Hon. William H. H. Flick

Mr. Flick is a native of the Western Reserve of Ohio, where he was born in 1841. He was educated in the public schools and at Hiram College, near Cleveland. In July, 1861, he volunteered as a private soldier in the Federal Army and was dangerously wounded in the left shoulder at the battle of Shiloh, Mississippi, but continued in the service until the fall of 1862, when he was honorably discharged on account of said wound. He returned to his home and taught school for three years. Having read law in the meantime, he was licensed to practice in September, 1865. In March, 1866, he moved to West Virginia, and began to practice law at Moorefield, the seat of justice of Hardy County, and in March, 1867, he changed his residence to Franklin, Pendleton County. He had a strong legal mind, was an able public speaker, and soon became recognized as a forceful and successful lawyer. He was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Pendleton County in 1867, also of the adjoining county of Grant in 1872, and he was re-elected to the same office in Pendleton County in 1873-4. In 1874 he resigned the office of Prosecuting Attorney and located at Martinsburg, Berkeley County, where he spent the remainder of his life. In the fall of 1868 he entered the State Legislature from Pendleton and Grant Counties, and was re-elected in 1869. He took an active part in legislation. He was the author of what was known as "The Flick Amendment" to the State Constitution, which removed all restrictions from all persons who had engaged in the Rebellion of 1861-5, which gave him a statewide reputation. In 1881 he was elected Prosecuting Attorney of Berkeley County, which he resigned in 1882 to accept the higher position of United States District Attorney for West Virginia. By this time he had become an unusually able lawyer, and one of the strongest and most successful prosecutors in the Commonwealth. We put it mildly when we state that he had but few equals, anywhere, as a trial lawyer. He was a very large man, and when he became aroused his reserve force was practically irresistible, because he apparently would break down all opposition and often sweeps things before him. In 1876 he was the Republican candidate for a seat on the Supreme Court of Appeals of the State, but was defeated along with his entire party ticket.

Bench and bar of West Virginia edited by George Wesley Atkinson, 1919 - Transcribed by AFOFG]

BRITTON, Roy Frank, lawyer; born, Cleveland, O., Mar. 18, 1881; son of Frank Hamilton and Ida Frances (Freeman) Britton; educated public schools and University of Michigan; LL.B. Law Department, University of Michigan, 1902, LL.M., 1903; unmarried. Admitted to Michigan bar, Jan. 21, 1902, and to Missouri bar, January, 1904; engaged in automobile business with brother Robert F. Britton, as secretary and treasurer A. L. Dyke Automobile Supply Co., the first concern of its kind in America, 1904-05; began practice of law, 1905; assistant general attorney St. Louis Southwestern Railway Co. (Cotton Belt Route) since 1906. Elected member Missouri House of Representatives from Second District of St. Louis Co., 1910, and served on Judiciary, Roads and Highways and Clerical Force committees of the House in Forty-sixth General Assembly; secured passage of Motor Vehicle Act, 1907. Republican. Congregationalism Member American, Missouri and St. Louis Bar associations, American Automobile Association (director), Sons of Revolution. Mason; member Tuscan Lodge No. 360, A. F. & A. M.; St. Louis Chapter No. 8, Royal Arch Masons; Ascalon Commandery, Knights Templar; also member St. Louis Lodge No. 9, B. P. O. Elks. Secretary and treasurer, 1906-07, vice president, 1910-11, president, 1911-12, Automobile Club of St. Louis; other clubs: St. Louis and City. Office: 1527 Pierce Bldg. Residence: 3671 Lindell Boulevard. Country Residence: Oakland, near Kirkwood, Mo.

