In the books' own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. The later printing (1909) is folded below the first. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio (1909), A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio .. (1901)
In no case is there a career more open to talent than in that of the law, and in no field of endeavor is there demanded a more careful preparation, a more thorough appreciation of the absolute ethics of life, or of the underlying principles which form the basis of all human rights and privileges. Unflagging application and intuitive wisdom and a determination to fully utilize the means at hand, are the concomitants which insure personal success and prestige in this great profession, which stands as the stern conservator of justice; and it is one into which none shouM enter without a recognition of the obstacles to be overcome and the battles to be won, for success does not perch on the falchion of every person who enters the competitive fray, but comes only as the diametrical result of capability and unmistakable ability. Possessing all the qualities of the able lawyer, Franklin Rubrecht is already winning marked success in his profession. He is yet a young man and the future undoubtedly has in store for him a very successful career.
A native of Ohio, Mr. Rubrecht was born in Delaware, August 31, 1867, his. parents being Joel and Priscilla Helen Rubrecht. The father was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1839, upon a farm, and followed agricultural pursuits throughout his residence in the Keystone state. With his family he removed to Delaware, Ohio, and there became a contractor, builder and architect. He has since been actively identified with the improvement of the city along building lines and many substantial structures there stand as monuments to his enterprise, diligence and thrift. His wife, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1842. died in 1894. She was the mother of three sons and one daughter, all of whom lived to years of maturity.
Franklin Rubrecht, whose name forms the caption of this sketch, attended the public schools of his native town and was graduated at the high school, after which he pursued a commercial course in Professor Sharp's Business College, in Delaware. In 1884 he arrived in Columbus and became a student of law in the office of R. H. Piatt, an attorney of this citv, who directed his reading for some time. He also acquired a knowledge of telegraphy and was employed by the Western Union Telegraph Company, acting as an operator in Columbus for a considerable period. This gave him the funds necessary to continue his legal education, and in October, 1892, he completed the law course in the Ohio State University. He then began the practice of his profession. He was appointed assistant director of law, and by virtue of that office became prosecuting attorney of the police department, serving acceptably in that position until 1897. He received his appointment from Judge Owen, who at that time was director of law, and was appointed by and served under Mayor Black until 1899. Retiring from that position, he resumed the active practice of law and has figured in several very important cases. In December, 1899, he was elected the attorney for the Columbus Humane Society. On the 9th of April Mr. Rubrecht was appointed first assistant director of law by Hon. Luke G. Byrne, director of law under Mayor John N. Hinkle. This position is perhaps the most important one in the law department, since it falls to the lot of the first assistant to conduct all the litigation in which the city of Columbus is interested.
On the 1 8th of September, 1894, Mr. Rubrecht wedded Miss Blanch Xewell, of Columbus, a lady of culture and refinement and a daughter of O. H. Newell. One child graces this marriage, namely, Mercedes. In his political affiliations Mr. Rubrecht is a Democrat, and has been twice elected chairman of the congressional committee of the twelfth district of Ohio. He possesses a laudable ambition, without which effort would be fruitless and labor of no avail. In his legal practice he is favorably known for the care with which he prepared hiscases and for his devotion to his clients' interests.
As printed in A Centennial biographical history of the city of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio .. (1901). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Franklin Rubrecht, for seventeen years a member of the Columbus bar, during which time he has rendered faithful and efficient service to the pubUc as well as to those who have employed his talent in the conduct of important litigated interests, is accorded a prominent place in professional circles by the consensus of public opinion. He was born in Delaware, Ohio, August 31, 1867, his parents being Joel and Priscilla Helen Rubrecht. The father was a native of Berks county, Pennsylvania, born upon a farm there in 1839, and throughout the period of his residence in that state he carried on the work of the fields. Attracted to the west, however, he removed to Delaware, Ohio, and became identified with its building operations as a contractor and architect. A liberal patronage was accorded him and his labors have been an effective element in the substantial improvement of the city in which he located. In 1894 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who was born in Delaware county, Ohio, in 1842, and for many years was a faithful companion to him on the journey of life. They had a family of three sons and one daughter, all of whom reached adult age.
In early boyhood Franklin Rubrecht was sent as a pupil to the public schools of Delaware, Ohio, and through consecutive grades completed the high-school course, while later he received a commercial training in Professor Sharps Business College of the same city. It was his desire to devote his time and energies to professional labors and to this end he sought the preceptorship of R. II. Piatt, an attorney of Columbus, under whose direction he pursued his preliminary law studies. He also acquired a knowledge of telegraphy, and entering the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company, waa for a considerable period employed as an operator in Columbus. In this way he provided the funds that enabled him to pursue his law studies, and entering the Ohio State University, he was graduated from the law department of that institution in October, 1892.
Mr. Rubrecht immediately located for practice in Columbus and the successive steps of his orderly progression are easily discernible. He recognized the fact that there is always room overhead and that only the lower ranks of life are crowded, and he resolved that comprehensive study, close application and increasing ability should soon carry him beyond the starting point of his career. Knowing that the best aid to advancement was to make his service of value to his clients, he has loft undone nothing that would advance the litigated
Google interests entrusted to his care and in the course of years has become recognized as one of the strongest and ablest members of the Cohinibas bar. His reasoning is analytical, his deductions are logical and his presentation of lii- case forceful. He was appointed assistant director of law and by virtue of that office became prosecuting attorney of the i>police department, rendering capable service in that position until 1897. " He received his appointment from Judge Sehvyn N. Owen, who at that time was director of law and was appointed by and served under Mayor Black until 1899. Retiring from the position, he resumed private practice and the records of the court show that he has been retained for the prosecution or defense in many eases of importance. Hi clientage, too, is large and of a distinctively representative character, and the work he has done at the bar reflects credit and honor upon the profession with which he i connected. In December, 1899, he was elected attorney of the Columbus Humane Society and on the 9th of April, 1900, was appoints first assistant director of law by Hon. Luke G. Byrne. As the incum)>ent of the office it fell to his lot to conduct all the litigation of the city. He retired from public office in 1902 and has since been engaged in the active practice of his profession.
Mr. Rubrecht was married September 18, 1894, to Miss Blanche Newell, of Columbus, a daughter of 0. H. Newell, and to them has been born one child, Mercedes. The social prominence of the family is enviable and the gracious hospitality of their home, freely accorded to many friends, is one of its most attractive features. Mr. Rubrecht exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the democratic party and has done axitive work in its support by two terms of service as chairman of the congressional committee of the twelfth district of Ohio. His opinions carry weight in the councils of his party and in all of his relations to Columbus he is actuated by a spirit of devotion to the public good, being identified as a director or trustee of several charitable organizations. He looks beyond the exigencies of the moment to the possibilities of the future and his labors have been effective forces in general improvement. When not occupied with professional and business duties, his friends find him a man of social nature, in whom good cheer and good will are pleasing attributes.
As printed in Centennial history of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio (1909). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
Named in this biography: Luke G. Byrne (b. 1848)
The printed record stops around 1909. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.