The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 39

Author: Kennedy, Robert Patterson, 1840-1918
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1586

USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

After returning from the army he re- sumed his official and business duties in Huntsville, but in 1866 disposed of all his interests here and removed to Kenton. Ohio, where he became agent for the rail- road company and the United States Ex- press Company, acting in that capacity for seven years. He also dealt in grain at that place. In 1874 he resigned the agency at Kenton and entered the employ of the Peoria & Rock Island Railroad Company In 1856 Mr. Harrod became a member as agent at Orion, Ohio. where he re- . of the Masonic fraternity and has since mained for three years as railroad and ex- been faithful to its teachings and princi- press agent. He then returned to Hunts- ville, and in a very short time was again appointed postmaster. serving about three years. Once again he resigned in order to enter the insurance business as general agent, and for some years he was thus em- ployed. During the times he served as postmaster he was also engaged in mer- chandising and dealing in grain and stock. In 1885 he embarked in the hardware busi- ness in Huntsville, conducting his store in a successful manner for twelve years, when he sold out and since that time he has lived retired. He has, however, filled the position of notary public before and since disposing of his mercantile interests and since 1892 he has been mayor of the vil- ples. He was the first commander of Boggs Post of Huntsville, and has since held that office for several different terms. He was also a charter member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity. and in 1892 he joined the Methodist Episcopal church, of which he has since been a devoted mem- ber. From that time to the present he has held offices in the church and takes an active part in its work and progress. Since 1855 he has served for a number of terms as township clerk. No trust reposed in him has ever been betrayed in the slightest degree, and he takes deep interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community, and is a co-operant factor in many measures for general advancement.

326

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

THOMAS H. COOK.

"Success," said Napoleon, "depends up- on three things: energy, system and perse- verance." These qalities were manifested throughout the business career of James H. Cook, who was a machinist by trade, and for several years was superintendent of the machine shops of the Big Four Railroad Company, at Bellefontaine. He was also recognized as a prominent citizen here and his intrinsic worth of character gained for him the good will and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. A native of England, he was born in East Bridgeford, on the 26th of September. 1839. and is a son of William and Marie ( Huskinson) Cook, both of whom were natives of Eng- land, and with their family they emigrated to America in 1843 when their son Thomas was but three years of age. They first set- tled in Columbus, Ohio, and afterward lo- cated on a farm near Amherst, this state, where the father carried on agricultural pur- suits until his death, and his wife also died on that farm. Four of their children are still living, namely: Maria, the wife of Al- fred Crandall, of Bellefontaine : William H., also of this city: David, who is employed in the ship-yards of Amherst. Ohio: and George, who is living in Amherst.

Like the other members of his father's family, Thomas H. Cook acquired his edu- cation in the common school near Amherst. He possessed an observing eye and retentive memory and thus he added not a little to the knowledge which he gained in the school- room. While yet a boy, he became imbued with the desire to learn the machinist's trade and went to Columbus, Ohio, where he worked as a common laborer in different machine shops until he had mastered the

business. He then removed to Springfield. Illinois, where he was again employed as a machinist in the railroad shops for a short time. Later he removed to the west, set tling in Denver, Colorado, and secured a position as engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad, serving in that capacity in a most acceptable manner for seventeen years. At the end of that period he was caught in a wreck on his road and injured. Mr. Cook then returned to the east, settling in Mattoon, Illinois, where for a few years he was employed in railroad shops.

While in Denver, Mr. Cook was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Day, of Spring- field. Illinois, who died in Denver in 1881. leaving three children : William. who is an engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad and makes his home in Denver : David, who oc- cupies a similar position and resides in the same city : and Anna, the wife of William Hockmer, who is also an engineer on the Union Pacific Railroad. While in Mattoon. Illinois, Mr. Cook was again married, his second union being with Miss Rachel Jolin- son, a native of that place and a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Johnson, both of Mattoon. Her father followed farming there, and both he and his wife died in that place. Unto the second marriage of Mr. Cook there were born two children : Rossel. who was born January 8. 1887. and is now a student in the schools of Bellefontaine; and Thomas, who was born March 21. 1888, and is also pursuing his education here.

