USA > Ohio > Logan County > The historical review of Logan County, Ohio > Part 44
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
November 24. 1901. at the age of seventy- five years ten months and eleven days.
For nearly fifty years Mr. Bailey was identified with improvements and meas- ures of importance effecting the business history of West Liberty. The confidence of the people was manifested in him in many ways. especially in his appointment and election to important offices of trust and responsibility, which he always filled in a manner that was indicative of his fidelity to the best interests of his com- munity. He was an honest man, his word being above question. Among the, many who followed him to his last resting place were a large number whom he had as- sisted in a financial way and to whom he had extended generous aid in times of need. He was thoroughly frugal in his habits, was energetic. methodical and busi- ness-like, and thus he accumulated a com- fortable competence. which put him in a position to help the less fortunate. Nearly every man in West Liberty has at some. time or another received favors at his hand. If a man or woman was in need of business or legal advice. it was to Mr. Bailey whom they went for assistance, and they knew that they had in him a safe and an honest counselor. He was methodical in every detail of his life work, and for twenty years prior to his own demise he kept a complete record of every death and other interesting or important events in con- nection with current history of the town, as well as a complete record of the weather for every day during that entire period. When a disastrous conflagration of the 13th of May, 1880, wiped out the heart of West Liberty's business district, Mr. Bailey was the first man to begin building operations, and thus to encourage his fellow citizens
in the reconstruction of the town. Other ways innumerable might be given of the important part which he took in the devel- opment of West Liberty. The confidence of his fellow citizens, however, was fully expressed in the fact that for thirty years he served as justice of the peace. His opinions were strictly fair and impartial and the highest commendation was ac- corded him. For twelve years he was councilman and for four years was mayor, while for sixteen years he was corporation treasurer. Whatever touched upon the in- terest of the city awakened his interest, and if he believed in any measure, he gave to it his hearty indorsement and support. His name thus became inseparably inter- woven with the annals of the town, but but more than that, his memory is en- shirined in the hearts of all who knew him. .
HENRY J. MACK.
This well-known stock dealer is one of the important factors in the business cir cles of Belle Center. The possibilities that America offers to her citizens he has util- ized. and though he came to this country in limited circumstances, he has steadily and perseveringly worked his way upward, leaving the ranks of the many to stand among the successful few.
Mr. Mack was born in Wurtemberg. Germany, on the 18th of January, 1867. a son of Christian and Barbara (Prag) Mack, and spent the first thirteen years of his life in his native land. He completed a high school course there and was gradu- ated. In 1880 he left Germany and came to the new world, landing in Belle Center,
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
Ohio, on the 9th of October, that year. cratic party and cast his first presidential Here he made his home with his uncle, Jolın Mezger, until he attained man's es- tate and with him learned the trade of dressing meat. He at first received only five dollars per month for his services, but his wages were increased from time to time until he was getting thirty-five dol- lars per month.
Leaving his uncle in 1890, Mr. Mack went to Denver, Col., where he worked one year, and then, on the death of his uncle, returned to Belle Center to take charge of the latter's market, which he bought and carried on for five years. In 1894 he returned to Germany on a visit. and after, spending seven months at his old home, he again came to America and took up his residence in Belle Center. where he has since engaged in the stock business. starting on a small scale. His business has grown rapidly. however, his sales amount- ing to eight thouand nine hundred and twenty-six dollars in 1899; twelve thou- sand two hundred and thirty-eight dollars in 1900; twenty-eight thousand two hun- dred and two dollars in 1901, and forty- three thousand dollars in 1902. He makes a specialty of cattle. which he buys and fattens for market. The real estate business has to some extent claimed liis attention, as in 1893 he bought ten acres of land in Belle Center, which he laid out in town lots and then sold.
vote for Grover Cleveland in 1888. For three years he served as corporation clerk, from 1891 to 1894: was elected township trustee in April, 1900, and was chosen mayor of Belle Center in April, 1901. The duties of these offices he most capably and satisfactorily performed. He is now serving as treasurer of Belle Center Lodge, .F. and A. M., in which he holds member- ship, and has filled all the chairs in the Knights of Pythias Lodge and twice rep- resented it in the grand lodge of the state. At the age of thirteen years Mr. Mack was confirmed in the Lutheran church. but is now a prominent and active member of the Presbyterian church, in which he holds the offices of trustee and deacon. He deserves great credit for the success that he has achieved in life, for on coming to this country he was not only penniless, but was entirely unfamiliar with the English language, which he mastered, however, in less than six months, so that he was able to converse fluently. In all his undertakings he has prospered thus far, his excellent success being but the logical result of his careful and correct business methods. His life has been one of indus- try and honesty, and he well merits the high regard in which he is uniformly held.
