BIOGRAPHIES
* Source:
Portrait & Biographical Record
of
City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio.
Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company
1895
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PATRICK F. QUIGLEY Source:
Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood
Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1895 ~ Page
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Paul Raymond |
PAUL RAYMOND
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and
Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company,
1895 ~ Page 359 |
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GEORGE W. RHONEHOUSE, M. D.,
a leading physician and skilled surgeon of Maumee, is a native-born
son of the Buckeye State. He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, Feb.
2, 1851, and is a son of Henry and Mary (Brown) Rhonehouse,
and the second in a family of five children, as follows:
Conrad H., who is in the employ of the United States Express
Company at Sandusky, and has occupied that position for a number of
years; George W., our subject; Anna, the wife of
Edward Smith, of Youngstown, Ohio; John, who is
engaged in the boot and shoe business at Cleveland, Ohio; and one
who died in infancy.
Henry Rhonehouse, the father of our subject, was
born in Germany, where he received a splendid education in his own
language. After arriving at the age of maturity he became a
traveling salesman, and followed that calling for a number of years,
or until he came to this country. After bidding farewell to
his home and friends, he sailed for America, landing at New York,
where he remained a short time; but, determined to seek a home
farther West, he soon started for Ohio. Locating in Sandusky,
he there engaged in the ware- house business, and continued in that
occupation until his death, which occurred when he was about
thirty-six years of age. The mother of George W. was
born in the United States, but was of German ancestry, her parents
having emigrated to America when they were young. She passed
away at her home in Sandusky, at the age of forty years.
Our subject was only six years old when his father
died, and about twelve when he lost his mother. There being no
relatives of the family in this country, the children were
separated, and our subject went to live with E. B. Darling on
a farm. He attended the public schools of his home locality in
his boyhood days, and later the high school of Sandusky. When
about twenty years of age he entered the office of Dr.
Edward Gillord, a prominent physician of Sandusky, and
read medicine with him for some time, clerking in a hotel during the
summer months, and in the winter pursuing his studies under the
Doctor’s instructions. In 1878 he took a course in the
homeopathic college at Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution he
was graduated in March, 1881. He worked his way through
college, and practiced two years of the time in Urbana, Ohio.
In the spring of 1881, after graduating, he came to Maumee, where he
has since resided.
Since coming to this city, Dr. Rhonehouse
has conducted a general practice, which has steadily increased up to
the present time, and he now enjoys a large and lucrative patronage,
which extends throughout the surrounding country and neighboring
towns. He is one of the most popular physicians in the city,
and is an affable, genial gentleman. Being public-spirited, he
takes a deep interest in the improvements of his home locality, and
as he is possessed of more than ordinary intelligence and ability,
he is well qualified to fill the position of family physician and
friend.
Sept. 21, 1881, Dr. Rhonehouse and Miss
Tamerzon, a daughter of L. W. Lewis, of Sandusky, Ohio,
were united in marriage. Two sons have blessed the union of
Dr. and Mrs. Rhonehouse: Lovel B.,
born Feb. 7, 1884; and William Lewis, born Oct. 9,
1886, both bright, intelligent hoys, attending school in Maumee.
Dr. Rhonehouse, who is a stanch Republican, takes an
active part in politics, and is well posted on all questions, both
local and national. Fraternally he is a member of the Masonic
order, and an active worker in Northern Light Lodge No. 40. He
is also identified with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, being
a member of Lodge No. 682, in this city. He has the confidence
and esteem of the entire community, and with his family occupies a
high position in the social circles of Maumee and vicinity.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and
Lucas and Wood Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company,
1895 ~ Page 355 |
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FRANK
E. ROFF, one of Toledo's native sons and influential business
men, was active in the management of the Street Railway Company for
ten years, and is now President of the Crescent Livery Company.
He is an active member of the Toledo Club, a prominent organization,
and is also a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Sanford
Collins Lodge.
The father of our subject, Charles B. Roff, a
native of New Jersey, was born in Essex County about 1818. His
parents were Stephen and Mary (Ball) Roff who both died in
the Empire State. Charles B. Roff was a hardware
merchant after coming to Toledo, in the year 1854. He was a
representative man, a leading Republican, and served in the City
Council for two terms. His death occurred when he had reached
his sixtieth year. His wife, who was before her marriage
Miss Clara Manley was born in Richfield Springs, N. Y., and is
now living in her native state. She became the mother of two
sons, one of whom is now traveling in Europe.
