USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 44
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Washington I. Tenney,
Miami County has always been worthily represented in the Ohio General Assembly, and Hon. Washington I. Tenney, of Troy, who represented his county in the lower House of the Seventy-fifth and Seventy-sixth General Assemblies, was no exception to the high-class officials sent by the people of that section to represent them in the halls of legislation. Mr. Tenney is a native of Montgomery County, Ohio, where he was born on the 3d of May, 1833. His education was secured in the common schools, except one winter spent in Columbus, where he attended the High School of which Asa D. Lord was Superintendent. Mr. Ten- ney has always been a stalwart Republican, and cast his first vote for General John C. Fre- mont for President in 1856, believing in the policies and principles of that party from its birth. He entered the service of his country for one hundred days, as a member of Com- pany D, One Hundred and Forty-seventh Regiment, O. V. I., stationed at Fort Ethan Allen. He was also with his command at Fort Stevens, when General Jubal Early undertook to capture the city of Washington. In Miami County he has on several occasions been honored by his fellow citizens. He was a member of the Agricultural Board, and its Secretary for more than twenty-five years, member of the Troy Board of Education nine years, and County Auditor two terms. In 1901 Mr. Tenney was elected a member of the House of Representatives and his record showed a diligent and industrious servant of the people, always on the side of the people and always caring for their wants. The result was, that he was re-elected in the fall of 1903 by an increased majority. Mr. Tenney's father, Dr. Eli Tenney, born in 1809, was an allopathic physician, a member of the Ohio Legislature in 1856, and County Auditor one term. He died suddenly in office on the 15th of Septem- ber, 1873. Mr. Tenney's mother, Margaret A. WASHINGTON I. TENNEY Hatcher Tenney, was born in Virginia in 1809, came to Ohio with her parents early in life, Photo by Baker, Columbus, O. and was married in 1830. In 1858 Mr. Washington I. Tenney married Jennie C. Kelly, and to them were born eight children, five boys and three girls, all of whom are living save one daughter, who died in 1891. Mrs. Tenney passed away on the 21st of May, 1901, beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Tenney is an honored member of the G. A. R. He is now super- intending his large farm. For twenty years Mr. Tenney was a teacher of high repute in his county. He is a sturdy, manly man, of excellent judgment, and one whom it is a pleasure and delight to know. In all the relations of life he has been true to himself and his friends, and his record is one of which his children and the community in which he lives may weil feel proud.
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Warren Thomas,
A prominent attorney at law at Warren, Ohio, and a member of the House of Repre- sentatives in the Seventy-sixth General Assem- bly, was born on the 27th of October, 1876, in Niles, Ohio, the birthplace of President McKin- ley. He is of Scotch-Irish descent, and the son of Melanchton Thomas, who was engaged in the piano business, and Emma Calhoun Thomas, whose people came to this country before the War of the Revolution, and fought on the battle-fields during the struggle for independence, and also on those of the War of 1812 with England. Mr. Warren Thomas was educated in the public schools of his native city, and is a graduate of the High School at Cortland, Ohio, class of 1896. After his gradu- ation he began the study of law in the office of Tutle & Fillius, a leading law firm of Warren, WARREN THOMAS Ohio. In October, 1899, Mr. Thomas was admitted to the bar and immediately began the practice of his profession. During all his active career he has been a faithful Republican, and has served his party as speaker, as well as a member of Central and Executive Com- mittees. In the fall of 1903 Mr. Thomas was elected to the halls of the Legislature, repre- senting his county in the Seventy-sixth General Assembly. While a member of that dis- tinguished body, he was Chairman of the Com- mittee on Enrollment and a member of the Committees on Judiciary and Privileges. His marriage occurred on the 19th of March, 1902, his wife being a former resident of Cortland, Ohio, Miss Lenora Hall. His office is located at Warren, Ohio.
