History of Franklin County - VOLUME III Hon. William Oxley Thompson.—It has been given to D. William Oxley Thompson, president emeritus of Ohio State University, to serve with distinction in many different but allied fields of human endeavor. A minister of the gospel, his eloquence is still often heard in the pulpit and he ranks among the leaders of religious thought and action in the state and nation. An educator and university executive, he has given to a large faculty and to thousands of students every year the inspiration of a close fellowship and an optimistic personality. In the great war, he gave, as related elsewhere in this volume, notable service to the state and nation, both as counselor and speaker in the cause of democracy. First on the campus, not only because of his position, but also because of the esteem in which he is universally held, he is also among the first citizens of Columbus in influence for good. Called in emergencies to lead in movements for a better Columbus, he has never shirked, nor has he by his service lessened the regard of his fellow citizens. On the contrary, strong in his convictions, through his mental alertness and resourcefulness, his broad sympathy, his ready utterance and his sense of humor, he has won the respect even of those who oppose him. It was in the spirit of this truthful characterization that the conclusion of Dr. Thompson's twenty-sixth year as president of the Ohio State University that the occasion was celebrated in 1925, and he resigned on his seventieth birthday. David Thompson, paternal grandfather of the subject of this sketch and a weaver by trade, came from the north of Ireland in 1814, and settled on 160 acres of land in Guernsey County, three and a half miles northeast of New Concord, Ohio, where he lived as a farmer until his death. Joel Murray Oxley, his maternal grandfather, was a wool-carder of Irish-English stock who, after losing most of his property in the flood of Wheeling Creek in Eastern Ohio, - 1003 - 1004 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY moved to Cambridge, Ohio. It was at that place that David Glenn Thompson, youngest son of David, then and during his working years as a shoemaker, met Agnes Miranda Oxley, then a school teacher in the village. They were married in Cambridge, June 8, 1854, and became the parents of ten children. The first of them was William Oxley Thompson, born at Cambridge, November 5, 1855. In 1858 the family removed to New Concord, Ohio, where in 1864 the father enlisted in Company D, One Hundred and Sixtieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as a substitute for one James Hogseed. On his return in the fall of 1864, the family removed to Zanesville, Ohio, where William Oxley Thompson's school education was continued. "It is said," Doctor Thompson reports, "that I began my education in the village school at New Concord, Ohio, in the fall of 1860, just before I was five years old, with the second reader in hand, able to read rapidly and easily. My mother had taught me to read, and so far as I know, reading and spelling came as a matter of absorption. I have no recollection of the pains of a modern boy in learning either to read or to spell. After this village school experience I attended school one winter in Zanesville. My teacher was Miss Rose Kerner, to whom I am greatly indebted for the accuracy of her instruction. After that I had one spring term in the Ream school house near Sego, and the following year at a school known as Ireland, some distance north of Mt. Perry. I attended the public school in Brownsville while we resided there, and went to Muskingum College first in 1870, when I was fifteen years of age, and continued with some irregularity until I graduated in 1878." The beginnings and progress of education are in this case most interesting. It should, therefore, be stated that when he was thirteen, the subject of this sketch attended school for a few weeks where the teacher gave a daily drill in mental arithmetic. It was the custom, says Doctor Thompson, "to chase an imaginery squirrel up and down a tree by leaps and bounds, so that we learned to add and subtract with great rapidity and accuracy. Later, processes of multiplication with all sorts of combinations were developed until we could multiply and divide all ordinary numbers as fast as anybody could name the processes. To these were added squaring, extracting the square root and even more difficult mental problems. I regard these HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1005 exercises as having given me the foundation in quick and accurate computation, self-reliance in my own processes and a facility in numbers that abides with me to this day." In the spring of 1869, the boy worked as a hired hand on a farm for Joseph Bogel, some distance south of Brownsville, and at the close of the harvest entered the summer school taught by Rev. H. A. McDonald at Brownsville, being the youngest and smallest pupil in the school. Here he learned his first Latin and continued his study of advanced arithmetic and algebra. In the summer of 1870 he worked on a farm of D. G. Hamilton for eight dollars a month and board. It was then that he first went to Muskingum College, working at intervals for Mr. Hamilton and his brother-in-law, J. Morton Black. At the close of one eight-month period of farm labor under a contract at $10 a month and board, his employer gave him an extra dollar a month. That eight dollars, he says, seemed the largest sum he had ever known and was quickly added to his other accumulations to meet his expenses at Muskingum College. When necessity again drove him back to farm work, he was able to command a wage of sixteen dollars a month and board. In 1872 he was examined at Zanesville, Ohio, and granted a certificate to teach and, when repeated applications for a school in the vicinity met with no success, he secured, through the influence of his uncle, William T. Brown, a school near Lawn Ridge, Marshall County, Illinois. Thither he went in November, secured a certificate at Wenona and, until the date set for the opening of the school, husked corn for Joseph Smith, agreeing to take his pay in board while serving as a teacher. His salary as a teacher during the four months winter term was $45 