USA > Ohio > The biographical cyclopaedia and portrait gallery with an historical sketch of the state of Ohio. Volume III > Part 41
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any deserving enterprise, and is not afraid to trust his judg- ment in making investments. He likes a good horse, and usually drives two of them. By superior foresight, Mr. Davis has investments in some of the most profitable enterprises in our city, and seldom makes a mistake in his estimate of the outcome of any business enterprise. Whatever he under- takes is ' pushed for all there is in it.' Hc takes no little in- terest in local affairs and in political movements generally, adhering to his party, the Democratic, in State and national contests, but supporting the best men for local offices, regard- less of party affiliations. He is a good type of the best New England business men, and those who know him best esteem him most." In 1872, Mr. Davis, in company with his wife, visited England, Ireland, and the Continent. Since that time his wife has made two extended visits to Europe. For thirty years Mr. Davis has attended the Episcopal Church, and for the past twenty-five years has been vestryman of the same. He was married April, 1851, to Miss Eunice H. Parmele, of Syracuse, New York, and their home in Toledo is noted for its hospitality and refined sociability.
CUMMINGS, JOHN, merchant of Toledo, was born in Richland County, Ohio, May 4th, 1834. His parents, Robert and Mary (White) Cummings, were both natives of Pennsylvania, but came to Ohio in the early part of the pres- ent century. His father was, by occupation, a farmer and general contractor. After receiving a preliminary education at the common schools young Cummings entered, at the age of sixteen, the Ontario College, near Ontario, Indiana, where he remained until he had completed the prescribed course of studies in that institution. His attention was then directed to the Far West, and at the age of twenty he went to Cali- fornia, serving in the dual capacity of banker and agent for the Adams Express Company at Michigan Bluff. Here he was successfully and profitably engaged for four years. Re- turning to Ohio in 1857, he located in Toledo, where, in com- pany with an older brother, he engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe trade, under the firm name of R. & J. Cum- mings, which has continued up to the present time. With one or two exceptions it is the largest wholesale boot and shoe house in Ohio. Their trade is very extensive, and wherever known in the mercantile world, the name of R. & J. Cummings is the symbol of honor and integrity. Though for a quarter of a century Mr. Cummings's time has been chiefly occupied with the affairs of this, his principal business interest, he has not been idle in other fields of enterprise, nor has he ever failed to bear his part in public matters, or do his duty when the public good demanded it. Mr. Cum- mings is interested in some of the largest corporations in Toledo, among which is the Milburn Wagon Works, of which he was one of the projectors, and has been for years director in the same. He is also director in the Toledo and Wabash Ele- vator Company, Merchants' National Bank, Toledo and Ann Arbor Railroad Company, Toledo Molding Works, Toledo Gas and Coke Company, vice-president of Produce Ex- change, and several other industries. He was one of the organizers of the Tri-State Fair Association, and is at present its vice-president. Mr. Cummings is a great admirer of fast horses, and usually drives some of the finest specimens of the turf. He is one of the best known members of the National Horsemen's Association, and is regarded high authority on all matters pertaining thereto. His political affiliations have always been with the Democratic party, though he has never
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participated in political affairs. His ambition and tastes have always run in an entirely different channel, and the only office he has ever seen fit to accept was that of Police Commissioner, having been appointed by Governor Foster upon the organization of the Board of Police Commissioners of Toledo, by the act of the State Legislature in 1881. Mr. Cummings has been, for years, one of the first citizens of Toledo, than whom there is none more highly esteemed for his many excellent qualities. He is a man whose counsels in all business and public matters are wise and just. His impulses are benevolent and humane, and his whole life has been characterized by the purest motives and generous deeds. He was married December 16th, 1862, to Miss Carrie Sinclair, of Monroe, by whom he has two daughters.
