The Ohio blue book; or, Who's who in the Buckeye state; a cyclopedia of biography of men and women of Ohio, Part 113

Author: Van Tassel, Charles Sumner, 1858-
Publication date: [1917]
Publisher: Toledo, Ohio
Number of Pages: 494

USA > Ohio > The Ohio blue book; or, Who's who in the Buckeye state; a cyclopedia of biography of men and women of Ohio > Part 113

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full confidence in what he was recom- mending to his bus'ness friends or ac- quaintances, so as stated, he chose a con- nection with the Equitable Life Assurance Society. Mr. Chapin is a man in whom the public believes and can trust; his territory embraces several counties in Northwestern Ohio. He has a suite of spacious and handsomely appointed offl- ces in the Ohio Building, and possesses every facility for the dispatch of business. He is one of the largest personal writers of Life Insurance in the state. and his name ranks high on the list of producers of the Equitable.

Mr. Chapin was married December 18, 1878, to Miss Zatella M. St. John, and their home, which is among the many charming ones of which Toledo can boast, 2211 Jefferson Avenue, was purchased from Mr. S. R. Calloway, when that gen- tleman took the presidency of the New York Central Railroad, which necessitated his removal from Toledo.

It was Longfellow who said:

"The heights that great men oft have reached,

Were not attained by sudden flight; For they while their companions slept, Were toiling onward in the night."

Which has always been the motto and belief of Mr. Chapin, that "As ye sow so shall ye reap." His life has been one of arduous toil and strenuous effort, and as a result, to-day finds Frank P. Chapin, as he is familiarly known, not only one of the leading Life Insurance men of the Country, but one of Toledo's solid finan- ciers and business men, with many in- terests in Banks and other Companies with which he is associated.

DENNIS D. DONOVAN, of the firm of Don- ovan & Warden, Attorneys, of Napoleon, Ohio, is one of Ohio's best lawyers. He today stands among the foremost mem- bers of the bar, and has the confidence of a very large clientage. His early life led him into the channels of politics where he achieved marked distinction, and while he is still active in public affairs when he feels it his duty to lend a hand, his large practice and the interests of his clients are always first in his mind. He has had a thoroughly practical education and large experience in general affairs which are valuable assets in his practice. He is a native of Ohio and Henry Coun- ty, and was born January 31, 1859. His parents, John and Catherine (Hannan) Donovan. were both natives of Ireland. They finally came to Henry County where they were married, and for years were valued and respected members of that community.

D. D. Donovan's early education was obtained in the public schools, assisting with the work on his father's farm in the summer and attending . school in the winter. Later he attended the Valparai- so, Indiana, Normal School, after which he took un the role of instructor, and fol- lowed teaching for three years. He be- gan his higher education with the view of entering the law and during the years he was at Valparaiso he kept up a course of reading from law text-books which he continued while teaching. In 1883, with- out relinquishing the cherished idea of the law, he entered into the mercantile busi- ness combining it with lumber and tim- ber. Two years later, he was appointed postmaster at Deshler Ohio, where he was then living. and held that office until he was elected to the Ohio Legislature ill 1887, and reelected in 1889. Before the expiration of this last term, he was nom-

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inated on the Democratic ticket for Con- gress in the Sixth Congressional District, and was elected the following November by a majority of 1,700 votes. By reorgan- Izing the congressional districts in 1891, Henry County was transferred to the Fifth District and Mr. bonovan was nom- Inated and reelected in the Fifty-third Congress by an increased majority. In the last year of his second term in Con- gress, he entered the law department of Georgetown University at Washington. and was graduated from that institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws. On his return from Congress, he began the practice of his profession at his old home. In his political creed Mr. Donovan is a staunch Democrat, a firm believer in the principles of Jefferson and Jackson and has always practically stood for the prin- ciples enuneiated in the platforms of his party. He has always been an active worker for party success and a prominent figure in partisan councils, and in every position he has been called upon to fill, he has sustained himself well. On his re- moval to Napoleon he became a member of the firm of Cahill, Donovan & Warden, and later the firm beeanie Donovan & Warden, as now constituted. Several times he has been offered political post- tions of high importanee, but as yet, re- mains steadfast to his profession.

lle was married in 1891 to Miss Genev- ra C. Waltimire of a prominent family of that vieinity, and who has always been a help to him in his aetive work.

Mr. Donovan is genial, courteous and kind, and is one of the solid men of his profession.

He is an Eik and a member of the Knights of Columbus at Napoleon, and a valued member of the affairs in that com- munity.