a month. At the close of school he returned to farm work and labored as opportunity offered in various places until December, 1873, when he taught again, this time at the Kellogg school house, four miles north of Lawn Ridge, at fifty dollars a month. Farm work in the summer of 1874 brought him twenty-three dollars a month and board, and after another winter term of school he returned to Muskingum College, continuing straight through two years. During the first winter he acted as janitor, tending fires in the one building then standing for Muskingum College, and taking complete charge of the building. Later, when a professor of mathe- 1006 -HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY matics disappeared, he became a tutor in that study, earning a little more for his college expenses. In the winter of 1877 he taught a district school in Oxford Township, about a mile west of Fairfield, Guernsey County, but despite his best endeavor the last year in college found him $100 short of the amount necessary to graduate. When Joseph Smith, his Illinois farmer friend, learned of this predicament he drove one evening to the home of another farmer, Jacob Clemmer, with the news. "Gosh all Harry," he exclaimed, "Will is out of money and needs $100 in order to graduate." Neither of the men had any money but they knew a neighbor who did have it, so on their joint note they borrowed the 8100 and sent it to the impoverished student, asking no security. It was a test of friendship and loyalty that any young man might well prize. Doctor Thompson's years at Muskingum lay in that period when college boys were not aided as now in the discovery of outlets for their surplus vitality. They had to invent much of their amusement and the inventions did not always meet with the approval of the faculty. It is not recorded that Will Thompson had anything to do with the pranks that then took the place of athletics. Perhaps, being janitor of the building and later a tutor at twenty-five cents a lesson, he was considered in the pale of those who had the authority. But he was good humored and alert and there was one occasion when he fell under suspicion. One night a group of students pastured some sheep in the college building. In the morning when the newcomers were discovered there was a great sensation. Many saw them leave college but there was no one who would admit having seen them enter. Suddenly from the throng that was discussing the incident there arose the cry "See the sheep in Thompson's eyes." There was great laughter and the charge, while never proved, was accepted as true and was generally believed until years after when the conspirators themselves revealed the truth. If the presidency of the class of 1878 had gone, as was customary, to the student of the best scholarship rank, Will Thompson would have received it. But by a vote which became a majority by the other candidate voting for himself the office went to another. The Thompson adherents rebelled and finding that they could not reverse the action induced the president of the college to put on the con- HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1007 mencement program the statement that the class presidency carried with it no significance of supreme scholarship. This was supplemented during the commencement exercises by an interruption of the program, the Thompson adherents bringing to the stage a great floral harp, between the arms of which was suspended a gold watch. The band was directed to play to cover up the interruption but the members of the band were sympathizers and conveniently failed to hear the order. The harp and watch were then presented to Will Thompson and by him accepted, much to the discomfiture no doubt of him who had obtained the class presidency in an irregular way. Muskingum College traditions concern, of course, the entire alumni body, but there are three men who are more often involved than any others. They are Doctor Thompson, Dr. William Gallogly Moorehead, and Dr. William Rainey Harper. In Oxford Township, Guernsey County, there is the Thompson school, so called in honor of the teacher who served there for a short time in 1877-78. With the diploma he had worked so hard to obtain at last in his possession Mr. Thompson returned to Illinois, where the two schools in which he had previously taught were offered to him without solicitation. He chose the one at Lawn Ridge. There he taught and again worked in the harvest field, and having paid with interest the note of $100, he left for Western Theological Seminary, at Allegheny, Pennsylvania, to prepare himself for the ministry. There his small savings were soon spent, but he was rescued from his financial plight by the offer through a member of the faculty, Rev. Samuel J. Wilson, of an opportunity to operate a twenty weeks summer school on a subscription basis at Plumville, Indiana County, Pennsylvania. He seized the opportunity and with his earnings at Plumville managed to get through another year of his theological course. At the meeting of the Zanesville Presbytery at Dresden, Ohio, in 1881, he was licensed to preach, and during the following summer he taught in Glade Run Academy, conducted by Rev. George Mechlin, D. D., and on Sunday preached for two country churches. Returning to the seminary for his senior work with little money ahead he was pleasantly surprised by the award of a scholarship of $200 from an unknown source. This enabled him to complete his course without further financial anxiety. He offered himself as a missionary to Siam 1008 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY but he found himself in May, 1882, a few weeks after graduation, located as a home missionary at Odebolt, Sac County, Iowa, with no assurance as to salary or other conditions. There had been a church quarrel and only twenty members were left, and of these only three were men. The outlook was rather dark when on the fourth of July Mr. Thompson was unexpectedly called upon to fill the place of a missing orator. He accepted and acquitted himself so well that two school house preaching appointments were given him and within a month $550 had been pledged toward his salary ; so he preached three times on Sunday, once at Odebolt, once ten miles north and once seven miles south of the