USA > Ohio > Ohio's progressive sons; a history of the state; sketches of those who have helped to build up the commonwealth > Part 63
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George M. Verity,
President and Treasurer of the American Rolling Mill Company, of Middletown, Ohio, was born on the 22d of April, 1865, at North Lewisburgh, this State. He is the son of Rev. Jonathan Verity and Mary Deaton Verity, both of whom were natives of Ohio. Mr. Verity's grandfather was an early settler of this country, and came from England. He has seven sons, the youngest of whom was the father of George W. Verity. Receiving his early education principally in the Cincin- nati public schools and Woodward High School, Mr. Verity later attended the George- town High School, Brown County, and grad- uated from that institution. His first active position in life was filled by him at the age of twenty, when he was employed as bookkeeper in the wholesale and retail grocery of Mr. W. C. Standish, his father-in-law, at 84 East Pearl Street, Cincinnati. In a short time his abilities GEORGE M. VERITY were appreciated, and he became manager of the business. Later Mr. Verity became con- nected with the American Steel Roofing Com- pany, of Cincinnati, acting as Vice President and Treasurer of the concern, until its merging with the American Rolling Mill Company, located at Middletown, with which corporation Mr. Verity is now, as mentioned above, President and Treasurer. For many years he has taken an active part in the development and progress of the city of Cincinnati, and was a director for three years and President one year of the Business Men's Club of that city, as well as a member of the Chamber of Commerce, one of the most important and influential commercial bodies in the United States. He is a member of long standing in the Masonic fraternity. Mr. Verity is a married man, his wife being formerly Miss Jennie M. Standish, of Newport, Kentucky, and he is the father of three children by that union,
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as follows : Calvin W., Leah May and Sarah Genevra Verity. He resides with his family in Middletown, Ohio.
W. H. Wagner,
Manufacturer of herb medicines at Portsmouth, Ohio, was born on the 6th of April, 1830, in the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His father, Jacob Wagner, was a native of Germany, who had emigrated when a little boy, and afterwards became engaged in the ice business in Philadelphia. Mr. Wagner was educated in the public and High Schools of his home city, at the famous Stephen Garrard College of the Quaker City, and at Duff's College, in the city of Pittsburg. After Mr. Wagner left school he worked on the steam- boat "Moderator" for two years, and then entered the Baldwin Locomotive Works at Phil- adelphia, where he learned the machinist's trade, continuing there until 1851, when he entered the service of the Pennsylvania Railroad as fireman. This position he held until 1855. In January of that year he enlisted in Company D of the Second United States Cavalry, remaining in the United States army for a period of five years. During this time he saw much active service on the frontier, and par- ticipated in many of the Indian battles. In the spring of 1856 he was captured by the Sioux and was kept in captivity for two years and eight months. His capture was effected with forty others, twenty-eight of whom were immediately killed, and eight of the twelve remaining were tortured to death. On account of Wagner's tremendous strength, the Indians took a liking to him and spared his life. While he remained in captivity the secret formulas which the Indians used for making their medi- cine were explained to him. Captain Wagner was released from captivity when the treaties between the United States and the Sioux Nation was effected. Regaining his regiment, he again took up his military duties, and in January, 1860, he was honorably discharged W. H. WAGNER from service. In 1861 he accepted a position as engineer on the Tennessee Railway, but relinquished the same to again follow the flag of the Union. On the 2d of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company B of the Fifth Tennessee Infantry for three months, and later enlisted in the Sixth Tennessee, where he remained for two years. This regiment served principally in the Shenandoah Valley, and Wagner took part in all its engagements. He was wounded in battle not less than seven times, and was honorably discharged on account of these wounds in October, 1864. He then went to Huntington, West Virginia, to recover his health, after which he became a rail- road engineer. While not able to serve his country by reason of his many wounds, he still retained a love for military life, and for a time served as Captain of the State militia of West Virginia. From 1864 to 1879 Captain Wagner remained in the employ of the Pennsyl- vania Railroad, and from 1879 to 1884 served as engineer on the C. & O. In the latter
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year he accepted a position as Master Mechanic with the Cuba Central Railroad, remaining in the Pearl of the Antilles until 1898, when the Maine was blown up in the harbor of Havana. Returning to the United States at the outbreak of the Spanish-American War, Captain Wagner located for a short time in Charleston and Huntington, West Virginia, and in 1899 he came to Portsmouth, Ohio, where he became engaged in the manufacture of herb medicines. The Captain was married in 1860 to Miss Sarah Pheasant. He has one son, Harry, who is Colonel of the Second United States Infantry, Regular Army, stationed in the Philippines. Mr. Wagner is a member of the G. A. R., a Mason, Shriner, K. of P., and Golden Eagle, and resides at No. 48 North Sixth Street, Portsmouth, Ohio.
