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 19
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 19
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A native of the Green Mountain State, Mr. Gashe was born in its capital city, Montpelier, February 3, 1856. His father, Samuel Gashie, was a man of talent and good education, and for a number of years was a successful school teacher. He was a native of Ireland, and came to the United States in youth, but died when his son, William A., was only six years of age. His wife, whose girlhood name was Rebecca Clark, on being left a
widow removed from Montpelier to Canada. She was left in destitute circumstances by the death of her husband, and had a struggle in order to sup- port herself and children. After spending a few years in Canada, the family removed to Saginaw, Mich.
Left fatherless at a tender age, William A. Gashe was early obliged to seek his own livelihood. He received fair common-school advantages, but at an early age became a shingle-packer in the sawmills of Michigan, and then for some time worked at whatever he could find to do in different lumbering districts. Later, going to Big City, Mich., he was scaler for a number of mills at that place. From his small wages he managed to lay aside a certain proportion, and the sum thus accumulated proved the nucleus of his subsequent fortune.
The Gashe Lumber Company deals in all kinds of hard and soft woods. They have a large plan- ing-mill, which is run by electricity, and is a model of its kind. Mr. Gashe is a pioneer in this direc- tion, having been the first to employ this motive power in a planing-mill. The two dynamos are equal to thirty-horse power.
The family residence of Mr. Gashe is at No. 515 Walnut Street. His wife, to whom he was married July 15, 1891, was previously Miss Marion Kear- ney, of this city. She was born near Dublin, Ire- land, and is a daughter of John and Margaret (Blake) Kearney. Mr. Gashe is a public-spirited citizen, taking commendable interest in whatever enterprises or movements are started having the benefit of this eity and locality as their object. In questions of political moment he is a Demoerat, and never fails to deposit his ballot in favor of his party nominees. He and his wife are members of the Catholic Church.
F LEAZER N. SMITH is a self-made man, as he began life poor and unassisted, but, undaunted by the difficulties which he met in his pathway, he has risen steadily to a position of influence and prosperity. For the past thir- teen years his home has been made in West To-
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ledo, prior to which time he was actively engaged in agricultural pursuits.
In a family of seven children our subject is the youngest, the others being Polly, William, Hul- dah, Priseilla, Hannah and Millieent. Their par- ents were Noadiah and Mary S. (Sibley) Smith, na- tives of Connectieut and New York, respectively, and the former a farmer by oceupation. Born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., January 16, 1815, our subjeet eontinued to live with his parents in the Empire State until he had reached his majority. He early became familiar, by practical experience, with every detail of farm work, and determined to make it liis business in life.
After working for neiglibors for some time, our subject eame to Ohio, in the spring of 1836, pro- ceeding a part of the distance in a eanoe. He set- tled in Lucas County and began working by the month on a farm in Washington Township. When several years had passed, during which time he had earefully laid aside the main share of his earn- ings, he found himself able to embark in business on his own aeeount, and invested his money in one hundred and thirty acres of land in Washing- ton Township. The place had been partly im- proved and a log house erected by a previous pro- prietor. In 1838 Mr. Smith returned to New York, where he remained two or three years, but eventually came back to make a permanent home in Ohio. Altogether, he was for upwards of forty years one of the leading farmers of Washington Township, and was actively coneerned in its de- velopment.
The first Presidential vote of Mr. Smith was east for Andrew Jackson, but he now affiliates with the Republican party. He still owns his im- proved and valuable farm of one hundred and eighty aeres, on which are two good orchards, which he set out himself. He is almost entirely self-educated as well as self-made, for his school advantages were extremely limited. In his town- ship he has served as Trustee and School Director of his home distriet. Ever since he was seventeen years of age he has been a member of the Method- ist Episcopal Church, and is now a Steward and Trustee in the congregation.
