Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 85

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 85

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In 1858 Dr. Markt was appointed bri- gade surgeon of the Southern division of the Ohio militia, and he held this office until the brigade entered active service in the Civil war. He was for ten years secretary of the board of trustees of the Lane Library and to him is due much of the early popularity and upbuilding of that valuable institution. He was for a long period a member of the Hamilton board of health, serving as secre- tary of the same for eighteen years, while for four years was treasurer of the board of education. He has long been one of the honored members of the Ohio State Medical Society, of which he was president for two years.

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JOHN C. MATHER.

The subject of this sketch was born at East Lynn, Hartford county, Connecticut, on the 20th of June, 1863, and is the young- est of two children born to John M. and Mary J. (Mitchell) Mather, also natives of the Nutmeg state. The father enlisted as a soldier in the Twenty-sixth Connecticut Regiment during the Civil war, and lost his life on the 10th of August, 1863, the sub- ject being then an infant about seven weeks old. The sister, whose name was Anna B., married P. C. Kamm and resides in Mil- waukee, Wisconsin, where her husband is a prosperous broker and -grain dealer.

When Mr. Mather was a babe of thir- teen months old, he was brought to Hamil- ton by his mother, since which time his home has been in this city. He remained at the maternal. home during his boyhood years and received a good practical educa- tion in the city schools. After the marriage of the daughter, the mother took up her resi- dence in Milwaukee, where she now resides, faithful to the name and memory of her girlhood love.

John C. Mather served an apprenticeship to the machinist's trade and became a very proficient mechanic, following that business in Hamilton for about twenty years. In 1895, through the kindly offices of Hon. P. J. Sorg, then representative in congress, Mr. Mather received an appointment in the bureau of printing and engraving at Wash- ington. He resigned the office of court bailiff, which he held by appointment of Hon. C. Murphy, to go to Washington in the discharge of the duties of this position. He entered upon his mechanical duties in that department and served about one year,

during which time he was appointed deputy sheriff of Butler county, under the late Wil- liam Bruck. He chose the position which would bring him in touch with his family and friends, and resigning the government position, returned to Hamilton. Mr. Mather served acceptably as deputy sheriff for four years, when he returned to his trade in Hamilton, but was employed only fifteen months when the great machinists' strike of 1901 resulted in his retirement from the business. Mr. Mather was presi- dent of the local union at the time and his employers thought that his official position was such that he might have exercised his influence to prevent the strike, which he had no disposition to do, owing to the griev- ances of the men concerned. It was prob- ably very fortunate for Mr. Mather that the strike occurred, in that his enforced idleness for the time gave him opportunity to investigate other lines of business. He soon became a member of the firm of J. Pabst & Sons Company in the manufacture of carbonated waters, cider and cider vine- gar. This is an old-established plant, in existence since incorporated in 1876, and doing a very large and profitable business. Besides being a member of the firm and a sharer in the profits, Mr. Mather is the general manager and has charge of the manufacturing and bottling sales depart- ment. In the city of Hamilton alone the goods are placed on sale in one hundred and sixty-eight establishments, while the outside demand is very large.

Mr. Mather was a member of the board of education from 1890 to 1894, during which time the Central high school building and two ward school buildings were erected. He was a member of the

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building committee having charge of this up his residence in Indianapolis, Indiana. work and the expenditure of more than He remained at the Hoosier capital until eighty thousand dollars of public money. In April, 1903, under the provisions of the new code, he was elected a member of the board of public service and still occupies that position.

Mr. Mather has been twice married, first on the 10th of January, 1886, to Miss Annie Elzer, who died on the 10th of March, 1888, leaving a daughter sixteen months old. She was named Henrietta, and died on the 17th of April, 1892. The second marriage of the subject occurred on the 10th of May, 1893, Miss Lena Ohlinger, of Hamilton, being the lady of his choice. She is the daughter of Balser and Lizzetta Ohlinger, a well-known family in this part of Butler county. There are no children by this marriage. Mr. Mather is prominent in the councils of local Democracy, with which party he has always affiliated. He is active and influential and is a recognized leader in local politics. He is an active member of Hamilton Lodge, No. 93, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and himself and wife are members of the Catholic church.

