USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 22
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Mr. Wilson was married, in 1853, to Amanda M. Landrum, daughter of Rev. Francis Landrum, a well known Methodist divine of Augusta, Ken- tucky.
REV. THOMAS JEFFERSON - MELISH.
REV. THOMAS JEFFERSON MELISHI, for a number of years a prominent clergyman of the Protestant Episcopal Church in Cincinnati, passed out of life November 11, 1896, leaving a vacancy in the ranks of the clergy and among the city's learned, cultured men, difficult to fill. Rev. Mr. Melish was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1822, and was a son of John Melish, distinguished as a traveler and historian.
John Melish came to America from Scotland in 1806 as a cotton factor in the interests of the cotton mills of Glasgow, and traveled extensively throughout the United States. He was received at Washington by President Thomas Jefferson, who became so much interested in the accounts given by his guest that he encouraged the latter to prepare theni for publication, which Mr. Melish later did, issuing the two volumes in Philadelphia, London and Dublin. Later Mr. Melish settled in Philadelphia and there published the first school atlas and many other books and became widely known in that field. His death occurred while his son was still young.
Thomas Jefferson Melishi was reared by relatives and was given most excellent early educational advantages. After his graduation from Bethany College, Virginia, he entered the Baptist ministry and continued in that re- ligious body until 1877, during this time becoming one of its most dis- tinguished men, serving as pastor of several churches and editing for several
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years the Journal and Messenger, the leading Baptist paper in Ohio. In 1877 a change in his views led him to unite with the Protestant Episcopal Church. After he entered this communion he took charge of St. Thomas' Church at Milford, Ohio, and remained there two years, his services being most highly valued. He then returned to Cincinnati and became rector of the Chapel of the Nativity on Price Hill, in connection with St. Philip's Church in Northside. During his term of service the mission on Price Hill grew from 37 members to 176, and was strengthened financially and spiritually, his efforts meeting with the greatest encouragement. For a number of years he served as secretary of the Diocese of Southern Ohio. His talents in literary work were recognized, and he became the editor of The Church Chronicle, the official organ of the diocese.
Rev. Mr. Melish was very prominently identified with the various Ma- sonic bodies for a period of 25 years and filled many of the highest positions in the order. He was a master of his lodge, was high priest of his chapter, master of his council and eminent commander of his commandery, and lie was also very active in the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in which he reached the 33rd degree. He was sovereign inspector general, grand chap- lain of the Grand Council, R. & S. M., and grand prelate of the Grand Com- mandery, K. T., of Ohio.
In 1849 Rev. Mr. Melish was united in marriage with Maria Bromwell, a daughter of William Bromwell, a merchant of Cincinnati and a member of the City Council. Ten children were born to Rev. and Mrs. Melish, of whom eight are still living. Of these, William B. Melish, one of the Water Works Commissioners and a prominent manufacturer, Charles B. Melish, of Madi- son, Indiana, and Rev. John Howard Melish, assistant rector of Christ Church, are well known in Cincinnati.
Rev. Mr. Melish's services in the cause of religion can scarcely be too highly estimated. His charity and benevolence were without bounds and his life was one of Christian usefulness.
E. GUSTAV ZINKE, M. D.
A complete biography of our distinguished subject would include a his- tory of many of the leading medical institutions of this city, and a record
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of the greater part of the advancement of medical science. Dr. Zinke's name is identified with some of the most remarkable surgical operations in this section of the United States and the methods which he has evolved have been adopted over a wide territory.
Dr. Zinke was born May 29, 1846, at Spremberg, Province of Branden- burg, Kingdom of Prussia, Germany, and he is a son of Ernest W. and Amelia (Martin) Zinke, who were parents of seven children, our subject be- ing the second in order of birth. Until his 16th year he attended school at Goerlitz, and then entered the Prussian Navy, now the German Navy, where he served for eight years, visiting during this time all parts of the world, se- curing various promotions on account of excellent seamanship. It was his privilege to belong to one of the ships which took part in the opening of the Suez Canal, on November 29, 1869. When his life on board ship ended, in 1870, he came to the United States, landing at New York, and located at Virden and Girard, Illinois, where he engaged in farm labor and subsequently taught German and perfected his own education.
