USA > Ohio > The biographical annals of Ohio, 1904-1905. A handbook of the government and institutions of the state of Ohio Vol. 2, Pt. 2 > Part 2
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He is a firm and ardent believer and supporter in the principles of Democ- racy, and never lets an opportunity pass in public or private to let himself be heard and felt, and is a staunch friend of labor. The Democratic executive committee of Henry County invited him to take the stump, which he cheerfully did, and by the close of the campaign he was known as the silver-tongued orator of Henry County.
As a member of the 76th General Assembly he serves on the important com. mittees of Common Schools, Boys' Industrial School, and Elections.
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JAMES M. SPRAGUE.
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James M. Sprague, one of the self-made, prominent business citizens of Cin- cinnati, general agent for the Bankers' Security Company for southern Ohio, with offices in the Traction building, and a well-known and popular politician. was born October 23, 1864, in this city. He is a son of Henry B. and Elizabeth Sprague, natives of New York.
Mr. Sprague left school at an early age and was first employed as an office boy by the law firm of Cowan & Ferris. He then became connected with the Bromwell Brush & Wire Goods Company as collector, and still later was a con- ductor on the Cincinnati street reilway. After two tours of faitoful service. Mr. Sprague resigned that position in order to accept that of government storekeeper, from which he was promoted to that of gauger. He was later made deputy revenue collector, but a change of administration brought about his withdrawal from that position. Soon after, he was appointed deputy in the Probate Court, which position he held for several years, resigning it in order to accept the general agency of an eastern surety company. That position he also resigned and accepted his present responsible position on October 1, 1901.
Mr. Sprague was married in 1898 to Caroline Virginia Fieber, and they have a handsome home at No. 1529 Lincoln avenue. They have one child, Elvina Stoll, a beautiful and bright little girl.
Mr. Sprague is identified with a number of fraternal organizations. As a Mason, he is past master of his blue lodge, and has taken all the degrees up to that of Shriner. He is a member of Cincinnati Lodge No. 3, Knights Templar, National Union, Cincinnati Gymnasium, Gymnasium Boat Club and is an Elk of high standing, being a member of the Past Master's Association.
Mr. Sprague well represents the progressive, energetic, reliable business men of this city, alert for every chance of individual or civic advancement, devoted to the upbuilding of the city's trade and reputation, and contributing time and influence to further all public spirited movements. Personally, Mr. Sprague has many friends who enjoy the sincerity of his friendship and the genial nature of his companionship.
Mı. Sprague was nominated in the fall of 1903 on the Republican ticket for the House of Representatives from Hamilton County at large.
(From the Centennial History of Cincinnati.)
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YOUNG STEPHENSON, M.D.
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Young Stephenson, M.D., was born in Union township, Brown county, Ohio, April 19, 1834. He attended the district schools near his home, Ripley High school, and college at Delaware, Ohio, four years. After his course at Delaware he attended the Ohio Medical College, Cincinnati, Ohio, and afterward the Star- ling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, graduating from that institution in 1865. He was superintendent of the graded schools of Georgetown, Ohio, three years, and of the graded schools of Higginsport, Ohio, two years. He was president of the Brown County Teachers' Institute four years, county school examiner six years and a member of the board of education of the Georgetown special district nine years. He was clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Brown county for more than six years. He has always been an enthusiastic member of the secret fraternal societies of the land, having filled the position of first, or Major Surgeon, of the Third Regiment, uniform rank, Knights of Pythias, of Ohio, for twelve years. He was elected as a Democrat, receiving 3,248 votes to 2,407 for his adversary ..
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J. M. STEWARD.
J. M. Steward, Democrat, Representative from Fairfield County. Was born 1841. Was in educational work until 1888, when he became a farmer.
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EARLE STEWART.
Earle Stewart, the Representative from Clark county is a lawyer and resides in Springfield. He was born in a log house near Clifton in the southern part of the county, August 12, 1870, and was reared on the farm. He worked not only on the farm, but also in the mill, and for two years he was engaged in teaching school. Graduating from Clifton high school, for a year he attended Wittenberg, later he entered and graduated from Antioch College, and in 1895 he graduated in law from the Ohio State University, where he was honored, as likewise was he at Antioch, by being selected as class orator. He read law for awhile in the office of Harrison, Olds & Henderson, of Columbus.
