USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 33
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39
JOHN W. WARRINGTON.
JOHN W. WARRINGTON, whose career at the bar of Hamilton County, has been a most honorable and successful one, was born in Clark County, Ohio, July 22, 1846, and is a son of Rev. Charles B. and Mrs. Mary Davison Warrington. His father was a Methodist minister and was filling a con- ference appointment in Clark County at the time of our subject's birth.
John W. Warrington enlisted in the Union Army in 1862, and from that time on participated in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac with which he was connected. In the battle before Petersburg, April 2, 1865, he was seriously wounded. He returned home after being mustered out and resumed his educational training. His early education was procured in the common schools of the towns where his father preached, under private tutors and also under the preceptorship of his father. He studied law in the office of Alexander McGuffey, then attended Cincinnati Law School, from which institution he was graduated in April, 1869. He was admitted to the bar immediately thereafter and a few months later was appointed assistant to City Solicitor J. Bryant Walker. He served two terms in that capacity, then was elected city solicitor in April. 1873. He rendered the city valuable service and at the same time established an excellent reputation as a prac- titioner. Upon the expiration of his term of office, he became associated in practice with Thomas B. Paxton, which partnership still endures. It is a strong combination of legal talent and enjoys an extensive clientage. In
-
4º5
. AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
politics, Mr. Warrington is an earnest supporter of Republican principles and is a hard worker for party success. He was a presidential elector in 1876, voting in the electoral college that made Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes, Presi- dent.
John W. Warrington was married, June 29, 1871, and his wife died November 2, 1888, leaving two children. He formed a second union in August, 1892, with Mrs. Ella Spence Bragg, and they now reside on East Walnut Hills.
EUGENE BUCKLEY.
EUGENE BUCKLEY, one of the pioneer residents of Walnut Hills, at one time was one of the most prominent contractors of the city of Cincin- nati, but for some years has been living a retired life. He is a son of Cor- nelius and Ellen (Hays) Buckley, and was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1826. His father was a prosperous farmer but died when our subject was quite young.
After the death of his father, Eugene Buckley assisted his mother in supporting the family and devoted his spare time to obtaining an education. Upon coming to the United States, he located in Keene, New Hampshire, where he was married August 22, 1851. He later moved to Cincinnati, where in a few years he grew to be one of the leading contractors of the city. He contracted extensively for paving and sewerage, and accumulated a modest fortune. One contract which he fulfilled was the laying of 32 miles of piping for the city of Springfield, Ohio, requiring a force of 350 men. He has also had nearly all the paving contracts on Walnut Hills. He and his wife are spending their declining years in ease and comfort at their cozy home on Walnut Hills, at the corner of Morgan and Copeland streets, where they have lived for over half a century. August 22, 1901, they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, surrounded by scores of relatives and warm friends. They are widely known in Cincinnati, and the occasion was one long to be remembered. .
Mrs. Buckley was before marriage Jane McCarthy, a daughter of Donald and Margaret (Donovan) McCarthy. She was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1828, and accompanied her parents to America, locating in Keene, New Hampshire. To our subject and wife have been born 11 children, of whom
406
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
six are living, namely : Mrs. Margaret Drout; C. F. Buckley; Mrs. J. W. Smallwood; Rev. Father Daniel Buckley, of Middletown, Ohio; Mrs. Jennie Buckley ; and Jeremiah Buckley. They are also grandparents of 16 living children. Religiously, they are pioneer members of the Church of the As- sumption on Walnut Hills.
WILLIAM McALPIN.
The name of the late William McAlpin recalls to memory one of Cin- cinnati's most beloved and valued citizens. He was born in Cincinnati, Janu- ary 20, 1839, was a son of Andrew and Margaret (Merrie) McAlpin, and died June 3, 1899, leaving behind him a noble record of 60 well spent years.
Mr. McAlpin received his early education at Herron's private school, in Cincinnati, and at Colton's preparatory school, at Avon, Connecticut, and then entered Yale College, from which he was graduated in the class of 1860. Soon after graduation, he began his business career with the old firm of Mc- Alpin, Hinman & Company, and in 1863 was admitted to partnership. In 1867, on account of ill health, he was obliged to retire from activity. In 1885 the firm of Geo. W. McAlpin & Company was organized, and when the senior member, who was our subject's oldest brother, was removed by death, and the retail establishment of The Geo. W. McAlpin Company was organized, our subject reentered business, and in 1891 became the secretary of the concern. His business standards were high and during his whole career he lived up to them.