village. He was ordained by the Presbytery of Fort Dodge in the Presbyterian Church there, July 13, 1882, and installed as pastor of the church of Odebolt at a salary of $900, and remained in that charge until March, 1885. A call from the Presbyterian Church at Longmont, Colorado, took him there in the spring of 1885, and he served there from April of that year until July, 1891, preaching not only at Longmont but in school houses in various directions, churches being organized and developed at two of these places. A project for the creation of a synodical college of the synod of Colorado was under way when Doctor Thompson went to Longmont. He helped to raise the last $50,000 of the money needed and became the first president of the institution. He continued in this service for three years and was succeeded by Rev. George T. Crissman, D. D., of Hastings, Nebraska. In 1891 Doctor Thompson was elected a commissioner of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church at Detroit. Before leaving for that service notice came from the late Bishop David H. Moore, then editor of the Western Christian Advocate, that he had been recommended for the presidency of Miami University at Oxford, Ohio. At Detroit a committee of the Miami University trustees interviewed him, and a short time later while in Columbus attending the Republican state convention as a spectator he was notified of his election to the presidency of Miami. Returning to Longmont, he resigned his pastorate, accepted the presidency and began his service at Oxford, August 1, 1891. He filled that office for eight years and while there was elected president of the Ohio State Sunday School Association, and served in that capacity for six years. During the observance of the seventy-fifth anniversary of HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1609 Miami University in June, 1899, Doctor Thompson was elected to the presidency of Ohio State University. He accepted and removed to Columbus in mid-summer, and served both institutions for a portion of the summer in the matter of correspondence. He resigned as president of Ohio State University in 1925 and on November 5th of that year became president emeritus. Of his services at Ohio State University there is no better record than is to be found in the development of the institution, its excellent morale, and the continuing esteem of faculty, alumni, students, and the general public. Muskingum College has conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts and Doctor of Divinity, while the Western University of Pennsylvania, Oberlin College, University of Vermont, and University of Michigan have conferred the degree of Doctor of Laws, and in June, 1929, Ohio State University also conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Laws. He was an active member during the war of the state and federal counsels of national defense. He was designated by the Agricultural Department for a speaking and inspection trip through the Northwest with special reference to the production and conservation of food, and he was chairman of an agricultural commission sent to England and France to report the conditions there. President Wilson, in the period following the war, signally honored him twice, first by appointing him a member of the Second Industrial Commission charged with devising a program for the just and friendly cooperation of capital and labor, and second, by naming him as one of the commission to adjust the difference between the anthracite coal operators and miners. For both of these high services he was temporarily released by the board of trustees from his duties at Ohio State University. Doctor Thompson has been a member of the Ohio Teachers Association since 1891 and a member of the National Education Association since 1904. He is past president of the Association of American Agricultural Colleges and Experiment Stations, and for a number of years was chairman of the executive committee. He is also past president and a member of the executive committee of the National Association of State Universities. He is a member of the Ohio Society of New York and Cosmos Club of Washington, District of Columbia. 1010 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY Doctor Thompson served four times as commissioner for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, has served as delegate to the Assembly, and also as delegate to represent the church in the Federal Council of the Churches of Christ in America. He is a member of the General Assembly and past president of the International Sunday School Association. Doctor Thompson was one of the organizers and incorporators of the Midland Life Insurance Company and was its president for nineteen years and is now serving as chairman of the board. He is also a director of the City National Bank and Trust Company of Columbus. He has served as chairman of the Community Fund of Columbus and has devoted much of his time to the interests of this organization. On September 21, 1882, Doctor Thompson married Miss Rebecca J. Allison, of Indiana, Pennsylvania. She died August 15, 1886. To that union was born one daughter, Bessie Agnes, who married Sherman B. Randall, and they reside in Upper Arlington. They have three children : William Oxley, Marianne Granger and Marcella Oviatt Randall. In October, 1887, Doctor Thompson married Miss Helen Starr Brown, of Longmont, Colorado, who died December 27, 1890. Two sons were born to that union, Lorin Oxley and Roger. The latter is deceased, and Lorin Oxley Thompson lives in New York. He married Miss Winifred Willis of New York, and they have one son, Lorin Andrew Oxley Thompson. On June 28, 1894, Doctor Thompson married Miss Estelle Godfrey Clark, of Cleveland, Ohio. James Dolliver Rarey, who is president and general manager of The Rarey-Hardesty Real Estate Company, with offices in the Hartman Building, is esteemed as a progressive and enterprising business man of Columbus. He was born at Groveport, Ohio, July 25, 1890, the son of James Dolliver and Emma C. Rarey. James Dolliver Rarey was a native of Groveport, born October 22, 1848. His wife was also born at that place, March 5, 1853. Throughout his life Mr. Rarey engaged in farming and was also in- HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1011 