USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 20
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
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On account of an outbreak of yellow fever in New Orleans, Mr. Ernst came North in the July following, intending to return to the Southern city and take a position in a large importing house, but he was fortunate enough to again meet Major Tilford, while en route from Trenton to Philadelphia. At this time Major Tilford was president of the Northern Bank of Ken- tucky, which had been organized in the previous year. He was not only pleased to meet his former employee, but offered him a position in his bank, and September, 1836, found our subject attending to clerical duties in the bank at Lexington. This bank was a State institution, with a number of branches, one of which was located at Covington, and Mr. Ernst was made teller of the Covington branch in August, 1838. In 1849 he became its cashier, and in 1867, its president. He continued in this relation to the bank until May, 1888, when he voluntarily resigned, and was succeeded by his son, John P. Ernst.
Mr. Ernst took an active interest in city affairs and for several years was a member of the City Council of Covington, served as its president for two consecutive terms and was prominent during the last 50 years in nearly every movement for the city's welfare. During the Civil War he was a strong Union man. He was a Republican in politics.
In_ 1863 he became interested, with Robert B. Bowler, of Cincinnati, in the ownership of the Kentucky Central Railroad, and for years was one of the company's directors, also its treasurer, and on the resignation of George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, its president. He continued as such until the road was sold to a syndicate represented by Melville E. Ingalls. From the day of its organization, Mr. Ernst was president of the Covington Trust Company, one of the strongest financial institutions of that city. From the (late of its organization, he was a member of the board of trustees of the Protestant Children's Home in Covington, and he held many other positions of trust and honor in private corporations and benevolent societies. He was always a man of strong religious convictions. His father was a ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church when 19 years of age, and William Ernst was reared under Christian influences. In November, 1841, the First Presbyterian Church of Covington was organized, largely through Mr. Ernst's efforts, and he was chosen a ruling elder, an office he continuously hield until his deatlı. He was also, in 1841, one of the organizers of the Covington and Vicinity Bible Society, an auxiliary of the American Bible Society, and was
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a member of its executive committee when he died. Mr. Ernst was honored in many ways by marks of confidence by his church, being frequently sent to its General Assembly and he was one of the Io elders in the United States, appointed in 1890 by that body as members of the "Committee on the Re- vision of the Confession of Faith." Mr. Ernst was almost 82 years of age at the time of his death. Up to the last he was strong physically and mentally.
Mr. Ernst was twice married. On April 23, 1839, he was married to Lydia A. Bush, daughter of Philip S. Bush, of Covington, Kentucky. The only child of this union, Amelia, married Robert B. Semple, a merchant of Cincinnati. On February 9, 1843, Mr. Ernst was united to Sarah A. But- ler, who was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, and was a daughter of Thomas Butler. Seven sons and two daughters were born to this marriage, viz .: Catherine Butler, who died in 189-, and was the wife of Thomas Colville, a merchant of Cincinnati; John Preston, now president of The Covington Savings Bank & Trust Company; William, who died in infancy ; Sarah Elizabeth, wife of J. R. Minor, of the wholesale grocery house of Minor & Dixon, Cincinnati; James C., president of the German National Bank of Covington and the Cincinnati, Newport & Covington Light & Trac- tion Company ; Charles Frederick, who died in infancy; Richard Pretlow, an attorney-at-law of Cincinnati and Covington; Edward Humphrey, secre- tary of the Equitable Fire Insurance Company of Cincinnati; and Alexander B., a physician of Covington, Kentucky, who died in 1896.
HON. CHARLES EVANS.
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HON. CHARLES EVANS, formerly judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio, and now actively engaged in the practice of his profession in Cincinnati, was born in Warren County, Ohio, and is a son of Charles and Susannah (Throckmorton) Evans.
Judge Evans completed a course in the common schools, then attended Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio, from which he was graduated. He studied law with Hon. Samuel Shellaberger, of Springfield, Ohio, as his preceptor. He later graduated from the law department of the University of Michigan, and then began the practice of his profession in Springfield,
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Ohio, in partnership with Hon. Thomas J. Pringle, which association con- tinued until 1871, when our subject came to Cincinnati. Here he was associ- ated with Hon. Durbin Ward for some years, then with Governor Joseph B. Foraker, and later with Philip Roettinger, with whom he continued for a num- ber of years. He has always taken an active part in politics as a Republican, participating more or less in the campaigns from 1874 down to the time of his election to the Common Pleas bench. He was appointed assistant United States district attorney in 1877, and elected county solicitor in 1880. In 1886 he was elected judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, and was reelected in 1891 for a term of five years. Since the expiration of his term of office, he has engaged in the practice of the law and enjoys an extensive clientage. As judge he maintained the honor and dignity of the court and discharged his duties in a most capable manner, showing himself to be a lawyer far above average ability. Among his associates of the Ham- ilton County bar, irrespective of party affiliation, he commands the utmost respect, whether as an impartial judge, as a practicing attorney, as a patri- otic citizen, or as a companion.
