USA > Ohio > Representative citizens of Ohio : memorial-genealogical > Part 44
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Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Ballard, a son, Jo- seph Richardson, who died in infancy and a daughter, Eda Bal- lard, who is now connected with the Lima postoffice. She was carefully reared by her mother and well educated in the Lima
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Robert Mehaffey
schools, and is employed in the money order department in the postoffice, which she entered in 1892, and is also a member of the local board of civil service examiners. In 1909 she organized the Lima Business Women's Club, of which she has since served con- tinuously as president. This valuable organization, which owns a fine home on West Market Street adjoining the Lima Club, has been of very appreciable benefit to the city, its mission being to help protect and advance the interests of women, the splendid re- sults of its work being generally recognized in the city. Miss Ballard is also a member of the Lotus Club and a leader in all movements for the advancement of her sex, being highly regarded for her real worth and high character.
Frank Colucci
O a great extent the prosperity of our great country is due to the honest industry, the sturdy perseverance and the wise economy which so prominently character- izes the foreign element that has entered largely into our population. By comparison with their "old country" sur- roundings, these people have readily recognized the fact that in America lie the greatest opportunities for a man of ambition and energy. And because of this many have broken the ties of home and native land and have entered earnestly upon the task
of gaining in the new world a home and competence. Among
this class may be mentioned Frank Colucci, of Lima, Ohio, who, by reason of years of indefatigable labor and honest effort, has not only acquired a well-merited material prosperity, but also richly earned the highest esteem of all with whom he has been associated. From sunny Italy have come many of our best citi- zens, who, though holding dear and sacred the beloved homeland, are none the less devoted to the fair country of their adoption and have by their sterling citizenship contributed to the advancement and prosperity of this country. Mr. Colucci has been a definite factor in the onward march of improvement which has character- ized this country during the past three decades, and in his home city he is to-day numbered among its representative citizens and leading business men.
As has been suggested in the foregoing paragraph, Frank Colucci is a native of Italy, where his family has been in exis- tence for many generations. His paternal grandfather was born at Santo Stefano Del Sole, Province of Avellino, Italy, where he lived to advanced age. He married and among his children was Lugigi or Louis, who also was born at Santo Stefano Del Sole. The latter acquired considerable local prominence in business affairs and was fairly successful. His death occurred there in 1901, at the age of seventy-four years. He had married Luigia, or Louisa, Colacurcio, who was born in the same province, and who is still living there at the age of about seventy-five years, be- ing remarkably well preserved for one of her years. Louis and Louisa Colucci were life-long and faithful members of the Roman Catholic Church and were good citizens of their community. They were the parents of six children, three sons and three daughters, of which family the subject of this sketch is the eldest.
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Frank Coloca
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Frank Colucci
Frank Colucci was born on July 3, 1863, and received his educational training in the schools of his native land. In 1884, at the age of twenty-one years, desiring wider opportunities for material advancement, Mr. Colucci emigrated to the United States, landing at the port of New York, in which city he re- mained for several months. He then entered the employ of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, with which he remained during the following three years. Then becoming connected with a large railroad construction concern, Mr. Colucci went to Green County, Wisconsin, where for three years he looked after the supply of laborers for construction work. Later for one year he worked in a similar capacity for the Illinois Central Railroad, and then, in 1888, he located in Chicago and was there engaged in construction work on his own account. In the summer of 1889, he came to Lima and during the remainder of that year he was employed in furnishing and taking care of laborers employed on the construction work of what was known as the Columbus, Lima and Milwaukee Railroad, the promoter of the company at that time being Benjamin C. Faurot. At about the same time Mr. Colucci officiated as labor contractor for the Toledo & Ohio Cen- tral Railroad.