On leaving Mattoon, Illinois, Mr. Cook removed to Clifton Fords, Virginia, where he had charge of the Chesapeake &' Ohio Railroad shops for three years. He then took up his abode in Delaware, Ohio, and was in charge of the railroad shops at that

327

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

place for three years. He next came to · Bellefontaine and was given the superin- tendency of the machine shops of the Big Four Railroad, acting in that capacity in a most acceptable and capable manner until 1899, when he was taken ill and lost his eye-sight. He was then an invalid until his death, which occurred September 26. 1900.

In his political views Mr. Cook was a Republican when questions of state and national importance were involved. but at local elections where there was no issue be- fore the people he voted for the men regard- less of party affiliations. He was always a loyal and patriotic citizen, and in 1861, when the Civil War was inaugurated. he was in Springfield, Illinois, and was the first to en- list, becoming a member of the Illinois Vol- unteer Infantry. He was in the service for three months and was never injured. He afterward became a member of the Grand Army Post, of Springfield. He was also a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers of Huntington. Indiana, was con- nected with the Knight Templars of Mat - toon, Illinois, and was buried by the com- mandery at that place. Both he and his wife were devoted and faithful members of the Methodist Episcopal church of Bellefon- taine. Mr. Cook was always a hard work- ing man, who thoroughly understood all parts of machinery and when he became ill the Big Four Railroad System lost one of its.most trusted and capable emploves. He was well-known in Bellefontaine, where he had won many friends and his loss was, therefore, deeply deplored. Mrs. Cook now owns a nice residence at No. 214 East San- dusky street, where she is living with her children, and after they complete their edu- cation she intends to return to her native place-Mattoon. Illinois, -- and make that her permanent home.

ESLI POWERS.

Esli Powers is one of the esteemed and venerable citizens of Bellefountaine, whose life has been one of usefulness. activity and honesty, and therefore he has com- manded the respect and regard of his fel- low men. He was born in Pittsburg, Pa., February 19. 1819. and comes of Ken- tucky parentage. When he was but three years of age his parents removed with their family of six children to Logan county. Ohio, settling here in the year 1822. In the year 1826 five members of the family died of a fever within three months, including the father and mother. Our subject. one sister and a brother were left. The sister. Sarah, became the wife of Joseph Spain and died in 1899. The brother. John, is now living in Bellefon- taine with our subject at the extreme age of ninety-six years.

After the death of the parents Mr. Powers, of this review, went to live with an uncle, who removed from Pennsylva- nia. but later returned to Pittsburg. His brother Jolui also lived with the uncle. but the sister had been bound out, Our sub- ject remained a resident of his native city from 1836 until 1838 and in the meantime learned the tailor's trade. . After complet- ing his apprenticeship he again came to Logan county. Ohio, settling in Bellefon- taine in 1838. and in 1840 he removed to Cincinnati, where he resided until his marriage. In the year in which he took up his abode there he cast his first presiden- tial vote, supporting William Henry Har- rison.

Mr. Powers was united in marriage to Miss Phoebe Miller and remained in Cin- cinnati until 1847. conducting a tailoring establishment there. He next removed to

328

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

North Lewisburg. Champaign county. Ohio, where he turned his attention to farming, having purchased one hundred and twenty acres of land in connection with his brother-in-law. For five years he carried on agricultural pursuits and then came to Bellefontaine in 1852. He en- tered in general business at that time. manufacturing brick and doing general contract work. From his plant came nearly all of the building brick used in the construction of the stores upon the public square. For a few years he successfully conducted business and then turned his attention to the marble business, in which he continued for thirty-two years, having a large sale of fine monuments. On the expiration of that long period he pur- chased some town property in the east end of Bellefontaine, and to this he has added year by year, until he now has twen- ty-five acres within the corporation limits of the city. Eight lots of this have been platted, and upon these he has four tene- ment houses, which are rented. During the past few years his attention has been given to the supervision of his personal in- terests and. to the work of paying off a five thousand dollar security debt. AAbout a quarter of a century ago he went secur- ity for a man, and recently he was one of four parties who were called upon to make payment. This has been a hard blow to him, but he is manfully lifting the debt. and he expects to die owing no one.

