USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 21
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than to seek it, he was not the selection of the convention. In 1882 he was made the temporary chairman of the State Democratic Convention, and in the fall of 1882 he was nominated by acclamation in the Hamilton County Democratic Convention to represent the First Congressional District in Con- gress. His opponent was Hon. Benjamin Butterworth, a candidate for the third time and probably the best campaigner in the State of Ohio, whom, after a gallant and hotly contested canvass, he defeated by a majority of 819. In politics he was ever a Democrat, one of the old school whom shadows and reverses never changed.
Gifted and eloquent as a speaker, Mr. Follett had few, if any, equals on the stump in Ohio. For years he cheerfully devoted weeks to every cam-' paign and his services were in constant demand in the executive committee rooms of his party. There is scarcely a county in the State where his voice was not heard and where his friends were not numbered by the score. Of wonderfully popular manner and brilliant parts, he commanded such at- tention in the nation's councils as to endear him to every true Democrat in Ohio. At the college commencement in 1879, liis alma mater conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. Mr. Follett combined the qualities of the advocate and the office lawyer in his profession. Few equaled him in the careful study of a case; his analysis was logical and thorough and his earnest and eloquent advocacy fixed the attention of court and jury. His clients found him a faithful adviser, willing to labor most industriously to further the interests he had espoused. His brother lawyers found him a thoroughly honest and honorable opponent and a most genial and considerate associate.
On July 12, 1866, Mr. Follett was married to Frances M. Dawson, a daughter of Dr. John and Adelia ( Winans) Dawson. Dr. Dawson removed from Jamestown, Ohio, to Columbus and became a professor in Starling Medical College and editor of the Ohio Medical and Surgical Journal. Mrs. Dawson was born May 25, 1816, at Maysville, Kentucky, and died March 22, 1903, in Cincinnati at the home of her son, Joshua M. Dawson. She was a daughter of Dr. Mathias Winans, who removed to Greene County, Ohio, as one of the early settlers and pioneers of the State. Her mother was one of the well known January family of Kentucky. In 1832 she mar- ried Dr. Dawson and they are survived by five of their 12 children, among these being,-Mrs. Follett, widow of our subject; and Joslina M. Dawson,
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an attorney of this city. John Fassett Follett was identified with the Pres- byterian Church. His family was composed of the following children : Frank W., who married Mary Munson, of Granville, Ohio; John D .; Charles, who graduated from Kenyon College in 1896 and is now practicing law in Cincinnati; and Wanda D., who married Sherman W. Granger, of Zanesville, Ohio.
John D. Follett received his early education in the public schools of Cincinnati and took up advanced studies at Kenyon College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1893. He completed a course in the Cincin- nati Law School in 1895 and is now a prominent attorney of Cincinnati, having been associated, before his father's death, with the law firm of Fol- lett, Kelly & Follett, his father being the senior member of the firm. He was married to Ida Lee Rust, of Leesburg, Virginia, and has one son, John D., Jr.
The death of John Fassett Follett on April 15, 1902, brought acknowl- edged loss to his city, his State and to the bar. He possessed in large degree those characteristics which make leaders. As a public speaker he had a superb presence, an exceptional command of language and a gift of expres- sion which marked him as a born orator. He was a party leader who in- spired confidence and his faithfulness to his party and its aims was only equaled by his loyalty to his friends.
RICHARD NELSON.
RICHARD NELSON, well known as an educator and author of text-books, was for many years one of the highly esteemed citizens of Cincinnati, where his death took place April 4, 1900. He was born July 9, 1822, at Castleward, County Down, Ireland, and was a son of Capt. James Nelson, who retired from a seafaring life in 1860 and died six years later, at the age of 84 years.