In the spring of 1890, the subject of this sketch entered into a contract with the Erie Railroad Company to furnish laborers and he has been with this company since that time in the capaci- ty of Labor Contractor, proving satisfactory to them in every respect. He supplies this company with laborers on their lines between Chicago and Salamanca, New York. Mr. Colucci was also identified with the Buckeye Pipe Line Company, a subsid- iary of the Standard Oil Company, in the construction of the large pipe line from Lima to Chicago. He was a good manager of men, and careful in handling his construction contracts, so that he inspired alike the confidence of his employers and the laborers whom he engaged, and his services were held in high value by all with whom he had dealing. During these years he had wisely hus- banded his income and made judicious investments from time to time, so that he had made substantial advancement in his material affairs. Returning to Lima, he entered upon a business career which has been highly satisfactory to himself as well as a credit to the city, for he has been to a definite degree a factor in the business circles of Lima. As a large importer of Italian products and general merchant he has enjoyed an enviable reputation, for in the former line he is probably the leader in this section of the State. He handles these products as a wholesaler and enjoys a
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Frank Colucci
large and profitable patronage throughout a wide radius of sur- rounding territory. Among his fellow countrymen, Mr. Colucci acts a medium of exchange and his services in various capacities in their behalf have been fully appreciated by them, for his wide experience and sound business judgment have enabled him to handle their affairs efficiently and with mutual satisfaction. He is local ticket agent for several Italian steamship lines and is, withal, a busy man. Besides his business interests already men- tioned, Mr. Colucci owns several valuable pieces of real estate in Lima and is counted among that city's substantial men of affairs. Personally, he is genial and unassuming, though he takes a justi- fiable pride in what he has achieved, for all he has to-day has been acquired solely through his own indomitable efforts and persist- ent industry.
Politically, Mr. Colucci is aligned with the Democratic party, though inclined to be independent, voting in local elections for the men whom he deems best qualified for the offices sought. Religiously, he is a Roman Catholic, while, socially, he is a mem- ber of the Lima Club, the Progressive Association, and the Benev- olent and Protective Order of Elks, in all of which he takes a live interest. He is deeply interested in everything that promises to advance the interests of Lima and every worthy movement en- lists his hearty support.
On June 22, 1904, Frank Colucci was united in marriage to Rosina Fusco, also a native of Italy, and to them have been born five children; namely, Eleanor, Clementine, Francis, Frank, Jr., and Emilio. The members of the family attend St. Rose Catholic Church. The family moves in the best social circles of Lima and are well liked by all with whom they associate. Because of the success which he has achieved and the splendid qualities which have characterized his life in this community, Mr. Colucci has richly earned the good will and respect of the entire community.
Samuel M. Ambenhauer
O indulge in prolix encomium of a life which was one of distinctive modesty and unpretentiousness would be most incongruous, and yet in reviewing the career of the late Samuel M. Umbenhauer, of Miamisburg, Ohio, who was long one of the best known business men of that sec- tion of the State, and who held a position of unequivocal confi- dence and esteem in the community where he labored to so goodly ends, feelings of admiration are prompted, for he always looked to the general good of his fellow men while advancing the in- terests of his own household, ever discharging his duties in a most conscientious manner, thereby winning the admiration and confidence of all who knew him. He belonged to that sturdy ele- ment of American citizens of German descent to whom this country owes so much, for they have shown all the qualities of good citizenship and have been intensely loyal to all our institu- tions under all circumstances. His life was exemplary in every respect and his memory will long be cherished by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances throughout this section of the State.
Samuel M. Umbenhauer was born on June 20, 1834, at Pine Grove, Pennsylvania, and was the son of Henry and Ellinda (Miller) Umbenhauer, who were also natives of the Keystone State, though of German ancestry. The family came to Ohio in 1850, the father purchasing a good farm near Miamisburg, Mont- gomery County, where he and his wife spent the remainder of their days, both being past seventy years of age when their deaths occurred. They were persons of sturdy and inflexible character and stood well in the community where they had cast their lot. Both were confirmed members of the Lutheran Church, and Henry Umbenhauer was aligned with the Republican party in politics. They were the parents of three sons, of whom the subject of this sketch was the second in order of birth. The others were Henry, who followed blacksmithing all his active life at Miamisburg, his death occurring at the age of about forty years. He married and became the father of four children. The youngest son born to Henry and Ellinda Umbenhauer was Zelotus, who was reared on his father's farm in this country and who subsequently became a successful tobacco dealer and buyer for eastern houses. He died at the age of forty-two years, being followed to the grave
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Samuel Al. Mmbenhauer
shortly afterwards by his widow. They left one son, who is now married and living in Dayton.
