USA > Ohio > The Biographical encyclopedia of Ohio of the nineteenth century. Pt. 2 > Part 18
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of a direct railroad route, from the southern bend of Lake Michigan to the centres of commerce on the Atlantic coast, and with a full faith and almost an inspiration that such a route would be established, he organized a company for that object in Ohio, which was followed by one connecting with it in Indiana to Illinois. Now again was begun by him a diligent and unceasing work in the cause of another railway, that was to pass through his town. Chicago, Pittsburgh, New York, Baltimore, and the towns on line in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania were visited. Dropping all other business, with an energy that was un- tiring and a watchfulness that was sleepless, his work cul- minated in attracting the attention of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company to the route in 1871, and in their adop tion of it for their Chicago extension in 1872, and its con- struction in 1873-74. Mr. Ilolgate has been a Director in this new road since its organization. He is President of the Defiance Manufacturing Company; also of the new Defiance Savings Bank. Ile is one of the most extensive real estate owners and dealers in northwestern Ohio. Ile was formerly a Whig, is now a Republican. Was married in 1851. Ilis wife dying in June, 1865, left him a widower, in which state he has continued. Hle has two children, a son who recently attained full age, and a married daughter of nineteen.
EASONGOOD, JACOB, Merchant and Banker, was born in Burgkunstadt, on the river Main, District of Upper Franconia, Bavaria, November 14th, 1814. His parents, although in comforta- ble circumstances, were of limited education, but enabled doubtless by that very fact to set upon learning its true and high value, wisely resolved to secure to their offspring the advantages which had not been attainable for themselves. lle was accordingly placed under a private tutor to learn the English and French languages, and at- tended subsequently the common schools of his native town. In 1828, having attained the age at which the law required the selection of a trade or profession, he chose, after due deliberation, the trade of weaver, and was apprenticed to Jandorf Friedman, a cloth manufacturer of Burgkunstadt, with whom he served his full term of three years, afterward receiving his certificate as journeyman. In accordance with the invariable custom of the day, he then travelled from place to place, finding employment at journey work in several of the leading establishments of Saxony, Prussia, and Wurtemberg. In 1837, after an absence of seven years, he returned home to find his beloved mother dead, and his father unable to add one hundred and sixty florins to the four hundred and sixty, which, by the exercise of rigid economy, he had saved from his seanty earnings, that he might gratify his ambition and start a factory of his own. Failing in this project, he determined to seek fortune in America. Then, having organized a party of comrades,
also willing to enter a new field of labor, he strove success- fully against the dissuasions of his family, and started with them, in a wagon, for Bremen, where they arrived after a journey of fourteen days. All then took " passage between decks in the . Constitution.'" After a voyage of ten weeks, the travellers landed in New York city, July 21st, 1837. Ilis possessions at this date were, in all, seventy-five dollars, American money. A financial crisis had paralyzed trade, and after a persistent but fruitless search for employment, he determined to invest his remaining capital in goods, with which he could start anew as peddler in the city. Ultimately, however, the depression of business, and his lack of fluency in speaking English, induced him to turn his face to the West. In September, 1837, after having worked by day, and by night travelled by boat, via the Erie canal, he found himself at Chillicothe, Ohio, then the west- ern head quarters of German peddlers. llere he labored for a period with untiring energy and zeal, then moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, and formed a copartnership with Philip Ileidelbach, under the firm-style of Heidelbach & Season- good. Subsequently the partners sustained their peri- patetie commerce with much success, and conducted a thriving business in the counties environing the city, then containing about four thousand inhabitants. The year 1840 saw them possessed of a capital sufficiently large to