ALBERT HOSSFELD.

This well-known young business man is a native of Hamilton, and was born on the 4th of July, 1868. He is the only son of Charles and Ida (Mueller) Hossfeld, both of whom are natives of Germany. Charles Hossfeld was born in Saxe-Meining Sep- tember 16, 1838, and at the age of nineteen years he immigrated to America and took

1865, being there employed, for the most part, as a clerk in a wholesale liquor estab- lishment. By industry and close economy he had saved enough from his earnings dur- ing seven years of labor to enable him to return to the fatherland and to consummate a tender alliance formed in his more youth- ful days. ' He returned with his bride to Indianapolis, but soon thereafter removed to Hamilton, and in 1865 engaged for a short time in the grocery business. This was soon superseded by the business in which he is now engaged, and in 1871 he occupied his present quarters at the corner of Second and Court streets. The business has grown from a humble beginning, in 1865, to one of the largest wholesale liquor establishments in southern Ohio. It is conducted on strictly honorable business principles, a policy which has brought prosperity and financial success to its worthy promoter. During all of the years engaged in the traffic, Mr. Hoss- feld has never allowed a drink of the liquor to be sold in his establishment and the place is as quiet and orderly as any office or busi- ness place in Hamilton. Occupying two floors and basement, forty by sixty feet in dimensions, the house carries a very large and well-selected stock of wines and liquors, which are handled exclusively for the whole- sale trade. For some years goods were sold from the establishment through representa- tives on the road, thus securing a large ac- quaintance among consumers in distant lo- calities, but as these came to the knowledge that the goods were always uniform, and ex- actly as represented, the traveling salesmen were withdrawn. The mail order business and local trade gives employment to five men.

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After leaving school Albert Hossfeld nat- urally engaged in his father's profession, and this has been his employment since 1883. During the twenty-one years thus engaged he has traveled extensively and has seen a great deal of the world ; yet, notwithstanding his business and its environments, Mr. Hoss- feld is a model young business man, temper- ate in his habits, genteel in manner, culti- vated and refined in disposition. With ad- vancing years, the father sought a degree of ease and retirement not to be found in active business life, and the son was made a part- ner in 1894, under the firm title of C. Hoss- feld & Son. Since then the subject has been the general manager of the extensive busi- ness, while the aged father sits around the office, reading, and entertaining his friends, or remains at home as his inclination de- cides.

Both parents are living and the head of a happy family of eight children, seven of whom are living. In order of birth their names are : Minnie. Albert, Anna. Augusta, Ida. Lena and Lottie. Clara died in young womanhood. Anna is the wife of Otto Metzner. of Roseville, Ohio. The others are still around the parental fireside and free from the cares of married life.

Knights of Pythias. He is also a member of the United Commercial Travelers' Asso- ciation, and a local organization, of limited membership, known as the Miami Aid So- ciety. This is an association for social and protective purposes, limited to forty-one members.

JOHN CHARLES CONE, A. B.

The subject of this article is a native of Butler county, born at Hamilton. August 25, 1878. He is a son of Stephen D. and Barbara Catherine (Burkett) Cone. The father is too well-known in Butler county to need any formal introduction on this occa- sion. To him is largely due the existence of this volume, in the preparation of which he has been a tireless worker, even amid the in- firmities of disease and approaching old age. A complete sketch of Stephen Cone's life work appears under proper title in this vol- ume. Suffice to say that he was born at Venice. Butler county. Ohio, on the 12th day of February. 1840. His life has been spent principally in journalism. From young manhood it was his ambition to pub- lish a history of his native county, and he has spent nearly fifty years in collecting and arranging material for that purpose. Since 1896 he has published two comprehensive volumes of Hamilton history, these being but the preliminary steps in the fruition of his laudable ambition. The mother of Prof. John C. Cone is deserving of more than a passing notice. She has been to her hus- band and family all that a faithful, devout and conscientious wife and mother could be. Her patience and tolerance toward erring

Albert Hossfeld is a young man of pro- nounced views on public questions and is independent in his political relations. While favoring the policies of the Democratic party, and usually supporting its candidates on national and state issues, he is not bound by party lines and supports men rather than measures. on local affairs. He is promi- nently allied with several fraternal organi- zations, in which he takes a deep interest. Of these may be mentioned the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the childhood and the mistakes of manhood have

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JOHN C. CONE.