terested in the general mercantile business. He died July 25, 1916, and his wife died January 21, 1907. Both are buried at Canal Winchester, Ohio. They had two children: James Dolliver, Jr., the subject of this sketch ; and Anna I., who lives at Groveport. James Dolliver Reary received his education in the public schools of Groveport. He has always been interested in the real estate business and in 1923 was one of the organizers of the Rarey-Hardesty Real Estate Company. On October 16, 1926, Mr. Rarey was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Isabelle Smith of Circleville, Ohio, the daughter of Joseph S. and Mary M. (Corcoran) Smith, the former a native of Ohio and the latter of Maryland. Mr. Smith is a son of the late Edward E. Smith, who was one of the earliest settlers of Pickaway County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Joseph S. Smith live in the old homestead, "Sunny-side," which is located at Circleville. Mr. Rarey is a Republican and is affiliated with Groveport Lodge, No. 240, Free and Accepted Masons. He also belongs to the Columbus Real Estate Board. His wife is a member of the Catholic Church. Mr. Rarey is a veteran of the World War and belongs to the American Legion Post No. 486. The ancestry of Mr. Rarey may be traced directly to John S. Rarey, of international fame. Raymond W. Walton is a well known pharmacist of Columbus and proprietor of the important Walton Physicians' Supply Company, which is located at 240 East State Street. He was born at Pleasant Corners, Franklin County, August 10, 1895, the son of Shade and Mary (Clark) Walton. Shade Walton lives retired at Pleasant Corners. He was born in Columbus, October 1, 1851. Practically his entire life has been spent at Pleasant Corners where he is the owner of a well improved farm. He has always been a Democrat and has served as a member of the Township School Board for twenty-four consecutive years. He also has held the office of postmaster and has been central committeeman. Mr. Walton belongs to the Knights of Pythias, of which 1012 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY he is past chancellor, and Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He holds membership in the United Brethren Church. Mary (Clark) Walton, born at Pleasant Corners, died in May, 1897. To Mr. and Mrs. Walton were born three children: Maude, married Mark Wolcott, lives at Mansfield, Ohio, and they have two sons, Mark W., Jr., and Richard W.; Flora, unmarried, lives at home; and Raymond W., the subject of this sketch. The early education of Raymond W. Walton was received at Pleasant Corners. He is a graduate of Grove City High School and in 1917 received a degree from the College of Pharmacy of Ohio State University. Throughout his college career he was employed in the Liggett Drug Store and the Mykrantz drug stores, where he gained much experience. He then served as prescription pharmacist for H. Braun Sons & Company, druggists, and after two years became a traveling representative for the H. K. Mulford Company. His next connection was with the Tobias Drug Company, where he was in charge of the prescription department and physicians supplies for a period of four years. On February 1, 1926, he opened his own place of business at 220 East State Street, where he specialized in prescription pharmacy. On July 1, 1926, he removed to his present location, 240 East State Street. Mr. Walton is recognized as one of the leading prescription specialists of the city and has an extensive trade among the doctors and hospitals. Among his ten employes five are registered pharmacists. This staff filled 4,000 prescriptions during the month of December, 1928. On August 10, 1915, Mr. Walton was married at Covington, Kentucky, to Miss Florence Fishbaugh, of Columbus, the daughter of Virgil and Belle (Wilkins) Fishbaugh. To them were born two sons: Raymond Walton, Jr., born February 24, 1917, attends Indianaola Junior High School ; and Leroy P., born April 11, 1919, died February 19, 1920. Mr. Walton was married the second time September 15, 1923, to Miss Lora Elizabeth Gilbert, of Columbus, the daughter of John and Ida (White) Gilbert. They have a son, Robert Wesley, born December 30, 1925. Mr. Walton is a Democrat but is independent in local politics. He holds membership in the Presbyterian Church and is affiliated with Magnolia Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Temple Chapter, HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1013 Scioto Consistory, Aladdin Temple, and Achbar Grotto. He also belongs to the Lions Club, and Civitian Club. Mr. Walton holds a commission of second lieutenant in the U. S. Officers Reserve Corps. John H. Matthews is one of the popular younger members of the Franklin County bar, engaged in practice in Columbus as a member of the firm of Rubrecht & Matthews, with offices at 44 East Broad Street. He was born at Vinton, Gallia County, Ohio, November 19, 1890, the son of Samuel H. and Mary E. (Cardwell) Matthews. Samuel H. Matthews, who lives retired at Vinton, Ohio, is a native of that place. For a number of years he engaged in contracting and building but since 1915 has been interested in the feed and fertilizer business. He is a Republican and a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Matthews has served as a member of the school board for many years, as a member of the city council, and as county infirmary director. He belongs to the Knights of Pythias. Mary E. (Cardwell) Matthews died December 30, 1918, and is buried in Mount Tabor Cemetery, near Vinton. Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Matthews as follows: Cora, married Clyde Eagle, lives at Vinton ; Roma, who died in 1898 ; John H., the subject of this sketch ; Arthur C., who died in 1894 ; Sheldon, who died in 1920 ; Marshall, lives in Columbus ; and Donald, medical student, University of Cincinnati. Samuel H. Matthews is the son of John A. Matthews, who served throughout the Civil War as a member of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. John H. Matthews attended the public schools of Vinton, Ohio, and in 1908 became a teacher in the district school. He later entered Rio Grande College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1917. Afterwards he studied law in the offices of Judge Roscoe Mauck, in Gallipolis, Ohio. He was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1920 and subsequently to the district, circuit and supreme courts of the United States. Mr. Matthews engaged in general practice at Gallipolis until 1925, at which time he was appointed 1014 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY assistant United States attorney. He came to Columbus in that year, and since 1927 has engaged in private practice. On September 2, 1914, Mr. Matthews was united in marriage with Miss Lulu Grover, of Porter, Ohio, the daughter of A. M. and Elizabeth (Irwin) Grover. Mr. Grover died in 1927 and his widow lives at Porter. To Mr. and Mrs. Matthews have been born two children : Dorothy E., born June 29, 1915 ; and John Harold, Jr., born July 22, 1925. Mr. Matthews is a Republican, a member of the North Broadway Methodist Church, and belongs to York Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, Knights of Pythias, Buckeye Republican Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He is chairman of the Court of Review of the northeast section, Columbus Boy Scout organization. He is a member of the Metropolitan Columbus Committee. John M. Lewis has for more than thirty years been one of the leading members of the legal profession in Columbus, where he is associated in practice with his brother, Thomas E. Lewis, with offices in the First National Bank Building. He was born at Granville, Ohio, November 13, 1875, the son of Lewis and Catherine H. (Evans) Lewis. Lewis Lewis, born at Cardiganshire, Wales, died in 1880. His father was a Presbyterian minister and sought to train his son for the ministry. He became a mariner, however, and sailed on many seas as captain. He was drowned at sea in 1880. His wife died in Columbus in 1917 and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were born four children: Magdalen, married J. A. LeLacheur, lives at McAllen, Texas ; Sarah E., unmarried, lives in Columbus ; Thomas E., attorney, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history ; and John M., the subject of this sketch. John M. Lewis attended the public schools of Granville and in 1895 was graduated from Denison University. He spent three years as a teacher of Greek and sciences in Central University, at Pella, Iowa, and during that time studied law, being admitted to the Iowa bar in May, 1898. He returned to his home in Granville in June and HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1015 three months later came to Columbus, being admitted to the Ohio State bar in June, 1899. He immediately engaged in the practice of law in this city in partnership with his brother, with offices in the old Butler Building, which was destroyed by fire in 1906. The firm was then located in the Brunson Building until 1920, when its offices were removed to the First National Bank Building, where they are at present located. T. E. and J. M. Lewis became interested in flood protection work in 1913, following the disastrous flood in Columbus at that time when the entire west section of the city was submerged along the Scioto River. They were instrumental in bringing about the $3,500,000 bond issue for flood protection plans, which provided for the widening of the river and making the necessary improvements to prevent future floods. J. M. Lewis served as secretary of the Flood Protection Association. Mr. Lewis has always been a Democrat and has served as a member of the city council since 1923, having been reelected for a four year term in 1927. He attends the Presbyterian Church and belongs to Columbus Lodge No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons ; Ohio Chapter R. A. M. ; Columbus Council ; Columbus Commandery No. 69, K. T. ; Scottish Rite, Thirty-second degree ; Aladdin Temple ; and Modern Woodmen of America. He is also a member of the University Club of Columbus. Mr. Lewis is unmarried. Thomas E. Lewis.—Holding high rank in legal circles in Franklin County, Thomas E. Lewis, of Columbus, is widely known in this city, where he has engaged in practice for many years. He was born in Cardiganshire, Wales, May 23, 1873, the son of Lewis and Catherine H. (Evans) Lewis. A sketch of Lewis Lewis appears elsewhere in this history in the biography of John M. Lewis. Thomas E. Lewis was two years old when he came to the United States with his mother. He was reared and educated at Granville, Ohio, attended Denison University, and is a graduate of the Law School of Ohio State University. He was admitted to the Ohio bar 1016 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY in 1898, and has since been associated in general practice in this city with his brother, John M. Lewis. They have offices in the First National Bank Building. On May 1, 1922, Mr. Lewis was united in marriage with Miss Cornelia Brial, of Columbus, the daughter of H. C. and Barbara Brial. The former is deceased and the latter lives in Columbus. To Mr. and Mrs. Lewis have been born five children: Thomas E., Jr., born in 1923 ; Cornelia, both in 1924 ; John Morgan, born in 1925 ; Catherine, born in 1926; and Arthur Henry, born in 1927. Mr. Lewis is a member of Columbus Lodge No. 30, Free and Accepted Masons and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. Hon. John T. Gale.—Honored, respected and esteemed, is Hon. John T. Gale, president of the Blank Book Manufacturing Company, a company that enjoys undisputed supremacy as the largest legal blank and book publishing house in the United States. Judge Gale, former probate judge of Franklin County, has lived at Columbus for more than eighty years, and knows the history of affairs of the city from the standpoint of an old settler and of a man of affairs. For forty years he has been engaged in the printing and stationery business. Judge Gale was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1846, and was an infant when his parents, Franklin and Mary J. (Cleveland) Gale moved to Columbus. His father was one of the historic men of Ohio during the middle of the last century, and was associated with some of the great Ohio statesmen of that period. Franklin Gale was a native of Massachusetts. He was a graduate of Amherst College, afterwards came to Ohio and found his first opportunity in the educational