Richard Nelson was given excellent educational advantages, in the parish of Ballywalter and in Belfast Institute, with the view of preparing him to be a clergyman of the Church of England. In 1844 lie began read- ing theology under the late Rev. Dr. P. Campbell, and at the same time assisted in the parish schools and in pastoral work, It was the dissension
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caused in the church by the teachings of Dr. E. B. Pusey that caused the young theologian to change his attitude and put aside his clerical studies and engage as tutor in the family of George Fawcett of Esher, England. Within a year he was married to Ellen Higginson, a talented, cultivated lady, a graduate of the Home and Colonial Institute, at London, and this induced his removal to Liverpool. There he was employed as instructor until August, 1849, when he decided to seek the wider opportunities offered in the United States. From Philadelphia he went to Barnesville, Ohio, and then accepted a professorship in the public schools of Center Wheeling, gradu- ally making his way in literary circles, and adding to his income by his work as an expert accountant. In 1856 he opened in Cincinnati the institution so long known as Nelson's Business College, and this move was followed by the publication of suitable text-books, three books of the utmost value and in general use, namely : "Nelson's Mercantile Arithmetic," Nelson's New Bookkeeping" and "Accounts and Business." For a number of years he pub- lished an educational journal which was later merged into an editorial maga- zine of which Hon. A. J. Rickoff became editor-in-chief. A branch of the parent college was opened at Springfield, Ohio, in 1882, under the manage- ment of his son, Richard J. Nelson, and another branch was opened at Mem- phis, Tennessee, by another son, Albert E. Nelson, all three colleges having been incorporated under the title of The Nelson Business College Company, with an authorized capital of $50,000. In addition, Mr. Nelson opened, in 1889, a preparatory department, a move which met with the approbation of all those who were capable of forming an opinion concerning the in- efficiency of the young men and women who desired to fill office positions.
Mr. Nelson's whole useful life was devoted to the advancement of edu- cational standards. He was known all over Ohio and was universally re- garded as a most successful educator as well as an author and gifted writer. For some time he served as chairman of the text-book committee of the International Business College Association; he was a member of the Liter- ary Club of Cincinnati, and of the Cincinnati Society of Natural History. He was one of the organizers of the Teachers' Rifle Company. In religious belief he was a Congregationalist.
The children born to our subject are Mrs. Dr. Geppert, whose husband is a leading physician of Cincinnati; Mrs. G. M. Hammell, whose death occurred in February, 1895; Ella; Albert E., who died in Arizona January
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17, 1903; H. H. and Richard J. The last named is president of The Nelson Business College Company, the same being located in the Odd Fellows' Tem- ple, Seventh and Elm streets, Cincinnati. This institution is well known throughout the United States, being a school of business, shorthand and languages.
RICHARD PRETLOW ERNST.
RICHARD PRETLOW ERNST, a member of the Cincinnati bar and of the Kentucky bar, was born in Covington, Kenton County, Kentucky, February 28, 1858, and was one of a family of nine children born to William and Sarah A. (Butler) Ernst.
Mr. Ernst was educated until 1869 in the private schools conducted in Covington by Mrs. Caddie Madeira and Sackett Meade, well remembered in that city, and then he became a student in Chickering's Academy, Cincin- nati, being graduated here in the class of 1874. He then entered Centre Col- lege, Danville, Kentucky, from which institution he graduated as valedicto- rian of his class, in June, 1878. In the succeeding October, Mr. Ernst entered the Cincinnati Law School, where he was graduated in the class of 1880. Prior to this, in October, 1879, he entered the law offices of King, Thompson & Maxwell, and upon graduating he began practice, still remaining with this firm. Later when Mr. Maxwell withdrew from the firm and a new partnership was formed, Mr. Ernst became a member . of the firm, with Rufus King, Samuel J. Thompson, Channing Richards and George K. Thompson. Although this partnership was dissolved in Febru- ary, 1889, Mr. Ernst continued his association with the members of the firm, occupying the same offices and acting as counsel with this firm in many cases. Mr. Ernst is now partner in the law firm of Ernst, Cassatt & McDougall, of Cincinnati, which firm has a large law practice both in Cincinnati and in Covington, Kentucky, where Mr. Ernst resides.
On September 28, 1886, Mr. Ernst was married to Susan Brent, who was born in Covington, Kentucky, and is a daughter of Hugh T. and Carrie (Russell) Brent. Two children have been born to them: Sarah Anna and William, Jr. Since July, 1891, Mr. Ernst has been a ruling elder in the First Presbyterian Church of Covington. He is president of the Young Men's Christian Association, which he assisted to organize in Covington,
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and is deeply interested in and an active supporter of the different benevo- lent and charitable institutions of the city. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Western College for Women at Oxford, Ohio.