The birth of Frank E. Roff occurred Oct. 24,
1859, and he remained under the parental roof until his father’s
death. He received an unusually fine education, as after
leaving the Toledo public schools he pursued his studies at Hellmuth
College of London, Canada, for two years, after which he went to
Russell’s School, at New Haven, Conn. He then entered Bradford
Seminary in Middletown, and later was enrolled at the University of
Michigan in Ann Arbor.
His father had investments in the Toledo Street
Railway, and the young man after leaving college returned to look
after his business affairs. Having been blessed with the
qualities necessary to the achievement of success, he has prospered
and is well-to-do. His parents were formerly members of
Trinity Church, which he also usually attends, although he is not a
member of any congregation.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and Lucas
and Wood Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1895 ~
Page 368 |
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ARTHUR C. ROLL, M. D., is one of
the native sons of the Buckeye State, is a leading young medical
practitioner of Toledo, who bids fair to soon acquire more than a
local reputation. He is a graduate of the Pulte Medical
College of Cincinnati, where he completed the course and received
his degree Mar. 12, 1889, the same spring opening an office for
general family practice in this place. He belongs to the Ohio
State Homeopathy Society, and to the Northwestern Ohio Homeopathic
Association. His services are employed as medical examiner for
the Equitable Life Insurance Company of Des Moines, Iowa, the
Scottish Rites, Knights Templar and Master Masons' aid Association;
and he is also a member of the medical staff of the Toledo Hospital.
John W. Roll, the father of the Doctor, was born in
Butler County, Ohio, and was a manufacturer of iron machinery and
farm implements. His father was Dr. Silas Roll,
who was of Holland descent. Members of the family came from
Holland descent. Members of the family came from Holland to
settle in the United States as early as 1650, and many of the
descendants have been noted in the affairs of this country. John
W. Roll, on arriving at mature years,
married Martha J. Carr, who was born in Ohio.
They became the parents of two children, Arthur and
Martha. The latter married H. D.
Brosier, and resides in Butler County, Ohio.
Dr. A. C. Roll was born near Hamilton, Butler
County, this state, Mar. 2, 1868, and was given a good common-school
education, after which he pursued his higher studies in the Miami
University at Oxford, Ohio. His first steps in the direction
of his future career were taken under the instruction of Dr.
James H. Roll, of Hamilton, and later he
studied with Dr. William Z. Kumber, also of
Hamilton. Then, as before mentioned, he entered the medical
college at Cincinnati, from which he was duly graduated.
The pleasant home of Dr. Roll is at No. 1027 Erie
Street. It is presided over with grace and womanly
courtesy by his cultured wife, who was formerly Miss Marilla
Elliott, of Hamilton, this state. Their marriage was
celebrated Dec. 20, 1892, and they are the parents of one daughter,
Bernice Lucile. Mrs. Roll is
a daughter of James M. Elliott, a well known and
prominent citizen of Hamilton. Fraternally our subject belongs
to the Royal Arcanum and to the Sons of Veterans.
Source:
Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood
Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1895 ~ Page
237
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HON.
JACOB ROMEIS. The well known truth which has been aptly
expressed in the saying that "every man is the architect of his own
fortune," is nowhere more decidedly manifest than in the business
activity and political prominence of Mr. Romeis,
Vice-President of the Toledo City Natural Gas Company, and formerly
member of Congress from this district. The opportunities which
have come to him have, perhaps, not been greater than those offered
to other men, but he possesses the qualities which enabled him to
take advantage of the "tide that leads on to fortune."
From his successful career may be gleaned lessons
worthy of emulation by the young, and admiration by the old.
Our readers will, therefore, be interested in this review of his
life, concerning which sketch the following: John and
Elizabeth (Englehaupt) Romeis, his parents, were born in
Germany, where the former engaged in farming, and also followed the
occupation of a linen weaver. In 1847 he bought his family to
the United States and settled at Buffalo, N. Y., where he was
employed in a quarry. His death occurred in 1869.
While the family resided in Weisenbach, Bavaria, the
subject of this sketch was born, Dec. 1, 1835. He accompanied
his parents to America, having previously attended the village
school of Weisenbach, as required by law, from his sixth year.
In Buffalo he was a student in the common schools for one year, and
in a German Protestant school for a time after his first communion.
