USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 26
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On May 10, 1842, our subject was united in marriage with Elizabeth Lesly, a daughter of Alexander Lesly, who was born in County Longford, Ireland. To this union were born seven children, as follows: Wilber; Thomas and David, who conducted the.business for their father during the last years of his life; Mrs. Walter Fye; Mrs. William Hickman; Louise and Elizabeth. Mrs. Knott died December 8, 1902, at the age of 80 years. She was a faithful member of the Protestant Episcopal Church.
JOHN H. DECAMP.
JOHN H. DECAMP, one of the prominent business citizens of Cincinnati, died at his beautiful home in Newport, Kentucky, March 8, 1903. For some years he had been engaged in the steamboat supply and furniture business at No. 232 East Front street, Cincinnati.
John H. DeCamp was born at Branch Hill, Ohio, December 10, 1858, and was a son of John and Serena ( Hildreth) DeCamp. He had one brother and two sisters, as follows: E. A. DeCamp, of Los Angeles, Cali- fornia; Mrs. Giles S. Mitchell of Cincinnati; and Rena DeCamp, who is an artist of national reputation.
Mr. DeCamp , was a graduate of Woodward High School. He was
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identified in turn with Barrett, Watters & Lewis, the L. D. Ault Wooden Ware Company and Compton, Ault & Company, all manufacturers of wooden ware. He was connected with these firms for a period of 25 years before he bought his father's business on Fast Front street. The steamboat supply business was an enterprise founded by the elder DeCamp some forty years ago. Prior to the building of railroads, when river traffic was at its height, the business house of John DeCamp grew and flourished and a large fortune was built up in it. When our subject succeeded his father, he still further extended its scope and brought to bear modern ideas and methods. He was well known through the marts of the city and was one of the most highly esteemed business citizens, being among the first members of the Young Men's Business Club, now the Business Men's Club Company.
In Cincinnati, on May 16, 1878, Mr. DeCamp was joined in marriage with Anna Masminester, who with one son, John Percy, survives him. Jolin Percy DeCamp is at present conducting the business, which was established by his grandfather. He is a very successful young business man. Our subject was a consistent and liberal member of the Presbyterian Church and was a generous promoter of all established charities. The family is one of social importance both in Cincinnati and in Newport.
SAMUEL B. TOMLINSON, M. D.
SAMUEL B. TOMLINSON, M. D., a well known, prominent and success- ful physician of Cincinnati, was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, January II, 1829, and is a son of .Samuel and Rebecca ( Biddle) Tomlinson, and grandson of Samuel and Ann (Garrison) Tomlinson.
The Tomlinson family is not only an old one in America, but it be- longed to the parish of St. Peter, Cornhill, London, England, as early as 1542, for in the registry of that old church there is recorded that on Friday, October 10, 1542, occurred the christening of Alice, daughter of Mathew Tomlinson, register of St. Dionis, Backchurch, London ; September 20, 1555. „buried, William Tomlinson; February 4, 1585-86, married, Thomas Tomly- son of St. Margaret's, in New Fysh street and Anne More of this parish ; May 13, 1611, baptized, Richard Tomlinson, son of John Tomlinson, register
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of St. Antholin, Hudge Row, London. From the "Book of Dignities of the British Empire," we find that the Tomlinsons of England have held high political, military and ecclesiastical positions.
Samuel Tomlinson, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Frank- ford, Pennsylvania, now a part of Philadelphia, February 16, 1762. His wife, Ann (Garrison) Tomlinson, was born December 1, 1761, and died March 15, 1824.
Samuel Tomlinson, father of Dr. Tomlinson, was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, March 12, 1793, and died in Cincinnati at the home of the sub- ject of this sketch, Marchi 31, 1878. Rebecca ( Biddle) Tomlinson, mother of our subject, was born in New Jersey in 1794, and died in Cincinnati in 1834.
Dr. Samuel B. Tomlinson of this sketch is the fifth of a family of six children. His education was obtained on College Hill and his medical reading was done under the tutorship of Prof. Thomas Wood of the Medical College of Ohio in Cincinnati, where he graudated in 1855; one year after his graduation found him in successful practice at the office which he still occupies. Dr. Tomlinson has been assistant anatomist in the Medical Col- lege of Ohio and is a valued member of the Cincinnati Academy of Medicine.
