Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 77

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

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dence is on Trent street, in Hamilton, and Miss Flora completes the family circle, she being at home with her mother. Dr. Cook was married on the 24th of April, 1895, the lady of his choice being Miss Emma Shulte, a native of Hamilton. Three sons, Walter, Edward and Frank, have come to bless their union.

Dr. Cook promptly identified himself with the professional societies within his reach, and takes much interest in their delib- erations, being a member of the Butler County Medical Society and the Ohio State Medical Association. He was reared in the faith of the Roman Catholic church and at- tends the services at St. Stephen's. He is a member of several of the permissible fra- ternities, including the Catholic Order of Foresters, the Protected Home Circle and St. George's Benevolent Society. He is the medical examiner for all of these, and in addition is also the local examiner for the Knights of St. John and the. Ladies' Society of Foresters.

HENRY KRONE, M. D.

The subject of this review is one of the able and popular young physicians and sur- geons of the city of Hamilton, and is well worthy of recognition in this work among others of the representative members of his profession in Butler county.

Dr. Krone is a native of the city of Cin- cinnati, Ohio, where he was born on the 11th of January, 1881, his parents removing from the "Queen City" to Hamilton when he was a lad of about seven years. He is a son of Henry and Teresa (Einsfeld) Krone, both of stanch German lineage, the parents of the

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latter having been born in Mainz, on the of the board of city school examiners, hav- Rhine. The paternal grandfather, Dr. ing been appointed to this position upon the death of Superintendent S. L. Rose, whom he succeeded. He is a communicant of St. Joseph's church, Roman Catholic, and in politics he gives his allegiance to the Democratic party. He enjoys distinctive pop- ularity in the social circles of his home city and has the respect of his professional con- freres. Henry Krone, was a native of Hanover, Germany, and in the fatherland secured a thorough professional education, having been a surgeon in the German army prior to his immigration to America. He came to Ohio and located in Hamilton. being one of the able and honored pioneer physicians of Butler county, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. The father of our sub- ject is now engaged in the drug business in Hamilton, where he has made his home for MATHIAS ARENT. many years, and he is one of the highly es- teemed citizens and business men of the city. He and his wife are the parents of two chil- dren, of whom the Doctor is the elder. his sister. Teresa, being still at the parental home.

Dr. Krone secured his early educational training in St. Stephen's parochial school and in the public schools of Hamilton, and began reading medicine under the precept- orship of Dr. M. M. Jacobs, of this city. In 1896 he was matriculated in Miami Medi- cal College, at Cincinnati; and was gradu- ated as a member of the class of 1901, re- ceiving his degree of Doctor of Medicine. He forthwith began the active practice of his profession in Hamilton, his fine offices being located in the parental residence, at 807 Central avenue. He has been successful in his efforts and is gradually building up an excellent practice, popular appreciation of his ability and his devotion to his work be- ing shown from the time he gave inception to the active duties of his profession. He is a member of the alumni association of Miami Medical College and of the Butler County Medical Society, while he has sev- eral fraternal affiliations. He is a member

This well-known and popular citizen has been a resident of Hamilton for forty-six years. During this period, which largely ex- ceeds an average lifetime, he has been one of the most useful citizens, sustaining a high standing among the business and social func- tions of Hamilton. Great credit is due to the intelligent and resourceful contractor and builder for the symmetry and architec- tural beauty of his handiwork. Often the construction of a new home is left largely to the discretion and good judgment of the builder, and in all cases he is considered as a safe counsellor, the owners preferring to be relieved of the perplexity and interfer- ence with other business, which produces the means. Mr. Arent has, therefore. become not only a necessity as a contractor and builder, but also as a trusted adviser, whose keen perception and intimate knowledge of the intricate minutae of building have placed him at the head of his chosen profession in Hamilton. The results of forty-six years of incessant toil can scarcely be computed. nor the value of his products safely esti- mated. True it is that Mr. Arent has con- structed a vast number of buildings,-many

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rich and pretentious .- others of less value. -but in keeping with the desires or ability of those for whom he worked. Probably no man in Hamilton has been instrumental to the extent that Mathias Arent has in build- ing up the city and in adding to the comfort and stability of its homes. To this extent he has been one of the most useful men along the line of mechanical pursuits, as well as a public-spirited and active worker in social and political affairs. Mr. Arent is a thor- ough master of his trade and along many lines of wood-working mechanics he is a recognized expert. His extensive travel in the early years of his professional work brought him in contact with men and meth- ods and facilitated his development along mechanical lines to a great degree.

