USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. II, Pt. 2 > Part 20
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SAMUEL WOODWARD.
SAMUEL WOODWARD, whose well appointed offices are located in the Car- lisle Building, Cincinnati, is one of the city's well known attorneys, as well as successful business men. Mr. Woodward was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, May 15, 1839, and is a son of Ezekiel and Mary (Wilson) Wood- ward, both of whom are of English extraction and New England parentage.
Mr. Woodward was given the best available educational advantages in his youth and completed his course at the Westminster, Vermont, High School. His location in Ohio was something of an accident, as he came to the West to visit his brother, who was engaged in farming near Morrow, Ohio, and remained with the latter a year, superintending some of the agri- cultural operations. In 1859 he became one of the engineering corps of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad and in 1861 became private secretary to his brother, E. W. Woodward, who was then the superintendent, later the presi- dent, of the Little Miami Railroad Company. Thus he became intimately associated with railroad work, and in 1870 was made superintendent of con- struction with the Dayton Short Line road, three years later being advanced to the position of general superintendent of the Indianapolis & St. Louis Rail- road. In 1876 Mr. Woodward became president of the Cincinnati & Eastern road, which honorable position he resigned in 1878 to become general super-'
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intendent of the Cincinnati Southern Railway. With James H. Stewart, he was selected in 1882 as receiver of the old Marietta & Cincinnati road, and after its sale and reorganization he resumed his relations with the Cin- cinnati Southern until he was appointed its receiver. His long and honorable connection with railroad affairs was concluded in February, 1885, when he resigned as receiver and put into effect a project which he had long had in mind, that of studying law. In 1887 Mr. Woodward was admitted to the bar in Missouri, and three years later in Ohio; locating in Cincinnati, he has made rapid strides in the profession in the past 13 years. His name has been prominently associated with important litigation and his practice extends through all the courts.
On January 18, 1867, Mr. Woodward was married to Kate L. Miller, who is a daughter of the late William Miller, of Circleville, Ohio, and three daughters have been born to them: Harriet L., Mary and Edith. All are prominent in social circles and the eldest is the wife of Charles S. Mounts, a leading hardware merchant of Wilmington, Ohio. The family home is at Morrow, and is one of generous hospitality, Mr. Woodward having hosts of friends both in professional and private life.
CAPT. CHARLES CLINTON.
On the corner of Rockdale and Main avenues, Avondale, Cincinnati, reaches toward the sky the shaft of a beautiful monument, which bears at its base an inscription which tells that it stands on this spot, amid beautiful surroundings, erected as a memorial monument to Abraham Lincoln. Few of the citizens of Cincinnati are insensible to the fact that this most appro- priate gift to the city was made by one of its most esteemed and prosperous citizens, Capt. Charles Clinton.
Captain Clinton was born at West Springfield, Massachusetts, and was the only son born to Peter and Julia ( Patterson) Clinton. Our subject was left an orphan when in childhood. His Grandfather Patterson was a captain in the Revolutionary Army and lived in Canada at that time. He died in the service and his widow with her ten children moved to Peoria, Illinois. Being without means she applied for a pension but it was refused on the ground that she could not establish her marriage. It was afterward proved
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to the satisfaction of the Pension Bureau that she had eloped and been secretly married to Mr. Patterson in Massachusetts, and the pension was granted. She lived to reach the advanced age of 93 years.
Captain Clinton was thrown upon his own resources at an early age. He left his home in Springfield, Massachusetts, at the age of 13 years and went to New York State, where he received a limited education. He then removed to Carlisle, Clark County, Ohio, where he taught school for several years, subsequently removing to St. Louis, Missouri, where he was en- gaged as clerk in a commission house at the outbreak of the Civil War. His resignation immediately followed and he entered the Union Army with a com- mission in a troop of cavalry. His notable services during the progress of the war appear in histories devoted to the distinguished men of that period. The close of the struggle found him at New Orleans. For a number of years subsequently he managed a company that operated sailing vessels between New Orleans and the West Indies. Three names were considered by Pres- ident Grant for appointment as superintendent of the United States Mint at New Orleans,-Heath, Bowen and Clinton. Captain Clinton received a dispatch from the President notifying him of the appointment, and the latter immediately repaired to Washington where he received his instructions from the President in person. A bond of $300,000 was furnished unsolicited by numerous merchants of New Orleans who prevailed upon him to accept the appointment. Captain Clinton's name was placed on the ticket for State Auditor in 1872, and his election followed. He served most efficiently in that capacity and during his incumbency funded the State debt of $23,000,000 down to $14,000,000. In 1887, Captain Clinton came to make his home in Cincinnati, where he was warmly received and resides in the beautiful man- sion of his daughter and son-in-law.