Samuel M. Umbenhauer spent the first sixteen years of his life on the old Pennsylvania farmstead and secured his educa- tion in the common schools of that community. When the family located in Miamisburg, Ohio, he secured a position as a clerk in a store, but a few years later went out on the home farm to assist his father. Eventually he returned to Miamisburg and engaged in the tobacco business as a buyer for Havermeyer & Reglius, of New York City, at that time one of the best known tobacco firms in the East. While thus engaged Mr. Umbenhauer covered a wide radius of country, buying tobacco from growers in this section of the State for many years, forming a wide acquaint- ance and gaining an enviable reputation as a business man of high character and unassailable integrity, whose word was at all times as good as a bond. His sound judgment and fair dealings were acknowledged wherever he was known and some of his strongest and most valued friendships were formed during that period in his business life.
Mr. Umbenhauer became financially interested in the Miamis- burg Twine Company, of which he was elected vice president, and which for many years was one of the leading industries of Miamisburg. He was also for many years a director of the First National Bank at Miamisburg and the First National Bank at Franklin, in both of which his advice and counsel were valued highly by his associates on the boards. During a long course of years, covering more than six decades, he went in and out among the people of his community and such was his life that the tongue of calumny was never directed towards him.
His life was clean
and in the truest sense of the words, he stood "four-square to every wind that blew." His persistent energy, sound conserv- atism, shrewd judgment and unimpeachable business methods enabled him to accumulate a handsome competency, and he was rightly numbered among the truly successful men of his com- munity, gauging him by the highest standard of success, which does not consist in material wealth alone.
Politically, Mr. Umbenhauer was a stanch supporter of the Republican party and was often found in the councils of the party leaders, being a man of keen sagacity and foresight. Though he held to no particular religious creed, his life gave constant evi- dence that he possessed the real Christian spirit within him, for he loved all things good, and did good to all people who he was able to serve in any way, believing that this was the most effec-
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Samuel Ml. Ambenhauer
tive way to serve the Lord. His greatest delight and the chief source of his happiness was his home, where, laying aside the cares of business, he found that surcease from outside affairs that helped him to remain young in spirit all his days. Mr. Um- benhauer suffered from ill health for some time prior to his death, which occurred on October 2, 1912, so that his death was not en- tirely unexpected, but his removal prompted universal expres- sions of sincere regret and sorrow among those who had known and loved him.
Mr. Umbenhauer was married at Miamisburg to Mrs. Anna E. Hoff, nee Wallis, a native of Columbus, Ohio. She was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Steer) Wallis, natives of London, England, who, immediately after their. marriage, came to the United States, locating at Columbus, Ohio. There they opened a general store, in connection with which Mr. Wallis also ran a bakery and confectionery. They worked hard together, built up a good business and established for themselves a com- fortable home, but they were cut down by death early in life, both dying at the age of about thirty years. They left an only child, now Mrs. Umbenhauer, who was then but four years old. She was afterwards reared by Mr. and Mrs. Allen, of Delaware, Ohio, to whom the child had been given by her dying mother and who gave her a good home and a splendid education. Upon reach- ing the years of womanhood she met and married Franklin Hoff, who at that time was a college student at Delaware. Soon after- wards he entered the grocery business, but at the age of twenty- two years, eighteen months after marriage, the young husband was called away by the hand of death, leaving his widow and one child, Frank Anna. By her union with Mr. Umbenhauer, she became the mother of four children; namely, Ida died at the age of eight years; Charles died at the age of twenty years; Alice is the wife of Dr. Ferman R. Evans, of Franklin, Ohio; Bertha, who is the wife of William Schieble, a toy manufacturer at Dayton, and they have three children, Harry Wallis, Samuel U., and Anna May. Mrs. Umbenhauer and her children are members of the Lutheran Church. She is a woman of many excellencies of character who has made many warm and loyal friends. She and her devoted husband were fond of the society of friends and in their home the true spirit of old-fashioned hospitality was ever in evidence.
