USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 13
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Mr. Besuden resided for many years in Cincinnati, first on Everett street, later on Clinton street, always in a most elegant and spacious home. In 1854, he purchased II acres in Columbia township, Hamilton County, and built a cottage thereon, which he used as a country home. In 1877, he erected on the same premises a large brick mansion, which for elegance and convenience has not an equal in Cincinnati. He began occupying it on January 2, 1878, and it was there that he spent the declining years of his life in comfort and case. The property is situated along Duck Creek Road in the suburb of
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Norwood. The grounds, with their beautiful trees and shrubbery, are in keeping with the mansion. Adjoining his residence he had a valuable farm, that runs back and joins the Oakley Race Track, and this now forms a part of the estate. On April 25, 1902, immediately after his children had left for school, he complained to his wife of feeling somewhat ill. She assisted him. to his bedroom and telephoned the children, who had not yet reached the school, to return home. While she sat by his side, he raised his hand once to wipe the death perspiration from his brow, then passed quietly away. He had scores of friends in the city, and was widely known for his generosity to the poor and needy. He was a kind, loving husband and an indulgent father.
On May 18, 1848, Henry Besuden was joined in marriage to Margaret Wurdemann, and John H., deceased, was the only child born to this union. He was again married, July 19, 1882, to Mathilde Reif, of Columbia town- ship, Hamilton County, Ohio, and they became parents of the following chil- dren : Frederick; David; George; Julius, deceased; Mathilde; Robert, de- ceased; Chauncey and Waldemar. The family belong to the English Lutheran. Church, to which our subject was always a liberal contributor. In politics, he was a stanch Republican, but would never accept office. A portrait of Mr. Besuden accompanies this sketch, being shown on a foregoing page.
REV. DAVID PHILIPSON, D. D.
REV. DAVID PHILIPSON, D. D., one of the most eminent Hebrew scholars and. prominent religious teachers of the country, and for the past 15 years the admired and beloved pastor of Mound Street Temple, Cincinnati, was born in 1862, at Wabash, Indiana.
Dr. Philipson attended the public schools of Columbus, Ohio, subse- quently entering the Hughes High School at Cincinnati and at the Same time the Hebrew Union College. His high school graduation in 1879 was made particularly memorable by the receipt of the Gold Medal for high scholar- ship. In the following autumn he entered the University of Cincinnati,: where he was graduated in 1883 and in the same year was ordained a rabbi at the first graduation exercises of the Hebrew Union College, from which institution he received the degree of D. D. in 1886,
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In 1884 the young rabbi was placed in charge of the Har Sinai Congre- gation at Baltimore, where he presided five years. While in Baltimore he attended Johns Hopkins University. In November, 1888, he accepted the pastorate of the Mound Street Temple, with which he has been associated ever since, and where Dr. Philipson has been noted for his executive ability as well as his breadth of culture, clearness of perception, fidelity to the faith and successful expounding of doctrine.
From early manhood he has been distinguished for a liberality of thought which has closely bound him to religious teachers of all religions and this is constantly shown by his being invited to deliver addresses before various religious denominations; remarkable instances of this have taken place throughout his career, among which may be mentioned his address on "Modern Judaism" before a body of 200 Presbyterian ministers and his address on "Jewish Ideas of the Messiah" in St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral. He fills many high and honorable positions in his own religious body and to each of them he has brought the same sincere desire to promote the best welfare of his people, which is a distinguished characteristic. Dr. Philipson is president of the Hebrew Sabbath School Union of America; he is also professor of homiletics at the Hebrew Union College; member of the board of governors of the same institution; member of the executive committee of the Central Conference, of America Rabbis; member of the publication committee of the Jewish Publication Society of America; member of the Council of the American Jewish Historical Society; consulting editor of the "Jewish Encyclopedia," for which great work he has written many articles; and one of the editors of the new translation of the Bible that is being issued by the Jewish Publication Society.
For Dr. Philipson the word charity has spelled duty and few citizens of the Queen City have been more closely associated with many of the charitable organizations than has been this deeply conscientious, hard-worked pastor. He is serving as a director of The Associated Charities of Cincinnati, Ohio Humane Society, Fresh Air Society, United Jewish Charities, and still finds time to look after individual cases and to listen to appeals and succor those in need. He is a member of the Literary Club of Cincinnati, the Cosmic Club, etc., etc.