ALBERT HIRAM HERR, Physiclan. Born in a log house on a farm In Allen County, Ohio. April 8. 1879: son of John Herr and Mary ( Shifferly ) Herr; educated in school of "Hard Work and Hard Knocks"; Country Schools; High School; Ohio Northern University; Starling Medical

College. Columbus. O .; Post Graduate Medical School and Hospital, Chicago, Ill .; Post Graduate School and Hospital, New York City. Also extended medical training by visiting the centers of medical learning in the East including Philadelphia, Washington, D. C., University of Physi- cians and Surgeons and Johns Hopkins University at Baltimore and also the Mayo Clinic at Rochester, Minn. College Degrees: M. D. Married Laura Luella McGinnis April 1, 1899. Have two sons born 1900 and 1904. both dead: one soll Ilving, . Ben Herr, born 1907, ten years old. Was office boy; country school teacher; inside finisher: student at Ohlo Northern University; book agent, during vacations; clerk in shoe store; Medical College Sec. of Class; after graduation located in Elida, Ohio, and practiced med- icine there for ten years. Breeder of draft and trotting horses, Duroc Jersey swine. Located in Lima for the practice of medicine in 1913. where he is now lo- cated. Interested in Lima Real Estate and Oil Business. Asst. Sergeant-at-Arms at National Republican Convention, Chi- eago, Jimmie, 1916: Representative from Allen County 82nd General Assembly. Societies and Clubs: Chamber of Com- merce, Odd Fellows, Moose, Elks, Shrin- ers. Grotto, Knight Templars, 32d degree Mason, Allen Co. Northwestern, Ohio State, and American Medical Associations. Life Member of Rochester Surgeons Club, Ohio City Editors Assn., Am. Duroc Jer- sey Swine Breeders Assn., Y. M. C. A.,

M. E. Church. American Trotting Regis- ter Association. Y. M. C. A., Association for Masonic Research, and American As- sociation for the Advancement of Science. Home address: Lima, Ohio.

JOHN LINCOLN GRAHAM, son of Amos and Elizabeth (Crumley) Graham, was born in Amanda Township, Fairfield County. Ohio. His father was one of the successful farmers of the County, and lived on a farm until hls declining years, when he and his family moved to Lan- easter. Ohio. .

The subject of this sketch lived with his parents on the farm, performing the usual duties of a farmer boy, attending the country school, and later High School In Lancaster, until he was eighteen years old. During this time he had fitted him- self for a country school teacher, and having taught several terms of school, attended school at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, for a couple of years, and after teaching school a couple of years more, completed a busi- ness course at a Commercial College in Columbus, Ohio, and accepted a position as bookkeeper. Three or four years were spent in Columbus in this capacity, when he returned to Lancaster where he be- came a member of the Flouring Mill firm of The Graham & Black Co., now the Graham Milling Co., of which firm he was an active member until 1909. since which time he has been inactive in said firm, giving practically all his time to The Lancaster National Bank, as Director, Vice President and Cashier, being the ac- tive Manager of the bank. Ile is Treas- urer of the Claflin Engineering Co., and Interested In various enterprises.

He is a member of all the York and Scottish Rites Masonic Bodies, including Knights Templar, and 32d Degree, Men- ber of Shrine, Treasurer of all the local Masonie Bodies, Past Master of Lan- caster Lodge No. 57, F. & A. M., Past Eminent Commander of Lancaster Com- mandery No. 2. K. T. Member of the First Presbyterian Church, being member of the Board of Trustees, and Secretary of said board. Has served as Superin - tendent of the Sunday School, member of Lancaster Chamber of Commerce, Lan- easter Country Club, also member of Board of Trustees of Lancaster Public Library. being Secretary of said board.

In 1908, was married to Fannie Pauline, daughter of A. J. and Elizabeth (Court- right) Musser. Mr. Musser was one of the best known and successful farmers and Stock Dealers of Fairfield County. The subject of the sketeh has one daugh- ter, Miss Pauline Elizabeth. His resi- dence is No. 623 North Broad Street, Lall- caster, Ohio.

JOB FISH. son of Ellas Hicks Fish and Betsey (Van Wagner) Fish, was born March 17, 1828, in llartland Township, Niagara County, N. Y. His paternal an- eestors were all Quakers, baek, at least, as far as 1643, when Thomas Fish lived in Portsmonth. Rhode Island.

