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 29
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 29
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In 1882 occurred the marriage of Mr. Brigham and Ida M. Woonscot, of Rhode Island. Mr. Brig- ham is actively interested in whatever pertains to the upbuilding and development of this place, and is never slow to use bis influence and means in the proper directions. He possesses the confidence of all with whom he comes in contact, whether in a business or a social way.
WILLIAM WEBSTER. The gentleman of whose life it is our purpose to give a short sketch is a successful lawyer of Toledo, and has gained an enviable reputation as a practitioner throughout the county. He pos- scsses good judgment and a thorough knowledge of law, and is therefore one of the city's repre- sentative attorneys. He was born in Oakland County, Mich., in 1843, and is the son of James Webster, a native of Connecticut. The father re- ceived his early training in his native state, after which he went to New York and completed his collegiate education. Having resolved to enter the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, he commenced the study of theology, and was or- dained in the state of New York about fifty-seven years ago.
In a very early day James Webster moved West to Michigan, and, locating in Oakland County, be- came one of the pioneer ministers of that section, and was also actively identified with the educa- tional affairs of the state. He was a member of the first Constitutional Convention of the Wolver- ine State, and later, while serving in the Legisla- ture, was interested and aided in the framing of
the Michigan State Constitution. He was elected to that honorable position for two terms, and during that time was instrumental in advancing the welfare of his constituents in a very marked degree.
Prior to the outbreak of the late war, the father of our subject returned East for his health, locat- ing in Virginia, where he was living when Ft. Sumter was fired upon. He was a thorough Union- ist at heart, and, being fearless in the expression of his views, was seized as a citizen and confined in Libby Prison, where he died a few months later. His father, the grandfather of our subject, Orange Webster, was born in Litchfield County, Conn., became the head of a family of eight children, who were given the opportunity for gaining good edu- cations and attained to lives of usefulness. The Websters originally came from England, and for many years were classed among the representative citizens and well-to-do residents of the New Eng- land States.
William Webster attended school in Michigan, and later, when his parents removed to the Old Dominion, became a student in the Fairfax Sem- inary, whose superintendent was Dr. Baker, a very eminent and learned man of that day. After com- pleting his education, Mr. Webster was engaged for some time in newspaper work on the New York Herald, and on the close of the war accepted a position as traveling collector and adjuster for a large commercial house of the metropolis, in whose employ he was retained for some time.
In 1872 our subject entered the Patent Office at Washington, D. C., as Assistant Examiner of Patents, and there he remained for a period of eight years. During a part of this time he read law in his leisure hours, and became thoroughly con- versant with laws governing patents. Desiring to further perfect himself in the knowledge of Black- stone, in 1879 he entered the National University of Washington, where he took a four-years coursc, and on being graduated in 1883 was admitted to practice at the Bar. Three years later we find him located in Toledo, whicre he immediately opened up an office, and has ever since given his attention to his profession, making a specialty, however, of patent law. In this particular linc he has built up
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a large patronage, extending throughout various states of the Union, and he is considered an au- thority in this branch of the law.
The lady to whom Mr. Webster was married in 1869 was Miss Mary A., daughter of Richard and Caroline Case, and a native of Michigan. Her father, a farmer by occupation, was an early settler of Oakland County. To Mr. and Mrs. Webster there have been born two sons and one daughter. Carroll J., a mechanical draftsman, was educated in Washington; Floyd R. is at present attending the Toledo Medical College; and Carrie E. is at home. Both our subject and his wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and are inter- ested in all good works in their neighborhood. They occupy a comfortable residence on the corner of Bush and Huron Streets, and number among their friends the best people in the city. In poli- tics Mr. Webster is a stanch Republican, and in social affairs is a prominent Mason and also be- longs to the Royal Arcanum.
D R. W. C. CHAPMAN was born in Cincin- nati, Ohio, August 15, 1840. He was grad- uated from the Miami Medical College of that city in the spring of 1873. He imme- diately came to Toledo, where he has since been in the practice of his profession.
H ON. JACOB ROMEIS. The well known truth which has been aptly expressed in the saying that "every man is the arch- itect of his own fortune," is nowhere more decid- edly manifest than in the business activity and po- litical prominence of 'Mr. Romeis, Vice-President
of the Toledo City Natural Gas Company, and formerly Member of Congress from this district. The opportunities which have come to him have, perhaps, not been greater than those offered to other men, but he possesses the qualities which en- abled him to take advantage of the "tide that leads on to fortune."