Mr. McAlpin was prominently identified with many of the interests and organizations in his native city, and held many positions of responsibility. During 1879-80-81, he served as exposition commissioner; he was one of the directors of the Board of Trade and Transportation in 1886. An ardent lover of music, he was instrumental in the establishment of the College of Music of Cincinnati; in 1882 he became recording secretary and officiated for three years, and for 10 years served as vice-president. When Moses F. Wilson was elected on October 15, 1892, to the Common Pleas bench and was thus obliged to resign as a trustee of the University of Cin- cinnati, Mr. McAlpin was elected to fill the vacancy, and in 1894 was re- appointed. He was made chairman of the Springer Statue Fund. In 1872
4º7
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
he was made a director of the Young Men's Mercantile Library Association; was a director in the Society for the Suppression of Vice; was a director in the Humane Society; and was long actively interested in The Associated Charities of Cincinnati.
Early in life Mr. McAlpin united with the First Presbyterian Church; in 1864 he was elected one of its trustees and thenceforward served continu- ously as a member of the board until his death,-as clerk of the board from 1862 to 1866 and again from 1870 to 1875. From 1878 to 1879 he served as a deacon, and from 1878 to 1895 as an elder, and from 1877 to 1890 as superintendent of the Sunday-school. Mr. McAlpin was always deeply in- terested in young men and his influence among them was unusual. He served as corresponding secretary of the Young Men's Bible Society and for years was its president, and served for 16 years as president of the Young Men's Christian Association. Mr. McAlpin was much beloved by the younger gen- eration. He possessed the faculty of inspiring confidence, and guided with a gentle hand and tender sympathy which veiled the curb. All creeds paid homage to his consistent, Christian life.
Mr. McAlpin was married on April 26, 1888, to Margaret Johnston, daughter of the late George W. C. Johnston, formerly mayor of Cincinnati. She is known in this city as the possessor of a remarkable voice. She sur- vives her husband, with four children, viz. : George W., Margaret J .; William and Anna Hamilton.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LYLE, M. D.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LYLE, M. D., one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Cincinnati and one of the progressive and highly esteemed citizens, was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, March 3, 1861, and is a son of Dr. John M. and Mary ( Phillips) Lyle.
Dr. Lyle comes of old and honorable ancestry, being connected withi many of the old aristocratic families of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His grandfather was Charles, J. Lyle, a noted student of history, who was long associated with the Philadelphia Press. On the maternal side the ancestry leads back to Alexander Henderson, of Fife, Scotland, who was born in 1583 and became a leader among the Covenanters. In tracing his ancestry, we also find distinguished soldiers who participated with gallantry in the
408
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
Revolutionary War, in the War of 1812 and in the Mexican War, and the name of Jones, a part of the name of his grandfather, was an inheritance from John Paul Jones, one of his kindred. The Lyle family was founded in America by one John Lyle, who, with his wife Rebecca Garner, came from London in 1700. They settled on a farm in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, whence their descendants scattered, many of them gaining footholds in business and professions as well as in the social circles of Philadelphia. In 1715 was founded the Episcopal Church at St. Davids near that city, John Lyle being its leading supporter.
Dr. Lyle was a student in the schools of Avondale until of sufficient age to enter upon the study of medicine. His reading was mainly done under the tutoring of his uncle, Dr. Arthur Lyle, which sufficiently prepared him to enter the Medical College of Ohio, from which he was graduated in 1882. His practice has met with unqualified success and he has long been accorded a place among the leading and representative practitioners of Cincinnati. He has been in charge of the Cincinnati Hospital for Consumptives since its organization July 7, 1897, and is medical inspector for the Ohio' State Board of Health and the Cincinnati Board of Health.
On September 15, 1891, Dr. Lyle was married to Alice Morris John- son, who is a daughter of Evan Lewis and Anna (Taylor) Johnson, the family belonging to the Society of Friends, of which Mrs. Lyle is also a mem- ber. They have three children: Alice Franklin Lyle, born July 15, 1893; Donald J. Lyle, born February 15, 1895; and Herbert Phillips Lyle, born July 23, 1903.
