Scioto County, Ohio - Biographical sketches (1 of 2 so headed), 1903 (part 4 of 15)
From History of Scioto County, Ohio, Together with a Pioneer Record of Southern Ohio, published 1903. 15,900 words, reproduced complete and unedited. Source changes inside the text are labelled in place.
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15,900 wordsMachine-read from scans of History of Scioto County, Ohio, Together with a Pioneer Record of Southern Ohio, published 1903. Nothing has been corrected: fixing what looks like a misspelled name is how an invented one gets published. Source changes are marked where they occur.
was born December 28, 1828, in Williamson county, Tennessee. His father was Wilson B. Davis and his mother's maiden name was Capland. They had seven children of whom he was third. His father was a farmer. When he was but eleven years of age, his father died; and his mother died two months later. He was sent to an uncle Stokely Davis, who lived nine miles from Franklin, Tennessee. This uncle had a number of children of his own, but he was willing to take the care and rearing of our subject, but his aunt at that time had to make all her children's clothing on a loom and she did not think she could provide for an extra child and required her husband to send him to Franklin. He walked to Franklin alone with a walking cane and left it outside of the city and went back after it on Sunday. He carried all his effects in a bandana handkerchief, costing 12 1-2 cents. His uncle apprenticed him to Richard and Franklin Gordins, tailors, in Franklin. They had shops in Franklin and Columbia. He was apprenticed until of age but he remained with these parties four years.
At that time he made an agreement with his master to buy his time and gave them his note, payable when he came of age, which he afterwards scrupulously paid. Having a great thirst for knowledge, he went to Franklin College industrial school, near Nashville, and remained there until he was eighteen years of age. He then spent one year at Harpeth Academy in Williamson county and after that began the study of medicine with Doctor Kimbrough of Franklin. He had inherited $400 from his father and his uncle Stokely Davis was his guardian. He persuaded his uncle to pay him the money before he became of age. With this money, he attended the Medical College in Cincinnati in 1848 and 1850. While in Cincinnati studying medicine, he fell in love with the state of Ohio and thought he would make it his home. In 1850 he obtained his diploma from the Botanical Medical College of Cincinnati.
He located in Charlotte, Tennessee, and was married there to Miss Arabella C, Collier. They had two children born in Charlotte: Mary L. who marnied Rev. O. F. Erb and died January, 1881. and a son Frank who now lives in Portsmouth, He left Charlotte and located in Nashville in May, 1861, and remained there for two years. Directly after Nashville was taken by the Federal forces, he went into Giles county and gathered up all the Confederate money he could find and invested it in 100 bales of cotton for which he paid $900 and sold it on the ground without moving it for $5,000 in gold to one of the denota of the patriarch Jacob, His purchaser made more out of it than he
In December, 1863, he removed to Cincinnati and went into the drug business on 'Pearl and Vine streets. He was engaged in the drug business for seven years and lost from $2,400 to $3,000 while in it. He. quit the drug business and went into the spice business and lost $2,500.- He was never discouraged and came to Portsmouth in 1873 and bought an interest in the drug store then owned by J. W. Ricker and David Jones. In 1875, he bought out his partner and continued in the drug business alone until 1895, when the J. F. Davis Drug Company was formed and he became president. He retired November 10, 1900.
His wife died in 1875 in Portsmouth and he was married a second time to Mrs. Susan Fay, In 1844, he joined the Christian church in Franklin, Tennessee, at the age of 16 years and was baptised in the Harpeth river. During his residence in Cincinnati he was an elder in the Richmond Street Christian church and bas been an elder since his residence in Portsmouth. He was largely instrumental] in building the new church in Portsmouth, and gave over $5,000 to it and it cost $10,000. He has given away large sums in charity since he has been in Portsmouth. He became a trustee of the Children's Home in 1900 and has continued such ever since.
Prior to the war he was a whig, since that time he has been a prohibitionist. Doctor Davis is a man of remarkable judgment and is a first class business man in every respect. Whenever a situation is presented to him, he investigates it in all of its features and then passes judgment on it. If he un-. dertakes anything, it will sueceed. If he determines any measure is not feasible, he will have nothing more to do with it. He has made a wonderful success in his business, no one ever prospered more than he and it was because he gave his entire time and attention to its details. In the Christian church he is a power and in the community as an individual Christian, he is a power. As a worker in his church he is not excelled. He is in no way responsible for this article and these comments are the tribute of a friend who knows him weil and judges him impartially. He has a faith in his religion which would move mountains and he carries it out in his daily life. The Christian church in Portsmouth in the period of his residence in the city has had a most remarkable growth, more so than any church in the-city, and it is largely due to the start which he gave it. While the work is now being conducted by others principally, the foundation and early growth of the church was largely his. There was born November 8, 1856, in Gallia county, Ohio. He was educated at Gallia Academy, Gallipolis and Rio Grande College. He began the study of law under his brother David Davis, at Jackson, in 1881. While studying he removed to Chillicothe, Missouri, and was admitted there in June, 1883. He practiced there until 1884 when he located in Ironton, Ohio, in the month of April. He held the office of Probate Judge of Lawrence county, Ohio, from February, 1888 til] February 1894, since which time he practised law until 1891, when he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacturing business. He manufactures a compound for cleaning boilers. The firm is H. Kohlsurd & Company of Norwood, Ohio. As a lawyer and a business man, Mr.
He was married in August, 1883 to Ellen I. Salter of Thurman, Gallia county, Ohio. The children of this marriage are: Margaret EH, attending St. Mary's school at Columbus, Ohio; Benjamin H. attending school at Philadelphia. His wife died in August, 1891. In September, 1893, he was married to Ida W. Dean, daughter of L, T. Dean, of Ironton, Ohio.
was born November 11, 1859. He was the son of David Day, and the grandson of David Day, a native of New Jersey, who came to Mt. Joy, with his family, about 1454, from Venango county, Pennsylvania. His mother was Mary Elizabeth (Jones) Day, daughter of James and Eliza (Smith) Jones. He attended the pub- lic schools and prepared himself to teach. He entered the profession and has taught regularly ever since. He attended school a short time at the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and at the Ohio Normal University at Ada, Ohio. During all this time, he has improved himself and has become one of the best teachers in the county. He has been employed the past two years as principal of the public schools at Otway, Ohio, giving good satisfaction. He was elected Mayor of Otway in 1902, and also Justice of the Peace of Brush Creek township the same year. He is a follower of the democratic faith, but votes for the man and the measure as often as for the party. He is a member of the Christian church at Mt. Joy, Ohio. On June 4, 1885 he was married to Malina Adams, daughter of Hugh and Emily (Long) Adams, of Mt. Joy. Their children are: Monford Earl died at the age of ten; Millie Belle, age twelve; Mettie, deceased in infancy; and Ruth, age six.
was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, November 2, 1841. His father Jacob Deemer was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and was of German ancestry. His mother was Susan Bunzo, whose mother was a native of France. Our subject's life, until he was sixteen years of age, was spent in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, where he received all his school training. In 1857, his father with his family came to Scioto county, and located in Madison township. August 21, 1862 he enlisted in Company F, ist Ohio Heavy Artillery and was made a corporal, August 1, 18638. He was discharged July 25, 1865. After the war, about 1871, he was engaged in the lumber business, and lived in Washington township, where he operated a saw-mill for several years. He also owned a good farm on Carey's Run. He was a Trustee of Washington township, in 1875. December 4, 1870, he was married to Samantha McKinney, daughter of Lorenzo Dow Mc- Kinney. Mr. Deemer has two children, Charles D. and Lucy Jane. In 1880 he removed to the northwestern part of Rush towship, near McCulloch creek, where he has one of the finest and best equipped farms in the county. His farm buildings are miodels of usefulness. He is known all over the county as an upright, honest, successful man and is esteemed for his genial manners and obliging disposition.
was born March 17, 1843, in Jackson county, Ohio. His father was Solomon Dever, and his mother's maiden name was Chloe Mault. He received a common school education. He was raised a farmer, and has been engaged in farming, ever since. He owns the farm of 840 acres on which he was born. He was married October 22, 1883, to Margaret Slavens. He has two children: Sadie, married Floyd Purdy, a farmer, residing at Lucasville; Frank S., married Sadie Shurd, resides with his father, and is engaged in farming. Mr. Dever owns a .farm 'of 170 acres in Madison township. He is also engaged in stock raising. He has always been a republican.
At the age of eighteen years, he was as ambitious and anxious to succeed and as much inclined to hard manual labor upon the farm as any member of the large family. At about that age, he met with an accident that lamed him for life. It was really a fortunate circumstance for him in one sense. It took him out of the furrow and gave him an opportunity to think. Instead of going on doing the manual work of one man, he has been enabled to give such employment to many. He now owns and operates the largest and best equipped farm in his county, and also does a large business in the handling of live stock.
He is of a lively and cheerful disposition, and has always been a great _ lover of children. Without letting his most intimate friends know anything about it, he delights in helping a deserving boy in getting an education or obtaining desirable employment and has spent much money in that direction.
_ While he is strictly business-like in his trades and financial transactions, exacting and giving full measure he is most liberal with his family, and exceedingly generous to the numerous young friends, whom he has seen fit to assist in various ways.
