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Perry County has no prettier city
than Somerset. It occupies a coni-
rnanding position in the north-central
part of the county. It was once the
county seat, and the old court house
still stands as a monument to remind
posterity of the bitter struggle once
made by the people to remove the seat
of justice.
Somerset is on the Newark Division
of the B. & O. Railroad. It has a
population of 1,500. Its streets are
models of taste and cleanliness, and its
residences bespeak elegance, culture
and wealth.
The serenity of its inhabitants, the
absence of industrial turmoil, and the
natural beauty of its situation and sur-
roundings, appeal with irresistible
force to the visitor. He beholds a
place where mortal man may rest, and
where every prospect pleases.
Somerset enjoys the distinction of
having been the boyhood home of
General Phil Sheridan. An equestrian
statue in the Public Square, in bronze
and marble, makes a just and impres-
sive memorial of the great soldier's
valor.
ROBERT B. WOODWARD, M. D. A remarkable and conspicuous char-
acter of Somerset is Mayor Dr. Robert
Bruce Woodward. He was born
in Newton Township, Muskingum
County, March 24, 1839, and is a son
of David and Susan Woodward. He
graduated from the Cleveland Medical
College in 1867 with the degree of
Doctor of Medicine, and at the head
of his class, and practiced for a short
time in Zanesville. Married Miss Ella
Combs in 1869, came to Somerset
more than fifty years ago, and has all
of that time stood at the head of the
medical fraternity there. Is now
Mayor, and is serving his eleventh term.
Was Councilman six terms, and has
been on the School Board fifteen years.
Served as a soldier in the Civil War,
in Co. G, 196 O.V.I. Is a member of
the S. E. Ohio Medical Society, super-
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intendent of the Somerset cemetery,
and president of its board of trustees.
The doctor is a man of wide reading,
of genial manners, and his popularity
is unbounded.
Prof. W. L. Atwell was born April
15, 1868, on a farm in Newton Town-
ship, Muskingum County, Ohio, where
he lived until he was twenty-one years
old. He taught school in both Mus-
kingum and Perry Counties until
he was able to attend college,
from which he graduated. Since
then he has been constantly en-
gaged in school work until he
was elected Senator from the 15th-
16th District. He was Superintendent
of the public schools at Jacksontown,
Licking County, remaining there for
seven years. He was elected Superin-
tendent of public schools at Johnstown,
where he served in that capacity for
four years.
In 1905 he was elected Senator from
the 15th-16th District, composed of
Delaware, Muskingum, Licking and
Perry counties. Mr. Atwell in both
sessions took an active part in all mat-
ters of legislation. In politics he is a
Republican. In the Senate he was an
earnest, hard-working legislator. He
was a member of the following stand-
ing committees: Common Schools,
Enrollment (Joint), Chairman of the
Committee on Federal Relations, In-
dustrials, Schools, Labor, Library,
Municipal Affairs, Railroads and Tel-
egraphs, and Temperance.
Prof. W. L. Atwell is the holder of
a high school life certificate, was
School Examiner in Licking County
for several years and is at present
Superintendent of public schools at
Somerset. Since he graduated he has
attended college, taking post-gradu-
ate work, and received the degree of
Master of Arts from Miami University
of Oxford, Ohio. This degree was
granted him not only for doing ad-
vanced work, but also on account of
his great success both as teacher and
superintendent.
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He is a self-made man, having
fought, unaided, the battles of life since
he was twelve years old. He has come
up through the flint mill of experience
with an unsullied character, and a keen
intellect--- two qualifications which
peculiarly fit him for the responsible
position of teacher and superintendent.
He is a Mason, Odd Fellow, Knight
of Pythias, Modern Woodman of
America. Mr. Atwell has a pleasing
personality, and has won many friends
in both parties.
E. P. WALSER The subject of this sketch is one
of the promising younger members of
the Bar, residing in Somerset and en-
joying a large practice. He was born
in Thornville, February 10, 1878. Grad-
uating from the High School, he
taught for two years, entered Ohio
Northern University and graduated
with degrees of B. C. S. and A. B.
Entered the Law Department in 1899
and graduated in 1902 with the degree
of B. L. Was admitted to practice and
located in Somerset, going into the
office of Hon. William E. Finck. Mr.
Walser is an enthusiastic member of
the Ohio National Guards, and on
November 15, 1909, was elected Major
of the 7th Regiment without opposi-
tion. He is a noted athlete, very pop-
ular, and a leader among the young
men of the county. November 27, 1906,
he married Miss Nellie McCarty, and
two children blessed the union, one
daughter, Mary Maxine, living.
S. E. SPANGLER, D. D. S. The subject of this sketch, Solomon
E. Spangler, is a native of Perry
County, son of Jefferson and Eliza
Spangler, and was born near Mt.
Perry, Madison Township, in 1880.
He was educated in the schools of
Pleasantville and is a graduate of the
Somerset High School. Engaged in
mercantile business in Racine, Wis-
consin, three years, then entered the
Dental Department of the Ohio Med-
ical University, graduating in 1907
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with the degree of Doctor of Dental Surgery. He soon located in Somer- set and began the practice of dentistry. He has already acquired a large prac- tice. In 1908 Doctor Spangler married Miss Elizabeth Roush, of Columbus. One son, Frederick Ellsworth, blesses the union. Dr. Spangler is a Mason, fraternally, and is active in the social life of Somerset. PROF. E. R. BECK A prominent young educator resid- ing in Somerset, and Principal of the High School there, was born near Thornville on a farm, in 1883, and is a
son of J. H. and Leah Beck. Received
his early education in the public
schools, at Athens University and
Otterbein. Began teaching in Thorn-
ville in 1902. Was appointed Principal
of the Somerset High School four
years ago. In 1906 he married Miss
Mary Helser, daughter of A. H. Hel-
ser, of Somerset, One son, Clyde Hel-
ser Beck, blesses the union.
Professor Beck is very popular wher-
ever known. He is in great demand
at teachers' institutes as lecturer and
speaker, and his addresses show him
deeply interested in his life-work.
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