Dr. Lyle is a member of the American Climatological Society, Ameri- can Medical Association, Cincinnati Academy of Medicine and Ohio State Medical Society, while fraternaily he is past master of the Price Hill Lodge, No. 524, F. & A. M .; he organized and was the first high priest of Price Hill Chapter, R. A. M .; and is a member of Hanselmann Commandery, No. 1.6, K. T. In politics Dr. Lyle is a Republican. In religious connection he is a Presbyterian.
GEORGE W. NEARE.
GEORGE W. NEARE, deceased, who for many years was prominently en- gaged in the river service, in later life followed the fire and marine insurance
LINUS E. RUSSELL, M. D.
4II
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
business. He was very well known to the citizens of Cincinnati, where he was counted one of the substantial men, and was always active in support of the city's interests.
Mr. Neare was born in Oswego County, New York, May 15, 1824, and spent his youth and early manhood in Cattaraugus County, New York, where for several years he taught school. At the age of 18 years he left the parental roof and went to Pittsburg, thence to Cincinnati, where his career as a steamboat man was soon afterward commenced. He continued on the river successively as clerk and commander until after the close of the war, and then engaged in the fire and marine insurance business very successfully and continued until his death in Cincinnati, October 24, 1895. His death was deeply mourned by his family, friends and business associates, and the Cham- ber of Commerce, of which he was a member, passed resolutions of sympathy and regret.
On November 13, 1860, our subject was joined in marriage with Sarah L. Carrico, a daughter of E. J. Carrico, who was of a prominent family in Kentucky. Three sons and one daughter blessed this union. His sons, John C. and Douglas Neare, still continue the insurance business in which they were engaged with their father. The other son, Clifford R. Neare, is a physician of Orange, New Jersey. The daughter married Edwin C. Gibbs, a member of a prominent Cincinnati family. Mr. Neare was a member of the Masonic order, and in political affiliation was an unswerving Democrat. Re- ligiously, he was a member of the Methodist Church.
LINUS E. RUSSELL, M. D.
LINUS E. RUSSELL, M. D., who reflects distinction on the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, by filling its chair of clinical surgery and operative gynecology, ranks with the most eminent physicians and surgeons of the country. Dr. Russell was born in 1851, at Burton, Geauga County, Ohio, and is a son of Luther Russell, Jr., and Sarah Jane (Creasser) Russell.
Dr. Russell's ancestry was of Scotch and English extraction, and his grandfather, Luther Russell, was an early pioneer of Northern Ohio, build- ing one of the first log cabins in Burton township, Geauga County, in 1803. It was on this ancestral farm that Dr. Russell passed his childhood and at-
·
412
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
tended the neighborhood schools. At the age of 12 years his love of study induced his father to give him academic advantages at Burton, which he so improved that at 16 he was prepared for Hiram College. Thrown then upon his own resources, he became a clerk in a general store and then taught school and thus procured sufficient capital to attend the spring and fall terms at the college and to thus profit by the lectures of James A. Garfield, later Presi- dent of the United States. Intermingled with other studies and with neces- sary duties, Dr. Russell was reading works on medicine, under the super- vision of Dr. James A. Bracken, and in 1871 was admitted to the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, where he was most creditably graduated in the following year. For the two subsequent years the young physician profited by a partnership with Dr. Bracken, who had removed to Warren, Ohio. It was during these early years of practice, before he had gained the public confidence which now attends every word and act, that he employed his spare time in the study of the law, and with such good effect that he suc- cessfully passed his examination and was admitted to practice, in the office of Col. E. B. Taylor,-President Garfield's successor in Congress. The value of this professional knowledge has been frequently demonstrated in his busy career, when he has officiated as a medico-legal expert in important cases.
