USA > Ohio > Noble County > The county of Noble; a history of Noble County, Ohio, from the earliest days, with special chapter on military affairs, and special attention given to resources. > Part 20
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He continued his arduous field duties on through to Richmond and Washington City. After the grand review of Sherman's army, in which he participated, his regiment was ordered to Cleveland, Ohio, where he was honorably mustered out. Flattering offers at Washing- ton to remain in the army were made to Dr. Simons, but for family reasons were respectfully declined, and he returned to Cambridge, Ohio, where he engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery.
In 1881, he accepted the nomination for state senator on the Repub- lican ticket in a strong democratic district. He made a spirited fight but was defeated by a greatly reduced majority. Dr. Simons has been closely identified with the political affairs of the county, dis- trict and state, having served several terms as chairman and secretary of the county central and executive committees in which he formerly lived. He has served as president of judicial conventions and as vice-president of state conventions. He has held important city offices, and for a time served as a member of the U. S. Pension Board. He was married to Mrs. Arena Ann Kells, nee Teener, June 11, 1884. In 1894, he removed to Canton, Ohio, owing to the ill health of his wife and stepdaughter, thinking to benefit them in the change. While in Canton he engaged in his profession. He is a prominent member of the G. A. R., having been Post Surgeon of Canton Post, No. 25, G. A. R. He took an active part in the campaign of 1896, being an intimate personal friend of President Mckinley, and a member of the G. A. R. reception committee during the campaign. In 1897, he returned to Caldwell, Ohio, where he had business inter- ests that demanded his attention, and where he now resides. His wife was the estimable daughter of Henry and Elizabeth Teener.
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She was born in Cumberland, Ohio, August 23, 1849. She was the widow of James Kells, a gallant soldier of the Seventy-eighth regi- ment, Ohio Volunteer infantry, who was severely wounded July 22, 1864, and was a prisoner in the Andersonville prison pen for some months. His death was due to wounds and exposure in the Army. Dr. Simons' stepdaughter, Mattie L. Kells, was married November 20, 1895, to Edward J. Kane. To them were born : A son, Harold Hastings Kane, January 1, 1897, in Canton, Ohio; a daughter, Ger- aldine Teener Kane, August 14, 1899, in Caldwell, Ohio. Harold Hastings Kane was named from the father's side, being of the old illustrious house of Hastings of Ireland. Mrs. Kane is an accom- plished painter, musician, and social favorite. Mr. E. J. Kane is in the wholesale and retail hardware business in West Union, Weston, and Bealington, W. Va., under the firm names of Kane & Keyser Hardware Company and Kane & Co. Hardware Company. Dr. Simons' grandfather was named Richard Perry Simons. He moved from near Philadelphia, Penn., to Ohio. His grandmother's maiden name was Catharine White. Their only son and child was Dr. Simons' father. Richard Perry Simons was a captain in the war of 1812-14. They both died at Zanesville, Ohio, and were buried in a family lot. They were both earnest and consistent pio- neer members of the Methodist Episcopal church at that place. Henry Teener, the father of Mrs. Arena A. Simons, was born in Loudoun county, Va., August 18, 1814. He moved to Noble county, Ohio, with his parents, and pursued the occupation of a far- mer, in which he was most successful, acquiring through indomitable energy and great management, an independent competence. He retired from business in 1880, and moved to Caldwell, Ohio, where he lived a retired life with his wife until he died, May 15, 1888. Elizabeth Hamilton Teener, the mother of Mrs. Simons, was born near Hiramsburg, Noble county, Ohio, April 15, 1815. Her parents were farmers and quite extensive land owners. She was married to Henry Teener May 9, 1839. She was an estimable, kind, and loving wife. She was of incalculable help to her husband in all his early life ventures and struggles. She was an earnest Christian mother, raising her family in the Methodist faith. They both died in Cald- well, Ohio, and their remains are buried in the cemetery at Cumber- land, Ohio, where several of their children were buried who died in infancy.
