Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 86

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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parents, four of whom are living: John, the eldest born, died in youth; Frederick W., of this sketch, was the second in order of birth; Edward is engaged in mechanical pursuits : Caroline is the wife of Lyman P. Bland, a merchant, and Valentine is a ma- chinist. All are residents of Hamilton, their native city.

The marriage of Mr. Gradolph with Miss Anna Myers occurred on the 18th of July, 1893. She is a daughter of Henry and Catherine Myers, both now deceased. Her father was a prominent business man in this city during his lifetime, being con- cerned in the manufacture of artificial ice and in other business enterprises. The only child of Mr. and Mrs. Gradolph is little Miss Hilda, whose age since her last birthday is written with two figures. She is busy with her school work and music and in the entertainment of her "young lady" friends.

Mr. Gradolph is a prominent member of the Monkey Mutual Aid Society, a frater- nal and beneficial organization unknown outside of Hamilton. It numbers among its members nearly two hundred prominent young men, who are all interested in con- cealing from the public the reasons for adopting a name which no other kindred or- ganization is liable to want. He is also a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In religious affiliations, he is a member of St. John's German Evangelical Protestant church. Mr. Gradolph is not a politician in any sense and has never been a candidate for official honors outside of the positions which he now holds. He is, however, a stanch and uncomprising Democrat in his political views and an able defender of his

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FRANK L. DICKINSON.

This well-known photographer in Ham- ilton is a native of New Richmond, Cler- mont county, Ohio, is the eldest child of Well D. and Eliza M. Dickinson, and was born on the 21st of August, 1860. His father spent his life, principally, in the art which his son naturally chose as his life profession. The father was a noted artist in his time, progressive and influential, and added many new features to the business, being among the first to introduce a thor- ough system of copying and enlarging pic- tures. The subject of this sketch was edu- cated in the public schools of Clermont county until the age of nine years, when the family home was transferred to Cincin- nati, and there he continued his studies in the Woodward high school, of that city, but he was a delicate youth and poor health has followed him through life, hence he was obliged to leave school temporarily. After a year's.rest, he went to college at Moore's Hill. Indiana, and was able to continue his studies there for two years. He then abandoned the idea of ever completing a collegiate education and returned to the parental home and learned the photograph profession. His father's business was ex- tensive and lucrative and he was not sur- rounded with the restrictions as to steady work and full hours required of the stranger apprentice. Mr. Dickinson took up the work with earnestness and personal inter- est and soon evinced special talents in the photographic art. He traveled for three years in charge of his father's copying and enlarging business, seeming to recover his health somewhat by reason of his out-door employment.

After leaving the road, in 1888, Mr. Dickinson went into business on his own ac- count on West Fifth street, Cincinnati, and was thus employed for three years, when he sold his business and removed to Hamilton. He purchased the studio over the First Na- tional Bank, and conducted a successful business there for twelve years. Realizing that his growing business required larger quarters, and that both his own interests and the comfort and convenience of his patrons would be best concerned by removal to a ground-floor studio, he decided to make the change. Accordingly he removed to a fifteen-room brick residence building at No. 109-III North Third street, where he fitted up a large and handsome ground-floor studio. This is unquestionably the finest business place of the kind in the city of Hamilton, if not in southern Ohio. It is tastefully furnished with every modern con- venience and comfort, features which are thoroughly appreciated by his large and growing patronage of the best citizens. Mr. Dickinson has been phenomenally success- ful in his professional career, and very justly gives much credit for it to his faithful and tireless wife. Had it not been for her intelligent management during his long spells of illness, the business must have suf- fered greatly, if it had not been entirely lost. But with the aid of competent assistants. the business has been kept fully abreast of the times in the onward march of the photo- graphic art.

Mr. Dickinson enjoys the distinction of having been admitted a member of the Cin- cinnati Art Club, the only non-resident of that city ever so honored. He is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and is a past grand in that order. He also

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holds membership in the Knights of Pythias and Benevolent and Protective Or- der of Elks and in the Beneficial Order of Foresters.