SHORT, FREDERICK HENRY, secretary and treas- urer of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Dayton Railroad and its connections, was born at Middletown, Conn., September 2d, 1825. His mother was grand-daughter of Eunice Edwards, a sister of the late Rev. Jonathan Edwards, LL. D. The parents of Mr. Short both died in his childhood. Thus left an infant, he was taken at once into the home of his uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Lathrop, who did all for him that parents could have done, and for whom he cherishes a grate- ful recollection. From that uncle, who was a school-teacher, he received his only instruction. At the age of twenty-one he went to Northampton on a visit, and, while there, was persuaded to remain and act as clerk in a store. While thus employed, he attracted the attention of Mr. James Lyman, then connected with the Connecticut River Railroad, who offered him a situation upon that road. He accepted, and served about two years as clerk to its superintendent, Mr. Josiah Hunt. His health being impaired by close confine- ment to the office, by the advice of his physician he sought out-door employment, and engaged as a conductor of passen- ger and freight trains running between Northampton and Springfield. Shortly afterwards he engaged as clerk in the post-office at Northampton, serving as such about two months, a part of the time running as route-agent between Springfield, Mass., and Brattleboro, Vt. During this time he was seeking employment in the West. In December, 1851, he went to New York City, and took a position as entry clerk in the store of Claflin, Mellen & Co., now H. B. Claflin & Co. While thus employed, he met Messrs. George Carlisle and S. S. L'Hommedieu (who had just completed the C. H. & D. Rail- road), to whom he had been recommended as possessing such qualifications as would be of service in the conduct of their new road. Mr. Short was thereupon employed as clerk in the general office, and immediately went to Cincinnati, O., arriving there Saturday night, January 31st, 1852. He began work as a general clerk and paymaster, sometimes running as a passenger conductor in addition to his office duties until 1857, when he was elected secretary and treasurer of that road. In 1874 he was elected president, and served as such until 1877, when he resigned and took his old po- sition, in which he is now serving. No man, now living, has done more to build up and maintain the present credit and standing of that road than Mr. Short. His integrity, in- dustry, and application in the discharge of his official duties, are well-known characteristics. Many millions of dollars have passed through his hands. It is saying much, but it is true, that his reputation for honesty and faithfulness more than once availed that road in its financial emergencies. His
record as an officer, ability as a financier, and personal worth, inspired confidence on the part of the friends of that road, who, by reason thereof, rendered financial aid during the dark period commencing in 1873 and extending through his entire administration as president. Mr. Short married Mrs. Semele Reeder Bloomer, a daughter of the late Ralph Reedcr, a man of remarkable inventive genius and one of the pioneers of Hamilton County. Their marriage oc- curred January 29th, 1856, at Galena, III. Mr. Short stands high in the respect and esteem of his fellow-citizens. Thor- oughly absorbed in the cares of his office, he gives but little time to any thing else, and is only known in business circles as a representative railroad man; while some have become railroad kings, and amassed fortunes through their connec- tions with these powerful corporations, he has been content with seeking only his own in the faithful, continuous, and laborious discharge of the duties of his office.
FRAZER, ABNER LORD, merchant, head of the wholesale grocery house of Abner L. Frazer & Co., Cincin- nati, and president of the Ohio State Society for the Preven- tion of Cruelty to Children and Animals, was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 21st, 1821. He was named in honor of his grandfather, Colonel Abner Lord, of Revolu- tionary fame, who emigrated from Connecticut in 1794, and settled near Marietta, Ohio, being among the first to locate in that part of the State. Mr. Frazer was left an orphan at an early age by the death of his father. His mother after- wards intermarried with Hon. Benjamin Tappan, then a member of the Ohio Legislature, and removed to Steuben- ville, Ohio. He obtained his early education in the very best schools of the town, but pursuing Latin and French under private tutors. In his sixteenth year he entered the engineering service of the State of Ohio as rodman, receiv- ing as compensation twelve dollars a month, with an allow- ance of two dollars a week for board, and was assigned to the construction of the Miami Canal froin Dayton to Troy. This work was completed in