(Source: The Book of St. Louisans, Publ. 1912. Transcribed by Charlotte Slater)

John Davison Rockefeller, one of America's very greatest financiers and philanthropists, was born in Richford, Tioga county, New York, July 8, 1839. He received a common-school education in his native place, and in 1853, when his parents removed to Cleveland, Ohio, he entered the high school of that city. After a two-years' course of diligent work, he entered the commission and forwarding house of Hewitt & Tuttle, of Cleveland, remaining with the firm some years, and then began business for himself, forming a partnership with Morris B. Clark. Mr. Rockefeller was then but nineteen years of age, and during the year 1860, in connection with others, they started the oil refining business, under the firm name of Andrews, Clark & Co. Mr. Rockefeller and Mr. Andrews purchased the interest of their associates, and, after taking William Rockefeller into the firm, established offices in Cleveland under the name of William Rockefeller & Co. Shortly after this the house of Rockefeller & Co. was established in New York for the purpose of finding a market for their products, and two years later all the refining companies were consolidated under the firm name of Rockefeller, Andrews & Flagler. This firm was succeeded in 1870 by the Standard Oil Company of Ohio, said to be the most gigantic business corporation of modern times. John D. Rockefeller's fortune has been variously estimated at from one hundred million to two hundred million dollars. Mr. Rockefeller's philanthropy manifested itself principally through the American Baptist Educational Society. He donated the building for the Spelman Institute at Atlanta, Georgia, a school for the instruction of negroes. His other gifts were to the University of Rochester, Cook Academy, Peddie Institute, and Vassar College, besides smaller gifts to many institutions throughout the country. His princely donations, however, were to the University of Chicago. His first gift to this institution was a conditional offer of six hundred thousand dollars in 1889, and when this amount was paid he added one million more. During 1892 he made it two gifts of one million each, and all told, his donations to this one institution aggregated between seven and eight millions of dollars. (A Biographical Record of Boone County, Iowa, 1902, Page 195)

[Transcribed for Ohio Genealogy Trails by our host, Peggy Thompson, who has not given permission to have it displayed on other websites.]

John A. Melcher was born in Germany, May 1, 1845, and is a son of John A. Melcher, who emigrated to Cleveland in 1846. The subject was reared and educated there in the common schools, and afterwards entered a college at that place, and in 1865, came to Peru, where he engaged in cigar-making. He ran a factory at Michigan City for about two years. In 1880, he started a saloon and billiard hall. In November, 1867, he was married to Miss Liddie J. Holman, daughter of Solomon Holman, an old settler of Miami County. This union was blessed with the birth of six children, whose names are, Sol. A., Author E., Willie, Emma, Lottie and Jessie. Mr. M. is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and is also a staunch Republican.

Contributed by Barb Zigenmeyer
History of Miami County, Indiana: From the earliest time to the present ... By Brant & Fuller, Chicago

Dr. William T. Wilson, a prominent physician of Bunker Hill, is a son of Reuben and Miriam (Overman) Wilson, both natives of North Carolina and of English descent. He was born in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, August 4, 1827. When quite young his parents came to Wayne County, Indiana, and settled on a farm. The Doctor, having prepared himself for college, attended Earlham for one year and a half. He then went South with a drove of horses, and visited his relations in South and North Carolina and Virginia. After his return he taught school for several years. In 1851 he began reading medicine with Dr. Purviance, of what was then known as " New Port," but now called Fountain City, with whom he remained three and a half years; after which he practiced his profession in West Newton, Marion County. During this time he was married to Mary E. Cooper, daughter of Robert Cooper, a prominent attorney of Henry County. Two children blessed this union: Ida B. and Eva M. The Doctor lost his wife April 1, 1866, and was again married, May 8, 1873, to Mary A. Barker, relative of the noted Dr. Fordyce Barker, of Bellevue College, New York. In 1866, Dr. Wilson located in Bunker Hill, where he has since been actively engaged in his profession. Previous to his coming he took a two years' course of lectures in the Cleveland Medical College, and also took a course of lectures in the Rush Medical College of Chicago, where he graduated in medicine and surgery, January, 1863. He is a Republican and a strictly temperate man.