While in attendance at Ohio Wesleyan University, in 1862, Judge Evans joined the "Cleveland Grays," under Capt. James Pickands, which subse- quently became a part of the 84th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., a three-months' regi- ment which was first stationed at Camp Chase. He participated in all the marches and engagements of his regiment in the West Virginia campaign. After the war he returned to college and completed his course.
In 1869 Judge Evans was united in marriage with Jeanette Middleton, a daughter of E. C. Middleton, of Cincinnati. She died in 1872, leaving one daughter, Emilyn. He was again married in 1878 to Sally G. Doughty, a daughter of William Doughty, of Cincinnati, and they have a daughter, Marie. Their home is at Delhi.
WILLIAM HOWARD DOANE, MUS. D.
In a city preeminent as a center of business activity, inventive genius and musical ability, William H. Doane, president of J. A. Fay & Company, of .Cincinnati (extensive manufacturers of wood-working machinery), and one of the best known composers of evangelical songs in the country, occupies a prominent position. He was born February 3, 1832, at Preston, Connecti-
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cut, and is a son of Joseph H. and Fannie T. Doane, both of whom were of New England ancestry.
The subject of this sketch was recognized as the possessor of more than the usual amount of musical talent as early as the age of 14 years. He was then a student at Woodstock Academy, and was made the leader of the choir of that institution. In 1848 he entered upon a clerkship with the firm of Doane & Treat, cotton manufacturers, of which firm his father was the senior member. Three years later he began his connection with the house of J. A. Fay & Company, the well known manufacturers of wood-working machinery, taking full charge of the Norwich branch, and in 1856 was advanced to the Chicago office, with full management of all the Western territory. After the death of J. A. Fay in 1861, Mr. Doane became the leading member of the firm and the manager of its general interests, with offices in Cincinnati. Shortly afterward he purchased the other interests and in 1866 the business was incorporated under the style of J. A. Fay & Company, with William H. Doane as president. In many ways he has contributed to the making this house one of the largest of its kind in the country, his inventive genius continually providing new machinery and improving the old, while his business ability has enabled the firm to not only keep abreast of the stirring times, but to outstrip all competitors. It was a just recognition of merit which gave Mr. Doane the Grand Prix at the Paris Exposition, in 1899, in addition to which lie was personally dis- tinguished by being presented with the Cross of the Legion of Honor by the French government. As early as the Paris Exposition of 1878 his liouse had recived the medal and it was also given a number of awards.
Still another side to the inventor and manufacturer is the musical one and his name is very familiar to not only the residents of his own city, but even in remote hamlets all over the world. In 1852 lie was con- ductor of the Norwich Harmonic Society. His specialty has been the com- position of evangelical songs, his first book, which appeared in 1854, bear- ing the title of "Sabbathi-School Gems." In 1864 appeared "Little Sun- beam;" in 1867 that notable book, "Silver Spray," which still continues to be a favorite in many localities. In 1868 was published the volume en- titled "Songs of Devotion," and since that date many musical works of more or less length have appeared. In 1875 Denison University bestowed upon him tlie degree of Doctor of Music.
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Probably few private residences in the country have been fitted up with more attention to the art of music than has that of Mr. Doane on Mount Auburn. While it is complete in every luxury and adornment, the musical suggestions and the rare and extensive collection of instruments make it very unique. In the ground, glass of the transom over the door leading into his study or music room is wrought in musical characters the opening strains of "Home, Sweet Home," while on the ceiling are frescoed little bits of celebrated musical strains, artistically arranged. In addition to priceless instruments from every land, Mr. Doane has here a pipe organ run by a water-motor, over which in fresco are four measures of the "Halle- lujah Chorus." His library, containing velllum manuscripts as far back as the eighth century, and the original scores of some of the sublimest works of the greatest musical artists, is conceded to excel in interest and value almost every other in the country. It is here, in the atmosphere created by these sur- soundings, that Mr. Doane has composed the songs that have touched so many hearts all over the civilized world. The stranger in a strange land across the sea has more than once been greeted ivith "Near the Cross," "Draw Me Nearer," "Safe in the Arms of Jesus," "More Love to Thee, O Christ," and has felt the bond of sympathy so created.
