The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 74

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

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the forest he hewed down the trees and de- veloped a farm. He was a man of great physical vigor and strength and lived to the ripe old age of eighty-three years. Dr. Hiram Draper, the father of our subject, was born in the Empire state and. deter- mining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he was graduated in the Columbia Medical College. He then opened an office for practice in New York city where he remained until his death, which occurred in 1841, when he was but thirty-six years of age. He had married Miss Sophia Stevens, a representative of the old historic Stevens family of Connec- ticut. She was born in that state and after her husband's death came from the Empire state to Ohio. Her death occurred in West Liberty when she was eighty years of age. Of the family of six children. three are now living : Hiram : Amelia, the wife of W. B. Reid, of Connecticut ; and Franklin N. The others died in childhood.

Franklin N. Draper was reared in Connecticut, but after the death of his father his mother removed with her fam- ily to her native state, our subject being then ten years of age. He attended the public schools and when a youth of fifteen years entered upon an independe it career, since which time he has trusted entirely to his own business ability and enterprise for all that he has enjoyed and acquired. He was first employed as a dry goods elerk in Norwalk, Connecticut, for five years and on attaining his majority he came to Ohip in 1853 and accepted a po- sition as salesman in the dry goods store of J. C. Brand of Urbana, where he re- mained for two years. On the expiration of that period he returned to Connecticut and was engaged in the manufacture of

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shoes in Darien. that state, where he re- and helpful interest and his fellow citizens. mained for three years. He was then mar- recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to public office. For several years he served as a member of the village council and for twelve years he was also township trustee and in the discharge of his official duties he has ever been prompt and reliable. Although he has reached the psalmist's span of three score years and ten he is yet an active factor in the busi- ness life of his adopted town and in a list of the prominent citizens of West Lib- erty Mr. Draper is always mentioned among the first. ried and once more he came to Ohio, ar- riving in 1859. For a brief period he re- sided in Dayton and then came to West Liberty, where he engaged in the manu- facture of boots and shoes, hats and caps and other furnishing goods and he is still conducting this enterprise. With one ex- ception he is the oldest merchant of West Liberty in years of continuous connection with the trade interests here and he is ac- corded a liberal patronage which yields to him a good annual income. Of the first Building & Loan Association organiza- tion in West Liberty he became the presi- dent and continuously served in that ca- pacity with the exception of one year dur- JOHN P. HAMM. ing the period of its existence.

In 1859 Mr. Draper was united in mar- riage to Miss Mary F. Holmes of Stam- ford. Connecticut, and unto them have been bora the following named: Alice. now the wife of G. W. Stonebraker : Frank HI .; Charles, who is cashier of the First National Bank of Bowling Green, Ohio; Catherine, the widow of W. R. Foust ; . 1. Milne, of El Paso, Texas: Elizabeth : Mary F., the wife of Ira Packer of East Liberty: and Anna. who died at the age of five years. There are also twelve grand- children all living. Mrs. Draper, the mother of these children. is a descendant of the old Holmes family that was estab- lished in Stamford, Connecticut, in 1640. Representatives of the name also located in Darien, buying a tract of land of the In- dians. The ancestral home is still stand- ing and is yet occupied for residence pur- poses.

In public affairs since coming to West Liberty Mr. Draper has taken an active

Although a resident of Bellefontaine for bat a brief period. in that time John P. Hamm gained many friends who deeply regretted his death. He passed away July 15. 1897, in Chicago, where he had gone for medical treatment. He was born in Alsace. Germany. in 1859, and was but five years old when he came to the United States with his parents, the family locating in Pittsburg. Pennsylvania, where he re- ceived his literary education and also his musical training. At an early age he be- came connected with an orchestra and was only fifteen when he took charge of one. He was also a member of the Great West- ern Band of Pittsburg, a noted organiza- tion at that time and after attaining his majority had charge of several orchestras in large cities and was quite prominent in musical cireles.

In 1884. at Ravenna, Ohio. Mr. Hamm was united in marriage to Miss Laura B. Huber, who was born near Uniontown,

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Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Jacob and Sarah (Wright) Huber. the former a native of Tyrol. Austria, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hamm was born one daughter. Edna L .. who is with her mother.