The family being poor, he was obliged at an early age to become
self-supporting, and when fourteen secured a position a cabin-boy on
the propeller "Oregon," Capt. Thomas Watts, running between
Buffalo, Toledo and Detroit, his first visit to Toledo being in
August, 1849. In April, 1857, Mr. Romeis was married to
Catherine Schweiger, daughter of Martin Schweiger of
Buffalo, N. Y., and to them have been born five children:
Henry, who died while an infant; Louis, Emma, wife of
Albert Kuhn; Kate, wife of Charles Beshr; and Charles
J.
From 1850 to 1856 Mr. Romeis was employed on
passenger steamers commanded by Captains Watts, Hazard, Perkins,
Pheatt, Willoughby and Goldsmith. The lat named
aided him to a position as train baggageman on the Toledo & Wabash
Railroad in 1856, and for two years he was thus employed.
Afterward he was promoted to the position of conductor on freight
and passenger trains, but after 1863 was given charge of passenger
trains exclusively. Owing to sickness, in 1871 he was obliged
to leave the road temporarily, but upon regaining his health he
resumed work, being appointed General Baggage Agent. This was
a position of great responsibility, as the entire force of
baggagemen and all the baggage were under his supervision and care.
So successful was he, that he was promoted to the position of Depot
Master at Toledo, and given charge of all passenger trainmen on the
Eastern Division of that road, extending from Toledo to Danville,
Ill. In that capacity he continued until his election to
Congress.
From youth Mr. Romeis has been an
advocate of Republican principles, which he has sustained with vigor
and fidelity. However, he has never been a partisan in his
preferences, but in local matters has given his support to the
candidates whom he has considered best qualified for official
trusts, irrespective of political ties. His first public
office was that of Alderman from the Seventh Ward of Toledo, to
which he was elected in 1874. Two years later he was
re-elected, and in 1877 became President of the Board of Aldermen.
In 1878 hewas nominated for a third term, but refused to allow his
name to be used. The next year he was elected Mayor of Toledo,
and under his administration many important reforms were instituted
and improvements introduced. He was successful in securing a
substantial reduction in expenditures, and in other ways promoted
the welfare of his fellow-citizens. In 1881 and 1883 he was
re-elected, serving for six years altogether.
While gaining the respect of the people of Toledo, Mr.
Romeis also secured the confidence and esteem of the people
of the surrounding country, and when, therefore. his name was
presented as candidate for Congress from the Tenth District, he at
once had a large and enthusiastic following. His opponent was
Frank H. Hurd, then in the zenith of his personal power and
popularity. Added to this fact, the district gave a usual majority
of twenty-five hundred. The campaign was one of the most
active the district had ever known, and the result was the election
of Mr. Romeis by a majority of two hundred and thirty-nine
votes. Mr. Hurd made a bitter and determined contest
for the seat, doubtless relying for success upon partisan support
from the large Democratic majority in the House of Representatives,
but in this hope he was disappointed, for, after complete
investigation, the Democratic Committee on Elections reported that
Mr. Romeis had been legally elected, which decision
was approved by the House with a large majority.
In 1886 the same candidates were again pitted against
each other, and the results were practically the same, Mr.
Romeis receiving a majority of fifteen hundred and eighty-eight
votes over Mr. Hurd. The vote in Lucas County
stood as follows: Romeis, eight thousand, eight hundred
and eighty seven; Hurd, six thousand, six hundred and
fifty-three, giving the former a majority of two thousand, two
hundred and thirty-four; while the Republican majority in the county
for the Secretary of State, at the same election, was only three
hundred and sixty-eight.
In the issue of protection or free trade, Mr.
Romeis recognizes the most important question of national
policy, and his attachment to the Republican party rests chiefly on
the position of that organization on this issue. His view of
the matter was clearly given in a speech when the Free Shipping Bill
was under discussion in the House of Representatives. He then
said: “Mr. Chairman, I have been a wage-worker for
thirty-five years or more as a sailor and railroad man. I laid
aside the lantern to take a seat in the Halls of Congress, and when
I leave I expect to take up one of these vocations again. But
while I have a voice and a vote in this House, I shall not give it
for a proposition that will, in my opinion, destroy the capital
invested in American industries, thereby throwing out of employment
thousands of workingmen who are directly dependent upon that
capital. For that reason I shall vote against that bill.”
(Applause.)
