BIOGRAPHIES

Source:
* Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio
 by William Alexander Taylor
 - Vols. I  & II -
1909
 

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	LOUIS FREDERICK FIESER.   The prosperity of a city does not depend so much upon its machinery of government, or even upon the men who fill its offices, as it does upon those who promote and control its business interests, establishing its prosperity and commercial advancement. In this class Louis F. Fieser is numbered, being senior member of the firm of Fieser & Bentley, dealers in pig iron and coke. Columbus numbers him among her native sons, his birth having occurred October 17, 1854. His parent, Frederick and Louise (Scheede) Fieser, were both natives of Germany and came to the United States in childhood days. The father was a prominent resident of Columbus, where he was well known as a journalist and banker. He also served for several terms as president of the board of education of the city and his influence and support were freely given for the advancement and progress of the community along many lines of substantial development.      Louis F. Fieser obtained a technical education in the Ohio State University and going abroad to Vienna he there studied civil engineering for several years.  Following his return to the United States he engaged at once in the construction of several railroads in various parts of the country, being thus occupied until 1891, when he was called to Columbus by the sudden death of his father to look after his banking interests in the firm of Reinhard & Company.  Seven years were then devoted to that task, after which he withdrew from the bank and turned his attention to the pig iron business, engaging in the manufacture and sale of pig iron.  He has since continued in this line and is now associated with Linn Bentley, under the firm style of Fieser & Bentley, with offices at No. 710, The Wyandotte.  The extent and importance of their business places them in the front rank among the representatives of commercial interests in this city.      On the 30th of June, 1891, Mr. Fieser was married to Miss Martha V. Kershaw, and they have since had a family of four children, of whom three are living.  Mr. Fieser is not active in the political world but considers himself a democrat, although since the advent of Bryan’s seizure on the democratic party in 1896 he has felt forced to give his allegiance to the republican party.  He is well known in the social as well as the business life of the city. Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. I - 1909 - Pages 737-738 (Contributed by Christina Armstrong from family files)
	FRANK D. FRANCIS.  The members of the firm of The Francis Brothers Company, contractors of Columbus, need no introduction to the readers of this volume, for all who are in any way identified with the history of building operations in the capital city know that this firm has in recent years been a conspicuous one in connection with the architectural improvement of the city. Frank D. Francis, the senior partner, was born July 3, 1879, in Newark, Ohio. his father, Albert Francis, being born May 20, 1853, in Hanover, who, for many years, was engaged in contracting in Columbus, gaining a position of prominence in building circles that was by no means confined by the borders of the state. In fact his reputation was such that he was awarded various contracts for the construction of buildings at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. His wife, Mrs. Rosa Francis, was born August 9, 1855, in Linn county, Iowa.      The public schools of Columbus afforded Frank D. Francis his educational privileges and making good use of his opportunities he passed through successive grades until he was graduated in 1895. He then entered the Ohio State University, pursuing a course of electrical engineering, and his knowledge in this department of science has constituted an important element in his later business career. After leaving college he entered the contracting business with his father and added to his theoretical knowledge the practical experience that comes in active building operations. In 1901 he was connected with the McCloud River Company at Mount Shasta, California, and displayed such marked ability that he was made superintendent of construction. In 1902. however, he returned to Columbus, where he joined his brother, Walter H. Francis in organizing the present firm of Francis Brothers. They have constructed many of the fine buildings of the Columbus Barracks and numerous important state institution buildings. Contracts for other fine buildings in the state have been awarded them, many of the largest and most substantial structures of Columbus standing as monuments to their enterprise and business ability. Both brothers keep in constant touch with the progress that is being made in building lines and gain inspiration for their work through membership in the Builders Exchange.      On the 20th of May, 1904, occurred the marriage of Frank D. Francis to Miss Eva P. Higginbottom, a daughter of Theodore and Susanna Higginbottom, of Muskingum county. Ohio. She is a. representative of one of the old pioneer families of that county who settled there in 1808, since which time the Higginbottoms have been extensive farmers and stock-raisers in that locality. Mr. and Mrs. Francis reside at 120 North Monroe avenue. and their home is generally celebrated for its warm-hearted and cordial hospitality.      Mr. Francis belongs to the Knights of Pythias and gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is at. all time interested in the city's welfare and gives earnest and effective cooperation to movement, for the public good, notwithstanding the fact that his business makes heavy demands upon his attention and he is always most loyal to the interests entrusted to his care. His understanding of the business in its scientific principles and the practical training received in early manhood well qualify him to superintend the labors of others and to pass judgment upon the advisability of any course that is questioned in his building operations. He is known as an energetic. reliable business man and the firm of The Francis Brothers Company is prominent among the contractors of the capital city. (Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 24)