LEANDER F. CAIN, M. D., of Caldwell Ohio, a leading physician and surgeon and a prominent member of the Ohio legislature, was born in Noble county, on a farm three miles east of Caldwell, July 21, 1856. His father was James Cain, a native of Noble county, a teacher in early life, for twenty-five years a justice of the peace, and
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all of his life a leading and successful farmer. The mother of Dr. Cain was Rosanna Racey, also a native of Noble county, and a member of one of the pioneer families of that section. Their family consisted of eight sons and two daughters. Three of the sons died inside of thirty days of diphtheria and in the succeeding period of forty-five years there has not been a case of serious illness among the other members of the family. Dr. Cain is the third son of his par- ents and was educated in the common schools of Noble county and at the State university of Bloomington, Ind. He taught school for the next eight years, five years of which time was spent in Noble county and three years in Indiana. He was graduated from the Kentucky School of Medicine in 1887 and since has engaged in general practice with Caldwell as his permanent home, though he has been compelled to do a great deal of traveling on account of his wife's health. He was married in 1887 to Quintilla J. Wiley, a native of Noble county and the daughter of one of the most prominent farmers and stock raisers of the county. Dr. and Mrs. Cain have had five children born to them, viz. : Durward C., who served in the Cuban and Philip- pine wars as a member of the Seventeenth United States infantry and later in the Ninth infantry; Wiley M., who died at the age of eighteen months; Claude W., a graduate of the dental department of the Northwestern University of Chicago and a skilled operator in dentistry ; Wilbur, who died at the age of nine months; Josephine Burgess, the only daughter, a student of the high school of Caldwell and an accomplished musician. Dr. Cain was reared in a Demo- cratic atmosphere but became a Republican soon after attaining his majority and has been a prominent member of that party for many years. He has devoted much time and attention to politics and has been an active platform speaker in different states during every presi- dential campaign since he became a voter. He never sought public office except when he was elected to the Seventy-fifth general assembly of Ohio in 1901. For several years prior to his election Dr. Cain had favored the abolition of State taxes on personal and real property and placing the same on corporations. He ran before the people on that platform and on the organization of the legislature he was appointed a member of the committee on taxation. Through his agi- tation of this question the law was passed reducing the rate of taxa- tion for State purposes from $2.85 per $1,000 to $1.35, $1 of which is for school purposes. This law meant a great savings for the people of Ohio and in Noble county the reduction in taxation was in excess of $14,000. He is the author of the Cain-Dow law, which contem- plates the successful collection of the Dow tax. The doctor's position was that any one holding a government license to sell whiskey, unless a registered pharmacist engaged in a legitimate drug business, was a dealer in liquors and amenable to the provisions of the Dow law,
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which in many instances was being avoided. The passing of the Cain law has increased the State revenues more than $100,000 during the first year of its operation and has driven out of business numbers of disreputable dives. Dr. Cain secured more appointments for his con- stituents than all other representatives from his district for the past ten years, and while this is a duty that makes some enemies of the disappointed applicants, yet it is an important part of the work of a legislative representative. Mrs. Cain is an active worker in the cause of Christianity, a member of the Methodist church and the friend and counsellor of the young people, who love her greatly for her unselfish interest in their welfare.
BENJAMIN B. WALLER, deceased, was born in Guernsey county in 1823 and came to Noble county in 1858. He was a carpenter by trade, but after his removal to Noble county, he entered politics and held a number of important official positions. For many years he was postmaster of Caldwell, being commissioned first in 1863, and holding the office until 1885. He was elected County Recorder in 1863 and re-elected in 1866, serving six years. For six years, from 1872 to 1878, he was Deputy Sheriff of Noble county, and per- formed the duties of this office as he did all others, with characteristic attention to duty. At the first call to arms, Mr. Waller enlisted in Company K, Thirtieth Ohio Volunteer infantry, and participated in all the arduous campaigns of his company, until he was wounded in the battle of South Mountain, and discharged for disability on February 5, 1863. This wound disabled him through life and was one of the causes that ultimately brought about his death, which occurred on March 22, 1886. Mr. Waller was descended from Welsh and German parents. His father, Joseph Waller, was born July 13, 1791; his mother, Sarah Borde, December 4, 1791, the former a Welshman, the latter of German descent. Mr. Benjamin B. Waller was married on August 22, 1847, to Margaret Stuart, a native of Bel- mont county, and a daughter of James and Ann (Linn) Stuart. Mr. Stuart was a descendant of Scotch ancestors, his father being the founder of the family in America. Mrs. Waller was reared and edu- cated in Guernsey county, and after her marriage was her husband's assistant in the various offices which he held. To their union were born three sons and four daughters, five of the family now living. These are Clara Alta, now Mrs. Sturtevant, of Colorado Springs, Colorado; Anna Izetta, now Mrs. Holliday, of Eureka, Florida ; Saidee Evelyn, now Mrs. William M. Miller, of Dresden, Ohio; Joseph Emmett, a physician in Salem, Nebraska; Wilber Fiske, a journalist at Crooksville Ohio; and Walter Bell, a dentist, who died at Jackson, California, in 1897. Mr. Waller was an active member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a worthy member of Olive
13
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Lodge, and zealous worker in the Grand Army of the Republic. He and his wife were active members of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a well known and an exemplary member of society. Mrs. Waller still lives in the home, left her on the death of her husband, being well provided for in future years. She is a member of Noble Rebecca Lodge No. 376, Daughters of Rebecca, and is at present Deputy Grand Master of the district in which the Lodge is located.