Thus in brief outline has been given a resume of the life career of one of Ohio's representative citizens, for of such as he is the strength of the commonwealth. Possessing high and varied qualities of mind and heart, Mr. Umbenhauer had a strong in-
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Samuel Al. Ambenhauer
dividuality and withal a gentle nature about which will cluster the fondest memories of those dear to him. His were, indeed, a union of admirable qualities and he never ceased, even through the physical ills that afflicted him to manifest the dignity, the courage, the grace and the bearing that came from the heart of a gentleman.
Daniel McConbille
T IS the dictate of our nature no less than of enlightened social policy to honor the illustrious dead; to bedew with affectionate tears the silent urn of departed genius and virtue, to unburden the fullness of the sur- charged heart in eulogium upon deceased benefactors, and to re- hearse their noble deeds for the benefit of those who may come after them. It has been the commendable custom
of all ages and all nations. Thence the following feeble
tribute to one of nature's noblemen. The biographers
of some great men say that they grew ashamed of their origin and wished never to be reminded of their early years; but the late Daniel McConville, for many years one of southern Ohio's prominent citizens, was of too simple and sincere a mold to affect any such weakness. He was proud of his humble beginnings, be- cause they showed how high he had climbed, and more than that, they fitted in with his hopeful, helpful philosophy of human life that merit will have its reward and that in this free country, which he loved, although born under an alien flag and early taught other customs and manners, young men may still look forward to suc- cess and honor as confidently as at any time in its history as the prizes of fidelity, courage, and indomitable energy. An humble son of Erin, he nevertheless belonged to the highest nobility of the race. No accident made his career; no opportunity offered itself to him. He made his opportunity; he achieved every step of his career, often in the face of obstacles that would have over- whelmed souls of less sterling mettle. The basic principle by which he strove and conquered was loyalty; when he recognized a duty, the service gave him joy, a joy that was second only to the consciousness of work well done. He was universally recog- nized as a splendid citizen, one of Steubenville's leading men of affairs, progressive in all that the term implies; a man of lofty character, sturdy integrity and unswerving honesty. During the pioneer period in the commercial life of this community he was a leading figure, bearing his part of the burdens of the young city, and he bore his part in the general upbuilding of the same man- fully and well, his record gaining for him the confidence and respect of all who knew him.
Daniel McConville, whose death occurred at his home in Steubenville, Ohio, on September 29, 1878, was born in County
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Daniel AlcConbille
Down, north of Ireland, on March 19, 1819. His father, Donald McConville, was also a native of Ireland, he and his father being merchants by vocation. Daniel McConville received a fair edu- cation in the schools of his home neighborhood and when he had attained mature years he started out in life on his own account. His first employment was as a traveling linen salesman, traveling over England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. While in Wales on one of his trips he bought out a merchant to whom he was selling goods, and for awhile was in business there. Later he ran a store at Warren Point, in the north of Ireland, for a time. Eventually, desiring a broader field for his efforts and enlarged opportunities for the exercise of his business talents, Mr. McConville came to the United States in 1849, locating at Steubenville, Ohio, where he at once went into business, having brought a part of his stock from Ireland. He carried a general line of merchandise and was among the pioneer merchants of Steubenville, where for many years, or up to the time of his death, he enjoyed a patronage second to none. The volume of his business was enormous, his store being one of the most important on the Ohio River, his sales amounting annually to a quarter of a million dollars. Mr. McConville had taken his two sons, Daniel and James, into the business, under the firm style of D. McConville & Sons, and they enjoyed a reputation second to none as progressive, enterprising and up-to-date merchants. In ad- dition to his mercantile business, Mr. McConville also engaged ex- tensively in the manufacture of flannels, jeans, yarns, and tweeds, for which he found a ready market in Pittsburgh, Chicago, and elsewhere. During his prime, Mr. McConville was the best known and most prominent merchant in his section of the State and enjoyed a high reputation because of his splendid success. Dur- ing that period he did much toward the development of his chosen city and won and retained the confidence and good will of all who knew him. He was a splendid example of the virile, progressive, self-made man who believed in doing well whatever was worth do- ing at all, a man of keen discernment and sound judgment, broad- minded and of large human sympathy. His character was the positive expression of a strong nature, and as one of the notable men of his day and generation he is entitled to a conspicuous place in the annals of his State.