wart Republican, and in 1865 he was chosen sheriff of Logan county, which po- sition he filled for four years. He was also county commissioner for six years. He is entitled to membership in the Grand Army of the Republic because of his serv- ice of four months in 1864 under Captain Nevin and Colonel Haynes in Company B, One Hundred and Thirty-second Ohio In- tantry. He served with the Eighth Army Corps and was mostly engaged in picket duty. He now belongs to the Grand Army post at Bellefontaine and for forty-two years he has been a member of the Odd Fellows' Society. Mr. Powers deserves great credit for the manner in which he has taken up the work of discharging the security debt. His life has always been one of business activity, and with no out- side aid or assistance from wealthy or in- fluential friends, he has depended entirely upon his own resources, accomplishing much through his persistency of purpose and indefatigable industry. His word has ever been as good as his bond, and the place which he filled both in business and public life has made him a man worthy of the deepest respect.

EDWARD T. STELZIG.

Edward T. Stelzig, a well known and popular florist of Bellefontaine and pro- prietor of the Hillside Greenhouses, was born in Dresden,. Saxony, Germany. De- cember 3. 1849, and is a son of Carl and Maria (Van Mergenthal) Stelzig, also na- tives of that country, where they spent their entire lives. The father was a pro-

Mr. Powers lost his first wife in 1895. He was again married in Hutchinson, Kansas, in 1897. the lady being Mrs. Mary Glickman, nee Funk. In her early girl- hood days this lady was an intimate friend of the first Mrs. Powers. In his political views Mr. Powers is a stal- fessional singer of considerable note and

329

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

sang in the choir of the church where the lantic, and the severe storms encountered king attended mass. He died in 1866 and his wife in 1864, both being laid to rest in the Catholic cemetery of Dresden as they were communicants of the Catholic church.

Of their nine children, seven reached years of maturity and came to America. namely: John L., a florist, crossed the At- lantic in 1847 and has since made his home in Columbus, Ohio. During the Civil war he served as first lieutenant in an Ohio regiment. Alois came to America in 1851 and located in Buffalo, New York, where he died unmarried on Christmas day, 1898. He, too, was a florist. Louis was married in Germany and came to the new world in 1858, becoming a florist of Springfield, Ohio. Cecilia was also married in Germany to Richard Gold- frederick, who is now engaged in the gro- cery business in Circleville, Ohio. They came to America in 1856 and Mrs. Gold- frederick died February 1, 1900. Maria wedded John Liebert, who died in Ger- many, and in 1875 she and her children came to the United States. They made their home in Springfield. Ohio, where she died in 1892. Frank came to America in 1860 and was engaged in business as a florist in Springfield. Ohio, until his death in 1890. He, too, was a member of an Ohio regiment in the Civil war. Ed- ward T. completes the family.

In his native land Edward T. Stelzig was reared and educated, attending the public schools of that country until four- teen years of age, when he began the bat- tle of life for himself. The year 1867 wit- nessed his emigration to America, the voy- age being made in a sailing vessel which was thirty-five days in crossing the At-

at that time made it a memorable trip for our subject. Landing in New York, he proceeded at once to Xenia, Ohio, where he worked for the Little Miami Rail- road Company. pruning hedge fences. He next went to Springfield, where he was employed in the machine shops seven years, and from there came to Bellefon- taine in 1877. Here he turned his atten- tion to the florist's trade and after being in the employ of others for sixteen years he embarked in business for himself in 1897 at his present location within one mile of Bellefontaine. His greenhouses are well equipped with all modern im- provements and he has built up a large and constantly increasing trade, from which he derives a good income.

In Springfield. Ohio, May 13, 1870, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Stelzig and Miss Mary Elizabeth Breling, who was born in Circlevile, this state, July 25, 1849. Her parents, John and Elizabeth (Filbert) Breling. were both na- tives of Darmstadt. Germany, and came to this country about the same time in 1833. They were married in Circleville, and after living for some time on a farm near that place they removed to Wauseon, Ohio, where Mrs. Breling died in 1856. Unto them were born five children. namely : Ephraim, who wedded Minnie Slater and resides in Duke Center, Pennsylvania ; Mary E., the wife of our subject; Adam, who married Mrs. Mary Wilson and lives near Duke Center, Pennsylvania ; Rebecca. the wife of Chester E. Every, of Bartlett. Kansas; and Susannah, the widow of W. Stage and a resident of Chicago, Illinois. After remaining a widower for seven years the father of this family was married in

330

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1863 to Miss Sarah McCutchin, by whom is now numbered among the honored vet- erans to whom the country owes a debt of gratitude than can never be repaid.

he has three children: Ella E., who was married in 1885 to Albert Clark and lives near Adrian. Michigan; Sarah, who was married in 1887 to E. Cook and makes her home in Forest, Ohio: and Kate, who was married in 1899 to D. Wilson and resides in Wauseon, Ohio. Mr. Breling still continues to live in Wauseon. He is a Republican in politics and a member of the Evangelical church.