ROBERT JACOBS.
On the 16th of October, 1901. in Belle Center, Mr. Mack was united in marriage to Miss Ruah H. Laughlin, who was born Robert Jacobs was a representative of an old and prominent family of Logan county, that was established here in pioneer times when the work of improvement and devel- opment had scarcely been begun. His par- in Richland township, this county, and is a daughter of T. C. and Fannie (Henry) Laughlin. She is a graduate of the Belle Center high school of the class of 1892. Mr. Mack is a supporter of the Demo- ents, Joseph and Rachel (Pope) Jacobs,
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
both of whom were natives of North Car- olina, and when children accompanied their respective parents of their removal to Lo- gan county, Ohio, about 1812, settling on farms near West Middleburg. There the father engaged in agricultural pursuits, but by trade he was a wheelwright, and he fol- lowed that pursuit more than farming. He, however, made his home upon a farm here for some years and then removed to Arkan- sas, where he spent his remaining days. Of the children of that family four are now liv- ing, three of the sons being residents of Illin- ois, while Marie is the wife of Mat Bullard. a lumber buyer of Bellefontaine. After the death of her first husband the mother re- turned to Logan county, and married Henry Williams. Her death occurred near Pick- relltown.
Robert Jacobs was born near the village of West Middleburg, in Zane township, on the 23d of June. 1829, and obtained his ed- ucation in the early public schools of the county. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, and was familiar with the early history of this section of the state. After leaving the schoolroom, he engaged in farming near Zanesfield for a few years, and subsequently learned the wagon-maker's trade, which he followed in Zanesfield for some time. He leased a farm in Bokes Creek township, and while working at that trade likewise gave his attention to the cul- tivation of his land and the supervision of his agricultural interests.
While living near Zanesfield Mr. Ja- cobs was united in marriage to Miss Jane Brattain, who was born in Johnson county, Illinois, on the 13th of December, 1832, a daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Lowe) Brattain, both of whom were natives of North Carolina, whence they removed to
Johnson county, Illinois. There the father engaged in farming until after the death of his wife, when he removed to Logan county, Ohio. Here he was again married, his sec- ond union being with Miss T. Fausett, who is also deceased. Here Mr. Jacobs engaged in farming until his life's labors were ended in death. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs were born eight children: Jennie, the wife of Frank Young. a lumber dealer of Nebraska : Arilla, the wife of Alonzo Painter, who is living in Missouri; Joseph, who is imployed in the Big Four Railroad shops in Belle- fontaine: James, a resident of Iowa; Cal- vin, who is also employed in the Big Four Railroad shops ; Orville, a mail-carrier. liv- ing in Bellefontaine: Gertrude, who resides at home with her mother; and Charlie, who died at the age of three years.
After his marriage Mr. Jacobs turned his attention to agricultural pursuits and also worked at the wagon-maker's trade in Zanesfield. following the dual occupation un- til his demise. He was industrious and en- ergetic in his business affairs and moreover was honorable and straightforward in all his dealings. He voted with the Democracy and had firm faith in its principles, but was never an office-seeker. He passed away Feb- ruary 14, 1893. leaving behind the record of an upright life characterized by many commendable qualities. After her husband's death Mrs. Jacobs removed to Bellefontaine and for three years lived on Garfield avenue, keeping house for her son whose wife had died. She now resides at No. 205 High street and is the owner of much valuable property in the village of Zanesfield, besides her home in this city. She belongs to the Goshen Friends church of Bellefontaine, and is a most estimable lady who has many friends in Logan county.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
GARRETT F. BYER.