Contributed by Barb Zigenmeyer
History of Miami County, Indiana: From the earliest time to the present ... By Brant & Fuller, Chicago

Allyn, Mrs. Eunice Eloise Gibbs, author, born in Brecksville, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio. Her father, Dr. Sidney Smith Gibbs, was a native of Schoharie county, N. Y., and her mother, Eunice Lucinda Newberry, was a native of St. Lawrence county, in the same State. Dr. Gibbs was practicing in Brecksville when he married Miss Newberry, who was a cultured and successful teacher. He was a relative of Sidney Smith, and was naturally of a literary turn. Mrs. Gibbs possessed similar talents, and many articles from their pens were published in the press of the day. Their family consisted of four children, of whom Eunice was the third. After various changes of climate in search of health, Dr. Gibbs died in comparatively early manhood, leaving his wife with three young children to provide for. The devoted mother most nobly filled her trust. After his death the family moved from Jackson , Mich. , to Cleveland , Ohio , where Eunice was graduated with honors from the high school. She intended to become a teacher, but her mother dissuaded her and she remained at home, going into society and writing in a quiet way for the local papers. Her articles were signed by various pen-names in order to avoid displeasing one of her brothers, who did not wish to have a "blue-stocking" in the family. Her first published poems appeared in the Cleveland "Plain Dealer," when she was only thirteen years old. Besides composing poems for recitation in school, she often wrote songs, both words and music, when she could not find songs suited to various occasions. In 1873 she was married to Clarence G. Allyn, of Nyack, N. Y. After spending several years at Nyack, New London , Conn. , and Auburn , N. Y., they moved to Dubuque , Iowa , where they now live. Mrs. Allyn is a prominent member of the Dubuque Ladies' Literary Union, and for eight years she has served as president of the Dubuque Woman's Christian Temperance Union. She has been connected with the local press at times, and she has also won distinction as an artist. She is a member of the Episcopal Church, is broad in her views, while strictly orthodox, and is an ardent admirer of Oriental philosophy. Before her marriage she gained valuable experience as Washington correspondent of the Chicago " Inter-Ocean," a position which she filled for a year, during which time she also wrote numerous articles for the St. Louis "Globe," the New York "World," and before and since then for various New York, Boston, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and Chicago journals. She is a pointed, incisive writer, and all her work, prose or poetry, has an aim, a central thought. In her own city she has quietly inaugurated many reforms and educational movements, doing the work, not for notoriety, but prompted by her inborn desire to do something towards lifting up humanity.

(American Women, Fifteen Hundred Biographies, Vol 1, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow.)

Cary, Mrs. Mary Stockly, business woman and philanthropist, born in Allenburg, Canada, 18th August, 1834. Her father, John Galt Stockly, of Philadelphia, Pa., whose business interests in Canada led him to reside there for a few years, removed to Cleveland, Ohio, in 1837. He was a pioneer in the shipping and coal interests of northern Ohio. He built and owned the first docks in Cleveland harbor. He was of an old Virginia family of Accomac county and his wife, Catharine Duchatel, was of French descent. Mrs. Cary�s paternal grandfather, Captain Ayres Stockly, was the owner of an East Indiaman sailing from Philadelphia, and he was among the first to unfurl the American flag in the harbor of Canton. His vessel was at one time seized by the French government, and he was imprisoned in France, his heirs being among the claimants of the French spoliation funds recently ordered to be distributed by the United States Congress. Mrs. Cary's grandmother, Mary Stockly, was one of the remarkable women in Philadelphia before the Revolutionary War. As a school-girl, Mrs. Cary was quick to learn. Her marriage to John E. Cary, a prominent lawyer of Cleveland, occurred 1st September, 1852. Mr. Cary died in 1874, leaving her with three daughters and two sons. From the time of her husband's death Mrs. Cary, with the management of her property devolving upon herself, exhibited marked and practical business sagacity. Disposing of some of her property, she increased largely her interests in those investments of her husband which she regarded as most promising. She supplied largely the capital required for the development of the Brush electric light system, and, associated with her brother, George W. Stockly, was for many years a director in its board of control. Her wealth is wisely used. Public spirited and generous, she has always taken pride in her city. She is one of the founders of its School of Art and a liberal patron of its charitable and educational institutions. She inherited from her grandfather a love of the sea and of foreign travel, and she has made the circuit of the globe, and during recent years has spent much of her time with her children in European capitals. She is an especial admirer of Japan and its people, and her talk upon the "Houses and Homes of the Japanese," before the Cleveland Sorosis, was original and unique. She is one of the most conspicuous citizens of Cleveland.