The subject of this article was married in 1887, in the city of Cincinnati, chosing for his companion Miss Ida M., daughter of Elliott and Ruth Lanham, of New Rich- mond, Ohio. Six children have come to bless this happy union, their names being Ida May, Ralph E., Lillian D., Edith R., Eleanor J. and Ruth Elizabeth.

CAPT. GEORGE J. ZELLNER.

The subject of this sketch is a native of Hamilton, born on the 3d of December, 1866, and is a son of the late Henry Zellner, who came to Hamilton from Germany, in early life, and owned and operated a coop- erage establishment for many years. He was born on the 26th of November, 1833, and died in Hamilton August 11, 1901, hav- ing, a few years before his death, retired from active business. Henry Zellner was married to Miss Caroline Held, who was born in Stark county, Ohio, on the 6th of April, 1839. She still resides at the old homestead in Hamilton, and the unmarried members of her family are pleasantly cared for in the maternal home. There were eleven children born to Henry and Caroline (Held) Zellner, ten of whom are now liv- ing. The eldest of the family was Charles, who was born on the 2d of February, 1859. He was in business with his father during his manhood years, and died on the 4th of December, 1897. Henry, Jr., was born September 6, 1861, and has been long an

employe of the Semler Milling Company in the cooperage department. Maggie is the wife of George Gunderman, of Marysville, Ohio, and she was born on the 12th of Feb- ruary, 1863. George J., of this sketch, was the next in order of birth. Katie, who was born January 30, 1869, married Harry Kim- ball, a machinist in Hamilton. John, who was born May 2, 1871, is a stone cutter by occupation, and married Miss Anna Geiler, by whom he has four children. Lizzie was born October 20, 1873, married Andrew Waldsmith, a machinist in this city, and they have one child. William, who was born February 27, 1876, and who is a moulder by occupation, married Minnie Pohle, and they have one son. Augustus. who was born July 6, 1878, is a painter and decorator in Hamilton. Edward was born December 26, 1881, and is an iron molder by occupation. Miss Edith, a young lady at home, who completes the family circle, was born September 28, 1886.

George J. Zellner was reared and edu- cated in his native city. During the earlier years of his young manhood he was em- ployed in various avocations, until 1893, when he was selected as a member of the Hamilton police force. After serving eight years in that capacity, the legislature enact- ed a new law which complicated matters pertaining to municipal officers and he left the force for two years. In the meantime the force was reorganized to comply with the new requirements and the position of police inspector, with the rank of captain, was tendered to him. He accepted this of- fice and entered upon the discharge of its duties on the 15th of August, 1903. Cap- tain Zellner is specially fitted for this posi- tion. in that he has had large experience as

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a member of the force, and is endowed by nature with some special characteristics which render him conspicuous. He is a splendid specimen of physical manhood, be- ing almost six feet in height. well propor- tioned and erect in stature. Were it not for the fact that the Captain is a modest bach- elor, the historian would say that he is a remarkably handsome man.

The Zellner family, both father and sons, have been uncompromising Democrats in political views. None of them have ever aspired to political offices, other than such as are often thrust upon the residents of wards and election precincts. Captain Zell- ner has never allied himself with lodges, clubs or societies, and spends his off-duty hours in the company of his mother, who seems to be his special care. While holding himself aloof from the society of young people, to some extent he is nevertheless very popular and sustains the esteem and high regard of his associates among the city's guardians.

M. J. ADAMS.

M. J. Adams, the popular agent of the Panhandle Railroad system at Hamilton, is a native of Preble county, Ohio, born at Hambery, on the 16th of July, 1854, a son of Martin C. and Mary (Shewmon) Adams, who were also natives of Preble county. Martin Adams spent most of his mature life in mercantile pursuits at Galveston, Indiana, and died in that town at the age of fifty-five years. His widow is now a resident of Kokomo, while her seven sons and daugh- ters are variously distributed, though mostly

in the Indiana gas belt. The eldest of the family is Harriett, who is the wife of Amos French, of Bluffton, Indiana; Madison J., of this sketch, was the second in order of birth; Alice married Robert Cox, of Alex- andria, Indiana; Florence is the wife of Edmond Leech, of Fairmount, in the Hoosier state; Daniel is a prosperous farmer at Hague, Illinois; Lincoln is train dis- patcher of the Northern Pacific Railroad at Spokane, Washington. and Grant has a lu- crative clerkship with the Pennsylvania lines, at Kokomo, Indiana, his position be- ing designated as that of cash clerk. All of the family, except Lincoln, are married and the heads of happy families of their own.