Garrett F. Byer. a farmer and breeder of pure-blooded Poland China hogs. whose farm of seventy-five acres is pleas- antly situated about a mile southeast of Quincy, was born in Rockbridge county. Virginia, on a farm near Lexington. No- vember 13. 1859. His parents, James and Sarah (Leach) Byer, are still living and now make their home in Quincy, Ohio.
Mr. Byer of this review spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the state of his nativity, living upon the home farm, where he early became familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. He attended the public schools and when eighteen years of age he began teaching in the country schools of Rockbridge county. Virginia, where he followed that profession until his removal to Ohio in 1882. After coming to this state he began to work as a farm hand by the month.
On the 5th of March. 1884. in Miami township, Mr. Byer was united in mar- riage to Miss Anna Leach. a daughter of John and Julia (Davis) Leach. She was born in Miami township. September 19, 1867. and educated in the public schools. Her father was born in the same town- ship, November 7. 1828, and her mother's birth occurred in Champaign county, De- cember 7, 1833. They were married in the latter county and made their home in Miami township. Logan county. John Leach, the grandfather of Mrs. Byer, was a native of Virginia and emigrating west- ward, he located in this county, entering land from the United States government. He afterward gave eighty acres of his land to his son, John Leach, who in course of
time became the owner of extensive landed interests. He had four children, of whom Mrs. Byer is the youngest. Sarah Ellen, the eldest, became the wife of New- ton Eppler and died in Port Jefferson. Ohio, leaving two children, Judson and Addie. Elizabeth Jane became the wife of John Wirtz, by whom she had a daughter. Florence, and after the death of her first husband she married John DeBeben, of Quincy, by whom she has two children. Raymond and Agnew. Finley, the third member of the family, died in childhood.
At the time of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Byer her father gave them some land -the farm upon which they now reside. Mr. Byer has made many improvements here, including the erection of a nice home and the farm is now well developed and constitutes one of the desirable properties in this part of the county. The fields are well tilled and produce good crops, and Mr. Byer has been particularly successful as a breeder and raiser of pure-blooded Poland China hogs.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. Byer have been born three children-Russell J., who was born September 8, 1886, and is now a sttt- dent in the Quincy high school; Hazel Virginia, born August 9, 1890, and Gladys Leach, born September 15, 1897. The parents are consistent and faithful mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal church, and take an active part in its work. Mr. Byer has always given his political support to the Democracy, and has been a member of the township board of education for nine years, in which position he gives his aid and influence for the furtherance and improvement of the schools, believing in the employment of good teachers and in holding the standard of education high.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
He belongs to the Anti-Horse Thief Asso- foundation upon which to rear the super- ciation and to the Odd Fellows' Lodge at Quincy, and is a public-spirited and pro- gressive citizen, widely and favorably known in Miami township.
A. JAY MILLER.
The bar of Logan county ranks favor- ably with that of other districts of the state. The learning and capability of its members have gained recognition and the history of jurisprudence in Ohio shows many forensic triumphs recorded to their credit. The liberal clientage accorded A. Jay Miller stands in evidence of his posi- tion at the bar. and his connection with a number of business enterprises of im- portance also shows him to be possessed of executive force, energy and discrimina- tion.
. Mr. Miller is one of Bellefontaine's na- .tive sons, his birth having here occurred September 29. 1872. His parents were Alex W. and Ella H. (Howenstine) Miller. The mother is still living, but the father, who was engaged in the jewelry business in Bellefontaine, is now deceased. At the usual age A. Jay Miller entered the public school and in his youth went through the usual experiences which fall to the lot of the American boy. Continuing his studies through successive grades. he was gradu- ated in the Bellefontaine high school in the class of 1890 and then entered upon his collegiate course as a student in Princeton University, where he was grad- uated in 1894 with cum laude, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. With broad general information to serve as the
structure of professional knowledge, he began preparation for the bar and was graduated in the Cincinnati Law School in 1895 with the degree of Bachelor of Law. He then became a member of the firm of Howenstine, Huston & Miller, a relation that was maintained until August. 1897, since which time he has been alone. He now has a distinctively representative cli- entage, connecting him with much of the important litigation tried in the courts of his district, and he is well versed in the various departments of civil and criminal law. His attention is chiefly given to his profession and yet he associated with en- terprises of importance, being the secre- tary of the Buckeye Carriage Body Com- pany and a director of the Savings Build- ing & Loan Company, the Urbana. Belle- fontaine & Northern Railroad Company, and also the Kenton & Southern Railway Company.