Mr. Doane is an active member of the Mount Auburn Baptist Church. He is a man of great liberality and his gifts to religious and charitable in- stitutions, if aggregated, would prove of enormous amount. He is very public spirited and has shown his interest in many organizations. The magnificent pipe organ in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian As- sociation, in Cincinnati, was hiis gift, while "Doane Hall" of Denison University testifies to his practical interest in that seat of learning. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, of the American Society of Mining Engineers, and is a member of numerous other bodies.
SAMUEL T. CRAWFORD.
SAMUEL T. CRAWFORD, one of the representative members of the Cin- innati bar and a prominent citizen, was born in Warren County, Ohio, and is a son of Samuel and Charity (Schofield) Crawford, both of whom were also natives of Ohio.
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GEN. MICHAEL RYAN.
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Our subject was reared on a farm, where responsibilities were early thrust upon him, on account of the death of his father while he was still a boy. His education was obtained in the common schools and he began teaching at the age of 22, applying his spare time in the meantime to the study of the law. In 1854 he came to Cincinnati and after the necessary examinations was admitted to practice. His residence has been in this city ever since, and his work has met with great success. At various times he has been associated with prominent members of the profession, notably Charles 1. Bryant, George P. Webster, Ransford Smith and ex-Governor Thomas L. Young, but he now carries on an individual practice. Mr. Crawford has been connected with many cases of important litigation, and for 10 years was almost exclusively engaged in the great Barr will case, which, it will be recalled, involved the title to several millions of dollars' worth of realty on Price Hill, Cincinnati. Many others of almost equal note have been placed in his hands, his management of them having gained him the admiration of his colleagues 'and the confidence of the public.
Mr. Crawford was united in marriage in 1858 with Prudence Ann Love, who was a daughter of William Love, ex-mayor of Glendale, Ohio, a farmer of substance in that locality. A large family of children were born to this union, five of whom survive, namely : John J. and William L., both of whom have become prominent in the law; Frank, engaged in the manufacture of paper in Cincinnati; and Lily and Mary, prominent in social life. The family home is located at No. 2314 Ashland avenue.
Both Mr. Crawford and family belong to the Methodist Church. In politics, he is identified with the Republican party, although the claims of his profession prevent his becoming a politician.
GEN. MICHAEL RYAN.
GEN. MICHAEL RYAN, formerly United States Assistant Treasurer at Cincinnati, and one of the best known business men of the Queen City, is president of The Cincinnati Abbatoir Company, pork and beef packers and wholesale dealers in meats. He was born in Johnstown, County Kilkenny, Ireland, October 8, 1845, and is a son of Richard and Margaret (Laughman) Ryan.
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In June, 1853, Michael Ryan came with his parents to Cincinnati, where he received his education at St. Xavier's School and St. Paul's German School, where he learned the German language. In 1860, when 15 years old, he went to work with his father and brothers, who were then carry- ing on a very extensive butchering business. The father, Richard Ryan, dying in 1863, the four brothers, Matthew, Richard, John and Michael the latter being the youngest, formed the firm of Ryan Brothers and went ex- tensively into pork packing. For 25 years the brothers worked harmoniously together and carried on a very large business, making the firm name known all over the world. While many firms, older and wealthier, succumbed to the vicissitudes that frequently attend men engaged in that rather hazardous line, yet Ryan Brothers came safely through every storm and grew prosperous. It was remarkable to see the attachment of this quartet of brothers to each other, nor could differences of disposition nor marriage ties estrange their affections. For a quarter of a century, in a most active business, each filled his post, and all were loyal and true to each other. The career of this firm was a most honorable one. The word of each was as good as his bond, and their credit was unlimited. At length the quartet was broken, to the sorrow of the mercantile community. John Ryan died in 1888, and his death was taken very hard by his surviving partners and brothers. The firm continued under the old name for a period of six years until the conditions of the pork packing business changed, and in order to keep abreast of the times the Ryans helped to organize The Cincinnati Abbatoir Company, which is now looming into prominence and promises to be a great success.
