Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 102

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149

USA > Ohio > Butler County > Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio > Part 102

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Mr. Rose is a born trader and while still young he turned his ability in that direction. to good account, but all of his transactions were conducted fairly and honorably. The beginning of his independent career dates from the time when he bought a farm and went in debt for every dollar of the pur- chase price, giving a mortgage on the land for the same with the object in view of sell- ing at an advance at the first favorable op- portunity. After keeping the place a short time, a purchaser presented himself and in due time a bargain was mutually agreed upon which when consummated netted young Rose the neat sum of three thousand dol- lars over and above what the mortgage called for. The fortunate outcome of this transaction inspired the young man with confidence and from that time forward he devoted his attention largely to trading and met with encouraging success in nearly all of his ventures. In addition to buying, sell- ing and trading real estate, he has dealt quite extensively in all kinds of live stock, and at one time he was a large shipper of cattle and hogs, which he bought for various east- ern markets. Although to a considérable extent a trader still, he is not so extensively engaged as formerly, the greater part of his attention for some years being devoted to the pursuit of agriculture, in which he has been quite fortunate, owning at this time one of the most productive and highly im- proved farms in the township of Liberty.

Mr. Rose is a man of excellent judg- ment. which accounts for his uniform suc- cess as a-trader, and he also possesses clear ideas in matters of business. Careful in his calculations, resourceful in his dealings and eminently honorable in his relations with

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others, people have always reposed confi- dence in his word and his integrity has ever been above criticism. As a zealous Demo- crat. well-grounded in the cardinal princi- ples of the old historic party, he is widely and favorably known in political circles, be- ing one of the wheel horses of Democracy in Liberty township, while his influence in cam- paign years is felt far beyond the jurisdic- tion in which he resides. He served by ap- pointment as one of the trustees of Liberty, was a member of the board of education for a period of twelve years and during Presi- clent Cleveland's second administration was postmaster at Hughes, being the only Democrat to hold the latter position since the office was established in 1873.

Mr. Rose has been interested in various public enterprises, including among others the Hughes Home Telephone Company, of which he was one of the promoters and in the organization and management of which he has been an influential figure. He is still connected with the company, spares no pains in looking after its interests or in promoting the efficiency of the line, and ever since the organization went into effect he has served as its treasurer.

In his domestic relations Mr. Rose has been exceedingly fortunate, being the father of a most estimable family, every member of which is not only devoted to him, but mutually devoted to each other's interests, a family that has deserved all the affection of his heart. stimulated his pride, increased his hopes and contributed much to his happiness and success in life. His first wife was for- merly Miss America Cassidy. a native of Warren county. Ohio, and a lady of fine mind. sterling qualities and rare judgment, as all who enjoyed the privilege of her ac-

quaintance will bear witness. Three chil- dren resulted from this union, the first born being a son by the name of Samuel Lee Rose, a gifted young man whose brief but honorable and promising career was ter- minated by the cruel hand of death on March 30. 1903. After laying the founda- tion of his education in the public schools. Samuel entered the National Normal School at Lebanon, which he attended for several years with the object in view of fitting him- self for the profession of teaching. Finish- ing his course in that institution at the early age of seventeen, he taught one term with most gratifying success, but shortly after taking charge of his second school was in- duced to resign in order to accept the more remunerative position of deputy treasurer of Butler county, to which he was appointed by his uncle. F. W. Whitaker. After serv- ing in the latter capacity for four years, he was made deputy clerk of the courts, but a little later resigned the place to become prin- . cipal of the graded school at Venice. this county, which position he filled until the close of the term of school. At the expi- ration of the time noted he took the road for a wholesale house, but the position of traveling salesman not being entirely to his taste he soon gave it up and became principal of the Fourth Ward school in Hamilton. which place he filled so satisfactorily that he was afterwards promoted to the higher and more responsible office of superintendent of the city schools. This position calls for a high order of intellectual and professional ability, both of which Mr. Rose possessed in an eminent degree and the educational sys- tem under his capable management was making rapid advancement when the dread summons came which put a premature end

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to a life so promising and full of hope. Charles, the second of the subject's sons, is engaged in business in Hamilton and is one of the popular young men of that city. Fan- nie, the youngest of the family. married Frank Garwood, of Laporte county, Indiana. and is now living in that state. The mother of the above children died on the 9th day of September, 1893, and on January 3, 1895. Mr. Rose married his present wife, Mrs. Martha Ann Slade, whose maiden name was Cassidy and who is a cousin of his first con- panion.

