The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 46

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

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days, honored and respected by all who knew him."

We now come back to the personal his- tory of the gentleman whose name intro- duces this review. Reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, he well remembers when much of Logan county was in its primitive condition. when the fields were uncultivated and the forests uncut. He bore his share in the arduous task of de- veloping his father's farm and as oppor- tunity offered he attended the public schools until nineteen years of age, after which he gave his attention entirely to farming and stock raising.

On the Sth of January, 1835. Mr. McColloch was united in marriage to Miss Sophia Mason, whose birth occurred near Plain City. Union county, Ohio, on the 18th of February. 1815. Her parents were Samuel and Catherine (Shover) Mason, both of whom were natives of Germany, and in an early day crossed the Atlantic to the new world, becoming resi- dents of Union county, Ohio. The home of Mr. and Mrs. McColloch was blessed with a large family of children. Nancy, born November 14. 1835, is the wife of James L. Swisher, a resident of Cham- paign county, and they have six children. Samuel C., born August 26, 1837, married Catherine Fridley, by whom he has four children, and their home is in Fort Wayne, Ind. Maria C., born September 29. 1839. is the third of the family. John. born May 17, 1841, wedded Jane Blair, by whom he had two children. and after her death he married Helen Lease, by whom he also had two children. G. D., born May 3. 1843, is deceased. Benjamin, born August 29, 1845, is also deceased. Sidney, born October 26, 1846, is the wife of John F.

Sapp, a farmer of Liberty township, by whom she has six children. W. O. B., born November 10, 1848, is at home with his father and superintends the farming interests. Mary M., born July 22, 1851, is deceased. Minerva, born October 24. 1855. is acting as housekeeper for her father and brother. Solomon, born May 22, 1857, is deceased.

At the time of his marriage Mr. McColloch took his wife to the home farm and in providing for his family he always carried on agricultural pursuits. He like- wise engaged in stock raising and always kept good grades of domestic animals upon his farm. As the years passed he added to his property until he became the owner of five hundred acres of valuable land, constituting some of the finest farms in this portion of the state, but he has since divided his property among his chil- dren. The farm upon which he now lives is divided into well cultivated fields of con- venient size by well kept fences, and there are excellent improvements, such as are always found upon a model farm of the twentieth century. The home is a com- modious residence, and in the rear are good barns and outbuildings.

Mr. McColloch is justly numbered among the most successful farmers of his county, though after a long life of useful- ness and activity in business affairs, he is now living retired. for he has reached the age of ninety years, his sons having at the present time the supervision of his farms. He is a man of unassuming manner, plain and unostentatious, and he has never al- lowed the accumulation of wealth to warp his kindly nature in the slightest degree. He has a true appreciation of personal worth, and his own sterling traits of char-

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acter have commanded for him the respect and good will of those with whom he- has been associated. His personal appearance is fine, being tall and still well preserved. with long gray hair falling over his shoul- ders and a long, flowing beard.

GEORGE SPRY.

Prominent among the business men of Logan county is numbered George Spry. the present postmaster of Harper. No one is better known in that locality. for almost his entire life has been passed there, and all his interests from boyhood have been closely associated with those of the town. As a groceryman he has met with success in business affairs, and by the energy and zeal which he has manifested he has won the confidence and esteem of the public.

Mr. Spry was born in Harper August 3. 1860, his parents being Jehu and Julia Ann (Clagg) Spry. His father was also a native of Logan county, born here in 1820, and educated in the common schools, which he attended until sixteen years of age. Throughout his active business life he followed agricultural pursuits. By his ballot he supported the men and measures of the Republican party, and was a mem- ber of the Dunkard church at the time of his death, which occurred July 4. 1871. He had three other children besides our sub- ject, these being Samuel, who married Emma Slicer, and is now employed at the Big Four Railroad shops in Bellefontaine; Harriet, who married William Volk, an employe in the frieze works at Galion,

Ohio, and Minerva, wife of Albert Slicer. a farmer.

On attaining a sufficient age George Spry became a student in the public schools of Harper, where he pursued his studies until eighteen years of age. and during the following ten years engaged in miscellaneous work. At the end of that period he embarked in the grocery. busi- ness in Harper, where he conducted a store for seven years, and was also post- master, and on selling out he went west where he remained seventeen months, and where he lost his health. He then re- turned to Harper, but on account of ill health was unable to engage in any occu- pation for two years. When able to re- sume work he accepted a position as night superintendent in the cement works, serv- ing in that capacity for one year. He was then appointed postmaster of Harper and again embarked in the grocery business at that place. still carrying on a store.