On May 28, 1857, Captain Clinton was united in marriage with Har- riet P. Stoutemyer, a native of Clark County, Ohio. To this union was born a daughter, Jessie Patterson, now deceased, who was the wife of the well known hard lumber merchant of Cincinnati, L. G. Banning. The Ban- ning family is well known as one of the pioneer families of Cincinnati. The father of L. G. Banning was Jeremiah Banning, one of the foremost bankers of his day and a brother of the late David Banning of Covington, Ken- tucky.
The laying of the corner-stone of the Lincoln Monument took place on
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December 9, 1902, in the presence of 2,000 school children, pupils of the Avondale school, and a large number of prominent citizens. The appropriate exercises consisted of patriotic songs and addresses, and within the corner- stone were placed: Signatures of President Roosevelt, Governor Nash, and Mayor Fleischmann; letter from Robert T. Lincoln, son of Abraham Lin- coln; synopsis of the life of Charles Clinton and his reasons for giving the Lincoln Statue; signatures of teachers and all pupils of the Avondale school; copy of "Early Days of Cincinnati," by Dr. A. E. Jones; report of schools of Cincinnati, 1901, by Dr. Boone; Loyal Legion literature; the Holy Bible; all silver and small United States coins of 1902; seeds grown in Ohio Val- ley,-oats, clover, wheat, rye, corn, timothy, barley, grass and millet; and . copies of all Cincinnati daily newspapers.
As an index to the noble and public spirited character of Captain Clin- ton, we append his letter given the committee'on the monument :
"Next to my God, I love my country. I want to incite the minds of boys that are and are to be to look into the character, and work and life and death of Mr. Lincoln. Besides, I knew and loved him before he belonged to the public; my soldier boys were his neighbors and many of them had been dandled on his knee at their fathers' farm houses. I am 72 years old to-day. Whatever I am to do I must be about it."
Long after this high minded citizen shall have passed away, the monu- ment will remain, speaking not only of the great virtues and sublime char- acter of its subject, but will also call to mind the giver and the reasons for the gift, inciting patriotism in coming generations.
EDWIN D. ALBRO.
EDWIN D. ALBRO, president of the E. D. Albro Manufacturing Com- pany of Cincinnati, producers of lumber and veneers, is one of the prom- inent and representative business men of this city. Mr. Albro was born in Cincinnati, July 16, 1838, and is a grandson. of Henry Albro, and a son of Henry and Harriet (Smith), the former of whom was born at Middletown, Rhode Island. The father was born at Cummington, Massa- chusetts, and the mother at Mount Sterling, Kentucky.
Henry Albro, father of our subject, started out in life as a youthful 40
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purveyor through the country of those small articles dear to the isolated housewife. He traveled through a large extent of country in what was then denominated the West, at Mount Sterling, Kentucky, meeting the lady who later became his wife. On April 11, 1831, they came to Cin- cinnati, and in the following year Mr. Albro erected the first veneer saw ever in use west of the Alleghany Mountains. During his journeyings through Ohio and Kentucky, this enterprising business man had noted the fine hardwood materials in the forests, and although the erection of his first factory was something in the light of an experiment, his judgment and fore- sight made it a success. It soon became necessary for him to establish a depot in New York City to handle the products of his mills, and our subject, then but a boy of 17, was sent to take charge of it. He remained and capably. filled the position for four years.