Mr. Stewart began the practice of his chosen protession in Springfield shortly after his admission to the bar in 1895. He is a member of and for sev- eral years was the secretary of the Springfield Bar and Law Library Association: is an active member of the Commercial Club and of the Young Men's Literary Club of his city.
He was sent to the legislature as a Republican, and is a member of the standing committees of the house on Cities, Insurance, Hospitals for the Insane and Universities and Colleges.
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WASHINGTON I. TENNEY.
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Miami county has always been worthily represented in the Ohio General Assembly, and the present member, Hon. Washington I. Tenney, of Troy, elected a member of the 75th and 76th General Assemblies, is no exception to the high-class officials sent by the people of that section to represent them in the halls of legislation. Mr. Tenney is a native of Miami county, Ohio, where he was born May 3, 1833. His education was secured in the common schools of that county, except one winter spent in Columbus, where he attended the high school of which Asa D. Lord was superintendent.
Representative Tenney has always been a stalwart Republican and cast his first vote for General John C. Fremont for president, in 1856, believing in the policies and principles of the party from its birth. He entered the service of his country for one hundred days, as a member of Company D. One Hundred and Forty-Seventh Regiment, O. V. I., stationed at Fort Ethan Allen. He was also with his command at Fort Stevens, when General Jubal Early undertook to capture the city of Washington.
In Miami county he has on several occasions been honored by his fellow citizens. He was a member of the agricultural board and its secretary for twenty-five years, member of the Troy board of education nine years,. and county Auditor two terms. In the Seventy-fifth General Assembly he was a member of the committee on Agriculture and of the committee on the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and chairman of the committee on Turnpikes. In the Seventy-sixth General Assembly he was a member of the committee on Agricul- ture and of the committee on Claims and chairman of the committee on Dairy and Food Products, and served with credit on these important committees. His record as a member of the House showed a diligent and industrious member, always on the side of the people and always caring for their wants.
Mr. Tenney's father, Dr. Eli Tenney, born in 1809, was an allopathic physi- cian, a member of the Ohio legislature in 1856, and county Auditor one term. He died suddenly in office September 15, 1873. His mother, Margaret A. Hatcher Tenney, was born in Virginia in 1809, came to Ohio with her parents early in life and was married in 1830. Seven children were born of this union, four girls and three boys. The sisters are all dead.
In 1858 Representative Tenney married Jennie C. Kelley, and to them were born eight children, five boys and three girls, all of whom are living save one daughter, who died in 1891. Mrs. Tenney passed away May 21, 1901, beloved by all who knew her. Mr. Tenney is an honored member of the Grand Army of Republic.
Mr. Tenney is now superintending his large farm. For twenty years he was a teacher of high repute in his county. He is a sturdy, manly man, of excellent judgment, and one whom it is a pleasure and delight to know. In all the relations of life he has been true to himself and his friends, and his record is one of which his children may feel proud.
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WARREN THOMAS.
Warren Thomas, Republican, of Trumbull county, the son of Melancthon Thomas and Emma Calhoun Thomas, was born at Niles, Ohio, October 27, 1876. and resided there until eight years of age, when the family removed to Cortland in the same county, where he acquired his education, graduating at the head of his class in the Cortland high schools in May, 1896. During vacation and for some time after graduating, he worked in the office of H. D. Holcond, real estate agent and justice of the peace; in October of 1896 began the study of law in the office of Tuttle & Fillius, at Warren, Ohio, and was admitted to the bar in 1899. Mr. Thomas immediately commenced the practice of law in Warren, where he has since resided.
He has served on the county executive and central committees for several terms and was elected a member of the 76th General Assembly by over thirty- eight hundred majority, is a member of the Judiciary committee, committee on Claims and chairman of the committee on Enrollment.
Mr. Thomas was married March 19, 1902, to Miss Lenore Hall.
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SHERMAN THOMPSON.
Sherman Thompson was born near Urbana, Ohio, May 8, 1864. He graduated from Oberlin college in 1886, after which he engaged succes- sively in school teaching, civil engineering, farming and shipping live stock.
He was elected to the 76th General Assembly November 4, 1903 as a Repub- lican.
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C. A. THOMPSON.