Mathias Arent was born in New York city, on the 14th of February, 1832. His parents died there in 1847-8, and from that day till the present he has been entirely self- dependent. As a homeless boy, at the age of fourteen years, he found his way to New Brunswick, New Jersey, and there he be- came an apprentice to the carpenter's trade. Only those who speak from experience can properly portray the trials and hardships of a homeless child, thrust out into the unfeel- ing world during the years of infancy. The yearning for mother's love and father's care and protection, are generally reciprocated by frowns and fault-finding by those who are burdened with the care of children not their own. But the young hero made the best of his opportunities, gaining at the same time a fair English education and master- ing with ready skill the intricacies of his chosen trade.

After completing his apprenticeship he traveled for some time as a journeyman

worker, and finally located in Jersey City. New Jersey, and there he was married on the 21st of December, 1854. when he chose as his life's companion Miss Mary E. Win- tersteen, of that city. A year later the young couple sought a home in the West, stopping about a year at Calumet Station. Indiana, and located for two years at Jack- sonburg. in Butler county, Ohio. At that time. though the country had been settled for fifty years, it had not developed beyond the stage of pioneer days. A man was con . sidered quite well-to-do who possessed a double log house. a barn of the same mate- rial, and the necessary domestic animals and tools to properly carry on the work of farm- ing. Much of the choicest timber was con- signed to the log-heap. The surplus prod- ucts of the farms went to the local markets, Cincinnati being a large consumer even at that time: but the East and the West were not united by the numerous steel bands of the present day. hence foreign markets were not formidable rivals to the local ones.

Mr. Arent has witnessed, and been an active participator in. the marvelous devel- opment of this country since the year 1858. At that time Hamilton boasted of a popula- tion of less than six thousand. and its busi- ness and manufacturing industries assumed only the proportions of an average country town. Today it is one of the leading manu- facturing centers of the United States, and no city of its size in the country can compare with it in the value of the capital invested in manufacturing. The subject of this sketch has been one among the progressive and ag- gressive business men who have made Ham- ilton a thriving and wealthy city, its popula- tion comprising thirty thousand souls.

Mr. Arent has never been a seeker for

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political honors, though he has always taken an active interest in public affairs. He advo- cates municipal purity and honesty regard- less of the name of the party which brings it. He served during 1881-2 and 1891-2 as a member of the city council.

Mr. and Mrs. Arent are the parents of four children living-Mathias, Andrew J., Jean, and Anna T., now the wife of James P. Stillwaugh, living next door to the par- ents. The sons are all married and engaged in contracting and lumber business.

Mrs. Arent is a daughter of Samuel S. and Sophia (Colthar) Wintersteed. They are esteemed people and came west in an early day. The father was a contractor and builder, a man of wonderful resources and a money maker. They returned to Seneca county, New York, where they died. Mr. Arent has a beautiful home, modern and up-to-date in all its appliances, situated at 205 North C street. It is large and com- modious, a model in convenience and archi- tectural design. The lot comprises one- fourth of a block, upon which is located four good residences, occupied for the most part by their children. Mr. Arent was an inti- mate acquaintance of Alexander Hamilton, for whose father Fort Hamilton was named. -

A. J. WARNDORF.

A. J. Warndorf is a native of Meppen, Hanover, Germany, born May 7, 1863. He accompanied his father to America in 1872, and located at once in Hamilton, Ohio. He was the son of Bernard and Teresa Warn- dorf, natives of the same province as him- self. The mother died in her native land

when the.subject was a child of three years, while the father is a resident of Hamilton, a retired baker. Mr. Warndorf was edu- cated in the parochial schools of Hamilton and has been a resident of this city from childhood to the present. He is a man uni- versally esteemed for his many excellent traits of character. He is genial and com- panionable, and has made a success of his business efforts, yet he has always extended the open hand of charity to the worthy dis- tressed who appeal to him for aid. Mr. Warndorf has many warm friends in Ham- ilton and is regarded as an honorable and upright business man. He has been the pro- prietor of the well-known Palace Cafe, at the southeast corner of Third and High streets, under the Hotel Stroble, for many years. Under his careful and conservative management, this popular and up-to-date re- sort has maintained a high standing among the better class of people who frequent such places. The rooms are handsomely fur- nished and modern in all features of the trade. The business is conducted upon the principle of "live and let live," in strict ac- cordance with the law in all details.