On July 9, 1869, Dr. Tomlinson was married to Athelia M. Spencer, daughter of Ebenezer and Sarah Spencer, of Cincinnati. After a delightful bridal tour of a year over the continent of Europe and the West Indies, Dr. Tomlinson returned to resume his practice in this city. The four children born to Dr. and Mrs. Tomlinson were: Fanny S., born July 4, 1840, died March 2, 1876; Sadie R., born October 31, 1871, died January 25, 1877; Fanny May, born May 9, 1876, who married Dr. C. Estep, a graduate of Pulte Medical College, class of 1890, and now a practicing physician of Price Hill, Cincinnati; and Samuel S., born September 10, 1878, who re- ceived his early education in the public schools of Cincinnati, graduated in the class of 1898 from Woodward High School and from the Medical Col- lege of Ohio,-Medical Department of the University of Cincinnati,-in the class of 1902. Since taking his degree in medicine, Samuel S. Tomlinson has been associated with his father in medical practice and has made a marked impression for thorough and practical knowledge of the profession. Dr. Tomlinson and family are members of the Westminster Presbyterian Church of Price Hill, Cincinnati.
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Mrs. Tomlinson is a lady of literary tastes and culture and is the gifted authoress of an illustrated volume of poems, entitled, "Summerland and Other' Poems," and is a regular and valued contributor to the journals of · Cincinnati, New York and Pittsburg. Dr. Tomlinson is fraternally con- nected with the Ancient Order of United Workmen. Politically, he is in sympathy with the Republican party.
CHRISTIAN MATTHEW LOTZE.
CHRISTIAN MATTHEW LOTZE, a prominent attorney of Cincinnati, is a native of this city, born here October 8, 1850, and is a son of Adolphus and Magdalena (Behring) Lotze, the latter of whom is the center of a very large and affectionate family of children and grandchildren.
The late Adolphus Lotze was long a prominent business citizen of Cin- cinnati. He was born in 1812 in the Kingdom of Hanover, Germany, and came to America in 1833, seeking a field for his inventive genius. After the usual trials and discouragements which meet the youth of little means, he succeeded in establishing the firm of Lotze & Lohn for the manufacture of stoves. It was located on the southeast corner of Fifth and Vine streets, and older residents can easily recall its founding and later expansion. Mr. Lotze invented the first warm air furnace ever manufactured in this country. At the time of his death, December 11, 1877, he was the head of the well known firm of A. Lotze & Sons, manufacturers of ranges and furnaces. The firm, whose style has been changed to A. Lotze's Sons & Company, is now com- posed of A. H. Lotze, Frederick B. Lotze and Adolphus Bering.
C. M. Lotze was graduated at the Woodward High School in 1869 and read law under the late distinguished Justice Stanley Matthews of the United States Supreme Court, and was graduated at the Cincinnati Law School in 1871. Mr. Lotze had unusual opportunities and he attended the universities of Leipsic, Heidelberg and Berlin until 1873, when he returned to America and began the practice of his profession, in October of that year, in the law offices of Stallo & Kittredge in Cincinnati. In 1875 he formed the law firm of Lotze & Bettinger, which continued until 1880, since which time he has engaged in practice individually. His finely appointed offices are in
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the Wiggins Block, on the corner of Fifth and Vine streets, the same location where his father began business so many years ago.
On October 5, 1876, Mr. Lotze returned to Europe and while in Ger- many was married to his cousin, Emma Magdalena Lotze, daughter of Prof. William Lotze, fulfilling an engagement made in 1871. The two children of this union are: Edmund W. and Erma Magdalena, and the beautiful family home is situated on East Ridgeway avenue, Avondale. In politics, Mr. Lotze is a Democrat, in this departing from the rule of the family. He has been prominently mentioned at various times both as a candidate to the lower house of the State Legislature and for the office of judge. He has served in many public capacities and was one of the most valued presid- ing officers of the society known as the Friends of Inquiry, whose meetings were for social and scientific discussion, and were held in the Unitarian edifice on Eighth and Plum streets. Mr. Lotze has been one of the agitators on the subject of cremation, and in association with his brother-in-law, Carl A. Nulsen, promoted the formation of The Cincinnati Cremation Company, the initial meeting being held at his office in September, 1884. He is a - man of education and travel and intelligently interested in all the leading questions of the day. As a lawyer and as a citizen, Mr. Lotze is held in high esteem.
WALTER B. KNIGHT, M. D.