He was driver on the towpath of the Erie Canal two round trips between Buf- falo and Albany, when 15 years old. Educated at district school in winters, Auburn Townshlp, Geauga County, Ohio; Western Reserve Seminary at Chester, Geauga County, 1845 and 1846. Among

his teachers were Joseph W. Gray, late founder and editor of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Charles Lounsburg Fish (Job's brother), who became an eminent admiralty lawyer of Cleveland. In the latter's office Job studied law, summers, 1850 and 1851, and contributed numerous

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articles to newspapers of Cleveland, Buf- falo and Columbus, 1848 and 1854. At the age of 17 he organized a debating school and took an active part in its proceed- ings. It attracted men from other dis- tricts including among them Oliver Brown half brother of John Brown, the martyr.

Job learned to read French, German, Spanish and Dutch after his fiftieth year, the last after he was eighty and he is especially familiar with the best litera- ture of France and Germany.

He came to Erie County, Ohio, in 1854. Taught 53 years. most of the time in Ber- lin or Florence Townships, that county and in select schools, academy work, high schools, teachers' classes and teachers' institutes.

Mr. Fish's pupils came not only from every township in the county. but also from adjoining and distant counties. It was frequently the case that his pupils from a distance outnunibered the resident pupils.

Two of Mr. Fish's pupils have written some impressions of Mr. Fish and his teaching which are given below:

"His aim from the beginning of his teaching to the end was to develop hls pupils' minds. He forced nothing but only furnished exercise for the pupils' mental faculties: from the first he saw that. the brain like the body loves and demands exercise, and it is a fact that hls students were as intent in the inspir- ins exercise in the school room as they were in games out-of-doors.

"In his youth he was an athlete; he joined his scholars outdoors and in, and a winter in his school was one continuous merry-making. It is no wonder that the children in the lower schools looked for- ward to the great day when they could attend his school, nor that youths from a distance were happy with any plan which would place them among his pu- pils. And the best part of It was that what they found in the school was better and more wonderful than their anticipa- tions. Certainly he had every qualifica- tion for a teacher. He was a natural- born mathematician, and if he had no other gifts, he would, by devoting him- self to mathematics, have risen to a high place. He had a still greater gift in lan- guage. not in mere words, but in the lan- guage that is true and fitting. He had a great gift in philosophy, and not in that visionary philosophy, but in the philosophy of reality of which there is but one kind in the universe. But beyond these gifts, he was a lover of everything beautiful in nature, art and literature. He was deeply moved by music, and if he has admired and studied men who were great in other things, he has gone through life as if hand in hand with the great poets.

"He had such a memory as people had when there was no printing and they had to remember. Another gift was hu- mor and love of wit and humor, and with this went and still goes the grandest, big- gest, most contagious laugh that ever made a merry world. His extensive reading and the habit of thinking on what he read, coupled with an exceptionally retentive memory, enabled him to enliven and enrich his teaching with a wealth of illusion and illustration. All his life his greatest interest has been in human be- ings. His heart went out to each and every one of his pupils; and so mani- festly genuine was his desire to help theni make the most of themselves that all their natural timidity and reserve vanished be- fore him, and they freely and uncon- sciously unfolded to him their better na-

tures which were thus in the most favor- ahle condition for development.

"By his comments on the lives of great men whose characters he opportunely por- trayed and by his uniform impartiality, straight-forwardness and friendliness to- ward his pupils without regard to their characters or aptitudes, he gave to high principles of conduct in life such an allur- ing aspect that every pupil felt impelled to adopt them. Without punishment, threat, preaching, or exhortation, Mr. Fish made his school room the scene of dili- gence in study and alertness in recita- tion. Great numbers of his pupils have given him their affection; and many then and in after life opened their minds to hin more fully than to their parents, making him their confident and counsel- lor.

Still enjoying full mental and physical vigor, he is the exemplificaton of content- ment as the days go by at his old home in Erie county