Dr. Philipson has become very prominent on account of his interest in the reform movement in Judaism and has contributed many timely, thought-
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ful articles on the subject, one of which was lately published in the Jewish Quarterly Review, of London, England, bearing the title of "The Reform Movement in Judaism;" a number of articles on this same subject will appear in subsequent numbers of the Review. He is author of "The Jew in English Fiction". (Cincinnati 1889; new edition, revised and enlarged 1902) ; "Old European Jewries" (Philadelphia 1894) ; "The Oldest Jewish Congregation in the West" (Cincinnati 1894) ; "A Holiday Sheaf" (Cincinnati 1899) ; he translated and edited the "Reminiscences of Isaac M. Wise" (Cincinnati 1901) ; he has written many important articles for magazines and the press ; notable among these are "Jews as Physicians" (Menorah, Monthly, February, 1888), "Tendencies of Thought in Modern Judaism" (New World, De- cember, 1895), "Progress of the Jewish Reform Movement in the United States" (Jewish Quarterly Reviewe, October, 1897), "The Beginnings of the Reform Movement in Judaism" (Ibid., April, 1903). He read a paper on "Judaism and the Modern State" at the World's Parliament of. Religions at Chicago which was printed in the volume containing all the addresses delivered at the Parliament. He is the author also of the papers "Judaism and the Republican Form of Government" and "Confirmation in the Syna- gogue" that appeared in the Year Books of the Central Conference of American Rabbis.
With his congregation Dr. Philipson is at his best, a charming conver- sationalist, a genial companion, an earnest, manly man.
COL. CHARLES WICKLIFFE WOOLLEY.
COL. CHARLES WICKLIFFE WOOLLEY, who died from brain fever Janu- ary 24, 1903, at his residence'on Pike street, Cincinnati, had long been a shining light in the public affairs of the city. He was born July 3, 1831, in Lexington, Kentucky. His father was Hon. A. H. Woolley, judge of the Fayette Circuit and his mother, Sallie (Howard) Woolley. His grandfather on the maternal side was the celebrated Charles Wickliffe. His great-grand- father Howard was of the Arundel Howards.
After graduating from Transylvania University, at Lexington, Kentucky, he studied law in his father's office and later practiced law in Lexington for a few years. While still a young man, in 1855, he came to Cincinnati to
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live, and in the following year married Mary Frances Strader, a daughter of Captain Strader, who was at that time one of the very prominent men of Cincinnati.
For many years Colonel Woolley was a close friend and confidant of some of the most distinguished statesmen of the past century and did much in his time to shape many measures of public policy, in national and munici- pal affairs. The political correspondence of Charles W. Woolley, which extended over a period of 40 years, if collected and collated would no doubt show much of an intimate and confidential nature and throw many side lights that would serve to more clearly outline the real interest back of certain national policies that have come to be regarded as historical. Few men who have lived in this community have wielded a more far reaching influence, or a more silent one. He never had any personal political ambi- tion,-he loved to work for the advancement of his friends. He was a mem- ber of the Chamber of Commerce and always took the deepest interest in the furtherance of public projects.
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REV. J. G. MONFORT, D. D., LL. D.
A citizen of whom Cincinnati is justly proud is Rev. Dr. J. G. Monfort, whose career of almost a half century as an editor is exceeded by his service as a minister in the Presbyterian Church, in both. capacities affording the world a most remarkable example of physical qualities supplemented by mental faculties of a high degree.