WALTER B. KNIGHT, M. D., one of the prominent physicians and surgeons of Cincinnati, has brought thorough preparation and natural ability to the practice of his profession. Dr. Knight was born in Janesville, Wis- consin, and is a son of Albert R. and Henrietta ( Moore) Knight, the former of whom was a native of Maine, and the latter, of New Brunswick. Our subject's mother died in 1870, and was survived by her husband seven years.
Dr. Knight was but an infant at the time of his mother's death, and he grew up in the home of his uncle, the eminent Dr. D. W. Hartshorh of Cincinnati. He became a student in the public schools and at Chickering Institute, graduating from the latter well known institution. Immediately after, he began the study of medicine and graduated with much credit from Pulte Medical College of Cincinnati in 1888. He has continued in active practice in this city ever since, and is well and most favorably known to
JOHN CHARLES RILEY.
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the profession and to the public. He is a valued member of the Hahnemann Medical Society and is a contributor to contemporary medical literature.
Dr. Knight was united in marriage on June 2, 1887, to Bertha Elinore Owen, who is a daughter of Bernard and Rebecca (Luken) Owen, the latter of English and the former of Irish descent.
In politics, Dr. Knight affiliates with the Republican party. Personally, he is most highly esteemed, and he finds many congenial friends in his fellow practitioners in the various medical societies and social organizations of the city. His business office is most conveniently located at No. 434 Race street. Dr. Knight combines with his professional ability a happy manner and pleasing presence which materially assist him in his work among the sick and afflicted.
JOHN CHARLES RILEY.
JOHN CHARLES RILEY, ex-postmaster of the city of Cincinnati and one of the prominent citizens and political factors, was born September 15, 1842. in Madison, Indiana. His parents were Hugh and Ann (McDonough) Riley. natives of Ireland, who came to America in 1832, settled in New York City, and afterwards moved to Madison, Indiana. In 1844 the family re- moved to Cincinnati where, four years later, the father died, the mother sur- viving him 13 years. They were Roman Catholics; the son, John C. Riley, was also baptized in that faith, but his education in the affairs of the world made him very liberal in his religious views.
Mr. Riley secured an education in the Fifth District and First Inter- mediate schools of Cincinnati. The death of his father early threw him upon his own resources and at the age of 15 he began his business career in the humble position of errand boy in a local merchant tailoring establishment, and later filled the same station in a retail hat and fur store. The lad was ambitious and learned bookkeeping in Bartlett's Commercial College. Thus better equipped, he secured a clerkship in a wholesale hat house on Pearl street and from there went as bookkeeper to the lamp, oil and gas fixture house of Brown & Vallette on Fourth street, and in the course of time. through that attention to business which has always marked his career, he was accepted as a partner in the firm of J. D. Brown & Company, suc- cessors to Brown & Vallette. In 1865 he sold this interest and became asso-
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ciated in the same business with McHenry & Carson, this copartnership dis- solving in 1870, Mr. Riley then becoming a member of the firm of Carson & Company, with salesroom in the Pike Opera House Building. There he remained until 1875 when he again became associated with the house of McHenry & Company, a business arrangement which kept in force until his appointment by President Cleveland, in April, 1886, as postmaster of Cin- cinnati. His administration of the affairs of this office met with general satisfaction and is still fresh in the minds of his friendly fellow citizens, irrespective of party. However, Mr. Riley is a man of firm political convic- tions and has been a very useful member of the Democratic party. Two years of service were given in the City Council and for three years he was a mem- ber of the Board of Aldermen.
On May 30, 1864, Mr. Riley was united in marriage with Emma N. Baker, daughter of Nathan and Amelia (Horner) Baker, natives of Ohio, and two children were born to this union: Louis R. and Ada H. Louis R. Riley's death occurred May 14, 1901; he left a widow,-who before mar- riage was Carrie M. Maag, a daughter of Frank G. Maag, of Cincinnati, -- and two daughters, Ethel and Hazel. Miss Ada H. Riley resides with her parents in their home on Purcell avenue, Price Hill. Our subject's family are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Mr. Riley has held many positions of honor and has been proffered more. Judges Taft and Sage appointed him United States Jury Commis- sioner for the Western Division of the Southern District of Ohio during their administrations. He has ever been in the confidence of the leaders of his party and on March 8, 1893, he was offered the position of chief clerk of the War Department, through Senator Calvin S. Brice, and on April 3, 1893, he was tendered the position of Third Auditor of the Treasury De- partment, by President Cleveland. Both of these honorable positions lie de- clined, preferring the life of a private citizen among his friends in Cincin- nati. A portrait of Mr. Riley accompanies this sketch.
