Columbus City (part 17 of 57)

Centennial Biographical History. 47 5

In poHtics Mr. IMeeker was an unfaltering and uncompromising Democrat, and through the period of nearly thirty years he was connected most of the time with the county and state committees of his party. For more than two decades he served as an officer and was intimately connected with the Democratic state executive committee, which defines the policy and directs the campaigns of that party. He was a leading spirit in controlling political movements during that period, and with the skill of a general on the field of battle he marshaled his forces and won many a notable victory. He was closely identified with leaders like Thurman, Pendleton, Brice, Hoadley and Campbell. He established prominent Democratic headquarters in Columbus, and died while still serving as secretary of the Democratic state committee. His death occurred in 1890, when he was fifty-six yearsi of age.

George W. Meeker married Harriet Hatch, of Westerville, Ohio, and two sons were born unto them : Garry Waldo and Claude Loraine, both of whom are represented elsewhere in .this work. As a journalist, lawyer and political leader George W. Meeker left the impress of his; individuality upon the history of the state. He was a man of the strongest mentality whose mind was developed and disciplined by educational advantages, by broad reading, careful consideration and original investigation. Though men differed from him on questions of political importance, they never doubted his sincerity or his fidelity to his honest convictions.

This lady was born June 7, 1855, on South Gift street, Columbus, the daughter of Melinda (Deardurff) Davidson, and a granddaughter of David Deardurff, who settled here in 1798. Therefore she is a direct descendant and fair representative of the old-stock pioneer, a self-made woman in every respect. At the death of her grandmother, Rachel Deardurff, when but eight years old, she was out of a home and among strangers. A lover of books, fiowers, plants and animals, she found plenty of interesting and instructive material. The pale, intellectual face with its great, liquid, eloquent eyes, attracted her teachers, who found in the eager child a thirst for knowledge from every source, and the promise of an earnest student. No interest was taken by anyone in her education, her one all-consuming desire, except by herself and district-school teachers. In fact as she grew in scholarship, there sprang up envy among some, who preferred that their children should occupy the standing won by this industrious child, and obstacles were placed in the way of her advancement ; but, with her one great aim always in sight, she surmounted all. steadily working days for board and clothes, studying by candle-light and even by moon-light, many an hour that should have been for sleep. To Miss Lucil'la Crane she owes some of the highest principles of character stamped indelibly upon her mind in early childhood. Reid Crane,

As little Alice grew up, she made many friends. A love of mischief brought down many a school master's rattan or ferrule, but she often said this was only a zest for study. Her propensity for fun, caricatures and witty poems got her many a switching; but she was always a favorite at school because of her generous, affectionate nature and quick, clear perception. Her firm resolution to do everything right and never half do a job, won esteem from her employers. Her services were soon in demand. She became an excellent nurse aiid spent four years at the Imbecile Asylum as governess and two years at the Southern Hospital at Dayton. Having completed the common school course she entered and graduated at E. K. Ban's Commercial College. By close economy she had secured a scholarship at Oberlin College, but she was deprived of this by her mother, who had been informed that it was "only a nigger school." This was a bitter disappointment to her, but proved an incentive to greater effort. She studied and saved.

In 1878 she met and married Robert Gillespiq, of Dayton, a young man of great musical ability, but after a few brief happy years his bright life was cut short by consumption.

When not yet thirty she found herself once more upon her own resources, with two helpless children and a widowed mother. Her undaunted courage and energy asserted themselves at once and she readily turned to nursing. She went to Indianapolis for training and returned at the request of first-class physicians to be kept busy and well paid. But the old longing for higher instruction returned. She placed herself under the preceptorship of W. J. Means, M. D. Through Professor A. E. Dorby, M. D., of Mount Vernon, she entered the University of Medicine and Surgery of Cleveland, Ohio. Her rapid progress as a student, with her indefatigable perseverance, soon brought her to the front ranks, and in 1893 she graduated with the honors of the class, securing the grade of icm3 plus, with twenty-five dollars in gold for the best thesis on gynaecology, from Professor H. T. Biggar, B. A., A. M., M. D., her grade being awarded by the Ohio State Board of Censors. She at once repaired to New York, entered the Electro-Therapeutic Institute of the Mc- Cartneys and completed the post-graduate course. Returning to Columbus, Ohio, she took up active practice, making a specialty of nervous and women's diseases. Her remarkable success is due to clear perception, a cool head and steady hand. She is trusted and loved by her patients for honesty, integrity and sincere attachment to her profession. Today, she stands high in her chosen work, successful and well-to-do. Her opinion and professional aid are sought by the sick all over Ohio, and she is often called to other states as her ability is easily recognized by scientific experience and work.

At forty-five she mastered French and German, and in 1900 crossed the Atlantic to take a course of scientific practical electricity from tfie great Apostalli, of Paris, France. She stands today equipped for any case of professional emergency, as many attest. She has had many l^attles with death, but is victorious. Those who know this remarkable woman best, say that she possesses the chief characteristics of a Napoleon, blended with the gentle, womanly graces and the tender sympathies of a Florence Nightingale.

Dr. Alice Gillespie-Allen is a member of the Ohio State Medical Association, also of the American Academy of Sciences, a prominent worker in the Ladies of the Maccabees, and is a medical examiner for that order and a supreme officer. She is also a w^orker in the Red Cross and Order of Eastern Star.

In 1895 she was married to Dr. Oswald Allen, of Cleveland, a descendant of the old Scotch Springer-McAllen families of Fulton county, Ohio. This sturdy Scotchman is justly proud of his able wife. She is the mother of Carol and Bernice Gillespie. Her husband has B. A., O. S. and Frank Allen, two sons and one daughter.

Dr. Alice writes for scientific and medical papers, her pen being as ready as her wit, veracity and quick rqiartee. She is proud of her lineage and loves the old people of her day who are so rapidly disappearing from the old scenes where she has erected a commodious' home on South Gift street and expects to grow old on the spot wdiere her ancestors first lived among the Indians.

Andrew Rellick

Andrew Rellick, of Columbus, was born May 26, 1859, in Austria, whence he came with his parents to America, the family landing at Baltimore on the 1 6th of August, 1867. They located at Crestline, Ohio, and after one year removed to Massillon, which became the family home, the father following his occupation of railroading.

Andrew Rellick acquired his literary education in the parochial schools of Massillon. He early entered the railroad service, for in his youth he was employed as water boy for one year on the Pittsburg, Fcrt ^Vayne & Chicago Railroad, and for an additional year on the Cleveland, Lorain & Wheeling Road. After his boyhood services w-ith the railroad companies he secured a position in the paper mills of Massillon, Ohio, where he was employed for two years, and he then engaged in clerking for a year and a half in a grocery store in Massillon. Subsequently he was on a section of the Pittsburg, Fort. Wayne & Chicago Railroad for three years. In 1878 he was an extra brakeman on the Massillon & Cleveland Railroad, holding that position for two years, and on the 30th of May, 1880, he began braking on the main line of the Cleveland, Akron & Columbus Railroad, in which capaciy he served for a year and a half. He then became brakeman and baggagemaster on a passenger train, in which capacity he served for four years, after which he was promoted to freight conductor, in June, 1885. On the nth of August, 1891, he was made passenger conductor, filling that position until 1895, when the run was discontinued and he again became conductor on a freight train. He thu'Si served until March i, 1900. when he was promoted to passenger conductor, and thus has been in continuous service for the Cleveland, Akron &

Columbus Railroad since 1880, a period of twenity-one consecutive years. Since 1886 he has been a member of Division 100 of the Order of Railway Conductors.

On the 3d of January, 1881, Mr. Rellick was united in marriage to Miss Ella Majors, but his wife died on the 21st of March following. On the 23d of May, 1882, he wedded Miss Eva Taylor, of Hudson, Ohio, and they have three children: Grace, who was born March 12, 1883, and died October 19, 1885; Ethel, born April 21, 1888; and Ruth, born May 18, 1896. Mr. Rellick and family belong to the Catholic church. He is a reliable and trustworthy man in business, and his consideration of the patrons of the road on which he runs has made him a valued representative of the line.

Lewis D. Bonebrake

Among those whose connection with educational interests in Ohio has been most beneficial to the state is the Hon. Lewis D. Bonebrake, now commissioner of common schools. He is an example of the boys who educate themselves and secure their own start in life, - determined, self-reliant boys, willing to work for advantages which other boys secure through inheritance, destined by sheer force of character to succeed in face of all opposition and to push to the front in one important branch of enterprise or another. As a man his business ability has been constantly manifested in one phase or another to the improvement of the schools with which he is connected, and his advancement in educational circles has been continuous and merited.