permit the relinquishment of the laborious system of ped- dling, and in March of that year they established a retail clothing store at Front and Sycamore streets, Cincinnati, Ohio. Fortune favored this enterprise to such an extent that in 1842 the co-workers opened a jobbing and retail dry-goods house, on Main street near Pearl street, and, as the conduct of the two houses involved a greater amount of labor and responsibility, admitted into partnership two younger brothers of Philip Heidelbach, and the firm-name was changed to Heidelbach, Seasongood & Co. The busi- ness, meeting with prosperity on every side, soon outgrew its original quarters, and eventually was removed to the commodious building at No. 18 Pearl street. The house purchased also the lot on which the Front street clothing store was situated, and, after erecting a suitable building, engaged extensively in the manufacture of clothing, thus giving needed employment to many destitute and suffering families. The business on Front street rapidly developed into a wholesale trade, and it was then decided to concen- trate the two houses in the fine building at Third and Main streets, which was secured at an annual rental of five thousand dollars. In 1860 the business was again removed to the superb building at Third and Vine streets, erected by the partners to meet the wants of their ever-increasing trade, and carefully fitted with every convenience. From 1860, the date of organization, until 1868, he was a partner in the banking-house of Espry, Heidelbach & Co. Upon the dissolution of this partnership, at the latter date, the partnership also which existed between him and Philip Ilcidelbach was dissolved, after a successful and harmonl-
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ous association of over thirty years. The new firm of J. & 1 .. Seasongood & Co. was then formed. This house, still in prosperous life, continues the business at the okl stand, and retains its prestige as the leading cloth house of the city. In the spring of 1864 he returned to Europe, and sought at the famous Kissingen Springs the re-establishment of his failing health, taking with him his two sons, whom he left at the college of Professor lohagen, in Frankfort- on-the-Main, where they remained three years for the pur- pose of completing their education. He then visited his former employers, with whom he now sustains business relations of an important nature, and also the home of his childhood, which was marred only by the demise of his father, who, at the age of eighty-nine years, had passed away in 1855. The banking-house of Seasongood, Notter & Co. was formed January 15th, 1870, and, having speedily outgrown its original quarters, was, in February, 1873, re- moved to the handsome building, erected by the firm to meet its wants, at 74 West Third street, where the business is now successfully prosecuted. lle has been for nearly a quarter of a century a Director of the Ilebrew Relief Society, and for many years Director of the Jewish Hospital, and Trustee of the Mound Street Temple and Broadway Synagogue. Over the latter institution he presided for two terms, having been the first President under the Reform movement, inaugurated by Rev. Dr. Max Lilienthal. He now enjoys the legitimate fruits of enterprise and honest labor, and is happy as the patriarch of an affectionate family, whose revered centre he is, each of his married daughters residing in houses adjoining the homestead on Eighth street. Ile is unassuming but liberal in his charitable works, and has, on many occasions, given generously of his means to denominational and public charities; and to his encouragement and material assistance many of his countrymen, now prosperous merchants, owe their present business success. Ile was married, April 3d, 1839, to Lena Kiefer, a lady of excellent attainments, by whom he has had eight children ; of those six survive : Emma, the wife of his partner, Lewis Seasongood; Laura; Jennie, the wife of Joseph Bohm, of Bohm, Mach & Co. ; Julia, the wife of Julius Reis, of Reis Brothers & Co., President of the Cincinnati Board of Allermen; and Adolph and Charles, who are associated with him in business.
L.MES, WEBSTER, Chief Clerk of the Office of the Solicitor of United States Treasury, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 6th, 1834. Ilis parents were Lazel and Mary E. (Candler) Elmes. laving gradnated at the High School of Philadelphia, at the age of eighteen he re- turned to Cincinnati and entered the law office of Salmon P. Chase and Flamen Ball. Here he qualified himself for legal practice, was admitted to the bar in 1858 and engaged
in the duties of his profession until the breaking out of the war. During his residence in Clifton, a suburban town of Cincinnati, he was honored by being chosen Mayor of the town. In 1861 he removed to Washington to accept a posi- tion under the government. January, 1871, he was ap- pointed Chief Clerk of the office of the Solicitor of the Treasury, the duties in this position being more conge- nial and in keeping with his professional training as a law- yer. His continuance in positions of honor and trust for a period of fifteen years bears ample testimony to his ability and integrity as a public servant. He was married in June, 1864, to Rosa E. S. White, daughter of Littleton S. White, of Maryland.
