Franklin County OH

Biographical Sketch of Gen. James G. Blunt

Gen. James G. Blunt, born in 1826 in Maine, led a diverse life before the Civil War, including time as a sailor and a medical practice in Ohio. A committed free-state supporter in Kansas, he enlisted in the Third Kansas Regiment and rose to lieutenant colonel during significant battles. Promoted to brigadier general in 1862, he commanded the Department of Kansas and earned recognition for his military prowess. After the war, he settled in Leavenworth but struggled with mental health issues before dying in an asylum in 1881.

Biography of William J. Rickenbacher

William J. Rickenbacher emerged as a prominent figure in Topeka’s real estate sector, significantly influencing the city’s development and the management of property transactions. Born in Columbus, Ohio, he pursued real estate after receiving education in Topeka. He is recognized not only for his business acumen but also for his philanthropic contributions, including the establishment of Lakewood Park. A committed Republican, Rickenbacher has been an active community leader and is the son of William Rickenbacher, who had a longstanding career with the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad.

Biographical Sketch of Allen William Sells

Allen William Sells, born in Topeka in 1892, was a prominent figure connected to the famed Sells Brothers Circus, founded by his grandfather and his brothers. The circus captivated American youth for decades before merging with Ringling Brothers. After retiring from the circus, Sells became a successful businessman, investing in real estate and agriculture around Topeka. He notably built the first silo in Kansas and owned the Chesterfield and Windsor Hotels, demonstrating his deep commitment to the region and its agricultural progress.

Biography of William Allen Sells

William Allen Sells was a celebrated bare-back rider, honing his skills from a young age and performing across the U.S. and Europe. He later organized his own show after returning from his European tour. Sells married Effigene Marris in 1890, and they had one son, Allen William Sells, who grew up immersed in the show business. After his father’s death in 1907, Allen William shifted focus to farming while also having a career in theatricals. He is married with a daughter named Mary Jane.

Biography of Martin S. Rochelle

Martin S. Rochelle, born in Ohio on November 25, 1842, dedicated his life to service and community. A Civil War veteran, he fought with the Forty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and took part in Sherman’s march to the sea. After the war, he moved to Kansas, where he became a prominent businessman in Wichita, engaging in real estate and establishing a cancer sanitarium that gained a commendable reputation. Married to Margaret J. Hanson, he was a devoted community member until his death on February 25, 1908.

Biography of Hon. Ransom Beers

Hon. Ransom Beers, born in Ohio in 1831, is a prominent pioneer noted for his integrity and enterprise. After experiencing early hardship, he ventured to California in pursuit of gold, achieving notable success in mining. He later moved to Oregon, where he developed his farmland and became a respected figure in agriculture. A dedicated community member, Beers served in the state legislature and remains active in fraternal organizations. He leads a contented life, valuing his independence and the accomplishments he has diligently built.

Biography of Charles E. Schaff

Charles E. Schaff, born February 4, 1856, in Licking County, Ohio, became an influential figure in the railroad industry. Starting his career as a water boy at the Pennsylvania Railroad, he progressed to significant roles, including train master, general manager, and eventually president of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company. Schaff’s career spanned multiple railroad companies, showcasing his expertise and dedication. He married Leila B. White in 1878 and had two sons. Active in politics and fraternal organizations, he holds a prominent reputation in St. Louis.

Biography of Capt. George Fry

Capt. George Fry, born in 1817 in Franklin County, Ohio, is a notable figure from Shannon County, Missouri. He began his career in farming and later managed iron works before engaging in railroad contracting across several states. In 1861, he raised Company 1 of the Seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving as captain during key battles, including Bull Run. Fry, married to Miss Melvinia Myrick in 1892, has four children, including his son James, who also served in the war.

Biography of James B. Roberts

James B. Roberts, a veteran of the Civil War, was born on November 7, 1837, in New York, before moving to Ohio and eventually settling in Denton, Kansas, in 1870. He developed a farm in the region and became a prominent local figure. His wife, Almira McClellan, was actively involved in the Women’s Relief Corps, serving in various capacities, including on the State Executive Board. The couple raised seven children, contributing significantly to their community and exemplifying the values of hard work and civic duty.