ROBERT BAUR, one of Toledo's substan- tial business men, was born July 30, 1861, at Oberhofen, Canton Berne, Switzerland. His father, Abraham Baur, was an attor- ney-at-law and notary public and took part in the military affairs of his coun- try. He never spared any pains or ex- pense in educating his children, of whon there were nine, seven boys and two girls, and his entire income was spent in that direction. The family came to America in 1873, coming directly to Toledo. Robert Baur had attended the excellent State School of Switzerland until his eleventh year, and on his arrival in Toledo passed through the public schools and later was a student at Baldwin University and the Berea Wallace College. On leaving college he secured a position with the Sterling Carpet Company, remaining with that concern three years during which time he devoted his evenings to the study of shorthand and bookkeeping at the Tri- State and Davis Business Colleges. In June. 1886. he obtained a position with the firm of Schunk & Hillenkamp, now known as the Star Hardware Company. Mr. Baur was employed first as book- keeper, and being so closely allied with the interest of the company, he progressed with it. On the incorporation of the firm under its present name he was elected Sec- retary-Treasurer, in which position he continued to exercise those business qual- ities which have brought him such de- served success. In date he associated himself with The Schunk Hardware Com- pany 504-506 Monroe Street, and is now Secretary and Treasurer of the company, which is one of the best known concerns in Toledo. Mr. Baur was married to Miss Ernestine Koeppen on November 11, 1890, and they reside at 1110 Martha Street, the parents of three boys, Elmer, Joseph and Clarence. While Mr. Baur is not ac- tive in politics. he takes a great interest in the success of the Republican party and never fails to perform his duty at the polls. He owns a finely selected library of over 1000 volumes and is much inter- ested in education and mind improvement. One of his specialties is Microscopy (en- tomology branch). He is a lover of Astron- omy and . possesses a valuable telescope and many notable charts and books on this subject. He studied law for two years and many today seek his advice on commercial law and he takes much de- light in helping his friends and patrons in solving many problems which come up in the course of business. He is .presi- dent and treasurer of the O. C. U. V. Benefit Society and has been an active member since 1SS5: is a Mason and be-

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lons to Rubicon Lodge No. 237; a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has been treasurer of his home church since 1892 and for ten years Superintend- ent of the Sunday School.

CALVIN POMEROY GODFREY, State Ex- aminer Public Accounts. Parents: Charles Moore Godfrey and Jane (Goble) Godfrey. Born at Ottawa, Ohio, April 11, 1863. Graduate home public school, 1881; sec- ond honor; grade 99:77; first Ottawa pupil to observe Washington's Birthday under law. Statutory quota prevented West Point appointment by President Hayes. Graduate University Michigan, 1884; class reporter; class orator; Ph. C. degree; thesis. Alum in Bread: one of school's first two Ohioans to pass state pharmacy exam- ination. On Nov. 6, 1889, married Em- mna Inez Kelly, daughter of W. W. Kelly, Ottawa, Ohio; granddaughter of D. H. Kelly, Buffalo Valley, Pa .; great-grand- daughter of John Kelly, the Major who "cut the bridge" to save Colonial troops, was at Princeton and Trenton, and member of Pennsylvania's first Constitutional Con- vention; great-great-granddaughter of Pri- vate Adam Beiber. of Colonial army at White Plains and Brandywine; three chil- dren, Norman Kelly, Charles Moore,

Eleanor. Pharmacist 11 years. Council- man, Fostoria, Ohio. 1891-2; finance com- mittee; lost re-election. tie vote. Mem- ber Advisory Board, Fostoria Public Li- brary, 1892-3. Trustee Toledo Medical College nine years. Newspaper publisher editor eight years; Director Home and Savings Association 4 years; appraising and auditing committees; Secretary Board Trade four years; Trustee Presbyterian Church two years; member Board Health five years at Ottawa. O .: State Senator, 33rd district. 1902-6; same constituency represented by father forty years earlier; honored in home precinct by first repub- lican majority ever accorded state can- didate; sought not first, declined third, candidacy; district organization second campaign reputed unequaled in state; de- clined assured selection president pro tem .; occasionally presided; finance, conference, calendar committees; held and holds, that first tax imposed should be a "Minimuni Tax" to be paid by every adult man and woman, the minimum to apply upon any greater tax: that local taxation of bonds issued by political sub-divisions is a de- gree of repudiation, immoral both in prin- ciple and effect; that canal transporta- tion, as an economic, industrial, and mili- tary factor in state and national develop- ment and welfare, necessarily should, and will, attain very great magnitude and tremendous vital importance. Author: . Constitutional amendment-the veto; sen- ate address thereon used in state cani- paign; later originated only form to wholly exemplify and completely guard theory representative government; em- bodied in pamphlet addressed Ohio Con- stitutional Convention 1912: Statutory amendments-to exempt from taxation stock issues of Ohio corporations; to tax water transportation companies; to en- courage establishment township libraries: to create republican sub-division third common pleas judicial district; and others: Municipal code amendments 1902: also two proposed-to always permit referendum on pending franchise grant, and to prevent confiscation of existing one. Right-of- way solicitor Cleveland-Indianapolis Rail- way 1907. Presidential elector 1908; father nominee same constituency sixty years earlier; rules committee electoral college; contributor campaign press matter. Ex- ceptionally endorsed for Auditor U. S. Treasury Department. Examiner public