CHRISTIAN E. BROCKMANN.
The death of Christian E. Brockmann at his handsome residence on Montgomery avenue, Pleasant Ridge, in the summer of 1903, removed one
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of the pioneer business men of Cincinnati. Mr. Brockmann was born in Germany, July 4, 1834, but had been a resident of this city since the age of 14 years.
While Mr. Brockmann was prominently associated with the various interests of Cincinnati, he will be best remembered by the business world as the founder and owner of The Brockmann Pottery Company, whose manu- facturing plant is located on Richmond street, and whose retail establishment is at No. 312 Main street. His name was identified with many of the lead- ing German institutions of the city, and he was always prominent in sup- porting their charities. His industry and perseverance, with consequent suc- cess, offer an example to those who follow in the paths already made smooth by the pioneers, of whom he was an example. Coming to Cincinnati a lad in 1848, he had little to depend upon except his own efforts, and that they were directed in the right direction is evidenced by the large estate lie ac- quired and the honor and esteem in which he was universally held.
Mr. Brockmann married Josephine M. Ries, who still survives, with these children: Christian F., who is the manager of the Brockmann Pot- tery Company ; Philip E .; Edward, who is connected with the pottery ; Her- ·bert W .; Mrs. I. Arnold, of Chicago; and Mrs. R. Ross Whiting, whose husband is a member of The Whiting View Company of Cincinnati.
While Mr. Brockmann had been in poor health for many months. his deatlı was not expected, and came to his family and friends as a great calamity. It is hard to realize that one so kind and thoughtful, so necessary to the happiness of others, so useful in many avenues, should now be but a dear memory.
HON. WILLIAM H. LUEDERS.
HON. WILLIAM H. LUEDERS, a prominent citizen of Cincinnati, for- merly city prosecuting attorney and now serving his second term as Police Court judge, was born in Cincinnati, July 5, 1865. He is a son of a veteran of the Civil War.
Judge Lueders commenced business life as a newsboy and then learned the trade of cabinetmaker. Later he studied law in . the office of Yaple, . Moos & McCabe, and in 1886 was graduated with high honors from the Cincinnati Law School. He engaged in the practice of his profession until
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1897, when he was appointed city prosecuting attorney. In 1900 he was first elected judge of the Police Court and made an enviable record, being returned to the office in 1903.
Perhaps no office in Hamilton County requires more judgment or greater wisdom to fill the requirements than that of Police Court judge, but Judge Lueders, with his legal training and experience, is peculiarly fitted for the position. He possesses all of the requirements demanded by the law, and in addition those human elements which must always come into play in the meting out of reward and punishment. Judge Lueders has a great personal following. He is prominent in the ranks of the Republican party, and is universally respected for his high personal and political stand- ards.
WILLIAM EDWARD BLOYER, M. D.
There are few physicians and surgeons of the Eclectic medical school more widely known or more deservedly popular than is Dr. William Edward Bloyer of Cincinnati. He was born February 13, 1853, at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and secured' an excellent education in the common schools and the Chambersburg Academy. Prior to entering upon the study of medicine, he spent 10 years in teaching school.
In 1872, as a teacher, Dr. Bloyer came to Ohio, and in the following year began the study of medicine. In June, 1879, he was graduated at the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, and subsequently settled in practice at Catawba, Ohio. He kept closely in touch with his college and in Novem- ber, 1897, was called to Cincinnati to succeed Dr. Edwin Freeman, the noted anatomist, at the Eclectic Medical Institute. In the following year he was transferred to the chair of special and general surgery, an important position . he still holds. Since 1895 he has been one of the instructors in clinical medi- cine at the Institute, where he is one of the most popular lecturers.
In 1900-01 Dr. Bloyer received a token of the high esteem in whichi he is held, both in and outside of his own school of medical science, by being honored with an election as president of the American Orificial Association of Surgeons, surgery of this nature having been with him .a special object of_study and practice. He is generally regarded as an authority, and is called as consultant in this branch of surgery all over the country.
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Dr. Bloyer is known as one of the leading advocates of Eclectic prin- ciples, and has been president of the State and National Eclectic medica! associations, and is also one of the working members of the Cincinnati Eclec- tic Medical Society. In addition to being one of the valued associate editors of the Eclectic Medical Journal, since 1887 he has been one of the editors and publishers of the Eclectic Medical Gleaner.
