BIOGRAPHIES

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

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	GEORGE J. KARB. The official service of George J. Karb has brought him prominently before the people of Columbus and Franklin county and the consensus of public opinion accords him good will and Honor by reason of what he accomplished in office. In business circles he is equally well known and his ability and enterprise have won for him an equally creditable name in commercial circles.      One of the native sons of Columbus, he was born February 15, 1858, and the public schools of the city afforded him his educational privileges. he also received thorough training in one of the excellent business colleges of which Columbus boasted even at that day. When a mere youth he entered the drug trade and after some time spent as an employe passed a most creditable examination as a pharmacist. His fiat independent venture was in the same line and for ten years he successfully conducted a. well appointed drug store at the corner of Fifth and Main streets. He then removed to Fourth and Main streets, where be conducted a growing and profitable business until 1898, when he withdrew from that field of commercial activity and took charge of the affairs of the Central Ohio Oil Company as treasurer and manager. In this connection he is closely associated with the development of the natural resources of the state and with the marketing of products handled by the company. His name has long since come to be ail honored one on commercial paper and he is recognized as a forceful factor in business circles, with diverse interests that are bringing to him substantial returns and at the same time are constituting elements in the general business development of the city. He is now a director of the Ohio Savings & Loan Association and a director of the Ohio National and the Market Exchange Banks. He is likewise a member of the Columbus Board of Trade and everything that tends to promote the business activity or broaden the commercial outlook of the city is of interest to him and in many cases receives his active aid and cooperation.      It was on the 10th of January, 1884, that Mr. Karb was married in Columbus to Miss Kate M. Van Dine of this city. They are members of St. Paul's Episcopal church and are prominent in social circles. Mr. Karb is a most pleasing after dinner speaker and as toastmaster is par excellence. His connection with different fraternities is most extensive. He is a prominent Mason, has attained to the thirty-second degree in the Scottish Rite, is a Knight Templar and belongs to the Mystic Shrine. He also holds membership relations with the Knights of Pythias, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the Red Men, the Benevolent Order of Elks and a score of other organizations, and his personal characteristics, as well as his devotion to the basic principles of these societies, render him a most popular and valued member.      In political circles he is equally well known. Taking a deep interest in the political situation, both local and national. and at all times keeping well informed on the issues and questions of the day, he has been frequently. called to public office by those who recognize his fitness for leadership and his loyalty to the interests entrusted to his care. He served as a. member of the city council from the old fifth ward, has also been police commissioner and was then given the highest municipal office within the gift of his fellow townsmen. after his first term as mayor of Columbus he received endorsement of his service in his reelection for a second term. which continued until 1893 and he retired from office as he had entered it with the confidence and good will of the great majority of his fellow citizens. who felt that his administration had been practical in its reforms and in its progressive measures. The county, also recognizing his worth, called him to the position of sheriff and for two terms he acted in that capacity, retiring on the 4th of January, 1909. He filled these offices in such a satisfactory manner that his administration of the trust will not soon be forgotten. His devotion to the public good has never been excelled and few incumbents in the offices have equaled him in all particulars. (Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 - Page 14)
	GEORGE KIRTS.  In the history of the agricultural development of Franklin county mention should be made of George Kirts who, at an early period in the development of Ohio, came to this state.  He was born in Hancock, Maryland, June 30, 1821, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Simpson) Kirts, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Maryland.  In his boyhood days George Kirts, Sr., was brought by his parents to the new world, the family home being established in Maryland, where he was reared and married.  His son and namesake was but four years of age when he left Maryland and with his family removed to Marion county, Ohio, in 1825.  At the age of sixteen years George Kirts, of this review went to Frankfort county, Ohio, with his uncle, Henry Kirts, and there resided up to the time of his marriage, which was celebrated Nov. 2, 1842, when he was twenty-one years of age.  Not long afterward he removed to Jersey, Licking county, Ohio, where he lived until March, 1850, when he went to California, leaving his wife and four children at the old home.  He was a poor man but hoped that in the land of golden promise he might rapidly acquire a substantial competence.  He made the overland journey across the long stretches of hot sand and through the mountain passes, but returned by way of the isthmus route, reaching home on the 1st of July, 1852.  He was successful in the far west and brought home a fair amount of money, after which he purchased a farm of one hundred and eighty acres near Jersey in Licking county.  This he cultivated for a few years, but desirous of having more land he sold that farm and in April, 1855, bought two hundred and twelve acres part way between Johnstown and New Albany on the Johnstown and Columbus road.  He afterward became owner of an additional tract of one hundred and sixty acres, so that his total holdings embraced three hundred and seventy-two acres.  Thus as the years passed he prospered and became the owner of valuable property.      On the 27th of May, 1875, however, Mr. Kirts lost his wife, after which he rented his land and came to Blendon township, Franklin county, where he purchased one hundred and fifty-eight acres.  He never remarried, although he lived until August 27, 1897, his death being occasioned by an accident in a gravel bank.      The bride of his early manhood was Miss Ellen Lavina Woodruff, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, near Reynoldsburg, June 18, 1821, and was a daughter of George and Anna (Taylor) Woodruff, natives of Connecticut and Ohio, respectively.  Both died in Fairfield county.  The father was a substantial citizen, who owned several hundred acres of land.  Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kirts were born eight children:  Ann V., the wife of Jonathan Moore, of Columbus, Ohio; Amanda E. Gorsuch, deceased; James W., who has passed away; William Henry, of Johnstown; Ella J., who was the wife of Charles W. Clarke, and passed away in February, 1909; Mary E., the wife of M. P. Innis, of Columbus; Viola D., the wife of J. E. Bevelhymer, of Plain township; and Emma M., the wife of C. B. Osborne, of Columbus. (Source: * Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. II - 1909 -  Page 43)
COL. WILLIAM H. KNAUSS	COLONEL WILLIAM H. KNAUSS (Source: Centennial History of Columbus, and Franklin Co., Ohio by William Alexander Taylor - Vol. I - 1909 -  Page 680)

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