USA > Ohio > Lucas County > Toledo > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 16
USA > Ohio > Wood County > Portrait and biographical record of city of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the locality, together with biographies and portraits of all the Presidents of the United States > Part 16
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W ILLIAM WASHINGTON COLDHAM, M. D., one of the younger members of the medical fraternity of Toledo, is a son of one of this city's most popular and promi- nent physicians, whose reputation was more than local, extending, as it did, throughout Ohio and adjoining states. The gentleman whose name heads this article is assistant surgeon at St. Vin- cent's Hospital, and holds a like position with the First Regiment of Ohio Artillery. He is a mem- ber of the Toledo Medical Society, and also of the Ohio State Medical Society, and in every possible way keeps up his studies and researches in the line of lus profession.
Dr. James Coldham, the father of W. W., was born in England, and at an early day came to the United States. His medical studies were carried on in Harvard University and in other well known colleges. He came to this city in 1850, and before many years had elapsed had acquired a very ex- tensive practice. His death occurred in January, 1891. His wife, whose maiden name was Anna Williams, is still living, making her home in To- ledo. To Dr. James Coldham and wife were born five children, two sons and three daughters.
Our subjeet was born in Toledo, February 22, 1865, and received an elementary education in the public schools. Later he entered Galt College, of Ontario, Canada, was afterward a student of Trin- ity University, and for some time was in London, England. Returning to his native place, lie took up medical studies in his father's office, where he re-
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mained for two years. While in London he fitted himself for his future practice in a hospital, where he received the best of instruction. Thus well equipped, he opened an office in this city, and lias since been engaged in general practice.
In 1890 Dr. Coldham was united in marriage with Miss Catherine Shaw, who was born July 31. 1869, and whose father, E. C. Shaw, is a prominent wholesale merehant of Toledo. The home of the Doctor and his wife is at No. 2243 Robinwood Avenue, where they delight to entertain their hosts of friends and acquaintances.
In matters of political and public importance, Dr. Coldham is always deeply interested, and tries to the best of his ability to promote the welfare of the community in which he dwells. Politically lie uses his right of franchise in favor of the Re- publican party, to which his father also adhered. He is a young man of exemplary habits, of much more than ordinary intelligence and ability, and bids fair to become one of the prominent physi- cians of the state, judging by what he has accom- plished already in his brief carcer.
J OHIN J. KELLER, Assessor of the First Ward of the city of Toledo, is a native of Ger- many, having been born in Hilsbach, Baden, December 22, 1832. His parents were Jolin G. and Elizabeth (Refior) Keller, also natives of the Fatherland. The father served in Napoleon's army the greater part of his active life, and his death occurred in the year 1849. In the parental family were five children, two sons and three daughters, of whom four are still living, John J. being the fourth in order of birth.
Our subject attended school in his native land until he had attained the age of fourteen years, and then was apprenticed to learn the cooper's trade in Oppenheim, on the river Rhine, in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany. Later he learned the work of a brewer and the process of manufactur-
ing vinegar in Heidelberg, Germany. In 1852, deciding to emigrate to America, he embarked on a sailing-vessel, the " Orlando," which put out from the port of Havre, France, and after a voy- age of fifty-six days arrived in New York City. After spending some time in that city, lie removed to Elizabethtown, N. J., where for one year he fol- lowed the occupation of brewing.
September 16, 1854, Mr. Keller located in this city and entered the employ of Jolm St. Clair & Co., commission merchants, with whom he contin- ved for two years. At the expiration of his term of service with this firm, he became clerk in the Kingsbury Hotel, later being employed in the American Hotel. Upon leaving this position, he served in the same capacity for the firm of George II. Weber, dealer in groceries. In 1858 he decided to visit his native land, and embarked in the steamer "Bremen," completing the voyage in eighteen days. He spent six months in Germany, and then returned to America in a sailing-vessel, the " William Woodberg," the trip consuming thirty days.
Coming to Toledo in 1859, Mr. Keller invested in a grocery, and also engaged in the manufacture of vinegar in connection with Mr. Bachmann, un- der the firm name of Bachmann & Keller. This partnership continued three years, our subject at the expiration of this time buying out his part- ner's interest and becoming sole proprietor of the establishment. In 1864 he sold his grocery inter- ests and built a new factory at No. 34 Cherry Street, giving his entire attention to the manu- facture of vinegar and cider until 1880, and sell- ing his products to the local merchants. During the year 1880 he sold out the works and retired from active business life.