George P. Waldorf,
Has been a citizen of Toledo for the past fourteen years. Lima, Ohio, was his residence prior to his coming to this city. He was born in Brookfield, Trumbull County, Ohio, on the 20th of December, 1849. He received a High School education, and prepared for college at Phillips' Academy, at Exeter, New Hampshire, but owing to ill health he was unable to com- plete a college course.
In 1872 he was united in marriage with Mary Reed Holmes, of Lima, Ohio, and has two children-a daughter, Kate, wife of Karl T. Kirk, of Toledo, Ohio, and a son, Burton Holmes Waldorf, who is in business in Toledo. Five years ago he lost his first wife, and in February, 1901, was united in marriage with Mrs. Viella H. Porter, of Lima, Ohio, who was the widowed sister of his first wife.
Colonel Waldorf is thoroughly identified with Toledo, owning a business property upon GEORGE P. WALDORF Summit Street, and has erected a residence upon the corner of Lincoln Avenue and Grove Place. He went into business for himself in 1874 at Lima, Ohio, conducting a book and sta- tionery store, in which business he was engaged for ten years. In 1884 the Lima oil field was discovered, and he was interested in the first oil well drilled in the new field. He became actively engaged in the oil business, and continued in the same for about six years. He was one of the directors, the Secretary, General Manager and Treasurer of The Trenton Rock Oil Company, which was the largest factor in the experimental stage of the Lima field, that company having drilled some fifty test wells. He has been engaged more or less in the oil business ever since. He is the President of the Standard Copper Min- ing Company of Wyoming, which owns a valuable group of copper claims in the Encamp- ment (Wyoming) copper field.
Colonel Waldorf has always been an enthusiastic Republican, and has become prominent in the political history of the State. He enjoyed the friendship and confidence of John Sherman, and was one of Senator Hanna's closest friends. Besides being a consistent and faithful Republican, he has always borne the reputation of being thoroughly loyal to his friends. In 1888 he was elected a delegate to the National Republican Convention from the
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Fourth District of Ohio. He has never been a candidate for an elective office. In 1874 he was appointed Postmaster at Lima, Ohio, by President Hayes, which position he filled for nine years. He served during the whole of Senator Foraker's incumbency as Governor, upon his military staff. In 1889 he was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue by Presi- dent Harrison, which position he held for four years. In 1898 he was again appointed Collector of Internal Revenue by President Mckinley, which position he now holds.
Colonel Waldorf is a member of the Collingwood Avenue Presbyterian Church. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a public spirited citizen and an enthusiastic believer in the future greatness of Toledo.
W. A. Weaver,
Mayor of the flourishing town of East Liverpool, Ohio, the Crockery City, is what may be truthfully called a resourceful person and also a man of tact. He believes that in his capacity as Mayor he has certain public duties to perform and certain public obligations to fulfill, with the discharge of which his personal feelings, habits and practices have nothing to do ; that he is the Mayor of all the people, and not of the particular party to which he owes his election. This is sound doctrine, and it would be a good thing if all Mayors practiced it. In Mayor Weaver's case the doctrine was put to a hard strain not long since, when he was called upon to deliver an address of wel- come to the members of the Ohio State Liquor League, holding its annual convention in East Liverpool. For Mayor Weaver is a Prohibi- tionist in precept and practice, and was elected to his present office on a cold-water platform. being the only Prohibition Mayor in Ohio. W. A. WEAVER Here was a situation, but Mayor Weaver proved himself equal to it. He acknowledged the presence of the convention in courteous language, but in which there was no compro- mise of his own principles. His remarks were based on the idea that the league was a body of business men assembled for the purpose of furthering their cause from a lawful stand- point ; and he indicated that so long as men congregated in the city for that purpose they should be extended a welcome. Mayor Weaver is a self-made man, a native of Dayton, Ohio, and was in his early years a railroad newsboy. Later he became a brakeman and after that a conductor. He saved enough money in about ten years to set himself up in the wholesale and retail confectionery business in East Liverpool, which he has followed with success. East Liverpool usually gives a Republican majority of from 3,000 to 3,600, and the Prohi- bition party has a total enrollment in the city of less than three hundred voters. It is evident, therefore, that Mayor Weaver's election was a personal rather than a political triumph, a public and not a partisan tribute to his ability and character as an individual. This manner of recognition of one's merits by his fellow citizens must be peculiarly grateful to any candidate, and must strengthen his desire to be a good official.