On the 2d of October, 1890. was cele- brated the marriage of Mr. Spry and Miss Mary Hathaway, who was born in Rush- sylvania, May 5. 1874. and is a daughter of J. W. and Emma (Hatcher) Hathaway. also natives of the Buckeye State. She is one of a family of six children, the others being David. Elie. Alice, Carrie and Ar- thur. Mr. and Mrs. Spry have one child, Ruth Evelyn, who was born in Harper March 24. 1896. They are members of the Methodist church and Mr. Spry is a sup- porter of the Republican party. He takes quite an active interest in public affairs and is proving a most popular and effi- cient postmaster. He has done much to- ward the upbuilding of his native town during his business career, having erected a fine residence and also the largest busi-

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ness house in Harper. He takes a special pride in home industries and every move- ment tending to the betterment of the community in which he lives. In all the relations of life he has been found prompt, energetie and notably reliable, and he stands deservedly high in the esteem of his fellow citizens.

THOMAS LEE WRIGHT, M. D.

Indelibly engraved on the pages of his- tory is the name of Dr. Thomas Lee Wright, whose life work entitles him to be classed among the benefactors of the human race. A man's worth in the world is determined by his usefulness-by what he has accom- plished for his fellow men and he is certain- ly deserving of the greatest honor and re- gard, whose efforts have been of the great- est benefit to his fellow men. Judged by this standard. Dr. Thomas Lee Wright may well be accounted one of the most distin- guished citizens who has ever resided in Bellefontaine for throughout his profession- al career, covering many decades his labors were of the most helpful nature. Not alone as a practitioner of medicine and surgery did he become widely known but also as a writer, disseminating knowledge concerning his profession that has had an immeasurable effect on the world. His deep research and investigation have rendered more effective the labors of the profession and made his name well known, not only in America, but across the Atlantic. The world is better for his having lived and the seeds or inves- tigation and knowledge which he planted will grow and ripen into fruit as the years pass by.

Thomas Lee Wright was born in Wind- ham, Portage county, Ohio, in 1825, and was of Scotch and Irish lineage. His father Dr. Thomas Wright, emigrated from the north of Ireland to the United States in 1817. having previously received his med- ical degree from the Glasgow University. He went to Quebec as the surgeon on a ship, having entered the government ser- vice, but later he resigned and began the general practice of medicine in Crossbury. Vermont. Subsequently he married a daughter of Dr. Huntington, a prominent physician at that time, and a few years later he came to Ohio, living for some years in the western reserve but eventually becom- ing a resident of Cincinnati. The breadth of his activity and his earnest efforts in behalt of what he believed would prove of good to the race made him a prominent and influential citizen of his community. He was recognized as a skilled and successful physician, was a man of considerable in- fluence in political circles and was an ardent follower of Campbell, the famous Baptist pioneer. The four sons who survived him all became men of prominence.

Amid frontier surroundings Dr. Thomas Lee Wright was reared and educated. His early mental training received in the public schools was supplemented by study in Miami University, and he prepared for his pro- fession in the Ohio Medical College of Cin- cinnati, where he won his degree with the class of 1846. Professors Murphy and Mussey, who became eminent in the profes- sion. were among his classmates, and with him ranked as the three highest students. He was a very thorough and painstaking student, mastering every topic that was as- signed to him, and the same characteristics were noticeable features throughout his en-

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tire business life. Soon after his graduation he became a resident of Kansas City. Mis- souri, where he acted as government ply- sician to the Wyandot Indians from 1851 to 1854. Through the two succeeding years he occupied the chair of theory and practice at what was called the Wesleyan University at Keokuk, Iowa, and after ten years spent in the west, he returned to Ohio, locating in Bellefontaine, where his wife had pre- viously lived.