From 1860 to 1864 John J. Keller was a member of the One Hundred and Thirtieth Ohio National Guards. In 1862 occurred his marriage with Miss Christiana Mathias, also a resident of Toledo, and a daughter of Christ Mathias. Unto her union with Mr. Keller have been born six children. Julius G., the eldest, is traveling salesman for the firm of Walding, Kinnan & Marvin; August F. is a clerk in the employ of the G. & C. Daudt Company; and Karl H. is a member of the firm of Love &
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Keller. Those deceased are: Ida, who died at the age of twenty-five years; Louis J., who died in 1894, at the age of thirty years; and Bertha C., who died in 1886, at the age of fifteen years. Mr. Keller's pleasant and hospitable home is located at No. 1911 Superior Street, and here he and his family receive their many friends and acquaint- ances.
In politics Mr. Keller is a stanchi Republican, and has held the office of Assessor for eight terms. He is a member of the German Pioneer Society.
ACOB N. BICK, of Toledo, is a member of the firm of Bick & Glann, contractors for street paving, railroad masonry, sewer work, water-works, etc. They have a branch office in Galesburg, Ill., which is incorporated under the laws of the State of Illinois, and there the jun- ior member of the firm spends most of his time. They have carried out important contracts in many of the Northwestern and Central States, and dur- ing the past year, in addition to other work, have built the Toledo & Maumee Valley Electric Line and the Elkhart & Western Railroad. A man of generous and liberal public spirit, Mr. Bick has contributed to a multitude of enterprises accruing to the good of his fellow-citizens.
The father of Jacob N. Bick, who bore the same Christian name, was a native of Prussia, and in 1811, on his arrival in America, settled in the vil- lage of Maumee, Ohio. Later he took up eighty acres of land in what is now Richfield Township, Lucas County, and to this he added by purchase until he was the possessor of three hundred and twenty acres. In 1851 he married Mary Bettinger, of Tiffin, Ohio, who was born in Germany and crossed the Atlantic with her parents when she was only three years of age. Jacob Bick took his bride to the home his own hands had built in the wilderness, and there he passed the remainder of
his days. His widow is still living on the home- stead with her son Adam. Of their five sons and three daughters, John is an extensive land specu- lator and stock-dealer in Hutchinson, Kan .; Niclio- las died at the age of thirce years; Adam W., as we have just mentioned, is still a resident of Richfield Township; Jacob is the subject of this article; Frank W. died while on a visit to Kansas eleven years ago; and the three daughters, Mary M., Elizabeth and Barbara A., are proprietors of a millinery estab- lishment on Cherry Street, Toledo. The eldest is the widow of the late James Hogan, who was formerly connected with the Lake Shore & Michi- gan Southern Railroad.
The birth of Jacob N. Bick occurred in Richfield Township, this county, September 9, 1859. Like most farmer boys, the major portion of his educa- tion was obtained in the district schools of the township, with the addition of a course in the busi- ness college then kept by Detweiler & McGee in Toledo. His first experience in business was as a clerk for Thomas McMillan, who owned a boot and shoe store in the Opera House Block. At the end of two years, young Bick purchased his employer's stock of goods and conducted the business in his own name for four years, when he sold out to the Gilbert Shoe Company. A year prior to this event he had entered into partnership with Mr. Glann, his present associate.
In 1886 Messrs. Bick aud Glann took the con- tract for grading the Toledo, Saginaw & Muskegon Railway, the total distance being ninety-one miles. Since the completion of that road they have con- structed sixty miles of stone pavements in this county, and have fulfilled contracts in Pennsyl- vania, Virginia, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Kan- sas, South Dakota and Ohio. They make roads of various kinds of paving material in the most ap- proved and wear-resisting styles.
May 10, 1886, Mr. Bick married Margaret, daughter of Jaeob Langenderfer, one of the old pi- oncers of northern Ohio, and now a resident of Spencer Township, Lucas County. Mr. and Mrs. Bick became the parents of one son, who died when lie was only fourtcen months old. Coming from families who have ever been Catholics in religious faith, our subject and his wife are adhereuts of
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that church. They both enjoy the high esteem of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.
