USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 34
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the great editor's paper. Having been so much attached to these great men, it is little won- der that one of his sons was named Horace. The mother was of German extraction and possessed many noble traits. Four children were born to these parents, two sons and two daughters, and all of them have ever remained in their native county of Greene. The parents were prosperous and accumulated a competence, and at the same time looked carefully after the education of their children, Albert and Horace both being alumni of Miami University at Oxford, Butler County, Ohio. After gradu- ating, both adopted farming as their life work, Albert being a prominent cattle dealer, as well as a farmer. For two years the subject of this sketch taught in his native township, and has ever since given much attention to a study of the needs of the public schools, serving twenty years as member of the Board of Education . his native township, being its President sever teen years. He can look with much pride un securing, in the face of great opposition, .ifc Superintendency of schools for his township and later a township High School, both of which have resulted in great good to the com- munity, many of the youth of the township going from the High School to college. In addition to his work in behalf of the common schools he has been connected with higher institutions of learning-a trustee of Miami University from 1887 to 1900, of Heidelberg University from 1885 to 1900. He served as HORACE ANKENEY Infirmary Director of his county from 1883 to 1889, and was the author of the first pamphiet of collated and annotated Poor Laws in the State, a similar collation of the laws having since been published by the State Board of Charities under authority granted by special act of Legislature. Near the close of his second term, he resigned to give special attention to raising the endowment of one of the institutions of his Church.
Mr. Ankeney has always been enterprising along agricultural lines, serving as President of farmers' clubs and institutes, and actively engaged in everything that enhances the interest of the farming community. For years he was a director of the Second National Bank of Xenia. He has been a constant employer of labor and several of his employes, thu . su fol- lowing his advice, are now themselves owners of farms.
He has always been an ardent advocate of the principles of the Republican party, and represented his county in the Seventy-fourth and Seventy-fifth General Assemblies, serving as Chairman of the Committee on Libraries, and a member of the Committees on Schools, Finance, and Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home. So satisfactory were his services to the State as a Legislator, that his friends' urged him to become a candidate for the office of State Dairy and Food Commissioner. He easily secured the nomination, which was followed by his triumphant election by a large majority.
The duties of the office are arduous and exacting, but he performed them in such a man- ner as to compel all interests to admit his honesty and impartiality. He was re-elected in
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November, 1904, leading the State ticket and receiving the highest majority ever given in Ohio for a candidate for a State office.
A sketch of Mr. Ankeney's life would be incomplete without a glance at his domestic relations. In 1870 he married Miss Lina G. Cline, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, and a former pupil. The union proved a most happy one, as a visit to his home, where his friends are sure of a hearty welcome, will show. To Mr. and Mrs. Ankeney have been born seven children, four sons and three daughters. The two oldest, a daughter and a son, are in Heidelberg University, Tiffin, Ohio, and the same good fortune is in store for the remain- ing five.
George D. Freeman,
One of the citizens of Columbus, Ohio, who has taken active part in many of the improve- ments which have made it one of the most beautiful cities in the State, is Colonel George D. Freeman. He was born at Ovid, Franklin County, Ohio, on the IIth of August, 1842. His rather, Usual W. Freeman, together with his mother, Margaret (Christy) Freeman, came from New Jersey to Ohio in 1833. Usual Free- man served with distinction in the New York militia during the War of 1812 and was also an assistant engineer for the city of New York during the platting of the part of the city north of Canal Street. His father, William Freeman, was a soldier of the Revolution. Colonel George D. Freeman took advantage of the limited educational opportunities afforded by the common schools of his early days, at a later period supplementing the instruction thus obtained by attendance of night schools. When but six years of age he lost his father, and at the age of eleven years he became the only support of his mother, and bravely did he
GEORGE D. FREEMAN
Photo by Baker, Columbus. O.