Rev. Dr. Monfort is a native of the State which his long and valuable services have made more notable, for, while he has traveled in many lands and garnered from many fields, he was reared, educated and has made his home in Ohio. His birth took place December 9, 1810, in Warren County, and he is the oldest living alumnus of Miami University, from which he was graduated 69 years ago. In 1837 he was licensed a Presbyterian minister and until he assumed the editorship of the Herald and Presbyter, confined himself to his pulpit, chiefly at Greensburg, Indiana, although during the many years of editorial work he continued to preach, as has been remarked by a friend, "probably as often as the average preacher and possibly in more places." For 52 years he pursued his editorial work,-doing notable
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and effective service with his pen for his own religious body and the world in general. In nearly every country in the world, during his extensive travels, he has proclaimed his message of faith and love, his opportunities giving him audiences in many remote spots, among others, Damascus, Jerusa- lem and Cairo and the ruins of Karnak in Egypt. Dr. Monfort has been a constant and interested visitor at the meetings of the Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly, having attended the latter 37 times, the first occasion being 63 years ago in Philadelphia. He was one of the main leaders in the move to reunite the Presbyterian Church South and North, and wrote the resolution which was adopted at the St. Louis convention in 1865, tend- ing to that end, and is the only member of the Old School Committee now living. He conducted a monthy paper called Reunion Presbyterian for the securing of that object. He served on the following boards of the Presby- terian Church: Foreign missions, home missions, church erection, and church education. He was given the degree of Bachelor of Arts, upon his graduation from Miami University, in 1834; and the unsolicited honors of Doctor of Divinity and Doctor of Laws were bestowed upon him by Danville and Hanover, respectively, in 1853 and 1883.
While Dr. Monfort's energies have been given to the Presbyterian Church, in which his services have been so highly appreciated, his attitude in regard to public matters and great religious movements has been that of a broad minded philosopher and philanthropist. Although the winters of 93 years have whitened his head, his spirit is still aglow, and he is yet able to engage in the battles of the future and to pen lucid thoughts on the prob- lems for which church and state are seeking solution.
Dr. Monfort was united in marriage with Hannah Riggs, by whom he had five children, three of whom are now living, namely: Margaret C., widow of H. B. Morehead; Elias Riggs Monfort, the present postmaster of Cincinnati; and F. C. Monfort, editor of the Herald and Presbyter. Our sub- ject was called upon to mourn the loss of his life companion in 1897.
Upon December 10, 1902, it being the 92nd birthday anniversary of this . noted divine and religious editor, a brilliant company, comprising minis- . ters of the Cincinnati Presbytery, many personal friends and relatives, repre- senting many of the well known families of the city, assembled at his mag- nificent home at Gilbert and Foraker avenues to do him honor. With charin- ing hospitality the venerable Doctor greeted and entertained his friends.
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That he may long be numbered with them is the sincere wish of not only those nearest to him, but the general sentiment of the city which he has so long honored by his achievements, and by his church whose principles and enterprises he has so conspicuously promoted.
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JOHN D. GALLAGHER.
The death of John D. Gallagher, of Cincinnati, on November 11, 1896, removed from this city an upright and useful citizen and a prominent mem- ber of the Hamilton County bar. He was recognized in his profession as a man of exceptional ability and marked mental attainments. Mr. Gallagher was born December 5, 1851, at Steubenville, Ohio, and was a son of the late James and Rachel (Shaw) Gallagher, the former of whom was a native of Pennsylvania, of Irish ancestry, and the latter of Ohio, of English ancestry. For a number of years James Gallagher was president of the Jefferson National Bank of Steubenville. His death occurred April 7, 1892.
After completing the public school course at Steubenville, Ohio, Mr. Gallagher entered a preparatory school at Mount Pleasant, Ohio, and later entered Cornell University, at Ithaca, New York, where he remained two years, going then to Munich, Bavaria. From that city he proceeded to the University of Leipsic, Saxony, where for three years he enjoyed the superior advantages of that great educational center. Before returning to his native land, he spent one year at the L'Ecole de Droit, Paris. On May 10, 1877, he was graduated from the Cincinnati Law School. After spending three years in the office of Lincoln, Smith & Stephens, he entered upon the practice of his profession alone. His ability was speedily recognized, and he soon proved himself a strong, honorable and courageous advocate at the bar. With Frank M. Coppock, he formed the partnership of Coppock & Gallagher, which continued until the death of our subject. For a time the firm included Fred Hertenstein, ex-corporation counsel, and at all times it was a strong and prominent one in the city and county on account of the literary and legal 1
ability of the partners. In 1885, Mr. Gallagher became assistant city solicitor and served with distinction until 1887. He was an accomplished linguist and possessed a rare fund of scholarly information, that was derived from an intelligent and enthusiastic study of the masters in literature, both ancient
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and modern. His legal learning was profound and was drawn from the classics of that science. Mr. Gallagher was regarded as one of the safest advisers on complicated points of the law that Cincinnati has ever had, while his honest and upright methods of practice won him the respect of bench and bar. He was gifted with a remarkably clear and logical mind, and prob- ably no attorney of the Hamilton County 'bar ever excelled him in lucid 1
statements of intricate and subtle points. Mr. Gallagher never sought notoriety, his ideals being high and his aim being character, not reputation. In personal characteristics, he was agreeable and genial in manner and a gen- tleman in every sense of the word.
