USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 1 > Part 6
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After his return to a semblance of health, Colonel Markbreit was in- stalled in a responsible city office for two years, and later he was made colonel on the staffs of both Governors Cox and Hayes. In April, 1869, he was honored by an appointment as United States Minister to Bolivia, with head- quarters at La Paz. During his sojourn in South America, he traveled all over the country and was more than once an eye witness of revolutions that frequently took place in the South American republics. In 1871, during one of these upheavals, he was able to save the life of Mariana Donato
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GEN. ANDREW HICKENLOOPER.
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Munoz, prime minister of an overthrown government. In July, 1872, he was entrusted with business missions to Brazil and Bolivia, representing American steamship and railway companies. His business missions have taken him over many parts of the world, but he has always retained his home in Cincinnati. In February, 1882, he was appointed United States Assistant Treasurer at Cincinnati, remaining in official life until 1886. Since that time Colonel Markbreit has given his attention to the interests of the Cin- cinnati Volksblatt Company, serving as its efficient president.
In 1887 Colonel Markbreit was married to Bertha Fiebach. In politics he has always ardently supported the principles of the Republican party. He is one of the most valued members of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Grand Army of the Republic.
In Colonel Markbreit, Cincinnati has a citizen of social prominence, one whose whole public career has reflected honor upon her, and one to whom she can point as a representative, useful and honored citizen.
GEN. ANDREW HICKENLOOPER.
GEN. ANDREW HICKENLOOPER, whose portrait accompanies this sketch, is one of Cincinnati's most remarkable men, and for many years has been conspicuous in military, public and commercial life. He was born in Hud- son, Ohio, August 10, 1837, and is a son of Andrew and Abigail (Cox) Hickenlooper.
Andrew Hickenlooper, his great-grandfather, emigrated from Holland with his wife, in 1693, and settled in York County, Pennsylvania, where he reared these children: Andrew, Adam, George, Anna, Mary and Mar- garet.
Andrew Hickenlooper, grandfather of our distinguished subject, was born in 1739 and died in 1825. He participated in the Revolutionary War, first as a lieutenant and later as a captain, and after its end settled near Greensburg, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. There he was married to Rachel Edwards, a daughter of John and Rachel Edwards, the former a native of Scotland and the latter of Virginia. To this union were born these children : George, Jolin, Jane, Mary, Thomas, Andrew and William.
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Andrew Hickenlooper, the third of the name and the father of General Hickenlooper, was born July 22, 1795. For many years he was engaged in the manufacture of salt, later was interested in coal mining, and in 1836 removed to Hudson, Ohio. He married Abigail Cox, a daughter of Edward Cox and wife, who came from the North of Ireland in 1792, and located near Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, where 12 children were born to them; of these children, Abigail, mother of our subject, was born April 12, 1797. Andrew Hickenlooper died March 28, 1869 and his widow survived him but two months. Their children were: Mary Jane, deceased in 1893, who was the wife of Silas Steely; Rachel, deceased, who was the wife of Dr. Steely; Katherine, deceased in 1894, who was the wife of William Mc- Carthy; Edward, who died in 1850; Sarah, who died in 1896; Keziah, who died in 1837; and Andrew, the youngest and the only surviving member of the family.
In inheriting the family name, Andrew Hickenlooper also inherited attributes which had made his forefathers remembered men. He com- pleted the common school course at Circleville, Ohio, and then came to Cincinnati, spending two years at St. Xavier College and two more at Wood- ward College. He then began the study of civil engineering in the office of City Engineer A. W. Gilbert; and upon the expiration of the latter's term of office they formed the partnership known as Gilbert & Hicken- looper. After Mr. Gilbert was reelected to office, our subject continued alone and shortly afterward was appointed city surveyor, a position he held from 1859 until the outbreak of the Civil War. It was that great political and social upheaval which gave Andrew Hickenlooper the oppor- tunity to display those qualities which must to the end of time link his name with those who for generations have been representatives of valor, courage, patriotism and success.