Mr. Warndorf is an influential citizen and is very prominent in the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, being past exalted ruler of Hamilton Lodge, No. 93. On his retirement from the principal office of the lodge in 1904, he was presented with a handsome and very valuable diamond-stud- ded jewel or badge of the order, which he values very highly for its associations. He is a member of Hamilton Court, No. 834, Catholic' Order of Foresters, and Branch No. 1, Catholic Knights of Ohio. In polit- ical affiliations he is an influential Democrat, active and zealous in the councils of his

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party. Though in no sense an office seeker, he has been honored by the local Democracy with positions of prominence.

A. J. Warndorf was happily married with Miss Catherine Hemann, and three in- teresting children, Joseph H., Edward F. and Raymond F., have come to bless the union. The only daughter, Josephine, died in childhood. The family are members of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church.

CAPT. FREDERICK E. HUMBACH.

Humbach then bought a small tract of land near the present suburb of Lindenwald, and there erected a hotel to accommodate the numerous employes of a large distillery then located near by. This house was named by its proprietor "The Lindenwald". and this name, imported from Germany, has become the designation of one of Hamilton's princi- pal summer resorts. The Lindenwald was operated successfully for three years, when Mr. Humbach sold out and purchased a farm near Indianapolis, where he remained for two years. He then rented this Indiana property and returned to Hamilton and bought a business house on High street, es- tablishing a wholesale liquor business and saloon, and continuing there from absence in the army. In 1888 he rented the property, which he had occupied for thirty years, and moved to a private residence near the county infirmary, and lived there for eight years. He and his wife are now located in a pleasant suburban home adjoining the town plat of Williams- dale on the Cincinnati, Dayton and Toledo traction line. Here this venerable couple spend their declining years in cultivating their beautiful garden and in enjoying a well-earned rest from action.

Capt. Frederick E. Humbach is a na- tive of Prussia, Germany, born on the 6th of February, 1826. He remained in his . 1858 until 1888 except for a brief native country until fourteen years of age, attending the national schools. In 1840 the parental home was transferred to the new world and established temporarily at Wil- liamsport, Pennsylvania. In 1843 the fam- ily removed to St. Louis and the year fol- lowing returned to Cincinnati, locating on a farm near Glendale, in Hamilton county. Mr. Humbach learned the stone-mason's trade at Glendale, and combining the laying of stone with working on the parental farm for the succeeding four years. In 1848 he and his brother Jacob L., who was then mar- Mr. Humbach has a military history of which he is justly proud. In 1852 he joined the Ohio National Guard and was captain of the Jackson Guards for several years. A part of this time he served as aide-de-camp to General Harrison, with the rank of brig- ade major. The Jackson Guards went into the three-months service in the Civil war, and their old captain escorted them to Co- lumbus, where. with tearful goodbyes, he turned them over to the governor of the ried, came to Hamilton and leased the old Mansion House, which then stood on the present site of the Frechtling block. Some three years were spent at this location, when, in 1849, Jacob sold out and removed to Cincinnati. On the 3d of May. 1849, Mr. Humbach was married and with his young wife began hotel-keeping in the old Kissling House, which they bought and operated for two years. Mr. 33

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state. While there he was tendered a com- mission as major of a regiment, but declined the honor, stating that his highest aspiration was to command a company. After arrang- ing his business affairs so that he could con- sistently leave home, he accepted the cap- taincy of Company D, One Hundred and Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and left for the seat of war. Before leaving Hamilton, his company was presented with a hand- some silk flag which they proudly bore to the front. Going at once to Louisville, Ken- tucky, they were soon in the heart of the enemy's country. When near the battle ground of Stone River, the brigade of which the One Hundred and Eighth was a part was surrounded by greatly superior num- bers and made prisoners of war. They were paroled on the field between Murfreesboro and Nashville, Tennessee, and sent to parole camp at Columbus. Captain Humbach was seriously disabled during the active service preceding this event. and while yet a pris- oner of war resigned his commission and re- turned home. He still owns the business house on High street, which has become a source of considerable revenue.