C. A. Thompson was born in Wayne county, W. Va., on the 4th day of September, 1870. When about three years of age he moved with his parents to Ironton, Ohio, where he has since resided. He graduated in the Ironton high school in the spring of 1886, and at the Ohio State University with the class of 1892, with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. The following year he took charge of the high school at Bement, Illinois, where he taught two years, returning to the Ohio State University and graduating in the law class of 1895, with the degree of Bachelor of Laws, since which time he has prac- ticed his profession at Ironton. He was appointed to the position of City Solicitor of the city of Ironton to fill out the unexpired term of C. O. Rea, resigned during the fall of 1896, and served in that capacity until the first Monday in May, 1903, being elected three times in succession. He was elected to represent Lawrence county in the 76th General Assembly, which office he now holds. During the Spanish American war he was captain of Company I of the Seventh Regiment. Is now the colonel of the Seventh Regiment, O. N. G. He is a Republican.
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FRANCIS W. TREADWAY.
Francis W. Treadway, born at New Haven, Conn, January 7; 1869; removed to Cleveland when ten years of age, and was educated in the Cleveland grammar and high schools, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (B. S., 1890), and Yale Uni- versity (LL.B., 1892). Joint author "Ohio Mechanics' Lien Law," Treadway & Marlatt, 1901. United States Commissioner for the northern district of Ohio, 1902-3; chairman committee on Banks and Banking; member of committees on Cities, Common Schools and Girls' Industrial Home. He was elected as a Republican.
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OSCAR TYLER.
Oscar Tyler, Republican, Representative from Cuyahoga county, was born in Troy, N. Y., June 29, 1846, and was educated in the public schools of that city. He has always taken an active part in the interest of labor. On different occasions he has been delegate to the conventions of the Railroad Employes' Organization. He is president of the Republican Club of Collinwood; member of the B. of L. E., and trustee of the same; Royal Arch Mason and member of of the B. of L. E. legislative board in Ohio. For forty years he has been an engineer on the L. S. & M. S. railway, the past fifteen years drawing the pay car over the eastern division. He is a member of the Railroad and Telegraphs, Boys' Industrial School and Public Works committees in the House.
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PHILIP M. WAGNER.
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Philip M. Wagner, the Representative from Tuscarawas county, was born on August 20, 1868, near Sandyville, Ohio. He is of German descent. His maternal grandfather came to this country with the original Zoarites. Mr. Wagner has been a resident of Tuscarawas county nearly all his life. His youth was spent on the farm, attending the common schools in winter. At the age of fourteen he became a carpenter's apprentice and served in that capacity for two years. Then with characteristic energy he prepared himself for teaching. Beginning in 1886 he taught a number of years with eminent success. Through this he earned the means of securing a collegiate training. He attended the Ohio Normal University and Scio College. From the former he received the degrees of Bachelor of Pedagogy and Master of Pedagogy; from the latter, the degrees of Bachelor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy. Having decided to change his profession he entered Ohio Medical University in 1893, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of M. D. as an honor member of the class of 1896. He then went to Columbia City, Ind., where he practiced med- icine for about one year. On April 27, 1897, he was married to Miss Henrietta M. Wilson, of Sunbury, Ohio. Soon after this they located in Canal Dover where their popularity has grown rapidly from year to year. In 1898 he was appointed a member of the city board of school examiners and served until he was elected a member of the board of education in 1900. He is now serving his second term as a member of the board, and takes a deep interest in educa- tional affairs. He has also been a member of the city board of health. That Dr. Wagner is a public-spirited and useful citizen will be attested by all who know him. As a physician he enjoys an extensive and lucrative practice and has the respect and confidence of all in the community. The doctor frequently finds recreation in writing. He is the author of a neat volume of poems, "At the Dawn." A second volume, the product of his pen, will soon appear. In fra- ternal matters he is a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Tribe of Ben Hur and the Fraternal Order of Eagles. Though reared in a normally Democratic county, he has always been an ardent Republican. His popularity in the county is best shown by the fact that in the fall of 1903 he was the choice of the Republican convention for Representative and was elected a member of the 76th General Assembly by a handsome majority over his Democratic competitor, a candidate for second term. Dr. Wagner is a member of the standing committees on Villages, Boys' Industrial School, and Common Schools.
(Written by F. P. Geiger, Supt. of Schools, Canal Dover, O.)