In politics Mr. Biek is a watehful and interested observer, and his influence in the Democratic ranks extends considerably beyond the limits of his na- tive eounty.
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W ILLIAM WATTS, M. D., a successful and prosperous physician and surgeon residing in Toledo, commands an ex- cellent practice in his neighborhood and vicinity, and is widely known as an able, intelligent and energetic citizen, one worthy of confidence and estecni. He is a native of Illinois, and was born in Springfield, February 6, 1854. His parents were Charles and Elizabethi (Innis) Watts, the former a native of New Hampshire, and the latter born in Ireland.
Charles Watts made his home in Sangamon County, Ill., in the year 1833, upon a fine estate which lic owned. This he cultivated in a most profitable manner, and continued to live upon it until the day of his decease. He was identified with the early settlement of that county, and his busi- ness standing was very high. Of a benevolent, kindly and generous disposition, those who songhit his aid or counsel were given sound advice and substantial assistance. He was always interested in political affairs, and throughout life cast his bal- lot in support of Democratic candidates.
The paternal grandfather of our subject, who bore the name of Benjamin Watts, was a native of Massachusetts, but in early life removed to the Granite State, where he was married and spent tlie remainder of his life. The Watts family originally eame from England, while on his mother's side our subject is of Irish descent. That lady was born in County Down, in 1813, and departed this life in Toledo, January 11, 1894, when in the eightieth
year of her age. Charles Watts died in 1883, at the age of seventy-nine.
The original of this sketch passed his boyhood days on the farm in Sangamon County, and early attended the distriet school. His father, being desirous of giving himn a good education, afterward sent him away to school, and he entered the Uni- versity of Illinois, remaining in that institution until being graduated in 1874. After completing his literary training Mr. Watts determined to study medicine, and with this end in view was enrolled as a student in the medical department of Michi- gan University, taking a course in homeopathy. In 1878 he had conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Medicine, and he immediately located for practice in Sylvania, Ohio. After a residence there of two years, desiring to perfect himself still further in his noble calling, he went to Europe and spent several months in visiting the famous col- leges and hospitals of the Old World.
In 1880, on his return, Dr. Watts located in To- ledo, and at once opening an office, has ever since given his undivided attention to thic practice of his profession. Being an eminent physician and sur- geon, he soon built up a large and rapidly increas- ing patronage, and lias won the regard of tlic gen- eral public. He makes a specialty of surgery, and has had under his care many difficult cases, per- forming many wonderful operations with marvel- ous success.
The Doctor on coming here first located in West Toledo, and continued to make that portion of the city his home until 1893, when he moved into his present convenient and commodious office on Huron Street. He has served as chief of the staff of the Toledo Hospital, and occupies a prominent place among the members of the Toledo Clinical Society. He also belongs to the Ohio State Home- opathic Society, and the American Institute of Homeopathy. While a student at college, he spent his vacation in studying medicine under the in- struction of Dr. John A. Vincent, of Springfield, Ill., now a member of the State Board of Health, and one of the most noted physicians of the state.
In 1884 Dr. Watts was united in marriage with Miss Emelie C., daughter of Joseph and Anna Shunck, of this city. To them were born a son,
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Fred W., and daughter, Edna I. The family oc- cupies a magnificent residence, built of brick and stone and of modern architectural design. It is located at the corner of Superior and Elm Streets, and is one of the most admired residences in the city.
In social affairs our subject is a prominent Mason and belongs to the Toledo Club. He has been very successful financially, and has acquired a hand- some property, being numbered among the substan- tial citizens of Toledo.
HARLES BALLARD. Few of the residents of Toledo have been citizens thercof for a longer period of time than has Mr. Ballard, and there is perhaps no hardware merchant who has engaged in the business for a longer time than has he. Having been a resident of this city since 1837, he has witnessed its advancement and prog- ress, and has himself been an important factor in the development of its commercial interests. Though now at an age beyond that usually allot- ted to men, hc is yet vigorous and robust for one of his years, and still maintains an active super- vision of his extensive and valuable business and property interests.
Born in Brownsville, Jefferson County, N. Y., August 6, 1816, the subject of this notice is the son of James and Judith (Hutchins) Ballard, the former a native of Massachusetts, and the latter born in New York, near Utica. After their mar- riage they settled in Jefferson County, where Mr. Ballard was first engaged at the trade of a cabinct- maker, but later followed farm pursuits. He and his wife were an estimable couple, and were highly esteemed by their many acquaintances in Jeffer-
son County, where they continued to reside until death.