4 He takes great interest in the betterment of the condition of all the people in his employ, or in any manner connected with him and while he has succeeded himself, and justly prides himself upon his success he takes equal pleasure in the success of those around him, and in whose welfare he has interested himself. His friendships are marked and strong, and his animosities decided. There is no distance he will not go to oblige a friend, and he will go-about as far to punish one who has done him a deliberate wrong, But he is quick to make reparation, if he finds himself in the wrong. He is what may be called a strict man of affairs, of sturdy honesty and of a positive, aggressive nature, yet most liberal and indulgent with his family and generous and helpful to all deserving persons with whom he comes in contact.
was born September 13, 1858. His father was George Dever and his mother Mary White, daughter of John White, one of the pioneers. His grandfather was Solomon Dever. He was born in Madison township. He received a common school education. He taught school from 1876 to 1895, most of the time in Madison township, but he taught two terms in Vernon township and one in Hamilton township, Jackson county. He was married July 1, 1881, to Clara Gertrude Rigley, daughter of John Rigley and Jane Titus, his wife. John Righey enlisted in Company F, 91st O. V. I. on August 11, 1862, for three years, at the age of twentythree. He was wounded at the battle of Stevenson's Depot, Virginia and was mustered out April 27, 1865, at Cumberland, Maryland. His death in 1869, was due to his army service.
Our subject's children are: John Harrison, Blaine, Gertie Mahala, Amy Ethel, Ida lone, Walter McKinley, Samuel Hobart and Roy Homer. Mr. Dever is a republican and a member of the Christian church. He has never held any office except that of member of the Board of Education of his township for four years, and the president of the same board for two years. He is a fine looking specimen of the Scioto county farmer and as good as he looks. He has good health a great surplus of energy and industry, which he is capitalizing into property, and if he lives out his expectancy, he will die leaving a competency.
was born in Morgan township, Scioto county Ohio, August 11, 1867. He is the son, of Joseph Dever, grandson of Willliam Dever, and great-grandson of John Dever. John Dever, the great-grandfather, and his two brothers, George and James, came from Virginia, and settled in Scioto county in 1800. He had three sons, William, James and John, who were born in Virginia. William Thomas Dever's great-uncle, John Dever, was a soldier in the war of 1812. William Dever, grandfather of William Thomas Dever, was born March 7, 1794, and died November 24, 1834. His wife, Asenath McDougol, was born in Ireland, October 12, 1797, married to him May 16, 1816, and died November, 1877.
Joseph M. and wife had seven children. Of their children, Joseph M. married Rebecca F. Wheeler, a native of Virginia; Belle, is the wife of Frank Simpson; Mary E. is the wife of G. F. Lauman; Wiliam T., our subject, and James F., sons, reside at Clifford, Ohio; Catherine, is the wife of Dr. M. J. Beard, of Lucasville, Ohio. Mrs. Blanche M. Dodds resides at Butler, Pennsylvania, and Louisa, deceased, was the wife of H. C. Starr.
'William T. was reared in Morgan township, where he always resided. He has always been a farmer and makes a specialty of raising fine Chester White hogs. Since 1892, he has taken more than 400 premiums, at State and County fairs, for fancy swine and for three years past has taken first premiums at the Ohio State Fair. He is a democrat and his forefathers were democrats. Mr. Dever has been for several years & member of the Board of Education of Morgan township. He married Ida B. Harwood, daughter of Daniel and Hannah (Darlington) Harwood, December 27, 1888. They have one child Mary Frances. Mr. Dever is a representative man of his neighborhood and has the esteem of all for his sterling qualities. Honorable and upright, kind and courteous he makes friends wherever he goes. ' was born October 18, 1841 in Wurtemberg, Germany. His father was George Dice, and his mother's maiden name was Fredericka Horn. His parents emigrated to the United States when-he was five years of age. They located in Cincinnati. He attended the public schools in Cincinnati until he was thirteen years of age, and was then apprenticed to Isaac and Benjamin Bruce to learn carriage making. He remained with them five years. From 1859 to 1864, he worked as a journeyman in Cincinnati, except during his army service, In 1864, he came to Portsmouth and opened a shop of his own and he has carried on that business in Portsmouth for thirty-eight consecutive years and is still in it, though he has also been concerned in other business.
He enlisted in Company G, 6th, O. V. I. three months men, the Cincinnati Guthrie Greys, in April, 1861, but was rejected on physical examination at the camp of rendezvous and was thus deprived of a military career, In 1862 and 1863, he was in government service at Corinth, Mississippi, as an expert mechanic, for seven months. His first location in business in Portsmouth was on Jefferson street. In 1868, he built his three-story carriage factory on Second street, and has occupied that ever since. He'went into the livery business in 1870, with Thomas T. Yeager, and has been in that business ever since except from 1895 to 1898. On November 6, 1898, his livery stable at the old Maklem stand on Market street was burned down, and he built the three story brick building now oceupied by him at 16 and 18 Hast Fourth street. He went into the undertaking business in connection with his livery and is now conducting three businesses in Portsmiouth; livery, undertaking and carriage repairing. He was married in 1863 to Elizabeth Lind, a native of Hesse, Germany. He has six children: John W., who is in business with him; Anna, at home; Kate, married to Harry Doty, son of Theo. F. Doty; Louis, in his fourth year at West Point, United States Military Academy; Jessie and Hssie, twins; Jessie is at home, and Essie is a student at Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts. Mr. Dice has always been a republican. He was a trustee of the City Water Works from 1893 to 1899.
was born at Tiffin, Ohio, June 6, 1864, the son of Simon and Sarah L. Dickens. When our subject reached the age of six, his parents moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended the public schools for the following ten years. He then started on his business career, remaining in Milwaukee until reaching the age of nineteen when he moved to Minnesota and accepted the position vif assistant secretary of the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce, which position he filled with marked ability for three years, after which time he moved to Chicago and received his first introduction into the stone business. He represented the company, with which he was then connected, at their various agencies and remained with them for eight years, when he severed his connection with them for a year's trip abroad, during which time he visited England and South Africa.
On returning to America he again took up the stone business, locating in Chicago, where he remained one year. He then came to Scioto county, in 1897, as the representative of the McDermott Bros., and purchased the properties which have since been developed into one of Scioto county's most important business industries, that of The McDermott Stone Company at McDermott, Ohio. He has been a director and officer in this company since its organization. Mr. Dickens resides at McDermott and in politics is considered a staunch republican. He is a member of all the Masonic bodies, a Shriner and an Elk.
An assiociate in business says of him: '"'He possesses many enviable qualities both as a citizen and as a business man. In business he is eminently capable, honorable and successful, and as a citizen he stands high and ever ready to take an active part in whatever tends to advance the best interests of his town and county." was born October 18, 1835, in Mason township, Lawrence county, Ohio. His father was Samuel Dillon, son of Micajah and Mary Dillon, and was reared in Franklin county, near Rocky Mount. His mother Mary Dillon was the daughter of John and Nancy White and was born and reared in Fincastle, Botetourt county, Virginia. Both families came to Ohio in 1830 and settled in Lawrence county. August 14, 1832, Samuel Dillon and Mary White were united in marriage. Our subject was their second son. His early life was spent on the farm. At the age of fourteen, the family moved to Millersport. He had such educational advantages as the common schools afforded at that time. He was under the tutorship of Judge Sylvester McCown and Doctor I. T. Monaham for sometime, Later, under the direction of such critical and scholarly examiners, as Doctor George W. Brush and President Solomon Howard of the Ohio University, he mastered very thoroughly the four years literary and theological course prescribed by the church.
In the fall of 1857, at the age of twenty-one years, he was admitted into the regular itinerant ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church. His appointments have been as follows: In 1857-8, Rockville; 1858-9, Jasper and Spencer M. EB. church, now Sixth Street M. E. church, Portsmouth; 1859-60, Rockville; 1860-61, Waverly; 1861-3, Piketon circuit; 1863-6, Burlington; 1866-9, Ironton; 1869-72; Newark; 1872-5, Zanesville; 1875-7, Presiding Elder of Gallipolis District; 1877-9, pastor Gallipolis; 1879-81, Presiding Elder of Portsmouth District; 1881-4, Pastor Bigelow church, Portsmouth; 1884-6, St. Paul's Delaware; 1886-90, London; 1890-95, Lancaster; 1895-6 Gallipolis; 1896-98, Mt. Vernon Ave., Columbus; 1898 to the present, Presiding Elder of the Portsmouth District, now closng his fourth year. His term on the district will' expire in September, 1904.
January 10, 1864, he was married to Mary C. Cox, eldest daughter of Martin and Catharine Cox of Sandy Springs, Adams county, Ohio. They have raised five children, two daughters and three sons: Mary C., is the wife of Morgan Mollohan of Marion, Kansas; Sarah J., is the wife of Gilbert D. Wait, superintendent of the Wait Furniture Company; John Grant, secretary and treasurer of the Wait Furniture Company; Edmond Bothwell is a lawyer in Columbus, Ohio; Benjamin Hood, president of the Wait Furniture Company. Mr. and Mrs. Dillon have eleven grandchildren, three girls and eight boys.