field. He became principal of the Woodfield Academy at Woodfield, Monroe County, Ohio. For a number of years he continued at the head of this school, which ranked as one of the best of the academies and small colleges which at that time were very numerous in Ohio and in the Middle West, and in the absence of great state universities and endowed colleges were the principal sources of education, training and culture that went into the making of the char- HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1017 acter and intellect of many of America's great men. While at Woodfield, Franklin Gale met and married Mary J. Cleveland, daughter of Timothy Cleveland. Soon afterward they moved to Zanesville, where Franklin Gale and his brother-in-law, Thomas Cleveland, established and edited "The People's Platform," a Free Soil paper. It was an important organ of this political party. The Free Soil leaders in Ohio, headed by Salmon P. Chase, induced Mr. Gale and Mr. Cleveland to move the paper to Columbus, where it was established in 1849. After the dissolution of the Free Soil party, Franklin Gale took up the practice of law. However, he retained more or less active interest and part in journalism. He did editorial work on several Columbus papers, being editor of the Ohio Statesman at one time, and one of the editors of the Capital City Fact. For several years he acted as official reporter for the Ohio State Senate. John T. Gale acquired his early education in the public schools of Columbus. As a young man he taught school for a few years in Franklin County. He gave up teaching to become deputy clerk in the office of the Probate Court of Franklin County. He was connected with that important county office altogether twenty years, and from 1879 to 1885 inclusive he served as judge of the court. The Columbus Blank Book Manufacturing Company may justly claim a conservative history of over seventy-five years. It is the logical successor of the old firm of Siebert and Lilley, printers and book binders. Upon retiring from the probate bench Judge Gale became associated with the firm. In 1892 there was a reorganization of the business, which was then incorporated, and Judge Gale became its secretary and treasurer. In 1907 the present name, The Columbus Blank Book Manufacturing Company, was adopted, and since then Judge Gale has been president of the corporation. This company's plant is at 317 South High Street, where it uses 75,000 square feet for office, show rooms, bindery and printing plant. The company carries a complete line of office furniture and equipment, but the distinctive feature of the business is the bindery and printing plant, which employs 125 persons and has facilities for manufacturing all kinds of blank books and legal stationery, particularly the legal forms and blanks used throughout the extensive territory of the Middle West, including Ohio and West Virginia. 1018 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY Judge Gale is still very active and all the new forms are submitted to him for his inspection and approval before being completed. Judge Gale is a progressive Democrat in politics and has frequently acted independently of party lines. Judge Gale married Miss Sarah Jones, a native of Wales, and they have three children, Frank H., Cora and Carl L. Frank H. Gale is connected with the City Water Works, Columbus. s. He married Miss Nellie M. Whitker. Cora Gale married C. R. Roof. They have one child, Gale M., who is married to Robert E. Bachman. Carl L. Gale is deceased. He married Miss Letla, who is also deceased. They had one daughter, Anne Louise, who married L. M. Benedict, Washington, District of Columbia. They have one child, Lawrence. Martin L. Boyd.—One of the citizens of real worth in Columbus is Martin L. Boyd, who is a member of the law firm of Boyd and Boyd, with offices at 101 North High Street. He was born at Tippecanoe, Harrison County, Ohio, February 22, 1865, the son of George and Eliza V. (Markey) Boyd. George Boyd was born on a farm near Westchester, Ohio, July 16, 1827, and attended the district schools. He also attended Hagerstown College in Carroll County -and spent the greater part of his life as a mill owner on Big Stillwater Creek. He was a Democrat and a member of the United Presbyterian Church. His death occurred in 1914 and he is buried at Freeport, Ohio. Eliza V. (Markey) Boyd was born near Tippecanoe, Ohio, September 5, 1837, and now lives with her son, William Albert Boyd, on the old homestead. She is past ninety-two years of age. Mrs. Boyd is the daughter of William Markey, and the granddaughter of William Markey who served in the Revolutionary War as a member of the Fifth Maryland Regiment, with the rank of sergeant. He enlisted on December 4, 1776, and was discharged October 14, 1777. He then came to Ohio about 1800 and settled in Jefferson County, later removing to Harrison County, where he died at the age of ninety-four years. Seven children were born to George and Eliza V. (Markey) Boyd, as follows : Belinda, HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1019 married Joseph K. Conwell, lives at Uhrichsville, Ohio; William Albert, lives on the homestead at Tippecanoe, Ohio ; Eliza V., the widow of Rev. Albert M. Billingsley, who died in 1929, and she lives at Mt. Vernon, Iowa ; Martin L., the subject of this sketch ; Anna B., was the wife of Frank Grove, who now lives at Tippecanoe, Ohio, and Mrs. Grove died December 27, 1929 ; Mary M., married Charles F. Carruthers, lives near Stillwater, Ohio ; and Arthur M., lives near New Concord, Ohio. John Boyd, great grandfather of the subject of this sketch, came to this country from Ireland with his two brothers prior to the War of 1812. They settled in Coshocton County, Ohio, and later he removed to a farm near Westchester, Ohio, where William Boyd, grandfather of Martin L. Boyd, was born. The latter became a successful merchant at Westchester, Ohio, about 1831. Martin L. Boyd grew up on his father's farm near Tippecanoe, Ohio, and attended the district schools. He taught school for several years and is a graduate of Scio College, class of 1890. He served as superintendent of the Kinsman schools in Trumbull County, Ohio, and during a four year period also studied law with D. A. Hollingsworth, of