Wooster Ohio

Biography of Dr. Hiempsal S. Dodd

Dr. Hiempsal S. Dodd, born in 1828 in Wooster, Ohio, exemplifies success through dedication to his calling. A medical scholar, he served in the Eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, later becoming a hospital steward, which advanced his medical knowledge. After moving to Iowa, he established a prosperous lumber and grist business in Marion County, Arkansas, where he also became a community leader by creating Dodd City and serving as postmaster. Throughout his life, Dr. Dodd actively contributed to local development and remained politically engaged as a Republican.

Biographical Sketch of Dr. Henry A. Smith

Dr. Henry A. Smith, born in Wooster, Ohio, in 1830, was the youngest of twelve children raised by his widow mother after his father’s death. At sixteen, he moved to Iowa before studying medicine at Alleghany College. In 1852, he traveled westward to Seattle, Washington Territory, where he claimed land. He served as a surgeon during the Indian War, became King County’s first school superintendent, and represented various counties in the legislature. He operated a hospital in Snohomish for eight years and had eight children.

Biography of Mark H. Williams

Mark H. Williams, born on July 29, 1842, in Center County, Pennsylvania, is a Civil War veteran who has resided in Barnes, Kansas, since 1885. He hails from a Scottish family of millwrights and worked various jobs from a young age. Williams served in the Eighth Pennsylvania Infantry and the Eighteenth United States Infantry, participating in major battles like Stone River and the Atlanta campaign. After the war, he became a farmer and founded the Barnes Enterprise newspaper. He remained active in real estate and community organizations until his retirement.

Biography of Joseph Shoemaker

Joseph Shoemaker, born on March 31, 1834, in Wayne County, Ohio, was a dedicated blacksmith and farmer who significantly contributed to his community after moving to Oregon in 1870. A Civil War veteran, he was highly respected for his moral integrity and industrious nature. He settled near Cove, where he farmed and ran a shop until his death on March 25, 1878. He and his wife, Cinderella, had eight children, with only four daughters and one son surviving him, including William Shoemaker, who continues to operate the family farm.

Biography of Joseph C. Straughan

Joseph C. Straughan, born on June 15, 1849, in Wooster, Ohio, significantly impacted railroad construction and civil engineering. His work primarily in the Mississippi Valley and as United States surveyor-general for Idaho helped advance the northwest’s development. Educated in Indiana and Ohio, Straughan was involved in building thirteen railroads and contributed valuable reports on irrigation to the U.S. Senate. A committed Democrat, he also engaged in local political and social endeavors while residing in Boise, Idaho, where he and his second wife, Alice, are well-regarded members of the community.

Biography of Simon P. Kramer

Simon P. Kramer, born in 1858 in Wooster, Ohio, became a prominent figure in Kansas’ milling industry after relocating there in 1880. With a foundation forged in his father’s mill and early roles in Texas and various Kansas towns, he accumulated significant experience and success. In 1915, he purchased and revitalized the Topeka Flour Mills Company, implementing advanced machinery to enhance operations. Under his leadership, the mill aspired to be a leading facility in the Middle West. His entrepreneurial journey reflects a blend of hard work, adaptability, and a commitment to progress.

Biographical Sketch of Frederick L. Baker

Frederick L. Baker, born on August 5, 1876, in Wooster, Ohio, served as a diet agent for the Empire Line for fifteen years, including seven years as district agent. He received his public and high school education before marrying Irene Carr in Chicago on June 10, 1911, with whom he had one child. Baker was also active in community organizations, being a member of the Traffic and Country clubs and spending three years with Troop A, as well as being a Mason.

Biographical Sketch of William Thomas Corlett

William Thomas Corlett, born on April 15, 1854, in Orange, Ohio, was a prominent physician and dermatologist. He studied at Oberlin College and earned his M.D. from Wooster University in 1877. His extensive training included stints at the London Hospital and hospitals in Paris and various European cities. Married in Germany in 1895, he served as a professor at Wooster University and Western Reserve University. Corlett was a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and authored several significant works on dermatology throughout his career.

Biographical Sketch of Harley Stephen Cook

Harley Stephen Cook was born on December 4, 1882, in Columbus Grove, Ohio. The son of William Mitchell and Mary Trumbo Cook, he attended high school and briefly enrolled at Ohio State University. Cook served in the Ohio National Guard, where he rose to corporal. His career included roles as a claim agent for various railroads, notably the New York Central Lines. He married Blanche Irene Brady in Chicago on March 9, 1912, and was active in Masonic organizations and enjoyed playing tennis.