For a time Mr. Hamm conducted a cigar factory in Fort Wayne. Indiana, and from there removed to Bellefontaine in 1895 to take charge of the orchestra at the Grand Opera House. Later he embarked in the cigar business at this place and met with good success, manufacturing a brand known as the Cuban, which made his fac- tory famous far and near. For a time he was in partnership with R. D. Lamb under the firm name of the R. D. Lamb Cigar Company, and since his death Mrs. Hamm. at the request of her husband. has carried on the business under the name of the Cuban Cigar Company, having charge of both the factory and the retail business. She has manifested exceptional ability in business affairs and is meeting with well merited success.

Mr. Hamm died of quick consumption brought on by severe injuries to his chest caused by lifting a box of tobacco in the cigar factory, of which he was not only a partner but also acting as foreman. The injuries brought on hemorrhages of the lungs and for several days his life hung by a single thread. Afterward. however. came slight improvement and for some · time he lingered in poor health. but a week prior to his demise he left his home in Bellefontaine to go to Chicago. there to receive medical treatment. It was thought , the class of 1849. He located at Quincy, that he would not live to see the end of Ohio, where he remained for three years and then went to Kenton, where he spe:it ten years. In the fall of 1862 he came to DeGraff. where his remaining days were the journey but he survived the trip and was taken to the hospital but, though the best medical aid of the city was sum-

moned, no help could be rendered him and he died on the 15th of July. 1897.

Mr. Hamm was a member of the Lutheran church. During his residence in Bellefontaine lie won high esteem and was recognized as a man of personal honor and of high standing as a musician. The Grand Opera House orchestra under his leadership became one of the best musical organizations Bellefontaine has ever Inown and he was a valued factor in mu- sical circles and wherever he went he won fie :ds by reason of his genial manner and kindly spirit as well as his ability as a mu- sical artist. He was a member of the Knights of Pythias fraternity and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and in these organizations he also gained many friends.

WILLIAM CROCKETT HANCE. M. D.

William Crockett Hance, M. D .. a homeopathic physician and surgeon who is successfully practicing in DeGraff. was born in Kenton. the county seat of Har- din county, Ohio. December 16. 1857. his parents being Dr. Joseph F. and Sarah (Turner) Hance. The father was born near Casstown in Miami county, Ohio, and pursued his education in Troy, after which he took up the study of medicine under the direction of Dr. Abbott of Troy. further continuing his preparation for his chosen calling in the Eclectic Medical College in Cincinnati, in whch he was graduated in

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passed. His wife was born and reared in 292 F. & A. M., and to the chapter at Kingston, Ohio, and it was probably in that locality that they were married. They became the parents of three children, the eldest being Turner B., who died in in- fancy, while the youngest was Luella Capitola, who is residing with the Doctor. The father had a very good practice and was a physician of broad reading and thorough information. In politics he was a Republican, but was never an office-seek- er, and he belonged to the Baptist church. His death occurred April 26. 1887, and his wife passed away July 31. 1869. the re- mains of both being interred in the ceme- tery of DeGraff.

Dr. William C. Hance, whose name in- troduces this review, was but five years of age when his parents removed to DeGraff. Here he acquired his education and in 1877 he began reading for the profession to which he has since devoted his time and energies. In 1879 he entered the Pulte Medical College, where he pursued a three years' course and was graduated in 1882. He then began practice in De- Graff and it was not long before he had secured a liberal patronage, while through the passing years he has enjoyed a good business that is indicative of his skill in al- leviating human sufferings. His reading has been broad and comprehensive and with readiness he adapts his knowledge to the needs of those who come under his professional care.

The Doctor is an earnest Republican who keeps well informed on the issues of the day and takes an active part in pro- moting the growth and success of his party. He has been a delegate to various conventions and his opinions therein carry weight. He belongs to Boggs Lodge. No.