Dr. Thomas Lee Wright had been mar- ried in 1846, soon after his graduation. to Lucinda, a daughter of Dr. A. H. Lord. a noted physician of Bellefontaine. She still survives her husband, together with two sons, Abiel Lord and Thomas Huntington. Throughout almost his entire residence in this city, Dr. Wright continued an active practitioner of medicine, or else gave his attention to investigation and study which resulted in the publication of volumes of the greatest importance to the medical fra- ternity. In 1880, when he became troubled with organic disease of the heart, he prac- tically withdrew from active practice and thereafter gave his attention to his books and to the cultivation of a garden. In 1888 he served as delegate from the United States to the international congress for the study of inebriety, in London, England, and after the convention adjourned he made an extended tour through England and Scot- land. From the days of his early manhood up to the time of his demise, which occurred at his home in Bellefontaine, June 22, 1893. Dr. Wright led a busy life. While upon the frontier, the Indians recognized in him a faithful friend and worthy counselor. and when he came to Bellefontaine he was soon the loved family physician in many a house- hold that was loath to give up his services

when he retired from practice many years afterward. He was ever a close, earnest and discriminating student of his profession, continually seeking to enlarge his knowledge concerning diseases and the use of remedial agencies. He followed not only in the beaten paths that others had followed, but he also carried on his investigation along original lines, and as early as 1848 he became a con- tributor to the medical press, chiefly dealing with medical and philosophical subjects. Some of his papers of "Phases of Insanity." "Education and its Physiological Rela- tions," "Deterioration of the Race on This Continent," and others, had a wide circula- tion, and attracted considerable attention. After his death, in writing of him and his work. Dr. T. D. Crothers, of Hartford, Connecticut, said :

"In 1879 he appeared as a writer on in- ebriety. A short article in the Lancet Clinic of Cincinnati, on 'The Action of Alcohol on the Mind and Morals,' established his repu- tation as an author in this field. In 1880 he became a member of the American Asso- ciation for the study and cure of inebriety. and always after. until his death, contribut- ed a paper at each annual meeting, and was a frequent contributor to The Journal of In- ebriety. From this time everything that he wrote on this subject attracted much atten- tion. In 1885, through the urgent advice of friends, he published a volume entitled 'Inebriism, a Pathological and Physcologi- cal study.' This volume of two hundred and fifty pages has been translated into the French, German and Russian languages, and is regarded as one of the most valuable con- tributions to this subject made by American physicians. From this time to his death Dr. Wright was a constant contributor to the various phases of inebriety, especially on the

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the physiological action of alcohol on the l.is later papers have given very graphic pic- brain. Most of his papers have taken a tures of the physiological and psychological permanent place in the literature of the sub- ject. His studies have been particularly confined to the action of alcohol on the mind and brain, and some of the medico- legal relations which would follow. He was among the first in this country to urge the fact that alcohol was a paralyzant, and that from this point of view all the phenomena of intoxication were clear and unmistakable. He carried the subject farther than Dr. Rich- ardson, of London, who. in his Canton lec- tures, called attention to certain general par- alyzing effects of spirits, but failed to make a full physiological study of the various phenomena of intoxication. Dr. Wright seems to have had a somewhat remarkable conception of the various stages of paralysis and the special action of alco- hol on the functional brain activities of inebriates. Starting from a higher point of view than other writers, he carried his studies down to more minute ranges, and described the symptoms of the disturbed brain when overcome by the action of spirits in the clearest and most convincing terms. Some of his studies of the confusion of the senses and the delusions which follow after the use of spirits are almost classical in their graphic setting. One of his papers described the irritation and disordered functioning of the brain and the growth of illusions and delusions in homicidal alcoholism which was the basis of two lectures and a subsequent book by Dr. Mynert. of The Hague, Hol- land. A brief chapter in his book on in- ebriism, showing the philosophy and de- fects in moral faculties of inebriates, has been incorporated into many volumes and lectures, some of which have neglected to give the author the proper credit. Many of

