USA > Ohio > Knox County > The Biographical record of Knox County, Ohio : to which is added an elaborate compendium of national biography > Part 2
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The former, the subject of this reveiw, was reared to manhood under the parental roof and in the public schools of Huron county pursued his education . When a young man of twenty years he came to Knox county, settling in Fredericktown, where he was employed as a shipping clerk in the service of C. R. Hooker. After a few years he began business on his own account as a merchant, dealing in dry goods and clothing. His patronage steadily increased and he became one of the leading merchants of the town, doing a large and profitable bus- iness until 1888, when he sold his entire stock, after being appointed deputy treas- urer of Knox county under W. H. Ralston. In 1889 lie removed his family to Mount Vernon, where he has since made his home. He served as deputy treasurer for four years and at the expiration of that period he re-
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
sumed merchandising, establishing a store, which he stocked with groceries, boots and shoes. He was not long in securing a lib- eral patronage and successfully carried on the store until April, 1901, when he sold out and retired to private life. His toil, capable management and enterprise in form- er years brought to him a handsome com- petence which now enables him to rest from his labors and yet enjoy many of the com- forts and luxuries of life.
On the 4th of September, 1867, Mr. Lewis was married to Miss Anna M. Aker, a daughter of Bowman and Rebecca (Cas- sel) Aker. She was born March 8, 1847, and died on the 8th of April, 1872. Mr. Lewis has since again married, his second union being with Mansoneta (Braddock) Durbin. Her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth (Dur- bin) Cattle, died July 17, 1890, while an- other sister, Mrs. Olive Baker, passed away in October, 1891. Her half brother, Pro- fessor C. W. Durbin, died December 25, 1895, and Mrs. Samantha (Durbin) Gran- din, died February 21, 1890. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were born two children. The son, George Durbin Lewis, was born Jan- uary 20, 1878, and was a member of the Ohio state militia. When war was declared against Spain he enlisted in Company L, Fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry under Col- onel Coyt and was made first duty sergeant. After three weeks spent in camp at Colum- bus the regiment went with General Miles to Porto Rico, where it was stationed at the time peace was declared. Mr. Lewis then returned with his command, was honorably discharged and mustered out of the service January 20, 1899. He then became em- ployed in the Mount Vernon postoffice, where he remained until August 6, 1901,
when he went to Denver, Colorado, where he is now located. Iva Browning, the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis, was born August 27, 1882. She is a grad- uate of the Mount Vernon high school and is now taking a special course as an elocu- tionist in the Northwestern University, at Evanston, Illinois.
The family occupy a commodious and el- egant residence on North Main street. It is surrounded by a large and shady lawn and is most attractive, being celebrated for its gracious and pleasing hospitality. Mrs. Lewis is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal church and politically he is a strong Re- publican. He is one of the best-known men of the county and his many excellencies of character have gained for him a host of warm friends.
CHARLES COOPER.
The history of a country is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon so- ciety. The world judges the character of a community by that of its representative cit- izens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect to the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a country's prosperity and pride ; and it is in their character, as exem- plified in probity and benevolence, kindly virtues and integrity in the affairs of life, are ever affording worthy examples for em- ulation and valuable lessons of incentive.
To a student of biography there is noth- ing more interesting than to examine the life history of a self-made man to detect the
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
elements of character which have enabled him to pass on the highway of life many of the companions of his youth who at the out- set of their careers were more advantageous- ly equipped or endowed. The subject of this review through his own exertions at- tained an honorable position and marked prestige among the representative men of his state, and with signal consistency it may be said that he was the architect of his own fortunes, having builded wisely and well.