LEANDER W. WHEELER, of Caldwell, Ohio, probate judge of Noble county and a leading citizen, was born in Olive township of that county, March 10, 1853; son of Josiah and Ruth (Ralph) Wheeler. His father was born near Augusta, Me., in 1812, and when three years of age accompanied his parents to Ohio and was reared to man- hood at Marietta and vicinity. He came to Noble county in his young manhood, settled on a farm in Olive township and in 1831 married Miss Ralph. He lived on his farm for fifty-six years and died there on April 24, 1894, at the age of eighty-two years. Lean- der W. Wheeler was the third child in the family of four children and was educated in the public schools and at Beverly college. His early career was devoted to teaching in Noble county and for four- teen years he was one of the leading members of that honorable pro- fession in Noble county. Failing sight compelled him to retire from the schoolroom and he purchased a farm of one hundred acres, located one and a quarter miles north of Caldwell, and there prospered as a farmer for several years. In 1899 he was elected to the office of probate judge for a term of three years, and in 1902 he was re-elected, and consequently is now serving his second term in that important office. He is an active and influential Republican, both of his races having been made under the banner of that party and he stands high in its councils. Judge Wheeler was married on October 19, 1879, to Siretta J. Webber, a member of a prominent family of Noble county and a native of Olive township, born on September 10, 1853. Two children have been born to them, viz .: Clyde C., who is an assistant to his father in the office and a student of the high school of Caldwell ; Capitola, a girl of nine years. Judge Wheeler is identified with a number of the leading fraternal orders, holding membership in the Masons, the Odd Fellows, of which he is a Past Grand and Past Chief Patriarch, and in the Knights of Pythias. He has nice holdings of farm and city property and is one of the substantial citizens of the county.
WALLACE H. COOLEY, of Caldwell, Ohio, for many years promi- nently identified with journalism in southeastern Ohio, was born in Fayette county, Pa., May 1, 1843, and when sixteen years of age came to Ohio. His parents, John and Maria Louisa (Bryant) Cooley,
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were life residents of Pennsylvania and reared a family of ten chil- dren to maturity. Wallace H. Cooley was the third child of his par- ents, received a good education in his youth and began life in a printing office in the humble capacity of "devil." On his arrival in Ohio he secured a position as a journeyman printer and was so employed from 1859 to June 24, 1861, when he joined the army. He enlisted in Company I, Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer infantry, and served first in the Army of West Virginia and in July, 1862, was transferred to the Army of the Potomac and participated in the sec- ond battle of Bull Run, under General Fremont. He remained with the Army of the Potomac until after the battle of Gettysburg, when his command was sent south and they took part in the siege of Charles- ton. He continued in the army until June 24, 1864, when he was mustered out and returned to Pittsburg, where he secured employ- ment in a printing office. In 1867 he removed to Caldwell and three years later purchased the Noble County Republican, which he con- ducted with great success until July, 1898, when he disposed of this paper. During the active years of his life Mr. Cooley was a recog- mized leader in local politics and always a stalwart Republican. No man in the county wielded a stronger political influence or could con- trol more votes. He was always a consistent Republican and invar- iably supported the entire ticket, no matter what his personal preference might be in the matter. He was married on October 14, 1872, to Miranda E., daughter of James P. and Sarah (Kent) Reed, natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The Reeds are among the most prominent families of Southeast Ohio, having settled there in 1806. Mr. and Mrs. Cooley have had five children born to them, three of whom are dead; Mary, Maynard and Emma died in infancy and the surviving children are Robert Chandler and Wallace Herman. These sons are young men of bright promise, liberally edu- cated and thoroughly equipped for the duties of life. Robert is a stenographer in the division freight office of the Pennsylvania rail- road at Cambridge, Ohio, and Wallace is a photographer of Pittsburg, Pa. Mrs. Cooley is an active member of the Methodist church, a member of the various social orders of that body and an earnest worker in matters religious. Mr. Cooley has been prominently iden- tified with the Masons, the Odd Fellows and the Grand Army of the Republic for many years and is one of the most widely known citi- zens of Noble county.