October 5, 1848, Mr. Smith and Catherine Raw-
son were united in marriage. They have three children: William N., a farmer of this township; Mary, Mrs. James W. Moore; and Emma, now Mrs. William W. Dixon. Mrs. Smith began teaching sehool when she was only seventeen years old, in a log cabin, and taught successfully for about eleven years. Like her husband, she is a faithful and zealous worker in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
EORGE W. STEVENS, M. D., has been en- [ gaged in the practice of his profession in Toledo for the past four years, and has al- ready acquired high standing among his fellow-cit- izens. In 1876 he was appointed surgeon of the Union Pacific Railroad Company, with headquarters at Grand Island, Neb., where he remained for five years. In 1881 he returned to Jonesville, Hills- dale County, Mich., where he had formerly prae- ticed, and which place was his home for the next deeade. He is a graduate of the medieal depart- ment of the Michigan State University of Ann Arbor, and has been actively employed as a family physician for over a quarter of a century.
On the paternal side the Doctor is of English descent, while his mother's ancestors were natives of Germany. Willard Stevens, the father of our subjeet, was born in New York City, and was Re- eorder of Deeds for many years. He took an act- ive part in political affairs and the cause of good government, and was accordingly esteemed for his valuable serviees. He went into the Civil War as Captain of Company A, Fifth New York Volun- teers, and was killed at the second battle of Bull Run, August 18, 1862. His wife, who was before her marriage Lydia E. Geib, died when the Doetor was six years old.
Dr. Stevens, who is an only child, was born in New York City, March 28, 1847. He passed his boyhood and school days there, and later entered Columbia College, graduating from the literary department in 1864. His father was killed when
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he was only twelve years of age, aud young Ste- vens was thus early thrown upon his own resour- ces to a certaiu extent. After making up his mind to become a physician, he studied with Dr. A. W. Alvord, of Battle Creek, Mich., and graduated in 1872 from the State University, after which lie took a course of practical training in the Long Island (N. Y.) Hospital. His first location as a practitioner was at Jonesville, Mich., where he re- mained for two years. In political matters the Doctor is affiliated with the Republican party.
ILLIAM WICKHAM, M. D., a popular and highly successful medical practi- tioner and skillful surgeon of Toledo, is a native of Ireland, and was born Marchi 5, 1848. He is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Hurst) Wickham, who were born, reared aud married in the same country. After their marriage they emi- grated to America, when William was but two years old, aud settled in Beaver, Pa. After com- ing to this country, the father became identified with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and continued in tlie employ of that company for twenty-five years. He still resides in the town of Beaver, and is num- bered among the leading business men of the place.
The subject of this sketch was the third son in a family of nine children born to the union of Thomas and Elizabeth Wickham. The eldest, Jolm J., is now the Presiding Judge of Beaver County, Pa. Our subject spent his early life in the town of Beaver, and was educated in the high school and academy of that place. Having finished his course of study in the latter institutiou, he became a teacher in the public schools of Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky, and after five years of successful teaching in these three states he bade farewell to the schoolroom and adopted the medical profes- sion as liis life work. At the age of twenty-eiglit years he entered the office of a military surgeon, Dr. Levis, reading medicine with him for some
time, and while under this excellent physician he learned many practical and useful lessons.
In 1879 Mr. Wickham entered the College of Medicine and Surgery at Cincinnati, Ohio, where he took a four-years course, graduating in 1883. He immediately began the practice of his profes- sion in the city of Cincinnati, and for five years was one of the successful physicians of that place. He then accepted an appointment as Surgeon to the Pocahontas Coal and Coke Company, and re- mnoved to Pocahontas, Va. During this time he was also Surgeon of a division of the Norfolk & Western Railroad, which position he held for a number of years, but later was compelled to resign on account of ill health. After a few montlis' rest and a change of climate, Dr. Wickliam's health was greatly improved, but before resuming his prac- tice he took a post-graduate course at the New York Polyclinic, in New York City, and while at- tending this institution assisted in the hospitals of that city, which afforded him abundant opportu- nity of becoming one of the best and most skillful surgeons of the day.
In 1893 Dr. Wickham came to Toledo, where he has since conducted a general practice of medi- cine and surgery, and gained the esteem and con- fidence of the community. He has been very suc- cessful since coming here, and is numbered among the leading physicians of the city. He is a mein- ber of the Lucas County Medical Society. In politics he has always affiliated with the Republi- can party, and has ever taken an active interest in public affairs. He is a man of excellent business ability, and liis professional career has been a suc- eessful one.