Charles Cooper, who during his life time as a resident of Mount Vernon and was the founder of the C. & G. Cooper En- gine Works, was born in Clinton township, Knox county, Ohio, on the 2d of January, 18II. He was a son of Cary and Elizabeth (Ruple) Cooper. The father, born in Mor- ris county, New Jersey, on the 29th of Jan- uary, 1781, came to Knox county, Ohio, in 1806, and here spent the remainder of his life, passing away in 1831. His wife, also a native of New Jersey, born in March, 1784, passed away in death in this county in 1868, at the age of eighty-four years. Their mar- riage was celebrated in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1803, and they became the parents of six sons and three daughters. Their son, Charles, was reared to manliood on the home farm, and about 1831 he re- moved to Zanesville, Ohio, where he was engaged in coal mining on a moderate scale for two and a half years. Business, how- ever, did not prosper to the extent desired by our subject, and one day, in a discouraged condition, he threw himself upon the grass and while engaged in thought observed the smoke issuing from a cupola. of an old-time Zanesville foundry. The thought at once flashed through his mind that he would es- tablish a foundry in Mount Vernon and,
springing to his feet, resolved to make this inspiration a reality. A rapid and firm de- cision and instantaneous and effective action were the qualities most uppermost in Mr. Cooper's business character, and these won for him his remarkable success. In 1833 he and his brother, Elias, erected their foundry and began the manufacture of plows, hollow-ware and such castings as were demanded in Mount Vernon and the surrounding country. This enterprise grew rapidly, and Mr. Cooper delighted to relate to his family and intimate friends the cir- cumstances which led to the establishment of this successful concern. On one other oc- casion was he similarly influenced by some unforseen force. Bowed down and dis- heartened by business losses during the panic of 1857, while crossing the Mount Vernon square he experienced a renewel of determin- ation and strength in answer to a prayer, and this prepared him to successfully weath- er the financial storm which was so keenly felt throughout the country.
In 1840 the firm began the manufacture of threshing machines, this proving a profit- able addition to their already extensive bus- iness. Elias Cooper died in 1848, and in the following year T. L. Clark purchased a third interest in the plant, business being then conducted under the firm name of Coo- per & Clark until 1850, when John Cooper, a brother of our subject, also purchased a third interest, the firm being then known as Coopers & Clark. In 1853 Mr. Clark re- tired, the business style then becoming C. & J. Cooper. In January, 1868, F. L. Fair- child purchased an interest and the business was then conducted under the firm name of C. & J. Cooper & Co. In January, 1869, the works of C. & J. Cooper & Co. and Coopers
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
& Rogers were consolidated and C. G. Coop- er, a son of Elias Cooper, and Colonel George Rogers were admitted to the partner- ship, the business continuing under the firm name of C. & J. Cooper & Co. In November, 1869, John Cooper retired, and the business was thereafter conducted under the firm, name of C. & G. Cooper & Co. In 1881 Col- onel George Rogers retired from the busi- ness and D. B. Kirk and C. F. Cooper, a son of Charles Cooper, became interested in the business. Colonel George Rogers' business career was ended in death in 1882.
In 1853 C. & J. Cooper built one of the first locomotives constructed west of the Allegheny Mountains, which was used on the Ohio Central Railroad for many years. They constructed a number of locomotives, but the original plant has been lost in the rapid growth and development of this im- portant concern. The plant now covers an area of several acres. For a number of years the company have confined their efforts to the manufacture of Corliss engines, and in this line they have established a reputation second to none in the United States, their products being shipped to all parts of the world.
In 1895 the business was incorporated under the name and style of The C. & G. Cooper Company, and the following officers elected : Charles Cooper, chairman of the board of directors, which position he held until the time of his death; F. L. Fairchild, president of the company ; C. G. Cooper, sec- retary; D. B. Kirk, treasurer. The same officers have continued up to the present time.
Charles Cooper had a remarkable record, and from the study of his life history one may learn valuable lessons. It illustrates
in no uncertain manner what is possible to accomplish when perseverance and deter- mination form the keynote to a man's life. Depending upon his own resources he arose from comparative obscurity to a place of prominence in the business and social world, and the town of Mount Vernon owes much to him on account of his connection with her business interests.
In politics Mr. Cooper was a Whig, with strong anti-slavery sentiments, and he as- sisted many a slave to continue his march toward freedom, the colored population of Mount Vernon always finding in him a friend. In 1856, on the formation of the Republican party, he joined its ranks, and in 1868 he was the Republican candidate for congress. He was also a friend to the poor and needy, but his gifts were without ostentation. Oberlin, Kenyon and other ed- ucational institutions were the recipients of his generous gifts, and he was always greatly interested in local charities, the Chil- dren's Home having been an object of special interest to him and of which he was the founder and constant benefactor. He was for several years and up to the time of his death the president of the Knox National Bank, of Mount Vernon, president of the Mount Vernon Gas Company, and was also president of the board of trustees of Mound View cemetery. The public library also re- ceived his financial support. In his relig- ious views he was a worthy and zealous member of the Congregational church, the cause of Christianity ever finding in him a warm friend and active worker.