assume the responsibility. When still a lad he entered the studio of D. D. Winchester, then the leading artist of Columbus, but left the employ of this gentleman to become a page in the Ohio House of Representatives at the last session held at Odeon Hall and the first held in ure present Capitol Building. He received his appointment from Nelson H. Van Voor- hees, the Speaker of the first Republican Legislature of Ohio. From here he entered the dry goods house of Headly & Elerly, with whom he remained until 1866, when he was admitted as a junior partner in this firm. Later years found him the senior partner of Free- man, Stanley & Norton, who were the successors of Headly & Elerly. In 1880 Colonel Frecman withdrew from the dry goods trade and entered into the furniture business as a member of the firm of Halm, Bellows & Butler, who were succeeded by Freeman, Halm & McAllister. Later Colonel Freeman withdrew from this business to establish the George D. Freeman Mantel Company, engaged in the manufacture of mantels and interior furnish- ings. In 1878, on the organization of the State militia into the Ohio National Guard, Mr. Freeman, at the urgent request of the regiment, assumed command and became the Colonel
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of the famous Fourteenth Ohio National Guards, in which capacity he served the State for thirteen years. The period of his command was marked with many trying ordeals, where bravery, good judgment and a cool head were very necessary attributes in a commanding officer. The well-remembered Cincinnati riots were among these occasions, and it was at this time that the abilities of Colonel Freeman as a commander were shown. He brought peace and order out of the turbulent mob that surged through the streets of the city, endangering life and property. In 1890, through press of business, Colonel Freeman was obliged to resign his post. At the breaking out of the Spanish War, Colonel Freeman was called to the position of Acting Assistant Quartermaster-General and was active at Camp Bushnell in equipping the troops for the front-in fact, put up the camp. From there he was ordered to the duty of Superintendent of the State Arsenal, where he is still on duty. He had two sons in the late Spanish War. Colonel Freeman has taken a prominent part in all public enter- prises, serving for some years on the County Board of Agriculture, and took an active interest in securing to the city the beautiful spot known as Franklin Park. This was not a political service, nor has he held any political office, although frequently pressed to do so. On the 31st of October, 1865, Colonel Freeman was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Diehmer, whose parents were pioneers in the settlement of Central Ohio. Four children have been the issue of this union.
A. B. Critchfield,
Adjutant General of Ohio, was born on a farm in Ripley Township, Holmes County, Ohio, on the 23d of August, 1863. He comes from fighting stock. His great-grandfather, John Critchfield, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, served under Generals Washington, Mor- gan and Green, and was in the memorable winter camp at Valley Forge. He took part in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, the storming of Stony Point, the Cowpens, etc., and was wounded at Cowpens, for which he OHIO received a pension during the later years of his life. General Critchfield's grandfather was Lorenzo D. Critchfield, one of the pioneer settlers of Holmes County, then a part of Wayne County. He was an active Democrat in politics until 1856, when he became a Repub- lican on the question of slavery. He enlisted in the army during the Mexican War, but his company never got beyond the borders of the A. B. CRITCHFIELD United States. The father of General Critch- Photo by Baker, Columbus, O. field, William P. Critchfield, also drew his sword for the defense of his country in the Civil War, and has been a patient but intense sufferer as the result of his service ever since. He now lives on a farm in Ripley Township, Holmes County. He taught school for many years, but some time ago retired. He is a Republican in politics, a strong and influential citizen in that community, enjoying the confidence and esteem of all. General Critchfield, who obtained a thorough education in the public schools, became identified with the militia
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of his native State before he became of age. He enlisted in the Ohio National Guard in the spring of 1884, and has served in all the grades from private to Major in the celebrated Eighth Ohio Volunteer Regiment of Infantry. He represented the fourth generation of his family since the declaration of independence in a war of his country against a foreign enemy, and served with distinction as Captain of Company H, Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in the war with Spain ; took part in the campaign against Santiago, Cuba, and was present at the surrender and evacuation of that city by the army of General Toral. The General has always been a faithful adherent of Republican principles. He has filled the position of clerk in the Adjutant General's Department under the administration of Governor McKinley. He was for one year inspector in the department of the Food and Dairy Com- missioner; Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue and Chief Clerk in the department of the Inspector of Workshops and Factories. He held the latter position until his appointment to the office of Adjutant General on the IIth of January, 1904. He belongs to the following societies and orders: Masons, Elks, Modern Woodmen, Society of the Army of Santiago and United Veterans of the Spanish-American War. In 1895, General Critchfield married Miss Livina Cammarn, who died in January, 1897. In June, 1902, General Critchfield was married to Miss Frances Bucher, of Shreve. They reside in a pleasant home in the city of Columbus, and are members of the Christian Church.