On April 22, 1882, Mr. Gallagher was united in marriage with Dora Cadwalader, a daughter of Andrew W. Cadwalader, formerly of Warren County, Ohio, now of Chicago, Illinois. The children born to this marriage are: Esther C., James, Rachel, Andrew and John, all of whom survive and with Mrs. Gallagher are socially known on Walnut Hills, where the beautiful family home is situated.
OLIVER D. NORTON, M. D.
OLIVER D. NORTON, M. D., one of the most prominent physicians and surgeons of Cincinnati and a citizen whose private life and professional career reflects honor upon his place of residence, was born July 1, 1821, at Westhampton, Massachusetts. He is a lineal descendant from one of the early English settlers of New England, and is a son of Oliver W. and Chloe Norton, both natives of Westhampton.
Until the age of 10 years Dr. Norton attended the village schools, but a serious accident at that time was, in its results, probably, the most fortunate thing that could have happened to him. The skillful treatment afforded by the eminent Dr. J. Flint of Northampton, Massachusetts, father of Prof. Austin Flint of New York, turned the current of his thoughts in the direction of surgery, and at the age of 13 years he entered the office of the village physician at Southampton, where he learned the primary principles of medi- cine, the compounding of drugs, preparing of bandages, etc. For the knowl- edge so obtained and applied he was given his board and lodging and the privilege of attending Sheldon Academy, and there he remained six years.
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He was an ambitious and zealous student, learning Latin and during the summers of 1835 and 1836 studying practical botany under Prof. Alvin Chapman of Florida. Dr. Norton also gratefully acknowledges his grati- tude to the distinguished Rev. Vinson Gould who offered his splendid library to a number of young students, in this generous way enabling them to be- come acquainted with the best literature and learn the true value of Latin. He was a classmate and close friend of Dr. J. G. Holland, who gained a world-wide reputation as a writer and later became superintendent of the public schools of New York City. At the age of 19 our subject began to teach school, continuing his preparations in the meantime for entrance to Williston's Seminary at Easthampton. As he reached the age of 21, he determined to immediately prepare for the profession which had attracted him from boyhood. He entered the offices of Drs. Thompson and Barret at Northampton, where he remained four years, and when opportunity offered attended lectures at Berkshire Medical College at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In 1845 he was graduated and received his degree.
Until the fall of 1846 Dr. Norton practiced in Northampton, Massa- chusetts, in conjunction with his preceptors and then started out for himself. Cincinnati was his objective point and he journeyed to this city by rail, stage and boat, opening upon his arrival an office on Seventh street. When Dr. Langdon left his office in Central avenue and his large practice, in order to enter the army for the Mexican War, came Dr. Norton's opportunity. Since then, year by year, he has become more prominent in his profession and before the public. His skill in surgery became so well known that he was entrusted with many of the complicated cases of his brother physicians. He was made surgeon to the Washington Park Hospital at Cincinnati in the early days of the Civil War, and later hastened to Pittsburg Landing and other points in order that the wounded could have the benefit of his skill.
Dr. Norton has been prominent in many other lines than medicine and is one of the oldest officers of the Philharmonic Society of this city. He is the possessor of a good voice, which was cultivated in youth, and for more than 30 years was a singer at high mass in the Cathedral in Cincin- nati, leading the choir.
On October 18, 1854, Dr. Norton was married to Julia Burt, a daughter of Andrew Burt, and they have three children: Oliver D., who graduated in medicine and surgery, and is a surgeon in the United States Navy ; Andrew
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B., who is identified with one of the city's prominent banks; and Anna B., who lives at home. Dr. Norton is past 83 years of age and is active, hale and hearty. He has a beautiful home on Mount Auburn, Cincinnati. He was reared in the Congregational faith and he and his wife are devout mem- bers of that church.