Mr. Dillon is in no way responsible for these comments and will not see them till he opens his copy of this work. He is the living, walking exemplification of all the Christian virtues, and to his friends, it seems to be natural for him to be such. He is kind hearted, sympathetic and ever ready to say words of balm which come from his heart and go to the hearts of those to whom he speaks. He is the ideal of the old fashioned itinerant Methodist minister, a class which is fast passing away. He is a good edition of St. John, the evangelist and beloved disciple. He loves the whole world and will do good to all with whom he can come personally in contact. His influence has always been for the best and for the advancement of Christianity. He does not deserve to have any enemies and has none. There was never anything in his composition which would invite strife or contention. His gospel has always been peace and love and to teach men to live as Christ, his master, taught. He has ordered his own life according to the teachngs of the Master and that life is a standing, ever present invitation to others to do the same. In his church and in the communnity, he is a beacon light ever pointing the way Heavenward. He has reared a family of sons and daughters, of which not only he and his wife can be proud, but of which the whole community can be proud. The sons are not only magnificent specimens of physical manhood, but they are model citizens and first class business men. The writer believes that the minister who brings up his own children successfully is the best qualified Christian teacher, and as such the Reverend Dillon has no superior.
was born in Burlington, Lawrence county, Ohio, November 21, 1863. His parents were Rev. John W. Dillon and Mary Catherine Cox, his wife. His boyhood and youth were passed, three years at Ironton, three years at Newark, three at Zanesville and four at Gallipolis. He then came to Portsmouth and attended the public schools until he was twenty years of age. He took a course in book-keeping and since the organization of the Wait Furniture Company has been its secretary and treasurer. He has always been a republican and is a member of the Methodist church. He was married September 23, 1897, to Miss Estelle Tynes. They have one son, Donald Tynes Dillon.
Physically Mr. Dillon is built on a liberal plan. He could take the part of Milo and Hercules and fill it well. Nature has been as generous to him in the bestowal of mental qualities as she was of physical gifts. He is a man of keen, quick perception, of excellent judgment and large executive ability. As a business man he has succeeded well and has won him an excellent position among his cotemporaries. He is a strong factor in anything he undertakes and a most valuable citizen, was born at Ironton, Ohio, Feb. 9, 1869. His father was Rey. John W. Dillon and his mother's maiden name was Mary Cox. She was the daughter of Martin and Catherine Cox of Adams county. Mr. Dillon's early life is illustrative of the active American boy who is willing to work. At fourteen, he was messenger in the First National Bank of Portsmouth, O., while the venerable John P. Terry was president, and whose constant advise to the young man was "promptness and honesty." He received a public school education in the yarious cities of the state where his father a Methodist minister, was from time to time located. In 1884, he entered the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. While attending school there he assisted himself to a small extent in outside work....He was graduated in 1889.
He studied law in the office of Hon. S. W. Durflinge of London, Ohio, working as assistant postmaster from 6 a. m. until 7 p. m. and doing all his studying at night and on holidays. He was admitted to the bar of Ohio in 1891 and began the practice of law in Columbus, Ohio, though a perfect stranger to every person there. The Supreme Court of Ohio appointed him a member of the State Law Examining Committee in 1897 and continued to re-appoint him until 1901 when he was made Chairman of the Board. In politics, Mr. Dillon is a republican, but has only recently sought office. He is a member of the Columbus Board of Trade, the Columbus Civil Service Commission and numerous secret societies. For many years he has been counsel for the State Dairy and Food Department, which with his active membership in the Ohio State Bar Association has given him rather an extended acquaintance throughout the state. In 1898, Mr. Dillon was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United States.
He was married May 9, 1895, to Marian D. Whitney, daughter of Calvin and Marian Dean Whitney of Norwalk, Ohio. There were two children born of this union: Edmond Whitney, aged five, and Mary C. aged two years. He is an able lawyer and possesses the confidence of all who know him. At the November election, 1902, he was elected a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Franklin County, Ohio.
was born in Newark, Ohio, Aug. 23, 1871, the son of Rev. John W. Dillon and Mary Catherine Cox, his wife. His boyhood and youth were passed at Newark, Delaware, Zanesville, Gallipolis, and London, Ohio. He graduated at Carmichael Business College, Delaware, Ohio, and came to Portsmouth in 1889. He is president of The Wait Furniture Company. October 7, 1897, he was married to Miss Cora Waller Selby, daughter of George D. and Lydia (Webster) Selby, of Portsmouth, Ohio. They have one son, Edmond Selby Dillon.
Mr. Dillon is a gentleman esteemed by all who have the pleasure and honor of his acquaintance. He has a remarkable insight of business matters, which stands him well in his dealings with his fellowmen. He can come as near reading the thoughts of his associates as any-man who ever lived. He is one of those fortunate men. who cannot be imposed upon, and on whom it is useless to try imposition. He is not self conscious of the wonderful faculty he possesses and is a most engaging companion and a good neighbor.
attorney-at-law, now of Cincinnati, Ohio, was born December 22, 1869, in the same city where he now resides. His father's name was Henry Dinsmore and his mother's maiden name was Rebecca Jane Watkins. His father was a na-
States in 1848. His mother's parents were among the first settlers at Portsmouth, coming from Virginia. His parents resided in Portsmouth for some years, afterwards removing to Cincinnati. They returned to Portsmouth in 1873. His boyhood and youth were spent there. He is a graduate of the Portsmouth High School. He was a clerk in the County Auditor's office under Filmore Musser from 1887 to 1890 during which time he taught a night school in Portsmouth and studied law with Theodore K. Funk.
He attended the Cincinnati Law School, graduated in May, 1891, and was admitted to the bar on graduation. He began the practice of law in Cincinnati,
On the first of May, 1894, he was appointed Assistant Corporation Counsel of Cincinnati,by Frederick Hertenstein, Corporation Counsel. He held this position until January 1, 1897, when he was appointed Assistant.County Solicitor of Hamilton county under William Rendigs; County Solicitor. He held this position until January 1, 1900, since which time he has been in, general practice of law in the Atlas Bank Building, Cincinnati.
He has always been a republican and has always taken great interest in political matters. In religion, he is a member of the Presbyterian church.
He was married at Ironton, June 24, 1896 to Miss Mary E. Campbell, daughter of Joseph H. Campbell, a granddaughter of Hiram Campbell, a well known iron-master of that city. He has had three children, the oldest, a boy, born in 1897, died in infancy. The second, Joseph Campbell, born March 29, 1899, and Jane, born March 26, 1900. He resides at 838 Hutchins avenue, Avondale.
Mr. Dinsmore has always been noted for his remarkable industry and energy in everything he has undertaken. In all his professional labors, he is thorough and is one of the most promising lawyers of the Hamilton county bar, for his age and experience. His word is as good as his bond and his bond is gold standard all the time. He is one of the directors of the new Cincinnati, Georgetown & Portsmouth Electric Railroad. He is a force and power in any enterprise with which he is associated. No one of his friends will ever be startled by any promotion he may obtain. 5
Here is what his tutor in law, Major H. P. Lloyd says of him, "He is a lawyer of unusual ability. He came to Cincinnati as a student in 1890, and entered my office. He applied himself with industry and unflagging zeal. He graduated from the Law School of the Cincinnati College with high honors, winning the first prize on general examinations, and also the first prize for best legal essay. This record had never been made by any other student. He early established a reputation for integrity and ability of a high order, and his moral character is unblemished. No one of his age ranks higher at the Hamilton county bar, and no one has a brighter future.
was born November 9,:1866, in Scioto township, Jackson county, Ohio. His father was Griffe Dixon, and his mother's maiden name was Eliza Schellenger. They had four children, of whom our subject was the third. His father was a farmer and served in the Civil War in Company D, 48d O. VY. I. He entered that company March 25, 1864, and served until July 13, 1865.
Our subject had a common school education, and attended the Jackson Academy. He began teaching in the common schools at the age of nineteen, and taught six years in Jackson county. He began the study of medicine in 1890, with Dr. L. D. Allard of Flat Post Office, Pike county, Ohio, but now of the city of Portsmouth. He entered the Medical University at Louisville, Ky. in September, 1892, and graduated in March, 1894. He located immediately at Wilkesville, Vinton county, and practiced medicine there for two years. He located at Flat, now Stockdale, in June, 1896, where he has since resided. He married Hattie L. Brown, daughter of Nathan Brown, June 18, 1899. He is a republican, a member of the Methodist Protestant church, and of the Knights of Pythias. In the summer of 1902, he took a post-graduate medical course at Baltimore, Maryland, at the College of Physicians and Surgeons. ; was born in Butler county, Pennsylvania, November 5, 1829. His father was William Dodds, and his mother's maiden name was Nancy Eakin. His parents had eleven children, ten sons and one daughter, and our subject was the eighth child. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, and followed the double occupation of farmer and brick-layer. The Dodds family came from Scotland into the north of Ireland, in 1614, and emigrated to America in, 1748. Josiah received a common school education in Pennsylvania. He resided "in Butler county, Pa., until he was twenty-one years of age. He taught school from 1850 to 1861, in Scioto, Pike, and Adams counties, Ohio. He was married April 14, 1853, to Margaret Hutchinson, of Clintonville, Pennsylvania. ;
He enlisted in the 179th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company EB, at the age of thirty-four, August 31, 1864, for one year, and was mustered out with the company June 17, 1865. He was a farmer at Mt. Joy, from 1853 to 1890. He has four children: Robert Clarence, a Presbyterian minister, located at Lansing, Michigan, married and has a family; William Homer a lawyer at Pittsburg, Pa., located at No. 518 Fourth Avenue; Armina, died at the age of nine years; Ann Blanche, married S. T. Vanmeter, residing at Mt. Joy, a farmer; John Gilmore, attending medical college at Chicago, Ill. In 1897, he left Mt. Joy and moved to Dayton, Ohio, where he remained fifteen months. From there he went to Pittsburg, and from there to Butler county, where on February 238, 1900, his wife died. He came to Portsmouth to reside April 25, 1900.