Carmi A. Thompson,
One of the most successful members of the bar in the city of Ironton, Ohio, was born on the 4th of September, 1870, in Wayne County, West Virginia, in which State his father had lived. The ancestors of Colonel Thompson were Scotch-Irish, and had fought in the Revo- lutionary and Mexican Wars. He received his education in the public schools of his native citv and entered the Ohio State University, from which institution of learning he grad- uated, in 1892, with the degree of B. Ph .. taught school two years, then went back to the Ohio State University, where he graduated in
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1895 with the degree of LL.B. Commencing the practice of law immediately after leaving college, he opened an office, in 1895, at Ironton, and in 1897 formed a partnership with W. D. Corn, which lasted until June, 1903, since which time he has practiced his chosen profession under his own name. In politics Colonel Thompson is one of the recognized leaders of the Republican party in his home district, and takes an active part in each can- paign as a speaker. He was appointed City Solicitor in 1896, for an unexpired term. His name was placed before the people for election for the same office, resulting in his election for three successive terms. In 1903 he was again favored by his party and the people, being elected a member of the lower House of the Seventy-sixth General Assembly. While a member of that body, he belonged to the standing committees on Judiciary, Taxation and Military Affairs. He is a Mason, Elk, I. O. O. F., K. of P. and Golden Eagle. For a number of years he has been closely affiliated with the Ohio National Guard, entering that military body in 1892. He was Captain of Company I, Seventh Regiment, at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, in 1898, and saw active service for a period of nine months. He is at the present writing Colonel of that regiment, and in June, 1904, during the disturb- ances at Hanging Rock, he had charge of the military forces that were sent there. On the 3d of June, 1899, Colonel Thompson was married to Leila Ellers, a resident of Illinois, by which union he is the father of one daughter. Colonel Thompson's office is located at No. 151 Centre Street, Ironton, Ohio.
W. J. Williams,
Attorney at law at Youngstown, Ohio, and one of the two Representatives in the lower House of the Seventy-fifth and Seventy-sixth General Assemblies from Mahoning County, is one of the best-known younger Republicans in the northeastern part of Ohio. He was born on the 21st of May, 1869, on a farm ten miles east of Youngstown, and received the first rudiments of an education in the district schools of his home county, after which he spent five years in the normal and collegiate departments of Mt. Union College. He finally attended Puget Sound University, at Tacoma, Washington, graduating from that institution
with the degree of A.B. In college, Mr. Williams was a member of the S. A. E. college fraternity. Returning to Youngstown, Mr. Williams studied law in the office of Hine & Clarke, and in 1895 he was admitted to the bar before the Supreme Court of his native State. Immediately after his admission to the bar, he took up the practice of his profession, which W. J. WILLIAMS proved to be very successful. Later he formed a partnership with Hon. E. H. Moore, the prominent Democratic leader from Youngstown, and one of the ablest lawyers of the State, the firm name being Moore & Williams. After dissolving this partnership, Mr. Williams became a partner of Congressman Kennedy, of Youngstown, which partnership lasted until the Ist of January, 1904. Since then Mr. Williams
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is engaged in the general practice of law under his own name. In politics Mr. Williams has always been affiliated with the Republican party, taking an active part in the affairs of that party. In the fall of 1901 Mr. Williams was elected to the House of the Seventy-fifth General Assembly, in which body he served with distinction ; and at the expiration of his first term of office he was re-elected by an increased majority. In both sessions he was Chair- man and a member of a number of important standing committees. He took an active part in the debates regarding the different measures, and his advice was often sought and fol- lowed. In 1895 he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah L. Cooper, daughter of J. A. Cooper, of Strouthers, Ohio. His law offices and residence are located in the city of Youngstown, Ohio.