Frederick Blankner,
It has been said that the late John Sherman was the dean of the office-holders in the Buck- eye State, the Sage of Mansfield having spent forty years in the service of the people as Representative in Congress, as United States Senator, Secretary of the Treasury and Secre- tary of State. But even that record must give way for Col. Frederick Blankner, who has held a position in the State House since 1858-forty- seven years in round numbers. For forty-two years, or since 1863, he has been Third Assist- ant Sergeant-at-Arms in the House, and in that time no man has had the temerity to seriously oppose him. It is a sufficient reply as to Mr. Blankner's fitness for the position to point to his unparalleled record. It has never been equaled in the history of Ohio politics. Fred- erick Blankner is of German birth, born in Bavaria on the 28th of July, 1836. His father was a retired business man. One year after the birth of young Blankner the family emi- grated to America, landing in New York. They FREDERICK BLANKNER soon went to Buffalo, thence by canal to Cleve- land, thence to Portsmouth by the same means of conveyance, eventually retreating their journey from Portsmouth to Columbus by canal, and here Frederick Blankner has ever since resided. He was educated in the public schools of Columbus and afterwards worked with the Ohio Tool Company, having charge of the packing department. He entered the service of the State upon the organization of the Fifty-third General Assembly, when Salmon P.
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Chase was Governor, being elected one of the porters in the House of Representatives. He served in this position until 1863, when the Fifty-fifth General Assembly, with David Tod as Governor, named him as Third Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms of the House, a post he has held without a break ever since. He served in Company A, Fifth Ohio Cavalry, during the war of 1861, returning home on furlough during the session of the General Assembly to serve as Third Assistant Sergeant-at-Arms. On the 18th of January, 1857, he married Fredericka Volk, and four children were born to them, two sons and two daughters. The wife died on the 18th of August, 1872, and Mr. Blankner was married to Anna M. Harding, to whom one daughter was born. There is probably no man better known in Ohio legislative circles than Frederick Blankner, and his unequaled record demonstrates his popularity in more eloquent words than can be employed in this connection. He is everybody's friend, and no matter how closely party lines are drawn in the organization of the House, or what faction or party wins in that contest, Frederick Blankner is the unchallenged Third Assistant Sergeant-at- Arms. It is safe to say that as long as he lives he will remain in his position. His services are invaluable, and there is no one to take his place. Frederick Blankner stands without a rival as one of the unique characters in the history of Ohio politics.
Andrew Jackson,
It is no common honor for one man to be chosen Sergeant-at-Arms of the House of Rep- resentatives for six terms, yet that has been accomplished by Andrew Jackson, who held this responsible position in the Seventy-sixth General Assembly. Mr. Jackson is a Greene County product, born near Cedarville on the 25th of December, 1845, where he has ever since resided. He received a common school education in the schools of Xenia, and when the war broke out enlisted in the Ninety-fourth Ohio Regiment and served for a full term of three years with distinguished credit. He entered politics actively when he was elected a member of the Sixty-eighth General Assem- bly from Greene County, and was re-elected to the Sixty-ninth. He was chosen Sergeant-at- Arms of the Seventieth, Seventy-first, Seventy- second, Seventy-fourth, Seventy-fifth and Sev- enty-sixth General Assemblies, and proof of his popularity is shown that in every election ANDREW JACKSON after the first he has had no real opposition for another term. He was the Republican caucus nominee for Sergeant-at-Arms of the Seventy-third General Assembly, but went down when the opposition to Senator Hanna organized the House. Mr. Jackson is a farmer and breeder of fine horses at his beautiful place near Cedarville ; was a member of the Ohio Chickamauga Commission, that erected monuments to the Ohio troops on the battlefield of Chickamauga, and for years has found time to fill many of the village offices. He is popular wherever known, and his unfailing good nature has made him a legion of friends. Party lines cut no figure in this matter, for while Mr. Jackson is and always has been an unswerving, loyal
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Republican, he stands deservedly high in the good opinion of those who are politically op- posed to him. It is probable that he will be kept in his present place as long as he cares to serve.
