in America and sailed with his family for the New World. The year 1836 witnessed his ar- rival and he located in Albany, New York, where he followed blacksmithing two years and then removed to Newark, Ohio. In that place he carried on a smithy until 1849, when with his family. he became a resident of Delaware county, Ohio, and purchased 200 acres of land near Radnor, operating the same for thirty years in connection with blacksmithing. During the war he served as a regimental blacksmith in Company E, Sixty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. In politics, he was a Democrat, and was a man whose worth and ability won him many friends. In 1879 he returned to his native land on a visit, and while there departed this life on the IIth of August, 1885. His wife passed away in August, 1878. She was a member of the Congregational Church. Their family numbered eleven children, eight of whom grew to mature years and became heads of families.
In the usual manner of farmer lads George W. Jones spent the days of his boy- hood and youth, aiding in the labors of the field through the summer months and at- tending the schools of the neighborhood dur- ing the winter season. He was still at home when the civil war broke out, but on the 8th of November, 1861, he responded to the
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country's call for troops and joined the boys in blue of Company E, Sixty-sixth Ohio Infantry. He took part in thirteen of the most severe engagements of the war, to- gether with many skirmishes, and was pro- moted to the rank of Sergeant. Thrice was he wounded, being struck by Rebel lead, in the battle of Cedar Mountain, in the calf of the right leg, and just above the left kneein the battle of Antietam, while at Gettysburg he was wounded in the left foot. From the effects of these injuries he has never fully recovered and in consequence the Govern- ment has granted him a pension. He con- tinued in the service until March 14, 1865, when he was honorably discharged. The Union army had no more loyal soldier and the old flag no more valiant defender than Mr. Jones, who, ever true, was always found at the post of duty.
On the 25th of February, 1869, Mr. Jones was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Humphreys, who was born August 13, 1838, and is a daughter of Humphrey and Margaret (Griffiths) Humphreys, na- tives of Montgomeryshire, North Wales, who, with their respective families, came to America in early life and were married in this country. For several years her father was one of the leading fariners of Radnor township. He passed away in 1845, and his wife, who survived him many years, was called to the home beyond in 1882. With the Congregational Church they held mem- bership, as do Mr. and Mrs. Jones. Our subject and his wife have traveled quite ex- tensively in Europe, visiting many points of interest and becoming familiar with the noted sights and scenes of the Old World. They hold an enviable position in social circles where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good
society, and in the county which has so long been their home have many warm friends.
Socially, Mr. Jones is connected with the Grand Army of the Republic and belongs to the U. V. L. In his political affiliation he is a Democrat, and in 1883 was elected on that ticket as County Commissioner, re- ceiving a very flattering majority, and so well did he discharge his duty that on the expiration of his first term he was again chosen for the position. He is now success- fully engaged in farming, and his business ability and good management have made him a prosperous agriculturist. Public- spirited and progressive, he manifests a com- mendable interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the community, and with- holds his support from no enterprise calcu- lated to promote public prosperity.
J AMES K. NEWCOMER, of Dela- ware, Ohio, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, August 10, 1833. In 1837, when four years of age, his parents, who were farmers, left their Pennsylvania home and removed to Ohio, settling on a farm in Holmes county, where they lived seven years. In the spring of 1844, when the subject of this sketch was eleven years old, his father and mother, with a family of six children, moved to what was then the western part of Lucas county; but which afterward became Fulton county, Ohio. Here they entered upon pioneer life, built the cabin, felled the forests and hewed out a farm in the sylvan wilds of western Ohio. The educational advantages were very crude and our subject attended district school in the winter and labored in clear- ing land and farm work in summer.
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Having formed a taste for reading and a desire for the acquirement of information and education, on the 22nd day of May, 1852, he took leave of the home of his parents, and with a mother's blessing he walked eight miles to the village of Delta, in Fulton county, where he apprenticed himself in the office of the Fulton County Democrat and learned the art of printing. The printing office and paper having after- ward been moved to Ottokee, the new county seat of that county, material was purchased by the citizens of Delta, and in partnership with W. T. Stumm he publish- ed the Independent. Subsequently, in 1857, he was elected Recorder of Fulton county, being the only Democrat elected upon the ticket. In 1861 he purchased and publish- ed the Ottowa County Democrat, of Port Clinton, Ohio. He was twice rejected, from physical causes, on application to enter the war of the Rebellion.
Early in 1864 he returned to Fulton county and located at Wauseon, a town that had been located on land he had help- ed to clear a few years before. He engaged in the dry-goods business, and also took an interest with his father in platting what is known as Newcomer's addition to Wauseon. In the years 1868-69 he was one of the clerks of the Ohio Senate. In 1869, he leased the Democratic paper at Elyria, Ohio, and published this for upward of one year, and in October, 1870, he purchased of T. H. Hodder the office of the Democratic Mirror, at Marion, Ohio, where he remained eight years, greatly advancing the newspaper business of that county. While connected with the Mirror he was nominated, in 1873, for Comptroller of the Treasury, by the Democratic State convention which nomi- nated Hon. William Allen for Governor,
Governor Allen being elected by a small majority only, while the balance of this ticket was defeated by a few hundred votes. Governor Allen, however, in 1874 appointed Mr. Newcomer as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Girl's Industrial Home.