In 1872 our subject began the study of medicine with Dr. Jones, a homeopathic physician at Girard, Illinois; six months later he entered the office of Dr. J. R. Mitchell. In 1873, he became a student at the Medical College of Ohio in Cincinnati where he was graduated in 1875. Dr. Zinke has never severed his connection with his alma mater, and has occupied the position of assistant to the chair of ophthalmology and otology, under Prof. W. W. Seely, and to the chair of obstetrics and gynecology under Prof. C. D. Palmer, and has been prosector of anatomy under Prof. P. S. Conner. He now holds the position of professor of obstetrics and clinical midwifery in this time honored institution, now the Medical Department of the Univer- sity of Cincinnati. He was one of the founders of the German Deaconess' Home and Hospital, and for 10 years lias been a member of its board of man- agers and is still the president of its medical staff. Dr. Zinke has been presi- dent of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine and of the Obstetrical Society of Cincinnati and first vice-president of the Ohio State Medical Society: he is also a member of the American Medical Association, the Southern Sur- gical and Gynecological Society and the American Association of Obstetri- cians and Gynecologists. Medical literature has been made richer by his pen. some of his most thoughtful articles being : "Emment's Operation,-When Shall it, and When Shall it Not be Performed"; "The Use of Chloroforni
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During Labor"; "The Treatment of Hemorrhoids by Carbolic Acid Injec- tions"; "Puerperal Fever and the Early Employment of Antiseptic Vaginal Injections"; "Gastro-Elytrotomy and the Porro Operation vs. the Samger Method of Performing Cesarean Section "; " Is Cesarean Section Justifi- able in Certain Cases of Placenta Previa "; "Limitations of Cæsarean Sec- tion," and many others of equal value. It was this careful, skilled surgeon who performed the first successful " Cesarean Section " in Cincinnati. Jan- uary, 1893. The following May he performed the first "Symphyseotomy " west of the Alleghanies, saving the lives of both mother and child.
On March 26, 1879, Dr. Zinke was married to Clara Von Seggern, who is a daughter of Christopher Von Seggern, a prominent lawyer of Cincinnati. The children of this union are: Stanley G., born August 25, 1880; and Edna A., born November 29, 1883. Stanley G. Zinke was graduated in med- icine in 1902, and served as interne in the Good Samaritan and Cincinnati hos- pitals, both positions being secured by competitive examination. The family residence is located at No. 13 Garfield place. Dr. Zinke is a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason and a Mystic Shriner. Politically he is a Republican.
MAX B. MAY, A. M.
MAX B. MAY, A. M., an attorney of Cincinnati, and a member of one of the leading Jewish families of the city, was born in Cincinnati on July 21, 1866, and is a son of Benjamin and Emily (Wise) May, the latter of whom is a daughter of the late distinguished Rabbi Isaac M. Wise.
Mr. May attended the public schools of Cincinnati and was graduated from the Woodward High School in 1884 and from the University of Cin- cinnati in 1888. He attended the Cincinnati Law School and the Harvard Law School, and received the degree of A. M., from Harvard University in 1890. In October of the same year he was admitted to the bar.
Mr. May has been identified very prominently with both secular and sectarian educational institutions. In January, 1899, he was appointed a director of the University of Cincinnati to succeed his grandfather, the late Rabbi Isaac M. Wise and served until May, 1903; in 1901 he was elected a member of the board of governors of the Hebrew Union College. He has al- ways shown a deep interest in all public movements and improvements.
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Since 1895 Mr. May has been secretary of the Plum Street Temple. He is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society and the American Historical Society. In 1901 and 1902, he won the $100 prizes offered by the Ohio Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, for the best essay on the following subjects: "The Continental Congress ( 1775-1781). Its Control of Military and Diplomatic Affairs " ( 1901) ; " France, Her Influence and Aid in Our Revolutionary Struggles " ( 1902).
FRANCIS PEDRETTI.
FRANCIS PEDRETTI, whose death occurred June 13, 1891, was one of the best known citizens of Cincinnati, and a pioneer fresco artist of the West. He was born in Chiavenna, Italy, June 22, 1829, and was one of six children born to his parents, but one of whom is now living.