M. J. Adams was reared and educated at Galveston and Kokomo and his life thus far has been devoted to railroading and its contingent employments. As early as 1878 he was employed as telegraph operator in the office of the Pennsylvania Company, at Frankton. Indiana. After four years' service there, he was promoted to a more lucrative position as agent at Elwood, re- maining there until 1886, when he received another deserved promotion and was placed in charge of the company's business as agent at Kokomo. He remained there eleven years, and in October, 1897, he took charge of the office in Hamilton. Mr. Adams has been in the employ of the Pennsylvania company, continuously, for twenty-six years, each of the three changes during that time representing an increase of salary and an increase of responsibilities. These facts are sufficient evidence of the high standing which Mr. Adams sustains with his employ- ers, as well as of the company's estimate of his business capacity. There are two assist-

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ants employed in the Hamilton ticket office, and five clerks are required in the freight office to handle the large volume of business in this city.

On the 20th of March, 1880, Mr. Adams was united in marriage with Miss Louise Edson, then a resident of Frankton. Indi- ana, but a native of Canada. Mr. and Mrs. Adams have an interesting family of three children, the eldest of whom, Miss Ethel, is a student in the senior class of the Hamil- ton high school. Her educational advance- ment. at the age of sixteen, gives evidence of superior intellectual talents. Charles is a bright boy of twelve, and little Miss I.ena. at eight. takes greater pride in being the family pet than in mastering the intricacies of class-room exercises.

Mr. Adams is a member of the Masonic order, still continuing his membership in the home lodge at Kokomo, Indiana. He is also a member of Esther Court. Tribe of Ben Hur. in Hamilton. In political views he is a Republican. Mrs. Adams is a mem- ber of the Methodist Episcopal church.

GEORGE P. SOHNGEN.

The subject of this article was born in Hamilton, on the 25th of June. 1860, and is a representative of one of the early es- tablished and prosperous German families, his father, the late Louis Sohngen, having located in Hamilton in 1850. He was a na- tive of Weilminister, Germany, and was born in 1824. Louis Sohngen was a cabinet- maker by trade and followed that vocation two years in Cincinnati before locating in Hamilton, and also for a year or two after

coming to this city. In 1851 he engaged in the grocery business, and at the same time dealt extensively in grain and country prod- uce. In 1858 he established the malting business, which, under his own and his sons' jurisdiction, has grown to be one of the leading industries in Hamilton. In the ex- perimental stage. the business was conducted under intelligent and conservative manage- ment and, with numerous additions to the original plant, became the largest malting business in southern Ohio.

Louis Sohngen married, in this state, Miss Eliza Schmidt, who was born near. Frankfort. Germany, and accompanied her parental family to this country in girlhood. They became the parents of ten children, eight of whom are living and the heads of prominent families in Hamilton. Charles, the eldest of the family. continues the malt- ing business established by his father; George P., of this sketch, is the second born ; Mary: Edward; Paul; Lutie, who is the wife of Judge Clarence Murphy; Richard; Ida, the wife of Robert Kennedy.

George P. Sohngen was educated in the Hamilton public schools and at the Ohio State University. He began his business life in 1879. in the malting business with his father, becoming the secretary and treas- urer, his brother Charles being the president after the father's retirement in 1878. Mr. Sohngen has retained his connection with the malting business throughout the varying stages of advancement and business changes and is now the president of the Edward Sohngen Malting Company. a more recent business venture and the second corporation of this class by members of the family. The original plant is now known as the Amer- ican Malting Company. Mr. Sohngen has

