USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 27
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Archbishop Elder began his educational course at Mount St. Mary's College, at Emmitsburg, Maryland, and then went to Rome where he took his theological course in the College of the Propaganda and was there or- dained to the priesthood in 1846. For a number of years after his return to the United States, he was director of the ecclesiastical seminary and professor of theology at Mount St. Mary's College, where his ability, learning and zeal became so apparent that on May 3, 1857, he was consecrated Bishop of Natchez, Mississippi, in the Cathedral at Baltimore, by Most Rev. Fran- cis P. Kendrick, assisted by Rt. Rev. John McGill and Rt. Rev. James F. Wood.
During the whole Civil War Archbishop Elder was located in Mississippi. where he, with his priests and communities of Sisters, did all in their power to alleviate the suffering and to prepare men for a Christian death. He ad- hered to his people, satisfied that under the United States Constitution there existed no right to hinder a State from seceding; and that as a citizen he owed his first allegiance to his own State. At one time he was put under restraint for a while on account of his refusal to pray for the success of the Union. According to his convictions, the acceding to this request would have been neither right nor expedient. On the restoration of peace, Archbishop Elder found a bad spiritual condition through Mississippi. Some congre- gations had been dispersed, some had been discontinued and a number of priests had died. Soon after the war, he had the yellow fever in Vicksburg, which almost terminated his life.
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When the financial troubles occurred in the Cincinnati Archdiocese, Arch- bishop Purcell asked Rome to send him a coadjutor and Archbishop Elder was appointed to take up the work, receiving the appointment from Rome on April 18, 1880, and from that time was practically the head of the diocese, succeeding to the full office and title of archbishop on July 4, 1883, at the death of Archbishop Purcell. Although advanced in years, he took a promi- nent part in,the Plenary Council at Baltimore in November, 1884, and directed the manifold affairs of the diocese, traveling through it at various times. At his request Rome gave him a coadjutor, in the person of Archbishop Henry Moeller, his friend and brother prelate (whose sketch will be found in this volume) who bears the brunt of heavy official duties. Archbishop Elder is a man of great intellectual attainments and has a personality which has won for him the love and esteem of the citizens of Cincinnati.
EBENEZER A. KINSEY.
The death of Ebenezer A. Kinsey, on February 5, 1894, deprived the city of Cincinnati of the services of one, whose previous business achieve- ments had given promise of a great future usefulness. From the position of office boy he had, by energy, honesty and ability, climbed to that of pro- prietor of The E. A. Kinsey. Company, dealers in railway supplies and machinery. Mr. Kinsey was born on Mount Auburn, Cincinnati, December 18, 1865, and was a son of Joseph and Ann Frances ( Ammidown) Kinsey.
The late Joseph Kinsey, whose death occurred in Cincinnati, December 12, 1889, at the age of 61 years, was born near Baltimore, Maryland, January 18, 1828, being one of a family of nine children born to Oliver and Sarah (Griffith) Kinsey, the former of whom was born November 24, 1780, one of a family of II children, and died October 4, 1855. Sarah (Griffith) Kinsey was born November 3, 1791, and died December 6, 1831. The mother of our subject was a daughter of Ebenezer Davis and Rebecca ( Fisher) Ammi- down, of Southbridge, Massachusetts. A family of 13 children were born to Joseph Kinsey and wife, four of whom still survive. For many years Josephi Kinsey was one of the leading and successful merchants of Cincin- nati, and amassed a large fortune. He was influential in many ways and was a Mason of high degree.
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The late Ebenezer A. Kinsey was educated in Cincinnati and graduated with credit from the Woodward High School in 1833. He then entered the house of Post & Company in the capacity of office boy, was rapidly ad- vanced through the positions of shipping clerk, bill clerk, secretary, and was then made vice-president of the concern. In December, 1890, he purchased the mercantile department and under his management the business grew rapidly, and at the time of his decease, under its new name, it had grown into one of the largest concerns of its kind in the West.
On April 24, 1889, Mr. Kinsey was married to Susannah Miles, a daughter of John DeBray and Lucy (Davis) Miles, of French and English ancestry, respectively. Two children were born to this marriage,-Ruth and Helen.