In his political views, he was first a whig, and then a republican. He is really a prohibitionist, but wants to see prohibition come through the instrumentality of the republican party. He takes life easily. His greatest ambition has always been to be a first class citizen and he has realized it. As a member of the United Presbyterian church, he lives up to its teachings and is ready to respond when the Master calls.
was born September 25, 1850, at Baden, Beaver county, Pennsylvania. His father was Thomas Henley Dodds and his mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Charleston. They were both born in the county of Down, Ireland, and came to America, settling in Pennsylvania about 1844. They came to Scioto county about 1851, and settled in Madison township. Robert attended the public schools until the age of eighteen and then took a teacher's course at Lebanon, Ohio. He began the profession of teaching in 1872 and has continued it to the present time, with the exception of one year. He held the office of Clerk of Madison township five successive terms. He was School Examiner of Scioto county from 1887 to 1898. He was reared a democrat, but became a republican in 1872. He is a member of the Regular Baptist church. He married Rachel A. Lair, December 7, 1872. He has six children: Heber H., Charles C., Marion, Roscoe, Emma and Grover.
was born near Mt. Joy, Scioto county, Ohio. His parents were Josiah C. and Margaret (Hutchison) Dodds, of Butler county, Pennsylvania, of Scotch-Irish «descent. He began teaching in the public schools at the age of sixteen, first at New Lebanon, Lawrence county, then in Scioto county, at Henley, Simpson and Sedan. He entered the preparatory department at Westminster College, Pennsylvania in April, 1877, and graduated in the classical course in 1882 receiving the Bachelor's degree in the Arts course. Five years later, the same college conferred on him the Master's degree. After graduating he had charge of McElwain Institute, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, a college preparatory school, but resigned at the end of one year to accept the principalship of the High School of Alleghany City, Pennsylvania, where he taught for nine years, resigning in 1892 to pursue the study of law. He edited the '"Pennsylvania Teacher" from 1883 to 1888; represented the Alleghany City educational exhibit at the Paris exposition 1889; and was for three years secretary of the University Extension Society of Western. Pennsylvania. He read law with Hon. Walter M. Lyon, then Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania, but owing to ill health did not finish the course for three years, when he was admitted in 1895, to the Pittsburg bar, where he has since practised. In politics he is a republican.
As a student he was faithful; as an educator he distinguished himself and took a leading position. As a lawyer he has taken high rank in his seven years practice. He has earned the respect of the members of the bar with whom he has practiced anid of the judges before whom he has appeared as an advocate. He is a clear thinker, a sound lawyer and an esteemed citizen.
was born in Madison township, Scioto county, Ohio, April 9, 1867. His father was George Lyons Dodge and his mother's maiden name was Sarah Louise Tibbs. He was educated in the common schools and afterwards attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, gra\duating there in 1890 in the
Classical course. In 1892, he graduated in the Cincinnati Law School at which he received the highest grade ever attained at that school, an average of 99.4. He stood at the head of a class of 90, and won a prize of $100 for best scholarship. He was married January 17, 1892, to Miss Mary A. Fritz, of Darke county, and located in the city of Portsmouth in September of that year. He built up a remunerative practice and was noted for his industry at the Portsmouth bar, but on account of his wife's health he left Portsmouth and opened a law office in El Paso, Texas, October 16, 1899, and is engaged in the practice of law there. He never held any public office. He was a candidate in El] Paso, in 1901, for County Judge on the republican ticket, but had no show for election. His children are Alice Cora, Anna Louise and Charles Anderson. He is a member of the Presbyterian church. Mr. Dodge is one of the most active and energetic men who ever adorned or elevated the legal profession.
was born October 26, 1844, in Ross county, Ohio, the son of John M. Doty, a prominent democrat politician. His mother's maiden name was Sarah H. Jones. Until the age of 15 he attended the schools of Chillicothe. At he age of 21 years he entered the employ of the B. & O. Railroad Company at Chillicothe, and remained in its employ till 1886, when he came to Portsmouth Ohio, and became freight agent of the Scioto Valley Railway Company and is holding the same position under the Norfolk & Western Railway Company. In 18938, he was president and one of the directors of the Scioto Fire Brick Company, of Sciotoville, Ohio. He was president of the Scioto County Agricultural Society for the years from 1890 to 1892. He was president of the Board of Trade from 1896 to 1901. He was a member of the City Council in 1896 and 1897, and was a member of the City Board of Education from 1898 to 1899. He was president of the Garfield Club from 1893 to 1894. ;
He was brought up a democrat, but when he came of age he became a republican and was active in political circles in Chillicothe while he lived there, and has been prominent in his party ever since his residence in Portsmouth. He has served on the Republican Executive Committee of his county. He is a Mason, Past Eminent Commander of Calvary Commandery, Knights Templar and a Past Exalted Ruler of the Elk lodge at Portsmouth.
He married Miss Martha E. Weaver, July 9, 1868, and has six children: Frank, Harry, Lucien and Charles; Elizabeth, wife of J. I. Hudson, superintendent of the Portsmouth Public Schools, and Edith, wife of Addison Minshall, a young lawyer of Chillicothe, Ohio. Mr. Doty is one of the foremost and most energetic citizens of Portsmouth. When any public enterprises are proposed he is always to the front and ready to do all he can for the public good.
was born at Clinton Furnace, Scioto county, Ohio, April 10, 1847. His father was William Doty, and his mother's maiden name was Emeline Swarr. His parents were married in the year 1836. He attended the district schools at Etna Furnace and Ohio Furnace. At the age of seventeen, he left school and went to work and worked till he was twenty-one years of age. He attended schoo) at Lebanon when he was twenty-two years of age for one year. He returned to Ohio furnace and became the overseer of the ore banks until he was twenty-eight years of age. Then for a year he was engaged in hauling ore for the Ohio furnace. He took charge of the Ohio furnace store in March, 1877, and held the position till September, 1878. From 1878 to 1882, he was foundryman of the same furnace. He was then foundryman of Vernon furnace for one year. He returned to Ohio furnace in the spring of 1884, and took charge of the store which he retained till 1885. He was elected Treasurer of Green township in 1884, and held the office for fourteen consecutive years. in 1885 he became book-keeper of Ohio furnace and remained as such till 1895. From 1891 to 1895, he was aso manager of the furnace. In the latter year, his son, Lewis, took charge of the books, and he continued manager till his death on September 5, 1900.
He was married May 5, 1874, to Julia Maria Shepard, daughter of Lewis Cass Shepard, Ex-Sheriff of Lawrence county, Ohio and Julia Frances K. (Hidwell) Shepard, his wife. Mr. Shepard died in 1901. The children of Mr. Doty were: Lewis William, store keeper at New Castle, Lawrence county, Ohio; Oli- ver Perry, student of mining engineering at the Ohio State University at Columbus, Ohio; Alfred Spalding, store clerk at Otway, Ohio; Thomas W., engaged at New Castle, Ohio. Mr. Doty was a republican in his political views, was a strong supporter of his party, and as true as steel to his friends. While not a member of any church, he was a loyal supporter and regular attendant. He was benevolent:to all, never turning away the needy without help. He was a member of the Masonic order and held his membership at Wheelersburg, Ohio. He was killed accidentally on a tramway at Ohio furnace.
secretary to United States Senator, M. A. Hanna, was born April 14, 18738, at McConnelsville, Morgan county, Ohio, the son of J. W. Dover and Frances (Winn) Dover. He received his education in the public schools of McConnelsville. Immediately after finishing the course he entered the field as a newspaper reporter in McConnelsville. He left there in 1890 and engaged in newspaper work at Akron, Ohio, where he remained two years. From there he came to Portsmouth, Ohio, and was employed on the Portsmouth Times for five years. He was with the Republican National Committee during the campaigns of 1896 and 1900. After the former campaign he became secretary to Senator M. A. Hanna, in which capacity he stil serves.
He was married to Martha Steele Peebles, daughter of John Peebles, January 25, 1898. They have one child Mary Elizabeth, born October 5, 1899. Our subject is a republican and a Presbyterian.
He is a young gentleman of the most versatile talents. He has demonstrated his ability to fill well one of the most difficult places in the government, that of secretary to Senator Hanna. Mr. Dover is a natural-born diplomat. He accords to every man the attention and consideration he deserves. There is no. person mentioned in these pages whose life is more busy or active than his, nor are there any who deal with more complex and difficult questions, or who dispose of them more happily. Mr. Dover gives great promise of the highest success in political life.
was born February 16, 1823, near Georgetown, Brown county, Ohio. He was raised on a farm until he was sixteen years of age. In 1839, he began his career as a printer on the Western Whig at Wilmington, Ohio, his brother Stephen being the owner of the paper and its founder. In 1840, he went to Hillsboro and was an apprentice of James Brown, publisher of the News. He finished his trade there and in 1843, he was in West. Union as proprietor of The Intelligencer. He remained there but one year and then began teaching in a country school. He taught one year and then went back into the printing business.
In 1845 and 1846, there was an attempt to organize a new county to be called Massie of which Bainbridge should be the center and county seat. He went there and started the Ohio Spectator which was to be the Whig organ of the new county. Everybody within the limits of the proposed county wanted to run for office in it, and their jealousies killed the measure. Le Grand Byington, a representative from Pike county, was\to have put the bill through the legislature, but instead of that, he defeated it. When asked the. reason of his unexpected action, he said that the people to be in the new county wanted everything, but did not want to pay for anything. ;
In 1848, Mr. Drake went to Washington, C. H., and started the Fayette Intelligencer. He sold out to George B. Gardner in less than one year and became foreman on the Clinton Republican at Wilmington. The next year he went to Georgetown and worked for W. B. Tomlinson on a newspaper there. In 1850, he was in Rainsboro, Highland county, keeping a country hotel. He remained there but a short time, and returned to Hillsboro and became foreman on the News. He went from there to the Hillsboro Gazette owned by Jonas R. Emrie. :
In the winter of 1851 and 1852, he came to Portsmouth, where his brother Stephen had recently started the Sciotio Valley Republican. Sam Burwell, afterward of the West Union Scion was a journeyman in the office and Tom McAllister, now an inmate of the County Infirmary, the 'devil." Our subject afterwards went into partnership with his brother who went into the
In May, 1864 at the age of forty-two years, he enlisted in Company G, 141st Ohio Volunteer Infantry and was mustered out with the company September 8, 1864. On April 24, 1865, he became Second Lieutenant of the 198th Ohio Voiunteer Infantry and served until May 8, 1865, when he was mustered out.