Philip Matthew Wagner,
Was born on the 20th of August, 1868, near Sandyville, Tuscarawas County, Ohio. His father, Christian F. Wagner, came to this country from Wurtemberg, Germany, about the year 1845. His maternal grandfather, Frederick Pfersich, came to this country in 1817 with the original Zoarites, but refused to unite with their communistic organization. Hence, he went over the hills near Zoar and entercd Government land, where the mother (Matilda Pfersich Wagner) of the subject of this sketch was born and yet lives. Philip M. is the fifth of a family of nine children-eight boys and one girl. He spent his early years on the farm. At the age of fourteen he became a carpenter's apprentice, but after two years of service gave up the idea of learning the trade, believing that his calling was in another direc- tion. He at once devoted his time and energies toward completing his common school educa- tion. Later he entered the Eastern Ohio Normal School at Sparta (Pierce P. O.), Ohio, where PHILIP MATTHEW WAGNER he prepared himself for teaching. He taught school in the country and village schools of the county, and was instructor in German in Scio College for several terms. His teaching was through the winter months, while he attended college during the spring and summer. Thus, while earning a livelihood, he also secured a college education. Having that spirit of self-reliance and independence, he asked help from no one. Through his untiring efforts he graduated from the Ohio Normal Uni- versity with the degree of Bachelor of Pedagogics, and later received the Master's degree, and from Scio College with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy, later receiving the Mas- ter's degree. In 1893 he entered the Ohio Medical University, from which he graduated with honors in 1896. He was President and orator of his class and, since graduating, has been called back to his Alma Mater on three different occasions to deliver addresses. After graduating at O. M. U., he located at Columbia City, Indiana, where he practiced medicine for fifteen months, after which he returned to his native county, and located at Canal Dover, where he has built up a lucrative practice and an enviable reputation. While the Doctor
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is a very busy man, he finds time for the use of his pen. In 1893 he published the first product of his pen, a small volume of poems, "At the Dawn." His second effort is now ready for the press. After returning to his native county he was appointed a member of the Dover Board of School Examiners, on which he served till 1900, when he was elected a member of the Board of Education. In 1903 he was re-elected by an overwhelming majority. His experience as teacher and examiner made him a valuable factor on the Board. Mr. Wagner has been a member of the Board of Censors of the Tuscarawas County Medical Society for several years, and is at present a member of the Tuscarawas Hospital Association. In fraternal circles he is a member of the Tribe of Ben Hur, the Royal Arcanum and of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In 1903 the Republicans of Tusca- rawas County were looking about for a man who would be able to overcome the Demo- cratic majority. Dr. Wagner was the man centered upon to make the race. Not being a politician, the task was new to him. He practiced his profession most of his time, and campaigned at his leisure. However, in the face of his indifferent campaign he was elected by a plurality of ninety-six over his Democratic opponent, who was a candidate for second term. As a member of the House of Representatives he has proved himself to be a man of conviction, courage and fearless determination. He can not be led by party bosses. As a member of the Committees on Common Schools, Villages and Boys' Industrial Schools, he has shown himself as a man of power and determination. With such men at the wheel, our State and nation would certainly have nothing to fear as to their welfare.
Charles D. Watkins, M. D.,
Member of the House of Representatives of the Seventy-sixth General Assembly from Licking County, Ohio, is a product of Fultonham, Muskingum County, Ohio, where he was born on the 22d of September, 1864. His father, Dr. John Watkins, was a native of Maryland; his mother, Mrs. Sarah Southard Watkins, was born in Virginia. Dr. John Watkins was of Welsh descent, and was elected Representative from Muskingum County on the Whig ticket in 1840. He was one of the leading physicians of Muskingum County. His wife was a descendant of the first settlers of Virginia. Dr. Charles D. Wat- kins received his education in the common schools and Columbus Medical College, and graduated from this institution in March, 1886, receiving the degree of M.D. He entered into the practice of his profession immediately, and has met with gratifying success. He is also a director of the Columbus Sporting Goods Com- pany. The Doctor is an enthusiastic Repub- lican, and ever ready to serve his party when called upon. He was elected to the Legislature in the fall of 1903, and enjoys the distinction of being the first Republican ever sent to the General Assembly from the strongly Demo- cratic Licking County. While a member of the General Assembly, Dr. Watkins served in
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the standing committees on Public Works, Institution of the Deaf, Railroads and Tele. graph. He belongs to the Subordinate, Rebekah and Encampment branches of Odd Fel- lows; to Subordinate, Knight Templar and Shrine branches of Masonry; to the Modern Woodmen of America, and the Elks. Dr. Watkins was married to Miss Essie M. Farrell, of Columbus, Ohio, on the 26th of January, 1887. Mrs. Watkins died on the 7th of April, 1903, leaving four children-Irma V., Ruth M., Marcia and Charles H. Dr. Watkins is a resident of the little village of Etna, Licking County, Ohio.