In closing the brief review of the career of one of Butler county's most estimable and praiseworthy citizens, it is needless to state that he combines the sterling qualities that win success and gain the good will and ap- probation of his countrymen. Vigorous in action, resolute in purpose and with a will that hesitates at no discouragement, he has made his presence an influence for good in the community and the esteem in which he is held has been honorably earned by a life devoted to the right as he sees and under- stands it. His home, which is model in all of its appointments, is a favorite place of resort and the hospitability which reigns within its ample walls has become proverbial. The farm now in the possession of Mr. Rose is the birth-place of the late Hon. Daniel W. Voorhees, of Indiana, long popularly known as "The Tall Sycamore of the Wabash" and for many years one of the most dis- tinguished statesmen in public life. Senator Voorhees revisited the scenes of his birth in the year 1884. and was handsomely en- tertained by Mr. Rose at a sumptuous din- ner to which the distinguished guest did ample justice.

EDWARD VEIDT.

The subject's father, John Veidt, a sub- stantial German-American citizen, lives in one of the beautiful suburbs of Middletown, where he is spending the evening of a long and useful career in comparative retire- ment, though still active for one of his age and mentally as keen and alert as in his younger days. Mr. Veidt was born March 25. 1837. and spent his early life in Ger- many. having been reared by his step-father, his father dying when he was an infant only two months old. Until his fourteenth year he attended the public schools of his native place, following which he took up the trade of brick laying and within a comparatively short time became a rapid and proficient workman. Finding nearly all kinds of hand- icraft in the fatherland overcrowded and poorly paid. he decided to come to the United States: accordingly in 1854 he car- ried out this desire by taking passage for New York. which port he reached in due time after a long and somewhat tedious voy- age. From New York Mr. Veidt proceeded direct to Cincinnati, where he soon found employment in a meat market. entering the same with the object in view of learning the butcher's trade and becoming familiar with the meat business. Being industrious, quick - and apt to learn, it was not long until he was accounted an expert butcher and from the time of mastering the trade he never had to search for remunerative employment. .After spending five years in Cincinnati he disposed of his interests there and came to Butler county, locating in Milford township, where during the ensuing three years he lived at what is known as the Seven-Mile

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house, which had long been a favorite . re- sort for the traveling public and a hotel of much more than local repute.

The domestic life of Mr. Veidt began the same year in which he changed his resi- dence to Butler county, being married in 1859 to Miss Barbara Kern, who, like him- self. was born in Germany. This union was blessed with a family of thirteen children, . all but one of whom are living, their names being as follows: Charles, John, Henry, William. Edward. Mary, Louis, Selma, Catherine. Barbara. George. Harry and Albert, deceased.

Although retaining warm feelings for the fatherland and tender recollections of his home and the scenery of his youthful enjoyments and sports. Mr. Veidt is a loyal citizen to the country of his adoption and as true to its laws as any citizen born and bred on American soil. Ever since coming to the United States he has appreciated the peculiar privileges of its free institutions. and, recognizing his duties to the govern- ment under which his life work has been achieved, he tries by every means at his command to discharge the same in a man- ner befitting his station as well as to the mutual good of his fellow men. In his political belief he is a Republican, but has never taken a very active part in political or public affairs, although keenly alive to the leading questions of the day and a close ob- server of the trend of current events, Mr. Veidt's career has been long. active and. in the main. successful. He reared his large family well, provided liberally for his chil- dren as they grew to manhood and woman- hood. and as they left the parental fireside to make their several ways in the world. gave to each all the material assistance

within his power to bestow. After the fam- ily separated he became an inmate of the home of his son. Edward Veidt, with whom he now lives, spending his declining years in quiet and content, though by no means idly, as he is still active and prefers to be employed rather than to rust out as too many old people do. Possessing the genial characteristics of his nationality, among which . are an amiable nature, fine social qualities and genuine hospitality, he is not without many warm friends, being popular among his neighbors and associates and a favorite of the circles in which he moves.