Edwin D. Albro was educated at the school of Charles E. Matthew and at St. John's College, then under Dr. Colton, and from boyhood he took a deep interest in his father's business. He recalls that very often when his companions were engaging in various sports, he found the most pleasure in watching the logs passing through the different stages of con- version into lumber and veneers in the great mills. Thus he so early be- came qualified to fill the important branch of the business in New York. In 1864 he succeeded to the business and soon became engrossed in the improvement of the machinery and ere long had made many changes by which the various methods were conducted with more efficiency and more. . economically. He continued in the business alone until 1877, when the E. D. Albro Manufacturing Company was incorporated. . The plant is now the largest and best equipped one of its kind in this country. The main buildings, mills, warehouses, etc., occupy nearly the entire block of ground from Sixth to Sloo streets, between Freeman and Carr. One feature of this great industrial plant is that all the veneers and lumber are produced direct from the raw material, the facilities being such that it can be most profitably done. Commercial relations cover the whole of the United States and Canada and include many foreign countries. These works are well worth a visit, and those who delight in rare cabinet woods and veneers will find there rare specimens.
In 1860 Mr. Albro was married to Alice Dryer, daughter of Dr. R. K. Dryer, a noted physician of Western New York. Her death occurred in
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1886, without issue. Two years later, Mr. Albro was married to Mrs. Mary L. Cross, a daughter of the late Dr. L. Dodge, for many years a prominent resident of Cleveland, Ohio .- In religious belief, Mr. Albro is a Presbyterian. . He is a man of domestic tastes and finds his greatest pleasure at his own fireside, not being particularly interested in either political or fraternal life, He is a man of the highest integrity and is universally esteemed.
BENJAMIN MERRILL RICKETTS, PH. B., M. D.
BENJAMIN MERRILL RICKETTS, PH. B., M. D., a gentleman who has attained distinction in the field of medical science, conducts a private hospital at the corner of Fourth and Broadway streets, Cincinnati, and is one of the best known surgeons of the city.
Dr. Ricketts was born in Proctorville, Lawrence County, Ohio, May 20, 1858, and is a son of Dr. Girard Robinson and Rachel ( McLaughlin) Ricketts. His education was acquired in the public schools of his native town and at Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. After some study of medicine in the office of his father, he entered Miami Medical College in 1879 and graduated with the class of 1881. He engaged in practice at Iron- ton, Ohio, for two years, and then for one year practiced in Columbus, Ohio. He was also a student in the medical department of Columbus University . during 1884 and 1885, and during 1884 was house surgeon of the New York Skin and Cancer Hospital. He was professor of clinical surgery in Miami Medical College during 1886 and 1887, and in 1888 organized the Cincinnati Polyclinic, which was devoted exclusively to post-graduate work. · He was visiting physician for skin diseases and cancer to the German Dea- coness' Hospital, Christ Hospital, and the Presbyterian Hospital. In 1895 he resigned all his hospital positions to devote his time to the perfection of his knowledge of surgery by practical experiments. He opened his private hospital at Fourth and Broadway streets in 1887, and continued his study and experiments which have been of great benefit to the medical profession as he has contributed many valuable articles to medical journals and so- cieties. For a long period he was engaged in interesting and original ex- periments in the surgery of the heart and lungs. The results of his researchi were in part made known at various times to the medical world through
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published articles and addresses, and the interest with which they were received warranted him in putting them forth in book form, the name of the publication being, "The Surgery of the Heart and Lungs." The subject is formally treated from both the historical and the experimental side. Com- plete bibliographical notes follow the chapters, making the work valuable to' the student, while the record of experiments is of great permanent value to general practitioners.
On May 20, 1885, Dr. Ricketts was joined in marriage with Jennie L. Clark, of Ironton, Ohio, who died December 16, 1885. On November 24, 1891, he was married to Elizabeth Laws, a daughter of the late James H. and Sarah (Langdon) Laws. Her father was for some years one of Cin- cinnati's prominent merchants and was also an extensive sugar planter in Louisiana. Two children blessed this union: Merrill Girard, born September 20, 1893; and James Laws, born January 18, 1896. The Doctor is a mem- ber of the Ohio State Medical Society, Cincinnati Academy of Medicine, the American Medical Association and the Cincinnati Society of Natural History, of which he has been vice-president and a member of the board of trustees.
HON. HOWARD FERRIS.