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James H. Williams,
Mayor of the city of Middleport, Ohio, was born on the 28th day of September, 1862, at Newark, Ohio. He is the son of John P. Will- iams and Susan H. Williams. His father, a mechanical engineer and draughtsman, was a native of France, and during the reign of Emperor Napoleon III he was compelled to flee that country in the year of 1846, owing to his political expressions and convictions. His mother came from a family of noted jewelers of Berne, Switzerland. Young Williams obtained the first rudiments of his education in the public schools of Middleport, after which he attended the High School of that city, and finally entered Nelson's Business College, at Cincinnati, for a year's course. Mr. Williams has been engaged in the manufacture of marine boilers, tanks and sheet iron work JAMES H. WILLIAMS for a number of years. He is a Republican in politics having faithfully served his party in many capacities. He was a member of the Meigs County Republican Central Committee for ten years. In April of the year of 1898 Mr. Williams was elected Mayor of Middleport on an independent ticket. How well his efforts in the interest of the people were appre- ciated by the citizens of Middleport is proved by the re-election of Mr. Williams to the office of Mayor in the years of 1900, 1902 and again in 1903, under the new municipal code. Except- ing the year of 1898, when he was elected on the independent ticket, he has every time since been renominated by a Republican primary popular vote. Mayor Williams, socially, is connected with Fides Lodge, No. 523, K. of P .; U. R., No. 118, K. of P .; Star Lodge, No. 398, I. O. O. F .; Middleport Camp, No. 6335 Modern Woodmen ; Gallipolis Lodge, No. 107, B. P. O. E .; Pomeroy Tribe, No. 25, O. R. M .; Middleport Aerie, No. 741, F. O. E., and is still single and of the Methodist faith.
Edmund H. Zurhorst,
Of Sandusky, Ohio, is one of the best- known citizens in Northern Ohio. He is a self-made man in the best sense of the word. Depending upon his own resources, looking for no outside aid or support, Mr. Zurhorst has risen from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence both in the industrial and political
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circles of the State of Ohio, where he has retained his residence from early childhood. The city of Sandusky owes much to him on account of his connection with her business inter- ests, and is indebted to him for much he has done in her behalf, as an alert and public spirited citizen. A native of the beautiful old city of Montreal, Canada, Mr. Zurhorst was born on the 18th of June, 1845. His father, William H. Zurhorst, was a native of London, England, where he remained until middle life and then came to America, taking up his abode in Montreal, and later, in 1849, in Sandusky. In that city he became engaged in the manufacturing of upholstered goods. His son, Edmund H. Zurhorst, obtained his education in the public schools of Sandusky, but had to abandon his studies in the High School in order to assume the stern responsibilities of life, while yet a mere boy. At the age of fourteen years he adopted a seafaring life, securing employment on boats plying the Great Lakes. One year later he shipped before the mast and crossed the ocean. When he had attained the age of nineteen, during the Civil War, he enlisted in the United States navy, and did constant duty in the cause of his country. Acting as a seaman for a time, he was afterwards detailed as surgeon's steward. After the close of the war Mr. Zurhorst returned to the Great Lakes, and eventually he built and became manager, owner and operator of two steamers which he utilized in traffic on the lakes. Prosperity seemed to attend his efforts from the start, and in time he began to secure recognition as one of the able and progressive business men of Sandusky. He became interested to a large extent in the Mar- blehead Lime Company, one of the most extensive concerns of its kind in the Union. He disposed of his interests in it in 1887. Mr. Zurhorst was also one of the chief promoters of the Sandusky & Columbus Shortline Railroad, and of the original construction company organized for the purpose of building this road he was not only a member and director, but also served as Secretary. For some time he was also Secretary of the original railroad com- pany, and general agent of its successor, the Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking Railroad. Mr. Zurhorst also held many other capitalistic interests in numerous financial, industrial and railroad enterprises. As a citizen, Mr. Zurhorst has been public spirited to a pronounced degree. He has been an indefatigable promoter of public improvements, and it may be said that to him more than to any other was due the projection and completion of the San- dusky & Columbus Shortline Railroad, now the P. R. R. In this connection he made many personal sacrifices in order that the city might reap the advantages to be gained through the medium of this now important avenue of commerce. A stalwart supporter