Cadiz, Ohio. Mr. Boyd later entered the Law College of Ohio State University, from which he received his degree in 1897 and began the practice of law in Columbus. He spent more than fifteen years in active practice in Columbus with Hiram Bromson, and after the latter's death engaged in private practice until 1927, at which time his son, Robert E. Boyd, became his partner. They have offices at 101 North High Street. Mr. Boyd was a candidate for the Ohio Legislature on the Democratic ticket in 1901 and was defeated in a close race. In 1910 he was also candidate for the office of prosecuting attorney of Franklin County, and two years later entered the campaign for nomination to Congress against C. L. Brumbaugh, but was defeated by 800 votes. Mr. Boyd was one of the most ardent admirers and supporters of President Woodrow Wilson in Franklin County. Mr. Boyd was particularly interested in the initiative and referendum movement during Governor Patterson's brief administration and was delegated by the Direct Legislation League to urge the legislature to adopt a resolution for the submission of a constitutional 1020 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY amendment on the initiative and referendum. After the death of Governor Patterson the work was later carried on by Herbert S. Bigelow, of Cincinnati, and finally became a part of the constitution. Mr. Boyd was also an unsuccessful candidate for the office of common pleas judge of Franklin County in 1916 on the non-partisan ticket. He has described as a fitting epitaph to his political races the following lines: "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, it might have been." In 1893 Mr. Boyd was united in marriage with Miss Emma A. Fisher, of New Philadelphia, Ohio, the daughter, of Benjamin and Cynthia (Sheeler) Fisher, natives of Ohio. Mr. Fisher died in 1910 and his wife died in 1925. Both are buried at Dover, Ohio. Three children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Boyd: Justin R., a graduate of North High School, attended Ohio State University, served during the World War, married Miss Thelma Tomlinson, and they have a daughter, Nancy Jane Boyd ; Dorothy Elaine, a graduate of North High School and Ohio State University, married F. G. Hoskins, who is county agent for Lake County. They live at Painesville, Ohio, and have two daughters, Jean Helen and Lois Ann Hoskins ; and Rober E., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this history. Mr. Boyd and his family hold membership in the Methodist Church. He has always been identified with the Democratic party in politics. Robert E. Boyd is numbered among the capable young lawyers of Franklin County, engaged in the practice of his profession in Columbus, as a member of the firm of Boyd & Boyd. He was born in this city in 1903, the son of Martin L. and Emma L. (Fisher) Boyd. A complete sketch of Martin L. Boyd appears elsewhere in this history. Robert E. Boyd obtained his early education in the public schools of Columbus and is a graduate of North High School in the class of h-;20. He subsequently entered Ohio State University and in 1927 was graduated from the College of Law. He has since been engaged in practice with his father, with offices at 101 North High Street. Mr. Boyd was admitted to the Federal Courts in 1929. HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1021 In 1925 Mr. Boyd married Miss Charlotte Ann Hays, of Columbus, the daughter of S. B. and Charlotte Ann (Barnes) Hays. They have two sons : Robert Emmet, Jr., born July 26, 1926 ; and Richard Hays, born August 12, 1929. Mr. Boyd is a member of King Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church, and belongs to Free & Accepted Masons, York Lodge, Kiwanis Club, Delta Theta Phi fraternity, and Lawyers Club. He holds the rank of first lieutenant, U. S. Officers Reserve Corps. Joseph E. Cross, who is manager of the Convention Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce, is a prominent citizen of Columbus, and active in the city's public life. He was born at Portsmouth, Ohio, February 15, 1880, the son of Nelson C. and Eliza I. (Taylor) Cross. Nelson C. Cross was born in Adams County, Ohio. He engaged in general farming and stock raising and in later life was the proprietor of a hotel at Portsmouth, Ohio. Before his retirement he was a city mail carrier. Mr. Cross was a Republican and served as village mar-shall for a time. He held membership in the Methodist Church. Mr. Cross died in 1920 and his wife died in 1919. Both are buried at West Union, Ohio. Their children were : Ella, married Coleman Fisher, lives at West Union, Ohio ; Edward D., lives in Columbus, is a veteran of the Spanish-American War, having served as a member of Company C, Second Kentucky Infantry ; Elmer M., painting contractor, lives in Columbus ; and Joseph E., the subject of this sketch. Joseph E. Cross was educated in the public schools of Portsmouth and West Union, Ohio, and following his graduation from high school in 1896 he took a teacher's training course at Lebanon University. He taught school for several years but retired from that profession to enter newspaper work as editor of the Adams County Record. He removed to Portsmouth in 1913, where he was associated with William Myers, of Iowa, in the establishment of a daily morning newspaper, known as the Morning Star. In 1915 Mr. Cross accepted the position of State Supervisor of Printing under Governor Frank D. Willis, and four years later was elected assistant clerk of the Ohio Senate, succeeding to the office as chief clerk in 1923, in which capac- 1022 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY ity he served until January 1, 1927. He then assumed his present position as manager of the Convention Bureau of the Columbus Chamber of Commerce. On February 14, 1901, Mr. Cross married Miss Nannie J. Kincaid, of West Union, Pennsylvania, the daughter of John V. and Emma (King) Kincaid. Mr. Kincaid, who died in November, 1919, served throughout the Civil War as a member of the 91st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He served as justice of the peace of Adams County, Ohio, ;here he was born, for a period of forty years. His widow lives in Columbus. Mr. and Mrs. Cross have a son, Harold Roosevelt, born October 22, 