Lewis D. Bonebrake is one of the native sons of Franklin county, his birth having occurred in Westerville, on the 23d of August, 1859. He is a son of the Rev. Daniel and Hester Ann (Bishop) Bonebrake. and traces his ancestry back through many generations to one of the name of Bonebrake, who was of Prussian birth. It is said that he incurred imperial displeasure and therefore came to America, becoming the founder of the family on the soil of the new world. His son, Dewalt Bcnebrake, was a farmer and blacksmith of Germantown, Pennsylvania, and served as a soldier under General Washington in military operations between New York and Philadelphia. From 1 801 to 1808 he resided in Athens county, Ohio, and then removed to Montgomery county, but after a year cast in his lot with the pioneers of Preble county, where he died in 1824. Among his twelve children were Daniel Bonebrake, the grandfather of our subject. He was born in Somerset county, Pennsylvania, June 16, 1797, and in 1801 was brought by his parents to Ohio. He became a local and traveling minister of the L^nited Brethren church, and gave about half of his time to his ministerial labors, while durincr th? remainder of the time he followed farming until 1853. when he embarked in the grocery business in Lewisburg. Five of his brothers served under General Harrison in the war of 1812. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah Mills, and among their children was the Rev. Daniel Bonebrake, who is mentioned on another page of this volume, and in connection with his record will be found a more detailed history of the ancestry of the family.

In his early boyhood Lewis D. Bonebrake pursued his studies in the district school near his home and when he had mastered the preliminary branches entered the high school of Westerville. He earned the money with which to aid him in pursuing a college course, following school teaching or doing any kind of work that would increase his savings. At length he was graduated in the Otterbein University with the class of 1882, and then resumed his work as an educator. He has been superintendent of a number of village schools and ultimately became superintendent of the city schools of Mount Vernon, Ohio, in which capacity he was acceptably serving when elected commissioner in 1897. He has served as county school examiner in Athens and Knox counties, and for five years was a member of the state board of examiners. So acceptably did he fill the commissionership through his first term of three vearsi that in 1900 he was re-elected for a second term, so that he will be the incumbent of the ofifice until 1904. It would be difficult to find one who has done more practical work in behalf of the schools of Ohio than has Lewis D. Bonebrake. He has kept in touch with the progress and improved methods advanced in connection with school work and has been very successful in adapting these to his own work. His own enthusiasm amounts almost to an inspiration to others and his labors have indeed proven most beneficial.

Among the representatives of the medical fraternity in Columbus isl numbered Joseph E. Beery, who is one of Fairfield county's native sons, his birth having occurred near North Berne, oni the 21st of August. 1861. His parents were Frederick and Elizabeth (Warner) Beery. On the paternal side he represents one of the old and honored families of Virginia. Two branches of the name are supposed to have emigrated from Scotland to England and thence to the new world and Pennsylvania. Daniel Beery, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Richmond, Virginia, and became a resident of Fairfield county, Ohio, where the birth of his son, Frederick Beery, occurred. The latter was a farmer by occupation, and when he had arrived at years of maturity he married Elizabeth ^^'arner. who was also 1>orn in Fairfield county.

Dr. Beery spent the days of his boyhood anid youth in the county of his nativity and in the winter season was sent to the district school, where he acquired his preliminary education, obtaining a good knowledge of the common branches. In the summer months he worked in the fields. After leaving the district schools he entered the National Normal University, at Lebanon, Ohio, where he prepared himself for teaching, while at intervals lie was a student in that institution for four years. During the remainder of the time he followed teaching, and thus acquired the money necessary to meet the expenses of his college course. With the desire to make the practice of medicine his life work he began reading with his brother, L. W. Beery, then of Royalton, Fairfield county, and later he entered the Miami Medical College, at Cincinnati, being graduated in iS86. Later he spent six months in the Cincinnati Hospital, and thus fortified his theoretical knowledge by practical experience. He located at Pickerington, Fairfield county, where for three years he remained in practice and then came to Columbus, locating on West Broad street, where he is now established in a good business. In June, 1887, was celebrated the marriage of Dr. Beery and Miss Frankie Blair, of Mantua, Ohio, a daughter of Chauncey and Martha (Storey) Blair. They now have two children, Flossie and Jean Ingelow. The family occupy a fine residence at No. 802 West Broad street. Socially the Doctor is connected with York Lodge, F. & A. M. In the line of his profession he is identified with the Columbus Academy of Medicine and with the American Medical Association. He spares no efifort that will advance him in his- chosen calling and make him more proficient in administering to the needs of suffering humanity. His practice is now large and of an important character and the future has undoubtedly in store for him a successful career.

George M. Hoffman

Among the agriculturists of Norwich township, Franklin county, Ohio, whO' have successifully pursued their peaceful vocation for many years, is George ]\I. Hoffman, the subject of this sketch. He was born within eight miles of the city of Lancaster, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, August 5, 1840. His father, John Hoffman, was a native of Biron, Germany, born in 1808, and until his fourteenth year attended school, going from there to work as a glazier. In 1838 he came to America, sailing from Bremen to New York city, and after a voyage of sixty-five days reached the American shore. Many of his countrymen had settled in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, and thither he went, remaining for ten or twelve years in the neighborhood, working in a tannery. His marriage took place there to Miss Elizabeth Heibeck, also a native of Germany, who had come from her native land with her family on the same boat as Mr. Hoffman.

In 1848 ]\Ir. Hoffman removed with his family to Franklin county and lived a few months in Columbus ; then, buying a tract of twenty-eight and a half acres of land in Norwich township, he took his family to that location. Here he soon added forty-two acres more, still later buying thirty-seven and one-half acres, having then a fine farm of one hundred and eight acres. Upon the first land purchased was a log house containing two rooms. This had been built many long years before by Thomas Wilcox, one of the first settlers in that locality.

The mother of our subject died at this farm from an accident upon the Pan Handle Railroad. Mr. Hoffman, senior, married a second time, choos- ing for his wife Margaret Spicer. His death took place in 1888, on the old place where he had lived for years. He was a Whig in early days, but became a Democrat later in life. His religious belief connected him with the Lutheran church. The children of our subject's parents were: Andrew, of Norwich township, who married first Caroline Fether and secondly Mary Kellar; George M., our subject; and Elizabeth, who married Nicholas! Huber.

Until he had reached his eighth year our subject lived in Pennsylvania and attended the schools- of Lancaster county. The family removal to Norwich township took place then and his education was completed in Franklin county. He assisted his father in agricultural pursuits until his majority, then rented the home farm, and in 1888 bought the place where he has since resided, with the exception of three years spent upon a tract of eightytwo acres which he bought, but successfully sold. Li 1900 Mr. Hoffman added fifty-eight and a half acres and now has a fine farm of one hundred and seventy-nine acres.

I^lr. Hoffman was married to Miss Catherine Geyer, who had been born in New York, in 1841. She was the daughter of John C. Geyer, born in Bremen, Germany, in 181 3, who had married Marg-aret Smith, born in Germanv, in 1818, but at that time a resident of New York. In 1850 the Geyer family came to Franklin county, where Mr. Geyer engaged in his trade of wagonmaking and also in gardening, living until 1883, the mother living until 1898. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman is a large and prosperous one, although, in late years, gaps have been made by death. They are: John G., a resident of Iowa; Andrew, of lovva; Anna E., George M., Henry, John N., Edward C. and Charles Frederick, living, and Margaret, Adam and Edwin George, deceased.

Mr. Hoffman is well aiid favorably known through the township. He is a stanch Democrat, and has been active in the promotion of the principles of that party. In his religious belief he belongs to the Lutheran church, in which he is a valued member. He is looked upon by his neighbors as: one of the substantial citizens of Franklin county.

Nathan A. Scofield

Though he traces his lineage on the paternal side to Germany, the w^ell known citizen of Norwich, Franklin county, whose name is above, is distinctively a son of Ohio. William Scofield. his father, was born near Zanesville, Muskingum county, Ohio, in September, 1830, and when he was eight years of age he was taken by his parents to a farm near Hilliard. Franklin county. His education in the common schools near his home and brought up to the hard but healthful life of a farmer boy. In school he took special interest in mathematics, in which he made unusual progress. The country was new and about everything necessary to be done to redeem a farm from the wilderness and put it under profitable cultivation was yet undone so far as his father's farm was concerned when he was old enough to lend a hand in the work, and being one of the elder boys he was kept from school in the interest of the farm. His father owned five hundred acres of land, and the amount of work its improvement involved can scarcely be comprehended now. He went through all the experiences of pioneer life and took part in every kind of hard, manual labor involved in all the processes of clearing and of farming on a large scale.

Mr. Scofield married Hannah Planck, who was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1833, a daughter of Joseph and Nancy (Wilkins) Planck. Joseph Planck, who was born in Germany, came to the United States when young. After his marriage Mr. Scofield bought fifty acres of his father's farm. After the death of his parents the remainder of the farm, aggregating two hundred and ten acres, was sold and the proceeds were divided among five heirs, each of whom had previously bought fifty acres of the original tract. Mr. Scofield remained on his farm until 1864, when he sold it to his uncle, Benjamm Scofield, and bought a farm of one hundred and thirty-two acres in the southern part of Norwich township, which he sold in 1874 to Andrew Milliken. He then removed to Memphis, Missouri, and from there to Illinois, where for a short time he owned and lived on a farm, but a year and a half after his departure from Ohio he returned to Norwich township and bought a farm of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, four miles northeast of Hilliard, where he lived until his death, which occurred August 18, 1891. He is buried in Wesley Chapel cemetery, Norwich township. His wife died in 1869, and lie then married Letitia Wright, who still survives him. Always energetic and industrious, he made the success of life which crowns the efiforts of an honest man possessed of these qualities. He was a prominent and helpful member of the German Baptist church. Politically he was a Republican and was not without influence in his party, having been repeatedly solicited, but steadfastly refused, to accept township office. The children of William and Hannah (Planck) Scofield were: Nathan A., who was born near Hilliard, Franklin county, Ohio, February 5, 1853; Mary, who married Frank Helser; Joseph W., who lives at Hilliard; and Martha, who is now Mrs. Levi Drumheller.