He was elected Treasurer of Wayne township in 1867. The vote was 614 for Drake and 585 for John Thompson, better known as '"Coal'' Thompscn and "Sawdust" Thompson. Drake served two terms and was legislated out of office by the township being abolished. May 27, 1869, he was appointed postmaster at Portsmouth, through personal friendship with General Grant, but owing to local influence, the appointment was withdrawn He was a deputy United States Marshal at one time, and as such took the census in Portsmouth. February 11, 1847, he was married to Miss Sophia Kelley, of Ross county. He was a member of the Sixth Street church, a whig, a republican and a member of the Bailey Post. He died December 5, 1891.
was born in Portsmouth, Ohio, March 29, 1868, the son of Samuel Pangburn and Sophia (Kelley) Drake. He was named for Grant on account of the close friendship between his father and the President. Our subject spent his boyhood and youth in Portsmouth and attended the public schools until he was fifteen years old, when he commenced working with his father in the printing office. He continued at this business until 1890, and then took charge of the business. He is a republican and a member of the First Baptist church and one of its deacons. On September 3. 1889 he was married to Miss Hliza Mathews, daughter of J. R. Mathews, foreman of the "ad" composing room of the Blade office. He has five children: Grace, Grant, Madeline, Mabel and Harry M. Mr. Drake is one of the most industrious young men in Portsmouth. He is a model for others in his business to follow. He leads an exemplary life, is liked by all who know him and is a model citizen.
one of the twelve children of A. E. and Lorenda (Hodge) Draper was born Mch. 23, 1846, at Akron, Erie county, New York. His father was born in 1808 and was the youngest of a family of two sons and six daughters. His paternal grandfather, Gideon Draper, moved from eastern New York to the western part of the state in 1828. He was brought up on a farm till he was sixteen and attended the common schools. After studying two years in Genesee College, Lima, New York he came to Portsmouth, November 4, 1864 and learned railroading under his brother, W. C. Draper, who was Chief Agent for the Portsmouth branch of the Marietta and Cincinnati railroad.
He was appointed agent of this railroad at Jackson in February, 1865, and served there one year when he was sent to Portsmouth. He was ticket agent and telegraph operator here for this road until 1890, when it was known as the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore. After leaving the railroad business he took up insurance and real' estate. In 1892 he organized the Portsmouth German Building and Loan Association and has been its secretary and treasurer since. He was treasurer of the Ohio Valley Agicultural Society many years and its secretary the last five years of its existence. From 1877 till 1893, and from 1895 to 1897, he was a member of the Board of Education and was its clerk from 1884 to 1886, and from 1888 to 1897, and its president in 1878-9.
He was married June 16, 1869, to Mary Ellen Adams, only daughter of Hlmer W. Adams, a banker of North Canton, Connecticut, and Mary E. Smith, his wife, of Hatfield, Massachusetts. Her parents removed to Duquoin in southern Illinois shortly after their marriage, on account of the health of her father and purchased a large stock farm. Here Mrs. Draper was born. Her parents died before she was two years old 2nd "he was adopted by her mother's brother, . Presbyterian minister, then pasticr of a chyrch in Belpre, Ohio, and later of °vford, New Hampshire, where moct of ber childhood and youth was spent. She
"9s edvcated at the Western College at Oxford, Ohio, but received her musical training, chiefly in Boston, Massachusetts, where for seven years she was under the tutelage of the best masters. She came to Portsmouth in 1864 as organist at the First Presbyterian church and has been one of the leading organists in the city ever since. During all this time she has been prominent not only in a social way but in all worthy causes where a woman's aid and sympathy is needed. She has the most advanced ideas on the subjects of music, art and literature.
Mr. Draper is a member of the Second Presbyterian church. He has always been a republican. He is a Mason of long standing and a Past Presiding officer in all the Masonic bodies in the city. He always takes a great interest in any matters committed to his charge He was one of the most efficient members of the Board of Education the city ever had. The measures he proposed in the Board were adopted because they were well considered and for the best interests of the schools. Mr. Draper has managed the German Building and Loan Association of which he is secretary and treasurer with great fidelity, skill and ability and has made it one of the best in the city. He has acquired the use of the German language to a degree attained by few Americans. Mr. Draper has cultivated literary tastes and devotes as much time as possible to their culture. He is a gentleman of fine physical. presence and appearance and great natural dignity. As a public speaker, Mr. Draper is calm, deliberate and argumentative. When he speaks he is master of his subject. One great characteristic of Mr. Draper is his love of children and his friendships for them. He never misses an opportunity to add to the pleasures of the little people of his acquaintance. While a member of the Board of Education he personally knew a majority of the school children in Portsmouth and children are his welcome friends and companions at all times.
was born near Akron, Erie county, New York, March 17, 1832. He spent his early life on the farm owned by his father, A. E. Draper who was one of the pioneers of western New York. William C. received a common school education and took a select course at Genesee College, at Lima. New York. At the age of twenty. he came to Ohio and taught school several years in Ross and Jackson counties. At the latter place he married Harriet Cavett. They had one son and three daughters: Frank E.. Jessie, Nellie and Hattie. His wife died in 1885, since which time he and his daughters kept house until his death which occurred April 1, 1902. In the year 1856, Mr. Draper was employed as conductor on what is known as the Baltimore & Ohio South-western railway. After serving in this capacity for quite a number of years, he was appointed agent of the road at Portsmouth and remained until 1890.
; Soon afterward he was elected County Treasurer and served two terms which was his last engagement in business. His health soon failed and after several years of suffering, he died. Mr. Draper was widely and favorably known throughout this section, and enjoyed the confidence of his, friends, who * were legion. He was true to his friends and possessed a strong fraternal feeling for his fellow-beings, seeing their good qualities and overlooking their bad qualities. He never could see distress without endeavoring to relieve it. He had no enemies and deserved none. He was a strong temperance advocate and took a lively interest in everything good for his adopted city. At the time of his death. he was one of the oldest members of the Bigelow Methodist Episcopal church in which he held official positions for more than thirty years, and was punctual in attendance upon all its services.
'Sarah G. Bailey, his wife. The ancestors of the Drews in this country first settled in New Jersey and afterwards moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where the great-grandfather of Irving Drew. Samuel Drew, was born, his son being Joshua Drew, born in Durham, New Hampshire in 1793 and died in 1843. Frederick Drew, father of our subject was born at Durham, February 1, 1817 and 'died at Rowley, Massachusetts, October 17, 1896. His mother, Sarah G. Bailey, was a descendant of James C. Bailey, who came to Massachusetts about 1630. His descendants in a direct line were: John Bailey, Nathaniel Bailey, Deacon David Bailey, Ezekiel Bailey, Ezekiel P. Bailey and Sarah G. Bailey Drew, the mother of Irving Drew.
Frederick Drew remained in his native place until eighteen years of age and then removed to Rowley, Massachusetts. He was married there November 27, 1848, and came to Portsmouth in 1851, where he was.foreman for R. Bell, and remained about nine months, then he returned to Massachusetts. In March, 1854, he again went west, this time taking his family and locating at fronton, Ohio, where he was engaged in the retail shoe business until 1862. Then he went to Granville, Ohio, where he was in the retail shoe business and farmed a part of the time. In 1869, he came back to Portsmouth and engaged in the employ of R. Bell & Company.
Our subject worked in the shoe factory from 1869 to 1871. His father then associated himself with the firm of Rifenberick, Drew & Gregg who succeeded to the manufacturing department of R. Bell & Company, with which he remained until January, 1874. Mr. Irving Drew then with others organized the Portsmouth Shoe Company of which he was secretary and treasurer and general manager. Henry Padan was president, William Koblens, vice president. The other stockholders were: George Padan, Henry Cook, Frederick Drew, John Bourgholtzer, Nicholas Ames, Nicholas Reeg, Valentine Pressler and William Bierley. The capital stock was $4500. This company succeeded Rifenberick, Drew & Gregg. After a period of three years, Irving Drew and his father drew out of this company and left Henry Padan and others to operate it.
In January, 1877, Mr. Drew and his father organized the firm of Irving Drew & Company, composed of himself, his father, Bernard Damon and Henry Cook. They began operations in the third story of the Huston stone front on Second street and continued there for three years. About the close of the year 1879, the firm changed to Drew, Selby & Company. Mr. George D. Selby went into the firm, but did not take an active interest in it until 1885. From the organization of the Portsmouth Shoe Company in 1874 until 1885, Mr. Irving Drew was the managing spirit of the whole business. When Mr. Selby came into the business in 1885, Mr, Drew confined himself principally to buying and superintending the manufacturing department and Mr. Selby took charge of the correspondence, sales and credits. The success of this firm in business is related under the article, "Drew, Selby & Company,"
Mr. Drew was married to Hila A. Gatés, daughter of William Wallace and Alvira (Nye) Gates, June.30, 1879, They have seven children: Roy Irving, engaged in the factory of The Irving Drew Company and a director; Mabel Arelie, a graduate of the Western College, Oxford, Ohio; Marjorie Gates, a student at the same school; Rowena Nye, Hazel Bailey, Frederick Wallace and Everett Austin, at home. }
He is a member and a ruling elder of the Second Presbyterian church of Portsmouth, Ohio, Prior to 1884, he was a republican, since that date he has ~ been a prohibitionist, The only fraternal society he is a member of is the Royal Arcanum, an insurance society. In June, 1902, Mr. Drew was appointed a trustee of the Western College at Oxford, Ohio,
Mr. Drew is a gentleman who courts no public notice whatever. He prefers to attend to his business, in which he has been thoroughly absorbed, and to concentrate his efforts to making his business successful. He has encouraged others in the same line of manufacturing till shoe manufacturing has become the leading industry in Portsmouth. He prefers to leave other problems and schemes, both public and private, to be worked out by those more familiar with them, believing that energy, system and perseverance, as applied to the cost, quality and endless detail of the shoe business, would lead to success for himself and associates and as a result largely beneficial to the city.