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endeared her to the beneficiaries in a sense incalculable, and her life work stands out before them in the full radiance of womanly devotion and self-sacrifice. For more than forty years Mrs. Cone has been an active, faithful and devout member of the First Baptist church in Hamilton. Her devotion to the cause of Christ and humanity have been bounded only by the sphere of oppor- tunity and ability. In sickness a faithful and tireless nurse, in business reverses and disappointments a wise counsellor and sym- pathetic helper, ever patient, ever loyal, al- ways tolerant of others' errors, and ready to supply the soothing balm of re-established confidence, though often betrayed-such, in brief, are some of the salient characteris- tics in the life of Mrs. Cone, whose existence has been strengthened and beautified in her faithful adherence to the teachings of that great moral code, the golden rule. Barbara C. Burkett was born in Preble county. Ohio. October 3. 1843. She was united in mar- riage with Stephen D. Cone on the 30th of December. 1864. and eight children were born to this union, five of whom are now living.

John Charles Cone, the subject of this article, was from early youth a studious and moral boy. He was graduated from the Hamilton school in the class of 1897, being then in his nineteenth year. Immediately thereafter he was enrolled as a student in Richmond (Virginia) College, where he pursued a two-years course along special lines of literature and art. The succeeding two years were spent in journalism, being employed on the Republican News. in this city. In this sphere of his student life he evinced an aptitude for the work and con- tinued it during his three-years course at

the Ohio State University. His holidays and vacations were spent in writing "feat- ure articles" from the files of rare newspa- pers in the state library, at Columbus. He was graduated from the Ohio State Univer- sity in June, 1903, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts. During his college life, both at Richmond and Columbus, Mr. Cone took an active interest and prominent part in the deliberations of the literary societies connected therewith. From Richmond he won two medals in literary contests and took first rank in the inter-state literary con- tests of the Ohio State University. In rec- ognition of his ability he was elected a member of the "Fellow in Library," at the last-named institution. On the completion of his college work, Mr. Cone applied for a position as principal of the Millersburg, Ohio, high school, and was elected, entering upon his duties there in September. 1903. In the brief period he has fully demon- strated his adaptability to the work and es- tablished an enviable record as a strong and capable educator. Without solicitation, he was chosen to a position in the popular teaching force of his native city and en- tered upon the discharge of his duties as head of the department of English in the Hamilton high school in September. 1904.

Professor Cone is a member of May Lodge. No. 350. Knights of Pythias, at Mill- ersburg. Ohio. In church affiliations he has been a member of the First Baptist church in Hamilton since May, 1891, being less than thirteen years of age when he con- nected himself with the church. His life has been consistent and of the highest moral and religious calibre. He is recognized in the city of Hamilton as a young man with- out a fault. His career of usefulness is only

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commenced and, if the biographer may be on his own account for a number of years, allowed a prediction, it is this : that the life career of this exemplary and highly talented. young man will honor the city of his birth and crown the heads of his loving and de- voted parents with the jewels of gracious promise.

WILLIAM T. COLEMAN.

William T. Coleman is a son of Patrick and Mary ( Murray) Coleman, who were both natives of Stookestown, county Ros- common, Ireland. The father was born on the 2d of February: 1833, and the mother's birth occurred on the 18th of February. 1836. They were married in St. Peter's church, New York city. by Rev. William Quinn, on the 14th of October, 1857. Soon after marriage the parents came to Hamil- ton. Ohio, and here the father was connected with the freight department of the Cin- cinnati, Hamilton & Dayton Railway for

many years. His death occurred on the 15th of October, 1886, while the mother is still living. The children born to these parents are Thomas. Mary, William T., Patrick J., Anna, Katie, Margaret, John, Ella and Jennie. Three are dead, viz : Thomas, Patrick and Ella ..