Mark Slater,
The present incumbent of the office of Supervisor of Public Printing, Hon. Mark Slater, was born on the 9th of August, 1864, at Dayton, Ohio, where he resided until his appointment by Governor Nash on the Ist of May, 1901. His father, Mr. Calvin T. Slater, was an Englishman, and his mother, Caroline (Emiont) Slater, was of French extraction, born and raised in Canada. All of his adult life, Mr. Slater has been a devotee of the art preservative, his first employment being in the United Brethren Publishing House, in Dayton, where he was engaged for fifteen years. He afterward had in charge the printing for the National Cash Register Company, at Dayton, MARK SLATER then embarking in business on his own account in a job printing office, where he was engaged at the time of his appointment. Mr. Slater is a member of the Typographical Union No. 57. He is a true-blue Republican and has been an active factor in party management in Dayton and Montgomery County ever since reaching his majority. He was a member of the Repub- lican State Central Committee for several years, and now represents the Third District on that committee. Mr. Slater is a member of the Maccabees, the Foresters and Elks. A first- class official and a popular gentleman, he unites all the elements of political success.
Harvey H. Shirer,
Secretary of the Ohio Board of State Chari- ties, is a native of Montgomery County, of this State. His common school education was obtained in the rural schools of Van Buren Township. He was graduated from the Central High School of Dayton in 1893 with special honors. He entered the classical course of Heidelberg University at Tiffin the same year, and received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in June, 1897. Special mention was given him for his high standing in class work, especially in Latin and Greek. During his college course he was identified with the leading student asso- ciations and enterprises. His fellow students and classmates honored him with responsible
HARVEY H. SHIRER
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positions in their organizations. He was editor-in-chief of the college paper, "The Kilikilik," for one year, and also of the class annual, the " '97 Aurora."
After graduation the Board of Regents of Heidelberg University selected Mr. Shirer to serve as Professor of Pedagogy and Assistant in the Academy. In 1901 he resigned from the Chair of Pedagogy to accept the position of Librarian, also continuing to teach a few classes in Latin and Mathematics in the Academy.
On the 7th of November, 1902, he was unanimously chosen by members of the Ohio Board of State Charities as their Secretary, to succeed Mr. Joseph P. Byers, who had resigned to accept the Superintendency of a State institution in another State. Mr. Shirer accepted at once and took charge of his present work on the Ist of December, 1902. During the past year he visited all the infirmaries, children's homes, county jails and State institutions, which had never been accomplished before in a single year. His report to the Board shows the conditions existing in all these institutions.
He has been identified during the last few years with church and Sunday-school work. In 1902 he was a lay delegate to the General Synod of the Reformed Church, held at Balti- more, Maryland. At present he is President of the Sunday School Board of the Ohio Synod of this denomination.
The office of the Ohio Board of State Charities, with which Mr. Shirer is connected, is in the new State House Building. The Board is composed of the following members: Governor Myron T. Herrick, President ex-officio; General Roeliff Brinkerhoff, Mansfield; Judge Martin Dewey Follett, Marietta; Hon. Rutherford H. Platt, Columbus; Hon. J. G. Schmidlapp, Cincinnati : Judge Henry C. Ranney, Cleveland, and Hon. Jesse N. Oren, Wil- mington.
John McSweeney,
Attorney at law at Wooster, Ohio, and a member of the State Board of Library Commissioners, which Board was organized in 1896, is a native Ohioan, born at Wooster on the Ist of August, 1854. His father, Hon. John McSweeney, was also a lawyer, who acquired distinction not only in the State for his legal ability, but whose name became prominent all over this country. Mr. John McSweeney received his early education in his home city, attending the public and high schools, and graduating from the Wooster Uni- versity in his twenty-second year. He was afterwards fortified with a brief season of work at the Boston Law School, from where he graduated in 1879, and later took a special course of study in the office of his distinguished sire. He was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of Ohio in the year 1879. In the fall of the same year Mr. McSweeney entered upon his career as a public official, he being elected Solicitor of the city of Wooster. His services were of such a high order and became so satisfactory to the people that upon the termination of his incumbency he was re-elected to the same position in 1883. His next public office was that of Prosecuting Attorney of Wayne County, a position he also held for two successive terms. He was appointed a member of the State Board of Library Com- missioners in the spring of 1902, by the late Governor Nash. His term expires in 1908. Mr. McSweeney maintains an office at Wooster, Ohio, in which city he has a large and lucrative practice. Mr. McSweeney is considered to be one of the best trained lawyers in the State, and during all his active life he has been ever foremost in all movements pertaining to the welfare of the people. He is a brilliant orator, broad in his conceptions, sharp and incisive in debate, with unusual analytical abilities. In 1884 he was united in marriage to Miss Ada Mullins. He resides with his family in his home city, Wooster, Ohio.