Among those who early hastened to answer the call of the President for defenders of the nation was the young engineer, then entering upon what promised to be a brilliant professional career. He recruited "Hicken- looper's Battery" and entered the Union service as its captain, on August 31, 1861, it having been mustered in as the 5th Ohio Battery of Light Ar- tillery. He joined General Fremont at Jefferson City, Missouri, where he was made chief of artillery in charge of fortifications and defenses of the city and the Pacific Railroad. In 1862 his battery was attached to Gen-
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eral Grant's army, and soon followed the battle of Shiloh, where the ten- acious, fearless spirit, with which he held his battery in the teeth of an in- furiated enemy, entliused his comrades and excited the wonder and admira- tion of the country. Histories of that awful day and its carnage have been written, all of which tell the same story of the heroic valor of Andrew Hickenlooper. . For three hours he bore the scathing fire, having his horse killed beneath him, and only when the enemy had concentrated II batteries upon his own, did he consent to withdraw,. being the last to retreat as he had been the first to advance. He reported to General Sherman for further service, and three days after the engagement was made commandant of artillery in General Mckean's division. At the battle of Iuka, after his battery had repulsed three determined regiments, and at Corinth where his gallantry was again conspicuous, he was again promoted, being made chief of ordnance and artillery on General McPherson's staff, attracting the at- tention of that gallant soldier and gaining his admiration and personal regard. He was subsequently engaged in General Grant's Northern Missis- sippi campaign, and in the siege of Vicksburg, during which he served as chief engineer of the 17th Army Corps, and participated in many engage- ments.
After the battle of Port Gibson, General McPherson wrote to the Sec- retary of War as follows: "Capt. A. Hickenlooper, Fifth Ohio Battery, and Chief Engineer of the corps, deserves special mention for his ability, untiring energy and skill in making reconnaissances, maps of routes passed over, superintending the repairs and construction of bridges, etc., expos- ing himself constantly, night and day, and merits some substantial recog- nition of his services." Following the fall of Vicksburg, the Board of Honor of the 17th Army Corps awarded to him a gold medal bearing the inscription : "Pittsburg Landing, Siege of Corinth, luka, Corinth, Port Gibson, Raymond, Jackson, Champion Hill and Vicksburg."
Captain Hickenlooper was then engaged in the Atlanta campaign and after General McPherson succeeded General Sherman as commander of the Army of the Tennessee, he was assigned to duty as chief of artillery of the army and participated in these battles: Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kings- ton, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Nickajack Creek, Decatur, Stone Mountain, Ezra Chapel, Utoy Creek, Jonesboro, Lovejoy and Atlanta. After the death of his friend General McPherson, he was appointed by the President as
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inspector-general of the 17th Army Corps and as such participated in the "March to the Sea" and capture of Savannah. In the Carolina campaigns he was conspicuous at Poctaligo, Salkehatchie, Banneker's Bridge, Orange- burg, Columbia, Cheraw, Fayetteville, Bentonville, Goldsboro and Raleighi, and was present at the surrender of the army of General Johnston.
His services had been of so high a character that he was gladly and strongly endorsed for a brigadier-generalship by Generals Grant, Sherman and Howard, the tribute of General Grant being: "Col. Hickenlooper has proved himself one of the ablest and most energetic volunteer officers, no one having the confidence of his superiors in a higher degree." General Sherman said: "He is young, vigorous and well educated and can fill any commission with honor and credit to the service." He was made brevet brigadier-general on May 20, 1865, and was assigned to the command of General Crocker's Iowa Brigade of the 17th Army Corps, the oldest in the Army of the Tennessee.
With the close of the war, the brilliant military career of General Hickenlooper was brought to a close but he had scarcely resumed profes- sional work, in partnership with R. C. Phillips, when, on July 27, 1866, he was honored with the appointment of United States marshal for the Southern District of Ohio and served as such until January, 1871, when he was appointed city civil engineer by the Common Council and at the end of his term of service was unanimously reelected. It was during his second term that he was offered and accepted the position of vice-president of the Cincinnati Gas Company, which was the beginning of General Hickenlooper's successful commercial life. His unusual army record had called attention to his personal qualifications and his political friends urged his acceptance of the nomination for Lieutenant-Governor, and he was elected in 1879 with a great majority, winning such popular approval that he was urged in 1881 to accept a reelection, an honor he declined.