Mr. Kinsey was identified with the Republican party. He was a man of public spirit and was proud of his city and ever ready to promote its inter- ests. In private life he was upright and honorable and won the esteem of all who knew him.
The religious views of Mr. Kinsey, like those of his ancestors on both sides, were those of the Society of Friends.
SAMUEL PERKINS BISHOP.
The death of Samuel Perkins Bishop, February 1, 1902, removed from Cincinnati a notable citizen, one whose years had reached almost a century and whose energies had been long devoted to the development of the finan- cial interests of his city. Mr. Bishop was born in 1807 in Liverpool, Nova Scotia, whither his parents had journeyed for their health, the family home being in New York. His mother died in 1817.
Mr. Bishop attended school at Norwich, Connecticut, later at Andover. Massachusetts, and graduated at Hamilton College, New York, in 1826. He studied medicine and practiced the profession for seven years. finally abandoned it, and with his father worked upon the construction of a railroad between Owego and Ithaca, New York, and then came to Cincinnati. After his arrival here, he secured a position with the Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Company. At that time, the bank printed its own money, and never experi- enced any trouble until hard times came; during one panic, the bank had
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$700,000 of its own notes out, --- the sum of $300,000 was redeemed, and the remainder was never presented for redemption. He became teller for the bank, and it prospered and built a structure at the southwest corner of Third and Main streets. In August, 1857, during the great panic, the Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Company went to the wall for the sum of $3,000,000. James P. Kilbreth was appointed assignee and Mr. Bishop remained with him until 1866, when he was elected secretary of the Cincinnati Safe Deposit Company. Upon the death of the late Henry Peachey, Mr. Bishop succeeded him as president, a position which he retained until the consolidation of the Cincinnati Safe Deposit & Trust Company with the Central Trust & Safe Deposit Company. He was the associate and friend of such history makers of this city as L'Hommedieu, Reuben Springer, John D. Jones, Josiah Law- rence, Griffin Taylor, W. R. Lee, G. Carlisle, B. B. Whiteman, Nicholas Longworth, Charles Davis, Gardner Phipps, S. Davis, Jr., J. S. McKeehan, Briggs Swift and Elmore Cunningham.
In 1841 Mr. Bishop was married, and his estimable wife passed away at the family home, No. 828 Oak street, Walnut Hills, but a few years ago. The surviving children are: Daniel L., formerly purchasing agent for The Cincinnati Gas Light & Coke Company, who resigned that position in order to give his attention to other enterprises; Henry H., Edward P. and Newton P.
For many years Mr. Bishop was treasurer of Christ Protestant Epis- copal Church. For about three score years he was active in the financial world and was among the oldest bankers in the country. He was held in the highest regard in the business world of Cincinnati and was sincerely es- teemed by a large circle of personal friends.
MICHAEL HEISTER, JR.
MICHAEL HEISTER, JR., late superintendent of the City Infirmary of Cincinnati, died in this city November 16, 1902. Mr. Heister was born in Cincinnati, February 3, 1860, and'was a son of Michael Heister, so well known to residents of the city as proprietor of the famous Heister Restaurant, on Main street.
Our subject, after completing his education, learned the details of his
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father's business and then opened what was known as the Merchants' Res- taurant, which he conducted for a number of years. In 1890, when the present Board of Public Safety went into power, Mr. Heister was appointed superintendent of the City Infirmary, his wife being matron of the same, and this position was filled with the greatest efficiency for a period of two and a half years, and was ended by the death of Mr. Heister. The position was one of the gravest responsibility, Mr. Heister having the welfare of 900 inmates at stake. While he was a man of great firmness, he also possessed the other necessary qualifications which made him an exceptional officer in this situation. His efforts met with the commendation of the public, by whom he was thoroughly respected.
On February 3, 1884, Mr. Heister was married to Anna Enneking, who, with two children, Irene and Clarence, still survives. With his family, he was a devout member of the Catholic Church. His funeral obsequies were imposing, both on account of the great esteem in which he was held and his wide acquaintance, and also because they were conducted by the ritual of the Elks, of which he was a valued member. During the time he lay in state, at the Elks' Temple, his remains were respectfully viewed by the largest con- course of people which had ever passed through its portals. The services were conducted by William A. Hopkins, exalted ruler of Cincinnati Lodge, No. 5, B. P. O. E., and burial took place in St. Joseph's Cemetery on Price Hill.