Edward Veidt, fifth son of John and Barbara Veidt. was born at Seven-Mile, Butler county. Ohio, on November 7. 1864. His childhood was passed in the little town of Collinsville, where he attended the pub- lic schools until a youth of fourteen. dis- continuing his studies at that age for the purpose of engaging in business for himself to the end that he might contribute to the support of the large family which so taxed his father's financial resources, and at the same time lay a foundation for his own fu- ture. Young Veidt possessed a natural tal- ent for business and for one of his immature age his success was something outside the ordinary. With a capital of only fifteen dollars, he began his career as a stock buyer, but his operations were such that this sum was soon augumented many fold so that by the time he was twenty-one years of age he had a substantial start in life and was considered one of the well-to-do young men of Collinsville. During his seven active years in that village he dealt quite exten- sively in all kinds of live stock, buying for the different eastern markets and his busi- ness ventures succeeded beyond his most

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hopeful expectations. At the expiration of tered. The life of Mr. Veidt, while strenu- the time noted he went to Milwaukee. Wis- consin, where he was similarly engaged for a period of four years and in 1891 came to Middletown, where he has since resided and devoted his attention to buying and sell- ing hogs and cattle and occasionally horses, all of which operations returned him liberal profits. Mr. Veidt owns large feeding grounds in one of the suburbs of the city and is well prepared to care for all the stock he can handle, having ample shipping facilities and every other advantage in the way of making his business profitable and easily managed. He buys throughout a large area of Butler and adjoining counties. handles thousands of animals every year and everything to which he turns his atten- tion appears to prosper. His careful man- agement, supplemented by natural judg- ment, keen foresight, resourcefulness and practical experience, have enabled him to ac- cumulate a liberal share of this world's goods and, as already indicated, his con- tinued financial success has made him one of the solid men of the county, the ample fortune which he now commands placing him not only in independent circumstances but in a position of affluence as well.

Mr. Veidt is a man of sound intelligence and his opinions and advices carry much weight; he exercises a strong influence in business circles, not only locally but in the leading centers of his own and other states, in all of which his rating financially is very high. His dealings have always been honor- able and free from the slightest suspicion of unfair advantage, his integrity is in- corruptible and against his character and good name nothing savoring in the least of disreputable practice has ever been ut-

ous, useful and eminently honorable, has been uneventful, being that of a plain, com- mon man of the people, who has always at- tended strictly to his own affairs instead of concerning himself very much with public matters or disturbing his quiet and neglect- ing his business interests in his efforts to achieve official preferment. . While not a politician, he never loses sight of his obliga- tions to the government as a factor of the body politic; therefore, as every good citizen should, he takes an interest in the wise ad- ministration of the law and locally gives his support to the best claimants for office, in state and national issues voting the Demo- cratic ticket. It can be truly said of Mr. Veidt that he is a public-spirited man, as he has ever manifested a lively interest in the material development of his city and county and gives an earnest and undeviating sup- port to all measures and movements having for their object the moral welfare of his fellow men. He is a friend of the church and school and other laudable agencies whereby the good of the community may be promoted, and in a quiet and unostenta- tious way has been liberal in his benefac- tions to worthy charities and to the aid of . the deserving poor and unfortunate. Re- ligiously he is a Presbyterian and. while making no display of his piety by loud pro- fession, his influence like the quiet sunshine and gentle rain, has been patient and abid- ing and fruitful in its beneficial effects upon those with whom he has been brought into contact. Mr. Veidt comes from a strong. virile, energetic family whose industry and whose good name shines with peculiar lus- ter. By a useful, straightforward and emi- nently commendable career, he has added to

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the worthy reputation of his ancestors and his upright life and strong character have tended greatly to strengthen and give moral tone to the reputation of the community in which he resides.