Six sons and two daughters constituted the fam- ily of James and Judith Ballard, and of these Charles is the third in order of birth, and he and a sister are the only survivors of the original number. His boyhood and early school days were passed in Jefferson County, where much of his time was passed as a pupil in the old brick school- house that has long sinee gone into decay. The metliod of instruction in those days was decidedly crude, and the teacher relicd principally upon the rod in order to develop the mental capacities of the children. However, although the advantages were meager, our subject, being a diligent and painstaking student, succeeded in acquiring a fund of information that would do credit to one of the high-school students of the present genera- tion.
At the age of fifteen Mr. Ballard commenced to learn the trade of a tinner, serving an apprentice- ship of three years in Brownsville. In 1837, upon the completion of his service, he came to Toledo, where he worked at his trade for the four ensuing years, being in the employ of the hardware firm of Whittaker & Phillips. He then bought an interest in the tin department, and this he condueted with flattering success. Encouraged thereby, lie was induced to purchase the interest in the hard- ware store, and has since carried on the hardware business. It has always been his aim to carry only the best stock of shelf goods, tinware and stoves, and he has therefore gained a reputation in busi- ness that few of his competitors can equal.
The marriage of Mr. Ballard oceurred in 1838, at which time he was united with Miss Angeline J. Cole. Mrs. Ballard was born in Middleport, N. Y., and is a daughter of Samuel Cole, for many years a resident of Maumec, Ohio.
In politics Mr. Ballard is a Republican of no uncertain tone, and has been a strong advocate of the principles of the party ever since its organiza- tion. For nearly sixty years he has been a resident of Toledo; indeed, Toledo has grown up around him. As a venerable business man, and one who has done much hard work and given mueh valua- ble aid to the city, he is held in the highest esteem,
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His life has been devoted with patient self-sacrifice to the welfare of his family and friends and to the upbuilding of the city, and he therefore de- serves the regard of all who cherish a patriotic love for the beautiful city lying on the shores of Lake Erie.
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H MARCUS SCHNETZLER, M. D., is a leading member of the medical profession of Toledo, and is a graduate of the Star- ling Medical College. IIe located in this city in the year 1853, and soon built up an extensive and paying practice. He was for some years Pro- fessor in the Northwestern Ohio Medical College, and is now Trustee of the Toledo Medical College and a physician of St. Vincent's Hospital staff, and also of the City Hospital. In order to keep thoroughly abreast with the times, he joined the Toledo Medical, the North western Medical and the Ohio Medical Associations, in all of which bodies he is an honored member. His office and residence arc at No. 726 Huron Street.
The birth of the Doctor occurred in Gacchilingen, in the canton of Schaffhausen. Switzerland, Febru- ary 1, 1833. His parents were Ulrich and Magde- lena (Ruedy) Schnetzler, the former of whom died in his native land. They had only two children, our subject and John B. The Doctor received good common-school advantages in his native land, where he remained until his twentieth year, and then, in 1852, with his mother and brother, he came to America, having in the course of his reading obtained a good knowledge of the superior advan- tages held out to young men of sterling qualities to make a place and name for themselves in the United States. They took passage in a sailing- vessel at Havre bound for New York.
After lie had obtained a fair acquaintance witlı the English language in this country, our subject determined to adopt the medical profession, and so entered Starling Medical College at Columbus, Ohio, graduating from that well known institution
in 1862. His entire active carecr in his chosen field of labor has been passed in this city, where he is very popular with all classes.
In Marchi, 1858, Dr. Schnetzler married Miss Veronica Murbach, a native of the same village as himself, but who came to the United States about 1855, taking up her residence in Lucas County, Ohio. Four children, two sons and two daughters, have been born to the Doctor and wife, namely: Jacob U., M. D., a practicing physician in this city; Katie, who became the wife of Frank W. Waelter, proprietor of the Boot and Shoe Company of To- ledo; Henrietta, wife of Edward D. Harvey, of Detroit, Mich .; and August C., who is a member of the firm of Wachter & Schnetzler, who conduct a shoe store.