Dr. Russell's reputation as a surgeon of more than ordinary skill was established to the satisfaction of the profession at a meeting of the Ohio Eclectic Medical Society, when his successful thyroidectomy operation, which he performed in 1876, with only the instruments found in an ordinary pocket- case, was explained to that body. It was the first successful operation of that nature ever performed in the State and it immediately brought the modest young physician into prominence. In 1886 he was elected surgeon of the Mitchell-Thomas City Hospital, at Springfield, Ohio, having served as presi- dent of the Ohio Eclectic Medical Society during the preceding year. At Nashville, Tennessee, in 1887, he was lionored by election as president of the National Eclectic Medical Association. In 1879 he became a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science ; in 1893 he was elected professor of surgery in the Eclectic College of Physicians and Surgeons of In- dianapolis, Indiana, and during that year he was secretary of the section on gynecology and obstetrics at the World's Congress of Physicians and Sur- geons, held at Chicago. Dr. Russell is one of the most learned inen of his profession and he has contributed mich literature to various medical publi-
-
413
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
cations, many of his papers creating wide-spread discussion, one of these entitled "Immediate Amputation Regardless of Shock in Railroad Injuries" being easily recalled. As an operator Dr. Russell has the skillful touch and the deft fingers which unfailingly follow the exact course his mind directs.
In November, 1889, Dr. Russell was married to Alice A. Zischler of Springfield, Ohio. They have one son, Linus E. Russell, Jr., who was born September 28, 1902. Dr. Russell is associate editor of the Eclectic Medical Journal and occupies commodious offices in the Grotin Building, Cincinnati. His portrait accompanies this sketch.
MICHAEL BURGOYNE.
MICHAEL BURGOYNE, deceased, who for many years was proprietor of the blacksmithing establishment located on the southwest corner of Oliver street and Central avenue, was one of the prosperous business men of Cin- cinnati and was popularly known to the citizens as "The Village Blacksmith." He represented the highest type of citizenship and had a host of friends.
Mr. Burgoyne was born August 18, 1846, and was of French-German parentage. He was an infant when his father's death occurred, and the mother shortly after brought her family of children to Cincinnati. Our sub- ject attended the public schools of this city for a short time, then became ap- prenticed to William Russell as a blacksmith. He afterward entered the employ of P. J. Purcell who conducted a blacksmith shop on the southwest corner of Oliver street and Central avenue, and upon the latter's death in 1880 Mr. Burgoyne succeeded to the ownership of the business. He estab- lished a very extensive business and enjoyed much of the first class trade of the city.
On March 25, 1891, Mr. Burgoyne was united in marriage with Margaret C. Gibson, a daughter of George and Margaret ( Burnett ) Gibson, her father being a member of one of the oldest lithographing firms in Cincinnati- Gibson & Company. Two children were born to bless this union : Irene and Howard. Our subject died May 25, 1903. The funeral services were con- ducted under the direction of the Cincinnati Lodge, No. 5, B. P. O. E., as- sisted by the other orders to which he belonged. He was a man with many friends and his death was sincerely mourned by his fellow men.
414
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
Mr. Burgoyne was a Republican in politics, and was a power in the affairs of the Fourteenth Ward for many years, although he never songht his own political preferment. He was kind and generous and ever ready to help those who were not so fortunate as himself. He was a liberal finan- cial supporter of the Children's Home of Cincinnati, and also of other worthy institutions. He was an honorary life member of Cincinnati Lodge, No. 5, B. P. O. E., of which he was a director; a member of Lincoln Lodge, No. 17, K. of P., to which he belonged for a period of 20 years; a member and trustee of the Elm Street Club; and a member of the Blaine Club. He was liberal in his religious views.
J. PARKER GALE.
During the year 1903, the city of Cincinnati has been called upon to part with many of her prominent and useful men, and the death of J. Parker Gale, on November 29th, added a conspicuous name to the list. Mr. Gale was but in the prime of life. He was born in 1854 in Republic, Seneca County, Ohio, and was a son of John A. and Sarah ( Parker) Gale.
The parents of Mr. Gale removed to Cincinnati while he was still small, and his education was secured in the Woodward High School. His whole business life was connected with the flour and grain line, his first em- ployment being with the flour firm of A. S. Talmadge & Company, then located on Vine street, Cincinnati. Two years later he accepted a clerical position with the house of Newhall, Gale & Company, and in 1879 he pur- chased Mr. Newhall's interest and with his brother, B. W. Gale, formed the business firm of Gale Brothers, which has been so prominently identified with commercial affairs in this city.
Mr. Gale was one of the leading members of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, serving at various times on its directing board and capably filling important positions on various committees. His sudden call from their midst brought forth universal expressions of sincere sorrow from his fellow members.