the fall of 1836, and the corps, under charge of Andrew Young, as principal engineer, and Samuel Farrer as engineer-in-chief of the State, went to work on the construction of the Wabash and Erie Canal, from Manhattan and Toledo westward to the State line. After the work of location had been accomplished, he was placed in charge of the division from Maumee to Provi- dence, along the rapids of the Maumee, Daniel B. Taylor acting as principal assistant engineer. He was eventually compelled to return to Steubenville, owing to impaired health resulting from the malarial condition of that section of the State. After a Winter trip to New Orleans, as supercargo of a flat-boat belonging to his brother, James A. Frazer, he once more returned to Steubenville, greatly improved in health. At the suggestion of Judge Tappan, then a member of the United States Senate, he purchased an interest in the Democratic newspaper of Jefferson County, and at once began editorial work upon it. His paper, the American Union, took a radical and uncompromising attitude regarding banks, the tariff, and other topics that were then prominent political issues. Political work and political study went together with him, and in his studies he commenced at the beginning and gave more and deeper thought to the Declaration of Inde- pendence than he had hitherto done. This led him gradu- ally but irresistibly to the conviction that slavery was wrong, and under the force of this conviction he became a " Free-
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soiler," and identified himself with the Republican party at its organization. In the mean time he bought the only book- store in the place, and infused his characteristic energy into the business, in addition to attending to his editorial labors. When the question of latitudinal railroads across Ohio began to be considered, his public spirit became fully aroused. He believed Steubenville was on the direct route between New York and the West, and in this belief assisted in the recon- noissance between Pittsburg and Columbus. Being satisfied of the practicability of the route, the Steubenville and In- diana Railroad Company was organized for its construction, and for a time he and one or two others bore almost the entire weight of the enterprise upon their own shoulders ; and had they not done so, it is doubtful if that now popular road known as the Pan-handle Line would ever have been built. Mr. Frazer participated in the location and construc- tion, and has lived to see his predictions of the importance of this road more than realized. In 1856 he abandoned the profession of engineering and removed to Cincinnati, where he entered the wholesale grocery house of his brother James. Since his residence in that city he has been a member of the Board of Education, and assisted in organizing the University of Cincinnati. He was for a time one of the board of officers in the Chamber of Commerce, and as such urged the annual repetition of the Textile Fabric Exhibition, and thus estab- lished what has since become the Cincinnati Industrial Ex- position. Mr. Frazer is one of the leading merchants of Cincinnati. The firm, of which he is the head, are worthy successors of the house founded by his brother James A. Frazer, who, upon his death, was also regarded as one of the foremost citizens and business men of that city. As presi- dent of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and Animals, Mr. Frazer is a distinguished representive of that philanthropic and benevolent sentiment that is widely spreading throughout the State, and which is actuating the better class of its citizens to organize themselves to stand as defenders for the defenseless and helpers of the helpless. It is through his efforts that a new paper devoted to the interests of the society, and entitled The Humane Educator, has been established in Cincinnati. Mr. Frazer was married when twenty-three years of age to Miss Martha J. McDowell, daughter of Alexander J. McDowell, of Steubenville, Ohio, and granddaughter of Colonel McDowell, who served on General Washington's staff. Mr. and Mrs. Frazer reside in the McCormick Place, Mt. Auburn, one of the pleasantest portions of Cincinnati. Mr. Frazer was brought up in the Protestant Episcopal Church and was confirmed when twenty- four years of age by Bishop McIlvaine. He has always been active in matters pertaining to the moral and religious wel- fare of the community. For two years he was president of the Ohio State Sunday-school Union. Thus, Mr. Frazer is serving his day and generation. His life has been crowded with kind deeds. Benevolent, philanthropic, charitable, pos- sessing a high, moral, and religious nature, and great indus- try and perseverance, he has already made an impression for good upon the community in which he lives, that shall be more enduring as a monument to his memory, than any thing into which bronze or stone could be fashioned.