ABRAHAM BETTMAN, M. D.
ABRAHAM BETTMAN, M. D., whose long and useful career closed with his death on January 14, 1901, at his home in Cincinnati, was for many years not only an eminent physician of this city, but was also one whose learn- ing and skill were higlily considered throughout the State. Prior to the Civil War few names of medical practitioners carried with them more weight through the West than did that of Dr. Bettman. Born in 1805. of Jewish descent, he entered upon his practice long before the important medical discoveries of the last century gave their assistance to practitioners, and built up a reptation entirely dependent upon his own close observation and ability.
Dr. Bettman survived the greater number of his early associates in
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practice, his life covering 96 years. His practice covered the whole city, and his charities and benefactions knew neither color nor creed. He was a constant resident of Cincinnati, and actively engaged in the practice of medicine from the year 1846 to the time of the last sickness that resulted in his death. He was associated in his practice with such men as Dr. John Alexander Murphy and numerous other early physicians of the city, who like him have joined the great majority. He was an acknowledged leader in public movements and his advice and influence led to the adoption of many sanitary improvements.
In 1844 Dr. Bettman married Sara Forchheimer, whose death occurred in 1886. One son of this union survives, in the person of Dr. William Bettman, who has long been known as one the city's leading dental prac- titioners. The name of Bettman is held in high esteem in the professional circles of Cincinnati.
HON. HIRAM D. PECK, LL. D.
HON. HIRAM D. PECK, LL. D., formerly judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati, was born near Cynthiana, Kentucky, March 23, 1844. On his father's side he comes of sturdy New England ancestry, his grandfather, Hiram Peck, being one of the founders of Montpelier, Vermont, and a colonel commanding Vermont troops in the War of 1812. His mother came of a Virginia family and was also descended from the prominent Broadwell family of New Jersey.
Hiram D. Peck was very young when he prepared for college under the preceptorship of Rev. Cater Page at the academy of Cynthiana. He pur- sued a classical course of study in Miami University, from which he was graduated in 1862 at the age of 18 years. He enlisted for service in the 86th Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., and served from May until September, 1862, then returned home to engage in the study of the law, a profession he had determined in youth to enter. He attended Harvard Law School until his graduation in 1865, and then located in Cincinnati to practice. His success was assured from the first, and from 1873 to 1876 he ably served as 'assistant city solicitor. In 1876 he was elected city solicitor and served in that capacity two years, when he returned to private practice. He formed a partnership with Mr. Goss which continued until the election of Judge
RAPHAEL STRAUSS.
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Peck to the bench. In the spring of 1883, he was nominated by the Demo- cratic party for judge of the Superior Court, and his election followed. In 1884, he was reelected to that office and served out his term but de- clined a second reelection, resuming the practice of the law as a partner of Frank H. Shaffer. The firm is now Peck, Shaffer & Peck, and is one of the strong law firms of the city of Cincinnati. Judge Peck has made an especial study of corporation law and his extensive practice is largely confined to that branch of the law. He was a director of the University of Cincinnati from 1878 to 1883. In 1891 he was appointed professor of the law of evidence and corporations, a chair he filled for six years. The honorary degree of LL. D. was conferred upon him in 1892 by Miami University, and also by the University of Cincinnati. He was appointed trustee of the Ohio Sol- diers' and Sailors' Home by Governor Mckinley in 1894, and reappointed in 1895. In 1884, without his knowledge, he was placed in nomination by the Democratic party to represent the First District of Ohio in Congress. He has been one of the counsellors of the Democratic party and is always interested in his party's success. He has a well earned 'reputation as a student of his profession, and is quite as well informed on all general subjects. He is possessed of no mean literary ability, and as a speaker is forcible and eloquent. Socially, he is very popular, and numbers his friends almost by his acquaint- ances.
November 18, 1868, Judge Peck was united in marriage with Har- riet E. Weld of Boston, Massachusetts, of the wealthy and influential family of that name. Two sons and a daughter were born to them, as follows: John Weld, who is a member of the law firm of Peck, Shaffer & Peck; Arthur Minot, who is engaged in the manufacturing business in Cincinnati; and Edith Weld, who is at home.
RAPHAEL STRAUSS.