On the 23d of June, 1833, Mr. Cooper was united in marriage to Miss Almeda, a daughter of John Murphy, but after a few years of happy married life the wife was
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
called to the home beyond, leaving one child, who is now the wife of A. F. Seeberger, of Chicago, Illinois. On the 10th of March, 1846, Mr. Cooper was a second time mar- ried, Miss Isabel Weaver becoming his wife. She is a daughter of Jacob and Mary (Rog- ers) Weaver, of Mount Vernon, but form- erly of Connellsville, Pennsylvania. Unto this union were born the following children : Alice, widow of the late Dr. J. W. Stamp, of Mount Vernon, and they had two chil- dren, Charles Marcus and Jane; Mae, who married Desault B. Kirk, of Mount Vernon, whose history also appears in this work, and her death occurred on the 30th of March, 1887; Adel, who married X. L. Otis, a son of Judge L. B. Otis, of Chicago, but form- erly of Fremont, Ohio, and they have one daughter, Louise; Cora, who married Gen- eral C. C. Howell, of Knoxville, Tennessee, but formerly of Colorado, and they have two children, Helen C. and Cornelia C. Charles F., the only son of the family, was born in Mount Vernon, in 1858, and his death occurred on the Ist of September, 1894, at the age of thirty-six years. He re- ceived his education in Oberlin College, and after completing his studies he became a. member of the C. & G. Cooper Company. Outside of his business interests his chief pleasure was found in travel and study, and he thus became a well informed man. His friends were many and on the list were num- bered many of the representative men of the locality. His death was the cause of wide- spread regret, while the community mourned the loss of one of its truest and best citi- zens. He married Miss Amelia Sturges, of Mount Vernon, a daughter of F. D. Sturges, president of the First National Bank, of this
city. Their union was blessed with the fol- lowing children: Charles, who was named in honor of his father and grandfather; Isa- bel, Ethel, James Sturges and Eunice.
Charles Cooper's life's labors were ended in death on the 7th of February, 1901, pass- ing away at his home on West Sugar street, having reached the ninety-first milestone on the journey of life. His path was ever up- ward both in a spiritual and temporal sense. As this review shows he was distinctively a self-made man-one of nature's noblemen whom no force of circumstances could pros- trate or draw into obscurity. He indeed de- serves mention among Olio's representative citizens, and should find a place in the his- tory of the men of business and enterprise whose force of character, sterling integrity, control of circumstances and whose marked success in establishing great industries have contributed in such an eminent degree to the solidity and progress of the entire country. His life was manly, his actions sincere, his manner unaffected and his example is well worthy of emulation. On the occasion of Mr. Cooper's death one of the Mount Ver- non papers truthfully said of him: "Death ends the labors of man. The passing of Mr. Cooper from the scenes of his earthly activ- ities and usefulness is sincerely mourned by all who have had the honor of a personal ac- quaintance with Mount Vernon's 'grand old man,' or who have appreciated the extent and unostentatiousness of his benefactions to the community and to individuals. Nor will the magnificent engine works, which he de- veloped through sixty-seven years from an insignificant shop be his most enduring monument, but in each heart that has felt his benevolent influence will be reared a ceno-
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
taph that shall endure forever. His career was intensely human, and on the book of life his name is enrolled as one who loved his fellow men. May he rest in peace."
HENRY B. CURTIS.