of the prin- ciples and policies advanced by the Republican party, Mr. Zurhorst has long been recognized as one of the most active and effective workers in the party cause, ever loyal to his friends, and is known as a warm personal friend and admirer of the late Senator Hanna. As an opponent he is fair, open and outspoken ; as a politician he is shrewd, able and aggressive. Prior to his position as Collector of Customs at the port of Sandusky, he was Assistant United States Weigher in the New York Custom House, under the administration of President Arthur, and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for the Tenth District of Ohio at a later date. He also served his party as delegate to important conventions and as Chair- man of the Republican County Central Committee. Socially, Mr. Zurhorst is a thirty- second-degree Mason (Scottish Rite), a member of all the bodies of the York Rite up to and including the Commandery of Knights Templar; a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, and an Elk. On the 23d of September, 1874, Mr. Zurhorst was married to Miss Hattie W. Keech, daughter of C. C. Keech, who was one of the pioneers and prominent business men of Sandusky. She entered into eternal rest on the 29th of January, 1890, leaving three children. One son, William K. Zurhorst, died on the 28th of October, 1902, from disabilities con- tracted as a member of Company B, Sixth O. V. I., in Cuba during the Spanish-American
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War. In the spring of 1904 Mr. Zurhorst resigned his position as Collector of Customs and retired into private life, to give necessary attention to his business affairs.
Otto Armleder,
President of the O. Armleder Company, carriages and wagons, Cincinnati, Ohio, is a native of the Queen City, and one of her most popular and successful young business men. Mr. Armleder is a self-made man in the best and truest sense of the word. He comes from good German stock, his father, Mr. John Armleder, having left the Fatherland and his home city, Rothweiler, the end of the forties, and emigrated to the United States, where he settled in Cincinnati. Young Arm- leder acquired a good education in the public schools of Cincinnati and some higher private schools, and entered at the age of seventeen into his business career and established a beer bottling business. He was, and very success- fully, engaged in this enterprise for three years, when he became connected with the Central Carriage and Wagon Company, which several years later developed into the firm of O. Arm- leder & Co. In 1894 the business was incor- porated and changed into a stock company, with Mr. O. Armleder as President, a position he has held ever since. Under his careful management the business has grown into one of the largest establishments of its kind in the Central States, and they sell their products all over the world. Their offices and factories are located at Twelfth and Plum Streets, where they occupy tremendous quarters under one roof. At the Chicago World's Fair, Mr. Armleder received three golden OTTO ARMLEDER medals on his superior exhibit of carriages and wagons. He is a progressive and enter- prising business man, who stands high in the esteem of his fellow citizens and the business men of the country. He is a member of the Business Men's Club, Cuvier Club, Cincinnati Gun Club, Carriage Makers' Club, the Cincinnati Fall Festival Association (President in 1903), Order of the Itan-nic-nic, and an Elk.
Sloane Gordon,
Is a resident of Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio, and the President of The Sun Pub- lishing Company, and editor of "The Hamilton Evening Sun," the official newspaper of the Democratic party in that famous Democratic county. Mr. Gordon is well known through- out Ohio as a political writer and newspaper man. He was for six or seven years employed as a political writer and general reporter on the Cincinnati Enquirer, and while with that paper acquired considerable prominence as one of the few correspondents who made the Presidential campaign tour of 1900 with William Jennings Bryan. Subsequent to his employment on the Enquirer, Mr. Gordon was political editor of the Rocky Moun- tain News, of Denver, for about one year. Later he filled a reportorial position with the
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Cincinnati Commercial Tribune. He, in 1894 and 1895, was editor of the Evening Democrat in Hamilton, and afterwards lessee and editor of the Signal, in Middletown. After leaving the Commercial Tribune in 1902, Mr. Gordon organized a company and established "The Hamilton Evening Sun" in his old home townl. This paper has enjoyed phenomenal success, and has risen to the position of one of the lead- ing Democratic papers of Ohio. Mr. Gordon is thirty-four years of age, having been born in Foster's Crossing, Warren County, Ohio, in March, 1871. His father was James S. Gordon. for many years prominent in the newspaper world as a correspondent for the Cincinnati Enquirer, the New York World, and other leading publications. He wrote under the nom de plume of "Ithuriel."