forces at work in the etiology of inebriety. One on Trance and Trance Alcoholic States, suggested some new lines of study, which has been greatly extended by Dr. Barriets. of Paris, and others. Dr. Wright's first pa- pers and works were far more suggestive than exhaustive. In many cases they were broad, clear outlines, with here and there more minute tracings, but in all there was a rare suggestiveness that stimulated inquiry and further research. In his later papers he sought to be more exhaustive, and carried his studies into broader fields of psycholog- ical phenomena. Here he showed the same charming grasp of the subject, noted by clearness of terms and expression. Dr. Wright will be remembered longer for his studies of the paralyzing action of alcohol on the brain and nervous system. His pioneer work was along this line, although I.e followed up Gressinger's and Lurey's idea of a sensory and ethical brain damaged by poisons, and showed clearly that alcohol acted first on this part of the brain and finally destroyed it. He also brought out the fact that the lower and animal brain might continue with some degree of health long after the higher brain was destroyed in inebriates. These are some of the facts which Dr. Wright brought into the realm of scientific study. Their full meaning and import is not yet understood except by a few advanced students. Only in the future will they be fully recognized and appreciated. Personally Dr. Wright was a most genial man; an optimist whose radiant faith in the final triumph of right gave color and bright- ness to all his life. As a companion on a foreign tour he lived above all the vexations of travel, and saw the humor and romance

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of each day's events. He was a keen ob- the obituary notices in the daily papers of server of the follies and weakness of hu- man nature, and formed very clear concep- tions of men and events. While never con- tradicting any statement of others, he was quick to discern the errors and very char- itable to excuse the motive for such state- ments. A blustering, arrogant critic. who condemned his views very severely, was as- tonished to hear him reply 'that such views showed great zeal and earnestness.' then go on and repeat and explain what he had said before. While Dr. Wright was natural- ly a retiring, unobtrusive man, and seemed not to be greatly interested in the every-day affairs of politics, religion, and social life. he was a very keen observer, and possessed strong convictions on all these topics. He was a devout believer in evolution and growth in both mind. morals and body, and the doctrine of right living and correct char- acter was a central point of his life. Above all his personality as a physician and man, above his influence on the generation he lived and worked among, his real life work was in opening up a new region of facts and pointing out new lines of study that will be followed far down into the future. The work of Dr. Wright for the past few years was that of a pioneer far beyond his day and generation. He saw more clearly than oth- ers the operation of certain physiological and psychological laws, and in describing them "Oh, may I join the choir invisible Of those immortal dead who live again In lives made better by their presence!" suggested other fields of study of the great- est interest not yet occupied. Death not in- frequently brings into prominence traits of character and virtues not clearly recognized before. This was not so with Dr. Wright. For years his acquaintance and corre- . spondence with eminent men and frequent rotice in scientific circles showed that he was known and appreciated. After his death

his own town and state and elsewhere, with eloquent remarks of distinguished clergy- men at the funeral, were additional evidence of the great influence and high esteem with which he was regarded by his neighbors and friends. Among scientific men, the con- ditions and environments of life are not so sharply reflected in their every-day work. Often they may appear more dull and indif- ferent to the influences of the hour. but be- hind this a higher ideal life and conception of truth and duty are apparent. This was marked in Dr. Wright and his work, in which he sought to make clear some central truths that would help on the solution of the great drink problem. How far he succeeded will be determined in the coming century. But today we look out over his life work just closed, and feel conscious that a great soul has been with us who has caught glimpses of facts and laws which govern them and traced out a few outline truths for others to follow ere he passed away."

As we think back over the past and note what Dr. Wright accomplished and how he labored, not only for his own generation, but fer posterity, we think that he must have been imbued with the spirit breathed forth in the lines :

While seen no more in Bellefontaine. his work lives after him and marks an honored step in the march of progress along scien- tific lines. In his home city while he was respected and admired he was more than that, beloved for his many characteristics,

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possessing those qualities which endeared him in strong ties of friendship to those with whom he was associated.

THOMAS H. WRIGHT.

Thomas Huntington Wright needs no special introduction to the readers of this volume, for he is the son of the distin- guished Dr. Thomas Lee Wright, and fur- thermore. his own success as a practitioner of law has made him worthy the attention and regard of his fellow citizens. He was born in Bellefontaine in April. 1849. and after acquiring a common school educa- tion he took up the study of telegraphy. and, still following the business, succeeded in saving some money. This enabled him to carry out his cherished desire of prepar- ing for the bar, and after reading law for five years with Kernan & Kernan. he was admitted to practice in the courts of Ohio. In 1874 he went to Denver. Col .. where he was engaged in practice of law in the office of ex-Governor Bela M. Hughes for a year, and was then ap- pointed assistant clerk in congress in Washington. D. C. Later he was trans- ferred to the treasury department, and upon his personal request, he was trans- ferred to officer of the treasury for the postoffice department. and was promoted to assistant chief bookkeeper, where he re- mained continuously until 1879. when he resigned because of ill health. suffering from malaria.