From his successful career may be gleaned les- sons worthy of emulation by the young, and ad- miration by the old. Our readers will, therefore, be interested in this review of his life, concerning which we -sketch the following: John and Eliza- beth (Engelhaupt) Romeis, his parents, were born in Germany, where the former engaged in farm- ing, and also followed the occupation of a linen weaver. In 1847 he brought his family to the United States and settled at Buffalo, N. Y., where he was employed in a quarry. His death occurred in 1869.
While the family resided in Weisenbach, Bavaria, the subject of this sketch was born, December 1, 1835. He accompanied his parents to America, having previously attended the village school of Weisenbach, as required by law, from his sixth year. In Buffalo he was a student in the common schools for one year, and in a German Protestant school for a time after his first communion. The family being poor, he was obliged at an early age to become self-supporting, and when fourteen se- cured a position as cabin-boy on the propeller "Oregon," Capt. Thomas Watts, running between Buffalo, Toledo and Detroit, his first visit to To- ledo being in August, 1849. In April, 1857, Mr. Romeis was married to Catherine Schweiger, daugh- ter of Martin Schweiger, of Buffalo, N. Y., and to them have been born five children: Henry, who died while an infant; Louis; Emma, wife of Al- bert Kuhn; Kate, wife of Charles Beahr; and Charles J.
From 1850 to 1856 Mr. Romeis was employed on passenger steamers commanded by Captains Watts, Hazard, Perkins, Pheatt, Willoughby and Goldsmith. The last-named aided him to a posi- tion as train baggageman on the Toledo & Wa- bash Railroad in 1856, and for two years he was thus employed. Afterward he was promoted to the position of conductor on freight and passenger
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trains, but after 1863 was given charge of passen- ger trains exclusively. Owing to sickness, in 1871 he was obliged to leave the road temporarily, but upon regaining his health he resumed work, being appointed General Baggage Agent. This was a position of great responsibility, as the entire force of baggagemen and all the baggage were under his supervision and care. So successful was he, that he was promoted to the position of Depot Master at Toledo, and given charge of all passenger train- men on the Eastern Division of that road, extend- ing from Toledo to Danville, Ill. In that capa- city he continned until his election to Congress.
From youth Mr. Romeis has been an advocate of Republican principles, which he has sustained with vigor and fidelity. However, lie has never been a partisan in his preferences, but in local mat- ters has given his support to the candidates whom he has considered best qualified for official trusts, irrespective of political ties. His first public office was that of Alderman from the Seventh Ward of Toledo, to which he was elected in 1874. Two years later he was re-elected, and in 1877 became President of the Board of Aldermen. In 1878 he was nominated for a third term, but refused to al- low his name to be used. The next year he was elected Mayor of Toledo, and under his admin- istration many important reforms were instituted and improvements introduced. He was successful in securing a substantial reduction in expenditures, and in other ways promoted the welfare of his fel- low-citizens. In 1881 and 1883 he was re-elected, serving for six years altogether.
While gaining the respect of the people of To- ledo, Mr. Romeis also secured the confidence and esteem of the people of the surrounding country, and when, therefore, his name was presented as candidate for Congress from the Tenth District, he at once had a large and enthusiastic following. His opponent was Frank H. Hurd, then in the ze- nith of his personal power and popularity. Added to this fact, the district gave a usual majority of twenty-five hundred. The campaign was one of the most active the district had ever known, and the result was the election of Mr. Romeis by a ma- jority of two hundred and thirty-nine votes. Mr. Hurd made a bitter and determined contest for the
seat, doubtless relying for success upon partisan support from the large Democratic majority in the House of Representatives, but in this hope he was disappointed, for, after complete investigation, the Democratic Committee on Elections reported that Mr. Romeis had been legally elected, which decis- ion was approved by the House with a large ina- jority.
In 1886 the same candidates werc again pitted against each other, and the results were practically the same, Mr. Romeis receiving a majority of fif- teen hundred and eighty-eight votes over Mr. Hurd. The vote in Lucas County stood as follows: Romeis, eight thousand, eight hundred and eighty- seven; Hurd, six thousand, six hundred and fifty- three, giving the former a majority of two thou- sand, two hundred and thirty-four; while the Re- publican majority in the county for the Secretary of State, at the same election, was only three hun- dred and sixty-eight.