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other large business interests in Hamilton presence the happy parental home. Lee and elsewhere, and in recent years he has is the treasurer of the C. D. Mathes Dry Goods Company; and Harry L. is book- keeper of the Edward Sohngen Malting Company. The others, who are attending school are Mark, Marie, Louis, David and George P., Jr. given his attention more exclusively to these. He was one of the incorporators of the Hamilton Dime Savings Bank, organized in 1879, and has been its president from organization to the present. This institu- tion was originally capitalized at fifty thou- The family are members of the United Presbyterian church. Mr. Sohngen is an uncompromising Republican in his political views. He has never sought official honors and has never held a political position, ex- cept that he is a trustee of the State Hospital, at Dayton, an appointment coming through the governor of the state. He has been too busy with multitudinous business affairs to take special interest in fraternal organiza- tions and the only society of this character with which he is affiliated is the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. He is a public-spirited and progressive citizen, ever alert to the interests of his native city and county. No man in Butler county stands higher in the estimation of the people, and his deserved popularity is the result of an honorable business career, prosecuted with vigor and determination, yet tempered with a kindly regard and an open hand towards those less fortunate than himself. sand dollars, but the capital has been in- creased to one hundred thousand dollars with surplus and undivided profits of thirty- five thousand dollars. This is one of the popular financial institutions of Hamilton, transacting a general banking business, as well as being a safe depository for the sav- ings of working people. The bank bears upon its directory and official list many of the leading financiers of Hamilton, and has correspondents in all of the principal cities of the country. Mr. Sohngen is vice- president of the Second National Bank of Hamilton, and is president of the C. D. Mathes Dry Goods Company, one of the principal mercantile establishments in the city. In addition to these, he has many minor business interests, not the least of which is a splendid farm and beautiful country home near the village of Overpeck, in this county. His city residence is prob- ably the finest in Hamilton, its location be- ing a feature of its prominence and beauty. It is large and commodious, architecturally perfect, and located on a commanding emi- JOHN W. FOSTER. nence overlooking the city. It is con- structed of red pressed brick, handsomely penciled.

Mr. Sohngen was married December 14, 1881, to Miss Ida Conner, a native of Hamilton and a lady of culture and refine- ment. An interesting family of seven chil- dren have came to brighten with their cheery

All Hamiltonians personally know and have a good word for the irrepressible Colonel Foster. Genial, jolly and whole- souled, with an inexhaustible supply of ready wit, quick at repartee, but chaste and gen- teel in his language, Mr. Foster is an ideal entertainer whether on the stage or in the

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private walks of life. He is distinctively a self-made man. Born in Cattaraugus county, New York, July 7, 1853, during a temporary residence of his parents in that. state, he has since been a resident of nearly every state, province and territory of North America. He is a son of Michael G. and Mary Jane (Butler) Foster, both of whom were natives of the Emerald Isle. They came to America in youth, with their re- spective families, and were married in Buf- falo, New York. The father was a gradu- ate of the University of Dublin, and chose civil engineering as his life work, though for the most part he was a contractor on public works. Being in the South at the beginning of the Civil war, he was impressed into the Confederate service and com- manded a transport steamer on the lower Mississippi river during the war. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, as a result of injuries received in the service, his death occurring in July, 1865. The mother survived until November, 1892, when she passed away at Cincinnati. They were the parents of seven children, viz : Julia, John W., Frank, Mary, William, Susan (who died in child- hood) and Henry.

The subject of this article had but lim- ited educational opportunities and attended school about six months at a private insti- tution at Memphis, Tennessee, but from early youth he has "paddled his own canoe" and made his own way in the world. Dur- ing the Civil war he and his brother Frank ran away from home and went South. In time the brothers became separated and did not meet again for sixteen years, coming to- gether by accident, in Cincinnati, through the intervention of a mutual friend. John W. had in the meantime become an actor