About the year 1870 General Ryan developed a taste for the excitement of politics. He did not enter the arena for the sake of gain, but. as he himself expressed it, "for the fun there was in it." He was an ardent Dem- ocrat and a great admirer and friend of Hon. George H. Pendleton, whose banner he followed to the end. In 1878 he was elected to the Board of Aldermen, and, although living in a Republican ward (the Second), such was his personal popularity that he carried the election by a large majority. The record of General Ryan on the Board of Aldermen is one in which he may justly take pride. From the start he vigorously opposed corruption and venality. Any and every measure that bore a suspicious look he fought with determined opposition. He was then, as he is now, a ready, fluent and elo- quent speaker, and his speeches in the old council chamber on public questions
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coming before the Council attracted a great deal of attention and built up an enviable reputation for him as a public man. Perhaps the most notable of his efforts were his speeches against the gas ordinance in 1879 and his loyal support of Melville E. Ingalls' scheme for a new Central Depot, which he aided materially in carrying through the Council. In 1882 he was reelected to the aldermanic board, and after a hot contest with a strong element in that body which he had always opposed he was elected president of the board. In the fall of that year the Chamber of Commerce elected him vice-president of that body, and he was also chosen an exposition commissioner for that same year. Up to that time expositions had been held regularly, year after year, and the people were getting a little weary of them. It was a question whether or no an exposition in 1882 would be successful. A number of hustlers, how- ever, were on the board who out-voted the more conservative members. An exposition was determined upon, and Capt. W. W. Peabody was elected presi- dent. The success of the venture meant vim, vigor and a determination to succeed. As one of the most active and untiring workers of the board, Gen- eral Ryan distinguished himself. He introduced about 20 plantation negroes into the tobacco department, who, while picking leaf tobacco, rendered the choicest old plantation melodies in fine style. This proved a most attractive feature and the negroes were called "Ryan's Minstrels." That exposition was a phenomenal success, for, after paying all expenses, it netted $17,000, which was added to the fund. In the spring of 1883 General Ryan was brought out by his friends for the Democratic nomination for mayor. He made a splendid race in the convention. He could have had the nomination if he had con- sented to corrupt means, but to such methods he was unalterably opposed. and sooner than spend a dollar in that direction he withdrew from the contest. Disgusted with politics, he determined to retire from further participation. but his old friend and legal adviser, Judge Hoadly, became a candidate for Governor, and he requested General Ryan to go to the State convention as a delegate for him, This request he could not refuse, and not only did he go as delegate, but he was chosen to present Judge Hoadly's name to the con- ventiou in a nominating speech. This was a rather delicate and difficult task. for no less a person than Senator Allen G. Thurman was there to second the nomination of an opposing candidate, Gen. Durbin Ward.
Governor Hoadly was nominated and elected, and he made his friend Ryan quartermaster-general on his staff. This made him known all over the
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State, and ever since he has been known by his title of "General." He was an active member of both flood commissions appointed by the Chamber of Commerce in 1883 and 1884, and worked very hard to ameliorate the condi- tion of the flood sufferers. He was on duty in the Court House riot in 1884. and distinguished himself by his efforts in restoring law and order. He was the disbursing agent of a large sum of money, representing the expenses the State incurred in keeping the soldiers in Cincinnati for a considerable time and not a cent of this money was wasted. In 1891 he warmly espoused the cause of Governor Campbell against the rank and file of the party in Hamilton County who were fighting the Governor. General Ryan was Camp- bell's leader in the struggle and made the trip to the Cleveland convention. where in a magnificent speech he presented Campbell's name to the convention. He took the stump in the memorable campaign which followed, and, although the tide turned against the Democrats, and Mr. McKinley was elected, he did noble work for the cause.
General Ryan's efforts in public have been by no means confined to poli- tics. He has been prominent in every good work, and has done much in the cause of humanity, religion, morality, and law and order. With Hon. Joseph P. Carberry and others of our prominent Irishmen, General Ryan has labored long and faithfully in the cause of home rule for Ireland. His tongue and pen have not been idle, and his numerous speeches and letters are brimful of patriotism. He is an intense lover of Cincinnati and has the greatest faith in her future. In the fall of 1894 General Ryan was unanimously elected president of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, the only unanimous elec- tion up to that time that was ever made of a presiding officer of that dis- tinguished body. He is now an honorary life member of that body, in speak- ing of which the Fifty-second Annual Report of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce says : "The Board of Directors, in the exercise of its authority, officially conferred upon Mr. Michael Ryan an Honorary Life Membership in the Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Ryan is one of the oldest members of the Chamber, in the matter of period of membership, and has been conspicuous in his activities and identity with the affairs of the Chamber for many years, serving the association as president in 1893-94 and for several terms as vice- president." This honor thus conferred upon a respected and worthy citizen, and a merchant of the highest standing, met with the hearty approbation of all.