EDWIN F. ROSENCRANS.

There are men in nearly every com- munity who, by reason of intelligence and force of character, rise above the heads of the masses and dominate in their respective spheres of endeavor or become leaders and directors of important interest. Among the progressive men of this class in Butler county is Edwin F. Rosencrans, an enter- prising farmer and stock raiser of Liberty township and a public-spirited citizen whose abiding interest in whatever tends to the ma- terial advancement of his community and the welfare of its people, have given him a prestige such as few of his contemporaries enjoy. Mr. Rosencrans is a native of But- ler county and was born in Union township on the 25th of April, 1860, being a son of Simeon and Sarah Rosencrans, who were also of Ohio birth. Robert Rosencrans. grandfather of Edwin F., emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio about one hundred years ago, and purchased from John Cleves Symmes, the farm in Liberty township which the subject now owns and cultivates and on which Simeon Rosencrans was born June 12, 1824. Sarah C. Slade, wife of Simeon Rosencrans, was born in Butler county March 26, 1828, and departed this life on March 26, 1898, her husband surviv- ing her until the 26th of November, 1901.

The early life of Edwin F. Rosencrans

was spent amid the stirring scenes of coun- try life and he grew up under the rugged but wholesome discipline of the farm, and, while still a young man, became accustomed to the various duties which such an ex- perience entails. At the proper age he en- tered the district schools and after finishing the branches constituting the curriculum, he became a student of the National Normal University of Lebanon, Ohio, where he as- siduously prosecuted his studies and laid the solid intellectual foundation upon which his subsequent success has largely depended.

Leaving the above institution in 1880, Mr. Rosencrans began to make his own way, and since that time has devoted his attention assiduously to agricultural pursuits, prefer- ring the freedom and outdoor life of the farm to any allurements which a profes- sional career can produce. His success in his chosen vocation has been most gratify- ing, and he ranks today with the most en- terprising and progressive agriculturists in his township, owning a finely improved farm, which under his consecutive industry and judicious management has been reduced to a high state of tillage and which has re- turned the liberal income that has made him practically independent. Mr. Rosencrans appreciates the dignity of his calling and has made it the subject of much careful and painstaking study and investigation. Being familiar with the quality of soils and their adaptability to the different grains and vegetables grown in this latitude, he is sel- dom mistaken in the matter of crops, and as a rule he realizes liberal returns from the time and labor expended on his fields. In brief he is a model, farmer, fully up to date in all things relating to modern agricultural methods, and has done much to advance the

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standard of successful tillage in his part of the country.

Mr. Rosencrans is a reader and thinker and, being a well-educated man, has strongly defined opinions on the leading public and political questions of the times. He was reared a Republican. early manifested a lively interest in the success of his party and was proud to cast his first presidential ballot for the gallant and distinguished statesman and the idol of his followers, James G. Blaine. Becoming incensed at the party for its indifference in rallying to the support of the "Plumed Knight" and permitting his defeat, he remained lukewarm politically until 1896, since which time he has acted with the Democracy on state and national issues, in local matters being independent.

Mr. Rosencrans is a gentleman of pleas- ing presence and great force of character, which, with his wide reading and general intelligence, give might to his opinions and influence to his personality. His fair deal- ing and high sense of honor have earned him a reputation of which he is exceedingly jealous, and the universal esteem in which he is held by his fellow citizens attest the care he has taken to keep his integrity and good name above reproach.