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DR. CHARLES D. WATKINS.
Dr. Charles D. Watkins has the honor of being the first Republican Repre- sentative ever elected in Licking county. He was born in Fultonham, Mus- kingum county, Ohio, on September 22, 1864, and is a son of Dr. John Watkins, who was Representative from Muskingum county in 1840. He removed to Licking county in 1883 and graduated from the Columbus Medical College in 1886, since which time he has resided in Etna. He was married in 1887 to Miss Essie M. Farrell, of Columbus, Ohio, who died in 1903, leaving three daughters, Irma, Ruth and Marcia and one son, Charles.
He is a member of the I. O. O. F., Knight Templar, a Shriner and a member of the M. W. A.
He is a member of the standing committees on Public Works, Railroads and Telegraphs and Institution for the Deaf.
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T. H. WATSON.
T. H. Watson, Republican, Representative from Carroll-Harrison County, was born April 24, 1851, in Minerva, Stark County, Ohio, received a common school education at Minerva and lived there until twenty-three years old, when he was married to Mary Hursh. His father was a stone mason by trade and taught him the trade. He commenced working at the age of eighteen and worked for four years for his father, then worked for Robert Rue for three years as fore- man. He commenced contracting for himself about 1876 .. Bought a farm south of Minerva in 1883 and moved on it, but continued contracting also until 1904, when he moved to Minerva. In 1902 he bought the Roller, Taylor and Grunder Hardware store in Minerva, which is known as the firm of Grunder & Watson now. He is a director of the bank in Minerva, having been elected in 1896, and still holds said office. He is a member of Trip Lodge No. 491, I. O. O. F., Car- rollton, Ohio, having been a member of the lodge for thirty-two years, and is also a member of the Masonic lodge of the same city. He has held several offices in the county of Carroll and is president of Carrollton County Agricul- tural Society. He is a member of the House committees on Agriculture, County Affairs, and Ditches and Drains.
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DUDLEY P. WAYNE.
Dudley P. Wayne, Republican, one of the Representatives from Hamilton County, was born in Cincinnati, May 18, 1861. Was educated in the public schools of that city, and then attended Urbana University, at Urbana, Ohio, where he graduated in 1881. He studied law in Ramsey, Matthews & Matthews office in Cincinnati, and at the same time attended the Cincinnati Law School, graduating with the class of 1883, and being admitted to the bar in June of that year. He was married to Adelaide L. Smith, of Urbana, Ohio, in December, 1884. Mr. Wayne was a pioneer in the settlement of South Dakota, where he helped to found the town of Ipswich, which became the county seat of Edmunds County, in 1884, and where he continued the practice of his profession until March, 1894, when, owing to climatic conditions, affecting his health, he re- turned to Cincinnati, where he now has a large and growing practice. Mr. Wayne was a member of the House in the 75th General Assembly. Mr. Wayne resides in Harrison, in the western part of the county and maintains his law office in Cincinnati. He has always been a Republican.
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JAMES A. WELKER. 1
James A. Welker, Republican Representative from Stark County, was born in 1869. Admitted to the bar in 1894, is a graduate of O. N. U. On the Common School, Enrollment, and Manufactures and Commerce standing committees of the House.
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EDWWIN S. WERTZ. .
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Edwin S. Wertz, Democratic member Wayne County. Born Dalton, Ohio, August 7, 1875. Son of W. H. H. and Carrie Virginia Wertz. Educated in Dalton public schools, prepared for college at Wooster University preparatory department. Studied at Ohio State University four years, completing in that time work scheduled for seven years. Graduated from college of Arts, Phil- osophy and Science with Ph.B. degree and from law college with LL.B. degree. During college life admitted to the bar in June, 1900. Was employed on the Press-Post as university reporter. After graduation in 1900 was employed by the Columbus Citizen as court house reporter until August, 1902, when he formed a partnership with his father in the wholesale hardwood lumber business with his office at Dalton. While working as a reporter, was a member of News- writer's Union No. 2, of Columbus, Ohio, and was one of the representatives from that body to the Columbus Trades and Labor Assembly. In 1901 was president of Young Men's Democratic Club, of Columbus. In 1898 left college and en- listed as a private in Light Battery H, First Ohio Vol. Artillery, serving seven months.