Nathan A. Scofield attended the public schools near his home until he was nineteen years of age, and by that time had acquired a good practical knowledge of farming. He was married in Norwich township, March 27, 1872, to Miss Aria Milliken, who was born in Madison county, Ohio, March 22, 1854, a daughter of Andrew Milliken. The children of Nathan A. and Aria Ann (Milliken) Scofield are: Alberta Dean, who married Byron Rogers, of Norwich township; Mattie, who is the wife of Leroy Dobyns; and Walter and Minar, who are still members of their father's household.

For twenty-two years Mr. Scofield rented land in Norwich township, lie prospered and at the end of that time was able to buy his present farm from his father's heirs. He now owns one hundred a'nd sixty-four acres. He sold twenty acres of land formerly owned by his father, part of a tract of one hundred and fifty-eight acres, to the city of Columbus to be used in con- nection with the construction of a dam. A man of influence in his community, he is yet without political ambition and has no desire for public office, but is an active and zealous Democrat. He has served two terms as assessor of Norwich township. In 1896 he was appointed to fill a vacancy as trustee, at the expiration of which time he was elected for a term of three years. He is one of the prominent Masons of Norwich township.

Among those who devote their time and energies to the practice of medicine and have gained a leading place in the ranks of the profession is Dr. Nicholas Perry Davidson, who is now successfully engaged in practice at Hilliard. His father, Nicholas Davidson, was born in Dorchester countv, Maryland, in 181 3, and was a son of William Davidson, a planter and slave owner, whose ancestors were Virginians and of Scotch descent. The father was reared on a plantation and received a good common school education. In early life he learned the carpenter's trade, and when a young man came t<> Ohio, locating in Zanesville, where he conducted a grocery store for a short time. There he married Miss Sarah Linn, a native of that place. Scon after his marriage he moved to Perry county, where he engaged in farming, contracting and building, which was more suited to his abilities than commercial pursuits. As soon as old enough to be of any assistance his sons began to aid in the farm work.

The family made all their own clothing, the linen being spun from flax raised upon the farm. The father was a great reader and devoted all his leisure time to his books. His wife, who was a member of the ;Methodist church and a devout Christian, died in 1857, and im 1862 he married Hannah Hayden, a daughter of Jacob Hayden. He continued to follow farming and contracting until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1880. He, too, was an earnest and consistent member of the Methodist church, in which he served as class leader and steward. Politically he was a Jacksonian Democrat until the Civil war, w^hen he joined the Republican party, though he was always an advocate of Jacksonian principles. By his first marriage he had eleven children, namely: George and . who died im infancy; Elizabeth Ann, now Mrs. Carroll: William Henrv. deceased; Sarah Adeline, wife of Robert Moore; James and Mary C, who both died in childhood; Nicholas P., our subject; Lewis Linn; Louisa V., widow of David Ball: and Charles F., of Emporia, Kansas. By the Fccond uniom there were four children: Leonard B. ; Ellsw^orth. deceased; Hannah, wife of Charles Kefaber; and Montford, deceased. The mother of these children is still living and makes her home in Fairfield county, Ohio.

Dr. Davidson was born on the loth of October, 1849. in Sunday Creek township, Perry county, one mile east of Oa'kfield, and began his education in the district schools of that localitv. At the age of sixteen he went to live wnth his eldest sister in Clay county, Illinois, and while there attended school itwo' years and taught four years. Returning to Ohio, in 1872, he took a scientific course at the Lebanon Normal School, and subsequently successfully engaged in teaching for six years in Fairfield, Montgomery and Hocking counties, this state, being principal of a school of four departments during the last three years of .that time. He then took up the study of medicine with Dr. \V. G. Dawson, of Gibisonville, Ohio, with whom he spent four years, and later attended lectures at the Columbus Medical College, where he was graduated in 1882. He made his owm way through college, earning at intervals all the money that he needed for the expenses of the course. After his graduation he engaged in practice at Marysville, Ohio, for three and a half years, and then "hung out his shingle" in Hilliard, where he has isince made his home. Here he has built up a very extensive practice.

The Doctor was married, in February, 1877, to Miss Anna Jeanette Shepperd, of Xenia, Ohio. Formerly he was a member of .the Methodist church, and still belongs to Norwich Lodge, No. 385, I. O. O. F, In his political affiliations he is a stanch Republican. Fie is now a member of the town council of Hilliard, and has' served as health officer for many years. Fraternally he holds membership in the American Medical Association and also' the Ohio State and the Ohio Central Medical Associations. He is a close and thorough student, a man of deep research, and his investigations into the science of medicine and his skillful application of the knowledge he has thereby obtained has won him a place in the foremost ranks of the m'edical fraternity. Fie is the author of a five-hundred-page volume entitled "Classification of Surgical Operations and M'edical Miscellany." Being a highly educated man and an excellent conversationalist, he has become very popular and makes many friends.

Among the professional men of Columljus, Ohio, the subject of this D. N. Kinsman, a physician of ability and stanching, is recognized as one of the tried and trustworthy repressntatives of his class. Fle was born in Heath, Massachusetts, in May, 1834, from an ancestry stretching back to the time of the Crusades'. He was permitted to attend excellent schools and for seven years taught in the schools of Circleville. Following this he attended lectures at the Medical College of Ohio, at which he graduated in 1863, and has been a successful and popular practitioner and useful citizem ever since. He has had the satisfaction of watching the wonderful growth of the city of his adoption, and in all the public enterprises he has borne a part.

For three years Dr. Kinsman held the professorship of the diseases of women and children in Starling Medical College and since that time has held the chair of medical practice in the Columbus Medical College. He is now the chief of the medical staff of the Protestant Hospital and professor of practice of medicine in the Ohio Medical Universiiv. Dr. Kinsman is a

The marriage of Dr. Kinsman took place in 1857 to Miss Isabella Stevens, of Utica, Ohio, and his family consists of three daughters: Mrs. G. M. Waters, Belle and Louise.

Apart from his profession, Dr. Kinsman has been a member of the Ohio State Live Stock Commission since its formation, and for five years has been its secretary. He holds a high position in the Masonic order, having received the degrees of the blue lodge in 1857, the commandery degrees in 1867, those of the Scottish rite in 1877, and in 1885 the thirty-third degree, and has been the presiding officer in all of these bodies.

No one could stand higher in the esteem of his fellow citizens than does Dr. Kinsman. He has so thoroughly gained the affection and regard of his patients that they regard him as a friend as well as a physician and are glad to do him honor.

Charles Savoy Ammel

The fortunes of war, which after the struggle between the north and the south left many progressive northern men m the southern states, also brought many enterprising southern men north of Mason and Dixon's line. Charles Savoy Ammel, a leading business man of Columbus, was among the number. He came to this city in 1864 as a prisoner of war, was paroled and has since remained a resident of the capital, where he has attained prominence in business, military and Masonic circles.

Captain Ammel is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and the representaive of a family that has won distinction in the military service of France. His father, Major Philip Ammel, was a native of Lyons, France, and serv^ed as commandant in the French army - a rank equivalent to that of major in America. His people were all in the army and had died in the service of their country through many generations. On account of political complications Major Ammel was forced to leave France and made his way across the Atlantic to New York, whence he afterward removed to Baltimore, Maryland. However, he returned during the French-Prussian war and died in his native land. He married Francoise Welkee. a member of an old French family.

In his native city Captain Ammel pursued his education and when the country became involved in Civil war the military spirit inherited from his ancestors found him a sergeant in the Fifty-third, now the Fifth Maryland Regiment. During the 19th of April service he was paroled as a lieutenant and when Baltimore was taken by General Ben Butler he went into Confederate service as a lieutenant in the Maryland line. Prior to the war he had been a member of the militia, with the rank of sergeant, so that military training and experience well fitted him for the duties which he assumed at the outbreak of hostilities. He participated in all of the engagements in the valley of the Shenandoah, with General "StonewaU" Jackson's army, and while serving with the army of the Shenandoah he was four times wounded, and was captured in a skirmish at Oak Hall, Virginia, in 1864. As a prisoner of war he was then sent to Columbus, where he was paroled, and thus becoming a resident of the city he has since maintained his home here and has risen to a position in the foremost rank of its leading business men.

Colonel Ammel was engaged in the music business from 1865 until 1876, and during much of that time was also manager of the Comstock opera house. In 1876 he became manager for the Alice Oates Opera Company and superintended that popular organization of seventy people until 1879, repeatedly visiting the leading cities of the country. In 1879 he entered into business relations with the M. C. Lilley Company, extensive manufacturers of military goods and regalias, in fact doing the largest business of this kind in the United States. Mr. Ammel became a representative of the military. Masonic and band departments, of which he is manager. His efforts in this line have been very satisfactory and gratifying to the house and profitable to himself. He is approachable, genial and always courteous, - qualities which make him popular wherever he goes and have insured his success in business.