On the 27th of November. 1901, Mr. Miller was married to Lucie E. Middleton, a daughter of Judge E. P. Middleton. In politics Mr. Miller is a Republican and has served on executive committees. He was also city solicitor of Bellefontaine from 1898 until 1902, but outside the pale of liis profession has never been an office- holder. With various fraternal organiza- tions he is connected, including the Amer- ican Whig Society, the Sigma Chi frater- nity, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias, and in the Masonic fraternity he has attained the Knight Templar degree. Mr. and Mrs. Miller are members of the First Presby- terian church, of which he was for six years a trustee. Social and political inter- ests receive from him due attention, but
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
his time is mostly given to his professional duties, and the thoroughness with which he prepares his cases, together with his forceful presentation of his cause, has given him power as a member of the Lo- gan county bar.
JOHN R. WILLIAMS. :
John R. Williams is an extensive real estate operator of West Liberty, and has for a number of years been a recognized leader in the business, political, intellectual and moral development of his locality. He was born in Russellville, Ohio. December 4. 1865, and is a son of William P. and Mary (McBride) Williams. The father was a native of Youngsville, Ohio, and his par- ents dying when he was young, he was ap- prenticed to a harness-maker, at Russellville, serving five years. After working as a jour- neyman for some time he established a harness and saddlery business of his own, and successfully carried on that trade until his death, which occurred December 19. 1896, when he was sixty-one years of age. His wife is still living. She bore the maiden name of Mary McBride, and is a native of the Emerald Isle. They reared a family of six children : William O., John R., Anna C., Mary E., James T. and Nita L.
the office of the firm of Young & McBeth, of Georgetown, Ohio, and later matriculated in the Cincinnati Law School. from which he graduated in May, 1893. On the 5th of September of the same year, he opened an office in West Liberty, where he has since engaged in practice, enjoying a constantly growing clientage. He was first associated with E. P. Chamberlin, but after two years this partnership was dissolved, and Mr. Williams has since been alone. His knowl- edge of the law is comprehensive and exact, and in the trial of cases he indicates the thorough preparation which he always gives before he enters the courtroom. He also conducts a most progressive real estate busi - ness as a member of the firm of Williams & Williams, under the name of the Central Ohio Farm Agency, which does an extensive business throughout central Ohio.
On the 22d of October, 1894. Mr. Wil- liams was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. Liggett, a daughter of Albert F. and Mar- garet ( Shofstall ) Liggett, both of whom were natives of Brown county, Ohio. Her father was a successful farmer and poultry raiser, and was a frequent contributor to papers concerned with such subjects, includ. ing the Ohio Farmer, and the American Agriculturist. The Shofstall family came from Kentucky in an early day and its mem- bers were extensive land owners of Brown county, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Williams has been blessed with two inter- esting children, Paul L. and John R., Jr.
To the public school system of Ohio, John R. Williams owes his early educational privileges. He afterward attended the Nor- In his political views Mr. Williams has ever been an earnest Republican. In 1902 he was a prominent candidate for the office of probate judge of Logan county, at which time there were six candidates. W. S. Plum of Bellefontaine, being the nominee, and mal school at Danville, Indiana, and for eleven consecutive years he successfully en- gaged in teaching, but regarded this merely as an initial step to other professional labor as it was his desire to become a member of the bar. He took up the study of law in Mr. Williams having the next highest vote.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
He has been city solicitor of West Liberty, William Patterson. the father of W. T. and mayor of the city, and is known and re- Patterson, being at that time eleven years of age and the eldest. Learning the stone- mason's trade in his early youth, he worked on the construction of the Beaver canal, while the family remained in Pennsylvania. Finally they came to Logan county, making the trip on horseback, and Abraham Patter- son and his sons took up adjoining tracts of government land in McArthur township. for a dollar and a quarter per acre. Upon the old homestead property Abraham Patterson lived and died, his death occurring in 1854. while his wife died about the same time, aged respectively eighty-eight and eighty- five years. They were members of the Cov- enanter Presbyterian church, and were the parents of eight children who came to Lo- gan county, including William, Nancy, Mar- tha, Isaac, David and John. spected for his active co-operation in all the measures contributing to the general good and improvement of this portion of the state. Prominent in Masonic circles, he is a member of Mad River Lodge, No. 16, F. & A. M., of which he has served as master, and also belongs to Bellefontaine Chapter, R. A. M., and Raper Commandery, K. T., of Urbana. Ir church work he is earnest and influential. He is now serving as an elder of the Presbyterian church, and for the past seven years has been superintendent of its Sunday-school. The qualities of an upright manhood, indicating the possession of high principles, have ever been manifest- ed in the career of Mr. Williams, and West Liberty numbers him as a valued addition to the ranks of the prominent citizens.