In his manners, he is quiet and reserved. He prefers that the one who in seeking him shall do the talking and shall present his cage without any aid from him, He does his own thinking and is of positive convictions. His New Mngland training, ingrained for ten generations, stands him well in hand. It enables him to reason correctly on every subject presented and to come to wise Weg just conclusions as well about matters of business as matters of public polcy,
As a business man, he is conservative and takes the safe and sure course. He has been fortunate and successful in his business career because that career was governed by correct principles. Mr. Drew's most prominent characteristic, shown in his every day life, is his great earnestness and wonderful purpose.
Irving Drew
He sees the end from the beginning and his plans never fail, while his plan proceeds from beginning to accomplishment. He is surrounded by a most interesting family and his entire influence in the community is for Christian character and training. He believes that to be the foundation of all that is good, true and lasting, and all of his time, work and effort, outside of his business, goes in that direction; so he finds but little time for pleasures that do not legitimately come with a successful business, a happy home, reform and Christian work.
was born in Gallipolis, Ohio, August 21, 1829, the son of Joseph Drouillard, who has a sketch herein. He was originally named by his parents Simon Kenton, in honor of Simon Kenton, whom his grandfather, Pierre Drouillard, ransomed from the Indians, but for some reason best known to himself, he saw fit to change the name from Kenton to Bolivar. He was educated in the schools of Gallipolis and at Gallia Academy. During his minority in the intervals of attending school, he assisted his father in a clerical capacity in the office of Clerk of Courts at Gallipolis. In 1848, he was elected Recorder of Gallia county and served until 1854. He was married November 27, 1850, to Miss Evaline Long, daughter of George Long, of South Side, West Virginia, in the Kanawha valley. He was admitted to the bar some time during his residence in Gallipolis, but the date has not been preserved. In 1850, he took an interest in Gallia furnace, went there as book-keeper and resided there until 1858, when he went to Portsmouth and took a position in Dugan's bank, as book-keeper and continued to reside there the remainder of his life.
He was a whig and a republican in his political views. In 1863, he was placed upon the Republican ticket as candidate for Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Scioto county and received 2,263 votes to 1,745, for his competitor, Benjamin F. Cunningham. He was re-elected Clerk in 1866 and received a vote of 2,631 to 2,119 for his opponent, J. C. Stimmel. He was re-elected the third time in 1869, by a vote of 2,367 for himself to 2,283 for John W. Lewis. During his residence in Gallipolis, he united with the M. BE. church, and when he came to Portsmouth, he united with the Sixth Street church. He was a member of that church until 1867, when on account of his wife who was reared a Presbyterian, he became a member of the First Presbyterian church. He was a member of all the Masonic bodies in Portsmouth and at the time of his death, was Most Eminent-Commander of Knights Templar and had been for several years. While Clerk of the Courts, he published a lawyer's docket, one of the most useful ever devised.
On June 19, 1873, he was accidentally killed in the vicinity of Gallipolis. He had gone there some days before on a vacation, and with his brother-in-law, Captain James Harper, on that day had gone hunting. He was using a double barreled gun and thought he had discharged both barrels. It seems that one of the barrels had not been discharged and his foot accidentally struck the hammer and the contents were discharged through his head, causing his instant death.
His first son was George Long, now a resident of Cincinnati, and engaged in the coal business. He has six children: William Kenton, Emily, Martha, Clifford, Clyde and Leslie. His daughter, Emily, makes her home with her grandmother, Mrs. Drouillard, the widow of our subject, in Portsmouth, Ohio. Mr. Drouillard's daughter Emma, born in 1854, at Gallia Furnace, married John Miller in 1878. and died January 14, 1888, leaving three children: George Scudder, Evelyn and Catherine. His second son, James W., born in 1860, was educated in the Portsmouth public schools, studied law with Moore and Newman, was admitted to the bar in Columbus and went to Chicago to practice law in 1892, where he still resides.
When Mr. Drouillard was about to retire from the Clerk's office, the members of the bar, as a testimonial of their high appreciation of him, presented him with a gold watch and chain. As Clerk of the Common Pleas Court, he had no superior, if an equal, in the state, and the members of the bar who had business with his office have borne ample testimony to the efficiency with which he discharged the duties of his office. Mr. Drouillard was a man who never sought publicity in any thing, but he was always faithful to every duty imposed upon him. He was kind and considerate to all. As a book-keeper he had no super- ior. He devoted his whole waking time to whateyer business he was engaged in. While he had as much capacity as any one for recreation_and pleasure, he rarely indulged in it. Urged by his friends to take some rest, his attempt to do so in 1873, resulted in his death.
was born August 18, 1833 in Lager, East Friesland, Germany. His father was Jacob Duis and his mother's maiden name was Rosina Gruben. When a year old his father removed to Rina in Prussia. When he was five years old his father died. Five years later his mother married Frederick Sant. They came to the United States in 1845. They left Bremen on a sailing vessel and arrived at New Orleans March, 1845. In the party were his step-father, his mother and his brothers, Henry and Benjamin Duis and himself. He lost one sister in infancy and another at the age of ten years, in Germany. The emigrant party referred to came to Cincinnati where they remained but a few months. His stepfather and brother Henry; went to Hanging Rock to find work, and from there went to Lawrence Furnace, where they only stayed about a month. From there they went to Aetna Furnace and remained three years, after that they went to Vesuvius Furnace and lived for about three years; from there they went to Buckhorn Furnace living there two years. At the latter place our subject married on September 11, 1853, to Mary Ann Verigan, daughter of Henry Verigan.
He attended school in Germany for six years before coming to this country, and also attended school at Buckhorn Furnace. After his marriage he removed to Washington Furnace and in 1854, to Hamden Furnace. In 1855, he went to Limestone Furnace and remained there for the winter. From there he went to Madison Furnace and remained until March, 1859, when he removed to Lawrence Furnace. He remained until January, 1860, when he removed to Wheelersburg, where he has since resided. .He purchased William McKinney's farm adjoining the village of Wheelersburg, and has resided on it ever since.
Mr. Duis is, par excellence, the medel farmer of Scioto county. He has read all that is obtainable on the subject of farming. He takes the leading agricultural papers and magazines and tries to keep up with the times. Many of his neighbors think he has gotten slightly ahead of the times. He. was converted years ago tw the theory of tile draining and has at least fourteen miles of tile drainage on his farm. When he bought his farm it was unimproved. He built a house on it, built all the barns and out buildings, and has improved the property fully two-hundred per cent and brought up his farm over two-hundred per cent in its productive capacity. Mr. Duis believes in machinery, tools and appliances; and he has all the modern machinery which a farmer could require. He keeps tools of all kinds on his farm; and is able to do about all of his repairing, which is a great saving of time and expense. He requires that his farm products should be the best, and usually attains that end.
His children are: Rosina, the deceased wife of Charles H. Ketter, of Ironton; William, deceased; Lida, the wife of W. W. Meeks of Santiago, Texas; Lizzie, wife of George Bell; Ann, the second wife of Charles H- Ketter; John, farming for himself; and Winifred. wife of Christian Herzog of Canton, O.
Mr. Duis voted for Buchanan in 1850, which he said was due to ignorance, and which he has regretted many times since. In 1860, he became a republican and has continued such. He is a member of the Methodist church in Wheelersburg, and has been since 1860. He was reared a Lutheran and confirmed in' that church. He has had several responsible offices in the church at Wheelersburg. Mr. Duis is a man noted for his honesty and integrity. He is also noted for his remarkable industry and energy. To know what kind of a farmer he is, one should visit his farm and inspect his buildings and fields. Everything is kept in perfect order and a self respecting weed will not grow'any where on. his place.
was born at Piketon, Pike county, Ohio, August 20, 1844. the son of Samuel Duke and Elizabeth Ware, his wife. His father died in March, 1846, and left him in the care of his mother who died in May, 1883. His father was a Pennsylvania German, a radical old-line whig. and very active in support of that | party. He came to Ohio and located in Piketon, in 1825. He was a man of excellent judgment and one whose opinions were much sought after. He was a hat
John Kline Duke
Mr. Duke's early life was passed in the quiet village of Piketon, Ohio, until the alarm of war, when at the age of 17, he enlisted, but was discharged on account of his youth. In the second year of the war, at the age of 19, he enlisted in Company F, 58rd O. V. I., for three years, and was mustered out with the regiment at the conclusion of the war, August, 1865. He, with his regiment, foilowed Gen. Sherman during the last two years of the war. He participated in quite a number of battles and was with Sherman on his famous march to the sea. He was at the final surrender of General Johnson, in April, 1865. He also made the forced march through from North Carolina to Washington 'for the grand review with the 15th Army Corps. He has in his possession his gun and accoutrements which he carried throughout his enlistment. He is the author of the Regimental Histury of the 53d Ohio, which evidences his capacity as well as his loyalty to his command.