In the issue of protection or free trade, Mr. Romeis recognizes the most important question of national policy, and his attachment to the Repub- lican party rests chiefly on the position of that or- ganization on this issue. His view of the matter was clearly given in a speech when the Free Ship- ping Bill was under discussion in the House of Representatives. He then said: "Mr. Chairman, I have been a wage-worker for thirty-five years or more as a sailor and railroad man .. I laid aside the lantern to take a seat in the Halls of Congress, and when I leave I expect to take up one of these vocations again. But while I have a voice and a vote in this House, I shall not give it for a propo- sition that will, in my opinion, destroy the capital invested in American industries, thereby throwing out of employment thousands of workingmen who are directly dependent upon that capital. For that reason I shall vote against that bill." (Ap- plause.)
Mr. Romeis is a typical representative of the German race, honest and upright in word and deed, energetic and pushing, and of a decidedly practical turn of mind. Beginning in life without capital or influential friends, beset on every hand by obstacles, hampered by poverty and burdened with the cares and hardships incident to his ehosen
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occupation, he lias, nevertheless, worked his way forward, until he has attained a position of great prominence in this portion of Ohio. Among bis fellow-citizens be is highly respected, as he posses- ses the integrity of character that has enabled bim to live uprightly and at peace with the world. Since resuming the duties of a private citizen, he has devoted his attention largely to the interests of the Toledo City Natural Gas Company, which is one of the principal industries of the place, and of which he is Vice-President.
H ON. CHARLES PRATT, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, occupies a posi- tion of eminence among the able jurists of the state. During the long period of his resi- dence in Toledo, covering more than forty years, he has identified himself intimately with the pro- gressive interests of the city, and has gained a po- sition of prominence in the legal fraternity. His attention was devoted closely to his professional duties as an attorney until 1894, when he was nom- inated for the position of Judge, and on the 6th of November following was duly elected. His election to this responsible and honored position is a just tribute to his legal attainments and supe- rior ability, and since assuming the duties of the office he has discharged the same with a fidelity, impartiality and wisdom that reflect credit upon his own attainments.
The Pratt family is descended from Puritan an- cestors. Alpheus Pratt, father of the Judge, was a native of Massachusetts, whence in 1819 he re- moved to the state of New York, becoming a pio- neer of the locality in which he settled. In 1833 he came still further West and established his home in that portion of Michigan known as the "Bean
Creek Country," which is within what is now called the Maumee Valley, and known as Hudson, Mich. At that place his death occurred in Mareh, 1884, at the age of ninety-one years. His widow, who is also of New England lineage, makes her home with her son Charles, and is now (1895) ninety- one years of age. Both the paternal and maternal ancestors attained advanced ages, ranging from eighty to nearly one hundred years.
The subject of this sketch was born near Roclı- ester, N. Y., January 15, 1828. He was but five years old when his parents removed to Michigan, and his boyhood years were passed in that then undeveloped portion of the country. Neighbors were few; in fact, almost the entire population was comprised in a tribe of Pottawatomie Indians, whiel had its camping-ground near the Pratt farm. However, white people soon began to establish homes here; settlements became more numerous, and schoolhouses were built. The rudiments of his education were obtained at home, but at the age of twelve years a schoolhouse was erected at a point sufficiently near to permit him to attend, and from that time until he was sixteen he enjoyed such educational advantages as that primitive tem- ple of learning afforded. Although the course of instruction was of the crudest nature, he neverthe- less obtained a fair knowledge of the fundamental branches. At the age of sixteen he entered a se- leet school at Adrian, but after a short time there he became a student in the seminary at Albion, Mich. While continuing his studies there a por- tion of each year until he was twenty-one, he spent the intervening months in teaching school, thereby gaining the money necessary to prosecute his lit- erary work.
In 1850 Mr. Pratt became a student in a law office at Adrian, but soon afterward came to To- ledo, where for two years he read law in the office of Hill & Perigo. He was then admitted to gen- eral practice before the Bar, and at once succeeded Mr. Perigo in the firm, which continned as Hill & Pratt until 1861. At that time Mr. Hill entered the army as Brigadier-General, and although the firm name continued as Hill & Pratt until 1870, his connection with it was merely nominal. The firm was afterward changed to Pratt, Wilson & Pratt,
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our subject's son, Henry S., being the junior part- ner.