The death of Raphael Strauss, May 7, 1901, removed from Cincinnati one of the city's most gifted miniature and portrait painters, and deprived artistic circles of a very prominent member. He was born March 10, 1830, in Bavaria, Germany, and died at the age of 71 years, at his home. No. 565 Hale avenue, Avondale.
Mr. Strauss was born with artistic and poetic genius. When but 24
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years of age, he came to Cincinnati, and soon became recognized in artistic circles, his methods being his own. He followed no master, but, through force of natural ability, commanded first attention, then admiration, and finally became regarded as without an equal in delicate detail work pertaining to his particular line of painting. Patrons flocked to his studio in the Pike Building for a period of over 30 years, and he painted portraits of nearly all the leading citizens of this city and of many residents of other places. Several of these have attracted most favorable comment, notable those of ex-Governor Bushnell and the late Frederick H. Alms. At all times his studio was the resort of lovers of the unique in art, and, until within a few months of his decease, he was the vice-president of the Cincinnati Art Club. He was also a member of the Hebrew society,-Independent Order of B'nai B'rith.
Mr. Strauss is survived by his widow and four children, viz .: Mrs. Julius Freiberg, Jr., Mrs. Daniel Goldstein, Philip Strauss and Joseph B Strauss, of Chicago, Illinois. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
JAMES HARLAN CLEVELAND.
JAMES HARLAN CLEVELAND, formerly United States District Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio and at the present time a leading member of the Cincinnati bar, was born in Frankfort, Kentucky, January 21, 1865. He is a son of Francis L. and Laura ( Harlan) Cleveland. .
Mr. Cleveland attended Princeton College and was graduated from that institution in 1885, receiving the Chancellor John C. Green fellowship in mental science. He studied at the University of Berlin, Germany, during the following year. Returning to America, he prepared himself for the legal profession in Washington, D. C., with his uncle, Justice Harlan of the United States Supreme Court, and at the Columbian Law School, but just prior to his graduation he received, February 29, 1888, an appointment as assistant district attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, a position he retained until November 3, 1889, when he retired to form a partnership with C. Bentley Matthews, under the firmn name of Matthews & Cleveland. On March 28. 1894, he was appointed United States district attorney for the Southern District of Ohio by President Cleveland, and during that administration made
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a most enviable record. In October, 1897, the firm, of which he was a mem- ber, became Matthews, Cleveland & Bowler by the addition of Robert B. Bowler, formerly Comptroller of the Treasurer of the United States, and in February, 1898, Cleveland & Bowler, Mr. Matthews retiring, and so con- tinued until the death of Mr. Bowler, September 16, 1902. Upon the death of Gustavus H. Wald, dean of the Cincinnati Law School, in June, 1902, Mr. Cleveland, who had been identified with the school as a professor for several years, was chosen as his temporary successor and until a new dean could be found who could devote his entire time to the institution.
Mr. Cleveland was married in Washington, D. C., June 5, 1888, to Grace E. Matthews, a daughter of the late Justice Stanley Matthews, and they are the parents of five children.
DAVID JUDKINS, M. D.
In recalling the leading events in the life of the late eminent Dr. David Judkins, almost every avenue of progress in the city of Cincinnati, for more than 50 years, must be touched, for so open minded, philanthropic and pub- lic spirited a citizen was foremost in every enterprise promising to be of benefit to the city, whether in the line of medical science or otherwise. The triumphs of his personal career were, however, in the line of medicine and surgery.
Dr. Judkins came of professional ancestry, his father having been first a practitioner at Mount Pleasant, Jefferson County, Ohio, where his dis- tinguished son was born, July 17, 1817. In Cincinnati the active mind of the youth developed and he became one of the noted students of the Woodward High School and at the old Cincinnati College, from which institution he passed to the Medical College of Ohio, where he was grad- uated March 10, 1842. He had the honor of being chosen as the first interne of the Cincinnati Hospital; he continued to be a member of that in- stitution's medical staff for 30 years and at his death was president of its board of trustees. He managed its affairs with the scrupulous care he gave his own. As time advanced and opportunity canie, he went abroad and sought in foreign methods and means of study the hidden secrets which would enable him to help the suffering in his own land. It was through his dis- interested efforts that the Cincinnati Hospital, to which were welcomed
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the poor and afflicted, became so thoroughly equipped and so truly a great and generous charity. During the progress of the Civil War he was foremost in pushing the work of the noted Irwin Mission on Sixth street, and more than once accompanied the surgeons in their Christian like work of suc- coring the sick and wounded and of bringing them to the shelter and care of the mission, regardless of the color of their uniform. In this there was no self seeking, only pure, Christian, brotherly concern. He was appointed by President Lincoln, during the war, surgeon in charge of the East End Hospital, Cincinnati, and was afterward appointed by Gen. U. S. Grant as surgeon in charge of the Relief Corps at Vicksburg, Mississippi, in which capacity he served with distinction; on his return to Cincinnati, he brought with him a negro, presented to him by General Grant.