(American Women Fifteen Hundred Biographies Vol. 1, by Frances Elizabeth Willard & Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow)

Clark, Mrs. Frances P., philanthropist, born in Syracuse, N. Y., 17th September, 1836. She was one of a family of seven children born to Dr. J. H. and Mary P. Parker, who were persons of fine character. Miss Parker was educated in Syracuse, and in November, 1858, became the wife of George W. Clark. In 1860 they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, remaining there until 1883, when they removed to Omaha, Neb., where they have since lived. Their family consists of a daughter and son. After recovering from an apparently incurable disease of long standing, Mrs. Clark, in a spirit of gratitude to God, devoted herself to charitable work, taking up the work most needed to be done and most neglected, as she felt, by Christians, that of care for the so-called outcasts of society. In 1884, in recognition of her ability and services, she was appointed State superintendent of the social purity department of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Nebraska. As a result of the agitation begun by Mrs. Clark and her colleagues, the disgraceful statute making the age of consent twelve years was changed by the Legislature, in 1887, raising it to fifteen years. The women had prepared a bill making the limit eighteen years, and the result was a compromise. At the same time they petitioned the Legislature for a grant of $25,000, to be used in establishing an industrial home in Milford, Neb. That institution accordingly was founded at once, and through the happy results since flowing therefrom has fully met the expectations of its founders. Mrs. Clark is a member of the board of management of the Milford home, and also of the Woman's Associate Charities of the State of Nebraska, under appointment by the Governor. Besides this, she is the superintendent of a local institution for the same purpose in Omaha, known as "The Open Door," under the auspices of the local Woman's Christian Temperance Union. That institution is supported by subscriptions from the citizens of Omaha. With all these calls upon her time, Mrs. Clark is busy constantly, and she stands in the foremost rank among the women philanthropists of Nebraska.

(American Women Fifteen Hundred Biographies Vol. 1, by Frances Elizabeth Willard & Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Publ. 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow)

Farmer, Mrs. Lydia Hoyt, author, was born in Cleveland. Ohio. Her family and ancestry include names prominent in the professions of law, theology and literature. Her father is the Hon. J. M. Hoyt, of Cleveland, Ohio. Her mother was Mary Ella Beebe, daughter of Alexander M. Beebe, LL. D. of New York. Her husband is the Hon. E J. Farmer, of Cleveland, who is the author of several works on politics and finance, and is engaged in large mining enterprises in Colorado. Mrs. Farmer was thoroughly educated in music, art and literature. For the past ten years she has contributed to the leading newspapers and popular magazines. Her writings have been various, consisting of poems, essays, juvenile stories, historical sketches and novels. She is the author of ''A Story Book of Science" (Boston, 1886), "Boys' Book of Famous Rulers" (New York, 1886), "Girls' Book of Famous Queens' (New York, 1887), "The Prince of the Flaming Star" (Boston, 1887), "The Life of La Fayette " (New York, 1888), "A Short History of the French Revolution " (New York, 1889), "A Knight of Faith " (New York, 1889), "A Moral Inheritance " (New York, 1890), and other works. Mrs. Farmer's books have received high commendation from the press, have had wide circulation throughout the country, and her "Knight of Faith," which is a strong religious novel, received flattering recognition from the Hon. William E. Gladstone, from whom Mrs. Farmer was the recipient of a personal note regarding her religious books. Her "Prince of the Flaming Star" is an operetta, and the words, music and illustrations are all of her production. Her "Moral Inheritance," is founded upon "Soul Heredity" and enters into rather novel fields in the realms of fiction. In her "Life of La Fayette" she had access to original files of newspapers, unique copies of works now out of print, and the private papers of the La Fayette family, and therefore has been able to incorporate in the book much that had been inaccessible to previous biographers. She has completed a historical novel, "The Doom of the Holy City: Christ and Caesar," founded on the destruction of Jerusalem, and the scenes are laid in that city and in Rome as they appeared in the first century. She is an indefatigable student, pursuing metaphysical and philosophical research with intense avidity. Her novels are always written for a high purpose, and their whole tendency and teaching are healthful and elevating. Mrs. Farmer has for years instructed Bible classes of young ladies, having devoted a large portion of her time to Biblical study. She has passed most of her life in Cleveland, having resided in that city from childhood, with the exception of five-years spent in the City of New York.