Mr. and Mrs. Stelzig have two children : Charles Edward, born February 6. 1872. married Bertha Kimball in 1892 and has four children, Arthur J., Clarabelle, Ed- ward and Chester S .: John Ephraim, born March 4. 1877. married Carrie Elizabeth Roeko in 1899 and has two children, Irene Mary and Gladys. The family is widely and favorably known throughout this lo- cality. By his ballot Mr. Stelzig supports the men and measures of the Democratic party and has a true love for the land of his adoption. In religious faith he is a Catholic, while his wife attends the Eng- lish Lutheran church.

JOHN P. COST.

John P. Cost is an honored veteran of the Civil war. When the south attempted to overthrow the Union, men from all sta- tions of life flocked to its standard. They came from the workshop. the counting- room, the farm and the store, each imbued with the same purpose of establishing the supremaey of the national government in Washington. With patriotic impulse, Mr. Cost joined the army and valiantly fought until after the cessation of hostilities and

A native of Greene county, Ohio, John P. Cost was born in Fairfield, October 25. 1841. He comes of a family of German origin and in the fatherland the name was originally spelled Kanst. His father, An- thony Cost, was born in Maryland, and when but eighteen years of age removed to the west, locating in Fairfield, Ohio. There he married Miss Anna Guisinger, who was born in Pennsylvania and was of German lineage. Mr. Cost was a mer- chant. who carried on business in that line for many years, but later became con- neeted with railroading. His last days were spent in Indianapolis, where he died and was buried. His wife, however, passed away in Omaha, Nebraska, and her remains were then interred by the side of her hus- band in Indianapolis. They were the par- ents of nine children, namely: Charles. who was serving as a railroad engineer when he was killed in an accident in Mis- sissippi; John P .: Anthony: Regina E. : George P., a resident of Indianapolis : Mrs. Eliza A. Crane, of Fort Madison, Iowa ; Mrs. Alice Creager, of Dayton, Ohio; Ed- ward F., freight and traffic manager of the Seaboard Air Line, and Mrs. Nora Hol- land, of Greensburg. Indiana.

When our subjeet was but five years of age his parents removed to Quincy, Lo- gan county, Ohio, where his boyhood days were passed and his early education was obtained. Later he returned to Fairfield. but after two years again became a resi- dent of Quiney, where he remained until he went to Preble county, Ohio, there liv- ing with an unele for one year. At the age of fifteen he began working at the car-

J. P. COST.

33.3

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

riagemaker's trade i.1 Bellefontaine, serv- ing a four years' apprenticeship with Em- ery Brothers. He then entered the army in 1861, enlisting under Captain William Ashmead, of Company A. Thirteenth Ohio Infantry, for three months. He was then nineteen years of age and he joined the army on the 22d of April, 1861. almost be- fore the smoke of Fort Sumter's guns had cleared away. The regiment was stationed at Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, and was mustered out on the 18th of August of the same year. Mr. Cost, however, re- enlisted on the 5th of September following for three years' service and became a cor- poral of Company F. First Ohio Infantry. By order of the war department he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps April 6, 1864. He participated in the bat- tle of Shiloh on the 7th of April, 1862, where he was struck by a spent ball just above the left ear. This knocked him down, but he was not injured. He after- ward took part in the siege of Corinth and marched from Corinth on to Chattanooga and thence to Louisville. While on the march there was an engagement at Dog Walk, Kentucky, and afterward Mr. Cost took part in the battle of Stone River, Ten- nessee. He assisted in constructing bridges in order that Rosecrans' troops might cross the Tennessee river at Capperston's Ferry. in Alabama, and after the battle of Dog Walk he was transferred from his regi- ment to the Pioneer Corps, of which he was made sergeant. This regiment was engaged in building forts, rifle pits and bridges and doing other engineering work as the circumstances required. While thus engaged Mr. Cost was taken ill while with the pontoon crew and for about five

When he had somewhat recovered he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, with which he did guard duty and also as- sisted in transferring prisoners and re- cruits. After two months spent at Cin- cinnati he was sent to Washington, and on to the month of the Potomac river, and on the 9th of September, 1864, he was mustered out and discharged at Washing- ton, D. C.