Born and reared in the home of art, his development of talent was at an early uge. His parents encouraged his efforts and gave him every advantage in their power, entering him as a pupil in the historic Brera Academy of Fine Arts, at Milan, as soon as his age permitted. From that great school he grad- uated with highest honors. He then became a pupil of Scrugatti, and later of Marriani, who were at that period the leading masters of decorative art in Italy. The revolution of 1849 interfered with the artistic career of Francis Pedretti, the convulsions in his native land resulting in the United States becoming the home of this distinguished and talented man. An enthusiastic follower of Garibaldi, it became necessary for him to leave Italy, and he crossed the sea to the land of liberty. Locating in New York city, he engaged in fresco painting and ere long occupied a position in the front rank, his skill in ornamental designing being regarded as wonderful. Among those who first recognized his great talent and became patrons, were Prof. S. F. B. Morse and A. T. Stewart. In 1854 he located in Cincinnati, which he made his per- manent home. The artistic reputation of Francis Pedretti became world-wide, and specimens of his beautiful work adorn the homes of many of the magnifi- cent residences of Cincinnati.
On June 17, 1853, Mr. Pedretti wa's joined in marriage to Catherine Maitland, a daugliter of Richard Maitland, who was a barrister of Aberdeen, Scotland. Three children were born to this union, namely : Ralph M., who
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married Ubanina Fiocchi, of Milan, Italy ; Charles A., who married Mina Bets- cher, the noted singer; and Eugenia M., a bright and accomplished daughter who resides at home .and cares for her aged mother, whose eyes in recent years have been somewhat afflicted. The two sons, Ralph M. and Charles A., are progressive business men of Cincinnati. Like their deceased father, they have established a reputation second to none as fresco artists and designers, maintaining offices at No. 10 West Ninth street. Religiously, the family is Presbyterian.
In the cozy family residence in Greendale avenue, Clifton, the ceiling in the parlor is adorned with beautiful, delicate paintings of images on canvas, the last specimen of Mr. Pedretti's work in beautiful designing and painting. This work was executed with a delicate brush and is a masterpiece.
A portrait of Mr. Pedretti accompanies this sketch; it may be found on a preceding page.
CHARLES P. TAFT.
CHARLES P. TAFT, president of the Times-Star Publishing Company, of Cincinnati, was born in this city December 21, 1843, and is the eldest son of the late Hon. Alphonso Taft. He received his primary education in the city schools, pursued a three-years' course in the Woodward High School and prepared for college in Phillips Academy, at Andover, Massachusetts, after which, in 1860, he matriculated in Yale College, where he was gradu- ated in the class of 1864. He determined to make the practice of the law his life work, and entered the Columbia Law School, of New York, from which he was graduated in 1866. For a few months of that year, he was associated in the practice of the law in Cincinnati with the firm of Sage, Haake & Taft, and then went abroad. Entering the University of Heidelberg, he was grad- uated at that institution in 1868, with the degree of J. U. D., after which he continued his studies at the College de France, of Paris, for a year. A season of travel in England and Scotland brought him that culture and knowledge which can be acquired in no other way, and with a mind broad- ened and enriched by contact with the best educators of the Old World, lie returned to Cincinnati, in November, 1869, to assume the duties and respon- sibilities of practical life.
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Mr. Taft formed a law partnership with Gen. Edward F. Noyes and successfully engaged in practice with that gentleman until 1871, when the General was elected Governor of Ohio and Mr. Taft was elected a member of the State Legislature. While serving in that body, he was chairman of the committee on schools and school lands. While acting in this capacity, he secured the first codification of the school laws of the State, and largely advanced the interests of the cause of education thereby. In 1872, he was nominated by the Republican party for Congress, but was defeated by the Greeley wave that swept over Hamilton County that year. After the elec- tion, he resumed the practice of the law.
Mr. Taft's connection with journalism dates from 1879, when he pur- chased the controlling interest in the Times. When the consolidation with the Star was made, in 1880, the Times was allotted the controlling interest in the capital stock. The paper is too well known throughout the entire country to need specific mention here. It is one of the most potent agencies in the promotion of Republicanism in this section of the land, and handles with masterly skill and marked fairness the issues that claim public attention. Mr. Taft was also for many years one of the owners of the Volksblatt, a very prosperous and' influential German newspaper, and was vice-president of The Cincinnati Volksblatt Company until toward the close of the year 1890. No man in Cincinnati has labored more earnestly for the best de- velopment of the city than Mr. Taft, especially along the lines tending to- ward mental development and a broad culture of the mind. His support is never withheld from any enterprise or measure calculated to promote the general welfare, and many interests of the city bear the impress of his strong individuality. He was one of the originators of the Zoological Garden, and one of its directors for several years. He was also treasurer of the May Festival Association for a number of years, and is at present a director of the Cincinnati Museum Association, and a member of the Trustees of the Sink- ing Fund. For several years, he served as one of the real estate managers of the Young Men's Mercantile Library Association. For fully 17 years, he was a member of the Union Board of Cincinnati High Schools, and for a time served as its president. For seven years he was president of the University Club. In the fall of 1895, his fellow townsmen showed their appreciation of his worth and ability by electing him to the 54th Congress, to represent the First Congressional District of Ohio. His political record is above reproach,
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and has ever been marked by the utmost fidelity to duty, by unwavering loy- alty to the best interests of the country, and by an unselfish purpose which places the party's good above personal aggrandizement.