HON. HOWARD FERRIS, judge of the Superior Court of Cincinnati, was born at Linwood, Hamilton County, Ohio, August 2, 1853, and is a son of S. M. Ferris, who was one of the early and prominent manufacturers of this county. The Ferris family is a pioneer in this county, settling at Columbia as early as 1790.
After obtaining a preliminary education in the public schools, Judge Ferris entered Denison University, Granville, Ohio, from which he was grad- uated in 1876. After serving two years as principal of the Norwood pub- lic schools, he began to prepare himself for the legal profession by attending Cincinnati Law School and was graduated in 1879. He immediately after entered into partnership with Judge Cowan, in whose office he had previously studied. This association continued for a period of 10 years, when Judge Ferris became a partner of Judge James B. Swing, with whom he con- tinued until 1890. He was then elected to the office of judge of the Probate Court by the large majority of 9,000 votes, more than 2,000 in excess of
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what was received by any other candidate on the Republican ticket. He discharged his duties in a most satisfactory manner, and his popularity with the people grew as he became better known to them. He served as Probate judge until 1902, when he was elected judge of the Superior Court of Cin- cinnati by an unprecedented majority.
John B. Jewett once wrote of him: "The force of Judge Ferris' char- acter is large inherited from the bold, energetic and enterprising spirit of his pioneer forefathers; the spirit which is most typical of the American people in particular, and which has in general- distinguished the Anglo-Saxon race. The first significant manifestation of his character was given when he was quite a small lad: When, without the knowledge of his parents, he en- tered into a contract to sell newspapers as train-boy, in order to raise funds for some ambitious project. That covert, but successful enterprise, was in reality the Judge's first step in his destined career of success. From that time to the present his fortunes and reputation have risen with every undertaking. *
* Judge Ferris' abilities and merits as a man and an official are recognized all over the State, an appropriate testimonial of which sentiment was shown in the bestowal of the position now held by him as president of the Ohio State Association of Probate Judges (1894). As an official his every action originates in patriotism, and is controlled by justice. As a man, his stead- fast integrity, his hearty frankness, and the warm generosity of his mind and heart, have won him more popularity than even his brilliant executive talents. He is as distinct a representative of American manhood as of American intelligence."
Judge Ferris was united in marriage in 1884, with Fannie M. Arthur, a lady of culture and refinement. They reside on Edgecliff road, Walnut Hills.
SEYMOUR BURROWS AVERY.
SEYMOUR BURROWS AVERY, whose death took place February 26, 1880, was for many years one of the prominent business men of Cincinnati, being a member of the firm of Ringwalt & Avery, leading carpet merchants. He was born at Salisbury, New York, April 22, 1827, and was a son of Daniel and Flora (Byington) Avery, being of English ancestry.
Seymour B. Avery obtained his early educational training in the pub-
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lic schools of Salisbury, and in early manhood came to Cincinnati where he continued to reside the remainder of his life. He became a prominent business citizen and for many years prior to his death was a member of the well known carpet firm of Ringwalt & Avery, their establishment being located in the old Pike Building on Fourth street. Our subject was representative of the highest type of citizenship, and was held in the highest esteem by all with whom he was brought in contact. Beginning life without capital he attained a high degree of success and was reckoned among Cincinnati's foremost and influential men.
Mr. Avery was joined in marriage June 4, 1860, with Olive Stone, a daughter of Elisha and Susan (Whitney) Stone, and to them were born the following children: Olive, who is the wife of Alexander Sands, a son of Alexander Sands, Sr .; Flora, who is the wife of Martin Dodsworth, a manu- facturing chemist of Detroit, Michigan; Alice, who died in infancy; Susan, who is the wife of Everard J. Appleton (son of John and Mary Appleton), who is a special writer now with the Cincinnati Times-Star; Seymour, one of the auditors of the Standard Oil Company at Cincinnati, who married Birdie Law, a daughter of Frank and Mary Law; William Macready; and Mead Stone. Mrs. Appleton is a member of the Colonial Dames. Mrs. Avery has a comfortable home at No. 415 Forest avenue, Cincinnati, in which city she is widely known and popular, having at one time served as society 'editor for the Cincinnati Enquirer. She was graduated from the old Cin- cinnati Wesleyan Female College in 1858, and is a lady of high educational attainments. She possesses many admirable traits of character which have endeared her to her many acquaintances. Mr. Avery was an attendant of St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church, and was a liberal supporter of many charitable enterprises. His death was not only a sad loss to his immediate family but to the city as well.