The wife of Captain Humbach was in maidenhood Miss Caroline Stahl, a native of Germany, who came to this county in 1838, being then a child of two and a half years. Captain Humbach says he has mar- ried this lady three times and is not yet tired of his bargain. They celebrated their silver wedding in 1874 and the golden jubilee in 1899. Both are in the enjoyment of good health and the possession of all their natural faculties. Five children were born to these parents, four of whom are now living. The eldest was Jacob, who died at the age of forty years, leaving three orphan children,

his wife having died previously. The grand- parents reared two of these children, Carl E. and Elsie. The former is a draughtsman at the Niles Tool Works Company in Ham- ilton; Elsie is a young lady at home. Wil- liam, the third of this family, is a molder by trade. Both he and his brother are married. Mary, the second child of Captain and Mrs. Humbach, is also at home with her parents, as are also Carrie and Elizabeth; Frederick P. is president and manager of a business concern in Hamilton. He married Lena Bosch, a sister of Hon. Charles S. Bosch, the mayor of Hamilton for the last twelve years. They have three sons, John Edward, Robert Frederick and Walter Ernst. Cap- tain Humbach is a member of the Independ- ent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Ancient Order of United Workmen and the German Benevolent Society. He is a Jackson Demo- crat in his political affiliations, though liberal in local politics. He has served as a mem- ber of the Hamilton city council.

CAPT. HOBART H. HATCH.

Prominent among the leading residents of Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, is Capt. Hobart H. Hatch, whose parents are Timo- thy and Lucretia (Buell) Hatch, the former a native of Dutchess county, New York, the latter born in the state of Connecticut. The Buell family moved to New York state, where the daughter. Lucretia, met and mar- ried Timothy Hatch, who was born in the year 1764, and who was one of the leading and most successful farmers in that part of the state. He also enjoyed the distinction of being a captain in the state militia, and

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departed this life in 1844, greatly respected by all who knew him.

. Captain Hatch was reared on his father's farm in New York, where he received what educational training the common schools of that period could give him and later added to his stock of knowledge by attending a school of more advanced advantages. When quite a young man he left his father's farm and accepted a position as clerk in a store, of which, by industry and thrift, he later became proprietor. In the year 1852 he dis- posed of his business and moved to Rock- ford, Illinois, where he was engaged for sev- eral years in business, during which time he was united in marriage with Allie O. Foster, of LeRoy, New York, the daughter of a prosperous merchant of that place. A few years later the war cry sounded throughout the country and, like all true American citi- zens who could respond to his country's need, he enlisted in Company D, Seventy- fourth Illinois Regiment, as a private, but later, in compliment of his daring and cour- ageous spirit, he was made first lieutenant, and again was rewarded for his services by- being made captain of his company. Cap- tain Hatch served his country three years in the terrible struggle, engaging in many of the dangerous and important battles, and won the universal regard and admiration of all with whom he was associated.

At the close of the war he returned to New York city, where he engaged in a Wall street brokerage for ten years, at the ex- piration of which time he left the east and came to Middletown. Butler county, Ohio, where he and his family have since resided. Here he opened up a hardware store, which he has most successfully managed for twenty years, winning by his courteous and

kindly manner the respect and good will of his many friends and patrons. He is an energetic, public-spirited man and has served his county and township in many dif- ferent capacities, among which are that of township clerk of Lemon township, which position he filled four years, and also that of township treasurer, which position he has held for the same period. As a servant of the people he has worked not only with great credit to himself but to the entire sat- isfaction of his party. He is a stanch Re- publican politically and, like his father, a member of the time-honored order of Ma- sons. He also belongs to the Grand Army of the Republic and the Loyal Legion, in both of which organizations he is an influ- ential member and a worthy officer. He is interested in all charitable and benevolent institutions.

Capt. H. H. Hatch is the father of four children, namely: Helen, Mary, Elizabeth and Hobart. Helen (Mrs. J. L. Houston), resides in Omaha, the others in Middletown, Ohio. He is a man of energy, strength and spirit and has the confidence and es- teem of all who know him.