DAVID FRIEDMAN, of Caldwell, Ohio, the leading merchant of Noble county, and one of the commissioners from Ohio to the Louis- iana Purchase Centennial exposition, was born in Austria on July 4, 1866, and was reared and educated in his native country. He came to America in 1883, following an older brother, then a traveling
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salesman. David Friedman began his business career in America as a salesman, in a small way, and has worked himself up to his pres- ent important position in the commercial world. He and his brother. M. P. Friedman, engaged in the mercantile business at Byesville, Ohio, and eight years later the business was divided and enlarged, M. P. going to Cleveland and David locating at Caldwell. Their affairs have prospered and today Mr. Friedman has the largest store in Noble county. He conducts a department store of high class, with a stock that is complete in every detail and he enjoys the patronage of the best people of that entire section. The Cleveland enterprise, in charge of his brother, M. P. Friedman, is engaged in the manufacture of pearl buttons and is in a highly prosperous condition. The two concerns give employment to one hundred and seventy-five people and are flourishing business enterprises. Mr. Friedman is an active work- ing Republican and has at various times attended as a delegate the county, congressional and State conventions of that party. He is a man of wide information and broad business experience, and Gover- nor Nash, recognizing him as such, appointed him a member of the commission from Ohio to the Louisiana Purchase Centennial exposi- tion. This appointment was made on Thanksgiving day, 1902, upon the recommendation of Hon. L. F. Cain, and gave general satisfaction throughout the State, as Mr. Friedman is very popular in the home of his adoption and possesses the esteem and friendship of the leading men of Southeastern Ohio. He is prominently identified with the Masonic order, being a Royal Arch Mason and a great worker for that grand fraternity. Mr. Friedman is unmarried and when his sister, Mrs. Ellen Alter, became a widow, in the old country, he brought her and her two children to Ohio and she is now in charge of the economy of his household. He has also brought a younger brother, Henry, to America and he is now employed in the mercantile Establishment at Caldwell. Mr. Friedman is educating the children of his sister and is fitting his younger brother for the practical busi- ness of life. Mr. Friedman has made a great success of his career and is a striking example of what may be accomplished in America if the immigrant possess ability, integrity and energy.
DAVID S. SPRIGGS, of Caldwell, Ohio, attorney and counselor at law, was born in Centerville, Belmont county, Ohio, January 10, 1835 ; a son of Morris D. and Catherine (Pool) Spriggs, both natives of Washington county, Penn., whence they came to Belmont county, Ohio, about 1828. In 1844 they removed to Guernsey county, the territory upon which they settled now being a part of Noble county ; in 1856 they removed to the vicinity of Senecaville; and in the fall of 1867 removed to Wayne county, Ill., where they resided the rest, of their lives. His father spent the early years of his life as a tailor
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but for many years prior to his death was identified with the agricul- tural interests in the various communities in which he made his home. David S. Spriggs was the fourth child and was educated in the com- mon schools of his native state and began his career as a teacher, stud- ying law in the meantime. He was admitted to practice by the dis- trict court of Noble county in 1859 and began the practice of his pro- fession at Sarahsville in 1860. After the removal of the county seat to Caldwell he moved to that place and has practiced continuously in that town since 1866. He has been engaged in general practice, hav- ing no specialties and has enjoyed a large and lucrative practice. He was married on November 28, 1857, to Nancy Windom, a native of Belmont county, daughter of George Windom and a niece of William Windom, secretary of the treasury of the United States under Gar- field. Her mother was Elizabeth Bits, of German descent and a member of a well known family. Mr. and Mrs. Spriggs have three children, viz. : Belle, wife of George C. Jennings, a lawyer of Woods- field, Ohio ; Homer O., an express agent at Bluefields, W. Va. : Fred, an attorney of Bellaire, Ohio, and a member of the firm of Tallmau & Spriggs. Mr. Spriggs is a Democrat of the Jeffersonian sort and has taken a prominent part in the affairs of that