Edwin S. Wertz,
Member of the House of Representatives of the Seventy-sixth General Assembly, and attorney at law at Wooster, Wayne County, Ohio, was born on the 7th of August, 1875, at Dalton, and is descended from one of the early German settlers of the county. His parents are W. H. H. Wertz, Vice President of the First National Bank, of Dalton, Ohio, and Carrie Virginia (Slusser) Wertz. Mr. Wertz received his education in the common schools of his home, after which he entered Wooster University as a Senior Preparatory student, remaining one year. He subsequently attended the Ohio State University at Columbus, from which institution he graduated in June, 1899, and in June, 1900, receiving the degrees of Ph.B. and LL.B. His capacity for hard work is shown by his completing work scheduled for seven years in five years (a four years' literary course and a three years' law course), at the EDWIN S. WERTZ same time earning part of the money to pay for his education by working on the daily newspapers. He also was editor of the college paper and one of the editors of the College Annual, and was one of the founders of the Athenaeum Literary Society of the Ohio State University. When the Spanish-American War broke out, he enlisted as a private in Battery H, First Ohio Volunteer Light Artillery, leaving college to serve his country in the field. He served from the first call for troops until mustered out at the close of the war. On the 24th of September, 1900, he was elected Second Lieutenant in Battery H, O. N. G., and served until the IIth of February, 1902, when he resigned. Mr. Wertz is a strong advocate of Democratic doctrines, and has served his party faithful in many ways. In 1902 he was a member of the Democratic Executive Committee of Franklin County, and in 1904 of the Wayne County Democratic Executive Committee. He was also President of the Young Men's Democratic Club, of Columbus, Ohio. He was nominated by primary election for Representative of Wayne County in the summer of 1903, and elected in the fall of the same year by a large majority. In the House of the Seventy-sixth General Assembly he soon became one of the leaders of the Demo- cratic minority, took part in every important debate, and left his impress on much of the legislation enacted by that body. He fought bitterly the bills changing the election laws of the State and the Chapman bill abolishing spring elections, attacking the motives behind
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the passage of the latter bill in a lengthy speech. In the Legislature he served the people faithfully, and always worked for their interests. He gave his constituents of all classes a "square' deal," protected their interests and promoted their welfare. A number of bills introduced by him were killed in committee rooms, among them a bill prohibiting the use of free railroad passes by all State, county and municipal officials and by all of the Judiciary of the State; also a bill ending and abolishing all perpetual franchises. He was a member of the Committee on Common Schools, and took the stand in all matters that came before the committee that the State owes an equally good education to each child in the State, no matter whether the child resides in the most remote rural district or resides in the most populous city. He championed the cause of the rural schools, and introduced four school bills looking towards their betterment. They provided for (I) thirty-two weeks' school, with regular graded courses of study so far as possible, for each elementary school; (2) teachers' certificates good in one county, good in any county; (3) requiring the employ- ment of teachers for the full school year; (4) giving voters of townships, as well as Boards of Education, the right to vote for or against centralization of schools; (5) compelling attendance of teachers at county institutes at $1 per day of actual attendance. These bills were incorporated in the School Code. He was a member of the Committee on "Public Ways," and changed an unimportant committee into one of the most important of the session. The Wertz "Good Roads" Bill passed by the General Assembly creates a State Highway Department under a competent Engineer, who has supervision of the repair and maintenance of all roads and of the construction of all new roads. It provides that the State shall pay part of the expense of constructing improved roads. Under it the gradual permanent improvement of the roads will be begun in a systematic manner, so that much of the money at present wasted will be used to advantage. The bill had the approval of the leading agricultural papers of the State, and marks the beginning of the construction of good roads in Ohio. Socially, Mr. Wertz is a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity ; of Arlington Lodge, I. O. O. F., of Dalton, Ohio; of Cedar Lodge, F. & A. M., of Orrville, Ohio; of Massillon Commandery, Knights Templar; of Dalton Tent, K. O. T. M., and a member of the United Commercial Travelers.
J. Madison Willis,
Representative from the Fayette-Madison Counties District in the lower House of the Seventy-fith and Seventy-sixth General Assem- blies, was one of the youngest and most valuable members in that body. He was born on a farm, near Bloomingburg, Ohio, on the 19th of October, 1869. He was brought up on a farm and educated in the public schools of the county, but, more fortunate than most boys reared on the farm, he subsequently had the advantages of an education more extended than that acquired at a district school. After pursuing a course at Bloomingburg High: School, young Willis entered the University at Ann Arbor, Michigan, matriculating there
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in 1888 and remaining until the death of his father, in 1890. He immediately came home and took up the business of his father, that of farming. Mr. Willis has added the breeding of fine stock, which combines profit with pleasure. He is also identified with banking interests. Mr. Willis has always been an enthusiastic, faithful Republican. In 1901 he was elected to the Legislature by a majority of over 1,400 in the Fayette-Madison District. He was re-elected to the same position in the fall of 1903 by an increased majority. During both terms of office he has proved to be an untiring, energetic and faithful servant of the people of his community and the citizens of Ohio in general. In both terms Mr. Willis was Chairman and member of important standing committees. Socially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity ; Garfield Commandery, K. of P., No. 28, and of other beneficial societies. He is a great-grandson of Nathaniel Willis, founder of the Scioto "Gazette" in 1796, and printer of the first journals of the Legislature of Ohio, and the laws of the Terri- tory. He was married in June, 1892, to Miss Dollie C. Kellen of Oakland. Two girls have been the issue of this marriage.