On February 18, 1885, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Rosencrans and Miss Laura B. Harkrader, the latter born in Warren county, Ohio, February 21, 1862, the daughter of John and Wilhelmina ( Ben- der) Harkrader, of this state. Mr. and Mrs. Rosencrans have had three children, two of whom, Stella E. and Mina, are living, the youngest, a son by the name of Edwin F., having died in infancy. Mrs. Rosencrans is a member of the Presbyterian church and deeply interested in the good work of the

congregation with which identified. Al- though not connected with any religious or- ganization, Mr. Rosencrans has profound respect for Christianity and believes the church to be a great power for good and one of the essential factors of modern civil- ization. He is a frequent attendant of the church to which his wife belongs, con- tributes of his means to its material support and encourages it by his actions and influ- ence.

HENRY SCHOENFELD, M. D.

The subject of this review is one of the representative members of the medical pro- fession in Butler county, and is established in the practice of medicine and surgery in the attractive village of Trenton, where he has built up an excellent business and where he holds prestige as a popular, loyal and public-spirited citizen, being influential in local affairs and commanding the high re- gard of all who know him. He may, in a sense, be said to have inherited a predilec- tion for the noble profession in which he has attained so unequivocal success, since his father, grandfather and great-grand- father in the agnatic line all attained to dis- tinction in the same vocation, while his mother also was an able physician.

Dr. Schoenfeld was born in Miamisburg, Montgomery county, Ohio, on the 24th of April, 1857, and is a son of Drs. Henry and Emma (Shell) Schoenfeld, the former of whom is one of the old and honored physi- cians and surgeons of the town mentioned, while his wife was also engaged in the prac- tice of medicine at the time of her death. which occurred in 1887. The subject had

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the advantages of a cultured and refined home, and his early educational discipline was secured in the public schools of his na- tive town, where he completed the cur- riculum of the high school, supplementing this by an effective course of study in a commercial college in the city of Dayton. Having determined to adopt the profession so signally honored and dignified by his par- ents and forbears, he began the study of medicine under the direction of his father. and in 1875 was matriculated in the Ohio Medical College. in the city of Cincinnati, where he was graduated as a member of the class of 1882, receiving his degree of Doc- tor of Medicine and having so thoroughly improved his opportunities in the connection as to be specially well fortified for the active work of his profession. He forthwith be- came associated with his father in practice, and continued to follow his profession in Miamisburg until the spring of 1884, when he came to Butler county and located in Trenton, where he has since continued in practice, being one of the leading and most successful physicians of this section of the county, and being held in high regard in professional, business and social circles. In his political proclivities the Doctor is a stal- wart advocate of the principles of the Demo- cratic party, and both he and his wife are members of the German Reformed church, in Miamisburg, while they attend the United Presbyterian church in Trenton, as there is no organization of the German Reformed denomination here. The Doctor is affiliated with Minerva Lodge, No. 98, Free and Ac- cepted Masons; Trinity Lodge, No. 49. Royal Arch Masons; Miamisburg Lodge, No. 44. Knights of Pythias : Uniform Rank, No. 33, of the same order, in his native city :

and Court Alpha, No. 1610, Independent Order of Foresters, in Trenton. Dr. Schoen- feld takes a deep interest in local affairs of a public nature and specially in educational matters, having served for the past seven years as a member of the board of education and having been one of the leading factors in securing the dispensation by which Tren- ton was made a special school district and finally provided with a high school.

On the 23d of August, 1883, in his na- tive town, was solemnized the marriage of Dr. Schoenfeld to Miss Kate C. Britton, who was likewise born in Miamisburg, being a daughter of Isaac and Mary Britton. They have one daughter, Esther L., who was graduated in the Trenton high school as a member of the class of 1900 and sin the Hamilton high school as a member of the class of 1903. She has shown distinctive musical talent and is being accorded the best possible advantages in her study of the "divine art." She was born in Miamisburg, on the 29th of June, 1884. and is one of Trenton's most accomplished and popular young ladies.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 102

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1149

Author: Bert S. Bartlow, W. H. Todhunter, Stephen D. Cone, Joseph J. Pater, Frederick Schneider, and others
Publication date: 1905
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1149