The Colonel has a wide acquaintance in Masonic circles and is himself a prominent representative of the craft. He was made a Mason in Goodale Lodge, No. 172, F. & A. M., of Columbus, in 1867, and in 1871 he took the degrees of Chivalric Masonry in Mount Vernon Commandery, No. i, K. T., in which be is a past commander and has filled the office of captain general for twenty-four years. He was the organizer and was the first high priest of Temple Chapter, No. 155, R. A. M. He became a Scottish-rite Mason and received the thirty-second degree in February, 1874, and is a charter member of the Scottish-rite bodies of the valley of Columbus, as well as a charter member of Aladdin Temple, Nobles of the Mystic Shrine. He like- Avise belongs to the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being a charter member of Junia Lodge, and is also, identified with the Knights of Pythias and Royal Arcanum. He is a member of the Columbus Commercial Travelers' Association and was one of the incorporators of the United Commercial Travelers' Association for the United States and a member of the supreme council.

Military matters have also commanded the interest and attention of Colonel Ammel, who was the organizer of the old Fourteenth Regiment of Ohio National Guards, and was called "the father of the regiment." In 1876 he was commissioned captain of- Company A, and w^as also mustering officer of the regiment, in which capacity he mustered himself in as captain and also discharged himself from the service. After six years' service as captain he resigned on account of pressing business duties. During this time he was with his company engaged in action brought about by the strike among the Ohio coal miners. In 1898, during the Spanish American war. Captain Ammel organized the Fourteenth Veteran Reserv^e, of which he became lieutenant colonel, while George D. Freeman was colonel, and though the regiment was never called to the front about three hundred men were taken from its ranks to fill up the quota of the old Fourteenth, then known as the Fourth Regiment.

In politics the Colonel is a Republican. In 1876 he organized a regiment of twelve companies, numbering nearly one thousand, four hundred men. Of this regiment he became the colonel. The organization was the first fancy drilled and uniformed political body in the country, and were in great demand for political displays all over the' state.

In Columbus Colonel Ammel was united in marriage to Miss Josephine Seltzer, daughter of John Seltzer, who was a native of Columbus and for many years was a prominent music dealer of the city. He occupied a high position in musical circles and spent his time, money and energies in securing the best musical talent to give entertainment. He was also instrumental in securing particularly effigient teachers and thus did much to cultivate the musical taste of the city, and win for Columbus its justly dieserved reputation of being one of the leading musical centers of the country. He married Miss Nannie Garner, a native of Columbus.

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Ammel has been born one daughter, Oueen Vidette, Avho is a graduate of the Columbus high school and is now the wife of Dr' F. L. Stillman, formerly of Portsmouth, Ohio, but at the present time a resident of the capital city.

During his long residence in Columbus Colonel Ammel has gained a very large circle of friends. He has been a recognized leader in many movements for the city's good and his worth is widely acknowledged bv manv who know him not only m Columbus but wherever he has traveled. '

William C. Carl

A prominent and popular young farmer of Prairie township Franklin county, Ohio, is William C. Carl, the subject of this sketch. He is of German descent, his grandfather, Ludwig Carl, having been born in Schwartzberg Sundershausen, Germany, where he followed the trade of shoemaker. The latter came to the United States in 1840, sailing from'Bremen to New York, passing sixty-five days on the ocean, and arriving March 3. Locating in Columbus on the ground now occupied as Third street, he opened a little shop but m a short time, probably in 1845, settled on sixty acres of land, built a loc^ house and stable, and felt independent. No nails were used in the buildin^oof these houses, - only wooden pins. Fromi the window it was possible thento shoot wild turkeys to supply the larder. Grandfather Carl lived to be ninety years old, dying in 1876, his wife surviving until Julv 1884 when she was eighty-four years old. Both of them were members of the Lutheran church.

The father of our subject had one sister, Paulina, who is the wife of August Sibert. of this township. He was born in Germany November 17 i«22. He remained at school until he was sixteen years old, comincr to

America with his family when ahout sixteen years old and ohtaining employment first in the Neil Hotel, but later going- to the farm with his father and assisting him in the clearing and development of it.

Christian Carl, the father of our subject, married Annie Mary Selbert, who was born in Bavaria, Germany, and came to the United States when an infant. She was a daughter of John Selbert, who conducted a farm near Gahanna, Ohio, and became a prominent man in that section. Mr, Carl inherited his father's land and added one hundred and six acres to it and built the pleasant brick home on it in 1882, dying here February 2, 1896, and the mother dying July 20, 1898. Mr. Carl had been a Democrat all his life, and had served as school director and filled other offices. His choice of religious denominations was the Free Protestant church, on Mound street, Columbus, while the mother clung to the Lutheran faith, in which she had been reared. The children born to them were : Augusta, the wife of Simon Feder, of Browmt township; Louisa, who is Mrs. Adam Trish. of Norwich township; John, who married Lena Deitch, and resides in Prairie township; Isaac, who married Alberta Dougherty, and resides in Prairie township; Elizabeth, wdio is Mrs. George A. Geyer, and resides in this township; Julia, who is Mrs. Rudolph Hiltburner, and is a resident of Brown township; Louis W., who is a veterinary surgeon of Columbus; W^illiam, who is our subject; and Caroline, who died at the age of seventeen.

Our subject w^as born in the log house on his present farm. August i, 1869, and attended the district school, his first teacher being Miss Eva Kellar. At sixteen he left school and engaged in work on the farm. He was married on October 11, 1894, to Miss Dora Parker, a daughter of Stephen and Lucinda Parker, of this township, and to this union were born ^larie Lucy and Helen Jennette. Mrs. Carl died June 13, 1901.

After marriage our subject settled on forty acres of the land his grandfather purchased so long ago. Here he has very successfully pursued farming and has neat, commodious and comfortable surroundings. Mr. Carl cast his first vote for President Cleveland, voting politically as did his father and grandfather. Socially he is connected wnth the L O. O. F., of Columbus, and takes an active interest in the organization.

Claud E. Meeker

The history of a state as w^ell as that of a nation is chiefly the chronicle of the lives and deeds of those who have conferred honor and dignity upon society. The world judges the character of a community by that o-f its representative citizens, and yields its tribute of admiration and respect for the genius, learning or virtues of those whose works and actions constitute the record of a state's prosperity and pride; and their characters, as exemplified in probity and benevo'lence, kindly virtues and integrity in the afifairs of life, are ever affording worthy examples for emulation and valuable lessons of incentive.

From the beginning of the nineteenth century the name of jMeeker has been inseparably interwoven with the history of Ohio, and the subject of this review has been an active factor in pohtical circles and is now a most prominent business man of Columbus. He was born in the capital city, in 1861, and the history of his ancestry is given in connection with the life recoird ot his father, the Hon. George \V. Meeker, on another page of this work. He gave up the study of civil engineering to enter the field of journalism, and for some time his was a well known name in journalistic circles. He was first employed as a reporter on a paper in his native city and afterward went to Cincinnati, where he obtained a similar situation in connection w4th the Enquirer, which he represented for fifteen years, rapidly winning advancement. As a political editor, reporter and special correspondent he developed unusual ability and talent. He also became special correspondent to the New York World. His popularity as a reporter was evidenced by the people of Cincinnati, who at the celebrated church fair voted to him a magnificent gold-headed cane as the most popular reporter of the city. As a political editor he exerted a wide influence in Ohio. Nothing can measure the effect of the newspaper, but its power is widely recognized and acknowledged as d factor in molding public opinion and shaping public action, and in this way Claude Meeker became a leader in political circles. In 1889 James E. Campbell became a candidate for governor and was elected to that office. During the campaign Mr. Meeker accompanied him on his tour through the state and made many able addresses, holding the attention and convincing the minds of his hearers. Governor Campbell attributed his election in a large, manner to Mr. Meeker's reports and the Cincinnati Enquirer, and on assuming the office appointed him to the position of private secretary, in which, capacity he served from 1890 until 1892. The following year he was appointed, by President Cleveland United States consul at Bradford, England, where he served, in a most creditable manner, until 1897. This is one of the most important commercial consulates on account of the exports from America to Bradford, and involves great work and responsibility on the part of the consul, whose staff numbers nine assistants.

In 1897 Mr. Meeker returned to his native land and once more took up liis abode in Columbus, where he joined his brother in the establishment of the firm of Meeker Brothers, investment brokers. They are the leading firm in their line in Columbus, and have special telegraph connection with New York and Chicago. Their business has assumed mammoth proportions and has brought to them gratifying returns.

In 1890 Mr. Meeker was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Parks, a daughter of Dr. J. M. Parks, of Hamilton, Ohio. Her father was one of the best-known physicians in the Miami valley throughout a long period, being freely accorded the leadership in his profession. He was also highly esteemed as a citizen and' a man of sterling worth. He died in Hamilton in 1890, at the advanced age of eighty years. Mr. and Mrs. Meeker are tlie parents of three children, - Marjorie, Campbell and Marion, all of whom were born in England. Mr. and Mrs. Meeker attend the Episcopalian church, and he holds membership in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, also the Knights of Pythias and the Masonic fraternity. Kindness, amiability and courtesy not only characterize his social relations, but are a marked feature in his business life. It is not because of special prominence in public affairs that he has, and is justly entitled to, the respect and confidence of his fellow men, for his personal qualities are such as to make men esteem and honor him.