Rt. Rev. Ignatius Frederick Horstmann, D. D.,
Third Bishop of Cleveland, was born in Philadelphia-or, rather, the part of it that was then the District of Southwark-on the 16th of December, 1840. His parents, natives of Germany, came to this country in early life, and his father was a very prominent and pros- perous business man in the city of his adoption. Young Ignatius began his education in a private academy conducted by Madame Charrier and her daughter, Mlle. Clementine, and situated on German Street, east of Third Street. From this institution he passed to the Mount Vernon Grammar School, and having finished the regular course with distinction, was promoted to the Central High School, from which he graduated in 1857, with an excep- tionally high average. Indeed, those who were then and previously his classmates say that he was always at the head of his class. Upon leaving Central High School he entered St. Joseph's College, conducted by the Jesuits. Evincing a strong inclination for the priesthood, he later attended the preparatory seminary at Glen Riddle, being one of the first of its students. Bishop Wood was so pleased with his aptitude for and application to study that he chose him as one of the first whom he sent to the newly established American College in Rome. There he continued to fulfill the promises that he had already uniformly given, and soon took foremost rank in the classes of the Propaganda, winning a number of medals in literary and oratorical contests. Completing the prescribed course of studies, he was ele- vated to the priesthood in the Eternal City on the 10th of June, 1865, by Cardinal Patrizzi. He continued his studies at Rome, and a year later obtained the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Returning to Philadelphia, he was, in the latter part of 1866, appointed Professor of Logic, Metaphysics and Ethics, as well as of German and Hebrew, in St. Charles Borromeo's Sen- inary, in the old building at Eighteenth and
RT. REV. IGNATIUS FREDERICK HORSTMANN, D. D.
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Race Streets, where he remained until 1871, and afterwards at Overbrook, Pennsylvania. There he remained until the close of 1877, when he was appointed pastor of St. Mary's Church at Philadelphia. He served this parish with admirable ability and tact, and drew to the church large congregations to hear his learned and interesting discourses. So care- fully did he manage the finances of the parish that when he left, after having been in charge considerably less than eight years, there was a balance of over nineteen thousand dollars to the church's credit. In September, 1885, Archbishop Ryan appointed him Diocesan Chan- cellor, which important and exacting position he filled with distinguished ability, till his elevation to the Episcopate, in February, 1892. As Chancellor he had more leisure for literary work than he had as a pastor. His extensive learning and critical taste have been of use not only to himself, but also to the intelligent Catholic reading public in his valu- able labors on the editorial staff of the American Catholic Quarterly Review. In addition to attending to the works so far referred to, he was Spiritual Director of the Catholic Club and Chaplain of the Convent of Notre Dame, including the spiritual direction of three organizations that meet there and that are composed largely of former pupils of the Acad- emy. Many appropriate demonstrations in his honor were held on the occasion of his twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, which was celebrated impress- ively. Archbishop Ryan preached the jubilee sermon in the cathedral. At a grand reception at the Catholic Club in behalf of his lay friends a purse of $4,200 was presented, which sum he immediately turned over to St. Vincent's Home. On the 25th of February, 1892, he was consecrated Bishop of Cleveland, thus succeeding Bishop Gilmour, who died in April, 1891. Bishop Horstman was duly installed in Cleveland a few weeks later, an immense multitude welcoming him to the Forest City. During his career as Bishop of the large and important diocese of Cleveland he has impressed all who have met him as a man full of energy, firmness and kindness. He is a fluent speaker, an able writer, and is endowed with great business tact, and thoroughly in touch with his people.
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