OSEPH G. GARTNER. There is nothing that shows the innate refinement and gentleness of a man's nature more than a care for the exquisite blossoms that crown the most pa- tient and diligent efforts at cultivation. A cruel or unkind, careless or inappreciative man would never succeed as a florist, for the tender green
VALENTINE H. KETCHAM.
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things under the charge of such a person are en- tirely at his mercy, to be watered and warmed at his will. Neither can an ignorant man succeed in this ealling, for ignorance is stupidity and inap- preciativeness, and one who is so watchiful and in- telligent that he can understand the unspoken lan- guage that tells of need or thankfulness for care is never ignorant or unkind, but humane and tender under all circumstances.
The establishment which is under the charge of Mr. Gartner is conveniently situated at No. 2476 Cherry Street, Toledo, and contains every variety of plant and flower. The business, which is an ex- tensive one, is conducted on both the wholesale and retail plan, and is largely patronized by the people of Toledo, who have the highest opinion of Mr. Gartner as a skillful and artistic florist. His shop was opened in 1888, and the business was then begun upon a small scale, but as his means increased he added conveniences from time to time, and now has a large and remunerative trade.
Mr. Gartner was born in Bourbon, Marshall County, Ind., February 14, 1859, and is the son of John and Frances (Hebner) Gartner. His parents were natives of Bavaria, Germany, and the father, after coming to this country, followed the trade of a shoemaker in Indiana. In 1871 he came to To- ledo, where his death occurred November 29, 1893, at the age of sixty-seven years. The wife and mother is still living, now sixty-three years old, and is a resident of Toledo.
Of the parental family therc survive, besides our subject, three daughters, one of whom is married and two single. The only surviving son received a good education, and for some time attended tlie high school of Toledo. At the age of fourteen years he began to be self-supporting, and from that time, though beginning without money, he has gradually acquired a competence. Being energetic, persevering and determined, he has not allowed himself to become discouraged by obstacles, but has steadily worked his way on ward to prosperity. In 1886 he was united in marriage with Miss Rosa Flessa, a resident of Monroe, Mich., and daughter of Jacob Flessa. They are the parents of one child, named Rudolph.
With a number of secret societies Mr. Gartner is
actively connected, being a member of the Benevo- lent Protective Order of Elks, the Order of Forest- ers, the Mystic Circle and the National Union. He and his family occupy a neat and comfortable home, located at No. 2434 Cherry Street, at a con- venient distance from his place of business. He is interested in all matters connected with the prosperity of Toledo, and is rightly counted among the active, progressive and capable young business men of the city. In his political views he is a Democrat, and is now Ward Committeeman.
ALENTINE HICKS KETCHAM. The record of an honorable and useful life not only perpetuates the deeds of him who has thus lived for his descendants, but is also most in- structive as a guide and incentive to others. In writing this brief memorial of Mr. Ketcham, we are but doing justice to one who spent the best years of his life in Toledo, and whose influence for good has been felt in both the business and so- cial circles of this city. For a period of twenty- four years, from the time of its organization until his death, he filled the responsible position of President of the First National Bank of Toledo, and the sound financial basis upon which this in- stitution rested was due largely to Ins tact and ex- ecutive ability.
A record of the life of this pioneer of Toledo eannot fail to be interesting to the people of this city, and we are therefore pleased to present an outline of the chief events of his career. He was born in Cornwall, Orange County, N. Y., Novem- ber 12, 1815, and is the son of Samuel and Rachel (Sands) Ketcham, the former of whom was a farm- er and miller of Cornwall. In his early boyhood he lived upon a farm, and in the winter montlis attended the district schools of the neighborhood. In 1827 lie accompanied his parents to New York City, where he remained for three years, attending school for a few months, but devoting his time
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principally to learning the trade of a carpenter and joiner. At the age of fifteen he returned to the farm at Cornwall, where the two following years were spent. His father then came back to the old homestead, and he went to the city to fin- ish his trade.