Dr. Judkins became widely known for his skill, and belonged to and was honored by many medical bodies. His contributions to medical literature were always practical and invariably attracted attention. His manners were simple and unaffected, his associations and hospitality singularly democratic, while his friendships once bestowed could scarcely be shaken. He was, through temperate living and exemplary example, just the right man to in- fluence the young and for a long period found time to be a director and the vice-president of the Young Men's Bible Society. He was also director of the Home Missionary Society of the Second Presbyterian Church and for many years was on the executive committee of the Irwin Mission. Dr. Judkins died, lamented by the whole city, November 12, 1893.
Dr. Judkins married Susan P. McGrew, a refined and educated lady, whose death preceded his own, on January 24, 1888, survived by three children, namely : William Tyson, a leading attorney of Cincinnati, being a graduate of Harvard Law University in the class of 1877; Mrs. Anna J. Sheldon and Mrs. Fannie J. Dickson.
LOUIS J. DOLLE.
LOUIS J. DOLLE, a lawyer and prominent citizen' of Cincinnati, was born in this city, January 15, 1862, and is a son of Philip and Catherine E. (DeBolt) Dolle.
Mr. Dolle attended the public schools of his native city, and subse-
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quently St. Xavier College. He entered Cincinnati Law School, and was but 20 years of age at the time of graduation. Being under the required age, it was necessary for him to wait a year before applying for admission to the bar of the State, which he did January 18, 1883, three days after attain- ing his majority. He then began practice in his father's office, and upon the death of the latter in June, 1886, succeeded to his practice. He has not only retained his father's practice but has added largely to it, and has an excellent standing at the bar. Politically, he is a Democrat ; though he has served as delegate to party conventions, he has never sought nor accepted political office.
DAWSON . BLACKMORE, SR.
DAWSON BLACKMORE, SR., one of the representative business men of Cincinnati, whose death was deplored by family, friends and citizens, and by the Commercial Club in particular, passed away at his beautiful home on Woodburn avenue, January 5, 1898. For a period of 36 years he had been actively identified with the produce business, achieving success through personal effort supported by sound business judgment.
Mr. Blackmore was born June 23, 1831, in Columbiana County, Ohio, where he was reared and secured his education. For some years after attain- ing his majority, he traveled in the interests of the firm of Dubois & Augur, of Cincinnati. In 1862 he took up his residence in this city and was given a position in the office of the firm. One year later he embarked in the business for himself, associating with him Mr. Barton, under the firm name of Blackmore & Barton, the latter's interests being later bought by F. A. Laidley. It was decided to open an office at New Orleans, and for that purpose Mr. Blackmore went to the South where he remained one year, establishing favor- able trade relations. An enormous business opened up, the river traffic was stupendous, and the warehouses at Vine street and the river front were kept overflowing with the produce in which the firm dealt, including flour, grain, pork and provisions. In 1878 Mr. Laidley retired and Mr. Black- more associated with him Frank Kinsey, the business still being continued at Nos. 38-40-42 Vine street. After Mr. Kinsey's removal to Chicago at a later date, Mr. Blackmore continued in the business under the firmn name of Daw- son Blackmore & Company.
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For years Mr. Blackmore was actively interested in the Chamber of Commerce, served on the board of directors and was highly regarded by its members. His business capacity was far beyond the average, his instincts were true, his foresight remarkable, and his associates were accustomed to regard his judgment with attention. In politics he was a Democrat but took no very active interest beyond two years of service during the early "eighties." as councilman from the First Ward.
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