Mr. Gale was a man who commanded the respect of all who had either business or social relations with him. He was singularly successful in
415
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
his commercial operations; his business standards were high and no stain of dishonesty ever clouded his integrity. Although still what is considered a young man in these days of prolonged business activity, he had made his influence felt in many lines of civic advancement, being most actively interested in making Cincinnati a great flour and grain port.
On April 26, 1887, Mr. Gale was married to Mary T. Somers, of Washington, D. C., daughter of Warrington Somers, who died many years ago, and Rachel Talbot, who still survives, The children born to this union-one son and two daughters-are all living, and are named as follows : John Warrington, Bessie Parker and Mary. The family are devout members of the Protestant Episcopal Church, of which Mr. Gale was a member for 25 years, and was senior warden of his home church in Norwood at the time of his death. The beautiful family home is located on Ashland avenue, Norwood, a home which has been the scene of many delightful social func- tions.
Personally, Mr. Gale was very popular, possessing the kind, genial man- ner and friendly spirit which is sure to win esteem and affection. Among those who stood by his tomb in Spring Grove Cemetery were representatives of leading business and'social organizations, who with personal friends thus bore testimony to the grief they felt for the passing away of one who held their respect and admiration to so great a degree.
ROBERT FREDERICK BLUM.
ROBERT FREDERICK BLUM, deceased, whose fame as a portrait painter and mural artist is world-wide, was one of the sons of Cincinnati of whom she has been justly proud. That this talented artist should have passed out of life in the midst of a brilliant career, brought regret to many who were deeply interested in his artistic work, and grief to a wide circle of personal friends.
Mr. Blum was born July 9, 1857, in Cincinnati, and his death took place on June 8, 1903, at his late home, No. 90 Grove street, New York City, resulting from an attack of pneumonia. He was a son of Frederick and Mary (Haller) Blum, the former of whom died in Cincinnati, June 15, 1902, and the latter, April 5, 1891. For a number of years the father was promi-
416
CENTENNIAL HISTORY OF CINCINNATI
nent in the insurance business and was located at Twelfth and Walnut streets, Cincinnati. Of the children born to them but one survives, namely : Mrs, Henrietta Haller, widow of Martin Haller, who died October 9, 1902. Mr. Haller was a German by birth and one of Cincinnati's leading copper- smiths.
After passing through the old Sixth District School and finally through Woodward High School, Robert F. Blum served an apprenticeship to a litho- grapher, Mr. Gibson, and began his artistic studies in the McMicken Art School of Design in Cincinnati, and continued his work at the Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia. He made a specialty of frescoing and decorative work and was regarded as one of the leaders in this line in the country. His creative faculty was remarkable and his original designs excited admira- tion and brought him to the attention of appreciative patrons all over the country. He studied and painted in Italy and Spain in 1880, and was made a member of the Society of American Artists in that year. Though painting earnestly the while, he was known chiefly at first as an illustrator, and in that field, having studied in Japan for two and a half years, had the honor of being selected by the great Sir Edwin Arnold, as the man best qualified to illustrate that famous 'poet's work on Japanese life, "Japonica." His brush and pen work in this alone would have sufficed to keep his memory well alive. Later he painted portraits that won him distinction, notably the one of Joseph Jefferson as "Bob Acres," and attracted broad attention with his frieze for the Mendelssohn Glee Club in New York City.
In 1879, Mr. Blum established his home in New York City, entering into a partnership with Will Baer, also of Cincinnati and regarded as one of the best miniature painters in America. Mr. Blum was unmarried, his only surviving relatives being his sister, Mrs. Henrietta Haller and her children, Emma, Frederick Robert and Albert, who live at No. 472 Dayton street, Cin- cinnati. He was brought to his boyhood home in Cincinnati where the last sad rites were performed, and was laid to rest in Spring Grove Cemetery, by the side of those he loved ..
SAMUEL J. JOHNSON.
SAMUEL J. JOHNSON, who for many years was well known to the citizens of Cincinnati, in connection with his auctioneering business, and who was
417
AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS
prominently identified with the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce for many years, died at his home in this city May 25, 1893, aged 66 years. Other mem- bers of his family have also been well known, one brother, Frederick A. John -. son, who passed away a short time previously, having been the first Hebrew child born in the State of Ohio. Another brother, Edgar M. Johnson, now deceased, was a prominent attorney in the city of New York.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.