and was playing an engagement at the Na- tional Theater, in the Queen City. A gen- tleman who knew both parties noticed a striking resemblance between them, and knowing that they both bore the same name and that each had lost a brother, interested himself in bringing them together, with the result that there was a happy reunion and a renewal of former relations very satis- factory to both. Frank had been adopted into the family of the late General Hicken- looper, through whose benevolence he in- herited a competence for life. He is a prom- inent retired business man in Cincinnati. These are the only members of the family who keep in touch with each other, an es- trangement having arisen between them and the others by reason of religious matters. John W. Foster early allied himself with the show business and has appeared in almost every capacity known to the profession, trav- eling many thousands of miles in his work. He has been connected with the circus, op- era. vaudeville, spectacular and dramatic en- tertainments, and has commanded good sal- aries in all phases of his work. But his spe- cialty in recent years has been as a dialect comedian. In his rendition of German, Irish and French dialects he is a star whose services are sought by high-class companies and lyceum bureaus. In 1898 he came to Hamilton as the hired manager of the en- tertainment features of Lindenwald Park. After two years thus employed he rented the grounds and proceeded to fit up the park after his own ideas of a suburban summer resort. He interested the Hamilton & Lin- denwald Street Railway Company in the im- provement of the place to the extent that the company joined him in the erection of a suitable theatre building, and Mr. Foster

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has added other features of improvement at his own expense. The grounds are com- fortably seated throughout, lighted with electricity, has a dancing pavilion and other useful and ornamental buildings, and the seeker for an afternoon's rest and recreation must be fastidious indeed if he can not find a cool nook at Lindenwald where he can en- joy a temporary respite from business. Dur- ing the season from May until October a high-class entertainment is presented each evening, and three times a week or oftener the children and their busy mammas may at- tend an afternoon matinee. .

Mr. Foster's long experience in the busi- ness enables him to select features of inter- est and to avoid the threadbare entertain- ments which have 'outlived their day of use- fulness. But invariably the appearance of · Foster brings down the house, regardless of what he may do or say. The performances are always chaste and high-class, yet in- tended to amuse and edify, in which they never fail.

Mr. Foster was happily married on the 2d of December. 1885, to Miss Josephine Beck, of Cincinnati. She is a daughter of George and Josephine Beck, both of whom died during her childhood. Mrs. Foster is the able assistant of her husband, presiding over the culinary department and looking after the details of home life as well as busi- ness interests. Her sister. Miss Caroline Beck, completes the family circle.

Mr. Foster is a worthy member of the Cincinnati Lodge. No. 5. Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Butler Aerie. No. 407, Fraternal Order of Eagles, at Ham- ilton, and Eagle Lodge, No. 69, Knights of Pythias, at Buffalo, New York. His father was prominently allied with the Masonic

fraternity. His untimely death during the productive years of robust manhood was a sad blow to his young family.

TOM A. SMITH.

Everybody in Hamilton knows the gen- ial Tom A. Smith. For many years he has been a central figure in providing enter- tainment for people and in catering to the amusement of theatre goers. He was busi- ness manager of the Globe Opera House for about nine years, and on the completion ' of the Jefferson, in 1903, he transferred his allegiance to the new building. The Jeffer- son Theater is a modern, up-to-date build- ing. situated between the court house square and the high school building, on South Sec- ond street. The building is fully equipped with all modern appliances and, since the great disaster in Chicago, has been carefully examined and pronounced safe by the most competent inspectors. The interior arrange- ments are extremely handsome and appro- priate, and the stage capacity, dressing rooms and sanitary conditions are all that could be desired. The passerby is very lia- ble to form a wrong opinion of the New Jef- ferson, by a casual observation of the very plain external appearance. But an examina- tion of the handsome interior, the part with which the public is concerned, will convince him of his error. Mr. Smith is thoroughly schooled in his work, the result of ten or twelve years' experience as a theater man- ager, and makes a specialty of providing high-class entertainments. His familiarity with the character of nearly all the leading companies on the road and his knowledge of

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T. A. SMITH.

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the wants of his patrons enables him to sup- ply the demands with unerring certainty. Since the opening of the Jefferson it has been a favorite resort of the people of Ham- ilton and has been the scene of some high- class amateur theatrical and literary enter- tainments. It brings within its comfortable and capacious seating capacity the elite of Hamilton and the surrounding country ter- ritory.

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Centennial History of Butler County, Ohio, Part 86

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