Bellefontaine. He is also a member of Helmet Lodge, K. P .. at DeGraff. In ad- dition to his practice the Doctor owns a one-fifth interest in the Pheonix block, a three-story brick structure, ninety-two by sixty feet and containing forty-five rooms. It is used for hotel and other business pur- poses and was erected in 1894. Since that year Dr. Hance has also been a stockholder in the Bellefontaine Bridge Company. Having spent almost his entire life in De- Graff, he has a very wide acquaintance. his professional duties bringing him into contact with many, and the regard in which he is held is not the less the result of an upright character and genuine personal worth than of professional skill and ability.

JAMES E. MCCRACKEN.

James E. McCracken has taken no in- considerable part in the upbuilding of Bellefontaine, having laid out three addi- tions to the city and built and sold eleven houses here. He is now engaged in mar- ket gardening and is controlling a success- ful business, the constant growth of which is bringing to him very desirable financial returns. Mr. McCracken was born in Greene county, Ohio. April 22, 1849. His father. James B. McCracken, was at one time a real estate dealer of Greene county. whence, in 1858. he removed to Cham- paign county, residing there for eight years. He owned about eight hundred acres of land there which he afterward sold and in 1866 he came to Logan county, settling here in the fall of that year. He then purchased between five and six hun-

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dred acres of land, including the present home of our subject. He had sixty-eight acres within the city limits of Belleion- taine. He died at the home of his son. J. E. McCracken. in June. 1878, while his wife passed away in February of the same year. There were eleven children in that family who reached mature years and eight are still living.

Mr. McCracken of this review was but nine years of age when his parents went to Champaign county and was a youth of seventeen when they came to Logan county. He lived upon the homestead until May. 1882, and has since engaged in market gardening, carrying on a business which was established by his brother. He has fifteen acres planted to garden prod- ucts, having a greenhouse in which he produces early vegetables and also carries on farming elsewhere. He has a thorough understanding of the business and so care- fully conducts his interests that they are bringing to him very creditable success. Mr. McCracken has laid out three addi- tions to Bellefontaine, all supplied with modern improvements, with streets fifty feet wide and in the additions there are one hundred and fifty-one lots. He built eleven houses which he afterward sold and he has done much for the development of the city in this way.

On September 27. 1870. in this county. Mr. McCracken was united in marriage to Miss Mary L. Cook, a daughter of Thomas Cook, who died in Bellefontaine in 1899. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Jane Dow and was a cousin of Duncan Dow, is still living. Mr. Cook has spent his entire life in Logan county and is a well known citizen of ster- ling worth. In his family were three sons

and two daughters, namely: Thomas J. and O. L., both residents of Bellefontaine: Charles C., who is residing near Hunts- ville, Ohio: Nannie, the wife of Dr. L. S. Phillips, of Belle Center, Ohio : and Mrs. MeCracken. Unto our subject and his wife have been born five children: Arthur J .. who is now a practicing physician lo- cated in East Haven, Indiana; Thomas C .. who is a professor in Monmouth College of Monmouth, Illinois : Myrtle L., who has been teaching school for several years in Bellefontaine : Charles C., who is a teacher in Champaign county ; and Mary Florence. who is in school and resides at home. All of the children except the youngest are graduates of the high school of this city. Arthur is also a graduate of Monmouth College and of the Medical College of In- dianapolis and is now assitant physician to the medical staff of the Insane Asylum at East Haven, Indiana, the appointment coming to him unsolicited. Thomas was for seven years a successful teacher in the high school of Bellefontaine before mov- ing to Monmouth.

In his political views Mr. McCracken is a stalwart Republican, and he and his family hold membership in the United Presbyterian church, in which he has served as an elder. They take an active interest in its work contribute liberally to its support and labor earnestly for the exten- sion of its influence. Mr. McCracken is a friend of progress, believing in advance- ment along material, social educational and moral lines. Having but limited school priv- ileges himself. he has provided his children with excellent opportunities in this direction. but no matter what advantages from fam- ily, friends or schools one may receive. marked success depends upon the man, and

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in his business career Mr. McCracken has cultivation of the cereals best adapted to displayed marked ability which has re- sulted to his own prosperity and to the benefit of his city as well.

JONATHAN E. GREEN.