Instead, however, of resuming work at lis trade, Mr. Ketcham, through the influence of a merchant of his acquaintance, secured a position as clerk for J. F. Cropsey, a dry-goods dealer on Canal Street, and, being pleased with the work, he remained there until July 17, 1836. Then, accompanied by a Mr. Lane, he started on a vacation trip to the West. They took a steamer to Detroit, and, land- ing at that place, they proceeded into the interior of Michigan, where Mr. Ketcham bought eighty acres of Government land in Oakland County. From Detroit he journeyed to Toledo, and thence went back to New York
Foresecing the wonderful development of the West, Mr. Keteham determined to establish his home here. Accordingly, in August, 1836, lie left New York with a general stock of merchandise, and came to Toledo, where he opened a store on St. Clair Street, at the head of Perry, now the site of the Merchants' Hotel, renting the premises of Coleman I. Keller, Jr. In the summer of 1837 the store was removed to Summit Street, adjoining the Indiana House, and near Perry Street. The next year it was removed to the corner of Summit and Lagrange Streets, and in 1841 was transferred to Nos. 32 and 34 Summit Street, where a small wholesale trade was established. In 1843 the Mi- ami Canal, connecting Toledo with Cincinnati, was opened, and this extended his trade very mate- rially.
In 1846 Joseph K. Secor was taken into the firm, the title becoming Ketcham & Secor, which contin- ued until Mr. Ketcham withdrew, in 1851, to de- vote his attention cxelusively to banking. In 1850 he had, in partnership with John Poag, com- menced in that business, and three years later Jolin Berdan and S. S. Hubbard became associated with him, the firm name becoming Ketcham, Berdan & Co. In 1863 the business was merged into the First National Bank, of which Mr. Ketcham was President until his death. The exceptional suc-
cess of that important financial institution was due largely to the conservative policy and watchful care of the President, and it now stands as a mon- ument to his memory.
Soon after coming to Toledo, Mr. Ketcham pur- chased some property, and afterwards from time to time he increased his real- estate holdings. His speculations in that line met with varying results, but in the main were profitable. In the earlier years of liis business career he was subjected to re- verses then common to the West, but after recov- ering from these he enjoyed exceptional success, and came to be recognized as one of the most wealthy men of northern Ohio. For his unusual success he was indebted to no small extent to the experience of his early years, when poverty taught him economy, and adversity taught him self-reli- ance.
In addition to the erection of a number of small business buildings and dwellings, Mr. Ketcham erected a block of three four-story stores at Nos. 28 to 36 Summit Street; two stores, Nos. 63 and 65 Summit Strect; two stores at the corner of Summit and Jefferson Strects; in connection with Mars Nearing, the four-story block at Nos. 189 to 199 Summit Street, corner of Adams; the four-story block on Summit, Oak and St. Clair Streets; and a similar building under construction at the time of liis death, on St. Clair and Oak Streets.
As early as 1843 Mr. Ketcham cut the brush and cleared the ground on which now stands the Prod- uce Exchange Building, at the corner of Madison and St. Clair Streets, erecting thereon a substantial brick dwelling. The only house within sight of that place was the home of Charles G. Keeler, on the southeast corner of Madison and St. Clair Streets, where now stands the Government Build- ing. For the former lot Mr. Ketcham paid $1,000, and subsequently sold it to John Poag for $4,700. The Produce Exchange for the same paid the sum of $55,000. In 1852 he purchased the west sixty feet of the site of the new Government Building for $1,200, and twelve years later disposed of it for $4,500. In 1880 it was sold to the United States for $27,000.
At Toledo, December 30, 1841, Mr. Ketcham was united in marriage with Miss Rachel Ann, daugh-
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ter of Jolin and Pamela Berdan. They became the parents of four children, namely: Mary, wife of Mars Nearing, now President of the First Na- tional Bank; John B., former President of the Ketcham National Bank, but now a resident of Chicago; Valentine H., Jr .; and George H., a civil engineer. The sons have inherited to an unusual degree the business capability and sound judg- ment of their father, and are foremost in the finan- cial circles of Toledo.