Nathaniel Smith

Nathaniel Smith, an enterprising farmer of Prairie township, represents one of the honored pioneer families of Ohio. His grandfather, Philip Smith, was born in Virginia and wedded Miss Nancy Keller, of Parkeisburg, that state, whose ancestors came from Germany to the new world. Removing ,to Ohio, the grandfather of our subject located in Athens county and afterward went to Auglaize county. His death occurred at St. Mary's, Ohio. He was a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and lived an upright, consistent life. His children were: Abner, who died in St. Mary's, Ohio; Francis Patty, who became the wife of Foster Stedman and died in Missouri ; Phillip, who died at Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Sarah, deceased; Amon, who died in Topeka, Kansas; Isaac, who died in St. Mary's, Ohio; and Elias, of Athens county, Ohio.

Francis Smith, the father of our subject, was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, in 1796, and with his parents came to Ohio at an early day. He was reared in Athens county, acquiring a common-school education, and early became familiar with the work of the home farm. He was there married to Miss Mary (Polly) Ashton, who was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Christmas day of 1800. Her father, Abner Ashton, was a glass blower of that city, and was there married to Nancy Lewis, who was born in Philadelphia. Her parents died when she was quite small and she was reared by Stephen Girard, a millionaire philanthropist. Abner Ashton was of an old and highly respected family of Pennsylvania, his ancestors having come from England to America. They settled at Ashton's Hope, near the boundary line between Maryland and Pennsylvania, and through several generations representatives of the name have been prominent in the Keystone state. After their marriage the parents of our subject resided in Athens county until 1845, when they took up their abode north of Columbus, in Franklin county. In 1854, however^ the father went to Davis county, Iowa, and resided with his sons in that state. He died at the home of his youngest son, Isaac, who is now living in Colorado, whither he removed in 1868. The mother of our subject also died there, in 1882. Isaac Smith attempted to go to Colorado during the Civil war, but en account of guerrillas was forced to return to Iowa. The father of our subject was a Democrat, always givinghis support to that party. Unto Francis Smith and his wife were born ten children: Nancy became the wife of . Alexander Francis, a soldiier in the Mexican war, and after his death she married Aaron Arm, her home beinonow in Ashgrove, Illinois; Lydia is the wife of Jeremiah French, of Jackson county, Ohio; Sally is the wife of David Minton, of Oregon; Hester m.arried Nathan Benjamin, who was a soldier in the Mexican war, and is now living in Missouri; Nathaniel was the next of the family; Lovisa is the wife of Jacob Kiner, of North Columbus ; Abner is living in Missouri ; Phillip died in Colorado, in 1876; Hameline resides in Missouri; and Isaac makes his home in Laramie county, Colorado.

Nathaniel Smith, whose name introduces this record, was born in Lee township, Athens county, Ohio, May 6, 1827, and there remame 1 muil eighteen years of age. He was reared amid the wild scenes of frontier life, living in the forests, where he aided in grubbing the stumps, splitting rails and chopping wood. The house was a hewed-log cabin, eighteen by twenty- four feet, containing two rooms. The building was 'heated by a fireplace, on which could be laid a four-foot log, and the smoke found egress through a mud and stick chimney, and the first school which he attended was three miles from his home. The benches were made by splitting a small tree in two. Portions of the trunk were then stood upon ^vooden legs and s'erved as seats for the scholars. The writing desk was formed by placing a board upon pins driven into the wall, and the immense fireplace occupied one end of the room. His first teacher was a Mr. Martin, who was a capable instructor for those days. When the school hours were over Mr. Smith aided in doing the chores at home, a part of his duty being to bring up the cows. They would sometimes stray miles away, so that he would be days in finding them. In his boyhood he was very fend of hunting, and was a sure shot Wild game of all kinds abounded, the settlers often killing wild cats, wolves^ bears, panthers, deer and wild fowls', the last two furnishing many a meal! Squirrels were so numerous as to be a pest. Mr. Smith has killed deer in this locality and greatly enjoyed his hunting trips. Although now seventythree years of age, he is an excellent shot with the rifle, and while hunting for tlie cows he always took his gun and a trusty hunting dog with him. Wild hogs were also numerous, and mink, beaver and coons were frequently shot. ^ ^

When eighteen years of age Mr. Smith came to Franklin county, where he has since made his home. He was married on the 4th of February, 1849, to Miss Amanda Kiner, who was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, May 26, 1 83 1. She is a daughter of Caspar Kiner and a granddaughter of Conrad' Kmer. The great-grandfather was Michael Keinadt, a native of Germany, born in the town of Winterlingen, in 1720. He came to America about 1740 and located at New Holland, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he married Margaret Dillar, a native of that place and a daughter of Jacob Dillar, who was born in France and fled to England on account of relio-ious persecutions. There Mr. Dillar was married, and in 1840 he came to the United States, settling in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he died. Michael

Keinadt removed from Pennsylvania to iVugusta county, Virginia, accompanied by his wife and children, with the exception of his son, Conrad Kiner, who remained in the Buckeye state. The family took up their abode near what was then called World's End, and the great-grandfather of Mrs. Smith died in 1796. He served as a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and five of his sons were also loyal defenders of the American colonies, namely: George Adam, Conrad, George Michael, Martini and Jacob. The descendants of Michael Keinadt are scattered over every state and territory in the Union. In the Civil war some were members of the Southern army, others fought for the Union. The spelling of the name has undergone considerable change as years have passed, the grandfather simplifying the orthography to Kyner, while the present generation have substituted an *'i" for the "y." Michael Keinadt had thirteen children, ten sons and three daughters.

Conrad Kyner, the grandfather of Mrs. Smith, was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1755, and married Margaret Stambaugh, who was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania. They took up their abode im that county, and the grandfather passed away March 11, 1816, his death resulting from a fall from a horse. His son, Caspar Kiner, the father of Mrs. Smith, was born in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, ini 1796, and was there reared as a farmer boy. He married Elizabeth Mock, who was born in 1800 and is a daughter of Michael and Margaret (Whissinger) Mock. Her father was born in Germany, while his wife was a native of Scotland. In the early '00s he removed with his family to Clinton' township, Franklin county, wliere he spent his remaining days. For seven years after his marriage Caspar Kiner resided upon the old homestead farm in Pennsylvania and in 1825 came to Franklin county, Ohio, where he rented land for a short time. He then removed to Coshocton county and purchased three hundred acres, upon which he lived for seven or eight years. On the expiration of that period he returned to this county and bought seventy-five acres^ of land in Clinton township, near North Columbus, where, in the midst of the forest, he erected a log cabin. He became a prosperous farmer and spent his remaining days on his homestead there', his death occurring in the spring of 1861. His wife died August 11, 1873. Their children were ten in number : Michael, who married Sarah Meggs and died in Clinton township; Margaret Ann, ithe deceased wife of Solomon Hays ; Jacob, who married Lovisa Smith, a sister of our subject; Martha Jane, the deceased wife of William Ream; Lucinda, who became the wife of Lafayette Layzell, but has now passed away; Mrs. Smith; Mary, deceased; Elizabeth, who became the second wife of Lafayette Layzell ; Henry, who married Catherine Denune and is living in Clinton township; and JohiT, who married Pauline Denune and is now deceased.

When Mrs. Smith was six years of age her parents removed to what is now North Columbus, where she grew to womanhood. She has attended the Clinton double-log schoolhouse. which was three miles from her home. Among her first teachers were Melissa Peck and Nancy Stiles. Her father afterward gave to the township for a term of eleven years a plat of land oni his farm, on which was erected a schoolhouse, and^ therein Mrs. Smith completed her education. On the 4th of February, 1849, 'he gave her hand in marriage to Nathaniel Smith, and they began their domestic life in a rented log house. He had one horse and a few cows and hogs. Their household furniture consisted of several chairs and a meager supply of dishes, together with a few necessary articles of furniture. Their meals were cooked over a fireplace. Mr. Smith had no capital but an honest heart and willing hands, but with the assistance of his good wife he has steadily worked his way upward. The first season he operated land on the shares, but in the succeeding autumn he purchased two acres of land in Clinton tmvnship. He built a round-log cabin, which for seven years was his home, and on the expiration of that 'period he sold the property and removed to Davis county, Iowa, in 1855. Tbe journey was made with two wagons, each drawn by a team of horses, but on the way two of the horses were killed in Indiana by a falling tree. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had with them their three children and a cousin, Horace Smith. They had stopped for the noon-day meal and had just set down to eat when they heard the tree falling. They just managed to get out of the way when the tree struck the ground, killing the liorses. They were twenty-eight days upon the journey, reaching their destination on the 26th of November, 1855. They camped out all along the way with the exception of one night, and without other adventure than the one mentioned at length reached their journey's end.

Mr. Smith and his family, however, were not pleased with the country, and in February they returned to Ohio by rail, being snow-bound east of Chicago for a time. On again reaching this state Mr. Smith engaged in the butchering business, carrying on business as a huxter and also purchased a threshing machine, which he -operated during the harvesting seasons for nine years. In the meantime he purchased a part of his present farm, becoming owner in the spring of 1863 and taking possession thereof in the fall of 1864. This was wild swamp land, but he has developed it into a fine farm, comprising sixty-seven acres of rich land. During the first winter the family lived in a log ihouse and then erected a frame residence, wdiich was destroyed by fire in 1878. It was then replaced by the present brick residence. The fire occurred on the 5th of June, and on the 5th of August the family took possession of their new abode. In the mearrtime they resided in the barn. Mr. Smith has labored untiringly for the improvement of his property and now has a valuable place, his land yielding to him a rich return for the care and labor he bestows upon it.