In 1878, he purchased the Champaign Democrat, at Urbana, and published that paper for four years. In 1882, he was ap- pointed to a clerkship in the office of the Secretary of State, under Hon J. W. New- man. In 1884, he came to Delaware and purchased the office of the Delaware Herald, the Democratic paper of the county, which he conducted for ten years. In 1887 he was elected Mayor of the city of Delaware by a good majority, although there was a politi- cal majority of nearly two hundred against him to overcome. He filled the office of Mayor with credit and satisfaction. He brought to the office a power of force, the application of which found a wider range than is implied in the determining of petty offenses, made the office really what it is intended to be, the chief executive office of the city. His formal messages to the City Council were able papers on the public affairs of the city and gave the office the distinction of dignity. Under his administration as Mayor, the fine system of water works for the city was constructed. Maintaining a great interest in the substantial improvement of the city, he took the first step for the construction of an electric street railway for the city. All the preliminaries of the enter- prise were pushed by his preserverance, and a franchise was granted to him individually, as but few had any faith that such an im- provement could be secured. For nearly one year he labored unceasingly, until final- ly a home company was organized and the plant established. The enterprise is due to
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the persistance and indomitable push of Mr. Newcomer.
Mr. Newcomer is an able editor, a ready writer, and deals in facts and statements. As a politician he is astute and wary and willing always to advocate and defend his Democratic faith, and while he is a strong partisan he is not offensive as a party man. He has spent his life doing for others, but has a weak faculty, politically, in accomp- lishing for himself. He hates double deal- ing and insincerity and is outspoken in de- nouncing party trickery and party combina- tions for selfish ends. As a citizen, he is honorable and is respected for his integrity, enterprise and moral standing.
J OHN L. PORTER-It is not an easy task to describe adequately a man who has led an eminently active and busy life, and who has attained to a position of high relative distinction in the more important and exacting fields of human endeavor. But biography finds its most perfect justification, nevertheless, in the tracing and recording of such an life his- tory. It is, then, with a full appreciation of all that is demanded and of the pains- taking scrutiny that must be accorded each statement, and yet with a feeling of much satisfaction, that the biographer essays the task of touching briefly upon the details of such a record as that which has been the voice of the character of the honored sub- ject whose life now comes under review.
A native son of the Buckeye State, John L. Porter was born in Delaware county, October 10, 1828, the son of William and Eleanor (Lawrence) Porter, both of whom were natives of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and of Scotch-Irish extraction, with a strain of
Welsh blood in somewhat remote ancestry. William Porter came to Ohio with his parents, and the family of his future wife also emi- grated here about the same time, both fami- lies locating in Delaware county, where they became prominently identified with agricul- tural operations. The Lawrence family was one that had long been one of considerable prominence, in which connection it may be incidentally noted that the maternal grand- father of our subject was for many years a member of Pennsylvania State Legislature, while his nephew, George V. Lawrence, was for years a member of Congress.
William Porter continued to abide in Delaware county until 1848, when he came to Union county, where he continued to re- side until the hour of his death, which oc- curred March 15, 1868, at which time he had attained the venerable age of seventy- two years. His widow survived to attain more than three-score years and ten, which have been held as man's allotment, her death occurring June 11, 1886, in the eighty-sixtlı year of her life. The father of our subject ardently espoused the cause of the Free Soil party, and became an active worker in its ranks, being also prominent as a radical and uncompromising abolitionist, and one of the most enthusiastic supporters of the famous "underground railway" system, through which so many slaves were assisted to free- dom. He was for a number of years super- intendent of the Union county Infirmary. Religiously, he was a member of the Pres- byterian Church, and was an active worker in the Sunday-school.
William and Elnora Porter became the parents of five children, of whom we are en- abled to offer the following epitomized rec- ord: Jane, who became the wife of L. WVeld, died in 1875; Rosanna, married J.
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D. Sharp, and her demise occurred in 1877; Eleanor is the wife of Thomas E. Bowen, of New Dover, Ohio; William C. enlisted for service in the late war and met his death on the field in 1862; our subject was the third in order of birth.
John L. Porter, was reared on the pa- ternal farmstead, assisting in the work thereof during the summer months and at- tending the district school during the inter- vening winters until he attained the age of seventeen years. He then entered Central College, in Franklin county, Ohio, where he completed a four years' course of study, and in the spring of 1849 he came to Marys- ville, where, in pursuance of long cherished plans, he entered the office of Cole & Winter, under whose effective preceptorship he be- gan reading law, completing his legal studies with Cole & Coats, and securing admission to the bar in June, 1851. It is worthy of particular note that in his examination at this time he appeared before the Su- preme Court, which was then holding its last terin under the old regime, or itinerant system, which provided for the holding of sessions in different counties in turn. The session at whose holding our subject was ad- mitted to the bar was held at Marysville, and his examination was conducted princi- pally by Judge Joseph R. Swan, other mem- bers of the committee being Otway Curry, C. W. B. Allison and P. B. Cole.
While he was prosecuting his prepara- tory legal studies, Mr. Porter gave his atten- tion to school teaching during three success- ive winters in order to secure funds with which to defray his necessary expenses. Having passed a satisfactory examination and been granted the privilege of practicing, for some three years he was associated in part- nership with P. B. Cole, when he opened an
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