ERION, NATHANIEL, was born in Franklin county, Ohio, February 16th, 1814, of French descent. His father was William Merion, of Massachusetts ; his mother, Sally Wait, of Dex- ter, New York. Ile received his education principally in log-cabin school-houses near his home, south of Columbus. He remained with his father on the farm until that parent's death, in 1837, and then with his mother until he was thirty-three, with the exception of a short period of independence. When about twenty years old he, like many boys, felt equal to the task of taking care of himself, and left his home, with the knowledge of his parents. They, wisely, made no effort to retain him or bring him back ; and after visiting Cincinnati and Ports- mouth, and being left without money at the mercy of strangers, during a spell of sickness, he willingly, of his own accord, returned to his home. Ilis coming, as his going, excited no comment, and affairs went on as usual, until November 8th, 1846, when he married Madeline Watkins, lle was for over ten years Superintendent of Wood's Starch Factory, and for several years engaged in real estate business. In August, 1861, he was appointed Commissary of Subsistence by President Lincoln, and held this position until June, 1862, under General Rosecrans and General Milroy, at Beverly, West Virginia. At this time he resigned from ill health. He was appointed Warden of the Penitentiary in July, 1862; was legislated out in April, 1863, but afterward reappointed for two years, and served for that length of time. At the ex- piration of this term of office he engaged in and is still carrying on the grocery business, under the style of N. Merion & Co., the Co. being his son Frank. In May, 1873, he was elected President of the Central Bank, which position he still holds. 'In early life Mr. Merion was a Whig, and on the dissolution of that party became, and is at the present time, a Liberal Republican, Mr. Merion has always taken an active interest in the affairs and growth of the city, and justly merits the Ingh esteem and regard in which he is held by his fellow citizens.
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WHIPPLE, COMMODORE ABRAHAM, Pioneer ] in high esteem by General Washington, and often took part Settler, was born in Providence, Rhode Island, in military conferences with his distinguished chief. At the close of the war he was created a Brigadier General for faithful services in the cause. In 1787 he was appointed Superintendent of the affairs of the Ohio Company, and in April, 1788, began the settlement of Marietta. In 1789 President Washington appointed him to a Judgeship in the Northwest Territory, and in 1792 he was made a Brigadier- General to serve against the Indians, but resigned on ac- count of ill health. In 1796 he was appointed Surveyor- General of the United States, serving in that position until 1803. Ile was a member of the convention that framed a constitution for the new State of Ohio, when age and failing strength admonished him to withdraw from the activities of life. Ile lived many years thereafter, however, dying at Marietta, May Ist, 1824. In person he was tall and com- manding, and his mind was cast in a mould that made him serupulously exact in the fulfilment of public duties. in 1733. Ile was a descendant of John Whipple, one of the original proprietors of the Providence Plantations, and an associate of Roger Williams. Ilis early education was very imperfect, and a seafaring life fell to the lot of his youth. At one time he commanded a privateer, fitted out to prey upon Spanish commerce. Ile also commanded a vessel in the East India trade. Early in the commencement of the troubles between the mother country and the colonists, he boarded and burnt the British schooner " Gaspe," stationed in Narragansett Bay to enforce the maritime laws. In June, 1775, he was appointed to the command of an armed schooner in the cause of the colonists, and soon cleared Narragansett Bay of all British " floats." To this gallant officer is given the credit of firing the first naval gun in the cause of American independence. Ile served in the navy throughout the war of the Revolution, but his exploits in that field find a more fitting place in the history of the United States. Ile was among the boldest and most successful of America's naval commanders. On the formation of the Ohio Company he emigrated to Marietta, Ohio, with his wife and son. In the year ISoo he commanded a small vessel, built, rigged, and loaded at Marietta for New Orleans. It was named " St. Clair," in honor of the governor of the Northwest Territory. In May, IS01, he was given command of this vessel, which was loaded with pork and flour. In July he reached New Orleans. The " St. Clair" was the first rigged vessel ever built on the Ohio river, and he had the honor of conducting her to the ocean. IIe never attempted another voyage, being now advanced in years. In early life he was married to Sarah Hopkins, sister of Governor Hopkins, of his native State, who bore him three children. In 1811 Congress al- lowed him half-pay as Captain in the navy, which made him comfortable for the balance of his days. Ilis only sou never married, and the family name has not been perpetuated, al- though the descendants of his daughters are numerous. He died at the residence of a widowed daughter near Marietta, May 29th, Sto, after a short illness, the death of his aged partner having occurred about six months previous. They lie buried side by side at Marietta.