Unto our subject and his wife have been bom six children: John C, of Prairie township, who married Eunice Calhoun and has eight children; Charles W.. who married Eva Seward and is now deceased; Elizabeth Mahala, now the wife of Henry Pillow, of Columbus; Pollv A., wife of Josephus Scott, of Columbus, by whom she has one child; Emma lane, the wife of Wallace McDowell, of Columbus ; Olivette, who married lohn W. Derflinger, of Columbus, and has one child. Mr. Smith is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Galloway, and in politics he is independent. He remembers distinctly the stirring times of the Harrison campaign and the time when he cast his first presidential vote, supporting James K. Polk. He has very vivid recollections of the city of Columbus. When he came to the county, in 1844, there was not even a gravel road in the capital. The corporation line east and west extended from the river to Third street and from Broadstreet to the courthouse. The capitol building was a small brick structure at the corner of High and State streets. All east of Third street was farm land, and there was a big pond where the Central market is now located, while the north market occupies the site of what was the old city grave yard, and a garden was seen where is now found the Union depot. Great changes have occurred throughout the years which have come and gone since that time, and Mr. Smith feels a just and commendable pride in the advancement made by his adopted county. He is numbered among its honored pioneers, well worthy of representation in this volume.

Richard E. Jones

Few residents of Columbus are more widely known than the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. This is due to his prominence in business, in social circles and through his w^ork along philanthropic lines. He commands in a marked degree the confidence and esteem of all who know him and enjoys the warm regard of a host of friends. His life has been a busy, useful and honorable one and has been crowned with a rich measure of success as a fitting reward of his labors and well directed energies.

On the loth of August, 1853, in Liverpool, England, occurred the birth of Richard E. Jones. His parents were of Welsh lineage. At the age of nineteen years he left the land of his birth and crossed the ocean to the new world. He had formerly been apprenticed to the carpenter's trade and here he completed the mastery of the business and was engaged in the construction of the buildings of the Dennison University, also of the old union depot, in 1874. In 1877 he went west in company with Lieutenant George Ruhlen, assisted in the erection of Fort Custer in Montana, just a year after the massacre of Custer and his troops by the Indians. For a year Mr. Jones remained in the west and then returned to Columbus. Soon afterward he entered into jjartnership with his brother in the lumber business in Corning, Ohio, the connection between them being maintained for seven years. In 1887 he joined Mr. W^ebb in the purchase of an undertaking establishment, formerly owned by Joseph B. Stuart. A year later he purchased Mr. Webb's interest and since that time he has conducted the business alone, now having the patronage of many of the most prominent and influential families in the capital city. His undertaking estalilishment is one of the best stocked and equipped in the city and his rooms are excellently arranged for the display of his goods, which are of the latest and most modern design. His office is located on Broad and Third streets, this giving him the advantage of an excellent situation.

Mr. Jones has traveled extensively, having visited many points of interest in Europe ad America, but he has no desire to change his place of residence, being content to make Columbus his home. As a citizen he is public-spirited and progressive, manifesting a commendable interest in everything pertaining to the substantial upbuilding and welfare of his adopted state. Many organizations have received his support and assistance. He is particularly interested in music and aided in the formation of the first Eisteofod, acting as its president in 1898, which was the most successful and popular one ever held in Ohio. .For two terms he was president of the Ohio State Funeral Directors A'ssociation, and has served as eminent commander of Mount Vernon Commandery No. i, K. T., and is past grand of the order of Odd Fellows. He is also connected with the Knights of Pythias and other fraternal organizations. At the time of the Franklinton centennial celebration he was a member of the fireworks committee and labored most earnestly for the success of the celebration. He was appointed a trustee of the Boy's Industrial School at Lancaster, Ohio, by Governor Bushnell, and by Governor Nash was reappointed to the same position for a term of five years. He is now president of the board and is closely in touch with its work and gives it his heartv endorsement, support and co-operation. He was a member of Governor Nash's party on the recent trip to California on the occasion of the launching of the battleship Ohio.

In 1879 Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss j\Iary A. Cadwallader, of Columbus, who died in 1897, leaving one son, Bertram George. For his second wife he chose Mrs. Nellie Evans, of Columbus, a daughter of William and Mary Jones. His life has ever been manly, his actions sincere, riis purpose honorable, and no native-born American citizen has a deeper interest in the welfare of the country and state than has :\Ir. Jones.

Philo Hopkins Olmsted

The Olmsted family was early prominent in New England Francis Olmsted fought for American independence in the Revolutionarv war and was present at the surrender of Burgoyne. He received a wound in battle, for which he drew a pension until the end of his days. He married Chloe Case, and in 1808 came from his old home near Hartford, Connecticut, to Frankhn county, Ohio, and bought land at Blendon Four Corners, just above (he present site of Minerva Park, where he died in 1828. He had five sons and two daughters.

Philo Flopkins Olmsted, familiarlv known as Colonel Olmsted had a notable career at Columbus, Ohio. He was born in Connecticut in 1793 and died in Franklin county, Ohio. February 20. 1870. He was one of the early settlers m Franklin county, bavins- come with his father's family at the date mentioned above. He gained a fair education for the pioneer days.

and at the age of seventeen, in 1810, entered the office of the Western Intelligencer, at Worthington, of which a man named Griswold was the editor and publisher and of which his father was one of the proprietors. In 1814, after the seat of government had been established on the bank of the Scioto river, a mile east of Franklinton, the printing office was removed from Worthington to Columbus, and the paper was rechristened the Columbus Gazette. Mr. Olmsted maintained his relation to the paper and soon bought out Griswold's interest in it, becoming its proprietor and publisher. It was a strong Whig journal and its local position at the seat of government made it an important element in directing the policy of the state and imparted to its editor an iniiuence and prominence rarely attained by members of the profession in after years. This prominence Mr. Olmsted maintained for a series of years, being repeatedly appointed and reappointed "printer to the state." The paper was later merged in a daily paper established at Columbus by George Nashee, Judge Bailhache and Colonel Olmsted, and the latter's interest was transferred about 1832 to Joseph B. Gardner.

Colonel Olmsted acquired his title honorably in the war of 18 12- 14. He enlisted in the cavalry organization recruited at Columbus, was elected its colonel and started to lead it to the seat of war by way of Sandusky; but when within one day's ride of his immediate destination he was met by a courier sent to announce the end of the war. He retained his connection with military affairs many years. He was several times honored by his fellow citizens with testimonials of their respect and confidence, and in all his official relations maintained a character of scrupulous probity and uprightness. He was a member of the city council from 1819 to 1822 and from 183 1 to 1834. During his last term he was the mayor of the city, in Avhich office he served for one year. He was elected mayor in 1837,. to fill the unexpired term of Warren Jenkins, and was again elected in 1838. He was foremost in all movements to advance the interests of Columbus in those early days, and at the opening of the canal, in 1832, he got together a fleet of three boats and went with cannon, a brass band and a large deputation of citizens to Chillicothe, where his arrival created a great sensation. This was considered a magnificent celebration at that time. The population of Columbus was then about two thousand.

In 1838 Colonel Olmsted became the proprietor of the old National Hotel in Columbus, on the west side of High street north of State street, then a noted stage house, which he managed until 1841, at which in 1840 he had General William Henry Harrison as a guest. In 1842 he opened the City Hotel, at the southeast corner of Town and High streets, where he entertained Martin Van Buren during the presidential campaign of 1844. In 1845 he opened the United States Hotel, which is still standing, at High and Town streets. He retired from active business about 1850.

Colonel Olmsted was a man of striking appearance, well proportioned and weighing about two hundred pounds, and down to the day of his death he dressed in the style of 1825 to 1850, clinging even to the once popular ruffled shirt. During the Civil war he traveled through Ohio and West Virginia, buying stock for the United States army, and thus, as he had done as editor, politician and hotel man, he made hosts of friends, for he was of a genial and happy disposition, having a kind word and a hearty handshake for every one whom he met. He was six times elected to the Ohio legislature, in which he served with rare ability and fidelity. He was a good speaker and writer, possessed sound judgment and great tact, and made a creditable success of every undertaking. The latter years of his life, though relieved from the anxieties and perplexities of business, he spent awaiting the slow and sure advance of a fell malady wdiich had already marked him for its victim.

In 1817 Colonel Olmsted married Miss Sarah Phillips, from ]\Iercersburg, Pennsylvania, who died in 1875, at the age of seventy-six. The following memorandum concerning their children will be found interesting in this connection: Their daughter Mary is the widow of Dr. ]\I. B. Wright, once a noted physician of Cincinnati, Ohio, and is living in Xew York city, aged eighty-two. Their son Angus died at Columbus in 1873. Their son Charles H. Olmsted, of Columbus, was born on West State street, in that city, in 1825, and has lived on Town street for the past sixty years. He was educated in the public schools of Columbus, at the Granville Academy and at Athens College. In 1849 he w^as a messenger of the Fargo Express Company between Cincinnati and Sandusky, running over the old strap-bar railroad, on which it was impossible for a train to make a speed of more than fifteen or sixteen miles an hour after leaving ten miles of better track which ran into Cincinnati. From 1853 to i860 he was in the grocery business at Columbus. He is now living in retirement from active business, but has not lost his interest in Columbus or in passing events. Following in the footsteps of his father, who developed politically from a Whig to a Republican, he has been an active and consistent Republican since the organization of that party.