The year following the war, he was employed in the public schools of Logan county, Illinois, as a teacher. In October, 1866, he came to Portsmouth in search of employment and D. N. Murray tendered him the position of accountant in his hardware house. This position he occupied for about two years, when he was tendered the position of book-keeper in the First National bank. He accepted the same and remained in the employ of said bank for a period of about nine years. At that time he was tendered a position with a Chicago manufacturing plant, which he accepted and 'filled to the satisfaction of his employer; so much so, that at the end of the first year he was promoted and sent to the New York office of the same firm as financial manager and general book-keeper, which position he held until he became a physical wreck from the
He returned to Portsmouth, in 1878, and took a position with the Singer Manufacturing Company as an accountant, in which position he served about five years. In 1883, he established an insurance' and real estate agency. He now represents one of the largest agencies of this kind doing business in Portsmouth. On February 8, 1890, he inaugurated The Royal Savings and Loan Association Company. This financial institution is one of the solid ones of the city.
Mr. Duke occupies an eminent position in the ranks of the G. A. R. He has the distinction of having been the installing officer of every Post established in Scioto county, and in many of the surrounding counties of southern Ohio. He has been honored twice by being a delegate to the National Encampment, and is known as one of the great workers of Bailey Post No. 164. He has been all his life identified with the Methodist Episcopal church, and has been for years a teacher in the Sabbath school of Bigelow, as well as an official member. He has organized many of the fraternal organizations of southern Ohio. He was treasurer of the Board of Education of the city of Portsmouth for several years. In politics he is an ardent republican.
October 27, 1870, he was married to Miss Lola C. Lloyd, a daughter of Thomas G. Lloyd, a pioneer of Portsmouth. Their only son, John K. Duke, Jr., is associated with his father in business. He' was recently married to Miss Jessie Henderson.
Mr. Duke, as a boy was earnest, serious and studious. He was always anxious to learn and wanted to know the reasons of things. He has carried his
_ trait of seriousness and earnestness through life. He made an ideal soldier, He was always in the place of duty. When he ceased to be a soldier he became a patriot and he is always found ready to do anything and sacrifice anything for his country. He is of very strong likes and dislikes. If he has prejudices either way they are intense. He is faithful to every duty and in everything he undertakes. If there is any one characteristic of his which overshadows all oth-. ers, it is his tireless energy and industry. He works incessantly and when other men are resting. His resistless, limitless, boundless, capacity to work and disposition to do so, coupled with his doing it, has made the Royal Building Association of Portsmouth, Ohio, the leading one in southern Ohio. He reminds the editor much of that sterling character of Whittier's, Abraham Davenport. Mr. Duke is noted for the purity of his life and for his high ideals of citizenship. His business character is built on the highest integrity and sense of honor. Mr. Duke has always been a strong republican. He is a power in the community for good, and he makes his influence in that direction felt in every organization with which he is connected. His influence is to build up and strenghten every organization with which he is connected. He is a strong and powerful factor in the community and it is hoped his career of usefulness may be a long one.
was born at Harpers Ferry, W. Va., in Jefferson county, June 18, 1816. His father was John Dunham, who came from Harper's Ferry to Ohio and settled at Piketon, when our subject was only five years old. His mother was Mary (Holliday) Dunham, who was born near Sheperdstown, W. Va., in 1797, and died in February, 1856. She was a member of the Holliday family which was prominent in that section of West Virginia. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Carr. She was born near Herring Bay on the shores of Chesapeake Bay, thirty or forty miles from Annapolis. Mr. Dunham had only a common school education. In his younger days he was a clerk, but afterwards went into general mercantile business at Piketon for himself. During the time he was in business he had several partners, one of whom was James Jones. He continued in business at Piketon until 1864. About this time the county seat of Pike county was moved from Piketon to Waverly, which took all the business from Piketon to Waverly, and he was compelled to close down his business there which he did and came to Portsmouth. He clerked for C. D. Elden in the dry goods business for a few years, and afterwards engaged in the grocery business for himself. In 1875, he took charge of the dry goods department of the Gaylord rolling mill store, and was employed there until his death, June 1, 1881. He was a whig and a republican. He was never prominent in politics and never held office. He was a very prominent member and earnest worker in the Bigelow M. E. church and Sunday school.
He was married to Miss Jane Clough. daughter of Hon. Nathan K. Clough, (a sketch of whom is found elsewhere in this book,) May 14, 1846. Four children were born to them as follows: Edward Henry, died in Colorado. June 10, 1890; Mary Clough, widow of H. P. Pursell, now residing on west Fourth street in Portsmouth; George Holliday, died in his tenth year at Piketon, Ohio, and Charles Lodwick, now residing in Portsmouth.
was born on a farm in Vernon township, Scioto county, Ohio, near Chaffin's Mill, June 25, 1859, the oldest son of John and Maggie (Gifford) Duteil. His father John Duteil was born in the French Grant May 13, 1826 and a grandson of Francis Charles Duteil, who drew lot No. 32 in the original French Grant. John Duteil was raised on a farm and during his early manhood bought the Chamberlain and Emory farms in Vernon township where he was engaged in farming and stock raising until his death on August 10, 1888.
Our subject was raised orn a farm and attended the common schools at Chaffin's Mill until he was nineteen years of age, when he attended the National Normal University at Lebanon, Ohio, and prepared himself for a teacher; but not liking that profession he came back to his father's farm where he Was engaged in farming and buying and selling stock until December, 1885, when he entered the Iron City Business College of Pittsburg, Pa., and was graduated February 26, 1886. On September 7, 1886 he was employed by the Campbell Iron Company at Mount Vernon Furnace, Lawrence county, Ohio, as furnace clerk, which position he held up to January 1, 1894. In the year 1894 he and Colonel W. C. Amos leased the Vesuvius furnace in Lawrence county, Ohio. and operated it till December, 1894 when he sold his interest in the furnace and accepted a position as general manager of Madison furnace in
Decatur township, Lawrence county, Ohio, from April, 1888, to January, 1894, when he resigned on account of leaving the township. He was appointed Postmaster at Rempel, Jackson county, Ohio, January 29, 1898 which office he now holds. His political views have been republican and he takes an active part in politics, being usually a member of the County Executive Committee. He has never belonged to any church, but is a firm believer in the teachings of the Bible and always helps keep the church and Sabbath school up in his community. He belongs to the Masonic Order and Jackson Commandery No. 58 at Jackson, Ohio. He also belongs to the Benevolent and Protective order of Elks, Jackson Lodge, No. 466.
was born in Bloom township, Scioto county, Ohio, July 2, 1869. His father and mother are Lemuel Duteil and Ruhama (Emory) Duteil. His grandfather was Louis Duteil and his great-grandfather was Francis Charles Duteil, one of the original settlers of the French Grant. His father, Lemuel Duteil served from June 4, 1861 to June 19, 1864 in the Civil War, Company F, 2nd Kentucky regiment, V. I., participating in the battles of Chickamauga and Shiloh as well as other smaller engagements. At Shiloh, his brother, William, was wounded and as Lemuel was carrying him across a swamp, two stalwart ''Rebs" came rushing up and demanded his surrender. Instead of complying with their request, he dropped his brother and acting under that impetuosity characteristic of him all his life he clubbed his musket and knocked one senseless; the other ran. Lemuel Duteil died in South Webster, November 18, 1899. William entered the service June 4, 1861, in the same company with Lemuel, and was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, on surgeon's certificate of disability, November 23, 1862.
The subject of this sketch received a common school education. He is a republican and takes an active part in local affairs. He is a member of the Bloom Baptist Missionary church. He married Cloey B. Kuhner, August 17, 1897. Her father was a merchant at Bloom Switch for forty years. They have two children: Selma R. and Elizabeth C. Duteil. Mr. Duteil is an excellent young man, noted for his push and energy. He is prosperous and has a very comfortable home in South Webster. He is a member of South Webster Lodge, Knights of Pythias, No. 724.
was born at Pine Grove Furnace, Lawrence county, Ohio, August 13, 1861. He is the son of William C. and Susan (Chatfield) Eakins. His great-grandfather came from Ireland and was one of the early settlers in Adams county. William Eakins is the son of a Thompsonian physician and has three brothers who are physicians. Our subject received 2 common school education at the Franklin Furnace school. He came to Sciotoville in 1887 and commenced the mercantile business. In 1894, he and his father commenced business under the name of W. C. Hakins & Son. They have now a large business which is rapidly increasing. The son is a repubilcan and a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. On June 14, 1888, he married Amasetta Price. They have two children, Elva and William.
was born in Klingerberg, Bavaria, on the Main, near Frankfort, Germany, June 28, 18387. His father was John Andon 'Ebert, a brewer, and his mother's maiden nhame was Barbara Krentzman. They had four children of whom our subject was the eldest. He attended school in Germany until his twelfth year, when his father put him in the brewery to learn the trade. He learned it in three years 'and then traveled and worked at it for five years, in Mannheim, Bremen and other places. He then went home and stood his chance in the conscription. He however drew a high number and got off. At the age of twenty, on January 6, 1858, he married Matilda Uilchin, daughter of John Uilchin. Then he brought his wife and came to the United States. He landed in New York and worked nine months at his trade. Then he went to Cincinnati, and worked in a brickyard one summer. He afterwards found a place in a brewery and in' two months was»made foreman. He worked in Cincinnati sixteen months as a foreman and then went to Ironton and started in business for Itimself, and has resided and been in business in Ironton ever since. He has six children: Fannie, married; Margaret, the widow of Michael Rauch; Matilda. the wife of Charles Jones; Emma, the wife of Frederick Wagner, a farmer on Pine creek near Powellsville; Bertha Hocke, widow of Andrew Hocke; Otto, in business with his father. -Mr. Ebert was a republican till 1872, and since, has been a democrat. He is an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, and an Elk. For seventeen years, he was in public office in Ironton, as Councilman, member of the School Board, and a member of the Board of Health. For eight years he was president of the Ohio Brewers' Association, and for two years has been president of the National Association of Brewers.
was born August 7, 1843, in Jackson county Ohio. His father was Jacob Hckhart, and his mother's maiden name was Mary Sherer. They had fourteen children, twelve of whom grew to maturity. Our subject was the third child. His parents moved to Madison township, Scioto county, when he was about three years old. He received all his schooling in Madison township. He enlisted in Company K, 91st O. V. I., August 18, 1862, at the age of nineteen for three years. On May 9, 1864, at the battle of Cloyd's Mountain, Va., a gun was discharged so near him that he lost the hearing in his right ear. On July 20, 1864, at the battle of Stevenson's depot, he was wounded in the right hip, and was sent to Maryland Heights hospital, where he remained for three months. He was never fit for any duty after that, and never rendered any service; but was discharged May 6, 1865 at Cumberland, Maryland on surgeon's certificate of disability.