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JULIUS J. BANTLIN.
JULIUS J. BANTLIN, who for many years was distinguished in Cincin- nati for his generosity, public spirit and mercantile success, died at his home in this city, January 12, 1898. He was born in the village of Roettingen, near the city of Ulm, Germany, July 26, 1826, and came to America in
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boyhood. When he came to Cincinnati he entered into the leather and harness business, for 45 years being one of the leading merchants and manu- facturers in this line. He was at all times a man of business habits and was. one of the most successful merchants of his day. However, this devotion to business and did not blind him to the growing needs of his city, and with true public spirit he was always among the first to come forward and assist in furthering desirable movements and contributing liberally. Mr. Bantlin was one of the promoters of the "Zoo," and his friendly attitude toward that and other public objects of use and attractiveness is gratefully recalled. He believed in the value of the Zoological Garden and in every instructive attrac- tion possible, and generously presented it with a pair of fine grizzly bears.
Mr. Bantlin also did much for the advancement of the musical taste of the city, contributing in many channels to secure institutions of music here and to see that they were appreciated. The good he did in giving an impetus to higher education here can scarcely be overestimated.
In 1854 Mr. Bantlin was married to Helena Rapp, who is a daughter of Philip J. Rapp of Cincinnati. Mr. Bantlin is survived by his widow and by two children, namely: Philip, who resides with his mother at No. 204 West Eighth street; and Louise N., who is the wife of William M. Colclesser, who is president of The Julius J. Bantlin Company, founded by our subject, which company conducts an extensive business at No. 346 Main street in saddlery, hardware, robes, blankets, flynets and leading brands of harness leather.
HON. JACOB BURNET.
HON. JACOB BURNET, whose death took place March 27, 1889, after a long and honorable public career, was for many years an important factor in the judicial circles of the State of Ohio. Judge Burnet came of a family of substance and distinction and was born November 3, 1818, being one of a family of 10 children born to Mayor Isaac G. Burnet, who was one of the first settlers of Cincinnati and its first mayor. His uncle, for whom he was ' named, was Senator and Judge Jacob Burnet, the eminent lawyer and judge of the Supreme Court of Ohio.
Judge Burnet of this record passed quickly through the public schools of his native city and then entered Miami University where he was gradu-
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ated with high honors. His leanings were in the direction of the law, both by heredity and ability, and he was received as a student in the office of Vachel Worthington, who was also the preceptor of Judge Stanley Matthews, and remained there until his admission to the bar in 1839. He then entered his father's office in a clerical position and received there the practical train- ing which prepared him to so ably meet and judicially solve the great legal questions which were later presented to him. In 1871 he was elected judge of the Hamilton County Court of Common Pleas and there he gave most excellent satisfaction and fully met the expectations of his friends and the bar, earning the good will of the practicing lawyers through his fair and impartial treatment and his thorough comprehension of all technicalities. In 1877 he was slated for reelection on the same ticket on which his friend Judge Matthews was running for Congress, and was elected by a fine ma- jority.
It was while Judge Burnet was on the Common Pleas bench that that body constituted the District Court which reviewed in error the cases of the Court of Common Pleas and appeals in chancery.
This anomalous state of affairs caused a great deal of complaint, for lawyers did not fancy the idea of judges sitting in the Court of Common Pleas reviewing their own decisions as members of the District Court. The just contention against this system of judicature was recognized by the Legislature, which passed a law increasing the number of judges to seven and these selected three of their number to sit only in the District Court, who were to review the cases in error and the chancery cases without hear- ing them originally. The gentlemen thus distinguished by their own body were: Judge William Ledyard Avery, Judge Joseph Cox and Judge Jacob Burnet. This District Court, thus set apart, continued in existence until the adoption of the present Circuit Court. After leaving the bench which he had honored so long, Judge Burnet resumed his private practice, and in 1881 formed a partnership with his nephew, William B. Burnet, which continued a few years, when it was dissolved, and he practiced alone until his death.
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