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While on a sick bed in the spring of 1894 General Ryan was appointed by President Cleveland to be United States Assistant Treasurer at Cincinnati, and this appointment met with the warmest commendations from all classes of citizens. His appointment was the more honorable as it came entirely un- solicited.
In 1876 General Ryan was joined in marriage with Margaret McCabe, youngest daughter of Alexander McCabe, who for a quarter of a century was one of the most prominent tanners and leather merchants of this city, and the marriage proved to be an extremely happy one. They have an inter- esting family of five children, namely : Joseph, May, Hoadly, Matthew and John.
Such in brief is the life record of one who has attained distinction in professional circles, honor in political life and high regard and popularity in the social world. Where to find him on party questions is never a problem. He will be where a loyal citizen with a keen sense of justice in the best inter- est of the city and society ought to be. A portrait of General Ryan accompanies this sketch.
HON. JOHN FASSETT FOLLETT, LL. D.
HON. JOHN FASSETT FOLLETT, LL. D., deceased, an ex-member of the Cincinnati bar, was a descendant of Puritan ancestry, of unquestioned patriotism and sterling character.
His great-grandfather, Eliphalet Follett, was a captain in the Revo- lutionary War, and was one of the victims of the Wyoming Massacre, when his eldest son was a lad of 13. The family returned to Vermont, by means of an old horse, on which the youngest child was carried by its mother.
Our subject's grandmother was a daughter of John Fassett, one of the justices of the first Supreme Court of Vermont. John Fassett Follett was a son of a New England farmer, the youngest but one of a family of nine children, and was born February 18, 1831, in Franklin County, Vermont. . Six of this family were boys, all of whom became strong and able men. Three have been distinguished in the law,-Charles, Martin D. and John Fassett. The first served two terms as judge of the Circuit Court; the second was elected judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio, in October. 1883.
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Alfred, another son, chose the field of medicine, while George and Austin W. have been unusually successful in mercantile lines in New York City.
In 1836, John Fassett Follett, the father, removed to Ohio and settled in Licking County, and there our subject was educated in the log school houses and later attended the best academies the county afforded. Ambi- tious for a higher and broader culture than was afforded by these primitive institutions, he determined to procure for himself a classical education, and entered Marietta College in 1851, graduating with the highest honors of his class in 1855. After leaving college, he taught school for two years, first in the Asylum for the Blind in Columbus, and later as principal of the Columbus High School. The income derived from teaching enabled him to liquidate the debt which he had contracted in obtaining a collegiate edu- cation. In July, 1858, he was admitted to the bar at Newark, Ohio, and at once entered into a partnership with his brother, Hon. Charles Follett, which continued until the fall of 1868 when he removed to Cincinnati, where he resided until his death. In 1865 he was elected a Representative to the 57th General Assembly of Ohio from Licking County, and was re- elected in 1867. Upon the organization of the 58th General Assembly, in January, 1868, he was nominated by acclamation by the Democratic Repre- sentatives in caucus, and afterwards was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, the duties of which office he discharged with signal ability. Before the opening of the adjourned session in the fall of 1868, he had re- moved to Cincinnati to engage in the practice of the law, and consequently resigned the Speakership as well as his office as Representative. Destined to be a leader, he rose rapidly in his profession, and upon locating in Cin- cinnati took rank immediately with the foremost men of its unusually able bar, among whom it is doubtful if he had a superior as an advocate. His practice was very large and lucrative and he was identified as counsel in much of the most important litigation in both State and Federal courts in Southwestern Ohio. Thoroughly devoted to his profession, lie steadfastly declined to he led away from the law by the allurements of public office until his fame as a lawyer was firmily established. In 1880 he was nominated by acclamation, by the State Democratic Convention, as one of the electors-at- large of Ohio, on the Hancock and English presidential ticket. In 1881, although he was very prominently mentioned for Governor, 110 canvass was made in his interest, and, preferring to let the nomination seek him rather
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