The earlier inclinations of Judge Pratt were to- ward the legal profession, but, acceding to the earnest wishes of his parents, he for a time held his ambitions in abeyance. However, being con- fident of his ultimate success, he adopted the call- ing in which he has since attained marked success. He has conducted a general practice, without any specialty. Politically he was first a Whig and later a Republican, and made his first political speech for Fremont in 1856. In the City Council he has done valuable service, both as a member and Presi- dent.
Since the organization of the Westminster Pres- byterian Church, Judge Pratt has been one of its Trustees, and for many years served as President of the Board. He has also been President of the Young Men's Christian Association, and an active temperance and Sunday-school worker. His first marriage occurred in 1853, but Ins wife died soon afterward. In 1857 he was united with Catherine Sherring, and they are the parents of seven chil- dren, all of whom are living. Though the duties of his profession have engrossed the time of Judge Pratt to a very large extent, they have not done so to the exclusion of his duties as a citizen, friend and neighbor. In society lie is known and appre- ciated as a gentleman of liberal views, generous impulses and social qualities of a high order, and no man has ever called into question his lionesty of purpose and high character.
J AMES CARL, a well known farmer of Syl- vania Township, Lucas County, is of German extraction on the paternal side. For several years he has made his home on section 11, where he owns a well improved place of fifty acres. He is a native of New Jersey, having been born in
Morris County, July 14, 1824. His parents, Will- iam and Betsey (King) Carl, died when he was only a child, and he was brought up by his grand- father King. His father followed farming during his lifetime aud was an industrious, honest and re- spected man. His wife was of Scotch descent.
James Carl received only a limited education, and when twenty years of age began working in an iron foundry, receiving $1 per day for four years. At the end of that time lie moved to New York State, and for the next four years worked as a farm hand. About 1850 he emigrated to Madi- sou, Mich., and after remaining in that locality for a year, settled in Fairfield, where he was inter- ested in farming for some two years. About 1850 he purchased eighty acres of land near Chesterfield, Ohio, and cleared and improved the place. Eight years later he returned to Michigan, where he pur- chased land and lived for sixteen years. He then, in 1882, sold a part of this property and traded the remainder for his preseut homestead, on which he has resided ever since.
Before leaving his native state, Mr. Carl was married, December 5, 1845, to Sarah A., daughter of Jacob and Hannah (Willis) Winget. The other children of the latter are Manning, of New Jersey; William, who was living in Rockaway, N. J., when last heard from; and Edward, Caleb, Charles and Caroline.
To Mr. and Mrs. Carl have been born nine chil- dren, as follows: George W., born August 6, 1848, and now a resident of this county; Charles A., who was born November 1, 1850, and is a blacksmith of Sylvania; Marven, born November 2, 1852, now living in Toledo; Milton, who was born October 7, 1854, and is engaged in farming in Michigan; Ella, born February 5, 1856, the wife of Horace DeLong, of Greenville, Mich .; Estella, whose birth occurred March 5, 1858, and who died February 1, 1875; Bennett J., a ranchman in Idaho, who was born July 24, 1861; Esther M., born May 11, 1866, and who died June 22, 1893, while attending the World's Fair in Chicago; and Edith L., born Au- gust 3, 1868, and now the wife of Jason Wilson, of Detroit, Mich. Mrs. James Carl was born Feb- ruary 8, 1827. She is a member of the Baptist Church, while her husband is identified with the
JOHN A. ROYER, M. D.
£
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Methodist Episcopal denomination. Several of the children are also church members.
The two eldest brothers of our subject, John and Adam, are residents of New Jersey. His youngest brother, David, died in infancy; and his only sis- ter, Mary, who married Wesley Denson, is also de- ceased. On several occasions Mr. Carl has served as School Director of his home district, and in many ways has shown his interest in educational matters. It lias been one of his main aims in life to fit his children for the battles before them by equipping them well in this direction.