Returning to Ohio, Mr. Cost located in Dayton, where he was employed in a carriage factory until 1870. He then came to Bellefontaine, where he has since made his home. Here he was first engaged in business with the firm of Miller Brothers and in 1881 he embarked in business on his own account as a member of the Belle- fontaine Carriage Body Company. of which he was the president, treasurer and secretary, hokling these offices at different times. The business had assumed exten- sive proportions and had become very large in 1892, but the financial panic of 1893 followed, and, owing to circumstances over which they had no control. the com- pany failed. The business has since been continued without loss of time, however. by the Buckeye Carriage Body Company, who placed new capital in the enterprise, and since that time Mr. Cost has held the position of superintendent and draftsman.

In 1869, in Dayton, Ohio, occurred the marriage of our subject and Miss Mary E. Heffner, who was born and reared in Day- ton. Her parents, who were from Mary- land, became residents of Montgomery county, Ohio, where they died during her early girlhood. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Cost were born seven children, but only three are now living, Charles E., of St. Louis, months was unable to do any service. Missouri ; Mary L., and John H., of Indian- 20

334

THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

"apolis, Indiana. Mrs. Cost was called to her improvement as has America. Winfield S. final rest November 14. 1898, and her re- Jones stands to-day as a leading repre- sentative of educational work in Ohio. He has in his possession the highest grade certificate granted by the state, and wherever he has labored the public has ac- knowledged its indebtedness to him for ef- fective and far-reaching work in the line of his chosen calling.

mains were interred in the Bellefontaine cemetery. Like her husband, she held mem- bership in the English Lutheran church, and her many excellencies of character made her highly esteemed by all who knew her. Mr. Cost is now serving as an elder in the church with which he united in 1871. He is also a teacher in the Sunday-school, and for two years he served as its superintend- ent. He has attended the synodical meet- ings, and to some of them has been a dele- gate. Socially he is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, be- longing to both the lodge and encamp- ment, in which he has passed all of the chairs. He is also connected with the Masonic fraternity and the Grand Army Post at Bellefontaine, of which he is com- mander. while in the Royal Arcanum he has served as regent and secretary. His political support is given to the Repub- lican party. but he has had neither time nor inclination to seek political office. His home is at No. 303 North Park street, the house having been built in 1882. There he resides, and throughout the community he is held in the highest esteem. Mr. Cost is a man of genuine worth, and although he met with financial reverses, yet he maintained his honor and integrity unim- paired, having gained that good name which is rather to be chosen than riches.

WINFIELD S. JONES.

The importance and value of the work of the educator cannot be fully estimated, and no country has made such rapid strides in the line of national intellectual

Professor Jones was born "April 12. 1857. in Stark county, Ohio. a son of John K. and Matilda ( Geisleman) Jones, both of whom were natives of Columbiana county. Ohio. Back through several generations can the ancestry of the family be traced. David Jones, the great-grandfather of our subject, was born in London in 1781 of Welsh parentage, and came to the United States at the age of eighteen and spent the greater part of his life in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Mace. in 1803, in Chester county, Pennsylvania. She died at the home of her son. Joseph Jones. when seventy-six years of age.

Joseph Jones, the grandfather of the Professor, was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1806, but about 1835 he removed to Columbiana county. Ohio. where he died in 1890. Since that time the representatives of the name have been active in carrying forward the work of im- provement and development here and in upbuilding the political and moral status of the commonwealth. Joseph Jones was united in marriage to Ann Robinson, of Philadelphia. in 1828, who was born in New Jersey in 1807 and died in 1874. She was the third child of Eli and Nancy (Mon- crief) Robinson, the father of Dutch and the mother of French descent. He was a soldier of the war of 1812.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 39

Author: Kennedy, Robert Patterson, 1840-1918 Publication date: 1903 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1586

Author: Kennedy, Robert Patterson, 1840-1918
Publication date: 1903
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1586