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UTNAM, GENERAL RUFUS, Pioneer Settler and Founder of Marietta, Ohio, was born in Massa. chusetts, April 8th, 1738. At nineteen he had learned the trade of millwright, and entered the military service against the French and Indians. At the close of this war he ranked as Ensign, but left the service to follow his trade, at the same time studying mathematics and surveying. In the war of the Revolution he entered the ranks of the colonists, and served with honor all through the contest that followed. He was always held
T. CLAIR, GENERAL ARTIIUR, First Governor of the Northwest Territory, was born in Scotland in 1734. Ile received a classical education, and afterwards studied medicine. Ilaving a taste for military life, he obtained the appointment of Sub- altern in the British army. Ile was under Wolfe at the storming of Quebec, but never achieved any fame as a soldier while in the service of the mother country. After the peace of 1763 he was assigned to the command of Fort Ligonier, in Pennsylvania, and received there a grant of one thousand acres of land. Frior to the war of the Revolution he held several civil offices. When the war broke out he espoused the cause of the colonists, and was appointed a Colonel of Continentals. A month after the Declaration of Independence he was made a Brigadier-General. Ile after- wards becamea Major-General, and was ordered to take com- mand of Fort Ticonderoga. On the approach of Burgoyne he abandoned it. For this he was charged with everything that would compromise the dignity and character of a sol- dier. Before a court-martial, however, he thoroughly vindi- cated his course, showing that the evacuation of Ticonderoga only hastened the surrender of Burgoyne, and that his strategy contributed no little to that great event in the his- tory of the war of the Revolution. Congress sustained the verdict of acquittal, and he served with credit until peace was declared. In 1785, while residing on his farm at Ligo- nier, Pennsylvania, he was appointed a delegate to the Con- tinental Congress, and soon after chosen President of that I august body. After the passage of an act for the goverment of the Northwestern Territory, he was appointed its Governor in October, 1787. In this position he continued until he was removed by President Jefferson in the winter of 1802-3, a period of some fifteen years. In his official life he was noted for his extreme simplicity of mauner and easy address.
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The most conspicuous event in his military life was the [ porarily in command of a brigade. Twice after this he held battle which has passed into history as " St. Clair's Defeat." commands far above his rank. At Kenesaw Mountain he was severely wounded, but recovered in time to join in " the match to the sea." In the assault on Fort McAllister, muler General flaxen, he was the first field officer to enter the enemy's works. At the close of the war he was bre- vetted Brigadier-General. In the fall of 1865 he was elected Treasurer of Hamilton county on the Republican ticket. He died in December, 1866, of consumption. This battle- - or massacre, as by some it is termed- took place November 4th, 1791, within the hmits of what is now Dake county, named after a gallant officer of St. Clair's command. An expedition had been fitted out having for its object the establishment of a military post at what is now known as Fort Wayne, Indiana. The army was suddenly attacked by a superior force of Indians, and, after a fierce but unequal fight, retreated in great confusion and disorder. Many historians have censured the general in command, but there is ample testimony that his personal bravery was very conspicuous, and that he did his best to stem the tide of defeat. Many brave officers were sacrificed, and the gen- eral himself narrowly escaped, having four horses shot. No more horrible tale of butchery is chronicled in the annals of our Indian wars. While the disaster was deplored by the entire country, President Washington did not lose confi- dence in General St. Clair. After his removal from the Governorship of the Territory, he returned to the Ligonier valley, aged and impoverished, and resided with a widowed daughter. The bounty of his friends would not allow him to absolutely want for the necessaries of life, yet he lived for years in poverty. Congress refused to recognize a claim which he deferred pressing until this very emergency, and after spending considerable time in Washington in making vain appeals, the old soldier returned home thoroughly dis- couraged. But the Legislature of Pennsylvania, recognizing his eminent services, granted him an annuity of three hun- dred dollars, which was afterwards raised to six hundred and fifty. IIe did not live long to enjoy it, however. Ile died August 31st, ISIS, from injuries received by the running away of his horse.
ARRY, GENERAL AUGUSTUS C., was born in Trentoon, New Jersey, in 1828. His parents were English people, and removed to Cincinnati while Augustus was quite young. Being left an orphan soon after, he was apprenticed to learn the trade of turner, and afterwards established him. self in that business. When the war broke out he entered the volunteer service as Major of the 2d Chio Infantry. At the first battle of Bull Run he was early in the fight, and in the retreat his regiment repelled the attacks of the enemy's cavalry. When he returned to Cincinnati with his brave command, he was given an enthusiastic reception, about a hundred thousand people taking part in the exercises, Ile entered the three years' service as Major of the 17th Ohio Infantry, and joined the army under Rosecrans. In August, 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, and in Janu. ary, 1863, to a full Coloneley, in the meantime having dis- played his soldierly qualities on many hard fought fields. At Vicksburg he served with credit, at one time being tem.