Biography of James A. Pinney

James A. Pinney, born in Ohio in 1835, was a pivotal figure in Boise’s development, moving westward during the Gold Rush. Arriving in Idaho in 1863, he engaged in various businesses, including general merchandising, and was appointed postmaster. As mayor from 1881 to 1885 and again from 1888 to 1892, he oversaw significant infrastructure improvements, including a sewer system and city hall. An active member of the Masonic community, Pinney also contributed greatly to social life in Boise, embodying integrity and dedication to public service.

Biography of J. J. Plumer, M. D.

Dr. J. J. Plumer, born April 8, 1860, in Edina, Missouri, serves as the physician and surgeon for the De Lamar Mining Company while maintaining a general practice in De Lamar. A graduate of Starling Medical College in 1882, he practiced in Iowa, Kansas, and Oregon before settling in De Lamar in 1890. Married to Margaret C. DeQuette, he is active in the Masonic fraternity and manages the town’s only drug store. Dr. Plumer is dedicated to his medical profession, continually updating his knowledge in the field.

Biography of Lambert L. Strong

Lambert Leroy Strong, born on August 8, 1849, in Franklin County, Ohio, became a prominent citizen of Lewiston, engaging in the undertaking and embalming business for over fifteen years. He grew up in Iowa after his family moved there when he was five. A Civil War veteran, Strong settled in Lewiston in 1879, improving a 160-acre land claim. He married Ester A. Blackington and became an esteemed member of the community, serving as a councilman and twice as coroner of Nez Perces County.

Biography of Peter Calvin Croco

Peter Calvin Croco, born May 17, 1853, in Ohio, moved to Kansas in 1876, where he became an influential agricultural figure known for his modern farming practices on his 155-acre property in Tecumseh Township. His family’s lineage includes a great-grandfather who served in various armies, eventually siding with American patriots during the Revolutionary War. Croco’s father was a notable anti-slavery advocate involved in the Underground Railroad and faced violent opposition. Peter Calvin Croco, well-educated and community-oriented, engaged in local politics and supported charitable causes throughout his life.

Biographical Sketch of Frank M. Drew

Frank M. Drew, born in New York City on June 30, 1852, was a prominent theater manager and businessman. Educated in Philadelphia, he initially pursued acting before shifting to the circus and museum industries for sixteen years. Drew constructed the Cleveland Theater in 1883 and partnered with Mr. Campbell on various playhouses. A member of the Elks and Masonic bodies, he married Blanche C. Collard in 1885 and had six children, maintaining a summer residence in Girard, Pennsylvania.

Biographical Sketch of Alfred J. Anderson

Alfred J. Anderson was born on January 17, 1870, in Butler, Pennsylvania. He was educated in local public schools and Prospect Academy. In 1900, he married Florence E. Wynne, with whom he had one daughter. Anderson began his career with the Baltimore Ohio Railroad in 1890, progressing from clerk to secretary roles in Pittsburgh and Baltimore, before becoming division freight agent in Columbus and later Cleveland, where he has served since February 1907.

Biographical Sketch of Orlof T. Brown

Orlof T. Brown was born on August 16, 1870, in Cambridge, Ohio. He received a common school education and married Alberta E. Fowler on the same date in 1904, with whom he had a son and daughter. Brown held various positions, including observer for the United States Weather Bureau, state examiner in Ohio, and chief deputy state fire marshal. He worked as a bookkeeper for the Ohio National Bank in Washington, D.C., and served as secretary of the Cleveland National Fire Insurance Company. Brown was active in several fraternal organizations.

Biographical Sketch of Thomas P. Ballard

Thomas P. Ballard, born April 27, 1854, in Canton, Ohio, was educated at Amherst College, earning his A.B. in 1876 and A.M. in 1879. He had a diverse career, serving as a school superintendent and principal, working in publishing, and later as a social worker. He transitioned into real estate in Cleveland in 1906. Ballard participated actively in various organizations, including serving as trustee for multiple institutions and holding leadership roles within the Cleveland Real Estate Board and Civic League. He was married twice and had two sons.

Biographical Sketch of Fred Baldwin

Fred Baldwin was born on February 11, 1882, in Yorkshire, England, to parents Robert and Martha Baldwin. He received his education in England before marrying Margaret May Talbot in Columbus, Ohio, in August 1910. Baldwin later became a resident of Cleveland, where he lived for five years.