with the Columbus Times, of Columbus, Ohio. Later he was associate editor at Springfield. Ohio, in the office of the Champion City Times. Subsequently he became connected with the Kansas City Star as exposition reporter. Later he rep- resented the New York Tribune as its re- porter in Washington, D. C .. and was also a member of the staff of the Washington Critic. where he remained until after the enactment of the pension law of June 27. 1890. when he returned to Bellefontaine and opened an office as pension attorney. Here he has since remained. and while making a specialty of pension law. he also engages in general practice.

In his political views Mr. Wright is a Republican, earnest in his advocacy of the party. yet never seeking office. On the 17th of June. 1891. he was united in mar- riage to Miss Eva M. Dickinson, a daugh- ter of Attorney Henry C. Dickinson, and their children are Donald McCloud. Jose- phine Lord. Dorothea Case and Lucy Walker.

Through his divers business interests Thomas H. Wright has formed a wide ac- quaintance, and is a man who wins friends wherever he goes. He is now residing in his native city, where he is successfully conducting his business, and all who know him here entertain for him high regard.

EDWARD BOURION.

The field of labor is limitless. There are only a few prizes to be won in mili- tary and political circles. but business life

Mr. Wright then came to Bellefontaine and after a short stay here, entered the newspaper field. being first connected offers many prizes to the man of energy

لا به

مسحتف مط تصد ب ف شير

REV. HORADUS BOURION.

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and determination. Strong purpose. un- also a priest and had charge of two faltering labor and sterling principles have Catholic churches in Ohio, his last pastor- gained for Mr. Bourion a place among the ate being in Clark county. He also went prosperous and respected citizens of Lo- to Menominee, Michigan, where his death occurred on the 2d of December. 1896. gan county and he is now enjoying a well merited rest at his home in Bellefontaine. Edward Bourion acquired a good col- lege education in his native country and remained at home until 1861, when, in company with his two brothers, he sailed for America, landing in New York city. He went direct to Marquette, Michigan, where lived an uncle, who was also a mem- ber of the priesthood. There Mr. Bourion of this review engaged in teaching a French school for two years and on the expiration of that period he removed to Negaunee, Michigan, where he conducted a French school for three years. While there he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Egan, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, July 21. 1851, a daughter of Thomas and Margaret Egan. Her father was foreman in the iron mines there and both he and his wife are now deceased. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bourion have been born twelve children : Mary, who is a sis- ter in the Convent of Mercy at Cincinnati, Ohio, where she is a teacher of music; Honoratus, who was graduated in the schools of Canada and studied for the priesthood in Cincinnati, Ohio, after which he devoted his life to his holy calling until his death, which occurred June 15, 1891 ; Alcide, who is employed in the shops of the Big Four Railroad Company at Belle- fontaine: Francis, who is also in the rail- road shops; Edward, who married Miss Odile Raiche and resides in Menominee, Michigan: Clement, who is employed in the Big Four Railroad shops; Clara, who occupies a position in the printing office where he has resided since the first of November. 1877. He is a native of Loraine. France, born on the 16th of Feb- ruary, 1843, and is a son of Francis and Margaret (Duroc) Bourion, both of whom were natives of the same country and there spent their entire lives. The father was an architect and builder and constructed many of the fine bridges and buildings in his native district. He was thus engaged through his business career and his life's labors were ended in death in 1856. In his family were seven children : Julia, now deceased : Josephine and Eleanor, who are residents of Colorado; Adalaide, who makes her home in Michigan : Honoratus. now deceased: Edward. and Alcide. Honoratus, who for twelve years was a priest of the Catholic church in Bellefon- taine, was educated for the church in Paris, France, and was ordained at Sault Ste Marie, Michigan. After entering the priesthood he took charge of the Catholic church at Negaunee, Michigan, where he remained for twelve years and then on account of ill health he went to the west, settling in Central City, Colorado, where he acted as pastor of the Catholic church for seven years. On the expiration of that period he came to Bellefontaine and was the loved priest of the Catholic church here for twelve years. He next went to Menominee, Michigan, where he died on the Ist of November, 1902. Alcide was

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The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 46

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