A man of temperate habits, practicing through- out his entire life outdoor activity and care in diet, Mr. Ketcham was able to preserve almost to the last the robust constitution and sound health of his boyhood. While his business dutics were many and heavy, yet he gave personal attention to the management of his farm property, thus se- curing a needed recreation from other cares. Aft- er an illness of two weeks he dicd at his residence, corner of Cherry and Bancroft Streets, July 30, 1887. The funeral, one of the largest ever held in the city, was attended by delegations from the Produce Exchange, to which he belonged, and from the bankers of Toledo. Resolutions were adopted by both organizations, expressing the highest rc- spect for the memory of the deceased. It.was felt in business circles that the loss was a great one, while in his death the needy and helpless lost a benevolent friend. In politics he was a stanch Re- publican, always taking a great interest in the af- fairs of his party.
R RED E. WITKER, President of the Witker Manufacturing Company, of Toledo, was born in Lucas County, Ohio, February 2, 1846. He is the son of Ernest and Mary (Bal- mayer) Witker, who were numbered among the pioncer residents of this part of the state, having settled here at a time when the present prosperous city of Toledo gave few indications of its wonder-
ful development and importance as a commercial center.
Of the family of eight children, four sons and four daughters, Fred E. is the next to the eldest. His carly years were passed in a manner similar to those of other farmer lads, and he early showed traits of industry, perseverance and determination to succeed in life. During the summer months lic assisted in the work of cultivating the soil, but in the winter had the privilege of attending the neighboring schools, and there obtaining such knowledge as the teacher and text-books afforded. At the age of fourteen years Mr. Witker began clerking in a general store, where he remained for the three following years. He then entered the employ of the Curtis Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds in Toledo, and was afterward with the firm of Hitchcox & Walbridge, who followed a similar line of business. Still later he obtained a position with H. H. Boyd, and as he was similarly engaged, Mr. Witker was enabled to gain a thorough knowledge of every detail connected with the business. In 1868 he entered the firm of Eldrege, Weild & Co., and re- mained in that connection for one year, being en- gaged in the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds. At the expiration of the year he disposed of his interest in the concern.
In 1868 Mr. Witker became connected with the Western Manufacturing Company, of which he was chosen President, and continued to serve in that capacity until 1868. Upon selling out, he became interested in the Witker Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of sash, doors and blinds, and was a member of that firm until 1886. It was then incorporated as a stock company, of which he was chosen President and Edward H. Witker, his son, Secretary and Treasurer. They have a large plant, supplied with all the latest and most improved machinery, the propelling force being a one hundred horse power engine. Employment is given to eighty men, thus making the industry one of the most important of Toledo. The plant is a substantial brick structure, three stories in height, and occupying a central location.
The residence of our subject is situated at the corner of Huron and Erie Strects, and here he finds
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needed recreation from the cares of business in the society of his wife and children. He was united In marriage, in 1870, with Miss Mary Witgen, of Toledo, the daughter of Henry Witgen, of this city. They arc the parents of five children, all of whom are at home, and in whose future career they take the greatest interest. They have given them liberal educational advantages, and have wisely prepared them for the responsibilitet of life.
Our subject has found his time so closely en- grossed by his business duties that he has had lit- tle opportunity for the study of public affairs. However, he is well posted concerning the ques- tions before the public to-day, and politically ad- vocates Democratic principles. He is liberal to those enterprises which will promote the good of the community, and his excellent traits of charac- ter make him universally esteemed among his as- sociates.
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R OBERT DAVIDSON is one of the sterling old pioneers of Webster Township, Wood County, and in the early days of its his- tory helped to make the roads, erect schoolhouses, and in other ways aided in the development of this section. He laid the foundation for the old court house of the county at Perrysburg, and helped in the erection of the log subscription schoolhouse where Scotch Ridge now stands, whither he came to pass his declining days in 1882. After a very busy and useful life he is now enjoying the fruits of his former toil, and is surrounded by the com- forts which are justly his.
Robert Davidson bears the same Christian name as did his father and grandfather before him, and, like them, is a native of Scotland, his birth having occurred in Edinburghshire, July 16, 1812. His mother, also a native of Scotland, was before her marriage Margaret Murdock, and the children whom she bore her husband were as follows: Robert; William, born September 2, 1814; Jeanette, June 2, 1816; James, born August 23, 1818, and who
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