MILLIKIN, MINOR, soldier, was born in Hamilton, Ohio, July 9th, 1834, the son of Major John M. Millikin, who was for a long time president of the State Board of Agricul- ture. His early education was acquired in the high schools
of Hamilton, and under the watchful eyes of his parents. After a course at Hanover College, Indiana, he graduated at the Miami University in 1854. At college he was remarked for his gentlemanly bearing, chivalric manners, and personal independence. On leaving the university he went immedi- ately to the Harvard Law School. Here he made himself prominent in the exciting discussions of the slavery questions of the time, by his bold and enthusiastic denunciation of that institution. The following year he came to Cincinnati and entered the law office of Hon. Thomas Corwin, his father's friend. A year later he married a lady to whom he had been engaged while at College-Miss Mollineaux of Oxford, and traveled in Europe for another year, on his wedding tour. On his return, he purchased the Hamilton Intelligencer, the republican organ of his county, and for the next two years, edited it. He improved the hours of leisure now afforded him, by extending his studies, but never intended to practice the law. Disposing of his newspaper, he returned to his farm near Hamilton, and was engaged in improving it, when the war broke out. Though possessed of comparative wealth, and at this time a young husband and father, his patriotic convictions led him to the field. Being a fine horseman his taste inclined him to the cavalry service. Recruiting in this department was, however, slow work, as there was great difficulty at first in getting cavalry companies accepted, their formation having been discouraged by the government. He, however, enlisted himself as a private, and soon had the nucleus of a company. The government not furnishing horses in time, and feeling anxious to get the company off for the West Virginia campaign, Millikin purchased twenty- four at his own expense. His recruits were embodied in . Captain Burdsall's Cincinnati company, of which he was presently made sergeant, and then lieutenant. After a three months' campaign in West Virginia, with the confidence of his men and the indorsement of his superior officers, as the best of the cavalry officers on duty in that department, he was appointed major of the 1st regiment of cavalry raised in Ohio for the three years' service. On the resignation of his colonel soon after, he was promoted to the vacancy. This promotion gave rise to much jealousy and trouble, and a charge of incompetency was at length preferred. He was ordered before a board of regular army officers for examina- tion, which he passed triumphantly, and received the warm- est compliments of his examiners as to his thorough fitness for the command of his regiment. While this matter was pending Colonel Millikin was attached to the staff of General George H. Thomas, who was his warm personal friend. After the examination he returned to his own regiment, but was not long to lead the disciplined body he had by his pa- triotic zeal created. At the battle of Stone River, he was de- tailed to repel an attack of rebel cavalry on the rear of the army. He led a charge to protect a valuable train, and was surrounded by a superior force. He refused to surrender, and - encouraged his men to cut their way out. A hand-to-hand encounter followed, and Colonel Millikin's fine swordsman- ship enabled him to defend himself with his sabre. Enraged at this, a rebel shot him with a revolver. The body was re- covered, but not before it had been stripped of valuables. After Colonel Millikin's death, General Thomas addressed a letter of condolence to his father in which occurred the fol- lowing passage: "It affords me the most sincere pleasure to express to you and to Mrs. Millikin, my utmost confidence in him, both as a friend and as a brave, accomplished, and
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BIOGRAPHICAL CYCLOPÆDIA AND PORTRAIT GALLERY.
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loyal officer -one on whose judgment and discretion I placed the greatest reliance. . . . While mourning his loss, you have the consolation of knowing that he fell, a Christian and patriot, gallantly defending the honor of his country."
YOUNG, THOMAS L., elected in 1875 lieutenant-gov- Arnor of Ohio ,hu tha alaction of Cavarnar D = D II.
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few minutes. For this and other acts of gallantry the Presi- dent brevetted him brigadier-general of volunteers, March 13th, 1865. After leaving the army he engaged in the study of law, and was admitted to practice in April, 1865, and in the same month was appointed assistant city auditor of Cin- cinnati. In October, 1865, he was elected to the State house from Hamilton county, and served one was elected recorder of Hamilton county n December, 1868, while yet serving in the form No. 1. as by President Johnson appointed super- revenue for the southern district of Ohio, ter holding it one year, and finding the eful and unpleasant under the new admin- ied. Having served his term as recorder y, he, for about a year, engaged in the pur- real estate, and in 1871 was the only repub- le State senate from Hamilton county, in ved with distinction two years. In 1872 he tnership with General H. B. Banning and nd in 1875 he was nominated and elected or of Ohio, running some thousands ahead the Presidential election of 1876, and sub- aking General R. B. Hayes President of the governorship of the State passed to the r, Thomas L. Young. He was sworn into ernor Hayes resigned, and served the re- m of his election, as governor of Ohio, with people of the State generally. He espe- thin this period, the attention of the public termined conduct of affairs during the tur- red the great railroad and miners' strike in : Congressional convention of 1878 he was of the second district of Ohio nominated, e Forty-sixth Congress by a satisfactory the most closely contested elections that ie State.