Member of I. O. O. F., K. O. T. M., and is a Knight Templar. Nominated for Representative by primary election with six candidates. Ran nearly 300 votes ahead of the ticket at the general election in November, 1903. Was Democratic nominee for Speaker Pro. Tem. of the House.
Served on committees on Common Schools, Public Ways, and Enrollment. Introduced the first state aid good roads bill, creating a state highway depart- ment in the state government, providing for the gradual permanent improve- ment of the public highways with the aid of and under the supervision of competent state authority. The provisions of the bill are now law in the Wertz- Fisher Good Roads Law. Introduced the following bills: Prohibiting the use of free passes by all public officials; repealing all perpetual franchises. In- troduced four bills looking to the betterment of rural schools. One required the employment of the same teacher for at least a full school year, and requiring at least thirty-two weeks of school each year. The second provided that the people of any township should be given a voice to say whether the schools should be centralized or not. The new code proposed giving the right to the boards of education only.
The third required that there should be regular graded courses of study in every elementary school, subject to the approval of the commissioner of com- mon schools. The fourth provided that when a teacher received a certificate in the county where he resided, it should be good for the unexpired time in any other county. The first three bills were incorporated in the new school code, and are now part of the school law. The fourth was also agreed to, but was stricken out by the conference committee. At present secretary of the Ohio Good Roads Association. He addressed House in an hour speech against Chap- man bill abolishing spring elections.
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WILLIAM CURTIS WHITNEY.
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William Curtis Whitney, Republican, one of the Representatives from Franklin County, was born at Kirtland, Lake County, Ohio, December 12, 1873. His father was a minister of the United Brethren church, and his early education was received in the public schools in various places in northeastern Ohio. He left the Akron high school for Otterbein University, Westerville, Ohio, in 1889, and was graduated from this school with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy. He married a classmate, Edith H. Turner, of Lewisburg, Prebe county, Ohio.
After a course in the Chicago Homeopathic Medical College, he was grad- uated in 1898 with the degree "Doctor of Medicine cum laude." While a student he spent his vacations working on the farm, in the shops and in a grocery.
After practicing medicine for two years at Richville, Stark County, Ohio, he was called in 1899 to the professorship of Biology and Geology in Otterbein University, which position he now holds, and is also college librarian. He continues in the practice of medicine and manages a dairy farm near the town. He is an ardent student of farm problems, and intensely interested in the ad- vancement of agriculture.
Dr. Whitney is a member of the committee on Common Schools, Institution for the Blind and Federal Relations.
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C. F. WILLIAMS, OF HAMILTON COUNTY.
Charles. F. Williams, Republican, a Representative from Hamilton County, is a practicing attorney. He also served in the 75th General Assembly, and was born April 23, 1873, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He attended the public schools, grad- uating from Woodward high school in 1891, and the Cincinnati Law Schools in 1897. Mr. Williams is a member of the standing committees on Elections, Finance, Public Works, Military Affairs (Chairman).
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W. J. WILLIAMS.
W. J. Williams was born May 21, 1869, on a farm near New Bedford, Law- rence County, Pa. He is a graduate of the Normal department of Mount Union College, and of the Puget Sound University at Tacoma, Washington, receiving from the latter institution the degree of A.B. H. was admitted to the bar in 1895, and has been practicing law at Youngstown, Ohio, since 1897. He was married in 1895 to Sara L. Cooper, the daughter of James A. Cooper, of Coits- ville, Ohio, and has one child, Alice K. Williams.
He is probably the most expert theoretical fisherman in the state, and in the organization of the 76th Assembly, his ability in this line was recognized by Speaker Thomas, who conferred upon him the distinguished honor of chair- man of the Fish and Game committee.
He was probably the most regular and constant attendant at the sessions of the House of which he was a member, and at all committee meetings, of any member of the 75th or 76th General Assembly, and no matter what the condi- tion of the weather, Mr. Williams was always found in his place attending to the great and arduous duties incident to his office, and it was a matter of common comment as to how he succeeded in devoting himself so exclusively to the duties of his office without impairing his health. He hopes that as a reward for all the aforesaid, he may have this published, together with his photograph in that great literary work so interesting to read, containing the brilliant eulogies which so many eminent statesmen have pronounced upon themselves, known as The Biographical Annals of Ohio.
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