When he came home in December, 1865, he married Jermima Busler, a native of Carrol county, Ohio, but who then resided in Jackson, a daughter of Samuel Busler. He engaged in farming in Madison township, and followed it until March 20, 1900, when he moved to Harrison township, where he has lived ever since. He was appointed postmaster at Scioto (Harrisonville) July, 1900, and holds the office. He has had eight children, five of whom are living, three deceased. Daniel Webster, died at the age of fourteen years; George Washing- ° ton, died at the age of eighteen years; Margaret Ellen, married Dr. S. W. Rickey, and both are deceased, leaving two children with our subject. Their names are Naffa Eckhart, aged eight years and Anna May, aged six years. © Dr. Rickey, their father, was killed at Sinking Springs, in a runaway accident, August 2, 1900. The mother died May 11, 1901. The fourth child of our subject is John Franklin, aged thirty-two years, lives in Portsmouth, and conducts a broom factory; Minnie, married Warren Coriell superintendent of the fire brick works on Chillicothe pike, near the old Norfolk & Western railroad station. Another is Sampson Douglas, teacher of common schools on Lawson Heights. Andrew Jackson, a farmer who resides in Madison township, near Massie P. O., and Bertha, married Russell Frowine, lives in Madison township.
A comrade of his who was through the service with him, by his side, says he made a most excellent soldier; that he was always brave and ready for duty.
was born in Tredegar, Wales, September, 24, 1887. His father John Edmunds, came to the United States in 1840 and brought his son along. His mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Thomas. They remained in Toronto for two years and then came to Pittsburg, Pa., where they remained for ten years. In 1858 they removed to Centerville, Gallia county, Ohio. His father was a mechanical engineer and iron worker. After he removed to Centerville, he took stock in Limestone furnace, when it was organized. Then he sold out and went to Kansas, but on account of the troubles in Kansas, stopped short and located in Missouri, in Sullivan county, and was there when the Civil War broke out. He was a Union man and found it impossible to remain in Missouri, so he came to Gallia furnace and remained there until 1865. Then he moved to Sciotoville and lived there until his death.
In 1861 our subject went to the mines in Colorado and was there eine teen months, then he went into the Quartermaster service of the United States and remained in that until 1866, in which year he went to Richland Furnace, Vinton county, where he was an engineer. He remained there three years. In June, 1870, he went to South Webster to superintend the South Webster fire brick works, and was there until 1898. After a few years he became secretary and general manager of the works. He sold out his interest in 1898, went to Lueasville, engaged in the mercantile business and sold farming machinery. The firm is Martindale & Edmunds. He was married in September, 1869 to Susannah Hill. His children are: Olive, the wife of Charles Martindale, his partner; Carrie, the wife of Edward Butler; John, yard master for the Norfolk & Western railway of Portsmouth; Gertrude and George at home. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and of the Masonic fraternity. He is a republican. Daniel Henry Egbert was born in Lawrence county, Ohio, May 20, 1854. His father's name was Daniel Egbert, born May 8, 1824, in Hunteburg, Kingdom of Hanover. He came to Lawrence county on November 1, 1847. His mother's maiden name was Louisa Appel, born at Santover, Baden, March 25, 1831. She came to this country in 1849, with her parents. They were married October 26, 1849, in Lawrence county, Ohio. In October, 1858, they located in Valley township, Scioto county. Daniel, Senior, bought a farm of 124 acres on Millar's Run of Blackson Farmer, on which he has lived ever since. He has now 370 acres of land. He has had four children: William, resides at Clifford, O., Daniel H., our subject; Lucy, wife of John M. Johnson, resides on Beck street, Columbus, is connected with the street car business; George, was accidentally killed in 1897, and left a widow and five children. He was a resident of Valley township at the time of his death.
Daniel Egbert, Jr... was married October 27, 1880, to Mary B. Wooster, daughter of John Wooster. He has seven children: George, born December 19, 1881; Albert, born November 4, 1883, died June 13, 1886; John E., born December 17, 1885; Louella, born October 23, 1888; Walter, born April 26, 1890; Dora, born May 11, 1892; Marion, born September 15, 1895; Charley and Margaret, twins, born May 7, 1897; Margaret died July 12, 1897. Mr. Egbert is a democrat in his political views. He has been Trustee of the township and a member of the school board of his district a number of years. He is a member of the German Lutheran church at Portsmouth, Ohio.
was born in Spencer, Medina county, Ohio, April 10th, 1868. His father was John Eglin, a native of England and his mother Harriett Ann Hendee. He was the second of a family of four children. He attended the public schools at Wellington, Ohio, and afterwards the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In 1889 he went South engaging in manufacturing and exporting of hard wood staves from Arkansas and Texas, and later returned to Ohio and the stone business. In 1899 he entered the McDermott Stone Company becoming one of the directors and president of that company. He was married in 1889 to Miss Netta Santley of Wellington, Ohio. He'has four children: Ralph Burton, Mary Evelyn, Harriet and Netta Elizabeth. Mr. Eglin is a republican and a member of Bigelow M. E. church.
The success he has already won in the business world is but the legitimate fruit of an honest, cultured man doing his duty both to himself and those associated with him. The domestic life of Mr. Hglin and his fine family is as ideal and beautiful as his business life has been successful.
was born January 20, 1839, in the city of Forcheim, Kingdom of Bavaria, the son of Smiley Eismann and Eva (Friedmann) Hismann. He spent his boyhood in Forcheim and received his education in the public schools of that place. After leaving school at the age of eighteen, he learned the trade of a baker and followed this vocation~at Frankfort and at Meinz until he was twenty. ;
He left his native land in the spring of 1861, and landed in the United States March 22. He proceeded at once to New Brunswick, New Jersey, where he worked at his trade for about a year; then, going to New York, he was employed on Bleeker street, at the same occupation for eight or nine months,
From there he went to Scranton, Pa., where he remained about six months. His brother Leopold Eisman had come to America in 1859 and had established a clothing and dry goods business in Portsmouth, Ohio. At his request, his brother, our subject, came to Portsmouth in March, 1864, where he has since resided with the exception of a few months in 1865 when he resided in St. Louis, Missouri.
In 1865, the brothers formed a partnership branch store. Leopold still conducted his main store and John managed the branch store, which was located in the basement of the Taylor House which stood where the present Biggs House stands, but was destroyed py fire in 1871. The business was temporarily removed to the Spry block after the fire. Leopold then erected a three story brick building just below the Timmonds baker shop on Front street, and the entire business was removed to the new building, the brothers becoming equal partners in the business. The dry goods line was soon dropped and they carried on a clothing and merchant tailoring business exclusively. The sales were mostly retail, though a local wholesale business was done. The business flourished and the partnership continued until the death of the senior partner, Leopold, September 6, 1886, when our subject bought out the interest of the widow and assumed exclusive control of the establishment,
The business has since been run in the name of J. Hisman & Company, though Mr. Eisman is the sole owner. In 1895, he removed to the Brushart building on west Second street. The business continued to grow and wholesaleing was given more attention. In 1900, the quarters becoming too small a removal was made to Chillicothe street between Fourth and Fifth streets, where an extensive wholesale and retail clothing and gents furnishing business is carried on. It is one of the largest and most substantial business houses in Portsmouth.
Mr. Eisman has always been a republican in politics, but has never sought publicity in this line preferring to give his whole time and attention to his business. He is a member of the Jewish church congregation of Portsmouth and has always been one of its most liberal contributors. He held the presidency of the church for two years. He was united in marriage, January, 1869, with Fanny Meyer daughter of Jacob Meyer, of Portsmouth. She died, December, 1869. In April 1874, he was re-married to Eliza Dryfus, daughter of Wolf and: Eva Dryfus, of Zanesville, Ohio. She died February 24, 1892, leaving four children, two sons and two daughters, all of whom are living, and have reached maturity. They all reside with their father on west Fourth street. Carrie E., and Eda E., manage the home and the sons, Leon M., and Sidney J., are associated with their father in business. The sons show remarkable business ability and have a promising future.
Provenance
Text from History of Scioto County, Ohio, Together with a Pioneer Record of Southern Ohio, published 1903, in the public domain in the United States and digitised by the Internet Archive.