William T. Coleman, of this sketch, was born in Hamilton. December 28. 1862, and received a liberal education in the parochial and public schools of his native city. He learned the tailor's trade and acquired such proficiency in the business that he was soon recognized as an expert cutter. His tutor during his apprenticeship was the late John Maas. well remembered by the people of Hamilton. Mr. Coleman was in business

and established a fine reputation among his patrons. His popularity and ability were recognized by George Krebs, who owns one of the leading clothing houses in Hamilton, and he submitted a flattering offer to Mr. Coleman, which ultimately led to the lat- ter's engagement and he sold out his busi- ness and joined Mr. Krebs on salary in January, 1902. He and his associate, Wil- liam Gerber, are cutters and fitters for the eighteen tailors employed in the establish- ment. This is the largest merchant tailor- ing house in Hamilton and no doubt its popularity among the leading people of the city is largely due to Mr. Coleman's fine abilities as master of his trade. He takes great pride in his work, and his geniality and personal interest in the business are the subject of complimentary remarks among the numerous patrons. The parents of Mr. Coleman were devout Catholics in their re- ligious faith, being members of St. Mary's congregation in Hamilton. Their children were also reared in the Roman Catholic church. In the social affairs of life the sub- ject is prominent and well known. His lodge affiliations are with the Butler Aerie. No. 407, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Divi- sion No. 1, Ancient Order Hibernians, and the R. C. N. P. A.

WILLIAM F. MASON.

William F. Mason, the subject of this sketch, is a son of Martin and Barbara Mason, natives of Germany. They emi- grated to the United States in youth, and were married in Hamilton, Ohio. The

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father was proprietor of a boarding house. with a saloon in connection, and died in that business in 1877, at the age of fifty- four years. His widow still lives in Hamil- ton, well-advanced in years ,and the pos- sessor of valuable property interests. Eight children were born to these parents, the eldest of whom was Martin Mason, Jr., who became one of the leading business men of Hamilton. For a number of years he was at the head of the Martin Mason Brewing Company, an industry which he developed from a small beginning and un- certain prospects into a solid and influential · enterprise, which still exists in his name. He became very well-to-do and died in mid- dle life, leaving his wife and two sons, who survived him, in affluent circumstances. Martin Mason was a sagacious, far-seeing business man, strictly honorable and upright in all his dealings with men.

William F. Mason, of this sketch, was born in Hamilton May 26, 1869. He ac- quired a thorough business education in the public schools and at Nichols' Commer- cial College. For seven years after leav- ing school he was employed as bookkeeper. in the well-known H. P. Deuscher manu- facturing establishment, where he demon- strated his ability and integrity in a clerical capacity. His employer, Captain Deuscher, became interested with Martin Mason in the Eagle Brewery, and the subject became the bookkeeper in that concern. With the development of this industry and the merg- · ing of the plant into the Martin Mason Brewing Company, he became the secretary and treasurer and so continued for a num- ber of years, and is at present concerned extensively in the business, though occupy- ing a less onerous position. Mr. Mason was

city auditor of Hamilton for three terms, beginning in April, 1894. He has extensive interests in various enterprises in the city and is one of the capable and successful men of Hamilton.

Mr. Mason was married on the 20th of June, 1900, when he chose for his life com- panion Miss Antoinette, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Rupp, of this city. For a fuller sketch of her family see article headed George Rupp. Mr. and Mrs. Mason have two children, William R. and Charles R. Mr. Mason is a Democrat in his po- litical affiliations, and closely allied with the dominant party in Hamilton and Butler county. He has served as a member of the Democratic state central and executive committees and served as receiver for the large Campbell estate.

GEORGE BOGER, A. B.