party. He has never wavered or faltered in his steadfast adherence to his party, always votes for the candidates of Democracy whether they are his choice or not and throughout his long life has been a consistent member of that great party. In 1863 he was a candidate for probate judge but went down with his party. In 1869 he was a candidate for prosecuting attorney but was defeated by the well known writer, James M. Dal- zelle. In 1871 he reversed the situation and defeated Mr. Dalzelle, though in a county largely Republican. In 1875 he and Dalzelle were arrayed against each other in a race for membership in the lower house of Ohio and Dalzelle was elected by the narrow margin of seven votes, though the county normally gave a Republican major- ity of two hundred and fifty. In 1885, Mr. Spriggs was commis- sioned postmaster of Caldwell, his appointment being the first made by a president as office had not previously been of sufficient importance to call for such high action in regard to placing a postmaster in charge. In recent years Mr. Spriggs has persistently declined to become a can- didate for any office, though his energy has not relaxed or his ardor cooled for the Democratic party. He supported Bryan in all of his campaigns and has been a frequent delegate to the State, congressional and judicial conventions. He is prominently identified with the Masonic order, being a charter member of Olive lodge, No. 139, and having been affiliated with the fraternity since 1865. Mr. Spriggs enjoys a splendid reputation in Noble county, both as a lawyer and as a man, and he is well and favorably known throughout that district.
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HERMAN C. HUPP, D. D. S., a prominent dentist of Caldwell, Ohio, was born in Buffalo township, Noble county, March 24, 1876. He is a son of Daniel and Mary Hupp, both of whom were also natives of Noble county. Daniel Hupp was one of the most prosperous busi- ness men of the county and besides looking after his large real estate interests, he was also extensively engaged in buying and selling live stock and in merchandising, until his sudden death, from heart-dis- ease, in 1880. Dr. Hupp was educated in the public schools of his native town. He began the study of dentistry in 1896 in the office of Dr. A. P. Chambers at Caldwell, and after one year of this pre- paratory work, he entered the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery and after three years of a most thorough course at that famous insti- tution, he was graduated in 1900. The Baltimore College of Dental Surgery is said to be the oldest institution of that kind in the world, and its standing is such, that its diplomas are regarded as evidence of eminent qualifications, and the possessor of one of these prized docu- ments is in a fair way to professional success. Dr. Hupp began the practice of his profession in Caldwell, where he occupies a fine suite of rooms in the Mills block. He has established an extensive practice among the best people of the town and community. On May 1, 1902, he was married to Miss Ruby Young, a daughter of William Young, deceased. Mrs. Hupp was educated in Caldwell and is a lady of intel- ligence and refinement. Dr. Hupp and wife are both members of the Methodist church. Politically, the doctor is a Republican. He is a member of his college fraternity, called the Psi Omega Dental Fra- ternity. He is also a member of the Knights of Pythias, Masonic and Independent Order of Odd Fellows orders. The mother of Dr. Hupp resides on a farm near Caldwell. Her grandson, Walter Hid- dleston, operates the farm. Walter's mother was Mrs. Nora Hiddles- ton, deceased, the only daughter of Daniel and Mary Hupp, there being but two children in the family, Nora and Herman C.
WILLIAM HENRY RICHCREEK, artist, of Caldwell, Ohio, was born in Knox county, Ohio, on a farm, December 21, 1861. He is a son of Edward and Delilah (Johnson) Richcreek, both natives of Ohio. The father was a successful farmer, and died in 1880 at the age of fifty years, and the mother in April, 1882. Mr. and Mrs. Edward Richcreek were the parents of a family of seven children, six of whom are living : John W., a farmer in Coshocton county, the eldest ; Will- iam Henry; Jennie, now Mrs. McFarland of Coshocton county ; George M., a farmer in Knox county ; Nettie, the wife of Oscar Tan- ner, an engineer in Newark, Ohio; and Alberta, who died in Novem- ber, 1901, aged twenty-two years. Mr. W. H. Richcreek was edu- cated in the public schools of Coshocton county and worked on a farm until his twenty-second year. Leaving the farm he learned the art
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