Politically he has been a life-long Republican and has been very active in local politics. From 1885 to 1893 he was a member of the City Council and was the first president of that body, of his political faith, elected since the Civil War, serving as such three years. For years he has been chairman of the Kenton County Republican Executive Committee, and a member of the State Central Republican Committee of Kentucky.
Until his marriage, Mr. Ernst resided in the old Northern Bank Build- ing, where he was born, and which had been the home of his father for 39 years.
HON. PATRICK MALLON.
HON. PATRICK MALLON, deceased, formerly of Cincinnati, ex-judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, Ohio, was born in County Tyrone, in the North of Ireland, March 17, 1823. His parents, Bartholo- mew and Mary ( Magurk) Mallon, were natives also of the North of Ireland, as their ancestors had been for many generations.
The parents of Patrick Mallon came to America in 1827 and located near Saratoga Springs, New York, where the lad received his early educa- tion. At the age of 15 years he entered Washington Academy, at Cam- bridge, New York, and was there graduated in 1841. He entered upon the study of the law in Troy, and after coming to Cincinnati, in 1845, he re- sumed his studies in the office of the late Judge Alphonso Taft, and was admitted to practice in 1848. Immediately afterward, a partnership was formed with Judge Taft and Thomas M. Key, under the firm style of Taft, Key & Mallon. Later Mr. Mallon withdrew and became associated with the late W. C. McDowell, under the firm name of Mallon & McDowell. This partnership was dissolved in 1857, Mr. Mallon taking a seat upon the Com- mon Pleas bench, to which he had been elected as Democratic nominee, in the fall of 1856. In 1862 he was renominated, but was defeated at the polls and then formed a partnership with Christopher Von Seggern, with whom he was associated for six years. In 1870 he entered into partnership with Jolin Coffey, the firm afterward being augmented by the accession of Guy W. Mallon, son of Judge Mallon, in 1888, when the firm name became Mallon,
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Coffey & Mallon. After retiring from the bench, Judge Mallon was twice honored with the unsolicited nomination of his party for reelection, but on both occasions the party was defeated.
Judge Mallon was never an aspirant for political preferment, but ac- cepted a position on the board of trustees of the University of Cincinnati, of which he was a valued member for six years. Both in his service as judge, and in his career as an advocate, the same leading characteristics were ever present. His nature was essentially sweet, honest and pure. Upon the bench, this character was made manifest by the patient and considerate hearing given every cause. In his judicial position he knew no friend to favor, he had no enemy to punish, and suitors and attorneys left his court feeling that they had been most justly dealt with. His decisions were clear, because he was gifted with a knowledge of human nature, and a thorough comprehension of the laws which have been framed for punishment and protection. It was as an advocate, and more especially when facing a jury, that the combined firmness and gentleness of his character were most plainly seen and felt. Judge Mallon had a quiet, persuasive eloquence, his address was animated and gently vigorous, his earnest speech brightened by a pleasing wit. Upon occa- sion, however, when stung by the unfairness of opposing counsel, or a client's suffering from malicious wrong, the firm, just man would flash forth into burning sarcasm or bitter denunciation.
Judge Mallon was married August 12, 1852, to Sophia Beadle, daughter of Thomas D. Beadle, a merchant of Washington County, New York, whose father, Mishel Beadle, was a Revolutionary soldier who rendered distin- guished services in the battles of Bennington and Saratoga. There were born to this marriage four children, all surviving: Howard T., Guy W., Mary Sophia and Neil B. Howard T. Mallon married Gertrude Sivyer, a daughter of Charles Sivyer, of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was for some time engaged in busines at Spokane Falls, Washington, but is now a promi- nent resident of Hamilton, Ohio. Guy W. Mallon graduated from Wood- ward in 1881 ; from Yale College in the class of 1885; and from the Cincinnati Law School in the class of 1888, in which year he became a member of the firm of Mallon, Coffey & Mallon. He was president of the Cincinnati Trust Company until 1903, when he resumed the practice of the law. He married Hannah Neil, daughter of Col. H. M. Neil, of Columbus, Ohio, and they reside on Mount Auburn. Mary Sophia is the wife of Edward B. Sargent.
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AUGUSTUS RAVOGLI, M. D.