Jonathan E. Green is one of the young farmers of Logan county and his entire life has been spent here. He was born May 23, 1877. his parents being Elias and Deborah (Watkins) Green. His father, too, was a native of the Buckeye state. his birth occurring in Clinton county. Ohio. whence he removed to Logan county when he was forty years of age. In early life he had learned the blacksmith's trade and he worked at the forge and also at farming, making his home in Pickrelltown until his death. which occurred in 1882. He had wedded Miss Deborah Watkins and their children were: Albert ; Samuel. who married Lottie MeCardle; Mary. the wife of Fred Lutz; and Jonathan, who, completes the family.

It is not difficult to imagine Jonathan E. Green as a farmer boy, making his way to the district schools there to ac- quire the education which has fitted him for life's practical duties. He continued to attend school until twenty years of age. when he put aside his text books and be- gan farming on his own account, entering into partnership with his uncle, with whom he was connected until twenty-two years of age. He has since purchased what is known as the Freer place, upon which he has since lived and he now has here sixty- two acres of land pleasantly located in Monroe township. In connection with the

the soil and climate he raises some very fine cattle, making a specialty of these. He has always believed in keeping good stock and he also believes in having ample provisions for the care of his stock and grain. He has therefore placed good im- provements upon his farm and everything about his place is neat and attractive in appearance.

When twenty-two years of age Mr. Green was united in marriage to Miss Myrtle Short. a daughter of Lanson and Christine (Piper) Short. They are both well known in this community and need ro special introduction to the readers of this volume. because they have a large cir- cle of acquaintances in Logan county. Mr. Green has given careful consideration to political questions and as the result of his earnest thought he has come to the con- chision that the Republican party contains the best elements of good government. Its men and measures therefore receive his support on clection days and his religious faith is indicated by his connection with the Society of Friends.

GEORGE W. EMERSON.

Death often removes from our midst those whom we can ill afford to lose, and it was a feeling of deep regret that o'er spread the community when it was learned that George W. Emerson had passed away for he was a man whose intrinsic worth of character was widely recognized. He had been an active and honorable member of the legal fraternity, was progressive and public spirited in citizenship and in pri-

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vate life he manifested social qualities and a kindly spirit that endeared him to many friends. A native of Logan county, Ohio. he was born near East Liberty on the 19th of December. 1849. He had a half- brother and half-sister. J. D. Emerson, of Bellefontaine. and Mrs. Abbie Embrey, of North Lewisburg.

Having obtained his early education in the public schools. Mr. Emerson afterward pursued a classical course in the Hillsdale College of Hillsdale. Michigan, in which he was graduated in 1870. He was then in the engineering corps at the time of the first survey of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and afterward returned to Belle- fontaine to study law with the firm of West. Walker & Kennedy. After acquir- ing a good knowledge of the principles of jurisprudence he was admitted to the bar in 1875. The following year he began practice in partnership with E. J. Howen- stine, in which connection he continued until 1877. after which he practiced alone. In that year he was elected prosecuting attorney and was re-elected in 1879. a fact which indicated his fidelity to duty and his capability in office. He prepared his cases with great decision and fairness and was seldom, if ever. at fault in his application of legal principles to the point at issue. He made his clients' interests his own and his devotion thereto was proverbial. In addition to the practice of law he was a stockholder in the Bellefontaine Savings & Loan Association, and aided in its organi- zation. He was also a stockholder in the Bellefontaine National Bank and he owned tenement houses which are still the prop- erty of Mrs. Emerson.

In 1885 occurred the marriage of Mr. Emerson and Miss Laura Nichols, who 37

was born in Loudoun county. Virginia. and was brought to Logan county when a maiden of thirteen years. Her father, Isaac Nichols, died in Cedar county, Iowa. to which place he had removed in the early `6os. Her mother is still living. Mrs. Emerson has one brother living. Morgan J. Nichols, of Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Emerson was educated in the Bellefontaine schools and is a lady of culture and re- finement, who, since her husband's death, has also displayed excellent business abil- ity in the care of her property interests. She has three children, two sons and a daughter. Harold. Stanley and Mozelle, aged respectively sixteen, fourteen and ten years.