General Hickenlooper's connection with the Cincinnati Gas & Electric Company covered a period of 31 years, during which time he became as well known for his stubborn resistance to the onslaughts of trade adver- saries as he had formerly been on the field of battle before the enemy's guns. To mention but one of the historic battles which General Hickenlooper fought and won, that may be recalled in which he engaged when a dominant political faction had a franchise passed to pipe natural gas from West Virginia to
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Cincinnati. Others without number appear on the pages of the public prints and far exceed his defeats. After years of active management as president of the company, he retired and in speaking of his regretted resignation, one of the leading directors said: "It is only since General Hickenlooper's resig- nation that we have learned what a gap he has made, but he has had the management so well in hand and he has left matters in such shape that his successor can take up where he left off, and will have easy sailing."
On February 13, 1867, General Hickenlooper was united in marriage with Maria L. Smith, who is a daughter of Adolphus H. and Sarah E. (Bates) Smith. The following children were born to them: Charlie, who died December 22, 1874; Sarah; Amelia; Katherine; Andrew; and Smith.
Fraternally, the General is a Mason of the 32nd degree. He has been identified with many of the leading public movements in Cincinnati, and has served as president of the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce.
REV. L. GROSSMANN, D. D.
REV. L. GROSSMANN, D. D., one of the most distinguished Hebrew scholars and religious teachers in the United States and the beloved pastor of Plum Street Temple, Cincinnati, is yet in the prime of life, having been born February 24, 1863. He is a celebrated son of a celebrated father, the latter being Rabbi Ignatz Grossmann, who was the author of a number of learned works.
Dr. Grossmann was educated at the University of Cincinnati and at the Hebrew Union College and in 1884 received the degrees of B. A. and Rabbi, and the degree of D. D. in 1887. At present Dr. Grossmann adds distinction to the faculty of the Hebrew Union College, where he is professor of theology, ethics and pedagogy. For nearly 15 years he was rabbi of Temple Beth El, Detroit, Michigan. He is a member of the executive board of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
Dr. Grossmann has long been known in the field of literature, and his pub- lished works display, with their deep learning, an exquisiteness of thought and a power and grace of expression peculiarly pleasing and at the same time con- vincing. Among his best known works may be noted: "Judaism and the Science of Religions," "Maimonides," "Psalms, Hymns and Responses" and
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"The Life and Writings of Isaac M. Wise," that ripe scholar and great leader, whom Dr. Grossmann succeeded, and of whom a complete sketch will be found in this volume.
Dr. Grossmann belongs to a family conspicuous in intellectual and re- ligious circles. Two of his brothers are also rabbis: Dr. Rudolph Gross- mann, who is now rabbi of a prominent New York congregation, and who was for nine years associate rabbi of Temple Beth El, Fifth avenue, with Dr. K. Kohler, now president of the Hebrew Union College; while the second brother ministers in the same capacity to a congregation in Europe. A most significant indication of the high esteem in which Dr. Grossmann is held was the late anniversary celebration held by his devoted congregation at Plum Street Temple.
HON. P. H. KUMLER.
HON. P. H. KUMLER, whose death occurred July 27, 1902, was for- merly judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Hamilton County, and one of the most prominent members of the Cincinnati bar. His ancestors, who were among the early settlers of Ohio, were prominent and highly re- spected. He was born on his father's farm near Trenton, Ohio, September I, 1837, and was the oldest son of a family of eight sons and three daughters born to his parents.
Judge Kumler obtained his elementary education in the common schools of his district, putting in the time between school sessions in assisting his father on the farm. His father appreciated the worth of an education and furnished each of his sons and daughters with that which proved of more value than wealth. The family was a large one and all became prominent in their chosen professions, two of them, our subject and his brother, Alvin W., being elevated to the bench. After attending Otterbein University at Westerville, Ohio, for some time, Judge Kumler matriculated in the law department of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, from which he was finally graduated.