Mr. Taft was married on December 4, 1873, to Annie Sinton, daughter of David and Jane ( Ellison) Sinton, of Cincinnati.
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CHARLES A. BOSWORTH.
CHARLES A. BOSWORTH, a prominent attorney-at-law and United States Assistant Treasurer at Cincinnati, Ohio, is also president of the First Na- tional Bank of Wilmington, and has other important business interests. He was born at Wilmington, Ohio, September 16, 1853, and is a son of the late Charles M. and Virginia (Lang) Bosworth. His parents were both of English descent, the father being a native of New York and the mother, of Ohio. Charles M. Bosworth was a prominent citizen of Wilmington, one of the leading Republicans of the county, and for many years prior to his death, which occurred October 11, 1888, was president of the First National Bank of Wilmington.
Charles A. Bosworth received superior educational advantages, and in 1877 graduated from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Upon his return to Wilmington he was made vice-president of the First National Bank. In 1879 he came to Cincinnati and began the reading of the law under the pre- ceptorship of Governor J. B. Foraker. He attended the Cincinnati Law School, from which he was graduated, and in 1880 was admitted to the bar. He then returned to Wilmington and assumed his duties as second officer in the bank, and in 1888 became president of that institution, being his father's successor.
Mr .. Bosworth entered upon the practice of his profession in Cincinnati in 1890, and for a time was associated with Governor Foraker and L. C. Black. In 1893 lie formed his present partnership with Mr. Black, and since that time has been connected with a great part of the important litigation of this city.
On April 24, 1884, Charles A. Bosworth was married to Jessie W. Clark, a granddaughter of Thomas Weasner, who was one of the prominent pioneer citizens of Cincinnati. Two children have blessed this union, Charles
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W. and Erwin P., both of whom live with their parents in the beautiful family home on Walnut Hills. Fraternally, Mr. Bosworth is a prominent Mason of the 32nd degree.
GEORGE STRIBLEY.
GEORGE STRIBLEY, for many years one of the prominent business men of Cincinnati, passed out of life December 5, 1898. He was born at St. Columb, Cornwall, England, April 6, 1824, and was a son of John and Eliza- beth ( Robarts) Stribley, the former of whom was a miller by occupation.
After obtaining a fair education in a private school, our subject ap- prenticed himself to the shoemaking trade and worked at the same for some years. In November, 1847, he came to America and located at Cincinnati, where he worked for two years at his trade. In 1849 he opened an estab- lishment for the manufacture of shoes by machinery and by 1852 he was employing 50 men. In 1862 he adopted machines for sewing shoes, being the first to make the innovation, as he was the first to use machines for the fitting of uppers on shoes. Mr. Stribley was the first user in Cincinnati of the Mckay sole sewing machine, and his progressive ideas were shown by his adoption of steam to the manufacture of shoes. All of these wonderful improvements are old to the present generation, but it was his genius that first discovered their suitability. While others hesitated, he was prompt in utilizing the new methods'and soon was the greatest shoe manufacturer west , of the Alleghany Mountains.
Mr. Stribley also interested capital in his enterprises and in 1864 found financial backing in James Rowe, who became his partner for several years, later Mr. Stribley becoming sole owner. In 1878 he erected the immense fac- tory which the increase of the business demanded, and in 1882 Edward P. Rogers, his son-in-law, was admitted to partnership and, later, H. W. Andrews. Mr. Stribley was a man of peculiar executive ability and of sur- passing energy. He never sought a political office, and the only public office he ever filled was that of member for three years of the first Board of Aldermen in Cincinnati. During the Civil War he was stanch in his support of the administration and all his life was identified with the Republican party. He was president of the Cincinnati Shoe Manufacturers' Association, and was also president of the arbitration board which was intended to settle
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disputes between employees and employers. In 1875 he made a visit to his old home in England and met the friends of his youth, remembering with characteristic kindness those who had not been so successful as himself. In appearance Mr. Stribley was imposing; in manner, genial and pleasant.