Mr. Romeis is a typical representative of
the German race, honest and upright in word and deed, energetic and
pushing, and of a decidedly
practical turn of mind. Beginning in life without capital or
influential friends, beset on every hand by obstacles, hampered by
poverty and burdened
with the cares and hardships incident to his chosen occupation, he
has, nevertheless, worked his way forward, until he has attained a
position of great prominence in this portion of Ohio. Among
his fellow-citizens he is highly respected, as he possesses the
integrity of character that has enabled him to live uprightly and at
peace with the world. Since resuming the duties of a private
citizen, he has devoted his attention largely to the interests of
the Toledo City Natural Gas Company, which is one of the principal
industries of the place, and of which he is Vice-President.
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and Lucas
and Wood Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1895 ~
Page 277 |
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CAPT. CHARLES A. ROWSEY, an old
and respected citizen of Toledo, has made his home here for
forty-three years. For many years he was a prominent builder
and contractor, and many of the finest residences and public
structures in Toledo stand as monuments to his skill and good taste.
after having lived a very active and useful life, he is now
retired from business, and is quietly passing the days in his
pleasant home at No. 1016 Erie Street.
The father of the above-named gentleman, Thomas
Rowsey, who was a native of eastern Virginia, and had served as
a soldier in the War of 1812, died at the age of sixty-five
years in Cincinnati. His life occupation was that of farming,
in which vocation he was successful. His father, William
Rowsey, settled near St. Augustine, Fla., in the last century,
and died in King and Queen County, near Richmond, Va., whither he
had re- moved before the War of the Revolution. Thomas
Rowsey’s wife was a Miss Mary Rose, of Virginia, whose
father, an Englishman, had emigrated to the Old Dominion at a very
early period, and settled on a grant of land lying along the James
River, in the neighborhood of Lynchburg.
The birth of Charles A. Rowsey occurred near
Staunton, Augusta County, Va., August 19, 1813, and until he was
twenty years of age he continued to dwell in his native state, where
he received fair educational advantages. In 1830 he went to
Cincinnati, Ohio, and, having learned the carpenter’s trade in
Virginia, he proceeded to devote himself to the. business.
During 1833 and 1834 he worked as a journeyman all along the Ohio
River, and in 1835 commenced taking contracts, carrying on an
extensive business for seventeen years. In 1852 he came to
this city, and for a number of years his time was busily employed in
carrying out the many contracts which fell to his share. he was
inspector of the construction of the State Insane Asylum at Toledo,
and has always been interested in public affairs.
In September, 1861, Mr. Rowsey raised and
enlisted in Company D, Sixty-seventh Ohio Infantry, of which he was
made Captain, serving as such until his resignation. It was
commanded by Col. A. C. Vorhes, of Akron, Ohio, and was
assigned to the Army of the Potomac, and participated in many
important battles and skirmishes. The most important battle in
which Mr. Rowsey took part was Mar. 19, 1862, the
first battle of Winchester, between General Shields
and Gen. Stonewall Jackson. He was
mustered out May 27, 1863, and immediately returned to his Toledo
home and again engaged in business. In politics he is a
supporter of the Republican party, and was originally an old-line
Whig. Though he voted for Jackson in 1832 and Van
Buren in 1840, he returned to the Whig party, and later voted
for Gen. William Henry Harrison for
President, with whom he was quite well acquainted. He cast his
vote in favor of Lincoln, and afterward voted regularly the
Republican ticket.
Feb. 9, 1836, Mr. Rowsey wedded Miss Mary
Tranor, a native of County Tyrone, Ireland, who was called from
this life Nov. 20, 1889. She was a faithful wife, a devoted
mother, and a loyal member of St. Vincent de Sales Catholic Church,
to which our subject also belongs. Of the nine children who
were born to Mr. and Mrs. Rowsey, four have passed away,
namely: William, who was a physician, and died in New York,
while there for treatment; John A., Martha R. and
Mary T. Those who survive are: Sarah J., who
married Thomas A. Foley, now deceased; Emma L., the
widow of George M. Pulford; Anna E., Mrs. George A. Tracy,
of New York City; Helen A., Mrs. A. J. Ryan, also of New York
City; and Isabel, who married Russell Harding,
Superintendent of the Great National Railway of North Dakota.
Source:
Portrait & Biographical Record of City of Toledo and Lucas and Wood
Counties, Ohio. Chicago: Chapman Publishing Company, 1895 ~ Page 349 |
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