Charles H. Olmsted marriel Elizabeth Broderick, of Columbus, wdiose death occurred January 6, 1890. She was the daughter of the Hon. John C. Broderick, who for many years ably filled the office of recorder of the state of Ohio, mere than seventy years aw, and died in 1853. Mr. Broderick was born in Kentucky, and married Miss Elizabeth Delano, whose father settled early at Marietta and came to Columbus about 1815, and whose brother, Henry Delano, was a pioneer merchant of Columbus. Mr. and ]\Irs. Olmsted have three daughters and one son, named :\Iary, Florence, Sarah and Harry.

Richard M. Geiger

Richard ]\L Geiger was born upon the farm which he yet owns and which is situated about a mile east from his home in Jefferson township, his natal day being July 12, 1846. His parents were Joseph and 3^Iarv (Albery) Geiger. The family is of German lineage. Tradition says that

Anthony Geiger, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Germany and during his boyhood was brought to America by his parents, who located in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where the grandfather was reared and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. In those early days he often worked by candle light, making coffins, wooden plows and other farming implements', for the great factories which now turn out farm machinery in immense quantities were unknown. In 1804 he came to Ohio, the year following the admission of the state into the Union, and located in Licking county, where he resided up to the time of his death, which occurred in the early '40s. His wife was a Miss Kirk, and among her children was Joseph Geiger, the father of our subject.

On the old family homestead Joseph Geiger was reared. He was born in Martinsburg, Virginia, in 1796, and was a youth of eight summers when he accompanied! his parents to Ohio, the family making a settlement on Frogs Run in Licking county. He experienced all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, and after attaining man's estate he chose as a companion and helpmeet on life's journey Miss Elizabeth Albery. Lnmediately following their marriage they came to Jefferson township, Franklin county, where Mr. Geiger had purchased a home. His one hundred acres of land was covered with a native growth of forest trees, with the exception of a small tract of about six acres, on which a log cabin had been built* and around which fruit trees had been set out. Through his entire life the father of our subject carried on farming, making a home on the farm in Jefferson township until called to his final rest. Although not a member of any church, his sympathies were with the Universalist church, and his father had also been a believer in Universalism. He gave his political support to the Democracy, and served in several minor township offices, but was never an aspirant for political honors. He was twice married, his first union being with Miss Albery, by whom he had two children, one yet living, Anthony, a resident of Jay county, Indiana. After the death of the mother, he married her cousin, Miss Mary AJbery, who was born in Allegany county, Maryland, about 1805, and was a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Mye£) Albery, both of whom were members of prominent old families of Maryland. On coming to Ohio her parents located in Licking county, about the time the Geigers settled there. The father of our subject passed away October 6, 1869, and his wife, who survived him' for a number of years, was called to her final rest June 19, 1882. They were the parents of eleven children, of wdiom six are yet living, namely: William, a resident of Beech Corners, Licking county; Noah and Peter, both of whom are farmers of Jefferson township ; Thomas, who resides with his brother Peter; Richard M. ; and Nancy A., the wife of Frank B. Williamis, also of Beech Corners.

In the public schools Richard M. Geiger acquired his education, and in the fields became familiar with the work of the farm. After attaining his majority he was employed by his father by the month through one year, .md on the expiration of that period took charge of the old homestead, which he operated on the shares. In 1869 the father died, but Richard Geiger continued to farm the home place until after his mother's death, in 1882, when he purchased the interests of the other heirs and became proprietor of the farm of one hundred acres on which he was born. He also purchased fiftyfive acres on the Black Lick road, he and his mother having become owners of that property after the father's death. Later he added to the old homestead a tract of thirty acres and subsequently of twelve acres, so that the farm consisted of one hundred and forty-two acres. Li 1899 he purchased of the Havens estate, near Havens' Corners, twenty-four acres of land, on which he erected his present substantial residence and farm buildings, having since made his home there. He owes his success in life to his own efforts as a farmer and stock raiser. He has carried on business along these lines continuously, but the products of his fields were never sufficient to feed his stock, which he handles in large quantities. This led him to purchase large amounts of corn, which created a good market for the neighoors. During the past two years he has rented much of his land, so that he is to some degree enjoying retirement from active labor.

On the lOth of November, 1887, Mr. Geiger was united in marriage to Mrs. Lusetta Ealy, the widow of Jeremiah Ealy, a native of Jefferson township, and a daughter of George Shirk, who belonged to a Pennsylvania Dutch family, and emigrated from the Keystone state to Franklin county among its early settlers. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Geiger has been born one child, Ora j\Iay, whose birth occurred May i, 1889. In his political views our subject is a Democrat, and for one term he served in the office of township clerk, while for twenty years he has been a member of the school board of his district. He was reared in the Universalist faith and is a believer' in its doctrines, although he does not hold membership with any religious denomination. He contributes liberally to church work, and is deeply interested in everything pertaining to the welfare of his community along the lines of moral, intellectual and material progress. He is a member of Truro Lodge, No. 411, I. O. O. F., of Reynoldsburg, and there is probably not a man of Franklin county who stands higher in the estimation of those who know him than does Richard M. Geiger. The family name has been connected with the history of this section since early pioneer days, and our subject is a worthy representative thereof, for his career has ever been straightforward and commendable, marked by fidelity to duty in all life's relations.

Frank E. Powell

Frank Everett Powell, who resides in Columbus, is a popular engineer on the Pennsylvania Railroad. He was born in Franklin county, "Ohio, May 4, 1858, and is a son of Alfred Powell, who throughout the greater part of his career carried on agricultural pursuits, living upon a farm in this county until 1884, when he put aside business cares and removed to the capital city. Here he died on the 21st of April, 1898, at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, Mrs. Sarah Jane Powell, is now li\'ing- with her son Frank. The other members of the family are Thomas, born in 1854; Annie, who was born in 1856, and died in 1867; Frank E., born May 4, 1858; and Hattie, wife of Frank Hornberger, a switchman in the Pennsylvania yards in Columbus, by whom she has one child, Herbert.

Frank E. Powell acquired his education in the public schools. Fie worked on his father's farm until twenty years of age, but not wishing to spend his entire life in the fields, he became connected with the railway service as an employe of the Pennsylvania road in the fall of 1883, serving in the capacity of fireman. He held that position until January 13, 1887, w^hen he was made an engineer. For seventeen years he has been connected with the same road, and no higher testimony of his ability and fidelity could be given, for large corporations do not tolerate inefficiency on the part of their employes. He is most careful and painstaking, and the only severe personal injury which he ever sustained occurred on the loth of November, 1883, when he was a fireman. A passenger train ran into his engine near Newark, Ohio, on the switch, the disaster being the result of negligence on the part of a switchman. Matthews and Kinney, respectively the engineer and fireman on the passenger train, were both killed. The engineer with Avhom Mr. Powell was working was not seriously hurt, but our subject had his hand and arm badly burned and the other hand was scalded, so that he was unfit for duty for two months.

On the 5th of October, 1885, Mr. Powell was united in marriage to Miss Mary Flautt, of Columbus. Her grandparents were natives of Belmont county, Ohio, and her parents were Henry and Catherine Flautt, the former born in March, 1831, and the latter in March, 1841. They are now residing on their farm two miles from Somerset, Ohio. Their children are Martin and Charles, who' are residents of Columbus ; Augustus, who is living on the old homestead ; Mattie, wife of B. Flowers, of Marion. Indiana ; Rader and Dora, at home; and Mrs. Powell. By their marriage our subject and his wife have become the parents of three children, namely : Mary Gertrude, born December 11, 1896; Joseph, born June 11, 1898; and Alfred, born February 22, 1900.

Mr. Powell has been a member of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers since 1888, having joined the order in Dennison, Ohio. He has resided in Columbus since 1884, and is now occupying a pleasant and attractive home at No. 165 Hiawatha avenue. The family are members of the Catholic church.

Dr. G. A. Wright, who is numbered among the successful medical practitioners of Franklin county and makes his home in Brice, was born in Madison township on the 9th of February, 1868. His entire life has been passed in this locality, save for the time spent in school. His father, David Wright, is a prominent farmer of Madison township, and was born in April, 1842. Throughout his entire life he has occupied the farm on which he yet resides, the place comprising one hundred and four acres of rich land, which is highly cultivated. He married Miss Cynthia A. Stevenson, a daughter of Joshua Stevenson ,who was born nea-r Baltimore, Maryland. Mr and Mrs. Wright are the parents of four children: David A., Jonathan A., George A. and Oliver A. The eldest married Miss Nettie Groves, a daughter of James K. Groves, of Truro township. David A. follows farming in Madison township, and by his marriage has become the father of three children: Roy Alvin, Ethel Olive and Carl K. Jonathan A. Wright resides at Thornville, Ohio. He is a Methodist minister and has charge of a church of his denomination at that place. He married Libbie Rathborne. Oliver A. Wright devotes his life to educational work. He acquired his early educational training in the schools of Madison township, and afterward w^as a student in the Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, where he served as secretary for President Bashford, of that institution. There he won local honors in an oratorical contest in the college, and also won first honors in the state collegiate contest, in which nine colleges of the state were represented. The winning of the first honors at that time entitled him to the privilege of entering the national contest of colleges which was held at Topeka, Kansas. For two years he was superintendent of the Good Government League at Detroit, and on the expiration of that period he was elected superintendent of schools at Canton, Ohio, where he is now serving most acceptably. Oliver completes the family. He is a young man of twenty-eight years of age.

