Fleetwood Courtwright
Fleetwood Courtwright, a prominent resident of Columbus, where he has large and valuable real estate interests, was born on a farm that he still owns, in Concord Township, Delaware County, Ohio, Augusl 12, 1838. His parents were John and Martha (Mitchell) Courtwright.
The earliest Courtwright to establish himself in the United States was Jesse Courtwright, the grandfather, who, it appears, made the grave mistake of leaving Canada, his native land, when war was in progress, and on that account was not permitted to return, even after peace was declared, although, by that time, he had made a home for himself and family in the alien country. He settled on land in Union County, Ohio, and lived in this part of the State during the remainder of his life. His remains lie buried in Franklin County, Ohio.
John Courtwright, father of Fleetwood, was eight years of age when the family settled in Ohio. He acquired a large amount of land and lived an agricultural life. He married Martha Mitchell and they resided many years in Delaware County and then moved to Columbus, where they subsequently passed away and their burial was in Green Lawn cemetery, Columbus. The only survivor of their eight children is the subject of this sketch.
Fleetwood Courtwright attended school in the neighborhood of his home, all through his boyhood, but he acquired further knowledge than that found in ' his school hooks. When only twelve years of age his father encouraged him in exercising his pronounced business talents, and since that age Mr. Courtwright has been more or less of a trader. When his parents subsequently decided to move to Columbus, he made up his mind to buy 225 acres of his father's farm, which was exceedingly valuable property. To the elder Courtwright's surprise, his son was able to make a cash payment of $4,000, and readily gave his notes, agreeing to pay $1,000, annually, until the whole sum of $12,500 should be paid. In less than six months. Mr. Courtwright had purchased 150 acres more, giving notes for the same. His growing indebtedness greatly worried his father, but it in no way frightened the son. who never failed to pay his notes when they came due. This has always been Mr. Courtwright's policy in handling business deals of great magnitude and he has been exceedingly successful. His remarkable foresight and business acumen have enabled him to find fortunes where less favored men would have only met with failure. He has prospered in various speculative lines, including real estate, wool and stock. His present property interests are large. He owns 600 acres of valuable farming land in Delaware, Union and Franklin Counties, together with property in the city of Columbus to the value of several hundred thousand dollars. He built the large structure that stands on the corner of Long and Randolph Streets, Columbus, and the fine brick residence which is on the home farm, where he passes a great deal of his time.
Mr. Courtwright was married, first, to Mary Jones, a daughter of Thomas Jones, who was engaged in the milling business in Franklin County. They had two daughters and two sons. The latter were twins and both are now deceased. Of the daughters. Olive and Mary, the former married a Mr. Price, and the latter became the wife of John Freshwater, a resident of Concord Township. At her death Mary left one daughter—Annie—and two sons—Elmer and Stanley Freshwater. After the death of her mother, Annie Freshwater took charge of her father's house and looked after the comfort of the family. Later she became a successful teacher in the public schools of Concord Township.
Mr. Courtwright was married, secondly, to Jennie F.. Hill, who is a daughter of Robert Hill, of Union County. Ohio, and of this union there are three children—Nellie, Clydie and Fleetwood. Nellie married J. P. Stoltz and they reside in New York city, where Mr. Stoltz owns much valuable property. They have one son, Fleetwood Stoltz. Clydie married a Mr. Goff and they reside at Pueblo, Colorado, where the latter is engaged in large business enterprises. Fleetwood Courtwright, the only son, has already demonstrated much business ability, displayed in the management of more than one hundred thousand dollars' worth of property with which his father has endowed him. Mr. Courtwright has taken pleasure in providing for different members of his family during his life time and he has not forgotten the claims of charity and benevolence.
From 20th Century History of Delaware County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Edited and compiled by James R. Lytle, Delaware, Ohio, Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908