Judge Kumler served with distinction a short time in the Civil War, under the late Col. Tom Moore, of Hamilton, Ohio. At the close of the
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war he located in Hamilton and practiced law there until 1873, when he removed to Cincinnati and became the law partner of Henry Snow. It was here that he established for himself a great reputation and proved him- self to be one of the ablest jurists and most prominent lawyers Cincinnati has ever had. He was a resident of this city for almost 30 years and held several positions of honor and trust. In 1879 he was elected city solicitor and was reelected in 1881. He was later made United States district attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, which position he filled to the extreme satisfaction of the bench and bar. In 1886 Judge Kumler took his seat upon the bench as judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Ham- ilton County, and served in this capacity for 10 consecutive years. Fearless in the discharge of his duties, fully sustaining the dignity of the law and of the State, he was influenced by neither fear nor favor. He was one of those men who feel that when a position of trust is tendered to them; when a high honor is placed in their hands; when the destinies of their State are committed to their care, that there is but one line to follow, and that the line of strict and conscientious duty. The penetration and intellectual power of Judge Kumler, in discerning the niceties of the law and in the elucida- tion of obscure questions raised for the first time, were great; his resources in the trial of a case were marvelous. He was cool, self possessed, quick to,see the relevancy and importance of testimony, and keen and persistent in the cross examination of witnesses. A reluctant witness gave up the trust almost unconsciously in response to the searching questions of the lawyer. No evasion was effective; no effort at concealment escaped detec- . tion. Judge Kumler was possessed of the power of assimilation which appropriated to his own growth and advantage all his reading and knowl- edge, however acquired. It became a part of himself, available on demand. He knew the principles of the law and the rules of construction; and pos- sessed in a conspicuous degree the logical faculty of applying the rules to a given case. In a legal argument he imparted to the court full and accurate knowledge of his case with courage and force. The qualities in his advocacy which most deeply impressed the jury were clearness of statement, a force- ful presentation of the facts and readiness in questions suddenly raised. He was always quick with a responsive answer. He was generous in disposi- tion, always ready to assist a worthy man or a worthy cause. His convic- tions were strong. He was both a scholar and a thinker, familiar with a
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wide range of literature and thoroughly informed on subjects with which he was concerned. He was not a showy lawyer but a very substantial one. His mind, trained to investigate and study, was satisfied with nothing less than a clear understanding of the principles and the philosophy of consti- tutional and statute law. Integrity of mind and character insures honesty of purpose and action in all matters, personal as well as professional. Of all the learned professions, the practice of the law requires a greater versatility of talent, a greater variety of natural gifts, and admits of higher possibili- ties in the line of public and political prominence than any other to which man can direct thought for the purpose of acquiring specific expertness and distinction. There is no limit to the development of the professional genius, which throughout all the historic past has directed the destiny of nations and the intricate social and civic relations of men. So necessary are extraor- dinary gifts to distinction in the practice of the law that comparatively few acquire a reputation that lives beyond their own generation, or extends beyond the confines of their own State. To have a State reputation in the practice of the law is equivalent to a certificate, both of high character and of exceptional ability.' Judge Kumler was a man of broad experience in his chosen profession, and ranked among the most distinguished lawyers of the State in which he practiced. To rise above the level in a business or polit- ical life requires an intellectual endowment of a high order, an unimpeach- able character, and an industry that involves a spirit of sacrifice and courage, which in the olden times made martyrs. Many of our young men, although fully equipped with an excellent education and possessing fine intellects, fall by the wayside and surrender in the fierce conflict of competition, because they are not willing to throw the entire force of their nature into the fray and consider success a duty they owe to themselves, and which cannot be attained except by unremitting labor. The profession of the law offers no opportunities except to those who are determined to win and who are willing to direct all their energy into that channel. This our subject thoroughly understood and, beginning at the bottom of the ladder, soon mastered the details of his vocation and at the time of his death he was recognized as one of the most brilliant members of the Cincinnati bar. The Judge was a great politician and the best vote-getter in Hamilton County. Whenever a candidate before the people, he nearly always ran ahead of his ticket. Judge Kumler had always been a supporter of the Republican party in
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national affairs, but for three or four years previous to his death had been inclined to be an independent voter in local affairs.