George Boger, principal of the Mosler school, in East Hamilton, is a native of But- ler county, Ohio, his birth having occurred at Venice, Ross township, on the 23d of October, 1865. He was reared to young manhood on a farm, and spent his early years in the district school and in farm labors, as required by his environments. He is a son of Jacob and Mary (Hinger) Boger, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father died when the subject was a child of six years, having been always in delicate health and passing away at the age of thirty-six years, of consumption. Of five children born to these parents. four are living. The eldest of these is William, a stationary engineer in Hamilton. He is

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married and has one child. Wilhelmina and Anna are young ladies at home with their mother, while the subject of this sketch. who is the third in order of birth, also resides under the maternal roof. Professor Boger was graduated from the Venice high school while in his teens. Following. this, he taught for several years in the country schools. He then attended Miami Univer- sity for one year, after which he resumed teaching for two years. Being ambitious to complete his college course, he enrolled him -- self as a student at the Ohio State Univer- sity, but after six months' study there he was obliged to retire by reason of failing health. He was out of educational work for a year, during which time his health was restored, and he then returned to Miami University in order to be near home in case his health again became impaired by study and confinement. But he was able to com- plete the prescribed course and was gradu- ated, with the degree of Bachelor of Arts, in the class of 1894.

Professor Boger is a progressive and successful educator, greatly interested in his work and anxious to keep abreast of the onward march of his profession. The year of his graduation he was elected principal of the Mosler school, in East Hamilton, and has been continued in that position without intermission ever since. In connection with his teaching, he has also completed a special non-resident course at Athens College.

Mr. Boger is a social and genial gentle- man, of kindly nature and generous im- pulses, devoted to his profession and the children entreated to his care. The only secret society with which he sustains rela- tions is the Monkey Mutual Aid Society. This is distinctively a Hamilton product-

a social and beneficial fraternity number- ing among its members many of the best young men in the city. The members are progressive and wide-awake, always alert in the interests of the "brotherhood" and zeal- ous in providing entertainment for the gen- eral public. The famous street fair in Ham- ilton during the second week in May, 1894, is a sample of the class of entertainments provided for the public amusement. The society is organized on the broad principle of the fatherhood of God and the brother- hood of man, regardless of name or creed.

FREDERICK W. GRADOLPH.

The city of Hamilton is specially hon- ored in the number and character of her promising young men. It is a popular though erroneous idea that the rising gener- ations can have no part in the making of lo- cal history. The boys of today will be the men of affairs tomorrow, and the traditions of the past must be perpetuated through the interest of present-day citizens. Mr. Gra- dolph, the subject of this article, stands at the head of the generation in Hamilton suc- ceeding the Civil war. He is a progressive and highly intellectual young gentleman, whose brief career has been of prominence and usefulness.

Fred Gradolph was born in the city of Hamilton, on the 30th of May 1872. After receiving a good education in the city schools, he began his business life as a sales- man in a mercantile establishment. His next engagement was in the capacity of clerk and salesman in the drug store of Dr. C. Markt. Three years were thus spent,

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during which time he became quite profi- cient as a pharmacist, but the business was uncongenial and he sought other employ- ment. The succeeding three years were spent as correspondent and manager of Mu- sic Hall Theatre. While thus employed he was elected a member of the board of edu- cation, from the second ward, and has been re-elected each two years from April. 1899, to the present time. On the organization of the board, April 15, 1901, Mr. Gradolph was elected secretary, in competition with several candidates for the position, and since that time he has been chosen at each annual organization, without opposition. He is thoroughly familiar with the details of this work, active and industrious in the discharge of his duties, popular with his co-laborers and thoroughly conversant with the oft- changing laws governing the schools. The hundred and more teachers employed in the ten schools are all personally acquainted with Mr. Gradolph and look upon him as a friend and counsellor. His long continuance in the responsible position which he holds is the best evidence of his special qualifica- tions for it. His parents were John and Louesa (Humbach) Gradolph, the former a native of Germany, who came to Hamil- ton at the age of twenty years. Here he married Miss Humbach, who represents a prominent family and is also descended from German ancestors, though born in Cincinnati. Both parents are now living and well advanced in years. John Gradolph, the father of Frederick, spent his active years in mercantile pursuits along various lines of that calling, but is now retired from active business, and in comfortable circum- stances. Five children were born to these party's principles. 37

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 85

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