	GEORGE D. FREEMAN.     No history of Columbus would be complete without extended and personal reference to Colonel George D. Freeman, whose military service and business activity have made him one of the prominent figures of the capital city.  There are few men whose lives are crowned with the honor and respect so uniformly accorded him and it is a well known fact he has never deviated from what his judgment would indicate to be right between himself and his fellowmen, nor ever faltered in the performance of any public duty.  Colonel Freeman is descended from Revolutionary ancestry, his grandfather, William Freeman, having served with the Continental army in the War of Independence.  His father, Usual W. Freeman, served with distinction in the New York militia during the war of 1812 and was recognized as one of the prominent civil engineers of the country in his day, in which capacity he was a factor in platting all that part of New York city north of Canal street.  He married Margaret Christy, and the year 1833 witnessed their removal from New Jersey to Ohio, the family home being established at Ovid, Franklin county, where the birth of George D. Freeman occurred on the 11th of August, 1842.  The public schools afforded him his educational privileges but the system of public instruction had not then reached the high standard which characterizes it today and his opportunities were accordingly some what limited.  This also resulted from the fact that he was but six years of age at the time of his father's death, and at the age of eleven it became necessary that he provide not only for his own support, but also aid his mother in maintaining the family.  Ambitious for an education, however, he later attended night school and throughout his life has been not only a broad reader but also a student of men and events and the years have brought him wide general information.  In his early boyhood he secured a position in the studio of D. D. Winchester then a leading artist in Columbus, and left that position to become a page in the Ohio house of representatives through appointment of Nelson H. Van Vorhees, the speaker of the first republican legislature.  The general assembly was then sitting at Odeon, Ohio, during the last session prior to the occupancy of the present capital.  When his duties in that connection were ended Mr. Freeman secured a situation in the dry-goods house of Headly & Eberly, with whom he continued through successive promotions which came in recognition of his ability, until 1866, when he was admitted to the firm as junior partner.  His business career has been characterized by a steady progress which naturally follows the expansion of one's powers through the exercise of native talents in the active affairs of life.  From the outset he was diligent and persevering and was imbued with the resolve to make his service of value to his employers, knowing that such a course would ultimately bring success.  Gradually, therefore, he advanced step by step and on becoming a partner in the mercantile house of Headly & Eberly bent his energies to executive control and administrative direction and in later years became the senior partner of the firm of Freeman, Stanley & Norton, successors to Headly & Eberly.  The house took rank with the leading dry goods establishments of the city, controlling an extensive and profitable trade.  Mr. Freeman was connected with that business until 1880, when he withdrew and joined the firm of Halm, Bellows & Butler, furniture dealers, while later changes in the partnership led to the adoption of the firm style of Freeman, Halm & McAllister.  The efforts and judgment of Mr. Freeman proved effective factors in the successful conduct of this establishment and later he turned his attention to other fields of activity in the organization of the George D. Freeman Mantle Company, engaged in the manufacture of mantles and interior furnishings.  He has thus been closely associated with commercial and manufacturing interests of Columbus, his efforts contributing to the general business activity and prosperity of the city, while there also accrued to him substantial benefits.      His record as a successful merchant would alone entitle him to recognition with the representative citizens of the capital city, but in other directions he has become equally well known.  In 1878, when the state militia was re organized as the Ohio National Guard, Mr. Freeman, at the urgent request of the Fourteenth Ohio Regiment, assumed command as colonel at the head of that famous military organization.  In this connection he rendered splendid service, for the regiment was called out for active duty on various occasions to quell disturbances caused by labor riots.  He figured conspicuously in connection with the Cincinnati riot, when his bravery, calmness and good judgment enabled him to bring peace and order out of the chaotic condition, that existed, quelling the turbulent mob that surged through the streets of the city, endangering life and property.  The constantly growing demands of his private business interests compelled his resignation in 1890 and it was accepted with regret on the part of the state government and brought a feeling of intense sorrow to those who had served under him, for "the boys" of his regiment were most deeply attached to their commander.     On the 31st of October, 1865, Mr. Freeman was married to Miss Julia A. Diemer, a representative of one of the well-known pioneer families of central Ohio.  They have three sons and one daughter: Harry D., Stanton S., George D. and Julia E.  Two of the sons were soldiers in the Spanish-American war and one son, as a lieutenant in the Nineteenth Infantry, has seen active service in the Philippines.  Those at all familiar with the history of Columbus know that Colonel Freeman is a most popular and highly respected citizen here, with a circle of friends almost co-extensive with the circle of his acquaintances.  He has never had desire for political office yet many times has been solicited to become a candidate for positions of political preferment in a locality where nomination is equivalent to election.  He has preferred to do his duty as a private citizen and his ability in this regard no one questions, for the public recognizes the exceptional value and worth of his service.  In many ways he has contributed to the general progress.  He served for some years on the county board of agriculture and took active interest in securing to the city what is now the beautiful Franklin Park.  He was again in active public service after the outbreak of the war with Spain, when he was appointed acting assistant quartermaster general and did active duty at Camp Bushnell in equipping the troops for the front.  He was afterward assigned to the superintendency of the state arsenal, where he is still on duty.  In all of his public career he has placed welfare before partisanship and loyalty before self-aggrandizement.  It is doubtful if he ever weighed an act in his life in the scale of policy, for at all times he has been actuated by a spirit of lofty patriotism and unfaltering devotion to his country's good. (Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 772)

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