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Neil B. Mallon graduated from Yale College in 1896, and from the Cincinnati Law School in 1898. He is in the employ of H. E. Talbott & Company, of Dayton, Ohio. Judge Mallon was a resident of Mount Auburn at the time of his death, December 6, 1896, his wife having passed away some two years previously.
For a period of 46 years Judge Mallon was an honored member of the Literary Club of Cincinnati, and for 25 years a member of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick. Socially and as a club man, he was a great favorite. Some of his happy after-dinner speeches were notable on account of his Irish fancy and sentiment. Few men in this city had a larger circle of personal friends. His death .was lamented by all classes and in him Cincinnati lost a dis- tinguished citizen.
AUGUSTUS RAVOGLI, M. D.
AUGUSTUS RAVOGLI, M. D., a prominent physician and surgeon of Cincin- nati, formerly Italian vice-consul here, was born February 7, 1851, at. Rome, Italy, and is the eldest of a family of seven and one of the five surviving chil- dren born to Michael and Frances ( Moriconi) Ravogli.
Dr. Ravogli was thoroughly educated in the schools of his native country in the various branches of literature, and graduated from medical college, August 14, 1873. His first professional service was as physician on board the steamship "Asia" for six months. He continued his studies at Rome and after a brief preparation entered a competitive examination for hospital honors at Rome, in which examination he received the highest rank in a class of 18. His next success was in a contest for a government prize of two years abroad, which time he employed in the careful study of skin diseases at Vienna, Prague, Berlin, Wurzberg, Munich and other cities. After his return to Rome he served as surgeon in the Government Hospital for five years and as assistant professor of skin diseases at the university there.
In December, 1880, Dr. Ravogli decided to seek a wider field for his work and came to America, reaching the city of New York on New Year's Day, 1881. He came immediately to Cincinnati and located at No. 298 Vine street ; one month later he removed to Walnut street, and subsequently located in his present admirable quarters. Dr. Ravogli makes a specialty of diseases of the skin and is recognized as an authority in this branch of his profes-
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sion. Qualified by experience, education and careful scientific study of this particular line, he has won distinction in his adopted city and is widely known in other sections of the country. For some years he was clinical lecturer on this subject at the Miami Medical College and for five years past has been professor of this branch of medical science at the Cincinnati College of Med- icine and Surgery. In 1896 he was appointed to the chair of dermatology and syphilology in the Medical College of Ohio. He published in 1888 a book on hygiene of the skin. He is a valued contributor to the various medical journals and belongs to the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, the Ohio State Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the executive committee of the American Medical Congress, the American Society of Dermatology, the French Society of Dermatology at Paris, and the Italian Society of Dermatology at ' Rome. Dr. Ravogli attended the International Medical Congress, which met at Madrid, in 1903, and was elected president of the department of derma- tology. The Congress was received by the King of Spain, and was impressed by his frank and engaging manners. He is described by Dr. Ravogli as a handsome youth who gives promise of obtaining a firm mental grip on all matters pertaining to the welfare of Spain. This trip abroad forcibly im- pressed upon the Doctor's mind the superiority of the United States over the European countries, with their hordes of beggars, the appalling illiteracy and the gullibility of the people on matters of religion, the amassing of wealth in the church and the consequent increasing of the burdens of taxation upon the shoulders of those who can ill afford to bear the imposition.
In March, 1878, Dr. Ravogli was united in marriage with Julia Schindi- lin, a daughter of Venedelin Schindilin, of Vienna, Austria. Fraternally he is a 32nd degree Mason. In politics he is identified with the Republcan party and is an active member of the Blaine Club. He is a member of the State Board of Medical Examiners and Registers. He represented Italy as vice- consul at Cincinnati for 17 years, being of the greatest service to both the city and his countrymen, but upon the death of King Humbert he resigned. Dr. Ravogli's portrait accompanies this sketch.
JAMES D. LEHMER.