Mr. Stribley was twice married. First, to Mary Logan, of Scotch de- scent, March 13, 1851 ; she died soon after the birth of her only child, Mary, who married Edward P. Rogers, son of Joseph H. and Mary ( McIlvaine) Rogers. Joseph H. Rogers was a member of one of the oldest and most aristocratic families of Cincinnati, and attained prominence as one of the city's early business men. The McIlvaines were of Kentucky stock. Edward P. Rogers is at present connected with the Rogers Wheel Works, of Aurora, Indiana. Mr. and Mrs. Rogers have four children : Mary Edith; Rose Mary; Joseph Hill and George Stribley. The family residence is at No. 2320 Gil- bert avenue, Cincinnati.
On September 16, 1853, Mr. Stribley was married to Amelia Deacon, a lady of English birth. She died while abroad, in London, England, July, 1883, leaving three children: Fannie, who married Thomas F. Parry, of Maywood, a suburb ,of Chicago, and has four children-Helen, George, Louise and Amelia; Helen, who married Charles J. Myer and has one daughter, Helen; and William R., of Cincinnati.
Fraternally Mr. Stribley was a Knight Templar, a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite, and an Odd Fellow and a member of the I. O. O. F. Encampment. He was one of the founders of the Church of the Advent (Protestant Episcopal) and for 40 years was a vestryman. The qualities which characterized him were sturdy integrity, personal independence, un- flagging industry and loyalty to his country, family, friends and employees, being regarded among the latter with feelings of the highest esteem.
SCOTT BONHAM.
SCOTT BONHAM, a successful lawyer and ex-member of the Board of Legislation of the city of Cincinnati, was born in Midway, Madison County, Ohio, January 25, 1858, and is a son of William J .and Letitia ( Hays) Bon- ham. His parents were natives of Fayette County, Ohio, and his mother is still living. He is of Scotch-Irish descent.
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Mr. Bonham was educated in the schools of Midway, in the Blooming- burg Institute, and Ohio Wesleyan University, at Delaware, where he grad- uated in the class of 1882 with the degree of A. B. At intervals while in college he taught school, thus beginning to aid himself in acquiring a good education when but 15 years of age. For one year after graduation he was principal of the schools at West Unity, Ohio, during 1882-83. Then he attended the law department of the University of Virginia, completing his law study and receiving the degree of LL. B. at the Cincinnati Law School in 1885. While in college he was the freshman class orator on Washington's Birthday in 1878, and in the junior discussion debated with Samuel M. Tay- lor, formerly Secretary of State of Ohio and now United States Consul to Glasgow, Scotland, on the merits and demerits of Greek letter fraternities. He was a member of the editorial staff of the college paper, known as The Transcript, and was selected by the Cincinnati Law School in 1885 to rep- resent his class in forensic debate. He was admitted to the bar of Ohio May 28, 1885, and at once opened an office in the Esplanade Building. His suc- cess as a lawyer was immediate and has been continuous. He was admitted to practice in the United States courts in 1893. He is a general practitioner in civil and commercial law, both in the State and the Federal courts, and was for several years attorney for the Dairy and Food Commissioner of Ohio, at Cincinnati, and has been attorney for numerous building associations and other business enterprises. His office is now located in Lincoln Inn Court.
Mr. Bonham is an enthusiastic Republican in politics, and has been most active in party affairs. In 1883 he was a delegate from Williams County to the State Republican Convention, a delegate to the Hamilton County Republican Convention in 1889, and since that date has been a delegate to nearly every city, county and State convention. He was an alternate dele- gate from Ohio to the National Republican Convention held in Philadelphia in 1900. He was elected a member of the Board of Legislation April 6, 1891, for the short term under the new charter, was elected by an increased majority in 1892, reelected in 1894, and again elected in 1897, for the term expiring in 1900; during the period he was one of the city's legislators, he served two terms as president of the board, 1898-99. As a member of that board, Mr. Bonham carried with him the approval of good citizens generally by his earnest and eloquent support of all good measures introduced in that body and by his equally stalwart opposition of such as were opposed to the
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