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William Kirtley, Jr.,
Member of the State Board of Public Works, was born on the Ist of November, 1858, at Warsaw, Indiana. His parents were both natives of Ohio, the father William Kirtley, having Butler County as his birthplace, and the mother, Percella Kirtley, being a native of Shelby County. The father was a hard-work- ing, honest farmer, who toiled incessantly to provide a home for his family and to bring up his children a credit to his name and to the country, giving them such education as his limited means would allow. The son William received his early education in the Warsaw Public Schools and at the Ft. Wayne (Indiana) Business College, obtaining the means to con- tinue and complete the course by working during the day. At the age of sixteen years he went to work as hotel clerk and learned the hotel business thoroughly, gradually ad- vancing his position in life, until to-day we find him the owner and proprietor of the Crosby Hotel at Defiance, Ohio, and also of the Clark Hotel, Peru, Indiana. The position he now holds as a member of the State Board of Public Works is the first and only political office he has ever held. He received the nomination for the same by the Republican State Convention, held at Cleveland, Ohio, on the 28th of May, WILLIAM KIRTLEY, JR. 1902. In the fall of the same year he was elected by a large majority. He has always been a staunch Republican, always ready to serve his party in any capacity when called upon. Socially, Mr. Kirtley is a Mason, Knight Templar, Shriner, Elk and K. of P. In religious belief he is a Methodist. On the 9th of September, 1879, Mr. Kirtley married Miss Amy Belle Moore, and by that union he is the father of an interesting family of three children-Bessie Moore Kirtley, W. Guy H. Kirtley and Fred Hasteing Kirtley. Mr. Kirtley resides at Defiance, Ohio.
Mr. Kirtley was the first delegate elected from Ohio to the Republican National Con- vention, held in Chicago in 1904.
George Henderson Watkins,
Member of the State Board of Public Works, was born on the 17th of October, 1858, at Piketon, Ohio. He is the son of John H. and Sophia J. Watkins, both of whom were residents of this State. Mr. Watkins' father was ferryman at Piketon, Ohio, for many years, and a man well known in the southern part of Ohio. He was a private in the army during the War of the Rebellion, and died in the service. George H. Watkins was six months old when the family moved from Piketon to Waverly, Ohio, where he received his early education in the common schools until he had reached the age of nine years. The father having died when Mr. Watkins was a child, the mother was re-married to Benjamin Lewis, who settled on a farm north of Waverly, residing there for a number of years. At the early age of thirteen
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years Mr. Watkins was employed by Lauman & Allison, general merchants, on Bear Creek, where he remained until he was twenty years old, when he opened a store at Clifford, Ohio, for Mr. Lauman. He had charge of that store from 1878 until 1886, when he removed to Wakefield and opened a store under the firm name of Lauman & Watkins. In 1900 Mr. Watkins bought out the interests of his partner, Mr. Lauman, and in the following year located his office at Columbus. There he engaged extensively in railroad tie contracting, in which business his name is known and on the books of the great railroad corporations in this and other States. Mr. Watkins has always been an ardent Republican, and is one of the con- spicuous figures in Republican politics of the State. In February, 1898, he was made Super- intendent of the Ohio canals, and in 1902 was elected a member of the State Board of Public GEORGE HENDERSON WATKINS Works, a position he still holds, and has filled with great distinction. Mr. Watkins is a Mason and has a large circle of friends in Masonic bodies. He was married in January, 1879, to Lilly I. Glaze, by which union he is the father of two sons and one daughter. His residence is located at Portsmouth, Ohio.
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