JAMES D. LEHMER, one of the pioneer merchants of Cincinnati, was born in Youngstown, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on January 24,
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1817. At the early age of 13, after having attended the country school in the neighborhood for a few years, he entered the store of his father, who was a farmer and country merchant. At 16 years of age he went to Pittsburg and engaged in business with his uncle, William Curry, and after three years as clerk was taken into partnership with Mr. Curry. This partnership continued prosperously for some years when Mr. Lehmer, being fond of travel and somewhat broken in health, disposed of his interest in the firm, and made quite an extensive trip through the South and Cuba. He came to Cincinnati, January 1, 1846, and immediately engaged in the commission business with Charles Anderson, the firm being Lehmer & Anderson. They soon became the most prominent handlers of cotton and peanuts in this section and were the Western . forwarding agents of the Adams Express Company, whose Southern shipments were consigned to the firm and by them forwarded to various points in the South. Their place of business was in Cassily's Row on the river front, where it continued until 1850, when it was moved to the southwest corner of Second and Walnut streets, and the firm name changed to James D. Lehmer & Company. Mr. Lehmer continued in the commission business with success until 1866, when he retired to give at- tention to his real estate interests which were quite extensive. He was always a hard worker; his sound judgment in business matters was prov- erbial and his advice was eagerly sought. His word was as good as his bond and his credit was unlimited. He occupied many positions of trust, was con- nected with whatever was proposed for the advancement of the city's in- terests, and for many years was a Director in the Ohio & Mississippi Railway Company and in the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad Company.
Mr. Lehmer died at his home on Broadway, this city, on April 23, 1903, after a long and useful life. He was survived by his wife, and four children : Charles Lelimer, an attorney of Cincinnati; Gilbert Lehmer; Fanny Bryce Lelimer and Caroline Lehmer.
OBED JAY WILSON.
OBED JAY WILSON, publisher and poet, and for many years head of the house of Wilson, Hinkle & Company, of Cincinnati, well known as the largest school book publishers in the United States, is a representative of a
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family which took a leading part in the public affairs incident to the early settlement of the State of Maine. He was born August 30, 1826, in Bing- ham, Maine, and is a son of the statesman and Methodist divine, Rev. Obed Wilson. The latter was a member of the Territorial Convention of 1820 and 1821, which framed the Constitution of that State, and was a Rep- resentative to the first session of the Legislature that convened after its adoption. As a minister of the Methodist Church for more than 40 years, he was equally prominent, and his name is found associated with others who have made the Pine Tree State notable as the home of genius, intelli- gence and greatness.
Obed Jay Wilson was one of 14 children born to Rev. Obed and Chris- tina (Gray) Wilson, of which number our subject and a brother residing in Minnesota are the sole survivors. He came to Cincinnati as early as 1846. He had been liberally educated and began the study of the law, also engaging in teaching. His failing eyesight, however, after five years of close applica- tion, caused him to change his plans and seek an occupation which would entail no eye strain. This he found in a position which he accepted in 1852 with Winthrop B. Smith & Company, publishers of school supplies, and a few years later he became the correspondent and literary referee, still later editor-in-chief, a position which his literary tastes and artistic temperament made particularly agreeable. Upon Mr. Smith's retirement, he became a member of the firm of Sargent, Wilson & Hinkle, which was established in 1862. In 1869 the firm became known as Wilson, Hinkle & Company, and as such became the greatest publishers of school books and supplies in the United States. This firm continued with uninterrupted success until 1891, when the business was merged into that of the American Book Company. Mr. Wilson has written much in verse in an easy, graceful and forcible style, and owes his remarkable success to a combination of the qualities of a busi- ness man and a writer.
Mr. Wilson has spent much time in foreign travel and in the enjoyment of the wonders and beauties of other lands. His first trip of leisurely travel was in company with his wife and his niece, Fannie M. Stone. The trip was not finished on account of his being called to Cincinnati from Rome, Italy, by the death of a partner. During the succeeding seven years he was again deeply immersed in business. In 1877, accompanied by his wife, he visited Europe, Africa, Palestine, Syria, and Asia Minor, returning home in 1882.
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In 1886 a more extended trip was undertaken, when Mr. and Mrs. Wilson, accompanied by two nieces, visited the Sandwich Islands, Japan, China, Farther India and Egypt, returning in 1887. In 1892, they spent a delight- ful time in England, Scotland and Ireland, finally returning to their beautiful home in Cilfton, which is adorned with trophies from almost every land. The family residence, located at No. 378 Lafayette avenue, one of the most attractive homes in Cincinnati and the suburbs, was built by Mr. Wilson more than 30 years ago. He has one of the most extensive and best selected pri- vate libraries in the State of Ohio.
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