OHN A. ROYER, M. D., has been engaged in practice in Toledo scarcely three years, but numbers among his clients many of her lead- ing families. He has had a wide experience, and is a master in his profession. For a quarter of a century his field of work was at Carey, Ohio, from which place he removed only in order that he could have greater scope for his recognized ability.
Dr. Royer was born in Franklin County, Pa., February 15, 1840, and is a son of Daniel W. Royer, a farmer by occupation. The latter's fa- ther, George Royer, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his father in turn was born in France, whence he emigrated to the United States in 1767, settling in South Carolina. After remaining there for four years, he removed to Lancaster County. Pa., where his son George was born, and when the latter was a lad of seven years the family settled in Frank- lin County, Pa. Daniel W. Royer wedded Mary Adams, who was born in Franklin County, Pa., and in her girlhood removed with her father, Ja- cob Adams, to Seneca, Ohio. Her mother bore thie maiden name of Nicademus, and her grandfather was a General on the staff of Napoleon.
Dr. Royer is the third in a family of five chil- dren, three sons and two daughters, all of whom
are living but one. He obtained his elementary schooling in his native county, and later attended the academy at Fayetteville, after which he taught school for four years successfully. During this time he turned his attention toward the medical profession, pursuing his studies with Dr. John Oel- lig, of Waynesboro. He then entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College in New York City. grad- uating therefrom in the spring of 1864.
Having been appointed Surgeon in the Hamp- ton Hospital in Virginia, Dr. Royer was thus em- ployed for a short time, but while there received a sunstroke, causing sickness, for which reason he was discharged. Next going to Waynesboro, he engaged in practice until the spring of 1866, after which he returned to Bellevue College and de- voted himself to special branches, receiving the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1867. Soon after he located in Tiffin, Ohio, where he conducted a general practice for one year, and then, as previ- ously related, he entered upon a twenty-five-year term of practice in Carey, Ohio, and three years ago came to Toledo. While in Carey he was a member of the School Board for four years, and took an active part in its proceedings.
In 1859 Dr. Royer married Miss Emma Bone- brake, of Franklin County, Pa., and their five liv- ing children are as follows: Daniel B., who is a practical machinist; Ida, who married Jesse R. Oller, and lives in Waynesboro, Pa .; Walter, a res- ident of Washington, D. C., in the employ of the Western Union Telegraph Company; Grace, wlio is at bome; and Carl.
Dr. Royer was Examining Pension Surgeon at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, for four years, under Presi- dent Harrison's administration, but resigned the position in order to come to this city. He is a member of Friendship Lodge No. 84, A. F. & A. M., at Hagerstown, Md., and also holds membership in the Lincoln and Manitou Clubs of Toledo. In politics he is a stanch defender of the principles set forth by the Republican party.
In the fall of 1862 the Doctor was drafted for the Civil War, and furnished a substitute at a cost of $300, but in the fall of 1863 volunteered and helped to raise a cavalry company, of which he was commissioned First Lieutenant. Shortly after,
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however, he resigned in order to finish his medieal studies, and took a course of leetures in the Belle- vue Medical College of New York City, after which, in the spring of 1864, he went into the service again as surgeon.
LLIS PARKER, one of the sturdy old sct- tlers of Lucas County, has lived a retired life at his beautiful home in Sylvania for the past fifteen years. For several dceades in the early history of this region he was known far and near as a genial and hospitable landlord, having for years run the old Sylvania Hotel, which he rented. He afterward built the one now known as the Vie- tor House, and though this structure was put up in 1848, it is still in good condition, and the shingles with which it was erowned over forty years ago are apparently as good as ever.
The parents of Ellis Parker were Simon and Lucy (Gleason) Parker, natives of Massachusetts. They were the parents of eight children, all but two of whom are still living. Hiram, born Oeto- ber 26, 1806, lives in Sylvania; Louisa, Mrs. Com- stock, was born January 25, 1809; Ellis is the next in order of birth; Alonzo, born December 20, 1817, died July 3, 1854; Henry W., born May 7, 1819, is still living in this eounty; Mary, boru Septem- ber 21, 1821, and a resident of this eounty, is the widow of William Comstock; John B., born July 27, 1825, married Polly Cooper, who died in 1882, leaving two sons, William S. and Charles A., who, with their father, are residents of Adrian, Mieh .; and Ambrose, born July 23, 1828, died in infaney.
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