It was in 1885 that Henry B. Curtis passed from this life-full of years and of honors, but the result and influence of his life work still lingers. There has been no resident of Mount Vernon who has taken a more active or helpful interest in the wel- fare and progress of the city and for years he was numbered among its distinguished lawyers and capitalists. He was born near the village of Champlain, New York, No- vember 28, 1799, a son of Zarah and Phal- ley (Yale) Curtis. The former was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1762, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war, loyally fighting for independence. His wife was the eldest daughter of Aaron and Anna (Hosmer) Yale and was born in Hartford, Connecticut, in 1762. They were married in 1785 and removed to Charlotte, Vermont, where some of their daughters were born, while Hosmer Curtis, an older brother of our subject, was born in Litch- field, Connecticut. His death occurred in Keokuk, Iowa, in 1874, at the advanced age of eighty-five years. From Charlotte, Ver- mont, the family removed to a farm on the west side of Lake Champlain, near the vil- lage of that name, where they resided until 1809, when they went to Newark, Licking county, Ohio. A few years later the father purchased a farm at the South fork of the Licking river, where the family were living
when Henry Barnes Curtis started out in life on his own account. That property was afterward sold and another farm purchased, on which the father died in 1849, in the eighty-eighth year of his age, beloved and respected as a member of the Christian church.
Henry B. Curtis was a lad of only nine years when he came to Ohio. At that time Newark was a village of but fifty or sixty rude houses, mostly log cabins. The oppor- tunities for a thorough education were some- what limited, yet the private schools of Ros- well Mills and Amos H. Coffee gave to the diligent and faithful students facilities for an education, not only in the common school studies, but also in the higher English branches. Under these faithful teachers and some private instructors in a partial classical course Mr. Curtis, by hard study, gained a liberal education. During the whole period he assisted his father in the farm work and even after leaving home he continued to pay his parents all his wages except what was necessary for his expenses until he was twen- ty years of age. When a youth of seven- teen he left the farm and came to Mount Vernon, where his brother, Hosmer, was then practicing law. With his assistance he obtained a position in the clerks office, where his assiduity and ready skill soon secured him the appointment of deputy clerk. Thus he became acquainted with the distinguished lawyers of that day and won their friendship. Familiarized with courts and legal forms of proceedings in this way, he was naturally directed to the law as a life work. In the fall of 1820 he became a law student in his brother's office and on the 9th of December, 1822, he was admitted to the bar.
As an evidence of the kindly estimation
.
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
in which he was held by the judges of the court, after he had retired from the deputy clerkship and while yet a student, the four judges on the bench appointed him recorder of the county, a position which he filled for seven years. This advancement in the out- set of life was a material aid to him. It gave him position and with the general ac- quaintance he had previously secured, his familiarity with the forms of legal proceed- ings, a well-read knowledge of the law and a diligent application to the study of his cases and preparation of his briefs, he soon fell into a large and profitable practice. When he entered upon the practice of the law there were but two other resident lawyers in the county, but others soon came-men of abil- ity and prominence-and it was the capable lawyer that held a foremost position at the bar, as did Mr. Curtis. In the earlier years of his practice his professional circuit em- braced besides Knox the counties of Licking, Richland, Delaware and Coshocton, with frequent extension in special cases to more remote courts. On the 9th of January, 1863, he was admitted to the bar of the United States supreme court in Washington and at different times his practice took him to this court as well as to the supreme court of the state and the United States circuit and district courts. In December, 1872, he celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of his admission to the bar by giving a supper at his residence, "Round Hill," to the resident members of the profession and many old time friends. He announced on that occa- sion that he would decline all new retainers thereafter, and leave the field to his younger brethren and thenceforward he would try to give better attention to his private business. Mr. Curtis never deserted his profession to
seek political preferment. In view of the success that crowned his career it is evident that in the choice of his profession he acted wisely.
On the 2d of July, 1823, Mr. Curtis mar- ried Miss Elizabeth Hogg, daughter of Per- cival and Elizabeth Hogg, of Mount Pleas- ant, Jefferson county, Ohio. Her family had but recently arrived in this country from Durham, England, where she was born, June 22, 1803. She died in Mount Vernon July 17, 1878. They had six daughters and two sons, but only one is living, Ella, the wife of Joseph C. Devin, a lawyer of Mount Vernon, who at one time was state senator from Knox county:
In politics a Republican, Mr. Curtis was present and took part in the convention in which the party was organized in Ohio. Al- though he believed firmly in the principles of the party and always voted therefor he would never become a candidate for office, save in 1840, when he accepted the Whig nomination for congress and succeeded in reducing his opponent's previous majority by over one thousand. Although he desired not political office he was honored with many public trusts. He represented Knox county in the state board of equalization in the win- ter of 1840-41, a body legislative in form of organization and in which many vital and important question in regard to the material interests of the state were discussed and set- tled. For twelve years preceding the disso- lution of the board he held the office of trus- tee of the Central Lunatic Asylum. At the time of the transfer of its powers to three commissioners of the building, and for some time previous, he was acting president of the board. This trust involved the care of over five hundred insane, the administration and
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A CENTENNIAL BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
general government of its affairs, and after the burning of the old buildings the carry- ing forward the construction of the immense new edifice for the institution.