SLOANE GORDON
George W. Smith,
Proprietor of the well-known Smith's Acad- emies of Dancing, at Columbus, Ohio, is an artist of recognized ability in his profession. He was born in the year of 1860, at Syracuse, New York, and is the son of John Smith, a well-known business man of that city and a native of Pennsylvania. When nine years of age, Mr. George W. Smith came with his family to Columbus and was given a good education in the grammar and High Schools of the Capital City. Early in life acquiring a love for the art to which he has devoted his life, he studied his profession under E. Woodward Masters, of Boston; H. L. Brann, of Pittsburg; H. N. Grant, of Buffalo, and S. P. Tilley, Columbus, Ohio, all of whom were masters in the terpsich- orean art. After having finished his studies, he accepted an engagement as a teacher, and followed his profession in that capacity for a period of five years. At the termination of this time, having gained a splendid reputation, he decided to enter into business under his own name in Columbus, and opened up his first academy. His success was assured from the start, and the first year saw 750 students enrolled upon his books. These students were a nucleus of the ever-growing fame of his institution, and finding it impossible to accom- modate his increased business, he, in the course of time, opened two additional academies and a summer park with dancing pavilion for private students. The number of pupils
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taught by him and his seven assistants aggregated over 2,200 students. At his different institutions all the modern, fancy and society dances are taught, as well as deportment and physical culture. He also makes a specialty of training for the stage. Since the commence- ment of his career he has had under his direction over 22,000 students. He is still a close student in his profession, and believes in progress. Mr. Smith has for over eight years been connected with the State militia, and was a member of Company A of the Fourteenth Regi- ment, O. N. G., as well as an officer in the Eighth Regiment. During his time of service he participated in the suppression of the famous Cincinnati riot. Socially, Mr. Smith is a member of the K. of P., the Elks, the Masonic fraternity, and is a member and Secretary of the American National Association of Masters of Dancing. His academies are located at corners of Gay and High Streets, Fourth and Long Streets, and High Street and Euclid Avenue. His main office is to be found corner of Gay and High Streets, Columbus, Ohio. His park is located at North Fourth Street and Northwood Avenue, Columbus. Mr. Smith has just completed an elegant pavilion at Lakeside Park, Dayton, Ohio. He is also Sec- retary of The Evans Automobile Company, of Columbus, Ohio.
John Angell Bott,
Manager of a ball-room culture school in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the best-known citizens of the Forest City. He is a native of Ohio, being born in Wharton, Wyandotte County, Ohio, on the 9th of February, 1866 His parents, well-to-do farmers, came from Pennsylvania. The original family name was von Butte, but was changed to Bott about two hundred years ago, when the ancestors of Mr. J. A. Bott arrived in this country. Mr. Bott received his education in the public schools of Tiffin, Ohio, and Heidelberg College, of that city. After his graduation Mr. Bott started into public life as a telegraph operator. Sixteen years ago, while still connected with the Postal Telegraph Company, he began a study of the conditions of social etiquette in the American ball-room. That some marked changes were necessary in the old imported methods of imparting this art to the people, became appar- JOHN ANGELL BOTT ent to Mr. Bott. With "American dances for American people" as his motto, he studied with celebrated masters in this country and abroad, after which the "Bott System of Ball-room Culture" was written. The mystifying methods of years gone by have been eliminated. His home academy, at No. 414 Pearl Street, Cleve- land, is patronized by the elite of Cleveland the year around. A very elegant residence academy was erected last year at No. 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati, where Mr. James L. Bott, a brother of the above gentleman, is installed as manager. Mr. Bott is the originator of several dances, chief among them the "Angell" and a "Dip Schottische," and the author of many new ball-room evolutions. His authority on dancing is quoted nationally. Mr. Bott is a member of the Mystic Shrine, F. & A. M. (thirty-second degree), the Cleveland
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