THOMAS E. DOYLE.
THOMAS E. DOYLE, general yardmaster at Cincinnati for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company, died at his home, No. 904 Kenyon avenue, on October 3, 1903, the immediate cause of his death being brain fever. Mr. Doyle was one of the best known railroad men in the . service with which he had been connected since boyhood.
Mr. Doyle was born at Medina, New York, in 1856, and was a son of Lawrence F. and Anna ( Newman) Doyle, who were natives of Ireland. His whole business life was connected with railroads, his first effort at self sup- port being in the capacity of a messenger boy in the office of John Long, then local agent at Cincinnati for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. For a considerable time he was a switchman, first with the old Ohio & Missis- sippi Railroad and later with the Bee Line. For many years he had been yardmaster for the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Com- pany. He was universally popular and was held by the officials of the road in the highest esteem, his capacity and faithfulness having been tested upon many occasions.
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On January 13, 1886, Mr. Doyle was married to Ella Burns, daughter of Martin Burns, a well known citizen of Harrison, Ohio. Mrs. Doyle and four children-Edmund L .; May; Clara and Helen-survive him. Mr. Doyle was a devout Catholic, as are his wife and children. He had scores of friends in and out of his religious denomination. He was a man devoted to his home, where he was honored and beloved. In his death the great cor- poration that he so faithfully served lost a man of sterling worth.
The funeral services, which took place prior to interment at St. Joseph's Cemetery, were of a most impressive character and were attended by a large gathering of devoted friends and prominent representatives of various railroads. The pall-bearers were selected from friends and former associ-
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JULIUS ENGELKE.
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ates and were the following: J. S. Sweeney, train master; N. R. Johnson, general agent; T. A. Connor, local agent; John Hackett, night yardmaster; George Peck, special officer; J. S. Fitzgerald, contracting agent, all of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway; J. D. Mullen, foreman of the Brightwood shops of the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chi- cago & St. Louis Railway at Indianapolis; and Jerry Riley, depot master here of the Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific Railway.
Mr. Doyle left the record of a life which should be emulated. He was loyal to his friends, his country and his road; he was faithful and consci- entious in the performance of every duty, was honest in business life and con- siderate and thoughtful of his friends.
JULIUS ENGELKE. i
JULIUS ENGELKE, president of The Engelke Saddlery Company, and one of the leading German citizens of Cincinnati, whose business career in this city has been marked with most successful results, was born in Herzberg, Hanover, Germany, August 9, 1834, and is the youngest of four sons born to Henry and Henrietta (Koch) Engelke, natives of Herzberg. The parents resided there until the close of their lives, the father dying in 1834 and the mother in 1842.
Mr. Engelke was given excellent educational chances in his native town. His father was a gunsmith by trade, but the youth decided to become a saddler and harness maker, and prior to coming to Cincinnati in 1854 had become a skilled workman. He very soon secured work at his trade in this city, and in March, 1863, embarked in the saddlery business for himself, opening a shop on Vine street, near 15th, where he remained for a period of 20 years. In August, 1891, he established his large business at its present location, Sixth and Main streets, where it still remains, one of the largest and most complete saddlery concerns in the Queen City. The Engelke Saddlery Company em- ploys a large force, and is noted for its generous policy in paying good wages to good workmen. Mr. Engelke came to Cincinnati with no other capital than a thorough knowledge of his trade, and is now ranked among the lead- ing, representative citizens of means in the city of his adoption.
Mr. Engelke has not only been a successful business man, but has also
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been a leader in political affairs, and has been honored by appointment to various positions of responsibility. His public services, whether as a mem- ber of the City Council or of the Board of Control, have been characterized with the efficiency of a man of true public spirit. He has served for eight years as a member of the City Council, and is president of the Board of Con- trol at the present time. He was renominated and reelected to this position in the fall of 1903 on. the Republican ticket. He has filled many other posi- tions of trust, too numerous to mention. Few citizens stand higher com- mercially or publicly. He is one of the best known of the German business men of Cincinnati.
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