RICHARD BROWN.

No family of Butler county is more prominently identified with its development, or more thoroughly a part of its history, than the Browns, of Ross township. The ances- tors of the present generations of the fam- ily bearing the Brown name came to this part of the Buckeye state from Berkeley county, Virginia, about the same time as did the Andersons, Butterfields. Cones, Har-

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veys, Shaws, Willeys and Wades. They purchased vast tracts of bottom lands on the great Miami river, extending from Venice well into Crosby township, Hamilton county, the land being purchased at the first sale of government land on the Miami river, in May, 1803. These pioneers, inured to the hard- ships and privations of frontier life," com- menced the hard task of clearing the land, which at that time was covered with dense timber and which to render fit for cultivation required strenuous toil unappreciated at the present date. These early pioneers soon erected the typical log cabins of the period and in a short time their homes were ren- dered comfortable, and as time passed the families prospered and contented. The im- mediate subject of this sketch, Richard Brown, was born near Venice, Ross town- ship, this county. November 11. 1838. He received a complete education as gauged by the facilities of that time and period. and by occupation is a civil engineer. During his active practice of this profession he at- tained considerable note because of the care- ful and painstaking methods followed by him and his public spirit and popularity soon made him a prominent figure in local affairs. A Democrat in politics, he early became identified with party matters and was for many years connected with the auditor's of- fice, having held that responsible position for six years and having also acted for twelve years as an efficient deputy in that office. "In 1889 there was an interim of ten months in the auditor's office made so by an act of the legislature. The commission- ers tendered Mr. Brown the appointment. for the interim, provided he would depose the late Christian Rothenbush, who was his able, honest and efficient deputy. The offer

was spurned with contempt, although it en- tailed a loss in salary to Mr. Brown of two thousand five hundred dollars. He grace- fully retired from the office for ten months, after which he entered upon his second term with Christian Rothenbush as his chief dep- uty." Upon retiring from this official posi- tion Mr. Brown went to his farm, which is located two and one-half miles south of Hamilton, and has ever since been living in retirement, enjoying the fruits of years of industry. Mr. Brown's public career, char- acterized by ability, industry and close appli- cation to his duties, gained for him a host of warm personal friends and today he enjoys an enviable reputation as a scholarly gentle- man and a useful and influential citizen. Mr. Brown takes a keen interest in the early pioneer history of Butler county, and is also a keen student in the field of achaeology. It has been said that "Honest Dick Brown was one of the best officials Butler county ever had in any capacity." and he certainly well deserves representation in this volume.

JAMES E. NEAL.

One of Butler county's leading and well- known citizens is he whose name appears above and the centennial history of this county would be incomplete were there fail- ure to make mention of him. Mr. Neal was born in Hamilton, Ohio, February 21, 1846, and is the son of . James A. and Margaret (Giffen) Neal, who were among the pioneer families of Hamilton. The father was a native of Maine and the mother of Pennsyl- vania and they were sterling pioneers, occu- pying a high position in the esteem of all

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who knew them. The subject of this sketch received his preliminary education in the public school of Hamilton. graduating from the high school of Hamilton in 1862. His student years were characterized by sturdy industry and a close application to his stud- ies, resulting in a high order of scholastic attainment. On completing his education he took up the study of law under the pre- ceptorship of Robert Christy, under whose able tutorship the ground work of his pro- fessional education was firmly established. After being admitted to the bar of this county Mr. Neal launched out into a sphere of activity and usefulness which has contin- ued with constantly widening scope to the present time, and he has not only established a wide and lucrative practice, but because of his ability and his business methods he stands high among his professional col- leagues. In 1875 Mr. Neal was elected to the lower house of the Ohio legislature and served four years in that body. During the sessions of 1878 and 1879 he was elected speaker of the house and performed the du- ties of the position with marked ability. He took an active part in the legislative pro- ceedings of the sessions and performed much valuable service for his constituents. He has been a useful and public-spirited citizen and has ever held high rank in political. busi- ness and social circles. He was a member of the court-house building commission that aided in the erection of the present elegant and substantial structure and during Presi- dent Cleveland's second term he served this government as its representative at Liver- pool. England.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 77

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