THOMAS T., the extensive and well- anufacturer of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born Morgan County, Indiana. When a mere removed to Warren County, Ohio. His Hannah (Thompson) Haydock, were both arolina, and were descended from Quaker e to America in the latter part of the 18th y years before the Rebellion, they were rdent and outspoken abolitionists in that e were the institutions of slavery to them ies removed to the Northern States years eceded. Mr. Haydock's mother and other amily were associated with the late Levi us efforts to assist slaves in their race for aydock's father having died while he was emained at home and worked upon his d attended the district school during the At the age of seventeen he entered Hol- hool at Lebanon, Ohio, and there pursued ne year. In 1868 he accepted a position lingsworth's Business College at Covington, thus engaged, August 22d, 1868, he married daughter of George and Sarah Sewell, of Though by birth and education a member of the Society of Friends, Mr. Haydock became a member of the Baptist Church about this time, and, in accord with his
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loyal officer-one on whose judgment and discretion I placed the greatest reliance. While mourning his loss, you have the consolation of knowing that he fell, a Christian and patriot, gallantly defending the honor of his country."
YOUNG, THOMAS L., elected in 1875 lieutenant-gov- ernor of Ohio, by the election of Governor R. B. Hayes to be President of the United States, became ex-officio, and took the oath of office as governor of Ohio in February, 1877. He was born December 14th, 1832, in the town of Killyleagh, county Down, Ireland. While yet a lad of twelve years old he came with his parents to this country, arriving in New York, where he was educated in the common schools of that city, and when not sixteen years old enlisted in the regular army, and reënlisted, serving in all ten years, during five of which he was orderly-sergeant of company A, 3rd artillery. Becom- ing tired of the aimless life of a private soldier in time of peace, after his second term of service expired he visited the home of his parents who, meanwhile, had moved to and settled upon a farm in the northern part of Pennsylvania, on one of the upper tributaries of the Susquehanna river, and there he engaged in the business of a country merchant until 1859, when he removed to Cincinnati, where he was soon afterward appointed assistant superintendent of the House of Refuge, a youths' reformatory establishment founded by the city, and which position he held when the war of the Rebellion began. As an intelligent man who had spent many years among the people of the South, he saw, as early as March, 1861, that war was determined upon by them, and in that month wrote a letter to General Scott, to whom he was personally known, offering his services as an assistant to organize volunteer forces for the service of the United States government, but to which letter, while thanking him for his zeal as a faithful soldier, the old general replied, declining to believe that such services would be required. Thirty days afterward Mr. Young assisted in organizing a volunteer company that never went into service, and in the August following he was commissioned a captain in General Fremont's body-guard, and served as such until the following January, when that organization was disbanded by General Halleck. He spent the subsequent six months in a somewhat desultory and aimless manner, for a part of the time editing a democratic newspaper at Sidney, Ohio, in which occupation he earnestly condemned the inde- cisive policy of the war, in those days manifested by the au- thorities, while never faltering in his advocacy of its vigorous prosecution. In August, 1862, he was again appointed to re- cruit a company for the 118th regiment Ohio volunteer infan- try, and in the organization of that regiment he was made its first major. With this rank he was ordered on detached ser- vice as provost-marshal to several points in Kentucky. In February, 1863, he was relieved of this style of service, and his colonel being promoted to the command of a brigade, Major Young was in turn promoted to the lieutenant-colo- nelcy of his regiment, and, as such, commanded it through the East Tennessee campaign. In April, 1864, his colonel hav- ing resigned his commission, he was commissioned colonel, and served as such until the 14th September following, when he was honorably discharged for disability caused by hard- ship and disease contracted during the previous twelve months service. At the battle of Resaca, near Dalton, in Georgia, Colonel Young led the first charge on the center of the enemy's works, his regiment losing in that charge one hund- red and sixteen men, out of two hundred and seventy, in a
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