About the summer of 1823 Bishop Chase first visited Mount Vernon with a view of finding a suitable location for a pro- posed institution, now known as Kenyon College. Through the influence of Mr. Cur- tis, a tract of about eight thousand acres was purchased. He gave all the aid he could toward building up and advancing the interests of the school, and in 1881 he received from the institution the degree of Doctor of Laws. He served for a long period as a member of its board of trustees and in 1881 he made it a munificent dona- tion, by the terms of which he established and endowed a perpetual and growing fund for free scholarships, and to aid, when needed, deserving students.
When Mr. Curtis became a member of the bar the court docket was full of cases against the Owl Creek Bank, of Mount Ver- non, or rather against its members, for it had no corporate existence. The subject was finally referred, after many judgments had been rendered and bills filed, to a special commissioner and receiver, to which honora- ble position Mr. Curtis was appointed by the supreme court. After years of investigation and arduous labor the intricate affairs of the bank were brought to a satisfactory con- clusion. Every dollar of outstanding lia- bility was paid and the losses adjusted and equalized among the several members of the unfortunate association, lon acknowledged principles of equity and justice. Mr. Cur- tis' proceedings and their results were fully approved and confirmed by the court, with flattering commendations. In 1848 he or-
ganized and established the Knox County Bank, of Mount Vernon, a branch of the State Bank of Ohio, its capital stock being one hundred thousand dollars. He was its president during its existence, nearly twenty years, and for about the same period was an active member of the state board of control. In 1865 he organized the Knox County Na- tional Bank, of Mount Vernon, capitalized for one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, and continued as its president until his death.
During the Civil war Mr. Curtis was ac- tive in raising volunteers and assisting in forming companies and regiments that were organized in the county. He gave pecuni- ary aid freely as well as his personal influ- ence, and often presided at the public meet- ings called forth by the various successes or disasters of the Union forces. Holding at the period of the war the appointment of United States commissioner for the northern dis- trict of Ohio, his judicial services were often required in disposing of cases connected with the military movements and restraining the outbreaks of those who, sympathizing with the south, would sometimes venture to obstruct the operations of the laws for rais- ing and organizing troops for the public service.
Mr. Curtis was active in every enterprise for the improvement of Knox county and es- pecially of Mount Vernon. He drew up its charter, secured its passage through the leg- islature and filled its various municipal of- fices, including those of councilman and mayor. His taste and study of architecture enabled him to give shape to many of the public buildings, and especially to two suc- cessive court houses, and to encourage a more tasteful style of private residences. Dur- ing his life he constructed many new houses,
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OF KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
now among the most ornamental and pleas- ant residences of the city. He was active in forwarding every railroad enterprise of his city and was a director of the first rail- road that entered the city. He was a direc- tor in the Lake Erie division of the Balti- more & Ohio Railroad at the time of his death.
In the spring of 1873 he was appointed by President Grant a member of the board of visitors at West Point. The board held daily sessions from the 28th of May until the 12th of June. While in this service Mr. Curtis learned that some eighty children of professors, officers and employes at West Point were destitute of the usual means of common school education, except as a few had the advantage of private instruction. Being on a military reserve the jurisdiction of which belonged to the United States, it was held that the residents were not included within the provisions for the benefits of the common school system of the state. He therefore introduced and advocated a reso- lution in the board recommending congress to make provision for this want by a suitable appropriation for maintaining at the Point a common school for the benefit of the chil- dren. The resolution was unanimously adopted and incorporated in the report.
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