accounts since March, 1908. In 1884 sub- poenaed to testify against Salvation Army for obstructing street. Judge of elec- tion: juror justice peace court. and on petit and grand juries both common pleas and federal courts. First political fight at ninc yrs. of age; delegate party township, school district, municipal, county, con- gressional, judicial, and state conventions; sometime chairman of all but last named: chairman county central and executive committees; treasurer same; congression- al committeeman; judicial committeeman; in organization bureau state headquarters two campaigns; offered nomination alter- nate national convention; offered con- gressional nomination Fifth District. Member Masonic Lodge, Chapter, Coun- cil; secretary. recorder, Phi Delta Chi:

one of eleven founders 1883: Putnam County Pioneer Society; memorial address noted oldest member ever enrolled, 103rd year: Ohio State Archaeological and His- torical Society. Formerly member Ohio State Pharmaceutical Association; con-

tributed paper, College vs. Store Educa- tion; Garfield Club, Dayton, O .; Columbia Club, Fostoria, O .; Friday Night Club, Ottawa, O. Resided Paxton, Ill .. 1; Day- ton, O., 2; Bluffton, O., 3; Fostoria, O., 7 years. Resides. Ottawa. O.

ROBERT COWDEN, (Retired), Gen. Secy., Emeritus, Board of Control, Sunday School, Brotherhood, and Young Peoples Work, was born in Richland Co. (now Crawford Co.), Ohio. May 24. 1833. He is the son of David Cowden, deceased, and Elizabeth (Kitch) Cowden, deceased. His mother was a descendant from Hollanders on both her father's and mother's side. Educated in the Common Schools of Ohio. Received the degree of Lit. D. from Lane Univers- ity. Kansas. Married Lydia Tabitha Mil- ler, August 3. 1854. Married Joanna ( Rib- let) McGinnis, November 17. 1891. En- gaged in the carpenter trade, building houses and barns. from the age of 15 to 44 years. During this time he also taught in public and rural schools, win- ter terms only. in Richland and Crawford Counties. Ohio. From September 9, 1861, to January 28, 1862 was a soldier in Co.'s B and H. 56th Regt., Ill. Vol. Inf., Civil War, rising from private through Corporal and Sergeant to 1st Lieutenant. Regiment mustered out hy order of Secretary of War. Re-enlisted immediately in Battery "I.", 1st Ill. Light Artillery ("Boutons Battery"), as private, and was promoted through Corporal, Sergeant, 1st Sergeant to 2nd Lieutenant. Promoted to Major in 59th Regiment U. S. Colored Inf., July 29, 1863, and to Lieutenant Colonel May 18, 1864. Mustcred out with regiment Jan- uary 31. 1866. Served in all 1606 days. After Civil War resumed teaching in win- ters and carpentry in summers until June, 1871, when he accepted the General Secre- taryship of the Ohio Sunday School Asso- ciation, which position he held six years.

It involved constant active service from July 1. 1877. to June 30. 1913. He was General Secretary of the Sunday School Board (Board of Control of Sun- day School, Brotherhood, and Young Peo- ples Work). involving active service con- tinuously. Was Postmaster of Galion, O., 1878 to 1882. Since December, 1866, con- tinuously an officer in the International Sunday School Association of North and Central America, more than fifty years, the world record for length of service, says Marion Lawrence; for seven or more years has stood alone in this class. His last active service was as General Secre- tary of the Sunday School Board in the Church of the United Brethren in Christ, elected by the General Conference of 1879,

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and reelected by each General Conference thereafter until 1913. He is now Chaplain of Dayton, Ohio, Camp of Gideons. Also Chaplain of State Gideons of Ohio. Na- tional Chaplain of Gideons. President of the Richard Montgomery Chapter, Day- ton. O., of the Sons of the American Rev- olution, by virtue of the service of his great-grandfather, Robert Cowden, who served under Washington in the War of the Revolution. Member Old Guard Post No. 23, G. A. R., Dayton, Ohio. Member United Brethren in Christ for the last 64 years. He is chiefly known and remen-

bered for his denominational and inter- denominational Sunday School work. He has attended every international Sunday School convention but one (when he was too ill to do so). from 1872 to date, and four of the world conventions out of the seven held thus far. Has traveled over 562.000 miles in Sunday School work in three continents and every State in the Union except South Carolina and nearly all the Territories and British-American provinces; crossed the Atlantic Ocean four times. Home address: 18 Hershey St., Dayton, Ohio.

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The Ohio blue book; or, Who's who in the Buckeye state; a cyclopedia of biography of men and women of Ohio, Part 113

Author: Van Tassel, Charles Sumner, 1858- Publication date: [1917] Publisher: Toledo, Ohio Number of Pages: 494

Author: Van Tassel, Charles Sumner, 1858-
Publication date: [1917]
Publisher: Toledo, Ohio
Number of Pages: 494