Biographical Sketch of Dudley Jackson Hard

Dudley Jackson Hard was born on April 4, 1872, in Wooster, Ohio. He graduated from the University of Wooster in 1893 and served as a First Lieutenant in various military roles, including during the Spanish-American War. Professionally, he held positions such as secretary and treasurer of The Cleveland Light Power Company and vice president of The Wooster Electric Company. Hard was involved in multiple organizations, including military and social clubs, and enjoyed tennis and golf. He married Mildred J. Hopkins in 1903 and had two children.

Biographical Sketch of Charles A. McDonald

Charles A. McDonald, born in April 1862 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was educated at Wooster University. He married Minnie L. Carrother on December 30, 1896, and they had one son, Walter N. McDonald. McDonald was treasurer for several coal companies, including The James Mullin Co. and The State Line Co. He was actively involved in Masonic organizations and was a member of various clubs, including Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity and the Cleveland Athletic Club.

Biography of William Elliott Barnhart

William Elliott Barnhart, born December 8, 1857, in Ohio, has significantly impacted Kansas City, Kansas, since 1887, particularly in transportation and public service. His career began in law before transitioning to a postal clerk and ultimately various roles in railway companies, including the Kansas City Southern and the Kansas City, Mexico Orient Railway. Active in local governance, he served on the Board of Education and led the Wyandotte County Republican Central Committee. Barnhart married Mattie Lake Johnston, and they had four children.

Biographical Sketch of John Walter Tyler

John Walter Tyler was born on May 4, 1841, in South Newburg, Ohio, to Cutler and Sarah Fisher Tyler. He attended local schools and graduated with an A.B. from Oberlin College in 1867, followed by an A.M. in 1870. After being admitted to the bar in 1862, he practiced law in partnership with Franklin Paine and later with Amos Denison in Cleveland. Tyler married Mary E. Higgins in 1875 and had five children. He also served as a clerk for the Lake County Board of School Examiners from 1862 to 1868.

Biography of William Frank Flack, M. D.

William Frank Flack, M.D., born on April 18, 1857, in Wooster, Ohio, became a prominent physician and surgeon in Elk County, Kansas, specializing in eye diseases while also maintaining a general practice since 1885. A graduate of Electric Medical College, he built a reputable career through dedication to modern medical advancements and active community involvement. A member of various medical societies, he served in significant roles, including health officer and school board member. Flack married Sarah Brown in 1886, and they had two sons, both successful in their careers.

Biography of Arthur C. Trumbo

Arthur C. Trumbo, born on August 6, 1866, in Ohio, was a significant figure in the development of Muskogee National Bank. After a diverse educational journey, including degrees in law, he practiced in Chicago until 1901. Trumbo co-founded the Bank of Muskogee in 1901, which became nationalized in 1908. He served as vice president and cashier, fostering a strong banking policy. His contributions extended to civic organizations and leadership roles, promoting growth in the community, while maintaining a commitment to public service without seeking political office.

Biography of Gillis Q. Lake

Gillis Q. Lake, born on August 14, 1863, in Wooster, Ohio, has made significant contributions to the drug trade in Kansas City, Kansas, over the past eighteen years. He built two of the finest drug stores in the city, demonstrating expertise in both professional and business realms. A dedicated family man, he married Viola Bedgood in 1888. Active in local organizations and independent in politics, Lake is known for his community involvement and commitment to enhancing the well-being of Kansas City.

Biography of John Calvin Christy

John Calvin Christy, born on January 1, 1839, in Pennsylvania, became a prominent lawyer and Court Commissioner in San Bernardino, California. After studying law, he served in the Civil War with the Eighteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, participating in eleven battles. Following the war, he practiced law in several states before moving to California in 1886. Appointed Court Commissioner, he managed civil cases requiring accounting. Christy, a descendant of early Pennsylvania settlers, is noted for his affable nature and successful law practice while maintaining ties to his Quaker heritage.

Biography of Daniel M. Sechler

Daniel M. Sechler, born in 1818 in Pennsylvania, founded the D. M. Sechler Carriage Company in Moline, Illinois. His family’s history traces back to persecution in Austria, culminating in his ancestors’ settlement near Philadelphia. After an apprenticeship in carriage-making, he held various business ventures, from ironworks to retail, before establishing his renowned carriage company. Notably, he expanded the business to manufacture corn planters, making it a major player in Moline. Sechler was respected for his integrity and left a lasting impact on both business and community life before his death in 1903.

Biographical Sketch of Sutter, Edward

Edward Sutter, born on February 6, 1858, in France, migrated to America in 1876, initially settling in Wooster, Ohio, for a year. He then moved to Kirwin, Kansas, where he entered the jewelry trade before ultimately relocating to Russell. Sutter remains unmarried and is affiliated with the Russell Lodge of the Ancient Order of United Workmen.