On November 2, 1876, Dr. Bloyer was married to Helen Abigail Pinck- ney, a relative of that distinguished statesman, Hon. Elihu Root. Dr. and Mrs. Bloyer have one son,-William Root Pinckney, a student at Hamilton College, Clinton, New York,-and two daughters,-Maude Ginevra, a teacher in Cincinnati, and Mary Abigail. Dr. Bloyer's offices are con- veniently located in the Lancaster Building.
SAMUEL L. HEWITT.
SAMUEL L. HEWITT, who died November 9, 1896, was a representative of one of Cincinnati's most prominent families. He was a man of excep- tional business qualifications, honor and integrity, and during his short career made many stanch friends, in whose memory he will live until they are re- united in the life to come.
Mr. Hewitt was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 5, 1847, on what was then the farm of his grandfather Chase, now known as the Hewitt Sub- Division of Walnut Hills. He was a son of Charles Hewitt, whose death occurred November 14, 1888. After the death of his father, Samuel L. Hew- itt assumed charge of the large estate left to his mother, and upon her death, January 17, 1892, became executor of her will. In the handling of his large business, his actions were characterized with the strictest integrity and fair dealings toward all. He was a prominent member of the Chamber of Com- merce, which body passed resolutions of regret and sympathy for the be- reaved wife and son. His entire life was spent in Cincinnati, where he had many friends of long years standing, and to them as well as to his immediate family his death in the prime of life was a sad blow.
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Samuel L. Hewitt was united in marriage, March 18, 1875, with Norma L. Myers, a daughter of Theophilus and Susan ( Epply ) Myers. Her father was one of the most extensive real estate dealers of Cincinnati and Walnut
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Hills. Our subject and his wife became the parents of one child, Clarence C., who represents the interests of his father's large estate. Mr. Hewitt was an attendant of the Baptist Church, and in politics affiliated with the Republican party. Mrs. Hewitt and her son reside in a beautiful brick man- sion on Walnut Hills at No. 1804 Kinney avenue.
MERWIN ASHER HIGH.
The death of Merwin A. High, assistant superintendent of the free delivery division of the Cincinnati Post Office, at his home, No. 1530 Chase street, on August 20, 1903, removed a faithful and capable public official, and a young man of unusual ability and personal attractiveness. Mr. High's lease of life was short, having not yet completed his 44th year. He was born in Cincinnati, August 22, 1859, and was laid to rest in Spring Grove Cemetery on his birthday.
Mr. High was educated in Cincinnati, was graduated from the Wood- ward High School in 1878, and soon after entered the service of the Western Union Telegraph Company in a clerical capacity. The fidelity to duty which always characterized him soon gained him promotion, and he was made superintendent of messengers. In that position he continued until 1894, when he left telegraphic work to accept a position with the Pope Manufac- turing Company. Later he accepted a position in the postal service, being placed in charge of Station B, at Brighton, on June 24th of that year. In 1902 he was appointed assistant superintendent of the free delivery division of the Cincinnati Post Office, but failing health warned him as early as June, 1903, that he must take a vacation. An attack of pneumonia brought on complications, but it was hoped that the balsamic air of Northern Michigan would restore him to health. This hope was not fulfilled and he was brought to his home in this city in a precarious condition.
Mr. High was noted for the enjoyment he took in outdoor sports and he belonged to several clubs, being secretary of the Cincinnati Bicycle Club. He was prominent in the Masonic fraternity and was associated with other secret orders. Mr. High is survived by a widow and two children.
Mr. High was popular and deservedly so and it was a matter of the greatest sorrow to those with whom he had been so intimately connected in
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his official capacity, that so faithful and conscientious a worker should have been removed. He possessed in unusual degree those characteristics which make friends, a personal magnetism which drew others to him. His place may be filled, but never so well filled as by the kind husband, loving father, true friend and faithful official who now sleeps in the quiet Spring Grove Cemetery.
MOST REV. WILLIAM HENRY ELDER.
MOST REV. WILLIAM HENRY ELDER, whose connection with the Cin- cinnati Catholic Archdiocese extends over a period of 22 years, is now the oldest bishop in the American hierarchy. He was born at Baltimore, Maryland, March 22, 1819, and has been a bishop for more than 56 years.
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