ADDEL, THOMAS, M. D., was born in Seneca, Haldimand county, Canada West, October 13th, 1843. Ilis parents are natives of the north of Ireland. His literary and preliminary education was obtained in the common schools of Canada, his professional education at the medical depart- ment of the University of Buffalo, and the University of Wooster. Until his twenty-second year was attained he worked on his father's farm, but having a strong desire to enter the profession of medicine, he went to Buffalo in 1865 and became a student in the office of Professor Samnel W. wetmore, M. D., then Demonstrator of Anatomy in the University of Buffalo. After attending a course of lectures in this institution in 1866-67, his health and financial re- sources failing him simultaneously, he was engaged tempo- rarily in travelling through the West in the interests of a life insurance company. In 1870 he attended lectures in the medical department of the Wooster University, at Cleve- land, Ohio. He then acted as Prosector to the Chair of Anatomy, and on graduating in 1871 was elected valedic- torian of the graduating class. Upon his removal to Char- don, Geauga county, Ohio, he entered upon the practice of his profession, and met with unexpected. success. In De- cember, 1873, he settled in Toledo, Ohio, where he now resides engaged in the control of an extensive and growing practice. He is a member of the Ohio State Medical So- ciety, and a member and officer of the Toledo Medical Asso- ciation. In politics he is a Republican. He was married in 1869 to Lizzie Lawrence, of Iowa.
IKOFE, HION. ALLEN T., was born in Adams county, Ohio, November 15th, 1825, being the son of John and Nancy (Jones) Wikoff, the former of whom followed the occupation of a farmer. lle was educated in the common schools of his native county, and by private study. Ile started in life as a farmer, which he followed until 1862, when he entered the army as Lieutenant of Company I, gist Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served in the army of West Virginia. He remained in the service three years, and in 1863 was advanced to the position of Captain, In 1871 he was ap-
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pointed Chief Clerk in the office of the Secretary of State of | that account in March, 1862. In the following month of Ohio, and discharged the duties of that position until elected himself as Secretary of State on the Republican ticket in 1872. In this capacity, fulfilling the trusts devolving upon him, he served from January, 1873, until January, 1875. The Republicans in 1874 renominated him by acclamation for the office. The opposition triumphed at the polls, and Mr. Wikoff suffered the fate of the others on his ticket. Ile prepared with great care an unusually valuable statistical report relative to the political affairs of the State, the facts and figures of which were collated after troublesome labor. The work presented much that was of use and interest rela- tive to pohties in a convenient form. Mr. Wikoff, after his service in the army, read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1866. Ever since 1874 he has been Chairman of the State Republican Committee, and in January, 1876, was ap- pointed Adjutant-General on the staff of Governor Hayes, which office he still holds. He was married to Angeline Collier, of Adams county, on December 2d, 1852, by whom he has had seven children, four of whom survive, Ile now resides at Columbus.
RAILEY, MOSES RANDOLPH, Lawyer and Brigadier-General United States Volunteers, was born, November 20, 1816, at Canandaigua, New York, of American parents, and of English and Irish descent. He received an elementary edu- cation in the common schools of Buffalo, New York, which he supplemented afterwards by close study in leisure hours. After leaving school he was engaged in sailing vessels on Lake Erie, in which he continued for five years, when, on account of the superior abilities he displayed, he was, in the autumn of 1835, made mate of the steamer "Sheldon Thompson," which post be filled for two seasons. After leaving the steamer he removed to Ohio, in 1837, where he embarked in the lumber business, and also in farming at Norwalk, which he continued for five years, during which time he was elected Justice of the Peace for Norwalk, and served as such for a term of six years. While he occupied this position be read law with Hon. E. M. Stone, and was admitted to the bar in 1846, and remained in Norwalk, practising his profession, until 1857. In the fall of 1852 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Huron county, Ohio, and re-elected in 1854, his term expiring in 1856. Ile re- moved to Fulton county in 1857, where he continued his law practice until the autumn of 1858, when he was elected Prosecuting Attorney for that county, and was re-elected in 1860. Hle filled this position until 1861, when the civil war broke out, and he enlisted in the three months' service, and on August 21st of the same year was named Captain of Company I of the 38th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, for three years' service. He was wounded in a skirmish near Mill Springs, Kentucky, and discharged from the service on
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