WILLIAM T. PATTERSON.
Abraham Patterson, a native of Scot- land, made his way across the waters that separated the land of the heather from the Emerald Isle and took up his abode in County Down. There he conducted a store until the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion, when he was obliged to flee in order to save his life. Accompanied by his wife and children he made his way to the seacoast and sailed for America, becoming a resident of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Having been obliged to abandon his property in Ireland, he here followed any pursuit that he could find that would enable him to gain an honest living for his family. He had mar- ried a Miss Gorley and they had several children when they came to the new world,
William Patterson, the father of William T. Patterson, was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1801, and in 1812 came to Amer- ica with his parents. the family settling in Mercer county, Pennsylvania, where he re- ceived but limited educational privileges. When a mere lad he learned the stone-ma- son's trade, workng for some years on the Beaver canal. By the time the family re- moved to this county he had saved some money, with which he purchased one hun- dred and sixty-six and two-thirds acres of government land. He made his home upon the farm, but continued to work at his trade and assisted in building the first courthouse at Bellefontaine, and many other structures there. The greater part of his work, how- ever. was in building the old-style chimneys with ovens. He added to his farm until he had three hundred and seventy-two acres of land, which was brought to a high state of development and cultivation by his three
£
W. T. PATTERSON.
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THE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.
sons, while he continued his labor as a stone- Ridge. Resaca, Burnt Hickory, the Little mason. He married Miss Mary Irwin, in and Big Kenesaw Mountain and Chattahoo- chee River. He had been transferred to the Fourth Army Corps under Sherman, follow- ing the battle of Chickamauga, and was in the siege of Atlanta when discharged on ac- count of the expiration of his term of ser- vice. At Stone River he was captured, but after a half hour he and thirteen comrades escaped. Logan county. Her father. Thomas Irwin. was born in Kentucky, and after his first marriage, of which was born his daughter Mary, he removed to Champaign county, Ohio. Later he became a resident of what is now Lake township. Logan county. For his second wife he married a Miss Watson. William Patterson and his wife were mem- bers of the Union church, which united with the Seceders church to form the United Presbyterian church as it is to-day. Mr. Patterson died February 13. 1857. but his wife survived until 1884. They were the parents of five children, of whom Mary Ann became the wife of William Trimble and is now deceased. The others are : John S., of Sibley, Iowa: William T .: James G., of Bellefontaine, and Elizabeth. the wife of J. S. Fulton, of this city.
William T. Patterson, whose extensive marble business now classes him among the representative of commercial interests in Bellefontaine, was born in Logan county, upon the home farm in McArthur township. December 26, 1836, and obtained his early education in the district schools of the local- ity, while later he entered the Northwood College, of Northwood, Ohio, then a prom- inent educational center. During his first year in that institution, however, the Civil war broke out, and he enlisted in July, 1861. as a member of Company G, First Regiment of Ohio Infantry Volunteers. They were or- ganized at Comp Corwin. Dayton, and then sent to the Army of the Cumberland. the first battle in which they participated being at Shiloh. Mr. Patterson took part in twen- ty-six battles, the more important of which were Shiloh, Perrysville. Stone River, Mis- On the 26th of December. 1867. Mr. sion Ridge. Chickamauga, Rocky Face Patterson married Miss Maggie Zimmer-
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