(American Women, Frances Elizabeth Willard, Mary Ashton Rice Livermore, Volume 1 Copyright 1897. Transcribed by Marla Snow.)

Brown, William, manager at Detroit of the Philip Carey Manufacturing Co.; born Cleveland, O., Dec. 25, 1877; son of Nathan and Rose (Englander) Brown; educated in public schools of Cleveland; married, Detroit, Oct., 1904, Miss A. Krolik. Began active career in Cleveland, handling roofing materials; came to Detroit, 1901, and is manager of the Philip Carey Manufacturing Co., of Cincinnati, O., manufacturers of roofing and asbestos materials. Member Detroit Board of Commerce. Mason(32), Shriner. Clubs: Fellowcraft, Phoenix. Office: 17 Jefferson Av. Residence: 372 John R St.

Bell, Harry C., railway official; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) July 19, 1865; son of Samuel H. and Emily E. (Lankester) Bell; educated in public and high schools, Cleveland; married at Cincinnati, Mar. 22, 1893, Edith May Weeks. Began railway service as clerk in claim department Lake Shore Rd., at Cleveland, June 19 1881, continuing until 1888; in claim department Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis Rd. (now the Big Four), Cleveland 1888-89, and at Cincinnati, 1889-95; rate clerk same road, 1895-99, chief tariff bureau, 1899-July, 1901; chief clerk freight department Detroit Southern Rd., at Detroit, 1901-04; assistant general freight agent Detroit, Toledo & Ironton R. R., 1904-1907, general freight agent same road since May, 1907. Protestant. Recreation: Fishing. Office: 623 Penobscot Bldg. Residence: 684 Brush St.

Brace, William Henry, teas and coffees; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) Apr. 3, 1833; son of William and Lucy (Reynolds) Brace; educated in public schools and Janesville (Wis.) Academy, graduating, 1852; married, Sinclairville, N.Y., Mary Edmunds. Began active career, 1855, in wholesale grocery of W. Phelps & Bro., Detroit; became partner in the house, 1862, incorporated, 1886, and was president of Phelps, Brace & Co. until 1907, when the business was disposed of to Lee, Cady & Smart. President W. W. Krag Co., importers of tea and coffee, Standard Pure Food Co.; director Detroit White Lead Works, Michigan Wire Cloth Co., Michigan Mutual Life Insurance co. Was member of the Detroit Light Guard for 7 years. Republican. Methodist. Member Detroit Board of Commerce. Mason. Club: Old Club. Recreations: Boating, fishing and baseball. Office: 43 Jefferson Av., W. Residence: 132 Bagg St.

Cole, Henry Tiffany, vice president United States Heater Co.; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) June 29, 1870; son of Delos O. and Isabella (Tiffany) Cole; educated in public schools of Detroit; married at Catskill, N.Y., 1900, Miss Alice Jerome Day. Came to Detroit, 1877; began business career with H. Scherer & Co., wholesale carriage hardware, 1887, continuing until 1893; became connected with the Capitol Heating Co., as treasurer, 1893, the name of which was changed to the United States Heater Co., 1895; was elected secretary, 1897, and vice president 1902, now also acting as general manager, the company manufacturing steam and hot water boilers and radiators (6 branch houses in principal cities). Member National Association of Manufacturers, Detroit Board of Commerce. Republican. Episcopalian. Clubs: Detroit, Country, Detroit Boat, Racquet and Curling. Recreations: Outdoor sports. Office: Cor. Campbell Av. and Wabash R. R. Residence: 114 Du Bois St.