In his political convictions Dr. Schinetzler is a straight Republican. Socially he belongs to San- ford L. Collins Lodge, F. & A. M., and Toledo Commandery No. 7, K. T., and is also a Scottish Rite Mason of the Thirty-second Degree. He en- joys the friendship and respect of all who have ever come in contact with him, whether in a busi- ness or social way.
EM P. HARRIS, a prominent young Re- publican and enterprising financier of To- ledo, has the honor of being City Clerk, to which position he was elected in 1894. In the same year he served as Chairman of the Repub- liean City Committee, and for one year was the efficient and popular Alderman from the Sixth Ward.
Mr. Harris received a common-school education, and on completing his studies he entered a print- ing-office and learned the business. For the next few years he worked at his trade in Indiana, Mich- igan and Ohio, and in 1886 came to Toledo and obtained a position withi tlie Toledo Commercial Company. In 1893 he entered into partnership with J. D. Batch and opened a job-printing office,
SAMUEL M. YOUNG.
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which he successfully conducted for two years. He is acquainted with every department of the business, is industrious and persevering, and when in the employ of others merited their approbation for the faithfulness with which he represented their business.
S AMUEL M. YOUNG. Few of the residents of Lucas County have been eitizens there- of for a longer period of time than the venerable gentleman of whom we present this bio- graphical sketch. Since 1835 lie has lived here, an interested witness of the advancement of the coun- ty, which has been so transformed by the energetic pioneers and their descendants as to bear not the slightest resemblance to the original unoccupied traet of land. In this development Mr. Young aided, and may feel a pardonable pride in the re- sult of his efforts.
From 1835 until 1860 Mr. Young made his home in Maumec, whence, during the latter year, he removed to Toledo, and has since been a resi- dent of this city. He is a native of New Hamp- shire, and was born in Lebanon, December 29, 1806. His father, Hon. Samuel Young, was a lead- ing architect and builder of Lebanon, and repre- sented his district in the State Legislature, being one of the most influential men of his locality. In the common schools and academies Samuel M. laid the foundation of the excellent education lie after- ward obtained, principally by self-culture.
Upon completing his studies our subject turned his attention to the legal profession, and conducted his studies in the office of John M. Pomeroy, of Burlington, Vt. Upon being admitted to the Bar he came West with a view to selecting a suitable location, and in May, 1835, opened an office at Maumee, where he began the practice of his pro- fession upon a small scale. It happened that his advent here was made during the' memorable con- troversy known as the "Toledo Bar." His loca-
tion at Maumee, outside the disputed territory, relieved him of personal participation in that con- test, but upon the organization of Lucas County, the same year, he was appointed its first Auditor, which position he held for two years.
In 1838 Morrison R. Waite, wlio afterward bc- came Chief Justice of the United States, then recently graduated from Yale College, came to Maumee from Lyme, Conn., and entered the office of Mr. Young, where he studied law for one year. After his admission to the Bar, the firm of Young & Waite was organized, and at once gained promi- nence through the ability of its members and their well known success as advocates. In 1850 an office was opened at Toledo, to which point Mr. Waite removed. Mr. Young remained at Maumee, continuing bis practice at that point, but in 1852, when the county seat was removed from Maumee to Toledo, the office was also brought to this city. In 1856 Mr. Young retired from praetice.
Meantime, having turned his attention to bank- ing, Mr. Young, with others, in 1855 purchased the Bank of Toledo, a branch of the State Bank of Ohio, with which he was connected until it was rcorganized under the National Banking Law in 1865 as the Toledo National Bank. He was chosen President of the newly organized concern, and re- mained in that capacity until January, 1895. In 1860 he purchased a commodious residence on Madison Street, between Thirteenth and Fourteenth Streets, and here he has since made his home. In his declining years he is surrounded by all the comforts of life and ministered to by his devoted family.
Associated with Abner L. Baekus, under the firm name of Young & Backus, our subject in 1862 built the large elevators on Water Street, near Adams, designed especially for canal grain-traffic. This firm, after eighteen years, was sueceeded by that of A. L. Backus & Sons. In the practice of the law Mr. Young gained prominence in an early day, and was for years recognized as one of the leading members of the Bar of northwestern Ohio. His en viable reputation as an attorney was largely due to his thorough knowledge concerning all legal technicalities, his painstaking eare in tlic preparation of cases, and his broad knowledge of
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