Daniel McConville was united in marriage to Martha Coch- rane, who was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1826, and they became the parents of two children, Daniel and James, both of whom were born in Ireland. Daniel, who is a resident of Wash-
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Daniel AcConbille
ington, D. C., was early in life engaged in the mercantile business with his father, but subsequently became very active in politics. He officiated as private secretary for Governor Hoadley, of this State; was chairman of the Democratic State committee for three terms, and laid out all the speaking tours and engaged all the speakers for the first two campaigns of William Jennings Bryan and that of Alton B. Parker in this State. Under President Cleveland, he rendered efficient service as sixth assistant auditor of the United States treasury, and he is now a practicing attorney before the treasury department at Washington. He is also ex- tensively interested in mining operations in Mexico. James Mc- Conville has long been prominent in the business and civic life of Steubenville, having at one time served as mayor, his administra- tion giving great satisfaction to his fellow citizens. He was ap- pointed receiver for the Metropolitan National Bank of Cincin- nati, and, acting as the representative of the government, wound up the affairs of that institution. That he enjoyed general con- fidence was evinced in the fact that the stockholders of the bank also elected him to look after their personal interests in the con- cern. He is now a resident of Steubenville.
Politically, Daniel McConville was a stanch supporter of the Democratic party. Personally, he was genial in his relations with his acquaintances and unassuming in his manner, while his kind- ness to all and his uniform courtesy won for him the friend- ship of all who had dealings with him. Mrs. McConville is a lady of splendid qualities of head and heart, who has long enjoyed marked prestige in the circles in which she moves. Her home has long been known as a place where the spirit of genuine old- fashioned hospitality is ever in evidence, and she has always en- joyed a popularity which she has richly earned. Her religious affiliations are with the Presbyterian Church, of which she is a liberal contributor.
Charles F. Donze
EALTY to facts in the analyzation of the character of a citizen of the type of the late Charles F. Donze, for many years a well-known business man of Lima, Ohio, is all that is required to make a biographical memoir in- teresting to those who have at heart the good name of the com- munity honored by his residence, because it is the honorable rep- utation of the man of standing and affairs, more than any other consideration, that gives character and stability to the body poli- tic and makes the true glory of a city or state revered at home and respected abroad. In the broad light in which things of good report ever invite, the name and character of Mr. Donze stand revealed and secure and, though of modest demeanor, with no am- bition to distinguish himself in public position or as a leader of men, his career was signally honorable and useful and may be studied with profit by the youth entering upon his life work.
Captain Charles F. Donze was a native of France, his birth occurring on June 5, 1844. and his death occurred at his home in Lima, Ohio, on January 29, 1913. The family from which he sprang was an old and well-known one, who in 1850, when the subject was about six years of age, emigrated to the United States, settling in Williams County, Ohio. There the mother died be- fore she had attained her sixty-fifth year, after which the father went to live with one of his children in Indiana, where his death occurred at the age of about seventy years. In their religious faith, these parents were Protestants.
Charles F. Donze was reared in Williams County, Ohio, se- curing his education in the public schools. In August, 1861, in re- sponse to President Lincoln's call for volunteers to defend the national honor, Mr. Donze enlisted as a private in Company A, Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, with which he served for two years, at the end of which period the company and regiment were veteranized, and Mr. Donze saw active service thereafter until the close of the war. During a part of this time he served as color bearer of the regiment and his service all through that terrible conflict was characterized by duty faithfully and courageously performed. He took part in some of the most stubbornly contested engagements of the war, having served in General Rosecran's brigade and taking part in the battles of
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