Knodell, John H., furniture manufacturer; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) May 4, 1856; son of John H. and Mary Knodell; educated in public schools of Cleveland; married at Detroit, 1883, Miss Mary Singelyn. Began active career as clerk in hotel at Cleveland; traveled in different parts of the West as salesman for leaf tobacco house; removed to Detroit, 1883, and became connected with The Posselius Brothers Furniture manufacturing Co. as shipping clerk; was one of the incorporators of the company in 1890, and has been vice president since 1900. Member firm of Sovereign, Porte & Knodell, advertisers. Independent Republican. Member Knights of Pythias. Recreation: Outdoor sports. Office: Harper and Mt. Elliott Avs. Residence: Gratiot Av., near Harper.

Leonard, Henry R., president H.R. Leonard Furniture Co.; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) Aug. 27, 1847; son of Raymond H. and Margaret C. (Cowan) Leonard; educated in public schools of Cleveland, married at Cleveland, 1872, Annie E. Lawrence. Began in furniture business in Cleveland, 1867; removed to Detroit, 1884, and established the H.R. Leonard Furniture Co. Republican. Member Masonic order (32o), Knights Templar, Shrine. Recreations: Driving and breeding fine trotting horses. Office: 267-269 Woodward Av., Detroit. Residence: 34 Eliot St., Detroit; summer residence: Point Aux Barques, Mich.

McLaughlan, Jay C.; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) Mar. 12, 1874; son of William and Dora (Chandler) McLauchlan; graduate Yale University, 1898; married at Detroit, December, 1901, Edith Williams. Came to Detroit from Cleveland, 1898; was connected with F.A. Goodrich & Co., iron and steel, for six years; has been district sales manager, with headquarters at Detroit, for Lackawanna Steel Co. and Pickands, Mather & Co., since 1905. Member Detroit Board of Commerce. Recreation: Golf. Clubs: Detroit, Country, University, Racquet and Curling. Office: 714 Penobscot Bldg. Residence: 211 Seminole Av.

Reese, Nathaniel, life insurance; born, Cleveland, O., (Cuyahoga Co) Feb. 19, 1872; son of David A. and Margaret (Davies) Reese; educated in public schools of Covington, Ky; married at Covington, Kate M. Shafer. Began active career as office boy with Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., at Cincinnati, O., 1884; became stenographer, bookkeeper and cashier in Minneapolis (Minn.) office, 1894-95; returned to Cincinnati office, 1895; cashier in Detroit office, 1897-1900; resigned to become member of firm of Bassett & Reese, Detroit, general agents The Provident Life and Trust Co. of Philadelphia, April 1900. Member Detroit Life Underwriters' Association. Republican. Congregationalist. Member Masonic order, Knights Templar. Club: Detroit Gold. Office: 44-45 Home Bank Bldg. residence: 46 Haigh Av.

Wilson, Harold, physician; born, Cleveland, (Cuyahoga Co) Aug. I, 1860; son of Thomas P. and Marian (Beckwith) Wilson; educated in public schools of Cleveland and Cincinnati; University of Cincinnati; University of Michigan, graduating, B. S., 1882, Medical Department same university, degree of M. D., 1886. Married at Bloomington, Ill., Sept. 21, 1890, Alice A. Graves. Was chemist to Harrison Reduction Works, Leadville, Colo., 1882-83; began practice of medicine in Ann Arbor, Mich., 1886; has practiced in Detroit since 1888. Attending surgeon, eye, ear, nose and throat, Grace Hospital, and attending oculist and aurist, Protestant Orphan Asylum. Republican. Unitarian. Member Michigan Homeopathic Medical Society (ex-president), Homeopathic O. O. and L. Society, etc. Member Psi Upsilon. Office: 32 W. Adams Av. Residence: 48 W. Ferry Av.

Source: The Book of Detroiters Edited by Albert Nelson Marquis 1908; Submitted by Christine Walters

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