Judge Kumler was united in marriage in 1865 at Miltonville, Ohio, with Josephine Long, daughter of John G. and Hannah C. Long. Of their children, one survives, Paul, who is with the Cincinnati Panel Company. Our subject's widow and son, together with Mrs. Kumler's mother, reside on Price Hill at No. 743 Mount Hope avenue. Judge Kumler's mother, who is still hale and hearty, resides in Dayton, Ohio, and has reached the ripe old age of 88 years.
Few men if any had a larger circle of friends than did the subject of this sketch. He was of a kind and genial disposition and attracted to him all with whom he came in contact. The death of such a citizen is a serious loss to a community and his presence and influence will ever be missed amid the activities of Cincinnati. His remains were removed to Hamilton, Ohio, where he was laid to rest by the side of his three daughters buried there.
THOMAS P. EGAN.
THOMAS P. EGAN, president of J. A. Fay & Egan Company, the most extensive manufacturers of wood-working machinery in the world, with plant and headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, is a native of Ireland. He was born November 20, 1847, and was an infant in arms when his family moved with him to Hamilton, Canada.
Thomas P. Egan attended the Central High School of Hamilton, Can- ada, and after his graduation at the age of 14 years began his business career as clerk in a dry goods store in that city at a salary of $2 per week. For two years he served as clerk, then decided to come to the United States, as a field that presented greater opportunities. He had a sister who had located in Cincinnati, Ohio, and it was natural for him to first come to this city. He secured a position with William Kirkup, the brass-founder and manufac- turer of brass goods, his principal duty being to run a lathe. Three months later he entered the employ of the firm of Steptoe, McFarlan & Company, the earliest manufacturers of wood-working machinery in the United States. He had been at work with this firm but two weeks, when he met with a distressing accident, losing his left arm. He was thus rendered incapable
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of performing manual labor, and his employers, impressed by his conscien- tious and intelligent service, decided to give him a trial at office work. He had received some training in bookkeeping in high school, and when each day's work was done he pursued a course of study in a night business college. His salary was gradually advanced to $18 per week. After so many years of continuous labor, his employers decided that a rest would be beneficial to him and suggested the same. Mr. Egan then asked to be given a position as traveling representative, and, of the members of the firm, Mr. Steptoe alone was willing to grant the request. Finally, to carry his point, the latter agreed to personally guarantee the firm against any loss which might result from the change. Mr. Egan started out, the fact that he was under Mr. Steptoe's guarantee being an incentive to put forth his utmost endeavors. He called on the trade in Chicago, Indianapolis, Lafay- ette and other cities, giving little thought to anything but his new venture, and when he returned to Cincinnati was surprised to find his sales had exceeded those of any previous salesman. He continued traveling for seven years, his salary being increased to $35 per week, and at the end of that time was offered an increase of $5 per week to remain, but declined as he wished to go into business for himself. He had saved the sum of $5,000, and after laying aside $1,500 to set up housekeeping, put the remainder in his new business, which he established with two others. They rented a room of Steptoe, McFarlan & Company, together with power, and although the business was a success from the start, the partners drew out but $20 each week, just half of what Mr. Egan had been offered to remain with the old firm. Although they started in 1874, the year after the great panic, their profits amounted to $10,500, and they immediately made plans to ex- pand their business. They removed to Front street, between Central avenue and John street, renting an old mill, 30 by 80 feet, and three stories high. As space became more limited they built an additional story and increased the dimensions to 40 by 80 feet. Later another building, 40 by 80 feet, and four stories high, was built, and the plant continued at that size until fire destroyed the old mill. It was rebuilt and later a lot, 100 by 180 feet, was purchased at a cost of $40,000 from Robert Mitchell, upon which was also erected a large building. In 1881, The Egan Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $150,000, by Florence Marmet, Samuel C. Tatem, Frederick Danner, Edwin Ruthven and T. P. Egan. Our subject was made
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