Dr. W^right obtained his early education in the district schools of his native township and completed his literary training by a course in the Reynoldsburg Union Academy at Reynoldsburg, Ohio. Subsequently he engaged in teaching in Franklin county for five years. During that time he prepared for the practice of medicine. He then entered the Ohio Medical College, and upon completing the regular course of that institution was graduated in 1898, since wdiich time he has engaged in practice in Brice, and has already won success that many an older member of the profession might W'-ell envy. His knowledge is accurate and broad, and wath a just appreciation of the responsibilities which rest upon a physician, he carefully manages his business and his professional efforts have been attended wuth excellent results.

Professional advancement is proverbially slow, for it depends upon mental acquirement. Wealth and influence count for little or naught in w^inning success in any of the "learned professions." It must come as the result of individual effort and skill, and therefore if one has gained prestige it is an unmistakable evidence of careful preparation and ability. Dr. Wolfe is w^ell known as a worthy representative of the medical fraternity, and as he is also popular and well known in social circles the record of his life can not fail to prove of interest to many of our readers. The Doctor was born at Linscott, Athens county, Ohio, in 1859, and when two years of age his parents removed to a farm near Bishopville, Ohio. Soon after this his father, John Wolfe, enlisted in the Civil war, entering Company K, Sixty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which he served as orderly sergeant until his death, which occurred at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, November 20, 1863, at the age of thirty-two years. He was born in Athens county, Ohio, and lived there during most of his life. He was the son of George P. Wolfe, who was born in Athens county, Ohio, in 1806, and his entire life was spent there, dying in 1858. The great-grandfather of Dr. Wolfe, George W. Wolfe, who came to the Buckeye state in 1797 from Pennsylvania, was a soldier in the war of 18 12, in which he received a wound in the arm, which left him a cripple the remainder of his life. The Doctor's grandmother Wolfe's maiden name was Eliza Wilkins, and his mother's maiden name was Keziah McDonald. She was a daughter of Thomas McDonald, of Athens county, and a representative of one of the pioneer families of the state.

Dr. Wolfe, of this review, was but four years old when his father died. His mother, with him and his sister, two years old, were left on a small farm, for which they were partly in debt. Early in life the Doctor saw the sorrows and strife of this life. The mother, a noble, good woman, thus left, managed through much sorrow and a great struggle to pay off the debt on the farm and keep the children together, saving a part of her and the children's pension to educate the latter. The Doctor received his preliminary education at a country school near Bishopville, Ohio, and also studied at Athens, Ohio, pursuing a course in the Ohio University at that place. Determining to make the practice of medicine his life work, he matriculated in the Columbus Medical College, in which institution he w^as graduated in 1883. Immediately afterward he opened an office for practice in Jacksonville, Athens county, where he remained until 1891, when he went to New York and took a post-graduate course. He returned to Columbus in January, 1892, where he has since built up a creditable business. His knowlege is comprehensive and exact, and he did not put aside his text-books on leaving the school room, but has continued an earnest, discriminating student, constantly supplementing his knowledge by reading and investigation. He w^as professor of the diseases of the nose and throat in the Ohio Medical University for six years, from 1892 until 1898. During this time he was rhinologist and laryngologist to the Protestant Plospital of this city, wdiich indicates the line of his specialty. He is now laryngologist and rhinologist to Grant Hospital. He is a member of the Columbus Academy of Medicine, of the State Medical Society and of the American Medical Society, and finds in his association with these organizations an incentive and inspiration for further work.

New York, and was for some time employed in the Big Four freight department. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Harriet Powell was a native oi England. When six years of age she came to America ' and is still hvmg, at the age of sixty-three years. She has recently returned from a visit to her native land. I'he Doctor and his wife have a large circle of friends in Columbus and the hospitality of many of the best homes of the city IS extended to them. Socially he is connected with Denison Lodge i. O. O. 1^. In pohtics he is a Republican, and in religious belief and connection is a Methodist. He has already gained an enviable standing amonthe medical practitioners of the capital city, and as one of its representative? is worthy of honorable mention in this volume.

Valentine Fitzpatrick

!L R r."'l i'Pf o'^', '^^'°ni' ''°'^ '"'^"'S' ^' "-^'"'^ ^ic^ ^^and master of the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen. He makes his home m Columbus occupying a beaiititul residence at No. 72,7 Neil avenue. His birth occurred m Steubenville, Ohio, on the 29th of August, 1864. His father Valentine I^tzpatrick, was a native of Ireland, born m the year 1840 and havincrossed the Atlantic to America he resided for some time in Ohio but afteiward went to Illinois, taking up his abode in Peoria, that state' when the wen-Ttn vl ,\T^"^ T^' ,°"^^ ^^^ ^^^'^ °^ ^^^- The family afterward vent to Pekin, Illinois, but the father spent his last days in Peoria, where he (liecl in 1891 at the age of seventy-six years. His wife, Mrs. Margaret Pitzpatrick, died m Pekin, Illinois, in 1882. ar^aret parents were both natives of Lancaster, Ohio. Her father died March 29, 1895, in the city of Cohimbus, at the age of sixty-nine years, and her mother, Mrs. Mary E. Vorys, is still living. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fitzpatrick Have been born two children: Harold David, born October i, 1891, and Helen £., born December 5, 1895. Mr. Fitzpatrick and his family are communicants of the Episcopal church. In politics he is non-partisan, giving his support to men and measures that he believes will best contribute tO' the public good. He is a representative of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the Knight Templar degree in Columbus Commandery, No. i, of this city.

Garry W. Meeker

Biography is not simply a matter of names and dates. Another article in this word details the leading incidents in the life of ex-Mayor Meeker, of Columbus, Ohio, and includes genealogical data concerning the ancestors of the subject of this sketch; but no mere mention oif the facts that Garry Waldo Meeker was born at Westerville in July, 1859, and otheir statistical information, would adequately tell the story of his active and useful career, which has been a life of achievement. Minerva Park and the Columbus Central Railway are the products of his originality, as they are monuments toi his genius, and no sketch of his career that did not contain their histciry would be complete or acceptable to fair and discriminating readers. This son of Columbus's worthy ex-executive is something more than "the son of his father;" and his work in behalf of public utility and convenience cannot be overlooked.

The Columbus Central Railway was brought into being at the instance and largely through the efforts of Garry W. Meeker, in response to a public demand, and Minerva Park was made possible by it; and Mr. Meeker was the first to suggest it and put in action the chain of events which brought it into being. In August, 1891, a public meeting was held in the town hall ai Westerville, at which the citizens of Westerville and the surrounding country expressed their indignation aroused by the failure of the Cleveland, Akiron & Columbus Railway Company to provide for the transportation of many of their number to the state fair held at Columbus that year. The company had run its regular train through without stopping, leaving four hundred passengers who had purchased tickets with the expectation of attending the fair, but who were compelled to remain about the station for several hours before any provision was made by the company to carry them to Columbus. The meeting was largely attended, and Mr. Meeker, who was one of its animating spirits, made a speech in which he suggested and urged the building of an electric railway line between Columbus and Westerville, pointing out the advantages such a line would afford to the community and its entire feasibility; and in conclusion he moved that a committee of three be appointed by tbe chair to take out articles of incorporation for the construction of such a line as he had indicated.

, Tluis it willte seen that Mr. Meeker was the originator of this o-reat .mprovement and he .s deeply interested in its progressrand at the v r/iSfet, m a mos pubhc-spnued way, he took upon himself in large measure the responsibility for its success. The company was incorporated uide, the style ot the Columb.ts & Westerville Railway cLpany sS subscrip io s .veresohcted and decisive steps were taken towL putting the project on a substantial oundat.on. Other public meetings were held at whkh Mr iAIeeker ^,as the leading speaker, and most telHngly advocated the electric railway as a great public improvement and an indispensable llicconven bus and'r" a" ^ himself Colonel M. H. Neil of cXn - bus and T. A. Simons an active business man, and they gave their best efforts and energies to the furtherance of the enternrise ^fZt , I pected, they encountered numerous difficulties When ah thto- %i° ^"" trol promised a speedy construction of the road the nani^ of rin " '°"' obtain financial aid for^t , ^ te Mr ifeef "^ J" ''''" ^^"^'^ *° fortunate in securino- tL "f "^''^^'P'se, Mr. Meeker and his associates were took great pride in the erection of its power house, which is one of the most modern and best equipped in the United States. The road was provided with lirst-class roUnig stock and other material, and experience is proving that the introduction of this first competitive street railway into Columbus has made it one of the foremost and most thoroughly up-to-date street railway cities in the world.