In his political views Mr. Emerson was a stalwart Republican and for six years he served as a member of the city council. exercising his official prerogatives in sup- port of every measure or improvement which he believed would contribute to the general good. Ile had firm faith in the principles of his party and delivered many campaign addresses in its behalf. He be- longed to the Royal Arcanum and to the Masonic fraternity and his life was in con- sistent harmony with his professions as a member of the Presbyterian church. He passed away on the 26th of July. 1897. and was laid to rest in the Bellefontaine cemetery. At the time of his death he was his party's candidate for the office of state legislator. but died before the election. No man of the community was ever more respected or ever more fully enjoyed the confidence of the people or more richly deserved the esteem in which he was held. Honorable in business, loyal in citizen- ship, charitable in thought, kindly in ac- tion and true to every trust confided to his

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care. his life was the highest type of Chris- Union township purchased by Mr. Miller tian manhood. He was for many years in in 1830 or 1831. first occupying an old active practice at the Bellefontaine bar and comparatively few men endeared them- selves to so great an extent to their pro- fessional associates and to those with whom they came in contact in the dis- charge of public duties. cabin which stood there when it came into his possession. Later he built a frame house, which stood until 1858, when it was torn away to make room for a two-story brick residence, twenty-eight by thirty- eight feet, containing eleven rooms, and subsequently a frame addition of one room was built in 1870 for the accommodation of the mother of our subject. She died MARTIN MILLER. December 12, 1880, and the father passed away October 14. 1866. In his political views he was a Democrat but seldom voted. He was a minister of the German Baptist church and labored untiringly to promote the cause of Christianity. Wide- ly and favorably known throughout this section of the state, he left many friends to mourn his loss besides his immediate family.

With the agricultural interests of Union township this gentleman has been long and prominently identified and now owns and operates a fine farm of one hun- dred and sixty acres, on which his entire life has been passed. Here he was born on the 3Ist of October. 1839. a son of Rev. Jacob and Diana (Huber) Miller, both natives of the Shenandoah valley, be- ing born in Rockingham county. Virginia. His paternal grandparents were Martin and Magdalene Miller, and his maternal grandparents were John and Margaret Huber.

In 1831, when a young man, Rev. Jacob Miller came to Logan county, Ohio. and purchased the farm in Union town- ship where our subject now resides. He then returned to Virginia, where he spent one year, and at the end of that time again came to the Buckeye state. Here he mar- ried Miss Diana Huber, who had come to Ohio with her mother in September. 1832, her father having previously died in the Old Dominion, and they spent one winter on the farm where our subject now lives. She had become acquainted with her hus- band in Virginia. After their marriage they made their home on the farm in

Seven children were born to Rev. Mil- ler and his wife, namely: Margaret, the wife of Amos Miller, of Bellefontaine; Elizabeth, who married Peter Harner and lives in West Liberty; Polly, wife of Hugh Newell, whose sketch appears on another page of this volume; Martin, of this re- view; Barbara, who wedded James B. Douglas and died in March, 1866: Abed- nego, a farmer of Union township; and Susan, who married Martin Mohr and re- sides in Lealman. Florida.

In the common schools near his home Martin Milles pursued his education. be- coming familiar with the branches of learning which fit one for life's practical duties. He also received ample training in farm labor. early becoming familiar with the duties of field and meadow. He never left the parental roof and has never been absent from the old homestead a month

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at a time. Soon after he attained his ma- Nancy, wife of Renrick Patterson. of Belle- jority he and his only brother took charge fontaine : and Mrs. Miller. To our sub- ject and his wife were born three children but Jacob Eber and Olive May both died of scarlet fever about the same time, the former at the age of eight and the latter six years. Carrie Beal. the only one now living, is a graduate of the DeGraff high school and was also a student at Witten- berg College, Springfield. for about a year. She has successfully engaged in teaching school for one term in Harrison township and two terms in No. 1. Union township. of the farm and after the mother's death they purchased the interests of the other heirs. They also bought another farm and subsequently divided the property. our subject taking one hundred and sixty acres of the home farm as his share. This he has placed under a high state of cultiva- tion, devoting his energies to the raising of crops best adapted to this climate. His business is well conducted and his careful supervision and capable management have brought to him success in his undertak- ings.

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The historical review of Logan County, Ohio, Part 74

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