1904. He is a graduate of East High School, Columbus, and Ohio State University, class of 1927. He then took a secretarial course at Northwestern University and is now secretary of the Chamber of Commerce at Barberton, Ohio. He is affiliated with Ralph R. Rickley Lodge, Free and Accepted Masons, and is Past President of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. He also belongs to the Sigma Delta Chi fraternity. Mr. Cross is a Republican and in 1926 was a candidate in the primary for the office of Secretary of State on the Republican ticket. He is Past President of the Buckeye Republican Club and Past President of the Columbus Cooperative Club, being at the present time district governor of the international organization, as well as president of the Inter Club Council of Columbus, representing all service clubs of the Capitol City. Lee Hall is widely known in Columbus as president of District No. 6, United Mine Workers of America, with offices at 22 East Gay Street. He was born at Coshocton, Ohio, June 18, 1877, the son of Luke and Mary (Bassett) Hall. Luke Hall was born in England, the son of William R. Hall, who came to this country when a young man and served throughout the Civil War. His son, Luke, worked in the coal mines near Coshocton throughout his life, having entered the mines when he was ten years of age. He died in June, 1918, and is buried at Coshocton. His widow, born at Plainfield. Ohio, is the daughter of John D. Bassett, who HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY - 1023 was employed by the government as a wagonmaker during the Civil War. Her brother, Nicholas Bassett, served during the war with the 51st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. To Luke and Mary (Bassett) Hall were born six children: Will F., lives at Elyria, Ohio ; John F., lives at Coshocton ; Lee, the subject of this sketch ; Mary Belle married John Howard, lives at Coshocton ; Jessie B., lives at Coshocton ; and Robert, lives in Oklahoma. Lee Hall attended the public schools of Coshocton and was thirteen years old when he went to work in the coal mines. He became an officer in the United Mine Workers of America, April 1, 1911, as president of Sub-District, No. 6, and on March 14, 1913, was appointed vice president of District No. 6, with headquarters in Columbus. He served in that capacity until September 1, 1920, at which time he was made president of the district. His duties consist in the making of wage scales between operators and miners and the settlement of disputes between these two groups. He has attended all joint conferences of operators and miners since 1910, as well as all conventions since 1908. He has also been a delegate to the American Federation of Labor since 1923 and in 1926 was selected as a delegate to the British Mining Congress, which he declined. On September 3, 1902, Mr. Hall married Miss Zuri Guthrie, of Coshocton, the daughter of George W. and Mary Jane (Murray) Guthrie. Mr. Guthrie died in 1922. His widow, eighty-two years of age, lives in Coshocton. Mr. and Mrs. Hall have four children: 1. Mary Lucille Busick, born December 12, 1903, married Harry J. Busick, of the Ohio State Journal, and they have two children, Robert and Barbara. 2. Albert L., born March 9, 1907, a graduate of West High School, Columbus, and attended Ohio State University. He is a teller in the employ of the First Citizens Savings & Trust Company, Columbus. 3. Richard, born in February, 1915, attends West High School. He is a member of the school band and is active in Boy Scout work, being a member of Troop No. 45. 4. Bettie Lee, born March 20, 1922. Mr. Hall is a Republican, and belongs to the Loyal Order of Moose, Eagles Club, and Red Men. His wife is a member of the Christian Science Church. 1024 - HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY Dr. Arthur Blanchard McConagha, whose practice in Columbus is limited to the treatment of the eye, ear, nose and throat, is perhaps one of the most prominent specialists in Ohio, with hospital and offices at 74 South Fifth Street. He was born at New Concord, Ohio, September 1, 1879, the son of James and Sarah (Ardrey) McConagha. James McConagha, a prosperous farmer of Ohio, was born near New Concord, January 18, 1847, and died February 15, 1913. His wife was the daughter of Robert and Sarah Ardrey, also natives of New Concord. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. McConagha : John E., deceased ; Arthur Blanchard, the subject of this sketch ; Arnetta, deceased, was the wife of J. G. Lowry ; Robert Alexander, lives in Columbus ; Sarah M., the widow of Walter Baggs, and she is a teacher of mathematics at McKinley Junior High School, Columbus ; and Mae, married William Zedeker, lives in Pittsburgh. Arthur Blanchard McConagha acquired his early schooling at New Concord, Ohio, and after his graduation from high school in 1896 he spent four years as a teacher in the public schools of New Concord. He then entered Muskingum College, from which he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1905. Subsequently, he entered Starling Medical College, Columbus, and received the degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1909. Doctor McConagha began the practice of his profession at Ashley, Ohio, and after four years took a three months course in graduate work at Harvard University, where he specialized in the study of the eye, ear, nose and throat. He then established his practice at Worthington, Ohio, where he engaged in general practice for a period of five years, during which time he took five distinct graduate courses at Chicago University in different phases of his profession. He located in Columbus in 1918 as assistant to Doctor Timber-man, at 112 East Broad Street. The following year Doctor McConagha established his own practice at 131 East State Street, and in January, 1929, he removed to his present location, 74 South Fifth Street, where he maintains a private hospital of ten rooms, as well as his offices. Two nurses assist Doctor McConagha. Doctor McConagha married Miss Harriet V. Milligan, the daughter of William Milligan, a prosperous farmer of Harrison County, Ohio. To them have been born two children: John Max, born April 24, 1911, and Janet, born July 2, 1913, both students in Ohio State